

        

                  .     .     .
We arrived in Lucerne in the morning, found the apartment we rented near the train station pretty easy, but there was no key in the lock box they told me to look at. I had to call them (thank goodness there is cellphone these days), and the girl told me to look at a different lock box where I found the key!

1. Our apartment. I was surprised how hot Lucerne was in late August (high 80s), and the apartment had no a/c, we relied on the fan and opening window and door to stay cool.

2. The little kitchen really helped.

3. Our balcony.

4. Streets near our apartment.

5. Streets near our apartment.

6. Streets near our apartment.

7. Streets near our apartment.

8. Beautiful Chapel Bridge, a 204 m (669 ft.) long wooden covered bridge originally built in 1333, the oldest covered bridge in Europe.

9. Lake Lucerne.

10. The Lion Monument commemorates the hundreds of Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution.

11.

12. Lake Lucerne from old town walls.

13. Lucerne from an overlook next to Hotel Chateau Gutsch.

14. Lucerne.

15. Chapel Bridge again.

(To be continued)
North Korea seeks `equilibrium` of military force with US

Photo shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, (centre) celebrates what was said to be the test launch of an intermediate range Hwasong-12 missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea.

AFP, Seoul :

North Korea is seeking an "equilibrium" of military force with the United States, state media reported Saturday, after Pyongyang sparked global condemnation with a sixth nuclear test then fired a second missile over Japan in less than a month.

The North's leader Kim Jong-Un said the country was close to the goal of completing their nuclear force and should use all state power to finish as they have "nearly reached the terminal", the official KCNA news agency reported. "Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK," Kim Jong-Un said, according to the KCNA report.

North Korea on Friday fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan that landed in the Pacific, responding to new UN sanctions with its furthest-ever missile flight.

The launch came days after the UN Security Council slapped fresh sanctions on the isolated country in response to the their sixth nuclear test on September 3.

North Korea's leader said that Friday's Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile fired over Japan had been successful and had increased the North's "combat power of the nuclear force", KCNA said. "We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade," Jong-Un said, according to KCNA. The North has raised global tensions with its rapid progress in weapons technology under leader Kim Jong-Un, who is regularly pictured by state media overseeing launches and visiting facilities. The North's last missile launch, a Hwasong-12 IRBM just over two weeks ago, also overflew Japan's main islands and was the first to do so for years.

Under Kim's watch, North Korea has maintained a torrid pace in weapons tests, including its most powerful nuclear test to date on Sept. 3 and two July flight tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could strike deep into the U.S. mainland when perfected.

The increasingly frequent and aggressive tests have added to outside fears that the North is closer than ever to building a military arsenal that could viably target the U.S. and its allies in Asia. The tests, which could potentially make launches over Japan an accepted norm, are also seen as North Korea's attempt to win greater military freedom in the region and raise doubts in Seoul and Tokyo that Washington would risk the annihilation of a U.S. city to protect them. The KCNA said Kim expressed great satisfaction over the launch, which he said verified the "combat efficiency and reliability" of the missile and the success of efforts to increase its power.

While the English version of the report was less straightforward, the Korean version quoted Kim as declaring the missile as operationally ready. He vowed to complete his nuclear weapons program in the face of strengthening international sanctions, the agency said.

Photos published by North Korea's state media showed the missile being fired from a truck-mounted launcher and a smiling Kim clapping and raising his fist while celebrating from an observation point. It was the first time North Korea showed the missile being launched directly from a vehicle, which experts said indicated confidence about the mobility and reliability of the system. In previous tests, North Korea used trucks to transport and erect the Hwasong-12s, but moved the missiles on separate firing tables before launching them.

The U.N. Security Council accused North Korea of undermining regional peace and security by launching its latest missile over Japan and said its nuclear and missile tests "have caused grave security concerns around the world" and threaten all 193 U.N. member states.

Kim also said the country, despite "limitless" international sanctions, has nearly completed the building of its nuclear weapons force and called for "all-state efforts" to reach the goal and obtain a "capacity for nuclear counterattack the U.S. cannot cope with."

"As recognized by the whole world, we have made all these achievements despite the U.N. sanctions that have lasted for decades," the agency quoted Kim as saying.

Kim said the country's final goal "is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK," referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.




Turkey, Russia, Iran to police Syria Idlib safe zone

Syrian chief negotiator and UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari A speaks with Iranian deputy foreign minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari (L) during the session of Syria peace talks in Astana on Friday.

AP, Astana :

Russia, Turkey and Iran have agreed to set up de-escalation zones in Syria for six months, negotiators for the three countries have said in a joint statement during the sixth round of talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana.

The zones will include, fully or partly, Eastern Ghouta and the provinces of Idlib, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo and Hama, according to a statement issued on Friday.

The six-month term may be extended in the future.

The plan calls for the cessation of hostilities between anti-government groups and forces fighting on behalf of dictator Bashar al-Assad in four so-called de-escalation zones in mainly opposition-held areas of the country, with Russia, Turkey and Iran to act as guarantors.

The statement said representatives from the three countries were still discussing what forces to deploy in Idlib, which is under the control of an alliance spearheaded by the former al-Qaeda offshoot, al-Nusra Front.

"Delegations from Turkey, Russia and Iran determined the borders of a fourth de-escalation zone that will be established in Idlib province in talks yesterday and today," Anadolu news agency said, citing sources attending the meetings in Astana.

The UN's special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said the creation of a fourth de-escalation zone is a positive development.

"We really welcome this agreement today because we have always been pushing for de-escalation," he said.

"This is what the people of Syria have been asking and the fact of adding new areas to this de-escalation is crucial," Mistura added. "It already has reduced fighting in many areas."

Turkey's pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper said in an unsourced report on Friday that the three countries planned to divide the Idlib region in three, with Turkish forces and opposition fighters in the northwest region bordering Turkey.

It said Iranian and Syrian army forces would be deployed to the southeast, with Russian forces in between those two zones.

Though the plan for de-escalation zones was signed by Syrian-government backers Iran and Russia in May, diplomats failed to hammer out the details over boundaries and policing during the last round of Astana talks in July.

The deal laid out the areas where fighters and government forces should halt hostilities, including air raids, for six months. More than 2.5 million people are believed to live in the zones.

This is the first plan to envisage armed foreign monitors on the ground in Syria.

Troops from the three countries are expected to help to secure the safe zones.

Russia will continue to fly over the areas but refrain from conducting air raids.

The Syrian regime is to allow "unhindered" humanitarian aid into opposition-held areas, and public services such as electricity and water are to be restored where they have been cut off.

Meanwhile, U.S.-backed Syrian militias will not let government forces cross the Euphrates River in their bid to recover eastern Syria, their commander said on Friday, but Russia said army units had already done so near the city of Deir al-Zor.

An aide to President Bashar al-Assad meanwhile said the government would fight any force, including U.S.-backed militias, in efforts to recapture the rest of the country.

Syrian government forces supported by Russian air strikes and Iran-backed militias, and a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, are converging on Islamic State in separate offensives around Deir al-Zor.

The government side has advanced into the city from the west. Last week, they broke an Islamic State siege of the provincial capital, which sits on the western bank of the river.

The Deir al-Zor military council, fighting as part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has meanwhile advanced toward Deir al-Zor from the eastern side of the river since launching an offensive into the province a week ago.

Military council commander Ahmed Abu Khawla warned government forces and their militia allies against firing across the river as his fighters close in-something he said had happened in recent days.

"Now we have 3 km between us and the eastern riverbank, once our forces reach the area, any shot fired into that area we will consider an attack on the military council," he said.

"We have notified the regime and Russia that we are coming to the Euphrates riverbank, and they can see our forces advancing," he said. "We do not allow the regime or its militias to cross to the eastern riverbank."

But Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Syrian army had already crossed.

"The suburbs of this provincial center (Deir al-Zor) have been liberated. Advance units have successfully crossed the Euphrates and are holding positions on its eastern bank," she said, without specifying where.

Abu Khawla said this was "mere propaganda ... no one has crossed."

Assad aide Bouthaina Shaaban later said the Syrian government was ready to fight the SDF.

"Whether it's the Syrian Democratic Forces, or Daesh (Islamic State) or any illegitimate foreign force in the country ... we will fight and work against them so our land is freed completely from any aggressor," she said in an interview with Hezbollah's Al Manar TV.




President hails Singapore counterpart Halimah Yacob



President M Abdul Hamid on Friday congratulated Halimah Yacob, the newly elected first ever female President of the Republic of Singapore.

In a message, President Hamid said, "I hope that Singapore will go ahead towards more development and prosperity under the efficient leadership of Halimah."

Abdul Hamid also hoped that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Singapore would further strengthen under her dynamic leadership in the days ahead.
What Can Police Do in a High-Speed Chase?

Former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley was acquitted today on first-degree murder charges stemming from the fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith. Stockley shot Smith five times in his car following a three-minute chase during which Stockley allegedly said "We're killing this motherf*," ordered his partner to crash their patrol car into Smith's vehicle, and planted a gun in Smith's car after the fact.

Beyond the questions about yet another unpunished police shooting, there come questions about what police can legally do during a high speed pursuit: Are there any legal limits to police force once a chase has started?

Fleeing Is a Violent Felony

Can running from the cops be a crime in and of itself? Yes, according to the Supreme Court. Not only that, fleeing from the cops in a vehicle can be a violent felony under federal law. "Risk of violence is inherent to vehicle flight," the court said. "It is well known that when offenders use motor vehicles as their means of escape they create serious potential risks of physical injury to others. Flight from a law enforcement officer invites, even demands, pursuit."

Injured Suspects Can't Sue

We've seen enough police pursuit shows to know that many, if not most, high speed chases end in a crash, often with officers intentionally ramming a fleeing suspect's car. Such was the case when officers rammed Victor Harris's Cadillac, flipping the car on its side and rendering Harris a quadriplegic. But the Supreme Court ruled the officer in question, although untrained in proper technique for ending vehicle chases, nevertheless used "reasonable force," and Harris couldn't sue the police for his injuries.

Limits to Deadly Force

In 1985, the Supreme Court ruled that police may only use deadly force to apprehend a fleeing suspect if it is "necessary to prevent the escape and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others." And in 2015, the Court said that force can include firing five rounds into a fleeing car (four of which struck and killed the driver), even if the officer doing the shooting has neither received training in this tactic nor attempted it before.

Related Resources:
President, PM call for protecting ozonosphere for future generations



President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday urged all concerned to create awareness for protecting ozone layer to save environment.

In separate messages on the eve of the World Ozone Day 2017, the President and the Prime Minister welcomed the initiative of observing the day in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world.

They described this year's theme of the day "Caring for all life under the sun" as appropriate.

In his message, the President urged the ministry for environment and forest, department of environment, mass media and all concerned to make tireless efforts to create awareness at the grassroots level by observing the day.

The President said it is essential for all countries, rich or poor, to take united efforts to protect the ozone layer.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hoped that awareness would be created in the country through the observance of Ozone Day and the common people would refrain from using goods decaying ozone layer.

She said Montreal Protocol are playing remarkable role in protection of the ozone layer as well as it is making a valuable contribution to face climate change issue.

The Prime Minister wished success of all programmes of World Ozone Day.
London bomb blast will create more unstable situation

ANOTHER terrorist attack has occurred to unstable global politics and economy. As usual ISIS has claimed responsibility of the attack. A home-made bomb exploded on a packed rush-hour commuter train in London injuring 22 people on Friday, police said, in what was being treated as the fifth terrorism attack in Britain this year. The list of critically injured people has reached 29 since then and they are being treated in different hospitals. Some suffered burns while others were injured in a rush to escape. This type of frequent attacks will create much havoc in the world.







What ISIS had been so successfully doing so far is to ruin the image of Islam and the Muslims in the eyes of a non-Muslim. Protest occurred last year against German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she let Muslim refugees to seek shelter in Germany. In the beginning Germans welcomed the refugees, but after the molestation of German women by some refugees on the New Year celebration party left the Germans raged against Muslims. Not only in Germany but also in Sweden, UK, and in other European countries, whoever gave shelter to the refugees, are said to have faced rape, beat downs, shop lifting, drug use and so on. These so-called refugees who are committing such atrocities in European countries may have been used by a group of International Mafia to create hatred against the Muslims. The situation has reached such stage that, killing innocent Muslims do not raise any eye-brows and is justified by telling them terrorists. Exactly, that is done by the Myanmar government to the Rohingya Muslims. As if Muslims and terrorists have become synonyms.





What ISIS has done for the Muslims in Palestine? Or Iraq and Afghanistan? They obviously do not have any sympathy for Muslims; in fact they have killed more Muslims than non-Muslims. Even there are rumours that all the video clippings of beheading are actually video shooting. All video clippings of Bin Laden were also video shooting believed by some people and they also believe that Bin Laden is still alive so is all the leaders of these terrorist groups. They never die in a war or get killed by the army, rather they taken to a safe custody, given a new identity and stage a fake death. Last year a photo became viral on the internet which shows, a armed group of people were protesting against Western world to support Israel and not supporting Muslims. All of them were wearing musk but one of them forgot to remove his locket which was a David's star. In fact there are many reasons to believe that Muslims are being used as a lamb for a greater evil purpose.





The truth is: The Muslims are now being subjected to oppression and persecution mostly due to power play of the Western powers and naturally resistance in the form of terrorist activism is growing up. The Western countries, primarily for their own interest should refrain from such brutalities against the Muslims. If they could only rein in Israel, peace will obviously be restored in Middle East with its chain effect globally.





We however, highly condemn the bomb attack in London on Friday and express sympathy for the victims.
Sharmin Akhter, UNO, Bandarban Sadar Upazila paying respect to late freedom fighter Mongcrohaang Marma at his funeral programme on Friday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police SM Monir-uz-Zaman addressing a view exchange meeting on the upcoming Durja Puga at Chittagong Police Line yesterday.
Five pointers for choosing your A-Level

Elizabeth Koprowski :

First, let's take a moment to recap. A-levels (short for General Certificate of Education Advanced Level) are academic qualifications awarded by many educational institutions in the UK, Commonwealth (and former Commonwealth) countries, and other countries around the world. A-levels are normally split into two years - AS and A2 - and demonstrate that a student has achieved a level of competence in certain subjects. Most universities in the UK, and in other countries, consider both the subjects studied and the marks earned when assessing applicants for undergraduate programs. This is why it's very important to make good choices when it comes to your A-levels. While some university degrees have no specific A-level requirements, others will expect you to have completed certain qualifications and just about every program will look at your exam marks, as well as your academic portfolio. So it's crucial that you choose subjects that a) will interest you; b) you can succeed in; and c) will qualify you for the degree(s) that interest you. So, without further ado, here's a quick guide to choosing the right A-levels.

1. Remember that A-levels are harder than GCSEs

A-levels are hard. Really hard. Your course work will be more advanced, and there will be more of it. Lessons will be a lot more about independent learning, and you'll be expected to motivate yourself to complete work and study for exams. So, as tempting as it might be to overload your A-level schedule with advanced subjects or to take loads of courses to 'keep your options open' it's better to focus on a core that will help you apply to your chosen schools and programs. A good starting point is what are known as "facilitating subjects." These eight subjects (math, chemistry, biology, physics, history, geography, English, and modern and classical languages) are the most likely subjects to be required by university programs. Choosing two of these, plus a third subject that interests you and relates to your potential degree, is a sure-fire way of making sure that you have lots of options when it comes to applying to universities.

2. Check entry criteria for the degree (or degrees) you're considering

Facilitating subjects are a fail-safe for entry requirements, but that doesn't mean that they cover every degree or that they're always necessary. Make sure to take some time to give serious thought to your future. Do you want to study medicine? Teaching? Technology? Figure out a few potential degrees and research the kinds of courses and experience necessary to succeed. And don't forget to check the requirements at individual universities. Take architecture as an example. Architecture programs don't normally require any specific A-levels, but the degree (and career) will require both mathematical and artistic skills. Furthermore, some architecture programs lean more heavily on the artistic side of the subject, while others concentrate more on the math and engineering aspects, so a strong art portfolio or good marks in maths will count more depending on where you apply.

3. Pick subjects you're good at

So, your grandpa was a barrister, and your mum is a solicitor, but you're really good at computer programming and web design. Don't pick subjects because someone else has told you to, or because you think everyone has to study maths, a science, and English to succeed in life. Choose your A-level subjects based on your goals and strengths. If you hate a subject or struggle to achieve good marks, you're only setting yourself up for frustration and failure. Instead, consider what interests you, what makes you happy, and where you are most likely to succeed and pick courses based on those criteria. Even if a subject is hard, if you love it you'll work hard to succeed.

4. Contact universities directly

Don't be afraid to approach your top-pick universities to find out more about their entry requirements and specific programs. Schedule a visit. Email the departments where you hope to study. Talk with the representative when they come to your school. Ask the questions you have about degree requirements, entry criteria, portfolios, and joint honours. Remember this is your future and the more information you have, the more informed your decisions will be. you can contact the admission offices directly on this wesbite by filling the form and ask you questions on the school profile of your choice.

5. Don't just follow your friends

School friends are for life, but just because you've grown up together doesn't mean that you have the same academic interests or career goals. It may sound fun to take all your A-levels together, but you won't get into your top-choice university by socializing. Besides, if you take A-level courses that interest you and help you achieve your goals, you're likely to meet and learn with other like-minded students. You'll have plenty of time to catch up with friends after class, and just think - twenty years from now, your reunions with old school friends will be way more interesting if you've all chosen exciting, unique careers that you love!

So, while you're hanging out in front of the fire eating chocolate oranges and watching old movies, take some time to consider your degree plans. University might seem a long way off, but the next two years will fly by and if you make good choices now, you'll be on track for a brilliant and exciting future.

Read more about studying in the UK.

(Elizabeth Koprowski is an American writer and travel historian. She has worked in the higher education system with international students both in Europe and in the USA).
Artificial intelligence could change future job market

Joanna Hughes :

Many claims have been made about the vast potential of artificial intelligence (AI). And indeed, from sheep-shearing robots to self-driving Lyft cars, the possibilities are near-endless when it comes to what AI can do for the world and the people who live in it. However, the fanfare over AI is not without its share of alarm - especially when it comes to the future of the workforce. While we may not know exactly what to expect, here's a closer look at four ways experts think AI may change what jobs look like moving forward.

1. Jobs may change in nature but won't disappear.

When most people hear the words "AI" and "jobs" they immediately jump to the topic of machines replacing human workers. However, this may be a leap in the wrong direction. According to Euan Cameron, PWC's first UK artificial intelligence leader, it's not about whether machines will take human jobs, but rather about how they'll change them.

Cameron told Marginalia, "In many cases the nature of jobs will change rather than disappear because of AI. And automation will also enable some workers to focus on higher value, more rewarding, and creative work, removing the monotony from their day jobs. We are of course expecting new types of roles too."

He continues, "There has always been disruption whenever new technology has ticked. We saw it with the industrial mass production, the internet, personal computing, and enterprise technology. In all those instances, the technology created periods of rapid disruption in terms of jobs. New technology has always made some tasks and roles disappear more quickly, but it also has created new occupations. This is how our society has evolved. The same is true with artificial intelligence."

The takeaway? As with most things in life, the ability to adapt and evolve can mean the difference between survival and extinction.

2. Some fields will be more affected by AI than others.

This isn't to say all jobs are safe. Machines are very good at certain manual and routine tasks, and this will lead to job replacement-particularly in more susceptible sectors like transportation and storage, manufacturing, and wholesale retail trade. Healthcare, customer service, and finance are also projected to be among the industries most impacted by AI-both in terms of job replacement and job enhancement.

But even these vulnerabilities aren't necessarily cause for concern so long as workers commit themselves to staying productive and relevant. Says Cameron, "We need to develop an attitude towards continuous re-skilling. It's about understanding and recognizing that existing relevant skills, that we may have spent so much time on to develop, might not be sufficient or applicable throughout our career. It requires the ability to adapt over time and retrain throughout our working life in the face of the accelerating pace of technological change."

3. The hiring process will improve.

Computers have already vastly accelerated the hiring process. However, AI is expected to play an increasingly pivotal role in the human resources sector.

MarketWatch recently highlighted two types of software aimed helping employers find the best employees for jobs: "Such software often works in one of two ways: spotting the most promising resumes among what may be an unmanageable deluge, or widening the net so employers can find a more diverse pool of candidates than they would select on their own."

Meanwhile, HubSpot director of recruiting Becky McCullough told MarketWatch of the impact of AI on the company's hiring productivity, "It has set new benchmarks for response rate [the percentage of candidates who reply to a recruiter's solicitation] and we can a/b test various outreach tactics. It has put more rigor [into our process] and given us access to more data on candidates who are either very early in our recruiting process or are not yet there but who we're trying to engage."

4. Job tracking will become the status quo.

As it turns out, people may have just cause to fear losing their jobs because of AI-but not because of job replacement. Rather, because AI-enabled productivity tracking will offer employers new insights into how employees are managing their job duties and responsibilities across everything from how they're using their computers to where they're spending their time. In other words, spend too much on Facebook and your boss will know about it.

Tracking workers' behaviors and computer use may even become valuable retention tools for employers. For example, copying a database of contacts may signify an employee's intention to leave a job, whereas shifts in language are also telling. Veriato Chief Security Officer David Green told MarketWatch, "If the tone of a typically happy person suddenly goes negative, there may be an alert that they're at risk of flight, insider threat or even just a productivity problem that needs remediation."

Ultimately, while there's no definite what to know what AI means for jobs, it is coming and will change both the workforce and the world at large. Adopting a strategic approach can help you not only embrace whatever AI brings, but also to play a role in harnessing that potential toward the greater-not to mention your own-good.



(Joanna worked in higher education administration for many years at a leading research institution before becoming a full-time freelance writer. She lives in the beautiful White Mountains region of New Hampshire with her family).
FBCCI delegation off to Australia

Economic Reporter :

A 60-member delegation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) left here Friday for Australia to join the "31st CACCI Conference" to be held on September 17-21 in Sydney.

Confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF) and the Sydney Business Chamber have organized the conference in cooperation with Australian Chamber of Comme5rce and Industry, said a FBCCI press release.

A series of roundtable discussions on product and service will take place. The topics include (1) Asian Council on Water, Energy and Environment, (2) Asian Council on Food and Agriculture, (3) Asian Council on Health and Education, (4) Asian Council on Trade Facilitation and (5) Asian ICT Council and SME Development Council.
BD concerned at ballistic missile test by N Korea

UNB, Dhaka :

Bangladesh has voiced grave concern over the second ballistic missile by North Korea over Japan.

"We find it equally disconcerting that within a span of a month North Korea in defiance of the international community has launched such tests," said the Foreign Ministry here in a statement on Friday.

Through this unilateral act, North Korea has clearly undermined

regional peace and security, it said.

Bangladesh called upon North Korea to refrain from such missile tests that deviate from the cardinal principle of UN of "collective peace and security".

"North Korea should clearly demonstrate through its acts that it is willing to work for reducing tension in the Korean Peninsula," it said.

"Bangladesh would like to align itself with the recent resolution of the UN Security Council that has strongly condemned the highly provocative ballistic missile tests conducted by North Korea. We also echo the sentiments expressed through the UNSC resolution that the nuclear and missile tests by North Korea have caused grave security concerns around the world," reads the statement.
2 Myanmar journos sent to jail in Cox`s Bazar

CPJ demands their release dropping all charges: Police claim they concealed their identities, entered BD in tourist visa giving false info

A Cox's Bazar court has sent two Myanmar photo journalists to jail on charge of concealing their actual identities and giving false information by breaking immigration law.

The duo, Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat, who work for Germany's Hamburg-based GEO magazine, were arrested by police on September 7 from the country's southeastern bordering upazila of Ukhia in Cox's Bazar district, when they were covering Rohingya influx coming from Myanmar.

ZEO is a monthly magazines similar to the National Geographic magazine.

"After arrest, the two journalists were produced before the Cox's Bazar senior judicial magistrate court next day [Thursday]. The court ordered to send them to jail rejecting their bail prayer," ASP of police in Cox's Bazar Afruzul Amin said.

Police arrested them for their "suspicious" movement, the ASP said, when they were capturing photographs in the bordering area entering Bangladesh in tourist visa hiding their actual identities of journalists.

"Not only that, they were collecting information from the government officials by providing them misinformation," the ASP said.

Officer-in-charge of Cox's Bazar Police Station, Ranajit Barua, said the journalists could face up to seven years in jail if found guilty while they violated immigration rules by reporting in Bangladesh on tourist visas.

The Cox's Bazar police authorities told media that Bangladeshi authorities had also accused Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat of espionage.

Myanmar media, however, on Saturday reported that ZEO magazine authorities have expressed grave concern over the detention of Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat. The media claimed that two Myanmar journalists came to Bangladesh to cover news over the influx of Rohingya refugees.

Lawyer of the two foreign nationals, Jyotirmoy Barua, said that he will again pray for their bail with the same court on Tuesday. If rejected, then they will move to country's higher court.

Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists [CPJ] has urged Bangladesh government to release the two Myanmar journalists immediately and drop all charges against them.

A spokesman for Myanmar's Presidential Office Zaw Htay posted a tweet recently saying that the Myanmar government was asking Bangladesh why the journalists are being held.
Vast camp for Rohingya planned

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh plans to build a vast refugees camp in the Cox's Bazar districts in the wake of an unprecedented influx of ethnic Rohingya from neighbouring Myanmar.

The camp will be built on 2,000 acres in Cox's Bazar to house about 400,000 refugees who have poured into the country over the past three weeks, officials said.

They said the new settlements will be built within the next 10 days.

More than 400,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar into Bangladesh since violence erupted in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar's Rakhine state on August 25, says the United Nations on Saturday.

"We have planed to construct 14,000 shelters, each housing six families, with the help of international aid organizations and the Bangladesh army," Secretary for Disaster Management Shah Kamal, told The New Nation on Saturday.

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry will coordinate the matter, he added. Rohingya refugees, who fled persecution in Myanmar, are facing challenges of food, nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation.

A total of 8,500 temporary toilets will be built and 14 "makeshift warehouses" will be set up near the shelters.
Like Clockwork, Here's the Equifax Scam

Where goes any hack or data breach, so comes the scam. Worried your personal information is in the hands of criminals? Give us, who are definitely not criminals, your personal information and we'll check and make sure to keep you safe. The appeal is simple, insidious, and predictable.

So it's not surprising that, following on the heels of what might be the most damaging data breach in history, here comes the Equifax scam.

More Like Equilies

The worst part of the Equifax hack is the amount of personal data exposed -- as a credit reporting agency, Equifax had everything: full names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and even some driver license numbers. All the things a company needs to check your credit score are the same things a criminal can use to steal your identity.

And now the Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers that someone impersonating an Equifax employee may be calling, asking for that same information, ostensibly to verify whether your data was exposed. Don't make a potentially bad situation even worse by volunteering personal information over the phone.

Tip Line

The FTC has some tips for consumers contacted by someone saying they're from Equifax:

Don't give personal information . Don't provide any personal or financial information unless you've initiated the call and it's to a phone number you know is correct.

. Don't provide any personal or financial information unless you've initiated the call and it's to a phone number you know is correct. Don't trust caller ID . Scammers can spoof their numbers so it looks like they are calling from a particular company, even when they're not.

. Scammers can spoof their numbers so it looks like they are calling from a particular company, even when they're not. If you get a robocall, hang up. Don't press 1 to speak to a live operator or any other key to take your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, it will probably just lead to more robocalls.

And if you've already gotten one of these suspicious calls, report it to the FTC.

Related Resources:
US official not allowed to visit torched Rohingya zone

Reuters :

Myanmar said on Friday a visiting US official would not be allowed to go to a region where violence has triggered an exodus of nearly 400,000 Rohingya Muslims that the United Nations has branded a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing".

The Rohingya have fled from western Rakhine state to neighbouring Bangladesh to escape a military offensive that has raised questions about Myanmar's transition to civilian rule under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Patrick Murphy will voice Washington's concerns about the Rohingya and press for greater access to the conflict area for humanitarian workers, the State Department said.

Myanmar officials said he would meet government leaders in the capital, Naypyitaw, and attend an address to the nation by Suu Kyi on Tuesday.

He would also visit Sittwe, the state capital, and meet the governor of Rakhine, the state government secretary, Tin Maung Swe, told Reuters, but the north of the state, where the conflict erupted on Aug 25 would be off limits.

"Not allowed," Tin Maung Swe said, when asked if Murphy would be going to Maungdaw district, at the heart of the strife that began when Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army camp, killing a dozen people.

While nearly 400,000 refugees have poured across the border into Bangladesh, fears have also been growing of a humanitarian crisis on the Myanmar side, but access for aid workers and reporters has been severely restricted.

Myanmar insisted on Friday it was not barring aid workers but a government spokesman said authorities on the ground might have concerns over security.

Rights monitors and fleeing Rohingya say the army and Rakhine Buddhist vigilantes have mounted a campaign of arson aimed at driving out the Muslim population.

A Reuters photographer on the Bangladesh side of the border said he could see huge banks of dark smoke billowing up over Myanmar territory on Friday, while international aid organisations said the refugees kept coming.

"There's really no sign that this flow of people is going to dry up," Chris Lom of the International Organisation for Migration, said from the Bangladeshi border district of Cox's Bazar.

"There are still, we believe, thousands of people waiting to take boats across to Cox's Bazar."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council have urged Myanmar to end the violence, which he said was best described as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar rejects the accusations, saying its security forces are carrying out clearance operations to defend against the insurgents of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which claimed responsibility for the Aug 25 attacks and similar, though smaller, attacks in October.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Friday that while Moscow was concerned "we cannot discard the fact that it was triggered by terrorist activities."

"We're talking to the Myanmar government, of course," he told reporters. "We are concerned with what is happening. ... We are looking forward to an early cessation of the violence and to elevating the humanitarian situation of the population."

The government has declared Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army a terrorist organisation and accused it of setting the fires and attacking civilians.

Ethnic cleansing is not recognised as a separate crime under international law but allegations of ethnic cleansing as part of wider, systematic human rights violations have been heard in international courts.

Rights group Amnesty International said evidence pointed to a "mass-scale scorched-earth campaign" across the north of Rakhine that was unmistakably ethnic cleansing.

"The evidence is irrefutable - the Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine state ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar," said Tirana Hassan, the group's crisis response director.

The group said it had detected 80 big fires in Rohingya areas since Aug 25. While the extent of damage could not be verified, due to access restrictions by the government, "they are likely to have burned down whole villages".

It said it also had credible reports of Rohingya militants burning the homes of ethnic Rakhine and other minorities. About 30,000 non-Muslims have also been displaced.

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursday he had spoken with Suu Kyi and that she said she was working to get aid to areas in Myanmar affected by violence.

The generals still control national security policy but nevertheless, Suu Kyi has been widely criticised abroad for not stopping or condemning the violence. The campaign against the Muslim insurgents is popular at home.

The UN refugee agency said the Rohingya arriving in Bangladesh were suffering "real hardship, and some of the most difficult conditions seen in any current refugee situation".

"With the influx increasing daily, UNHCR is appealing for an initial amount of $30 million for the emergency humanitarian response in Bangladesh until the end of year," an agency spokesman said in Geneva.

Bangladesh says all refugees must go home and has called for safe areas in Myanmar. Myanmar has ruled that out and says it will accept anyone who can verify their citizenship. Most Rohingya are stateless.

Thousands of people demonstrated after Friday prayers in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, to denounce the treatment of the Rohingya.

One protest leader said they were demanding a UN peacekeeping force and that Myanmar face charges in an international court.
PM arrives in Abu Dhabi

UNB, Abu Dhabi :

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Saturday afternoon en route to New York to attend the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Sheikh Hasina will address the UNGA on the afternoon of September 21. On the same day, she will hold a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE capital at 4:40 pm (local time), PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Muhammad Imran received the Prime Minister at the airport.

Earlier, the VVIP flight of Biman carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:10 pm (BST) for Abu Dhabi.

After making a stopover, Sheikh Hasina will then leave Abu Dhabi for New York by an Etihad Airways flight on Sunday morning at 10:15 am (local time).

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Deputy Leader of the House Sayeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Chief Whip ASM Firoz, PM's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, then Cabinet Secretary and the chiefs of the three services saw the Prime Minister off at Dhaka airport.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Ziauddin and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to UN Masud Bin Momen will receive her at the airport in New York on Sunday afternoon.

From the airport, Hasina will go to Hotel Grand Hyatt in New York where she will be staying during her tour.

On September 18, the Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting on UN Reform to be hosted by US President Donald Trump.

She will also attend high-level meetings on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at the UN Headquarters (UNHQ) and High-Level Follow-up Meeting of Global Deal for Decent Work and Inclusive Growth at Convene Conference Centre.

On September 19, the Prime Minister along with other heads of state and government will join the official lunch to be hosted by UN the Secretary General. The lunch will be followed by a high-level roundtable of the UN Secretary General's High-Level Panel on Women's Economic Empowerment for Leaving No One behind.

She will join the OIC Contact Group meeting on Rohingya Minorities at the UNHQ in the afternoon.

In the evening, Hasina will attend a reception for the Commonwealth heads of state and government to be hosted by British Prime Minister Theresa May and Prime Minister of Malta Dr Joseph Muscat, the current Commonwealth Chair-in-Office.

She will join a welcome reception of US President Donald Trump in the evening at Palace Hotel at Madison Avenue.

Later, the Prime Minister will attend a reception to be hosted by the Bangladesh community at New York Marriot Marquis.

On September 20, she will attend the signing ceremony of the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the UNHQ.

Hasina is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia at the UNHQ.

She will attend a side event titled 'SDG Implementation, Financing and Monitoring: Sharing Innovations through South-South and Triangular Cooperation' to be organised by Bangladesh in partnership with UNDP and UN Office on South South Cooperation (UN-OSSC) at the UNHQ.

After that, the Prime Minister will attend the opening segment of a high-level side event titled 'Creating a Policy Vision for SDG Finance: Facilitating Private Sector Investment in the SDGs' to be organised by Bangladesh and Canada in partnership with UNDP at the UNHQ.

She will attend a luncheon roundtable meeting to be arranged by Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU). Later, Hasina will hold a bilateral meeting with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, UN Secretary General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.

The Prime Minister will attend a high-level open debate on UN peacekeeping issues to be organised by Ethiopian Delegation in its capacity as the President of UN Security Council for September 2017 at Security Council Chamber of the UNHQ.

She is scheduled to hold a meeting with Prof Claus Schwab, Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum, and give an interview to Sadanand Dhume of Wall Street Journal.

On September 21, President of IBM Virginia Marie Rometty will meet Hasina before a bilateral meeting with Hasgim Thaci, President of Kosovo, at her hotel. Later, she will join the 4th Meeting of the High-level Panel on Water at the UN head office.

Later, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with her Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba.

She will brief the press on her UN visit in the evening on September 21 at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in New York.

Hasina will leave New York for Virginia by road on September 22. After staying in Virginia for a week, she will leave for home on September 29 and return home on October 2.
Russia against intervention in Myanmar`s `internal` affairs

A Russian foreign ministry statement indicates that Moscow considers Rohingya crisis as an internal issue and is against any outside intervention.

Attempts at intervening in Myanmar's "internal affairs" may have only one net effect - still deeper inter-religious discord, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

"It is essential to remember that the wish to intervene in the internal affairs of a sovereign state may merely bring about further inter-religious discord," she said, according to Russian news agency Tass.

The statement came amid a global outcry against the latest atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslim minorities in Myanmar's Rakhine State. About 400,000 Rohingyas had fled to Bangladesh where another 400,000 are living for decades. The United Nations, the European Union and the United States have condemned the Burmese authorities for the atrocities they have committed.

Rohingyas are considered one of the "most friendless" ethnic minorities in the world.

Myanmar authorities refuse to recognise their citizenship although many generations of the Rohingya people have been residing in that country. The spokeswoman said Moscow supports "efforts for promoting the inter-religious dialogue in Myanmar among the spiritual leaders of all confessions." "In that connection we took note of the collective statement by the leading organizations representing Myanmar's multi-ethnic Muslim community who condemned armed actions by radical elements in that region (Rakhine)," Zakharova said.

"We express support for the government and urge the coreligionists to avoid yielding to provocations by extremist forces." Zakharova said Moscow welcomed the government of Myanmar in its efforts "to implement recommendations made by the commission under former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan."

"In part, a special committee has been created for this purpose under the minister of social welfare, relief and resettlement, which incorporates officials of the law enforcement and economic agencies," Zakharova said.

Also, she pointed out that Myanmar authorities were "providing assistance to the internally displaced persons in returning to their homes."

"According to the available data about two thousand people have returned to their homes," Zakharova said. "We expect that similar measures will be taken in relation to other persons affected by the migration crisis."

Zakharova said Myanmar's military transport aircraft were delivering foods, medicines and other relief aid to Rakhine. "Mobile medical centers have been set up to provide assistance to the local population. Ruined infrastructure facilities are being repaired. A tour of the northern part of that area has been arranged for correspondents of local and foreign mass media," Zakharova said.

"We hope that journalists' humanitarian access to the violence-stricken areas will become standard practice," she said, according to the report of Tass news agency.


Refugees asked to stay in camps

House, transport owners alerted: 27 check-posts in Ctg div

Staff Reporter :

Police on Saturday asked the Rohingyas to stay in their respective refugee camps till their return to their country in a bid to prevent their spread out across the country.

"Rohingyas, who have fled since the latest bout of violence erupted in Myanmar northern Rakhine state on August 25, have been asked to stay and move in and around the camps fixed for them in Cox's Bazar district until their return," police headquarters in a release on Saturday said.

The refugees even would not be allowed to take shelter in the houses of their relatives inside Bangladesh territory.

Besides, twenty-seven police check-posts will be set up in Chittagong division to prevent the spread of Rohingyas across the country.

As part of the police initiative, movement of the Rohingyas will be restricted within the camp in Cox's Bazar as measures for their accommodation, food and medical services have already been arranged in the camp.

Police headquarters on Saturday issued a set of advice in this regard for the local people too.

Those include not renting out their houses to Rohingyas and informing the local administration soon after they see the presence of refugees in their locality, said the official release.

Police requested country's people not to give shelter or rent their house to the Rohingyas in a bid to prevent the spread of refugees across the country.

Besides, drivers and transport workers of road, rail and waterways have also been requested not carry the Rohingyas.

"The Rohingyas have also been barred from travelling outside the camps and using road, rail or marine mass transportation," the release added.

The police also requested the people to help as it is impossible for the law enforcers alone to stop the Rohingyas from spreading out across the country.

"We're taking necessary measures so that Rohingyas refugees cannot spread all over the country," Deputy Inspector of General of Police (Chittagong range) SM Moniruzzaman on Saturday said during a meeting with Puja Udjapan Committee at his office.

Twenty-seven police check-posts will be set up at different places of the division, including Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari, to halt their spread, he said.

They have detained more than 100 Rohingyas who fled to different areas in Hathazari, Banskhali and Sitakunda upazilas, he said. The detained Rohingyas will be sent to a temporary shelter at Balukhali in Ukhia upazila.

Earlier, police headquarters on September 10 issued an order on superintendents of police (SPs) in three districts - Cox's Bazar, Bandarban and Chittagong to intensify intelligence surveillance on road, water and airways so that the Rohingyas refugees cannot move from Cox's Bazar to other parts of the country.

Law enforcers have also been asked to update the list of the newly arrival refugees and remain alert to ensure that no Rohingya woman falls a victim to sexual harassment and none of them get involved in smuggling of firearms and drugs or any other criminal activities.

The police headquarters has also instructed to make necessary security arrangements in and around the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.
Humanitarian situation deteriorates: UN

Rohingya refugees include 240,000 children, 52,000 pregnant & lactating women: Conditions ripe for spread of diseases

As there was no discipline enforced Rohingya refugees, mostly women are seen struggling during dispution of relief at a camp in Coxas Bazar on Saturday

Staff Reporter :

The humanitarian situation in southern parts of Bangladesh sheltering hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees continues to deteriorate, making the crisis one of the fastest growing refugee crises of recent years, according to the United Nations.

"The crisis is creating enormous humanitarian needs in an area of Bangladesh already affected by earlier refugee influxes, recent floods and not equipped to cope with large numbers of new arrivals," Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told journalists at a media briefing in Geneva on Saturday.

There are Rohingyas everywhere in different areas, including two refugee camps Kutupalong under Teknaf and Nayapara under Ukiah upazilas of Cox's Bazar district as well as Bandarban district, in every alleyway, houses that three weeks ago were home to ten people are now hosting 20 or 30.

The flow is not stopping. Refugees continue to arrive daily outside of the two established camps, which are already substantially overflowing, and many people have received little meaningful help to date.

An estimated 400,000 Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority in Myanmar, have fled since the latest bout of violence erupted in northern Rakhine state on August 25.

Arriving by foot and boat, they are in urgent need of shelter, food and medical care, and are stretching Bangladesh's ability to cope.

Tired, destitute, hungry, and frequently sick, they have poured by the thousands into the camp and its surroundings.

"A visit to the area this week by a UNHCR team, led by Assistant High Commissioner for Operations George Okoth-Obbo, found people suffering real hardship and some of the most difficult conditions seen in any current refugee situation," Andrej Mahecic said.

The UN agency has been responding to the situation and assisting those coming but its in-country stocks have been exhausted, UNHCR spokesperson said, adding that deliveries of more aid - flown in earlier this week - are currently underway.

According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), there are at least 240,000 children among the refugees, including about 36,000, who are less than a year old.

There were also 52,000 pregnant and lactating women.

"Conditions are ripe for the spread of diseases," Marixie Mercado, a UNICEF spokesperson highlighted at the briefing, noting that refuges have little protection from the elements and lack drinking water.

"There are nowhere near enough latrines, and extreme mosquito activity has been forecast for the coming days. It is important to note that even before the crisis, half of the children in Rakhine state had suffered from chronic malnutrition, meaning they were vulnerable to disease," she said.

To help cope with this situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) is stepping up its efforts, and on Saturday launched a polio and measles vaccination campaign to cover 150,000 newly arrived children aged 6 months to 15 years old, said Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesperson for the UN agency.

"In the coming days, we will also distribute emergency medical kits to cover 100,000 people, 2 million water purification tablets and cholera kits for 20,000 people," he added, noting that the UN health agency is also supporting the Bangladesh government in providing medical teams to new spontaneous settlements.

The World Food Programme (WFP), the UN's emergency food assistance agency, has also upped its response, delivering high-energy food bars, and together with partners, hot food and rice for cooking to tens of thousands of refugees.

Mahecic also noted that Bangladeshi communities have shown "remarkable generosity," welcoming refugees into their homes and sharing resources with them.

However, as the number of new arrivals continues, UN agencies are in urgent need of additional funds to provide protection and life-saving assistance.

Among them, UNHCR has appealed for an initial amount of $30 million for its emergency response in the country until the end of year.

Similarly, UNICEF made an initial appeal for $7.3 million over three months, including almost $3 million for water and sanitation alone, but that amount was calculated on the basis of 200,000 people and that number had now doubled.

Her village in flames and family scattered, 30-year-old Juleka trekked for nine days with her six-year-old daughter Janathana before finally reaching safety at this refugee camp in Bangladesh.

"Only Allah knows what I'll do next," says Juleka, clutching a bag, the only item she salvaged from their home.

"I have some close relatives in the camp, but I don't know where. I will try and find them, after organizing some shelter," she continued.

Kutupalong is the destination for many of the men, women and children running for their lives from Myanmar.

Kutupalong is one of two government-run refugee camps in the Cox's Bazar area of southern Bangladesh, the other being the Nayapara Refugee Camp. The two camps have a combined population of around 77,000 refugees, although that is growing by the day.

Hosna Ara Begum, 30, a UNHCR staff member talks with newly arrived Rohingya refugees as they shelter in a College Hill Primary School in the Kutupalong Refugee Camp.

"When you witness the situation first hand, through your own eyes and not through the media or on television, it is only then that you realise what the situation is really like here," says Hosna.

"They come and seek support from us  They are all vulnerable, but at this moment, we are not able to help everyone," she says, noting that normal camp activities such as education have been temporarily suspended as the new arrivals are sleeping in schools and other communal buildings.

In the muddy alleyways of houses built during the 1990s, a pregnant woman approaches her to ask for help.Privately, many aid workers worry about the pressure that the huge influx since August is putting on family life.

Some say that they have seen an increase in domestic abuse, while in the UNHCR Primary Medical Centre, the stress on limited resources is visible.

Hubaib, 12, from Maungdaw in Myanmar, sits swinging his legs on one of the beds. "He was shot in the back," explains his mother, "his father was shot and killed."

When he first arrived at Kutupalong, he was referred to the government hospital at Cox's Bazar.


Security beefed up around Buddhist temples

Staff Reporter :

The law enforcers have tightened up security around the Buddhist temples across the country following complaints of threat to the members of the religious minority in Bangladesh amid violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, police said.

Earlier, an organisation of the Buddhist community alleged in a rally in Dhaka on Sept 8 that a quarter was threatening the Buddhists over the Rohingya issue.

Police had given barricades on the streets around the temple at Merul Badda and deployed an armoured vehicle, said Masudr Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The law enforces, including detective members, were deployed in the temple areas, the police officer said.

Primarily, two police officers and an Ansar member used to guard the Merul Badda temple, but now 22 law enforcers had been deployed, said Badda Police Station Assistant Sub-Inspector Masud Rana.

As for the Buddhist Vihara in Basabo, a team of 12 policemen have been deployed, said the team leader Sabujbagh Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Abul Hasan. Six Ansar personnel have also been posted there.

Bangladesh Buddhist Federation General Secretary Ashok Barua said, "The construction of a building round the temple at Merul Badda was underway. The construction workers had fled after rumours spread that the temple might come under attack after Jum'a prayers on Friday."

Buddhist majority Myanmar has launched a military crackdown on Rohingyas in Rakhine State on Aug 25. About 400,000 members of the ethnic minority have joined as refugees with those who had already taken refuge in Bangladesh in 1978, 1992 and 2016.
Myanmar is sure of China and India`s help, military cooperation needed against brutalities

It appears that the Myanmar government is quite defiant to the call from UN Security Council (UNSC) and such other organizations to stop violence and ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims. The call is going unheeded and in our view it will continue to ignore the call and carry out their final solution of Rohingya issue by killing them in thousands until the international community will force it to pay heed to the call to stop persecution of Rohingyas.







It is so disappointing that the brutal killing of Muslim men, women and children is no concern for India, China or Russia. Russia also warned international community against intervention in internal affairs of Myanmar. Butchering unarmed human beings out of racial hatred cannot be internal affairs. Bangladesh governments policy of depending on India, China and Russia was totally deceptive when Myanmar thrust their human crisis on us.







Meanwhile the US Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson has joined the UNSC on Wednesday saying violence against Rohingya minorities is unacceptable and must stop.







We need to support Aung San Suu Kyi and her leadership but also be very clear and unequivocal to the military power sharing in that government that this is unacceptable, Tillerson said of Myanmars first civilian leader in decades. Unfortunately, Russia, whom Hasina administration considers as one of the best friends, has openly sided with Myanmar.





This persecution many characterized as ethnic cleansing must stop said British foreign secretary Boris Johnson.





The European Parliament on Thursday also urged the 28-nation European Union to prepare for considering sanctions on Myanmar if it did not halt killing, violence and eviction of Rohingyas from their homeland. The parliament resolution called on member countries to make it clear that the EU stands ready to consider targeted punitive sanctions against individuals and entities, and to consider consequences in the context of the trade preferences Myanmar enjoys, should the grave violations of international law continue with impunity.

European Parliament members said Suu Kyi, besides a Nobel Peace Laureate is also the recipient of the European Parliaments Sakharov Prize, which is awarded to those who defend human rights, safeguard the rights of minorities and respect international law and it is time to review the award.







Reports said 176 Rohingya villages have already been left deserted and houses torched during the latest crackdown as Myanmar military continues the cleansing operation to make the country a pure Buddhist nation.

In our view this problem will not end or slow down without effective international military preparation.





The move by Bangladesh government to set up safe zone itself is not practical and Myanmar has already refused to accept any such proposal. Because Myanmar is too brutal and too sure of help of Russia, China and India about annihilation of Muslims in Myanmar.







Sadly, Bangladesh government is still depending on India and also China helplessly. We want Bangladesh government to stand on its own and show guts and courage against brutalities of Myanmar army. Bangladesh must tell the world that no diplomatic solution without threat of military action will have a chance to succeed.




Nat'l coordination body a must to deal with Rohingya crisis

Staff Reporter :

A noted human rights activist on Saturday urged the authorities to form a "national coordination committee" to deal with the unprecedented influx of Rohingya refuges fleeing violence in Myanmar erupted three weeks back.

She said a chaotic situation is prevailing at the makeshift Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar where aid is slow to reach due to lack of an organised response.

"I did not see any coordination in aid operation in Rohingya camps. It still runs with haphazard manner although the crisis has broken out three weeks back," Salma Ali, Executive Director of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) told The New Nation on Saturday.

She said: "A huge crisis has been created in Cox's Bazar district following the latest Rohingya influx

The government and the aid agencies should urgently deal the crisis in a coordinated manner."

Tens of thousands of people have been sleeping out in the open sky as the capacity of existing Rohingya camps in Ukhia has already been exhausted. They need food, shelter and medical care in an urgent basis.

Salma Ali, who paid visit to Rohingya camps and borders, said the refuges are pouring into Bangladesh without security checks and registration causing serious security threat to Bangladesh.

"Security forces are allowing them unchecked. Even, they are allowed to go elsewhere from border. Locals alleged that they are carrying arms and drugs while their crossover into Bangladesh," she added.

When asked, Salma Ali said she could not verify the allegation. The authorities should take a serious note of this considering the national security.

She also said that local also alleged that a syndicate is colleting money from Rohingyas while carrying them to Bangladesh by boats. Those who are failing to pay them are facing harassment or confinement by them.

"We have also learnt that Rohingya women and girls faced sexual harassment for their failure to pay them," she said.

Even, refugees are paying the syndicate to get shelters in makeshift camps and build shelter the in the low hills.

"This business is running by local chairman and their followers. Even they are ruling on relief distribution. We cannot accept this. The authorities should look into the matter immediately," she said.

Salma Ali also urged the authorities to extend special care for the traumatized Rohingya women and children in the camps.

"Crisis is deepening in Rohingya camps, with looming mismanagement. We know the government has limited resources to deal with the situation. The best option for the government is to form a national coordination committee comprising the experts of local and international NGOs," she suggested.

All the main aid agencies, international bodies and government agencies must be involved to respond to the crisis in an orgainised manner.




The Undead Archives

I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world.
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Motel 6 Accused of Reporting Guests to ICE

Normally if you're concerned with ice at a hotel, it's locating the nearest machine to your room. There was a different concern for guests at two Motel 6 locations in Phoenix, Arizona -- that employees were calling ICE to report guests who may be in the country illegally.

A recent news investigation found at least 20 Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests made at those locations, and some of those arrested claim no one else knew they were there. So how did immigration enforcement know?

Motel Snitch

The Phoenix New Times broke the story, recounting the tale of Manuel Rodriguez-Juarez, who checked into a Motel 6 on I-10 after an argument with his girlfriend:

The front-desk clerk told him that he needed to show identification in order to reserve a room. Rodriguez-Juarez handed over the only thing he had -- a Mexican voter ID card. Six hours later, he was lying on the bed, watching TV, when he heard a knock at the door. He opened it. Three agents from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement were waiting for him.

According to Rodriguez-Juarez's attorney, Jaun Rocha, is wondering how those agents tracked down his client. "I'm thinking to myself, how would they know that?" Rocha said. "The client said he gave them a Mexican ID card -- but there's people who visit the U.S. all the time who have Mexican IDs. How does that establish that you're here without authorization?"

Put on ICE

While neither ICE, nor Motel 6 would confirm information sharing on the record, but an anonymous front-desk clerk told the New Times, "We send a report every morning to ICE -- all the names of everybody that comes in ... Every morning at about 5 o'clock, we do the audit and we push a button and it sends it to ICE." While law enforcement can't compel hotels to share guest information without a warrant, hotels may do so voluntarily, and another Motel 6 employee hinted that arrests at the motel are standard practice: "I don't know how it works, but if you check in and you have a warrant, you're going to get picked up."

That could be ending, however. Hours after the New Times' report, Motel 6 announced it will stop sharing guest information with ICE.

If you've been picked up by ICE, know your rights, and contact an experienced immigration attorney.

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Around 300 residents from a village in northern Shan State have fled into the jungle after a Tatmadaw patrol reportedly began shooting in response to a landmine blast, the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) said on September 14.

According to the SHRFs account, a group of around 60 Tatmadaw troops from the 325th Light Infantry Battalion based in Mine-ye/Mong Yai township where patrolling with the local Nam Pawng Peoples Militia when they set off a landmine on September 10. After the explosion, the troops began shooting and shelling into the nearby area. Local residents fled in terror, the SHRF said.

[The] Tatmadaw has violated the human rights of the villagers while they were carrying out a clearance operation. The residents are afraid to return back to their villages. They are still worried since the incident took place recently, Sai Korn Lieo, spokesperson of the SHRF, told KIC News.

He said that the shooting took place in the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army  Norths (SSPP/SSA-N) area.

Later that same day, the patrol allegedly detained three Shan farmers, beating them and forcing them to act as porters, the SHRFs report said.

Sai San Hla, San San Kyaw, and San Sai Korn from Loi Ywe and Nar Larn villages were released the next day after an elder from Nam Poke Village came to vouch that they were not involved in the SSA.
Reckless, high-speed drivers are leading to preventable accidents and road fatalities in southern Shan States Hsipaw township, police have said.

On September 13, a motorcycle crashed into a parked 12-wheel truck in front of a high school in Wein Sein Ward in Hsipaw township at around 8pm. The motorcycle driver sustained a gash on his neck and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The passenger on back was injured on her forehead.

The motorcycle driver was in the wrong. We use right-hand drive here. The motorcycle crashed into the vehicle that was parked on the left side of the road so it was his mistake, said Police Colonel Nan Myaing, from the Hsipaw Township Traffic Police.

He said in the past nine months, police have recorded 43 road accidents in Hsipaw township.

You can say the number [of road accidents] is high. They are caused by reckless driving. Thats why I want the drivers to reduce their speed. Please follow the road rules, he said.

If you dont know the road rules, try to learn them, he added.

Shan Herald was not able to reach the motorcycle or truck driver from the September 13 accident.
News / Education

by Bakidzanani Dube

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Obert Mpofu has said the government will acquire Hope Fountain Mission Farm and gazette it for resettlement, a declaration that was received with fear, panic and resentment by the local people in Hope Fountain Village.Speaking on Friday at Tennyson Hlabangana High School during a ceremony to commemorate the completion of the renovations of a 3km strip of Hope Fountain Road that stretches from Waterford Suburb in Bulawayo leading to the mission farm and school, Dr Mpofu said the government will soon be taking over the farm for resettlement."As part of its resettlement program, the government of Zimbabwe will gazette this (Hope Fountain Mission Farm) and other related farms for resettlement because they are lying idle and underutilized," Dr. Mpofu said.Established by the London Mission Society (LMS) on the 16th of November 1870 with permission from King Lobengula and described in 1896 by Frank Sykes as "the prettiest spot in the neighbourhood of Bulawayowith a perpetual stream of clear water running between the hills, wooded slopes and grassy slopes, where no more pleasant site for a residence could well be imagined", Hope Fountain Mission is the second oldest mission in Zimbabwe after Inyati Mission.The mission where President Robert Mugabe once taught between 1945 and 1948, is located 16km South-East of Bulawayo and lies within Dr. Mpofu's Umguza District. Together with its mission school, Tennyson Hlabangana High, monumental cemetery and goldfields, the mission farm today is owned by the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) (formerly LMS).Moving on, Dr. Mpofu's declaration was not well received by the local villagers who criticized the government for wanting to distort the heritage of the village."Dr. Mpofu's move is reminiscent of the persecution of the church by Saul as quoted in the Book of Acts in the Bible. These politicians should learn to understand the difference between politics and the values of the citizenry," said a villager who declined to be named for fear of victimization.In an interview, another clearly shocked villager who chose to be called Ncube said: "If these people want to help us, they should just do so without any ulterior motives behind their generosity. Vele ngivele ngasolela ukuthi lokhu akusoze kuphethe kodwa ngoba legrid seligqitshelwe. UMphoko laye ulethe iSabatha yakhe lapha kodwa esazi mhlophe ukuthi umhlaba lo ngoweMission (translated to: I actually suspected that the move will not just end at renovations because even the grid has been eliminated. Even VP Mphoko brought his Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church here knowing well that this is UCCSA mission land)".In another similar incident in 2015 which caused alarm and left many wondering as to what the motivess of the government were towards mission related churches, the government made a move to gazette Cyrene High School Mission Farm.Meanwhile, UCCSA authorities have not yet issued any statement on the matter at the moment.
SIMPSON  To brand or not to brand? In some Midwestern states, that question has largely been answered in the negative.

While cattle branding still takes place in Illinois, many producers have eschewed the practice and rely primarily on ear tags and tattooing. Even fewer utilize the relatively new practice of freeze branding.

University of Illinois livestock educator Teresa Steckler doesnt see much conventional hot-iron branding, let alone freeze branding. Thats largely because the beef cattle industry is much different in Illinois than in large cattle-producing states such as Texas and Kansas.

Proving ownership is one reason livestock producers brand their cattle.

But rustling simply isnt an issue in many parts of the Midwest as it is in other regions of the country.

The importance of having a freeze brand is if your cattle get stolen. You can always take an ear tag out and replace it, Steckler said.

 We dont see the cattle theft in Illinois like ranches out West. There was a classic case in eastern Oklahoma where a rancher didnt check on his cattle for two weeks, and he had 30 head stolen. But because the cattle went over to Kansas to a barn he had sold to, they were familiar with his brand and called him up. They were actually able to trace where those cattle went.

Wes Chapple, the beef research manager at the Orr Research Center in Perry, also doesnt see much branding.

Branding has become less popular in Illinois, he said. The average herd size is much smaller than those of the Western states. The branding that is done is not so much for identification or to determine ownership of the animal. Ear tags are so much easier than using freeze branding or hot-iron branding.

The Orr Center is one place where freeze branding is a common practice.

Freeze branding acts differently than hot-iron branding. Instead of killing hair follicles, it kills cells that produce pigment, thereby turning the hair white.

That makes identifying cattle from a distance a bit easier, a benefit especially at research centers such as the ones in Perry, Urbana and the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center near Simpson.

Part of the reason we went to freeze branding is because with numbers at 3.5 to 4 inches tall, its easier to tell an animals ID from a distance, Chapple said. That mark where it was will turn out white; it will stand out more.

Freeze branding is more expensive and more difficult than hot-iron branding. Producers at the Orr Center use dry ice and methanol.

That is a more practical alternative for them than liquid nitrogen.

Brands are placed in a large cooler filled with the ingredients and kept there until the temperature reaches about minus 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

One advantage of freeze branding over hot iron branding is the condition of the entire hide. In some places, freeze-branded cattle may draw higher prices than hot iron-branded cattle because that part of the hide is not damaged, making easier handling in leather production.
News / International

by Gwinyai Mutongi

Some US citizens are using the platform of the oncoming United Nations General Assembly Annual Conference to lobby for the removal of the illegal sanctions imposed by their country on Zimbabwe.In an article titled "President Trump must end Zimbabwe sanctions" that appeared in the New York Amsterdam News, the writer urged the US President to immediately uplift the deleterious sanctions as they were causing untold suffering to many Zimbabweans.This was revealed by December 12 Movement leader, Cde Coltrane Chimurenga in an interview doing the rounds on social media.Cde Chimurenga said the New York Amsterdam News is the oldest black newspaper in New York read by hundreds of thousands of black Americans and has been around for 50 years.He also took the opportunity to inform viewers that his organisation would stage a solidarity march and rally in support of President Robert Mugabe today, 16 September 2017.09.16December 12 took a full page advert in the newspaper to advertise the march and rally that is expected to coincide with the arrival of President Mugabe in New York, where he will be attending the annual UNGA meeting.President Mugabe has growing international support due to his anti-imperialism stance and unflinching commitment to stand up against global bullies who are behind many genocidal wars around the world.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images(LONDON) -- The Equifax data breach may have reached beyond U.S. borders.



The company said fewer than 400,000 consumers in the U.K. had their personal information accessed in the breach.



This number pales in comparison with the number of Americans who were affected -- 143 million.



Between mid-May and July, "criminals exploited a U.S. website application vulnerability to gain access to certain files." As a result of the breach, personal data -- including "names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, drivers license numbers" -- could have been retrieved by the hackers, the company said.



The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is currently investigating how the data was stolen.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Zanu-PF faction linked to vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa has approached opposition leader, Dumiso Dabengwa, offering him a role a "new government", it has emerged.Dabengwa, a former cabinet minister, quit the ruling party ahead of the 2008 elections frustrated by President Robert Mugabe's refusal to retire.NewZimbabwe.com reports that Mnangagwa recently dispatched war veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa to speak to offer the Zapu leader a role in a post-Mugabe cabinet."They told President Dabengwa that there is no one from Matebeleland region who would qualify to be the Vice President other than the Zapu leader," said the official who did not want to be named."President Dabengwa gave them three conditions; the first one being that of lobbying for the return of all Zapu properties which were taken by Zanu-PF."He also told the Mnangagwa faction to tear-up the 1987 peace accord signed by Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo."The third issue was that President Dabengwa would not accept regional positions; he wants to be in government with all his party structures represented nationally."Mutsvangwa confirmed reaching out to Dabengwa on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the launch of their anti-G40 election campaign.
Mastercard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry, is set to participate at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum 2017, which will take place in Sharm El Sheikh from September 13 to 15.



The company is also the Lead Sponsor of the Euromoney Egypt Conference 2017.



Representing Mastercard at both forums will be Khalid Elgibali, division president  Mena, who will discuss Egypts migration to cashless economy, as well as the Mastercards strategies to empower SMEs, drive e-commerce to further enable the countrys digital economy, spur innovation and drive financial inclusion.



Egypt has taken significant steps in promoting financial inclusion and we are proud to take an active role in this transformation, said Elgibali. At Mastercard, we are committed to the Egyptian government and remain dedicated to collaborating with our partners to further develop the payments ecosystem and contribute towards achieving the objectives of the National Council for Payments.  TradeArabia News Service
American International Group, advised by global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, has placed the first Shariah-compliant insurance policy in the Middle East and North Africa region (Mena) for merger and acquisitions activity.



AIG offers a range of market-leading Islamic insurance solutions for M&A transactions, through its partnership with Shariah-compliant managing general agent Cobalt Underwriting.



AIGs Warranty and Indemnity (W&I) insurance product helps protect buyers and sellers from financial losses if misrepresentations or inaccuracies in representations or warranties occur, said a statement from Norton Rose Fulbright.



Buyers can distinguish bids, sellers can reduce indemnity obligations  and both can close the deal more efficiently, it stated.



The Norton Rose Fulbright team advising AIG was led by corporate/M&A partner Adjou Ait Ben Idir of the firms Dubai office assisted by senior associate Agnieszka Braciszewska (lead associate), senior associate Rachel Moylan (IT/IP aspects) and of counsel Louisa Lynch (real estate aspects). Partner Dominic Stuttaford of the firms London office advised on tax aspects.



Mark Storrie, the M&A manager for emerging markets at AIG said: "Sharia-compliant W&I insurance provides a unique and exclusive solution for Mena clients investing both in the region and globally."



"With any transaction, there is always the risk of an unknown or undiscoverable issue turning what was thought to be the perfect deal into something rather less attractive. This insurance product offers a practical solution, and we are very pleased to have placed the first policy in the region," he noted.



Sheikh Zubair Miah, the internal shariah scholar of Cobalt Underwriting, said: "The Mena region has always been at the forefront of Islamic finance. AIGs Islamic M&A insurance product is another step in the positive direction ensuring that all aspects of Islamic financial transactions are Shariah-compliant, relinquishing the need to rely on the principle of necessity (Dharurah)."



"Cobalt is pleased to have worked with AIG to introduce its highly rated W&I insurance product, which has been reviewed and structured to ensure it strictly adheres to principles of Islamic insurance," he added.



Adjou Ait Ben Idir said W&I insurance is becoming a key component of structuring M&A transactions in Mena.



"Our market knowledge and strong capabilities in both M&A and insurance have already allowed us to advise on a great number of W&I policies worldwide and we think that the use of Sharia complaint W&I policies will increase in Mena. We are very pleased to have, once again, successfully advised AIG," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
FCC Aqualia, a leading water management company based in Europe, said it has been awarded a $320-million contract to design, build and operate the Abu Rawash wasterwater treatment plant in Cairo, Egypt.



A unit of global environment, water and infrastructure works specialist FCC, the company said this contract is the largest-of-its-kind undertaken abroad. The project will be delivered in collaboration with FCC Construccion.



It is part of the ambitious programme for water and sewerage actions by Egypt's government and has the backing of the African Development Bank, a multilateral organisation the purpose of which is to finance development projects on the African continent, said a statement from FCC Aqualia.



The Abu Rawash plant, one of the largest wasterwater treatment plants in the world, will treat 1.6 million cu m daily and serve more than six million people.



The DBO (design, build and operate) contract, which includes a three-year operation and maintenance period, was signed by Hassan El Far, CAPW Chairman (Construction Authority for Potable Water and Wastewater), Luis de Lope, FCC Aqualias International Director and Maged Abadir, Orascom Chief Operations Officer (the company which completes the consortium alongside FCC Aqualia) in the presence of Prime Minister Sherif IsmaiI.



Although the initial agreement with the Egyptian government included a concession for 20 years (including financing), the economic situation in Egypt made it advisable for the investment in the project to be assumed entirely by the Egyptian state, abandoning the original idea of a concession type contract, said the statement.



FCC Aqualia said the scope of the work includes the enlargement of the existing primary treatment plant from 1.2 million cu m/day to 1.6 million cu m/day and the addition of biological treatment.



This is the third major project undertaken by the firm in Egypt after it was chosen in 2010 to design, build, finance and operate for 20 years the New Cairo wastewater treatment plant.



Last year, the Egyptian Ministry of Defence awarded FCC Aqualia the project for the El Alamein desalination plant. Located on the Mediterranean coast in an area of growing tourist development, the plant will treat 150,000 cu m/day.



As a company specialising in the design, building and operation of all types of water and sewerage infrastructure, FCC Aqualia operates 445 treatment plants and 33 desalination plants on four continents.-TradeArabia News Service
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a new bridge at Marrakesh Street intersection on Airport Street as part of the second contract of the Dh404-million ($110 million) Airport Street Improvement Project.



The opening of the bridge will contribute to easing the traffic flow towards Deira.



The contractor has completed one of the bridges at Marrakech intersection in the direction from the Airport Street towards Khawaneej, said a statement from RTA.



The Marrakech intersection project includes an overpass on the Airport Street, with three lanes in each direction, and a direct ramp from the bridge heading to Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, thus obviating the need for waiting at the traffic lights.



The intersection also includes constructing a two-lane tunnel to serve traffic heading left from Airport Street towards Marrakech Street. The project will cut down the waiting time on the intersection from seven minutes to less than one minute, said the statement.



The improvement of the Airport Road Project is part of RTAs plan to accommodate the projected growth in the number of passengers using the Dubai International Airport, which is expected to shoot to 92 million passengers by 2020.



According to RTA, the traffic study highlighted the importance of finalising the project by the end of 2017.



The project will contribute to increasing the capacity of the Airport Road by 5,000 vehicles per hour, improving the traffic safety and reducing the travel time on Airport Street from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road to Casablanca Street from 30 minutes to just 5 minutes.



The project will also cut the waiting time at Marrakesh Street intersection from 7 minutes to less than one minute.



The Airport Improvement Project will see the construction of four interchanges besides the development of Al Rashidya Interchange through the construction of a flyover over the Airport Street of three lanes in each direction aimed at cutting the waiting time at the interchange from 13 minutes to less than a minute.



It also includes the improvement of the Airport Street-Nad Al Hamar Street Intersection through the construction of an additional two-lane bridge to serve the traffic inbound from Nad Al Hamar to the Airport Street, said the RTA in its statement.



It will also ease the existing traffic congestion resulting from the overlapping traffic movement at the intersection of Nad Al Hamar between the first circular slope heading to the left from Nad Al Hamar St. to the Airport St., and the second circular slope heading left; from the Airport St. to Nad Al Hamar St. The vehicular traffic on the first circular slope will be restricted to U-turns in the direction of Nad Al Hamar Street, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
News / National

by Staff reporter

FORCES of the Liberation Organisation of African National Party (FLOANP) leader Egypt Dzinemunhenzva says he has finally put his house in order and is ready to take President Robert Mugabe and other opposition parties head-on in next year's harmonised elections.Described by many as comic and never serious about his political threats, Dzinemunhenzva said he had rebranded his party to include the liberation war objectives and had started mobilising for the elections.Yesterday, he visited the NewsDay newsroom to give his side of the story on the impending elections. He said he would not seek to enter into a coalition as many leaders were now fixated on making money.Dzinemunhenzva said he had what it takes to win the elections and was planning on fielding all the posts, including the Presidential poll."We have started campaigning. We will not be joining the coalition because most people are now interested in positions. The opposition is trying to swallow other parties and come up with a one-party State and this is what we don't want," he said."According to our plans, we want to field candidates in all the positions and our supporters must now start to register to vote. In the coming three months I will be leading a delegation to some African and European countries and from there onwards you will be seeing more of us."What is happening now is not what we agreed during the war. The direction we have taken is different and wecannot have one person having access to all the State resources and that must change."Dzinemunhenzva also spoke of the usual challenges faced by opposition parties ahead of elections. He said people should campaign peacefully without violence urging police to be thorough in their work.He also said he had policies to fix the economy and letting everyone play a role in rebuilding Zimbabwe. In some of his plans, Dzinemunhenzva wants to build a school and university.
The British police said on Saturday that they had made a significant arrest of a suspect in the terrorist attack on a subway station in Parsons Green that injured at least 30 people and unleashed chaos in Londons subway system.



The suspect, identified only as an 18-year-old man, was arrested in the port area of Dover, in the southeastern county of Kent, reported The NY Times. The police said he would be transferred to a South London police station later.



We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the top counterterrorism official at the Metropolitan Police in London, said in a statement.



Prime Minister Theresa May put Britain on the highest security level of "critical" late on Friday, meaning an attack may be imminent, and soldiers and armed police deployed to secure strategic sites and hunt down the perpetrators.





The home-made bomb shot flames through a packed commuter train during the Friday morning rush hour in west London but apparently failed to detonate, reported Reuters.



The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the blast on Friday in a statement that said a detachment of its militants had carried out the attack.



Britain raised its terror threat level to critical, the highest level, after the attack, meaning that another assault was expected imminently. Basu said on Saturday that the threat level would remain at critical and that the investigation was continuing.



British police raided a home near London on Saturday just hours after making their first arrest in the investigation into the bombing of an underground train a day earlier.



They said a major hunt was still underway to nab those linked to the bombing. The police in Kent warned residents in a statement on Twitter to expect more officers and military personnel on the streets.



Hundreds of soldiers have been deployed across strategic sites, the Metropolitan Police said.



Dover, about 75 miles from London, is one of the main ports on the English Channel for ferry services linking Britain with mainland Europe.



As part of the bombing investigation, armed officers on Saturday were searching a house in Sunbury, in the southwestern part of the capital and about five miles from Heathrow Airport in London, stated media reports.



The authorities had put up cordons in the area and evacuated nearby residents, it added.
Campion International, a leading provider of sustainable and eco-friendly lighting solutions, showcased its new solar lighting generation for urban projects and smart cities at the Cityscape Global expo held recently in Dubai.



During the three-day event, Campion gave a comprehensive presentation on the efficiency and feasibility of using the new solar lighting system, developed for the first time in the UAE using sustainable designs and intelligent technologies which meet environmental standards and employs the latest LED lighting solutions.



The system is a compact, integrated solar energy kit characterized by its efficiency and aesthetic design, compared to conventional solar lighting systems, said a statement from the company.



A sustainable urban projects lighting company, Campion International has a number of offices in the UAE and is the local agent for increasing number of lighting brands.



It manufactures its products under the brand name "Campion" in a number of international factories to ensure all products meet highest quality global standards.



"Cityscape Global has presented a unique platform for the company to showcase the uses of smart solar lighting solutions in the real estate projects currently underway in Dubai, the UAE, and the wider region," remarked Mohammed Zain, the managing partner of Campion International.



"The company's lighting solutions operate by using sustainable and environmentally friendly clean energy," he noted.



Zain pointed out that these 'green lighting' solutions had attracted the attention of several real estate companies in the country looking to meet the growing demand for developing environmentally friendly projects which use sustainable solutions.



"The real estate sector in the UAE has recently witnessed an increasing interest in the use of solar energy and LED lighting technology, with more urban development projects employing the latest clean and sustainable energy solutions and products in various green projects in the UAE," he stated.



According to him, the new generation solar lighting effectively contributes to cost saving in terms of ease of maintenance, efficiency, and simple cable-less installation requirements.



It uses fiberglass poles which are highly resistant to weather conditions, and smart applications for lighting control. Its full reliance on clean, sustainable energy generated by sunlight guarantees a reduction in carbon emissions and free electricity consumption, he added.



A leading provider of sustainable and environmentally friendly lighting solutions with hitech indoor lighting technologies, Campion said it is the first in the UAE to develop environmentally friendly fiberglass lighting poles with sustainable advantages, which are highly efficient and cost effective, compared to conventional lighting poles.



The company will be showcasing its innovative products at the upcoming Solar Show, organised by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) during the Wetex 2017 exhibition.-TradeArabia News Service
The UAE's Ministry of Community Development has signed a memorandum of understanding with Union Coop, the largest co-operative in the UAE, to develop the 'Hydroponic Agriculture Project'.



The project aims to develop the capacities and skills of 'people of determination' in project management and applied life skills, to attain their independence, and boost their self-esteem, also, to further empower them as contributing members of society, said the state news agnecy Wam.



The project also helps create an ecosystem of knowledge, intellect, values, and behaviour that enriches community development, it stated.



It contributes to supporting the UAE's Vocational Rehabilitation And Employment policy to empower people of determination by providing vocational training programmes that match the demands of the job market in cooperation with various governmental and private entities.



The policy helps provide work opportunities for people of determination that match their abilities and levels of disability by implementing strategies to support their employment in governmental and private sectors.



The MoU was signed by Ayesha Al Darbi, the manager of the Dubai Rehabilitation Centre for People of Determination at the Ministry of Community Development, and Suhail Al Bastaki, Director of the Happiness and Marketing Department, on behalf of the CEO of the Union Coop, in the presence of officials from both sides.



Al Darbi said the Hydroponic Agriculture Project would help train and employ 35 people of determination who are over 18 years of age. The projects initial stage will include two greenhouses based in Dubai Rehabilitation Centre for People of Determination at the ministry of community development.



"We thank Union Coop for its initiative that bolsters its role as a partner in community development and its commitment to raising the level of rehabilitation and employment of people with determination, which shows the level of awareness among various establishments about their role in social responsibility," she added.



Suhail Al Bastaki said that the Hydroponic Agriculture Project is an initiative that expresses Union Coops commitment to magnifying social responsibility by supporting governmental, semi-governmental programmes and initiatives in Dubai, as well as local philanthropic and social care programmes.
Saudi Arabia is likely to begin the process to find a vendor to build the countrys first nuclear reactors as early as next month, said a report, citing nuclear industry sources.



The kingdom seeks to build two plants that could generate up to 2.8 gigawatts (GW) of energy, three industry sources told Reuters.



"Competition will be fierce," one source told Reuters, adding that the Saudis were expected to send a request for information (RFI) to suppliers in China, France, Japan, Russia, and South Korea in October, thus beginning the "tender process" of finding a vendor to build the plant.



Saudi Arabia would present the details of their plan to the United Nations' nuclear watchdog affiliate, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later this month, reported Sputnik citing a senior industry source. They also hope to begin construction of the plant in 2018.



This would make it the second Arab country to explore the use of nuclear energy, after the UAE



Saudi Arabia's goal is to build 17.6 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2032, according to the website of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (Kacare). As Saudi Arabia has no nuclear industry, they will have to hire a foreign contractor.



Companies such as French reactor builder Areva, China's National Nuclear Corporation and the Moscow-owned Rosatom have all approached Kacare for setting up Saudi Arabia's first nuclear reactors in the past, stated the report.



There has also been interest from other reactor builders, such as Japanese conglomerate Toshiba and the South Korean utility company Korea Electric Power Corporation, which is the company building the UAE's $40-billion reactor, it added.
Sunday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 10 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 10:15 a.m., 917 N. Beech; noon, 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 6:30 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 6:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 8 p.m., 328 1/2 E. A. Douglas: 1 p.m, Douglas, 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back), womens meeting; 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.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 6:30 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8 p.m., 15th & Melrose at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

Nicotine Anonymous: 5 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club. Info: Pam M., 577-0518.

Rally Day at Our Saviours Lutheran

Our Saviours Lutheran Church, 318 E. Sixth St., will be holding Rally Day, marking the return of Sunday school and the fall worship season. Please join us for Worship Service at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday school classes for those three years old through 12th grade from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Christian Education Adult classes will start on October 15. All are welcome and invited. For more information, please call the church office, 237-9087.

Water communion

at UCC

The public is invited to attend the Unitarian Universalist Community of Casper services and other events at 1040 West 15th Street, just north of the CY Avenue Albertsons. At 10 a.m., Annette Grochowski will lead the annual UU Casper Water Communion. Participants who wish to are asked to bring water from (or symbolizing) a special place they have visited during their recent physical or spiritual journeys. The water will be poured into a common bowl to symbolize our diversity and unity, and to celebrate our coming together in a sharing, loving community.

International Day

of Peace

From 1 to 2:30 p.m., a celebration will take place at the Bart Rea Learning Circle at Amoco Park to recognize the UN International Day of Peace. The theme of this years commemoration is Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All, which aims to highlight the spirit of Together. This event joins millions of people around the world as they participate in activities, events, concerts and festivals to celebrate this day understanding that the promotion of peace is vital for the full enjoyment of all human rights.

The Casper event is under the banner of Campaign Nonviolence, a grassroots, long-term movement to mainstream nonviolence and to foster a culture of peace free from war, poverty, climate crisis and the epidemic of violence by building a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.

The Casper gathering will include messages from some local neighbors (Nurieh Zarrin Glasgow, Dalia Pedro and Rev. Dee Lundberg), drumming, kirtan, kids activities and some Vizcochos from our Hispanic neighbors at the Bart Rea Learning Circle. Please bring a can of Chef Boyardee or a box of cereal to support our local neighbor, Wyoming Food for Thought. This will help support children in our community in weekend food bags.

Campaign Nonviolence was launched September 2014 with over 230 nonviolent actions in every state in the nation and 758 events in 2016.

Book sale at library

The Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale is 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. In the Crawford Room, the Sunday sale will also feature numerous unique and rare items with special pricing. All prices for these items will begin at less than 25 percent of the internet pricing.

Special services at Pioneer Church

Join the three area Episcopal churches  St. Marks and St. Stephens of Casper and Christ Church of Glenrock  for the shared service and picnic at 3 p.m. at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. This celebration of Holy Eucharist, hosted this year by Christ Church, is held each year in the 1891 original St. Marks church building, referred to as the Pioneer Church, and is open to everyone. Following the service, a picnic will be held on the grounds adjacent to the church. For info, call Deacon Leigh Earle at 258-2524.
Late in the night, a Buddhist monk acolyte trod through the quiet halls of the monastery tucked deep in the Tibetan mountains. He found Wyoming adventurer Mark Jenkins and led him to his room.

Once inside, the acolyte pulled out his cellphone and proudly showed Jenkins the music he had collected, mostly rap.

The moment struck Jenkins. The monastery was accessible only by foot. It was a haven of devotion and study. And yet, modernity had reached even here.

Tibet has changed drastically since Jenkins first visit in 1984. Chinas growing influence on the region has brought infrastructure and jobs, but Tibets culture is increasingly under pressure. The complicated 1,500-year relationship between the two cultures will be the focus of Jenkins upcoming talk, Tea, Trade and Tyranny: Tibet and China Over Time, to be held Wednesday at Casper College.

Im trying to demystify the politics of China and Tibet and to bring a clear lens to the relationship between the two, he said.

Jenkins, the writer-in-residence for the University of Wyoming and a journalist for National Geographic, has traveled to Tibet and China more than a dozen times. During some of those trips, he has tried to trace the route of the 1,000-year-old Tea Horse road. The ancient trade route allowed the two peoples to swap Tibetan horses for Chinese tea. Tea porters carried hundreds of pounds of tea on their backs over the 17,000-foot mountain passes. By the 13th century, millions of pounds of tea and about 25,000 horses crossed the road every year, according to Jenkins 2010 National Geographic story on the subject.

The road was used as recently as the 1940s, but much of the 1,400-mile route has since returned to nature or been repaved as part of modern highways, where modern trade commodities zip by on trucks. Chinas ascendancy into a global power has drastically altered the relationship between the two. China has subsumed Tibet as it searches for resources and more space for its people, Jenkins said.

China views Tibet kind of like America views Alaska  the end of manifest destiny, Jenkins said.

Yak herders have replaced sturdy mountain horses with tiny motorcycles. Tents used by nomadic peoples are now equipped with solar panels. There wasnt a single hotel in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa when Jenkins first visited. Now, there are Hiltons.

Not all of the changes are negative, however. Chinas growing influence has brought better health services and education, he said. Like most things, the reality of the relationship is complex.

Im not an expert on China. Im a journalist and Im a mountain climber, Jenkins said. But Ive just witnessed the changes. Ive been there.

This is Jenkins ninth year bringing tales from his expeditions to people around the state. He hopes that by sharing his experiences he can bring understanding of faraway places to Wyoming.

Its to recognize the complexity of the planet, to value other cultures and to maybe inspire people from Wyoming to plan their own big trip, he said.
A grassy, 2.9-acre lot located off Amherst Avenue in Casper currently sits empty, but that wont be the case for much longer.

By 2021, that open lot will contain 13 Habitat for Humanity houses, the largest project in Caspers history.

Its exciting that weve gotten ourselves to this point and that were going to have an impact on more families, because thats certainly the point of our organization, said Heidi Maldoon, the executive director of Habitat for Humanitys Casper branch.

The nonprofit purchased the land from Hilltop National Bank in May for about $170,000 and plans to build a cul-de-sac with the three-bedroom homes. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday, and construction will begin in the next few months.

Liz Becher, the citys community development director, said the subdivision will be a welcome addition, as Casper continues to need affordable housing.

The lot is within walking distance to public transportation and shopping areas, which Becher pointed out will be convenient for those who might struggle to afford a vehicle.

Theyve been a wonderful partner with the city for many years, Becher said of the organization.

Habitat for Humanity, which started in Georgia in 1976, is now an international nonprofit that builds and repairs homes for low- to moderate-income families in need of shelter.

Habitat home recipients must agree to work alongside volunteers and be capable of paying an income-based monthly mortgage.

Maldoon said the local branch is reviewing about 20 applicants to determine who will be receiving the first two houses but said another application cycle will begin this spring.

Since the organization operates with a lean staff, Maldoon said volunteers are crucial and encouraged local residents to learn more about how they can help.

You are welcome to come [volunteer] even if you have never been on a construction site before, she said, adding that a construction supervisor will offer guidance and ensure all volunteers are given appropriate tasks.

In a press release from the organization, Maldoon explained the subdivision  named Harris Crossing  is in honor of the couple who started the Casper branch in 1994.

Harris Crossing is an intentional blending of our organizations rich past and converging future, she said. Harris honors the work of Don and Hallie Harris, who founded Habitat for Humanity in Casper, while Crossing represents the intersection and collaboration of homeowners and community to create a supportive and thriving neighborhood.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Sept. 16 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.
News / National

by Staff reporter

ZANU-PF Secretary for Administration Ignatius Chombo has urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2018 general elections.Addressing Masvingo provincial executive at Masvingo Polytechnic yesterday, Chombo said the members should emulate the late two heroines,Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Senator Shuvai Mahofa and the late Vice President Dr Simon Muzenda's wife, Ambuya Maud Muzenda who preached peace and unity."This is the first major meeting after the death of the two heroines Senator Mahofa and Amai Muzenda who preached peace and unity," he said."We want to see how Masvingo members follow these teachings the two heroines were preaching in the province. Chikoforo, as Senator Mahofa was known, is no more but you should stick to her words of peace and unity," he said.Chombo urged party members to register as voters during the Biometric Voter Registration exercise underway so that the party knows the exact number of voters it has."You should all register so that we know the figure we have as a party before we go for elections. People are registering at cell level and that will be easier for us to know the number of registered voters in our party," he said.Speaking at the same occasion Zanu-PF secretary for war veterans, Sydney Sekeremayi, warned war veterans in Masvingo against associating themselves with Christopher Mutsvangwa who was expelled from the party."We have five war veterans who were expelled from the party for disrespecting party leadership. We have Mutsvangwa, Victor Matemadanda, Douglas Mahiya, Honest Moyo and Nhando. These are no longer with the party and no one should associate with them," Sekeramayi said.He called on war veterans in Masvingo to foster unity and rally behind President Mugabe and Zanu-PF as there was no difference between the party and freedom fighters."You cannot separate Zanu-PF with war veterans. The two are one, if one attempts to attack the party leadership, he will be expelled from the party like what happened to those five members led by Mutsvangwa," he said.National party political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said he was impressed by the number of members who voted for President Mugabe in 2013 and challenged Masvingo members to surpass the figures."I was impressed with the 2013 figures and I hope this time around you will do more in Masvingo Province. You should bury the opposition here as there is no MDC-T to talk about. Opposition is finished," Kasukuwere said.Masvingo provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira said Masvingo would remain united and rally behind the leadership of President Mugabe."We agreed that unity is very important. We may have differences here and there but we are united and we are fully behind President Mugabe. We are prepared to work as a unit," Chadzamira said.
A gun barrel poking through a cardboard UPS box at a Border Patrol station led investigators to $50,000 of gun parts stacked inside an agents garage in Vail.

Federal prosecutors said those gun parts, along with another $50,000 of gun parts and equipment seized at the Border Patrols Willcox Station, were part of a scheme by two agents to steal government property.

Agent Jesus Manuel Franco, a former firearms instructor at the Willcox Station, sent 47 boxes of scopes, barrels, body armor and other equipment to Agent Edgardo Jose Munoz Cruz while Franco was stationed at the Border Patrols armory in West Virginia.

The shipments were sent from Nov. 10, 2014, to Jan. 5, 2015, when the box with the gun barrel poking out was discovered and reported to investigators with the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of the Inspector General, according to U.S. District Court documents filed in connection with a federal trial that began Tuesday in Tucson.

These boxes had no business being shipped to the Willcox Station, prosecutor Sarah Houston told the jury in her opening statement Tuesday.

She accused the agents of violating the trust placed in them as federal officers and said no one is above the law.

Defense attorneys Michael Bloom and Sean Chapman contend their clients were trying to fill a need for firearms at a time when an agency-wide review left the Willcox Station without 40 percent of its M-4 rifles.

Franco and Munoz planned to repair rifles and pistols for agents at the Willcox Station, which was a low priority for the agency when it came to firearms and other resources, the defense attorneys said Tuesday.

A federal grand jury indicted Franco and Munoz in February 2016 on one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States; 13 counts of mail fraud; two counts of possession and transfer of a machine gun; and one count of theft of government property.

Bloom, who represents Munoz, said investigators found no evidence the agents tried to sell the gun parts.

Chapman, who represents Franco, said officials at U.S. Customs and Border Protections Use of Force Center of Excellence in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, told Franco he could ship discarded gun parts to stations that needed them.

Hes like a kid in a candy store, Chapman said as he described bins of gun parts at Harpers Ferry that had been seized by agents or were no longer usable.

Munoz was simply doing a favor for his friend and fully cooperated with investigators, Bloom said, to the point of offering them his phone so they could search through his text messages and helping them load the boxes into their truck.

Prosecutors pointed to hundreds of text messages in which Munoz and Franco discussed the shipments of gun parts as evidence of a conspiracy to defraud the federal government.

Included in the indictment is a message from Franco to Munoz saying Im making out like a f---ing bandit over here and I almost feel a little tiny bit of shame  Lol.

However, Bloom said some of the texts show the two agents were not conspiring to steal. In one exchange, Franco asked Munoz if he should send a dual-cartridge Taser, but Munoz said not to because he wasnt trained to use them.

The reason Munoz moved the boxes to his garage was because items left in the hallways of the Willcox Station had been known to grow legs and walk away, Chapman said. Bloom noted agents often grew jealous when other agents received new gear.

Both agents are on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of their trials, according to the Border Patrols Tucson Sector.

The trial resumes this week before U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson.
The race among five Democrats to turn Congressional District 2 blue next year kicked off this week in Sierra Vista, one of the strongholds for Republican U.S. Rep. Martha McSally.

A two-hour forum gave clues to the differences between them, but all of them shared a common vision  that defeating McSally in next years midterm elections is key to a national strategy to wrest control of the U.S. House from Republicans.

And that, they argue, would give Democrats real power to deal with President Trump. Currently, the GOP controls the House, the Senate and the White House.

Matt Heinz, who was the Democratic nominee who ran against McSally in CD2 last year, kicked off the forum at Cochise County Community College by promising a number of free events and debates over the next year.

But you will not see Martha McSally, Heinz, a doctor, quipped, referring to a number of private events McSally has spoken at that required the purchase of a ticket. Unless you are willing to pay her.

The attacks on McSally continued throughout the two-hour session, with candidates slipping in jabs in response to questions submitted ahead of the debate by organizers and from the roughly 60 people attending.

Former Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick said it was McSallys decision to back the deadly Republican health-care plan that persuaded her to move from Flagstaff to Tucson this summer and enter the race.

I had to get back in the saddle, I could not sit on the sidelines, Kirkpatrick said.

Former state Sen. Bruce Wheeler said McSally must own her vote for Trumpcare  noting she has become well-known for her Lets get this (expletive) thing done quote when it came to voting on the issue.

Wheeler said he came out of retirement to run against McSally, saying Congress is at a critical juncture to shape Americas future.

He said Republicans are working hard to shrink the size of government, while offering tax cuts to the rich. And those cuts are hurting students, the middle class and veterans, he said.

Political newcomer Billy Kovacs reiterated his call for term limits that would limit serving in the House to four terms. He said he got into the race not to serve himself, but for the common good of CD2.

I am not running against Martha McSally, I am not running against Donald Trump, he said. I am running against what they stand for.

Mary Matiella, retired assistant secretary of the Army, reminded the audience about her long-standing roots in Southern Arizona, noting her father brought braceros from Mexico to work on the farms where he worked.

McSally, she argued, doesnt bring the same perspective when it comes to understanding the needs of the district  especially on how to handle issues like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

It is not fair to kick them out of the country, Matiella told the audience about DACA recipients, young people who were brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents.

Matiella noted that she outranked the retired Air Force colonel, saying McSally may have once commanded a flight squadron, but that as an assistant secretary of the Army she was responsible for equipping a million soldiers.

I know how to work across the aisle, that is something that she cannot do, Matiella said.

At the end of the forum, the five candidates discussed their top priorities and signaled how they would lead in Congress:

 Heinz said Congress needs to take seriously the issue of prescription drug reform.

 Kirkpatrick announced one of the first bills she would introduce would be for paid family leave.

 Kovacs said he would support Medicare-for-all legislation.

 Wheeler echoed Kovacs push for Medicare for all. To me, that is the Number One issue before us today, he said.

 Matiella said she wants to make college free for everyone.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke issued an executive order Friday about hunting and target shooting in national monuments that could lead to a reversal of a 4-year-old target-shooting ban at Ironwood Forest National Monument northwest of Tucson.

The new order calls on Interiors land management agencies to take a series of steps to open up monuments to encourage more hunting, which has been on the decline in recent years, as well as fishing and recreational target shooting.

Among them, agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service are directed to come up with plans to expand access for hunting and fishing on federal lands. Theyre ordered to produce changes to national monument management plans to ensure the publics right to hunt, fish and target-shoot there.

BLM runs the 129,000-acre Ironwood monument in Avra Valley, where target shooting was banned after a bruising debate and repeated incidents of gunshot-damaged cacti. It also runs the 496,000-acre Sonoran Desert National Monument in south-central Arizona, where the bureau first banned target shooting, then rescinded it and is now facing a court challenge over the switch from shooting opponents.

For the National Rifle Association, the National Wildlife Federation and other hunter- and shooter-based groups, Zinkes order is a huge win that they say will give hunters and target shooters well-deserved access to the same lands that hikers and backpackers have had for generations. They say it recognizes that regulated sport hunting is a biologically and economically sound form of wildlife management.

Todays secretarial order is the latest example of how the Trump administration is actively moving to support hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation on public lands, Zinke said in a prepared statement. Hunting and fishing is a cornerstone of the American tradition and hunters and fishers of America are the backbone of land and wildlife conservation.

For environmental groups such as the National Parks and Conservation Association, the order is more bad news, as Liz Fayad, the groups general counsel, said in an email Friday.

In general, the groups see it as a public-relations stunt, a red herring and an attempt to divert sportsmens attention from an impending presidential decision that could shrink some national monuments, including Ironwood, following a detailed review by Zinke. But they agree it could have a serious impact on Ironwoods shooting ban and the Sonoran Desert monuments litigation, said Phil Hanceford, a Wilderness Society conservation director in Denver.

Its hypocrisy for anti-monument people who say theyre concerned about federal overreach, and then turning around, wanting to mandate something like this, not allowing individual land managers to decide if target shooting is a proper activity, said Bill Thornton, vice president of Friends of the Ironwood Forest Monument.

Hunting is allowed on most BLM-run monuments, include all those in Arizona. Target shooting is also banned in the management plan for the Agua Fria National Monument north of Phoenix, but no supplementary rule yet exists to implement the ban.

Its allowed at all other Arizona BLM monuments except on 3 percent of the Sonoran Desert National Monument that hugs Interstate 8 between Tucson and Yuma.

Both activities are forbidden, however, in all 13 Arizona-based National Park Service-run monuments, including Organ Pipe near Ajo in Southern Arizona as well as the Canyon de Chelly and Chiricahua monuments.

BLM slapped on the Ironwood ban after concluding target shooters damaged resources at more than 30 sites. The NRA and other shooting advocates argued that it wasnt fair to close off an entire monument to curb problems caused by some shooters and questioned the link between the cactus damage and target shooting. BLM officials said allowing shooting in a few areas would concentrate the damage.

You couldnt go out there without hearing guns all the time. People would go out and take old televisions and shoot them up, and they were shooting saguaros, said Kevin Dahl, a National Parks and Conservation Association senior program manager.

Like Saguaro National Park, This is one area where you can go visit the desert and no longer be bothered by yahoos shooting guns, Dahl said.

Todd Rathner, a lobbyist for the NRA-affiliated Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association, countered, It is very encouraging that we finally have an interior secretary that understands that hunters, shooters and fisherman have the same right to enjoy the outdoors as bird watchers and every other American.

All public lands should be open to hunting and recreational shooting. Hunters and shooters have been paying the bulk of the bill to manage the wildlife that inhabit these lands through federal excise taxes collected on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment that are funneled to states, he said.

So its about time that those who are actually paying to enhance wildlife are given the same opportunities to use these wildlife habitats that others have been practically free-riding on for 80 years, Rathner said.

The orders impact on Park Service monuments is subject to debate.

Vanessa Lacayo, a Park Service spokeswoman in Denver, and Heather Swift, Zinkes press secretary, declined to predict the orders impacts on those monuments beyond citing a provision in the order to amend monument plans to expand hunting and shooting opportunities to the extent practicable under the law.

Environmentalist Dahl and Acting Organ Pipe Monument Superintendent Rijk Morawe said the order shouldnt affect Park Service monuments. They note that federal law doesnt authorize hunting or target shooting in most national parks and monuments. A flat ban appears in Park Service regulations. It was upheld in a 1983 U.S. Supreme Court decision against a challenge by the NRA.

The 520-square-mile monuments founding proclamation, issued in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, makes no mention of hunting or shooting in general, Morawe added.

But, You have to realize that under a new president, if a president and Congress allows for such a provision now, it would be a whole different thing, Morawe said.

NRAs Rathner disagreed and said Zinkes order will apply to all Interior land management agencies including the Park Service.

It was a broad order. It said all bureaus and services shall examine their management plans. If its prohibited by federal law, they wont be able to do it. If its not prohibited by law, it appears to me the secretary wants them to consider all situations where it would be legal and practical, Rathner said.
I started volunteering with the Red Cross in December 2016. I just retired and I was looking for something to do that was worthwhile. I got the basic training, helped out in a wildfire in Sonoita and mostly waited for a call to help. The call came in late August and I got deployed to Austin, Texas.

Initially the people who assessed the Hurricane Harvey disaster thought a large amount of people would be sheltered in Austin. When that didnt happen, we were bused to Houston.

It took about a day to get our assignments, after that most of us worked 10 to 12 hour days. The jobs were mostly getting food and provisions to shelters and neighborhoods. The Red Cross workforce is mostly retired folk. Grey-headed people who are used to work and did their jobs with few complaints.

Some slept in shelters along with the people forced out of their homes. Others were lucky, like me, and shared hotel rooms.

My job consisted of knocking on doors, canvassing neighborhoods and helping to figure out what people needed. Trucks delivered water, food and cleaning supplies. Day after day, emergency response vehicles rolled out of kitchens with hot meals and snacks. The drivers worked 12-hour days at a minimum.

At night, we would flop on our beds and go fast asleep. Like the rest of my colleagues I got one day off. When I returned home, I was a tired old man.

In disaster relief operations, things are missed. Emotions are high. Some people are misunderstood. Not all the agencies shared the same beliefs, and some law enforcement agencies wanted to check documents.

The Red Cross, true to its values, maintained neutrality. We helped anyone and everyone who needed it. The poor and the disenfranchised seemed the hardest hit. They were often wary of accepting help, but they were always grateful when it was received.

I had a wonderful opportunity to go to shelters, kitchens, churches and bulk warehouses. I saw faith-based groups and law enforcement working with Red Cross volunteers. I saw the military helping load trucks and the young men and women of AmeriCorps using their energy and muscle to get supplies to those in need.

After 16 days  that felt like two months  I am home. I am glad I got deployed. I would do it again, just not right away. If you would ask me, Does the Red Cross meet its mission? I would tell you yes.

The Red Cross volunteers have their hearts in the right place and they work hard to alleviate the misery and suffering of a disaster.
Those of us who are parents know that having and raising children is the greatest accomplishment and priority of our lives. Despite any professional success, our kids always come first.

But too many new parents find themselves having to choose between work and family, especially in their babys critical first few months of life  not to mention dealing with the rising cost of daycare.

So in Arizona, we are aiming to help new parents transition back into the workplace as they welcome infants into their families. We call it Happy Babies.

Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services and a graduate of the University of Arizonas College of Medicine, is an Ob/Gyn  and a mom.

As our top state health official, she has expanded a successful program that allows new moms and dads to bring their babies to work the first six months of their lives. And this year, we have made a renewed effort to expand the program throughout state government to more new parents, including in the Governors Office.

Health Services alone has welcomed 176 babies into the agencys offices since the program first launched in 2009, including about a dozen this year.

Since our expansion, the Arizona Department of Economic Security has seen six infants join the program, with three more joining soon. Other agencies participating include the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and yes, my office  where we currently enjoy the company of baby Milena. Earlier this year, our Tucson Governors Office hosted two babies through the program: little Lucas, the son of Juan Ciscomani, my senior advisor for regional and international affairs, and baby Ryker, the son of Southern Arizona director Becky Freeman.

There are a number of benefits to Happy Babies.

Most importantly, parents dont miss out on the precious moments of these early months. Kids grow up fast, and these first six months fly by. We want our employees to experience them.

Its great for morale and brings positive energy into the workplace. Parents who have participated say that their coworkers build a vested interest in their families lives and happiness  beyond these first six months. Their colleagues hold and play with their babies, watching them grow from newborns into small children. Dr. Christ personally participated when both her children were born. As she put it, After participating, working at Health Services felt like much more than a job to me.

There is no cost to taxpayers, but there are benefits. The program has been one of the states best retention and recruitment tools. Quality employees return early and decide to stay with the state, rather than quit or leave for another job. This is a win for our customers and hard-working taxpayers.

Best of all? It means happy and healthy babies, who get to be right beside their parents as they discover the world. Appropriate accommodations are made for moms who are breastfeeding.

One way we know this has been a success is that private-sector companies have reached out to the state looking to model their own programs after ours. Thats an indication that were on to something, and this has the potential to be a much broader movement in Arizona than just within state government offices.

Being a new parent brings a lot of joy, but it also brings stress. With this program, I truly believe we can ease this transition for our employees and fellow citizens, while providing better services to Arizonans.
Booking hotels through an online travel agent (OTA) often involves various risks as the accommodations could turn out not as good as advertised, industry insiders have warned.

Many tourists and hotel owners have recently complained about the risks of this new model of accommodation booking.

Ad vs. reality

In Vietnam, advertisements of hotels through OTA are oftentimes misleading, resulting in various cases whereby customers had to cancel the booking when seeing the hotels firsthand, or file a lawsuit against the hotels owner or the OTA.

Richard Terry Warneminde, an Australian tourist, booked a six-night stay from November 11 to November 17, 2016 at the Green Organic Villa Resort in south-central Binh Thuan Provinces Phan Thiet City.

While it was advertised as a four-star resort on booking.com, when Warneminde arrived at the hotel, he realized that the place was not that good.

As Warnemindes request to have his VND12 million (US$528) deposit refunded was refused, the Australian decided to file a lawsuit against the resort.

On February 13, Binh Thuan tourism department handed a fine of VND25 million (US$1,100) over the hotels owner for operating for three months without applying for assessment from authorities.

Le Dac Lam, director of an OTA named Vntrip, said that when the customers are not satisfied with the hotels facilities, his employees will try their best to arrange the guests to a different place and suspend the wrongly advertised hotel on their website.

Self-rating stars is commonplace

Nguyen Thanh Nien, owner of a resort in Phan Thiet, has also filed various complaints to competent agencies regarding the issue that many resorts and hotels grant themselves three or four stars without having gone through the verification process by authorities.

Resorts which self-rated three or four stars often provide cheaper room prices than those getting verified by competent agencies, causing an unfair competitiveness, explained Nien.

Many OTAs simply advertise those low-quality and un-starred hotels or resorts without verifying the authenticity of the provided information.

Some OTAs, however, do remove the star rating of the hotel advertised on their websites when receiving complaints from customers.

An owner of a Ho Chi Minh City-based hotel said that most hotels are responsible for providing room prices, services, and images of their hotels when advertising on an OTA.

Some OTA also provide services to help make the images or photos of the hotels look more appealing or help to polish the words used in the advertisement without substantially changing the original contents, the previously-mentioned hotel owner said.

However, in many cases, some OTA also grant the hotel the desired stars and exaggerate advertisement above the acceptable limit, creating misleading information to potential customers.

Booking advice

Most OTA put it clearly in their policies that they do not take responsibilities for information regarding services of hotels or resorts advertised on their website. So, customers often have difficulty suing OTA when the services of a place do not meet their expectations.

When encountering problem, customers are advised to work directly with hotels or resorts staff, not with OTA, said Tu Quy Thanh, director of Lien Bang Travelink Co.

Customers should not just choose a hotel because of its low price. They should spend some time reading over the feedbacks of previous customers before making the decisions.

The director also advised online bookers to capture screenshots of their booking process as proofs in case of filing a complaint.

Ngoc Huan, a resident in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, became a victim of misleading information when he recently booked a hotel in Taiwan through an OTA. According to Huan, the hotel was advertised with several good features such as four-star rating, vintage interior and close location to the citys downtown. The places services are rated 8 out of 10 by previous customers, and the advertisement was full of beautiful photos of the place. However, when Huan arrived in Taiwan and saw the hotel himself, he was shocked as the place turned out extremely old, dampened, and its bed sheets had yellowish color. Despite his extreme dissatisfaction with the accommodation, Huan had to stay there for one night as he had already paid a deposit.

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Mondays Australian Story profiles performer Kiruna Stamell whose talent is never constrained by physical perceptions.

Born with a rare form of dwarfism, actor and dancer Kiruna Stamell has faced ridicule and discrimination all her life. But her determination to be a performer has never wavered and she has overcome every hurdle with dignity and grace.

Roles for short-statured actors tend to be one-dimensional and often demeaning but Kiruna refuses to be defined by her height. She chooses to play the kind of roles she might perform in real life  a mother, a lover, a lawyer or a nurse  and by doing so hopes to challenge perceptions of people with dwarfism.

For the past 15 years she has worked consistently on stage and screen. Her roles include the film Moulin Rouge, the soap opera EastEnders, the Ricky Gervais comedy Lifes Too Short and three plays at Londons prestigious National Theatre.

Australian Story filmed with Kiruna, her family and her husband, actor Gareth Berliner, while she was involved in an Australian production of The Rover.

8pm Monday on ABC.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Minister of Information Technology, Postal and Courier Services Supa Mandiwanzira has donated laptops to 10 Gwanda South secondary schools.The Minister arrived in Manama in an army helicopter at around 4PM on Thursday and the chopper became the star attraction in the rather quiet community.Mandiwanzira was accompanied by the Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture, Abednico Ncube.Supa Mandiwanzira said the army chopper was requested by Ncube so that they could come and meet the people who had waited for them all day."We were at State House where President Mugabe was officiating at the ceremony to mark the start of voter registration. After the event, Ncube told me that there were people who had spent the whole day waiting for us here. He requested a chopper and he was given. I want to thank the Commander of the Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga for helping," said Mandiwanzira.Turning to the business of the day after donating 10 laptops to 10 secondary schools drawn from eight wards in the constituency, the Minister said the donation complements President Mugabe's computerisation programme."President Mugabe started this project more than 10 years ago."He was using money from his pocket. At that time people didn't understand what he was doing because no one cared about computers."When my brother Ncube said in his constituency schools have no computers I said let's go and start the project," he said.Mandiwanzira said schools should not just wait for the Government but should find other sources of revenue to equip their schools."I want you to do like what you do when buying school buses, every school wants one. This is the spirit you should have when buying computers," said Mandiwanzira.He also said 10 base stations will be built in Gwanda to link communities that rely on foreign networks, with the rest of the country.
Former Home and Away actor Axle Whitehead will host Sevens upcoming game show, The Wall.

It features a tall pegboard with giant balls dropped into cash zones with couples for whom a life-changing amount of money adds emotional drama.

While living in America Ive become a massive fan of the US version, said Whitehead. The Wall is about giving good people, great opportunities. To be the Australian host, blows me away!

Australia has never seen anything like this, he continued. The chance to win millions in one hour is going to have people on the edge of their seats, guaranteed.

Brad Lyons, Sevens director of production, said The Wall is like nothing weve seen. Take it on and get it right and you can win big. Its fun, unpredictable and addictive and Axle is the perfect guy to guide our contestants through the highs and lows of competing against this four-storey money machine.

Seven has confirmed the show will film outside Australia. Versions currently exist in the USA, France, Canada, Germany and Spain.

It will screen later this year.

Updated.
With anthology television having made a big comeback (thanks almost entirely to American Horror Story), a new UK-US co-production Philip K. Dicks Electric Dreams brings to life futuristic stories by an enigmatic science fiction author.

Borrowing its title from Blade Runners source, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (and not the Giorgio Moroder song!), the series comprises 10 stand-alone stories with varying casts, writers and directors. Many of them are marquee names including Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi, Essie Davis, Anna Paquin, Vera Farmiga, Geraldine Chaplin and Ronald D. Moore.

The first episode is The Hood Maker written by Matthew Graham (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes) and directed by Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane, Kinky Boots).

Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) stars as government detective Agent Ross operating in a futuristic world where mutants with telepathic powers read minds of an angry, insurgent public.

But hoods which can block their powers are circulating underground Ross teams up with Honor (Holiday Grainger) a Teep to help investigate the problem. Honor vows never to read the mind of an Agent, even though she can.

Across the dusty, rain-soaked metropolis, the two chase a hood-wearing rebel whilst forging closer ties and finding their own allegiances blur. The key theme centres around trust but also plays with how society might cope without any technology. On that front the timeframe is unclear: there are old convertible cars, trenchcoats and fedora hats. Is this post-apocalyptic or an alternate universe?

The script and direction are a serious, sometimes plaintive, affair and a little more crackle would have been welcome. But Madden and Grainger are well-matched on the case, if not each other, with Madden stepping up as a sexy, intelligent hero.

The production design is the standout from this episode. The sets are feature-film worthy, creating a ghetto that looks post Cold-War, steeped in dull colours and noir lighting.

The challenge for the series will be to exist in a world where Black Mirror is the current holder of the genre crown (and Twilight Zone is the blueprint), but Philip K. Dicks Electric Dreams is of to a promising, if serious, start. And with such big names attached I reckon theres some fun in store.

Philip K. Dicks Electric Dreams premieres Monday on Stan.
Help India!

By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net

Over the past few months, the Jharkhand government has come down extensively on conversions of tribals in the state to Christianity, with the state government passing a Bill that restricted conversions in the state. While many states have passed such laws in the past, what was extraordinary was that the Chief Minister Raghubar Das did not stop at this: he also published a full-page advertisement in prominent newspapers of the state. In the advertisement, Das took the help of Mahatma Gandhi to criticise conversions.

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The advertisement quote roughly translates as:

If Christian missionaries think that a person can get salvation only through converting to Christianity, then why dont you start this work beginning with me or Mahadev Desai?

Why are you emphasizing religious conversion of these simple, innocent, and poor Dalits and Vanvasis? They cant even differentiate between Jesus and Mohammed and are not even capable of understanding your religious teachings.

They are mute and simple as a cow. These innocent and uneducated Dalits and Vanvasis whose poverty you are milking and are making them Christians; they do not become Christians because of Jesus but because of rice that is for their stomach.

This was what Das quoted from Mahatma Gandhi, although he tactfully replaced the word Girijans, the word that Gandhi used to refer to Adivasis, with Vanvasis. The advertisement, also, does not put the source of Mahatma Gandhis saying.

Seeing such developments and Raghubar Das open stance towards the missionaries, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General at Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has written an open appeal to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On September 13, Bishop Mascarenhas wrote, He(Raghubar Das) began some months ago with vitriolic attacks against the Christian Community. Then in a first for any Chief Minister he came out with this particular full front page advertisement in the prominent dailies of the state.

It also said, Less than two weeks after the advertisement, while the Jharkhandis were still shocked over the hate-filled advertisement, the ruling party brought into the State Assembly and passed two important Bills: The Freedom of Religion Bill and the Amendments to Land Acquisition Act 2013, in record time practically without discussion. One wonders whether the hatred filled advertisement and the Freedom of Religion Bill were smoke screens for the real act of the amendment to Land Acquisition Act. Is there something more than meets the eye especially since the Governor had earlier refused to sign Amendments to the CNTPT Act. Was the Chief Minister creating a diversionary tactic of mounting hatred, the letter reads.

The CBCIs General Secretary accuses Das of carrying out his communal hateful agenda by fueling the state-aided propaganda in the state.

This is one of the first time when any Christian body has spoken out in Jharkhand.

The letter also says, Dear Prime Minister, the Church has as usual not responded to the provocations of the Chief Minister. It is not because we are afraid, it is not because we are weak. That the Christians have not responded should not be taken as a sign of weakness. We are not speaking about ourselves, we are speaking about the people of Jharkhand. It is not possible that so much money is spent by the Constitutional authority of the State on front page advertisements sowing hate when health facilities are so poor that stories of parents carrying children on foot for 10-12 km. to arrive at the nearest hospital makes the news.

Mr Raghubar Das and his advisors at least in the past few months have not shown affiliation to the ideology you are proclaiming, the Bishop said.

The steps of the government also seem surprising given that despite all the talk about conversions, only about 4.5% of the states 27% tribal population follows Christianity. Raghubar Das has been openly speaking up and taking action against the Christian societies working in the state.

The full letter can be read here.
Help India!

By Mirza Mosaraf Hossain, TwoCircles.net

With Durga Puja just a week away, West Bengal saw communal tensions again, this time in Nadia district, over accusations of the presence of beef in a Hindu locality. Four Muslims were beaten up following this incident, of which one is in serious condition. The police have imposed Section 144 of the IPC until further notice. On Friday evening, Hindus of Patikabari village located about 35 km from Nakashipara block and 166 km from Kolkata, marched towards the Nakashipara police station chanting Jai Shri Ram, Bharat mata ki jay and abusive anti-Muslim slogans.

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They complained that the Muslims of the village had left slices of beef in the Hindu colony of the village, namely Mathpara. The crowded mob, during their return through the Chenga village from the police station, broke the doors and walls of the village mosque at around 7.30 P.M. This led a tussle between the two communities in two villages.

At around 8.30 P.M, the agitated mob of Bethuadahari locality, 36 km from Patikabari village, hit Murad Rahaman Mallick(24), Mizai Sk, Oliullah Mondal of Chenga village and one Imam, namely Kochi Sk from the Bethuadahari locality at Galaidori More of Nichu Bazar. They were all returning to their villages from Bethuadahari. Mizai Sk, who was taken to hospital for treatment and is now back home, spoke with TwoCircles.net. He said, I run a small business at Bethuadahari. Yesterday, at around 9.30 P.M, I was coming back to my home. But at Galaidori More, my bike was stopped by 300-350 people who asked me my name and village. Then suddenly they started to hit me and forced me to say Jay Shri Ram. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital. I dont know who carried me over here. He added that he needed nine stitches for his injury.

When we spoke to Murad Rahaman Mallick about his mishap, he said, I was returning from Bethuadahari hospital with my cousin after meeting another cousin who was admitted to the hospital. The key of my bike was taken by some people who were about 300-400 in number. I recognised a few of them and some of them asked me my name. Then suddenly, somebody hit me with some rod or bamboos compelling me to say Jay Shri Ram. We ran away from the place leaving my bike, he said.

Mukul Mia, the Officer-in-Charge of Nakashipara Police Station, said despite these incidents, the situation is now under control. Till now 28 alleged persons are arrested from the two communities and they have been dispatched to the court. Further investigation is going on, he told TwoCircles.net.

This area had also seen communal tensions in July 2017, when an imam was beaten up on his way to a nearby village mosque.

For the last three years, Bengal has witnessed many grave communal tensions, and recent incidents in places like Bashirhat-Baduria, Dhulagarh, Islampur of Uttar Dinajpur district and Nakashipara block of Nadia district prove that the Mamata government and the people of West Bengal are unlikely to get much relief from communal polarisation being spread by the right-wing forces.
The Parsons Green terror attack occurred on the morning of Friday, September 15. The improvised explosive device ( IED) was placed inside a supermarket bag, inside a bucket on a tube train. Eyewitnesses spoke of a "ball of flame" shooting through the carriage. Mercifully, there were no deaths on this occasion but several passengers were hospitalised and treated for burns to their hands and face.

Reactions to the attack

The emergency services reacted swiftly to the attack and were on the scene within minutes. The public in Parsons Green showed great courage and compassion and opened their doors to victims to make tea and allow people to charge phones and use their toilets.

Community opens up near Parsons Green following today's attack, as residents offer their homes as spots to charge phones and use the toilet pic.twitter.com/y7OzsEaxUA  Jack Hardy (@JackHardy9) September 15, 2017

Reporter Jack Hardy was on the scene with this tweet that shows how residents rallied round after the events.

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, was quick to let his feelings known in a news interview stating that " London will not be defeated."

Theresa May's response

Immediately after the attack the Prime Minister convened an emergency meeting of the COBRA crisis committee at 10 Downing Street and addressed media shortly afterwards saying that the attack was "cowardly" and "clearly intended to cause significant harm." Police have said that they are treating the bombing as a terrorist attack.

The US President was quick to wade in and give his opinion on the attack, stating in a tweet that it was the actions of another "loser terrorist". The Prime Minister quickly responded, firmly putting Trump in his place by saying that such speculation was unhelpful.

Trump was not to be put off though and added his own views on how the issue should be dealt with.

Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Trump, rather startlingly, claims that the internet is the main recruitment tool for terrorists and the obvious way to solve this problem would be to cut it off and use it better.

Trump's claims

The POTUS is, as we know, not renowned for his diplomacy or tactful approach to solving problems, preferring instead the sledgehammer approach. After all, this is the man who believes that building an enormous wall will stop illegal Mexican immigration to the US, banning some travel from predominantly Muslim countries to the US will prevent terrorist attacks and dropping the MOAB ( Mother of All Bombs) on Afghanistan will end the conflict there. It is no surprise perhaps that he believes "cutting off" the internet will put an end to terror attacks. In true vague style, he makes no mention of how this will take place, only that it will and that it will solve the problem. Therefore, presumably, if the internet is not "cut off" to terrorists we will only have ourselves to blame when another attack takes place.

The events of Friday were awful for everyone concerned, but thankfully this time there were no fatalities and all relevant services are working hard to resolve the problems. What is not needed now, or at any other time, is president Trump making claims that are frankly bizarre.
Over the last 24 hours, Donald Trump reached a potential deal with leaders in the Democratic Party on extending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In the deal, Democrats were able to avoid signing on for funding of the president's border wall, which has left the White House in a tough position to defend what was agreed too.

Sanders on border wall

When Donald Trump announced that he was running for president in June 2015, he did so by quickly making headlines when he smeared illegal immigrants from Mexico. The former host of "The Apprentice" labeled many of those coming into the United States from Mexico as "murderers" and "rapists," and would end up elaborating on his controversial immigration plans in the months that followed.

From possible mass deportation, to forcing Mexico to fully fund a border wall, Trump made promises that didn't seem realistic, but went over well with his core base. After his upset election win over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump found that it was difficult to hold up his end of the bargain when it came to the promises he made on the campaign trail. On Wednesday night, a deal was tentatively reached between Trump and the Democrats where his original plan to end DACA would be put on hold without any funding being agreed upon for his border wall. As expected, supporters of the president were outraged, forcing Sarah Huckabee Sanders to do Damage Control during a September 14 interview on Fox News.

During an Thursday interview on Fox News, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was in the unfortunate position of defending Donald Trump's deal with Democrats to the conservative base. "He (Trump) wants to get a deal done. He wants to do that with DACA, but also to include massive border security and interior enforcement," Sanders said, before adding, "Thats what hes tweeted this morning." Sanders was eluding to the president's Twitter posts from earlier in the morning that resulted in major outrage, including from longtime supporters like Ann Coulter.

.@SHSanders45: "They're already building sample walls to determine best places." pic.twitter.com/6jvpjTOVoy  Fox News (@FoxNews) September 14, 2017

When pressed about the future of the border wall, Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted that it was still in the plans. "The wall is already going through extensive renovations," she said.

"They are already building sample walls. That part is already moving forward," Sanders continued, causing many to wonder what exactly a "sample wall" really is. Sanders continued to get grilled over the wall, but went back to her defense, stating, "like I just said, they are already building sample walls."

Next up

While Donald Trump causes chaos in his own base, he appears willing to work with Democrats on a variety of issues. In addition to his deal over DACA, Trump also came together with Nancy Pelosi ad Chuck Schumer over a short-term bill to keep the government funding for the next three months, much to the chagrin of some of his supporters.
Brandi Redmond relied on Leeanne Locken when things went bad with Stephanie Hollman. Brandi was devastated that Stephanie had talked about her marriage in her Bravo blog and in the media. Stephanie had called Brandi's marriage a slow car wreck waiting to happen and Brandi was shocked. They were best friends and she felt completely betrayed by Hollman's comments. On "The Real Housewives of Dallas," the two had been best friends but Redmond questioned her loyalty. When this season began, they weren't speaking. They had a sit-down where they discussed their issues and they decided to get back on track.

Brandi was so excited about it that she may have put LeeAnne on the back burner.

According to a new Bravo report, Brandi Redmond is now speaking out about why she didn't invite Locken to Memphis. As she has previously revealed, the trip to Memphis was an emotional one. She had learned that her grandfather had a stroke and the last thing she wanted was to bring more stress to him. If she had brought Locken, she may have yelled at Stephanie at his house. Redmond had no interest in bringing drama with her.

Dropping LeeAnne

In her Bravo blog, Brandi Redmond explains that she left Locken back in Dallas because she wanted to focus on her friendship with Stephanie. She also points out that she didn't want anyone speaking for her.

Perhaps she felt that their conversation couldn't be genuine with LeeAnne present.

"Given the fact that I was trying to salvage and mend a friendship, I didnt want anyone else speaking for me. I realized LeeAnne and Stephanie and Cary still have a long journey ahead to mend their fences. I took this opportunity to praise LeeAnne's accomplishments and reassure them that LeeAnne wants a friendship with each of them," Brandi writes in her Bravo blog, revealing that LeeAnne had spoken on her behalf several times and she wanted to create some distance between them.

Fighting on Twitter

Ever since the trip to Memphis, LeeAnne has been questioning her friendship with Brandi. She reveals she felt stupid for giving Brandi her time, as she felt she was dumped the minute that Redmond made peace with Stephanie. The two have been arguing with one another on Twitter and it sounds like Brandi may feel she made the right decision based on Locken's behavior online.

What do you think about Brandi Redmond's comments about leaving LeeAnne in Dallas? What do you think the trip would have been like with LeeAnne there?
Opinion / Letters

My dear President, I wish you journey mercies as you go to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.When you get there don't forget to tell them of the bumper 2.1 million tonnes of maize expected to be realised through the Command Agriculture Program and Presidential Inputs Scheme.Tell them of the 14 percent increase in exports that have been realised through the insightful Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016.Tell them of the increase in electricity generation capacity that will follow the implementation of the Kariba South Hydro extension project and Batoka Gorge and Hwange Thermal Power Extension projects.Tell them of the roads rehabilitation programme currently underway, with the Beitbridge-Chirundu Highway project set to kick-off soon, not only creating employment, but making Zimbabwe more visitor-friendly.Tell them of the vast mineral resources that God keeps on supplying to us and the proceeds to be realised once we start value addition that you have always hammered on.Tell them of the peace and tranquillity we continue to enjoy despite a few misguided and money-loving elements paid to cause anarchy, but have to date, failed dismally. Our people are free to traverse the length and breadth of our country; in fact our bodies are weary from all-day, all-night partying at the just-ended Harare International Carnival.Lastly, dear Cde President, if some pseudo-Zimbabweans attempt to suggest that you are no longer popular here, show them pictures of the multitudes that gathered in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central , Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Midlands, Matabeleland North Matabeleland South and Masvingo for Presidential Youth Interface Rallies. Tell them that had they listened hard enough, they would have heard deafening chants of Gushungo!Continue telling that the people of Zimbabwe say although we might have the oldest leader, we have the sharpest and although they might pretend not to listen when you speak, they secretly take notes for later dissection.Gushungo, never stop telling them that Zimbabwe will never be a colony again. Batshele!
"Days Of Our Lives" has really been heating up, and fans can't wait to see what the fall season will bring for the NBC Soap Opera. While fans already know that some major characters will be returning to Salem, there are a few spoilers that have been circulating, and viewers will want to read all about them before the drama goes down.

Steve and Kayla mend their marriage

According to the latest "Days of our Lives" spoilers for fall, Steve and Kayla fans have been wanting to see them be a happy family forever. It seemed like they had gotten that, especially after Tripp became acclimated with the family.

However, things took a shocking turn when Joey decided to turn himself in and go to jail for Ava's murder. Now, Steve and Kayla are on the rocks, but fall will see the couple get back together after a rocky few months.

The double wedding brings big drama

Meanwhile, "Days of our Lives" viewers are expecting to see an unexpected guest arrive at Chad and Abigail and Sonny and Paul's double wedding ceremony. The couple will be ready to say their I do's, but someone could burst in and throw a wrench into the entire day. While many "DOOL" fans believe that that person could be Will Horton returning from the dead to stop Sonny from marrying Paul, it could also be a drunk Lucas, who is hurt over Sonny moving on with his life when his son couldn't do the same, or Sami Brady, who is back in town.

Either way, it should be a juicy storyline for fans to watch.

Nicole begins her exit storyline

Eric, Brady, and Nicole will also be going through a tough time this fall. "Days of our Lives" watchers will finally see Eric come clean about his feelings for Nicole, and Brady won't be happy. However, Eric's guilt will be too much and he'll decide to leave town.

When Marlena tracks him down and convinces him to return to Salem things will get even more heated between the trio. Nicole's reaction to Eric's feelings and him leaving town will ultimately be the storyline that leads her to leave Salem, seemingly for good, as fans know that actress Arianne Zucker quit her job on the soap.

Bonnie finds shocking information

While one of the doppelgangers has already been caught and arrested, the other will be running wild in Salem. Hattie agreed not to rat on Bonnie, and now Bon-Bon is taking full advantage of her new life posing as Adrienne Kiriakis. Bonnie will be looking for ways to get revenge on Maggie, and just when she thinks it can't be done she'll learn a shocking secret that could rock the entire family, and ultimately lead to Maggie and Victor's demise. All the while, Adrienne will desperately be trying to get out of prison, where Bonnie put her.

Sami Brady is back in Salem

Perhaps the most exciting storyline this fall will be the return of Sami Brady. Alison Sweeney reprises her fan-favorite role and will bring a ton of drama back to Salem with her.

Sami's arrival will really shake things up, and it seems her return will be linked to Will's homecoming. She'll be determined to figure out who had been keeping her son away from his life, and she'll likely set out looking for answers. The plot will lead Sami, Will, Paul, Sonny, John, Lucas, and others to Memphis, where they'll discover all kinds of shocking revelations. Many "Days of our Lives" fans believe that the storyline could lead to the reveal of EJ DiMera's return, but nothing has been confirmed about an EJ recast at this time.

JJ is living a nightmare, Jack returns

Sadly, one "Days of our Lives" character will be in for a shocking and tragic storyline. JJ Devearaux will be living every police officer's nightmare when he accidentally shoots and injures Theo Carver by mistake.

JJ's bullet will paralyze Theo, who won't be able to walk after the injury. This storyline will later lead to Theo leaving Salem around Christmas. JJ will be so guilt-ridden that he'll begin to see the spirit of his late father, Jack Deveraux, who will show up to comfort his son during one of the darkest times of his life.

Eve Donovan returns

Eve Donovan will be back to shake things up on "Days of our Lives" this fall. She'll cause some issues for the Kiriakis family, and Eve will even be getting a love story with an already well-known "DOOL" character. Meanwhile, Gabi and Eli also seem to be back on the path to romance, and fans will likely see them grow closer this fall as well.

Don't miss a minute of the action

Be sure to tune in to "Days of our Lives" or set your DVRs so that you don't miss a minute of the action that's coming to Salem this fall. "DOOL" airs weekday afternoons on NBC.
At 117, Violet Mosse Brown didnt hold the title as the worlds oldest person for long, after taking the honor from Spaniard Emma Morano, who passed away in April this year at 117 years of age. She was also predeceased by the worlds oldest man, after Holocaust survivor Yisrael Kristal died at the age of 113 during August in Haifa, Israel, shortly before his 114th birthday.

Brown was also predeceased by her son, 97-year-old Harold Fairweather, who passed away shortly after she was declared the worlds oldest person in April this year. Fairweather himself had been considered the world's oldest child with a living parent.

Worlds oldest person was unwell shortly prior to her death

Affectionately known as Aunt V, Brown was born in Jamaica on March 10, 1900. Her son, 85-year-old Barry Russell, told The Jamaica Gleaner that his mother was unwell on Saturday last week and visited the doctor, who said the elderly lady was suffering from dehydration and had an irregular heartbeat. However, she passed away at Fairview Medical Center in Montego Bay, Jamaica at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

Family squabbles made her last days difficult

Russell said his mothers last few days were tense as there was an ongoing dispute in the family as to whether she was getting the best medical care. Some family members had removed her from her home in Duanvale, Trelawny with other relatives not knowing where she was.

There was also concern that Brown would miss an appointment scheduled with Guinness Book of World Records officials. Loop News Barbados quotes one, unnamed family member as saying they came to look for Brown on Friday afternoon, only to be told she had passed away.

Oldest person in the world, Jamaica's Violet Moss Brown is dead https://t.co/PtFajIzaxR pic.twitter.com/x0T7V4HPBw  Loop Jamaica (@LoopJamaica) September 16, 2017

Brown was somewhat of a celebrity in Jamaica, after receiving visits from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and other prominent leaders in the community.

Worlds oldest person wasnt just waiting to die

Loops News quoted Brown in an interview last year as reflecting on life following the emancipation of Jamaica. At that time, Jamaica was still under British rule and the black majority was still considered to be oppressed. Brown told them it was still a little like slavery and was hard, but little by little Jamaica had become a good place.

Brown said at the time that she was enjoying life and wasnt just sitting waiting to die. She said she enjoyed relaxing on her veranda, watching the passing parade of people and cars going by.

With Browns passing, Nabi Tajima, 117, is now the worlds oldest person. Tajima was born in Japan on August 4, 1900, several months after Brown was born in March of that year.
The carcass of one more North Atlantic right whale was spotted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Friday. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Canada announced that the dead animal was seen off Miscou Island during a surveillance flight. With this sighting, the number of confirmed death of right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence this year has increased to eleven. The DFO said efforts are being made to recover the carcass and carry out a necropsy of this dead animal by next week.

The DFO statement also said it is not yet confirmed whether this is the same whale that was seen entangled off the Gaspe Penninsula last month.

North Atlantic right whales are endangered creatures

North Atlantic right whales are among the worlds rarest marine mammals. Their numbers have dwindled continuously in the past decades, and just over 500 of them are now left in the word. The year 2017 has proved to be a devastating year for this animal. This year, an "unprecedented" number of deaths of right whales have been reported off the coasts of the Canada and the US. At least thirteen North Atlantic right whales have died in the US and Canadian waters in 2017a figure much higher than the yearly average of 3.8. Of these thirteen dead whales, 11 were found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while two other carcasses were recovered off the coast of New England.

Necropsies carried out on three dead whales found in the Gulf suggested that two of them had died following a collision with ships, while the third one died due to entanglement.

DFO has confirmed another right whale carcass has been discovered off Miscou Island in the Gulf of St Lawrence.... @CTVAtlantic  Cami Kepke (@CamiKepkeCTV) September 15, 2017

The US and Canadian authorities launched a joint investigation last month

The high number of deaths of these animals has also forced the Canadian and the US government to launch a joint investigation into these incidents.

Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the US announced that it is collaborating with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to solve the puzzle behind these deaths. Both agencies agreed to share their resources with each other to speed up the probe. The joint investigation is also expected to help agencies draft regulations to protect the endangered animal in the water.

Last month, Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced that DFO would take every possible measure to prevent the deaths of endangered right whales. Ottawa authorities also released new guidelines for big ships, asking them to reduce their speeds before entering the western Gulf of St. Lawrence. Vessels more than 20 m in length will now move at the maximum speed of 10 knots (about 19 km/h). Companies not following these orders will face a penalty of $25,000.
Chinese financial institutions should not use their role in serving the real economy as an excuse to help "zombie companies" and instead must help troubled firms with good fundamentals to ride out short-term difficulties, senior officials said.

In China, the term zombie companies refers to inefficient or loss-making enterprises whose production facilities are outdated and debt is mounting or unmanageable.

Liu Guoqiang, assistant governor of the People's Bank of China, the central bank, said at the Financial Street Forum 2017 in Beijing on Friday: "Financial institutions must reduce funding for so-called zombie companies, lower hidden local government debts and combat speculation in real estate to save financial resources for other parts of the real economy that meet the requirements of China's supply-side reform, so that we'll be able to cultivate a new economic structure and a new drive for growth."

Wang Zhaoxing, vice-chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, the country's top banking regulator, agreed, saying banks will continue to optimize credit allocation and strongly support reduction of excess capacity.

Wang further said that banks should identify zombie companies and withdraw loans from such companies in an orderly way.

They should also not stop lending to those businesses that have good potential for growth but are experiencing temporary difficulties. Disruption to funding for a potentially good business may increase financial risk or even trigger an outbreak of risk, he said.

The CBRC will further promote and improve the foundation of creditor committees to stabilize financial support for those good businesses that are running into difficulties at the moment, he said.

A creditor committee is defined as a temporary organization set up by at least three banks that are creditors to a company where the latter is unable to repay its large outstanding debt.

The CBRC will also support the banking industry to further reduce corporate leverage by carrying out debt-for-equity swaps as per market forces.

"Regulators will properly control the force and pace of financial regulation so that banking institutions will play a better role in resource allocation and risk management," Wang said.

jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn
By Fan Feifei in Beijing and Cang Wei in Nanjing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-09-16 07:00

Phone and R&D plants, other facilities may help expand presence in mainland

Foxconn Technology Group, the world's largest electronics contractor, hopes to enhance its intelligent manufacturing capacity and expand its presence in the mainland market by investing 37.5 billion yuan ($5.7 billion) in a smartphone plant, R&D center and other facilities in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, experts said.

Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Nanjing municipal government, a local government document said.

The spate of investment projects range from a smartphone plant, liquid crystal display TV manufacturing and R&D center, semiconductor equipment production and intelligent terminal devices R&D center, as well as a logistics and supply chain base.

"Nanjing has an edge in talent, whole electronics industry chain, and related industry policy support. Moreover, the manufacturing cost for an enterprise is relatively low in Nanjing, compared with other cities in the Yangtze River Delta region," said an official from Nanjing Municipal Economic and Information Technology Commission.

He said a batch of universities in Nanjing provides talented personnel for enterprises, and the talent loyalty is high in the area. Foxconn acknowledged the investment plan but declined to give more details.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd, a top contract chipmaker, also signed an agreement with the Nanjing municipal government last year. It will invest $3 billion to build an advanced wafer-manufacturing facility.

James Yan, research director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, said: "Foxconn is undergoing a transformation from a purely original equipment manufacturer or foundry manufacturer to an electronics giant (that) pays attention to brand building."

Foxconn is expanding its product portfolio, including TVs and smartphones, and other high-tech hardware devices, as well as putting more efforts into artificial intelligence, Yan said. Yan added that Nanjing owns the advanced electronics industry chain and talents, attracting a number of tech companies to set up factories.

"Foxconn has stepped up efforts to expand its production network and upgrade its manufacturing capacity toward intelligent manufacturing in the mainland market," said Zhang Yanbin, assistant director of All View Cloud, a Beijing-based consultancy specializing in home appliances.

As a main assembler of Apple's iPhone, Foxconn acquired Japanese electronics giant Sharp Corp to rejuvenate Sharp's television business and increase its production of LCD panels last year, to find a new growth driver at a time when global demand for smartphones is faltering.

Contact the writers at fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
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United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. REBA MARCELLE MYERS, Defendant - Appellant. No. 17-4231 Decided: September 14, 2017

Before SHEDD, FLOYD, and THACKER, Circuit Judges. Robert C. Stone, Jr., ROBERT C. STONE, JR., PLLC, Martinsburg, West Virginia, for Appellant. Randolph J. Bernard, Shawn, M. Adkins, Assistant United States Attorneys, Wheeling, West Virginia, for Appellee.

Reba Marcelle Myers pleaded guilty to tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C.  7202 (2012). The district court sentenced Myers to one year and one day of imprisonment, and she now appeals. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

On appeal, Myers argues that her counsel rendered ineffective assistance during the plea negotiations and at sentencing. To prove a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show (1) that counsel's performance was deficient, and (2) that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). Under the second prong of the test in the context of a conviction following a guilty plea, a defendant can show prejudice only by demonstrating a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial. Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 59 (1985).

However, we will address a claim of ineffective assistance on direct appeal only if the lawyer's ineffectiveness conclusively appears on the record. United States v. Faulls, 821 F.3d 502, 507-08 (4th Cir. 2016). Here, there is no conclusive evidence of ineffective assistance on the face of the record and we conclude that Myers' claims should not be addressed at this time.

Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the district court. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid in the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

PER CURIAM:
HCM CITY  HCM City has proposed that the Ministry of Construction not allow the development of commercial apartments with area less than 45sq.m.

The city is concerned that the construction of small-sized apartments may lead to the creation of slums.

The municipal Peoples Committee said the southern city had witnessed a rapid urbanisation rate and increase in population, adding that building commercial apartments with area less than 45sq.m would speed this up further.

This would intensify pressure on the citys social and technical infrastructure system, which was already overloaded, disrupt overall planning and pose a risk of the small-sized apartments turning into slum areas.

HCM City said until a set of national technical apartment standards was issued, the city would apply the existing standards, according to which commercial apartments must have a minimum area of 45sq.m and apartments in social housing projects must be at least 25sq.m.

In response, the HCM City Real Estate Association proposed that the southern city allow the development of less than 45sq.m apartments, however, the percentage of these small-sized apartments should be capped at 25-30 per cent of the total units in a building.

Le Hoang Chau, the associations chairman, said the city has high demand for social housing projects and affordable small-sized commercial apartments with one or two bedrooms.

At a recent working session of the HCM City Real Estate Association and the Central Economic Commission, Chau said housing prices were currently much higher than the income of a majority of citizens.

Chau estimated that housing prices in Viet Nam were some 25 times higher than the average income, adding that in South Korea, the gap was just 5-7 times, in comparison.

The Government should encourage the construction of homes that meet the housing demand of a majority of citizens, Chau said.

He added that projects of small-sized apartments should be developed in the suburb areas and proper management should be undertaken to prevent them from turning into slums.

According to Nguyen Manh Ha, former director of the Housing and Real Estate Management Department, apartment area was not the main factor that decided living quality.

Ha said design and surrounding infrastructure were of more importance, adding that a studio apartment with good facilities and infrastructure would be much better than houses with areas of hundreds of square metres but lacking facilities.

I think small-sized apartments with good quality will not turn into slums, he said.

Given the high market demand coupled with the average income of Vietnamese, the development of 25sq.m apartments was necessary because this type of living space was affordable for a majority of citizens, Ha said.

Early in May, the Ministry of Construction issued a document permitting the construction of commercial apartments with minimum area of 25sq.m to meet the rising housing demand of single people, low-income earners and nuclear families in urban areas, especially in areas surrounding industrial zones.

The southern city has a population of 13 million.

Statistics of the municipal Department of Construction, early this year, revealed that the city had nearly 480,000 households that did not own a home, 300,000 households that required social housing apartments on rent and 143,000 low-income households. - VNS
HCM CITY  Viet Nam has exported 3.87 million tonnes of rice worth US$1.66 billion in the first eight months of the year.

According to the Viet Nam Food Association this represents increases of 17.7 per cent in volume and 16.6 per cent in value year-on-year.

Asia remained the main market, accounting for 67 per cent of the shipments, as exports to mainland China, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore increased.

But exports to Hong Kong fell significantly.

Africa was the second biggest market, accounting for 15.7 per cent of the exports, with the Americas and Australia being third and fourth.

The association said high-grade white rice, fragrant rice and glutinous rice were the main export items.

Viet Nams 5 per cent broken white rice is currently priced higher than Thailands but lower than Indias due to limited supply, he said.

But the association said the price of common white rice would be reduced to compete with Thai rice to meet new demand.

Huynh The Nang, the associations chairman, said the summer-autumn rice crop has been harvested, with output being lower than expected, and large areas of newly planted autumn-rice crop are inundated and likely to be affected.

Prices would remain high in the domestic market until the year-end due to limited supply, he added.

Market forecast

The VFA said demand for common white rice and parboiled rice would continue to increase this year mainly driven by imports by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Fragrant rice exports would be steady thanks to continuing demand from Africa and China and new demand from Iran and Iraq, it said.

The market for long-grained white rice, speciality rice, sticky rice, and broken rice would continue to be dominated by China, while exports of Japonica rice would continue to rise and the variety promises to become one of the countrys key exports, with its main markets being countries in Oceania and China, it said.

Exports are no longer based on demand for common white rice from traditional markets under government-to-government contracts, with enterprises actively promoting exports of speciality, high-quality, fragrant, sticky, and broken varieties, it added.

Nang said despite difficulties, rice exports would rise this year.

At a meeting it held on Wednesday the association fixed a export target of 1.8 million tonnes in the four remaining months to take the whole-year volume to 5.6 million tonnes.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has urged seafood processors, importers and exporters to participate in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

This is an important step to stop Vietnamese seafood from being warned or prohibited from importing to key markets such as the European Union and the United States.

According to VASEP, Viet Nam could be fined by the EU with a "yellow card" if it does not promptly and fully adhere to EUs requirements on fighting IUU fishing, which are related to the five recommendations made by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE)s working group during the reviewed period of May 15-19, 2017, in Viet Nam.

If a country is subject to a yellow card (an official EU warning), it will create nervousness among EU retailers in connection with seafood imported from that country, and they may substitute the seafood from that particular country. If the country is fined with a red card, its seafood products will be prohibited from import into the EU.

The IUU regulation applies to all vessels of EU or the third country at EU ports and all seafood products imported to or exported from EU countries. This regulation is to ensure that no illegally harvested fishery products enter the EU market.

VASEP said its members were aware of the importance of the IUU regulations and relevance for seafood businesses, and realised that the fight against IUU would be a long-term process that needed active and regular participation of seafood businesses.

VASEP members said it is necessary to set up a management board for seafood businesses to fight against IUU fishing.

EU played a leading role in the global fight against IUU fishing. The IUU regulation came into effect of October 1, 2010, aiming to ensure that only seafood products certified by the national authorised body or exporting country are imported to or exported from EU.

The list of IUU fishing vessels will be regularly updated, which are defined by the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).

Deputy Head of the Directorate of Fisheries Technology Science and International Co-operation Department Nguyen Thi Trang Nhung told nonnghiep.vn newspaper that 24 countries and territories had received penalty cards under the IUU regulation, including countries and territories with modern fishing fleets, of which 13 nations had their penalty cards withdrawn thanks to improved management systems, including Ghana, Guinea, Panama and Papua New Guinea, as well as the Philippines, South Korea and Sri Lanka.

Of the remainder, three nations were given red cards -- Cambodia, Conmoros, and Saint Vincent and Grenadines -- and eight nations and territories were given yellow cards, including Siera Leone, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tuvalu.

As for the role of State management, Nhung said relevant agencies were taking urgent measures to prevent Vietnamese fishing vessels from illegally fishing in the waters of the Pacific islands. It would focus on strengthening controlling measures at ports in localities, increasing inspection and expanding the network of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for large vessels.

The Vietnamese agencies will strengthen co-operation on fighting IUU fishing with countries in the region and the Pacific islands and join the Food and Agriculture Organisations Agreement on Port State Measures and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement," she said.  VNS
Many car manufacturers in Viet Nam continue to apply discounts and promotions to stimulate purchasing. Photo vnexpress.net

HA NOI  Many car manufacturers in Viet Nam continue to apply discounts and promotions to stimulate purchasing.

Insiders say slashing auto prices is reasonable in light of next years zeroeing-out of import tariffs from ASEAN member states. Along with inventory pressure, this has led manufacturers to cut back on profit to encourage consumption.

After announcing a reduction of hundreds of millions of ong for Honda CR-Vs, a run on the dealerships emptied out their stocks. In one month, the prices of luxurious SUV Honda CR-V 2.4 ATTG model, CR-V 2.4 A.T and CR-V 2.0 A.T have been dropped by VN280 million, VN330 million and VN220 million, respectively. This has made way for the new model of the imported seven-seat CR-V series at nearly the same price as CR-Vs assembled in the country, without a discount (about VN1.1 billion).

Mitsubishi Motors Viet Nam (MMV) will continue to offer car price incentives this month of as much as VN180 million (depending on the model).

Truong Hai Auto Corporation (Thaco) also announced a price reduction of the Mazda CX-5 to less than VN800 million, down about VN200 million compared with previous months.

Jumping on the bandwagon, other auto firms such as Nissan, Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV) and Chevrolet also decreased prices of locally-assembled cars.

TMV has recently announced its two-month promotion programme for locally-assembled models of Vios and Innova. Accordingly, the corporation will pay the vehicle registration fees of between VN15 million and VN30 million.

Nissan, another brand name from Japan, will give buyers rebates of VN5 million to VN35 million and will also pay registration fees worth from VN13.3 million to VN29.8 million, in addition to providing an accessories package. The total value of the cuts applied on each Nissan Vietnam car is approximately VN50 million.

Prices of imported types of Toyota Fortuner and Yaris and of several types of Hyundai cars imported from Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea have remained stable.

Drop in auto sales

According to a report by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association released on Tuesday, auto sales dropped sharply in recent months. In the first eight months of this year, 177,038 units were sold, 10,825 fewer than last year in the same period.

Sales of locally-assembled autos also dropped sharply as customers await next years anticipated tariff cancellation. This, combined with a preference for imported vehicles has resulted in a drop of 11 per cent of locally assembled cars, to 126,984 units in the first eight month of this year, whereas the number of imported vehicles rose 10 per cent to 50,052 units.

Insiders say once locally assembled vehicles are sold out, car prices may rise again; if they drop due to the zero import tax, the price reductions will not be as sharp.

Ngoc Tho, a resident of Ha Noi, told the news website dantri.com.vn that despite the discounts, Vietnamese customers pay far more for their cars than the cars value. Tho calculated that, the CX5 2.5, the most expensive version of Mazda CX5 in Viet Nam, is being sold at VN899 million. To own the vehicle, customers will have to pay nearly VN1.02 billion, including registration fees and insurance. Meanwhile, the most expensive CX5 version in other countries sells at VN600 million.
The number of complaints and denunciations since the end of 2016 has declined, but there have been more complicated cases involving larger numbers of people, according to a Government report on the settlement of complaints and denunciations in 2017. VNA/VNS Photo Le Sen

HA NOI  The number of complaints and denunciations since the end of 2016 has declined, but there have been more complicated cases involving larger numbers of people, according to a Government report on the settlement of complaints and denunciations in 2017.

The report, which was presented to the National Assembly (NA)s Standing Committee yesterday, shows that the number of complaints and denunciations by citizens has decreased compared to previous years on most criteria, such as the number of citizens visits to State administration agencies for complaints and the number of written complaint applications. The sense of responsibility of heads of State management agencies in directing, administering, considering and settling complaints and denunciations, especially complicated cases, has reportedly increased. Citizen reception has gradually been associated with the settlement of complaints and denunciations and many cases have been resolved right at the source, the report said.

However, according to the Government, the ratio of successful settlement of cases is higher than at the same period last year, but is still below target. Many localities still demonstrate poor performance in this regard. The number of cases involving many people has increased, up 13.5 per cent compared to the previous year, the majority of which were related to land issues.

At the local level, there have been many cases of late settlement.

The NA Standing Committee also listened to reports by the Supreme Peoples Court and the Supreme Peoples Procuracy.

Speaking on its assessment of the Governments report, the NA Law Committee remarked that the Governments report has yet to make deep analysis of the results and quality of the reception of citizens on the handling of petitions and denunciations, particularly the causes behind the cases. The report also fails to give full data on the handling by the heads of agencies on violations when receiving citizens and dealing with complaints.

Solutions to existing problems given in the report are too general, the committee said.

The committees chairman, Nguyen Khac inh, requested that in the future, the Government should improve the efficiency of citizen reception work and complaint settlement, as well as the popularisation and education of law among the community.

The report fails to specify the objective and subjective causes of problems, which were stated in reports many years ago, as well as what new factors have arisen in the past year, inh said, requesting that the Governments report undertake a more thorough analysis of the causes of complaints and denouncements that resulted in a sharp increase in the number of cases involving many people.  VNS
The European Parliament (EP)s Committee on International Trade (INTA) and the Vietnamese Government have agreed that they have to make concerted efforts for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in the next eight or nine months. VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI  The European Parliament (EP)s Committee on International Trade (INTA) and the Vietnamese Government have agreed that they have to make concerted efforts for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in the next eight or nine months.

INTA Chairman Bernd Lange, who was on a working trip to Viet Nam, made the statement at a press meeting yesterday.

He said the EP is in charge of approving all treaties or international trade agreements that the EU joins.

The EVFTA will be considered in two stages, by the INTA and by the EP. The deal is scheduled to be considered and verified by the INTA in the spring of 2018 to ensure that all commitments in the agreement will be fully implemented.

If the EP reaches majority consensus, the EVFTA will be approved next summer, Lange noted.

He expressed his belief that the trade pact will bring about sustainable growth and benefits to both sides.

To soon conclude the EVFTA negotiation, which is now in the final stage of legal review, Lange said Viet Nam should soon ratify eight core conventions of the International Labour Organisation to ensure that the deal will equally benefit all people.

The EU and Viet Nam should pledge not to obtain economic benefits at any cost and to ensure safety for the environment, he added.

To guarantee that all people will benefit from the EVFTA, the two sides are set to establish a new mechanism called domestic advisory groups to give advice to their governments, thus improving the deals contents during the implementation and creating opportunities for both sides organisations to exchange information.

On the same day, Nguyen Van Binh, Chairman of the Party Central Committees Economic Commission held a meeting with INTA Chairman Bernd Lange.

Binh affirmed that international integration is a consistent policy of Viet Nam and the country pays special attention to free trade agreements with partners in general as well as the EVFTA in particular.

He expressed the wish that EU will collaborate with Viet Nam to build programmes and schedules to support Viet Nam as well as create favourable conditions for the two sides enterprises to access information and exchange market research teams.

INTA Chairman Bernd Lange affirmed that the EU always attaches importance to its partnership with Viet Nam and is in favour of signing the EVFTA. - VNS
HCM CITY  Economic growth can only be sustained if the status of women is improved, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said at a Viet Nam-Laos-Cambodia womens forum held yesterday in HCM City.

The forum was held to promote friendship and cooperation among the countries to realise the UNs Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The deputy PM, who is also Viet Nams Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that peace, cooperation and development would continue to be the dominant trend in the coming time, of which women play a vitally important role.

The UN agenda to 2030, the first historic agreement reached globally on sustainable development, in which the central task is gender equality, is bringing unprecedented opportunities to promote cooperation and to enhance the role of women, Minh said.

The Asia-Pacific region continues to be an engine of global growth while the ASEAN community is implementing a vision to 2025 with a focus on people, of which women are an indispensable part of the community.

Therefore, the contributions of women, especially in our three countries, will help build a stronger ASEAN Community and realise the ASEAN Vision, he said.

However, challenges remain, including the risk of war and conflict around the world. Global economic growth has become unstable and is slowing down, requiring economies to seek new growth drivers.

Meanwhile, 90 per cent of global economies continue to maintain at least one discriminatory policy or regulation on women. Around 2.3 million women worldwide do not have access to the internet.

In the ASEAN region, gender inequality is causing a loss of 18 per cent of ASEANs GDP each year, which is equal to half a billion US dollars, according to Minh.

The forum was organised on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cambodia, the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Viet Nam, and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, chairwoman of the Viet Nam Womens Union Central Committee, said that womens unions from Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia were planning to increase the number of exchanges and educational programmes among the countries.

Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Men Sam An, Cambodian deputy prime minister, who is also head of the Cambodian Women for Peace and Development Association, said: Cambodia and Viet Nam have cooperated in poverty reduction, vocational training for women, as well as health, education and anti-trafficking activities, contributing to the building of a border of peace, friendship and development.

Inlavanh Keobouphanh, president of the Laos Womens Union, told Viet Nam News that the Lao government had long enacted a policy of promoting gender equality as enshrined in the constitution and laws as well as legal documents, including related international treaties and the introduction of policy documents.

Both Cambodian and Lao delegates said they hoped that Viet Nam would continue assisting the three countries women to carry out exchanges, share experiences and promote womens roles in each nations development.  VNS


United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. ANNETTE EHRLICH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. MICHAEL KOVACK, Individually and in his official capacity; JOAN HELLER; MEDINA COUNTY, OHIO; MEDINA COUNTY, OHIO COMMISSIONERS Defendants-Appellees. Case No. 16-4751 Decided: September 14, 2017

BEFORE: COLE, Chief Judge; BATCHELDER and MOORE, Circuit Judges.

OPINION

Annette Ehrlich filed a complaint against Michael Kovack; Joan Heller; Medina County, Ohio; and the Medina County, Ohio Commissioners pursuant to 42 U.S.C.  1983. The complaint alleged that the defendants terminated Ehrlich's employment in violation of her First Amendment right to free speech. The district court granted summary judgment to Kovack, the only remaining defendant on Ehrlich's First Amendment claim, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over Ehrlich's state-law claims. Ehrlich appeals the grant of summary judgment and two related denials of requested discovery. We affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

Ehrlich worked at the Medina County Auditor's Office (Auditor's Office) as a network administrator. Michael Kovack holds the elected position of Auditor of Medina County and Joan Heller served as his deputy.

Ehrlich requested permission to attend a computer training session related to a program known as Pictometry. Kovack denied her request because he did not believe her attendance would be beneficial to her work as an administrator. Ehrlich then emailed Kovack and Heller informing them that she intended to take a vacation day to attend the training. She wrote:

I will be taking vacation to attend this training that I helped set up. I am unsure why you are so vehemently adamant that I be banned from this training. This has happened before with pricing in MVP. I was denied the opportunity for training right here at our office but then I had to answer pricing questions first from Kathy who had the training and then from Jim. In fact, he was asking me questions about pricing just this week.

Heller considered the email to be an act of insubordination and recommended that Kovack take disciplinary action against Ehrlich and deny her requested vacation.

Heller advised Ehrlich by letter of Kovack's intent to discipline her for insubordination. The letter informed Ehrlich that insubordination is classified as a Category 3 offense and could result in a three-day suspension. The letter further noted that Ehrlich's conduct violated the Rules of Conduct of the Auditor's Policy and Procedure Manual, which delineates the rules of conduct for the Auditor's Office. The manual, however, actually states that Category 3 offenses are subject to termination of employment on the first offense.

Prior to Ehrlich's receiving Heller's letter, she delivered Kovack a letter stating that she had discovered his allegedly inappropriate use of the office printer for his campaign events. The letter discussed a number of issues, including Ehrlich's frustration at not being allowed to attend the training, her concerns that Heller's and Kovack's actions were creating a hostile work environment, and her investigation into the print logs which showed Kovack's campaign-related use of the county printer. As related to the campaign, the letter said:

I also wanted to point out that in February, through checking of the print logs on the print server, which I do regularly to make sure the printers are working properly, I noticed that you were printing your Chili Cook-off campaign literature from the printers here in the office. I have been so upset over it and I don't know how to address it considering how I have been treated by both you and Joan [Heller]. I constantly fear for my job and so I did not disclose this to anyone. However, I believe it is wrong to do that. This must be addressed, as this knowledge is causing me so much emotional distress.

(Ex. C, Ehrlich Dep., R. 89-1, PageID 1899.)

A disciplinary hearing was held in March and was attended by Heller, Kovack, and Lisa Nichols, Ehrlich's direct supervisor. Either Heller, Kovack, or Nichols suggested that Ehrlich contact an employee assistance program for help in managing her stress. Heller stated that Ehrlich threw the signed hearing notification at her during the meeting. Kovack confirmed this incident. Ehrlich also sent a letter to the sheriff's office notifying it of Kovack's purported use of the printers for his election campaign.

Kovack issued Ehrlich a written reprimand that would be expunged from her personnel file after six months as punishment for the email she sent Kovack regarding the training. Kovack also formed a three-member committee to look into Ehrlich's claim that she worked in a hostile work environment. The committee concluded that Ehrlich had not been subjected to a hostile work environment. Kovack also notified the sheriff of Ehrlich's allegations.

In June 2014, Kovack contacted Mike Warner, a computer technician in Medina, to discuss possible instability in information technology personnel at the Auditor's Office.

In July 2014, Ehrlich took leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. Ehrlich was to return to work on August 25, 2014, but Kovack placed her on paid administrative leave prior to her return. Kovack's stated reason for doing so was to allow [the Auditor's Office] to complete preparations for [her] return. (Ex. 29, Kovack Dep., R. 88-1, PageID 1420.) Kovack testified that leaks of information from the Auditor's Office concerned him and he wanted to limit Ehrlich's access to the computer system before she returned. Kovack extended Ehrlich's administrative leave on August 29, 2014, citing concerns about Ehrlich's access to the data center and the Auditor's Office network.

Kovack asked Ehrlich to attend a meeting on September 5, 2014, to discuss his concerns about the information leaks. Kovack said that at the meeting Ehrlich admitted to providing information from the Auditor's Office to Commissioner Pat Geissman, a political opponent of Kovack's. After the meeting, Ehrlich remained on administrative leave but was not given a date to return to work.

On September 17, 2014, a reporter contacted Ehrlich. The reporter had spoken with Heller and had reviewed Ehrlich's personnel file, which stated that Heller was afraid of Ehrlich.

On September 18, 2014, while still on administrative leave, Ehrlich went to the Auditor's Office with her dog to obtain her personnel file. Heller testified that Ehrlich's behavior was out of control and that she was loud and disruptive. (Heller Dep., R. 90-1, PageID 2130.) Fifteen witnesses prepared statements regarding the incident. Most of the witnesses testified that Ehrlich's behavior was inappropriate and threatening. Ehrlich denies this characterization.

Kovack reviewed the witness statements and determined that Ehrlich's actions necessitated discipline. He sent a pre-disciplinary hearing letter to Ehrlich on September 19, 2014, and set the hearing for September 25, 2014. In the letter, Kovack described Ehrlich's conduct at the Auditor's Office as a Category 3 offense which potentially could result in termination of employment. After the hearing, Kovack terminated Ehrlich's employment at the Auditor's Office.

Ehrlich then filed this lawsuit, setting forth four state-law claims and the instant First Amendment retaliation claim. The district court granted judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to all of the defendants, except Kovack in his individual capacity as to the First Amendment claim. The district court then granted summary judgment to Kovack on the First Amendment claim and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims.

Ehrlich appeals the grant of summary judgment in favor of Kovack. She also appeals two of the district court's discovery decisions: (1) the district court's denial of Ehrlich's Motion to Compel Discovery relating to the production of Kovack's and Heller's Auditor's Office computer hard drives and (2) the order prohibiting the questioning of Kovack regarding evidence in his sealed criminal record.

II. ANALYSIS

A. Summary Judgment Standard

We review a summary judgment determination de novo. Carl v. Muskegon Cty., 763 F.3d 592, 595 (6th Cir. 2014). Summary judgment is proper if there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). Courts consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party and draw all reasonable inferences in that party's favor. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255 (1986). A dispute is genuine only if it is based on evidence upon which a reasonable jury could return a verdict in favor of the non-moving party. Rogers v. O'Donnell, 737 F.3d 1026, 1030 (6th Cir. 2013). The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of plaintiff's position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252.

B. First Amendment Retaliation Claim

The First Amendment prohibits retaliation by a public employer against an employee on the basis of certain instances of protected speech by the employee. Scarbrough v. Morgan Cty. Bd. of Educ., 470 F.3d 250, 255 (6th Cir. 2006). In a First Amendment retaliation claim, we must consider whether the alleged adverse employment action would chill or silence a person of ordinary firmness from future First Amendment activities.  Dye v. Office of the Racing Comm'n, 702 F.3d 286, 303 (6th Cir. 2012) (quoting Ctr. for BioEthical Reform, Inc. v. City of Springboro, 477 F.3d 807, 822 (6th Cir. 2007)). A termination from employment is the quintessential example of an adverse employment action. Id.

A prima facie case for a First Amendment retaliation claim raised through a 42 U.S.C.  1983 action has three elements: (1) the plaintiff engaged in protected conduct; (2) an adverse action was taken against the plaintiff that would deter a person of ordinary firmness from continuing to engage in that conduct; and (3) the adverse action was motivated at least in part by the plaintiff's protected conduct. Thaddeus-X v. Blatter, 175 F.3d 378, 394 (6th Cir. 1999) (en banc). This inquiry is intensely context-driven: [a]lthough the elements of a First Amendment retaliation claim remain constant, the underlying concepts that they signify will vary with the setting.  Holzemer v. City of Memphis, 621 F.3d 512, 520 (6th Cir. 2010) (quoting Thaddeus-X, 175 F.3d at 388).

Ehrlich argues that the March 18, 2014 letter she sent to Kovack and Heller and the March letter to the sheriff's office constitute protected speech. She also argues that her termination and her being placed on administrative leave constitute adverse actions. Our precedents make clear that termination is an adverse employment action, but we have previously found that being placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is conducted into suspected wrongdoing is not an adverse action. See Harris v. Detroit Pub. Sch., 245 F. App'x 437, 443 (6th Cir. 2007); Peltier v. United States, 388 F.3d 984, 988 (6th Cir. 2004).

We focus on causation, the third element in a First Amendment retaliation claim, because failure to establish any element of a prima facie retaliation case results in the failure of that claim. See Vereecke v. Huron Valley Sch. Dist., 609 F.3d 392, 403 (6th Cir. 2010) (holding that failure to establish causation supported the grant of summary judgment for the defendant). To establish causation, a plaintiff must demonstrate that her protected speech is a substantial or motivating factor of the adverse action. Id. at 400 (quoting Rodgers v. Banks, 344 F.3d 587, 602 (6th Cir. 2003)). This inquiry is essentially but-for cause. Id. (quoting Leonard v. Robinson, 477 F.3d 347, 355 (6th Cir. 2007)). We have adopted a burden-shifting framework for this part of the analysis. Id. Under this framework, once the plaintiff has met her initial burden of demonstrating that her speech was a substantial or motivating factor of the adverse action, the burden shifts to the defendant to show that he would have taken the same action absent the protected speech. Id. A plaintiff can meet her initial burden through direct evidence or circumstantial evidence such as temporal proximity. Thaddeus-X, 175 F.3d at 399. Although our cases recognize the possibility that, on a particular set of facts, extremely close temporal proximity could permit an inference of retaliatory motive,  often evidence in addition to temporal proximity is required to permit the inference. Vereecke v. Huron Valley School Dist., 609 F.3d 392, 401 (6th Cir. 2010). In fact, we have rarely found a retaliatory motive based only on temporal proximity. Id. at 401; see, e.g., Randolph v. Ohio Dep't of Youth Servs., 453 F.3d 724, 737 (6th Cir. 2006) (finding a four-month gap between a protected action and an adverse action insufficient to establish causation without other indicia of retaliatory conduct).

The district court found that the approximately six months between the letters and the adverse action [was] on the outer edges with regard to temporal proximity. (Mem. Op. & Order, R. 113, PageID 3164.) To establish her initial burden on causation, Ehrlich points to temporal proximity as well as intervening incidents such as her March disciplinary action, that Kovack was attempting to replace her as early as June, and her placement on administrative leave. (Ehrlich Br. 2527.)

The district court concluded that Ehrlich failed to establish a prima facie case. It found that the intervening incidents were not indicia of retaliatory conduct and that the temporal proximity alone was not enough to demonstrate but-for causation. It further determined that Kovack had an unrelated reason to terminate Ehrlich's employment in September because of the disturbance she caused at the Auditor's Office while on administrative leave.

We agree with the district court that Ehrlich did not produce evidence sufficient to establish that her protected speech was a motivating factor for her termination. First, the district court correctly found that the evidence does not support Ehrlich's contention that Kovack tried to replace her shortly after her protected speech. On appeal, Ehrlich argues an email that Warner sent Kovack indicates Kovack had already planned to fire Ehrlich. This email plainly does not support this contention. Rather, it supports the deposition testimony of Kovack who stated that he believed that Ehrlich might leave the Auditor's Office based on her complaints of a hostile work environment. Kovack also specifically stated that he had no plans to fire Ehrlich in June.

Ehrlich further argues that Kovack's disciplinary action in March constitutes evidence that Kovack terminated her because of her protected speech. While the March disciplinary decision occurred after Ehrlich engaged in protected speech, Heller had drafted the pre-disciplinary hearing letter prior to Ehrlich's speech and Ehrlich actually received a more lenient punishment for her insubordination than allowed for in the policy. This is not evidence of causation.

Finally, Ehrlich claims that her placement on administrative leave in August establishes but-for causation. However, there is no dispute that Ehrlich improperly leaked information from the Auditor's Office, which is the reason Kovack placed her on administrative leave.

Even if Ehrlich had established a prima facie case, Kovack established through substantial evidence that he would have terminated Ehrlich's employment in September absent her protected speech. Kovack has presented evidence that Ehrlich's behavior on September 18, 2014, was in and of itself a sufficient independent reason to terminate Ehrlich's employment. Ehrlich criticizes the evidence, but she identifies no counter-evidence sufficient to create a genuine dispute of material fact. Indeed, Ehrlich agrees that she went to the Auditor's Office with her dog on September 18th and engaged in a heated exchange with Heller. That conduct alone is sufficient to constitute a Category 3 offense. Moreover, Ehrlich's objections to certain employee statements do not create a genuine dispute of material fact. Despite some factual differences among the employees, each individual described Ehrlich's conduct as loud or threatening and each individual submitted an affidavit stating that Ehrlich's conduct constituted a Category 3 violation. In this case, no jury would return a verdict in Ehrlich's favor because Kovack presented evidence that Ehrlich engaged in terminable behavior and Ehrlich has not identified any counter-evidence. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249 ([T]here is no issue for trial unless there is sufficient evidence favoring the nonmoving party for a jury to return a verdict for that party.).

Because Ehrlich has failed to establish a prima facie case for First Amendment retaliation claim, we affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment.

C. Discovery Decisions

Ehrlich appeals two of the district court's discovery decisions: (1) denial of her request to access Kovack's and Heller's complete computer hard drives and (2) denial of her request to question Kovack regarding [his] criminal charges. (Ehrlich Br. 36.)

We review limits or denials of discovery under an abuse of discretion standard. See Bentkowski v. Scene Magazine, 637 F.3d 689, 696 (6th Cir. 2011). Abuse of discretion is defined as a definite and firm conviction that the trial court committed a clear error of judgment. Davis by Davis v. Jellico Cmty. Hosp. Inc., 912 F.2d 129, 133 (6th Cir. 1990) (internal quotation marks omitted).

As to the hard drives, the district court found that the request was overly broad and any failure on the part of defendants to comply with plaintiff's discovery requests does not rise to the level of necessitating production of the entire hard drives. (Order, R. 86, PageID 1050.) The scope of discovery is within the sound discretion of the [district] court. Lavado v. Keohane, 992 F.2d 601, 604 (6th Cir. 1993). Ehrlich does not argue that she needed the entire hard drives, but rather that the parties were unable to agree on what files should be produced. (Ehrlich Br. 4041.) The district court did not abuse its discretion in determining under these circumstances that Ehrlich's request for the complete hard drives was overly broad.

The district court held that Ehrlich was not permitted to question defendants regarding any record contained in the Sheriff's file that has been sealed. (Order, R. 86, PageID 1052.) Kovack's records were sealed in accordance with Ohio state law. See Ohio Rev. Code Ann.  2953.52(A). The protection this section affords may be waived, but the district court found that Kovack had not waived that protection when he publicly disclosed some of the information on his blog. The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Ehrlich's request to question Kovack on the sealed records. We, therefore, affirm as to the discovery claims.

III. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment and denial of Ehrlich's discovery requests.

I write separately because I believe that the evidence establishes a genuine dispute of material facts as to Ehrlich's First Amendment retaliation claim. I therefore respectfully dissent from the majority's analysis in section II.B.

We will uphold a district court's grant of summary judgment only if no genuine dispute of material fact exists and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Jackson v. VHS Detroit Receiving Hosp., Inc., 814 F.3d 769, 775 (6th Cir. 2016); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). A dispute of material fact is genuine if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-moving party. Ford v. Gen. Motors Corp., 305 F.3d 545, 551 (6th Cir. 2002) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986)). In reviewing the evidence under Rule 56(a), we view the evidence, and all inferences drawn therefrom, in the light most favorable to the non-moving party.  Keller v. Miri Microsystems LLC, 781 F.3d 799, 806 (6th Cir. 2015) (quoting Little Caesar Enters., Inc. v. OPPCO, LLC, 219 F.3d 547, 551 (6th Cir. 2000)). Summary judgment must not be granted if the party against whom the motion is made has produced evidence such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict in her favor. Id. The ultimate question on summary judgment is whether the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law. Id. (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 25152).

The majority correctly notes initially that a prima facie case of First Amendment retaliation has three elements: (1) the plaintiff engaged in protected conduct; (2) an adverse action was taken against the plaintiff that would deter a person of ordinary firmness from continuing to engage in that conduct; and (3) the adverse action was motivated at least in part by the plaintiff's protected conduct.  Maj. Op. at 7 (quoting Thaddeus-X v. Blatter, 175 F.3d 378, 394 (6th Cir. 1999) (en banc)). If the plaintiff meets her burden, the burden shifts to the defendant to demonstrate that he would have taken the same action absent the plaintiff's protected speech. Vereecke v. Huron Valley Sch. Dist., 609 F.3d 392, 400 (6th Cir. 2010).

The majority focuses its analysis on the third element of the prima facie case because failure to establish any element of a prima facie retaliation case results in the failure of that claim. Maj. Op. at 7 (citing Vereecke, 609 F.3d at 403). In this regard, Thaddeus-X's third element bears emphasisthat the adverse action was motivated at least in part by the plaintiff's protected conduct. Thaddeus-X, 175 F.3d at 394 (emphasis added). In concluding that summary judgment should be granted for Kovack, the majority overlooks critical disputes of material fact regarding both whether Ehrlich established that her protected speech was a motivating factor for her termination and whether Kovack produced undisputed evidence that he would have terminated Ehrlich's employment absent her protected speech.

The record contains evidence sufficient to create a material factual dispute regarding the motivation behind Kovack's firing of Ehrlich. Ehrlich first points to the fact that she was disciplined by Kovack for informing Kovack that she intended to take a vacation day so that she could attend a training seminar. This is material to the question of causation because it occurred after Ehrlich provided to Kovack, the sheriff, and others, information about Kovack's potential criminal activity. Ehrlich also adduced evidence that suggests her speech in 2014 bothered Kovack so much that he was considering replacing her. Additionally, Ehrlich placed in the record evidence that shows Kovack's shifting motivations for placing Ehrlich on administrative leave. This evidence suffices to present a dispute on the material issue of causation. I would therefore conclude that a grant of summary judgment for Kovack based on the causation element of Ehrlich's prima facie case is improper.

I also believe that there exists a dispute of material fact regarding whether Kovack would have terminated Ehrlich's employment in September absent her protected speech. True, several individuals indicated that Ehrlich's behavior in the office on September 18 was threatening, insubordinate, and offensive. But because we are reviewing a summary-judgment motion, we must draw all inferences in favor of the non-moving party, and assume that Ehrlich's factual allegations are true. Ehrlich testified at her deposition that the statements of employees claiming to be scared by her alleged behavior on September 18 constituted lies and that the employees' statements were untrue. R. 89 (Ehrlich Dep. at 133) (Page ID #1673). Ehrlich's deposition testimony, even in light of other employees' statements to the contrary, is sufficient to preclude summary judgment on the question of whether Ehrlich's actions on September 18 independently justified her termination. A fact-finder should weigh the competing testimony, judge credibility, and find the facts regarding the reason for Ehrlich's terminationnot this court. Therefore, I conclude that summary judgment cannot be granted on the issue of whether Kovack would have terminated Ehrlich's employment absent her protected speech.

Because I believe that the material factual disputes present in this case preclude a grant of summary judgment, I would reverse the judgment of the district court. The factual issues surrounding the circumstances of Ehrlich's termination should be dissected at a trial, not by an appellate court on summary-judgment review. For those reasons, I respectfully dissent from section II.B. of the majority opinion.

COLE, Chief Judge.
Three important documents were adopted at the 24th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting that wrapped up yesterday in HCM City.  VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat

HCM CITY  Three important documents were adopted at the 24th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting that wrapped up yesterday in HCM City.

They are the APEC SME Ministers Initiative on Promoting Innovative Start-ups, the Strategy on Green, Sustainable and Innovative MSMEs and the 24th SME Ministers Statement, and all emphasise the importance of developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by APEC members.

Speaking to the media, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, the chair of the 24th APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, said the APEC SME Ministers Initiative on Promoting Innovative Start-ups and the Strategy on Green, Sustainable and Innovative MSMEs are expected to be submitted for the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Week in a Nang in November.

Dr Wimonkan Kosumas, deputy director general of Thailands Office of SMEs Promotion, said green innovation is one way to achieve a sustainable economy.

Green innovation is now a pathway to strengthen market access and also a huge area of innovation that is very impactful on our SMEs, she said.

The APEC strategy promotes green innovation and sustainable development by trying to come up with prioritised sectors that can start working on such as food sector, infrastructure, green building, green construction and other several areas.

During the week-long (September 10-15) 2017 APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting, a series of meetings and forums took place, like the 2017 APEC Online-to-Offline Initiative Forum, APEC SME Finance Forum, APEC Start-up Forum, Digital Economy Forum, and the 45th Meeting of the APEC Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Working Group.

In yesterdays meeting APEC economies shared experiences and learnt from each other that their governments should have programmes for the development of SMEs, Dung said.

The meetings outcome contributes to orienting detailed policies and actions for developing SMEs, especially since in the digitally driven economy it is vital to shape a new model of growth.

Sim Ann, Singapores Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth, said the key directions in terms of the initiatives to support start-ups can be summarised through four concepts: innovation, skills development, productivity and internationalisation.

The APEC SME Ministerial Meetings, held annually since 1994, sets out the direction for the Working Group. In September last year the SME Ministers endorsed the SMEWG Strategic Plan for 2017-20 which provided a roadmap to address critical issues pertaining to the growth of SMEs and micro enterprises in the APEC region like entrepreneurship, innovation and the internet and digital economy; financing for business expansion and capability development; inclusive business eco-system that supports SME growth; and market access for SMEs.

The next SME Ministerial Meeting will be held in Papua New Guinea. VNS
WATERLOO -- People sitting on their front porch were interrupted by shots on Friday night.

Residents of 612 W. Eighth St. rushed inside and called Waterloo Police after a person in the alley nearby began firing at them just after 11 p.m., according to police.

No one was injured in the shooting, but bullet holes were found in the ceiling of the porch's awning, and one bullet hole was found in the front of the residence, according to a police report.

It was unclear whether the lone shooter was on foot or in a vehicle.

No arrests have been made and police continue to investigate.
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By The Associated Press

Sep. 16, 2017 | ST. LOUIS, MO

By The Associated Press Sep. 16, 2017 | 09:00 AM | ST. LOUIS, MO

Activists say they will meet again Saturday to plan further protests after the acquittal of a white former St. Louis police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man.



Hundreds protested Friday. They marched for hours in mostly peaceful demonstrations, until a broken window at the mayor's home and escalating tensions led riot-gear-clad officers to lob tear gas to disperse the crowds.



Activists had for weeks threatened civil disobedience if Jason Stockley were not convicted in the 2011 death of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. That stirred fears of civil unrest and the erecting of barricades around police headquarters, the courthouse where the trial was held and other potential protest sites.



More than 20 arrests were made by early Friday evening. Police reported that 10 officers had suffered injuries by the end of the night.




In nomine Spartaci, Sibyllae, et Furoris Bacchici

The name of Spartacus has withstood over two millennia of slavery and empire, and become immortalized within the insurrectionary tradition. The personal name of his wife, a prophetess () subject to visitations of the Dionysiac frenzy, has been not been passed down by the written record, but her titlethe prophetessendures, as does her source of inspiration: the Dionysiac frenzy.

The revolt which began with the prophetess, Spartacus, and a handful of his fellow gladiators lasted two years (73-71 BCE) spread across Italy to include thousands of liberated slaves, as well freeborn herdsmen and shepherds who joined the uprising. The rebellion terrified the Roman elite, threatening the very center of the empire both geopolitically and socially.

In the United States, slavery was never abolished: it was codified as punishment for crime. Against the continuation of slavery within the prison-industrial complex, the Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement (RAM) has arisen, declaring that our struggle today must begin from this starting point and that the abolitionist struggle must be extended to the state and capitalism.

Prophecy

According to Plutarchs Life of Crassus, when Spartacus was first brought to Rome to be sold, a serpent was seen coiled about his face as he slept. The prophetess, who was with him in Rome as well as later during his rebellion, declared it the sign of a great and formidable power which would attend him to a[n]  issue. The elided word is given by some manuscripts as atyches, unfortunate, and in others as eutyches, fortunate.

Though this is an issue of textual transmission, it rather appropriately reflects the inherent ambiguity of prophecy, even in retrospect. Some would argue that the outcome of Spartacus revolt was unfortunate, in that he was eventually defeated; others would argue that it was in a sense fortunate, in that he died self-liberated with sword in hand, leaving the mark of the Dionysian prophetess and frenzy upon the centuries.

Aldo Schiavone writes that if Spartacus had only intended to escape back to his native Thrace, he could have done so with a small band of fellow Thracians immediately after escaping captivity. Instead, he organized a large multi-ethnic army and stayed in Italy, repeatedly fighting against and destroying Roman legions.

Spartacus acted at a crucial moment in Roman history: Rome was preoccupied with the war against Mithridates in the east, Sertorius had recently led a revolt in Spain, there was continued armed resistance against Rome in Thrace, the social war between Rome and its Italian subjects had occurred within living memory, tensions between the poor and the rich were at an all-time high, and the vast latifundia plantation system was ripe for slave revolt and utter destruction.

Schiavone argues, based on the evidence of Spartacus choices to recruit an army and continually wage war against Rome rather than merely seek to go home, that Spartacus really did try to step into the political and social vacuum of the moment (115), and furthermore, that he did so largely because of the magnetic pull of a wholly accepted predestination, and of a binding prophecy to respectthe mystic core of his mystery-cult beliefshe had a destiny to fulfill, chosen by his god (56).

Similarly, RAM, in its new book Burn Down the American Plantation, calls for a heightened sense of historical purpose and perspective grounded in the ongoing black liberation struggle against slavery, and inspired by the Rojava Revolution currently happening in Kurdish Syria:

As anti-authoritarians, we are poised at the front of the pivotal struggle of humanityour goal is to orient the struggle, to renew a widespread commitment towards revolutionary abolitionism and to reemerge from the sidelines of history. (83)

Weapons More Suitable for Warfare

Schivaone observes that the [gladiatorial] camp Spartacus was in would not have differed much from the two buildings uncovered at Pompeii: a cross between a prison and a fortress (8). In 73 BCE, Spartacus and around 70 other gladiators  mostly Thracians, Gauls, and Germans  escaped their conditions of captivity. According to Plutarch, the original conspiracy had included 200 gladiators, but when their plot was betrayed, the rebel slaves were forced to act at once. Spartacus and his co-conspirators first used kitchen knives and cooking skewers to escape, and then seized a shipment of gladiatorial weapons.

In their first actions after their initial escape, Plutarch writes, the gladiators drove off those who were coming out of the city of Capua and seized from them many weapons that were more suitable for warfare. They happily made the exchange, throwing away their gladiatorial armaments, which they viewed as dishonorable and barbaric. That the rebels first actions were to arm themselves through expropriation from the enemy is highly significant.

In their five-point political vision, RAM lists self-defense first, describing it as the heart of revolutionary transformation (27). Self-defense is the rejection of the states monopoly on violence and the recognition that there is no such thing as protection that one does not provide oneself (28). RAM argues for a model that is decentralized, explicitly feminist and anti-racist, and connected to self-governing neighborhood councils, in order to firmly place the capacity for self-defense in the hands of those who need it (34).

In Rojava, for example, while the mixed-gender YPG and women-only YPJ militias have been formed to fight external enemies, the HPC (self-defense forces) are civilians that get arms training with the specific goal of maintaining autonomy against internal forces that might seek to consolidate power. They are volunteers who receive both political education and self-defense training (31). Within the YPG and YPJ, in order to maintain participation and egalitarian relationships, all fighters contribute to decision-making within units, particularly by selecting their own leaders for specific missions.

The Capuan rebel gladiators also elected their military leaders: Spartacus, and the Gauls Crixus and Oenomaus. According to Schiavone, the rebels often divided up their forces, both for logistical reasons and in order to secure better control of the territory and a greater chance of finding new recruits (134). However, the columns would maintain close communication with one another. Thus, out of logistical and strategic concerns, a certain amount of decentralization was necessary.

Heavily Overgrown with Wild Vines

After seizing weapons, Spartacus and his fellow rebels sought refuge on Mount Vesuvius, a mountain which Marcello Gigante has argued has significant Dionysian connections. With the Romans blocking the only road up the mountain, the rebels cut off the useful parts of these climbing plants and wove ladders out of them, thereby descending the mountain by means of a Bacchic miracle and catching the Romans by surprise, completely routing them.

Furthermore, according to Sallust, the source closest in time to the actual events, many of the rural slaves who joined Spartacus were very knowledgeable about the region and were used to making woven baskets from branches for their farm work. Because of their lack of real shields, they used this same knowledge to make small circular shields for themselves like those used by cavalrymen.

In the words of RAM, the process of escape and defense is an immediate imperative (75).

The cunning of the rebels Vesuvian escape and victory find parallel in the maroon communities of the antebellum South, which RAM describes as communities of indigenous people, self-freed slaves, and poor whites (28). Just as Spartacus and his fellow rebels utilized the wild gifts of Bacchus and Vesuvius to their advantage, the maroon communities often hid themselves in swamps where they could use the terrain to their advantage against slave-catchers and state militias.

RAM outlines both short-term and long-term goals: in the long term, creating a network of abolitionist councils; in the short term, establishing the Underground Railroad once again. RAM lists aiding fugitives and migrants, establishing safe houses, setting up bail funds, and resisting ICE raids among potential immediate actions, but also reminds its readers that the tactics are secondary to the outcome and certainly vary depending on location and resources. Generally, the abolitionist movement must do what it can to protect people who are hiding from the State, and to make it as difficult as possible for the state to continue its onslaught (77).

Expropriation and Revolutionary Justice

Appian relates that Spartacus divided the profits of his raiding into equal shares, and thereby soon attracted a very large number of followers. Furthermore, he did not permit merchants to import gold and silver, and he forbade his own men to acquire any. For the most part, he purchased iron and copper and did not censure those who imported these metals. For this reason, the [rebels] had large quantities of basic materials and were well supplied and able to stage frequent raids.

In their next battle, Spartacus and the other rebels captured the enemy commanders horse and lictors. The lictors were men who carried the fasces, which were the symbols of the authority of a Roman magistrate, whence the modern term fascism is derived. According to Frontinus, quoting a lost text of Livy, when Spartacus was finally defeated, the Romans recovered five fasces, 26 battle standards, and five Roman eagles (the battle standard of an entire legion, which was an enormous disgrace to lose to the enemy).

In the final battle, Spartacus is said by Plutarch to have shouted that if he won the battle, he would have many fine horses that belonged to the enemy, but if he lost, he would have no need of a horse. With that, he killed the animal. Horses were important in Thracian culture, and Herodotus reports that the neighboring Scythians sacrificed horses at the funerals of kings. Speaking of funerary sacrifices, according to Appian, when Spartacuss Gaulish co-commander Crixus was killed in battle, he sacrificed 300 Roman soldiers as an offering to Crixus shade. Florus reports that the soldiers were forced to fight as gladiators, thus avenging Crixus experiences in life.

The Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement, in its political vision, lists as important principles conflict resolution and revolutionary justice and ownership through use, the cooperative economy and expropriation. Concerning revolutionary justice, RAM writes: the methods of this justice are a far cry from the methods we reserve for those within our revolutionary groups, and our own communities. This line is clearly demarcated by the division between the oppressed versus the oppressor. For the oppressor, we have nothing but antagonism and struggle; for the oppressed, we have nothing but understanding and compassion (43). We can see a similar logic at work in Spartacus implacable hostility towards his enemies and his loyalty towards his allies.

Spartacus equal division of loot is an excellent example of the communalization of expropriated wealth, and his rules banning gold and silver and instead importing iron and copper show a clear tendency towards ownership through use rather than ownership for the sake of profit. The seizure of Roman eagles, fasces, and battle-standards also add a spiritual dimension to the concept of expropriation.

Abolition of Gender

Drawing inspiration from Harriet Tubman, Assata Shakur, Mujeres Libres in the Spanish Civil War, and the Kurdish YPJ and Yezidi Womens Units, the Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement argues that the process of undoing gender roles can be viewed as similar to the process of dismantling the carceral state. Putting self-defense at the origin of this process has the potential of both building strength and uprooting stagnant roles (62).

They note that when people have the opportunity to autonomously defend themselves, and fight for others, the normativity of fixed identities are called into question, and the process of abolishing gender, and creating a fluid world of self-determination becomes possible (62).

The ancient sources on the involvement of women in the revolt led by Spartacus are scarce, but Plutarch relates that the prophetess escaped together with Spartacus and the other gladiators, and Sallust reports that Gaulish women accompanied the rebel army as well. Given the prophetess relationship to Dionysos (and/or a Thracian deity syncretized to Dionysos), it is important to note that in 186 BCE, the Roman Senate had banned any Bacchic cult larger than five men or women, and decreeing that no man or woman whosoever be a chief officer of the cult. The decrees, surviving on a bronze plaque in Southern Italy, show that in the Bacchic cults, men and women worshiped together, and that women held leadership positions.

The decrees also forbid anyone to swear an oath among themselves or to make a common vow or to form any pacts or make promises in common, showing the senates fear of the conspiratorial and rebellious potential of the Bacchanalia. It seems likely that the prophetess and other women played important roles in the uprising of 73-71 BCE, though the details are not recorded.

Martyrs

Appian reports that Spartacus died in battle and that his body was never found, but that Crassus captured six thousand rebels and had them crucified along the whole length of the highway that ran from Capua to Rome. Brent D. Shaw notes in Spartacus and the Slave Wars: A Brief History with Documents that the distance was about 125 miles, so there would have been one body of a crucified slave raised on a cross every 35 to 40 yards along the entire distance of the road (144).

However, this was not the end of the story. Plutarch relates that when Crassus was slain by the Parthians eight years later at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BCE, his head was cut off and used as Pentheus head in a production of The Bacchae. Thus, Dionysos took his vengeance.

In the closing words of Burn Down the American Plantation, RAM swears an oath to the ancestors and the dead, and to those struggling today:

We promise to all those who have previously risked everything for liberation, who have lived and died under the oppressive yoke of this country, and all those still struggling for a better life, that we will put all our strength towards building communities so powerful that they will repel any attempt, from within or without, to reestablish the oppressive power of white supremacy, patriarchy, the state and capital. We will burn down the American plantation once and for all. (84)

Or, in the words of Walter Benjamin:

The final enslaved and avenging classcarries out the work of emancipation in the name of generations of downtrodden to its conclusion. This consciousness, which for a short time made itself felt in the Spartacus, was objectionable to social democracy from the very beginning[Social democracy] contented itself with assigning the working-class the role of the savior of future generations. It thereby severed the sinews of its greatest power. Through this schooling the class forgot its hate as much as its spirit of sacrifice. For both nourish themselves on the picture of enslaved forebears, not on the ideal of the emancipated heirs.

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The views and opinions expressed by our diverse panel of columnists and guest writers represent the many diverging perspectives held within the global Pagan, Heathen and polytheist communities, but do not necessarily reflect the views of The Wild Hunt Inc. or its management.
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The Grace Baptist Church will be hosting an active shooter training workshop for churches on

Oct. 7

. The speaker will be Mr Dewey Woody from Tennessee Homeland Security.





The workshop will be from 9-12 in the morning. Grace Baptist Church is located at 7815 Shallowford Road. At the corner of Jenkins Road and Shallowford Roads.





There is no cost for the workshop.
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The Covenant men's cross country team was impressive

on Saturday

with a fourth place finish among 15 non-NCAA Division I teams, while the women placed eighth, at the Falcon Classic hosted by Montevallo.

The meet featured teams from all NCAA divisions, including Mississippi State, Samford, Chattanooga and Alabama State from Division I.

The men were the highest finisher among Division III programs in the field, besting region foes in Piedmont, Berry and Birmingham Southern. Host Montevallo took the men's team title followed by fellow Division II members West Florida and Auburn-Montgomery.

Caleb Aikens again paced the Scots with his 23rd place finish overall and 8k time of 28:01.28. Matthew Tueller came in at 28:11.68 to place 25th, while Matt Seitz was 34th in the event with his collegiate-best time of 28:31.83. Micah Sneller and Caleb Keitt finished neck-and-neck for 37th and 38th place, respectively, with times of 28:52.05 and 28:52.11.

Matthew Broussard finished 41st at 29:03.42 and Jonathan George was 64th at 29:51.50.

As a team, Covenant totaled 147 points as the Scots narrowly beat out Morehouse for fourth place out of 15 teams in the non-Division I scoring.

On the women's side, Michelann Settle set a personal record in the 6k and had the highest finish of the day for either team by placing 17th overall with a time of 25:11.83. Lilly Smith followed closely behind to place 19th at 25:22.55, while Hannah Samuels was 34th at 26:50.95. Margaret Fitch was the fourth Covenant finisher as she placed 58th at 28:02.05 and Heather Hall was 63rd at 28:26.20.

Alexandra May (28:50.35), Caroline Pepper (28:52.46), Anna Danek (28:56.56) and Emily Robertson (29:00.78) finished consecutively in the middle of the pack for Covenant.

Covenant accumulated 179 points for its eight-place finish among 12 teams. The Scots finished just behind USA South foe Piedmont, who was seventh with 162 points.

23rd - Caleb Aikens - 28:01.28

25th - Matthew Tueller - 28:11.68

34th - Matt Seitz - 28:31.83 - PR

37th - Micah Sneller - 28:52.05

38th - Caleb Keitt - 28:52.11

41st - Matthew Broussard - 29:03.42

64th - Jonathan George - 29:51.50

65th - Micaiah Allison - 29:51.54

76th - Elias Vedders - 30:40.03

83rd - Leif Le Mahieu - 31:11.57

94th - Zach Atchison - 32:01.54

101st - Will Richardson - 32:13.65

105th - Nathan Walker - 32:52.28

113th - Reed Vaughn - 34:23.67

116th - Michael Rawlings - 34:56.79 - PR

17th - Michelann Settle - 25:11.83 - PR

19th - Lilly Smith - 25:22.55

34th - Hannah Samuels - 26:50.95

58th - Margaret Fitch - 28:02.05

63rd - Heather Hall - 28:26.20

65th - Alexandra May - 28:50.35

66th - Caroline Pepper - 28:52.46

67th - Anna Danek - 28:56.56

68th - Emily Robertson - 29:00.78

70th - Sydney Fitch - 29:06.92 - PR

76th - Hannah Ball - 30:15.56 - PR

77th - Ashleigh Baker - 30:37.24

Covenant will compete in the Maryville Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Iain Sinclair at The Guardian:

A voice. Are you on the street? Reverberating footfall in the underpass. And an urgent call demanding acknowledgement. He hustled after me, swearing, smacking a fist into his open palm. We moved, pursuer and pursued, in steady bank holiday drizzle, down a slippery, stone-flagged ramp towards the laby-rinth of borough engineer Sidney Littles reinforced concrete subterranea: a buried swimming pool, a vault to take cars away from the promenade, a marine walkway pressed against a wall of broken bottles. Like a reliquary for beachside drinking schools, the thirsty ones at the end of the land.

Panoramic sea windows, lacking glass, are set in expectation of invasions still to come. (Between 1940 and 1944, Little had a sideline, working with the Admiralty on the construction of a concrete Mulberry harbour for the D-day landings.) Hastings in the 1930s, in the borough engineers pomp, was a punt at the better way: sanctioned leisure time for all, seasonal tourism as a benefit. And smooth rail connections to the capital, the Smoke. Open roads, carving through the humped folds of the chalk downs, beneath the outlines of mythical giants, were celebrated in collectable posters by the finest artists and designers. Cars were not yet weapons of choice, primed for mindless assault on the crowd, those who are privileged to walk freely in the city.

more here.
Rafia Zakaria in Prospect Magazine:

Kamila Shamsies Man Booker-nominated novel Home Fire begins with a scene that will be familiar to many Muslims. A western airport, a suspicious security guard and a humiliated subject whose belongings are displayed for inspection. The traveller in question is Isma who has just started her PhD in America. Luckily, she has rehearsed her answers with her younger sister Aneeka, whom she has raised along with her twin brother since their parents deaths. As the story unfolds, we learn that Isma has more reason than most to be worried. Her father abandoned the family years ago to become a jihadist and died while being taken to Guantanamo, leaving the shadow of suspicion forever on his children. And her brother Parvaiz, following in his footsteps, has joined Islamic State. To complicate things further, Aneeka gets romantically involved with Eamonn Lone, son of the assimilated British Muslim Home Secretary Karamat Lone. The affairs ultimate outcome will be familiar to readers who know Sophocles Antigone, of which Home Fireis a modern re-telling: after her brothers death, Aneeka appeals to her lovers father for him to be buried in Britain, not be banished back to Pakistan.

Shamsies prowess as a storyteller infuses Home Fire with an addictive vitality. Her deft delineation of gradations of religiosity (the elder Lones scepticism of the hijab, for example) and class (the younger Lones posh west London digs against the dowdy environs of Aneekas Wembley) reveal the complexities of a community too often reduced to stereotypes. It is not just the skill with which Shamsie wraps this story around its Sophoclean bones that makes Home Fire distinctive; it is also the care with which she humanises her characters.

More here.
After suffering three straight losses, the Covenant volleyball team got back on the winning track

on Saturday

with a pair of three-set victories at the Maryville Invitational. Covenant defeated Greensboro 3-0 (25-10, 25-19, 25-20) in the day's opener before knocking off William Peace 3-0 (25-23, 25-8, 25-14) in the finale.

The wins bring Covenant's overall record to 5-6 on the year.

Jessica Seehorn produced a double-double of 11 kills and 10 digs and Covenant used a powerful attack to defeat Greensboro in three sets, 25-10, 25-19, 25-20 in the opener

on Saturday

morning.

Seehorn led the way with her 11 kills, while Ginny More had nine and Hannah Harris and Allie Jakes seven apiece. As a team, the Lady Scots tallied 41 kills and hit .241 as a group. Schuyler Moore had 31 assists and Ginny Moore led the team with 12 digs.

Covenant used 15 kills and a .464 hitting percentage in the opening set to dominate Greensboro (5-2) and take a 25-10 set win. The Lady Scots scored six of the first seven points of the set and the lead ballooned to 21-8 after a Seehorn kill. A kill from Jakes ended the set and gave Covenant the 25-10 win.

The second set was much tighter, but Covenant used a strong run midway through to gain the advantage. Tied at 13, the Lady Scots went on a 7-2 run, aided by consecutive errors from Greensboro, to build a 20-15 lead. The Lady Scots then ended the set with a kill from Harris and a combined block from Jakes and Harris for a 2-0 match lead. The momentum carried into the third as Covenant built a 10-4 lead early on and led the rest of the way to complete the sweep.

Shayla Moss had eight kills to lead Greensboro, while the Pride received 15 assists from Katie Clark and 15 digs from Tori Belcher.

Against William Peace, Covenant fought off the Pacers to win a tight first set and then dominated the action to cruise to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-8, 25-14) victory in the finale of the Maryville Invitational.

Covenant seized control early on in the first set by taking a 10-3 lead after a kill from Harris, but William Peace would rally back late in the set and get within 24-23. Harris again came through with a kill to thwart the Pacer comeback attempt and give Covenant a 1-0 match lead. Harris had eight kills in the match and compiled a .312 hitting percentage.

The final two sets were all Covenant. The Lady Scots totaled 23 kills over the final two frames and limited William Peace to a negative hitting percentage in both sets to finish off the sweep.

In the second set, Covenant again got out to a fast start going ahead 9-2 on a Seehorn kill. The led would continue to grow and Covenant scored the final five points to take a 25-8 win. The trend of the match continued in the third as the Lady Scots got out to a lead early on and then ran away with the set midway through.

Ginny Moore had 10 kills and 17 digs in the win, while Seehorn had six kills and six digs. Schuyler Moore accumulated 27 assists and three total blocks. Defensively, Hannah Stewart tallied 12 digs and Emily Moore had 10. As a team, Covenant had nine blocks and held William Peace to just 19 kills and a-.056 attacking percentage.

Sha'Nice Frazier led William Peace (2-9) with seven kills, while Sarah Scott had 10 assists. Carson Williams added 16 digs in the loss.

Covenant will open USA South play on

Wednesday, Sept. 20

at home against Maryville. First serve is set for
Why this emphasis on belonging  arent we a nation of rugged, go-it-alone individuals?

Belonging is so vital. Without it, we suffer pain  physical, emotional, spiritual pain. The men and women who have the highest levels of what I call "true belonging" are people who find value in being a part of something bigger than themselves, but who also have the courage to stand alone when it means safeguarding their integrity.

Why do you think your books connect with people? Who reads them?

The emotions that I study (at the University of Houston)  courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy  are the most truly universal experiences that we have. I have never come across a single person who does not know these emotions. About 50 percent of my readers are men. I also have a huge readership of people over 50. Midlife is when the universe grabs you by the shoulders, pulls you close and tells you, Im not screwing around. The time you have left is finite and its time to be brave, its time to take off the armor, its time to stop living based on what people think of you. Thats a very serious call at my age.
At this weeks Toronto International Film Festival, Glenn Close, 70, attacked Hollywood for discriminating against grownup actors. "It's kind of ironic, because we're at the peak of our power. We really are," she said, adding that she sees the possibility of more doors opening with TVs renaissance. The advent of cable, and all the other places where people can express themselves, will hopefully be helpful for women, because there will be more places to find money for their projects."

Close has six Oscar nominations, more than any living actor without a win, but shes won plenty of other awards: three Emmys, three Tonys and AARPs 2012 Movies for Grownups Award, which she accepted by saying, "I'm up there [in age] and I feel like I'm 18 years old." But shes never had more films than in 2017. In The Wife, shes the spouse of a Nobel Prize-winning author (played by Jonathan Pryce, 70); in The Wilde Wedding, John Malkovich, 63, disrupts her wedding to Patrick Stewart, 77. Shes called it a romantic comedy for my generation, which dont come along very often. And yet, just because you get older doesnt mean you lose any sense of romanticism or sensuality. I think people dont realize that you keep your sexuality until you die. I think its good for kids to see it.

Shes also in Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes Agatha Christie film Crooked House; the Netflix sci-fi flick What Happened to Monday; the Owen Wilson comedy Bastards; and The Simpsons, in which shes Homers hippie mom. It looks like Sunset Boulevard, the age-conscious musical that won her a Tony, is about to be filmed, with her again in its lead. She's also got an Amazon pilot, Sea Oak, by George Saunders, 58, who's favored to win the prestigious Booker Prize in October. It's her first regular TV role since Damages, which earned her four Emmy noms and two wins in five years.

Close has triumphed over age discrimination from the start, having launched her career very late by Hollywood standards. She was 35 when she made her first film, The World According to Garp, which started her string of Oscar noms . Her career was delayed, as she tells it, by her unconventional upbringing. When Close was 7, her father joined the restrictive spiritual movement, Moral Re-Armament, which was behind the youth singing group Up With People. What actually saved me more than anything was my desire to be an actress," she has said. But singing for big audiences helped her learn performance, and her escape made her psychologically strong.

When she was up for 1987's Fatal Attraction, she was the last choice after Barbara Hershey, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kirstie Alley and many others. Despite three Oscar nominations by then, Close was thought too old and too earth-mother (from her role in Garp) to play Michael Douglass lover and stalker. We were doing a big favor for Glenns agent by letting her read, Douglas said. Shes a wonderful actress, but she always projected a Puritan vision. But the moment I saw her, I was like, Woh! Indeed, Close proved 40-year-olds can be so sexy its scary, and her bunny-boiling scene is so iconic it was re-enacted on SNL last year.
On Thursday, 57 residents were moved from a suburban Fort Lauderdale assisted-living facility without power to two nearby centers where electricity had just been restored. Owner Ralph Marrinson said all five of his Florida facilities lost power after the hurricane. Workers scrambled to keep patients cool with emergency stocks of ice and Popsicles.

Statewide, 64 nursing homes still were waiting for full power Thursday, according to the Florida Health Care Association. The separate Florida Assisted Living Association said many of its South Florida members lacked electricity.

Older people can be more susceptible to heat because their bodies do not adjust to temperatures as well as young people. They don't sweat as much, are more likely to have medical conditions that change how the body responds to heat, and are more likely to take medication that affects body temperature.

Most people who die from high body temperature, known as hyperthermia, are over 50, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Homebound older people were also a concern. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which before the storm encouraged residents to evacuate if they could, is checking on older people and bringing supplies to their homes, said CEO Jacob Solomon.
Business roundup: New Mexican restaurant plans to open in Aberdeen

A new Mexican restaurant is hoping to be open this fall. Owners hope the new space can be ready in at most two months.
Below is an article from Representative Dana Criswell of Mississippi. Opioid addiction and death and vaccine injury do not care what side of the aisle you sit on, or what flag you wave or what flag you burn or whether your state is red or blue. I love that Representative Criswell represents OLIVE BRANCH, MS district. We need an olive branch of peace to brush away the hatred and vitriole shown toward those who express concerns about vaccine safety. Mississippi has only the medical exemption for vaccination. The state does not have a Religious or Philosophical exemption.



The Opioid Epidemic and Childhood Vaccinations



Today we are experiencing a crisis in the U.S. and especially in Mississippi. Deaths from heroin and prescription painkillers are increasing each year by a factor of 10. The number one killer of people under the age of 50 is opioid overdose. More people die from drug overdose than they do from gun violence or car wrecks.

Here are some facts about the opioid epidemic:

Prescription drug overdoses account for nearly 60% of all drug overdose deaths. Of those deaths, 73% came from opioids.

Mississippi doctors are a leading prescriber of opioid painkillers with the equivalent of approximately 70 opioid pills for every man, woman, and child in 2016.

The number of painkiller prescriptions in Mississippi makes us the fifth highest per capita in the nation, with 1.07 prescriptions per person.

In the state of Mississippi, there were 563 reported drug overdose deaths from 2013-2016 (MS Bureau of Narcotics). Of these, 481 deaths were related to opioid abuse
ABC/Randy HolmesThe Killers have released a new song titled "Some Kind of Love," which appears on the band's forthcoming album, Wonderful Wonderful. The personal, ethereal track, which is based on a chord progression written by ambient music pioneer Brian Eno, is available for digital download now.

As frontman Brandon Flowers tells Rolling Stone, "Some Kind of Love" was written for his wife, who's struggled with PTSD throughout her life due to childhood trauma.

"Typically, for women who have had problems in their youth, it really manifests itself when they're in their 30s," Flowers explains. "Over the last few years, it has become a big part of our life. Some of the things I've tackled on this record are because of that, and 'Some Kind of Love' is one of those songs."

Wonderful Wonderful, which features the lead single "The Man," will be released September 22. The Killers will launch a North American tour in support of the album in January.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Congress Fuels Christian Rivalries With Bid to Arm Iraqi Militias

A little-noticed provision to arm Iraqi Christians in the House version of a must-pass defense bill is inadvertently fueling unrest between rival militias on the Ninevah Plains, an Iraqi melting pot. The nonbinding provision, inserted by Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., a conservative Christian member of the House Armed Services Committee, notes "the important role of the Iraqi Christian militias within the military campaign against [the Islamic State (IS)] in Iraq, and the specific threat to the Christian population." It calls on the United States to "provide arms, training, and appropriate equipment to vetted elements of the Nineveh Plain Council," a governing council being proposed by Assyrian factions but with no guarantee of being formed. Ever since IS swept across Iraq and began its genocidal campaign, forcing thousands of Assyrian Christians to flee the Ninevah Plains in 2014, Washington has routed military support to Iraqi sub-state militias through the central government in Baghdad. While IS has now largely been ousted from the Ninevah Plains, the group still poses a threat to surrounding areas. Read the full story here.
ICAO has backed Turkmenistans plans for its new Ashgabat airport to become a freight hub, but also highlighted a number of priorities it should pursue to support air traffic growth.

In a meeting last week with the president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, ICAO Council President Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu pledged support for the states goal of establishing a regional transit and airfreight hub in Ashgabat.

Turkmenistan is making good progress in support of its air transport sector today, and I have encouraged President Berdimuhamedov and his government to help ensure that its continuing progress proceeds in line with ICAOs global provisions for safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable air transport, Aliu commented.

Effective ICAO compliance is the most important foundation any state can establish as they seek to improve local prosperity through aviations unique global connectivity.

Aliu also encouraged the State to establish suitable commitments and coordinate investments for its air transport infrastructure expansion and modernisation, and noted that the country could count on ICAOs support towards the development of its new State Action Plan for air transport emissions reduction to help sustainably guide that growth.

In September last year, new air cargo facilities were introduced in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan after the opening of a brand new international airport terminal.

Built on a 1,200 hectare site, the terminal incorporates 190 buildings with facilities for both passengers and cargo, as well as a new flight training centre and food preparation areas.

Operated by the Turkmenhovayollary State National Service, Ashgabat will be capable of handling 200,000 tonnes of cargo per year, with the new facility covering an area of 17,174 sq m. The cargo terminal includes an air cargo ramp with five aircraft stands, two cooling facilities and warehousing space.

An ETV-system (Elevating Transfer Vehicle) will assist in cargo handling and transfer between storage areas and each of the four import and four export loading dock bays.

The cargo terminal will also house Turkmenpost, the state run postal service, with sorting halls and service rooms.

A new 3.8km runway has been constructed, while the existing runway has been refurbished and increased to the same length, allowing aircraft of all sizes to land and take-off on either runway.

Covering an area of more than 190,000m3, the main terminal building is said to have capacity for 14m passengers per year and has been designed to resemble a falcon  Turkmenistans national bird  in flight. It also cost an eye-watering $2.3bn to construct.

Once the cross roads of the Silk Road trading route, the aim is to once again see the country become an important staging post, transforming it as a transit hub servicing the Middle East and neighboring countries including Iran and Afghanistan.

Read more cargo airport news

Share this story
Starting seventy five years ago in March 1942, in the aftermath of the February 1942 raid on Darwin by Japans dreaded Kido Butai Carrier Fleet, land based air units of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army Air Forces began a sustained campaign to keep Darwin suppressed as a forward operating base for the Allied militaries in Australia. To stop this onslaught, the newly formed and radar equipped Australian No. Five Fighter Sector, RAAF, together with the US Army Air Force 49th Fighter Group fought a lonely and forgotten campaign of aerial attrition that was a tactical draw and an operational victory for General Douglas MacArthurs Southwest Pacific Theater.

This operational level victory saw the first aerial combined-arms team in the Pacific theater with a radio-telecommunications based command and control organization that melded radar, signals intelligence, ground based observers, ground based air defense, combat engineering, and logistics to meld into an aerial fighting style unique to MacArthurs theater. A style tactically years in advance of the USAAF in North Africa and Northwest Europe and months in advance of USMC air units over Midway and Guadalcanal. The isolation of this campaign from the USAAF high command also highlighted the fact that the US Army Air Forces pursuit  AKA fighter pilot  faction was well aware of how to get and maintain air superioritywithout the interference of the bomber-faction-dominated USAAF high command.

Figure 1  49th Fighter Group P-40 fighters in Darwin, Photo Credit  Australian War Memorial.

Darwin: Setting the Stage

Brian Weston in 6 September 2017 post at The Strategist  The Australian Strategic Policy Institute Blog  titled The USAAF 49th Fighter Group over Darwin: a forgotten campaign lays out the first half of the Darwin Air Campaign fought by the USAAFs 49th Fighter Group.

The prelude to the campaign of the 49th Fighter Group covers some of the darkest days of the Pacific War: the fall of Singapore on 15 February; the bombing of Darwin on 19 February during which the Japanese shot down nine of the ten P-40s of Major Floyd Pells 33rd Pursuit Squadron; and the sinking of the USS Langley (CV-1) on 27 February, taking with it thirty-two P-40s and thirty-three pilots from the USAAF 13th Pursuit Squadron.



With the Netherlands East Indies and Philippines lost, American reinforcements, including three USAAF fighter groupstwo with the Bell P-39 and one with the Curtis P-40Ewere reconstituting in Australia. In March, the most advanced group, the 49th Fighter Group, commenced its move to the Top End, where US and Australian units were feverishly constructing airfields and associated facilities. By April, the 49th, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Paul Wurtsmith, was in situ, with its three squadrons, the 9th, 8th and 7th, located at Livingstone, Strauss and Batchelor, respectively.



Wurtsmith was a career officer, specialising in pursuit operations. He was a graduate of the USAAC Tactical School with 4,800 flying hours. His executive officer, Major Don Hutchinson, was another pursuit specialist with 2,500 flying hours. The 49th Fighter Group was fortunate to have such experienced leaders, plus a handful of veterans from the Philippines campaign, but that only masked the inexperience of the group, as out of its initial strength of 102 pilots, 95 had never flown the P-40 before.



Supported by the RAAF No. 5 Fighter Sector with its radars at Dripstone Caves (No. 31) and Point Charles (No. 105), and with the sector now including personnel from the USAAF 49th Fighter Interception Squadron, the 49ths sixty P-40s provided Darwin with its only fighter defence from March to September 1942 against a threat mainly comprising fast and well-armed Mitsubishi G4M Betty bombers escorted by Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters.

Figure 2  Typical Royal Australian Air Force Fighter Sector  command and control center similar to the one used by the No. 5 Fighter Sector Source Oz@War

The Rise of Wurtsmith

The key figure in the above passage from Brian Weston is Lieutenant Colonel Paul Wurtsmith. He was a Major at the start of World War II and ended it a Major General. He went from commanding the 49th Fighter Group at Darwin to commanding the Vth Fighter Command in New Guinea and ended up commanding the 13th Air Force at wars end.

Figure 3  Major General Paul B. Wurtsmith, Source Wikipedia

There were a lot of reasons for that rise. Paul Wurtsmith was one of the few high-flight-time pursuit pilots that did not get forced out along with Captain Claire Chennault in the 1930s by General Westovers and later General Arnolds Bomber Baron purge of the pursuit pilot faction in the US Army Air Corps. This placed him at the right place at the right time with the correct experience and training to lead the 49th Fighter Group, with an integrated air defense organization that benefited heavily from the lessons learned by American observers of the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Something that Australian author Anthony Cooper made clear in his paper Darwin 1942: The Missing Year:

The USAAF had deployed a remarkably sizeable and capable integrated force to Darwin to secure its air defence: the 808th Engineer Battalion and the 43rd Engineer Regiment to build the airfields, the 102nd Coastal Artillery Battalion to defend those airfields against strafing attacks, the 49th Fighter Group to provide fighter defence, the 49ths Fighter Interception Squadron to provide ground-based fighter control, and the 43rd Material Squadron to maintain the P-40s and top up the 49ths aircraft inventory. Nowhere else in the South West Pacific Area  particularly in Port Moresby  was there such a deeply resourced and vertically-integrated fighter deployment.



The failed Allied campaigns in the Philippines, Malaya, the Netherlands East Indies, Burma and New Guinea vividly emphasised the preconditions for successful air defence  an effective air force needed a network of airfields, and those airfields had to be made resilient (to some extent bomb-proof); there had to be a network of radar stations to provide reliable early warning, and the radar plotting data had to be filtered through an air defence operations room, with a controller able to scramble the fighters and to use radio to provide in-flight directions; and the fighter force needed to be made resilient by the provision of a deep maintenance and supply organisation able to maintain the aircraft inventory despite losses.



The American deployment around Darwin showed clear recognition of all these essential elements and stood in stark contrast to their humiliating debacle in the Philippines and to their improvised deployment to Java,

This well integrated air defense organization was no accident. The 1930s USAAF pursuit faction was very well versed and professional on issues of air defense. Claire Chennault studied German WW1 fighter tactics closely and kept abreast of radio development for adding fighter direction capability to ground-observer early warning networks. (This is mentioned early, pages 20-23, in his memoirs Way of a Fighter: The Memoirs of Claire Lee Chennault)

It turns out that the British ground observer network for the Battle of Britain in WW2 with telephones and radio was an outgrowth of their London telephone and ground observer anti-Zeppelin defenses of WW1. (See Amazon.com for  Churchills War Against the Zeppelin 1914-18: Men, Machines and Tactics which addresses this system in wider coverage of Churchill as Lord of the British Admiralty in WW1.)

The primary role of this British network, that the US Army Air Corps copied in the 1920s, was to warn the civilian populace to take cover. Like Chennault, and quite independently, the RAF worked to upgrade the ground observer network in the 1930s into something that could track bombers and control fighter intercepts by radio.

Chennault, as an instructor at the Army Air Corps Air Tactical School in the early 1930s, closely studied the aerial tactics of Oswald Boelcke and Manfred von Richthofen during their reign as leaders of the Imperial German Flying Circus and especially their emphasis on two-plane elements and a very calculated aerial teamwork approach to attack from higher altitude and separate, as opposed to individual dogfighting.

He taught these tactics to the early to mid-1930s cohort of Air Corps pursuit pilots including one Paul Wurtsmith.

The Fall of Chennault

During this time as Air Tactical School instructor, Captain Claire Lee Chennault challenged the report of one Lt. Col Hap Arnold regarding bombers always getting through in the 1931 Air Corps maneuvers. In particular over the inability of fighters to intercept the then-new B-10 bomber. Chennault raised such a stink that in the 1933 maneuvers, he was allowed to put together his air defense ground observer network to shut him up. That is, no one in power in the Air Corps believed he was right, and they assumed his failure would ruin him.

The issue for the Bomber Faction was that Chennault was right. He embarrassed the hell out of the Bomber Faction during the 1933 Ft. Knox maneuvers by intercepting every bomber flight dispatched from Dayton, Ohio.

This pre-war failure of the Bomber Mafia has been removed from the institutional narratives in the founding of the USAF along with Chennault and many of his supporters.

What motivated this purge was issues of budget. The B-17 Flying Fortress was so named because the Air Corps wanted the Coast Defense mission budget and was implying that the 4-engine bomber could replace the system of Coast Artillery branch fortresses.

When Chennault detailed in three articles in the US Armys Coast Defense Artillery branch publication why that was not so, it was very much an attack on the Bomber Factions vital interests.

These articles are online and I mentioned them in my Dec 20, 2013 column History Friday: Claire Lee Chennault  SECRET AGENT MAN!. The figure below is from the Nov-Dec 1933 Chennault article.







Figure 4  Then Captain Claire Chennaults 1933 Ft. Knox Air Defense Observer Network. It was so successful in catching bombardment formations that Chennault was black balled by the Bomber Mafia under two Air Chiefs of Staff. Photo Source: Coast Artillery Journal Mar-Apr 1934, pg. 39



In the aftermath of Chennaults 1933 success and Coast Artillery Branch article series, he was removed as an instructor from the Air Tactical School along with his syllabus of tactics.

The RAF style of three-plane Vics with wingmen on either side of the lead pilot flying in tight aerobatic formation succeeded the combat tested two-plane element at the Air Tactical School.

This suite of flawed fighter tactics killed a lot of British pilots in the Battle of Britain and contributed heavily to the failed American aerial defense of both the Philippines and Java.







These moves so dispirited Chennault that he took a 20-year disability retirement in 1937. This forced retirement lead directly to his being offered a job as an air warfare consultant for the Nationalist Chinese government and the rest, as they say, is well publicized Flying Tigers history.

Chennaults Combat Legacy at Darwin

Despite the Bomber Faction purge of Chennault and his syllabus, there was a legacy of trained pursuit pilots left behind that used his training. This legacy made itself felt at Darwin in 1942, as Australian author Anthony Cooper makes clear here:

The 49th had started its tour of duty in Australia as a very inexperienced unit filled with very green pilots. Out of the groups initial complement of 102 pilots, 95 had never flown a P-40 before.62 It was fortunate that the Japanese rearward redeployments provided such a long pause in combat operations, giving the opportunity for the junior pilots to be drilled in scrambles, airborne rendezvouses, fighter formation and gunnery.63 The group CO, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Wurtsmith, was a professional fighter leader with 14 years experience in pursuit and 4800 flying hours, while his executive officer, Major Donald Hutchinson, was another pursuit specialist, with 2500 hours. 64 The professional officers at the head of the 49th were supported by 15 war-experienced pilots from the campaigns in the Philippines and Java.65 These men taught their inexperienced charges the distilled lessons of war experience so far: flying in two-ship formations for mutual protection and always attacking from above. 66

LtCol Paul Wurtsmith Innovates Fighter Direction

While the two-plane element and attack-from-above doctrine was from Chennault, LtCol Wurtsmith came into his own as an aerial tactician with the use of Australian radar. He developed with his group a unique-to-the-South West Pacific dialect of fighter direction. His pilots used running commentary from his ground radars to direct his fighters, in four-plane sections made up of two-plane elements, to intercept high flying Betty Bombers escorted by A6M Zeke fighters.

These four-plane sections were harder to see than the squadron formations that the British used in the Battle of Britain and USMC Major Floyd B. Parks, VMF-221, used at Midway, allowing American planes to get closer to fighter-escorted bomber formations, from multiple directions, and thus allowing more defending fighters to break through. Again from Anthony Cooper:

The Americans had used very similar tactics to those used from 25 April onward. The flights flew separately, led by junior officers  usually 2nd Lieutenants  who listened to the controllers running commentary and used their initiative in maneuvering into the most advantageous possible position before attacking. These flights attacked successively from different directions, presenting the escorting fighters with the difficulty of covering multiple attack axes. Moreover, the tiny 3 or 4-ship P-40 formations were inconspicuous in a big sky, maximising their chance of getting in unobserved and making surprise attacks. The weather had helped too, for the combat area was studded with cumulous clouds, splitting the bombers from their escorts and enabling the small American formations to approach without being seen.

The SWPA Fighter Control Dialect

Ive written before in my 2014 column History Friday  Operation Chronicle and Airspace Control in the South West Pacific about how MacArthurs theater had its own fighter-control procedures apart from the mainstream of Anglo-American practice. This was based upon Ed Simmondss and Norm Smiths, ECHOES OVER THE PACIFIC: An overview of Allied Air Warning Radar in the Pacific from Pearl Harbor to the Philippines Campaign. What I discovered with Anthony Cooper was the American contribution to this dialect.

Running Commentary was one of two types of fighter control in WW2. It was independent of controlling the fighters and simply let the fighter pilots work out the intercept by providing them with the course, speed and altitude of an incoming raid. This method was used extensively by German night fighter controllers when the RAF jammed their ground based radars and radios in 1943-45 and by the Royal Navys Fleet Air Arm in 1940-41.

The other form of fighter control  Directive Control  put fighters on a tight leash telling them course, speed and altitude and was the preferred RAF Fighter Command fighter direction method. This was widely copied by the USAAF, US Navy and Royal Navy in 1942-43 when 100-mile (161KM) Very High Frequency (VHF) radios became available. It was the VHF radio that was the heart of this control method.

Planes in MacArthurs theater, however, had to rely upon 50-mile-range (80-km) Australian made high frequency (HF) into 1944 for logistical reasons I laid out in my Operation Chronicle column. So the Wurtsmith Running Commentary fighter direction dialect hung on until the Philippines Campaign.

A Forgotten Hero

It would be nice to say that Gen Paul Wurtsmith went on to greater glory after WW2but he didnt.

He died in a 1946 air crash in bad weather, flying a B-25 into a North Carolina mountainside.

And the story of his Darwin innovations, and why they came about, were toopolitically incorrect for the newly independent USAF to tell.

Hopefully, this 75th anniversary column will renew interest in the exploits of this fallen hero.

-End-

=====

Sources and Notes:

Way of a Fighter: The Memoirs of Claire Lee Chennault, by Claire Lee Chennault

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Fighter-Claire-Lee-Chennault/dp/7538745939

Darwin 1942: the missing year By Anthony Cooper

http://www.territoryremembers.nt.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/collection%20of%20stories/anthony_cooper.pdf

Finger-four, Wikipedia article

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger-four#Other_operators

Marines at Midway, Chapter 4: The Battle, 4-5 June 1942, Marines in World War II Historical Monograph by Lieutenant Colonel R.D. Heinl, Jr., USMC, Historical Section, Division of Public Information, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps 1948

https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/Midway/USMC-M-Midway-4.html

Royal Air Force Tactics During the Battle of Britain

http://www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/articles/royal-air-force-tactics-during-the-battle-of-britain.php

History Friday  Operation Chronicle and Airspace Control in the South West Pacific

Posted by Trent Telenko on 25th April 2014

https://chicagoboyz.net/archives/42554.html

History Friday  MacArthurs Anglo-Australian Radars

Posted by Trent Telenko on June 28th, 2013

https://chicagoboyz.net/archives/37020.html

The USAAF 49th Fighter Group over Darwin: a forgotten campaign

posted by Brian Weston 6 Sep 2017

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/usaaf-49th-fighter-group-darwin-forgotten-campaign/

The 5th Fighter Command in World War II, Vol. 3: 5th FC vs. Japan  Aces, Units, Aircraft, and Tactics 1st Edition, pages 1218-1221, by William Wolf, ISBN-10  0764347381, ISBN-13 0 978-0764347382, Schiffer Military History, October 28, 2014

https://www.amazon.com/5th-Fighter-Command-World-Vol/dp/0764347381

Vic formation, Wikipedia Article

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_formation

Paul Wurtsmith, Wikipedia Article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Wurtsmith
September 15, 2017

A recent religious edict allowing ordinary Egyptian citizens to illegally excavate and keep antiquities and treasure from their own land has triggered an uproar from the countrys government officials and moderate religious scholars.

Early this month, Abdel Hamid el-Atrash  former head of the Edicts Committee at Egypts top Islamic body, Dar al-Ifta  said that it is the right of any individual who finds gold or treasure on his or her own land to keep it, provided they offer part of the value to charity, the semi-official daily newspaper Al-Ahram reported.

Moderate scholars have strongly criticized the scholars opinion, saying that such a religious edict paves the way for individuals to illegally search for treasure and antiquities on their own land, overtaking the government's role of excavating artifacts.

Gold and treasure are considered antiquities. Those are historical things and are regarded as part of the Egyptian civilization and heritage, Amna Noseir, professor of Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar University, told Al-Monitor.

Noseir said that such edicts give ordinary citizens a religious pretext to illegally excavate for antiquities, which are a national wealth. Individuals should instead hand over those gold pieces or treasures immediately to the government because treasures and antiquities are owned by the state as long as they are found within its territories, she added.

In his argument, Muslim scholar Atrash referred to the story of a man who purchased a plot of land during the time of Prophet Muhammad and shortly afterward found a piece of gold on it. The man then gave the piece of gold to the previous landowner. However, the seller told him that the piece of gold was no longer his own because he already sold him the plot of land, Atrash said.

The story proves that any individual has the right to take anything [they find] on their own land, Atrash added.

Former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawas labeled Atrashs edict as illogical, saying the Egyptian law asserts that everything falling within the states territories belongs to it. The man who issued such an edict has to undergo mental checks because his statements are totally against logic, Hawas told local media.

Atrashs edict comes despite an existing law that prohibits the illegal trade of antiquities.

No law criminalized the illegal excavation of antiquities until 1983. However, in that year, the Egyptian parliament passed a law sentencing violators to between five and seven years in prison and imposing on them fines of up to 7,000 Egyptian pounds.

The law has nonetheless been criticized for its light punishment and fines. Many archaeologists and experts have called on the government to toughen penalties against unauthorized searches for antiquities because they have become widespread in the past years.

In May this year, Egypts Cabinet approved some amendments to the law, raising the maximum sentence for illegal trade in antiquities from seven years to life imprisonment.

Antiquities theft cases escalated in the wake of the January 25 Revolution that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak and caused a security lapse. Museums and archaeological sites were robbed during clashes and demonstrations that took place following the revolt.

A major antiquities theft incident took place at the Malawi National Museum in August 2013 following the dispersal of two sit-ins in support of former President Mohammed Morsi in Rabaa al-Adawiya and al-Nahda squares. More than 1,000 objects were stolen from the museum, government officials said.

According to the International Coalition to Protect Egyptian Antiquities, a US-based initiative that partnered with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, antiquities worth approximately $3 billion have been looted between 2011 and 2014.

Data released by the Antiquities Department also showed that Egypt recovered 723 artifacts from abroad between 2011 and 2015. The government restored 128, 68, 16, 70, 441 artifacts in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, according to the same data.

As the government makes such noticeable yet slow gains against the practice, edicts like that of Atrash are seen as undermining the states efforts.

Although the edict is not the first of its kind, it is significant because it comes from a man who used to belong to Dar al-Ifta, Egypts top religious institution that issues religious edicts to advise Muslims on spiritual and life matters, said Abdel Fattah el-Banna, professor of restoration of archaeological sites at the Faculty of Antiquities, Cairo University.

Edicts like that of Atrash used to be issued by people who do not belong to Al-Azhar [Dar al-Ifta is an affiliate], and we used to deal with them as extremists, Banna told local media. People must understand, Banna added, that the law and the religion prohibit individual excavation for antiquities, and whatever is found on any plot of land is the property of the state  not of the individual.
September 15, 2017

After months of escalating hostile rhetoric about the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to sit down next week for his first face-to-face encounter with Mohammad Javad Zarif, his Iranian counterpart. The two sides will meet in New York Sept. 20 at a ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Commission, the body established by the nuclear deal to resolve disputes among its signatories.

The Trump administrations hawkish tack has predictably prompted a defiant Iranian response, albeit limited by President Hassan Rouhanis pledge that Iran wont be the first to violate the deal. But beyond the general irritation Iran has with the US rhetoric, Tillerson in particular has ruffled feathers in Tehran.

In June, Tillerson provoked outrage when he indicated to the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the United States has reverted to a policy of regime change, saying, Our policy toward Iran is  to work toward support of those elements inside of Iran that would lead to a peaceful transition of that government. More recently, on Sept. 14, Tillerson told reporters that Iran is clearly in default of expectations of the nuclear deal.

Yet Tillerson has publicly stated that he has differences of views on things like [the] JCPOA with President Donald Trump, while also asserting back in May that in all likelihood, he and Zarif will talk at the right time.

With Sept. 20 around the corner, Washington now appears to be putting out the message that the upcoming Zarif-Tillerson encounter is an initiative of the US State Department. On Sept. 13, citing a senior State Department official, Bloomberg reported that the United States has asked foreign ministers of nations that agreed to the [nuclear] deal to meet on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly debate in New York next week to discuss the agreements flaws. But this narrative of events clashes with previous reports about Iran and Russia calling the meeting.

Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, a senior Iranian source dismissed the idea of Tillersons State Department having requested the Sept. 20 session, saying, The meeting was initially requested by Iran to address its grievances about US violations. Not vice versa. The source continued, The decision [to request the session] was tentatively made during the last Joint Commission meeting in Vienna. Of note, the Joint Commission met at the deputies level in the Austrian capital in late July, the second time it has convened since Trump took office.

Further disputing the State Departments account of events, the Iranian source said, The US did not confirm its participation [in the Sept. 20 session] until Tuesday or Wednesday.

While the question of who really called the session may appear to be a banal tangent, there are important reasons for the spin, given its impact. Domestic politics  greatly driven by constituencies variably incensed by decades of mutual animosity  shapes both the run-up, conduct and aftermath of the Sept. 20 meeting. Under Trump, this strikingly applies to both Iran and the United States. As such, each sides claim to have dragged the other to the Sept. 20 meeting is in fact a good thing.

The session carries great symbolic value on account of being the first time that the top US and Iranian diplomats will meet face to face. While Zarif and former Secretary of State John Kerrys encounters during the 2013-15 nuclear negotiations became so frequent that they ceased to make headlines, US-Iran ministerial-level meetings have effectively become a reconstituted taboo over the course of 2017.

Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, the Sept. 20 meeting provides a golden opportunity for both Iran and the United States to exit, or at least decelerate, the cycle of escalating rhetoric in a face-saving manner. But how?

At a time when the dynamic between domestic politics and foreign policy is mirrored in Tehran and Washington, the session allows Trump to do the one thing he appears to cherish the most: tell his base that he has done something President Barack Obama never did, namely to drag Iran before the Joint Commission over its violations. On the other hand, rather than be weakened by such rhetoric, the Rouhani administration can also claim victory at home by arguing that its constructive engagement has broken the past international consensus against Iran. In this vein, instead of coming under attack for having called  or been summoned  to the Sept. 20 session, the odds are that the Iranian discourse will note why Tillerson is unlikely to call a Joint Commission vote on Irans violation of the JCPOA.

Failure to seize this opportunity for a win to sell at home  by both Iran and the United States  would be a missed chance to shift the respective public discourse, especially given the approaching Oct. 15 deadline for Trump to certify Irans compliance with the JCPOA and the conclusion of the outcome of Washingtons broader Iran policy review.

The nuclear deal was made possible by a unique confluence of factors, including the mutual decision by its signatories to abandon the zero-sum mindset in favor of win-win solutions. Similarly, compliance with the landmark accord can only be assured through the prompt utilization of opportunities for de-escalation in which there are only winners. In other words, just as Iranian submission to tougher restrictions in the face of heightened pressure is unlikely, the United States is equally improbable to be isolated into compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA. Only cognizance of the need for face-saving solutions, no matter which party has fairness on its side, can facilitate the transformation of the JCPOA from a burden to an opportunity.
September 15, 2017

ALEPPO, Syria The Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in Aleppos countryside, Idlib and Ghouta as well as the Southern Front factions in the southern Daraa and Quneitra provinces and the Syrian Desert have been holding intensive discussions with the opposition-affiliated Syrian Interim Government since the beginning of September, several sources told Al-Monitor.

The talks aim to form a national army that would unite all armed factions under one umbrella, except extremist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. In addition, a general staff for said army will be shaped and a new defense minister for the Syrian Interim Government will be appointed, since the FSA factions do not support the current minister of defense, Asaad Mustafa.

The Syrian Interim Government was established following meetings between the National Coalition for the Revolution and Opposition in Istanbul on Nov. 11, 2013. Its headquarters remained in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, as it received financial support from friends of the Syrian revolution and the oppositions international supporters. However, in 2016, most of its members relocated back to FSA-controlled areas after gradually starting to lose funding in September 2015.

Abdullah Halawa, a military leader in the FSA-affiliated Hamza Division, told Al-Monitor that the talks will soon come to an end, as the Syrian Interim Government has secured the approval of the majority of FSA factions.

The talks addressed all details that would speed up the process of forming a unified national army, as well as appointing the chief of staff and the defense minister, whose names will be announced in the coming stage when practical measures to form the unified national army are taken, Halawa said.

Several FSA factions in Aleppos countryside and Idlib announced earlier this month their approval of the initiative to form the unified national army, which was originally suggested by the Syrian Islamic Council and the Syrian Interim Government on Aug. 30.

The factions that agreed to take part include al-Jabhat al-Shamiya (the Levant Front), Ahrar al-Sham, the Sham Legion, al-Naser Union, Nureddin Zengi Brigade, Free Idlib Army, the Central Division, the Sultan Murad Brigade, the 13th Division, the 1st Coastal Division and the Hamza Division.

On Sept. 2, the FSA-affiliated Lions of the East Army and Forces of Martyr Ahmed al-Abdo stationed in the southeastern Syrian Desert announced their agreement to form a unified national army, in two separate statements.

Jaish al-Islam, the largest faction in eastern Ghouta, and al-Rahman Legion, also stationed there, welcomed the initiative with arms wide open.

The coordinator of the FSA factions, Yahya Mayo, confirmed that 44 FSA factions out of 63 have announced their willingness to join the ranks of the unified national army.

This initiative aims to unite manpower and military resources in all Syrian areas where FSA fighters are stationed. We are calling on dissident officers in Syria, neighboring countries and abroad to be part of this national formation as well, Mayo told Al-Monitor.

The importance of forming a unified national army at this difficult time in the Syrian revolution lies in improving the performance of the FSA factions on both the political and military levels. This will also counter all media campaigns questioning the ability of the Syrian opposition to manage Syria if [Bashar] al-Assads regime falls, particularly since international forces are trying to help the regime regain control over large areas in Syria and convince the international community to keep Assad in power as a fait accompli, Mayo added.

Forming a unified national army made up of all the FSA's factions is not easy. The Syrian opposition, both militarily and politically, is aware of the magnitude of the challenges it faces. In early September 2015, it tried to establish a national army that would bring together all Syrian opposition military components affiliated with the FSA, but it failed to achieve that goal in light of divisions among FSA factions. After losing large areas to the regime between 2015 and 2017, the opposition is now reiterating its attempt to form a national army in the face of the regime and its allies, mainly Russia and Iran, and hopes that it will succeed this time.

The minister of services in the Syrian Interim Government, Abdullah Razouk, told Al-Monitor, The FSA factions have been very responsive during the talks with the Syrian Interim Government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Jawad Abu Hatab. All FSA factions have a desire to end the division between them and become part of the unified national army as the last chance to save the Syrian revolution.

Razouk added, If the unified national army project succeeds, it will have a positive impact on all institutions of the Syrian opposition, such as the National Coalition for the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, as well as the High Negotiations Committee and the Syrian Interim Government, and it will support its position in the eyes of all international forums. The unified national army will end the division that has been plaguing the Syrian revolution at the political and military levels, both internally and externally.

The success of the FSA-affiliated unified national army project needs to be supported by the friends of the Syrian revolution and its allies such as the United States, Turkey, Qatar and other countries, which are yet to express support in forming this army.
September 12, 2017

Syria is home to some of the oldest mosaics ever found. As far back as 1500 BC, artists in the region have used small pieces of colored stone, glass and shells to create large images of daily life, animals or complex geometric shapes.

After years of war, however, many of the country's ancient mosaics have been destroyed or looted. Contemporary mosaics, the work of Syrian craftsmen who struggle to keep up the craft of their grandfathers, find few if any buyers.

There are two types of Syrian mosaics, whose ancient tradition began with stonework. Today, little stones are still used to decorate pools, floors, large halls and mosques. Wooden mosaics are a more recent creation. The famous wooden mosaics of Syria are thought to go back 300 years, when mosaic makers also incorporated bones and shells. The modern wooden mosaics form rich geometric patterns with mother-of-pearl and ivory inlay.

Syrias Maarrat al-Numan Museum, the largest mosaic museum in the Middle East, contains approximately 2,000 square meters (half an acre) of mosaics, mostly from the late Roman and Byzantine periods. The exhibits, reconstructed on the walls and floors, contain scenes of hunting and everyday life as well as geometric shapes. While the mosaics inside the museum are mostly intact, many external ones were damaged by airstrikes in 2015. Some remaining ones were moved to a warehouse for protection. In the nearby town of Taybat al-Imam, just northwest of Hama, a Byzantine-era mosaic that dates back to A.D. 442 was destroyed by the Syrian army.

If war makes it difficult to protect the mosaics, it's even more difficult to prevent illegal excavations that rob Syria of its unique heritage. Several mosaics, including one portraying a king and queen of Apamea, were dug up in 2012 and sold later in Beirut, according to Syrian mosaic artist Abdul Razak Tawil. Today, the fate of the huge and ancient mosaic is unknown. Interpol is looking for it.

There are Byzantine and Roman mosaics in the north of Syria. Carrying out illegal excavations and selling the findings on the black market have become common practice for those who enjoy protection from the armed jihadist groups, Tawil said, adding that he had personally seen the Apamea mosaics when they were first excavated.

The art of mosaic-making itself is at risk, as the present artisans of the ancient craft have also suffered in the conflict. Hamdo al-Bayoush, from the city of Kafr Nabl in Ibdil, has been practicing the art since 1998, and he does not intend to leave the city nor abandon his profession despite the shortage of equipment and demand.

There are, unfortunately, several obstacles facing this art. Chief among them is the lack of necessary materials such as glue, paint, machines to cut the stones due to the closure of the border with most of the neighboring countries. Also, we are not at liberty to practice this art given the controls imposed by the extremist factions spread in the area. They forbid the depiction of humans or animals. We try to get the Syrian regime to ship some mosaics to Jordan or other countries, but the shipping costs are very high because of the huge payments that we make to checkpoint officers to allow these works to cross the border. That cost can be up to thousands of dollars for just one mosaic, Bayoush told Al-Monitor over Skype.

This art is our history, and we will work to preserve it. It is the legacy of the family and the region, and we will pass it on to our children just like our forefathers passed it on to us, he added.

Tawil also spoke of the difficulties mosaic makers face. Given the political and economic difficulties, there is no local demand for our work. In our region, many people work in mosaic-making, but there is no demand for these pieces. Also, these pieces are rarely shipped outside the country, and when they are, intermediaries and traders are required. We can no longer make this art available to the world.

Tawil asked the international community to protect the art that is part of the world's cultural heritage, saying, We call upon the international community to work for the protection of these ancient images, museums and monuments, which are a legacy of thousands of years attesting to the long history of the region and an art threatened with extinction.

Osama Mahrouk, an Amman-based Syrian merchant who deals in mosaics, told Al-Monitor, Mosaics are now largely being exported to Europe, such as Austria and Germany. They are often shipped from Syria to Turkey via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, and then shipped via DHL or other shipping companies. I have also sent many works to Canada. Prices have dramatically increased because of the collapse of the Syrian currency and the rising production costs. Craftsmen also try to market mosaics on social networking sites and mosaic websites. There used to be at least 100 pieces sold abroad a year, but there is no such demand for mosaics anymore.

As a large number of Syrians fled the country, they took some of their crafts with them in an attempt to preserve their heritage and art. Mosaic is no exception.
A copperhead snake bit two students from a Chilton County school during a trip on the trail on Friday, according to the Clanton Advertiser.

A seventh-grade life science class from Isabella High School, which is a kindergarten through 12th grade school, was walking along a trail located near the facility when a snake bit a female student's big toe at 10 a.m. The teacher called 911 and identified the snake as a copperhead. The rest of the students were escorted back to the school and the child's parents were called.

The child was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent's Chilton. School officials said no venom was injected, thus the student was released soon after arriving at the hospital.

Another female student noticed her ankle was swelling and hurting about an hour after the first incident. A counselor looked at the ankle and determined the student was bitten by a snake. The child's mother took the student to the hospital, where she was given anti-venom. According to the advertiser, she was still under observation on Friday afternoon.

This is the third and fourth time a child has been bitten by a copperhead snake in the past week in Alabama. On Thursday, a 7-year-old boy was bitten while playing in the front yard of his Hoover home. On Sept. 8, an 8-year-old Mountain Brook girl was bitten twice by a copperhead while urging her younger siblings to run to safety.

Dr. Eric Yates, an emergency room physician at Grandview Medical Center, told WRBC that the number of snake bites treated there this year is about average.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that venomous snakes bite 7,000 to 8,000 people a year, causing about five deaths annually.

Copperheads are rarely aggressive, and tend to freeze when they get spooked, according to the CDC.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A 37-year-old woman was killed Friday night during an altercation that began at an east Birmingham gas station between the victim's son and another female.

Birmingham police on Saturday identified the victim as Rashaunda Holyfield. She was a manager at a Birmingham area restaurant.

Officers responded about 9:20 p.m. to the 7700 block of Third Avenue South on a report of a female who had been assaulted. When they arrived on the scene, they found Holyfield unresponsive. She was taken to UAB Hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Sgt. Bryan Shelton said the preliminary investigation shows the issue began at a gas station when the victim's adult son encountered another woman, who police call the suspect. Holyfield's son and that woman got into a physical altercation, which eventually ended.

Allegedly, Shelton said, the female suspect then drove to Holyfield's home after leaving the gas station to confront her about her son. Once the suspect arrived, another altercation began, this time between the Holyfield and the female suspect.

At some point during the fight, Shelton said, the suspect stabbed Holyfield multiple times. Police said Friday night two suspects had been detained, but no formal charges have yet been announced.

Holyfield's death is the 72nd homicide of 2017. Of those, at least five have been ruled justifiable and therefore aren't deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 105 homicides in 2017, including the 72 in Birmingham.

"Differences occur, and they always will. We have to resolve them without resorting to violence,'' Shelton said. "Right now, two families are torn apart. They will need the communities help in the healing process."

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
A 7-year-old Hurricane Irma evacuee is recovering Friday after he was bitten by a baby copperhead while playing in the yard of a Hoover home.

Lauren Lauletta and her young son - Damen - fled their Florida home more than a week ago to escape danger, but they found it anyway. And, Lauletta said, as a New Jersey native, she had no idea it was a danger that even existed.

"I didn't even know what a copperhead was,'' Lauletta said. "We don't have these issues.

She said Damen was only about a foot off of the street when she heard something from him that she had never heard before. "My son screams a blood-curdling scream that you don't ever want to hear,'' she told AL.com on Friday. "He was holding his foot. I saw blood and I saw a bite."

She did immediately recognize the marks. "I screamed, 'Snake!''' she said. "Then I turned around and saw it. All of the neighborhood came running."

Lauletta and her son had been staying with a close family friend. "She said, 'That's a copperhead.' I'm like, 'What's that?''' she said. "She said we needed to get to the hospital."

The incident happened about 7:30 p.m. in a neighborhood near Ross Bridge Parkway and Highway 150, said Hoover Fire Executive Officer Rusty Lowe. Damen was bitten on the toe, and they immediately rushed him to a nearby fire station. "They were so fantastic,'' Lauletta said. "They helped calm my son down. He was so brave. I'm so proud of him."

Hoover paramedics immediately started an IV on Damen, and mother and son went to Children's of Alabama via an ambulance. Once there, doctors consulted with poison control experts - per their snake bite protocol - and determined Damen's bite likely wouldn't need antivenom.

Damen was hospitalized overnight as the medical staff kept a close eye on his toe. "It didn't get better, but it didn't get worse,'' Lauletta said. Damen got a dose of morphine to help with the pain, and was released about 5 a.m. Friday.

"He said, 'I'm brave. That's why the venom didn't get in my blood,''' Lauletta said.

Lauletta said she took her son's prescription to a chain pharmacy in Hoover, and they refused to fill it because she was out of town. However, she then went to a family-owned pharmacy in Bluff Park and, within five minutes, had her son's pain-killer. "I just wanted my son to feel better,'' she said.

Lauletta and Damen left Florida on Thursday, Sept. 7. Her husband and her mother stayed behind to fortify their home, which is about 30 minutes outside of Orlando. "They stood their ground with the hurricane,'' she said.

Though they weren't in a mandatory evacuation area, both mother and son suffer from asthma and feared being home without power could land them in the hospital. She had no idea, she said, they'd end up in the hospital anyway.

"The moral of the story is, when you're running from one thing, something else could happen and you've just got to be ready for it,'' she said. "I had no idea how important it was to look out for snakes."

She and her son have had many talks about sharks in the Florida waters, and alligators in the Florida lakes. They likely will spend the nine-hour car ride home Saturday learning about snake safety. "It's just one more thing we have to talk about,'' she said.

Lauletta said the entire ordeal was stressful, but said she was overwhelmed by the support and prayers from strangers over the past 24 hours. "I really do believe in prayer, that it really does bring you through,'' she said. "People who don't even know us were praying for us. I'm so thankful it wasn't worse."

Asked what she feared most, a hurricane or a copperhead, Lauletta didn't even hesitate: "A hurricane you can evacuate. I had no idea this could be deadly."
Birmingham Mayor William Bell has asked President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to release Larry Langford from federal prison due to his poor health.

Langford, who served as mayor and as a Jefferson County commissioner, was convicted in 2009 of taking an estimated $235,000 in bribes from an investment banker while he was commissioner in return for millions of bond work. He was originally supposed to serve 180 months, but that time was reduced due to 157 months and 26 days due to good behavior, Bell said in the letters.

Bell states in the letter Langford is over 70 years old and in poor health.

"The idea of a compassionate release was established for this reason," Bell said in the letter. "I ask that you please seriously consider Mayor Langford's release at this time and allow him the privilege of spending time in the care of his family and loved ones."

Langford and Bell have known each other since childhood. Langford was denied compassionate release in 2016 and 2013.

Letters from Mayor Bell by Jonece on Scribd
Montgomery attorney Julian McPhillips has called on President Donald Trump to do what President Barack Obama would not -- grant a pardon to former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman.

McPhillips said he talked to Siegelman, who he has known for decades, before holding a press conference in Montgomery calling for the pardon.

Siegelman had already publicly reached out to Trump. Last month, the former governor told Fox Business Network host Neil Cavuto that the president should pardon him.

McPhillips acknowledges that the idea that Trump, a Republican, would consider pardoning Alabama's former Democratic governor might seem far-fetched.

But McPhillips said Trump is a "maverick" who is known to defy expectations.

"He does things that surprise people and he now seems to have as good a rapport with some of the Democrats there, or maybe better, than he does than with the Republicans," McPhillips said.

"He's kind of a pragmatist and he doesn't have much to gain or lose. And I just think if he looked at it with an open mind, he might say that, 'Siegelman didn't do anything more than everybody else has done.'"

A federal jury convicted Siegelman of bribery in 2006, finding that he accepted $500,000 in contributions to his 1999 campaign for a state education lottery in exchange for appointing HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy to a state hospital regulatory board.

Siegelman has maintained his innocence and says he was prosecuted for actions that are the normal course of politics - appointing a campaign contributor to a board.

Prosecutors, however, said Siegelman was personally liable for a lottery campaign debt. The jury also convicted Siegelman on a separate obstruction of justice charge that he tried to hide money he received from a lobbyist.

Appeals courts upheld the convictions.

The jury convicted Scrushy, too. Scrushy has also maintained that he and Siegelman were innocent.

Both men have completed their sentences.

McPhillips said he's known Siegelman since 1972, when Siegelman worked with McPhillips' father on George McGovern's presidential campaign.

"It was just such an unfair travesty that Siegelman has been subjected to," McPhillips said.

McPhillips said he did not always agree with Siegelman but did not doubt the former governor's intentions.

"I always thought Siegelman was guided by noble instincts," McPhillips said. "I think that what he did as governor was good in many respects."

McPhillips said he will likely file a petition for executive clemency with the Trump administration but will consult with Siegelman before taking that step.

McPhillips said he was getting involved in Siegelman's cause for principle, not for pay.

"I don't want a dime for it," McPhillips said.

Siegelman's 78-month sentenced ended last month, when he finished a six-month period of house arrest.

Siegelman says his ordeal left him with a mission - advocate for reforms he says are needed in the criminal justice system.

A documentary about his case: "Atticus vs. the Architect: The Political Assassination of Don Siegelman," is scheduled to be shown Oct. 1 at the Davis Theatre in Montgomery.

Alabama Political Reporter is presenting the film, which was produced by Steve Wimberly.

The Capri Theatre in Montgomery canceled an agreement to show the documentary because of its negative depiction of former U.S. Attorney Leura Canary.

Canary is on the theater's board.
A rally in support of a controversial Confederate monument at the Madison County Courthouse square will not include a keynote speaker Saturday, but it will involve pro-statue advocates encouraged to "speak from the heart."

The rally, which organizers call the "Dixie Rally at the Square," supports the pro-Confederate monument erected in 1905.

In a Facebook video Friday, the event's organizer pleaded with attendees not to spread "hate" at Saturday's rally, which is permitted to start at 1 p.m.

"We will not tolerate racism or anything like that, none of it," said the rally's organizer Karen Lower, who will be dressed Martha Washington, the wife of the first President of the United States.

"I don't care if it's KKK or Black Lives Matter, I don't care, we won't tolerate any talk that is dividing this country," said Lower. "What we would love for you to do is come up and speak to the heart of your feelings on what is going on here and why you are upset that it's coming to your hometown."

The rally will be met with a counter-protest from the North Alabama Democratic Socialists of America and the Tennessee Valley Progressive Alliance.

Those two groups held their own protest of the Confederate monument last month. That event, which drew pro-monument counter-protestors, was mostly peaceful but there was plenty of tension and shouts from both sides. Police kept the two groups separated.

That event occurred about one week after violence erupted in Charlottesville, Va., during a clash between groups opposing and supporting the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue. One person was killed and 19 were injured after a man with ties to a white supremacist group rammed his car into a crowd of counter protesters.

In May, a petition was circulated to have the statue removed arguing that it was erected the same year that a lynching was also held on the courthouse square. The petition surfaced around the same time the Alabama Legislature pressed forward with approving the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, which prohibits local governments from removing monuments that have been in place for more than 40 years.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan Shocks With Announcement She Won't Seek Reelection

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Sep 15, 2017 8:51PM



Lisa Madigan at the Women's March this January (Facebook)

Madigan, 51, released a statement saying that she would not seek reelection for Attorney General in 2018, but that she would finish out her term that ends January 2019. She had previously said she intended to run for a fifth term, so today's announcement came as a shock. She did not say why she was not seeking reeleection, only vaguely hinting that she was ready for something new.

"As I look ahead, I believe that the end of my fourth term as Attorney General will be the right time for me to seek a new challenge," Madigan wrote. "I have dedicated my career to helping people. That will continue to be my focus, and I am looking forward to finding new ways to do that with the passion that I have brought to my work as Attorney General."

Madigan's name is brought up as a possible candidate for seats throughout the state, including governor, U.S. senate and mayor of Chicago. She mulled a run for governor in 2014 and even raised $4.8 million for her campaign, but ended up backing off because she thought there would be a conflict serving while her father Mike Madigan remained Illinois Speaker of the House.

Today she told Crain's Chicago Business that she had ruled out a run for Chicago mayor but she didn't comment on whether she would run for governor. If a Democrat defeats Rauner next year, that would put her out of the running for that office. Sources tell Politico that she might be considering working in the private sector after her term expires.

The Chicago Sun-Times points out that some at City Hall have suggested that Madigan could be appointed to federal monitor to oversee the Chicago Police Department. As Attorney General, Madigan filed a suit against the city of Chicago, saying that it needed federal oversight to reform a department culture marked by racism and a lack of accountability, according to a Department of Justice report. The federal monitor would be a lucrative part-time job for an attorney in private practice. the Sun-Times also noted on Friday afternoon that unnamed sources say Madigan has privately assured Emanuel she is not going to run for mayor in 2019.

The pair have an uneasy partnership, given that Madigan was a strong voice seeking to wrest control of the department from the mayor's office. But Emanuel had nothing but praise for Madigan today.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's statement helped to fuel speculation that he could be working with Madigan: "While Attorney General Madigan may not be running for reelection, I am confident she will continue her selfless service beyond Springfield, and I look forward to working with her in the years to come."

He also told the Sun-Times, "My own sense of it is, with a young family I can understand the pressures. I dont know if she cited that."

Republican Erika Harold had previously announced that she would be running against Madigan for the Attorney General position.

Madigan told Crain's that she expects a raft of highly qualified Democrats to step up and run for her open seat in 2018. State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago has been eyeing the seat, and seriously considered it when Madigan explored a bid for governor. He told the Sun-Times today, "Im very interested. Its an office of extreme potential for great advocacy. My record speaks to being able to serve in that office in terms of my chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee, my work on criminal justice reform and other legal matters. Its something I have to take a serious look atand very quickly."

Madigan told Crain's her father was behind her decision to not seek reelection and that the pair are on good terms. He released a statement to Capitol Fax: "No father could be prouder of his daughters personal and professional accomplishments, and I look forward to watching her continue her commitment to helping people in a new capacity."

Madigan was the first female attorney general of Illinois and the longest serving one in its history.
The ideals of Capoeira teach how to love Without those values, these children would still be combating.

Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo  When Rukundu was not yet born his Hutu parents fled the genocide in Rwanda to safety in the Democratic Republic of Congo where he was born. His father was a Hutu soldier and remained in Congo to join the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), but his mother returned to Rwanda, leaving behind the boy in his fathers care.

When he was 12, Rukundu joined the FDLR following in his fathers path. For five years, Rukundu lived in the bush in Masisi Territory in the Northern Kivu province of Congo, alongside the estimated 2,000 FDLR combatants operating here. We were fighting for survival and for a place to live, we lived in the bush. When they needed me, I fought, he says.

Instead of learning how to read and write, he was taught how to point a rifle, load the ammunition and subsist in the forest among animals and diseases. Rukundo was a child soldier, a kadogo, Swahili for little ones.

His only points of reference were his father, weapons and the bush. That is how he grew up  flighting. Even though his father was killed in the fighting, he never wanted to flee or have a different life. It was my life and there I was, he says. But, earlier this year, Rukundu was captured by the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).

The teenager was first handed over to the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration programme (DDR)  a component of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country. From here he was taken to a shelter run by the Support Program for Poverty Reduction (PAMI) in the periphery of Goma.

A new path for child soldiers

Rukundu has been at the shelter for a week. Sitting at a corner in the PAMI centre, the thin boy, with a bowed head and a soft voice, observes the other boys surrounding him. They are all former kadogos and suffered similar trauma. Because he only speaks Kinyarwanda, the language spoken in Rwanda, he has difficulty communicating with the others, so he stays quiet.

Twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, around 40 boys from the shelter, ranging in age from eight to 17, come together to play capoeira, a Brazilian martial art resembling an acrobatic dance founded by descendants of African slave communities. Although they are of different ethnicities, communities and languages, they feel united by the chants and acrobatic movements, along with the harmonising sound of the drums and the berimbau  a one-string percussion instrument.

UNICEF, in partnership with the Brazilian Embassy in Kinshasa and some NGOs, provide the project known as Capoeira pour la Paix  Capoeira for Peace  for child soldiers who have been subject to extreme violence in order to help them with self-confidence and self-esteem.

A Brazilian capoeira master, Flavio Soares, coordinates the programme. For us, it is rewarding to know that a child who used to be in an armed group in the DRC decided to drop a Kalashnikov rifle and take up the berimbau as a friend, Soares said.

Here in Goma, we have seen good results of children who were soldiers in the past, who had committed crimes and, nowadays, they say they want to become capoeira masters. The project has benefited more than four thousand children in Goma, according to Soares. It allows for the creation of a standard for using cultural activities with children who were traumatised and exposed to intense violence.

Diedonne Mosikikongo Nkoy the instructor, joined UNICEF to be part of this programme in 2014. These children who come from armed groups are under so much stress. When they start playing capoeira, I can feel the change in their lives, he says.

The ideals of capoeira teach how to love and [get along]. Without those values, these children would still be combatting. I want to help and bring them back again to their lives and teach them how to live with the others in a community, Nkoy says.

Finding a new family

Kelvin, another child soldier at the shelter, started to play capoeira five months ago. He was kidnapped from his village, Jardin dEden, in Northern Kivu in 2014, at the age of 14 by Nyatura fighters, another Hutu fighter group based in Congo. This group has been accused of violating human rights and forcefully recruiting child soldiers.

According to UNICEFs Sabrina Cajoly, coordinator of the Working Group for the Protection of Children in the DRC, government estimates indicate there were 3,662 children in the country involved with armed groups in 2015. Yet, in 2016, thanks to the actions of UNICEF and its partners, 3,442 children  left armed groups in conflict zones, and benefited from transitory care and were able to be reunited with their families.

Kelvin was an orphan, his father had passed away from a sickness, and his mother had abandoned him. Now, he was forced to leave behind his home village to fight in the bush. Everything was very difficult in the armed group. They beat us the whole day, in the morning, in the afternoon and at night when we did the trainings. I wanted to escape, says Kelvin.

He managed to escape after six months and surrendered at a MONUSCO base.

He is safe now and while he waits to find a new family he plays Capoeira. I like it because I made friends here. With capoeira, I can be myself. When I play, I feel good, I interact with others.

Like Rukundu, Kelvin was shy and had never heard about capoeira before until he decided to give it a chance and try some movements. If I can play as well as [the instructors], I would love to have a group to keep practising capoeira. I really wanted to do so many things with capoeira.

Joachim Fikiri, who coordinates PAMI, says capoeira has been very beneficial for the boys. They arrive traumatised and for this reason, we decided to include it in our pedagogic programme for psychosocial support. Capoeira allows them to forget a little bit what they lived through in the armed groups so these children can change their violent behaviour and get a normal life again.

Soares, the Brazilian capoeira master added that the response to the programme has been very positive, so far, with great acceptance of the children and their communities.

Last year, the PAMI centre in Goma provided capoeira classes for 500 children. Fikiri dreams of one day expanding this practice to communities in the interior of the region to reach the different tribes from where most of these children come.

There is a need to address reconciliation, break ethnic divisions in those areas and create social cohesion. It is in those communities where lies the conflict, Fikiri says.

Rukundu is still too shy to participate. As time passes by, he thinks one day he will try to learn some initial movements. For now, he waits to be reconnected with his family. The only phone number he had from his mother does not work anymore.

The reporting trip to DRC was funded by the Erasmus Mundus Journalism Consortium and the Reporting Right Livelihood 2017 journalism programme
We dont want a religious conflict, we just want to follow our religion in [a peaceful] way.

Muhammed Ason, 24, comes from Rakhine State, Myanmar, which he fled a few weeks ago.

Before the crisis, I was studying English and Burmese at a high school in Rakhine State. I wanted to learn English so I could help the Rohingya community and express their problems to the world. I also ran a grocery shop. I was not very happy in Rakhine State; we had no freedom and I was not allowed to procure goods for my shop from other countries. There were so many restrictions that made our life difficult.

I remember when the military came to our village and started shooting, my neighbour could not face the torment so he tried to fight back with a knife. They shot him dead, right in front of my eyes. They have been torturing us for years, beating us and restricting our movement, but now they are shooting us  I could not live that way, so I fled to Bangladesh.

I have no words that can explain how sad I am to have left my village, everything I own is there  the only thing I could carry was a spare longyi (a garment worn about the waist common to Myanmar). But I am more afraid for the Rohingya who remained, who knows what will happen to them.

I do not like it in Bangladesh, we have to sleep by the side of the road, its wet and muddy and we have not received enough support. The number of Rohingya here is so huge, the Bangladeshi people are trying to help and some organisations are here but it is too little for the sheer number of Rohingya living in these conditions.

The world needs to put pressure on the Myanmar government to let us go back to our own country. Bangladesh is not our country, the people here tell us that we are Rohingya and that we are Burmese. We are from Rakhine State and that is where we belong.

My request to the world is please help us get our own rights within Myanmar. The Buddhist live in peace, so why cant we  I want to live like them. The Buddhist can follow Buddhism and we will follow Islam. We dont want a religious conflict, we just want to follow our religion in the same way they do.

*As told to Katie Arnold in Kutupalong new shelter camp near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh.

*This interview has been edited for clarity.

The plight of Myanmars Rohingya

Nearly 300,000 Rohingya, mainly women and children, have fled to Bangladesh in the recent weeks as a result of indiscriminate violence against civilian populations carried out by the Myanmar army.

The UN and other human rights organisations have warned that the mass exodus following killings, rapes, and burned villages are signs of ethnic cleansing, pleading for the international community to pressure Aung San Suu Kyi and her government to end the violence.

The situation seems a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, UN human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein said on Monday, September 11.

Read more to find out who are Myanmars Rohingya
Birzeit, Occupied West Bank  On a humid summer evening in Birzeit, the atmosphere in the Naseeb Azeez Shaheen Auditorium turned raucous when it was announced that two musicians from Gaza would be performing.

The audience had barely settled by the time the Palestine Youth Orchestra (PYO) launched into the familiar, dramatic opening bars of the Star Wars main theme.

For its 2017 tour, the PYO had scheduled two concerts in Amman, Jordan, followed by two dates in the occupied West Bank, in Nablus and Birzeit.

We try to make a point to come to Palestine because this is home, PYO manager Zeina Khoury told Al Jazeera. We do it once every few years, when we feel it is possible, and when we have the funding to do it. We tried this year and it worked out, but not as we had planned originally.

When the PYO was founded in Birzeit in 2004, applications were opened to Palestinians based within historic Palestine and throughout the diaspora. Musicians from across the globe applied to join, including from the Americas and Europe, as well as the Middle East region.

The PYO has since shifted its entry requirements and welcomes young Arabs, aged 14 to 26, from across the region. Sometimes, they are joined by members of international music conservatories who have taken part in exchange programmes with the orchestra over the years.

The majority of its current members live in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, but others reside in Jordan, Egypt and as far away as Australia.

READ MORE: Palestinian hip-hop group uses music as a weapon

For those unable to easily reach the orchestra headquarters at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Birzeit, auditions have been conducted over Skype or via YouTube videos. The orchestra usually tours once a year, and recent destinations have included the UK and France.

Making it happen is always a challenge, Khoury said. Its an adventure to get there.

Those international tours have been complicated by problems with obtaining visas for the musicians, particularly those from Lebanon and Syria  while musicians from the Gaza Strip, whose UK visa applications were approved, were denied travel permits by the Israeli authorities in 2016.

One of the trickiest destinations for the PYO to hold a concert is within the occupied Palestinian territories, which have been controlled by Israel since 1967. Khoury said that in previous tours of the West Bank, the PYOs requests for entry permits and travel permits for its performers have mostly been ignored or denied by Israeli authorities.





Its not easy to make this happen. Its our message to the world, music is our form of resistance, and making it happen in Palestine, Khoury added.

The Israeli authorities are really afraid of music. They wouldnt want to stop it from happening, they wouldnt deny permits, if they werent aware of how effective it is.

Once selected for a tour, musicians are provided with their parts and can practise individually  but given the geographic disconnect of the performers, there is little opportunity to practise as a whole.

Instead, the performers usually meet up just before a tour and undergo an intense week of collective rehearsals.

We started holding the rehearsals in Jerash, in Jordan, because everyone is able to go there and because people are not able to go here, Khoury said.

In advance of this summers shows, 83 musicians from across the globe arrived at a hotel in Jerash where they spent a full week, eight hours a day, practising and preparing for the tour.

The day before the Amman concerts were due to take place, the PYO was notified that some of its members had been denied permits to travel for the second part of the tour in the West Bank. The applications for 11 musicians from Egypt and Jordan to enter the occupied territory were rejected by Israeli authorities, meaning that the orchestra would have to realign for the West Bank shows.

It was very stressful, very emotional, Khoury said. You lose part of the orchestra, so professionally and artistically, its a bit of a disaster.

READ MORE: Palestine Music Expo aims for international attention

Following the concert in Amman, the two Palestinian musicians from Gaza had also packed their bags, said their goodbyes and prepared to return home.

Sofiya Radwan, a violinist, and trumpeter Raslan Ashour, both 16, had initially been denied travel permits for the occupied West Bank as well as Jordan, but their case was taken on by the Israeli NGO Gisha, which specialises in issues of freedom of movement for Palestinians in Gaza.

Gisha petitioned the Israeli high court to appeal the denial and the musicians were subsequently granted permission to travel to Jordan, but not the West Bank. At their court hearing, the judges observed that music does not depend on location and concluded that there was no reason to intervene in the decision to reject their permit applications.

Israel has increasingly restricted movement between Gaza and the West Bank down to its current level, where separation is the rule and access is the rare option, Gisha spokesperson Shai Grunberg told Al Jazeera.

Israel prohibits the movement of Gaza residents into and through Israeli territory to the West Bank [as well as between Jordan and the West Bank] other than in exceptional humanitarian circumstances, and most residents, at any given time, do not meet the strict criteria for requesting a permit to travel, Grunberg added.

The restrictions violate the fundamental right of Palestinians to freedom of movement, which is a precondition for exercising other basic rights such as the right to life, the right to access medical care, the right to education and the right to livelihood.

When the PYO arrived at the Allenby Bridge border crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank, controlled by Israel, the two Gazans learned that their permission to travel back to Gaza had not been processed. It was a Friday, the first day of the Israeli weekend, and the relevant office was closed.

First, they told us we had to go back to Amman because we did not have permission to go back to Gaza, recalled Radwan, the violinist. At one point, they said we could go in. Then, they said we had to go back [to Amman]. They kept changing their story.

Following a long wait at the border, the musicians were eventually given permission to enter and stay in the West Bank in the custody of Suhail Khoury, the head of the Conservatory. It meant that they were unexpectedly able to participate in the Birzeit concert.

It was a wonderful feeling, Radwan said. In Gaza, we do not have the chance to perform with such a big symphony orchestra. We have a smaller version with a few players, but its not a big orchestra like this orchestra. It was really grand and a lot of people came and the concert was really good. We performed really well.

The musicians were belatedly permitted to stay on for another two days and complete the full tour with the orchestra, despite the initial Israeli refusal to allow them to stay in the occupied West Bank. Grunberg said this demonstrated the flawed reasoning in the initial refusal.

After Israel went to great lengths, including appearing in front of the High Court of Justice to object to the musicians entrance to the West Bank, they eventually relented and allowed them to enter, and the world didnt end, Grunberg said.

Life went on as usual; goes to show that there was no reason to refuse them to begin with other than stubbornness and hard-heartedness.
On March 5th, 1946, Winston Churchill gave a speech in Fulton, Missouri. It was to be remembered as his famous Iron Curtain speech  and in it Churchill sought to define a new global role for the UK and US in opposing Soviet Russia. Many see this speech as marking the start of the Cold War, but it was also a clear rallying call for the UK to remain engaged on the world stage, whilst looking to redefine Britains identity after the second world war at a time of declining colonial powers.





Fast forward 70 years and we are at a similar crossroads. We are not picking up the pieces of a world war, nor opposing the Soviet Union, but post-Brexit, the UK is facing an identity crisis and great global challenges of security, peace and economic development. At a time of extraordinary change, our nation must once again identify a place for itself in the world.

Prime Minister Theresa May has called for the UK to be a great global trading nation and few would disagree with that aspiration. What that means, though, is subject to intense debate. What should the nature of future trade deals be, for example? What are the implications for workers rights, environmental standards and equitable distribution of the benefits of this trade?

One of the key questions in defining the UKs position on the world stage is the role of international aid. This is an important issue and there are real decisions to be made. For example, how do we ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of our aid? And how do we tackle poverty that is increasingly concentrated in fragile states, in a vicious circle with conflict and displacement?

OPINION: We need to talk (honestly) about aid

In the current political atmosphere, as we hurtle at full speed towards making decisions that affect the future of our country, we can be too often presented with false choices. Instead of falling into the trap of making decisions based on either/or scenarios, lets identify the false choices so we are able to get on with making the real ones.

The first false choice is the choice between trade and aid. On one hand, there are those who argue that aid impedes development and that only the private sector can defeat poverty. On the other side, there are those who are instinctively wary of private sector involvement in aid and development.

The real choice is whether we have the courage to unite behind a vision of the UK as an active and compassionate player on the world stage. by

It is not necessary to choose between business and development. Business benefits from a stable international economic and political environment that aid helps deliver (pdf). Meanwhile, we do not have to reject the private sector in order to achieve the aims of global development  in fact, quite the opposite.

This false dichotomy between trade and aid is reflected in other false choices  between compassion and rationality, and between morality and reality. Leaders in business are not heartless, and aid proponents do not live in a dreamland. There are examples of bad practices on both sides, but there is no fundamental conflict. It is possible to be clear-eyed, moral, rational and compassionate all at the same time.

Which brings us to the final false choice  between prioritising the UKs interests and maintaining a well-funded, effective aid strategy. While there are calls to use the aid budget explicitly to advance UK commercial interests, this is not necessary  we will benefit anyway. Of course, not all aid is successful and, as Ive previously written, we in the aid sector need to do better at communicating the challenges and risks. But overall the effects of aid are unquestionably positive, both for economic development generally and UK interests in particular. Aid helps to deliver a more stable, peaceful and prosperous world for us all. It is possible to have a pro-UK, pro-business vision alongside a smart and effective aid strategy  and to do so both morally and rationally, with an eye for the UKs place in the world.

OPINION: Scapegoating foreign aid

Churchill said in 1946:  do not suppose that  half a century from now, you will not see 70 or 80 millions of Britons spread about the world and united in defence of our traditions, our way of life, and of the world causes which you and we espouse. Seventy years on and UK society is, like other countries, worryingly polarised. But far from adding to this polarisation, aid has the potential to unite us.

UK aid is recognised as among the best in the world. It helps define our global role and we should be proud of it. With all the major parties including the 0.7 percent commitment in their manifestos, Theresa May now has a singular opportunity. The prime minister can choose to work across the political spectrum, which shes recently stated is a priority, and place our aid programme at the centre of our global identity in a post-Brexit world. As we forge that identity we must reject the false choices. The real choice is whether we have the courage to unite behind a vision of the UK as an active and compassionate player on the world stage.

Simon OConnell is the executive director of Mercy Corps Europe and senior vice president for Global Partnerships. An experienced development professional with two decades working in numerous countries in Africa, Simon is passionate about promoting equitable opportunity.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Israel should not build its power by depriving the Palestinians of access to their fair share of natural resources.

The announcement in July of a water prices agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) has been hailed as a model of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation as well as a major achievement of the Trump administrations efforts to broker a comprehensive peace deal in the Middle East. Both the agreement and the process that yielded it, however, reveal a very different reality.

The water prices agreement is part of a larger Red Sea-Dead Sea conveyance project by Israel, Jordan and the PA to build a conduit to move Red Sea water over mountains and down into the Dead Sea basin, with three outputs: the generation of increased hydroelectric power, more desalinated water for the parties, and an increase in water for the Dead Sea.





For more than a decade, this conduit project has been the subject of tense and difficult negotiations among the three parties. From a Palestinian perspective, this negotiation process has been one of continuous fighting to be treated equally and fairly with the other two states, despite the fact that the Israeli army maintains overall control of occupied Palestine. Even when the parties were agreed in principle on a project, Israel used its power to force Palestinians to accept less than what is fair.

For example, the three parties agreed in December 2013 to a Memorandum of Understanding on Regional Water Sharing, involving a desalination plant to be built at Aqaba, Jordan, coupled with a water swap between Israel and Jordan, and a sale of water by Israel to the Palestinians. For three years, Israel insisted on a price for the water that the PA considered unreasonably high and unfair. After the recent intervention by the US envoy, the PA found the price acceptable even though it was higher than prices it pays for other water from Israel. The PAs acceptance is understandable only in the context of the intense pressure Palestinians face from ongoing water shortages and an inadequate infrastructure throughout its territories, a direct consequence of Israeli control.

Decision-making since Oslo

Israel has been able to use its occupying power to extract well over its fair share of water from the main aquifer that lies below the West Bank. Using mechanisms imposed by its army and established by the Oslo agreements, Israel severely limits Palestinian access to that aquifer, and to the surface water of the Jordan River.

While the diplomatic process remains largely frozen between Israel and the Palestinians, by moving forward together to solve our water problems we can chart a course forward that will safeguard the vital resource of water for the future of both peoples. by

The 1995 Oslo Interim Agreement established a joint water committee (JWC) to review and approve all water projects in the West Bank, with the stated objective to enhance cooperation. Unfortunately, the reality is that Israeli water experts have used this JWC process to delay or disapprove Palestinian water projects until Palestinians agree to approve water projects favouring Israels expanded (and illegal) settlement programme. The effect: a quid pro quo policy, with the Palestinian water system held hostage to Israels expanding settlement activity.

Unequal Water Use

In 2009, the World Bank issued a highly critical evaluation (pdf) of Israeli behaviour in the water sector in which it noted that Israel had seriously obstructed the Palestinians ability to operate an effective water system. Another independent study (pdf) conducted by Amnesty International in the same year came to a similar conclusion. Two years later the French National Assembly report (pdf) on its mission to the Palestinian territories concluded that Israel was exercising water apartheid.

Israel attacked these reports and the institutions that prepared them, but in a brief attempt to prove their conclusions wrong, rapidly approved a few Palestinian water projects. Within months, however, Israel returned to its delay/disapprove, quid pro quo approval strategy.

It is the data comparisons of Israeli and Palestinian water use that are ultimately the most damning. The World Health Organizations minimum standard for domestic water use is 100 litres a day. However, Israel has kept Palestinian water use in the West Bank and Gaza to well below that minimum, while providing significantly higher amounts for its own citizens and the Jewish settlers in the West Bank. On average, Israelis use 240-300 litres a day, while Palestinians living under Israeli military rule in the West Bank are limited to 20 (in some rural areas) to 79 (in urban areas), and in Gaza, the water supply is not fit for human consumption. The inequality is even more glaring when considering that Israeli settlers living next to Palestinians in the West Bank use an average of 400 litres/day. In many places, Palestinians struggle to get enough water just to survive, while illegal Israeli settlers living right next to them water lush green lawns and fill swimming pools.

READ MORE: Water deal tightens Israels control over Palestinians

While I served as PA Minister of Water and PWA head, we launched a reform process that restructured the Palestinian water sector at all levels: managerial, regulatory and service provision. We expressed deep concern about the failure to provide fair access to the water resources in the Jordan River or those in the West Bank aquifer and opposed Israels rigorous blockade of Gaza, including its bombing of water and wastewater facilities during its 2009 Gaza war.





In 2010, I asked for changes in the operation of the JWC to move its process from one of Israeli domination to joint cooperation. This initiative would allow the PWA to complete most of its projects with useful Israeli advice, but without the threat of Israeli veto, and thus provide better access to water for Palestinian communities. I also announced that we would no longer cooperate with the quid pro quo system used by Israel to support its programme expanding illegal settlements. Israel responded by punishing all West Bank Palestinians by withholding approval of all PWA water projects.

The continuing Israeli intransigence created serious water shortages and severe pressure on the PA to give in to Israeli demands, and by early 2017 the PA had returned to a JWC process only slightly modified in ways that allow some limited water projects  apart from drilling and rehabilitation of wells  to be implemented without prior JWC approval. Israels occupation authorities and import restrictions still control the extent and pace of Palestinian water development.

Steps towards Real Israeli-Palestinian Cooperation

Despite these challenges, we in Palestine would like to enjoy a cooperative relationship with Israel on water issues. Israel and the Palestinian Authority could make a good start towards that cooperation by focusing on three joint initiatives.

First, Israelis could work together with Palestinians to revise the operating rules of both the JWC and Military Civil Administration, with a goal of applying general international practice as occurs on shared aquifers and basins.

Secondly, Israel could join the PWA in giving a high priority to implementing a respected 2011 study of the water crisis facing Gaza residents, including recommendations for a sequential programme to develop an effective water supply, distribution and use system in Gaza. The water supply in Gaza is currently more than 97 percent polluted, endangering the health of all Gazans and threatening the failure of the Gaza portion of the Coastal Aquifer. Israel could begin by providing the energy needed to support the proper functioning of all Gazas water and wastewater facilities.

OPINION: Celebrating water cooperation: Red Sea to Dead Sea

Finally, Israel could join Palestine in accepting International Water Law standards for allocating water within the Jordan River Basin by signing the 1997 UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses. This action would signal Israels acceptance of a fair and equitable process for allocating and managing joint water resources.

Israel should not build and use its power by depriving the Palestinians it has occupied for the past 50 years of access to their fair share of their natural resources.

While the diplomatic process remains largely frozen between Israel and the Palestinians, by moving forward together to solve our water problems we can chart a course forward that will safeguard the vital resource of water for the future of both peoples.









Dr Shaddad Attili is an advisor ranking minister at the Palestine Liberation Organizations Negotiations Affairs Department and was Palestinian Authority Minister of Water and Head of the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) from 2008 to 2014.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
On September 16, 1982, following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the right-wing Christian Phalange militia stormed the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in West Beirut and began a massacre which ended in the deaths of hundreds, maybe thousands, of mostly Palestinian civilians. I was 19 years old at the time. By chance and by luck I managed to survive. My mother and five younger sisters and brothers; and my uncle, his wife and eight kids did not.

Israels invasion began June 6, 1982. After much destruction, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which had defended the camps since its inception, agreed to leave Lebanon in August. They were given American assurances that civilians left behind would be protected. The president-elect of Lebanon, and the leader of the Phalange, was assassinated on September 14th. The Israeli army proceeded to invade and occupy West Beirut.

Israeli troops surrounded the camps to prevent the refugees from leaving and allowed entry of the Phalange, a known enemy of the Palestinians. The Israelis fired flares throughout the night to light up the killing field  thus allowing the militiamen to see their way through the narrow alleys of the camps. The massacre went on for two days. As the bloodbath concluded, Israel supplied the bulldozers to dig mass graves. In 1983, Israels investigative Kahan Commission found that Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Defense Minister, bore personal responsibility for the slaughter.

READ MORE: Survivors recount Sabra-Shatila massacre

The massacre at Sabra and Shatila was a direct consequence of Israels violation of the American-brokered ceasefire and the impunity bestowed on Israel by the US and the international community. This tragic anniversary is a reminder that the international community continues to fail to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and to defend the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.

If the international community is obliged to remedy its moral responsibility to the victims of the Sabra and Shatila massacre, by working to end Israel's occupation and other abuses of Palestinian rights, then the lives of my family members and the others we remember on this 35th year will not have been lost in vain. by

Thirty-five years after the massacre, Israel continues to abuse Palestinian rights without consequence and to enable the violence of its proxies, whether it is the Phalange as in the past or today, illegal Israeli settlers living on occupied Palestinian land. Settler attacks on Palestinian property, lands, and persons have terrorised thousands and killed almost entire families, such as last years arson attack on a Palestinian home that killed a mother, father, and their 18-month baby. Palestinian complaints filed against settlers go unindicted by Israel. In fact, as documented by Israeli human rights organisation BTselem, the [Israeli] military serves the settlers by allowing the attackers to simply walk away. When they do take action, Israeli soldiers are more likely to support the settlers, often allowing them to continue attacking Palestinians rather than shielding innocent civilians.

And the Israeli military itself continues to commit war crimes with impunity, as evidenced by Israels repeated attacks on the tiny besieged Gaza Strip over the past decade, which have killed thousands of innocent Palestinians with disproportionate and indiscriminate force.

The dehumanisation of Palestinians by Israel also continues. It was this same dehumanisation that led Israel to allow vengeful militiamen to enter the Sabra and Shatila camps and that permits Israelis to occupy another people for fifty years and inflict humiliation and injury. That indifference to the fate of the Palestinians does not belong solely to Israel. Israels 69 years of dispossession and half-century of military rule is supported by unconditional American military aid and diplomatic backing. International bodies like the UN Security Council have repeatedly made note of Israels human rights violations, but done nothing more.

READ MORE: Memories preserved in the dark heart of Shatila

A fourth generation is now growing up in the squalid refugee camps in Lebanon. In Sabra and Shatila, most living spaces consist of two very small rooms: a bedroom, where the entire family sleeps, and a living room of sorts. There is no ventilation, and hardly any electricity. Most families use battery-powered lighting. Drinking tap water is prohibited, as it is full of bacteria and very salty  it actually corrodes pipes. There are poor sanitary conditions. Medications for all illnesses are in short supply. Narrow alleyways  some with sewage running through  wind through the camps. When it rains these small paths become muddy. Electrical wires hang from dwellings. Young men connect and reconnect wires; from time to time, someone is electrocuted. Foul odours emanate from those crowded conditions. Illness is rampant. The Palestinian refugees in Lebanon long to return from exile to the homeland they were expelled from but are not permitted to do so by Israel, simply because they are not Jewish.

If the international community is obliged to remedy its moral responsibility to the victims of the Sabra and Shatila massacre by working to end Israels occupation and other abuses of Palestinian rights, then the lives of my family members and the others we remember on this 35th year will not have been lost in vain.

Nabil Mohamad is vice president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. He is currently living in Washington, DC with his wife, son and daughter.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Defendants convicted of committing crimes against humanity during Argentinas Dirty war era in the 1970s.

Six Argentinians have been sentenced to life after being convicted of committing crimes against humanity during the countrys right-wing military rule from 1976-1983.

Argentina suffered one of the most brutal dictatorships in Latin America during that era, known as the Dirty war.

According to human rights organisations, 30,000 people were kidnapped or disappeared in that era.

Judges at a federal court in northern Argentinas Tucuman jailed 10 of 17 people accused of involvement in the so-called Operation Independence. Three others who were supposed to go on trial died.

During the military rule, about 500 children were illegally taken from their families, according to the human rights group Grandmothers de Plaza de Mayo, which continues to search for the missing children.

Among the victims family members in court during the sentencing were women who were pregnant when the military rule began and whose children are still unaccounted for.

Meanwhile, hundreds of activists and family members demonstrated outside the court, chanting calls for prison sentences for every genocidal person walking the streets of Argentina.

Last year, former General Luciano Benjamin Menendez was sentenced to life in prison for his role at the secret detention centres in the late 1970s.

He was charged with more than 600 cases of torture, more than 300 murders and forced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and other crimes against humanity committed at two detention centres, known as La Perla and La Ribera, between 1976 and 1978.
Belgian police deports the woman as she could not be identified after refusing to show her face.

A Danish woman, who allegedly refused to take off her niqab, the religious outfit covering face and full body, has been deported from the Brussels airport after police were unable to identify her, a Belgian official said.

Theo Francken, the Belgian State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, confirmed the incident on Saturday on his official Twitter account.

A Danish citizen coming from Tunis refused to take off her niqab at our border. Police could not identify her. She was sent back to Tunis, Francken tweeted.

He did not identify the woman by her name.

Thursday I informed my Danish colleague Inger Stojberg, Danish minister for immigration, integration and housing] about the niqaab-incident with a Danish citizen on our Schengenborder, he added.

In November 2015, police in Brussels briefly held a Saudi woman wearing a niqab.

Niqab banned since 2011

A law banning women from wearing the full-face veil, niqab, and burqa, which also covers the eyes, came into force in Belgium on July 23, 2011.

Women wearing full-face veils in public are subject to fines and can face up to seven days in jail in the country.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the top human rights court in Europe, upheld Belgiums ban in July, rejecting a complaint by two Muslim women who wear the niqab.

The court based in Strasbourg said that the law was not discriminatory and did not violate the right to respect for private and family life, nor freedom of religion.
More than 700 mayors in Catalonia confirm support for planned independence referendum that Madrid has declared illegal.

More than 700 mayors from across Spains autonomous Catalonia region have gathered in Barcelona to confirm their support for an October 1 independence referendum that the central government has declared illegal.

The defiant move came on Saturday as Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called for a return to rationality and legality and promised to block the vote.

The only thing I ask of [Catalan] mayors is that they comply with the law, and as such dont participate in an illegal referendum, he said.





The mayors on Saturday met Catalonias regional head Carles Puigdemont in a show of defiance, following Spanish prosecutors warning earlier this week that officials engaging in any preparations for the vote could be charged with civil disobedience, abuse of office and misuse of public funds.

On Wednesday, Spanish prosecutors summoned for questioning more than 700 mayors who had said they would allow municipal spaces to be used for voting.

If the mayors do not respond to the order, police should arrest them, the order said.

We will vote

Meeting in downtown Barcelona in front of hundreds of flag-waving pro-independence protesters, the mayors gave speeches in which they promised continued support for the referendum amid chants of we will vote and independence.

Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, who has reached an agreement with the Catalan regional government to allow voting in the city, criticised Madrids response to the crisis in a short speech in the city hall.

Its a disgrace that we have a government that is incapable of dialogue and instead dedicates itself to pursuing and intimidating mayors and the media, Colau said.

READ MORE: The case against Catalan secession

So far, 740 of 948 municipal leaders have said they would allow municipal spaces to be used for the referendum, according to the Association for Municipalities of Independence (AMI).

Spanish police have raided several print shops and newspaper offices in recent days in a hunt for voting papers, ballot boxes and leaflets to be used for the referendum.

Catalonias top court on Friday issued a warning to seven newspapers not to publish campaign notices for the referendum, a court spokesperson said.

Polls show a minority of Catalans want independence, although a majority want the chance to vote on the issue.
You Can Buy Mics Used By Nirvana To Record 'In Utero,' Thanks To Steve Albini

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2017 8:30PM



Nirvana press photo from the 'Nevermind' era.

Lovably gruff indie-rock engineer (not producer) Steve Albini is decidedly not one for rock 'n' roll mythologizing, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he's willing to part with a few relics that have direct ties to the largest-looming rock band of the last 30 years.

The Chicago elder statesman is auctioning off three microphones that he used during the recording of Nirvana's landmark In Utero LP (1993), at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. He follows the similar path of Billy Corgan and Wilco, who auctioned off gear earlier this year, too.

"They stopped being microphones and now theyre artifacts," Albini said, via Reverb, who is hosting the auction. "I feel like I should get them into the hands of somebody who would take care of them and not put them at risk in the hectic environment of a recording studio." Also, Electrical Audio, Albini's famed Chicago studio, is more or less a microphone valhalla, so he can spare a few.

There will be two auctions, one for a stereo pair of Lomo 19A9 tube condensers, which were used to mic drummer Dave Grohl's kit, and one for an Electro-Voice PL20, which was used for Kurt Cobain's vocals. (One of the 19A9s was also used for some of Cobain's vox.)

Both auctions start on Sept. 21, which is the 24 anniversary of In Utero's original release, just in case you weren't already feeling super old. They end on Sept. 30. Starting prices "will reflect current market prices for these models," according to Relix.
Overwhelmed troops shot at refugees who were protesting against plans to be sent home, official says.

Security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have killed at least 36 Burundian refugees during clashes over plans to send some of them home.

Maman Sidikou, the head of MONUSCO, the UNs peacekeeping mission in the country, said in a statement on Saturday that at least 36 refugees had been reported killed and more than 100 injured.

He called for a swift investigation and urged Congos security forces to use force as a last resort only.

Josue Boji, a Democratic Republic of Congo interior ministry official, said troops had tried to disperse the refugees by firing in the air, but were overwhelmed when the group responded by throwing stones during Fridays confrontation.

Police and soldiers opened fire as the refugees protested over the resettlement plan and tried to free some of their arrested compatriots in the town of Kamanyola in eastern Congo, sources told the Reuters news agency.

READ MORE: UN accuses Burundi of crimes against humanity

Activist Wendo Joel said the refugees had seized a weapon and killed a soldier, though that account was not confirmed by other sources.

A Burundian refugee told AFP news agency: I saw people falling down, men, women and children who were completely unarmed.

Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the death toll.

A local army spokesman, Dieudonne Kasereka, told Reuters there had been clashes between soldiers and refugees armed with knives and machetes, but that he did not know if there were any deaths.

Shocked and saddened

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) also called for an investigation of this tragic incident, saying in a statement that it was in shock and saddened.

UNHCR spokesman Andreas Kirchhof told Al Jazeera that the circumstances are not clear. He added that teams have been sent to the area, including medical staff to treat those injured.

Burundian Foreign Minister, Alain-Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter described the incident as a shooting and said explanations are needed.

Jason Stearns, of the Congo Research Group, told Al Jazeera that while it is still very difficult to know what happened, the context is important.

OPINION: Only mediation can stop the violence in Burundi

The Congo has not only harboured many refugees, but many people that the Burundian government has deemed to be its opponents, Stearns said.

The Burundian government, along with the Congolese government have, at least in the past, targeted those opposition members.

More than 400,000 refugees have fled Congos neighbour Burundi since violence erupted there in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term in office, a move his opponents said was unconstitutional.

Earlier this month, the UN released a report accusing Burundis government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a case as soon as possible.

Burundis government firmly rejected the allegations, accusing the UN investigators of being mercenaries in a Western plot to enslave African states.








An Egyptian court has sentenced seven people to death over links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group in Libya.





Saturdays ruling refers the case to the Grand Mufti, the countrys top theological authority, to solicit his non-binding opinion on the sentences. The referral is a formality in cases of capital punishment.

The court has set a November 25 date for issuing the final verdict in the case, which involves 20 defendants.

The verdict is subject to appeal.

Charges include belonging to a militant group affiliated with ISILs branch in Libya, weapons possession, inciting violence and participating in the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian workers in Libya in 2015.

Egypt is fighting ISIL-linked fighters in northern Sinai.

Last week, ISIL fighters ambushed a police convoy in Egypts Sinai Peninsula, killing 18 officers and wounding seven others in one of the deadliest attacks this year in the restive region.

It was the deadliest against security forces since July when ISIL attacked a remote army outpost in the border town of Rafah, killing 23 soldiers. That was the deadliest attack in two years.

El-Arish, the capital of North Sinai province, has been a site of regular conflict between government forces and ISIL fighters in recent months.

Egypt has battled fighters in Sinai for years, but the rebellion became far more deadly after the 2013 military removal of Mohamed Morsi.

The Sinai Peninsula borders Israel and the Gaza Strip.








Top appeals court makes the final ruling, accusing the overthrown president for leaking secret state documents to Qatar.

An Egyptian court has upheld a life sentence for overthrown Islamist President Mohamed Morsi on charges of harming national security by leaking secret state documents to Qatar while he was in office.

Morsi, democratically elected after Egypts 2011 revolution, was removed from his position in mid-2013 by a coup led by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief of the time.

Morsi was immediately arrested after the coup and Sisi has been the president of the country since 2013.





The court also confirmed death sentences against three defendants in the same case.

There have been no explanations yet for the rulings and they cannot be appealed.

In 2014, Egypt charged Morsi and nine others with endangering national security by leaking state secrets and sensitive documents to Qatar.

Sisis crackdown

Morsi is already serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted for the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012.

Since toppling Morsi, Sisi has clamped down on dissent. Mass trials have been held for thousands of supporters of Muslim Brotherhood, which Morsi was a member of, and hundreds have received death sentences or lengthy prison terms.

Cairos relations with Doha were already troubled by Qatars backing of Morsi during the time of the crisis.

Egypt is one of four Arab nations in a Saudi-led bloc that cut relations with the Gulf state on June 5, accusing it of backing extremist groups and cooperating with their regional rival Iran, allegations Doha has repeatedly denied.
About 1,200 Caloocan city officers will be relieved in batches after some were suspected in the murders of three teens.

An entire city police force in the Philippines has been fired in metropolitan Manila after some of its members were suspected in the gruesome killings of three teenagers and others were seen on surveillance cameras robbing a house.





The 1,200-strong Caloocan city police force will be relieved in batches and replaced, said metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde.

The officers will undergo 45 days of retraining, after which those facing no charges can be reassigned to other stations.

The Department of Justice has started an investigation based on a murder and torture complaint against four Caloocan policemen allegedly linked to the killing of 17-year-old student Kian Delos Santos during an anti-drug raid last month.

The parents of two other teenagers  19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz and 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman  have also filed murder, torture and planting of evidence complaints against two Caloocan policemen.

Last week, security camera video purportedly showed 13 policemen robbing a house during an alleged drug raid.

President Rodrigo Dutertes crackdown on drugs, which has left thousands of suspects dead, has come under renewed scrutiny since police shot Delos Santos.

READ MORE: Thousands attend funeral for slain Philippine teenager

The death of the 17-year-old triggered rare public outrage over Dutertes so-called war on drugs.

Police described Delos Santos as a drug dealer who fired at officers during a raid, but his family and witnesses said the student was shot as he pleaded for his life.

Witnesses pointed to evidence, including a village security video, which they said showed two police officers dragging Delos Santos away shortly before shots rang out and he was found fatally shot in the head, holding a pistol with his left hand although his parent said he was right-handed.

Police officers testified at a Senate hearing that Delos Santos was not the man seen being dragged in the video, although several witnesses doubted the police statement.





Delos Santoss death was followed by another outcry over the killing of former University of the Philippines student Carl Angelo Arnaiz.

Police said he was killed when he shot it out with police after robbing a taxi driver last month. A government forensic expert, however, said Arnaiz apparently was handcuffed, tortured and shot five times.

Arnaizs parents say he went out with de Guzman to buy a snack on the night of August 17 but never returned home. They found Arnaiz in a morgue 10 days later.

And Reynaldo de Guzmans body was found floating in a creek in a city north of Manila last week. The boys head was wrapped with packing tape and his body bore about 28 stab wounds.

More than 50 children killed

Human Rights Watch, citing figures from the Childrens Legal Rights and Development Center, estimated earlier this month that at least 54 children had been killed by police and unidentified gunmen in Dutertes war on drugs since July 2016.

The rights group said that most of those children had been shot while in the company of adults who were the apparent target of the shooting.

It added that officials, including Duterte, have dismissed those killings as collateral damage.

The teens killing puts focus on Dutertes repeated promises to police administering the crackdown that he would insulate them from any legal consequences. Critics say his rhetoric is tantamount to giving police a licence to kill.

READ MORE: Thousands tell Duterte  Stop killings in war on drugs

Activists have said that more than 13,000 people have been killed in Dutertes war on drugs.

Government figures said that 3,451 drug personalities had been killed in gun battles with police from June 30, 2016 to July 26, 2017.

Another 2,000 more died in drug-related homicides, including attacks by motorcycle-riding masked gunmen and other assaults, while 8,200 homicide cases are under investigation, the data said.

Last month, Duterte took a softer tone on his drug crackdown, telling the police to arrest suspects and kill only if their lives were in danger. He said he would not protect those who killed unarmed people.

He added, though, that his crackdown on drugs will not stop.
Exhausted, bereft and in urgent need of medical treatment, thousands of Rohingya are slowly getting the help they need.

Daylpara, Coxs Bazar  Dr Mohammad Hossain has already seen more than 50 injured Rohingya in the last two hours. Another 40 are waiting their turn at a nearby mosque in Daylpara village on the banks of the river Naf that separates Bangladesh from Myanmar.

Having navigated several kilometres of muddy tracks, hillocks, and swamp-like areas bare-foot, thousands of Rohingya are finally getting the medical attention they urgently need.

Dr Hossain, who leads a team of 32 people, is one of the few medics that has come forward to help the exhausted and persecuted community who have fled to Bangladesh over the past three weeks.

I took leave from my hospital and came here to help Rohingya, who desperately need medical aid, said Hossain, who works at the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation for Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders in Dhaka.

Someran, 25, fled her village of Rajirbeel with her 12-day-old daughter Sabeha. I have rashes on my body, she told Al Jazeera.

We arrived early this morning and I received medicines and medical attention. I am hopeful my rashes will go away soon, but I was worried for my baby.

READ MORE: Who are the Rohingya?

More than 409,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh since August 25 with many of them passing through Daylpara, a remote village some 90km from Coxs Bazar  one of the first ports of entry for the Muslim minority fleeing a military crackdown.

Chris Lom, spokesperson of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), told Al Jazeera it is really a very very bad situation.

These are the people in a most desperate situation because not only they do not have enough food, but also clean water or latrines.

So you have a very, very high-risk situation, particularly for children. If they drink dirty water, they will get diarrhoea and if they are malnourished they will die.

Since 1948, when the British left Myanmar, the Rohingya have faced entrenched discrimination by the countrys military governments and were stripped of their citizenship in 1982.

Since 2012, Myanmar has witnessed a disturbing rise in religious intolerance, with the Rohingya and other Muslims frequently attacked.

The horrors theyre escaping are manifest in the wide and expansive sky from the Bangladeshi side of the border, with thick plumes of smoke billowing from villages set ablaze by the Myanmar army and allied mobs.

People are fleeing their homes with very few belongings and we hope that we can relieve some of their suffering by providing much-needed healthcare, water and food, Ikhtiyar Aslanov, the ICRCs head of delegation in Bangladesh, said in a statement.

However, addressing the needs of all people will not be possible without additional donor support.

OPINION: Aung San Suu Kyi does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize

The influx of Rohingya has overwhelmed local administrations and aid agencies, the two camps run by the UNHCR at Kutupalong and Nayapara are sheltering more than the double their capacity of 34,000.

We see more than 200 patients daily, mostly children and women. We need more medicines to cope with the rising number of patients, Dr Mohsin Uddin Ahmed from the Bangladesh Red Crescent (BRC) told Al Jazeera.

diarrhoea, respiratory, skin infections and anxiety disorder are the common diseases we come across.

Ahmed also rued the lack of counselling for patients suffering from anxiety disorders.

Between five and 10 percent suffer from depression and anxiety disorder, mostly women and children, he said, adding that the camps were being upgraded to include counselling facilities.

Saiful Islam Joy, an executive magistrate at Coxs Bazar district administration, called on Bangladesh to provide saline and water to the refugees.

The current measures are workable but more efforts are needed to prevent the situation from worsening, he said.

A district government official told Al Jazeera that some 80,000 Rohingya children in Ukhiya camp will be vaccinated from Saturday and an additional 30,000 children would be vaccinated at Teknaf region.

Aid agencies have also emphasised on the need for safe water, vaccination, access to primary healthcare and sanitation.

We are providing medical services, pure drinking water on a regular basis with the help of our partners ICRC and Qatar Red Crescent, said Mozharul Haq, the head of the Bangladesh Red Crescent.

The influx is unprecedented, and we are doing our best to help people.

Additional reporting by Showkat Shafi

Follow Saif Khalid on Twitter: @MSaifKhalid








Iraqi military says Akashat, a desert region located south of the Euphrates river, was captured from armed group.

Iraqi armed forces have dislodged Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) from a natural gas-rich border area with Syria, according to the military.

An Iraqi military statement said on Saturday Akashat, a desert region located south of the Euphrates river, was captured in an offensive which had been announced earlier in the day.

READ MORE: Assad forces advance against ISIL in central Syria

The attack on Akashat is meant to pave the way for the recapture of urban centres in the Euphrates valley, including the border post of al-Qaim, it said.

Iranian-backed Shia paramilitary forces known as Popular Mobilisation and Sunni tribal fighters known as Tribal Mobilisation took part in the offensive, it added.

The Iraqi air force dropped thousands of leaflets overnight on Akashat as well as on al-Qaim and the towns of Ana and Rawa, alongside the Euphrates, telling ISIL fighters to surrender or face death, the statement said.

Pro-Assad forces launch offensive

Meanwhile in Syria, an alliance of Shia fighters fighting with the Syrian army said it launched an assault to reach al-Bukamal, the Syrian border town on the Euphrates, facing al-Qaim.

Securing al-Bukamal is important for Irans allies as the two other main crossings into Syria, to the north and to the south, are under the control of forces allied with the US.

Securing a land corridor across Iraq could make it easier for Iran to ferry heavy weapons to Syria should Baghdad approve such transfers. The Shia-led Iraqi government in Baghdad has good relations with both Tehran and Washington.

READ MORE: Syria diplomatic talks  A timeline

The Russian and US-backed campaigns against ISIL in Syria have mostly stayed out of each others way as the sides seek to avoid conflict, with the Euphrates often acting as a dividing line between them.

The cross-border caliphate declared by ISIL in 2014 in effect collapsed in July, when a US-backed Iraqi offensive captured Mosul, the ISILs self-styled capital in Iraq.

The towns in the border region with Syria and Hawija, a northern province close to the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, are the only urban centres still under ISIL control in Iraq.

The group overran about a third of Iraq in 2014 in a sweeping offensive that allowed the fighters to grab hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weaponry and vehicles left by the fleeing Iraqi forces.
Offensive in Akashat, which is supported by US-led air alliance, aims to tighten Iraqs hold on its border with Syria.

Iraqi armed forces have started an offensive to dislodge ISIL fighters from an area on the border with Syria, south of the Euphrates river.

The offensive, which began on Saturday, is supported by a US-led air alliance. It is also aimed at tightening Iraqs hold on its border with Syria, a spokesman for Iraqs Joint Operations Command, Brigadier Yehia Rasool, said in a statement.

Iraqi forces are progressing towards the specified aim of cutting routes leading to Akashat and controlling the international borders with Syria in order to prevent terrorists infiltration, he said.

The offensive in the Akashat region, which has natural gas reserves, is meant to pave the way for the seizure of ISIL-held towns in the Euphrates river valley, including the border post of al-Qaim, military statements said.

READ MORE: Civilians in Raqqa under fire from all sides  Amnesty

Saturdays offensive follows a series of military setbacks suffered by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS, in Iraq.

In July, Iraqi forces retook control of Mosul, ISILs key stronghold in the north, after a campaign of nearly nine months.

In August, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over the group in Tel Afar, west of Mosul.

ISIL still controls Hawija in Iraqs oil-rich province of Kirkuk and western areas in the countrys largest province of Anbar.
KCNA says leader wants equilibrium with US as Washington reiterates it has military options to deal with Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to complete his nuclear weapons programme in the face of strengthening sanctions after he inspected a powerful new intermediate-range missile that was fired over Japan, according to state news agency KCNA.

North Koreas state media carried Kims comments on Saturday, a day after US and South Korean militaries detected the missile launch from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.





KCNA said North Koreas goal is reaching an equilibrium of military force with the United States and to make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK.

DPRK stands for North Koreas formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Pyongyang had fired its second missile over Japan in less than a month on Friday, prompting the United States to say it has military options to deal with North Korea.

According to Japanese officials, a projectile was launched at 6:57am local time on Friday (21:57 GMT Thursday) and flew over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido before falling into the Pacific Ocean  2,000km east of Cape Erimo.

South Koreas defence ministry said the missile travelled about 3,700km and reached a maximum altitude of 770km  both higher and further than previous tests.

The test came just days after the UN Security Council voted unanimously to impose tough new sanctions on Pyongyang in response to North Koreas sixth and largest nuclear earlier this month.

Get all the latest updates on the North Korea tensions

KCNA confirmed the missile was a Hwasong-12 missile and said that it hit its target accurately. A Hwasong-12 missile was also launched over Japan last month.

The US Pacific Command said Fridays missile did not pose a threat to North America or to the US Pacific territory of Guam, which Pyongyang has threatened to bracket with enveloping fire.





Military option

Fridays test brought about worldwide condemnation, with the UN Security Council calling it a highly provocative launch of a missile.

The council strongly condemned these launches, condemned further DPRK for its outrageous actions, and demanded that the DPRK immediately cease all such actions, according to a statement issued later on Friday.

The statement did not threaten any further sanctions.

The US reiterated on Friday that it had military options to deal with North Korea.

White House National Security Adviser HR McMaster said the United States was fast running out of patience for diplomatic solutions on North Koreas missile and nuclear programmes.

READ MORE: North Koreas ballistic-missile test angers neighbours

Weve been kicking the can down the road, and were out of road, McMaster told reporters, referring to Pyongyangs repeated missile tests in defiance of international pressure.

For those  who have been commenting on a lack of a military option, there is a military option, he said, adding that it would not be the Trump administrations preferred choice.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, echoed McMasters strong rhetoric, even as Washington continued to emphasise that its preferred resolution to the crisis is through diplomacy and sanctions.

What we are seeing is, they are continuing to be provocative, they are continuing to be reckless and at that point theres not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here, when youve cut 90 percent of the trade and 30 percent of the oil, Haley said.

OPINION: Peace with North Korea is still possible

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under leader Kim Jong-un as it accelerates a weapons programme designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.

US President Donald Trump said that he is more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming.

He said that North Korea has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community.

The Chinese ambassador to Washington said that the US should refrain from issuing threats over North Korea and should instead do more to resume dialogue and negotiation.

He added that China is prepared to implement the UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea, no more, no less.

Direct talks

Russias UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said the United States needed to begin talks with North Korea, something that Washington has so far ruled out.

We called on our US partners and others to implement political and diplomatic solutions that are provided for in the resolution, Nebenzia told reporters after the Security Council meeting on Friday.

Without implementing this, we also will consider it as a non-compliance with the resolution.

READ MORE: Three things to know about North Koreas missile tests

Asked about the prospect of direct talks, a White House spokesman said: As the president and his national security team have repeatedly said, now is not the time to talk to North Korea.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in also said dialogue with the North was impossible at this point.

He ordered officials to analyse and prepare for possible new North Korean threats, including electromagnetic pulse and biochemical attacks.
Officials believe there was teasing between the pupils and the suspects days before the fire that killed at least 23.

Seven boys have been arrested in connection to a fire at a religious boarding school in Malaysia that killed 23 people, including 21 pupils, authorities said.





Kuala Lumpur police chief Amar Singh said on Saturday that the boys, aged 11 to 18, were rounded up after they were identified in CCTV footage from a neighbouring building that showed them near the school the night of the fire.

The pre-dawn blaze on Thursday at the three-story Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz school blocked the lone exit to the dormitory on the top floor, trapping students behind barred windows. Two adults and 21 students, aged between six and 17, were killed.

From our investigation, the motive behind the mischief was due to a misunderstanding after the suspects and some tahfiz students mocked each other a few days before the fire, Singh said during a televised news conference.

Singh said six of the seven suspects tested positive for drugs. Two of them had been detained before, one on charges of vehicle theft, another for rioting, he added.

He said it is believed that two cooking gas tanks were brought up to the top floor and used to start the fire, which spread rapidly and took firefighters an hour to extinguish.

READ MORE: Fire kills at least 20 at religious school in Malaysia

Singh said the seven are all school dropouts and will be under police remand for a week. He said the case has been classified as murder and mischief by fire.

Singh added that the school is also being investigated for flouting building safety rules.

Officials have said the school was operating without a fire safety permit and licence, and that a dividing wall was illegally built on the top floor that blocked the victims from a second exit.

Scenes of horror

Firefighters and witnesses have described scenes of horror  first, of boys screaming for help behind barred windows as neighbours watched helplessly, and later, of burned bodies huddled in corners of the room.

Officials initially said they suspected the fire was caused by an electrical short-circuit but later said this was not the case.

The charred bodies were released on Friday to family members after being identified through DNA testing and buried the same day.

Hundreds of relatives and well-wishers mourned as bodies of 11 boys, wrapped in white shrouds, were lowered into the graves in a cemetery outside Kuala Lumpur.

In another cemetery near Kuala Lumpur, two siblings and their cousin were laid to rest in the same grave while others were taken to their hometowns. The burials were sponsored and arranged by state Islamic authorities.

The fire has renewed calls for better regulation of religious schools, mostly privately run and not supervised by the education ministry because they come under the purview of state religious authorities.

Local media reported there are more than 500 registered tahfiz schools in Malaysia but many more are believed to be unregistered.

Data from the fire department showed that 1,083 fires struck religious schools in the past two years, of which 211 were burned to the ground.

The worst disaster occurred in 1989 when 27 female students at a religious school in Kedah state died when fire gutted the school and eight wooden hostels.
Protests erupt in St Louis after a white former police officer is found not guilty in the fatal shooting of a black man.

Hundreds of protesters have poured into the streets of the US city of St Louis over the acquittal of a white former police officer who shot and killed a black man in 2011.

A Missouri judge ruled on Friday that Jason Stockley, a white former police officer, was not guilty of murder in the shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith, a black man.

Stockley had been arrested in 2016 and was accused of planting a gun in Smiths car, but testified he acted in self-defence.

After the verdict, about 600 protesters marched in downtown St Louis chanting No justice, no peace, no racist police.

Witnesses and video showed police using pepper spray on some protesters, while police accused some demonstrators of throwing rocks and water bottles and destroying police and public property.

At 13 least people were arrested.

Ahead of the acquittal, activists had threatened civil disobedience if Stockley were not convicted, including possible efforts to shut down highways.

OPINION: Obama and Black Lives Matter: An epilogue

Barricades went up last month around police headquarters, the court building where the trial was held and other potential protest sites. Protesters were on the march within hours of the decision.

The judge who decided the matter declared that he would not be swayed by partisan interests, public clamour or fear of criticism.

Protests in St. Louis are heating up. Police have been using pepper spray and have stated they no longer consider it a peaceful protest. pic.twitter.com/5TUftFXggA  AJ+ (@ajplus) September 15, 2017

Self-defence?

Stockley, who was charged with first-degree murder, insisted he saw Smith holding a gun and felt he was in imminent danger during the incident in December 2011.

Smith had tried to flee Stockley following an alleged drug deal, authorities said.

At Stockleys direction, the driver of the police car slammed into Smiths vehicle and they came to a stop, court documents said. Stockley then approached Smiths car.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Robert Steele emphasised during the trial that police dashcam video of the chase captured Stockley saying he was going to kill this motherf**ker, dont you know it.

Less than a minute later, the officer shot Smith five times.

Stockleys lawyer dismissed the comment as human emotions uttered during a dangerous police pursuit.

The judge wrote that the statement can be ambiguous depending on the context.

Prosecutors said the officer planted a gun in Smiths car after the shooting.

The gun found did not have Smiths DNA on it, but it did have Stockleys.

The officer asked the case to be decided by a judge instead of a jury.

This court, in conscience, cannot say that the State has proven every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt or that the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defence, St Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson wrote in the decision.

READ MORE: Trump lifts ban on arming US police with military gear

In a written statement, St Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner acknowledged the difficulty of winning police shooting cases but said prosecutors believe they offered sufficient evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley intended to kill Smith.

The former police officer could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole if found guilty. He left the St Louis police force in 2013 and moved to Houston.

Can kill with impunity

The case played out not far from the suburb of Ferguson, which was the scene of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, the unarmed black 18-year-old who was killed by a white police officer in 2014. That officer was never charged and eventually resigned.

Its a sad day in St Louis, and its a sad day to be an American, Reverend Clinton Stancil, a protest leader, said, adding that the acquittal was shocking based on the evidence, but not surprising.

Stancil told Reuters news agency that the US hasnt made any progress since Ferguson, thats clear.

He added that cops can still kill us with impunity.

Al Watkins, a lawyer for the mother of Smiths daughter, Christina Wilson, said his client was appalled by the decision.

He said the ruling showed prejudice, pointing to a line where the judge wrote that an urban heroin dealer without a weapon would be an anomaly.

Smiths mother, Anne, was quoted in local media, saying my soul is burning, my heart is broken. I aint getting no justice. I could never have peace.

She added that she couldnt speak for anyone else, but she knew that the system didnt work on behalf of Anthony Lamar Smith.

Tired of this

In many US cities, there are renewed questions about whether the legal system is willing to punish officers involved in deadly shootings.





Grand juries have declined to charge officers involved in the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown, 18, which set off nights of violent protests in Ferguson, and the choking death of Eric Garner, 43, in New York.

Baltimore police officers also were not convicted in the case of Freddie Gray, who died from spinal injuries he suffered after being taken into police custody in 2015.

Browns father, Michael Brown Sr, voiced his frustration after Fridays verdict.

You all know this aint right and you all continue to do this to us, he told a local media.

We dont mean nothing, like were rats, trash, dogs in the streets. Right now, Im praying for my city because my people are tired of this.

According to The Guardian newspapers The Counted database, at least 1,093 people were killed by police in the United States last year.

Nearly a quarter of those killed were African Americans although the group accounts for roughly 12 percent of the total US population.

READ MORE: Race in the US  Writing through the tears

Civil rights campaigners and activists say the disproportionate number of black Americans killed by police is part of a broader pattern of racial discrimination in the countrys justice system.

According to a watchdog group The Sentencing Project, African American men are six times more likely to be jailed than white men.

People of colour make up around 67 percent of the 2.2 million people in US prisons and jails.

These disparities, particularly the killing of African Americans by police, has prompted the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, a popular civil rights movement aimed at ending police violence and dismantling structural racism.
You are here: Home

The bad loan ratio of Chinese commercial banks remained at a healthy level in August due to strengthened efforts from financial regulators to rein in risks, data from the banking regulator showed.

The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio stood at 1.86 percent at the end of August, China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) said in a statement Friday.

The NPL ratio of Chinese lenders declined for the first time since 2012 to the current level in the last quarter of 2016, an encouraging sign for the economy plagued by piling debt.

Banks are running safely and soundly with risk resistance improved and their capacity to serve the real economy strengthened, the CBRC said.

Banks' total assets reached 239 trillion yuan (about 37 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of August, and the provision coverage was at 175.1 percent, the data showed.

Their capital adequacy ratio stood at 13.2 percent at the end of August, according to the statement.
Nadeem James was arrested in 2016 after he allegedly sent a poem ridiculing Prophet Mohammad to his friend on WhatsApp.

A Christian man has been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges by a court in eastern Pakistan after a close friend accused him of sharing anti-Islamic material, the defendants lawyer said.

Blasphemy is a criminal offence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, and insults against the Prophet Mohammad are punishable by death. Most cases are filed against members of minority communities.

Nadeem James, 35, was arrested in July 2016, accused by a friend of sharing material ridiculing the Prophet Mohammad on the WhatsApp messaging service.

Lawyer Riaz Anjum said his client intended to appeal against the verdict, passed on Thursday by a sessions court in the town of Gujrat.

READ MORE: In Pakistan, a shrine to murder for blasphemy

There was widespread outrage across Pakistan last April when student Mashal Khan was beaten to death at his university in Mardan following a dormitory debate about religion.

Police arrested more than 20 students and some faculty members in connection with the killing.

Since then, parliament has considered adding safeguards to the blasphemy laws, a groundbreaking move given the emotive nature of the issue.

While not a single convict has ever been executed for blasphemy in Pakistan, there are currently about 40 people are on death row or serving life sentences for the crime, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Right-wing vigilantes and mobs have taken the law into their own hands, killing at least 69 people over alleged blasphemy since 1990, according to an Al Jazeera tally.

In March, Pakistans ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the immediate removal and blocking of all online content deemed to be blasphemous to Islam from social media  and for those responsible to be prosecuted.

WATCH: Tahir ul Qadri  No rule of law in Pakistan (8:58)

In June, 30-year-old Taimoor Raza was sentenced to death for allegedly committed blasphemy on Facebook, a prosecutor said, in the first such case involving social media.

In May, a 10-year-old boy was killed and five others were wounded when a mob attacked a police station in an attempt to lynch a Hindu man charged with blasphemy for allegedly posting an incendiary image on social media.

And in 2011, a bodyguard assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer after he called for the blasphemy laws to be reformed.
Russia denies targeting alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters in Deir Az Zor as both sides battle ISIL in the province.

Russian air attacks have targeted US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and coalition advisers east of the Euphrates River in Syrias Deir Az Zor province, according to the Pentagon.

Saturdays incident wounded several SDF fighters, but the coalition advisers were unharmed, it said in a statement.

Russian munitions impacted a location known to the Russians to contain Syrian Democratic Forces and coalition advisers, the Pentagon said.





Russias military spokesman earlier denied targeting SDF, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters.

This is not possible. Why would we bomb them? Igor Konashenkov, Russias military spokesman, told AFP news agency at the Hmeimim base, Moscows main outpost for its air operations in Syria.

The attack was first reported by the SDF in a statement, which accused the Syrian government  backed by Russian air force  of trying to obstruct its fighters as both of the forces battle the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group in oil-rich Deir Az Zor province  ISILs last major foothold in Syria.

Such attacks waste energies that should be used against terrorism  and open the door to side conflicts, it said.

On Friday, Bouthaina Shaaban, top adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, told Al-Manar television that it was up to Russia and the US to see that the SDF and Syrias army do not clash.

Whether its the SDF, Daesh, or any illegitimate foreign forces  we will work against them until all our land is liberated, she told the channel, which is run by allied Lebanese movement Hezbollah, referring to ISIL using its Arabic acronym Daesh.

Its the role of Russia and America to see that this confrontation doesnt take place, she said.

Multi-front war

Syrias crisis erupted with protests demanding the removal of Assad in 2011, but it has since morphed into a complex, multi-front war that has killed 330,000 people and displaced millions.

ISIL, also known as ISIS, which in 2014 overran swaths of territory across Syria, is seeing its zones of control dwindle even as it claims responsibility for bloody attacks abroad.

It once held most of Deir Az Zor province and its capital, encircling around 100,000 civilians that still lived in government-controlled neighbourhoods there.

READ MORE: Syrias civil war explained from the beginning

But Russian-backed troops breached the ISIL sieges on the city earlier this month and are now working to shut off the groups remaining escape routes.

Pro-regime forces had also begun fighting to reach the ISIL-held town of Albukamal, according to a statement published by a joint operations room of loyalists including Iranian, Iraqi, and Lebanese fighters from Hezbollah.

Albukamal lies on Syrias eastern border with Iraq and is regularly targeted by coalition air raids.

ISIL has also been pushed out of two-thirds of its former bastion Raqqa by the SDF.
Manhunt under way to find suspect behind non-fatal assault on underground as PM says threat level raised to critical.

British police raced on Saturday to track down whoever planted a bomb on a packed London Underground train, as authorities raised the national threat level to maximum, meaning another attack may be imminent.

Friday mornings blast at 8:20am local time, which left 29 people injured, was Britains fifth attack in six months and was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced late on Friday that the threat level had been raised to critical, and said soldiers would take over guarding key sites to free police officers for deployment elsewhere.

The explosion at Parsons Green station in southwest London sparked a wall of fire that left passengers with burns and caused a stampede of panicking people in which some were trampled.

No-one has yet been arrested over the bombing, but anti-terrorism police chief Mark Rowley said the investigation was making really good progress.

Were chasing down suspects, he told reporters.

Somebody has planted this improvised explosive device on the Tube. We have to be open-minded at this stage about him and potential associates.

A wall of fire

May said military personnel would take over guard duty at certain closed protected sites, freeing up 1,000 police officers to be deployed on the transport network and on streets across Britain.

The country was last on critical alert after the bombing at a concert in Manchester in May, which was also claimed by the ISIL, also known as ISIS.

In a statement Friday, the group said an ISIL detachment had carried out the London attack.

Rowley earlier said most of the injuries were due to flash burns, while others were wounded as passengers ran out of the station in a panic.

Witness Charlie Craven told AFP news agency he heard a massive bang, adding: I saw an orange sort of fireball encompassing the whole Tube coming towards you.

Another, Lauren Hubbard, described it as a wall of fire.

Twitter user @Rrigs posted pictures of a white bucket smouldering on the train and described how a fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door.

The bucket, which was inside a frozen food bag from the budget supermarket chain Lidl, looked like the type used by builders and there appeared to be cables coming out of it.

Trump wades in

US President Donald Trump said that loser terrorists were behind the attack, adding that they were already in the sights of British police.

Londons Metropolitan Police dismissed the tweet as unhelpful speculation, while May also rebuked him.

I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation, she said, speaking after an emergency meeting of senior ministers.





May said the device was clearly intended to cause significant harm, condemning it as a cowardly attack.

Speaking on Friday evening, Rowley said the remnants of the bomb were being examined by forensic scientists.

British media reported that it had a timer but failed to detonate fully.

Hans Michels, a professor of chemical engineering at Imperial College, said the flash flame suggests that the explosion was only partly successful.

Much of the bucket still seems to be intact and there appear to be no victims with lethal impact wounds, he said.

TIMELINE: Deadly attacks in Europe

Twenty-nine victims were treated in hospital, although health authorities said none were in a serious life-threatening condition, and eight were released on Friday.

Louis Hather, 21, had been travelling to work and was three carriages down from where the explosion took place.

I could smell the burning. Like when you burn plastic, he told AFP.

He was trampled on as passengers stampeded out of the station and his leg was badly cut and bruised.

Sally Faulding, a 51-year-old teacher, said: People were falling over each other.

Richard Aylmer-Hall, 52, told the Press Association: There was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming.

The area around Parsons Green station  a quiet and wealthy residential district, filled with chic cafes  was evacuated for most of the day.

Local residents and businesses rallied together to offer tea, phone charging points, and the use of their toilets to people unable to get home.

We don't turn on all white folks after a Nazi commits terrorism, why should we turn our backs on all Muslims? #ParsonsGreen  Simar (@sahluwal) September 15, 2017

Four previous attacks in London and Manchester this year claimed the lives of 35 people.

Three of those attacks involved a vehicle ramming pedestrians.

The other attack was a bombing in May at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester which killed 22 people, including several children.
More than 400,000 majority-Muslim Rohingya have fled Myanmar into Bangladesh, the United Nations says as Bangladeshi leader heads to the US to seek global help coping with the crisis.

Bangladesh has been overwhelmed by Rohingya since violence erupted in Buddhist-dominated Myanmars Rakhine State on August 25.





On Saturday, the UN said that the total number of people to have entered Bangladesh having fled the unrest had now reached 409,000, a leap of 18,000 in a day.

Conditions are worsening in the border town of Coxs Bazar where the influx has added to pressures on Rohingya camps already overwhelmed with 300,000 people from earlier waves of refugees.

The UN said two children and a woman were killed in a rampage when a private group handed clothes near a camp on Friday.

Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, departed for New York City on Saturday to plead for international help and demand more pressure on Myanmar during talks at the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

She will seek immediate cessation of violence in Rakhine State in Myanmar and ask the UN secretary-general to send a fact-finding mission to Rakhine, Nazrul Islam, a spokesman for the prime minister, told AFP news agency.

READ MORE: Myanmar  Who are the Rohingya?

She will also call the international community and the UN to put pressure on Myanmar for the repatriation of all the Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar, he said.

Chris Lom, spokesperson for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), told Al Jazeera the aid agencies working in the country were struggling to cope with the demand.

Nobody expected this number of people. Of course, if 100,000 would have come, they could have been accommodated, but by the time they stop, it may be 500,000 and may be more. Its huge, he said.

Lom said aid agencies were working as fast as they can but had so far been able to assist less than a quarter of the refugees.

Ethnic cleansing

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said: We will continue international pressure on the Myanmar government to immediately end its ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya.

The foreign ministry on Friday summoned the Myanmar charge daffaires for the third time in Dhaka to protest at alleged violations of its airspace by Myanmar drones and helicopter.

The ministry warned that the three violations between September 10 and 14 could lead to unwarranted consequences. Myanmar did not immediately comment.

The Bangladesh government earlier protested to the embassy over the planting of landmines near their border, which have killed several Rohingya, as well as over the treatment of the refugees.
Eighteen-year-old arrested in the port area of Dover on the English Channel in connection with Parsons Green bombing.

British police have made a significant arrest in the manhunt for suspects a day after the London underground blast that injured more than two dozen people, authorities said.

Police said that an 18-year-old man was arrested by Kent police in the port of Dover on the English Channel on Saturday.

He is being questioned under the Terrorism Act. Dover is a major ferry port for travel between Britain and France.

We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning, Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Basu said but he warned that the investigation was ongoing and the threat level remains at critical, meaning a government task force that includes the security services believes another attack is imminent.

Basus comments suggested that other suspects may still be at large.

READ MORE: Police race to find London underground suspect

The 18-year-old suspect has not been charged or identified. Police say he will be brought to a south London police station for more questioning.

Police have not said if he is suspected of planting the bomb or if he played a supporting role in a possible plot.

Authorities had increased the terrorism threat level to critical late on Friday, after a bomb partially exploded during the morning rush hour.

Police are combing through closed-circuit TV images and have extensively studied the remains of the device without giving details about it.

But images from inside the underground car after the blast showed that the device was contained in a bucket with wires hanging out of it and that it was concealed in a plastic shopping bag.

The train hit by the bomber at Parsons Green station in southwest London had video cameras in each car, and the London underground network has thousands of cameras at the entrances to stations and along the labyrinth of subterranean and aboveground passageways leading from the entryway to the trains.

Officials have hinted there may be more than one person involved, but have not released details in what is termed an ongoing and covert inquiry.

Prime Minister Theresa May said raising the threat level to its highest point was a proportionate and sensible step. Police called on the public to be vigilant.

READ MORE: UK increases threat level after underground blast

The soldiers will add to the armed police presence on Saturday at public places to deter attacks after the Friday morning rush-hour blast on a District Line train. No arrests have been made.

The explosion and an ensuing stampede at the station injured 29 people. None of the injuries, some of them burns, were believed to be life-threatening.

The bomb went off around 8:20am on Friday as the train, carrying commuters from the suburbs  including many school children  was at Parsons Green station.

The station was reopened on Saturday, officials said, restoring some normalcy to Londons transport network after a day of severe disruption.

There was no sign of panic among Londoners and the weekend life of the city continued undeterred by the raised threat level.

Officials said the bomb was intended to do grave harm to commuters. Analysts said the injuries would have been far worse had the entire device exploded.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was carried out by an affiliated unit.

Britain has endured four other attacks this year, which have killed a total of 36 people. The other attacks in London  near Parliament, on London Bridge and near a mosque in Finsbury Park in north London  used vehicles and knives.

In addition, a suicide bomber struck a packed concert hall in Manchester in northern England, killing 22 people. That attack in May also briefly caused the threat level to be set at critical.
The United States has sternly urged the semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan to call off its independence referendum, saying the timing for the vote is not right.

Iraqi Kurdish legislators on Friday approved the September 25 vote that was set in motion by regional president Massud Barzani, a Washington ally who has publicly kept open the option of postponing it.

Washington has long supported Kurdish autonomy and has relied on the regions forces in the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, but it fears that now is not the time for the people to seize their freedom.

US officials fear the vote, while not legally binding, will hurt Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis re-election chances; complicate ties with Turkey; and disrupt the war against ISIL (also known as ISIS).

READ MORE  Kurdish leader: No turning back on independence bid

The United States has repeatedly emphasised to the leaders of the Kurdistan Regional Government that the referendum is distracting from efforts to defeat ISIS and stabilise the liberated areas, President Donald Trumps White House said in a statement.

Holding the referendum in disputed areas is particularly provocative and destabilising, it warned.

While Baghdad recognises Kurdistans autonomy, the precise boundary between the region and the rest of Iraq is unclear.

The US also wants the Kurds to enter into a serious and sustained dialogue with Baghdad which Washington has repeatedly indicated it is prepared to facilitate, the statement said.

This week, top US envoy Brett McGurk was again in Erbil and attempted to persuade the Kurdish leader to call off the highly-charged popular vote in exchange for a new diplomatic initiative.

READ MORE: Iraq parliament rejects Kurdish independence referendum

Under this plan, a well-placed source told AFP news agency, the international community will oversee negotiations on revenue sharing in Iraqs oil budget and payment for Kurdish militia fighters.

Borders and military forces would remain in their current positions, and Baghdad would authorise Kurdistan to continue exporting the oil that it currently ships through Turkey in breach of the federal constitution.

Finally, Kurdish parties would take part in the Iraqi government and the 2018 elections.

Divided city

The vote, which was backed by 65 legislators out of 68 present, was to give a legal framework to the referendum that has also stirred protests from neighbouring states, especially Turkey.





Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the vote could prove a very, very bad thing for the Iraqi Kurds, whose economy is heavily dependent on oil exports via a pipeline running through Turkey.

Turkeys National Security Council will meet on September 22 to decide its official position.

The oil-rich province is disputed by Baghdad and Erbil and home to diverse communities including Arabs and Turkmens who oppose the vote.

Iraqi Kurdistan, whose people were brutally repressed under Saddam Hussein, won autonomy following his removal in a US-led invasion, under a 2005 constitution which set up a federal republic in Iraq.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is extremely worried over continued violence in the Central African Republic, which has been causing massive new levels of displacement. The number of Central African refugees in neighbouring countries now stands at 513,676. This is the highest number of CAR refugees seen since the start of the crisis in 2013. []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric...
Orders for the C919, the first large passenger aircraft produced in China in accordance with international civil aviation regulations, are expected to reach 750 by year's end, corporate officials told China Daily.

C919 lands safely at Shanghai Pudong International Airport after its maiden flight at around 3:20 pm, May 5, 2017. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

"We expect to receive more than 100 new orders for the C919 from some Chinese companies in the coming months," said Xu Pei, deputy chief of the marketing division of Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, the plane's Shanghai-based manufacturer.

The C919, which made its maiden flight on May 5, has a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, making it comparable to the updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new-generation 737 planes.

The C919 has secured 600 orders from 24 customers both domestic and foreign. COMAC has received 34 orders from GE Capital Aviation Services, the largest commercial airline leasing company in the world, German start-up Puren Airlines, and City Airways of Thailand.

Boeing and Airbus have long dominated the passenger aircraft market, and the C919 is not meant to compete head-to-head with them in fully developed, mature markets.

"Our marketing team is focusing on three major target markets, which are our home market, Africa, and Southeast Asian countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative," Xu said.

Hu Shuangqian, 57, who was a member of the manufacturing team for the Y-10, the nation's first locally made passenger aircraft, is now leading a team working on computerized controls at COMAC. He said he was lucky to be part of the project.

"Since the (Y-10) project was suspended in the 1980s due to various reasons, many of my former colleagues had been dreaming of another chance to build Chinese planes. They did not see that day before their retirement," said Hu.

Since its establishment in 2008, COMAC has worked on the regional jetliner ARJ21, the C919 and a wide-body aircraft to be jointly developed by China and Russia.

In November, COMAC published a report about the global passenger aircraft market between 2016 and 2035, predicting that a total of 39,948 aircraft with a value of $5.23 trillion will be needed in the coming two decades. China alone will need 6,865 passenger aircraft, 65.5 percent of which would be single-aisle planes, 21.2 percent wide-body jets, and 13.3 percent regional jets.
The company that manages the Russian news outlet R.T. (Russia Today) announced this week that it had received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice requiring it to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The Russian news outlet Sputnik International may be next.

FARA was passed in 1938 to require entities or individuals who represent foreign governments to disclose their relationships, activities, and finances. Registration would not stop R.T. from broadcasting in the U.S. or censor its programs  it is a paperwork requirement  but it would formally label R.T. an arm of the Russian government rather than an independent media source. This, in essence, would tell Americans that news from R.T. should be considered suspect.

As a practical matter, all news  particularly from government-sponsored sources  should be considered skeptically. That includes the British-owned BBC and U.S. government-funded PBS. Trevor Burus wrote of PBS earlier this year in the Daily Beast:

A 1969 memo outlined the administration's goals: creating a new "public" media network to compete with more independent sources such as NET. That network could be controlled because the White House would 'have a hand in picking the head of such a major new organization if it were funded by the Corporation [CPB].' That major new organization became PBS.

Many other foreign news services are strongly government-influenced even if the government does not hold an ownership share. Does Le Monde reflect the views of the French government? Does The London Times have a British viewpoint? Russia and China have a number of news agencies that have operated for years under the guidance of their respective Communist parties; The People's Daily, Pravda, and Izvestia were never told to register.

But, you say, there was a report in January from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) that singled out R.T. as "a state-run propaganda machine," part of Russia's attempt to interfere with the 2016 presidential election.

This is the heart of the issue  the American government is still trying to blame Russia for the outcome of our election. The Russians were not found to have altered voting machines, cast illegal ballots, or destroyed legitimate ballots, so the DNI was reduced to saying the American public was duped by R.T. programming. Pretty good for an outlet almost no one is watching. R.T. didn't even make the ratings1 in a 2015 Nielsen survey of the top 94 cable channels in America. According to the Economist, among its top 15 YouTube hits presently are earthquakes, grisly accidents, and Vladimir Putin singing "Blueberry Hill."

There are important principles at stake here for the American audience, for bilateral relations, and for journalism.

1. Registration is a two-way street. The U.S. is likely to find its media outlets in Russia ostracized and excluded, maybe even barred entirely. Since the Russian government has a heavier hand with journalists than our own government does, it is not in our interest to let this happen.

2. There are countries presently systematically destroying their own free press. Turkey, a NATO member, comes to mind. If journalists operate under duress and threat of imprisonment at home  as do the Turkish media  why should they be considered independent operators in the U.S.? The Justice Department would have a credible case for warning Americans about Turkish media as propaganda by journalists intimidated by their own government.

3. Blaming Russia for the choices Americans made last November is insulting; Americans are generally smart enough to put foreign broadcasting in its proper perspective. Al Jazeera America  owned by the government of Qatar  never had more than 60,000 viewers on a single night (State of the Union 2015) and generally had about 10,000 viewers in any given hour in a country with 100 million cable-linked homes. It died.

R.T. has a certain benefit. It is worth understanding the Russian vantage point on important issues  and watching the Russians' generally rather overt propaganda. The greatest value has been excellent reporting on Russia's Syria operations, including video of some of the air and ground operations they are supporting. R.T. also provides strong coverage of Russia's president, including lengthy videos of conferences and meetings where Vladimir Putin outlines his policies. This kind of information often is missing in Western reporting, and even better, many of Putin's appearances in conferences and meetings are complete (including his annual Q&A with the Russian public), which allows Americans to evaluate them in their entirety. You won't find that kind of unedited coverage of Russia in the American media  in fact, it is hard to find unedited coverage of the American government in American media.

In today's world, where social media have outpaced old-time news outlets, trying to sanction or ostracize R.T. or any other source that is primarily a social media or internet phenomenon is a pointless exercise and likely to backfire.

It has been the Russian goal from the days of the USSR to sow doubt among Americans about our government, our laws, and our electoral system. The Justice Department decision is an admission that they believe Russian propaganda can do that to us. It makes us look fearful rather than strong, foolish rather than smart. An American government with confidence in its system and its citizens wouldn't feel the need to hand them that victory.

1. Blair Dunbar writes from the RT Press Office: "...a channel has to pay Nielsen to be included in their ratings. RT doesnt, thus Nielsen doesnt measure the channel. However, our audience statistics are readily available on the About Us section of our website, as well in our press release. According to top-three audience research firm Ipsos, in 38 of the 100 countries where RT broadcasts are available, 70 million people watch RT channels every week. 35 million  watch RT daily. RT makes the top-5 list of most watched international TV news channels in the US, with a weekly audience of more than 8 million viewers."
By the end of World War II, the beautiful foundational ideas and ideals of our constitutional republic had already been significantly undermined by the Democratic Party. The two pillars of our constitutional republic, federalism and checks and balances among our three branches of government, were being disrupted and distorted. The distortions expressed by so-called progressivism had begun the transformation of our political and economic system, especially under Woodrow Wilson and the Democrat Party, and intensified under the policies and programs of the New Deal. Socialist, fascist, syndicalist, and even communist concepts were finding their way into problem-solving models used by many of our leaders. The Democrats implemented radical modifications of our constitutional system.

Checks and balances has become distorted almost beyond recognition. Since the end of World War II, we have had numerous wars and bombings of other countries without declarations of war by the U.S. Congress. We have the federal judiciary overriding state legislatures and referenda to establish homosexual marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges as the law of the land, to legitimize abortion in Roe v. Wade, and to permit the expansion of eminent domain in Kelo v. New London as total end runs around checks on the judiciary. Can you imagine it? Bible reading and prayer -- the bedrocks of our country -- were eliminated from our public schools by the Supreme Court in the early 1960s, a complete overriding of the First and Tenth Amendments. But no checks or balances to counter the judiciary were implemented. Additionally, the commerce clause has been extended to an extreme point to allow almost any transactions to be considered interstate and thus open to federal regulation and control.

The Democrats eroded and eviscerated our beautiful Constitution beginning with the Progressive Era and the New Deal, and accelerating and intensifying those developments in the years since 1945. But the reader may be asking where does the Republican Party and leadership fit into this picture? We have enjoyed many tenures by Republican Presidents during the past 100 years since Wilson, and Republicans have been elected to Congress. Even as the juggernaut of leftwing activism seemed to gather momentum with our defeat and withdrawal from Vietnam and the resignation of Richard Nixon, Republicans seemed to temporarily bounce back with the election of the Republican morning in America star, President Ronald Reagan.

Yet the Republican Party leadership after World War I seemed to lose momentum. Warren G. Hardings inaugural address in 1921 did not mention the Constitution even one time although there are compelling lines about service and application of the Golden Rule. Calvin Coolidge, in a beautifully worded, thoughtful, and moral inauguration speech of 1925 mentions that Constitution a few times, especially in connection with property rights, but does not mention either federalism or checks and balances. Herbert Hoover in his inaugural speech in 1929 mentions the Constitution once in terms of enforcement of the laws, but is at least forceful in his insistence that not Government ownership or operation is the course rightly to be pursued in our relation to business.

Contrast these with the inaugural addresses of Andrew Jackson, who, although a Democrat (before the creation of the Republican Party), was nonetheless more of a Constitutional conservative than even those three Republican presidents. In his first Inaugural Address in 1829, Jackson goes to great lengths to assure the citizenry that he will act within the confines of his executive role as defined in the Constitution. Thus, he indicates tremendous and explicit respect for the checks and balances pillar of our Constitution. Then, in his 1833 Inaugural Address, Jackson discourses extensively on states rights thus communicating his respect for the federalist pillar of our republic. We can see that approximately 100 years later, the Republicans who are far more committed to those Constitutional pillars than the Democrats nevertheless speak about their expectations and duties without reference to these foundational Constitutional principles.

Even in the 1980s, under Reagan, the income tax for the highest levels was slashed dramatically, and even the Democrats were on board with that, but federal government spending continued to increase. According to the Mises Institute, The result [was] unprecedented government debt. Reagan tripled the Gross Federal Debt, from $900 billion to $2.7 trillion. Ford and Carter in their combined terms could only double it. It took 31 years to accomplish the first postwar debt tripling, yet Reagan did it in eight. The increase in budget debt is a serious sign of the increase in influence of the federal government at the expense of state government. In other words, a dilution of the federalist pillar of Constitutionalism.

In the 1980s, the savings and loans banks went under and were bailed out. Libyan training camps for terrorists were bombed, but our troops were totally withdrawn from Lebanon despite the loss of 241 American lives after a bombing of our Beirut barracks. This was hardly fulfillment of the presidential Oath of Office to preserve and defend the citizenry of the U.S. If we were not there to defend America, then why were we there? When the Executive Branch shows weakness or incompetence that too is a dilution of checks and balances and federalism. Further, the Republican nomination in 1988 of the brilliant and accomplished vice-president, George H.W. Bush, a globalist from his head to the soles of his feet, hardly suggests an America First let alone a pro-Constitutional agenda.

Over the years, the Republicans have accomplished various legislative, military, and policy goals that might be considered conservative. Yet, these were not ideologically driven, as was the Democratic Party agenda. The Republicans have failed to be sufficiently firm and outspoken about the pillars of our Constitution. The Democrats, moving forward covertly as well as openly with an updated cultural Marxism, have believed for these 100 years that they are on the right side of history. However, the Republicans, justified by the foundations executed by our Founders and thus located in the past, are inherently more passive. The past one can see is over; it is established and therefore momentum is not needed. Whereas the Democrats want to remake history based on an authoritarian statist model which they believe is an inevitable reconstruction of the social, political and economic order. Republicans are in a negative, reactive mode and merely seem to be carping that history does not have to be reconstructed. Looking forward inspires and breeds action; looking backward dilutes motivation and breeds passivity.

In order for the Republicans to escape the accusation that they are actually complicit with the Democrats on this march to the authoritarian state or totalitarianism, they must restore the founding principles as an ideology. The pillars of our Constitution must be re-presented to the voting public, and pounded home as though they are new, vibrant ideas for the future. The Republicans must propose and promote checks and balances as well as federalism. These two pillars of our Constitution will appear new and vibrant to generations of Americans who are historically illiterate. If the Republicans are not to be complicit in the Democrat Partys authoritarian statist drift, they must not only embrace the Trump America First agenda, but additionally and aggressively promote the ideological pillars of Constitutional liberty, checks and balances and federalism, not merely assume them to be a self-evident reality.

E. Jeffrey Ludwig has taught history, literature, and philosophy at Harvard, Penn State, Juniata College, City University of New York, and other colleges and secondary schools. His latest interview on the Hagmann and Hagmann Report can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXl3H1jjZrU
New emails unearthed by Judicial Watch confirm that the Clinton Foundation was in fact a pay-to-play influence peddling operation far more worthy of a special prosecutor than imaginary Russians colluding under Trump Administration beds. It is time for President Trump to keep the promise he made in the presidential debate to indict Hillary Clinton for her crimes:

About 20 minutes into the debate, Donald Trump delivered a menacing threat to Hillary Clinton. If I win, he warned, Im going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, because theres never been so many lies, so much deception.  Its just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country, Mrs. Clinton observed. Because, Mr. Trump replied youd be in jail.

The emails fully incriminating Hillary are part of of documents obtained by Judicial Watch under a court order forcing the State Department to find the documents it said it couldnt find, didnt have or was too understaffed to look for:

Judicial Watch today released 1,617 new pages of documents from the U.S. Department of State revealing numerous additional examples of classified information being transmitted through the unsecure, non-state.gov account of Huma Abedin, former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons deputy chief of staff, as well as many instances of Hillary Clinton donors receiving special favors from the State Department. The documents included 97 email exchanges with Clinton not previously turned over to the State Department, bringing the known total to date to at least 627 emails that were not part of the 55,000 pages of emails that Clinton turned over, and further contradicting a statement by Clinton that, as far as she knew, all of her government emails had been turned over to department.

The emails show intentional mishandling of classified material and coordination between the State Department and the Clinton Foundation which involved the State Department granting favors and access to Clinton Foundation donors. Some of the emails were undoubtedly among the 33,000 Hillary Clinton and her operatives destroyed even though they were under Congressional subpoena.

Former FBI Director James Comey, who exonerated Hillary first and conducted a sham investigation later, concluded, usurping the authority of the attorney general, that Hillary Clinton could not be indicted for her crimes because she lacked intent, even though the law imposes no such requirement. These new documents and emails indicate clear intent and purpose and the failure to produce them was part of the cover-up for her crimes. Among the examples cited by Judicial Watch in the documents:

Collusion with the Russians, anyone? How about Hillary Clintons collusion with the Russians in the Uranium One deal which gave Russia control of 20 percent of our uranium supply in exchange for donations to the Clinton Foundation?

Clinton played a pivotal role in the Uranium One deal which ended up giving Russian interests control of 20 percent of our uranium supply in exchange for donations of $145 million to the Clinton Foundation. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a federal crime. As Clinton Cash author Peter Schweitzer has noted:

Tuesday on Fox Business Network, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Breitbart editor at large and the author of Clinton Cash, Peter Schweizer said there needs to be a federal investigation into the Russian uranium deal then-Secretary of State Hillary Clintons State Department approved after the Clinton Foundation receiving $145 million from the shareholders of Uranium One. Discussing the Clinton Foundation receiving $145 million from the shareholders of Uranium One, he continued, Look there are couple of things that are extremely troubling about the deal we touched on. number one is the amount of money $145 million. We are not talking about a super PAC giving a million dollars to support a candidate. We are not talking about campaign donations. We are talking about $145 million which by the way is 75 percent or more of the annual budget of the Clinton Foundation itself so its a huge sum of money. Second of all we are talking about a fundamental issue of national security which is uranium -- its not like oil and gas that you can find all sorts of places. They are precious few places you can mine for uranium, in the United States is one of those areas. And number three we are talking about the Russian government. A lot of people dont realize it now, in parts of the Midwest American soil is owned by Vladimir Putins government because this deal went through. And in addition to the $145 million Bill Clinton got half a million dollars, $500,000 for a 20-minute speech from a Russian investment bank tied to the Kremlin, two months before the State Department signed off on this deal. It just stinks to high heaven and I think it requires a major investigation by the federal government.

As Investors Business Daily editorialized, donations to the Clinton Foundation even played a factor in the refusal of Hillary Clintons State Department to designate Nigerias Boko Haram as a terrorist organization for two years:

Hillary's emails may be only the tip of an iceberg that could include Clinton Foundation donations to shield Boko Haram from being designated a terrorist group and her brother's involvement in a Haitian gold mine. Last month, the Washington Post reported on another deal involving Rodham that could prove politically embarrassing and damaging for his sister. It seems that he sits on the board of a company that got a coveted gold-mining contract from the government of Haiti after the Clinton Foundation sponsored relief work in Haiti. In interviews with the Post, both Rodham and the chief executive of Delaware-based VCS Mining said they were introduced at a meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, which seems more and more to be an unseemly mix of charitable work with the political and business interests of Clinton Foundation donors. And then there's Hillary's strange dealings regarding the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram, which just recently pledged its allegiance to the ever-expanding Islamic State -- dubbed the "JV team" by President Obama, who has yet to make good on his pledge to degrade and destroy them. Last May, we wondered why for two years on Hillary Clinton's watch the State Department refused to designate a Nigerian Islamist group as a terrorist organization. This group has murdered thousands as it wages a real war on women. As Josh Rogin at the Daily Beast reports, the Clinton State Department "refused to place Boko Haram on the list of foreign terrorist organizations in 2011" after the group bombed the United Nations headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry last week asking for all of Hillary's records relating to Boko Haram and her reluctance to designate it a foreign terrorist organization. Vitter also requested all of Hillary's communications with Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian construction tycoon who has donated millions to the Clinton Foundation. Vitter noted that Chagoury had a financial interest in the potential impact of designating Boko Haram a terrorist group How many of the more than 30,000 "personal" emails that Hillary deleted from her private account relate to these matters? Is that why she needed a private email server? We need to see that server. It might provide, er, a veritable gold mine of information.

The documents obtained by Judicial Watch constitute an equally valuable gold mine of information. President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have a chance to right a great wrong here. Director Comey tried to put the fix in for Hillary by not convening a grand jury, moving to have a special prosecutor appointed, and by not showing up for a cursory interview of Hillary which was not done under oath. The infamous tarmac meeting between Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch was merely the frosting on this cake.

Comey deserved to be fired for letting Hillary Clinton skate and he isnt out of the legal woods himself yet. But Hillarys crimes in fact cry out for a special prosecutor. As Judicial Watch concludes:

The emails show what happened was that Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin obviously violated laws about the handling of classified information and turned the State Department into a pay for play tool for the corrupt Clinton Foundation, said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. The clear and mounting evidence of pay for play and mishandling of classified information warrant a serious criminal investigation by an independent Trump Justice Department.

Lock her up -- and while were at, how about Huma Abedin and James Comey as well?

Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.
Several power centers were formed in Libya as a result of the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the destruction of Libyan statehood. None of them has a national legitimacy. The pursuit of personal interests by some political leaders to the detriment of the general state is intertwined with territorial fragmentation. The historic regions -- Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan -- have de facto separated from each other. The Libyan phenomenon of the city-state has arisen (Misrata, Al-Zintan, Sirte, etc.). The separatist tendencies of the tribes has grown stronger.

The UN has attempted to stabilize the situation in the country. In December, 2015, the United Nations brokered the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA), the Presidential Council (PC) was set up and a Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj was formed. The agreement also confirmed the legitimacy of the House of Representatives (HoR) based in Tobruk in eastern Libya, while has the support of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the Libyan National Army (LNA) commander.

But the conflict between Islamist, anti-Islamist, secular, tribal, and simply criminal groups which resulted in another civil war is caused by historic, social, economic and political circumstances including the interests and interference of foreign parties and has simply overwhlemed UN efforts. NATO involvement in contravention of UNSC Resolution 1973 turned Libya into a perfect place for terrorist and extremist groups, a center for human trafficking, and a cheap resources market.

Today, the country is de facto divided on the East-West axis. The eastern regions are under LNA control. In early July, Marshal Haftar's troops recaptured Benghazi, partly stabilizing the situation in the East.

Meanwhile, in the West, the tension between the groups allegedly supporting Fayez al-Sarraj's Government of National Accord and those who were loyal to Khalifa al-Ghawil's Government of National Salvation grew into violent clashes. Rival militias have been battling one another heavily in Tripoli since December, 2016.

The south of the once rich and beautiful country became a battlefield for tribes and terrorists on othe the eastern and western sides. Haftar's supporters there were slain by the Misrata-based Third Force militants in early May 2017.

The crisis has been aggravated by various Salafist jihadi groups with different ideologies that are in constant conflict in western Libya. Such groups include Libya Dawn (Libya Fajr), the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council, Ansar al-Sharia, the 17 February Martyrs Brigade, the Libya Shield Force, the Libyan Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), etc.

More powerful elements destabilizing the region include ISIS, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Muslim Brotherhood.

A key part in counteracting IS and AQIM belongs to Marshal Haftar, who is taking measures to eliminate jihadists on Libyan soil, near Sabha and Sirte cities in particular. Having lost Sirte, the terrorists dispersed in three directions: to the southwest of Sabha, to the west of Sabratah, and to the southeast near the Sudan border. The main problem of neutralizing these groups is that they are being reinforced with volunteers from Tunis, Algeria, Mali, Chad, and Nigeria and the terrorists fleeing from Syria and Iraq.

However, while the situation in the east has stabilized, the western regions are less stable and prone to changes. Mostly, this is tied to the lack of political will of Sarraj and the GNA, and to the diversity of the ultra-conservative Salafist groups in the west.

Although these opposing factions are nominally loyal to Prime Minister Saraj, experience has shown that they are not associated with any political leader. The most telling example occurred at the end of October 2016, when the forces of Haitham Tajouri, who heads Tripolis largest militia and who was allegedly loyal to the Government of National Salvation, allowed the units of Khalifa al-Ghawil to seize a number of ministries in Tripoli. There is also a question concerning the legitimacy of supporting these essentially terrorist formations by Fayez al-Sarraj. Probably, the latter uses them as a force capable in the future to counter the rising popularity of Khalifa Haftar among the population of Libya.

Thus, unlike Prime Minister Saraj, Marshal Haftar is a serious military and political figure on the Libyan chessboard capable of uniting tribes and clans under his banners, limiting the flows of illegal migration to the EU, liquidating the terrorist organizations like ISIS, AKIM and Muslim Brotherhood, thus restoring statehood to the country.
Trying to impress with his oh-so-ironic perspective, John Jay College adjunct professor Michael Isaacson declared on Twitter last month that he was privileged to teach "future dead cops." It got him put on leave after multiple police unions complained:

Some of y'all might think it sucks being an anti-fascist teaching at John Jay College but I think it's a privilege to teach future dead cops

 Mike Isaacson (@VulgarEconomics) August 23, 2017

But it was far from an over-the-top indiscretion made in the midst of a heated argument, as some tweeters get themselves in trouble for. Teaching at the John Jay College for Criminal Justice, New York's top school for students interested in law enforcement careers, Isaacson made a string of rabid, anti-cop statements over the past years, all of them perfectly in line with that of someone utterly hostile to cops:

Mall cops are bastards

 Mike Isaacson (@VulgarEconomics) August 25, 2017

and, as seen in this collection here:

The solution to American gun violence is more dead cops. 4:47 p.m. 5 Dec 2015 It's only been two of these pig shootings & already I'm bored by dead cops. Maybe this is how Blue Lives Matter feels about Black people 4:02 p.m. 17 July 2016 Dead cops are good, Laci. 8:13 p.m. 13 July 2017

His complete tweets can be viewed here.

in them, he's called President Trump a Nazi and made Marxist statements as well. His resume shows an intense Marxist orientation. And as reported by the New York Daily News, Isaacson is an Antifa leader. Screengrabs seen on Twitter show that he's gone on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show to express his pro-violence views.

Which calls to mind why he's teaching at that school at all. The Daily News reports that Isaacson tries to discourage his students from becoming cops and believes that they only become cops because they are minorities with few other job options.

Unfortunately, most of my students dont have the luxury of a wide variety of career options, he said. They are from low-income backgrounds and are mainly people of color. Most of them are just looking to get a job with a salary.

It's the old working class Vietnam War argument the left once made to try to cover for itself for the bad name it got after hippies spit on servicemen at airports returning home from the Vietnam War.

In any case, a person like this is an activist, not a professor. Isaacson is utterly unfit to teach at any school, especially John Jay College. He should have been thrown out yesterday.
Deadspin has obtained chat logs from a private message board used by ESPN employees who discussed the Jamele Hill situation at the network. Hill, an anchor for the Sportscenter show, tweeted last week that Donald Trump was a white supremacist.

ESPN reprimanded Hill but took no further action. In the past, the network had suspended employees for much less.

Deadspin has obtained chat logs from an internal forum used by ESPN employees, in which a series of ESPNers have argued over the past few days about Hills case and, more broadly, how much employees should be permitted to share their political opinions online, the degree to which ESPN should be political, and the cynically engineered perception that the network is too liberal. We have anonymized the employees, who range from off-camera assistants to senior staff.

What I found most fascinating about the chats is that Hill grossly violated the network's personnel policy by spouting off about the presdent.

3. Company platforms are intended to foster productivity, efficiency and teamwork. Employees should avoid unnecessary or unproductive arguments and refrain from discussing sensitive or inflammatory subjects that are not related to work, such as politics or religion. 1. Employees online activities conducted on non-Company platforms, but which relate to the Companys business interests, also are subject to Company policies, including this Employee Policy Manual and the Standards of Business Conduct. The Company provides certain social media networks and other online publishing and discussion tools to allow employees to communicate and collaborate internally. When using these platforms, or engaging in other online activities that relate to the Companys business interests, employees must comply with Company policy.

Hill's comments were therefore in direct and serious violation of the company's employee policies. It's been reported that ESPN tried to remove Hill from her anchor position and replace her with another black woman anchor. ESPN denied the report but considering what we know about the network, the story rings true.

Most of the employees used the policy manual to argue Hill should have been more severely disciplined.

Black on September 13 at 7:08 PM

Really? You had a talk with her and thats the punishment? With all the other firings and suspensions in the past for much less, this is the best ESPN can do? Talent should be held accountable for their actions as they are the face of the company. Britt McHenry got suspended a week for mouthing off to a cashier. Bill Simmons, Dan Le Batard , Stephen A Smith and Keith Olbermann all suspended for lesser offences. Tony Kornheiser got two weeks suspension for talking about clothing. But racial insults to the President are okay? On the positive, Ms Hill has the support of Colin Kaepernick and Kathy Griffin. So she has that going for her. [...] Questions: When Hank Williams Jr. was being interviewed by Fox News, was he speaking for ESPN or speaking on an ESPN platform? When Curt Schilling posted a cartoon on Facebook, was he speaking for ESPN or speaking on an ESPN platform? Im actually stunned that there are people willing to defend her because her message above is clearly not an apology, it was a double down. And there are roughly 63 million people who voted for and support the president , and Im willing to bet that theyre not happy being called white supremacists. Im certainly not. Its offensive. And were going to lose even more viewers as a result. How does this just keep getting worse? [...] Regardless of how you fee l about the content of Jemeles tweets, the fact is that because of her forward facing role at ESPN, anything she says or writes will be considered by the public to represent ESPN. That goes for anyone who has a forward facing role. Whats disappointed me most over the last month is how often ESPN has made news, rather than reporting it. In todays overly political environment, thats not good for us. Although Im clearly not in a position to tell our talent how they should communicate, I would encourage t hem to think carefully about what and how they communicate, and its impact on the company. Although its been overused, Herm Edwards quote about think before hitting send never had more meaning than now ...

There was a lot of support for Hill's First Amendment rights.

If every word was scrutinized from ESPN employees on Social Media, this campus would be empty. Social Media, is a powerful tool as you stated and 45 uses it as a platform to abuse his power by spewing ignorance and less than intelligent banter to ridicule, insult , humiliate and dehumanize the citizens of this country on a DAILY basis, yet he is still in office. Are the employees of ESPN any different by using their freedom of speech to publicly attack Jemele on the company platform ITK, and the internet? Where is their integrity? Should they lose their job?

I was surprised that so many employees recognize the company's cynical double standard and complained about it. Meanwhile, Hill continues in her position and has been unapologetic about her racial smear of the president.
No, Im not referring to the radical leftist thugs whove been causing mayhem in recent times.

Im referring to the pro-life activists who on Sept. 15 participated in peaceful rescues at three abortion facilities nationwide: one in Virginia, one in Michigan, and one in New Mexico.

From LifeSiteNews.com:

Six pro-life activists, including two priests who were arrested at a Virginia abortion facility this morning [Sept. 15] attempting to persuade women to choose life for their babies, have been released on their own recognizance. Joan Andrews Bell, Joan McKee, Julia Haag, Bonnie Borel-Donohue, Franciscan Father of the Renewal Fr. Fidelis Moscinski, and Fr. Stephen Imbarrato were arrested at the Alexandria Womens Health Clinic in Alexandria at 10:30 Friday morning and released at 4:30 p.m. Monica Migliorino Miller, Will Goodman, Abby McIntyre and Matthew Connolly were arrested at the Northland Family Planning in Sterling Heights, a suburb of Detroit. All the pro-life activists who took part in the Red Rose Rescue passively resisted arrest.

Rescues were somewhat popular among pro-life activists in the 1980s and early 1990s. That lasted until pro-abortion President Bill Clinton signed into law the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act in 1994, after which such protests withered due in large part to much stiffer penalties for those prosecuted under the new law.

The rescues done Sept. 15 did not involve blocking entrances; instead, participants approached the facilities patrons to talk to them and offer them pro-life information. Such interactions do not constitute harassment unless the individuals approached decline the information and the information-provider refuses to take no for an answer.

Granted, it isnt necessary for pro-lifers to protest the evil of abortion by getting arrested. However, I commend these activists for their witness. All are firmly committed to the pro-life cause and believe in non-violent protest.

I also commend those who work in any aspect of the pro-life and pro-family movements, which, of course, do not condone violence and thuggery as a means of exercising our First Amendment rights.
Campus progressives and their allies in the media and ACLU have worked themselves into a lather over a perfectly reasonable new policy of Ohio University aimed at guaranteeing the rights of both protestors and those who are at the university to learn or accomplish work tasks. The essence of the new policy is that protestors have the right to use any outdoor space for their activities, unless that space already has been reserved and is in use for some university activity.

The unscheduled use of outdoor spaces for the purpose of engaging in constitutionally protected speech shall be permitted provided the space has not already been reserved by another user and that the unscheduled use does not result in disruption as defined below.

And even if the outdoor space is in use, non-disruptive speech is still permitted.

The rights of individuals authorized to attend an event in an outdoor space to engage in constitutionally protected speech shall not be limited, provided they do so in a manner that does not materially disrupt the event or prevent others from expressing their views. Attendance at an event is authorized if the event is open to the public or, in the case of limited admission events, the individual has a ticket or invitation or satisfies other appropriate admission criteria.

One of Ohio University's lovely outdoor spaces

Inside university buildings  a place of business where students pay for the privilege of attending classes, and the taxpayers of Ohio pay for demonstrators and support staff to carry out their professional activities  demonstrations are permitted, if a reservation in advance is made, and if the activities will not disrupt other business.

In other words, the freedom of expression is only limited by the freedom of others to go about their business, carrying out the activities for which they are being paid, or for which they are paying.

Seems pretty reasonable to me, but not to the progs.

Check out this headline from WOSU, the radio broadcasting arm of OUs rival Ohio State University:

Ohio University Clamps Down On Campus Protests. Alumni Aren't Happy

One might think that an alumni poll was conducted to determine what the alumni think. But the article only states:

We feel, that to have a top-notch university, you need to have more free speech, not less, says Andrea Tortora, an Ohio University graduate. Tortora is among a group of former writers for the student newspaper The Post who are asking the university to rescind the new policy. The university, as a whole, has a very long tradition going back to the 1960s and later of honoring freedom of expression and students rights to share their opinions, Tortora says. Tortora says Ohio Universitys renowned journalism program has long made it a mission to uphold the First Amendment, which she feels will be tarnished by the new protest limitations.

What about the freedom of speech of students and faculty whose classes could be disrupted? No concern, apparently. As for the ACLU (which has announced it no longer will defend the free speech rights of neo-Nazis):

Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union have also expressed reservations about the new OU policy. They say university officials have a right to regulate the learning environment, but this policy could lead to unequal treatment and school officials breaking up events they see as critical of the university.

If that happens, redress certainly would be available. Any regulation is subject to abuse, after all.

The OU regulations balance the rights of protestors and those at school for its official purpose of learning, teaching, and researching. This dispute bears watching. The Left is twisting itself into pretzels when it comes to the Constitution.
A federal judge blocked the Trump justice department from withholding grant money from sanctuary cities. The ruling is likely temporary as the law is expected to change, with Congress giving that authority to the DoJ.

The case involved a suit by the city of Chicago who argued they would be "irreparably harmed" by the denial of funds. A judge agreed that the city had a good case and issued the injunction covering the entire country.

Associated Press:

City officials have said such a ruling would prevent the Justice Department from withholding what are called Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to the cities based on their refusal to take the steps Sessions ordered. Chicago has applied for $2.2 million in the federal grant money  $1.5 million for the city and the rest for Cook County and 10 other suburbs. But in a recent court hearing, attorneys representing the city said that more than 30 other jurisdictions across the United States filed court briefs supporting Chicagos lawsuit and have up to $35 million in grants at stake. At least seven cities and counties, including Seattle and San Francisco, as well as the state of California, are refusing to cooperate with the new federal rules. Leinenwebers ruling was not welcomed at the Justice Department. By protecting criminals from immigration enforcement, cities and states with so-called sanctuary policies make their communities less safe and undermine the rule of law, spokesman Devin OMalley said. The Department of Justice will continue to fully enforce existing law and to defend lawful and reasonable grant conditions that seek to protect communities and law enforcement. Though the $1.5 million is just a tiny fraction of the citys budget, the ruling could be a major victory for a city that has been in a public fight with Sessions. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said the city would not be blackmailed into changing its values as a city welcoming of immigrants, and Sessions responded that the Trump administration would not simply give away grant money to city governments that proudly violate the rule of law and protect criminal aliens at the expense of public safety. The city argued that it would suffer irreparable harm if it lost the funds that are earmarked to expand the citys use of ShotSpotter  technology to detect when someone fires a gun. And it has made a similar argument if the city were to follow the new requirements. Doing so, Emanuel said Friday, would drive a wedge of distrust between the immigrant community and the police force, which needs that community to trust police enough to come forward to report crimes and help officers solve them. The judge agreed, saying, The harm to the Citys relationship with the immigrant community if it should accede to the conditions is irreparable, wrote the judge. The ruling is another blow to Sessions, a longtime champion of tougher immigration laws. Earlier this month, Sessions announced that the administration would end a program that protects young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children or came with families who overstayed their visas. Trump later announced he was working on an agreement to protect them. Whether or not the ruling means that Leinenweber will ultimately decide in favor of the city is unclear, but he did make clear the city has a good case.

Let's be clear what the city of Chicago and other sanctuary cities are fighting so hard for. The justice department wants to be informed when an illegal alien criminal is about to be released from jail so that ICE agents can interview them to determine immigration status. The cities say that law enforcement cooperation with "immigrant communities" would be drastically affected if they allowed the federal government to enforce the law.

Yes, it really is that simple. Cities like Chicago want to continue to defy immigration law and put their communities at risk because they don't want illegal alien communities and immigraton activists mad at them. You would think that legal immigrants would be up in arms about this policy, but this is not the case. Apparently, being interviewed by ICE agents would hurt their feelings too.

Recently, federal judges have decided to bypass the legislature and make immigration law on their own. They have also assumed executive authority by controlling the budget and deciding which cities can receive federal funds.

No doubt some of these judges will order up crowns to wear in order to better reflect their exalted position.
Making a fool of herself again, Maxine Waters has seized on a news story reporting that President Trump 'humiliated' Attorney General Jeff Sessions over his decision to recuse himself from the Russian meddling into the U.S. election and then tried to reap racial political hay from it. According to Fox News:

"To Jeff Sessions, how does it feel to be dragged & humiliated? Now you know how the African Americans you disrespected feel," she tweeted.

First question: Maxine Waters, capable feeling humiliated? Since when has this woman ever felt shame or humiliation? She's spent a career making one stupid claim after another without the least scintilla of shame, and given that she hasn't ever stopped doing it, she probably won't.

To say she's ever felt shame is to say the moon is made of bleu cheese. Whoops, she'd use that analogy to bring up racism, too.

It just goes to show that she will use any incident to bring up racism, even a leaked office scolding that no one really knows is true. It's as if she has a race-o-meter somewhere in her back office in one of her million-dollar homes there to place the most unrelated of news items into the hopper and see it emerge in new form as a racialist stick to beat her adversaries with.

Such obsessive behavior, always returning to the same scene of the crime no matter what the pretext is not only junk thought, it's a good reason why the black community is so poorly led in Los Angeles, where Waters hails from, and nationally in general. Say anything and Waters will make it about racism. It ends the conversation right there, whether it is about failing schools, union shutouts, bad health care or poor congressional leadership.

You can bet Waters won't be embarrassed by this latest tweet bringing up race to an unrelated personnel matter over in the White House. Waters talking about humiliation is like hearing about "'love' from the mouth of a whore," as G.K. Chesterton put it. Only the people who care seriously about what racism is and isn't will feel any sting of humiliation - out of embarrassment for Waters' insertion of herself into the matter.
The 14th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 14th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS), with a theme of "co-construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, promoting regional economic integration through tourism" ended in Nanning on Friday.

The 14th CAEXPO and CABIS concluded in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sept. 15, 2017. [Photo by Zhang Liying/China.org.cn]

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Wang Lei, secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat, said the two events had "pushed forward the friendly cooperation between China and ASEAN countries and the efforts to build the Belt and Road for new progress."

Tangible economic outcomes were generated by the four-day joint event in the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, contributing to deeper cooperation between China and ASEAN countries and the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement through the efforts of the 2,709 exhibiting companies from China, ASEAN and countries along the Belt and Road routes, Wang added.

A series of business-matching events and over 80 separate investment promotion conferences were held, leading to the conclusion of investment cooperation projects involving trade, commercial logistics, smart robots, high-tech, agriculture, environmental protection, new energy, etc.

A seminar on tourism collaboration was also hosted to coincide with the China-ASEAN Year of Tourism Cooperation.

Fresh progress has been made in advancing international production capacity cooperation, facilitating industrial upgrading in the countries concerned.

The exhibitions relating to international production capacity were extended on this occasion to include such key fields as railways, electric power, building materials and engineering machinery, while an exhibition on intelligent manufacturing equipment was also inaugurated.

The mechanism of bilateral production capacity between China and ASEAN countries had been improved as a result of relevant bilateral and roundtable meetings held during the expo, Wang said in summing up the achievements.

The 15th CAEXPO and CABIS are scheduled to be held in Nanning, September 12-15, 2018, the year marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

It is Cambodia's turn to be the Country of Honor next year as China and Cambodia will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.

Looking forward, Wang said China and ASEAN countries should continue to strengthen political mutual trust, international production capacity cooperation, economic and trade cooperation, connectivity, innovation cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, as Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli proposed in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony on Sept. 12.
Newsbusters:

Charlottesville was back on the hot topics table at ABCs The View, September 15, one month to the day after violence broke out on the campus of the University of Virginia. But instead of thought-provoking conversation on the serious issue, as usual, conspiracy theories about the right was the prevailing opinion expressed at the table by the liberal hosts. Whoopi Goldberg had the most mind-numbing take, actually wondering out loud if the right had made up the left-wing group Antifa, so they could have something to bitch about.

Not only that, but host Joy Behar even seemed to justify Antifa's violence as a tactic.

After discussing President Trumps response to Charlottesville and whether he equated violence on both sides, host Paula Faris was the first one to bring up Antifas dedication to violence. But she didnt even get to make her argument before fellow host Whoopi interrupted to shut her down:

PAULA FARIS: Antifa- its anti-fascism. For anybody that thinks this is a nonviolent group they're predicated on violence. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security, according to documents --

WHOOPI: I saw your thing. Let me say this to you. When we look to see what they were talking about, there was nothing there because when you look at the bottom of the list the year that they're talking about is when Obama was in. So we went to see what they had been protesting what fascist stuff Antifa had been protesting. There's nothing there. We can't find anything. This to me-- Antifa is one of those things, I dont want to say the right, but somebody came up with as a catch phrase so that you could say there's violence on the other side. I don't remember violent demonstrations before the gentleman whos in now came in.

FARIS: Thats the issue. Can I just say -- because I didnt get to finish my point--

[...]

Whoopi responded to that by asking Faris when she first heard about the group.

I actually just started hearing about Antifa a couple months ago, she replied.

That's my point, Whoopi turned to the audience and said.
A wildlife park on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has welcomed the decision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to downgrade the conservation status of the snow leopard from "endangered" to "vulnerable."

According to the IUCN assessment justification, the global population of the species is estimated at between 2,500 to 10,000 and there is a projected decline of at least 10 percent over 22.62 years or three generations.

The IUCN red list classifies an "endangered" species as one projected to decline by least 20 percent in 16 years or with a current population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.

"It means reliable statistics have been found to prove the improved outlook for the species," said Qi Xinzhang, deputy head of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Park. "But they are still not safe."

Qi also said it is too early for conservationists and protection institutions to celebrate as the animal still faces a high risk of extinction.

"Most people in China still know little about snow leopards. We have to work harder to get more people and institutions involved in the protection efforts," he said.

"The downgrade will not hamper the Chinese government or the public's willingness to take action to protect the species," said Zhao Xiang, who is in charge of the snow leopard program at Beijing Shanshui Conservation Center.

Zhao said the high altitude Himalayan habitat of snow leopard is also one of China's most important water sources and the country's most culturally diverse region.

The region is also home to many other rare animals such as Tibetan foxes and manuls, according to Zhao.

"The red list is not the only reason we should protect snow leopard," he said.

"Last September, the IUCN took giant pandas off the endangered list, which boosted the confidence of many people and institutions in China as their protection efforts had gained positive results," said Qi. "We feel the same about the snow leopard."

Qi said more work is required in artificial breeding programs for the species.

Snow leopards are a Class A protected animal in China. They live in the Himalayas in central and south Asia at an altitude of 2,500 to 4,500 meters. They have been spotted in China's Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces and Tibet and Xinjiang autonomous regions.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Premier of the Cayman Islands, on Friday 15 September 2017 delivered 15,000 lbs of relief aid to assist Anguilla in its post hurricane recovery.

Anguilla, an Associate Member of CARICOM was pummeled by one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, hurricane Irma, on Tuesday 5 September. It damaged the main hospital, schools and 90 percent of the homes.

The Premier of the Cayman Islands, also a CARICOM Associate Member, conducted a tour of the hurricane ravaged Island and offered Anguillas Chief Minister, Victor Banks, assurances of his countrys solidarity and support.

CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada and Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque toured Anguilla on Wednesday. During their interaction with Chief Minister Banks, he had highlighted the pressing need for food, water, building supplies in this critical stage of the Islands recovery.

The cargo laden plane arrived in Anguilla with 5,000lbs of drinking water, canned and other non-perishable food items and non-medical items including 100 tarpaulins from Hazard Management Cayman Islands and 250 relief kits from the Cayman Islands Red Cross.

Medical supplies were provided by Anguillas Government through the Cayman Island Health Services Authority, Health City Cayman Islands, Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital and other local pharmacies.

The Cayman government also dispatched a team of medical practitioners comprising two doctors and nurses, led by Dr. Glaister Bell from its Health Services Authority to remain in Anguilla for two weeks. A second team will replace them at the end of that period.

Mr. McCleary Fredrick, Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands has also been sent to Anguilla for two weeks to provide expertise along with the Anguillan disaster management team.

Cayman Islands government has made provisions for a number of Anguillan citizens, some requiring medical treatment, to travel to the Cayman Islands on the return flight later today. They have also extended support to evacuate other individuals who are legally in Anguilla and wish to travel to Cayman to connect to other destinations.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Amb. Irwin LaRocque reiterated the Communitys solidarity with the Republic of Cuba in the wake of Hurricane Irmas impact on that country.

In a message to the President of the Council of State and Ministers, Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Raul Castro Ruz, Amb. LaRocque expressed the Communitys deepest sympathy over the loss of life and widespread destruction.

The Community wishes a speedy recovery to those who were injured and those who lost their homes and livelihood, he said.

Amb. LaRocque affirmed the Communitys confidence in the tried and tested courage and resilience of Cuba, to overcome this disaster.

The following is the text of the message:

BEGINS:

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the Government and People of the Republic of Cuba over the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the passage of the devastating Hurricane Irma in Cuba.

The Community wishes a speedy recovery to those who were injured and those who lost their homes and livelihood.

CARICOM is saddened to learn of the severe damage to the countrys infrastructure and housing.

The Caribbean Community stands in solidarity with the Government and People of Cuba and affirms its confidence that your tried and tested courage and resilience will enable Cuba to overcome this disaster.

Please accept, Excellency, CARICOMs best wishes for Cubas full recovery in the shortest possible time

ENDS.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Caribbean Community Secretary-General, Amb. Irwin LaRocque, has expressed profound condolences to the President of the French Republic, His Excellency Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron.

Referring to the recent passage of Hurricane Irma over the Overseas French Caribbean Territories of St. Barthelemy and in particular Saint Martin, the Secretary-General in a Message of Condolence said 

the disruption, destruction and scenes of damage across the two territories left the Community gripped with compassion at the widespread loss of life and property.

The Communitys heartfelt sympathies and expressions of solidarity are extended to the people of St. Barthelemy and Saint Martin, particularly the bereaved families and wish a full and speedy recovery to the injured, he also said.

Amb. La Rocque noted the high human, social, economic and environmental cost caused by the damage of such super-storms, and expressed the hope that a full recovery can be made in the shortest possible time.

The following is the text of the message

BEGINS:

Excellency

The Caribbean Community expresses profound condolences to the Government and People of the French Republic, in particular the people the Overseas French Caribbean Territories of St. Barthelemy and Saint Martin, who lost loved ones due to the passage of Hurricane Irma.

Excellency, the disruption, destruction and scenes of damage across the two territories left the Community gripped with compassion at the widespread loss of life and property. The Community knows all too well the terrible effects of such super-storms and the damage that they cause, which carry a high human, social, economic and environmental cost. We sincerely hope that a full recovery can be made in the shortest possible time.

The Communitys heartfelt sympathies and expressions of solidarity are extended to the people of St. Barthelemy and Saint Martin, particularly the bereaved families and wish a full and speedy recovery to the injured.

Excellency, please accept my best wishes for your territories as you navigate this difficult time.

ENDS.
A meeting jointly held by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Ministry of Education emphasized the Party's authority over centrally-administered universities.

Higher education should be a nurturing environment for the inheritors of the socialist cause, adhere to the socialist orientation, and uphold CPC's leadership, according to a statement released Friday.

Universities should be governed by the rule of law and regulations, and their teachers are encouraged to join the Party, said the statement.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC has launched inspections of centrally-administered universities, including China's prestigious Peking and Tsinghua universities, in the first half of this year.

The CCDI has found problems such as weakened Party leadership and corruption risks, saying that CPC committees in these universities have not done sufficient work to act as the core in leading their universities.

Discipline inspectors also found that Party committees in some universities did not carry out serious intra-Party political life and their Party building activities have also been weakened.
Photodisc/Thinkstock(HOLLYWOOD, Fla.) -- The personal cellphone of Florida Gov. Rick Scott was called by nursing home officials at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills asking for assistance, the governor's office confirmed to ABC News on Saturday.



Eight residents of the nursing home, which is affiliated with Larkin Community Hospital, died this week after the facility's air conditioning system failed in the wake of Hurricane Irma.



The governor's office said Friday that the calls were made to a cellphone controlled by Scott's office, but confirmed Saturday the nursing home called the governor's personal cellphone.



Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills left messages on the cellphone that were referred to two other agencies, the governor's office said.



Every call made to the governor from facility management was referred to the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health -- and quickly returned, John Tupps, Scott's communications director, said Friday.



In a statement, the Florida Department of Health said, It is 100 percent the responsibility of health care professionals to preserve life by acting in the best interest of the health and well-being of their patients. Lets be clear: This facility is located across the street from one of Floridas largest hospitals, which never lost power and had fully operating facilities. The tragic and senseless loss at Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center is the subject of a criminal homicide investigation by law enforcement.



Scott said in a statement earlier this week that he was "heartbroken" to learn of the deaths and planned to "aggressively demand answers."

"If they find that anyone wasn't acting in the best interests of their patients, we will hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law, the governor said.



On Saturday, Scott ordered the directors of the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Elder Affairs to issue emergency rules to keep residents safe in health care facilities during emergencies. This requires all assisted living facilities and nursing homes to obtain ample resources, including generators and the appropriate amount of fuel to maintain comfortable temperatures for at least 96 hours following a power outage.

Most of the deceased were treated for respiratory distress, dehydration and heat-related issues, officials said. Some of the patients admitted to nearby Memorial Regional Hospital had temperatures of up to 106 degrees, hospital officials said Thursday.

Their ages ranged from 71 to 99, according to police.



Nursing home says it repeatedly called for help

The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills said in a timeline released by its public relations firm that it repeatedly called emergency hotline numbers and the power utility for help after the air-conditioning system failed.



The nursing home said it took precautions before Irma hit, placing 10 spot coolers and fans around the facility, according to the timeline provided by Hill and Knowlton, the center's public relations firm.



Beginning Monday, after the hurricane swept through, the nursing home called emergency hotlines about the electrical problem with its air conditioning system. It continued making calls on Monday and Tuesday, including to the electric utility. Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills said it also got additional spot coolers from a hospital on Tuesday, and on Tuesday night, its staff did rounds on patients "to check that the patients were stable," the timeline said.



Emergency complaint filed against the nursing home

A Miami law firm has filed an emergency complaint against the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, court documents filed Friday show.



The law firm is representing the estate of Albertina Vega, 99, who died at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, according to the court documents. The complaint is requesting that a judge grant an order to protect evidence.



The complaint alleges that as early as Sunday, the center became aware that its air conditioning equipment had "ceased to operate effectively and appropriately." The facility then took "meager measures" to control the temperatures in the building by placing "only a few portable air coolers" throughout the building's 81,000 square feet, according to the complaint.



The residents were "forced to live in these deplorable and dangerous conditions" for almost three full days, the court document states.



The complaint alleges that Vega died as a result of what it calls the "appalling conditions" and that this is not the first time the center has had serious complaints against it. Because of what they said is the "high-profile nature" of the case and what they characterize as the center's "record of appalling conduct," the attorneys said they have reason to believe that the evidence in the defendant's possession may be destroyed, withheld or altered, according to the court document.



The complaint is also requesting the surveillance video from the center to determine what measures were taken before, during and after the center found out that the air conditioning was not working properly.



Named in the complaint as defendants are the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, the facility manager and the administrator, among others.



A video, which ABC News is not showing, taken Tuesday night shows the parents of Carmen Veroy inside the center.



The video begins with a shot of Veroy's 89-year-old father, lying in bed dressed in a hospital gown, holding a Styrofoam cup. The camera then pans over to show his wife, 89-year-old wife, lying on a separate hospital bed, also dressed in a hospital gown.



In describing the video, which Veroy said was taken by her sister, Veroy said her parents are uncomfortable in the heat.



Veroy's father had a 102-degree temperature, she said. Both of her parents are still being treated after the ordeal, but she said she does not know which facility she will place them in when they are discharged soon.



Veroy said she visited the nursing home every day and often found staff to be lax. Veroy also said the facility has had issues with its air conditioning and mold in the past.



However, Veroy also said she spoke to staff before Irma hit and believed she had left her parents in a safe place.



The attorneys representing the nursing home did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comments regarding the complaint, the allegations made by Veroy or the calls that were allegedly made to the governor's office.



A 'crisis' unfolding



The city says it first became aware "a crisis was unfolding at the facility after multiple calls in the early morning hours" on Wednesday, city spokesperson Raelin Storey said Thursday.



Hollywood Fire Rescue crews responded to the nursing home for a call at about 3 a.m. Wednesday regarding a patient who was reportedly in cardiac arrest. That patient was transported to a hospital, police said.



At 4 a.m., firefighters were sent back to the facility to transport a patient reportedly experiencing breathing problems, police said. After the second call, fire officials called the state Department of Children and Families to report concerns about the facility.



A third call later came in as well, police said. After additional crews arrived, three patients were found dead on the second floor of the nursing home, and several other patients were found to be in "varying degrees of medical distress," authorities said.



The nursing home eventually evacuated all of its patients Wednesday morning at the order of the responding crews.



Nursing home administrator Jorge Carballo said in a statement that the facility was evacuated Wednesday "due to a prolonged power failure to the transformer, which powered the facility's air conditioning system as a result of the hurricane."



"Facility administration is cooperating fully with relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to this unfortunate and tragic outcome. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were affected," he added.



In a later statement, Carballo said, "The center and its medical and administrative staff diligently prepared" for the hurricane.



"We took part in emergency management preparedness calls with local and state emergency officials, other nursing homes and health regulators," he said. "While our center did not lose power during the storm, it did lose one transformer that powers the air conditioning unit. The center immediately contacted Florida Power & Light and continued to follow up with them for status updates on when repairs would be made. Outreach was also made to local emergency officials and first responders.



Hollywood police are investigating the eight deaths.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
President of Iran Hassan Rouhani [File photo]

Irans integration into the international system since the revolution has witnessed a series of ups and downs. Hassan Rouhanis re-election in 2017, however, means Iran is ready to restart the process as signified by the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

There are many obstacles ahead, but Chinas growing role internationally offers considerable hope.

The "international system" in this regard means the institutions and mechanisms, in which nation states interact with each other according to widely accepted rules. This has long been dominated by the West and featuring strong Western characteristics, focused on the political-security and economic aspects.

The United States, and the West at large, for most of the time since Irans revolution, has not accepted it as being part of its perception of the international system; indeed, it was seen as a major outsider challenging the political and security system.

Such epithets as "revolutionary fundamentalist state," being a part of the axis of evil and rogue state emerged at different times. As a result, the West adopted a policy to isolate and contain Iran diplomatically and politically, and has even talked of overthrowing its regime.

Economically, the United States has been imposing sanctions on Iran on both the unilateral and multilateral level. There are so many sanctions, in fact, that even Americans themselves have lost count.

Iran during Rafsanjanis and Khatami's presidencies had launched intensive efforts for integration in the international system. Their efforts, though worthy, were only at the initial stage of improving bilateral relations with the actors sitting on the top of the system.

Rafsanjani regarded economic development and prosperity as one of the major sources of the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic. And economic development would have to depend on normal relations with the outside world, particularly the West.

Khatami was able to visit several Western countries, where he proposed the concept of dialogue among civilizations. Khatamis government was at least able to achieve the Paris Agreement on its nuclear program with European countries in 2004.

But unfortunately, Irans integration was interrupted when Mohammed Ahmajinejad became president. During his presidency, from 2005 to 2013, Iran adopted a fresh hardline approach on the nuclear issue, which had been regarded by the West as another proof of Irans challenge to the international order.

As a result, the U.S., the West in general, and even the international community at large adopted more measures to isolate Iran politically and launched more economic sanctions.

Hassan Rouhani was a politician favored both by Rafsanjani and Khatami, and is regarded representing moderate and pragmatic group of Iranian politics. His election in 2013 suggested Iran wanted to have positive interactions with the international community.

Rouhani has been very resolute in reaching the nuclear deal via negotiation, and the deal well signifies Irans efforts for international acceptance. His reelection in 2017 in some way further consolidated Irans domestic political foundation for this approach to prosper.

However, Iran will have to face and overcome various tough challenges in the process. At home, it has to overcome the opposition from hardliners or conservatives, which will be a very tough challenge.

According to observers, Irans conservativism is strongly rooted in its special national psychology of a victim mentality based on centuries of humiliation. Whats more, Iran's conservatives have the protection of the Islamic system.

Internationally, Iran still faces some isolationist mentality. U.S. President Donald Trump, on many occasions, has expressed his intentions to tear up the nuclear deal, for example.

And the U.S. also has strong anti-Iran political forces at home for different reasons, for instance, Jewish lobbying and continued resentment over the 1979 hostage drama seen as an American humiliation.

However, Chinas emergence as a major player in the international system will greatly promote Irans reintegration by diluting the Western influence.

China has initiated and participates as a major actor in a number of new and older institutions and mechanisms such as SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), AIIB, the Belt and Road Initiative, BRICS and G20.

China has already played a constructive role in Irans relations with the international system dominated by the West. It mediated the nuclear deal, and will still be a major player safeguarding the implementation of the deal. This gives it much influence in bringing Iran back into the fold.

Dr. Jin Liangxiang is deputy director and Senior Research Fellow with the Center for West Asian and African Studies, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/jinliangxiang.htm
Parsons Green bomb: Islamic State shop in Lidl and read the Daily Mail

The bomb on the London Underground is wrapped in a shopping bag. On the side you can read Lidl, the name of the German discount supermarket chain. That the bomb  believed to be a peroxide device  fails to detonate fully at Parsons Green Tube station is blessed relief. But some of the 29 people injured are badly burnt by the explosion shortly after 8am.

One ay on the media tuck in.

In the absence of a bombers face to feature on the front pages, the paper opts instead for the bomb, and with the Lidl carrier bag it was contained within. Once a byword for cheap and trusty family goods, will Lidl become synonymous with terrorism? Its not as far-fetched as it sounds. Lidl has offered to assist a police investigation. The company states: We are shocked and concerned to have learned of an incident at Parsons Green this morning and our thoughts are with those affected. We will, of course, support the authorities should they need our assistance in their investigations. We are closely monitoring the situation as it develops over the course of the day.

Unenviable stuff.

Meanwhilethe Daily Mail blames another brand for an act of would-be mass murder.

Got that? The Mail says that because knowledge can be accessed through Google rather than simply buying a book, say, or talking to someone on the phone, the messenger is to blame.

Like most of you, I have no idea how to build a bomb. But I did pick up a few pointers in the.. Daily Mail.

The Lidl coolbag was used to keep the device stable. Got it.

Theres more. After the Manchester bomb, the Mail captioned a photo: Suicide bomber Salman Abedi carried the explosive in a metal container, believed to have been in a Karrimor backpack. The paper said the bag costs 20.

Other tips came:

A 12-volt lead acid battery found at the scene suggest the makers were careful to reduce the risk of it not going off, experts say. It is more powerful than most seen in backpack bombs or suicide vests and is commonly used for emergency lighting.

If you want more, the Mail directed loons as to where more could be found:

AL-Qaeda has published detailed instructions on how to build a hidden bomb to use to blow up a passenger jet In the latest issue of its online magazine, Inspire, the group outlines how to make the bomb from household goods and without using metal components that would show up in airport security checks.

But hold on. The Mail has other news  bigger news:

Newspaper Giant Triggers Armageddon. What you wont read in the Mail.

Anorak

Posted: 16th, September 2017 | In: Key Posts, News, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
If youre considering a subscription to the Disney Plus streaming service, you may be wondering how much it costs. The service is available on both
The Thinker, a bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin [File photo]

In learning, in thinking, in work as well as in life, it is important to go deep rather than wallow idly in the shallows of experience.

In education theory and practice, the best teachers focus on deep learning. In reading for comprehension, for example, they teach students to search for meaning, to pay attention to context, to relate what they read to other things that they have read, what they already know and have experienced.

Deep readers will read a work several times, with deeper understanding each time. Shallow readers, in contrast, focus on the surface of an article and seek to make guesses as to meaning without ever really understand what they are reading.

In regard to deep versus shallow listening, William Hazlitt once wrote, The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard. Deeper listeners seek to grasp the underlying ideas and principles that will enable them to make sense of the facts and even to anticipate and apply these principles to new sets of facts.

I remember my early days of university debating. In a panic, I would try to write down everything the opposing speaker had said. Later, I learned to just listen deeply for a moment and understand the basic idea/argument that I could then fit together in an integrated whole and then produce a deeper rebuttal of the opposing case.

This principle of deep versus shallow also applies to the world of work. Cal Newports recent book Deep Work tackles this issue. Deep work, he argues, is high-value work that is uncommon and hard to replicate by artificial intelligence or even by outsourcing.

In contrast, shallow work is at the low end of the value chain, easily replicated and far more common and more likely to be outsourced or taken over by a machine. Deep work requires focused attention and reflection.

Obviously, shallow thinking is superficial and only scratches the surface. It sees the obvious, but misses the subtle. Deep thinking understands the relationships of things. It digs deeps, notes exceptions and is able to distinguish things that on the surface seem simple and indistinguishable.

Going deep also relates to the mastery of a skill. In contrast to Malcolm Gladwells Outliers in which he contended that masters in a given area put in about 10,000 or more hours to master their skill, more recent work instead stresses the quality of practice. Thus, at a deeper level, it is not only the hours that you practice, but the deliberate nature of that practice.

This includes thinking deeply about what you are doing, ensuring you have feedback loops so that you are committed to going beyond your present state of competence and pushing deeper.

We live in a world that is getting more and more crowded with our own realities and interests colliding, thus leading to conflict and frustration. The management literature distinguishes between deep and shallow coping. Shallow coping strategies are characterized by such aspects as doing nothing, people-shuffling, delaying and similar other tactics. Deep coping, however, is characterized by adaptation, flexibility, consensus building, creativity, thinking outside the box and so on.

Leaders, especially those engaged in significant change management, must be resilient. They have deep coping skills.

It is our consciousness which makes us human. That consciousness is at its best when we are deep in thought, focused, and critically and imaginatively engaged. Unfortunately, in our 24-7 existence, in which ever new and invasive technologies vie for and increasingly dominate our attention, it is becoming difficult to achieve such deep focus.

In this age of constant disruption, individuals and organizations need to design workplaces, homes and other spaces so we can better focus and be attentive and conscious of and reflective about what we are doing and why. In the words of poet, Mary Oliver, To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.

Finally, the deep versus shallow metaphor extends to life experiences and character building in general. As humans, we should strive to develop our talents to the full, to develop a deep understanding of ourselves, our world and our place in the world. As Martin Luther King stated so eloquently, we need to judge our fellow human beings not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Eugene Clark is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/eugeneclark.htm
The actress says that it was a great character for a girl to play, but she didn't see anything for her in the film.

Kangana Ranaut is yet to work in any of the three Khans including Salman Khan.

Mumbai: Actor Kangana Ranaut on Friday said she turned down 'Sultan' because she did not find the role interesting enough and felt it would have been a demotion for her.

Kangana was offered the role of a female wrestler opposite Salman Khan in the wrestling drama. Anushka Sharma later came on board for the film, which became a huge blockbuster.

When asked why she refused a film like 'Sultan', which reached a wide audience, Kangana said, "Knowing today's times, I'll go for something which will stimulate my mind, otherwise, I'll be just sleepwalking through the film. Sultan, at that point of time, though it was a great character for a girl to play, I didn't see anything for me in that."

The actor said the Ali Abbas Zafar film was offered to her at a time when she had just done a highly successful and critically acclaimed double role in 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns'.

"Coming from a double role space and doing so much more in my earlier films, I didn't want to demote myself to something which wasn't offering me so much. That's why I didn't do it."

The actor was in conversation with film critic Mayank Shekhar at the Jagran Cinema Summit.

There were also reports that the actor was offered Aamir Khan-Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Thugs of Hindostan'.

Kangana, however, denied the same and said she does not even "know what the script is."

The 30-year-old actor will next be seen in 'Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi'.

Directed by Krish, the film will see Kangana in the role of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.

Kangana says every character she has played has changed her in some way and her role in the next is no different.

"With Jhansi Ki Rani, there was a fearless girl who set herself on fire for a cause. There is something so amazing about her, it's infectious. It makes you feel so small when you listen to her story.

"We are so possessive about these small achievements when people have let go of so much for a bigger cause. It does affect you. This character has shown me a side of me which I didn't know."

Her film 'Simran' released on Friday.
Even as Kangana Ranaut has been going around town making controversial remarks, Hrithik has chosen to go mum.

Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan has issued a firm diktat to son-actor Hrithik Roshan not to talk at all about Kangana Ranaut or any other controversy after being instigated to do so.

A select portion of Bollywood is now supporting Kangana. So Rakesh, being oldschool, doesnt want to create any controversy by speaking out about anyone. In the last few decades, if stars or filmmakers had problems with each other, they hardly spoke about it openly. So much so that when journalists found out about those controversies, the people in question would vehemently deny it.

Today, stars and filmmakers have found a way to vent their frustrations or anger using social media as a tool as they are no more scared that their statements would be misinterpreted. But in these days of Twitter journalism, every tweet or post is taken, twisted and displayed by media the way they want to interpret it. That is why Rakesh has told Hrithik not to react in any way. Karan has also ready been tweeting some random messages. But Kanganas statements about Rakesh are too personal and hence he does not want Hrithiks name to be dragged into controversies every time, says a source from Rakesh Roshans camp.

Hrithiks lawyer too has told the actor earlier to stay from courting many more controversies. If you see Hrithik Roshan behave maturely at events, avoiding every Kangana or Karan Johar based questions; you know where it is coming from.

Sanskriti Media
The woman was arrested after Army reported her to the Delhi Police. She was released within hours after a judge granted her bail.

A woman was caught on camera slapping and abusing a soldier relentlessly, without facing any resistance at all. (Photo: Screengrab | YouTube)

New Delhi: A video showing a woman slapping and abusing a soldier relentlessly, without facing any resistance at all, has raised many eyebrows.

The woman was arrested on Friday after Army reported her to the Delhi Police. She was released within hours after a judge granted her bail.

The video captured by a passer-by shows the woman continuously slapping a soldier in a busy street of the national capital. Soon after another soldier can be seen coming to the rescue of his colleague after which the woman is seen promptly turning back to her vehicle to leave.

Additional DCP (south), Chinmoy Biswal said the woman, identified as Smriti Kalra, was produced in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen, who granted her bail.

As per the FIR lodged on September 13, police said the subedar was heading towards Hazrat Nizamuddin station in a truck to drop off five colleagues. The truck was being driven by the constable. Near Rajokri flyover, a Tata Indica driven by Kalra overtook it. In his complaint, the subedar alleged that she was driving in a zig-zag manner and refused to give way. He also claimed that Kalra blocked their way when they tried to drive past her.

The driver stopped the truck and the subedar asked him to talk to Kalra. However, the complaint alleged that Kalra held the constable by the collar, slapped him and hurled abuses at him.

Police said Kalra then came to the truck and banged on its windows. She then hurled abuses at the subedar. He got out to speak to her but she slapped him a couple of times, the complaint alleged. As the woman was holding up traffic, the subedars colleagues got out. Kalra immediately walked towards her car and left.
An icon of the Indian military history, Singh had led a young IAF into the war in 1965 when he was hardly 44 years of age.

New Delhi: Arjan Singh, Marshal of the Indian Air Force, known for his role in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, has been hospitalised and is in a critical condition.

Singh, 98, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, was admitted to the Army Hospital Research and Referral on Saturday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Singh at the hospital.

Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members, Modi said.

We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best, he added.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and IAF chief BS Dhanoa visited the hospital.

Received messages that Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh was suspected to have had massive heart attack in the morning and was brought to hospital.

"We hope he (Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh) will recover at the earliest. His condition remains critical, Sitharaman said.

"His condition is critical," official sources said. Singh was admitted to the hospital after he complained of uneasiness.

An icon of the Indian military history, Singh had led a young IAF into the war in 1965 when he was hardly 44 years of age.

In 1965, when Pakistan had launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led the Indian Air Force through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired the IAF to victory, despite the constraints imposed on a full-scale use of air force combat power.
Muslims claiming that the decision had been taken on basis of objective material before it.

New Delhi: The Centre has decided to file its affidavit on the issue of deportation of illegal Rohingya Muslim immigrants in the Supreme Court on Monday. This was confirmed by home minister Rajnath Singh. Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an event in the capital on Friday, Mr Singh said, We will file the affidavit in Supreme Court on September 18.

The affidavit has to be filed following a Supreme Court directive in response to a petition filed by two Rohingya immigrants, Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, claiming that they had taken refuge in India following persecution against their community in Myanmar. The duo also stated that they were registered as refugees under the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) and have challenged any possible move to deport them on the grounds that it violated international human rights conventions and some other issues.

The issue of illegal Rohingya Muslim immigrants has become hugely contentious as the home ministry has already stated that they were a potential security risk as they were more vulnerable to getting roped in by terror outfits. The ministry has also asked the state governments to identity such illegal immigrants and initiate deportation process.

The state governments have also been directed to set up a special task force which would identify illegal immigrants. According to home ministry officials there were nearly 40,000 Rohingya Muslims staying illegally in the country.

The move has also already been criticised by the UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein. Earlier, minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju had said that while India had absorbed maximum number of refugees anywhere in the world, attempts were being made to demonise India. Mr Rijiju had also clarified that India would follow due process of laws on deportation rather than throwing the illegal migrants into an ocean or shoot them down.

Meanwhile, on Thursday Centre had withdrawn an affidavit on the same issue which was presented in the Supreme Court on the grounds that it had not yet been finalised and was served inadvertently.

According to the draft affidavit, the Centre had asked asked the apex court to refrain from interfering on the policy decision to deport Rohingyas.

Muslims claiming that the decision had been taken on basis of objective material before it.

The draft also mentioned the deportation decision was taken in wake of increasing threat from terror groups like ISIS who want to carry out subversive activities, including flaring up communal tension in sensitive parts across the country. According to the document possibility of Rohingya militancy could have a severe impact of fragile security scenario in the North-East and destabilise the region.
Alphons comments come at a time when fuel prices are at a three-year high though international crude prices have crashed.

Thiruvananthapuram: Stoking a row, Union minister of state for IT and tourism Alphons Kannanthanam on Saturday justified the rising petrol prices, saying those who can afford to own cars and bikes can also afford to pay higher prices for fuel.

Maintaining that the Narendra Modi government had decided to hike petrol prices to improve the lives of the downtrodden, he said that to provide food, house, toilet, education and employment to the poor, the government is sourcing revenue from petrol prices.

Prime Minister Modi has a huge dream for the poor of India. Thirty per cent of Indians go to bed without a square meal a day. There are several people who do not have access to toilet or a proper dwelling house... So we are going to tax people who can afford to pay. Somebody who has a car, bike, etc is not starving. Somebody who can afford to pay has to pay, the former bureaucrat-turned-minister told reporters at the BJP state headquarters here.

If state governments allow, petroleum and liquor would be brought under GST, he said. Mr Alphons comments come at a time when fuel prices are at a three-year high though international crude prices have crashed.

The Congress hit out at Mr Alphons for being insensitive to the common mans problems. Former petroleum minister M. Veerappa Moily called his statement atrocious and said, Bureaucrats who come to politics, have no understanding of peoples problems.

During the UPA regime, he added, benefit of low crude prices was always passed on to consumers.
 Flash

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday that the terror threat level is raised to critical, which means a further terrorist attack in Britain may be imminent.

May said that her government decided to raise the terror threat level from severe to critical, highest possible level, after an explosion took place on a packed rush-hour carriage at Parsons Green subway station on Friday morning in London.

The British government made the decision on assessment of the current security situation in the United Kingdom by an independent organization, she said.

May described the explosion as a "cowardly attack". She said that members of the British military forces were expected to be seen on streets in London.

This was the fourth time that the assessment has been placed at the highest level in the past 11 years, Sky News reported.

The Islamic State's Amaq News Agency said Friday night that the terrorist group claimed responsibility for the subway explosion in London.

The police said the explosion is a terrorist attack, and a massive hunt is under way to identify the man who placed the home-made bomb on the train.

London police urged anyone with information that could help detectives to contact police hotline on 0800 789 321.

The police said that they are undertaking a complicated investigation to identify the man who is responsible for the blast.

The blast left at least 29 people injured, and most of them are being treated in hospitals for burn injuries.

The blast was caused by an improvised explosive device, which failed to properly detonated, police said.

The Friday blast came after three deadly terrorist attacks in London this year -- Westminster Bridge, London Bridge and Finsbury Park, and one in Manchester at the end of a concert.
The Union home ministers directive comes in the backdrop of recent successes. About 148 militants have been killed by security forces since January.

New Delhi: In a major tactical shift aimed at containing militancy in Kashmir Valley, home minister Rajnath Singh has given a clear mandate to security forces to adopt a more aggressive policy of hot pursuit against terror outfits before the onset of winter.

During his recent four-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, the home minister directed security forces to get even more aggressive in eliminating all active cadre of the three main terror groups  Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed  before the mountain passes close on account of snow in the coming winter season.

During the series of meetings that the home minister had with CRPF, BSF Army and Special Operations Group of J&K Police, Mr Singh directed them to almost double their operations as the number of active militants in the Valley has dropped to less than 200 and eliminating a majority of them would have a huge impact in improving the overall security situation in the state.

The home ministers directive comes in the backdrop of recent successes that the security forces have had where 148 militants have been killed since January this year, including top commanders like Abu Dujana and Abu Ismael.

There is a lot of logic and strategy behind what the home minister said as mountain passes, the major route for infiltration, become inaccessible due to snow, resulting in a sharp decline in supply of both, men and material, from across the border. So if we can gun down the remaining active terror operatives, it would have a major impact on the Valleys security situation because it takes time to train and send across new recruits, a senior security official said.

Top security sources said they already have actionable intelligence on the movement of some of the active militants and would be launching a major offensive against them shortly. The home minister has assured the security forces that the security grid along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan has been beefed up to ensure that militants are not able to infiltrate.

This, sources said, was one of the reasons why more than 200 militants waiting at launch pads close to the border are not able to cross over. This is going to be a two-pronged strategy where, on one hand, we will just go after the remaining active militants, while on the other virtually seal the border to avoid any fresh reinforcements... In the days ahead, the situation will improve further, another senior security official added.

Apart from detailed discussions regarding counter-terror operations, Mr Singh was also given a detailed presentation on how NIA investigations into terror funding has managed to freeze the flow of funds not just to separatists but also Hizbul Mujahideen.
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh told reporters here on Friday that the AAP was determined to weed out corruption ion the civic bodies.

Lucknow: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to test the waters in Uttar Pradesh by contesting the upcoming municipal polls.

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh told reporters here on Friday that the AAP was determined to weed out corruption ion the civic bodies.

People are already fed up with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Yogi Adityanath and we intend to set things right by putting an end to corruption and exploitation of municipal workers, he said.

Accusing the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of systematically looting the people to cover up for their own economic disasters, the AAP leader said people had realised that work and development should be the guiding spirit of voting and not caste, creed or religion.

The AAP spokesman also targeted the BJP over the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh and said the message from the government was that any dissenting voice against it would be silenced.

Municipal elections to 16 urban civic bodies in the state are scheduled to be held in November this year.

The AAP leader further announced that if voted to power, his party would waive house tax and would ensure that people got clean drinking water. These and other issues would be part of partys election manifesto.

Mr Sanjay Singh said that schools coming under the municipal corporations would be brought at par with private schools by enhancing their standards and the successful scheme of c in Delhi would be replicated in the state as well.

The AAP leader has set up a committee under partys state spokesman Vaibhav Maheshwari to draft the manifesto. Training workshops for the 22 spokespersons of the state unit would also be held soon.
Inspector general (law and order) Hari Ram Sharma said that the encounters were part of an aggressive approach adopted to control crime.

Lucknow: On an overdrive to control crime under the Yogi Adityanath government, the Uttar Pradesh police has carried out 420 encounters in the past six months killing 15 criminals. One policeman died in these incidents.

Official statistics show that 10 of the alleged criminals were killed in just 48 days leading up to September 14.

Inspector general (law and order) Hari Ram Sharma said that the encounters were part of an aggressive approach adopted to control crime.

Criminals do not surrender without resistance. Policemen need to fire in retaliation, he said, justifying the exchange of fire during police action between March 20 and September 14.

The official said that the National Security Act has been invoked against 54 accused while properties of 69 gangsters have been booked under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters And Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.

He said that police inspector Jai Prakash Singh was killed in an encounter with dacoits in Chitrakoot and 88 other policemen were injured in the 420 encounters.

He also said that police arrested 1,106 people in the encounters which left 84 people injured.

Additional director general (law and order) Anand Kumar said, We have adopted a proactive approach towards criminals who are creating fear in society. We are identifying these wanted criminals to arrest them.

Mr Kumar dismissed allegations that the encounters were pre-planned. When police work proactively, there are chances that such encounters happen, he said.

Every encounter is followed by a magisterial inquiry. The National Human Rights Commission is informed about the deaths, he added.
Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are due to go to the polls.

BJP chief Amit Shah is set to visit Himachal Pradesh on Sept. 22 to address a youth rally in the state. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh BJP, it seems, is gearing up for a generational shift as speculation is growing that the party leadership could field nearly 40 per cent new faces in the Assembly elections due later this year.

There has been growing demand from the partys workers that non-performing MLAs should not be repeated and new and credible faces from the saffron cadre should be given more organisational responsibilities, including fielding them in the coming electoral battle in the hill state.

BJP president Amit Shah is scheduled to visit the state on September 22 to address a youth rally. In the last state elections, the Congress won 36 seats, while the BJP managed 26 in the 68-member state Assembly.

Escalating factionalism within the ruling Congress and strong anti-incumbency against party veteran Virbhadra Singh-led government has brought cheer to the saffron camp, which is currently busy giving a final shape to its candidates list.

The Kotkhai rape case has only added to the Congress woes, whose sitting MLAs are seeking votes for their own good work and refraining from mentioning the Congress government or its achievements.

The RSS, it is learnt, has been holding regular meetings with the BJP leaders and giving them feedback on poll-related issues, including probable candidates.

It was at the RSS behest that the BJP witnessed a generational shift at the central level after the 2009 poll debacle, and it has been advising the party leadership that its state units also need to go in for the same.

Sources said that earlier this year the BJP high command had engaged a Gujarat-based foundation to seek feedback on various issues, including peoples mood, issues that need to addressed before the polls, likely candidates from each constituency and party members who could be given a bigger role.

The BJP leadership has also been trying to contain factionalism in its state unit, where veteran leaders, including two former chief ministers, wield considerable influence. Factionalism, in fact, was said to be one of the causes for the BJPs poll loss last time, and since then efforts were being made to bring in a generational shift.

Though the BJP is confident of winning its wary of upsetting any faction. Thats why its likely to go to the polls without a chief ministerial candidate in Himachal Pradesh, unlike in Gujarat and Karnataka where it has named its CM candidates.

Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are due to go to the polls.

Congress is busy playing the Blue Whale challenge (self-destruction)... Even Congress workers have realised that their party is not going to win... The BJP will register a massive win we will beat our own Mission 50 target for this polls, said a senior leader who is involved in the poll related strategies.
US court reinstates ban, celebrated by rights activists who oppose controversial French delicacy made by force-feeding ducks and geese.

An association of foie gras producers in Canada and New York as well as a restaurant in Los Angeles had contested the state law, saying it interfered with domestic trade law. (Photo: Pixabay)

LOS ANGELES, Sept 15, 2017 (AFP) - A US court in California on Friday re-instated a ban on foie gras in a move celebrated by animal rights activists who have long opposed the controversial French delicacy made by force-feeding ducks and geese.

The decision reverses a previous ruling in 2015, which said that a statewide ban on the food was superseded by federal law on the matter.

California's legislature had voted on its ban in 2004 with an eight-year grace period -- after which any restaurant caught selling the product risked a fine of $1,000.

Friday's judgment, which won't go into effect until the completion of an appeals process, was hailed by animal rights organizations but blasted by chefs and food groups who said it violated their freedoms.

In a statement, PETA said "the champagne corks are popping," adding that only the most callous chefs could stomach the practice of force-feeding poultry to produce diseased livers that it described as "torture on toast and unimaginably cruel."

An association of foie gras producers in Canada and New York as well as a restaurant in Los Angeles had contested the state law, saying it interfered with domestic trade law.

Ken Frank, a chef at the La Toque French restaurant in Napa Valley said the ban was a "terrible piece of legislation," according to the San Francisco Chronicle, adding that he expected it to be eventually lifted.

TV chef Eric Greenspan told the Los Angeles Times the decision was "just crazy."

"Don't eat it if you don't want to, but don't impede on anyone's rights to do what they want to do," he said, adding: "Let's ban assault rifles before we ban foie gras if you want to talk about cruelty."

Jared Goodman, PETA's director of animal law, told AFP the court ruling was "a huge step towards finality."

Its opponents now have 14 days to file an appeal before a wider bench, failing which it would become law -- though if the appeal is heard, a final decision could be some time away.

The case could in theory eventually end up before the Supreme Court, an outcome seen as unlikely by Goodman.
The recent trolling of Bong Eats  a vlog that celebrates Bengali cuisine  for posting a recipe of egg roll.

Kosha mangsho, maachh bhaja, machher jhol, mutton biryani, and mangsher shingara are some mouth-watering dishes consumed with much gusto in Durga Puja pandals. In the spirit of these festivities, YouTube channel Bong Eats posted a recipe of a favourite Pujo snack  egg roll. However, it drew strong criticism and was soon trolled. Comments accused Bengalis of being godless and eating meat while other people fast.

Food seems to have become quite a contentious issue of late. And ones food preferences are increasingly being put under the scanner and subjected to discussion and criticism. While some people fast during Navratri, others feast. The North Indian festivities call for fasting and a vegetarian menu while Bengal celebrates with much feasting including non-vegetarian dishes. But why associate a feeling of superiority with fasting and vegetarianism?

A navratri thali

National Award winning director, Amartya Bhattacharyya says, India has always been a godless country. I dont mean it is an anti-god culture but it was a very liberal culture. Spiritual learnings always pointed out that if you know yourself, then you know the entire cosmos. There is a saying, Aham Brahmasmi which means I am the cosmos and that was the fundamental teaching of Hindu religion. But slowly people started creating another idea of God. We have always been very creative while creating gods, which is why we have so many of them.

He adds, When we celebrate festivals like Durga Puja, it is a festival of our own creativity. If we see the way everything is decorated, there is something very creative about it. But every form of ism, including Hinduism, reflects rigidity. I dont find it acceptable from my own standpoint but this festival is a reflection of our culture and a beautiful get-together. In Durga Puja festivities of Kolkata, there is equal participation of Christians and Muslims, and Hindus also participate in their festivals. So this diversity is a beautiful way of balancing different ideologies. This co-existence of diverse cultures has been a part of Indian culture and these festivals unify many religions which are so divisive otherwise.

Rushina Munshaw

Most agree that it is important to nurture and protect the diversity in festivals as they bring many communities together. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor agrees, Food is something that should unite us, rather than divide us. During Holi festivities, there is a tradition of food items with bhang in it. Some might find that wrong as well. It is very difficult to say what is right and wrong, as all traditions have been created by human beings. Just because a particular community has been celebrating a festival in a certain way for a long time doesnt give them the right to force their way of celebrations on other communities. We have to understand that the other community has also been celebrating the festival in a certain way for a long period of time.

Munaf Kapadia, owner of Bohri Kitchen, agrees that diversity should be accepted and celebrated. Every community practices different rituals. And I think it is important to respect everyones wishes and choices with respect to their food, and not do anything to harm them.

A much loved pandal delicacy fish fry

In a country as huge as India, a homogenous culture is quite an impossibility. Rushina Munshaw, culinary expert and food writer, says, In several communities, Navratri is practiced as an all-vegetarian festival. But for Bengalis, Durga Puja is a big deal and isnt necessarily a vegetarian affair. They have no restrictions when it comes to food. The prasad offered to the deity is pure vegetarian, but the feast around the festival isnt just vegetarian  it has multiple options. Throughout history, mankinds eating habits are a product of evolution, which also includes migration. Each communitys eating habits are based on their location, For instance, during the monsoons, Kolis in Mumbai do not eat seafood. They dont just take a break from seafood and fish consumption, but also allow nature to replenish the stock of fish.

Sanjeev Kapoor

However, unity in diversity seems to be a phrase limited to textbooks now, feels Abhijit Bose, organiser of Arambag Puja Samiti in Delhi. He says he has faced a lot of prejudice regarding Durga Puja festivities over the years. The blog was trolled online, but it is not the first time that we have been told that our way of celebration is wrong. Durga has a different significance for us and the same deity is worshipped in a different way in other places. The concept of bali or animal sacrifice is not alien to North Indian culture. There is no point in fighting over which communitys way of celebration is better. But with much hope for the coming festival, he concludes, It is up to us to educate people and spread awareness about the diversity in Indian cultures, so we will do it.

With inputs from Pooja Salvi
Research shows that an influenza diagnosis during the pandemic season doubles risk of later developing type 1 diabetes.

Study supports the hypothesis that respiratory infections can contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes (Photo: Pixabay)

London: Infection with H1N1 influenza  also known as swine flu - may put people, particularly children, at greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes, a study suggests.

The study found that Norwegians aged 30 or younger who were infected with the H1N1 influenza virus, or hospitalised with influenza, during the 2009-2010 pandemic were twice as likely to go on to develop type 1 diabetes (T1D) than the general population.

T1D is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the cells needed to control blood-sugar levels.

More than 65,000 new cases of type 1 diabetes are diagnosed worldwide annually. Yet the exact cause of T1D is not clear, researchers at Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Norway said.

People inherit a genetic susceptibility to the condition, but an environmental trigger is also needed for it to appear.

Viral infections may provide that trigger.

Infection with H1N1 influenza has previously been linked with the development of autoimmune disorders including narcolepsy.

In the new study, Paz Lopez-Doriga Ruiz and colleagues analysed health registries of the whole Norwegian population aged 30 years and under between June 2009 (when a wave of pandemic influenza H1N1 spread across Norway) and June 2014, to investigate whether pandemic influenza diagnosis is linked with increased risk of T1D.

Following the 2009 pandemic, 2,376 individuals were diagnosed with T1D, researchers found.

Those who reported influenza-like illness during the pandemic were 18 per cent more likely to subsequently be diagnosed with T1D than those who did not have influenza.

This association was even stronger in children aged 15 years or younger - who had a 25 per cent increased chance of developing type T1D.

Results also showed that Norwegians with laboratory confirmed H1N1 influenza, or who were hospitalised with an influenza diagnosis during the pandemic season had a doubled risk of later developing type 1 diabetes compared to the general Norwegian population, researchers said.

In contrast, those diagnosed with influenza-like illness in primary care were not at significantly increased risk of developing T1D, they said.

Researchers, including those from Oslo University Hospital, Norway, said this is because of two factors: these cases were less serious, and not all of them were the H1N1 variety of influenza.

"This study may support the hypothesis that respiratory infections can contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes, due to stress and inflammation in predisposed individuals," researchers said.
UN bodys guidelines dont apply to all Marine Drive bldgs, claim residents.

The only dispute is with the frontline buildings at Marine Drive and Oval Maidan, which can be raised only up to 32 metres, said Mr Shahpuri.

Mumbai: Residents of Marine Drive have claimed that UNESCO guidelines do not apply to all buildings in their precincts to mark them as a world heritage site. They added that as the precincts come under earth-quake prone area, the old and dilapidated buildings should be redeveloped.

The Marine Drive area falls under quake-prone seismic zone III. This is a cause of concern for all the residents. If the buildings are given heritage status, their redevelopment will become difficult. But we are sure that UNESCO guidelines do not apply to us. Only frontline buildings at Marine Drive and Oval Maidan are eligible for the heritage tag, said Kawal Shahpuri, a Marine Drive resident.

There are ten criteria laid down by the UNESCO for the selection of heritage sites. We have found that buildings on the backside and interior region do not fit into these guidelines. When not a single criteria apply to us, how can the entire Marine Drive area be marked as heritage? he asked.

In a bid to check the feasibility of providing a heritage status, a one-member team of UNESCO had visited Marine Drive buildings a few days ago. Every year, the Centre sends a proposal to UNESCO for declaring an area as world heritage. The UN delegate had made a visit following a proposal by the state government and the Centre. However, in a meeting held on Friday, the Marine Drive residents asserted that UNESCO has got no say in declaring the backside buildings as world heritage, which are located on A, B, C and D roads.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has already given its go-ahead for the redevelopment of buildings on A, B, C and D roads and their height can go up to 58 metres. Even the heritage committee has approved it. So we are okay with it. The only dispute is with the frontline buildings at Marine Drive and Oval Maidan, which can be raised only up to 32 metres, said Mr Shahpuri.
Interestingly, no one from the BJP has come out to defend Mr Patil, who is also chairman of Cabinet sub-committee for the farm loan waiver.

Mumbai: Revenue minister Chandrakant Patils statement about the existence of 10 lakh bogus farmers seems to have hurt the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in rural constituencies. Swabhimani Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti warned the government his party would launch an agitation while the farmers core committee slammed Mr Patil. Interestingly, no one from the BJP has come out to defend Mr Patil, who is also chairman of Cabinet sub-committee for the farm loan waiver.

Mr Patil while recently speaking to the media in Kolhapur had cited the existence of bogus farmers as the reason behind the delay in implementation of farmers loan waiver. He had said, Out of 89 lakh farmers in the state, 10 lakh could be fake or bogus. Therefore, verification of actual eligible farmers for the loan waiver scheme is taking time. (This) will take time till October end.

But the ministers statement has invited trouble for the government. The Swabhimani Sanghatana, which recently parted ways with the BJP as a partner, criticised Mr Patils comments. Farmers are not bogus. They are honest. If anyone is bogus then it is Mr Patil himself, said SSS chief Mr Shetti. He also warned that the government should restrain itself from making such statements. You are not giving farmers their due. These statements are making them angry. It will be good if the BJP leadership asks Mr Patil and others like him to keep quiet, said Mr Shetti.

The farmers core committee, which was formed in June 2017 at the time of the farmers strike, has criticised Mr Patils statement. This shows that the government wants to buy time. But, we will start protesting against the government if the scheme does not get implemented by October 1, said Ajit Navale, convenor of the core committee.

Interestingly, even as Mr Patils statement has caused controversy, no BJP leader has come to his rescue.

Chandrakantdada is number two in Cabinet and also senior leader of party. But the way the party is mum on the issue suggests that, either the party wants to brush (the issue) aside or nobody wants to side with him, commented a senior leader and BJP minister on the condition of anonymity.
Lawyer says Congress V-P linked group with Gauri Lankesh murder.

Mumbai: A criminal defamation suit has been filed against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its general secretary Sitaram Yechury for linking journalist and activist Gauri Lankeshs murder with BJP-RSS ideology.

Rashtriya Swayam-sevak Sangh (RSS) worker Dhrutiman Joshi, a 27-year-old lawyer from Dadar, filed the private complaint in a local court. It sought issuance of summons and process for the criminal defamation case against the Gandhis and Mr Yechury under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for defaming the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

After Rahul Gandhi and Sitaram Yechury made statements linking Gauri Lankeshs murder with RSS ideology, many of my friends started asking me if RSS was behind her murder, said Mr Joshi, adding, One of my friends from America and few lawyer friends were ridiculed and told that their organisation and its ideology had killed her. I have those Facebook messages and I really do not appreciate it. I personally felt very bad because I am not part of something that is a murderers institution. So to make things clear in the eyes of public, and to make them also realise that they should not make such statements, I have filed this suit.

According to him, the statements were baseless and no investigating agency had hinted that the RSS is behind her murder. He also said, The court has considered my prima facie complaint and it is going to hear me extensively on the next date of hearing in October.

Advocate Narayan Iyer, who is representing Mr Gandhi in a defamation case filed by a RSS member in the Bhiwandi court in Bhiwandi, said the matter must be at a very initial stage. He must have just filed the complaint. We have not received any communication. Generally when complaints are filed, there are certain procedures that are followed after which summons are issued only if court is prima facie satisfied with the complaint. So far we have not received any type of summons or anything. We have no knowledge that a case has been filed so we cannot comment anything right now.

Mr Yechury told The Asian Age in a text message, Let them first file a notice! It will be fought politically and legally.

Mr Joshi, in his complaint before the court, said, Views expressed by them in public without any proof or official statement by the investigating authorities are defamatory and detrimental to the image of the RSS.

On September 6, unknown persons murdered Lankesh at her residence in Karnataka. Joshis complaint states that after her murder, Mr Gandhi allegedly said in a statement before mediapersons, Anybody who speaks against the ideology of the BJP, against the ideology of the RSS is pressured, beaten, attacked and even killed.

According to complainant, Mr Yechury also allegedly stated that it was the RSS ideology and RSS men who killed said journalist.
 Flash

The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile" by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and expressed commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the crisis.

In a press statement released after closed-door consultations, the 15 members of the council urged all UN member states to "fully, comprehensively and immediately" implement all relevant Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK, particularly the newly adopted Resolution 2375, which caps the DPRK's oil imports and bans all its textile exports and remittances by its overseas laborers.

"The Security Council also emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action, and stressed the importance of working to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula," said Tekeda Alemu, president of the Security Council, in a readout of the press statement.

The council members stressed the importance of maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia at large, and welcomed international efforts to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the crisis through dialogue, said Alemu, the Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations.

The emergency Security Council consultations were requested by the United States and Japan following the DPRK's launch of a ballistic missile on Friday local time, which flew over Japan's Hokkaido.

Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, Koro Bessho, said the DPRK's latest missile launch is a grave threat to the security of Japan and also to the whole world.

"Put together with what they have been doing in the last several months, it is very clear that it is a real threat to the peace and security of the world as a whole," he told reporters before the consultations. He stressed that existing sanctions must be implemented comprehensively, fully and immediately.

The DPRK's latest missile launch means that two of its ballistic missiles have flown over Japan in three weeks' time.

Speaking to reporters before the consultations, British ambassador Matthew Rycroft said the DPRK's "illegal, provocative, reckless act" once again demonstrates its complete disregard for the sovereignty of Japan and its citizens.

He also called for the implementation of the existing sanctions, through which, he said, the international community can cut off money flow to the DPRK and constrain its capability in developing its nuclear and missile programs.

Swedish ambassador Olof Skoog said "a very rigid and vigorous implementation" of the sanctions are all the more urgent.

French ambassador Fancois Delattre said the latest missile launch by the DPRK confirms the gravity of the threat, which has evolved from regional to global.

He stressed the importance of "firmness and unity" of the Security Council. "Our firmness today is our best antidote to the risk of war, to the risk of confrontation. Our firmness today is our best tool to promote a political solution tomorrow," he told reporters.

Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution. He stress the importance of a political solution provided for in Resolution 2375.

"Threats, tests, launches, mutual threats should be stopped. We should engage in meaningful negotiations," he told reporters after the consultations.

The DPRK's missile launch, which violates Security Council resolutions, came just days after the council imposed fresh sanctions on the DPRK over its nuclear test on Sept. 3.
The Press Council of India set up a fact-finding committee which visited 11 states and submitted a detailed Report on Safety of Journalists.

On July 18, 1948, home minister Vallabhbhai Patel wrote to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the Hindu Mahasabha leader who set up the BJPs ancestor Jan Sangh, on the RSS and the Mahasabhas role in Gandhis murder.

He made no charge but said: Our reports do confirm that, as a result of the activities of those two bodies, particularly the (RSS), an atmosphere was created in the country in which such a ghastly tragedy became possible.

It was precisely in such an atmosphere that the brutal killing of Gauri Lankesh took place on September 5. She was respected for her fearlessness and commitment to values as editor of the journal Lankesh Patrike founded by her father P. Lankesh. Demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992 made her a strong opponent of the Hindutva brand of politics.

A New York Times editorial accurately summed up the root cause of the crime which has all the hallmarks of a hit job. It was the vicious atmosphere of religious hate which was fostered with increasing intensity ever since the BJP and the RSS took up the issue of a Ram temple on the site on which stood Babri Masjid.

In this atmosphere, noted dissenters fell to targeted bullets. In 2013, it was the activist Narendra Dabholkar. In 2015, it was M.M. Kalburgi and Govind Pansare; all gunned down. All opposed Hindutva. Kalburgi was a former vice-chancellor of Kannada University. A journalist who wrote an expose of the Dabholkar murder case received death threats. Denounced also was the senior police officer investigating the case.

The pattern is unmistakable and its roots were noted by NYT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has let a climate of mob rule flourish in India, with his right-wing Hindu supporters vilifying secularists. The venom that reactionary social media trolls direct at journalists, or presstitutes as they call them, is specially vicious, but not entirely new Lankesh had voiced concern about the climate of menace against journalists who didnt toe the Hindu-nationalist line. If Modi doesnt condemn her murder forcefully and denounce the harassment and threats that critics of Hindu militancy face daily, more critics will live in fear of deadly reprisal and Indian democracy will see dark days.

As with similar crimes in the past, Modi refused to condemn them. These attacks on journalists are aggravated forms of crimes. According to Death Watch List compiled by the Vienna-based International Press Institute, India is ranked as the ninth deadliest country for journalists.

The Press Council of India set up a fact-finding committee which visited 11 states and submitted a detailed Report on Safety of Journalists. It was set up in the wake of the murder of crime reporter Jyotirmoy Dey, in broad daylight in Mumbai. It records that in Kashmir a senior journalist said that since 2008, the security forces were beating up journalists who went to cover incidents whenever the extremists targeted the security establishments. And on a single day, about 25 journalists were beaten up even though they carried accreditation cards and curfew passes.

The GOC 15 corps based in Srinagar said he could not allow the media at the scene of operation while it was in progress as it might endanger their lives. The concern, so touching, is not evident when the pressmen are attacked. They are entitled to watch the operations and report on them.

Appended to the report is a list of 80 journalists killed in India since 1990. It makes useful recommendations. Intimidation of or attack on a journalist should be made a cognisable offence triable speedily by a special court. November 2 may be proclaimed as the National Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

The crux of the matter is investigation into the offences. The report recommends probes by CBI. This can be improved by providing for judicial surveillance. The high court should take suo motu notice of the crime, set up a special investigation team and monitor its progress till the chargesheet is filed. The report proposes legislation by Parliament to enforce its recommendation.

A model to emulate is Clause 4 of the Karnataka Freedom of Press Bill, 1988. It provided deterrent punishment for violent attacks or intimidation with the intention of preventing any journalist or worker in a newspaper from performing his duties. Worker was added because in 1988, the Rajiv Gandhi regime had instigated strikes to prevent publication of a daily by resort to violence.

Legislation alone cannot stem the tide of hate. It can be done only by members of civil society, from all ranks who arouse national concern against the hate injected in society which triggers off roots and instigates murders of Muslims, dalits and dissenters.

By arrangement with Dawn
The discussions are likely to revolve around Make in India, overhaul of the financial services, healthcare, retail and Digital India.

By all accounts Narendra Modi is a pretty isolated figure. Few know who he meets and whose advice he solicits. Unlike the previous Prime Minister, who created many councils of advisers and gave many of the countrys gainfully under-employed titles and platforms to be seen on and not necessarily heard, Narendra Modi has given away little except to a few cronies from his Gujarat days. Dr Manmohan Singh had a surfeit of advice with it flowing from as many as eight sector specific councils of which he himself headed as many as six, including one each on skill development, industry, nutrition, wildlife and unique identification. These councils rarely met. The one on nutrition, for instance, met only once in the UPAs 10 years. Apart from these, Dr Singh had 35 ministerial committees  empowered groups of ministers (EGoMs) and groups of ministers (GoMs)  to whom he tossed decisions, more often not to be taken. The only council that met regularly was the Council on Trade and Industry, which featured all the major captains of business. As they say, money is the mothers milk of politics

True to his word, Mr Modi dismantled all these councils and committees and everything is now concentrated with him. But one group he meets from time to time, even if not to solicit advice but to preach, are industrialists. Since he took over he has had two well-publicised gatherings of all the fat cats, even the NPA overburdened ones, and one more is now planned for soon. The industrialists will make presentations with an aim to suggest ways to achieve Mr Modis policy vision  New India 2022. The discussions are likely to revolve around Make in India, overhaul of the financial services, healthcare, retail and Digital India.

However, his list of expected invitees betrays his myopia. He obviously believes that the private corporations are the ones who will lead Indias economic growth and provide it with the entrepreneurship and vision required to make our dreams come true. He seems to forget that most of our major companies have business models based on obtaining government assets at low prices and selling the products and services at market prices. He also misses the fact that most of industrial investment in India is by the State, and unless these become productive and profitable, Indias industrial sector will languish. The private sector by contrast does well and the challenge for the government is to make the public sector do as well. This does not always entail privatisation.

Yet, in the three years he has been in office, Mr Modi has shown a singular lack of interest in the public sector where our economic and industrial malaise is concentrated. He has heard enough of the gripes of the private sector captains. Mr Modi should now be talking to PSU bosses to understand their problems and seek ideas and advice from them on how to jumpstart the moribund PSUs so that they can contribute to growth in a meaningful way.

Thirty-five years ago in 1980-81 the capital invested in Central PSUs was Rs 18, 207 crore and they had a combined turnover of Rs 28,635 crore. In 2016, Capital Employed (Paid up capital plus reserve and surplus and long-term loans) in all CPSUs stood at Rs 19,68,311 crore on March 31, 2016. The 320 CPSUs contributed by way of excise duty, customs duty, corporate tax, interest on Central government loans, dividend and other duties and taxes Rs 278,075 crore, which increased from Rs 2,00,593 crore in 2014-15, showing a growth of 38.63 per cent. They also employed 12.34 lakh people (excluding contractual workers) in 2015-16.

Considering that the entire industrial sector only contributes about 20 per cent of the GDP, it is quite obvious that many, if not most, of the commanding heights of the economy are still with the public sector. India has made huge investments in the public sector and has never got even halfway to a fair return on them.

Clearly, the overall picture is not a rosy one, for our PSUs depend on administered prices and are mostly oligarchies in many major sectors such as coal, hydrocarbons and minerals. The state oil companies contributed 30.4 per cent of all PSU profits, the coal sector 20.5 per cent and the power sector 14.4 per cent. In 2015, the 41 PSUs in these three sectors together provided Rs 100,369 crore or about two-thirds of PSU profits. If you keep these three sectors aside, the rest of the PSUs together earned a pittance. This is a sorry state of affairs.

Quite clearly we are unable to extract any benefits from the huge investments made in these companies. The PM should focus his attention of improving their performance instead of being attentive to only the needs of the private sector, which for the most part are well managed and are profitable.

Soon after he assumed office, Mr Modi indicated plans to do more with state-controlled companies than use them as piggy banks to break into whenever the government needed a revenue boost. He said he had plans to sell off the traditional laggards and to fix the ones with potential. He also signalled the government had plans to privatise state-run firms and unfetter them from the clutches of the middle bureaucracy of deputy and joint secretaries. There is no sign of this any of these happening. PSU holdings are being offloaded to plug revenue gaps without any plan to make PSUs profitable and contribute to the States coffers.

But solutions are possible that will enable the public sector to become a profitable, productive and contributing sector of our economy. The critical first step would be to take all the PSUs from out of their administrative ministries and bring them under one administrative ministry whose mandate would be to make the PSUs cumulatively profitable.

Then by a process that selectively uses liquidation, outright sale, restructuring and amalgamations, new, viable and profitable entities could be created whose ownership could then be progressively diluted to broad base it and liberate these companies from bureaucratic and ministerial control. All this is possible, but only if Mr Modi focuses his attention on reforming and restructuring our PSUs and on realising returns on the huge investments the nation has made on them.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank.

The government has finalised the details of a task force on Indus Water Treaty, which will be formed within one week. (Photo: PTI/File)

Washington: The latest round of talks between India and Pakistan on the Indus Waters Treaty have ended without any agreement, the World Bank has said, while asserting that it will continue to work with complete impartiality to resolve the issues in an amicable manner.

Amid a chill in bilateral ties, the second round of discussions between India and Pakistan on Ratle and Kishanganga hydroelectric projects, over which Islamabad has raised objections, took place at the World Bank headquarters here on September 14 and 15 under the aegis of the World Bank.

"While an agreement has not been reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the Treaty provisions," the World Bank said in a statement.

"Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty," it said after the conclusion of the Secretary-level discussions between the two countries on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The World Bank remains committed to act in good faith and with "complete impartiality and transparency" in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Treaty, while continuing to assist the countries, it said in its statement.

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

The World Banks role in relation to the "differences" and "disputes" is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties.

The Indian delegation was led by the Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh. It also included Indias Indus Water Commissioner and representatives from the ministry of external affairs, power, and Central Water Commission.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan along with Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.

The last round of talks were held on August 1, which the World bank said were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.
Trump has complained that the United States funds 22 percent of the UN budget and nearly 30 percent of UN peacekeeping duties.

Washington: President Donald Trump will pummel foes and embrace friends in his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week, keeping pressure on Washingtons adversaries North Korea and Iran, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said on Friday.

Briefing reporters ahead of the annual UN meeting, Haley and White House national security adviser HR McMaster took a tough line on North Korea, warning that a military option to deal with its nuclear threats was available.

Trump will meet with leaders from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America throughout the week, but his remarks, scheduled for Tuesday morning, will be the presidents highest profile opportunity to explain his foreign policy vision couched in his America first agenda.

I personally think he slaps the right people, he hugs the right people, and he comes out with (the) US being very strong, in the end, Haley, speaking at the White House, said of Trumps speech.

Haley declined to say whether Trump would commit Washington to maintaining its current level of funding for the 193-nation body. Trump has complained that the United States funds 22 percent of the UN budget and nearly 30 percent of UN peacekeeping duties.

Trump will kick off the week with a meeting about UN reform on Monday. He will then have meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that will focus on Iran, McMaster said. Trump has dinner scheduled with Latin American leaders.

On Tuesday, he will meet Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Trump said last week he would be willing to mediate the worst dispute in decades between Qatar and US-allied Arab states.

On Wednesday, he will meet with leaders from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Britain and Egypt and on Thursday there are talks scheduled with leaders from Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine before holding a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan.

McMaster said it was unlikely that Trump would speak to Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, whom the White House has sanctioned and called a dictator.
China fought alongside North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Chinese leader Mao Zedong lost his eldest son.

Washington: China's ambassador to Washington on Friday called on the United States to refrain from making threats over North Korea, which a day earlier launched another missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai told reporters at an embassy event: "Honestly, I think the United States should be doing ... much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue."

"They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation," he said.

President Donald Trump and others in the United States and beyond have urged China to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on its Communist ally to help resolve the standoff over North Korea's weapons programmes.

China fought alongside North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Chinese leader Mao Zedong lost his eldest son, and Beijing has long been Pyongyang's chief ally and primary trade partner.

But the Chinese government has pushed back against the notion that it has any control over Pyongyang, and says it is the United States that should be doing more.

Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States was considering halting trade with countries doing business with North Korea.

Cui on Friday cautioned against putting China-US trade on the table.

"Efforts to undermine Sino-US trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target," the Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Cui as saying on Friday at a Chinese National Day reception.

"If someone were to pressure China or impose sanctions on China over the DPRK, it would not be supported by many US citizens," Cui said, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Workers at US airplane factories, farmers growing soybeans, companies that sell smartphones to China, manufacturers that enjoy large market shares in China, companies in the service sector that have gained trade surplus in China, US states that engage in robust trade with China would all stand against it," Xinhua quoted him as saying.
North Korea successfully fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan on Friday.

North Koreas state media said Kim inspected the loading of a hydrogen bomb into a new ICBM. (Photo: AP)

Seoul: North Korea said Saturday it was seeking military "equilibrium" with the United States as leader Kim Jong-Un vowed to complete Pyongyang's nuclear programme, which he said had "nearly reached the terminal".

North Korea successfully fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan on Friday, responding to a new round of UN sanctions over its sixth nuclear test with its furthest-ever missile flight.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK," leader Kim said, according to a report carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Kim said the country was close to the goal of completing its nuclear ambitions and should use all power at its disposal to finish the task, saying it had "nearly reached the terminal", the official KCNA news agency reported.

Kim said Friday's launch, which it described as a drill rather than a test, had increased the North's "combat power of the nuclear force", KCNA reported.

"We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade," Kim said, according to KCNA.

The UN Security Council condemned Friday's launch as "highly provocative" and US President Donald Trump scheduled talks with the leaders of Japan and South Korea to address the crisis.

"As Kim Jong-Un's most recent launch demonstrates, this is one of the world's most urgent and dangerous security problems," US National Security Advisor H.R McMaster said.

Equilibrium 'unrealistic'

The US Pacific Command confirmed Friday's rocket was an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and said it did not pose a threat to North America or to the US Pacific territory of Guam, which Pyongyang has threatened with "enveloping fire".

Seoul's defence ministry said it probably travelled around 3,700 kilometres (2,300 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometres.

Yang Uk, an analyst with the Korea Defence and Security Forum, told AFP that Kim's stated ambition of achieving a military balance was some way off.

"It's too unrealistic for North Korea to reach equilibrium in nuclear force with the US even if it's true that the North has been making a rapid progress in its nuclear drive," he said.

The North has raised global tensions with its rapid progress in weapons technology under Kim, who is regularly pictured by state media overseeing launches and visiting facilities.

"The latest launch, which was apparently made from a TEL (transporter erector launcher or missile vehicle) instead of a makeshift launch pad, means the North is now ready to deploy the IRBM Hwasong-12 for combat purposes," he said.

The North's previous missile launch, a Hwasong-12 IRBM just over two weeks ago, also overflew Japan's main islands and was the first to do so for years.

"Within three to five years, the North is expected to be capable of operating nuclear missiles as deterrence," Yang Uk added.

Calls for talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron jointly appealed for talks with North Korea, saying this was the only way to resolve tensions over its nuclear programme.

The crisis requires resolution "exclusively through political and diplomatic means, by restarting direct negotiations", a Kremlin statement said following a phone call between the leaders.

The appeal was directed at the United States and Japan, countries calling to ramp up pressure through sanctions rather than pin hopes on talks.

Russia and China, North Korea's main ally, on Monday backed a US-drafted resolution at the Security Council to impose fresh sanctions on Pyongyang -- but they maintain dialogue is key to defuse the crisis.

Washington has rejected as "insulting" a proposal from China to kick-start talks with a freeze on North Korea's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korean drills.

The sanctions imposed on Monday banned the North's textile trade, stopped new work permits for its labourers, and imposed restrictions on shipments of oil products, among other measures.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo could "never tolerate" what he called a "dangerous provocative action that threatens world peace".

In response to Friday's launch, South Korea's military immediately carried out a ballistic missile drill of its own, with the defence ministry saying it took place while the North's rocket was still airborne.

President Moon Jae-In told an emergency meeting of Seoul's national security council that dialogue with the North was "impossible in a situation like this".
The SC disqualified Mr Sharif on July 28. According to details, the apex court concluded hearing on the petitions and reserved the verdict.

Islamabad: Pakistans Supreme Court on Friday dismissed all review petitions filed by ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his children, Hassan, Hussain and Maryam Nawaz and finance minister Ishaq Dar on the Panama verdict.

The SC disqualified Mr Sharif on July 28. According to details, the apex court concluded hearing on the petitions and reserved the verdict. Supreme Courts five-judge bench headed by Justice Saeed Khosa took over the review petitions and heard the arguments of Mr Sharifs lawyer Khawaja Haris. Justice Khosa read the verdict.

In its verdict, SC remarked that the final verdict of July 28 was prepared very carefully.

Earlier, the SC had said that the judges were just and fair to all, therefore, the Sharifs should have faith in the court instead of taking to the streets.

Justice Khosa, heading a five-member bench hearing the review petitions against the Panama Papers case verdict of July 28, said: This is not the first case against the Sharifs, as, in the past, cases were filed against the Sharif family and the courts provided them relief. It is a wrong impression that the SC is against them.

After his disqualification, former Mr Sharif headed to Lahore from Islamabad via Grand Trunk Road while addressing big rallies and making speeches and raising an objection to the manner the SC disqualified him. Mr Sharif also criticised the superior judiciary in his addresses.



Justice Khosa, heading a five-member bench hearing the review petitions against the Panama Papers case verdict of July 28, said: This is not the first case against the Sharifs, as, in the past, cases were filed against the Sharif family and the courts provided them relief. It is a wrong impression that the Supreme Court is against them.



He said that even the worst criminal was entitled to the protection of the law, and this court has always stood for and defended the fundamental rights of the citizens. We are just and fair to all, Justice Khosa said. Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed also said: Have faith in us and not in the streets.

The counsel for Nawaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that their clients have faith in the court, therefore, they were before them.

Justice Khosa said that during Ziaul Haqs regime, when people were hanged publically, the Amnesty International wrote a letter to the August court against the public hanging. The top court on the letter of the AI took suo moto notice and on its order, the public hanging was stopped, he said.

Justice Khosa addressing both the counsel said: There is the legislature and you (Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz) are running all the institutions. If you want to make changes in the law or Constitution, it is up to you, but we (judges) will perform our duty what is written in the Constitution.
Hamza bin Laden has become active as an Al-Qaeda propagandist since his fathers death.

Beirut: Hamza bin Laden, son and would-be heir of late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has urged Muslims around the world to join the jihad in Syria against crusaders and Shias.

The cause of Syria is the cause of the entire worldwide Muslim community, he said in an undated audio recording released on jihadist networks on Thursday.

In order for the people of Syria to resist the Crusader, Shias and international aggression, Muslims  all Muslims  must stand with them, support them and give them victory, he said.

Wakefulness is essential, as is quick, serious and organised movement, to support the people of blessed Syria before it is too late.

Hamza, who is in his mid-20s, has become active as an Al-Qaeda propagandist since his fathers death at the hands of US special forces in May 2011.

Syria has been devastated by a six-year war and given an opening to jihadists including the Islamic State group and the Fateh al-Sham Front.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Sunni extremist group that last month seized control of the northern Syrian city of Idlib, is dominated by the Al-Qaeda offshoot, which officially broke ties with the network founded by Osama bin Laden. But experts say the name change was little more than a re-branding.

Many believe the group is positioning itself as more moderate than the Islamic State group in hopes of a resurgence.

The United States added Hamza bin Laden to its terrorist blacklist in January. The US treasury estimates that he was born in 1989 in the Saudi city of Jeddah. His mother was Khairiah Sabar, one of the Al-Qaeda founders three wives.

Last year, the fifth anniversary of the death of the man who ordered the 9/11 attacks on the United States, experts began to note his sons increasing prominence in the movement.

The state department has designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, freezing any assets he holds in areas under US jurisdiction. In an undated audio message released in August, Hamza bin Laden urged his Saudi supporters to rebel and overthrow the kingdoms rulers.

Experts believe he is preparing to take over the leadership of Al-Qaeda and exploit the Islamic State groups defeats in Syria and Iraq to unify the global jihadist movement under the banner of Al-Qaeda. US said that Hamza was the favourite son of Osama, who had been grooming him to take over as al-Qaedas leader.

Hamza proclaimed that Al-Qaeda stood with the people of Syria and that they would continue to fight Assad government.
He was one of the four young "ambassadors" who left for Europe in 1582. They returned in 1590 to a more "suspicious" Japan towards Christians. Rosary beads found in his grave. A story close to the movie "Silence" by Martin Scorsese.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Contrary to what has so far been believed, Miguel Chijiwa, one of the four young men of the Japanese expedition, sent to Europe in 1582, did not abandon the Christian faith. Renewed interest in his life was sparked by is the revelation in his graveyard of a rosary, or 59 "glass beads" of five different colors, between 2 and 5 mm in diameter with small holes inside.

Some of these "beads" are of European origin. In addition, a 2,6 cm long semicircular glass plate was found, most likely the lid of a reliquary. The discovery was made public on September 8 by members of the Disposal Committee, consisting of Chijiwa descendants and history specialists and enthusiasts.

Chijiwa had left with three other young people for Europe for an expedition by Alessandro Valignano, a Jesuit missionary for the "Indies of the East". Everyone under the age of 15, the three "ambassadors" represented three Christian feudal lords (daimyo) of Kyushu. They accompanied the Portuguese Jesuit Diogo de Masquita. Returning to Japan in 1590, the four joined the Jesuit order. On their return, the civil war (sengoku), which had uprooted the country for more than 100 years, was ending, leaving a figure in power whose suspicious attitude towards Christianity foretold the persecution that would follow. In 1587, in fact, the new imperial regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi had issued an edict ordering the Jesuits to leave Japan. Although never put in place, the order represented the signal of the Japanese authorities' view that Christians represented a political threat.

Until now, it was believed that Chijiwa was the only one to have recanted, while the other three had continued to serve the Christian mission faithfully. The recent discovery calls into question this historical assumption.

The question of recanting the faith in Japan during the centuries of Christian persecution is a topic highlighted by Martin Scorsese's movie "Silence". As mentioned in AsiaNews's review of the film, the truth is that many Christians did not really give up on the faith. And this last discovery confirms it.
by Pierre Balanian

Two Saudi preachers from the Islamic tribunal have resigned. The Ahrar el Sham group withdrew last July. The Damascus Liberation Organization is just another name for al Qaeda. Retaliatory clashes increase, suspicions grow. Contacts with Russians and Iranians in an attempt to save themselves from an imminent attack by the Syrian army.

Idleb (AsiaNews) - The Damascus Liberation Organization (Haiya'at Tahrir Al Sham), which gathers many Islamist groups fighting Syria's Assad under its umbrella, is crumbling. In July there was the withdrawal of the Ahrar el Sham group (the Liberators of Damascus), among the first to fight in the civil war. On September 11, there was the resignation of the Saudi preachers and judges of the Islamic Sharia, Abdallah Al Muhaissni and Mosleh Al Ilyani, which has triggered a domino effect, feeding the hypothesis that it is the beginning of the organisms dissolution.

Haiya'at Tahrir Al Sham was set up on January 28 this year, and comprises a myriad of militia opponents of the Syrian government at Idleb. For the most part it is made up of non-Syrian people, united by Islamic terrorism, called "holy war" against all those who distance themselves from Takfiri integralism.

Over the past few months, the dissension between Koranic lawmakers and combatants has grown resulting in numerous mutual criticism and disagreements about how to conduct military operations against the movement of Ahrar el Sham and the use of weapons  rather than convictions - to impose unity within the group on other factions and secure a "revolutionary legitimacy" for Abi Mohamed Al Golani, leader of Al Nusra, and his followers.

In fact, the cause of the turmoil, disagreement and the refusal of all factions to remain united under a single flag is the Al Nusra Front, the biggest and most dominant component in the group, which has been classified as a terrorist organization. The turmoil has sharpened with growing rumors - backed by intelligence reports - of an imminent Syrian Army attack on Idleb as soon as Operation Deir Ez Zor ends. The attack should take place with a Russian-Turkish-Iranian cover.

The resignations of Abdallah Al Muhaissni and Mosleh Al Ilyani have opened the door to discussions between the supporters and opponents of the Ahrar of Damascus, led by Abi Saleh Al Tahan, who has cut all ties with the Nur Eddin Al Zenki Movement out of fear of becoming embroiled in the imminent attack of the Syrian army at Idleb.

Whatever the reason for the split within Ahrar Al Sham, its withdrawal reveals that the Damascus Liberation Organs is just another cover name, another alias of Al Nahra, formerly Al Qaeda. In the latter body there are no members of Al Nusra. Meanwhile, the Damascus Ahrar army has called for Idleb Sharia'a Tribunal to return the weapons and ammunition in their possession before the union, delivered 9 months ago to the unit's weapons depot.

Armed clashes between the Ahrar and the Organization have also intensified in the last few weeks, with battles in the desert areas of Ikarda, Maarat Al Naasan and Fua in the Idleb hinterland, which only ended after lengthy mediatios. Ahrar's chief of staff, Hashem El Sheikh, had threatened to resign from the body if attacks against the Damascus Ahrar Movement were continued. So far no resignations have taken place.

Exiles of the Ahrar Movement have circulated rumors that talk about the submission of Hashem El Sheikh to Al-Golani and that the latter has strongly criticized Turkey, their most direct ally, proposing a rapprochement with Iran before it is too late. These rumors pushed Hashem El Sheikh to open a profile on Instagram to voice his point. Al Golani did not deny that he had opened contact channels with Iran, but justified his doing so to free members of the Organization being held prisoner by Iran.

Meanwhile, Koranic legislator Ayman Harosh, close to the Ahrar of Damascus, revealed that Al Nusra has held secret encounters for more than two days with Russian personalities. These meetings are held in the house of Ahmad Al Darwish in the village of Abu Dali in the northeast hinterland of Hama. A statement issued by Ahrar of Damascus has denied the news, despite it containing names and details. But suspicions abound and apparently, everyone is worrying about the uncertain future and how to save their own skin. Since no one trusts anyone anymore, it can be assumed that the wave of defections will grow in the coming days.
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Authorities are going door-to-door in parts of Hernando County, urging residents to evacuate flood-prone areas.

Flood levels at Trilby expected to reach 17 feet by Monday

Deputies, firefighters going home-to-home

More: Storm Season 2017



The areas include Talisman Estates, Riverdale and other areas of concern along the Withlacoochee River.

The areas are expected to see record-high flood levels from the Withlacoochee.

Flood levels at Trilby are expected to reach 17 feet by Monday morning and possibly exceed that later in the week.

@HernandoSheriff's deputies going by water to get folks to evacuate from river flooding @BN9 pic.twitter.com/z7I5o2xTtS  Tim Wronka BN9 (@TimWronka) September 16, 2017

Flood levels at Croom are expected to rise to 10.8 feet by Monday morning and exceed that later in the week.

Deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, firefighters from Hernando County Fire/Rescue and officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are visiting residents and suggesting they leave the area.


N. Oregon Coast Events Look to Future of Cannon Beach, Ancient Egypt

Published 09/15/2017 at 4:37 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Cannon Beach, Oregon)  History and progress take the front seat on the north Oregon coast, just as the area around Cannon Beach begins some changes. Two events in the area spotlight the past in one way or another  with one going back thousands of years. (Above: the building of the Arch Cape Tunnel in the '30s).

The Arch Cape Tunnel on the north Oregon coast will be undergoing some sizable construction soon, but first ODOT plans a celebration of the landmark's next moves forward. On Monday, September 25, there will be an open house at the Arch Cape Fire Station showing off the Arch Cape Tunnel Lighting Replacement Project.

The open house is held from 4 to 6 p.m. The Arch Cape Fire Station is on U.S. 101 in Arch Cape, about four miles south of Cannon Beach.

At the open house, the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the project which is scheduled for construction this winter. Oregon Department of Transportation staff will be available to talk about the project and answer questions.

The project will replace the entire tunnel lighting system within the tunnel including the lights, wiring, support systems and anchoes attached to the structure. The tunnel was opened in 1937 and lighting was last replaced in 1998.

There will be no complete closures of the tunnel during construction. One lane of traffic will remain open during construction with flaggers controlling two-way traffic. There will be no weekend lane closures.

For more information about the open house, contact Senior Project Leader Mike Schroeder at 503-325-7222 or [email protected]

The Cannon Beach History Center and Museum just announced the first installment of its lecture series, beginning Saturday, October 21. On that day, Egypt comes to the north Oregon coast.

The center partners with the Archaeology Institute of America for International Archaeology Day. To celebrate, the museum will have a pop-up exhibit on the history of archaeology in Egypt. Dr. Sarah Sterling will end the day with a presentation on her work and research on pyramids in Egypt.

The time for the lecture is still to be announced.

International Archaeology Day is a worldwide event that has nearly two hundred historical societies, schools, and museums participating. The purpose of this event is to bring archaeology and history to communities throughout the world.

This will be the Cannon Beach History Center & Museums third year participating. Dr. Sterling is an assistant professor at Portland State University. Sterling has overseen excavations around the world and spent many years at digs in Egypt. She will talk about her time and work there. Cannon Beach Hotels / Lodging for this event - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour



























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Joey Foley/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Supporters of President Donald Trump and fans of the hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse held separate rallies on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.



The unrelated events brought hundreds of demonstrators to the area stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the United States Capitol. Both had attracted widespread attention.



Fans of Insane Clown Posse, known as "Juggalos," held the "Juggalo March" to protest their classification as a gang by the FBI and Department of Justice. A 2011 report on emerging trends by the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center listed Juggalos under "nontraditional gangs."



"Many Juggalos subsets exhibit gang-like behavior and engage in criminal activity and violence," reads the report. "Most crimes committed by Juggalos are sporadic, disorganized, individualistic and often involve simple assault, personal drug use and possession, petty theft and vandalism."



Insane Clown Posse, composed of members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, voiced intentions to sue the FBI in 2012 over their fans' inclusion in the report, according to Rolling Stone. A lawsuit on the matter in 2014 was dismissed and eventually revived by a federal appeals court in 2015, according to the ACLU, which filed the case.



The official "Juggalo March" website describes personal and professional hardships faced by fans over the gang description, including the loss of employment and denial of admittance into the armed forces. The Saturday event will feature speakers and an organized protest march on the western end of the Mall, and will culminate with an Insane Clown Posse performance.



The pro-Trump rally, labeled the "Mother of All Rallies," was billed as an opportunity for participants to "demand protection for traditional American culture while they express their love for the United States and the 'America First' agenda," according to its website. The event included speakers and musical performances near the Washington Monument in the center of the Mall.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Stuart, Va.-based Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick began diverting patients from its ER Wednesday before announcing later in the day that it will soon close within days, according to WDBJ7.

The ER shutdown is the first phase of the hospital's closure. All admitted acute care patients will be treated until they are ready for discharge or transfer, the hospital's clinic will continue to see scheduled patients and outpatient visits will continue as scheduled until September 15.

The hospital filed for bankruptcy in March 2016. Administrators were hoping to organize a sale of the hospital and seamlessly transition service, but were not able to reach a deal with a buyer. The resignation of one physician appears to be the deciding factor for the change in plans to close. In a statement, the hospital said it was exploring a sale when the physician recruited in 2016 to lead its clinic submitted his resignation on July 31, with his final day being September 30.

Patrick County's Emergency Services Coordinator told WDBJ 7 the county doesn't employ full-time EMS workers. They're volunteers, and the hospital closure is expected to greatly affect them and transport times, which may go from 30 minutes to two to three hours.
Hurricane Irma's credit ramifications for Florida's hospitals will develop over years to come, according to an analysis released Friday by Moody's Investors Service.

In the short term, hospitals affected by the hurricane will incur unbudgeted costs, including those for overtime and clean up, while at the same time losing revenue from canceled procedures and visits. In the longer-term, effects will depend on whether the hurricane causes changes to the local population base and how that impacts patient volumes, according to Moody's.

Irma impacted hospitals that are part of large systems headquartered outside of Florida, but given the size of the parent organizations, Moody's expects hurricane-related costs to be absorbable. However, smaller institutions may not fare as well.

"The storm will have a significant financial impact on some institutions, particularly smaller entities that suffered comparably more physical damage and had to close outpatient services for several days," according to Moody's.

More articles on healthcare finance:

10 hospitals with strong finances

Dana-Farber records $34.9M operating loss in first 9 months of FY 2017

6 hospital CFOs in the headlines
Ateev Mehrotra, MD, an associate professor of healthcare policy and medicine at Harvard Medical School and a hospitalist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, used one word to describe how his experience price shopping for care went  terribly.

Dr. Mehrotra detailed his experience in a recent opinion piece in STAT. He, like many other Americans, has a high-deductible health plan, which meant paying the entire cost out-of-pocket to have a stye on his daughter's eyelid remove. He wanted to compare prices for the procedure, and he began the price shopping process with several advantages: He lives in Massachusetts, which has price transparency laws; he's a physician; he has researched price transparency and consumerism; and he had a lot of time to shop around because the surgery was not urgent.

However, the process did not go as smoothly as expected. His insurer's price transparency page was hard to find and did not include the information he needed, and the billing department for the ophthalmologist who evaluated his daughter did not know the fees for the operating room or the anesthesiologist. Other ophthalmologists said they would need to evaluate his daughter to provide a price quote, and each evaluation would cost in excess of $200, according to Dr. Mehrotra.

Still searching for a better estimate, Dr. Mehrotra called his health plan. The insurer asked for a written cost request from the surgeon and hospital being considered to perform the procedure. Twenty-four days after submitting the cost request, the insurer provided an estimate that was incomplete and incorrect.

One-month into the price shopping process Dr. Mehrotra had little information about the total cost of his daughter's procedure. He had the ophthalmologist who originally evaluated his daughter perform the surgery, even though the total cost of the procedure was unknown.

"Sadly, my family's price-shopping experience is the norm in the U.S. My colleagues and I have found that most people can't successfully shop for care, and that offering people a price transparency website doesn't help them switch to lower-cost providers and doesn't decrease health care spending," Dr. Mehrotra wrote.

He made the following four recommendations to improve the process:

1. Bundle payments to hospitals and surgery centers to simplify billing.

2. Require healthcare providers to give cost estimates as soon as a procedure is recommended.

3. Make it easier to access price data.

4. Help patients profile primary care physicians based on the prices of tests they order and specialists they recommend patients to.

Read Dr. Mehrotra's full opinion piece here.

More articles on healthcare finance:

10 hospitals with strong finances

Dana-Farber records $34.9M operating loss in first 9 months of FY 2017

6 hospital CFOs in the headlines
Several physicians and employees at Everett, Pa.-based UPMC Bedford Memorial were disciplined after a state investigation revealed a "ton" of employees crowded into an operating room to take photos and videos of a patient without consent, according to Penn Live.

The patient arrived at the facility's emergency room Dec. 23 for a genital injury that required surgery to remove a "foreign body," according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's report of the incident.

A UPMC Bedford employee told investigators a physician requested a photo of the patient be taken with an operating room camera "to use for future medical lectures," the health department's report states. The employee told investigators the OR camera was broken, necessitating the use of "personal phones."

"OR staff had apparently taken photos and video of the patient using their personal cell phones, and were showing the photos to other hospital staff," according to the health department's investigation."Initially, we [investigators] thought there was only one picture taken, but later we learned of others. We also had the camera checked out, it is working, it is just too complicated to use."

The health department cited UPMC Bedford for multiple violations, including failing to protect the patient's confidentiality and privacy and for allowing people not involved in the patient's care into the OR. The PDOH also required the hospital to carry out a plan of correction, which included "disciplining an unspecified number of staff members" and "appointing a new surgical services nursing director," the report states.

A hospital medical executive committee also conducted an investigation into the incident. The investigation resulted in the suspension of two physicians. Their identities were not released.

In an emailed statement to Penn Live, UPMC officials said "UPMC is committed to ensuring that our patients' health information remains confidential. The behavior reported in this case is abhorrent and violates the mission of UPMC Bedford and the overall values of UPMC.

"Upon discovery, UPMC quickly self-reported the incident to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and took appropriate disciplinary action with the individuals involved," the statement continued. "The department of health has approved our plan of correction. We have also alerted the affected patient. Since this is an ongoing investigation, we are not at liberty to comment further at this time."
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente revealed plans to launch 31 retail clinics in Target stores across southern California.

Kaiser will staff the clinics with licensed nurse practitioners and vocational nurses, and will provide patients access to physicians via telemedicine consultations. The clinics will provide care for a variety of health concerns, including diabetes, women's healthcare, basic dermatology services and minor illnesses like strep throat and the flu.

Kaiser currently staffs four clinics at various Target locations in southern California. Health system officials said four clinics will open in November, with additional facilities set to open within the next three years.

The program builds on Kaiser and Target's existing partnership, which began in 2014.
An arbitrator awarded neurosurgeon David Newell, MD, a former employee of Seattle-based Swedish Health, $17.5 million Thursday. Dr. Newell alleged Swedish fired him in retaliation for issuing complaints about a fellow surgeon at the facility, The Seattle Times reports.

Here are eight things to know about the case.

1. Swedish fired Dr. Newell roughly one year ago. Health system officials contend Dr. Newell was fired for failing to notify officials he had been arrested and jailed for soliciting sex at a massage parlor in July 2016, where police had set up a sting operation. Dr. Newell pleaded guilty to soliciting a prostitute, and agreed to pay a fine and complete 80 hours of community service, according to court records.

2. Swedish officials alleged Dr. Newell breached his employment agreement by failing to immediately notify health system officials of his involvement in a "criminal investigation" following the incident with police.

3. However, Dr. Newell claimed Swedish officials used the prostitution case "as a cover to get rid of him" after he issued complaints about a "star" colleague, Johnny Delashaw, MD, the report states.

4. Dr. Delashaw resigned from his post as chairman of the Seattle-based Swedish Neuroscience Institute in March after The Seattle Times published an investigation calling his patient care practices into question. The Medical Quality Assurance Commission in Washington state suspended Dr. Delashaw's medical license in May following an investigation into claims outlined in The Seattle Times report.

5. Dr. Newell, speaking through his lawyer, told The Seattle Times he issued complaints about Dr. Delashaw as early as 2015, expressing concerns Dr. Delashaw was allegedly "trying to marginalize him, take some of his work and seeking to get him fired," court records state. Dr. Newell also claimed Dr. Delashaw "retaliated against him by dismantling his practice and harassing him," according to court records.

6. In his testimony, Dr. Newell stated he did not immediately tell Swedish officials about the prostitution incident and subsequent arrest because "he was waiting  until he got information in the mail about the case," the report states. His lawyers wrote during the arbitration case neither the Seattle Police Department nor the Seattle City Attorney's Office "inform[ed] Dr. Newell  verbally or in writing  that he was the subject of a criminal investigation  nor did he have any knowledge of the existence of a criminal investigation," court records state.

7. Newell's lawyers have reportedly requested a judge confirm the $17.5 million award, which includes $16.5 million for lost earnings and $1 million for emotional distress, the report states. Swedish Health, along with parent company Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services, plan to challenge the award in court.

8. Despite his termination, Dr. Newell has continued to perform surgeries at Swedish Health's Cherry Hill campus, where he maintains privileges. The Washington State Department of Health contended that by working at the facility, Dr. Newell had committed unprofessional conduct and may face sanctions. The health department's case regarding Newell is still pending, according to the report.
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The impending loss of almost 100 jobs at Bombardier has been described as another "huge blow" to the plane-maker as its local workforce continues to face an uncertain future.

A total of 95 workers, primarily support staff, both permanent and agency, are being let go at the Canadian-owned firm, which employs more than 4,000 locally.

The losses come after this newspaper revealed in May that an IBM outsourcing plan could lead to cutbacks at the company.

The fate of hundreds more jobs at the business could rest in the hands of US President Donald Trump, who has become embroiled in a trade row.

The dispute centres on a legal case brought by US aviation giant Boeing, claiming that the sale of Bombardier's aircraft, in particular its flagship C Series passenger jets, was partly subsidised by a $1bn bailout from the regional Quebec government.

If successful, the challenge could price Bombardier out of its biggest market.

Prime Minister Theresa May has asked President Trump to help broker a deal to resolve the disagreement.

A spokeswoman for Bombardier said: "Following the 7,500 global workforce reductions announced by Bombardier Inc last October, we have reviewed our manpower requirements in Belfast and regret to confirm that we must reduce our workforce levels by up to 95.

"Those impacted will be functional support personnel, including managers and professional staff.

"We acknowledge the impact this will have on our workforce and their families and will explore opportunities to help mitigate the number of compulsory redundancies.

"However, we need to continue to cut costs and improve efficiency to help ensure our long-term competitiveness."

Davy Thompson, from Unite the union, said the announcement was terrible news for local workers.

"(It is) "another blow to the Bombardier workforce in Belfast and comes in the wake of wider concerns over the ongoing trade dispute with Boeing," he added.

"The rationale offered by management is that this has been brought about by the outsourcing of IT and the need to reduce staff in functional areas.

"We do not agree with their case and we are calling on them to lift the threat of redundancies at this time."

The union said it also met with DUP leader Arlene Foster to discuss how her party could ensure the Government would "maximise pressure on Boeing to withdraw their case", which "poses a serious threat to the future of Bombardier".

DUP MP for East Belfast Gavin Robinson described the job losses as a "huge blow, not least for those families who will be directly impacted".
Caroline Criado-Perez (far right) with MP Mary Macleod, Bank of England governor Mark Carney and MP Stella Creasy with the concept of the new 10 note. Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/PA

It was on a Friday that the Bank of England made me cross for the first time. I remember reading in the papers that it was releasing a new 5 note. I can't say I'd ever given their banknotes much thought before but this story struck me. The article I read explained that Winston Churchill, a personal hero of (the soon to be outgoing governor) Mervyn King, would be the face of the new fiver. He would be replacing the old face, who in the shape of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry just happened to be the only female historical figure on the entire range of banknotes.

I stewed on this news for much of the day. At the time I was already trying to combine studying for an MSc at the London School of Economics with running The Women's Room, an organisation I set up with a friend of mine to address the gender imbalance of experts in the media. I didn't really have time to take on another campaign.

Of course in the end I did what I always do when I get annoyed: I started the campaign anyway, hand-waving over the fact that I had coursework due in two days. In fact, it was partly as a result of The Women's Room that I couldn't let it go: setting it up had led me to research the impact of role models on women. I discovered evidence that role models had statistically significant impact on women's performance in maths tests, political engagement, academic course choices - even speech-giving ability. Knowing what I knew, I wasn't going to take this latest scrubbing out of women from public life laying down.

I was a fairly newly hatched feminist, and with the optimism of a new convert I felt sure the Bank of England only needed the incongruity (and the damage the invisibility of women does) pointing out to them. They'd take it from there.

It didn't quite work out like that. Starting that campaign was the beginning of one of the most intense three-month periods of my life.

The first response to the petition I started came in the shape of a "thank you for your comments" brush-off email. Next up, after a flurry of media attention, was Mervyn himself, who made a public statement kindly explaining that the Queen was on all the banknotes so he couldn't see what all the fuss was about.

Of course, I had actually noticed this. I also knew that becoming Queen is not exactly a realistic aspiration for women on the whole and, unlike the men on the front of the note, she is there by accident of birth, not to honour any of her achievements. Whatever you think of the Queen, it's not like she got there on merit. Which is kind of relevant when we're talking about inspiring role models, and, frankly, should have been obvious really.

And then came the lawyers.

I worked with the excellent Louise Whitfield at Deighton Pierce Glynn; the Bank hired Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, which is about as prestigious and expensive as it gets. It was starting to feel extremely David and Goliath.

This was the first time I had ever been involved in a legal wrangle and I was quickly disabused of my naive notion that lawyers must answer straight questions. Over the course of three letter exchanges the Bank's lawyers repeatedly mischaracterised our complaint, and ignored direct questions about their decision-making process. They also hedged their bets, telling us that the choice of historical figures was not an equality matter but that in any case they had complied with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) to promote equality of opportunity in their decision-making process, but they wouldn't provide us with any evidence of having done so. It looked like we were going to court.

But then I got a call. Would I go in to meet Chris Salmon, then chief cashier, and Victoria Cleland, head of the notes division?

It was another first: I had never been in such a high-level meeting before and frankly, as I walked through the enormous entrance and into the double-height lobby I was intimidated.

But I had to stick to my guns. We would settle for nothing less than a public commitment to include female historical figures on banknotes and for a change in their decision-making process to ensure equitable outcomes in future. And we needed an answer before our deadline for filing our judicial review.

They said they would get back to me. Eventually, with days to spare, we got another call - would I go in again?

Fearing nothing good (if it was good news, why not tell me over the phone?) I headed back to Threadneedle Street and into a meeting with Victoria and Chris - where they more or less read my list of demands back at me. Only this time they were promises.

I kept a poker face but as soon as I was out of the meeting, I called my lawyer and shrieked down the phone that we'd won. I remember running from Bank to Angel. Daft Punk came on my headphones, the sun was shining and I couldn't stop grinning. I couldn't believe it. We'd taken them on and won.

Fast-forward four years and the 10 note with Jane Austen on it was released this week.

I don't think it will be real until I hold one in my hand - but I imagine it will feel amazing. I'll be donating my first Austen tenner to my local women's shelter. It feels like the right way to end this chapter of my life.
Restaurants come in three categories. Regardless of price range or star-rating restaurants can be classed under the three headings: "Deserves to succeed", "Should be placed on life support", or "Avoid".

A restaurant which deserves to succeed is the one which unhesitatingly comes to mind when the adviser suggests going out for lunch or dinner.

My go-to happy places in these situations range from Kurrito on Botanic Avenue to James Street South, the Meat Locker and Muddler's Club. OX, Nu Delhi, La Taqueria and Macau are also in this season's premier division.

Restaurants which should be on life support are those which are almost good but which are failing on one of three points: environment, service or food. For instance, The Vestry cafe which is housed in the same former church as the top class Saphyre, is inconsistent on service and food. My mother-in-law swears by it and loves it but the adviser has had her ups and downs in the place. A bit of tightening up on training and quality produce would quickly straighten this out.

Places to avoid include a world famous Belfast city centre bar (The Crown Liquor Saloon) where I've endured the worst food in Belfast. It's appearance on these pages has been unhappy. Paradoxically, it's also one of the places to enjoy the best pints you can get in the city.

Some restaurants fall between these categories.

These are the restaurants which you really hope and wish will be good, but manage to disappoint nonetheless. The juggling act necessary to ensure a good restaurant experience (and I stress that this applies to fast food joints as clearly as it does to Michelin-starred brasseries) requires managers and staff to make the place comfortable and free of draughts with good lighting, excellent, friendly servers and good food. If you have all three, you will succeed no matter where the location is.

For Salt Bistro in Belfast, two out of three is not enough. It's a pleasant restaurant to sit in and the front of house people are charming, youthful and helpful. But the food is not up to the job.

This is a restaurant which qualifies for life support because it's worth saving. The location is great and you get the feeling that if the chef would just stop overcooking fish, that it would be a very good little place to go before seeing a show at the MAC next door.

I recently went with the sea captain whose former life in the fisheries protection fleet means he knows a thing or two about fish. Haddock fish cakes had a fair ratio of fish to potato and the bite of the chilli within was welcome, even if the captain, a man more in tune with simple and straightforward flavours, fears a little heat. Mussels were overcooked and heading towards shrivelled but the fact that there were so few of them anyway meant that this was largely forgettable.

Plaice for both of us provided the evidence to determine that both dishes of the dried-out filets were overcooked. If one had been better cooked, then we could overlook the overcooking of the other as an accident. Dipped in a soft breadcrumb coating, the filets just couldn't survive the time in the pan. Conversely, the crushed potatoes beneath were delightfully moist and rich, buttery and robustly tasty. There was an odd flavour from the accompanying green beans and I couldn't put my finger on whether they had suffered from burnt butter or some other unfortunate incident.

When the dishes were being cleared, the server asked if everything was OK. We answered to say that the fish had been overcooked but that seeing as we were hungry we ate most of it anyway. He said he was grateful for the comment and would let the chef know. That's not really good enough if you're running a good restaurant. If the complaint is reasonable, then surely the point is to try to get these punters back and remove the offending items from the bill.

Salt Bistro is the kind of restaurant I really wish would deliver. Its seaside feel, its current BYO situation and the intimacy of the place means one really wants to stay on and enjoy the evening there.

Unfortunately, the poor food has been a recurring theme over the past three or four visits and I see no improvement.

The bill

Fishcakes ........................................ 6.50

Mussels ........................................... 7.00

Plaice x 2............................................ 30

Corkage (wine)............................... 3.50

Total............................................... 47.00
More than 100 premises in Northern Ireland have been checked as part of a province-wide operation to ensure all door staff are licensed.

Operation Noomin - a special operation between the PSNI, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and Crimestoppers - ran during August.

The aim was to ensure all door staff are SIA licensed.

Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton said officers checked at least 118 premises and 194 licences, describing it as a "positive operation".

"In Newry and Mourne, our officers detected 20 under age drinkers in a local bar. In this instance, the licensee has been cautioned for allowing minors on licensed premises and the parents of the young people spoken to," he said.

There were four detections for Engaging in Licensable Activity without a Valid Licence contrary to section three of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. One person has received an SIA warning. The other three are being reported to the PPS.

Det Supt Singleton warned police will continue to conduct random checks.
The Government's rejection of a compensation fund for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA violence is "one of the worst injustices in the history of the United Kingdom", it has been claimed.

For years Jonathan Ganesh, a survivor of the 1996 Docklands bomb, has campaigned for financial redress for all victims of IRA Semtex bomb attacks.

Yesterday he said that the UK government's stance was "shameful" in comparison to the compensation secured from Libya by the French, German and US governments.

A recommendation by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee for a UK reparations fund was roundly rejected by the Government, which said a fund for a specific group of victims presented it with "potential challenges".

The Government said: "The government notes the potential challenges of making additional UK resources available specifically to the victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA terrorism, which would need to be considered carefully against government support to victims of terrorism more generally, including in Northern Ireland."

Secretary of State James Brokenshire said compensation from Libya was a private matter for individual victims.

Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader, maintained a flow of guns and Semtex explosives used by IRA bombers during the Troubles, including the Enniskillen bomb in 1987, the 1993 Shankill bomb and the Docklands bomb in 1996.

Mr Ganesh, who was badly injured at Docklands, said: "This is perhaps one of the worst injustices in the history of the United Kingdom. What the UK government has done is shameful, they expect victims, many of whom have suffered severe trauma, are in wheelchairs, suffer PTSD and have colostomy bags, to take on the Libyan government.

"Victims in both the mainland UK and in Northern Ireland have sold their houses in order to pay for the care they receive.

"They have abandoned us and poured salt into our wounds by saying compensation is a private matter - how insulting, how disgusting."

Stephen Gault lost his father Samuel in the Enniskillen IRA bomb of 1987.

He was also among 200 families who started a legal challenge for compensation against the Libyan government 15 years ago.

"It doesn't surprise me they're doing a U-turn like this," he said, adding that he was "disgusted" to learn of the decision through the media rather than from the Government.

Mr Gault said the delays meant many of the survivors have died without help.

"With the Enniskillen bomb, there's at least five people passed away who were part of the original legal challenge, my mother (Gladys) included," he said.

Neil Tattersall (47) was badly injured in 1992 by an IRA bomb attack in Manchester. He was in his early 20s and waiting the birth of his first child.

Twenty-five years later, he continues to feel the physical and mental scars.

"Every country in the Western World looks after its citizens, but in the British government they just keep on slapping us down," he said.

"I feel they have defecated on us from a great height once again. I know this is a graphic way of putting it, but I cannot emphasise how strongly I feel that they don't give a damn about their own citizens."

Another victim, Noel Downey, also spoke of his anger.

In 1990, the off-duty UDR man - then aged 26 - lost a leg in Lisnaskea to an IRA car bomb.

"It's absolutely ridiculous now for the Government to say this is a private matter for victims," he said. "For starters, half of us will be dead before we could ever bring a deal with the Libyan government to fruition.

"Also we don't have the resources to take this through the courts. The money's sitting in the Treasury, it's there to be used and it's a pity it can't be made available to victims of Semtex like myself," he added.
Retired British soldier Dennis Hutchings is accused of the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in 1974

Hundreds of army veterans have marched in Westminster alongside a former soldier who is facing prosecution in connection with the death of a vulnerable man during the Troubles.

Dennis Hutchings, 76, is due to stand trial on charges linked to the shooting of John Pat Cunningham, a 27-year-old with learning difficulties who was killed in disputed circumstances in County Armagh in 1974.

Hutchings is accused of the attempted murder of unarmed Mr Cunningham. A court has heard that when the victim was shot he was running away from an Army patrol because he had a fear of men in uniform.

Hutchings, of Cawsand, Cornwall, is also facing a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Cunningham.

Campaign group Justice For Northern Ireland Veterans organised the solidarity march to protest at a number of recent investigations into the conduct of soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland during the conflict, which they say has been an unfair witch-hunt.

The march was met with a counter demonstration, by campaigners holding a silent vigil and carrying placards which read "I am John Pat Cunningham". At points, there were verbal clashes.

As the group of ex-soldiers marched past parliament, Mr Hutchings threw his military medals at the building.

One of the march organisers Alan Barry said: "If you let terrorists go free from jail, you cannot then go and prosecute the very people who were sent in to fight that dirty war in the first place, and that was us."

Mr Hutchings said: "Today went very well. I hope it shows the Government they have to do something about this absolute travesty of justice".

Many of the veterans wore their former military uniforms, decorated with medals they were awarded for their time in Northern Ireland and also carried Union and Northern Ireland flags.

After congregating in Horse GuardS Parade, they marched to Buckingham Palace, where they sang a rendition of God Save the Queen, before marching to Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square and then arriving at parliament.

Paul O'Connor, from the Pat Finucane Centre which works with the Cunningham family, was among those counter-protesting.

He said: "We're here today to remind people of who the victim was. It was John Pat Cunningham.

"I know that the British Army has had a culture of impunity over the years and they believe that they are not subject to the rule of law like anyone else, but they are - or they should be."

Mr O'Connor claimed some of those involved in the rally were abusive toward the counter-protesters.

Other counter-protests took place at locations in Northern Ireland including Belfast, Londonderry, Strabane and County Armagh.

The director of public prosecutions Barra McGrory has previously denied any bias against soldiers in decisions on whether to prosecute over historical deaths.

In January, he said: "The simple and clear reality is that we deal with cases as they are referred to us, in accordance with the Code for Prosecutors. There is no imbalance of approach within the PPS (Public Prosecution Service)."
Police in Northern Ireland have charged a 23-year-old man with a number of offences, including attempted murder and hijacking a vehicle.

The charges relate to incidents in Larne on September 11. He has also been charged with criminal damage, attempted aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place linked to an incident in the Antrim area on August 18.

William McCalmont, from Wellington Green in Larne, appeared before Ballymena Magistrates Court on Saturday, September 16, and was released on bail but must wear an electronic tag, adhere to a curfew and stay away from Larne.
A suspected dissident republican will hear next month whether he is to be extradited to Northern Ireland for questioning over the murder of prison officer David Black.

Damien McLaughlin (41), of Kilmascally Road, Ardboe, Co Tyrone, absconded from his bail address in west Belfast last November and went on the run.

He was due to stand trial in February this year charged with aiding and abetting the murder of Mr Black in November 2012. He is further accused of belonging to a proscribed organisation.

During a review of the case yesterday at Belfast Crown Court, a prosecution lawyer told Mr Justice Colton: "The accused is facing extradition from Dublin to Northern Ireland. The matter was heard by Judge (Aileen) Donnelly. We understand the proceedings took place in Dublin on July 26, 2017 and she will deliver her ruling on October 20 this year.''

Mr Justice Colton agreed to adjourn the case, which will be reviewed on October 27, following the Dublin extradition ruling.

McLaughlin's disappearance only came to light in January this year at the same court when a prosecution lawyer asked for his bail to be revoked after he could not be found at his bail address.

The lawyer said McLaughlin failed to sign with police in November.

He added that on December 23 last, police called to the address, which he said "appears to have effectively been cleared out".

The court heard that when officers checked his other address in Ardboe, and those of family members, this was "of no assistance".

The prosecutor said that the people who provided sureties, namely McLaughlin's uncles, were also "not able to assist in locating him".

McLaughlin's disappearance provoked an outcry, while Mr Black's family said they "felt let down by the justice system''.

Detective Chief Supt Raymond Murray said he had visited the Black family "to offer sincere apologies" on behalf of the PSNI and provide "reassurance of the steps police were taking to locate McLaughlin".

The failure by the PSNI to carry out regular bail checks on McLaughlin is currently the subject of a Police Ombudsman investigation.

Following a massive cross-border manhunt, McLaughlin was eventually arrested by the Garda on March 2 this year on foot of a European Arrest Warrant issued by the PSNI while walking along a street in Ramelton, Co Donegal.
A devoted daughter has embarked on a 20,000 mile round-trip to fulfil her late mother's dying wish to come home to the place she loved, 45 years after she moved to Australia to flee the Troubles.

After a year of planning, Pat Marangos (55) will host an emotional celebration of her mother's life in her former Sailortown home, above what is now the American Bar, next Sunday.

Her mother, Ellen Verner, passed away on August 13 last year at the age of 91, 15 years after her merchant navy seaman father Johnny died, aged 79.

In 1972, the couple packed up and left Belfast with their six children. The family went on to "build a wonderful life" in Melbourne, but Pat insists that Belfast was always in their hearts.

"I always promised her I would bring her back, she sacrificed a lot for us by leaving her entire family to give us a better life, so I had to do this for her," Pat told the Belfast Telegraph.

"But Australia's such a big and vast place, it never had the same camaraderie and that was something they both missed."

Pat's brother Billy Verner (59) was the only sibling to return to Belfast.

He went on the study engineering at Queen's University, Belfast, after returning home at the age of 16, less than three years after the family uprooted.

"I have been back and forward quite a bit, but Belfast has always been home - my mum felt that too," he said.

The extended family will gather upstairs in the American Bar next Sunday in order to say their final farewells in the very place that Ellen and Johnny once called home.

"It will be so emotional, but I won't be able to rest until we have done this," Pat said.

The final send-off will take place after Ellen's ashes are scattered in the seaside village of Killough in Co Down, where she maintained a life-long bond following wartime summers spent on the beach.

"She loved it there, it was somewhere she missed greatly," said Billy. "She hasn't been home in 19 years, but she always made a point of visiting there when she was here."

A week before she died, Ellen told her daughter that she wanted her ashes scattered in the village which provided the backdrop to her own happy childhood. Pat, who works as a travel agent, has made her way home for the first time in 39 years to in order honour her mother's last request.

"I had to do it, I have been planning it for almost a year," she said.

"My brother Billy has our father's ashes, which means we can scatter them together in the place that meant so much to them."

They will then gather in the American Bar where old family photographs will be displayed and a collection of Johnny and Ellen's favourite music will be played.

Pat will be accompanied by her three children as the family come together for the emotional meeting, something she is very happy about.

"I think it's important that my children get a chance to see where their nan is from and how she grew up - but it's also the place I call home.

"I am really looking forward to laying them both to rest in a place they always called home - only then can I have peace myself. I will not be at rest until I have done this, I cried getting off the plane, because I know this meant so much to her, her heart never left Belfast."

American Bar owner Pedro Donald said he was "more than happy to help" when he received the unusual request from Pat.

"I just thought it was fascinating that this used to be someone's home and that people born in this house, which is now a bar room, are still alive."
Anas Sarwar at his campaign headquarters in Glasgow ahead of his launch campaign to be the next Scottish Labour leader (Andrew Milligan/PA) Picture by:

MSP Anas Sarwar has said the Labour leadership contest is about electing the next First Minister of Scotland as he spoke of his wish to build a more open, outward-looking, diverse nation.

The Glasgow politician has formally launched his drive to be the next leader of Scottish Labour with a pledge to deliver equality, opportunity and fairness in power.

The leadership hopeful also said he was scunnered with divisive Scottish politics but insisted his party is the single best vehicle for change in the country.

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Mr Sarwar, who is seen as being in the moderate wing of the party, told Labour supporters they could choose to focus on the divisions of the past, or to build a fairer future for all.

Addressing a packed gathering in Gorbals Parish Church, Glasgow, he said: We have a choice to protest about the ills in our country or to defeat inequality in power.

We have a choice to continue to divide, or to bring our party and our country together. I dont want to be a Scottish Labour leader who just talks about fighting inequality, creating opportunity, ending austerity and building a fairer society.

I want to deliver that equality, opportunity and fairness as the next First Minister of Scotland.

The plea for unity comes amid fears his candidacy could open up divisions on the left of the party.

Expand Close Anas Sarwar at his campaign headquarters in Glasgow ahead of his launch campaign to be the next Scottish Labour leader (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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He is competing for the leadership against his Holyrood colleague Richard Leonard, who is closer politically to UK leader Jeremy Corbyn and is launching his leadership bid at the weekend.

Setting out his reasons for standing, Mr Sarwar said: People look confused when I reply its because Im scunnered with Scottish politics. Our politics has become so petty, inward-looking and divisive.

But you have two options when youre scunnered  you walk away, or you try to change things. I want to change our politics. I want to transform it into something bold, radical, and hopeful.

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He added: Thats why Im standing, because I want to build an open, outward-looking, diverse nation.

Mr Sarwar said he would lead a party that champions radical democratic socialism and principled internationalism.

The MSP said he would pursue policies to end austerity, end the gender pay gap and lift children out of poverty, as well as launching an action plan to rescue our NHS on the first day of a Scottish Labour government.

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He claimed Scotland is suffering at the hands of failing governments at Westminster and Holyrood.

Ten years of constitutional obsession has left Scotland a more divided and more unequal nation, he said.

Educations standards falling. Our NHS in distress. Too many children not getting the opportunities they deserve. Inequality and poverty on the rise. Thats why we need a Labour government.

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Mr Sarwar said he believes he can unite the party and help deliver a Labour government across the UK with Mr Corbyn as prime minister.

His insistence that he backs Mr Corbyn comes despite signing a letter urging him to step down last year.

Speaking in the First Ministers constituency, he warned the SNP that Labour was parking our tanks on Nicola Sturgeons lawn.

This campaign is not just about electing a Labour leader; its about electing the next Labour First Minister, he said.

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We need a Labour government, because the sad reality is that the three most important letters for Nicola Sturgeon are S,N,P. But for me, the three most important letters will always be N,H,S.

Mr Sarwar also paid tribute to Kezia Dugdale, whose resignation as Scottish Labour leader last month triggered the leadership contest.

The result of the contest will be announced in November.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has condemned US President Donald Trumps tweet after the terror attack on a London train.

Sir Vince told the Lib Dem conference that Britain had the best security services in the world and the US president was out of line to cast aspersions on them.

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Sir Vince told delegates in Bournemouth: The one really discordant part of this whole horrible incident was President Trumps tweet.

If you noticed this dreadful insinuation that somehow or other our security services were falling down on the job without a shred of evidence.

I happen to know because I was in the Cabinet for five years, Ive worked very closely with them, we have, probably, the best security services in the world.
18-year-old man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover on Saturday, September 16, under section 41 of the Terrorism Act

Police officers taking part in an operation in Cavendish Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, as part of the investigation into the Parsons Green bombing.

Police officers taking part in an operation in Cavendish Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, as part of the investigation into the Parsons Green bombing.

Armed police have searched a property in Surrey following the Parsons Green bombing and the arrest of a man in Dover.

Residents in the Cavendish Road area of Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, were told to leave their homes while officers carried out a search at a residential property. No arrests were made.

Mojgan Jamali, who lives in Cavendish Road, said she was told by police she had "one minute" to pack her bags, grab her children, and leave her home as police carried out urgent evacuations.

The mother-of-three told the Press Association: "I was in my house with my children and there was a knock at the door from the police.

"They told me to leave. They said: 'You have one minute to get out of the house and get away.'

"I just got out, I got my three children and we left the house and the street.

"We didn't know what was going on. There was a lot of rumours going on, a lot of stories, people saying this and that, but we didn't know.

"Earlier the police came around and asked if we could look after another family in our home for a little while, which I was obviously happy to do.

"But then they came back later and just said we had one minute."

Mrs Jamali, 33, said she did not know where to go, so decided to take her children - aged between five and 10 - to the shops.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @ASolopovas of emergency services outside Parsons Green tube station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident. Pic: @ASolopovas/PA Wire PA Emergency services outside Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday September 15, 2017. See PA story TRANSPORT Explosion. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA Members of the emergency services work alongside an underground tube train at a platform at Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station.. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Members of the emergency services work near Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images A armed British police officer walks through the carriage of a London underground tube carriage at Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images An image taken from a user generated content uploaded on social networks on September 15, 2017, shows a white container burning inside a London Underground tube carriage. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. Pic: PA wires AFP/Getty Images Armed police close to Parsons Green station in west London after an explosion on a packed London Underground train. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire PA An injured woman is assisted by a police officer close to Parsons Green station in west London after an explosion on a packed London Underground train. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire PA Members of the emergency services work alongside an underground tube train at a platform at Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. "We are aware of an incident at Parsons Green tube station. Officers are in attendance," London's Metropolitan Police said on Twitter. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Armed British police officers stand on duty outside Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017. Pic wires AFP/Getty Images An armed British police officer stands with a member of the emergency rescue services near to Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Members of the emergency services work near Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Handout photo issued by James Treen of emergency services attending an incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. Pic: James Treen/PA Wire PA Handout photo issued by James Treen of emergency services attending an incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Pic: James Treen/PA Wire PA Emergency services attending incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. Pic: Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA Wire PA Handout photo issued by Richard Aylmer-Hall of emergency services attending an incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. Pic: Aylmer-Hall/PA Wire PA An armed British police officer works near Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Members of the emergency services work outside Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images People stand in the street by a Police car close to Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Members of the emergency services work near Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Armed British police officers stand on duty outside Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017. Pic Wires AFP/Getty Images BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Handout photo issued by Sylvain Pennec of a bucket on fire on a tube train at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday September 15, 2017. See PA story TRANSPORT Explosion. Photo credit should read: Sylvain Pennec/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. PA Armed British police officers stand on duty outside Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017, following an incident on an underground tube carriage at the station. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / ===RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / @RRIGS - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS NO ARCHIVES - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS FROM FROM ALTERNATIVE SOURCES, THEREFORE AFP IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DIGITAL ALTERATIONS TO THE PICTURE'S EDITORIAL CONTENT, DATE AND LOCATION WHICH CANNOT BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED == / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Handout photo issued by Sylvain Pennec of a bucket on fire on a tube train at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday September 15, 2017. See PA story TRANSPORT Explosion. Photo credit should read: Sylvain Pennec/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. PA Members of the emergency services work near Parsons Green underground tube station in west London on September 15, 2017. Pic / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @ASolopovas of emergency services outside Parsons Green tube station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident. Pic: @ASolopovas/PA Wire

She said: "I had to do something to keep them entertained and to keep their minds off it - it's obviously pretty scary. I'm trying to keep them calm.

"But I know two people on this street who don't have a car and they don't have a phone to contact their relatives.

"I hope this gets settled soon, that we can get back to normal."

She said there had been an increased police presence on the street since Friday, adding: "I only had to open the door and I saw police everywhere."

The raid follows the arrest of an 18-year-old in Dover. He remains in police custody having been detained on suspicion of being a terrorist by Kent Police on Saturday, September 16.

The arrest was described by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu as "significant".

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Despite the arrest, investigators - who it is understood are linking the attack to Islamist extremism - are continuing their probe and the threat level remains at critical, which means a further attack is feared to be imminent.

The country's top counter-terrorism officer indicated that a potential network of plotters could have been involved.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were "chasing down suspects", while suggestions were made by Donald Trump that the bomber was known to Scotland Yard.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close An image taken from a user generated content uploaded on social networks on September 15, 2017, shows a white container burning inside a London Underground tube carriage. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. Pic: PA wires AFP/Getty Images Handout photo issued by James Treen of emergency services attending an incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. Pic: James Treen/PA Wire PA Handout photo issued by James Treen of emergency services attending an incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Pic: James Treen/PA Wire PA Emergency services attending incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. Pic: Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA Wire PA Handout photo issued by Richard Aylmer-Hall of emergency services attending an incident at Parsons Green station in west London amid reports of an explosion. Pic: Aylmer-Hall/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp An image taken from a user generated content uploaded on social networks on September 15, 2017, shows a white container burning inside a London Underground tube carriage. Police and ambulance services said they were responding to an "incident" at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, following media reports of an explosion. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that a white container exploded on the train and passengers had suffered facial burns. Pic: PA wires

Police declined to say where the suspect was from, whether he was the suspected bomber or the precise details of the offence for which he was arrested.

His capture took place in the port area of the city, which is the busiest ferry hub in Europe and serves as a commercial gateway to the French coast, including Calais and Dunkirk.

A key strand of the investigation has focused on CCTV as officers comb through footage to establish who planted the device, and when and where it was placed on the train.

Security minister Ben Wallace suggested CCTV images of the bomber could be released as part of the manhunt for those responsible, but Scotland Yard subsequently denied there were any plans to do so.

The suspect is expected to be moved to a south London police station.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: "We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical.

"The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage."

A vast manhunt was launched after an improvised device partially exploded on a District Line train at Parsons Green station during the Friday morning rush hour, injuring 30.

Three victims remain in hospital, NHS England said on Saturday.

Troops have been dispatched to key sites across the country to free up armed police officers after the country's terror threat level was raised to its highest point.

The force said it has spoken to 45 witnesses and 77 images and videos have been sent to detectives by members of the public.

Friday's device reportedly contained the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and nails, but is thought to have only partially detonated from inside a bucket.

Parsons Green station was reopened in the early hours of Saturday.

There were fears the number of those hurt could have been much higher - with the real potential for life-threatening injuries - had the bomb, which was concealed within a supermarket carrier bag, fully exploded.

It is not yet known whether the bomb, which was reportedly fixed with a timer, went off at its intended target.

The train - bound for Edgware Road - was just pulling into the station in south-west London when the device detonated in the rear carriage, sending passengers fleeing to safety.

Have you been caught up in the incident? Email digital.editorial@belfasttelegraph.co.uk or call 028 9026 4428.
A giant iguana is under the care of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) after being discovered in a layby.

The iguana, who has been named Iggy, was found next to the A702 in the Borders by a member of the public. The man who found him was able to pick him up and transport him to safety.

Iggy is rather large; his tail alone is at least 3ft long, according to the Scottish SPCAs chief inspector, Fiona Henderson.

We were alerted after a huge iguana was discovered at the side of a road yesterday!Hes now being cared for at our Posted by Scottish SPCA on Friday, September 15, 2017

Dawn-Vale Lowdon, the animal rescue officer who picked Iggy up from his rescuer, said: Despite having a few bumps, he was all right once he had been warmed up.

The Scottish SPCA are hoping Iggys owners will come forward, but if they dont hell be cared for until a suitable forever home is found.

Henderson had some advice for those who may be thinking of adopting a massive reptile.

She said: Green iguanas are kept commonly as pets. They require a lot of care as UV lights, heating and a big vivarium is needed to keep them comfortable.

Anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal should contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
The United Nations headquarters is investigating the deaths

Forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have shot and killed at least 18 Burundian refugees near Burundi's border.

The deaths occurred on Friday in the Kamanyola area of South Kivu province, the commander of the Pakistani battalion of the UN peacekeeping mission said.

He said 34 people were killed, 15 of them women.

The coordinator of the UN Communications Group in DR Congo, Florence Marchal, confirmed a provisional death toll of 18, with 50 others wounded.

"I do not know the exact circumstances of why it degenerated, but it degenerated ... There were shots from (DR Congolese forces) and the police on asylum seekers," she said.

The death toll is likely to worsen, Ms Marchal said.

The DR Congolese government, the UN refugee agency and the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo "have deployed teams on site to shed light on everything that happened", she said.

Burundi's foreign minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe on Twitter asked DR Congo and UN officials for an explanation of the shootings.

Residents in the area said the killings occurred after some Burundian refugees went to the bureau of intelligence in Kamanyola to inquire about four detained refugees. DR Congolese soldiers responded with gunfire when some of the refugees hurled stones, said refugee Aline Nduwarugira.

Another witnesses, Alfred Rukungo, said DR Congolese soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.

More than 100 people were injured in the incident, according to Bertin Bisimwa, chief of Kamanyola.

DR Congo is home to thousands of Burundian refugees. Many fled political violence at home in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term amid deadly protests.

AP
Inquiry time: overlooked by the shell of the tower, people take part in a silent march in memory of the victims of the Grenfell fire

Whatever else the Grenfell Tower inquiry reveals, it ought to commend the efforts of the local council to rehouse the survivors; there are 196 families in need of accommodation and already permanent places have been found for two of them. At this rate, they'll get the whole lot sorted in only 24.5 years.

Government minister Sajid Javid explained: "We mustn't force families into snap decisions; we must work at the pace that suits the needs and circumstances of residents."

This considerate approach must be the reason for the gentle pace of rehousing, because the last thing a family needs after its home has burned down is having to make a snap decision about whether to move into a new home, or stay in a bed-and-breakfast with nowhere to cook, or eat or live.

Then they'll have to make more snap decisions, such as which cupboard to put their cups and saucers in. They don't need that after all they've been through, so it's heartening that the authorities have been so sensitive.

Theresa May did promise a slightly quicker rate of rehousing, originally promising that all would be "rehoused permanently within three weeks". But she clearly meant the three weeks at the start of March 2041, so we shouldn't be critical.

The council Press officer was reported as saying that "numbers of people moved to permanent accommodation is not a metric we are using". This is just as well, because you don't want to confuse how well you're doing in rehousing families by counting the number of families you've rehoused.

It's better to use a more reliable metric, such as how many different breeds of butterfly you can name in a minute.

So, the Grenfell Tower residents are mostly dotted around the borough in an assortment of hotels. The local MP, Emma Dent Coad, said they have become especially frustrated, because at first they were told to address their requests through the council, then were passed on to a body called Gold Command, then a 'Grenfell Response Taskforce'.

So, I suppose it's only fair to let every group take a turn at not answering the families. Eventually, they'll become the responsibility of the Drains and Manholes Co-ordinating Forum, before they're passed on to the Kensington Water Polo Development Society, who will tell them their problems can now be ignored by an operatic society and then their forms can be lost by Ladbroke Grove WeightWatchers.

It must be reassuring to know that just because - through no fault of your own - you have suffered a life-threatening upheaval and been left homeless, you'll be treated with the same dismissive contempt by your local council as if you were ringing about an abandoned mattress you want them to take away.

It's these little moments of kindness that can make someone realise life will soon carry on as it did before.

But the issue that seems to anger the families more than any other is the nature of the inquiry that's just begun.

They were hoping that one of the residents would be on the panel, but this has been dismissed.

According to the chair, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, "to appoint someone as an assessor who has had direct involvement in the fire would risk undermining my impartiality in the eyes of others".

Maybe his point is anyone involved in the fire is likely to take a very one-sided anti-fire view, whereas the inquiry needs to keep an open mind and hear the fire's side of the story as well.

For the same reason, we should be thankful the good people of Kensington Council are in charge of rehousing the families - and not some idiot suggesting that, as there are 1,652 second homes left empty in the borough, it might be kinder and more economical to place the homeless families there, rather than in the lobby of a hotel.
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More and more Christians are becoming curious about the relevance of Jewish holidays to their own spiritual lives, and for good reason. One of those celebrations that is gaining more interest is the Feast of Trumpets.

The Feast of Trumpets marked the beginning of ten days of consecration and repentance before God. It is one of seven Jewish feasts or festivals appointed by the Lord and one of the three feasts that occur in the autumn. Its name comes from the command to blow trumpets.

The Bible tells us, Speak to the people of Israel, saying, in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:24).

It is also called Rosh Hashanah, which means Head of the Year, because it marks the beginning of the Jewish civil calendar. During this celebration, no kind of work was to be performed, but burnt offerings and a sin offering were to be brought before the Lord. Ancient Israel understood that trumpets were used as a way of announcing special, very important messages.

Rosh Hashanah is the only Jewish holiday occurring on the first day of the month, when the moon appears as a thin crescent. Just as the seventh day and the seventh year are holy according to Mosaic Law, so is the seventh month, Tishri, the Sabbath of months. Jews in ancient Israel announced the new moon with short blasts of a trumpet, but the new moon of Tishri was announced with long blasts, setting it apart.

The type of horn used for the Feast of Trumpets is the shofar, a curved trumpet made from a rams horn. This is different from the hatzotzerah, the silver trumpets priests blew to announce the beginning and ending of the Sabbath, and with sacrifices. During the Feast of Trumpets, a priest is chosen to sound the shofar. He stands in a row of priests with silver trumpets facing the altar. The shofar sounds long blasts while the silver trumpets sound short blasts over the sacrifices of the day.

Should Christians celebrate the feast of trumpets? Yes. After all, they were observed with great enthusiasm by Jesus, His apostles, His disciples and nearly all first century and second century believers. We can learn a great deal from the celebration and its message.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reveals that before His return to the earth, there will be the blowing of seven trumpets, announcing progressive stages of the downfall and overthrow of the worlds kingdoms, ending with the return of Christ to take possession of the earth. Christs return is announced by the seventh and final trumpet. Revelation 8:2 says, And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets."

Revelation 11:15 says, And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdoms of the Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

At the final judgment spoken of in Revelation 20:15, we read that, anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown in the lake of fire. The Book of Revelation tells us that the Book of Life belongs to the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:27). The Apostle Paul maintained that the names of his fellow missionary companions were in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3).

Jesus said in John 5:26-29 that the Father has given Him authority to judge everyone:

For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Second Timothy 4:1 states that Jesus will judge the living and the dead. And Jesus told His followers in John 5:24: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

This day also illustrates a time when faithful Christians will be resurrected to eternal life at the time of the seventh trumpet to reign with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years, the time of His Second Coming. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This fall feast season represents the time when Jesus Christ will come to the earth again to reign in glory.

Whenever a believer accepts Christ and His sacrifice and atonement for sin, Jesus becomes the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets.

The following fall feast days describe steps in the establishment of the prophesied Kingdom of God on earth and judgment of humanity after Christs return. The Feast of Trumpets is followed by the Day of Atonement.

There was a time when these holidays were celebrated by Christians, but then they stopped being relevant. What happened long after Jesus death, Resurrection, the destruction of the Temple or even hundreds of years later that caused believers to abandon these biblical Feasts of the Lord in favor of new traditions? And since we read about them coming back in prophecies about the Coming Kingdom, why dont we know more about them or observe them today? Everyone in Jesus Coming Kingdom will be observing the solemn Feasts of the Lord. As followers of Jesus, we should show more curiosity about them and recognize their significance.

Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council.
Rohingya refugees scuffle to grab relief supplies being delivered in front of the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia, Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Sept. 12, 2017.

Myanmar has again violated Bangladeshi air space, this time with helicopters and drones, the Bangladesh government said Friday, as local and international agencies struggled to manage a humanitarian crisis in the southeast.

The foreign ministry said it had summoned Myanmar Ambassador Aung Myint and handed him a protest note, the fourth this month as hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fled to Bangladesh amid what rights group described as ethnic cleansing in Myanmars Rakhine state.

Bangladesh strongly protested the instances of violation of her airspace by Myanmar military drones and helicopters on 10, 12 and 14 September 2017, a foreign ministry statement said. It had lodged a similar complaint in early September.

Also on Friday, Bangladeshi authorities said that two Myanmar nationals working as journalists and four Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar had been detained at two different locations on suspicion of immigration violations and espionage.

Hamburg-based GEO magazine and London-based Panos Pictures issued a joint statement Friday saying they were deeply concerned that Burmese photojournalist Minzayar Oo and his assistant, Hkun Lat, had been held by Bangladeshi authorities since Sept. 7. GEO said it had sent both men to Coxs Bazar to cover the story about the new Rohingya influx.

Bangladeshi officials said they had been detained for conducting professional work after entering the country on tourist visas, a potential violation of the nations immigration law.

This is very likely that they would be informants. If not so, why would they hide their identities? They [Burmese people] have been trying to collect information out of Bangladesh, using various tactics, Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, a director general at the Bangladeshi foreign ministry, told BenarNews.

They were collecting information on the Rohingya for Myanmar, said Ranjit Kumar Barua, the police chief in Coxs Bazar district, according to Agence France-Presse.

In southeastern Bandarban district, Md Azizur Rahman, an assistant commissioner and executive magistrate there, told BenarNews that police had detained four Rohingya men on suspicion of spying, but he gave no more details.

Irrefutable

As many as 392,000 Rohingya and other refugees have fled over the border from Rakhine since Aug. 25, according to estimates from the United Nations. The latest influx brings the total number of refugees from Myanmar sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh to approximately 800,000.

At least 107 refugees have died since late August, mostly by drowning in the Naf River that separates the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said.

The refugees have been fleeing by the tens of thousands amid allegations that the Myanmar military has been targeting the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority in a campaign of ethnic cleansing  claims which authorities there have denied.

They have blamed an insurgent group, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), for instigating the violence when its forces attacked Myanmar police posts in Rakhine on Aug. 25.

On Friday, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had acquired new satellite images and data showing that 62 Rohingya villages in northern Rakhine were targeted in arson attacks.

Our field research backs what the satellite imagery has indicated  that the Burmese military is directly responsible for the mass burning of Rohingya villages in northern Rakhine State, Phil Robertson, HRWs deputy Asia director, said in a statement.

On Thursday, Amnesty International said it had evidence that Myanmar government forces were carrying out a campaign to empty Rakhine of its population of one million Muslims.

The evidence is irrefutable  the Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine State ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar. Make no mistake: this is ethnic cleansing, said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty Internationals crisis response director.

In an interview Friday, Myanmars ambassador to the United States refuted the allegations and said his country was a victim of false reports by the international media.

We do not want to argue with the false media, Ambassador Aung Lynn told Voice of America (VOA), a sister entity of BenarNews.

The allegations have led to protests in neighboring countries. Thousands of Muslims took the streets of Dhaka after Friday prayers to protest what they termed a genocide targeting the Rohingya and to demand that the international community intervene to stop it.

The genocide of Rohingya will not end unless Bangladesh takes military actions against Burma, Nur Hossain Kashemi, head of the Dhaka unit of conservative Muslim group Hefazat-e-Islam, told BenarNews.

A monumental task ahead of us

U.N. relief agencies and local officials warned meanwhile that the huge influx of refugees had put immense pressure on limited resources and relief supplies in southeastern Bangladesh,

There are acute shortages of everything, most critically shelter, food and clean water, Edouard Beigbeder, the head of UNICEF in Bangladesh, said in a statement Thursday.

Conditions on the ground place children at high risk of water-borne disease. We have a monumental task ahead of us to protect these extremely vulnerable children.

At least 200,000 of the new refugee arrivals were children, according to U.N. sources.

UNICEF has been sending trucks with water, sanitation and hygiene supplies to Coxs Bazar, and has appealed for $7.3 million to provide emergency support to Rohingya children over the next four months, he added.

Bangladeshi officials said they were rushing aid and relief supplies to the southeast, but were having difficulty coordinating the effort.

We urged people to deposit the relief materials to the government relief control room, but the people are not responding to the call, Mayeed Uddin, the top administrator of Ukhia, a sub-district in Coxs Bazar, told BenarNews.

Ali Hossain, the deputy commissioner of Coxs Bazar, said the facility had received 800 metric tons (882 tons) of food and more than $39,000 (3.2 million taka) in cash donations from government agencies, charity groups and private individuals.

Look, Bangladesh was not prepared to face such a situation: several hundred thousand people entered in just three weeks, Shahriar Alam, the state minister for foreign affairs, told BenarNews.

This is not an easy task to ensure shelter, food, water, sanitation, clothing and other basic necessities for people on such a huge scale.

Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka contributed to this report.

A Rohingya woman feeds her child with rice received through a distribution of relief supplies at the Kutupalong camp in Ukhia, Sept. 13, 2017. [Jesmin Papri]
An Indian court on Friday allowed the countrys top counter-terror unit to interrogate a suspected member of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for 10 days in connection with a 2014 blast in West Bengal that uncovered the presence of the banned extremist outfit in India.

The court order came after a special police task force arrested Indian national Burhan Sheikh in Kolkata, capital of northeastern Indian state of West Bengal, on Thursday.

Sheikh, 30, is one of 34 people accused of causing the accidental blast that killed two suspected JMB operatives inside a two-story house that the extremists were using as a hideout in West Bengals Burdwan district on Oct. 2, 2014.

The explosion occurred while alleged JMB members were building explosives to be used in attacks in Bangladesh aimed at toppling the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's top counter-terror unit. Bangladesh shares its border with India in West Bengal and Assam states.

Of the 34 accused, 27 have been arrested while the remaining seven, including three Bangladeshi nationals, remain at large, officials said.

Sheikh, a West Bengal native, carried a bounty of 300,000 rupees (U.S. $4,678) on his head, Shyamal Ghosh, NIAs counsel, told BenarNews.

He will be interrogated over the course of the next 10 days and charges will be framed against him after that, Ghosh said.

JMB, launched by Shaikh Abdur Rahman in Dhaka in April 1998, was banned by the Bangladesh government in February 2005. The 2014 blast exposed the terror groups presence in the two Indian states.

On Aug. 17, 2005, JMB set off almost 600 bombs that killed 28 people and injured dozens in 63 of 64 districts across Bangladesh, police said.

The JMB was conspiring to overthrow the democratic government in Bangladesh through violent means, NIA said in its 164-page charge sheet, adding that it was for this purpose the group was using the Burdwan hideout to make explosives.

They [JMB] hatched a conspiracy wherein the main purpose was to establish Sharia Law in Bangladesh by toppling [the] democratically elected government and to spread tentacles in India for the furtherance of their goal, the agency said.

Burhan Sheikh was believed to be responsible for procuring material used in making improvised explosives, a NIA official told BenarNews on condition of anonymity.

During an initial round of interrogation, Sheikh admitted he was a member of JMB and they wanted to build a terror network in Assam and West Bengal with an aim to overthrow the Bangladesh government and build an Islamic state, the official said.

Tirtha Banerjee, a former senior official of Indias Intelligence Bureau, told BenarNews the arrest was a major breakthrough in the case.

But investigators should strive harder to arrest the remaining JMB members, who are still hiding in India, as they can strike at any time, Banerjee said.

Jhumur Deb in Guwahati, India, contributed to this report.
The Senate late Friday passed a new two-year state budget after three of four Republicans who held up passage changed their minds after securing veto promises from Gov. Scott Walker.

The vote was 19-14.

Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said Friday afternoon that he and two other GOP senators who previously withheld their support for the budget, came to support it after talks with Walker about using his line-item veto authority on parts of the budget.

As a result, Walker said he plans to make repeal of the prevailing wage for state construction projects take effect immediately rather than a year from now.

Kapenga and Sens. Stephen Nass, R-Whitewater, and Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, said Walker also plans to veto the budget to allow school districts to conduct referendum votes only on regularly scheduled primary and general election days. The group secured a handful of other vetoes from Walker.

Separately, Walker said in a statement late Friday that he would veto a $2.5 million study looking into toll roads in Wisconsin and a provision that would have removed local oversight of rock quarries.

The budget went through the state Assembly on Wednesday.

The governors signature would end a delay of more than 10 weeks, the longest of its kind in a decade, on the states next two-year spending plan. It also would cap a flurry of activity in the state Capitol this week, in which lawmakers have tackled the budget and a $3 billion subsidy deal for electronics maker Foxconn.

The group of four hard-line conservative senators had held out on supporting the budget passed by the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee. They included David Craig, of Town of Vernon, who was the only Republican to vote against the budget.

Craig said Friday he remained opposed to the budget due to its overall spending level, which would increase 4.3 percent from the previous budget.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, derided their GOP counterparts for the last-minute hiccups.

It demonstrates the dysfunction that is happening  the inability to govern, said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling, of La Crosse.

July 1 was the deadline for the GOP Legislature and Walker to enact the budget, which sets state spending levels through June 2019.

GOP holdouts

posted demands

The holdout senators this week released a list of budget demands that included expanding access to private voucher schools outside Milwaukee and Racine, operational changes to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, requiring counties or municipalities that enact wheel taxes to do so by voter referendum and moving up the effective date of the budgets repeal of the states prevailing wage requirement.

Another demand: barring the University of Wisconsin System from spending on mandatory diversity, sensitivity and cultural fluency training.

Several of those demands were not among the list of vetos announced Friday.

Kapenga said the list was the basis for much of Fridays talks between the three senators and the governor.

The last-second jockeying produced a final spate of drama between the Assembly and Senate, which have sparred for months on the budget. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, accused the holdout Republican senators of an eleventh-hour bid to derail an agreement among Republican leaders.

Assembly lawmakers easily passed the budget Wednesday, 57-39, and GOP leaders in that chamber said their work was done.

In past sessions, lawmakers and the governor have missed the July 1 deadline  but typically when the two parties have shared control of state government.

Progress on the budget had been delayed by Senate-Assembly disagreements, especially on transportation funding, until last week, when the Joint Finance Committee passed an amended budget.

It delays several high-profile freeway expansions in the Milwaukee area and cuts funding for resurfacing and rebuilding existing highways. The plan preserves funding for two ongoing projects in Dane County: one to expand and rebuild Verona Road near McKee Road; the other, U.S. Interstate 39-90 from the Madison area to Illinois.

It implements a new fee on hybrid and electric vehicles, which supporters call a move to tax such vehicles more comparably to vehicles powered solely by fossil fuel.

It includes a $639 million funding increase for Wisconsin K-12 school districts while boosting the household income limits for participation in the statewide private voucher school program.

The UW System gets a $31.5 million performance funding boost, with the extra money tied to certain performance benchmarks, and the systems tuition freeze is maintained.

Taxes for high earners and businesses are cut in the budget, which begins to roll back a personal property tax that businesses pay for machinery and tools. It also eliminates, starting in 2019, the states alternative minimum tax, which applies to individuals making between $200,000 and $500,000 a year.

It embraces Walkers proposals to eliminate the state forestry tax and allow another round of higher state park fees.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh addresses a press conference on the arrests of arson suspects in an Islamic school fire that killed 23, Sept. 16, 2017.

Seven boys deliberately set a fire at an Islamic school in Kuala Lumpur that killed 23 people trapped in a third-floor dormitory, Malaysian police said Saturday as they announced their arrests.

The boys aged 11 to 18 live near Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah School and had been involved in a misunderstanding with students there, police said.

Six of the suspects tested positive for cannabis and we believe they were high when committing the crime, Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Amar Singh Ishar Singh told a press conference.

From the arrests, we believe we have solved the case, he told journalists at Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.

The boys, allegedly caught on CCTV recordings loitering outside the school, were being investigated for murder and mischief by fire under the Malaysian penal code, he said.

The school located about a 15-minute drive from the iconic Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers is classified as a tahfiz center where students learn to memorize the Quran. It housed 36 students and six teachers but did not have a fire security permit and occupational certificate.

The 23 mostly charred bodies were found in the dormitory situated on the top floor after it burned in the early hours of Thursday.

The victims, students aged between 8 and 16 years, and two school staff, 25 and 26, were trapped behind barred windows and a locked door, officials said. Witnesses told reporters they were woken by cries for help from inside the burning building.

The dead were buried on Friday.

Students who survived the blaze have been placed in an undisclosed temporary shelter, schools headmaster Muhammad Zahid Mahmod told journalists Saturday.

'Taunting'

Firefighters said they found the bodies piled on top of each other, indicating that the victims tried to flee but were trapped by metal window grills.

From our investigations, we believe it was due to taunting between the suspects and several of the tahfiz students a few days before the fire, Amar said.

Two of the boys also have police records, for rioting and vehicle theft, he said, adding that the suspects were not from the school but lived in the vicinity.

Amar said police also seized clothes, helmets and a motorcycle from the suspects and hoped to complete the investigations soon and submit results to the Attorney General Chambers.

They were the ones who brought the two gas cylinders from the ground floor and petrol was used to accelerate the burning. Their intention was to burn down the tahfiz school, he said.

Probably [due to] their age and maturity, they didnt know their intention for arson would result in killing people, Amar added.

The Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah School has been operating for 16 years without an official permit, officials said, as the government said it would set up a task force to look into the safety of similar schools across the predominantly Muslim country.

On Saturday, a six-man task force set up to probe fire incidents at religious schools inspected the site and left without speaking to the media.

The Star newspaper said there were 519 private tahfiz schools registered nationwide as of April, but many more are believed to be unregistered. More than 200 fires are said to have been recorded nationwide at private religious schools over the last two years.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Thursday said the committee role is to look into the safety aspects of private religious schools which he said were reluctant to register with the authorities for fear that the government would interfere with their curriculum.

Hata Wahari contributed to this report.
Malaysian facilitator Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim (far right) speaks at technical talks in Kuala Lumpur last week between Thai government negotiators and representatives of Deep South insurgent groups.

In rare public comments Saturday on Thailands Deep South peace process, the governments chief negotiator laid blame for slow progress on insurgents, while rejecting assertions that the most powerful rebel group was not part of the talks.

The comments came four days after a round of technical talks in Kuala Lumpur at which the two sides were said to be hammering out details for a limited ceasefire that has been on the table since the exploratory talks began in 2015.

Deep South people are eager to participate in designing security measures because they are direct stake holders. [But] if the dissidents are not ready, the chance to include public participation in the process will be delayed, Aksara said in a statement sent to reporters.

Though the dissident groups are not ready to specify a safety zone, the government has a mandate to provide 37 districts in Deep South with security anyway. That is because the government realizes the peoples safety as the top priority, he said.

In subsequent comments to BenarNews, Aksara stressed that the talks were ongoing and that the full negotiating teams would meet again, although he would not say when.

"The safety zone issue will be addressed in the next full delegation talk. I don't have a date yet," he told BenarNews in a telephone interview.

'Key men are included'

He declined to name the district Thailand has chosen for the initiative from five proposed by MARA Patani. But he said further progress had been made on safety zone implementation in the talks last week and that "the technical teams were not to finalize the issue."

Ongoing violence and a lack of concrete outcomes in the talks have led to questions over whether MARA Patani, a panel representing insurgent groups at the talks, has control over fighters on the ground, particularly those belonging to the largest and most lethal group, Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).

When it made its public debut in August 2015, three members of MARA Patani said they represented BRN. Aksara on Saturday refuted claims that those individuals do not have clout in the insurgent group.

Some said the BRN members in MARA Patani are not the real deal. I dont agree. Many BRN key men are included, he said.

A source described as a senior BRN member told Reuters in an interview this week that the BRN representatives on MARA Patani were former members of the secretive group.

And in a rare statement in April, BRN spokesman Abdulkarim Khalid told the Asia Times that the BRN was playing no part in the MARA Patani umbrella group.

Aksara said Abdulkarim Khalid was serving his own agenda, since he was a negotiator in peace talks under former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that ground to a halt months before she was ousted by a military coup in May 2014.

BRN has said it is willing to participate in talks that are mediated by the international community and conducted without reference to the countrys constitution, which states that the kingdom is indivisible.

Nearly 7,000 people have been killed since 2004 in violence linked to a separatist movement in Thailands southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat  areas that were part of a Malay Muslim sultanate before being annexed by Bangkok in 1909.

A Thai soldier and a police officer were killed and 26 others including civilians were injured in roadside bombings and shootings in Yala province on Thursday.

In August, police in nearby Songhkla province killed a suspected insurgent after seven men stole pickup trucks from a used-car dealership, intending to convert them into car bombs, police said. The suspects took four people hostage, killing one and injuring another.

In May, insurgents set off two car bombs near the Big C department store in Pattani town, wounding more than 80 people.
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ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire - The chocolate industry is indirectly driving massive and illegal deforestation in Ivory Coast, fuelling a catastrophic decline in wildlife, a green group said on Wednesday. "In several national parks and other protected areas, 90 percent or more of the land mass has been converted to cocoa," the group Mighty Earth said in its investigation.

Yakov Oskanov via 123RF

"Less than four percent of Ivory Coast remains densely forested," it said. "The chocolate companies' laissez-faire approach to sourcing has driven extensive deforestation in Ghana as well."

Disastrous habitat loss

Habitat loss has been disastrous for protected species, ranging from chimpanzees and leopards to pygmy hippos and elephants, it said. The animals are forced into ever-smaller areas, making it easier for them to be tracked down and slaughtered by poachers.

In Ivory Coast, the world's biggest cocoa producer, accounting for 40 percent of world output, "deforestation has pushed chimpanzees into just a few small pockets, and reduced the country's elephant population from several hundred thousand to about 200-400," the report said.

A "shocking" trade

It said major chocolate brands were indirectly involved in a "shocking" trade, in which growers produced cocoa in national parks, who sold it to middlemen, who then sold it on to a handful of firms that control roughly half of the world's market.

From there, it was sold to big chocolate companies.

"According to our analysis, 291,254 acres (117,900 hectares) of protected areas were cleared between 2001 and 2014," Mighty Earth said. Over the same period, Ghana, another big West African producer, lost 7,000 square kilometers (2,700 square miles) of forest, or about 10 percent of its entire tree cover.

Around a quarter of that deforestation in Ghana was connected to the chocolate industry, the report charged.

Moving towards deforestation-free supply chains

Traders Cargill, Olam and Barry Callebaut, which are named in the report, say on their websites that they are aware of the problem of deforestation in the cocoa sector, and have set up to programmes for deforestation-free supply chains.

Leading chocolate and cocoa companies, under an initiative launched by Britain's Prince Charles, have promised to come up with a "framework of action" to end deforestation in the industry. Their project is due to be unveiled at the world climate conference in Bonn in November.

Deforestation is not only destroying habitat but is also a major contribution to global warming. The world demand for chocolate stands at around three million tonnes annually, a figure that rises between two and five percent each year, in a market worth around $100bn (84 billion), according to the report.

Most of it is manufactured and consumed in Europe and North America.

Source: AFP
A group of Karen residents in Minnesota are trying to keep their traditions alive among the diaspora by teaching the Karen language and literature.

Every weekend from January 28 to September 4, a group that calls itself the Putermine Gontar Temple taught 16 adults and kids in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Mahn Lone Paung, who organized the training, said he hopes Karen youth growing up in America take time to learn Karen culture, dances and literature.

On September 9, the Putermine Gontar community held a graduation ceremony for the Karen literature trainees.

Mahn Lone Paung noted that it hasnt been easy trying to solicit interest in preserving Karen traditions.

I feel sad that our literature is in a state of decline. We always invite the Karen people from our city to attend the training but only a few people come, he told KIC News.

Around 70 people attended the literature graduation ceremony, however. Certificates of completion were awarded to the trainees, followed by a performance of traditional Karen songs and dances.

[Our] spoken language will not last long if people do not learn the written language, said Saw Min Soe San, who attended the graduation ceremony. I have been teaching Karen literature to my grandchildren in order for them to be able to read and speak in the Karen language and so they can know the traditional culture.

Members of the Putermine Gontar Temple community estimated that over 64,000 Karen people live in the United States, with the largest community based around Saint Paul, Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Literacy Council around 12,000 Karen refugees were have been resettled to Saint Paul.
WLS-TV(CHICAGO) -- The mother of the 19-year-old Chicago woman who was found dead in a hotel freezer on Sunday is demanding that the hotel release all of the video from the hours leading up to her daughters disappearance.



Kenneka Jenkins was found dead in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois early Sunday. The attorneys representing Jenkins' family said in a press conference Friday that the hotel has only provided them "snippets" of video that show a "disoriented" young lady.



The family has "still not received the entirety of the video showing what happened," said Larry Rogers, Jr., one of the attorneys representing Jenkins' family.



The hotel has only provided about 30 to 40 minutes of video out of the 36 hours Jenkins was there, Rogers said.



The video shows a woman "who is clearly in need of some attention" and is "trying to find her way," he added.



Rogers addressed rumors that a video exists showing Jenkins walking to the freezer.



"I have absolutely not seen her walk into a freezer," Rogers said.



Jenkins' mother, Teresa Martin, said Friday that she "wants to know what happened" to her daughter. The attorneys said that they have not been given any information other than the 911 reports.



A spokesperson for the Rosemont Police Department told ABC Chicago station WLS-TV that they sent surveillance video to Martin and her attorneys electronically, and that they are welcome at the police station to review video and ask questions any time.



Earlier this week, Martin said she last saw Jenkins Sept. 8 at 11:30 p.m. when she left their Chicago home to go to a party with friends. The group was celebrating Jenkins' new position at a nursing home, Martin said.



Hours later, at 4:30 a.m., Jenkins' friends called Martin to tell her that Jenkins had disappeared after they briefly left her alone in the hotel hallway. Martin then rushed to the hotel to see if staff could check the cameras, she said.



Jenkins' body was discovered in an industrial size walk-in freezer in the basement of the hotel, Martin said. Police, who had access to the surveillance video, told her that Jenkins was intoxicated when she walked into the freezer. Police told her that "freak accidents do occur," she said.



Martin has said she suspects foul play.

"It takes strength to open these doors, the freezer doors," Martin said. "So, if she could hardly hold herself up, how did she find the strength to unlock both the double doors?"

Family of woman found dead in Rosemont hotel freezer looks for answers: https://t.co/ackiy33N3m pic.twitter.com/mptTpW6RW8  ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) September 11, 2017

The Rosemont Police Department told ABC News that it is "actively investigating the case and attempting to locate and interview all parties involved."



"We are currently reviewing all footage, as well as reviewing all social media activity," the department told ABC News in a statement Tuesday.



The Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel and Conference Center has directed all questions about the case to police.



We are saddened by this news, and our thoughts are with the young woman and her family during this difficult time, the hotel said in a statement. The hotel staff will continue to cooperate fully with local authorities."



The autopsy test performed on Sunday came back inconclusive, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
SCHUYLER  Colfax County Attorney Denise Kracl has a message for local parents: dont let your underage kids drive or youll both receive a ticket.

Kracls office has seen an uptick in the number of young juveniles caught behind the wheel without the proper drivers license, including a recent incident in which a 14-year-old crashed into a tree in Schuyler with three other minors in the vehicle.

We are lucky they walked away, Kracl said of that accident. I cant believe they did.

The county attorney reported 10 to 15 cases so far this year involving youths driving without the necessary license.

The infractions arent limited to a specific ethnic group, she said, although her office is working with Comite Latino on an educational campaign to combat the issue.

I think some of the bigger issues that were seeing is the parents are letting them (drive), Kracl said.

It feels like theres some level of parental apathy, she added. They just dont care.

But they should.

Kracl said minors caught driving without the proper license will be ticketed and considered for the youth diversion program for the first offense. If it happens again, they could be sentenced to probation.

Its also against the law for adults to let an unlicensed minor drive their vehicle, and they can also be charged.

I want parents to understand that theyre going to get a ticket, Kracl said.

There are four types of drivers licenses someone under the age of 17 can have in Nebraska.

School learners permit  minimum age 14

This permit allows a student to practice driving for a school permit. They must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old at all times.

School permit  minimum age 14 years and 2 months

A school permit can be issued if a student lives outside a city of 5,000 or more residents or attends a school outside a city of that size.

This allows students to drive from their home to school and any extracurricular activities at the school. However, they must take the most-direct route between the two locations.

Kracl said one problem she sees is parents who send their children with school permits on errands, which isnt allowed under the license. Students with school permits can drive at any time if theyre accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.

Learners permit  minimum age 15

This permit allows a youth to practice driving for a provisional operators license, operators license or motorcycle license. Learners permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old when behind the wheel.

Provisional operators permit  minimum age 16

Provisional permit holders can drive unsupervised between 6 a.m. and midnight, or at any time if theyre traveling between home and work or a school activity. They can also drive between midnight and 6 a.m. if theyre accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driver at least 21 years old.

During the first six months after receiving the permit, the driver cant have more than one passenger who is younger than 19 and not an immediate family member.
By Patrick Flynn

A land, air and sea search is taking place in Co Clare after a fisherman was reported to have been swept off rocks early this morning.

The alarm was raised at around 9am and it is understood the man in his 40s was fishing in the Pulleen Bay near Doonbeg.

The missing man is understood to be a Russian national in is 40s who had been living in the Limerick area.

A second man is understood to have raised the alarm and alerted emergency services. Gardai and the Irish Coast Guard were alerted and a major search was launched.

The Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter was sent to the scene while the Kilkee and Doolin units of the Coast Guard were also tasked.

The helicopter has been carrying out searches along the coast between Kilkee and Doonbeg while boats are also searching Pulleen Bay.

Coast Guard volunteers and Gardai are combing the cliff top and shoreline.

Members of a local diving club in Kilkee have also joined the search while Killaloe Coast Guard are also on standby to assist if required.

The search is being coordinated by the staff at the Irish Coast Guard marine rescue sub centre in Valentia.
Gardai have launched an investigation after a suspected petrol bomb attack on a car outside a house on the outskirts of Cork city, writes Eoin English of the Irish Examiner.

The incident occurred near Blarney around 1am.
The Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, says he favours the appointment of someone from outside the state as the next Garda Commissioner.

The party leader stressed that any appointment should be independent of politics.
This time last year counties across the state were preparing applications for a new Nebraska Department of Roads program that matches funds on country bridge projects.

In January, the state awarded a total of $4 million to 68 projects.

Of the four projects in the Columbus area, two bridges were in such bad shape they were closed.

Colfax County Highway Superintendent Mark Arps applied for grant funding for five bridge projects, and received money for two bridges located about 7 miles east of Howells.

One totally fell in. The road is closed, said Arps. They were some of the worst ones.

The grant amount for both projects was $107,000, which Arps said would cover some of the materials.

We would have done it anyway, he said of the repairs. (The grant) releases funds for other bridges and other projects that are in dire need of being replaced.

Arps said hell "absolutely" apply for the funds again, even though Colfax County will have a lower priority since it already received money. He has a long list of bridges to repair, and the program is scheduled to end in 2023.

The Department of Roads are doing their best, he said. But with the (state) budget shortfall, its difficult to ask more from them.

Merrick County Highway Superintendent Mike Meyer only applied for two bridges and received funding for both. The county has planned to repair those bridges, located near Archer along Prairie Creek, for about a decade.

One of them is closed right now, said Meyer, adding that the project's have been on the one- and six-year road plans since 2007.

With the grant funding of approximately $200,000, the county has the opportunity to make it happen.

The plans that we had were outdated, so theyre updating those plans, said Meyer. I think theyre shooting for a bid this winter or late fall.

Meyer believes the two bridges were selected for state funding because they're close together, making the projects more economical and stretching the limited amount of dollars available.

Plus, they'll make a big difference for Merrick County drivers.

It would help this area to have both of those up and going because of traffic, Meyer said.

Platte, Polk and Butler counties all applied for the program, but none received funding.

Platte County Highway Superintendent Terry Wicht plans to apply again with five projects in mind.

Polk and Butler counties both submitted one bridge project and are still considering whether to reapply moving forward.

Meyer has six bridges on his one- and six-year road plans and said hell apply for funds for two or three more projects.

Theres a lot of bridges that need it, he said of the program.
Gardai have arrested a man who reportedly terrorised commuters yesterday on a bus travelling from Cork City to Tralee, Co Kerry, writes Dan Buckley of the Irish Examiner.

Passengers reacted in horror as the man took out a knife and began to wave it about in a threatening and abusive manner as the bus made its way from the city towards Macroom, en route to Kerry.
UPDATE: Sara Lazurca has been located safe and well.

Earlier: Gardai are looking for help in tracing the whereabouts of a teenager missing from her home in Donabate, Co. Dublin.

13-year-old Sara Lazurca was last seen at her home on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 4 p.m.

She is described as being 5ft in height, with brown eyes and long dark hair.

Sara was spotted on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. in Barnwall Estate, Swords and was wearing beige leggings, dark slim fitted padded jacket and black Nike runners.

Gardai are appealing for anyone who can assist in locating her to contact them at Swords Garda Station on 01 6664700, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Police in Turkey have detained 74 suspects who are alleged members of the Islamic State group, the country's official news agency has said.

Anadolu said on Saturday the anti-terror police conducted simultaneous operations at 15 different addresses in Istanbul.
Eagles can tie franchise record, but first they have to fix one issue
Homeowners are dropping flood insurance despite rising risk

The number of homeowners covered by the National Flood Insurance Program in New Jersey has dropped 17.5%.
The goods and services tax (GST) has proven to be a boon for the pharmaceutical in Gujarat, with a renewed interest among pharma to set up units here as the hilly states tax havens lose attractiveness. As per the local Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), they are handling 30-40 applications every week for brownfield and greenfield units since GST has been implemented, as against 10-12 per week earlier.
Air India on Saturday launched its direct flight from the national capital to Copenhagen, the eleventh destination for the airline in Europe, describing it as connecting 'Maharaja with the Mermaid'.

The national carrier has been expanding its international operations and has started services to overseas destinations, including Washington and Stockholm so far this year.

To mark the launch of the Copenhagen flight, Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal lit the traditional lamp at Terminal 3 of the airport in New Delhi.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is Air India's 44th international destination and 11th European non-stop destination.

This is the 11th destination in Europe for Air India and it is "connecting the Mermaid with the Maharaja", Bansal said, adding that he is looking forward for good passenger load.

The iconic "Little Mermaid" statue in Copenhagen is one of the city's most famous monuments. The bronze structure sits on a rock by the waterside in the city and represents a famous character from a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

The Air India service to Copenhagen will be operated with a Dreamliner aircraft thrice a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

"AI 157 will depart from Delhi at 1430 hours to reach Copenhagen at 1845 hours the same day. The return flight AI 158 will leave Copenhagen at 2045 hours and reach Delhi at 0735 hours the next day," the airline said in a release.

To mark the launch of the flight to Copenhagen, Air India is offering return fares starting from Rs 42,700, inclusive of all taxes.

Apart from Copenhagen, the airline has direct flights to Stockholm, Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Birmingham and London.

The services to Moscow is temporarily suspended and would restart in October, an airline official said.

Air India group operates to 44 international destinations and over 70 domestic stations. It has an operating fleet of 142 aircraft, including A320, B777 and B737-800 planes.

To revive Air India, which has huge debt burden, the government is working on the modalities for the strategic disinvestment of Air India and its five subsidiaries.
The resolution process for Monnet Ispat and Energy has begun, with an invitation of expressions of interest from potential investors. Investors have till September 25 to submit expression of interest (EoIs) for a resolution plan, according to the advertisement put out for that purpose.
Scooters India, a public sector automobile company, is planning to launch an electric three-wheeler. The company was once a leading manufacturer of two-wheelers. The company had the licence to manufacture vehicles for Lambretta.
has increased focus on technology-led transformative efforts after the success of the Aadhaar-enabled fertiliser distribution system, an innovative pilot in the supply chain developed in collaboration with the Andhra government. This is being rolled out in phases across India.
Bureacrat-turned-Union Minister KJ Alphons on Saturday yet again stoked a controversy when he said that people who own bikes and cars are not starving and can afford to pay higher prices for fuel.

His comments coming at a time when are at a three-year high when international crude prices have crashed attracted strong criticism from opposition parties which described them as insensitive to the common man's problems.

"So we are going to people who can afford to pay. Somebody who has a car, bike; certainly he is not starving. Somebody who can afford to pay, has to pay," he said.

As his remarks came under attack, Alphons who had a recently stirred the hornet's nest by making contradictory remarks on beef, sought to justify his statement on the petroleum prices.

"Prime Minister has a huge dream for the poor of . What is that dream? It is very simple. 30 per cent of Indians go to bed without a full meal meal a day. Lot of our people do not have access to toilet. Lot of people do not have a house," he said.

Congress leader and former petroleum minister Veerappa Moily attacked Alphons saying it was an atrocious statement. "This is how bureaucrats, who come to politics, have no understanding of people's problems. Many of the ministers in Modi's government are like this."

He said during the UPA government any of the petroleum minister they had decided to pass on the benefit of low crude prices to consumers. "Anti-incumbency has set in against the government," he said.

TRS spokesman Bhanuprasad described Alphons' statement as shocking. The government is still fleecing people when crude prices have come down, he said.

Another Congress spokesperson, Brajesh Kalappa said the minister's comments have added pain to people at a time when they have lost jobs and business is falling. "Just because somebody has a or a can you say they have a life of luxury? This kind of statement is shocking and insensitive and the Prime Minister has to ask for his resignation."
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India Space Research Organization (ISRO) is inviting applications for the post of scientists and engineers with BE/B.Tech or equivalent degree in Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Science. The in collaboration with Department of Space Centres/Units engage in Research and Development activities for Space Application, Space Science and Technology. The application forms for on-line registration are available website between September 15 and October 5, 2017.
Shafeen Jahan, husband of a woman in the Kerala Love Jihad case, on Saturday filed a plea requesting the Supreme Court to call off the Investigation Agency (NIA) probe.

Jahan has alleged that the investigation agency "is not being fair".

Earlier in August, the NIA began an investigation into the case following the top court's orders.

In compliance with the orders of the apex court, the case was re-registered by the NIA and an investigation was taken up.





ALSO READ: Love jihad: Why not defend women's freedom now, Owaisi asks activists

The case pertains to the annulment of the marriage of a Hindu woman to a Muslim man after her conversion by the Kerala High Court as it amounted to 'Love Jihad'.

Shafin, who had married Akhila Ashokan in December last year, had moved the apex court after the Kerala High Court annulled the marriage.

The Kerala government said that if the apex court wants an NIA probe, it has no objections.

The Supreme Court said that after getting inputs from the NIA and the Kerala Police probe, it would interview Akhila to ascertain her views.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising are arguing the case.
As the government continued its crackdown on shell companies, Vice President on Saturday said money laundering through them is a menace affecting the economy and has a "deleterious impact".

"Money laundering through shell companies is one of the menaces that affects the economy of a country. Money laundering, black money, hoarding, counterfeit all these (are) challenges," he said.

He made the remarks after inaugurating the 'Centre of Excellence' of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) in Hyderabad.

Naidu commended the decision of the ICSI to sensitise all its members and other stakeholders on the "deleterious impact" of shell companies and "shell NGOs".

Earlier this month, the government had said names of over 2.09 lakh firms have been removed from the register of companies for failing to comply with regulatory requirements and action has been initiated to restrict the operations of their bank accounts.

Continuing its crackdown on shell companies, which are allegedly used as conduits for illicit fund flows and tax evasion, the government had said the directors of the de-registered firms would not be able to operate the bank accounts till these entities are legally restored.

"We are hearing more and more about it in recent days," Naidu said.

Appreciating the efforts of the ICSI in bringing secretarial standards onto statute books and paving the way for good corporate practices, he said such standards are needed in the wake of corporate disputes.

Terming the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as one of the best transformational laws, Naidu said, "Any transformation has some teething trouble, but once the system is put in place, India's growth will be accelerated."

With the implementation of the GST, company secretaries should be well-equipped to deal with challenges arising from its implementation, he said.

"In the wake of globalisation and the increasing role of corporates in driving the economies it has become imperative for professionals like company secretaries to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills that are not only in tune with the best practices but also facilitate and promote good corporate governance," the vice president said.

Naidu said apart from setting the benchmark for high standards in corporate governance, such centres should accord high priority to research and innovative practices.

It should be remembered that a strong foundation in ethical values should be the basis for exemplary corporate governance. But before looking elsewhere for lessons in corporate governance, one should look inwards and what better than Kautilya's 'Artha Shastra', he said.

"The principles and practices on economic management written by Kautilya in the 4th century BC are relevant even today," he said.

India, with its inherent spiritual strength, rich traditions and strong value systems, which form the core of many family-run businesses, can emerge as a role model for other countries in corporate governance, he said, adding the practitioners of corporate governance should play leading role in making India a global leader in their field.

He also expressed happiness that the ICSI is in the process of framing an international corporate governance code by bringing forth the teachings of the ancient Indian texts which hold relevance in the modern day corporate scenario.

Earlier, after laying the foundation stone for Regional Vocational Training Institutes (RTVI) here, Naidu said no nation can make progress if women lag behind and with women constituting about 50 per cent of the country's population, every effort has to be made to empower them economically, politically and in every other field.

"Although women constitute 50 per cent of the demographic dividend, the major challenge is to increase their participation in the country's labour force for faster economic growth.

"While there is an additional net requirement of 109.73 million skilled manpower by 2022 in 24 key sectors, it is estimated that only 4.7 per cent of the total workforce in India has undergone formal skill training as compared to 68 per cent in the UK, 75 per cent in Germany, 80 per cent in Japan and 96 per cent in South Korea," Naidu said.

The shortage of skilled workforce could be overcome by imparting vocational training, he added.

"With about 65 per cent of the population below the age of 35 years, this demographic dividend must be fully tapped to spur the economic growth," the vice president said.
Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the India Air Force (IAF) during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, has been hospitalised and his condition is critical.



Ninety-eight-year-old Singh, the only IAF officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a field marshal in the Army, was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral hospital this morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest, the defence ministry said.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Singh at the hospital.



"Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members.

"We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force . Doctors are doing their best," Modi said in a series of tweets.

Sitharaman expressed the hope that Singh will recover at the earliest, adding his condition was critical.

An icon in the country's military history, Singh had led a fledgeling IAF in the 1965 Indo-Pak when he was just a 44-year-old.

As Pakistan had launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh led the Indian Air Force through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired the IAF, despite the constraints imposed on a full-scale use of air force combat power.

(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.)
West Bengal Chief Minister on Saturday said that the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP should not try to disturb peace in the state during the coming Durga Puja and warned that they should not play with fire.

Stating that her government did not put any curb on celebration of Vijaya Dashami rituals, Banerjee said, "There is misinformation campaign by certain outfits that we are stopping Vijaya Dashami celebrations at puja pandals and households."



"What we had said is on the day of ekadashi on October one there will be no immersions. Muharram, which is an occasion of mourning by the Muslim community, falls on the same date. Immersion will resume as usual from October two to four," she told reporters at the state secretariat.

"Women will put sindoor on each other and Vijaya Dashami rituals will be observed as usual. Those having no inkling about Durga Puja and Kali Puja celebrations in Bengal are spreading all sorts of rumours," she said.

Banerjee said that her government was determined to maintain peace and harmony during the coming Durga Puja festival.

The RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal should not try to disturb peace and play with fire, she said, adding that Durga Puja had been traditionally celebrated with amity in Bengal where lakhs of people hit the streets.

"If someone tries to disrupt peace, the administration will take stern action," she said.

Banerjee said the "BJP should not do politics using CBI, ED and foment riots".

The CM also said the police had recently foiled an attempt by the BJP to create communal problem at a place in the state and arrested two of its members.

The chief minister said that her administration would not allow any procession in the state with arms on the day of immersion.

Banerjee said, "This is illegal and such processions have not been Bengal's tradition and we will not allow it to take place.

"The administration will take strong action if there was any attempt to take out such procession."



She also urged members of the Muslim community to peacefully take out their procession during Muharram.

The state government had told the court that it has allowed immersion of Durga idols on Vijaya Dashami day till 10 pm to ensure law and order.
The group of ministers (GoM) constituted to look into technical glitches in the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has identified a set of common issues after talking to corporate entities such as Unilever, various state tax department officials, and tax consultants. At its first review meeting in Bengaluru, the GoM asked vendor Infosys to fix these glitches by October-end.
The Centre has said a majority of states have fallen behind on ease of doing business despite its push for improvement. Addressing a conclave of chief secretaries organised by the PHD Chamber on Saturday, Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office Jitendra Singh said despite proactive policies by the Centre on both social and economic fronts, most states have failed to act on it according to New Delhis aspirations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today dedicate to the nation the Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada, described as Gujarat's lifeline by BJP leaders, at an event coinciding with his 67th birthday.

The foundation stone of the dam was laid on April 5, 1961 by the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. However, it took 56 years to complete its construction.

Modi will arrive here tonight, and seek blessings of his mother Hiraba tomorrow morning.

His visit, which has added significance as the Assembly elections are due in Gujarat by year-end, is the second in less than a week after he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe here and launched the Bullet train project.

"Tomorrow Sardar Sarovar Dam will be dedicated to the nation. This project will benefit lakhs of farmers and help fulfil people's aspirations," Modi tweeted today.

Earlier, Modi had stressed that the project will start a new chapter of prosperity for Gujarat.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had called the project as "Gujarat's lifeline" noting that the agriculture income and production of farmers in the state more than doubled because of it.

The event will take place at Kevadia in Narmada district.

The delay in the completion of the dam was due to numerous reasons. Medha Patkar-led Narmada Bachao Andolan took the government to the Supreme Court over environmental and rehabilitation issues, and obtained a stay in 1996.

The court allowed resumption of work in October 2000.

The height of the dam was recently raised to 138.68 metres, which will allow maximum 'usable storage' of 4.73 million acre feet of water.

"The Congress committed the sin of obstructing the project at every step. Within 20 days of becoming prime minister, Modi gave final approval to raise the height of the dam," Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said here.

After the inauguration at the dam site at Kevadia, Modi will go to Sadhu Bet, an island in the Narmada river where a 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, called 'Statue of Unity', and a memorial complex dedicated to the country's first home minister are coming up.

Thereafter, the PM will attend the closing ceremony of 'Narmada Mahotsav', and address a gathering at Dabhoi.

He will also lay the foundation stone for National Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum during the event. Modi will then visit Amreli in Saurashtra where he will attend a host of programmes and address a public gathering.

"Looking forward to addressing a gathering of cooperatives, Sahakar Samemelan in Amreli tomorrow," the PM tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Congress has claimed that the project is not complete and canals of 43,000 km length were yet to be built despite the BJP ruling the state for 22 years.
30th Anniversary of Montreal protocol and 23rd World Ozone Day Celebrated PAN-India Awareness Campaign reaches out to nearly 28 lakh students in the country

Highlighting the strength of the active collaboration between the government, industries and all stakeholders in the implementation of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) phase-out programme in the country, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan highlighted the importance of individual awareness and the strength of collective action. The Minister also laid special emphasis on the role played by children in ensuring the success of such campaigns.

Addressing a gathering at the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol and 23rd World Ozone Day here today, with the theme - "Caring for all life under the Sun, the Minister made a special mention of the pan-India awareness campaign launched by the Environment Ministry on the occasion. This campaign was among the most widespread engagements of the Ministry for awareness generation, carried out with the active partnership of States through schools and academic/research institutions spread across the country. The awareness campaign saw a participation of about 28 lakh students in more than 13, 000 schools and reached out to 214 districts across 16 states of the country. The Minister also spoke of the strong policy leadership given by India during the negotiations for the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that it is recognized that India played a crucial role in the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

A series of publications launched by the Minister on the occasion include  a handbook on HCFC Phase-out and Energy Efficiency in Buildings; the first edition of newsTRAC; and a newsletter for service technicians in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning (RAC) sector.

These two publications were launched as part of the enabling component of Indias HCFC Phase out Management Plan, for which United Nations Environment is the cooperating agency and Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) are the national implementing partners. Two videos on Indias achievements in implementation of Montreal Protocol and HCFCs phase-out and Energy Efficiency in buildings were also launched.

MONTREAL PROTOCOL: A BRIEF BACKGROUND

The year 2017 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol is one of the most successful global environmental treaties, the implementation of which has not only led to the phase-out of around 98% of ozone depleting chemicals, but also averted more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Nearly 2 million cases of skin cancer per year have been averted globally. The Montreal Protocol is the only environmental treaty which enjoys universal ratification of 197 UN member countries.

During the Kigali negotiations, India piloted the concept of two base lines and a differentiated phased down time schedule to factor in the needs of developing countries. This was the first time in the Montreal Protocol that the concept of two baseline has been adopted both for developed and developing countries. On Indias initiative, energy efficiency was included for the first time in the Montreal Protocol as an agreed finance solution while phasing down HFCs.

India has consciously chosen a path for most environment-friendly and energy efficient technologies, while phasing out Ozone Depleting substances, unlike many of the developed countries. India is among the few countries globally and a pioneer, in some cases, in the use of non-ODS low Global Warming Potential (GWP) technologies.
Defence Minister Felicitates Eight Cantonment Boards of Western Command with ODF Certificate

Eight Cantonment Boards out of 13 under Western Command have received Open Defecation Free (ODF) certificates, issued by the Quality Council of India, from the Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman during a felicitation ceremony organised at Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, today. Smt Sitharaman who was the Chief Guest, presented ODF certificates to the members of the Cantonment Boards including their Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and President Cantonment Boards (PCBs). The eight Cantonment Boards are Kasauli, Dagshai, Subathu, Jutogh, Dalhousie, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ferozepur.

During her speech, the Defence Minister congratulated Defence Estates Department for achieving ODF in eight cantonments. She also expressed her satisfaction that all the Cantonment Boards shall be ODF by December 15, 2017 as per the deadline and promise.

Smt Nirmala Sitharaman also said, she will ensure that the borders are secured. She reiterated that the needs of each and every Jawan & their families are catered to. An amount of Rs 15 crore was announced by her towards making a multi-level parking at Kasauli bus-stand. This was a long felt requirement and shall fetch positive result in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan also.

The ceremony was attended by the Member of Parliament Shri Virender Kashyap, Director General Defence Estates Shri Jojneshwar Sharma, GOC-in-C Western Command Lt Gen Surinder Singh, Principal Director Defence Estate Shri SC Kaushik, Directors of Defence Estates, Western Command and other officials of Indian Defence Estates Service.

The objectives of Swachh Bharat are to reduce or eliminate open defecation through the construction of individual, cluster and community toilets. The government is aiming to achieve an ODF India by October 02, 2019, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

MJPS/NAo/PDG/AS/RP
The Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman visited Headquarters of Western Command at Chandimandir Military Station today, where she was briefed on the operational preparedness, administrative issues and Ex-Servicemen affairs by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command Lt Gen Surinder Singh. The Defence Minister appreciated the efforts of the Indian Army and Western Command and expressed her complete confidence in the immense operational might of Western Command.

She lauded Western Commands contribution in all spheres including assistance to civilian administration especially during the recent past.
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that strong foundation in ethical values should be the basis for exemplary corporate governance. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) Centre of Excellence, in Hyderabad today. The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Mohammad Mahmood Ali and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The Vice President said that it has become imperative for professionals like company secretaries to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills that are not only in tune with the best practices but also facilitate and promote good corporate governance. He further said that India with its inherent spiritual strength, rich traditions and strong value systems - which form the core of many family-run businesses - can emerge as a role model for other countries in corporate governance. The practitioners of corporate governance should play a leading role in making India a global leader in their field, he added.

The Vice President said that money laundering through shell companies is one of the menaces that affect the economy of a country. He commended the decision of ICSI to sensitize all its members and other stakeholders on the deleterious impact not only of the shell companies but also of shell NGOs. He also commended the decision of making ICSI employees to wear khadi one day a week and to have a corporate anti-bribery code in a voluntary manner.

The Vice President said that a company secretary is not only the conscience-keeper of an enterprise, but he/she also has a larger social responsibility. He further said that they have to constantly update themselves with the changes in the laws for proper guidance of the management and other stakeholders. With the implementation of GST, they should be well equipped to deal with the challenges arising from its implementation, he added.

Following is the text of Vice President's address :

"I am extremely delighted to be amidst you and inaugurate ICSIs Centre of Excellence in this historic city of Hyderabad.

With this Centre of Excellence catering to the entire South India and similar CoEs coming up at Ajmer for Northern region and at Kolkata for the Eastern region, the Institute will be meeting the requirements for the whole country. Its Centre for Corporate Governance, Research and Training is already functioning at Mumbai and serving the Western region.

In the wake of globalization and the increasing role of corporate in driving the economies, it has become imperative for professionals like company secretaries to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills that are not only in tune with the best practices but also facilitate and promote good corporate governance.

Apart from setting the benchmark for high standards in corporate governance, such centres should accord high priority to research and innovative practices.

I am told that its mandate, among others, is to undertake transformational research that aims to achieve international standing in corporate governance, build collaborative networks to address challenging research problems and achieve global competitiveness and gain recognition for Indian research.

It should be remembered that a strong foundation in ethical values should be the basis for exemplary corporate governance. But before looking elsewhere for lessons in corporate governance, one should look inwards and what better than Kautilyas Ardha Shastra. The principles and practices on economic management written by Kautilya in 4th century BC are relevant even now.

I commend the Institute of Company Secretaries of India for coming out with a vision to be a global leader in promoting good corporate governance and a mission to develop high caliber professionals facilitating good corporate governance. ICSI should ensure that these objectives do not remain as mere slogans and are achieved in the fullest measure.

India with its inherent spiritual strength, rich traditions and strong value systems-- which form the core of many family-run businessescan emerge as a role model for other countries in corporate governance. The practitioners of corporate governance should play a leading role in making India a global leader in their field.

Money laundering through shell companies is one of the menaces that affect the economy of a country. I commend the decision of ICSI to sensitize all its members and other stakeholders on the deleterious impact not only of the shell companies but also of shell NGOs.

I also appreciate the efforts of ICSI in bringing secretarial standards on to statute books and paving the way for good corporate practices. Such standards are needed in the wake of corporate disputes.

A company secretary is not only the conscience-keeper of an enterprise, but he/ she also has a larger social responsibility. No doubt, company secretaries are key managerial personnel, but they also represent internal and external stakeholders and as such play a pivotal role in ensuring compliances and implementing principles of good governance. They have to constantly update themselves with the changes in the laws for proper guidance of the management and other stakeholders. With the implementation of GST, they should be well equipped to deal with the challenges arising from its implementation.

I am happy to note that ICSI is in the process of framing an international corporate governance code by bringing forth the teachings of the ancient Indian texts which hold relevance in the modern day corporate scenario.

I also commend the Institute for submitting a draft note on model code for meetings of Panchayats, which aims to promote good governance at the grass-roots levels. The other initiatives such as making ICSI employees to wear khadi one day a week and to have a corporate anti-bribery code in a voluntary manner are also laudable.

I wish the institute, all its members and students a wonderful journey ahead.
The Government of Bangladesh has charged Myanmar with violating its air space on three occasions this month and reportedly warned Yangon that such acts of provocation can lead to strained bilateral ties between the two countries.

Dhaka has claimed that Myanmar drones and helicopters violated Bangladesh air space on September 10, 12 and 14.

"Bangladesh expressed deep concern at the repetition of such acts of provocation and demanded that Myanmar takes immediate measures to ensure that such violation of sovereignty does not occur again," the foreign ministry said in statement late on Friday.

The demarche was issued even as nearly 400,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees from northern and western Myanmar have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25, fleeing a military offensive against insurgents that the United Nations has branded a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing".

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay said he did not have information about the incidents Bangladesh had complained about but Myanmar had denied an earlier accusation.

He said Myanmar would check any information that Bangladesh provided and added that there was need for both governments to develop good understanding to deal with the refugee crisis.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the U.N. Security Council have urged Myanmar to end the violence, which he said was best described as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar rejects the accusations, saying its security forces are carrying out clearance operations to defend against the insurgents of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which claimed responsibility for the August 25 attacks and similar, though smaller, attacks in October.

The government has declared ARSA a terrorist organisation and accused it of setting the fires and attacking civilians.
Ant Financial is expected to make a third try for US approval of its takeover of as a secretive national security panel throws up hurdles for Chinese investors seeking to buy American companies.
A European Union plan to raise more tax from digital multinationals faced the first signs of scepticism on Saturday, as smaller members of the bloc warned about the economic impact from such a move.
McDonalds Japan took a series of hits starting in 2014 that threatened to crack its Golden Arches: a supplier was selling expired chicken, a human tooth was found in french fries and a child was injured by a plastic shard inside a sundae.
The UK police on Saturday launched a major manhunt for the suspects who tried to blow up a packed Tube train in London, an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.

An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at Parsons Green station on Friday, injuring 29 people. The UK's terror threat level was raised to the highest.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were "chasing down suspects" and hundreds of officers were trawling through CCTV.

He said support from the military would free up about 1,000 extra armed police officers, largely from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and Ministry of Defence police.

Detectives used CCTV images from the station and train to single out the suspect believed to have planted the homemade device but were still working to identify the bomber.

The Islamic State militant group claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Nobody suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident. Parsons Green station has since reopened.

Raising the terror status to its highest level, which means another attack is considered imminent, Prime Minister Theresa May said military personnel would replace armed police "on guard duties at certain protected sites which are not accessible to the public".

It is the fourth time the terror threat level has been raised to critical in the last 11 years - most recently after the Manchester Arena bombing.

"The public will see more armed police on the transport network and on our streets, providing extra protection. This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses," she said.

Investigators fear the bomb had the potential to cause huge devastation if fully detonated.

A former army bomb disposal officer said it appeared the initiating charge of the device had exploded but had failed to detonate the main charge, the Guardian reported.

Initially, police considered the possibility that the bomber had been among those taken to the hospital, where many were treated for flash burns.

However investigators believe the device was remotely detonated, which suggested it may not have been intended as a suicide attack, and that the bomber may have left the train before the explosion, the paper said.

Counter-terror police are being assisted by MI5 in their hunt for the bomber.

It is the fourth time the terror threat level has been raised to critical in the last 11 years - most recently after the Manchester Arena bombing.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "The national threat level has now been raised to critical after the evil and cowardly terrorist attack at Parsons Green.

"As the Prime Minister has said, this is our highest level of security preparedness.

"I utterly condemn the hideous individuals who target innocent people and attempt to use terror to harm us and destroy our way of life," he said.

Yesterday 's attack was the fifth terrorism incident in the UK this year. But it's the only one in 2017 in which nobody has died. The previous four saw 36 people killed.
said it will complete its nuclear program in the face of heightened United Nations sanctions after the isolated nation on Friday fired a second intermediate-range ballistic missile that flew over Japan.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to achieve the "final goal" of "equilibrium of force" with the United States, to make Washington "dare not talk about" military action against the country.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about a military option," Kim was quoted as saying by the official Korean Central News Agency, during a visit to oversee Friday's missile launch.

He further stressed that the country should be prepared for a nuclear counter-attack, which the "US cannot cope with".

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has condemned the launch of yet another ballistic missile by the North Korea and called on the country's leadership to halt such activities and explor the resumption of sincere dialogue on denuclearisation.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the DPRK leadership "to cease further testing, comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, and allow space to explore the resumption of sincere dialogue on denuclearisation."

ALSO READ: Trump warns N Korea of overwhelming options after missile launch over Japan

The UNSC referred to the latest launch as a "manifest violation" of Security Council resolutions that comes less than two weeks after the DPRK conducted a test of a nuclear device on September 3, and only three days after the Security Council unanimously adopted fresh sanctions against the country.

Guterres will be discussing the situation on the Korean Peninsula, with all concerned parties in the margins of the upcoming high level week of the UN General Assembly.

Also today, holding urgent consultations over the ballistic missile launch, the Security Council expressed its grave concern that the DPRK is, by conducting such a launch over Japan as well as its recent actions and public statements, deliberately undermining regional peace and stability and causing grave security concerns around the world.

ALSO READ: Oil falls as markets dip on North Korea tensions

Terming the ballistic missile launch as "highly provocative," the Council members "condemned further the DPRK for its outrageous actions, and demanded that the [the country] immediately cease all such actions."

The Security Council stressed that these DPRK actions are not just a threat to the region, but to all UN Member States.

The 15-member Security Council also emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action and stressed the importance of working to reduce tensions in the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

ALSO READ: North Korea fires another missile over Japan

It also demanded that the DPRK comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions as well as the statements of its President by suspending all activities related to its ballistic missile programme and, in that context, re-establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launches.

The Security Council also reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in north-east Asia at large, and expressed its commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation, welcoming efforts by Council members, as well as other States, to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue.
The adage says its better to give than to receive. But is it really? The scientific evidence that generosity is good for us has been scant, even as the benefits of selfishness are obvious. Recently, however, a neurological study published in Nature Communications found there may be some biological truth to the maxim after all. The study showed that generosity changed the activity in peoples brains in ways that increase feelings of happiness, even if the generous act is small or only imagined.
The White House said on Saturday that President Donald Trump will meet the leaders of Japan and South Korea in New York next week to discuss the "urgent" threat posed by North Korea and dismissed claims there was no military option to dealing with Pyongyang.

The US leader will host a lunch with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korea's Moon Jae-in on Thursday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump's National Security Adviser HR McMaster told a White House briefing.

"As Kim Jong-Un's most recent launch demonstrates, this is one of the world's most urgent and dangerous security problems," he added.

Hours earlier, Pyongyang had fired a missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean -- its longest missile flight yet -- in response to fresh punitive measures imposed by the UN Security Council. That launch came less than two weeks after Pyongyang staged its most powerful nuclear test yet.

McMaster sent a mixed message Friday, insisting that the US retained a "military option" in dealing with North Korea even while calling on "everyone to do everything we can to address the global problem short of war."



"We're out of time," McMaster said. "We have been kicking the can down the road and we are out of road.

"For those who have been commenting about the lack of a military option, there is a military option," he said. "Now it's not what we prefer to do."



"We need time obviously for any strategy to work," he added.

The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said trade with North Korea would be cut 90 percent after the "massive sanctions" package agreed by the Security Council. That, she added, "is just the beginning of what we can do."



On Monday, McMaster said, Trump will also meet French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks focused on Iran.

Trump has called the nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, which requires Tehran to reduce its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, "the worst deal ever negotiated." But on Thursday he extended the sanctions relief, avoiding a step that could have undercut the accord.

Key US allies, including France, have strongly encouraged Trump to uphold the agreement in order to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear arsenal. Macron has said he sees "no alternative" to sticking by the accord.

But Netanyahu strongly opposes the deal, saying Tehran cannot be trusted and that Israel's survival could be at stake.

Trump has to certify in mid-October whether he believes Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal.
President Donald Trump responds to a reporter's question as he boards Air Force One with first lady Melania Trump, not shown, for a trip to Florida to meet with first responders and people impacted by Hurricane Irma in Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
Referring to the change in his foreign policy, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday said that the country has been able to defend its national interest against Pakistan after four decades.

In an address to military forces in Paktia province, Ghani said, "Our 40 years' demands would have not been accepted if we were not successful in our foreign policy. (Previously) we were waiting to talk with Pakistan equally, but now we hold talks with Pakistan with an honor and we preserve our interests (in these talks)," the Tolo News reported.

Ghani further said that the has heard Afghanistan's voice on counter-terrorism efforts and that "the Taliban must know they cannot win the war."

"You (enemies) should know that Afghanistan's strategic situation has changed and you (Taliban) cannot win on the battlefields," he added.

Afghan President also mentioned that the number of Afghan Air Force will be doubled in the near future.

"Our air support has been doubled in the past two weeks and now our martyred and wounded army and police force members will not remain on the battlefields," he added.

Meanwhile, Paktia governor Shamim Katawazai urged Ghani to fulfill his promises for the development of the province.

"In the past ten years, promises were made to Paktia residents, but none of them were addressed. For me, it will be very bad to give empty promises to the people. I urge you (President Ghani) to deliver the commitments made to the people," said Katawazai.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After getting rebuke from British Prime Minister Theresa May, United States President Donald Trump on Friday expressed solidarity with Britain over the terror attack in south-west London in the morning.

Trump took to Twitter to control the damage that his earlier tweet had caused.

"I want to say that our hearts and prayers go out to the people of London, who suffered a vicious terror attack. I spoke with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, this morning and relayed America's deepest sympathy as well as our absolute commitment to eradicating the terrorists from our planet. America and our allies will never be intimidated," Trump tweeted.

Earlier, Trump invited ire of Theresa May for his comments about the terror attack in south-west London in the morning.

Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the explosion in which 29 people were hurt after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasted on a Tube train at the Parsons Green Station.

Soon after the attack, Trump pointed fingers at British police and advised them to be 'proactive'.

"Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!" Trump tweeted.

In another tweet, he said, "Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better! (sic)."

Theresa May didn't like Trump's comments. Therefore, during the pool interview when she was asked whether Trump knew something the British public did not, she said, "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation."

Not only May but her former chief of staff, Nick Timothy, also censured Trump.

He termed Trump's comments unhelpful from Britain's intelligence partner.

"True or not - and I'm sure he doesn't know - this is so unhelpful from leader of our ally and intelligence partner," Timothy tweeted.

Following the attack, Britain has raised threat level from severe to critical.

"The joint terrorism and analysis centre, the independent organisation responsible for setting the threat level on the basis of available intelligence has now decided to raise it from severe to critical," May announced.

The IS has claimed responsibility for Friday's Tube train attack.

Quoting security analysts SITE, The Independent reported that a "detachment" from the extremist group was responsible.

"According to a translation by Middle East observer Hassan Hassan, the message on the group's propganda page said: 'A security source to Amaq: the bombing of the IED in the London tube was carried out by a unit affiliated to the Islamic State'," said The Independent report.

British Police and security officials have been investigating to identify the culprits who planted IED in the Tube train.

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Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday approved the migration policy and has also allotted Rs 40 crores for implementation of the policy, while sanctioning Rs. 20 crores with immediate effect.

The decision was taken in a first meeting held between Andhra Pradesh Non Resident Telugu (APNRT) Society governing body and chairman of the body N Chandrababu Naidu's in Vijayawada.

As part of the policy, Pravasandhra Helpline, Pravasandhra Welfare Fund and insurance scheme for all members of APNRT, under the name Pravasandhra Bharosa, will be set up.

The welfare fund will take care of those NRTs who lose jobs. The Chief Minister ordered the officials to chart out a special industrial policy so that Telugu people across the globe can invest in the state.

He further ordered to study the possibility of forming a special cell and special investment zone for APNRTs, in lines with the policy which Haryana Government is already implementing.

Naidu also asked the NRTs to promote the state dance form, Kuchipudi, and to build Lord Balaji's temples in different countries.

APNRT members have already set up 32 IT companies in the state which generated 3,090 jobs. They will be setting up 21 more IT companies which can recruit 3,390 jobs. The Chief Minister has also approved the designs of the iconic building that APNRT will build in Amaravati region.

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This Engineer's day, Bajaj Finserv is offering special rewards to all Engineers pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.

As a special recognition to the contribution of Engineers as nation building, the company is offering assured gifts like free vouchers and trips to exotic holiday destination, to those Engineers who have ventured out to set up their own businesses.

Bajaj Finserv allows Engineers to apply for loans through minimal documentation and convenient online application. Aspirant with minimum three year of self-employed experience and certificate of practice as a proof can avail the loan upto Rs. 15 lakhs.

Bajaj Finance Ltd, the lending arm of Bajaj Finserv, will reward Engineer availing professional loans to fulfil their operational and capital expenditure demands will with gift cards from Lenskart/ Jabong/ Pepperfry of Rs. 500.

The loan applicants will also be part of an exciting lucky draw. Winners of the lucky draw will win an international trip to Spain or a trip for a couple to Goa.

In addition to these rewards, the Engineers can also get the access to Bajaj Finserv's Value Added Services like: Financial Fitness Report, a co-branded credit card by RBL and Bajaj Finserv, and free gift vouchers from Club Mahindra Holiday worth Rs. 20,000.

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The Baloch Republican Party held a protest demonstration in Wilhelm-Leuschner Platz, Germany against violence on Baloch women and children by Pakistan Army.

Baloch Republican Party staged a protest in Wilhelm-Leuschner Platz/Petersstrae Leipzig , Germany on Saturday to highlight the ongoing Baloch genocide and human rights violations and the disappearance of Baloch people through the hands of Pakistani military and intelligence agencies in Balochistan, the Baloch National Movement (BNM) Germany chapter held demonstrations in different cities.

"Thousands of Baloch women and children continue to fall prey to the sexual harassment and illegal detention at the hands of the Pakistan Army," a protester said.

Accusing the Pakistan Army of having the licence to "kill, rape and torture Baloch people and to take out their organs to sell them", Baloch Kurd liberation activist and Baloch Women's Forum president Naela Quadri Baloch has demanded that the United Nations which has "turned blind and has closed its ears and mouth" - to wake up and listen what is going on in Balochistan.

"The Pakistani Army has (a) licence to kill us, licence to rape us, licence to torture, licence to take out organs and sell them, because the Pakistani Army is involved in the organ trade of the Baloch people with the help of the Edhi Foundation; and, Pakistan is running rape cells, where Baloch women are abducted, kept and raped. Pakistan is doing all kinds of those atrocities that a sane human mind cannot imagine," Naela told ANI.

Stating that Pakistan is committing this genocide of the Baloch people with the full support of China as a form of "ethnic cleansing", Naela said: "The International Day of Human Rights was announced by the U.N., but it is silent despite the atrocities and the level of genocide going on in Balochistan by the Pakistan Army and the Pakistani establishment. It's like a kind of situation where Baloch people have no rights that even your animals have."

Buttressing her claims, the Baloch activist said, "We have found more than 100 mass graves with more than 100 bodies in each, and doctors say they were alive when they were buried in those mass graves."

They are burning Baloch villages and towns - it is a situation that no human heart can see and keep silent, she said, adding, "But we are surprised and we are worried about the legal status of the U.N. now."

She said that what is going on in a part of the (Balochistan) is very much needed for connecting the Indian Ocean to the Central Asia; it's very much needed to be a route; it's very much needed for people's trade; and it's very much needed for the economic corridor (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor-CPEC). "It is not a corridor; it is our home; it is a corridor for outsider; it is a corridor for occupiers and passersby; for us it is our home," she said.

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Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina on Saturday left for New York to attend the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where she will be raising the issue of Rohingya crisis.

She will also make a formal proposal at the upcoming session for an early implementation of recommendations by the Kofi Annan-led Commission.

The Advisory Commission recommended that the Myanmar Government take concrete steps to end the enforced segregation of Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims; ensure full and unfettered humanitarian access throughout the state; tackle Rohingya statelessness and "revisit" the 1982 Citizenship Law; hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable; and end restrictions on freedom of movement, among other recommendations.

Prime Minister's office said that Hasina will depart from Abu Dhabi for New York tomorrow morning, The Daily Star reported.

She will be addressing the UNGA on September 21.

Hasina will also urge the leaders to play an effective role in stopping the genocide of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

The Rohingya Muslims, who have taken refuge in Cox's Bazar and Teknaf border areas in Bangladesh after they fled the barbarous persecution in Myanmar's Rakhine state, are now suffering due to an absence of food, shelters, medicines, sanitation facilities and clean water.

The United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR, said around 4,00,000 refugees have fled from the violence-affected Myanmar's Northern Rakhine state and sought refuge in Bangladesh, where the limited shelter capacity is already exhausted.

Many of over 3,50,000 refugees, staying either under open sky or at the new refugee camps and shelters, are suffering from diarrhea and different diseases and don't have an access to even clean drinking water and proper medicines.

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Bangladesh, which is facing an unprecedented influx of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, plans to build new settlements to house about 400,000 refugees that entered the country over the past three weeks.

The new settlements will be built within the next 10 days on 2,000 acres in the Cox's Bazar district near Bangladesh's border with Myanmar, officials have said.

The authorities plan to construct 14,000 shelters, each with the capacity to hold six families, with the help of international aid organisations and the Bangladesh military.

The United Nations described the actions against the Rohingya as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

Earlier on Thursday, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the "military and security forces in Myanmar to immediately cease the killings, harassment, and rape of the Rohingya people, and the burning of their homes".

Camps in Bangladesh were already overflowing with at least 400,000 Rohingya before the current exodus was provoked by Rohingya militants' attacking Myanmar police posts and an army base on Aug. 25.

The Myanmar government "and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in particular, should condemn unequivocally all incitement to racial or religious hatred and combat social discrimination and hostilities against the Rohingya minority," said the resolution.

UNICEF said on Thursday that about 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar since Aug. 25, some 60 percent of them children.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday reiterated his call for Muslims from Myanmar's Rakhine state to be granted nationality or at least a legal status that would allow them to lead a normal life.

"I call on the Myanmar authorities to suspend military action, end the violence, uphold the rule of law, and recognize the right of return of all those who had to leave the country," the Secretary-General said in his first press conference since the opening of the 72nd session of the General Assembly.

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China has agreed to address the major concerns of Pakistan regarding preference erosion for Pakistani exports and meaningful market access during the 8th meeting of second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) held in Beijing.

Showing concerns over the growing trade imbalance between both the countries, Pakistan shared a list around 70 high priority items of its export interest for immediate market access, which the Chinese side agreed to consider favourably. These tariff lines constitute more than 80 percent of Pakistan's current exports to China.

The breakthrough was achieved after intense negotiations that took place for two days during the eighth meeting of the second phase of negotiations over the FTA.

The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Mohammad Younus Dagha and Chinese Vice Minister for Commerce Wang Shouwen.

The Secretary Commerce stated that the benefits of CPEC and CPFTA shall be shared equitably by the two countries and should be a win-win proposition for both sides.

He stressed the need for addressing growing trade imbalance and visa facilitation for Pakistani businessmen visiting China.

In the last seven rounds, Pakistan pleaded the case for the restoration of its preference under the FTA that had been eroded due to subsequent FTAs of China. Dagha pointed out that the preference on 79 per cent of Pakistan's exports to China had been eroded. Pakistan has also shown concern about not being able to get meaningful market access during the first phase of the FTA, the Dawn reported.

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A Christian man has been sentenced to death for blasphemy by a Pakistan court after a close friend accused him of sharing material that insulted Islam on Whatsapp.

35-year-old Nadeem James was arrested in July, 2016 after his friend Yasir Bashir filed a complaint to the police that he received a poem on WhatsApp, ridiculing Prophet Mohammad and other holy figures, the local media reported.

The accused "was handed a death sentence by the court on Thursday on blasphemy charges," said defence lawyer Riaz Anjum.

Under the country's strict blasphemy laws, anyone accused of insulting Islam and its key religious figures risks being sentenced to death.

The European Parliament has criticised Pakistan's human rights record and squarely reminded Islamabad that it has grossly erred in handing down capital punishment for those allegedly violating the nation's blasphemy laws.

Earlier in June 12, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has for the first time sentenced Shiite Taimoor Raza to death for allegedly sharing blasphemous content about Sunni religious leaders and the Prophet Mohammed's wives on Facebook, the harshest among cyber-crime related sentences handed down so far in the country.

Authorities have asked Twitter and Facebook to help identify users sharing blasphemous materials.

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A day after Congress leader P. Chidambaram said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should question him instead of harassing his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case, his party came out in his support and said the Modi government is taking out political rivalry out of the matter.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central Government is taking out political grudges out of the matter instead of bringing justice to the case.

"This matter is getting murkier day by day. I think taking out political grudges is apparently more important here than bringing justice to the case," Dikshit said.

Another Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said that Modi government is misusing the agencies to harass the grand old party leaders.

"We agree with P. Chidambaram completely. If any questions have to be asked why is BJP government shy of asking those questions from Chidambaram. Does it not show the double standards and malice to prosecute the family of Chidambaram. His son Karthi is being repeatedly harassed by successive notices which have no meaning, content and foundation. The Congress condemns this false prosecution of Karthi. It's time for Modi ji to wake up and stop misusing government agencies to prosecute the families of Congress leaders," Surjewala told ANI.

Chidambaram on Friday said the CBI should question him instead of harassing his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram accused the probe agency of spreading misinformation.

He said in Aircel-Maxis, he had approved minutes after the recommendation by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).

"Sad CBI spreading misinformation. In Aircel-Maxis, FIPB officials have recorded statements before CBI that approval given was valid," Chidambaram tweeted.

"In Aircel-Maxis, FIPB recommended and I approved minutes. CBI should question me and not harass Karti Chidambaram," he added.

The CBI had called Karti for questioning on Thursday in connection with the foreign investment clearance given in the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006 when his father Chidambaram was the finance minister.

The Aircel-Maxis deal refers to a series of allegations of kickbacks in the telecom sector, which was part of the wider 2G scam that engulfed the UPA regime.

In 2011, former Aircel head C. Sivasankaran complained to the CBI that he was being forced by then telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran to sell Aircel to the Malaysia-based Maxis Communications group owned by T. Ananda Krishnan.

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A day after Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led investigation in Ryan International School murder case, the Congress party cornered the state government for taking the decision so late.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Pradeep Tamta said that the murder of seven-year-old boy in the Gurugram based school indicates failure of state government.

"I think this is state government's failure. The state government should have taken this case into notice a long before. The state government's negligence can be clearly seen in this matter. Strict action should be taken against many people in this case," Tamta said.

Congress leader Dipender Hooda said that it was unfortunate that the government took so long to order a CBI probe.

"I think the sternest action is also less in this case. We welcome this CBI probe but not only the bus conductor but all those who were responsible for the negligence of student's safety should also be punished. School management should be questioned. It is unfortunate that the government took so long to order CBI probe," he told ANI.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday condemned the gruesome murder of a seven-year-old boy at the Ryan International School and promised for CBI-led investigation in the case.

Khattar after meeting the father and mother of the deceased told media, "I strongly condemned the murder of seven-year-old at Ryan International School. I inform you that now this case will be handed over to the CBI for investigation. However, the Haryana Government will continue its investigation till the case is handed over to CBI."

Khattar further asserted that his Government will monitor the school management closely for three months.

Pradyuman Thakur was found dead inside the toilet of the Ryan International school, with his throat slit on September 8.

The child was allegedly killed by a bus conductor, Ashok Kumar.

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The Ghaziabad Police on Saturday arrested Mahant Pratimanand, one of the main accused carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head in Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Deepak Bhardwaj's murder case.

BSP leader and businessman Bhardwaj's younger son Nitesh had hatched the plot to kill him over family property dispute, while Mahant Pratimanand, who was on the run till now, had received a contract to arrange the shooters to eliminate Bhardwaj.

Bhardwaj was shot dead on March 26, 2013 at his farmhouse, Nitesh Kunj located in Rajokri, Vasant Kunj area of New Delhi.

He was gunned down by 2 hired killers - Sunil Mann alias Sonu and Purushottam Rana alias Monu, who were later arrested.

Police also arrested Rakesh alias Bhola, the owner of the car used by the killers after the murder, and Rakesh Malik, a commercial pilot, who allegedly hired the shooters.

Nitesh and his aide and advocate-cum-property dealer Baljeet Singh Sehrawat were also arrested.

Bhardwaj had contested for 15th Lok Sabha from the West Delhi Constituency in May 2009.

Reportedly, he was the richest candidate for the 15th Lok Sabha elections with declared assets amounting to be more than 6 billion.

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The Patiala House Court on Saturday extended the police custody of the two stone pelters arrested by the Investigation Agency (NIA) from Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA had asked for an extension of custody for seven days, but the court granted only four days.

The investigation agency had arrested two notorious stone pelters from Jammu and Kashmir earlier in September as a part of ongoing crackdown against terror funding in the state.

According to the NIA sources, the arrested stone pelters have been identified as Javed Ahmad Bhat from Kulgam and Kamran Yusuf from Pulwama.

The NIA visited Srinagar in May to probe the alleged funding by Pakistan for illegal activities in Kashmir, and questioned several separatist leaders on the issue of raising, collecting and transferring funds via the Hawala route and other channels to fund terror activities in Kashmir.

In July, the NIA arrested seven separatist leaders - Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate - over money laundering charges to fund terror in the Kashmir Valley.

On August 17, the NIA arrested Zahoor Ahmed Watali, a prominent businessman of Kashmir.

The NIA on Tuesday summoned Kashmir Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom on September 6 at the Delhi Headquarters in connection with the terror-funding case.

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Union Minister, Ramvilas Paswan and Arjun Ram Meghwal rewarded Vishal Bagadia and Honey Sharma, Director(s) of GCL for their remarkable services.

Ganganagar Commodity Limited (GCL), Jaipur which is India's prestigious Financial Services Group, awarded by "Kisan Pragati Award" at the function organized by NCDEX. Central Food and Civil Supplies Minister Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan and Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal honored the trophy presented to Vishal Bagadia and Honey Sharma, Director (s) of GCL in a grand ceremony held in Hotel Taj, New Delhi. NCDX has selected GCL for "Kisan Pragati Award" under "Outstanding Performance" category in Agriculture Commodity in West Zone (Rajasthan and Gujarat) of India.

Mr. Vishal Bagadia, Director Ganganagar Commodity Limited said, "That GCL has been active in the field of commodity exchange from last 13 years. The company is offering services of broking and investment in equities, currency, insurance, mutual funds, along with the online and offline procurement of commodities, hedging and trading to its customers. Apart from NCDEX, GCL is also a member of MCX, NSE and BSE. The company has more than 5000 clients connected to West Zone (which includes Gujarat and Rajasthan as well as some areas of Maharashtra)."

Mr. Honey Sharma, Director, Ganganagar Commodity Limited said, "That the company is planning to provide financial services across India in the next 5 years. This includes proving all financial services to client and portfolio management, so that they can be benefitted by maximizing their profits. Our main objective is to provide financial services in India as per international standards.

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The ruling Congress party in Punjab on Saturday said the top agenda is development of the state, in an apparent bid to woo voters ahead of the Gurdaspur polls, which is to be held on October 11.

Speaking to ANI here, Punjab local bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said, "We will go to Gurdaspur for development. Development will be our main agenda in the state. The Batala city is getting almost 40 crores, never in the history of Balata has anybody allocated 40 crores for the development. It takes a bit of time for things to be executed. The people of Punjab have given the then government 10 years. At least give our party ten months or a year and see how we will implement our good intentions in the state."

Sidhu further accused the then SAD-BJP government of Punjab of bad governance.

"The then Punjab government was relegated to number three in the Punjab polls due to their bad governance," he said.

The Election Commission team today visited Gurdaspur to review preparations for the upcoming by-polls.

The Lok Sabha by-poll has been necessitated by the death of BJP MP Vinod Khanna.

The by-poll result will be out on October 15.

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A top Iranian commander on Saturday announced that Iran possesses domestically-made 10-ton bomb "father of all bombs" that dwarfs the most powerful non-nuclear weapon of the United States, the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), also known as the "mother of all bombs.

He asserted that Iran's military capabilities are solely aimed for defense purposes.

"Following a proposal by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Iran's Defense Industries manufactured 10-ton bombs. These bombs are at our disposal," Xinhua quoted IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh as saying.

"They can be launched from Ilyushin aircraft and they are highly destructive," Hajizadeh said.

With the orders of US President Donald Trump, U.S. military had dropped the largest non-nuclear bomb GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, known as Mother Of All Bombs (MOAB) on tunnels in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province from an MC-130 aircraft,it has ever used in combat, hitting ISIL or ISIS (Islamic State) positions on April 13, killing at least 95 ISIS fighters.

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As a part of their investigation,London's Metropolitan Police on Saturday raided residential buildings in Sunbury-on-Thames after teenager was arrested in Dover port area in the connection with Friday's terrorist attack on a train at a London underground station in which 30 people were injured.

"Cordons are being put in place at a 100 metre radius to facilitate the Metropolitan Police Service's operation, which is being supported by colleagues from Surrey Police, and a rugby club has taken in around 200 residents who were evacuated from the Cavendish Road area in Sunbury-on-Thames,"the Guardian quoted Police officials as saying .

The police in England have arrested an 18-year-old teenager in the port area of Dover in connection with Friday's terrorist attack on a train at a London underground station, London's Metropolitan Police said.

It was a "significant arrest" as the investigation continues,the Guardian quoted statement of Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing.

The arrest came 24 hours after a homemade bomb partially exploded at Parson Green tube station in west London, injuring 29 people.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons, we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage," he said.

ISIS have claimed responsibility for the explosion on the London underground at Parsons Green.

Metropolitan Police said that further investigations will continue and the 18-year old will be asked whether there were other conspirators involved in the attack. Detectives will also look into the CCTV footage before and after the attack to track movements of those they suspect of involvement.

Any computer and phone owned by a suspect will be examined for clues, plus the remnants of the smouldering improvised explosive device left on the tube train will also provide forensic clues.

The London's Metropolitan Police said, "Kent police had arrested the man in the port area of Dover on Saturday morning under section 41 of the Terrorism Act under which a police officer can arrest someone whom they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist."

The man was taken to a local police station and will be driven under guard to a south London police station.

Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the security services are raising the terror threat level from "severe" to "critical" in the wake of the Parsons Green terror attack.

The Prime Minister announced the first stage of Operation Temperer would be going into effect, which means armed troops will be sent to key locations including nuclear sites, freeing up armed officers to police the streets.

Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has raised Britain's terrorism threat level from "severe" to "critical," meaning an attack is expected imminently,on fears that whoever was behind the attack, and the materials used to make the device, were unaccounted for.

The UK's terrorism threat level is being reviewed "hour by hour" as developments in the investigation unfold, the Guardian reported.

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Police in England have arrested an 18-year-old teen ager in the port area of Dover in connection with Friday's terrorist attack on a train at a London underground station, London's Metropolitan Police said.

It was a "significant arrest" as the investigation continues,The Guardian quoted statement of Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing.

The arrest came 24 hours after a homemade bomb partially exploded at Parson Green tube station in west London, injuring 29 people.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons, we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage," he said.

ISIS have claimed responsibility for the explosion on the London underground at Parsons Green.

Metropolitan Police said that further investigations will continue and the 18-year old will be asked whether there were other conspirators involved in the attack. Detectives will also look into the CCTV footage before and after the attack to track movements of those they suspect of involvement.

Any computer and phone owned by a suspect will be examined for clues, plus the remnants of the smouldering improvised explosive device left on the tube train will also provide forensic clues.

The London's Metropolitan Police said, "Kent police had arrested the man in the port area of Dover on Saturday morning under section 41 of the Terrorism Act under which a police officer can arrest someone whom they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist."

The man was taken to a local police station and will be driven under guard to a south London police station.

Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the security services are raising the terror threat level from "severe" to "critical" in the wake of the Parsons Green terror attack.

The Prime Minister announced the first stage of Operation Temperer would be going into effect, which means armed troops will be sent to key locations including nuclear sites, freeing up armed officers to police the streets.

Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has raised Britain's terrorism threat level from "severe" to "critical," meaning an attack is expected imminently,on fears that whoever was behind the attack, and the materials used to make the device, were unaccounted for.

The UK's terrorism threat level is being reviewed "hour by hour" as developments in the investigation unfold, the Guardian reported.

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Russia has condemned North Korea's latest missile test over mainland Japan, but said it is in favour of political and diplomatic settlement 'on the basis of the Russian-Chinese roadmap'.

"Moscow is in favour political and diplomatic settlement and the launch of the negotiating process on the basis of the Russian-Chinese roadmap. Settling the Korean Peninsula problem exclusively by peaceful means is in the interests of the entire community. We are inviting all interested countries to pool efforts and to do their best to reach our common goal as soon as possibl,"Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

On September 15, North korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile over Japanese territory - several days after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2375. We would like to emphasise again the need for its strict observance.

Terming North Korea's latest violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions as a source of deep regret,the spokeswoman said, "We are convinced that now it is more important than ever before for all parties involved to stop escalating tensions that are accompanying every new round of reactions and counter reactions."

Russia has also criticised the administration of Donald Trump for its "aggressive" role in the crisis, "Regrettably, aggressive rhetoric is the only thing coming from Washington." Zakharova said, "It is necessary to stop and thoroughly weigh the consequences of one's steps and revise the policy of reciprocal pressure and intimidation, which is absolutely counterproductive."

The Kremlin said on Friday that North Korea's latest missile test was part of a series of unacceptable provocations and that the United Nations Security Council was united in believing such launches should not be taking place.

North Korea said on Saturday it aimed to reach an "equilibrium" of military force with the United States after Pyongyang fired a second missile over Japan on Friday.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option," North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was quoted as saying by the state news agency, KCNA.

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Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passed away on Saturday evening, leaving the nation in sorrow and pain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to extend his condolences to the great hero of the nation.

"India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation," his tweet read.

Prime Minister Modi further said, "Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh's determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities."

Praising Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh,PM Modi stated that the nation will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action.

The Prime Minister also recalled his meet with Marshal Arjan Singh and said, "Sometime back I met him, who despite his ill health tried to get up to salute even though I said no. Such was his soldier discipline."

President Ram Nath Kovind also took to Twitter to express his grief on the icon's death.

He said, "Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community."

"Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero & won our nation's gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war," President Kovind added.

Here is a timeline recalling the hero's achievements:

- Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh was born in April 15, 1919 in Lyallpur, Punjab, British India (now Faisalabad, Pakistan).

- Marshal Singh is the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to five-star rank in 2002, which is equal to a Field Marshal.

- Marshal of IAF Singh came from a family of Army background where his father was a Lance Daffadar in the Hodson's Horse at the time of his birth.

- Marshal of IAF Singh's father retired as a full Risaldar of the Cavalry, serving for a time as Assistant Division Commander (ADC) to a Division Commander.

- His grandfather Risaldar Major Hukam Singh, on the other hand, belonged to the Guides Cavalry between 1883 and 1917 and his great-grandfather, Naib Risaldar Sultana Singh was among the first two generations of the Guides Cavalry enlisted in 1854.

- Naib Risaldar Sultana Singh was martyred during the Afghan campaign of 1879.

- Marshal of IAF, Arjan Singh was educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan).

- Arjan Singh joined the newly established Indian Air Force in 1938 at the young age of 19.

- A year later, he was commissioned from England's Royal Air Force College Cranwell.

- Marshal of IAF, Arjan Singh led No. 1 Squadron, Indian Air Force into combat during the Arakan Campaign in 1944. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944, and commanded the Indian Air Force Exhibition Flight in 1945.

- Arjan Singh's two operational tenures on the Burma Front during World War II the first as a Pilot Officer with No.1 Squadron and subsequently in 1944, as Commander of the same Squadron, are said to be exceptional landmarks of his flying career.

- When India became a Republic in 1950, Arjan Singh was commanding the Operational Group, which was then responsible for all air operations from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari.

- Marshal of IAF, Arjan Singh held the Command of this Group, the only fighting arm of the IAF, till December 1952 and again from December 1955 to April 1959, initially in the rank of Air Commodore and then in the rank of Air Vice Marshal for over 6 years, which is considered longer than any other officer of the IAF.

- He was also the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), from 1 August 1964 to 15 July 1969, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1965.

- In 1967, Arjan Singh was invited to take the salute at the passing out parade of the Royal Air Force Flying College, Cranwell, where he had first learnt flying 28 years earlier, and presented the 'Sword of Honour' to the best Cadet.

- The Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh continued to serve the country, even after retirement.In 1971, he was appointed as India's Ambassador to Switzerland. From there, in 1974 he went to Kenya, as the Indian High Commissioner, and returned to India in 1976, after having a six year long ambassadorial career.

- This is considered longer than any other officer from the Armed Forces. After a few years he became the Lt. Governor of Delhi.

- Honouring him, the West Bengal's Air Force base at Panagarh was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh in 2016.

- Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh died on 16 September 2017 at 7:37 p.m. in the Army's Research and Referral hospital.

- He was 98 years old was a respectable figure of the Indian military history.

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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that, on average, 20 U.S. military veterans die by suicide each day.

Mental Health First Aid.org says 30 percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan have a mental health problem requiring treatment, but that only 50 percent of those ever receive mental health treatment.

Local military members, veterans and community groups have teamed up to sponsor a mental health first aid training session Oct. 14 at the Army Heritage Education Center near Carlisle.

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, mental health first aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental health first aid providers learn a five-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.

Through this program, we hope to take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems, says Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health, which helped bring mental health first aid to the U.S. in 2008. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they may need.

The training course runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the AHEC facility at 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, and is titled Mental Health First Aid: Military Members, Veterans and their Families. It provides participants the tools to identify when someone may be struggling with mental health challenges, including a mental health-involved substance use problem or post-traumatic stress, and how to connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary.

The effort includes support from the Rotary Veterans Initiative, American Legion Post 101, AMVETs Post 274, VFW Post 477, the U.S. Army War Colleges Military Family Program and AHEC, 1st Battalion of the 108th Field Artillery, Harrisburg Area Community College, Penn State University at Harrisburg, Central Penn College, the office of Veterans Affairs of Cumberland County, the Partnership for Better Health and the Employment Skills Center.

We are excited and honored to partner with veterans and community groups to help provide this essential training to our local military and veteran family, said Rick Coplen, chairman of the Rotary Veterans Initiative. Mental health is a critically important challenge across America; we are glad to be able to help our military family here in the Carlisle area.

Jim Burgess and Brenda Loyd, certified mental health first aid instructors, will teach the course. Thirty seats are available to active duty military members, veterans and their family members.

To register for the class, access http://bit.ly/2wpPhVj or contact Jim Burgess at 717-877-6354 or jimburgess1@comcast.net. All students attend the training free of charge. Students, who will be able to keep the course textbook, Mental Health First Aid USA, are only responsible for providing their own lunch or buying it at the Cumberland Cafe at AHEC.

AMVETS strongly supports this initiative because we support virtually everything that effectively helps veterans, said Raymond Miller, AMVETS regional commander.

Caring members of the community dont have to be a medical professional or have a behavioral health degree to notice signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis or challenge and then help to connect that individual to appropriate professional, social, peer, or self-help care, Burgess said.

To collaborate with the military, veterans and community groups involved in the effort, contact Coplen at 703-786-7181 or rickcoplen@gmail.com.
Recent visit by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to India during which he declared that Free trade agreement between Australia and India may not be possible has created some amount of confusion.

While some considered it as a failure of diplomacy, others felt that Australian prime Minister was speaking with a clear sense of purpose. They pointed out that it was a clear signal for Australian free enterprise to take the lead.

Some argued that it was a strategic failure while others saw it as an opportunity to engage India at operational level. According to Randeep Agarwal, Associate professor, University of Queensland, Australia, the Australian Prime Minister has signaled a major strategic shift and departure from FTA, a rhetoric of past, a welcome change.

What could possibly be targeted in FTA v2 i.e. focus on trade and action? In his opinion, three mechanisms worth focusing on are; developing a central theme to anchor our longer term relationship, enhanced operational level engagement, utilizing and extending the scope of existing mini-lateral alliances.

Firstly on the central theme of Australia-India longer term relationship; he believes that a strong Australia-India relationship should have 'problem solving' as the central theme rather than investments, labor migration, agricultural and the commodity exports. The India opportunities to focus on are; alarming air pollution and waste in the mega cities, water and energy accessibility for the underprivileged, malnutrition and health, sustainable industries in the rural regions, mining infrastructure and technologies and the available scale for commercialization. A need based and action oriented strategy is needed. Australia recently joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) during PM Turnbull's India visit. For example, bio fuels and bio waste to energy technology developments in Australia are much needed in India. Indeed, the central theme ought to be research and innovation. Both the governments have a role to play in delivering this.

The second mechanism is enhanced direct engagement at operational level. Australia already has a strong position in high quality coal, gold, gas/Liquefied natural gas & the higher education sectors. For example the high quality coal from Australia will help large scale high efficiency and low emission (HELE) power generation in India. India is also confident about doubling up its LNG intake capacity to ~50 million tons per year by 2022. The city gas distribution (CGD), LNG/gas as transport fuels, gas power generation and fertilizers are the key drivers of spiraling LNG/gas demand in India.

Another example of direct engagement operationally is regarding higher education. This is a need for millions of youngsters in India. However, the Australian universities should engage with at least 20 emerging universities in India rather than a select few. A regional penetration in India is important too. To achieve enhanced engagement the partnerships should target student and faculty exchanges and collaborative research projects.

From time immemorial India has been in love with Gold. Australia exports a large quantity of gold to India, annually. Therefore, old could be the strongest emotional link between Australia and India and can have large "tourism value" which has never been realized.

Thirdly; mechanism to develop is an existing strategic trilateral forum between Japan, Australia and India (JAI). To date, defense and security have been areas of successful strategic partnership in JAI. To start, an aligned strategic position should be a good platform to expand opportunities in these areas. In my view, to exploit this alliance further, the JAI should be best utilized for Skilling India program. A 500 million young workforce is to be skilled by 2030, a difficult and very complex value proposition. The two key challenges in skilling India are: the creation of world class infrastructure complemented by a world class training provision. Skilling infrastructure by Japan and the training delivery by Australia create a perfect synergy. Therefore JAI is a perfect platform to realize this opportunity of scale.

Finally, a large trade imbalance has been a cause of concern for India, another relationship baggage of the past. Of ~$20 billion per annum trade between Australia and India, Australia has more than 90% of the share. Some of India's value propositions worth examining are spiritual and wellness tourism, khadi cotton clothing and a ground for research commercialization & scaling up. The climatic conditions in Australia are very good for khadi cotton and increased use of khadi in Australia means sustainable livelihood for millions of rural poor in India.

The new entity Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) should be used as a vehicle for major infrastructure projects in India to achieve desired risk mitigation. Australia is a member country of the AIIB.

The implementations of these mechanisms can double two way trade and investment. The "agreement" on free trade can wait.

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Gaur (Rautahat) [Nepal], September 16 (ANI): Around 15 kilometers away from district headquarter Gaur of Rautahat in Southern Plains of Nepal, tarpaulins and temporary shelters have showed the perilous condition of the flood victims. Now, they have only left with the bitter experience of the flood and perilous condition pinching and mocking them over.

"I have a son and the house has collapsed and we are facing a lot of difficulties. Where should I go? Where should I stay? Now I also have no lands to cultivate all the lands are swept by Bagamati and we still fear for the Baharwani River and I loosed all my things. What should I do now? Everyone needs place to stay, food to eat and I have no foundation," Pathlu Das, who lost his belongings in flood after Durga Bhagwati Municipality, was salvaged by flood in mid of August.

The incessant rainfall, which resulted in flooding in the area around the banks of Bagmati River and the Baharwani River, on the other side also entered the village resulting the water logging up to seven feet.

The continuous rainfall in the mid of August took lives of over 100 people across the country.

The devastation due to flooding in the Durga Bhagwati Municipality is seen around with the swept away roads and submerged farmlands along with the caved in houses apart from the tarpaulin huts. The victims here complain of irregularities over the distribution of the aids and assistance after the calamity.

"At first some of the people came here from Kathmandu. We got vegetables and other food products in aid at that time. Those who managed to get the reference from the district office got the aid and compensations and they represent the less affected areas and the places where much effect has been left is left behind," Santosh Das, another victim of the same Municipality, told ANI.

However, the concerned authorities have denied of any wrong doing rather highlighting the initiatives of the government.

"As per the direction from Government of Nepal, we conducted rescue and relief operations which helped in saving the life of many people. Likewise, we also provided relief to the people affected by the flooding from the Government side and from the various sources," Chief District Officer of Rauthat Uddhav Bahadur Thapa said.

The floods of the last month have claimed 18 lives in the district whereas two are still missing.

Though, the lives of the people are painstaking they are hopeful with the upcoming election which will establish local levels in the district which is expected to solve the issue from which the Southern plains of Nepal has been facing for long.

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The Election Commission of Pakistan has directed Islamabad Police to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and to present him before the commission on September 25 after issuing his arrest warrant a day earlier.

The directives were given in a letter sent to Islamabad's senior superintendent of police on Friday, the Express Tribune reported.

However, Imran can avoid the arrest if he obtains pre-arrest bail.

Former PTI leader Akbar S Babar had filed the petition in January this year, regarding the party's alleged receipt of illegal foreign-funding. Following which a show-cause notice for contempt, dated August 24, was issued.

The notice was served after Imran allegedly declined to submit the party's detailed accounts and instead cast aspersions on the ECP by calling it 'biased'.

Moreover, the PTI chief has already challenged the ECP's show-cause notice in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where a three-judge bench, which adjourned hearings till September 20 without granting a stay order against the ECP's show-cause notice or arrest warrant.

The notice by the ECP had accused Imran of "having chosen not to submit an unconditional apology, thereby obstructing the administration of justice and willfully flouting the directions of the commission."

Despite being given repeated opportunities, the PTI chief refused to tender an unconditional apology in utter disregard of the commission's direction, it added.

The ECP further accused him of underestimating the authority of the commission and "bringing it into disrepute and disrespect and to interfere with, obstruct, interrupt and prejudice the process of law and the due course of proceedings, and scandalising the commission".

Earlier in July, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad had issued orders to confiscate the properties and assets of and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri for repeatedly failing to appear in hearings of terrorism cases registered against them.

The order was subsequently sent to relevant police stations and revenue boards for implementation.
The Pakistani security forces on Saturday violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Arnia Sector.

The firing and heavy shelling by the Pakistani troops started at midnight and continued till 6:45 a.m.

No casualty has been reported.

Earlier on September 15, one Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed in the ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's RS Pura sector.

The jawan, identified as Captain Brijendra Bahadur Singh, later succumbed to his injuries.

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Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow considers Rohingya crisis as an internal issue and any sort of outside intervention will 'further exacerbate religious strife'.

It is important to understand that an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state may only further exacerbate religious strife as it will bring in deeper inter-religious discord, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

The spokeswoman said Moscow supports "efforts for promoting the inter-religious dialogue in Myanmar among the spiritual leaders of all religions."

"In that connection we took note of the collective statement by the leading organizations representing Myanmar's multi-ethnic Muslim community who condemned armed actions by radical elements in that region (Rakhine)," Zakharova said."It is essential to remember that the wish to intervene in the internal affairs of a sovereign state may merely bring about further inter-religious discord," she said.

Zakharova said Russia welcomed the measures taken by the "Myanmar Government to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State headed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan".

"In part, a special committee has been created for this purpose under the minister of social welfare, relief and resettlement, which incorporates officials of the law enforcement and economic agencies," Zakharova further said.

The statement of Russian Foreign Ministry came amid a global outcry against the latest atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslim minorities in Myanmar's Rakhine State.On September 13, the UN Security Council members, including Russia, expressed serious concern over the situation in the region. They urged immediate measures to put an end to violence, reduce tensions, restore law and order, guarantee protection of civilians, reestablish normal socio-economic conditions and resolve the refugee problem in the Rakhine State.

"According to the available data about two thousand people have returned to their homes," Zakharova said. "We expect that similar measures will be taken in relation to other persons affected by the migration crisis.

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Special teams of Uttar Pradesh Police have been constituted in Lucknow to deal with crime and maintain law and order.

A team of nine members has been created to maintain law and order in the city. The team will try to maintain peace during demonstrations, festivals and special occasions in the state capital.

The state police have further been divided into a team of nine to improve police relations with the public in Lucknow. For this, the forces will have continuous conversation with communities to develop trust among police and foster harmonious relations so that immediate help could be provided to people.

Another special team of 18 members has also been constituted to catch vicious criminals absconding from prison and to catch criminals with bounty on their heads.

The forces have been divided so as to achieve maximum efficiency in implementation of law and order in the state capital.

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United States President Donald Trump's illegal immigrant agenda on Friday got setback from a court that barred the U.S. Justice Department from denying public-safety grants to so-called sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions had threatened to withhold public safety grant money to Chicago and other so-called sanctuary cities for refusing to impose new tough immigration policies.

U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber ruled that the Justice Department can not not impose the requirements.

The judge passed the order while hearing a plea of Chicago but ruled that his order would be applied on a nationwide basis.

Sessions asked the cities to allow federal immigration authorities unlimited access to local jails and provide 48 hours' notice before releasing anyone wanted for immigration violations.

Judge Harry D. Leinenweber said Chicago had shown a "likelihood of success" in arguing that Sessions exceeded his authority with the new conditions.

The city had asked the judge for a "nationwide" temporary injunction this week, asking the judge not to allow the Justice Department to impose the requirements until the city's lawsuit against the department plays out in court.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the ruling a victory for cities, counties and states nationwide and "a clear statement that the Trump administration is wrong."

"It means essential resources for public safety will not come with unlawful strings attached, and the Trump justice department cannot continue to coerce us into violating and abandoning our values," Emanuel said.

Trump is eyeing tougher immigration measures and has pledged to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Trump, however, on Thursday expressed sympathy for those protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which offered young illegal immigrants an eventual path to permanent residency and citizenship.

The DACA programme had been established by executive order by President Barack Obama. On Sept. 5, Trump rescinded the program, and said the programme would be phased out in six months, unless Congress came up with a fix. Trump later adopted a softer tone toward the 800,000 immigrants protected by DACA, telling them not to worry about being deported.

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The wreath laying ceremony of Border Security Forces (BSF) constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh, who lost his life in the ceasefire violation conducted by Pakistan in Arnia Sector last night, was performed with full honour in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia District on Saturday.

Large number of villagers, along with police officials and BSF soldiers, gathered to pay homage to the slain constable.

Singh died yesterday after Pakistani Rangers opened heavy fire and shot mortars on Indian posts along the 198-km-long international border in Arnia Sector of RS Pura in Jammu district.

The slain constable is survived by his parents and wife Sushmita Singh.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shrikant Sharma has announced Rs. 25 lakh compensation to the kin of the slain constable.

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Kangana Ranaut was once mocked by Varun Dhawan in her months-old nepotism debate against Karan Johar, but now, he sees her point.

Speaking at the Jagran Film Festival (JFF) on Friday, the 'Badlapur' actor said, "To a fair extent what she (Kangana Ranuat) is trying to say is right."

"I think this whole matter was blown up. She was just trying to get a point across but people really stretched it way too much. Such things happen, we're in a fraternity," the actor added.

Speaking about Kangana's accusation that the filmmaker has only launched star kids, the 'Judwaa 2' star said, "Who all has he launched by now? Only star kids' right? Then it's not an accusation, it's the truth..."

He further pointed out, "Karan had also launched a lot of directors like Shashank Khaitan, who is a close friend of mine. He is from Nashik and has nothing to do with the film industry. He gave the script to Karan and he liked it. And Karan said he believes in his work and they made a film together."

The 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' actor asserted that Johar had also launched people who are not at all from film industry, like he launched a girl from the movie 'Gippy' and also Sidharth Malhotra, who isn't from the industry.

The whole debate on 'nepotism' started when Johar invited Ranaut at his celebrity chat show 'Koffee with Karan' earlier this year, where the 'Queen' actress called the filmmaker a "flag bearer of nepotism.

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With effect from 14 September 2017

Kinetic Engineering announced the resignation of Sourav Chowdhary as the Company Secretary and Compliance officer of the Company with effect from 13 September 2017. The Company has appointed Deepal Shah as the Company Secretary and Compliance officer of the Company with effect from 14 September 2017.

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BANGKOK - Thailand will start the construction of the first phase of the Thailand-China railway project in October, or no later than November, once the environmental impact assessment report is approved, said Thai Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith in an interview with Xinhua.

Thailand and China signed two contracts, namely the design contract and the supervision contract, for the 253-km first phase project earlier this month, which will link Thai capital Bangkok and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

"Once the relevant environmental impact assessment report from Baan Pachi in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province and Nakhon Ratchasima Province is approved, we will try to start the construction of the first section in October. If we cannot do that, we will definitely start in November, " Arkhom told Xinhua recently.

The transport minister said that his ministry has submitted the environmental impact assessment report for 5 times to a committee under the Environmental Impact Evaluation Bureau, and hoped that it will be approved this time. "We have submitted all detailed information of the project and it should be approved this time."

The first section, only 3.5 km in length, will be built by the Department of Highways attached to the Transport Ministry in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

The construction of other sections, the second 11 km section, the third 119.5 km section and finally the fourth 119 km section, will begin gradually.

According to Arkhom, to fully start the construction of the project, they still need to have detailed design of other sections to be put out to tender.

"The Chinese side said they will finish the detailed design of the whole project in 8 months after we signed the design contract."

The 253 km project is set to cost some 179 billion baht ($5.4 billion).

The Thai government will pay for the construction by issuing bonds or seek loans from banks, the minister said, adding his country is also considering loans from a Chinese bank for the signal system, tracks, trains etc.

Once completed, the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima railway with a maximum speed of 250 km per hour will be the first standard gauge high-speed railway of the country. But to finally form an artery railway linking Thailand, Laos and China, a 355 km second phase linking Nakhon Ratchasima with Nong Khai on the border with Laos has to be built.

"We will talk about making plans for the second phase and geological surveys on Sept 22 in China," Akhorm said.

He said the Thai side hopes to invest by itself to build the second phase, and also hopes both the first phase and second phase of the project will be open to the public at the same year as the China-Laos railway, which is under construction now and set to open to the public in 2022.

The transport minister also said he was quite confident of the quality of the Chinese high-speed railway technology as it has built the world's largest high-speed train network.

"China has built over 20,000 km of high-speed railways. The Chinese people take high-speed trains every day, and the Chinese side has kept telling me safety and security is their priority, so I am confident of the Chinese technology."

He also mentioned that China has agreed to transfer technology to Thais to enable them to drive, maintain and repair high-speed trains.

Thailand's long-term goal is to manufacture some components of the rails and the trains as it hopes the railway cooperation can enhance Thai people's skills and boost development of Thai industry, he said.

"We want to have this ability to manufacture some components to replace those worn components," Arkhom said, adding that by this way Thailand can also decrease the cost of maintenance.

He emphasized the importance of developing human resources for the railway and train industry.

"Railways can be used for over 100 years, so we have to have universities, colleges and schools to foster the ability of engineers and workers to maintain our railways and also move forward according to new trends."
3   ,    : 480         ,    
National passenger carrier Air India on Saturday launched its non-stop flight service from New Delhi to Copenhagen.

The new service is Air India's third non-stop flight launched this year.

Earlier, the airline had launched its services from New Delhi to Washington and New Delhi to Stockholm.

Commenting on the launch of the new services, Air India's Chairman and Managing Director Rajiv Bansal said: "With this new service, we expect to cater to the majority of traffic between Copenhagen and Delhi... We have also received good cargo load for the sector."

The national passenger carrier aims to serve around 40,000 passengers one-way for the entire 2017.

The airline will operate the thrice-a-week service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to fulfil a long standing demand of travellers from India and Denmark.

To mark the launch of the new service, Air India is offering attractive return fares starting from Rs 42,700, inclusive of all taxes.

The new route is operated by the airline on its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Copenhagen making the city its 11th non-stop European destination and 44th international station.

The new route is also a part of the airline's aggressive strategy to focus on the international segment with non-stop flights.

In aviation parlance a non-stop flight operates point-to-point and is popular among passengers traveling on long-haul routes.

In contrast, a direct flight stops at least once between two destinations for either refuelling or disembarking of some on-board passengers.

The commencement of the new route comes after the passenger traffic between the two countries recorded a healthy growth of over 10 per cent in 2016.

--IANS

rv/sar/vm

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Bureaucrat-turned-Union Minister K.J. Alphons on Saturday yet again stoked a controversy when he said that people who own bikes and cars are not starving and can afford to pay higher prices for fuel, remarks that drew sharp criticism from political rivals.

His comments coming at a time when fuel prices are at a three-year high when international crude prices have crashed were described by opposition parties as insensitive to the common man's problems.

"So we are going to tax people who can afford to pay. Somebody who has a car, bike; certainly he is not starving. Somebody who can afford to pay, has to pay. 67 per cent of the people in the country do not have toilets, new homes have to be built and for all such things lakhs and crores of money is required and hence the this money is raised by hiking the price of fuel" he said, while speaking to reporters at the state party headquarter here.

This was his first visit there after being sworn in as Union Minister and to make amends, the entire state leadership and top leaders were present to receive him and payasam (kheer) was served to all.

The state unit of the BJP had come under severe criticism as on the day Alphons was sworn in, the state party headquarters wore a deserted look and the only noticeable celebrations was only at his home town in Kanjirapally in Kottayam district.

As his remarks came under attack, Alphons who had a recently stirred the hornet's nest by making contradictory remarks on beef, sought to justify his statement on the petroleum prices.

"Prime Minister has a huge dream for the poor of India. What is that dream? It is very simple. 30 per cent of Indians go to bed without a full meal a day," he said.

Congress leader and former Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily attacked Alphons saying it was an atrocious statement. "This is how bureaucrats, who come to politics, have no understanding of people's problems. Many of the ministers in Modi's government are like this."

He said during the UPA government, any of the petroleum minister they had decided to pass on the benefit of low crude prices to consumers. "Anti-incumbency has set in against the government," he said.

TRS spokesman Bhanuprasad described Alphons' statement as shocking. The government is still fleecing people when crude prices have come down, he said.

Another Congress spokesperson, Brajesh Kalappa said the minister's comments have added pain to people at a time when they have lost jobs and business is falling. "Just because somebody has a bike or a car can you say they have a life of luxury? This kind of statement is shocking and insensitive and the Prime Minister has to ask for his resignation."

--IANS

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Film: "American Assassin"; Director: Michael Cuesta; Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Shiva Negar, David Suchet, Taylor Kitsch, Navid Negahban, Scott Adkins, Charlotte Vega, Joseph Long, Mohammad Bakri, Tolga Safer, Khalid Laith, Sharif Dorani, Vladimir Friedman and Shahid Ahmed; Rating: ** (2 stars)

A convoluted plot packed with action, "American Assassin" is a confusing spy thriller.

The narrative begins with Mitch Rapp (Dylan O'Brien), a young man proposing to his girlfriend Katrina (Charlotte Vega) on an Ibiza beach, when all of a sudden machine-gun toting terrorist mow down the beach revellers. Katrina is killed and Mitch is seriously injured. This massacre scene seems to be inspired by the shootout at a Tunisian Beach in 2015.

Eighteen months later, Mitch on Rhode Island, with a beard et al, is all set to fight Islamic terrorists. He becomes an expert marksman and a close quarter combatant determined to take down any and every terrorist.

His plans get a boost when he gets roped into an anti-terrorist CIA Special Forces group headed by Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan). She ensures that Mitch gets trained by the best and sends him to a semi-active operative Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton), who conducts boot camps in the wind-torn wilderness, training lonely damaged young people into heartless assassins.

How Mitch, along with a fellow agent Annika (Shiva Negar) and Stan, stop one of the mercenary known as Ghost (Taylor Kitsch) from proceeding in a nuclear bomb sale then becomes their mission.

The screenplay, adapted from Vince Flynn's eleventh novel of the same name, is written by five writers and yet they could not salvage the story. Packed with cinematic liberties, the plot shuttles from places like; Ibiza, Rhode Island, Tripoli Libya, Roanoke Valley, Virginia, Romania, London, Warsaw Poland, Istanbul.

The action sequences -- be it the fisticuffs or chase scenes -- are intense and executed in a staged manner. That makes the entire viewing experience seem gory and unrealistic.

On the performance front, O'Brien makes for a convincing action hero. As Mitch Rapp, he is adorable. He comes across as an unfriendly yet concerned colleague and that's why this self-made assassin seems confusing.

Similarly, Michael Keaton's quizzical glance at the very end leaves you scratching your head as to why that look. As Stan Hurley, he is undoubtedly brilliant. He elevates his character with nuances which only he can deliver.

Taylor Kitsch as the bad man Ghost is limited by his on screen time. Shiva Negar as Annika is agile and brilliant in the action sequences. Sanaa Lathan as Irene Kenedy is more matronly than a no-nonsense departmental head.

Overall, the film is technically well-mounted and has all the necessary ingredients to make it Aa pulpy political thriller, but unfortunately it seems, just too dated to relish it in today's times.

--IANS

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Actor Casey Affleck has finalised a divorce from actress Summer Phoenix after a private settlement.

A judge signed off on his divorce from Phoenix on Friday, according to court documents obtained by people.com.

The Oscar winner, 40, will pay Phoenix spousal and child support as part of a prearranged confidential settlement.

According to previous court documents, they separated in November 2015 after nearly 10 years of marriage and 16 years of being together. They announced their split publicly last March.

They have two sons.

"Casey Affleck and Summer Phoenix have amicably separated. They remain very close friends," Affleck's representative said in a statement at the time.

--IANS

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The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India has lauded the role of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in securing the release of Father Tom Uzhannalil, the Kerala priest abducted by the Islamic State in Yemen in March 2016.

The priest was released on September 12 and the Minister tweeted on Saturday a letter written to her by the CBCI Secretary General Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas.

Mascarenhas has expressed gratitude to Sushma Swaraj, saying she had done a marvellous work by undertaking the matter of Father Uzhannalil.

The Catholic priest reached the Vatican on September 13, a day after his release from an undisclosed location in Yemen after the intervention of Oman.

"I am really touched by your compassionate nature and for the very personal interest with which you undertook the matter. Every time we met you, we came re-assured that sooner or later Father Tom would be released," read the letter.

--IANS

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Slamming BJP President Amit Shah for his remarks on former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress on Saturday said "he is disrespecting their memory, contributions and sacrifices" and that "he is an inheritor of the legacy of non-participants in the freedom struggle".

Shah had said that the Congress undertakes its political yatras only by carrying urns (Kalash) of the ashes of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

The party hit out at Shah, saying he was "less informed of history" and had dragged the political discourse repeatedly to unacceptable lows.

"The statement is disrespecting their memory, notable contributions and sacrifices well documented in history," said senior Congress leader Anand Sharma in a statement.

The party pointed out that this was distortion of facts and history.

"It is pertinent to mention that the Congress governments in provinces resigned in 1939 for the unilateral decision to drag India into war. Alternate governments loyal to the British were formed in provinces especially in Bengal and Punjab with the help of Hindu Mahasabha, Muslim League and regional parties.

"Shyama Prasad Mookerjee as minister of Bengal government-led by Fazlul Haque described Quit India Movement as an act of treason and urged Governor of Bengal Sir Herbert to crush the movement. He had also assured strong action against the Congress leaders," said Sharma.

"Shah is inheritor of the legacy of non-participants in the freedom struggle, who betrayed the people by opposing the Quit India Movement and collaborated with the British.

"He must be reminded that tens of thousands of Indian students, workers, farmers and common citizens were killed during British repression of the Quit India movement when the entire leadership of the Congress was arrested and banned," he added.

Talking about the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sharma said: "It is a matter of shame that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government instead of commemorating her centenary is insulting and belittling her contribution."

Sharma also said: "Shah also insulted the contribution of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of India's unity and integrity."

"Shah and the party are well advised to give an account of the non-performance of the Modi-led government, its non-fulfilment of the promises and betrayal of people's trust.

"BJP must be held accountable for hurting Indian economy, shaving off 2 per cent of the GDP, non-creation of jobs and destroying tens of millions of jobs in the informal sector post demonetisation," he added.

Sharma also said: "Shah, BJP leadership and the RSS are seeking to rewrite history. They need to be reminded that history always triumphs and those who attempt to change or mutilate histories of countries and societies, have always been consigned to the dustbin of history."

--IANS

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Our fascination with James Bond much rests on the films for they convey more of a vivid and immediate impression of him and his world than the Ian Fleming novels. While we credit the actors playing 007 or those who wrote his immortal quips or fashioned his ingenious devices, we omit those who visualised the whole thing -- the directors. Especially the one who set the course of the character and the films.

It is Guy Hamilton who is credited with firming up that unique, but always believable, blend of adventure and pulsating action, sexual innuendo and tension, humour, often ironical or black, and the gizmos, which define the cinematic Bond for us (until the reboot into a darker mood with "Casino Royale", 2006). Another facet was the witty, frequently facetious humor -- even in midst of mortal peril for our hero.

And this was possible for Hamilton, whose 95th birth anniversary is on Saturday, as he was the only 007 director who underwent the sort of dangerous predicaments that Bond regularly finds himself in. A Royal Navy officer in World War II, he was once stranded in occupied France after a mission, and spent nearly a month dodging German soldiers or living among them while pretending to be a Frenchman before getting back to Britain.

"Guy was very much a James Bond character himself. He always knew what was believable and how far he could take audiences -- and that was based on both his film-making experience and real wartime exploits," said Roger Moore, who became the long-term Bond after Sean Connery, and had Hamilton as his director in his first two outings.

This combination not only helped Hamilton to achieve success with Bond, but his war movies like "The Battle of Britain" (1969) or his other espionage venture with "Funeral in Berlin", the second "Harry Palmer" movie based on the Len Deighton novels.

Born in Paris, Mervyn Ian Guy Hamilton (1922-2016) was the son of a diplomat and lived most of this youth in France. He might have followed his father but was more interested in films, especially French cinema, and it was in a French studio where he had his first brush with cinema -- as a clapper boy -- in 1939. However, then came the war.

Returning to movies after the war, he was an assistant director on three films by renowned British filmmaker Carol Reed, including "The Third Man" (1949). It was Reed who looked on Hamilton as his protege, who got him his first film as director, "The Ringer" (1952), based on an Edgar Wallace mystery.

What made Hamilton's name was "The Colditz Story" (1955), about the attempts of habitual Allied POWs escapees from a supposedly escape-proof German castle prison, and "The Devil's Disciple" (1959) starring Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster. He was offered the first James Bond film "Dr No" but declined then.

However, he came in for the third -- "Goldfinger" (1964) -- and made it the first Bond blockbuster. Raymond Benson, who would go on to pen a few Bond adventures, says in the "The James Bond Bedside Companion", this differed from its predecessors in having a "tighter, wittier style without diminishing the level of suspense" and a "faster pace".

There was a quite a big hiatus, for the next Hamilton helmed film was "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971) -- Sean Connery's last in the role. Here, Benson says Hamilton brought the "same slick style" of "Goldfinger", "but with a lighter touch". His style would also be evident in the next two -- "Live and Let Die" (1973) and "The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974) with Moore, before he finally bid adieu.

Hamilton's record of directing the most Bond films -- four -- through the 1960s and 1970s was eclipsed the next decade by John Glen (five), but the latter's oeuvre, from "For Your Eyes Only" (1981) to "Licence to Kill" (1989) is scarcely comparable.

His trick, as he said, was that, "A lot of 007's appeal, let's face it, stems from his doings with the ladies. So, find the ladies and we've won half the battle", but also that "one of the rules with the Bond pictures is that you're not allowed to have a leading lady who can act -- because we can't afford them."

Though he went to direct two Agatha Christie adaptations and was offered the direction of both "Superman" (1978) and "Batman" (1990), it didn't fructify for various reasons. Retiring in the late 1980s to the Spanish island of Majorca, he died on April 20, 2016.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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Actor Eddie Redmayne says he was left "deeply unsettled" by a fan who harassed him and his family for five years.

In a note written by the actor -- read in Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court in his defense -- the actor described the 'deeply unsettling' feeling of being stalked by German fan Gaby Stieger, reports metro.co.uk.

"I always try to be open and friendly as support (from fans) is what gives me a career," Redmayne said.

However, the note carried on: "I deeply regret having met Gaby Stieger -- she harassed myself and my family intermittently over five years, leaving us distressed, unsafe and deeply unsettled."

Stieger began stalking Redmayne after meeting him at the Donmar Warehouse theatre, London, in 2012. The stalking culminated in an episode this August when Stieger attempted to touch his arm while the actor was carrying his newborn baby daughter.

Things turned darker in the court room when court prosecutor Sara Ashkboos described how Stieger would send Redmayne love letters telling of her 'admiration and love'.

Stieger is said to have sat in the park opposite Redmayne's house in Southwark, and once randomly approached the actor for a hug at a nearby Tube station. She followed Redmayne to more conventional locations too, like film premieres and the London film set of "The Theory of Everything", reports metro.co.uk.

His note went on describe how Stieger would appear "out of nowhere -- observing me and my family without us knowing".

"The safety of my family is everything to me and with her behaviour we can't feel safe." he concluded.

--IANS

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Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, whose life was caught in a web of drugs and legal hassles, says as a father, he does not want his son to be like him.

The son of late veteran actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis, Sanjay fought a battle with drugs and went to rehab as well as served a jail term. He was arrested for illegal possession of arms in a case related to the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, in which over 250 people were killed and several hundred were wounded.

At the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit here on Saturday, Sanjay spoke uninhibitedly about his journey and struggles.

When asked how does he compare himself with his legendary father when it comes to fatherhood, Sanjay, a dad of three -- a son named Shahraan and two daughters Trishala and Iqra -- said: "My father raised us as normal children. I was sent to a boarding school... I went through the grind. And I am the same way with my children.

"I try to teach them the values of life, give them 'sanskaar', and teach them (that) respect for elders is very important even if they are your servants... And that you've got to value life. I only pray my son is not like me. Because what my dad went through, I don't want to go through that."

The father-son duo Sunil and Sanjay had together featured for the last time on screen in "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.".

At one point during his time in jail, Sanjay had wondered why was he in prison despite being Sunil Dutt's son.

As for his mother, Sanjay, 58, said his mother never saw any wrong in him.

"All mothers are the same -- they can't see anything wrong in their son... Whatever happens. If someone complained that 'Sanju has done this', she couldn't believe it. She used to get angry with them only," he said, fondly recounting his younger days.

Dressed casually in a pair of denims teamed with a black t-shirt and sporting a well-groomed beard, Sanjay spoke candidly to a crowd of school-goers that he always thought from his heart.

"But using head is also important. Don't think from your heart, also use your brains sometimes," he said, offering more pearls of wisdom to the crowd.

"Always listen to your parents and never keep any company that's bad for you. Be safe. You go with the law of the land, and (I) promise, nothing will happen," said Sanjay, who spoke about how his conviction in the Arms Act was based on a piece of paper in which he purportedly confessed possessing a weapon.

"They said that I was in possession of a weapon, but they never found the weapon."

Opening up on his tryst with drugs, the "Khalnayak" star said: "Well, I got onto drugs in college. It used to be like if you're not into it, you're not in the scene. So, I started it, but I got so hooked on to it that it took me about 10 years to get out... But I was lucky that I had the means and the provisions to get out of it.

"I saw life differently without drugs and I want to tell the young guys that please stay high on your life, on your family, or your work... There's no substance which can make you high. I promise, it's my experience."

Drugs are an easy escape, he admitted, but said the fact that "it's related with being really cool, is bad" because it can lead to addiction and draws people in a vicious cycle.

Sanjay is coming back to films with "Bhoomi", father-daughter story directed by Omung Kumar.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Junior Players League Talent Hunt (IJPL Talent Hunt) on Saturday revealed their first women franchise owners with Telugu star Laxmi Manchu owning the Hyderabad Hawks with Kannada actors Aindrita Ray and Diganth co-owning the Bangalore Stars.

Welcoming the new owners, IJPL Managing Director Dinesh Kapoor said: "In addition to having film-maker and actor Arbaaz Khan and actor Rajeev Khandelwal, the introduction of Telugu star Laxmi Manchu and Kannada film icons Aindrita and Diganth speaks a lot about the level of the IJPL Talent Hunt."

"Their stardom will be an honourable addition to the existing group of owners of teams in IJPL Talent Hunt," he added.

On this occasion, Laxmi Manchu, who has acted in American television series -- Desperate Housewives and Las Vegas -- said: "I'm super excited to be part of IJPL Talent Hunt and I hope my team, Hyderabad Hawk goes all out to win the tournament in Dubai."

The IJPL Talent Hunt will culminate in a grand competition between 16 teams, namely Gujarat Greats, Kolkata Strikers, Bangalore Stars, Assam Rangers, Pune Panthers, Delhi Dashers, Ranchi Boosters, Punjab Tigers, Dehradun Rockers, UP Heroes, Hyderabad Hawks, Chennai Champs, Rajasthan Roarers, Mumbai Masters, MP Warriors and Haryana Hurricanes, battling for the crown.

--IANS

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Steve Weinhold leads an interesting and slightly off-kilter life, but appears to have a whole lot of fun doing it.

Always ready with a crazy quip or silly pun on the tip of his tongue, the big-hearted Park Hills man grew up in Wapenamanda, Enga, Papua New Guinea, the son of medical missionaries. Weinhold has worked in law enforcement, owned a security company, performed security consulting and even admits to having authored a book titled "Memoirs of an Idiot."

"Unfortunately, I can't find the book," he said, laughing. "It's 10 chapters of stories, each pertaining to a subject matter of times when I should have died, but I didn't because I was an idiot."

Weinhold is definitely not your run-of-the-mill guy  by a longshot.

In recent years, he's taken on playing lead guitar for a Christian hard rock/metal band called Knights of the Remnant and, perhaps most significantly, began a whole new chapter in his life a year ago when he went to work as a pilot for Air Choice One, a regional commuter airline based in the St. Louis metro area.

Because Weinhold lives in Park Hills, he flies out of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

"Air Choice One flies out of two major hubs  Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and O'Hare International Airport  to smaller regional airports like Decatur, Illinois; Fort Dodge, Mason City and Burlington, Iowa; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Jackson, Tennessee. " Weinhold explained. "I fly a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan that goes up to about 10,000 feet and seats 10 altogether  but we have a two-person crew, so it holds eight passengers."

And what's it like to fly a 10-passenger Cessna into Chicago O'Hare, one of the busiest airports in the world?

"They're literally squeezing us in between Boeing 777s and the whole gamut going around and around," he said. "Usually they'll have us do fast-forward speed to a certain point. The other day we had a 'full boat' and it was my leg to fly, so they told me, 'We need you to do fast-forward speed all the way to the ground.'

"Normally we're crossing the threshold at about 100 knots (115 mph). This time we're doing 175 knots (201 mph). Because we don't have a partition between us and the passengers, it's right up close and personal. I can hear the passengers going [whisper] 'Oh, my gosh, they're going so fast. Why are they going so fast?' They were happy and we just blazed in there."

Asked how he's accomplished so many interesting things in life, Weinhold responded, "I bring humor to everything I do. Like, for example, when we landed in Chicago, I turned to the passengers and said, 'Welcome to San Jose' and of course they laugh  'Ha, ha, ha.' I said, 'No, no, no, seriously folks, welcome to Chicago. Anybody here moving on?' Some will say yes, some no. I'll say, 'If you're not moving on, your baggage will be on carousel two. If you are carrying on, it will magically appear on the aircraft of your destination. If it's not, it's probably in a soybean field somewhere between here and where we came from and I assure you we'll do our best to look for it on the way back.'"

Weinhold's love of aviation came from his days growing up in New Guinea.

"That's how we got around was by flying on little planes between villages," he said. "It sparked this love, but I didn't get started in it right away because of bad choices. That's part of my testimony. So, I did police work for 13 years, the security company, all that stuff. Then I drove for a medical rehab company.

"During that time my mom's husband had a false heart attack and he was airlifted and she asked me, 'Where are you at with flying' because they were going on and on about there being a shortage of pilots.' I said, 'Mom, I'll need a lot of money to get my commercial license. I had my private and my instrument, but that was it.' She said, 'I've come into some money, so go do it.'

"I had not been in an airplane in like nine years. So, I said the first thing I need to do was make sure I could pass the medical. If I'm not fit to fly then there's no reason to go further. I passed that and then I bought all the equipment to build an actual flight simulator with the whole nine yards and I retrained myself to fly."

The next step was for Weinhold to take a biannual flight review so he'd be current in his flight certification.

"I went out to Festus and the guy said, 'It will probably be a couple of days if you haven't been in a plane in that long.' I said, 'Well, I've been in a flight simulator.' He was like, 'OK.' An hour-and-a-half later, I had passed it. I went on from there to get my single engine, then my commercial, and then my multi-engine commercial. July is my one-year anniversary flying with Air Choice One."

Suddenly, the sound of a plane went overhead and Weinhold stopped to look up into the sky.

"That's one of ours," he said. "That's the Jackson run."

And it was obvious at that moment there was no other place Weinhold would rather be.
On August 22, the Supreme Court ruled that  the practice which allows a man to divorce his wife instantly by saying the word talaq thrice  is unconstitutional. Predictably, the ruling was denounced by a number of Muslim leaders and organisations. Some interpreted it as an attack on their religion and way of life. Others saw a conspiracy angle in the importance given to an issue.

This perspective is desperate and distorted. This perspective is not only wrong but also wrong-headed, misplaced and misguided.

I applaud this judgement because I strongly believe that Muslim instant divorce is illegal and incorrect in many ways. Instant divorce is deplorable, disgraceful and shameful. In addition, it is demeaning, demonising, disheartening and demoralising to Indian Muslim women.

Most importantly, as one of the judges pointed out, is against the basic tenets of the Quran. Recognising this, many Islamic countries, including two of India's large Muslim neighbours  Pakistan and Bangladesh  have abolished the practice.

In addition, it is unconscionable to think that a man should be allowed to banish a woman to whom he is married  who is also the mother of his child or children, in many cases  by uttering a word three times, with no consequences. is also inherently discriminatory as only the man has that "right"  a Muslim woman cannot end the marriage in a similar way.

Over the years, some Muslim organisations have rationalised triple talaq by arguing that divorce rates within their community are quite low compared to other religious groups. It affects less than a third of a per cent of Muslim women, they argue. This is neither a sound legal nor moral argument. Even if one concedes that instant divorce affects only a minuscule population, injustice should never have a legal sanction, regardless of how many people are affected.

The triple talaq ruling, the result of a decades-long campaign by women's rights groups, was a historic verdict. With the stroke of a pen, the judges made illegal a practice that over the decades has ruined the lives of countless Indian Muslim women.

In the absence of a comprehensive study among Indian Muslim women, it is not known how many of them have been divorced in this manner. A 2013 survey of Muslim women in 10 Indian states by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, an advocacy group that fights for the rights of Indian Muslims, found that triple talaq was the most common mode of divorce among those surveyed.

Of the 4,710 women sampled in the survey, 525 were divorcees. Of them, 404 were victims of triple talaq. More than 80 per cent of them did not receive any compensation at the time of divorce.

Two of the five judges that delivered the triple talaq judgment differed on the constitutionality of the practice. The bench was in unanimous agreement, however, in asking the government to enact within six months legislation to govern Muslim marriages and divorces.

India's justice system has numerous drawbacks. It often takes decades for courts to deliver justice. In this instance, the Supreme Court should be applauded for delivering a correct judgment in a timely manner.

ALSO READ: Divorcing triple talaq

The ball is now in the government's court. It is up to people's representatives to come up with policies that will change the lives of Muslim women for the better.

Equitable legislation on Muslim marriages and divorces should be just the starting point. The central and state governments must craft policies that empower women belonging to all castes, creeds and religions. Such policies should focus on educating women, developing their skills and making them part of the workforce. Empowerment of this type will allow them to pursue and create their own destiny. It will lead to financial independence. In addition, it will promote the security and stability of women and will build their self-esteem and confidence.

India's Muslim community should embrace the Supreme Court verdict. They should join together to say: End triple talaq. End triple talaq. End triple talaq. They should leverage the verdict as an opportunity to advocate for and bring about much-needed reforms related to women's rights.

(Frank Islam is an entrepreneur, civic leader and thought Leader based in the Washington DC area. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at ffislam@verizon.net)
A warder of Central Prison Chanchalguda here was injured in an attack by three undertrial prisoners on Saturday, officials said.

The undertrials allegedly manhandled prison staff and officials. A warder sustained eye injury while other staff also received minor injuries.

Ibrahim Yazdani, Iliyas Yazdani and Ataullah Rahman, who were arrested last year for being alleged sympathizers of terror group IS, attacked the prison staff when the relatives had come to meet them.

According to Director General of Prisons, they used foul language, pushed the warder and entered the main gate area by force.

On a complaint by the jail superintendent, a case was registered against the accused at Dabeerpura police station.

--IANS

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A top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed that the country possesses the "father of all bombs" which overshadows the most powerful non-nuclear ordnance of the US.

The bomb was developed under a special request of the IRGC, the corps' Aerospace Force commander, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, said in an interview on Friday to Press TV.

"Following a proposal by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), (Iran's) Defence Industries (Organisation) manufactured a 10-ton bomb. These bombs are at our disposal," Press TV cited the commander as saying.

"They can be launched from Ilyushin aircraft and they are highly destructive," he added, without providing any further details on the capabilities of the ordnance.

The commander called the device the "father of all bombs", comparing it to the US GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), commonly known as the "mother of all bombs". Since the American device weighs 9.8 tons and yields 11 tons in TNT equivalent, the IRGC commander presumably referred to the weight of the new Iranian ordnance rather than its destructive potential.

The MOAB was developed in 2003 and first used in combat this April, when the US dropped the device in Afghanistan on a mountain tunnel complex used by the Islamic State terrorists.

The new Iranian ordnance, however, might trigger a bomb paternity dispute, as Russia already possesses a non-nuclear ordnance known as the "daddy".

The Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power, known as the 'father of all bombs' (FOAB), was successfully tested by Russia in 2007, with impressive results for a non-nuclear device - a 44-ton yield when detonated. The bomb explodes midair, vaporizing its targets, collapsing structures, and leaving a moon-like scorched landscape.

--IANS

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Ahead of the five-match One-day International (ODI) series against India, starting here on Sunday, Australia skipper Steve Smith on Saturday said it won't be an easy task to read young chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav.

"A few of our guys played against him (Kuldeep) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and he is a good young talent and can be difficult to pick at times," Smith told reporters here.

"He is someone who you have to watch a little bit closely. Hopefully we can put him under pressure early in his spell and try and take him for as many as we can," he added.

Kuldeep took four wickets on his Test debut against the Aussies in Dharamsala earlier this year.

The visitors have got a similar type of bowler -- K.K. Jiyas -- at the nets to be ready for him.

"He is a guy Sri (team consultant Sridharan Sriram) has organised to come down and bowl. They have got Kuldeep Yadav in their squad and he is likely to play. There is a chance to train against someone like that. There aren't too many in the world," Smith said.

Asked if the series would see a lot of runs being scored, Smith said: "We saw that the last time we came here in 2013 it was a run-fest where 350 was around par. It's difficult to say."

"Every ground is going to be different. I think it's about summing things up quickly at every ground. I couldn't tell you if it is going to be a run fest. It depends on the pitches."

Smith added that anyone from the top four will have to contribute big in order to win when quizzed if the bulk of the responsibility will rest on him.

"I think it's important for someone in the top four to go on and make a big score. I think we have the guys to do that. It's important in any country. We saw that the last time we came here in 2013 it was a run-fest where 350 was around par."

On his team combination, Smith said: "We have got a spinning all-rounder, we've got all-rounders that take pace off the ball and things like that. We have got a few different options but we will go in with what we think is best for the conditions."

"We're not going to name our team today. We're going to have a look again tomorrow and see what we think is the best (XI). There might be a bit of rain on Sunday as well. Gives us a chance to have a look at that and then we will be able to name our XI for Sunday," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Parliament of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan convened for the first time after two years of suspension, and is scheduled to discuss referendum on independence of the Kurdish region.

"The meeting will discuss the referendum of the Kurdistan region, which will be on September 25, and will respond to the decision made earlier by the Iraqi parliament, which rejected this referendum," said Tariq Jowhar, media advisor of the Parliament, said on Friday.

Jowhar said the session was chaired by the Deputy Speaker, as Speaker Yousif Mohammed Sadiq did not attend the session since his Gorran Movement is boycotting the session along with the Kurdistan Islamic Group, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, the two major Kurdish parties of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) announced that the Parliament session, originally scheduled on Thursday, would be delayed to late Friday to convince Goran Movement and the Islamic group to attend the first parliament session in two years.

On Thursday, the Kurdish regional government said it had received an alternative plan for the referendum on independence in Kurdistan on September 25.

An international delegation, including the US, Britain and UN envoys, met with Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and presented the alternative path for the controversial independence referendum.

The referendum has been opposed by Baghdad because it would threaten the integrity of Iraq and would distract the ongoing fight against Islamic State militant group by Iraqi forces.

The neighbouring countries of Turkey, Iran and Syria also feel that the move would threaten their territorial integrity, as large numbers of Kurdish population live in those countries.

--IANS

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Around two weeks after Gauri Lankesh was gunned down at her Bengaluru residence, people from the media, activists, friends and admirers paid rich tributes to the slain journalist and activist here.

Known for her fearless attitude, Editor of weekly Kannada magazine "Gauri Lankesh Patrike", Lankesh vehemently opposed communalism and was a staunch critic of Hindutva politics.

A special event called "Gauri Ke Naam", organised by the Centre for Policy Analysis on Friday, was also joined by poets and musicians, among others, to pay tribute to Lankesh and her fearless journalism-activism.

An Indian Sufi ensemble based in the capital, Ruhaniyat, presented songs of peace and freedom.

One of the band members Sarim Ali, while talking to IANS, expressed deep sorrow at Lankesh's death and said: "It is completely unacceptable to suppress a voice, a voice of a person who was struggling for other people's rights."

"People who feel that killing her was justified are completely wrong."

Mayank from the same band said: "It is very depressing. We are a progressive nation, but what is happening is just the opposite."

Other performers included Saif Mehmood, Sujata, Vangish Jha, Ashok Kumar Pandey, Ravi Kant, Achyutanand Mishra, Sangwari group and Raza Haider.

Haider enthusiastically raised his voice through poetry against the various attacks on freedom in the country today.

"Gauri was a friend, an ardent activist in terms of women issues and democracy per se. She was a fierce fighter as far as democratic rights are concerned," said Raza.

"She never backed out from anything...never said no to any campaign ever. I just wanted to pay tribute to her," he added.

Then there was Relaa, a collective of Indian performers-turned-activists, reviving the long-forgotten tradition of protest songs in its fight against casteism, capitalism and discrimination.

"It is that time in this nation when we are told what to wear, what to eat, what to say, etc. etc. There isn't much of freedom left with the masses to decide things for themselves," the group manager said.

"Relaa is a cry against oppression, a cry for equality, a cry against caste atrocities, a cry for freedom," he explained.

Indian academic and novelist Purushottam Agrawal was also present at the event.

"When someone is brutally killed, apparently for her views, it is a matter of concern for every citizen...regardless of any agreement or disagreement with her," he told IANS.

"It (this kind of violence) won't end with her. Tomorrow it could be you, me or anyone else. One could be killed in the name of cow protection, Indian culture, Hindutva, Islam or whatever," he said.

"I am here to express that this kind of madness will not be tolerated. Political violence from any quarter is to be condemned...whether it is by the right wing or the left wing," he added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Egyptian court on Saturday upheld ousted President Mohamed Morsi's life sentence over charges of spying for Qatar, authorities said.

The Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest appeals court, said the ruling against Morsi is final and cannot be appealed, official news agency MENA reported. Life sentence in Egypt is 25 years in prison.

The court also upheld the death sentences against three prominent figures of Muslim Brotherhood over the same charges.

The defendants were accused of giving classified documents about the armed forces to Qatar that harm national security.

The documents allegedly contained secrets on "national security", and were allegedly traded with the Qatari intelligence for a million dollars. The prosecution also accused the defendants of working for the "terrorist branded Muslim Brotherhood" organisation, Xinhua news agency reported.

Qatar was a main backer of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood movement while he was in power between 2012 and July 2013. Two other defendants also received life and rigorous imprisonment terms in the case.

This is the second time that Morsi got a confirmed sentence. On October 22, 2016, the same appeals court had confirmed a 20-year prison sentence against Morsi on charges of violence and murder in 2012, when clashes erupted outside a presidential palace between his supporters and opponents, which killed up to 10 people.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected President, was ousted by the Army in 2013 in response to mass protests against his rule.

His Muslim Brotherhood group had been designated as a terrorist group by the government. Hundreds of the group supporters received death and life sentences, mostly over violence, murder and spying charges.

Morsi had also been convicted in other cases. On May 17, 2015, Morsi and 106 supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood received death penalties over a mass jail break following the 2011 uprising that ousted the long time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

But the death sentence verdict was overturned and now Morsi is facing a retrial.

The ousted Islamist President, along with the Brotherhood guide Mohamed Badei and seven other members of the group, was sentenced to life in prison in June 2015 for conspiring with foreign militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah against Egypt's national security.

Yet the case is appealable.

On the Brotherhood page, the members called the verdicts "an honour", adding it won't prevent creation of thousands of likewise courageous men.

--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.)
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is set to attend the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said here.

On the sidelines of the UNGA, Abbasi will hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the ministry said late Friday.

This is Abbasi's first visit to New York since he assumed office in July after the Pakistan Supreme Court removed his predecessor Nawaz Sharif over corruption charges, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Prime Minister will address the Council on Foreign Relations and will interact with the US Pakistan Business Council. He will also have extensive interaction with the international media.

"Pakistan is a great advocate of multilateralism and the UN to promote collective responses to the multifaceted challenges of global peace, security and development.

"We would continue our constructive role and engagement at the UN with a view to protecting and promoting our national interests, including on core issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, reform of the Security Council, counter-terrorism, human rights, peacekeeping, and a host of development and other matters," the ministry added.

--IANS

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Pakistan rangers on Saturday violated ceasefire along the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir targeting Indian positions, killing livestock and damaging several properties.

The rangers resorted to shelling and firing in Arnia sub-sector of Jammu district using mortars, automatics and small arms, a police official said.

They targeted Sai, Treva and Jabowal forward posts of the Border Security Force (BSF). "Indian troops retaliated strongly after which the firing exchanges stopped," the official said.

Two residential houses, a temple and three cattle sheds were damaged in the indiscriminate shelling by Pakistan. "Three cattle perished and three were injured," he said.

A BSF trooper was killed and a civilian injured on Friday in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the same area of the IB.

--IANS

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In a massive setback to Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the review petitions filed by the deposed Prime Minister and his children against the July 28 Panama Papers judgement. The ruling PML-N party called the verdict a "disappointment".

A five-judge SC bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had taken up the petitions seeking review of the court's ruling which disqualified Sharif and ordered the filing of corruption cases against him and his children -- Hussain, Hassan and Maryam Nawaz, son-in-law retired Captain Mohammad Safdar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

"For the reasons (to be) recorded later, all these review petitions are dismissed," Justice Khosa announced. The reasons will be revealed later in a detailed order, the Dawn online reported.

With the rejection of the review petitions, Sharif's disqualification as a member of the Parliament remains valid. The Sharif family and Dar will now face corruption cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau in the accountability court.

Talking to reporters outside the court, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and Minister for Information Technology Anusha Rahman said the court's decision was a "disappointment" for her party.

She also said that the Sharif family will not get a fair trial in accountability court if an apex court monitoring judge oversees the trial proceedings.

Another PML-N leader, Talal Chaudhry, said: "Even a terrorist have the right to appeal, but in this case a Prime Minister has been denied that right and was disqualified from his office."

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan thanked the Supreme Court for ending what he referred to as the "rule of the mafia".

He said the Sharifs had attempted to get the monitoring judge removed during court proceedings to delay the cases against them, but their efforts have failed with the Supreme Court's dismissal of review petitions.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry termed the decision as "victory for good governance".

He said: "Today's decision is the victory for good governance, now Papa, Phuppo and Pappu will return, and the money too."

The bench also comprised Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan -- who along with the latter two headed the special implementation bench in the Panama case that oversaw the work of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that examined the references to the Sharifs and Dar in the Panama Papers.

On July 28, Sharif was dismissed by the apex court and stepped down after a probe into the Panama papers scandal revealed he had not declared income received from a firm owned by his son in Dubai.

The Panama Papers revealed in April 2016 that three of his four children had set up offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands through which they owned property in London, leading the top court to order an investigation after a year of protests by the opposition.

After Friday's decision, the Sharif family and Dar will have to seek justice in the Islamabad Accountability Court, where three cases against the Sharif family and one against the Finance Minister have been filed.

The members of the Sharif family have been summoned by the accountability court on September 19 and Dar on September 20.

--IANS

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The St. Francois County Sheriffs Department is investigating a double homicide that took place in the extreme northern portion of St. Francois County.

St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock said they are working with investigators from the Missouri State Highway Patrols Division of Drug and Crime Control with an investigation of a double homicide that occurred at an address in Blackwell.

On Wednesday deputies responded to a 'check the well-being' call at a residence on Dark Hollow Road in Blackwell, said Bullock. The reporting party indicated to officers that the male resident of the property had not reported to work in more than a week and attempts to reach him had been unsuccessful, as were attempts to contact the individuals wife.

Bullock said officers searched the home on the property and found no one inside. During a search of the outlying area officers located the badly decomposed body of a man.

Shortly after investigators arrived at the scene, the body of a white female, also in an advanced state of decomposition, was located a short distance into a wooded area of the property, said Bullock. Evidence found at the scene indicated that the manner of death for both people was homicide.

Bullock said an autopsy was performed Thursday on the couple at the St. Francois County Morgue and both were positively identified.

The two victims were 50-year-old John L. Lewis and his wife, 58-year-old Diana L. Lewis, both of Blackwell, Missouri, said Bullock. The manner of death for both has been ruled homicide.

Bullock stressed they are not releasing the cause of death at this time because it is part of their investigation to help identify who killed the couple.

We do have a person of interest and are following every lead in the case, said Bullock. Until we are able to identify the suspect and make an arrest, we will be releasing limited information.

If anyone has any information on the couple, or saw them in the last week or so, that could help in the investigation. In that case, contact the sheriff's department at 573-431-2777 or Central Dispatch at 573-431-3131.

Bullock added that there is no increased threat to others in that area. They believe the couple was specifically targeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday condoled the passing away of Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, praising him for his contribution in the 1965 war with Pakistan.

"Sad at demise of a great air warrior and Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family and IAF community," tweeted the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

"Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero and won our nation's gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war."

Arjan Singh, who was on Saturday admitted to Army Hospital (R&R) here after a massive heart attack and in a critical condition, passed away in the evening. He was 98.

--IANS

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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray expressed his "anger" over the brutal murder of a minor student in Ryan International School's Gururgam branch and other similar incidents in public and private schools.

In a direct letter to the principals and managements of all schools in the state on the question of overall safety of students, Thackeray said: "I am writing to you in an extremely resentful and angry state of mind as I am seeing an increase in incidences of molestation of students, both boys and girls."

Seven-year-old Pradhuman Thakur was found with his throat slit inside the school premise in Haryana last week.

Thackeray said it was sad how children - who are the future of the country - are not safe in their own schools.

Such incidents somewhere reflect the carelessness of both the school administration and the government towards students' safety, he added.

Thackeray pointed out that as a society, "we are answerable as these occurrences bring shame and also raise a question on the credibility of the entire education system".

He said it was unfortunate the government authorities do not treat the issue as significant and so no efforts were underway to address the students' security concerns in any manner.

"I consider all children of Maharashtra as my own... The people in the school administration should take vigilant measures to prevent anything that harms the safety of the children," Thackeray urged.

Parents believe that the school treats their children as their own and leave them in schools for significant amount of time owing to the underlying trust they have in the institutions, he said.

"Any carelessness towards this issue will imply a breach of trust that the parents have placed in you... I shall not tolerate this.

"Because of the grave incidents that have occurred in the past few months, the trust of the parents in the system has been shattered," Thackeray said cracking the whip on the schools.

Soliciting cooperation and offering the MNS' support, he provided a helpline number and email which the school managements could contact for any assistance in implementing safety measures in their institutions.

At least three principals and trustees in private schools of Mumbai and Thane - who preferred anonymity - confirmed receipt of the letter on Saturday and said they would study the contents before commenting on it.

--IANS

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Father Tom Uzhannalil, the Indian Catholic priest hailing from Kerala who was abducted by terrorists in Yemen, expressed his thanks to the Narendra Modi government for its concern to secure his release.

"I am thankful to the President (Ram Nath Kovind) and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and all the ministers concerned whoever has (expressed) concern," Uzhannalil said.

"Thanks to the country leaders and countrymen. May God bless all of them for their response," he added.

Uzhannalil said the terrorists who abducted him did not hurt him.

He said that his captors would have responded to the missives that came for his release.

Uzhunnalil, abducted by terrorists in Aden in March last year, was rescued from captivity from an undisclosed location in Yemen. The Sultanate of Oman helped to find and rescue Uzhannalil who is an employee of the Vatican.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier this week tweeted about the release of the Catholic priest.

According to reports reaching Kerala, after his release, the priest was flown from Yemen to Muscat. He later left Oman on a chartered flight for the Vatican.

He will be flown to Kerala later.

--IANS

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Actress Rosamund Pike has revealed that she "barely spoke" to actor Christian Bale while shooting for their new film "Hostiles".

Pike says she did this intentionally as it helped with the shooting process.

"Christian and I barely spoke, and to this day we hardly know each other," Pike told dailymail.co.uk.

In the movie, Pike plays the part of Rosalie Quaid, a suicidal widow who is struggling to come to terms with the murder of her family.

"I sometimes felt very troubled that I could be in that space (playing the character), but then be fortunate enough to go home, and my children be alive. They were on location with me the whole time," she said.

--IANS

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Bollywood star Salman Khan received a Global Diversity Award at Britain's House of Commons.

Salman was at the House of Commons here on Friday, and received the award from Keith Vaz, British Parliament's longest-serving Asian MP.

"The Global Diversity Award is given to people of immense stature in terms of what they have done for diversity in the world, and he is certainly one of them," Vaz said here.

Vaz praised Salman for being "not just a megastar for Indian and world cinema, but also someone who has done so much for humanitarian causes".

Salman, who looked dapper at the event and runs the Being Human NGO, said: "Thank you for the respect and honour you have given me. My father would have never thought... But the amount of respect you guys have given me, thank you so much for it."

The actor is in Britain for his Da-Bangg Tour, and he is visiting the country after a decade.

The tour, which will take place in Birmingham on Saturday and in London's O2 Arena on Sunday, will also feature artistes like Sonakshi Sinha, Jacqueline Fernandez, Prabhudheva, Sooraj Pancholi and Badshah.

--IANS

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Rabat, Sep 16 (IANS/MAP) Moroccan Minister of Tourism Mohammed Sajid held talks in Belgrade with Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic to boost cooperation between the two countries in various sectors including tourism.

During the meeting, attended by Morocco's Ambassador to Belgrade, Mohamed Amine Belhaj, the two sides welcomed the signing of an agreement on air transport speeding up the launch of a direct air link between Morocco and Serbia.

The two ministers called on the private sector and tourism professionals to explore all opportunities for cooperation and also agreed on the development of an expanded cooperation programme in the tourism sector.

The Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Communications will also visit Morocco before the end of this year, a report said.

--IANS/MAP

soni/bg

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Is Apple giving up on India, allowing a free run to Chinese handset companies? It certainly looks that way at first sight. This week, in his traditional keynote speech, Apple CEO Tim Cook launched the newest versions of the companys flagship product, the iPhone. The highlight was the iPhone X, with various top-of-the-line features such as facial recognition and a bezel-less screen. It is priced at $1,000 in the US market. This means that, in India, it might cost close to, or even over, Rs 1 lakh. Alongside the iPhone X, two other iPhones were announced, which will be regular upgrades of the current flagships, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. In the US they will be more expensive than their predecessors, suggesting that they may retail at only Rs 25,000 or Rs 30,000 less than the iPhone X in India, making them again the most expensive phones in the Indian market.
In a major political twist, a senior minister from the ruling faction of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party alleged that V K Sasikala's family was responsible for the death of Tamil Nadu's former chief minister, J Jayalalithaa.


Sashashtra Seema Bal



(SSB) officials today seized 102.5 kg of charas worth Rs 20.50 crore from Mainatand police station area on Indo-Nepal border in West Champaran district, a senior SSB officer said.

Acting on a tip off that smugglers would cross into India from Nepal, an SSB team started a search operation early today and found people carrying loads on their heads in Purainia locality, SSB Assistant Commandant Anjay Kumar Rajak said.

When the security personnel challenged them, they fled leaving the packets, he said adding that altogether 102.5 kg of Nepalese charas was there in the packets.

One persons was arrested.

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Twenty-one young boys who died in a fire at a private Islamic boarding school were buried in Malaysia amid renewed calls for better regulation of religious schools.

The charred bodies were released to family members after being identified through DNA testing. Islamic authorities and grieving family members held prayers for the victims at the hospital mosque before the bodies were taken to cemeteries.

Eleven of the boys were buried outside Kuala Lumpur, where hundreds of relatives and well-wishers mourned as the bodies, wrapped in white shrouds, were lowered into the graves.

In another cemetery about a half hour away, two siblings and their cousin were laid to rest in the same grave, the Star newspaper said. Others were taken to their hometowns. The burials were sponsored and arranged by state Islamic authorities.

The pre-dawn blaze Thursday at a three-story "tahfiz" school, where Muslim boys study and memorize the Quran, blocked the lone exit to the dormitory, trapping students behind barred windows.

Officials said the school was operating without a fire safety permit and license, and that a dividing wall was illegally built on the top floor that blocked the victims from a second exit.

A list released by the national agency Bernama said the victims were 21 boys aged between 6 and 16 and two teachers. Police had put the boys' ages at between 13 and 17 on Thursday, and couldn't be reached to explain the discrepancy.

Religious schools, mostly privately run, are not supervised by the Education Ministry because they come under the purview of state religious authorities. Local media reported there are more than 500 registered tahfiz schools nationwide but many more are believed to be unregistered.

Data from the Fire Department showed that 1,083 fires struck religious schools in the past two years, of which 211 were burned to the ground. The worst disaster occurred in 1989 when 27 female students at an Islamic school in Kedah state died when fire gutted the school and eight wooden hostels.

Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan said his department has proposed that a special committee be set up to obtain state government consent to place all tahfiz schools under the ministry's supervision to ensure they get safety approvals and have operating permits.

He said the ministry had previously urged religious schools to register, but that was on a voluntary basis.

"This is a good opportunity for us to make it a compulsory requirement for religious schools to register with the Education Ministry. Our main concern is safety," he told The Associated Press. "We have no intention to change or interfere with their teachings."



Religion is a sensitive matter in Malaysia, where ethnic Malay Muslims make up about 60 per cent of the country's 31 million people.

Firefighters and witnesses have described scenes of horror first of boys screaming for help behind barred windows as neighbors watched helplessly, and later of burned bodies huddled in corners of the room. Officials initially said they suspected the fire was caused by an electrical short-circuit but later said this wasn't the case. Police said they are still investigating the cause as well as the presence of two gas tanks outside the dormitory.

School principal Mohamad Zahid Mahmod has told local media the students were being housed in a temporary building because of renovation work at the main school building. He said they were due to move back at the end of this month.

He said the school has been operating for 15 years and registered with the state Islamic religious council. But an official with the state religious council said it had no record of the school.

Many grieving parents and family members described the tragedy as fate.

Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, blamed human error. She said she was briefed by a police officer and was told the dormitory was overcrowded.

"We say that it is God or fate but God does not err ... the ugly and the bad are from us. We have to take that responsibility. Do not say it was God or fate," she said after visiting the school Friday.

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If the American people, collectively speaking, had enough sense to come in out of the rain, the climate "debate" -- long settled almost everywhere else on earth -- would be over. No, it's not possible to assert with mathematical certainty that hurricanes Harvey and Irma were caused by global warming.

It's also not possible to stipulate exactly which carton of Camels brought about my father's lung cancer. Only that his 40 year, two-packs-a-day tobacco habit shortened his life by a decade or more. Although the tobacco companies once resisted the evidence as vigorously (and dishonestly) as Koch Industries and the rest now fight climate science, nobody argues about it anymore.

Eventually, statistical evidence conflates with lived experience to the point where denialists feel less like iconoclasts and more like fools. It's tempting to wonder if two of the most powerful hurricanes in U.S. history striking Texas and Florida within two weeks of each other might cause Republican climate change deniers like EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to go the way of the Marlboro Man.

Pruitt's the Trump appointee who declared it insulting to Floridians to associate the strongest Atlantic hurricane in recorded history with ever-increasing ocean temperatures. This despite the fact that it's a basic matter of atmospheric physics: the warmer the ocean, the more powerful the storm. The connection between record high temperatures and catastrophic flooding events isn't inferential, it's direct.

Up goes the temperature, down comes the deluge.

Even more than Irma, Hurricane Harvey -- 50 inches of rain, 70 dead, countless lives and livelihoods ruined, billions in property damage all over south Texas -- impressed scientists as entirely consistent with a warming, rising Gulf of Mexico. Contrary to Bob Dylan, sometimes you do need a weather man to know which way the wind blows.

But the real prizewinner, of course, wasn't the EPA's Pruitt or renowned climatologist Donald J. Trump, but talk radio clown Rush Limbaugh. Even as Hurricane Irma tore through the Caribbean, its 185-mph winds leaving chaos and destruction in its wake, Limbaugh assured listeners that the storm was basically Fake News, a figment of the liberal imagination.

Believe it or not, he blamed the malign influence of "Big Water." Limbaugh claimed to know exactly where and when Irma would make landfall, a secret he had shared with his "buddies," but not, of course, with his gullible listeners.

The Limbaugh position is that conspiratorial liberals in the news media deliberately stoke panic for the sake of profits. He argued that "there is a symbiotic relationship between retailers and local media, and it's related to money. It revolves around money. You have major, major industries and businesses which prosper during times of crisis and panic, such as a hurricane, which could destroy or greatly damage people's homes, and it could interrupt the flow of water and electricity. So what happens?

"Well, the TV stations begin reporting this and the panic begins to increase. And then people end up going to various stores to stock up on water and whatever they might need for home repairs and batteries and all this that they're advised to get, and a vicious circle is created," Limbaugh said.

"So the media benefits with the panic with increased eyeballs, and the retailers benefit from the panic with increased sales, and the TV companies benefit because they're getting advertising dollars from the businesses that are seeing all this attention from customers."

In short, Limbaugh sounded pretty much like Bernie Sanders on crack -- a straight Marxist analysis of the evils of corporate broadcasting. Except here's the problem: Hurricane Irma kept coming, swallowing up St. Martin and the Virgin Islands, and looking less imaginary every day.

So Limbaugh shut down his Palm Beach studio and evacuated for parts unknown like millions of other Floridians. Needless to say, he'll come up with a fancy alibi. I'm sure it'll be a humdinger. But how anybody could ever take the portly blowhard seriously again beggars my poor imagination.

Somewhat further out on the lunatic fringe, Infowars founder Alex Jones took an even more imaginative position: speculating darkly that both storms had been "geo-engineered" by wicked agents of the "deep state" to stoke fear of climate change and enhance the liberal agenda.

Of course, not long ago Jones conjured thousands of Muslim terrorists fixing to overrun south Texas from bunkers hidden under vacant Walmart stores, even as Hillary Clinton's PizzaGate child sex abuse ring flourished in Washington. Evidently, there's no conspiracy too absurd for Jones's deluded followers.

That's the great paradox among today's right-wing true-believers, where Chicken Little stories are always in fashion. The sky is always about to fall.

Except, that is, when it does, as in hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

We may expect such persons to go into increased frenzies of denial. Some human beings are rarely more passionate than when denying reality.

Hopefully, the majority prove capable of learning from it.

Arkansas Times columnist Gene Lyons is a National Magazine Award winner and co-author of "The Hunting of the President" (St. Martin's Press, 2000). You can email Lyons at eugenelyons2@yahoo.com
With 30 per cent lesser offtake of 430 million tonnes of cement last year, due to slowdown in construction industry in the country, a similar trend is likely to continue this year as well, a top J K Cements official said today.

Reports of similar pattern of consumption in the first five months of this fiscal from construction industry coming, there will be only 70 per cent of off take of grey cement, the company Administrator (AYA) and Advisor, M P Rawal told reporters here.

The cement industry does not want to take risk and nearly 130 tonnes of cement went either unsold or unutilised, he said adding the production this year will also be reduced drastically considering the lesser demand.

As far as company was concerned, of the 10.5 million tonne capacity, it may produce seven million tonne, Rawal who is here in connection with the 26th Edition of Architect of the Year Awards scheduled to be held tomorrow, said.

Stating that the company was not selling its grey cement to Tamil Nadu in view of high transportation cost, Rawal said that there was no proposal to set up a plant in this part of the country, fearing the availability of raw materials like lime stone.

On ever increasing prices and cartel reportedly being formed by a few cement manufacturers, Rawal said, "First of all this is a competitive industry and nobody trusts each other.. In this situation there is no truth in forming cartel to increase the prices."



The changing government policies also have a major impact on the prices and even economic predictors have failed to come out with the price pattern, he said.

To a query on how bullet train will help the cement industry, Rawal said that with one bullet train there will not be a big impact.

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China has placed 31 people under criminal "coercive measures" for a construction platform collapse in Jiangxi province last year that killed 73 people, authorities said today.

Criminal "coercive measures" in China may include summons by force, bail, residential surveillance, detention or arrest.

A State Council investigation concluded that the tragedy was a workplace safety accident caused by issues including lax supervision and the building company's failure to fulfill its obligations, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

On November 24, 2016, a platform being constructed for a cooling tower at a power plant collapsed in Fengcheng, causing a direct economic loss of about 102 million yuan (USD 15.6 million).

Authorities have revoked the top-level contractor qualification and the work safety license of the company responsible, and handed out administrative penalties to other companies and people involved.

The State Council also asked local authorities and building companies to draw lessons from the accident, raise awareness about work safety and improve the management for construction safety, according to the report.

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At least 36 Burundian refugees have been killed in clashes with Congolese security forces who allegedly fired indiscriminately at protesters, the United Nations envoy to Congo said today.

Maman Sidikou said he was "deeply shocked" at the violence. Another 117 people were wounded and one Congolese officer was killed, he said in a statement.

Thirty-nine gravely wounded Burundian refugees were evacuated by helicopter to the city of Bukavu, the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo said.

Yesterday's clashes erupted in Kamanyola in Congo's South Kivu province when Burundian refugees and asylum-seekers protested the expulsion of four of their countrymen from Congo, Sidikou said, citing "credible reports" received by the peacekeeping mission. The death of the Congolese army officer led to "the escalation of violence."



The UN envoy called for a swift investigation and urged Congo's security forces to use force as a last resort.

Congo's military could not immediately be reached for comment.

Roughly 44,000 refugees from Burundi are sheltering in Congo. Many fled political violence at home in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term amid deadly protests.

Of the people killed in yesterday's clashes, 15 were women, the commander of the Pakistani battalion of the UN peacekeeping mission, Waquara Yunusi, told The Associated Press.

The Congolese government, the UN refugee agency and the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo "have deployed teams on site to shed light on everything that happened," said the coordinator of the UN Communications Group in Congo, Florence Marchal.

Burundi's foreign minister, Alain Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter asked Congo and UN officials for an explanation of the shootings.

Residents in the area said the killings occurred after some Burundian refugees went to the bureau of intelligence in Kamanyola to inquire about four detained refugees. Congolese soldiers responded with gunfire when some of the refugees hurled stones, said refugee Aline Nduwarugira.

It was not immediately clear why the four refugees had been detained.

Another witnesses, Alfred Rukungo, said Congolese soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.

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Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh, an icon of India's military history, will always be remembered as a war hero who had successfully led a young IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The only officer to attain the highest post of Marshal, the Air Force equivalent to the Army's five star field marshal, Singh was a fearless and exceptional pilot who had flown more than 60 different types of aircraft.

He played a major role in transforming the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally and the fourth biggest in the world.

"His contribution to the Indian Air Force is monumental to the least. The IAF grew with him. He was epitome of military leadership in classical sense and it is, therefore, not surprising that he was honoured with the rank of Air Force Marshal," former Vice Chief of IAF Kapil Kak said.

Singh was honoured with the rank of Marshal on the Republic Day in 2002. Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw and K M Cariappa were the only two army generals honoured with the rank of field marshal.

Known as a man of few words, Singh was not only a fearless pilot but had profound knowledge about air power and applied it in a wide spectrum of areas.

Singh had assiduously led the IAF during the 1965 war and denied success to Pakistani air force though it was better equipped with American support.

"His most outstanding contribution was during that war," said Kak.

Commending his role in the war, Y B Chavan, the then Defence Minister had written: "Air Marshal Arjan Singh is a jewel of a person, quiet efficient and firm; unexcitable but a very able leader."



In 1944, the Marshal had led a squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign, flying close air support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the Allied Forces to Yangoon.

In recognition of his feat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on the spot by the Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia, the first Indian pilot to receive it.

Singh was selected for the Empire Pilot training course at Royal Air Force (RAF) Cranwell in 1938 when he was 19 years old. He retired from service in 1969.

Singh was born on April 15, 1919, in Lyalpur (now Faislabad, Pakistan), and completed his education at Montgomery (now Sahiwal, Pakistan).

His first assignment on being commissioned was to fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 RIAF Squadron.

After a brief stint with the newly formed No. 2 RIAF Squadron where the Marshal flew against the tribal forces, he later moved back to No.1 Sqn as a Flying Officer to fly the Hawker Hurricane.

He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944.

For his role in successfully leading the squadron in combat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944.

On August 15, 1947, he achieved the unique honour of leading a fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi.

After his promotion to the rank of Wing Commander, he attended the Royal Staff College at the UK. Immediately after Indian independence, he commanded Ambala in the rank of Group Captain.

In 1949, he was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and took over as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of an operational command, which later came to be known as Western Air Command.

Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as AOC of an operational base, initially from 1949-1952 and then again from 1957-1961.

After his promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed as the AOC-in-C of an operational command.

Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and he became the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in 1963. He was the overall commander of the joint air training exercise "Shiksha" held between IAF, RAF (Royal Air Force) and RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force).

On August 1, 1964, in the rank of Air Marshal, the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh took over reins of IAF, at a time when it was still rebuilding itself and was gearing up to meet new challenges.

Singh was the first Air Chief to keep his flying currency till his CAS rank.

Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from pre-World War II era biplanes to the more contemporary, Gnats and Vampires, he has also flown in transport aircraft like the Super Constellation.

In 1965, when Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam, with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired IAF to victory, despite the constraints imposed on the full-scale use of Air Force combat power.

Singh was awarded Padma Vibhushan for his astute leadership of the Air Force during the war.

Subsequently in recognition of the Air Force's contribution during the war, the rank of the CAS was upgraded and Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

He remained a flyer to the end of his tenure in IAF, visiting forward bases and units and flying with the squadrons.

He retired in August 1969, there upon accepting Ambassadorship to Switzerland. He was Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from December 1989 to December 1990.

Having been a source of inspiration to all personnel of Armed Forces through the years, government conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force upon Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only 'Five Star' rank officer with Indian Air Force.

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The Delhi Police today arrested a hotel management graduate for allegedly duping people at ATMs of their cash.

Sandeep, 28, was caught by a security guard at an ATM in Shahdara, the police said.

During interrogation, he told police that he would carry ATM cards of all the banks. While the people would be withdrawing money at the ATM, he would strike a conversation with them, note down their ATM pin, and press the clear button that would bring the machine to a halt for a few seconds, the police said.

On the pretext of helping the person, he would take their card and exchange it with the card he was carrying.

After the person would leave thinking that the machine is out of order, Sandeep used to withdraw the money and vanish.

In some cases, he would lie to people that the cash would be dispensed by another machine. While they would go to check the other machine, he would flee with the money.

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A 40-year-old South African national was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 22 kgs of Ephedrine, a controlled drug substance worth Rs one crore here, NCB officials said today.

Acting on a tip off that the chemical substance was being smuggled in a train from New Delhi to Chennai, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials intercepted Dilliah Edina here and seized the drug that was in her possession.

"The seized controlled substance was factory sealed in 44 food tins weighing 22kgs of Ephedrine worth Rs one crore," Narcotics Control Bureau, Zonal Director, A Bruno said in an official release here.

The woman, on her maiden visit to India last month had stayed in South West Delhi and was travelling to Chennai in a Tamil Nadu Express Train to board a flight to Zambia.

The seized contraband is illegally used to manufacture methamphetamine, which is sold to consume as a party drug, the release said.

This is the second incident after another seizure in June in which the officials seized 15 kgs of Pseudo Ephedrine drug from a South African national at the Chennai airport which was destined to Johannesburg, South Africa.

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BJP President Amit Shah today said the party has succeeded in removing politics of casteism, appeasement and family fiefdom and put the country on the path of speedy development.

The opposition could not accuse Modi government of any corruption charges in the last three years and the country is on the fast track of transformation, Shah told a press conference here.

Shah said that the previous UPA governemnt was bogged down with an alleged Rs 12 lakh crore scam and had suffered from policy paralysis. It was also unable to take any decision on policy matters, he added.

"Now in place of that (policy paralysis), Narendra Modi has provided a decisive government," Shah said.

He said that people had been apprehensive as to what would happen to the country, but in the three years of Modi government the people have faith that India is moving forward on the right path.

"A drastic change has happened in the three years. Every social and economic indicators showed it. Prices are at the bottom of the list. India's economy is one of the fastest growing economy in the world," he said.

Recalling Modi's promises during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign to improve the condition of the poor, the dalits, backwards, villages, women and the youth, Shah said the government in the three years has taken several steps to uplift all the sections.

The Modi government had distributed LPG connections to the 2.8 crore BPL families of rural areas, he said, adding it was committed to electrify all the villages in the country by May 26, 2018.

Shah also pointed out that 4.5 crore toilets were constructed in the country in the last three years and under the Mudra Yozana loans could be taken from Rs 10,000 to Rs 10 lakh without any guarantor.

GST has become practical now, giving one country one tax, he said.

On security matters, he said that the country had shown that it could go to any extent and fight for its prestige like the way it does and cited the surgical strikes as an example.

He said a Special Investigation Team(SIT) was set up to unearth black money, while demonetisation and strict laws for benami property were made during the three years.

He said the BJP also solved the one-rank one- pension issue which was pending for 50 years.

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An organisation representing the business community in the region today gave a call for a Jammu bandh, alleging the state government failed to meet their demands, including the deportation of Rohingya refugees.

President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industryof Jammu (CCIJ) Rakesh Gupta said the government did not heed their demands of deporting Rohingya Muslims living in the region and declaring the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh as a holiday.

He said members of the business community will observe a complete, peaceful shutdown on Monday to protest against the government.

Gupta said they would launch an indefinite shutdown if the state government did not meet their demands by Navratri.

He claimed Rohingya Muslims do not come under the definition of refugees and the UNHRC cards issued to them are not valid in J&K.

He said the CCIJ was "dissatisfied" with the slow pace of land acquisition for AIIMS at Vijaypur which was sanctioned two years ago.

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The Shiv Sena today dubbed a cabinet sub-committee formed by the Maharashtra government to look into the issue of Maratha reservation as a "timepass" and sought to know why justice has not been meted out to the community despite several road shows in the state.

On August 9, lakhs of members of the Maratha community, staged their 58th and final 'muk morcha' (silent protest) in Mumbai demanding reservation in jobs and educational institutions.

The same day, Fadnavis announced in the state assembly that the government would extend to the community the educational concessions that are currently given to the OBCs.

He had also said the government would form a cabinet sub-committee, which would review the implementation of various schemes for the community and accordingly, the five- member sub-committee was announced.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', it said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held a big roadshow in Ahmedabad. Such roadshows have their own benefits."



"However, several roadshows, morchas and protests held by the Maratha community yielded no results," it claimed.

The party said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis agreed to spend Rs 30,000 crore from the state's coffers to realise Modi's dream of a bullet train but allegedly adopted the Congress' policy of forming a cabinet sub-committee for Maratha reservation to kill time.

It asked if there was any time limit for the committee and what were its powers.

"It is being said that this committee will submit its report to the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission. Also, it'll hold discussions with Maratha organisations every three months. If talks will happen in three months, how long will this committee's time pass last?" the Sena claimed.

The committee is headed by Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil. The other members are Diwakar Raote and Eknath Shinde of the Sena and Girish Mahajan and Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar of the BJP.

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Caracas has denounced President Donald Trump's plans to meet with Latin American leaders concerning Venezuela's ongoing crisis, branding the talks as "rival dialogue."



Earlier in the day Trump's national security adviser HR McMaster had announced plans for a "working dinner" on Monday that will convene several Latin American leaders in New York, as the UN General Assembly gets underway.

During the dinner Trump expects to "discuss the crisis in Venezuela, as well as the strong economic ties and extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," McMaster told journalists, without elaborating on which leaders the talks will include.

But having just begun exploratory talks with opposition delegates this week, Caracas met the with scorn.

"You have nothing to evaluate President Trump... Evaluate your internal problems," Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told journalists, lambasting the planned meeting as "rival dialogue."



Officials from both the Venezuelan government and the opposition began exploratory talks Wednesday, mediated by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the former Spanish prime minister.

The opposing sides agreed Thursday to a commission of "friendly countries" -- Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua -- tasked with assisting negotiations to emerge from the crisis that had fueled months of deadly protests.

Arreaza also appeared to respond to Trump's threat last month of a "military option" in Venezuela.

"Anyone who dares to attack Venezuela will suffer the consequences," he said.

Though the White House did not say who would attend Monday's talks, Arreaza mentioned Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is among those invited.

McMaster also ruled out the possibility that Trump could hold direct talks with Venezuelan representatives at the General Assembly.

President Nicolas Maduro will not attend the gathering of world leaders, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the embattled Latin American country.

Washington has already slapped sanctions on crisis- stricken Venezuela -- including on Maduro himself -- to "deny the Maduro dictatorship a critical source of financing to maintain its illegitimate rule.

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Actor Casey Affleck has finalised his divorce from Summer Phoenix, after being married for 10 years.

A judge signed off on the 40-year-old Oscar-winning actor's divorce from Summer on Friday, according to court documents obtained by People.

According to the documents, part of the settlement will see the "Manchester By The Sea" star provide his 37-year-old ex-wife spousal and child support for their two children Indiana, 13, and Atticus, nine, which was agreed in a prearranged confidential settlement.

However, it was recently reported that Casey had originally denied giving his former partner spousal support.

But within days of filing for a divorce last month, the pair swiftly came to a financial agreement.

This comes almost two years after the pair first separated in November 2015, although they waited another four months to publicly confirm their break up.

The former couple had been married for one decade, but prior to tying the knot they had been together for 16 years.

Summer - who is the sister of fellow actor Joaquin Phoenix - cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for calling time on their relationship, which Casey also stated when he filed the legal documents.

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China said it was opposed to any deployment of nuclear weapons by Japan and South Korea in response to North Korea's repeated missile tests and its quest for a military "equilibrium" with the US.

China's ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, said the potential spread of nuclear weapons would not bring security to the highly-tensed region.

"It could only make things much worse. We are certainly opposed to the existence of nuclear weapons anywhere on the Korean peninsula or anywhere," the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted Cui as having told reporters in Washington on Friday.

The comments came on a day North Korea launched its second intermediate-range missile over the Japanese territory in less than a month. The missile test was the first after Pyongyang tested its sixth and largest nuclear device on September 3.

Experts assessing the data now increasingly believe the latest nuclear test by North Korea to be a hydrogen bomb.

The North Korean state media said the reclusive nation's aim was to seek an "equilibrium" of military force with the US after an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council again condemned the Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.

The tests have resulted in calls for deployment of US nuclear weapons by American allies South Korea and Japan.

Ambassador Cui said China understood South Korea's fears.

"We are willing to help them to solve these concerns on the condition of not risking China's security interests," he said, apparently referring to US deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) weapons in South Korea.

Beijing firmly opposes THAAD deployment because its powerful radars could monitor China's movement of missiles and their deployment.

The deployment of nuclear weapons in South Korea and Japan will bring them to the doorstep of China.
Arunachal Pradesh government today asked the opposition Congress to stop politicising the Chakma-Hajong refugee issue and to work together for a logical solution.

The union Home ministry's recent decision to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees in North East has evoked resentment in the state. Apex students' body of the state, All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), has called for a statewide dawn-to-dusk bandh on September 19.

"It is time that all political parties should join hands for a solution to the vexed issue," state government spokesman Passang Dorjee Sona told a press conference.

He also urged the Congress to work with the state government for a result instead of giving the issue a political colour.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on September 14 criticised the Centre's decision to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees in the state.

Sona said Chief Minister Pema Khandu has informed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju that granting citizenship to Chakma- Hajong refugees would distort social fabric of the state.

"The government had earlier filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court and another SLP filed by the AAPSU was pending in the court," he said.

To a question on the Tibetan Refugee Rehabilitation Policy, Sona said the state government has made it clear to the union Home ministry that the policy would be implemented but the interest of the indigenous people should not be hampered.

"The government will provide the basic facilities to the Tibetans living in the state in their respective settlements on humanitarian ground which will not affect the indigenous population at any cost," he added.

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A Congress panel headed by former prime minister Manmohan Singh today asked the centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

The party delegation is on a two-day visit to Kashmir to attend a series of meetings on the current situation in the valley.

The AICC's 'Policy and Planning' group was formed in April in the wake of widespread violence in the state during the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls. The other members of the group include Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union home minister P Chidambaram and party general secretary Ambika Soni.

Immediately after their arrival, the group held an executive committee meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee at Hari Niwas here, a party spokesman said.

He said the group was scheduled to meet various delegations from Kashmir, including opposition parties.

"Apart from the political parties, the group will interact with several other delegations like civil society organisations, Shia associations, delegation of 2014 flood victims, saffron growers, house boat associations, trade and tourism delegations as well as a delegation of journalists," the spokesman said.

However, meeting separatist leaders is not part of the group's agenda, he said.

Speaking to reporters on sidelines of the meeting, Azad said the central as well as the state government should keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

"The central as well as the state government have to decide which stakeholders to talk to. Everyone knows who the stakeholders are, but they are afraid to take the names. And when they are afraid to even identify them as stakeholders, how will there be a resolution?



"They (central and state governments) should talk to them (separatists) and try to resolve the issue," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by raising the emotions of people but has remained silent since taking over the reins of the country.

"Modi's election win was 90 per cent because of Kashmir. In our rule, one soldier was beheaded by Pakistani troops (along the Line of Control), but such instances have happened a number of times now in their (BJP) rule, and still the prime minister is silent," he said.

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the Congress government had made south Kashmir militancy-free, but the region had been on boil since the PDP-BJP coalition came to power in the state.

"We had made south Kashmir militancy-free during my tenure (as chief minister) in 2007. But, where is south Kashmir today? It is boiling. No one is coming to Kashmir, no tourist. The number of ceasefire violations in these three years is more than the total in 10 years of UPA," he claimed.

"So many soldiers have been killed, common people injured ...And the way small kids including girls have lost their eyes, it did not happen during our time," he said in an apparent reference to a series of stone pelting incidents in the valley.

Asked about the party's stand on Article 35A of the constitution, the senior Congress leader said the party knew its stand, but the group was here to listen to people. Article 35A renders special status to the northern state.

"Firstly, we have come to listen to all. So, we have not come here only for 35-A. This committee was formed much before the issue of 35-A erupted. The panel was formed keeping in view the overall situation of Jammu and Kashmir which has deteriorated under the BJP rule," he said.

The Congress will hold a meeting with MLAs and MLCs, besides interacting with a delegation of minority community and fruit growers, tomorrow.

The party had completed the first leg of its tour in Jammu on September 10 and 11.

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Curfew was lifted from the violence-hit Ramganj area today as no untoward incident was reported, the police said.

Curfew was imposed in Ramganj, Subhash Chowk, Manak Chowk and Galta Gate on the midnight of September 8 after a dispute between police and a bike-borne couple sparked violence in the city, killing one and injuring seven.

A Jaipur Police spokesperson said curfew was lifted from three police station areas on Thursday.

It was lifted from Ramganj today after a review of the law and order situation, the spokesperson said.

He, however, said section 144 will remain effective in the areas for maintaining law and order.

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Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna has appealed to the American business community not to look at the bilateral relationship between India and the US from a narrow trade perspective which is a multifaceted one.

"When we look at this relationship, I would encourage all of you not to look at it purely in the narrow trade perspective because this (India-US) relationship has the breadth and depth survive ups and downs. It has done so," Sarna told a gathering of representatives from the American corporate world at an event organised by US India Business Council (USIBC) this week.

"As far as I can remember since I first came here on a posting in 1998 there's only been an up and an up. We have gone through progressive administrations in both capitals with great confidence because there is an inherent logic to this relationship which goes above partisan politics, which goes above the buffets of what immediate trade figures may look like," Sarna said.

He said this in an apparent reference to the trade imbalance between the two countries which is repeatedly mentioned by senior officials of the Trump Administration.

According to Sarna, the trade figures don't look too bad at all.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in his address said there were certain imbalances which needed to be corrected.

"We are working on that. To put it into perspective, it is perhaps one tenth of the trade imbalance that the US suffers against China. So we are looking at ways and means," the Indian Ambassador said.

Sarna identified defense and energy as among the key areas which can not only increase the trade between the two countries, but also result in a balanced trade.

"The greater reliance on US technology, the greater possibility of defences to India, the greater possibility of co-development and co-production has its own implications for the trade figures and for the trade balance," he said.

In the civil aviation sector 205 planes have been ordered by SpiceJet.

"But that's not all. India would be growing, and the figures keep changing from quarter to quarter even if you take anything between 5 and 7 per cent, but civil aviation market in India is growing at 20 percent. By 202, India's going to be the third largest commercial aviation market in the world," he said.

So, the potential for the US to take advantage of this in terms of exports is again huge, the top Indian diplomat said.

Sarna said last month he flagged off the first crude oil export ever from the US to India.

"This is going to be a monthly buy because the prices are still good enough for India to be able to buy these despite the distance. And I think all the oil majors are not only investing in the US oil and gas sector but are now simply buying oil," he said.

From January next year India will start buying LNG.

"I've just visited Alaska and seen the tremendous potential that Alaska has for export of gas and they are very keen to team up with Asian markets," Sarna said.

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Troops shot dead 34 Burundian refugees in clashes in Kamanyola in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials in the eastern province of South Kivu said today.

A Burundian refugee said that more than 30 had been killed and at least 100 wounded in the violence yesterday.

Interior ministry official Josue Boji said troops had tried to disperse the refugees by "firing in the air but were overwhelmed" when the group responded by throwing stones.

Boji said the clashes began after a group of refugees overran a jail run by the country's domestic intelligence agency to demand the release of four Burundians who had been arrested for expulsion on Wednesday night.

"There are 34 dead and 124 wounded among the Burundian refugees," he said, revising upwards an earlier toll of 18 dead plus one DR Congo soldier.

Boji had warned earlier that the toll could rise further, as the refugees took the bodies of other victims to the Pakistani-run UN camp at Kamanyola.

A spokeswoman for MONUSCO, the UN's peacekeeping mission in the country, gave a toll, which was also provisional, of 18 dead and 50 injured.

A Burundian refugee told AFP: "I saw people falling down, men, women and children who were completely unarmed.

"So far, we have counted 31 dead and at least 105 injured, 15 of them seriously," the refugee said.

Burundi's foreign minister, Alain-Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter described the incident as a "shooting" and said "explanations are needed."



Tens of thousands of Burundians have fled to the eastern DR Congo to escape a wave of violence that unfurled in 2015 after Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza sought a fiercely contested third term in office.

Overall, the violence in Burundi has claimed between 500 and 2,000 lives, according to differing tolls provided by the UN or NGOs and more than 400,000 Burundians have fled abroad.

Around 36,000 are in DR Congo, mainly in the overcrowded camp of Lusenda, in the east, or several transit camps.

Most of the refugees involved in yesterday's incident are followers of a female prophet called Zebiya, who has attested to seeing visions of the Virgin Mary in northern Burundi, according to testimony to AFP from some of them.

They fear religious persecution if they are sent back home, they said.

On September 4, the UN released a report accusing Burundi's government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a case "as soon as possible".

Burundi's government firmly rejected the allegations, accusing the UN investigators of being "mercenaries" in a Western plot to "enslave African states".

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A woman has been handed a four-month suspended jail sentence after admitting stalking actor Eddie Redmayne.

Gaby Stieger, 49, repeatedly loitered outside the Oscar winner's house in Southwark, south London, and sent him love letters over five years.

She was also ordered not to have any contact with, or come within 200 metres of Redmayne or his immediate family, reported BBC.

The interpreter pleaded guilty to stalking at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The mother-of-three from Colindale, north London, believed they had been married in a former life and her face would "contort with rage" when she spoke about his wife, Hannah Bagshawe.

Magistrate Novello Noades, chairwoman of the bench, said, "This is a very serious offence - which took place over a period of five years. There was significant planning involved, you moved from Germany to London to be near the victim. You obtained work in the film industry and near the victim's home in order to be in proximity to him.

She added, "He told you he was distressed but you ignored him."



Redmayne described the distress it caused him and his family in a statement read to the court.

"I always try to be open and friendly as support (from fans) is what gives me a career. I deeply regret having met Gaby Stieger - she harassed myself and my family intermittently over five years, leaving us distressed, unsafe and deeply unsettled," he said.

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Hours after filing FIR against senior Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar, the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Goa Police today did not rule out the possibility of his custodial interrogation.

ACB which has been investigating the complaint of disproportionate assets filed against Kavlekar in the year 2012, last evening registered FIR against him under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

"Kavlekar has still not been able to satisfy the investigating agencies about the additional source of income to the tune of Rs 5 crore," Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George told reporters here.

"If he fails to give a satisfactory reply, we might need his custodial interrogation," he said.

George said the FIR also names his wife, Savitri, as the co-accused as she is the director in his company.

"As of now the disproportionate assets have been valued at over Rs 4.78 crore excluding the unexplained amount of Rs 5.50 crore," George said.

He said Kavlekar's wife might also be summoned for questioning by ACB as a part of the investigation.

The couple have been booked under section 13 (2) (any public servant who commits criminal misconduct) of Prevention of Corruption Act.

Kavlekar, who is the leader of opposition in the Goa assembly, was chairman of Goa Industrial Corporation from 2005-2012, George said, adding, assets amassed during this period are under scanner.

During investigation, Kavlekar was questioned but he has not been able to give satisfactory replies because of which we had to register the case.

The Kavlekar couple had filed their assets as Rs one crore each before the institution of Lokayukta (elected representatives have to file the details of their assets with the Lokayukta).

George said that it took time for the police to file FIR as some of his properties were in Kerala and the documents about it were in Malayalam which needed to be translated.

He said the searches are going on at his residences and offices of his company.

George said the legislator owns four companies.

When contacted, Kavlekar said he is ready for inquiry by ACB or any other agency.

"I am not on the wrong side. I am ready for inquiry," he said, adding, the state government was trying its best to demoralise the opposition through such tactics.

Kavlekar is a three term member of Goa assembly and was Chairman of state run Goa Industrial Development Corporation during the tenure of Digambar Kamat.

In 2012, Goa police had filed a case against Kavlekar under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, taking suo moto cognisance of some media reports alleging his involvement in illegal allotment of plots.

The investigations had also revealed that Kavlekar owned a plantation worth Rs 32.5 crore in Kerala.

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The Leader of the Opposition in Goa Assembly, Chandrakant Kavlekar, and his wife have been booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income, a development the Congress termed as "politically motivated".

The agency has valued the "disproportionate assets" at over Rs 4.78 crore excluding the "unexplained amount" of Rs 5.50 crore.

The ACB, which has been probing the matter since 2012, registered the FIR against the Congress leader and his wife Savitri under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act last evening.

When contacted, Kavlekar said he had done nothing wrong and was ready for an inquiry by the ACB or any other agency.

He alleged that it was a tactic by the government to "demoralise" the opposition.

A senior ACB official said the possibility of custodial interrogation of Kavlekar could not be ruled out.

"Kavlekar has still not been able to satisfy the investigating agencies about the additional source of income to the tune of Rs 5 crore," Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George told reporters here.

If he fails to give a satisfactory reply, we might conduct custodial interrogation, he said.

George said the FIR also names his wife Savitri as a co-accused as she is the director in his company.

"As of now the disproportionate assets have been valued at over Rs 4.78 crore excluding the unexplained amount of Rs 5.50 crore," George said.

He said Kavlekar's wife might also be summoned for questioning by the ACB as a part of the investigation.

The couple has been booked under Section 13 (2) (any public servant who commits criminal misconduct) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Kavlekar was chairman of Goa Industrial Corporation from 2005-2012, George said, adding, assets amassed during this period are under scanner.

During the investigation, Kavlekar was questioned but "he had not been able to give satisfactory replies because of which we had to register the case", the officer said.

The Kavlekars had filed their assets as Rs 1 crore each before the institution of Lokayukta.

Elected representatives are bound to file the details of their assets with the Lokayukta.

George said it took time for the police to file the FIR as some of his properties are in Kerala and the related documents are in Malayalam, which needed to be translated.

He said the searches are going on at Kavlekar's residences and offices of his companies.

George claimed the legislator owns four companies, including a firm that takes up civil works contracts.

Reacting to the development, Kavlekar said, "I am not on the wrong side. I am ready for an inquiry. The state government is trying its best to demoralise the opposition through such tactics," he alleged.

Kavlekar, currently outside Goa, told PTI he had already informed Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar about his visit outside the state.

"I will reach Goa either tonight or tomorrow," he said.

The Congress leader said he would not seek the pre-arrest bail.

"There is no question of moving for an anticipatory bail. I have cooperated with the police in the past and will do so now as well," he said.

Kavlekar is a third time member of the Goa Assembly. He currently represents the Quepem constituency.

He was the chairman of the state-run Goa Industrial Development Corporation when his party was in power.

In 2012, the Goa Police had filed a case against Kavlekar under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, taking cognisance of media reports alleging his involvement in illegal allotment of plots.

The investigations had revealed that Kavlekar owned a plantation worth Rs 32.5 crore in Kerala, officials claimed.

Meanwhile, state Congress unit president Shantaram Naik said the case registered against the Kavlekars and the searches are "malicious and politically motivated".

"The raids and the case against him arepolitically motivated and malicious. The searches are carried out with an ulterior motive of compelling Congress MLAs to join the BJP under duress," Naik told reporters here.

He said the raids are being conducted despite Kavlekar cooperating with the agencies in the past.

"Considering the background of the formation of the present government, the Congress suspects that there is some maliciousand ulterior motive behind the raid. It is learnt that some MLAs of Congress were threatened with a probe if they don't toe the line of the BJP," Naik alleged.

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India has favoured a discussion in the UN General Assembly, the first in 12 years, on 'Responsibility to Protect' and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

As many as 113countries, including India voted in its favour, while 21others including Pakistan opposed the idea of having a debate. Seventeen countries registered their abstention.

Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, said that the discussions on the concept required open, inclusive and transparent deliberation.

The Responsibility to Protect was one of the foremost of every State, and as such, India would support the inclusion of such an item on the agenda for the current session, he said.

Akbaruddin said India is voting in support of the recommendation of the General Committee to include it on the agenda of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly with the understanding that the sponsors of the proposal aim to have a debate at the 72nd Session only.

This is the for the first time in 12 years that the General Assembly voted to include the item on the formal agenda.

"They have articulated their objective as wanting to have a thematic debate and not one that addresses country-specific situations, and have also indicated that they do not seek the adoption of any resolution.

"This is in line with our understanding that the gravity of the normative concepts at stake requires careful deliberation rather than pre-emptive decision making," he said.

India like many others recognises the need to find appropriate ways to address these legally complex and politically challenging issues, he noted.

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A workshop of Forest department officials from Telangana and other states held here today decided to take measures, including use of satellite maps, to fix forest boundaries of states.

"It is also decided to have Geo-reference of the every forest block, to fix the boundaries with the help of the satellite maps and to place this information and data with the field level forest officers and employees," a Telangana government release said.

Union Environment and Forests Director General Siddhanth Das met with the senior forest officials from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha here, it said.

He took part in the workshop on forest lands' situation, protection and digitalisation of the forest blocks in the three States, it said.

The workshop was held in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's verdict that the boundaries of the forest lands in the country should be settled with proper calculations, it said.

It was decided at the workshop that there should be coordination among states in the country to decide on the inter-state boundaries, as per the release.

"It is generally accepted at the conference that once the forest lands boundaries are fixed, there will be a solution to disputes and litigations. The officers took part in a panel discussion on the study of methods adopted by the state governments, the best practices and how to implement them for the protection of the forest lands," the release said.

The officials felt that it is necessary to have stringent security measures in place to curb illegal mining and encroachments of the forestlands, it said, adding that digitisation of the forest blocks is also necessary.

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Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to USD 600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts.

These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem.

Amir Toumaj, Iran research analyst at the US-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said the number of fighters is fluid but as many as 6,000 Afghans are fighting for Assad, while the number of Pakistanis, who fight under the banner of the Zainabayoun Brigade, is in the hundreds.

In Afghanistan, stepped-up attacks on minority Shiites claimed by the upstart Islamic State group affiliate known as Islamic State in the Khorasan Province could be payback against Afghan Shiites in Syria fighting under the banner of the Fatimayoun Brigade, Toumaj said. Khorasan is an ancient name for an area that included parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

"People were expecting blowback," said Toumaj. IS "itself has its own strategy to inflame sectarian strife."



Shiites in Afghanistan are frightened. Worshippers at a recent Friday prayer service said Shiite mosques in the Afghan capital, including the largest, Ibrahim Khalil mosque, were barely a third full. Previously on Fridays, the Islamic holy day, the faithful were so many that the overflow often spilled out on the street outside the mosque.

Mohammed Naim, a Shiite restaurant owner in Kabul issued a plea to Iran: "Please don't send the poor Afghan Shia refugees to fight in Syria because then Daesh attacks directly on Shias," he said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

Pakistan has also been targeted by the IS in Khorasan province. IS has claimed several brutal attacks on the country's Shiite community, sending suicide bombers to shrines they frequent, killing scores of devotees.

In Pakistan, sectarian rivalries routinely erupt in violence. The usual targets are the country's minority Shiites, making them willing recruits, said Toumaj. The most fertile recruitment ground for Iran has been Parachinar, the regional capital of the Khurram tribal region, that borders Afghanistan, he said. There, Shiites have been targeted by suicide bombings carried out by Sunni militants, who revile Shiites as heretics.

In June, two suicide bombings in rapid succession killed nearly 70 people prompting nationwide demonstrations, with protesters carrying banners shouting: "Stop the genocide of Shiites.

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The Pune police have arrested a lawyer and two others for allegedly plotting to kill a former corporator.

The probe also revealed that advocate Sushil Mancharkar, former president of Pimpri Chinchwad Bar Association, with the help of Suresh Swaminath Zende, had arranged the escape of three under-trial prisoners in April, police said.

Mancharkar allegedly wanted to kill Kailash Kadam, a former Congress corporator, over some enmity.

On April 10 this year, Kalya alias Raju Patre, Santosh Jagtap and Santosh Chandilkar escaped while being taken from Yerawada Prison to Khandala in Satara district for a court appearance when the police van halted for 'toilet-break'.

Mancharkar wanted the three history-sheeters out of jail to execute the job of killing Kadam, police claimed.

He gave Rs 5 lakh to Zende, and provided guns and cartridges to the three accused after they escaped.

However, before the killing could be executed, a team led by inspector Rajendra Todkar of Pune Crime Branch nabbed Patre from his home in Pune.

"Patre spilled the beans and revealed Zende's name, who was arrested. During Zende's questioning Mancharkar's involvement (as the main conspirator) was established," said a police official.

In 2015, Mancharkar was lodged in Yerawada Prison in an attempt to murder and dacoity case. He met the trio there.

Mancharkar was arrested yesterday. He, alongwith Patre and Zende, is booked under IPC section 120 B (criminal conspiracy).

A court here remanded them in police custody till September 19.

Chandilkar and Jagtap are still absconding.

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The Maharashtra government has directed all police stations in the state to complete inquiries into farmers' suicides within a month from occurrence of such an incident.

In circular dated September 16, the state Home department stated that police inspector (PI)-level officers should probe the cases of such suicides within a month.

"The viscera report (of the farmer who kills himself) should be submitted within a month to ensure that the close relatives of the farmer can avail financial assistance from the state government," it stated.

Vasantrao Naik Shetakari Swawlamban Mission president Kishor Tiwari said that in the past the reports on farmers' suicides were not used to be in order in many instances.

"Before this circular was issued, any head constable had the power to inquire and submit a report to the police station. In several cases, I found that his report was based on the information gathered from talathis (a village revenue official) which were based on half-truth.

"The instances of suicides (by farmers) were recorded as 'not for farm loan reason', and they (farmes' kin) were denied financial assistance," said Tiwari.

Family members of farmers who kill themselves receive Rs one lakh as the ex-gratia from the state government.

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The UK police today arrested an 18- year-old man in connection with the terror attack on London Tube train, claimed later by the Islamic State group, even as the terror threat level was elevated to the highest level.

The man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover ton this morning under the UK's Terrorism Act. He was taken into custody at a local police station and then transferred to a south London police station.

"We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical," said Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu.

Basu, also the UK's Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, seemed to indicate that the force was still on the hunt for further suspects.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage," he said.

"The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place," he added.

At least 30 people were injured during the attack in which an improvised explosive device was detonated on a Tube train at Parsons Green underground station at 08:20hrs local time yesterday.

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A 23-year-old taxi driver was arrested from Central Mumbai for allegedly possessing contraband worth Rs 4.40 lakh, police said today.

The accused, identified as Shahidoor Saiyad Ali Mandal, was arrested from Sion yesterday with 22 kg of marijuana in his taxi, in a trap laid by Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai Police in Sion, they said.

Anti-Narcotics Cell's Azad Maidan unit carried out the arrest.

"We are investigating the source of the contraband and trying to find out about the accused's customers as well," Deputy Commissioner of Police (ANC) Shivdeep Lande said.

An offence has been lodged against Mandal under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

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War hero Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, died tonight.

IAF sources said he passed away around 7.30 p.M.

Ninety-eight-year-old Singh, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the Army, was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral hospital this morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest, the defence ministry said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs -- Gen. Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa -- visited Singh at the hospital.

An icon in the country's military history, Singh had led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 Indo-Pak war when he was just a 44-year-old.

As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, he led the IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

The fighter pilot, who inspired the IAF despite constraints on the full-scale use of air combat power, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, in 1965.

Born on April 15, 1919 in Lyallpur in Punjab in undivided India, his father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry.

Educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan), he had joined the RAF College, Cranwell in 1938 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December the following year.

Singh had led an IAF squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) that year.

He was the IAF chief from August one, 1964 till July 15, 1969.

Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and K M Cariappa of the Army were the two other officers with a five-star rank.

After his retirement from the air force, Singh was appointed as the India's Ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as the Ambassador to the Vatican.

He was also the High Commissioner to Kenya in 1974.

Singh served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and was also the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He was made Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002.

The fighter aircraft base at Panagarh in West Bengal was named in his honour on his birthday last year.

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Marshal of the Indian Air Force



Arjan Singh breathed his last today.

Here is a timeline of his life.

April 15, 1919 - Born in Lyallpur, present day Faislabad in Pakistan



1938- At 19 years was selected for a pilot training course at Royal Air Force College, Cranwell



1939- Training cut short by World War II. Joined Sqdn 1 in Ambala



1943- Became Commanding Officer Sqdn 1



1944- Led his squadron to Imphal against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign.

1944- Received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for leading the squadron during Imphal Campaign by Lord Mountbatten



August 15, 1947- Led the fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the red fort.

August 1, 1964- Arjan Singh took over as the Chief of Air Staff in the rank of Air Marshal



1965 - Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership of IAF during the '65 war with Pakistan



August 1969- Retired from the Indian Air Force after serving for three decades



1971- Appointed India's Ambassador to Switzerland.

1974- Appointed Indian High Commissioner to Kenya.

1980s- At the height of militancy in Punjab he was part of a 5-member committee that would go door to door in the state and try to bridge the differences between Hindus & Sikhs.

1989- Janata government appoints Arjan Singh as the L-G of Delhi as an attempt to apply balm to the wounds of the Sikh community



2002- Conferred with the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force making him the first and the only 'Five Star' rank officer with the Indian Air Force.

April, 2011- Wife Teji Singh passes away at the age of 80.

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In line with United Nations' theme for this year's World Tourism Day, cab aggregator Ola today kicked off a tourism campaign in the state.

The campaign is being carried out in association with Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation to promote and raise awareness about responsible tourism, Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge told reporters here.

As part of the campaign, popular actress and travel blogger, Shenaz Treasury embarked on an exciting road trip that spans across seven states, he said.

The trip will last for 14 days and cover 21 lesser-known locations across India with Ola Outstation, Ola's smart mobility solution for inter-city travel, Kharge said.

Shenaz will explore some breathtaking architecture, ancient ruins and temples in locations such as Hampi, Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal, before heading to Andhra Pradesh.

Ola Founding Partner Pranay Jivrajkya said, "We are extremely delighted to flag off this campaign with Shri Priyank Kharge, to promote a sustainable tourism ecosystem for the culturally-rich state of Karnataka through Ola Outstation."



Shenaz said she encourages people to take road trips, soak in some breathtaking experiences, and enjoy the scenic landscapes that our country has to offer.

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Pakistan's election commission has ordered the police to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and present him before it on September 25 in a contempt case, according to media reports today.

In a letter written to the Islamabad Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) yesterday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that Imran was charged with contempt of the ECP under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1976, Dawn reported.

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Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would lead Pakistan's delegation at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, according to the Foreign Office here.

Abbasi's trip to the US to attend the General Assembly session will not only be his first as premier but also the first high-level visit from Pakistan to the US after President Donald Trump criticised the country for providing safe havens to terrorists.

Trump, while announcing his policy for South Asia and Afghanistan, had 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. Pakistan is upset over the allegations.

The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders and the UN Secretary General on the sidelines of the General Assembly session, the Foreign Office said.

Abbasi will address the Council on Foreign Relations and will interact with the US Pakistan Business Council, it said.

The Prime Minister will also have extensive interaction with the international media, the statement said.

On the margins of the session from Monday, ministerial level meetings of many regional and sub-regional organisations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), G-77, Economic Cooperation Organisation, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth, Developing-8 and others, will be held.

There will also be a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan is a great advocate of multilateralism and the UN to promote collective responses to the multifaceted challenges of global peace, security and development, it said.

"We would continue our constructive role and engagement at the UN with a view to protecting and promoting our national interests, including on core issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, reform of the Security Council, counter-terrorism, human rights, peacekeeping, and a host of development and other matters," it said.

The annual session of the General Assembly has special significance as it is attended by a large number of heads of state and government.

The theme of this year's session is 'Focusing on people; Striving for peace and decent life for all on a Sustainable Planet'.

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'Planet 9' - an unseen planet on the edge of our solar system - probably formed closer to home around the Sun than previously thought, astronomers say.

Researchers led by the University of Sheffield in the UK found that Planet 9 is unlikely to have been captured from another planetary system, as has previously been suggested.

The outskirts of the solar system have always been something of an enigma, with astronomers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries searching for a giant planet that was not there, and the subsequent discovery of Pluto in 1930.

Pluto was downgraded in status to a 'dwarf planet' because astronomers discovered many other small objects so-called Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt objects at similar distances from the Sun.

Last year, astronomers working in the US postulated the presence of 'Planet 9' to explain the strange orbital properties of some Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt objects.

However, while it is not possible to directly observe Planet 9, it has not stopped theorists from trying to work out how it got there.

Planet 9 is at least ten times bigger than Earth, making it unlikely that it formed at such a large distance from the Sun.

Instead, it has been suggested it either moved there from the inner regions of the Solar System, or it could have been captured when the Sun was still in its birth star cluster.

Richard Parker from the University of Sheffield along with colleagues from ETH Zurich in Switzerland showed that the capture scenario is extremely unlikely.

Researchers simulated the Sun's stellar nursery where interactions are common and found that even in conditions optimised to capture free-floating planets, only five-to-10 out of 10,000 planets are captured onto an orbit like Planet 9's.

"We know that planetary systems form at the same time as stars, and when stars are very young they are usually found in groups where interactions between stellar siblings are common.

"Therefore, the environment where stars form directly affects planetary systems like our own, and is usually so densely populated that stars can capture other stars or planets," said Parker.

"In this work, we have shown that - although capture is common - ensnaring planets onto the postulated orbit of Planet 9 is very improbable.

"We are not ruling out the idea of Planet 9, but instead we are saying that it must have formed around the Sun, rather than captured from another planetary system," he said.

The study was published in the journal Royal Astronomical Society.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited popular south Indian actor Mohanlal to be part of the central government's 'Swachhata Hi Seva' movement, saying his presence would help in connecting millions to the initiative.

In a letter to the national award winning actor, Modi said cinema is one of the most effective media to bring about change on a large-scale.

"A clean India is the most noble service we can do for the poor, downtrodden and the marginalised," he said in the letter, which was released to the media here today by the Kerala BJP unit.

"As a much adored film personality, you have the power to impact people's life positively. I personally invite you to lend your support to the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' movement and dedicate some time for the cause of a Swachch Bharat.

"Your participation in the Swachhata mission would help connect millions to the noble initiative," Modi said.

The prime minister said the Malayalam actor could share his experience regarding the movement with him on the Narendra Modi mobile application.

Citing Mahatma Gandhi's dream for a clean India, Modi said, "Inspired by the Father of the Nation's noble thoughts and a faith in the spirit of 125 crore Indians, let us renew our pledge towards cleanliness."



"Leading upto Gandhi Jayanti, we can encourage widespread support for, and participation in cleanliness initiatives across India....Let us all come together for cleanliness, pay a fitting tribute to Bapu and work towards building a New India," he appealed.

President Ram Nath Kovind had launched the fortnight-long 'Swachhta Hi Seva' (Cleanliness is Service) sanitation campaign in Uttar Pradesh on September 15.

The nationwide campaign is aimed at highlighting the Modi government's flagship cleanliness initiative Swachh Bharat Mission.

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The Supreme Court has expressed surprise over the Centre's decision to reduce the radius of eco-sensitive zones from 10 kilometres to 100 metres, saying it appeared to be a "complete arbitrary exercise of powers" capable of destroying national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The court's remarks came in a case challenging the environmental clearance given to an industrial unit located within the 10-kilometre radius of Dadar and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary.

"It is extremely surprising that the 10-kms eco-sensitive zone has been reduced by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to 100 metres. Since an order of this nature is capable of destroying national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country, we would like to examine the validity of this reduction," a bench of justices M B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said.

"Prima facie, it appears to us a complete arbitrary exercise of power by the Ministry of Environment and Forest," it said.

The bench tagged the case with another pending matter related to environmental issues which is listed for hearing on Monday.

It questioned Additional Solicitor General A N S Nandkarni, appearing for the Centre, as to whether the government wants to destroy wildlife, reserved forests, rivers and sanctuaries in the country.

"You (Centre) have to satisfy us on the point as to how you\ intend to protect the wildlife, environment. Has the concept of 'protected areas' become irrelevant now?" the bench asked.

The Wildlife Board of India had in 2002 adopted the Wildlife Conservation Strategy under which it was stated that land falling within a 10-km radius of the boundaries of the National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries should be notified as Eco-Fragile Zone under provisions of the Environmental Protection Act.

The apex court had endorsed the stand of the Centre earmarking a 10 kilometre radius as buffer zone around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

However, since 2015, the MoEF by several notifications has reduced the buffer zone radius from 10 kilometres to upto 100 metres.

The National Green Tribunal in 2013 had banned construction and halted 49 residential projects being built within a 10-kilometre radius of Okhla Bird Sanctuary.

It had also pulled up the Noida Authority and the MoEF for failure to take action against the violators.

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An 18-year-old man was arrested today in connection with the terror attack on a packed London Tube train, the Metropolitan Police said, calling it a "significant" development in the ongoing investigation.

The man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover this morning under the UK's Terrorism Act. He was taken into custody at a local police station and then transferred to a south London police station.

"We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical," said Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu.

At least 30 people were injured during the attack in which an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated on a Tube train at Parsons Green underground station during the morning rush hour yesterday.

Basu, also the UK's Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, seemed to indicate that the force was still on the hunt for further suspects.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage," he said.

"The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place," he added.

UK security minister Ben Wallace had said earlier today that there was "potentially a very dangerous individual or individuals out there and we need to track them down."



The Met Police said so far detectives have spoken to 45 witnesses and continue to receive information from the public to the confidential anti-terrorist hotline.

The Islamic State group has said it was behind the bomb but Met Police's Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it was "very routine" for ISIS to claim the attack, whether in contact with those involved or not.

Announcing the change in the UK threat level, Prime Minister Theresa May said the military would be providing support to police and would replace officers on guard duty at national infrastructure sites not accessible to the public.

It is part of the first phase of Operation Temperer, activated when the terror threat level reaches its highest possible.

"This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses," May said.

This is the fourth time the UK national terror threat level has been raised to "critical" since the system was made public in 2006. The last time was in May this year following the Manchester Arena bombing, when it was feared that the bomb-maker was still at large and could strike again.

May took the decision last night after the independent Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre recommended raising the terror threat level to critical - meaning another attack is expected.

The blast, which is being described as a "bucket bomb" sent a "fireball" through the Tube causing burn injuries to many commuters. The main device, which had been fitted with a crude timer using shop-bought fairy lights, failed to detonate, meaning hundreds of people were spared death and serious injury.

Anti-terror police are understood to be working on the theory that the bomb was detonated early by accident and that the intended target may have been the Tube station at Westminster, near Parliament in central.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A part of a dilapidated building collapsed at Tallah area in the northern part of the city in the early hours today, killing a teenage girl, police said.

The building collapsed at around 1:30 am, trapping the 17-year-old girl under debris, a police official said.

The girl was later taken to a nearby hospital, where she was declared brought dead.

Other occupants of the building managed to come out safely, the official said.

A Kolkata Municipal Corporation official, after an inspection of the site, said the building had been declared as condemned, but the occupants refused to vacate.

The building was being razed by KMC personnel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 30-year-old traffic police constable died after being hit by a truck in north Delhi's Kotwali this morning, the police said.

The deceased constable, Vinesh Kumar, was on duty beneath the Geeta Colony flyover.

He was hit when he tried to intercept the truck. His colleagues, who were on duty, rushed him to a hospital where he died during treatment, the police said.

He used to stay in Noida with his family and was posted at Kotwali traffic circle.

Today, he tried to stop a truck but the driver accelerated and ended up hitting the traffic police personnel.

He was rushed to Max Hospital, Patparganj with head injuries where he died during treatment.

He belonged to Aligarh and was married. He has a three- and-a-half-year-old daughter, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Troops shot dead 18 Burundian refugees in clashes at a camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials in the eastern province of South Kivu said today, giving what they said was a provisional toll.

Interior ministry official Josue Boji said troops had tried to disperse the refugees by "firing in the air but were overwhelmed" when the group responded by throwing stones in Friday's confrontation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said the reform of the UN Security Council is still being talked about by many countries, including India, and one of the major priorities of the Trump Administration is to make necessary reforms in the world body for effective functioning.

"I think that Security Council reform is still being talked about, and I know that it's something that India wants," Haley told reporters at a White House conference ahead of the annual General Assembly session of the UN beginning next week.

"Many other countries want it as well. So we'll have to wait and see," Haley said as she briefed reporters on America's priorities at the UN next week.

Trump is scheduled to deliver his maiden address to the world body next week. Haley was joined by the National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster in giving a preview of the US position at the United Nations next week.

"On Monday, the president will join senior UN leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution. The president will express support for Secretary General Guterres' reform efforts. The United Nations of course, holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if it's run more efficiently and effectively," McMaster said.

Indian-American Haley, who has received accolades for her diplomatic skills since joining the administration in January, said the president will highlight the UN reform event.

"It is very, very important. We've got a massive reform package being led by the Secretary General that really streamlines not just the processes, but also that budget as it goes forward, and makes the UN much more effective," she said.

"We basically have the president headlining a UN reform effort, which would really support the Secretary General. But the impressive part is we asked other countries to sign on to their support of reform and 120 countries have signed on, and will be in attendance. That's a miraculous number," she said.

Haley said the vice president will be doing two very important briefings.

"He's going to do one on Human Rights Council. Now more than ever human rights matters. We say all the time if a government doesn't take of its people, bad things will happen. And I think we're seeing that in multiple places, and that's all the reason why the Human Rights Council really needs to be effective," she said.

"We have offered reform. I think the vice president will go and not only support the reform, but talk about why it's needed and the areas that are really needing to be addressed when it comes to human rights," she added.

"We can all say it is a new day at the UN. The UN has shifted over the past several months. It's not just about talking, it's about action. The members are starting to get used to act, whether it's Security Council resolutions. Whether it's with UN reform, whether it's with peacekeeping, we're starting to see a lot of changes at the UN," Haley said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said that the reform of the UN Security Council is one of the top priorities of the Trump administration as several countries, including India have been demanding it.

Haley's remarks came as US President Donald Trump was set to deliver his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week.

She said that the Security Council reform was still being talked about.

"I know that it's something that India wants," Haley told reporters at a White House conference ahead of the annual General Assembly session from September 19-25.

"Many other countries want it as well. So we'll have to wait and see," Indian-American Haley said as she along with National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster briefed reporters on America's priorities at the United Nations next week.

"On Monday, the president will join senior UN leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution. The president will express support for Secretary General (Antonio) Guterres' reform efforts. The United Nations of course, holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if it's run more efficiently and effectively," McMaster said.

Haley, who has received accolades for her diplomatic skills since joining the administration in January, said the president will highlight the UN reform.

"It is very, very important. We've got a massive reform package being led by the Secretary General that really streamlines not just the processes, but also that budget as it goes forward, and makes the UN much more effective," she said.

"We basically have the president headlining a UN reform effort, which would really support the Secretary General. But the impressive part is we asked other countries to sign on to their support of reform and 120 countries have signed on, and will be in attendance. That's a miraculous number," she said.

Haley said vice president Mike Pence will be doing two very important briefings.

"He's going to do one on Human Rights Council. Now more than ever human rights matters. We say all the time if a government doesn't take of its people, bad things will happen. And I think we're seeing that in multiple places, and that's all the reason why the Human Rights Council really needs to be effective," she said.

"We have offered reform. I think the vice president will go and not only support the reform, but talk about why it's needed and the areas that are really needing to be addressed when it comes to human rights," she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US has said there is a military option for handling North Korea's nuclear tests, but it prefers a peaceful solution and asked the international community to do everything to address the global problem short of a war.

North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.

National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster told reporters at a White House conference that the US has the military option, but this is not the option it would prefer.

"For those who have said and have been commenting about the lack of a military option, there is a military option. Now, it's not what we would prefer to do. So, what we have to do is call on all nations, call on everyone, to do everything we can to address this global problem short of war," McMaster said.

"So that is implementing now these significant sanctions that have just now gone into place, and it is convincing everyone to do everything that they can. And that it's in their interest to do it," he said.

Next week, US President Donald Trump would host the South Korean and Japanese leaders over lunch in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

"As Kim Jong Un's most recent missile launch demonstrates, North Korea remains one of the world's most urgent and dangerous security problems. It is vital that all nations work together to do our utmost to solve that problem," he said.

US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley who also joined the press conference, said the US is trying and pushing through as many diplomatic options as they have.

"If you look at the resolutions that have passed in the last month, the two of them, they cut 30 per cent of the oil. They banned all the labourers. They banned 90 per cent of the exports. They banned joint ventures. We've basically taken, and in the words of North Korea, we have strangled their economic situation, at this point," she said.

"That's going to take a little bit of time, but it has already started to take effect. What we are seeing is they continue to be provocative, they continue to be reckless. And at that point, there's not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here, when you've cut 90 per cent of the trade, and 30 per cent of the oil," Haley said.

McMaster said sanctions are now taking effect.

"What's really important is rigorous enforcement of those sanctions, so that we can let the economic actions and diplomacy progress as best we can. But I think we ought to make clear, what's different about this approach is that we're out of time, right? We've been kicking the can down the road, and we're out of road," he said.

The UN sanctions have cut off now 90 per cent of trade going into North Korea, Haley said.

"I think what the president's saying is this is just the beginning of what we can do. There's always more you can do. But then you get into the humanitarian aspect of it, which is at what point are you going and actually hurting down to the people of North Korea. But we will always explore all options that we have," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after North Korea fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan, President Donald Trump said he is confident that the US' options toward North Korea are "effective and overwhelming."



"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force.

ALSO READ: Oil falls as markets dip on North Korea tensions

Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated.

"We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said.

North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.

ALSO READ: North Korea fires another missile over Japan

Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Defense Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said.

"The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defense Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said.

"Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defense cooperation between the three nations," he said.

Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was the second time that they've had to do that since World War II.

"I believe it will further North Korea's isolation -- diplomatic and economic isolation -- because more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the community. There's a dismissal of concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said.

"I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said.

Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile.

"The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterward, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said.
President Donald Trump has said America and its allies will never be intimidated and insisted that the US' options for addressing the threat posed by North Korea are both "effective and overwhelming".

Trump's remarks came in response to the latest ballistic missile test conducted by North Korea. The remarks also came after H R McMaster, the US' National Security Adviser, reaffirmed that the Trump administration has military options in place for dealing with North Korea.

"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force.

Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated.

"We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said.

North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.

US Secretary of Defence James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said.

"The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defence of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defence Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said.

"Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defence cooperation between the three nations," he said.

Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was the second time that they've had to do that since World War II.

"I believe it will further North Korea's isolation -- diplomatic and economic isolation -- because more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said.

"I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said.

Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile.

"The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US remains committed to defeat terror organisations and their evil ideology, the White House has said.

The strong reaction came from the White House after a terror attack on a London underground train injured at least 29 people yesterday.

"The US remains committed to defeating terrorist organisations, as well as their evil ideology. The president has been unambiguous here, energising our Defeat ISIS campaign and calling on Muslim majority nations to combat extremism and to end financing of terrorist organisations," US National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R MacMaster told reporters at a White House conference.

"We will defend our people and our values against these cowardly attacks, and we will always stand with countries around the world to do the same," he said as Britain was struck with another terror attack, which he described as horrific.

"The US, of course, stands in solidarity with the people of the UK and France. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to prevent attacks," he said.

Addressing US Air Force on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, US President Trump said his hearts and prayers go out the people of London who suffered a vicious terrorist attack.

"I spoke with a wonderful woman, British Prime Minister Theresa May, this morning and relayed America's deepest sympathy, as well as our absolute commitment to eradicating the terrorists from our planet. Radical Islamic terrorism -- it will be eradicated. Believe me," he said.

"America and our allies will never be intimidated. We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," Trump said.

White House Press Secretary Sarah sanders said the US strongly condemns the cowardly terrorist attack in London today that targeted innocent civilians during their commute on the subway.

"We are grateful that no one was killed in this horrific incident. And our thoughts and prayers are with those injured, and we wish them a speedy and full recovery. We are aware of the arrest that took place in Paris, following the attack on a counterterrorism soldier. And we are thankful that the soldier was not seriously injured," she said.

"We are also aware of the attack in Burgundy, and our thoughts are with those wounded in that incident. France is our oldest and one of our closest allies, and we will certainly provide any support to their investigations that they request," Sanders said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 31-year-old female professor at Guru Nanak Dev University here has allegedly been kidnapped with her family members receiving a call for a ransom of Rs 3 lakh, police said today.

Sukhpreet Kaur, an assistant professor of Hindi, had gone missing on Monday and the matter was reported to police last evening after her father received a ransom call from the kidnappers, a police officer said.

Her father told police that a man had called him from Kaur's mobile phone last evening and demanded Rs 3 lakh for her release, the officer said.

Police said that Kaur, a resident of Baghapurana town of Moga district, had left the university on Monday for her hometown, but she did not reach her destination.

Police registered a case and are investigating the matter.

Kaur was appointed at the university on ad-hoc basis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai's state energy utility awarded a $3.9 billion contract to build and run a 700 megawatt solar power plant to a consortium comprising Shanghai Electric and Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, the government said on Saturday.

The project will feature a 260-metre (850-foot) tower receiving focused sunlight, the world's tallest such tower, the government said. The consortium bid to supply electricity to Dubai for 7.3 U.S. cents per kilowatt hour.

The first stage of the project is due to be commissioned in late 2020. It is part of the Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Solar Park, a vast complex which is projected to generate 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030.

The government aims to use the solar park and other energy sources to increase the share of clean energy in Dubai's power output to 7 percent by 2020, 25 percent by 2030 and 75 percent by 2050.

(Reporting by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)

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Global auditor KPMG cleared out its South African leadership en masse on Friday after damning findings from an internal investigation into work done for businessmen friends of President Jacob Zuma.

KPMG's investigation into its work for the Guptas, accused by a public watchdog of improperly influencing government contracts, identified no evidence of crimes or corruption, but found that work done for Gupta family firms "fell considerably short of KPMG's standards", the auditor said in a statement.

In particular, it acknowledged "flaws" in a report that it compiled for South Africa's tax service, which implied that former minister Pravin Gordhan had helped set up a "rogue spy unit" when he was head of the service.

Gordhan, subsequently sacked as minister by Zuma, said the report had damaged South Africa's young democracy, and that he was considering legal steps.

KPMG became the third global firm to be damaged by work carried out for the Indian-born brothers after the business consultancy McKinsey and the public relations agency Bell Pottinger, whose British business collapsed this week.

Both Zuma and the Guptas deny wrongdoing and say they are victims of a politically motivated witch-hunt. The Guptas and their companies have not been charged with any crime, but the scandal is one of many that have dogged the Zuma presidency.

"Failings"

"I want to apologise to the public, our people and clients for the failings that have been identified by the investigation," said KPMG's new South African CEO, Nhlamu Dlomu.

KPMG said it would donate 40 million rand ($3 million) earned in fees from Gupta-controlled firms to education and anti-corruption groups, and refund 23 million rand it had received for the tax service report.

The chief executive of KPMG South Africa, Trevor Hoole, its chairman, Ahmed Jaffer, chief operating officer Steven Louw and five senior partners all resigned.

"I absolutely understand that ultimate responsibility lies with me," Hoole said in a statement.

KPMG also plans to dismiss Jacques Wessels, the lead partner on audits of Gupta-linked firms, it said. Wessels did not answer a call to his mobile phone seeking comment.

Andrew Cranston, former CEO of KPMG Russia, has been appointed as the interim chief operating officer.

The announcement stunned hundreds of KPMG staff crammed into an auditorium in its Johannesburg head offices and others listening in via video link from Cape Town and Pretoria.

"Everybody is just dumbfounded," said one employee, who asked not to be named. "They're obviously trying to show that responsibility stretches to the top. But right now I don't think anybody knows what to think."

Gordhan, one of the Guptas' harshest critics, lamented the damage done to the credibility of the tax service, an institution that has been vital to South Africa's stability and economic growth in the two decades since apartheid.

"Whilst there have been personal consequences, the real issue that confronts us is the significant damage to our hard-won democracy, to our state institutions and ultimately to the South African people," he said in a statement.

Call for investigation

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance, called for a criminal probe into "state capture", a term used to refer to the Guptas' alleged undue influence over government decision-making.

"KPMG must be subject to a full investigation both locally and internationally," he told Reuters.

The firm is under investigation by the IRBA, a South African regulatory body, and could be removed from the auditors' register, an outcome that would have a devastating impact on its African business.

The three Gupta brothers, Atul, Ajay and Rajesh, came to South Africa in the early 1990s and built a commercial empire stretching from computers to mining and media.

The family has employed Zuma's son Duduzane as a director of one of its subsidiaries. The brothers have rejected the public watchdog's accusations of corruptly influencing Zuma.

On Tuesday, the British arm of Bell Pottinger folded after clients deserted it because of a backlash over a racially charged political campaign it had run for the Guptas.

McKinsey is also being investigated by South Africa's parliament over whether it knowingly let funds from the state power utility Eskom be diverted to a Gupta company as a way of securing a $78-million contract to advise Eskom.

McKinsey is carrying out its own investigation but has denied wrongdoing.

The Gupta scandals have piled pressure on Zuma and opened rifts in the African National Congress, the party that has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994. It is due to elect a new party leader in December.
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Considering the goodwill Nokia has earned over decades, its hardly a surprise that the new machines the Finnish brand is launching  after the hiatus  has generated such excitement. According to Amazon India, there are already a million registrations for the first sale of the phone. And why not? is considered to be the comeback device for the iconic brand; it has two other Android models.
China should not build a road through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as it is disputed territory, a leading Chinese scholar said here today.

Shen Dingli, associate dean at Shanghai-based Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, was speaking at a session titled 'Emerging World Order' at the ongoing Pune Dialogue on National Security here.

"China should consult with India if it is okay to build a road in 'PCK (Pakistan-controlled Kashmir)'. The Chinese should not build the road in the disputed territory because it is under dispute between India and Pakistan. But why does China fail to ask? We should consult together and build it together. Why only consult with Pakistan and not India?" he said.

Talking about the recent Dokalam stand-off, he said Dokalam is a disputed place between China and Bhutan, so China should not build infrastructure there. India and China should resolve their border issues through "give and take", Shen said.

Wang Dong, another Chinese scholar, said India and China hold the key to shape the emerging world order. "If we can effectively manage our differences, we can take steps further," he said.

Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Afghanistan's Ambassador to India, said India has been fighting terrorism for decades, but was not allowed to join in the global anti-terrorism fight earlier, else the situation would have been different.
In late June, one of India's top wind power equipment makers, Inox Wind Ltd, was dragged into insolvency courts by a logistics handler over unpaid dues of $88,000. Two weeks on, the matter was settled, with dues paid off.

The case illustrates how small creditors and vendors, previously at the mercy of large debtors, are now using India's new bankruptcy code as a pressure ploy to secure payment of dues that would earlier have been all but impossible to recover.

India overhauled bankruptcy laws last year with the main goal of helping banks tackle a $150-billion bad loan issue that is crimping growth in the economy.

Less than a year on, insolvency professionals say it is vendors and small suppliers, also referred to as operational creditors, who are using the new rules as leverage to recover dues much more effectively than banks owed far larger sums.

"It is not necessarily a negative thing, but it was not the objective of the new code," said Ashish Chhawchharia, a partner at Grant Thornton who works on insolvency cases.

The new rules give any creditor owed 100,000 rupees ($1,560) the right to drag a multi-billion dollar company to court.

They lay out a stringent timeline for resolution, or force debtors into automatic liquidation, giving outsize influence to vendors and suppliers who would normally rank well below secured financial creditors, such as lender banks, in any bankruptcy process.

But they have also stirred fears of a tsunami of cases jeopardising the plans of banks with billions of dollars at stake, and which are forced to join such proceedings.

"If an operational creditor initiates a process, that basically brings in unwilling financial creditors, even if they do not deem it the right time or course of action," said leading insolvency lawyer Sumant Batra.

The court that handles such bankruptcy cases, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), should first test the intent of any operational creditor making a bankruptcy plea, he added.

"NCLT has to hold an enquiry at the beginning to determine whether this has been filed only for recovery of debt, or whether this has been actually filed for a resolution or a liquidation process."



ERICSSON-RCOM

Swedish telecom equipment firm Ericsson became the first high-profile foreign vendor to use the tool, filing a petition this week to drag Indian telecom carrier Reliance Communications to insolvency courts over unpaid dues of $180 million.

By comparison, RCom, as the company is widely known, owes nearly $7 billion to its banks, who have agreed to a standstill over its servicing obligations until year end, while the company attempts to restructure.

RCom said it plans to challenge the Ericsson plea.

About 1,000 insolvency petitions have been triggered since early 2017, when the first case was admitted under the new rules, but consultant EY estimates about 80 percent of these were withdrawn following out-of-court settlements.

About 60 percent of the cases brought to the NCLT are initiated by operational creditors, industry estimates show.

Sanjay Ruia, a Mumbai chartered accountant who took a holiday tour operator to bankruptcy court over unpaid audit and advisory fees, said the law had made it easier for creditors like himself who would formerly have struggled to recover dues.

Still, many fear the arm-twisting tactics could make life tougher for secured financial creditors, who must make steep balance-sheet provisions for loans to borrower firms entangled in bankruptcy proceedings.

For its part, Inox Wind, which settled the dispute with the logistics firm, remains a "solvent company with excellent financial health" and has been regular in servicing all commitments to its lenders, it said in a statement in July.
FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA
Lebanon teachers will receive small raises and boosts to their insurance coverage under a new two-year contract approved on Sept. 14 by the Lebanon School Board.

Board members unanimously approved the contract as part of a meeting that included approval of the superintendent's goals for the academic year and discussion about the possibility of moving board meetings to the Lebanon City Council's meeting site.

Maureen Twomey, president of the Lebanon Education Association, said her members already have ratified the new employee contract. She said teachers will receive a pay increase of 1.68 percent the first year and 1.5 percent the second year. Insurance payments by the district will go up $75 the first year and $25 the second.

Twomey said teachers especially appreciated change to contract language around handling students whose behavior prompts their removal from a classroom. The new language requires training on how to handle students' return to the classroom after the issue is resolved, which Twomey said should get everyone on the same philosophical page.

In addition to approving the contract, board members also unanimously accepted Superintendent Rob Hess' goals for the 2017-18 school year.

Hess said he based on last year's evaluation and on feedback from the recent "360" spring survey.

He plans to focus on three goals: increasing effective communication with staff, parents, residents and the school board through weekly communication and progress updates; increasing his visibility in classrooms and school buildings; and exploring innovative ways to raise attendance and graduation rates using state Measure 98 vocational funds and other funding opportunities.

Hess said the personal goals are in addition to goals he has for the district, which include boosting academic achievement, staff retention, and graduation/attendance rates.

Although largely positive, the community survey indicated respondents would like to see Hess improve communication, visibility and trust.

"My belief is that doing these activities well will improve trust in the district and in my leadership," he said.

In other business, board members gave a tentative nod to Chairman Tom Oliver's suggestion to try holding meetings at the Santiam Travel Station, 750 S. Third St., instead of at the district office.

The Lebanon City Council currently meets at that site, and it's well-equipped with microphones, sound systems and a broadcasting setup, Oliver said. He said he sometimes hears complaints from patrons who can't hear board members speak, and recording quality at the district office is often subpar. Meeting at the Travel Station could improve the situation without duplicating equipment.

Board members agreed to talk with city representatives and see what might be involved with a tryout. No date has been set for a location change.
No partner is required, no experience is needed, and a donation of $5 per person or $12 for a family of three of more is asked. The first class is free.
Shop and technology classes at Albany middle schools will get an extra boost in materials and supplies as part of upgrades planned through a voter-approved bond measure.

The political action committee that formed to encourage voters to pass the $159 million construction and renovation bond measure had $6,091 left after the campaign.

The Yes for Albany Schools PAC donated the money to the Albany Public Schools Foundation, which took its 10 percent administration fee and will split the remaining balance of $5,481.90 between the vocational-technical projects planned at the district's four middle schools: Calapooia, North Albany, Memorial and Timber Ridge.

The Yes for Albany Schools PAC designated the funds to be used for middle school vocational technical education, said Aimee Addison, executive director of the Albany Public Schools Foundation.

"Jon Dilbone, who serves as the GAPS district technology coordinator, will submit a supply request to the Albany Public Schools Foundation as we get closer to a completion date for these new spaces. The thought was that when these spaces are complete, they will need equipment and supplies for hands-on vocational engagement for the students."

The district anticipates the vocational spaces will be built and ready for students by fall 2018.
| BY Lynchy |

Three months after taking the American Express global brand business from Ogilvy & Mather after 50 years, US creative agency mcgarrybowen has lured Aussie expat Michael Raso to lead the account as global executive creative director, based in New York.

Raso joins from the EVP, executive creative director role at CP+B in Boulder, where he has been since departing Ogilvy Sydney in 2013, where he was both Head of Art and Group Creative Director.
Friday, September 15, 2017 at 9:43PM

BlackBerry might no longer be in the hardware market but it has been busy signing licensing agreements with other companies. Its latest deal is with Timex, which gives the watchmaker access to over 40,000 patents. Android Authority speculates this could possibly lead to a BlackBerry-branded smartwatch. But this must be taken with more than just a grain of salt. BlackBerry has patents all over, including wireless communications, networking infrastructure, acoustics, messaging, enterprise software, operating systems, virtualization, and cybersecurity. The deal could lead to other products. BlackBerry is keeping mum about the possibility of a smartwatch in our future.

But we at least know it might focus on mobile communications. According to BlackBerry senior director of intellectual property licensing Jerald Gnuschke, This license agreement with Timex demonstrates the strength of BlackBerrys patent portfolio, and will enable us to focus on further patent licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market.
Friday, September 15, 2017 at 8:43PM

HMD Global is steadily building up its Nokia brand and it looks like a budget option might be on its way. Evan Blass just leaked whats said to be the Nokia 2. And looks-wise it does look like an entry-level option. Those who are averse to bezels will not like this option. But beggars cant be choosers, right?

Android Authority is speculating October 5 to be the release date, because dates in renders usually match launch time. However, that could change so well keep our eyes out for any announcements. As for specs, we dont have those yet but if the Nokia 3, which is a budget-friendly option already, expect this to be smaller and with less powerful specs. One thing where the Nokia 2 might shine though is in terms of battery. An FCC certification for the phone claims the battery will be 4,000mAh battery, which would be amazing for a budget phone with a small display. We should find out more about this device soon.
"I want to ensure she will be looked after for the rest of her life as my husband and I are in our 50s and our other daughters are aged 27 and 21."
"You can't dance incorrectly. We don't talk about using left or right feet, which can be confusing for someone with dementia, so we just say use your favourite foot. We're using language that is simple to understand."
The Chief Minister had said the embattled Land Development Agency would be split into two agencies, in line with an election pledge, with Mr Gentleman in charge of the CRA and Housing Minister Yvette Berry running the new Suburban Land Agency.
"In 27 years we'd had 14 postings going from one side of Australia to the other, it puts a lot of strain, not only on your family, but yourself as well," Mr Hildred said.
"I think the critical reason you need to check every panel is that it could be that developers say they put one type of panel, or manufacturers tell them that, but it's actually a cheaper type that may pose more risks," he said.
THIS WEEK IN CAPE BRETON: Raising the peace flag, reviewing future plans for Centre 200 and more

SYDNEY  During a time of conflict around the world and with racial tensions on the rise in many parts, its clear there are those who want to find a bright, positive light wherever they can. Over the next several days, the YMCA of Cape Breton will ...
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After three extremely difficult seasons, McLaren and Honda have finally parted ways, with the former signing a partnership with Renault, which will come into effect next season.



According to reports, Renault will supply McLaren with the same engines it provides for its own factory team, as well as currently, Red Bull Racing, while Toro Rosso will make the switch to Honda.

But what does this mean for McLaren in terms of branding and liveries? Are they going to stick with their new orange theme? Revert to black? Mix Renault colors with their own? One designer might have a solution.

These renders were drawn up by Sean Bull Design, and represent a McLaren-Alpine race car, where on one hand youve got McLaren colors in the orange and black, but also a lot of blue, which is associated with Renault.

Naming the team McLaren-Alpine instead of McLaren-Renault is pretty interesting, although whether the British outfit will agree to make Renault such a huge part of their brand identity (like they did with Mercedes), remains to be seen.

Whichever way they decide to go, we can at least hope that their struggles in keeping up with the rest of the field might come to an end, since an all-round decent power unit should turn the focus back on aerodynamics  which is something McLaren has excelled at.

PHOTO GALLERY
Even among Ferraris, some are more rare than others. Like this one that popped up at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance concours this past weekend in northern France.



Cant wrap your head around what youre looking at? We couldnt at first either, but the rare beast seen here is the Tornado, a one-of-a-kind creation (for better or worse) from the unhinged mind of Franco Sbarro.

The Tornado debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, based on a 1992 Ferrari 456 GT. It kept the 5.5-liter V12 but ditched the 2+2 body style in favor of a two-seat open cockpit.

Its front end looks to us more like a Panoz racing prototype, but with a chopped-down, wrap-around windshield and other elements thrown in ostensibly to pay tribute, as it were, to late-50s roadsters  like the one that won the Best of Show award in the post-war category.

The honor went to a 250 Testa Rossa that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958 at the hands of Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien. It was one of 28 horses that pranced in for the fourth annual event at the Chateau Chantilly in celebration of the marques 70th anniversary.

Robson Walton and Peter Mullins 1936 Bugatti Atlantic (one of four Type 57s at the event) won the pre-war prize, while top honors were shared by the Renault Trezor and Citroen CXperience concepts, which beat out the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante, McLaren 720S, and the French presidents DS7 Crossback.

Photo Gallery
Kelowna's hospital is seeing more opioid users per capita come through their doors than anywhere else in Canada.

A recent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found there were 72 instances of significant opioid poisoning hospitalizations in Kelowna in 2016-17, a rate of 36.3 per 100,000 people.

This is more than double the Canadian average of 15.5 per 100,000 people, and well over the B.C. average of 25 per 100,000.

Dr. Trevor Corneil, Interior Health medical health officer, says the highest per capita hospitalizations appear to be in midsize cities like London, Ont., Saskatoon, and Kelowna.

The overdoses are more geographically spread, so in Kelowna, that's across Rutland and all around downtown, Corneil said. It's not as concentrated, so that makes access points more difficult to create and to support.

Corneil said that is one of the reasons IH is using a mobile safe consumption site to tackle the problem.

Additionally, he said in Kelowna, many people are using opioids at home rather than on the street, and these people are able to get to the hospital by ambulance easier.

It's that slightly different socioeconomic, social determinants of health aspect, that's different about Kelowna, Dr. Corneil said.

He says the higher number of hospitalizations is not necessarily a negative thing.

The increased utilization is actually a good thing. It means that people are actually getting to an emergency room or access point and not dying, Corneil said.

Nationwide, the opioid crisis has been increasing hospital visits, up 53 per cent over the past 10 years and 19 per cent from 2014-15.
Funding your retirement It's Your Money - 4:00 am
Photo: CTV Laura Letts-Beckett

After three full days of deliberation, the 12-person jury working to deliver a verdict on the innocence or guilt of Peter Beckett have yet to come to a decision.

Beckett is charged with drowning his wife, Laura Letts-Beckett, in Upper Arrow Lake in August 2010. The couple were from Westlock, Alta., and had been vacationing in B.C. when Letts -Beckett drowned.

Beckett maintains his wife's death was a tragic accident, while the Crown has argued Beckett pushed his wife, who wasn't wearing a lifejacket and couldn't swim, so he benefit financially from a recently-purchased accidental death insurance policy.

His trial began Aug. 21 and wrapped up Sept. 12.

The just over three-week trial was a far cry from his four-month trial in Kamloops in 2016 that ended in hung jury. After seven days of deliberations, the jury couldn't resolved their 11-1 voting, and the judge declared it a mistrial.

The current jury has been sequestered in the Kelowna courthouse since Tuesday, only stopping for lunch and dinner breaks, and to sleep at a nearby hotel through the night.

The victim's parents and aunt have remained around the courthouse this week, awaiting the jury's decision.
Photo: Google Maps

The Kootenay backwoods have been reopened to the public.

The BC Wildfire Service rescinded a backcountry travel ban for the Rocky Mountain Forest District at noon on Friday.

That's good news for hunters, campers and outdoors enthusiasts who've been blocked from entering the area since Aug. 11.

The district covers an area from near Golden in the north to the U.S. border in the south, and from Yahk to the Alberta border.

However, many restrictions are still in effect.

Campfires and other outside fires are still banned, as is off-road travel. ATVs, cars, motorcycles and other vehicles still have to remain on defined road surfaces.

And some areas are still off-limits to support firefighting efforts. The public is banned from the area east of Canal Flats known as the White River Complex, and Quinn Creek. Those fires prompted a temporary evacuation order for much the Elk Valley this week.

Areas around the Linklater wildfire, near the U.S. border, and the Flathead area in the extreme southeast corner of the province are also off-limits. The Flathead contains eight out-of-control wildfires, though they are burning in remote areas.

Besides those bans, the southeast is a patchwork of smaller-scale area restrictions, evacuation orders and evacuation alerts. Cooler temperatures and some light rain has helped firefighters efforts, though the woods remain tinder dry.

Its been a record-breaking year for fires in the province, with 1,256 fires burning more than 11,700 square kilometres of forests, and forcing thousands from their homes.
Photo: The Canadian Press In this June 16, 2017 photo provided by CARECEN SF, is Abel Esquivel at the Central American Resource Center in San Francisco.

Federal immigration agents were tracking a teenager who was facing deportation when he fatally shot a popular community volunteer during a robbery in San Francisco, authorities said Friday.

The slaying occurred on Aug. 15, four days after sheriff's investigators say 18-year-old Erick Garcia-Pineda stole the murder weapon from the personal car of a San Francisco police officer.

Four days after the killing, Garcia-Pineda's monitoring device was removed from his ankle, triggering an unsuccessful search for him. An immigration judge ordered him to wear the bracelet as a condition of his release from federal custody in April.

The case has stirred memories of the 2015 killing of a young woman on a San Francisco pier by a Mexican national who had been deported five times. A gun stolen from a law enforcement officer was also used in that shooting.

The shooting also ignited a national debate on sanctuary city policies that bar local police from co-operating with federal immigration authorities unless they are seeking suspects convicted or charged with violent crimes.

Authorities say Garcia-Pineda had been detained by immigration authorities in December and released from custody in April pending deportation. In addition to wearing the ankle monitor, the judge required him to routinely check in with immigration officials.

He failed to show up for his August appointment, said James Schwab, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ICE said a contractor received a tamper alert on Aug. 19 but authorities couldn't find him. ICE told the man's attorney that his client should report to them immediately.

The sheriff's department says Garcia-Pineda was wearing the ankle bracelet when he was arrested on Sept. 3 on misdemeanour battery charges and deputies removed it. ICE says the Sheriff's Department ignored a request to block his release from jail that day.

Investigators later connected Garcia-Pineda to the killing of 23-year-old Abel Esquivel during a robbery.

ICE agents also asked the local sheriff in May to detain a second man arrested locally who is also charged with Esquivel's murder, Jesus Perez-Araujo, 24.

San Francisco police arrested Perez-Araujo for possession of marijuana and illegal possession of brass knuckles. He was ultimately only charged with misdemeanour possession of brass knuckles, court records showed.

Esquivel volunteered at the Central American Resource Center, which provides legal help to low-income Latino clients and other social services.

"We were shocked to hear the weapon belonged to a police officer," said Lariza Dugan Cuadra, executive director of the centre.
Photo: The Canadian Press A man distributes an extra edition of a newspaper reporting about North Korea's missile launch, at Shimbashi Station in Tokyo.

The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned North Korea's "highly provocative" ballistic missile test on Friday and demanded that Pyongyang immediately halt its "outrageous actions" and demonstrate its commitment to denuclearizing the Korean peninsula.

The U.N.'s most powerful body accused North Korea of undermining regional peace and security by launching its latest missile over Japan and said its nuclear and missile tests "have caused grave security concerns around the world" and threaten all 193 U.N. member states.

North Korea's longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile early Friday from Sunan, the location of Pyongyang's international airport, signalled both defiance of North Korea's rivals and a big technological advance. After hurtling over Japan, it landed in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump threatened North Korea with "fire and fury" in August, the North has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, threatened to send missiles into the waters around the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam and launched two missiles of increasing range over Japan. July saw the country's first tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could strike deep into the U.S. mainland when perfected.

The intermediate-range missile test came four days after the Security Council imposed tough new sanctions on the North for its Sept. 3 missile test including a ban on textile exports and natural gas imports  and caps on its import of oil and petroleum products. The U.S. said the latest sanctions, combined with previous measures, would ban over 90 per cent of North Korea's exports reported in 2016, its main source of hard currency used to finance its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry denounced the sanctions and said the North would "redouble its efforts to increase its strength to safeguard the country's sovereignty and right to existence."

The Security Council stressed in Friday's press statement after a closed-door emergency meeting that all countries must "fully, comprehensively and immediately" implement all U.N. sanctions.

Japan's U.N. Ambassador Koro Bessho called the launch an "outrageous act" that is not only a threat to Japan's security but a threat to the world as a whole."

Bessho and the British, French and Swedish ambassadors demanded that all sanctions be implemented.

Calling the latest launch a "terrible, egregious, illegal, provocative reckless act," Britain's U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said North Korea's largest trading partners and closest links  a clear reference to China  must "demonstrate that they are doing everything in their power to implement the sanctions of the Security Council and to encourage the North Korean regime to change course."

France's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country is ready to work on tougher U.N. and EU measures to convince Pyongyang that there is no interest in an escalation, and to bring it to the negotiating table. It said North Korea will also be discussed during next week's annual gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly.

The Security Council also emphasized the importance of North Korea working to reduce tension in the Korean Peninsula  and it reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the territory divided between authoritarian North Korea and democratic South Korea.

The council welcomed efforts by its members and other countries "to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution" to the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, strongly backed the need for dialogue saying the United States needs to start talks with North Korea, which the Trump administration has ruled out.

Nebenzia told reporters after the meeting that Russia called on the U.S. and others to implement the "political and diplomatic solutions" called for in the latest sanctions resolution.

"Without implementing this, we also will consider it as a non-compliance with the resolution," Nebenzia said, adding that it also may be time for the council to "think out of the box" on how to deal with North Korea.
Photo: CTV

A Vancouver Island community is banning Atlantic salmon fish farming following the escape of thousands of fish from an aquaculture operation in nearby Washington state waters.

Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says the district is taking action after the net collapse near Bellingham last month.

No invasive species in our waters at all, thank you. Our goal is to enhance the wild stock that live and frequent these waters, Tait told CTV.

Anglers lobbied the district after a pen containing 305,000 Atlantic salmon collapsed, freeing thousands of fish into Juan de Fuca Strait.

Its starting off with grassroots in a local community, and Im hoping itll spread like wildfire throughout other local communities," said Glen Varney of the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition.

The district hopes to encourage other coastal communities to follow its lead, despite fish farming being a federal and provincial responsibility.

We dont have any jurisdiction, we recognize that, but we do over whats on the land, and thats why the zoning amendment would prohibit any land-based operations, Tait said.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: CTV

The top cop in Saanich will collect a huge payout that is raising eyebrows among watchdogs.

Bob Downie is collecting severance after announcing his retirement, but will be kept on the job  with a raise  while the municipality looks for a replacement.

Downie will collect nearly $380,000 in severance for years of banked time and retirement allowances.

Meanwhile, because he's no longer a municipal employee but now under a temporary contract, his salary will jump $10,000. And he's eligible for pension.

All together, he'll earn more than $1.1 million over the next two years.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is crying foul.

In some cases, if you add up the severance, the pension and whats actually being paid through his salary, its comparable to the chief of police for big American cities like Los Angeles and New York City  and this is Saanich, federation spokesperson Kris Sims told CTV.

While the amount is eye-catching, Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell says Downie's severance would be the same whether he collects it now or after a replacement is hired.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: CTV/Chopper 9

Two hikers were airlifted from a steep mountain peak near North Vancouver, Friday.

The hikers were lifted by cable from a North Shore Rescue helicopter after becoming spooked at the summit of Crown Mountain.

Rescuers say the pair were scared to descend after scaling the 1,504-metre peak on Friday afternoon. They called 911 for help after realizing the way down was a daunting challenge.

A spokesperson said rescues there are not uncommon, as the steep slope is easier to climb up than down.

The hikers were attached to a long line and lifted back to safety without injury.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: CTV

A Maple Ridge grandmother is dead following a hit and run collision on Lougheed Highway.

The woman was struck while riding a motorcycle between Maple Ridge and Mission when a vehicle crossed the centre line to pass another car, police say.

Friends brought flowers to the scene of the crash Friday and are calling for the driver to come forward.

"She was just loving, caring. It's a sorry, sorry tragedy," the woman's boyfriend said.

The victim was a 48-year-old mother of three and grandmother.

Police are searching for the driver and have located a suspect vehicle.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis

New guidance released Friday by the Pentagon makes it clear that any transgender troops currently in the military can re-enlist in the next several months, even as the department debates how broadly to enforce a ban on their service ordered by President Donald Trump.

In a memo to top military leaders, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said a high-level panel will determine how to implement Trump's ban on transgender individuals in the military. Trump directed the military to indefinitely extend the ban on transgender individuals enlisting in the service, but he left it up to Mattis to decide if those currently serving should be allowed to stay.

Members of Congress have already sent a letter to Trump calling on him to reconsider the ban.

Sen. John McCain, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Friday he backed legislation that would bar the Trump administration from forcing transgender troops out of the armed forces.

McCain of Arizona said in a statement that any service member, including those who are transgender, who meets the standards for military readiness and medical fitness should be permitted to serve.

"When less than 1 per cent of Americans are volunteering to join the military, we should welcome all those who are willing and able to serve our country," McCain said.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A drug trafficking case against Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman won't be dismissed even though his lawyers argued the U.S. government violated international law by charging him with different crimes after he was extradited, a federal judge said on Friday.

El Chapo was transported from Mexico to New York in January to face charges that he oversaw a multibillion-dollar international drug trafficking operation that laundered money and oversaw a ruthless campaign of murders and kidnappings. His lawyers argued in court papers that the government charged him with different crimes after he was en route to the U.S.

Judge Brian Cogan ruled Friday that El Chapo can't raise the issue without protest or objection from Mexico.

El Chapo's lawyers said they were disappointed but not surprised by the ruling.

"We still believe Mr. Guzman's rights under the treaty were violated, and given that other Circuit Courts give the defendant the right to object to violations of extradition treaties, hope that the Supreme Court will decide this issue favourably to Mr. Guzman in the future," attorney Michael Schneider wrote in a statement.

El Chapo's defence also claimed that he's being held in inhumane and overly restrictive conditions at a high-security Manhattan jail known for housing mob and terrorism suspects.

The U.S. government has argued that El Chapo's strict jail conditions are appropriate for someone who escaped from prison twice in Mexico, including once through a tunnel dug to the shower in his cell. Prosecutors said that even while he was behind bars in Mexico he used coded messages, bribes and other means to control his drug trafficking operation, the Sinaloa cartel, and orchestrate his breakouts.
Photo: The Canadian Press

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un said his country is nearing its goal of "equilibrium" in military force with the United States, as the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the North's "highly provocative" ballistic missile launch over Japan on Friday.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency carried Kim's comments on Saturday  a day after U.S. and South Korean militaries detected the missile launch from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

It travelled 3,700 kilometres as it passed over the Japanese island of Hokkaido before landing in the northern Pacific Ocean. It was the country's longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile.

The North has confirmed the missile as an intermediate range Hwasong-12, the same model launched over Japan on Aug. 29.

Under Kim's watch, North Korea has maintained a torrid pace in weapons tests, including its most powerful nuclear test to date on Sept. 3 and two July flight tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could strike deep into the U.S. mainland when perfected.

The increasingly frequent and aggressive tests have added to outside fears that the North is closer than ever to building a military arsenal that could viably target the U.S. and its allies in Asia. The tests, which could potentially make launches over Japan an accepted norm, are also seen as North Korea's attempt to win greater military freedom in the region and raise doubts in Seoul and Tokyo that Washington would risk the annihilation of a U.S. city to protect them.

The KCNA said Kim expressed great satisfaction over the launch, which he said verified the "combat efficiency and reliability" of the missile and the success of efforts to increase its power.
Photo: The Canadian Press An armed police officer stands guard after explosion on a tube train at Parsons Green subway station in London on Sept. 15.

British police made a significant arrest Saturday in the manhunt for suspects a day after the London subway was hit by a partially-exploded bomb and launched a heavily armed search of a home southwest of London.

The fast-moving inquiry into the subway blast that wounded 29 people has shifted to Sunbury, on the outskirts of the British capital, where neighbours were evacuated amid the police operation as a precaution.

A no-fly zone was established over the area to keep out small planes and drones as police moved in and police cordons were put in place to keep the public well away.

No details about the police search were released, but it came after the arrest of an 18-year-old man who is being held under the Terrorism Act. The man was arrested Saturday morning by Kent police in the port of Dover on the English Channel.

Dover is a major ferry port for travel between Britain and France - and it was not clear if the suspect was trying to board a ferry for France when he was taken into custody.

"We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning," Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Basu said. But he warned that the investigation was ongoing and the terrorist threat level remains at "critical," meaning that top British security services believe that another attack is imminent.

Basu's comments suggested that other dangerous suspects may still be at large.

Police Commissioner Cressida Dick called the arrest very significant but said the public should still be vigilant.

The 18-year-old suspect hasn't been charged or identified. Police say he was being brought to a south London police station for more questioning. Police haven't said if he is suspected of planting the bomb or of playing a supporting role in a possible plot.

Authorities had increased Britain's terrorism threat level to "critical" late Friday - the highest possible level - after a bomb partially exploded on a subway train during the morning rush hour.

Police are combing through closed-circuit TV images and have extensively studied the remains of the explosive device. Images from inside the subway car showed that it was contained in a bucket with wires hanging out of it and concealed in a plastic shopping bag.

The train hit by the bomber at Parsons Green station in southwest London had video cameras in each car, and the London Underground network has thousands of cameras at the entrances to stations and along its labyrinth of subterranean and aboveground passageways.

Officials have hinted there may be more than one person involved, but haven't released details in what is termed an ongoing and covert inquiry.

Prime Minister Theresa May said raising the threat level to its highest point was a "proportionate and sensible step." Police called on the public to be vigilant.

The soldiers will add to the armed police presence Saturday at public places to deter further attacks.

The bomb went off around 8:20 a.m. Friday as the District Line train, carrying commuters from the suburbs - including many school children - was at the Parsons Green station. In all, 29 people were wounded, some with burns, but none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

The station was reopened Saturday, officials said, restoring some normalcy to London's transport network after a day of severe disruption. There was no sign of panic among Londoners and the weekend life of the multicultural city continued undeterred by the raised threat level.

Officials said the bomb was intended to do grave harm to commuters. Analysts said the carnage would have been far worse had the entire device exploded.

"They were really lucky with this one. It could have really become much worse," said terrorism specialist Magnus Ranstorp of the Swedish Defence University.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was carried out by an affiliated unit.

Britain has endured four other attacks this year, which have killed a total of 36 people. The other attacks in London - near Parliament, on London Bridge and near a mosque in Finsbury Park in north London - used vehicles and knives.

In addition, a suicide bomber struck a packed concert hall in Manchester in northern England, killing 22 people. That attack in May also briefly caused the threat level to be set at "critical."
UPDATE: 10:00 a.m.

At least 36 Burundian refugees have been killed in clashes with Congolese security forces who allegedly fired indiscriminately at protesters, the United Nations envoy to Congo said Saturday.

Maman Sidikou said he was "deeply shocked" at the violence. Another 117 people were injured and one Congolese officer was killed, he said in a statement.

Friday's clashes erupted in Kamanyola in Congo's South Kivu province when Burundian refugees and asylum-seekers protested the expulsion of four of their countrymen from Congo, Sidikou said, citing "credible reports" received by the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo. The death of the Congolese army officer led to "the escalation of violence."

The U.N. envoy called for a swift investigation and urged Congo's security forces to use force as a last resort.

Congo's military could not immediately be reached for comment.

Roughly 44,000 refugees from Burundi are sheltering in Congo. Many fled political violence at home in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term amid deadly protests.

Of the people killed in Friday's clashes, 15 were women, the commander of the Pakistani battalion of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Waquara Yunusi, told The Associated Press.

The Congolese government, the U.N refugee agency and the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo "have deployed teams on site to shed light on everything that happened," said the co-ordinator of the U.N. Communications Group in Congo, Florence Marchal.

Burundi's foreign minister, Alain Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter asked Congo and U.N. officials for an explanation of the shootings.

Residents in the area said the killings occurred after some Burundian refugees went to the bureau of intelligence in Kamanyola to inquire about four detained refugees. Congolese soldiers responded with gunfire when some of the refugees hurled stones, said refugee Aline Nduwarugira.

Another witnesses, Alfred Rukungo, said Congolese soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.

ORIGINAL: 8:00 a.m.

Congolese forces have shot and killed at least 18 Burundian refugees near Burundi's border, officials said Saturday.

The deaths occurred Friday in the Kamanyola area of Congo's South Kivu province, the commander of the Pakistani battalion of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, Waquara Yunusi, told The Associated Press.

He said 34 people were killed, 15 of them women.

Congo's military could not immediately be reached for comment.

The co-ordinator of the U.N. Communications Group in Congo, Florence Marchal, confirmed a provisional death toll of 18, with 50 others wounded.

"I do not know the exact circumstances of why it degenerated, but it degenerated ... There were shots from (Congolese forces) and the police on asylum seekers," she said.

The death toll is likely to worsen, Marchal said.

The Congolese government, the U.N refugee agency and the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo "have deployed teams on site to shed light on everything that happened," she said.

The U.N. refugee agency said it was "shocked and saddened over the violent death of numerous Burundian nationals - among them likely refugees and asylum seekers." It called for an investigation.

Burundi's foreign minister, Alain Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter asked Congo and U.N. officials for an explanation of the shootings.

Residents in the area said the killings occurred after some Burundian refugees went to the bureau of intelligence in Kamanyola to inquire about four detained refugees. Congolese soldiers responded with gunfire when some of the refugees hurled stones, said refugee Aline Nduwarugira.

Another witnesses, Alfred Rukungo, said Congolese soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.

More than 100 people were injured in the incident, according to Bertin Bisimwa, chief of Kamanyola.

Congo is home to thousands of Burundian refugees. Many fled political violence at home in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term amid deadly protests.
Photo: CTV A man died in a head-on collision in Abbotsford Friday night.

A man was killed in a head-on collision in Abbotsford Friday night, while another was sent to the hospital.

The crash between a silver Chevrolet Cavalier and a black Dodge Charger occurred just before 9:30 p.m. on the 2400 block of Whatcom Road.

The sole occupants of both cars were rushed to the hospital, one by air ambulance.

The 33-year-old driver of the Cavalier succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while the 21-year-old driver of the Charger is recovering in hospital and expected to survive.

Police continue to investigate the fatal crash.
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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!)
ELKO  Hunting season might be a highlight of many Elko County residents year, but for Andy Bell, getting outdoors and participating in the hunt is inspiration to live  and he wants to share that joy with others.

Bell grew up hunting, but his life changed when he experienced a rodeo accident as a high school junior in 1998. After five months in Nevada and California hospitals, he emerged a quadriplegic.

He still hunts and this year has an archery deer tag, but the outings require some assistance. Helpers take him out, stay with him and cock the crossbow that hes allowed to use by state law.

Its something I look forward to each year, he said. I mean, its what I live for each year. Its one of the driving forces that keeps me going. Between that and church.

Knowing how much those outings lift the spirits, Bell started DCB Outdoors in July. DCB stands for Disabled Country Boy. The business sells caps for $25 each and will use the proceeds to sponsor disabled people on hunting trips. Bell also hopes to someday film the experiences.

Bell formed the business to just to show them that you can still do [things], he said. There is still a life out there.

Nathan Hornback, Living Stones Church lead pastor, has known Bell for about three years and has watched his congregants journey from sadness to hope.

After his accident, its amazing to watch him come back from being so young and feeling like his life was taken away from him to going out and starting a business, Hornback said. When he realized that his identity is not his wheelchair  its the passion that God put in him  Ive just seen a new trajectory for his life, and its of hope and the desire to share that with other people, and its incredible.

Bell tries to share that sense of hope through his work at American Home Companion, a Reno-based company that provides patient care and supportive living assistance in Elko. Program employees, including Bell who is also a client, take people out in the community to meet their social and recreational needs. In his job, Bell assists a person with an intellectual disability.

Hes probably one of the most caring people Ive ever met, said Amanda Tueller, director of American Home Companions supportive living assistance program in Elko. He takes very good care of the one person we have assigned to him. [The client] is on the autistic spectrum. Hes very patient with him and caring.

Founding DCB Outdoors fits Bells personality, Tueller said, and fulfills a need.

I think it brings a lot of awareness, she said. We try our best to bring services to disabled people, whether thats physically or mentally, but there are a lot of gaps there, and hes worked to make that community a little more solid and is helping people out there.

Tueller and others at American Home Companion have already purchased hats to support DCB Outdoors cause: to help, inspire and give hope to individuals with disabilities.

Its hard after a disability because your whole life changes, Bell said. You think, I cant do this. I cant do that.

But Bell reminds others that they can still get out and participate in activities, even if the process is a little different.

You have to have help doing it, or go about a different way doing it, he said. It also helps the people around them, too  I do believe  because their attitude changes, and theyre finally excited about something again.

Starting DCB Outdoors gave Bell something to be excited about. When he attended church after getting his business license, Bell was just beaming ear to ear. He sits in the front row, and it was just neat to see the joy coming off of him, Hornback said. I just realized Andys smile is going to be contagious.

Visit facebook.com/worldofdcbhunting or call 340-8502.
The Harley-Davidson store is seen on North Michigan Avenue, with a first-floor entrance and second-floor retail space at the base of the Ritz-Carlton Residences in downtown Chicago. (RKF)

The Harley-Davidson store on North Michigan Avenue will close at the end of this year, with hopes to open a smaller shop on Navy Pier.

Store owner Fox Powersports, which plans to open a motorcycle dealership and Harley shop near Wrigley Field by late 2018, is in talks to lease about 2,000 square feet at Navy Pier, said Fox President Diane Maher.

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That would be about one-third the size of the Michigan Avenue retail space at the base of the Ritz-Carlton Residences. Fox Powersports, a division of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Fox Motors, also has Harley dealerships in Glenview and Libertyville.

A Navy Pier shop would help bridge the yearlong gap between the Mag Mile closure and the Wrigley opening, Maher said.

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"Depending on how it goes, we would consider staying there long-term along with Wrigleyville," Maher said of Navy Pier. "We really want to try Navy Pier. It's a great tourist destination, and we sell a lot of Harley-Davidson T-shirts to tourists. The size (of the Michigan Avenue space) is just a little too big for what we need."

It will be the second Harley retail shop to shutter in the area in recent years. A different franchise owner had a Harley shop at Rush and Ohio streets, in a space now occupied by burger chain Shake Shack, before the Michigan Avenue store opened in 2015.

The landlord, an affiliate of the Terra Foundation for American Art, has hired Anthony Campagni and Elan Rasansky of brokerage RKF to find a new tenant for the Harley space.

The Harley space includes a 576-square-foot entrance and 5,656 square feet on the second floor, according to RKF.

Second-floor space is more challenging to lease, but it comes at a significant discount: an asking rate of $150 per square foot. That's a fraction of the $400 to $600 per-square-foot asking rents for ground-floor space on the avenue, Campagni said.

"We believe we're offering value for a tenant that wants to achieve brand recognition by being on Michigan Avenue," Campagni said.

The vacancy comes at a time of uncertainty for many retailers, many of which are reducing store counts amid the rise of e-commerce. Yet some companies are opening splashy flagships in order to better distinguish their brands.

Just across Erie Street to the south, Starbucks plans to convert a four-level Crate & Barrel shop into a Roastery flagship by 2019. At 43,000 square feet, it will be the world's largest Starbucks. Less than a half-mile south, Apple is set to open its riverside store Oct. 20.

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rori@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Ryan_Ori
The "Vertical City" exhibit reprises the famous 1922 architecture competition to design the Tribune Tower The exhibit, which features 16-foot-tall models, is at the Chicago Cultural Center and is part of the Chicago Architecture Biennial. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Architecture Biennial no longer can be accused of indulging in the city's long tradition of windy braggadocio.

When the big contemporary architecture and urban design exhibition opens this weekend, it will for the first time become an event that occurs every other year. But that is a mere procedural achievement. This edition of the biennial matters because it is thick with strong ideas and is more tightly curated and organized than the inaugural version. Like that first show, it takes the temperature of its time in fascinating ways.

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Titled "Make New History" and featuring work by more than 140 designers from over 20 countries, the exhibition reveals many things about the current state of an art that shapes our lives: postmodernism, with its Day-Glo colors and ironic allusions to history, is back in play, no longer radioactive. The influence of digitally-driven modernism, which relies on advanced computer modeling to create visual spectacle, is waning. A new calm has supplanted the frenetic invention of the aughts.

The show nevertheless gives us intriguing peeks into the future, like a parking garage designed to be converted to other uses, anticipating the coming era of driverless cars and reduced car ownership. "Make New History" also offers imaginative responses to the urbanizing present, one of which highlights the show's Instagram-ready calling card  a spectacular minicity of skyscraper models, each 16 feet tall and proposing a new version of Chicago's Tribune Tower.

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To be sure, much chaff comes with this wheat. But that is the nature of biennials, which tend to be carnivals of experimentation hellbent on violating Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's maxim that "less is more." This one at least offers an underlying physical order, attained by a striking re-design of spaces within the Beaux-Arts Chicago Cultural Center. Whether you are an architectural theorist or just casually interested in design, you should go. The show tries hard to appeal to a wide range of visitors, though you'll undoubtedly encounter a fair share of incomprehensible archi-babble in the wall text.

Organized by co-artistic directors Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee, husband-and-wife architects from Los Angeles, Make New History" builds on the legacy of the first biennial, "The State of the Art of Architecture," which was by turns energetic, intelligent and unwieldly.

The big idea of that show was that architects have a significant role to play  an "agency," in academic parlance  in addressing essential problems of our time, from climate change to the need for better housing. That passionate sense of mission is largely absent from the new biennial, replaced by a cooler, more cerebral consideration of the way a new generation of architects is looking backward to move forward.

This shift is apparent from the start, courtesy of a neon-yellow entry pavilion, designed by Chicago's Ania Jaworska, that enfolds the Cultural Center's circular information desk in an ensemble of playful arches and non-structural columns. The striking gateway is one of several smart pieces on view that draw from the well of postmodernism, which had its heyday in the 1980s before its pastiches of historical references began to wear thin.

But Johnston and Lee are at pains to point out that they are not advocating a reactionary return to po-mo, as its detractors call it. Instead, the curators view the architectural past  all of the past, not just postmodernism  as a series of reference points rather than a rigid parade of styles. It is, in their view, a resource for creativity, not a rigid template  an open "horizon," Lee calls it. He and Johnston demonstrate that premise with four themes  devoted to buildings, materials, civic design and images  that weave the show together. The section devoted to images is particularly good.

Its signature display reprises the famous 1922 architecture competition for the Tribune Tower and the 1980 "Late Entries" event that invited architects, most of them postmodernists, to design new versions of the Tribune's neo-Gothic skyscraper. Arranged in a grid, the new 16-foot-tall models form a powerfully theatrical display that takes full advantage of the Cultural Center's high-ceilinged Yates Hall. They make for a stunning group even if most of them, when considered individually, are less compelling.

The most forward-looking of the bunch comes from the studio of Mexico City architect Tatiana Bilbao, who designed a model low-cost house for the first biennial. Her tower, done in cooperation with 14 other designers, would house apartments, a market, a workplace and other uses in a plug-in matrix enlivened by cantilevered parts. The design offers a persuasive alternative to the lifeless (and mindless) high-rises that are turning cities from Shanghai to Chicago into vertical suburbs.

Taking aim at the never-ending quest to erect the world's tallest building, Bilbao asks a far more important question: "How do we create truly vertical communities?"

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In a deliberate contrast to the verticality of the skyscraper models, the biennial's other image-oriented exhibit is a "horizontal city" of 24 scale models displayed on low-slung pedestals. Prepare to sit on a stool to view the models, which have been laid out to suggest Mies' 1947 overwhelmingly horizontal plan for the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. In each case, you witness a photograph or image of an iconic interior space like the Pantheon and a designer's reinterpretation of it.

One offers zany, flamingo-pink tables and chairs. Another, by Buenos Aires architects Adamo-Faiden, imaginatively re-conceives three floors of Chicago's John Hancock Center, which are now devoted to parking, offices and apartments. Some of the parking spots, for example, might be replaced by a spot for food trucks and tree-lined green spaces. It sounds crazy, but it's a concept whose time might come if demand for North Michigan Avenue parking ever drops.

Speaking of parking, some of the show's offerings could  and should  be built today.

Among the best of the shovel-ready ideas is a plan by HHF Architects of Basel, Switzerland, for a low-slung parking garage whose high ceilings would allow it to be converted to other uses if and when driverless cars erase the need for such facilities. In another plan with immediate relevance, Dominique Perrault Architecture calls for enlivening underground urban networks, like Chicago's pedway tunnels, by giving them glass ceilings.

It is never easy to find highlights like these in the labyrinthine Cultural Center. But the biennial's new wayfinding system, which was designed by London's Zak Group and consists of legible pink-and-blue signs, should help. And getting there won't be a visual bore because this biennial, like the last one, converts neutral corridors into vibrant passageways. One, a row of tropically-inspired curtains by AGENdA architects of Medellin, Colombia, lines a hallway and forms gallery nichesan artful twist on the glass "curtain walls" of modern skyscrapers.

The jury is still out on some of the common spaces, including a tilted timber platform by Mexico City's Frida Escobedo that has been inserted into the Cultural Center's Randolph Square seating area. Its austere wood plane, inscribed with a grid that evokes Chicago's street pattern, looks pretty forbidding and will likely inspire gripes from people who like to hang out in the Randolph Square room and read their smartphones. The biennial's organizers tell me the platform can morph into something more inviting. Let's see.

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The biennial, which is free to the public and organized by Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, will be open through Jan. 7. That will give its co-artistic directors time to fix a variety of under-performing explanatory material, like the scant wall text for a enormous model of Chicago's mid-South Side from SANAA of Tokyo. But even absent such changes, this is a very smart show, one that uses the lens of history to sharpen our view of some of the most essential architectural and urban design issues of our time.

The main exhibition site of the Chicago Architecture Biennial is the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.

bkamin@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @BlairKamin
Four people, including a woman police believe was pregnant, were killed Friday night in a rifle attack in the Brighton Park neighborhood.



The shooting happened about 8:40 p.m. in the 4700 block of South Fairfield Avenue, police said. Three men and a woman were inside a vehicle when someone inside a white SUV opened fire on them with a rifle, police said.



Responding police officers found their bodies inside the vehicle and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the woman was believed to be pregnant, but police won't know for sure until the autopsy.

The Cook County medical examiner's office on Saturday identified the deceased as Joel Sandoval, 24; Miguel Sandoval, 27; Michelle A. Cano, 21; and Ida Arvizu, 28.

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Autopsies determined the four, of unknown addresses, died of multiple gunshot wounds and their deaths were ruled homicides, according to the medical examiner's office.

The Brighton Park neighborhood and the nearby Back of the Yards neighborhood have been the scene of dozens of rifle shootings that have occurred since early 2016.



In February, the Chicago Tribune reported that gangs in the two neighborhoods were increasingly using rifles styled after AR-15s and AK-47s. At the time, there had been more than 30 shootings believed to have been tied to semi-automatic rifles in the two neighborhoods over the last year.



At least 46 people were shot in those attacks, 13 fatally.

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The shooting happened near the office of Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, who sparked a firestorm this past spring when he said "no innocent lives were lost" after two people were killed and eight others wounded when two masked gunmen with rifles opened fire on a group congregating at a makeshift memorial for a man who had been slain in an earlier shooting.



Community members gathered at both ends of the crime scene on Friday to gawk, check on their loved ones and find out what happened.



Maria Mier, who lives nearby, said she saw a rush of ambulances and heard what sounded like "a machine gun."



An EMS Plan I was called on Friday, sending at least six ambulances to the scene, but the plan was called off a short time later when police took over the incident as a crime scene, said Chicago Fire Department Cmd. Frank Velez. None of the multiple victims was taken to hospitals, Velez said.



Two men on the scene, who asked not to be identified, said they heard what sounded like a rifle firing and a car chase.



One of the men said, in Spanish, that he was eating dinner about half a mile away, near 47th and Kedzie Avenue, when he heard "at least 15 shots, and (I) said (to myself), 'They've killed someone.'"



Marina Carbajal, 19, was driving home with her mother from the gas station when the gunmen started shooting after they'd stopped at a red light. Carbajal, who was behind the wheel, said she at first ducked down, then covered her mother.



"One second we were talking, and then we heard the gunshots," Carbajal said. As soon as the gunfire stopped, Carbajal drove off, not wanting to get caught in another round.



In the hours after the shooting, loved ones turned out to check on the dead. A woman walked up to police at the crime scene tape and asked if she could come through.



Police blocked her and an officer said, "I'm sorry for your loss."



"They killed one of my son's friends," she told them. Moments later, her son ran toward the crime scene tape. He came up to the police officer, tried to get permission to pass and burst into tears.



As police stood guard nearby and more friends and relatives began pulling up at the scene, one young man held a cellphone in front of his mouth and cried.



"I just seen him," he said, over and over, in reference to a slain friend.



Another man, who was pacing around the crime scene tape, angrily walked up to police officers on the other side and criticized them for "not doing anything" to stop the violence. He cursed at the officers and said they don't do anything.



As he spoke, a group of residents talked about the neighborhood. One of the men gestured toward the cursing man to illustrate his point that it had changed for the worse "with idiots like this."



The angry man turned around to confront the group and said they shouldn't talk about him behind his back. He said that, as Latinos, they should stick together.



"Do you think I like it that I was sleeping and they called to tell me my cousin's dead?" he asked, confronting them.



The other man told him he shouldn't express his grief by approaching them in such a confrontational, "gangbanging" style. After a few more words, the man, who said he'd been drinking, ambled away.



gpratt@chicagotribune.com



Twitter @royalpratt
Family and friends of Kenneka Jenkins release balloons during a memorial on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Chicagos Douglas Park for the young woman, who died inside a freezer at the Crown Plaza hotel in Rosemont a week earlier. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune )

A memorial to honor the life of a West Side teenager found dead in the walk-in freezer at a suburban hotel turned into a protest march and a plea for federal authorities to take over the investigation.

About 100 people, led by the mother of Kenneka Jenkins, 19, who was found dead last Sunday inside the freezer at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare & Conference Center in Rosemont, gathered Saturday in Douglas Park.

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From the park, about 30 people snarled eastbound traffic on Roosevelt Road as they marched east to the FBI's Chicago field office on a sunny afternoon. Through chants, group members said they were dissatisfied with hotel videos released by Rosemont police on Friday.

Activists threatened 30 days of protests outside the Crowne Plaza hotel if they weren't given the "full" version of the tape, saying they had only seen small, possibly doctored versions.

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"We're here at the FBI building asking for a second look," activist Mark Carter told reporters among a crowd of supporters at the front gate of the FBI office on the Near West Side.

Carter and the group promised to put an economic hardship on Rosemont. Contributing to increased tensions following Jenkins' death  which is being reviewed as a death investigation  was a miscommunication on the part of an activist who this week spoke on behalf of Jenkins' mother, Teresa Martin. The man told reporters no one lured Jenkins into the walk-in freezer, but later clarified that surveillance footage actually only shows her walking through an empty kitchen, not into the freezer.

Martin said she supports a federal investigation, saying the timeline of the videos did not make sense to her.

"I'm not a professional, but the FBI, from what I heard, they are professionals," she said. "I'm just looking for help  that's all I've been asking for since day one."

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Martin's attorneys couldn't be reached for comment. Calls and emails to the Rosemont police weren't immediately returned Saturday. No one from the FBI came outside to meet with the protesters, who left after speaking with the media.

Prior to the protest, more than 100 friends, relatives and some strangers had gathered in Douglas Park for a family-led memorial a week to the day after Jenkins last spoke with family members on the phone after leaving her West Side home for a Rosemont hotel party.

Just after noon Saturday  with rock music from the nearby Riot Fest blaring in the distance  the group gathered in a portion of the park just across from Collins Academy High School and shouted, "We love you, Kenneka," releasing more than a dozen purple and white balloons into the breeze. Many of those in attendance wore purple clothing or bandannas.

A local minister led the crowd in a prayer of support for Jenkins' family. The gathering was a chance for family and friends to grieve the death of the young woman.

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Martin greeted friends with hugs and kisses on the cheek as many guests handed over sealed envelopes that were placed into a large purple box adorned with pictures of Jenkins.

wlee@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MidNoirCowboy
A 55-year-old man was left in critical condition early Saturday after he was stabbed during a robbery on the Northwest Side in the Portage Park neighborhood, police said.

Shortly before 2 a.m., the man was approached by three people in the 4100 block of North Long Avenue when they announced a robbery, police said.

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When the victim refused to hand over his money, one of the robbers stabbed him in the back and the stomach, police said. The robbers then fled the scene.

The victim was taken in critical condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

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No one was in custody and police were investigating.
Chicago police are searching for a man who tried to assault a female employee at a Lincoln Square business on Sept. 14, 2017, officials said. (Handout)

Chicago police are searching for a man who entered a Lincoln Square business on Thursday and tried to assault the lone female employee, officials said Saturday.

About 3 p.m., a man between the ages of 35 and 45 entered the store in the 4800 block of North Western Avenue, police said. He continually asked the female employee questions about products in the store, according to a community and business alert.

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"As the victim stepped behind the service counter the offender stated several words to her and then aggressively ran behind the service counter attempting to attack the victim," officials said in a statement.

The man is described as Hispanic with a brown mustache and goatee, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 250 to 280 pounds, police said. The man was wearing a maroon Chicago Blackhawks hat, a dark-colored T-shirt, dark-colored jeans and shoes resembling Timberland shoes, police said. The man also was wearing a black hoodie over his shoulder and had several tattoos on his lower right forearm, police said.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the Area North police station at 312-744-8200.
Assistant States Attorney Natosha Toller and defense attorney Barry Sheppard speak after the bond hearings for defendants Andrew Warren and Wyndham Lathem at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2017. (Alexandra Wimley/Chicago Tribune) (Alexandra Wimley/Chicago Tribune)

The former Northwestern professor and Oxford employee charged in the brutal stabbing death of a 26-year-old man in a Chicago high-rise have been formally indicted on murder charges, authorities said Friday.

Former professor Wyndham Lathem and his co-defendant, Andrew Warren, each face six counts of first-degree murder, according to Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office. The indictment itself was not made public Friday.

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Prosecutors said last month that Lathem, 43, and Warren, 57, stabbed Lathem's boyfriend, Trenton Cornell-Duranleau, 70 times in Lathem's Near North Side high-rise to fulfill a bizarre sexual fantasy. The two defendants had communicated online for months about their plans to kill other people, then each other, prosecutors said.

Instead, they fled the city, prosecutors said, leading authorities on a nationwide manhunt until the two men surrendered in California more than a week later. They were brought back to Chicago and ordered held without bail.

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Lathem was an associate professor of microbiology at Northwestern before being fired after fleeing the city. Warren, a British national, was suspended from his job as a financial officer at Somerville College, part of the Oxford University system.

The two had communicated online for months before Lathem paid for Warren to fly to Chicago so the two could carry out their violent fantasies, prosecutors alleged.

The details of Cornell-Duranleau's gruesome death came to light last month when prosecutors said in court that Lathem "lured" his boyfriend to his apartment, then attacked him while he slept. Warren stabbed with so much force that he broke the blade of one of the knives he used, prosecutors said.

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The attack left Cornell-Duranleau nearly decapitated, prosecutors said. As Cornell-Duranleau bled out in the bedroom, his attackers showered, then tried to clean up the scene, prosecutors said.

They fled from Lathem's apartment in the early morning hours, sparking a nationwide manhunt that ended with their surrender to authorities in California nine days later, prosecutors said.

While they were on the lam, the men made two charitable donations in Cornell-Duranleau's name, prosecutors said: $5,610 to the Howard Brown Health Center, an LGBT health and social services provider, and $1,000 to a public library in Lake Geneva, Wis.

At the library, prosecutors said, Lathem called the front desk of his apartment building and left an anonymous tip: Someone should check the apartment because a crime had been committed .

Both men have admitted to the slaying, prosecutors said. Warren confessed to police, while Lathem sent a video to his family and friends admitting that he killed Cornell-Duranleau, according to prosecutors.

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mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @crepeau
State Sen. Kwame Raoul, a South Side Democrat, said he is running for Illinois attorney general, after Lisa Madigans announcement that she wont seek another term in that office. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune )

Attorney General Lisa Madigan's sudden and unexpected announcement that she wouldn't seek a fifth term has created a possible top-tier contest for a major statewide office, and candidates from both parties quickly started considering bids.

Madigan gave no reason for her decision Friday. The daughter of powerful House speaker and state Democratic Chairman Michael Madigan sought support for re-election as recently as last month in asking for Cook County Democrats' backing.

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She has long been considered a rising star nationally among Democrats, and speculation about her future focused on possible bids for Chicago mayor or other public office. But she appeared to downplay the idea of a future candidacy in her announcement statement by using the past tense in thanking "those who have supported my work in elected office."

The sudden nature of her announcement was underscored by the fact that the state Democratic Party led by her father doesn't have a clear successor groomed.

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"It's going to be a free-for-all," one prominent Democratic leader said.

A flotilla of names surfaced among Democrats, and some Republicans privately said there were second thoughts about whether new GOP candidates might emerge too. Last month, the party announced a candidate to challenge Madigan: attorney, unsuccessful congressional candidate and former Miss America Erika Harold of Urbana.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul, a 13-year South Side lawmaker who has long been interested in the job, and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart were among those leading a list of names from prominent Democrats, who asked not to be named to avoid the perception of taking sides in the early political jockeying.

Raoul said he was "very seriously looking" at running and said he would make a final decision "in the next few days."

"I really believe that my record of working on difficult issues in Springfield such as criminal justice reform, workers' comp reform, concealed carry and gun safety policy, and serving as chair of the (Senate) Judiciary Committee puts me in a position where I can't imagine a person who is better qualified," said Raoul, a lawyer and former assistant Cook County prosecutor.

"I think having a record matters, and I haven't been a shrinking violet in Springfield, and I haven't run away from tough issues, and I've been able to work across the aisle," he said. "I think that matters to folks."

Raoul also would not be jeopardizing his Senate seat by making a run because it is not on the ballot in 2018.

Dart is a former county prosecutor who also served as a state lawmaker and lost a statewide bid as Democratic candidate for treasurer in 2002. He is up for re-election next year.

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"Lisa is and has been an outstanding attorney general, and at this time, the sheriff is focused on being the sheriff," said Dart spokeswoman Cara Smith.

Other names surfaced as well, including state Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park and state Rep. Elgie Sims of Chicago. Their legislative seats are up for election next year, so a run for attorney general would mean risking their spots. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx is not on the ballot in 2018. Even a former ambassador to the Czech Republic under former President Barack Obama, attorney Andrew Schapiro, is considering a bid, an aide said.

On the Republican side, Harold is a Harvard Law School graduate who lost a 2014 congressional primary Downstate. She issued a statement that "regardless of who the Democrats put forward, our campaign will continue to focus on protecting the people and not the powerful."

The Republican Attorneys General Association also touted Harold as "an exceptionally strong candidate."

Some Republicans said privately, though, that Madigan's decision not to seek re-election could change the dynamics for the GOP and that an experienced contender could upend Harold's support.

A source close to House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs said he's staying put in the General Assembly. Also mentioned was former House GOP leader Tom Cross. He didn't respond to a request for comment.

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Madigan's decision not to seek re-election comes less than two weeks after the opening of the period for candidates to gather petition signatures to get on the the March primary ballot. Candidates need at least 5,000 valid signatures and can submit a maximum of 10,000 to the State Board of Elections by Dec. 4.

That gives potential candidates time to solicit signatures, but the effort still requires a political organization, the support of local party leaders and "a whole mess of work," said the prominent Democrat.

But it also could take someone with money in the bank  particularly for Democratic hopefuls. Rauner could use his vast resources to finance the Republican candidate. Madigan had $2.3 million in campaign funds in her political bank account for re-election as of the end of June.

State finance disclosure reports show Harmon, a member of the Democratic Senate leadership team, with $662,000 in his campaign bank account, ahead of Dart's $470,000 and Raoul's $340,000. Harold so far has raised at least $40,000, mostly from the state Republican Party, which Rauner heavily subsidizes.

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Police tape surrounds the Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood Hills, Fla., on Sept. 13, 2017. Eight patients died in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma when the center lost its air conditioning. (John McCall / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

The night before Hurricane Irma began roaring over Florida, staffers at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills locked the doors, shuttered the windows and turned the temperature down to about 67 degrees - a buffer, administrators thought, to keep the building cool in case the power went out.

It wouldn't last long. About 3 p.m. on Sunday, the lights flickered, nursing-home executives say. The power stayed on, but a janitor soon noticed a problem: The massive chiller used to serve the 152-bed facility was spewing warm, muggy air.

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The following evening, Natasha Anderson, one of the executives, called a private phone number for Gov. Rick Scott, R, seeking urgent help, Anderson said. It was the first of three such calls, she said.

"Repeatedly, I was told that our case was being escalated to the highest level," Anderson said.

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Yet, she said, no one came -- and nursing-home officials did not consider the crisis urgent enough to bring patients to the hospital across the road.

The governor's communications director, John Tupps, did not respond to questions about whether Hollywood Hills had called Scott but said all calls from nursing homes were "referred to the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health and quickly returned."

By noon Wednesday, eight residents were dead. Their deaths are being investigated as criminal homicides, and the nursing home has been closed.

The account the nursing-home executives provided to The Washington Post offers new details of the deteriorating conditions inside the facility. But it also is contradicted by law enforcement and state officials on key points, including how aggressively the nursing home had sought assistance and precisely when staffers called 911 as a patient went into cardiac arrest.

Attempts to assign blame abound.

The Florida Department of Health said that "at no time" did the nursing home "report that conditions had become dangerous or that the health and safety of their patients was at risk."

"It's shocking that these trained medical professionals put patients' lives in needless jeopardy. The fact is that this facility never called 911," said Mara Gambineri, a spokeswoman for the department. "The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills is responsible for the health and safety of their patients."

The tragedy at Hollywood Hills showed that for billions of dollars and countless hours spent preparing for Florida's next inevitable hurricane, the lifeline for one of the nation's largest concentrations of the elderly and disabled remained tenuous in the aftermath of Irma.

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The survival of residents at the home rested not just on the state's vaunted $3 billion "smart grid," intended to limit power outages and target repair efforts, or on lists of critical infrastructure where restoring power is a top priority. Survival also depended on phone tag between nursing-home administrators, state officials and utility providers.

Several executives of a limited liability corporation that controls the nursing home declined to comment, including the principal owner, Florida resident Jack Michel.

But the nursing home made Anderson available for an hour-long interview, as well as a company official who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by Hollywood Hills. The officials provided an internal timeline of attempts to reach state officials and its utility provider.

"Nurses, doctors, administrators, staff -- everyone was doing everything that they could," Anderson said. "We were waiting and waiting for help that never came."

The nursing home and an adjoining psychiatric facility are connected to the power grid by two lines, the officials said. One provides electricity to most of the facility, including lights, oxygen machines, ventilators and the kitchen. The other supplies a central air-conditioning system.

When the warm air began pouring out of vents Sunday, executives contacted Florida Power and Light within 45 minutes, saying the line approaching the facility from the north appeared to have been down, according to their timeline. Anderson said the nursing home heard from the utility Monday that it would be coming that day.

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It never did, she said.

The nursing home provided ticket numbers for service requests that it had placed with FP&L beginning Sunday. The Post was able to confirm two of the requests using state records and the utility's website.

The power company Friday expressed "our deepest sympathies" but said in a statement that "we are limited in what we can say" due to the ongoing investigations. The company did not answer questions regarding the calls the nursing home said were made.

Hollywood Hills had in the days before the storm obtained eight "spot chillers" that could be run using a generator. Each had two "armlike" funnels that direct cool air. An exhaust vent from each machine releasing warmer air was routed upward, to the drop ceiling on each floor.

With the power otherwise still on at the nursing home, they were plugged into wall outlets. Staffers on Monday also went searching for portable fans and spent $900 to put one in each resident's room.

After 5:30 p.m., more than 24 hours after the air conditioning stopped working and with forecasts for higher temperatures in the days ahead, Anderson said she first called the governor's cellphone and left a message: "162 patients, elderly, some on oxygen. We need the air conditioning restored."

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Between then and 10 p.m. on Monday, Anderson said she received two return calls from state officials saying they were working on the request.

On Tuesday, there was still no sign of an electric crew. Anderson said she continued making calls at about 10 a.m., as did staffers and family members of patients who by that time were beginning to worry.

Ellie Pina, daughter of Mirelle Pina, a 96-year-old resident at the facility, said she and others repeatedly called FP&L and were ignored. Pina said that by Tuesday at noon it was extremely hot.

"It was like 110 degrees in there, it was unbearable. Not even the fans were helping them," she said. "The heat was amazing."

"I told Florida Power and Light the generators were going to give up soon. And it happened. I told my husband people were going to die in there. And it happened," she said, reciting her ticket number for service.

Pina said the staff had put patients, clothed in as little as possible, in the hallways close to the cooling units.

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The company official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that each of the chillers had a thermometer and that the readings upstairs showed temperatures in the low 80s - "82 or 83, it was holding steady," the official said.

Patients' temperatures were checked on each eight-hour shift, and for the last time Tuesday evening by a physician's assistant who made rounds. None of the people who gave accounts of the situation were present after 11 p.m. Tuesday night.

According to the timeline provided by the nursing home, the first 911 call was placed at about 1:30 a.m. to report a patient in cardiac distress.

In an email Friday, officials with the city of Hollywood and its police department said the first 911 call came later, at 3:01 a.m.

By 4:45 a.m., according to the timeline provided by the nursing home, five patients had been in cardiac arrest or respiratory distress and were treated by paramedics.

Randy Katz, chairman of the department of medicine at Memorial Regional Hospital, across the street, said that around 6 a.m. one of the senior nurses walked over to Hollywood Hills. She made a call: These patients needed to be evacuated, immediately, he said.

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Patients looked to be in distress. The second floor was extremely hot.

"There's no reason patients that age with chronic medical issues should be in a facility without air conditioning," Katz said.

The hospital activated what is called a mass-casualty event. Hospital staffers rushed to Hollywood Hills, looking for patients and getting them out as soon as possible.

"Our staff literally went room to room and evacuated the building," he said.

The sickest patients were rolled to the emergency room across the street on stretchers, with some being treated for dehydration, respiratory issues including respiratory failure, heat exhaustion or infection and high fevers.

"The temperatures during the day outside are in the mid-90s. I'm going to guess you can probably add another 10 degrees to that," Katz said of the temperature inside.

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In a news conference later in the day, Scott called the situation "unfathomable" and vowed that the state would hold accountable anyone not acting in the best interests of their patients.

As nursing-home executives began arriving at the building later Wednesday morning, they were instructed to stay behind a police line, saying the facility was a crime scene.

By 2 p.m., Anderson said, with detectives the only ones remaining, the air conditioning was turned back on.
Federal immigration agents were tracking a teenager who was facing deportation when he fatally shot a popular community volunteer during a robbery in San Francisco, authorities said Friday.



The slaying occurred on Aug. 15, four days after sheriff's investigators say 18-year-old Erick Garcia-Pineda stole the murder weapon from the personal car of a San Francisco police officer.



Four days after the killing, Garcia-Pineda's monitoring device was removed from his ankle, triggering an unsuccessful search for him. An immigration judge ordered him to wear the bracelet as a condition of his release from federal custody in April.



The case has stirred memories of the 2015 killing of a young woman on a San Francisco pier by a Mexican national who had been deported five times. A gun stolen from a law enforcement officer was also used in that shooting.



The shooting also ignited a national debate on sanctuary city policies that bar local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities unless they are seeking suspects convicted or charged with violent crimes.



Authorities say Garcia-Pineda had been detained by immigration authorities in December and released from custody in April pending deportation. In addition to wearing the ankle monitor, the judge required him to routinely check in with immigration officials.



He failed to show up for his August appointment, said James Schwab, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.



ICE said a contractor received a tamper alert on Aug. 19 but authorities couldn't find him. ICE told the man's attorney that his client should report to them immediately.



The sheriff's department says Garcia-Pineda was wearing the ankle bracelet when he was arrested on Sept. 3 on misdemeanor battery charges and deputies removed it. ICE says the Sheriff's Department ignored a request to block his release from jail that day.



Investigators later connected Garcia-Pineda to the killing of 23-year-old Abel Esquivel during a robbery.



ICE agents also asked the local sheriff in May to detain a second man arrested locally who is also charged with Esquivel's murder, Jesus Perez-Araujo, 24.



San Francisco police arrested Perez-Araujo for possession of marijuana and illegal possession of brass knuckles. He was ultimately only charged with misdemeanor possession of brass knuckles, court records showed.



Esquivel volunteered at the Central American Resource Center, which provides legal help to low-income Latino clients and other social services.



"We were shocked to hear the weapon belonged to a police officer," said Lariza Dugan Cuadra, executive director of the center.



Martin Halloran, president of the police officers' union, said the officer did not know his vehicle had been broken into until after the shooting.



"There were no visible signs of the burglary," Halloran said. "The officer, a highly decorated veteran, is devastated."



In the 2015 killing, Kate Steinle was shot as she walked on a pier crowded with tourists.



The San Francisco sheriff had released Jose Inez Garcia Zarate from jail several weeks before the Steinle shooting despite a detainer request from ICE.



Zarate acknowledges shooting the gun but said it fired accidentally. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.



Jury selection for his trial begins Oct. 2 while the debate over sanctuary cities continues.



The Trump administration opposes the policy and has threatened to withhold federal funds to those cities, prompting lawsuits. A federal judge on Friday barred the administration from withholding funding until a lawsuit in Chicago is resolved.



California's "sanctuary state" bill that would limit police cooperation with federal immigration authorities cleared a major hurdle Friday when it was approved by the state Assembly.



The Senate was scheduled to give final approval to the legislation before lawmakers wrap up the legislative year late Friday or early Saturday.



San Francisco police say Garcia-Pineda and two other young men began driving around the city looking for robbery victims after they stole the gun on Aug. 11.



A police bulletin from 2015 said officers should keep a gun with them when they are in public and that if they are forced to leave a firearm briefly in an unattended vehicle, they must secure the weapon in the locked trunk where it cannot be seen.

Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report
ELKO  Gas prices are up 11 cents a gallon in Elko but are still the lowest in Nevada cities monitored by AAA Nevada.

The companys report shows Elko gas stations charging an average of $2.70 per gallon, compared with the statewide average of $2.81. The highest price was in Reno at $3.17, where local gas taxes are higher than Elkos.

AAA Nevada pointed out that gas prices jumped by double digits statewide in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, although Nevada does not receive gas from the Gulf Coast region.

An incident as severe as Harvey will have a big impact on the global supply chain, even if that region doesnt supply Nevadas gas, AAA Nevada spokesman Michael Blasky said. Combined with strong summer travel demand on the West Coast, it means motorists in Nevada are seeing the highest gas prices in two years.

Prices have held steady over the last five days, stabilizing as Houston refineries returned to production.

Gas prices historically fall after Labor Day, so drivers should expect to pay lower prices unless theres another disruption in the oil market, Blasky said.
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, third from the left, held a roundtable discussion Saturday in Aurora to discuss the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program. (Linda Girardi/Beacon-News )

A roundtable discussion in Aurora on President Donald Trump's decision to end the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program Saturday examined the impact of the policy change on local communities.

Hosted by U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, the event in the Little Theater at East Aurora High School attracted people in social services and those who have benefited from the program known as DACA.

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"Not only is this decision a cruel one that will have a devastating impact on the lives of nearly 800,000 young people  42,000 in Illinois alone who have benefited from the DACA program  it will also greatly harm our economy," Foster said.

Foster said studies suggest the DACA recipients add $460 billion in economic impact to the nation's Gross Domestic Product.

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"This incredible number is a testament to the hard work these DREAMers have been doing in communities across the country," said Foster, whose 11th Congressional District represents Aurora.

Cesar Vargas, who said he came to the United States from Mexico with his mother as a young boy after his father died, spoke during a forum on immigration policies in Aurora. He said he attended law school and became the first immigrant without documentation to be able to practice law in New York. (Linda Girardi/Beacon-News )

"It's clear President Trump fails to appreciate the important contributions that these Americans make to our country's rich diversity and our economic prosperity."

A six-member panel shared their insights and experiences, for some the very issues confronting those brought to the United States as children who are now facing uncertainty for their future.

Foster described it as a "roller-coaster ride" since he voted in favor of the DREAM Act as a member of Congress.

It failed in the Senate by five votes, he said. "It's been going on for so long. But the fight is continuing. There may be progress in sight," he told about 70 people in the audience.

He said any attempt to end the DACA program and make young immigrants feel unwanted or unsafe is unacceptable.

"The United States is the only country that many of these young people have ever known, and their presence here has only made America stronger."

He said President Trump's DACA decision has "reignited the urgency" to pass the DREAM Act legislation of which he is co-sponsor of in the House of Representatives.

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A representative from World Relief submits a question to a panel of speakers discussing the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program with U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville. (Linda Girardi/Beacon-News )

He said it is imperative that the Republican leadership in Congress bring it to the floor for a vote.

"Here in Aurora we have seen people of all backgrounds come together to voice their opposition and stand up to protect DREAMers," Foster said.

Adrienne Merced-Holloway, chief innovation officer in Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin's office, said the mayor references the city as "One Aurora," which is a testament to how he feels about all those who live in the city.

Merced-Holloway said there are 5,000 individuals in Kane County who are eligible for DACA with another 3,000 future DACA-eligible individuals.

"We cannot only focus on those who are losing their status, this was an entry point for others who are waiting for the opportunity to move beyond the shadows," she said.

Merced-Holloway said the DACA program was an order created by former President Barack Obama with time limits attached to ensure continual activity at the congressional level to pass the DREAM Act.

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Ana Campa Castillo said she is a DACA recipient who came to the United States at the age of 6 with her parents.

She explained how she was bewildered by the decision to leave Mexico, but visited eight years later and understood why her parents left in pursuit of the American dream.

"Looking at the home that I once thought was everything was the final straw that broke my heart. It is remarkable that it was still standing," she said.

Castillo, 26, is now married with two sons and attends college.

"DACA has allowed my husband and me to put fear of deportation aside and work legally toward our dreams and hopes," she said.

"The decision to repeal DACA does bring worries my way. It starts with the uncertainty of whether my husband and I will be able to find work to support our family and go to school," she said.

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Cesar Vargas said he, too, came to the United States from Mexico with his mother as a young boy after his father died. He attended law school and became the first immigrant without documentation to be able to practice law in New York. He is co-founder of Dream Action Coalition.

"As an attorney and advocate, I am committed to ensure we are creating a fair immigration policy not just so that we as DACA recipients can continue to be a U.S. citizen one day but to ensure we can contribute to a country we call home," he said.

He recalled his last day in Mexico and a photo that was taken with his mother and three siblings that he never really paid any attention to in the past.

"My mother was hovering over us ... looking very determined and holding a plastic bag. In the plastic bag were our documentation and school records. Our life was in that plastic bag ... that's all we took to start a new life," Vargas said.

Maria Antonia Mariscal, about three-quarters into the discussion, spoke out saying her five young children would not be able to stay for the entire forum.

"Please do whatever you need to do to get the DACA program through. I feel as though the Latinos keep getting used for our votes and nothing gets through," Mariscal said to applause.

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Foster said he shared her frustration. Mariscal, whose children were ages 1 to 10, said she has friends she fears will be deported.

Ed Yohnka, ACLU director of communications and public policy, described Trump's decision as "cruel and clueless" and unnecessary.

"DACA clearly falls within the scope of the executive authority to enforce our nation's immigration laws. Had this administration had the courage to make this case in court in a vociferous way, they, too, would have been able to continue this program but they chose a different path, one of cruelty and uncertainty," Yohnka said.
A 32-year-old Elgin man is free on a personal recognizance bond after Kane County prosecutors charged him this week with recording a woman inside a bathroom, court records show.

Jose Garcia faces one count of unauthorized video recording without consent after he "made a video recording of (the woman) while ... in a women's restroom" of a business on Galvin Drive on Monday, according to charging documents. A female employee reported finding the camera and Elgin police were called.

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Garcia was released on his signature following a Wednesday hearing. He was ordered not to have contact with, nor post anything on social media about, the business or its employees as a condition of his release, according to court records. Garcia is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 28 for a hearing before Judge John Barsanti.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Elgin police detectives at 847-289-2600. Individuals also can provide anonymous tips or information via the crime line at 847-695-4195 or by texting 847-411 and including ELGINPD in the beginning of the text, along with their message.

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Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
The 55-year-old Geneva man accused of sexually assaulting his girlfriend while armed with a knife has pleaded not guilty to charges contained in an indictment against him, court records show.

Howard Flint was indicted earlier this year on seven counts which included aggravated criminal sexual assault, sexual assault, intimidation, aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated assault and domestic battery following a Feb. 2 incident. Prosecutors allege Flint used a knife with a six-inch blade to threaten the woman to prevent her from leaving a bedroom, where the assault occurred in the home they shared on Westhaven Circle, according to documents. The woman received medical treatment following the incident, authorities previously said.

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Flint is free on $150,000 bail after a friend posted bond for him. He is on the county's highest level of GPS monitoring, barred from contacting the woman and must wear an alcohol-monitoring device, a judge previously ordered as bond conditions, according to court documents.

Flint is scheduled to return to court Sept. 21.

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Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Ryan Waesche of Elgin (not pictured) has been lending his talents as a chef and caterer to Mercy Chefs of Virginia which has been providing meals in Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. (Gary LeBlanc)

An Elgin chef and caterer who headed to southeast Texas to help feed those left in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey is now along Florida's Gulf Coast helping feed those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

"I saw the need, listened to God and stepped up. They could really use the help," Tableside Catering owner Ryan Waesche said.

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Waesche teamed up with faith-based, Virginia-based nonprofit Mercy Chefs on their storm relief efforts, first in Friendswood in the Houston area and now in Estero, which is between Fort Meyers and Naples.

Chris Glasshagel, who works for Waesche, accompanied Waesche to Texas, but returned home before the Florida trip.

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Mercy Chefs is funded through donations. It works with local churches and typically sets ups in their parking lots, preparing meals made in its large mobile kitchen operation, which includes a refrigeration unit and can run on generators. The meals are served on site and are distributed to places being used as shelters.

Waesche said he drove a freighter from Calvary Houston Church in Friendswood to Living Waters Church in Estero. That trip is more than 1,100 miles and took three days, Waesche said, in part because of traffic crawling back into Florida as evacuees returned home after the storm.

On Friday afternoon, Waesche said much of the Estero area remained without power. Some schools were just reopening, not all stores had reopened, and the church where Mercy Chefs set up expected to have electricity Friday, Waesche said.

Waesche said he has been sleeping inside the truck. The church has a shower, which has been used by flashlight, and volunteers have been going through a lot of hand sanitizer.

"It's very hot and humid here, and it wipes you out," Waesche said. "I joke that hurricane relief work should be the new weight loss program."

A Chevrolet Bel Air classic car sits under a fallen palm tree from Hurricane Irma in Marco Island, Fla., on Sept. 11, 2017. (David Goldman/AP )

Waesche said he has been performing a variety of duties for Mercy Chefs, which is there to help an impacted community while providing some tools to do so.

Mercy Chefs also prepares restaurant-quality lunches and dinners. On Wednesday  the first day Mercy Chefs offered meals in Estero  lunch included roasted pork chops with raspberry vinaigrette and broccolini, Waesche said, while lunch Friday included Creole style chicken, stuffing and brownies for dessert.

Mercy Chefs founder and president, Gary LeBlanc, said he formed the organization 11 years ago, after Hurricane Katrina, being a volunteer on occasions himself, and seeing the type of meals typically served in disaster relief efforts.

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"I thought there should be a better way to serve food for people dealing with a disaster," LeBlanc said.

In Texas, Mercy Chefs served more than 100,000 meals over 10 days and still has a small crew in the Houston area, LeBlanc said. In Estero, through Friday, LeBlanc estimated Mercy Chefs would have served more than 25,000 meals there since Wednesday.

Debris litters the street following Hurricane Irma at Marco Island, Fla., on Sept. 11, 2017. (Loren Elliott/Tampa Bay Times )

With power returning, LeBlanc said the tentative plan was to depart the area by Wednesday. Mercy Chefs typically leaves by the time restaurants and grocery stores reopen, LeBlanc said, in part to give the local businesses an opportunity to get back on their feet.

LeBlanc said what he enjoys about operating Mercy Chefs is "the look on people's faces when they open one of our meals. It's not what they expected, and it brings smiles."

LeBlanc said there is an amazing sense of family and community that can come over a shared meal. Good meals also provide moments of normalcy for people who are coping with the aftermath of disasters, LeBlanc said.

Waesche said sometimes that sense can come from being able to have cold water.

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Waesche said that while working in Estero a woman and her young daughter showed up to eat, but the girl only wanted a cold bottle of water. With power out and no ice available, Waesche gave this child the only thing he could offer, a liter bottle he had kept refrigerated for himself and to which he had added key limes.

Waesche said these are the third and fourth hurricane relief efforts with which he has been involved. The other two were in a prior job with Motorola getting communications equipment to public safety workers in impacted locations in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Waesche's Tableside Catering Business in Elgin, which does catering jobs such as weddings and business meetings, also serves meals in downtown Elgin with the Vineyard Church's Friday evening street reach ministry and the Wednesday evening soup kitchen at First Congregational Church.

While he has been gone, Waesche said Tableside employee Joy Oliver has been doing a great job overseeing his Elgin buinsess. And to help cover the costs of the journey, Waesche set up a GoFundMe page, "Tableside w/Mercy Chefs In TX Relief."

"I'm thankful for any donations, and I really appreciate the prayers people have been saying for me and this effort," Waesche said.

mdanahey@tribpub.com
Work is set to begin this fall replacing this 136-year-old rail bridge in Elgin over which Metra and Canadian Pacific trains pass. (Mark Llanuza/Metra)

Long-in-the-works plans to replace an old bridge in Elgin over the Fox River that is used by commuter and freight trains are about to be put into action.

Metra's Board of Directors recently approved awarding a $21.6 million contract to Illinois Constructors Corporation of Elburn for replacing a 136-year-old bridge along the Milwaukee District West Line. The bridge, known as Z100 by Metra, is about a mile from downtown Elgin and is 35 miles from Union Station in downtown Chicago where the commuter route ends.

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Construction is planned to begin this fall and is expected to take about three years to complete.

"At this point we think we'll likely start in November," Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said.

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According to a Metra release, the project will replace the existing single-track bridge with a double-track one built to modern standards. The contract covers the bridge structure, with Metra crews building and installing the project's track and signal elements.

"This bridge project is extremely important for improving the reliability, performance and operational flexibility of the Milwaukee District West Line," Metra CEO/Executive Director Don Orseno said in a statement. "We're happy to move this project forward and thankful for the support we've received from our delegation in Washington to secure the funding we needed."

With assistance from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and then-U.S. Rep., now U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Metra received a $14 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for the $34 million project. Metra and Canadian Pacific Railway will share the remaining cost, with $6 million provided by the railway and $14 million coming from Metra.

Duckworth came to Elgin in May 2014 to tout the TIGER grants and to take a look at the aging bridge. Upon inspecting the site she said, "We can't afford not to fix it."

In a statement related to the contract being awarded, Duckworth noted that the project should improve passenger safety, save commuters thousands of hours in wasted travel time each year and boost the area's economy.

"Investing in our state's infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to move Illinois forward, and I'm proud to use my posts on the Senate committees with jurisdiction over infrastructure to support jobs and grow our state's economy," Duckworth said.

According information provided by Metra, the 500-foot bridge carries 54 Metra trains and up to eight Canadian Pacific freight trains each weekday. The structure originally was built in 1881. Half its spans were replaced in 1905 and the other half in 1926. Signal equipment dates to the 1950s.

In March, Elgin Mayor David Kaptain was among those at a public hearing in Elgin where Metra collected comments about the project. Kaptain recalled playing on the railroad bridge as a teen, back when there wasn't as much train traffic, he said.

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"It's long overdue," Kaptain said.

mdanahey@tribpub.com
Elzbieta Plackowska starts her trial at the DuPage County courthouse in Wheaton on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. (Bev Horne / Daily Herald)

A Naperville woman accused of stabbing two children to death initially denied the killings but eventually said she hoped to save the children from a "poisoned world," according to a police interview and court testimony on Friday.

A recorded interview with Elzbieta Plackowska was played in court before prosecutors rested their case against the 45-year-old woman.

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The 73-minute interview took place early on Oct. 31, 2012. Several hours earlier, according to authorities, Plackowska had stabbed to death her son, Justin, 7, and Olivia Dworakowski, 5, at the Naperville condo where Olivia lived with her mother.

Plackowska is charged with first-degree murder. She is also charged with animal cruelty for allegedly killing two dogs. Her attorneys, who began presenting witnesses late Friday afternoon, are mounting an insanity defense.

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Naperville police Detective Sgt. Richard Arsenault, the final state witness, interviewed Plackowska at Edward Hospital. The detective described her as "lucid."

Justin Plackowska, left, and Olivia Dworakowski were murdered in Naperville in 2012. Elzbieta M. Plackowska is charged with their murders. (Handout / WGN-TV)

"She showed very little emotion  she was just kind of matter of fact," he said.

On the audio tape, Plackowska initially denied any responsibility, saying several times, "I didn't kill my kids."

She said that she was lying in bed, listening to her iPod, with the children next to her, when she opened her eyes to see an intruder, whom she said attacked the children.

The detective kept challenging aspects of her story. Plackowska eventually told him that she killed the kids to save them from a poisoned world, Arsenault testified, affirming what was on the recording.

The first defense witnesses included two women who had employed Plackowska as a housekeeper, and both said she seemed sad in October 2012 as she dealt with the news of her father's death in her native Poland.

Her defense team says the death of the father, about five weeks before the children's slayings, started Plackowska toward a psychotic break. Prosecutors, though, say she was motivated by anger and resentment over an unhappy home life.

The trial continues Monday and the psychiatric experts who examined Plackowska are expected to testify next week.

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Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
Mother and daughter Tina and Kimberly Hartman, of Naperville, enjoy a piece of art work Kimberly bought to decorate her new house. Both attended the 32nd Naperville Riverwalk Fine Art Fair Saturday. (David Sharos/Naperville Sun )

Margaret Parkolap of Naperville is such a fan of art work  it gives her goosebumps.

"Look at me as I'm talking about this," Parkolap said, rubbing her arm as she sat under a tree Saturday along the Naperville Riverwalk. "I love this fair, and I feel art speaks to my soul. I appreciate the creativity off all of these people as some never get recognized."

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Artists and fans of their work were the focus of the 32nd annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair, which brought thousands of visitors to Naperville's downtown area Saturday.

The juried art show, which continues to draw representatives from around the country, remains ranked among the top 100 shows nationally, according to organizer Debbie Venezia.

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"We have about 130 artists here, which is down about a half dozen because of people affected by the hurricane in Florida," Venezia said. "About 60 percent of our artists are back from previous years, and about 40 percent are new. We like to keep things fresh."

Naperville artist Laurie Pollpeter Eskenazi returned to the annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair Saturday. The event continues Sunday. She said she makes "over 1,200 pieces of artwork a year." (David Sharos/Naperville Sun )

Venezia said this year's show featured art in 14 different mediums.

"We have excellence, merit, and best of show awards, and we try very hard to have a balanced show each year in terms of the type of artists we have and the work they do," she said.

Parkolap said "the truth about buying art" is that now she can afford the real stuff.

"Let's face it  when a lot of us started out, you had to decorate by buying things at Target, but at this stage in life, we can finally afford it," she said. "Not all of the work speaks to me, but many of these things are breathtaking."

Martie and Leon Gawron, of Aurora, stopped to visit the art fair Saturday and said they have been coming the last 17 years.

"I'm a big pottery person, and I'd have to say that most years, I come home with at least a little something," Martie said. "I'm a former educator, teacher, and principal, and I appreciate art, period. We're always surprised by something we see here."

"I enjoy the setting here and just sitting and listening to the music," added Leon Gawron. "Personally, I can appreciate the effort people put into their work."

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Naperville artist Laurie Pollpeter Eskenazi said work for her is a "10 to 12 hours a day thing" and that coming to the annual art fair "is like a vacation."

"I work six days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day and sometimes on Sunday," Eskenazi said. "I've been at this show for at least 15 years, and I think people continue to buy things because of the patterns and textures I use. When people ask me how long it takes to make something, I tell them I've been training now for 35 years."

College students Trevor Nyland and Elizabeth Ladas, both of Naperville, said they were looking forward to enjoying "the creativity and expression" of the artists.

"I really like acrylic paintings, and I like to paint, myself, although I'm not that good," Ladas said.

Tina Hartman and her daughter Kimberly, of Naperville, said they were enjoying a mother-daughter day.

"I think art allows you to have a connection with the world, and I personally enjoy things done using acrylics," Tina Hartman said.

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"For me, art makes you feel stuff, and it speaks to you. Because when look at a piece of jewelry or whatever, you feel the love that was put into it and realize it is a piece of that person you are experiencing," Kimberly Hartman said.

Debora Duran Geiger, whose work was commissioned by the Marquette group and can be seen along the Riverwalk near the Water St. District, traveled to the fair from Santa Fe, N.M.

"I work with fire ceramic tile, which has been used for thousands of years, and I tried to be as authentic and accurate as I could when I did the murals," Geiger said. "It's amazing to overhear people talking about it now and never realizing I was involved with the project."

Israel resident Yoram Gal, who has been a regular at the show since 2005, said he was happy to be back.

"I have a studio back home in Israel that I'm running with my wife, so I don't do as many shows here in the U.S. as I used to," Gal said as he applied paint to a canvas with his finger. "I always feel fortunate though to be back here."

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
The Howser boys of Aurora, from left, Ashton, Camden, Vaughn and Bryce, amassed a load of unused school supplies over the years. They are urging fellow students to join them in donating it to their charity Supply Bucket. (Steven Howser/Handout)

Concerns about children in Texas whose lives were upended by Hurricane Harvey's relentless rain spurred students in Naperville and Aurora into action.

Naperville School District 203's Prairie Elementary, Madison Junior High and Naperville North and 15 schools Indian Prairie School District 204 joined efforts to help areas ravaged by record flooding.

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More than 30 boxes of donations will be headed to Cimarron Elementary School in Katy, Texas, a school adopted by Prairie Elementary.

Jennifer Clarke, a third-grade teacher at the school, was born in Katy and attended kindergarten and first grade at Cimarron Elementary before her family moved to Illinois.

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Clarke said Katy holds a special place in her heart because as a child she'd return to Katy for visits and was allowed to shadow her best friend during the school day.

It was through a Facebook group for third-grade teachers that Clarke connected with a teacher from Cimarron Elementary.

At first Clarke's students sent cards and notes of encouragement. They all wanted to do more.

Principal Tracy Dvorchak immediately joined the bandwagon when Clarke asked if Prairie could adopt Cimarron Elementary to help the students, staff and families as they start rebuilding their homes and lives.

"Prairie is filled with so many kind and generous families and we hope to collect new items and monetary donations to send to our adopted school," Dvorchak said in a letter to parents.

Families donated school supplies, books, kids' clothes and shoes, toys, crafts, stuffed animals and money to cover shipping costs.

Clarke said any remaining money will be sent to Cimarron Elementary School to assist the community.

A staggering number of families in the Katy Independent School District were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

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District figures show 15,007 students and 2,600 employees of Katy ISD are recovering from direct impact of the storm.

To put that into perspective, Naperville School District 203 started the year with 16,700 students and employs 2,587 teachers, administrators, support personnel, bus drivers and other staff.

In a message to Prairie Elementary, Cimarron Principal Shawna Hunt said sections of the campus were flooded and two staff members "lost pretty much everything"  home, clothes, cars and memorabilia. Many others experienced property damage, such as damaged floors, ruined furniture and molded sheetrock.

"While some of us might not have lost material things, we know family members and friends that did. The impact has been widespread and an emotional journey for many. However, we are all safe and recovering. Overall, we are forging ahead together to get back to a sense of normalcy," she said in her message to Prairie.

Melanie Reicher's seven-grade Project IDEA class at Madison Junior High set a goal to raise $1,000 in a coin drive to benefit the Humane Society of the United States.

The students picked the Humane Society to benefit animals affected by both Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and they set up a means for the community to help their cause at http://bit.ly/penniesforpaws.

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Naperville North Principal Stephanie Posey said her school collected $1,600 to date and is gathering school supplies as well.

"We have collections at our Homecoming events this week in the evenings," Posey said.

Efforts to gather school supplies at Metea Valley High School, all seven middle schools and seven elementary schools in Indian Prairie School District 204 was spearheaded by the Howser family in Aurora.

Ashton Howser, a senior at Metea Valley, said he initially hatched the idea for Supply Bucket, a school supply collection program, in 2015 after watching students throw out unused pens, pencils, folders and paper while cleaning out their lockers at the end of the school year.

Ashton said in spring 2016 he tried to implement a Supply Bucket drive, but "it never took off."

After Hurricane Harvey hit, Ashton talked to family about adjusting the Supply Bucket concept they created to flooding victims

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He got the full support of his parents, Stephen and Natalie, and his three brothers  Bryce, a sophomore at Metea; Camden, an eighth-grader at Granger Middle School; and Vaughn, a second-grader at Young Elementary.

"Education is important to me, and every student should have the same opportunity to learn," Ashton said.

Stephen Howser said while the family had developed a template for collecting school supplies, the biggest obstacle was transporting them to Texas.

Knowing of the City of Aurora's plan to send relief trucks to the Houston area, Ashton reached out to see if school supplies could be added to the city-sponsored trucks headed south. The student has worked with Mayor Richard Irvin's office as a teen volunteer with Meaningful Summers so he was familiar with whom to contact.

After receiving the go-head from Aurora, the Howser family pitched the idea of setting boxes in schools to District 204 administrators.

Boxes and bags of donated books, toys, crafts, school supplies and more line the hall of Prairie Elementary School in Naperville on Friday. The items will be shipped to Cimarron Elementary School in Katy, Texas, to help students whose lives were upended by flooding from Hurricane Harvey. (Naperville School District 203)

Fifteen schools, including the three Howser boys' schools, signed on to serve as collection sites as well as Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville, which the family attends.

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"It's been a phenomenal response. It will be even more phenomenal to watch the impact we made," Ashton said

Donations, which can be dropped off through Sept. 22, will be sorted and organized by volunteers the last week of September to make them easier to distribute by the Houston Independent School District.

To volunteer or to obtain a complete list of drop-off locations, visit www.supplybucket.com.

At the end of the school year, Ashton plans to roll out the school supply collection as he originally planned. Those items would be distributed locally in the fall to students who need supplies or could be used to help students who've experienced a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey.

Ashton said organizing the Hurricane Harvey collection will make the spring Supply Bucket drive easier since students already will be aware of the program.

Bryce Howser, who spent the week promoting Supply Bucket to classmates, will pick up the torch when Ashton heads off to college, and the goal is to pass the student coordination down the line to the other siblings.

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Stephen Howser said the family also would like to see the Supply Bucket blueprint applied in other regions and in hundreds of schools across the country.

He said he expects his family is not alone in having random pens, pencils, paper and binders around the house.

"When we went through our junk drawer and cabinet, I was embarrassed how much stuff we had," Stephen Howser said.

When it comes to raising money, even pocket change can add up.

Naperville Jaycees collected more than $20,000 during the Naperville Last Fling over Labor Day weekend, said Keith Giaquinto, public relations chairman for Last Fling.

The money will go to the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.

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The idea to collect money via tips and donations during Last Fling came from Paul Dekruiff, a Jaycee Rooster.

Dekruiff did a similar collection in 2005 for Hurricane Katrina victims when he was running the Last Fling, Giaquinto said. Dekruiff was amazed at the outpouring of support from the community in 2005 and decided to do it again for Harvey victims.

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ELKO  When Christine Chapman arrived in Texas she was not overwhelmed by the destruction of Hurricane Harvey, she was looking forward to helping flood victims get back on their feet.

Chapman is part of the Elko chapter of the Red Cross and went to areas affected by Harveys flooding soon after the storm had passed.

Chapmans trip included stops in Austin and Houston before spending more than a week in the Corpus Christi area distributing food, cleaning supplies and other items victims would need to get a sense of normalcy after the flood.

Chapman is retired but said this is the most fulfilling work she has ever done.

Its just really heart-warming and very humbling, she said. You grow to find a connection with these people. Some of these people will come in for a feeding and later well come out for a second or third time and a lot of these people will remember us from the feeding. I dont think Ive ever had a more gratifying job.

Red Cross volunteer often have to move quickly when disaster strikes but Chapman had been following the storm and was not surprised when her phone rang in the early morning hours of Sept. 2.

Chapman immediately began making arrangements to fly out of Reno and had flights booked before sunrise.

She said traveling to Texas was a tiring experience.

It was a full day. We left out of Elko at 4 oclock Saturday morning and we were sitting in Austin by 5 oclock Saturday night, she said. Our volunteers move quickly.

Chapmans work in Texas is done, but she will still have a lot on her plate the next two weeks as she works in Florida to help those affected by Hurricane Irma.

The Red Cross began shifting resources to Florida in advanced of the storm and Chapman was preparing to head there earlier this week.

Chapman said the work in Texas will continue long after her group of volunteers leaves.

This is going to be a long process here in Texas, she said. This is going to be three to six months with the recovery process.

The flooding hit close to home for Chapman, who was part of the local Red Cross efforts in the wake of flooding of the Humboldt River in February. Even though volunteers travel long distances to help those in need, Elko Red Cross Youth Services Coordinator Caitlynne Chapman said it is important for the organization to have a local presence.

We want volunteers in the community, not necessarily to send on deployment, but to help out around town, she said. If they want to volunteer to go out on disasters they can but we want to open up the doors to volunteers and anyone that wants to help out.

Caitlynne also said the local Red Cross needs to add to its volunteer group since there are only about five in Elko.

Christine Chapman does not have to worry about planning her volunteer time around her work schedule but many of the volunteers she worked with put everything on hold to help those in need.

She said she was overwhelmed by the number of people who dedicated their time to flood victims in Texas and Florida.

Its hard for volunteers to help out because all of a sudden they get a phone call and they have to organize their household, she said. Theyre leaving their children and husbands and thats a lot to ask of people. We have people that take their vacation time to come help us. The magnitude of the people who come help us is amazing.
East Chicago is getting an additional $4 million to help with the demolition of the lead- and arsenic-contaminated West Calumet Housing Complex.

Indiana's congressional delegation and Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday that a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be used to help demolish the complex, which was evacuated starting in 2016 after high levels of lead and arsenic contamination were found in the soil.

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"We're encouraged by the administration's continued support of cleanup efforts in East Chicago. Secretary (Ben) Carson saw first-hand that continued investment in the area is needed and they followed through on that today," Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said in a joint statement. "We will continue to deliver a coordinated effort across local, state, and federal governments to provide a safe living environment for the West Calumet community."

Young said he, and the other members of the delegation, will continue to push for resources for East Chicago, knowing the "fiscally constrained environment."

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"I'm just happy that more resources are being made available at the federal level to right a wrong that unfortunately Hoosiers are on the receiving end of," Young said, during an interview Friday in Gary.

The City of East Chicago did not respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

How the demolition of the West Calumet Complex will be done is still under consideration by HUD, which is reviewing public comments submitted on the plans.

A HUD notice issued May 26 said the demolition of the complex would have "no significant impact on the human environment." The determination from HUD came after an application submitted by the East Chicago Housing Authority detailed the need for demolition to protect human health because of the lead and arsenic contamination found in the soil around the public housing complex.

Residents raised concerns about the demolition process, and petitioned HUD to push back the deadline for public comments, which it agreed to do.

The demolition plan will remove all residential and non-residential structures, foundations, pavement and sidewalks, according to a notice from HUD. The federal housing agency said the cost of the demolition will be around $6.8 million, according to HUD documents.

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland said in May the city asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean the site of the West Calumet Housing Complex to residential standards once demolition is completed. The mayor said once the site is cleaned to residential standards, the city will begin seeking input on potential future uses of the land.

clyons@post-trib.com

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Puebloan opening cafe in the same coffee shop that first employed her

Puebloans Vicy and Daniel Stone are preparing to launch The Sacred Bean cafe in the same building where Vicy got her first barista job 20 years ago.
Clark school board OKs $14m in budget cuts

LAS VEGAS (AP)  A southern Nevada school board approved up to $13.9 million in new cuts as it grapples with a budget shortfall of up to $60 million.

The Clark County School Board, which serves a district covering about 8,000 square miles, expects the new round of cuts approved on Thursday will save the district about $7 million to $13.9 million.

The cuts come from the elimination of more than 272 positions and various services.

Schools are expected to make a combined $17.4 million in cuts to individual budgets as well.

Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky says they have been working hard on trying to prevent more cuts to schools.

The board approved $43 million in cuts last month, and its likely to approve more at the end of this month.

Nevada court freezes pot distribution dispute

CARSON CITY (AP)  The Nevada Supreme Court is saying stop  at least for now  to a plan to let entities other than alcohol distributors transport marijuana for sale at recreational pot dispensaries.

The state high court on Thursday issued an order essentially freezing the months-long distribution dispute until it hears oral arguments Oct. 3 about who is entitled move marijuana from cultivators to retail stores.

The hearing is scheduled before the full seven-member court at the Boyd School of Law at UNLV.

Nevadas voter-approved marijuana legalization law last November gave liquor wholesalers exclusive rights to transport marijuana for 18 months, unless they couldnt keep up with demand.

Complaints from pot shops about demand outstripping supply after recreational sales began July 1 prompted the state Tax Commission to say it would let others beyond alcohol distributors handle the job.

Fatal Las Vegas shooting prompts homicide investigation

LAS VEGAS (AP)  Police began a homicide investigation after a 40-year-old man was shot multiple times near downtown Las Vegas and died at the hospital.

KVVU-TV reports that police arrested a suspect on a first-degree murder charge in connection to the deadly Thursday night shooting.

Police say the male suspect was located near the scene and was involved in a physical altercation with the victim before the shooting occurred.

Authorities have not named the victim.

Police say an officer on a motorcycle was injured from a crash while responding to the scene.
Actor Li Chen wanted to propose to top actress Fan Bingbing on Friday night just before her 36th birthday, and he made it.

The two had been dating for two years.

Early Saturday morning, Li shared photos of the scene when he proposed to Fan on his microblog Weibo account, captioning them "We, forever..."

Fan later retweeted the post, adding, "Forever and forever..."

Fan, born on Sept. 16, 1981, is one of most renowned and acclaimed Chinese actress, starring in many film and TV classics including "Cell Phone," "Lost in Beijing," "Buddha Mountain," "I Am Not Madame Bovary" and Hollywood blockbuster "X-Men: Days of Future Past."

She is also one of the highest-paid actresses in the world and for years has held top position on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list, with estimated worth of 850 million yuan (US$130 million).

Actor Li Chen is about to kiss actress Fan Bingbing in a photo posted by Li online on Sept. 16, 2017. [Photo/Weibo.com]

Li, born on Nov. 24, 1978, also known as Jerry Li, is best known for being a cast member of the variety show "Keep Running" and also known for his roles in television series like "Beijing Love Story," "Beijing Youth" and "The Good Fellas."

He also starred in films such as "Ultimate Rescue" and "Aftershock." Li made his directorial debut in 2017 with "Sky Hunter," in which he cast Fan in one of leading roles. The new film is set for release on Sept. 30.

The two began their cooperation in the popular TV series "The Empress of China," also known as the "Saga of Wu Zetian," highlighting the life of China's only known empress.

Li's proposal post proved explosive on social network, attracting more than 300,000 retweets and more than 100,000 comments wishing them happiness by noon on Saturday.
Tianyi Market, Beijing's largest small commodities wholesale market, officially ended its 25-year life on Friday with thousands of shoppers enjoying their last chance of a cheap shopping spree.

Thousands of shoppers enjoy a last shopping spree at Beijing's biggest wholesale market of Tianyi that closed for good on Sept. 15, 2017 after a 25-year operation. [Photo by Zheng Liang / China.org.cn]

With one minute to go before closure, both shoppers and vendors stopped bargaining and took out their cameras or mobile phones to record the end of an era, with nostalgic farewell songs such as "Unforgettable Tonight" and "Auld Lang Syne" being played over the public address system.

"I have carried on business here for more than 10 years," one vendor told China.org.cn, "I can't just let it go in my heart."

Tianyi Market opened on Nov. 18, 1992, and at its peak had more than 4,650 booths rented to 1,900 vendors selling over 130,000 kinds of commodities from all over the country. It was convenient for Beijing residents to buy all kinds of things for daily use and items for celebrating various festivals at cheap prices.

However, the Beijing government started a campaign to remove low-end businesses and wholesale markets, transferring them to neighboring cities, in order to reduce the population and relocate non-capital functions. It plans to remove all wholesale markets within the citys Fourth Ring Road by 2020.

Tianyi Market has signed a contract cancellation agreement with the vendors and compensated them with four times the amount they initially paid in a guarantee deposit of 100,000 yuan (US$15,200).

However, for long-term vendors who likely paid one million yuan (US$152,000) in booth rent (guarantee deposit not included) for 10 years, for example, the compensation of 400,000 yuan (US$61,000) wont necessarily help them much.

Liu Haitao, chairman of Tian Heng Group, which owns the real estate property containing Tianyi Market, said some vendors at first were not happy and didn't understand the situation. However, his team negotiated with them and persuaded them to comply.

While some vendors have founded online platforms or returned to their hometowns to continue business, many others lost their living.

During the last days of Tianyi Market, tens of thousands of shoppers poured into the building for a last shopping spree, with security and customer flow controls tightened. Many goods were sold at very discounted prices.

After the market closed, the Tianyi building will be transformed into a venue to house technology companies, financial enterprises and exhibition halls, Liu said. Tianyi Market may be reborn in Tianjin or neighboring Hebei Province, and many vendors have already pledged to follow it there and work with it again, a market representative said.

Previously, at the end of 2015, the branch of Tianyi Market at Di'anmen was closed after operating for 14 years.

Beijing has removed and improved 302 markets and 51 logistics centers in the period of 2015-2016. In 2017, the city plans to remove or renovate 120 markets and 38 logistics centers, according to an announcement by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce. As of June, it had either removed or renovated 53 markets and three logistics centers.
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Nine construction workers were rescued Saturday after having been trapped for two days in a collapsed railway tunnel in southwest China's Yunnan Province, rescuers said.

Rescuers managed to dig a passageway to reach the workers at about 10:45 a.m. Saturday. The first worker was rescued at about 12:43 p.m. and eight minutes later, all had been rescued, rescue officials said.

All the workers are in stable condition.

The tunnel in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture they were working on collapsed at about 10:20 a.m. Thursday.

After digging a small opening through the rubble, rescuers managed to contact the workers with the help of a thin pipe and confirmed that all the workers were alive Friday. They even installed a mobile phone signal amplifier to help them keep in contact.

Later the workers were offered food three times.

More than 230 workers were involved in the rescue operation by excavating small tunnels or larger passageways in four directions.

The tunnel is part of a railway that connects Yuxi and Mohan in Yunnan.
UCOM HAS INTRODUCED FUTURE NETWORK WI-FI 6E ROUTERS

Statement by the Spokesperson on the conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts

Foreign Minister of Armenia to participate in the Fifth Paris Peace Forum

Armenia: EU and Armenia Hold annual Dialogue on Human Rights

Todays Shushi, Occupied and Cleared of Armenians, is a Real Example of Turkish-Azerbaijani Policy of Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh

Ookla, the the global leader in internet testing and analysis has awarded Ucom

Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

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I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

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LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan
Pupils feel the importance of safety belts (video)

Traffic police continue their preventive and training measures using a safety belt testing device. This time, on September 13, traffic police officers parked the device in the yard of 196 main school after Ashot Navasardyan. After the bell rang, the pupils were gathered around the safety stands, accompanied by teachers. The policemen explained the role and importance of the seat belt while driving. The teachers, in their turn, pointed out that driving with belts fastened is equally important for both drivers and passengers. It is better to test it once than to hear it many times. The schoolchildren, one after the other, practically tested and felt the role and importance of the safety belt. The children were so inspired by the safety test that the situation was even uncontrollable for a moment. Without waiting for one another, they wanted to test it again and again. Some were also interested in the structure of the testing device. Similar measures initiated by traffic police are aimed at making citizens' lives safer. We hope that due to the safety belt testing machine, pupils who tested it will definitly drive with fastened safety belts both as a passanger and as a driver in the future, keeping the law and their own safety, the Police of the Republic of Armenia reports.
CHENGDU - The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will continue its productive cooperation with China, said the global tourism body's incoming chief Zurab Pololikashvili Friday.

The UNWTO relations with China are important, "China is a main partner," and it is sure that bilateral cooperation will "continue in a very productive way," Pololikashvili said during a meeting with Li Jinzao, head of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), on the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly.

The 40-year-old Georgian ambassador to Spain was appointed as the new UNWTO chief during Thursday's session of the UNWTO meeting. He is to succeed Taleb Rifai, who is set to complete a maximum two four-year terms.

During the brief meeting with Li, Pololikashvili also expressed support for tourism cooperation with China concerning the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the China-initiated World Tourism Alliance (WTA) that was established on Sept 12.

He said he himself witnessed the launch of the WTA and described the day as "historic," and assured his support for the non-governmental, non-profit tourism organization, saying the UNWTO and the WTA "are brothers, sisters."

During the meeting, Li stressed that "the role of WTA is complementary to that of the UNWTO" while expressing the hope for the two organizations to work together. Meanwhile, Li reaffirmed China's support for Pololikashvili's UNWTO leadership.

In addition, Pololikashvili said he hopes for further cooperation between the UNWTO and Chengdu, especially for promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.

The new UNWTO chief, who will take office in January 2018, said he is very impressed with Chengdu's hospitality in hosting the ongoing UNWTO gathering.

He said he will play an ambassadorial role in promoting Chengdu, and China as well.

More than 1,300 delegates from more than 130 countries attended the biennial UNWTO meeting this year, which is focused on sustainable development and tourism.

The UNWTO meeting officially opened on Wednesday in Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province and an economic center in western China. It will last through Saturday.
The possible halt to cryptocurrency trading in China and the attendant uncertainty may prompt local operators of virtual currency systems to go abroad, a senior researcher said.

On Thursday, BTCChina, the country's biggest bitcoin exchange based in Shanghai, suspended trading till Sept 30.

Another cryptocurrency platform Yunbi also announced on Friday its suspension on Sept 20.

Market observers said monetary regulators will likely enhance financial risk control measures next.

After the suspension on Thursday, bitcoin's price in China plummeted 32 percent to 17,000 yuan ($2,595) within the first hour. It recovered somewhat to around 18,000 yuan on Friday. Some $30 million evaporated from the value of Ethereum and bitcoin globally by Thursday after BTCChina announced the halt.

"The suspension of the bitcoin exchange may lead to a 20 percent to 40 percent drop in the cryptocurrency's price locally until it regains stability," said Deng Jianpeng, professor of law at the Minzu University of China.

"It may also cause bitcoins to flow out of the country while major (cryptocurrency) exchanges will also seek opportunities to go abroad," Deng said.

Shortly after BTTChina announced the halt, Chinese financial news outlet Yicai reported that the country plans to shut down all bitcoin exchanges by the end of this month. Yicai cited sources in Shanghai in its report.

Securities Times reported on Friday that major cryptocurrency exchanges such as Huobi and OKcoin in Beijing have been asked to announce deadlines for their trading suspension.

Deng said China may announce fresh regulations on cryptocurrency trading as over 80 percent of the global Bitcoin trade was made through the Chinese currency.

If unchecked, this would pose significant financial risk in future, experts said.

Xue Hongyan, director of the Suning Financial Research Institute, said before cryptocurrency could become a legitimate investment, it needed sufficient regulation.

"Cryptocurrency trading involves too much risk such as money laundering and criminal financing," Xue said. "Also, only when supervising authorities are able to track down the virtual currency could it possibly be accepted as an investment option."

The blockchain group Neo, usually referred to as China's Ethereum, was the first Chinese cryptocurrency exchange that moved out of the Chinese mainland.

renxiaojin@chinadaily.com.cn
The growth of China's broad money supply or M2 slowed to a record-low of 8.9 percent in August, indicating a tightening regulation on off-balance sheet financing, aimed at preventing systemic risk, according to the central bank.

The figure released on Friday was much lower than the market's expectation of 9.1 percent, down from July's 9.2 percent. The growth rate has eased for seven straight months.

The People's Bank of China, the central bank, also released the amount of new renminbi loans in August, which surged to 1.09 trillion yuan ($166.72 billion) from 825.5 billion yuan in July, and was larger than the expected volume of around 950 billion yuan.

The stronger growth of renminbi loans went against a fast slowdown of M2 growth to some extent, indicating a new phenomenon that has been seen since the second quarter. It reflects the fact that more credit has been channeled to support the real economy while restraining expansion of "shadow banking", as experts call it.

Shen Jianguang, chief China economist at Mizuho Securities, said that commercial banks have increased lending shown on their balance sheets, which stabilized economic growth last month.

The data, issued by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, indicated a slight slowdown of industrial output and fixed-asset investment, mainly because of energy conservation and emission reduction policies. But it still remained a strong growth momentum, Shen said.

Tightening regulations on banks' wealth management products, especially those trading in the interbank market, have slowed the M2 expansion rate, he explained, following the National Finance Working Conference's emphasis on financial deleveraging and controls on risks.

In August, the total social financing amounted to a higher-than-expected 1.48 trillion yuan, 18.6 billion yuan more than a year earlier, according to the central bank.

A survey of Chinese banks released by PBOC on Friday showed that their confidence in the macroeconomy has strengthened, reflected by an index at 75.3 percent in the third quarter, up from 67.8 percent in the April-to-June period.

It also released the outstanding position for foreign exchange purchase of 21.5 trillion yuan, down by 821 million yuan compared with July, the 22nd straight monthly drop. This is possibly related to the slower M2 growth and more attention being paid to market liquidity in the near term, said Cao Yuanzheng, chairman of the Bank of China International Research Center.

To cut the cash amount, that's required to be reserved by commercial banks, now may be a choice for the monetary authority to manage liquidity, he said.

chenjia@chinadaily.com.cn
By Shi Jing in Shanghai and Zhang Yue in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-09-16 09:59

A group of women interact with a robot at the National Mass Innovation Entrepreneurship Week, which opened on Friday in Shanghai.[Wu Kai/For China Daily]

Li Keqiang says new development concept requires implementation

China will intensify innovation-driven development and entrepreneurship, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

Ahead of the National Mass Innovation Entrepreneurship Week, which began on Friday, Li issued an instruction saying that mass entrepreneurship and innovation had effectively invigorated the market, stimulated social creativity, accelerated the transition from traditional growth drivers to new growth engines, promoted equality of opportunities, and increased employment.

"Authorities should continue to implement the new development concept, press ahead with the supply-side structural reform, create a syncretic, collaborative and sharing business environment, maintain fair competition in the market, improve the system of inclusive and prudential supervision, establish a new pattern of development for all enterprises, and promote the development of digital economy and platform economy," the instruction said.

"New industries, growth drivers and human resources will provide strong support for the economic transformation and upgrading," it said.

It is the third year in a row that such a weeklong promotion on innovation and entrepreneurship, initiated by the National Development and Reform Commission, has been held nationwide.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli attended the opening ceremony held at the main venue of Changyang Campus in Shanghai's Yangpu district. Changyang Campus is an iconic group innovation space in Shanghai that is home to more than 200 startups.

More than 150 leading innovative projects are on display at the main venue in Shanghai.

Apart from Shanghai, cities including Beijing, Chengdu and Shenyang have all organized a number of exhibitions and activities, showcasing their recent accomplishments in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Xi Rongqing, general manager of Changyang Campus, said choosing the site as the main venue this year reflects the results of Shanghai's upgrading in recent years.

"The local government has provided the space for startups, and related management teams have been in charge of the surrounding environment and facilities," he said.

"Once you enter the campus, you can understand the theme of this year, which is enhancing upgrading and strengthening the new driving forces."

The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce conducted a third-party evaluation of the effectiveness of policies on mass innovation and entrepreneurship from June to July.

The State Council on Friday organized a policy briefing about the evaluation.

The mass-innovation evaluation covered eight provinces and cities, 17 demonstration areas and 95 enterprises.

It showed that nearly 85 percent of them believed entrepreneurship-and innovation-related policies have created new economic driving forces. Some 81 percent of them believed the policies helped create more jobs.

The evaluation also showed that people aged 30 to 39 are the major contributors of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Pilot programs for boosting entrepreneurship and innovation in regional bases, universities and companies have helped a lot in attracting relevant talents to industrial platforms, said Huang Rong, vice-chairman of the ACFIC.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to "grasp the chance the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative" presents to better achieve connectivity and common prosperity in Eurasia, said former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

On Friday, Raffarin spoke of Macron's commitment at a conference in Paris organized by the Boao Forum for Asia in response to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative Forum for International Cooperation in May, to which President Xi Jinping invited up to 30 state leaders.

"President Macron is highly aware of the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative and has been urging Europe to grasp the chance to cooperate with China", Raffarin said.

Macron was scheduled to meet late on Friday the Chinese delegation in Paris led by former vice-premier Zeng Peiyan, chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges and vice-chairman of the board of directors of the Boao Forum for Asia.

Raffarin confirmed the European Union has great interest in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Now, four years after it was proposed by President Xi Jinping, it is high time, he said, for China and the European Union to expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, finance, investment and people-to-people exchanges under the umbrella of the proposal.

Zeng, in his keynote speech at the Paris conference, also called for close cooperation between China and Europe.

"East Asia and Western Europe are two driving forces of global development, and if they strengthen cooperation, common prosperity of development of Eurasia is achievable," Zeng said.

Zeng said that Xi devised the initiative as a new driving force for the global economy after the 2008-09 global financial crisis, because global economic growth remains slow, the wealth gap is still widening and regional conflicts remain rampant.

"Many countries and regions between Western Europe and East Asia urgently need to achieve development and peace and their people desire a better life," said Zeng. "Increased cooperation between China and EU can help remove the challenges facing the countries and regions."

Gerard Larcher, president of the French Senate, also recommended European involvement in the Belt and Road.

"This is a visionary global proposal, and I too urge European countries to offer their own development plans to match this proposal," Larcher said.

Larcher said China and France should explore the potential for improving infrastructure in Africa.

Echoing Larcher's proposal, Shao Gang, deputy general manager of China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group, part of China Railway Construction Corp, said he has spoken with companies in France and Portugal to explore partnerships in Africa.

Shao said the Belt and Road has offered chances to "bring competitors together".

He suggested that Chinese and European civil engineering companies reshape the business models in Africa.

"I think very soon we can pool our resources to help improve the infrastructural situation in Africa," Shao said.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn
Armenian shades of Gramophone. Aram Khachaturian performed in London (video)

Armenian musicians recently became part of the most prominent event in classical music- Gramophone. The Pan-Armenian Orchestra, led by conductor Sergey Smbatyan, was invited to perform at the Gramophone 40th jubilee award, which annually distributes the best musicians in classical music in different categories. Sergey Smbatyan mentioned in the interview during the award ceremony that he and his orchestra were honored to be in London and to perform at this prestigious event. Presenting the Pan-Armenian Symphony Orchestra, he noted that it was created this year. The first performance took place in Yerevan, on April 24, performing with his partner conductors. "In Armenia we have great traditions of classical music. Everywhere you can see wonderful Armenian musicians. The idea is to unite them in one place so that they can perform together," noted Sergey Smbatyan. He also informed that the Pan-Armenian orchestra's musicians represent world leading orchestras. They were born and raised in Armenia, studied at the same conservatory, bearing the same traditions. And such projects are good opportunities to show that we, Armenians, are united. By the way, Gramophone was the first international performance of the Pan-Armenian Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Smbatyan mentioned in the interview that they were discussing with the other conductors of the Pan-Armenian orchestra the development of the idea of this collective, there were many programs, and Sergey Smbatyan expressed hope that the orchestra would have more frequent performances. He also underlined that this was a special idea, which illustrated our unique traditions of classical music The entire award ceremony was accompanied by classical and contemporary composers' works. Like during any of his foreign concerts, Sergey Smbatyan performed Armenian music at Gramophone. Famous classical music listeners enjoyed Aram Khachaturian's ballets fragments. James jolly, editor-in-chief of "Gramophone" magazine highly appreciated the performing arts of the Pan-Armenian Symphony Orchestra, noting that it is a wonderful collective, the musicians play with passion, energy, and a great feeling. " It is a young orchestra; the musicians play with infectious viability. We are glad to greet Sergey Smbatyan in London, a city where he studied," said James Jolly. The performance of Khachaturian's works at the Gramophone Awards and Sergey Smbatyan's Interview at Gramophone Awards can be viewed below
A car made by Great Wall Motor Co Ltd is on display at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese carmakers used to turn up at major shows to raise their international profiles.

But now, it seems they have more practical aims as they plan to mass produce models that will meet the strictest emission standards in the world for domestic and export markets.

At this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show, two private Chinese auto companies presented new models geared to make a splash overseas.

Chery Automobile Co Ltd is one of the most successful manufacturers in China with 20 years experience and it now plans to wheel out a new line of passenger cars for the European market.

The EXEED TX compact SUV will be the first model to go on sale across Europe with other EXEED brands poised to follow.

"In just a few years, we intend to start selling a family of vehicles in European markets across multiple segments, with power supplied by a range of electrified powertrains," Anning Chen, CEO of Chery, told the media in Frankfurt this week.

The company aims to sell a range of hybrid electric vehicles, plug-ins and battery e-cars. Chery is also planning to establish research and design facilities in Europe.

Rival Great Wall Motor Co Ltd is China's largest manufacturer of SUV vehicles and rolled out six models under its high-end Wey brand in Frankfurt.

Four of them were making their global debut, including a concept model, and were branded as new-energy vehicles.

"I believe Chinese cars will perform very well in the world and not just in the domestic market," said Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall.

The company's plan is for Wey SUV brands to enter the North American market in 2021.

Great Wall also aims to build factories abroad to manufacture models locally and is actively searching for locations.

This move into key European and North American export markets underlines the Chinese car industry's newly found confidence in producing more sophisticated models.

Domestic automakers have also performed well under new high National VI emission standards, which are tougher than the old Euro 6 regulations.

"This time it is the real thing," said Zhang Yu, managing director of consulting firm Automotive Foresight Co in Shanghai.

Implementation of new emissions standards in 2019 and 2020 means automakers must produce vehicles that not only satisfy Chinese guidelines, but also regulations in Europe and the United States.

Still, Zhang said it would not be easy for Chinese auto companies to build distribution networks in Europe and North America.

His view was echoed by Peter Hage, founding partner at auto consulting firm Districom Group.

"Also, different customer expectations must be met in terms of vehicle design, quality and performance, as well as overall customer experience management," he added.

duxiaoying1@chinadaily.com.cn
Binary typhoons Talim and Doksuri passed eastern China's Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, and South China's Hainan province on Friday before heading to Japan and Vietnam.

Doksuri, the 19th typhoon this year, brought huge gales and heavy rain to coastal areas in South China on Friday, and the China Meteorological Administration continued to issue a yellow alert for Doksuri on Friday.

Nearly 217,000 people in Zhejiang and Fujian were evacuated to safety under government arrangements, according to Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

In Hainan, Sanya Phoenix International Airport said it canceled a total of 178 flights on Thursday and Friday.

Zhang Ling, chief forecaster at the meteorological administration, said on Friday that 19 typhoons had formed around the world this year, 2.8 more than the average in the same period in past years, and 13 had appeared since July - six in late July, four in late August, and three this month.

Seven of them made landfall in China. In just three weeks, since Aug 23, five typhoons had made landfall or affected China. Typhoon Hato heavily lashed Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao, resulting in eight deaths in Macao and huge economic losses.

"We are still in the active phase of typhoons, so it's expected that there will be a certain number of additional typhoons before the end of this year, but fewer than now," Zhang said.

Asked about the reason for the frequent windstorms near China since July, meteorological experts said there's no reliable data indicating they were related to global warming.

Xu Ming, a researcher at the meteorological administration's Shanghai Typhoon Institute, said that although it makes sense from the physics point of view that global warming can lead to more windstorms by increasing the water vapor in the atmosphere, which would reinforce tropical depressions, more precise data is needed to support the theory.

"Scientists should make conclusions based on statistics. Up to now, researchers in different countries don't have exact data demonstrating that global warming brings more typhoons. And they cannot reach consensus on it," Xu said.

Jiang Chenglong contributed to this story.
Changchun New Area, the 17th national new area and located in Northeast China's Jilin province, will count on transportation hub development, high-end manufacturing, modern service and digital-based businesses to promote its global competitiveness, officials said on Friday.

Wang Haoyu, deputy director of the new area's planning bureau, said the area aims at expanding international trade channels and establishing an influential cooperation platform to improve investment activities, goods and people-to-people exchanges, especially with countries in Europe and the Northeast Asia region.

"Changchun New Area is expected to be more diversified in our market-oriented economy. In addition to heavy industries, we will develop more industry chains, including tourism, agriculture and high-tech, to spur economic growth," Wang said at Changchun New Area Opening-up and Development Forum in Beijing co-hosted by China Daily, the country's leading English-language newspaper.

Zhou Shuchun, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said Changchun New Area, encouraged by supportive government policies, a strong manufacturing foundation and favorable geographical position, will play an innovative and efficient role in supporting the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the revitalization of Northeast China.

Wang Junzheng, Party chief of Changchun, said the new area will ensure that all foreign investors have a favorable business environment, and it will welcome more global companies to build their presence in the area.

Changchun has also achieved notable progress in the opening-up of the economy, which has become a key engine for the regional development. Changchun New Area, located at the crossroad of the Harbin-Daqing-Qiqihar Industrial Corridor and China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, is part of the Belt and the Road Initiative.

A new international airport in Changchun New Area, based on the redevelopment of the existing Changchun Longjia International Airport, will be a pivotal aviation logistics hub in Northeast Asia by opening new passenger and cargo routes that will connect to Russia and Northern Europe under the government plan.

Another land port will also be built in Changchun New Area.
Guests of the 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification talk beside a flower bed in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The session concluded in the city on Friday. ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY

China will join hands with countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative to fight against desertification, further strengthen technological cooperation and promote exchanges to boost green economies in the region.

A mechanism for cooperation was launched during the 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which ended on Friday in Ordos in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

China will work with countries including Pakistan, India and Saudi Arabia to explore an effective long-term mechanism, according to Pan Yingzhen, director of the Desertification Control Bureau under the State Forestry Administration.

Pan said that a group of international organizations will also be invited to engage with or support the mechanism, including the UNCCD Secretariat and United Nations Environment Programme.

Zhang Jianlong, director of the administration, said the mechanism will help members cooperate on financing, sharing information, professional training and learning from each other's projects.

"It shows China's wisdom of absorbing international experience in prevention and control in order to promote sustainable development," Zhang said. "We will devote ourselves to desertification prevention and control, and make contributions to desertification prevention and control in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative."

In the past five years, 29.8 million hectares of desert in the country have turned green, and a total of 11.6 billion trees have been planted, according to the administration.

"The mechanism will promote fair and impartial development of UN member states. Through introducing green development concepts and technologies, it will deepen exchanges in the economy and other fields among countries involved in the Belt and Road," said Monique Barbut, UNCCD's executive secretary.

A total of 112 countries have joined the campaign to make the UN's Sustainable Development Goal of achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030 a national target for action, including Brazil, China, India, Nigeria and Russia.

The Ordos Declaration was also announced on Friday night, which included three new proposals related to drought, participation of women and youth, as well as desertification and migration.

"Those three topics were proposed for the first time in the UNCCD. Moreover, in the declaration, the Chinese mode of fighting against desertification through introducing a green economy for sustainable development and stimulating local people's enthusiasm to join in the campaign are widely recognized by the world," said Jia Xiaoxia, deputy director of the Desertification Control Bureau.

The Land Degradation Neutrality Fund was also launched during the conference, with an initial target size of $300 million. The fund is a first-of-its-kind investment, leveraging public money to raise private capital for sustainable land management and landscape restoration activities worldwide.

Gao Meng contributed to this story.
Company says poor supervision led to collision

Chinese bike-sharing giant Ofo said during a court hearing in Shanghai on Friday that the main culprit of the accident that took the life of a 10-year-old boy while he was riding one of its shared bikes was poor parental supervision.

The boy's parents have sued Ofo for more than 7.61 million yuan ($1.16 million) in compensation, and requested the company immediately install smart locks on all its bikes.

The boy, who has not been identified, collided with a tourist bus while racing three other boys around his age and riding on the wrong side of the road in the city's central Tiantong Road on March 26.

He died at a hospital shortly after the crash.

The bus driver and Shanghai Hongmao Auto Rental, which owns the vehicle that the boy collided head-on with, were also sued by the parents for an additional 1 million yuan.

It is the first litigation in the country against a bike-sharing company over an accident.

The boy's parents believed the primary cause of his death was that Ofo bikes are easily accessible to children owing to mechanical flaws.

Older models operated by the company have mechanical locks, which require a four-digit combination. "The combination for one bike is always the same and when some users forget to scramble the combination after finishing their journey, they can be ridden for free," Zhang Qianlin, the plaintiff's attorney, told the court.

"Even if the lock is scrambled, techniques to unlock the bikes are widely circulated online and can be easily mastered by children," said Zhang.

Chinese law forbids minors under 12 years old from riding bicycles on roads. Zhang said that despite media reports of juveniles being injured from riding shared bikes, Ofo failed to update its equipment to block underage users.

However, Ofo believed the accident happened because of the parents' lack of supervision and an absence of safety education.

Moreover, the company said the boy inappropriately unlocked the bike, which infringed upon the property rights of the company and eventually led to the tragedy.

"Shared bikes are not equivalent to public bikes. They cannot be used by people for free. Users must register on the app and unlock the bike only after receiving the four-digit password," said Ouyang Jihua, the attorney for Ofo.

"Ofo can give some money to the couple as compensation but has denied their accusations," he said.

The verdict is pending.
Overseas attendees participate in last year's Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will play a key role in supporting the fast development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, helping the initiative to reach its goals in trade, investment and regional connectivity, senior officials said.

Qiu Zhaoxian, vice-president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade's Guangdong branch, said the 2017 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo will create more opportunities for promoting trade, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges between Chinese companies and those in Africa, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Islands.

Business delegations from 75 countries and regions will attend this year's expo and forums. Countries such as Russia, Iran, Mongolia and Romania are setting up exhibitions for the first time at this year's four-day event.

"Through the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong can be used as an international financial center and Macao as an international tourism and leisure center for Guangdong province's more rapid development," said Wu Jun, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce.

Senior government officials from 13 countries related to the Belt and Road Initiative have confirmed that they will attend the expo. More than 20 international chambers of commerce and business alliances have signed memorandums of understanding with their Chinese counterparts to train more Chinese-speaking staff, aiming to facilitate cultural exchange, as well as business and tourism activities.

"The context is the full implementation of innovation-driven development strategies in China," said Lin Jiang, deputy director of the Center for Studies of Hong Kong, Macao and Pearl River Delta at Sun Yat-sen University. "Against this backdrop, the formulation of a development plan for the bay area has far-reaching significance, in terms of integrating existing regional economic and industrial resources in China to cope with new challenges related to global industrial transformation and upgrading."
KUNMING -- Nine construction workers were rescued Saturday after having been trapped for two days in a collapsed railway tunnel in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, rescuers said.

Rescuers managed to dig a passageway to reach the workers at about 10:45 am Saturday. The first worker was rescued at about 12:43 pm and eight minutes later, all had been rescued, rescue officials said.
Giant panda Xinxing has a meal at the Chongqing Zoo in Chongqing, Southwest China, Sept 16, 2017. The female giant panda Xinxing celebrated her 35th birthday, equivalent to more than 100 human years, on Saturday in Chongqing. Xinxing, which has 114 offsprings, was born in Baoxing county of Southwest China's Sichuan province in 1982. [Photo/Xinhua]
BEIJING - Some 88 percent of Chinese elementary and secondary schools have an Internet connection, according to the Ministry of Education.

There are 12 computers for every 100 elementary and secondary school students. The number of real-name online learning spaces exceeds 63 million, said the ministry.

According to the third plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee held in 2013, more students must enjoy quality education resources via the internet, narrowing the gap between different schools in different areas.

More than 9.4 million teachers of elementary and secondary schools have received appropriate training, said the ministry.
China Electronics Technology Group Corp, a State-owned technology giant, will step up efforts to optimize corporate structure and encourage innovation amid the central government's deepening of State-owned enterprise reform.

"Our goal is to lead the development of China's electronics industry and build the cornerstone of national security," said Xiong Qunli, chairman of CETC. "We will ramp up resources to cultivate innovation and accelerate structural reform."

As of August, the company has successfully integrated 19 research institutes to set up seven units, simplifying hierarchy, boosting operational efficiency and saving costs.

CETC has already been working to overhaul its structure, which previously consisted of 47 electronic information research institutes. Such a fragmented structure led to a slate of problems such as scattered investments, redundant construction and disordered internal competition.

"We have shifted our focus to five areas - military electronics, civilian products, international management, scientific and technological innovation, and asset management and capital operation," Xiong said.

In 2016, CETC recorded 188 billion yuan ($ 28.7 billion) in revenue, marking an almost 20-fold increase compared to the number in 2002, when it was founded. Its profit also surged to 18.3 billion yuan, highlighting the company's strong momentum.

The reform is part of the wider SOE reforms administered by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the country's top regulator of SOEs. It is designed to increase the competitiveness of SOEs as China works to replace old growth drivers with new ones, with emphasis on innovation, technology and efficiency.

According to Xiong, the company also has been closely aligning businesses with national strategies. It has stepped up overseas investments to better serve countries and regions related to the Belt and Road Initiative. CETC is also ramping up resources to cultivate innovation.

It has set up an intellectual property center, intended to motivate employees to come up with innovative ideas and experimenting with cutting-edge technologies. As part of its financial incentives, the company said at least half of the revenue generated from new patents will be rewarded to core employees who invent the patent.

As a result, the number of patent applications at CETC surged 80 percent after the reform.

"SOEs are the backbone of national scientific and technological innovation. CETC is engaged in information technology, a sector where global R&D spending is pouring in to get a dominant position. Innovation is exploding. CETC has done a very good job," said Xiang Ligang, an independent expert of the information technology.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, issued an action plan earlier this year, ordering the country's major SOEs supervised by the central government, excluding financial and cultural enterprises, to complete corporate reforms by the end of 2017.

masi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/16/2017 page6)
The increasing number of African students seeking to further their education in China is a clear sign of the quality of education provided in the country, a senior government official said on Wednesday. Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Yang Youming said China was grateful for the appreciation expressed for the country's education system by African countries and has promised that China will continue providing high quality.

"The increasing number of students from Africa is a good indicator of the appreciation the people of Africa have for the quality of education in China, and that is why they have decided to send their children," Yang told reporters during a news briefing at which he unveiled an appreciation letter from 11 of the 26 Zambian students who went to China last year to study singing and dance under a program arranged by China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, and her Zambian counterpart Esther Lungu.

Yang also unveiled another letter in which the Chinese first lady responded to the letter written by the students.
Events and stories coming up in the next few days

Top publicity official to visit Vietnam and Cambodia

Liu Yunshan, China's top publicity official and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will pay a visit to Vietnam and Cambodia with a CPC delegation from Monday to Thursday. The announcement was made by the International Department of the Central Committee.
The 2017 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo held in Guangdong has a major draw: an emerging economic regional giant called the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The annual expo held for its fourth year will spotlight the area's e-commerce, construction machinery and diversified trade measures - aimed at stimulating economic growth in southern China - during the four-day event starting Sept 21.

Wang Yongqing, deputy director of the Guangdong province's information office, said the expo this year has important events.

It will organize business promotional events in more than 10 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, to expand its influence.

It will also host the signing of new commercial cooperative contracts with many countries - including South Africa, Italy, Thailand and Sri Lanka - to further deepen trade ties. The delegation team sent by the expo's organizing committee will talk with local government officials, chambers of commerce and Chinese embassies in those countries. It will explain the purposes, significance and scale of the expo to them.

Gemstones and tea from Sri Lanka, South Africa's diamonds, silk and carpet products from Iran, Russia's honey and agricultural products, Italy's wine and olive oil, can all be found being traded in the expo.

The expo will also bolster the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area - to play a bigger role in showing of its advantages in logistics, manufacturing capabilities, trade, financial services and its maritime economy.

"Even though the Greater Bay Area accounts for less than 1 percent of China's land territory, its population is just under 5 percent of China, it created 13 percent of the country's economic output in 2015," said Lin Jiang, deputy director of the Center for Studies of Hong Kong, Macao and Pearl River Delta at Sun Yat-sen University.

"In terms of developing international bay areas, the total economic output of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ranks only behind the New York and Tokyo Bay areas."

The expo this year is themed on "discuss, promote and share industrial and financial cooperation and development".

It has also grown bigger in scale compared with last year, with the number of companies setting up booths increasing from 1,015 from 42 countries to 1,682 from 56 countries.

Contracts worth 206.8 billion yuan ($31.9 billion) will be signed during the event, up 18 percent year-on-year.

The expo is a mirror for the years of effort Guangdong has put into going global, as 67 percent of attending companies are from overseas, attracted by the opportunities to work with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The construction machinery business will be a highlight of the expo, covering over 6,000 square meters of exhibition area. Several major Chinese heavy machinery manufacturers by production volume will attend the event.

These include Sany Heavy Industry Co, Xugong Group Construction Machinery Inc and Liugong Machinery Co Ltd.

To provide more opportunities for heavy machinery companies to go global, the expo will focus on infrastructure construction planning, by holding a special forum on the Belt and Road Initiative.

The forum has invited government officials from 16 important countries involved in the initiative, including Uganda, Cameroon, Namibia, Malawi, Ghana, the Mauritius and Turkey - to keep the domestic manufacturers updated with the latest policies and situation.

Qiu Zhaoxian, vice-president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade's Guangdong branch, said the services industry will also be one of the most discussed topics during the expo.

This year's event will also feature the information technology, cross-border e-commerce, agriculture products and international ceramics exhibition from the economies involved in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

"The marine economy has been dominated by shipping, fishing, aquaculture, and oil and gas," said Wu Jun, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce.

"It now includes sectors such as marine chemistry, biomedicine, ocean power, seawater use, marine tourism, ocean engineering and construction."

Compared with previous expos, the 2017 expo has added more culture and the human touch, by introducing practical Chinese training programs in different fields.

The expo's organizing committee will also sign cooperation agreements with the economies participating in Chinese training programs, with 15 business associations from different countries.

(China Daily 09/16/2017 page7)
Relax and unwind in your own private, over-the-sea wooden hut with views over a

There are just a few places in the world where one can really leave all of life's worries behind.

For me, such an escape is a place more than 10,000 kilometers away from home, with warm sunshine, azure sea, curving golden sands overhung with coconuts and palm trees, indigenous cultures and, most importantly, genuine people and their smiles.

That was my first thought when I arrived in Fiji, an island country in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean.

After a 14-hour flight from Beijing to Fiji's main island Viti Levu, I encountered rain and my excitement undoubtedly of set the exhaustion brought by jet lag.

I headed to the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, a newly opened luxury hotel with modern facilities, local touches and considerate service.

Welcomed by a glass of traditional kava to drink and Fijian folk songs in the lobby, I was immersed in the fun atmosphere and surprised by the incredible surroundings - the brown wooden architecture, palm-weave lampshades and decorations, water pavilions and the over-the-water villas standing between the sky and the sea.

The open design of the hotel made me feel as though I were on an ancient boat heading to visit a tribe living in seashore bures, the name for local wooden and strawmade huts. Stones and flowers were hidden among the palm trees.

Perched on the blue waters of Momi Bay and surrounded by artificial lagoons, the resort fits perfectly into the natural environment, with its 114 wooden beach villas, 22 overwater bures and 136 luxury rooms with open space, featuring both modernity and traditional Fijian characteristics. It is the only hotel that has over-the-water villas on Fiji's main island.

"It's quite unique that even when it's busy like today - we were fully booked last night - you don't feel it," said Silvano Dressino, general manager of the hotel. "The openness gives our customers space to think and be themselves."

"The resort is built in a modern, fresh approach to bring aesthetic design to traditional Fijian architecture," he added.

The arched shape of the lobby, bures and beach villas all resemble the canoe style popular in Fiji in ancient times, a watercraft made from native trees found in the Polynesian island state of Tonga. The style reminded me of the pictures I had seen of the first voyaging traders and settlers from the West coming to Fiji.

Mike Fulkerson, vice-president of brand and marketing for Marriott's Asia-Pacific region, said the mixture of modern sensibility and local cultures is the key to every Marriott property.

"There are very small detailed touches, including the travel decor, subtle colors, streamlined designs and modern furniture."

The rain became even heavier. Walking along the wooden bridges and narrow paths, I saw a hazy beauty in the cloudy but pristine sky, the vast ocean, the verdant saplings and vivid flowers.

What I needed most was a long sleep on the private balcony of my bure, facing the sea, or in the hammock by the side of the lagoon, waiting for the first rays of sunlight the next morning.

Finally, it became sunny. I jogged to the Goji Kitchen and Bar, a restaurant where I could talk with the chefs face-to-face and enjoy local Fiji favorites, as well as Western and Asian food.

The other two on-site restaurants are the seafood Fish Bar, boasting a jaw-dropping infinity pool and stunning ocean views, and the Mediterranean-style poolside Lagoon House & Bar, with a terrace overlooking the lagoon.

General Manager Dressino said that the curries, decorations and stones of the Fish Bar all originate from neighboring islands.

I took a boat to one of those islands, Tokoriki, where the Sheraton Resort & Bar under the Marriott brand is located, and where my interaction with the local people began.

Charlotte Acraman used to be a diver and is now a waitress at the hotel. She told me that with a stable job there, she no longer needs to travel around the South Pacific Ocean as a diving instructor, as she did for eight years.

"I live with my three children in the nearby village Yanuya and I feel happy that I can see them everyday," she said.

"For the last three years at the resort, I have always treated people the way I would want to be treated," the 32-year-old said. She added that the key to good service lies in the detail, from a selfless and generous spirit to the willingness to share the life and culture of the island.

Veta, a 17-year-old, also from Yanuya, impressed me with his singing and smiling.

"I received a letter from the hotel, saying that there was an opportunity to sing for guests every Sunday. I felt excited because that is what I love to do - to sing and dance," he said, with a happy smile.

"People in my village make a living making handicrafts and growing cassava-root crops. When I grow up, I want to travel far to see the rest of the world," he said, with a glimpse of hope in his clear eyes.

After a day's travel on Tokoriki island, I went back to Momi Bay, where the most incomparable natural scene happened to take place.

I arrived back just as the sun set in the sea, with warm rays of light dyeing everything a golden color, from the nearby cascades of clouds and the surface of the sea, to the flying birds far away.

It was the perfect moment to fully soak up the dim, glamorous and gentle golden light and look back on all my memories: I recalled the smiles of Acraman and Veta, the first rainy day, and the world where I could really leave all my worries behind.

(China Daily 09/16/2017 page10)
Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook introduces the iPhone X at its release in Cupertino, California. [Qi Heng/for China Daily]

Tim Cook, the chief executive officer of Apple Inc, launched three new productsiPhone8, iPhone8 Plus and iPhoneXon Tuesday but, unlike in the past, the Chinese market's response at best was lukewarm.

Today Apple ranks fifth in the Chinese smartphone market. Worse, in the second quarter of this year, only 8 million iPhones were sold on the Chinese mainland, dragging its market share from 9.2 percent in the first quarter down to 7.1 percent. And among the top five best-selling smartphones, iPhone is the only one to see its market share drop.

According to an online survey, about 37 percent of the iPhone users and 49 percent users of other brands said they would not buy any of the three new products after watching their launch. Established brands such as iPhones have lost their shine because "innovative" new products no longer catch the fancy of many youths.

South Korea-based Samsung faces an even bigger challenge. The launch of its new product on the same day attracted so little attention from Chinese consumers that there were hardly any reports about the event on Chinese websites.

Among other things, perhaps Apple's attitude toward Chinese users and companies is responsible for its decline in the Chinese market. It has always had a big appetite for profit, even trying to make money from the apps loaded on the iPhones. For instance, in April, Apple asked Tencent, the owner of WeChat, to pay 30 percent of all the bonus money as a kind of "tax". That Apple has fallen behind in the fierce competition for iPhones' outer designs, performances and prices has also contributed to its decline.

From iPhone4 in 2010 to iPhone8 this year, Apple has stuck to the same design pattern. In particular, iPhone8 looks almost the same as iPhone7, prompting many to say that iPhone8 users should keep their "new buy" upside down on the table so that those around can see the glass back and realize it is the new model.

The decline of big global brands has seen a corresponding rise in the fortunes of Chinese smartphone companies, which have upgraded their models several times in the past years.

MI, a domestic smartphone company, was founded in April 2010, but its share in the Chinese market in the second quarter was 11.8 percent, higher than that of iPhones.

Besides, both MI and Huawei have entered the US market and are competing with Apple in its homeland and Europe. Inspired by the strategy of "Made in China 2025", the Chinese cellphone companies are catching up fast by investing huge amounts of money in research and development. For instance, thanks to its robust R&D investment, Huawei topped the innovation list last year with 4,906 patents.

In other words, the changing cellphone market reflects the increasing potential of Chinese mobile phone producers.

The author is a writer with China Daily. zhangzhouxiang@chinadaily.com.cn
A dozen training planes on the runway at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China. [Photo by Lyu Jia/For China Daily]

It is a long haul before you get the prime position in the cockpit of a passenger plane.

When you travel by air, you often see pilots in uniform rushing into and out of the airport terminals. But to become a pilot, one must pay a high cost, and undergo a long training.

In China, 90 percent of the country's airline pilots are trained at the same school, which is the world's largest civil aviation institution - the Civil Aviation Flight University of China.

After graduation, the pilots from the civil aviation university have to first get familiar with Airbus, Boeing planes before they can work as co-pilots.

If one wants to become the captain, it takes a long time. For example, in Air China, a pilot needs more than 3,000 hours of flight time to fly a Boeing 737, and for Boeing 767, it is 4,000 hours.

In addition to four years of school, one needs at least five years of flying, during which period there is more training, strict assessment and a brutal elimination process.
Emperor Qianlong. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Qianlong has been billed as a lady killer, but when he headed to his favorite retreat he had very serious regal duties on his mind.

When Emperor Qianlong arrived in Hangzhou for the first time in 1751 at the end of a journey lasting as long as four months, he was already 40, and it heralded the start of a relationship with the city that would play an important role in the second half of his life.

In fact over the next 33 years he would undertake the 1,500-kilometer journey from Beijing six times. These days, when we can be blase even about having breakfast in Beijing and dinner in Berlin the same day, it is easy for us to underestimate Qianlong's undertaking. However, given the logistics and physical rigors of such a journey - he was 73 when he made the last one - it is clear that Hangzhou held a special place for Qianlong, the longest-living - and reigning - emperor of Qing (1644-1911), China's last feudal dynasty.

The trips he made in those 36 years are known today as the "journeys to Jiangnan". The term Jiangnan means south of the Yangtze River and refers to large tracts of land covering what are now Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Jiangnan was long China's hothouse, culturally and commercially, with its talented people filling the cabinet and taxes the royal coffer.

Hangzhou (also known as Lin'an when it served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty between 1129 and 1279), with its superb natural scenery and strong literary tradition, was the best place that Jiangnan had to offer. On every "journey to the south", Emperor Qianlong stopped in Hangzhou. In fact, five times, Hangzhou was the southernmost spot he reached before embarking on the return trip.

"Nowhere else beckoned him in the same way that Hangzhou did," says Ma Shengnan of the Palace Museum in Beijing. Ma is the curator of an exhibition now on at the Zhejiang Museum in Hangzhou. The exhibition, titled Ruler of a Golden Age, seeks to reestablish the link between the emperor and the city of his love, through more than 200 objects ranging from beautifully crafted jade, porcelain and lacquerware to works of painting and calligraphy commissioned or that he executed himself.
Clockwise from top: Mengda Tianchi Lake; deep-fried red dates; dumplings stuffed with preserved fruits; Camel Spring next to Jiezi Mosque; steamed buns with minced carrot and mutton stuffing; Eight-Treasure Tea. [Photos by Xu Lin/China Daily and Shen Jie/For China Daily]

The Xunhua Salar autonomous county offers you a unique experience of local customs, traditions and lifestyle in an unhurried manner.

If you want sample delicious food, an exotic culture and enjoy picturesque scenery in a less-crowded destination, the Xunhua Salar autonomous county is the place to visit.

Inhabited by a China's Salar ethnic group, the county is about two hours' drive from Xining, the capital of Qinghai province.

Your experience starts with Babao Tea, which means Eight-Treasure Tea in Chinese, from a covered teacup. The eight treasures include Chinese wolfberries, raisins, red dates and green tea. Use less crystal rock sugar if you don't like your tea too sweet.

There are also a range of appetizers on offer - from nuts and preserved fruits to fried snacks.

The locals, however, prefer steamed buns with minced carrot and mutton stuffing and deep-fried dough cake dipped in sugar. Red dates are also battered and deepfried in mutton fat and dumplings are stuffed with preserved fruits.

If you want something different, you can also dip boiled mutton into a plate of local chili powder.

The county's red chillies are fragrant, but not very spicy.

Another popular main dish is hotpot, with beef, mutton, vegetables and noodles in a soup.

After a hearty meal, you can stroll along the street to buy yogurt made from yak's milk.

China's mobile payment favorites like WeChat and Alipay work well here.
Zhang Guangqi has booked a trip to Japan during the upcoming National Day holiday (October 1-8).

"I know it's likely to be crowded everywhere, but I don't want to spend the long holiday at home," the Beijing resident says.

Zhang is among the Chinese travelers who want to travel to the four corners of the globe for the Golden Week holiday.

Roughly 650 million Chinese will travel in the country, and 6 million are expected to go abroad, China's biggest online travel agency Ctrip reports.

The figure is based on current booking numbers and annual growth over the past few years.

Last year, domestic tourist spots received 593 million visits, up 12.8 percent, according to the National Tourism Administration.

Tourism income was 482.2 billion yuan ($72.5 billion), up 14.4 percent.

For the upcoming holiday, Hainan, Yunnan, Beijing, Gansu, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Sichuan, Fujian, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Guangdong are the top domestic destinations.

Hainan has seen bookings surge 90 percent, while bookings for Beijing, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Guangxi have increased by 150 percent.

Leisure, sightseeing and well-known destinations remain the first choice for travelers, says Shi Yuduan, chief marking officer of Ctrip's vacation division.

The Belt and Road Initiative has also brought popularity to northwestern regions, such as Gansu and Xinjiang.

Travel costs are 20-50 percent higher than prices in non-holiday periods, which is normal, says Shi.

"Also, travelers are more willing to spend for better experiences, and they tend to favor quality and individual arrangements in food and accommodation," she adds.

To date, the agency's bookings cover 650 destinations in 70 countries.

"From the travel trends this year, popular scenic spots are likely to be overcrowded, and tourists are urged to plan early or avoid peak times," says Shi.

The long holiday is also seeing a significant increase in the number of long-haul travelers, who have chosen trips of more than 4 days.

Roughly 38 percent of them will spend more than seven days outside, according to Ctrip.

Those who have applied for visas through the travel agency grew by more than 50 percent.

Thailand, Japan, the United States, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Viet-nam, Italy, Russia and Malaysia are the most popular destinations for the holiday, based on bookings.

Ctrip's individual trip bookings to Canada have doubled as compared with last year. And trips covering the country's east and west coasts, Banff National Park and Niagara Falls have nearly sold out, according to Shi.

Visitors to Australia, Singapore and Eastern Europe have also doubled.

The visa policies of Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia, are likely to see a surge in bookings to those countries, Shi says.

For Zhang, the October travel is something that he is looking forward to.

"It's been a long while since I could go out and I'm sure it will help me blow off steam," he says.
Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai. [Photo by Zhang Yu'an/chinadaily.com.cn]

The United States should do more to resolve the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula than it has, Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said on Friday.

The ambassador said China has done its best to implement the UN Security Council resolutions in a strict and full fashion, while pushing for relevant parties to resolve problems through peaceful negotiations.

"Everybody else will have to do their share; they cannot leave this issue to China alone," Cui said.

Cui made the remarks on the sidelines of a reception at the embassy in Washington to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"Honestly, I think the United States should be doing  much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue," Cui said.

The ambassador said the US should refrain from issuing more threats. Instead, Washington should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiations.

"We are fully prepared to implement all the Security Council resolutions, no more, no less," Cui said, adding that China expects other relevant parties to do the same.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2375 on Monday to respond to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's sixth nuclear test, conducted on Sept 3.

The ambassador also said China will never recognize the DPRK as a nuclear state and opposes nuclear weapons anywhere on the Korean Peninsula.
CAIRO - An Egyptian court on Saturday upheld life sentence in prison against the ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of spying for Qatar, state-run Nile TV reported.

Life sentence in Egypt is 25 years in prison.

The Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest appeal court, said the ruling against Morsi is final and unappealable.

The same court upheld death sentence against three prominent figures of Muslim Brotherhood over the same charges.

The defendants were accused of sneaking classified documents about the armed forces that harm the national security to Qatar.
Tekeda Alemu, Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations and the president of UN Security Council for the month of September, addresses a press encounter after UN Security Council closed-door consultations at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Security Council has condemned the latest missile launch by Pyongyang and urged a peaceful solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

In a press statement released on Friday after closed-door consultations, the 15 members of the council condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile" by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The DPRK fired a missile over Japan's northern island Hokkaido and into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, which came only days after the Security Council voted in favor of a resolution toughening sanctions on the DPRK over its nuclear test early this month.

"The Security Council also emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing a sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action, and stressed the importance of working to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula," said Tekeda Alemu, president of the Security Council, in a readout of the press statement.

The council members stressed the importance of maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia at large, and welcomed international efforts to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the crisis through dialogue, said Alemu, the Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also warned that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution.

"Threats, tests, launches, mutual threats should be stopped. We should engage in meaningful negotiations," he told reporters after the consultations.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated recently after US President Donald Trump threatened to deal with the DPRK with "fire and fury" last month. Since then, Pyongyang has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, threatened to fire missiles into the waters around the US pacific island territory of Guam and launched two missiles over Japan.

To ease tensions, China has been committed to a peaceful solution by supporting Security Council sanctions on one hand, and on the other proposing initiatives which aim to suspend hostilities by both Pyongyang and Washington.

However, the crisis on the Korean Peninsula has spilled over and endangered regional security and stability, as well as relations between other countries.

Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea."

Chinese ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said Friday "both China and the United States benefit from bilateral trade, so efforts to undermine Sino-US trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target."
I had the privilege or reading a pre-release version of "God Shines Forth: How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church." Here are 20 quotes from the book, which you should pick up.
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Rosie never complains about working all night or pulling double shifts. Neither does Rosie complain about wearing bright pink.

As long as pieces of pipe slide down the conveyor belt, Rosie the Robot will pick them up, clean them off, paint on a serial number and load them onto wooden pallets for delivery to customers.

Named after the maid in the Jetson's cartoon series, Tube Supply's machine didn't replace any human workers, it simply took away some of the drudgery in shipping custom pipe to the oil field. Rosie also demonstrates how robotics can make workplaces safer, more efficient and more profitable while improving the lives of humans.

Ninety-nine percent of Houston-based Tube Supply's business is selling pipe for the oil field, and in recent years, companies have increasingly paid Tube Supply to pre-cut it to specific dimensions. To meet growing demand, the company invested in an automated Japanese pipe cutting machine that is four-times faster than old fashioned, human operated band saws. They are also much less dangerous.

The automated saw, though, worked so fast two workers had a hard time keeping up, Cameron Sorenson, a project manager at Tube Supply, said. The company decided to take automation a step further.

RELATED: Robots took your job? Fix the robots

"Time is everything. The ability to get it out the door quicker than our competitors is what will separate us from the rest," Sorenson explained. "Some customers want 2,000 cuts, so to get those 2,000 cuts out in a couple of days versus a couple of weeks, has a huge benefit in service to the customers."

Sorenson contacted Houston's ARC Specialties, the robot manufacturer and systems integrator that I wrote about three weeks ago. Dan Allford, ARC's CEO, helped Sorenson pick a German-manufactured robot that ARC could fit with an electromagnet to lift 200-pound cuts of pipe.

The difficult part was programming the robot to perform tasks a human would find simple, even boring. On Tube Supply's regular assembly lines, workers manually operate the saws and lift the pieces using a crane with an electromagnet. They clean away sharp metal shavings, stencil on part numbers and then stack the pieces on pallets.

Rosie's software also needed to accommodate 2,200 different types of pipe that can be cut into an almost infinite number of lengths, Sorenson explained. Tube Supply is the first oil field pipe company to try to employ a robot in this way.

"This is really the test. If we start seeing that we can get more capacity out the door, then we will look at what else we can do with robots," Sorenson said.

RELATED: Making robots creates jobs at Houston company

The day I visited, the automated saw was loaded with about a dozen 10-foot lengths of 8-inch pipe and it was cutting them into 893 pieces. A conveyor belt carried each cut piece to Rosie, which lifted it to an air nozzle that blew away the shavings and then spray painted the part number on the side with an ink jet. The robot can calculate the optimum way to stack the pieces on the pallets without overloading them.

"It makes my job easier. Before, I would cut the part and I'd have to pick up the piece myself," said Jose Sandoval, who was retrained to operate the new production line. "I like that it's better and faster. I just have to load the saw, program it and then I can do something else while it's cutting."

Sorenson said the company hopes automation will boost production by 25 percent, but that employee safety was just as important.

"Your risk is none now, there is a very slim chance of a core breaking, a magnet going wrong or a piece falling," he said. "You can make the argument strictly from a safety standpoint."

Automation will also save jobs by making the company more competitive, said Paul Sorenson, Tube Supply's president and co-owner.

"We're not eliminating jobs," he said. "We're adding customer service."

RELATED: Security robot intrigues River Oaks District shoppers

Automation, though, will eliminate the need for Tube Supply to hire more workers to get the same increase in production. And robots like Rosie will displace 24.7 million jobs by 2027, most of them manual labor, according to workplace research firm Forrester.

This technology will also create 14.9 million new engineering and operating jobs over the next decade, the company added.

This is how robots are already playing out in Houston. Tube Supply will not need to hire more manual laborers, but ARC Specialties will hire more engineers to install more robots. The result is a net loss of jobs, if the calculation were to end there.

Whether it was farming, textiles, manufacturing or even banking, new technology eliminated rote positions, but companies took the surplus labor and new capital to offer new services and products. The trick for workers is to adapt and not get left behind.

Based on historical trends, the Institute for the Future think tank estimates that 85 percent of the jobs in 2030 haven't been invented yet. Social media and app developers, after all, didn't exist 13 years ago.

What's needed are good schools that prepare people for lifelong learning. Trying to slow automation is a fool's game.

Those who embrace technology and the tyranny of change are the most successful among us. So don't fear Rosie the Robot, figure out how to leverage it.
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Location scout Carlos Munoz Portal was found shot to death in Mexico on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 while looking for new spots to film season four of Netflix's hit show "Narcos."

According to Business Insider, Portal's body and car were found in a violent, remote area near the border of Hidalgo state.

The region is "said to have the highest murder rate in Mexico. In July, 182 cases of homicide were reported in the densely populated state, a ratio of 12.2 for every 100,000 inhabitants."

LIVING LARGE: Ivan Guzman, son of 'El Chapo' Guzman shows off his luxurious life on Twitter

Authorities are having trouble figuring out the circumstances behind Portal's death since the area is so secluded.

Netflix released a statement saying, "We are aware of the passing of Carlos Munoz Portal, a well-respected location scout, and send our condolences to his family. The facts surrounding his death are still unknown as authorities continue to investigate."

The crime has led the show's team to consider possibly moving the production back to Colombia  where it started  instead of keeping it in Mexico.

Portal was also well-known for his work with "Sicario," "Spectre," "Fast & Furious" and "Apocalypto."

Season 4 of "Narcos" will be exploring the origins of Mexico's Juarez cartel.

Take a look through the gallery above to see the cartels that run Mexico.
The City of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner filed a petition Friday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision that came down earlier this summer, concluding that states did not have to provide publicly funded benefits to same-sex couples, according to a news release from the city.

The decision in Pidgeon v. Parker from the Texas Supreme Court on June 30 said states did not have to provide government employee benefits to all married persons, regardless of whether their marriages are same sex or opposite sex.
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How to find a contractor? Where to start? How to make sure they are legitimate?

After the floodwaters have receded, Houstonians are on the hunt for someone to help them rebuild their homes. An estimated 122,009 homes were damaged in Harris County alone during Harvey's wrath.

Sabrine Murphy of Sabrine Murphy Designs, a Houston-based contracting company, says she's been swamped with people eager to begin the process. Previous clients even called in anticipation of the storm and asked to be put on a waiting list. Murphy has nine total projects in the works right now, with eight of them being previous clients. Another 20 projects are on the waiting list.

Unfortunately, a mix of disaster and eager homeowners brings a stampede of storm chasers waiting to prey on those affected by the floods. Here is a list of tips to help Harvey victims make the smartest choice when hiring a contractor:

More Information Hiring a contractor? Contact your insurance company first to see if there's coverage. It is better to go with a reputable contractor your insurance company has approved. Hedge your bets by calling several companies. Be wary of individuals who follow storms and prey upon vulnerable homeowners. Do your homework and work with contractors who are well-established in the area with a good reputation. Ask if they belong to any trade associations and then call to verify membership. Find out what type of warranties the contractors offer and whether they are certified by manufacturers to install certain products. Ask for local references. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Get everything in writing. A good contract contains details (dollar amount, materials used, etc.) and a timeline. A contractor should be able to supply a certificate of insurance. See More Collapse

Do your homework. The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud suggests shopping around first before you make your decision.

Social media sites like Facebook, Yelp or Nextdoor can provide recommendations from friends and acquaintances. "Ask neighbors; find out who they have talked to," Murphy says.

The Greater Houston Builders Association also has a database of reliable contractors. Homeowners can also check the Better Business Bureau's website, which gives the company's history of complaints, location and how long they've been in business.

Make sure there is a written contract, once you find a contractor. The contract should include details such as costs, materials and a time frame. Avoid contractors who will not provide a written agreement.

Be wary of contractors who ask for payments in advance. Contractors should not demand all of the money up front, especially in cash. Legitimate contractors usually ask clients to pay by check, money order or credit card.

However, Murphy says this part can be tricky.

"We want to make sure we are getting paid, too," she says. "People sometimes say they're not going to pay us until we start, but contractors need to buy supplies."

Murphy recommends agreeing on a deposit when you have worked with the contractor before or have done your research to make sure he or she is reliable.

Ask for customer references. A reputable contracting company should provide clients with customer references if needed.

"Always check their work," Murphy says.

Get in contact with previous clients and see how their experience was.

Be careful with a contractor who uses a P.O. box. Contractors should have a physical office, mailing address, phone and e-mail. Professionals should be easy to reach and responsive.

Check for permits and insurance. Permits should always be obtained by the company, not the client. Validate both permits and insurances with the state office to make sure they're verified to operate their business.

Ask about lien releases. This waiver confirms the contractor has paid suppliers and subcontractors for their work. If a lien is not provided, the client could be held accountable for bills from unpaid workers. If you do suspect the contractor you're working with is fraudulent, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.

Meet in person. A good contractor can look at the damages and tell you what needs to be done. Communication is key. Meeting face-to-face allows you to get a sense of whom you're going to be working with. Check with BBB and Consumer Protection Agency to get a background check on the company.

Get a copy of everything. It is important to keep records of all the paperwork provided by the contractor. Sometimes additions might be made to the agreement, so you want to ensure your contractor signs off all changes.

Be vigilant. Murphy says she understands it's a scary situation to go through, but advises homeowners to be patient. Searching for a contractor and beginning the process will take time. "Normally the time frame for the repairs is between eight to 10 weeks, but with this huge of catastrophe, it's going to take longer."
With so-called historical flooding becoming an almost annual event in Houston, some homeowners are now facing a third consecutive year of repairing severely damaged houses. For the 85 percent of people who don't have flood insurance, however, fixing the damage wrought by Hurricane Harvey will be a long and financially difficult road.

The repair costs for as little as 1 inch of floodwater often are close to 10 percent of a home's value, and, at 3 feet, it can rival the entire cost.

So what do you do when your home is a total loss? Turns out it may be far cheaper and quicker to demolish and build new.

Comparatively, when contractors are used, the total time from permit application to completion for single-family homes in Texas averages about seven months, according to the Census Bureau's 2014 Survey of Construction.

Before you build your new home there are a few necessary steps to take, namely acquiring the litany of permits required for demolition of the damaged house.

According to the Houston Department of Public Works, your first step for demolition is to purchase a plumbing permit and pay a disconnection fee so that a plumber can inspect and disconnect the sewer connection. Homeowners also have to coordinate with utility providers to cap off gas and electricity.

The last step before you can apply for the demolition permit is to have your home inspected and cleaned of asbestos. During this step, you can prepare for demolition by taking stock of what materials - think sinks and countertops - that you'd like to salvage.

After you've done that and paid the required fees, you'll be able to apply for your permit. There are two main demolition options: mechanical and deconstruction.

Mechanical is the quicker and cheaper option. Using a bulldozer takes a handful of days and costs anywhere from $4,000 to $14,000. Deconstruction involves the hands-on stripping, salvaging and demolishing of the building, which generally is more expensive due to labor costs. Most demolitions involve a combination of the two.

Many contractors who do demolition also offer hauling services, but if yours doesn't, you'll have to arrange for the transport and disposal of the rubble.

Once the rubble is gone, a decision must be made on whether to rebuild on the foundation of your old home, craft a new one or leave that issue for the next property owner.
Authorities are searching for a 57-year old Galveston woman who's been missing since Thursday.

Michele Grindberg is believed to have a firearm and also suffers from depression. She is driving a 2002 white Pontiac Montana min-van with a license plate of DFG-0049. Police believe she is a danger to herself, according to a news release from the Galveston Police Department.

She was last seen in Galveston.

Anyone with information on Grindberg's disappearance should contact Galveston Police at 409-765-3702 or 409-497-6704.

Those with information are also encouraged to contact Galveston Crime Stoppers at 409-763-8477.
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TRANSCRIPT OF SPEECH BY FORMER FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH

(After recognizing elected officials in attendance, including State Senator Robert Nichols and State Rep. Ernest Bailes)

Thanks to everyone gathered here. Thank you for your warm welcome. Thank you for joining us today.

Over the last 18 days, we've witnessed a force of nature like nothing we've experienced before in our lifetimes. Hurricane Harvey delivered over 50 inches of rain, inundating parts of 11 counties, resulting in the loss of over 60 lives.

Some of you may have friends and family who lost everything, and some of you may have lost your own homes. Yet in the midst of the devastation, and this is what makes me so proud of our state, people came together from every walk of life to help their neighbors in need.

The spirit of Texas is alive and well, and our communities will rebuild and become stronger than ever.

A fine example of a community working together is right here at Lake Livingston. Seventy percent of the water in this reservoir is owned by the City of Houston. Your restoration efforts help restore water quality to the lake and they provide health benefits to the people of the Greater Houston Area.

Conservation upstream is valuable for downstream users, especially now in their time of need. So I thank you for your tireless efforts to restore the lake, to serve the people of your community and to conserve our natural resources. You're ensuring the resilience and longterm health of our lands, and for that I am grateful.

I thought before we got started you might want a report on some of my family members. We just spent a few weeks in Maine with my mother[-in-law] and father-in-law, President George H.W. Bush and Barbara, and they are doing very well. They are in Maine until October when they will return to Houston.

Reports confirm that their office did flood but their home did not, and we are very grateful for that.

You may have heard that they were both in the hospital earlier this year. Then just a few days later, we saw them all flip the coin at the Super Bowl in Houston. President Bush, at age 93, and Barbara, at 92, are both happy and in good spirits. George and I believe they are showing us the way to age with grace.

In May, my mother-in-law Barbara walked her dogs on the beach every day. There are two times of the day -- early morning and late afternoon -- when you can bring your dog to the Kennebunkport Beach. Then, summer before last, she would walk on the beach with her walker and now she can't walk on the beach. So she wildly drives her golf cart with her little dogs running behind her.

From both of them, George and I have learned that all we have is now. So take advantage of your life as it is and walk on the beach every chance you get.

My George has been working on his golf game and is painting. Did you know that he has become an artist in retirement? He's painted portraits of 98 wounded warriors that he met through the Bush Institute's Warrior Open Golf Tournament and the W100 Bike Ride that we host at our ranch.

The portraits, along with the stories he wrote about the warriors, have been published in a book titled "Portraits of Courage," and the paintings are on display now at the Bush Library on the campus of SMU in Dallas. This gives me the chance to invite you all to come up there, visit us at the Bush Center, come see this exhibit and then have lunch at Cafe 43.

We've landscaped the acreage around the Bush Library in a total native Texas prairie. This morning I got an email from one of the people who worked on the library with Monarch [butterflies] flying through and settling on the milkweed that we planted there for the Monarch migration.

George and I are devoting a lot of our time to our work with the Bush Presidential Center. We are happy to be back home in Texas living what I call "The Afterlife" in a state George calls "The Promised Land."

When George and I moved back to Texas from Washington, I helped found Texan By Nature with a group of friends and committed conservationists, and Tina [Buford, board president of Texan By Nature] obviously was one of them. Tina grew up on a south Texas ranch.

Reagan (last name unknown) who is here with me grew up with me in Midland in the dessert. We have every type of landscape in Texas and Texans are proud of their landscapes. We want our state to be what it is -- to be native and look like itself. That's what you are doing here with the restoration of this area around Lake Livingston.

Our mission in Texan By Nature is to spur conservation that produces tangible benefits for people, prosperity and natural resources. To do this, I encourage a new investment in conservation that is Texan-led, community-organized and science-based.

Texan By Nature has three core program offerings that engage Texans into stewardship by conserving our natural resources.

Our Monarch Wrangler program is a statewide initiative providing solutions to reverse the decline of this iconic butterfly. George and I are Monarch Wranglers at our ranch outside of Crawford because we planted so much milkweed and propagated the native plants the Monarchs like. We are also Monarch Wranglers at the Bush Center and I am getting ready to designate a park in Dallas, a park that was built over a freeway -- Klyde Warren Park -- as a Monarch Wrangler.

Our symposium series that is part of Texan By Nature connects scholars, policy makers and experts to discuss key topics in natural resource conservation. In our Conservation Wrangler program, which is what you are today, features the very best Texan-led conservation projects like this Lake Livingston restoration.

The Conservation Wrangler program supports innovative and transformative projects in the field of conservation with tailored resources and visibility. Lake Livingston Friends of Reservoirs is our new Conservation Wrangler partner. Congratulations.

We've seen today firsthand what collaborative partnerships for conservation yield and that is great benefits for our natural landscapes, our native plants and wildlife, and for all Texans. We heard earlier from Tom McDonough [founder of Lake Livingston Friends of Reservoirs] who first came to Livingston soon after it was completed in the 1970s. When Tom began fishing at Lake Livingston, it was a healthy body of water with abundant aquatic habitat supporting a large fish population that attracted numerous fishing tournaments every year.

Over time, Lake Livingston began to lose its aquatic habitat as is typical of many reservoir lakes as they age. The once abundant vegetation on the bottom and shores of the lake have declined.

In 2013, the Trinity River Authority and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department approved a plan to foster natural habitat around this 85,000-acre Lake Livingston, the second largest lake in Texas. The plan developed by Texas White Bass Unlimited and the Piney Woods Lake Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists created Lake Livingston Friends of Reservoirs with a clear vision in mind to reestablish Lake Livingston as a prime destination for anglers and water enthusiasts by restoring aquatic habitat.

In 2014, Lake Livingston Friends of Reservoirs began restoring the habitat for fish and wildlife populations, improve fishing and water quality, and reduce erosion by regularly planting American water willow. We just saw students do that out here at the park. So far, Lake Livingston Friends has planted 10,000 American water willows at 18 sites, mostly here in the southern portion.

These plants are non-invasive, fast-growing, hardy and known for colonizing up to 10 square feet. Many of the students who volunteered to help are here with us today. I am so happy to have high school students involved.

Lee College also is such an important part of this. Thank you, all, at Lee College.

At Texan By Nature, we believe that our state's prosperity and quality of life are strongly linked to conservation of our natural resources. The Trinity River watershed is one of the most important natural resources in the state. I am thrilled to be here today to celebrate this event.
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Some homes still hold water. Others are coated in grime. And then there are the houses that stand, while much of what was inside them is piled high on the curb, mountains of waterlogged rubble waiting to be hauled off.

These sites still carry emotional responses. But they're not the end of Harvey's effect on the homeowners. For some, the fight to be compensated by insurance companies will be protracted or complicated - whether by the sheer number of insurance claims or the battles that ensue over fair payments.

Sadly, this isn't the first rodeo, so to speak for some Houston homeowners. They know the delicate dance of insurance claims. But for others who haven't experienced this before, we have some tips to try to make this process of resettling your house into a home again a more fluid process.

If you don't have a mortgage, lucky you, this process is going to be much easier as you're more likely to get paid since insurers can send you the insurance payouts directly. Still, ensure that the payouts are commensurate by following the next set of tips.

More Information TIPS FOR GETTING ORGANIZED The United Way of Greater Houston offers ideas for organizing your post-hurricane repair and recovery. For your family List your available financial resources. Identify other sources of financial assistance. Make a list of things you will need to replace. Take photos of damage that has occurred. Consider joining a support group. Return to normal routines as soon as possible. For your home or apartment Contact FEMA. Be sure your residence is safe before you return. Contact your insurance agent. Don't guess at your coverage. Get more than one estimate for repairs. Set up a safe place to keep receipts for all your expenses. Determine what you can do by yourself. Determine what you can do with the help of a few friends. Determine what requires an expert (electrical, plumbing). Check references carefully. Check contractor and repair firms with the Better Business Bureau. See More Collapse

If you have a mortgage, this is going to be more complicated as insurance payouts are often sent directly to lenders (the people who underwrite your mortgage) to prevent fraud. The process can be complicated and elongated, but there are ways to avoid some headaches.

Document everything. Photos, videos, receipts, lists of your property, all this can help expedite insurance claims as some lenders will require proof - that there was damage, and that what you're needing repaired actually existed in your home. And we mean everything.

Be specific. When chronicling your ruined property write down as much info as you can, such as serial numbers, model types, date of purchase, etc.

Don't pile your damaged property on the curb, unless your insurance adjustor has been there to inspect your property. Remember, photos aren't always enough. Some adjustors will need to see the affected property. Store the rubble in a garage or the back yard or somewhere they can be "safe." After that, you can pile it up on the curb, assuming that's legal where you live.

Don't get eager to fix. Again, the adjustor has to witness the damage. Just wait to get your Tim Taylor on until afterward.

Inspect the adjustor. When he/she arrives, ask if they are an employee of the insurance company or an independent contractor. If they are the latter, ask if they can determine claim decisions and payments on the company's behalf.

Contractors are your choice. While insurance companies will recommend contractors, you're not obligated to use them.

Don't settle. If your insurance payments seem low, you can file an appeal. If you do go that route, request copies of the insurance paperwork citing the specific language concerning the denied or limited claims.

Take advantage of no-interest loans offered by employers in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. That way you can begin paying for repairs while the insurance payout is being sorted out.

Use technology. Some insurance companies offer text alerts or apps that can tell you the status of your claim.

If you don't have flood insurance, it's a troubling situation and there are few options for reimbursement beyond applying for a federal loan and hoping for a FEMA grant, which can cover up to $33,000 of damage.
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In the wee morning hours, the Rainbow Warriors roast duck and meditate.

At dawn the dread-locked, sweating hippies toil in their open-air kitchen, their chants of "OM" colliding with the sweet smells of pork and pinto beans rising from their massive grills.

It's tranquil then. But by mid-morning, chaos will descend on the Oak Meadows Community Worship Center, a nondenominational church in southeast Houston that has become an improbable commune of hippies, tattooed Cajuns and church-goers from at least six grassroots organizations and 22 states.

By noon, a line of Houstonians struggling to recover from Hurricane Harvey will snake up to the church's doorstep to be met by a mish-mash of vagabonds, volunteers and veterans with donated food, water and supplies.

Now Playing: Houston Texans star J.J. Watt concluded his Hurricane Harvey relief fundraiser on Friday after raising over $37 million. Video: SITime

Some days, there will be enough. But not all mornings are successful.

On Thursday a frazzled, sweaty pastor unloaded cans of food brought by a Los Angeles rabbi and the former manager of a Denver pot dispensary.

A Louisiana contractor covered in skull tattoos offered biscuits to a hippie called "Aslan." A group of Houston Christians stacked Lysol to be delivered by a truck-driving Iraq War veteran, and a bubbly, freckled California actress dispatched the gruffest members of the Cajun Army to the mold-infested homes of the nearby Hispanic community.

It looked like a modern Norman Rockwell painting. It smelled like the last days of Burning Man.

In 39 years as a church member, Mike Schaefer, 64, had never seen anything like it.

"There are more people in the hallways now than there are in our congregation," he said. "It's a real melting pot."

With each day, the Allendale Road church packs tighter as dozens of volunteers converge on the small complex.

Classrooms have turned into makeshift apartments, strangers into roommates. In the back lot, mattresses are piled into a tattered, green school bus, and a tent canopy is pinned to a chainlink fence.

Few plan to leave this month. Some plan to stay the year, having realized the tortuous road ahead for the poor and often undocumented residents who will find no assistance from the government.

"A lot of them are scared," said Tony Pittman, the church's pastor. "And if you were in their shoes, you'd be just like them."

Since last week he and his wife have worked tirelessly to get help to those who need it, and have leaned on their small congregation to foster trust and unity with the hodgepodge of helpers.

"We're flying by the seat of our pants," Pittman said Wednesday.

The efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

"This is a special place," said Randall Ediger, 61, of California. "There's no judgment."

'Friend Relief Effort'

Ediger and fellow Rainbow Warrior Richard Rawski, 61, cook rice and beans for 15 hours each day in the Houston humidity.

The two are veterans of the "Rainbow Gathering," the month-long camp-out that each year draws thousands of hippies, vagabonds, activists, musicians and nudists into deep, often federally-owned woods around the country. In 2004, some of the gathering's most seasoned cooks realized they could deploy their talents to disaster areas, where electricity is often scarce and thousands are often hungry.

With food donated by an organic farming cooperative in Wisconsin, and with some 65 Rainbow Warriors loosely assembled across the nation, the Family of Friend Relief Effort was born.

"(Hurricane) Katrina really brought us together," Rawski said of the group, which since its inception has served tens of thousands of free, hot meals across the country, including thousands in Texas this month.

Thus far, the crew of 10 has erred toward caution in vocalizing their most spiritual homilies, instead keeping their "oms" out of earshot of their new neighbors. But that seems unlikely to persist.

"We believe everyone with a belly button is a rainbow of living light," Rawski said."Our goal is to leave every place better. We are each our own little wheels of medicine. But together, we are all one, big medicine wheel."

Tiana Yvonne, a 37-year-old Californian, had similar thoughts about her countrymen at the camp, many of whom she said are "with little means themselves and giving every ounce of their blood, sweat and tears."

"They understood deeply that Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you," she said.

Not far away from Yvonne's work station, a volunteer from Oklahoma directed traffic with a pistol strapped to his hip. Ediger was still a bit unnerved Wednesday by the pervasive guns in Texas.

He probably won't ever be comfortable around the weapons. But he's not judging their carriers.

Inside the church, Tricia Jo Hoffman, 33, dispatched the Cajun Army from a pop-up command post nestled between Chick-Fil-A jellies and an old coffee maker.

"We want people to know we care," said Hoffman, a Louisiana native who moved to California to pursue an acting career. "We want to hug them and pray with them."

A few minutes later, talk was veering to the political, and Hoffman interjected.

"It doesn't matter who you are," she said. "As long as you're helping each other, we're one, big family. We choose to get along here."

Roy Perry agreed. He put his Louisiana construction business on hold to help demolish homes with the Cajun Army, and plans to stay for months in the bedroom he's sharing with a 41-year-old woman.

"I'm just going to do what I can," he said. "I wish we could do more."

Running out of supplies

Still, it hasn't been an easy week at the camp.

Last week the pallets of canned foods and cleaning supplies stacked 10 feet high across the parking lot. But, this week, as floodwaters and fears of deportation receded in Houston  and as Hurricane Irma diverted national attention away from the area  supplies are running low, and stress and exhaustion levels are peaking.

"It's amazing what the good Lord has given to us," said Pittman, the pastor. "But we don't have enough food to give away."

"The list never ends," he said. "Our cupboards are empty."

By midweek, the volunteers began rationing toilet paper rolls and keeping the last few boxes of diapers out of view from the main hallways. A flattened, cardboard box was placed near traffic cones, to alert passers-by that the supplies had temporarily dwindled.

"Closed," the box read. "Cerrado."

At an impromptu meeting later that day, the exhausted crew wondered how they'd keep going.

"It's chaos," Pittman told his congregants. "And I can't change that. There's nobody organized well enough to change that."

The fridges were full of frozen pork, and 1,800 dozen eggs were en route. But the bottled water was gone, the bleach supply was empty and, left with only paper masks to protect them from dangerous mold spores, the burliest Cajun Army men mulled the once-unthinkable prospects of shaving their beards.

"I just hope we don't have to shave," said one Louisianan.

"Amen," said another.

A few minutes later, Pittman spoke again. For two weeks he'd avoided religious talk when he could, and greeted his diverse tenants with open arms and the same dumbfounded quandary.

"You're a hippy? So? What's the problem. You're gay? So? What's the problem?"

But morale was low. The hippies needed propane, the Cajuns needed cajoling.

So Pittman did what he knew how to do: He preached.

"God never made any class," he told the room. "He never made race or ethnicity or anything else.

"So if you have a problem with someone," Pittman bellowed, "Well, then you should get on your knees."

The claps thundered off the linoleum floor. The crews were re-energized.

Together, they got back to work.
In more than 40 years of working in El Paso ISD's cafeterias, Olimpia Estrada has seen the amount of wasted food drop dramatically as officials have established programs allowing the redistribution of leftover food. But they still have a long way to go.

"Anything to cut down on the waste and not feed the trash can, I think would be good," Estrada said.

HARVEY AFTERMATH: How Hurricane Harvey impacted Buffalo Bayou

Estrada and cafeteria managers across the state now have an increased ability to get that leftover food into the hands of students. A law passed this spring creates a new pathway for school districts that want to reduce food waste and feed hungry kids throughout the week.

Senate Bill 725  authored by state Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, became effective immediately after Gov. Greg Abbott signed the legislation in June. It allows schools to create food pantries on campus where they can store donated food as well as surplus food from the cafeteria.

Since 2011, federal law has allowed school districts to donate leftover food to nonprofits free of liability as long as they follow health and safety codes. Of the limited number of school districts taking advantage of the law, many end up donating to food banks or homeless shelters.

"That doesn't solve our problem because most nonprofits collect that food and take it elsewhere," said Rep. Diego Bernal, who authored and carried the bill in the House. "It doesn't help those hungry kids."

DEADLY STORMS: Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma compared

The San Antonio Democrat toured his district asking teachers and administrators about their biggest concerns for their students. "They were all frustrated with the volume and quality of the food that was thrown away regularly in their cafeteria. They were frustrated by their inability to give the food to those students" who didn't have food at home, he said.

SB 725 creates a loophole that allows schools to keep their leftover packaged food and produce for distribution on campus  by letting them donate the food to themselves. A school can name one of its employees as the designee of a third-party nonprofit, allowing the school to donate and then collect the leftover food.

Another part of the bill lets school districts use their campuses to distribute that food.

"If they just want to test it out and do bottled water and unopened peel-top cereal and wrapped granola bars, cool," Bernal said. "If they want to spend money and add refrigerators, that's also great. We don't dictate how they should do it." Most of the food stored will be unopened, pre-packaged beverages or nonperishable items and whole fruit and vegetables  not warm meals, in order to follow state and local health codes, he said.

AFTER THE STORM: Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, by the numbers

While SB 725 provides districts with a good option, those districts might not take advantage of it in large numbers, warned national food waste expert John Williamson, who is the founder of Food Rescue, a group advocating against throwing away food.

"It's just that in my experience working with districts, the average district doesn't want to take on that liability and that amount of work," he said. He argued local health departments can often stifle school districts with restrictive safety codes instead of following more lax federal guidelines.

At least one school district is already working to get its employees on board with SB 725. San Antonio ISD administrators have already found 13 teachers and counselors willing to serve as liaisons to start food pantries in their schools. With 25 percent of students in the county at risk of going hungry, officials are eagerly seeking solutions that might get more food into their hands, said Jenny Arredondo, the district's child nutrition services executive director.

This month, Arredondo will distribute a start-up packet with information about what items could be donated to or stored in a pantry due to food safety regulations. "We're assisting campuses with designating a spot on the campus that we are claiming is safe. When you store food, it's not like storing books or boxes," she said.

SAFE: Little Couple's Houston home is undamaged by Hurricane Harvey, for sale after family's Florida move

Many schools have already piloted other programs to keep uneaten food in the hands of students. Though federal law is permissive, Texas school districts are subject to more constricted local health laws that determine what they can do with the unopened milk cartons and unpeeled oranges that end up filling the trash cans after each meal.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a memo in 2016 encouraging the use of share tables, which let students leave food they don't want on a table where other students can pick it up.

Estrada said she was the first cafeteria manager in El Paso ISD to try it out last spring, after officials cleared it with the local health department. Most of the food waste comes not from the kitchen, but from students who don't finish the meals they take.

Last year, the district's new policy allowed students who no longer had money on their meal cards and who had exhausted their credit to pick from the unopened, packaged items on the share table.

"Instead of them getting a cheese sandwich, we tell them, 'Come on, let's see what's there for you to take,'" Estrada said.

POWER OF THE DOLLAR: Shop with purpose to help Hurricane Harvey relief efforts

SB 725 also requires school districts to make arrangements to pay off the meal debt of students who need a payment grace period, and it prevents them from shaming those students by publicly identifying them.

Bernal is working with the state to develop a resource page for other interested school officials. "We want to give them the confidence that they are on solid ground and that they are doing things that are legal," he said. "It's going to take some time for them."

Read the story on Texas Tribune.com.
After years of frustration with Houston ISD's response to the needs of their son, a fifth-grader with Asperger's syndrome, Robert and Bonney Wilkinson are a little more optimistic about the school system's willingness to help students with special needs.

The goodwill kept coming Saturday when administrators and volunteers hosted a special education summit, connecting parents with resources across the district and community. The timing alone - on a weekend, rather than mid-week during work hours - was enough to draw praise from the Wilkinsons.

"From what little we've seen, it seems to be changing for the better," said Robert Wilkinson, whose son attends River Oaks Academy, a private school focused on students with special needs, through an arrangement with Houston ISD. "We've got more people from the district showing up to our meetings and they're able to answer our questions. Normally, it was 'We'll have to look into that.' "

Several hundred parents and caregivers filled the district's headquarters Saturday for the summit, a well-received idea carried out after community feedback this spring. A survey found parents of children with special needs wanted more communication about individualized education plans, more information about camps and resources available to children and easier access to disability screenings, administrators said.

Office under fire

The district's special education office has been under fire after a Houston Chronicle investigation found Houston ISD cut hundreds of positions from the department, dissuaded evaluators from diagnosing disabilities until the second grade and created a list of factors that disqualified students from service, among other tactics that landed the district with one of the lowest percentages of special education students in the state. The department's director of special education resigned in March following backlash over the investigation, and an audit of the department is ongoing.

Administrators heralded the summit as one of several new special education services offerings under Superintendent Richard Carranza, who took over the district in August 2016. They pointed to new community liaisons who coordinate more with parents on special education issues, a reorganization of the district's special education office and the school board's commitment of $2.2 million in funding for staffing and an autism program at three high schools.

"For the most part, it's been very positive (with parents)," said Joan Anderson, Houston ISD's assistant superintendent of special education. "We do have some parents who are not as happy with us as we'd like them to be. We're working on those relationships and working on behalf of the school district, and I think they're beginning to change."

Houston ISD board trustee Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, who serves on an ad hoc special education committee created after the Chronicle's investigation, said the district's work on improving special education services is "still at the beginning phase."

"Now we have to see how some of these things measure up," Flynn Vilaseca said. "It's important that we're on top of that and we're looking at it critically to make sure that we improve."

Summit works

The summit proved helpful for Shante Thorpe, whose brother, now in the second grade, has been diagnosed with autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. Thorpe said her brother hasn't received many special education services, but she wants to be prepared if her family seeks them.

"If you don't know exactly what's available for you, when you're at the crossroads of dealing with some kind of issue, you don't know which way to go," said Thorpe, 37. "If you find out what's going on and what's available, then when you see those signs, you know what to do."
A viral photograph is turning heads across the internet, but not for the right reasons.

An image showing what looked to be President Donald Trump "rescuing" two tabby cats from the Hurricane Harvey flood waters was posted on to a Facebook page called "All about President Trump," and has received nearly 18,000 shares.
Despite President Donald Trump's tentative agreement with Democratic lawmakers to work on a plan to accommodate so-called Dreamers, local activists will protest Saturday to keep pressure on politicians to save the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and legalize all immigrants.

The march is being organized by several groups, including the Brown Berets de TejAztlan, Houston Socialist Movement, Mexicanos en Accion Patriotas, Organizacion Latino Americana Pro-Derecho Del Inmigrante and Refuse Fascism-Houston.
DUNKIRK, Ohio -- State Sen. Cliff Hite has gone back to Ohio roots to promote his "compromise" bill loosening restrictions on wind farm development.

Hite, a Republican from Findlay, unveiled his proposed Senate Bill 188 in the middle of the muddy Hardin County cornfield where Houston-based EDP Renewables is building a 30-turbine wind farm, some 65 miles south of Toledo.

Reachable only by rural county roads, the 66-megawatt wind farm has scattered its 2.2-megawatt Colorado-made Vestas turbines over 7,000 acres of corn and soybeans, but will permanently remove only 22 acres from crop production. Total cost of the project is about $100 million.

EDP Project Manager Amy Kurt said the company expects the wind farm to be operational by the end of the year, generating not only electricity but an estimated $590,000 annually to the county, most of which will go to local schools.

The state approved Hog Creek before the wind turbine setback rules changed. EDP could not make any significant changes to the project without losing its "grandfathered" status.

Whether Hite's proposal will become law by the end of the year is another question.

Standing in an on-and-off drizzle at a makeshift podium on a muddy gravel pad next to a turbine tower, Hite said he is ready for a battle to relax the restrictive rules created in 2014 that, in effect, require turbines to be at least a quarter mile from adjoining properties of owners who oppose wind farms.

Hite is proposing that turbines must be about 600 feet (1.2 times the height of the turbine) from adjoining properties where crops are grown, and roughly 1,400 feet from homes on adjoining properties (1,225 feet plus the length of the turbine blade).

The proposal relaxes the current setback rule but does not restore pre-2014 rules, which allowed developers to place turbines about 550 feet from adjacent crops and roughly 1,300 feet from homes.

Calling his bill a compromise, Hite said he is preparing for a Statehouse fight this fall.

"I have 14 members in my Senate Caucus who have co-sponsored my bill already," he said. (Actually, the bill at this point has 13 Republican co-sponsors and one Democrat, Sen. Joe Schiavoni, of Boardman.)

Hite said that the Senate GOP leadership supports the measure, and that he has been working to build support for the bill in the House, where GOP leadership may be a problem.

"We need to work with the House, and we are gaining more members," he said. "There is a huge groundswell of support, not only in the legislature, but all over the state. Major companies want to come to Ohio.

"My philosophy is not who's right but what's right. This is right. This is the right thing to do."

Whether Hite is correct or not, the fact is that no wind developer has applied to the Ohio Power Siting Board to build a large new wind farm since the restrictive language was slipped into the 2014 budget bill, without even a hearing.

Building Hog Creek has created about 235 jobs, in a county with a population of less than 31,500. But operating the farm will create just seven jobs.

Hardin County Economic Development Director Jon Cross said EDP's $100 million investment comes on the heels of more than $300 million in other new businesses that have occurred in the last three years.

"Big projects do not always happen in big cities," he said. "We are pleased to have the Hog Creek wind project come to Hardin County. This wind farm will be another massive infusion of new dollars into our community.

"Our landowners hosting the project will benefit for years to come, with more than $10 million in payments throughout the life of the project."

Hog Creek is the third wind farm EDP Renewables has built in Ohio. The other two are located in Paulding County in northwest Ohio, each rated at 100 megawatts.

This article was updated to include the correct amount of tax revenues the wind farm is expected to generate annually.
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -A Garfield Heights bank robbery suspect is charged with murder in a crash that killed a suspected accomplice.

Dreshawn Hopkins, 18, of Cleveland, is also charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated robbery, felonious assault and lesser offenses in the Thursday incident, according to court records.

A Cuyahoga County grand jury handed up an indictment Friday afternoon, records show. Hopkins' arraignment is scheduled Sept. 29 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Investigators identified Hopkins as the driver of a getaway car used in a Thursday robbery at a U.S. Bank on Turney Road near Eastwood Boulevard in Garfield Heights. The getaway car crashed into two police cruisers before it hit another car on Libby Road near Broadway Avenue in Maple Heights, police said.

The crash killed Gabriele William Benter, 17, of Cleveland Heights, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office said.

Hopkins and a second 17-year-old boy were also hurt in the crash. Hopkins remains hospitalized at Marymount Hospital, but the 17-year-old boy is now in custody at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center, the State Highway Patrol said.

Detectives are working to file juvenile charges against the 17-year-old boy, police said.

Detectives identified Hopkins, Benter and the 17-year-old boy as suspects in the robbery at U.S. Bank. Two armed men took cash from the bank during the incident, police said.

The trio drove away in a 2006 Ford Focus, which officers spotted on Turney Road at Granger Road. Two police cruisers chased the Ford onto side streets, but they lost sight of the car when it drove through several backyards on Rosalie Drive, police said.

The Ford emerged from the backyards and crashed into two police cruisers on East 135th Street at Granger Road, police said. A Garfield Heights police officer and a police dog suffered minor injuries, but both received treatment and are recovering, police said.

Garfield Heights police cruisers kept pursuing the Ford when it sped away. The chase ended a half-mile later when the Ford crashed into a 2011 Cadillac on Libby Road at Broadway Avenue in Maple Heights, police said.

Benter died after paramedics took him to Marymount Hospital, police and the medical examiner's office said.

The Cadillac's driver, a 74-year-old man, suffered minor injuries in the crash. He was treated and released from a hospital, the State Highway Patrol said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
Maybe, now and then, the Ohio General Assembly has new ideas. But Ohio's House and Senate tend to react to ideas rather than initiate them.

Good example: The revelation that House and Senate leaders of both parties are reportedly discussing with each other how Ohio draws congressional districts. (Here's a clue: Badly.)

Surely, it's a complete coincidence the nonpartisan and broad-based Fair Districts = Fair Elections Coalition is said to be making good progress in gathering signatures for a proposed statewide ballot issue that would change (for the better) how Ohio draws congressional districts. (Backers must obtain the valid signatures of at least 305,591 voters to place the Fair Districts plan on the ballot.)

The Fair Districts ballot issue would take away the power of the General Assembly to draw congressional districts - and give it to the bipartisan Ohio Redistricting Commission. Voters created the commission in 2015 to draw General Assembly districts.

The legislature's sudden attack of bipartisanship may be an attack of political self-interest: Now, the General Assembly draws congressional districts to favor the political party that controls the General Assembly. Republicans do now. So, of Ohio's 16 districts, 12 are held by Republicans.

The legislature's Republicans drew those districts with help from then-U.S. House Speaker John A. Boehner, a Butler County Republican, who called Columbus and ordered districts like "have-it-your-way" take-out. The legislature's Republicans delivered faster than car-hops on roller skates.

Yes, General Assembly Democrats, when they could, drew Democrat-friendly districts during redistricting, which occurs every ten years, after each Census. But in Ohio's modern redistricting era, starting in the 1960s, the legislature was split between Democrats and Republicans only in sessions that immediately followed the 1980 and 1990 Censuses; the legislature was Republican-run in sessions that immediately followed the 1970, 2000 and 2010 Censuses.

True, bipartisan factors may figure in the General Assembly's road-to-Damascus conversion to good government. First, there isn't a General Assembly member alive who doesn't daydream that she or he could move up to Congress. What better way than to draw your own district?

Second, if you're a state legislator who wants to take a lordly member of Congress down a peg, having say-so over the boundaries of his or her district can do it. You want someone in Congress to kiss your ring? If you're a General Assembly member, stroll around the U.S. Capitol with a map of Ohio and a Magic Marker. That'll do it.

If General Assembly leaders of both parties really do thirst for genuine Statehouse reform, there's plenty on the to-do list, such as:

Asking voters to convert Ohio's two-chamber General Assembly into a one-chamber (unicameral) legislature, such as Nebraska's. Making the General Assembly unicameral was discussed in the1930s - and should be again. At a minimum, it would make it harder to hide who does what to kill, delay or gut good legislation. Today's two-chamber falderal helps hide that.

Demonstrating bravery by asking voters to repeal legislative term-limits, which have made the executive branch more powerful than the legislative branch, and lobbyists more powerful than either. Repealing term-limits would be a tough sell. But repeal could pass, perhaps by a show of sacrifice by incumbents - requiring, say, that if term-limits were repealed, they'd still apply to legislators already in office at that time

Letting voters elect the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Maybe, as critics argue, elected utility commissions are no more responsive to consumers. But PUCO campaigns would at least decode, from today's rate-case gobbledygook, what's really at stake at the Statehouse for Ohio utility consumers. Answer: A lot.

Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens.

To reach Suddes: tsuddes@gmail.com, 216-999-4689

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SANDUSKY, Ohio -- The annual August Lake Erie trawl surveys have been described as "average," but that doesn't tell the complete story, said Travis Hartman, the head of Lake Erie fisheries management for the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

It is wonderful when the walleye and yellow perch, the two favorites of Lake Erie fishermen, have very successful spawning seasons. That happened in 2003, with a record-setting walleye hatch. Huge numbers of little walleye were everywhere.

The 2003 hatch, though, was followed by a few years of poor to mediocre walleye reproduction, said Hartman. Few complained. The schools of walleye from the 2003 class were so plentiful anglers enjoyed them as they grew -- and grew and grew some more.

Those walleye eventually stretched into 30-inch trophy walleye. Few could believe a decade later superb numbers of those trophy walleye were still around. Who knew walleye could live 10 years, and often more?

The fisheries crews at the ODOW were worried, though. The walleye and yellow perch hatches after that amazing year class of 2003 were not very good. What the experts call recruitment, as young walleye boost the population, was not happening.

"Walleye can live 20 years, and that monstrous 2003 class carried the walleye fishing for more than a decade," said Hartman. "It is so much better to have big hatches, as we did in 2014 and 2015, and numerous average hatches around those big hatches.

"What we have right now is a new and unique period of success with both walleye and yellow perch," said Hartman. "When you have consistently average spawning success, not a boom or bust, the fish population is going to be stable and continually grow."

Hartman believes the next five years will be a golden era for the Walleye Capital of the World.

"We have lots of walleye and perch, and have had consistently good hatches," said Hartman. He hopes the trawl surveys keep recording average or above average hatches, as has happened in recent years.

The 2017 walleye hatch was near the 20-year average in Ohio waters of the Western Basin, the prime spawning grounds of the Great Lakes. Average to excellent hatches from three of the past four years have resulted in large schools of walleye, and lots of trophy fish, as well.

The fisheries crews found 21 walleye per hectare, which is 2.2 acres. The average since 1998 is 22 walleye per hectare. Consistency counts, said Hartman.

The trawl surveys for baby yellow perch found 280 yellow perch per hectare. The 20-year average is 300 yellow perch per hectare. Five good yellow perch hatches in a row should help the perch population continue to rebuild, especially in the Western Basin where perch fishing has been the best on Lake Erie this year.

There were lots of complaints this summer from perch fishermen plying the waters off Lorain, Cleveland, Fairport Harbor and Conneaut. All are traditional perch hot spots and this spring and summer they were not producing 30-fish limits of perch.

Ohio's commercial trap net fishermen, though, have been finding success in the Central Basin. Lake Erie has three zones, each with a quota tailored to the perch population. In Zone 2 and Zone 3, covering central and eastern Lake Erie, the netters are close to meeting their quota. In Zone 1, the Western Basin, they're quite close to the quota, said Hartman, with most of their perch netted east of Kelleys Island.

"I'm confident we'll see perch fishing get better," said Hartman. "We saw good numbers of perch in our trawls. The 2013 and 2014 perch hatches were the best consecutive years we've seen in a long time.

"We've noticed some pretty good yellow perch fishing this week, after four or five days of calm weather. It's the most yellow perch angling effort we've seen in some time."

D'Arcy Egan, the long-time Plain Dealer outdoors writer who retired in 2015, will occasionally write columns to appear in The Plain Dealer and on cleveland.com. He can be reached at darcyegan@roadrunner.com.
PARMA, Ohio - A member of the Heartless Felons gang led police on a chase before crashing into a tree, police say.

The crash happened shortly after midnight Wednesday on Ackley Road near Ridge Road, Parma police Capt. Kevin Riley said.

Alexander Washington, 23, of Cleveland faces charges of having weapons while under disability, carrying a concealed weapon and fleeing and eluding, Riley said. His case has been bound over to a Cuyahoga County grand jury. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

An officer saw a car stopped west on Woodrow Avenue blocking the road, he said. When the officer parked and approached the car, Washington drove away, Riley said.

The officer chased Washington west on Woodrow Avenue, south on West 54th Street to west on Ackley Road. Washington lost control of the car and crashed into a tree near Ridge Road, Riley said.

He got out of his car and ran. Other officers were called to assist. The officer tackled him in the 6200 block of Stanbury Road, Riley said.

The officer suffered minor injuries.

Investigators found a loaded revolver in front of the driver's seat on the floor board, Riley said. It was learned it was stolen.

Washington served time in an Ohio Department of Youth Services after being found delinquent of aggravated robbery and felonious assault with gun specifications.

Washington was moved in 2014 from a juvenile facility to the adult prison system after a judge determined he created a risk to the safety of the facility. He would unlikely be rehabilitated while in juvenile jurisdiction.

Prosecutors accused him of using his power as a Heartless Felons leader, launching a reign of terror and being involved in nearly 80 violent incidents and more than 25 beatings in the juvenile facility.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - The annual Emmy Awards bash will run true to form, hitting the red carpet with the usual barrage of intriguing questions. The questions are familiar. The titles change year to year.

Will Emmy voters take heart-tugging newcomer "This Is Us" to their Hollywood hearts during the 69th edition of the awards for prime-time programming? Or will one of two acclaimed streaming series, Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale" or Netflix's "Stranger Things," beat out the NBC rookie for best drama honors? Bet on the streamers, by the way, although stranger things have happened.

Will FX's deserving "Atlanta" unseat HBO's "Veep" for best comedy? Will anyone's name except Elisabeth Moss pop out of the envelope when the winner for lead actress in a drama is announced during the CBS coverage of the Emmys, airing at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, on WOIO Channel 19?

What will the absence of HBO's "Game of Thrones" (scheduled too late to be considered for this year's awards) mean to the Emmy races? Will HBO drama series "Westworld" and limited series "Big Little Lies" emerge as big winners? And how will Stephen Colbert, making his debut as host, fare during the live broadcast from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles?

But for plenty of friends, fans and relatives from this area, the bigger question will how the nominees from Northeast Ohio will do Sunday night. There are several of them, including two nominated in the same category.

The Emmy fate of one person with a Northeast Ohio connection was decided last week at the creative arts ceremony, which honors technical achievement and guest stars in shows. Tom Hanks, who got his acting start in Cleveland in 1977 as an intern with the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, was nominated as guest actor in a comedy series for one of his many trips to NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

Hanks lost to Dave Chappelle, also nominated for "Saturday Night Live." But there are reasons for Northeast Ohio viewers to be keeping score Sunday night. They include:

Carrie Coon: The Copley High School graduate is nominated as lead actress in a limited series or TV movie for her wonderful performance as Gloria Burgle, the recently divorced chief of the Eden Valley police in the third season of FX's 'Fargo."

Kathryn Hahn: The star of Amazon's "I Love Dick" is nominated as supporting actress in a comedy series for playing Rachel Fein in a another Amazon show, "Transparent." She is from Cleveland Heights and is a Beaumont High School graduate.

Vanessa Bayer: The Orange High School graduate also is nominated as supporting actress in a comedy series for "Saturday Night Live." And, yes, she and Hahn are nominated in the same category.

John Lithgow: The five-time Emmy winner is nominated as supporting actor in a drama series for his performance as Winston Churchill in Netflix's "The Crown." Lithgow lived in Akron during the early 1960s, attending ninth grade at Simon Perkins Junior High School and the 10th at Buchtel High School. In 1963, after his senior year of high school, he spent the first of two summers in Lakewood, where his father, Arthur Lithgow, had started what is now called Great Lakes Theater (then the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival).

Jamie Babbit: The Shaker Heights native is nominated for directing a comedy series, HBO's "Silicon Valley." She began acting at 7 at the Cleveland Play House.

Kate Sidley: The Baldwin Wallace graduate is nominated for two writing Emmys: variety series ("The Late Show with Stephen Colbert") and variety special ("Stephen Colbert's Live Election Night Democracy's Series Finale").
Statement by Common Cause in Connecticut Executive Director Cheri Quickmire and League of Women Voters of Connecticut President Carolyn Reimers

In the strongest possible terms, Common Cause in Connecticut and the League of Women Voters of Connecticut condemns the the Connecticut legislators who voted to destroy Connecticuts landmark Citizens Election Program (CEP) in last nights budget votes. Governor Malloy must protect the program and veto this harmful budget.

Defunding the CEP reverts to a system that opens the doors to a Wild West of special interest dominance and unlimited spending. The program saves the state money, opens the door for more people to run for public office, and is national model in how to effective bring positive change to our elections. Gov. Malloy must reject this attempt to return to the bad old days of Corrupticut.

The Connecticut Citizens Election Program was passed to address rampant corruption in the state and to give everyday people a bigger voice in politics and the policymaking process. Its passage by a bipartisan coalition of legislators and Republican Governor Rell and successful implementation made the state a national leader in creating a democracy that works for all of us.

As voters from across the political spectrum become increasingly angry about the power of big money in our politics, the last the thing state lawmakers should do is take us backwards, said Carolyn Reimers, President of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut.

In multiple studies we have seen that the Citizens Election Program has allowed candidates and elected officials to spend more time with their constituents, broadened the donor base to be more reflective of the states diverse population, and opened up the process to allow more people to run for office who would otherwise be blocked by the cost of entry. In short, it has created a stronger democracy in Connecticut.

The Citizens Elections Program has allowed candidates to spend less time dialing for dollars from wealthy special interests. It has made politicians in the state more accountable to the people they are elected to representtheir constituents. With expansion of the bottle bill and collection of escheatsbills previously blocked because of the power of special interests in the statethe system has been cost-effective too.

There are difficult choices that must be made regarding the budget this year, but safeguarding the integrity of our states elections is not one of them, said Cheri Quickmire, Executive Director of Common Cause in Connecticut. Defunding this program will give wealthy interests more influence in Connecticut elections and make it harder for regular people to be heard in the halls of government.

The people of Connecticut now must contact Gov. Malloy and urge him to veto the budget bill that passed last night and protect the Citizens Election Program.
CORNWALL, Ontario  In an announcement made this week, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) branch at the Eastcourt Mall on Second St. will be moving out at the beginning of 2018.

The bank made the announcement on Sept. 11 and started mailing notices to branch customers that the branch would be moving as of Jan. 19, 2018 to Cornwalls main RBC branch site on Pitt St.

The consolidation of the two branches will not result in any lost jobs according to Sylvie Perreault, the Branch Manager at the Second St. site.

RBC did address concerns regarding the move in an email to Seaway News.

We recognize that this may cause some inconvenience to our clients and employees and appreciate your questions in regards to this, wrote Mike Belliveau, Regional Vice President, Eastern Ontario. To answer, what will happen to the patrons; all accounts will be automatically transferred to the Cornwall Main branch and account numbers and cheques will not change.

Belliveau went on to address concerns about what clients who do not have online bank accounts should do now that their branch is further away.

To answer, If they dont have online banking where should they go, he said. We plan on hosting Advice Events that will support clients with options that they have, beyond this we encourage all clients to come in to see an advisor so that we can address their unique needs and concerns on a one to one basis.

Belliveau stated that the bank made the decision in response to the evolving market.

Decisions like these are made after careful consideration of how we can best serve our clients in the market, he said. Over the years, as consumer banking habits have evolved, weve evolved how we show up in the community.

He went on to say that RBC will continue to maintain a presence in Cornwall and will continue to support local events such as the Olympic Torch Run and the RBC Cup.
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Why yes, you did just witness a rollerblading giraffe lady sniff an unwilling man's ass, chase him down (while he screams!), then carry him away, presumably to some sort of giraffe rape-nest, while police sirens wail in the background. For those of you who didn't watch the video, that distant sobbing you hear is coming from everybody else who did.

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The media attention on the Equifax breach has been primarily on consumer harm. There's real consumer harm, but it's generally not direct pecuniary harm. Instead, the direct pecuniary harm from the breach will be borne by banks and merchants, and it's going to expose the move to Chip (EMV) cards in the United States without an accompanying move to PIN (as in Chip-and-PIN) to be an incredibly costly blunder by US banks. Basically, Visa, Mastercard, and Amex have built the commercial equivalent of the Maginot Line. A great line of defense against a frontal assault, and totally worthless against a flanking assault, which is what the Equifax breach will produce.

Let's start with consumer harm before getting to the Chip issue. The consumer harm here is real, but it's complicated. Assuming that the hackers use/sell the stolen information, I would expect them to do one of two things (these aren't the only possibilities, but they're probably the easiest). First, they can open up new accounts by pretending to be a different consumer. I would expect this to be primarily credit card accounts, as it's possible to apply remotely, and no bank account needed to pull off the fraud. Many card issuers verify consumer ID on applications primarily using credit report data, and that data source is now utterly compromised.



It's possible that fraudsters will borrow money on other types of loans, but they will generally need to have bank accounts into which the disbursed funds can be deposited and/or appear in person, and that will just make the fraud more difficult. Getting a real credit card issued based on someone else's credit is by far the easiest way to monetize the data. The second thing hackers can do is file fake tax returns and get tax refunds that aren't owed to them. In other word, the hacking is only the first step in a two-step crime. First the data is stolen, then it is monetized through fraudulent transactions.

Notice who gets defrauded in both situations. It's not the consumer. The consumer is not liable for an account s/he didn't open, and has no liability to return a fraudulently induced tax refund. Yes, both situations can create a lot of hassle for the consumer, as the card issuer or the government might believe that the transactions were legitimate and that the consumer is on the hook. And the fake credit card account will effect the consumer's credit score and thus the consumer's future cost of credit, cost of insurance, and possible employment opportunities. There's plenty of consumer harm here (and this isn't to mention emotional suffering and anxiety). But there's unlikely to be direct pecuniary losses to consumers. Pecuniary losses for consumers will be in the form of having to pay for credit freezes (and unfreezes), for credit monitoring, etc. But these are expenses that the consumer chooses, not which are forced upon the consumer, even if most sensible consumers would incur at least some of these expenses (namely credit freezes).

Allocation of Fraud Losses: the Chip Card Maginot Line

So who bears the pecuniary costs of the fraud enable by the hacking? With the fake tax returns, it's the government, be it US Treasury or state and local tax authorities. With the credit cards, however, it's more complicated. Federal law provides that consumers are not liable for unauthorized credit card transactions beyond $50. Card network policies (which are probably not specifically enforceable by consumers, but which would surely be UDAAP/UDAP violations if not honored) generally waive all consumer liability. So this means consumers aren't on the hook. Instead, losses fall on card issuers and merchants, with card network (Visa/MC/Amex) rules determining the allocation.

Card network rules prescribe that for card-not-present transactions, such as all on-line transactions, the merchant generally absorbs fraud losses. Since 2015, card network rules in the US have also prescribed that for card-present transactions, when a physical card is presented, the bank bears the loss unless the card is a Chip card. If the card is a Chip card and the merchant does not use a Chip reader, then the loss shifts to the merchant. But if the card is a Chip card and the merchant does use a Chip reader, the loss shifts back to the bank.

Most cards being issued in the US are now Chip cards. The whole purpose of Chip technology is to make it difficult to physically counterfeit credit cards. It's easy enough to make a fake magnetic stripe card. But Chip cards include a microchip that is much more difficult to forge. In this regard, Chip cards are like the Maginot line. They are built to withstand a direct assault by a fraudster Wehrmacht. But they have a huge vulnerabilitythey rely on issuer only issuing the cards to the right consumers. If a Chip card is issued in the name of a real consumer to a fraudster, the issuing bank is stark naked. The card is a real, legitimate card. That's exactly what the fraudsters should be able to get with the Equifax data. The use of such a fraudulently issued card use may not even trigger any antifraud alerts, and if it does, it will be the fraudster who is contacted, not the consumer in whose name the card was issued. So just as the Maginot line turned out to be rather useless because it wasn't extended all the way to the English Channel, allowing the Wehrmacht to flank it through the Ardennes, so too is Chip by itself vulnerable to this sort of "flanking" attack. (To be fair, there are some other vulnerabilities for Chip cards--if the Chip is disabled, for example, the card then falls back to a magnetic stripe use at most merchant terminals, and that allows for old-fashioned type counterfeiting fraud.)

Now if we were in the pre-Chip world in the US, the situation would be the same: the card issuer would be liable for card-present fraud. But now after a major investment by issuers and merchants in new security technology, we see the result being sort of like the huge expense of building the Maginot line. Yes, it prevented the Wehrmacht from rolling through Alsace. But all it meant was that they had to side-step it through Luxembourg and Belgium.



KYC/AML Issues

Where the direct pecuniary losses fall will depend on whether fraudsters use fake accounts for on-line transactions (probably safer for them as they aren't going to have to appear in person) or for in-person, card-present transactions.For the card-present transactions, though, the issuers will be eating the fraud losses, but the merchants will absorb the card-not-present losses. This seems quite unfair to merchants--they have no ability to prevent this sort of fraud loss, yet they will be the ones absorbing the costs for the card-not-present fraud, even though the card issuers are the least cost avoiders of the harm because they could better screen card applications. Given the number of consumers' whose data was involved, the potential losses for both merchants and banks are staggering and potentially systemic.

All of this leaves me wondering what bank regulators are advising about know-your-customer compliance for card issuers in the wake of this data breach. Can card issuers that rely on data from CRAs for consumer ID verification actually be said to have verified their customers now? I can't see how, although I also don't see regulators doing anything about it because the alternative would seriously upset the card issuer business model. What we're likely to have, then, is a regulatory bailout of card issuers by virtue of inaction and nonenforcement of KYC rules. Let's just hope that there isn't a fraudulently issued card that ends up being used for terrorism finance. This is something about which Congress should really press the prudential regulators: how are they going to ensure that the banking system is protected against massive fraud and how are they going to ensure that the fraud isn't used for terrorism finance or other nefarious purposes?
Storage News

NetApp Shows Storage Sales Growth, But The Big Gains In Q2 2017 Came From ODM, IDC Reports

Joseph F. Kovar

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The storage market continues to shift away from traditional storage vendors and towards the hyperscalers like AWS (Amazon Web Services), with one exception: NetApp.

IDC this week reported that total second quarter 2017 enterprise storage sales grew by 2.9 percent compared to the same period of 2016, reaching $10.8 billion. That modest growth was the first overall growth the industry has seen for several quarters, IDC reported.

However, the growth in the business has shifted away from the traditional leaders in the business, with NetApp the only traditional vendor to see a significant increase in storage sales. The original design manufacturer, or ODM, part of the market grew by 73.5 percent year-over-year.

[Related: IDC: Public Cloud Giants Push Server Business Recovery; Legacy Vendors See Mixed Results]

Total worldwide storage capacity shipped in the second quarter rose 16.5 year-over-year to 65.3 exabytes, IDC reported.

IDC also estimated sales of all-flash storage arrays reached over $1.4 billion in revenue during the quarter, up 37.6 percent year-over-year. Sales of hybrid flash arrays rose 19.6 percent to reach $2.1 billion for the quarter.

IDC breaks its quarterly storage sales results into two types. The worldwide total enterprise storage systems market, which includes storage sold both as a part of a server and external to the server, saw 2.9-percent year-over-year growth to $10.8 billion.

It was this part of the market where the ODM direct vendors saw their 73.5-percent year-over-year growth, as the servers installed in the hyperscaler data centers typically include internal storage.

The second type is the worldwide external enterprise storage systems market, which only counts storage sold external to the server. Here, total revenue fell 5.4 percent to $5.3 billion.

The enterprise storage market is going through some major shifts, said Liz Conner, research manager for Storage Systems at Framingham, Mass.-based IDC, in a prepared statement.

"Traditional storage vendors continue to expand their product portfolios to take advantage of the market swing towards all-flash and converged/hyper-converged systems. Meanwhile, hyperscalers saw new storage initiatives and event-driven storage requirements lead to strong growth in this segment during the second quarter," Conner said.

On the total enterprise storage systems side of the business, the two traditional leaders suffered from a huge downshift in business, opening the way for NetApp and the ODM direct vendors to increase their share.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise, along with its China-based joint venture New H3C Group, led the market with $2.2 billion in sales, giving it a 20.1 percent share. HPE sales, however, fell 13.2 percent over the same period last year. The HPE sales included those of Nimble Storage, which HPE acquired earlier this year.

Dell EMC's storage sales fell 26.7 percent year-over-year to $2.0 billion. As a result, HPE re-captured the number 1 spot from Dell EMC, despite its drop in sales.

NetApp kept its number 3 market share position with sales of $695 million, up 16.7 percent over last year. That made NetApp the only branded storage vendor among the top five companies to see growth.

Following NetApp were IBM, with $556 million in sales, down 0.4 percent, and Hitachi and Hitachi Data Systems, with $413 million in sales, down 3.8 percent.

The "other" vendors collectively sold $2.5 billion in total enterprise storage, which was up 9.5 percent.

However, for the category, the ODM direct vendors were the real winner in the second quarter with collective sales of $2.5 billion, up 73.5 percent.

Things looked quite different when it came to worldwide external enterprise storage sales, which excluded storage that was sold internal to servers.

Dell EMC kept its number 1 spot with sales of $1.5 billion, but that represented a year-over-year drop of 22.3 percent.

NetApp wrestled the number 2 spot from HPE in the second quarter of 2017. NetApp's sales rose 16.7 percent to $695 million, while HPE's sales fell 9.2 percent to $622 million.

Unlike Dell EMC and HPE, NetApp does not have a server business, so it doesn't enjoy the sales pull-through that servers can provide when sold with storage.

IBM's external storage sales grew 0.3 percent to $540 million. Hitachi and Hitachi Data Systems had $400 million in external storage sales, down 4.5 percent.

The "other" vendors collectively sold $1.6 billion in storage, which was up 7.8 percent year-over-year, IDC said.

It's no surprise that NetApp is doing so well, said Glenn Dekhayser, field chief technology officer at Red8, a Costa Mesa, Calif.-based solution provider and long-time NetApp channel partner.

"NetApp has gotten the story on storage automation," he said. "Its Data Fabric message has caught on. The market has caught up to NetApp's Data Fabric message on data mobility, but the other vendors really have no similar message. NetApp made a big bet on Data Fabric, and won."

NetApp has also executed well on its acquisition of all-flash storage vendor SolidFire, as well as with its Data Ontap operating system, which the company has integrated with a wide range of its other platforms, Dekhayser said.

"Customers are starting to get real value out of this stuff," he said. "People thought NetApp was dead. But they were wrong. Now the only deals NetApp loses are the ones they are not brought in on."
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GREENWICH  Greenwich Avenues high rents combined with an acknowledged lack of retail experience dissuaded former Wall Streeter Tiffany Benincasa from opening an art gallery in 2005. More than a decade later and Benincasa has built a successful brand with C. Parker Gallery that she feels fits perfectly at its new location on the downtown shopping strip.

Moving here was an easy decision, Benincasa said. I couldnt pick a better block on the avenue to be.

On Thursday evening, Benincasa unveiled both her new gallery, which she moved from East Putnam Avenue to 409 Greenwich Ave., and one of her most exciting exhibits.

The showcase features hand-signed artwork from George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Andy Warhol pieces.

Nothing has been done like this before in town, Benincasa said during a tour of her new shop.

Thursdays grand re-opening party that centered around the exclusive exhibit drew roughly 100 people, Benincasa said, adding she expects attendance to remain high through the shows duration. It is planned to last until Sunday, Sept. 24.

The gallerys promising debut on Greenwich Avenue marks a significant chapter in Benincasas career.

The Midwestern native moved to New York City after college to work at D.E. Shaw Group. She continued on Wall Street with positions at JPMorgan and UBS. All the while, she spent her free time visiting art shows, collecting pieces for herself and, eventually, for others as a private dealer.

Early in life, Benincasa had developed a love for art thats rooted in childhood trips to New York City galleries with her grandparents. With her first finance paycheck, she bought a piece of artwork and sent it to her grandparents, Benincasa said.

All those trips to galleries and exhibits as an adult helped her love for art grow, but they also highlighted an aspect of the industry she didnt like.

People always wanted to sell you things even if they didnt match you. I always thought that Id want something different for clients, Benincasa said.

In 2011, six years after shed backed out of opening a gallery at the top of Greenwich Avenue, Benincasa decided to leave Wall Street and opened C. Parker Gallery on East Putnam Avenue.

I remember thinking that if I had a heart attack right then and died on the trading floor that Id be so mad I didnt pursue my dreams, she said. I had a great exit strategy.

Benincasa may have left the trading floor, but the skills she refined there are evident in how shes structured the business strategy at C. Parker Gallery. Instead of viewing herself as a salesperson, Benincasa considers her services more like those of a consultant.

Everyone connects with art differently, she said. My first questions are always about clients objectives and then finding pieces that fit those. I have a really service-oriented model.

The industry for buying and selling art can appear opaque to clients, which often unsettles people about attending galleries, Benincasa said.

I want to create transparency in the process and give people all the information they need to make a decision, she said. I like to be the value-added proposition.

With her curation of artists and series of exhibits, Benincasa anticipates that her Greenwich Avenue location will serve as a destination for both former and new clients.

This is the next stop in my journey, she said. Im excited to continue to become more a part of the fabric of the community.

Contact the writer at mbennett@greenwichtime.com; Twitter @Macaela_
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Carole Joy Gellineau / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Kristen Terrana / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





CityCenter Danbury and the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut are joining forces for a celebration of indie music, arts, performing arts and food on Saturday, Sept. 23, in the downtown area.

The Artisans Street Fair takes place on Main Street, between White and West streets, featuring the creations of artisans and craftsman. Our goal is to produce a show that provides each exhibitor the opportunity to show his or her talent in an urban setting and to its best advantage; supports the purchase of original fine art and hand-made crafts; and fosters art appreciation, sponsors say.
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Maybe you're tired of writing your landlord a $2,000-plus check every month for your one-bedroom apartment in Stamford.

Or perhaps you're a baby boomer putting off retirement because you never managed to save as much as you intended.

Or maybe you're just fed up with the daily, soul-crushing traffic crawl through the I-95 corridor.

Time to pull up stakes?

Here's an option: Flee the country altogether.

Sure, it's significantly cheaper to live in Bellingham than Greenwich or Stamford, but the savings pale compared to those you'd enjoy in some Central American or South American cities. Bargains can be found even in Europe.

Now Playing: The Galapagos Islands, in Ecuador, offer wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on earth. Video: Brandpoint

Of course, becoming an expatriate holds more appeal for the retired. In some cases, you won't even need to tap into your 401(k) to pay the bills; a Social Security check goes a long way in, say, Panama City.

Younger folks who are able to make a living by telecommuting, consulting or other nontraditional jobs might also be tempted by the lure of a low cost of living  possibly so low that you barely need to work, if at all.

Here are the cheapest places overseas in which to live well, according to International Living. The monthly magazine and website scours the planet for the best deals for people looking for opportunities beyond their own shores. As its lists for "Best Places to Retire" and "Cheapest Places to Live" overlapped, we've made a mashup from both.

International Living's ratings are not scientific but are based on anecdotal information from the site's more than 200 correspondents living in other countries. However, a number of its choices show up on similar lists by Forbes, LifeBuzz and Tim Leffel's Cheapest Destinations.

With each city (or country) in the above gallery, we've included some of the testimonials of International Living's correspondents in the captions, and noted perks specific to the area.
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BRIDGEPORT  Newfield Avenue and Beardsley Street was the scene of the citys 20th homicide one night, and a memorial that turned chaotic the next.

Eric Diaz, 19, of Bridgeport, was found shot in the stomach near that intersection at around 10 p.m. Thursday, police spokesman Av Harris said. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and his death remains under investigation.

Throughout the day on Friday, people stopped by the corner, paid respects and took a moment to remember their loved one at a memorial set up for Diaz on Beardsley Street. At about 9:15 p.m., Bridgeport Police Capt. Roderick Porter said, things started to take a turn.

The majority of people there came to grieve in a peaceful manner, Porter said. But, he said, some people showed up at an already emotional scene with alcohol.

Porter said officers and community leaders in the neighborhood worked to calm the situation. But one officer was pepper sprayed  Porter said it was unclear who sprayed him  and a Taser was used on one civilian in the area of the memorial. The two were taken to local hospitals by ambulance.

Porter said five people were arrested Friday night, most of them charged with disorderly conduct and breach of peace. But Porter said one mans charges were more severe.

Lamond Daniels, 23, of Connecticut Avenue, was charged with inciting a riot, second-degree criminal attempt of assault, assault of an officer and breach of peace, Porter said. His bond was set at $75,000 and is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Though Porter could not confirm that Daniels was the person on whom the Taser was used, he said he believed so. Porter said Daniels was discharged from the hospital.

The officer who was pepper sprayed was also released from the hospital, Porter said. He said no officers suffered any serious injuries responding to the incident.

Porter said there were roughly 50 to 60 people near the intersection at the peak of incident, which began around 9:15 p.m. and was resolved around 9:45 p.m. As officers handled the situation, the site of the memorial was closed.

After that, we were able to reopen it and allow people to come and pay their respects and grieve, Porter said.

Officers stayed on scene to monitor the area for several hours after the incident, but Porter said the area remained calm. He said officers will continue to keep an eye on the area of the next few days so that those who choose to grieve can do so peacefully and so those who live in the community arent disturbed.
Pa. Dems could flip the House of Reps. Here's what that might mean
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma along with dozens of wildfires in the northwest have ravaged the United States in the past couple of weeks, leaving millions devastated. The recent super storms and their effects seem to have taken the nation by surprise, but like Hurricane Sandy in 2012, these storms have been widely reported by journalists and predicted by scientists.

In aClimate change, natural disasters and community resiliency: Research roundup,a an article published out of Harvardas Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy in May of 2013, it is addressed that because of climate change and human error, the magnitude of storms and their levels of damage would rise.A

Four years later, the U.S. has experienced two hurricanes and multiple wildfires within the span of a month.A

Dorian Burnette, an Earth Science professor at the University of Memphis, said humansA do affect these disasters.

aIf a hurricane is beginning to form and most of the factors needed for one are present, the human fingerprint left in the form of rising sea surface temperatures can put the storm into motion,a Burnette said.

Humans could also be a central cause of climate change, according to Aaron Fowles, co-chair of the Green Party of Tennessee. Fowles described his party as adedicated to democracy, social justice, ecology and peace.aA A

aHumanity has contributed significantly to climate change by releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphereAAAAaprimarily by burning fossil fuels,a Fowles said. aThe resultant warming has severe consequences, including but not limited to the increase in quantity of severity of hurricanes and other storms.a

Fowles said he believes the U.S. government may spend at least $15 billion in hurricane aid. CNN reported that the House approved $7.9 billion in disaster relief funds for Hurricane Harvey with an expected $6.7 billion to follow.

aHealth care spending could be affected by changes in climate including air quality, vector-borne diseases, and temperature-related deaths,a Fowles said.

Climate change is also identified as the second leading threat to national security by people around the globe, according to Pew Research Center. ISIS was viewed as the number one threat among the 38 countries surveyed. The study showed that 62 percent of surveyors believe ISIS is the number one threat. Climate change was pegged as a close second at 61 percent.

Locally, the city of Memphis experienced the remnants of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma as tropical storms. These storms caused a drop in temperature without signs of increase for the following week. Hurricane Jose has been on the nationas radar, but is unlikely to cause the same damage as Irma and Harvey, according to USA Today and AccuWeather meteorologist Evan Duffey.

Savannah Jordan, a junior nursing major at the U of M, said she feels like the past monthas change in climate has been aextreme.a

aI wasnat expecting the storms to cause as much damage as they did,a Jordan said. aI am just afraid this isnat the end of this spike in climate change.a
aTom Lee Pork,a aItas Hard out Here for a Shrimp,a aPeach, Pleasea and aSuit and Tiea are just some of the quirky titles for tacos and drinks found at new Poplar restaurant Tennessee Taco Company.

After purchasing the property in July, the shop opened the doors to its first location on Monday.

Located less than a mile-and-a-half from the University of Memphis campus, employees of the Tennessee Taco Company anticipate for college students to drop in frequently.A

aThe style of food and the prices really reach out to the college crowd,a owner Ben McLean said. aItas a fast-paced environment, so you can stop by here at lunch or in between classes, get a couple tacos and get back.aA

McLean said the atmosphere is ainvitinga. The main wall in the dining area displays a large, vivid-colored mural, hand-painted in 23 days by three Memphis College of Art students.A

aThe dAcor is hip and younger too,a McLean said. aWe like to use from the community and give back to the community.aA

There is not a college discount in place now, but McLean said that will change once things asettle down.a

aWe are going to put a discount in for University of Memphis students,a McLean said. aWe know [college students] are on a budget.a

McLean said his personal philosophy is aawe create smiles.aA

aWe do it through food and drink and good service,a McLean said. aEverywhere needs that, so wherever we can provide that, we will.aA

The shop is also hiring.

aIall find a spot for a good person,a McLean said. aIam only as good as the people who work for me. We are always looking for great additions to our teama[people] that want to create smiles in Memphis.a

McLean has been in the restaurant business in Memphis for 22 years. After leaving the University of Tennessee, McLean finished his political science degree at the U of M. While attending the university, he started a job at Hueyas under manager and partner Thomas Boggsawho became McLeanas inspiration for going into the restaurant industry.A

aI just loved watching his day-to-day interaction with his employees and customers and I was like, aI want to do that when I grow up,aa McLean said.

After 11 years at Hueyas, McLean became manager of Soul Fish CafA. He is currently the owner of Belly Acres and Tennessee Taco Company. Close friend Rob Ray works as a chef of both.A

He is also working on two other projects, which McLean plans to have open by the end of the year.

McLean also played a role in the development of Alchemy, Wild Beet Salad Company, and Front Street Deliawhich won Memphis Most 2017 Best Deli.A

aI get to do what I love,a McLean said.
When it started nearly 40 years ago, BBC1s Question Time set out to give audience members the opportunity to put politicians on the spot, as had happened for many years on the radio with Any Questions?.

Under the chairmanship of the late Robin Day during its first decade, Question Time really did succeed in enhancing democratic debate. It was always spirited but seldom petty or rancorous. Courtesy was usually maintained.

One fondly remembers appearances by big beast politicians such as Norman Tebbit and Enoch Powell on the Right, David Owen and David Steel in the centre and Tony Benn and Peter Shore on the Left. As a young journalist, I often felt I could learn something from the programme.

No longer. In recent years it has, frankly, become a bear pit, characterised by baying audiences that dont politically or culturally reflect the general public, and often third-rate panellists who cant be relied on to know anything about politics, or for that matter, much else.

A new low? The Question Time line-up on Thursday

Its urbane 78-year-old chairman, David Dimbleby, has looked increasingly uncomfortable as he tries to keep a lid on turbulent proceedings. He bears an expression which is half-amused, half-disapproving, as though he knows in his heart that he has wandered into a mad house.

But in its long decline, the programme has never sunk as low as it did on Thursday. After its ten-week summer break, it returned with a line-up that would have hardly flattered a village debating society, and an audience in Londons Stratford East that seemed typically skewed to the Left.

It has, after all, been an eventful summer. No one could deny that this country faces great challenges. Why couldnt the BBC  or Mentorn Media, the production company responsible for the show  have risen to the occasion and produced a panel of substance?

Batting for the Government was David Gauke, the Work and Pensions Secretary. He is a very decent fellow but his dogged and not invariably rapier-like performances will never set the heather alight. One suspects that, coming from his lips, our triumphant victory at the Battle of Trafalgar would have seemed like disappointing news.

Also on the Right was Julia Hartley-Brewer, a robust and fluent journalist who comes across better on the screen than she does on the page. Although on two occasions she used the programme to plug her rather obscure radio show, she sounded reasonable and sane.

The Left  and I mean the pretty Hard Left  were accorded three representatives by the BBC in what was surely an example of the Corporations deep-seated and instinctive Left-wing bias.

Dawn Butler, the Corbynista Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, turned out to have as much understanding of economics as I do of particle colliders. Another panellist, Kirsty Blackman (a self-effacing young woman who has much to be self-effacing about), is the Scottish National Partys deputy leader in the Commons. Isnt it bizarre how often economically illiterate SNP politicians pop up on Britain-wide BBC political programmes despite their party getting only 3 per cent of the national vote?

The third Leftie was one of Aunties favourite new pets  the novelist Will Self, a lugubrious and supercilious character who likes to present himself as a man of the people despite having attended a well-known English public school and being immensely pleased with himself. Most famously, he was sacked from the Observer newspaper after snorting heroin in the lavatory on Prime Minister John Majors jet while part of the Tory leaders election campaign press party in 1997.

As for the members of the audience, to judge by their response to a question about the public sector pay cap, which took up about a third of the programme, they were also heavily inclined to the Left, though Mentorn and the BBC are supposed to ensure that they are politically representative of the wider electorate. I dont recall a single person in the audience who didnt think that the Government had either been wrong to apply a pay cap in the first place, or was misguided in lifting it only for the police and prison officers.

On the panel, Tory minister Gauke was pretty hopeless, and made little or nothing of the record figures for employment published earlier in the week. Labours Dawn Butler wanted everyone in the public sector to have a pay rise immediately, and claimed that there were enough banknotes on Jeremy Corbyns magic money tree to pay the extra 9 billion needed a year.

The Scottish Nationalist woman thought much the same.

But for sheer nastiness, neither woman could compete with the rabble-rousing Self, who was busy stirring up class hatred. Why dont you print some more money like you did for the bankers? he sneered at David Gauke in a particularly nonsensical heckle.

He also asserted, to applause, that the poor have got poorer, and the rich have got richer. In fact, this is not true  not that truth is of much importance on Question Time these days.

The independent and respected Institute for Fiscal Studies recently published a report which showed that inequality between the rich and the poor has narrowed since the 2007-08 recession. In London, there has been a dramatic fall in inequality.

If Will Self is a typical Left-wing intellectual, God help the Left-wing Establishment. Believe it or not, he is Professor of Contemporary Thought at Brunel University. We must pity his poor students.

It was much the same during the discussion on Brexit, where Julia Hartley-Brewer was the only panellist who had voted Leave, though there were several members of the audience who spoke out against the majority panel view  namely that Britain is doomed.

Apart from the sheer vacuity of everything, what was so depressing about this deranged zoo was the absence of reasoned debate and knowledge and basic civility. This was the 4th XI at play, and, instead of bats, they were wielding lumps of wood.

One lesson I draw from all this is that if Tories are going to participate in such rumbustious bear pits, they had better produce spokesmen who are more eloquent and intellectually fleet-of-foot than poor David Gauke. He may well be an excellent minister, but this was not his forum.

A deeper question has to do with the future of Question Time. Hasnt it lost its point as it has divested itself of seriousness and the common courtesies? It no longer contributes much, if anything, to the democratic process. Whereas Radio 4s Any Questions? remains interesting, lively and informative (with David Dimblebys brother, Jonathan, always quick to chide unruly members of the audience), BBC1s Question Time has, in effect, become a form of feral, reality television.

Moreover, the apparently in-built bias to the Left (always absurdly denied by the BBC) is another affront to democracy. During a special election edition of Question Time at the end of May, members of a supposedly balanced audience jeered whenever Jeremy Corbyn was criticised. Even the oh-so-right-on presenter Mishal Husain was heckled when she pointed out that Corbyn had struggled to cost properly Labours flagship childcare policy.

David Dimblebys heart is plainly no longer in controlling this circus, though he is doubtless unwilling to give up his stupendous earnings, which, unlike the majority of BBC salaries, still cant be published because he is technically paid by Mentorn.

Yet I wonder whether new blood would make much difference. Question Time in its present form has become so debased and dumbed down that I doubt a new chairman could save it.

Thursdays edition was shaming and dispiriting. British democracy urgently needs a programme which fulfils the role of Question Time. We just dont need the programme it has become.
It's no secret that the so-called 'Pink Tax' pushes up the prices of women's toiletries and hygiene products - but it seems the fairer sex are getting a raw deal when it comes to plumbing services, too.

Women were found to be paying almost up to half as much again as their male counterparts in a new study, with costs varying wildly according to customers' age, sex and location.

In a bid to expose the wildly different rates demanded of different customers, a middle-aged woman, a middle-aged man and an elderly male each contacted a list of plumbers across England with a simple request - to ask how much it would be to install a new mixer tap in their kitchen.

The new pink tax? In every region apart from one, the male caller was quoted the lowest quote. London was the only exception, with the female caller receiving a lower price by just 2

The female caller was quoted 15 per cent more than the male caller on average (71 compared with 62), with plumbers in the East Midlands the most likely to charge an inflated price, in the study by AnchorPumps.com. The worst example saw a woman quoted 53 per cent more than a man for the same job.

The company said it was 'surprising' to discover the extent to which quotations for the same job varied depending on location and the person calling.

Even more shockingly, the elderly caller was charged 21 per cent more than the male caller (75 compared to 62), meaning pensioners are paying more for plumbing services overall.

Unsurprisingly, London is the most expensive region to obtain plumbing services - but quotations were also the most consistent.

Anchor Pumps gave participants a list of 90 plumbers across nine English counties to obtain the results.

Ouch! In the study, women were found to be paying almost a fifth more than male callers (71 compared with 62), with costs varying wildly according to the customer and region

The three callers contacted the same plumber over a two-month period, asking for a quote for exactly the same job.

They analysed quotes obtained by our three callers to find the average for each, and said the results were 'concerning'.

In every single region apart from one, the male caller was quoted the lowest average price. London was the only exception, with the female caller receiving a lower average price by just 2.

The elderly caller fared the worst in seven out of nine regions, leveling with the female caller in the North East and the West Midlands.
While Australia is known for many as the home of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Uluru, there are many lesser known hidden gems that are just as special.

To unearth some of the most beloved spots across the country and ignite wanderlust in keen travellers, Assured Removalists recently looked into the places hashtagged most with #hiddengem - with interesting results.

Here, FEMAIL looks at five of the most hashtagged hidden gems in Australia and the most mysterious waterfall, according to Instagram users.

Here, FEMAIL looks at five of the most hashtagged hidden gems in Australia and the most mysterious waterfall, according to Instagram

1. MORETON ISLAND, BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND

Dubbed the country's most popular yet 'hidden' treasure, this stunning spot located off southeastern Queensland has taken the top spot.

Also known as 'the gem of southeast Queensland', Moreton Island has been described as 'perfect for that much needed getaway to 'escape the fake'.

The untouched bay boasts crystal waters, white sandy beaches and shipwrecks to explore as well as gorgeous flora and fauna and adventure opportunities.

According to the island website, Moreton Bay remains one of the 'few untouched areas of natural wilderness along the east coast'.

'Just across the bay from civilisation, Moreton is quickly being discovered as an unspoilt paradise for people wanting to relax and enjoy nature. This is a place where the crashing of the waves sets the pace of your day,' they write.

Dubbed the country's most popular yet 'hidden' treasure, this stunning spot located off southeastern Queensland has taken the top spot

Also known as 'the gem of southeast Queensland', Moreton Island has been described as 'perfect for that much needed getaway to 'escape the fake'

2. BAY OF FIRES, BINALONG, TASMANIA

This striking spot is famed for its turquoise waters, sandy beaches and, of course, its orange granite boulders.

The popular conservation reserve is divided into three sections and boasts small secluded beaches, rocky gullies and clear water perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

It's also a great spot for fishing and just offshore there is a popular reef brimming with beautiful fish and marine life.

This slice of heaven has been named by Lonely Planet as the hottest travel destination in the world, and is known as one of the most beautiful places in Australia.

This striking spot is famed for its turquoise waters, sandy beaches and, of course, its orange granite boulders

The popular conservation reserve is divided into three sections and boasts small secluded beaches, rocky gullies and clear water perfect for swimming and snorkelling

3. JURIEN BAY, WHEATBELT, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Known as the 'jewel of the central west coast, Jurien Bay is known for its colourful coral reef, beautiful beaches and great fishing.

It has been listed as one of the best fishing spots in Western Australia and many who visit enjoy either swimming or trying out watersports in the pristine waters.

The area also boasts a national park with lovely wildflower displays and many choose to get adventurous and skydive over the breathtaking beaches.

Known as the 'jewel of the central west coast, Jurien Bay is known for its colourful coral reef, beautiful beaches and great fishing

4. CAVES BEACH, LAKE MACQUARIE, NEW SOUTH WALES

As you would expect, this little spot is known for its network of sea saves toward the southern end of the beach.

The caves are often explored by beachgoers at low tide.

The area is also great for get togethers and barbecues and there is a 30 minute coastal walk that allows visitors to explore tidal pools at low tide.

As you would expect, this little spot is known for its network of sea saves toward the southern end of the beach

The area is also great for get togethers and barbecues and there is a 30 minute coastal walk that allows visitors to explore tidal pools at low tide

5. AIREYS INLET, VICTORIA

Located on the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne, this coastal town is described as 'one of the Great Ocean Road's best kept secrets'.

Promising 'serenity and tranquility' to all who visit, this spot is known for its spectacular cliffs, river valley and, of course, the Great Otway National Park.

In addition to the breathtaking surroundings, Aireys Inlet is also recognised for its live music and culture and often puts on all kinds of exciting live events.

The landscape of the town is dominated by the Split Point Lighthouse and those who visit can enjoy a thorough tour of the structure.

Others choose to walk the national park or ride horses along the nearby beaches.

Located on the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne, this coastal town is described as 'one of the Great Ocean Road's best kept secrets'

SECRET FALLS, TASMANIA

This has been ranked as one of the most mysterious and beautiful waterfalls in Australia.

Though admittedly one of the 'worst kept' secrets of the area, the three metre fall is popular with those who are walking the nearby track.

The waterfall lands in a rocky pool below and is located in the foothills of Mount Wellington.
Victoria & Abdul Cert PG 1hr 52mins

Rating:

For the first 20 minutes, maybe half an hour, what is most notable about Victoria & Abdul is not how classy or well photographed it is but how broadly, even crudely, the comedy is being played. Honestly, there are moments early on when this is less the moving story of Queen Victorias last great love affair, more Carry On Up The Khyber.

Setting off at an almost indecent pace, director Stephen Frears, whose recent hits include Philomena and Florence Foster Jenkins, peppers his narrative with cheap gags about royal bowel movements, repeated references to an incident with an elephant and the lack of medal-bearing trays at Windsor Castle. Even a wobbly and faintly phallic-looking jelly is played for laughs.

I dont know about you but this was certainly not what I was expecting from a film that reunites Frears with the great Judi Dench and reunites Dench herself with the royal role that she last played 20 years ago in the Bafta-winning Mrs Brown.

For the first 20 minutes, what is most notable about Victoria & Abdul (starring Judi Dench and Ali Fazal, above) is not how classy it is but how broadly the comedy is being played

Yes, later on there are a couple of great speeches that could easily garner her more award nods, but those comedy undercurrents  and the feeling that Frears and screenwriter Lee Hall are over-pandering to a modern audience  never quite go away.

Would any homesick Indian servant of that era really say Cut all the nicey, nicey c**p  lets get the hell out of here? Would any devout Muslim introduce his identically burka-clad wife and mother-in-law to the Queen before joking: At least I think its that way round? Well, they do here.

Slowly, however, a not uninteresting story emerges that begins in Agra in 1887, where local British dignitaries have decided that the Queen  who was also Empress of India, of course  should be presented with a special jubilee medal.

Knowing her penchant for tall men, two local civil servants have been selected, but following said incident with the elephant one has been replaced with someone shorter. Presumably on the grounds of comedy.

Slowly a not uninteresting story emerges that begins in Agra in 1887, where local British dignitaries have decided that the Queen should be presented with a special jubilee medal

But when the mismatched pair arrive in Britain, the taller and more handsome one  Abdul Karim (played by the tall and handsome Indian actor Ali Fazal)  almost instantly catches the world-weary eye of an ageing, overweight monarch who has been grieving for her beloved Albert for a quarter of a century and whose former favourite, John Brown, had died four years earlier.

Defying all royal protocol, Abdul not only makes direct eye contact with the Queen but falls to the ground to kiss her feet. Which goes down surprisingly well.

I suddenly feel a lot better, she announces, breaking into a smile for the first time in the film. Finally, were off with the story of the burgeoning relationship between monarch and servant very obviously echoing the arc of John Maddens Mrs Brown from 1997, but without ever quite capturing its complexity and class. And for that its Lee Halls screenplay that must chiefly take the blame.

He may have found deserved fame for both Billy Elliot and War Horse but Hall is still relatively inexperienced when it comes to cinematic screenplays, and this feels like a step into the slight unknown for him.

Dench is totally convincing as the isolated monarch and she has excellent support from the Tim Pigott-Smith and Eddie Izzard. Fazals performance, in contrast, is a little one-dimensional

The lonely Queen apart  everyone I have really loved is dead and I just go on and on and on  he offers little in the way of characterisation, and when the story needs to deepen, it doesnt. Or not much.

The compensation, as we watch Victoria grow ever-more dependent on her devoted servant, is some very nice acting from a wonderful cast of top-class British character actors.

Dench, at 82, is 14 years older than Victoria would have been when Abdul arrived in Britain, but shes totally convincing as the bored, isolated monarch whos already in physical and emotional decline. Look at me, she exclaims at one point, a fat, lame, impotent, silly old woman.

But, as Abdul is appointed her Munshi and begins to teach her both Urdu and the Koran, its those supporting performances that catch the eye.

IT'S A FACT In one of six serious assassination attempts during Victoria's reign, a man tried to shoot the Queen with a gun loaded with paper and tobacco. Advertisement

The late Tim Pigott-Smith, very touchingly, is the epitome of pomposity and befuddlement as Sir Henry Ponsonby, the Queens understandably miffed private secretary, but even better is an almost unrecognisable Eddie Izzard giving possibly the performance of his career as Bertie  the frustrated Prince of Wales and heir apparent, of course  who cant believe that his mother is still alive, let alone so in thrall to an Indian servant.

Fazals performance, by comparison, is likeable but a little one-dimensional, though it has to be said he gets precious little help from the script.

The discovery that Abdul is a Muslim (until then it is blithely assumed he is Hindu) certainly gives the story a modern resonance (Prince Charles is famously fascinated by Islam), but at other points a certain weariness with another episode from Victorias currently much-chronicled life sets in, particularly in the light of an introductory caption: Based on real events mostly.

But its funny and undemanding, and Dench is excellent. So while Victoria & Abdul does have its shortcomings, its also one of the films youll definitely want to see for yourself this autumn.

SECOND SCREEN

Mother! (18)

Rating:

American Assassin (18)

Rating:

At the recent Venice Film Festival, Darren Aronofskys new film, Mother!, definitely divided critics, picking up reviews ranging from five-star eulogies to one-star excoriations. I found myself subscribing to both views; one after the other.

The first half is surprising and rather good (although five stars would be pushing it) but the second half is a chaotic, indulgent and eventually rather disgusting mess.

Aronofksy unsettles us from the start with a shot of a woman apparently burning to death. Then he dazzles us as a derelict house is brought almost magically back to life before our eyes.

It is here than an unnamed young woman (Jennifer Lawrence) lives with her significantly older husband (Javier Bardem). Their agreed division of labour is that she will restore the house while he writes. But hes blocked and cant write a word. Their idyllic-looking relationship in this idyllic-looking house is beginning to crumble.

And then their first apparently uninvited guest (Ed Harris) arrives, closely followed by his direct and unsettlingly sexy wife (Michelle Pfeiffer). But does the husband really not know the newcomers? There seems to be a strange connection between them that the younger woman doesnt understand and feels excluded by.

As the film reaches its midway point it starts to fall horribly apart. Babies are conceived, people die and still the strangers keep coming.

The result is an over-long and structurally repetitious film that might be about narcissism, the creative process or religion but which eventually becomes so unpleasant  and ridiculous  that I couldnt be bothered to work it out.

American Assassin is another over-macho, unpleasantly violent misfire starring Dylan O'Drien (above) as a man who becomes a one-man counter-terrorism force after loosing his fiancee

Remember Stratton, the awful British thriller from a couple of weeks ago about stolen weapons of mass destruction? Well along comes American Assassin, which is markedly similar and almost as bad.

The only real differences being that this time the WMDs are nuclear rather than biological and our hero is trained by someone from special forces without being special forces himself. Oh, and its American, obvs.

Its not helped by having one of those openings that echoes one of the terrorist horrors of real life  a machine-gun attack on a packed beach  all too realistically.

Having lost his fiancee in the attack, young Mitch Rapp (Maze Runner and Teen Wolf star Dylan OBrien) turns himself into a one-man counter-terrorism force. Which suits the CIA fine, as theyd like Mitch to work for them after hes been given some more training  from a somewhat improbably cast Michael Keaton.

The result is another over-macho, unpleasantly violent misfire.
SHOW OF THE WEEK

Rachel Whiteread

Tate Britain, London Until Jan 21, 2018

Rating:

The trouble for artists who shoot to fame at a young age is the hype that surrounds them afterwards  at a time when they might otherwise be quietly honing their skills and privately finding their style.

Like Damien Hirst and the other Young British Artists (YBAs) who burst on to the scene at the start of the Nineties, sculptor Rachel Whiteread came to our attention early. In 1993, aged just 30, she became the first woman to win the Turner Prize, thanks to her masterpiece, House  a life-size, concrete cast of the inside of a demolished Victorian house, on the same spot where the original east London property stood.

Fast-forward to 2017 and Whiteread is the subject of a retrospective at Tate Britain: the chance for us to assess how well she followed up her early success.

The trouble for artists who shoot to fame at a young age is the hype that surrounds them afterwards. Stairs, 1995 (above)

Such an assessment is made harder, by the layout. Works arent displayed room by room, in the order in which they were made. Instead, we enter one vast, visually striking space, where all the sculptures can be seen at once.

Small works  such as the Torso series, inspired by hot-water bottles  appear alongside big works such as Untitled (Room 101), inspired by the BBC office after which George Orwell named the torture chamber in Nineteen Eighty-Four.

The sculptures end up eerily evocative of the original objects  so much so that a viewer can often be found double-taking before them. Line Up, 2007-08 (above)

Despite the differences in size, however, Whitereads art hasnt deviated much over the years, from a tried-and-tested formula. She casts the spaces within or around objects rather than (as is traditional) casting the objects themselves. This can be a bit tricky to describe in words  but in short, she turns voids into solids; she creates positive impressions of negative spaces. The corridor between library shelves, say; or the concavity of a bath tub.

The sculptures end up eerily evocative of the original objects  so much so that a viewer can often be found double-taking before them, wondering what exactly it is theyre looking at.

Credit should go to the shows curators, whove created an environment as much as an exhibition. Untitled (Amber Bed), 1991 (above)

Credit should go to the shows curators, whove created an environment as much as an exhibition, and the gathering of so many off-white pieces (cast in plaster or concrete) gives off the vibe of tombs in a mausoleum.

But none of this can overcome the fundamental problem: that Whitereads greatest works have been site-specific and so arent here. She is one of the last YBAs to receive a mid-career retrospective at one of our big art galleries  and on this evidence its easy to see why. Her best works just arent available for exhibition.

ALSO WORTH SEEING

Folkestone Triennial Until Nov 5

Rating:

Take a left into Sandgate Road and youll see a giant seagull, the ticket collector at Folkestone station tells me. Dont worry, he doesnt bite.

The seagull in question is actually an information centre (taking the form of a huge bird), there to offer general direction about the art jamboree taking over the Kent town this autumn.

I say taking over, but the 50-odd pieces by the 20 contributing artists are actually scattered about Folkestone rather subtly. So subtly that you would be forgiven for not even noticing theres a triennial on.

Antony Gormley has installed on the shore two of his trademark cast-iron sculptures of the human body, which are submerged daily at high tide

Amelia Pica is showing small, seashell sculptures in pub and restaurant windows; Gary Woodley has painted black and white polyhedra on a beach- side tunnel under Coronation Parade; and David Shrigley has created a new lamppost in the style of a Victorian one for the Leas promenade.

Unfortunately theyre just too small for the purposes of the triennial. Like a number of other works, they get lost in an exhibition space that is, in effect, the whole of Folkestone.

This is a well-intentioned enterprise but the quality of experience is rather summed up by the efforts of the biggest-name artist involved, Antony Gormley. He has installed on the shore two of his trademark cast-iron sculptures of the human body, which are submerged daily at high tide. From his 100-work series, Another Time, they have already been seen the world over.

The standout contribution is Holiday Home by Richard Woods, a set of six brightly coloured replica houses. Empty inside and found at surprising spots around town  such as floating in the harbour water  they serve as a comment on the culture of outsiders voraciously buying up local property as second homes.
It should have been idyllic  moving from the crowded, noisy city to a rural manor house with more bedrooms than a boutique hotel. But when comedian Jack Dee upped sticks to the south coast of England with wife Jane and their children it wasnt the bucolic bliss theyd imagined.

I was in a position where I had enough money to move, the kids were getting bigger and I thought, Ill do up this house and I will have everything I want there and never have to do anything else, he says. But I didnt think it through and I found out it was not for me. We hated it. We couldnt live with the silence. And it was claustrophobic. If you have some issue in your house, before you know it the whole village knows about it.

So we moved back to London. But even having made that mistake, Jane and I still sometimes think, Oh, why dont we buy a place on the coast and look at the sea all day? Were idiots like that.

Jack Dee as new country dweller Steve in Bad Move. Things go wrong from the start in this hilarious new sitcom

There was, however, a creative silver lining to the experience: Dee, 55, has turned it into a new sitcom, Bad Move, in which he stars alongside fellow stand-up Kerri Godliman.

The couple play Steve and Nicky, who have moved from Leeds to a particularly unappealing part of Yorkshire known to the locals as The Dip because it has no broadband signal and is prone to flooding. Things go wrong from the start, and theyre plagued by a host of ghastly neighbours.

If you make a lot of money, he explains, you have quite a few choices, which include the opportunity to get more things wrong. People could look at what I did with the house and think, What an idiot, whereas if I had spent it all on cocaine theyd think Thats cool.

The move to the country was a rare misstep for Dee, whose successful 30-year career began after an open-mic slot at Londons Comedy Store in 1986. His stand-up career peaked with a nomination for the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1991. The next year he landed The Jack Dee Show on Channel 4 and by the mid-Nineties he was an established comedy regular. So to what does he think he owes his enduring appeal? Its not a looks-orientated business, he says earnestly (and I suspect with significant understatement). It is about content and delivery.

Dee with co-star Kerri Godliman in a scene from the sitcom

Dees famously deadpan patter and ability to take on hecklers has seen him survive several comedy trends. He did once try to do jazz hands and smile more on stage, but it was a disaster and he now sticks to the more morose routine that helped make his name. In fact, the greatest surprise on meeting him is that hes thoroughly pleasant and regularly bursts into hearty laughter.

People are always surprised that I laugh a lot more and smile a lot more than they think I will, he admits. I exploit the whole thing of looking miserable because that is my resting b**** face, and theres no point fighting that. But if Id met Tommy Cooper, Id have been really surprised if he was nothing like that in real life  but Id also have been unnerved if hed been exactly like that.

Part of the reason for Dees success is his everyman approach. His jokes are often close to the bone, but he has admitted to past indulgence in drink and cigarettes, and to suffering from depression. Does he still count himself as a middle-class weekend binge drinker?

Part of the reason for Dees success is his everyman approach. His jokes are often close to the bone

He laughs. Yes, probably. I am greedy.

Long-suffering wife Jane is all but ignored when hes writing a stand-up routine, he confesses, which hes doing now for the first time in four years. Being back on the circuit means hes made friends with young comics such as Seann Walsh, but pals from further back, like Jeremy Hardy, Jo Brand and Mark Lamarr still make him laugh.

Mark is probably not the easiest person in the world to get on with but I like him, he says. He emailed me the other day and started it with Hi Jack, long time no care. Brilliant.

Bad Move is on Wednesday at 8.30pm on ITV1
Sanjay Dutt walks in for the interview flaunting a tattoo on his left arm and the famous disarming grin on his face.

The tattoo, he tells you, spells out wife Manyata's real name, Dilnashin, in Maori. The grin tells you the mercurial star is in a happy mood.

At 58, Sanju Baba  as Bollywood loves to call him  is back waging the war he has waged and won several times in the past.

This is not the first time in his career, after all, that he is fighting to make a comeback against all odds. He did it successfully in the post-drugs phase of the eighties, the post-TADA phase of the nineties and is doing it again now as he prepares for the upcoming Bhoomi, his first release since completing his jail term last year.

'Bollywood-town changed for the better while I was away': Sanjay Dutt

At this stage, Dutt tells you, he wants roles that suit his age.

'I'll play my age from now on, as they do in Hollywood. I want to do different kinds of cinema,' he declares, about signing Bhoomi, which has him playing Aditi Rao Hydari's father.

Was the comment a dig at 50-plus Bollywood superstars who are still romancing heroines half their age?

He certainly wasn't in the mood to name any of his co-stars!

'In Bhoomi, I play Aditi's father. The story is set in smalltown Agra,' he lets on.

The actor is still wearing the gruff beard from the film, although his sartorial statement is more chic.

Dutt looks dapper in a grey full-sleeve V-neck tee paired with denims.

Bhoomi is a revenge drama that hinges on a father-daughter relationship.

Dutt describes the film as a fantastic script with commercial value, as one reason why he chose it for a comeback.

'The script is fantastic. It is a movie about relationships, values and above all it is a commercial film. It has good music and lots of action. I think the whole package was good enough for me to go for it.'

Although the trailers hint at a violent undercurrent, Dutt insists the film is for everyone: 'it is a universal film. Everybody should get a chance to see it. It gives out a good message and is about women empowerment.

Bhoomi is a revenge drama that hinges on a father-daughter relationship

'The film is about many issues that society is championing  Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao; Save The Girl Child; Stop Violence Against Women.'

The building in Bandra's Pali Hill where the actor invited the press has a life-size photograph of his late father, Sunil Dutt.

Today, he lives there with Manyata, his third wife, and their seven-year-old twins Shahraan and Iqra.

Trishala, his 29-year-old daughter, from his first marriage with late actress Richa Sharma, stays in the US, and is incidentally a year younger than Aditi, his on-screen daughter in Bhoomi.

Dutt launched the trailer of Bhoomi last month on Trishala's birthday. Although Dutt's past resistance to let Trishala join films was widely reported, he seems more liberal on the idea of his twins entering Bollywood.

'It is up to them what they want to do when they grow up. But I would definitely want them to graduate first. After that, it is their life,' he says, as he orders a round of tea.

Bhoomi is a hard-hitting film and the trailer has hinted at possible violence.

Recently, Prasoon Joshi replaced the controversial Pahlaj Nihalani, as head of the Central Board of Film Certification.

Most among the industry folks have welcomed Joshi's advent. Does the change in guard at CBFC augur well for a film as Bhoomi?

'I have no idea about the censor board. I have no idea about the change in power. Pahlajji is also a part of the industry and he has always been very close to me, so is Prasoon,' Dutt tales a diplomatic line.

Talk shifts to upcoming projects. Manyata is all set to turn producer with a Hindi remake of the 2010 Telugu hit, Prasthanam.

He will also be seen in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, along with his Munna Bhai MBBS co-star Jimmy Shergill.

The superstar explains why a comeback at 58 is special

The film is slated to go on floors on September 21. There is Girish Malik's Torbaaz, an action-thriller set in Afghanistan, about child suicide bombers.

'I will also be doing one film for Ajay Devgn's banner,' he reveals.

The film drawing maximum interest, of course, is the next instalment in Rajkumar Hirani's Munna Bhai franchise.

The star adds: 'We hope to release Munna Bhai 3 next year, though I think Raju Hirani would be a better person to talk about it.'

Hirani right now is busy wrapping up the actor's Dutt's biopic, where Ranbir Kapoor essays Sanjay Dutt.

The film has garnered huge hype ever since it was launched, and popular interest in the project has only increased with each passing day.

Is one film enough to cover the entirety of a life as eventful as Dutt's? 'Despite the restriction on time, I think Raju has done the best. He has done amazing work within whatever runtime he had,' says Dutt.

The as-yet untitled biopic features Manisha Koirala and Paresh Rawal as Dutt's parents Nargis and Sunil Dutt. Dia Mirza plays Manyata and the film has an ensemble cast including Tabu, Sonam Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.

Indeed, it will be an eventful biopic. Dutt after all has come a long way since he started out as a child actor in his father Sunil Dutt's 1971 release, Reshma Aur Shera.

How has the film industry changed over time? His trail of thought, as he hunts for an answer, takes his gaze beyond the glass wall of the room, and he catches sight of the hordes of journalists waiting outside for interviews.

'So many of them?' he asks, a tad irritated, to the PR lady who has just walked in. She hastens to placate his mercurial mood swing saying most are just photographers, and not there for interviews.

He shifts his focus back to this interview, and the last question has to be repeated. 'How has the industry changed?' he mulls over the query. 'The industry has become more professional, which is good.

'Now there are time limits to make movies, and people try to make films within a budget. I am happy that actors are doing one movie at a time, which helps them concentrate. I think it all changed for the better while I was away,' he says.

All set for his latest comeback, Bollywood's deadly Dutt is surely bursting with positive vibes.
Bollywood buffs would instantly recognise him as the local bully in Salman Khan's Tubelight or Shah Rukh Khan's buddy in Raees.

Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub has been the favoured sidekick of Bollywood superstars for long, despite a negative debut in the 2010 crossover hit No One Killed Jessica.

The tide seems to have changed now, with a title role in the recently-released Sameer.

Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub

'It's not as if I didn't get enough scope just because I am not a star kid. It is mainly because of lack of writing.

'There are very few full time writers in the film industry who create different characters and genres. People are playing safe,' reasons the NSD alumnus, on why character actors like him rarely get good roles.

Sameer is inspired by the 2008 Ahmedabad bombings in which over 50 people were killed and more than 200 wounded.

The film imagines a scenario where the ATS gets information of a man named Yasin being behind the blast.

'By mistake, the ATS guys pick up Sameer as the terrorist, though in reality my character Sameer is just Yasin's roommate.

'He is forced to work as a mole for the cops, to gather information about Yasin from his family,' reveals Ayyub.

Although fresh concepts are coming into scripts, Ayyub feels Bollywood cannot get over its herd mentality.

Everyone seems interested only in following a successful a trend.

'Right now, everybody is making the small-town love story. It started with Tanu Weds Manu. In turn, actors are getting similar roles. The milieu is not changing much and the characters don't have much depth,' Ayyub says

Ayyub plays the title role in his latest film, Sameer, which has seen critical acclaim

Despite a move away from mindless biggies, the industry is still driven by star power, he avers: 'Makers want bigger actors who can pull in the audience. So, unfortunately for me, I am not getting solid work except in one or two films.'

Does being typecast as the hero's friend bother him?

'Well, I don't have any kind of backing,' he shrugs.

'It will always be tough because I don't have a godfather or someone who is ready to invest in me or take risk by casting me in different projects.'

Tubelight may have flopped but he feels the film achieved what it wanted to.

'We were able to tell the story we wanted to. As producers, Salman and Kabir Khan might be disappointed but many people appreciated the film,' he says.
The capital is gearing up to run circles around its monstrous traffic jams.

To free up Delhi's notoriously choked roads, the Centre has chalked out a `50,000- crore plan, including a third ring road.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed over a dozen road infrastructure projects, with interconnectivity between national highways converging in Delhi, and new bypass routes as well as elevated corridors.

To cater for nearly 90 per cent of the traffic entering Delhi via local highways, the agency has proposed development of the Urban Extension Road-2 (UER-2) to interlink four highways  NH-1, NH-10, NH-8 and NH-2  in two phases.

The capital's mega free-up plan

Apart from this, the NHAI has suggested a bypass for the Faridabad-bound traffic coming from Karnal and Panipat.

NHAI chairman Deepak Kumar told Mail Today that the UER-2 has been planned as the third ring road in Delhi to ease the burden on perennially congested arterial roads.

He said: 'The NHAI has proposed to take up the work in phase one while phase two will be executed by the Delhi government.

'In the first phase, work will be completed between NH-1 and NH-8 while the second phase will connect NH-8 with NH-10 and NH-2. This will provide an alternate route to traffic coming from these highways in both directions.'

Officials said the Centre has given an in-principle nod to the city's decongestion projects.

Gurgaon: Heavy traffic jam at Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway stretch on NH-8 near Atlas Chowk in Gurgaon

The decision was taken at a recent meeting chaired by union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari.

These road projects are in addition to the eastern and western peripheral expressways that are being built to divert heavy goods vehicles from the city.

Gadkari has also directed the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to resolve all land-related issues to expedite the Capital's decongestion plan.

The infrastructure projects include the much-delayed Kalindi Kunj Bypass at an estimated cost of `900 crore.

The 13-km bypass corridor has been languishing for nearly 24 years but the NHAI wants the project to be taken up on priority.

Motorists face congestion on roads

Officials said the Kalindi Kunj Bypass will have a 5.5-km elevated road. The bypass, aimed to clear up Ashram Chowk and Mathura Road, hit a roadblock as a part of the land required for the project fell within the jurisdiction of the Uttar Pradesh government's irrigation department.

However, the UP government has now agreed to transfer that land to Delhi PWD. The government has also given an in-principle nod to the elevated East-West Corridor connecting Anand Vihar ISBT to Peeragarhi, via ITO and New Delhi railway station.

This will decongest some of the most crammed stretches of the city  Vikas Marg, ITO, Ajmeri Gate and Karol Bagh, among others.

The elevated corridor will be nearly 25km long and is likely to incur a cost of `6,000 crore.

This project will be completed within three years from the date of commencement.

According to the proposed alignment, the corridor will begin at the Anand Vihar railway station and run parallel to Karkardooma and Vikas Marg in east Delhi.

In the central part of the city, the corridor will pass through ITO, DDU Marg and New Delhi railway station.

During the first phase, the corridor will be developed up to Punjabi Bagh and later extended to Peeragarhi and Tikri Border along the NH-10 in west Delhi.

A flyover connecting New Delhi railway station to Rajghat to free up Ajmeri Gate and Asaf Ali Road and an elevated corridor connecting Badli metro station to Inderlok metro station along the western Yamuna Ccnal have also been proposed.

All highways to Delhi will be linked together, leading to diversion of nearly 90 per cent of the traffic coming to the capital

The NHAI also wants to widen the Mehrauli-Badarpur corridor at a cost of `700 crore. According to officials, this project was conceived in 2013-14 to tackle the ever-increasing traffic volume on the outer ring road.

The project has been stuck due to technical reasons and lack of coordination among government agencies.

The NHAI in its presentation proposed the construction of UER-I to connect Rajokri, Bijwasan, Najafgarh, NH-8, NH-10 and NH-1.

The DDA has to provide land for the projects. The eastern leg of UER-I will take off from Maa Anandmayee Marg and bypass Mehrauli and Rajokri.

The second phase of Urban Extension Road (UERII) will connect Vasant Kunj through the existing Dwarka Link Road and Najafgarh linking NH 8, NH 10 and NH 1.

The NHAI has also suggested speedy completion of the Faridabad Noida Ghaziabad (FNG) expressway.

According to the agency, the outer ring road ends abruptly at Salimgarh Fort by merging with the inner ring road.

So, there is no bypass for traffic coming from Karnal and Sonepat (NH-1) and Ghaziabad and east Delhi to Faridabad via NH-2.

Traffic from these areas passes through Ashram and Modi Mill Flyover, creating congestion at these locations.

In addition to these projects, proposals such as a north-south corridor from Wazirabad to the IGI Airport, extension of the Barapullah elevated road from INA to the airport and extension of Mehrauli-Badarpur Road from NH-2 to Noida Expressway were also discussed.
The brutal killing of Gauri Lankesh is a double tragedy. It was tragic because it cut a life short at its moment of creativity, where Gauri was one of the few successful figures blending the vernacular and the cosmopolitan.

A project was left incomplete and a storyteller and a story were terminated. The fragility of incompleteness and vulnerability haunted Gauri's life.

But there is a deeper tragedy today.

Trivialised

One senses that the Gauri one knew is already trivialised and banalised, appropriated by interest groups, lionised by ideologists, in a way that distorted the complexity of her politics.

As a friend explained, politics was a kind of compulsive talking, a debate and eventually a battle over differences.

The processional, the charming part of Gauri, the bold sense of hypothesis and experiment is lost to a world of stereotypes and prejudices.

Gauri Lankesh

Gauri died and something in Bengaluru died with her. The hysteria around her murder articulated that unease. Gauri Lankesh as a presence signalled a difference, a confidence.

She was a Left liberal heroine whom the right hated to the hilt. They could not dismiss her as alien, or elite, because she spoke in the vernacular and did so with a confidence that made her cosmopolitan.

One could not speak of the effeteness of Left liberalism when one invoked Gauri's almost muscular style. One has to understand that her legacy was her style, her openness to issues, a boldness that was almost artistically experimental.

In the moment of her death, we forget this exuberance for life. The narratives in the media almost sounded like the fable of the blind men and the elephant, each touched a part and appropriated it for the story.

Rationalists, feminists, dalits, naxals, each fetishised a part of Gauri. In that sense, the rationalists were the worst, seeing in Gauri's death a serial sequence from Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi and Lankesh.

There was an almost paranoid glee to the sequence as if rationalism was a threatened species. To reduce Gauri to this one aspect destroys her wide-ranging mind.

The fight for rationalism has to be embedded in the wider injustices of caste, gender and other inequalities.

By creating silos around her, one also over simplifies the political world that Gauri engaged in. She struggled against stereotypes, especially the fait accomplis of vote banks politics.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a left handed tribute virtually appropriates Gauri with the coming election in mind. For the CM, anything available has to be harnessed to the electoral machine.

The first thing he does is, in a unique gesture he promises some of the leading intellectuals the comfort of police security, dumbing and impoverishing dissent at the same moment. No doubt some of the intellectuals felt a sense of threat but to accept such an offer without any consideration for the scores of small town journalists and whistle-blowers seems to indicate a self-preoccupation.

Risk

Public intellectuals do not quite remain public with sten gun toting security around them. They become VIPs of ideas and lose that sense of risk, the cutting edge that made their ideas threatening.

That sense of risk is part of their vocation. One can hardly see Solzhenitsyn, Havell, Tutu or Neruda running around hysterically for security.

I am not denying the fact of threat but there is a comfort zone one has to challenge.

Intellectual life and ideas have that sense of risk, a price we pay for having them. When such lists as the CM is announced, it almost becomes a small town bureaucrat's obsession.

Whether Karnad is in or Guha is out. It is as if one has made some honours list parodying the very regime we challenged.

There is a deeper warning here that the Left liberal have to accept that their politics is not reduced by political parties to a vote bank politics.

A vote bank politics changes ideas into commodities, and commodifying Gauri's death would be obscene.

Politics

This is also crucial because Gauri's politics easily went beyond the electoral and the ideological to create a multifaceted politics.

Gauri could talk Vokkaliga politics, debate with Naxals, discuss ideas with UR Ananthamurthy.

She was neither neuter nor neutral to the variety of events happening around her. To let her be complex would be appropriated by one group or one strand of her life would be unfair to the whole.

Activists participate in a candlelight march against the killing of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh at India gate in New Delhi (stock photo)

Gauri Lankesh was larger than life because she was a challenge to life, and this civil society must somehow sustain and remember.

One wonders if one could make a few modest suggestions in this regard. Civil society must make sure the interest groups do not paralyse or appropriate her life.

To do so, we need open forums to keep her politics alive and open to debate. The compulsive Gauri who talked and talked, combining gossip and discourse has to be kept alive.

We need forums and hypotheses to sustain her imagination which sees Karnataka not just as the angelic ivory tower world of science but the world of dalit struggles, mining contractors' communal groups.

To keep Gauri alive is to keep the memory of that politics alive inventing it in new ways.

One hopes civil society takes this seriously and responds to it in the weeks to come.

The writer is Professor, Jindal Global Law School, and director, Centre for Study of Knowledge Systems, OP Jindal Global University
Following the death of LeT commander Abu Ismail, another five militants now top the security forces' hit list.

Reyaz Ah Naikoo alias Zubair, Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander; Zeenat-ul-Islam alias Alkama, Lashkar-e-Taiba district commander (now new Lashkar commander); Zakir Rashid Bhatt alias Zakir Musa, Ansar-Ghazwat-ul-hind chief commander; Wasim Ah alias Osama, Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and Abu Hamas, Jaish-e-Mohammed divisional commander are being sought.

One of the three men on the force's radar

Aside from those heading the list, around 200 other rebels are active in the Kashmir Valley, and are believed to have been planning to launch an attack on the army and security forces installations.

They are also apparently planning to attack railway stations, where the jawans gather.

One of the five men being sought by security forces

Five men are on the Army's list

Army sources said Ismail's death was a great success for security forces as he was allegedly involved in a large number of bank robberies  following the implementation of demonetisation scheme in the country  to provide support to the rebels' infrastructure that was badly hit by the cash crunch.

Sources said the command of Lashkar was handed over to Ismail by the Pakistani ISI and Lashkar co-founder Hafiz Saeed as previous commander Dujana had fallen in love with a Kashmiri girl and was found not focused enough by the leadership.

Seen as an aggressive militant by observers, Ismail always made it a point to not come in direct contact with Kashmiris to avoid getting caught and instead used local militants in his group of men to contact onground workers (OGWs).

His group included up to nine men comprising local and foreign militants.

They have been active on the national highway connecting Srinagar with South Kashmir.

The Army's Victor Force of the Rashtriya Rifles, which looks after the South Kashmir area, said the elimination of Ismail was important as it will further create a vacuum in the LeT leadership.

Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir's independence or merger with neighbouring Pakistan. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting and the ensuing Indian crackdown.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep among the region's mostly Muslim population and most people support the rebels' cause against Indian rule.

India has accused Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, which Pakistan denies.

Rebel groups have largely been suppressed by Indian forces in recent years and public opposition to Indian rule is now principally expressed through street protests.
Lord Bell has claimed he was cleared by private investigators hired by his former firm Bell Pottinger over leaking information about the controversial work it did in South Africa.

The public relations agency went into administration last week after being accused of stirring up racial hatred in the course of its work for the billionaire Gupta family.

The PR firm fanned a controversy over white monopoly capital to distract attention from the Guptas controversial links with South African president Jacob Zuma.

Probe: Lord Bell was investigated over the South Africa row

In June, Bell Pottinger hired corporate intelligence firm Pelican to find the source of leaks of internal emails and video footage of Ajay Gupta to South African media.

Bell was the firms chairman until he resigned last year after falling out with chief executive James Henderson over the South African work.

They hired Pelican to see if I was the source of the leaks on the Gupta account, which I wasnt, and they subsequently wrote to me to tell me that they accepted that I was not, Bell said.

Pelican did not respond to queries about the work. Henderson said he knew nothing about a letter.

A number of senior staff at Bell Pottinger have already joined rival firms, including partner and former barrister Antony Dunkels, who is understood to have joined US-based firm Mercury.

Heather Kerzner, fiancee of former Bell Pottinger chief executive James Henderson, is considering legal action against the firm to claw back her investment.

Partners in Bell Pottinger have become increasingly angry over tax arrangements.

As self-employed partners they could choose to be paid in full then pay tax themselves every six months or let Bell Pottinger pay on their behalf.

Around 30 partners who let the firm handle the payments now face tax demands of 25,000 to 100,000.
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A woman packed up her life into a Dodge Sprinter van and now travels the country with her two adventure-loving rescue dogs.

Bryce LaDuc, 38, from Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and her two 12-and-a-half year old Border Collie Mix dogs travel to the top of mountains, lounge by lakes, and hike through the countryside.

Bryce and her dogs, Tonto and Finn, travel around the country in a converted van along with her boyfriend Paul.

Bryce LaDuc, 38, and her dog Tonto explored Oregon in May. Tonto was rescued from Hurricane Katrina

Bryce packed up her life into a Dodge Sprinter van and travels around the country with her two dogs and her boyfriend

Bryce and her dogs have been to 27 states together and have plans to visit Arizona, Nevada, and Utah

Bryce and Tonto snuggle overlooking mountain views. Finn is 12-and-a-half years old and Bryce says he keeps her young

Bryce and her dog Finn take in the views. Finn was rescued from an abuse situation in upstate New York

Bryce, Tonto and Finn show off just how well they can make van living work

Right now they only use the van on the weekends, but they plan to live there full-time.

'Using the van as an adventure mobile is incredible,' Bryce said.

'We are not held back at all by needing a place to stay and it makes weekend trips, road vacations and exploring simple.

'We have always tried to live minimalistic so learning to be comfortable in such a small space isn't hard for us.

Bryce and her pups have been to countless national parks and forests together

Bryce, Finn and Tonto take in lake views. She says the dogs inspire her to be a better person every single day

High-five! Finn shows Bryce some love outside their van on one of their many camping trips

Tonto and Bryce get their feet wet exploring. Bryce says she hopes to move into the van full-time soon

Tonto hangs out under the bed and Finn chills outside as Bryce makes Bloody Marys, chips and salsa in their shared van

Bryce rescued Tonto as a stray from Hurricane Katrina and Finn from an abuse situation in upstate New York.

'The dogs have adapted well and I think they realize that when we are in the van they are heading for a good adventure.

She explained why she likes to take the dogs everywhere she goes and why they don't have to miss out on the adventure lifestyle.

Even though the dogs are slowing down because of their age, Bryce says they have just been young for a really long time

Bryce and Finn take in the views of a hidden oasis on one of their many trips. She says the dogs remind her to step out of her comfort zone

'They are my entire world,' said Bryce.

'I may have rescued them, but in the end they are the ones that rescued me. They remind me each day to appreciate the little things.

Tonto and Finn have been to 27 states in America and countless national parks and forests. Their future plans include a van trip to Arizona, Nevada and Utah as well as the Canadian Rockies.

'They inspire me to be a better person every single day, to be kind, to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about myself. We have spent 12 years together  they keep me young,' she said.

Bryce lost her hair at age eight due to ITP, an autoimmune disease that causes her spleen to attack her platelets. It causes excessive bruising and bleeding and can be fatal. She is currently in remission and doesn't let it hold her back.

Race ya! Finn and Bryce play together as Bryce's boyfriend Paul hangs out outside the van

Bryce and the two pups look at the serene view of a lake and snowy mountain tops while hiking

Can I have some? The pups look eagerly at Bryce while she munches on some fruit in their van

Daredevil! Bryce makes sure to wear a helmet while climbing this summit. The dogs weren't invited on this particular hike

'They remind me every day that they are not old, they have just been young a really long time. This is how I want to live my life. Age is just a number and they are the most important pieces of my travels.'

Van life isn't always easy for the pups, however,

'The one thing that is hard is they are not able to get up on the bed,' said Bryce. 'We sometimes lift them up for them to cuddle and take naps, but at night we can tell they wish they were up there with us.

'We are trying to figure out the logistics of being full time vanlifers and can't wait to make our address "the road".'

Bryce wants to emphasize that it is possible to have a nomadic lifestyle and keep pets happy.

'My dogs are beyond happy when camping and hiking,' she said. 'Tonto is outgoing and interested in everything  he is the first one doing perimeter checks around camp. Finn is more reserved and all business  he watches our every move and always is in tune with us.

Bryce documents their adventures on an Instagram that has over 24,000 followers.

'Life is short. Spend your time and your money doing things that make you smile,' she said. 'Things you are passionate about. Things that make you feel good about yourself.

'Rescuing our dogs was the best decision we ever made, buying a van was second. The memories we have created with them are priceless and material things or amount of money can buy those memories  life is meant to be lived  go live it.'

Jumping for joy: Finn and Tonto look on in confusion as their favorite person leaps into the air

Tonto and Bryce stare at the turquoise waters in front of a stunning mountain range
Three men have been arrested after a man was stabbed in the head three times in Wisconsin during a drunken fight outside a bar.

One person was stabbed and another was left unconscious in the fight early Friday morning.

Luke Morrissey, 24, and Adam Aldrich, 34, had been kicked out of a bar called Carlie's after allegedly fighting with other patrons.

SafeCam footage shows a drunken bar brawl in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Once they were outside, a fight reportedly broke out between the two men and several other people.

After that fight apparently ended, Morrissey allegedly produced a knife, threatened another man, and then stabbed him in the head three times.

The stabbing prompted another physical altercation and Morrissey was kicked in the head until he fell unconscious.

The video also shows another man repeatedly punching a man in the testicles.

The stabbing victim was treated and released from La Crosse hospital.

The fight resulted in a man getting stabbed three times in the head and another man knocked unconscious

Pictured: The moment Luke Morrissey, 24, allegedly stabbed another man three times in the head

Three men were arrested early Friday morning as a result of the fight

Morrissey has been charged with reckless endangering safety and aggravated battery. Aldrich has been charged with disorderly conduct.

A third individual was arrested on an unrelated warrant.

La Crosse police said: 'Incidents like this can be very chaotic and difficult for police to investigate. High levels of emotion, conflicting stories, and intoxication make an officers job next to impossible to determine how an incident really occurred.'

'The community investment in the SafeCam project makes incidents like this much easier for law enforcement to investigate.'

The SafeCam program is the police department's internal database of private security cameras that can be used to help solve crimes. Programs are active in states across the country.
The Vatican has recalled a priest serving as an envoy in Washington and opened a child pornography investigation after US officials asked the church to lift his diplomatic immunity.

The Vatican said Friday that US officials complained in August 'of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images by a member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See.'

In Washington, a State Department official confirmed to AFP that the diplomat in question had been allowed to leave the United States because he enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution.

'The United States formally requested that the Nunciature waive diplomatic immunity for the individual, but the Nunciature declined to do so,' the official said, on condition of anonymity.

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The Vatican's Apostolic Nunciature or embassy in Washington was sometimes the target of protests by anti-paedophile campaigners even before the Church revealed on Friday that one of its diplomats was under investigation

The Vatican said Friday that US officials complained in August 'of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images by a member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See'

President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, said 'This is a serious issue. We hope the Holy See will be forthcoming with more details'

Neither the church nor US officials named the priest -- one of four assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican embassy in Washington -- but the Vatican said an investigation is underway.

However, Italian news outlets have identified the priest as Msgr. Carlo Alberto Capell, who was ordained in 1993 in Milan, according to The New York Times.

President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, issued a statement on that matter, saying: 'This is a serious issue. We hope the Holy See will be forthcoming with more details.

'While we don't know all the facts, consistent with our Charter, we reaffirm that when such allegations occur, an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation should begin in cooperation with law enforcement and immediate steps be taken to protect children.'

The Vatican press service said 'efforts had been made through international collaboration to obtain elements relative to the case,' suggesting that Rome is seeking evidence from US officials.

But with the investigation at a preliminary stage, the case is subject to confidentiality, the Vatican said.

The State Department referred questions about the investigation to the Vatican, and US officials made it clear that they expect church authorities to take the matter seriously.

'The United States condemns the abuse and exploitation of children wherever it exists, and we offer sincere condolences to victims,' the official said.

The official noted that Pope Francis has vowed to 'act decisively with regard to cases of sexual abuse' -- after decades of scandals that have dogged the Catholic Church around the globe.

'The United States encourages the Holy See to ensure full implementation of its reforms and policies designed to protect minors and provide justice regarding allegations,' he said.

'We would refer you to Vatican officials on the current state of those efforts.'

The withdrawal of the Washington priest is not the first time that a Vatican diplomat has been caught up in such a scandal -- and the last case was particularly embarrassing for the church.

The Vatican press service said 'efforts had been made through international collaboration to obtain elements relative to the case,' suggesting that Rome is seeking evidence from US officials'

Pope Francis, seen here visiting Colombia this week, has vowed that Church authorities wll take action against priests accused of child sexual abuse

In 2013, Polish priest Jozef Wesolowski was recalled as the papal nuncio or ambassador from the Dominican Republic, after press reports that he had paid for sexual encounters with children.

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The Vatican refused to extradite Wesolowksi to Poland to face trial, but an ecclesiastical court found him guilty and he was defrocked -- the maximum penalty then available.

But Pope Francis, whose elevation in March 2013 raised hopes for church reform, ordered that Wesolowski face criminal charges for child abuse, a first in Vatican history.

The accused was held under house arrest but he died in August 2015, aged 67, on the eve of his trial.

He had been charged with sexual assault on children aged 13 to 16 and with possession of a large quantity of child pornography, downloaded from the internet after his return to Rome.

He faced up to seven years in jail if convicted.

Details of the latest case involving the Washington-based priest remain confidential, but Vatican authorities have passed the case to 'the Promoter of Justice of the Vatican Tribunal.'
Scotty Bowers knew the Golden Age of Hollywood more intimately than anyone else.

Now 94 years old with curly white hair, his gait and wrinkled face age him. But as he recounts his tales of deep behind the scenes in Tinseltown, he breaks into a smile and with a laugh he could pass for a younger man.

For decades, Bowers set up celebrities and others in the film industry with sexual partners - or had sex with them himself. He says he set up Katharine Hepburn with up to 150 women over the course of 50 years; was part of a three-way with Cary Grant and Randolph Scott, who he claims were lovers. Bowers' list goes on and on.

He first opened his little black book for a 2012 memoir and this week his career as a fixer to the Hollywood stars of the 1940s is the subject of a new documentary.

Scotty Bowers (center) claims he was a 'pimp' for the Hollywood elite during the Golden Age of cinema starting in the mid 1940s. He started his career at the age of 23 in 1946 when he moved to Los Angeles after the Second World War. His first job in LA was at a gas station, where he pumped gas and eventually organized sexual trysts for celebrities

Bowers, now 94, (pictured with his wife Lois) is having his stories of sexual intrigue retold in a new documentary film, Scotty and The Secret History of Hollywood. Bowers and Lois were married in 1984

Bowers started his career as a 'pimp' for Hollywood stars in 1946 at the age of 23. The former US Marine had moved to Los Angeles after the Second World War and was working as a gas station attendant on Hollywood Boulevard.

After a chance sexual liaison with actor Walter Pidgeon, who picked him up after they met at the gas station, Bowers soon started hooking up Hollywood stars and producers with men and women according to their sexual desires and preferences, or so he claims.

'Everybody's needs were met,' Bowers says in his book, released in 2012. 'Whatever folks wanted, I had it. I could make all their fantasies come true.'

The documentary, Scotty and The Secret History of Hollywood, shows Bowers walking out of his house on Kew Drive in the hills of Los Angeles. The view of the city is beautiful and a rainbow appears to touch down right in the middle of the city.

'Look at that beautiful rainbow,' he says. 'I created the rainbow in Hollywood, the rainbow was at 5777 Hollywood Boulevard called Richfield and that was the f***in' end of the rainbow for a lot of people.'

Bowers was raised in rural Illinois and served in the US Marines during World War II. In his memoir, he claims he had numerous sexual relationships with adults for money as he grew up

Though he claims he set up celebrities over the course of at least 50 years, Bowers never said a word about any of the meetings until he wrote his memoir, Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars in 2012

After his first meeting with Pidgeon, the actor told all his friends and the Richfield gas station on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue soon became the place where A-listers of all kinds came for a 'trick,' as Bowers called liaisons.

Bowers never said a word about his side job until he published his memoir, Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars, which was co-written with Lionel Friedberg.

'I've kept silent all these years because I didn't want to hurt any of these people,' Bowers told The New York Times after his book released in 2012. By then, all the celebrities he wrote about had died.

'I never saw the fascination,' Bowers added. 'So they liked sex how they liked it. Who cares?'

Bowers' extravagant and often graphic tales of sexual encounters with and among the Hollywood elite in his memoir are the focus of the documentary, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.

'I didn't find Bowers' book to be offensive in that it outed people,' film director Matt Tyrnauer told Vulture. 'I think he was making a larger point about Hollywood and the hypocrisy of the period. A lot of people had diverse sexualities but were part of a system that insisted on putting out the "white picket fence" morality. That's in the past.'

In his memoir, Bowers (second from the far right) tells extravagant and often explicit tales of sexual encounters he has with stars including composer Cole Porter and director George Cukor

By the time he published his book, all the celebrities that he mentioned had died. He said: 'I've kept silent all these years because I didn't want to hurt any of these people'

Bowers got his start as 'Hollywood's favorite pimp' after he met actor Walter Pidgeon (pictured in about 1940) in 1946, who paid him $20 to have sex with him after Pidgeon stopped by the gas station where Bowers worked

During the 1940s and 50s, Hollywood studios required their stars to follow strict guidelines.

'When I first arrived [in Los Angeles] the stars were owned by the studios, which were heavily invested in them,' Bowers writes in his book. 'Naturally, they needed to protect their investments. But people still wanted to have sex. And I was there to help them get it.

'Also, you have to remember that there were lots of gay people working at the studios at the time. Those behind the camera could be more open in their private lives but the actors and major directors and producers had "morals" clauses in their contracts, which they would have violated by being openly known as gay or bisexual.'

But with Bowers, the stars were safe. He refused to give out information to gossip magazines and tabloids and when the magazine Confidential offered him $1,000 each for three different stories if he confirmed certain information he knew was true, he refused.

In a 2012 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Bowers told Anthony Mason that someone called him a hustler to director George Cukor. 'Yes, but he's a gentleman hustler,' Cukor responded, according to Bowers.

'The way he said it, that meant something,' Bowers said.

When Bowers set up a star for a 'trick,' he refused to be paid, instead telling the star to pay the person they were sleeping with.

'I didn't believe in being an outright pimp. Sort of a pimp, but not an outright pimp. There's a difference, you know,' he laughed to Mason.

Bowers claims he was part of a three way with actors Cary Grant (left) and Randolph Scott (right). The two actors were rumored to be lovers, despite the fact that Grant's daughter, Jennifer, has refuted those claims

Bowers also says he slept with actress Vivien Leigh (pictured in about 1940) in her house, where she lived with her husband at the time, Laurence Olivier

Though trysts were initially at the homes of the celebrities, as Bowers' operation gained ground, he organized meetings on the premises, letting people have sex in the station's bathroom and letting other 'clients' meet in a trailer that was kept on the property by a friend of Bowers'.

When those were both busy, he could also arrange for a discounted room at a nearby motel where he had made friends with the manager.

'It's hard to believe, unless you were there, how much fun that gas station was. People disappearing up in the trailer and going in the washroom and doing this and that and the whole thing was fun,' Bowers says smiling in a clip from the documentary.

Bowers himself certainly participated in the fun and he made some money as well. A romp with Bowers would cost $20.

Though he preferred women, he slept with plenty of men and participated in orgies and three ways, including three ways with Cary Grant and Randolph Scott.

Through his friendship with Scott and Grant, Bowers started bartending, which brought him into the world of glamorous, private Hollywood parties where he got even more insight into the sexual lives of Hollywood's elite.

Bowers claims he slept with A-listers including actress Vivien Leigh, composer Cole Porter and director George Cukor. He also set up the Duke and Duchess of Windsor with other people, Edward with men and Wallis with women.

Despite the fact that Spencer Tracy (left) and Katharine Hepburn (right) appeared to be in a very public romantic relationship, Bowers said Tracy was gay and Hepburn was a lesbian. He even claims to have introduced Hepburn to up to 150 women over the course of 50 years

Bowers claims he also set up the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (pictured in 1936) with other people, Edward with men and Wallis with women

But with the onset of AIDS in the 1980s, Bowers' career as a pimp came to an end.

'AIDS had launched itself in a vicious war against humanity,' he wrote. 'It brought an end to the sexual freedoms that had defined much of life in Tinseltown ever since the birth of the movies. I, too, underwent a major change. Tricking  whether for others or doing it myself  gradually slowed to a snail's pace. Sex used to be about having fun and a good time. The advent of AIDS didn't change that per se, but now sex could come at the cost of your very life. So, things changed. A lot.

'The wild and woolly days were over. The drag parties and gang bangs and swingers' evenings and orgies became a thing of the past. But life went on.'

Bowers had remained single throughout all his 'tricking' except for a longtime girlfriend named Betty who he lived with from the 40s. The two had a child together and Bowers said she knew he slept around. However, in 1981, he met a woman named Lois Broad who was 'simply a sweet, uncomplicated woman'. They were married in 1984 and have been together ever since.

Bowers' career as a pimp ended in the 1980s with the onset of AIDS. He wrote in his memoir: 'Sex used to be about having fun and a good time. The advent of AIDS didn't change that per se, but now sex could come at the cost of your very life'

But Bowers' memoir doesn't only recount his years of sexual intrigue in Hollywood. The book also details his life growing up in rural Illinois during the Great Depression and his life in the US Marines as a paratrooper.

Bowers also claims he had numerous sexual relationships and trysts beginning at the age of seven or eight, with what appears to be sexual assault from an adult neighbor. In his memoir, Bowers casually brushes off the initial interaction as his 'first sexual encounter', but their relationship continues and Bowers adds he was 'grateful' for it.

He goes on to describe graphic scenes from his childhood, teen and young adult years, where he has numerous sexual encounters with adults who all paid him. Those payments, he claimed, helped him to support his family who struggled during the difficult economic time.

Bowers also claims his sexual life in Hollywood began on weekends while he waiting deployment during World War II, meeting Hollywood stars on the street and being solicited for sex.

Despite questions of Bowers' authenticity, his friend, author Gore Vidal endorsed the memoir.

'I have known Scotty Bowers for the better part of a century,' Vidal said in his review. 'I'm so pleased that he has finally decided to tell his story to the world. His startling memoir includes great figures like Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Scotty doesn't liethe stars sometimes doand he knows everybody.'

And in an interview with LA Weekly in 2012, Bob Benevides confirmed that Bowers was the one to set him up with his longtime partner, 13 years his senior, actor Raymond Burr.

In his memoir, Bowers said all the trysts and meetings were for one reason only. He said: 'I've had many occupations during my life but, to be honest, what really drove me was a desire to keep people happy. And the way I did that was through sex. Arranging sexual liaisons for folks from all walks of life became my raison d'etre'

Others, however, are less inclined to believe Bowers. Cary Grant's daughter, Jennifer Grant, has said her father was amused by the rumors that he was gay or bisexual, but he wasn't actually.

James Curtis, who wrote a biography of Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn's romantic partner, also doesn't believe Bowers' claims that Tracy was gay and Hepburn was lesbian.

'Bowers is full of glib stories and revelations, all cheerfully unverifiable,' Curtis wrote in Spencer Tracy: A Biography, which was published in 2011.

But whether Bowers is telling the truth or not, director Tyrnauer said hearing Bowers' story is still worth telling (though Tyrnauer does, in fact, believe Bowers).

'He's talking about what you don't usually hear older people talking about, which is sex,' he told Vulture. 'All these people lived in a society where homosexuality was shunned and they had to live lives in the shadows. Now they've lived to a period of tremendous openness by comparison, and it's interesting to see.'

Bowers said he only had one goal in mind for all his 'tricking'.

'The gas station was the portal that eventually took me into an exclusive world where high-class sex was everything,' he wrote in his memoir.

'I've had many occupations during my life but, to be honest, what really drove me was a desire to keep people happy. And the way I did that was through sex. Arranging sexual liaisons for folks from all walks of life became my raison d'etre.'
To witness the vilification of Christian parents Nigel and Sally Rowe this week, youd have thought theyd not just broken each and every one of the Ten Commandments but hurled Moses stone tablet from the silenced bell tower of Big Ben as well.

Take the BBCs Victoria Derbyshire show, during which their religious ideals were said to be as extremist as people like ISIS. Or This Mornings Phillip Schofield, who hectored them: You are the ones with the problem.

Their problem? To voice concern about their six-year-old sons confusion when a classmate began turning up to his Church of England primary school asking to be treated as a girl one day and a boy the next, which flew in the face of the familys Christian beliefs.

The school responded with a letter defending its approach on pupils exploring their gender and warning how incredibly seriously it would take any transphobic behaviour, such as the failure to use [the pupils] adopted name or using gender inappropriate pronouns.

Nigel and Sally Rowe (above) voiced concern about their six-year-old sons confusion when a classmate began turning up to his Church of England primary school asking to be treated as a girl one day and a boy the next, which flew in the face of the familys Christian beliefs

Given their son is at an age when he hasnt yet mastered joined-up writing, let alone the politics of personal pronouns, the Rowes, who also have a son aged eight, were horrified.

They have since removed him from his school on the Isle of Wight and are now bringing a legal challenge in the hope that guidelines  that require schools to accept the wishes of children and their families regarding gender identity, and which are being rolled out in schools the length and breadth of Britain  will be open to public scrutiny.

My son still believes in Father Christmas. He is six years old. Its an age of beautiful naivety, says Sally, 42, a housewife and part-time teaching assistant.

They should be exploring nature, playing ball on the beach, skateboarding  doing the things boys do. You think: Why cant they just let children be children?

Imagine going into school at six without knowing whether the boy sitting next to you is going to be Johnny or Julie today. Then having to treat them like a girl if theyve decided theyre a girl  or a boy if theyve decided that today theyre going to be Johnny.

This transgender agenda is almost like a trendy thing thats infiltrating schools, and if you dont subscribe to it you are a bully. The hatred weve received is . . . is . . . 

Sally is in tears now. She stops. Collects herself. This is painful for us, really painful, she says. Weve been so churned up. This is our community, our friends and now . . . now . . . 

Given their son is at an age when he hasnt yet mastered joined-up writing, let alone the politics of personal pronouns, the Rowes, who also have a son aged eight, were horrified. They have since removed him from his school on the Isle of Wight and are now bringing a legal challenge

Now Sallys phone pings with nasty texts, while Nigel, who runs his own plumbing company after giving up his job as an aerospace engineer, has received numerous vitriolic phone calls and emails. He looks as if hes barely slept a wink in the week since announcing their legal challenge.

These are not hard-hearted bigots. Indeed, they only took this stand after a great deal of soul-searching, for each of them was deeply involved in the community and the school. So much so that they took part in a school assembly each week and helped with reading classes.

Indeed, when a boy in their elder sons class announced in a Show and Tell lesson two years ago that she had decided to be a girl and wanted to be addressed by a girls name, the Rowes, owing to their close friendship with the childs parents, resolved to live and let live.

This time, however, they felt the situation was asking too much of very young children.

This boy in our youngest sons class, whos six at the moment, decides one day to be a girl and the next to be a boy, says Nigel, 46.

One night I was putting the boys to bed, reading them a bedtime story and having a little chat as we do every night, when my son said, Daddy Im confused. How can  lets call him Peter  be a boy one day and a girl the next? It was really upsetting him. At least if the child was a girl all the time youd have some chance of explaining.

The head told us: 'Weve done everything weve been told to do. I have no choice. If a child wants to come as whatever, I have to accept it or I could lose my job' Sally Rowe

We wrote to the school expressing our concerns and received that letter about transphobic bullying back. We felt we had no choice but to do what weve done.

It wasnt an easy decision. We care for these families. We care for the school. This is not about them. We are challenging the education authority and the diocese on the guidelines theyre giving. We believe theyre quoting from laws [the Equality Act 2010] that dont apply in this situation; thats because the age of when someone is legally recognised as transgender is 18. His eyes rest on a happy family photograph taken months ago. He shakes his head and is visibly upset. Sally rubs his arm.

When we went to see the head and deputy head to tell them we were removing our son from school, they said: To be honest were not surprised, she says.

The head told us: Weve done everything weve been told to do. I have no choice. If a child wants to come as whatever, I have to accept it or I could lose my job. 

Now Sally shakes her head in despair. She is, she confesses, scared stiff. Such is the hate campaign being waged against them she is terrified for her familys safety.

Time and again this gently-spoken couple have questioned whether they should have taken this stand. In truth, I suspect they often wish that they hadnt.

For they are an easy-going, outdoorsy couple more comfortable on the beach with their boys than in a TV studio.

They are also, though, people of conscience who, while fully accepting that not everyone shares their Christian values or their views on gender identity, believe in their right to bring their children up according to their religious beliefs without being forced to submit to the wishes of the rainbow activists.

After all, imagine the condemnation had Sally or Nigel accused these activists of being as extremist as people like ISIS. This is what one Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) campaigner was allowed to label the Rowes fellow Christians without so much as a raised eyebrow on the BBC.

Its all so bizarre, says Sally. Nothing seems real any more.

Things changed, according to Nigel, after the BBC broadcast Louis Therouxs Transgender Kids documentary in April 2015. I believe that was the catalyst for the whole of Britain, he says. The statistics for transgender children went from something like 300 to 3,000 after that programme.' (File photo)

Take, for instance, a discussion on a BBC current affairs programme this week during which it was claimed that the mother of the older transgender child had said her daughter, who is eight, was scared following the Rowes stand. The couple were lambasted for airing their grievance so very publicly when the interests of vulnerable children were at stake.

That child, however, is the very same one whose mother plastered her story over the pages of a tabloid newspaper two years ago after she decided to become a girl.

Sally says they had known this childs family since pre-school and the mother had spoken to her a number of years ago about her then son becoming more interested in stereotypically girls toys, such as Barbies, and more feminine in his behaviour.

She said she didnt know what to do. I told her not to worry. Theres often a bit of confusion, isnt there?

Things changed, according to Nigel, after the BBC broadcast Louis Therouxs Transgender Kids documentary in April 2015.

I believe that was the catalyst for the whole of Britain, he says. The statistics for transgender children went from something like 300 to 3,000 after that programme.

I remember speaking to the childs dad in the playground after the documentary and he said: He wants to be a girl, but Im not sure. Were going to discuss it. It went from that to the child announcing in Show and Tell: I am now a girl.

Our boys dont even know how a baby is made. They know it came out of mummys tummy but thats about it Nigel Rowe

Our son came home and said, matter-of-factly, So-and-sos now called, lets say Sarah, and is now a girl. We didnt want to make a big thing about it because our son was only six. But gradually questions started.

Theyre like: A boy can be a girl? A girl can be a boy? A boy can marry a boy? Thats fine with some people, but as Christians we believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

Our boys dont even know how a baby is made. They know it came out of mummys tummy but thats about it. Gender for them is trying to work out why they have a willy and mummy doesnt.

The Rowes muddled through school with their elder son for another year. Sally says he became increasingly withdrawn and reluctant to go in. They decided to home school him at the end of Year 2.

Sarah was wearing skirts and had grown her hair by then.

But it has nothing to do with boys wearing frocks, says Nigel, who spent much of his childhood in Africa, where his father worked as an economic adviser to developing countries receiving aid.

If a child came into school in a kilt or a sarong, it wouldnt bother me. When Im in Kenya I wear a sarong.

Saying this is about us being upset that a boy is turning up to school in a dress is trivialising it.

Sally nods: My youngest son has dressed up in girls stuff. He has a fancy-dress box and used to love dressing up as Supergirl. Its just experimenting. Kids experiment. You dont make a thing of it.

Academics and medical professionals are divided on whether we should introduce young children to transgender policies.

Ninety-eight per cent of gender-confused children stick with their biological sex once theyve gone through puberty.

How many of us were tomboys when we were little but enjoy being women now?

Their younger son was part way through Year 1 when the second child  the one currently confused about their gender  joined the school. Sally and Nigels youngest told his parents: One day he was a boy and the next day a girl, which confused him, and they decided enough was enough. The exchange of letters followed, leading to where they are today. They went public on their decision about legal action last week.

On Saturday night the mother of the older transgender child, Sallys friend, phoned at 10.45pm. She said: I cant believe it. Youve got the kindest heart, how could you do this to me? She broke down and kept sobbing: How could you do this,  Sally recalls.

I said: I havent mentioned your name. I havent mentioned the children. I havent mentioned the school. I care for you but you have to understand our feelings. Then she put on Facebook: Sally Rowe is going to sue my beautiful daughters school.

I sent a text saying: This isnt about you. Im not attacking you.

This is a concern for children all over the country. We have to take a stand. Were taking legal action so these guidelines that affect all of our children can be debated and scrutinised publicly.

The last I heard from her she said: I am going to the police tomorrow because this is inciting hate. Id explained to her before that were not being hateful.

Were doing this because were concerned. If anything, were going to receive the hatred. Which they have, by the bucket-load. So much so that there is a sense of bewilderment today, as if theyve fallen down Alice In Wonderlands rabbit hole and nothing is the same. Some mums have texted to say: Im sending you a big hug but dont want to speak publicly.

One parent texted on Sunday to say: Big love from our family and youre in our hearts and thoughts, but nobody wants to put themselves through the hostility weve faced . . .  Again, she is on the verge of tears.

Were trying to keep a low profile. The people who are lovely and supportive have told us to keep off social media. Theres been a torrent of nastiness. It does churn us up. It does affect you, the foul language, the ranting down the phone. Nigels tummy has been in knots since last Saturday. She nods to her husband.

I dont understand it, says Nigel. When you go to hospital and your child is born, they lift them up and say: Its a boy or Its a girl. Thats the way its been for centuries.

Why is there now such a social agenda to change that?
A Tennessee man told police he shot his wife, his three-year-old son and nine-month old daughter dead on Thursday.

Jordan Hazel, 27, admitted he fatally shot his wife Keara, 23, son Kayden, three, and daughter Jaylynn, nine months at their Clarksville home. Police found all three dead when they arrived at the scene.

He was charged with three counts of homicide.

Jordan Hazel told police he fatally shot his wife Keara and their two children Kayden and Jaylynn in their Clarksville home

F&M Bank has set up a fund to bury Keara and her two children and her friends have started a GoFundMe to pay for the funeral

Jordan Hazel was charged with three counts of homicide after allegedly shooting his wife and two children dead Thursday

Jordan worked as a painting contractor and Keara worked at the front desk at a local Country Inn and Suites.

F&M Bank has set up a fund to bury Keara and her two children and her friends have started a GoFundMe for funeral expenses.

Police have not released the motive for the killings, according to the Leaf Chronicle.

Jordan was taken to Montgomery County Jail at 9.30pm where he was charged and held without bond.

His first court date is scheduled for September 21. The incident is still under investigation.

Police have not released the motive for the killings at this point. Jordan is being held without bond
Mr Collins and Ms Pilapil were eating in the food court at Hornsby Westfield

Man has pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-partner's date in Sydney in 2016

The deranged ex-husband of Sydney nurse, Jovi Pilapil, has pleaded guilty to her savage stabbing and the brazen murder of her Tinder date, Keith Collins, while they were on a dinner date last year.

The pair met via the online dating site five days prior to meeting for a meal at Hornsby Westfield's Kangnam BBQ on the evening of March 30.

But when Alexander Villaluna, 46,who allegedly stalked, abused and threatened Ms Pilapil, 40, for nine yearseventually tracked them down, he stabbed Mr Collins, 53, to death, before turning to his ex wife.

Alexander Villaluna, 45, (left) has pleaded guilty to seriously injuring his ex-partner Jovi Pilapil (right) and murdering her Tinder date in Sydney in March 2016

Keith Collins (pictured), 53, was stabbed to death while having dinner with Jovi Pilapil, 40, at Hornsby Westfield's Kangnam BBQ

It's understood Mr Villaluna, who was also a nurse, made two attempts to locate his ex wife that evening, first contacting her relative and then her workplace, who phoned Ms Pilapil to warn her.

Facts tendered in court stated Mr Villaluna entered the restaurant wearing a camouflage backpack, cargo shorts and combat boots, before approaching Mr Collins from behind and asking, 'What are you doing with my wife?'.

He then proceeded to stab him in the neck and his right side repeatedly until he collapsed to the ground.

Ms Pilapil's attempt to defend herself failed when she was stabbed under her left breast and right arm, for which she later required surgery.

Keith Collins (left) and Ms Pilapil (right) were having dinner at Kangam BBQ restaurant at the Hornsby Westfield shopping centre on March 30, 2016 when Mr Villaluna attack them

At the time, it was alleged Ms Pilapil had taken out an apprehended violence order against Villaluna less than two months before the attack. Pictured are police at the scene of the crime

Agreed facts stated Mr Vilalluna 'knelt on the deceased as he attempted to roll away and raised the knife before bringing it down in a two-handed grip several times into (Mr Collins) torso.'

'(Mr Collins) rolled over and did not move again and the offender got up and calmly walked out of the restaurant.'

The attack was witnessed by multiple diners and one recalled how the offender bizarrely 'seemed perfectly calm' despite being 'completely covered in blood'.

Jovi Pilapil (pictured) was stabbed by her ex-husband, Alexander Villaluna, while she was on a first date with a man she met via online dating site, Tinder

Mr Vilalluna sat on the edge of a fountain where its understood he called Ms Pilapil's daughter who he told: 'I think I killed the guy. I stabbed (her).'

At the time, it was alleged Ms Pilapil had taken out an apprehended violence order against Mr Villaluna less than two months before the attack.

She'd also received flowers from him two weeks prior, but believed they were from a 'secret admirer'.

Mr Collins, who was a businessman from Terrigal, fathered four children and three step-children.
A teenager has been rushed to hospital after he was attacked by a man with an axe early Saturday morning at a Sydney McDonald's.

A masked Maori man confronted the 19-year-old manager at about 12.30am before violently assaulting him with the blunt side of the axe.

It is believed the man had a disagreement with the manager earlier in the evening before returning to the Croydon McDonald's on Paramatta Rd.

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A teenager has been rushed to hospital (pictured) after he was attacked by a man with an axe

The 19-year-old McDonalds manager was attacked by the man early Saturday morning

It is believed the man had a disagreement with the manager before returning with the axe

A witness told Sunrise the young manager was 'stabbed with an axe' in the back of his head by a masked man.

'He walked in looking for [the manager], hit him and he like just ran out,' the same witness told The Today Show.

The man is described as being of Pacific Island or Maori appearance with a medium build.

Police said the man was carrying a brown handled axe and was wearing a red and white bandanna over his face and a light blue t-shirt and blue track suit pants.

The 19-year-old is in a stable condition at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

'He walked in looking for [the manager], hit him and he like just ran out,' a witness told The Today Show

Police said the man was wearing a red and white mask, a t-shirt and blue track suit pants
Hillary Clinton, pictured, is raising her voice again to lecture a nation after her defeat to Donald Trump. The message seems to be: they didnt listen last time  theyd better listen now. However, I am not sure they will

Every horror movie has it: the moment at the end when the monster is dead and the threat is over and everyone is dusting themselves down and . . . suddenly the monster is back for one last thrashing attack.

One last doomed effort to bring everyone down. One last book. Well, not normally the book. but we are talking here about Hillary Clinton and books  long books  are her thing.

Just as you thought it was safe to go out and poke around in the ashes of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, she has come back with a book called What Happened to re-ignite the fire, reopen wounds, carry on simmering feuds.

She is raising her voice again to lecture a nation. The message seems to be: they didnt listen last time  theyd better listen now. However, I am not sure they will.

Hillary Clinton is properly Shakespearean. She has enormous strengths. She is one of the most hard-working politicians in American history.

My friend who advised her when she was Secretary of State told me he used to try to miss the official plane home from foreign trips and fly economy because it was more restful.

He could put on his eye-shades and get some sleep; on the Hillary plane there was no time for kip.

And yet all this hard work has got her nowhere. Given the chance to win the presidency against a man many Americans regarded as a loon, a circus trick, a balloon ripe for pricking, she fell flat on her face, balloon-pricking pin stuck in her own foot.

And now we have the book she claims will tell us why. Only it doesnt. No, of course it doesnt. Because Hillary Clintons Shakespearean flaw is the inability to see that Hillary Clinton is part of the problem.

She can play at being self-critical, asking at one point: What makes me such a lightning rod for fury? Im really asking. Im at a loss. But she is not really interested in the reply that many Americans, inside and outside her party, might give.

Hillary Clintons Shakespearean flaw is the inability to see that Hillary Clinton is part of the problem

Could it be, for example, that she and Bill groomed and then captured the Democratic party and used it for their own ends? We learn nothing more about the allegations aired during the election that she personally assisted the adulterous Bill in attacking women who accused him of sex abuse.

She ignores those who wonder how feminist and sisterly she really was when she and Bill were climbing the greasy pole. This is a glaring omission in the book  an opportunity to set the record straight that she missed.

Could it also be that when she lectured people about sexism and racism last year, she sounded as if she was above them, looking down on them? That when she took huge sums of money from Wall Street firms for speeches, she seemed high-handed?

Her real problem, of course, is that unlike Trump, she couldnt find a way of appealing to working-class Americans in his camp because she found those who supported him, as she infamously put it, deplorable.

But Hillary doesnt do self-criticism. Again and again in her memoir she looks as if she is going to conclude that she messed up, only to swerve at the last moment and its someone elses fault.

It was the Russians who were to blame for leaking damaging emails! It was Bernie Sanders, the elderly Left-wing senator who ran so vigorously against her for the Democratic nomination!

It was then-FBI director James Comey who, days before the election, reignited a scandal over whether her use of a private email server was illegal! It was sexism! It was him. It was them. Above all, it was not her.

Of course, her excuses have some validity. The Russians were up to no good. The FBI director probably messed up by announcing a new investigation so close to the poll. Bernie Sanders was a nuisance. And let us be blunt: Hillary did not become president, in part, because of sexism that sees many Americans unable to take a woman seriously.

I remember the jibe back in 2008, when I covered her campaign to win the Democratic nomination against Barack Obama, that she reminded men of their first wives. Would people have been comfortable using a racial slur about Obama along those lines? No, to be fair, the first woman candidate has had a very tough time. To deny that is idiotic.

Its also worth acknowledging that there is a deranged group of Americans who see Hillary Clinton as the anti-Christ.

And she is at her strongest in this book, writing  for the first time  about the impact this has: For the record, it hurts to be torn apart, she says. It may seem like it doesnt bother me to be called terrible names or have my looks mocked, but it does.

But, wait a moment. The Clintons have done more than their share of tearing apart. And this is where What Happened stinks.

Throughout the book, she suggests that Bernie Sanders messed it up for her and behaved badly. Sanders, Hillary writes, resorted to innuendo and impugning my character in a way that caused lasting damage.

Hillary has come back with a book called What Happened to re-ignite the US election fire, reopen wounds and carry on simmering feuds

But I was there in 2008 when the Clintons  both of them  were trying to see off Barack Obama, using methods that would make poor Bernie Sanderss spectacles mist up.

Remember, Obama believed that staffers in the Clinton camp had spread the rumour that he was secretly a Muslim.

Hillary was asked about it on TV and gave this painfully nuanced answer: I take him on the basis of what he says, and then when pressed, she said hes not Muslim as far as I know. So who is she to complain about innuendo?

Sometimes it went further and the mask slipped. In May 2008, she said this: Senator Obamas support among hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again . . .

White Americans! The New York Times (a newspaper traditionally supportive of the Clintons) called it negative campaigning with disturbing racial undertones.

So how bitterly ironic it is to recall candidate Hillary playing at populism in 2008 and to think about this adopted constituency of poor white people ditching her so spectacularly when an authentic version came along in 2016.

But she doesnt remember any of that now. Bernie Sanders gets it in the neck for saying the truth: that the Clintons were close and cosy with big money. They were. They are. Nobody in America thinks otherwise, except them.

At one point, Hillary manages to hint at a mea culpa over her high-rolling financial allies: Especially after the financial crisis, I should have realised it would be bad optics [in other words, it looked terrible] and stayed away from having anything to do with Wall Street. I didnt. Thats on me.

But Sanders wasnt attacking Hillary because of the optics: he was talking about where her priorities were, where her heart was and where her funding came from. Sanders raised staggering sums from small donors. She chose Wall Street  though she didnt have to.

And choosing Wall Street as her bedfellow in 2016, then failing to make peace with Sanders and bring him on board as the vice-presidential candidate, was a horrible mistake.

It was compounded by the usual Clinton over-thinking and over-analysis, to which she alludes again and again in the manner of those annoying people at job interviews who, when asked about their greatest failing, grin smugly and say: I might sometimes be a little too good.

The best bit of the book is when she loses. Its human. Almost unbearable. And well-written.

Reading the news every morning was like ripping off a scab, she says. And whatever we think of her campaign, we wince.

We also laugh at some black humour when she writes: I doubt that many people reading this will ever lose a presidential election, (maybe some have: Hi Al [Gore], hi John [McCain], hi Mitt [Romney], hope youre well).

But if only she had mixed that up with some genuine soul-searching about why the party she led failed to appeal to so many people it should have appealed to. That would have been worth the effort.

Unfortunately, she seems to think the populism that swept Trump to power is temporary, but it isnt.

She doesnt understand either, that a clever, wealthy candidate such as Bill Clinton or Barack Obama can no longer win the White House simply by telling Americas workers to shape up.

Some of her most ardent supporters have complained that no man would be called on to write a full-scale apology; it would not occur to a male politician to bother. But thats not true.

When the former U.S. defence secretary Robert McNamara wrote his memoirs in 1995, he began with this short sentence about the Vietnam War that he had helped prosecute: We were terribly wrong. We owe it to future generations to explain why.

Not a bad first sentence. But not one that youd ever get from Hillary Clinton.
The BBC is deleting any mention of a university education from the CVs of people who apply for jobs.

The bizarre initiative means students who spend three years studying at a cost of 9,000 a year will no longer be able to use their degree to impress bosses at the Corporation.

The plan is designed to stop the BBC being too posh  as damning figures confirmed its staff are twice as likely as the average Briton to come from privileged backgrounds.

Some 61 per cent of staff have parents who were senior managers or professionals  more than twice the national average. And 17 per cent of BBC staff and 24 per cent of managers went to private schools, compared to 7 per cent in the wider population.

People applying for jobs at the BBC are invited to submit their CV as they normally would, but the Corporation then automatically deletes their names, entire educational background and address

BBC boss James Purnell  a privately educated Oxford graduate  said yesterday the Corporation was removing any trace of a persons degree from CVs, in order to guard against bias.

He said: We are now doing anonymised recruitment so you take off the name and you take off the degree. Its something lots of organisations are doing  across accountancy, across law  and the theory, which I think is right, is that you can get that evidence in other ways.

Mr Purnell said candidates will be assessed in other ways  for example, with questionnaires, competency tests and interviews.

But while lawyers and accountants require certain professional qualifications to practise, there is no basic educational requirement to work in the television sector  meaning many applicants rely on their studies to set them apart.

People applying for jobs at the BBC are invited to submit their CV as they normally would, but the Corporation then automatically deletes their names, entire educational background and address.

The scheme was launched last year for between 250 and 300 jobs, covering tens of thousands of applications. It has now been rolled out to the rest of the BBC, although recruiters for more senior jobs do not have to use it if they dont want to. (File photo)

Degrees and educational background will not be disclosed if an applicant gets to the interview or assessment stage, but an interviewer will have the discretion to discuss it if they deem it to be relevant.

The scheme was launched last year for between 250 and 300 jobs, covering tens of thousands of applications. It has now been rolled out to the rest of the BBC, although recruiters for more senior jobs do not have to use it if they dont want to.

Mr Purnell  a former Labour Cabinet secretary who now earns 295,000 a year  added that he would also love to introduce new social class targets to combat the BBCs tendency towards hiring privileged people.

We dont have targets on socio-economic [backgrounds] but were thinking about itWe would love to have a target, we would be very happy to do that, he said.

He added that the occupation of the parents of staff seemed to be the best predictor of social privilege. The BBCs internal survey of staff found that more than half (52 per cent) have parents who were degree-educated  a figure rising to 55 per cent among managers.

The bias towards privilege is at its worst in the BBCs news and current affairs division, and at its London headquarters. People who work in the regions are more likely to have gone to state school.
The Royal Navy can only send a quarter of its warships to sea due to cuts to the Armed Forces budget, according to reports.

Of the navys 19 Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers, 13 have to stay docked because of a lack of resources, sources said.

The navy had its manpower reduced by 4,000 as part of the Governments 2010 defence review  and there are fears there could be further cuts in Novembers budget.

It comes after reports that its flagship, HMS Ocean (pictured), had been delayed from sailing to the Caribbean to aid Irma relief efforts due to engine problems

It comes after reports that its flagship, HMS Ocean, had been delayed from sailing to the Caribbean to aid Irma relief efforts due to engine problems.

Former First Sea Lord, Lord West of Spithead, told The Daily Telegraph: What is happening ... is a hollowing-out of defence.

A source also said: The Armed Forces have now been reduced to a level where they struggle to protect British citizens.

Our lacklustre response to Hurricane Irma makes Britain a laughing stock and is the direct result of the Governments cuts to the defence budget.

The Ministry of Defence said it did not comment on its fleet but said the navy could carry out all its operational requirements, and denied reports that HMS Ocean had been delayed.

The navys new aircraft carrier could be stopped from leaving port after tugboat crews threatened to strike.

Serco Marine Services, which employs tug boat staff for HMS Queen Elizabeth, described a recent pay offer as derisory. Unite, the union, warned that if members voted for action it would create waves across the industry.
Voters in five areas of England are to be required to show ID for the first time in an election next year, in an effort to cut fraud (file photo)

Voters in five areas of England are to be required to show ID for the first time in an election next year, in an effort to cut fraud.

If successful, the trial could be extended across the country.

The Electoral Commission recommended in 2014 that voters should be required to prove their identity before casting a ballot.

Some 44 people in the 2016 local elections were caught trying to use another individuals vote, known as personation  up from 21 in 2014.

Pilot tests will be held at local elections in Woking, Gosport, Bromley, Watford and Slough in May 2018, with photo and non-photo ID being trialled in different areas to see which works best.

The east London borough of Tower Hamlets, which has been the subject of almost half of all electoral fraud claims in the past five years, told ministers it could not introduce voter ID in time for next year.

Instead it will run a separate pilot examining the security of postal votes, including spot checks to ensure people know they have voted and live where they say they do.

It follows an investigation into voter fraud by former Tory chairman Sir Eric Pickles. The report identified 18 local authorities which had had significant problems with electoral fraud in recent years.

Pilot tests will be held at local elections in Woking, Gosport, Bromley, Watford and Slough in May 2018, with photo and non-photo ID being trialled in different areas to see which works best (file photo)

Voters in Northern Ireland have had to prove their identity at polling stations since 1985, with photo ID required since 2003. There have been no cases of personation in the province since 2003.

Constitution minister Chris Skidmore said: For people to have confidence in our democratic processes we need to ensure our elections are safeguarded against any threat or perception of electoral fraud.

The current situation of people simply pointing out their name without having to prove who they are feels out of date  It is harder to take out a library book or collect a parcel at a post office than it is to vote in someones name.

The Electoral Commissions Claire Bassett welcomed the move and said findings would be published next year ahead of a possible national rollout.

But Lib Dem MP Tom Brake said: This is a completely unnecessary move that risks undermining our democracy.

Evidence from around the world tells us forcing voters to bring ID wont stop determined fraudsters, but is likely to lead to even lower turnouts amongst young people and minority groups.
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A second man has been arrested in connection with the terror attack at Parsons Green.

The 21-year-old man was arrested in the London borough of Hounslow at around 11.50pm last night and has been taken to a south London police station.

It comes as neighbours claim terror police have recovered 'a bomb' from a Surrey house raided in connection with the attack.

Police are today searching the property, in Sunbury-on-Thames, after the first suspect, an 18-year-old man, was detained in Dover yesterday morning as he apparently attempted to leave the country.

Neighbours on the quiet street said police had been there since Friday and claimed a teenager living at the raided property had been arrested two weeks ago and later released.

The arrests come after the Prime Minister announced the UK's terror threat has been raised to critical as officials fear there could be copycat attacks following Friday's bombing.

This morning Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it appeared the bomber was not a lone wolf but it 'too early to reach any final conclusions on that'.

The lilac-painted property raided in connection with the attack, which injured 30, is owned by a kind-hearted couple who were both appointed MBEs for fostering hundreds of children.

Penelope Jones, 71, and her husband Ronald, 88, have raised 268 foster children in the house over three decades and the last eight have been refugees.

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Police are still searching a property in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, raided yesterday in connection with the attack

Around 60 residents in the surrounding area were evacuated from their homes as armed police carried out the raid

The lilac-painted property raided in connection with the attack, which injured 30, is owned by a kind-hearted couple who were both appointed MBEs for fostering hundreds of children

Sunbury-on-Thames is just a 37-minute train journey from Wimbledon station, where the tube that was bombed yesterday began its journey. A second man was arrested four miles away in Hounslow last night

The couple who own the Sunbury home, Ronald and Penelope Jones, receive MBEs from the Queen in 2009 for fostering hundreds of children

Penelope Jones became a foster mother after working in a juvenile prison and was always supported by her husband. She said: 'I just like being able to help people'

Close friends of pensioners Penny and Ron Jones said the couple - who are widely respected in the local area - were at 'their end' with the teenager

Officers stormed the house on Cavendish Road at 2pm around six hours after apprehending the suspect in the departure lounge of the Port of Dover. Residents had to be evacuated as a precaution

Officers stormed the home on Cavendish Road at 2pm yesterday, around six hours after apprehending the suspect in the departure lounge of the Port of Dover.

Around 60 residents on the street were told to leave their homes, while unconfirmed reports suggested 'explosives' were found in the garden.

One Neighbour, who identified herself as Carrie, said: 'I was speaking to a police officer and asking him what was going on and how long we would be out of our house.

'He said he could not say but pointed to one of his colleagues and said he might know. I asked him and he told me they had found 15 firearms at the house and a bomb in the garden. It doesn't feel real any of this.'

Close friends of pensioners Penny and Ron Jones said the couple - who are widely respected in the local area - were at 'their end' with the teenager.

Serena Barber, 47, who has known the couple all her life and lives in a property backing on to theirs, said: 'They have two boys at the moment, both are foreign. One is very quiet and polite, the other who is 18 is awful.

'I know about two weeks ago he was arrested by police at Parsons Green, for what I don't know and returned back to Penny and Ron. After that Penny said she was going to have to stop caring for him, she couldn't handle him.'

The development comes as police revealed they are 'keeping an open mind' on whether there was more than one person responsible for the bombing.

Foster couple that took in hundreds of needy children The kind-hearted couple whose house in Sunbury was raided yesterday have MBEs for fostering at least 268 people over three decades. Of those children Penny and Ron Jones have taken in, at least eight were refugees coming from countries including Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, Albania and Afghanistan. One of them was a 15-year-old boy who had smuggled himself into the country from Calais in the back of a lorry after escaping his oppressive family who had imprisoned him for his beliefs. Mrs Jones, who has six children of her own with her husband, said in an interview with community group Elmbridge CAN: 'We just try and support where we can - because theyve had bad lives. Penny and Ron Jones have taken in at least eight refugees coming from countries including Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, Albania and Afghanistan 'Sometimes, watching the news, they can get so worked up that they have to leave the house and go for a walk  its awful to see and its so difficult for them.' Mrs Jones was inspired to foster children after working in a juvenile prison for five years. '[I read] one of the kids profiles and thought, "had his mum and dad had time for him, he wouldnt be in here". Every time I gave him some attention he grabbed it. I knew that if hed had this before, he would never have gone off [the rails].' In an interview with the BBC after the couple were honoured by the Queen in 2009 Mrs Jones said the children they take in need to be 'loved and feel special'. She added: 'We open our hearts to all the children. Anybody that comes to us we will do whatever we can do to help them with whatever they need.' The couple try to stay in touch with all the children they have taken in. Mrs Jones said: 'I send them birthday cards - it's a very extended family.' Advertisement

Serena Barber, 47, who has known the foster parents all her life, said: 'They have two boys at the moment, both are foreign. One is very quiet and polite, the other who is 18 is awful'. Pictured: The scene in Sudbury tonight

At least eight of the Jones' foster children have been refugees, with some coming from Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, Albania and Afghanistan. The couple were honoured by the Queen in 2009 for their services to children and families

An aerial view of Cavendish Road in Sudbury-on-Thames where the house that has been raided is located

A photograph of the flaming white bucket taken just after it exploded around 8.20am on Friday shows a number of wires protruding out of the top and on to the train carriage floor

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: 'At approximately 7.50am local police officers in Kent arrested an 18-year-old man in the departures area of the port in Dover.

'He was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism and transferred to custody in a police station in London.

'Officers from Kent police had to partially evacuate the port of Dover at 11am this morning. That work is now complete and they have recovered a number of items during that search.'

'At around 1.40pm with the assistance of Surrey Police, we evacuated a house on Sunbury-on-Thames. As a precautionary measure we evacuated the surrounding buildings.

Neighbour: 'Police had been at house before' Stephen Griffiths, 28, who lives across the road from the house that was raided, told MailOnline that police had been at the house numerous times in recent weeks - sometimes spending 'hours' at the property'. He also saw officers using drones to search the garden at the back of the property. He said: 'Police have been at this address a few times in the last couple of weeks. 'At the time we just put it down to it being foster kids that needed to be spoken to. 'But it clicked in my head earlier - what if one of the children was under investigation or surveillance? 'Why couldn't something be done sooner to stop this happening? Why couldn't the police have questioned him? 'Three or four officers would turn up and would speak to the foster parents on the doorstep. 'They were in normal police cars but they weren't wearing police hats or reflective jackets - they were dressed all in black. 'It was nothing like just a normal officer doing a duty call, it seemed like something a bit higher in the chain. 'The other day they were out there for a long time - a few hours - and they could have even gone in the house.' Advertisement

'I want to reassure that community that our experts are quickly and thoroughly searching that address.

'At this stage we are keeping an open mind about whether more than one person is responsible for this attack and we are still pursuing multiple lines of enquiry at pace.'

Deputy Commissioner Basu revealed police have received 180 photos and videos and located 121 witnesses - 100 of whom they have spoken to already.

Sunbury-on-Thames is just a 37-minute train ride from Wimbledon station, where the tube that was bombed yesterday began its journey.

Residents on Cavendish Road were evacuated and asked to find somewhere to stay for the evening. Staines Rugby Club has been set up as a meeting point.

Police even applied to the Civil Aviation Authority for a no-fly zone to stop drones and TV news helicopters flying overhead.

Residents in the outer cordon were allowed home at 8pm after they had given their names and proof of address to police.

They were told once they were in their houses they must stay there unless absolutely necessary, and sign in and out of the cordon until it was lifted if they had to leave.

Residents closer living closer to the house were asked to find alternative accommodation for the night.

Brenda Matthews, 53, was told by police to pack essential items and find somewhere to stay for 12 hours while specialist officers raided the property.

She said: 'I looked out this morning and saw men with bandannas. I asked what was going on and a neighbour told me it was a terrorist raid.

'Everyone knows everyone round here. The house involved is blocked off, police are knocking on doors to try and basically get everyone out and to safety.

'The scary thing is how long have these people been living in this house for? I've lived here seven years.'

Mrs Jones is the governor of a local school and became a foster mother after working in a juvenile prison and was always supported by her husband.

The couple featured in an interview with Elmbridge CAN, a community group which aims 'to build a culture of welcome to refugees' and help settle them in the local community.

The organisation states that Mr and Mrs Jones have been foster parents for almost 40 years and had taken in 268 children - the last eight of which were refugees. It is not clear when the interview was published.

In the interview Mrs Jones said fostering 'had its ups and downs', adding: 'They're all children, it doesn't matter if they're sky blue or with pink dots on them - they just need to be loved.'

Alison Griffiths, a Surrey county councillor who knows Mr and Mrs Jones, said they had two young people staying with them - an 18-year-old and a 22-year-old.

She described Mr and Mrs Jones as 'great pillars of the community', adding: 'They do a job that not many people do.'

Ms Griffiths, 42, said the couple may not be able to return home for days as police continue to search their house.

She said: 'I think they are actually staying with friends of theirs.

'But I spoke to the police officer earlier and he said he doesn't think they will be going home until at least five days because of forensics.'

Mojgan Jamali, who lives on the road where the house was raided this afternoon, said police gave her just 'one minute' to pack her bags, grab her children, and leave her home.

She said: 'We didn't know what was going on. There was a lot of rumours going on, a lot of stories, people saying this and that, but we didn't know.'

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told MailOnline police vehicles swooped on the street as she was making her way to a local Tesco store. We thought it was a drug raid, but the police would not tell us anything.

Police were seen searching bins outside Dover Priory railway station on prompting suggestions the suspect may have arrived in the town by train

An 18-year-old man was arrested in Dover in relation to the Parsons Green bombing at around 3pm. This image shows police at the port

A police van pictured in the Dover port area outside a building that houses the terminal's control offices and a car rental firm where officers say they have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the attack on Parsons Green

Armed police raided the residential property on Cavendish Road in Sunbury-on-Thames in connection to the Parsons Green bombing

There is a heavy police presence around the area, where residents have been ordered to leave their homes as the investigation continues

One neighbour, a 32-year-old woman, told MailOnline she was ordered to leave her mother's house after getting a knock on the door from a police SWAT team

'We tried driving around but they had blocked of part of the road and they said that we really need to go right down [to the other end of the road].

'When I was leaving they were knocking on all the doors. A police sergeant told us that they had found an explosive device.'

A 32-year-old woman who lives locally told MailOnline she was ordered to leave her mother's house after getting a knock on the door from a police SWAT team.

'My brother got a bang on the door about half past one by a swat team and they were told to leave immediately.

'We are waiting outside on Catherine Drive there now. Everyone is cold and just waiting to see when we can go back home. The couple in the house are lovely, they've be fostering kids for years since I was little.'

A woman, who lives opposite, added: 'I am so worried about Ron and Penny, they are a lovely couple. I hear they have been taken away for questioning. I don't understand.'

At 8.20am on Friday, a bomb left by a suspected terrorist detonated on the tube at Parsons Green in west London, injuring 30 people. Two hours afterwards, the Metropolitan Police said they were investigating a terrorist incident.

On Friday evening, the Islamic State claimed the attack, saying it had been carried out by their 'soldiers', although the group has made false claims in the past.

Theresa May raised the UK's threat level to critical on Friday night and soldiers were deployed to guard key sites, such as nuclear power stations, to free up armed police for regular patrols.

These are the updates since then -

Parsons Green underground station reopened on Saturday morning following the attack at 8.20am on Friday;

18-year-old 'suspected bomber' was arrested in Dover at 7.50am and at 2pm police stormed house in Sudbury;

Unconfirmed reports from locals said police found explosives in the garden of the terraced house;

Suspect was arrested two weeks ago, neighbours claimed, although Scotland Yard declined to comment;

The Metropolitan Police said officers 'open minded' about whether more than one person was responsible;

Police have received 180 photos and videos, located 121 witnesses and have spoken to 100 of them already;

Public have been told to dial 999 or call the anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321 if see anything suspicious.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd described arrest of the 18-year-old at 7.50am in the Dover port departure lounge as 'very significant', but added: 'The operation is ongoing.'

The suspect was taken to a local police station and will be transferred to south London during the course of the day, officers said.

One witness said the man was arrested in the ticket office at the port.

She told The Sunday Mirror: 'He was surrounded by about seven police officers as he went to buy a ticket. It was all done very quickly and quietly.

'I couldn't really see who he was or what he was wearing as they were all around him. 'I didn't realise what it was at the time. It's only after and heard it on the news I realised what it was.'

Tourist Daniel Vaselicu, 31, said the man appeared calm as the officers two unarmed interrogated him for 10 minutes before arresting him minutes later.

Police were seen searching bins outside Dover Priory railway station on prompting suggestions the suspect may have arrived in the town by train.

The station also has CCTV cameras positioned in and outside the building. The station is a 30 minute walk to the port. Police officers also searched industrial bins at the Dover ferry passenger terminal.

Officers were pictured lifting plastic carrier bags out of the bin and examining them before putting them back.

Police lay in wait at the port for his arrival, sources told the Mail On Sunday, suggesting his movements were being monitored by security services.

It is understood he was identified following an exhaustive examination by hundreds of detectives of CCTV footage.

This prompted a tense surveillance operation involving MI5 and several police forces which ended dramatically with the Dover sting. Special Forces were also involved, according to the Sunday Times.

Security minister Ben Wallace said today the threat level has been raised to critical because a new attack is likely to be 'imminent' as an increased presence of armed officers was seen in cities across the country.

But he piled the pressure on police for not releasing CCTV footage of the attacker, describing it as a 'useful' tool in identifying suspects.

He said on BBC Radio 4's Today show this morning: 'I totally agree that CCTV footage is useful but that part of the investigation I leave with the police and security services.'

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick vowed: 'London has not stopped after other terrible attacks and it will not stop after this one.'

Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said today: 'London has not stopped after other terrible attacks and it will not stop after this one'

The crime commissioner chats with armed police officers who have been deployed around the city in the wake of the failed bombing at Parsons Green tube station yesterday

The crime commissioner joined police patrols today after Operation Temperer was activated, meaning that up to 5,000 armed troops can be deployed at sensitive sites

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick talks to a member of the public on the South Bank in central London, as Operation Temperer is enacted

Armed officers on patrol at a busy Westminster station this morning - Scotland Yard said the arrest will lead to more activity from officers

Armed police officers patrol Northumberland Street in Newcastle today following the UK's threat level being raised to critical following yesterday's attack in London

Operation Temperer will see soldiers replacing police at key sites including nuclear power plants to free up extra armed officers for regular patrols

Armed police were also seen on patrol in other parts of the country such as in Brighton (pictured)

Armed officers chat with passengers coming in and out of Manchester Piccadilly station on Saturday

In Liverpool Armed officer were present at the city's Food & Drink Festival at Sefton Park

An armed police officer provides security as members of the Queen's Life Guard ride across Horse Guards Parade

Scotland Yard said last night it is making 'excellent' progress in hunting the suspected terrorist who set off a crude bucket bomb on a packed commuter train. The timeline of the attack is shown in this graphic

It was the middle of rush hour on Friday when the crude bucket bomb - which had a timer - went off at 8.20am inside a tube train packed with commuters, including schoolchildren and a pregnant woman.

The train is regularly packed full of schoolchildren. The Fulham area serves at least three state secondary schools: Fulham Boys School, The London Oratory and Lady Margaret Hall along with a number of independent schools.

Terrified passengers were left covered in blood with scorched hands, legs, faces and hair  others suffered crush injuries during a stampede as they 'ran for their lives' over fears the 'train would blow up'.

Theresa May raises terror threat level to its highest possible Mrs May said in a statement from Number 10 on Friday night - 'The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has now decided to raise the national threat level from severe to critical - this means their assessment is that a further attack may be imminent. 'The public will see more armed police on the transport network and on our streets, providing extra protection. 'This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses.' Advertisement

London Ambulance took 19 patients to hospitals, while the others went in themselves. The four hospitals dealing with patients were Imperial, Chelsea and Westminster, Guy's and St Thomas' and St George's. All but one patient have now been released.

An officer at the scene on Friday told MailOnline: 'We believe there is a second bomb - there is a man with knives on the loose.'

In a pre-recorded television statement released around 8.30pm, Mrs May said military personnel would replace police officers 'on guard duties at certain protected sites which are not accessible to the public'.

She said: 'The public will see more armed police on the transport network and on our streets, providing extra protection.

'This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses.'

Speaking moments afterwards, Assistant Commissioner Mike Rowley said: 'We are making excellent progress at the moment as we pursue our lines of inquiry to identify, locate and arrest those responsible.

'We have hundreds of police officers trawling through CCTV footage, detectives have spoken to tens of witnesses and we have taken a large number of calls to the hotline... from members of the public.

Donald Trump tweeted just hours after the blast that police had the attacker 'in their sights' and should have been 'more proactive' in catching 'the loser'.

Scotland Yard hit back and said Mr Trump's comments were 'pure speculation' while senior officers refused to name the suspect.

The President later adopted a more conciliatory tone in another tweet last night saying, 'our hearts and prayers go out to the people of London'.

Mrs May also hit out at the President's tweet, calling it 'unhelpful', and has this evening discussed the intelligence sharing between the two countries with the President in a telephone call.

The majority of victims of Friday's attack suffered 'flash burns' including to their heads (pictured) and several were taken to a specialist burns unit

A victim, believed to be a schoolchild, is carried from the station with charred legs (left) as others were treated for burns in the street and neighbouring shops (centre) and an 11-year-old who was found on the floor asking for his brother

Armed police pictured on guard in Westminster on Saturday after the UK's terror threat level was raised to severe - the highest level

The introduction of Operation Temperer will see soldiers replacing police at key sites including nuclear power plants to free up extra armed officers for regular patrols

Theresa May gave a statement from within Downing Street on Friday in which she announced the terror threat level would be raised to critical, its highest level

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley suggested there may have been more than one person involved stating that police were 'chasing down suspects'

A young woman was walked to safety by a Met officer after having her head bandaged after suffering a burn or wound to her cheek

Elite armed counter-terrorism police were at the scene on Friday amid reports of the suspect being on the run and claims of a second device

Security was stepped up at stations around London following Friday morning's attack. Pictured is a British Transport Police officers at Euston

A police officer watches on as commuters file into the underground at Euston Station amid newly tightened security

Business as usual: Undeterred passengers were at the station again this morning to catch services into central London

Passengers were pictured going through the turnstiles less than 24 hours after the bomb exploded at the station on Friday

This image was taken from the platform in the minutes after the terror attack and it remained alight until the fire service arrived

The abandoned train at Parsons Green on Friday morning after a terrorist left a bucket bomb on the carriage floor

Police believe the bomber may have exited the train (pictured) perhaps one or two stops before the bomb went off

Passengers are ushered across the track by firefighters after getting trapped in the aftermath of the bombing on Friday morning

Witnesses to the explosion said there was a loud 'bang', a flash and then a ball of flame engulfed surrounding passengers on the 'packed' District Line train.

Gillian Wixley, 36, who lives in Putney, was eight seats from the explosion. She said: 'It was chaotic: There was lots of people panicking and people were injured due to the crush.

'Everyone was very emotional. There was one boy maybe age ten who was commuting to school on his own. He was sitting on the floor sobbing.

How releasing information helped catch Barcelona attacker The failure of the Metropolitan Police to name the suspect contrasts sharply with the response to the last major terror attack in Europe, Barcelona in August. Just over an hour after the attack took place, Spanish police tweeted the public to say they were searching for the attacker and to avoid the area. Then, three hours after the attack, a photo of a suspect, Driss Oukabir, was released and circulated online. The release of the image caused Oukabir to come forward to his local police and tell officers his documents had been stolen. This was again revealed to the media as Oukabir's younger brother Moussa became the prime suspect. Advertisement

'He was obviously in shock and very scared. Everyone around him was trying to calm him down and help him.'

Lady Margaret Hall schoolgirl Emanuella Mensah, 16, described the panic. I was right outside the corner shop when people started running from the station. People were shouting 'run, run'. I saw old people, people with their kids. Then someone shouted 'terrorist!'. More people kept coming out of the station.

'There were people sitting on the pavement crying and in hysterics. Schoolgirls were coming from all kinds of directions. The teachers came down and we started escorting people into school.'

She said the younger children were particularly shocked and scared and that the distress carried on throughout the day.

'Years seven, eight and nine, they were all on the phone trying to call their parents. People were crying everywhere.

'The teachers were putting them into rooms, giving them water and biscuits, trying to keep them calm. They tried to keep everyone going to their lessons but people couldn't concentrate.'

Luke Warsmey said: 'The explosion was like a large match going off at the end of the carriage. People just started sprinting. It was every man for himself when that happened. The burn victims had severe leg injuries.

'It was a very busy commuter train, young and old, school children going to their schools. I saw was nannies trying to look for kids, because of the rush of people just taking five and six year olds away from them and they were trying to look for them.

'There were lots of injuries from people being trampled on and everyone who had been close to it had the same burns to their head.'

Armed policemen stand by cordon near Parsons Green tube station - and the Met will flood London with them over the coming days

A police cordon remained outside Parsons Green Tube station on Friday afternoon following the blast during the morning rush hour

A forensic officer in blue overalls walks along the pavement near Parsons Green tube station as the investigation continued into the attack on Friday

Emma Stevie, 27, described a 'human stampede' after the bomb went off. She said: 'I heard lots of screams and people saying 'run, run'. We got out and then there was a human stampede, down the stairs.

'There were people lying underneath getting crushed, a big human pile-on. I wedged myself in next to a railing. I put myself in the foetal position. I kept thinking, 'I'll be ok, I'll be ok'.

'There was a pregnant woman underneath me and I was trying really hard not to crush her.'

Lidl will help police after their bag was used to house bomb Supermarket Lidl offered to assist a police investigation into the terrorist attack on the London Underground, after one of its bags was apparently used to hold the improvised bomb. The German-owned grocery chain issued a statement just hours after social media photos of the affected District Line carriage showed a still-burning bucket inside a Lidl-branded reusable bag. 'We are shocked and concerned to have learned of an incident at Parsons Green this morning and our thoughts are with those affected,' Lidl UK said. 'We will, of course, support the authorities should they need our assistance in their investigations. We are closely monitoring the situation as it develops over the course of the day.' A spokesman for the supermarket also confirmed that what seemed to be an insensitive tweet, purportedly sent out by Lidl UK's twitter account on Friday morning, was fake. Twitter user @jesuiscanard appeared to retweet a Lidl UK tweet from 10:32am which read: 'We are proud to officially have the strongest bags. Great value for just 10p.' Advertisement

Ryan Barnett, 25, who was further up the train, recalled: 'I was sitting there, headphones in, at Parsons Green, the doors open fine, I'm not really paying attention, and all of a sudden hundreds of people run past me screaming a mixture of 'stampede', 'attack', 'terrorist', 'explosion', 'get off the train', 'everyone run'.'

He made it to the staircase but stewards were shouting 'stop, stop, stop' and it turned into what another witness called a mass pile-up.

Mr Barnett said: 'People were falling over, people were fainting, people were crying. There were little kids clinging on to the back of me.' In the chaos, he said a pregnant woman lost her shoes and fell over.

'There was sheer pandemonium and panic,' added passenger Neil White, while another witness told LBC radio: 'I was helping a lady up and she was unconscious  she was just getting trampled.'

Richard Aylmer-Hall told Sky News: 'There were a few crush injuries on the stairs. People got squashed and crushed going down the stairs. Police evacuated everyone from the scene pretty quickly.

'There was screaming, pushing and shoving - it was a like there was a terrorist on the loose with a gun or something - lots of people were in tears. When it was all over lots of people were being comforted and looked after. It was total chaotic panic.

'A lady who had been on the same carriage as the device described it going off - a puff of smoke and flames coming out of it.'

Couple Lucy, 24 and Fabin, 29, were on their way to work when the explosion happened.

Lucy, who works in PR, said: 'We just heard screaming and sprinting, there was a stampede on the stairs and people were falling over, there was a schoolboy being lifted up after he had fallen down, he was in his school uniform, he must have been about ten, he was crying and distressed.'

Fulham fitness instructor Niyi Shokunbi, 24, was in the next carriage the moment the bomb went off.

He told MailOnline: 'I have never seen anything like it was like something out of a film. I thought it was an acid attack. It happened like bang within ten seconds, I just wanted to run.

'I went towards the carriage where the bomb went off a woman said you don't want to go in there. I saw a little boy with scratches on his face crying for his brother. A woman was bleeding. Everyone was running. I've never seen anything like it.'

There is terror and panic at the station on Friday morning, with police officers consoling members of the public

An injured man is helped into an ambulance - one of 18 ferried by ambulance to hospitals across London. Four others went to A&E themselves

A family with young children look towards the station in the aftermath of the terror attack on London on Friday morning

Luke Walmsley, a 33-year-old video editor, said: 'It was complete pandemonium, complete terror. They didn't open the gates and the Underground staff did not understand what was going on. People were shouting 'He's got a knife! He's got a knife!' I didn't see anyone with a knife.'

He added: 'In the immediate seconds there were people running and shouting, it was just like where do you run to?

'People were rushing down the platform, everyone was doing a 100metre sprint. There were lots of injuries from people being trampled on.'

Still online: The simple plans for a bomb that could wreak carnage By Vanessa Allen, Jason Groves and Isabella Fish Terror manuals detailing how to build a 'fairy light' bomb were easily available via Google on Friday night. The vile 'how to' guides were readily accessible despite repeated calls for the internet giant to remove links to the sites. Fanatics set out step-by-step guides of how to build a bomb similar to the device used on the Tube yesterday, using fairy lights as a crude detonator. Theresa May  who said 'enough is enough' after the London Bridge atrocity  will put fresh pressure on Google, Facebook and Microsoft next week, when she and French President Emmanuel Macron host an anti-extremism summit with the internet giants in New York. Daily Mail journalists were able to find the manuals online within seconds  despite repeated warnings that they have been used to commit terror outrages, and counter-terrorism chiefs saying it is 'critical' that would-be terrorists are blocked from accessing them. The manuals detailed how to use basic household items to make 'an effective bomb that causes damage to the enemy' and said followers could use the devices to 'kill tens of people'. Last night, Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg called for Google to be held criminally liable. Advertisement

Accountant Sarah Hickson, 31, who was on her way to work from Putney to Paddington, said: 'I heard everyone screaming 'Run, run, run!' and the whole Tube went into frantic panic.

'Everyone was sprinting for the exit and someone was screaming, 'There's a man, there's a man!' One person tried to climb over the railings and over everyone else. It was total chaos.

'There was a pregnant woman and a little boy of about ten. His face must have been crushed against the concrete stairs because when he stood up he had grazes all over his face. It was horrible.'

She added: 'Transport for London staff were doing their best to get control but everyone was screaming, trying to get out.

'Eventually they managed to get some calm and people moved ever so slightly back, allowing the boy and pregnant woman to get up.

'I am physically OK but shaken up, it was a scary experience.' Insurance broker Grace Watts, 27, from Fulham, said: 'Everyone was being shoved and squashed then someone at the bottom started shouting at us to get back up.

'It wasn't a member of staff, but in the panic everyone assumed that there was an attack going on outside the station, and we were stuck in between.

'There were some five or six boys from the London Oratory School  they were only 11 or 12 years old  who had cuts and bruises from the crush. It was sheer panic.'

She added: 'There was one girl who was running down the stairs who got pushed right over and cut her leg. She looked like she was in a lot of pain. Instinct just kicked in  I thought there must be a bomb or a gunman so you just get away as quick as you can. People were terrified. It was really scary.'

Sixth form student Wella Mensah, 16, said people were 'on the floor outside crying' with scorched faces.

Wella, who attends nearby Lady Margaret School, said: 'I was under the bridge the train was on. I was looking and people just started running past me.

'I saw a bunch of girls. I asked if they were OK and they said there was a terrorist on the train and there was a fire.'

Commuters on the train behind witnessed terrified passengers sprinting away up the tracks. Nicole Linnell, 29, who works for a fashion label, said: 'We saw people running down the tracks. About 30 or 40 people. It was absolutely terrifying.

'Running on the tracks is the last thing you want to do, so we were like 'What's going on?'

'After about an hour we were evacuated off the train on to the tracks, about ten to 15 people at a time.'

Armed Police, paramedics and firefighters were at the west London station within five minutes of the explosion

Witnesses said people were trampled on when they fled the train after hearing a 'whoosh' and seeing flames race towards them

Flames engulfed one carriage and raced along a train on a west London route to Parsons Green, forcing passengers to trample others as they rushed for an exit

Transport for London said Tube services were suspended between Edgware Road and Wimbledon on Friday. Services resumed as usual on Friday evening

Members of a bomb disposal squad exchange notes in the street near Parsons Green tube station on Friday morning
The phone numbers, names and dates of birth of around 400,000 people in the UK are thought to have been stolen in one of the worlds biggest data hacks.

US credit report giant Equifax is under investigation over the cyber attack on its files in which personal information of about 143million people is thought to have been stolen.

UK regulators including the Financial Conduct Authority have been called on to look at what could be one of the biggest breaches of British data. Yesterday Equifax bosses said although its UK arm was not affected, a file of UK consumer data mistakenly stored in the US may have been accessed. But they said this did not include residential addresses, passwords or financial data.

Consumer credit agency Equifax says that 143 million consumers may have been affected by massive data breach

Atlanta-based Equifax discovered the hack in July, but only informed consumers last week. The Information Commissioners Office, which works to protect data privacy, ordered Equifax to alert British customers after the firm said criminals had accessed its files.

Equifax said it believed identity takeover is unlikely for UK consumers who had their data potentially accessed.

It plans to contact up to 400,000 people to offer them a free identity protection service monitoring their personal information.

Patricio Remon, Equifax president, said: We apologise for this failure to protect UK consumer data. Our immediate focus is to support those affected by this incident and to ensure we make all of the necessary improvements and investments to strengthen our security.

Lenders rely on the information collected by credit bureaus such as Equifax to help them decide whether to approve financing for homes, cars and credit cards. The ICO said: It is always a companys responsibility to identify UK victims and take steps to reduce any harm to consumers. Members of the public should remain vigilant of any unsolicited emails, texts or calls, even if it appears to be from a company they are familiar with.

We also advise that people review their financial statements regularly for any unfamiliar activity.
The shows a papal figure  which featured in many of Bacons works  alongside the painters great love, George Dyer, who took his own life six months after it was painted

A painting by Francis Bacon hidden from the public for almost half a century is set to sell for a record 60million.

Study of Red Pope, from 1971, is the finale to Bacons celebrated body of papal portraits.

The painting was acquired by the family of the present owner in 1973 and has appeared in all major publications dedicated to Bacons work  but it has never been shown in a public exhibition.

It shows a papal figure  which featured in many of Bacons works  alongside the painters great love, George Dyer, who took his own life six months after it was painted.

Christies yesterday announced it will be selling the painting, which has the full title Study of Red Pope 1962 2nd version 1971, on October 6.

They have given it a guide price of 60million, which will set a record for any artwork sold at auction in Europe.

If it sells at this price, the total cost, including premiums, will exceed the 65million paid for Giacomettis life-sized sculpture Lhomme qui marche I in 2010.

Francis Outred, head of post-war and contemporary art at Christies, described the painting as quite simply art history, representing a landmark moment in Bacons artistic output.

It is a tragic premonition which unites Bacons two greatest muses, the Pope and George Dyer, for the first and only time, he said.
A beaming Kim Jong-Un celebrated his country's latest missile launch and said he aims to reach an 'equilibrium' of military force with the United States.

Kim was seen laughing as he watched the missile fly from a moving launcher in photos released by official agency KCNA, surrounded by several officials.

'Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military option,' he said in an official news release.

Kim was seen laughing as he watched the missile fly from a moving launcher in photos released by official agency KCNA, surrounded by several officials

Kim celebrated his country's latest missile launch(pictured) and said he aims to reach an 'equilibrium' of military force with the United States

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kim's leadership as it pursues a program designed to give it the ability to target the US with a nuclear-tipped missile

'The combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified.

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kim's leadership as it pursues a program designed to give it the ability to target the US with a nuclear-tipped missile.

After the latest launch on Friday, White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said the USA was running out of patience with North Korea.

An editorial in state-run daily Rodong Sinmun read: 'The U.S. describes the DPRK's nuclear deterrence for self-defense as the "biggest threat to peace", but it is no more than a shameful logic and a brigandish deed to justify its crimes against peace on the Korean Peninsula.

'The DPRK has had access to everything and gained everything it could do despite the harshest sanctions and blockade by the hostile forces, and it is a daydream to calculate that the DPRK can be shaken to change its attitude in face of the new 'sanctions'.

'The enemies' reckless and ridiculous sanctions, pressure, threat and blackmail will offer an opportunity to the DPRK to bolster up its deterrence, while bring bitterer disgrace to them.'

'We've been kicking the can down the road, and we're out of road,' McMaster said.

'For those ... who have been commenting on a lack of a military option, there is a military option.'

Also on Friday, the U.N. Security Council condemned the 'highly provocative' missile launch by North Korea.

After the latest launch on Friday, White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said the USA was running out of patience with North Korea

Also on Friday, the U.N. Security Council condemned the 'highly provocative' missile launch by North Korea

It had already stepped up sanctions against North Korea in response to a nuclear bomb test on September 3

It had already stepped up sanctions against North Korea in response to a nuclear bomb test on September 3.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, echoed McMaster's strong rhetoric.

'What we are seeing is, they are continuing to be provocative, they are continuing to be reckless and at that point there's not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here, when you've cut 90 percent of the trade and 30 percent of the oil,' she said.

North Korea's latest test missile flew over Hokkaido in northern Japan on Friday and landed in the Pacific about 1,240 miles to the east, the Japanese government said.

North Korea's latest test missile flew over Hokkaido in northern Japan on Friday and landed in the Pacific about 1,240 miles to the east, the Japanese government said

It travelled 2,300 miles in total, according to South Korea's military, far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, which the North has threatened before

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson called on China, Pyongyang's only ally, and Russia to apply pressure on North Korea by 'taking direct actions of their own'

It travelled 2,300 miles in total, according to South Korea's military, far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, which the North has threatened before.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson called on China, Pyongyang's only ally, and Russia to apply pressure on North Korea by 'taking direct actions of their own.'

Beijing has pushed back, urging Washington to do more to rein in North Korea.

'Honestly, I think the United States should be doing .. much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue,' China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, said on Friday.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson called on China, Pyongyang's only ally, and Russia to apply pressure on North Korea by 'taking direct actions of their own.' Pictured: Kim watches the missile launch
Alastair Campbell encouraged hundreds of TV executives to help block Brexit after they all refused to say they were optimistic about leaving the EU.

The former Labour spin doctor was addressing the cream of Britains broadcasting industry at the Royal Television Society conference.

He asked the audience of nearly 280 to raise their hands if they were optimistic about Brexit. But  highlighting concerns of Left-wing bias in an industry that wields enormous power and influence  not a single person did so.

Mr Campbell then urged them to do anything they can to stop Brexit. It has got to be stopped, he said. Anything you can do to help stop it, as citizens, as business directors, well frankly do it.

It is not clear who was in the magnificent dining hall of Kings College, Cambridge, on Thursday night, but the three-day conference is attended by some of the most powerful figures in broadcasting, including BBC Worldwide chief executive Tim Davie, BBC chairman Sir David Clementi, Channel 4 boss David Abraham and 21st Century Fox chief James Murdoch. Mr Campbell  who had been warned by the event organisers not to bang on about Brexit  was apparently delighted with the show of support for the Remain camp.

Alastair Campbell encouraged hundreds of TV executives to help block Brexit after they all refused to say they were optimistic about leaving the EU

He appeared to interpret the response to his request for a show of hands as an indication that the rest of Britain must also be pessimistic about Britains departure from Europe.

He said: Wow. It is very hard not to want to bang on about Brexit when that is the reaction. That we are not, in this country, optimistic about Brexit. Listen, that is unsustainable.

It has got to be stopped. Anything you can do to help stop it, as citizens, as business directors, well frankly do it.

The episode will do little to allay fears that broadcasters  and the BBC in particular  are biased against Brexit. A powerful, cross-party group of 70 MPs wrote to BBC director general Tony Hall last year, complaining that the corporation is heavily slanted in favour of those who wish to water down or even reverse the referendum decision. The letter, signed by Tory MPs Philip Davies and Philip Hollobone, Labours Kate Hoey, Conservative MEP Dan Hannan and former Ukip leader Lord Pearson, cited research by pressure group News-Watch which found that Radio 4s Brexit coverage was unbalanced. At the time, Lord Hall flatly denied any problem. Impartiality has always been the cornerstone of BBC News. It remains so today, he said.

However, earlier this year the Guardian claimed that after the EU referendum Lord Hall went round the London dinner circuit wailing that BBC balance had lost us the election. Mr Campbell also used his speech to make a vicious attack on Prime Minister Theresa Mays appearance, claiming she has a touch of the Erdogans about the eyes. Turkeys autocratic president Recep Erdogan has heavy bags under his eyes.

Burberry boss insists Breit offers 'enormous' opportunities - and declares fashion house 'absolutely committed' to the UK

The boss of Burberry yesterday said Brexit offered enormous opportunities  and declared that the fashion house is absolutely committed to the UK.

In a major vote of confidence in Brexit Britain from a FTSE 100 company, Burberry president Christopher Bailey described London as an energy hub for the creative industries.

Mr Bailey, who is also chief creative officer at the company, added that Britishness resonates globally.

The 46-year-old backed Remain during the referendum campaign but said yesterday: It is a much smaller world today than it has ever been, in terms of being able to trade.

We as a business have always traded globally. The possibilities and the potential for growth both locally here in the UK and overseas is enormous.

The traditional Burberry trench coat is made in Yorkshire. Mr Bailey insisted the firm, whose outfits have been worn by stars such as Kate Beckinsale and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, was committed to keeping manufacturing in the UK  even though plans for a new 50million plant in Leeds have been put on hold. Speaking about the new site, he said: We are just taking a moment just to make sure that we understand the ramifications. There are a lot of moving parts. Im not sure anybody knows the outcome of Brexit.

Burberry boss Christopher Bailey, with Katie Beckinsale and Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley, at a womenswear show in Kensington Gardens

Carla Busazi, an analyst at WGSN, which forecasts trends, said: I think its good that a brand that flies the flag for Britain sees Brexit as a positive thing. Im sure there are a lot of fashion brands who are very concerned about what that might mean for them.

The boss of FTSE 250 pub chain JD Wetherspoon also waded into the debate  launching a scathing attack on the posturing and threats issued by unelected oligarchs from the EU.

Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin, whose company owns 900 pubs, said attempts by Brussels to punish the UK would backfire as British companies ditch European suppliers. Mr Martin said: As a result of their current posturing and threats, EU negotiators are inevitably encouraging importers like Wetherspoon to look elsewhere for supplies.

Pound soars and exports rise as Brexit boosts UK business Sterling soared to its highest level against the dollar since the Brexit vote last night as investors bet the UK economy was strong enough to withstand a rise in interest rates. The pound traded above $1.36 for the first time since June 24 last year  the day after Britain voted to leave the European Union. It also reached a two-month high against the euro of almost 1.14 as the Bank of England fuelled speculation it could raise interest rates to 0.5 per cent as soon as November. This would reverse the rate cut to 0.25 per cent in August last year in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. Sterling has gained around 3 per cent against the dollar this week and 13 per cent since its lows in January  although it is still down 9 per cent since the referendum. The surge came as figures showed exports soared in the year after the Brexit vote as the fall in the pound boosted business. The Office for National Statistics said the volume of goods sold overseas by British manufacturers rose by 9 per cent between July last year and June this year. The report came just days after the ONS also revealed a record high level of employment. Advertisement
Sir Eric Pickles (pictured) has said the Tories need a youth wing to counter Jeremy Corbyn's backing from students

The Tories must set up a youth wing to counter Jeremy Corbyns appeal, an internal review has found.

Sir Eric Pickles will demand the move as part of a report into Junes election disaster.

The former Cabinet minister says Labour made all the running partly because of failures in Tory organisation and a huge surge in support from students attracted by policies on tuition fees.

He wants the group to spearhead campaigns as well as train promising young activists in debating and speech-writing skills.

Sir Erics recommendation is one of more than 60 in his report, which will be published before the partys autumn conference.

It follows a number of failed attempts to establish youth wings.

It would effectively recreate the Young Conservatives, which was set up after the Second World War but became notorious in the 1980s for drunken balls and extreme Right-wing policies. It was shut down in 1998 by William Hague.

A successor organisation, Conservative Future, was closed in 2015 after a bullying scandal.

Last month there was an activist-led attempt to form a Conservative youth wing called Activate.
The pen used to be mightier than the sword  but now the keyboard is king it risks being written out of history.

So thank heavens for the shopping list  one of the few tasks keeping handwriting alive, according to a survey.

In fact, now that emails have taken over, pens are used to compile shopping and to-do lists almost four times more often than to write letters.

But despite the dominance of texts and social media, handwritten notes still have their place in everyday life.

Pens are used to compile shopping and to-do lists almost four times more often than to write letters (stock photo)

Of 2,000 adults polled, 23 per cent said their main reason to write by hand was to make a list.

Second at 21 per cent was writing in a card, while 15 per cent cited filling in forms. Other reasons included signing for parcels and deliveries.

This compared with 6 per cent of people who said composing a letter was the main reason to write.

The poll by greetings card firm Clintons found 80 per cent of people were more likely to trust a handwritten message.

Despite the dominance of texts and social media, handwritten notes still have their place in everyday life (stock photo)

According to Professor Ronald Mann, of Columbia Law School in the US, the physical act of signing a name can increase the authors own level of sincerity.

Clintons spokesman Tim Fairs said: Nobody can deny that thanks to tech- nology, writing and sending message is easier than ever before.

'The only problem is that the most important messages between friends and family can easily lose their impact ... the physical act of writing  and signing your name  still carries a weight that pixels cant easily match.
It's home to the largest arts festival in the world and a beacon for comedians, but it seems laughter is in short supply in Edinburgh.

The Scottish capital has just been named as the most miserable place to live in the UK.

Just 16 per cent of residents describe their lives as happy, favouring the word anxious instead. Liverpool, Southampton and Glasgow could also be found near the bottom of the table for happiness levels.

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The Scottish capital has just been named as the most miserable place to live in the UK

At the other end of the scale, Brighton took the title of Britains happiness centre with more than a third of respondents describing their lives as happy.

The popular seaside resort beat Leicester and Portsmouth to take top spot. Oxford, Norwich and Bristol were also among the top ten happiest cities to live in.

The study  commissioned by healthy snack brand 9Nine Super Seed  asked 3,000 Britons to consider their general life satisfaction and rate how they feel on a scale of one to ten.

Oxford topped the life satisfaction stakes with a score of 6.72 out of ten. Edinburgh again found itself last with a life satisfaction average of 5.89.
Thousands will march on Downing Street today to protest against the decision to re-examine every Army killing in the fight against Irish republican terrorism.

Up to 1,000 ex-soldiers, many in their 60s and 70s, are now potential murder or manslaughter suspects over actions at the height of the IRAs campaign, after the Police Service of Northern Ireland chose to re-open investigations.

The march has been organised by the protest group Justice For Northern Ireland Veterans and is expected to attract 3,000 campaigners.

Thousands will march on Downing Street today to protest against the decision to re-examine every Army killing in the fight against Irish republican terrorism

They have called for a statute of limitations to prevent veterans facing legal action.

This would effectively grant immunity to those who served in Ulster from 1969 to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

A veteran warned last night that the witch-hunt against troops will last years and years unless the Government acts.

Dennis Hutchings, who is facing an attempted murder charge over a shooting more than 40 years ago, said ex-soldiers had been abandoned by ministers.

MPs and military chiefs have previously condemned the 'disgraceful' decision by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to re-examine every single British Army killing during the Troubles.

It is part of the taxpayer-funded Legacy Investigation Branch.
Commons Speaker John Bercow (pictured) has called for the number of peers to be halved to around 400

A fifth of peers face being kicked out of the Lords under a dramatic plan that would force them to retire at 80.

A committee looking at cutting the size of the upper chamber is expected next month to recommend compulsory retirement for older members.

The proposal, which is likely to lead to a huge row, would see some of the countrys best-known politicians removed from Parliament.

In order to win support for the clear-out  which would affect more than 160 of the almost 800 peers  those shown the door are likely to be allowed continued access to Parliaments subsidised bars and restaurants.

A lump sum retirement bonus, equivalent to a years allowances, has also been mooted, along with an idea where a dozen peers aged over 80 are given a reprieve based on a vote of their colleagues.

Tony Blairs purge of nearly all hereditary peers in 1999 saw membership of the Lords cut from 1,330 to 669 mainly life peers. But successive prime ministers have stuffed the red benches with new appointments, making the chamber the worlds second largest  beaten only by the Peoples Republic of China.

Since 2010, 288 new peers have entered the Lords, with David Cameron appointing members at a faster rate than any other prime minister since life peerages began. Currently around 100 of the 798 peers are aged over 80, with that number expected to stand at 166 by 2020.

Octogenarians who could face the axe include former Tory Cabinet ministers Lord Lawson, 85, Lord Baker, 82, and Lord Heseltine, 84, as well as ex-Commons speaker Baroness Boothroyd, 87.

A fifth of peers face being kicked out of the House of Lords (pictured) under a dramatic plan that would force them to retire at 80

The Lord Speakers committee on the size of the House was set up after peers agreed unanimously in December last year that their numbers should be reduced.

Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, has previously expressed his desire for the chamber to be at a number that is just less than the House of Commons.

I dont think that we can justify a situation where you have over 800 peers at the same time as youre bringing down the Commons to 600 MPs, he said last September.

His six-member panel, which is led by former Marks & Spencer chairman Lord Burns, has been given the task of exploring methods by which the size of the House can be reduced that would command broad consensus from peers. Under a proposal being examined, peers would be forced to retire at the end of the Parliament in which they turned 80.

As well as considering ways to make a compulsory retirement plan palatable for their colleagues, the committee has been looking at how it would affect the balance of the House. The Lords already has a problem with having an in-built anti-Brexit majority, as well as a disproportionately large number of Liberal Democrat members compared with the Commons.

A source told the Daily Mail that the plan to force peers to retire after they turn 80 was more than likely to be included in the final proposals that will be published in a few weeks. Peers have been able to retire since 2014 when the House of Lords Reform Act was passed into law. However, just 68 members have stood down since then.

Baroness Trumpington, who is the oldest female member, has told parliamentary authorities she will retire next month, close to her 95th birthday. The oldest and longest-serving member is former foreign secretary Lord Carrington, 98, who took his seat in 1945 after serving in the Second World War.

Commons Speaker John Bercow has called for the number of peers to be halved to around 400.

He said: One can argue the toss about the size of the House of Commons, but as far as the House of Lords is concerned, its frankly patently absurd that the House of Lords is significantly larger than the House of Commons.

I dont say that in a spirit of machismo or personal or institutional pride... but we are the elected chamber. Mr Bercow said there was a very good argument for a second chamber that gives MPs pause for thought, but it could most definitely be halved in size  and I think most fair minded people would say, it should be.

Earlier this year it emerged a Lords probe into peers who claim thousands of pounds in perks but do not do any work was dropped amid fears of a backlash.

Baroness DSouza, a former Lord Speaker, spent months investigating peers who claim a 300 daily allowance without making any contribution in the Upper House, but scrapped the research to avoid naming and shaming offenders.
She keeps covered up in chic, prim, business-like outfits for her dealings with the UN.

But this week Angelina Jolie displayed rather more flesh  and a sprawling tattoo collection  at the New York premiere of her new film, First They Killed My Father.

The 42-year-olds backless gown showed off some of her inkings  thought to number about 20  while accompanying her six children.

Her designs include a Tennessee Williams quote, a Buddhist prayer and geographical coordinates of where her children were born.

The meaning behind Angelina Jolie's cryptic tattoos have been revealed

The three largest tattoos on her back were added just last year  ancient Buddhist mantras down her right shoulder blade, a temple in the centre of her back, and, below it, a grid design known as a Yantra, believed to bring good luck.

A tattoo on her left shoulder blade is a script dedicated to her son Maddox, whom she adopted in Cambodia, and was done in 2003 in a Thai hotel.

Just months before actor-turned director Miss Jolie split from her husband of 12 years, Brad Pitt, last year, the couple had a former Thai monk flown to Cambodia where she was filming.

Former Thai monk Ajarn Noo Kanpai was flown into Cambodia to ink Jolie's back

He drew designs on both stars using the same ink to symbolically  and ironically  bind them as husband and wife.

Miss Jolie also has gothic lettering on her neck reading Know Your Rights, the title of a song by The Clash, one of her favourite bands.

The Oscar-winning actresss whirlwind marriage to actor Billy Bob Thornton in 2000 after a two-month courtship prompted her to have his name and a dragon tattooed on her shoulder. By 2002, the ink had been erased by laser.

Miss Jolie said at the time: Ive moved on  thats why its going. It was replaced with the coordinates of her childrens and Pitts birthplaces.
Ivanka, Jared and their three children landed in Morristown en route to Bedminster on Friday to spend the weekend with the president.

Jared was seen carrying 18-month-old Theodore while Arabella, five, and Joseph, three, led the way off Air Force One.

The First Lady Melania Trump is staying in Washington DC this weekend according to the White Housepool report.

Earlier Friday, Ivanka brought her three-year-old son to listen to his grandfather speak on a military base.

Ivanka wore the same outfit exiting Air Force One that she wore to hear President Trump talk at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The first daughter paired the white, midi length number with a sleeveless top marrying blue and mauve tones.

Arabella was wearing a patterned blouse with a plaid skirt in the similar grey-toned color palette. She was holing hands with little brother Joseph who was holding a toy airplane. He matched baby Theo in a white button down shirt.

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Ivanka, Jared and their three children were seen leaving the plane at Morristown municipal airport in New Jersey

The first family is headed to Bedminster on Friday to spend a weekend with the president

Arabella and Joseph led the way and Ivanka, Jared and Theodore followed behind

Trump salutes as he arrives at Morristown municipal airport, New Jersey for a weekend at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster

Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy to Trump Dina Powell (right) and White House Communications Director Hope Hicks were also aboard Air Force One

The president saluted as he exited the plane. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy Dina Powell and Communications Director Hope Hicks were also aboard Air Force One.

The president and first lady were seen together earlier departing the White House Friday head to the base. Melania wore her signature stilettos and the president wore a navy suit.

Ivanka, 35, held her child's hand as she and her husband Jared Kushner, 36, walked in to hear the speech.

They later sat down together along with the first lady, Melania Trump, with Ivanka pulling little Joseph onto her lap to listen to his grandfather.

Ivanka, Jared, and Joseph entered the hangar first to much fanfare from the military band, as they were escorted in by a member of the military.

The trio was followed soon after by Melania and Donald, who made their way straight onto the stage in order to address the waiting crowds.

President Trump and the first lady were seen en route to his speech at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland

Outing: Ivanka Trump brought her three-year-old son Joseph to listen to his grandfather speak on Friday on a military base

Listening: The 35-year-old mother of three pulled her child onto her lap to listen to President Trump talk at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland

Joyful: Both Ivanka and her husband flashed happy smiles as they arrived to the event

Respect: The trio stood up as Ivanka's father and the First Lady walked out onto the stage

Melania expressed her gratitude on behalf of the American people to those serving in the air force, praising the 'trust' that the country has in its military.

'We know you will never quit, you will never yield, and you will never fail,' she said, before offering thanks on behalf of herself and her husband personally both to those currently serving, and to their families.

'Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed or unappreciated,' she promised.

A big day! Joseph looked slightly overwhelmed by his surroundings as he made his way out into the hangar with his parents, clutching his mother's hand

Together: The trio was followed soon after by Melania and Donald, who made their way straight onto the stage in order to address the waiting crowds

Speech: Melania expressed her gratitude on behalf of the American people to those serving in the air force, praising the 'trust' that the country has in its military

Earlier today, Ivanka seemed in a cheery disposition as she stepped out of her house in Washington, D.C. this morning, greeting the day with a bright smile.

The first daughter was pictured leaving the home she shares with her husband Jared Kushner, 36, and their three children in the upscale Kalorama neighborhood.

As she headed towards her Secret Service SUV, the mother smiled for the cameras, letting her sheer pleated skirt breeze around her.

As often, she trusted her own brand for her shoes, and donned the same black pumps she had picked for her previous day's outfit.

Peppy: Earlier today, Ivanka seemed in a cheery disposition as she stepped out of her house in Washington, D.C. in the morning, greeting the day with a bright smile

Daring: The mother-of-three's sheer skirt design appeared to have some built in shorts to protect her modesty

Greeting the morning: As she headed towards her Secret Service SUV, the mother smiled for the cameras, letting her sheer pleated skirt breeze around her

Her husband Jared was also pictured leaving the house on Friday morning in a suit and tie as the pair, who both have positions as senior advisers at the White House, headed to work.

Just the previous night, Ivanka's father and the first lady hosted a black-tie dinner for the White House Historical Associationbut the first daughter and her husband were nowhere to be seen during the glamorous event.

The mother of three's relaxed and carefree attitude on Friday morning contrasted with the low profile she previously maintained over the past few mornings, during which she avoided photographers by leaving her house in a blacked-out SUV.

On Thursday, though, the first daughter returned to her usual cheery disposition, smiling for the cameras as she stepped out of her family home.

Sartorial picks: Ivanka paired the white, midi length number with a sleeveless top marrying blue and mauve tones

Change: The mother of three's relaxed and carefree attitude contrasted with the low profile she previously maintained over the past few mornings

Duo: Her husband Jared was also pictured leaving the house on Friday morning in a suit and tie as the pair, who both have positions as senior advisers at the White House, headed to work

Happy: Ivanka looked as though she was on top of the world on Thursday morning, as she stepped out of her Washington, D.C. home with a wide smile on her face

She was pictured leaving her house shortly after 8am, wearing a pretty pink dress with a floral pattern, along with her trusty own-brand high heels.

The previous night, Ivanka and her husband had dinner with Ted Cruz and his wife Heidi at Italian seafood restaurant Fiola Mare.

Ivanka's outing on Thursday came after she revealed in an interview that she will not ever publicly criticize her father, because she considers herself 'part of the team'.

'To voice dissent publicly would mean I'm not part of the team,' the first daughter and top White House aide told the Financial Times. 'When you're part of a team, you're part of a team.'

She added that she believes people had 'unrealistic expectations' regarding her influence over her father and his decision making, insisting that 'my presence in and of itself' would not ever cause President Trump to 'abandon his core values'.

'To those critics, shy of turning my father into a liberal, Id be a failure to them,' Ivanka added.

Sartorial: The mother-of-three was pictured leaving her home shortly after 8am on Thursday, wearing a pretty pink dress with a floral pattern

As President Trump entered office in January, Ivanka, along with her husband Jared, also a White House aide, and Gary Cohn, the director of the National Economic Council, were considered moderating factors who could bring the president to a more central stance on issues, instead of to the far right.

However, some decisions that Trump made tested Ivanka's clout, including his decision in June to pull out of the Paris climate accord.

'Anything we thought a few months back about how she was going to be a moderating influence on Trump has not come to fruition,' Douglas Brinkley, the presidential historian, told the Financial Times as part of its profile on Ivanka.

'If she's having a major policy influence, it's really being done in a subterranean fashion, because there are no clear signs of it.'

The interview with the Financial Times indicates Ivanka hasn't been socially punished by the liberal New Yorkers she grew up alongside.

She and Jared 'haven't felt much of a chill in the liberal New York Circle they ran in before the campaign', the newspaper wrote.

Among Ivanka's New York City friends is former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.

Commemorating: Earlier this week, Ivanka and Jared attended a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House marking the September 11 attacks

Laying low: The first daughter shied away from the cameras for the past few mornings. She is pictured on Tuesday leaving her house in a Secret Service SUV

Still, the couple Jared know that friends who might trash them anonymously in the paper won't do it to their faces, according to the Financial Times.

A source cited in the piece also said that they recalled only one instance which an acquaintance approached Ivanka with 'a less than positive response' to her involvement in her father's political life.

Ivanka and Jared, who both have offices in the White House, do discuss their work life at home, although the first daughter acknowledged in her latest interview it might be best to separate their professional and personal lives as much as possible.

'We talk about it,' Ivanka said. 'I think its probably healthier to compartmentalize more. But I dont think this job lends itself to that. I think the weight of the decisions that are made in this building are such that you cant leave it at the door in the same way that you could in the business world.'

Although she sought to minimize her influence on her father, she has accompanied him on many official visits, helping him win over crowds and carry his message.

Last week, her father told his audience at a rally in Mandan, North Dakota, that his daughter had asked to tag along for the trip with the words: 'Daddy, can I go with you?'

Some Republican leaders were 'visibly annoyed' by Ivanka's presence that day, a source told CNN. But the first daughter appears determined to shut down critics.

'Whether my contribution ultimately lives up to the expectations of some of the harshest critics? Only time will tell,' Ivanka told the Financial Times. 'But I will not be distracted by the noise.'
She said there had been a societal shift, especially among doctors

Top medic said they should be treated the same as other medical procedures

Women should be able to terminate pregnancies with the approval of a single doctor, says one of the countrys top medical leaders.

Professor Lesley Regan, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said abortions should be treated no differently from other medical procedures  including something as simple as removing a bunion.

She called for abortions to be decriminalised and made much more freely available.

The current law  the 1967 Abortion Act  states abortions are illegal without consent from two doctors. Professor Regan represents almost 6,000 senior doctors specialising in childbirth and womens health.

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Professor Lesley Regan (pictured) said abortions should be treated no differently from other medical procedures  including something as simple as removing a bunion

Next Friday they will hold a ballot to decide whether the College should formally back total decriminalisation, which would put pressure on the Government to overhaul the law.

Professor Regan, who has practised as an obstetrician and gynaecologist for 33 years, said there had been a societal shift, particularly among medical professionals.

She added: At the moment its illegal, its a crime, and its the only medical procedure which requires two doctors signatures.

Theoretically a woman who procures an abortion by purchasing drugs online could be subject to a criminal prosecution and could face life imprisonment. It would be perfectly reasonable to have one doctor to sign consent like anything else. If you go and get your bunions sorted  you would go to a consultation  then you take a decision and the doctor who was competent to undertake the procedure would sign the form too, and that would go forward.

But pro-life charities fear decriminalisation would lead to abortion on demand, with scant regulation.

Currently, two doctors must agree termination is necessary to prevent grave, permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the woman or child. Abortions can take place only before 24 weeks, unless there is a substantial risk to life or severe abnormalities.

Professor Regan, who has practised as an obstetrician and gynaecologist for 33 years, said there had been a societal shift, particularly among medical professionals (file photo)

Professor Regan said this time limit should remain in place and stressed there would be no relaxation to the way abortion was regulated, with clinics facing routine spot checks from the watchdog.

But she added: We have moved, theres been a big shift [in opinion]. Who would have thought five years ago that the RCM [Royal College of Midwives] and BMA [British Medical Association] would vote to support this.

The professor said of next weeks vote: I think most of my colleagues who are responsible obstetricians and gynaecologists will probably want to take a view that, as the professionals who undertake the majority of procedures, we need to be at the table.

She said abortion was more dangerous in countries where it is very restricted, including Ireland.

This is because women are more inclined to have backstreet abortions or to buy pills online to end the pregnancy.

Professor Regan, who has twin daughters and four step-children, said abortions were either safe in a country with unrestricted access or they become unsafe and result in death. If you dont support safe abortion then by definition you are supporting and condoning unsafe abortion and serious injuries and death.

Clara Campbell, of charity Life, said: In the last two years we have seen scandalous health and safety failures at abortion clinics.

Imagine what will happen when there are no laws  just a system of toothless regulations.

Last December a Care Quality Commission report exposed safety failings at abortion clinics run by Marie Stopes International, the countrys second largest provider.

A Daily Mail investigation revealed the providers doctors were signing off abortions following phone calls with women they had never met.
Police are appealing for help to find a young Ipswich girl who vanished more than a week ago.

The 12-year-old girl was last seen in Booval, on Yates Street, about 40 minutes west of Brisbane, on Thursday at 4pm, September 7.

Queensland Police said the family held concerns for her safety and well-being because of her age.

Police appealing for help to find young Ipswich girl, 12, (pictured) who vanished nine days ago

The young girl is described as being Aboriginal in appearance, 163 centimeters tall with a proportionate build, black hair and brown eyes.

Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact Policelink on 131 444.
Gold Coast's Glitter Strip has reportedly become home to new street gang, 269a collective of ex-bikies and middle-eastern organised crime associates.

The young clan, believed to be about eight months old, is allegedly made up of high-profile former bikies and associates of Muslim youth feeder gangs, including Ummah United, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

Sources revealed the gang first emerged when a group of 'brothers' 'proved themselves' while in jail.

'They recruit like any other gang,' a bikie source told the publication.

Gold Coast's Glitter Strip has reportedly become home to new street gang, 269a collective of ex-bikies and middle-eastern organised crime associates (STOCK IMAGE)

'They want people who have made a name for themselves in jail. You prove yourself inside by showing youre a good guy, that youll back someone or that you can fight.'

The formation comes amid speculation many men have begun converting to Islam in order to make links with high-profile hoodlums in such gangs.

Apparently the group doesn't physically 'run' together on the street, rather they have an understanding that if 'backup' is required, 'theyre there'.

'There is no president, no secretary or that kind of thing. Theyre all in it together.'

Senior police had been monitoring the gang and believed they were 'capable of serious criminal activity'.

They also seized jewellery in a series of property raids that was believed to have been 269's.

A separate source allegedly said the growth of gangs in the area was 'rapid' and 'sidewinder' groups like 269 were continuing to grow in strength.

Multiple brawls within Brisbane jail walls were also speculated to have been linked with the new clan.


A koala has miraculously survived a deathly 16 kilometre journey while she was stuck in the wheel of a car.

The koala was firmly wedged inside the wheel arch of an Adelaide driver's car, leaving rescuers stunned.

Jane Brister from Fauna Rescue SA told Daily Mail Australia she was expecting the worst when she received the call.

A koala has miraculously survived a deathly 16 kilometre journey while she was stuck in the wheel of a car (pictured)

The koala was firmly wedged inside the wheel arch of an Adelaide driver's car (pictured)

Jane Brister from Fauna Rescue SA said she could smell burning fur when she arrived at scene

'I've done hundreds of rescues but nothing like that,' Ms Brister said.

'Upon arrival I was aware of the smell of burnt fur which added to the trauma of the situation.'

The koala, named Kelly after one of the rescuers, is believed to have been stuck under the wheel for up to an hour.

'She was wedged in very, very tight so I got underneath car with a head torch and all I could see was a furry lump amoungst the axle,' Ms Brister told Daily Mail Australia.

'I could see a face and one arm.

'I had no way of knowing whether she still had her other limbs.'

'I had no way of knowing whether [Kelly the koala] still had her other limbs,' Ms Brister said

After the rescue, Kelly (pictured) was rushed to the nearby vet where it was discovered she once had a joey, but it wasn't found

Kelly was released back into the wild on Friday after suffering minor injuries from the ordeal

Ms Brister said the six-year-old koala was crying from distress, almost as if she was 'telling me about it'.

After the rescue, Kelly was rushed to the nearby vet where it was discovered she once had a joey.

'She had a lot of knocks on her upper back which is a sign a joey was clinging to her back,' Ms Brister said.

The koala rescuer then went back out the scene in the early hours of the morning searching for the joey, but was unlucky.

'There was blood on the inside of the wheel and she wasn't bleeding ... I didn't find anything,' Ms Brister said.

Despite the death defying experience, Kelly escaped with very minor injuries and was released back into the wild Friday afternoon.

Ms Brister has rescued more than 200 koalas and said 80% of the rescues are fatal, making Kelly's survival even more remarkable.
Overturned lounges, a front door snapped in half and blood all over the floor - inside the apartment where a knifeman begged police to kill him during 10-hour siege.

A quiet apartment building on the Gold Coast was turned into a delicate scene for police negotiation on Friday night as a resident began throwing things off the balcony, as he begged with police to shoot him.

The man, who neighbours say, had lived in the apartment for eight months without even raising his voice trashed the place he called home.

A quiet apartment building on the Gold Coast was turned into a delicate scene for police negotiation on Friday night - inside after pictured

The man through objects at police and trashed the apartment, neighbours claim

Police negotiated with the man for more than 10 hours, police said

The 32-year-old man was screaming, throwing things at police and 'begging to be shot in the head' neighbours claim.

'Some people living here are still pretty shaken up,' one told Daily Mail Australia.

Pictures show the shocking mess the man left behind, when police finally took him into custody at 5am.

Shocking photos from inside the property, and the communal hallway reveal the scale of the damage.

There is what appears to be blood smeared on the tiles and a meat clever resting on the floor near the elevators.

The neighbours believe the man was renting the property from an Australian living in Singapore.

The mess left behind can be seen in this series of photographs

Neighbours claim to be left shaken after the incident in the usually quiet complex

The common area between the elevators was also 'attacked during the siege

A meat clever and cooking knife were in the hallway after the siege had ended

'The building is always quiet, you are more likely to hear the people fighting in the park or schoolies in the street than anyone from here.

'I have been here 12 years and never seen any disturbances,' the neighbour said.

Police arrived at the apartment block just after 6pm, and were there until 5am the next day.

Many of the apartment's furnishings ended up in the hallway during the siege

A picture of what appears to be the bathroom
A 15-year-old Wisconsin girl who admitted to participating in the stabbing of a classmate to please horror character Slender Man will avoid prison after a jury determined Friday that she was mentally ill at the time of the attack.

Before jury deliberations Friday, Anissa Weier's attorney told the court his client was lonely, depressed and 'descended into madness,' as he pleaded with a jury to send the girl to a mental hospital rather than prison.

Weier and Morgan Geyser lured classmate Payton Leutner into the woods at a park in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb, in 2014.

Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on, according to investigators.

The decision means Weier will be sent to a mental hospital rather than prison. A plea agreement calls for her to spend at least three years at a hospital.

Anissa Weier passes a note to defense attorney Joseph Smith Jr. during closing arguments in her case Friday before the jury concluded she was mentally ill at the time of the attack

Weier was accused of being involved in the stabbing of another girl related to the 'Slender Man' online story, pictured chained, being led into the courtroom in December of 2016

A passing bicyclist found Leutner, who barely survived her wounds. All three girls were 12 at the time.

Both Weier and Geyser told detectives they felt they had to kill Leutner to become Slender Man's 'proxies,' or servants, and protect their families from the demon's wrath.

The trial was to assess her mental competency and to determine whether she should be sentenced to a prison sentence or a psychiatric facility.

If she is convicted as a criminal she would have spent 10 years or more in behind bars.

On Wednesday Melissa Westendorf who was appointed by a judge to evaluate Weier after her insanity plea, testified for the teen.

Westendorf testified that she believed Weier suffered from a shared delusional disorder that left her unable to conform her conduct to the law when she and Geyser tried to kill their friend Leutner in 2014.

Weier and Geyser are seen above in their mugshots in April 2014. They were both 12 at the time

The Slender Man is a fictional character that originated in an online art contest in 2009

Westendorf acknowledged under cross-examination that the condition is rare among two children who are friends. She said most cases involve spouses, a parent and child, or siblings.

Weier's attorney, Joseph Smith Jr., asked why Weier, a good student, did not recognize that the belief in Slender Man and his powers to kill them or their families was a delusion.

'First of all, she was 12,' Westendorf said, adding that Weier was influenced by a website focused on imaginary killers and boogeymen. 'If adults have trouble distinguishing fake news, 12-year-olds will, because their brains can't yet discern or analyze as well.'

Weier, now 15, pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide in a deal with prosecutors in August. But she claims she was mentally ill during the attack and not responsible for her actions.

A jury heard three days of testimony from psychologists and detectives.

The jury began deliberations Friday morning. Weier's attorney, Maura McMahon, said during closing arguments that Weier was lonely and depressed after her parents divorced and that she latched onto Geyser.

The girls attacked 12-year-old Payton Leutner (above before the stabbing) after a sleepover in 2014 to prove the fictional boogyman they believed in was real

Payton survived by crawling into the path of a passing cyclist who called for help. She is pictured (right) this year

Morgan Geyser (above in November last year) also admits her role in the stabbing but has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder by way of insanity. Her mental competency trial will begin in October

Together they became obsessed with Slender Man, developing a condition called shared delusional disorder, McMahon said.

Weier believed Slender Man could read her mind as well as teleport and would kill her or her family if she talked about him, she said.

'This sounds crazy, because it is,' McMahon said. 'This was a real being to this child and she needed to protect those around her.

At 12-years-old, she had no way to protect herself from (Slender Man) except for Morgan's advice and they swirled down into madness together.'

Waukesha County Deputy District Attorney Ted Szczupakiewicz countered during his closings that the stabbing was calculated.

Melissa Westendorf, a forensic psychologist, told jurors Anissa Weier could not conform her conduct to the requirements of the law, speaking Wednesday

Anissa's attorney said she was not in control of her mind when she carried out the attack

He said the girls had planned the attack for at least four months. He asked jurors to consider why if the girls were so afraid of Slender Man they waited so long to attack Leutner.

He also pointed out that Weier told a detective she wasn't frightened of Slender Man until after the attack, when Geyser told her she had made a deal with the monster that he would spare their families if they killed Leutner.

'It comes down to did she have to or did she want to?' Szczupakiewicz said. 'It wasn't kill or be killed. It was a choice and she needs to be held criminally responsible.'

Weier, bespectacled and dressed in a long gray-and-white cardigan, visibly trembled in her seat during the closings.

Wisconsin law requires only 10 of 12 jurors to render a verdict on whether a criminal defendant wasn't responsible for her actions due to a mental condition.

The jury spent all day Friday deliberating and concluded late Friday night.

After the stabbing in 2014, the pair both told police about Slender Man and described their fear that they would have been punished by him had they not attacked Payton.

They signed confessions to that effect which their parents and attorneys are now begging to be thrown out on the basis that neither understood properly what they were confessing to at the time.

The trial will determine whether Anissa, 15, goes to prison or to a psychiatric facility

On Monday, prosecutors rejected the argument and told jurors both girls were aware of what they were doing when they turned on Payton in the forest.

'They knew this was wrong. They understood what they were doing was wrong,' attorney Kevin Osborne said.

Anissa's parents previously appeared on Good Morning America to speak of their shock after learning what she had done.

They said they were unaware of her obsession with the sinister fictional character beforehand and revealed that their daughter was 'absolutely' remorseful over the attack.

'They thoroughly believed that Slender Man was real and they wanted to prove that he was real,' Kristi, her mother, said.

The three girls had spent the night at Geyser's home the night before the attack. Geyser and Weier plotted it overnight and Geyser carried the knife in her waistband as they marched in to the forest.

During police questioning, Weier said of the moment she saw the weapon: 'Dear God, this is really happening.'

Their plan had been for Weier to carry out the attack but she froze and instead told her friend to do it instead.

After stabbing her 19 times, the pair ran away, leaving Payton for dead.

She was able to crawl far enough towards the path of a cyclist and flagged them down.

The girl was then taken to hospital where doctors said she was a 'millimeter from death'. She returned to school in the fall of 2014.

Geyser has pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide by reason of mental disease or defect. Her trial is set to begin Oct. 9.

WHO IS SLENDER MAN? THE ONLINE MYTH 'THE GIRLS BELIEVED'
A man is fighting for life after being gored by a charging bull at a property in New South Wales.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to a property south of Narrabri after the 54-year-old man was gored by the bull on Saturday morning.

The bull's horn pierced the man in the chest, puncturing his lung and causing other chest injuries, a Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman told AAP.

He's been airlifted to Tamworth Hospital and is in a serious condition.
Management at a South Florida nursing home where eight people died after Hurricane Irma knocked out its power tried to get a hold of Governor Rick Scott for 36 hours before patients began to succumb to the sweltering heat, it was reported on Friday.

The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills made headlines nationwide after eight of its patients died days after Irma devastated Florida, depriving the facility of air conditioning as temperatures outside hovered around 90 degrees.

The eight people are believed to have died from heat-related causes.

Now it is being claimed that the executives running the nursing home tried to get a hold of the governor by dialing a hotline that he created especially for emergencies affecting healthcare centers in the hurricane-ravaged state, according to CBS4 TV.

Management at a South Florida nursing home where eight people died after Hurricane Irma knocked out its power tried to get a hold of Governor Rick Scott (above) for 36 hours before patients began to succumb to the sweltering heat

The Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood (pictured) - the Florida nursing home where eight people after it was left without air conditioning for days following Hurricane Irma - was previously cited by the state for having generator and maintenance issues

Janice Connelly of Hollywood, sets up a makeshift memorial in memory of the senior citizens who died in the heat at The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills

The hurricane made landfall in South Florida on Sunday. At around 3pm that day, the facility lost the electrical source that is responsible for powering its air conditioning system.

Less than an hour later, administrators at the facility notified Florida Power and Light, CBS4 reported.

In response to the emergency request, FPL said that it would dispatch crews the next morning to fix the problem.

The crews never arrived.

More than 100 people had to be evacuated, many via stretcher (pictured) from the Rehabilitation Center, in Hollywood Hills, on Wednesday morning

The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills as patients are were evacuated after a loss of air conditioning due to Hurricane Irma on Wednesday

Authorities are still investigating the causes of death, which could be heat exhaustion in the elderly patients or carbon monoxide poisoning from generators (pictured: a patient is rolled out of the nursing home on a stretcher and taken to Memorial Regional Hospital)

The nursing home was being powered by back up generators while they waited for the local utility company to restore the main power after the hurricane, but staff revealed the generators were not being used to power the AC (people were evacuated from the Rehabilitation Center, in Hollywood, on Wednesday morning)

On Monday evening, a nursing home official dialled the emergency hotline provided by Scott. It went straight to voicemail.

The official, Natasha Anderson, left a voicemail saying that the nursing facility needed immediate assistance from the power company to restore power to the air conditioning system.

Scotts office said that a state official in the Department of Health returned Andersons call.

The official told the nursing home that they should dial 911 for help if they were in distress.

The nursing home also reached out to the emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which said that the FPL repair order would be escalated.

But by Tuesday, there was still no change. Nursing home officials repeatedly called the FPL, which promised help but nothing came of those promises.

As the situation grew worse, Anderson placed two additional calls to the cell phone hotline number announced by the governor.

Scenes outside the South Florida nursing home where eight people have died after the building lost power during Hurricane Irma

Fire crews and police were called out to the Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood Hills, Hollywood, Florida this morning (pictured is a fire truck outside the center)

Scenes outside a South Florida nursing home where eight people have died after the building's power and AC went down during Hurricane Irma

Later that afternoon, a state official at the Agency for Healthcare Administration called the nursing home and asked for an update on the situation.

The nursing home administrators replied that they needed urgent help from the power company.

In the three days that elapsed between the hurricanes arrival and the fatalities, officials at the nursing home made up to 50 phone calls to the power company.

By 1am on Wednesday, patients at the nursing home began to show signs that the lack of air conditioning was having an adverse impact on their health.

At 5am, patients began to die. An hour later, all of the patients left were evacuated.

When asked for comment, Scotts office said: Every call made to the governor from facility management was referred to the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health and quickly returned.

The governors office denied that the nursing home communicated to it that patients were at risk.

The Florida Department of Health also released a statement, saying: The tragic and senseless loss at Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center is the subject of a criminal homicide investigation by law enforcement.

Lets be clear  this facility is located across the street from one of Floridas largest hospitals, which never lost power and had fully operating facilities.

It is 100 percent the responsibility of healthcare professionals to preserve life by acting in the best interest of the health and well-being of their patients.

Flora Mitchell (pictured) arrived at the home trying to find out what happened to her 58-year-old sister, Vonda Wilson, a stroke patient who lived there for about 10 years. She said she last heard from her sister two days ago and found out the air conditioning was not working

Photos of inside the nursing home show a fairly basic set up with shared bedrooms which could have become unbearably hot at the temperatures increased without AC

FPL also released a statement, saying: What we know now is that a portion of the facility did, in fact, have power, that there was a hospital with power across the parking lot from this facility and that the nursing home was required to have a permanently installed, operational generator.

In March, we met with Broward county officials to identify top critical facilities that require priority power restoration.

While this nursing home was given a level of priority, in working with county officials, other critical facilities, such as hospitals and 911 centers, were identified as higher priorities.

As we emphasized before, during and after Hurricane Irma, we urge our customers who have electricity dependent medical needs, and who dont have power to call 911, if it is a life-threatening situation.

The state government ordered the nursing home suspended from the state Medicaid program on Thursday.

More than 140 residents of the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills were evacuated on Wednesday after fire and rescue crews and medical staff from a nearby hospital found many of the facilitys residents suffering from dehydration, heat stress and breathing difficulties.

City officials in Hollywood, Florida, said the nursing home had continued to operate with little or no air conditioning after power to the building was disrupted by Hurricane Irma, which struck Florida on Sunday.

Officials have said the interior of the building was extremely hot, and that staff were scrambling in vain to lower temperatures with fans and portable cooling units.

Police have since sealed off the building and with the assistance of state and federal regulators opened a criminal investigation into the loss of life.

The state Agency for Health Care Administration on Wednesday ordered the Rehabilitation Center officially closed to new admissions.

The new order suspending the facility from participation in Medicaid - a federal-state medical program for the poor, aged and disabled - is effective immediately.

The nursing home fatalities brought Floridas death toll from Irma and its aftermath to 31. Seven more have died in Georgia and South Carolina, combined, and 43 were killed in the Caribbean.
The Thelma and Louise-style fugitives who escaped from prison on Sunday may have picked up a getaway car.

Tegan Simpson, 24, and Abigail Graf, 21, have been missing since absconding from a 700 hectare open prison in Numinbah Valley, 100km south of Brisbane.

The pair remain on the run almost a week later and allegedly acquired a vehicle soon after the break-out.

Tegan Simpson (pictured), 24, and Abigail Graf, 21, have been missing since absconding from a 700 hectare open prison in Numinbah Valley, 100km south of Brisbane

The pair (pictured is Abigail Graf) remain on the run almost a week later and allegedly acquired a car soon after the break-out

Queensland Police have not made the make and model of the suspected getaway car public, but are searching the Logan and Gold Coast areas (pictured is a photo from Simpson's social media)

Queensland Police have not made the make and model of the car public, but are searching the Logan and Gold Coast areas, The Courier Mail reported.

Police say members of the public have been sending in reports of sightings of the escapees, but none have been confirmed in recent days.

Authorities were alerted when the pair weren't marked as present during a routine headcount at 11pm on Sunday September 12.

The recently-dumped boyfriend of Simpson said on Tuesday he believed the pair were en route to the NSW border.

Authorities were alerted when the pair weren't marked as present during a routine headcount at 11pm on Sunday.

Police say members of the public have been sending in reports of sightings of the escapees, but none have been confirmed in recent days (pictured is Abigail Graf)

Joseph Milanov told News Corp he and Simpson had 'loved each other from day dot', but she had dumped him on the phone last week.

He believed she and accomplice Graf, 21, were headed for Mullumbimby - a small town just north of Byron Bay - and not even a 90 minute drive from the Numinbah Correctional Centre.

It is not yet known if the women knew each other prior to entering the open prison but they are not 'friends' on social media (pictured is Abigail Graf)

Simpson (pictured), 24, escaped from Numinbah Correctional Centre. Her ex-boyfriend believed she was headed for Mullumbimby

Tegan Simpson from Goulburn posted several selfies (pictured) on Facebook up until mid-June

'I just want her to hand herself in, but obviously she's not really for that,' Mr Milanov said.

'[An associate] told me they were headed for Mullumbimby  I think it's in NSW. I don't even know what's there or why anyone would go there.'

Mr Milanov said the pair had been dating for some time, which included jail sentences for both of them.

'I went to jail and we were still together, but I found out she was playing up,' he said.

Simpson escaped alongside Abigail Graf (pictured), 21, who is on remand for assaulting police

They were both being held at the 700 hectare open prison in Numinbah Valley, 100km south of Brisbane (pictured is Tegan Simpson)

The pair had reconciled when Mr Milanov was released, but he said she called him from prison last week to break up with him.

She told him: 'I'm done. Bye,' before hanging up on him.

As news of their escape reached media outlets, friends appeared surprised by Simpson's actions.

'Wow, didn't think she had it in her,' one man wrote on her Facebook.

As news of their escape reached media outlets, friends appeared surprised by Simpson's actions (pictured)

Simpson (pictured) has multiple tattoos, including the word 'strength' on her face, and a skull and rose on her leg

Graf is on remand for assaulting police and Simpson was in custody for receiving stolen goods.

It is not yet known if the women knew each other prior to entering the open prison but they are not 'friends' on social media.

Graf is described as being 168cm tall and weighing about 61kg, with hazel coloured eyes and bleached blonde hair.

The 21-year-old has several obvious tattoos including one of an eye and teeth on her left arm, the 'A' anarchy sign on her left-hand ring finger, the word 'death' on her upper left leg, a graffiti tag on her left ankle and one of the word 'life' on her upper right leg.

Abagail Graf, 21, and Tegan Simpson, 24, (pictured) were reported missing at 11pm on Sunday

Simpson is similarly covered in ink with a tattoo of the word 'strength' over her left eyebrow, a rose behind her left ear, a full sleeve tattoo on her left arm, angel wings on her right inner wrist, a bow on her right hand, a phoenix bird on her lower left leg, a crown on her right foot as well as a skull, rose, lantern, eye and ladies face on her right leg.

She is about 163cm tall with dark brown hair and green eyes.

According to Facebook the 24-year-old is single and originally from Goulburn, New South Wales.

According to Facebook 24-year-old Simpson (picutred) is single and originally from Goulburn, New South Wales

Queensland police told Daily Mail Australia that the women are considered 'low risk' to the public.

Queensland Corrective Services confirmed these details.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Queensland police told Daily Mail Australia that the women (pictured) are considered 'low risk' to the public
A Sunshine Coast mother has revealed how a birthday present played a crucial role in diagnosing her daughter with cancer.

Natasha Macgregor's little girl Havana had been suffering from mysterious leg pain and after receiving a bike for her fifth birthday she began to limp.

After her symptoms worsened, the worried mum took the young girl to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where an MRI scan revealed Havana had a tumour at the base of her spine.

Sunshine coast mum Natasha Macgregor, 27, found her little girl Havana, 5, (pictured) had a rare form of cancer after giving her bike for her fifth birthday

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Macgregor, 27, said Havana underwent a series of tests in August, before finally being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as Ewing Sarcoma.

'I was thinking it was just a pinched nerve the whole time as there had been no signs of a tumour,' she said.

'But I knew it by the look on the doctor's face when they asked to speak with me after the MRI, I was gobsmacked and just thrown for a six.'

Having to inform her three other sisters who she has been caring for since their mother's death, Ms Macgregor said it had been a long and hard battle.

But they had found a number of positives along the way, including the fact the tumour had not spread.

'We got to it early and if it hadn't pressed on the nerve and caused her pain behind her knee then we might not have found it until it was too late,' Ms Macgregor said.

The young girl had begun to limp and after her symptoms worsened, the worried mum (pictured with Havana) took the her to hospital, where an MRI scan revealed Havana had a tumour at the base of her spine

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Macgregor, 27, (pictured) said Havana underwent a series of tests in August, before finally being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma

Havana has since began losing her hair after undergoing chemotherapy treatment, but Ms Macgregor is determined to remain positive and see her girl beat the cancer.

On a Facebook page set up to document Havana's journey, she wrote that while Havana had been upset about losing her hair, she had reminded her daughter 'she is beautiful and always will be'.

'Her face will never change or her personality. She is such a beautiful soul,' she wrote.

Other posts show the young girl riding a bike, standing alongside her mum and receiving another special present - a Barbie doll without hair that comes with a series of wigs.

'I told her someone's watching out for you as it was the last one and they had not had stock of them for nearly 18 months,' Ms Macgregor said.

'She didn't understand the concept of a wig, so the doll has been great as she has seen that and it has eased her mind.'

Havana has since began losing her hair after undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and had undergone two separate biopsies

Posts on a Facebook page set up to document Havana's journey show her in good spirits, including riding a bike (pictured) and receiving another special present - a Barbie doll without hair that comes with a series of wigs

A Go Fund Me page has been set up by Ms Macgregor's aunt Paulette Farrugia, to help support the family financially while Havana undergoes treatment.

So far they have raised just over $1,000 of a $15,000 target, with all funds going towards medical, travel and living expenses.

'This family has already been through so much... If you have even a small amount that you can offer to them for help, I know that it will be a huge help to them,' Ms Farrugia wrote.

Ms Macgregor said that Havana is doing 'really, really well considering' and is 'a little fighter'.

While the family are unsure when the five-year-old will be able to return home, they hope she will be back to being a 'happy, healthy and energetic' girl soon.

'Everyone has been so positive and even if people can't donate just keeping that energy and good vibes will help Havana,' Ms Macgregor said.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up by Ms Macgregor's aunt Paulette Farrugia, to help support the family financially while Havana undergoes treatment
Advertisement

Exclusive drone footage reveals the chaos and devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irma after the Caribbean island of St Maarten was destroyed by 225mph winds.

Thousands of homes across the island have been flattened, while luxury yachts moored in marinas have been sunk or driven on shore by the hurricane-force winds.

Locals have been forced to queue for basic aid and even water as the island's infrastructure has been utterly destroyed by the hurricane.

Others have been forced to arm themselves to protect their property as widespread looting has been reported.

MailOnline was among the first to reach the stricken island, travelling 100miles from Antigua by speedboat because the airport was destroyed.

Hurricane Irma damaged almost every building on the island, ripping off roofs and blowing out windows

Boat owners were unable to find a safe place to store their vessels to ride out the storm before Irma's dramatic arrival

The island's road network has become clogged by locals seeking assistance from remote areas causing gridlock

Our drone exposed the scale of the carnage, with top-of-the-range pleasure boats flung onto dry land or piled on top of each other by the wind.

Entire houses had been flattened. Thousands of people could be seen stuck in traffic jams as they desperately tried to secure for basic necessities before the three oclock curfew.

We found half-empty supermarkets filled with stinking pools of fetid water, the broken fridges holding meat crawling with maggots. Families were living on cornflakes and meagre aid handouts from the Dutch military.

Looting and lawlessness has wreaked havoc on the island, with gun-toting gangs marauding through the smashed streets and robbing people of what little they have left.

The island, which is 1,200 miles south east of Miami, Florida is split between the French section on the north, which is called St Martin and the Dutch administered area on the south, named St Maarten.

St Maarten is famous for its Princess Juliana International Airport because arriving aircraft pass at low level above the Maho beach. Thrillseekers often stand behind the runaway and get blasted by the jet wash of aircraft preparing to take off.

MailOnline's Jake Wallis Simons, pictured, chartered a speedboat to St Maarten from Antigua and travelled more than 100 miles to inspect the devastation on the island first hand and bring exclusive drone footage of the carnage wrought by Irma

The Dutch and French armies have deployed soldiers onto the streets in a desperate attempt to maintain order and enforce the curfew. On Thursday, police promised quick and swift punishment for looters, arresting eight people for remaining on the streets after 3pm and other offences, including the possession of drugs.

Motorists are forced to queue for more than six hours at petrol stations, making the theft of petrol has become a scourge of ordinary people trying to rebuild their lives.

One Dutch marine, who gave his name as John Cheese, 24, slammed the Red Cross, saying that soldiers were being forced to play policeman, social worker, soldier, nurse and doctor because the NGO was not responding adequately to the crisis.

Theyre not doing sh**, he told MailOnline. We are having to give people our own rations and water because the Red Cross is not providing supplies. We are using our own surgical gloves and equipment.

How are we supposed to keep order on the island when we are having to do aid work to cover for the Red Cross?

Eighty-two elderly and vulnerable people remained in the care of the Dutch army while looters and thieves run amok elsewhere on the island in areas like Middle Region, he said.

Mechanic Mr Marcus, 55, was camping out in the wreckage of his house to protect it from looters, armed with a gun.

Hurricane Irma lashed St Maarten with winds in excess of 225 miles per hour causing massive destruction

Around the many marinas on the island, millions of pounds worth of private yachts have been damaged or destroyed

Cars were picked up by the winds which reached 225 miles per hour as Hurricane Irma lashed the Caribbean island

Supermarkets which suffered extreme damage were later looted by people searching for food before aid arrived

Maureen de la Fuente, 52, left, Maikel Marcus, 55, centre and Peter Kytho Marcus, right, stand in the front room of their home in St Maarten which has lost its roof after being hit by Hurricane Irma and then Hurricane Jose

After the storm, a box came floating on the water to me, he told MailOnline. God sent it to me. Inside was some flares, a fishing kit and a lifeboat tent. Now that has become my home-inside-a-home.

Our roof was torn off so everything gets soaked when it rains. I spend the night in this tent with my two friends: my gun and my radio.

He had already used the weapon to deter looters, he said. In the middle of the night, I heard the gate moving and saw a man coming up the stairs, he said. I got my gun and as soon as he saw the nickel and chrome, he did a circle and ran off. He vanished so quickly I thought he had flown away.

Mr Marcus and his wife, Maureen de la Friente, 52, had their lives saved by a mattress when the hurricane hit last Tuesday night. The roof of their house was ripped off and everything inside their home began to fly about in the 225mph winds.

We grabbed our two chihuahuas and our son and lay on the floor under the mattress, Mr Marcus told MailOnline. The dogs were panting and trembling with fear. We were terrified.

When the roof went, the hurricane came inside the house. Everything started flying. Chunks of brick and concrete were thudding on the mattress, which saved our lives for sure. The hurricane door, which is supposed to protect us, shot off and ended up inside the stove.

Their son, Kytho Marcus, 21, said that the family were forced to shower at a burst pipe down the road, along with the rest of the local community.

Weve had our own bathroom for our entire lives and now were forced to have a shower with an audience of 30 people, he said.

Hurricane Irma knocked out power on the island which has left frozen meat to rot and be devoured by maggots

Aid supplies have been arriving on the island a week after the hurricane destroyed thousands of homes

Relatives of the family, who live in Holland, are constantly asking them to join the thousands of other residents fleeing the disaster zone to set up a new life in a safer country.

My family wants us to go back to Holland or Surinam, Mrs de la Friente said. But we refuse to go. We are not like that. We are not begging. We would prefer to die from hunger than beg.

Down the road from their wrecked house, the Audi showroom was taking an urgent inventory to establish how many vehicles had been stolen or damaged during the hurricane.

Outside was a brand new, black Audi TT which had been dented and scratched by the storm. Its windscreen had also been smashed.

It feels like my babies have been damaged, said Dylan Smith, 37, the brand and logistics manager at the showroom.

Some people care more about cars than about humans, more even than their family. This car is worth $65,000 and it has sustained $6,000 worth of damage.

He added: Its not fun and games, thats for sure. But we are all helping each other, and we will get through this.
A truck driver in 40s has miraculously walked away in a stable condition after crashing his vehicle into a home.

Police were called to the intersection of Canterbury and Heathmont Road in Melbourne's east just after 9.15am on Saturday.

Firefighters took more than an hour to free the driver who was trapped in his vehicle, reports Nine News.

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A truck driver has walked away in a stable but serious condition after a crash on Saturday

The man in his 40s was transported to the Alfred Hospital after being trapped in the vehicle

The driver was later seen walking out of from the wrangled vehicle onto a waiting ambulance.

He was taken to the Alfred Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

The incident had disrupted the power lines in the area forcing some business to close shop for a while, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The publication reports that besides the driver, another man at the scene was given medical attention for minor injuries.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Victorian police for comments.
An Alton Towers crash victim who lost her right leg in a horrific rollercoaster accident made an unexpected catwalk appearance at London Fashion Week.

Amputee Vicky Balch, 22, modelled on the catwalk for label TeatumJones alongside a number of other amputee models on Friday.

Miss Balch lost her leg in 2015 when the Smiler ride malfunctioned and careered into a carriage ahead, leaving her and four others seriously injured.

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Amputee Vicky Balch, 22, who lost her right leg in a horrific Alton Towers rollercoaster accident in 2015 made an unexpected catwalk appearance at London Fashion Week on Friday

London Fashion Week has previously come under fire for appearing to favour underweight models and lacking diversity.

However, in a well received break from the norm, several designers chose to employ models with disabilities for their catwalk shows.

In an even bolder move, the Swedish School of Textiles chose to use several wheelchair users for the SS18 show, earning plaudits for their decision.

Miss Balch lost her leg in 2015 when the Smiler ride malfunctioned and careered into a carriage ahead leaving her and four others seriously injured

London Fashion Week has previously come under fire for appearing to favour underweight models and lacking diversity

It is understood Vicky is represented by Zebedee Model Agency for models with disabilities.

Miss Balch later tweeted excitedly: 'Can't believe I got to walk for TEATUMJONES at LondonFashionWeek'

The inspirational amputee who has a considerable online following thanks to her body confidence posts made an impressive debut on the runway,

However, in a well received break from the norm, several designers chose to employ models with disabilities for their catwalk shows

Modelling a billowing floor length jumper dress, tapered in around the waist in moss-green, Miss Balch's prosthetic leg was visible during her walk making a powerful body confidence statement.

Social media users flocked to Twitter to praise her brave move. Paul McLeod said the model 'looked amazing,' while another complimented her on a top job.

Social media users flocked to Twitter to praise her brave move

Paul McLeod said the model 'looked amazing,' while another complimented her on a top job

Meanwhile, it emerged the 22-year-old had a more recent brush with death after the brakes failed in a car she was driving while travelling through Vietnam

Meanwhile, it emerged the 22-year-old had a more recent brush with death after the brakes failed in a car she was driving while travelling through Vietnam.

Vicky told the BBC crew following journey through south east Asia: 'If the barriers hadn't stopped us, we would have gone over the edge. It was like "what if"?

'It was overwhelming and I think that just brought everything back up to the surface.'
Karen Ristevski's stepson Anthony Rickard

A close friend of Karen Ristevski's stepson claims the murdered Melbourne mother died after she was strangled and placed in the backseat of her Mercedes.

Anthony Cefala, who has been acting as a spokesperson for Ms Ristevskis stepson Anthony Rickard, revealed the information to news.com.au, despite the Victorian police never releasing details about the 47-year-old mother's cause of death.

Mr Cefala went on to say that he had evidence a mannequin was also placed in the front passenger side of the car as it was driven to Ms Ristevski's resting place in Mt Macedon - perhaps acting as a decoy.

Neither Mr Cefala, nor Mr Rickard, have been named as suspects in the case.

Detective Inspector Tim Day, who is leading the investigation, refused to confirm or deny Mr Cefalas claims or confirm if Mr Cefala or Mr Rickard had been interviewed by investigators about their claims, reports news.com.au.

Ms Ristevski (pictured), 47, was reported missing on June 29, 2016, and was last seen at her Avondale Heights home by her husband Borce

Mr Ristevski has told police he took the Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 coupe (pictured) for a drive to test the faulty gauge on the day his wife Karen disappeared last year

However, there are reports Mr Cefala was called to a Melbourne police station late on Friday morning and confronted over allegedly spreading misinformation about the case.

Ms Ristevski was reported missing on June 29, 2016, and was last seen at her Avondale Heights home by her husband, Borce.

Mr Ristevski told police he and his wife had gotten into an argument about money before she left.

Borce Ristevski's claim that his murdered wife's Mercedes had a faulty fuel gauge has been disputed by a Melbourne mechanic who serviced the car (pictured: Borce Ristevski's brother-in-law)

But the mechanic, who has been interviewed by detectives, says Mr Ristevski, nor Ms Ristevski, raised the problem of a faulty gauge with him

Her body was found in bushland in Mt Macedon Regional Park on February 20.

The Mercedes vehicle has remained a focus in Ms Ristevski's murder investigation.

Police released CCTV footage earlier this year of a black Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 coupe being driven towards Mt Macedon on the day Ms Ristevski disappeared.

Using an identical model to the Mercedes, detectives recreated the route they think Ms Ristevski's murderer took to Mt Macedon on August 30.

The mechanic told The Herald Sun Mr Ristevski visited him a couple of weeks ago for a repair on a Volkswagen.

He said Mr Ristevski told him police still possessed the Mercedes.

'Borce said he had started working for a road crew as a traffic controller just to get himself out the house,' he said.
A sign proclaiming the earth is actually flat has been erected on a beach on the southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island.

The picketed post supports an A3 white piece of paper with a message in black pen on the right side and two illustrations on the left.

'Do Research!!' the bulletin commands. 'YouTube: 200 Proofs Earth is NOT a Spinning Ball By Eric Duboy. Wake Up.'

The sign (pictured) has an illustration aside a note telling people to 'Wake up' to the idea the world is actually flat

The poster pinned to the wooden stick caught the eye of Dr Stephen Voss when he was out for a walk with his wife on Saturday afternoon.

'Spotted on our walk to Lawyers Head this afternoon, it appears that the flat earth society have infiltrated St Kilda,' Dr Voss posted to Facebook.

'Funny how they equate doing research with watching YouTube videos!'

The YouTube video was uploaded by a YouTube subscriber called Eric Dubay described on his account as a '34-year-old American living in Thailand'.

Over two hours the clip goes through '200 Flat Earth Proofs' and claims to be the largest collection of 'supposed spinning ball Earth proofs'.

Dr Voss said he couldn't tell how long the sign had been there, but as it looked minimally weathered he guessed it could have popped up overnight.

Dr Stephen Voss posted the picture of the sign to his Facebook page after seeing it

The general practitioner told Daily Mail Australia he had been aware of the 'flat Earth movement' for a couple of years and he was bemused to see it - immediately understanding the theory it was alluding to.

'I was just a little surprised to see it on my doorstep.

'My wife on the other hand had no idea there are people that genuinely believe the earth is flat and was initially confused by the sign,' Dr Voss said, who is also an enthusiastic amateur astronomer.

The incorrect declaration comes just two days after Youtube video blogger D Marble tried to prove the world isn't spherical by taking a spirit level onto a plane in a bizarre stunt.

YouTuber video blogger D Marble attempted to discredit scientific fact by taking the DIY tool onto a flight from North Carolina to Seattle - he thinks the earth is flat

YouTuber video blogger D Marble attempted to discredit scientific fact by taking the DIY tool onto a flight from North Carolina to Seattle

He thought the pilot to tip the plane forwards to 'compensate for the curvature' of the earth - but when the spirit bubble remained central, he claimed it proved the world was flat.

But people have branded the flat-earther's stunt a 'perfect combination of brilliant and stupid' and suggested that he should have looked out of the window to see the curvature of the horizon.

The scientific explanation for why the bubble remained steady is that the plane nose did not dip because gravity was pulling it towards the earth and it was generating lift to pull away.
A Singaporean soldier has died after being injured in a 'vehicular incident' during a military training exercise.

Vehicle Commander 3rd Sergeant Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin was taking part in Exercise Wallaby at Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton, Queensland.

Sergeant Chan, of the 41st Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, was in a Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle when the incident occurred.

A Singaporean soldier has died after being injured in a 'vehicular incident' during a military training exercise (pictured is the type of Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle involved)

Vehicle Commander 3rd Sergeant Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin was taking part in Exercise Wallaby at Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton, Queensland (pictured is a stock image of training activities in the area)

The injured Singapore Armed Forces Full-time National Serviceman was flown to Rockhampton Hospital but passed away just after midnight on Saturday.

'A safety pause on training in Shoalwater Bay Training Area has taken effect, and an investigation of the incident is ongoing,' said the Singapore Ministry of Defence.

'The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman and are assisting the family in this time of grief.'

Sergeant Chan's family were flown to Australia and arrived early on Saturday morning, The Courier Mail reported.

'The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman and are assisting the family in this time of grief,' said a statement (pictured)

A Facebook post (pictured) put up by the Ministry collected hundreds of comments mourning Sergeant Chan's death

The incident did not involved members of the Australian Defence Force or ADF vehicles and no other Singaporean military personnel are believed to have been harmed in the incident, ABC News reported.

Defence Minister Marise Payne sent condolences to the officer's family and colleagues on behalf of the Australian Government.

Mayor of Rockhampton Margaret Strelow said Sergeant Chan's death was a 'painful reminder of the sacrifice that not only our own brave men and women in uniform face daily, but those of our allies and close friends'.

A Facebook post put up by the Ministry collected hundreds of comments mourning Sergeant Chan's death.

'I cried upon reading this news online. I was shocked and [in] panic, my son [was] in this exercise too. I missed my son even more. Very sad for this young man and his family too. RIP and my deepest condolences to his family,' wrote one man.

In May 21-year-old Light Horse Trooper Stuart Reddan (pictured) was killed by a falling branch during a training exercise at Shoalwater Bay

'Rest in peace Gavin. I remembered you were such a diligent young man and never fail to be the first to arrive for every of my lessons. You have a pure and kind heart and ever so willing to help others,' wrote another.

Sergeant Chan is the sixth soldier to die in military training exercises in the same part Australia this year.

In July three US Marines died in an Osprey helicopter crash off the Rockhampton coast.

In May 21-year-old Light Horse Trooper Stuart Reddan was killed by a falling branch during a training exercise at Shoalwater Bay.

Just six days later Private Jason Challis died after being shot in the head during live fire exercises at the Mount Bundey Training Area, about 100km southeast of Darwin.

Private Jason Challis (pictured) died after being shot in the head during live fire exercises at the Mount Bundey Training Area, about 100km southeast of Darwin in May




The iconic Bondi Icebergs restaurant is being sold for an estimated $15 million.

It's housed many of Sydney's biggest social soirees, including after-party events during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, but a group of investors has decided to sell the beloved landmark.

Adman John Singleton, who purchased the One Notts Avenue address in 1998, has already received offers from overseas buyers interested in the prime piece of real estate.

The iconic Bondi Icebergs restaurant is being sold for an estimated $15 million

The Icebergs private function rooms offer an incredible view of the surrounding beach

'We now have an institution that the community, politicians, swimmers, diners of NSW and Australia can be truly proud of,' Mr Singleton said on Friday

'We now have an institution that the community, politicians, swimmers, diners of NSW and Australia can be truly proud of. It is etched in the Aussie ethos of helping your mates, doing your bit and providing something for future generations not only to be proud of, but to reflect on what we had to do to make this great place even better,' Mr Singleton said on Friday.

The Dining Room, as the Icebergs restaurant is known, is currently directed by Italian chef Maurice Terzini with a menu that reflects his heritage.

On the al-a-carte menu oysters with organic lemon dressing are served for $6 a pop, fish for $46 and a hearty steak meal for $76.

On the al-a-carte menu oysters with organic lemon dressing are served for $6 a pop, fish for $46 and a hearty steak meal for $76

The Australian reported that the rent on a place as famous as this stands at $850,000 a year - a price Mr Terzini's company pays

Icebergs is being offered via an international expressions-of-interest campaign, which closes on October 12. For now, 'for sale' signs will adorn the area

They also sell a special Sunday brunch from 10 until 11.30am and a vegetarian menu.

The Australian reported that the rent on a place as famous as this stands at $850,000 a year - a price Mr Terzini's company pays.

Below the restaurant is the famed Icebergs pool which is open year-round to adults for $6.50 entry or $4.50 for children

Icebergs is being offered via an international expressions-of-interest campaign, which closes on October 12. For now, 'for sale' signs will adorn the area.
Questions are been asked about why police have not yet released CCTV images of the Parsons Green terror suspect.

Specialist officers have evacuated a residential area in Sunbury, Surrey this afternoon after an 18-year-old man was arrested in Dover earlier today.

But despite the latest developments, Scotland Yard are continuing to refuse to say whether or not the suspect was already known to them.

And police have not published stills from the tube carriage that might help witnesses identify the bomber.

Today security minister Ben Wallace appeared to heap pressure on police for refusing to release CCTV footage of the bomber.

Ben Wallace was 'useful' in identifying suspects as police search for those responsible for the terror attack

Theresa May (pictured in No 10 this afternoon) said any speculation was unhelpful when asked about the President's tweets on the Parsons Green attack

Trump tweeted: 'Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!'

He later walked back on his controversial comments, tweeting: 'Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of London, who suffered a vicious terrorist attack'

The politician said that such evidence was 'useful' in identifying suspects as police search for those responsible for the terror attack.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, host John Humphreys asked the Security Minister: 'Is it a bit surprising that no CCTV pictures have been released?

'Because obviously the public can help enormously in these sorts of cases because they were there and if they saw CCTV pictures maybe it would jog memories.'

Mr Wallace replied: 'I totally agree that CCTV footage is useful but the conduct of the investigation I leave with the police and security services.'

Police have said they have no plans to release any footage of the attacker as the country's security threat was raised to critical - its highest level.

Mr Wallace said that the decision to raise the threat level meant that another attack was likely 'imminent'.

His words came before news broke that an 18-year-old man had been arrested in Dover in connection with the attack.

The minister also refused to respond to claims issued by US President Donald Trump that British security services had had the bomber under surveillance ahead of the attack.

In an extraordinary breach of diplomatic protocol, the US President took to social media within hours of the attack to claim the suspect was in the sights of Scotland Yard.

He later walked back on his controversial comments, tweeting: 'Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of London, who suffered a vicious terrorist attack.'

Earlier he wrote: Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!

His comments drew a swift rebuke from the Prime Minister, who said: I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation.

She later challenged the president in person when he called her to discuss the case.

A Scotland Yard spokesman also criticised Mr Trump, saying: The comments are unhelpful and pure speculation. If anyone has got any evidence or information, please contact the anti-terrorism hotline.

Although Mr Wallace said this morning that although it was 'not helpful to have a running commentary on a live investigation' he said about Trump's later tweets: 'I saw his follow-up statements. I think his sentiment was that the international community stands together in facing this threat.

'I think we can take that as being a good thing.'

Mrs Mays former chief-of-staff Nick Timothy commented on Twitter, saying: True or not  and Im sure he doesnt know  this is so unhelpful from leader of our ally and intelligence partner.

Mr Trump appeared unconcerned about his diplomatic slip. Asked about the terror attack by reporters outside the White House, he said: Its a terrible thing.

It just keeps going and going, and we have to be very smart, we have to be very, very tough. Perhaps we are not nearly tough enough. Its just an absolutely terrible thing. In fact, Im going to call the Prime Minister right now.

Met terror chief Mark Rowley updated the media on the investigation this morning (pictured) but has not given any details of any man hunt

U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster (right) told reporters at the White House on Friday that Trump wasn't speaking about any particular terror suspect when he claimed Scotland Yard had already had Friday's Tube bomber on its radar

President Donald Trump has claimed Scotland Yard knew ahead of time about a bomber or bombers who set off a crude incendiary bomb Friday morning on London's 'Tube' subway

We have to be tougher and we have to be smarter. He told reporters that he had been briefed on the explosion, but did not provide further details.

His national security adviser HR McMaster suggested later that Mr Trump was speaking generally.

HOW RELEASING INFORMATION HELPED CATCH BARCELONA ATTACKER Images of Barcelons suspects Moussa Oukabir and brother Drissa emerged within a few hours of the Las Ramblas attack More than seven hours after the terror attack in Parsons Green, police in London are still refusing to confirm whether they have a suspect. The approach taken contrasts sharply with the response to the last major terror attack in Europe, Barcelona in August. Just over an hour after the attack took place, Spanish police tweeted the public to say they were searching for the attacker and to avoid the area. Then, within three hours after the attack, a photo of a suspect, Driss Oukabir, was released and circulated online. The release of the image caused Oukabir to come forward to his local police and tell officers his documents had been stolen. This was again revealed to the media as Oukabir's younger brother Moussa became the prime suspect. Advertisement

Noting that law enforcement agencies have been working to combat terrorism for years, Mr McMaster said: I think if there was a terrorist attack here, God forbid, that we would say that they were in the sights of the FBI.

He added: I think he means generally that this kind of activity is what we are trying to prevent.

The controversy threatened to reopen the row between the UK and the US over the leaking of sensitive police information that led to the temporary suspension of security co-operation in the wake of the Manchester bombing.

Labour MP Stephen Doughty, a member of the home affairs select committee, said last night Mr Trumps intervention has the potential to not only undermine a vital relationship, but also to prejudice investigations into this and other incidents.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey said: It is insulting to the victims of this attack that Donald Trump is already using it to try and further his divisive political agenda. Once again, Trump has shown he is not fit for the office of US President.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who clashed with Mr Trump over his response to the London Bridge terror attack, would not be drawn on the presidents comments. Ive simply been too busy to look at my Twitter, he said. My priority is making sure that we do what we can to keep Londoners safe.

A City Hall source said: He hopes people dont speculate on things before we know the full facts. Its clear what he thinks about that.

In May, British police temporarily suspended intelligence sharing after a series of damaging US leaks about the investigation into the Manchester bombing.

Images of the remnants of terrorist Salman Abedis backpack and a diagram showing where his victims died were handed to a US newspaper.

Trump added: 'Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner. The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!'

Theresa May's former adviser Nick Timothy reacted to Trump's intervention by saying the president 'doesn't know' anything: 'This is so unhelpful from leader of our ally and intelligence partner'

Metropolitan Police officers were continued detailed searches and investigations at the scene of the bombing today (pictured)

The Prime Minister tackled Mr Trump over the issue at a Nato summit in Brussels, telling reporters later that the ties between Britain and the US were the deepest defence and security partnership we have, but warned it was built on trust.

She added: Part of that trust is knowing that intelligence can be shared confidently and I will be making clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared between law enforcement agencies must remain secure.

Britain and the US are key members of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing community, which also includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Police in and around London are hunting for the 'bucket bomber' who tried blow up a rush hour Tube train amid claims that he is armed and may have left other devices

The crude device could have killed dozens but failed to properly detonate and sent a 'wall of fire' through a subway car, injuring at least 22 people including a ten-year-old boy

The latest version of Trump's travel ban, initially announced in a botched late-January rollout, calls for a ban on people entering the U.S. from six terror-prone countries that are also Muslim-majority nations.

It also bars the entry of most refugees from anywhere in the world.

Federal court challenges have resulted in exceptions being made for travelers who already have established ties to the U.S., including a broad definition of what counts as a close family member.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments to decide the ban's constitutionality in October, but allowed it to go into effect last month while the case is pending.

Police in and around London hunted Friday for a 'bucket bomber' who tried to blow up a rush hour Tube train amid claims that he is armed and may have left other devices.

The crude device could have killed dozens but failed to properly detonate and sent what was described as a wall of fire through a subway car, injuring at least 22 people including a ten-year-old boy.

The president linked Friday's attack to his controversial travel ban, saying it 'should be far larger, tougher and more specific  but stupidly, that would not be politically correct!'

He also drew attention to the military action against ISIS and should the US should get 'nasty'

Terrified passengers ran for their lives and were seen covered in blood with scorched hands, legs, faces and hair after the incident in west London during the morning commuting rush hour.

Photographs from the District Line train show what experts believe is a 'pretty unsophisticated' bomb in a flaming white bucket inside an insulated freezer bag bearing the logo of the 'Lidl' European grocery chain.

Christmas tree lights are also shown connected to a battery protruding out of the top.

Witnesses said there was a loud 'bang' and a flash  and then a ball of flame engulfed surrounding passengers.
A Perth family have travelled to Mexico in the last hope of saving their four-year-old daughter from dying of a brain tumour.

Annabelle Nguyen was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a fatal brain tumour, in September 2015.

But unable to sit back and accept Annabelle had less than a year to live, her parents Trung and Sandy decided to take the little girl overseas for controversial treatment.

A Perth family have travelled to Mexico in the last hope of saving their four-year-old daughter Annabelle Nguyen (pictured)

Annabelle first began experiencing symptoms when she was two years old after she had impaired vision and night terrors.

Her concerned parents took her to Princess Margaret Hospital, where she was diagnosed with the deadly tumour, which has a survival rate of less than one per cent.

Speaking with Daily Mail Australia, Mrs Nguyen said the family were told Annabelle had between six and nine months to live and that they should go home and 'make memories'.

'Annabelle was the only child in Perth diagnosed at the time and we were told to enjoy our precious time with her as there isn't a cure,' Mrs Nguyen said.

After undergoing 30 intense sessions of radiation at St Charles Gairdner Hospital, Annabelle's parents decided to return home to Vietnam.

Mrs Nguyen said: 'We wanted to spend some quality time with her and the family, so she would be surrounded by all that love her'.

The young girl was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a fatal brain tumour, in September 2015 and was told she had just six to nine months to live

But unable to sit back and accept Annabelle's fate, her parents Trung and Sandy decided to take Annabelle (pictured) overseas for a controversial treatment involving Immunotherapy and a cocktail of drugs

But in May this year a routine MRI showed progression and Mrs Nguyen decided she could not sit back and watch her daughter die.

'A fire lit within me and immediately we went on the hunt for any trials or treatments available,' she said.

After sleepless nights they discovered an experimental treatment in Monterrey, Mexico and after speaking with other parents decided 'there was no looking back'.

The therapy combines an injection of drugs directly into the brain stem with immunotherapy.

But the treatment comes with a hefty $300,000 price tag and means the entire family, including Annabelle's sister Alyssa, have had to fly out to Mexico.

A Go Fund Me Page has been set up to help the family 'find a cure for their precious little girl,' with almost $10,000 raised so far.

The decision came after an MRI in May this year showed progression, with Mrs Nguyen deciding she could not sit back and watch her daughter die

After many sleepless nights Mr and Mrs Nguyen discovered an experimental treatment in Monterrey, Mexico and after speaking with other parents decided 'there was no looking back'

But the treatment comes with a hefty $300,000 price tag and means the entire family, including Annabelle's sister Alyssa (left), have had to fly out to Mexico

While a Facebook page follows Annabelle's fight against the cancer, showing her and the other children also suffering from DIPG between their treatments.

The Nguyens are among one of three Australian families who currently have children undergoing the treatment, The West Australian reports.

And despite Annabelle's diagnosis, Mrs Nguyen said she remains optimistic and hopes they can continue treatment until there is no evidence of the disease.

'Listening to the doctors, we didn't think she could make it to almost two years,' she said.

'Never have I thought we would have to go through this painful journey, but now that we are I hope to find a cure for my beautiful Annabelle and every other child diagnosed with DIPG.

'These innocent children deserves so much more than this cancer.'

The Nguyens are among one of three Australian families who currently have children undergoing the treatment in Monterrey, Mexico
A Queensland woman has woken in the middle of the night to find an intruder kissing her.

The 33-year-old woman from Condon awoke around 4am Thursday, before yelling at the man to leave and giving chase.

Three children had also been in the house at the time of the incident, but had not been disturbed by the offender, according to the Townsville Bulletin.

A 33-year-old Queensland woman was woken around 4am Thursday to find an intruder kissing her, before yelling at the man and chasing him out of the house (Stock photo)

District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Joe Matheson said the woman had woken before screaming at the man.

'She saw this male run from her bedroom and exit the dwelling into the backyard,' he said.

He added that the victim then chased the man out of the house, before locking the door to the laundry.

The Rapid Action Patrol group attended the scene and carried out a search for the man.

Police are still searching for the man, who reportedly stole a purse and mobile phone from the home, telling homeowners to be vigilant after a spate of break-ins (stock photo)

Officers are still searching for the man, who reportedly also stole a purse and mobile phone from the home.

Police have urged people to be vigilant following a series of 14 break-ins in Townsville of homes, businesses and cars.

Among the items stolen were vehicles, credit cards, electronic devices and jewellery.

'By ensuring homes and vehicles are locked and property secured, it will decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of an opportunist crime,' they said in a statement online.
BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern appeared to accidentally flash her knickers to viewers during an early morning broadcast.

The presenter's apparent wardrobe malfunction happened as she was going through the morning's papers with co-host Charlie Stayt.

While discussing the front pages she was unaware her underwear may have been visible to viewers.

Scroll down for video

BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern appeared to accidentally flash her knickers to viewers during a morning broadcast on Saturday

Despite dressing in a chic frock, the hem came up a little too short for the sofa.

Fans of Steph flocked to social media to comment on her risque appearance.

One said: 'Loving Stephs dress this morning. Love to know where I can get it from.'

Another tweeted: 'Wife loves the dress you're wearing on @BBCBreakfast.'

The Financial journalist studied Science Communication and Policy at UCL before working on the BBC's Tomorrows World programme.

She went on to produce daily financial news packages on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 and in 2012 made her debut presenting BBC Breakfast.

Steph's wardrobe blunder isn't the first time a female TV anchor has had issues with her outfits before.

Susanna Reid of Good Morning Britain experienced the same malfunction in 2016 while sat on the exact same sofa.

And she gave viewers an eyeful again during a fitness segment flashing her underwear again while doing push-ups.

The presenter's apparent wardrobe malfunction happened as she was going through the morning's papers with co-host Charlie Stayt

While discussing the front pages she appeared unaware her underwear may have been visible to viewers

While in July, presenter Louis Minchin gave viewers a giggle when she revealed that she had her clothes on back to front after getting dressed in the dark.

Louise, 48, was ten seconds away from going on air at the studios in Salford, Greater Manchester, when she spotted her wardrobe malfunction - which she told her co-host, Dan Walker about.

But Walker proved to be a useless confidant as, minutes into the programme, he teased Minchin into telling the viewers - of which there are often more than 1.5million - about her embarrassing mistake.
After living covertly for the last five decades, Pete Ortiz, 75 (pictured), surrendered himself to authorities 55 years after he was indicted for 'murder with malice'

A Texas man who has been on the run for the last five decades after being accused of murdering a father has finally surrendered.

Pete Ortiz, 75, turned himself over to authorities 55 years after he was indicted for 'murder with malice'.

On December 22, 1962, 26-year-old Joe Ovalle and his son had returned home from Christmas shopping.

As soon as the child went inside, Ovalle was shot three times - he was hit in the abdomen and chest with a .38 in his driveway.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at Robert B Green Hospital.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, 28-year-old Frank Luna Juarez was arrested and charged in Ovalle's death, but a second gunman was still at large.

After his arrest, Juarez told police that he was not the gunman nor did he participate in the shooting.

He later told authorities that he and Ortiz, then 20, were hired for $1,000 by another man to kill Ovalle, who was said to be an informant for federal narcotics agents.

Juarez was sentenced to 99 years in prison, and Ortiz fled from authorities before he could be arrested. He finally surrendered himself to Judge Frank Castro in the 399th Criminal District Court in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Ortiz was indicted for 'murder with malice' in the killing of 26-year-old father Joe Ovalle in December 1962, who was shot dead in the driveway of his home (pictured) after returning from Christmas shopping with his son

A man also arrested in the murder told authorities that he and Ortiz (pictured, in court, Wednesday), then 20, were hired for $1,000 by another man to kill Ovalle

KSAT television station reported that Judge Castro asked Ortiz: 'Where have you been all these 55 years?'

'I work all the time,' Ortiz replied. 'I work in the fields picking cotton. I followed the migrants to Wisconsin.'

Ortiz's attorney, John Kuntz, told KSAT that Ortiz was riding with Juarez but did not participate in the slaying.

'Pete did nothing to aid, assist, abet or encourage this murder,' Kuntz said.

Judge Frank Castro reportedly asked Ortiz in court on Wednesday (pictured): 'Where have you been all these 55 years?' Ortiz replied: 'I work all the time. I work in the fields picking cotton'

According to the San Antonio Express News, a woman who answered the door at the home where Ortiz is staying said living with the warrant 'has been hard' on the family, and, because of his age, she said he may be seeking closure on that part of his life

Ovalle's daughter, 54-year-old Josie Martinez, called Ortiz's surrender 'surreal.' She told the San Antonio Express-News that she was born nine months after her father's death and she often thinks of what might have been.

'It has been hard never really knowing what happened, what kind of person he was, what kind of person he'd be now,' Martinez said.

Court records indicate that Judge Castro reduced Ortiz's bail from $250,000 to $50,000. He was released on bond Thursday afternoon and was ordered to wear a GPS monitor while he awaits trial.

According to the San Antonio Express News, a woman who answered the door at the home where Ortiz is staying said living with the warrant 'has been hard' on the family, and, because of his age, she said he may be seeking closure on that part of his life.
After delivering some rare remarks at a US Air Force event on Friday, First Lady Melania Trump proudly introduced her husband to the stage, no doubt hoping for a congratulatory kiss on the cheek.

Instead, she was confronted with an awkward and stern handshake from the President who told her 'thank you' before ushering her off to the side, muttering: 'You go and sit down now.'

Their interaction, deemed 'bizarre' for a husband and wife by some, took place at Joint Base Andrews on Friday afternoon.

After spending some time at the Maryland base's youth center with some of the children of those serving, Melania took to the microphone to deliver one of her few short speeches since becoming First Lady.

She spoke calmly and slowly to thank the servicemen and women of the Air Force, commending them on their 'courage and compassion' and promising that the American people has trust in their abilities.

'In the wake of two devastating hurricanes, the world has witnessed your courage and compassion and you have made every American proud.

'I know I speak on behalf of myself and my husband when I tell you we are grateful for your service,' she went on.

Trump, gazing off in to the distance as she spoke, was about to take the stage for his own address which focused on the threat of North Korea and terrorism.

Before his could begin, Melania, 47, smiled as she introduced him.

'And know now, it's my great pleasure to introduce my husband. The president of the United States, Donald Trump.'

Trump bounded on to the stage, extending his left hand out long before Melania had the chance to offer her cheek for a peck.

First Lady Melania Trump spoke at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday and introduced her husband to the stage

As he approached his wife, Trump stuck out his left hand, leaving her no choice but to shake it and smile awkwardly

The pair continued shaking hands as he mouthed 'good job' to his wife

As a row of servicemen and women stood behind them, the pair averted one another's gaze but still kept a hold of each other's hand

Trump then gave his wife a slight pat on the back to usher her off to the side of the stage

He carried on guiding her with his arm before turning back to the podium for his own speech

The president then delivered his own blistering remarks about North Korea and the threat of terrorism

The interaction raised eyebrows on social media where some dubbed it 'awkward' and 'bizarre'

'Good job!' he mouthed emphatically, shaking his wife's hand up and down as a row of servicemen and women stood behind them.

Somewhat dumbfounded, she turned back to face the audience with a beaming smile fixed on her face.

Then, with a slight pat on the back, Trump guided her off to the side of the stage.

The seemingly frosty and formal interaction caught the attention of critics.

'Ok. This is bizarre even for Trump! He shakes Melanias hand after intro then gently but obviously pushes her aside,' one Twitter user wrote.

'Trump shakes Melanias hand instead of kissing. Is this enough proof he has lost it?' another said.

Other comments included: 'By far the most awkward husband/wife encounter I've ever witnessed was just now when Trump shook Melania's hand at the podium. Hug her, dude!'

'Does Trump disgust Melania? Do you have friends who shake hands with their wives?'

Before giving her speech, Melania spent time at the base's onsite youth center

The First Lady delighted the children, who all live nearby with their families, with her appearance

She was typically glamorous for the visit in a khaki jacket, a pair of beige pants and her signature stilettos

'Melania looks bemused,' one person quipped, while another said: 'Awkward!? I say we all team and rescue the poor woman!'

'This was good but when she slapped his hand away was better. Note: she doesn't reach up to kiss/ hug HIM either,' another commentator said.

After giving his own speech, the president flew to Bedminster, New Jersey, on board Air Force One with Ivanka, Jared Kushner and their three children.

He brought some staff along, namely White House Communications Director Hope Hicks and National Security Adviser Dina Powell, but Melania stayed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

She will remain there for the weekend with their 11-year-old son Barron.

Friday's interaction was not the pair's first awkward on-display encounter.

As the president spoke, Melania watched on next to Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared and their children

After her husband's speech, Melania rejoined the stage to wave goodbye to the audience

The president went on to Bedminster, New Jersey, taking with him his daughter Ivanka , her husband Jared and their three children, Araballea, Theodore and Joseph

In May, the First Lady appeared to brush her husband's hand away as they walked from Air Force One across an air field in Israel.

Later, during the same overseas trip, she appeared to reject him again as they made their way down the steps of Air Force One in Rome.

At his Inauguration in January, one clip of footage which showed Melania enthusiastically smiling at him then grimacing after he turned away went viral.

He was also slammed for not helping her down the steps in her high heels, leaving the job up to a soldier while he rushed to take his position.

They have had other, more touching moments since he took office. Among them were their three dances at the various inauguration balls in January.
Jeffny Pally, 19, died on October 16, 2016 after she was run over by a campus fire vehicle driven by firefighter Dana Barrow

Video released for the first time shows the tragic moment a University of Connecticut student was run over by a campus firefighter on his way to a false fire alarm.

The incident in the early hours of October 16, 2016 resulted in the death of 19-year-old Jeffny Pally.

The video shows the Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by firefighter Dana Barrow come to a stop, which was not a detail mentioned in the original police report of the incident, reports the Hartford Courant.

The official police report stated that Barrow 'felt a bump, but kept driving to the call, figuring he would check when he got back'.

But the video shows the vehicle come to a stop right outside the garage, where Pally had fallen. It then shows the vehicle drive away.

Pally had been out drinking with friends the night of her death and had a BAC of .25. On the way back to her dorm room with another friend, she inexplicably left the friend and made her way towards the campus public safety complex in Storrs, Connecticut.

Scroll down for video

Pictured is a blurred image of Pally leaning against the bay door at the University of Connecticut's campus safety building. The door is about to be opened by Dana Barrow, and he is about to drive the Chevrolet Tahoe pictured inside to an alleged campus dormitory fire that in fact was students playing around with a fire extinguisher

The video originally obtained by the Hartford Courant shows the vehicle exiting through the door and in the process running over Pally, who had fallen after the opening of the door

She was sitting on the ground with her back against the complex's bay door when the fire department got an emergency call at around 1.15am on the morning of October 16, 2016.

The door was opened by Barrow, who was working the night shift.

Pally, of West Hartford, then fell and the fire department vehicle driven by Barrow ran over her.

Barrow told investigators that he thought that what he had run over was a piece of equipment left outside. He added that he did not stop because he thought he was en route to an actual fire.

In fact, students had stolen a fire extinguisher and were playing with it, which triggered dormitory fire alarms.

After realizing there was no fire, Barrow returned to the campus safety building. At this point, he realized he had run over a human.

He proceeded to call the authorities, who promptly arrived at the scene and attempted life-saving efforts for 16 minutes. She was pronounced dead later in the morning.

Barrow, investigators who researched the case had concluded, was 'not knowingly involved in a motor vehicle collision'. Law enforcement officers reconstructed the event so as to determine whether or not Barrow could have possibly seen Pally. They determined that he could not.

And a state attorney told the Hartford Courant that the video does corroborate Barrow's version of events.

But Pally's family is filing a civil lawsuit against both Barrow and the University of Connecticut. Barrow retired from the safety department six months after the incident.

Their attorney, Michael Walsh, told the Hartford Courant: 'It's no defense to say, "I thought I just ran over an equipment bag."'

Pally died later that morning, after authorities tried for 16 minutes to revive her. Barrow told authorities that he thought he had run over a piece of fire equipment and added that he planned to investigate after he returned from what he thought was going to be a dormitory fire

Law enforcement concluded that Barrow was 'not knowingly involved in a motor vehicle collision'. Pally's family is filing a civil suit against both Barrow and the University of Connecticut

Pictured is the University of Connecticut's campus safety building, where the incident took place

Pally was a member of Delta Gamma and was involved in campus social justice efforts and community outreach.

Both Delta Gamma and Kappa Sigma, which had thrown an off-campus party that Pally had attended on the night of her death, were suspended by the University of Connecticut in March.

Pictured is Dana Barrow. He retired six months after the incident

Six fraternity members were charged in connection to her death. Kappa Sigma was expelled indefinitely and had no chance to reorganize on campus.

Two additional students were charged in connection with the false alarm.

'The tragic death of a new member greatly affected Delta Gamma Fraternity and caused Council to reflect on the member experience at Epsilon Pi,' Delta Gamma President Stacia Rudge Skoog said.

'The decision to close a chapter is never easy, but Council strongly feels it is in the best interest of the chapter and University of Connecticut community,' she continued.

UConn President Susan Herbst said in a statement at the time of Pally's death: 'Every student is precious to us, and this is a heartbreaking and tragic loss.

'Our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. We know that words cannot begin to express their grief.'
A desperate search is underway for an 88-year-old man who was hiking with friends in North East Victorias Alpine region.

Leslie Southwell was trekking through the area over the eight days before he was separated from the rest of the group on Thursday.

They were on a 4.7 kilometre trek from Cleve Cole Memorial Hut to Michelle Hut when friends noticed Mr Southwell was gone.

A desperate search is underway for an 88-year-old man (pictured is Leslie Southwell) who was hiking with friends in North East Victorias Alpine region after he became separated from the group

Police and family members hold concerns for Mr Southwell's welfare because of his age and the weather conditions in the Alpine area.

The elderly man is described as about 167cm with a thin build and short grey hair.

He was last seen wearing a dark Gore-Tex top and bottom.

Mr Southwell was carrying a royal blue back pack and is well equipped for the environment carrying three days of food and an orange single man tent.

Police have released an image of Leslie in the hope someone recognises him and can assist in locating him.

Anyone who sights Leslie or has information is urged to contact Wangaratta Police Station on 03 5723 0827.
Michael Ibrahim's alleged drug syndicate reportedly planned to bring five tonnes of MDMA and 50kg of cocaine into Australia every month.

The explosive claims from police suggest that Ibrahim's associates had the ability to smuggle 'tonnes' of illicit drugs into Australia from drug stockpiles around the world.

According to the police statement of facts, members of the syndicate organised the stockpiles by sending messages on their Blackberry mobiles or through discussions in some of Dubai's most prestigious hotels, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The explosive claims from police suggest that Ibrahim's associates had the ability to smuggle 'tonnes' of illicit drugs into Australia from drug stockpiles around the world (pictured Michael Ibrahim)

Michael, 37, (right) and Fadi Ibrahim, 43, were arrested on August 8 for their alleged roles in an $810 million drug ring spanning across Sydney, the Netherlands and Dubai

Michael, 37, and Fadi Ibrahim, 43, were arrested on August 8 for their alleged roles in an $810 million drug ring spanning across Sydney, the Netherlands and Dubai.

The brothers were two of 20 people arrested as part of the international police sting.

A mystery police informant known only as Male Witness 1 (MW1) reportedly told police he was with the Ibrahim brothers at at a $4000-a-night Thai villa when the drug deals were allegedly planned, the publication reported.

A mystery police informant known only as Male Witness 1 (MW1) reportedly told police he was with the Ibrahim brothers at at a $4000-a-night Thai villa when the drug deals were allegedly planned

While Michael and Fadi have both been arrested for their alleged involvement in a drug syndicate, John Ibrahim, 47, has not been arrested, nor charged with anything.

The five-star Thai holiday was paid for with profits Michael Ibrahim made from an illegal tobacco importation scheme, the police allege.

'Michael Ibrahim expressed his desire to conduct more transactions of smuggled tobacco in the future as he gets a thrill from the 'shifty' sales,' a police statement claimed.
Shocking videos have emerged of St. Louis police knocking a woman to the ground and walking over her before handcuffing her and leading her away.

The confrontation between police and protesters came on Friday following a judge's acquittal of former police officer Jason Stockley in the 2011 shooting death of a suspect following a car chase.

Police say that protests had turned violent at the intersection of Clark Avenue and S Tucker Boulevard, where the video was shot, after demonstrators smashed a police vehicle windshield and threw bottles at cops.

Police responded by declaring the assembly unlawful and ordering the intersection cleared.

The woman in red initially backs away from the advancing officers before turning around to flee as they push forward in riot gear

Protesters at the intersection of Clark and Tucker had smashed a windshield and thrown bottles at cops, police said. Officer in protective gear deployed to clear the intersection

Video from the ground and the air shows officers stepping and stumbling over the woman

The police officers proceed - stepping and stumbling over the woman as mace is used to clear other protesters from the intersection

Police said that protest had turned violent and that riot cops would clear the intersection

Cops issued commands on the ground to disperse but one woman either wouldn't or couldn't

'Demonstrators smash windshield of a police vehicle at Tucker & Clark. Property damage & violence will not be tolerated,' police said shortly after 5pm.

'Crowd at Tucker & Clark throwing bottles at officers. Mace will be deployed. Officers in protective gear will deploy to maintain peace,' the St. Louis police department said on Twitter at 5.15pm local time.

'Protesters are ignoring commands to clear roadway @ Market & Tucker. They are in clear violation of the law & subject to arrest,' the department tweeted moments later.

'This protest is no longer considered peaceful. Demonstrators are asked to leave the area of Tucker & Clark,' the department said.

Aerial video captured by a Fox2Now chopper shows a line of police with riot shields moving forward to clear the intersection.

The lady wearing red backs away from them before turning around and stumbling to the ground.

Watch the lady wearing red in the bottom right of the screen. Police using pepper spray on protesters marching after the Stockley ruling pic.twitter.com/XF16yxDQqg  FOX2now (@FOX2now) September 15, 2017

Police ordered the intersection cleared before deploying mace against protesters

The lady in red lies stunned on the ground for several moments before she is pulled to her feet by several officers and placed in handcuffs

Officers handcuffed the woman in red and led her away. The identity of the woman was not immediately clear, and it is unknown whether she was charged in the incident

Video from the ground shows a chaotic scene as police announce on a bullhorn that the assembly is unlawful and give orders to clear the intersection.

The police officers proceed stepping and stumbling over the woman as mace is used to clear other protesters from the intersection.

The lady in red lies stunned on the ground for several moments before she is pulled to her feet by several officers and placed in handcuffs.

The identity of the woman was not immediately clear, and it is unknown whether she was charged in the incident.

Police arrested 13 people during the demonstrations, with 12 of the arrests logged at 315 North Tucker, near the intersection where the incident took place.
Mothers refusing to vaccinate children are helping to bring deadly diseases back to the West as hostility to science puts the developed world at risk, according to the world's leading immunisation chief.

Coverage against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is higher in Zambia and Vietnam than in Britain.

Meanwhile 35 died after Italy and Romania have suffered measles outbreaks due to a drop in vaccine uptake.

Dr Andrew Wakefield, who sparked a vaccine controversy in Britain, with wife Carmel and supporters of the anti-MMR movement

The outbreak led to thousands of cases, with 17 recorded in Wales this year.

Complacency threatens the future of forms of protection that saved millions of lives, says Seth Berkley, chief executive of vaccine alliance Gavi, told The Times.

The World Health Organisation, governments and drugmakers founded Gavi to give poor countries access to vaccines.

But Dr Berkley is increasingly worried about progress reversing in the developed world.

Discredited former doctor Andrew Wakefield caused panic after falsely claiming the MMR jab causes autism and his followers are experiencing a resurgence in the US.

Dr Berkley said Britain needs to be alert to its vaccination rates slipping, as MMR coverage has fallen from 92.7 per cent in 2013-14 to 91.9 per cent in the latest available figures.

Doctor Andrew Wakefield hugging Josh Edwards, a 17-year-old with autism. The doctor and his supporters believe the condition is caused by jabs

'If its less than 90-95 per cent you do have susceptibility build up, and then you have outbreaks,' he said.

'It does worry me when I start seeing outbreaks in developed countries. That shouldnt happen.

'Are developed countries moving away from vaccines? Yes, and one of the reasons is we dont see the diseases any more.

'People think they arent relevant. Theyre not seeing people die from these diseases.

'The second thing that has happened is the experts dont have the same credibility.'

Andrew Wakefield sparked concerns by suggesting that vaccines could cause autism

The anti-vaccine movement was given support by celebrities including actor Robert De Niro and former Playboy model Jenny McCarthy.

Dr Berkley said middle-class 'Whole Foods mums' were also adding to the problem.

'Were really in trouble when a Playboy bunny has the same authority as the American Academy of Paediatrics,' he said.

'The problem is that we equate the expert with some of the denialists.

'Its the Whole Foods mums; youre trying to be organic, youre trying to do the right thing for your kids and all of a sudden youre like well, do I need to inject these things? Is it really a risk?

Former Playboy model Jenny McCarthy was among celebrities who gave support to the anti-vaccine movement

'My children are fully vaccinated and I would consider myself to not be a good parent if I didnt do that. How do we get that mentality?'

He said people who think measles is relatively harmless should consider complications that can 'turn your brain into liquid'.

''I dont care what hospital youre in or how rich you are, that happens to you, you are dead,' he said.

'The issue is the average kid does get better if hes well-nourished, but occasionally people die and also the disease spreads and the kid whos just had cancer treatment and is immunosuppressed [is in danger].'

Dr Berkley said a British drop in vaccine coverage for diptheria, tetanus and meningitis C was evidence MMR scepticism had 'bled to other vaccines'.

But health bosses believe administrative disruption caused the dip, rather than anti-vaccine sentiment.

They pledged to boost coverage through campaigns and 2016-17 figures will be released on Wednesday.

Public Health England's head of immunisation, Mary Ramsay, said: 'We are working closely with the NHS and with staff in general practice, where most vaccinations are delivered, to improve uptake.'
Advance forecasts have raised the possibility that Hurricane Jose could threaten New York in the coming week.

The Category One hurricane was on Saturday morning moving northwest 480 miles off of Cape Hatteras with sustained winds of 80mph.

The center of the storm could hit Long Island Wednesday, according to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center.

An Air Force hurricane hunter plane was en route to investigate the storm on Saturday morning.

The latest satellite imagery of Hurricane Jose shows it on Saturday. The storm is moving morning moving northwest 480 miles off of Cape Hatteras with winds of 80mph

The latest storm track forecast shows the possibility of the center of the storm hitting Long Island, although the storm could also veer out to sea

If Jose does track towards the Atlantic seaboard, it could add on to an already devastating hurricane season, following Harvey's flooding in Texas and Irma's destruction in Florida.

Theres an 18 per cent chance of tropical storm-force winds hitting New York City between Tuesday and Wednesday, Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground, told Bloomberg.

No areas of the coast are currently under storm watches or warnings, and forecasters stressed vigilance as the storm could hit land or move back out to sea.

Currently there is less than a 30 percent chance that tropical storm-force winds will hit New York City, according to this forecast map

This map shows 20 different potential storm tracks for Jose. There is much disagreement between forecasters as to what direction the storm may ultimately take

'Interests from North Carolina northward to New England on the east coast of the United States should monitor the progress of this system,' the NHC said in a flash bulletin on Saturday.

'Tropical storm watches may be needed for portions of this area during the next day or two,' the agency said.

Up and down the coast from New York to Florida, there are already rip current advisories in effect, with officials warning that rough surf and waves generated by Jose could make beach activities hazardous.
Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke has been told to revise his master's thesis or the Naval Postgraduate School will begin the process of rescinding his degree.

Clarke, 61, was accused of plagiarism in May after CNN reported that he failed to properly attribute sources at least 47 times in his 2013 thesis.

Clarke denied committing plagiarism.

A July letter published Friday by CNN shows the school found a violation and gave Clarke 100 days to make revisions.

Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke is pictured speaking at a Donald Trump rally in Wisconsin in October 2016. Clarke was accused of plagiarizing his master's thesis in May and a July letter indicates that his alma mater, the Naval Postgraduate School, found a violation

Pictured is Clarke at the Republican National Convention in July 2016. Clarke was given 100 days to revise his thesis or face the revocation of his degree. The initial allegation of plagiarism found that he had failed to properly attribute sources at least 47 times. The July letter, written by the school's dean of students, found the violation was 'not a result of any intentional deception'

The letter from Commander Paul Rasmussen, dean of students, says the violation was 'not a result of any intentional deception.'

It's not clear if Clarke has made revisions.

The Associated Press sent a message seeking comment to Clarke's office Friday.

In response to the CNN report, Clarke told radio host Joe Pags: 'They're saying certain words and phrases I should have put quotation marks around. OK, alright, fine. Maybe from a formatting standpoint the thesis isn't perfect, but the content is there.'

Clarke announced this month that he would join a political action committee supporting President Donald Trump. He resigned as sheriff on August 31.

The president also tweeted a promotion last month for 'Cop Under Fire,' a memoir by the sheriff.

'A great book by a great guy, highly recommended!' Trump tweeted.

Pictured is Clarke at the National Rifle Association - Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum in April 2017. Clarke said of the plagiarism allegations: 'They're saying certain words and phrases I should have put quotation marks around. OK, alright, fine. Maybe from a formatting standpoint the thesis isn't perfect, but the content is there'

Clarke is pictured with Donald Trump (center, with former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani at right). Clarke has supported Trump since his campaign and Trump has in turn endorsed the controversial sheriff. Trump tweeted support of Clarke's memoir, 'Cop Under Fire,' in May

The sheriff was a consistent and ardent supporter of Trump throughout his campaign and presidency. He greeted Trump during his visit to Milwaukee and attended post-election meetings in Trump Tower.

Clarke even claimed to have been offered the position of Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Partnership and Engagement by Trump.

However, the Department of Homeland Security said no official offer had been made and Clarke later backed off, saying he'd chosen not to accept the alleged proposal.

Clarke and his office have been dogged by a string of controversies.

They include claims that he abused his power to have a man detained and removed from a Milwaukee airport after the pair exchanged words on a flight from Dallas.

The man, Milwaukee resident Dan Black, is now suing the department over the alleged January 15 encounter, in which he says he confirmed Clarke's identity and then shook his head ruefully.

Clarke reportedly then texted his men in Milwaukee: 'Follow him to baggage and out the door. You can escort me to carousel after I point him out.

'Just a field interview, no arrest unless he become an a*****e with your guys,' he reportedly also texted.

Clarke is pictured leaving New York City's Trump Tower in November 2016. Clarke resigned as Milwaukee County sheriff on August 31 and left a string of controversies in his wake

Clarke's other controversies include saying he would 'choke out a Democrat' during a speech to Trump supporters and shouting 'Blue Lives Matter' at a Republican National Convention.

More seriously, he has racked up at least $310,000 in legal fees for his private attorney due to litigation against Milwaukee County - with taxpayers footing the bill, according to Associated Press.

The county has also paid at least $83,000 defending against lawsuits made against Clarke, who assumed office in 2002.

Pictured is Donald Trump, who has expressed support for David Clarke

And the Sheriff's Department has suffered a string of horrifying claims, including the death of Terrill Thomas in 2016, who died of dehydration after the water to his cell was cut off. He was reportedly refused water by department staff.

In May 2017, a Milwaukee County jury advised that charges be brought against two supervisors and five officers under Clarke's command.

In 2014, two women sued the department for shackling them while in labor - a practice banned by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

in June of this year, a federal jury awarded $6.7 million to a woman who said a Milwaukee County Jail guard had raped her nine times while she was imprisoned.

He pleaded guilty to lesser charges, causing charges of sexual assault made against him to be dropped.

And in July last year, the county supervisor and Democratic lawmakers called for Clarke's resignation after Shade Swayzer, a mentally ill pregnant woman, lost her daughter after she went into labor while in prison.
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Protests in St Louis have turned violent for the second night in a row following Friday's acquittal of white cop Jason Stockley, who was accused of murdering black drug dealer Anthony Smith in 2011 on Friday after years of anticipation.

Friday night's upheaval saw 33 people arrested and at least ten officers injured - including one who had his jaw broken and another who dislocated his shoulder.

On Saturday, another 300 marched at West County Center Mall to carry on their demonstration for a second night; that event ended peacefully, but around 11pm demonstrators began to clash with police and smash storefronts.

Multiple people were seen being hauled off by police, and one man was seen with his face drenched in pepper spray.

'Almost every storefront in the Loop is destroyed,' tweeted KDSK reporter Jacob Long as the violence got out of hand.

Scroll down for videos

St Louis had undergone a successful peaceful protest on Saturday that ended at 9pm. At 10pm a new group gathered in the University City area and got into confrontations with police; this photo was taken just before violence broke out

At around 11pm tension turned to violence as protesters threw rocks at police, kicked trash cans, and smashed windows. They were furious that Jason Stockley, a white cop, was acquitted on Friday of shooting a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, in 2011

Police arrest a man as they try to clear the crowd. A protester had been seen throwing red paint - seen here on this cop's riot shield - onto police as tensions spilled over. At least six people were arrested

A man is treated after being pepper sprayed during the second night of violence in the city. The University City area has historically been the dividing line between black and white St Louis

Protesters throw cans around in the street in St Louis on Saturday night. Protesters were seen throwing rocks at police as tension spilled over into outright violence

A woman walks past a broken window as police try to clear a violent crowd. Local news reported that few of the protesters present during the violence had been at an earlier, 300-person march through West County Mall

Despite public outcry over the shooting, Stockley was acquitted of first degree murder yesterday; the decision sparked uproar in the Missouri town.

In response to the decision, protesters burned flags outside the mayor's house on Saturday afternoon, and 300 people marched on West County Mall, leading to Macy's closing its doors for business.

But it wasn't until Saturday night that things became dangerous.

At around 9pm, the organizers of the day-long protest, which had included local celebrities such as former America's Got Talent host Nick Cannon, announced that the demonstration had ended successfully. No people had been arrested, they said, and the crowd dispersed peacefully, according to KDSK.

But at around 10pm a second crowd formed in University City, at the corner of Delmar Boulevard and Leland Avenue, and tensions quickly grew.

Around an hour later, spilled over into violence as protesters threw rocks, chunks of concrete and red paint at police, and began throwing trash cans and chairs through shop windows.

One protester had attacked a police SUV with a hammer, St Louis Today reported; several of his fellow protesters were seen being arrested by the 200-strong collection of cops in riot gear who stepped in to break up the crowd.

'It's not just glass,' Long reported of the destruction. 'We saw innocent people's and business owners' livelihoods attacked unnecessarily in an instant.'

RL Nave, a local news editor, tweeted: 'For those unaware, Delmar has long been STL's racial dividing line b/n the black North Side and white South Side. The symbolism is chilling.'

However, he and several others at the scene stressed that the damage was not caused by the same protesters who had protested earlier in the day, but by violent newcomers.

On Friday, 33 people were arrested in St Louis; in Saturday's second night of violence (pictured) more people were seen being dragged away by police

A chair is seen next to a shattered Starbucks window in University City, St Louis. Several people were seen being pushed to the ground and arrested by police

A woman looks into a broken window in a store in St Louis. Earlier, protesters had marched peacefully through West County Mall to protest Stockley's acquitta

Police walk through University City after breaking up and clearing out the violent crowd. The protesters had dispersed by around 11:30pm, leaving shop-owners to clear up

Local man Scott McRoberts helps clean up broken glass after a violent crowd broke windows on many businesses in University City

A volunteer scoops up thousands of shards of broken glass in the wake of the shocking violence. One of the organizers of the day's peaceful protest denounced the violence, saying anyone not prepared to protest peacefully shouldn't 'come out at all'

Some noted that the businesses being damaged - Long counted at least 24 in total - were likely black-owned.

'A little more context,' tweeted Trust but Verify reporter Staci D Kramer, '#UCity is one of the most integrated municipalities + the Loop has one of the most diverse collection of businesses.'

Pastor Doug Hollis, one of the organizers of the peaceful daytime protest told St Louis Today that anyone who wanted to act out violently should stay at home.

'I'm out here with the protesters. We dispersed earlier tonight, and what we want to say to the community is, we're doing peaceful protests.

'We don't want ya'll coming out here, turning up, busting out windows - if you're not coming to [peacefully] protest, please don't come out here...

'If you're coming out here for anything besides peaceful protest, we ask that you stay where you at. This is a peaceful situation.

'We know what happened, we know what the verdict was, but we're not trying to break in nobody's buildings, we're not trying to bust windows, we're not trying to tear up folks' cars, we're not trying to do all that.

'We're trying to have a peaceful protest. that's all we want is peace. If you can't come out peacefully, don't come out at all.'

By 12:30am Sunday, the violent protesters had been arrested or dispersed, and locals gathered to sweep up glass and clean up the ruined streets

STL activist,pastor Doug Hollis after protests took turn. "If you can't come here peacefully, don't come at all." #jasonstockley #stlverdict pic.twitter.com/n7nEIZQsBY  Nassim Benchaabane (@NassimBnchabane) September 17, 2017

Protesters descended on West County Mall in St Louis, Missouri, on Saturday for the second day of protests over the acquittal of cop Jason Stockley who shot Anthony Smith in 2011

The protesters held signs reading 'black lives matter' and 'white silence = white consent' as they stormed down the escalators

As concerns over violence grew earlier Saturday, Messina Touring Group posted a cancellation notice on the website of the Scott Trade Center, where Ed Sheeran had been expected to play on Sunday.

'With the safety of the fans being of upmost concern, and after consulting with local officials, who could not fully commit to providing a sufficient amount of police and other city services support, we felt it was in everyones best interest to cancel Sunday night's show,' it read.

U2 cancelled its concert in St Louis on Saturday in light of the protests

'While we regret to have had to come to this decision, we do look forward to returning to St Louis as soon as Eds schedule will allow in 2018.

And earlier in the day, U2 issued its own statement, saying: 'We have been informed by the St Louis Police Department that they are not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size.

'We have also been informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity. In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans safety by proceeding with tonights concert.

'As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment.'

Ticketholders will be able to claim a refund online or at their place of purchase, they added.

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra also canceled its performances of the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets scores on Friday and Saturday, and says ticket-holders should 'hold on' to their tickets while the event is rescheduled.

Its Sunday-night performance is still scheduled to go ahead, according to its website.

There was an increased police presence at the mall as the protesters stormed through it but the demonstration remained peaceful

Many stores closed their doors as the protesters marched past them peacefully carrying signs and chanting

Macy's locked its doors in fear of the crowd. The protesters said they wanted to 'shut down' the mall to harm the city's economy as payback for acquitting the white cop

Cops stood guard outside stores at the mall as protesters marched past with signs on Saturday afternoon

Stockley (left) was aquitted on Friday in the 2011 death of Smith (right, with his daughter)

With more protests feared to take place on Saturday night, an angry crowd formed at West County Mall to march.

They were non-violent and marched through the mall chanting various slogans. Friday night's protests were decidedly more threatening.

Police found guns at some of the protest sites and were forced to put out dumpster fires in other areas.

In a late night message, Mayor Lyda Krewson, who was forced to flee her home as protesters descended on it, joined St Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson to deliver a message to the city's residents.

'Our officers have been very tolerant and have used great restraint however this evening we've had some incidents.

As the protesters stormed the mall, there were fears of other, more violent protests which may erupt later in the night

'I DID NOTHING WRONG': COP DEFENDS HIMSELF AFTER ACQUITTAL After his acquittal on Friday, Jason Stockley took part in a sit-down interview with The St Louis Dispatch where he continued to defend his actions in December 2011. 'I did not murder Anthony Lamar Smith. I did not plant a gun. 'I can feel for and I understand what the family is going through, and I know everyone wants someone to blame, but I'm just not the guy,' he said. Critics are convinced he shot Smith six times with his own weapon then placed another in Smith's car to make it appear he had been armed. The gun had none of Smith's DNA on it but it had traces of Stockley's. Speaking of his acquittal, Stockley said he felt as though a 'burden had been lifted'. 'The taking of a life is the most significant thing that one can do, and it's not something that is done lightly and it's not something that should ever be celebrated. 'And it's just a horrible experience altogether. But, sometimes, it's necessary.' Advertisement

'Tonight, we responded to numerous locations as demonstrators marched through the city. After dark, many agitators began to destroy property and assault police officers.

'A total of 9 St Louis officers were injured. Injuries of St Louis city officers include a possible broken jaw as well as one officer with a dislocated shoulder.

'Windows were also broken, restaurants sustained damage as did the library. Tear gas was deployed after officers were assaulted with bricks and bottles.'

The force shared a photograph on Twitter of a gun that was found at one of the scenes.

Westgate Mall was temporarily shut down on Saturday in the second day of upheaval. They chanted: 'You kill one of us, we kill your economy' and carried Black Lives Matters signs above their heads.

A protester on Friday night faces officers in St Louis while marching against the acquittal of Jason Stockley

An officer armed with a wooden baton and wearing a gas mask gets ready to face the angry crowds

Police dressed in riot gear were forced to defend themselves against the angry crowds of protesters. Nine were injured

A child among the protesters who descended on the city last night, causing damage to buildings and injuries to cops

A group link arms in solidarity as they prepare to face police on Friday in St Louis

Susanna Prins, 27, of University City, showed up at a meeting to plan the action carrying a sign stating, 'White silence is violence.'

'I feel helpless and I feel just rage,' Prins said. 'Not saying or doing anything makes you complicit in the brutalization of our friends and neighbors.

Video footage taken inside shows them chanting from the escalators.

They formed their plan in a park hours earlier where one protester told local station KSDK: 'There's only two things this country understands: money and eye-for-an-eye, tooth-for-a-tooth.

'The second, we're not engaged in so we have to affect this system economically. Today, we are going to shut down a mall.'

The protests, which began during the afternoon, continued well into the evening hours

Police are seen above blocking the entrance to the interstate during a mass protest

One demonstrator addresses the crowd with a bullhorn while another holds up an American flag

A man rides a bike as police in riot gear stand watch in downtown St. Louis

A protester holds an American flag upside down during the demonstrations

On Friday night, protesters used milk to take the pepper spray out of their eyes.

The head of the NAACP St. Louis asked President Donald Trump and the Justice Department to immediately review Stockley's acquittal.

St. Louis Public Radio reports that in a letter sent Friday, St. Louis NAACP president Adolphus Pruitt said the Justice Department needed to give immediate attention to the case 'to get to the truth of what happened and to ensure that justice has been served.'

Pruitt said the community has lost faith in local authorities to fairly handle such cases.

Demonstrators were also seen burning American flags as they were marching through the mayor's neighborhood

A protester stands on a 'blue lives matter' flag after the not guilty verdict in the murder trial

A riot police officer is seen above holding a gun as protests continued well into the night

Earlier on Friday, men were seen holding rifles as they walk down with a group of protesters in downtown St. Louis, after a judge found a white former St. Louis police officer, Jason Stockley, not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase in 2011

He cited the remarks from Albert Watkins, the attorney for Smith's fiancee. Watkins said ruling was 'appallingly contrary' to evidence in the case.

Watkins said the family disagrees with the judge's ruling that the state didn't meet its burden of proof for a finding that the officer was guilty of murder.

Watkins and Smith's fiance, Christina Wilson, on Thursday appealed for calm and non-violent protest no matter what verdict was issued.

Wells Fargo Advisors, brokerage and investment firm Stifel and Nestle Purina PetCare all sent thousands of employees home Friday after the acquittal.

And an Alzheimer's Walk scheduled for Saturday in downtown St. Louis was postponed.

A protester is doused with milk to counter the effects of pepper spray which was used by police

A cop and a protester stand face to face during the protests on Friday

Protesters are seen above yelling at law enforcement officers on the steps of the Old Courthouse

Members of National Park Service watch as protesters pass the Old Courthouse

A woman marching downtown holds up a sign that reads 'Murderers Are In Uniform' during the protests

THE JUDGE WHO DECIDED THE CASE St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson The judge who acquitted Stockley is described as objective and well-respected by prosecutors and defense lawyers alike. St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson, who must retire when he turns 70 in December, has ruled both for and against police during his 28 years on the bench. 'He's very methodical and a very objective judge,' Jack Garvey, a lawyer and former judge told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 'He really will review everything before he makes a decision. I don't think he's ideological in any way.' People accused of crimes have the right to have their cases heard by a jury, but can opt to have the verdict rendered by a judge instead, as Stockley chose to do. Experts say a judge is more likely to understand the concept of reasonable doubt and not be swayed by emotions. Advertisement

Republican Gov. Eric Greitens was highly critical during his 2016 campaign of how former Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon managed the Ferguson protests, suggesting that with the right presence and leadership there could have been peace by the second night.

In advance of the Stockley verdict, Greitens met with Smith's fiancee, black state lawmakers, black St. Louis faith leaders and law enforcement in the hopes of projecting a shared message that peaceful protest would be tolerated but violence wouldn't.

Before the verdict, Greitens put the National Guard on standby, and some troops were deployed Friday night to guard fire stations and other "critical infrastructure" that Greitens didn't specify. He was in St. Louis Friday night and met with local law enforcement officials.

Police erected barricades around their own headquarters and the courthouse and dozens of officers in flak jackets and helmets who wielded batons and shields corralled demonstrators throughout the day and evening.

Demonstrators occasionally lobbed objects into the fortified line of officers, who used pepper spray to repel the crowd.

Tensions flared several times, including when protesters blocked a bus full of riot officers, damaged a police cruiser with rocks and later broke a window and spattered red paint on the home of Mayor Lyda Krewson.

After a tense standoff at the mayor's home, police used tear gas to clear the area.

Police said they made nearly two-dozen arrests before dark and more in the evening, though they still hadn't provided an updated figure more than 12 hours later.

Stockley testified that he saw the 24-year-old holding a silver revolver as he sped away and felt he was in imminent danger as he was approaching the vehicle later.

At his trial, prosecutors said Stockley planted a gun in Smith's car after the shooting - Stockley's DNA was on the weapon but Smith's wasn't. Dashcam video from Stockley's cruiser captured him saying he was "going to kill this (expletive), don't you know it." Less than a minute later, he shot Smith five times.

Stockley's lawyer dismissed the comment as "human emotions" uttered during a dangerous pursuit and the judge said it could be ambiguous.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson said prosecutors didn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley murdered Smith or that the officer didn't act in self-defense.
The moment a fallen sailor was returned to her family in Oklahoma was so overwhelming for passengers on a commercial flight it brought nearly everyone to tears.

Passenger Mike Helms said when his plane landed at Will Rogers World Airport Thursday night, the crew informed passengers of the special significance of the flight.

'When we stopped at the terminal, the pilot announced that he would like to inform us that we were flying one of our fallen soldiers home to her family,' Helms wrote to Facebook.

'This moment hit me hard for some reason. I couldn't hold back tears,' Helms recounted after taking this picture

The moment a fallen sailor returned home to her family brought people on a Delta flight to tears. This is a still from a video recorded by one of her family members

Brooke Newton (pictured), 25, died in San Diego, California on August 30, 2017, according to her obituary

Newton was born at Tinker Air Force Base to Billy Newton and Misty Garrett on April 17, 1992

'He asked that we remain on the plane until our soldier was removed from the plane first. He also asked that we give a moment of silence.'

Helms said as he looked outside, he could see the casket, draped in the American flag, emerging from the plane.

Next to it, the mother and father of Brooke Newton, 25, were hysterically crying, and members of her unit were saluting her.

'This moment hit me hard for some reason. I couldn't hold back tears. As I looked around the plane, I was hoping nobody would see my moment of weakness... But to my surprise, damn near everyone on the plane was crying,' he recounted.

'It was amazing to see people of all races and religions on the Delta flight that night pay their respects to a soldier and her family,' Helm said.

The story of Brooke Newton's last trip home has since garnered 200,000 shares on the social media site

A relative of Brooke Newton later reached out to Helms to personally thank him for sharing his story (pictured: Brooke Newton with her father Billy)

'I saw no division on that plane last night. I saw Americans paying respect to their countryman. A woman who put her life on the line for me, and you, and your freedoms.'

A relative of the Newton family later reached out to Helms, thanking him for the post.

'Thank you from the bottom of my families heart!!!! You are an amazing soul truly!!!!,' wrote Jennifer Nadeau, who a cousin of Brooke's father, Billy.

Since the story of Brooke Newton's last flight home was uploaded to Facebook, the post has garnered nearly 200,000 shares.

Brooke Newton's mother, Noelle, later posted on her Facebook page: 'I LOVE YOU BABY AND I ALWAYS WILL!!!'

While her father posted pictures of Brooke during her childhood, writing to everyone that expressed condolences: 'Thank you to everybody that reached out me and my family today. I was traveling most of the day and couldn't really keep up. Please keep us in your prayers because we really need them.'

Brooke died on August 30 in San Diego, California, according to an obituary published in the Edmond Sun.

Newton was born at Tinker Air Force Base to Billy Newton and Misty Garrett on April 17, 1992.

She graduated from high school in 2010, then joined the Air National Guard. She later enlisted in the Navy after attending the University of Central Oklahoma.

The exact nature of how Newton died still remains unknown. A request for comment placed to Naval Base San Diego was not immediate returned.
British police officers are resorting to using specialist FBI trained dogs which can detect paedophiles computers in the fight against child abuse.

Tweed and Rob, the UK's first two dogs to be cyber-trained, are now being used to hunt software stashed by paedophiles in their homes.

Detectives are then able to examine the hard drives of hidden computers thoroughly to find out whether there are any illicit images of children.

Police dog handlers PC Martin King and PC Jill Curnow with Tweed, a 19-month-old springer spaniel and Rob, a 20-month-old black Labrador

Tweed and Rob are based in Devon and Cornwall Police and are the first two cyber detection dogs in the UK.

The pair will also be helping out other police forces across the country.

The two dogs underwent specialist training from the FBI, where they learned how to detect a chemical used to cool memory chips in technology.

Springer spaniel Tweed has already been used in raids this week by Essex Police.

Following the raid, PC Jan Simpson of Essex Police said: 'We will not tolerate those committing this heinous crime and, using all the tools available to us including specialist resources such as Tweed, we will continue to root out those committing these offences and bring them to justice.

'If you are taking, viewing, downloading or distributing indecent images of children, then it is only a matter of time before you can expect us to knock on your door.

'We are very grateful to Devon and Cornwall Police for allowing Tweed to provide invaluable support.'
Michael Issacson, 29, is a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the public City University of New York system. He is pictured wearing an antifa shirt

A professor with ties to antifa has slammed Bill de Blasio after the New York City mayor blasted his tweets about 'dead cops'.

Michael Isaacson, 29, tweeted his disgust with de Blasio on Saturday, a day after the professor ignited a furor with his remarks about teaching aspiring police officers at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

'Some of yall might think it sucks being an anti-fascist teaching at John Jay College but I think its a privilege to teach future dead cops,' Isaacson tweeted on August 23, with the remarks coming to light after his appearance on Fox News Thursday night.

Isaacson was placed on administrative leave from John Jay, part of the public City University of New York system, on Friday.

De Blasio, who in the past has had his own reputation issues with the NYPD rank-and-file, spoke out swiftly to condemn the professor.

New York Mayor Bill deBlasio swiftly condemned Isaacson's remarks about 'dead cops'

Isaacson was placed on administrative leave from John Jay College, part of the public City University of New York system, on Friday

Isaacson clapped back at de Blasio on Saturday in a multi-part tweetstorm

Isaacson wrote that de Blasio had infringed on the school's administrative autonomy, and 'taken a swipe at free speech and academic freedom'

'New York City won't stand for the vile anti-police rhetoric of Michael Isaacson and neither should John Jay College,' de Blasio said in a Friday evening tweet.

Isaacson clapped back on Saturday in a multi-part tweetstorm: 'idk if he consulted anyone before sending this out, but he really should have because he messed up big.'

Isaacson wrote that de Blasio had infringed on the school's administrative autonomy, and 'taken a swipe at free speech and academic freedom.'

He also accused the mayor of taking a cheap shot at him to placate the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the main union representing NYPD cops.

'Keep in mind this is the same @NYCMayor who was protested by that same PBA for balking on a 1% pay increase. Who's really anti-police here?' wrote Isaacson.

The professor's tweets about 'dead cops' came to light on Friday after he appeared on Fox News.

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the Detectives' Endowment Association and the NYPD Captains Endowment Association all released statements condemning Isaacson's action.

Isaacson told the Daily News: 'I don't have a problem with individual police officers  I mean, I teach them  but I dont like policing as an institution.'

Isaacson appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight on Thursday night. The publicity caused his August 23 tweet about police to resurface

Isaacson is pictured holding a sign that reads: 'Richard Spencer is still a d***.' Spencer is a white nationalist

He added to the New York Post: 'I critique policing as an institution which operates at the behest of a state that increasingly represents the weapons and prison industry rather than the public theyre supposed to serve through decades of gerrymandering by both Republicans and Democrats.'

The professor is involved in the antifa - or anti-fascist - movement.

He founded a group called Smash Racism D.C., which advocates violence against organized white supremacists.

He also considers himself to be an anarchist.

Isaacson told the New York Daily News: 'I don't have a problem with individual police officers  I mean, I teach them  but I dont like policing as an institution.' Pictured at right is John Jay College, where he works as a professor

Pictured is the August 23 tweet that Isaacson tweeted from his account, @VulgarEconomics

The publicity surrounding Isaacson's comments came as a result of his appearance on the Tucker Carlson show on Friday.

On the show, the professor did verbal battle with the conservative commentator.

He told Carlson: I teach [my students] to think critically, and thats why Im very open about my anti-fascism and my anarchism.'

Tweeters have sent death threats to Isaacson ever since his August 23 tweet.

Isaacson said that his Friday class had to be watched over by three security guards and receive active shooter training.

In a statement, he said he agreed with the decision to place him on administrative leave, calling it 'the right call in the interest of safety'.
It has been more than a decade since I fired the first shot in my David and Goliath battle with the giant Lloyds Banking Group.

In that time, Ive done my best to make my case. Ive set up a dedicated website, a Facebook platform, an internet radio station and a YouTube channel with more than 20 videos  all of which have generated a consistent flow of information and support.

But nothing has matched the scale of the response to my interview in last weeks Mail on Sunday, in which I outlined the devastating personal consequences of the way I was treated by HBOS  later taken over by Lloyds  and by one criminal bank manager, Mark Dobson, in particular.

It has been more than a decade since I fired the first shot in my David and Goliath battle with the giant Lloyds Banking Group

I told how they drove my businesses into the ground and cost me my home, my marriage and very nearly my life as I was driven to the edge of suicide. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those readers who have sympathised with my emotional ordeal.

My journey is far from over  I still have a 300 million claim against Lloyds. But there is some comfort in knowing that Im not alone in being pushed to the very brink by evil bankers.

My journey is far from over  I still have a 300 million claim against Lloyds. But there is some comfort in knowing that Im not alone in being pushed to the very brink by evil bankers

Quite simply, I am horrified at the scale of the damage to so many other livelihoods and lives. Havent we all grown up trusting high street banks? Their branches were fixtures, not only in our towns and cities, but in the way our lives ran.

Yet it is no exaggeration to say that thousands, possibly millions of us, instead of being helped have found our lives permanently damaged by the toxic UK financial system.

Each day last week, other victims visited me at my home.

The stories of shattered families, life-threatening illnesses and suicides are truly harrowing.

My terrible school days made me stronger The TV star believes that surviving his horrendous school days gave him the strength to fight back against the banks. His heavily regimented days at the private Brentwood School in Essex during the 1960s, where fellow pupils included Labour grandee Jack Straw and comedian Griff Rhys Jones, were characterised by bullying and savage canings, and Noel says he still bears the emotional scars. He recalls that it felt almost like having served a sentence rather than having had an education. Pictured: Noel as a schoolboy But he says it gave him the drive to eventually succeed. Noel also credits his parents, Dudley and Lydia, with bringing him up to be a positive person with the will to succeed in the cut-throat world of broadcasting  despite their disappointment at his decision not to go to university. When I said to my Dad, Im not going to university, Im going to be a disc jockey, it was quite a moment. He said, Just go and be the best one theres ever been. But, deep down inside, he and Mum must have been dying. They instilled positive energy in me. I know I open myself to ridicule when I say it, but the energy of my parents is entwined with my own life force. I sense their presence in everything I do. Advertisement

For example, one woman who ran a successful fashion company had lost her business, her home, her marriage and finally her sanity.

She told me she received death threats from one financial consultant  by no means the only scare tactic I have heard.

Another victim of HBOS and Lloyds was a farmer, a real salt of the earth type, who wrote to me saying he had been put through hell. His wife is fighting cancer for a second time and he desperately hopes they can recover their losses.

To list all such tales of heartbreak Ive heard would require page after page. Suffice to say, ordinary people have been squeezed to the limit by the banks and their associates, their ordeals often strikingly similar to the one I have barely survived.

My own case has its roots in the notorious scandal based at the HBOS Reading branch, when a cabal of corrupt bankers and consultants set out to ruin small businesses, taking huge consultancy fees and stripping business assets.

It is true that Lloyds  which took over HBOS at the height of the financial crisis and is now responsible for clearing up the aftermath of the HBOS crime  has made numerous positive statements about setting aside compensation for victims. But the experience of those who have given evidence to the review of the HBOS scandal by Professor Russel Griggs has not been encouraging, with victims reporting a take-it-or-leave-it approach.

My fight, which will hopefully benefit all of the victims, is gaining support from every direction  lawyers and accountants offering additional advice; those generously offering to fund any future legal campaigns, and numerous media requests to discuss last weekends revelations.

Dave Fishwick, of the Bank of Dave, called me. What a great character! You might have heard of Mr Fishwick who, aside from being the largest supplier of minibuses in the UK, has set up his own bank. He was moved to create Burnley Savings And Loans after he found that his customers were being starved of cash by the conventional system.

Dave wants to put the trust back into banking and treat customers as valued clients, not people to be exploited. Im really looking forward to our meeting.

Lawrence Tomlinson is another who saw last weeks paper. Mr Tomlinsons Government-commissioned report in 2013 exposed the unfair treatment of business customers by RBS and he is dropping by this afternoon to discuss my fight with Lloyds.

Tomorrow, Im off to Oxford to meet representatives of Thames Valley Police and hand over documentation about my case, and to supply additional HBOS/Lloyds names for their ongoing investigation, Operation Hornet.

She told me she received death threats from one financial consultant  by no means the only scare tactic I have heard

It had already been an exhausting week. Yet just when I was about to take the dog for a long, relaxing walk, there was another startling development. An email arrived, followed by a phone chat and then a hastily arranged four-hour meeting at my home with the owner of the most explosive evidence Ive seen. Ive seen bundles of documents, which leave me in absolutely no doubt that the banking malpractices which wrecked thousands of lives were not confined to a single rogue unit in HBOS Reading, but extend much further and for a lot longer.

The harsh reality, which makes me very sad and extremely concerned for our nations future, is that for many years huge numbers of small to medium-sized UK businesses have been systematically pillaged by many of our largest banks  banks that are now too big to fail and too big to regulate, run by former executives who apparently believe they are too big to jail.

A spokesman for Lloyds Banking Group said: We are making progress with providing compensation to customers affected by the criminal misconduct of those convicted in relation to HBOS Reading. Where we have customer input we have been able to assess nearly all of these cases and provide compensation offers. We have provided offers to nearly half of all customers in the review, and in more than 50 per cent of such cases the offers have been accepted and paid.
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Amazing pictures from World War II have unveiled the swathes of Spitfires which were gifted to American forces by the RAF.

The stunning images show how the RAF emblem was removed and replaced by America's 'stars and bars' of the USAAF.

The mixture of colour along with black and white images show brave pilots standing by their newly-donated planes, often with a fresh lick of paint on them.

The pictures are in Tony Holmes' new book entitled Star-Spangled Spitfires.

Mr Holmes said: 'The USAAF received Spitfires because it lacked suitable fighters of its own in Britain with which to engage the enemy.

'Also, the first fighter squadrons assigned to the USAAF in Britain were ex-RAF units manned by American volunteers who had signed up to fight the enemy ahead of the US entry into World War II.

'The squadrons were equipped with Spitfires at the time of their transfer to the USAAF's Eighth Air Force in September 1942, and they took their aeroplanes with them.

'The USAAF was grateful to have Spitfires available when it first commenced operations in the UK, as it had no fighters of its own that could match the performance of the German Bf 109G and Fw 190A.'

The new book details the fight operations of US war-heroes and USAAF units were equipped with the famous Supermarine fighter from the summer of 1942.

Mr Holmes said: 'They allowed both veteran and novice pilots alike to get a taste of frontline combat in Europe prior to the arrival of American-built fighters in 1943.

'The American units that flew Spitfires in North Africa and the Mediterranean saw far more action with the British fighter. Indeed, the last ones were not replaced by US Mustangs in this theatre until March 1944.

'The operations of the units in the Mediterranean were highly successful. Indeed, 22 American pilots shot down five or more Axis aircraft to achieve coveted title of ace.

'The photo-reconnaissance Spitfire XIs flown by the USAAF from Britain also performed a valuable, unsung, mission, flying alone and unarmed deep into Germany through to VE-Day.'

First Lieutenant Willian Skinner replaced his war-weary Spitfire VC with this Mk VIII, which he christened Lonesome Polecat with a fresh new paint job

During a press visit in September 1942, the air unit at Goodwood airfield carried out a series of 'stunts' for reporters

New Yorker Richard Hurd was the last pilot to 'make ace' - a term for a person who has shot down several enemy targets

First Lieutenant John Fawcett smiles from the cockpit of his newly painted Spitfire dubbed Lady Ellen III

After service with the RAF's No 133 'Eagle' Sqn, Second Lieutenant 'Dixie' Alexander transferred to the USAAF (left) and after serving with the RAF's No 133 'Eagle' Sqn, Second Lieutenant 'Dixie' Alexander also transferred to the USAAF (right)

Major Harrison Thyng strikes a typical fighter pilot's pose while undertaking his conversion on to the Spitfire in late June 1942 at RAF Atcham, near Shrewsbury

First Lieutenant William Skinner of the 308th FS/31st FG runs his hand over damage inflicted on his Spitfire VC by an 88mm flak shell that detonated near his aircraft during a mission over Italy in October 1943

First Lieutenant Buck Ingram sits in his Spitfire at Kenley, which is discretely marked with the Star of David

Spitfire VC ER256 was the personal aircraft of Lieutenant Colonel Fred Dean, who adopted the RAF practice of carrying his initials on his aircraft rather than squadron codes

This was the fate of a number of Spitfires which had been damaged during battle in World War Two

Colonel Albert Clark became the first USAAF fighter casualty in Europe on 26 July 1942, flying Spitfire VB BL96/VZ-G

First Lieutenant Carroll Pryblo was hit by 'friendly' anti-aircraft fire and forced to crash land Spitfire VC JK707 on one of the invasion beachhead, but managed to survive the crash
A location scout for the Netflix series Narcos has been fatally shot in Mexico while working on the show's fourth season.

Carlos Munoz Portal, 37, was found dead on Monday in a violent region in central Mexico, his body riddled with bullets inside his car after an apparent chase over back country roads.

Local authorities told El Pais that they had no suspects in the case due to the lack of witnesses.

A friend of the deceased told the Spanish-language newspaper that Munoz was out taking photographs when he was shot, and speculated that an unfamiliar man with a camera may have spooked locals in the crime-ridden area.

Carlos Munoz Portal (left) was found dead on Monday in a violent region in central Mexico

Munoz, 37, had worked in film for over a decade, on productions including Man On Fire, Apocalypto, and the James Bond film Spectre

Munoz's car was discovered on unnamed dirt road in the community of San Bartolo Actopan, in the municipality of Temascalapa near the border with Hidalgo, the Mexican state with the highest homicide rate.

Police said the car appeared to have been involved in some kind of chase, but they were uncertain whether the chase began in Hidalgo or the State of Mexico, where the car was found.

Netflix issued the following statement: 'We are aware of the passing of Carlos Munoz Portal, a well-respected location scout, and send our condolences to his family.'

Munoz's car was discovered on unnamed dirt road in the community of San Bartolo Actopan, in the municipality of Temascalapa near the border with Hidalgo

'The facts surrounding his death are still unknown as authorities continue to investigate,' the statement continued.

Munoz, a Mexican national, had worked as a film location scout since 2003.

Among the many productions he assisted on were Man On Fire, Apocalypto, and the James Bond movie Spectre.

Narcos is a crime drama set in Colombia which tells the story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.
The schoolboy trampled in the stampede after the Parsons Green terror attack last night spoke of his terrifying ordeal.

Alex Ojeda-Sierra, 13, stumbled and fell, disappearing beneath a tide of commuters who were twice his size.

In the first account of his ordeal, Alex told how he felt passengers tread all over his head, chest and stomach as he lay trapped on a stairway.

Scroll down for video

Brave: Alex Ojeda-Sierra, 13, can be seen being carried out by emergency service crew after he stumbled and fell in the melee during the Parson's Green bombing

His mother, Maria, spoke of the dread-inducing moment she heard Alex was caught up in the outrage  but was unable to reach him  and of the nightmares he has had since the attack

Alex said: One man fell on me and my legs bent backwards and my right ankle got twisted. I started screaming that I had no air.

Only a minute earlier  8.20am on Friday  he had been on his way to school, discussing the day ahead with his friends as their train pulled into Parsons Green station, one stop from their destination of Fulham Broadway.

At that moment, a bomb next to one of the doors failed to fully detonate but created a giant fireball, causing pandemonium.

I dropped my bag and we started running, said Alex, who was later treated at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and is now recovering at home in Morden, South-West London.

Alex Ojeda-Sierra was carried out of the Parsons Green Tube Station after the explosion

After several minutes, he was dug out from so many bodies and was later pictured being carried to safety by two firefighters in one of the attacks defining images.

When commuters eventually came to his aid, Alexs first thought was for his elder brother, Robert, 15, with whom he had boarded the train at Wimbledon that morning.

He was unaware that Robert had earlier got off the train at East Putney station to use the lavatory.

Michael Perry, 29, a medical student who was at Parsons Green, said: Alex had a massive scrape and bleeding and a contusion on his forehead where he had been knocked forward, as well as gashes on his tummy and side where he had been stepped on.

He had lost his brother, Robert, and he was absolutely terrified and worried about him.

Maria said yesterday: I stayed up with Alex until 5am this morning because he had nightmares. His injuries will heal but it will take longer for him to recover mentally.

The 13-year-old was on his way to school when the bomb exploded one stop away from his destination

She had dropped her sons at Wimbledon station at 8am, as she does every weekday morning.

Around 20 minutes later I got a call from Robert, she said.

He had got off the train at East Putney to use the toilet and had borrowed someones phone to ask me why the next train was being held at the station.

I put the news on and saw there had been an incident but at first they said in Hyde Park. But then they confirmed it was Parsons Green and immediately I started panicking. I thought, That is too close  this could be awful.

I phoned Robert back and told him to get to school on the overground line because I thought he would be safe there  I didnt want him on the Tube.

Alex's brother Robert in action on the rugby field while at school

I was terrified because the school doesnt allow phones and so I couldnt get hold of Alex  I instinctively knew something was wrong and my panic was now in overdrive.

Then I received a call from an unknown number and it was a woman saying she was with my son. She put him on the line and he was very frightened.

He was scared because he didnt know where his brother was  that was his main concern. I reassured him that we had spoken and Robert was okay. Alex hadnt been at the front of the train where the bomb was but it was still very scary.

Maria added: He said everyone started running so he did, too.

He said his friend managed to get away but he has a weak ankle from an old injury and had tripped on the stairs.

Bomb-making videos still found on Google Manuals for making a bomb like the one left at Parsons Green can still be found freely online. A quick Google search yesterday brought up guides from terror groups such as Al Qaeda, including images such as the one, right. Last night critics said web giants must do more to crack down on terrorist material. Yvette Cooper, who chairs the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: The internet giants have made it much harder for people to find child abuse images online. Its time they showed the same commitment to tackling terrorism. In May, Zahid Hussain, a nightclub bouncer from Birmingham, was jailed for making a bomb using a pressure cooker and fairy lights from an internet guide. A Google spokesman said: We remove links to illegal content from our search results as soon as were notified of them. By Stephen Bevan Advertisement

Someone fell on top of him, followed by another person. He couldnt breathe and had cracked his head open on the stairs.

He said he had to be dug out from so many bodies and that it was mayhem. I was in tears  it was a very difficult conversation but I was so relieved that he was alive.

I was so grateful the woman was there helping him. She got in an ambulance with him to comfort him and I drove to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

On the way she passed Parsons Green, where she saw paramedics, firefighters and police. That made me more terrified because there were so many of them.

She added: When I got to the hospital I just hugged Alex and we were both crying. I just thought how lucky we had been and it could have so easily been worse. He had grazes and bruises all over him. People were just running  it was everyone for themselves.

I thanked the woman for helping him  we were so fortunate that her and another man helped him. Alex asked me to thank the man too but he wasnt around. Alex made me download Twitter and I managed to get a message online thanking him. Even after all that, all Alex wanted to do was find his brother and thank those who had helped him.

Twitter user Lord Gustavo Vieira tweeted a photo of Alex and wrote: I hope this little buddy is now warm and back home with his brother. #parsonsgreen #sad #ParsonsGreen. Underneath, Maria, 49, replied: Thank you for looking after my son during this terrifying time. You helped him enormously. Very grateful. xx.

She told The Mail on Sunday: Alex is a very brave and special boy. He was released after a quick check-up and had an emotional reunion with his brother. Its horrible to think that Robert wouldve been caught up in it too if he hadnt gone to the loo.

We are very fortunate and there are people with worse injuries who were not so lucky. We just want to take it one day at a time. Last night Alex had nightmares and the mental scars will take time to heal.

The emotions keep coming in waves with him and with me but we will be okay eventually.

There was a dash for the exit when the bomb exploded at 8.20am on the District line Tube

Im not sure if hell be back at school on Monday but we want things to get back to normal as soon as possible.

Her husband Robert, 48, an economist, said: When Maria told me I rushed to the hospital in a panic. Thankfully, Alex was not at the end of the train where there was the explosion but hes clearly extremely shaken up.

We havent pressed him on what happened, weve just been trying to have fun and hes been telling us about it in drips and drabs. He is recovering  he was annoyed because the news reported he was ten, but hes actually 13! Hes an extremely brave boy.

Alex was one of many pupils on the train from The London Oratory School, where Tony Blair sent his children. As always at that time, there were boys and girls from other schools, too  a fact not lost on the terrorists.

The Oratorys choir director Charles Cole said: The trains which go through Parsons Green are packed with Oratory pupils at that time of day. One of our pupils was right opposite the bomb at the time. Had the terrorists been successful, its difficult to imagine that that pupil could possibly have survived.

May hits back over Trump tweet The diplomatic row between Britain and the US over the Parsons Green terror attack escalated last night after Theresa May chastised Donald Trump in a TV interview. Appearing on ABCs This Week programme, which is due to be screened today, Mrs May hit back at a tweet by the President after Fridays incident which read: Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive! In the interview, a clearly irked Mrs May told host George Stephanopolos: I dont think its helpful for anyone to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation. The police and security services are doing the work necessary to discover the full circumstances of this cowardly attack and to identify all who are responsible. She declined to discuss whether Trump had offered any kind of apology in a phone call he made on Friday after the tweet. But Mr Trumps National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster has reportedly been tasked with cleaning up what officials are privately calling his latest mess. Mrs May hit back at a tweet by the President after Fridays incident which claimed Scotland Yard knew about the attacker Late on Friday McMaster claimed the President was speaking generally about Scotland Yard and not implying police had dropped the ball: For years Scotland Yard has been a leader, as our FBI has been a leader, so I think he didnt mean anything beyond that. After the Manchester attack, UK intelligence, including the name of the attacker and pictures of the explosive device, were leaked to the US media by US government sources, causing Britain to temporarily cease intelligence-sharing. Mrs May said she would make clear to Mr Trump that intelligence that is shared between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure. Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage yesterday defended Mr Trumps actions. My suspicion is that Trump will be proved to be right, the close ally of the President told Fox News. Advertisement

Just minutes after the blast, Sam told me... I saw the burned flesh on their faces: The astonishing first-hand account by Mail On Sunday man on bucket bomb train

By Ben Felsenburg for the Mail On Sunday

Have you ever run for your life? I have. I didnt know what or who I was running from on Friday morning, but one glance at the wide-eyed horror on the faces of the well-heeled City workers fleeing the train at Parsons Green was enough to send me racing out the doors.

They were running for their lives and for that reason alone so was I. There was no adrenaline, just the sickening possibility that this might be it, the moment it all ends on an ordinary day out of the blue. This was terror, of some unknown event in the end carriage.

An entire packed commuter train had been suddenly transformed into a stampeding mini-tsunami of humanity surging along the platform.

There was no adrenaline, just the sickening possibility that this might be it, the moment it all ends on an ordinary day out of the blu

Hardly anyone was screaming or shouting, but for one terrible moment it was each man for himself, and something awful and primal had kicked in that made me push forward mindlessly in the rush for the stairs that had become impassably crowded in seconds.

I didnt have a clue what had happened, but just 15 minutes after I had counted myself lucky to get on the train just before the doors had closed a few stops up the line, I was bracing myself for a marauding attacker armed with a knife or a gun, or a bomb blast.

My nostrils began to fill with an acrid, burning smell. Then one man had the presence of mind to cry out Calm down to all of us crammed on to a short, narrow platform leading to steps that were suddenly woefully inadequate as an escape exit.

I snapped out of my panic, collected myself and echoed his call in the hope of stopping the pushing and shoving down the steps that were so crammed it was all too easy to imagine people could soon be crushed to death. Around me terror had given way to shock.

One young woman was in tears, shaking. Another woman repeatedly insisted Im fine, Im all right, and laughed over how she had lost her shoes in the rush.

By now the melee had calmed down into a very British well-behaved queue waiting to file down the steps and out of the station, and amid the chatter of the crowd, a few facts began to emerge.

There had been a bang  somehow not loud enough for me to hear halfway down the train  and there was talk of a flash of flames that had filled a section of the train.

Was it a terror attack or some kind of unlikely freak accident? Whatever we suspected it was impossible to know, but regardless of what had happened I began to wonder how bad the damage was for those left in the train.

I made my way down with everyone else to the ticket gates, where a young Eastern European mother with a toddler in a pushchair stood shaking with horror over the thought of what could so easily have happened to her child, mercifully unharmed.

Another woman  a smartly dressed office worker  stood alongside her, holding her arm in comfort.

There had been a bang  somehow not loud enough for me to hear halfway down the train  and there was talk of a flash of flames that had filled a section of the train

I was, to be honest, in a bit of a state. I wasnt alone. I got talking to a young man, Sam Flay, who was teary and shaky but bright and remarkably cogent.

His story came out: hed been right there, at the ground zero end of the train, and simultaneously heard the blast and saw the fire erupt from what he described as a bag for life. He felt the heat on his face from the flames that seemed to be everywhere.

He said: There was a kind of thudding noise and the lid of the bucket popped off. The next thing I knew a blinding ball of fire just filled the whole carriage.

The heat and light were so intense. There was some kind of thick yellow gel that filled the carriage and had squirted out of the bucket. Luckily I was sitting down and surrounded by people.

I turned my head away from the heat and only singed the back of my hair. But there were others whose faces were really badly burned and just looked dazed. People suddenly started screaming and trying to bundle out the train.

Some had been knocked to the floor by the force of the blast. One woman was just rocking back and forth, frozen to the spot, and had to be carried out.

Another collapsed on the platform stairs and was getting trampled underfoot. So many people were crying. I take that train every morning and always see the same people, so in a way you sort of get to know each other.

Sam went on: Everyone was fighting to get out the station but it was completely jammed. There was just panic and fear in the air. I saw around 50 police officers at the station who arrived within minutes, around half of them armed, and they really took control very quickly.

Id been involved in a terror response training day just the day before and had been in Barcelona not long before the attack there last month. Ive always wondered how I would respond to this kind of attack but you can never truly be prepared.

At 21, Sam is part of a generation for whom the constant possibility of a terrorist attack has been an ordinary fact of everyday life since as far back as he could remember.

Now on this fine late-summer morning in London, something had kicked in that enabled him to know just what to do in the seconds after the blast, to find the calm to get up and walk towards safety until he hit the crowd.

With the police cordoning off the danger area around the station and ushering the public away to safety, I wandered up with Sam, past the tidy patch of green that is Parsons Green and up towards the elegant little boutiques and chi-chi eateries on New Kings Road.

Seemingly oblivious to the mayhem of just a few hundred yards away, the yummy mummy brigade were congregating after the school drop-off in an inviting cafe, and leaving Sam there I went off to find out what I could about the blast.

A little media village thick with microphones and cameras had popped up almost instantly by the green, but no one there seemed to know anything much for sure.

Was there a second device? An armed man on the loose?

Someone stuck a mobile phone under my nose and showed me a photo of what was left of the device on the carriage that had caused the blast  little more than a white bucket in a plastic bag.

Inside the bomb blast tube... in Sam's own words Media analyst Sam Flay, 21, left, was on the Tube on his way to his office in Hammersmith when there was a blast and flames erupted from a bucket in a bag, right, a few feet away from him. Sam was sitting down, above, in the packed train when a blinding ball of light filled the whole carriage. He says the fire only singed the back of my hair, but he saw some whose faces were badly burned and people who were knocked to the floor by the force of the blast. Advertisement

My first reaction was to think how laughably pitiful it looked, but look at the results: for almost no cost and with little technical skill, an unknown bomber had injured dozens  thankfully none critically  and left many, many more badly rattled and traumatised.

I was shaken most of all by the memory of that panicked stampede on the platform: that was the moment of greatest danger, when the instinct to survive made us follow the terrorists bidding, until civilisation was restored after a few seconds.

It began to dawn on me that I had joined the ranks of all those people caught up in the kind of attacks that The Mail on Sunday and other newspapers have had to report on all too often these past few years.

This is what terror means: to be terrorised, to be reduced to sheer panic in an instant  one of hundreds of commuters who had nothing more to worry about than the business of the coming working day one moment, and the next were sick with fear for their very survival.

Id been down at the scene long enough to know it was doubtful Id find out much more there and started to walk to my office, but I was troubled, wondering how Sam was doing, and stopped at the cafe where Id left him.

I shouldnt have worried. I had misjudged the yummy mummies of Parsons Green: they had rallied round and taken this stranger to their hearts. Lindsay, a lovely mother of three, was insistent: Sam had to come back to her familys house nearby, have something proper to eat and stay as long as he liked until he felt OK.

As a bonus, if he wanted he was welcome to cuddle her childrens dog. Her invitation to Sam was a small but sweet setback for the bucket bombers hopes of undoing our way of life.
The Foreign Secretary published a 4,000-word essay setting out his personal manifesto for Brexit

Allies of Theresa May last night accused Boris Johnson of treachery after he staged an open revolt over her plans for a soft Brexit.

The Prime Minister was said to be furious after the Foreign Secretary said Britain should refuse to pay the EU a big divorce bill  and did not bother to tell her about his bombshell intervention in advance.

One of Johnsons most prominent hard Brexit Conservative MP supporters boasted: He has just lobbed a hand grenade through Downing Streets window.

Fellow Cabinet Ministers claimed Mr Johnsons Churchillian Brexit manifesto was a blatant attempt to oust Mrs May. And one former Minister said the PM should have the balls to fire Mr Johnson for threatening to sabotage her own major Brexit speech in Florence this week.

Downing Street officials denied there was a rift between the two and said Mr Johnsons job was safe. But Cabinet Ministers loyal to Mrs May privately denounced his hostile intervention. One said the PM was deeply disappointed  politicians code for livid.

Another accused Johnson of attention seeking. There were claims, denied by the Johnson camp, that he was preparing to resign in anticipation of a soft Brexit sell-out by Mrs May.

Brexit Secretary David Davis was reportedly angry with Johnson for reviving his controversial claim from the EU referendum that Britain would be 350 million a week better off outside the EU.

DDs view is that it was wrong for Boris to make the 350 million claim then and he is wrong to bring it up now, said a well-placed source.

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The move comes just days before Mrs May is due to make a pivotal speech on the issue and will be seen as an attempt to box her in

A close ally of Johnsons biggest Cabinet foe, Chancellor Philip Hammond, said: This just confirms suspicions about Boriss ambitions.

It is disloyal and damaging for the Party and for getting a deal with the EU because it suggests division and chaos. His 350 million claim is the most notorious and discredited statistic in modern British history. If his credibility depends on that figure, it doesnt say much for his credibility.

One of Mrs Mays close confidants described Johnsons conduct as extraordinary and hostile, adding: It is just attention-seeking. I have given up trying to analyse what Boris says, he is infuriating and just desperate for headlines. If he resigned he would be finished.

The row flared after Johnson set out his own vision for Brexit in a 4,000-word article in the Daily Telegraph. In an astonishingly open act of defiance, he refused to inform Mrs May until moments before it was published.

Johnson argued Britain should not carry on paying into EU coffers after Brexit in 2019 and said that staying in the single market would make a complete mockery of the referendum.

His comments follow reports that Mrs May is preparing to pay up to 40 billion in a Brexit divorce bill to keep access to the single market over a two-year transition.

Johnson won praise from leading Brexiteer Tories. Jacob Rees-Mogg, seen by some as a leadership rival to Johnson, praised brilliant Boris while Zac Goldsmith and Nadine Dorries also pledged support.

Most, but significantly not all, pro-Remain MPs savaged Johnson. A leading pro-EU ex-Minister said: Theresa should have the balls to sack Boris. It would be high risk but if she moved quickly  and squared off David Davis about it  she could and should do it.

So brazen, divisive and Churchillian, the opus was pure Boris By GLEN OWEN Boris Johnson s 4,000-word opus boils with frustration at Theresa Mays direction of travel on Brexit  and is more notable for what it doesnt say than what it does. Boris flatly refuses to endorse a transition period. While even the most ardent Leavers in the Government now accept that the UK should remain in the single market and customs union for two to three years after March 2019, while new trade deals are struck, Boris stubbornly resists. To do so, he says, would make a complete mockery of Brexit and turn an opportunity into a national humiliation. It would be the worst of both worlds, with the UK turned into a vassal state. He also rebels against the growing Whitehall consensus that the UK should make multibillion pound divorce payments during the transition to unblock negotiations, saying: We would not expect to pay for access to their markets any more than they would expect to pay for access to ours. This is not a minor distinction which can be easily finessed: it blows a clear hole in No 10s strategy just days before the most important speech of the Prime Ministers life, when she sets out her own Brexit plan in Florence on Friday. Boriss unembarrassed reference to his referendum pledge to return 350 million a week from Brussels to the NHS shows how determined he is to defend himself against claims of backsliding. He repeats the campaign mantra, saying: We will take back control of roughly 350 million per week. It would be a fine thing if a lot of that money went on the NHS. The Foreign Secretary also issues a warning to Chancellor Phillip Hammond, the Cabinets most powerful advocate for a transitionary soft Brexit, by saying that the Treasury has not so far sought to punish the British people for voting for Brexit by delivering an emergency Budget of the sort so controversially threatened by former Chancellor George Osborne before the vote. Another giveaway that the article is designed to lay down a marker for a veiled leadership bid comes in the tone, which channels the rhetorical flourish of his great hero, Winston Churchill. In contrast to Theresa Mays constipated verbal formulas, Boris strikes a consciously positive, optimistic note  pushing the patriotic button with lines such as: Of all the kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers in the world, one in seven was educated in this country. He concludes by condemning the grievous error of all those who wrote off this country, who think we dont have it in us, who think that we lack the nerve and the confidence to tackle the task ahead. Advertisement

The senior figure argued that Johnson had panicked because he knows most of the Cabinet realises the only sensible Brexit is a soft Brexit and that we will have to pay a sizeable sum.

However, Mrs Mays frail grip on power was reflected by the fact Johnson received emphatic backing from a distinguished Tory grandee known for his passionate pro-EU views. He said: Even though I am a strong Remainer I agree with much of what Boris says and dont believe he is being disloyal. We are crying out for leadership and at least Boris he has got off his a*** and given us some. Brexit is our biggest crisis since 1940 and we wont get far sitting around looking at our belly buttons.

With Brexit talks close to breakdown and Mrs May under fire for her botched snap Election, Conservative Party managers fear Johnsons outburst could trigger a full-scale leadership crisis at the party conference in two weeks.

Davis, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Rees-Mogg and other Tories have been tipped to throw their hats into the ring if Mrs May resigns.

Some Cabinet Ministers believe Environment Secretary Michael Gove could be in cahoots with Johnson, despite their spectacular fallout last year when Gove sabotaged Johnsons bid to succeed David Cameron after they had led the Brexit campaign together.

Mr Gove denied any collusion. A spokesman said last night: The first Michael knew about Boriss article was when it was published on Friday night.

After pleas from No 10 to make it clear he was not plotting against Mrs May, Johnson, apparently unconcerned by the furore he had started, tweeted jauntily: Looking forward to PMs Florence speech. All behind Theresa for a glorious Brexit.

Was he taking revenge for Election 'snub'?

By Brendan Carlin

OUTSPOKEN: Ruth Davidson is a long-time critic of Boris

The refusal by Boris Johnson to let Theresa May see his devastating Brexit manifesto could have been revenge for a similar snub by her in the Election, it was claimed last night.

Mrs Mays aides banned him from seeing the Tories Election manifesto in advance because they were convinced he would leak it, according to a new book by political journalists Tim Ross and Tom McTague.

They say the Foreign Secretary was annoyed to be locked out of the manifesto-writing process and that his repeated demands to see it were rejected because he was not deemed trustworthy.

The book, being serialised in the MoS, quotes a May aide saying: No doubt Boris wanted to leak it so he wasnt going to see it. Last night, one Tory MP privately suggested Mr Boriss surprise Brexit intervention could be Boris getting his own back on Theresa for the manifesto snub.

The rebuff is one of a series of humiliations inflicted on Mr Johnson by Mrs May.

Two years ago as Home Secretary, she embarrassed Mr Johnson by thwarting the then London mayors bid to use German-made water cannon in the capital  even though he had already bought them.

Mrs May insisted she would not lift the ban on police using water cannon because it was too dangerous and would damage public trust.

At the launch of her Tory leadership campaign in 2016, she mocked him for spending 200,000 on the second-hand cannons  that were never used  claiming it proved he was not fit to take charge of Brexit talks. The last time he did a deal with the Germans, he came back with three nearly-new water cannon, she said.

Her most spectacular public put-down came at the Spectator magazine annual awards dinner last year.

Ruth leads the anti-Johnson backlash By Glen Owen Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson launched an outspoken attack on Boris Johnson for throwing down the gauntlet to Theresa May on the day that London was targeted by terrorists. Ms Davidson said: On the day of a terror attack where Britons were maimed, just hours after the threat level is raised, our only thoughts should be on service. It is not the first time that the two Tories, both of whom have been tipped as future party leaders, have clashed. Friends say that Ms Davidson, a 38-year-old Army reservist cordially loathes the 52-year-old Old Etonian, regarding him as toxic to the partys prospects north of the border. A kickboxer who is engaged to her female partner, she has been openly mocking of his brazen chauvinistic style and has even privately threatened to break from the UK Tories and form a new party if Boris became Prime Minister. Such a move would be devastating: Theresa May only clung on to power in the General Election thanks to the 12 seats Ms Davidson gained in Scotland. The enmity stems in large part from Boriss Brexit beliefs, which Remainer Ms Davidson strongly opposes. During the referendum she warned that leaving the EU would harm the poor most, while Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage would be OK because of their wealth. In one TV debate, questioning the economic effect of a failure to strike post-Brexit trade deals, she taunted him: How many jobs will it be, Boris? How many? She has also cracked near- the-knuckle jokes about the Tories enjoying a post-coital cigarette after withdrawing our massive Johnson. Ms Davidson, whose down-to-earth style has been a hit with voters, has surged past Boris in internal Party popularity. After Mrs Mays Election disaster, Ms Davidson won the highest net satisfaction rating among party members of any senior Tory  with an 84.5 per cent positive rating, well ahead of Boris at 38.8 per cent. Ms Davidson, who does not have a Westminster seat, has said that her first aim is to displace the SNPs Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister of Scotland. But her popularity means that other Tory leadership contenders have been courting her as the leadership kingmaker. Advertisement

Seizing on a remark by Mr Johnson who had light-heartedly compared himself to Michael Heseltines Alsatian dog, and with the Foreign Secretary in the audience, the Prime Minister quipped: Boris, the dog was put down when its master decided it wasnt needed any more.

In her first speech to the Tory conference as leader last year, she jokingly questioned the Foreign Secretarys ability to stick to an agreed Government line, asking: Can Boris Johnson stay on message for a full four days?

In a further humiliation, there were reports that, far from Mr Johnson pulling out of a trip to Moscow at the last minute to attend a summit on Syria in April this year, it was actually Mrs May who had stepped in and ordered the Foreign Secretary not to go.

Last night, allies of Mr Johnson denied that his Brexit article amounted to an attempt to take revenge on the Prime Minister over the Election manifesto snub.

They also dismissed the idea that he was considered untrustworthy by Mrs Mays advisers.

One Johnson ally confirmed that the Foreign Secretary had made repeated requests to see the Election manifesto but insisted that almost every other Cabinet Minister had done so as well  and had also been turned down.
Lives could be put at risk because the firefighters union is ending a deal to support over-stretched paramedics, it is feared.

As of tomorrow, fire crews are under orders not to answer 999 calls for medical emergencies any more.

The decision was taken by the militant Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in the latest stage of a long-running pay dispute with employers.

It is feared that the move will put patients health at risk as firefighters have saved hundreds of lives during the Emergency Medical Response trial.

The National Fire Chiefs Council said it was very disappointed with the FBUs decision.

Lives could be at risked as because the firefighters union is ending a deal to support over-stretched paramedics

The participation of firefighters in Emergency Medical Response has enhanced the professional reputation of the Fire and Rescue Service within our communities, and has proven beyond any doubt to save lives and prevent unnecessary long term illness, it said in a statement.

The NFCC strongly urges the FBU to reconsider this decision. The trial also reaffirmed the trust and confidence the public has in the fire service and the wider work they do.

Academic research published earlier this year, based on data from 38 fire brigades across the UK, found that firefighters had helped the ambulance service respond to 42,000 incidents in just 18 months  eight per cent of all callouts.

They got to the scene quicker than paramedics in almost two-thirds of cases and attended 10,000 suspected heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

The University of Hertfordshire study concluded that fire and rescue service co-responding appears to be associated with faster response times to scene and corresponding gains in survival probability and life expectancy, providing very favourable value for money.

The National Fire Chiefs Council said it was very disappointed with the FBUs decision

In Manchester alone, firefighters saved the lives of 63 cardiac arrest patients in a year and were on track to save taxpayers 5m over five years.

However the FBU said firefighters were often sent to the wrong sort of incidents, left waiting for ambulances and put at risk of contracting infections or being attacked.

In a circular to members last week, union general secretary Matt Wrack said: The decision of the Executive Council is that the trials of Emergency Medical Response and other work shall cease.

In Manchester alone, firefighters saved the lives of 63 cardiac arrest patients in a year and were on track to save taxpayers 5m over five years

Undertaking such work is not a contractual requirement and your employer cannot require you to undertake this work.

The FBU took the decision at the same time as it rejected a 2 per cent pay offer.

The Home Office said last night: The Government is disappointed that the FBU has decided to withdraw their support for the Emergency Medical Responding trials.

Emergency Medical Responding between fire and ambulance services is a key area where we believe collaboration could potentially deliver better outcomes.

It is thought that some fire brigades will continue to help their local ambulance services outside of the nationwide trial, however.
It is the latest TV drama to grip the nation. Millions watched last week as a dashing surgeon was accused of rape after a first date in ITVs Liar.

At the end of the opening episode, teacher Laura Nielson, played by Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt, blackens the name of Andrew Earlham, played by Ioan Gruffudd, by publishing her accusation online.

Now a former judge who controversially warned women that drinking alcohol puts them at risk of being attacked says the show makes the case for giving rape defendants the same anonymity as their accusers.

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Controversial: Judge Kushner warned women who drank alcohol put themselves at risk of being attacked

Who is telling the truth? Ioan Gruff and Joanne Froggatt in Liar

Lindsey Kushner QC  whose comments about rape victims and alcohol ignited a furious row  said the show contained many real-life parallels from her 42 years at the Bar.

After the womans outburst on social media, his life is going to be increasingly difficult, Ms Kushner said.

That brought me to thinking about rape defendants and whether they should have the same anonymity as complainants.

I am personally in favour of anonymity to give parity to the accuser and the accused, especially as the man is subject to no smoke without fire comments.

Ms Kushner said the stain of being publicly accused  especially online  could remain with a man for the rest of his life.

She added: Even if he were charged, went to trial and acquitted in record time, the allegation would still be hanging around unless he somehow managed to remove it from the internet and Facebook.

Viewers of the ITV drama do not know which of the two main characters is lying.

The second episode of the six-part series is on tomorrow night at 9pm.
The married father-of-three children, son Rex, three, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac, said he hoped sharing his diagnosis would inspire others to 'make the most of every day'. The 48-year-old, who presents the BBC 's Escape To The Country, has revealed he has been fighting lung cancer that had tragically spread to his brain. He told Hello magazine: 'I'm carrying a dirty secret - it's become a monkey on my back. I want to make plans. I want to make memories and capture these moments with my family because the reality is, my boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart.' Jonnie was diagnosed with cancer while filming Channel 4 's A Place In The Sun in Italy 2020. He had been driving when his vision became blurred and doctors discovered he was terminally ill. Leicestershire-born Jonnie is being supported by his wife Jessica, 40. He said: 'Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live. I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much. That was devastating. All I could do was apologise to her. I felt so responsible.' The couple live with their three children in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Jonnie said he had chosen to keep his illness private until now. His case is reminiscent of Dame Deborah James' battle with bowel cancer, which she chose to make public to raise awareness and funds for research. He said: 'I might inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day, to help them see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying'.
A Native American canoe believed to be centuries-old has been found after it was unearthed along the Indian River in Florida following Hurricane Irma, officials say.

A Cocoa-based photographer was riding his bike along the river earlier this week when he came across the run-down canoe and immediately informed the Florida Division of Historical Resources after, according to ABC News.

'My main concern was to secure it from harm's way,' Randy Lathrop told the news station about the rare discovery.

Lathrop, a history lover, said the craft weighed 'almost 700 pounds, but might as well have weighed 1,000 pounds' as it appeared to have 'been water soaked for years.'

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Hurricane Irma unearths what officials believe to be a centuries-old canoe along the Indian River north of Cocoa, Florida

Photographer Randy Lathrop was riding his bike along the river earlier this week when he came across the run-down canoe

'My main concern was to secure it from harm's way,' Randy Lathrop told ABC of the finding

'I was able to go half a mile away and get my friend with a truck and we struggled to get into the back of the truck,' he added.

Lathrop shared picture proof of the finding to his Facebook page Monday.

'Look what Irma kicked up out of the bottom of the Indian River, a dugout canoe. Florida State Dept of Historical Resources has been notified, they are sending an archaeologist in the morning,' he wrote.

'It is the law to notify the DHR (a gentle reminder, this belongs to the people of Florida, and hopefully will be preserved and exhibited in the future) Thank you all for your interest! I got to it before it was picked up by the county with all the other storm debris and placed in a landfill.

The area was deemed Florida's 'Space Coast' as it's also near the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

'I'll certainly keep everyone updated on this progress, promise. Thank you all for sharing and liking!! UPDATE: an archeologist has documented the artifact, it is safe in a water bath, rumor has it may stay in this county for future public view! History saved, for the public. Thank you all!!!'

Spokeswoman for the Florida Division of Historical Resources, Sarah Revell, said radiocarbon dating will determine more specific details about the 15-foot-long boat  which holds distinctive features.

Revell revealed: 'The compartments are a bit out of the ordinary ... The square nails are cut nails. Cut nails were first in production in the early 19th century so that helps to indicate it is a historic canoe.'

The canoe was unearthed in an area acclaimed for its Native American history, and also within Florida's deemed 'Space Coast' for its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

A U.S. flag flies over a debris field of former houses following Hurricane Irma in Islamorada, Florida, U.S., September 15, 2017

'Florida is a treasure trove of unique history and we are excited about the recent discovery of the dugout canoe,' Revell told ABC.

'As we continue to evaluate and learn more about the canoe, our goal is to ensure it is preserved and protected for future generations in the local community and across Florida to learn from and enjoy.'

The canoe was assessed Thursday by an archaeologist in Canaveral and is currently being kept wet in an undisclosed safe environment.
Jeremy Corbyn did not want to be leader of the Labour Party, let alone Prime Minister

It's the political book of the year, a gripping account of the 2017 Election.

Last week, we revealed just how close Theresa May came to being toppled after a disastrous campaign.

Here, in our final extract, we show how Jeremy Corbyns social media machine came within a whisker of putting him in No 10 even as Tory HQ expected to win big

Jeremy Corbyn did not want to be leader of the Labour Party, let alone Prime Minister.

In the leadership contest of June 2015, Corbyn had made it on to the ballot paper only thanks to a final flurry of nominations from sympathetic MPs.

You had better make f****** sure I dont win, said Corbyn, terrified at the possibility, however slim, that he might have to lead a national political party. But not only did he become leader, he came within a few seats of moving into Downing Street.

The story of the 2017 Election campaign is of a Conservative Party comprehensively outplayed by a Labour Party that could draw on tens of thousands of enthusiastic supporters.

Momentum, the political organisation that grew out of Corbyns campaign for the Labour leadership in 2015, was key to the Corbyn surge. And the Tory machine was not ready for the snap contest when the Prime Minister called it.

This point is massively underrated, says Damian Green, the First Secretary of State and a long-standing friend of Theresa May. We called a snap Election and our troops werent ready. None of us was expecting a snap Election, but Labour were.

Momentums potency came from its ability to adapt and grow online rapidly. It developed software that allowed its thousands of volunteers to club together and share cars to drive to a battleground seat for a days campaigning.

They used an app called My Nearest Marginal  essentially a dating agency that allowed volunteers to find a lift to where they were needed. During the campaign, more than 100,000 people used it to campaign in more than 100 seats.

PM's summons to off-message Ruth Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson was one of the last senior Conservatives to learn Theresa May was going to call an early Election. The result in Scotland was critical for May: without the success of the Scottish Tories, she would have found it far harder to cling on to power. But some Tories in London saw Davidson, left, as a potential rival to May  and she clashed with Fiona Hill. Davidson was fighting an entirely separate campaign to the strategy directed from CCHQ in London. She was taking aim at SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, rather than deploying the presidential Theresa May message devised by Lynton Crosby and Mark Textor. On May 8, the Scottish Tory leader made headlines with a speech inviting voters to cut the SNP down to size. A Scottish Tory says: It hadnt been cleared by CCHQ campaign chiefs. We got a call saying Ruth needed to come down to London. Fiona wanted a word. CCHQ wanted Davidson to stick to the script about Mays strong and stable leadership and to put her picture on all leaflets. When Davidson arrived at Tory HQ in London on May 12, Hill reportedly did not show up  it was left to Crosby and Textor to talk to her. Once they had seen Davidsons polling, they accepted the messages they were using in England would not work in Scotland. I understand, Crosby told her. Crack on. Advertisement

Even Tory strategist Sir Lynton Crosby was impressed: He says: Labour had an infrastructure in place You can have the best techniques in the world and all the money you want but it doesnt matter if you cant get people out to vote on the day.

By the day of the Election, Labour was within striking distance of more than 40 Conservative-held seats. Corbyn would go on to win 28 of these and to come within 1,000 votes of winning 14 more.

But in Labour HQ on polling day, strategists still expected a Conservative majority of 80 to 90, so Momentum spent their final days embedded almost exclusively in defensive marginal seats.

If Momentum had known what was happening on the ground, instead of wasting huge effort on seats that turned out to be rock-solid Labour, they would have turned their fire on constituencies which turned out to be up for grabs. Labour official Sam Tarry says Labour could easily have taken up to 15 extra seats, a result that would have left the Conservatives unable to form a majority government even with the DUP. I dont think the Tories realise just how close they were to losing, he says.

At Conservative Campaign HQ, Mays aides expected to win big. Ten days into the campaign, Jim Messina, their American data consultant, suggested they would win 470 seats  enough for a staggering majority of 290. The extent to which the Tories took their eye off the ball was exemplified by the dispatch of Conservative MPs from safe seats to nearby targets only to turn up at their own count on the night to find they had lost.

In Reading East, Rob Wilson, a Minister, was asked to go to help in Slough because his seat was deemed safe. He lost by 4,000 votes.

Why had Mays Conservatives allowed Labour to catch up in the race for digital disciples to spread her word? In part it was about a structural blockage: it was hard to get lines of attack signed off when all decisions had to go through the joint chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill.

One Tory campaign official says: You cant do it like that, especially in the age of social media. Youve done too much damage by the time youve played around and made a decision. May was also frustrated by the refusal of Crosby and his colleague Mark Textor to share data with her. I dont know how were doing, she complained.

Theresa May and Ruth Davidson at Granton Pier to campaign in the General Election

A May adviser says: She put all her faith in the people running it and believed the numbers were there, and she was doing what their strategy told her she should do.

The Corbyn surge started to hurt the Tories after the disastrous launch of Mays manifesto and its so-called dementia tax proposals. When an opinion poll suggested the Tories could lose 20 seats, almost no one believed it. Sitting inside CCHQ, Jim Messina tweeted: Spent the day laughing at yet another stupid poll. He now admits he should never have sent it.

Gradually, the images of Corbyn addressing crowds of thousands started to rattle Mays closest aides, who at one stage asked colleagues to begin planning a similar rally for her. The idea was dropped after it was realised she would be unlikely to draw the same crowds and would look pathetic by comparison.

Mays refusal to take part in the leaders debates contributed to a narrative that proved even more damaging  the idea that she, personally, was overly controlling. It added to the sense that the Prime Minister was more a political robot than a human being.

War room Tories take aim... at each other Theresa Mays Election guru Lynton Crosby and fellow Australian campaigner Mark Textor had a novel way of keeping spirits up at Tory HQ. They bought a Nerf gun  a toy weapon that fires foam darts. Their chief target was a large cardboard cut-out of Jeremy Corbyn that Crosby had placed in the office. Sometimes, though, they would take aim at colleagues on the other side of the war room. After a period of sustained attack, Rob Oxley, the Tory head of press, bought another Nerf gun so that he and his team could return fire. Staffers on desks between the two sides would have to take cover as ammunition flew overhead. Advertisement

A reporter in Cornwall caused a Twitter storm when he said that he had been locked in a room, unable to watch Mays visit to a local factory. The cartoonish impression of a control-freak dictator locking up the free press spread rapidly online, with one senior adviser to the party describing it as here is Theresa May looking like a t**.

At every opportunity, Crosby pushed the Tory campaign team to highlight Corbyns alleged record of opposing anti-terror laws and choosing a selection of friends and associates who included Hamas and the IRA. Hardly anyone in the Tory campaign now thinks attacking Corbyn over his alleged links to the IRA did them much good: to most people under 40, the Troubles simply seem like ancient history.

Even when Labours full manifesto leaked, it did not harm the Corbyn campaign.

Reality hit home for the Tories terrifyingly late. As the campaign neared its end, Messina arranged to meet Fiona Hill in a Soho hotel to warn her that he feared the campaign was going wrong.

Messina earned a reputation as a political fixer for Barack Obama in 2008, telling a magazine at the time: I handle what people on the campaign call s**t sandwiches. If it goes wrong, I have to deal with it. Messina, 47, believed he was in such an unpalatable situation as Mays campaign hit trouble.

Hill told Messina she would meet him for a drink at the Ham Yard Hotel. At 10pm, Messina left the bar after sitting there for two and a half hours. Hill had stood him up.

On polling day, June 8, Crosbys phone buzzed with a text message from a campaign official fighting a marginal seat in Southampton. F*** me  theres ten buses of Labour activists here, it said. 200 activists on the street.

In the final weeks of the Election Hill and Timothy lost their grip, according to insiders. Hill raised her concerns, saying the Crosby strategy had failed to capture the real Theresa May. By this point it was too late to change course.

The long hours meant few in the campaign were able to go out for dinner or drinks with friends or partners. There were rumours of office romances starting, and some socialising among staff in the bar of Westminsters St Ermins Hotel, where many of the Tory top brass stayed for the duration.

But just as nobody was formally in charge of the war room, so the party had lost control of the Election agenda. Corbyn was making waves with his anti-austerity policies and Mays personal ratings were in free-fall.
Sir Vince Cable has launched a new verbal assault on EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, branding him pompous, self-important and overpaid.

The Lib Dem leader called for Mr Juncker to be sacked and mocked his vision of a United States of Europe.

In a reference to his reported drinking habits, Sir Vince said: Since Mr Juncker has several visions, perhaps he should go and see an optician.

Fervent pro-European Sir Vince said Juncker should be replaced by someone more attuned to reality and public opinion.

Sir Vince Cable (left) last night launched a new verbal assault on EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (right), branding him pompous, self-important and overpaid

His comments, made at the start of his partys annual conference in Bournemouth, come after outspoken Eurocrat Juncker, who earns nearly 300,000 a year, said Britain would regret Brexit and set out new plans to expand the EU.

In a move bound to be seen as a way of countering criticism that the anti-Brexit Lib Dems are too soft on Brussels, Sir Vince said in an interview with The Mail on Sunday: Juncker embodies many of the EUs failings. He is pompous, self-important and overpaid.

It is people like him who give the European project a bad name. Juncker puts off a lot of people in Britain who would otherwise be well disposed to the EU.

Just because my party is against Brexit does not mean we are not prepared to be strong critics of the EU.

Figures like Juncker were to blame for public resentment of an elite that had a sense of entitlement and a lack of humility, said Sir Vince, adding: People in power have to be sensitive enough to know its there  but Juncker just doesnt get it. Earlier this week he described Juncker as an extreme federalist.

Sir Vince has called for a second EU referendum to be held at the end of the Brexit talks in 2019, in the hope that the result of the last one can be overturned. If he succeeds, he said replacing Juncker would be his next objective.

In contrast, Sir Vince said he had a lot of time for EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier  and recalled wryly that when he was Business Secretary in the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition Government, Barnier travelled to London on a mission to discover how the UK, which might now leave the single market, was implementing it more enthusiastically than other EU countries.

Sir Vince vented his fury with Juncker at a private meeting with senior EU diplomats last week. He told them: If you want to help us keep Britain in the EU, the first thing you can do is ensure we hear a lot less from Mr Juncker.
A teenager arrested over the Parsons Green terror attack may have been an asylum seeker who was given a home by a foster couple, it emerged last night.

Police raided the couples lilac-painted house in Surrey just hours after dramatically ambushing the 18-year-old bombing suspect in Dover as he tried to leave the country early yesterday.

Penny Jones, 71, and her husband Ron, 88, have been honoured by the Queen after taking in hundreds of refugees, including some from Syria.

Last night, as 250 residents living near the Joness house in Sunbury-on-Thames were evacuated, there were unconfirmed reports that explosives were found during the raid.

Neighbour Serena Barber, 47, who has known Mr and Mrs Jones all her life, said last night: All I know is that they have two boys at the moment. Both are foreign.

She alleged that one of the pair was arrested at Parsons Green two weeks ago. Scotland Yard declined to comment on the claim.

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The scene at Dover docks where an 18-year-old was arrested in connection to the Parsons Green terror attack

The 18-year-old suspect was about to buy a ticket at the ferry terminal in Dover when seven Kent Police officers swooped. He was taken away without a struggle, as our illustration depictcs

Earlier yesterday, around seven armed officers surrounded the bombing suspect in the ticket office at Dovers ferry terminal as he attempted to catch a boat to France. Sources told The Mail on Sunday that police lay in wait at the port for his arrival, suggesting his movements were being monitored by security services.

It is understood he was identified following an exhaustive examination by hundreds of detectives of CCTV footage. This prompted a tense surveillance operation involving MI5 and several police forces which ended dramatically with the Dover sting.

A witness who works in the ferry terminal said the suspect was surrounded by police officers as he tried to buy a ticket at 7.50am.

It was difficult to see him or what he looked like because the police moved towards him so quickly, she said. He was led away and there was no shouting and no sign of a struggle.

After being held for several hours under the Terrorism Act, he was later moved to a South London police station where he will be questioned over Fridays attack on a packed morning rush hour-train in West London.

Hundreds of commuters and schoolchildren narrowly avoided death when a bomb in a bucket hidden in a shopping bag failed to fully detonate. About 30 people were rushed to hospital, some with serious burns.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who chaired a meeting of the Governments COBRA emergency committee yesterday, described the arrest as very significant but said the operation was still ongoing.

However, she said it was much too early to tell if authorities knew the suspect in the bombing.

Police raided the Penny Jones' house in Surrey just hours after dramatically ambushing the 18-year-old bombing suspect in Dover as he tried to leave the country

A heavily armed officer on patrol in London yesterday as the terror threat level was raised to critical

The fast-moving developments came as:

Police intensified the hunt for possible accomplices amid fears of a second terror strike;

The family of a 13-year-old schoolboy trampled in the stampede at the station following Fridays attack spoke of his terrifying ordeal;

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick vowed: London has not stopped after other terrible attacks and it will not stop after this one.

Armed police and military personnel were deployed across the capital as the terror threat remained at critical.

The 18-year-old was detained on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, sparking an evacuation of the ferry terminal, Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said.

Detectives investigating the bombing were said to be keeping an open mind about whether more plotters were involved, and Mr Basu said the terror threat would remain at its highest level, indicating another attack was feared. Just hours after the arrest in Dover, a huge squad of counter-terror police descended on the Joness home in Cavendish Road, Sunbury.

It was terrifying, like something from a film

The couple have spent decades taking in vulnerable children, including refugees. They were made MBEs in 2010.

Heavily armed counter-terrorist officers, carrying semi-automatic rifles and protected by shields, were seen waiting on nearby street corners. Scotland Yard put up a 100-yard cordon in the streets surrounding Cavendish Road, with two officers guarding each entrance to the leafy street.

They even applied to the Civil Aviation Authority for a no-fly zone to stop drones and TV news helicopters flying overhead.

As uniformed and plain-clothes officers swooped on the street, they ordered terrified residents to evacuate their homes immediately for fear that there could be a bomb factory in the property being raided.

Locals were taken by police minibus to wait at nearby Staines Rugby Club but many gathered at the edge of the cordoned-off zone to take photographs of the scene.

Lee Ryder, 43, was sleeping in his front room when armed police banged on his door and ordered him to evacuate the street at 1.40pm yesterday.

An officer enters the house of Penny Jones in Sunbury to to help with their investigation

Looking for clues: Police search bins in Dover yesterday and the ferry terminal

He said: It was like something out of a movie. One minute I was dozing off and the next all these police appeared on the street and sprang into action. Its terrifying that this quiet part of Surrey could have anything to do with what happened in Parsons Green.

His partner Nicola, 43, returned home laden with shopping bags to find her whole street in lockdown.

One distressed woman complained that her housebound husband was still in their home. Another asked one of the Surrey Police officers to feed her cat.

Council worker Natalie Jones said she was told by police that explosive devices had been found.

Another neighbour, Mojgan Jamali, said: I was in my house with my children and there was a knock at the door from the police.

They told me to leave. They said, You have one minute to get out of the house and get away.

You have one minute to get out the house

I just got out. I got my three children and we left the house and the street. We didnt know what was going on.

The focus of the police activity, however, was the home of Penny and Ron Jones.

The couple were awarded MBEs by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2010 for services to children and families. They said in a recent interview they had fostered 268 children since 1970.

Mrs Jones has told how they made a conscious decision to just take in young refugees and have looked after at least eight. She told a local community website it was a lot easier to care for youngsters classed as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children from war-torn countries including Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, Albania and Afghanistan. Mrs Jones told the website: You have to have patience too and remember theyve been through a lot  theyre doing their best but nothing is going to happen overnight. But its so rewarding.

Theyre grateful to be safe, to have a bed to sleep in and to have food and [our support] thats all they need.

Mrs Jones told how they once looked after a 15-year-old who had smuggled himself into the UK on a lorry from Calais, and how on another occasion she cooked halal chicken for their refugee guest for Christmas dinner.

We put decorations up to celebrate and he was fascinated with them. We sat as a family and he was so grateful for the gift of just being together in a place he could call home. He was happy.

A neighbour described Mrs Jones as a woman with a big heart.

The latest developments came as Security Minister Ben Wallace said that companies such as Google, Facebook and YouTube can do more to tackle extremism.

Mr Wallace said that concerns had been reignited after the UK was targeted for a fifth time this year, and promised to put pressure on companies to invest in technology that could identify and remove terrorism-related material more quickly.

Security sources said that the bomb, which failed fully to ignite, contained similar explosives to those used in the Manchester Arena attack and London bombings in 2005. The device, packed with fairy lights and covered by a Lidl bag, had a timer that enabled the attacker to slip off the train before it was due to explode.

Witnesses described a fireball in the carriage.

Most of the victims suffered flash burns, but some were hurt in the stampede out of the station.

On Friday, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bomb and said others had been planted.

Additional reporting: Jonathan Bucks, Ned Donovan, Padraic Flanagan and Peter Henn
The Bank of England is set to launch a crackdown this week on interest-free credit cards amid fears that they could trigger a new consumer debt crisis.

So-called teaser deals have proliferated in recent years.

They allow Britons to move thousands of pounds of debts built up elsewhere on to the cards at zero interest for periods up to 43 months.

The Bank of England is set to launch a crackdown this week on interest-free credit cards amid fears that they could trigger a new consumer debt crisis (file photo)

But Bank chiefs claim the offers encourage borrowers to take on debt they may not be able to repay if the economy slumps.

That could leave card providers shouldering huge losses  and exacerbate a downturn.

The Banks Financial Policy Committee meets on Wednesday to decide a course of action.

Britons have been borrowing heavily recently, with the total amount lent on credit cards, loans and overdrafts growing at nearly ten per cent a year.
Facebook has reportedly turned over information about US election ads it believes were purchased by Russians to special counsel Robert Mueller.

A source told Reuters the information includes copies of advertisements and data about the buyers of the ads.

Facebook revealed it sold approximately $100,000 in political ads to 470 accounts and pages that were affiliated to each other and likely operated out of Russia. It has since shut down these fake accounts.

Another $50,000 was spent on 2,200 'potentially politically related' ads, likely by Russians.

Facebook has reportedly turned over copies of political advertisements and data about the buyers to special counsel Robert Mueller

On Wednesday Facebook disclosed it found some accounts were linked to the Internet Research Agency.

The Saint Petersburg, Russia-based agency is known as a 'troll farm' that churns out pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Ellen Weintraub, a member of the Federal Election Commission, said U.S. voters deserve to know where the ads are coming from and that the money behind them is legal.

'It is unlawful for foreign nationals to be spending money in connection with any federal, state or local election, directly or indirectly,' Weintraub said in a phone interview to Reuters.

Last week while former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said last week that Facebook had a 'long way to go' in disclosing the extent of Russian interference.

Facebook admitted last week it found $100,000 of ads bought by pages that were affiliated to each other and likely operated out of Russia. Special counsel Robert Mueller is heading the investigation into Russian meddling in the US election

She told Rachel Maddow the company has 'just begun to own up. They have a long way to go before they get where they need to be.'

In response to those comments, a Facebook spokesman told Vanity Fair: 'We continue to investigate and will continue to work with the relevant investigative authorities.'

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously denied the social network's newsfeed played a role in influencing the 2016 election.

In April, Facebook implemented a button to tag news as fake. However, the effectiveness of this tagging is questionable according to a Yale study.
Leah Remini - best known for her starring role alongside Kevin James on sitcom The King of Queens - says that Jada Pinkett Smith is still a paid-up member of the Church of Scientology.

Like her husband Will Smith, Pinkett Smith denies that she is a member of the controversial church - but unlike him, she is a supporter, Remini claims.

'I know Jada's in. I know Jada's in. She's been in Scientology a long time,' Remini told The Daily Beast. 'I never saw Will [Smith] there, but I saw Jada at [Scientology's Hollywood] Celebrity Centre.

'They opened up a Scientology school, and have since closed it. But Jada, I had seen her at the Scientology Celebrity Centre all the time.'

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Religious dispute: Jada Pinkett Smith (left) is a member of the Church of Scientology, claims Leah Remini (right). Remini grew up in the church but left in 2013 and is now a vocal critic

Pals: Remini says she never saw Will Smith at the Hollywood Scientology Centre, but wife Pinkett-Smith was a regular. Both Smiths (seen here with Tom Cruise) deny being members

Remini, 47, who was raised in Scientology, has been an ardent public critic of the religion since she left it in 2013.

Her 2015 book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology,' talks about her time in the church and her experiences upon leaving.

One of the most curious was an encounter with the Smiths and Tom Cruise, when the Mission: Impossible star suggested a game of hide-and-seek on his vast estate.

'At first I thought he was joking,' she wrote in the book.

'But, no, he literally wanted to play hide-and-seek with a bunch of grown-ups in what was probably close to a 7,000-square-foot house on almost three full acres of secluded land.'

Remini, wearing high-heeled Jimmy Choos, declined to participate in the fun and games, she said.

At that point, she claims, Cruise walked up and said: 'Well, good. So you're 'It,' then,' and tagged her before sprinting off.

In hiding? Remini says Cruise (both seen in 2005) challenged her and the Smiths to hide-and-seek on his estate, which she said was weird, since there were no kids around at the time

Trouble: Pinkett Smith was asked about Remini's claim, made in her book (left), and said kids were present. Remini says that's proof she's 'still in' the church (Hollywood Centre seen left)

The odd hide-and-seek story would raise its head again this year as Pinkett Smith promoted her hit indie film Girls' Trip this year.

'She was on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live a few weeks ago promoting her film, and Andy [Cohen] said to her, "Have you read Leah Remini's book?"' Remini recalled.

'And he was like, "What was that whole thing about playing tag?" and she said, "Oh, she lied."

'He goes, "Isn't that weird, to play tag?" and she goes, "No, the kids were there."

'That was untrue. Bulls**t. There were no kids there. I was like, okay, alright, you're gonna do that? More power to ya.'

Remini said she 'had hoped that she had left [Scientology], but this was the tell-tale sign that she was still in.'

Pinkett Smith's management have been contacted for comment.

The Smiths have both long denied being involved in the Church of Scientology, although they came under fire in 2008 when they funded the New Village Leadership Academy in California.

The school, though ostensibly secular, employed a number of Scientologist staff, and employed 'Study Technology,' a teaching method developed by Scientology co-founder L Ron Hubbard.

In response to Remini's book, the Church of Scientology released a scathing response in which it called her 'bitter' and claimed her fellow ex-Scientologists were a 'collection of deadbeats, admitted liars, self-admitted perjurers, wife beaters and worse.'
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Tokyo has been revealed as the cheapest long haul destination, with an evening meal for two and wine averaging out at 35.02.

The local costs of everyday items in 30 resorts or cities were compared for the annual Post Office Long Haul Holiday Report to reveal where the pound will stretch furthest.

Japan's capital came out on top, while Rio de Janeiro was deemed one of the pricier places with a dinner for two coming in at 107.85. Other costly items in the South American city included lager - an average of 4.07 a bottle - and wine at 6.79 a glass.

Tokyo has been revealed as the cheapest long haul destination, with an evening meal for two and wine averaging out at 35.02

It is the first time Tokyo has come in number one and prices are 23 per cent lower than a year ago and down 60 per cent since 2012.

The Post Office's Long Haul Holiday Report was based on the costs of ten tourist items, including a cup of coffee, a bottle of lager, a can of Coca-Cola, a glass of wine, a cocktail, a chocolate bar, a bottle of water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a three-course meal for two.

Prices were researched by long haul tailor-made holiday specialist Travelbag and cross-referenced with those provided by tourist offices.

The biggest year-on-year falls have been in three of the leading Caribbean islands, which had been looking expensive in past Post Office surveys.

Rio de Janeiro was deemed one of the pricier places with a dinner for two coming in at 107.85. Other costly items in the South American city included lager - an average of 4.07 a bottle - and wine at 6.79 a glass

A 25 per cent fall to for the ten tourist items to 105.36 in St Lucia (Rodney Bay) has helped the island move up to 13th place from 28th last year.

Similarly, prices in Jamaica (Montego Bay) have dropped 24 per cent to 107.50 and the island has climbed 15 places to 14th in the table. The biggest fall has been in Antigua (Jolly Beach), where prices have plummeted 27 per cent to 114.72, taking the island from 32nd to 19th place.

Six of the top ten best value destinations are cheaper this year, according to the Post Office barometer of costs.

Aside from Tokyo and third-placed Mombasa Beach, Kenya (down one per cent to 68.59), the remainder are all new entrants to the top spots.

With a nine per cent fall in barometer costs, Hoi An in Vietnam (76.74) is the highest placed of these, overtaking Bali (sixth place, 76.95) for the first time to take fifth position.

Another of the new entrants, Costa Rica, was named alongside Japan and Vietnam as a holiday hotlist choice for 2017 and visitors attracted by the direct flights now available to the country will find prices down eight per cent in Tamarindo to 79.94.

Phuket, Thailand fell from 7th to 11th place on the back of a 17 per cent rise to 88.84, making Thailands top resort over 15 per cent more expensive than Hoi An, Vietnam

The Post Office's Long Haul Holiday Report was based on the costs of ten tourist items, including a cup of coffee, a bottle of lager, a can of Coca-Cola, a glass of wine, a cocktail, a chocolate bar, a bottle of water, sun cream, insect repellent and a three-course meal for two

Prices were researched by long haul tailor-made holiday specialist Travelbag and cross-referenced with those provided by tourist offices

This has taken Costa Rica from 12th to seventh place in the barometer table.

Prices have also fallen seven per cent in Penang, Malaysia (81.77) and six per cent in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (85.34) helping these destinations move to ninth and tenth place respectively.

Sri Lanka (Colombo, 75.83, prices up seven per cent) and Orlando, USA (80.60, prices up one per cent) have retained top ten places and move up to fourth and eighth in the table.

The four destinations that lost their top ten places have all registered big price rises in the past 12 months.

Phuket, Thailand fell from 7th to 11th place on the back of a 17 per cent rise to 88.84, making Thailands top resort over 15 per cent more expensive than Hoi An, Vietnam.

Cancun, Mexico (96.84) has dropped to 12th in the table from 6th in 2016 after prices rose 30 per cent and 18th placed Grand Baie, Mauritius (114.31, tenth in 2016) is 37 per cent pricier.

The biggest price rise  54 per cent - has been in Lima, eighth in last years top ten.

At 120.62, this sent Perus capital tumbling to 21st place. There have also been significant increases in the other South American destinations surveyed. Prices have risen 27 per cent in Santiago, Chile (126.10, 23rd), while a 45 per cent rise in Rio to 160 has made Brazils best known city this years highest-priced destination  over three times as expensive as Tokyo.

Japan, Jamaica and St Lucia are among the destinations in hot demand according to the latest bookings trends from Travelbag

More positively, the Post Office barometer shows sizeable falls in two Middle Eastern destinations. Prices are down 21 per cent in both Oman (Muscat, 141.29, 27th) and Dubai (Jumeirah Beach, 157.75, 29th)

More positively, the Post Office barometer shows sizeable falls in two Middle Eastern destinations. Prices are down 21 per cent in both Oman (Muscat, 141.29, 27th) and Dubai (Jumeirah Beach, 157.75, 29th), with the result that the Emirate is no longer the most expensive destination in the survey.

Commenting on the results, Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money, said: 'With continuing uncertainty about sterling, it is more important than ever before for people planning winter sun holidays to do their homework and pick a destination where prices for tourist staples are low.

'In a Twitter poll we conducted last week over half of the 14,000+ people who took part said hotel and flight costs are their major concern but the truth is that resort prices can make a big difference to the holiday budget.

'Fortunately, price falls in many UK favourites mean there are plenty of great value long haul destinations to choose from. Japan looks very affordable these days with low prices for meals and drinks in a wide range of centrally-located restaurants and bars and it is also good news that prices have dipped in popular Caribbean islands.'

Japan, Jamaica and St Lucia are among the destinations in hot demand according to the latest bookings trends from Travelbag.

Compared with a year ago, bookings are up almost 23 per cent for Japan, nearly 27 per cent for St Lucia and a massive 63 per cent for Jamaica.
She lets her natural beauty shine in selfie after selfie.

And Emily Ratajkowski was not happy that a French magazine photoshopped her lips and breasts for the cover of Madame Figaro on Friday.

'I was extremely disappointed to see my lips and breasts altered in photoshop on this cover,' Emily captioned the photo as she took to Instagram to vent her frustration.

Disheartened: Emily Ratajkowski was upset that a French magazine photoshopped her lips and breasts for the cover of Madame Figaro on Friday; (pictured Thursday)

The 26-year-old actress/model posted two images on her account - one of the original shot and one of the altered image used for the cover.

Her lips appear to have been thinned out for the cover while her breasts appear smaller and lifted.

In the well thought-out caption, Emily argues that changing the body image can cause self-esteem issues and heighten insecurities.

'Everyone is uniquely beautiful in their own ways. We all have insecurities about the things that make us different from a typical ideal of beauty. I, like so many of us, try every day to work past those insecurities,' she wrote.

Original: Emily posted the original unaltered photo on her Instagram

Fake out: The actress also posted the altered photo which appears to have thinned her lips and reduced her breasts

Emily also took this opportunity as a call to arms for the fashion industry to accept differences and individuality.

'I hope the fashion industry will finally learn to stop trying to stifle the things that make us unique and instead begin to celebrate individuality.'

Meanwhile, Emily debuted a new bob hairstyle at Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation Diamond Ball in Manhattan on Thursday night.

The brunette bombshell exchanged her gorgeous flowing long locks for a sophisticated blunt cut just above the shoulders.

She rang in the new look with a daring bodice style dress that accentuated her unaltered ample cleavage and statuesque figure.
He's the former male stripper who turned into a much loved Australian TV personality.

But it seems Jamie Durie's former life has caught up with him following a Supreme Court decision that he claims is going to end up costing him a fortune.

Last week, Justice Michael Slattery found in favour of Jamie's former business manager Mike Curnow after a three-and-a-half year court battle, over unpaid debts and commissions following his services being terminated by Jamie in 2013.

In deep trouble: Jamie Durie's former life has caught up with him, with a Supreme Court decision that's he claims is going to end up costing him a fortune

In a brief interview with The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney on Saturday, Jamie said he is now facing over $800,000 in damages while also explaining that his image is a 'target'.

'Because I have a public profile... that guy has made millions out of me over the years,' Jamie told the publication.

In a savage back and forth between the two, Mike countered the comments made by the former Block host, claiming that the court had handed down the appropriate judgement.

'That guy has made millions out of me over the years': In a brief interview with The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney , Jamie said he is now facing over $800,000 in damages - as claimed by Mike - while also explaining that his image is a 'target'

'I made millions for all of us... I am just glad the court found that a person should be paid for the work they do,' he told Private Sydney.

Final costs of what Mike will receive from the qualified horticulturist is yet to be determined, although due to the length of the court case, it's expected that Jamie will need to fork out another $800,000 in legal costs.

The legal battle has uncovered some telling details about Jamie's last few years, including a $500,000 loan from Macquarie Group boss Bill Moss following a spate of 'bad business decisions.'

Still owing: The legal battle has uncovered some telling details about Jamie's last few years, including a $500,000 loan from Macquarie Group boss Bill Moss following a spate of 'bad business decisions.'

Since a whirlwind of drama, Jamie has travelled to Gary Gorrow's celebrity meditation retreat in Byron Bay to help 'find more balance and walk down the little path of self discovery.'

Writing on his Facebook back in June regarding the sanctuary, he said: 'Each day was spent digging a little deeper into my partially painful past until all was revealed and resolved.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Jamie's management for comment.

Feeling better: Since a whirlwind of drama, Jamie has travelled to Gary Gorrow's celebrity meditation retreat in Byron Bay to help 'find more balance and walk down the little path of self discovery'




They're the Gourmet Pommies who won My Kitchen Rules in 2015.

And Will Stewart, 39, and Steve Flood, 33, have revealed just how they have maintained success of their business years later.

'It's two years on and we haven't gone back to work, we're full-time directors of our own company,' Will told BW Magazine.

'It's two years on and we haven't gone back to work!' My Kitchen Rules 2015 winners Will Stewart and Steve Flood have revealed how they have maintained success of their business

Since their time on the show, the pair have released their own cookbook, launched regular pop-up restaurants and have appeared on The Morning Show and Studio Ten.

'Coming from banking, our vision was not just to create some amazing food, but also to bring that business experience into it and surround ourselves with the right people,' Steve told the publication.

The pair enlisted the help of financial advisers and a marketing team to help run their business and guide them to the right opportunities.

Restaurant success: Since their win, the friends have released their own cookbook and have launched regular pop-up restaurants

TV opportunities: They have also been booked for spot appearances on The Morning Show (pictured) and Studio Ten

'We have a team around us to run a business and rather than just be a pipe dream. There's not that many people in reality who come to these shows who've looked at it in that way,' Will added.

Of recent, they launched their pop up called Artisan Lane Kitchen at Sydney's Tramsheds, where they served our famed scotch egg, a wagyu cheeseburger jaffle, and spring greens soup with chorizo.

In a previous interview with Daily Mail Australia at the launch of their cookbook, they said it was not easy to stand up on their own even after their win on the cooking show.

'We have a team around us to run a business': The pair enlisted the help of financial advisers and a marketing team to help run their business and guide them to the right opportunities

'We have found ourselves fighting hard for opportunities and taking steps backwards and building a company with real purpose and structure that will support us further down the track.

They cited their business backgrounds and appetite for success that lands them jobs and contracts.

'We are humble, honest guys with a genuine passion for food, rather than attributing it to having five minutes of fame,' he said.
She shot to fame in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the UK's most in-demand models.

And Lisa Snowdon, 45, showed off her catwalk credentials as she put on a colourful display at photographer Richard Young's star-studded 70th birthday dinner at Langan's brasserie in Mayfair, London on Friday.

The brunette beauty drew attention to her endless legs as she donned a vibrant pair of high-waisted trousers decorated with pink, blue and black patterns for the iconic snapper's birthday bash.

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Stylish: Lisa Snowdon, 45, showed off her catwalk credentials as she put on a colourful display at photographer Richard Young's 70th birthday dinner at Langan's brasseries in Mayfair, London on Friday

Sartorial chic: The brunette beauty drew attention to her endless legs as she donned a vibrant pair of high-waisted trousers decorated with pink, blue and black patterns for the iconic snapper's birthday bash

Showing off her slender waist and a hint of her ample cleavage, the star paired the flamboyant trousers with a chic black slip and silk panelled blazer.

The statuesque star added further height with a pair of black strappy stiletto sandals.

Her chocolate tresses were styled into soft curls and parted in the middle.

Quirky: Showing off her slender waist and a hint of her ample cleavage, the star paired the flamboyant trousers with a chic black slip and silk panelled blazer

Glowing: The statuesque star added further height with a pair of black strappy stiletto sandals

Smile: Her chocolate tresses were styled into soft curls and parted in the middle

Radiant: Lisa enhanced her sparkling eyes with feline flicks of liner and mascara while her pout was painted with a baby pink gloss

Lisa enhanced her sparkling eyes with feline flicks of liner and mascara while her pout was painted with a baby pink gloss.

Lisa's had a pretty amazing 2017 so far, after kicking off the year by announcing her engagement to boyfriend George Smart in January.

She told The Sun's Fabulous magazine: 'I feel very content about everything and Im in a good place.

A-list: Hollywood legend Joan Collins, 84, also attended the glittering dinner party, looking impossibly elegant in a chic black shift dress and jacket with bejewelled floral shoulders and sleeves

Chic: The age-defying star teamed her sparkling dress with elegant black courts with sparkly silver straps

Man of the hour: Joan took a moment to pose up with birthday boy Richard Young inside the restaurant

Youthful: Her chestnut tresses were styled into bouncy curls and she accentuated her ageless beauty with red lipstick and fluttering lashes

Pals: Joan looked delighted to be catching up with the legendary snapper

Friends: Joan looked relaxed as she posed with Richard's wife Susan

Round of applause: Joan clapped and flashed a broad smile at the dinner table

Jaw-dropping: Jo Wood, 62, wowed in a sequinned black dress and ankle boots as she rocked up to the exclusive dinner

Joyful: Her blonde tresses were styled sleek and straight and the youthful entrepreneur flashed a dazzling smile as she arrived

'George is a really lovely man. Hes selfless, honest, kind, wise, calm and thoughtful. The list is endless. Im very lucky!'

Hollywood legend Joan Collins, 84, also attended the glittering dinner party, looking impossibly elegant in a chic black shift dress and jacket with bejewelled floral shoulders and sleeves.

The age-defying star teamed her sparkling dress with elegant black courts with sparkly silver straps.

Rock on: Spandau Ballet musician Gary Kemp (R) joined The Clash rocker Paul Simonon for a snap

Glitzy: Gary later posed up with wife Lauren Barber at the venue

Legend: Led Zeppelin guitar god Jimmy Page made a dapper entrance into the dinner

Her chestnut tresses were styled into bouncy curls and she accentuated her ageless beauty with red lipstick and fluttering lashes.

She accessorised with a clutch of statement rings and cracked a huge smile as she posed up with the birthday boy.

Jo Wood, 62, wowed in a sequinned black dress and ankle boots as she rocked up to the exclusive dinner.

Her blonde tresses were styled sleek and straight and the youthful entrepreneur flashed a dazzling smile as she arrived.

Funky: Fashion designer Pam Hogg shared a laugh and a hug with Richard at the dinner

Family: Richard's daughter Hannah posed up with Leo Hunter at the dinner
She's known as one of Australia's most successful comedic exports.

And on Saturday, Rebel Wilson confirmed that she has started filming and producing a new movie following her $4.5 million defamation win.

Taking to Instagram to share the news of her next creative endeavour, the 37-year-old uploaded a picture of herself with fellow Hollywood stars Alex Sharp and Anne Hathaway.

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Back at it! On Saturday, Australian actress Rebel Wilson revealed she'd started working on a new secret film alongside Anne Hathaway and Alex Sharp

'Just started work on my new movie I'm producing too!' she said.

'You may have heard of the legendary DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - well this is a remake of that remake. We're keeping the title secret for now.'

'But for now here's a sneaky sneak peak of Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway, Tony Award winner @alexandreiansharp1 and '2nd in the state in Food Technology' winner (me) tearing up the European dance floor' she continued.

Her new gig: 'You may have heard of the legendary DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - well this is a remake of that remake. We're keeping the title secret for now'

Came out on top: Rebel's new movie comes off the back of her defamation case against Australian publication Bauer Media

Rebel wore a maroon coloured dress with sheet polka dot sleeves while Anne was seen stealing attention in a sparkly silver frock.

And the Pitch Perfect Star seemed to be enjoying her European getaway, appearing on Alex's Instagram in a private jet.

Rebel's new movie comes off the back of her defamation case against Australian publication Bauer Media.

Giving her thanks: Taking to Instagram in a lengthy post earlier on Thursday, the Pitch Perfect star thanked the court system and the jury

Taking to Instagram in a lengthy post earlier on Thursday, Rebel thanked the court system and the jury.

'I will be putting that money to good use by donating it to charity and investing in an Australian film (but obviously can't say exactly or do anything now as I won't receive the money until everything is finalized),' she said.

'I thank Justice Dixon so much. And I'm looking forward to getting back to entertaining everyone!'
She's an advocate for body confidence and has never been afraid to flaunt her figure.

And Iskra Lawrence looked sensational as she headed to Sexy Fish restaurant in Mayfair on Friday as she took a break from watching the shows at London Fashion Week.

Ensuring all eyes would be on her as she headed into the eatery, the 27-year-old model oozed glamour in an extremely scanty ensemble as she headed out for the night.

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Turning heads: Iskra Lawrence looked sensational as she headed to Sexy Fish restaurant in Mayfair on Friday as she took a break from watching the shows at London Fashion Week

Showing off her ample cleavage, the blonde bombshell sizzled in a tiny scarlet PVC crop top which struggled to contain her chest and left her dangerously close to suffering a wardrobe malfunction.

Flashing a glimpse of her enviably taut abs, Iskra teamed the sexy bralet with a pair of flared white trousers that complemented her tanned complexion.

Keen not to overpower her bold look, the British model opted for a pair of perspex barely there heels and a delicate silver necklace to finish off the ensemble.

Looking good: Ensuring all eyes would be on her as she headed into the eatery, the 27-year-old model oozed glamour in an extremely scanty ensemble as she headed out for the night

Earlier in the day, Iskra made another bold fashion choice as she slipped into a pair of brown PVC trousers for the Bora Aksu Spring/ Summer 2018 show.

The size 14 model, who is originally from Worcestershire, had previously been in New York for fashion week, attending the Badgley Mischka and Marchesa shows.

The British beauty is a passionate advocate for body confidence and spoke out about unattainable beauty standards in the fashion world in an interview earlier this week.

Top of the crops: Flashing a glimpse of her enviably taut abs, Iskra teamed the sexy bralet with a pair of flared white trousers that complemented her tanned complexion

'The whole concept of Photoshop is an illusion,' she said. 'They're not flaws. They're part of your body. We were just convinced by society and the media that there was something wrong with them.'

Iskra has forged a successful modelling career after coming to accept her natural body.

She described how she realised at 18 that instead of trying to change her body to fit into sample sizes, she 'would try to change the industry'.
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2018 wedding of the year candidates Edwina Bartholomew and her fiance Neil Varcoe have locked in their venue.

The Sunrise star, 34, and Neil have spent the past year renovating their 41 hectare Glen Alice farmstead and announced they'll even start accepting guests, before holding their nuptials at the 1890's abode next year.

Meanwhile, Edwina has reportedly enlisted school friend Felicity Slattery, who works at a Melbourne design studio to help redesign the homey sandstone cottage, 'Warramba,' that's situated on the property.

Home away from home! Edwina Bartholomew and her fiance Neil Vascoe have spent the past year renovating their stunning 1890's Glen Alice farmstead, announcing its completion in time for their 2018 wedding, which will take place on the property

Redesigned! Sunrise star Edwina has even reportedly enlisted school friend Felicity Slattery, who works at a Melbourne design studio to help redesign the homey sandstone cottage, ' Warramba ,' that's situated on the property

According to the estate's website, the cottage is: 'cut from local sandstone and lovingly restored as a bolthole for the world-weary.

The stunning home-away-from-home features uniquely Australian design elements that blends wooden statement furnishings and contemporary, naturalistic homewares.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Edwina revealed the place came together even better than expected, noting: 'A Few snakes and frogs in the loo but otherwise on time and under budget!'

Australian made! The stunning home-away-from-home features uniquely Australian design elements that blends wooden statement furnishings and contemporary, naturalistic home wares

On time and under budget! Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Edwina revealed the place came together even better than expected, noting: 'A Few snakes and frogs in the loo but otherwise on time and under budget!'

The journalist will marry Neil on the property next year, with Edwina also providing an update on the wedding planning.

'It's going well,' she said, promising a 'Big party for friends and family. Nothing fancy. Friend making the cake, (with guests including) Uni mates and school friends as bridesmaids and my sister too.'

As for her Sunrise co-stars, Edwina insisted: 'the whole crew will be there,' including Sam Armytage, despite recent reports documenting an apparent on-air tiff this week.

Wedding plans! Edwina, 34 gave an update on wedding plans: 'It's going well,' she said, promising a 'Big party for friends and family. Friend making the cake, (with guests including) Uni mates and school friends as bridesmaids and my sister too'

'The whole crew will be there': As for her Sunrise co-stars, Edwina insisted: 'the whole crew will be there,' including Sam Armytage, despite recent reports documenting an apparent on-air tiff this week

Lighting up the dance floor! 'She absolutely will be there lighting up the dance floor. We are great mates!' Edwina told Daily Mail Australia

'She absolutely will be there lighting up the dance floor. We are great mates!'

When Edwina and Neil tie the knot next year, Sam and her Sunrise cohort will be no-doubt impressed with the cottage, which features a cozy living room, boasting its own fireplace and chimney.

The hardwood floors are covered with a stylish contemporary rug, while the couple's Blue Heeler was pictured soaking up the sun by the french doors, which lead onto the veranda.

Sam's dance-floor? When Edwina and Neil tie the knot next year, Sam and her Sunrise cohort will be no-doubt impressed with the cottage, which features a cozy living room, boasting its own fireplace and chimney

Natural wonder! In the kitchen sits a table and benches carved from locally sourced wood, a stunning ceiling high bookshelf stretching the width of the room and a trio of free-hanging pendant lights

Renovation rescue: Pictured here is the completed kitchen, without the wooden table to highlight the stunning wooden floorboards

Room for improvement! It marks a massive improvement over the dated dining room seen in snaps from before the renovations, with garish yellow walls exchanged for earth tones and aging armchairs giving way to a comfy couch

Much better! Pictures obtained show the property during its extensive renovations, which took the bride-to-be and her fiance an entire year to complete

Getting there: Seen here is a snap of the work-in-progress kitchen

In the kitchen sits a table and benches carved from locally sourced wood, a stunning ceiling high bookshelf stretching the width of the room and a trio of free-hanging pendant lights.

It marks a massive improvement over the dated dining room seen in snaps from before the renovations, with garish yellow walls exchanged for earth tones and aging armchairs giving way to a comfy couch.

The master bedroom follows along with the rest of the house in stripping back the old grey carpeting in order to expose the brilliant hardwood floors.

R&R! The master bedroom follows along with the rest of the house in stripping back the old grey carpeting in order to expose the brilliant hardwood floors

A good night's sleep! A comfortable bed is seen fitted with premium grey linen sheets, while an original artwork of a skinny, inquisitive cow is mounted above the headboard

A comfortable bed is seen fitted with premium grey linen sheets, while an original artwork of a skinny, inquisitive cow is mounted above the headboard.

Light streams into the bathroom, which now features a luxurious freestanding bathtub and minimalistic basin with storage.

According to The Weekly Times, Edwina and Neil welcomed a fold of Scottish Highland cows to the 100 acre property, where they're free to roam the dusty open fields and surrounding grasslands.

Before: One of the bathrooms is pictured here in its original state

After: It now features a luxurious freestanding bathtub, with light streaming in from the windows

Nice! A minimalist basin and storage unit has also been added as part of the extensive renovations

Don't have a cow man! The 41 hectare property houses Scottish Highland cows, with Edwina and Neil giving their fluffy pets the names: 'Billy Connolly, Ewan McGregor, Susan Boyle, Annie Lennox, Tilda Swinton and Shirley Manson'

The fluffy, adorable cattle have been given the names 'Billy Connolly, Ewan McGregor, Susan Boyle, Annie Lennox, Tilda Swinton and Shirley Manson,' the publication reported.

Edwina and Neil are also currently completing a separate, off-the-grid 'Bush Hut set among the gumtrees,' which will take bookings on their site starting from next year.

They've also teamed with events company Under The Sky to offer a luxurious Glamping experience, with guests able to book a stay in the self-contained, premium tents.

Coming soon! Edwina and Neil are also currently completing a separate, off-the-grid 'Bush Hut set among the gumtrees,' which will take bookings on their site starting from next year

Glamping! They've also teamed with events company Under The Sky to offer a luxurious Glamping experience, with guests able to book a stay in the self-contained, premium tents
It's the Logie-nominated ABC drama series that once had fans on the edge of their seats.

But Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, produced by Every Cloud Productions, hit a roadblock on Friday and reached out to fans of the show to help them overcome it.

Starting a Kickstarter campaign, the Melbourne-based production company posted to the crowdfunding website in hope that die-hard fans will contribute to the film's budget.

'Were finalising the film script of Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears and we want to bring you along for the adventure': Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries , produced by Every Cloud Productions , hit a roadblock on Friday and reached out to fans of the show to help them overcome it

'Were finalising the film script of Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears and we want to bring you along for the adventure..,' the pledge was captioned.

'But, we need your help to fund a gap in our financing, and prove to our investors that we have a strong fan-base who will come out to watch the film.'

Claiming that the plan for Miss Fisher was to always go bigger, the producers are confident that bringing the original cast back together will be adored by fans.

'But, we need your help to fund a gap in our financing': Starting a Kickstarter campaign, the Melbourne-based production company posted to the crowdfunding website in hope that die hard fans will contribute to the film's budget

'Shes a natural action hero  the female version of James Bond or Indiana Jones,' the post said.

'After season three premiered in Australia two years ago, the desire for Miss Fisher didn't die down, and as our cast and crew went off to do different parts of the world, all the while we continued to develop the idea of turning Miss Fisher into a movie.'

The company is planning to give back to its fans as well, with rewards including individual messages from cast members, tickets to premiere screenings, wardrobe gifts and set visits.

'Shes a natural action hero  the female version of James Bond or Indiana Jones,': Claiming that the plan for Miss Fisher was to always go bigger, the producers are confident that bringing the cast back together will be adored by fans.

Every Cloud Productions is also yet to reveal it's investors in the film, but meetings have been confirmed with an American film company in Los Angeles next year.

Hoping for an early 2019 release, TV stars Essie Davis (Game of Thrones) and Nathan Page (Underbelly) are set to reprise their roles in Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, and it's been confirmed filming will be completed in Melbourne.

The series which revolves around the personal and professional life of Phryne Fisher, a private detective in 1920s Melbourne, has been broadcast in 120 countries and bought by Netflix.
Call it a case of horse sense.

Mary-Kate Olsen decided to cancel a scheduled riding outing at The American Gold Cup at the Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York on Friday for unknown reasons.

The equestrian socialite, 31, was all dressed up for a horseback ride, but did not compete.

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Change of heart: Mary-Kate Olsen, 31, decided not to ride in The American Gold Cup at the Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York on Friday for unknown reasons

Olsen, who shot to fame as a young child in the 1980s with her sister Ashley on the show Full House, was clad in a rider's outfit of a red sweater over a long-sleeved white polo top, with khaki riding pants and black boots.

Olsen rounded out her get-up with round sunglasses, earrings, a large silver watch, a black equestrian's hat and a black designer leather backpack.

She was seen with her hair both tied up and let down at the event, where she was snapped sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes.

The 5ft2 beauty earlier this month impressed during the Hampton Classic Horse Show, taking home $1,500 for third place in a $10,000 category for amateur owner jumpers as she rode her horse Dunotaire V.

Swagger: The child star-turned-designer walked with confidence on the grounds of the facility

Refreshing: The beauty sipped what looked to be coffee on the daytime outing

The famed designer's spouse of nearly two years, former President of France Olivier Sarkozy, 48, was on hand for her previous outing in Bridgehampton, New York.

Speaking with the equestrian company HITS, Olsen revealed that she first took an interest in the sport amid production of the 1992 TV film To Grandmothers House We Go.

'I was six when I first fell in love and it was with a pony named 4x4,' the Elizabeth and James designer said, adding that she continued honing her craft as a rider throughout her teenage years, as a member of the equestrian team at Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles.

Mystery: It was not immediately clear why the celebrity horseback rider withdrew from her slated race

On a roll: Mary-Kate's cancelled outing came on the heels of a successful competition in the Hamptons earlier this month, where she finished in third place

Decompressing: The star took drags of a cigarette as she stood on the sidelines

She told HITS that 'having horseback riding as an outlet was super-important, because it allowed [her] to have another life and outlet outside of work and school.'

While she hung up her rider's boots for a time amid her family's cross-country move to New York, she would eventually make a return to riding.

'I came back to the sport because I missed it every day that I wasnt riding,' she said, adding, 'It was the hardest thing to leave and the hardest thing to come back to.'

In style: The fashionista was outfitted in the full rider's uniform as she walked with a fellow equestrian
Elise Stacy looked far from the heartbroken Bachelor contestant seen on Thursday night's divisive finale.

The night after Australia audiences witnessed Matty J brutally dump her, the Olympian, 29, was seen leaving Sydney's Royal Oak Hotel in a mystery man's car.

Trailing closely behind was fellow Matty J reject Florence Alexandra Sophia, who flashed cleavage in a skimpy dress.

Moving on? Matty J reject Elise Stacy was seen leaving Sydney's Royal Oak Hotel in a mystery man's car on Friday night, with Bachelor co-star Florence Alexandra Sophia in tow

Elise was spotted leaving the popular Double Bay establishment on Friday evening, while an unknown male companion walked beside her.

She looked effortlessly stunning in a cleavage-bearing black top and tight jeans, while her male friend sported a white button-up and backwards cap.

They both smiled sheepishly as they walked the short distance to a car, believed to be owned by the mystery man.

The man is believed to be one of Elise's ex work colleagues from a former job at Red Bull.

Anything to tell us? Elise was spotted leaving the popular Double Bay establishment on Friday evening, while an unknown male companion walked beside her

Sheepish! They both smiled sheepishly as they walked the short distance to a car, believed to be owned by the mystery man

Trailing behind them was Dutch-born Florence, who's been spending the last few days with Bachelor runner-up Elise, who she describes as the 'love of her life'

If you've got it! Florence flaunted her assets in a cleavage-bearing blue dress

Trailing behind them was Dutch-born Florence, who's been spending the last few days with Bachelor runner-up Elise, who she describes as the 'love of her life.'

Florence hopped into the back seat, while Elise rode shotgun with her male friend, with the group remaining in high spirits as they drove off.

Another blonde beauty accompanied the trio on their date night excursion, but is not believed to have left in the same car.

TGIF! Another blonde beauty (left) accompanied the trio on their date night excursion, but is not believed to have left in the same car

Shotgun! Florence hopped into the back seat, while Elise rode shotgun with her male friend, with the group remaining in high spirits as they drove off

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Elise for comment.

Elise and Florence have formed a strong bond in the weeks after they were rejected by Matty J, in favour of Jewellery designer Laura Byrne.

Earlier on Friday, the beauties were seen looking carefree and close as they strolled the streets of Bondi, hand-in-hand.

Strong bond! Elise and Florence have formed a strong bond in the weeks after they were rejected by Matty J, in favour of Jewellery designer Laura Byrne

Florence also professed her love for the Olympian in an Instagram post the same day, referencing Matty J with the caption: 'his loss, my gain.'

In the comments, fans shared messages of support with one writing: 'Love this so much. Elise deserves the world. Definitely his loss. You girls are beautiful.'

A congratulatory comment read: 'Go hard ladies, blokes only slow you down.'
They're the Australian pop-punk band that's had number ones in 13 different countries.

And 5 Seconds of Summer were in Brazil on Saturday, slaying their set as part of the star-studded lineup at the Rock in Rio festival.

Appearing alongside the likes of Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns N' Roses, the five Australians played in front of a plethora of screaming and adoring fans.

Rockin' Rio! 5 Seconds of Summer were in Brazil on Saturday, slaying their set as part of the star-studded lineup at the Rock in Rio festival

The band looked ecstatic at the reception they received, as they played hits off their most recent release Sounds Good Feels Good.

21 year old Luke Hemmings gave a soaring vocal performance with his band mates, as he wore a black leather jacket over a white collared shirt.

His luscious brown hair swayed in the wind while on stage, as he put his guitar down to hold the microphone and resume his role as lead vocalist.

In their element: 21 year old Luke Hemmings gave a soaring vocal performance with his band mates, as he wore a black leather jacket over a white collared shirt

Joining in: Fans adored the band, as they motioned the crowd to raise their hands to clap in unison while they played

Fans adored the band, as they motioned the crowd to raise their hands to clap in unison while they played.

Emotions were running high, as many were reduced to tears as they looked up to the band on stage.

Some even brought homemade signs to share with the band, prompting Luke Hemmings to point to the revellers below.

Crying: Emotions were running high, as many were reduced to tears as they looked up to the band on stage

The hunky brown-haired musician confidence looked like it hasn't been diminished, despite being slammed ex-girlfriend Arzaylea Rodriguez on Twitter.

They split in May of this year but a feud between the pair reignited when Arzaylea made wild accusations against the 5SOS star.

Luke posted a black and white photo of himself with the caption: '2fast4u @ashtonirwin,' which led the young social media starlet to embark on an abusive tirade against him.

No worries! The hunky brown-haired musician confidence looked like it hasn't been diminished, despite a string of allegations levelled at him last month by ex-girlfriend Arzaylea Rodriguez

Slammed? The hunky brown-haired musician confidence looked like it hasn't been diminished, despite being slammed ex-girlfriend Arzaylea Rodriguez on Twitter

She fired back to the seemingly innocent photo with some very aggressive comments including: 'Yeah you always did finish fast.'

She continued to say: Y'all need to realize none of these guys are perfect. I'm over being the one in trouble lmao.'

H 'IM TIRED OF EVERYONE THINKING THIS IS FOR ATTENTION VECAUSE [sic] DEAD A-- IVE BEEN HOLDIN IN MY PAIN FOR A YEAR. I MADE A MISTAKE BUT HE MADE A MILLION,' she added.
All eyes were on the 'World's Best Horse' Winx on Saturday afternoon.

But prior to the Mare earning its historic 20th win in a row, Former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins was the star of Randwick Racecourse Stakes Day.

The 33-year-old led the star-studded fashion pack, perfectly embodying the suggested 'optic white' theme in a quirky off-the-shoulder pantsuit.

Leading the pack! Former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins led the star-studded fashion pack at Randwick Raceourse Stakes Day on Saturday, stunning in a quirky off-the-shoulder pantsuit

Jennifer flaunted her statuesque frame in the neatly tailored, silk-lined ensemble, which was cinched at the bust with an elegant bow.

Her locks were stylishly curled and tucked behind a bold floral bandanna, the model's look complete with red nail polish and stiletto heels.

Also in attendance was genetically blessed I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here pair Kris Smith and Tegan Martin, who were spotted looking cozy on the red carpet.

Tegan flaunted her slender frame in a black, figure-hugging lace gown, with her slip visible beneath the sheer high-neck fabric.

She's all white! Jennifer, 33, flaunted her statuesque frame in the neatly tailored, silk-lined ensemble, which was cinched at the bust with an elegant bow

Flawless floral! Her locks were stylishly curled and tucked behind a bold floral bandanna, the model's look complete with red nail polish and stiletto heels

I'm A Celebrity! Also in attendance was genetically blessed I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here pair Tegan Martin and Kris Smith

Cozy! The longtime friends were spotted getting cozy at the packed marquee on Saturday

Back to black! Tegan flaunted her slender frame in a black, figure-hugging lace gown, with her slip visible beneath the sheer high-neck fabric

Get a piece of this! Bearded Brit Kris went all out in a three-piece suit, featuring a tight blue-grey blazer, contrasting vest and stripey red tie

She was witnessed hugging Kris, with the longtime friends snapped staring into each other's eyes at one of the packed marquees.

The bearded Brit went all out in a three-piece suit, featuring a tight blue-grey blazer, contrasting vest and stripey red tie.

Elsewhere, Samantha Harris towered over her jailbird husband Luke Hunt in a short red gown and a pair of strappy heels.

Statuesque! Samantha Harris flaunted her statuesque frame in a skimpy red gown and stiletto heels

Sealed with a kiss! She towered over her jailbird hubby Luke Hunt, who looked neat in a navy suit with a subtle check pattern and tie and pocket square

Luke looked neat in a navy suit with a subtle check pattern and tie and pocket square, colour-matched with his wife's skimpy pattern dress.

They looked loved-up and at one point were seen outside, exchanging forehead kisses.

Also putting on a smitten display outdoors was Phoebe Burgess and her NRL star hubby Sam.

Couples day! Also putting on a smitten display outdoors was Phoebe Burgess and her NRL star hubby Sam

Hat's off to you! Phoebe's tailored blazer featured black buttons, colour-matched with a wide-brim hat, while her classy ensemble was complete with breezy wide-leg pants.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs star looked suave in a check suit with mismatched cream pants, while Phoebe followed Jennifer Hawkins' lead in a white pantsuit.

Her tailored blazer featured black buttons, colour-matched with a wide-brim hat, while her classy ensemble was complete with breezy wide-leg pants.

Sam's brother Tom Burgess also looked dapper in a grey pinstripe suit, which he sported with a bold red tie and rose lapel.

He attended with his Miss Universe Australia finalist girlfriend Tahlia Giumell, who looked radiant in an off-the-shoulder white frock.

Cute! Sam's brother Tom Burgess also looked dapper in a grey pinstripe suit alongside his his Miss Universe Australia finalist girlfriend Tahlia Giumell, who looked radiant in an off-the-shoulder white frock

Frills but not spills! Model Ksenija Lukich looked stunning in a frilly off-the-shoulder white top and matching fishtail skirt

Flawless! She wore a multi-coloured bow, seen with flaunting her flawless complexion trackside on Saturday

Model Ksenija Lukich looked stunning in a frilly off-the-shoulder white top and matching fishtail skirt.

She wore a multi-coloured bow, seen with flaunting her flawless complexion trackside on Saturday.

Model-turned-blogger Nikki Phillips was another glamorous celebrity that stepped out in their fashion finery on Saturday.

The blonde wore a unique black pinstripe frock with a strategic cut-out design near her bust.

The number had a silver belt around her waist, which highlighted her svelte figure.

Looking good! Model-turned-blogger Nikki Phillips was another glamorous celebrity that stepped out in their fashion finery on Saturday

Not to be outside was Caroline Groth, who flashed flesh in a raunchy white gown, which was highlighted by strategically cut-out sections.

Her makeup was applied to perfection, with artist Georgia Hull working wonders with a smokey eyeliner and bold red lip.

A cut above! Not to be outside was Caroline Groth, who flashed flesh in a raunchy white gown, which was highlighted by strategically cut-out sections

Bold! Her makeup was applied to perfection, with artist Georgia Hull working wonders with a smokey eyeliner and bold red lip

Bachelor beauties represent! Representing the Bachelor rejects was Elora Murger, with the bronzed Tahitian flaunting her assets in a plunging black gown with a choker fastening

Yeah the boys! Fellow Bachelor series stars Dave Bilsborrow and Sasha Mielczarek were seen wandering the marquee with a mate, with the trio sporting classy, understated suits

Representing the Bachelor rejects was Elora Murger, with the bronzed Tahitian flaunting her assets in a plunging black gown with a choker fastening.

Fellow Bachelor series stars Dave Bilsborrow and Sasha Mielczarek were seen wandering the marquee with a mate, with the trio sporting classy, understated suits.

Former Big Brother star Lisa Clarke was a standout at Stakes day, flashing a glimpse of her black bra in a silky blue gown.

Feeling blue! Former Big Brother star Lisa Clarke was a standout at Stakes day, flashing a glimpse of her black bra in a silky blue gown

Tim Dormer also made the trip to Randwick on Saturday, seen wearing a blue suit and paisley tie, accompanied by his boyfriend, Ash Toweel.

Ash went more contemporary in a cream two-piece with a black skinny tie, with the sunglasses-clad lovers looking in high spirits.

Meanwhile, stunners Natalia Cooper, Tegan Martin Nikki Phillips, Bonnie Gillies, Olivia Rogers and Phoebe Burgess took the opportunity to catch-up for a group shot.

Here's Tim! Tim Dormer also made the trip to Randwick on Saturday, seen wearing a blue suit and paisley tie

Happy couple! He was accompanied by his boyfriend Ash Toweel, who went more contemporary in a cream two-piece with a black skinny tie
They're two of Australia's most popular celebrities who once got together to co-host the Today show program.

And it appears Lisa Wilkinson must have made an impression on Hugh Jackman, after the Hollywood star paid tribute to her in a selfie.

The 48-year-old actor took a photo in front of an award-winning portrait of the Today show host, which is on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Hugh Jackman has taken a photo in front of an award-winning portrait of Lisa Wilkinson, after the pair hosted an episode of Today together in 2012

Lisa (centre) appeared to be taken back by the tribute as she shared the photo of Hugh (left) to her own Instagram on Saturday night

Hugh looks sharp as always in the photo, wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt and tie.

He can be seen raising his eyebrows in a joking fashion as he poses in front of the painting of his old friend.

Lisa appeared to be taken back by the tribute as she shared the photo to her own Instagram on Saturday night.

'Honestly, the darndest people are turning up to check out the #ArchibaldPrize portrait exhibition currently on at the @artgalleryofnsw,' the 57-year-old wrote.

'Here, @thehughjackman - yes, really - fortunately, sans claws!'

'Goodbye summer,': In a sentimental post on Monday, the 48 year old actor and his wife Debora-lee Furness waved goodbye to the American sunshine via Instagram

Holiday season: Their much needed getaway recently attracted some unwanted media attention

The photo of Hugh came days after the Wolverine star shared a photo to his own Instagram of him and wife Deborra-lee Furness walking arm-in-arm.

In the sentimental post, Hugh and Deborra-lee waved goodbye to the American sunshine.

'Goodbye summer,' Hugh captioned.

Both wore matching tracksuits as they lovingly embraced, waving to the camera candidly as their fluffy dog ran beside them.

The couple are currently holidaying in the Australian spring, and recently took trips together to Sydney and the New South Wales south coast.
Their on-screen marriage was under pressure at the end of the first series of the critically acclaimed royal drama they both star in.

But The Crown's Claire Foy, 33, and Matt Smith, 34, were enjoying each other's company as they shared a joke at a pre-Emmy party in Los Angeles on Friday.

The Netflix original drama, which is expected to consist of six series, has three Emmy nominations ahead of the award ceremony on Sunday- including Claire's for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.

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We are amused: Stars of the royal drama The Crown Matt Smith, 34, and Claire Foy, 33, shared a joke at a pre-Emmy event in Los Angeles on Friday

Fit for a queen: The Stockport-born actress looked striking in a vintage lacy dress with pearl detailing. A colourful sequinned butterfly emblazoned on Claire's chest added a vibrant streak to the otherwise all-black ensemble

Matt was perhaps channeling the inner cheekiness of his character, Prince Philip, ahead of the release of the second series on December 8, when he made Claire burst out laughing in front of the cameras.

The Stockport-born actress, 33, looked striking in a vintage lacy dress with pearl detailing. A colourful sequinned butterfly emblazoned on Claire's chest added a vibrant streak to the otherwise all-black ensemble.

Showing her ever-present fashion sense, Claire jazzed up her sleeves and neckline with edgy frays. She gathered her raven tresses neatly at the base of her neck, flaunting a stylish centre parting.

Royal pout: Matt and Claire teased the cameras with mock serious poses on the red carpet

All smiles: Matt was perhaps channeling the inner cheekiness of his character, Prince Philip, ahead of the release of the second series on December 8, when he gave Claire the giggles

Claire completed her look with classy black strapped sandals and a rock chick dash of black nail varnish.

Matt looked every inch her Prince Charming in a navy checked two-piece suit with a matching tie and steel-grey shirt.

The on-screen couple's appearance comes as it is revealed that Claire is set to star in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo sequel.

She will portray skilled computer hacker Lisbeth Salander - who was played by Rooney Mara in earlier films in the series - in The Girl in the Spider's Web.

Baby on the way: It seems the royal couple, played by Claire and Matt (above), are set for happier times amid the high drama of The Crown's second season

Tense: But another preview shot hints at the strain in their marriage, with the couple poised far apart in a darkened room - following accusations of Elizabeth's 'betrayal' to Philip

The new flick will be directed by Fede Alvarex, Variety Online reported. The Crown star had been tipped to take on the role back in May this year, and four months later the casting has been confirmed.

Claire will start filming for the production in January next year, which will see her jet off to Berlin and Stockholm to meet the release date on October 19, 2018.

Filmmaker Fede, 39, is 'thrilled' to have Claire on board the project to take over the reins of the 'iconic' protagonist.

He said: 'I couldn't be more thrilled about Claire taking the reins of the iconic Lisbeth Salander.'

And the Don't Breathe creator has hailed the star has an 'incredible, rare talent', who he hopes will inject a 'new and exciting life' into Lisbeth.

Anticipation: Viewers await the second series (pictured) set for release on December 8

He added: 'Claire is an incredible, rare talent who will inject a new and exciting life into Lisbeth. I can't wait to bring this new story to a worldwide audience, with Claire Foy at its center.'

The follow up to the 2011 film will be based on novel of the same name penned by David Lagercrantz.

It will be the first in the series to be adapted primarily in English, as Swedish versions were the earliest adaptations of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Claire's new venture will be yet another impressive role to add to her growing list of acting projects, including the popular BBC drama Wolf Hall and Breathe - a film starring Claire alongside Andrew Garfield, set for release this October.
He recently opened up about his shock battle with brain cancer.

And Johnny Ruffo appeared upbeat as he made his first public appearance since revealing his diagnosis to the public last month.

The Home And Away star was seen attending a charity gala at The Star in Sydney on Saturday night.

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Out and about: Johnny Ruffo has made his first public appearance since revealing his shock brain cancer diagnosis to the public last month

Loved up: The Home And Away star was seen attending a charity gala with girlfriend Tahnee Sims (pictured) at The Star in Sydney on Saturday night

He attended the event with his dancer girlfriend Tahnee Sims, with the pair happily smiling for the cameras.

Johnny looked sharp wearing a black tuxedo, and added some flair to his outfit with a grey pocket square.

The 29-year-old even played up to the cameras and was seen making a chain symbol with his hands.

By his side was Tahnee who looked stunning in a plunging black dress with a mermaid-style finish, and dainty heels with a clear ankle strap.

United front: Tahnee looked stunning in a plunging black dress with a mermaid-style finish, and dainty heels with a clear ankle strap

Looking upbeat: The 29-year-old even played up to the cameras and was seen making a chain symbol with his hands

Spiffy: Johnny looked sharp wearing a black tuxedo, and added some flair to his outfit with a grey pocket square

Shock: His public appearance came after announcing he had emergency surgery for a brain tumour last month

Their appearance together comes just days after Johnny spoke on Nova's Fitzy and Wippa about being rushed to emergency by Tahnee.

Johnny revealed the blonde beauty was in 'absolute tears' when she found out he had a brain tumour, before signing off on his life-saving emergency surgery to have it removed.

'It's 8am in the morning and she gets a call from the emergency department, saying "you need get down here immediately because he's got a brain tumour", so she was in absolute tears at the time,' Johnny said.

'She was in absolute tears': Johnny revealed Tahnee had to sign off on his life-saving emergency surgery to remove a tumour days earlier

Health woes: Johnny said that doctors told Tahnee there was a one in 20 chance he could die from the operation

'And she had to drive down there and they said "look, we need to do an emergency operation." Because by this stage, I had slipped into a coma,' he added.

'She had to sign a form to give permission.'

Johnny said that doctors told Tahnee there was a one in 20 chance he could die from the operation.

After the surgery, doctors told him he would have died if he didn't go to emergency, and would have fallen asleep at home and had a brain aneurysm.

Life-threatening: After the surgery, doctors told him he would of died if he didn't go to emergency, and would of fallen asleep at home and had a brain aneurysm

His support: The blonde is pictured hugging Johnny shortly after his life-saving operation

Johnny revealed his brain tumour was seven centimetres long, and that doctors are 'fairly confident they can beat this thing'.

The surgeon removed 95 per cent of the tumour, and the other five percent will be removed by radiotherapy.

The star - who rose to fame on The X Factor - is undergoing six weeks of radiotherapy.

Struggles: Johnny revealed his brain tumour was seven centimetres long, and that doctors are 'fairly confident they can beat this thing'

He's a fighter: The surgeon removed 95 per cent of the tumour, and the other five percent will be removed by radiotherapy
The Vietnamese Government has set a target of having one million effective enterprises by 2020.

Adrian Tan, Programme Director of the Vietnam Innovative Startup Accelerator (VIISA), said The Vietnamese Government has been visionary in setting such an ambitious goal. It certainly has encouraged Vietnamese people to look to creating startups.

APEC delegates talk on the sidelines of an APEC meeting in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)



The countrys Ministry of Science and Technology has also been proactive in engaging the startup community and investors about how they can support startups, such as the The Speedup programme, he added.

To realise the aforesaid goal, Aslam Perwaiz, head of the Disaster Risk Management System under the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, suggested Vietnam focus on its already competitive areas such as garment-textile and rice production as well as other fields which would give a lot of competitiveness.

I would rather recommend that Vietnams government should be investing a lot in information technology, digital transformation, and help small-and medium-sized enterprises access those things, he said.

Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vo Tan Thanh said Vietnam is evaluated as one of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world, adding that the country is engaging very strongly in promoting entrepreneurship nationwide and offering a number of new policies to support startups.

VCCI Secretary General Pham Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam is on its way to become a startup destination since it has a promising market and growing population.

With the spirit of dare to think, dare to act, Vietnamese youngsters are definitely capable of creating a startup community in the region despite external competitiveness, she said, referring to the significant role of policy makers in building a dynamic and innovative startup ecosystem./.
She's said being back on the music scene brings 'a tear to the eye'.

And Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle looked over the moon to be treading the red carpet again at the Diversity in Media awards night at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in central London on Friday.

The 32-year-old musician, who together with Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding and Kimberley Walsh brought countless pop classics to the Noughties with their fierce girl band, released her comeback single last Friday.

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White night: Former Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle looked stunning at the Diversity in Media awards night at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in central London on Friday

Nadine looked stunning in the stylish white jumpsuit which she offset with striking golden strapped heels.

She showed off her flawless skin and incredibly toned arms in the flattering outfit.

The Irish pop star's flowing blonde locks tumbled around her shoulders as she flashed a dazzling smile for the cameras.

Her appearance came as it was revealed the new single reached number one on the Spotify Viral chart.

White night: Former Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle looked stunning at the Diversity in Media awards night at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in central London on Friday

One-piece wonder: The Irish pop star's flowing blonde locks tumbled around her shoulders as she flashed a dazzling smile for the cameras

Having fun: Nadine was all smiles after her single reached number one on the Spotify Viral chart

The track, Go To Work, features Nadine marching through an office singing about, she says, people getting on your nerves and 'being annoying'.

The chorus is: 'Why don't you go to work, do your nine to five / Gotta treat me right, you need to earn your stripes / Why don't you do your thing / Bring the money home just like mama done / Why don't you go to work.'

Speaking to Wonderland magazine, the musician also made the bizarre admission that she eats 'some form of potato' before every show as a superstitious ritual.

Taking centre-stage: Nadine is back on the music scene with her comeback single Go To Work - and admitted that focusing on singing again 'brings a tear to the eye'

Sassy: Go To Work, features Nadine marching through an office singing about, she says, people getting on your nerves and 'being annoying'

The 2017 Diversity In Media Award winners Broadcaster of the Year: Reggie Yates Hero of the Year: Lily Allen Media Moment of the Year: Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad Icon of the Year: Diane Abbott MP TV Programme of the Year: Googlebox Journalist of the Year: Matthew Cain (Attitude) Rising Star of the Year: Victoria Broom Actor of the Year: Russell Tovey Broadcaster of the Year: BBC Production Company of the Year: Betty Marketing Campaign of the Year: Jabong Media Organisation of the Year: Simon Jones PR Blogger/Podcaster of the Year: Gemma Turner Radio Programme of the Year: Badass Women's Hour Advertisement

In good company: Nadine was arm in arm with a male friend as she left the event on Friday

Nadine also spoke about her pre-show rituals, confessing: 'I get superstitious. I always have to have some form of potato, either chips or mashed potato or roast potatoes on a show day. I've done that for 10 years.'

Discussing her label signing with Virgin EMI, she said: 'If feels surreal, completely surreal. It brings a tear to my eye, everybody is so good and so amazing that I just feel really fortunate.'

The Insatiable hit-maker also spoke of her feelings about returning after spending some time out of the spotlight.

She said: 'I feel excited because it's one of those really odd things where it's so out there, like oh my god, you shoot a video, you do photo shoots, you do all these things, it's such an exciting job. I'm really happy to be back and have these opportunities.'

On the sound of single Go To Work, she said: 'The sound is definitely pop. I'm all about the pop! My voice has changed a bit since before, so it's a bit more maybe soulful, soulful melodies, but just fun.'

Let's go: The pair were arm in arm as they made their way towards a waiting car

High spirits: The former Girls Aloud star beamed as she made her exit from the event
The Real Housewives Of Melbourne is set to return to Australian screens for its fourth consecutive season very soon.

And while Pettifleur Berenger left the show last year, she was spotted attending the Red Ball at Melbourne's Crown Palladium with past and current reality star housewives.

The 52-year-old looked glamorous as usual in a stunning red gown.

Lady in red! Former RHOM star Pettifleur Berenger stuns in striking gown as she leads star-studded arrivals at Fight Cancer Foundation's charity Red Ball in Melbourne

The unique ensemble had detached, flared arm cuffs, which left her sculptured arms bare.

Pettifleur flaunted her slender physique by posing to the side on the red carpet.

Her new darker locks were placed up in a ballerina bun, while her makeup was flawlessly applied.

Slender beauty! Pettifleur flaunted her svelte physique by posing to the side on the red carpet

Joining her on the red carpet for Fight Cancer Foundation's signature gala event was former RHOM star Susie Mclean (R) and current star Gamble Breaux (L)

Joining her on the red carpet for Fight Cancer Foundation's signature gala event was former RHOM star Susie Mclean and current star Gamble Breaux.

Susie wore a sequin-covered off-the-shoulder red dress.

The brunette beauty put on a glamorous display, using a dramatic red lipstick on her pout to compliment the dress.

Stunner! The brunette beauty put on a glamorous display, using a dramatic red lipstick on her pout to compliment the dress

Loved-up! Gamble appeared in high spirits as she posed on the arms of her husband, Doctor Rick Wolfe

Daring ti bare! Gamble's silk number's plunging design displayed a hint of cleavage, while her trim pins were on display in the mullet-style creation

Gamble appeared in high spirits as she posed on the arms of her husband, Doctor Rick Wolfe.

Her silk number's plunging design displayed a hint of cleavage, while her trim pins were on display in the mullet-style creation.

Recently crowned Miss World Australia 2017, Esma Voloder, was also in attendance, wearing her sash over her elegant gown.

Winner: Recently crowned Miss World Australia 2017, Esma Voloder, was also in attendance, wearing her sash over her elegant gown

Former Neighbours star Krista Vendy turned heads in this red ensemble

Former Neighbours star Krista Vendy turned heads in this ensemble that wasn't as figure-hugging as the other A-list guests' outfits.

She flashes thigh in the side-splits, as she partnered the dress with over-the-knee black boots.

Former Bachelor star Laura Fleur wore a princess-style dress with a voluminous white tulle skirt and black corset top that flaunted her ample assets.

Former Bachelor star Laura Fleur wore a princess-style dress with a voluminous white tulle skirt and black corset top that flaunted her ample assets

All smiles! Having fun on the red carpet was comedian and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris

Having fun on the red carpet was comedian and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris.

Wearing a glitter-soaked gown with tulle shawl, she laughed and waved while posing before the gala.

Of the men to arrive at the event, actor Simon Gleeson and actor and comedian Shane Jacobson both looked dapper in black suits with bow ties.
They have both denied there is anything to their relationship beyond being 'homies.'

But it seems insiders close to Scott Disick, 34, and Sofia Richie, 19, would beg to differ.

'Scott and Sofia are inseparable. They are spending every day together. Sofia seems smitten,' a source told People on Friday.

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Juiced up: Constant companions Sofia Richie and Scott Disick grabbed cold drinks in Calabasas, Los Angeles County, before heading into Beverly Hills on a shopping spree this week

'Its obvious that she looks up to Scott. She constantly giggles around him,' said the source. 'They are very flirty.

'Scott takes care of her, opens the car door and pays for everything.'

According to another insider, The Keeping Up With The Kardashians celeb and the teen model are 'hooking up.'

The couple were seen together again on Friday when they grabbed cold drinks in Calabasas in Los Angeles County before heading into Beverly Hills on a shopping spree.

Shop-a-holics: The 19-year-old and her 34-year-old beau hit up Barneys in Beverley Hills

Sofia cut a casual figure in a black sweater with blue skinny jeans and white boots for the outing, while toting an eye-catching bright yellow leather bag.

The daughter of music legend Lionel Richie, 68, also sported a few gold necklaces just two days after she was seen jewelry shopping with Scott, aka 'The Lord'.

Scott wore a white Supreme hoodie and ripped black skinny jeans as he hit up The Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf with his constant companion.

Here they are again: Scott and Sofia with a model and a man named Papi at a fashion show in NYC on September 7

While the two did not enjoy any PDAs - they didn't even hold hands - they have been almost inseparable since hanging out at the Cannes Film Festival in the South of France in May.

The pair have just returned from New York Fashion Week where they sat in the front row next to each other at the Kith Sport 2018 fashion presentation.

Scott has been playing the field after the mother of his three children, Kourtney Kardashian, called things off with him in late 2015, when he was spotted getting hands-on with stylist Chloe Bartoli on vacation.

Since then, Scott has been linked to a bevy of beauties which he appears to have in rotation including actress Bella Thorne, 19, who he is seen with sporadically.
Casey Affleck and Summer Phoenix have finalized their divorce.

On Friday a judge signed off the papers, according to People. The actor, whose brother is Batman star Ben Affleck, has to pay his ex spousal and child support, after he initially refused, according to court documents.

The couple, who were married for over 10 years, had a prenuptial agreement.

Done: Casey Affleck and Summer Phoenix have finalized their divorce. On Friday a judge signed off the papers, according to People; here they are seen in 2013

Just days after Summer officially filed for divorce in August, Casey responded to her filing, it has been revealed that the pair - who split up in March 2016 after 10 years together - have already come to a financial agreement.

TMZ reported last month that although Casey's documents included a request to deny Summer spousal support, he will pay her the money under their agreement.

The documents show that Summer cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split.

She asked for joint legal and physical custody of their children, Indiana, 13, and Atticus, nine.

Casey's response to the filing included the same details.

Sad end: The documents show that Summer cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split. She asked for joint legal and physical custody of their children, Indiana, 13, and Atticus, nine. Seen in 2013

The pair tied the knot back in 2006, having met in 1995 through Summer's brother Joaquin Phoenix, who was working with Casey on To Die For.

They got engaged in 2003.

When the pair split last year, they issued a joint statement to insist they had 'amicably' gone their separate ways.

Their spokesperson confirmed: 'Casey and Summer have amicably separated. They remain very close friends.'

New love: This year he has been seen with Floriana Lima; here they are pictured in June

And a source added at the time: 'She was having a lot of trust issues. They went to therapy but they just couldn't recover.'

This year he has been seen with Floriana Lima, even taking her to the Academy Awards where he won an Oscar for Best Actor.

Meanwhile, his brother Ben Affleck is still in the process of divorcing Jennifer Garner.

They both want joint legal and physical custody of their three kids Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. As for spousal support, they left it open, so the judge could award it before the divorce becomes final, according to TMZ.

They do not list a date of separation, but in June 2015 they announced their separation.
She has been enjoying the perks of London nightlife since shooting to fame in the Love Island villa this summer.

And Olivia Attwood was up to her partying tricks again on Friday, as she downed drinks with her girlfriends during a wild night out at London's Radio bar.

The reality star, 26, looked a tad worse for wear as she slumped in a taxi while leaving the hotspot - and admitted 'the struggle is real' while battling a ferocious hangover on Saturday morning.

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Bleary-eyed: Olivia Attwood was up to her partying tricks again on Friday, as she downed drinks with her girlfriends during a wild night out at London's Radio bar

The blonde beauty reunited with her Love Island gals Montana Brown and winner Amber Davies for the raucous night out.

Keen to document their antics, Olivia shared a snap of herself downing a drink before posing with an empty shot glass balanced on her head.

Hinting that it may have been a boozy night, Amber also shared a clip of Olivia perched at the bar, captioning the cheeky snap: 'Where Liv is most at home'.

Other videos saw her grinning as she danced away enthusiastically with Montana and Amber, both 21.

Night out on the town: The blonde beauty flaunted her long limbs in a leather minidress and chic strappy heels

Oh dear: The reality star, 26, looked a tad worse for wear as she slumped in a taxi while leaving the hotspot

Not so fresh: She looked a tad tired as she made her exit with a pal, who was slumped over in her taxi seat

And the Surrey-based beauty seemed to be feeling the effects of her partying on Saturday, as she pined for boyfriend Chris Hughes to comfort her.

Sharing a loved-up black and white snap with the 24-year-old, she wrote: 'Hi i'm being hungover and dramatic but I feel like I have a limb missing #NotSorry #PartnerInCrime.'

Olivia also shared a montage of her and Chris cuddling in bed on Love Island, writing: 'The struggle is real, so need this today.'

Having a whale of a time: The Love Island star appeared to be in great spirits as she left the bar

Three's a crowd: The blonde beauty reunited with her Love Island gals Montana Brown and winner Amber Davies for the raucous night out

Get it down you! Keen to document their antics, Olivia shared a snap of herself downing a drink in one gulp

Throwing some shapes: Amber shared an amused video of Olivia dancing away to some tunes at the LFW party

The pair have been inseparable ever since they left Mallorca, where Love Island was filmed, in July.

After a number of blazing rows in the house, the blonde duo managed to work out their differences, leading viewers to vote them into the final - where they placed in third, behind Camilla and Jamie, and winners Amber and Kem.

The pair have since introduced each other to their respective families, and even enjoyed a romantic trip to Scotland last week.

However, while the pair have rocketed to fame since the show, Chris recently revealed he hates fame, and misses life at his family farm in the Cotswolds.

Just a tipple or two: She later posed with an empty shot glass balanced on her head

'Where Live is most at home': Hinting that it may have been a boozy night, Amber also shared a clip of Olivia perched at the bar

Pining: Sharing a loved-up e snap with beau Chris Hughes, she wrote the next day: 'Hi i'm being hungover and dramatic but I feel like I have a limb missing #NotSorry #PartnerInCrime'

Feeling the effects: Olivia also shared a montage of her and Chris cuddling in bed on Love Island, writing: 'The struggle is real, so need this today'

Speaking to New! magazine, the reality star told the publication: 'I hate it. I hate fame straight up. I'm nice, so I smile all the time when people want photos but I don't enjoy it.'

Describing how he feels, Chris explained: 'It's a different lifestyle and at times I miss home because all my mates are that way and my family and stuff.'

Despite his reservations about remaining in the limelight, Chris has no qualms about getting hitched to fame-savvy Olivia, adding: 'I think we will get married. We've already talked about it.'
She's been a firm fixture on the FROW at Madrid Fashion Week.

And Lindsay Lohan ensured she'd have all eyes on her again as she attended the Maine show on Saturday in a glittering gown.

Oozing glamour as she prepared to watch the runway presentation, the 31-year-old actress was a vision of beauty on the outing.

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Chic: She's been a firm fixture on the FROW at Madrid Fashion Week. And Lindsay Lohan ensured she'd have all eyes on her again as she attended the Maine show on Saturday

Showcasing her enviably lean legs, the Mean Girls star opted for a dress with a dramatic thigh high split that she pulled to the side as she posed.

Adorned with sequins, the glamorous gown featured a plunging tuxedo style neckline that also offered a look at her ample cleavage.

Putting a 1920s style spin on her ensemble, the radiant redhead finished off the look with an ornate braided black headband that pulled her glossy tresses away from her features.

Turning heads: Oozing glamour as she prepared to watch the runway presentation, the 31-year-old actress was a vision of beauty on the outing

Leggy lady! Showcasing her enviably lean legs, the Mean Girls star opted for a dress with a dramatic thigh high split that she pulled to the side as she posed

The stylish ensemble was every bit as chic as the striking cream gown she chose to wear the day before for the Devota & Lomba show.

Looking every inch as stylish as one of the models on the evening, Lindsay sizzled in the vintage style dress with pleated detailing that cinched in at her slender waist.

Things appear to be on the up for the former child star, who has suffered difficulties in the past few years, after the Mail revealed in October that she was allegedly facing bankruptcy after claims of failing to pay 78,000 in rent.

In August 2016 dramatic photos showed an angry, violent altercation between Lindsay and her then-fiance, Russian playboy Egor Tarabasov in Mykonos.

Chest a glimpse! Adorned with sequins, the glamorous gown featured a plunging tuxedo style neckline that also offered a look at her ample cleavage

Stunning: Putting a 1920s style spin on her ensemble, the radiant redhead finished off the look with an ornate braided black headband that pulled her glossy tresses away from her features

FROW friends: Lindsay seemed in great spirits as she settled into the front row of the show

All-smiles: Things appear to be on the up for the former child star, who has suffered difficulties in the past few years - including splitting from her fiance last year

The pictures showed a tussle occurring after Lohan and Tarabasov argued in a black 4x4. The actress was seen hurling his mobile phone on to the sand and fleeing the car.

Egor was seen chasing her, before seemingly grabbing her from behind in an attempt to grab the handset back and twisting her arm behind her back. Their relationship ended shortly afterwards.

Appearing to turn over a new leaf, Lindsay, who has been to rehab several times for alcohol and drug problems and has spent time in jail, is now launching her own lifestyle website and giving fans a glimpse into her life.
She was replaced by Prue Leith in this year's reboot of The Great British Bake Off.

But Mary Berry has given her blessing to the South African cookery writer, telling Paul Hollywood the 76-year-old is 'brilliant' on the show.

Speaking on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show, which will air on Saturday night, Hollywood also revealed 82-year-old Mary urged him to 'look after' Prue.

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Sweet: Mary Berry has given her blessing to South African cookery writer Prue Leith, telling Paul Hollywood the 76-year-old is 'brilliant' on the show

Asked whether Mary has commented on the show itself, Paul, 51, said: 'Not directly, she just said Prue's brilliant, look after her. I said absolutely, course I will.'

Paul added that he has been staying in touch with his former Bake Off co-star since the new series launched.

He said: 'We've swapped texts and emails occasionally. We were meant to meet, I was at Chatsworth a couple of weeks ago doing a demonstration, Mary was doing, I think the Saturday or the Sunday, and I was doing the day before and we just missed each other by about half an hour. We do sort of text and email each other.'

Meanwhile, Paul's co-star Noel Fielding revealed that he instantly got along with Sandi Toksvig while auditioning to be on the show.

Support: Speaking on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show which will air on Saturday night, Hollywood also revealed the 82-year-old urged him to 'look after' Prue

'I had to do a sort of little chemistry test with Sandi,' he explained. 'We just knew immediately we loved each other - straight away.

'We made love immediately. And she's a lesbian so it's quite something. And I'm a lesbian so it was just ridiculous.'

Paul admitted the craze for Noel's iconic series The Mighty Boosh passed him by, but says he is now a fan.

He explained: 'I sort of missed The Mighty Boosh. I'd heard of it, obviously. We met at a photo shoot just outside London and I went back and I watched a couple of The Mighty Boosh and actually I really loved it.

'It was one of those things, it did miss me. I was slightly too old for it. [Noel's] cool. The funniest thing is my lad came to set, he's been to all the Bake Offs, he was more excited about coming this year to meet Noel because Noel's cool he said. That's it, he's cool.'

Like two peas in a pod: Meanwhile, Paul's co-star Noel Fielding revealed that he instantly got along with Sandi Toksvig while auditioning to be on the show

Gushing: He said: 'We made love immediately. And she's a lesbian so it's quite something. And I'm a lesbian so it was just ridiculous'

Noel, meanwhile, confessed he found announcing the baker that's leaving the competition very uncomfortable.

He explained: 'That's absolutely excruciating that bit. It's awful. You know what, that gap is just so the cameras can get shots of everyone's faces, they're not just literally leaving you hanging. But it feels like a lifetime. It's awful. That gap is so long and you're just looking at their little faces and you're thinking I might just run away.

'[The gap feels] about a month and a half sometimes [] it's difficult, Sandi gets quite upset. I'm quite cold inside. I'm already dead, so there's only a certain amount of emotion I can spew out.'

And tasing more GBBO, Paul said: 'We're doing a couple of specials at the moment, which is great fun.'

And of knowing the winner already, and having to keep it a secret, Noel said: 'Yes, it's horrible. I have to gaffer tape my head shut [] I always almost just want to blurt it out!'

But Paul's not dishing, even to his closest family. He admitted: 'My mother phones me up and says, 'Come on, tell me!' and I say, 'No, I'm not going to tell you'.'

TV appearance: Noel and Paul talked all things Bake Off on the Jonathan Ross Show on Saturday night

As Jonathan tried to tease it out of him, Paul insisted: 'Come on, my own mother doesn't know!'

Of what's still to come in the series, Paul teased: 'I think actually the final this year was the best tasting final we've ever had. It is amazing. We all got emotional.'

Noel added: 'We did. We sailed away on a sea of tears, like The Owl and the Pussycat.'

The Jonathan Ross Show returns tonight at 9.15pm on ITV.

Their appearance comes as Tuesday's episode of the rebooted cookery programme appeared to be the show's naughtiest yet as the contestants battled through the bread round.

Paul had fans rejoicing as he led the double entendres as he showed hopeful winners his 'finger technique' to infuse two rolls of bread.

Cheeky viewers flocked to Twitter to poke fun at the terminology, before becoming further amused when contestant Julia's snail-shaped bread sculpture turned out to be rather phallic.



'Food porn': The Great British Bake Off has long been known for amazing cakes, complicated recipes and blush-inducing sexual innuendos and Tuesday's show could have been the naughtiest yet

Hilarious: The hilarious reaction occurred during the technical challenge, where nervous contestants were tasked with producing a cottage loaf, where the head judge demonstrated the 'finger method' to perfectly infuse two rolls of bread

After a teaser challenge of making teacakes, the contestants were tasked with forming a cottage loaf.

And in their quest for perfection, eager contestants took initiative as they utilised two of their fingers to make the perfect shape.

Given the action involved, amused viewers shared their glee over the innuendos as they flocked to Twitter.

One wrote: 'You need to finger right in the middle to make sure top stays on bottom' Paul Hollywood #GBBO.'

It just doesn't end! Cheeky viewers became further amused when contestant Julia's bread snail shaped loaf, which turned out to be very phallic

Cheeky: After a teaser challenge of making teacakes, the contestants were tasked with forming a cottage loaf - an opportunity judge Paul got to show off his method

With contestants giving it their all with the 'fingering' technique, fans of the show were clearly entertained as they continued to tweet out their hilarious reactions.

'The best innuendo this week.. 'it didn't get the finger treatment' #GBBO.

'Don't forget to finger your bread #GBBO.'

'Dying to know what Pru thinks the finger treatment is #GBBO.'

'Did Paul honestly just offer to oil his finger #GBBO.'

'I thought I had seen it all, but now finger banging dough. New meaning to food porn.'

'Cannot handle the amount of finger innuendos in bread week #GBBO.'

Anything to impress! In their quest for perfection, eager contestants took initiative as they utilised two of their fingers to make the perfect shape

Another added: 'Words of wisdom from 'PrueLeith on #GBBO When putting the bread in the oven, don't forget the finger treatment,' while another quipped: 'This didn't get the finger treatment at all' behave Prue #GBBO.'

Social media talk then turned to Julia's snail, which she had formed from bread - which happened to resemble something different entirely.

Occurring during the final task where contestants had to form an impressive bread sculpture, with three natural colouring, everyone did their best to form things such as a hat, bag and flower basket.



Unfortunate outcome: Social media talk then turned to Julia's snail, which she had formed from bread and resembled something different entirely

Imagination running wild: Occurring during the final task where contestants had to form an impressive bread sculpture, with three natural colouring, everyone did their best to form things such as a hat, bag and flower basket

LOL! However, it was Julia's innocent intentions of making a snail under a mushroom that left everyone in hysterics

Pull it together, Paul! Unable to contain his laughter, the silver-haired fox took a few seconds to regain his composure

However, it was Julia's innocent intentions of making a snail under a mushroom that left everyone in hysterics - including Paul himself.

Unable to contain his laughter, the silver-haired fox took a few seconds to regain his composure, while Prue Leith awkwardly blushed next to him.

While his co-host didn't seem to deem the creation too hilarious, Paul's amusement was shared by viewers:

'That moment when you can't hold in the laughter after seeing that oddly shaped bread snail on bake off #GBBO.'

'The phallic snail on #GBBO and Paul 'Blue Eyes' Hollywood in hysterics = priceless TV gold.'

Not exactly as she had planned: While Julia thought she had made a shelled gastropod, viewers and the judges thought otherwise

Attention-grabbing: It was difficult to take eyes off the interesting creation

'If Paul can laugh at a phallic-esque bread snail, how can I ever hope to have a mature sense of humour #GBBO.'

Another one joked: 'Snail Penis wins star baker and I'm not surprised it made Pru blush #GBBO #channel4.'

'When your bread snail looks like something else entirely...#GBBO. I've never seen a snail look like that #GBBO.'

Judging: Once the comedy subsided, Paul and Prue went on to taste the 'phallic-shaped' loaf

Coming out on top! Other than the shape of the snail, the two enjoyed the taste and texture and Julia was awarded 'Star Baker' - knocking Steven off his high horse

'Never seen a snail look like that!' With her win long gone, GBBO fans still had one thing on their mind

Once the comedy subsided, Paul and Prue went on to taste the 'phallic-shaped' bread concoction and were left impressed.

Other than the shape of the snail, the two enjoyed the taste and texture and Julia was awarded 'Star Baker' - knocking Steven off his high horse.

While celebrations were being made, it was soon time for hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig to announce the weakest baker and who would be heaving the show.

Flo was given the boot during the nail-biting final moments of the episode.

Crunch time: While celebrations were being made, it was soon time for hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig to announce the weakest baker and who would be heaving the show
She's preparing to jet to Turkey this week for her second Brazilian bum lift in just four months.

So Jemma Lucy decided to squeeze in some quality time with her best friend Charlotte Dawson as they headed out for lunch in Manchester on Saturday.

Showing off her surgically enhanced figure, the 29-year-old reality star turned heads in a tiny black playsuit that offered a look at her heavily-inked legs.

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Gal pals: Jemma Lucy decided to squeeze in some quality time with her best friend Charlotte Dawson as they headed out for lunch in Manchester on Saturday

Going braless beneath the garment, the Celebrity Big Brother star flaunted her very ample assets, whilst she opted for comfort in a pair of black studded trainers.

Keeping her accessories simple, Jemma donned a chunky gold watch and slung a small cross body bag over her shoulder.

Ex On The Beach star Charlotte also turned heads as she went braless beneath a khaki jumper dress and debuted darker locks.

Legs eleven! Showing off her surgically enhanced figure, the 29-year-old reality star turned heads in a tiny black playsuit that offered a look at her heavily-inked legs

The outing came after Jemma revealed she is jetting abroad on Sunday for another cosmetic enhancement.

The star - who has breast implants, lip fillers, botox and had a Brazilian bum lift in May - confessed she is going to have more fat injected into her sizeable derriere.

Speaking to The Sun Online she revealed: 'Ive always had an obsession with having a bigger bum.'

Bootylicious! The outing came after Jemma revealed she is jetting to Turkey on Sunday for another Brazilian bum lift just four months after she had the same procedure

She continued: 'I only had the last fat transfer four months ago but as soon as I woke up from the surgery I knew I wanted a second one.'

Revealing that she hopes to emulate Khloe Kardashian's curvaceous shape, she said: 'Really Ive only just recovered from the last one as it takes about three months before you can sit and lie down properly but Im ready to go back in.'

At the time of her first surgery, Jemma had shared her excitement over the procedure and told her fans in a Snapchat clip: 'I'm excited because I'm going to have a big bum and I'm going to shake it all the time, and it's going to be a bubble butt.'
Despite rising to prominence more recently through her boyfriend's chart success, Maya Jama proved she was every inch the superstar at Burberry's London Fashion Week show on Saturday.

Turning heads as she settled onto her rightful place on the front row, the 23-year-old presenter was a vision of beauty as she cuddled up to Stormzy, before the pair joined the party at The London Reign for Jourdan Dunn's Missguided collection launch sponsored by CIROC.

Dressed to impress, the Cannonball presenter looked elegant in a Vivetta paisley floor length gown in a vibrant purple that complemented her tanned complexion.

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Cute couple: Despite rising to prominence through Stormzy's chart success, Maya Jama proved she was every inch the superstar at Burberry's London Fashion Week show on Monday

Featuring floral adorned cuffs and a collar, the dress was modest yet still hinted at her enviable figure.

Keeping her accessories low-key so that she wouldn't detract from her busy ensemble, Maya donned a pair of barely-there gold heels and giant hooped earrings.

In keeping with his typical style, Stormzy, 24, donned a black tracksuit for the show.

Perfect pair: Turning heads as she settled onto her rightful place on the front row, the 23-year-old presenter was a vision of beauty as she cuddled up to Stormzy

Maya's outing comes after she candidly discussed her upbringing with a convict father on ITV's Loose Women.

The presenter revealed that her father had been in jail since she was three - and admitted she stopped talking to him as she was 'fed up' of him doing 'bad things.'

Proving to be a supportive beau, Stormzy was quick to praise her bravery - tweeting: 'Maya Jama on Loose Women right now' followed by a crown emoji.

Back on track-suit! In keeping with his typical style, Stormzy, 24, donned a black hoodie and matching jogging bottoms for the show that he teamed with white trainers

Queen of LFW: Maya, who is of Swedish and Somali descent, is a rising star of the moment

Party time: Later in the night the couple headed to the Jourdan Dunn Misguided collection launch at The London Reign

4Music host Maya appeared on Loose Women to talk about her 5STAR documentary, titled When Dad Kills: Murdered in the Family - which explores how children are affected if they have a parent in jail.

Revealing her own experience, she said: 'My dad has been in jail since I was three and I broke contact when I was 10.'

Maya, who is of Swedish and Somali descent, added that she was lucky because her dad's sisters supported her, as did her step-dad - who her mother married when she was seven.

'My earliest memory is around five when I was visiting him in prison. It was a bit weird, I had a super supportive family around me, I had a stepdad. I never really felt like I was missing out.'

Joined at the hip: The pair stuck together for much of the after party
She is hot favorite to scoop the top award at tonights TV Oscars for her brilliant portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in The Crown.

And now Claire Foy is set to earn her biggest pay day yet  a reported 3 million  to star as Lisbeth Salander in the sequel to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Foy, 33, beat dozens of other hopefuls to win the coveted role in the 85 million production of The Girl In The Spiders Web, which is due to start filming in Berlin in January.

Claire Foy is set to earn her biggest pay day yet  a reported 3 million  to star as Lisbeth Salander in the sequel to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

The movie is based on a fourth book, written by David Lagercrantz following the death of original author Stieg Larsson, who created the character.

American actress Rooney Mara, 32, starred alongside Daniel Craig in the 2011 Hollywood adaptation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

The next two books in the series  The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest  were due to be filmed but difficulties with the script delayed the projects.

The plan now is to reboot the series by filming the fourth book as a sequel before possibly returning to previous books.

Foy, 33, beat dozens of other hopefuls to win the coveted role in the 85 million production of The Girl In The Spiders Web, which is due to start filming in Berlin in January

Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, 37, previously starred in Swedish versions of the original trilogy.

A top Hollywood producer said last night: This was the role every young actress in Hollywood was after. Claire is a star very much on the rise after The Crown and everyone expects her to become a major force in Hollywood.

The actress is leading a British charge in tonights Emmy awards in Los Angeles.

Other British favorites in the running to win Emmys  considered the Oscars of television  include 13-year-old Millie Bobby Brown from Bournemouth, who plays enigmatic Eleven in the hit Netflix sci-fi show Stranger Things, and James Corden for best talk show.

The Crown has bagged 13 nominations, while Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes is vying for the best actor award against Welsh-born actor Matthew Rhys for his role in the hit spy drama The Americans.

Anthony Hopkins and Thandie Newton are both nominated for Westworld and Hugh Laurie is favourite as a guest actor in a comedy for Veep.
Mr. Vu Hong Nam and representatives of provincial and municipal

overseas Vietnamese associations in Cambodia (Photo: quehuongonline.vn)

At the meeting, the delegation exchanged with overseas Vietnamese about the situation of the community, especially issues about legal papers, school access for children of the Vietnamese - Cambodian community and activities of the associations.

Representatives of GAVC and the associations reported the situation of the community. Despite meeting difficulties, overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia have always received the attention and support of the Party and State, as well as ministries, sectors and localities of Vietnam.

At the meeting, the Vice Minister highly appreciated the efforts of the Vietnamese representative agencies in Cambodia, GAVC and the associations in assisting the Vietnamese Cambodian people to stabilize their legal status.

He also added that in the coming time, the Vietnamese and Cambodian authorities will continue to work closely to promote this issue, creating conditions for them to integrate stably to contribute to the development of Cambodia, as well as consolidating the traditional friendship and good neighborly relations between the two peoples.

Mr. Nam said that Vietnam is willing to support the overseas Vietnamese to solve difficulties and obstacles, especially proposing the local authorities to create conditions for overseas Vietnamese children to study at public schools of Cambodia; continuing support to open schools and classes to teach Vietnamese language; supporting to pay salary and train Vietnamese teaching methods for teachers; providing textbooks and supporting materials; and granting scholarships in Vietnam for overseas Vietnamese children in Cambodia.

At the working session, representative of GAVC and the associations proposed the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and representative agencies to increase support to help the associations perfect working regulations; organize training courses for management skills, organization of community activities, building relationships with local authorities; supporting to build the headquarters of the associations for community activities.

As scheduled, the delegation will learn about the situation of the overseas Vietnamese community in Tonle Sap Lake, including the problem of resettlement of Vietnamese - Cambodian people living there, and visit some schools of the community./.
US ambassador Nikki Haley helped win unanimous backing for a US-drafted resolution slapping an eighth set of sanctions on North Korea

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Friday concerning North Korea's latest missile launch over Japan, the council presidency announced.

The United States and Japan requested the meeting, which will be held at 3 pm (1900 GMT), according to the Ethopian council presidency. The meeting will be closed-door, diplomats said.

Pyongyang's latest launch comes after the Security Council imposed an eighth set of sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile and atomic weapons program.

North Korea had on Wednesday vowed to accelerate its weapons program in response to being slapped with the "evil" sanctions.

The fresh punitive measures include a ban on the North's textile exports and restrictions on shipments of oil products.

The international community hopes economic sanctions will deprive the North of the resources it needs to pursue its nuclear program and pressure it into negotiating.

The US-drafted resolution passed unanimously on Monday, just one month after the Security Council decided to ban exports of coal, lead and seafood in response to Pyongyang's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range.

That launch was followed by a nuclear test on September 3, its largest to date, which Pyongyang said was a hydrogen bomb small enough to fit onto a missile.

In the latest test North Korea fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean, according to the US military's regional command, which said the launch did not pose a threat to North America.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has faced international condemnation regarding the plight of the Rohingya, victims of what the UN views as a campaign of ethnic cleansing

A top US lawmaker defended Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday, saying Myanmar's under-fire leader had assured him she is working to get aid to Rohingya Muslims suffering a violent military crackdown.

The Southeast Asian nation's first civilian leader in decades has faced international condemnation for a lack of moral leadership regarding the Rohingya, victims of what the UN views as a campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a longtime Suu Kyi friend and ally, said that during a telephone call she "agreed with the need for immediate and improved access of humanitarian assistance to the region, particularly by the International Red Cross, and she conveyed that she is working toward that end."

A crackdown by Myanmar's army, launched in response to attacks by Rohingya militants on August 25, has sent nearly 400,000 refugees from the stateless Muslim minority fleeing into neighboring Bangladesh. Hundreds have been killed.

Suu Kyi, who is the de facto head of government in the nation also known as Burma, said it was important that violations of human rights be addressed, the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor.

The longtime human rights icon and Nobel peace laureate has been berated for failing to speak up for the Rohingya minority amid a crisis that has shocked the international community.

McConnell warned against "unfounded criticism" of Suu Kyi, noting that she has no command over the powerful military which ran the country for 50 years.

"In my view, publicly condemning Aung San Suu Kyi, the best hope for democratic reform in Burma, is not constructive" and could slow the progress toward a representative government, McConnell said.

Last week US senators including John McCain introduced a resolution condemning the violence and calling on Suu Kyi to act.

McCain has sought to remove language from a defense spending bill detailing expanded military cooperation with Myanmar.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres listens to translations during a joint conference with Palestinian prime minister in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on August 29, 2017

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned North Korea's latest missile test, and said talks on the crisis would be held on the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting next week.

Guterres called on the North Korean leadership "to cease further testing, comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, and allow space to explore the resumption of sincere dialogue on denuclearization," read a statement by his spokesman.

The UN leader "condemns the launch" and said he will be discussing the situation "with all concerned parties in the margins of the upcoming high level week of the United Nations General Assembly."

North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific on Friday, responding to new UN sanctions with what appeared to be its furthest-ever missile flight amid high tensions over its weapons program.

Seoul's defense ministry said the missile probably traveled around 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometers.

The launch, from near Pyongyang, came after the UN Security Council imposed an eighth set of sanctions on the isolated regime following its sixth nuclear test earlier this month.

The UN Security Council called an emergency meeting for later Friday.
The UN found that more than 228 children, some as young as nine, were working for the Civilian Joint Taskforce militia in Nigeria

Civilian militia helping the Nigerian military against Boko Haram have promised to stop using children as part of their security operations, the United Nations said on Friday.

The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) agreed to the measure as part of a new action plan signed in the northeastern Borno state capital, Maiduguri, Unicef said in a statement.

The UN's annual report on children and armed conflict, published in May, found that 228 children, some of them as young as nine, were working for the CJTF.

The youngsters were assisting with intelligence searches, night patrols, crowd control and at checkpoints.

Unicef said an action plan developed since then involves the CJTF promising not to recruit and use children, and to release any minor currently performing duties.

"We have seen too many childhoods destroyed by the crisis in the northeast," said Unicef's representative in Nigeria Mohamed Fall.

"Today's agreement is an important milestone for child protection and paves the way for a brighter future for children caught up in the conflict."

Boko Haram's Islamist insurgency has left at least 20,000 people dead and displaced more than 2.6 million others since it began in 2009.

Children have been particularly affected, with abductions and forced recruitment widespread, as well as attacks on schools teaching the so-called "Western education" the group despises.

The UN report said at least 3,900 children were killed and 7,300 others injured as the humanitarian situation worsened in northeast Nigeria between January 2013 and December 2016.

Boko Haram, which has been pushed out of captured territory by a sustained military counter-offensive since early 2015, has increasingly used children as suicide bombers.

Unicef said in August that 83 children had been used as human bombs in northeast Nigeria since the start of the year -- four times as many as in 2016.

Fifty-five were girls, most of them aged under 15. Twenty-seven were boys and one was a baby strapped to a girl.

Since 2014, a total of 125 children have been used as bombers.
Amnesty International said the rights situation in Saudi Arabia had "deteriorated markedly" since Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seen in a handout picture in April 2017, took over as crown prince and heir to the throne on 21 June

Rights groups on Friday condemned a "crackdown" by Saudi authorities who have arrested dozens of people, including prominent clerics, in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom.

Amnesty International said the authorities had detained more than 20 religious figures, writers, journalists, academics and activists in the past week.

"In recent years, we cannot recall a week in which so many prominent Saudi Arabian figures have been targeted in such a short space of time," Amnesty's Samah Hadid said.

The organisation said the rights situation in the Gulf state had "deteriorated markedly" since Prince Mohammed bin Salman took over as crown prince and heir to the throne on 21 June.

Human Rights Watch also suggested the arrests could be connected to the prince's efforts to consolidate power.

Since 2014, Saudi Arabia has tried nearly all peaceful dissidents in its terrorism tribunal, the Specialised Criminal Court, the New York-based rights watchdog said.

"Outlandish sentences against peaceful activists and dissidents demonstrate Saudi Arabia's complete intolerance toward citizens who speak out for human rights and reform," said HRW's Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson.

According to activists, those arrested over the past week included clerics Salman al-Awdah and Awad al-Qarni.

The preachers, who have millions of followers on social media, were among Saudi clerics who opposed the presence of US troops in the kingdom during the 1991 Gulf War over Kuwait.

They have both been accused of links to the Muslim Brotherhood, which Saudi Arabia has blacklisted as a "terror group".

Before his arrest, Awdah had welcomed the first contact between Prince Mohammed and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, after a three-month boycott of Doha by a Saudi-led bloc.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed all ties on June 5 and imposed economic sanctions on Qatar, accusing it of links to extremist groups and the Muslim Brotherhood, charges denied by Doha.

The Saudi authorities have not commented on the latest arrests of activists.

But at the start of the week, the attorney general warned that any attack on "national unity" or the "image of the state" amounted to a "terrorist crime".
The Equifax chief information officer and head of security will retire, effective immediately, as "part of the company's ongoing review of the cybersecurity incident" that resulted in personal data of 143 million customers being stolen by hackers

Equifax said Friday that two executives entrusted with watching over its computers are retiring, their departures coming after its maligned handling of a major hack at the credit reporting agency.

The Equifax chief information officer and head of security will retire, effective immediately, as "part of the company's ongoing review of the cybersecurity incident" that resulted in personal data of 143 million customers being stolen by hackers.

An internal investigation into the hack continues and the company is working with the FBI, according to Equifax.

Word that top executives responsible for defending Equifax computer systems are out came on the same day that the Canadian privacy commissioner announced an investigation into the massive theft of personal data from the US credit agency.

"The investigation is a priority for our office given the sensitivity of the personal information that Equifax holds," the office of the privacy commission of Canada said in a release.

A senior US senator this week asked the Federal Trade Commission, one of the few bodies with oversight powers over loosely-regulated credit raters, to examine Equifax's security practices and its "widely-panned response" to consumers potentially impacted by the breach.

Senator Mark Warner, a member of the powerful Senate Banking Committee, accused the company of "exceptionally poor cybersecurity practices" that continued even after the hack became known.

He also said the company's woeful response to people whose data may have been lost -- including trying to charge them for protection -- was "alarming".

"The volume and sensitivity of the data potentially involved in this breach raises serious questions about whether firms like Equifax adequately protect the enormous amounts of sensitive data they gather and commercialize."

Equifax is one of the three major firms which collect consumers' financial data in order to rate their credit-worthiness to banks, home sellers, auto sellers and others who depend on consumer credit in marketing.

The data the company admitted to losing on September 7 includes people's names, social security numbers, addresses, credit card numbers, and other financial details.

Such data is often used by criminals to steal people's identities for financial gain.

US officials are investigating the data hack but have not revealed if they know who was behind it, though foreign hackers are widely suspected.

The breach took place from mid-May through July 2017 via a website application vulnerability that US cyber security companies say they had identified in March.

Congress has expressed outrage at the hack and the company's management of it. Particular anger has been aimed at allegations that three Equifax officials sold their stock in the company before the hack was made public.
Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solis (L) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in San Jose on September 15, 2017

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi kept his focus on building trade and investment ties with Central America during a visit that started Friday in Costa Rica.

"We have had 10 years of good cooperation" with Costa Rica, Wang told reporters during a signing of a cooperation memorandum with his counterpart, Manuel Gonzalez, overseen by Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis.

Wang's talks with Gonzalez and Solis took place as the UN Security Council met and condemned North Korea's latest launch of a ballistic missile over Japan. China is North Korea's sole ally.

In addition to discussing bilateral issues, Gonzalez said the talks included "a brief review of the situation in the Korean peninsula." He did not elaborate.

Wang declined to respond to an AFP reporter's question on North Korea.

The Chinese foreign minister was stopping in Costa Rica and Panama on his way to the United States, to participate in the UN General Assembly in New York. He was due to give a speech there next Thursday.

China already has close investment ties with Costa Rica, where it has built several major projects.

The memorandum aims to deepen that relationship with further development of Costa Rican infrastructure, as well as boosting trade and cultural, educational and tourist exchanges, and cooperating on clean energy.

On Saturday and Sunday, Wang was to visit neighboring Panama, cementing new diplomatic ties there opened three months ago at the expense of Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province.
Rohingya Muslim refugees scuffle for relief supplies at Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar

Every day Sunabhan joins thousands of other Rohingya refugees by the roadside near her settlement in southern Bangladesh waiting for aid trucks to arrive and readying herself for the desperate scramble for food.

Like most of the nearly 400,000 refugees who have flooded into Bangladesh in the past three weeks to escape violence in Myanmar, she relies entirely on hand-outs from local volunteers operating with no official oversight and little coordination.

Today Sunabhan, a widowed mother of four, managed to fight her way through the scrum of hungry refugees near the camp in Kutupalong and grab a bag of rice flakes.

But often the 44-year-old, who arrived in Bangladesh with her family 10 days ago after fleeing the violence that killed her husband, goes away empty handed.

"There are more people than food so it is very chaotic," said Sunabhan, who like many Rohingya goes by only one name.

A young Rohingya Muslim refugee waits outside the World Food Programme office in the Bangladeshi town of Ukhia

"The strong ones run to the trucks and they get the food first, it is more difficult for women and children."

The United Nations said this week there was an urgent need for a coordinated response to the massive influx of desperate people, most of whom have still had no assistance from aid agencies or the state.

Ordinary Bangladeshis have stepped into the breach, filling trucks and driving to the new settlements that have sprung up.

But their distribution methods make it impossible to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.

Each time a truck pulls up, the refugees scramble to grab the food parcels, water bottles and clothing the volunteers throw into the desperate crowd.

Rohingya Muslim refugees wait in line for relief supplies in Bangladesh's Balukhali refugee camp

At times fights break out; at others, children who have clambered up the sides of vehicles, hands outstretched for food, are swept onto the street when the trucks suddenly speed off.

Food is the most prized catch, but even those giving out clothing attract a crowd. Children pick up garments that land on the muddy ground, dust them down and bundle them into empty rice bags.

One Rohingya man wearing the traditional lungi tied around his waist picks up a new-looking pair of jeans embellished with red sequins and places them on his head for protection against the sun.

- Safety concerns -

Mohamad Anisul Islam, a 23-year-old Bangladeshi art student, is one of those standing atop the trucks throwing out aid.

He insists his government is doing all it can for the refugees, but says he wants to help with the desperate situation.

Rohingya Muslim refugees scuffle for relief supplies at Kutupalong refugee camp, with the Bangladesh government now trying to set up drop-off points for aid distribution due to concerns over the current ad-hoc arrangements.

"Their condition is miserable. They have no food, no home, none of their basic human rights are being met," he said.

"We already have a big population in Bangladesh and we want them to go home, but while they are here we want to help."

Vivian Tan, spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency, said the government was now trying to set up drop-off points for aid distribution due to concerns over the current ad-hoc arrangements.

"It reflects the generosity of the Bangladeshi public but did raise concerns about the safety of the refugees rushing for aid being tossed off trucks," she told AFP.

"The sheer scale of this growing influx and the fact that they are scattered in different locations -- camps, makeshift sites and local villages -- make it hard to know where they all are and to reach them all equitably."

Bangladesh has softened its stance and begun the process of registering newcomers -- even as it presses Myanmar to end the violence and take them back.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the army would be deployed to distribute aid, while Lieutenant Colonel Rashidul Hasan told AFP on Friday the orders had reached the crisis zone.

"We've got the directive that the army would receive relief materials sent by foreign nations at the airport and take it to Cox's Bazar," he said.

For years Bangladesh restricted the UN refugee agency from operating outside the two camps that are home to the small minority of refugees with government registration papers.

It refused to register new entries, reluctant to give them an incentive to stay on.

-Newly arrived Rohingya Muslim refugees wait in line for their registration at a government office in the Bangladeshi town of Ukhia

Overwhelmed by a tide of arrivals that shows no sign of stopping, it has softened its stance and begun the process of registering newcomers -- even as it presses Myanmar to end the violence and take them back.

Myanmar, a mainly Buddhist country that views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants, shows no sign of doing so.

Although it remains unclear what benefits registration will bring for the refugees, thousands are turning out in droves to be fingerprinted, photographed and documented.

"I haven't had any proper aid yet," 70-year-old refugee Faisal Karim told AFP as he squatted in the long queue for registration by the army at the Kutupalong camp.

"I think that when we are registered we will get proper relief, like the refugees who have been here a long time."
When North Korea's latest missile was detected, Japan's J-Alert system immediately kicked in, warnings blared from loudspeakers, regular TV programming was interrupted and text messages sent to every mobile phone

Take cover in a sturdy building or get underground.

That's the emergency advice given to the Japanese people in the event of a North Korean missile strike.

But there are two big problems: most Japanese homes are made of wood and lack a basement. In the countryside, there is often no building made of concrete.

And with only a matter of minutes from launch to impact, there's simply no time to take cover.

As North Korea this week fired its second missile over Japan in less than a month and threatened to "sink" the country into the sea with nuclear weapons, many Japanese feel a sense of helplessness in the face of the threat from Pyongyang.

Sushi chef Isamu Oya, 67, who runs a restaurant in the small fishing town of Erimo, right under the flightpath of Friday's missile, summed up the feelings of many.

"The government told us to take cover in a stable building or underground, but there isn't one here. We have no choice but just do nothing.

"Scary? Yes, but we can't help it."

A television news report in Tokyo shows a "J-alert" being issued telling the public about North Korea's missile launch on September 15, 2017

Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world and also prone to extreme weather events, so citizens are well-drilled in emergency evacuation, and the authorities have a slick -- if not infallible -- warning system in place.

When the missile was detected, the J-Alert system immediately kicked in, warnings blared from loudspeakers, regular TV programming was interrupted and text messages sent to every mobile phone.

Local authorities and schools regularly stage drills to prepare residents in the event of a big earthquake and this year many exercises included practising how to take cover if a missile is launched.

- 'No way' to survive -

South Koreans have lived under the threat of attack from the North for decades, and are renowned for their phlegmatic attitude to its provocations.

When Seoul holds its regular civil defence exercises, officials often struggle to usher citizens into the underground shelters that are spread throughout the country.

Life carried on as usual in Seoul on Friday, and while the stock market initially fell on news of the missile test, within a few hours it was in positive territory.

When North Korea's latest missile was detected, Japan's J-Alert system immediately kicked in, warnings blared from loudspeakers, regular TV programming was interrupted and text messages sent to every mobile phone

"For me, it's just business as usual," said former businessman Noh Suk-Won, 60. "The North is flexing its military muscle to force the US to engage in negotiations. It's not going to throw missiles on our heads."

But polls show the Japanese are far from blase about the threat.

In a survey published last week by the NHK channel, more than half (52 percent) said they were "very worried" and around one third said they were "worried to some extent."

Only two percent of those polled said they were "not worried at all."

Machiko Watanabe, 66, a former office worker, said she was "scared about it every day."

"I don't think there is any way to protect yourself. The government and experts say 'curl yourself in a ball' and things like that. But there's no way you can survive."

- 'Doesn't seem real' -

With the threat growing and missiles becoming an all-too-frequent wake-up call, Japan is seeking to beef up its defences.

A Japanese Self-Defence Force Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile launcher in position at the Defence Ministry headquarters in Tokyo

Japan's defence ministry has requested its largest-ever annual budget, seeking to develop systems to intercept simultaneous missile launches and to add a land-based Aegis missile defence scheme to complement its sea-based system.

But some are taking matters into their own hands.

Shelter maker Oribe Seiki Seisakusho, based in the western city of Kobe, has reported a healthy increase in demand given the recent tensions on the Korean peninsula.

"With the North Korean situation as it is, and with the J-alert ringing, people don't know where to escape to," Nobuko Oribe, an executive at the firm, told AFP.

Demand is mainly coming from "families who are building new houses and small business owners who want to build shelters for their employees near their factories or offices."

However, a shelter is not an option for the masses. It takes four months to build and costs a hefty 25 million yen ($226,000) for a unit to keep 13 people safe.

On the streets of Tokyo, some were carrying on regardless.

Many Japanese feel a sense of helplessness in the face of the missile threat from Pyongyang, and lack cover in the event of a strike

Ken Tanaka, a 21-year-old freelance web designer, said he "didn't care" about the launch, believing that the Japanese capital and its 14 million people would be safe in the event of a North Korean attack.

"I don't think North Korea would dare to attack Tokyo and the capital area. I'm not thinking about it very much as a Tokyo resident," he told AFP.

"I'm 21 years old and it doesn't seem real to me."
Hong Kong democracy activists Agnes Chow and Lester Shum are among the young leaders to have stepped into the breach left by jailed opposition figures

The jailing of Hong Kong's best-known democracy activists has pushed a new wave of young leaders to take the helm as they seek to keep the movement's message alive.

Joshua Wong and Nathan Law, who carved out international reputations with their campaigning, were both sent to prison last month in what rights groups slammed as politically motivated prosecutions.

Alongside fellow activist Alex Chow, they are serving sentences of between six and eight months for their roles in a protest that triggered mass Umbrella Movement rallies in 2014 calling for democratic reforms.

The jailings were a blow to the pro-democracy movement and seen as more evidence that Beijing is tightening its grip on semi-autonomous Hong Kong.

But they also breathed new life into a campaign that had been struggling for momentum since the 2014 rallies failed to win concessions.

Tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the jail terms last month, and activists who have long been at the right hand of Wong and Law are now stepping into the spotlight.

In this picture taken on August 29, 2017, Hong Kong democracy activist Lester Shum poses for photos outside the Hong Kong government headquarters

"We should try to do more, not only for them but also for our city and to show the government and the Chinese regime that we are not going to be scared," Agnes Chow, 20, a close friend of the jailed activists, told AFP.

Chow addressed the crowds at last month's protest over the sentences and has regularly spoken to the media since her friends were imprisoned.

By the time by-elections are held in March for the Hong Kong legislature Chow will be old enough to run for a seat, and has not ruled that out.

Six seats are vacant after two pro-independence and four pro-democracy lawmakers, including Law, were disqualified from parliament for inserting protests into their oaths of office.

Chow is already a seasoned activist -- she was one of the core members of Wong's Scholarism group, which organised huge rallies in 2012 forcing the government to shelve a proposal to introduce compulsory patriotic "national education" into schools.

She was also one of the best-known faces of the Umbrella Movement, regularly taking to the stage to address protesters, and is a member of Wong and Law's political party Demosisto.

Chow said the government was using the jail terms to scare people away from social movements.

"It is important for us to learn how to overcome fear in order to fight for our own basic human rights and freedom and democracy," she said.

- Turning point -

Chow and fellow Demosisto member Derek Lam said the democratic movement now needed to improve its connections at the grassroots level to build a stronger base.

Lam, 24, who made an emotive speech outside the jail where Alex Chow and Law are being held and is one of Demosisto's most recognisable leaders, said the party ranks had swelled in the past two months.

"Young people are all trying to find a way to change Hong Kong," he added.

But Lam also faces charges over an anti-China demonstration last year and believes there will soon "only be a few people left" to lead the cause.

Activist Lester Shum said those who are free to continue campaigning should put pessimism aside.

Shum, 24, also a prominent student leader during the Umbrella Movement, has been at the forefront of recent protests over the jailings.

He said the imprisonment of Wong, Law and Chow was a turning point for the democratic movement.

"They have been facing their situation with a very calm and determined attitude," he told AFP.

"I think this will somehow encourage pro-democratic Hong Kong people," said Shum, who is assistant to popular pro-democracy lawmaker Eddie Chu.

Shum is facing contempt of court charges relating to the clearance of one of the Umbrella Movement protest sites. Visibly thinner than when he first came on the scene, he said there had been an emotional toll.

"One of the worst things for me has already happened," he said, referring to the imprisonment of his girlfriend Willis Ho.

She was one of 13 activists recently jailed for charging the Legislative Council building in 2014 in protest over re-development plans for rural areas.

But he remains optimistic about the city's campaign for democracy and vowed to fight on.

"If we could stand up against their agenda, stand up against the challenges given to us by them, I think Hong Kong people will not be defeated easily."
Ukraine's draft national budget for 2018 envisages borrowing of around $2 billion on the foreign market, which meets the requirements of the cooperation program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk has said.

"We plan next year, and the IMF program contains this, [to raise] around $2 billion on the foreign market. $2 billion more in 2019," he told reporters in Kyiv on the sidelines of the 14th annual YES conference on Saturday.

"These are our benchmarks. Of course, the sums could differ," the minister said.
Conflict in the southern Philippines, where troops are battling Islamist militants in the city of Marawi, poses a risk to the country's economy, Moody's says

President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war and armed Islamist rebellion pose "rising" risks to the Philippine economy, though it should continue to grow robustly in the short term, Moody's Investors Service said.

Duterte is battling militants in the southern city of Marawi, while rights groups have accused him of orchestrating a crime against humanity with police killing more than 3,800 drug suspects in 14 months.

"The re-emergence of conflict in the southern Philippines, as well as the Duterte administration's focus on the eradication of illegal drugs, represents a rising but unlikely risk of a deterioration in economic performance and institutional strength," the credit ratings agency said.

Sound economic and fiscal policies including a focus on infrastructure development balance out political and other risks, it said in a country report released on Friday that affirmed the Philippines' investment-grade credit rating and stable outlook.

But martial law, imposed by Duterte on the southern region of Mindanao to stop the Islamist threat, could be declared elsewhere in the country and upset this balance, it said.

"(A) worsening of the Islamist insurgency in Mindanao... could lead to an expansion of martial law, undermine both foreign and domestic business confidence, and disrupt economic activity in other parts of the country," it said.

Duterte has said the military campaign in Marawi, which has left more than 800 people dead in a region wracked by decades of Muslim armed rebellion, was on its final stages.

However on Friday Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana warned Duterte may also declare nationwide martial law if threatened protests against his rule turned violent or disrupted the country.

Anti-Duterte protests are planned for September 21, the 45th anniversary of the imposition of martial law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in a bloodless "People Power" revolution in 1986.

Moody's also cited "continued uncertainties" over Duterte's proposed comprehensive tax reform law that Congress had yet to pass.

"In the absence of a significant boost to government revenues from the passage of the (bill), the government will likely pare back its plan to aggressively increase its spending on infrastructure," it added.

The report affirmed Moody's short-term 6.5 percent GDP growth forecast for the Philippines this year and 6.8 percent in 2018.
Law enforcement officers stand guard outside a coffee house during a protest action following a 'not guilty' verdict in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 15, 2017

A St. Louis, Missouri judge has found a white former police officer not guilty of murdering a black man after a high-speed chase in 2011, in a closely watched case that comes amid continuing racial tensions in the US.

Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson said prosecutors had failed to prove "every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt" or to show persuasively that defendant Jason Stockley had not acted in self-defense when he shot and killed suspected drug dealer Anthony Lamar Smith.

The case has drawn intense attention in St. Louis, where racial tensions have been high since the 2014 killing of a black man in the suburb of Ferguson by a white police officer.

Demonstrators quickly gathered Friday near the courthouse to protest the verdict, though police said they so far had been peaceful. Some people locked arms, chanting "No justice, no peace."

"I pray for my city, man, because people are tired of this," Michael Brown told CNN. His son, also Michael Brown, was the man killed in the 2014 Ferguson shooting. The white officer in that case was cleared of wrongdoing.

Police later used tear gas on some demonstrators who damaged public and private property. Twenty-three arrests were made, and 10 officers were hurt, St. Louis police said.

- Gun unseen on tape -

Protestors take shelter in the Central Reform Jewish Congregation Center amid a protest action following a 'not guilty' verdict in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 15, 2017

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson issued a statement Friday saying, "I am appalled at what happened to Anthony Lamar Smith. I am sobered by this outcome." She urged the people of her midwestern city to come together, adding, "We rise and fall together."

Stockley, who was a St. Louis police officer in 2011, shot and killed Smith after a high-speed chase that followed a suspected drug deal.

Stockley has said he saw Smith reaching for a silver revolver in his car, but the police dashcam, a witness's cellphone video and surveillance film from a nearby restaurant do not show the gun, and prosecutors argued that Shockley had planted it.

Judge Wilson, in his 30-page ruling, said he was unconvinced by the suggestion that Stockley had planted the gun.

He added, "The Court observes, based on its nearly 30 years on the bench, that an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly."
Rohingya refugee women distribute food in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh

Bangladesh restricted the movement of Rohingya refugees Saturday, banning them from leaving overcrowded border areas where over 400,000 who have fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar are living in squalid conditions.

The tough new measures came as Dhaka struggled to cope with the scale of the "unprecedented crisis", with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina heading for the UN General Assembly to plead for global help.

Conditions are already worsening in Bangladesh's southeastern border district of Cox's Bazar, where the majority of refugees are living in desperate circumstances after fleeing Myanmar's violence-wracked Rakhine state.

Dozens of refugees were found by authorities in three towns hundreds of kilometres from the Myanmar frontier, stoking fears that thousands of newly arrived Rohingya Muslims could move from the border region and overwhelm the mainland of impoverished Bangladesh.

Police said they have issued an order banning the Rohingya refugees from leaving the areas and camps the government has designated for them in the border district.

A Bangladeshi Border Guard stands guard near the beach of Sharapuri Dwip

"They should stay in the designated camps until they return to their country," Sahely Ferdous, a police spokeswoman, said in a statement. "They cannot travel from one place to another by roads, railways or waterways."

Rohingya were asked not to take shelter in the homes of their friends or acquaintances, while locals have been asked not to rent houses to the refugees, and bus and lorry drivers requested not to transport the Rohingya, she said.

Police check posts and surveillance have been set up in key transit points to stop refugees travelling to other parts of the country.

The restrictions were announced as the United Nations said Saturday the total number of people to have entered Bangladesh in the past month had reached 409,000, a leap of 18,000 in a day.

- International pressure -

Hasina left for the UN meeting a day after her government summoned the Myanmar envoy for the third time to protest over its neighbour's actions.

Hasina is to demand more pressure on Myanmar during talks in New York. She is to speak at the United Nations on Thursday.

"She will seek immediate cessation of violence in Rakhine state in Myanmar and ask the UN secretary general to send a fact-finding mission to Rakhine," a spokesman for the prime minister, Nazrul Islam, told AFP.

Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a rally in front of The Eiffel Tower in Paris to protest the situation of Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar

"She will also call the international community and the UN to put pressure on Myanmar for the repatriation of all the Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar," he said.

Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali said: "We will continue international pressure on the Myanmar government to immediately end its ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya."

In Paris, several hundred people including members of the Rohingya diaspora protested near the Eiffel Tower Saturday to demand international intervention and denounce Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The demonstrators urged the former dissident to break her silence on the Rohingya crisis. If not, according to one placard, her Nobel Peace Prize should be renamed the "Nobel Massacre and Hatred Prize".

Suu Kyi is due to give a televised address to the nation on Tuesday.

- 'Suffering is deepening' -

Most Rohingya, who spent days trekking cross-country from Rakhine to reach the Bangladesh border, have arrived to find desperate conditions, with existing camps overflowing, and have instead settled on muddy roadsides.

The UN said two children and a woman were killed in a "rampage" when a private group handed out clothes near a camp on Friday.

Around 60 percent of the Rohingya refugees are children, according to estimates by the WHO and UN children's fund

The three refugee deaths demonstrated warnings by UN agencies and other relief groups that the crisis could get out of control.

The World Health Organization and UN children's agency on Saturday launched vaccination campaigns against measles, rubella and polio. They estimate that 60 percent of the new arrivals are children.

Many families do not have a shelter over their heads and refugees have been fighting for food and water deliveries.

"The needs are seemingly endless and the suffering is deepening," said UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado.

Outside the giant Balukali camp, Jamila Khatun, 60, sat under a blue plastic bin bag held up by bamboo poles with her children and grandchildren as she recounted her journey to Bangladesh.

Most Rohingya, who spent more than a week trekking cross-country from Rakhine to reach the Bangladesh border, have found existing camps overflowing and have instead settled on muddy roadsides

She said she handed over her jewellery to a Bangladesh boatman two days ago to get across the river frontier from Myanmar.

"We walked by night for three or four days to avoid the military and then came over by boat.

"We don't know what we will do or where we will live but if people here feed us we will stay. We don't want to go back," she told AFP.

Nur Khan Liton, a respected Bangladeshi rights activist working with the refugees in Cox's Bazar, told AFP: "Refugees are still pouring in. But there is no attempt to bring discipline and order in the aid management."

Liton said the Rohingya "have become victims of muggings and extortion" and that cases of diarrhoea are spreading. "I heard that one Rohingya boy has died of diarrhoea."

The government has put the army in charge of ferrying foreign relief aid from airports to Cox's Bazar. It also plans to build 14,000 shelters, which it hopes will be enough for 400,000 people.

Hasina has ordered the shelters erected within 10 days, Bangladesh's disaster management secretary Shah Kama told AFP.

The authorities have sent police reinforcements to Cox's Bazar to protect Buddhist temples in case of a radical Muslim backlash.
A woman carrying her son walks past a downed power line in Vietnam's central province of Ha Tinh after Typhoon Doksuri lashed coastal and central areas in the country's worst storm in years

Shaken residents in central Vietnam were piecing their homes and businesses back together Saturday after a powerful typhoon hammered large swathes of coast and killed at least four people.

Typhoon Doksuri reduced structures to piles of debris and knocked out electricity and telecommunications in several provinces

Typhoon Doksuri tore through Vietnam Friday afternoon, reducing structures to piles of debris and knocking out electricity and telecommunications in several provinces, in one of the worst storms to hit the country in years.

Residents woke up Saturday to the widespread destruction in normally idyllic coastal communities popular among beachgoers.

"I sat inside my house covering my ears, I didn't dare leave as I was so scared," Mai Thi Tinh, whose restaurant in Ha Tinh province was completely destroyed, told AFP.

"The power is still off so we can't do anything. I don't know how long it will take to recover," she told AFP.

At least four people were killed and eight injured, according to Vietnam's Disaster Management Authority.

Some 123,000 homes were damaged and trees and power lines were torn down in five hard-hit provinces, the disaster agency said.

"The wind was so bad that I hid under the bed. I'm old but I'm afraid of death," 70-year-old retired teacher Tran Ngoc Khang told AFP in Ha Tinh.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the hard-hit province on Saturday to survey the damage.

"We have to quickly mobilise forces to repair houses and damaged schools... We have to ensure people can get back to normal life," he said on state-run Vietnam Television.

Nearly 80,000 people were evacuated as the storm bore down while the government deployed a quarter of a million troops and a fleet of vehicles and ships.

Vietnam's central coast is routinely lashed by storms, especially during tropical storm season from May to October.

It has already been hit by severe weather this year, with 140 people dead or missing in natural disasters since January, according to official figures.

Forecasters warned of a risk of flooding and landslides as the storm swept through central and northern Vietnam, bringing with it heavy rains.
Iraqi forces make final preparations on September 15, 2017 for an assault on Islamic State group fighters in the desert town of Akashat in preparation for a push up the Euphrates Valley towards the Syrian border

Iraqi forces on Saturday captured a desert outpost of the Islamic State group near the Syrian border in preparation for a drive up the Euphrates Valley towards the frontier, commanders said.

The capture of Akashat, a former mining town in mainly Sunni Arab Anbar province, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of the jihadists' border bastion of Al-Qaim, came just hours after the forces assaulted it.

Al-Qaim and the Euphrates towns of Rawa and Anna downstream form just one of two enclaves still held by IS in Iraq after a string of battlefield defeats this year.

"The army, the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation force), tribal units and the police captured Akashat," the Joint Operations Command leading the fight against IS said in a statement.

Earlier, JOC head General Abdelamir Yarallah said the operation "to liberate Akashat" was aimed at securing the border to its north.

The Hashed al-Shaabi are a paramilitary force largely composed of Iran-trained Shiite militias but also including some fighters recruited from Sunni tribes.

Iraqi commanders estimate there are no more than 300 civilian families left in Akashat, a former railhead that was once a major source of phosphate production.

Imad Meshaal, mayor of Rutba, a desert town further south recaptured from IS last year, told AFP the jihadists had turned the area into a major hub for arms caches, training camps and command centres.

Iraqi forces are seen outside the town of Akashat on September 15, 2017 as they prepare an operation to oust Islamic State group fighters ahead of a push up the Euphrates Valley towards the Syrian border

Iraqi commanders say they estimate IS still has more than 1,500 fighters in its Al-Qaim enclave.

The jihadists also control a second enclave west of the ethnically divided Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk centred on the mainly Sunni Arab town of Hawija.

A promised offensive against IS there has been delayed by a row over a controversial referendum on Kurdish independence planned for later this month.
Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's party has been riven by divisions since he struck a troubled four-year power-sharing deal with Mugabe after violent and disputed elections in 2008

Zimbabwe's main opposition leader and former prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been hospitalised in South Africa after his health deteriorated, a senior party official told AFP Saturday.

"He is in South Africa on account of a medical cause. He is being attended to," a senior official from Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We are monitoring the situation. He will be fine, it's only that he was overwhelmed with work and his health deteriorated."

The MDC spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Tsvangirai, 65, announced last year that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the colon and that he had begun chemotherapy.

The News Day, an independent daily, said Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa early Friday morning after he fell ill.

"He was on oxygen and drip and had been vomiting heavily," the paper said in its report.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, 93, Tsvangirai's rival for over a decade, regularly flies to Singapore, reportedly for medical reasons. Most details about his health have never been confirmed.

Tsvangirai's party has been riven by divisions since he struck a troubled four-year power-sharing deal with Mugabe after violent and disputed elections in 2008.

The former trade union leader has often accused Mugabe and his government of rigging polls.

In 2008 Tsvangirai won 47.9 percent of the vote to Mugabe's 43.2 percent, which led to a run-off.

But Tsvangirai pulled out before the final round of voting after a spate of violence against his supporters.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) during a welcoming ceremony on January 23, 2016 in the capital Tehran

A Chinese state-owned investment firm has provided a $10 billion credit line for Iranian banks, Iran's central bank president said Saturday.

The contract was signed in Beijing between China's CITIC investment group and a delegation of Iranian banks led by central bank president Valiollah Seif.

The Iran Daily said the funds would finance water, energy and transport projects.

Iran is vital to China's trade ambitions as it develops its trillion-dollar "One Belt, One Road" strategy aimed at dramatically boosting its ties to Europe and Africa.

In addition to the credit line, the Export-Import Bank of China committed to a further $10 billion in loans, while the China Development Bank signed preliminary deals with Iran for $15 billion in infrastructure and production projects, Seif announced.

The contracts reflect "a strong will for continuation of cooperation between the two countries," Seif said.

In total, China has agreed to allocate $35 billion in financing and loans for Iran's economy, state news agency IRNA quoted Seif as saying.

The credit line will use euros and yuan to help bypass US sanctions that have continued despite the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in 2015.

China was a signatory to the deal that lifted sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran's nuclear programme.

President Xi Jinping visited Iran a week after it came into effect, vowing to boost bilateral trade to $600 billion within a decade.

Although trade was just $31 billion in 2016, it jumped more than 30 percent in the first six months of 2017.

China is already Iran's biggest oil customer and accounts for a third of its overall trade.

Since the lifting of sanctions, Beijing has opened two credit lines worth $4.2 billion to build high-speed railway lines linking Tehran with Mashhad and Isfahan, the Iran Daily reported.

The latest move follows an eight-billion-euro credit deal signed with South Korea's Exim bank last month.

European banks remain wary of penalties from Washington for working with Iran, but talks are said to be at an advanced stage for $22 billion in credit deals with banks from Austria, Denmark and Germany.

China's new $10 billion credit line will go to Iran's Refah Kargaran, San'at va Ma'dan, Parsian, Pasargad and Tose'e Saderat banks.
A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces made up of Arab and Kurdish fighters removes an Islamic State group flag in the town of Tabqa on April 30, 2017

An Egyptian court Saturday condemned to death seven people for membership of the Islamic State group and over the beheading in Libya of 21 Christians, all but one of them from Egypt, judicial officials said.

IS in Libya posted a video on the internet in February 2015 of the gruesome beheadings on a Libyan beach, sparking international condemnation and Egyptian air strikes against jihadist targets in the neighbouring Arab state.

Of the seven defendants, three were sentenced to death in absentia, the officials said. An unspecified number of those condemned were accused of having taken part in the beheadings.

Death sentences in Egypt are subject to review by the country's mufti as the official interpreter of Islamic law, although his verdict is not legally binding.

Prosecutors accused the seven suspects of membership of an IS cell in Marsa Matruh, northwest Egypt, and of planning attacks after having received military training at jihadist camps in Libya and Syria.

Rulings are to be issued on November 25 against 13 others on trial in the same case.

In May, Egypt again struck what it said were jihadist targets in Libya after IS claimed a massacre of Coptic Christians on their way to a monastery south of Cairo.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said military reverses for IS in war-torn Syria were driving its fighters to try to relocate to Libya and the Sinai Peninsula of eastern Egypt.

Egypt has been battling an insurgency by an IS affiliate based in North Sinai since the military's ouster in 2013 of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Hundreds of members of Egypt's security forces have been killed, while more than 100 Copts have died in church bombings since December.
The protest followed outrage on social media over what critics say was the engineered victory of an establishment figure

Hundreds of Singaporeans angered by the walkover victory of their first female president held a "silent sit-in" in a park Saturday in a rare political protest denouncing the lack of an election.

Halimah Yacob, a former speaker of parliament from the Malay Muslim minority, was sworn in Thursday without a vote after two potential rivals were disqualified from running.

The protest followed outrage on social media over what critics say was the engineered victory of an establishment figure.

While the role is largely ceremonial, the president has veto powers on key government appointments and safeguards the country's substantial financial reserves.

Social activist Gilbert Goh, who organised the protest, said it was to highlight the "sense of betrayal" Singaporeans felt after being robbed of a chance to vote in their head of state.

"We are not against (the president)... We are against the system. We are against the process against the right to exercise our democratic vote," Goh told media after the protest.

Scores of Singaporeans dressed in black milled around the park, some holding up signs calling the presidency a "(S)election", while others wore T-shirts emblazoned with the hashtag "not my president", which first gained popularity among Americans unhappy with the victory of Donald Trump.

Organisers said about 2,000 people showed up to the protest but an AFP reporter counted about 800.

Goh said an earlier rally was cancelled because a special police permit was needed since the event would have touched on race.

Sedition laws in Singapore make it an offence to promote hostility between different races or classes in the multiracial society, which is mainly ethnic Chinese with large Malay and Indian minorities, but critics say this stifles free speech.

Authorities decided to allow only candidates from the Malay community in the presidential election to foster harmony in the city-state of 5.5 million people which is dominated by ethnic Chinese, and give more opportunities to minorities.

Halimah is the first Malay president of Singapore for almost five decades. The last was Yusof Ishak, president from 1965 to 1970, the first years of the city-state's independence.
Egypt's ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi gestures in a court in Cairo on June 18, 2016

A top court on Saturday upheld a life sentence against Egypt's ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi on charges stemming from a trial over spying for Qatar, a judicial official and his lawyer said.

The court of cassation upheld a life sentence first passed in June 2016 on the charge of leading an illegal group but threw out a 15-year sentence on the charge of having stolen secret documents, his lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maqsud told AFP.

A life sentence in Egypt amounts to 25 years in prison, and the court's rulings cannot be appealed.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was overthrown by the military in July 2013 following mass protests against his one-year rule.

The court also upheld death sentences for documentary producer Ahmed Ali Abdo, EgyptAir cabin crew member Mohamed Adel Kilani and university teaching assistant Ahmed Ismail Thabet, as well as a life term and 15 years for two others, the official said.

The trial hinged on accusations that the defendants had passed on state secrets to Qatar, an ally of Morsi's Islamist government that has denounced his overthrow.

Qatar has denied the charges.

Qatar is currently embroiled in a crisis with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which are boycotting the small Gulf emirate for its support for the Brotherhood, among other accusations.

Morsi, who came to power after the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak, was elected in 2012 and ruled for a year before his ouster.

His year in office was divisive and millions had taken to the streets demanding his resignation before the army toppled and detained him.

He has been sentenced separately to 20 years in prison over deadly clashes between protesters and security forces outside his palace in December 2012.

A court overturned a death sentence in another trial over prison breaks and violence during the 2011 revolt, pending a retrial.

Following Morsi's overthrow, a police crackdown killed hundreds of protesters who supported him.

Since his ouster, Egypt has been battling an insurgency by an Islamic State group affiliate based in North Sinai that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers and dozens of Coptic Christians.

Courts have sentenced hundreds of Islamists to death, including other Muslim Brotherhood leaders, though many have appealed and been granted new trials.

A veteran activist and engineering professor, Morsi emerged as a compromise candidate for the Brotherhood to field in Egypt's first democratic presidential election in 2012.

He narrowly won the vote but was soon accused of failing to represent all Egyptians and of trampling the ideals of the anti-Mubarak uprising.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (1998-2000) Steven Pifer has said that he doubts that Russia is ready to give its consent to the peacekeeper mission at the whole territory of the Kyiv uncontrolled Donbas.

He is skeptical about the Putin's proposal. He expressed hope that he is mistaken and Russia is really trying to get out of the situation the country brought itself in Donbas. However, it looks like that the proposal should be changed and made so that peacekeepers were not only on the contact line, but on the entire territory of Donbas and the border, he said. He said that it is unlikely that Russia would give its consent to this, he told reporters on the sidelines of the 14th annual YES conference in Kyiv on Friday, September 15.

Pifer said that the meeting of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled for next week is important with the fact that it will be held. The sides could discuss the UN peacekeeper mission in Donbas.

Commenting on sanctions, the former ambassador said that it is important to maintain focus of international society not only on Donbas, but also Crimea.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2003-2006) John E. Herbst said that it is for Trump to decide whether to give lethal weapons to Ukraine. He does not rule out that the decision could be made by the end of this year.
Visitors look at screens displaying images of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park on March 20, 2017, at the solar plant in Dubai

The Gulf desert emirate of Dubai on Saturday announced the award of a $3.8-billion contract for the final phase of a solar park aimed at generating 5,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030.

The local government said the contract for the fourth and final phase went to Chinese conglomerate Shanghai Electric and ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia.

The solar park named after Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al-Maktoum, went online in 2013 and the final phase is to be launched in stages from 2020, bringing the overall cost to $13.6 billion.

Dubai, which has dwindling oil reserves unlike Abu Dhabi, a fellow member of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has set a target of 2050 to produce 75 percent of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources.

Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, is building four nuclear power plants, each with a 1,400-megawatt capacity, the first of which is scheduled to launch operations in 2018. The overall costs are put at more than $25 billion.

The UAE has announced it plans to invest a total of $163 billion in projects aimed at supplying the country with almost half of its energy needs from renewable sources.
A Yemeni child on September 1, 2017, prays near the grave of a loved one killed in the country where the UN says more than 8,000 people have died in fighting between government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition and Huthi rebels since mid-2015

Shelling of residential districts in Yemen's third largest city of Taez has killed three children and severely wounded nine others, the UN children's agency UNICEF and witnesses said Saturday.

Witnesses told AFP mortar rounds were fired on Friday by Huthi rebels from positions they control in Taez into two residential neighbourhoods, Al-Deba and Al-Sameel, in an area held by government forces.

UNICEF said on Twitter that the shelling had killed three children and wounded nine.

"Horrible day for Children in #Taiz: 3 children killed and 9 severely injured during a shelling attack in AlDeba & AlSameel," the tweet said.

The agency said children should not be a target in Yemen, where government forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition have been battling Shiite rebels for more than two years.

More than 8,000 people have been killed, including at least 1,500 children, and millions displaced in the conflict which has pushed the impoverished country to the brink of famine.

A cholera outbreak has also claimed the lives of more than 1,800 people since April, with 400,000 suspected cases across the country, according to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The United Nations warned in July that 80 percent of Yemen's children desperately needed aid in what the organisation has called the "largest humanitarian crisis in the world".
Iraqi Kurds fly Kurdish flags as they urge people to vote in a September 25 independence referendum in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq

The United Nations has urged Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani to drop plans for an independence referendum and enter talks with Baghdad aimed at reaching a deal within three years.

Jan Kubis, the top UN envoy in Iraq, offered international backing for immediate negotiations between the country's federal government and the autonomous Kurdish region.

In a document seen by AFP, he proposed "structured, sustained, intensive and result-oriented partnership negotiations... on how to resolve all the problems and outstanding issues" between Baghdad and Arbil.

The Kurdish Regional Government is embroiled in long-standing disputes with the federal government over oil exports, budget payments and control of ethnically divided areas.

Iraqi Kurdish lawmakers on Friday approved holding the referendum in the face of fierce opposition both from Baghdad and the Kurds' international backers.

Kubis called for talks, overseen by the UN Security Council, that would aim to reach a deal defining "principles and arrangements" for future relations between Baghdad and the KRG.

In return, Barzani's administration would agree to postpone the referendum at least until the end of negotiations.

"Here is this offer, if they accept this alternative, there will be negotiations," Kubis told AFP.

He said he hoped to hear from Barzani "in the next two or three days".

"I hope they will consider the options and I am waiting for their answer," he said.
Thomas Uzhunnalil, released after 18 months in captivity, thanked those behind his release -- as well as his abductors for not seriously harming him

An Indian priest kidnapped last year during a deadly attack by Islamist militants in Yemen thanked on Saturday all those involved in his release, and even had a kind word for his abductors for not harming him.

"I thank in the name of the Lord God even my keepers, who have been understanding to me and who have not hurt me. It's God's intervention," an emotional Thomas Uzhunnalil, 59, said after emerging from 18 months in captivity.

"The best weapon against any enemy is love and prayer," Uzhunnalil said at a press conference in Rome after an intervention by the authorities in Oman to secure his release.

He was abducted in March 2016 during an attack on a care home operated by missionaries in the southern port city of Aden which killed 16 people, including four nuns.

Muscat said Tuesday that it had "coordinated with Yemeni parties" to mediate the release of Uzhunnalil, a Salesian priest who had last appeared in a video circulated online in December 2016, in which he appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis to secure his release.

The Vatican has said that Uzhunnalil, a diabetic who lost 30 kilos (66 pounds) during his ordeal, will spend time recuperating in Rome after a medical check-up.

He met Wednesday with Pope Francis, who had described the Aden attack as "senseless and diabolical".

Yemeni authorities blamed the Islamic State group for last year's attack, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Al-Qaeda, which is also active in the area, has appeared to distance itself from the mass shooting, saying it was not involved.

The internationally recognised government in war-torn Yemen is grappling with both an Iran-backed rebellion and a growing jihadist presence.

Uzhunnalil, who had been running three Catholic churches in Yemen, said he had been abducted essentially for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"They did not know me. I happened to be in that place," he said, adding that the attackers "left me in peace and killed the others -- perhaps they wanted money."

"After the killing of the sisters they put me into the car. They spoke Arabic, I didn't understand them," he added, but "I was not afraid. I was not trembling. I prayed to God to be merciful."

"I was not mistreated. They have not injured me at all," added Uzhunnalil, who said he did not know if a ransom had been paid.

He also said that the apparent aggression towards him in the video he appeared in was seemingly for show.

He said that his attackers, rather than abuse him, "didn't try to force me -- but they said 'when you are free, back home, read the Koran and become a Muslim'."
Rohingya Muslim refugees walk past discarded clothing on the ground at the Bhalukali refugee camp in Bangladesh

Bangladesh restricted the movement of Rohingya refugees Saturday, banning them from leaving designated areas in the country to which over 400,000 have fled from violence in neighbouring Myanmar.

As Dhaka struggled to cope with the scale of the "unprecedented crisis", dozens of refugees were found in three towns hundreds of kilometres from the Myanmar frontier, stoking fears that thousands of Rohingya Muslims will move from the border region into the the mainland of Bangladesh.

Police said they have now issued an order banning the Rohingya refugees from leaving the areas and camps the government has designated for them in the border district.

"They should stay in the designated camps until they return to their country," Sahely Ferdous, a police spokeswoman, said in a statement.

She said Rohingya were also asked not to take shelter in the homes of their friends or acquaintances and locals have been asked not to rent houses to the refugees.

"They cannot travel from one place to another by roads, railways or waterways," the order said, adding bus and lorry drivers and workers have been asked not to carry the Rohingya.

Police said they have set up check posts and surveillance in key transit points to make sure the refugees don't travel to the other parts of the country.

The restrictions are announced as Bangladesh authorities said they faced an "unprecedented crisis" due to the influx of 409,000 refugees since last month, according to UN figures.

Conditions are already worsening in Bangladesh's southeastern border district of Cox's Bazar where the majority of refugees are living in squalid conditions after fleeing Myanmar's violence-wracked Rakhine state.

Bangladesh has been overwhelmed by the arrivals Rohingya Muslims -- the highest number of refugees to have entered the country in decades -- since violence erupted in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar's Rakhine state on August 25.

Rohingya camps in the border town of Cox's Bazar were already overwhelmed with 300,000 people from earlier waves of refugees before the latest influx.

Most Rohingya, who spent more than a week trekking cross-country from Rakhine to reach the Bangladesh border, have found existing camps overflowing and have instead settled on muddy roadsides.

Many families do not have a shelter over their heads and refugees have been fighting for food and water deliveries.
Canada co-hosts an environment ministerial meeting with China and the European union to move forward on the Paris agreement and clean growth

The White House pushed back Saturday at a European suggestion it was softening its stance on the Paris climate accord, insisting Washington will withdraw from the agreement unless it can re-enter on more favorable terms.

The remark came as environment ministers from some 30 countries gathered in Montreal seeking headway on the Paris climate accord, which President Donald Trump had pulled out of in June.

At the summit, which was attended by a US observer, the US "stated that they will not renegotiate the Paris Accord, but they (will) try to review the terms on which they could be engaged under this agreement," the European Union's top climate official Miguel Arias Canete said.

Canete said there would be a meeting on the sidelines of next week's UN General Assembly with American representatives "to assess what is the real US position," noting "it's a message which is quite different to the one we heard from President Trump in the past."

The US observer was not immediately available for comment and the White House insisted the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord without more favorable terms.

"There has been no change in the United States' position on the Paris agreement," White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in an email.

"As the president has made abundantly clear, the United States is withdrawing unless we can re-enter on terms that are more favorable to our country," she said.

Called by Canada, China and the European Union, the summit took place 30 years to the day after the signing of the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer -- which Canada's environment minister hailed as a multilateral "success story" by governments, NGOs and ordinary citizens jointly tackling a major global threat.

We "committed to full implementation of the Paris Accord. Everyone agreed that the environment and the economy go together, they are linked. You cannot grow the economy without taking care of the environment," Catherine McKenna said at the end of the summit, attended by more than half the G20 members as well as some of the nations most vulnerable to climate change -- from the low-lying Marshall Islands and Maldives to impoverished Mali and Ethiopia.

"Changes are real, extreme weather events are more frequent, more powerful and more distressful," she told the gathering, pointing at the devastation wrought by mega-storms such as Harvey and Irma which many climate scientists believe are boosted by global warming.

Nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris in December 2015 to curb carbon dioxide emissions with the aim of limiting the rise in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, compared to preindustrial levels.

US President Donald Trump delivers a statement on the Paris Climate Agreement

When Trump decided in June to withdraw, Canada, China and the European Union immediately reaffirmed their respective commitments to the pact, which the Group of 20 declared "irreversible" the following month.

- Fossil fuel bans -

Time is ticking, Canete told AFP, as ministers work to narrow their differences and better understand how to implement the ambitious accord -- with less than two months to go until the next UN Conference on Climate Change (COP23), in Bonn in November.

"We need a rule book to be able to monitor and verify and compare emissions of all the parties and see how far we are towards the targets," Canete said, with a goal of having those rules in place in time for the COP24 meeting in Katowice, Poland in late 2018.

Key player China -- the world's largest car market -- brings to the table a potentially major advance in transportation after announcing its intention to ban gasoline and diesel-fueled cars, following decisions by France and Britain to outlaw their sale from 2040.

The European Union -- which is targeting a 40 percent cut to its emissions by 2030 -- will also shortly put forward a proposal to member states on slashing carbon emissions in the transportation sector, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said this week.

And Canada -- as the world's sixth-largest oil producer -- insists it is "committed to its international climate obligations," which it hopes to reach by massively investing in "clean energy" technologies.

Canada co-hosts an environment ministerial meeting with China and the European union to move forward on the Paris agreement and clean growth

China's special representative to the talks, Xie Zhenhua, said Beijing considers the Montreal Protocol to be a "very effective and efficient" example of multilateral action on the environment -- largely because it rested on a broad consensus.

"We should take actions now," Xie said, "to ensure that we can realize the goals that we have set."

"The key issue is how we should combine climate actions with economic growth, the protection of people and job creation," he added.

"If we can combine all these matters we could make Paris agreement a great success."
Protesters demonstrate on September 16, 2017 in Tunis against parliament passing an amnesty law for officials accused of corruption under toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

More than 1,000 people protested Saturday in Tunis against a controversial amnesty law adopted by parliament for officials accused of corruption under toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The law passed on Wednesday evening after a rowdy parliamentary debate following a cabinet reshuffle that saw Ben Ali-era officials join the cabinet as ministers of finance and education.

The reshuffle was seen as strengthening President Beji Caid Essebsi's grip on power, months ahead of Tunisia's first post-revolution municipal polls.

"We do not forgive!" and "We refuse to launder the corrupt!", protesters shouted at the demonstration which was organised by the opposition and the "I will not forgive" collective.

They also branded Prime Minister Youssef Chahed's Nidaa Tounes party and the Islamist movement Ennahdha which supported the bill "enemies of the revolution, enemies of the martyrs".

The protest by mostly young people took place under tight security along Habib Bourguiba Avenue in central Tunis, the hub of the 2011 revolution that brought about Ben Ali's downfall.

"This is a shameful law for Tunisia! It recognises corruption and forgives the corrupt," said opposition parliamentarian Samia Abbou.

Proposed by Essebsi in mid-2015, the bill grants an amnesty to businesspeople and Ben Ali officials on trial for corruption, in exchange for returning ill-gotten money plus paying a fine.

In the face of growing public anger, the text was revised to cover only officials accused of involvement in administrative corruption, not those who received bribes.

Hamma Hammami, leader of the Popular Front party, accused Essebsi of seeking to exonerate Ben Ali-era officials.

"Beji Caid Essebsi is today at the head of the counter-revolution with Rached Ghannouchi," the head of Ennahdha, Hammami said.

He added that he feared "a return to a despotic and authoritarian regime".

The presidency has defended the new law, saying it was needed to protect the economy and "free up the energies" of the government.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local):

9:10 p.m.

First lady Melania Trump is paying tribute to the victims of recent hurricanes as she and her husband host a dinner at the White House.

First lady Melania Trump, speaks at the White House Historical Association reception and dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The president and first lady traveled to Florida Thursday to survey the devastation of Hurricane Irma and meet with victims and rescue workers.

Mrs. Trump says that in both Florida and Texas she and her husband met "so many who lost so much."

But she says that in those people she has seen "the true spirit of this nation: an unwavering commitment to overcome, to rebuild, and to renew what was swept away."

She adds that: "Together, we all hurt with these victims. And together we vow to lift our neighborhoods from the deepest of despair."

___

8:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump is praising the White House as "a place that I've grown to love and respect" as he and first lady Melania Trump host the White House Historical Association's annual dinner.

Trump describes the building as a "house like no other" that conjures "beauty," ''warmth," ''power" and sometimes "coldness."

He's also talking about hurricane recovery efforts in Florida, and says authorities there have done an "A-plus job."

The White House Historical Association is a nonprofit association founded in the early 1960s by Jacqueline Kennedy to preserve and provide public access to the White House.

The group's president, Stewart D. McLaurin, says it is "pleased to be honored by the White House for the work we undertake."

___

4:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he has finally spoken with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to offer his condolences after last week's deadly earthquake.

Trump tells reporters aboard Air Force One that he had "a good talk" with Pena Nieto Thursday. He says: "That whole earthquake is terrible. We paid our respects."

Trump has also explained his delay in reaching his Mexican counterpart. He says it had been "impossible to reach" Pena Nieto because he was in the mountains and had no cell reception.

Trump adds in a tweet that he has spoken to the "President of Mexico to give condolences on terrible earthquake. Unable to reach for 3 days b/c of his cell phone reception at site."

Last week's earthquake killed dozens of people across Mexico.

___

3:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he's planning to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, which were both badly damaged by hurricane winds.

Trump tells reporters aboard Air Force One that he'll be making the trip "at the end of next week or the following week."

Trump spent Thursday surveying flood damage and visiting with storm victims in Florida.

He's also been to Texas twice.

___

1:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump handed out sandwiches and Vice President Mike Pence handed gave out bananas to people in a Florida mobile home community torn up by Hurricane Irma.

They were joined by first lady Melania Trump at Naples Estates, a mobile home community for people 55 and older. Around them were piles of debris, including tall piles of siding, furniture and branches.

The trio handed out food and posed for photos as people approached them. Most thanked them. One man yelled, "Make America Great Again!" Another told Trump that he "married well."

Trump pledged to be "there for you 100 percent."

Trump is touring the storm damage in Florida, where many remain swamped and without electricity. Nearly 2.7 million homes and businesses, about 1 in 4 Florida customers, remain without power.

___

12:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he wants to cut taxes to help middle-class Americans, not rich ones.

He told reporters Thursday in Florida that his tax cut plans are "not to benefit the wealthy." His plans include reducing individual taxes and lowering the corporate rate to 15 percent,

Trump seems to be backpedaling on comments Wednesday, when he suggested rates could go higher for rich people. Trump said then, "if they have to go higher, they'll go higher, frankly."

He didn't say that Thursday, and he emphasized that wealthy Americans are not his priority. Trump said that "the individual rate coming down will be substantial for the middle class," adding those are the Americans he aims to "take care of."

___

11:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump is making a political pitch for Republican Gov. Rick Scott while in Florida to survey hurricane damage from Irma.

The president says in Fort Myers, Florida, that he hopes Scott "runs for the Senate. I don't know what he's going to do."

Scott hasn't decided on a future Senate campaign. But the wealthy two-term governor is considered a leading contender for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson next year.

Trump says alongside Scott and other Florida officials that he knows "at a certain point it ends for you and we can't let it end. So I hope he runs for the Senate."

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9 a.m.

President Donald Trump is praising the recovery efforts in Florida before departing for the state to survey hurricane damage from Irma.

The president tells reporters at the White House that "power is being turned on rapidly," and the state's leaders and emergency responders are doing an "amazing job" in helping the state respond to the massive storm.

Trump is traveling to Naples and Fort Myers to meet with those affected by the hurricane and learn more about relief efforts. Trump will travel with Vice President Mike Pence and first lady Melania Trump.

His trip to Florida follows two earlier outings in which Trump reviewed Harvey recovery efforts in late August.

___

4:03 a.m.

President Donald Trump is heading to Florida to survey the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

The president is traveling to the hurricane-stricken state Thursday to meet with those affected by the storm and learn more about relief efforts.

He'll be stopping in Ft. Myers and Naples on the southwestern coast.

This is Trump's third visit in less than three weeks to a hurricane-damaged state. He visited Texas and Louisiana after Harvey struck. Trump tweeted Wednesday that he planned to meet "with our great Coast Guard, FEMA and many of the brave first responders & others."

The president monitored the storm over the weekend from Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.

President Donald Trump with first lady Melania Trump, speaks during the White House Historical Association reception and dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump, after introducing her during the White House Historical Association reception and dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump talks with reporters aboard Air Force One, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, en route to Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, right and Vice President Mike Pence, left, meet and talk to people impacted by Hurricane Irma at Naples Estates, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, talk and hand out food to people impacted by Hurricane Irma at Naples Estates, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Southwest Florida International airport to meet with first responders and people impacted by Hurricane Irma, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Ft. Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Gov. Rick Scott, center, assess the damages in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, in Big Pine Key, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz), center,
ST. LOUIS (AP) - A judge may be close to a ruling in the case of a white former St. Louis police officer charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 death of a black man who was a drug suspect, and Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens said Thursday that he has put the National Guard on standby in case unrest breaks out.

Testimony in Jason Stockley's trial in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith ended Aug. 9. Media reports and preparation announcements from officials indicate that Judge Timothy Wilson may rule Friday.

Activists have threatened civil disobedience if Stockley is acquitted. St. Louis police said officers will begin working 12-hour shifts starting Friday in anticipation of a ruling. Mayor Lyda Krewson said in a video statement that the Missouri State Highway Patrol and St. Louis County police will provide support, with the patrol handling any protests on state highways.

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the St. Louis Police Department shows former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley, who is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the December 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith. A television station reported that a ruling is expected Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Stockley's case, and Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has put the National Guard on standby in case unrest breaks out. (St. Louis Police Department via AP, File)

All three downtown courthouses, including the federal courthouse, will be closed Friday.

Greitens and Krewson urged protesters to be peaceful, a sentiment echoed by Smith's fiancee, Christina Wilson.

Here's a look at the case:

___

THE SHOOTING

Stockley and his partner saw what appeared to be a drug transaction in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant on Dec. 20, 2011. As the officers sought to corner Smith, he drove away. Stockley's defense attorney, Neil Bruntrager, said the officers were nearly run over. Stockley fired at the fleeing car, then a car chase began.

Police dashcam video captured Stockley saying, "going to kill this (expletive), don't you know it," in the midst of the chase. As Smith's car slowed, Stockley told his partner to slam the police SUV into it, and his partner did so. Stockley then got out of the SUV and fired five shots into Smith's car, killing him.

Bruntrager said Stockley fired only after Smith refused commands to put up his hands and reached along the seat toward an area where a gun was found. But prosecutors said Stockley planted the gun. Testing found Stockley's DNA on the gun, but not Smith's.

___

DIFFERENT PASTS

Stockley, now 36, graduated from a Catholic high school in nearby Belleville, Illinois, then went to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After graduation, he served in Iraq, where he was injured and awarded the Army Bronze Star. Stockley joined the St. Louis Police Department in 2007. He resigned in 2013, about two years after the shooting, and moved to Houston.

Smith, 24, was the father of a 1-year-old daughter when he died. His family has not disclosed much about him. Court records show he had a criminal record that included convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm and drug distribution. At the time of the shooting, he was on probation for a stealing charge related to a crime in Ferguson in 2010. In 2013, the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners reached a $900,000 settlement with Smith's family, ending a wrongful-death lawsuit filed on behalf of Smith's daughter.

___

NEW EVIDENCE

The circuit attorney's office initially decided not to charge Stockley, but police internal affairs brought new evidence in March 2016. Then-Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce announced in May 2016 that Stockley was charged with first-degree murder.

The new evidence wasn't disclosed, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch obtained the dashboard camera video and published it soon after charges were announced. The footage showing Stockley's threat led to increased anger from activists.

Prosecutors opted not to pursue the death penalty. Stockley chose to have the case decided by a judge, rather than a jury. The judge agreed over the objections of prosecutors.

___

RACIALLY CHARGED ISSUE

Police and courts in the St. Louis area have been under scrutiny since the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by white officer Darren Wilson after a street skirmish. Weeks of often-violent protests followed, and violence was renewed that November after a St. Louis County grand jury declined to indict Wilson. He resigned that month.

Since then, several black suspects have been fatally shot by police in St. Louis. Stockley is the only St. Louis police officer charged with murder in recent years.

This undated family photo supplied by Christina Wilson shows Anthony Lamar Smith holding his daughter Autumn Smith. Anthony Lamar Smith was killed in 2011 during a confrontation with police. A judge may be close to a ruling in the case against Former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley, who is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the December 2011 shooting death of Smith. Gov. Eric Greitens says he's has put the National Guard on standby in case unrest breaks out. (Family photo courtesy Christina Wilson via AP)

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, right, and Christina Wilson, the fiancee of Anthony Lamar Smith, deliver a statement in anticipation of a verdict in the trial of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in St. Louis. Stockley is accused in the 2011 killing of Lamar Smith following a high-speed chase. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - Former Australian test player Scott Higginbotham has been cleared over an incident involving Queensland state police after charges against him were dropped on Friday.

Higginbotham, who plays for the Brisbane-based Reds in Super Rugby, was charged in February with obstructing police after one of his friends was arrested for urinating in public.

He was expected to enter a plea at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, but police prosecutor Kevin Carmont formally dropped the charges.

Higginbotham's lawyer Angelo Venardos said there had been extensive negotiations with police: "He is very pleased that the matter is behind him. It's a difficult situation ... but Scott has the utmost respect for the police."

The 31-year-old Higginbotham has played 34 tests for Australia but none since the Wallabies' shocking loss to Scotland in June.
We should fight not for power, but for Ukraine  PM

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that Ukrainian authorities should unite in fighting for the interests of the country.

He said that it is important that everyone should unite  the president, parliament and government  in this extremely important historic moment. There is nothing to share, he said opening the second plenary day of the 14th annual YES conference in Kyiv on Saturday.

He expressed confidence that authorities should prove to Ukrainian society its ability to make radical changes, which would result in the change of the quality of life of Ukrainian citizens.

  
VATICAN CITY (AP) - A high-ranking priest working in the Vatican's embassy in Washington has been recalled after U.S. prosecutors asked for him to be charged there and face trial in a child pornography investigation, Vatican and U.S. officials said Friday.

The diplomat was suspected of possessing, but not producing or disseminating, child pornography including images of pre-pubescent children, a U.S. source familiar with the case said. The source was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Vatican declined to identify the priest, but said he was currently in Vatican City and that Vatican prosecutors had launched their own probe and sought evidence from the U.S.

If the accusations pan out, the case would be a major embarrassment for the Vatican and Pope Francis, who has pledged "zero tolerance" for sexual abuse. The diplomat would be the second from the Vatican's diplomatic corps to face possible criminal charges for such crimes during Francis' papacy. And any trial in the Vatican would come as Francis' own financial czar, Cardinal George Pell, is on trial in his native Australia for alleged historic sex abuse cases.

The State Department said it had asked the Vatican to lift the official's diplomatic immunity on Aug. 21, and said the request was denied three days later. For the State Department to make such a request, its lawyers would have needed to be convinced that there was reasonable cause for criminal prosecution.

The circumstances that prompted prosecutors to make the request, however, weren't clear. The Justice Department, which would have brought any charges, didn't immediately comment, and the Vatican gave no details about what, if any, evidence had been provided to persuade it to recall the priest.

In a statement, the Vatican said the State Department had notified the Vatican on Aug. 21 of a "possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images" by one of its diplomats in Washington.

A U.S. official familiar with the case said the priest was a senior member of the Vatican embassy staff. The Vatican yearbook lists three counselors who work under the nuncio, or ambassador.

Priests who are diplomats in the Vatican's Washington embassy usually receive authorization from the archdiocese of Washington to preside at Mass or perform other clergy functions in local parishes, although they only do so on very limited occasions, a spokesman for the archdiocese said.

Under the U.S. bishops' child protection policy, local church officials must review allegations of child porn possession against their priests. However, the requirements in the diplomat's case are unclear. The Archdiocese of Washington doesn't know the name of the accused priest, the spokesman said.

Still, the archdiocese plans to give all local clergy copies of public statements about the case from the Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops so priests can answer any questions from parishioners, the spokesman said.

The Vatican said recalling the priest was consistent with diplomatic practice of sovereign states. In declining to identify him, the Vatican said the case was subject to confidentiality while still under investigation. It said the Vatican had asked for information about the case from the U.S; it wasn't clear if any had been provided.

The Vatican has recalled envoys before, including its then-ambassador to the Dominican Republic, who was recalled in 2013 after being accused of sexually abusing young boys on the Caribbean island.

The Vatican justified its decision to remove Monsignor Jozef Wesolowski from Dominican jurisdiction by submitting him first to a canonical court proceeding at the Vatican, and then putting him on trial in the Vatican's criminal court, which has jurisdiction over the Holy See's diplomatic corps.

Wesolowski was defrocked by the church court. But he died before the criminal trial got underway. Dominican prosecutors initially balked at the recall, and they never filed charges because of his immunity.

After he was defrocked, Wesolowski lost his diplomatic immunity and the Vatican said he could be tried by other courts. However, it refused to provide Dominican authorities with information about his whereabouts or how even he had pleaded to the charges.

The Vatican doesn't have extradition treaties.

The Vatican in 2013 specifically criminalized child porn possession, distribution and production in its criminal code. Possession carries a possible jail term of up to two years and a 10,000-euro fine. Distribution can be punished with a term of up to five years and a 50,000-euro fine, while the most serious offense of production can bring a 12-year term and 250,000-euro fine.

The head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said the case was serious and that he hoped the Vatican would be "forthcoming with more details."

"We reaffirm that when such allegations occur, an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation should begin in cooperation with law enforcement and immediate steps be taken to protect children," DiNardo said in a statement.

Francis has a spotty record on handling sex abuse cases. He won praise from advocates of survivors of abuse for having established a commission of experts to advise the church on keeping pedophiles out of the priesthood and protecting children. But the commission has floundered after losing the two members who themselves were survivors of abuse.

Francis' promotion of Pell to be his finance czar when allegations abounded in Australia about his past conduct, as well other appointments, in-house decisions and his scrapping of a proposed tribunal to prosecute negligent bishops also have raised questions.

___

Lee reported from Washington; Rachel Zoll contributed from New York.
MADRID (AP) - The Latest on the independence bid for Spain's northeastern Catalonia region (all times local):

1:55 p.m.

Spain's finance minister says the central government has decided to take over payments of essential services in the northeastern region of Catalonia amid a controversial bid by politicians there to hold an independence referendum.

A woman holds an Estelada or Independence flag during an event promoting the start of the campaigning for the ballot in Tarragona, about 100 kilometres south of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Tension is mounting between Catalan and Spain's national leaders as Catalonia's president is set to open the "yes" campaign for a planned referendum on seceding from Spain Thursday. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Cristobal Montoro says the government is also giving officials in Catalonia 48 hours to comply with a new system to scrutinize public payments by Catalonia to ensure that no public funds are being used on the illegal vote.

Montoro's ministry ordered regional authorities back in July to send weekly spending reports instead of monthly reports. But on Thursday, Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras, who is in charge of economic affairs, said he would stop providing them because the scrutiny was politically motivated.

The extraordinary measures were justified, Montoro said, for the sake of budgetary stability in Catalonia and to defend Spain's legal order.

___

10:30 p.m.

Catalan officials are addressing a letter to Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy calling for negotiations to agree on a referendum on the northeastern region's independence.

Spanish officials have rejected the unilateral vote planned for Oct. 1. Rajoy has said that a constitutional reform through a strong majority in the national parliament is the only avenue for a legal referendum.

Separatist politicians launched the Yes campaign on Thursday as they press ahead with the vote despite a ban by the country's courts and a criminal investigation into three out of four Catalan mayors actively supporting it.

In the letter, President Carles Puigdemont and Barcelona mayor Ada Colau also say that Spain has launched "an offensive of repression without precedent."

The letter says a copy is being sent to King Felipe VI.

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, center, take part on an event promoting the start of the campaigning for the ballot in Tarragona, about 100 kilometres south of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Tension is mounting between Catalan and Spain's national leaders as Catalonia's president is set to open the "yes" campaign for a planned referendum on seceding from Spain Thursday. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont delivers a speech during an event promoting the start of the campaigning for the ballot in Tarragona, about 100 kilometres south of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Tension is mounting between Catalan and Spain's national leaders as Catalonia's president is set to open the "yes" campaign for a planned referendum on seceding from Spain Thursday. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont delivers a speech during an event promoting the start of the campaigning for the ballot in Tarragona, about 100 kilometres south of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Tension is mounting between Catalan and Spain's national leaders as Catalonia's president is set to open the "yes" campaign for a planned referendum on seceding from Spain Thursday. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont walks to the stage to deliver a speech during an event promoting the start of the campaigning for the ballot in Tarragona, about 100 kilometres south of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Tension is mounting between Catalan and Spain's national leaders as Catalonia's president is set to open the "yes" campaign for a planned referendum on seceding from Spain Thursday. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
MILAN (AP) - Referendums that seek greater autonomy for two of Italy's most prosperous regions have the potential to join the Brexit campaign and the Catalonia independence vote in changing the face of Europe, Lombardy president Roberto Maroni said Friday.

Speaking to reporters, he stressed that the goal is not to secede from Rome.

Voters in the Northern League-governed regions of Lombardy and Veneto will decide Oct. 22 if they want their presidents to claim powers from Rome, as already granted in varying measures to five other Italian regions. The referendums will come shortly after voters in the Spanish region of Catalonia are to decide on independence from Spain and as Britain negotiates its exit from the European Union.

Lombardy region president Roberto Maroni answers reporters' questions during a news conference to present the referendum for autonomy in Lombardy, in Milan, Italy Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Voters in the Northern League-governed regions of Lombardy and Veneto will decide Oct. 22 if they want their presidents to seek greater autonomy, as already allotted to five other Italian regions.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Maroni said one of his primary aims is to retain half of the 54 billion euros ($64 billion) in tax revenue from Lombardy that goes to Rome each year, something that could be achieved with a change of law. But the former interior minister also wants control over security and migration, which would require harder-to-win constitutional changes.

"My ambition is to create in Lombardy a model of excellence, security and control of the territory," Maroni said. "It is a very ambitious project. But it is not that I just want some additional competencies. I want to change history, and this referendum gives me the possibility."

While the Italy votes are non-binding, Maroni said he and Veneto president Luca Zaia will travel to Rome the next day to begin talks with Premier Paolo Gentiloni, with their demands corresponding to the strength of the vote.

"I hope that the government will be willing (to negotiate), because it would not be against the governors, but against the people," Maroni said.

He said he wants to use any popular impulse demonstrated in the vote to seek greater regionalization within the European Union while respecting national borders. He cited a pan-Alpine region established last year that gives the mountainous area across seven nations the power to negotiate directly with Brussels on limited topics and seek direct financing for projects.

"I am not against Europe. I am for a different Europe. What we call Europe of the people, or Europe of regions," Maroni said. "I think that the push that will come from our referendum, from Brexit and from Catalonia, all go in that direction."

Lombardy region president Roberto Maroni answers reporters' questions during a news conference to present the referendum for autonomy in Lombardy, in Milan, Italy Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Voters in the Northern League-governed regions of Lombardy and Veneto will decide Oct. 22 if they want their presidents to seek greater autonomy, as already allotted to five other Italian regions.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Lombardy region president Roberto Maroni answers reporters' questions during a news conference to present the referendum for autonomy in Lombardy, in Milan, Italy Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Voters in the Northern League-governed regions of Lombardy and Veneto will decide Oct. 22 if they want their presidents to seek greater autonomy, as already allotted to five other Italian regions.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
MIAMI (AP) - The Latest on Hurricane Irma (all times local):

4:45 p.m.

Jose has re-strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic, but there is no current threat to land.

Motorists line up to enter the Florida Keys at a checkpoint in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Florida City, Fla. Residents of the Florida Keys continue to be turned away. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory Friday afternoon that Irma had sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). It was located about 640 miles (1,025 kilometers) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and about 485 miles (785 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda.

The hurricane was moving northwest at about 10 mph (17 kph), was expected to turn to the north-northwest by late Saturday and toward the north on Sunday.

Some strengthening was forecast through Saturday, with weakening possibly beginning on late Sunday.

The center said swells from the storm could create dangerous surf and rip current conditions in Bermuda, Bahamas, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, as well as the southeastern coast of the U.S.

__

9:20 a.m.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long says the government response to Hurricane Irma has shifted from saving lives to one of beginning the long recovery process.

Long said at a briefing Friday that good progress is being made in getting people back into their homes or into temporary housing such as apartments or hotels. About 10,000 people in Florida remain in emergency shelters.

Federal officials are focused on restoring electrical power and getting gasoline into areas suffering fuel shortages. Long said the lack of electricity has affected fuel supplies because many gas stations haven't been retrofitted to run their pumps on generator power.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who appeared with Long, urged people still without electricity in Florida and other affected states to be patient. He said the severe damage from Irma's winds will require that parts of the power grid to effectively be rebuilt.

Perry said 60,000 utility workers from U.S. and Canada are in the disaster area working to get power back on.

___

9:20 a.m.

Schools in one southwest Florida county have announced that classes won't begin again until Sept. 25.

Lee County schools Superintendent Greg Adkins told local news outlets Thursday that they'd hoped to re-open Monday, but repairs to buildings are taking longer than expected. He said the extra week will give officials more "breathing room" to deal with the challenges it faces in getting schools up and running again.

Adkins said most of the district's buildings received minor damage from the storm. In some cases, water got into buildings and trees were knocked down. Three schools need significant roof repair. And many of the portable classrooms were either damaged or destroyed. He doesn't yet have estimates on the repair costs.

He said all teachers and staff should report to school Sept. 22.

___

8:05 a.m.

More than 80 percent of Floridians have gotten their power restored after Hurricane Irma roared through the state.

State emergency managers reported Friday that 1.92 million homes and businesses still don't have electricity.

Tens of thousands of customers in southwest Florida and south Florida remain without electricity. Nearly 25 percent of all customers in Miami-Dade County still don't have power.

Florida Power & Light officials earlier this week said that most customers on Florida's east coast would have their electricity restored by Sunday evening. They said it would take until Sept. 22 to get electricity back to the majority of customers in southwest Florida.

Tens of thousands of customers in Pinellas County on the state's west coast still don't have electricity as well.

___

8:05 a.m.

Authorities say a family of four is being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator in Hialeah, a suburb of Miami.

NBC 6 in Miami reports that a man came home early Friday and found his wife and two children unconscious. Police tell the station that all three eventually woke up and the entire family was taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment of symptoms that included headaches, chest pain and nausea.

The television stations reports that the victims had 20 percent carbon monoxide in their systems. A generator had been left near an open door of the family's apartment. Police told other tenants to turn off their generators while the investigation continues.

___

8:05 a.m.

The National Parks Service says more than 300 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina saw downed trees and storm damage from Hurricane Irma.

An NPS statement on the parkway's website says conditions vary across the parkway, and while some sections have reopened, others require more in-depth and technical cleanup to mitigate substantial tree and rock damage.

The Charlotte Observer reports that several sections reopened Wednesday.

___

7 a.m.

A woman has died and three men are in critical condition in a suspected case of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty generator use in Florida's Palm Beach County.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Albert Borroto said crews responded an unknown medical call Thursday night in Loxahatchee. He says that as firefighters approached the home, their carbon monoxide detectors went off, which warned them of potential danger as they went inside.

Firefighters put on air tanks and found the woman dead inside the home with three critically ill men.

It's not clear who called 911.

Borroto says the generator wasn't running when they arrived, but investigators believe it had been running all day. The generator is a large 15,000-watt model that's capable of powering an air conditioner. It was outside, near the garage, which was left open a few inches. He said that allowed the carbon monoxide to seep inside.

___

7 a.m.

Georgia's agricultural leaders say Irma's path through the state has left pecan and cotton crops vulnerable, but could signal a boon for another signature state crop.

State Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black told WABE-FM that 50 percent of Georgia's pecan crop might be lost, which will have negative ramifications for an already struggling rural economy.

Black says U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, a former Georgia governor, will tour the state Friday to assess the damage.

The station reports that crop consultants estimate between 25 percent and 50 percent of the cotton yield is gone, as cotton is susceptible to high winds as it nears harvest.

Georgia Agribusiness Council President Brian Tolar expressed concern over the state's timber industry, as well.

However, Black says the storm's rain could boost Georgia's peanut crop.

___

3 a.m.

Florida's post-Irma recovery includes urgent efforts to protect its vulnerable elderly residents after a string of nursing home deaths.

Several nursing homes have been evacuated because of a lack of power or air conditioning, while utility workers raced help to dozens of others still lacking electricity as of Thursday. Homebound seniors found help from charities, churches and authorities.

Meanwhile, detectives were combing through the Hollywood facility where eight elderly residents died amid sweltering heat.

Statewide, 64 nursing homes were still waiting for full power Thursday, according to the Florida Health Care Association. The separate Florida Assisted Living Association said many of its South Florida members lacked electricity. The group was working on a precise count.

Family members ride in a small boat as Tony Holt's trailer to be pulled out of the flood waters from Hurricane Irma in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday Sept. 14, 2017, after Hurricane Irma. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)

Messages left on the sidewalk of the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills nursing home a day after eight people died and a criminal investigation by local agencies continued into how the rehab center allowed patients to stay without a working air condition system during the pass of Hurricane Irma through South Florida on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald via AP)

Vendetta Craig, who had left her 87-year-old mother Edna Jefferson in the care of the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills, speaks during a press conference flanked by from left- Dr. Randy Katz, Medical Director, Emergency Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Judy Frum, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Tracy Meltzer, director of nursing.The press conference took place a day after eight people died at the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills nursing home, a criminal investigation by local agencies continued into how the rehab center allowed patients to stay without a working air condition system during the pass of Hurricane Irma through South Florida on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. ((Pedro Portal/Miami Herald via AP)

Robbie Baker carries cases of water through the flood waters, which he and his family are delivering to neighbors off Lake Shore Drive, his mother Anne at left, in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday Sept. 14, 2017, after Hurricane Irma. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)

Janice Connelly of Hollywood, sets up a makeshift memorial in memory of the senior citizens who died in the heat at The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, Fla. (Carline Jean /South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Marie Saint Surin, originally from Haiti, but living in Key West, makes up a set of cots for her family after they arrived at the E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion at the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. The shelter is the only shelter remaining in Miami-Dade County. It's the shelter of last resort. It's housing about 200 people, including those who can't get back to their homes in the Keys. (Emily Michot/Miami Herald via AP)

Evacuees at a special needs shelter sit and chat or rest, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, at Florida International University in Miami, Fla. About 30 people, including staff with the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition for the Homeless from Key West, Fla., were sheltered in a storefront underneath a parking garage on campus. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Kudy Ann Bell spends her time coloring at a special needs shelter, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, at Florida International University in Miami, Fla. About 30 people, including staff with the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition for the Homeless from Key West, Fla., were sheltered in a storefront underneath a parking garage on campus. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Tony Holt, Sr., smokes a cigarette and stands in waist-deep flood water from Hurricane Irma while his niece Amanda Sheffield and her daughter Zoe, sit in his boat in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday Sept. 14, 2017, after Hurricane Irma. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)

A sunken houseboat lies at a small marina behind a hotel on Clearwater Beach, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, after the passing of Hurricane Irma. (Jim Damaske/The Tampa Bay Times via AP)
BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union is readying reforms to crack down on abuses in the financing of European political parties seeking election to the European Parliament, one of the bloc's leading officials said Friday.

Frans Timmermans, vice president of the European Commission, said the new rules would close loopholes that have in some cases led to the abuse of European taxpayer money.

"We believe that with these targeted changes we can ensure a more democratic and transparent political landscape," Timmermans said at a news conference in Brussels.

The plan is part of a broader democratic drive by the EU at a time many Europeans complain about Brussels being too detached from citizens.

Timmermans quipped that he knows all too well about that perception. His oldest son, he said, often addresses him as an "unelected faceless bureaucrat" over their morning coffee at home.

Timmermans said current rules are "prone to abuse," with several cases of different members of a single national party registering more than one European party. In some cases a single person has also sponsored the registration of more than one party.

"These are not always genuine political parties with common goals, projects and debates. Some appear to be little more than fronts to extract money from the European taxpayer. This abuse must end, and quickly," Timmermans said.

He refused, however, to cite specific examples of abuse, saying he was not permitted legally to comment on ongoing investigations.

Under the proposed changes, individuals will no longer be allowed to register a party.

He said the current system of funding, which distributes funds equally to all parties in Parliament no matter their size, will be changed to a more proportionate system granting more to bigger parties and less to the smaller ones, "better reflecting the wishes of the electorate."

Those who commit fraud in the future will also have to pay back the money they received, Timmermans said.

The changes must still be approved by the European Parliament and member states. The Commission said it expects the changes to pass and be in force before the 2019 elections to the European Parliament.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Consumers cut back on their shopping in August by the largest amount in six months as declining auto sales offset gains in other areas.

Retail sales dropped 0.2 percent last month after a 0.3 percent gain in July, the Commerce Department said Friday. It was the biggest one-month decline since a 0.2 percent decline in February. Auto sales sank 1.6 percent in August, the most in seven months.

Excluding autos and gas, which tend to be volatile from month to month, sales dipped 0.1 percent in August after having risen 0.5 percent in July.

Still, thanks to a still-solid job market, economists generally remain upbeat about retail sales in coming months, with many saying they expect consumer spending to grow at a solid 2.5 percent rate in the July-September quarter.

Sales rose last month at general merchandise stores, a category that includes big-box retailers such as Target. Rising gasoline prices also boosted sales.

The overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew at a robust 3 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter, more than double the lackluster 1.2 percent rate in the first quarter. Analysts generally predict that growth in the current July-September quarter will remain in a solid range of 2.5 percent to 3 percent, with a key boost coming from consumer spending.

The consumer sector, which contributes to 70 percent of economic activity, is benefiting from the lowest unemployment rates in 16 years and continued strong job gains.

For August, gasoline sales were up 2.5 percent, the biggest jump since last December. But that increase reflected in large part rising prices.

Sales at general merchandise stores, which includes big-box retailers such as Walmart and Target, were up 0.2 percent although sales at department stores including Macy's, edged down 0.1 percent. Sales at non-store retailers, a category that covers booming online sales, dropped 1.1 percent in August after a 1.8 percent gain in July.
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) - Organizers of a Marine Corps charity race in New Jersey marred by terrorism a year ago say they were forced to move Saturday's event to a neighboring town because of a sharp increase in registrants.

The race's resumption a year after a bomb went off shortly before hundreds of runners were about to take off shows the region's resiliency, organizers say. But this year's Seaside Semper Five race will also have increased security, with trash cans removed along the race route in Seaside Heights and manhole covers sealed.

"It was a jolt at first, but then it got me angry thinking that lots of people could have been hurt," said Tommy Leopold, 46, of Old Bridge, who was lined up to run in last year's event before it was canceled. "We had a good crowd of runners and their families out there that day, and we will again this year. It'll be a show of strength. We're ready to rock."

In a photo taken Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, Frank Costello, organizer of the Semper Five charity run in Seaside Heights, N.J., poses for a photograph at the site of the start and finish lines for the race. It's been a year since a pipe bomb blast disrupted the charity race to benefit Marines and marked the start of a two-day reign of terror in the region. But organizers of Saturday's race say its resumption amid tight security shows the region's resiliency. The blast occurred just before the start of last year's race. No one was injured, but the event was canceled. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The increase in runners comes as both a response to the bombing and shows people's support for the military, said race organizer Frank Costello.

The bomb was planted by Ahmad Khan Rahimi as the start of a two-day reign of terror in the region, authorities say.

Several hours after the blast, another bomb exploded in New York's Chelsea section, wounding 29 people. The next night, a homeless man and his friend alerted authorities after they found a backpack full of explosives in a trash can near a train station in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Five devices were in the bag, including one that exploded while a bomb squad robot attempted to disarm it.

Rahimi, an Afghanistan-born man living in Elizabeth, was arrested the next morning after he was seriously injured in a shootout with police in Linden. He has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the bombings and is being held without bail while awaiting his trial , which is scheduled to start Oct. 2.

No one was injured in the Seaside Park explosion, mostly because the start of the race had been delayed because of a large number of late entrants, or by the devices found in Elizabeth. But the situation frightened many in a region where the Sept. 11 attacks still reverberate strongly.

Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, a Democrat, said there's "definitely a heightened sense of awareness," even though no similar incidents have occurred in the past year.

"Garbage cans, autos can now be used for very dangerous missions, where in the past no one would have given a second thought about them," he said. "It's scary for many people, but it's made them more vigilant."

___

Contact Shipkowski at https://www.twitter.com/BruceShipkowski

FILE - This Sept. 17, 2016, file photo shows roads closed along the route of a charity race for military soldiers that was canceled after an explosive device detonated in a garbage pail before the start of the event in Seaside Park, N.J. One year after a pipe bomb blast at the New Jersey shore disrupted a charity race to benefit Marines, organizers of the Semper Five race say its resumption Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, amid tight security shows the region's resiliency. (Robert Sciarrino/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via AP, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2016, file photo, Ahmad Khan Rahimi, accused of setting off bombs in New Jersey and New York City's Chelsea neighborhood in September 2016, sits in court in Elizabeth, N.J. One year after a pipe bomb blast at the New Jersey shore disrupted a charity race to benefit Marines, organizers of the Semper Five race say its resumption Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, amid tight security shows the region's resiliency. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2016, file photo, law enforcement officers stand on D Street during an investigation of an explosive device that detonated in a garbage pail before a charity race to benefit military soldiers in Seaside Park, N.J. One year after a pipe bomb blast at the New Jersey shore disrupted a charity race to benefit Marines, organizers of the Semper Five race say its resumption Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, amid tight security shows the region's resiliency. (Robert Sciarrino/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via AP, File)

In a photo taken Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, Frank Costello, organizer of the Semper Five charity run in Seaside Heights, N.J., poses for photograph near the site of the start and finish lines for the race. It's been a year since a pipe bomb blast disrupted the charity race to benefit Marines and marked the start of a two-day reign of terror in the region. But organizers of Saturday's race say its resumption amid tight security shows the region's resiliency. The blast occurred just before the start of last year's race. No one was injured, but the event was canceled. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

In a photo taken Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, Frank Costello, organizer of the Semper Five charity run in Seaside Heights, N.J., works on signs promoting the race. It's been a year since a pipe bomb blast disrupted the charity race to benefit Marines and marked the start of a two-day reign of terror in the region. But organizers of Saturday's race say its resumption amid tight security shows the region's resiliency. The blast occurred just before the start of last year's race. No one was injured, but the event was canceled. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

In a photo taken Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, a woman is seen through a fence displaying a sign for the Semper Five charity run as she sunbathes on the beach in Seaside Heights, N.J. It's been a year since a pipe bomb blast disrupted the charity race to benefit Marines and marked the start of a two-day reign of terror in the region. But organizers of Saturday's race say its resumption amid tight security shows the region's resiliency. The blast occurred just before the start of last year's race. No one was injured, but the event was canceled. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
PARIS (AP) - French criminal justice authorities say a child murderer whose case has become a symbol of the fight against the death penalty will be released from prison.

The prosecutor's office in Melun, south of Paris, said Friday that 64-year-old Patrick Henry has had his sentence suspended for medical reasons.

Henry was serving a life sentence for the murder of a 7-year-old boy in 1976.

At the time, his lawyer Robert Badinter used his case to advocate against the death penalty. The argument remains one of the most famous of France's judicial history.

The death penalty was abolished in France in 1981 when Badinter was justice minister.

Henry's lawyer Hugo Levy told Franceinfo radio his client has cancer.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Latest on a Louisiana State University student's death that police are investigating as a possible fraternity hazing incident (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

A coroner says hospital blood and urine tests found a "highly elevated" blood alcohol level and marijuana in the body of a Louisiana State University student whose death police are investigating as a possible fraternity hazing incident.

Louisiana State University Police are investigating a possible hazing incident at an on campus fraternity house, Phi Delta Theta, after a student was brought to the hospital overnight and later died, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La. Phi Delta Theta has been suspended by the university and its national chapter, according to LSU president F. King Alexander. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clark's office said in a statement that Friday's preliminary autopsy results didn't show any internal or external trauma on 18-year-old Maxwell Raymond Gruver's body.

The statement also says the autopsy found "marked cerebral and pulmonary edema," or swelling in Gruver's brain and lungs. Hospital tests also found marijuana in his system.

Clark's office said final autopsy results are pending toxicology testing that could take up to four weeks to complete.

Gruver died Thursday after he was taken to a hospital. Phi Delta Theta, the fraternity involved in the police investigation, has been suspended by the university and its national headquarters.

___

6:16 a.m.

An autopsy is planned Friday on the body of a Louisiana State University student whose death police are investigating as a possible fraternity hazing incident.

Maxwell Raymond Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU freshman from Roswell, Georgia, died Thursday after he was taken to a Baton Rouge hospital to be treated for an unspecified "medical emergency," university spokesman Ernie Ballard said.

LSU President F. King Alexander said police are investigating allegations that alcohol was a factor.

He said Phi Delta Theta, the fraternity involved in the investigation, has been suspended by the university and its national chapter.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary is leaving the Trump administration to serve as an outside surrogate for the White House's political efforts.

That's according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak ahead of an announcement.

Marc Lotter has served as a top aide to Pence since the vice president was Indiana's governor and also worked as a spokesman for Pence during the 2016 campaign.

Lotter is expected to work as an outside voice for the administration's political efforts.

Lotter has often appeared on cable television during Trump and Pence's first year in office, making the case for the administration's policies.
No matter what to be created  anti-corruption court or chamber  main to create them as quickly as possible - PM

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that it does not matter whether the anti-corruption court or chamber is created, the main thing is to create an independent agency as quickly as possible.

The tool that would allow executing justice towards corrupted officials, this is important, Groysman said at the 14th annual YES conference in Kyiv on Saturday.

He said that as a prime minister he is to ensure enough financing of the agency.

Groysman said that he supports the creation of the anti-corruption court of the anti-corruption chamber, but it must be done quickly and this agency must be independent.

He said that around 1,000 uncompleted cases against corrupted persons are in courts now.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country will hold a high-level security meeting on Sept. 22 to decide what response to take over a planned Kurdish referendum on independence.

In a television interview Friday, Erdogan accused leaders of Iraq's autonomous region of "serious political inaptitude" for going ahead with plans to hold the vote on Sept. 25.

Turkey, which has a large Kurdish population and is battling Kurdish insurgents, opposes the Kurds' moves toward independence and has voiced strong backing to Iraq's territorial integrity. It is also concerned that the scheduled referendum comprises disputed areas such has Kirkuk, which is home to Turkmen, Arabs, Kurds and Christians.

Turkey warned Iraqi Kurdish leaders this week that there would be "a price to pay" for going ahead with the vote.
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - One year after a Somali-American man went on a stabbing attack at a St. Cloud mall, injuring 10 people, city leaders say fears that the attack would divide this central Minnesota community have not materialized, but others say underlying racial tension continues to exist.

Meanwhile, the off-duty police officer who shot and killed the suspect is speaking out for the first time, and says he hopes other officers would have done the same thing in his situation.

Dahir Ahmed Adan, 20, stabbed 10 people at Crossroads Center mall in St. Cloud last Sept. 17 before he was shot and killed by Jason Falconer, an off-duty police officer from the nearby city of Avon. The FBI has said that Adan may have been radicalized and that the attack was preplanned.

FILE - This undated photo provided by the police department in Avon, Minn., shows Jason Falconer, who operates a firearms training facility and works part-time with the Avon Police Department. Falconer, the off-duty police officer who stopped a stabbing at a Minnesota mall Sept. 17, 2016, says he hopes other officers in his situation would have done the same thing. Falconer shot and killed Dahir Adan after Adan charged at him. Ten people were injured in the stabbing. Authorities have said Adan may have been radicalized. (Avon Police Department/St Cloud Times via AP)

Falconer told KNSI radio he was shopping for a gift for his son when he saw people running from a man in a security uniform. He said Adan asked Falconer if he was a Muslim, and Falconer replied "no." He noticed Adan had "crazy eyes."

When Adan turned away, Falconer saw he had a knife in each hand. Falconer identified himself as an officer, and at one point, it seemed Adan followed Falconer's commands to lie down.

"I didn't hear it but witnesses said he counted down 3,2,1 and jumped up and charged at me. And as he charged at me is when my first volley of shots took place," Falconer said. While some call Falconer a hero, he said: "I'd hope to believe that another off-duty officer put in my situation would have done the same thing."

Shortly after the attacks, an Islamic State-run news agency claimed Adan was a "soldier of the Islamic State" who heeded the group's calls for attacks in countries that are part of a U.S.-led anti-IS coalition. Authorities have released no evidence linking him to extremist groups, and the investigation is ongoing.

But terrorism concerns raised fears of a backlash against the area's Somali-American community.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis said those fears came to nothing. And St. Cloud police Chief Blair Anderson told Minnesota Public Radio that he's seen no spike in threats or incidents targeting Somalis in the past year.

But Natalie Ringsmuth, founder of #UniteCloud, said some people use the attack as a reason to fear Muslims.

"There were people in the Muslim community in this area that were yelled at before the stabbing and they get yelled at still after the stabbing," Ringsmuth said. "There are people that have threats sent to their house because they are a member of our community that are Somali and Muslim. It happened before the stabbing and it happens after the stabbing."

Kleis said the city is encouraging residents to get to know their neighbors as a way to break down stereotypes.

"The more we get to know each other, the more we get to know your neighbors the more you have communication," Kleis said, "the more trust you have and the more trust you have, the more prosperous your community will be, and the more resilient it will be in times of tragedy."
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - Tunisian officials say the government has lifted a ban on Muslim women marrying non-Muslims on the recommendation of the president, who says Tunisia needs to modernize.

Muslim men were allowed to marry non-Muslim women, but not the other way around.

A government official, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity, said such marriages can now be freely registered. The plan has drawn the ire of Muslim clerics, who consider marriage rules unquestionable in Islamic Shariah law, on which the Tunisian legal system is based.

President Beji Caid Essebsi has promised to fight discrimination in a country where a most medical, agricultural and textile workers and those with higher education are women.

Another president-led initiative, to make inheritance rules fairer to women, has not yet been decided on.
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke has been told to revise his master's thesis or the Naval Postgraduate School will begin the process of rescinding his degree.

Clarke was accused of plagiarism in May after CNN reported that he failed to properly attribute sources at least 47 times in his 2013 thesis. Clarke denied committing plagiarism.

A July letter published Friday by CNN shows the school found a violation and gave Clarke 100 days to make revisions. The letter from Cmdr. Paul Rasmussen, dean of students, says the violation was "not a result of any intentional deception."

It's not clear if Clarke has made revisions.

The Associated Press sent a message seeking comment to Clarke's office Friday.

Clarke announced this month that he would join a political action committee supporting President Donald Trump. He had said in May that he was offered a job with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. But the job never materialized.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Democrats approved a "sanctuary state" bill Saturday that would limit how local and state police can interact with federal immigration agents.

The bill is intended to bolster immigrant protections in the state that are already among the toughest in the nation.

It will now be considered by Gov. Jerry Brown, who announced his support after the top state Senate leader agreed to water down the bill and preserve authority for jail and prison officials to cooperate with immigration officers in many cases.

In this photo taken Sept. 7, 2017, a student walks past a tip sheet for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients who fear deportation that is taped to a window on the University of California, Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif. Colleges and universities nationwide are stepping up efforts to help the students who are often called "Dreamers," after the Trump administration announced plans last week to end that federal program protecting immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. (AP Photo/Jocelyn Gecker)

The legislation is the latest effort by Democratic lawmakers in California, home to an estimated 2.3 million immigrants without legal authorization, to create barriers to President Donald Trump's campaign pledge to step up deportation efforts. They've also approved money for legal assistance and college scholarships for people living illegally in the U.S., and made it harder for businesses and government agencies to disclose people's immigration status.

California lawmakers are debating the measure as the U.S. Congress considers offering legal status to young immigrants whose parents brought them into the country illegally or overstayed their visas.

"This comes as a relief that there are some legislators that are really listening," said Pablo Alvarado, executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

The measure cleared the Legislature with support only from Democrats over the objection of Republicans who it will protect criminals and make it harder for law-enforcement to keep people safe.

Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, introduced SB54 shortly after Trump's election to cut off most interactions between federal immigration agents and local police and sheriff's officers. Following sharp dissent from law enforcement officials and Brown's intervention, it was scaled back significantly.

The final version prohibits law enforcement officials from asking about a person's immigration status or participating in immigration enforcement efforts. It also prohibits law enforcement officials from being deputized as immigration agents or arresting people on civil immigration warrants.

Police and sheriff's officials, including jail officers, will still be able to work with federal immigration authorities if a person has been convicted of one of some 800 crimes, mostly felonies and misdemeanors that can be charged as felonies. But they'll be barred from transferring immigrants to federal authorities if their rap sheet includes only minor offenses.

Immigration advocates generally applauded the latest version, even with de Leon's concessions. For them, the bill delivers a rare victory during Trump's presidency, preserving some protections for people in the country illegally and adding others.

The bill will prevent local police from becoming "cogs in the Trump deportation machine," de Leon said.

California police chiefs dropped their opposition but sheriffs, who run jails where the biggest impacts will be felt, remain opposed.

"In my view this bill's going to make us less safe," said Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, R-Templeton. "It's going to protect the criminal at the expense of the law abiding citizen."

The changes did not mollify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Thomas Homan, who said the bill will deliberately destruct immigration laws and shelter criminals.

"If California politicians pass this bill, they will be prioritizing politics over the safety and security of their constituents," Homan said in a statement this week.

As lawmakers considered the bill Friday another high-profile killing in San Francisco spotlighted the sanctuary issue. Immigration and Customs Enforcement disclosed that two weeks ago, before 18-year-old Erick Garcia-Pineda was a murder suspect, the San Francisco Sheriff's Department denied a request to hold him until federal authorities could take him into custody for deportation proceedings.

California's Democratic political leaders have positioned the nation's largest state as a foil to Trump and his administration. They've passed legislation and filed lawsuits aimed at protecting immigrants, combating climate change and blocking any future attempt to build a registry of Muslims.

A federal judge in Chicago ruled Friday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions cannot follow through with his threat to withhold public safety grant money to so-called sanctuary cities for refusing his order to impose tough immigration policies.
JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - The suffocation death of a 1-year-old girl, whose body was found underneath a couch in her suburban Chicago home after she'd been reported missing, has been ruled a homicide, a coroner's office announced Friday.

Semaj Crosby was found dead on April 27 in a Joliet Township home shortly after the Department of Children and Family Services closed an investigation into whether she was being neglected. DCFS officials later said social workers saw no hazards or safety concerns.

Semaj's died of asphyxia, or suffocation, according to the coroner's office, which said it considered in its findings the circumstances of her death, DCFS reports, a police investigation, photographs from the scene and autopsy results.

The office also pointed to the "unusual circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her decomposing body under the couch in her home." Those unusual circumstances include a suspicious fire that later burned down the home where Semaj and her three older brothers lived with their mother and a collection of squatters, and the lack of cooperation from witnesses.

Hundreds of police and volunteers searched for the girl after she was reported missing. She was found the next day in the house, which had been searched by authorities. Days later, and after it had been deemed uninhabitable by authorities, the house burned down in what authorities say was arson.

Spokesman Charles B. Pelkie said both the Will County state's attorney's office and the sheriff's office are searching for answers.

"This case is highly sensitive and a top priority for the state's attorney's office and the sheriff's office," Pelkie said. "We're working vigorously on it and no resources are being spared."

Neil Patel, the attorney representing Semaj's mother, Sheri Gordon, told the Chicago Sun-Times his client is doing everything possible to cooperate with the sheriff's investigation.
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Tyler Duncan shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take the lead in the Albertsons Boise Open, the second of four Web.com Tour Finals events that will determine 25 PGA Tour cards.

Duncan was 6 under after seven holes at Hillcrest Country Club, making four birdies and closing the run with an eagle on the par-5 16th. He had a 12-under 130 total.

Alex Cejka and Taylor Moore were a stroke back. Cejka followed an opening 63 with a 68, and Moore had a 65. Ted Potter Jr. was 10 under after a 68, and Ryo Ishikawa had a 68 to get to 9 under.

Peter Uihlein, the first-round leader after winning the series opener two weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio, followed his opening 62 with a 74 to drop into a tie for 14th at 6 under.

The series features the top 75 players - Potter was 14th, Duncan 31st, and Moore 38th - from the Web.com regular-season money list, Nos. 126-200 - Cejka was 149th, and Ishikawa 175th - in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup standings along with Uihlein and other non-members with enough money to have placed in the top 200 in the FedEx Cup had they been eligible.

Potter and the other top-25 finishers on the Web.com regular-season money list have earned PGA Tour cards. They are competing against each other for tour priority, with regular-season earnings counting in their totals.

Six-time PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan was tied for 19th at 5 under after a 66. He tied for 13th in Columbus after finishing 182nd in the FedEx Cup standings.
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican officials said Friday that a young woman who was last seen entering a ride-sharing app car has been found dead.

The case has shocked Mexicans who thought the ride-sharing apps were safer than the country*s notoriously dangerous taxis

The prosecutor's office in the central state of Puebla said in a press conference that the driver for the Spain-based app Cabify would be charged for the killing. He is already under arrest because he initially claimed the woman got out of his car near her home, despite evidence that she didn*t.

Puebla Gov. Tony Gali wrote in his Twitter account that "with deep pain I send my condolences" to the family of the victim, Mara Castilla.

Castilla disappeared a week ago after taking a car operated by a branch of Cabify.

Gali wrote "the presumed culprit has been arrested and will pay for this crime."

According to evidence cited by the prosecutor's office, the driver apparently took her to a hotel and killed her there. Her body was found wrapped in a sheet with the hotel*s name on it.

On Thursday, Cabify issued a statement saying it was cooperating with investigators.

On Friday, the company expressed condolences to the victim's family, and wrote "we demand that the full weight of the law be brought to bear against those responsible."
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers voted early Saturday to set the state's presidential primary in March, a move that would force candidates to mount expensive campaigns earlier in the state that awards the most delegates.

The bill will go to Gov. Jerry Brown for consideration. He has not said if he will sign it.

The bill would move the presidential primary to the Tuesday after the first Monday in March - three months earlier than the June contest held in 2016, when Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were already the presumptive nominees.

FILE - In this Thursday, May 4, 2017, file photo, Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, talks with Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. California lawmakers have voted to move the state's presidential primary three months earlier to give the nation's most populous state more influence in choosing the nominees. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

A March primary would likely fall on so-called "Super Tuesday," when roughly a dozen states typically vote following the early primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire and several other states.

"Candidates will have to spend more time in California," said Democratic Assemblyman Kevin Mullin of San Francisco.

An earlier primary could give an edge to well-funded candidates.

California is home to 11 media markets, making it expensive to campaign.

It's easier for candidates with limited money to compete alongside financial heavy-hitters in early primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. In 2016, for example, John Kasich took second in New Hampshire with limited money, while Jeb Bush, who had more than $100 million, placed fourth.

"The cost of playing in California versus playing in New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina is incredibly different," said Mike Biundo, Republican Rick Santorum's 2012 campaign manager who later worked for Kasich and Trump. "A Jeb Bush or a Hillary Clinton, I think, have the advantage if California is earlier."

An earlier primary, especially one held on Super Tuesday, wouldn't mean every candidate will spend more time in the state. In 2016, for example, Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Virginia and eight other states voted that day.

And it doesn't ensure the political relevance that California lawmakers crave. The last time California voted early - in February 2008 - the state backed Clinton, but Barack Obama went on to win the Democratic nomination and the presidency.

California's last truly relevant presidential primary was perhaps in 1972, when George McGovern defeated Hubert Humphrey on McGovern's way to winning the Democratic nomination.

Michael Schroeder, Republican Ted Cruz's California political director in 2016, said it's too early in the political calendar to predict the impact of an earlier primary in 2020.

"Right now, California is completely irrelevant for picking presidents. We didn't pick Hillary (Clinton) and we didn't pick (President Donald) Trump," he said, referring to 2016 contests that were essentially settled before the state voted.

Changing the date "will make us at least somewhat relevant; it could make us very relevant," he said.

The Republican and Democratic national committees have not yet set rules for the 2020 contests, including the preferred primary calendar and delegates awarded to each state. Depending on rules set, other states could attempt to leapfrog ahead of California, pushing the entire primary season earlier.

California historically awards more delegates than any other state.

California may also become the first state to require presidential candidates to release their tax returns to appear on the state ballot. Lawmakers sent Brown a bill Friday requiring candidates to publicly share five years of returns; he hasn't said if he'll sign it.

President Donald Trump's refusal to release his tax returns during the 2016 sparked similar legislation in dozens of states from New Jersey to Hawaii. The documents reveal income sources, tax exemptions, charitable donations and potential financial conflicts of interest. Until Trump, every major presidential candidates has released his or hers for decades.

__

Associated Press writer Michael R. Blood contributed reporting.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump skipped town for the weekend, but that didn't stop demonstrators from making him the focus of competing rallies in the nation's capital that highlighted the stark political divisions in the United States.

Kicking off a Saturday of diverse demonstrations, about two dozen protesters gathered in Lafayette Square, a park just across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, to demand that Trump take strong action against Russian leader Vladimir Putin in retaliation for Moscow's interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

They carried signs that said "We're not PUTIN up with it!" and "Protect American Democracy." After their rally, marchers headed to the home of the Russian ambassador a few blocks away.

People gather on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump in what organizers are calling 'The Mother of All Rallies." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Nearby, on the National Mall close to the Washington Monument, about 500 Trump supporters assembled for an all-day demonstration and concert, though organizers predicted that number would grow as the day progressed.

The event's website appealed for people to "help send a message to Congress, the media & the world" that "we stand united to defend American culture & values." The pitch to would-be participants: "If you stand for patriotism and freedom, this rally is for you!"

Trump was spending the weekend at his golf club in New Jersey before attending the U.N. General Assembly next week.

Later, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, juggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, rallied and readied for a concert. They are pushing their demand that the FBI rescind its classification of juggalos as a "loosely organized hybrid gang."

The rap duo has developed an intensely devoted fan base over the course of a 25-year career, and some fans held signs that said, "Music is Not a Crime."

A 2011 report by the Justice Department's Gang Task Force placed the juggalos, who favor extensive tattoos and outlandish face paint, in the same classification as overtly violent gangs such as the Bloods and the Crips.

The rap group and its fans claim to be a nonviolent community subject to largely class-based discrimination by law enforcement. The band, along with the ACLU, sued the FBI in 2014 seeking to change the classification but with little success so far.

___

Follow Ashraf Khalil on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ashrafkhalil

Protesters march from the White House to the Russian ambassador's residence in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, during a rally encouraging leaders to defend American democracy from Russian interference. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Fonz Tobin, 25, from Albuquerque, N.M., holds up a sign in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, as he joins other supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse, during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to protest and demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as "loosely organized hybrid gang."(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

People gather on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump in what organizers are calling 'The Mother of All Rallies." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Protesters gather at the White House in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, during a rally encouraging President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan to defend American democracy from Russian interference. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Sheri Swick, left, of Le Vale, Md., and her daughter Angel Schultz, right, of Cumberland, Md., sits on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, as they attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump in what organizers are calling 'The Mother of All Rallies." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Juggalos, as supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse are known, gather in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington during a rally, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, to protest and demand that the FBI rescind its classification of the juggalos as "loosely organized hybrid gang." (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Protesters gather outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, during a rally encouraging President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan to defend American democracy from Russian interference. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
One Ukrainian soldier has been wounded when militants shelled Krymske (Luhansk region), the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, has said.

"No soldier was killed in the past 24 hours, but one soldier was wounded in Krymske during enemy's shelling," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Saturday.

Earlier the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) headquarters reported that 30 attacks at the Ukrainian Armed Forces by militants were recorded in the past 24 hours and one soldier was wounded.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans spooked world markets in their ardor to cut spending when Democrat Barack Obama occupied the White House. Now, with a GOP president pressing for politically popular tax cuts and billions more for the military, few in the GOP are complaining about the nation's soaring debt.

The tea partyers and other conservatives who seized control of the House in 2010 have morphed into Ronald Reagan-style supply siders while the GOP's numerous Pentagon pals run roughshod over the few holdouts. Tax cuts in the works could add hundreds of billions of dollars to the debt while bipartisan pressure for more money for defense, infrastructure, and domestic agencies could add almost $100 billion in additional spending next year alone.

The bottom line is the $20 trillion national debt promises to spiral ever higher with Republicans controlling both Congress and the White House.

In this Sept. 13, 2017, photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press in Washington. Conservatives nearly tanked the global economy and shut down the government when Democrat Barack Obama was president. They demanded financial discipline and deep spending cuts in the face of the country's fast-growing debt. Now, with a chance to make politically popular tax cuts, few Republicans worry about adding billions more in red ink. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

"Republicans gave up on caring about deficits long ago," bemoaned Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who was elected in the 2010 tea party class.

It's a far cry from the Newt Gingrich-led GOP revolution that stormed Washington two decades ago with a mandate to balance the budget and cut taxes at the same time. Or even the GOP of 2001, which enthusiastically cut taxes under former President George W. Bush, but only at a moment when the government was flush with money.

Now, deficits are back with a vengeance. Medicare and Social Security are drawing closer to insolvency, and fiscal hawks and watchdogs like the Congressional Budget Office warn that spiraling debt is eventually going to drag the economy down.

But like Obama and Bush before him, President Donald Trump isn't talking about deficits. Neither much are voters.

"Voters, frankly, after these huge deficits, are saying, 'Well, how much do deficits really matter?'" said former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a two-time GOP presidential candidate. "We're not Greece yet, right?"

Topping the immediate agenda, however, is a debt-financed drive to overhaul the tax code. Top Capitol Hill Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky had for months promised that tax overhaul would not add to the deficit, with rate cuts financed by closing loopholes and other steps.

Instead, Republicans are talking about tax cuts whose costs to the debt - still under negotiation - would be justified by assumptions of greater economic growth.

"We want pro-growth tax reform that will get the economy going, that will get people back to work, that will give middle-income taxpayers a tax cut and that will put American businesses in a better competitive playing field so that we keep American businesses in America," Ryan said in an AP Newsmakers interview this past week. "That's more important than anything else."

He backed off months of promises that the Republicans' tax plan won't add to the nation's ballooning deficit.

The GOP moves could justify $800 billion or so in tax cuts over 10 years, but the administration is pressing behind the scenes to push the envelope well beyond that range.

"They're starting to talk about tax cuts instead of tax reform," said former Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H. "When people are desperate to find legislation that they can pass they tend to take the easy path."

Among the few deficit hawk holdouts is Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a key vote on the Senate Budget Committee, who's been pumping the brakes on taxes, a stand that's earned him face-to-face meetings with both Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trump himself. Corker says he believes in some adjustments but doesn't want to "let this just be party time that just takes us no place but massive deficits down the road."

Meanwhile, the election of Trump has GOP military hawks pressing to shovel enormous amounts of money into the Pentagon - about $90 billion over the stringent spending limits set by the hard-won 2011 deficit control effort. Republican demands for spending cuts as the price of lifting the government's debt limit and averting a market-rattling default on U.S. obligations pushed negotiations perilously close to a market crisis that summer.

The unpopular leftover from the 2011 agreement are those spending limits, which if violated would be enforced by across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration. Republicans want to scrap them, at least for military money.

"There's so much pressure on our side for additional defense spending," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. "Believe me there's more defense hawks than budget hawks in the Republican conference right now."

But it takes Democratic help to lift the limits and their price, unsurprisingly, is more money for domestic programs.

That leaves GOP deficit hawks frustrated. They've won, for now, a $200 billion package of spending cuts as part of the House budget resolution, which has stalled after committee approval this summer. The Senate hasn't acted yet, but no one in that chamber is taking the lead in pressing for a companion package of cuts.

And conservatives demanding that spending cuts accompany any extension of the government's borrowing ability were undercut by Trump, who agreed last week to add temporary borrowing approval to a must-pass Harvey relief bill.

Anger over Trump's debt bargain, though, has conservatives vowing that issues of spending and deficits won't be kicked to the curb for long.

"It's not going to be shoved aside much longer because this (debt limit) deal last week ... has got people all riled up, and justifiably so," said longtime GOP Rep. Joe Barton of Texas.

"We'll be ready next time."
ST. LOUIS (AP) - The judge who acquitted a white former St. Louis police officer in the killing of a black man is described as objective and well-respected by prosecutors and defense lawyers alike.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson, who must retire when he turns 70 in December, has ruled both for and against police during his 28 years on the bench.

"He's very methodical and a very objective judge," Jack Garvey, a lawyer and former St. Louis circuit judge told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He really will review everything before he makes a decision. I don't think he's ideological in any way."

In this undated photo released by 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson is seen. Wilson acquitted Jason Stockley, a white former St. Louis police officer Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith, a black man who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase in 2011. (22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri via AP)

Wilson agreed to waive a jury trial and decide the case against Jason Stockley over the objection of prosecutors, writing that, "after 28 years serving as a trial judge, the Court is confident in its own judgment and analytical abilities."

People accused of crimes have the right to have their cases heard by a jury, but can opt to have the verdict rendered by a judge instead. Experts say a judge is more likely to understand the concept of reasonable doubt and not be swayed by emotions.

Three Baltimore officers accused in the death of Freddie Gray, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a police van, opted for bench trials, and were acquitted in 2016. In Cleveland, an officer accused of voluntary manslaughter in the deaths of two people was acquitted by a judge in 2015.

Stockley was charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 death of Anthony Lamar Smith following a high-speed chase. Stockley shot Smith five times, saying he saw Smith holding a gun. Prosecutors claimed Stockley planted a gun in Smith's car.

The fatal shooting of a black suspect by a white officer reignited racial tensions in the St. Louis area, which saw days of rioting after a grand jury declined to charge the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014.

But Judge Wilson, who is white and a former federal prosecutor, wrote in his opinion Friday that he wasn't "firmly convinced" of Stockley's guilt and was bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct to not be swayed by "partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism."

He said he pored over the evidence "again and again," including reviewing video from a restaurant surveillance camera, a squad car and a bystander's cellphone, and that he could not determine "beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley did not act in self-defense."

The gun recovered from the car was a full-size revolver that would have been visible on video if Stockley had tried to plant it, Wilson said, because it couldn't be concealed in his palm or pockets, and Stockley was not wearing a jacket.

What's more, Smith's DNA was on a bag that contained heroin found in his car, and the judge said based on his nearly 30 years on the bench, "an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly."

He said Stockley also did not begin shooting Smith when he approached the car, but 15 seconds later, after he ordered Smith to show his hands and open the door.

St. Louis defense lawyer Terence Niehoff told the Post-Dispatch that Wilson "doesn't just automatically believe the police," noting that the judge once acquitted a client of Niehoff's who was accused of pulling a gun on a police officer.

Wilson - known for his quirky personality and a large collection of Three Stooges episodes - has presided over many high-profile cases, including a kickback scheme involving two former Anheuser-Busch executives and a St. Louis advertising executive in 1988. They all received prison terms.

In 2002, he sentenced a driver who fatally struck a 7-year-old boy outside the St. Louis Zoo to 15 years in prison, which prosecutors at the time said was the longest sentence ever in the city for involuntary manslaughter.

That same year, Wilson freed a man who had served 18 years in prison for the rape of a St. Louis University student, after DNA evidence showed he was not responsible.
ISLAMABAD (AP) - Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to $600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts.

These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem.

Amir Toumaj, Iran research analyst at the U.S.-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said the number of fighters is fluid but as many as 6,000 Afghans are fighting for Assad, while the number of Pakistanis, who fight under the banner of the Zainabayoun Brigade, is in the hundreds.

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 file photo, a Pakistani boy, whose brother was killed in bombing, is comforted by a relative in Quetta, Pakistan. Thousands of Pakistani and Afghan Shiites have been recruited by Iran to fight in Syria generating fears that their return could aggravate sectarian rivalries, say counterterrorism officials as well as analysts, who track militant movements. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt, File)

In Afghanistan, stepped-up attacks on minority Shiites claimed by the upstart Islamic State group affiliate known as Islamic State in the Khorasan Province could be payback against Afghan Shiites in Syria fighting under the banner of the Fatimayoun Brigade, Toumaj said. Khorasan is an ancient name for an area that included parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

"People were expecting blowback," said Toumaj. IS "itself has its own strategy to inflame sectarian strife."

Shiites in Afghanistan are frightened. Worshippers at a recent Friday prayer service said Shiite mosques in the Afghan capital, including the largest, Ibrahim Khalil mosque, were barely a third full. Previously on Fridays - the Islamic holy day - the faithful were so many that the overflow often spilled out on the street outside the mosque.

Mohammed Naim, a Shiite restaurant owner in Kabul issued a plea to Iran: "Please don't send the poor Afghan Shia refugees to fight in Syria because then Daesh attacks directly on Shias," he said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

Pakistan has also been targeted by the Islamic State in Khorasan province. IS has claimed several brutal attacks on the country's Shiite community, sending suicide bombers to shrines they frequent, killing scores of devotees.

In Pakistan, sectarian rivalries routinely erupt in violence. The usual targets are the country's minority Shiites, making them willing recruits, said Toumaj. The most fertile recruitment ground for Iran has been Parachinar, the regional capital of the Khurram tribal region, that borders Afghanistan, he said. There, Shiites have been targeted by suicide bombings carried out by Sunni militants, who revile Shiites as heretics.

In June, two suicide bombings in rapid succession killed nearly 70 people prompting nationwide demonstrations, with protesters carrying banners shouting: "Stop the genocide of Shiites."

A Pakistani intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said recruits are also coming from northern Gilgit and Baltistan. Recruiters are often Shiite clerics with ties to Iran, some of whom have studied in seminaries in Iran's Qom and Mashhad cities, said a second Pakistani official, who also spoke on condition he not be identified because he still operates in the area and exposing his identity would endanger him.

Yet fighters sign up for many reasons.

Some are inspired to go to Syria to protect sites considered holy to Shiite Muslims, like the shrine honoring Sayyida Zainab, the granddaughter of Islam's Prophet Muhammed. Located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the shrine was attacked by Syrian rebels in 2013. Others sign up for the monthly stipend and the promise of a house. For those recruited from among the more than 1 million Afghan refugees still living in Iran it's often the promise of permanent residence in Iran. For Shiites in Pakistan's Parachinar it is outrage at the relentless attacks by Sunni militants that drives them to sign up for battle in Syria, said Toumaj.

Mir Hussain Naseri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerics' council, said Shiites are obligated to protect religious shrines in both Iraq and Syria.

"Afghans are going to Syria to protect the holy places against attacks by Daesh," he said. "Daesh is the enemy of Shias."

Ehsan Ghani, chief of Pakistan's Counterterrorism Authority, told The Associated Press that his organization is sifting through hundreds of documents, including immigration files, to put a figure on the numbers of Pakistanis fighting on both sides of the many Middle East conflicts, including Syria. But it's a cumbersome process.

"We know people are going from here to fight but we have to know who is going as a pilgrim (to shrines in Syria and Iraq) and who is going to join the fight," he said.

Pakistan's many intelligence agencies as well as the provincial governments are involved in the search, said Ghani, explaining that Pakistan wants numbers in order to devise a policy to deal with them when they return home. Until now, Pakistan has denied the presence of the Islamic State group in Pakistan.

Nadir Ali, a senior policy analyst at the U.S.-based RAND Corp., said Afghan and Pakistani recruits also provide Iran with future armies that Tehran can employ to enhance its influence in the region and as protection against perceived enemies.

Despite allegations that Iran is aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan, Ali says battle-hardened Shiite fighters are Tehran's weapon should relations with an Afghan government that includes the radical majority Sunni religious movement deteriorate.

"Once the Syrian civil war dies down Iran is going to have thousands, if not tens of thousands of militia, under its control to use in other conflicts," he said. "There is a potential of Iran getting more involved in Afghanistan using militia because Iran is going to be really concerned about security on its border and it would make sense to use a proxy force."

Pakistan too has an uneasy relationship with Iran. On occasion the anti-Iranian Jandullah militant group has launched attacks against Iranian border guards from Baluchistan province. In June, Pakistan shot down an Iranian drone deep inside its territory.

In Pakistan the worry is that returning fighters, including those who had fought on the side of IS, could start another round of sectarian bloodletting, said the intelligence official.

__________

Associated Press writers Amir Shah in Kabul, Afghanistan; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Pakistan; Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran contributed to this report.

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 file photo, men carry a woman's body after an attack on a Shiite mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thousands of Pakistani and Afghan Shiites have been recruited by Iran to fight in Syria generating fears that their return could aggravate sectarian rivalries, say counterterrorism officials as well as analysts, who track militant movements. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini, File)

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 file photo, men carry a man's body after an attack on a Shiite mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thousands of Pakistani and Afghan Shiites have been recruited by Iran to fight in Syria generating fears that their return could aggravate sectarian rivalries, say counterterrorism officials as well as analysts, who track militant movements. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini, File)

FILE - In this Friday, March 8, 2013 file photo, members of Pakistan's Shiite community attend a rally to condemn killings of their fellow Muslims, in Islamabad, Pakistan. Thousands of Pakistani and Afghan Shiites have been recruited by Iran to fight in Syria generating fears that their return could aggravate sectarian rivalries, say counterterrorism officials as well as analysts, who track militant movements. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash, File)
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic is requesting about 750 more troops to help fill a "security vacuum" worsened by the withdrawal of U.S. special forces as violence surges again, according to a confidential cable obtained by The Associated Press.

The additional troops are needed in the southeast after the withdrawal this year of U.S. and Ugandan troops hunting the Lord's Resistance Army rebels, according to the message from mission head Parfait Onanga-Anyanga to the U.N.'s head of peacekeeping operations in New York.

Hundreds of people have been killed since May and more than half a million people have been displaced as largely sectarian violence moves into parts of Central African Republic that were spared the worst of the fighting that began in 2013. International observers warn that the country is approaching the levels of violence seen at the height of the conflict in 2014.

FILE- In this Nov. 30, 2015 file photo, UN soldiers stand near Muslims faithful queuing to enter the Central Mosque on the occasion of Pope Francis' visit, in Bangui's Muslim enclave of PK5, Central African Republic. The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic is requesting about 750 more troops, according to a confidential cable obtained by the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday said he wanted to "shine a spotlight on an under-reported emergency" in Central African Republic, which has seen a 37 percent increase in refugees and displaced people in the past three months.

Rebel groups control an estimated 70 percent of the country, according to international human rights organizations. The U.N. mission has acknowledged that its authorized force of 10,750 military personnel and 2,080 police is not enough in the country roughly the size of Texas.

The request for more troops would increase the total of uniformed peacekeepers to about 13,500.

"It's pretty clear that the mission, with its current capacity, is overstretched," said Human Rights Watch researcher Lewis Mudge. "They simply don't have the means to address the increased attacks on civilians."

The fighting is mostly between predominantly Muslim ex-Seleka rebels and majority Christian anti-Balaka fighters over resources and trade routes in the countryside.

The existence of the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group in the region is also a concern. The U.S. and Ugandan militaries in pulling out of the hunt for the LRA said the group had largely been neutralized. However, leader Joseph Kony, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, remains one of Africa's most-wanted fugitives. The U.N. has reported kidnappings by the LRA in the region since the pullout.

In his cable, Onanga-Anyanga wrote that "new actors are emerging to fill the security vacuum (in the southeast), creating upheaval in a once relatively calm region." Those include offshoots of the ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka fighters.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission needs an "urgent increase in military capabilities given the deteriorating security situation and escalating violence against civilians, humanitarians and peacekeepers," said Evan Cinq-Mars?, the U.N. advocate and policy adviser at the non-profit Center for Civilians in Conflict.

But any request for more resources for the U.N. mission is challenged by pressure from the Trump administration to cut peacekeeping budgets, even though the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, met with Central African Republic President Faustin Touadera in March and reaffirmed U.S. support for the country.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission did not comment.

The additional peacekeepers, if granted, also may be used to push out the ex-Seleka rebel group Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central African Republic. Onanga-Anyanga's cable said the mission's force commander is "confident the armed groups can be ousted from Bria" town in the southeast.

U.N. peacekeepers earlier this year forced the ex-Seleka rebel group Union for the Peace in Central African Republic out of the central mining town of Bambari.

Mudge, who recently visited Bambari, said the town is doing better now with the peacekeepers and state security forces back in control.

"Efforts to oust (rebels) from major towns, as long as there are sufficient blue helmets to maintain peace, may increase stability in the east," Mudge said, referring to the peacekeepers.
BEIRUT (AP) - A U.S.-backed force in Syria said a Russian airstrike wounded six of its fighters Saturday near the eastern city of Deir el-Zour while in southeast Syria, Syrian troops and their Iran-backed allies began a new offensive aiming to capture areas along the Iraq border under the cover of Russian airstrikes.

The command of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that Saturday's air raid occurred on the eastern side of the Euphrates River in the industrial area that was recently liberated from the Islamic State group.

The U.S. military said in a statement that Russian forces struck a target east of the Euphrates River near Deir el-Zour causing injuries to U.S.-led Coalition partner forces.

"Russian munitions impacted a location known to the Russians to contain Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition advisers," the statement said, adding that the wounded SDF fighters received medical care following the strike.

It said that multinational coalition troops advising and assisting the SDF were present but not wounded as a result of the Russian strike.

"Coalition officials are available and the de-confliction line with Russia is open 24 hours per day," said Coalition commander Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II. "We put our full efforts into preventing unnecessary escalation among forces that share ISIS as our common enemy," said Funk using an acronym to refer to IS.

"The coalition and its partners remain committed to the defeat of ISIS and continued de-confliction with Russian officials," the statement said. "Coalition forces and partners always retain the right of self-defense."

SDF fighters have been advancing against IS fighters on the east bank of the Euphrates while Syrian government forces and their allies are pushing on the western side against the extremists.

The march by the SDF aims to prevent Syrian troops and their allies from expanding their presence along the border with Iraq.

The air raid came as Syrian troops and their Iran-backed allies began a new offensive dubbed "Fajr 3", or "Dawn 3", that aims to capture areas along the border with Iraq in southeast Syria under the cover of Russian airstrikes, according to a statement by the commander of Iran-backed fighters.

The statement of the unnamed commander was released on media arms of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group that is a main force fighting alongside Syrian troops.

The commander said Syrian troops along with fighters from Hezbollah, Afghanistan's Fatimiyoun, Pakistan's Zeinabiyoun and Iranian fighters will take part in the offensive that aims to reach the Syrian border town of Boukamal that is a main stronghold of the extremists.

"The aim is to clear this wide and strategic area from the filth of Daesh fighters," the commander said using an Arabic acronym to refer to IS. The eventual capture of the area all the way to Boukamal would boost Iran's influence in the region, which has succeed in opening a narrow corridor linking areas controlled by its allies in Iraq and Syria all the way to the Mediterranean.

Washington has been determined to block the formation of an "Iranian corridor" - of Shiite-controlled land stretching from Tehran to Damascus - and has sped up the push by the SDF in Deir el-Zour to try to block the road against Iran and its allies.

The announcement about the offensive in Syria came hours after an Iraqi military commander said troops have launched a multi-pronged operation to capture a town near the Syrian border from IS.

Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Rasheed Yar Allah said the operation to retake Akashat aims to secure part of the border and the area north of the vital highway that links Baghdad to neighboring Jordan and Syria.

Akashat is a small town west of Anbar province located south of the IS-held, strategic Iraqi towns of Qaim, Rawa and Ana.
CAIRO (AP) - An Egyptian court has sentenced seven people to death over links to the Islamic State group in Libya.

Saturday's ruling refers the case to the Grand Mufti, the country's top theological authority, to solicit his non-binding opinion on the sentences. The referral is a formality in cases of capital punishment.

The court has set a Nov. 25 date for issuing the final verdict in the case, which involves 20 defendants.

The verdict is subject to appeal.

Charges include belonging to a militant group affiliated with IS branch in Libya, weapons possession, inciting violence and participating in the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian workers in Libya in 2015.
BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) - At least 36 Burundian refugees have been killed in clashes with Congolese security forces who allegedly fired indiscriminately at protesters, the U.N. envoy to Congo said Saturday.

Maman Sidikou said he was "deeply shocked" at the violence. Another 117 people were wounded and one Congolese officer was killed, he said in a statement. Thirty-nine gravely wounded Burundian refugees were evacuated by helicopter to the city of Bukavu, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo said.

Friday's clashes erupted in Kamanyola in Congo's South Kivu province when Burundian refugees and asylum-seekers protested the expulsion of four of their countrymen from Congo, Sidikou said, citing "credible reports" received by the peacekeeping mission. The death of the Congolese army officer led to "the escalation of violence."

The U.N. envoy called for a swift investigation and urged Congo's security forces to use force as a last resort.

Congo's government says it is opening an investigation to establish the facts and true identity of the "supposed refugees," spokesman Lambert Mende said.

"We do not yet understand how the people who are being called refugees were also shooting at Congolese soldiers," Mende said. "No person who is a beneficiary of this (refugee) status is supposed to have an assault rifle."

Roughly 44,000 refugees from Burundi are sheltering in Congo. Many fled political violence at home in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term amid deadly protests.

Of the people killed in Friday's clashes, 15 were women, the commander of the Pakistani battalion of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Waquara Yunusi, told The Associated Press.

The Congolese government, the U.N refugee agency and the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo "have deployed teams on site to shed light on everything that happened," said the coordinator of the U.N. Communications Group in Congo, Florence Marchal.

Burundi's foreign minister, Alain Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter asked Congo and U.N. officials for an explanation of the shootings.

Residents said the killings occurred after some Burundian refugees went to the bureau of intelligence in Kamanyola to inquire about four detained refugees. Congolese soldiers responded with gunfire when some refugees hurled stones, said refugee Aline Nduwarugira.

It was not immediately clear why the four refugees had been detained.

Another witnesses, Alfred Rukungo, said Congolese soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.

___

Mwanamilongo reported from Kinshasa, Congo.
NEW YORK (AP) - Citing a social media backlash, the seminary at the Catholic University of America has canceled a talk by a popular Jesuit priest whose latest book advocates for more compassion for gays within the church. In a rare public rebuke, the university's president said Saturday that he opposed the seminary's decision.

The Rev. James Martin, editor at large at the Jesuit magazine America and author of several books on Catholicism, said he had planned a seminary talk on Jesus, not his recent book on LGBT people, "Building a Bridge," which has been backed by two U.S. cardinals and three bishops.

Far-right Catholic sites such ChurchMilitant.com and some conservative Catholic writers have denounced the book, and that had led to online campaigns to pressure Catholic institutions against hosting Martin.

The seminary in the nation's capital, called the Theological College, said it had experienced "increasing negative feedback from various social media sites" about Martin's talk and, as a result, decided to cancel the event.

Martin said he was notified late Thursday of the decision.

The Catholic University president, John Garvey, said in a statement that the university administration did not support the cancellation, and noted that that Martin has spoken before at the school, which was founded by the U.S. bishops and is under their supervision.

"The campaigns by various groups to paint Fr. Martin's talk as controversial reflect the same pressure being applied by the left for universities to withdraw speaker invitations," Garvey said. "Universities and their related entities should be places for the free, civil exchange of ideas. Our culture is increasingly hostile to this idea. It is problematic that individuals and groups within our church demonstrate this same inability to make distinctions and to exercise charity."

Austin Ruse, who leads the Center for Family & Human Rights based in New York, has called Martin's complaints about the conservative pushback on his book "pansified." The Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, who runs the popular conservative blog "Father Z," said Martin promoted "a homosexualist agenda." And Cardinal Robert Sarah, head of the Vatican's liturgy office, recently criticized Martin's approach in an Op-Ed article in The Wall Street Journal.

Last April, Pope Francis appointed Martin as an adviser to the Vatican's communications department.

Martin said his book does not challenge church teaching. "It simply builds on the catechism and the Gospels," he said in a telephone interview. "Jesus is very close to me in prayer and I'm convinced that reaching out to people on the margins is still what he wants me to do."

Martin said Catholic institutions had scrapped two other of his talks, but many more had been scheduled, including a Skype talk Saturday with a parish in North Carolina. He said the leader of his Jesuit province has asked him not to discuss his own sexuality.

"Not every book about LGBT Catholics has to be about sex," Martin said. "Ironically, these right-wing groups are obsessed about sex, not me."
LONDON (AP) - Unfazed by the London subway attack, celebrities, models and fashion editors have flocked to London Fashion Week to celebrate all things stylish.

Designers showcasing their latest visions on Saturday include fashion week veteran Jasper Conran, rising star Simone Rocha and luxury brand Burberry.

Conran, who heads a design empire, has offered up a bright and cheerful collection of parkas and sheer, sport-luxe outfits in vivid hues. Cobalt clashed with yellow, chartreuse and grapefruit pink, balanced with shades of earthy mustard.

Models wear creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

For her part, Rocha staged a quirky show based on all things doll-like in an austere wood-paneled hall. It was a profusion of elaborate ruffles, pearls, lace, tulle and embroidered flowers, but the saccharine innocence of the clothes was nicely offset by modern, poofy shapes and clumpy shoes.

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Designer Jasper Conran accepts applause after the Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Models wear creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model is styled before the Jasper Conran Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
SPIJK, Netherlands (AP) - Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand birdied his last hole to card 5-under-par 66 and take the lead after the third round of the KLM Open on Saturday.

Kiradech birdied four of his first eight holes and went around in regulation pars until his final-hole birdie. His 14-under total gave him a one-shot lead over Romain Wattel of France, who posted a 7-under 64 to move to 13 under.

Wattel had to play nine holes of his rain-delayed second round in the morning before shooting seven birdies in a blemish-free third round at The Dutch.

French rookie Joel Stalter was third after a 2-under 69 took him to 12 under.

Lee Westwood birdied his final hole to finish the day two shots off the lead at 11 under, tied with Sebastian Heisele of Germany and Joakim Lagergren.

"I hit a lot of good putts that didn't go in," Westwood said. "Hopefully they'll go in tomorrow."

Earlier, defending champion Joost Luiten missed the cut by a single stroke when he missed a birdie putt on the 18th at the end of his rain-delayed second round.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said that consultations regarding the proposal of Kyiv to deploy the UN peacekeeper mission in Donbas are being held.

"The consultations how OSCE elements will cooperate (I have discussion this with the OSCE secretary general in details and we will also meet in New York) and how this peacekeepers' element will be [deployed]," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 14th annual YES conference in Kyiv on Saturday
NEWCASTLE, England (AP) - Newcastle moved into the top five of the English Premier League with its third straight win, beating Stoke 2-1 on Saturday.

Skipper Jamaal Lascelles powered home a 68th-minute header to help Newcastle edge out Stoke.

Christian Atsu fired the home side ahead early, but Xherdan Shaqiri equalized 14 minutes after the restart.

Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles, obscured, celebrates with team-mates after scoring his team's second goal against Stoke City during their English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park in Newcastle, England, Saturday Sept. 16, 2017. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

After losing their first two games, the Magpies secured their third back-to-back wins in the top flight for the first time since November 2014, and have nine points.

Stoke has five points from five games.

Stoke City's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, right, clashes with Newcastle United's Ciaran Clark during their English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park in Newcastle, England, Saturday Sept. 16, 2017. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
Thousands of Houston firefighters were told to stay home at the height of Harvey's flooding even as calls for help overwhelmed 911 dispatchers, the president of the city's firefighters union said Friday.

Nearly three thousand firefighters were told to remain home while Harvey battered Houston, even as county officials were issuing pleas for volunteer rescuers, said union boss Marty Lancon.

'Firefighters who are not scheduled to work are asked to refrain from coming into the station unless otherwise notified by HFD command,' read an August 27 memo obtained by KHOU.

'That was the most unbelievable, confusing, mind-boggling thing in dealing with the catastrophic event,' Lancon told the CBS affiliate.

Questions are emerging about the decision to tell nearly 3,000 firefighters in Houston to stay home as Hurricane Harvey battered the city

City officials said the decision was based on the number of trucks and boats available, saying that additional crews would have had no equipment to use if they showed up.

'I don't want to hear about lack of resources,' Lancton said. 'Emergencies are something you prepare for. You don't have the answers, but you prepare. In this case, they weren't prepared.'

As fast-rushing water chased people onto their rooftops, about 3,000 firefighters were instructed not to report to work on August 27, according to Lancton, an agonizing order for many eager to assist with rescues.

'We're sorry,' Lancton said, fighting back tears. 'Every Houston firefighter would put their life on the line for anybody without question, with a moment's notice, and this is not different.'

Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena acknowledged that three-quarters of the force was asked not to report, but said that the department was fully staffed.

'Everything we had available, we deployed in anticipation of that,' Pena said.

Firefighters put out a fire during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The city says that its equipment was fully staffed, and that it didn't have the boats or trucks for more firefighters

The decision against a full recall, which Pena said was made based on staffing needs during past disasters, left a crew of 900 firefighters responsible for 650 square miles of Houston. Many worked two or three days without a break.

Pena said he hadn't seen the data yet for response times from that Sunday but that in hindsight, he would have brought in more firefighters to make sure crews could rotate out each day.

The decision to not deploy more fire responders struck a nerve in southeast Houston, where Debbie Martinez and her 3-month-old granddaughter had waited for help as her home filled with water.

'There could have been people here to help us get out of here,' she said. 'It doesn't make sense.'
CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is wrapping up his administration's first international trade mission with a visit to a Chinese university, where he said he's encouraging students to study, visit and build companies in Illinois.

Rauner spent the first part of his eight-day trip at the Midwest-Japan Conference in Japan, where he said he and eight other Midwest governors met with executives of several companies as well as with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Before returning home Sunday, Rauner is visiting Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. He says the university, which focuses on engineering and technology, is interested in forming a joint venture with the University of Illinois. The Republican former businessman also visited Shanghai, where he met with the city's vice chairman and with officials from six companies.

"It is important to know that Japanese and Chinese companies are growing fast," Rauner said via telephone from China late Friday. "They are expanding around the world and it is important that we are selling Illinois and encouraging them to come here. We are also encouraging them to come here as tourists."

Rauner spoke often during his 2014 campaign about the need to travel and recruit more companies to Illinois to grow the state's economy. But he's done little recruiting during his more than two years in office.

He said that's because his time was mostly consumed with passing a state budget deal and ensuring schools were funded. In July, lawmakers voted to override Rauner's veto of a budget agreement, ending a more than two-year stalemate. Lawmakers passed school-funding legislation in August.

"I didn't want to travel while those issues were unresolved," he said. "I now will focus on economic growth and development.
LONDON (AP) - The Latest on London Fashion Week (all times local):

7 p.m.

Guests attending Burberry's catwalk show at London Fashion Week have found their usual red carpet welcome replaced by heckling protesters.

Anti-fur demonstrators protest ahead of the Burberry London Fashion Week SS18 show outside Old Sessions House, in London, Saturday Sept. 16, 2017. Guests attending Burberry's catwalk show at London Fashion Week have found their usual red carpet welcome replaced by heckling protesters. Dozens of animal rights activists made a loud racket Saturday outside the luxury brand's show venue in London's Clerkenwell area, crowding around the entrance and shouting "Shame on London Fashion Week!" (Isabel Infantes/PA via AP)

Dozens of animal rights activists made a loud racket Saturday outside the luxury brand's show venue in London's Clerkenwell area, crowding around the entrance and shouting "Shame on London Fashion Week!"

Some held devices showing animal cruelty videos and others held placards reading "Fur is passe."

Police and security guards ended up forming two human chains to allow guests, including U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour, to pass through and enter the highly anticipated show.

___

5:30 p.m.

Unfazed by the London subway attack, celebrities, models and fashion editors have flocked to London Fashion Week to celebrate all things stylish.

Designers showcasing their latest visions on Saturday include fashion week veteran Jasper Conran, rising star Simone Rocha and luxury brand Burberry.

Conran, who heads a design empire, has offered up a bright and cheerful collection of parkas and sheer, sport-luxe outfits in vivid hues. Cobalt clashed with yellow, chartreuse and grapefruit pink, balanced with shades of earthy mustard.

For her part, Rocha staged a quirky show based on all things doll-like in an austere wood-paneled hall. It was a profusion of elaborate ruffles, pearls, lace, tulle and embroidered flowers, but the saccharine innocence of the clothes was nicely offset by modern, poofy shapes and clumpy shoes.

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Models wear creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Designer Jasper Conran accepts applause after the Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Models wear creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model wears creations by designer Jasper Conran during their Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

A model is styled before the Jasper Conran Spring/Summer 2018 runway show at London Fashion Week in London, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
The way Cuban president Raul Castro responded to grave concerns about a spate of US diplomats harmed in Havana surprised Washington, several U.S. officials say.

Castro seemed rattled and sent for the top American envoy in the country to address the concerns following talk of futuristic 'sonic attacks' and the subtle threat of repercussions by the United States, until recently Cuba's sworn enemy.

In a rare face-to-face conversation, Castro told U.S. diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis that he was equally baffled, and concerned. Predictably, Castro denied any responsibility.

But U.S. officials were caught off guard by the way he addressed the matter, devoid of the indignant, how-dare-you-accuse-us attitude the U.S. had come to expect from Cuba's leaders.

Cuba President Raul Castro appeared as alarmed as the Americans about a spate of U.S. diplomats harmed in Havana. He is pictured above during a rally in November 2016

The Cubans even offered to let the FBI come down to Havana to investigate. Though U.S.-Cuban cooperation has improved recently - there was a joint 'law enforcement dialogue' Friday in Washington - this level of access was extraordinary.

'Some countries don't want any more FBI agents in their country than they have to - and that number could be zero,' said Leo Taddeo, a retired FBI supervisor who served abroad. Cuba is in that group.

The list of confirmed American victims was much shorter on February 17, when the US first complained to Cuba. Today, the number of 'medically confirmed' cases stands at 21 - plus several Canadians. Some Americans have permanent hearing loss or mild brain injury. The developments have frightened Havana's tight-knit diplomatic community.

At least one other nation, France, has tested embassy staff for potential sonic-induced injuries.

But several U.S. officials say there are real reasons to question whether Cuba perpetrated a clandestine campaign of aggression. The officials weren't authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and demanded anonymity.

When the U.S. has accused Cuba in the past of misbehavior, such as harassing diplomats or cracking down on local dissidents, Havana has often accused Washington of making it up. This time, although Castro denied involvement, his government didn't dispute that something troubling may have gone down on Cuban soil.

Perhaps the picture was more complex? Investigators considered whether a rogue faction of Cuba's security forces had acted, possibly in combination with another country like Russia or North Korea.

Nevertheless, anger is rising in Washington. On Friday, five Republican senators wrote to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging him to kick all Cuban diplomats out of the United States and close America's newly re-established embassy in Havana.

Castro told U.S. diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis (above) that he was equally baffled and concerned. Predictably, Castro denied any responsibility

One incident occurred on an upper floor of the recently renovated Hotel Capri, a 60-year-old concrete tower steps from the Malecon, Havana's iconic, waterside promenade

'Cuba's neglect of its duty to protect our diplomats and their families cannot go unchallenged,' said the lawmakers, who included Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a prominent Cuban-American, and the No. 2 Senate Republican, John Cornyn of Texas.

For decades, Cuba and the U.S. harassed each other's diplomats. The Cubans might break into homes to rearrange furniture or leave feces unflushed in a toilet. The Americans might conduct obvious break-ins and traffic stops, puncture tires or break headlights.

Yet those pranks were primarily to pester, not to harm.

What U.S. diplomats started reporting last November was altogether different.

Diplomats and their families were getting sick. Some described bizarre, unexplained sounds, including grinding and high-pitched ringing. Victims even recounted how they could walk in and out of what seemed like powerful beams of sound that hit only certain rooms or even only parts of rooms, the AP reported this week.

At the time, Washington and Havana were in cooperation mode, working feverishly to lock in progress on everything from internet access to immigration rules before Barack Obama's presidency ended. Donald Trump's surprise election win on Nov. 8 meant the U.S. would soon be led by a president who'd threatened to reverse the rapprochement.

As America awaited an unpredictable new administration, Cuba faced a pivotal moment, too.

Fidel Castro died on Nov. 25. The revolutionary had reigned for nearly a half-century before ceding power to his brother, Raul, in his ailing last years. It was no secret in Cuba that Fidel, along with some supporters in the government, were uneasy about Raul Castro's opening with the U.S.

'There is a struggle going on for the soul of their revolution,' said Michael Parmly, who headed the U.S. diplomatic post in Havana from 2005 to 2008. 'It's entirely possible there are rogue elements.'

In fall 2016, the US diplomats reportedly began suffering unexplained losses of hearing. After an investigation, officials concluded that the diplomats had been attacked with an advanced sonic weapon that operated outside the range of audible sound (Pictured, the US Embassy in Havana in December 2015)

When the first diplomats came forward with their inexplicable episodes and symptoms, the U.S. didn't connect the dots. It took weeks before embassy officials pieced together 'clusters' of incidents, and multiple victims with confirmed health damage.

By the time Obama left the White House on Jan. 20, talk of mysterious maladies had reached some officials in Washington. Word of sonic attacks hadn't reached the top echelons of the White House or U.S. State Department, three former U.S. officials told the AP.

As Trump took office, a clearer picture started to emerge. On February 17, the U.S. complained to Cuba's embassy in Washington and its foreign ministry in Havana.

Soon came Castro, seeking out DeLaurentis directly. The attacks halted for a time. But several U.S. officials said it wasn't clear why.

It wasn't long before the incidents started again, as mysteriously as they'd stopped.

Then the Canadians got hit. Between March and May, between five and 10 households were hit with symptoms including nausea, headaches and nosebleeds, said a Canadian official with knowledge of his country's investigation. Then those attacks, too, ended.

What culprit would want to attack both the U.S. and its northern neighbor? Cuba has no obvious grievances with Canada. The two countries have close ties. But perhaps Canadians were targeted to muddle the motive and throw investigators off the trail, another possibility U.S. authorities haven't eliminated.

The Canadians tested some of their staff in Havana and recalled others home temporarily, the Canadian official said.

Searching for its own answers, the U.S. Embassy conducted medical tests on staffers. Many were sent to the University of Miami for further examination. The State Department consulted with doctors at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania. The U.S. encouraged those institutions to keep what they knew private.

In Havana's diplomatic circles, anxiety spread. The French Embassy tested employees after a staff member raised health concerns, according to a French diplomat familiar with the matter. False alarm; the tests turned up no signs of damage consistent with a sonic attack.

An interior hall of the Capri is seen. New details about a string of mysterious sonic attacks in Cuba indicate the incidents were narrowly confined within specific rooms or parts of rooms

The Hotel Capri in Havana, Cuba. New details about a string of mysterious 'health attacks' on U.S. diplomats in Cuba indicate the incidents were narrowly confined within specific rooms or parts of rooms

The FBI traveled to Havana and swept some of the rooms where attacks were reported - a list that included homes and at least one hotel: the Spanish-run Hotel Capri, where visiting U.S. officials occasionally stay. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police flew down, too. Neither law enforcement agency found any sonic device, several officials told the AP.

By May 23, the U.S. still had no answers. But something had to be done. The Trump administration expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington to protest the communist government's failure to protect the safety of American diplomats.

Neither country disclosed the expulsion at the time. Cuba didn't retaliate.

The next month, Trump imposed some barriers to travel between the former Cold War foes. But there was no hint it was to punish Castro's government for the attacks. Trump left much of Obama's broader detente intact, including the two nations' re-opened embassies.

The diplomats suffered in private, until August 9.

News reports finally prompted the State Department to publicly acknowledge 'incidents which have caused a variety of physical symptoms' and were still under investigation. The AP learned they included concentration problems and even trouble recalling commonplace words.

Two weeks later, the U.S. announced at least 16 Americans showed symptoms. At that point, the State Department said the incidents were 'not ongoing.'

Still, the tally continued to rise - first to 19 victims, and then this week to 21. In the meantime, the State Department had to withdraw its assurance the attacks had long ceased. There had been another incident, on August 21.

'The reality is, we don't know who or what has caused this,' State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday. 'And that's why the investigation is underway.'
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will visit Alabama next weekend to support Sen. Luther Strange in his slugfest Republican primary with Roy Moore.

Trump, as he did his first endorsement of Strange, made the announcement via twitter. "I will be in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday night to support Luther Strange for Senate. 'Big Luther' is a great guy who gets things done!" Trump wrote. The Strange campaign could not immediately provide details of Trump's visit.

The presidential visit could be considered something akin to a cavalry visit for Strange, who has been forced into a tight race with Moore, despite the backing of Trump and millions in advertising dollars from allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The two Republicans are vying for the U.S. Senate seat that previously belonged to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Moore led Strange in the first round of GOP voting. The two face off in a Republican runoff on Sept. 26.

FILE- In this Aug. 15, 2017, file photo, Sen. Luther Strange speaks to media after forcing a runoff against former Chief Justice Roy Moore in Homewood, Ala. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who finished third in Alabama's GOP Senate primary, has announced his support for Roy Moore in the heated runoff with Strange. At a Saturday, Sept. 16, rally in Huntsville, Brooks said he has voted by absentee ballot for Moore.(AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

Moore, is a darling of state evangelical voters after twice being removed from office over stands against gay marriage and for the public display of the Ten Commandments. Moore has the backing of a number of anti-establishment forces, including the pro-Trump Great America Alliance, as he seeks to dethrone Strange, who was appointed to the seat in February.

Moore on Saturday picked up the endorsement of Freedom Caucus member Mo Brooks, the Alabama congressman who finished third in the August primary.

Brooks, speaking at a Huntsville rally for Moore, criticized negative ads run by a pro-Strange PAC against Moore, saying the "Strange-McConnell forces care not one twit about the truth."

"It's time for us to fight back. This Senate race is down to this. We are in an epic battle between the people of Alabama who put America first and the Washington swamp that hopes to buy our Senate seat and put America last," Brooks said.

Brooks said he had already voted for Moore via absentee ballot.

With a little more than a week to go until the runoff, Strange and Moore campaigned on opposite ends of Alabama this weekend, urging their voters to get to the polls in an election that's projected to have extremely low turnout. Both Strange and Moore have aligned themselves with Trump, who remains deeply popular in the blood red state.

"I'm honored to have President Trump's endorsement. I talk to him virtually every week. He's all in. He wants someone in Washington he can work with. And why does he pick me? Because I've been in Washington for the last seven months working tirelessly to promote his agenda," Strange told a meeting of the Baldwin County Young Republicans at a Fairhope restaurant.

"All the polls that we've seen show that it's a dead heat, very close within the margin of error one way or the other. The question will be who gets their voters out to the polls," Strange said.

At the rally in Huntsville, Moore said the Republican-controlled Senate is failing Trump. Along with the Huntsville rally where Brooks appeared, Moore made stops at a GOP club meeting and churches in north Alabama.

"The Senate doesn't want to change. They don't want to do what President Trump was elected to do. I feel his frustration. I feel his anger in winning the Republican nomination and going to Congress and having Republicans turn their backs on him. We need to do something," Moore said.

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2017 file photo, former Alabama Chief Justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore speaks to supporters in Montgomery, Ala. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who finished third in Alabama's GOP Senate primary, has announced his support for Moore in the heated runoff with Sen. Luther Strange. At a Saturday, Sept. 16, rally in Huntsville, Brooks said he has voted by absentee ballot for Moore. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
ST. LOUIS (AP) - The Latest on protests over the acquittal of a white former St. Louis police officer in the killing of a black suspect (all times local):

7:10 p.m.

St. Louis police say there were 33 arrests, 11 injured officers and property damage to Mayor Lyda Krewson's house during Friday protests.

Protesters march through West County Mall in response to a not guilty verdict in the trial of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Des Peres, Mo. Stockley was acquitted in the 2011 killing of a black man following a high-speed chase. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

They also say there was damage to two police vehicles, the St. Louis Public Library and 10 businesses as protesters marched downtown and in the Central West End.

St. Louis interim police Chief Lawrence O'Toole says Saturday evening that five officers were taken to hospitals after being hit with bottles or bricks. The arrests of protesters included many for failure to disperse, resisting and interfering.

Saturday evening, protesters staged a six-minute die-in to bring attention to the six years between suspect Anthony Lamar Smith's death in 2011 and Stockley's trial.

____

6:30 p.m.

A few hundred protesters were beginning a march in the St. Louis suburb of University City in the latest of two days of demonstrations in opposition to the acquittal of a white former police officer in the shooting death of a black suspect.

The so-called Delmar Loop where the march is taking place is an eclectic district that includes hip concert venues, restaurants, shops and bars and includes the famous Blueberry Hill where Chuck Berry played for many years. The marching and chanting was similar to demonstrations Friday night in the Central West End neighborhood in St. Louis and earlier Saturday at suburban malls.

Both U2 and Ed Sheeran canceled planned concerts in St. Louis Saturday and Sunday because police couldn't guarantee adequate security during the protests.

______

5:30 p.m.

A second major act has canceled a concert in downtown St. Louis in the wake of protests over the acquittal of a white former police officer charged in the killing of a black suspect.

English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's sold-out Sunday night show at the Scottrade Center was canceled for the same reason cited earlier Saturday by U2 when the band canceled a Saturday night performance: Police say they cannot guarantee the typical level of security as the city faces ongoing protests.

Hundreds protested Friday and Saturday in downtown St. Louis, in an upscale section of town and in well-to-do suburbs. More protests were expected Saturday night.

________

4:45 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Justice says it will not open a new civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a black suspect by a white former St. Louis policeman, one day after the officer was acquitted in the case.

The head of the NAACP St. Louis on Friday called for President Donald Trump and the Justice Department to investigate Jason Stockley. A judge ruled Friday that Stockley was innocent in the 2011 shooting death of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. The acquittal set off raucous protests that continued into Saturday.

Justice Department spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam says the department previously looked at the case in 2012 and decided not to prosecute, and again in 2016 after charges were filed in St. Louis. Ehrsam says the Civil Rights Division concluded the evidence did not support prosecution under criminal civil rights statutes.

___

2:45 p.m.

Protesters angry over the acquittal of a white former St. Louis police officer in the killing of a black man briefly marched through two malls in an affluent area of St. Louis County.

Authorities had to temporarily close West County Center in Des Peres around noon Saturday when 200 to 300 people marched and chanted. There were no arrests and nothing was damaged, but many stores immediately pulled metal security screens over their shop fronts once protesters arrived.

A short time later, protesters went to Chesterfield Mall in Chesterfield and held a brief demonstration. There was no immediate word of any arrests.

The area erupted in protests Friday after a judge acquitted Jason Stockley of murder in the 2011 shooting death of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. Friday night protests turned violent, including a window broken and paint thrown onto the home of Mayor Lyda Krewson. Nine city police officers and one Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper were treated for injuries.

___

1:30 p.m.

A few hundred people protesting the acquittal of a white former police officer in the killing of a black man flooded an upscale suburban mall briefly before heading out, with plans to reassemble in downtown St. Louis.

Authorities were taking steps to close West County Center in Des Peres shortly before noon Saturday before protesters left. Many stores did close and pulled metal security screens over their shop fronts.

Several hundred protesters met Saturday morning in a suburban park to plan next steps. They forced members of the media to stand away from them, over the objections of the reporters, including one from the Associated Press. At that meeting, they devised the plan to meet at the mall.

Police generally stayed a step ahead of protesters on Friday, preventing them from disrupting high-traffic areas. Rather than march to the mall Saturday, protesters took separate cars from the park and showed up at the mall an hour later.

___

12 p.m.

About 300 people have gathered in a suburban St. Louis park to discuss how they will continue to protest the acquittal of a white former police officer in the killing of a black man.

Hundreds protested Friday after a judge acquitted former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley of first-degree murder in the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith.

As they left Saturday's meeting in Heman Park in the suburb of University City, protesters said they were heading to a mall, but they didn't specify which.

Susanna Prins, a 27-year-old from University City, was carrying a sign that read "white silence is violence." She said she was protesting because doing nothing makes someone complicit in the brutalization of others.

Thirty-three-year-old Simon Rodriguez, of St. Louis, said he felt obligated to protest what he called an inappropriate and immoral verdict.

___

10:10 a.m.

The Irish rock band U2 has canceled its Saturday night concert in St. Louis after police told concert organizers that they couldn't provide a typical level of security because of protests.

Hundreds marched Friday after a judge acquitted a white former St. Louis police officer in the 2011 shooting death of a black suspect. The protests are expected to continue on Saturday.

Police say nine city police officers and one State Highway Patrol officer were injured in Friday's protests. There were 23 arrests before 6 p.m. and an unknown number of additional arrests after that.

The band says on its website that it can't in good conscience risk its fans' safety. The site outlines plans for refunds.

___

2 a.m.

Activists say they will meet again Saturday to plan further protests after the acquittal of a white former St. Louis police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man.

Hundreds protested Friday. They marched for hours in mostly peaceful demonstrations, until a broken window at the mayor's home and escalating tensions led riot-gear-clad officers to lob tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Activists had for weeks threatened civil disobedience if Jason Stockley were not convicted in the 2011 death of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. That stirred fears of civil unrest and the erecting of barricades around police headquarters, the courthouse where the trial was held and other potential protest sites.

More than 20 arrests were made by early Friday evening. Police reported that 10 officers had suffered injuries by the end of the night.

Police arrest a protester as protesters gather, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in St. Louis, after a judge found a white former St. Louis police officer, Jason Stockley, not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase in 2011. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Police line up as protesters gather, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in St. Louis, after a judge found a white former St. Louis police officer, Jason Stockley, not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase in 2011. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Crews have begun dismantling the thrill ride involved in a deadly accident at the Ohio State Fair.

WBNS-10TV reports (http://bit.ly/2h8nQMg) the removal of the Fire Ball ride at the state fairgrounds began with a final inspection Saturday.

A four-passenger carriage on the swinging and spinning ride broke apart July 26, on the opening day of the fair, and flung one of the ride's carriages into the air.

FILE- In this Thursday, July 27, 2017 file photo, an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper removes a ground spike in front of the Fire Ball ride at the Ohio State Fair, in Columbus, Ohio. On July 26, a four-passenger carriage on the swinging and spinning ride broke apart, and flung one of the ride's carriages into the air, on the opening day of the fair. An 18 year-old high school student, Tyler Jarrell, died on the midway while his girlfriend, 19-year-old Keziah Lewis, was critically injured. Six others also were injured. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

An 18 year-old high school student, Tyler Jarrell, died on the midway while his girlfriend, 19-year-old Keziah Lewis, was critically injured. Six others also were injured.

A State Highway Patrol investigation found the ride operators were not to blame. Dutch manufacturer, KMG, said the cause was excessive corrosion of a support beam. The accident resulted in the shutdown of similar rides worldwide.

___

Information from: WBNS-TV, http://www.10tv.com/
KEYSTONE, S.D. (AP) - The chief carver of Mount Rushmore who was responsible for refining the expressions on the faces of the monument's four presidents was honored Saturday with a plaque that recognizes his work.

Luigi Del Bianco was an Italian immigrant and stone carver whose job included the challenging tasks of sculpting Jefferson's lips and Lincoln's life-like eyes. With the help of Del Bianco's descendants, the National Park Service unveiled a bronze plaque Saturday in his honor. It will be on display at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.

Del Bianco began working on the sculpture in 1933 and returned to it in 1935. When he was designated chief carver, Mount Rushmore designer Gutzon Borglum wrote: "He will have complete charge of the practical ways and means of dealing with the finesse of carving and instructing the other carvers ."

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2016 file photo, the faces of the presidents that make up the Mount Rushmore monument are shown near Keystone, S.D. The chief carver of Mount Rushmore who was responsible for refining the expressions on the faces of the monument's four presidents was honored Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, with a plaque that recognizes his work. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Almost 400 people worked on Mount Rushmore during 14 years of construction. The National Park Service said workers hoisted others up and down the face of the mountain, drilled, hammered, carved and blew up rock to construct the memorial, which draws more than 3 million visitors from around the world each year.

Park Superintendent Cheryl Schreier said in a statement that the park is proud to recognize Del Bianco's contributions and "his story highlights the artistry embodied in this iconic tribute to our nation's history."

Del Bianco talked about carving Lincoln's eyes in a 1966 interview with the Herald Statesman in Yonkers, New York.

"I could only see from this far what I was doing, but the eye of Lincoln had to look just right from many miles distant," he said. "I know every line and ridge, each small bump and all the details of that head (Lincoln's) so well."

He also told the newspaper: "I would do it again, even knowing all the hardships involved. ... It was a great privilege granted me."
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - Police in this city in northern Greece say they freed 14 Pakistani migrants held captive by 5 compatriots of theirs who demanded money for their release.

The 14, all men, had crossed into Greece over its land border with Turkey on Tuesday. They had paid 1,500 euros ($1,790) each for the trip but were nonetheless taken to an isolated house outside Thessaloniki and held, with their captors demanding another 450 euros ($537) from each to release them.

One of the captives managed to escape Friday and told police their captors threatened them, and occasionally beat them, with iron bars.

Police raided the house early Saturday and capture a 17- and a 34-year-old among the captors. The other three are still at large.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will discuss cooperation in the security sphere and U.S. assistance in reforms, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said.

"There is a list of issues. I cannot speak for the U.S. president what issues will be raise for discussion at the meeting, but of course, we will discuss the situation around the occupied Donbas, joint tactics. We have discussed this with Kurt Volker [Special Representative of the U.S. State Department on Ukraine]. Now we should approve it at the highest level. We will discuss cooperation in the security sphere. This is one of the key issues. Of course, we will discuss U.S. assistance to promotion of our reforms," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 14th annual YES conference in Kyiv on Saturday.

Klimkin said that the meeting will be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Permanent representatives of the United States and Ukraine in the UN, advisors and the minister will take part in the meeting.

He also said that Poroshenko has around 20 meeting scheduled during his visit to the United States.
Sadiq Khan has appealed for calm following the Parsons Green terror incident, saying London will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism.

The Mayor of London urged people to remain calm and vigilant in the wake of the explosion.

He said: Our city utterly condemns the hideous individuals who attempt to use terror to harm us and destroy our way of life.

As London has proven again and again, we will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism.

He said he was in close contact with the emergency services and will be attending the meeting of the Governments Cobra emergencies committee this afternoon .

Mr Khan added: My sincere gratitude goes to all our courageous emergency responders and the TfL (Transport for London) staff who were first on the scene.

I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant, and to check TfLs website for travel advice.

The @metpoliceuk have confirmed that the explosion on a train at Parsons Green Station is being treated as terrorism https://t.co/4jRHedcBXt pic.twitter.com/Vbt5uCFpih  Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 15, 2017

Mr Khan said the attack gave extra weight to his case for improvements in funding for police in the capital.

Today may not be the day to say this at the Cobra meeting, but Im not going to resile from what Ive been saying over the last 16 months, which is that London needs more resources to keep our city safe, the Mayor told Sky News.

Since 2010, weve lost hundreds of millions of pounds from the police budget, weve had to reduce police staff, weve had to sell off police stations.

Its simply not possible for a global city like London to carry on keeping our citizens, visitors and businesses safe if the Government carries on making the cuts theyve been making.

Support is available for anyone affected by the incident in #ParsonsGreen https://t.co/PkpU5jDABv  Counter Terrorism Policing UK (@TerrorismPolice) September 15, 2017

Asked if the Metropolitan Police were being overwhelmed by the recent spike in terror attacks, Mr Khan said: Weve seen a shift across major cities in Europe, whether its Barcelona, whether its Brussels, whether its Paris, whether its Rotterdam, whether its Stockholm, whether its Manchester.

The terrorists have stepped up attempts to kill us, to injure us, to disrupt our way of life. Weve got to make sure we are alert and vigilant, but also that we are calm over the next few hours and days.

Londoners will see an enhanced police presence and an increased police presence on our public transport network and across London.

He said: Thankfully, there arent any serious injuries, thankfully there arent any life-threatening injuries. But there are, Im afraid, 18 people whove been taken to hospitals across London.

Forensic officers work at the Parsons Green Underground Station after an explosion in London

I want to pay tribute to the police and security services who as we speak are following up various lines of inquiry to ensure that those responsible for this evil and cowardly attack are caught.

If anybody has any information at all, its really important. You may think its trivial, you may think it doesnt matter  let the police be the judges of that.

A special counter terror hotline has been set up on 0800 789321. Please ring that hotline.

We need to make sure that the public, who are the eyes and ears of the police and security services, provide police with the information they need.

The focus today has to be apprehending and catching those responsible. Im confident the police and security service are following up all the lines of inquiry they can.
The Scottish Greens have said they hope the end is in sight in their long-running campaign to ban fracking in the country.

The Scottish Government introduced a moratorium barring the controversial method of extracting gas in January 2015 but ministers have still to decide if this should be made permanent.

In their legislative programme for the coming year, announced last week, the government said they would set out their view on fracking and seek parliamentary approval in the coming weeks, and a decision is expected before the end of the year.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone first proposed a ban on unconventional oil and gas extraction in 2014, bringing it to a vote in the Holyrood chamber where all other parties voted against it.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats have since changed to oppose fracking.

Ms Johnstone said: Greens have opposed fracking from the start and over the years Ive been encouraged by the strength of feeling at community events Ive taken part in right across Scotland.

Its been a long struggle but weve stood together against the threat of this dangerous and unnecessary drilling process, and we hope the end is in sight.

Scottish Greens

Given the risks to public health, the safety of workers, and the damage to our reputation as a climate change leader, its high time the Scottish Government made the right decision and ruled out fracking for good.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: We have put in place a moratorium on fracking which means no such activity can take place in Scotland.

We have also published research reports on the potential impacts of unconventional oil and gas, and carried out an extensive public consultation which attracted more than 60,000 responses.

Ministers will consider the evidence, including the results of the consultation, and will recommend a way forward before the end of this year.
Capri gave Ryan Moore a first victory in the William Hill St Leger as Aidan OBriens grey held Crystal Ocean in the worlds oldest Classic at Doncaster.

The son of Galileo became the first horse since Triple Crown hero Nijinsky in 1970 to win both the Irish Derby and the St Leger, in his first race since his success at the Curragh 77 days earlier.

Stradivarius, trained by John Gosden, looked a real threat on the far rail, but Capri (3-1 favourite) was already close to the pace and set sail for home inside the final quarter-mile.

Sir Michael Stoutes Crystal Ocean made a strong run from the rear, but Capri held the aces to score by half a length and give OBrien a fifth win in the race. Stradivarius was just a short-head away in third.

Capri wins the 2017 William Hill St Leger! pic.twitter.com/JtH25zUVGV  ITV Racing (@itvracing) September 16, 2017

OBrien said: Hes a horse with a lot of class, which we saw in the Irish Derby. When Ryan wanted it, he gave it to him.

Seamus (Heffernan) rides him a lot at home and has always been a big believer in him. He always said he had class and that he would stay.

Ryan had ridden him once before when winning the Beresford on him, but that was last season. I was a bit worried about that as well, but it all went great.

Ryan Moore drives Capri to Leger success

OBrien added: As he had a blip at York we were worried coming here, but that he would improve a bit for the run. We had it in our heads that if all went well today and everything went well after he could run in the Arc.

Obviously the lads (Coolmore) will decide what they want to do  run him again or put him away.

Moore said: It was a really hard race, but he didnt look like a horse whod had a hard race. I just feel it was a very good Leger  in normal years the first three would be worthy winners.

Hes shown he stays well, but hes an Irish Derby winner and that form looked very good. It was a good Leger and he put up a very strong performance. Everything had every chance, but he fought them off and was the best horse.

Another one for the CV - Ryan Moore toasts a first-ever victory in the William Hill St Leger pic.twitter.com/gKsYJ3bBTT  At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 16, 2017

Stoute felt Crystal Ocean just found his stamina running out.

He said: Id prefer to have won it, but he ran a great race, were thrilled with him.

I thought he was going to win, but we wont run him beyond a mile and a half again. It was always a danger that he was a mile-and-a-half horse and thats his trip.
Hundreds of army veterans have marched in Westminster alongside a former soldier who is facing prosecution in connection with the death of a vulnerable man during the Troubles.

Dennis Hutchings, 76, is due to stand trial on charges linked to the shooting of John Pat Cunningham, a 27-year-old with learning difficulties who was killed in disputed circumstances in County Armagh in 1974.

Hutchings is accused of the attempted murder of unarmed Mr Cunningham. A court has heard that when the victim was shot he was running away from an Army patrol because he had a fear of men in uniform.

Former British soldier Dennis Hutchings during the protest (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Hutchings, of Cawsand, Cornwall, is also facing a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Cunningham.

Campaign group Justice For Northern Ireland Veterans organised the solidarity march to protest at a number of recent investigations into the conduct of soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland during the conflict, which they say has been an unfair witch-hunt.

The march was met with a counter demonstration, by campaigners holding a silent vigil and carrying placards which read I am John Pat Cunningham. At points, there were verbal clashes.

Supporters of John Pat Cunningham hold a counter protest (Gareth Fuller/P)

As the group of ex-soldiers marched past Parliament, Mr Hutchings threw his military medals at the building.

One of the march organisers Alan Barry said: If you let terrorists go free from jail, you cannot then go and prosecute the very people who were sent in to fight that dirty war in the first place, and that was us.

Mr Hutchings said: Today went very well. I hope it shows the Government they have to do something about this absolute travesty of justice.

Supporters of Dennis Hutchings march along The Mall

Many of the veterans wore their former military uniforms, decorated with medals they were awarded for their time in Northern Ireland and also carried Union and Northern Ireland flags.

After congregating in Horse Guards Parade, they marched to Buckingham Palace, where they sang a rendition of God Save the Queen, before marching to Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square and then arriving at parliament.

Paul OConnor, from the Pat Finucane Centre which works with the Cunningham family, was among those counter-protesting.

He said: Were here today to remind people of who the victim was. It was John Pat Cunningham.

I know that the British Army has had a culture of impunity over the years and they believe that they are not subject to the rule of law like anyone else, but they are  or they should be.

Mr OConnor claimed some of those involved in the rally were abusive toward the counter-protesters.

Other counter-protests took place at locations in Northern Ireland including Belfast, Londonderry, Strabane and County Armagh.

The director of public prosecutions Barra McGrory has previously denied any bias against soldiers in decisions on whether to prosecute over historical deaths.

In January, he said: The simple and clear reality is that we deal with cases as they are referred to us, in accordance with the Code for Prosecutors. There is no imbalance of approach within the PPS (Public Prosecution Service).
The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats has accused Zac Goldsmith of dog-whistling, racist, personal attacks during his bid to become London mayor.

Jo Swinson condemned Tory Mr Goldsmiths controversial campaign tactics against Sadiq Khan, calling them unacceptable.

Addressing a rally at the Lib Dem conference, Ms Swinson compared the Lib Dems to Chumbawamba, as the party that got knocked down but got back up again.

Liberal Democrats deputy leader Jo Swinson

The event rounded off the first day of activities in the main hall at the partys conference in Bournemouth.

Ms Swinson praised the partys clarity on the EU, as well as the Lib Dem by-election win over Mr Goldsmith in Richmond Park last December.

That victory had deeper resonance too, because it showed how people from different party backgrounds could come together to send a message about the kind of politics we want.

Or more accurately, what we do not want.

The kind of dog-whistling, racist, personal attack campaign that Zac Goldsmith endorsed in his mayoral bid against Sadiq Khan is unacceptable and should have no place in our democracy.

Mr Goldsmith won the seat back from the Lib Dems at the snap General Election.
LONDON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May will return to her official Downing Street office on Friday from her constituency in southern England after people were injured in an incident on a west London train.

"She's returning (to Downing Street) from her constituency," May's spokesman told reporters. May will chair a meeting of the government's emergency response committee at 1200 GMT.

Several people were injured at a London underground station after witnesses reported a blast on a packed rush-hour commuter train which police were treating as a terrorism incident. (Reporting by William James, writing by Elizabeth Piper)
By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala

DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Tanzanian prosecutors charged two government officials on Friday with economic sabotage after they were accused of undervaluing an export-bound consignment of diamonds seized from a mine majority owned by London-listed Petra Diamonds.

Archard Kalugendo, director of the state-run diamond and gemstone valuation unit, and government gemstone valuer Edward Rweyemamu were jointly charged with being responsible for $1.1 million of lost tax revenue.

The court case is the latest twist in a government crackdown on the minerals industry this year, with President John Magufuli accusing the sector of not giving the government a fair share of Tanzania's mineral wealth.

Kalugendo, 49, and Rweyemamu, 50, are both employees of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. They were not allowed to enter pleas at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's court in Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.

Lawyers said the two officials will enter their pleas when the case is transferred to the high court, which has jurisdiction to hear economic sabotage trials.

The accused were denied bail and will be held on remand until the next hearing on Sept. 29. The pair face maximum jail terms of 20 years if found guilty.

The diamonds were seized as they were being exported to Antwerp, Belgium, from Tanzania's main airport in Dar es Salaam on Aug. 31. Petra Diamonds said on Monday that it had halted operations at its Williamson mine after the government seized the diamonds and questioned some of its employees.

Petra owns 75 percent of the mine, with the Tanzanian government holding the remaining shares. Petra has denied that it under-declares its diamond exports, saying that it follows all government laws and procedures in its business.

The government said it will nationalise the diamonds, the value of which it puts at $29.5 million, twice the provisional value approved by the two government officials charged in court.

The government has not disclosed how it came to its $29.5 million valuation.

Magufuli had ordered the examination of exports by individual companies after a parliamentary investigation found that the country's diamonds and other precious gemstone exports were under-declared.

Mining accounts for about 4 percent of Tanzania's GDP.

(Editing by Katharine Houreld and David Goodman)
BEIRUT, Sept 15 (Reuters) - A top aide to President Bashar al-Assad said on Friday the Syrian government would fight any force, including U.S.-backed forces also battling Islamic State militants, in its drive to recapture the whole of the country.

"Whether it's the Syrian Democratic Forces, or Daesh (Islamic State) or any illegitimate foreign force in the country ... we will fight and work against them so our land is freed completely from any aggressor," Bouthaina Shaaban said in an interview with Hezbollah's Al Manar TV.

Shaaban said the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had captured areas from Islamic State "without any fighting", apparently accusing them of collusion with the jihadists. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Gareth Jones)
KIEV, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Ukraine's prime minister, Voldoymyr Groysman, said on Saturday the government was reviewing the way it sets domestic gas bills to make sure market prices are taken into account - a bid to answer demands under a $17.5-billion IMF aid programme.

The long-delayed disbursement of a next tranche of IMF loans depends on Ukraine adjusting gas prices, and also on pension reform and the creation of an independent judicial body to tackle endemic graft.

Speaking at the annual Yalta European Strategy conference, Groysman said the gas pricing formula was being reviewed but did not say how tariffs would be affected.

"We believe that the gas price should be determined in accordance with the gas market and in accordance with a formula. The most important thing is for this formula to be fair," news agency Interfax Ukraine quoted Groysman as saying at the annual Yalta European Strategy conference.

"At the moment our technical division is working on verifying the formula that determines the gas price," he said.

The IMF wants gas prices to be set by external market dynamics through an automatic formula to stop tariffs being set unsustainably low as a populist measure.

Ukraine has so far received $8.4 billion from the Fund, helping it recover from a two-year recession following the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the outbreak of a Russian-backed insurgency in its industrial east.

On Friday, the IMF's first deputy managing director, David Lipton, said Ukraine risked undoing progress made under the programme and urged the authorities to push ahead with reforms needed for the next loan tranche.

Earlier on Saturday Groysman said Ukraine needed to set up an independent anti-graft judicial body quickly - adding that it did not matter if it was a separate court, as envisaged by the IMF, or a chamber to existing courts.

"We need to quickly establish an instrument that would allow 'corruptioneers' to face justice and whether it's called an anti-corruption chamber or court doesn't matter," he told the conference.

On Friday President Petro Poroshenko said an anti-graft chamber within the existing court system would be more feasible in the short-term - a proposal that reform activists have said would limit the independence of the body. (Reporting by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
MANILA, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday asked the head of the country's Commission on Human Rights (CHR) if he was a paedophile for focusing on the killing of teenagers in the government's bloody war on drugs.

Duterte also suggested to lawmakers using CHR's proposed 678 million pesos budget to buy the police body cameras if they don't want to restore funding for the agency, which he has clashed with repeatedly over his anti-drugs campaign.

The CHR requested a budget of 1.72 billion pesos for 2018, but the government proposed 678 million instead. Duterte's allies in the lower house of Congress then voted to allocate it just 1,000 pesos ($20), in what critics of the drugs war said was retaliation for its efforts to investigate thousands of killings in the past 15 months, including those of two teenagers in August.

"Why is this guy so pre...suffocated with the issue of young people, especially boys? Are you a paedophile?" Duterte asked, referring to CHR head Chito Gascon.

"Why are you smitten with teenagers? Are you? I'm having my doubts. Are you gay or a paedophile?," he said.

Gascon did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Duterte also accused Gascon of being a spokesman for the opposition and criticised his scrutiny of police anti-drug activities.

"Why can't you move on to other issues that are besetting this country?" Duterte said, citing the suffering of the people in the besieged southern city of Marawi.

Critics say police are executing suspects, and say the government has what is effectively a kill policy. Duterte has rejected that, and police say they kill only in self-defence.

The CHR has long said it lacks the manpower and resources to fully investigate the killings, the majority of which activists say are of users and small-time peddlers, with few high-profile arrests.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who was not Dutertes running mate and has locked horns with him numerous times, said the lawmakers' move regarding CHR's budget effectively abolishes the constitutional body.

Filipinos are largely supportive of the crackdown as a solution to tackling rampant crime, which Duterte says stems from drug addiction.

Duterte reiterated there will be no let up in the campaign, which he said was targeted at organised criminals trafficking drugs and not at "teenagers without a sin."

The firebrand leader, who is also fighting communist rebels following a breakdown in peace talks with the government, said he remained open to resuming negotiations to end nearly five decades of that conflict. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Some 58% Europeans support Ukraine's joining NATO, and only 48% are for Ukraine's joining the European Union. This is evidenced by the findings of an opinion poll held by KANTAR PUBLIC and commissioned by Yalta European Strategy (YES).

Citizens of seven EU member states were polled within the survey  Germany, France, Italy, Lithuania, Great Britain, Poland and the Netherlands  based on a sample that was representative for each country (more than 1,000 people per country). The findings of the public opinion poll were presented today, on the 16th of September, at the plenary session of Yes 14th Annual Meeting "Is This a New World? And What Does It Mean for Ukraine?"

Similar opinion polls, commissioned by YES, had been held in 2005 and 2007. 12 years ago, when the first poll was held, the situation was different: majority was for Ukraines becoming an EU member: 55% Europeans polled.

Today, the idea of Ukraine joining the EU is best supported in Lithuania and Poland (68% and 67% respectively), and least supported in the Netherlands (27%). The level of support in France, Germany and the UK is less than half of the people polled.

"Those who are against Ukraines joining the EU are explaining it using various reasons. One-third of the people polled believe that at this stage of development, the EU cannot afford a further enlargement. And a comparable number (31%) think that Ukraines accession would cause economic issues in the European Union," the press release says.

Some 40% of those who support Ukraines membership believe that Ukraine is part of Europe. And 34% of the accession supporters stress that this step would boost democracy in Ukraine.

With regards to Ukraine's joining NATO, the situation is different. In almost every country where the survey was held, most people are for accepting Ukraine as a member of the North-Atlantic Alliance.

"Even in France and the Netherlands, there are 49% people supporting this, and in other countries, the level of support is higher. In Lithuania and Poland, this number is 72% and 76% respectively," the press service says.

The main argument for Ukraines integration with NATO, according to the Europeans, is its countering Russia (40% of those who support joining). Also, there are 8% who believe that Ukraines joining NATO will boost the ability of Europe to counter the Russian aggression.
KIEV, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Russia's apparent backing for the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine gives negotiators more ideas with which to seek a resolution to the separatist conflict, the U.S. envoy to Ukraine peace talks said on Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week floated the idea of deploying U.N. troops to eastern Ukraine in a call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, suggesting the U.N. mission could protect observers from the international OSCE monitoring mission.

Asked if he thought this suggestion improved the outlook for ending the fighting, U.S. special envoy Kurt Volker said: "There's more on the table now that we can work with."

"I hope that we're creative and determined and able to take advantage of it," he told journalists on the sidelines of the annual Yalta European Strategy conference in Kiev.

Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, was appointed to his current role on July 7 to help end the conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists, which has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014.

"The status quo is not good for anybody, and I think Russia sees that," Volker said. "We have a context where the status quo is not stable." (Reporting by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) does not totally denounce foreign investments but welcome investments in selected areas, its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Thursday.

Mr Dissanayake made these comments at a seminar organized by We are Sri Lankans Circle. Our party does not denounce foreign investors but welcome them to invest in selected areas. There are valuable natural resources in Pulmudai and the country only produces five kinds of chemicals using these resources. However Sri Lanka does not have sufficient technology to enhance the product portfolio using the natural resources found there. Therefore our party believes that foreign investment is needed in sectors such as these. Therefore we are for selected foreign investments, the JVP leader said.

Speaking further, he said the JVP does not believe in an economy without a private sector but that the private sector should work according to a national plan. Our belief is that the private sector should not be allowed to work independently but work to a national plan, he said.

Our effort is not to convert Sri Lanka into another socialist nation like Russia or China. Russian shoes are too big for us to fill while Chinese shoes are too small. What we need is a pair of shoes which will fit us just like our founder leader Rohana Wijeweera once said he added.

He said a national development plan was needed for the country to address major issues such as debt, how to make maximum use of our natural resources, development of human resources, stop corruption and should focus on history and culture.

Popular Musician and social activist Sunil Perera, who graced the occasion, was of the opinion that all politicians who governed the country for the last 70 years should be jailed. Politicians who governed the country during the past 70 years should be put in specially designed jail as all of them had been engaged in and have encouraged corruption, he said. He said people should not be afraid to denounce all these politicians who belong to the main political parties of this country during future elections.

India Gandhi was killed by a sheikh in 1984 but Manmohan Singh, also a Sikh, became the Prime Minister of that country while Abdul Kalaam became the President of India despite being a Muslim. Sri Lankan should learn from these examples when it comes to national unity and treat everyone equally, he added. (Yohan Perera)
Despite CEB employees launching a work stoppage from Wednesday (13) the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry said it was able to maintain regular supply of electricity without any major disruption.

Ministry spokesman Pathum Pasqual said according to reports, 100 per cent efficiency had been reported in power generation and transmission while the distribution remained at 65 per cent even though few electricity breakdowns were reported in several areas.

He also said the trade union had even withdrawn CEB staff from the National Hospital risking the lives of patients.

One cannot justify putting the lives of the patients in hospitals in danger. The ministry appreciates all staff member of the CEB who did not take part in this inhumane trade union action, he said.

He also said the ministry would supply electricity continuously under any circumstances.

However Ceylon Electricity Employees Union (CEEU) Secretary Ranjan Jayalal told the Daily Mirror yesterday that the strike was successful and the ministry was making false statement to disrupt the trade union action.

If the strike was unsuccessful why had the ministry asked retired employees to report for work, he asked.

He also charged that the ministry had made several futile attempts to continue the supply using contractors as a result of which a few workers had been electrocuted.

Power failures had been reported in several areas of the country and it was revealed that they were the results of breakdowns which were not attended. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
A delegation from the Export-Import Bank of China will arrive in Sri Lanka next week to assess the financial cooperation earmarked for the coming year, it is learnt.

The delegation will include the Deputy General Manager of the Concessional Loan Department of the bank, Li Dan.

The bank has earlier granted loans for major infrastructure projects such as the Hambantota Port, the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant and the Mattala International Airport.

Daily Mirror learns that the government of Sri Lanka will be keen to discuss further financial assistance for infrastructure development of highways, irrigation and drainage systems. (Kelum Bandara in Beijing)
The eleventh day of the Karwan became one of unexpected confrontation and tension.

The Alwar district administration again tried hard to persuade us to bypass Behror, where Pehlu Khan had been lynched on the highway. They did accept my request that we visit the Behror police station to ask the police a few hard questions about their investigations into the Pehlu Khan lynching. But they were resolute to not permit us to place flowers at the site at which he was lynched by a violent mob. The district officers who met me said that violent mobs had gathered with stones to block our passage. I remained determined. I told them that I was convinced that we could not allow a mob to violently block a small mission of love and solace.

I spoke to my fine members of the Karwan. All the participants were united in their support of my decision to defy the orders of the administration; to place flowers at the place where Pehlu Khan had been lynched. I, however, said I was unwilling to put any of them in any danger, except the unavoidable possibility of the stoning of our bus. I, therefore, insisted that they remain at the bus, while I alone would go the place to place the flowers on behalf of the entire Karwan.

There was both tension but cheer and determination among my co-travellers in the Karwan. John Dayal, the senior most member of the Karwan, spoke movingly of the moral importance of taking this stand. Before we reached the police station, a small group of villagers in Barod village blocked the path of the Karwan. We found this was a group of people who had gathered at an early hour to greet us with rousing slogans, flower garlands and steaming morning tea. At that fraught moment, their gesture was all the more welcome, They made a few impromptu stirring speeches, including of the Hindu sarpanch, about the importance of fighting the politics of hate that divides us.

[Photo Courtesy: Sanket Jadia]

We then drove to the police station. The additional superintendent of police and additional district magistrate were present there to answer our questions. The closure by the police of cases against men mentioned in Pehlu Khans dying declaration, they said, was a decision by the state CID, and they could not comment on it. But I told them that it was they, the local police who registered criminal cases against the victims of the lynching, dubbing them criminals, immediately after they had been brutalised by a hate mob. I said it is the duty of the police to defend both the victim and truth, but asked why they let them down so badly? They had no answer.

After we emerged from the police station, the administration again tried to dissuade me from the small journey of a few hundred yards to the spot at which I would place the flowers. They said that a furious mob had gathered there with stones and sticks and would cause me harm. I said I was prepared for it, and would not agree to discard the plans of a floral tribute.

I said I would go there alone as I did not want to risk any of my Karwan colleagues being attacked or hit by a stone. I told them that from my years of experience as a district officer, I knew that it would have been simple to prevent or disperse the small crowd of protesters armed with stones. The senior police officer answered me hotly, saying, "they have the constitutional right to protest". I answered  "I am not sure that anyone has a constitutional right to protest with violence. But even if you so believe, then surely I have at least the same constitutional right to protest armed with nothing other than flowers".

I began to walk to the site, but the police physically blocked me. I then sat on the ground in a spontaneous dharna. They would have to either arrest me or allow me to walk to the location and make my floral tribute. I sat for about half an hour, as they confabulated.

Finally, they relented.

[Photo Courtesy: Priya Thuvassery]

With two fistfuls of marigold flowers, and surrounded by a few policepersons, I walked the couple of hundred yards to the spot where the ageing cattle trader Pehlu Khan had been cruelly lynched by a mob. It was a dirty nondescript stretch of a sidewalk. I knelt down there, and said, "I am not a believer, so I cannot pray. But I believe in insaniyat aur insaaf- humanism and justice. Therefore, for humanism and justice, I place these flowers here. In memory not just of Pehlu Khan, but of hundreds of others like him who have fallen to hate violence across our land".

I returned, and the police bundled us rapidly into the bus. As we drove past, the protesting men threw a few stones at the bus.

On the way, people of the small town Kothputli had planned a small welcome for the Karwan. But in the presence of the police, a bunch of young men arrived, tore down the banners and threw away the flowers, The police said they were helpless to stop them. The police then asked just two organisers to meet the bus outside the police station. I emerged with a couple of colleagues, and the policemen said we had only a couple of minutes. They handed over packets of packed breakfast, and a few men gathered. One of them took off his shoe to throw, as the bus drove away.
Is the world staring at the third World War with major powers of today getting involved? Well, cant be ruled out. Theres only one theatre volatile enough to trigger it.

No its not a possible conflict between Asia's nuclear weapon states - India-Pakistan or India-China. Global powers are unlikely to get sucked if such conflicts were to erupt.

Europe too is an unlikely theatre. The Crimea crisis three and a half years ago proved it. When Russia annexed Crimea on March 18, 2014 it was the biggest threat to the West and yet the war drums did not beat. Europe is comparatively stable and the spheres of influence of rival powers are neatly drawn with a low volatility quotient.

West Asia too has a similar story. Though the West Asia cauldron has been simmering for decades the region has thus far witnessed controlled aggression and tensions have remained well under control.

The reason why the spectre of third World War is being raised is because of unusual aggression displayed by Kim Jong-un.

The common factor in the examples quoted above is that none of the trouble spots in these regions is governed by a psychotic despot. This is the only and surely the biggest difference that separates this most probable trigger of third World War from all other current trouble spots. The leader of this country is a despot and probably a megalomaniac as his actions over the past few years suggest.

Yes, this countys name is North Korea, ruled by Kim Jong-un since December 28, 2011, the day he became the supreme leader after the death of his predecessor and father Kim Jong-il.

The reason why the spectre of third World War is being raised is because of unusual aggression displayed by this man over the past few months which reached a climactic phase on September 15, when his country fired another intercontinental missile over Japan and South Korea launched its own in response, taking the tensions to a new high. Major stakeholders like Japan, South Korea and the US strongly and swiftly condemned North Korea's latest provocation. Only yesterday, Pyongyang had threatened to sink Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness" for supporting eighth set of UN sanctions against North Korea unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) three days before.

South Korea, the most affected and vulnerable party to North Koreas muscle-flexing, immediately ordered its military to conduct a live-fire ballistic missile drill and President Moon Jae-in held a meeting of the National Security Council. South Korea will inevitably deploy more Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile launchers.

US defence secretary Jim Mattis called the attack a "reckless act", and Japan condemned it saying Tokyo will never tolerate North Koreas "provocative" acts.

This wasnt the first provocation nor is it likely to be the last. But the provocation has been incremental over the past few months and that is precisely what is keeping the international community on tenterhooks.

For example, on September 3, Kim Jong-un ordered a sixth nuclear test, which was claimed to be an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile. On August 29, Pyongyang launched an intermediate range Hwasong-12 over Japan, which reached a height of 500 metres and landed 1,800 km east of Hokkaidos prefecture. Worst, Kim rubbed it in further and said it was a stern warning for the US and showed that the US is within striking distance. On July 28, North Korea "successfully" tested an ICBM to prove its ability to strike US mainland and Kim pushed the envelope by saying that it could even bring New York into range.

India has condemned the latest act of provocation from North Korea and also raised the issue at length with Japan at the recent Indo-Japan annual summit in Gandhinagar. The Russian reaction was more colourful. President Vladimir Putin, while condemning North Koreas nuclear test, warned countries (read the US) against using military force against Pyongyang.

But the most important reaction is from China, North Koreas only ally. It not only strongly condemned North Koreas conduct, but also asked Pyongyang to denuclearize. China realises that the US may get militarily involved right in its backyard not for North Korea, but for China itself.

There is a veritable danger that North Korea may trigger the next world war, not so much because of Pyongyang's hatred towards Washington but because of the fact that its ruled by a dictator who is unpredictable and probably sick.
Why have Sikhs, of all people, crossed into Bangladesh to feed thousands of Rohingya refugees?

Why reach out to Muslims, who committed the worst of atrocities on the Sikhs? Have they forgotten the savage execution of two of their gurus - Guru Arjan and Guru Teg Bahadur - under Mughal orders? Have they forgotten how young children of Guru Gobind Singh were walled up alive and thousands of soldiers of his Khalsa army brutally massacred?

Have they forgotten how Afghan invader Ahmed Shah had an estimated 25,000 Sikhs murdered in two days some 250 years ago?

Do they know our government has declared Rohingya Muslims a "threat to national security"? Don't they know India, under the present dispensation, wants to deport them?

These are the questions troubling every other supporter of anti-Rohingya, anti-Muslim sentiment in India.

Dear all, they do know everything. They have read history. They read newspapers and watch TV almost every day. But what they also read, and try to follow, is what's written in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the fountainhead of their strength that empowers them to swim against the tide.

Image: Khalsa Aid

Let me take you through a tiny portion of the ocean of humanity that's embodied for eternity in Sri Guru Granth Sahib - collective writings of six of the 10 gurus and of more than 30 other spiritual figures from various traditions.

But first, here's a quick rundown of some of the authors other than the gurus themselves:

 Kabir: Iconoclastic poet-saint raised by a Muslim weaver and influenced by Hindu ascetic Ramanand

 Namdev: A celebrated low-caste saint who wrote in the Marathi language

 Ravidas: A mystic poet born in Varanasi in a leather-working low-caste family

 Sheikh Farid: A Muslim sufi saint

 Trilochan: A celebrated saint of the Vaishya caste

 Dhanna: a Jat from Rajasthan

 Jaidev: A poet laureate in the court of King Lakshman Sen of Bengal

 Parmanand: A saint-poet from Maharashtra

 Pipa: A Rajput ruler turned saint

 Ramanand: A Brahmin poet-saint

 Sadhna: A butcher by occupation

Sain: A barber in the court of Raja Ram, the king of Rewa

Can you spot any geographical boundaries or distinctions of castes, languages, faiths or jobs in the wellspring of Sikh philosophy? You can't because there's none.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib is awash with calls to humanity to treat human race as one. Gurbani fiercely opposed state excesses. The gurus warned against them.

"Rajang Ta Manang Abhimanang Ta Heenang," wrote Guru Arjan, the fifth guru. In English, this means: "Power corrupted by arrogance leads to a drastic fall." "Bipreet Budhang Marrat Lokah Nanak Chirangkaal Dukh Bhogtey (Evil-minded oppressors are destined to perpetual suffering)."

Now, let's also look at the worldview of Guru Gobind Singh, whose military campaigns against tyrant Islamists are often cited to promote a misleading narrative that the Sikhs were born to save and support only one race, community or group.

Guru Gobind Singh delivered a profound analysis of divine theatre in Akal Ustat, his ode to God.

"Dhaeharaa Maseet Soee Poojaa A Nivaaj Ouee Maanas Sabai Eaek Pai Anaek Ko Bharamaao Hai," he wrote. "Temples and mosques are the same, there is no difference between Hindu worship and Muslim prayer; all human beings are the same, they may just appear to be different."

He noted further: "The gods, demons, yakshas, gandharvas, Turks and Hindus are all outward garbs. The eyes are the same, the ears the same, the bodies the same and the habits the same. Creation is the fusion of the earth, the air, the fire and the water. Muslims' Allah and the abhekh (the guiseless) of Hindus are the same, the Puranas and the holy Quran depict the same reality; all have been created in the image of the same divine intelligence."

"Millions of sparks emanate from the fire and merge back into the same flame. Waves on the surface of rivers are made up of the same compound. Animate and inanimate objects come out of the same supreme intelligence and blend back into it."

That leads us to believe humanity is not defined by press statements or rhetoric. You turn inward to discover it. The Rohingyas have faced brutal assaults as did many of us - Hindus and Sikhs - in our own recent and distant histories.

Just imagine what would have happened if Guru Teg Bahadur hadn't held the hand of Kashmiri Pandits. Just imagine if Guru Gobind Singh hadn't done what he did to fight off Mughal terror.

I personally feel many of us - the Sikhs in Delhi and elsewhere - wouldn't have been alive if fellow Hindus hadn't saved us from rampaging murderers in 1984. That was the period when every turbaned man in India was portrayed as a suspected terrorist as is every Rohingya survivor now looking for a place to lay their heads on.

I am proud of Khalsa Aid, the charity registered in the UK, to have sent its teams to the village of Teknaf in the Cox's Bazar area.
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) has already confirmed 383 civilian casualties: 68 killed and 315 injured since early 2017, Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM to Ukraine Ertugrul Apakan has said.

"The Ambassador concluded that in 2017 civilians continue to suffer due to the conflict the SMM has already confirmed 383 civilian casualties: 68 killed and 315 injured," SMM OSCE wrote on its Facebook page on Saturday.

Apakan today called on the sides involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine to prioritise the protection of the civilian population.

"There is obligation for the sides to take measures to limit the effects of the conflict on civilians. In particular, they must cease the practice of positioning personnel and hardware in and around residential areas, and stop using indirect and imprecise weapons such as mortars and artillery, including multiple launch rocket systems, in civilian-populated areas," he said.

The ambassador underlined the continued need for mine education and called on all sides  in line with commitments already undertaken  to make significant progress in marking, fencing and mapping of mine contaminated areas.
Ukraine by the end of September is to launch a commission for administrating the free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada and appoint it representative, Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"We have homework for the FTA with Canada. By the end of September we are to launch the tool of bilateral FTA administration commission that would clean up possible administrative barriers that could be left. In the near term Ukraine will present its official representative for this bilateral commission," he said on the sidelines of the 14th annual YES conference in Kyiv on Saturday.

Shevchenko also said that at present the FTA with Canada does not cover the sphere of services and naturally the agreement could include it in the future.

"I think that by the end of autumn we will be able to see first preliminary results. I can say that we have positive forecast. I think that this year we would have surpluses in all key characteristics of trade  exports of goods, imports of goods and trade with services," he said.

The ambassador said that at present there is no motion in the issue of introducing visa free regime for Ukraine with Canada. He said that Canada has a high level of visa denials for Ukrainians: 34% in Q1 2017.
Fuel prices have been on a constant rise with petrol prices shooting up by nearly Rs 7-8 on Wednesday.

Mumbai: With the dynamic mechanism of fuel pricing in place, prices have been on a constant rise with petrol prices shooting up by nearly Rs 7-8 on Wednesday.

While Mumbai topped the price chart with customer shelling out as much as Rs. 79.48, Kolkata followed behind at Rs. 73.12. A litre of petrol in Delhi was priced at Rs. 70.38, while that in Chennai was sold at Rs 72.95, according to the Indian Oil Corporation.

On June 6, the government launched the daily price change mechanism that saw petrol and diesel prices undergo revision everyday. The prices are revised by state-owned oil manufacturing companies(OMCs) every day based on crude price movements.

Ever since the rollout of this system, prices of fuel at first dipped by as much as Rs 3.45 per litre in a span of 13 days. However, prices have been on the rise in small amounts since June 28-29.

According to NDTV, since July, petrol prices have risen by Rs. 4.92-7.21 per litre, while diesel price increased by Rs.3.57-5.76 per litre, in the four major cities Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai

Customers can access IOCLs mobile app Fuel@IOC for the rates. Alternatively, customers can also check the prices in their cities by sending SMS RSP< SPACE >DEALER CODE to 92249-92249. The Dealer Code of each petrol pump would be prominently displayed in the petrol pump premises," IOCL had said.
The board of state-owned Allahabad Bank will meet on Wednesday to consider a draft scheme of amalgamation of AllBank Finance.

New Delhi: The board of state-owned Allahabad Bank will meet on Wednesday to consider a draft scheme of amalgamation of its wholly-owned subsidiary AllBank Finance.

AllBank Finance (ABFL) is a leading merchant banker and has been holding licence for Debenture Trusteeship since February 2010.

"A meeting of Board of Directors is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, the 20th September, 2017, inter-alia, to consider Draft Scheme of amalgamation of... AllBank Finance Ltd with the bank," the state-owned lender said in a regulatory filing.
Mumbai: State-owned oil marketer HPCL has drawn up investment plans of Rs 7,110 crore for business growth in the current fiscal. The company, which is being merged with exploration giant ONGC, has also planned capex of Rs 61,000 crore for capacity expansion over the next five years.

While the capex stood at Rs 5,860 crore in the last fiscal, it is expected to be Rs 7,110 crore this financial year.

"With a huge potential of growth amidst rising energy demand and due to low per capita consumption base, the oil and gas sector is poised for an exciting and challenging future," HPCL chairman and managing director M K Surana told reporters here post the company's annual general meeting.

"We are adapting to this changing energy mix and are well positioned to create value for all the stake-holders in the future with a capex of over Rs 61,000 crore over the next five years," he added.

On ONGC acquiring HPCL, Surana said the government has formed an advisory panel which would decide the valuation (share price) for acquisition. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is heading the three-member ministerial panel to oversee and expedite the sale of the government stake in oil refiner HPCL to explorer ONGC for around Rs 35,000 crore.

On HPCL taking over MRPL post-acquisition by ONGC, Surana said a discussion on the issue has not taken place yet but "it is a reasonable possibility that MRPL will go along with HPCL".

Earlier in the day, Surana informed investors that "the focus (of ONGC acquiring HPCL) is to introduce new technologies, create a vibrant and investor friendly upstream sector for production of oil and gas, transform country into a refining and petrochemical hub, create a national natural gas grid, move to a market driven pricing, leverage technology for reducing costs, introduce innovative payment solutions and transition the country to a low carbon economy".

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation will remain a public sector unit with a separate board and brand identity post ONGC acquiring government's entire 51.11 per cent stake, which at current prices is valued at about Rs 28,800 crore.

Post-merger, all refining units of ONGC will be accumulated under HPCL, making it the third largest oil refiner after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Reliance

Industries, Pradhan had said while announcing the merger some months ago.

ONGC owns 71.63 per cent of MRPL, a company it had acquired from AV Birla Group in March 2013.

HPCL plans to set up a 9 million tonne unit in Rajasthan as well as expand its Vishakhapatnam refinery. This will take the company to 50 million tonnes-plus category. The Cabinet on July 19 approved sale of government's stake in HPCL to the largest oil producer ONGC for Rs 30,000 crore.

HPCL will become a subsidiary of ONGC and will remain a listed company post the acquisition and board of the refining and marketing company will continue to remain in place.

The government had recently approved sale of its 51.11 per cent stake in oil refiner HPCL to India's largest oil producer ONGC. HPCL owns and operates two major refineries producing a wide variety of petroleum fuels and specialities, one in Mumbai (West Coast) of 7.5 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA) capacity and the other in Visakhapatnam (East Coast) with a capacity of 8.3 MMTPA.

HPCL also owns and operates the largest lube refinery in the country producing lube base oils of international standards, with a capacity of 428 TMT. This Lube Refinery accounts for over 40 per cent of the India's total lube base oil production.

Surana also said the company has signed a revised MoU and a joint venture agreement with Rajasthan for setting up 9 MMTPA refinery cum petrochemical complex at Barner at a cost of Rs 43,129 crore. HPCL will hold 74 per cent stake while the Rajasthan government will hold the rest.
Mumbai: At a time when Aadhaar is becoming central to our identity, the UIDAI recently blacklisted 49,000 Aadhaar enrolment centres for fleecing people.

According to media reports, the UIDAI, had been receiving complaints of enrolment officials charging people unnecessarily and hence took actions against them.

"Additionally, the enrolment agency is also penalised with a fine of Rs 50,000 in addition to other legal steps. Since December 2016, over 6,100 overcharging incidents have been fined Rs 10,000 each for the incident and from July 2017, 466 such incidents have drawn penalties of Rs 50,000 for each incident," UIDAI said.

At such a time, it is important to be aware of these Aadhaar-related instructions so that we are not misled by similar perpetrators:

Charges for Aadhaar Services https://t.co/i1gUMjxkoi  Aadhaar (@UIDAI) September 15, 2017

1. There is no charge on Aadhaar enrolment. Several centres were reportedly charging money in the rage of Rs 50 to Rs 200 for printing Aadhaar on plastic cards they termed as Aadhaar smart card. However, the basic Aadhaar card or printout from the Aadhaar website is enough for enrolment. There is no such thing as Aadhaar smart card.

2. If you update details in your Aadhaar online, there is no fee. However, a fee of Rs 25 will be charged for updating information if you go through an enrolment centre.

3. If you have lost your Aadhaar, the same can be downloaded on the website, free of cost. For getting a black and white printout at the enrolment, the fee is Rs 10.

4. One may call the helpline number 1947 to lodge complaints regarding fleecing officials.

5. If the mobile number you mentioned on your Aadhaar form is not linked or rejected, you will be notified via SMS.
Mumbai: With cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin gaining popularity in India, the government may roll out the countrys very own cryptocurrency.

According to a report in Business Standard, sources in the government said that a committee was set up to discuss the proposal of having Indias own cryptocurrency, as an alternative to the Indian rupee.

The report also said the government might name its cryptocurrency Lakshmi.

Reserve Banks executive chairman Sudarshan Sen on Wednesday had said the central bank is not comfortable with non-fiat cryptocurrencies like the Bitcoin. He had also hinted that it may launch its own cryptocurrency. Right now, we have a group of people who are looking at fiat cryptocurrencies. Something that is an alternative to the Indian rupee, so to speak. We are looking at that closely," Sen had said.

The introduction of this new cryptocurrency may require the amendment of the Currency Act.
Bengaluru: A group of minister headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, who met on Saturday to discuss the technical challenges of GST appealed to taxpayers to not wait for the eleventh hour to submit returns.

Traders who have migrated to the GST regime are required to file returns on the GSTN portal, which reportedly crashed as deadlines neared. Modi said The systems had not crashed...and that the pressure was due to the scale of operations and last minute rush by tax payers.

Urging taxpayers to file invoices on time he said "I want to appeal to tax payers that they should not wait for the last day. Because of that there is a heavy rush for the system. Only five days left for August filing and only 3.05 lakh have filed form 3B compared to more than 45 lakh in July...so there will be a rush".

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia also ruled out extension of the deadline to file GSTR-3B return. "We have already extended the period for GSTR-3B...People have to file their own self-assessed summary return till December, and there will not be any extension of time as far as GSTR-3B is concerned," he said.

The meeting also saw representation from Infosys which has been taking care of the IT infrastructure for GSTN. According to a report in NDTV, Adhia said "Infosys has not failed. They have been delivering very well. Hiccups will be there which need to be sorted out.

Modi also said implementation of that new tax has been smooth. "22 crore invoices have been filed in two and a half months and 85 lakhs new and old dealers have been registered under GST," he added.

Another meeting is expected to take place soon to further smoothen the technical rollout of the countrys largest tax reform.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and head of the Group of Ministers for tackling IT-related glitches in GST network, Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday ruled out doing away with frequent changes in tax rates under GST said the GST Council may change tax rates if it feels the need to.

Bengaluru: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and head of the Group of Ministers for tackling IT-related glitches in GST network, Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday ruled out doing away with frequent changes in tax rates under GST.

"The GST Council is competent enough and mandated to take up the issues of GST rates. If the Council feels the need to change the tax rates of some items, so be it. It is for the Council to decide on it," he told reporters.

He was replying to a query on whether the GST Council was thinking of doing away with frequent changes in tax rates.

Some of the industry captains have raised concerns over the changing GST rates, as it affected their business prospects and the confidence of companies.

Among them, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), on September 12, had flayed frequent changes in tax rates on automobiles saying investment on new products and technology will be adversely impacted in the absence of consistent and long-term policy.

The GST Council had last week decided to hike cess on mid-size cars by 2 per cent, on large cars by 5 per cent and on SUVs by 7 per cent to bring tax rates on these cars at pre-GST levels.

Modi said even after two years of VAT implementation, there were several changes made in the previous tax regime, but ultimately it stabilised after initial hiccups.

On August 25, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal at Kochi had also said that the government was "not adamant" on GST rates and it could be re-looked by the GST Council depending on revenue realisation. "We have to see the revenue realisation first... The government is not adamant on the rates. We have a federal structure. We have to take the view of the states also in the GST council," he had said.
New Delhi: In a new headache for the government, the country's current account deficit (CAD) rose sharply to 2.4 per cent of the GDP at the end of first quarter of 2017-18 led by an increased trade deficit.

According to the data released by RBI on Friday, the CAD stood at $14.3 billion during April-June period in FY2017-18. It was just $0.4 billion, or 0.1 per cent of GDP in April-June of 2016-17.

Current account deficit means the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign exchange.

The data is important as it has a bearing on the exchange rate and can impact sovereign rating of a country and its ability to repay loans taken in foreign currency. A higher CAD impacts investors sentiment and affects FDI.

Indias external debt stood at $471.9 billion at the end of March 2017, which is $13.1 billion (2.7 per cent) lesser than the level at end-March 2016, as per the finance ministry.

However, the governments (sovereign) external debt increased from $93.4 billion at end-March 2016 to $ 95.8 billion at end-March 2017, and constituted 20.3 per cent of the total external debt, as compared to 19.3 per cent in the previous year.

The widening of CAD on a year-on-year basis was primarily on account of a higher trade deficit ($41.2 billion) brought about by a larger increase in merchandise imports relative to exports, the RBI said.

The central bank said that private transfer rece-ipts, mainly remittances by Indians employed overseas, went up 5.3 per cent at $16.1 billion over the yearago period. The net services receipts, too, increased by 15.7 per cent on a y-o-y basis, on the back of a rise in net earnings from travel, construction and other business services.

According to the data released by the Union commerce ministry on Friday, Indias trade deficit widened to $11.64 billion in August led by increase in import of gold and electronic goods.

Despite Indian exports growing fastest in four months at 10.29 per cent to $23.81 billion in August, helped by higher growth in petroleum products, engineering and chemicals shipments, this shortfall in trade could not be bridged. However, imports rose much higher at 21.02 per cent to $35.46 billion. The trade deficit was $11.45 billion in July.

Gold imports in August stood at $1.89 billion, a rise of 69 per cent against August 2016. The import of electronic goods rose by 27 per cent on a year-on-year basis to $4.62 billion.
CAIT is the apex body of trading community and claims backing of over 40 thousand trade associations (Representational Image)

New Delhi : Small traders, often seen as a core support base of BJP, are up in arms against the continued difficulties faced by them on GST and are now threatening to launch a nation-wide agitation against what was pegged by the government as the biggest tax reform in the country since 1947.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has convened a two-day meeting of trade leaders from all over the country on September 18 and 19 at Surat which is expected to be attended by over 100 prominent trade leaders across the country. The meet will take stock of the current situation and discuss impact of GST on businesses of the traders.

While chalking out future course of action, the possibility of a national agitation on GST can not be ruled out as it is one of the core agenda of the meeting, threatened CAIT.

A leader of the association told this newspaper that they are facing huge pressure from traders across the country on GST and are serious about launching a nation-wide agitation.

CAIT is the apex body of trading community and claims backing of over 40 thousand trade associations representing over 6 crore small businesses.

What has angered small traders is that there is no direct dialogue and lack of co-ordination with them by the Central government, State governments or even by GST Council.

This they said has further aggravated the situation. CAIT said traders feel grossly neglected in the whole process of GST implementation in the country.

The failure of GST portal, absence of adequate knowledge about compliance procedures, continued confusion on levy of tax rates on different items and inclusion of mass usage items under 28 per cent tax slab has generated gross dissatisfaction among trading community on the issue of GST and has resulted into great disillusionment for the traders across country, it said.
Aamir Khan snapped on the sets of 'Thugs of Hindostan' in Mumbai. (Photo: Twitter)

Mumbai: Aamir Khan is known as a perfectionist for a reason, a tag he reinforces time and again with aplomb.

Be it losing weight to look like a student in 3 Idiots, gaining and shedding oodles of kilos for Dangal, the superstar never ceases to amaze us.

For his upcoming Thugs of Hindostan, the actor is currently sporting a nose ring, among the rare occasions a male actor has done so, and has also got multiple earrings as well.

While the look was interesting enough, looks like Aamir has gone a step further for his character this time.

Aamir was recently snapped looking unrecognisable on the sets of the film in Mumbai, with shabby and tattered clothes and his appearance completely in shambles.

The Dangal actor proves once again that he doesnt mind going the extra mile for his films.

Aamir reportedly plays a pirate in the Yash Raj Films production, apparently on the lines of the Johnny Depp starrer Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The team had shot for a schedule of the film in Malta reportedly on ships.

The film, also starring Amitabh Bachchan, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Katrina Kaif, is scheduled to release on November 7 next year.
Screengrabs from pictures and video posted by Shraddha Kapoor and Saina Nehwal on Instagram.

Mumbai: Shraddha Kapoor is having the time of her life in Hyderabad where she is currently shooting for Saaho opposite Prabhas.

After being treated to some lip-smacking Hyderabadi delicacies by Baahubali himself, Shraddha was perhaps in for some more delicious items in the city, this time, however, home-made.

The actress took a break from the shoot of the film and visited badminton ace Saina Nehwal in the city.

Shraddha has been roped in to play the Olympic bronze medallist in her biopic to be directed by Amole Gupte, and the actress just brilliantly mixed work with pleasure.

The actress enjoyed Sainas favourite Puri Choley and Halwa prepared by her mother, placed her hands on her Olympic bronze medal and also played with her pet Chopsy.

Apart from these two films, Shraddhas Haseena Parkar is gearing up for release on September 22.
Arvind Swamis cop film Vanagamudi was put on hold for sometime as the actor, who had certain looks in the film, took time to shed down a few kilos. Further due to FEFSI strike, the shooting was stalled. Now, the team has resumed shoot in Thoothukudi. Talking to DC, producer Ganesh says,  I met Arvind Swami sir after a gap and I was amazed with his physical transformation. He looks lean and fit. Director Selvah sir is canning the initial portions of the story and high-octane sequences where Anbazhagan IPS (Swami) takes on the goons. Rithika Singh, who plays his pair, and Nandita, who essays a woman cop, are also part of this schedule, which will go on for 15 days. The stunts are being shot in a realistic manner. He adds that the film would trace the life of a police officer.

A 15-day schedule is being planned in Kodaikanal and the film is expected to be wrapped up with that.

While Chandini Tamilarasan acts as a journalist in the movie, Simran is said to play an investigating officer and her character will take off at a crucial juncture of the flick.
The government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) has made Poonam Kaur the face of the handloom weaves. And this announcement has left people perplexed. While its not wrong for the State government to choose an actress as the brand ambassador, the selection of Poonam is surprising, says an industry insider, who doesnt want to be named. Though Poonam acted in many Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films, she never got a good break in Telugu.

Recently, the Telangana government announced top actress Samantha as its brand ambassador. However, the actor chosen by the AP government is not popular with the Telugu audience, especially in the Andhra region.

It seems the government is under pressure from a top actor who actually suggested her name. Thats why the State government announced her name, added the source.

People are wondering why the AP government cant choose an actress on par with Samantha, especially when many of the top actresses are willing to campaign for handloom.
Matthew Rockloff, left, and Nancy Greer give their acceptance speech after winning the Ig Nobel Economics Prize during ceremonies at Harvard University in Cambridge. (Photo: AP)

Can cats be both solid and liquid? A French researcher who delved into this conundrum has been honoured with an Ig Nobel prize - an alternative award honouring research that 'first makes people laugh, then makes them think'.

The Ig Nobel for physics went to Marc-Antoine Fardin of the Universite Paris Diderot, for a science paper questioning: "Can a Cat Be Both a Solid and a Liquid?"

In his acceptance speech, Fardin explained that a liquid could be defined as something which adapts its shape to the container it is in. Since cats manage to squeeze into narrow vases and glasses, and appear to expand to fill boxes and buckets, they could be seen as having liquid properties.

The study was a serious attempt to probe "some of the actual questions and problems that are studied in rheology, the study of the flow of matter," Fardin said.

"When I was asked if I was willing to accept the prize, the answer was easy," he added. "It might be cool to refuse a Nobel Prize but it's certainly uncool to refuse an Ig Nobel."

The awards were given out in ten categories ranging from economics and anatomy to medicine and cognition. They were presented at Harvard University by bemused laureates of the perhaps better-known Nobel Prize, which the Ig Nobels have spoofed since 1991, tongue firmly in cheek.

"The winners this year have truly earned their prizes," master of ceremonies Mark Abrahams, editor of The Annals of Improbable Research - a science humour magazine - told guests as he unveiled this year's statuette: a mannequin head with a red question mark perched on top.

Winners would also receive $10 trillion, the presenters announced - albeit of the Zimbabwean variety. That sum was worth about $8 (6) when the bank note was issued in 2009.

A French team also took home the Ig Nobel for medicine, after researchers from the Sorbonne in Paris and the Universite de Lyon used brain scans to look at which parts of the brain registered disgust in the presence of cheese.

Researchers carried out brain scans on both cheese-lovers and those who disliked the food, while they were exposed to cheesy scents and pictures - specifically of cheddar, goats cheese and gruyere - to determine the part of the brain where aversion to cheese originates.

Other award-winning studies examined why old men have big ears and whether vampire bats have developed a taste for human blood.

Matthew Rockloff and Nancy Greer won the Ig Nobel Economics Prize for their experiments to see how contact with a live crocodile affects a person's willingness to gamble.

The Ig Nobel peace prize was awarded to a team of Swiss scientists who discovered that playing the didgeridoo can help people stop snoring.

And a Spanish team scooped the prize in the obstetrics category for research showing that babies 'sing and dance' in the womb, when tunes were played to them through a 'musical tampon'.

The awards are not an attempt at ridiculing science, the Ig Nobel organisers said.

"Good achievements can also be odd, funny, and even absurd, so can bad achievements," notes a statement on the website. "A lot of good science gets attacked because of its absurdity. A lot of bad science gets revered despite its absurdity."
Researchers are working on a larger study looking at more recent data to see if a possible link between swine flu vaccine and miscarriage holds up (Photo: Pixabay)

New York: A puzzling study of U.S. pregnancies found that women who had miscarriages between 2010 and 2012 were more likely to have had back-to-back annual flu shots that included protection against swine flu.

Vaccine experts think the results may reflect the older age and other miscarriage risks for the women, and not the flu shots. Health officials say there is no reason to change the government recommendation that all pregnant women be vaccinated against the flu. They say the flu itself is a much greater danger to women and their fetuses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reached out to a doctor's group, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to warn them the study is coming out and help them prepare for a potential wave of worry from expectant moms, CDC officials said.

"I want the CDC and researchers to continue to investigate this," said Dr. Laura Riley, a Boston-based obstetrician who leads a committee on maternal immunization. "But as an advocate for pregnant women, what I hope doesn't happen is that people panic and stop getting vaccinated."

Past studies have found flu vaccines are safe during pregnancy, though there's been little research on impact of flu vaccinations given in the first three months of pregnancy.

This study focused only on miscarriages, which occur in the first 19 weeks of pregnancy and are common. As many as half of pregnancies end in miscarriage, according to a March of Dimes estimate that tries to include instances in which the miscarriage occurs before a women even realizes she was pregnant.

Flu and its complications kill thousands of Americans every year. The elderly, young children and pregnant women are especially at risk. When a new "swine flu" strain emerged in 2009, it killed 56 U.S. pregnant women that year, according to the CDC.

The study's authors, two of whom are CDC researchers, saw a big difference when they looked at women who had miscarried within 28 days of getting a shot that included protection against swine flu, but it was only when the women also had had a flu shot the previous season.

They found 17 of 485 miscarriages they studied involved women whose vaccinations followed that pattern. Just four of a comparable 485 healthy pregnancies involved women who were vaccinated that way.

The first group also had more women who were at higher risk for miscarriage, like older moms and smokers and those with diabetes. The researchers tried to make statistical adjustments to level out some of those differences but some researchers don't think they completely succeeded.

Other experts said they don't believe a shot made from killed flu virus could trigger an immune system response severe enough to prompt a miscarriage. And the authors said they couldn't rule out the possibility that exposure to swine flu itself was a factor in some miscarriages.

Two other medical journals rejected the article before a third, Vaccine, accepted it. Dr. Gregory Poland, Vaccine's editor-in-chief, said it was a well-designed study that raised a question that shouldn't be ignored. But he doesn't believe flu shots caused the miscarriages. "Not at all," said Poland, who also is director of vaccine research at the Mayo Clinic.

Though this study may cause worry and confusion, it is evidence "of just how rigorous and principled our vaccine safety monitoring system is," said Jason Schwartz, a Yale University vaccine policy expert.

Some of the same researchers are working on a larger study looking at more recent data to see if a possible link between swine flu vaccine and miscarriage holds up, said James Donahue, a study author from the Wisconsin-based Marshfield Clinic Research Institute. The results aren't expected until next year at the earliest, he said.
A research based in Denmark shows that intense physical activity that causes breathlessness releases certain chemicals in the body (Photo: Pexels)

Exercise is known to have a lot of positive effects, however recent studies show that it can release compounds in the body that can slow down the growth of tumours in breast cancer patients.

A research based in Denmark shows that intense physical activity that causes breathlessness releases certain chemicals in the body.

These chemicals contain compounds called catecholamines and particularly epinephrine, which help suppress the growth of tumour cells.

In a statement to Reuters Health, senior study author, Pernille Hojman, from University of Copenhagen said, "It is important to highlight that exercise training and epinephrine did not completely prevent tumor formation, but induced a 50 percent reduction"

Adding that while exercise training can never replace anti-cancer therapy, it is still an effective supportive strategy, which in addition to the biological effects has been shown to increase the patients quality of life and sense of empowerment.

There are several studies that have shown how regular fitness can reduce a womans risk of breast cancer and, in those who already have breast cancer, may keep it from coming back.

Hojmans team used experimental mice implanted with human breast cancer tumors as well as tumor cells in test tubes to investigate how serum samples collected from healthy women and breast cancer patients before and after exercise affect the development of the breast tumor cells, and what mechanisms were involved.

They found that serum samples taken after exercise reduced the ability of tumor cells to grow in test tubes or in mice.

The researchers traced anti-tumor activity to a rise in epinephrine and norepinephrine that occurs with moderately intense exercise and its effect on the a gene-signaling pathway known as 'Hippo' which helps to suppress tumor development.

"In our study, we found that breast cancer patients in adjuvant chemotherapy, were indeed capable of performing the required exercise, so it is feasible for cancer patients to do the exercise training we are proposing," said Hojman to the Daily Mail.

Hojman believes in the certainty of the results of this study to possibly work in other types of cancer as well.
CHENNAI: Health minister C. Vijayabhaskar declared that dengue would be controlled in the next 10 days in Kancheepuram and Chennai after his recent visit to government hospitals and reviewing treatment and facilities being provided to fever and dengue patients.

Though dengue infection remains under control and state health department officials have denied the risk of an outbreak, the number of cases has surged. The state health department had made similar promises to control dengue in ten days last month, stating that various steps were being taken to check the spread of the disease.

The corporation has also stepped in to control the spread of dengue and control mosquito menace. Currently, around 2,845 ground workers are deployed to carry out fogging and breeding check in all the zones of Greater Chennai Corporation. The workers are equipped with 586 fogging sprays, 245 pump sprays, 39 fogging lorries and 3 power sprays to control mosquito menace in the city, said an official.

When contacted doctors at government hospitals about the dengue control programme, they say that mosquito breeding cycle can be controlled in a specified time period.

The mosquito breeding cycle needs to be controlled in 15 days, but effective measures need to be adopted as the mosquitoes easily adapt to the environment for survival. Fluctuating weather conditions contribute to the rise in mosquito breeding, said Dr P. Vasanthamani, dean, Kilpauk Medical College.

However, health department officials say that a new action plan to control the spread of dengue is to be implemented soon.

We aim to not only control breeding of mosquitoes and spread of infection, but also provide effective treatment facilities for fever patients, hence, dengue treatment facilities and equipment will be provided at integrated public health centres. We hope that new initiatives and upgrading health services will help counter the rising number of dengue cases, said public health director K. Kolandaisamy.
Tourists and nature lovers are now thronging Sandur where the flowers are the cynosure of all eyes for the past week (Photo: DC)

Ballari: The mine-ravaged hills of Ballari may have been destroyed by rampant iron and manganese ore mining, and its ancient shrines laid waste but in an ironic symbol of the fight that nature puts up against the might of mining machines, the Neelakurinji that only blooms once in 12 years has turned the dry expanse of rock across the Kumaraswamy hill in Swami Malai forest in Sandur is a swathe of brilliant purple and blue  the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes Kunthianus) is in full bloom.

Tourists and nature lovers are now thronging Sandur where the flowers are the cynosure of all eyes for the past week.

Kurinji is a shrub found in the Western Ghats. In fact the Nilgiri Hills, which literally means the blue mountains, get their name from the purplish blue flowers, Neelakurinji.

Besides the Western Ghats, Neelakurinji is also seen in the Shevroys in the Eastern Ghats, some parts of Idukki in Kerala and of course, the Sandur hills of Ballari district.

In fact in 2006, the Neelakurunji had flowered in Kerala and Tamil Nadu after a gap of 12 years. They were also spotted blooming in 2016 in Udhagamandalam near a major road.

Kudligi-based Siddharam Hiremath, a nature photographer, revealed that he first noticed the Kurinji bloom in the hills behind the Kumaraswamy temple in Sandur. The plant is usually 30-60 cm tall but can grow well beyond 180 cm in congenial conditions and blooms in cold weather. The Sandur Hills are at around 2,500 feet above sea level, and the fact that there have been good rains in the past few days, has helped give a boost to the blooming of the flowers.

About 46 varieties of Neelakurinji have been identified in India while all over the world, there are about 240 varieties. Wildlife photographer Shivashankar Banagar said the mass blooming is a celebration for nature lovers. "The flower survives for 15 days. So, one can have a glimpse of them over the next 4-5 days," he added.

Environmentalists in Kerala have been taking up conservation of these flowers and such an effort is needed in the state too, say eco-activists. Tamil poems dating back to more than 2,000 years, praise the Karungal Kurinji and the honey made from bees that feed on its nectar. Hindu mythology records god Kartikeya wearing a garland of flowers at his wedding to tribal girl, Valli.

"This is one reason why we are demanding a complete ban on mining in the Kumaraswamy hills in Sandur, where the 1200-year-old Kumaraswamy and Parvati temple complex is located. The government should take the initiative to preserve this forest area so rich in eco-diversity so that the Neelakurinji keeps blooming," said Shrishaila Aladahalli, a green activist from Sandur.
The interiors of the British Museum (Photo: Pixabay)

The British Museum hosted a live question and answer session titled 'Ask A Curator' on Twitter with Jane Portal, 'Keeper of the Asia' at the museum on Wednesday.

First up is Jane Portal, Keeper of Asia. Shes been busy with a new gallery to redisplay objects from South Asia & China #AskACurator pic.twitter.com/wLmwoXyWVC  British Museum (@britishmuseum) September 13, 2017

Everything was going smoothly until a Twitter user asked how the museum went about designing exhibition labels and information that are widely accessible.

How do you go about designing exhibition labels and information that are accessible to a wider range of people? #AskACurator  MAAS (@maasmuseum) September 13, 2017

To which Jane responded:

... We aim to be understandable by 16 year olds. Sometimes Asian names can be confusing, so we have to be careful about using too many.  British Museum (@britishmuseum) September 13, 2017

Further explaining how the length of labels and names of Asian gods has been an issue for the museum in the past:

We are limited by the length of labels. Dynasties & gods have different names in various Asian languages. We want to focus on the stories  British Museum (@britishmuseum) September 13, 2017

Many found this approach rather offensive, and soon enough Twitter users were posting a flurry of angry tweets calling the museum's methods racist:

This is a gigantic own goal. I strongly suggest you revise your approach here.  Dave Cochrane (@onetwtuser) September 13, 2017

Yeah might as well just erase our whole confusing histories for an easy life eh https://t.co/VfbCZVufOe  kieranyates (@kieran_yates) September 13, 2017

It wasn't confusing enough for you to colonise Asia, but it's too confusing for you to write Asian names. Okay, British Museum. https://t.co/NkKrNS0e76  African Renaissance (@JJ_Bola) September 13, 2017

Here's a suggestion @britishmuseum if you can't pronounce the names, give it back to the people you stole it from.  African Renaissance (@JJ_Bola) September 13, 2017

na @britishmuseum u need to strongly revise ur methods here. We learn Greek and Roman variations easily so why should this be any different? https://t.co/plAObXEVLP  Amna (@AGlasgowGirl) September 13, 2017

Well if "Jane, Keeper of Asia," says so, she's surely the expert and rightful executive on all matters pertaining to Asia.  Sean Og MacCionnaith (@Thragka) September 13, 2017

They didn't find them confusing when they were colonising, looting and filling the museums to begin with. Funny that.  SKbydesign (@SKbydesign) September 13, 2017

Indian-American actor Kal Penn also had something to say about the museum's absurd approach:

Yeah I guess you used enough from 1858-1947. Stealing the Kohinoor wasn't too confusing for you though. https://t.co/hVId843FCO  Kal Penn (@kalpenn) September 13, 2017

However, some Twitter users had some hilarious observations to make:

If they can understand Targaryen, Lannister, Baelish, Melisandre and Baratheon they can wrap their heads around Ramachandran or Viswanathan!  Melissa Therms (@MelissaTherms) September 13, 2017

you: Asian names are hard

you: I love the music of Tchaikovsky

you: Schwarzenegger movies are great

you: my fav Targaryen is Daenerys   (@noahjussi) September 13, 2017

"Asian names are so confusing," Kristin said, and nodding in agreement were her friends Kirsten, Kristen, Kristine, Krystin, Krystal, Khrys.  Elizabeth M. (@_ElizabethMay) September 13, 2017

Following the backlash, the museum issued a statement, apologising and saying the tweets do not reflect overall museum policy. They tweeted:
On Thursday, Chittaranjan was called to the police station for counselling. However, fearing arrest, he fled from the station. Meanwhile, his three kids came to the station. The police locked them in a room. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: Three teenagers, including a 17-year-old girl, who went to the Medipally police station to inquire about their father, were allegedly locked up in the police station for more than seven hours. Their father was booked under a harassment case filed against him by their mother.

Mahesh Bhagwat, Rachakonda police commissioner, has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Vangala Chittaranjan, working as an employee in the TSRTC, got married to Jyothi and has three children. Chittaranjan's wife left him and was staying with her brothers in Ramanthapur.

A few days ago, while he was coming to work, he noticed his wife standing near Boduppal Kaman and tried to talk to her.

As a result, she raised a hue and cry and lodged a complaint with Medipally police and a harassement case was filed against Chittaranjan.

On Thursday, he was called to the police station for counselling. However, fearing arrest, he fled from the station. Meanwhile, his three kids came to the station. The police locked them in a room.

They abused us and did not even provide drinking water for us, the children said. They were locked inside at around 3 pm and let off at 10 pm.

I am getting the matter probed through DCP Malkajgiri. Based on the report, we will decide the next step, Mahesh Bhagwat said.
Governor E.S.L. Narsimhan and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev interact with each other during the Rally for Rivers campaign. Minister Harish Rao (right) and MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (left) were also present during the campaign held at Gachibowli Indoor stadium on Thursday. (Photo:DC)

Hyderabad: Stressing on the need for companies to adopt and preserve lakes in the city, Governor of the twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana E.S.L. Narasimhan urged the authorities to conserve rivers through the private-public participation. At the mega rally for rivers at Gachibowli on Thursday, the governor said all stakeholders must care for water.

The event, which was attended by thousands of people, stressed on the importance of lake protection.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of Isha Foundation, is leading the rally for a national policy on rivers and lauded the goverments focus on greening the state. Telangana has already managed to conserve 70 per cent of trees. The state must sharpen focus to protect the rivers, said Sadhguru.

Hyderabad is a city of lakes and so we must work together to replenish the lakes and the soil around them by planting trees, said MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy. He added the Mission Kakatiya of the Telangana government to revive 46,000 ponds was keeping in line with Rally for Rivers.

Mr Harish Rao, state irrigation minister, said that the Telangana government was focussing on increasing the greenery of the state to save water.

The Haritha Haram project is the third biggest non-commercial human effort in the world. We are on the right path, said Mr Rao. He added that majority of the forests were not dense enough and the Haritha Haram would will change this. Adilabad has 30 per cent forest cover so the rainfall there is 1,100 mm, whereas Medak and Nalgonda have a poor green cover and the rainfall in this area is 700mm. Forests can make a huge difference. We hope to have at least 33 per cent green cover, added the minister.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar consoling the mother of Pradyumna, the student who was murdered at Ryan International School recently, at Bhondsi in Gurugram on Friday. (Photo: PTI)

Haryana: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said the case of 7-year-old boy, Pradyuman, who was found dead in his school, has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"The state government will take over the school management for three months," Khattar added.

The body of class two student, Pradyuman, was recovered on September 8 from a washroom of Ryan International School in Gurgaons Bhondsi. His throat was slit open and a knife was found alongside his body.

Khattar on Friday visited the family of Pradyuman and met his grieving mother.

"Glad that the sensitivity this case deserved has been shown," Pradyuman's father Varun Thakur said on the case being handed over to the CBI.

Two top officials of the Ryan International School were arrested on September 12 and the acting principal was detained for questioning following the gruesome murder.

The Bombay High Court on Thursday had rejected the transit anticipatory bail applications of three trustees of Ryan International Group but granted them interim protection from arrest till Friday to enable them file appeal.

Justice Ajey Gadkari also directed the applicants - group's CEO Ryan Pinto and his parents Augustine Pinto, the founding chairman, and Grace Pinto, the group's managing director, to submit their passports to the Mumbai police commissioner.
Bengaluru: In a new twist to the 2016 CBI case against former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, wherein he was acquitted of various charges of corruption, the Anti Corruption Bureau has launched an inquiry into a petition filed by a social activist.

Ravi Krishna Reddy, the President of Lanchamuktha Karnataka Nirmana Vedike, had written to the Chief Justice of India and others, stating the need for criminal investigation against CBI judge, R.B. Dhamagoudar, who had acquitted Mr Yeddyurappa, and lawyer H.M. Siddharth, who was caught by the Vidhana Soudha security personnel while allegedly ferrying unaccounted cash of Rs 2 crore in his car on Oct. 21, 2016. The advocate also happened to be representing Mr. Yeddyurappa's sons in some cases. The CBI court had acquitted the BJP state president on October 26.

Letter

Mr. Reddy had alleged in the letter, "This became statewide news and informed sources had said then that this was part payment of bribery to CBI Judge R. B. Dharmagoudar for his forthcoming acquittal judgement."

Mr. Reddy had written a day after the judgement to the CJI, all Judges of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister's office, Finance Minister's office and Central Vigilance Commission and had sought a CBI probe or by a specially monitored team. In a recent development, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions had forwarded the complaint to the state Chief Secretary for action. Subsequently, the state government has referred the case to the ACB.

ACB sources said that nobody would be summoned as of now and that they were now conducting a preliminary enquiry.

"Its a good development. I was expecting that the case will be referred to the CBI but unfortunately, it has not happened. The state is more interested in 'blackmailing' Mr. Yeddyurappa than protecting law of the land and bringing criminals to book. However, the ACB officials have called me to record my statement in the case. I will give my statement on Monday."

 Ravi Krishna Reddy, complainant in the case
Chennai: It has been week since a 26-year-old Indian techie from Chennai went missing in Helsinki, Finland, and no information has been forthcoming about his whereabouts, his family members said. Hari Sudhan, a resident of George Town in Chennai, is employed with the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) since 2013 and has been residing in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, for more than a year now, according to family members.

We havent heard any updates. But, we have no option than to be patient and wait as the company (TCS) and the embassy officials have been very helpful and keeping us abreast of whatever is happening, Tej Kiran, younger brother of the missing techie told DC.

The office of Indian Embassy in Finland too has reached out to the family members and has offered help to the family. We are in contact with police and TCS regarding the whereabouts of Hari Sudhan. Please contact us at hoc.Helsinki@mea.gov.in or +358443414350, read a tweet from the Embassy of India Finlad

Family members said that Hari Sudhan has been employed with the company since 2013 after his graduation from a city college.
The municipal bodies have been identifying unsafe buildings every year and slapping notices on the owners to renovate or demolish based on the inspection, but the dwellers are ignoring the warning. (Representational Image)

Visakhapatnam: When it comes to deaths owing to collapse of structures, the undivided Andhra Pradesh stands 6th in the country registering about 3,217 deaths from the year 2001, according to the last available data with National Crime Records Bureau.

While Uttar Pradesh records the highest number of deaths at 5,690; with Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh following it with 4,237, 3,961, 3,457 death cases, respectively, due to collapse of various structures. Most of the building collapses happened in residential areas during the monsoon season.

The municipal bodies have been identifying unsafe buildings every year and slapping notices on the owners to renovate or demolish based on the inspection, but the dwellers are ignoring the warning.

A GVMC official said legal tangles, residents protest and other technical issues give civic bodies a tough time to pull down dangerous building many times. However, the dangerous buildings are being forcibly demolished even if the residents protested.

The eviction drive at a housing complex at Chilakapeta where about 68 housed were unsafe also faced protest from the residents, but the houses were demolished.

Buildings approaching a construction age of 15 years or more should be regularly inspected, repaired and, if needed, redeveloped. Most of the times, these old buildings are left dilapidated and never refurbished, even where residents had noticed severe cracks beginning to appear in the building. Because no actions are taken despite warnings, the buildings eventually collapse, said P. Ramesh, a retired civil engineer

The lifespan of any building depends on many factors, including quality of building materials, external weather conditions, structural design and age of the structure. However, we have seen in the recent past that many collapses happened due to negligence of residents living in these old constructions, he added.

The GVMC identified about 320 dilapidated buildings in 2016.

School buildings need inspection

The death of a playschool kid in the city recently at Visalakshinagar as the portion of a parapet wall collapsed has triggered the need of inspecting school buildings.

Unsafe school building could be a massive threat. The government should inspect both the government and private buildings properly. Irregularities during construction could also lead to collapse, irrespective of whether those are old or not, RTE activist N. Prakasa Rao said.

Mainly, schools in the rural areas should be given attention and inspected at regular intervals.
A woman was caught on camera slapping and abusing a soldier relentlessly, without facing any resistance at all. (Photo: Screengrab | YouTube)

New Delhi: A video showing a woman slapping and abusing a soldier relentlessly, without facing any resistance at all, has raised many eyebrows.

The woman was arrested on Friday after Army reported her to the Delhi Police. She was released within hours after a judge granted her bail.

The video captured by a passer-by shows the woman continuously slapping a soldier in a busy street of the national capital. Soon after another soldier can be seen coming to the rescue of his colleague after which the woman is seen promptly turning back to her vehicle to leave.

Additional DCP (south), Chinmoy Biswal said the woman, identified as Smriti Kalra, was produced in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen, who granted her bail.

As per the FIR lodged on September 13, police said the subedar was heading towards Hazrat Nizamuddin station in a truck to drop off five colleagues. The truck was being driven by the constable. Near Rajokri flyover, a Tata Indica driven by Kalra overtook it. In his complaint, the subedar alleged that she was driving in a zig-zag manner and refused to give way. He also claimed that Kalra blocked their way when they tried to drive past her.

The driver stopped the truck and the subedar asked him to talk to Kalra. However, the complaint alleged that Kalra held the constable by the collar, slapped him and hurled abuses at him.

Police said Kalra then came to the truck and banged on its windows. She then hurled abuses at the subedar. He got out to speak to her but she slapped him a couple of times, the complaint alleged. As the woman was holding up traffic, the subedars colleagues got out. Kalra immediately walked towards her car and left.
The IMD said there were two upper air cyclonic circulation systems, one over northwest Bay of Bengal and another over southwest Madhya Pradesh. (Photo:File/DC)

Visakhapatnam: As the southwest monsoon has become vigorous over Rayalaseema and active over coastal Andhra Pradesh, heavy rain occurred at some places in the state. The heavy shower could continue at isolated places over the state in the next two days. Very heavy rain occurred at isolated places in Anantapur district in Vizianagaram district.

The IMD said there were two upper air cyclonic circulation systems, one over northwest Bay of Bengal and another over southwest Madhya Pradesh. A trough on sea level runs from Odisha to South Tamil Nadu across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, which could influence the weather.

According to IMD forecast, light to moderate rain/thundershowers is very likely to occur at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema till the next two days. It has also issued warning that thunderstorm associated with heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in all the districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Arjan Singh at the hospital. (Photo: IAF)

New Delhi: Arjan Singh, Marshal of the Indian Air Force, known for his role in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, has been hospitalised and is in a critical condition.

Singh, 98, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, was admitted to the Army Hospital Research and Referral on Saturday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Singh at the hospital.

Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members, Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the family members of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force. (Photo: PIB India)

We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best, he added.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and IAF chief BS Dhanoa visited the hospital.

Received messages that Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh was suspected to have had massive heart attack in the morning and was brought to hospital.

"We hope he (Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh) will recover at the earliest. His condition remains critical, Sitharaman said.

"His condition is critical," official sources said. Singh was admitted to the hospital after he complained of uneasiness.

An icon of the Indian military history, Singh had led a young IAF into the war in 1965 when he was hardly 44 years of age.

In file photo, Barack Obama greets Arjan Singh, Marshal of the Indian Air Force, at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi in January 2015. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

In 1965, when Pakistan had launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led the Indian Air Force through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired the IAF to victory, despite the constraints imposed on a full-scale use of air force combat power.
While CM Siddaramaiah has been open to the idea of a separate religion status for Lingayats, his senior Minister, Kagodu Thimmappa called it a futile exercise that would serve no purpose.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Thimmappa argued that there was no definition of the Hindu religion itself. "Everyone practices the faith according to their caste. So what do you mean by a separate Lingayat religion?'' he demanded.

In his view there were two periods in Indian history, which could have transformed society into a caste -less one. One was during the time of Buddha and the other when social reformer, Basavanna was spreading his teaching. But the latter's work to create such a society through Anubhava Mantap remained inconclusive and so there was confusion, he maintained.

Asked why he did not have the photograph of Basaveshwara in his chamber despite being ordered to display one, the minister said he did not believe in such "stupidity."

I am from a Socialist background and was guided by Lohia and Shanthaveri Gopal Gowda. Unfortunately, Jayaprakash Narayan changed and went on to be part of the Bhoodan Chaluvali, which we did not agree with. We believed people should fight for rights. Now people have lost the fire to fight,'' he regretted.
Shafeen Jahan, who had married a Hindu woman, had moved the SC after the Kerala HC annulled his marriage, saying it was an insult to the independence of women in the country. (Representational Image)

New Delhi: The husband of Kerala woman, whose conversion to Islam became the subject of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation following a Supreme Court order, has filed a plea in the apex court against the probe.

Shafeen Jahan on Saturday urged the Supreme Court to call off its order saying, "NIA isn't being fair".

On August 16, the Supreme Court directed an NIA probe under the supervision of a retired apex court judge into issues raised by Jahan. The Kerala High Court had annulled Jahans marriage, describing the case as an instance of 'love jihad'.

Read: Love Jihad: SC directs NIA probe into Muslim man's marriage annulment case

The top court said it had entrusted the task to the NIA as a neutral agency to get a "whole picture" and ascertain whether the particular instance was limited to a "small pocket" or was there "something wider" to the issue.

Jahan, who had married a Hindu woman in December 2016, had moved the apex court after the Kerala High Court annulled his marriage, saying that it was an insult to the independence of women in the country.

The woman, a Hindu, had converted to Islam and later married Jahan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Narmada Dam at Kevadiya in the presence of religious leaders and others. (Photo: PTI)

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday dedicate to the nation the Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada, described as Gujarat's lifeline by BJP leaders, at an event coinciding with his 67th birthday.

Sardar Sarovar is worlds second biggest dam; first is Grand Coulee Dam in the United States.

The foundation stone of the dam was laid on April 5, 1961 by the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. However, it took 56 years to complete its construction.

Modi will arrive in Ahmedabad on Saturday night, and seek blessings of his mother Hiraba on Sunday morning.

His visit, which has added significance as the Assembly elections are due in Gujarat by year-end, is the second in less than a week after he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe here and launched the Bullet train project.

"Tomorrow Sardar Sarovar Dam will be dedicated to the nation. This project will benefit lakhs of farmers and help fulfil people's aspirations," Modi tweeted today.

Earlier, Modi had stressed that the project will start a new chapter of prosperity for Gujarat.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had called the project as "Gujarats lifeline" noting that the agriculture income and production of farmers in the state more than doubled because of it.

The event will take place at Kevadia in Narmada district.

The delay in the completion of the dam was due to numerous reasons. Medha Patkar-led Narmada Bachao Andolan took the government to the Supreme Court over environmental and rehabilitation issues, and obtained a stay in 1996.

The court allowed resumption of work in October 2000.

The height of the dam was recently raised to 138.68 metres, which will allow maximum 'usable storage' of 4.73 million acre feet of water.

"The Congress committed the sin of obstructing the project at every step. Within 20 days of becoming prime minister, Modi gave final approval to raise the height of the dam," Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said here.

After the inauguration at the dam site at Kevadia, Modi will go to Sadhu Bet, an island in the Narmada river where a 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, called 'Statue of Unity', and a memorial complex dedicated to the country's first home minister are coming up.

Thereafter, the PM will attend the closing ceremony of 'Narmada Mahotsav', and address a gathering at Dabhoi.

He will also lay the foundation stone for National Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum during the event.Modi will then visit Amreli in Saurashtra where he will attend a host of programmes and address a public gathering.

"Looking forward to addressing a gathering of cooperatives, Sahakar Samemelan in Amreli tomorrow," the PM tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Congress has claimed that the project is not complete and canals of 43,000 km length were yet to be built despite the BJP ruling the state for 22 years.
A three-member committee headed by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao finalised the two appointments at a meeting held at Pragathi Bhavan.

Hyderabad: The state government on Friday appointed Dr S. Raja Sadaram the Chief Information Commissioner while senior journalist Buddha Murali was named Information Commissioner for the TS Information Commission.

Dr Sadaram retired as TS Legislature secretary last month, while Mr Murali is working with Andhra Bhoomi Telugu daily as chief reporter.

A three-member committee headed by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao finalised the two appointments at a meeting held at Pragathi Bhavan.

Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali and Leader of Opposition K. Jana Reddy, the other members of the selection panel, were present in the meeting.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on Friday approved the committees recommendations regarding the two appointments. The remaining commissioners are yet to be finalised.

The state government can appoint 10 commissioners but sources said that Mr Rao is of the view that six would suffice for TS. Undivided AP too had only six commissioners.
55-year-old Ram Rahim Singh is lodged in Rohtak jail after being sentenced to 20 years in prison in two rape cases. (Photo: File | PTI)

Chandigarh: Hearing of murder case against Ram Rahim commenced at CBI Special Court in Panchkula on Saturday.

55-year-old Ram Rahim Singh will appear before a CBI special court through video conferencing from the Rohtak jail, where he is lodged after being sentenced to 20 years in prison in two rape cases.

The CBI court is hearing the cases of murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and former Dera manager Ranjit Singh. Murder is punishable with life imprisonment or death sentence.

Meanwhile, contingents of paramilitary troops and the Haryana Police have been deployed in Panchkula as security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident after the hearing.

"We have made adequate security arrangements ahead of the hearing in the cases," Haryana Director General of Police B S Sandhu said.

Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in jail on August 28 in the two rape cases by the special CBI Court.

Several parts of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan had witnessed large-scale violence following his conviction in the two rape cases on August 25.

While 41 people were killed in Haryana in the violence, no deaths were reported from Punjab and Rajasthan.

Sirsa-based journalist Chhatrapati was shot at in October, 2002 after the evening newspaper 'Poora Sach', owned by him, published an anonymous letter narrating how women were allegedly being sexually exploited by the sect head at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. He died later.

The second case relates to the murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh who was allegedly shot dead in 2002. He was murdered for his suspected role in the circulation of the anonymous letter, which had made the sexual exploitation allegations, according to the prosecution.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had, in November 2003, ordered a CBI probe into the murder of Chhatrapati and Ranjit Singh after the families of both the victims approached the court.

The CBI had filed the chargesheet in the murder cases on July 30, 2007.

With inputs from PTI.
New Delhi: In a major tactical shift aimed at containing militancy in Kashmir Valley, home minister Rajnath Singh has given a clear mandate to security forces to adopt a more aggressive policy of hot pursuit against terror outfits before the onset of winter.

He has assured the security forces that the security grid along the IB and LoC has been beefed up. This, sources said, was one of the reasons why more than 200 militants waiting at launch pads close to the border are not able to cross over.
New Delhi: Despite the government adopting a tough posture towards militants, which has resulted in the elimination of 148 militants in Jammu and Kashmir since January this year, young Kashmiris continue to take to the gun, averaging about eight a month.

From January to August, we know of at least 80 young Kashmiri boys who have joined the militant ranks, a top official source in the government has told this newspaper.

The tragic part is that these young boys who join various militant groups are thrown into terror operations without much training and preparation unlike in the past and as a result they are first one to fall to bullets. More than anything else, it is academic setbacks compounded by the attraction of guns that draw them into the militants fold.

These young boys are Class 10 or Class 12 dropouts, mostly in the age group of 16-18 years and majority of them are history sheeters involved in crimes like trying to snatch weapons from the security forces, stone throwing or for lobbing grenades and similar other acts. Once they are charged by the police, they are on the run and are compelled to join the terror outfits.

The families come to know about their children joining militants only after they post a photographs of themselves posing with a gun.

In the past, the young recruits would usually join the Hizbul Mujah-ideen or the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba while these two groups maintained a close relationship. But now, besides the Jaish-e-Muhammad there is another breakaway Hizbul faction led by Zakir Musa, who now heads Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, Kashmirs Al-Qaeda cell.
Security personnel patrolling a street during a strike called by separatist groups due to the visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, at downtown in Srinagar. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: In a major tactical shift aimed at containing militancy in Kashmir Valley, home minister Rajnath Singh has given a clear mandate to security forces to adopt a more aggressive policy of hot pursuit against terror outfits before the onset of winter.

During his recent four-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, the Union home minister directed security forces to get even more aggressive in eliminating all active cadre of the three main terror groups  Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Moahmmed  before the mountain passes close on account of snow.

During the series of meetings that the Union home minister had with CRPF, BSF Army and Special Operations Group of J&K Police, Mr Singh directed them to almost double their operations as the number of active militants in the Valley has dropped to less than 200 and eliminating a majority of them would have a huge impact in improving the overall security situation in the state.

The home ministers directive comes against the backdrop of recent successes that the security forces have had in the Valley where 148 militants have been killed since January this year, including top commanders like Abu Dujana and Abu Ismael.

Top security sources said they already have actionable intelligence on the movement of some of the active militants and would be launching a major offensive against them shortly.
Hyderabad: The final development trials of the air-to-air missile Astra, developed by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Organisation, was successfully completed, an official statement said on Friday. Astra is capable of destroying high speed manoeuvring supersonic aerial targets. The tests were carried out between September 11 and 14 over the Bay of Bengal off the Chandipur coast in Odisha.

Astra, a Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (meaning the target is not in view when the missile is launched) has completed seven trials conducted against Pilotless Target Air-craft. The missions included engagement of target at very long range, engagement of high manoeuvring target at medium range and multiple launches of missiles in salvo to engage multiple targets.

All the sub-systems including the indigenous RF Seeker performed accurately, meeting all the parameters and objectives. Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with the warhead and the targets were neutralised, the statement said.

Astra likely to be inducted in 2018

This effort for building a state-of-the-art BVRAAM by Defence Research and Development Organisation, together with Indian Air Force has completed the development phase of the weapon system successfully, it added.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. The sub-system of the indigenous Critical Radio Frequency seekers has been developed at DRDOs Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad.

The system is likely to be inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2018. Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, scientific advisor to the defence minister told DC: The country has achieved self-reliance in Critical Radio Frequency seekers technology. The series of successful Astra Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile flight trials have boosted the countrys defence capability and will play a major role in attaining sufficiency in missile systems.

Dr G. Satheesh Reddy who is also director general, Missiles and Strategic Systems, said the technologies developed under the programme will help to develop more variants of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system. Dr S. Venugopal, programme director led the launch operations and flight trials along with the teams from multiple organisations, said the DRDO statement.
Kottayam: The police lathicharged and blocked the march by the United Nurses Association (UNA) to the Bharath hospital in front of the Thirunakkara temple on Friday, injuring 15 nurses. The injured nurses, some of whom sustained head injuries, were admitted to the Kottayam district hospital. The UNA in their statement said that the police deliberately attacked the nurses who were striking peacefully. In protest against the attack, UNA will observe a statewide black day on Saturday.

The march was to demand the reinstatement of the 18 nurses who were fired from Bharath hospital. Nine were fired before the strike and nine more after the strike was declared. UNA president Jasmine Shah said that the 18 nurses were fired citing that the contract period was over. He alleged that the Bharath hospital management had not adhered to the norms while ousting the nurses. Earlier, P.C. George MLA who inaugurated the nurses march, said that the government should take action to close down hospitals which were not willing to give salaries fixed by the government.
BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa interacts wiht MLCs elected from Teachers constituencies including JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti, who are on an indefinite dharna at Gandhi Statue in the city in support of the demands of aided and non-aided schools (Photo: KPN)

Shahapur: Former Prime Minister and national president of Janata Dal (S) H.D. Deve Gowda on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of turning India into a Hindu-Rashtra.

Addressing a gathering of JD(S) workers here, Mr Gowda expressed his dissatisfaction over the way in which Mr Modi was ruling the country. "But as long as I'm alive, I will not allow Mr Modi to succeed in his designs to turn India into a Hindu-Rashtra", he added.

Without taking the name of Karwar BJP MP, Ananth Kumar Hedge, who has been recently inducted into the Union Cabinet, Mr Gowda said "A person from Karwar, whose hate speeches were the subject of a Kannada news channel debate recently, has been inducted into the cabinet. This is what Mr Modi wants to do- make India a Hindu country. But, it will not happen until I am alive. India should be the country where people from all communities live peacefully and I want exactly such a country, Mr Gowda added.

He dwelt at length on his contribution to the irrigation projects in the region at various phases as Irrigation Minister, Chief Minister and also the Prime Minister. "I had given much importance to the Acceleratory Irrigation Benefit Programme ( AIBP) and earmarked Rs 1100 crore for the purpose. Apart from this Rs 1,400 crore was provided for Amarja, Karanja, Mulla Mari projects in Hyderabad Karnataka region", he added.

Mr Gowda also attacked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his statements tarnishing the JD(S). "Let him make any comment he wants. I carried him on my shoulders to the Deputy Chief Minister's post", he remarked. Mr Siddaramaiah who joined the Congress about a decade ago, was earlier in the JD(S) and had even become Deputy CM in a Congress-JD(S) coalition government

The former prime minister also called upon his party leaders to set aside personal differences and join hands together to work hard until the party comes to the power in the state. "If the JD (S) government comes to power, farmers loans will be waived and irrigation projects would be taken up" he added.
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal on Friday sought legal opinion from Advocate General Vijaya Narayan on the action that could be taken against 19 AIADMK legislators who had withdrawn their support to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami by handing over letter to Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao.

Dhanapal held back-to-back consultations with Narayan on Friday along with Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on the strategy to deal with the rebellious MLA. The Advocate General's participation in the meeting assumes significance in the wake of his submission in the Madras High Courton Thursday on behalf of the Speaker that action against the legislators have begun.

Sources said the Speaker asked the top law officer of the government to give a legal opinion on the action, including disqualification of their membership, which could be taken against the legislators. Already the Speaker had sent showcause notices to these legislators, owing allegiance to TTV Dhinakaran, seeking their reply on why action should not be taken against them.

The high court order staying trust vote till September 20 was discussed at the meeting in which the CM, Deputy CM and Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam besides the AG participated. All issues relating to the notices issued to the legislators were discussed, sources said.

They said the Speaker is very clear that he wants to take legal opinion before acting against the legislators. If the legislators are disqualified for acting against the party line, they can take legal course by moving the courts. He has started the process of consultation before taking his final decision. His consultation process would continue for the next few days, the sources said.

The legislators had on August 22 met Governor Rao and submitted letters withdrawing their support to Palaniswami. Dhinakaran and Opposition leader M.K. Stalin have been demanding the Governor to call for a floor test to determine the status of the government and they have also knocked at the HC separately.
Pineau is a co-director of McGill Universitys Reasoning and Learning Lab whose work focuses on developing and applying models and algorithms applying robotics to healthcare, transportation and language processing.

Facebook has hired artificial intelligence academic, Joelle Pineau, to head its new research lab in Montreal, the Silicon Valley social media company said on Friday. Once the exclusive domain of academic researchers, artificial intelligence has grabbed the attention of the corporate world as businesses from healthcare to financial services look to use algorithms to sort through reams of data in search of patterns to solve problems.

The lab will be Facebooks fourth, after sites in Palo Alto, New York, and Paris, and joins similar AI research efforts in the city from Microsoft and Alphabets Google. The company will also invest $7 million to support AI research at academic institutions in Montreal, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research said in a statement.

Pineau is a co-director of McGill Universitys Reasoning and Learning Lab whose work focuses on developing and applying models and algorithms applying robotics to healthcare, transportation and language processing. One project she has been working on at McGill, where she will maintain her academic position, is a robotic wheelchair. Pineau will be joined by fellow researchers Pascal Vincent, Michael Rabbat and Nicolas Ballat, and Facebook expects the team to grow to around 30 researchers.

Facebook already uses AI for image recognition, language analysis and targeted advertising. It also uses AI to identify and remove what the company deems inappropriate content. The Facebook project will be connected to McGill Universitys Centre for Intelligent Machines and to the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms, started by University of Montreal professor and machine learning pioneer Yoshua Bengio, two sources with knowledge of the plans said.

Combined, University of Montreal and McGill have more than 200 researchers, including students, working on AI research projects, Bengio said. That is up from around 150 cited by Google last year, which is called the greatest academic concentration of AI research in the world. The mostly French-speaking province of Quebec boasts around 90 start-up companies focused on artificial intelligence.

The Canadian federal government has pledged C$125 million to build AI expertise in Montreal, the Toronto-Waterloo corridor, and Edmonton, while the provincial Quebec government has also promised some C$100 million ($82 million) specifically for AI research.

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The fact that customer now all carries a smartphone and the availability of a BMW App which allows customers to unlock their vehicle, has made old-fashioned keys less relevant.

BMW is reviewing the necessity of car keys, Ian Robertson, the companys board member responsible for sales told Reuters. The fact that customer now all carries a smartphone and the availability of a BMW App which allows customers to unlock their vehicle, has made old-fashioned keys less relevant.

Honestly, how many people really need it, Robertson said in an interview at the Frankfurt car show, explaining that customers no longer had to put the key in the ignition to make the car start.

They never take it out of their pocket, so why do I need to carry it around?  Robertson said, adding that the company was looking at getting rid of keys altogether. We are looking at whether it is feasible, and whether we can do it. Whether we do it right now or at some point in the future remains to be seen, Robertson said.

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Samsung Electronics is poised to make a dramatic impact on the Latin American market with the AR9500M, its first wall-mounted Wind-Free air conditioner. Unveiled at Febrava 2017  the International Trade Fair for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Air Heating (HVAC-R)  in Brazil on September 12, the AR9500M was awarded the exhibitions Innovation Award (Selo Destaque Inovacao). The product was first launched in Brazil, and features an innovative cooling system designed to simultaneously conserve energy and deliver comfort.

Samsungs AR9500M sets itself apart by producing no direct air drafts, keeping the room temperature comfortable thanks to Wind-Free technology. This unique technology gently spreads cool air through 21,000 micro air holes and creates still air moving at speeds slower than 0.15m/s.

Wind-Free cooling technology introduces a two-step cooling process, reducing temperature in Fast Cooling Mode before switching to Wind-Free Mode, which maintains the desired temperature while minimizing drafts. In Wind-Free Mode, energy consumption is reduced by up to 72 per cent compared to Fast Cooling Mode. Furthermore, using the Samsung Digital Inverter 8-Pole with POWERboost Technology, the AR9500M takes less time to reach its desired speed.

The AR9500Ms unique Triangle Architecture also contributes to its superior cooling performance. The upgraded structures wider inlet allows for more air to be drawn in at once, while the optimal width and angle of the outlet, extra v-blades and large fan  which is 22 per cent larger than in previous models  ensure that air is cooled and expelled faster, farther and wider to reach every corner of the room.

The Wi-Fi enabled AR9500M allows temperature and product settings to be adjusted remotely via the Samsung Connect application. The application offers users real-time updates on performance and power consumption, and it can identify problems in need of repair.

The AR9500M was introduced to industry professionals at Febrava 2017, alongside the 360 Cassette, the worlds first circular-designed air conditioner, and the Wind-Free 1Way Cassette for residential as well as commercial use. Taking place until September 15 at Sao Paulos Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, the trade fair is the most important event in the HVAC-R chain in Latin America, showcasing over 550 HVAC-R companies and attracting more than 30,000 visitors each year.

Visitors to the Samsung booth can appreciate the comfort and quiet of Wind-Free technology for themselves at the companys Wind-Free experience zone, which showcases its air conditioning technologies. Also on display are Samsungs further cutting-edge HVAC-R solutions, including its corrosion resistance technology for long-lasting performance, with special protection optimized for the Latin American market.

Brazil is a significant first step for Samsung towards capturing the Latin American market. The country represents the continents core market, with an air conditioner market share of over 25 per cent and a high demand for the comfort and efficiency offered by the premium air conditioner.

Brazils Latin American neighbors will not be left wanting. Samsung has mapped out a further expansion into the regions substantial market, equivalent to $2.4 billion dollars, in the latter half of 2017. There will be consecutive launches in new Latin American markets, when countries such as Peru, Argentina and Chile will be able to welcome Wind-Free technology and comfort into their lives.

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The new autonomous driving investment comes after the South Korean company completed its acquisition of Harman.

South Korea: Samsung Electronics Co. said Thursday it will invest 75 million euro ($89 million) in TTTech, a Vienna, Austria-based company that makes autonomous driving technologies and safety controls for Audi cars and others, stepping up its push into autonomous driving technology.

The new autonomous driving investment comes after the South Korean company completed its acquisition of Harman, which makes car navigation systems and technology for cars to communicate with each other and infrastructure. Samsung also announced that it has created a business unit within Harman to oversee autonomous driving.

Samsung's investment in TTTech is the first from a $300 million fund aimed at adding to its autonomous driving technology. Samsung says the fund will invest in automotive start-ups.

Samsung is the world's largest maker of memory chips and smartphones. It does not produce vehicles or own an auto company but it acquired licenses to operate self-driving cars in South Korea and in California to test autonomous driving software and hardware.

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Budget smartphones have unarguably become good looking devices in the recent times and the 10.or E is no exception.

Rating:

These days, theres little to no difference between smartphones in the budget segment. All of them have octa core processors with 3GB or 4GB of RAM and have decent camera sensors for good imaging. The purchase decision only boils down to the OS on offer  whether its a custom OS like that of MIUI on Xiaomi phones or like the stock Android on Motorola. It all depends on what kind of UI experience does one want.

10.or (pronounced as 'Tenor') is a new Chinese firm looking to eat into the share of the budget smartphone market in the country. Their first smartphone  the 10.or E, has been priced sub-Rs 10,000 and is available in two RAM and storage variants. Unlike majority budget smartphones, 10.or has preferred a stock Android OS on their very first offering, which is increasingly being adored by most smartphone users, even though they are attracted and even biased towards colourful and feature-rich custom operating systems. Does the 10.or E have what it takes to challenge the big boys in this segment  the Xiaomi Redmi 4 (Read its review here), Samsung J2 and the Moto E4? Lets find out.

Budget smartphones have unarguably evolved as good looking devices in the recent times and the 10.or E is no exception. It certainly looks good with its clean and curvy design  there are no sharp edges on this smartphone. The rear panel is built using polycarbonate that mimics metal and imparts a satisfying feel of holding a metal-bodied phone in your hand. The fingerprint sensor has a quick response with absolutely no lags. Sadly, the volume and power buttons do not sport good tactility and are a tad unsatisfactory.

A plastic body also means no more 'vulgar' antenna lines on the rear and a clean look. We have to say that 10.or Es fit and finish comes close to the high-end Nokia Lumia smartphones from the old days and smartphone enthusiasts could agree with us that its high praise.

The smartphone is dominated by a 5.5-inch full HD LCD display, protected by a 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3  one of the few phones in this price range to offer a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution display. The display produces good contrasts and the colour reproduction is commendable as well. Theres no visible loss of colours or brightness when viewed from wider angles.

The 10.or E is built around a 1.4GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 chipset, which does not slouch in the performance department. The high-end variant of the E (3GB/32GB) is aimed for multitasking users. The phone runs on the latest Android 7.1.2 Nougat build and the company confirms an Oreo update soon.

With stock Android, the smartphone shows no signs of lag or stutter on a day-to-day basis. Whether you are aimlessly flicking through apps and menus or simply using Nougats multi-window mode with two intensive tasks, the 10.or E accepts all abuses you could possibly throw at it.

Casual games such as NOVA Legacy and Temple Run 2 are also a non-issue for the smartphone; although, high-end titles tend to put the smartphone under some stress. Overall, the E along with a stock Android and negligible bloatware can easily rub shoulders with its rivals in the UI experience arena.

10.or has ensured that this commendable performance is backed by a good battery life. A 4000mAh battery fuels the 10.or E, leading you to forget about the charger for at least two days despite casual web browsing, gaming, video streaming and texting. It would have been nice if 10.or had packed in a fast charging option to top-up the battery quickly, but then we could be demanding a bit too much from a smartphone with a little price tag.

Another feature that deserves special mention on this smartphone is the camera. The 13MP rear camera is a joy to use for casual photography. Whether you are shooting macros or capturing landscapes, you will always get photos with good colour, contrasts, adequate brightness and decent sharpness. As with all budget smartphones, low-light conditions takes its toll on this camera too, resulting in noticeable grains and colour loss.

Despite the usual issues with low light, we would say that the camera on the 10.or E shines out, even faring better than some popular smartphones in this segment.

Verdict:

The 10.or E is a really good smartphone for the company to kick-off its innings in the crowded Indian smartphone market. The smartphone ticks all the right boxes for a budget smartphone  good day-to-day performance, good camera, great software and a good build. It is really hard not to recommend it over the more popular Redmi 4 or Moto E4 or Samsung Galaxy J2 unless you care about the brand and after-sales service. If you want a good budget smartphone with stock Android, then the 10.or E should be high up on your consideration list.

Specifications at a glance:

CPU: 1.4GHZ octa core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430, ( 4 x 1.2 GHz Cortex A53 + 4 x 1.5 GHz Cortex A53) 64-bit processor

GPU: Adreno 505

Display: 5.5-inch full HD LCD

Battery: 4000mAh

Camera: 13MP rear with LED flash, 5MP front

Connectivity: HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot; Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE; microUSB 2.0

Operating system: Android Nougat 7.1.2

Dimensions: 78 x154x8.5mm

Weight: 150g

Price: 2GB/16GB @ Rs 7,999; 3GB/32GB @ Rs 8,999

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The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan (Photo: Representational Image)

Washington: The latest round of talks between India and Pakistan on the Indus Waters Treaty have ended without any agreement, the World Bank has said, while asserting that it will continue to work with complete impartiality to resolve the issues in an amicable manner.

Amid a chill in bilateral ties, the second round of discussions between India and Pakistan on Ratle and Kishanganga hydroelectric projects, over which Islamabad has raised objections, took place at the World Bank headquarters here on September 14 and 15 under the aegis of the World Bank.

"While an agreement has not been reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the Treaty provisions," the World Bank said in a statement.

"Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty," it said after the conclusion of the Secretary-level discussions between the two countries on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The World Bank remains committed to act in good faith and with "complete impartiality and transparency" in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Treaty, while continuing to assist the countries, it said in its statement.

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

The World Banks role in relation to the "differences" and "disputes" is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties.

The Indian delegation was led by the Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh. It also included Indias Indus Water Commissioner and representatives from the ministry of external affairs, power, and Central Water Commission.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan along with Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.

The last round of talks were held on August 1, which the World bank said were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.
Washington: President Donald Trump will pummel foes and embrace friends in his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week, keeping pressure on Washingtons adversaries North Korea and Iran, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said on Friday.

Briefing reporters ahead of the annual UN meeting, Haley and White House national security adviser HR McMaster took a tough line on North Korea, warning that a military option to deal with its nuclear threats was available.

Trump will meet with leaders from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America throughout the week, but his remarks, scheduled for Tuesday morning, will be the presidents highest profile opportunity to explain his foreign policy vision couched in his America first agenda.

I personally think he slaps the right people, he hugs the right people, and he comes out with (the) US being very strong, in the end, Haley, speaking at the White House, said of Trumps speech.

Haley declined to say whether Trump would commit Washington to maintaining its current level of funding for the 193-nation body. Trump has complained that the United States funds 22 percent of the UN budget and nearly 30 percent of UN peacekeeping duties.

Trump will kick off the week with a meeting about UN reform on Monday. He will then have meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that will focus on Iran, McMaster said. Trump has dinner scheduled with Latin American leaders.

On Tuesday, he will meet Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Trump said last week he would be willing to mediate the worst dispute in decades between Qatar and US-allied Arab states.

On Wednesday, he will meet with leaders from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Britain and Egypt and on Thursday there are talks scheduled with leaders from Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine before holding a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan.

McMaster said it was unlikely that Trump would speak to Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, whom the White House has sanctioned and called a dictator.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said that their final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK. (Photo: File | AP)

Seoul: North Korea said Saturday it was seeking military "equilibrium" with the United States as leader Kim Jong-Un vowed to complete Pyongyang's nuclear programme, which he said had "nearly reached the terminal".

North Korea successfully fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan on Friday, responding to a new round of UN sanctions over its sixth nuclear test with its furthest-ever missile flight.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK," leader Kim said, according to a report carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Kim said the country was close to the goal of completing its nuclear ambitions and should use all power at its disposal to finish the task, saying it had "nearly reached the terminal", the official KCNA news agency reported.

Kim said Friday's launch, which it described as a drill rather than a test, had increased the North's "combat power of the nuclear force", KCNA reported.

"We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade," Kim said, according to KCNA.

The UN Security Council condemned Friday's launch as "highly provocative" and US President Donald Trump scheduled talks with the leaders of Japan and South Korea to address the crisis.

"As Kim Jong-Un's most recent launch demonstrates, this is one of the world's most urgent and dangerous security problems," US National Security Advisor H.R McMaster said.

Equilibrium 'unrealistic'

The US Pacific Command confirmed Friday's rocket was an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and said it did not pose a threat to North America or to the US Pacific territory of Guam, which Pyongyang has threatened with "enveloping fire".

Seoul's defence ministry said it probably travelled around 3,700 kilometres (2,300 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometres.

Yang Uk, an analyst with the Korea Defence and Security Forum, told AFP that Kim's stated ambition of achieving a military balance was some way off.

"It's too unrealistic for North Korea to reach equilibrium in nuclear force with the US even if it's true that the North has been making a rapid progress in its nuclear drive," he said.

The North has raised global tensions with its rapid progress in weapons technology under Kim, who is regularly pictured by state media overseeing launches and visiting facilities.

"The latest launch, which was apparently made from a TEL (transporter erector launcher or missile vehicle) instead of a makeshift launch pad, means the North is now ready to deploy the IRBM Hwasong-12 for combat purposes," he said.

The North's previous missile launch, a Hwasong-12 IRBM just over two weeks ago, also overflew Japan's main islands and was the first to do so for years.

"Within three to five years, the North is expected to be capable of operating nuclear missiles as deterrence," Yang Uk added.

Calls for talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron jointly appealed for talks with North Korea, saying this was the only way to resolve tensions over its nuclear programme.

The crisis requires resolution "exclusively through political and diplomatic means, by restarting direct negotiations", a Kremlin statement said following a phone call between the leaders.

The appeal was directed at the United States and Japan, countries calling to ramp up pressure through sanctions rather than pin hopes on talks.

Russia and China, North Korea's main ally, on Monday backed a US-drafted resolution at the Security Council to impose fresh sanctions on Pyongyang -- but they maintain dialogue is key to defuse the crisis.

Washington has rejected as "insulting" a proposal from China to kick-start talks with a freeze on North Korea's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korean drills.

The sanctions imposed on Monday banned the North's textile trade, stopped new work permits for its labourers, and imposed restrictions on shipments of oil products, among other measures.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo could "never tolerate" what he called a "dangerous provocative action that threatens world peace".

In response to Friday's launch, South Korea's military immediately carried out a ballistic missile drill of its own, with the defence ministry saying it took place while the North's rocket was still airborne.

President Moon Jae-In told an emergency meeting of Seoul's national security council that dialogue with the North was "impossible in a situation like this".
In this aerial image made from video, police officers work at the Parsons Green Underground station after an explosion in London on Friday. (Photo: AP)

London: At least 22 people were injured after a bomb detonated on a packed London Underground train on Friday, setting off a "wall of fire" that burned commuters in Britain's fifth terror attack in six months.

Witnesses saw passengers with facial burns and hair coming off at the Parsons Green station in west London after the explosion on the train during the morning rush hour.

"At 8:20 this morning at Parsons Green station there was an explosion on a Tube train. We now assess that this was a detonation of an improvised explosive device," police counter-terror chief Mark Rowley said.

Rowley said most of the injuries were due to "flash burns", while others were wounded by the stampede as passengers ran out of the station in panic.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said a "manhunt" was underway.

One local resident, Charlie Craven, who was on his way to the station, said he heard a "massive bang".

"I saw an orange sort of fireball encompassing the whole Tube coming towards you," he told AFP.

Witness Lauren Hubbard described it as "a wall of fire".

Twitter user @Rrigs, who posted pictures of a white bucket smouldering on the train, said: "Explosion on Parsons Green District Line train. Fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door".

Explosion on Parsons Green district line train. Fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door. pic.twitter.com/pGbfotbfsJ  Rigs (@RRigs) September 15, 2017

The bucket, which was inside a frozen food bag from the budget supermarket chain Lidl, looked like the type used by builders and there appeared to be cables coming out of it.

Police sources cited by British media said the device had a timer but had failed to detonate fully.

US President Donald Trump said that "loser terrorists" were behind the attack, adding that they were already "in the sights" of British police.

London's Metropolitan Police dismissed the tweet as "unhelpful speculation", and Trump was also rebuked by Prime Minister Theresa May.

"I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," she said, speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting.

May also said the device was "clearly intended to cause significant harm," condemning it as a "cowardly attack".

Armed police on patrol

The National Health Service said 18 people were taken by ambulance to hospital, while four others made their own way to hospitals.

The London Ambulance Service said none of the victims "are thought to be in a serious or life-threatening condition".

The MI5 intelligence service is assisting investigators, and police said Londoners should expect additional security measures over the weekend.

Armed police and sniffer dogs could be seen on the train and around the station, which is in a leafy area of west London popular with well-off commuters, and filled with chic cafes.

The area around the station was later evacuated as bomb disposal experts secured what was left.

Local residents and businesses rallied together with businesses offering tea and the use of their toilets to people unable to get home.

The local council of Hammersmith and Fulham opened a rest centre in the area for those affected.

The bombing is the fifth terror attack in Britain since March, when a man mowed down pedestrians and stabbed a police officer outside the British parliament.

'Lots of screaming'

Passengers described chaotic scenes at the station in the normally quiet part of west London.

Louis Hather, 21, was travelling to work and was three carriages down from where the explosion took place.

"I could smell the burning. Like when you burn plastic," he told AFP.

Hather saw a woman with burns being carried away on a stretcher.

He was trampled on as passengers stampeded out of the station and his leg was badly cut and bruised.

Sally Faulding, a 51-year-old teacher, said: "People were falling over each other."

Richard Aylmer-Hall, 52, told the Press Association: "There was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming".

A total of 35 people have been killed in four previous attacks in London and Manchester this year.

Three of those involved a vehicle ploughing into pedestrians.

The other attack was a bombing in May at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester which killed 22 people, including several children.

Otso Iho, a senior analyst at Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, said the latest attack showed a "continued high intent but low capability" of the terrorism threat in Britain.

Hans Michels, a professor of chemical engineering at Imperial College, said the flash flame "suggests that the explosion was only partly successful".

"Much of the bucket still seems to be intact and there appear to be no victims with lethal impact wounds," he said.
London: Britain lifted its national security threat level to critical from severe on Saturday, meaning an attack is expected, after a bomb on a London commuter train injured 29 people.

Prime Minister Theresa May said in a televised statement that armed police and members of the military would be seen on the streets in the coming days. For this period, military personnel will replace police officers on guard duties at certain protected sites that are not accessible to the public, she said.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Fridays attack, fifth major terrorism attack in Britain this year.

The last time Britain was put on critical alert was after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in May. Prior to that it had not been triggered since 2007.

Police has arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of a terror offence in connection with Fridays attack. Armed police are searching a house in Surrey, where nearby residents have been evacuated, BBC reported.
Beijing: Stating that the boundary dispute between the two neighbouring countries are yet to be delimited, China on Friday termed Japan as third party in context to Arunachal Pradesh and urged it to stay out of the border issue between India and China.

Expressing dissatisfaction over Japan's investment plan in northeast India under Japan-India Joint Statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, Any third party should respect the efforts made by China and India to settle the disputes through negotiation.

The India-Japan joint statement read, "The two Prime Ministers welcomed the India-Japan cooperation on development of India's North Eastern Region (NER) as a concrete symbol of developing synergies between India's Act East policy and Japan's Free and Open Indo Pacific Strategy."

Any third party should not meddle in the disputes between China and India over territorial sovereignty in any form, Hua said.

However, Japan had accused Beijing of changing status quo, during Doklam standoff with India.

The 70-day-long Doklam standoff between began with New Delhis opposition to Beijings road construction in tri-junction point between India-Bhutan-China. The standoff ended in August.

Stating that there are disputes over the eastern section of the China-India boundary, the spokesperson said: China's position on the boundary issue is consistent. Now, China and India are working on seeking a fair and reasonable settlement which can be accepted by both sides through negotiations.

India and Japan had on Thursday signed Joint Statement for the development of northeastern states during Japan PM Shinzo Abes two-day visit to India for the inauguration of high-speed Bullet Train between Ahemdabad-Mumbai.

The spokesperson mentions that her government has read the joint statement between India and Japan, and is bit surprised to see that there isnt any reference to China where it is needed, including the development/investment near border areas like Arunachal.

When asked about the India and Japans indirect allusion in the joint statement regarding border dispute, navigation, and Belt and Road initiative, the Chinese side explained that it is better to ask Japan and India and see whether they can make some clarifications on this.

Japan and India are important countries in Asia. We hope that the development of normal relations between Japan and India can play a constructive role for the mutual trust and cooperation between regional countries and the peace, stability and development of the region, the spokesperson said.
Jnanapith awardee Dr Chandreshekar Kambara said the divide between rural and urban areas is getting wider as English mode of education is instrumental in destroying the essence of rustic India.



He was speaking after inaugurating the Manipal International Literature and Arts Platform (Milap) Fest here.



Kambara said India had wonderful movements which introduced the country to extreme renaissance and transformed the soil drastically. The country which witnessed the Bhakthi movement had a unique opportunity to ensure that the devotees interacted with their God in the local rustic language, he added.



He said English education, introduced by Lord Macaulay in 19th century, affected all vernacular languages. The British made English the official language and the local people blindly accepted their orders, he regretted.



Kambara said language has also increased the gap between urban and rural areas. The villages have memories to cherish and the cities are only attached to legacy. Urbanisation has indeed lost heights and depth, he observed.



He said English literature always addresses individual, while Sanskrit and other vernacular languages are community oriented. Innocence still looms large in rural India. Memories in rural India created myths, songs, rituals and tales. Ironically, the English education separated the countrymen from the past. The British tried to make Indians realise that learning Sanskrit is waste and were partially successful, he felt.



Veteran Kannada writer Vaidehi condemned the recent murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh.



The voice of different thoughts cannot be snubbed through violence. It is disheartening to observe that thinkers and the people, who promote ideologies, are massacred mercilessly. The heinous crime is echoing all over. The murderers should

think that voice cannot be stopped by just bullets, she reiterated.



Vaidehi said creativity cannot be destroyed. More and more voices, seeking justice and secular equality will get louder. It is myth that the flow of thoughts can be disparaged, she stressed.



She lamented that the real purpose of education is losing its essence and sensibility is lost in education. There is no value for silence, talk or life. Humanity is forgotten and seriousness is laced with all unwanted evils in the society, she regretted.



Manipal University vice-chancellor Dr Vinod Bhat emphasised on the role of arts and music while imbibing humanitarian values.






A day after North Korea fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan, President Donald Trump said he is confident that the US' options towards North Korea are "effective and overwhelming."



"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force.

Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated.



"We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said.



North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.



Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Defense Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said.



"The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defense Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said.



"Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defense cooperation between the three nations," he said.



Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was second time that they've had to do that since World War II.



"I believe it will further North Korea's isolation -- diplomatic and economic isolation -- because more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said.



"I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said.



Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile.



"The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said.


"Intelligence inputs suggest that around 250 militants were waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate into our side at various launch pads along the LoC from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir side, the officer added.



The latest infiltration bid took place amid reports that Pakistani troops targeted Indian border outposts and civilian areas along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district in overnight firing and shelling.

The army foiled an infiltration attempt by militants to cross over from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) into the Machil sector of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Saturday, and two ultras were killed in the ensuing encounter.Sources said troops guarding the LoC in Machil sector noticed the movement of heavily armed militants, who were trying to infiltrate into Indian territory. "As the troops challenged the infiltrators, they opened fire and in the retaliatory action two unidentified militants were killed," they said.Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia confirmed that an infiltration bid was foiled in Machil sector in which two militants were killed. During the search, weapons and warlike stores were recovered from the possession of the slain militants," he said. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain militants were not immediately known.On August 7, five militants were killed by the army in Machil sector when they were trying to infiltrate into the Indian side. Earlier in July, four more infiltrating militants were killed in the same sector.This year more than 25 infiltration attempts have been foiled by the army and over 45 armed intruders have been eliminated along the LoC. In 2015, militants made 28 infiltration attempts along the LoC while last year the number rose to 88 infiltration attempts.There is pressure on militants waiting on launching pads to infiltrate due to depleting the number of militants in the State in view of successes achieved by security forces, a senior Amry officer said and added the Army has enhanced its capability and boosted its strategy to check the infiltration attempts along the LoC.
British police raced Saturday to track down whoever planted a bomb on a packed London Underground train, as authorities raised the national threat level to maximum, meaning another attack may be imminent.



Friday morning's blast, which left 29 people injured, was Britain's fifth terror attack in six months and was claimed by the Islamic State group.



Prime Minister Theresa May announced late Friday that the threat level had been raised to "critical", and said troops would take over guarding key sites to free police officers for deployment elsewhere.



The explosion at Parsons Green station in south-west London sparked a "wall of fire" that left passengers with burns and caused a stampede of panicking people in which some were trampled.



No-one has yet been arrested over the bombing, but anti-terrorism police chief Mark Rowley said the investigation was making "really good progress". "We're chasing down suspects," he told reporters.



"Somebody has planted this improvised explosive device on the Tube. We have to be open-minded at this stage about him and potential associates."



May said military personnel would take over guard duty at certain closed "protected sites", freeing up 1,000 police officers to be deployed on the transport network and on streets across Britain.



The country was last on critical alert after the bombing at a concert in Manchester in May, which was also claimed by the IS group.



In a statement Friday, the group said an IS "detachment" had carried out the London attack. Rowley earlier said most of the injuries were due to "flash burns", while others were wounded as passengers ran out of the station in panic.



Witness Charlie Craven told AFP he heard a "massive bang", adding: "I saw an orange sort of fireball encompassing the whole Tube coming towards you." Another, Lauren Hubbard, described it as "a wall of fire".



Twitter user @Rrigs posted pictures of a white bucket smouldering on the train and described how a "fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door".



The bucket, which was inside a frozen food bag from the budget supermarket chain Lidl, looked like the type used by builders and there appeared to be cables coming out of it.



US President Donald Trump said that "loser terrorists" were behind the attack, adding that they were already "in the sights" of British police.



London's Metropolitan Police dismissed the tweet as "unhelpful speculation", while May also rebuked him.



"I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," she said, speaking after an emergency meeting of senior ministers.



May said the device was "clearly intended to cause significant harm", condemning it as a "cowardly attack".



Speaking on Friday evening, Rowley said the remnants of the bomb were being examined by forensic scientists. British media reported that it had a timer but failed to detonate fully.



Hans Michels, a professor of chemical engineering at Imperial College, said the flash flame "suggests that the explosion was only partly successful". "Much of the bucket still seems to be intact and there appear to be no victims with lethal impact wounds," he said.



Twenty-nine victims were treated in hospital, although health authorities said none were in a serious life-threatening condition, and eight were released on Friday. Louis Hather, 21, had been travelling to work and was three carriages down from where the explosion took place.



"I could smell the burning. Like when you burn plastic," he told AFP. He was trampled on as passengers stampeded out of the station and his leg was badly cut and bruised. Sally Faulding, a 51-year-old teacher, said: "People were falling over each other."



Richard Aylmer-Hall, 52, told the Press Association: "There was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming." The area around Parsons Green station -- a quiet and wealthy residential district, filled with chic cafes -- was evacuated for most of the day.



Local residents and businesses rallied together to offer tea, phone charging points, and the use of their toilets to people unable to get home. Four previous attacks in London and Manchester this year claimed the lives of 35 people. Three of those attacks involved a vehicle ploughing into pedestrians.



The other attack was a bombing in May at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester which killed 22 people, including several children.
A rift between Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfits and Zakir Musa, head of the Al Qaeda cell in Kashmir - Ansar Ghazwatul Hind, is out in the open with the former blaming the later for providing information to security forces about the movement of ultras.



A video in which five masked men claiming to be Hizbul militants accuses Musa of being behind the killing of militants in the Valley. In the video, which has gone viral on social media, the Hizbul terms Musa as a traitor.



We on behalf of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen want to convey this special message to people that from last three months a huge number of militants have been martyred. We have not seen so many Muhajids being killed earlier. There is none other than Zakir Musa behind these killings, a masked gunman can be heard saying in the video.



After the killing of LeT operational chief, Abu Ismail, and his associate, Abu Qasim on Thursday on the outskirts of Srinagar the terror outfit's Kashmir chief, Mehmood Shah, issued a stern warning to the "informers" who act as sources for the police that leads to the death of militants. Referring to the informers, the LeT chief in a statement to local news gathering agencies said that they have no "idea that how many precious lives are getting lost like this."



Ismail had replaced Abu Dujana as operational chief of LeT in Kashmir after Dujana sided himself with Musa. Dujana was killed in an encounter with security forces on August 1 in Pulwama.



Musa, an engineering college dropout had in May threatened Kashmiri separatist leaders to "chop off and hang their heads" in city centre Lal Chowk "for interfering in his struggle for the establishment of the Shariah (Islamic rule) in Kashmir."



The Hizbul leadership in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir distanced itself from Musa's threat. Following the snub, he quit Hizbul in July and was announced as the head of a newly created al-Qaida cell, Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind" by "Global Islamic Media Front, an al-Qaida-affiliated information network.



Rumors were circulating in the Valley right from the day when Musa quit Hizbul, that he was providing information to security forces about the movement of militants belonging to other organisations. In August, Hizbul's senior commander, Riyaz Naikoo, while appearing at the funeral of one of the militants in south Kashmir area of Tahab in Pulwama had said that "efforts were being made to defame the Kashmir freedom struggle". He had asked people not to support those "who oppose Pakistani flag."



Musa, who announced his allegiance to a pan-Islamic Caliphate, accused Pakistan of betraying "Mujahideen (those who serve in the name of Allah) and declaring them as terrorists." In a video message, he said that Pakistan betrayed the militants and even got many of them killed while shutting down the training camps after the US attacked Afghanistan in 2001.



While security agencies are tight-lipped over the issue, a senior police officer wishing anonymity said the new development could set off a fratricidal war among Kashmiri militants. "In early 1990's when militancy was at its peak so many ultras were killed in group rivalries and same can't be ruled out now," he revealed.
Police have arrested a medical practitioner from city last evening for allegedly raping a nurse repeatedly. The accused doctor has a dispensary as well as hospital in the city, said woman police inspector N D Patil of Shri Nagar police station.



He has been booked under sections 376 2(E) (rape on a woman knowing her to be pregnant), 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage her modesty, said the officer. The accused has also been booked under relevant sections of the POCSO Act, she said.



The police said that the victim now 22, was doing internship in his dispensary in July 2012 and later worked as a nurse till June 2014 when the doctor allegedly raped her at his house and at a lodge in Mira Road.



The doctor later threatened the victim that she would be sacked from her job and he would make public their relation, said police, adding, around one-and-half year back the victim left the job with the hospital.



Two weeks back the victim had gone to the dispensary for the check up of her son who was sick, it was then that the doctor once again made advances towards her and asked as to why she was not responding and talking to him, said police.



He caught her hands and molested her, the complaint by the victim last evening against the doctor with the Shri Nagar police station stated.
The latest round of Indo-Pak talks on the Indus Waters Treaty have ended without any agreement, the World Bank has said, while emphasising that it will continue to work with complete impartiality in fulfilling its responsibilities under the pact.



The second round of discussions between India and Pakistan on Ratle and Kishanganga hydroelectric projects, over which Islamabad has raised objections, took place at the World Bank headquarters here on September 14 and 15 under the aegis of the World Bank.



"While an agreement has not been reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the Treaty provisions," the World Bank said in a statement.



"Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty," it said after the conclusion of the Secretary-level discussions between the two countries on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty.



The World Bank remains committed to act in good faith and with "complete impartiality and transparency" in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Treaty, while continuing to assist the countries, it said in its statement.



The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.



The World Bank's role in relation to the "differences" and "disputes" is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties.



The Indian delegation was led by the Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh. It also included India's Indus Water Commissioner and representatives from the ministry of external affairs, power, and Central Water Commission.



The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan along with Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.



The last round of talks were held on August 1, which the World bank said were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.
A massive fire gutted a part of the iconic RK Studio at Chembur on Saturday. here were no casualties. However, property to the tune of several lakhs was damaged in the fire.





The fire took place at the sets of kids dance reality show, Super Dancer Season 2, aired on Sony. However, there was no crew as no shooting was scheduled on Saturday.





RK Studio premises that also houses RK Films, the production company of the Kapoor-khandaan located off the VN Purav Marg, is one of the most prominent addresses of Bollywood. The studio and the film company was founded in 1948 by late Raj Kapoor, the legendary showman. The first film under the banner and that was shot here was Aag, in which Raj Kapoor played the lead role besides directing and producing it.





Sad. A major fire broke out at RK Studio. We have lost the iconic Stage 1. Thankfully, no casualties. All your concerns appreciated, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted on behalf of the family.





Immediately after the fire was reported, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) immediately swung into action and moved in six fire tenders and four tankers.





The fire was reported around 1422 hrs and could be controlled only post 1700 hrs.





As the fire spread from all the sides, red flames and smoke billowed out. The smoke could be seen from several kilometers away. The fire also led to a traffic jam in the Chembur area and the vehicular traffic between Mumbai to Navi Mumbai was hampered.





The cause of the fire was not yet known, but short-circuit seems to have led to the inferno. Electric wiring, electric installation, decoration equipment were damaged in the fire, MFB officials said.





Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Anupam Kher tweeted: Feeling terrible about the #RKStudio fire. Have unbelievable memories and life lessons about the legendary studio.
Lessons taught by ancestors on conserving the environment have been forgotten and global warming "is a message from God" for course correction, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.



Vardhan said various international agreements on environment and climate change will not show results unless work in carried out at the ground level.



He, however, lauded the international community for coming together to address the problem of global warming that threatens the world.



"Our ancestors handed over to us clean rivers, rich fertile land, pure air, forest. But in the process of improving our lives, we did things that led to degradation of environment. This is why God has sent us a message under the name of global warming and climate change," he said.



Vardhan was speaking at an event organised on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol.



The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.



The minister also urged all stakeholders, including the industry and the consumers, to move towards more environment-friendly cooling agents used in refrigerators and air- conditioners.



Citing the Montreal Protocol, Vardhan said such treaties under the aegis of the United Nations have helped achieve many important milestones to conserve the environment.



The Minister also spoke of the strong policy leadership given by India during the negotiations for the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.



Under the amendment, three different schedules have been set for countries to freeze and then reduce the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).



The developed countries, led by the US and Europe, will reduce HFC use by 85 per cent by 2036 over a 2011-13 baseline



China, which is the largest producer of HFCs in the world, will reduce HFC use by 80 per cent by 2045 over the 2020-22 baseline. India will reduce the use of HFCs by 85 per cent over the 2024-26 baseline.
Taking a cue from the All India Akhara Parishad (AIAP), an apex body of the Hindu saints and ascetics in the country, which had released a list of 14 fake babas in the country and asked the government to take stern action against them, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) would also identify fake clerics.



According to the sources in the AIMPLB, the board feels that there is an urgent need to identify the clerics who do not possess adequate knowledge about the shariat (Islamic Laws) and often create confusion in the community by their faulty interpretations of the shariat on sensitive personal issues.



There are many clerics who are seen taking part in debates and discussions on TV channels on sensitive issues concerning the Muslim community...a majority of them do not have proper understanding of the personal laws of the community...they often extend faulty interpretations...it sends a wrong message, said a prominent Muslim cleric here.



He attributed the opposition to triple talaq (divorcing by pronouncing the word talaq three times in one go) within a section of the Muslims to the confusion created by fake clerics.



Had the true position of Shariat with regard to the triple talaq been conveyed to the community there would not have any opposition at all, he said.



He said that the board would discuss the issue in the next few days and come out with concrete proposals to weed out fake clerics.



The AIAP had also recently come out with a list of 14 fake babas, which included rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Asaram Bapu and Radhey Maa.
A Catholic priest from India who was freed after being held 18 months in Yemen said Saturday that he was never physically harmed during his captivity, even if his captors feigned hitting him on videos seeking ransom.



Officials said they had no knowledge of ransom having been paid.



The Rev Tom Uzhunnalil was kidnapped from a home for senior citizens in Aden, southern Yemen, established by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in March 2016. Four nuns were killed during the attack. Uzhunnalil's voice broke as he publicly expressed his condolences.



"I thank God almighty for this day. He saved me healthy enough. Clear mind. Emotions under control until now," the 59 -year-old Uzhunnalil said. "God has been extremely kind to me. No gun was pointed at me."

He said that when the home for senior citizens was attacked, he identified himself as an Indian and he was brought to another room "while they killed the others."



Indian officials announced his release on Tuesday, and images show a bearded, gaunt Uzhunnalil descending from an airplane in Muscat, Oman. The priest said he had been transferred from Yemen by car to Oman, and then brought by air to the capital before continuing his journey to Rome.



The priest said he didn't know his kidnappers' identities or affiliations and believed their motive was ransom, although the head of Uzhunnalil's Salesian order, Don A. F. Artime, said they had no knowledge of any ransom having been paid.



"No one ever told us that they asked for money. No one asked us for even a euro," Artime said. "We don't know anything about this. This is the whole truth. And I believe that Father Tom knows even less."



The mechanisms behind his release also were unclear, but the Vatican has thanked the Sultan of Oman in a statement and Uzhunnalil thanked leaders in his native India.



The priest said that his captors never harmed him, even if in some videos they made it appear that way in an effort to get a speedy response in negotiations. They provided tablets to treat his diabetes and took care of his basic needs. He was transferred several times during his captivity, but he doesn't know where he was held. His captors kept their faces covered in his presence, he said.



Artime said the priest lost about 30 kilogrammes during the ordeal, and described his health as "very delicate, very weak," adding "he is calm of spirit."



During his captivity, Uzhunnalil said he prayed and exercised his mind by reciting Mass by memory. When he was loaded into the trunk of a car when he was first kidnapped, Uzhunnalil said that the tabernacle from the altar inside the senior home was at his feet. His hands weren't tied, and he was able to reach under the velvet cloth and touch it, confirming that it contained four or five Eucharistic hosts that he had blessed the day before.



"So I said to myself, without the knowledge of God, nothing will happen to me," he said.
The armies of India and the US today commenced a joint military exercise at a base in Washington state to hone tactical skills in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations, a statement from the military said.



'Yudh Abhyas 2017', a joint military exercise, saw representation from 5th Infantry Battalion of 20 Infantry Regiment of the US Army while the Indian side was represented by soldiers of Gorkha Rifles from the Surya Command.



During the two-week exercise, soldiers from both countries will hone their tactical skills in counter insurgency and counter terror operations under a joint brigade headquarter.



"Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in UN peacekeeping operations," the statement added.
Vice President Venakaiah Naidu, as new Rajya Sabha chairman, may revisit the Question Hour timings of the Upper House, which were changed under his predecessor Hamid Ansari's tenure in 2014.

Ansari had changed the timings of the 'Question Hour' in Rajya Sabha to 12 noon till 1 pm -- as against the traditional practice of holding it from 11 am to 12 noon-- from the winter session of Parliament in November 2014.



The Lok Sabha, however, continued with the old practice of having the Question Hour from 11 am to 12 noon. However, different timings for the Question Hour and Zero Hours in the two Houses has often put the government's floor managers in a quandary. Government's floor managers say different timings have meant that the ministers rushing from one House to another --between the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha and the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha and vice versa.



Naidu has told his officials to study the problems encountered in the ministers being required to be present in the both the Houses. He has also began consulting the leaders of the opposition as well as the MPs in this regard.



The MPs insist that the ministers must be present in the respective House to respond to queries they raise both during the Question House and the Zero Hour. The Question Hour is held to be sacrosanct time because the MPs --even those belonging to the ruling party-- can hold the government accountable to its decisions and functioning.



On the other hand, the Zero Hour is an unstructured moment that the chair allows for the MPs to raise urgent matters of public importance. The opposition often insists on a quick response from the ministers concerned to the issue or subject.



In 2011, the 'Question Hour' in Rajya Sabha was shifted for a few days to 2-3 pm so that the House could function normally in the first half. But, it was subsequently discontinued. Some MPs said early afternoon was used by older members for a nap and it was generally difficult for them to be in the house for the entire one hour.




A special meeting of the council of Mangaluru City Corporation decided to discuss about the Jala Siri scheme under tranche II of ADB funded project in detail and get approval in the next council meeting of the corporation.



The project envisions to supply round-the-clock water to citizens. The project has been prepared keeping in mind the population of the city in 2046. GKW Consultant of Kolkata has prepared a project report for Rs 162.60 crore. The project includes laying of separate pipelines, installation of pumps, checking pilferage of water enroute to the city from Thumbe and supply of water for all the 60 wards. There is a need to make changes in the project after consulting all the members and engineers.



An additional Rs 100 crore would be required for the project. The detailed project report will be placed before the council during the monthly meeting in November, the Mayor said.



The Consultant Technical Officer said that under the project, a 2.25 MLD capacity jackwell built at Thumbe will be upgraded to 20 MLD. All the 18 MGD jackwell, three pumpsets, panel and transformers installed at Thumbe in 1971 will be changed. The 18 MGD water purifying units built at Ramalkatte in 1971 will also be rejuvenated. Pumphouses will be built at Padil, Bendoor, Maryhill, Ladyhill, Bondel, Shaktinagara and Bala. Overhead tanks will be constructed at 14 locations. About 35.57-km long old pipelines will be replaced.



Bulk water metres will be installed at 169 locations to measure the inflow and outflow of water to all the pumphouses, the consultant said.



Opposition members said that the pending works initiated under first phase of ADB funded project should be completed before taking up the second phase of works.



Opposition member Premananda Shetty said that, Priority should be given for distribution of water in areas where pipelines have already been installed. Vijay Kumar Shetty said that the existing water supply system should be strengthened.




A group of young pilots has filed police complaints against two private firms and five of its representatives, saying they cheated them of Rs 4 crore by promising them jobs in an upcoming low-cost airline.



Several FIRs have been registered at the Cubbon Park police station against FLYeasy India, Shikha Developers, which runs the yet-to-be-launched airline, and its representatives Sanaulla Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, Rajesh Ebrahimkutty Beevi, Mohammad Azeem Nabeel Ali Baig, Sundaram Subramanian and Felix R Thomas.



The complaints, filed by 27-year-old Gurucharan Prabhakar and others, state that the company conducted an interview three years ago and hired them by making them pay Rs 37 lakh each.



Thinking that we will have good opportunities, we joined the company which earlier operated out of the Kempegowda International Airport but our training never took off. We paid the company by taking loans and selling our flats but the company neither gave us jobs nor returned our money, the complainant added. They were paid stipend only for three months. Police said it was a three-year-old case and that they had sought details from the candidates and were verifying the allegations.



Cheques bounced



Meanwhile, some more victims came up with information, saying cheques issued by the company had bounced and it had changed its address from the KIA to Lavelle Road and some representatives also changed their address, resulting in the return of legal notices sent to them, the police said, quoting the complainants




The state governments plan to do away with the three-language formula has sparked off a heated debate in academic circles, with some favouring the move and others opposing it.



The plan originated as a recommendation from the Karnataka Knowledge Commission through a panel of industry veteran T V Mohandas Pai co-chaired by former University of Mysore vice chancellor K S Rangappa.



The panel recommended two language subjects from Classes I-IV with Kannada (or mother tongue) as medium of instruction and English as the second language. From Classes V-VII, the panel recommended three languages with medium of instruction and two others according to the students' choice. From Classes VIII-X, it favours two languages and one language in pre-university.



Three languages are required till a certain level only. The burden of languages is too much in high school. This burden should be reduced so that learning of other subjects such as science and technology is encouraged, Pai said. He advocated Kannada and English as the two languages in high school. In North India, students learn only two languages, he pointed out.



The plan to remove the third language gels well with Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs recent pro-Kannada push. The Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, requires schools to teach Kannada as a compulsory subject  either as first language or second language  from Classes I to X in a phased manner.



Stressing on only two languages in the secondary schools and one language at the pre-university level would strengthen the grip on the languages that the students are comfortable with, rather than struggling to grasp all, said K M Naveen, MD at TRIO World Academy, a school in Sahakarnagar.



However, not everyone is convinced about the two-language formula.



A child growing up can learn up to eight languages. The original idea of the three-language formula was to allow learning a local language, English and Hindi so as to make the child a citizen of the country, educationist K S Sameera Simha said. This formula has set in well with the cultural fabric of Karnataka where children, even those coming from outside, can learn whatever language they want.



Associated Managements of English Medium Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) secretary D Shashi Kumar opposed the unhealthy move. Students have the choice to study any language as third language. Why should we take away their choice ?" he asked.



Quote



"The burden of languages is too much in high school. This burden should be reduced so that learning of other subjects such as science and technology is encouraged. - TV Mohandas Pai
The Amruthahalli police have arrested two members of a notorious inter-state gang from Ojikuppam in Andhra Pradesh for robbing more than 50 people in and around Bengaluru in the last one year by diverting their attention.



The arrested, V Suresh (35) and Srinivasulu (45), both from Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, used to stay in rented houses at various places in the city, including Hegdenagar, Hennur and Beguru. The gang members used to keep helmets, put up clothes for drying and wear shoes while going out, to impress upon their house owners to show that they were employed. They would inform them that they were granite workers and house contractors and stay for about five months at one place and then shift to other places.



S Girish, DCP (North-East) said that the accused kept changing residence often and operated in groups. They visited banks and targeted gullible customers by diverting their attention and robbed them of their money. While one of them placed a few notes and divert the attention of the victim, another would escape with the bag containing cash, while a few others would gather around the victim in the pretext of helping him. There are at least seven such gangs active in the city, Girish said.



The gang would invest the amount stolen in real estate and other business at their home town. Police teams have been dispatched to their native for further investigation, the DCP said.



Lathi charge



Police on Saturday caned the supporters of history sheeter V Nagaraj alias Bomb Naga when he had come to attend his brothers funeral.



Srirampura police said that Nagas brother V died on Saturday and Naga and his sons had come his funeral. Soon his supporters gathered and the police resorted to lathi charge.
Nobel peace prize winner and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi has given a call to all IT professionals in Bengaluru to use the power of technology in the fight against child sexual abuse and violence against women.



The Bengaluru stretch of Satyarthis Bharat Yatra, a 35-day march from Kanyakumari to Delhi to make the country safer for children, was flagged off on Saturday from the Government ITI College grounds, Dairy Circle. The march was flagged off by Kripa Amar Alva, the chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. Children, college students, NGOs and others took part in the rally and pledged to stop sexual abuse and trafficking.



The march moved to Christ University, where Satyarthi addressed a gathering of students.



What better city than the Silicon Valley of India to lead this war against abuse, trafficking, and rape? Across the world, Bengaluru is acknowledged as a hub of IT and innovation. If entrepreneurs can use technology to change our day-to-day living, surely we can together come up with technology to protect our children?  he said.



The march then moved to the Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park where Satyarthi inaugurated a project by Young Indians of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The project, titled Leher, aims to create 52 short films on child sexual abuse through a competition. The videos will be free to be used for creating awareness on the issue.



Speaking after the launch, Satyarthi urged parents to become friends to their children rather than just being mentors. It is very important to build a culture where children are able to speak their mind freely. Parents should speak up when child abuse happens and throw away the cover of protecting the so-called dignity and honour of the family, he said.



He stressed the need for creating a national sex offenders registry so that people who commit such crimes can be named and shamed. The names and faces of sex offenders should be made public so that employers and others know who they are. They should be socially boycotted and they should not be able to get employment, Satyarthi said.



He also stressed the need for better laws on trafficking as the existing laws are obsolete.






The Supreme Court has imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on the Karnataka government for about two years' delay in appealing against an order passed by the high court to give mining lease to a private miner.



A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta agreed to examine a special leave petition filed by Karnataka and condoned the delay subject to the deposit of the cost with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for juvenile justice issues.



As Additional Advocate General Devadutt Kamat agreed to the condition, the bench stayed the order passed by the high court on September 21, 2015, for execution of the manganese and iron ore mining lease deed over an area of 60 hectares in favour of Prema Chennappa.



The court issued a notice to Chennappa despite her counsel, senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, opposing it and justifying the order of the high court.



Acting on a writ petition filed by Chennappa, a resident of Davanagere, the high court had noted that the state government had proposed, by a notification of 2008, to grant the lease to the petitioner in Hombalaghatta, Hosahalli and Gollarahalli villages of Chikkanayakanahalli taluk in Tumakuru district for 50 years.



"Under Rule 31 of the Mining Concession Rules, 1960, it is incumbent upon the authorities to execute a lease deed within six months of the date of notification. Unfortunately, the authorities have yet not executed the lease deed," the high court had said.



The high court had given six weeks to the state for the purpose subject to clearances under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.


Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday called on the police to initiate stringent action against miscreants and anti-social elements to ensure law and order and peace in society.



He was speaking at a function to present President's Police Medal for Excellence.



"The police should file charge sheets on time and ensure conviction of the guilty so that the police reputation is enhanced. Media houses are active these days and highlight investigation details. The police should be cautious and should maintain confidentiality in their work," he said.



Governor Vajubhai Vala said the government was fast progressing on the economic front and asked the police to protect the state.



A total of 88 policemen received awards.




Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar has promised to set up a Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) in Hubballi.



The Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has informed that the Karnataka State Co-operative Marketing Federation is ready to give 42 acres of land at Tarihal on the outskirts of the City. We are ready to set up CIPET here, if land is provided. The foundation stone for CIPET will be laid immediately after the land is given, he said.



Speaking at KCCIs 89th Foundation Day programme here on Saturday, he said he has urged the union ministers concerned to speedily implement doubling and electrification of the Hubballi-Bengaluru railway line and to introduce air service between Bengaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi and Mumbai, with bigger aircraft.
After hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, New Delhi is now set to add new momentum to India-US ties with two back-to-back high-level engagements with the Trump administration.



External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will have a bilateral meeting with her counterpart and US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. Sushma will arrive in New York on Sunday.





Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will host the US Secretary of Defence James Mattis in New Delhi on September 25. Mattis will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources told DH.



The meetings are aimed at deepening and expanding the strategic partnership between India and the US. New Delhi and Washington are likely to use both the occasions to re-affirm their commitment to work together for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and thus send out a tacit message to an increasingly aggressive China.



Mattis and Nirmala are likely to discuss ways to step up bilateral defence cooperation, including the US proposal for sale of Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems to India. They will also discuss the proposed manufacturing of US F-16 multi-role combat aircraft in India.



The US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin already entered into a deal with Tata Advance System Limited for manufacturing the most advanced version of the F-16s in India, shutting down the companys production facility at Fort Worth in Texas, sources said in New Delhi.



The visit of US Secretary of Defence to New Delhi is likely to deepen defense and security cooperation, building on the Americas recognition of India as a Major Defense Partner, said a source familiar with preparations for Mattis-Nirmala meeting.



Sushma and Tillerson will discuss over India-US relations, with focus on bilateral cooperation in Afghanistan and strategic synergy in Indo-Pacific region, said another source.



The Modi-Abe summit in Gandhinagar earlier this week also saw India and Japan vowing to work together to create a network of connectivity in Indo-Pacific, ostensibly to thwart Chinas bid to expand its geo-strategic influence in the region through its One-Belt-One-Road initiative.
The Wadiyars want to return to a pre-1970 tradition of a herd of elephants pulling the golden howdah during Dasara.



The 750 kg howdah (golden throne) is now mounted on the back of a tusker and paraded on the streets of Mysuru.



Navaratri and Dasara celebrations begin here on September 21, in less than a week from now. Scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Wadiyar and his wife Trishika, besides others in the erstwhile royal family, are concerned about the stress the elephant goes through as it trundles 5 km for the annual jambu savari. The royal family recently met elephant experts, including those from the IISc, for their opinion on whether the howdah could be mounted on a chariot and drawn by a herd, as was done prior to 1970.



What experts said



We explained to the family that a group of elephants drawing a chariot would be better than just one carrying the howdah. The animals will be less tense, and the fear of the animal losing its temper will also ease, an IISc source told .



Sources from the royal family said the Mysuru Dasara organising committee had to take a decision. But with less than a week to go, a quick decision is called for as the elephants will have to be trained accordingly, they said. D Randeep, Mysuru deputy commissioner, said the family had not officially communicated anything to the government. The forest department has not finalised which elephant will carry the howdah either, he said.



An earlier scion of the erstwhile royal family, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, had consulted experts and reduced the tuskers waiting time during the procession.



We had explained the tusker is less stressed when he is moving than when he is waiting after the procession. The discussion on the howdah being drawn by chariot is good, said Suparna Ganguly, elephant expert.



History of the royal procession



The maharaja riding atop an elephant on a golden throne is a hoary tradition in Mysuru.

Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last maharaja of Mysore, sat on the golden throne for the 1969 elephant procession. In 1970, he placed a sword on the throne and drove along in his car.



Indira Gandhi, then prime minister, had just announced she had stripped the princes of all their privileges. That was to be the last royal procession in Mysuru.



The decision didnt go down too well with tradition-loving Mysureans, according to historian P V Nanjaraj Urs.



In 1971, Kannada activist Nijalinga Swamy got a wooden howdah carved, borrowed an elephant from the Mysuru zoo, and mounted a picture of Bharat Mata on it for a small procession near Padma talkies. The government adopted the idea in 1972, and made the jumbo procession a state affair.



No scion of the royal family was allowed to ride atop the elephant; an idol of goddess Chamundeshwari was placed there instead.



Since 1975-76, the royal family gives the howdah for use during the procession, Urs said.



Pictures in Jaganmohan and Amba Vilas palaces show kings such as Immadi Chikka Krishnaraja Wadiyar (1728-1766) seated on elephant-drawn chariots, he explained.








The Supreme Court has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to hold a meeting with Karnataka, leaseholders and others to decide who should bear the cost of infrastructure developments.



Infrastructure includes laying of conveyor belt system, railway sidings and sub-lines in mineral-rich areas.



We are of the view that a meeting should be convened by the CEC in which all the stakeholders should be present. All issues, including who has to bear the cost, keeping in mind the long-term benefits that would come to the lessees and, perhaps, in the distant future to others, should be debated, discussed and attempted to be resolved in an amicable manner, a three-judge bench presided over by Justice Ranjan Gogoi said.



The court directed the CEC to invite seven lessees, the representatives of lobby group FIMI (Southern Region), officials from Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), among others, to resolve the matter.



The CEC was told to submit a report within six weeks.



The court passed the order after taking note of a submission made by M K Jiwrajka, former member secretary, CEC, who suggested that the cost should be borne by the lessees themselves. He said nine mines, two by public sector NMDC, produced about 80% of the iron ore in the districts of Ballari and Chitradurga, and the primary concentration of the court should be to control pollution and ensure a safe environment.



The state government has proposed Tumakuru to Davanagere railway lines, sub-lines and roads in Chitradurga and Tumakuru from Rs 20,000-crore fund collected under a Comprehensive Environmental Plan for the Mining Impact Zone (CEPMIZ).
The Cars That Made America is a fascinating and informative three-part TV miniseries about the rise of the automobile industry in America up to the present day, and how it played major roles in reshaping the country and the rise of the middle class. Rare historical film footage reveals everyday life and transportation as it was back in the day. Insightful commentary is provided by executive producer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and other famous racecar drivers.

Along the way we learn about The Big Three: Ford, GM and Chrysler ; the rise of unions  and Fords attempts to smash them; the auto industrys vital contributions to the World War II effort; going beyond offering merely practical and functional cars to those that celebrated style, speed (muscle cars!) and more; the downfall and recovery of Chrysler, which was saved by Lee Iacocca ; the loss of market share to Japanese and European competitors, which led to vastly improved American cars; and the dawn of autonomous cars (note: Mario Andretti does not want one).

1931 Ford Model A Roadster (Jan Wagner / C 2015 Jan R. Wagner, AutoMatt) (Jan Wagner / C 2015 Jan R. Wagner, AutoMatt)

This series focuses on several icons of the American auto industry and the companies that they worked for. These included Henry Ford, Horace and John Dodge (Ford and then Dodge), William C. Durant (he bought car companies and created General Motors), Walter Chrysler (Buick, Maxwell and Chrysler), Lee Iacocca (Ford and Chrysler) and the flamboyant John Z. DeLorean (General Motors and the DeLorean Motor Company), who demonstrated with his DMC-12 that style alone is not enough to sell an underwhelming, overpriced car.

Prior to the ascendance of the automobile, Americans had few alternatives for their personal transportation. The most popular one was the horse, but it was not particularly quick or convenient  and then there was the horrible stench that large numbers of horses created with their waste on crowded city streets.

01046-20140105-11 International CES & Las Vegas-1of2 (Jan Wagner / C 2015 Jan R. Wagner, AutoMatt) (Jan Wagner / C 2015 Jan R. Wagner, AutoMatt)

Cars offered freedom of mobility at a time when most Americans rarely travelled more than a few miles beyond where they lived. However, early cars were unreliable and largely unaffordable.

Companies raced their cars to demonstrate their reliability, which led to increased sales. Henry Ford won a crucial race in his Model T because it was more reliable than the much quicker car of his competitor.

Beginning with the letter A, Ford went through the alphabet developing and naming cars until he came up with a reliable and affordable one that would prove massively popular. That car was the Model T.

(Courtesy)

Cars used to be built by small groups of workers assembling one car at a time. In order to vastly improve the speed, efficiency and quality of the Model Ts production process, and drastically reduce its price, Henry Ford originated and implemented the automobile production line, modeled after what was used to butcher and process cattle. New Model Ts moved along assembly lines, where workers quickly installed just one thing over and over again, to perfection. This helped enable Ford to become Americas number one automaker.

For years the other auto manufacturers had been paying a per-car royalty due to the Selden patent on the automobile. Ford alone refused to do so. He stubbornly fought it in the courts and eventually won.

Ford was a ruthless tyrant, according to the miniseries. He incessantly criticized and demeaned those who worked for him  up to and including his son Edsel  and ignored important suggestions that would have kept his cars competitive and Ford on top, the miniseries reported.

Early on Henry had joined with the Dodge Brothers in a mutually beneficial partnership, but he downplayed their important engineering contributions by not giving them the public credit that they deserved, according to the miniseries. They let their dissatisfaction be known. The Dodge brothers had shares in Ford so, fearing that they would leave to start their own company, Henry installed his son Edsel as president  in name only  to drive down the stock price, the miniseries reported. As Henry predicted, investors did not respond well to that appointment, causing the value of the Dodge brothers shares in Ford to fall significantly before they could sell them. Nevertheless they formed their own automobile company. Their innovative ideas made them a strong competitor to Ford.

Eventually Ford relented and allowed Edsel to implement important changes, including the successful introduction of the Model A  a new beginning  but then Depression hit. Henry blamed Edsel for the companys sales slump.

These are but a few of the many stories told in The Cars That Made America. For more information, visit the A+E Networks History channel at https://www.history.com/shows/the-cars-that-made-america/about.

Send your comments and suggestions to AutoMatters@gmail.com.

Copyright  2017 by Jan Wagner  AutoMatters & More #506
Holmes Baptist Church, located 3 miles north of Ariton, will hold revival services from Sunday, Sept. 17, through Wednesday, Sept. 20. On Sunday, the church will hold Sunday school at 9:30 a.m., a revival kickoff at 10:30 a.m. and an evening service at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served following the Sunday morning service. Services will be held at 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. The evangelist will be the Rev Jim Hill, Dale County Baptist Association missionary. There will be special music during each service. The church is on Highway 51, just inside the Barbour County line.

Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center presents the 2017 Women Retreat on Oct. 20-22 at Edgewater Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida. Speakers include Dr. Yvonne Capehart, Apostle Julia Berry, Evangelist Deborah Dumas, Missionary Robin McKinney, Evangelist Vanessa Cody, Minister Angeline Green and Missy Darlene Pena. Registration is $200 per person and is needed by Sept. 19. Call 334-598-6279 for more information.

The Dothan Evening Community Lighthouse of Aglow International will meet at Shoney's Restaurant located at 3054 Ross Clark Circle on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. The guest speaker is Cynthia Letourneau. All are invited to attend.

Grimes Gospel Lighthouse, 1512 County Road 25, Grimes, will host local artists on Sept. 23 and the Byrd Family from Newville on Sept. 30. Music starts at 7 p.m. A love offering will be taken. Call 334-983-4654 or 334-714-4658 for more information.

Klondyke Gospel Music Center, located between Newton and Ozark at 3885 Highway 123 S., will host the Dennis Family of Montgomery, Sept. 23, and Crimson City Quartet of Pensacola, Florida, Sept. 30. Music starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact Ron Jeffers, president and concert coordinator, at 334-797-9862.

Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center will hold a Pastor and First Family Appreciation service for Archbishop Carl and Christine McComb on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m. Guest minister will be the Rev. Isaac Williams of Greater True Vine Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. Call 334-598-6279 for more information.

North Highland Baptist Church, 407 Houston St., Dothan, will hold its annual Youth Day service on Sunday, Sept. 24, starting at 3 p.m. Speaker will be Minister Anthony Long, youth minister of Countyline Baptist Church in Slocomb.

Liberty United Methodist Church in the Screamer community near Abbeville is holding a revival Sept. 24-27. Guest speaker is the Rev. Steve Irwin, executive and preaching pastor at Woodlawn UMC in Panama City Beach, Florida. A supper will be served on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Revival services Sunday-Wednesday will begin at 6:30 p.m. Liberty Choir will sing. Finger foods will be served in the fellowship hall on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. followed by music from the Judson Choir. Liberty UMC is located on Henry County Road 92 about a quarter of a mile off Highway 95 North.

Victoria Baptist Church, 54 County Road 210, Jack, will hold revival services Sept. 24-27. Services on Sunday will begin at 5 p.m. Services held Monday-Wednesday will begin at 7 p.m. The Rev. Cliff Quincey, pastor of New Home Baptist, will be the guest preacher. Retha Kelley and the Victoria Choir will lead the music. Everyone invited. For more information call 334-897-5471.

Brighton Ministries and All Tribes Assembly of God will host a Family Game Show Night Christmas Stocking Benefit on Sept. 28 from 6:30-8 p.m. at 14997 U.S. Highway 231 in Midland City (behind Best Burger and next door to the IGA Foodliner). There will be prizes, gift certificates, and a beach get-away grand prize. Snacks will be sold at intermission. Tickets are $10; contestants will be drawn from tickets sold. Seating limited to 125 people. For more information, call 256-307-2417, 334-405-1500 or 334-237-8276.

First Community Fellowship Church, 400 E. Crawford St., Dothan, will hold a first anniversary program for the Community Male Chorus on Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30, with services at 7 p.m. nightly. All choirs, gospel groups, praise dancers, gospel quartets and soloists are invited to attend.

The New Wiregrass Community Mass Choir will hold a Can Food Drive Concert on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. at Church of God by Faith, 126 King Ave., in Ozark. This is an open-door concert; canned goods will be accepted. For more information, call 334-596-4435.

Burdeshaw Street Missionary Baptist Church, 714 E. Burdeshaw St., Dothan, will hold the seventh annual womens conference presented by the Burdeshaw Street Minister Wives and Womens Ministry on Saturday, Oct. 14. A light breakfast will be served from 8:30-9 a.m. and the conference will begin at 9 a.m. Registration fee is $5. Guest speakers are Sister Martha Lewis of Dothan Community Church and first lady Annie Underwood-Dawsey of Countyline Baptist Church in Slocomb.

Faith Independent Baptist Church, 4481 Rucker Blvd., Enterprise, will host a special Down Syndrome Worship Service during the 11 a.m. service on Oct. 22. Featured guest speakers include Abb and Paul Thomas, a father and son team that have traveled across America for the past 20 years encouraging individuals with Down syndrome. Paul, whose cheerful and persevering spirit is contagious, will share how Gods grace enabled him to deal with challenges in his life. The community is invited. Free infant and toddler care provided. Faith Baptist Church is one-quarter mile outside the Fort Rucker gate.
It could have been much worse.

Hurricane Irma became Tropical Storm Irma on Monday, skirting the Wiregrass to the east and downing trees and power lines along the way.

A few thousand customers in the Wiregrass were without power at the height of the winds Monday, as crews from Dothan Utilities, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative and Alabama Power worked to restore electricity.

No injuries were immediately reported, although several trees wound up on top of homes and cars.

Meanwhile, volunteers at numerous churches throughout Houston County continued to shelter nearly 500 Irma evacuees.

According to Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Chris Etheredge, Irma was unpredictable until Sunday night for first responders and the Dothan/Houston County Emergency Management Agency.

It was our goal to be prepared for the worst, but we also hoped for the best, Etheredge said. Our area was blessed. We have seen minimal damage and minimal power outages at this time.

Alabama Trooper Kevin Cook said residents can expect heavy traffic along U.S. Highway 431, U.S. Highway 231, Montgomery Highway and the Ross Clark Circle over the next couple of days.

The congestion motorists have seen over the past few days due to the evacuees traveling through our area, well, local motorists will soon see that traffic congestion once again, Cook said. However, this traffic will hit all at one time, instead of taking place over a period of time. Our guests are ready to return home, and traffic will increase tremendously. I ask all motorists to be patient and use alternate routes if at all possible.

Since the safe havens opened in the Dothan area, hundreds of people have sought shelter in Dothan.

At this time, we have approximately 498 individuals still using our safe haven shelters, Etheredge said Monday morning.

Hotel availability began to loosen somewhat Monday, with several hotels advertising some vacancies.

Etheredge said local law enforcement, fire personnel, EMA and volunteers worked well in formulating and executing a plan for the storm.

All departments have worked together tremendously well in making sure we were all prepared and ready to serve our community if the storm did come through our area. It is always best to prepare for the worst, and that is exactly what we did, Etheredge said.
Some 29 were injured, but none seriously, in the UK's fifth terrorist attack this year

Egypt's Al-Azhar  considered the worlds highest seat of Sunni Islamic learning  strongly condemned the terrorist attack that occurred on the London Underground Friday leaving a number of injuried, Al-Arabic Ahram website reported Saturday.

A home-made bomb on a packed rush-hour commuter train engulfed a carriage in flames and injured 29, but apparently failed to fully explode, in Britain's fifth major terrorism incident this year, according to AP.

Some suffered burns and others were injured in a stampede to escape the station, one of the above-ground stops on the underground network. Health officials said none were thought to be in a serious condition, AP said.

In its statement, Al-Azhar underlined the importance of international will to fight terrorist organisations and criminal outlooks.

Al-Azhar has expressed its solidarity with both the government and the people of Britain, wishing recovery to those who were injured in the attack.

The Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.

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Trumpcare is the worst possible Obamacare sabotage, and it could happen in less than two weeks

The Senate is closer than it has ever been to finalizing a bill that reportedly includes a series of small fixes to Obamacare  if Democrats can convince Republicans not to throw out the guardrails that protect consumers. These slight adjustments have historically followed every major reform, most recently the GOPs Medicare Part D, but havent followed Obamacare because the GOP would rather burn money and let Americans die than see the ACA work.

Politico reports:

Upon hearing it had bipartisan support, the president had one question: Can I call it repeal and replace?

Trump has no conception of and no concern for what hed do to our health care system to get a win, but hes even less cynical than two of the major backers behind the latest version of Trumpcare AKA Graham-Cassidy  Bill Cassidy and Dean Heller.

These Republican Senators both gulped down valuable airtime to grandstand about issues that they alleged were crucial to them and their constituents  pre-existing conditions for the Cassidy and Medicaid for Heller. The bill is an unabashed assault on both. And it could become law by September 30.

Here are 5 reasons that this bill  which allegedly has the support of 48-49 of the 50 Republican Senators  must be taken seriously even though it needs to pass both houses of Congress in two weeks or less.

1.It would uninsure as many as 32 million.

We now have the lowest uninsured rate ever recorded by the Census Bureau  8.8 percent. This bill would raise that percentage, likely even higher than it was during the worst of the Great Recession.

2. It will end Medicaid expansion and ends Medicaid as we know it

This was the singular most effective way weve reduced our insured population, even though the three states with the highest uninsured rate in the developed world  Texas, Florida and Georgia  refused to offer their residents coverage the states were paying for any way. On average, states that expanded Medicaid at the outset now have an uninsured rate of about 6.1 percent, a decline of 5.9 percentage points since 2013, the Washington Post reports. In those states that never expanded Medicaid, more than 10 percent of the population lacks insurance on average, and the decline since 2013 is a more modest 4.6 percent.

How can a bill repealing Obamacare uninsure more people than Obamacare expanded coverage to? Because this bill isnt just an ACA repeal, it ends Medicaid as we know. And it does it in a way thats designed to harm blue states in effort to win over key Republicans or Republican, John McCain. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports Graham Cassidy would Convert Medicaids current federal-state financial partnership to a per capita cap, which would cap and cut federal Medicaid per-beneficiary funding for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children. And that funding would END in 2027 meaning the cuts would likely result in even deeper coverage losses than that in the second decade.

Dean Heller said in June, At the end of the day, its all about Medicaid expansion, and making sure that somehow, someway we make sure that these individuals who now have this health insurance will continue to have health insurance. You have to protect Medicaid expansion states. Thats what I want.

Now, apparently, all he wants is to vote for anything that will Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn and Donald Trump off his back.

3. It allows states to end pre-existing condition protections.

Insurers could be allowed, say, to charge parents considerably more for a baby born with a heart defect, like Jimmy Kimmels child Billy.

In May, Bill Cassidy said on CNN, Will a child born with congenital heart disease be able to get everything she or he would need in the first year of life? I want it to pass the Jimmy Kimmel test.

His bill doesnt.

The revised Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal plan from Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham, which is also backed by Senators Dean Heller and Ron Johnson, would give states broad waiver authority to eliminate the ACAs core protections for people with pre-existing health conditions, The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports.

4. Obamacare is doing better all the time.

Perhaps the biggest story of the year is how despite the Trump Administrations relentless assault on the ACA, every county in this nation has insurance coverage. The rates are higher because of the sabotage but thanks to subsidies most people in the exchanges can still get coverage for under $75 a month. A fixes bill is urgently needed and could improve the ACAs fate and premiums.

But the most vulnerable are far better off under the ACA than they would ever be under Trumpcare.

5. The velociraptors are at the door.

So what should you do?

Share this:

JUST OUT: Here's a summary of the Graham-Cassidy repeal. Yes, it's that bad. Spread far and wide if useful. pic.twitter.com/Z0bbj0qaPd  Andy Slavitt (@ASlavitt) September 13, 2017

And this:

Our toolkit to pressure Senators is back. Target list, phone numbers, graphics. Let's go! https://t.co/0ts9iQuJWTpic.twitter.com/Ub2Sx7xiTJ  Topher Spiro (@TopherSpiro) September 15, 2017

Visit your reps or call them or go to a town hall. And just raise holy hell in general.

[Image via spencer77 | Flickr]
The hacker group known as Dragonfly is behind sophisticated wave of recent cyberattacks on the energy sectors of Europe and North America, Symantec reported Wednesday.

The attacks could provide the group with the means to severely disrupt energy operations on both continents.

Dragonfly launched a simililar campaign from 2011 to 2014, but it entered a quiet period in 2014 after Symantec and others exposed its activities.

The current campaign began in December 2015, Symantec noted.

The firm found strong indications of Dragonfly activity in the United States, Turkey and Switzerland, and traces of activity in places outside those areas.

Dragonflys Most Recent Activities

Gravity of Situation

The attackers have employed a number of methods to infect systems, including malicious emails, watering hole attacks and Trojanized software.

Breaching of multiple energy sector organizations is extremely concerning, said Eric Chien, technical director of Symantecs Security Response and Technology Division.

The U.S. power grid is large and complex, and there isnt a single switch that turns off the electricity for the entire United States, he told TechNewsWorld.However, access to operational systems within multiple energy sector organizations could lead to significant disruption.

Although the impact of the attacks so far has been minimal, that doesnt mitigate the need for concern.

The future is whats at play here, said Dana Tamir, vice president of market strategy at Indegy.

This might be an attempt to gain information about these systems in preparation of future attacks, she told TechNewsWorld. The fact that nothings happened right now doesnt mean that nothing will happen in the near future.

Unclear Motives

Security researchers have yet to determine the motives behind the energy sector attacks.

We are not seeing any motivation in regards to monetary, extortion or economic espionage, Symantecs Chien said.

We do not know the ultimate motivation of the attacker, but clearly disruption and sabotage are candidates with access to such systems, he added.

The characteristics of the attacks point to a class of perpetrator, observed Indegys Tamir.

The sophistication of the attack, the targets of the attack, the gathering of information indicates theres a bigger play here thats more typical of a nation-state than a criminal organization, she said.

Tools of the Trade

While the campaign itself is sophisticated, the tools and methods used by the attackers to penetrate the SCADA industrial control systems are not.

Whats interesting here is the relatively unsophisticated methods the hacking group has used, said Leigh-Anne Galloway, cybersecurity resilience lead for Positive Technologies.

Usually with SCADA, the tactic of choice is to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities, she told TechNewsWorld. In this case, though, theyve chosen to go for the older but most-effective methods of phishing and watering holes to get in.

The Dragonfly hackers use their tools to collect credentials and perform reconnaissance on the systems theyre attacking, noted Indegys Tamir.

Once they get that information and penetrate the systems themselves, manipulating the systems does not require any special tools, she said. The systems are quite easy to manipulate once youre inside them.

We are seeing the attackers increasingly live off the land by using default system administration tools in order to penetrate systems, as well as reusing and modifying existing off-the-shelf malicious software, added Symantecs Chien.

Countering the Attacks

Since discovering the latest activity, Symantec has briefed more than 100 energy sector and government organizations in the United States and Europe and made recommendations to them about coping with the attacks.

The power grid penetration incidents are terrifying, said Varun Badhwar, CEO of RedLock.

They really hit home the importance of having a solid cybersecurity strategy in place for organizations of all types, he told TechNewsWorld.

Attacks on industrial control systems have been increasing in recent times, according to a new report from IBM Security.

There were 2,788 attacks in 2016, up from 640 attacks in 2013, for instance. That trend appears to be continuing this year. Through July, IBM already had reported 2,522 attacks.

Theres growing awareness, Indegys Tamir observed, but the energy sector is moving too slow to address these threats.
There are no good outcomes of an electronic data system breach. At best, companies dealing with e-commerce technologies face the formidable task and the resulting cost of repairs.

In addition having to fix information technology systems, companies suffering breaches may be increasingly vulnerable to legal action taken by customers whose personal data was affected. A federal appeals court decision handed down earlier this month underscores the potential legal leverage available to consumers whose electronic records are hacked.

Taken together, the recent decision and similar rulings by other courts significantly expand the circumstances under which consumers may pursue class actions against companies victimized by hackers who access highly sensitive personal information, commented Edward McAndrew, a partner at Ballard Spahr.

The case involves the hacking of nearly 1 million customer records maintained by health insurance company CareFirst. The company suffered the attack in July 2014 but only detected the breach in April 2015. The company notified customers in May of 2015. Shortly thereafter, several customers filed a class action suit against CareFirst, attributing the breach to the companys carelessness, and alleging that customers suffered an increased risk of identity theft as a result of the hack.

Appeal Decision Favors Consumers

CareFirst won the first round. A federal district court dismissed the complaint by ruling that the class action plaintiffs failed to provide adequate support for their claim that the breach caused any substantial harm to customers. The court characterized the assertion of harm as speculative.

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia earlier this month reversed the district courts decision. The customers allegation of harm was correct, the appeals court said, because the district court had misread the complaint as to the nature of the data involved in the case, and that the plaintiffs had established that personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI) and sensitive information had been hacked.

These categories include Social Security and credit card data, the Chantal Attias v. CareFirst appellate ruling notes.

The appeals court then connected the dots between the type of data involved in the hack and the subsequent potential for identity theft, and determined that the customers had established plausible grounds for suffering harm as a result of the breach.

Nobody doubts that identity theft, should it befall one of these plaintiffs, would constitute a concrete and particularized injury, appeals court judge Thomas Griffith wrote.

The plaintiffs had established that any harm resulting from the breach would be fairly traceable to CareFirst, according to the ruling.

In its submission to the appeals court, CareFirst contended that the customers had failed to show that the risk of harm is certainly impending or has a substantial risk of occurring.

CareFirst, through spokesperson Sarah Wolf, declined to comment for this story.

Companies Face Massive Settlements

The impact on e-commerce could be substantial if customers are allowed to file suit against companies that have experienced breaches without sufficiently establishing harm, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The organization supported CareFirst in the appeals court litigation.

If plaintiffs are permitted to pursue cases like the one against CareFirst, the Chambers members will be mired in lawsuits over breaches that have not caused any actual or imminent harm to the plaintiffs  and yet those cases threaten to extract massive settlements from businesses that were victimized by hackers or thieves, the Chamber of Commerce argued in an amicus brief.

We have nothing to add here, so well let the brief speak for itself, spokesperson Lindsay Bembenek told the E-Commerce Times in response to our query about the decision.

Companies experiencing hacks likely will be unhappy with the results of two other recent cases that reinforce consumers rights in situations similar to the CareFirst incident.

The Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals earlier this year ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in a suit filed against Horizon Healthcare Services regarding a breach of records, in which the court upheld the assertion of harm. The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in a 2015 case decided in favor of the plaintiffs in a suit against Neiman Marcus, citing grounds similar to those in the CareFirst and Horizon cases.

However, in contrast to the CareFirst and Horizon decisions, the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals this spring ruled against the plaintiff in Whalen v. Michaels Stores, finding that the plaintiff had failed to establish a concrete injury sufficient to bring a suit related to a breach of private data.

Establishing the element of harm or injury is essential for affected customers to achieve legal standing for filing suits.

Ultimately, whether data breach plaintiffs can survive a motion to dismiss for lack of standing will continue to be a key issue. The split in the circuit courts will heighten the cost of litigation for all and increases the potential risk of liability for companies facing class action suits based on allegations of increased risk of identity theft after a data breach, wrote Sidley Austin attorneys Edward McNicholas and Grady Nye.

The differences among appeals court decisions in such data breach cases could bring the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.

I think there is a strong possibility that the Supreme Court will eventually weigh in on how standing doctrine should apply where individuals sue companies that suffer data breaches involving sensitive personal information, Ballard Spahrs McAndrews told the E-Commerce Times.

However, the Supreme Court may wait until a variety of associated legal issues play out in lower courts, he said.

In the meantime, commercial companies must be more vigilant than ever  not only regarding technical issues, but also concerning the legal implications associated with data breaches.

Companies Must Up Their Cybersecurity Game

The D.C. Circuit decision and others like it are likely to lead to an increase in the types and numbers of civil cases filed against organizations that suffer data breaches of personal information. First, and foremost, organizations must develop a track record  provable in a courtroom  of reasonable actions to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access, McAndrew noted.

Companies need to create and implement a sound cybersecurity program  including appropriate administrative, technical and physical controls and documentation. Then they must actually follow that program and the policies and procedures that govern it, he said.

In addition, organizations must conduct cyberincident response and internal investigations while anticipating litigation, McAndrew advised.

Litigation invariably involves not only why a breach occurred but also on how an organization responded to the incident.

Not understanding and managing the legal risk related to a cyberincident during the response and investigation phases is one of the biggest mistakes I see organizations of all types make. Too often, incident response activity remains at the information technology and security or compliance levels of organizations, being conducted by individuals with no expertise or experience in how the developing evidence is likely to be used in litigation that follows, McAndrew pointed out.

Bringing the lawyers in later does not work, he said. Unless lawyers are helping to lead cyberincident responses, the die of liability will likely be cast well before the incident response process ends.
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The defendants are charged with joining a terrorist cell in Egypt's governorate of Marsa Matrouh affiliated with the Libya Daesh militant group

Cairo Criminal Court sentenced Saturday seven members of what is known in the media as the Libya terrorist cell to death on a number of terror-related charges.

The courts preliminary verdict is scheduled to be referred to the countrys Grand Mufti for a consultative non-binding opinion, as per Egypts penal code.

The court also ordered to adjourn the verdict on other 13 defendants in that case to 25 November.

The defendants are charged with joining a terrorist cell in Egypt's governorate of Marsa Matrouh affiliated with the Libya Daesh militant group.

The defendants are also charged with joining training camps of the terrorist group in Syria and Libya, and obtaining military training, as well as planning terrorist acts in Egypt.

According to the court order, the defendants committed their alleged crimes between the years 2012 and 2016 in Matrouh, Cairo and Alexandria governorates in Egypt, and outside Egypt also.

The defendants are also charged with participating in the beheading of 21 Egyptians in Libya.

In February 2015, 21 Egyptian Copts were slaughtered in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte by Daesh militants.

In 2015, the defendants were arrested in Hamam City in Matrouh governorate and accused of conducting attacks on a police station and vital establishments in the city.

In November 2016, the case was referred to court, after the State Security Prosecution revealed the defendants were also involved in attacks on Christians in their governorate, as well as hiding and training seven German citizens who were planning to join Libya's Daesh.

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Morsi received the sentence in June 2016 after being found guilty of using his post to leak classified documents to Qatar

Egypts Court of Cassation cancelled a 15-year prison sentence against ousted president Mohamed Morsi, but upheld a life sentence against him in what is known as the Qatar espionage case.

The court also confirmed death sentences against three convicted in the same case.

A total of six defendants received death sentences in the Qatar espionage case, but only three could appeal as the rest are still at large.

The Court of Cassations verdict is final and cannot be appealed.

Morsi received the original sentence in June 2016 after being found guilty of using his post to leak classified documents to Qatar with the help of secretaries and Muslim Brotherhood figures.



Morsi and the head of his office, Ahmed Abdel-Ati, also faced charges of leaking secret information on general and military intelligence, the armed forces, its armaments and other state secrets.

Since his ouster and arrest in 2013, Morsi has been facing a number of trials on charges that include conspiring with foreign powers  including Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbullah and Iran's Revolutionary Guards  to destabilise Egypt, and insulting the judiciary.

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The first volume of diplomat and politician Amr Moussas memoirs was published in Cairo on Wednesday

It was one of those moments that introduces a new episode in an apparently unending saga that started in the early 1990s when Egyptian diplomat and politician Amr Moussa was appointed as the countrys foreign minister.

Early one Sunday afternoon, news outlets in Cairo were speculating about what one news website had promised would be a scoop: a document put together by some of the countrys most acknowledged public figures on the state of political affairs in Egypt.

The name of former presidential elections frontrunner Moussa was announced as one of the authors of the document. Only an hour later, Moussa, like the other presumed authors, firmly disassociated himself from the document, which then never appeared as had been promised.

However, speculation on social media about the role of this diplomat-politician continued, pointing to the role Moussa had played as head of the committee that drafted the countrys 2014 constitution. He has also been one of Egypts most popular foreign ministers and one of the most influential heads of the Arab League.

There is nothing new about speculation about Moussas political role. It happened in the 1990s when his popularity prompted speculation that he could become prime minister or even vice president to ousted former president Hosni Mubarak who had been head of the executive for two decades at the time.

Such speculation took place again and again in the following years, though Moussa has kept a low profile over the past four years.

It now risks going into overdrive, particularly regarding Moussas role over the past few years, because of the launch of the first part of his memoirs by the Cairo publisher Dar Al-Shorouk on Wednesday.

The 700-page book is published under the elegant Arabic title of Ketabiyah (My Testimony), and it is designed to present Moussas views of years of hard work and good faith.

Contrary to the expectations of some, the first volume of Moussas memoirs does not start on the eve of the day he exited from the political scene following the ascent of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to power in Egypt. Nor for that matter does it start with the most happening years of Moussas political life in the wake of Mubaraks ouster in the 25 January Revolution.

Instead, the book starts at the beginning of the path of a man who was born in Cairo on 3 October 1936 at the heart of the upper middle class to parents who were committed to one of the countrys most influential political forces in pre-1952 Egypt, the Wafd Party.

Moussas first volume of memoirs ends the day he left his office at the Foreign Ministry to move to the Arab League in 2001 only a few months before the shocking events of 9/11 that turned the world upside down and took the Middle East into a new and turbulent period.

Throughout the book, Moussa seems to be asking the reader to read more closely and to anticipate what might be coming next in the making of this man whose appetite for politics seems to have been by his own account second nature.

The first few chapters explain the grooming of Moussa for a life in politics and the formation of his character as an unyielding man who knows how to push limits and carefully but cleverly pursue his goals in a style that also does not prevent him from sheltering from storms when they hit.

As had been expected by those who know the man well, the account he gives in the book of his personal life is perfectly trimmed, but adequately informative, not just about the man himself but also about the life of Egypts upper middle classes prior to and after the 1952 Revolution.

Moussa does not indulge much in the details of his life as a diplomat after he joined Egypts foreign service in the early 1950s following a short career as a lawyer.

Nor does he reveal a great deal about the interaction he had with his co-workers on his way to the top of the Foreign Ministry or during his decade as the countrys top diplomat, apart from some carefully selected lines about the prominent men he has worked for and with, including former foreign ministers Mohamed Al-Zayyat, Ismail Fahmi and Ibrahim Kamel.

Then there is his account of Hosni Mubarak, and here what he says is determinedly balanced with a clear distinction drawn between Mubarak as an individual and Mubarak as the man who ruled the country for three decades and may have planned the succession of his youngest son to the presidency.

There are comments about Moussas colleagues, including Boutros Boutros-Ghali who became UN secretary-general in 1992, Omar Suleiman, head of General Intelligence during two decades of Mubaraks rule, and Mubaraks unpopular minister of information Safwat Al-Sherif who is said to have occasioned a great deal of unease, as Moussa puts it, from Mubarak himself.

Some insiders have used the word jealousy to describe Mubaraks relationship to his previously well-appreciated foreign minister. And in the chapters he dedicates to his years as foreign minister, Moussa again moves away from anecdotal accounts to share his deeper perspective on how Egypts foreign policy was designed and indeed on how the state was ruled at the time.

That said, the book does come with its own fair share of anecdotes, but these for the most part are designed to help the reader think of things that Moussa, an unapologetic diplomat and politician, might allude to but would never really say outright.

The anecdotes also serve to reveal a considerable amount about the path of Egyptian diplomacy after the 1952 Revolution, through the years of the heavy and shocking defeat of 1967, the October War in 1973, the peace talks with Israel, and much more in a way that makes its over 700 pages a vital read for researchers into the history of Egyptian diplomacy and Middle Eastern politics.

Throughout the book, written in a highly compact but still easy style, Moussa offers his views on what he has and has not done as a diplomat and foreign minister.

In doing so, he sets the record straight about where he stands on almost everything and everyone from former president Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Israel to former president Anwar Al-Sadat and Qatar.

He ever so skillfully strips his critics of ammunition for any attack against him, as he says it all and explains it all the way he wants it to be said and seen.

The first volume of the memoirs of Amr Moussa is only available in Arabic for the time being and is available at Al-Shorouk and other leading bookstores around the country.

There is no scheduled date for the second volume, but sources at Al-Shorouk say that work is in progress.

*This article was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly



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It's official - Chelmsford has been ranked as one of the happiest places to live in the whole of the UK.

Essex's county town came in at sixth in a survey which measured people's happiness based on what words they would use to describe their home city.

Chelmsford just missed out on the top five spots, which were occupied by Oxford, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Leicester and (weighing in at number one) Brighton.

But the city ranked even higher when it came to overall life satisfaction, coming in at fourth.

The survey, conducted by researchers at 9Nine Super Seeds, quizzed 3,000 Brits on ways in which we boost our mood.

poll loading Are you happy to be living in Chelmsford? 0+ VOTES SO FAR VERY happy Sort of happy Meh... Not very happy Extremely unhappy

It found that three in five look to bed for comfort in hard times, while over half lean on family for support.

Reading a book was seen as more popular than having sex for boosting those serotonin levels, and 43 per cent of people play their favourite music to lift their spirits.

When asked what made us Brits sad, 40 per cent replied that bad weather leaves us feeling down in the dumps.

So, Chelmsford residents, does this survey ring true when you describe your city?
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Get the latest on all the biggest court and crime news in Essex direct from our expert court reporter

Vile sex offenders are pretending to be chicken nuggets online to prey on children.

Fake social media accounts set up by paedophiles are being utilised to lure schoolchildren and convince them to accept friend requests.

One predator even pretended to be a road outside a girls' secondary school to entice the teen student.

The Irish Mirror and Liverpool Echo have reported that once accepted, offenders have tried to persuade a child in primary school to lip sync in her underwear.

Despite being told the dangers of talking to strangers online, social media safety expert and forensic psychologist Dr Maureen Griffin said offenders have "come up with new and novel ways of gaining access to children's information".

She said: "At primary school level, I have dealt with accounts set up pretending to be chicken nuggets and ice-cream in order to friend children."

"Another filthy pervert set up a fake social media account and posed as a road outside a girls' secondary school.

"Over 400 girls at the school accepted the road as a friend.

"The owner of the account was a known convicted sex offender who made no effort to contact the girls, he didn't follow them or meet them in real life or wait outside their school.

"He simply collected their photos, pictures from teenage discos, girls' sleepovers and a range of selfies."

poll loading How old should children be before using social media unattended? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Nine or younger 10-11 12-13 14-15 16 or older

Dr Griffin said that one of the best ways of protecting children online is to make sure you know and trust their followers and friends.

The expert gave the example of the site of musical.ly aimed at children.

She said: "I dealt with a case during the Summer of a girl on musicall.ly, who had 20 followers - she did not know four of them."

She said: "One of her followers told her that he would get her more likes for her songs if she sang her song again - this time in her underwear."

Dr Griffin said: "She was at primary school. She saw nothing wrong with dancing around her bedroom singing her favourite song but broadcasting that to people you do not know is where the difficulty lies."

However, Dr Griffin said: "I am now being told by students from 3rd and 4th class that they are too old for sites like Moshi Monsters and Club Penguin, that these sites are for babies and these students are telling me that they are now on Facebook and Instagram where that same level of monitoring isn't in place."

Dr Griffin said that she believes that "online, children are subjecting themselves to mental health stresses they would never subject themselves to in real life".

The expert said that on a daily basis, children and teens are looking for approval and validation seeking 'likes' and it is worrying when it is left unchecked.

Dr Griffin said that sites such as Facebook have addressed the issue of fake accounts "by requiring businesses/organisations/causes etc. to set up pages instead of accounts. This way they cannot access all of our data".

She said: "Offenders setting up fake accounts is only one aspect of online risk that our children face. I believe it is crucial that children know and trust their online friends and followers, as quite a lot of the online challenges our children face come from someone in their friends/followers network, be it online bullying, their account being hacked or images being taken and re-purposed."
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Get the latest on all the biggest court and crime news in Essex direct from our expert court reporter

Essex Police are asking the public to remain vigilant following the terror attack in London.

Twenty-nine people were injured at Parson's Green tube station in West London when a home made bomb went off on a packed rush-hour District Line train at around 8.20am yesterday (Friday, September 15).

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in Dover in connection with the bombing.

Kent Police arrested the suspect at around 10.50am today (September 16), in the port town under section 41 of the Terrorism Act.

The man remains in police custody for questioning and will be transferred to a London police station later today.

Essex Police's Gold Commander Assistant Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: "Following the terrorist incident in Parson's Green, London on Friday, the UK threat level has been raised to 'critical'.

"This means that an attack in the UK from international terrorism is regarded as imminent.

"However I would like to reassure you that there is no specific information or intelligence linking any threat to Essex.

"We train and prepare for incidents like this and have robust well-planned arrangements in place.

"In addition we are continuing to work tirelessly with both our partners and the community to ensure our county and its residents remain safe."

Ms Mills said: "Armed officers will continue to patrol our international ports and airports as well as Intu Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock.

"We are also increasing our patrols at transport hubs and the many planned public events taking place this weekend across the county.

"Communities defeat terrorism so we are urging our partners and the public to continue to report any suspicious activity to us.

She added: "If you are concerned call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency or alternatively call the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321."

For more information on how to stay safe visit https://act.campaign.gov.uk/ and www.npcc.police.uk/staysafe
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Wetherspoons could scrap the sale of European coffee and beer unless EU officials have a rethink over Brexit.

Tim Martin, founder and chairman of the pub giant, is a prominent supporter of Britain leaving the European Union and has threatened to call time on the sale of any EU-made beers or coffee in JD Wetherspoon pubs.

He claimed that European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker and others risked making EU goods more expensive by blocking a trade deal with the UK, the Mirror reports.

Mr Martin warned that Wetherspoon pubs, which were due to slash prices this week to focus people's attention on tax policies, could ditch some products it buys from Europe as a result, potentially hitting supplies of some booze and Lavazza coffee  its biggest single seller - from Italy.

He said: "In the current negotiations, democratically-elected politicians from the UK are dealing with unelected oligarchs from the EU.

"Since the oligarchs are not subject to judgement at the ballot box, their approach is dictated by more sectarian factors  the interests and ideology of EU apparatchiks like them, rather than residents or businesses from EU countries."

He said: "As a result of their current posturing and threats, EU negotiators are inevitably encouraging importers like Wetherspoon to look elsewhere for supplies.

"This process is unlikely to have adverse effects on the UK economy, as companies will be able to switch to suppliers representing the 93 per cent of the world's population which is not in the EU, but this evolution will eventually be highly damaging to the economy of the EU.

"Wetherspoon is extremely confident that it can switch from EU suppliers, if required, although we would be very reluctant to initiate such actions.

He said Juncker and other EU officials "need to take a wise-up pill in order to avoid causing further economic damage to struggling economies like Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy."

Many European sounding lagers sold here are actually brewed under licence in the UK, so may not be affected by the company's decision.

But one product Mr Martin said could be impacted is Swedish cider Kopparberg, which he claimed Wetherspoons sold more of than the whole of Sweden.

"Would we switch to Taunton cider or other ciders?," he said. "There are a lot of cider companies in the UK."

Mr Martin said he was "almost embarrassed" to admit that coffee was its biggest selling product.

"Lavazza is an Italian company, they are really good," he added."But it is very difficult for them to make their point (to EU officials)."

It came as Wetherspoon's announced annual profits jumped 25 per cent to 103million, with sales up 4.1 per cent to 1.6 billion.

The firm's share price leapt 13 per cent to a record high yesterday, boosting the value of founder Mr Martin's stake by 48 million to 398 million.

Mr Martin repeated calls for the VAT on pub grub and drink to be cut to supermarket levels, claiming the company could open up an extra 300 pubs as a result.

He also slammed the celebrity chef Jamie Oliver-backed sugar tax, which would cost it 4 million this year.

"He feels you should tax soft drinks, which he doesn't make, but not desserts, which he does," he said.

Mr Martin joked that he didn't have plans for new product lines "unless they legalise cannabis".
A US-backed force battling the Islamic State (IS) militant group in eastern Syria accused regime and Russian warplanes on Saturday of bombing its fighters.

It marked the first time the Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, have said they have been hit by Russia.

The SDF and Russian-backed Syrian government forces are conducting parallel but separate offensives against IS in the strategic and oil-rich eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

Regime troops are waging an assault for the provincial capital, Deir Ezzor city, while SDF fighters battle IS further east across the Euphrates River.

"At 3:30 am (0030 GMT) on September 16, 2017, our forces east of the Euphrates River were targeted by Russian and Syrian regime warplanes in the Al-Sinaaiya area," the SDF said.

It said six of its fighters were wounded.

Al-Sinaaiya is an industrial area northeast of the city of Deir Ezzor, about seven kilometres (four miles) from the east bank of the Euphrates.

"At a time when the SDF's brave forces are scoring great victories against IS in Raqa and Deir Ezzor... some parties are trying to create obstacles to our progress," the statement said.

The SDF's assaults against IS in Deir Ezzor and in Raqa further up the Euphrates Valley are both backed by the US-led coalition, while regime troops are getting air cover from Russia.

SDF fighters say they not coordinating their Deir Ezzor operations with the government or Russia.

But the coalition says there is a de-confliction line to prevent the two offensives from clashing.

The line agreed between Russia, the regime, the SDF and the coalition runs from Raqa province southeast along the Euphrates River to Deir Ezzor.

The skies over Syria have become increasingly congested as the six-year conflict has dragged on, with warplanes from the coalition, the Syrian government and Russia all carrying out air strikes.

Confrontations between the warplanes have been rare, but in June a US fighter jet shot down a Syrian warplane accused of bombing SDF units in the country's north.

Syria's crisis erupted with protests demanding the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, but it has since morphed into a complex, multi-front war that has killed 330,000 people and displaced millions.

IS, which in 2014 overran swathes of territory across Syria, is seeing its zones of control dwindle even as it claims responsibility for bloody attacks abroad.

It once held most of Deir Ezzor province and its capital, encircling around 100,000 civilians that still lived in government-controlled neighbourhoods there.

But Russian-backed troops breached the IS sieges on the city earlier this month and are now working to shut off the IS remaining escape routes.

IS has also been pushed out of two-thirds of its former bastion Raqa by the SDF.

And in desert territory just across the border in Iraq, security forces backed by tribal fighters are manoeuvring into position to launch an offensive against one of IS's last remaining bastions.

After driving IS out of Nineveh province earlier this year, the Iraqi government set its eyes on Hawija, north of Baghdad, as well as the towns of Al-Qaim, Rawa and Anna in the western desert.

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wkcai said: Dear all,



If I previously used an agent to submit a skill assessment, and after getting a negative outcome, I want to submit an appeal.



But this time on my own. Without the agent. Is it possible? I have asked my agent, and the agent said that under the account, it consists another clients application for skill assessment. Is this true?



Cause I think I previously read somewhere that each application has a specific login name.



Also I want to terminate the service of my agent. But under the contract, it states that:



If I terminate, I have to pay half of the agent fee. Does this apply, or is it even enforceable cause Technically, no service was provided. Besides the skill assessment which I have already paid her fee.



Please help! Click to expand...

Yes you can have multiple applications in the same account as the agent said. You can still proceed with it yourself, removing the agent from the picture.If you received a negative outcome, you can go for:1. Reassessment by changing the occupation code. You can submit additional documents to support your claims.2. Review of the original assessment. Where the case will be reviewed by a Case Officer other than the one who assessed your case. Both these can be done within 90 days of your original outcome.3. Appeal should generally be the last resort. VETASSESS suggests an Appeal should only be done if your Review is negative as well. Should be applied within 28 days of your Review outcome. You wont be allowed to provide any further information at this stage, and a decision will only be made as per existing info and documents you provided.I would suggest you consider reassessment and review options before going for an appeal.Though you will need access to the account for submitting any of these; you can also do so by filling out separate relevant application forms available on VETASSESS website. Contact VETASSESS to get further details.Reassessment (change of occupation)- https://www.vetassess.com.au/Portal...nge of Occupation Request Form.pdf?v=01082017 Review- https://www.vetassess.com.au/Portal...ssessment/SRG02 Reassessment Request form.pdf Appeal- https://www.vetassess.com.au/Portal...sment/SRG04 Appeal Application Form.pdf?v=101 Visit VETASSESS website, as well as call them and talk about your case in detail, quote your reference number and request to get contact details of your case officer to further discuss your case, before taking any decision.Cannot comment anything about your arrangement with your agent.
It may be something like a bank security guarentee they are looking for where you sign a contract with a bank. If you decide to move out early, they get all the rent you would have paid if you had stayed the entire contract time. Trust me, be very very careful with italian rentals, so many things can and do go very wrong. Best is to just get a rental month to month, furnished and travle light until you find the right landlords and the right neighborhood. Been there done that in rome for three years and in italy outside rome for 5. There are some rentals that do want short stays, like three months or 6, they may let tou stay longer, usually this only requires an outlay of one months rent as a securty deposit. Rome is a tricky place but its a chance of a lifetime too. Have fun!
Saudi Arabia is preparing contingency plans for a possible delay to the initial public offering of its state-owned oil company by a few months into 2019, according to people familiar with the matter.

While the government is still aiming for a Saudi Aramco IPO in the second half of next year, that timetable is increasingly tight for whats likely to be the biggest share sale in history, the people said, asking not to be named discussing internal deliberations.

Saudi Aramco said in statement the IPO remains on track. The IPO process is well underway and Saudi Aramco remains focused on ensuring that all IPO related work is completed to the very highest standards on time. It didnt give a timeframe. The comment was echoed by a Saudi government source Wednesday. Officials have previously said the most likely schedule is the second half of next year.

Several important decisions on the IPO have yet to be taken, stretching the ability of the company and its advisers to sell shares before the end of next year.

For example, Saudi Arabia has yet to announce where it will sell shares in Aramco other than the domestic stock exchange in Riyadh. The country may not to make an announcement until late October, when its holding a big investment conference in Riyadh. The delay in selecting a foreign exchange, mostly likely London or New York, has had a knock-on effect on other preparatory work.

Saudi Arabia is also contending with weaker oil prices, which will help determine the value of Saudi Arabian Oil Co., as Aramco is formally known. The government has previously said the valuation may reach $2 trillion, while analysts, including those at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. and Rystad Energy AS, have tended to give lower estimates.

Riyadh built a coalition between OPEC and other oil producers last year to reduce supply and bolster prices that by then had already retreated for two consecutive years. The oil glut has yet to dissipate and analyst forecasts compiled by Bloomberg show prices wont average $60 again until 2019. Brent crude on Thursday was trading down 0.2 percent at $55.03 a barrel as of 1:36 p.m. in Singapore.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Should Saudi Arabia achieve its valuation of $2 trillion, the 5 percent stake it plans to sell would raise about $100 billion. That would eclipse the $25 billion raised by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. in 2014, the current record.

Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said in January that the IPO was most likely to take place in the second half of 2018. Previously, Saudi officials said a flotation was planned for some point in 2018.

The share sale is the cornerstone of Vision 2030, a much wider plan conceived by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to reshape the Saudi economy and diminish its dependence on oil.

Saudi Aramco has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, HSBC Bank Plc, Moelis & Co. and Evercore Partners Inc. to advise on the IPO. Independent Wall Street consultant Michael Klein is advising the oil ministry.
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AUSTIN  The first doses of medicinal marijuana will be available for purchase in Texas as early as December, ending a wait of more than two years since lawmakers approved use of cannabidiol for people who suffer uncontrollable epileptic seizures.

But the projected 150,000 people who qualify may not get fast or affordable access to the medicinal oil, if they can get it at all, critics say.

Just three companies  two in Austin and one in Schulenburg  are set to supply the entire state. It means most patients will have to get the drugs through over-the-road delivery, a potentially expensive service for people in far-flung regions because the oils cant be transported by air or by mail because of federal regulations.

Then theres the issue of getting physician permission to use the cannabidiol in the first place. The Texas law authorizing use of the drug puts physicians on murky legal ground, critics say, because the certified epileptologists and neurologists must prescribe the drug, instead of recommend it, a phrase other states have used to sidestep federal marijuana prohibitions.

There will be very little to any participation in the program by physicians, and there will be very few patients that will be served by the program, predicted Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Leaders of companies set to grow and distribute medical marijuana in Texas say the rollout of any new industry takes time, and they pledge to make the product accessible. Patients are already clamoring for the medicine, and at least one Austin doctor says she will start prescribing cannabidiol as soon as possible, in spite of any legal risks.

Were optimistic, said Morris Denton, CEO of Compassionate Cultivation, one of the three companies that has preliminary approval to produce the drug. We know this medicine works, so its just a matter of trying to get it into the hands of people who need it.

Texas approved the use of cannabidiol, a medicine derived from marijuana, in 2015. Though the move marked the first time the state loosened penalties for cannabis-related substances, the Compassionate Use Program is highly restrictive. It allows the use of cannabidiol with only trace amounts of THC, the component that gives marijuana users a high. Patients can get a prescription only if they suffer serious intractable epileptic seizures that cant be treated by traditional medicines.

And its an expensive proposition. Companies that grow, produce and sell the medicine must be licensed by the state and pay a fee of nearly $490,000 to start. The cost to renew a license in two years is about $320,000.

Despite getting applications from more than 40 companies this year, the Texas Department of Public Safety picked only three, the minimum number allowed by law.

At this point, no dispensaries are set to be in the states major population centers of San Antonio, Dallas and Houston.

Cansortium Texas, the first of the three companies to get an official license, is based in Schulenburg, about 100 miles west of San Antonio on Interstate 10. Dentons company and Surterra Texas, expected to get final authorization any day, are both in the Austin area.

DPS expects most patients to get the medicine by over-the-road delivery  thats how Cansortium Texas plans to begin distribution in December. But it could be a pricey prospect for patients, who already have to pay out-of-pocket for medicinal marijuana because insurance doesnt cover it.

Under program rules, the cannabidiol has to be driven on deliveries by a company employee  a trip from Austin to El Paso is more than eight hours. While DPS strictly regulates most aspects of the program, it doesnt have oversight of the prices.

The cost is Terri Carrikers biggest concern. She has already seen the wonders cannabidiol can do for her 15-year-old daughter Catherine, who went days without a seizure while using the oil, which the family got illegally from Colorado. Before the therapy, Catherine suffered six to eight nasty seizures a night, when her legs went stiff, her eyes darted to the side and she shook all over.

That was really hard for us to get the bill passed and then to  wake up tomorrow and we still have to wait two years, said Carriker, who lives in the Austin area. I am very anxious for product to be available so we can find out how much it will cost, and how well the system is going to work.

Few price details have been publicized. Cansortium Holdings CEO Jose Hidalgo said product costs in Texas will line up with the prices it charges in Florida, where a 300-milligram bottle of cannabidiol costs $45.

Were serious about our commitment to providing patients access to the best medicine, Hidalgo said. We fully intend to fulfill that promise.

Its too soon for Cansortium Texas to know delivery fees, the company said.

Denton said his delivery service will not be a profit center.

We will do our best to keep any delivery charges to a minimum, he said.

Surterra representatives didnt return requests for comment.

Some are not convinced that the cost of delivery will be workable for the dispensaries and the patients. Recently, 10 companies that werent awarded medicinal marijuana licenses signed a letter to DPS urging another round of applications.

We view this as a failure, said Michael Blunk, executive director of the Texas Cannabis Industry Association and a signatory on the letter. The fact (DPS) didnt authorize a single company in two of the largest metro areas in the country shows they are not really looking out for patients needs.

Another concern is whether doctors might face legal trouble for prescribing the drug. At the federal level, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and Ecstasy.

Texas is the only state, out of more than two dozen nationwide with medicinal marijuana programs, that requires a doctor to prescribe cannabis, instead of recommending it, according to Armentano. States use that language to get around federal prohibitions on prescribing restricted drugs, he said.

A spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration didnt respond to questions about whether it would punish doctors in Texas for prescribing cannabis.

Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, who sponsored legislation creating the Compassionate Use Program said the wording isnt a problem because the law defines prescription as an entry in the statewide registry, not a typical doctors order on paper.

We wanted a tightly regulated medical program. We did not want something that was medicinal in name only, she said. Frankly, I have talked to physicians on this, and they really do not see it as a problem.

Dr. Karen Keough, a child neurologist in Austin who is affiliated with Compassionate Cultivation, admits the situation is a tricky one. But she plans to start prescribing the cannabidiol on day one without hesitation.

Is it completely risk-free? Probably not, Keough said. But I am doing whats right for my patients.

amorris@express-news.net
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There are plenty of reasons U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, would be wise not to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in 2018, as Texas Democrats reportedly are urging him to do.

Abbott is the most popular high official in Texas, according to a recent University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Hes flush with cash: more than $40 million. And theres the stubborn fact that a Democrat hasnt managed to win a statewide office in Texas in nearly three decades.

Theres one big reason to ignore these obstacles, though, and it might be tempting Castro, who declined to comment on Friday. First, some background: At the same time that Texas was turning deep-red in the mid-1990s, the opposite was occurring in California, a transformation that can be traced to the mainspring of Proposition 187.

In their 2014 book Latino America, Matt Barreto and Gary M. Segura described that ballot initiative as a critical moment because it reversed the decade-plus drift in the state toward the GOP, mobilized over 1 million new Latino voter registrations, and consequently shifted the state firmly to the Democratic column in subsequent elections.

The measure prohibited undocumented immigrants from accessing government services, including health care and public education. It also required law enforcement officers to report any undocumented immigrants to federal immigration authorities. Running for re-election in California at the time, former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson seized on the initiative with an ad that showed grainy footage of immigrants running through traffic at a border checkpoint.

They keep coming, a voice intoned.

Despite passing with 59 percent of the vote, the proposition was ruled unconstitutional in federal court, and California eventually surrendered the legal battle.

Youd be forgiven for hearing echoes of that story in Senate Bill 4.

Passed this year by Republicans after Abbott labeled it a priority, the Texas law sought to penalize local governments that prohibit police from asking about immigration status. Last month, a federal judge struck down most of the law as unconstitutional.

Coupled with President Donald Trumps rescinding of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), could SB 4 provide momentum for a Latino star in the Democratic Party to turn the tide in Texas, as Prop 187 did for Democrats in California decades ago?

Is the door finally open for Castro to win?

Theyve said that 15 times before, said Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University. Over the course of the last several years even, every time something dramatic or outrageous or overtly conservative happens, people say this could be a Pete Wilson moment. And the needle doesnt move.

If the needle stays stuck, its likely because that moment is impossible to replicate in Texas  despite the Latino population here ranking just behind California.

The same year Wilson warned, They keep coming, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 was coming to fruition. Signed by former President Ronald Reagan, the law allowed undocumented immigrants who had already been living in the United States continuously since 1982 to become eligible for green cards after 18 months, provided they demonstrate good moral character and learn to speak English.

Lydia Camarillo, vice president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, said that caused the number of registered Latino voters in California to skyrocket.

(The year) 94 happened, and that group of individuals, their time had matured, she said. It was a perfect storm because they could become citizens.

Unlike Texas, a right-to-work state, California has a strong labor movement, and the unions there helped to organize and register Latino voters. The Democratic Party and the environmental community also invested heavily in the Latino electorate at the time.

Those factors are not elements that are currently at the same level  or in some ways dont exist at all  in Texas, Camarillo said.

Thats not reason to lose all hope, she added.

SB 4 and DACA are huge, and they are very important litmus tests that could help propel excitement, Camarillo said. The question is, can we get to a point where Latinos are really, really energized and excited? Yes, but it will require resources.

Unfortunately for Castros boosters, Its not going to happen just because you have a star at the top of the ticket.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
Iraqi forces on Saturday captured a desert outpost of the Islamic State (IS) militant group near the Syrian border in preparation for a drive up the Euphrates Valley towards the frontier, commanders said.

The capture of Akashat, a former mining town in mainly Sunni Arab Anbar province, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of the Islamist militants' border bastion of Al-Qaim, came just hours after the forces assaulted it.

Al-Qaim and the Euphrates towns of Rawa and Anna downstream form just one of two enclaves still held by IS in Iraq after a string of battlefield defeats this year.

"The army, the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation force), tribal units and the police captured Akashat," the Joint Operations Command leading the fight against IS said in a statement.

Earlier, JOC head General Abdelamir Yarallah said the operation "to liberate Akashat" was aimed at securing the border to its north.

The Hashed al-Shaabi are a paramilitary force largely composed of Iran-trained Shiite militias but also including some fighters recruited from Sunni tribes.

Iraqi commanders estimate there are no more than 300 civilian families left in Akashat, a former railhead that was once a major source of phosphate production.

Imad Meshaal, mayor of Rutba, a desert town further south recaptured from IS last year, told AFP the Islamist militants had turned the area into a major hub for arms caches, training camps and command centres.

Iraqi commanders say they estimate IS still has more than 1,500 fighters in its Al-Qaim enclave.

The Islamist militants also control a second enclave west of the ethnically divided Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk centred on the mainly Sunni Arab town of Hawija.

A promised offensive against IS there has been delayed by a row over a controversial referendum on Kurdish independence planned for later this month.

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Harry Dean Stanton has died.

Harry Dean Stanton

The 91-year-old actor - best known for his roles in 'Twin Peaks,' 'Big Love,' and 'Pretty in Pink' - died of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Friday (16.09.17).

'Twin Peaks' creator David Lynch paid tribute to the star on social media, saying: "There went a great one. There's nobody like Harry Sean. Everyone loved him. And with good reason. He was a great actor (actually beyond great) - and a great human being - so great to be around him!!! You are really going to be missed Harry Dean!!! Loads of love to you wherever you are now!!! (sic)"

Director Edgar Wright tweeted: "RIP to the legendary Harry Dean Stanton. Impossible to cover his legacy in brief but here's a few favs: 'Alien', 'Paris Texas', 'Repo Man' (sic)."

'Pretty In Pink' actor Jon Cryer tweeted: "Was an honor, man (sic)," while actress Olivia Wilde wrote: "Harry Dean Stanton was the definition of cool. On Alpha Dog, he wouldn't leave a room w/o saying, "Love ya. Mean it." Such a great guy. RIP (sic)."

Harry never married but previously said he had "one or two children".

He also claimed that his girlfriend Rebecca DeMornay left him for Tom Cruise in the 1980s, with Harry saying: "I was heartbroken."

His big break came in 1984 when he was cast in Wim Wenders' film Paris, Texas.

In 2017 he reprised his role of Carl Rodd in the Showtime revival of 'Twin Peaks' and his final film role is 'Lucky', which will be released later this month.
Nearly 70 per cent of all Peruvian garment exports were destined to the US in the first six months of 2017, according to Association of Peruvian Exporters (Adex). Brazil, Chile, Germany, Canada, Argentina, France, Colombia, the UK and Italy were other importers of Peruvian apparel, which included cotton t-shirts, shirts, vests and knitted dresses.

During January-June 2017, US imported approximately $300 million worth of Peruvian garments, accounting for 68.6 per cent of all Peruvian garment shipments during the period.

US apparel imports during the first half of 2017 declined by 5.2 per cent over the corresponding period of last year. However, Perus shipments to the US during the same period increased 0.2 per cent, which is a positive sign.

Nearly 70 per cent of all Peruvian garment exports were destined to the US in the first six months of 2017, according to Association of Peruvian Exporters (Adex). Brazil, Chile, Germany, Canada, Argentina, France, Colombia, the UK and Italy were other importers of Peruvian apparel, which included cotton t-shirts, shirts, vests and knitted dresses.#

Perus textile and apparel industry employs more than 250,000 persons. Peru is currently on the 21st position in terms of value of apparel supplied to the US. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has said textile exports have declined in the last four years due to high business costs. APTMA senior vice chairman Zahid Mazhar urged the government to remove the gas infrastructure development cess and provide gas at the regionally competitive rate of PKR 400 per a million British thermal units.This particular rate was announced by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Pakistani cabinet in November 2016.

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has said textile exports have declined in the last four years due to high business costs. APTMA senior vice chairman Zahid Mazhar urged the government to remove the gas infrastructure development cess and provide gas at the regionally competitive rate of PKR 400 per a million British thermal units.#

The spinning and weaving sectors, the backbone of the textile value chain, are facing the brunt of high cost of doing business and this has made them unviable, Pakistani media reports said quoting Mazhar.As the production of yarn and fabric is substantially higher than the local consumption, their exports must be encouraged, he said.He also urged the government to check large-scale influx of imported yarn and fabric in the country to protect the domestic industry and pay the long-outstanding sales tax and other refunds to manufacturers in the textile sector to address the liquidity issue. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has urged the United States to extend the generalized system of preferences (GSP) till December 2020 and include textile products under the facility. The US GSP benefit to Pakistan allowing duty-free and duty concession access for several products excludes core textile and leather products.GSP is a preferential tariff system that offers a formal system of exemption from the more general rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The US GSP facility for Pakistan is valid till December 2017.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has urged the United States to extend the generalized system of preferences (GSP) till December 2020 and include textile products under the facility. The US GSP benefit to Pakistan allowing duty-free and duty concession access for several products excludes core textile and leather products.#

At a meeting with a six-member delegation of the US Embassy in Pakistan, FPCCI acting president Irfan Ahmed Sarwana conveyed that the 7-32 per cent duty on certain textile products in the United States is very high, Pakistani media reports said.Being a frontline ally in the US war against terrorism, Pakistan has suffered huge losses in the form of declining exports, compensation paid to the victims and internally displaced persons, destruction of physical infrastructure, decline in foreign investment, inordinate delay in the privatisation of state-owned enterprises, reduction in tax collection and decline in industrial output, and therefore, deserves better access to US trade instead of aid, Sarwana said. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Oritain has launched scientific traceability solutions for cotton and textile industry. The initiative is in association with two of the worlds largest cotton growers - the JG Boswell Company in the US and its subsidiary, Auscott Limited of Australia  as well as with one of the worlds largest home textile manufacturers, Welspun India Limited.

Using Oritains technology, the claimed origin of a sample of cotton can be scientifically verified which offers reassurance for brand owners and retailers alike. Oritains service is based on over 30 years of proven science, and is already used commercially across a range of food, fibre and pharmaceutical products around the world.

The JG Boswell Company is one of Americas largest agricultural producers and the largest US grower of luxurious Supima cotton. Auscott Ltd is one of Australias largest farmers and ginners of high-quality upland cotton. To complete its end-to-end supply chain solution, Oritain Global Limited has also secured an agreement with Welspun India Ltd for their home textile products.

"Oritains service is a true 'product test'. The distinct advantage of the Oritain technology is they test the actual fibre and dont use any sprays, tags or barcodes. This makes it a true product test and also means from an operational point of view it a very easy solution to adopt for our business," said Auscott marketing manager for Cotton, Arthur Spellson, who led the companys search for an effective traceability solution.

The scientific solution Oritain offers will go a long way to address the traceability challenges that have been faced by the cotton industry in recent years, said Oritain CEO Grant Cochrane.

"Manufacturers, brand owners and retailers are increasingly focused on ensuring there is transparency within their supply chains. A huge part of this is knowing - and trusting - where their product comes from. This is of particular importance as brands make claims associated with provenance and want to be reassured their product  in this case, cotton - isnt coming from undesirable sources," said Cochrane.

"We have used scientific analysis to create a unique 'fingerprint' from the cotton samples that have been supplied from California (JG Boswell Company) and Australia (Auscott Limited)," said Cochrane. "The intention is to add samples from other origins around the world - like Egypt - to our database," he added.

"This fingerprint analysis identifies the different levels of chemical attributes that are found within the product itself, and enables us to verify the cotton against its claimed origin. Using this method, you can test cotton at the various stages of the supply chain and verify its origin," said Cochrane.

"Its no secret that the global industry has had problems with traceability. Our customers were asking for reassurance. They want to be able to make Australian Cotton claims and have absolute confidence to do that. We believe that the brands that use our cotton can now have that confidence," Spellson said. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
In the recently ended marketing year 2016-17, the United States exported 14.9 million bales of cotton, registering the highest quantity of exports since 2005-06, when the country exported 17.7 million bales. US cotton exports during the year were well above the levels initially forecast by either US department of agriculture (USDA) or private forecasters.

While upland cotton was the most exported totalling 14.3 million bales, the remaining 614,000 bales were of extra-long staple cotton, the Foreign Agricultural Service of the USDA said in its September 2017 report Cotton: World Markets and Trade.

Both rising US crop estimates and rising global consumption helped account for this increase (in cotton exports, the report said.

In the recently ended marketing year 2016-17, the United States exported 14.9 million bales of cotton, registering the highest quantity of exports since 2005-06, when the country exported 17.7 million bales. US cotton exports during the year were well above the levels initially forecast by either US department of agriculture (USDA) or private forecasters.#

For the second year in a row, Vietnam was the largest importer of US cotton, and it imported nearly 2.8 million bales. As a result, the US market share in Vietnam rose to 50 per cent last year.

Exports to the Indian subcontinent also increased sharply, with India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh combined representing the second-largest US trading partner. Two years of smaller crops in Pakistan, high domestic prices in India, and extremely rapid growth in mill demand in Bangladesh all helped drive these high shipments. However, as production recovers in Pakistan and India, it may be challenging for US exporters to maintain these levels of sales, although demand in Bangladesh is expected to continue to grow.

Chinas imports remained quota-constrained throughout the year and reserve sales introduced 14.3 million bales into private supplies. As the US market share in China recovers from the extremely low level seen in 2015-16, exports to China are expected to figure prominently in the upcoming year.

Exports to traditional US-led markets such as Turkey and Mexico did not show appreciable growth during the year. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Syria's foreign ministry said Saturday that it would consider Turkish ground troops expected to temporarily monitor a safe zone deal in the country's northwest as "illegitimate".

The comments came a day after regime allies Russia and Iran agreed with opposition backer Turkey to jointly police a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's Idlib province.

Damascus's delegate to the talks, Bashar al-Jaafari, had described them as successful but the foreign ministry in Damascus on Saturday criticised Turkey.

"These agreements on de-escalation zones do not grant any legitimacy to a Turkish presence on Syrian territory," a source from the ministry told state news agency SANA.

"It is an illegitimate presence," the source added, while recognising that the accord "is temporary".

The Idlib zone is the fourth such area to be agreed among Turkey, Russia, and Iran after two days of talks in Kazakhstan aimed at easing the six-year Syria conflict.

Under the deal, a total of four de-escalation zones would be set up, each for a six-month period which could be renewed.

Three zones are already in place -- in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, in central Homs, and in parts of southern Syria -- and are being monitored by Russian military police.

Idlib province, which lies along Syria's border with Turkey, was widely expected to be the most complex zone to establish.

Much of it is held by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance of fighters dominated by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate.

In the Kazakh capital Astana on Friday, Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed "to allocate" their forces to patrol Idlib and parts of the neighbouring Latakia, Hama and Aleppo regions.

Turkey has long backed rebels in Syria's six-year conflict and intervened directly in August 2016 to fight the Islamic State (IS) militant group as well as Kurdish militias it sees as "terrorists".

Syria's government regularly complains about Turkey's intervention to the United Nations and says its military activities on Syrian soil constitute a violation of its sovereignty.

"The Astana deal is an international deal respected by Syria," Waddah Abed Rabbo, editor-in-chief of the Al-Watan daily, which is close to the government, told AFP.

"But it doesn't at all legitimise the presence of foreign powers -- Turkish or otherwise -- on Syrian soil without direct coordination with Syria's government," Abed Rabbo said.

More than 330,000 people have been killed and millions more displaced since Syria's crisis erupted in March 2011.

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 15, 2017 / Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit against Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. ("Blue Apron" or the "Company") (NYSE: APRN) for possible violations of federal securities laws related to its initial public offering (the "IPO"). Investors, who purchased or otherwise acquired shares pursuant and/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, Esq., of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or you can e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com.

No class has been certified in the above action yet. Until a class is certified, you are not considered to be 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 share price has fallen materially, which caused investors harm according to the Complaint.

Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, Esq., a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in certain jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

Contact:

Lundin Law PC

Brian Lundin, Esq.

Telephone: 888-713-1033

Facsimile: 888-713-1125

brian@lundinlawpc.com

http://lundinlawpc.com/

SOURCE: Lundin Law PC
Director Omung Kumar is all set to tell a compelling story with his upcoming film Bhoomi, starring Sanjay Dutt and Aditi Rao Hydari in the lead roles.

This is Dutt's first film after his return from the Yerawada Jail in Pune last year, following his 42-month-long imprisonment. The makers of the film have not left any stone unturned when it comes to keeping buzz around the film alive, until its release.

Two new dialogue promos have been released by T-Series on YouTube. One of these promos titled, 'Shaadi Ka Card', showcases the heartwarming bond that the on-screen father-daughter duo share in the film. Hydari's character insists her father (Dutt's character) marry again. This is followed by some sweet, humorous moments, such as Hydari dyeing Dutt's hair and him doing push-ups.

The other one, 'Sar Uthakar Chal Sakti Hai', on the other hand, throws light on the darker premise of the revenge-action drama. Dutt's character is seen strongly asserting that any Bhoomi (in the context of any Indian girl) can go anywhere at any time whilst keeping her head held high without any fear.

Bhoomi also stars Sidhant Gupta, Shekhar Suman and Sharad Kelkar. It is co-produced by Bhushan and Krishan Kumar's T-Series Films and Kumar's Legend Studios. It is slated to release on 22 September, along with Apurva Lakhia's crime biopic Haseena Parkar and Dhwanil Mehta's horror film The Final Exit.

Here are the two dialogue promos:
Kavya Madhavan, wife of Dileep, one of the accused in the case of the abduction and assault of a popular Malayalam actress, moved the Kerala High Court to seek anticipatory bail on 16 September, reports Indian Express. She has expressed concerns about being "implicated" by the police in her bail plea application, which was filed through Raman Pillai, Dileep's lawyer.

The special investigation team probing this case has previously said that they have found links between Kavya Madhavan and the main accused Pulsar Suni. Reports stated that Suni visited Kavya Madhavan's boutique after committing the crime. It was suspected that he handed over a mobile phone containing a recording of the crime to an unidentified person at the boutique. The police reportedly raided her office on 1 July.

On 26 July, she was questioned for six hours by the police.

News reports also suggest that Suni visited Kavya's house in Vennela, Kochi before he committed the crime. He is also said to have received Rs 25, 000 as an advance payment by Kavya's mother. Suni recently revealed that he signed the register outside her house, but the police could not verify this detail, as the security stationed there said that this particular register was partially damaged due to rain water.

He also that he was taking instructions from a woman he referred to as 'madam'. He earlier said that this woman was unaware of the conspiracy, and that her involvement was limited to the payment of money. On 31 August, Suni revealed that the woman he was referring to was Kavya Madhavan.

The Malayalam actress in question was assaulted and abducted in a moving car on 17 February, and Dileep has been accused of hatching this conspiracy against her. In a report to the court, the police had stated that Dileep wanted to exact 'revenge' from her, because he held her responsible for ending his marriage with his first wife Manju Warrier.
Bollywood star Salman Khan received a Global Diversity Award at Britain's House of Commons. Salman was at the House of Commons on 15 September, and received the award from Keith Vaz, British Parliament's longest-serving Asian MP.

"The Global Diversity Award is given to people of immense stature in terms of what they have done for diversity in the world, and he is certainly one of them," Vaz said.

Vaz praised Salman for being "not just a megastar for Indian and world cinema, but also someone who has done so much for humanitarian causes".

Khan, who looked dapper at the event and runs the Being Human NGO, said, "Thank you for the respect and honour you have given me. My father would have never thought... But the amount of respect you guys have given me, thank you so much for it." The actor is in Britain for his Da-bangg Tour, and he is visiting the country after a decade.

The tour, which will take place in Birmingham on Saturday and in London's O2 Arena on Sunday, will also feature artistes like Sonakshi Sinha, Jacqueline Fernandez, Prabhudheva, Sooraj Pancholi and Badshah.
Sanjay Dutt and Omung Kumar will be teaming up for yet another film after the social drama Bhoomi. The actor and director will now be seen working on The Good Maharaja, a film based on Maharaja Jam Sahib Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, who was the ruler of Nawanagar, a princely state in British India, as per a report in The Asian Age.

With the Polish government stepping in to back the film, it is a given that it will be shot entirely in European locations. According to the Mary Kom director, Dutt was the one who came up with the story. After hearing the idea from the actor, he immediately took on the director's mantle.

The makers are also hoping for a subsidy from the Polish government, as the Maharaja is widely known in the country. In fact, there is also a chowk named after him in Poland. The film's title has also been provided by the government of the European country.

While Dutt has been fianlised to play to the royal king, the female lead is yet to be signed. As per the same report, the film will go on floors after a year and a half, because it has to be made on a large scale with the Polish government backing it.
Mumbai: Sridevi's thriller drama film Mom is set to release in Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Distributed by Zee Studios International, the film will release in 21 screens in Russia, 9 screens in Poland and 3 screens in the Czech Republic in mid October. To reach out to a wider audience in the Russian market, the film is also being dubbed in Russian, read a statement.

Directed by Ravi Udyawar, Mom also features Akshaye Khanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles. The film, which released in India on 7 June, is Sridevi's 300th and is about how far a mother can go for the sake of her children.

The film was also released in countries like the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Mom has been well received by audiences and critics.

"With the kind of appreciation we have received for Mom across the world, we are pretty sure the audiences in Russia, Czech Republic and Poland will give us a positive response. The film has a very strong message applicable universally, coupled with Sridevi's acting has made the film what it is. We are looking forward to releasing the film there and expanding our audience base," said producer Boney Kapoor.

"Mom is a film that the audience of any region can relate to. It is encouraging to see such great response to Indian cinema worldwide", added Vibha Chopra, Head, Zee Studios International (Film Marketing, Distribution and Acquisition).
Mumbai: Actor Varun Dhawan, on 16 September, said the debate on nepotism in film industry started by Kangana Ranaut was right to a certain extent but blown out of proportion.

Earlier this year, the Queen star had called Johar "flag-bearer of nepotism" on his own chat show, stoking a major controversy.

The matter escalated further at an award function when Varun along with hosts for the event, Karan Johar and Saif Ali Khan, mocked Kangana over the issue.

The trio was criticised on social media for the joke made at the expense of the actor and had to eventually apologise for the same.

When asked about Kangana's accusation that Johar has only launched "star kids", Varun, son of filmmaker David Dhawan, said, "Who all has he launched by now? They're all star kids right? Then it's not an accusation, it's the truth..."

"To a certain extent, what she (Kangana) is saying is right. I think this matter was blown up. She was just trying to get a point across. She wanted to say it in her own way but people stretched it too much. But we are a fraternity," Varun said.

The actor was in conversation with journalist Mayank Shekhar at the Jagran Cinema Summit in Mumbai..

However, Varun said Johar had also launched a lot of budding filmmakers who had no connections in the industry.

"But Karan has also launched a lot of directors like Shashank Khaitan, who is a very dear friend of mine. He is from Nashik and had nothing to do with film family. He gave a script to Karan, who believed in his dreams. Karan had also made Gippy where he launched a girl... Even Sidharth (Malhotra) isn't from the industry," he added.
New Delhi: About 15 Muslim NGOs under aegis of the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam, a Sunni Sufi cleric organisation, on Friday held a protest at Jantar Mantar condemning "the despicable acts of genocide" against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

They also sought roll back of Indian government's decision to send back Rohingyas to Myanmar "in such a dire situation".

"Government of India must start bilateral talks on the Rohingya crisis, open its border for the refugees and provide the basic shelter, food and civil amenities until the situation is not going normal," said the protesters in a release.

Calling the act of cruelty "contradictory to the teachings of the Buddhism", about 200-odd protesters urged Myanmar to provide appropriate protection to the whole Rohingya community in the country.
A car bomb explosion targeting a shop selling alcohol in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk on Saturday killed two civilians and wounded eight, a security official said.

He said the blast damaged the shop and sparked a fire in three vehicles.

Kirkuk is the capital of the oil-rich province of the same name which is disputed by the federal government in Baghdad and the autonomous region of Kurdistan.

The blast comes as Kurdish leaders prepare to hold an independence referendum on September 25 in the face of fierce opposition from Baghdad and the Kurds' international backers.

The Kurdish Regional Government is embroiled in long-standing disputes with the federal government over oil exports, budget payments and control of ethnically divided areas.

On Thursday, the Baghdad parliament fired the governor of Kirkuk province, Najm Eddine Karim, over his provincial council's decision to take part in the non-binding referendum.

Kirkuk, which is home to diverse communities including Arabs and Turkmen who oppose the vote, is under the authority of the Baghdad federal government.

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Ranchi: BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that India has the sovereign right to develop the country within its boundaries, dismissing China's objection to Japan showing interests in investment in the north eastern states.

"India's policy has been very well clarified by Sushmaji (external affairs minister). It is our sovereign right to develop the country inside our boundaries and we will utilise that right," Shah told a press conference while replying to a query on the issue.

Amid Japan's push for stepping up investments in India's north east, China had stated that it was opposed to any third-party involvement in the resolution of the India-China boundary disputes or any foreign investments in areas over which it has claims in the region.

A joint statement, issued by India and Japan on Thursday following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, had announced the setting up of the Act East forum and referred to plans to take up infrastructure projects such as road connectivity and electricity in India's northeastern states.

Reacting to it, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Hunyin had said, "You also mentioned Act East policy.

"You must be clear that the boundary of India and China border area has not been totally delimited. We have disputes on the eastern section of the boundary."

"We are now trying to seek a solution through negotiations that is acceptable to both sides. Under such circumstances, various parties should respect such aspects and any third party should not be involved in our efforts to resolve the disputes," she said.
Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passed away on Saturday after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at the Research and Referral Hospital, New Delhi. He was 98.

Singh was the only five-star air force officer. The military veteran was admitted to hospital following a cardiac attack on Saturday morning, as per the Press Information Bureau.

Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passes away. He was admitted at Army Hospital R&R after he suffered a heart attack earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Uh4RqZ9NF2  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three service chiefs  General Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa  visited Singh at the hospital on Saturday.

An icon of the Indian military history, Singh had led a young troop of armed forces into the India-Pakistan war in 1965, when he was 44-years-old.

In 1965, when Pakistan had launched Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led the Indian Air Force through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired the Indian Air Force to victory, despite the constraints imposed on a full-scale use of air force combat power.

According to India Today, "The Marshal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 India-Pakistan war".

Singh has flown more than 60 aircraft; he remained a flyer till his career with the air force ended.

Singh is the only officer from Indian Air Force and the entire Indian armed forces to be promoted to a five-star rank, which is equivalent to Field Marshal.

Field marshals Sam Manekshaw and KM Cariappa of the army were the two other officers with a five-star rank.

Born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur in Punjab in undivided India, his father, grandfather and great grandfather had all served in the cavalry.

Educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan), he had joined the RAF College, Cranwell in 1938 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December the following year. Singh had led an Indian Air Force squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) that year. He was the Indian Air Force chief from 1 August, 1964 till 15 July, 1969.

After his retirement from the air force, Singh was appointed as the India's ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as the ambassador to the Vatican. He was also the high commissioner to Kenya in 1974.

Singh served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and was also the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He was made Marshal of the Indian Air Force in January 2002. The fighter aircraft base at Panagarh in West Bengal was named in his honour on his birthday last year.

With inputs from PTI
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh government on Saturday asked the Opposition Congress to stop politicising the Chakma-Hajong refugee issue and to work together for a logical solution.

The Union home ministry's recent decision to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees in North East has evoked resentment in the state. Apex students' body of the state, All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), has called for a statewide dawn-to-dusk bandh on 19 September.

"It is the time that all political parties should join hands for a solution to the vexed issue," state government spokesman Passang Dorjee Sona told a press conference.

He also urged the Congress to work with the state government for a result instead of giving the issue a political colour.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on 14 September criticised the Centre's decision to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees in the state.

Sona said Chief Minister Pema Khandu has informed Union home minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju that granting citizenship to Chakma-Hajong refugees would distort the social fabric of the state.

"The government had earlier filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court and another SLP filed by the AAPSU was pending in the court," he said.

To a question on the Tibetan Refugee Rehabilitation Policy, Sona said the state government has made it clear to the Union home ministry that the policy would be implemented but the interest of the indigenous people should not be hampered.

"The government will provide the basic facilities to the Tibetans living in the state in their respective settlements o the humanitarian ground which will not affect the indigenous population at any cost," he added.
Patna: A former politician, a cinema hall owner and a trader have been shot dead in separate incidents in Bihar, triggering angry protests, police said on Saturday.

Surender Yadav, a former candidate in a local body poll was shot dead in Malsalami; Nirbhay Singh, owner of Uday cinema was shot dead in a suburb of Patna while Kishori Prasad, a bookshop owner was stabbed in Sitamarhi district.

Angry over the killings, residents, including shopkeepers, protested, blocked roads and burnt tyres in their areas.

In view of the prevailing tension, additional security forces have been deployed in the areas, the police said.

Surender Yadav, who contested local body polls, was shot dead in his house late on Friday when he was alone, a senior police officer said.

Unidentified gunmen first shot him dead, then attacked the body with sharp weapons, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said. A probe has been launched.

Nirbhay Singh, a cinema hall owner in Bihta, about 25 km from Patna, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne criminals on Friday evening while he was standing at the main gate of the movie-hall, a police officer said.

Kishori Prasad was stabbed to death in Sitamarhi when he was on his way to his residence after closing his book shop. Police have detained two suspects, officer in-charge Anil Sharma said.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said: "Law and order has totally collapsed in Bihar. Criminals are free to do whatever they want."
A CBI special court on Saturday summoned former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair and others as accused in the Antrix-Devas deal case.

Special judge Virender Kumar Goyal directed Nair, A Bhaskar Narayana Rao, the then-director in ISRO, KR Sridhar Murthy, the then-executive director of Antrix, former additional secretary in the Department of Space (DoS) Veena S Rao and others to appear before the court in New Delhi on 23 December.

The court passed the directions after taking cognisance of the CBI chargesheet filed in the matter.

The CBI had earlier informed the court that sanction to prosecute the former public servants had been obtained from the authorities concerned in June.

The agency had filed an FIR on 16 March, 2015 against Nair and others accusing them of facilitating "wrongful" gain of Rs 578 crore to private multi-media company Devas by Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO.

The probe agency had on 11 August last year filed a charge sheet against the accused, alleging they had caused a loss of Rs 578 crore to the exchequer by abusing their official position to favour a private company.

The case relates to leasing of S-Band, a restricted wavelength of the INSAT satellites to deliver video, multimedia and information services to mobile receivers in vehicles and mobile phones to Devas Multimedia by Antrix.

As explained in this Firstpost piece, Antrix reportedly got into a 12-year $ 300 deal with a private company called Devas for leasing out 90 percent of the transponders of two of its satellites, CSAT-6 and GSAT-6A. When ready, Devas would use them for running digital multimedia services. Apparently, Antrix had got the clearance of the Space Commission and the Union Cabinet for the two satellites, but hadn't informed them about the bulk purchase by Devas.

In the wake of the 2G scam at the time, media reports started appearing featuring this as the next big spectrum scandal because the transponders that Devas had hired would require chunks of S-band spectrum, an "expensive and evolving" commodity. It was, however, not clear if the agreement included the allotment of S-band spectrum, which was highly improbable because Antrix had no jurisdiction on that.

The Antrix-Devas deal saw an early exit of Nair as ISRO chairman since he was the head of Antrix Governing Council when the deal was finalised in January 2005.

In an interview to Firstpost in 2012, Nair had said: The biggest crime that is accused on us is that we didnt keep the government informed about the contract with Devas. But as per the Antrix bylaws, we are not required to inform the government about every single contract we sign. We are answerable only to the Board." Going by this logic, every contract that the Indian Oil Corporation or BHEL signs should be intimated to the government, he said. It is a silly reason.

With inputs from PTI
Pune: China should not build a road through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as it is disputed territory, a leading Chinese scholar said in Pune on Friday.

Shen Dingli, associate dean at Shanghai-based Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, was speaking at a session titled 'Emerging World Order' at the ongoing Pune Dialogue on National Security in Pune.

"China should consult with India if it is okay to build a road in 'PCK (Pakistan-controlled Kashmir)'. The Chinese should not build the road in the disputed territory because it is under dispute between India and Pakistan. But why does China fail to ask? We should consult together and build it together. Why only consult with Pakistan and not India?" he said.

Talking about the recent Doka La stand-off, he said Dokalam is a disputed place between China and Bhutan, so China should not build infrastructure there.

India and China should resolve their border issues through "give and take", Shen said.

Wang Dong, another Chinese scholar, said India and China hold the key to shape the emerging world order.

"If we can effectively manage our differences, we can take steps further," he said.

Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Afghanistan's Ambassador to India, said India has been fighting terrorism for decades, but was not allowed to join in the global anti-terrorism fight earlier, else the situation would have been different.
New Delhi: The Congress Saturday alleged that the BJP was seeking to rewrite history and accused its chief Amit Shah of dragging political discourse to "unacceptable lows".

Hitting out at Shah, Congress senior spokesperson Anand Sharma said the BJP chief's reported remarks that the Congress undertakes its political yatras only by carrying urns of former leaders were a "disrespect" to the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, whose contributions and sacrifices are well documented in history.

"Amit Shah is less informed of history and has dragged the political discourse repeatedly to unacceptable lows," he alleged.

Sharma also said, "Amit Shah, BJP leadership and the RSS are seeking to rewrite history." "They need to be reminded that history always triumphs and those who attempt to change or mutilate histories of countries and societies, have always been consigned to the dustbin of history," Sharma said in a statement.

The former Union minister said Nehru was a statesman respected across the world and it is "ridiculous", that the president of a ruling party chose to question Nehru's vision while applauding Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee for his philosophy and contribution. "This is distortion of facts and history," he said, adding that Congress governments in provinces resigned in 1939 for the unilateral decision to drag Indian into war.

"Amit Shah is inheritor of the legacy of non participants in the freedom struggle, who betrayed the people by opposing the Quit India Movement and collaborated with the British," the Congress leader alleged.

Sharma said it is a matter of "shame" that the BJP government instead of commemorating the centenary of Indira Gandhi is "insulting and belittling" her contribution. He also said that the BJP chief has also "insulted" the contribution of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, "who made the supreme sacrifice" for the cause of India's unity and integrity.

"The BJP president and the party are well advised to give an account of the non performance of the Modi-led government, its non fulfilment of the promises and betrayal of people's trust," he said.

He said the Modi government must be held accountable for "hurting Indian economy, shaving off 2 percent of the GDP, non creation of jobs and destroying" tens of millions of jobs in the informal sector post demonetisation.
Srinagar: A Congress panel headed by former prime minister Manmohan Singh Saturday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

The party delegation is on a two-day visit to Kashmir to attend a series of meetings on the current situation in the valley.

The AICC's 'Policy and Planning' group was formed in April in the wake of widespread violence in the state during the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls.

The other members of the group include leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union home minister P Chidambaram and party general secretary Ambika Soni.

Immediately after their arrival, the group held an executive committee meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee at Hari Niwas, a party spokesman said. He said the group was scheduled to meet various delegations from Kashmir, including opposition parties.

Apart from the political parties, the group will interact with several other delegations like civil society organisations, Shia associations, delegation of 2014 flood victims, saffron growers, house boat associations, trade and tourism delegations as well as a delegation of journalists, the spokesman said.

However, meeting separatist leaders is not part of the group's agenda, he said. Speaking to reporters on sidelines of the meeting, Azad said the Central as well as the State government should keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

"The Central as well as the State government have to decide which stakeholders to talk to. Everyone knows who the stakeholders are, but they are afraid to take the names. And when they are afraid to even identify them as stakeholders, how will there be a resolution? "They (Central and State governments) should talk to them (separatists) and try to resolve the issue," the leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by raising the emotions of people but has remained silent since taking over the reins of the country. "Modi's election win was 90 percent because of Kashmir. In our rule, one soldier was beheaded by Pakistani troops (along the Line of Control), but such instances have happened a number of times now in their (BJP) rule, and still the prime minister is silent," he said.

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the Congress government had made south Kashmir militancy-free, but the region had been on boil since the PDP-BJP coalition came to power in the state. "We had made south Kashmir militancy-free during my tenure (as chief minister) in 2007. But, where is south Kashmir today? It is boiling. No one is coming to Kashmir, no tourist. The number of ceasefire violations in these three years is more than the total in 10 years of UPA," he claimed. "So many soldiers have been killed, common people injured...and the way small kids including girls have lost their eyes, it did not happen during our time, he said in an apparent reference to a series of stone pelting incidents in the valley.

Asked about the partys stand on Article 35A of the constitution, the senior Congress leader said the party knew its stand, but the group was here to listen to people. Article 35A renders special status to the northern state. "Firstly, we have come to listen to all. So, we have not come here only for 35-A. This committee was formed much before the issue of 35-A erupted. The panel was formed keeping in view the overall situation of Jammu and Kashmir which has deteriorated under the BJP rule," he said.

The Congress will hold a meeting with MLAs and MLCs, besides interacting with a delegation of minority community and fruit growers, tomorrow. The party had completed the first leg of its tour in Jammu on 10 and 11 September.
New Delhi: The Congress Saturday came out in support of former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram, who are facing corruption charges, and accused the BJP government of carrying out a "repeated persecution and scurrilous witch-hunt" of the family.

Congress media in-charge Randeep Surjewala alleged that "persecution, vendetta and vilification" of Opposition leaders had become the "sine qua non" (an essential condition) of the Narendra Modi government.

"Tragically, the CBI, ED and other investigating agencies have become captive puppets in the government's mal-intent to oppress, hound and intimidate its opponents," he said in a statement.

"Repeated persecution and a scurrilous witch-hunt of the family of former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case by the BJP government and CBI/ED have crossed all proportions, in complete negation of facts," he added.

Surjewala said the agencies did question Chidambaram in 2014 and alleged that they "deliberately widened the ambit" of their investigation and questioned Karti in November 2014, but the latter rejected all the charges levelled against him.

"Neither will the Congress party, nor its leaders despair or quit from speaking the truth," he said, quoting Mahatma Gandhi's words  "Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth."

The Congress leader said the people of the country would not be fooled by such "diversionary tactics" of the BJP regime, which wanted to shift their attention from its "failures on the core issues of unemployment, economic downslide, farm distress, the demonetisation disaster and a repressive tax regime, with the entire spectrum of state authorities being used to convert the country into a police state".
Indian public discourse on North Korea reflects a widespread belief that Kim Jong-un, the young dictator carrying the can for his despotic dynasty, is a madman. It is possible that the 33-year-old with a bad haircut and chubby cheeks wants to actively cultivate such an image. Through his seemingly incoherent actions such as a nuclear confrontation with the world's sole superpower and explosive rhetoric, the North Korean despot certainly wants to create an aura of dangerous insanity  the image of a lunatic boxed in a corner with fingers poised over the nuke button.

Lunacy could be an effective military strategy, as former US president Richard Nixon had once said. If we consider someone as 'irrational', we may be restricted to overestimating or undermining the threat perception. This prevents us from developing the right kind of strategic deterrence. Consider how for all its prowess, the US is struggling to develop a coherent response to North Korea's rapidly developing nuclear programme. And the less said about the UN, the better. Its sanctions on North Korea have had all the effect of an ant trying to bite a rhinoceros. The image of insanity is also a huge advantage for Kim during a military confrontation with far superior rivals because unlike them, he doesn't have to place his actions within a moral framework except the feral need to survive.

To suggest that Kim is an unhinged madcap, however, would be the greatest of mistakes. The North Korean dictator is an extremely rational actor. He is perfectly within his senses and sees nuke stockpile as the only way to avoid the fate that befell Iraq's Saddam Hussein or Libya's Muammar Qaddafi. Both were cajoled out of their respective nuke projects in exchange for aid and sanctions relief only to be eventually unseated and killed due to US interventionism.

Author and professor Andrei Lankov writes in Foreign Policy of the Kim dynasty: "the Kims are the ultimate political survivors, hard-edged rationalists whose actions have always had a clear purpose: keeping the family in power. Seeing them as madmen is not only wrong, but also dangerous"

The beleaguered North Korean dictator apparently believes that it is not enough to just develop a nuclear programme but deems it critical (for his survival) to achieve an operability to target US mainland. Only then may he achieve the minimum 'credible deterrence'. This belief might have been hastened by the arrival of Donald Trump at Oval Office. Kim may have figured out that when push comes to shove, posing a threat to just US allies in Asia or even American military base in Guam won't be enough to deter Trump.

Accordingly, on Friday morning North Korea sent a ballistic missile flying over Japanese airspace into the Pacific Ocean, marking the second time it had done so since 29 August. These intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) are capable of delivering nuclear warheads. Its nuclear programme is also showing rapid progress. On 3 September, the regime detonated a thermonuclear device that caused an earthquake in China and shockwaves through the world. This advanced thermonuclear device, that DPRK claimed was a hydrogen bomb, had a yield 100 times more powerful than what the US dropped over Hiroshima. Experts in the field suggest that the design and performance of the device are consistent with data on two-stage thermonuclear bombs and if fitted on an intercontinental ballistic missle (ICBM), it could reach North American mainland and flatten a city or two. In Hwasong-14/KN20, DPRK already possesses such means. The progress has surprised experts.

Researcher Ankit Panda and MIT professor Vipin Narang suggest North Korea has shown extraordinary evolution in its nuclear programme. "North Korea released a highly specific technical statement through its state-run Korean Central News Agency meant to signal specific knowledge of thermonuclear bomb design  specifically, what is known as a two-stage Teller-Ulam bomb. The accomplishment, if verified, would be no small feat. Many new nuclear powers struggle to achieve this design capability quickly if at all, including India and Pakistan more than 20 years after their first tests in 1998. France took over 8 years, achieving this destructive capability in 1968. North Korea may have gotten there in a little over 10 years  which is quite impressive given the noose around the country and its program," they write in War on the Rocks magazine.

Both writers predict that in short to medium term, North Korea will keep on firing missiles and conducting more and more tests to achieve greater consolidation and accuracy.

That conjecture was borne by the rhetoric flowing out of Pyongyang where Kim was quoted by the KCNA, the North Korean news agency, to have said "our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option The combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified."

It should be clear by now that Kim is no fool, and his actions are not irrational by any stretch of imagination. Which brings us to the question whether India's current North Korea policy, faced with increased volatility in Korean Peninsula, is sound enough or needs further calibration. Though New Delhi might not be in direct line of fire, any nuclear war in Asia is sure to have a deleterious effect in the entire region and being a major player, India cannot avoid getting sucked into it. Its economy will also take a severe beating.

In recent months, India has shown a marked shift in policy. From being North Korea's third largest trading partner (after China and Saudi Arabia), India has banned all trade with the rogue nation except food and medicines as part of its strict implementation of UN sanctions. This policy shift came at a cost. As data shows, North Korea is one of the very few nations with whom India enjoy a trade surplus (exports worth $111 million in 2015-16 as against an import bill of $88 million).

Changes are also visible on other fronts. New Delhi has traditionally abstained from voting at the UN on motions against Kim regime's human rights violations. It maintained cordial diplomatic relations and imparted technology training to North Korean students. DPRK's foreign minister visited New Delhi in 2015. The technology training programme at India's Dehradun-based Center for Space Science and Technology in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) was of particular worry to the US and the UN.

As Samuel Ramani of Oxford University writes in The Diplomat, "before the UN discovered the CSSTEAPs sanctions violations in 2016, the institute provided at least 30 North Korean scientists with training courses that could greatly assist the development of Pyongyangs nuclear and ballistic missile programs. UN officials were especially alarmed by courses offering satellite communications training and instructions for launch vehicle testing to North Koreans".

All these have now stopped. The new UN sanctions, which India have vowed to implement in letter and spirit, have forced an end to any military, technical, scientific or economic exchanges. We noticed renewed commitment from India towards this new policy when Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe came calling this month. The joint statement following the 13th India-Japan Summit had vastly stronger language on North Korea than it had last year.

Last year's statement read: "The two Prime Ministers condemned in the strongest terms North Korea's continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, including its uranium enrichment activities and strongly urged North Korea to refrain from any further provocation, to fully comply with its international obligations and commitments, including under relevant UNSC resolutions and to take actions towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their determination to cooperate against proliferation activities posing a threat to the region. They also urged North Korea to address at the earliest the abductions issue."

This year's statement (as quoted in para 53) is wider, stronger, and more comprehensive. It mentions "the launch of a ballistic missile flying over Japanese territory on 29 August 2017" and says that it poses "grave and real threat to international peace and stability and the international non-proliferation efforts." There is also an urge to international community (read China) to "rigorously and fully implement relevant UNSC resolutions to maximise pressure on North Korea."

India wants to appear as a responsible nuclear power, and hence its stance on "denuclearization" is well understood. But what may have additionally pushed it to take a more pro-US stand on North Korea is the subterranean fear that under the patronage of China, the rogue regimes of North Korea and Pakistan may inch closer, and Islamabad (whose links with Pyongyang's nuclear development programme is well-documented) might achieve more help from North Korea in developing its own ballistic missile arsenal.

Former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf had mentioned in his memoir how North Korea's 'Nodong' became Pakistan's 'Ghauri' in exchange of "hard cash". With Pakistan leaning further away from the US and more into the China-Russia-DPRK axis, not even the most complacent of policymakers would rule out North Korean ICBM technology being transferred to Pakistan.

By abandoning Pyongyang and moving closer to the US, India also stands to gain economically and diplomatically. If there is a greater strategic synergy with Washington, a transactional Trump may be more willing to back India against Pakistan. Economically, South Korea has already ratcheted up investments in India. Kia Motors, for instance, has announced that it will set up billion-dollar car plant in Andhra Pradesh.

The changes in India's North Korea's policy make for greater strategic logic. A more pronounced shift towards US-Japan-South Korea axis will be beneficial for India in the long run. It's also immoral to back one rogue regime (DPRK) and hope for the world to condemn the other (Pakistan). Modi government should stay the course.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday that the planned independence referendum in northern Iraq is an issue of national security, and Turkey will take any necessary steps.

On Friday, Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani said the vote would not be delayed, despite requests from the United States and other Western powers worried that tensions between Baghdad and Erbil would distract from the war on Islamic State militants who continue to occupy parts of Iraq and Syria.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview on Friday that Barzanis decision not to postpone the referendum was very wrong.

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New Delhi: India handled the Doka la standoff "with great maturity", Union Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday."The Doka la issue was handled very well and with great maturity," Puri, a former diplomat who has also served as India's Permanent Representative to the UN, told reporters.

Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a tense border stand-off for over two months on the Doka la area of the Sikkim sector, seriously straining their relations.

Amid repeated PLA threats to oust the Indian soldiers from Doka la, claimed by both Bhutan and China, New Delhi and Beijing withdrew their troops late last month following diplomatic negotiations.

Indian troops had entered Doka la area to stop Chinese soldiers from building a road which New Delhi said would affect its strategic interests.
Washington: The latest round of talks between India and Pakistan on Indus Waters Treaty concluded without reaching an agreement, the World Bank has said even as it assured that both countries will continue to work to resolve the issues in an amicable manner.

"While an agreement has not been reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the Treaty provisions," the World Bank said in a statement.

"Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty," the World Bank said after the

conclusion of the Secretary-level discussions between the two South Asian neighbours on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

The two-day discussion took place at the World bank headquarters on 14-15 September.

"The World Bank remains committed to act in good faith and with complete impartiality and transparency in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Treaty, while continuing to assist the countries," the bank said in its statement.

The IWT was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

The World Bank's role in relation to "differences" and "disputes" is limited to the designation of people to fulfill certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties.

The Indian delegation was led by the Union water resources Secretary Amarjit Singh. It also had representatives from Ministry of External Affairs, Power, India's Indus Water Commissioner and Central Water Commission.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan along with Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.

The last round of talks were held on 1 August, which the World bank said were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.
Security forces on Saturday foiled a infiltration bid in the Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district and killed two terrorists, ANI reported. According to the report, the encounter is still underway in the area.

#FLASH: Infiltration bid foiled in Machil sector of J&K's Kupwara district; two terrorists gunned down. Operation underway. pic.twitter.com/5rLlf6d9DO  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

"An infiltration bid has been foiled in Machhil sector and two terrorists have been killed," defence spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia said.

Kalia said troops noticed suspicious movement along the LoC and challenged the intruders, leading to a gunfight in which the two militants were killed. Weapons have been recovered from the slain militants, the spokesman said.

The latest development came just hours after Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Arnia sector, killing livestock and damaging several properties.

IANS reported that the Pakistan forces also resorted to shelling and firing using mortars, automatics and small arms.

On 5 September, the Border Security Force (BSF) had recovered the body of a militant killed in an infiltration bid along the International Border (IB) in Arnia sector of Jammu district.

"The body of a militant, killed by the troops when they foiled an infiltration along the IB in Arnia sector on Monday, was recovered on Tuesday," a BSF officer said.

On 8 August, the army had foiled a major infiltration attempt by militants to cross over from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) into the Machhil sector, killing five ultras in the ensuing shootout.

"A major infiltration bid was foiled in the Machhil sector by alert troops," a defence spokesman had said in Srinagar.

Thirty-eight militants were killed as the army foiled a total of 22 infiltration bids along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir until June 2017. According to the army, infiltration attempts were foiled at Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri sectors between 6 and 8 June, in which seven armed intruders were eliminated.

"In the current year, 22 infiltration attempts have been foiled and 34 armed intruders eliminated on the LoC," a senior army officer had said in June this year.

With inputs from agencies
Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir's Arnia sector on Saturday, reported ANI. According tot the report, no casualties were reported in the unprovoked firing which began at midnight and continued till 6.45 am.

J&K: Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Arnia Sector, no casualties/loss reported. The firing that began at midnight, continued till 6:45 AM  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

According to IANS, Pakistan rangers' ceasefire violation killed livestock and damaged several properties. The report added that the rangers resorted to shelling and firing in Arnia sub-sector of Jammu district using mortars, automatics and small arms.

Pakistan targeted Sai, Treva and Jabowal forward posts of the Border Security Force (BSF). "Indian troops retaliated strongly after which the firing exchanges stopped," a security official said.

Two residential houses, a temple and three cattle sheds were damaged in the indiscriminate shelling by Pakistan. "Three cattle perished and three were injured," he said.

This was the second such incident of unprovoked firing in as many days. On Friday, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and a villager was injured when Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district.

Constable Bijender Bahadur was on duty at forward point along the fence in Arnia sector along the IB when Pakistani Rangers resorted to mortar shelling and small arms fire at about 12.20 am.

A bullet hit the jawan on the left of his abdomen and he succumbed to injuries on the way to hospital, a BSF officer said.

"BSF troops retaliated strongly and gave befitting reply," he said.

"Intermittent fire continued from both sides from midnight till morning," the officer said.

Bahadur, 32, hailed from Vidya Bhawan Naraypur village in Uttar Pradesh's Balia district. He is survived by his wife Sushmita Singh.

A civilian named Ajay Kumar, 37, of Pawal Arnia, received a bullet injury on his right leg outside his house and was shifted to Arnia Hospital.

There have been continuous ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops for the past three days.

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory action by the BSF on Thursday while three Indian jawans were injured in unprovoked firing and shelling by Pakistani troops along the IB and the LoC in Jammu and Poonch districts on Wednesday.

Incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops have increased sharply this year. Till 1 August, there have been 285 such actions by the Pakistan army, while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to figures by the Indian Army.

With inputs from agencies
Karnataka IG D Roopa has been awarded the president's medal for meritorious services on Saturday, media reports said. Roopa, who had exposed corruption in Bengaluru's Central Jail received the medal from Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala on Saturday.

Bengaluru: Karnataka IG D Roopa was awarded President's Medal at Raj Bhawan for meritorious service pic.twitter.com/s8QzlSYzXP  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

According to OneIndia, Roopa was recommended for the presidential medal last year for her bravery and excellent work ethics. She received the award at a ceremony at Karnataka Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru.

Roopa had alleged preferential treatment was being given to AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala in the prison in July this year, 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) 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 I prisoner, against the court order. She had also dragged Rao into the case, claiming there was "talks" that he was also a beneficiary.

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.

According to DNA, Roopa, who scored 43rd rank in her UPSC examinations in 2000, was ranked fifth in her batch at NPS Hyderabad and was the sole officer allotted to the Karnataka cadre. "As an SP in Madhya Pradesh, Roopa had arrested the erstwhile chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Uma Bharti after the court order in a rioting case," the article added.

With inputs from PTI


Islamabad: Pakistan said on Friday that it has received India's written pleadings to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is hearing the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged espionage. India on Wednesday submitted its memorial (written pleadings) to the ICJ.

The ICJ has suspended the death sentence of Jadhav pending final judgement by it after India moved the court in May, requesting immediate suspension of the sentence.

"Pakistan has received the memorial (written pleadings) from the International Court of Justice, submitted by the Government of India" in Jadhav's case, the Pakistan's foreign office said in a statement.

It said that the memorial is under consideration by a team of lawyers and experts, led by the Attorney General of Pakistan.

The foreign office said that the position of Pakistan, "especially highlighting the acts of espionage, terrorism and sabotage committed" by Jadhav in Pakistan, "which resulted in the loss of many lives of Pakistanis", would be submitted to the ICJ soon.

Foreign office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said on Thursday that Pakistan would submit its response by 13 December.

Pakistan claims to have arrested Jadhav from restive Balochistan in March last. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had legal business interests after retiring from the navy.

On 8 May, India moved the ICJ for instituting proceedings against Pakistan for violations of the Vienna Convention "in the matter of the detention and trial of an Indian National, Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav", sentenced to death in Pakistan and requested immediate suspension of the sentence of death awarded to the accused.

After discussing with both India and Pakistan, President of the ICJ Ronny Abraham asked India to make its submission by 13 September. He had also asked Islamabad to make its counter-submission by 13 December before the UN court starts hearing the matter.
Two days after security forces gunned Lashkar-e-Taiba's Kashmir commander Abu Ismail, in one of the briefest encounters in the state's militancy-infested history, the Pakistan-based terrorist group has reportedly chosen Zeenat-ul-Islam as its new Kashmir commander.

India Today quoted intelligence inputs as saying that Islam, who is also known as Alqama, is the first local to be made the operational commander of the Pakistan-based terrorist group.

However, The Times of India report stated that there is no independent verification whether Islam has been appointed as Ismail's successor.

"We'll have to wait and see. No local has been made LeT chief so far, to my knowledge," an intelligence officer told The Times of India on Friday.

"Zeenat was over ground worker (OGW) of Al-Badr and was arrested in 2008 but was eventually released four years later following which he joined LeT," The Times of India quoted a senior police official as saying.

According to India Today, Islam is 28-year-old and hails from Sugan Zanipura in Shopian. Financial Express reported that Islam graduated from a local college, adding that his father is an imam in a Shopian mosque.

The Times of India reported that Islam is an expert in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and was working with another terrorist outfit, Al-Badr, for over two years before joining the Lashkar in 2015.

Media reports pointed out that Islam is the mastermind of the 23 February 2017 attack in Shopian, which killed three soldiers and injured four others.

Media reports said that Islam is one of the five most wanted terrorists in the Valley, along with Zakir Musa, Riyaz Naikoo, Wasim AH,and Abu Hamas, who heads the Jaish-e-Mohammed in the Valley.

If Islam's appointment is confirmed, then he will be the third militant in 2017 to take charge as the LeT's operational commander. Before Ismail, who is considered the mastermind of the 11 July attack on the Amarnath Yatra, which killed seven pilgrims, the Lashkar's operations were being run by Abu Dujana, who was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama on 2 August.

With inputs from agencies
Editor's note: Parth MN is travelling across Maharashtra's Marathwada region 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.

Ten months after currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 were scrapped on 8 November last year, the ghost of demonetisation continues to haunt Deepak Badavne.

In early November, Badavne had harvested 31 quintals of cotton from his 2.5 acre farm. He expected good returns on it. The trader arranged for the truck and loaded the cotton from my house, he says. But just then, the demonetisation-induced cash crunch hit the farm sector. The payment for Deepaks cotton didnt materialise. The trader is now saying he will pay by Diwali (by mid-October 2017), he says.

The trader owes Badavne Rs 1,78,483 for his cotton yield. A cheque he received for this amount on 24 March bounced  thrice. I am not the only one, says Deepak, 31, sitting under a tree in Karajgaon village on the outskirts of Aurangabad city in Marathwada, Maharashtra. There are others in my village who have been similarly duped.

Badavne, who lives in a joint family and has two children, has gathered some of them in this village of 1,300 people  people who are also waiting for their dues or have received cheques that bounced. In April, nearly six months after demonetisation, Deepaks brother Jeetendra, 38, got a nearly two lakh rupees for 34 quintals of cotton. That too bounced. What am I supposed to do with this if I cannot have cash in hand? he asks. I need cash to buy inputs for the cropping season (that started in mid-June).

On the morning of our visit in June, the trader in question had left the village to avoid reporters. So he was unavailable to give his version of the events, and is therefore not named in this story.

When the angry group barged into his house, his mother threatened that they would be responsible if her son committed suicide. The trader said the cash crunch was responsible for the delays in payment, says Deepak, but the sowing season does not wait for us. We have filed an FIR (at the Karmad police station, around four kilometres away, on charges of cheating).

In Hasanabadwadi village on the Aurangabad-Jalna highway, Atul Antarai, 28, was also struggling in June, months after the demonetisation. He has 1,000 mosambi trees on five acres. I have a private well and borewell, he says, so I manage to water the orchard better than many farmers cultivating mosambi around me.

In the first week of November, a trader had approached Antarai and offered him Rs. 6.5 lakhs for the entire produce. I had planned on harvesting around February, he says. And going by the rate of Rs 30-35 per kilo, I expected to make Rs 10 lakhs from the crop. I told the trader I would get back to him.

On 8 November, however, after the governments notebandi order, the same trader did not have the cash anymore, and rates plummeted. I eventually got Rs 1.25 lakh for the entire yield, says Atul. Where I had expected Rs 3035 a kilo, I ended up selling the fruit at Rs 3 a kilo.

Watch video: I got 3 rupees a kilo instead of 30-35 for my mosambi after the demonetisation last November, says Atul Antarai of Hasanabadwadi village

Every year, the transactions for crops in Marathwada are made in cash. Relatively larger amounts than those for food crops get exchanged for cotton and mosambi  so after demonetisation, when cash was in short supply, the impact on cotton and mosambi farmers was especially severe. November is when Marathwadas farmers harvest cotton, and its just a few months before the years first mosambi harvest of February-March (the second one is usually in August-September).

The rates plummeted and traders did not have cash to buy stock from farmers. The cashless future that demonetisation promised never came, and many in rural Marathwada scoff at the idea. ATMs are concentrated in cities, says Ashok Yedhe, a farmer in Anjanvati village of Beed district, who cultivates soyabean and jowar. Just to get to a bank or an ATM takes kilometres of travel for us.

ATMs in rural areas are few and far between. Of the 222,762 ATMs in the entire country, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data (till June 2017) only 40,997 are in rural centres  this means less than 20 per cent of the ATMs in India are available for the 69 percent of the population that is classified as rural (by Census 2011).

Devidas Tuljapurkar, joint secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association, points out that it is also important to note the run time of ATMs. "In cities, the cash is replenished almost every day," he says. "That is not the case in rural areas, where the run time of ATMs is about 20 percent what it is in cities."

Besides, Yedhe points out, online transactions cost more, and a farmer cannot afford to pay extra money for every such transaction. In any case, he explains, cash is central to any transaction in a rural economy. We cannot Paytm 250 rupees to an agriculture labourer, he laughs. Most of the time, a farmer gets cash and uses it immediately to buy inputs or rations or fodder. The entire trade chain in rural India is cash-based.

To add to the cash crunch after November 2016, banks in rural areas were the last to get the new currency notes. For months, the RBI did not even accept the old notes deposited with the district cooperative banks, where most farmers have their accounts. Hanumant Jadhav, managing director of the Latur District Cooperative Bank, says, For 7-8 months we continued to struggle, when district banks were not remonetised and all our ATMs were dry.

Watch video: 'A farmer can't go cashless', insists Deepak Badavne of Karajgaon village

In Karajgaon too, farmers say the push towards a cashless economy is city-centric, ignoring the majority living in the villages. We usually use cash the same day we get it from any source, says Deepak. If we start going to the bank to withdraw cash for each transaction, can you imagine the amount of money and time we would be spending? Cashless sounds fine in Mumbai and Delhi, but it is a farce in rural India.

Deepak has been unable to repay the 2016-17 agricultural seasons bank loan. I owe the Bank of Maharashtra in Karmad Rs 1.5 lakhs, he says. I have been repaying every year, so I am eligible for a new crop loan. But this year, I have been a defaulter.

Deepak has now borrowed Rs 2,40,000 from a private moneylender at 3 percent interest per month. He already has a debt of Rs 2 lakhs from a private moneylender. He has used the new loan for the ongoing kharif season and repaid a part of his bank loan. But he remains worried. The harvest does not look promising this year due to intermittent rainfall, he says.

And in Hasanabadwadi village, Atul is wondering if he will have to phase out his mosambi orchard. The well has run dry. Rainfall has not been great. The harvest (the years second, of August-September) could be mediocre. And because I lost a lot of money after demonetisation, it is difficult to purchase water to keep the plants alive."

This piece first appeared in People's Archive of Rural India and is reproduced here by arrangement with Pari.
Panchkula/Chandigarh: The hearing of the two separate murder cases against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and others will be continued next week, court sources said.

Hearing in the matter, which began in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court in Panchkula on Saturday amid tight security saw the sect chief taking part through video conferencing from the Rohtak District Jail, where he is lodged following his conviction in two rape cases on 25 August.

Seven other accused in the murder cases were present in the court.

The sect chief's counsel SK Garg told media that the hearing of the Ranjit Singh murder case will be held on Monday (18 September) and journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati murder case will be held on 22 September.

Garg said that the final arguments will take some time to complete.

Meanwhile, the sect chief's former driver, Khatta Singh, moved an application before the CBI court saying that he wanted to record a fresh statement in the murder case. His application will be taken up next week.

Khatta Singh had earlier given a statement in favour of the sect chief in the murder cases but now claimed that he did it under threat and pressure from the sect chief.

Tight security arrangements, including para-military forces and Haryana Police personnel, were deployed in Panchkula town, especially around the court complex in Sector 1. Security arrangements were tightened around the prison complex near Rohtak and in Sirsa district, where the headquarters of the sect are located.

The cases, related to the murder of Sirsa-based journalist Chhatrapati and former Dera manager Ranjit Singh, allegedly by functionaries and followers of the sect, were listed for final arguments on Saturday in the court of special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh.

It was the same judge who had, on 25 August, convicted Ram Rahim on two counts of rape of his female disciples and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment on 28 August.

Final arguments in the Chhatrapati murder case were being held on Saturday. The journalist was shot at in October 2002. He died in November, after battling for life in a hospital for a few days.

Ranjit Singh, who was believed to be privy to a number of wrong things going on inside the sect headquarters, was shot dead in July 2003.

The sect chief is an accused in both murder cases, along with other accused, as these were carried out allegedly at his behest.

Ahead of the hearing, Haryana Director General of Police BS Sandhu had said on Friday that adequate paramilitary and Haryana Police personnel had been stationed in Panchkula in view of the murder case hearing.

However, this time, no Dera followers assembled in Panchkula ahead of Saturday's hearing, unlike the rape case hearing where over one lakh followers had converged in the town and had indulged in large-scale violence after his conviction.

Violence had also broken out in Sirsa with both the incidents, leaving 38 people dead and 264 injured. Isolated incidents of violence were also reported from Delhi and several other places in Punjab.
North Korea said Saturday it was seeking military "equilibrium" with the United States as leader Kim Jong-Un vowed to complete Pyongyang's nuclear programme, which he said had "nearly reached the terminal".

North Korea successfully fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan on Friday, responding to a new round of UN sanctions over its sixth nuclear test with its furthest-ever missile flight.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK," leader Kim said, according to a report carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Kim said the country was close to the goal of completing its nuclear ambitions and should use all power at its disposal to finish the task, saying it had "nearly reached the terminal", the official KCNA news agency reported.

Kim said Friday's launch, which it described as a drill rather than a test, had increased the North's "combat power of the nuclear force", KCNA reported.

"We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade," Kim said, according to KCNA.

The UN Security Council condemned Friday's launch as "highly provocative" and US President Donald Trump scheduled talks with the leaders of Japan and South Korea to address the crisis.

The US Pacific Command confirmed Friday's rocket was an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and said it did not pose a threat to North America or to the US Pacific territory of Guam, which Pyongyang has threatened with "enveloping fire".

Seoul's defence ministry said it probably travelled around 3,700 kilometres (2,300 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometres.

Yang Uk, an analyst with the Korea Defence and Security Forum, told AFP that Kim's stated ambition of achieving a military balance was some way off.

"It's too unrealistic for North Korea to reach equilibrium in nuclear force with the US," he said.

The North has raised global tensions with its rapid progress in weapons technology under Kim, who is regularly pictured by state media overseeing launches and visiting facilities.

"The latest launch, which was apparently made from a TEL (transporter erector launcher or missile vehicle) instead of a makeshift launch pad, means the North is now ready to deploy the IRBM Hwasong-12 for combat purposes," he said.

North Korea's official party newspaper Rodong Sinmun allocated half its coverage to publishing pictures of the launch, showing the missile being launched from TEL.

"The North appears to have resolved technical difficulties in launching the missiles from TELs. With its mobility being increased, Hwasong-12 poses an imminent threat to the US and its allies in the region," he said.

The North's previous missile launch, a Hwasong-12 IRBM just over two weeks ago, also overflew Japan's main islands and was the first to do so for years.

"Within three to five years, the North is expected to be capable of operating nuclear missiles as deterrence," Yang Uk added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron jointly appealed for talks with North Korea, saying this was the only way to resolve tensions over its nuclear programme.

The appeal was directed at the United States and Japan, countries calling to ramp up pressure through sanctions rather than pin hopes on talks.

Russia and China, North Korea's main ally, on Monday backed a US-drafted resolution at the Security Council to impose fresh sanctions on Pyongyang -- but they maintain dialogue is key to defuse the crisis.

The sanctions imposed on Monday banned the North's textile trade, stopped new work permits for its labourers, and imposed restrictions on shipments of oil products, among other measures.

In response to Friday's launch, South Korea's military immediately carried out a ballistic missile drill of its own, with the defence ministry saying it took place while the North's rocket was still airborne.

President Moon Jae-In told an emergency meeting of Seoul's national security council that dialogue with the North was "impossible in a situation like this".

But unless something changes, it is likely the tests will continue, said Professor Yang Moo-Jin of the University of North Korean Studies.

"There is high possibility that the North may test-fire another ICBM by the end of this year to prove it has mastered the technology," he said.

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Chandigarh: The trustees of Ryan International School on Saturday moved Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case related to the murder of a seven-year-old boy at Ryan International School in Gurugram last week.

The trustees, Augustine F Pinto, his wife Grace and their son Ryan, approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court after the Bombay High Court rejected their bail plea citing jurisdiction issues.

The regional head of the Ryan Group of Institutions, Thomas Francis, who was arrested by the Haryana Police in the case, moved an application for regular bail.

The matter will be heard by the high court on Monday.

The Bombay High Court had earlier granted a conditional interim stay on their arrest till 5 pm on Friday while asking them to deposit their passports with Mumbai Police. The interim protection against arrest was granted to enable the three to approach the Haryana court.

The seven-year-old was murdered at Ryan International School in Bhondsi area on the Sohna Road in Gurugram district on 8 September. Apprehending arrest by Haryana Police, the Pintos, who are trustees of St Xaviers Education Trust, had filed an anticipatory transit bail application before the Bombay High Court on Monday.

The application was opposed by the boy's father, Varun Thakur, through his lawyers.

Pradhuman was found dead with his throat slit inside the school's washroom within an hour after his father dropped him at school on Friday morning. The case snowballed into a major national issue of safety and security of children in schools, with vociferous protests held by parents and activists outside Ryan schools in several states.
Contrary to claims made by security forces, that a leadership vacuum has been created in the ranks of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) after the killing of its Kashmir chief Abu Ismail, the militant outfit still commands respect in the Valley and continues to draw local youth to its ranks.

After the death of Ismail, police officials believed that two of his associates, Abu Furqan and Abu Mawya, who were also involved in the attack on Amarnath pilgrims in July that left seven dead, are capable of taking over as LeT commanders. Pakistan national Mawya has been active for the last one year in militancy-infested South Kashmir, and is seen to be a natural successor of Ismail.

But what worries the security agencies even more is the steady rise in the number of militants drawn to the LeT. Half of the 224 militants presently active in Kashmir belong to the LeT, while the others are from other organisations, including the Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). In areas of south Kashmir like Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag, most of the LeT cadre comprises local youth, said a senior police official.

The officer added that the outfit was short of neither local support nor youth willing to join its cause, especially in south Kashmir. "In south Kashmir, a majority of LeT militants are local youth, while in north Kashmir, the cadre comprises mostly of foreign personnel," said officials.

The LeT has been responsible for a series of major strikes in Kashmir, and its cadre has been targeting army personnel travelling in convoys on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. These frequent attacks by the militants have become a matter of grave concern for security agencies in Kashmir, which have begun issuing instructions on carrying out joint patrols on the highway by the police, CRPF and the army.

Sources have said that most of the militant strikes done by the LeT in Kashmir were by Mawya and Furqan. "There are at least three militants, Mawya, Furqan and Rehman, who are high value targets for us, but Mawya could take over as LeT chief. He has been responsible for all major attacks in Kashmir in the last one year, and was associated with Abu Ismail as well," said a police official.

Police officials said the LeT militants' enhanced fighting capabilities let them easily escape from encounter sites. Abu Ismail had remained elusive for such a long time, because he kept slipping away from encounter sites where security forces had laid traps for him. His predecessor Abu Dujana had also switched sides but remained associated with the Zakir Musa-led Al-Qaeda cell, Ansar Ghazwatul Hind.

However, inspector general of police, Kashmir range, Muneer Khan, said that a strong intelligence network has enabled the security forces get one up on the militants. "It's difficult for the militants to survive once they try to get out of the areas they routinely operate from," he said.

Elaborating on the operational strategy of the LeT and how it is different from the JeM, security officials said LeT militants escape from encounters and survive longer. "JeM instead carries out fidayeen attacks on camps of security forces and inflicts heavy casualties. JeM men launch more fidayeen attacks and also get killed more," said an official, adding that JeM has about 25 militants in Kashmir.

"There is also a militant outfit named Tehreek Ul Mujahideen (TuM), which only boasts of three militants in its ranks. But it still is active in different areas of the state. Every militant outfit comes with its own different strategy. For instance, Burhan Wani was active on social networking sites. Foreign militants of the LeT come highly trained, and they impart these learnings to local militants as well," said a senior police officer.

What makes the fight doubly difficult for the security agencies is the large number of militant outfits which operate in Kashmir. "Since militants operate in different groups, it's difficult to gather much information about them. It's especially tough when it comes to JeM, since it comprises mainly foreign militants who don't even mingle with the local population," lamented a police official, comparing them to foreign LeT militants, who depend on locals to develop their "hideouts".
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the high courts across the country to register suo motu PILs to identify and compensate the next of kin of the prisoners who died an unnatural death while custody during 2012 to 2015 or even later as even prison inmates have a right to live with dignity.

Directing the registration of PIL for paying compensation to the next of kin of the prisoner who met an unnatural end, the bench of Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta, in their judgement, said that unless the state realise that custodial death was itself a crime, the unnatural deaths in custody will continue unabated.

During four years from 2012 to 2015, 551 prisoners met an unnatural end.

Speaking for the bench, Justice Lokur said "The constitutional courts can go on delivering judgement after judgement on this issue and award compensation, but unless the state realises that custodial death is itself a crime and monetary compensation is not necessarily the only appropriate relief that can be granted to the next of kin of the deceased, such unnatural deaths will continue unabated."

The court said this while dealing with the issue of custodial deaths in the prisons one of the four issues flagged by the former Chief Justice of India RC Lahoti in his letter addressed to the top court in 2013.

Other issues raised by the former Chief Justice included overcrowding of prisons, gross inadequacy of staff, and the staff manning the jail being untrained or inadequately trained.

Holding that even prisoners were entitled to live a life of dignity, the court appeared not appreciative of the Central government's position that though it would look after the interest of the prisoners but there are several development priorities that might require greater attention and greater financial commitment.

"While this may be so, we are clearly of the view that Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be put on the back burner even prisoners are entitled to live a life of dignity" and state government can't "shirk its duties and responsibilities for providing better facilities to prisoners," it said.

"If the fundamental right to life and liberty postulated by Article 21 of the Constitution is to be given its true meaning, the Central Government and the State Governments must accept reality and not proceed on the basis that prisoners can be treated as chattels," the court said.

It asked the government to be "far more circumspect in arresting and detaining persons, particularly under-trial prisoners who constitute the vast majority of those in judicial custody".

It further said that in such a situation, the State and its agencies should not be forthcoming in opposing every plea for bail or seeking remand of every suspect during the pendency of investigation.

The court on Friday issued 10 directions that included appointment of counsellors and support staff to counsel and advice prisoners who might be facing some crisis situation or might have some violent or suicidal tendencies.

It encouraging visits by prisoners' family members and giving them more time to meet and increasing their frequency.

Noting availability of medical facilities to inmates in prisons needs no reaffirmation, the court said: "The right to health is undoubtedly a human right and all state governments should concentrate on making this a reality for all, including prisoners."

It also directed the Ministry of Women and Child Development to discuss with the state governments and formulate procedures for tabulating the number of children (if any) who suffer an unnatural death in child care institutions as no data is kept on the death of any child in juvenile homes.
Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's younger sister Farhat was allegedly stalked in broad daylight in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district on Saturday, according to media reports.

Farhat, who was returning home after visiting the office of the senior superintendent of police, was harassed by a group of men who stopped their car and threatened her.

She was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, "I was standing on the side of the road when the men stopped their car near me and tried to pull me inside. A group of women who were with me came forward to help and I was saved somehow."

According to India Today, the miscreants also made obscene gestures and spoke in objectionable language. Farhat, however, could not identify the people in the car or the car's registration number.

She has lodged a complaint with the police, who have launched a preliminary investigation based on her statement, the TV channel said.

Chauki Chauraha, one of the busiest intersections where the incident took place, is close to a women's police station; the office of divisional commissioner is also minutes away.

Farhat, who lives in Kila area of Bareilly, was divorced by her husband for giving birth to a girl child. She now runs a social group which provides legal help to the divorced women especially victims of domestic violence and triple talaq.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is Union Minister of Minority Affairs (Independent charge) and also vice-president of BJP which is in power in Uttar Pradesh.

This shocking incident comes after a month after Varnika Kundu, daughter of IAS office VS Kundu was stalked by Haryana BJP chief's son Vikas Barala and his friend on 4 August in Chandigarh.
Muzaffarnagar: The body of a farmer with injury marks was found in Bhuvapur village in Muzaffarnagar, the police said on Saturday.

According to Circle Officer Mohd Rizwan, Brijesh Pal (32) left home on Friday to work on his farm but did not return.

Locals later found him in a field with deep wounds, possibly inflicted by sharp-edged weapons. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared "brought dead", the police said.

An FIR was lodged against unknown assailants and a probe into the incident is underway, they said.
Noida: Police killed two criminals and arrested three others in two separate encounters in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

In Sahibabad, police busted an extortion racket and gunned down two criminals, one of whom was involved in the murder of a Bharatiya Janata Party leader in Delhi and carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh.

Based on specific information that some criminals were on their way to pick up extortion money from parents of a child, Ghaziabad police had put up check posts.

The criminals on a bike opened fire on the police team around 2 am, in which a senior sub-inspector sustained a bullet injury while two criminals were gunned down in retaliatory fire.

The other police action took place in sector 58 of Noida in which a robbery was averted.

Noida Superintendent of Police (City) Arun Kumar said based on a tip-off that a gang of robbers was headed to the Fortis Hospital to rob cash that was scheduled to move from the hospital, police teams intercepted four men on bikes just after midnight.

Asked to stop, the men opened fire. One criminal was injured in retaliatory firing. The remaining three tried to flee but two were nabbed.

The injured criminals were sent to a medical facility.
Ranchi: BJP president Amit Shah on Friday accused the Congress of "indulging in family fiefdom since Independence" and said there was no place for merit in that party.

He claimed that only the Left parties and the BJP had "internal democracy", while there was no such concept in any other party.



Referring to Jharkhand, Shah asked the gathering, "Who will run the party after Guruji (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president Shibu Soren)? Does anyone have any confusion about it," apparently hinting at JMM working president and Shibu's son, Hemant Soren.

Similarly, he asked the gathering if they had any confusion about who would become the Congress president after Sonia Gandhi.

Shah said in the BJP, intra-party polls were held every three years and anyone could become its president as the person was not elected on the basis of which family he belonged to.

He said the top post in the saffron party was all about commitment and merit and on the basis of that, he, who was a booth-level president of the party years ago, had become its national president.

The BJP chief criticised the policies formulated soon after Independence, saying these were based on the policies of western countries and cited the example of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee resigning from the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet over differences as regards the policies.

Stating that several western countries had only one crop, while India had three, he wanted to know how could one follow the agriculture policies of the western countries in India.

Shah said there should be strong policies to build the nation.

Shah described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "forward-looking leader" and said he had earned laurels and respect for the country from all over the world.

"Because of his (Modi's) initiatives, all the countries are now trying to build a good relation with India," he added.

On the other hand, Shah said, during the 10-year rule of the UPA, people had to wait for days to hear prime minister Manmohan Singh speak.

The government had a vision for all the people of the country and not for some, Shah said.
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday termed the Narendra Modi-led central government a 'fuel-loot sarkar' and demanded withdrawal of the excise duties on petrol and diesel.

"Burning holes in the pocket of common people have become benchmark of governance for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, hitting out at tourism minister KJ Alphons' remark on petrol and diesel prices.

"Arrogance of BJP has crossed all proportions when tourism minister KJ Alphons said if you have a scooter, motorcycle or a small car, then you can afford to pay the high prices of petrol and diesel," he added.

Surjewala further said: "Looting people by the BJP by collecting excise duties of Rs 2 lakh 50 thousand crore has become the new normal."

"No wonder BJP is called the fuel-loot sarkar as crude oil prices plummet, the petrol and diesel prices skyrocket and that is the new reality of New India," he added.

"We demand that BJP forthwith withdraws the 400 percent and 135 percent excise that they have imposed on diesel and petrol and give relief to common man against the spiralling prices of petrol and diesel," the Congress spokesperson added.
Chennai: Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, amidst news that he is planning to launch his own party, has said he would be willing to join hands with superstar Rajinikanth if he takes the political plunge.

"Rajini and I have been discussing professional matters. If he joins politics, it won't be difficult for us to discuss politics. I will join him provided he enters politics. We have been rivals on the professional front, but we always consult over key issues," Haasan said on Friday, while addressing questions on video by a leading Tamil daily.

Asked if he has decided a date to launch his party, he said, "It should be decided without any hurry."

Haasan added that the day he plans to announce his party, it may "coincide with a revolution".

Over the last few months, Haasan has been very vocal about the current state of politics in Tamil Nadu.

Haasan has been dropping hints about taking the political plunge.

Earlier this month, Haasan had held talks with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and had told reporters that they had also discussed the state of politics in Tamil Nadu.

He also clarified that his colour is definitely not saffron when asked about his plans for any political affiliation.
Bengaluru: BJP on Saturday staged a demonstration here demanding the resignation of Karnataka Minister KJ George in the wake of the Supreme Court ordering a CBI probe into the alleged suicide of a deputy superintendent, who had accused him and some senior IPS officers of harassing him.

The apex court had on September five ordered a CBI probe into the death of MK Ganapathy, a deputy superintendent of Karnataka police, saying there were startling facts in the case which needed to be probed in a fair manner.

Led by BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa, a large number of party leaders and workers turned up at the Mourya Circle here asking George to step down as a minister, saying otherwise the probe might be influenced.

Lok Sabha members Shobha Karandlaje, B Sriramulu and Pratap Simha and party leaders, including KE Eshwarappa, took part in the protest.

Sriramulu said he was a minister when Yeddyurappa was the chief minister but resigned when his name figured in the Lokayukta report in connection with illegal iron ore mining.

The 51-year-old Ganapathy was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a room at a lodge at Madikeri in Kodagu district on 7 July last year, with the mystery surrounding the death raising a huge political controversy.

Prior to the alleged suicide, Ganapathy had told a local TV channel in an interview that the then home minister George and two senior police officers AM Prasad and Pranab Mohanty would be responsible if anything happens to me.

The Supreme Court had also asked the CBI to file a status report on the probe within three months.
The UN Security Council will on Thursday hold a meeting of foreign ministers on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that will focus on the threat from North Korea, diplomats said.

The United States called the meeting that will be held during the annual General Assembly gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.



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Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP should not try to disturb peace in the state during the coming Durga Puja and warned that they should not play with fire.

Stating that her government did not put any curb on celebration of Vijaya Dashami rituals, Banerjee said, "There is a misinformation campaign by certain outfits that we are stopping Vijaya Dashami celebrations at puja pandals and households."

"What we had said is on the day of Ekadashi on 1 October there will be no immersions. Muharram, which is an occasion of mourning by the Muslim community, falls on the same date. Immersion will resume as usual from 2-4 October," she told reporters at the state secretariat.

"Women will put sindoor on each other and Vijaya Dashami rituals will be observed as usual. Those having no inkling about Durga Puja and Kali Puja celebrations in Bengal are spreading all sorts of rumours," she said.

Banerjee said that her government was determined to maintain peace and harmony during the coming Durga Puja festival.

The RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal should not try to disturb peace and play with fire, she said, adding that Durga Puja had been traditionally celebrated with amity in Bengal where lakhs of people hit the streets.

"If someone tries to disrupt peace, the administration will take stern action," she said.

Banerjee said the "BJP should not do politics using CBI, ED and foment riots".

The chief minister also said the police had recently foiled an attempt by the BJP to create communal problem at a place in the state and arrested two of its members.

The chief minister said that her administration would not allow any procession in the state with arms on the day of immersion.

Banerjee said, "This is illegal and such processions have not been Bengal's tradition and we will not allow it to take place.

"The administration will take strong action if there was any attempt to take out such procession."

She also urged members of the Muslim community to peacefully take out their procession during Muharram.

The state government had told the court that it has allowed immersion of Durga idols on Vijaya Dashami day till 10 pm to ensure law and order.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that his government fared well in the first six months amid challenges from various corners since it came to power after receiving a strong mandate in March.

The chief minister, in a freewheeling chat with ETV-Network 18, however, said that his work got tougher as the SP, BSP governments before had derailed the entire administrative system of the state.

Gorakhpur tragedy was sensationalised

The chief minister also said that the deaths of 60 children in Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College was "unnecessarily sensationalised" by the media and that his administration was not responsible for their deaths.

Adityanath said that a large section of media had reported wrong figures. "The day a media house reported 60 deaths, only 11 deaths had occurred."

Adityanath also said that the deaths of children were "linked incorrectly with oxygen-shortage by media".

No one reported that our government has provided encephalitis vaccine to lakhs of children. The fact is that this year the figure of deaths due to encephalitis is almost half in comparison to previous years. The data is there for everyone to see how many deaths occurred at BRD Hospital due to encephalitis in the last few years. Our government is just six months old, and we are working rapidly to improve the infrastructure of the state which also includes medical facilities. I am sure in the coming years this mortality rate will go down for sure, he said.

On 10 August this year, first reports of children deaths started trickling in. At least 63 children lost their lives at Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Adityanath's home constituency.

It was alleged that oxygen supplier had cut off the gas supply after the state government failed to repay a debt of more than Rs 60 lakh. The official report by the chief secretary, however, denied there was a shortage of oxygen in the hospital.

The government has so far arrested nine people in related to the case, the latest being Uday Pratap Sharma, a clerk of the BRD Medical College on Thursday, near Gorakhpur railway station.

The chief minister said that the primary reason behind encephalitis was the unhygienic atmosphere.

BSP, SP commercialised crime, criminalised politics

Adityanath criticised Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh of having no pro-people political agenda, and for criminalising politics and commercialising crime. He also held the nepotism and corrupt policies of SP and BSP for sending it to the bottom.

"The entire system had derailed by the time we took over. I can tell you about the two biggest changes we've brought in these six months of governance. First, we've introduced a new work culture in our system and ended the old babudom. Secondly, we've instilled hope and security among the masses. There is renewed vigour and energy among people," the chief minister said.

"UP was the top state in most indices, of the country when we achieved Independence and we are now at the bottom. But we will change this and bring UP on the top. To begin with, we are focusing on reviving agriculture and setting up job-creating manufacturing projects," he said giving a glimpse of the nature of policies that UP government will roll out in future.

Aggressive policing to continue

Adityanath also said that despite criticism, the 'aggressive policing' policy of his government will continue to shoo away criminals from the state. "If criminals fire bullets, they will get bullets. Our police will no longer sit quiet," he said, adding that as soon as his government was sworn-in, on 19 March, a strong message was sent to anti-social elements.

"Most gangsters had started feeling the heat as soon as the BJP formed the government in Uttar Pradesh. Some even surrendered outside the state. We are very clear about imposing a strict law and order regime. A message has been sent out to goons that we will follow an aggressive policing system. If goons fire they will get retaliatory fire," Adityanath said.

Adityanath has come a long way from being a mahant and five-term MP to become the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India.

The CM said that not just law and order but even normal governance had collapsed during the 17-year-long rule of SP and BSP.

Hindutva is soul of India

Equating Hindutva with humanitarianism, Adityanath said that the Sangh Parivars ideology is the soul of India and that there is a need to understand Hindutva.

When questioned about the fears of Hindutvisation of academics, especially in the context of the ongoing exercise to change the syllabus of schools and universities, Adityanath said that theres nothing negative about embracing Hindutva, which is a way of life.

"There is a need to change the syllabus of primary and basic schools which are outdated. But there would be no agenda behind this except providing the best education. We must, however, need to understand Hindutva, which is nothing else but humanitarian, which accepts everyone."

On school reforms, Adityanath said his government was working towards solving the problem of shortage of teachers. "Today, there are almost 1.58 lakh primary schools in the state and I would like to accept that there is a shortage of teachers. Our government is continuously working towards solving this problem and teachers are being appointed to improve the teacher-student ratio of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

He also emphasised on the School Chalo Abhiyan, which, according to him, has helped in improving enrollment in primary schools. "When we came to power, there were around 1.36 crore students in the primary schools of Uttar Pradesh. Today there are 1.54 crore, thanks to campaigns like School Chalo Abhiyan. Also, our government has made 1000 model schools," said the chief minister.
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Saturday dubbed a cabinet sub-committee formed by the Maharashtra government to look into the issue of Maratha reservation as a "time pass" and sought to know why justice has not been meted out to the community despite several road shows in the state.

On 9 August, lakhs of members of the Maratha community, staged their 58th and final 'muk morcha' (silent protest) in Mumbai, demanding reservation in jobs and educational institutions.

The same day, Fadnavis announced in the state Assembly that the government would extend to the community the educational concessions that are currently given to the OBCs.

He had also said the government would form a cabinet sub-committee, which would review the implementation of various schemes for the community and accordingly, the five-member sub-committee was announced.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', it said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held a big roadshow in Ahmedabad. Such roadshows have their own benefits."

"However, several roadshows, morchas and protests held by the Maratha community yielded no results," it claimed.

The party said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis agreed to spend Rs 30,000 crore from the state's coffers to realise Modi's dream of a bullet train but allegedly adopted the Congress' policy of forming a cabinet sub-committee for Maratha reservation to kill time.

It asked if there was any time limit for the committee and what were its powers.

"It is being said that this committee will submit its report to the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission. Also, it'll hold discussions with Maratha organisations every three months. If talks will happen in three months, how long will this committee's time pass last?" the Sena claimed.

The committee is headed by Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil. The other members are Diwakar Raote and Eknath Shinde of the Sena and Girish Mahajan and Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar of the BJP.
Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday took a not-so-veiled dig at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi by making a rather poetic statement.

"Dynasty and democracy can't go together. Dynasty is nasty but tasty to some people," ANI quoted Naidu as saying. The Vice-President of India was quick to add: "(I am) not speaking about a party or person."

Dynasty&democracy can't go together.Dynasty is nasty but tasty to some ppl. Not speaking about a party or person: Vice Pres M Venakiah Naidu pic.twitter.com/5pglBHSQUQ  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

But that afterthought is clearly not fooling anyone.

Naidu's remark comes merely four days after Rahul's speech at the University of California, Berkeley, in which he (rather nervously) shared his point of view about dynastic politics when asked a question on that issue.

"This is a problem that is present in all political parties in India. Akhilesh Yadav is a dynast. (MK) Stalin is a dynast...Even Abhishek Bachchan is a dynast. Don't go after me because the entire country is running like that. That's what happens in India," the Congress vice-president and son of Congress president Sonia Gandhi (and grandson of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and great-grandson of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru) had said.

To assume that Naidu's sudden remarks on dynastic politics were not related to "a party or a person" days after a remark made by a prominent leader of one of the most prominent parties opposing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be highly naive.

We also wonder which "people" find dynasty "tasty" if Naidu was not talking about a specific person.

Naidu's statement is also important because several top leaders of the BJP like Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah and Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani had lashed out at Rahul over his UC Berkeley speech.

Even though the vice-president is not supposed to side with or against any political party, we have seen politically charged statements coming from Naidu and his predecessor Hamid Ansari quite frequently.

On 10 August, just a day before he was sworn-in as vice-president, Naidu had rejected as "political propaganda" the view that there is a sense of insecurity among minorities in the country, apparently a rejoinder to the then outgoing Vice-President Hamid Ansari.

Though Naidu did not name anyone, his comments were seen as a response to Ansari's remarks in a TV interview that there was an unease and a sense of insecurity among Muslims in the country, and that "ambience of acceptance" is under threat.

Ansari's remarks had come against the backdrop of incidents of alleged intolerance and violence by self-proclaimed cow protectors, for which opposition parties have attacked the central government.

"Some people are saying minorities are insecure. It is political propaganda. Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India and they get their due," Naidu had told PTI.

He had also disagreed with the view that there is growing intolerance, saying Indian society is the most tolerant in the world because of its people and civilisation.

With inputs from PTI
Dhaka: Bangladesh has accused Myanmar of repeatedly violating its air space and warned that any more "provocative acts" could have "unwarranted consequences", raising the possibility of a deterioration in relations already strained by a refugee crisis.

Nearly 4,00,000 Rohingya Muslims from western Myanmar have crossed into Bangladesh since 25 August, fleeing a Myanmar government offensive against insurgents that the United Nations has branded a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing".

Bangladesh said Myanmar drones and helicopters had violated its air space three times  on 10, 12 and 14 September  and it had called in a top Myanmar embassy official in Dhaka to complain.

"Bangladesh expressed deep concern at the repetition of such acts of provocation and demanded that Myanmar takes immediate measures to ensure that such violation of sovereignty does not occur again," the ministry said in statement late on Friday.

"These provocative acts may lead to unwarranted consequences."

A Myanmar government spokesman said he did not have information about the incidents Bangladesh had complained about but Myanmar had denied an earlier accusation.

The spokesman, Zaw Htay, said Myanmar would check any information that Bangladesh provided.

"At this time, our two countries are facing the refugee crisis. We need to collaborate with good understanding," Zaw Htay told Reuters.

Bangladesh has for decades faced influxes of Rohingya fleeing persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where the Rohingya are regarded as illegal migrants and denied citizenship.

Bangladesh was already home to 4,00,000 Rohingya before the latest crisis erupted on 25 August, when Rohingya insurgents attacked about 30 police posts and an army camp, killing a dozen people.

The Myanmar security forces responded with what rights monitors and fleeing Rohingya say is a campaign of violence and arson aimed at driving out the Muslim population.

Humanitarian crisis

About 30,000 non-Muslim villagers have also been displaced in the conflict in which Myanmar says more than 430 people have been killed, most of them insurgents.

Nearly half of 471 villages in the north of its Rakhine State had been completely deserted or partly abandoned, the government said.

The ARSA has denied links to foreign Islamists and has called for neighbouring countries to block any foreign "terrorists" from trying to join it. It says it is fighting for the rights of Rohingya.

The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border and raised questions about Myanmars transition under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi after nearly 50 years of strict military rule.

The generals still control national security policy but nevertheless, Suu Kyi has been widely criticised abroad for not stopping or condemning the violence.

There is little sympathy for Rohingya in a country where the end of military rule has unleashed some old communal animosities and the military campaign in Rakhine State is generally supported.

Ethnic cleansing is not recognised as a separate crime under international law but allegations of ethnic cleansing as part of wider, systematic human rights violations have been heard in international courts.

Rights group Amnesty International said on Friday evidence pointed to a "mass-scale scorched-earth campaign" across the north of Rakhine that was unmistakably ethnic cleansing.
Beijing: China said it was opposed to any deployment of nuclear weapons by Japan and South Korea in response to North Korea's repeated missile tests and quest for a military "equilibrium" with the US.

China's ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, said the potential spread of nuclear weapons would not bring security to the highly-tensed region.

"It could only make things much worse. We are certainly opposed to the existence of nuclear weapons anywhere on the Korean peninsula... anywhere," the Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post quoted Cui as having told reporters in Washington on Friday.

The comments came on a day North Korea launched its second intermediate-range missile over the Japanese territory in less than a month. The missile test was the first after Pyongyang tested its sixth and largest nuclear device on 3 September.

Experts assessing the data now increasingly believe the latest nuclear test by North Korea to be a hydrogen bomb.

The North Korean state media said the reclusive nation's aim was to seek an "equilibrium" of military force with the US after an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council again condemned the Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.

The tests have resulted in calls for deployment of US nuclear weapons by American allies South Korea and Japan.

Ambassador Cui said China understood South Korea's fears.

"We are willing to help them to solve these concerns on the condition of not risking China's security interests," he said, apparently referring to US deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) weapons in South Korea.

Beijing firmly opposes THAAD deployment because its powerful radars could monitor China's movement of missiles and their deployment.

The deployment of nuclear weapons in South Korea and Japan will bring them to the door step of China.
New York: President Donald Trump will use his debut speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week to offer warmth to the United States' allies and warnings to its adversaries.

"He slaps the right people, he hugs the right people and he comes out very strong in the end," US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Friday as she previewed Trump's Tuesday speech.

Addressing the General Assembly is a milestone moment for any president, but one particularly significant for Trump, a relative newcomer to foreign policy who has at times rattled the international community with his unpredictability.

"No one is going to grip and grin," Haley said at a White House briefing. "The United States is going to work."

National Security Adviser HR McMaster said Trump "will urge all states to come together to address great dangers" facing the globe. Among topics certain to be on the agenda: North Korea, which has defied both sanctions and Trump's threats by continuing with its aggressive missile testing, and Iran, which the president has accused of violating an international nuclear deal.

Trump has been sharply critical of the United Nations in the past, denouncing its "utter weakness and incompetence." As president-elect, he derided it as "a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time." He also suggested deep cuts to US funding for the UN.

Haley and McMaster outlined a robust schedule for Trump, who will also be joined by Vice-President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other top advisers. The meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations are often done in rapid succession, a wearying test for even the most experienced foreign policy team.

The General Assembly "is an incredibly sophisticated dance that doesn't really play to Tillerson's strengths or to the president's strengths," said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic & International Studies. "You often have one 15-minute meeting after another," with the goal of keeping focused on key points. "It's kind of like speed dating from hell," he said.

The president will meet with French president Emmanuel Macron and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally, on Monday before holding a dinner with Latin American leaders. On Tuesday, in addition to his General Assembly speech, Trump will meet with the emir of Qatar, whose kingdom is embroiled in a dispute with other West Asian nations, including Saudi Arabia, over alleged funding of terror groups.

Trump on Wednesday holds a working lunch with African leaders and will meet with the heads of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. The White House has played down prospects for a major moment in the Middle East peace process. Trump also will sit down with British Prime Minster Theresa May, just days after she scolded him for choosing to publicly "speculate" about the nature of an explosion Friday that injured at least 22 people in the London subway.

Trump, who will stay in his Manhattan penthouse at Trump Tower, will conclude his stay Thursday with meetings with leaders from Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine before holding a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan, largely to discuss the threats emanating from North Korea.

The presidents of China and Russia are not expected to attend the meetings.

Other topics on the agenda include the unstable situations in Venezuela and Syria and the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaida terror groups. McMaster said that improving business ties between the United States and other nations will also be on the agenda.

"This administration's ironclad commitment to free, fair and reciprocal trade and access to markets will be the bedrock of our economic talks," he said.
Reykjavik: Iceland's prime minister on Friday called for a second snap election in less than a year after a party quit the coalition government because he hid his father's involvement in seeking a clean record for a convicted pedophile.

Pime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson said he preferred the election to be held in November, just over a year after the last snap vote which was triggered by the Panama Papers scandal.

The government collapsed on Friday after Bright Future left the three-party, centre-right coalition, stripping it of its one-seat parliamentary majority.

"This situation was uncalled for but we will have an election," Benediktsson told a news conference in Reykjavik.

"There is nothing else to do in Iceland but to let the voters (decide)," he added.

Bright Future accused Benediktsson of failing to inform the government that his father had signed a letter supporting a convicted paedophile's bid to have his criminal record erased after serving five and a half years in prison.

Benediktsson's father, an entrepreneur named Benedikt Sveinsson, had given support to a man who was convicted in 20

04 of having raped his stepdaughter almost every day for 12 years.

The last government collapsed over the Panama Papers scandal that embroiled several ministers and forced former prime minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson to resign.

Benediktsson, who was implicated in the Panama Papers scandal that revealed offshore tax havens, had delayed the release of a report on tax evasion during the legislative campaign.
Baghdad: An Iraqi military commander says troops have launched a multi-pronged operation to capture a town near the Syrian border from the Islamic State group.

Lt Gen Abdul-Amir Rasheed Yar Allah said Saturday the operation to liberate Akashat aims at securing part of the borders and the area north of the vital highway that links Baghdad to neighboring Jordan and Syria.

The spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig Gen Yahya Rasool, says the US-led coalition is offering aerial support for different factions of troops.

Akashat is a small town west of Anbar province located south of the Islamic State-held, strategic towns of Qaim, Rawa and Ana.

IS has been driven out of most of the territories it seized in 2014, from northern Iraq through the country's center and across western Anbar province.
London: An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a packed underground train at a London station on Friday, injuring at least 29 people in the fifth terrorist attack this year, which Prime Minister Theresa May said was "clearly intended to cause significant harm".

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State terror group. "The bombing on a metro in London was carried out by a detachment of the Islamic State," it said in a statement published by its Amaq propaganda agency.

The explosion, on a District Line Tube in the British capital's southwest, occurred as the train pulled into Parsons Green station. Commuters said they heard a bang and saw a fireball inside the carriage when the "bucket bomb" exploded. Several people suffered facial burns, some reportedly were even trampled in the rush to escape. But none of the injuries were life threatening.

Pictures of a white bucket on fire inside a supermarket bag, with wires trailing on to the carriage floor of the train went viral on social media. Investigators were examining what appears to be a circuit board recovered from the scene, news reports said.

Scotland Yard said it was a terror incident and they "assess" an IED triggered the blast. A hunt was on for a suspect the British media labelled as the "bucket bomber". Some reports indicated that the suspect was identified after investigators reviewed the CCTV footage at the station.

This is the fifth terrorism incident in the UK this year. But it's the only one in 2017 in which nobody has died. The previous four saw 36 people killed.

The London Ambulance Service said 29 people have been treated in hospital. Police said that 'most' had 'flash burns'.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said more police would be deployed in London, particularly on the transport network, but refused to say whether anyone had been arrested.

Prime Minister May said the incident was a "cowardly" act "clearly intended to cause significant harm". Addressing the media after chairing an emergency response COBRA committee meeting at Downing Street, May said the UK's terror threat level remains unchanged for now, at "severe" - the second highest.

"That means that a terrorist attack is highly likely. But this will be kept under review as the investigation progresses. The public should go about their daily lives but remain vigilant," she said. "We do need to ensure that we are dealing with, not just the terrorist threat but with the extremism and the hate that can actually incite that terrorism." the prime minister added.

The police later in an updated statement said an area of 50 metres in radius around the station has been evacuated as a precaution in case the bomb left on the train remains unstable.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said London "utterly condemns the hideous individuals who attempt to use terror to harm us and destroy our way of life", and urged Londoners to remain calm and vigilant.

Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism squad, SO15, has taken the lead in the investigation from the transport police. "Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, has declared it a terrorist incident," the police said in a statement earlier on Friday. "The Metropolitan Police Service and British Transport Police attended the scene, along with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service. At present we are aware of a number of people who have suffered injuries," it said, adding that the station remains cordoned off and "we are advising people to avoid the area."

Downing Street said May was "receiving regular updates".

"My thoughts are with those injured at Parsons Green and emergency services who are responding bravely to this terrorist incident," May had tweeted soon after the incident.

Eyewitnesses outside the station reported seeing people with facial injuries. Many have been told to stay in lockdown as police evacuated the area and placed a wide zone under a police cordon.

Passenger Chris Wildish told the BBC that he saw a bucket in a supermarket bag with "low-level flames coming out of it" by the door of the rear carriage.
Some of the world's most expensive contemporary artists have donated works to be auctioned off to help refugees in Paris later this month.



Cindy Sherman, Annette Messager, Mona Hatoum, and Wolfgang Tillmans are among 25 top international artists who have donated work to go under the hammer of Christie's boss Francois de Ricqles.



The Italian artist Rudolf Stingel, the fifth most expensive living artist after David Hockney, has also given a painting to the sale.



The auction is part of a week of shows and events at the Palais de Tokyo art museum in Paris called "We Dream Under the Same Sky" which centre on culture and citizenship.



The artworks -- which are valued between 7,000 euros and 380,000 ($8,300 and $453,000) -- will go on display at the museum on Saturday.



The two with the highest estimates are a rendering of a New York Times front page by the US painter Wade Guyton and a painting by the Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco (250,000 euros).



The works will then be transferred to the Paris gallery of the fashion designer Azzedine Alaia, where they will go under the hammer on September 27.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Kuala Lumpur: Twenty-one young boys who died in a fire at a private Islamic boarding school were buried in Malaysia amid renewed calls for better regulation of religious schools.

The charred bodies were released to family members after being identified through DNA testing. Islamic authorities and grieving family members held prayers for the victims at the hospital mosque before the bodies were taken to cemeteries.

Eleven of the boys were buried outside Kuala Lumpur, where hundreds of relatives and well-wishers mourned as the bodies, wrapped in white shrouds, were lowered into the graves.

In another cemetery about a half hour away, two siblings and their cousin were laid to rest in the same grave, the Star newspaper said. Others were taken to their hometowns. The burials were sponsored and arranged by state Islamic authorities.

The pre-dawn blaze on Thursday at a three-story tahfiz school, where Muslim boys study and memorize the Quran, blocked the lone exit to the dormitory, trapping students behind barred windows.

Officials said the school was operating without a fire safety permit and license, and that a dividing wall was illegally built on the top floor that blocked the victims from a second exit.

A list released by the national news agency Bernama said the victims were 21 boys aged between six and 16 and two teachers. Police had put the boys' ages at between 13 and 17 on Thursday, and couldn't be reached to explain the discrepancy.

Religious schools, mostly privately run, are not supervised by the education ministry because they come under the purview of state religious authorities. Local media reported there are more than 500 registered tahfiz schools nationwide but many more are believed to be unregistered.

Data from the Fire Department showed that 1,083 fires struck religious schools in the past two years, of which 211 were burned to the ground. The worst disaster occurred in 1989 when 27 female students at an Islamic school in Kedah state died when fire gutted the school and eight wooden hostels.

Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan said his department has proposed that a special committee be set up to obtain state government consent to place all tahfiz schools under the ministry's supervision to ensure they get safety approvals and have operating permits.

He said the ministry had previously urged religious schools to register, but that was on a voluntary basis.

"This is a good opportunity for us to make it a compulsory requirement for religious schools to register with the Education Ministry. Our main concern is safety," he told The Associated Press. "We have no intention to change or interfere with their teachings."

Religion is a sensitive matter in Malaysia, where ethnic Malay Muslims make up about 60 percent of the country's 31 million people.

Firefighters and witnesses have described scenes of horror first of boys screaming for help behind barred windows as neighbors watched helplessly, and later of burned bodies huddled in corners of the room. Officials initially said they suspected the fire was caused by an electrical short-circuit but later said this wasn't the case. Police said they are still investigating the cause as well as the presence of two gas tanks outside the dormitory.

School principal Mohamad Zahid Mahmod has told local media the students were being housed in a temporary building because of renovation work at the main school building. He said they were due to move back at the end of this month.

He said the school has been operating for 15 years and registered with the state Islamic religious council. But an official with the state religious council said it had no record of the school.

Many grieving parents and family members described the tragedy as fate.

Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, blamed human error. She said she was briefed by a police officer and was told the dormitory was overcrowded.

"We say that it is God or fate but God does not err ... the ugly and the bad are from us. We have to take that responsibility. Do not say it was God or fate," she said after visiting the school Friday.
Baghdad: The Parliament of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan convened for the first time after two years of suspension, and is scheduled to discuss referendum on independence of the Kurdish region.

"The meeting will discuss the referendum of the Kurdistan region, which will be on 25 September, and will respond to the decision made earlier by the Iraqi parliament, which rejected this referendum," said Tariq Jowhar, media advisor of the Parliament, said on Friday.

Jowhar said the session was chaired by the Deputy Speaker, as Speaker Yousif Mohammed Sadiq did not attend the session since his Gorran Movement is boycotting the session along with the Kurdistan Islamic Group, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, the two major Kurdish parties of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) announced that the Parliament session, originally scheduled on Thursday, would be delayed to late Friday to convince Goran Movement and the Islamic group to attend the first parliament session in two years.

On Thursday, the Kurdish regional government said it had received an alternative plan for the referendum on independence in Kurdistan on 25 September.

An international delegation, including the US, Britain and UN envoys, met with Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and presented the alternative path for the controversial independence referendum.

The referendum has been opposed by Baghdad because it would threaten the integrity of Iraq and would distract the ongoing fight against Islamic State militant group by Iraqi forces.

The neighbouring countries of Turkey, Iran and Syria also feel that the move would threaten their territorial integrity, as large numbers of Kurdish population live in those countries.
London: A homemade bomb planted in a rush-hour subway car exploded in London on Friday, injuring 29 people and prompting authorities to raise Britain's terrorism threat level to "critical," meaning another attack may be imminent.

The early morning blast sparked a huge manhunt for the perpetrators of what police said was the fourth terrorist attack in the British capital this year.

Prime Minister Theresa May, acting on the recommendation of the Joint Terrorism Analysis Center, raised the country's threat level from "severe" to "critical"  its highest possible level. May said military troops would augment the police presence in a "proportionate and sensible step."

Earlier, May said the device had been "intended to cause significant harm."

Still, to the relief of authorities and Londoners, experts said the bomb  hidden in a plastic bucket inside a supermarket freezer bag  only partially exploded, sparing the city much worse carnage.

"I would say this was a failed high-explosive device," Chris Hunter, a former British Army bomb expert, said of the blast, which caused no serious injuries.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was carried out by an affiliated unit.

The bomb went off around 8:20 am as the train, carrying commuters from the suburbs  including many school children  was at Parsons Green station in the southwest of the city.

Witness Chris Wildish told Sky News that he saw "out of the corner of my eye, a massive flash of flames that went up the side of the train," followed by "an acrid chemical smell."

Commuter Lauren Hubbard said she was on the train when she heard a loud bang.

"I looked around and this wall of fire was just coming toward us," Hubbard said. She said her instinct was "just run," and she fled the above-ground station with her boyfriend.

Chaos ensued as hundreds of people, some of them suffering burns, poured from the train, which can hold up to 800 people.

"I ended up squashed on the staircase. People were falling over, people fainting, crying. There were little kids clinging onto the back of me," said another commuter, Ryan Barnett.

Passenger Luke Walmsley said it was "like every man for himself to get down the stairs."

"People were just pushing," he added. "There were nannies or mums asking where their children were."

Police and health officials said 29 people were treated in London hospitals, most of them for flash burns. None of the injuries were serious or life-threatening, the emergency services said.

Trains were suspended along a stretch of the Underground's district line, and several homes were evacuated as police set up a 50 meter cordon around the scene while they secured the device and launched a search for those who planted it.

The Metropolitan Police said hundreds of detectives, along with agents of the domestic spy agency MI5, were looking at surveillance camera footage, carrying out forensic work and speaking to witnesses.

Speaking to reporters late Friday, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police was making "good progress" and that the public should be reassured that more police and troops will be on the streets.

"We are only aware of one device," he said. "We have remnants of that device. We are chasing down suspects." He refused to provide further details, except to say the bomb involved the "detonation of an improvised explosive device."

Among the questions authorities were seeking to answer: What was the device made from, and was it meant to go off when it did, in a leafy, affluent part of the city far from London's top tourist sites?

British media reported that the bomb included a timer. Lewis Herrington, a terrorism expert at Loughborough University, said that would set it apart from suicide attacks like those on the London subway in 2005 or at Manchester Arena in May, in which the attackers "all wanted to die."

Photos taken inside the train showed a white plastic bucket inside a foil-lined shopping bag, with flames and what appeared to be wires emerging from the top.

Terrorism analyst Magnus Ranstorp of the Swedish Defense University said that from the photos it appeared the bomb did not fully detonate, as much of the device and its casing remained intact.

"They were really lucky with this one, it could have really become much worse," he said.

Hunter, the explosives expert, said it appeared that "there was a bang, a bit of a flash, and that would suggest that, potentially, some of the explosive detonated, the detonator detonated, but much of the explosive was effectively inert."

Police and ambulances were on the scene within minutes of the blast, a testament to their experience at responding to violent attacks in London. The city has been a target for decades from Irish Republican Army bombers, right-wing extremists and, more recently, attackers inspired by al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group.

Britain has seen four other terrorist attacks this year, which killed a total of 36 people. The other attacks in London  near Parliament, on London Bridge and near a mosque in Finsbury Park in north London  used vehicles and knives. Similar methods have been used in attacks across Europe, including in Nice, Stockholm, Berlin and Barcelona.

The last time the country's threat level was raised to critical, was after the 22 May suicide bombing at Manchester Arena that killed 22 people.

British authorities say they have foiled 19 plots since the middle of 2013, six of them since the van and knife attack on Westminster Bridge and Parliament in March, which killed five people. Police and MI5 say that at any given time they are running about 500 counterterrorism investigations involving 3,000 individuals.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said there had been a "shift" in the terrorism threat, with attackers using a wide range of methods to try to inflict carnage. Khan, who belongs to the Opposition Labour Party, said London police needed more resources to fight the threat. Police budgets have been cut since 2010 by Britain's Conservative government.

The London Underground, which handles 5 million journeys a day, has been targeted several times in the past. In July 2005, suicide bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus, killing 52 people and themselves. Four more bombers tried a similar attack two weeks later, but their devices failed to fully explode.

Last year Damon Smith, a student with an interest in weapons and Islamic extremism, left a knapsack filled with explosives and ball bearings on a London subway train. It failed to explode.

US president Donald Trump weighed in on Friday's attack, tweeting that it was carried out "by a loser terrorist," and adding that "these are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard."

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

The British prime minister gently rebuked the president for his tweets. "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," May said.
A day after the London subway attack at Parsons Green station, British police say they have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the blast.

Police say the man has been arrested by Kent police in the port area of Dover on the English Channel.

The man is being held for questioning under the Terrorism Act.

He has not been charged or identified.

18-year-old man arrested by Kent Police in Dover in connection with London Tube (UK) bombing yesterday: UK media  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

Deputy assistant police commissioner Neil Basu says that it's a "significant arrest." He said the investigation is ongoing and the terror threat level remains at "critical."

London transport authorities say they have re-opened the station where a bomb partially detonated on a subway car, injuring 29 people.

The blast sent what witnesses described as a fireball through the packed train during the Friday morning rush hour.

The injuries, some from the explosion and others from an ensuing stampede, where not thought to be life-threatening.

British authorities increased the country's terror threat level to "critical", meaning they think another attack may be imminent.

No arrests have been made and a major manhunt for suspects is underway.

Soldiers are being deployed across the country at public sites to assist police.

With inputs from agencies
New York: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is extremely pessimistic about the situation in Mexico, describing it as on the verge of collapse amid a crisis as desperate as the one in Venezuela, media reports said.

The New York Times said on Friday that those comments were made at a working dinner at the White House last Wednesday at which US president Donald Trump, members of his Cabinet and Democratic members of Congress were present, Efe news reported.

Analyzed at that meeting were proposals to define legislative guidelines on immigration matters, particularly regarding the hundreds of thousands of "Dreamers", young people who came to the US as children with their undocumented parents.

Two different sources said Trump at that working dinner asked for a comment from Kelly, who was homeland security secretary before occupying his current position, and who has repeatedly warned about the instability of the US border with Mexico.

According to The New York Times, Kelly insisted on the need to strengthen border security and gave a very pessimistic view about the border and Mexico's political situation, though the daily offered no specific quotes on the matter.

The sources told the newspaper that Kelly compared Mexico to Venezuela under the presidency of the late Hugo Chavez, and suggested that it was on the verge of collapse, which could have repercussions in the United States.

The meeting was part of Trump's contacts with politicians of the rival party, including Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, in an attempt to find a solution to immigration problems.
President Kim Jong-un is playing his nuclear card very well. Despite the latest round of crippling sanctions announced by the UNSC and world-wide condemnation, he continues to provoke, secure in the knowledge that he can get away with this kind of brinkmanship.

Yes, he definitely has the upper hand for the moment: sanctions have not yet began to bite, and Kim Jong-un is depending on China and Russia not to enforce them strictly.

North Koreas sabre rattling has heightened tensions in the region. South Korea and Japan, close allies of the US are the hardest hit. North Koreas provocative missile launch represents the second time the people of Japan, a treaty ally of the United States, have been directly threatened in recent week, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said after Thursdays launch of an intermediate range intercontinental missile by North Korea. The missile overflew Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean. Analysts in the US said it was the same as the previous Hwasong-12 missile that Pyongyang tested near Japan last month.

This kind of provocation from any other country would have US President Donald Trump, (a great believer in forcefully projecting American power) to order immediate retaliationtarget North Koreas nuclear facility and ensure that the rapidly expanding program is set back for decades. This would end what in the West is being perceived as nuclear blackmail by Pyongyang. On Thursday , Trump again made it clear that military action remained an option. But there are several problems for the US, despite its tremendous military and technological superiority.

Lack of accurate information about the hermit kingdom is a major hurdle. Intelligence on the exact location of North Koreas nuclear facilities is not completely accurate. To strike a nuclear facility, the information on location must be exact. While the US knows the general area around the nuclear installations, there is little accuracy. Most of the facilities are deep in the mountain terrain and mostly underground. Targets can be destroyed when they can be pinpointed and seen from various angles. Chances of missing the target or hitting the wrong target increase a hundred fold without exact information. North Korean facilities are well hidden, increasing the risk of an attack going wrong. Retaliation by Kim Jong-un would be immediate and not worthwhile if the facility is not destroyed.

The US lacks ground information on North Korea. Usually the best intelligence is gathered by local men and women deployed on the ground. Osama Bin Ladens whereabouts were tracked by the US with the help of a Pakistani doctor. Americans have little connection with North Korea, with neither commercial nor diplomatic ties. So, interaction with citizens is rare. Cyber espionage or electronic eavesdropping is also not as exact as in other countries. Satellite photos are the best way to collect intelligence in North Korea. But that also has its limits. It appears that imagery can help to track movement of the army as well as track vehicles and equipment on the ground. Test preparations on nuclear sites are also easily recorded. But satellites cannot penetrate underground facilities. According to Bruce Klinger a former CIA insider and now in the Heritage Foundation, who has been quoted extensively in the US press, running a spy network in North Korea is not easy. Seoul itself has problems doing so, though the people are of similar ethnicity. For one, there is some difference in dialect. The population in North Korea are fully indoctrinated. The state encourages all citizens to report unfamiliar faces in the locality. So, in a situation where people even report on their own families, it is not easy for strangers, even South Koreans, to go in as spies.

So what next? Nearly every person dealing with the crisis in Washington knows that the best option is to revive the six-nation nuclear talks with Pyongyang. Analysts point out that Kim Jong-un is not a maniac, bent on pressing the destruct button. He wants to basically protect his regime, and ensure that the US and China do not get together to force him out of power. Ever since George W Bush, included North Korea in the axis of evil comment, the ruling dynasty has little faith in Washington. The message to Pyongyang must be that the US is not seeking regime change in North Korea, but asking for policy change. While few believe that Kim Jong-un will ever give up the countrys nuclear program, some reassurance is necessary from Washington to boost Pyongyangs confidence in the US. Once the mutual trust is established, the six party talks can be revived. At one point, talks between North Korea, South Korea, the US, France and UK, were able to pull North Korea from the brink. That could happen again, once Kim Jong-un is reassured that the US is not out to punish him through regime change. Can this message be sent to Pyongyang or does the White House consider this a show of weakness? Talks, talks and more talks with Kim Jong-un is the only answer.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would lead Pakistan's delegation at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, according to the Foreign Office in Islamabad.

Abbasi's trip to the US to attend the General Assembly session will not only be his first as premier but also the first high-level visit from Pakistan to the US after President Donald Trump criticised the country for providing safe havens to terrorists.

Trump, while announcing his policy for South Asia and Afghanistan, had 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. Pakistan is upset over the allegations.

The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders and the UN Secretary General on the sidelines of the General Assembly session, the Foreign Office said.

Abbasi will address the Council on Foreign Relations and will interact with the US Pakistan Business Council, it said.

The Prime Minister will also have extensive interaction with the international media, the statement said.

On the margins of the session from Monday, ministerial level meetings of many regional and sub-regional organisations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), G-77, Economic Cooperation Organisation, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth, Developing-8 and others, will be held.

There will also be a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan is a great advocate of multilateralism and the UN to promote collective responses to the multifaceted challenges of global peace, security and development, it said.

"We would continue our constructive role and engagement at the UN with a view to protecting and promoting our national interests, including on core issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, reform of the Security Council, counter-terrorism, human rights, peacekeeping, and a host of development and other matters," it said.

The annual session of the General Assembly has special significance as it is attended by a large number of heads of state and government.

The theme of this year's session is 'Focusing on people; Striving for peace and decent life for all on a Sustainable Planet'.
Dhaka: Bangladesh has accused Myanmar of repeatedly violating its air space and warned that any more provocative acts could have unwarranted consequences, raising the risk of a deterioration in relations already strained by the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Nearly 4,00,000 Rohingya Muslims from western Myanmar have crossed into Bangladesh since 25 August, fleeing a Myanmar government offensive against insurgents that the United Nations has branded a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Bangladesh said Myanmar drones and helicopters had violated its air space three times  on 10, 12 and 14 September  and it had called in a top Myanmar embassy official in Dhaka to complain.

Bangladesh expressed deep concern at the repetition of such acts of provocation and demanded that Myanmar takes immediate measures to ensure that such violation of sovereignty does not occur again, the ministry said in statement late on Friday.

These provocative acts may lead to unwarranted consequences.

A Myanmar government spokesman said he did not have information about the incidents Bangladesh had complained about, but Myanmar had denied an earlier accusation.

The spokesman, Zaw Htay, said Myanmar would check any information that Bangladesh provided.

Our two countries are facing the refugee crisis. We need to collaborate with good understanding, he told Reuters.

Bangladesh has for decades faced influxes of Rohingya fleeing persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where the Rohingya are regarded as illegal migrants.

Bangladesh was already home to 4,00,000 Rohingya before the latest crisis erupted on 25 August, when Rohingya insurgents attacked about 30 police posts and an army camp, killing a dozen people.

The Myanmar security forces and Rakhine Buddhist vigilantes responded with what rights monitors and fleeing Rohingya say is a campaign of violence and arson aimed at driving out the Muslim population.

Bangladesh has said all refugees must go home. Myanmar has said it will take back those who can verify their citizenship but most Rohingya are stateless.

Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina was leaving on Saturday for the UN General Assembly where she would call for pressure to ensure Myanmar takes everyone back after stopping its ethnic cleansing, her press secretary, Ihsanul Karim, told Reuters.

The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border and raised questions about Myanmars path under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi after nearly 50 years of strict military rule.

The generals still control national security policy but nevertheless, Suu Kyi has been widely criticised abroad for not stopping or condemning the violence.

There is little sympathy for the Rohingya in a country where the end of military rule has unleashed old animosities and the military campaign in Rakhine State is widely supported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council have urged Myanmar to end the violence, which he said was best described as ethnic cleansing.

Ethnic cleansing is not recognised as a separate crime under international law but allegations of it as part of wider, systematic human rights violations have been heard in international courts.

Myanmar rejects the accusations, saying its security forces are carrying out clearance operations to defend against the insurgents of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which claimed responsibility for the 25 August attacks.

The government has declared ARSA a terrorist organisation and accused it of setting the fires and attacking civilians.

The ARSA says it is fighting for the rights of Rohingya and has denied links to foreign Islamists.

Myanmars army chief, senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said the violence  93 clashes since 25 August  was a bid by the insurgents to build a stronghold, according to speech to officer trainees, posted on a military Facebook page.

More than 430 people have been killed, most of them insurgents, and about 30,000 non-Muslim villagers have been displaced, Myanmar has said. Human Rights Watch said satellite imagery showed 62 Rohingya villages had been torched.

The United States has called for the protection of civilians and a deputy assistant secretary of state, Patrick Murphy, is due in Myanmar next week.

China, which also vies for influence in Myanmar, joined a UN Security Council call for an end to the violence while its ambassador in Myanmar expressed his support for the governments action, Myanmar media reported.

Separately, the Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Bangladesh to release two Myanmar journalists detained last week while covering the refugee crisis. A police official told Reuters the two were found to be working on tourist visas, and police were investigating.
The stories I heard from Rohingya refugees in Coxs Bazar, the south-eastern tip of Bangladesh, are haunting. Almost 400,000 people have fled across the border from Myanmar in less than three weeks, and many of them tell you they have seen their family members shot dead or their villages burned to the ground by Myanmar security forces just days before. There is no question that ethnic cleansing is unfolding across the border.

But amid the tales of horror, there is also incredible humanity on display.

At one border crossing, we met two young Bangladeshi men who had spent the whole day handing out apples to exhausted and emaciated refugees, many of whom had walked for more than 10 days to reach the border. Close to the village of Ali Khali I came across a group of local women, men and children who were constructing a makeshift refugee camp from bamboo sticks and tarpaulin that they had paid for out of their own pockets. Our translator told us that he and other people from his village had spent their Eid holiday cooking food to hand out and handing it out to fleeing Rohingyas. There are too many similar stories to count.

There is, however, only so much that the people of Coxs Bazar, many of whom are living on the brink of poverty themselves, can do. Bangladesh is facing a humanitarian crisis, and this is where the government and the international community must step in.

Last week, we saw tens of thousands of newly arrived Rohingya lined up along the roads with nowhere to go, many of them sleeping in the open without shelter from the relentless monsoon downpours. The few existing refugee camps were overcrowded and under-resourced even before the current crisis  they are now strained beyond their limits. Bangladeshi media is already carrying reports of water-borne diseases spreading rapidly and thousands of Rohingya going without access to medical care.

Bangladeshs government has, by all accounts, responded with incredible generosity over the past three weeks. The border to Myanmar is for all intents and purposes open, and thousands of refugees continue to enter each day.

Bangladesh has pledged to set aside 2,000 hectares of land to house refugees in new camps and to provide any aid it can to meet their needs. This week, a visibly moved Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited refugee camps in Coxs Bazar and spent hours speaking to Rohingya who had just made it across the border. In a statement putting many Western leaders to shame, Hasina declared: "We have the ability to feed 160 million people of Bangladesh and we have enough food security to feed the 700,000 refugees."

But authorities in Dhaka have historically been much more ambivalent towards Rohingya refugees. Rohingyas have arrived in waves into Bangladesh since at least the 1970s, with the influx peaking during bouts of violence in Myanmar. No one knows the exact number, but it is likely that some 400,000 Rohingya refugees were living in Bangladesh before the current exodus started.

Yet since 1992, Bangladesh has refused to recognise newly arrived Rohingya as refugees, apparently in order to avoid creating a "pull factor" that could tempt others to follow. As a result, there are only some 33,000 officially recognised Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, most of whom reside in two camps managed by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Coxs Bazar. The others live in makeshift camps or villages in a state of legal limbo, where they are at constant risk of arrest and deportation. Authorities refer to them as UMNs  Undocumented Myanmar Nationals. Unregistered Rohingya refugees lack access to basic services and are extremely vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by criminal gangs. Although aid delivery to undocumented Rohingyas has improved in recent years, it is still nowhere near enough. Authorities in Dhaka continue to threaten to deport Rohingya back to Myanmar, or even to ship them to a barely inhabitable Bangladeshi island.

Bangladesh has also had a tense relationship with international NGOs in the region. There are only a handful of aid agencies operating in Coxs Bazar, and they face tight restrictions on the scope of the services they are allowed to provide.

In November last year, when tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees arrived in Coxs Bazar after a similarly vicious military campaign in Rakhine state, many NGO officials, both international and Bangladeshi, expressed frustration. They said they had the resources to do more, but were hamstrung by the government in Dhaka. Aid agencies working in Coxs Bazar have responded heroically over the past three weeks, and they must be allowed to continue to do so without any limits on who they can help.

In 1971, India accepted millions of Bangladeshi refugees as Pakistani forces tried to brutally quash the nascent Bangladeshi independence struggle. Bangladesh has shown the same compassion in the last few weeks toward Rohingya, but Dhaka must recognise that it cannot  and should not have to  face this enormous challenge alone.

Bangladesh will need all the help it can get to address the fast-growing refugee crisis in the world. The international community must wake up to the nightmare the Rohingya people are living through and provide help in any way that it can, including through financial support for humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi authorities must ensure that those with the means and willingness to lend a hand are allowed to do so. Granting aid agencies unfettered access to refugees would be a significant step in the right direction.

"We are simply trying to do what we can," one of the men handing out apples at the border crossing told me. Bangladesh and the international community must embrace the same spirit before it is too late.

The author works with Amnesty International.
Yangon: Myanmar said on Friday that a visiting US official would not be allowed to go to a region where violence has triggered an exodus of nearly 400,000 Rohingya Muslims, that the UN has branded a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

The Rohingya have fled from western Rakhine state to neighbouring Bangladesh to escape a military offensive that has raised questions about Myanmars transition to civilian rule under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

US deputy assistant secretary of state Patrick Murphy will voice Washingtons concerns about the Rohingya and press for greater access to the conflict area for humanitarian workers, the state department said. Myanmar officials said he would meet government leaders in the capital, Naypyitaw, and attend an address to the nation by Suu Kyi on Tuesday.

He would also visit Sittwe, the state capital, and meet the governor of Rakhine, the state government secretary, Tin Maung Swe, told Reuters, but the north of the state, where the conflict erupted on 25 August would be off limits.

Not allowed, Tin Maung Swe said, when asked if Murphy would be going to Maungdaw district, at the heart of the strife that began when Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army camp, killing a dozen people.

Myanmar insisted on Friday it was not barring aid workers but a government spokesman said authorities on the ground might have concerns over security. Rights monitors and fleeing Rohingya say the army and Rakhine Buddhist vigilantes have mounted a campaign of arson aimed at driving out the Muslim population.

A Reuters photographer on the Bangladesh side of the border said he could see huge banks of dark smoke billowing up over Myanmar territory on Friday, while international aid organisations said the refugees kept coming.
The early and limited release is for the film to comply with the Oscar nomination requirements

Amr Salamas film Sheikh Jackson will be released commercially for one week at the end of September.

The films official release is set for October, and it is being given an early limited release to fulfil Oscar nomination requirements after this weeks announcement by the Egyptian Cinema Syndicate that it is being entered for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.

A statement issued by one of Sheikh Jackson's producers, Mohamed Hefzy of Film Clinic, said that the film "will not violate the Oscar nomination regulations and its limited commercial release confirming our commitment to respecting the regulations that we have always followed in the nomination of our previous films."

The limited release will come shortly after Sheikh Jacksons Egyptian and Arab world premiere on 22 September at the first Gouna Film Festival, where it is competing in the Feature Narrative Competition.

Sheikh Jackson is currently screening at the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival in the Special Presentations programme, competing for the FIPRESCI Award (the prize of the International Federation of Film Critics) and the Audience Award.

The film will have its European premiere at the 61st BFI London Film Festival in October in the Journey section, which selects films that transport the viewers and shift their perspectives.

Sheikh Jackson is set on the day of Michael Jacksons death in 2009, and centres on a sheikh who was dubbed "Jackson" by his friends during his schooldays. The story goes on to explore the emotions stirred by the pop star's death, sparking a series of existential questions within the sheikh.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Bangkok, Thailand: Nearly 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled renewed violence in Myanmar, crossing the border in Bangladesh in waves following a military crackdown the United Nations says amounts to ethnic cleansing.

It is the latest chapter in a long and tumultuous history of the Rohingya, the world's largest stateless population.

Before the most recent surge of violence, there were over one million Rohingyas in Myanmar's restive Rakhine state.

But the questions of who they are, how many live in Myanmar and when they arrived is hotly disputed, highly emotive and behind much of the current unrest.

Many of the Muslim minority trace their lineage in Myanmar back generations, but were effectively stripped of their citizenship by the former junta and are demonised among the Buddhist-majority population as illegal immigrants.

Here is a brief history of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims

When did they first arrive in Myanmar?

By some accounts, they are descendants of Arab, Turkish or Mongol traders and soldiers who in the 15th Century migrated to Rakhine state, previously called the Kingdom of Arakan.

Other historians say they emigrated from Bangladesh in several waves, a widely held view among most Burmese.

For centuries the small Muslim minority lived peacefully alongside Buddhists in the independent kingdom, some were even advisors to Buddhist royals, according to historians.

Upheaval ensued from the late 18th century.

In 1784 the kingdom was conquered by the Burmese and later by the British following the first Anglo-Burmese war of 1824-1826.

Under British rule, a large number arrived to work as farmers and later as military recruits.

"In the 1830s there was a massive influx of Muslim peasants from neigbouring Bengal, mostly to work in the agriculture sector," said Sophie Boisseau du Rocher, Southeast Asia expert at the French Institute for International Relations.

By 1912, more than 30 percent of the population of Arakan state were Muslim, up from five percent in 1869, according to British census data cited by historian Jacques Leider.

When did tensions start?

Tensions between the Rohingya Muslims and the Buddhist majority date back to the beginning of British rule in 1824.

As part of their divide-and-rule policy, British colonists favoured Muslims at the expense of other groups. They recruited them as soldiers during World War II, pitting them against Buddhists aligned with the Japanese as the war played out on Burmese soil.

"Both armies, British and Japanese, exploited the frictions and animosity in the local population to further their own military aims," said Moshe Yegar, author of a book about Muslim communities in Southeast Asia.

Their status was fortified in 1947 when a new Constitution was drafted, enshrining them with full legal and voting rights, which would be later stripped and render them stateless.

Rakhine has a poverty rate nearing 80 percent, double the national average, kindling resentments over ethnic claims to the area.

What happened under the junta?

A 1962 military coup ushered in a new era of repression and brutality. The country's ethnic minorities like the Rohingya did not fare well.

Most were effectively rendered stateless in 1982 when the junta issued a new law on citizenship, requiring minorities to prove they lived in Myanmar prior to the first Anglo-Burmese war in 1823 to obtain nationality.

After the junta was dissolved in 2011, the country saw a rise in Buddhist extremism which further sidelined the Rohingya and marked the beginning of the latest era of tensions.

The 20th century saw a series of military crackdowns against the group: in 1978 and 1991-1992, which prompted hundreds of thousands to flee to Bangladesh.

Some were sent back by Dhaka, and the United Nations questioned the supposedly "voluntary" nature of the repatriations.

What's behind the latest violence?

They have been subjected to restrictions on movement, employment and access to basic services since another outbreak of violence in 2012.

Tensions mounted again in October 2016, when a small and previously unknown militant group, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), staged a series of deadly attacks on Burmese military forces.

The army responded with a massive security crackdown, sparking a new wave of refugee arrivals into Bangladesh.

On 25 August, ARSA again launched an early morning attack on army installations in Rakhine, triggering a brutal military campaign in response.

An estimated 391,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in the last three weeks, according to the United Nations, which has said the military crackdown amounts to ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims.
Cairo: A top Egyptian court upheld on Saturday a life sentence for ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in a case revolving around state documents leaked to Qatar, a judicial official said.

The Court of Cassation ruling, which is final, overthrew a 15-year sentence for Morsi on charges of stealing the documents, handed during the initial sentencing.

But it upheld a life sentence  25 years in prison in Egypt  on the charge of leading an illegal organisation, his lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maqsud told AFP.

The ruling came after lawyers appealed the initial 2016 sentencing.

The court also upheld death sentences for three other defendants, a life sentence and a 15-year sentence for two others.

The trial hinged on accusations that the defendants had passed on state secrets to Qatar, an ally of Morsi's Islamist government that has denounced his 2013 overthrow by the military.

Qatar has denied the charges.

Hundreds of Morsi supporters were killed during protests following his ouster. Thousands of others were detained in a crackdown that was later expanded to include leftist and liberal dissidents.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has been blacklisted as a terrorist group.
United Nations (US): The UN Security Council will on Thursday hold a ministerial-level meeting on the threat from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that will focus on enforcing sanctions on North Korea, diplomats said.

The United States called the meeting that will be held during the annual General Assembly gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.

The purpose of the meeting "is to discuss ways the Security Council can better enforce the resolutions it has adopted to prevent the spread of the world's most dangerous weapons," said a US concept note on the meeting obtained by AFP on Saturday.

The Security Council this week imposed a new raft of sanctions on North Korea, slapping an export ban on textiles, freezing work permits to North Korean guest workers and placing a cap on oil supplies.

The impact of those sanctions depends largely on whether China, North Korea's ally and main economic partner, will fully implement them and on Russia, which is hosting tens of thousands of North Korean workers.

During the council meeting, countries will address ways to stem missile and nuclear technology to "the world's most dangerous actors," the note said.

The meeting, held at a ministerial level, will highlight global unity in confronting the crisis with North Korea, diplomats said.

North Korea on Friday fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan, in response to a new round of UN sanctions imposed over its sixth nuclear test.

The council met behind closed doors on Friday and condemned the "highly-provocative" missile launch, but it did not threaten further sanctions.

Japan stressed that the focus must be on fully implementing the recent sanctions resolutions to put pressure on North Korea to come to the table to negotiate an end to its nuclear and missile programs.

If fully implemented, the sanctions would deny North Korea more than $2 billion in revenue from exports and other economic activities, according to US officials.

China and Russia have been pushing a proposal to kick-start talks with North Korea with a freeze on the country's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills.

The United States has rejected that proposal as "insulting" and maintains it will only enter into talks with Pyongyang if it halts all missile and nuclear tests unilaterally.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has said America and its allies will never be intimidated and insisted that the US' options for addressing the threat posed by North Korea are both "effective and overwhelming".

Trump's remarks came in response to the latest ballistic missile test conducted by North Korea. The remarks also came after H R McMaster, the US' National Security Adviser, reaffirmed that the Trump administration has military options in place for dealing with North Korea.

"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force. Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated.

"We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said.

North Korea on Friday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.

US Secretary of Defence James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said. "The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defence of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defence Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said.

"Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defence cooperation between the three nations," he said. Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was the second time that they've had to do that since World War II.

"I believe it will further North Korea's isolationdiplomatic and economic isolationbecause more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said. "I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said.

Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile.

"The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said.
Washington: Caracas has denounced President Donald Trump's plans to meet with Latin American leaders concerning Venezuela's ongoing crisis, branding the talks as "rival dialogue".

Earlier in the day, Trump's national security advisor HR McMaster had announced plans for a "working dinner" on Monday that will convene several Latin American leaders in New York, as the UN General Assembly gets underway.

During the dinner Trump expects to "discuss the crisis in Venezuela, as well as the strong economic ties and extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," McMaster told journalists, without elaborating on which leaders the talks will include.

But having just begun exploratory talks with opposition delegates this week, Caracas met the news with scorn.

"You have nothing to evaluate President Trump... evaluate your internal problems," Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told journalists, lambasting the planned meeting as "rival dialogue."

Officials from both the Venezuelan government and the opposition began exploratory talks Wednesday, mediated by Dominican Republic president Danilo Medina and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the former Spanish prime minister.

The opposing sides agreed Thursday to a commission of "friendly countries"  Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua  tasked with assisting negotiations to emerge from the crisis that had fueled months of deadly protests.

Arreaza also appeared to respond to Trump's threat last month of a "military option" in Venezuela.

"Anyone who dares to attack Venezuela will suffer the consequences," he said.

Though the White House did not say who would attend Monday's talks, Arreaza mentioned Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is among those invited.

McMaster also ruled out the possibility that Trump could hold direct talks with Venezuelan representatives at the General Assembly.

President Nicolas Maduro will not attend the gathering of world leaders, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the embattled Latin American country.

Washington has already slapped sanctions on crisis-stricken Venezuela  including on Maduro himself  to "deny the Maduro dictatorship a critical source of financing to maintain its illegitimate rule."
A drug trafficking case against Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman won't be dismissed even though his lawyers argued the U.S. government violated international law by charging him with different crimes after he was extradited, a federal judge said on Friday.

El Chapo was transported from Mexico to New York in January to face charges that he oversaw a multibillion-dollar international drug trafficking operation that laundered money and oversaw a ruthless campaign of murders and kidnappings. His lawyers argued in court papers that the government charged him with different crimes after he was en route to the U.S.

Judge Brian Cogan ruled Friday that El Chapo can't raise the issue without protest or objection from Mexico.

El Chapo's lawyers said they were disappointed but not surprised by the ruling.

"We still believe Mr. Guzman's rights under the treaty were violated, and given that other Circuit Courts give the defendant the right to object to violations of extradition treaties, hope that the Supreme Court will decide this issue favorably to Mr. Guzman in the future," attorney Michael Schneider wrote in a statement.

El Chapo's defense also claimed that he's being held in inhumane and overly restrictive conditions at a high-security Manhattan jail known for housing mob and terrorism suspects.

The U.S. government has argued that El Chapo's strict jail conditions are appropriate for someone who escaped from prison twice in Mexico, including once through a tunnel dug to the shower in his cell. Prosecutors said that even while he was behind bars in Mexico he used coded messages, bribes and other means to control his drug trafficking operation, the Sinaloa cartel, and orchestrate his breakouts.

El Chapo's case is set for trial in April, but there was a hitch last month when his attorneys failed to receive assurances that they'll get paid, leaving the defense in limbo.
The Latest on Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman (all times local):

7:25 p.m.

Lawyers for Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman (wah-KEEN' el CHAH'-poh gooz-MAHN') say they're disappointed a judge won't dismiss his New York drug trafficking case.

El Chapo was transported from Mexico to New York in January to face charges he oversaw a multibillion-dollar international drug trafficking operation that laundered money and oversaw murders and kidnappings. His lawyers say the U.S. government charged him with different crimes after he was en route to the U.S.

A judge ruled Friday that El Chapo can't raise the issue without protest or objection from Mexico.

El Chapo's lawyers say they believe his rights were violated and hope the Supreme Court decides favorably for him.

Prosecutors say El Chapo will have to answer for a life of crime.

His case is set for trial in April.

___

6:05 p.m.

A federal judge says he won't dismiss the New York drug trafficking case against Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman (wah-KEEN' el CHAH'-poh gooz-MAHN').

Lawyers for El Chapo argue the U.S. government violated international law by charging him with different crimes after he was extradited.

Judge Brian Cogan ruled Friday that El Chapo can't raise the issue without protest or objection from Mexico.

El Chapo was transported from Mexico to New York in January to face charges he oversaw a multibillion-dollar international drug trafficking operation. He has pleaded not guilty. He has been held at an ultra-secure jail that has housed some of the world's most dangerous terrorists and mobsters.

Prosecutors say El Chapo is known for a life of crime, violence, death and destruction and will have to answer for that.

His case is set for trial in April.
We're big fans of Warren Buffett here at the Motley Fool. Thus, when the Oracle of Omaha says that his "favorite holding period is forever," we take note.

We asked three of our contributors to channel their inner Warren Buffett and choose a stock that they'd have no problem buying and holding for the decades to come. They selected clean energy-focused utility Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL), hydropower leader Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP), and tech giant Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO). Read on to find out why they believe these stocks seem like excellent "forever" holdings.

A visionary electric power company

Maxx Chatsko (Xcel Energy): The business owns four regional electric utilities positioned within the American Wind Corridor, which is home to some of the best wind power potential on the planet. That's helped to give management the confidence to make an ambitious and bold promise: Xcel Energy will generate all of its electricity from zero-carbon sources by 2050.

For reference, the company's power mix leaned on wind and solar for 22% of its electricity generation at the end of 2018, while nuclear contributed 13% and other renewables such as hydroelectric contributed 3%. Wind and solar alone will jump to 46% of the total generation mix by 2027 thanks to an ambitious power plan in Colorado. So the company is well on its way compared to most utilities, but investors also know the road to 100% zero-carbon electricity represents an incredible growth opportunity.

Xcel Energy has taken advantage of its geographic location to go all-in on wind farms, which don't require fuel, which makes them cheaper to operate than coal-fired or natural gas-fired power plants in the long haul. That has freed up capital to invest in new renewable energy projects, increase its above-average dividend that currently yields 2.9%, and explore futuristic products and services such as at-home charging for electric vehicles (EVs). Regarding the latter, the utility expects as many as 2 million EVs in its service areas by 2035, which could provide a significant boost to its business.

Given the long-term certainty surrounding its vision, the new growth opportunities it will create, and the fact shares trade at just 20 times future earnings, Xcel Energy is an easy stock to consider for investors with a long-term mindset.

A clean energy leader

Matt DiLallo (Brookfield Renewable Partners): Hydropower-focused Brookfield Renewable Partners has outperformed the market by a wide margin since its formation. That's mainly due to the company's ability to buy renewable power-generating assets at bargain prices and then increase their profitability through improved operating and financial performance.

The company currently anticipates that it can grow the cash flows of its existing portfolio at a 6% to 11% annual rate over the next five years, which includes some benefit from development projects it has underway. That embedded growth alone should support 5% to 9% yearly increases in the company's 6%-yielding distribution.

On top of that, the company maintains a strong financial profile, which gives it the flexibility to continue making value-based investments. Brookfield Renewable recently made one such deal by securing a 750 million Canadian dollar ($558 million) investment in a portfolio of Canadian hydropower plants. The company also just acquired two wind farms in India. The company's global mandate and ability to invest across several different renewable technologies opens up tremendous opportunities for future investment.

In Brookfield's view, there is as much as an $11 trillion opportunity set in its core market alone for renewable investment. That massive potential makes it an ideal company to hold in the decades ahead.

A successful transformation

Tim Green (Cisco Systems): Networking hardware market leader Cisco has been transforming itself over the past few years. The company has bet on subscriptions, software, and services, reducing its dependence on one-off sales of switches and routers. Selling switches and routers is still the company's core business, but those products are increasingly being sold as part of subscription packages. The Catalyst 9000 series of switches, for example, is bundled with software and sold as a subscription.

This shift toward recurring revenue has helped Cisco post a streak of solid growth, despite tariffs on Chinese products and general macro-economic uncertainty. The company grew sales by 6% year over year in its fiscal third quarter, excluding divestitures, and it expects sales to grow by 4.5% to 6.5% in the fourth quarter. Unlike some companies struggling with a slowdown in the data center market, Cisco so far appears unscathed.

If trade tensions continue to escalate, Cisco may feel at least some pain. But in the longer run, the company has positioned itself to continue to dominate the market for networking hardware. And Cisco's bets on other areas, like security and collaboration, can help drive growth as well.

Cisco stock trades for around 17 times the average analyst estimate for full-year adjusted earnings. That's not clear-cut bargain territory, but it's not an unreasonable price to pay for this dominant company.

10 stocks we like better than Cisco SystemsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has quadrupled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Cisco Systems wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

See the 10 stocks

*Stock Advisor returns as of March 1, 2019

Matthew DiLallo owns shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. Maxx Chatsko has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Timothy Green owns shares of Cisco Systems. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Few industries have been able to put up growth numbers like the legal marijuana industry over the past couple of years. Though estimates vary, most analysts estimate the legal weed industry can grow by 25% to 35% annually between 2016 and 2021. GreenWave Advisors is calling for perhaps the highest growth rate, with $30 billion in U.S. sales and all 50 states legal to some degree (medical or recreational) by 2021.

The prospects of this consistent growth are what's fueled a ferocious rally in marijuana stocks over the past year. A number of cannabis producers and retailers have seen their share prices surge by 100% or more. It also hasn't hurt that more than half of all U.S. states have legalized to some degree, Mexico legalized medical cannabis in June, and Canada is considering legalizing recreational pot by next summer.

Two big reasons Congress hasn't changed its stance on weed

However, in spite of these clear positives for marijuana proponents and investors, the industry faces an almost insurmountable hurdle: the federal government. At the federal level, cannabis still holds a Schedule I designation, meaning it's on par with heroin and LSD, is entirely illegal, and has no perceived medical benefits.

Lawmakers' worries can essentially be boiled down to two primary concerns. First, they often claim that there isn't enough reliable clinical data on the benefits and risks of medical cannabis to consider altering its scheduling. Though you'll note that there are seemingly hundreds of university-sponsored research studies involving cannabis, there are very few Food and Drug Administration-approved studies involving cannabis and cannabinoids. It's the latter that Congress will want before deciding pot's fate on Capitol Hill. Perhaps the greatest irony here is that lawmakers want more clinical data, but the current scheduling of marijuana makes it extremely difficult to get the OK for researchers to run clinical studies.

The second issue many lawmakers have with the legal weed thesis is that it'll make it easier for adolescents to get their hands on pot. Some university studies have shown that adolescent minds can be adversely impacted by marijuana use while their brains are still developing, which makes lawmakers fear home-grow options that often accompany legalization efforts, as well as access to medical cannabis in a household, could ease access for teens.

But there may be good news on this latter objection.

Teen marijuana use rates hit a 15-year low

Recently, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released findings from its 2016 survey on drug use and health. The results showed that just 6.5% of teens aged 12 to 17 had used marijuana over the past month, which was down 0.5% from 2015, 1.7% from 2002, and is the lowest reading over the past 15 years. Mind you, eight states have voted to legalize adult-use weed since 2012, yet teen use rates have fallen by more than 1% between 2011 and 2016.

And this isn't the only data point that suggests teens aren't being lured by marijuana. Pro-legalization reform group Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) pointed out following the release of the SAMHSA report that teen pot use rates in both Colorado and Washington haven't materially changed since they began to sell adult-use weed in 2014.

Why the drop despite purportedly easier access to weed? MPP suggests that a tightly regulated industry, coupled with the clear notion that there's a line-in-the-sand legal age requirement for marijuana, has sunk in with adolescents. "Regulating marijuana for adults reinforces that message and creates effective mechanisms for making it more difficult for teens to obtain marijuana," said Morgan Fox, senior communications manager for Marijuana Policy Project.

Moving forward will be next to impossible under the Trump administration

For those who want to see medical cannabis, or even recreational weed, legalized across the United States, the data from the national SAMHSA report is great news. It wouldn't be surprising if the Canadian parliament looked to this data as well, as it's in the process of debating the legalization of adult-use weed throughout Canada in 2018. One of the biggest objections in Canada has been the home-grow option and the likelihood of adolescent getting their hands on marijuana.

Nevertheless, the excitement from this report can only extend so far. When all is said and done, it remains highly unlikely that marijuana has a path to rescheduling under the Trump administration. For starters, Congress is far too busy with healthcare and tax reform at present to consider marijuana legislation. Even if these two issues get tackled, President Trump will likely want to move onto passing an infrastructure bill next. There's next to no room on the docket for cannabis on Capitol Hill.

But this is far from the only issue. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will seemingly stop at nothing to ensure that marijuana's expansion is slowed or stopped completely. Sessions hasn't minced words in his views of marijuana, and in May, the attorney general sent a letter to congressional leaders asking them to repeal an amendment that protects medical cannabis businesses from federal prosecution. Sessions seems unwilling to let off the gas in his pursuit to prosecute pot businesses.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is unlikely to be of help, either. It had an opportunity to review two petitions to reschedule marijuana last summer and chose to stand pat on its scheduling. The DEA determined that there wasn't enough clinical benefit-versus-risk data available to alter its scheduling, and noted concerns about abuse and oversight if its scheduling were to be changed. It can take a long time for petitions to work their way up to the DEA, so don't look for any chance of rescheduling anytime soon.

Despite industrywide momentum, the ceiling on the industry and marijuana stocks remains very much in place.

10 stocks we like better than Wal-MartWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Wal-Mart wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of September 5, 2017The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
A credit card account is as easy (if not easier) to open as a checking or savings account. Applicants can apply online on a bank's website to open a credit card account, and often get an instant decision on whether or not they're approved. But before applying for a card, here's a guide on what you'll need to open a credit card, and how to decide which card to apply for.

How to open a credit card

Opening a credit card account is as simple as applying for a card by visiting a bank's website. The bank will ask you for some important personal information, including the following:

Your name

Address

Date of birth

Social Security number

Employment information (employer name and income)

Monthly mortgage or rent payments

Whether or not you have a checking or savings account

The bank will verify some of the information you supply, pull your credit report to ensure you meet their underwriting criteria, and then make a decision on whether or not to approve you for a credit card. Above all else, the most important factors are your age (sometimes), income, and credit score.

Why your age might matter

If you're 21 years old or older, don't worry -- you meet the basic criteria here and can skip to the next section on income below. That said, people who are younger than 21 years old need to be mindful of some recent regulatory changes affecting who can get a credit card.

Credit card companies generally only accept applicants who are at least 18 years of age. Those who are 18, 19, or 20 years old will find it more challenging to get approved for a credit card. By law, credit card companies are required to collect an applicant's income and financial asset information -- and verify it, if the applicant is younger than 21 years old. This is to prevent young adults from claiming $100,000 of annual income, getting a credit line consistent with that level of income, and then charging up balances that will haunt them for years and years.

If you're older than 18 but younger than 21, a student credit card may be your best bet. In this group, a secured credit card may be your only option, unless you have significant provable income that can qualify you for a better card.

Got income?

Credit cards are easier to qualify for than most other loans. Because credit cards are effectively small-dollar loans (credit limits start as low as $200), most working people have sufficient income to qualify for some type of credit card.

As a general rule of thumb, the monthly payment on a credit card is usually only 3% of the balance outstanding. Thus, to qualify you for a card with $1,000 credit limit, a card company really only needs to see that you have enough breathing room in your budget to afford a $30 monthly payment.

For obvious reasons, having more income relative to your expenses (mortgage or rent, and payments due on other loans) will enable you to qualify for cards with higher credit limits. In short, at a certain point, more income doesn't help much for getting approved. An applicant who earns $30,000 per year may get approved for the exact same card as someone who earns $200,000 per year, but the higher earner is likely to receive a much higher credit limit.

What about your credit score?

While credit scores are important for the very best credit cards, most people can qualify for a credit card even with good or bad credit -- or no credit at all.

If you have an excellent credit score, the world is your oyster. Pick a card, and you'll qualify, provided you have the necessary income. Credit card companies spend more effort and money attracting this cohort of potential cardholders than any other, which is reflected in the sky-high sign-up bonuses and cash-back rewards for people who have excellent credit.

Having a low credit score, or no credit score, isn't a deal breaker. In fact, one well-known card issuer reports that as much as 18% of its credit card loans are issued to the roughly one-third of Americans who have a credit score of 660 or lower. See Fool.com's list of the best credit cards for people who have good credit, a list designed for people who have short credit histories, high loan balances, some bad marks in the very distant past, or no credit history at all. (No credit history is certainly better than bad credit history.)

People who have truly bad credit because of recent late payments or judgments may have to start with a secured credit card. Secured credit cards work just like any other card, with one major difference: You have to put up collateral (a cash deposit) to open the card. The best secured cards we found in our research require deposits ranging from $49 to $200 for a $200 credit limit. Luckily, secured credit cards report to the three major credit bureaus just like any other card, so they're a really good way to start rebuilding a "bad" score -- more on that in an article about how to rebuild from a 600 credit score.

Answering the "why"

We've gone through the three most important determinants in which cards you'll qualify for -- age, income, and credit scores -- so now it's time to address the reasons why you want a credit card. There are so many cards on the market today that it's highly likely you'll find one that feels almost tailored to you, with perks that fit your spending habits and credit needs.

For everyday swipes: If you're simply looking for a good card to meet your daily spending needs and plan to pay in full each month, then there are many no-annual-fee cards that should more than meet your needs. There are a handful of cards that offer 1.5% to 2% cash back on every purchase in Fool.com's database of cash back credit cards, all without an annual fee.

For 0% financing: If you want a credit card to help you finance an upcoming purchase (fixing a problematic car transmission, or putting a fence around your backyard, for example), a 0% promo APR card can be a good choice. You'll pay about $621 in interest over 15 months on a $5,000 balance at 18%, a typical credit card interest rate, but a 0% promo APR card can offer the same 15 months of financing at no cost to you.

For free vacations or extra spending cash: If you have excellent credit, credit cards will literally pay you to pick them. One top-shelf credit card offers a lucrative sign-up bonus worth $625 in travel (seriously!) at the cost of a $95 annual fee, which is waived in the first year. But even no-annual-fee cards can offer attractive bonuses. One no-annual-fee card in particular offers a $150 cash bonus to qualifying cardholders, while a similar travel card offers a $200 travel bonus to qualifying cardholders. See Fool.com's list of the best sign-up bonuses on the market right now, as offers change frequently.

At Fool.com, we take the view that a credit card is nothing more than a financial tool. Those who use them wisely and pay their balances in full each month get all the benefits of a credit card (0% APRs, cash-back rewards, more fraud protection, etc.) without paying a dime in fees or interest.

Credit cards shouldn't be used as a license to spend money, but as a payment method for purchases you'd make even if you were paying by cash or debit. The truth is that carrying balances from month to month can be a financial disaster, an expensive lesson in what getting charged 20% interest really means (it's not good!). With this in mind, it's important to understand yourself before opening a credit card account. If you have a predisposition to be a shopaholic, stick to cash or debit. But if you can maintain a budget and avoid the temptation to use a card as a reason to spend beyond your means, a credit card can be a really powerful financial tool.

5 Simple Tips to Skyrocket Your Credit Score Over 800!Increasing your credit score above 800 will put you in rare company. So rare that only 1 in 9 Americans can claim they're members of this elite club. But contrary to popular belief, racking up a high credit score is a lot easier than you may have imagined following 5 simple, disciplined strategies. You'll find a full rundown of each inside our FREE credit score guide. It's time to put your financial future first and secure a lifetime of savings by increasing your credit score. Simply click here to claim a copy 5 Simple Tips to Skyrocket Your Credit Score over 800.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Protesters marched through an upscale St. Louis-area shopping mall on Saturday and the rock group U2 canceled a concert hours after police clashed with a crowd outraged over the acquittal of a white former policeman accused of murdering a black man.

In a second day of protests over the judge's ruling in the 2011 shooting death, hundreds of people chanted Shut it down and waved fists in the air as they snaked through the West County Center in the St. Louis suburb of Des Peres.

Police officers were out in force but there were no skirmishes, unlike the previous night, when nine city officers and a state trooper were injured, and at least 23 people were taken into custody during the clashes.

"We don't want to see property destruction or see people getting hurt," Elad Gross, 29, a St. Louis civil rights attorney said on Saturday as protesters gathered in a park before going to the mall. "But this is a protest that addresses injustices not only happening here in St. Louis but around the country."

On Friday, Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson acquitted former St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley, 36, of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith, 24.

The verdict and the subsequent protests come about three years after rioting broke out in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson when an unarmed teenager was shot dead by a white police officer. That killing touched off a nationwide soul-searching over law enforcement's use of force against African-Americans, the mentally ill and other groups.

After the ruling on Friday afternoon, around 600 chanting protesters marched from the courthouse through downtown St. Louis, some of them holding "Black Lives Matter" signs.

Later, some of protesters broke windows at a library and two restaurants, and threw bricks and bottles at officers, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them. At one point, protesters also threw rocks and paint at the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, police said.

Following the violence, rock band U2 canceled a concert scheduled for Saturday night in St. Louis, citing safety concerns for fans who would have attended.

SHOOTING AFTER CHASE

Smith was shot five times in his car after attempting to elude Stockley and his partner, who had chased the suspect after an alleged drug deal, authorities said.

During the pursuit, Stockley could be heard saying on an internal police car video he was going to kill Smith, prosecutors said.

Stockley believed that Smith was armed, defense attorneys said, and a gun was found in the car. But prosecutors argued Stockley planted the weapon and the gun had only Stockley's DNA on it.

Stockley, who left the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in 2013 and was arrested last year, had waived his right to a jury trial, allowing the judge to decide.

"This court, as a trier of fact, is simply not firmly convinced of defendant's guilt," Judge Wilson wrote in his ruling.

Smith's family settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $900,000 in 2013, according to Al Watkins, an attorney for Smith's fiancee, Christina Wilson. (Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Chris Kenning in Louisville, Kentucky, Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis,; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Andrew Heavens and Franklin Paul)
North Korean President Kim Jong-un is starting to blink over the U.N. sanctions and the U.S. military pressure, said Iris Independent Research President Rebecca Grant.

On Saturday, Kim said his goal was to reach an equilibrium of military force with the United States, the KCNA news agency quoted him saying.

Its new that were hearing he has a goal, Grant told FOX Business Charles Payne on Making Money with Charles Payne. Hes always said he wants a nuclear weapon, he wants to be part of that club.

But the Hermit Kingdom leaders comment that he doesnt want to hear anymore threats from the U.S. could indicate weakness. A month ago, Trump threatened the country with fire and fury  some of the strongest words that a president has said about North Korea.

This is good, Grant said. That means we are really getting to him. I think he might be starting to blink, so we need to keep that military pressure on and let the U.N. keep working those sanctions.

The United Nations slapped North Korea with some of the toughest sanctions yet early this week for its increasingly antagonistic nuclear tests. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley told reporters during a White House press conference on Friday that she believes sanctions will ultimately paralyze the Norths economy.

Weve strangled their economic situation at this point, she said.

Grant believes at the end of the day, North Korea will come to the negotiating table with the U.S.

I see this ending at the negotiating table. It might take us another couple of months. There is I think a chance of some limited military action, she said.
Whole Womans Health, a reproductive health care organization, in collaboration with other groups, is offering free abortions to women affected by Hurricane Harvey.

At least 74 women have already taken the organization up on the offer, or have scheduled an appointment for the procedure, the Dallas Morning News reported. The price will be fully covered, as will the cost of transportation and accommodations, the group said.

But Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion group, argued against the notion of a free abortion, claiming that "there is always a cost.

"The promotion of this heinous no-cost service is riddled with fallacies because abortion is never free," Melissa Conway, director of external relations for Texas Right to Life, told Baptist Press. "There is always a cost to abortion. Women are not free from the emotional toll that ensues after abortion and the child is certainly not free to live another day. Abortions, just like the catastrophic effects of a hurricane, are never free and we, as a community, pay the price for their needless destruction."

The clinic, which also offered free abortions following hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike, has already raised $15,000 for one womans procedure and travel, and aims to raise a total of $40,000 to cover the expenses of other patients.

"Texas doesn't have a safety net, so we have to help people raise money for services," Whole Woman's Health CEO Amy Hagstrom Miller told the newspaper. "Many of these women are traveling for two days and need support for travel and child care."

The clinic has been involved in numerous legal disputes in Texas, the Texas Tribune reported. For example, it recently sued the state over a law that would have banned a second-trimester abortion procedure.

Whole Womans Health v. Paxton [Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton] is set to begin Nov. 2 in Texas before federal district court Judge Lee Yeakel, the Federalist reported.
President Trump, like his predecessors, relies on the judgments of the U.S. intelligence community and his military advisers to make critical decisions on a wide range of national security issues, including Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Russia and China.

But how are intelligence assessments and options developed for the president to consider?

Conducting overseas espionage in war zones or challenging environments like Beijing and Moscow can involve a fair amount of risk, danger, and excitement but without the Hollywood glamor so prevalent in Mission Impossible or The Americans.

Let me share with you a bit of what I learned during my 30 years in the U.S. government, the bulk of which was spent as a CIA intelligence officer serving overseas.

Intelligence is collected by many people from many sources: Despite using sophisticated electronic devices to gather information, the intelligence community continues to rely first and foremost on intelligence officers collecting information from people. This is called human intelligence, commonly referred to in the trade as HUMINT.

Gathering HUMINT is a group activity relying on many sources  not the product of a lone wolf spy who collects information and reaches accurate conclusions with little or no assistance at a rapid-fire pace.

HUMINT forms the basis of analysis that the president relies on to make foreign policy as well as tactical military and strategic decisions.

The process is dynamic and relies on logical reasoning to put a clear picture together out of a mass of information. Its not about something as simple as connecting the dots but a far more complicated challenge to construct history and predict likely outcomes.

Intelligence successes occur when collection of information is effective, analysis is accurate and executives make the right decisions.

One of the greatest intelligence successes in American history enabled the peaceful resolution of the Cuban missile crisis. Analysts combined highly protected HUMINT with photos from U.S. aerial surveillance to produce the superior analysis, which enabled President Kennedy to avert nuclear war.

Intelligence collection is not clear-cut and certain: Putting together an intelligence assessment can be like putting together a complex jigsaw puzzle  only you have to wade through a huge pile of pieces that are not even part of the puzzle and sometimes many of the pieces you need are missing.

Because so much information is not available and because unverified and sometimes incorrect information is also collected, the best executive decision-makers rally analysts from many different backgrounds and viewpoints to evaluate raw intelligence. As a result, the president receives multiple interpretations from different analysts about what the raw intelligence reveals.

The president is well-served by hearing these different interpretations and the sometimes heated debate that ensues about the situation on the ground and actions he should take. This is a key tool in the presidents arsenal for ensuring the ultimate decision best serves our national security interests.

If intelligence analysts tell the president only what he wants to hear to support his preconceived views  and not what he needs to hear  they are not serving him or the nation well.

Only in rare circumstances is the intelligence community able to present the president with an intelligence analysis that does not involve some degree of uncertainty. The best consumers of intelligence are comfortable weighing the key factors and making the best decision among many options with imperfect information.

For example, President Obama authorized Navy SEALs to raid the compound in Pakistan where Osama bin Laden was hiding, resulting the death of the Al Qaeda leader. There was significant intelligence collection to give our analysts a high confidence that bin Laden was in the compound, but there was no conclusive proof.

Intelligence that is accurate when collected may not be accurate later. Things change. A terrorist were searching for might be in one location now, but in another place later in the same day. An assessment of a foreign adversarys plans might be accurate when it was made, but outdated soon afterward because the adversarys plans change.

Understanding what caused the adversary to adopt a new plan would be what we refer to as an intelligence gap, which would require additional intelligence collection.

As a result, the president needs be able to respond to new information. He should avoid twisting the intelligence analysis to fit existing policy. Instead, he should use new intelligence to challenge previous assumptions and help drive foreign policy decisions, even if the ship of state must make a 180-degree turn.

For example, realizing the existing strategy was failing to contain the Sunni insurgency in Iraq, President George W. Bush relied on intelligence to challenge policy assumptions and order the 2006 Iraq surge in troops. The new counterinsurgency strategy that President Bush adopted successfully drove a wedge between Sunni tribes and Al Qaeda.

In the same way, President Trump recently authorized more troops to Afghanistan without providing any withdrawal timetables  after stating during his presidential campaign that U.S. forces should withdraw. He effectively challenged his own assumptions based on the intelligence and analysis he received after taking office and swiveled Afghan strategy in a different direction than he had previously planned.

Navigating the complicated Afghan battle space demands nothing less than the rigorous strategy policy process, which the administration deftly applied to Afghanistan and is a best practice model for dealing with the myriad of other threats to our national security as well.
After seeing the terrible flooding, property destruction, power outages and tragic deaths caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, we all wish we could do something to keep future hurricanes from forming or make them less severe. Unfortunately, we cant.

But despite what you hear from environmental extremists  who oppose the use of oil, coal and natural gas  even if we stopped using these fossil fuels tomorrow hurricanes would still be part of our natural world. They always have been and always will be.

Radical greens and their political and media allies have latched onto the suffering caused by Harvey and Irma to advance their ideological jihad against fossil fuels. They want to keep these valuable resources locked up underground and never used to provide the efficient, reliable and affordable energy that makes our economy and modern life possible.

The extremists dont care that ending our use of fossil fuels would dramatically reduce our living standards by making energy much more scarce and expensive, or that the poor would suffer far more than the wealthy.

My geology, ecology and natural resources background taught me that climate change has been real throughout our planets history, including long before humans walked the Earth.

Some on the left are also using Harvey and Irma as yet another weapon in their non-stop attacks on President Trump, his administration, Republicans and our very way of life.

My geology, ecology and natural resources background taught me that climate change has been real throughout our planets history, including long before humans walked the Earth. Ive studied climate change, spoken at length with dozens of renowned experts, and written numerous articles explaining climate, energy and environmental issues in lay terms.

Ive learned to be humble, respectful and vigilant in the face of natures power; to recognize that climate change can range from beneficial or benign to harmful or unbelievably destructive; and to understand that the sun and other powerful natural forces totally dwarf whatever meager powers humans might muster in attempting to control Earths climate and weather.

Hurricane Harvey marked the end of a record 12-year absence of Category 3 to 5 hurricanes hitting the U.S. mainland. If global warming was the reason our nation is being battered by major hurricanes this year, how do you explain their absence for the past dozen years? There hasnt been such a long period when the U.S. was free of major hurricanes since 1860 to 1869.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Hurricane Research Division counts ten Category 4 and 5 monster hurricanes in the U.S. between 1920 and 1969  but only three between 1970 and 2016, when our planet was warming more rapidly. If warming causes more severe hurricanes, the number of big storms should have been greater in the latter period and fewer in the earlier part of the 20th century.

If Harveys rainfall was due to growing fossil fuel use and atmospheric carbon dioxide, how do you explain previous deluges like Hurricane Easy (45 inches in Florida in 1950), Tropical Cyclone Amelia (48 inches in Texas in 1978) and Tropical Storm Claudette (a record 43 inches in 24 hours on Alvin, Texas in 1979), when global fossil fuel use was much lower?

Natural factors not affected by manmade climate change played a key role in enabling Harvey and Irma to strike with such devastating force.

Consulting meteorologist Joe DAleo notes that hurricanes entering Texas are almost always very wet and often stall or meander.

WeatherBELL Analytics chief forecaster Joe Bastardi explains that a large (and predicted) cool trough trapped Harvey and kept it from moving inland, enabling the Gulf of Mexico to feed it trillions of gallons of water for days,

It was an unusual confluence of events, said Weather Channel founder John Coleman, but it was certainly not unprecedented.

If there was a human factor in Harvey and Irma, climate alarmists need to explain exactly where it was, how big it was and what role it played. They must present hard evidence to show that fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions played a significant role compared to the hundreds of natural forces involved in these storms. They have done none of these things and cannot.

The Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico are warm enough every summer to produce major hurricanes, says climatologist Roy Spencer. But you also need other conditions that have unknown origins and mechanisms: pre-existing cyclonic circulation off the African coast, upper atmospheric calm, and sea surface temperatures that change on a cyclical basis in various regions, to name just a few.

The combination of all these factors  plus weather fronts and land masses along the way  determines whether a hurricane arises, how strong it gets, how long it lasts and what track it follows.

Damage from hurricanes has certainly increased over the years. But thats because far more people now live and work in far more homes and businesses in many expensive communities along Americas Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Since 1920, Greater Houston grew from 138,000 people to 5.7 million; Miami from 43,000 to 6.1 million; Tampa from 50,000 to 3 million.

Meanwhile, hurricane death tolls have declined dramatically over the years, despite much larger populations today in areas in the path of the storms. This is thanks in part to fossil fuels that enable us to construct stronger buildings; track storms; evacuate and rescue people; and bring in water, food, clothing, and materials to rebuild.

Our Earth is a complex, wondrous, resilient planet. But it can unleash incredible fury. Wealthy, technologically advanced nations fueled by oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear power are far better able to avoid, survive and recover from those disasters.
Republicans have issues, but Democrats have them too. Witness the two individuals who dominated this weeks newsand who conveniently represent the lefts most crippling problems.

Hillary Clinton is again everywhere, touting her new memoir and adding to the list of who and what are to blame for her loss: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Barack Obama, James Comey, Jill Stein, Vladimir Putin, Julian Assange, Anthony Weiner, sexism, misogyny, theNew York Times , lazy women, liberal activists and the godforsaken Electoral College. All shes missing is climate change.

Hillarys take on What Happened has unsurprisingly unleashed another round of analysis about her mistakesWisconsin, deplorables, email. These sorts of detailed postmortems of failed campaigns are popular, but they tend to obscure the bigger reasons for failure. In this case: The Democratic Party saddled itself with an ethically compromised and joyless candidate, because it had nobody else.

Hillary spent eight years planning her first presidential bid, and the next eight warning Democrats not to get in the way of her second. The Clinton Foundation was erected to serve as bank and Rolodex, and to enable the Clintons to retain their grip over the party. And that party was committed to a Clinton coronation, right up to Mr. Sanderss cheeky assault.

Read more from Kimberley Strassel's column here.
The Maryland city that drew national attention this week for passing a measure to allow illegal immigrants and other non-citizens to cast ballots in local elections said Friday night the change is void because it didnt get enough yes votes.

Four of seven city council members in College Park, Md., voted on Tuesday night in favor of the measure.

But the city said late Friday that any amendment to the city charter requires six yes votes for passage.

While most measures before the city council require only a simple majority for passage, College Park in June increased the number of votes needed to amend the charter to seven, official also said.

The council is scheduled to revisit the issue at a meeting Tuesday of next week.

If the vote had stood, College Park, where the University of Marylands flagship campus is located, would have become the 11th municipality just in Maryland to allow non-citizens to vote in local races.

Council member Fazlul Kabir did not vote Tuesday and said his concerns were as much about the process as the measure.

I think we went too fast and didnt give our residents a chance to speak, he told Fox News on Friday.

Kabir said the measure is a good thing because it gives more residents the opportunity to make elected officials more responsible.

But the risk is that this could be a slippery slope, he said. Other cities can do this. And the change could trickle down beyond College Park to counties and states, and it could even become a national issue. Thats the risk I was feeling.

San Francisco plans to allow non-citizens to vote in local board of education races beginning in 2018. In Massachusetts, the city of Cambridge and the town of Amherst have moved to introduce non-citizen voting and are awaiting approval, according to the Massachusetts State House News Service.

And for the past few years, New York City has weighed whether to allow non-citizens to participate in city elections.

Fox News Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore is consolidating anti-establishment conservative support in Alabamas Senate race more than a week before voters head to the polls.

Moore, a Christian conservative known as the Ten Commandments Judge, has been polling ahead of incumbent GOP Sen. Luther Strange ahead of Sept. 26s Republican primary runoff.

In a major boost for his campaign on Saturday, Moore was endorsed by Alabama GOP Rep. Mo Brooks, a House Freedom Caucus member who came in third place during the initial Aug. 15 primary.

During a rally in Huntsville, Brooks said he already voted absentee ballot for Moore and called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who backs Strange and whose political operation attacked Brooks during the primary.

The Strange/McConnell forces maliciously and personally attacked and maligned me, Brooks said Saturday. They are doing the same to Roy Moore.

Strange, the former attorney general in Alabama, was temporarily appointed to the seat in April after then-Sen. Jeff Sessions joined the Trump administration. Favored by establishment and business Republicans, Strange has also been endorsed by both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

But despite Stranges support from Trump, Moore has steadily been rolling out endorsements in recent weeks from well-known anti-establishment conservatives, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn.

In the special election runoff for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate pitting constitutional conservative Roy Moore against former D.C. lobbyist/current swamp denizen Luther Strange, there is no contest  Roy Moore wins, hands down, Jenny Beth Martin, chairperson of the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, said in a statement this week.

Moore has also been endorsed by several conservative federal lawmakers, including Kentucky Sen. Thomas Massie, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan and North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows.

"I am proud to endorse Judge Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate I look forward to working with him to advance conservative principles by repealing ObamaCare, passing real tax reform and securing our borders, said Meadows, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus.

MOORE'S STAR RISING IN ALABAMA SENATE RUNOFF RACE

Polling since the initial primary have shown Moore leading Strange. But the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC with ties to McConnell, circulated a poll last week that shows Strange down a point.

But as hes risen in the polls, Moore has come under more scrutiny and has been the subject of negative news stories.

Old video surfaced of Moore questioning whether former President Barack Obama was a natural-born citizen.

It was also reported this week that Moore, during a speech at a Baptist church earlier this year, suggested that the Sept. 11 attacks were punishment because America had distanced itself from God.

And opponents have seized on news reports scrutinizing the Foundation for Moral Law, an organization connected to Moore, that has not filed its taxes since 2014.

Every day that goes by, the Moore family foundation looks more like the Clinton family foundation, said Steven Law, CEO of the Senate Leadership Fund.

The winner of the GOP runoff will face Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney under the Clinton administration who was endorsed by former Vice President Joe Biden.

Alabama hasnt elected a Democrat to the Senate in more than 20 years.
The days of trying to catch a nap in between flights on an uncomfortable airport chair or bench are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

According to a new Bloomberg report, at least four companies are now competing for space at airports to offer a variety of unique sleeping accommodations ranging from cabins and capsules to sleeping pods.

Among the major players in the market are Minute Suites LLC, which already has retail sleep locations at airports in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Philadelphia; izZzleep, which began offering sleep capsules in the Mexico City airport in August; and Yotel Ltd, which operates YotelAir in four European airports and has plans to open a new location in Singapores Changi in 2019.

Yotel hopes to expand to the U.S. market as does a fourth company, NapCity Americas, which acquired U.S. rights to Napcabs, a German-based sleep pod company currently operating at the Munich airport.

Minute Suites already has plans to open more locations in this country, with a location set to open in Charlotte, North Carolina this December.

But as welcome as it may be by travelers, this proliferating industry will face somewhat of an uphill battle.

Revenue generation is a big consideration when it comes to space allotment at airports. A busy bar, restaurant or McDonalds brings in far more cash than a napping pod, which is why you still dont see such offerings at some major flight hubs such New York or Los Angeles.

One seat in an airport restaurant can generate $20,000 in revenue in a single year, Peter Chambers, co-founder of Sleepbox, a Boston-based startup, told Bloomberg.

Additionally, airports have long had a cozy relationship with surrounding hotels and may be hesitant to engage in business thats viewed as competition to area accommodations.

Still, for those who remain unfamiliar with this new airport pod or cabin sleeping concept, the spaces offer a welcome retreat from the noise and hassle of a long layover.

In Mexico City, for instance, izZzsleep pods come with a bed, a high-definition TV, safe, Wi-Fi and USB charging ports, as TravelPulse's Monica Poling reported in August. The pods, located in Terminal 1, can be rented for about $8 an hour (140 pesos) with a two-hour minimum.

Guests can also rent the pod for the entire night starting from about $30 per night (640 pesos.) Access to a private shower is available but costs an additional 130 pesos.

izZzsleep has already announced plans to expand the concept to Terminal 2 in Mexico City, as well as to open locations at other Mexican airports, including those in Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, and Cancun.

This article originally appeared on TravelPulse.
Protests in St. Louis turned violent as darkness set in Friday, with at least four cops assaulted and numerous demonstrators maced following the acquittal of a white officer in the shooting death of an African-American drug suspect.

The St. Louis Police Department tweeted Friday evening that the protests were "no longer considered peaceful," as protesters threw bottles at officers, smashed police vehicle windshields, largely ignored officers' requests to clear a roadway  ultimately leaving at least four cops with minor injuries.

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in St. Louis Friday after a judge found former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley not guilty during a bench trial Friday, absent a jury at the request of Stockley.

Stockley was charged with first-degree murder after he shot Anthony Lamar Smith five times in 2011 following a high-speed chase. Stockley said he saw Smith holding a gun, and felt as though he was in danger.

A gun found in Smiths car only had Stockleys DNA on it, prompting the prosecution to allege it was planted.

During the trial, Assistant Circuit Attorney Robert Steele said that police dashcam video showed Stockley saying he was "going to kill this (expletive), don't you know it," before shooting Smith five times.

Stockley could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole. He left the St. Louis police force in 2013.

The protests sparked concerned for the city of St. Louis, after, in 2014, violent riots broke out in nearby Ferguson once Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was fatally shot by a white cop. That officer was never charged and eventually resigned.

St. Louis police said on Twitter that 13 people have been arrested following Stockley's acquittal, including one Friday morning.

"For the most part, the demonstrations have been peaceful," the department tweeted. "There have been some tense moments where agitators became destructive."

Kingshighway northbound and southbound have closures, according to the department, due to protesters in the area.

"While we know emotions are running high, our number one priority is protecting and serving our citizens. We ask that citizens who choose to demonstrate, do so peacefully," the police said in a statement.

St. Louis activists warned of civil disobedience if Stockley were to be acquitted before the verdict was announced.

Fears of unrest prompted the National Guard to be on standby, while several downtown businesses to send employees home early, including Wells Fargo Advisors and Nestle Purina PetCare. U.S. Bank closed six branches. Some schools closed early and postponed events.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A substitute teacher in North Carolina has been arrested after allegedly having inappropriate contact with students.

Lamont Deshon Barrett, 31, was charged with indecent liberties with a child, Fox 46 reported. An investigation was opened after a 16-year-old student at Rocky River High School reportedly came forward saying Barrett had touched them inappropriately.

Barrett also allegedly showed the student inappropriate videos of sexual nature, according to the local police.

Police confirmed to Fox 46 that more students came forward with similar accusations after the arrest was made.

Investigators, who started looking into Barrett on Sept. 1, said they are examining the new claims, according to WBTV.

The reported incidents allegedly happened inside a classroom at the end of the 2016 school year, police said.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Barrett was employed at the high school on March 30, 2016 and did not work at any of the other schools in the district, WBTV reports.

He was fired from his job Thursday and removed from his post after the investigation began, officials said.

A statement on the matter was sent to parents by the principal of the school, according to WBTV.

The Mint Hill Police Department notified me about an investigation regarding inappropriate conduct with a student that has led to the arrest of a former substitute, the principal said. CMS is fully assisting in the investigation. The substitute is no longer employed with the district since Sept. 1.

Barrett was arrested in South Carolina and brought back to North Carolina before he was officially charged and put in jail, according to reports.

Police officials said they plan to review the district's hiring practices after they discovered Barrett had previous encounters with the police on his record, reports WBTV.
An EU official said the U.S. will not withdraw from the Paris climate deal, contrary to the public statements of President Trump in June, the Wall Street Journal said Saturday.

But the White House promptly responded with a statement that while it would not withdraw from the climate treaty it would review its terms.

"There has been no change in the United States' position on the Paris agreement. As the President has made abundantly clear, the United States is withdrawing unless we can re-enter on terms that are more favorable to our country," the White House statement said.

According to the EU's top energy official, the U.S. has said it will "not renegotiate the Paris Accord," but will instead review its terms, the Wall Street Journal said.

Four months ago the White House said it would either renegotiate or withdraw from the climate treaty, which has been signed by 189 of the world's 192 nations.

The treaty has also been backed by numerous American citites.

The Trump administration's shift from rejection to being willing to renegotiate the landmark accord or negotiate a new deal came during a meeting of more than 30 ministers led by Canada, China and the European Union in Montreal, the Journal said.

The U.S. has stated that they will not renegotiate the Paris accord, but they will try to review the terms on which they could be engaged under this agreement, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete said.


Duke Energys unit in Florida has told its customers that it will be calling them Saturday to confirm whether electrical service has been restored in their area following Hurricane Irma.

The company said on its website that it had already restored service to 96 percent of customers in Pinellas and Pasco counties, and planned to have power restored to all other customers in those counties by midnight Saturday.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the company missed a self-imposed Friday deadline for restoring power to all customers.

That was frustrating for many of the companys customers, the newspaper reported.

John Johnson told the Times he lost power at 8 p.m. Sept. 10. But on Friday afternoon, Johnson was still in the dark.

They're a bunch of liars," Johnson told the Times, referring to Duke Energy. They weren't prepared for this storm. They can't tell the truth."

After sweeping through the Caribbean last week, causing death and destruction on islands as small as Barbuda and as large as Cuba, Irma made landfall Sunday on Florida and swept through much of the state. Millions were left without electricity.

In the Miami area, customers of Florida Power and Light have also been struggling without service. The problem was exacerbated earlier in the week when the utilitys website and smartphone app both crashed, leaving already frustrated customers with even less access to information.

FPLs efforts to restore power simply werent fast enough, customers of the utility told the Miami Herald.

The utility has pledged to restore power by Sunday night, the newspaper reported. But as of Friday afternoon, nearly a quarter-million customers still did not have service, it said.

What really set me off was when I heard from a cousin in Cuba who had power restored in two days, Jackie Alvarez, a Miamian, told the paper. FPL promoted their plans for recovery, but its been worse than a third-world country.

"FPL promoted their plans for recovery, but its been worse than a third-world country."  Jackie Alvarez, frustrated utility customer

By Friday night, about 36,000 Tampa Electric customers still didn't have power, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The company hoped to have fully restored by Sunday night, said a company spokeswoman told the paper.

In the Jacksonville area, utility JEA was at the point where the company could reasonably predict when crews would reach a neighborhood to restore power, CEO Paul McElroy told the Florida Times-Union.

Right now were progressing better than the rest of the state in terms of our restoration, McElroy said. We think thats good for our community, but I know its frustrating for those who are still without power.

Clay Electric Cooperative, which covers 14 counties, reported that about one-third of its members  about 53,700  remained in the dark.
Citing a social media backlash, the seminary at the Catholic University of America has canceled a talk by a popular Jesuit priest whose latest book advocates for more compassion for gays within the church. In a rare public rebuke, the university's president said Saturday that he opposed the seminary's decision.

The Rev. James Martin, editor at large at the Jesuit magazine America and author of several books on Catholicism, said he had planned a seminary talk on Jesus, not his recent book on LGBT people, "Building a Bridge," which has been backed by two U.S. cardinals and three bishops.

Far-right Catholic sites such ChurchMilitant.com and some conservative Catholic writers have denounced the book, and that had led to online campaigns to pressure Catholic institutions against hosting Martin.

The seminary in the nation's capital, called the Theological College, said it had experienced "increasing negative feedback from various social media sites" about Martin's talk and, as a result, decided to cancel the event.

Martin said he was notified late Thursday of the decision.

The Catholic University president, John Garvey, said in a statement that the university administration did not support the cancellation, and noted that that Martin has spoken before at the school, which was founded by the U.S. bishops and is under their supervision.

"The campaigns by various groups to paint Fr. Martin's talk as controversial reflect the same pressure being applied by the left for universities to withdraw speaker invitations," Garvey said. "Universities and their related entities should be places for the free, civil exchange of ideas. Our culture is increasingly hostile to this idea. It is problematic that individuals and groups within our church demonstrate this same inability to make distinctions and to exercise charity."

Austin Ruse, who leads the Center for Family & Human Rights based in New York, has called Martin's complaints about the conservative pushback on his book "pansified." The Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, who runs the popular conservative blog "Father Z," said Martin promoted "a homosexualist agenda." And Cardinal Robert Sarah, head of the Vatican's liturgy office, recently criticized Martin's approach in an Op-Ed article in The Wall Street Journal.

Last April, Pope Francis appointed Martin as an adviser to the Vatican's communications department.

Martin said his book does not challenge church teaching. "It simply builds on the catechism and the Gospels," he said in a telephone interview. "Jesus is very close to me in prayer and I'm convinced that reaching out to people on the margins is still what he wants me to do."

Martin said Catholic institutions had scrapped two other of his talks, but many more had been scheduled, including a Skype talk Saturday with a parish in North Carolina. He said the leader of his Jesuit province has asked him not to discuss his own sexuality.

"Not every book about LGBT Catholics has to be about sex," Martin said. "Ironically, these right-wing groups are obsessed about sex, not me."
Starvation, conflict and displacement threaten millions of people in Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Somalia, but there is another looming nightmare: rising waves of epidemic disease, especially cholera, made worse by the constant movement of refugees seeking any kind of respite from chaos and mayhem.

Just how much more dire the situation can become may be known by the end of September, according to medical and relief experts, when seasonal rains in some of the afflicted nations make meager roads impassible, and further spread the water-born disease.

The same seasonal rains also bring rising incidences of other forms of watery diarrhea, as well as malaria, and there are reports of sporadic outbreaks of meningitis and measles.

The additional health hazards are placing further heavy strain on humanitarian resources that are already deeply inadequate to the massive challenge of aiding at least 30 million people suffering in and around the stricken countries with some 20 millionfigures varyin the direst need of assistance.

Moreover, the kind of money that the U.N. is asking international donors to provide is not rolling in. Of some $6.5 billion in humanitarian assistance, including funding for health emergencies, that the U.N. has asked for the four stricken countries, so far only about $3.45 billion has materialized, or only about 53 percent of the funding appeal.

The U.S. share of the funding so far is about $1.1 billion, or nearly a third of the money so far on the table.

Another problem: dealing with the disease epidemics seems beyond the capacity available to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), which failed abysmally three years ago to deal rapidly with West Africas deadly Ebola crisis, in part because of its close ties with governments that sought to downplay the disaster.

There is no doubt that WHO is trying hard to stay in front of the disease crisis, and in some areasSomalia and South Sudanhas claimed that the cholera epidemic is slowing down, as one of its websites puts it, thanks to timely interventions by WHO, national health authorities and health partners.

But other health workers in the stricken regions are less optimistic, and in some casesSouth Sudan, for oneargue that the numbers of stricken are still badly underestimated.

Moreover, in regions that are wracked with internal conflict, and government health facilities are in an advanced state of collapse, WHOs abilities are starkly limited, and even shrinking, due to its ties with stricken local governments.

WHO is inherently unable to bring major outbreaks under control in places where there is violence, conflict and state instability and insecurity, observes Lawrence Gostin, professor of medicine at Georgetown University and onetime member of the WHO Director-Generals Advisory Committee on Reforming the World Health Organization.

WHO is highly dependent on national health authorities, and where there is a vacuum of power in local government, or when those governments are corrupt and even cause the health hazards, WHO simply doesnt have the ability to end fast-moving epidemics. WHO also relies on strong national health systems, and these health systems are weak, fragmented or non existent in conflict zones and in places where refugees congregate.

It is probably unrealistic to believe that WHO has the political and economic power to be highly effective, continued Gostin. In the case of cholera, it has not been able to make a difference in war-torn countries.

WHO, of course, argues otherwise. Nonetheless, a bad situation is fast becoming worse. The cholera crisis in Yemen, recognized as the worlds worst single-country outbreak, has some 630,000 cases so far, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), with about 2,000 dead as a result.

That is up from some 500,000 cases reported by WHO in mid-August, and despite the U.N. agencys highlighting of small declines in new Yemeni cases in recent months, according to USAID those numbers started to rise again on a weekly basis later last month. In July, WHO figures were apparently showing that the epidemic was slowing down.

In a gloomy report to the U.N. Security Council, the U.N.s top refugee official, Stephen OBrien, declared that we are seeing accelerating institutional collapse in Yemen, which is also putting considerable additional pressure on the response. Only 45 per cent of national health facilities were fully functioninga nebulous standardhe declared and sanitation systems have mostly ground to a halt.

Beyond those numbers is the much bigger disaster of some 2.9 million Yemeni refugees and 17 million people labeled as food insecure by the U.N., including 7 million at risk of famine. They are bearing the overall brunt of a two-year civil war between Iran-backed Houthi forces and the forces of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, backed by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition that has had U.S. intelligence and logistical support.

We are in a super-crisis, said Caroline Seguin, deputy program manager for the medical group Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres, a non-government organization that operates outside the U.N. health umbrella.

The Yemeni government Ministry of Health has collapsed since the war, she told Fox News. There is bad management of treatment centers, problems of funds, people not getting paid.

In some cases, she said, hospitals have been told to fend for themselves for supplies. They came to us.

The response is not at all adequate,  she summarized, and deemed the cholera crisis catastrophic.

Cholera totals have also been climbing in South Sudan, despite WHO claims of a recent slowdown. A tally of fewer than 600 cases in July 2016 had risen to more than 8,000 last May, according to U.N. figures, and 15 of 18 South Sudanese states were infected by last August.

Outbreaks are occurring sporadically, reports Deepmala Mahla, the South Sudan country director for U.S.-based Mercy Corps, one of the worlds biggest non-government humanitarian aid organization. The full extent of the disease in South Sudan, she suggests, could already be many fold times the number reported.

Within South Sudan itself, an additional 1.8 million people have been displaced by ongoing violence, but as Mahla warned Fox News, many numbers are likely little more than guesses.

We are not even sure what is the total population of South Sudan, Mahla told Fox News. There is no capacity to screen the larger populations and mobile groups like cattle raiders, nomads. Many times there is no access. Security concerns have also worsened the situation.

Moreover, most of the cholera affected counties in South Sudan in 2016 and 2017 are located along the Nile River, she added. I find this alarming.

WHO downplays the significance of the Nile connection, especially when it comes to further transmission of cholera along one of Africas great inhabited waterways, arguing that the sheer volume of water in the Nile dilutes concentrations of cholera organisms to relatively safe levels.

Nonetheless, says Mahla, This suggests vehicle-borne transmission from contaminated water in affected counties. There needs to more investigation to make conclusions.

Cholera is now spreading in refugee camps in neighboring Uganda, where at least 600,000 South Sudanese have fled to escape a long-running civil war, despite faltering occasional signs of peace, and they aer only a fraction of those who have fled abroad.

In northeastern Nigeria, where the terrorism of Boko Haram is a disruptive threat, WHO reports that they have now counted more than 1,625 confirmed and/or suspected cholera cases, including the first outbreak in two years in a camp for internally displaced persons. The agency added that health workers fear those numbers could rise exponentially because of poor water and sanitation conditions in many [refugee] camps across the area.

Nigeria currently has about 1.7 to 1.9 million internal refugees, and some 2 million people suffering from severe and moderate acute malnutrition, according to the U.N.

The long-term solution to the cholera threat is well-known : investment in fresh water supplies and sanitation facilities, collectively known in relief-speak as WASH, to replace the unclean and untreated water supplies that are a major cholera vector.

But when there is only emergency funding, you cant be too long term, observes Noah Gottschalk, senior policy advisor for humanitarian response at Oxfam America, who focuses on South Sudan, among other countries. Other issues, like education and self-sufficient livelihoods, are also falling behind, he noted.

And as long as conflicts continue, the kind of conditions that will really offer time and space to meet those longer term challenges are still receding.

In short, rather than stabilizing some of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters, the international relief community is struggling to even catch up. And the rising toll from disease among the beleaguered population is an alarming indicator that they may not be succeeding.

George Russell is editor-at-large of Fox News and can be found on Twitter: @GeorgeRussell or on Facebook.com/GeorgeRussell
North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un vowed to complete his nuclear weapons program in the face of strengthening sanctions after he inspected a powerful new intermediate-range missile that was fired over Japan.

The North's state media carried Kim's comments on Saturday, a day after U.S. and South Korean militaries detected the missile launch from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

It traveled 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) before landing into the northern Pacific Ocean.

It was the country's longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile.

The North has confirmed the missile as an intermediate range Hwasong-12, which it also launched over Japan on Aug. 29.

North Korea has also threatened to fire a salvo of these missiles toward Guam. It conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sept. 3
Poland's lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved an increase in defense spending to at least 2.1 percent of the country's GDP in 2020 and at least 2.5 percent of it in 2030, well above the level NATO requires.

Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz on Friday called the increase a necessary response to "threats from the East" where Russia is "using force to pursue its political goals."

Russia and Belarus are currently holding major war games near Poland's border.

The bill still needs approval by the Senate and the president.

Poland is among only five NATO member countries that meet the alliance's requirement of spending at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense. Warsaw sees the need to increase that amount as it modernizes its armed forces and raises the number of troops.
German police say they have stopped a truck near the German-Polish border with 51 people squeezed inside, among them 17 children.

Federal police say the truck was stopped early Saturday on the highway A12 near the eastern German town of Muellrose.

Police said some of the people inside were dehydrated and all were thirsty and hungry. They were taken to the nearby town of Frankfurt an der Oder where they received food, drinks and medical care. According to first findings, most of the people are from Iraq.

Police said the 46-year-old Turkish driver was detained on suspicion of human trafficking. The truck was also registered in Turkey.
Jose, once a hurricane threatening the Caribbean, is now weakened to a post-tropical cyclone storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Jose will "meander" off the southern coast of New England for a few days as it slowly travels to the west.

Here's what you need to know.

Where is Jose now?

Jose is approximately 115 miles south-southeast of Nantucket, Mass., the National Hurricane Centers 8 a.m. ET advisory said Friday. It has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

FLORIDA SEES LOOTING, BVI PRISONERS ESCAPE IN IRMA AFTERMATH

Jose was downgraded to a tropical storm last week, earlier than initially expected by forecasters, but then became a Category 1 hurricane a day later. It has since been downgraded back to a tropical storm.

What else should I know about the hurricane?

Shortly after Irma ravaged the Caribbean, Jose formed, threatening already wrecked houses, businesses and shelters with a major loss of communication.

Jose passed north of the Caribbean islands and Puerto Rico last week as a Category 4 hurricane, a situation, the Netherlands navy said, that was better than expected.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Block Island, R.I., as well as Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard, both in Massachusetts.

The warning also applies to a stretch of the state going from Woods Hole to Sagmore Beach that includes Cape Cod, according to forecasters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to $600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts.

These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem.

Amir Toumaj, Iran research analyst at the U.S.-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said the number of fighters is fluid but as many as 6,000 Afghans are fighting for Assad, while the number of Pakistanis, who fight under the banner of the Zainabayoun Brigade, is in the hundreds.

In Afghanistan, stepped-up attacks on minority Shiites claimed by the upstart Islamic State group affiliate known as Islamic State in the Khorasan Province could be payback against Afghan Shiites in Syria fighting under the banner of the Fatimayoun Brigade, Toumaj said. Khorasan is an ancient name for an area that included parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

"People were expecting blowback," said Toumaj. IS "itself has its own strategy to inflame sectarian strife."

Shiites in Afghanistan are frightened. Worshippers at a recent Friday prayer service said Shiite mosques in the Afghan capital, including the largest, Ibrahim Khalil mosque, were barely a third full. Previously on Fridays  the Islamic holy day  the faithful were so many that the overflow often spilled out on the street outside the mosque.

Mohammed Naim, a Shiite restaurant owner in Kabul issued a plea to Iran: "Please don't send the poor Afghan Shia refugees to fight in Syria because then Daesh attacks directly on Shias," he said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

Pakistan has also been targeted by the Islamic State in Khorasan province. IS has claimed several brutal attacks on the country's Shiite community, sending suicide bombers to shrines they frequent, killing scores of devotees.

In Pakistan, sectarian rivalries routinely erupt in violence. The usual targets are the country's minority Shiites, making them willing recruits, said Toumaj. The most fertile recruitment ground for Iran has been Parachinar, the regional capital of the Khurram tribal region, that borders Afghanistan, he said. There, Shiites have been targeted by suicide bombings carried out by Sunni militants, who revile Shiites as heretics.

In June, two suicide bombings in rapid succession killed nearly 70 people prompting nationwide demonstrations, with protesters carrying banners shouting: "Stop the genocide of Shiites."

A Pakistani intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said recruits are also coming from northern Gilgit and Baltistan. Recruiters are often Shiite clerics with ties to Iran, some of whom have studied in seminaries in Iran's Qom and Mashhad cities, said a second Pakistani official, who also spoke on condition he not be identified because he still operates in the area and exposing his identity would endanger him.

Yet fighters sign up for many reasons.

Some are inspired to go to Syria to protect sites considered holy to Shiite Muslims, like the shrine honoring Sayyida Zainab, the granddaughter of Islam's Prophet Muhammed. Located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the shrine was attacked by Syrian rebels in 2013. Others sign up for the monthly stipend and the promise of a house. For those recruited from among the more than 1 million Afghan refugees still living in Iran it's often the promise of permanent residence in Iran. For Shiites in Pakistan's Parachinar it is outrage at the relentless attacks by Sunni militants that drives them to sign up for battle in Syria, said Toumaj.

Mir Hussain Naseri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerics' council, said Shiites are obligated to protect religious shrines in both Iraq and Syria.

"Afghans are going to Syria to protect the holy places against attacks by Daesh," he said. "Daesh is the enemy of Shias."

Ehsan Ghani, chief of Pakistan's Counterterrorism Authority, told The Associated Press that his organization is sifting through hundreds of documents, including immigration files, to put a figure on the numbers of Pakistanis fighting on both sides of the many Middle East conflicts, including Syria. But it's a cumbersome process.

"We know people are going from here to fight but we have to know who is going as a pilgrim (to shrines in Syria and Iraq) and who is going to join the fight," he said.

Pakistan's many intelligence agencies as well as the provincial governments are involved in the search, said Ghani, explaining that Pakistan wants numbers in order to devise a policy to deal with them when they return home. Until now, Pakistan has denied the presence of the Islamic State group in Pakistan.

Nadir Ali, a senior policy analyst at the U.S.-based RAND Corp., said Afghan and Pakistani recruits also provide Iran with future armies that Tehran can employ to enhance its influence in the region and as protection against perceived enemies.

Despite allegations that Iran is aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan, Ali says battle-hardened Shiite fighters are Tehran's weapon should relations with an Afghan government that includes the radical majority Sunni religious movement deteriorate.

"Once the Syrian civil war dies down Iran is going to have thousands, if not tens of thousands of militia, under its control to use in other conflicts," he said. "There is a potential of Iran getting more involved in Afghanistan using militia because Iran is going to be really concerned about security on its border and it would make sense to use a proxy force."

Pakistan too has an uneasy relationship with Iran. On occasion the anti-Iranian Jandullah militant group has launched attacks against Iranian border guards from Baluchistan province. In June, Pakistan shot down an Iranian drone deep inside its territory.

In Pakistan the worry is that returning fighters, including those who had fought on the side of IS, could start another round of sectarian bloodletting, said the intelligence official.

__________

Associated Press writers Amir Shah in Kabul, Afghanistan; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Pakistan; Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran contributed to this report.
A second suspect was arrested on Saturday in connection with the subway attack at Londons Parsons Green station that left 30 people injured, officials announced on Sunday as the citys terror threat level is downgraded to severe.

A 21-year-old man was arrested late Saturday night in Hounslow in west London under the Terrorism Act, authorities said. Another 18-year-old man was arrested earlier in the day at the port of Dover, where ferries leave for France, and is also being held under the Terrorism Act. The suspects' names have not been released and no charges have been filed.

The arrests indicate police and security services believe Fridays attack involved several people.

"We are still pursing numerous lines of inquiry and at a great pace," counter-terrorism coordinator Neil Basu of the London police said late Saturday.

Officials announced on Sunday the terror threat level was downgraded from critical to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely, Sky News reported. The terror threat was raised to "critical"  meaning an attack is imminent  on Friday after an improvised explosive device partially detonated on the train in southwest London during Friday morning rush hour when commuters  including children heading to school  were just starting out their day.

"Severe still means that an attack is highly likely, so I would urge everybody to be vigilant but not alarmed," Home Secretary Amber Rudd said.

British Prime Minister Teresa May initially said raising the threat level to its highest point was a "proportionate and sensible step." Police called on the public to be vigilant.

Little details are known about the suspects and whether they are suspected of planting or building the bomb. The 18-year-old, whom authorities tracked using facial recognition technology, was believed to be a foster child taken in by Ronald Jones, 88, and his wife, Penelope, 71, who were honored by Queen Elizabeth for taking care of 268 foster children, the Times of London reported.

Police searched the couples home on Saturday as they reportedly stayed with friends. Neighbors around the house was evacuated as a precaution on Saturday. Mojgan Jamali, who lives near the house being searched, said police gave her "one minute" to pack.

"I was in my house with my children and there was a knock at the door from the police. They told me to leave. They said, 'You have one minute to get out of the house and get away,'" she said. "I just got out. I got my three children and we left the house and the street."

A friend, Alison Griffiths, said the Jones are "great pillars of the community" who have taken in several hundred children in the last 40 years.

Police did not reveal details about the search, but the precautions suggested concern that there might be explosives or violent extremists on the property. Residents were able to return to their homes on Sunday, but Jones house remained cordoned off.

The number of people injured rose to 30 people on Sunday. Nineteen people were taken to the hospital from the subway station and 11 others came in for treatment on their own. Most of the people injured suffered from burns, though analysts said the injuries would have been far worse had the entire device exploded. None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

Rudd said it was much too early to tell if the authorities knew of the suspect in the London subway bombing, but said authorities were making rapid progress in the investigation.

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Hundreds of officers were examining surveillance footage and conducting other investigations as the nation elevated its terrorism alert system to the highest level, the BBC reported. Authorities said the suspect carried a white bucket containing an explosive onto the rush-hour train. When it exploded, numerous train riders suffered burns, and others were injured as they rushed away from the area of the blast.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was carried out by an affiliated unit.

Meanwhile, President Trump took heat from British authorities for a tweet he posted in the wake of the attack that seemed to criticize Britains security forces.

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive! the president tweeted.

Reuters reported that May responded: I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation.

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The station was reopened Saturday, officials said, restoring some normalcy to London's transport network after a day of disruption. There was no sign of panic among Londoners and the weekend life of the city continued undeterred by the raised threat level.

Britain has endured four other attacks this year, which have killed a total of 36 people. The other attacks in London  near Parliament, on London Bridge and near a mosque in Finsbury Park in north London  used vehicles and knives to kill and wound.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The police chief in Malaysia's capital says authorities have arrested seven teenagers suspected of intentionally starting a deadly blaze an Islamic boarding school that killed 23 people.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Amar Singh says the seven arrested boys lit Thursday's fire because they had been mocked by students at the school.

Singh said in a press conference late Saturday that the boys aged 11 to 18 had also tested positive for drugs.

The blaze at a three-story "tahfiz" school, where Muslim boys study and memorize the Quran, blocked the lone exit to the dormitory, trapping students behind barred windows.
A defense lawyer says a Pakistani judge has sentenced a Christian man to death after finding him guilty of insulting Islam's Prophet in the eastern Punjab province.

Riaz Anjum said Saturday the judge announced the verdict a day earlier in the city of Gujrat.

He identified the man as Nadeem James, 35, who was arrested last year after he sent a poem to his Muslim friend on WhatsApp.

Under Pakistan's blasphemy laws, anyone accused of insulting Islam can be sentenced to death.

Domestic and international human rights groups say these laws are often misused to settle personal scores and target minorities.

In 2015, Muslims beat to death a Christian couple and burned their bodies in a brick kiln for allegedly desecrating the Quran.
More tough words from Kim Jong Un.

Through state media hes quoted as saying that North Korea is going full speed and straight to the goal of completing its nuclear force and is nearly there.

The North Korean leader goes on to say his regimes aim is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. so the U.S. would dare not talk about the military option.

All of this comes after the latest launch by North Korea of an intermediate range ballistic missile that flew a distance of 2,300 miles which, if pointed in that direction, means it could hit the US territory island of Guam.

And all of this also comes as the U.S. is working with its allies here and in the U.N. to put maximum economic diplomatic pressure on Kims regime. As late as Friday there was more talk from Trump administration officials of possible military action.

Still, according to one leading North Korea expert here in Seoul, Kim Jong Uns latest rhetorical outburst suggests intriguing possibilities.

This is an important statement, John DeLury of Seouls Yonsei University told Fox News. I think this is an opening.

For one thing, DeLury notes, the fact that the North Korean leader is talking about achieving equilibrium with its nuclear arsenal rather than turning the U.S. into darkness and ashes is a good thing. Also that Kim Jong Un thinks he is close to completing that arsenal might mean he thinks he is close to considering negotiations.

The language is significant, DeLury said. He adds that the words come from Kim Jong Un himself there is no higher level.

Experts like DeLury are convinced negotiations are the only way out of the North Korean crisis.

We got to talk, DeLury told Fox News. What has to happen is a senior American official or a trusted confidant of President Trump needs to get in the room with a senior North Korean official or confidant of Kim Jong Un. Until the talks start, this process were watching, is just going to go on and on and on.

The hitch with that is the U.S. has talked with North Korea many times before and it hasnt worked. This time around, were told, Pyongyang might want to keep its nukes. And in the run-up, Kim Jong Un promises to keep testing nuclear devices and launching missiles.

Room enough for some serious regional -- and global -- trouble.
A judge Friday denied a bond request from a former police officer accused of, among other things, plotting to burn down the Stafford County Public Safety Building and attempting to burn the residence of her childs father in Fairfax County.

Cassie Christine Crisano, 37, of Stafford is charged with multiple offenses, including fraud, identity theft and attempted arson in Stafford. Prosecutor Tara Mooney said Friday in Stafford Circuit Court that more charges are pending.

Crisano, a former police officer in Prince Georges County, Md., and a former mixed martial arts fighter, also was charged Thursday night on an attempted arson allegation in Fairfax County. That charge stemmed from a 2016 incident in which gasoline was doused on the front stoop of her former boyfriends home.

According to testimony and court records, Crisano was initially arrested Aug. 31 after being accused of conning an insurance company out of $20,000. Mooney told Judge Donald Haddock that Crisano staged a burglary at a home she shared with a Pentagon police officer on Cannon Ridge Drive in southern Stafford. The officer is also the father of Crisanos young daughter.

The Stafford Sheriffs Office began an investigation in August after Crisanos former friend, Terry Linton, told police about the insurance fraud. Linton, 31, was a fraud investigator for the Navy Federal Credit Union when he was arrested in Frederick County in July on a charge of soliciting a child on the Internet.

In an apparent attempt to reduce his own legal troubles, Linton told police about the fraud case in Stafford. The Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant at the Cannon Ridge Drive address and found the property that had been reported stolen, along with 93 account numbers from Navy Federal and names and dates of birth.

Mooney said police also recovered three different identifications on Crisano when she was arrested; all three are for Navy Federal customers.

Unaware that Linton was the one whod set her up, according to the evidence, Crisano contacted Linton on Sept. 3, three days after she was released on bond. In a taped phone call, Crisano implored Linton to help her destroy the Public Safety Building as a way to get rid of the evidence against her.

She told Linton, according to the evidence, that the only way to get rid of [the evidence] is to get rid of that building. The plot involved Molatov cocktails and setting fire to a field a couple of miles away to divert fire department resources from the primary target.

Mooney said Crisano showed up for a prearranged meeting with Linton about 10:20 p.m. Sept. 3 to carry out the plot. Instead, she was greeted and arrested by Stafford detectives. Mooney said Crisano had latex gloves and a gasoline can, among other things, when she was arrested.

Mooney said Crisano is clearly a danger to the community and told Judge Haddock that denying her bond should be the easiest decision youll make all day. Shes willing to go to any lengths.

Defense attorney Jason Pelt argued that despite her self-destructive behavior, Crisano deserved a bond. He pointed out that she has no prior criminal record and could be monitored by GPS, house arrest or a requirement to check into a mental facility.

Pelt also argued it is unfair that Crisano is being held without bond while Linton and the Pentagon officer arent even facing charges in Stafford. Pelt said there was no way Crisano concocted the fraud scheme on her own, saying it was obvious that the Navy Federal information came from Linton and that the officer should have known something was amiss.

A preliminary hearing for Crisano is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Stafford General District Court. Pelt said she left the police force several years ago after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after seeing her partner get shot.
Older adults arent immune from the dangers of prescription opioids or even street drugs.

While those between 25 and 34 accounted for the highest death rates in the region from drug overdoses in 2015, a small number of people 55 and over met the same demise. And even more people age 65 and older visited the emergency room that year for overdoses from prescription drugs, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The message here is that an opioid overdose can happen to anybody, said Dr. Brooke Rossheim, director of the Rappahannock Area Health District. This is a problem that affects every age group.

Rossheim spoke about opioid use and misuse among older adults to the King George Triad on Tuesday. Sponsored by the King George Sheriffs Office, the group alerts seniors and their caregivers to schemes targeted at them.

About 30 people attended the session, including Alvin Calhoun, who thought the meeting would focus on dope dealers and what they peddle.

Instead, he was actually talking about opioid abuse among adults my age, he said, adding how surprised he was to learn that people of all backgrounds could take pain medicine for legitimate problemsthen end up being addicted.

Jesse East Jr. asked if the prescription painkillers Rossheim describedthe Percocet or Vicodin, morphine or OxyContincan get you hooked if you use them once or twice.

Generally no, Rossheim said, adding: Its not common that people get addicted to prescription drugs, but it is common enough that its a problem.

He suggested those whove had surgery or need help with acute pain try another medication, such as Tylenol or Advil, first to see if you can get by with it. If medicines containing opioids, a natural or synthetic substance that works in the brain to provide pain relief, are needed, the doctor had this suggestion:

Take them for the shortest amount of time possible, and then stop, he said.

Rossheim gave a brief description of opioid addiction, a problem that has reached epidemic proportions across all age, social and economic groups in the country. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reports that street drugs and prescription opioids killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record.

In the Rappahannock district, which includes Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford, eight people died from overdoses of heroin and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in 2012.

Three years later, there were 33 deaths.

In terms of the prevalence of overdose deaths in the Rappahannock district, the rates are highest among the 25 to 34 age group. Their rate of death from overdoses of street drugs such as heroin or fentanyl is 27.6 per 100,000 people.

But older adults also have died the same way. In 2015, the overdose death rate from street drugs for those ages 55 to 64 was 7.2 per 100,000 people.

Visits to the emergency room for overdoses of prescription opioids show the highest rates of any drugs used. In 2015 in the Rappahannock district, the rate of emergency room visits per 100,000 people for overdoses from prescription painkillers was:

Ages 0-14: 21.7

Ages 15-24: 229

Ages 25-34: 186.8

Ages 35-44: 132.3

Ages 45-54: 73.1

Ages 55-64: 110.5

Ages 65+: 44

All ages: 109.2

Older adults make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, but they account for one-third of the spending on prescription drugs. Theyre likely to be prescribed more medicine and for longer periods of time, and if they dont know what each drug is forand its side effectsthey can end up taking medicine they dont need and for longer than needed.

Neither of those things is particularly good, Rossheim said.

Karen Richards, a detective with the King George Sheriffs Office who leads the Triad team, said it can be difficult for people to address addiction problems they see in their parents or older relatives.

It puts you in a really sensitive role when youre trying to address these things with your elders, and a lot of time it goes unreported, Richards said. Please have the courage to address it with them or reach out to a support service.
Richmond police say theyre preparing for the worst ahead of a small rally in support of Confederate monuments planned for Saturday, but so far theres little to indicate the event will devolve into the kind of chaos witnessed in Charlottesville last month.

Heres what we know, what we dont know, and answers to some common questions residents have been asking ahead of the event:

Who exactly is coming?

The protest is being organized by Thomas and Judy Crompton, leaders of a little-known Tennessee-based group called the New Confederate States of America, which primarily sells Confederate memorabilia such as T-shirts and flags online. Tara Brandau, a Florida resident who identifies with far-right militia groups, is a co-organizer.

Police have said that they have no reason to believe more than about 50 people will join the rally, and at a news conference Friday, organizers said they dont know how many people will attend and that all they have to go on is RSVPs to a Facebook event page.

It says in the event page 70 something coming, 400 and something interested and theres over 400 shares, Brandau said. You cant go by that. Anybody could show up with all the media. I cannot tell you a number.

Organizers have said they plan to begin the rally at 10 a.m.

***

Why are they protesting?

The group has promoted the event as the Protect the General Robert E. Lee Monument Rally. On their Facebook page, they write: We hope you will come out and support our efforts and stand tall for our Proud Confederate Monuments. This rally is a Heritage ~ Not Hate Rally and any Hate will NOT be stood for on our side whatsoever.

***

Will this be like Charlottesville?

The lead-up to the event has been very different from the Aug. 12 protests in Charlottesville.

The Charlottesville rally was planned and promoted for months by large, militant white nationalist groups. In the weeks leading up to it, police said they had intelligence suggesting protesters and counterprotesters were planning violence.

Police have said they havent received any similar intelligence about the Richmond protest. And unlike the groups behind Charlottesville, the Richmond event is being planned by a small group that has so far not demonstrated any meaningful, widespread support.

***

Are counterprotesters expected?

Yes. All indications point to a significantly larger number of counterprotesters than pro-Confederate demonstrators. A group led by the Unitarian Universalist church is planning a peaceful march from the Maggie Walker statue at the intersection of Adams and Broad streets. Others are expected to assemble.

City officials have said their primary safety concerns revolve around the possible presence of militant far-left groups, but again, so far theres little to suggest that such counterprotesters are planning to show up in force.

A local group that identifies as antifa, or anti-fascist, circulated an advertisement online encouraging people to attend and counterprotest. The only out-of-state group that has publicly indicated it plans to come is called Black Lives Matter New York, members of which were present in Charlottesville.

***

Didnt the governor sign an executive order banning demonstrations at the Lee monument after Charlottesville?

Yes, and police have cordoned off the circle of state-owned land around it and said they will arrest anyone who sets foot on it. But they are planning to allow crowds to form in the city streets around it in fenced-off assembly zones, which are not affected by Gov. Terry McAuliffes order.

***

The rally organizers havent secured a permit. Why are police allowing it?

City officials have said they have no choice but to allow the rally because doing otherwise would violate the First Amendment. Under city code, assemblies that dont block traffic or impede the flow of pedestrians do not require permits. Based on the low number of expected attendees, its not unimaginable they would be able to hold their rally either on a median or sidewalk without violating city code.

***

Then why are police shutting down streets to accommodate the protest?

Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham said the city decided to shut down streets and set up assembly zones as a practical matter to allow police to better maintain order.

While the anticipated number of rally attendees is low, the number of counterprotesters is likely to be far higher, and the larger the group, the less likely participants would be able to comply with city code and avoid impeding traffic.

Jud Campbell, a constitutional law professor at University of Richmond School of Law, posited that police might be attempting to avoid a situation where they end up arresting people on one side of the issue for assembling but not the other.

***

Why are police banning sticks, bats, knives, etc., from assembly areas but not guns?

Durham said the city explored banning guns but determined it could not do so without violating state law, which allows people to openly carry firearms in public.

Other weapons are not afforded similar protections under the law.

Durham encouraged residents upset that the city could not ban guns to lobby the General Assembly for a change to state code.

***

If police dont have intelligence suggesting large, unruly crowds are likely, why are they planning such a large, aggressive response?

Police have said that they want to be prepared for whatever develops, and that they hope their show of force eases residents anxiety following Charlottesville.

I cant stand here and tell you what to expect and how we want to respond, Durham said this week. If 100 people show up, thats 100 different scenarios that can play out. So again, I think we have a robust plan and were going to respond appropriately.

All week, authorities have encouraged residents not to attend, a point reiterated by McAuliffe in a statement Friday.

Many people, including myself, strongly oppose the underlying ideology of tomorrows demonstration and the best way to express that opposition is to avoid giving these hateful groups more attention than they deserve, he said.
WHAT A disastrous few weeks. Historic hurricanes, massive earthquakes and large-scale wildfires have simultaneously struck the Americas, grabbing headlines and inspiring telethons. The reporting has been extensive and the outpouring of generous homegrown support seems endless.

American society might be uniquely constituted to work together during crises, with national self-reliance a distinct part of this country's character, heritage and mythology. American leaders call attention to disasters and ask communities and their political representatives for help and money. A free, open and independent media report it all.

Elsewhere in the world, however, bad instincts or habits lead political and corporate leaders to mislead, hide and deny disasters or impending doom.

Russia and China are particularly susceptible to this trait, but it is generally true for less democratic and minimally accountable governments and institutions where disaster can translate into political crisis or even the threat of regime change.

In the former Soviet Union, the initial reaction and official denial of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown and crisis set in motion the conditions for the eventual downfall of the entire empire. In a new biography about Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, the Chernobyl cover-up was considered the turning point that put Gorbachev on the political reform path toward a greater openness that became unstoppable.

Prior to Chernobyl, and up to my time working in the USSR as a Moscow-based correspondent, disasters rarely made the news. A joke circulated about Soviet aircraft superiority suggesting that Soviet airplanes were the safest planes ever built because they never crashed. Friends of mine called Soviet plane crashes "optical Ilyushins."

Things are now somewhat different. Russians are ready to amplify disaster reporting and government failure. Their reporting highlights race and class inequities and pointedly blames political systems and failing leadershipbut only if these disasters and failures happen elsewhere. Preferably in the United States.

China's lack of preparation, warning and response to many earthquakes and flooding causes local anger and confusion. A 2008 Sichuan province earthquake killed nearly 70,000 people, but the government reaction was to shield failure and silence critics. Dissent is hidden, if not outright crushed. A tightly controlled and censored media environment further assures that news travels slowly and is effectively countered when it runs contrary to national political narratives.

Disaster avoidance and denial are not exclusive authoritarian national traits, however. Following a recent earthquake and tsunami, Japan's government and Tokyo Electric Power Company denied the dangers and misled the public about nuclear fallout from a failing Fukushima nuclear power plant. Apologies followed, but the damage was already done.

Social media picks up some of the information slack, but rumor fills in where facts are muddled. In environments where information vacuums exist, misinformation and falsehood find fertile ground. People get misled. Confusion kills. What can be done to prevent bad information from worsening the effect of bad news?

Soviet or Chinese-style bad-news boycotts are a non-starter. But social media platforms with billions of membersmany of them trusting, if not outright gullibleshould build fail-safe information systems to protect the public. Television broadcasters have long used 4-10 second delays to prevent inappropriate or inaccurate live material from going on-air. Social media need to use some of these same techniques.

Worldwide, however, crisis management and warning systems do not suffer from too much, too quick or grossly inaccurate information. In fact, most global disasters are neither reported on nor actively hidden as the majority of natural crises go unnoticed by nearly everyone who is unaffected.

Far-flung countries suffering from widespread disaster actively and regularly seek international attentionoften to no availin the hopes they can attract global empathy and assistance. These nations are not only victimized by disaster, they are victims of a distracted world, suffering quietly alone without news coverage or celebrity support to spotlight their plight.

Such disasters represent the 91 percent of worldwide natural emergencies that regularly go unreported in any mass media, according to the International Red Cross. Right now, for example, South Asia is experiencing much greater death and destruction than that wrought by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Bangladesh, Nepal and India are struggling to get noticed or receive basic help for the reported 41 million people directly affected by recent monsoon flooding and landslides that killed nearly a thousand people.

The United Nations reports that these South Asia floods also destroyed tens of thousands of homes, schools and hospitals. The scale of this human suffering is staggering, but the story is easily overlooked and understandably underplayed in America while parts of Florida are still dark, deserted and drying out.

Natural and manmade disasters can fully overtake a nation's attention, be totally denied or never make it onto the radar of a global public's consciousness. The one universal truth is that, ultimately, everyone suffers.
Americans don't like being told by their government what they should eat. They generally don't like anyone dictating "what's good" for them.

A recent example of that was the demise of school nutrition guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the behest of former first lady Michelle Obama. The Trump administration announced in May that those rules were being set aside for several reasons, mostly due to wide reports that children weren't eating the food, and the determination that eating anything is better than going hungry the rest of the day.

The issue of Americans' health as it pertains to eating habits reemerged last week with the release of the Trust for America's Health annual obesity report for 2016. As expected, it finds that far too many Americans, both adults and children, are significantly overweight to the extent that it jeopardizes their overall health and well-being.

Virginia ranks 29th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, with 29 percent of its adult population deemed obese, or having a body mass index of 30 or higher. West Virginia is No. 1, with nearly 40 percent of its adults above the threshold, followed almost exclusively by states in the South and Midwest.

The organization's researchers did find a bit of good news, however. Over the past two years, five states have shown reductions in obesity rates, and overall numbers are generally leveling off.

But there clearly remains much room for improvement. In 1995, for example, Virginia was also ranked 29thbut only 14.2 Virginians were considered obese. In 2005, Virginia was 25th, but its rate had climbed to 23.3 percent. Rates have risen in every state over time, and those that are perennially the worst have continued to worsen. Rates of childhood obesity have risen at even more rapid rates.

Obesity rates have risen steeply despite the well-known health risks of being overweight, which include a greater susceptibility to issues including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers. This, in turn, has put an increasing strain on the health care system and helps explain the upward spiral of health insurance premiums. More care for some means a greater cost for everybody.

Americans eat what they want to eat, and those who successfully change and improve their eating habits are the exception rather than the rule. Those who try to eat healthier deserve encouragement from their doctors, families and friends. Their success can beget the success of others willing to try.

As it is with many maladies, it is easier to prevent obesity than deal with it after the fact. That means eating better both for one's own well-being and for setting a good example for the younger generation.

Nationwide, according to a survey taken by the Trust for America's Health, 5.2 percent of U.S. high school students hadn't eaten any fruit or had 100 percent fruit juice to drink in the entire week prior to the survey. And 6.7 percent had not eaten a vegetable or salad. Fourteen percent hadn't started their day with breakfast all week.

In a statistic that goes hand-in-hand with obesity, the Centers for Disease Control found that only 27 percent of high school students participate daily in at least 60 minutes of physical activity.

The frenetic pace at which so many American families live their lives is hardly conducive to building healthy nutritional habits, unless it has already been built into the daily routine. That means getting into good eating habits as early as possible and sticking with them.

Perhaps over time, just as awareness of the health impacts of smoking have persuaded people to quit or never start, a similar trend will take hold with obesity.

Americans will do what they want to do, but if they want to be around longer to enjoy family and friends, and endure fewer health issues as they age, avoiding obesity or dealing with obesity can be a good start.
The South is being violated again. The first time it was by the British in the Revolutionary War. The second time by the North in the Civil War. Now, for the third time, by the offended, obnoxious hate trend.

By destroying our monuments, our flag, our state of Virginia song and our history, using slavery as the cause for the hate. Destroying our history like ISIS destroyed history. By renaming our highways, our schools, our buildings and streets.

I think this trend started with changing our Virginia state song, Carry Me Back to Old Virginny. The haters found the song offensive. Then, it progressed to our Confederate flag. Then on to our highways, schools, buildings and monuments.

I am not asking that you be removed as I find your behavior obnoxious and offensive. But take your hate to fight the slavery of today.

The slavery of today is human trafficking. The slavery of today is drugs. The slavery of today is alcoholism. The slavery of today is prostitutionall of which are at epidemic proportions. Slavery today was renamed human trafficking so as to not offend anyone.

Im challenging you today to fight the slavery of today. Use your hate, your jumping and shouting, your rallies to fight todays slavery. By not doing so, you apparently dont find it offensive.

Rose Delano

Fredericksburg
A Pinch of Salt: The election is over, I think, so what now?
OPTIMA Phase IIIb data re-confirm that almost two thirds of patients treated with Xolair 300 mg for 6 months are well-controlled[1]



Should a treatment pause be necessary, data showed almost 90% of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients - previously well controlled - regained effective symptom control within 12 weeks of re-treatment on Xolair[2]



Previous studies have shown that inadequately controlled CSU has a major impact on sleep, social lives and work[3]

The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here:

Basel, September 16, 2017 - Novartis, a global leader in Immunology & Dermatology, announced today new data showing almost 90% of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients who responded well to initial Xolair (omalizumab) treatment regained symptom control within 12 weeks of Xolair retreatment following a treatment interruption, based on Weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) criteria (UAS7=<6)[2]. Findings were presented at the 26th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Geneva, Switzerland.

CSU is a distressing skin condition that appears spontaneously and causes persistent hives and/or painful deeper swelling of the skin for 6 weeks or more[4]. International treatment guidelines state that the goal of treatment for CSU is the complete elimination of symptoms[5],[6]. For CSU patients who have not successfully controlled their symptoms with H1 antihistamine (H1-antagonists) treatment, Xolair can reduce or eliminate symptoms[4],[7],[8]. Xolair is the first and only approved therapy for CSU patients who show an inadequate response to H1 antihistamines.

"CSU can have a severe impact on quality of life. Its unpredictable nature, combined with the fact that some physicians mistakenly dismiss it as a trivial condition, can mean patients do not get adequate treatment with effective and long-term symptoms control," said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "If for some reason treatment has been interrupted, these data give patients and physicians confidence that it's possible to regain effective symptom control with Xolair."

In the OPTIMA study, 314 participants with symptoms of CSU despite taking H1 antihistamines were randomized to 24 weeks of treatment with either Xolair 150 mg or 300 mg. Individuals who responded well to this initial treatment (UAS7=<6) underwent a pause in treatment and then, if symptoms returned (UAS7>16), were retreated[2]. Symptom control (UAS7=<6) was achieved in almost 90% of retreated patients within three months[2]. Xolair was well-tolerated at both doses and during both dosing periods[2].

Further data from OPTIMA showed that, after 24 weeks of treatment, 65% of participants treated monthly with Xolair 300 mg were well-controlled (UAS7=<6) compared to 15% treated with 150 mg[2]. Between 8 and 24 weeks of treatment, 79% of patients starting on Xolair 150 mg were not well-controlled (UAS7>6) and had their dose increased to 300 mg[1]. After 3 additional doses (300 mg), 45% of these patients achieved symptom control - indicating the importance of up-dosing in some patients[1].

About chronic urticaria and CSU

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a severe disease that is characterized by the reoccurrence of persistent hives and/or sometimes painful deeper swelling of the skin for 6 weeks or more[4]. At any given time, the prevalence of CU is up to 1% of the world's population, and up to two thirds of these patients have CSU[6] - a form of the condition that can occur unpredictably without an identifiable trigger[6],[9]. Patients with CU remain symptomatic on average for about 5 years, but in some patients, symptoms may persist for decades[10].

Although CU has a significant impact on patients' quality of life, research has highlighted that some physicians disregard the disease as a trivial condition[10],[11].

About OPTIMA

OPTIMA is a Phase IIIb, international, multicenter, randomized, open-label, non-comparator study. A total of 314 patients with CSU experiencing symptoms despite treatment with H 1 -antagonists were initially randomized 4:3 to Xolair 150 or 300 mg for 24 weeks in the first dosing period. Based on UAS7, patients then entered one of the following phases: step-up to 300 mg (if treated initially with 150 mg and UAS7>6 at any visit between week 8-24), or withdrawal period (if UAS7=<6), or continued treatment for 12 weeks (if treated initially with 300 mg and UAS7>6 at week 24).

About Xolair

Xolair is a targeted therapy that binds to immunoglobulin E (IgE). In allergic diseases and asthma, the binding of IgE by Xolair reduces symptoms by suppressing multiple cell activation mechanisms, including some that result in histamine release. Research is ongoing to understand the mechanism of action of Xolair in CSU, which could lead to a deeper understanding of how the disease develops.

Xolair is approved for the treatment of CSU in over 80 countries including the European Union and for chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) as it is known in the US and Canada. Xolair is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe or severe persistent allergic asthma in more than 90 countries, including the US since 2003 and the EU since 2005 and has over 800,000 patient years of exposure. In addition, a liquid formulation of Xolair in pre-filled syringes has been approved in the EU and 10 countries outside of the EU, including Canada and Australia. In the US, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Genentech, Inc. work together to develop and co-promote Xolair.

About Novartis Immunology & Dermatology

Novartis is a global leader in Immunology & Dermatology. We are transforming the lives of people living with immunologic diseases, focusing on specialty dermatology, rheumatology, auto-inflammatory, transplant and specialty liver diseases where high unmet medical needs exist. Our leading brand Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an innovative biologic approved in more than 70 markets for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis (PsO), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Other key brands include Xolair (omalizumab)* in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), Zortress/Certican and Myfortic in transplant and Ilaris (canakinumab), approved to treat several rare diseases including some Periodic Fever Syndromes. Our I&D pipeline includes multiple compounds in liver disease.

*In the US, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Genentech, Inc. work together to develop and co-promote Xolair.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; general economic and industry conditions, including the effects of the persistently weak economic and financial environment in many countries; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

References

[1] Gulliver W et al. Omalizumab Dose Step-Up and Treatment Response in Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria / Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Results from the OPTIMA Study. Poster presented at the 26th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), 13-17 September 2017.

[2] Lynde C et al. Omalizumab Retreatment of Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria / Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Following Return of Symptoms: Primary Results of the OPTIMA Study. Presented at the 26th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), 13-17 September 2017.

[3] Maurer M et al. The burden of chronic spontaneous urticaria is substantial: Real-world evidence from ASSURE-CSU. Allergy 2017. Advanced online publication. DOI:10.1111/all.13209

[4] Saini S, Bindslev-Jensen C, Maurer M et al. Efficacy and Safety of Omalizumab in Patients with Chronic Idiopathic/Spontaneous Urticaria Who Remain Symptomatic on H1 Antihistamines: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Investigative Dermatology 2014;135:67-75

[5] Zuberbier T et al. The EAACI/GA(2) LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria: the 2013 revision and update. Allergy 2014; 69(7):e1-29.

[6] Maurer M et al. Unmet clinical needs in chronic spontaneous urticaria. A GA2LEN task force report. Allergy 2011; 66: 317-330.

[7] Maurer M, Rosen K, Hsieh HJ et al. Omalizumab for the treatment of chronic idiopathic or spontaneous urticaria. NEJM. 2013; 368(10):924-35.

[8] Kaplan A, Ledford D, Ashby M et al. Omalizumab in patients with symptomatic chronic idiopathic/spontaneous urticaria despite standard combination therapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Jul;132(1):101-9.

[9] British Association of Dermatologists. Urticaria and angioedema. Available online at: http://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=184&itemtype=document . Last accessed June 2017.

[10] Sanchez-Borges M et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria and Angioedema: A Worldwide Perspective. WAO Journal 2012; 5: 125-147.

[11] O'Donnell BF et al. The impact of chronic urticaria on the quality of life. British Journal of Dermatology 1997; 136: 197-201.

# # #

Novartis Media Relations

Central media line: +41 61 324 2200

E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com



Eric Althoff

Novartis Global Media Relations

+41 61 324 7999 (direct)

+41 79 593 4202 (mobile)

eric.althoff@novartis.com Friedrich von Heyl

Novartis Global Pharma Communications

+41 61 324 8984 (direct)

+41 79 749 0286 (mobile)

friedrich.vonheyl@novartis.com



Novartis Investor Relations

Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com
Everyone kept asking for Rico.

Danville Police said a man was shot at 1:11 p.m. at 534 N. Main St. on Friday and rushed by ambulance to the hospital, but would not name him.

Still, people in the neighborhood kept talking about the familiar face they knew as Rico.

Jeanetta Cardwell, who works at the nearby Juniors Convenience Mart 2 on Worsham Street, said she saw Rico just before police descended on the neighborhood.

He was just in the store 15 minutes beforehand, she said of the man everyone was asking about.

Several cars had pulled up to police in the neighborhood, with the drivers asking where Rico was  and were pointed towards the SOVAH Health in Danville.

Danville Lifesaving Crew Chief Bryan Fox confirmed that one man suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest. He was treated at the scene and rushed to SOVAH hospital.

Police later reported finding a 24-year-old wounded man in the backyard of an apartment building in the 500 block of North Main Street.

A SOVAH representative said that they could not release any patient information without a full name.

Fridays shooting marked the third one this week.

On Tuesday, store owner Tahir Mahmud, 54, was found shot to death at his Joy Food Mart on Riverside drive. His death puts the mark at 10 homicides in the city this year. There were 16 last year.

On Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the forearm while in the 100 block of Lynndale Drive. He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and later released.

Cardwell, the Worsham Street convenience store worker, said Rico was well known in the area, but she did not know his real name.

Officers received information that led them to search the top left apartment in the building facing Worsham Street, said Lt. Mike Wallace, of the Danville Police.

Once officers determined the apartment was empty, they sealed it to obtain a search warrant so they could comb it for evidence.

A search warrant soon in hand and officers re-entered the apartment unite at 2:30 p.m.

Not everyone agreed with the search approach taken by police.

Theyre barking up the wrong tree, said James Cobb, who works at the North Main Car Wash next to the apartment building.

Neither Cobb nor any of his fellow car wash employees heard gunshots that day, he said.

To him, that meant the police scouring the apartment were looking in the wrong place.

The investigation is ongoing, police report.
Social Security is conservatively financed and managed. It has no borrowing authority and cannot spend itself into a deficit. To ensure that all benefits can be paid in full and on time, Social Securitys Board of Trustees reports to Congress annually, projecting the program's income and expenses over three-quarters of a century. That is a longer valuation period than private pensions or most other countries project for their counterpart programs.
Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Lincoln Mining Corp., TSX-V: LMG (Lincoln or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement.

The Company issued a total of 3,100,000 units at a price of $0.05 per unit (Units) for total gross proceeds of $155,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 per share until September 15, 2019.

As compensation, qualified persons acting as finders in connection with the private placement (Finders) received a cash commission of 7% of the proceeds raised and non-transferable warrants (Finder's Warrants), having the same terms as the Warrants, equal to 7% of the total number of Units sold to persons introduced to the Company by the Finders. The Company issued a total of 217,000 Finder's Warrants and paid a total of $10,850 in cash commissions in connection with the closing of the first tranche of the private placement.

All securities issued or issuable under the first tranche of the private placement will be subject to a four month hold period in Canada expiring on January 16, 2018, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside of Canada.

Lincoln intends to use the proceeds raised from the private placement for general working capital and administrative purposes and towards advancing permitting on the Pine Grove project.

Lincoln also announces that it plans to arrange additional tranche(s) of this private placement to raise additional proceeds of up to $470,000 through the issuance of up to an additional 9,400,000 Units.

Lincoln Mining Corp. is a Canadian precious metals exploration and development company with two projects in various stages of exploration and development, namely the Pine Grove gold property in Nevada and the Oro Cruz gold property in California. In the United States, the Company operates under Lincoln Gold US Corp. and Lincoln Resource Group Corp., both Nevada corporations.

For further information, please contact Investor Relations at 604-688-7377 or visit the Companys website at www.lincolnmining.com.



On behalf of Lincoln Mining Corporation

"Paul Saxton"

Paul Saxton, President & CEO

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 INCLUDES FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION. ALL STATEMENTS OTHER THAN STATEMENTS OF HISTORICAL FACT INCLUDED IN THIS RELEASE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, STATEMENTS REGARDING THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE PRIVATE PLACEMENT AND PLANS TO CLOSE ADDITIONAL TRANCHES, ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE VARIOUS 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. IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THE COMPANY'S PLANS OR EXPECTATIONS INCLUDE AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL AND FINANCING TO MAINTAIN THE COMPANYS PROJECTS; CHANGES IN PLANNED WORK OR USE OF PROCEEDS RESULTING FROM LOGISTICAL, TECHNICAL OR OTHER FACTORS; GENERAL ECONOMIC, MARKET OR BUSINESS CONDITIONS; FLUCTUATING METAL PRICES; THE POSSIBILITY OF COST OVERRUNS OR UNANTICIPATED EXPENSES IN WORK PROGRAMS; REGULATORY CHANGES; TIMELINESS OF GOVERNMENT OR REGULATORY APPROVALS AND OTHER RISKS DETAILED HEREIN AND FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE FILINGS MADE BY THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY MAKES ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO UPDATE ITS CORPORATE MATERIAL, DOCUMENTATION AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION ON A TIMELY BASIS.

To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/LincolnMining09152017.pdfSource: Lincoln Mining Corp. (TSX Venture:LMG, OTC Pink:LNCLF, FWB:ZMG1)

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Copyright  2017 Filing Services Canada Inc.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 15, 2017) - Aberdeen International Inc. ("Aberdeen", or the "Company") (TSX:AAB) is pleased to announce that it has released its financial results for the quarter ended July 31, 2017.

Highlights:

Total revenue of $11.4M, including realized gains on investments of $15.2 million during the six months ended July 31, 2017;

Net income for the six months ended July 31, 2017 was $9.8 million or $0.11 per basic share;

Completed sale of remaining 50% shareholdings in PLASA for $5 million cash and 6 million Lithium X Energy shares, which shares were valued at approximately $13 million as at July 31, 2017.

As at July 31, 2017, Aberdeen's shareholders' equity and net asset value ("NAV") was $44.7 million, or $0.50 per share. Given the nature of Aberdeen's operations, there is currently no difference between "shareholder equity" and "net asset value" for Aberdeen.

July 31, 2017 January 31, 2017 July 31, 2016 Shares outstanding 88,912,282 88,912,282 88,912,282 $ $/Shares $ $/Shares $ $/Shares Cash on hand 4,896,269 0.060 626,293 0.007 319,206 0.000 Investments Publicly traded 26,565,073 0.299 17,011,407 0.191 19,016,290 0.214 Private 10,478,142 0.118 15,614,855 0.176 17,625,252 0.199 Non-trading warrants Intrinsic value 119,047 0.001 288,000 0.003 - - Option value 183,276 0.002 44,880 0.000 234,190 0.003 302,323 0.003 332,880 0.003 234,190 0.003 Portfolio Investments 37,345,538 0.420 32,959,142 0.370 36,902,932 0.415 Loans 1,938,500 0.022 1,659,030 0.019 2,839,640 0.032 Total 44,180,307 0.497 35,244,465 0.396 40,061,778 0.451

For the three months ended July 31, 2017, Aberdeen reported net earnings of $12.9 million or $0.14 per basic share on total revenue of $14.0 million. Revenue was comprised of $13.9 million from net investment gains and $0.1 million from interest income and advisory fees. For the three months ending July 31, 2016, Aberdeen reported net loss of $0.3 million or $0.00 per basic share on total revenue of $0.8 million ($0.7 million from net investment gains and $0.1 million from interest income and advisory fees).

For the six months ended July 31, 2017, Aberdeen reported net earnings of $9.8 million or $0.11 per basic share on total revenue of $11.4 million. Revenue was comprised of $11.3 million from net investment gains and $0.1 million from interest income and advisory fees. For the six months ending July 31, 2016, Aberdeen reported net earnings of $12.4 million or $0.13 per basic share on total revenue of $14.3 million ($14.1 million from net investment gains and $0.2 million from interest income and advisory fees).

ABOUT ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL

Aberdeen International is a global resource investment company and merchant bank focused on small capitalization companies in the mining and metals sector.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.aberdeeninternational.ca and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Notes

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding the financial results of Aberdeen; past success as an indicator of future success; net asset value of the Company; the potential of investee companies and the appreciation of their share price; the future intentions of the Company with regard to its investments; the Company's plan of business operations; and anticipated returns. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Calgary - Morro Bay Resources Ltd. (Morro Bay) (TSXV: MRB, OTCPink: MRRBF) and Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. (Abattis)(CSE:ATT / OTC: ATTBF) and the Abattis majority-owned testing and laboratory subsidiary, Northern Vine Canada Inc. (Northern Vine), are pleased to announce that Abattis, Northern Vine and Experion Biotechnologies Inc. (Experion) have entered an agreement (the Swap Agreement) which will see Experion exchange the 6,275 Northern Vine common shares (the Experion NV Shares) it currently owns for the 2,500,000 Experion class A common shares (the Northern Vine Exp Shares) currently owned by Northern Vine.The Swap Agreement will result in Northern Vine no longer owning any shares in Experion and Experion no longer owning any shares in Northern Vine. The Swap Agreement and all closing documents related thereto have been executed with final closing anticipated to occur after the previously announced Morro Bay and Experion reverse take-over transaction (the RTO) has been completed and within two days after the Morro Bays common shares have traded for five (5) days. If closing of the Swap Agreement does not occur by October 13, 2017 the Swap Agreement is null and void.Upon Completion of the Swap Agreement, Abattis will regain full control over Northern Vine and its operational testing facility in Langley, B.C. Northern Vine is executing on its plan to become the premier testing formulating facility to better serve the national cannabis industry. As well, Northern Vine will be focusing on setting up prototype extraction installations by November, 2017, with local licensed facilities to highlight the extraction capabilities of the proprietary Suzhou Raybot Extraction technology and machinery. The machines have landed in Canada and will be installed for this purpose through the months of September and October.Upon completion of the Swap Agreement and assuming closing of the RTO, Morro Bay will have acquired all of the issued and outstanding Experion class A voting common shares (the Experion Shares) and Experion will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Morro Bay. As stated by Morro Bay in its August 10, 2017 news release, after a rollback of the Morro Bay common shares on a 3.603457 common shares for one post-consolidation common share Morro Bay will have outstanding approximately 3,386,520 common shares. A total of 33,935,757 Morro Bay post roll-back common shares will be issued to acquire 10,833,333 Experion Shares which represent approximately 81.25% of the Experion Shares. The remaining approximate 18.75% of the Experion Shares are the Northern Vine Exp Shares which will be acquired pursuant to the Swap Agreement.John Zang, CEO of Morro Bay, stated that the Swap Agreement will allow Experion to focus on its core business as an ACMPR licensed producer of cannabis and, upon closing of the RTO, should ensure Morro Bay 100% ownership of Experion. We wish Northern Vine success in relation to its operating the licensed lab in Langley, B.C.Peter Gordon, director of Abattis, stated that the Swap Agreement with Experion will allow both companies to focus on their core competencies and operate in a more efficient and effective manner. We wish Experion success with their cultivation business and look to forming more synergistic strategic partnerships in the near future. As a new director of Abattis, I see this as a very positive step forward for Abattis subsidiary, Northern Vine.Rene David, COO of Abattis stated that I want to wish Experion and Morro Bay the best of success and wish to thank them for their support over the years during our approval stage. We will continue to seek our new and exciting partnerships that match the Abattis vision.Reverse Take-over Transaction and the Share Offering: Morro Bay is continuing with the previously announced RTO and the private placement offering relating thereto (the Offering). Closing of these transactions is expected to occur in the near future.Corporate Secretary: John Zang, in addition to his role as CEO has been appointed Corporate Secretary of Morro Bay.Trading Halt: Morro Bays common shares are currently halted and Morro Bay anticipates they will remain halted for a period of time as required by the Exchange policies.Not an U.S. Offer: This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or to U.S. persons (U.S. persons), as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act). The securities being offered have not been, nor will be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.Completion of the RTO and the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSX Venture Exchange acceptance and, if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. There can be no assurance that the RTO or the Offering 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 RTO, any information released or received with respect to the RTO may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Morro Bay Resources Ltd. should be considered highly speculative.The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed RTO and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the completion of the proposed acquisition of Morro Bay and the Offering; and the anticipated business plan of Morro Bay subsequent to completion of the transactions described herein. Although Morro Bay believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, forecast, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Morro Bay cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Morro Bay are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: Morro Bay's ability to complete the proposed RTO; the state of the financial markets for Morro Bay's equity securities; recent market volatility; Morro Bay's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that Morro Bay is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to Morro Bay's most recent annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through Morro Bay's page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.This press release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", intends, "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the ability for Northern Vine and Abattis to focus on core competencies and the timing of the closing of the Swap Agreement. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including that the Swap Agreement may not close for whatever reason, the operations of Northern Vine Labs may not function as expected or at all, the Company may be unsuccessful in developing new product formulations in the time expected or at all, the Company may not be able to execute its proposed business plan in the time required or at all due to regulatory, financial or other issues, the Companys competitors may develop competing technologies (such competitors may also have greater financial resources and are able to affect their business plan more rapidly), changes in regulatory requirements and other factors beyond the Companys control. Additional risk factors are included in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements are made as at the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, where as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.John Zang, President and Chief Executive Officer(403) 680-9264Northern Vine Canada Inc. and Abattis Bioceuticals CorporationRobert Abenante, Chief Executive Officer(604) 369-0999Hi Stacey,Currently the release is on hold, and that is why it selects the strange date.The release date will change to September 15th after it is taken off hold. Once payment is recieved I can change the date on the release.
I've been writing about Corneal Mass Ejection (CME) events for several years now. When I bring up this hazard for discussions with emergency managers and others, they can be as dismissive of the threat as though it was an asteroid and the potential for direct hit on earth (which is a risk).Any military folks who have been shot at and had bullets whiz by know the sound of a supersonic bullet passing by their heads. However, we don't have the same sense of a threat when this happened very recently to earth. See this article,People in Florida are learning what it is like to live without electrical power for a week, and some will find out what it is like to live without it for several weeks, if not more. A CME has a very good chance of frying portions of the electrical grid and other major digital components that we have learned to be totally dependent upon. Then what? If you think being without power for a few weeks is bad, how about months or longer?The King County Critical Infrastructure Committee will be conducting a CME exercise in 2019. I see a challenge coming in getting people to go along with an exercise scenario that creates real problems that go way beyond a winter storm or even an earthquake.The link above was shared by Brandon Hardenbrook.
There are a number of news reports covering the tragic deaths of eight nursing home residents in Florida, following Hurricane Irma. Listen to this NPR story for the most recent update,I've read and heard different accounts about this incident. If the reports are correct (if) the staff at the home did not abandon the residents, which was one of my first concerns when I heard the story. The deaths actually happened after the storm had passed, but the air conditioning failed and was not able to be repaired. Requests for assistance were made, to include calls to 911, but in the aftermath of the storm they "were not heard" and mixed in with the hundreds if not thousands of other calls.What I fault the operators of the home for is "waiting for the emergency response system" to respond. Sometimes you have to go outside of the system to get help. Since there was a hospital very close by (some describe it as being across the street), I would have gone there and asked for medical assistance. Getting just one doctor or nurse to come over to the facility would have gotten the attention they needed.This is also when elected officials can be of assistance. They are not busy responding, and a call, if a call was possible  and it sounds like it was  would have also gotten attention. In these circumstances, they are looking for opportunities to help their constituents.All of this is in retrospect. Perhaps someone will learn something from these deaths, but then as noted in the linked story above, it has been 12 years since Katrina and new regulations are just now coming into play. As always, there are those who oppose the regulations due to costs. This is why here in Washington state there have been no requirements for our care facilities when it comes to emergency power. I recall one nursing home being evacuated due to a lack of electrical power and no heat during a winter storm event. It is not an easy thing to do!
(TNS) -- GRANITE FALLS  Bridging the rural - urban digital divide will be expensive in Yellow Medicine County, where one very long bridge will be needed.A newly completed study looking at bringing broadband service to rural areas of the county calculates that it will cost $20 million to $22 million to lay the fiber-optic network needed.It's a matter of the county's geography and dispersed population, according to Doug Dawson, president of CCG Consulting, and Chris Konechne, project engineer with Finley Engineering. They presented the study to the County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday in Granite Falls.Their study found that the county would need to lay fiber-optic cable along 955 miles of roadway to serve 1,862 homes and businesses in the rural areas that are currently not served by broadband."That is a lot of fiber,'' Dawson said.The county runs 52 miles from west to east, and is only 12 miles in width north to south on the west end and 21 miles in width on the east end. The configuration makes it more costly to extend fiber to rural areas, according to the consultants.The study provided another option for the county. The consultants said the county could consider a combined wireless and fiber-optic "hybrid'' system for a $5 million investment. A 52-mile network of fiber-optic cable could connect towers and reach the rural areas with a wireless system delivering 25 megabytes of service per customer, the minimum speed for broadband. Dawson described it as a less costly, first step toward eventually developing a more comprehensive broadband network.And, he noted at the onset of his presentation, that while a 25-megabyte capacity would meet today's needs, it will certainly become outdated. Since 1980, internet speed has doubled every year, he said.The study looked at extending high-speed services to rural areas, and excluded Granite Falls and the Upper Sioux Community, where it is currently available. The $20 million to $22 million range in costs also considers the likelihood that broadband service could soon be available in the Canby area.The study does not take into account the possibility of a rural project recently proposed by Farmers Mutual Telephone. It has expressed interest in developing a fiber network serving rural customers in the northeast corner of the county. Its interest is contingent on obtaining a Minnesota Border-to-Border grant to cover one-half of the cost, and Yellow Medicine County's willingness to issue bonds for $4 million toward the project.The Yellow Medicine County Board of Commissioners recently indicated the county's interest in issuing the bonds if a grant is awarded. At this point, the project is one of many seeking Border-to-Border grant funds, according to Peg Heglund, county administrator.MVTV Wireless is interested in working with the county and especially the proposal to pursue the hybrid proposal. The company currently provides wireless internet service throughout rural Yellow Medicine County. It would possibly lose some of its customer base if a grant-supported fiber network is developed.Ron Vlaminck, vice president of MVTV, asked who would be responsible for the bond debt service if the proposed Farmers Mutual project or any other supported by the county did not generate sufficient revenues.The commissioners said the county would ultimately be responsible. Chairman Gary Johnson likened the situation to the county's willingness to finance rural water projects."Yes, it's a risk, there's no doubt about it,'' Johnson said, "but I don't know how else we're going to come up with $20 million to put broadband in the county.''The county is placing the broadband study on its website: " target="_blank">www.co.ym.mn.gov/
Fernando Alonso says he will look into Renault's plans for 2018 before deciding whether to stay at McLaren next year.

Some believe the Spaniard actively pushed for the British team to dump Honda, and that he will therefore definitely now sign up for 2018.

"You don't do engine deals solely by listening to drivers," McLaren executive Zak Brown scoffed when asked about that by Finnish broadcaster C More.

"Fernando is a part of our team and so his opinion is important, but this decision was made for the good of McLaren," he added.

However, Alonso was seen in Singapore smiling and shaking hands with Brown immediately after the Honda axe was announced.

"I just said hello to him, because I hadn't seen Zak until today," Alonso insisted in Singapore.

"I think if McLaren decided that it's time to part with Honda and go to Renault, they must have important information about next season," he added.

"I hope this will bring McLaren back to the positions that we think it deserves, but for now I do not have full information.

"I learned the same news as you did today," Alonso said on Friday.

"Now for me the main thing is this weekend in Singapore, and after that I will try to learn more about the project, about the Renault engine and the expectations for next season.

"After analysing, I will make a decision," he revealed.

(GMM)
HIGH POINT  The final suspect wanted in a fatal Aug. 31 shooting death has been arrested.

Devonte Markell Flowers, of Winston-Salem, was found early Saturday morning by Winston-Salem police. He is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Maurice Suggs, 26, of High Point. Two other men, Tremaine Durham, 31, also of High Point, and Altariq Cole, 31, of Newark, New Jersey, were also shot.

Police said Flowers, Wayland M. Smith, 22, and Unique A. McQueen, 21, went to 205 Paramount St. with the intention of stealing money and drugs. Police have said one of them pulled out a handgun and demanded money and drugs.

McQueen was arrested Sept. 1 and Smith turned himself in Sept. 2.

Cole was arrested Sept. 7 after being released from the hospital.

All four are being held at the Guilford County jail without bail.
What a wasted opportunity.

Its been nearly two years since the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act was passed, and for almost that long, North Carolinas education leaders have talked about taking advantage of the welcome new flexibility to reduce over-emphasis on high-stakes testing.

This was a chance, they said, to come up with fresh ideas and find alternatives to more and more standardized testing, and all that means for how teachers teach and students learn.

When he was running for election last fall, Mark Johnson, now the state superintendent, made too much testing a campaign issue and said the state should take advantage of this opportunity to scale back and try something else.

But when the time came for the State Board of Education to come up with its plan for evaluating public schools to comply with ESSA, innovation was absent without an excuse.

How students do on standardized tests will still be the main way North Carolina evaluates its schools. Bill Cobey, the state board chairman, has said the board had little choice.

The problem, it seems is that state legislators are in love with a system under which schools get letter grades of A through F based mostly on how many of their students pass the state exams.

They are so enamored of the system that they overrode Gov. Roy Coopers veto to pass a law dictating what should be in the states ESSA plan.

The lawmakers wanted to keep that A-F grading system, so, instead of coming up with a more innovative approach themselves, or allowing the state board to do so, they tweaked the grading system to comply with ESSA standards.

The over-emphasis on testing dates to the No Child Left Behind Act, which preceded ESSA. No Child Left Behind, had punishments for schools that didnt manage to raise test scores. In extreme cases, schools could be closed.

ESSA wisely gets rid of the punishments.

ESSA still requires standardized tests, but it says that states also can use other factors to evaluate schools and individual students. Thats a sensible approach.

Used in moderation, standardized testing is one good way to see how a student is doing and determine areas where she might need extra help. When too much depends only on test scores, however, testing can become an obstacle to learning.

Time that could be used for creative teaching and opportunities that might make children love learning is eaten up by teaching to the test, practice tests and retests. Sometimes, children who need the most individual attention instead are subjected to the most standardized pressure.

And while it can be useful in assessing individuals, standardized testing is less effective in evaluating individual teachers or entire schools. Advocates argue that grading schools based on test scores lets parents know which schools are good or bad, but it also can make sure that schools that are struggling will not improve.

Too often, schools with low grades enroll high proportions of students who live in poverty and face the additional challenges and complications that come with it. Branding them as failing schools penalizes and stigmatizes, even if teachers and administrators are making their very best efforts.

Parents with the means to do so might send their children elsewhere. The type of experienced and effective teachers those schools need most might avoid working there.

And those schools could end up with even fewer resources.

But that may be exactly what legislators who push for more charter schools and private-school vouchers want. Its a way of sacrificing the futures of our most disadvantaged children to push a political agenda.

The new federal law gave the states leaders an opportunity to be innovative in devising ways to evaluate and improve public schools.

Too bad they didnt take advantage of it.
If you have been the victim of a disaster such as a fire, tornado, or the recent Hurricanes Harvey or Irma, you know that the last thing on your mind is how it will affect your taxes. Unfortunately, if you forget to take timely action on your taxes, your misery could be compounded. Depending on the severity of the disaster, the Internal Revenue Service may help, but you had better make sure you're on solid ground (pun intended).

Should disaster strike near tax time, you can ask for an automatic six-month extension by filing Form 4868 by April 15th and paying your estimated taxes at that time. Otherwise, you run the risk of late filing or late payment penalties.

Late Filing Penalties

The late filing penalty is 5% of the unpaid taxes for every month your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%. If you file more than sixty days after the due date, the minimum penalty is $205 or 100% of your unpaid tax bill. Late payment penalties are similar except that they accrue at 0.5% per month instead of 5%.

Do not just take a chance on IRS mercy without making any significant effort. The IRS may waive penalties for late filing and late payment with proper documentation, but filing a Form 4898 can buy you valuable time to recover any necessary tax information that was lost.

Disaster Assistance Resources

Fortunately, the IRS has several webpages to help you in case of a disaster. The Disaster Assistance page contains a useful series of links to disaster assistance resources, including Topic 515  Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss and the Disaster Resource Guide.

In cases where the President has declared a particular region as a disaster area, the IRS may allow for delays of various tax-related deadlines. The most recent information will be covered on the IRS page "Tax Relief in Disaster Situations." Relief varies according to the disaster and those affected, but examples include waiving fees and expediting requests for previous tax returns, extensions on tax payments and filing dates, and extensions for business-related transactions like failure-to-deposit penalties for employment taxes.

For example, it was recently announced that victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma with tax deadlines falling on or after August 23, 2017, and before January 31, 2018, are granted additional time to file through January 31, 2018. In addition, all workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization also qualify for relief.

Another byproduct of a federal disaster declaration is that you can choose to deduct your casualty losses from the disaster in the tax year that immediately precedes it. You can submit an amended return Form 1040X to make your claim. This should be submitted by the due date of the return in the year that the loss actually occurred  for example, a loss that occurred in September of 2017 could be applied to the 2016 tax year as long as the amended form is filed by the due date for 2017 taxes (April 17th, 2018). This allows you to apply the loss where it can save the most on taxes.

It will take time to determine casualty losses, since you will need to reconstruct records, assess values of the losses, and calculate the difference between the determined value and insurance payments (you can only deduct un-reimbursed losses). Use IRS Form 4684, "Casualties and Thefts," to calculate the losses, and then transfer those to the appropriate form for itemizing those losses. IRS Publication 547, "Casualties, Losses, and Thefts," provides more detailed information on claiming your losses. The IRS has announced a streamlined process for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma to take out loans and hardship distributions from their 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored retirement plans.

In the 2017 tax reform discussion, there have been proposals to abolish casualty loss deductions. If these plans are passed into law and you fall victim to any future disasters, you may not be able to get any tax relief, so it is important to reassess your insurance coverage. Most homeowners and renters insurance policies don't cover flood damages, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers flood insurance through its National Flood Insurance Program.

The IRS understands that disasters may make it difficult to file and pay your taxes on time; therefore, they offer as much assistance as possible via their website. Use all of the information that is available to you, and do not just assume that your tax problems will take care of itself. Take proactive action to file for any necessary and allowed delays, and your taxes need not be added to your list of problems.

File Simple Federal Returns for FREE.
Asus has launched the Zenfone V in the US, and that might be the Zenfone 5 in Apple-speak, but here it's [vee] for Verizon. The carrier-exclusive smartphone isn't a rebadged version of an existing one, but rather a new device with a model name V520KL.

The Zenfone V is built around a 5.2-inch FullHD AMOLED display - Asus doesn't make all that many phones with AMOLEDs. Even fewer have the Snapdragon 820 at the helm, just the Zenfone 3 Deluxe, and now this Zenfone V. Probably that's where the primary camera comes from too - a 23MP unit with an f/2.0 aperture lens and OIS.

Key specs include 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, which is expandable via microSD, and an 8MP front-facing camera. Battery capacity is 3,000mAh and the phone supports PowerDelivery 2.0 via USB-C.

The phone is only listed on Asus' website for now, Verizon is still quiet on the matter. Hence there's no info on pricing and availability.

Source




Haiti - Economy : Things will change in Port-au-Prince in terms of taxation





Through a partnership with Greenfield Advisors, an international US company with more than 40 years experience in real estate valuation and evaluation of property tax assessment programs, the City of Port-au-Prince will finally be able to collect property taxes and provide basic services to its citizens.



Under the new partnership, the city of Port-au-Prince will receive updated technology and support that will allow city officials to recreate its property database, mail property tax bills, and collect payments in an efficient manner. Greenfield Advisors staff will provide technical support, data collection, and management services.



Ralph Youri Chevry, Port-au-Prince Mayor,, plans to use the additional revenue to upgrade the citys infrastructure, schools, and trash collection services for the 2.5 million residents.



The partnership will utilize the skills of the Greenfield Advisors team, plus other strategic partners experienced in providing software and technical support to cities desiring to upgrade their tax collection infrastructure.



"Haiti has seen its share of obstacles over the years, but Mayor Chevry has a great vision for his city," said Greenfield Advisors Vice Chairman and Co-Managing Director Dr. Clifford Lipscomb. "He is personally invested in making sure that the City of Port-au-Prince regains its status as a center of business and commerce in the Caribbean. We are looking forward to helping the Mayor and his staff realize their dreams for Port-au-Prince."



Once additional staff is in place in both the U.S. and Haiti, officials will send out tax bills this fall to begin the collection process. Its a big first step in raising the money the city needs to improve its infrastructure and provide needed services.



"This will be a process that will take some time," Mayor Chevry said. "But we are excited about what the future holds for our wonderful city, and we see ourselves as an international destination for visitors from all over the world."



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





44,000 Haitians arrived in Chile in 7 months

For some time Chile has become a new destination for Haitians in search of a better life. According to the figures provided by the Chilean authorities, for the period between January and July 2017, no less than 44,000 Haitians arrived in Chile https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21970-haiti-flash-equivalence-of-haitian-studies-in-chile.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21900-haiti-social-more-than-85-000-haitians-have-migrated-to-brazil-chile-and-argentina.html



Border reconnaissance operation

Michel-Ange Gedeon, the Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), accompanied by his counterpart of the Minustah and the Border Police Officer, went to the border of Belladere for an assessment of the PNH facilities and needs for the upcoming installation of the new Special Border Police Unit https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21946-haiti-security-new-special-border-police-unit.html



Spectacular and sudden floods

Friday night, spectacular and sudden floods occurred in several areas in Milot and Grande-Riviere du Nord where it rained for several hours. Several families had to seek refuge with relatives. The mayors of the two communes and the Civil Protection agents are at work. At Milot, a tree fell on a tap-tap without making a victim.



President Moise invites the country to dream

On Thursday, at the invitation of President Jovenel Moise, there was an important meeting at the National Palace around the financing of political parties https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22119-haiti-politics-jovenel-moise-met-political-parties.html during which the Head of State declared "I invite the country to dream with me of a Haiti in which the citizens participate in large numbers in the management of the public thing..."



CSPJ : 36 candidates for the CEP

The Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) received 36 candidacies of personalities who wish to represent it at the Permanent Electoral Council. Among the participants are 8 women, confirmed Samuel Beaucicaut, Communications Manager of the CSPJ.



The Minister of Justice receives two Chilean officials

On Friday, Heidi Fortune, the Minister of Justice received the visit of two Chilean officials, Patricio Utreras and Manuel Valderrama (an important member of the Supreme Court of Chile) to discuss issues of cooperation between the two countries.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















HELP STOP THE GIVEAWAY OF HAWAIIAN CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDS TO THE CNHA

From FreeHawaii.Blogspot.com, September 15, 2017

Parent Of A Student At A Hawaiian Charter School?

Click HERE To Fill Out A Short Form Letter To OPPOSE OHAs Shameful Giving Of $1.5 Million Of Hawaiian Charter School Monies To The Council For Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Please Attend The Next Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Board Meeting On Thursday, September 21st At 10 AM At OHA Headquarters - 560 Nimitz Hwy, Suite 200, Honolulu 96817

* * * * *

* * * * *

ALERT! - OHA GIVING CNHA $1.5 MILLION TO CONTROL CHARTER SCHOOLS

Please forward this to all Hawaiians and our supporters.

We wish to bring to your attention a very disturbing and appalling action by the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs that has just now come to public light.

OHAs administration is giving the Council For Native Hawaiian Advancement $1.5 million dollars of Hawaiian Beneficiary money.

These funds are normally an annual grant given as a funding supplement to Hawai`is charter schools which regularly experience a shortfall in state funding.

By OHA giving the Council For Native Hawaiian Advancement this grant instead, it will allow the CNHA to weaponize these funds and control which, if any schools will receive even a portion of these monies.

Reliable sources call this blatant move by the CNHA and OHA an attempt to control through threat of withholding funds, those Hawaiian charter schools which have been vocal in support of protecting Mauna Kea as well as teaching about Independence rather than supporting US federal recognition and Na`i Aupuni.

It is no secret that for some time most charter school students have taken positions that are in direct opposition to those of the CNHA.

Sources also reveal that the majority of OHA trustees have been kept completely in the dark about plans to award these funds to the CNHA.

Sources report that three members of the old guard trustees - Colette Machado, Robert Lindsey and Dan Ahuna have been privately aware of this plan in varying degrees for several months.

* * * * *

ALERT! - CNHA TO POCKET $225,000 IN $1.5 MILLION HAWAIIAN CHARTER SCHOOL SCHEME

Please forward this to all Hawaiians and our supporters.

Mahalo to everyone who has taken the time to express your outrage to the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs over their plans to give the Council For Native Hawaiian Advancement $1.5 million dollars earmarked for Hawai`is charter schools.

Without officially notifying the trustees ahead of time, OHAs administration decided to award the CNHA a contract to be a middleman in the disbursement of these funds.

Many of the affected charter schools have strongly objected to this CNHA contract, pointing out that not only does the CNHA have no expertise whatsoever in charter school education, their mission is political rather than educational .

The CNHA does NOT have the background and track record to justify awarding them such a large amount of funds that are earmarked for Hawaiian education .

The CNHA has never even bothered to build rapport and trust with Hawaiian charter schools and the families of those students who attend.

When asked recently by OHA trustees how much money the CNHA would keep out of the grant as administration fees, CNHA president Michelle Kauhane stated about 15%.

Stop and think about that for a minute - a fee of 15% is $225,000 - almost a quarter of a million dollars will be pocketed by the CNHA !

CNHA leadership will not think twice about depriving Hawai`i charter schools of $225,000 badly needed dollars .

Why? Because The CNHAs mission is simple - secure funding to force US federal recognition on Hawaiians in any way they can. We ask you to contact OHAs administration and trustees to express your outrage at the CNHAs cynical ploy to profit from Hawai`is charter school students .

Demand that OHA either select an organization that works closely with Hawaiian charter schools or give the funds directly to the schools.

Please contact OHA today -

Collette Machado - colettem@oha.org - (808) 594-1837

Bob Lindsey - robertl@oha.org - (808) 594-1855

Peter Apo - petera@oha.org - (808) 594-1854

John Waihe`e Jr. - crayna@oha.org (808) 594-1876

Rowena Akana - rowenaa@oha.org (808) 594-1860

Keli`i Akina - TrusteeAkina@oha.org (808) 594-1976

Carmen Hulu Lindsey - hulul@oha.org (808) 594-1858

Dan Ahuna - dana@oha.org (808) 594-1751

Lei Ahu Isa - leia@oha.org (808) 594-1857

Kamana'opono Crabbe - kamanaoc@oha.org

OHA Headquarters - (808) 594-1835

Mahalo.

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The leaders of the six largest cities have previously expressed their reservations especially about the regional government reform, arguing that the reform fails to take into account the role of urban areas as drivers of growth and the global megatrend of urbanisation, Lauri Lyly (SDP), the Mayor of Tampere, reminds in an interview with Uusi Suomi.

Finlands largest cities are set to join forces to protect their interests in the face of the social, health care and regional government reform pursued by the government of Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre).

We want to do our part and see if theres anything else that could be done besides whats being planned or if something could be done differently, he says.

Six largest cities make up almost a third of population: Finlands 21 largest cities are home to 52% (2.9m) of the countrys population.

The six largest cities are home to roughly 1.75 million people or 31% of the population.

Finland had a total population of 5,508,714 at the end of July, according to preliminary data released by Statistics Finland.

Jan Vapaavuori (NCP), the Mayor of Helsinki, revealed to Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday that the six largest cities are eager to increase their leverage and have invited the next 15 most populous cities to regularly discuss means to promote the interests of urban areas in Finland.

Theres talk about the growing role of cities all around the world. Its odd that in Finland cities dont have a joint forum, he stated to the newspaper, also revealing that the forum has been named as C21.

The current government doesnt really understand where the world is headed, he slammed.

The Finnish government has agreed to transfer a wide variety of services onto the shoulders of the 18 autonomous counties that are to be established as part of the regional government reform on 1 January, 2020. The establishment of a stronger system of regional governance has been a key objective for the Centre Party.

Minister of Agriculture and the Environment Kimmo Tiilikainen (Centre), for example, has stated that he does not want to be part of promoting urbanisation, highlights Helsingin Sanomat.

The first regional elections are currently scheduled for October, 2018.

Finlands six largest cities  Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa, Oulu and Turku  in June issued a letter urging the government to re-consider the social, health care and regional government reform. Counties, they argued, should only be made responsible for organising social and health care services but not, for example, employment and business development services.

The cities view that autonomous regional governments are justified only to implement the social and health care reform, says Lyly.

The current reform bill, however, would make the counties responsible for organising most of the services currently provided by business development agencies, the Employment and Economic Development Offices (TE Offices), and the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres).

Lyly believes the distribution of responsibilities between municipalities and counties should be reviewed carefully.

Issues related to education, growth and industrial policy [] should fall within the responsibilities of municipalities, he argues. Were prepared to have the counties organise social and health care services, but we should also think about what other [responsibilities] they should have, what cities and municipalities cant perform.

He reminds that urbanisation is a very natural trend, as people want to live near jobs and services. This is a contemporary trend. This is the cause of urbanisation also in Finland.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Martti Kainulainen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
A takeaway worker who threw a container full of curry at a patrol vehicle was angry because he believed a customer had thrown it at him.

Hui Trinh (27) had come out of the takeaway after he heard a commotion outside.

A court heard that youths had thrown eggs at a customer's car. Trinh had come out to help, but matters had gone awry.

Judge Bernadette Owens struck out the case, after Trinh paid 50 to clean the garda van and donated 100 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.

The defendant, of Kilmahuddrick Walk in Clondalkin, admitted before Tallaght District Court to criminal damage and threatening and abusive behaviour. The incident took place at Kiltalown Way in Tallaght on June 13.

Sergeant Eithne Madden said gardai were on mobile patrol at 7.35pm when they saw a crowd gathered outside a takeaway.

Sgt Madden said a female customer was upset, claiming that youths had thrown eggs at her car, and her daughter had also been hit.

The officer said the woman threw a container of curry toward the door of the takeaway, just as Trinh came out to see what was going on.

Shouting

The sergeant said Trinh thought the food had been thrown at him. He picked it up and threw it back, but it hit the garda patrol van.

He also thought that the woman had called him names, and he reacted badly. The vehicle had to be professionally cleaned, which cost 50.

The court heard Trinh had never been in trouble before.

Defence solicitor Michael Hennessy said that the incident outside the takeaway had absolutely nothing to do with the defendant, who was working and minding his own business.

Mr Hennessy said Trinh had heard shouting and had gone outside to see if he could help.

He thought that the woman had thrown food at him, and he reacted angrily, the solicitor said.

The court heard that Trinh is originally from Vietnam but is an Irish citizen.

Mr Hennessy asked the judge to leave Trinh without a conviction, saying he hopes to travel to Australia before Christmas.

Judge Owens said that in the circumstances she would strike out the charges if a donation was made to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
A young man accused of assaulting another man at a Dublin pub has been sent forward for trial.

Eoin McKinley (21) was served with the book of evidence when he appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court.

The accused, of Whitestown Avenue in Blanchardstown, is charged with seriously assaulting another man at Wetherspoons, in the West End in Blanchardstown.

The assault allegedly took place on May 30 of last year, the court heard.

A State solicitor said that the book of evidence was ready and it had been served on the accused.

Mr McKinley goes forward to the next sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge David McHugh gave Mr McKinley the formal alibi warning, telling him he had 14 days to provide to the State the details of anyone he proposed calling as a witness.

Interview

The judge also ordered that a video copy of an interview, which gardai conducted with the accused, be furnished to his legal team.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming applied for free legal aid, saying Mr McKinley is a warehouse operative and is only earning the minimum wage.

Mr Fleming also said that the accused man does not have any children, but his partner is currently pregnant with their first child.

Judge McHugh assigned Mr Fleming and one junior counsel on free legal aid.

Mr McKinley has not yet indicated how he is pleading to the charge.

The court heard that there was no objection to Mr McKinley going for trial on the same bail terms.

The judge remanded the accused on bail and he is to appear before Court 5 in the Criminal Courts of Justice on a date in October.
In this aerial image made from video, forensic officers work at the Parsons Green Underground Station after an explosion. A reported explosion at a train station sent commuters stampeding in panic, injuring several people at the height of London's morning rush hour, and police said they were investigating it as a terrorist attack. Photo: AP

Hundreds of British police embarked on a massive manhunt to find out who placed a homemade bomb on a packed London subway train during the morning rush hour.

An Irish person was among the 29 people injured in the explosion - labelled a terrorist attack by police, the fifth this year. Experts said London may have escaped far worse carnage because it appeared that the bomb only partially exploded.

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"Clearly, this was a device that was intended to cause significant harm," British Prime Minister Theresa May said after chairing a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee.

Witnesses described seeing a "wall of fire" as the bomb - hidden in a plastic bucket inside a supermarket freezer bag - went off about 8.20am, while the train was at the Parsons Green station in south-west London.

Police and health officials said none of the injured was thought to be seriously hurt.

The Metropolitan Police force said there had been no arrests so far, but hundreds of detectives, aided by intelligence agents, were looking at surveillance camera footage of the subway, carrying out forensic work and speaking to witnesses.

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Danger

It is not clear whether the device was intended to explode when it did. The site of the blast was in a leafy, affluent part of the city, not near any of London's top tourist sites. British media reported that the bomb included a timer.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said: "We can confirm one Irish person was injured in the attack."

The victim was offered consular assistance by the department but refused the offer as it was believed the injury was minor. Photos taken inside the train show a white plastic bucket inside a foil-lined shopping bag. Flames and what appear to be wires emerge from the top.

Expand Close Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @cupid5tunt of his charred hair after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train. Photo: PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @cupid5tunt of his charred hair after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train. Photo: PA Wire

Terrorism analyst Magnus Ranstorp of the Swedish Defence University said that, from the pictures, it appeared the bomb did not fully detonate, as much of the device and its casing remained intact.

"They were really lucky with this one. It could have really become much worse," he said.

Police were alerted when commuters reported a noise and a flash on the District Line train. Commuter Lauren Hubbard was on the train when she heard a loud bang.

"I looked around and this wall of fire was just coming towards us. You just run," said Hubbard, who fled the above-ground station with her boyfriend. Others described "absolute chaos" as hundreds rushed to flee the danger.

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"I ended up squashed on the staircase. People were falling over, fainting, crying. There were little kids clinging on to the back of me," said Ryan Barnett (25).

Mark Rowley, head of counter-terrorism for the Metropolitan Police, said: "This was a detonation of an improvised explosive device."

He said 18 people had been injured, most with "flash burns". Health officials later said four others hurt in the bombing went to the hospital themselves.

Rowley said Britain's domestic intelligence service, MI5, was helping with the investigation, led by the police counter-terrorism unit. He gave no information about potential suspects, saying "It's very much a live investigation."

US President Donald Trump tweeted that it was another attack "by a loser terrorist," adding: "These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard."

Police declined to comment on Mr Trump's suggestion that it knew about the attacker.

Witness Chris Wildish said that he saw "out of the corner of my eye, a massive flash of flames that went up the side of the train," followed by "an acrid chemical smell".

He said many of those on board were schoolchildren, knocked around as the crowd surged away from the fireball.

Trains were suspended along a stretch of the line, and several homes evacuated as police set up a 50-metre cordon around the scene.

Destroy

London mayor Sadiq Khan said the city "utterly condemns the hideous individuals who attempt to use terror to harm us and destroy our way of life".

Mrs May said Britain's official threat level from terrorism remained at "critical," meaning an attack is highly likely.

The threat level was briefly raised to critical, meaning an attack may be imminent, after the May 22 suicide bombing at Manchester Arena killed 22 people.

Yesterday's attack is the fourth in London this year, after deadly vehicle attacks near Parliament, on London Bridge and near a mosque in north London.

British authorities say they have foiled 19 plots since the middle of 2013, six of them since a van and knife attack on Westminster Bridge and Parliament in March, which killed five people.
Former Newstalk presenter Sile Seoige has said she feels it was "correct" to suspend George Hook, adding it was time to stop moving female hosts to "graveyard" slots for reasons "unrelated to talent".

The Galway presenter said that while she "didn't agree with a George Hook witch-hunt", Hook's controversial rape comments were "ignorant, irresponsible and damaging".

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It was announced yesterday that Hook had been suspended by Newstalk as the fallout from his controversial on-air comments about a rape case in the UK continued.

Suspended

Mr Hook's remarks on his show on Friday of last week were made while he discussed the case of a woman (19), who alleges she was raped by a former member of the British swim team.

"Newstalk can confirm that George Hook has been suspended from his duties at the station," a statement read yesterday morning.

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Speaking on social media yesterday, Ms Seoige said: "As a broadcaster, he should know better and today Newstalk finally made the correct decision to take him off the air for now."

However, Ms Seoige said there was "another issue for Newstalk" following the controversy.

"Female slots are few and far between with the majority being given weekend slots over mid-week, as I was," she said.

"Many of those over the years have been either swapped to a graveyard slot over time or given the door for reasons unrelated to talent," she said.

She added: "When my Saturday show wrapped up, I was up another 10,000 listeners in the JNLR results."

Another former Newstalk broadcaster, Sarah Carey, has said that the controversy surrounding Hook was "foreseeable". Speaking on RTE's Sean O'Rourke show, Ms Carey said that George Hook's controversial comments were "foreseeable, inevitable and manageable".

"I was so happy working (at Newstalk) for six years. My colleagues were smart and funny and brilliant. In relation to this particular crisis, I think it was foreseeable and it was inevitable and I think it was manageable," she said.

Opinion

"There was an article on the foot of the Kevin Myers incident, because we were hearing a month ago a similar thing.

"It was making the point that when you make controversial opinion, then this is an inevitable business risk.

"If you live by the sword, you die by the sword."

Ms Carey said she believed Hook's lawyers would have defended him by saying 'Well this is what you asked me to do. You asked me to be controversial'.

"Then you get controversy and if you justify that on commercial grounds and then the sponsors start pulling the sponsorship, you lose your sponsorship," she said.

On Monday, the Dalata Hotel Group withdrew its sponsorship from Newstalk as it could not "support any radio station that allows inappropriate and hurtful comments to be made".

The sponsorship for High Noon was believed to be worth up to around 250,000.

A number of complaints have been made to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland regarding Mr Hook's comments, including one which was received from the Women's Council of Ireland.

During the week, Pat Kenny defended his Newstalk colleague.

He said: "I listened to his [Hook's] apology and he meant it. He is genuinely contrite. He is devastated by this. He realises what he said didn't come out right and accepts that some people were hurt."
Tesco Ireland has been strongly criticised by the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) for its treatment of a staff member who was racially abused by a store manager.

"Do you think a black will have access to the high-value speciality cigarette room?" the employee was asked by a manager.

The EAT awarded Nicolas Alayi 24,000 after finding that he was constructively dismissed by Tesco under the Unfair Dismissals Act.

In a hard-hitting determination, the EAT found the lack of action by Tesco over the incident on May 23, 2014, between Mr Alayi and the store manager, was "inexplicable".

The EAT said "even more extraordinary" was Tesco's proposal that Mr Alayi "move to a different store, rather than moving the manager to a different store".

The EAT also found the company took no action to ensure the store manager apologised to Mr Alayi.

The flashpoint in the case arose when the manager, referred to as DMcE in the EAT report, was alleged to have said to Mr Alayi: "Do you think a black will have access to the high-value speciality cigarette room?"

Shouting

Mr Alayi - who had worked for Tesco since 2007 - said that DMcE was shouting at him not to let anyone near the cigarette room.

The EAT said DMcE subjected Mr Alayi "to an unprovoked and aggressive verbal outburst".

Mr Alayi lodged a grievance concerning DMcE's treatment of him and during the investigation, DMcE admitted including the phrase "would you let a black stranger into that room?" when addressing Mr Alayi.

The group's personnel manager, AM, carried out an investigation and found that DMcE did make "inappropriate" comments. However, AM could not substantiate if the comments were made with racial intent. She recommended that DMcE apologise to Mr Alayi.

Mr Alayi was unhappy with the findings and appealed his grievance internally.

Mr Alayi said that Tesco had offered him an alternative role in another store, but he felt he could not return to work while DMcE continued to work in the store.

He said that DMcE never apologised, which had been twice recommended by Tesco.

Mr Alayi resigned from his job in January 2015.

The tribunal found that Tesco's failure to follow through on its own finding of an inappropriate comment, and the manager's and Tesco's subsequent conduct, justified Mr Alayi in believing that he had been constructively dismissed.
BRISTOL, Tenn.  The student body at Avoca Elementary School jumped to its feet and cheered when five members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Unit 702 and one Air Force airman entered the school gym Friday.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Dickson, Sgt. Matthew Horton, Sgt. Derek Tyson, Sgt. Thomas Hutchinson and Spec. 4 Christian Neurenberg returned from Romania on Wednesday, and Air Force Airman Austin Hoyle, who was home on leave, went to the school to help kick off the Accelerated Reader program. The program was designed to encourage kids to read by giving them points for each book.

School librarian Sarah Cross added extra incentives to this years program  which the uniformed clad soldiers displayed.

Boys and girls have the chance to earn prizes, including a Lego set, a kite, a remote control helicopter for the boys, a camo Kavu wallet, a Kavu backpack and an Astronaut Barbie, among other prizes.

The men also taught the kids how to salute and come to attention.

Sgt. Matthew Horton said he enjoyed helping out the school.

Its a good cause for the kids, he said. Reading is important, and were here to do whatever we can to help.

Avoca Elementary Principal Vonda Beavers said having members of the Armed Forces at the school is important for a number of reasons.

Having soldiers at the school teaches our students to celebrate the men and women who keep us safe, she said. And having them promote reading speaks volumes about the skills the kids need to have to be successful. Were thankful that these men  who have just returned home  took the time to serve our students.
ABINGDON, Va.A Bristol, Tennessee man was arrested Friday after a stabbing was reported at the Washington County Fair.

Christopher Edwards, 19, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding and misdemeanor assault.

Officers were called to the fairgrounds around 4 p.m., according to Washington County Sheriffs Office Maj. Byron Ashbrook. Edwards and a 17-year-old teenager, who wasnt identified, got into an altercation. Ashbrook said Edwards appears to have produced a knife and stabbed the teen.

Deputies and the police chief from Virginia Highlands Community College responded and broke up the fight, Ashbrook said.

The 17-year-old, who was stabbed in the side, was taken to Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon for treatment. Edwards was taken to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon, where hes being held without bail pending arraignment.

Ashbrook said deputies have been providing security throughout the fair, which continues today. He said Fridays altercation resulted in what was likely the first stabbing ever reported at the fair.

The stabbing coincidentally occurred near the fairs first aid station, Ashbrook noted.
ABINGDON, Va.  Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe handed out checks for community development projects Friday to representatives from seven Southwest Virginia communities.

McAuliffe made the grant announcement at Heartwood in Abingdon. More than $8.8 million in Community Development Block Grant funding for 15 projects in Virginia has been distributed. About half of the grants were distributed to Southwest Virginia communities.

The funding will support projects that improve health care access, water and sewer infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public safety and housing rehabilitation.

Washington County officials received a $362,500 grant for the second phase of the Hidden Valley water project. The grant will provide water for about 66 customers in an area of high altitude that made it difficult to serve, according to Robbie Cornett, director of the Washington County Service Authority.

With the funding, Cornett expects Hidden Valley customers to have clean water in about 18 months.

The county Board of Supervisors and Service Authority have been working to bring water to Hidden Valley since 2009, Cornett said. Ken Taylor, a Service Authority board member who represents the community, said its been his primary goal to bring water to the residents.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Randy Pennington said its the goal of both boards to provide water for every resident in the county.

Wise County received a $750,000 grant for the Tacoma sewer project and Lee County received a $575,000 grant for the second phase of the Frog Level water project. Buchanan County was granted $762,500 for the Swan Fork water line extension.

The city of Norton received $700,000 for business district revitalization, while the town of Pulaski and city of Galax also received revitalization funds.

The CDBG program is an essential resource to assist localities across the commonwealth with their community development efforts by investing in projects that provide long-term security for low- to moderate-income Virginians, McAuliffe said in prepared remarks.

The grants ensure that Virginia communities have basic infrastructure and service necessary for citizens and businesses to succeed as the state bolsters its economy, McAuliffe said. The governor touted the states low unemployment rate and creation of jobs.

Later in the evening, McAuliffe introduced U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Lamar Alexander during the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. During the grant announcement in Abingdon, McAuliffe said hes proud that Bristol, Virginia, has been recognized as the birthplace of country music. When traveling around the globe on economic trips, he said he regularly tells people about the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the Crooked Road, the states music trail.

McAuliffe also ribbed Tennessee during the Abingdon event, saying Virginia is the real birthplace of country music, and Tennessee has fraudulently made the same claim.
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.  It was 1945.

IF YOU WANT TO GO:  Tours: Today and Sunday, 2-6 p.m.; $10 per person/$20 for family of four;  Rides: Today and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $425 per waist compartment seat, $850 for bombardier/navigator seats.  Flights can be booked online by visiting: www.azcaf.org/location/bristol-johnson-kingsport-tn-tour-stop .

The United States had spent more than three years in combat, with soldiers fighting and dying in Europe. On the home front, civilians built military hardware, including 13,000 Boeing B-17 bomber planes.

One of those planes was the Sentimental Journey, a B-17G Flying Fortress, which took its maiden flight through war zones.

On Friday, the plane made yet another flight, this time at Tri-Cities Aviation as part of the Flying Legends of Victory tour put on by the Commemorative Air Force, based out of Arizona.

The stop in the Mountain Empire is part of a nationwide tour for the 72-year-old plane, offering the opportunity to educate younger generations about military aviation as well as remembering the veterans who fought and died in B-17 bombers.

It was a sentimental journey for area veterans who had the opportunity to take a step back in time and ride high above the skies of Sullivan County aboard the vintage B-17.

With its four powerful, rumbling engines, an interior filled with original decor, mounted but nonfunctional machine guns and a series of breathtaking aerial vantage points, the Sentimental Journey has a different meaning for Johnson City, Tennessee, veteran Ronnie Roberts.

My father-in-law was from Lithuania and came to the United States during the war, Roberts said. This is something that also has a lot of history, and as a veteran, Im honored to be going up in the plane.

The plane will be on display at Tri-Cities Aviation through Sunday, and the public can also get an inside look to learn more about its history and military experience.

While Louie Heaton, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, may not be a veteran, he is a fan of aviation history. That love of planes brought him to Blountville on Friday to witness the Sentimental Journey.

Getting to experience this has been on my bucket list, Heaton said. My dad was in World War II and saw these planes land in Greenland during that time.

Getting the Sentimental Journey ready to fly takes a lot of manpower, and its all done by volunteer staff members with aviation experience.

Every time you start the plane up, the hairs on the back of your neck come up, said co-pilot Fred DeWitt. Ive been doing this for 24 years, and the best part of the entire thing is being able to meet those veterans and hear their stories. We do this for them.

Crew members spent an hour inspecting the plane, fueling up and checking all mechanisms before taking off.

DeWitt said while the B-17 is big, loud and slow  its exciting to get to co-pilot because it truly takes people back in time.

I had a veteran one time that touched the ladder and started crying, DeWitt said. This is a sentimental journey, and to see their faces light up with excitement  there are no other words.
Comings & goings: Health bar, candle shop, fishing charter website

A health bar and candle-making shop will cut their ribbons in the next few weeks while a charter fishing company launches its website.
A makeshift explosive device detonated early Friday on a packed rush-hour commuter train in London, injuring at least 22 people in what police say was a terrorist attack. Emergency workers said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

Police descended on the Parsons Green underground subway station after commuters reported an explosion and a fire, causing panic and disrupting service. The blast was the fifth major terrorist attack in Britain this year.

British Prime Minister Theresa May called the West London attack "cowardly" and urged London residents to go about their normal routines, although she said," The threat level remains at severe."

May admonished U.S. President Donald Trump for his criticism of Britain's approach to terrorism. Trump tweeted, "Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!," Trump wrote without elaborating.

May responded to the tweet, telling the BBC, "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation."

President Donald Trump described the attack as a "very, very terrible thing" Friday and told reporters he would be soon speaking to May about the incident.


HICKORY  The Rev. Wil Posey, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church in Hickory, is hoping to bring an important social issue that we often dont like to talk about into an open forum. Together with other ministers and counselors in town, he will be hosting a two-day workshop on suicide.

Normally when someone dies, we bring a casserole to the family, Posey said. But if a loved one commits suicide we feel weird. With the stigma of a suicide we dont know what to do.

Posey said it is often a tangle of hurt and depression that brings someone to a place where they feel they have no way out but to take their own life. He adds that many people know someone who has become suicidal.

Another host for this event is Todd Byrd of the Cornerstone Counseling Center.

I recently read where suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, Byrd said. Most people have no idea.

Byrd said that people get caught up in desperation, a loss of hope and a loss of social connections that create an environment where suicidal thoughts come out.

There are so many factors that push someone to the edge, he said. Unemployment. Divorce. Money. Illness. I feel it is like when someone drops a rock into a pond. First there is a splash. Then there are ripples. The person that took their life is gone. But what we dont realize is the effects suicide carries down for generations.

Posey adds, I hope we begin to create a soul-safe community where people with suicidal feelings can come in and talk and get help. And it is also for the survivors who feel the guilt of what could they have done to prevent a suicide.

Dale McDiarmid uses her farm, Gaits of Hope in the Dudley Shoals area of Caldwell County, to counsel 10-to-20-year-olds.

I use horses to help people heal their hearts, she said. But what concerns me in my work with young people is the stats show adolescent suicides are on the rise. I often work with an adolescent who talks with me about suicide. I blame the social media for some of that. You do what your peers do at that age. Some are bullied. Some are copycats. We do need more facilities in North Carolina to help kids come to terms with suicidal tendencies, but from what Ive seen most of our local hospitals are barbaric in their attitudes towards their treatment of these kids with problems. They dont know what to do.

Recently Bass Smith Funeral Home in Hickory hosted an event to address overdose awareness.

I feel we gave the community a service to grieve a lost one to opioid abuse. Its the best thing we ever did, Rosemary Bass Young, president of Bass Smith, said. Over 270 people turned out to share their memories and grief.

In some way I have come to see that people who overdose have committed an unintentional suicide, she said.

Posey agrees. There is an overlap between addictions and suicide, he said. Most of the things we are addicted to are harmful to our bodies. We know that, but we do them anyway.

Posey does not want this workshop on suicide to be sidetracked by addictions, but feels this could also be a piece of the puzzle.

The discussions and workshop for suicide begins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2, at Morning Star First Baptist Church. Community Awareness Skills Training (CAST) is open to the public and free of charge. The focus is on skills training and awareness.

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, Soul Shop for Leaders will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Corinth Reformed Church. It is geared toward local ministers, congregational leaders, counselors and those involved in public service. A $20 registration fee will be charged for this event. Participants must register in advance.

The leader for both days will be Michelle Snyder, director of the Soul Shop in Pittsburgh. She has co-authored a book on suicide and has led other workshops around the country on suicide and its potential prevention.

For more information, contact Posey at 828-322-6058 or at wil@firstumchickory.org.

Reach Al Stout at alstout@centurylink.net
Doklam reminds me of a conversation I had with the Chinese leadership comprising Ziang Zemin, Zhou Rongji and Li Peng in 2003 during a visit of the Indian parliamentary delegation to Beijing of which I was a member. In separate and almost identical conversations with us, the top three Chinese leaders at that time informed us that for 20 years Chinas sole aim was the consolidation of its economic power and during this period it did not seek confrontation on boundary disputes with any of its neighbours. As 2023 draws closer, ominous signals have appeared on the horizon and India has reason to be concerned.

The resolution of the Doklam standoff, markedly different in duration and Chinese belligerence from earlier skirmishes with our neighbour post 1962, is a tribute to Indias deft diplomacy anchored in statecraft backed by a purposive demonstration of hard power. Chinas aim of strategic ascendency in Indias neighbourhood stands thwarted. Indias steely resolve to stand by Bhutan, its friend and neighbour, will strengthen our ties with the Himalayan Kingdom and earn us respect in the comity of nations wary of Chinas expansionist reflexes in defiance of the principles and spirit of the UN Charter. In standing up to Chinas transgressions, India has validated its claim as a rising power unwilling to accept a subordinate role in the framing of an Asian power structure in a multipolar world.

A constructive India-China engagement can best rest upon a geo-economic cohabitation without forgetting the lessons of history. Our experiences with China tell us that the road to peace is through the prism of power that invites respect, if not fear. Evidently Chinas expansionist aspirations in defiance of international law and morality are at variance with our view of a transformed world in which diffusion of power, multilateralism and respect for the rule of law alone can ensure global peace and prosperity.

Chinas repeated provocations have tested Indias resolve over the past several years, provoking legitimate national sensitivities. Its proclaimed support to Pakistan on the question of the latters abetment of terrorism in India, its clandestine support to the Naga and Mizo insurgents in the North-East, untenable territorial claims in Arunachal Pradesh, opposition to Indias permanent membership of the UN Security Council and the National Suppliers Group (NSG), promotion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with adverse security implications for India, its misadventures earlier in Chunar, Depsang, Sumdorong Chu and now in the Doklam plateau are hostile acts of a neighbour. Doklam can also be seen as Chinas compulsive urge to assert power against its other vulnerable neighbours such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia et al, having acquired huge economic, political and military muscle over the years.

With the largest reserves , a favourable trade balance of $500 billion, an economy five times the size of India accounting for 22% of Indian imports, the worlds largest military force, a hard power superiority over India at least in the ratio of 1:3 and with most of the world unwilling to confront China, Indias recourse against Chinese hostility can only be to its own resources and countervailing hard power. Addressing the asymmetry of power with China is therefore, an urgent national imperative. India must ratchet up its defence preparedness and forge a coalition of democracies based on shared values of peace and non-aggression. The mutually reinforcing Special Global and Strategic Partnership between India and Japan vindicates the vision of leadership of the two countries. Viewed in the context of reversal in the power equation between Russia and China inter se, with the United States being too stretched and scathed to be a monitor of global peace, the India-Japan engagement sub-serves a critical strategic objective. The two countries must together provide the fulcrum for a broader regional coalition towards a pragmatic equation with China based on mutuality and heightened capabilities to meet hegemonistic designs of any nation in the region.

A satisfactory resolution of intensified rivalries in Asia would depend upon the balance of power . Indeed, history testifies to the fact that in relation between nations, the scales of justice lean against the weak and international morality does not prevail without the backing of power. Long ago, while Kautilya reminded us of power as the only dominant reality, Richelieu warned against risking the stability of the State through ethical restraint. Clearly, peace is the dividend of power which expands when asserted. This is the lesson of Doklam.

Ashwani Kumar is a former Union minister and special envoy to Japan.

The views expressed are personal.
A gang of 10 men allegedly cloned cards of 1,028 people, according to a 254-page charge-sheet filed by the Bandra police in a magistrate court on Friday. The police estimated that the gang had cheated people of more than Rs 1 crore.

They unearthed the biggest card cloning racket in May. The data of about 85 banks was stolen but only a few banks came forward to help the police. About 40 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered against the gang in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Palghar.

The gang withdrew a minimum of Rs 10,000 and a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh, using cloned cards, said a police officer.

The charge-sheet names eight of the gang, while the rest are wanted. These arrested men are Rizwan Mehboob Ali Sayyed, 43, from Nalasopara; Mushraf Ali Sayyed, 38, from Byculla; Vikas Sahu, 25, from Santacruz; Abdul Ansari, 27, a waiter from Pune; and Khurshid Ansari, 27, Safudin Ansari, 24, Shamim Ansari, 24, and Keshav Reddy, 23  all waiters from Andheri.

Mushraf was arrested by the BKC cyber police in a card cloning case in 2015 but was granted bail. The eight men are in judicial custody. The police said the accused had splurged the stolen money.

Paramjit Singh Dahiya, deputy commissioner ( Zone IX), said, The first information report was registered in May after a man lodged a complaint against unidentified people over card cloning .

The police first arrested Rizwan when he went to Carter road to withdraw money in June. His arrest led to the gang. The police seized eight pocket sized skimmers, one decoder and 50 re-writable cards.

The four waiters from Andheri used to steal card details of their customers who handed over their cards and passwords.

Investigating officer Bhimsen Gaikwad (sub inspector) said, The waiters also kept an eye on customers while they keyed in their passwords on the swiping machine. The waiters would hold held the palm-size skimmers below the machine to steal the data, said the police. They then transferred card details to a laptop and then the decoder. The decoder was used to clone cards.

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Kangana Ranaut today said she turned down Sultan because she did not find the role interesting enough and felt it would have been a demotion for her. Kangana was offered the role of a female wrestler opposite Salman Khan in the wrestling drama. Anushka Sharma later came on board for the film, which became a huge blockbuster.

When asked why she refused a film like Sultan, which reached a wide audience, Kangana said, Knowing todays times, Ill go for something which will stimulate my mind, otherwise, Ill be just sleep walking through the film. Sultan, at that point of time, though it was a great character for a girl to play, I didnt see anything for me in that.

The actor said the Ali Abbas Zafar-film was offered to her at a time when she had just done a highly successful and critically acclaimed double role in Tanu Weds Manu Returns. Coming from a double role space and doing so much more in my earlier films, I didnt want to demote myself to something which wasnt offering me so much. Thats why I didnt do it.

The actor was in conversation with film critic Mayank Shekhar at the Jagran Cinema Summit. There were also reports that the actor was offered Aamir Khan-Amitabh Bachchan starrer Thugs of Hindostan. Kangana, however, denied the same and said she does not even know what the script is.

The 30-year-old actor will next be seen in Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi. Directed by Krish, Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi will see Kangana in the role of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.

Kangana says every character she has played has changed her in some way and her role in the next is no different. With Jhaasi Ki Rani, there was a fearless girl who set herself on fire for a cause. There is something so amazing about her, its infectious. It makes you feel so small when you listen to her story. We are so possessive about these small achievements when people have let go of so much for a bigger cause. It does affect you. This character has shown me a side of me which I didnt know.

Her film Simran released today.
The position of the documentary has always been precarious in the annals of Indian filmmaking. Despite having documentarians of the stature of S.N.S Sastry and Anand Patwardhan, the format has always had few takers  both in terms of people who would want to produce and showcase. Consequentially, a vacuum has emerged over the years between reality and fiction which only the documentary can fill. The Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) has for more than a decade at least, tried to fill this vacuum by championing the cause of the Indian documentary. Organised by PBST, The Open Frame Festival will screen a number of documentaries over the weekend that have all been commissioned by the trust. And from the tableau on offer, one can gauge the variety and depth on offer.

The way PSBTs festival works is worth a look-in in itself. All films that are part of the festival are commissioned by the trust. All vary in terms of subject, from the extremely personal to the social, from history to the cultural, and at times even controversial. How are these ideas chosen? We often commission ideas we think the filmmaker feels very close to. We have a number of ideas ourselves, but we always want to see what a person feels about a particular subject. Unless he has clarity and vision, even technical know-how cant get a good film out of him, Rajiv Mehrotra, Managing Trustee of PSBT said. According to Mehrotra, PSBT is always open to first-timers. But that in turn increases the risk of failing. We are set up for failure, if I can put it that way. One-third of what we do, we will always fail at. But it is necessary, or well forget to push boundaries, and stay comfortably mediocre, Mehrotra adds.

Juhi Bhatts film Veil Done is about three Muslim women in Delhis Nizamuddin area who try to change their lives by going to the gym. (PSBT)

The festivals is evidence of the arrayed sense of focus Mehrotra says PSBT is always on the lookout for. While a certain filmmaker might look at the extraordinary, another may choose to turn his or her gaze towards the ordinary. An example of this would be Juhi Bhatts Veil Done which follows the story of three Muslim women from Nizammudin who try to change their lives, by going to the gym. Something as basic as going to a gym is a casual choice for me and many urban women, yet it is a struggle and a battle for many others. It is not only about women of our country, I think women struggle for freedom in varying degrees across the globe irrespective of class, religion, work spaces and social strata, Bhatt said. Veil Done embodies the importance of telling the little stories, of the little victories in a world where all we seem to be accumulating is perpetual loss.

History and its re-imagination have been on the forefront of discourse in recent times. Whether it is Tipu Sultan in school textbooks in Rajasthan or the history of Mughals in India, narratives are either being smudged or smoothened. Gouri Patwardhans In a Shadowless Town presents the city of Pune through its many heritage walks. But curiously, for Gouri, these walks have either been selective or simply ignorant of the rich Dalit Bahujan history of a city that is largely identified through Brahminical narratives. Twenty years back while working as a research assistant cum interpreter for a documentary on Dr. Ambedkar, I first visited a neighborhood in Pune with majority Dalit Bahujan population. It was then that I had to accept my own caste location. After that I started questioning Punes exclusively Brahmin image, Gouri said. Though such sanitisation may well be the case for many other places in India, Gouri believes Pune is more aggressive in its re-writing process as compared to other places. The Brahmins ruled here for years. That also might be the reason why the non-Brahmin movement started in this city. I wanted to bring out the politics behind that sanitisation process, she adds.

A still from Gouri Patwardhans film In a Shadowless Town which presents Pune through its many heritage walks. (PSBT)

There are then curious subjects like Anandana Kapurs Jasoosni which throws light on the lives of women involved in the business of intelligence gathering  detectives. Women in the business of intelligence unabashedly embrace the unusual. We also dont spontaneously associate women with adventure seeking and risk taking. Such assumptions about women inspired me to explore their world. Women detectives are almost always described in cliches as seductresses, pawns in power games and as accessories to the dapper or eccentric male investigator. The women in Jasoosni shatter these myths, Kapur said. According to Kapur, contrary to popular perception women detectives are severely critical of other women who use them for their own selfish good. That said, the most fascinating thing about these women for Kapur was the courting of physical and emotional risks. This is as much a profession of negotiating vulnerabilities as it is about power, she said.

Apart from these there are a number of other films that chart various stories, from Mamta Singhs Women of Varanasi to Kamal Swaroops ode to artist Atul Dodiya in Atul, to K R Manojs Work of Fire that tells the disturbing story of the firework production centres of Sivakasi. At once, these films are prescient for their social connotations, educational for the kind subjects they choose and at times pure joy for the little stories they want to tell. We have a partnership with our filmmakers. We dont tell them what they can or cannot do. We simply try to encourage and empower the filmmaker, Mehrotra said.

WHAT: PSBT Open Frame film festival

WHEN: 17-19 September

WHERE: India International Centre, Lodi Road

Call: 24619431

Nearest Metro Station: Khan Market

.
Most of the time, literature festivals are tedious. They are full of important people saying very important things to audiences that hang on to every word because, hey, everyone wants to come across as more-intellectual-than-thou. This must be why I spend most of my time at the big momma of litfests, the Jaipur Literature festival  Ive covered it for almost a decade now  hiding under the tables on the press terrace.

Traditional dance performed by students of the Sersang school. (Courtesy Mountain Echoes)

The Mountain Echoes Literary Festival held from August 24 to 27 in Thimphu, the capital of neighbouring Bhutan, is different. It is genteel and the audience  even the many school kids who attend -- seems to be genuinely interested in reading, in culture. This was my second time at Mountain Echoes  yes, I know, the life of a books page editor is incredibly hard  but no disease is like a surfeit of luxurious ease etcetera so I expected to feel jaded, to want to cower, away from the action, in the pretty wooden library at the Royal University of Bhutan, the venue for most of the festival events.

The Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the festivals chief patron, with Shashi Tharoor. (Courtesy Mountain Echoes)

The programme was stuffed with ridiculously eminent intellectuals, Indian authors, Bhutanese authors, international authors, a hip fashion contingent, and a famous filmi type to hold aloft the fluttering flag of Follywood. And then there were Shashi Tharoor and Padma Lakshmi, denizens of the celebrity stratosphere who blind everyone with their divine effulgence (insert sly emoji just about here). So yes, Ill admit I was assailed by the feeling that I should be home diligently working on the novel thats still stuck at useless un-impregnating-mental-spermatozoa stage after all these years.

So weary was I that by the time the welcoming drametse ngacham or the dance of the drums was done, I was ready to run off to the borderlands of Doklam to fight the Chinese army single-handed. Thankfully, just about then, the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the festivals chief patron, and Khenpo Sonam Bumdhen, a red robed monk, launched into a talk on Zhabdrung, the ruler who united Bhutan back in the 17th century. It was also the first time I heard of the Divine Madman, a fascinating personality in Bhutanese myth and religion, who ridiculed hypocrisy and social convention. I was hooked. The Divine Madman pops up so often in my conversations with Bhutanese people that, a day later, I hopped on a motorbike and rode through the mountains to Chimmi Lakhang, the lovely quiet temple to him in Punakha. But thats the subject of another piece entirely.

Padma Lakshmi and Barkha Dutt (Courtesy Mountain Echoes)

Back at the litfest, fetching young magician Neel Madhav did his thing; Barkha Dutt got into debates on feminism with clearly empowered women averse to the word; and Jerry Pinto literally swept me off my feet. I do this with everyone who asks for a picture with me, he said. Imtiaz Ali tousled his hair some more and glowered sexily at everyone; Devdutt Pattanaik looked suitably impressed on hearing that the Bhutanese hang tiny wooden phalluses outside homes to ward off the evil eye just like Indians hang lemons and chillies (Oh, the heavy symbolism thats escaped us all thus far!); Ruskin Bond exuded good cheer as he does at all times except when pesky tourists ring his doorbell in Landour in the middle of the afternoon  Off, you buggers; Mr Bond is not at home!; and Ashwin Sanghi held forth about his admirable work ethic and his great love for Scotch. Incidentally, K5, a whisky named after current monarch, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth king of Bhutan, is excellent.

Read more: About Mountain Echoes, 2016

Sometime in between all this, Padma Lakshmi wrung her hands about the paparazzi, her reputation, and her battle with endometriosis, in that order, and rather gracefully, dodged questions about Salman Rushdie. In an interview that appeared a week later, her former husband made snarky comments about her intellectual abilities. Ah, some men never get over their breakups.

Yup, most of the time, literature festivals are tedious. Surprisingly, Mountain Echoes, like the best Bhutanese spirits, only gets better. That is high praise indeed from an utterly blase litfest veteran.

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Harvard University on Friday withdrew a fellowship invitation to Chelsea Manning, the transgender U.S. Army soldier who was convicted of leaking classified data, after two top intelligence experts distanced themselves from the school over the invite.

Manning, 29, was released in May from a U.S. military prison in Kansas where she had been serving time for passing secrets to the WikiLeaks website in the biggest breach of classified data in the history of the United States.

Harvard Kennedy School of government announced Wednesday that it had invited the controversial figure to be a visiting fellow and speak at a forum.

The invitation to speak at the university still stands, said Douglas Elmendorf, the dean of Harvard Kennedy School, in a statement. "I now think that designating Chelsea Manning as a visiting fellow was a mistake, for which I accept responsibility," Elmendorf said. "I see more clearly now that many people view a visiting fellow title as an honorific, so we should weigh that consideration when offering invitations."


It is Bangkok time in India. By the time you read this, Gaggan Anand will have finished his whirlwind tour of four cities. The Suhring twins will be on the last day of their pop-up at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. And Garima Arora will be about to launch her pop-up at Masque, the Mumbai restaurant.

You know all three, I imagine. I have written about them before. Gaggan, is of course, Asias greatest chef. The Suhrings are identical German twins who first featured in Rude Food when they cooked at Lebua. I thought they were brilliant then and when they opened their own restaurant (called Suhring) in Bangkoks Sathorn district, they quickly became Bangkoks Top Table and stormed into the list of Asias Top 50 Restaurants, entering at number 13. The betting is that they will be in the Top Ten this year.

Gaa is Gaggan Anands latest restaurant in Bangkok

Garima Arora worked for several years at Noma in Copenhagen and remains a member of the extended Noma family. But she severed her formal connection with Noma and joined Gaggan as chef at his Bangkok restaurant. She was meant to be the chef at Gaggans Mumbai outpost but when that fell through, she became chef at Gaa, Gaggans latest restaurant opposite his flagship. Her food is nothing like Gaggans though. It is not particularly Indian and her focus is on ingredients.

Gaggan Anand is one of Asias hottest chefs and his restaurants are Mecca for foodies

All three restaurants have a Gaggan link. He knew the Suhring twins from the time they all worked at Lebua in the hotels glory days. When the twins set up on their own, they turned to Gaggan for help and Rajesh Kewalramani (Gaggans partner) and Gaggan invested in the project and now own half of Suhring. Gaggan and Rajesh also own Gaa and though Garimas food is even less similar to Gaggans than the Suhrings stunning take on modern European (especially German) cuisine, her restaurant is part of the Gaggan empire.

The food at Gaa is not particularly Indian

I am not sure that the timing of these visits from Bangkok was pre-planned. The Suhring pop-up has been in the works for months, Garima was due to come to Mumbai to cook later this month anyway and Gaggans mad dash through the country seems to have been launched on a sudden impulse at the last moment.

But it does tell us something about the connections between Bangkok and India. Last year, the chef from Eat Me, a very nice, if not very special, Bangkok restaurant cooked at the Mumbai Four Seasons and Gaggan, of course, took Delhi by storm (even before his place became Asia number one) over several days at the ITC Maurya five years ago.

Punjab Grill is one of Bangkoks best traditional Indian restaurants

There is reverse pollination too. One of Bangkoks best traditional Indian restaurants is Punjab Grill, run by Amit Burman and Rohit Aggarwals Lite Bite Foods. And there is history. Bangkoks Blue Elephant used to have a sister restaurant at the Delhi Lalit and one of Thailands best known chefs, Ian Kittichai, used to run Koh at the Mumbai Intercontinental. And thats excluding the pioneering role of Deepak Ohri, still the best known Indian hotelier in Thailand who opened the trendsetting rooftop restaurant Sirocco at Lebua over a dozen years ago.

Despite these links, forged over time and now solidified thanks to Gaggans restaurants, theres never been a great Thai restaurant from Bangkok that has succeeded in India. We have had good Thai chefs. The best Thai food in Delhi is served at Setz, where the chef comes from Bangkok. (She used to work for the Peninsula.)

Despite these links with Bangkok, theres never been a great Thai restaurant from Bangkok that has succeeded in India

And we have Indians who have immersed themselves in Thai culture. Ananda Solomon is Indias answer to David Thompson, the famous Australian chef. Just as Thompson became an honorary Thai after opening his influential Darley Street Thai in Australia, Solomon taught himself the language and spent months cooking in Thailand (even working at a street hawkers stall off Bangkoks Sukhumvit Road) before introducing a whole generation of Indians to Thai food at the Thai Pavilion at the President in Mumbai. Thompson went on to open the Michelin-starred Nahm in London, closed it, opened another Nahm in Bangkok and now runs a new restaurant in Singapore. Ananda Solomon will not say what he is working on post his departure from the Taj group but he spends a lot of time in Thailand these days and gossip has it that there will be new restaurants in Cochin and Mumbai. And of course, there is a connection between the two men: Thompson came to cook at the Thai Pavilion when Solomon was the chef and the two chefs remain non-Thais who have done so much for Thailand.

Twin chefs Thomas and Mathias Suhring ranked 13 on the list of Asias Top 50 Restaurants, and they may be in the top 10 this year

What I always missed, however, was the delicious food at the mall restaurants I frequent in Bangkok. While there is great street food in Bangkok and there are some very good fancy Thai restaurants in Bangkok, the city also has a flourishing mall-restaurant culture. These are sophisticated restaurants, with non-five star prices, where the food can be very good. One of them, the multi-cuisine Greyhound Cafe began as the off-shoot of a fashion label but is so successful that the fashion label has paled in comparison to such Greyhound Cafe favourites as the Elvis Burger, the Lychee Shake and the spicy Thai spaghetti. A branch is due to open in London.

My favourite mall restaurant, for the last few years, has been Nara, an elegant mini-chain that serves outstanding Thai food at the Central Embassy Mall (the outlet I visit most often), the EM Quartier, Siam Paragon, the Erawan Mall (the first Nara) and other such locations. I go there so much that I dont even need to look at the menu before ordering such staples as the eggplant with minced pork, the prawn cakes and especially, the delicious pork balls.

Elegant mini-chain Nara was named after Narawadee (Yuki ) Srikarnchana

So, imagine my surprise when Kishor Bajaj, one of whose many interests is a restaurant division, called to say that he was bringing Nara to India. Kishors KA Hospitality runs Hakkasan in Mumbai and has Yauatchas in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai. (A Delhi outlet at the Ambience Mall in Vasant Kunj has shut down but Yauatcha should re-open at the Lodhi Hotel.)

So far, Kishors restaurants have mostly been collaborations with the Hakkasan group (founded by Alan Yau but now owned by an Arab fund) so the Nara tie-up marks a change. I suspect it is the influence of his elder daughter Karyna who has taken over the restaurant business and is streamlining it. She shut down the latest version of OTTO Infinito, a European coffee shop next to Yauatcha in Mumbais Bandra Kurla Complex that never worked and decided to turn it into two separate restaurants. One of them is Nara. The other one is still to open and until it does, Karyna wont talk about it.

Nara serves outstanding Thai fare like Tom Ka Hed soup

Kishor and Karyna invited me to have dinner at Nara in Mumbai with the two ladies who ran the chain. The first was the very well-travelled Narawadee (Yuki) Srikarnchana after whom the restaurant is named. The second was the super-sophisticated, Chanel-clad, Birkin-sporting Sirisopa (Jean) Chulasewok. Yuki is in the watch retail business (you may have seen her Pendulum shops in Bangkoks malls) and she started Nara as a sideline. And Jean was, until recently, head of Dior in Thailand. She has now quit her day job to concentrate full-time in Nara.

Karyna Bajaj took over KA Hospitality that runs Hakkasan and Yauatcha, and brought Nara to Mumbai

It was no surprise that the food was excellent. It always is when the original owners are around. I had the prawn cakes (like Thai medu wadas), the eggplant with pork, tom kha soup with prawns, a fragrant chicken curry and an excellent pomelo salad (and I dont even like pomelo!), before asking the obvious question: who had actually done the cooking?

I waited for them to tell me that they had brought their head chef down from Bangkok. But it turned down that Yuki and Yeen had come without any chefs and left it all to the Mumbai kitchen. The BKC Nara has one Thai chef and one Indian chef who was trained at the Bangkok restaurants. Karyna challenged me to guess which dish had been cooked by which chef and I really couldnt tell the difference  which is a good sign.

Rohit Aggarwal, one of the men running the Punjab Grill restaurant

The Bangkok Naras have food from all over Thailand and though Yuki said that most of the menu concentrated on the Bangkok region, Ive always liked their Northern specialities. (That night, the som tam and the laarb were Northern dishes.) Karyna says they dont have the pork balls yet (they werent convinced that Indians would like the flavour; are they nuts?) but I am sure they will make their way on to the next menu.

If they can maintain this standard  and I see no reason why they cant  then this is easily the best Thai food in India. Given a choice between Nara and Yauatcha next door, Ill take Nara. Which works out fine because Nara is cheaper than Yauatcha!

So, one more example of the Bangkok-Indian connection. And the link can only get stronger!

From HT Brunch, September 17, 2017

Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch

Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch

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Kangana Ranaut is absolutely right to take on the role of nepotism in Bollywood. But a friend  mother of a 16-year-old boy who recently came out to his class of 10th graders  alerted me that Ranauts criticism of Karan Johar and his alleged nepotism was handicapped. She failed the larger psychological and emotional spectrum necessary to appreciate that in Bollywood, or in any social construct in India, a gay man is also an outsider.

My friend mentioned her teenage son had considered suicide  hed been unable to come to terms with his own sexual self in spite his familys acceptance. For Johar to succeed in Bollywood  indeed, anywhere in India  is the victory of determination, toil, cunning and enterprise (the success of his films, conversely, must be chalked up to our national bad judgement). Johar coming through tills of self-hatred is no less glorious than Ranaut paying her bills as an outsider.

(From left) Karan Johar coming through tills of self-hatred is no less glorious than Ranaut paying her bills as an outsider; Ranaut recently said that her sister, Rangolis recent social media outbursts are hormone related as she is pregnant; The American writer and intellectual Susan Sontag is remembered as one of the first women to turn down alimony; In an interview with Rajat Sharma Ranaut claims she asked Hrithik Roshan if he had wanted to marry her

R versus KJo!

But you cannot claim membership of The Association of Outsiders if you are unable to recognise others who have fought the same battle. Systems of oppression  like patriarchy and heteronormativity  oppress different groups, in different ways. But oppress they do. People with a silver spoon sticking out of them can also be an interlopers ally. You dont have to like your comrades, of course, and that feeling might be entirely mutual.

You cannot claim membership of The Association of Outsiders if you are unable to recognise others who have fought the same battle

You simply have to co-exist, and if you dont, then you are guilty not of nepotism but callousness and intolerance, graver accusations to have to stave off. Johar, instead of childishly attacking Ranaut at an awards function, might simply have asked her to explain her publishing: What had she done to counter nepotism? As a woman of considerable power, what avenues had she created for unsupported women like herself to succeed in our films? Instead, Ranaut lectures Johar in print  in the Mumbai Mirror  on how he could raise his infant daughter to play, among other things, the woman card. Ranaut is cautioned here that only in India, and only if we are particularly dishonorable, do we drag infant children into a public quarrel involving their parents. And while she accuses the industry of nepotism, she herself is managed by her sister, Rangoli. This imperils the integrity of her accusations apropos nepotism. One empathises that Rangoli is survivor of an acid attack, but surely this is not why she was hired for the job. Rangoli is also Ranauts sister; moreover, she is probably just darn good at what she does. Therefore, it insults her professional acuity to say  as Ranaut did  that her sisters recent social media outbursts are hormone related, as Rangoli is pregnant. Ranaut should know better than to haul in a womans hormones, and her pregnancy, to justify professional conduct. Heterosexual men have been singing the sneering little PMS tune forever, and its disgusting.

In an interview with Rajat Sharma she claims she asked Hrithik Roshan if he had wanted to marry her or not (shaadi karoge?). Why would any independent woman surrender this decision to a man? Marriage is a series of contained mistakes and joy two people inaugurate jointly, as equals, and in granting any one individual this permission over ones life, and its agency, indicates not the success of feminism  that one is free to choose  but implicates its failure  one simply waits around for a man to marry her. Women are not defined by their marriages to men but in spite of them.

Someone went all zombie on you. Stop draking, girl! The easier  the elegant  recourse is to call block designated ex, commit a social media cleanse, and travel swiftly onward. #movingon

The American writer and intellectual Susan Sontag was married, but she is remembered as one of the first women to turn down alimony, an indicator of her privilege as well as the larger symbolism of a gendered ascendancy over the institution of marriage. In the same interview, Ranaut says she was lucky to have dated a dumb guy. Her comments betray how sexism is an equal opportunities employer. Perhaps she ought to have considered her lovers IQ before embarking on a full-blown affair with him? Certainly, she could have flunked the hunk right after she realised he was blazingly stupid: adequate grounds for romantic dismissal. Moreover, if she suffered psychological and emotional trauma at the hands of a lover  as confirmed in her interview with Sharma  then report him to the cops. She said she reached out to the Womens Commission, which has flatly, stridently, refuted her claim. She must check her facts, and yes, now also her privilege: for she gets to baselessly discredit the Womens Commission on national television while they have to settle for a few meek countering tweets. Too little, too late.

When grace is under fire

Perhaps this entire ruckus is only the original teenage dilemma: Someone you love no longer loves you back. This is tragic, gutting, for any of us. Yet, rejection is a requisite burden of being adult.

But to run to a lovers father and whine about their son is to surrender the passport of adulthood. Someone went all zombie on you. Stop draking, girl! The easier  the elegant  recourse is to call block designated ex, commit a social media cleanse, and travel swiftly onward. #movingon.

Her acting vigour, redolent of Susan Sarandon, can aim for more than playing systems disruptor. Like Sarandon, Ranaut could draw on her independence, brilliance and politics to create a public role that is serious, empowering and engaging

That Ranaut is one of the finest actors of her generation is incontestable  her peers are not a patch on her. She has a spry, intuitive muscularity of presence, she imbues her characters  as she did in Queen and Tanu Weds Manu  with full-bodied force, spontaneity, grace and an original shimmer of self-conviction. It is impossible to not be dazzled by the glow of her lacerating talent, just as it is now intolerable to have put up with her public spats that are also a form of self-mythologising. Some accuse her as manipulative: she does this for publicity. Who is anyone to say Ranaut is not entitled to the press she revs up for herself? Remaining relevant in a clickbait economy is a talent, and she is an astonishment of public relations. But trending on social media for a weekend disables a vehicle geared for the long haul: brownie points traded away for the winners cake. Her public shows of bonhomie with important journalists implies that the old boys club has competition: surely, she doesnt want to partake in the same incestuous system she berates. Her acting vigour, redolent of Susan Sarandon, can aim for more than playing systems disruptor. Like Sarandon, Ranaut could draw on her independence, brilliance and politics to create a public role that is serious, empowering and engaging. She might, for instance, tell her producers that if women workers on set dont get paid exactly as their male peers then, well, she wont show. This is feminism  and power politics  in action.

Right now, Ranauts interviews are turning her into the thinking persons Rakhi Sawant.

Our media avers her politics as rank holder  this is not Ranauts doing. But the Like & Share media ecology obscures more serious work done by our feminists. This includes the sage voices of Kavita Krishnan (whose activism resulted in valuable changes in sexual assault laws in India), Urvashi Butalia (whose publishing has given innumerable women writers fair platform) and Rita Banerjee (whose online campaign 50 Million Missing generated an extraordinary awareness for female gendercide). Fetishising glamour as a power ideal, and exchanging glibness for intellectual rigour, should not become our blind spot in recognising and honoring our true heroes.

The writer is the author of the international bestseller, The Last Song of Dusk, and has written for The New York Times, TIME and is a regular contributor to Brunch. He is based in Goa, where he is honorary director of an arts foundation.

From HT Brunch, September 17, 2017

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Is the snow leopard watching, I wonder, as I walk. They say you may never see this most elusive of cats, but that does not mean he is not around.

The hope of sighting a snow leopard has brought me to the Hemis Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh, a desolate, quiet, wasteland that I plan to inhabit for the next four days. It is already June, and reason says that the leopards must have moved to the higher, snowy reaches of the area. But it is an unusual year, with rain and snow predicted, and reason has bowed to hope. So I scan the rugged mountain sides that rise along our path, and squint through the brightness of the noonday sun to check the crags and the summits for any sign of life.

Far below the path, slim trees bend their boughs in the wind, and a river gurgles along. It flows down a gentle slope in sharp contrast to my road, which is slyly sloping upwards, making me stop to catch my breath in the already thin air.

Fact File Easier treks that do not include a high mountain pass are possible. Spituk to Stok is one of the easier ones, though it also includes a pass. All treks should include a guide. There are no signages en route, the villages are far flung and isolated. Trekkers are expected to stay with the villagers who are supported by government organisations. Rates per person are pre- fixed. Some villages have camping sites. But trekkers must carry their own tents. Do not feed the marmots. They are greedy and unafraid. Travel light. The knapsack will seem to get heavier as the air gets thinner.

Lost in ones own space

The author on the way up the ascent to the 4,900m pass (Praveen Singh)

We are a small group of diverse ages. Our plan is to walk to the villages of Rumbak, Yurutse, cross the Gandala Pass to reach Skiu, and end at Chilling. Now, after the initial acclimatisation, during which we try to stay together, we tacitly decide that we will stay in each others sight, but set our own pace. It is an arrangement much like the journey of life. Each of us indeed walks alone; the sharing of goals is incidental.

Walking alone has its advantages. With no words to mar the quiet, I can hear the occasional bird down below. And my own thoughts, which turn to the snow leopard. But it is too early to expect any sign yet; the motorable road is still close behind, and the cloudless sky has added sweat to my brow. Sharing mind space with the leopard in my thoughts is the fact that we have to cross a mountain pass. Will I manage, I wonder, considering I am breathing like a locomotive at this altitude? Time will tell.

Rumbak village is to be our first halt. A mere four-hour walk away. But time means nothing in the middle of nowhere. I have been cut off from the Internet for a week already, and my phone has been little more than a camera.

Why, I ask myself, as I stop to catch my breath yet again, am I doing this? I have asked myself this question many times over the years since I started trekking. The reasons are many: a love of mountainous spaces, the need for excitement, the pull of nature, all twisted into a rope that tugs at me when I am sitting comfortably at home. So here I am! Q.E.D.

Home away from home

Horses carry essentials from Leh to the remote villages and can often be seen grazing on a green meadow (Sathya Saran)

By the time we reach Rumbak, I have jumped across three gushing streams, missing my footing across one to land in slush; I can feel a blister rising under my toe, and I have scraped my arm against a thorny bush. We stop in view of the village to eat our packed lunch, I examine my foot, and realise it is not a blister, but a knot in my sock chaffing against the skin. Relief.

By late afternoon, we are in limbo. Ensconced in a room at a homestay that contrasts dramatically with the outside with its brightly coloured dhurries and blankets. I fall into a dreamless sleep to awaken to a pre dusk softness outside that veils the rough rock edges and throws a lace-like haze over the stone houses and the hill beyond.

My more enterprising co-traveller decides to explore the village and disappears up the nearest mountain. Over a sumptuous dinner of hot rotis, dal, vegetable and salad, I peer jealously at photographs he has taken on the mountain of blue sheep grazing.

Sharing stories

The sloping mountainside shows nothing but sky ahead. I become a girl in pigtails. For the first time, I reach the top ahead of everyone else.

The next few days follow the same pattern. In Yurutse, we meet many foreign groups over dinner. A Japanese family, a Swiss mother and son, and a loner who makes his bed wherever he finds space. They are full of stories, bristling with energy.

As we set off, our mood is buoyant. Day two is easier, but the climb is steeper. I look down and meet an upsurge of panic. But my trusty trekking stick rings against the stones underfoot, and bids me to walk on, unafraid.

The others are dots in the distance, but Tashi, our guide waits on a stone, a Rodin study in patience. Tashi carries in his face the quietude of the mountains; he says little but his eyes see everything. He sees the ambition in the long strides that challenge the thin air, and he utters a word of caution. He sees too the hesitation in my eyes as he speaks of cresting the pass at 5,000m and explains to no one in particular that there is no hurry, and every hurdle can be surmounted at ones own pace.

Scaling great heights

Dramatic rock shapes add variety to an already colourful rocky wasteland (Sathya Saran)

The morning of the climb starts with snow. It is beautiful, but I remember what I have overheard over last nights dinner, when a trekker coming down the pass in a snowstorm called it a journey through hell! But the sun comes out and we set forth.

We pass herds of goats, their woolly beards waving in the wind. Donkeys and horses overtake us on their way to green pastures that are oases in the wilderness. Before long, I note, everyone, except Tashi, is panting. We could be playing a strange game, stragglers on a curving upward path, stopping at random intervals to bend over our sticks and wait till the heart slows enough to let the legs move again.

At last the sloping mountainside shows nothing but sky ahead. I become a girl in pigtails again. For the first time, I reach the top ahead of everyone else. But Tashi points: the Gandala Pass is in the distance. And covered in snow.

We stop for lunch. And with the sugar of a sweet fruit drink swirling in our blood, push on. The horses are distant specks down below. We cross groups coming from the other side of the pass, some panting like us, and exchange smiles. For all of us the climb is over, the slope is downwards on both sides, and that is reason enough to smile.

My heart is light, I have done it, I tell myself. And will do it again.

The way down

The mountains spread around me like an amphitheatre. Three great ranges, the Karakoram, stuff of legends; the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range. I want at that moment to become an eagle, and fly endlessly over all the peaks. I could live here, I think. Here, there is no want. Nothing is important. Nothing matters. Not even myself. The mountains, the sky, the sloping ground falling away on either side, it is enough. And fills every nook and cranny of my being.

But a brisk wind starts, whipping up the snow, and forcing me deeper into my coat. I know it is only a dream, this wishing to find eternity here, in this pass so close to the heavens. The demands of comfort and company will press their hooks into the psyche soon enough, and force me to seek them out.

We start down towards the village that lies a few hours ahead. Our last halt before we drive back. I lead, running and sometimes skipping down the slope. My breath allows me to sing. I stop and rest on a rock, and ruminate over a piece of gum. I look up at the snows. The leopard could be somewhere there, I think, watching me. Knowing we wont need his help now, Tashi has ambled off and is lost in the distance. My companions have stopped too, somewhere behind me, on some mysterious agenda of their own. I wonder what it could be.

Then, almost like visible smoke the sound of a harmonica, that one of them plays so adeptly, floats down to reach me.

Its a perfect moment. I take a deep breath and hold it all in. For that one moment, alone, in the mountains, I am complete.

Brunch Insider The nine-storey Leh Palace is among the top sights in Ladakh. It is a dun-hued edifice, which is an architectural icon. (Source: Lonely Planet) Coffee lovers can unwind at Coffee Culture in Zangsti and sample a wide variety of lattes as well as brewed coffees. (Source: Conde Nast Traveller) Those travelling with family can put up at The Grand Dragon Ladakh hotel for a comfortable stay. (Source: TripAdvisor)

Author bio: A senior journalist and former editor of Femina, the writer has also authored several books, including a biography on filmmaker Guru Dutt

From HT Brunch, September 17, 2017

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In late June, one of Indias top wind power equipment makers, Inox Wind Ltd, was dragged into insolvency courts by a logistics handler over unpaid dues of $88,000. Two weeks on, the matter was settled, with dues paid off.

The case illustrates how small creditors and vendors, previously at the mercy of large debtors, are now using Indias new bankruptcy code as a pressure ploy to secure payment of dues that would earlier have been all but impossible to recover.

India overhauled bankruptcy laws last year with the main goal of helping banks tackle a $150-billion bad loan issue that is crimping growth in the economy.

Less than a year on, insolvency professionals say it is vendors and small suppliers, also referred to as operational creditors, who are using the new rules as leverage to recover dues much more effectively than banks owed far larger sums.

It is not necessarily a negative thing, but it was not the objective of the new code, said Ashish Chhawchharia, a partner at Grant Thornton who works on insolvency cases.

The new rules give any creditor owed 100,000 rupees ($1,560) the right to drag a multi-billion dollar company to court.

They lay out a stringent timeline for resolution, or force debtors into automatic liquidation, giving outsize influence to vendors and suppliers who would normally rank well below secured financial creditors, such as lender banks, in any bankruptcy process.

But they have also stirred fears of a tsunami of cases jeopardising the plans of banks with billions of dollars at stake, and which are forced to join such proceedings.

If an operational creditor initiates a process, that basically brings in unwilling financial creditors, even if they do not deem it the right time or course of action, said leading insolvency lawyer Sumant Batra.

The court that handles such bankruptcy cases, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), should first test the intent of any operational creditor making a bankruptcy plea, he added.

NCLT has to hold an enquiry at the beginning to determine whether this has been filed only for recovery of debt, or whether this has been actually filed for a resolution or a liquidation process.

Ericsson-Rcom

Swedish telecom equipment firm Ericsson became the first high-profile foreign vendor to use the tool, filing a petition this week to drag Indian telecom carrier Reliance Communications to insolvency courts over unpaid dues of $180 million.

By comparison, RCom, as the company is widely known, owes nearly $7 billion to its banks, who have agreed to a standstill over its servicing obligations until year end, while the company attempts to restructure.

RCom said it plans to challenge the Ericsson plea.

About 1,000 insolvency petitions have been triggered since early 2017, when the first case was admitted under the new rules, but consultant EY estimates about 80 percent of these were withdrawn following out-of-court settlements.

About 60 percent of the cases brought to the NCLT are initiated by operational creditors, industry estimates show.

Sanjay Ruia, a Mumbai chartered accountant who took a holiday tour operator to bankruptcy court over unpaid audit and advisory fees, said the law had made it easier for creditors like himself who would formerly have struggled to recover dues.

Still, many fear the arm-twisting tactics could make life tougher for secured financial creditors, who must make steep balance-sheet provisions for loans to borrower firms entangled in bankruptcy proceedings.

For its part, Inox Wind, which settled the dispute with the logistics firm, remains a solvent company with excellent financial health and has been regular in servicing all commitments to its lenders, it said in a statement in July.
Crooked babas repeatedly bring shame to Hinduism, whereas the uniqueness of the religion is that its followers are considered capable of forming an independent relationship with God. Priests are but officiants, and only if they know how to recite the slokas properly.

Saints and sages have repeatedly stressed that Naam or Gods Name is the only kavach or protection in this epoch of Kalyug, an era in which dharma or right conduct drops to its lowest proportion.

Since festival season begins this month, it may be worth our while to recall some dharma points from our spiritual heritage.

Followers of Sanatana Dharma consider the Mahabharata as the saar or essence of the four Vedas, which is why this itihasa or epic is called the Fifth Veda.

Not only does the Mahabharata contain the Ramayana retold, but also five conversations of note cherished as the Pancharatna or Five Gems.

As a matter of interest, Vyasas version of the Ramayana appears in the Vana Parva or Forest Section of the Mahabharata, which is the longest section of the worlds longest epic.

But the Vana Parva is one of the most popular passages in Indian literature, describing the twelve years that the Pandavas spend in the forest and their many adventures there.

One time, Draupadi is kidnapped by Jayadratha and rescued by Bhima and Arjuna, and Yudhishthira sadly wonders if any man was ever made to suffer as he is suffering. Thats when he is told the story of how Ram, a much worthier hero, was deprived of his kingdom, after which his wife was kidnapped.

The Five Gems are greatly prized because they are mini-compendiums of spiritual teachings. The Pancharatna passages are called the Yaksha Prashna, the Vidur Niti, the Sanat Sujatiyam, the Bhagavad Gita and the Vishnu Sahasra Namam (Thousand Names of Vishnu).

The Yaksha Prashna is the famous riddle test on philosophy and morals that a lake spirit disguised as a crane asks Yudhisthira.

The Vidur Niti is the conversation between wise Vidura and King Dhritarashtra about best practices in managing worldly affairs and preparing for the afterlife.

The Sanat Sujatiyam is a follow-up conversation, a dharma capsule about immortality as disclosed to Dhritarashtra by a celestial sage summoned by Vidura.

The complex Bhagavad Gita, revealed by Krishna to Arjuna, is the best-known of the Five Gems. But in some places, it is exceeded in popularity by the simpler Vishnu Sahasra Namam.

The battle of Kurukshetra is over. Yudhisthira is now king. He asks Krishna some very precise questions about God. Krishna directs him to where Bhishma lies on his bed of arrows. Bhishma answers with the Vishnu Sahasra Namam and says, The Person Ive described is right here; Hes Krishna.

Four generations in South India have thrilled to MS Subbulakshmis recording of this sturdy paean from Kurukshetra.

Isnt it time we as a community reclaimed the Naam Granth to protect ourselves from fake teachers?

shebaba@gmail.com

(The views expressed are personal)

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DEHRADUN: Having already left the BJP government red-faced once, Dehradun mayor and party MLA Vinod Chamoli now plans to confront the administration over the issue of liquor menace in the upcoming assembly session.

The BJP leader, who was elected as an MLA on Dehraduns Dharampur seat, will ask the government whether it has any plan in place for introducing a liquor ban in the state. Incidentally, the Trivendra Singh Rawat-led BJP government has increased the excise target of liquor sale from Rs 1,905 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 2,310 crore for this fiscal.

After protests from locals, Chamoli along with his supporters had sat on a dharna at the district collectorate to seek closure of a liquor shop in his constituency on September 6. He got embroiled in a controversy after heated arguments with district magistrate SA Murugesan and later with Rawat over the matter, a video of which went viral on the social media. The ruling party was quick to distance itself from the controversy involving Chamoli in which he was seen targeting the functioning of the BJP government.

The mayor eventually succeeded in getting the liquor shop closed through the governments intervention, but it reopened within a few days after a stay from the court.

An enraged Chamoli has prepared a list of questions to be placed before the assembly, with some tough queries for the government on its plan to ban liquor in Uttarakhand and for revoking cases slapped on the people who protested against opening of liquor shops in their areas.

His attempt is likely to further embarrass the ruling party, especially ahead of BJP chief Amit Shahs upcoming visit to Uttarakhand. But Chamoli asserted it was his social responsibility to raise voice on the matter with which intense public sentiments were attached.

Besides being a member of the party, Im also a public representative and have the social responsibility of voicing the concerns of my people. There is a strong wave in favour of liquor ban among locals...even if the government plans to increase revenue through liquor business, it shouldnt be done by forcing the people to accept liquor shops in their areas, the mayor told HT.

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DEHRADUN: Probe revealed that medical tests were carried out in Delhi before the donors were whisked away to the Gangotri Private Hospital where the illegal kidney transplants began in July this year. the police said.

Dr Amit Kumar, the alleged kingpin of the organ racket, and his brother Dr Jeevan Kumar were among the three apprehended in Haryana. The two doctors and nurse Sarla (who assisted in the illegal surgeries) were late on Friday night arrested at Panchkula and was brought to Dehradun on Saturday.

The trio planned to flee to Nepal after the organ racket was busted on September 11. Another accused, identified as driver Billu, was arrested from Raiwala near Rishikesh.

Five people, including the middleman Javed Khan, have been arrested, so far. The kingpins son Dr Akshay, two others doctors, middleman Rajiv Chaudhary (who arranged for the hospital premises near Dehradun for the kingpin) and another accused are on the run.

The organ racket with inter-state and international ramifications had enticed at least four men - three from West Bengal and one from Gujarat - to undergo surgeries at the private hospital.

It was not the first time that Dr Amit Kumar had a brush with the law. He was the mastermind of the Gurugram kidney racket busted in 2008. The doctor had fled to Nepal, extradited and sentenced seven years in jail. But he had managed to a bail.

Dehradun senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nivedita Kukreti Kumar said a police team on Thursday raided the residence of Sahil Puri in Panchkula where the key accused were likely to be present, but it was found locked. On September 15, acting on a tip-off and surveillance details, our team nabbed the two doctors and a nurse from two cars at a parking late on Friday night. We also found cash amounting to Rs 33.73 lakh in Dr Amits car and total six phones from the accused, Kumar said at a press conference.

The accused told interrogators of starting illegal surgeries at the private hospital, around 30 km from Dehradun, in July.

The Dehradun police will now focus on detailed investigation to build a strong case against the accused. Poor people were brought from faraway places for removing kidneys, which were later transplanted on patients. However, the key medical tests (required before the transplantation process) were done at laboratories in Delhi and not in the hospital. We will now look into that angle, the SSP said.

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The shifting of flights to major cities  Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata  from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 of Delhis IGI airport may lead to chaos as the festive season is about to start.

Delhi airport operator  Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)  has asked three low-cost airlines, Indigo, Spicejet and GoAir, to shift a part of their operations to Terminal 2 from October 29. This is being done to facilitate a major expansion of Terminal 1.

Even though DIAL has promised a feeder bus service from Terminal 2 to the Metro station and to Terminal 1, passengers are expected to face problems, going from one domestic terminal to another.

Bracing to deal with the problem, the airport operator has also prepared a new road and promised enough signages to ensure smoother flying experience for the passengers.

We have prepared a separate road to connect commuters with Terminal 2. There will be enough signages to guide the passengers. For passengers using public transport, buses will be available. Those coming by Metro will have to either get down at Aerocity or Terminal 3 Metro station and can get a feeder bus service from there, said an airport official.

From Aerocity, feeder buses will be available for T2 and T1 while from T3, passengers can walk to Terminal 2. Terminal 2 is almost 8km away from Terminal 1.

The airport operator had earlier asked Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to construct a tunnel, linking T2 with the airport line.

However, sources said that DMRC refused to construct the tunnel for pedestrians.

An airport official said that proper signages will be placed in and around the airport and airlines will be asked to inform their passengers in advance about the change in terminal.

DIAL is also in talks with Delhi traffic police to come up with prepaid taxi booths at Terminal 2, apart from app-based cabs.

Delhi Airport is the largest and the busiest airport in India. During the 2016-17 financial year, it handled 57.7 million passengers and over 8,57,000 tonnes of cargo. Delhi Airport has been ranked the 21st busiest airport in the world by ACI achieving highest growth of 21 % in 2016 and is among the top 30 airports in the world.

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A 50-year-old woman was killed on Friday night after some armed assailants allegedly opened fired at her and her son outside their home in northeast Delhis Welcome.

The incident took place around Friday midnight, following an argument the womans son had with four men over loitering outside their home, said police.

The assailants fired more than fifteen rounds at the mother-son duo. The woman sustained two bullet injuries  one in her chest and another in shoulder  and died on her way to a hospital. Eight empty bullet shells were recovered from the crime scene. The late night firing triggered panic among local residents, with police being deployed in the area as a precautionary measure.

Police said the woman, Saroj Devi, used to allegedly sell narcotics such as cannabis (ganja), smack (charas), and poppy husk. She lived with her husband and two sons at their Janta Colony home. Her two daughters are married.

AK Singla, deputy commissioner of police (northeast), said a case of murder was registered at the Welcome police station and one suspect has been arrested so far. We are interrogating the accused to collect details about the other suspects. The identity of the arrested man cannot be disclosed at this moment as it will hamper our probe, said Singla.

A senior police officer said Sarojs husband, Om Prakash, was in Punjab when the incident took place on Friday night. One of her sons, Bittu, works with an advocate at Karkardooma Court complex. The other, Raju, does part-time private jobs.

On Friday around 11.30 pm, Raju had gone out to purchase medicines from a nearby shop. Around midnight, he was returning home when he spotted two men loitering outside his home. An argument ensued when Raju asked the men why they were pacing around his house. The men were soon joined by two of their associates.

The altercation soon turned violent and two of the men whipped out pistols and fired at Raju. He screamed for help and rushed inside his home. Hearing his screams, Rajus mother came to the main door, while the attackers continued to fire. Two bullets hit Saroj and she collapsed, even as the assailants fled the crime scene.

Saroj was being rushed to a nearby hospital when she succumbed, said the officer. He added that they are scanning CCTV cameras installed around the crime scene for clues.
What do you do when you pick up the phone and hear the person at the other end say  Wanna be my friend, Lets meet na baby or Chalti hai kya 9 se 12? Or when you check your message box to discover obscene pictures and texts? Stalkers have been raising the irritation levels of Delhi women for some time now. And, though annoyed to their wits end with their nuisance, its difficult to think of a permanent solution. Often, women hand over such calls to male friends/family members to intimidate the caller. However, it is not ideal to have to somehow handle harassment.

I got my phone recharged from a local shop near my residential area, and hence my number was leaked. I started getting random calls from guys at odd hours and I had no clue about how to report the same. I didnt want to register an FIR since I had heard that it leads to a number of rounds to the police station, which my family wouldnt have liked. I, then, complained to Delhi Police on their helpline number 1096. Within 24 hours, the obscene calls ceased, says Monika Khurrana.

Not many people know that women dont need to file FIRs when they call on the Women Helpline Number. Moreover, the Delhi Police has come up with a campaign Hamse Panga Matlab, Delhi Police Se Panga, to check sexual harassment, and to spread awareness that help is available nearby. This campaign also informs Delhiites about initiatives taken by the police.

This is our latest campaign for womens safety, and we are running it on radio and outdoor, both. We have set-up helplines especially to help women, but most of them are unaware of these numbers. Also, we are planning to launch public meetings and nukkad nataks (street plays) based on this issue, to spread the word, says Madhur Verma, DCP and PRO, Delhi Police.

Women who receive obscene calls, usually dial 100, or sometimes, 1096. The complaints registered on 100 are directed to the 1096 team. We receive about 100 complaints for obscene calls in a day, says Monika Bhardwaj, DCP (PCR), adding, Both female and male constables take these calls, and note down the contact number from which the complainants have received obscene calls from. The harasser is then counselled by our team and warned not to disturb the complainant again, says Monika Bhardwaj, DCP (PCR).

The team that caters to the harassed complainants is also trained on how to receive and respond to the distressed. There is an induction training and regular briefings where the team is taught the basics. Also, they are told how to tackle the case sensitively, keeping the interest of the distressed in mind. Most of the girls dont want FIR, so we handle the cases accordingly, adds Bhardwaj.

Follow @htTweets for more

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Many passengers flying economy from the national capital to Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata may have to board their flights from the newly renovated Terminal-2 (T2) from October-end.

As part of its Terminal-1 (T1) expansion plan, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) had earlier asked Indigo, SpiceJet and GoAir to shift 30% of their operations to T2 and provide flight details by August 31. Upon receiving no response to the letter, it wrote to them again  mandating that their flights bound for the three cities be moved to the renovated terminal by October 28.

Though the capacity of T1 is 20 million per annum, it is handling about 24 million. It is in dire need of expansion work. If Indigo, SpiceJet and GoAir flights to Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata are shifted to T2, the number of passengers at T1 will come down to 15 million. Renovation work can then be taken up on the side, an airport official said on the condition of anonymity.

The three airlines will have to launch operations from T2 by October 29, he added.

Airlines in India operate on two schedules  winter and summer. While the winter schedule starts from the last Sunday of October, the one for summer begins on the last Sunday of March. The ministry of civil aviation wants the three airlines to shift flight operations to the specified cities before the winter schedule.

A DIAL spokesperson refused to comment on the matter.

All the three airlines currently operate out of T1. DIAL had initially wanted at least two of them to shift to T2, so it could take up expansion work. Keeping this in mind, the civil aviation ministry gave them time till July 15 to decide the date of moving  warning that they would be forced out of T1 if they fail to respond on time. T2 has been lying abandoned ever since international operations were shifted to T3 in 2010. Though renovation work at T2 has been completed now, airlines are reluctant to shift there because they fear a rise in operating costs.

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The police have arrested a 28-year-old man in Shahdara for duping people at ATMs and fraudulently withdrawing their money. Twelve ATM cards have been recovered from his possession.

The accused, Sandeep, has duped more than 50 persons in the last three years. He spent all the money on a lavish lifestyle and touring various places in India and abroad, police said.

Recently, one of his victims had lodged a complaint in Farsh Bazar police station.

The complainant, Sanjay Jain, a resident of Shahdara, alleged that on September 4, he went to an ATM in Anaj Mandi in Shahdara. He inserted his ATM card inside the machine and entered the pin. However, a man standing in the corner told him that he will receive money from another machine, which was situated beside the first machine in the same premise.

As soon as the complainant moved, the man, Sandeep, allegedly took the money from the first machine. Jain realised later that extra amount had been debited from his account.

During investigation, CCTV footages were obtained and analysed. A common person was seen in the videos. A sketch of the suspect was made and shared with the members of Prahari- a Delhi Police initiative that includes security guards, vendors, shopkeepers etc. These members act like eyes and ears of the local beat constables and informers.

On September 14, a Prahari member alerted the police. The informer, Pradeep Kumar, is an ATM guard posted in Anaj Mandi in Shahdara. He contacted the station house officer of Farsh Bazar police station and locked the suspect inside the ATM premise.

Police reached the spot and Sandeep was caught.

During the interrogation, Sandeep, a native of Punjab, disclosed that he used to work in housekeeping of reputed hotels in India and abroad. Seeing the life style of high profile persons visiting the hotels, he also wished to live that life. But due to shortage of money, his wishes could not be fulfilled. Hence he started to cheat the public to earn quick money, said deputy commissioner of police (Shahdara) Nupur Prasad.
Chennai The BJPs Tamil Nadu unit on Friday staged demonstrations across the state supporting the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical aspirants.

The party had on Thursday announced pro-NEET demonstrations to counter the protests against the entrance test in the wake of death of a 17-year-old medical aspirant in the state.

Participating in the demonstration at Tambaram here, BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said DMK president M Karunanidhi would have welcomed NEET had he been politically active like before.

The DMK leader would have done so considering the welfare of the people and the state, she said, hitting out at DMK working chief M K Stalin who has been organising anti-NEET protests.

Responding to Soundararajan statement, Stalin said it was a remark below the standards, and declined to comment.

Senior BJP leader H Raja, participating in the demonstration at a separate location here, said the claim that NEET was against social justice was not true.

He said reservation policy was being followed in the admissions to medical courses under the national test.

Similar demonstrations were held by the BJP in other parts of the state.

The BJPs demonstrations comes in the backdrop of statewide protests by student bodies and pro-Tamil outfits seeking justice for 17-year-old Anitha, medical aspirant from Ariyalur who allegedly committed suicide on September 1.

The Dalit girl, who had earlier moved the Supreme Court against the NEET, was apparently upset over Tamil Nadu not being exempted from the entrance exam.

Since then, BJP has come under attack from opposition parties, including the DMK and the Left, over implementation of NEET while students and pro-Tamil outfits have been seeking withdrawal of the exam.
Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University has cancelled the admission of 44 students into a postgraduate course in various dental colleges of the state.

MP Medical Science University vice chancellor RS Sharma said apart from apprising the matter to the Dental Council of India, the university has also written to the dental colleges concerned for cancellation of admission of these students into the Master of Dental Sciences (MDS) course.

Sharma said out of 118 candidates who had applied online for the MDS course, 44 were granted provisional admission. He said the colleges concerned didnt submit documents pertaining to their admission to the university, prompting it to take the tough decision.

Sharma said even out of the remaining 74 students, only 19 produced the allotment letter issued by Directorate of Medical Education and the documents that showed they had appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

Five students had sought admission under the NRI quota. As for the remaining 50 students, the colleges concerned havent submitted their admission related documents so far. These colleges have been warned that if they dont provide documents, the students concerned wont be allowed to sit for the examinations, he added.

Private dental college authorities have told the university officials that they provided admission to the students based on merit.

After the alleged admission scam surfaced in dental colleges, the Jabalpur-based university constituted a committee which found that seven dental colleges had given admission to many candidates in MDS who had not appeared for the NEET. This prompted university to institute an inquiry and constitute a three-member probe committee.

The NEET is an entrance examination for students seeking admission to any graduate medical course like MBBS, BDS or postgraduate courses like MD, MS, MDS in government or private medical colleges. The NEET replaced the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and all individual MBBS tests conducted by states or colleges in 2013.
If your teenaged son or daughter is a binge-drinker, they are more likely to have altered brain activity, which may indicate delayed brain development and be an early sign of brain damage. The findings showed that the brains of adolescents, which are yet in the developing stages, might be more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol abuse than adults.

Researchers from the University of Minho in Portugal, examining electrical activity in various brain regions in college students, found that binge drinkers had altered brain activity at rest. They also had significantly higher measurements of specific electrophysiological parameters, known as beta and theta oscillations, in brain regions called the right temporal lobe and bilateral occipital cortex.

These changes might indicate a decreased ability to respond to external stimuli and potential difficulties in information processing capacity in young binge drinkers, and may represent some of the first signs of alcohol-induced brain damage, the researchers said, in the paper published in Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience.

These features might be down to the particularly harmful effects of alcohol on young brains that are still in development, perhaps by delaying neuromaturational (child development) processes, said lead author Eduardo Lopez-Caneda, from the varsity.

Binge was describes as drinking five or more drinks for men and four or more for women within a two-hour period. Previous research has linked binge drinking to a variety of negative consequences including neurocognitive deficits, poor academic performance, and risky sexual behaviour.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
The CBSE issued a show-cause notice to Gurgaons Ryan International School on Saturday, asking why its affiliation should not be withdrawn and said it failed to have in place basic security measures.

A two-member committee was set up by the CBSE following the murder of an eight-year-old boy last week. The panel said it appeared from the sequence of events that Ryans International was guilty of gross negligence.

The Ryan International authorities have to reply to the notice within 15 days, failing which action will be taken against them.

Here are 12 counts the school failed on, according to the panel:

1) Sufficient CCTV cameras at prominent places have not been installed and most of the cameras in the school building are not functioning.

2) The students death could have been averted had the school authorities discharged their duty with care and sincerity.

3) The toilet windows have no grills and people can access it easily from outside.

4) The school management failed to inform the police and education department about the death of the student, which shows negligence on their part. The incident was reported to the police by the parents.

5) The school has engaged around 35 buses for the transportation of students and staff. There are no provisions of separate toilets/washrooms for bus drivers, conductors and cleaners.

6) No attendant/aaya was present at the toilet meant for children.

7) The principal of the school resigned in February. Since then, no regular principal has been appointed to look after the routine work of the school.

8) The school building has five floors  three floors are used for teaching and remaining two floors are not in use. Students can access the unused classrooms as they are not locked. They can easily access the buildings terrace as it remains unlocked. The electricity panel room also remains unlocked, which is dangerous for the students.

9) The boundary wall is not high enough and no barbed wires have been put on three sides. As a result, anybody can jump and enter in the school premises.

10) The school could not produce safety certificates as per affiliation bylaws. The fire safety certificate expired in May and the school did not renew it.

11) The school doesnt provide potable water to the students and the staff. No RO (reverse osmosis) plant has been installed in the school. Water drawn from a borewell is supplied through a few small Aqua Guards.

12) There are no ramps and special toilets for differently abled students.

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Following the announcement by Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar that the murder of an 8-year old school boy at Ryan International School, Bhondsi will be probed by the CBI, the Gurgaon police on Friday evening sent a letter to the state government, and the police chief recommending that the matter be transferred to the central investigating agency.

The Gurgaon police said that the parents of the victim have been demanding a CBI probe from the start and there has been a lot of public support for the same. There have also been a number of protests leading to law and order problems in the city, and it was seen as an imperative in the interest of justice that the investigation is carried out by the CBI.

On Friday, the CM, after meeting the parents of the victim, had announced that Ryan murder case would be investigated by the CBI. On Monday, the boys father approached the Supreme Court demanding a CBI inquiry into the case. He claimed the murder appeared to be pre-meditated.

The father, however, also expressed satisfaction on the work done by the Special Investigation Team of the police, which had arrested 42-year old Ashok Kumar for the murder on September 8.

While recommending the case to the CBI, the Gurgaon police has also said that this case could have a major impact on education across the country as the incident highlighted glaring security loopholes in schools.

As required by the CBI, the state government has also agreed to provide resources, logistics and manpower to the central agency for conducting the probe. The case registered under FIR 250 at Bhondsi police station has also been notified by the state authorities so that it can be investigated by the central agency across Haryana as required by law.

Read I 8-year-old murdered in Gurgaon: Sexual predator conductor was fired by another school

Meanwhile, Ryan official Francis Thomas, who was in police custody, was produced in Sohna court on Saturday and was remanded in judicial custody. He, along with another accused Jayesh Thomas, would now be produced at Gurgaon special court on September 18.

Murder accused Ashok Kumar will also be produced in the same court on Monday.

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The Ministry of Environment, Forests (MoEF) has directed the Haryana government to send by October 1, 2017, a complete proposal for creating an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary.

MoEF wrote a letter to this effect in the first week of September to PP Bhojwad, additional principal chief conservator of forests, Haryana.

Creation of an ESZ is in keeping with a 2011 Supreme Court order to all states to declare buffer zones around their respective forests. The guideline states that ecologically important patches crucial for landscape linkage should also be included in the ESZ.

Since the Asola Bhatti sanctuary is at the Delhi-Haryana interstate border, creating a buffer zone here requires consent of both states.

We have completed everything from Delhi, but the proposal we got from Haryana is still incomplete, Dr Vinod Joon, director, MoEF, had said.

The proposal from Haryana government has been due for two years now.

The proposal Haryana had sent covered large chunk of urbanized areas which cannot be included. Also, it did not have geo-coordinates and a map. Additionally, the currently proposed 100-metre buffer leaves out more than 95% the Aravalli hill areas, like Mangar, Bandhwari and other villages, crucial for viability of the Asola sanctuary.

On Friday, conservator of wildlife, south Haryana, Vinod Kumar said, We have submitted the proposal to the (Haryana) government this week and are waiting for a nod to proceed. Once we get clearance we will submit the proposal to MoEF. We also have to submit the proposal to NGT.

In the revised proposal, Haryana has added the Gurgaon-Faridabad road and removed urbanised areas that were earlier included.

Read I Activists oppose govts move to reduce Asola Bhatti buffer zone

After the final nod from MoEF, a patch will be mapped out that will connect Asola Bhatti to the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

The buffer zone is important to provide connectivity between Asola in Delhi/Haryana and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to protect wildlife. Leopards, striped hyenas and jackals have been reported to use this corridor from either side. However, increasing encroachments and infrastructure projects have been eating into the corridor.

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Gurgaons deputy commissioner(DC) Vinay Pratap Singh has sent out a clear message that the administration, schools, parents and society at large have to partner in the implementation of all applicable safety laws and be prepared to deal with emergencies.

More than 100 parents attended the meeting along with 250 school teachers across the city. They said proactive steps are being taken to ensure compliance with the norms and also make sure that the school management is held to account in the event of trouble. School managements were also told to obtain fire safety certificates in a month and conduct a safety and security audit, failing which they might even be shut down.

We will focus on key areas such as safety and security of students on the school premises. A safety audit would be conducted as well. It is mandatory to ensure that a child is safe once a parent has dropped him/her off at school. Schools will have to install CCTV cameras at all vulnerable areas on campus and ensure they are functional at all times, said Singh.

Now, we are awaiting a word of assurance on the proposed bodies that will features both parents and students and also the internal risk assessment process in schools. However, we are not too happy with the schools being told follow CBSE guidelines, as they do not cover several areas of concern and are not mandatory for schools not affiliated to the board. The district administration should consider making the highly comprehensive set of guidelines that was issued by the Gurgaon Police in 2014 mandatory for all schools. These are currently considered only as an advisory, Smriti Chhabra, a parent and a resident of DLF City Phase 2, said.

Parents said that they were happy with the DCs sincere approach to the issue of student safety and his commitment in ensuring that representatives of all schools attended the meet and briefed him on their compliance with the statutory guidelines. However, they said they were a tad disappointed that there was no word of assurance on making the 2014 guidelines statutory.

Ruchika Sethi Takkar, mother of a differently-abled 15-year-old girl, said, The schools staff and parents of specially-abled children are often not aware of the kinds of abuse that might happen at school and hence, it is critically important for schools to follow child safety guidelines.I voiced concern over the CBSE guidelines not being comprehensive enough to address concerns of students with special needs. The staff needs to be sensitised.

Read I Ryan school murder: Doctor says victim could not shout as his wind pipe was slit, no sign of sexual abuse on body

Officials from the women and child development department were also present at the meeting and said they will also visit schools when required and hold awareness programmes on Good Touch and Bad Touch.

I am hopeful that schools will strive to ensure compliance with guidelines and build a mechanism to deal with issues concerning student safety. We will launch sensitisation workshops across the city on the prevention of child abuse and will also reach out to private schools to sensitise teachers and staff on understanding child abuse and deal with them. We will also launch a series of workshops to make teachers and school aware of cyber harassment of children, Nishi Kant, executive director, Shakti Vahini, Childline Gurgaon, said.

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Priyanka Chopra has been a popular fan cast when it comes to superhero roles such as Batwoman and Spider-Woman, and rumours on the internet also suggest that fans would love to see her play Selina Kyle aka Catwoman in the in-development Gotham City Sirens film.

While nothing really has been confirmed yet, Bosslogic a popular artist known for his ultra-real superhero fan art recently gave us a look at what the actor could look like as Catwoman. The artwork depicts PeeCee as the fan-favourite character with a more modern (and Suicide Squad-ish) look. The purple-tinted hair and Harley Quinn-esque tattoos might not really be much like hardcore DC comics fans would prefer, but the look still gives us a good idea of what she could look like in the role.

Check out the post here:

For today's #dailyps @PriyankaChopra #catwoman go to my stories for zoom in #priyankachopra A post shared by Bosslogic (@bosslogic) on Sep 7, 2017 at 5:34am PDT

While actors such as Eiza Gonzalez, Eliza Dushku, Lena Headey, Aubrey Plaza, Haley Bennett, and Anne Hathaway have all been suggested as popular runners for the role, Priyanka herself was quoted earlier this year, stating her interest in a superhero role.

My dream part is, now that Im working in America, I definitely want to do a superhero part, said Chopra. When I think of American movies, theyve had superheroes for aeons right? So I definitely want to play a superhero and I want to have an interesting super power.

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Stepping up its offensive against Keralas Left government, the RSS is pushing its students wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), to the front lines of its campaign in the state.

The ABVP has called for a rally in Thiruvananthapuram on November 11 to highlight the attacks on the right-wing cadre in the coastal state, allegedly by their left-wing counterparts.

Equating Marxism with terrorism and anti-nationalism is a leitmotif of the rally, which the right-wing outfit hopes would be attended by students from across India, including those who do subscribe to the ABVP ideology.

ABVP is following in the footsteps of the BJP and the RSS by highlighting the alleged violence by Left cadres in the state and offering itself as an alternative to other student bodies.

In the last years state election, after the BJP won its first ever seat in Kerala assembly, attributed largely to the groundwork of the RSS cadre, the ABVP too saw a change in its fortune on college campuses; particularly in the northern part of Kannur, which has been a hotbed of left-right wing clashes.

After a decade of no-show, the ABVP won 11 of the 16 seats in the Kannur University union polls.

Despite these electoral gains, the organisation does not have the same following has left-wing student bodies do, which is perhaps a reason why the ABVP is banking on students from other states to lend support to its show of strength.

Our membership is growing...we will soon have over one lakh members in the state. We are fighting for the pride of Kerala and even those students who were not affiliated to any faction are willing to join us, said Ashwin Radhakrishnan, the joint organising secretary of the ABVP in Kerala.

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National passenger carrier Air India on Saturday launched its non-stop flight service from New Delhi to Copenhagen. The new service is Air Indias third non-stop flight launched this year.

Earlier, the airline had launched its services from New Delhi to Washington and New Delhi to Stockholm.

Commenting on the launch of the new services, Air India chairman and managing director Rajiv Bansal said: With this new service, we expect to cater to the majority of traffic between Copenhagen and Delhi... We have also received good cargo load for the sector.

The national passenger carrier aims to serve around 40,000 passengers one-way for the entire year.

The airline will operate the thrice-a-week service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to fulfil a long standing demand of travellers from India and Denmark.

To mark the launch of the new service, Air India is offering attractive return fares starting from Rs 42,700, inclusive of all taxes.

The new route is operated by the airline on its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Copenhagen making the city its 11th non-stop European destination and 44th international station.

The new route is also a part of the airlines aggressive strategy to focus on the international segment with non-stop flights.

In aviation parlance a non-stop flight operates point-to-point and is popular among passengers travelling on long-haul routes.

In contrast, a direct flight stops at least once between two destinations for either refuelling or disembarking of some on-board passengers.

The commencement of the new route comes after the passenger traffic between the two countries recorded a healthy growth of over 10% in 2016.
War hero Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, died on Saturday.

In a statement, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said Singh died at 7:47pm after being admitted to the Armys R&R hospital following a cardiac arrest.

The former IAF chief had played a key role in Indias victory in the 1965 war against Pakistan.

Singh was the IAF chief from August 1964-69. He was the first Indian Air Chief to be elevated to the rank of Air Chief Marshal on January 16, 1966.

In recognition of his lifelong services, the government conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force on Arjan Singh on January 28, 2002 making him the first and the only Five Star rank officer with the Indian Air Force. Marshal of the Air Force is equivalent to a Field Marshal in the army.

Earlier in the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Singh at the hospital. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital after cardiovascular complications.

My thoughts are with his family and those mourning the demise of a distinguished air warrior and fine human, Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh, the Prime Minister tweeted.

Sometime back I met him, who despite his ill health tried to get up to salute even though I said no. Such was his soldier discipline.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2017

President Ram Nath Kovind, BJP president Amit Shah, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad and Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also condoled Singhs death.

According to the IAFs official website, Singhs testing time came in September 1965, when the subcontinent was plunged into war. When Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam, in which an armoured thrust targeted the vital town of Akhnur, he was summoned into the defence ministers office with a request for air support.

With a characteristic non-chalance, he replied ...in an hour. And true enough, the air force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour. He led the air force through the war showing successful leadership and effort.

He also held the view that the IAF should have been used in the 1962 India-China war.

Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 War and subsequently the rank of the CAS was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal. He retired in July 1969, thereupon accepting ambassadorship to Switzerland. He remained a flyer till the end of his tenure in the IAF, visiting forward squadrons and units and flying with them.

In his career, Arjan Singh had flown more than 60 types of aircraft ranging from pre-World War II era biplanes to Gnats and Vampires. On August 15, 1947, he led a fly past over the Red fort in Delhi.

Six years ago, the veteran lost his wife Teji Arjan Singh on his birthday, April 15. On the occasion of his 60th anniversary, while talking about his diamond jubilee secret, Singh told this correspondent, I tell Teji daily I love her.

Singh is survived by a son and daughter.

(with PTI inputs)
Army on Saturday said two infiltrators were gunned down as it foiled an infiltration bid in north Kashmir.

Infiltration bid eliminated in Machhal sector. Two terrorists killed, a Srinagar-based army spokesperson said.

He added that weapons and warlike stores were recovered. Sources said the operation was on.

The infiltration comes at a time of heightened border hostility between India and Pakistan.

On Friday, a BSF jawan was killed by Pakistani firing in Jammu region.

On Thursday, the security forces killed two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants in Kashmir, including Abu Ismail, the alleged mastermind of a deadly attack on Amarnath yatris earlier this year.
A policy passed by the Assam assembly on Friday to check states growing population has received flak from states minority outfits for being against the marginalised.

The resolution, passed by the house within hours of state health and family welfare minister Himanta Biswa Sarma moving it, seeks to bar those having more than two children from contesting polls, getting government jobs or benefits.

Badruddin Ajmal, chief of the All India United Democratic Front, said the population policy bore marks of the RSS influence and targeted the Muslims and other marginalised groups.

Muslims are not even 1% of the government workforce, and the policy intends to shut them out of the limited job opportunities in the future. There is a perception that Muslims have more children, but the world knows illiteracy and poverty add to the numbers, Ajmal told HT .

The least the BJP government could have done is educate people about the benefits of small families before trying to impose it on the people, he added.

In a statement, Oxfam Indias Nisha Agrawal had earlier said the population policy infringed upon the reproductive rights of women who could be forced into unsafe abortions.

The Congress found a link between the policy and the BJPs move to bring Hindu migrants from Bangladesh to counter the perceived demographic invasion by Muslims who constitute 34% of Assams total population.

If the BJP is sincere about controlling population, why does it want to bring in non-Muslims from neighbouring countries? former CM Tarun Gogoi asked.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) kicked off Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday celebrations with functions at schools in his Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

Modi turns 67 on Sunday.

Events were organised by partys state unit at 129 state-run schools, adopted by the party, across the constituency where party leaders gave lectures on public welfare schemes and achievements of the Modi government besides distributing gift packs of sweets and stationary. The leaders got students to pledge their commitments to cleanliness campaign  Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. A photograph of PM Modi was mandatory to be placed at the venue.

It is for the first time when a top leaders birthday is being linked to a cause as great as cleanliness. All of us have to adopt schools and organise awareness programmes there, said Chandra Mohan, UP BJP spokesperson.

Elsewhere in the state, the party will celebrations at schools, especially those adopted by BJP leaders, on September 18 (Monday).

The party has decided to hold it a day after since the birthday is on Sunday, said BJP UP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak who will celebrate the day at a primary school he adopted in Azamgarh. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath would be in Varanasi on Sunday to launch cleanliness campaign on the occasion while deputy CMs Keshav Maurya Dinesh Sharma too would lead government celebrations in Bareilly and Jhansi.

In Madhya Pradesh, BJP MPs, MLAs and other leaders would organise Swachta Rally with school students on Saturday. During the rally, BJP leaders and students wsill clean the roads with brooms. The leaders would also visit schools and inform the students about the schemes launched by the Modi government.

We will celebrate the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with school students. The students will be taught about the importance of cleanliness at their school, said BJP MP from Bhopal Alok Sanjar.

While Modi will dedicate Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation at Kevadia in Gujarat on his birthday, the Union government will observe the day as Seva Diwas (Day of Service) which will mark activities including building twin pit toilets, shramdaan or voluntary work, and sanitation drives.

In Chhattisgarh, Union minister, SmritI Irani will lead the birthday celebrations focussing on Swachta Rally and in Rajasthan, medical camps and plantation drives would mark Seva Diwas on Sunday. Union MHRD minister Prakash Javadekar will be in Maharashtra while Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot will be in Rajasthan along with the chief minister Vasundhra Raje to lead the celebrations.

(With inputs from Lucknow, Jaipur, Chhattisgarh and Bhopal)
A Congress panel headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

The party delegation is on a two-day visit to Kashmir to attend a series of meetings on the current situation in the Valley.

The Congress Policy and Planning group was formed in April in the wake of widespread violence in the state during the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls. The other members of the group include Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union home minister P Chidambaram and party general secretary Ambika Soni.

Immediately after their arrival, the group held an executive committee meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee at Hari Niwas here, a party spokesperson said.

He said the group was scheduled to meet various delegations from Kashmir, including opposition parties.

Apart from the political parties, the group will interact with several other delegations like civil society organisations, Shia associations, delegation of 2014 flood victims, saffron growers, house boat associations, trade and tourism delegations as well as a delegation of journalists, the spokesperson added.

However, meeting separatist leaders is not part of the groups agenda, he said.

Keep dialogue route open with separatists

Speaking to reporters on sidelines of the meeting, Azad said the central as well as the state government should keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

The Centre and the state government have to decide which stakeholders to talk to. Everyone knows who the stakeholders are, but they are afraid to take the names. And when they are afraid to even identify them as stakeholders, how will there be a resolution? Azad said.

They (central and state governments) should talk to them (separatists) and try to resolve the issue, he added.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by raising the emotions of people but has remained silent since taking over the reins of the country.

Modis election win was 90% because of Kashmir. In our rule, one soldier was beheaded by Pakistani troops (along the Line of Control), but such instances have happened a number of times now in their (BJP) rule, and still the Prime Minister is silent, he said.

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the Congress government had made south Kashmir militancy-free, but the region had been on boil since the PDP-BJP coalition came to power in the state.

We had made south Kashmir militancy-free during my tenure (as chief minister) in 2007. But, where is south Kashmir today? It is boiling. No one is coming to Kashmir, no tourist. The number of ceasefire violations in these three years is more than the total in 10 years of UPA, he claimed.

So many soldiers have been killed, common people injured ...and the way small kids, including girls, have lost their eyes, it did not happen during our time, he said in a reference to the series of stone-pelting incidents in the Valley.

Asked about the partys stand on Article 35A of the constitution, the senior Congress leader said the party knew its stand, but the group was here to listen to people. Article 35A renders special status to J&K.

Firstly, we have come to listen to all. We have not come here only for Article 35A. This committee was formed much before the issue of Article 35A erupted. The panel was formed keeping in view the overall situation of Jammu and Kashmir which has deteriorated under the BJP rule, he said.

The Congress will hold a meeting with MLAs and MLCs, besides interacting with a delegation of minority community and fruit growers, on Sunday.

The party had completed the first leg of its tour in Jammu on September 10 and 11.
Union tourism minister KJ Alphons stoked a controversy on Saturday when he justified fuel price hikes by saying that people who could afford vehicles should be paying the increased prices.

Speaking to media at the Kerala state capital, Alphons said the Union government was imposing tax to help the poor lead a dignified life.

Who buys petrol? Somebody who has a car or bike. Certainly hes not starving. People who can afford to pay should pay, he said, adding that people who always criticise fuel price hike should remember it is for the benefit of the country.

The bureaucrat-turned-politicians comment come at a time when fuel prices are at a three-year high though international crude prices have crashed, attracting criticism from opposition parties which described them as insensitive to the common mans problems.

Congress leader and former petroleum minister Veerappa Moily called it an atrocious statement. This is how bureaucrats, who come to politics, have no understanding of peoples problems. Many of the ministers in Modis government are like this. Telangana Rashtra Samithi spokesman Bhanuprasad described Alphons statement as shocking. The government is still fleecing people when crude prices have come down, he said.

In his speech in Thiruvananthapuram, Alphons said the Modi government was committed to ensuring the welfare of the downtrodden by building houses for the homeless, providing electricity in all villages and building toilets in all houses. We are imposing taxes to help the poor. All money collected is not being stolen by Union ministers, he said adding it was the previous UPA regime that stole the money.

Those who own vehicle require petrol also. I dont think they have any problem in finding their food. In India at least 30% of the people are starving. The Modi government gives top priority to improve their lot. So those who are using fuel have to cough up tax also, he said adding the tax being levied was reaching the public.

This is not the first time Alphons has courted trouble since he was made a minister. Recently, he advised foreign tourists to eat beef in their countries before coming to India.

(with agency inputs)
The Haryana Police on Friday arrested the driver of Honeypreet Singh, the controversial adopted daughter of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the disgraced chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect.

Pradeep Kumar was arrested by a team of the Haryana Police from a location near the religious town of Salasar in Rajasthan, police sources here said.

The sources said the arrest could help the police to know the whereabouts of Honeypreet, who has been absconding since August 25 evening. She had accompanied the disgraced godman till the CBI special court in Panchkula where he was convicted on August 25 on two counts of rape.

She even accompanied Ram Rahim in the government helicopter from Panchkula to Rohtak after he was convicted in the rape cases and was being shifted to the prison near Rohtak.

The Haryana Police have booked Honeypreet for sedition and being involved in an alleged conspiracy to help Ram Rahim escape after his conviction.

A lookout notice has been issued against Honeypreet, whose real name is Priyanka Taneja.

Honeypreet, who is in her mid-30s, is considered closest to Ram Rahim and has been his heroine in the five films that he has directed, produced and acted in, in the past three years. Though both (Ram Rahim and Honeypreet) call themselves as the father-daughter duo, her former husband had accused both of having an illicit relationship.
Police on Saturday apprehended three minors, all aged 16, for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

The alleged crime came to light when the girl was found to be pregnant and carrying a dead foetus, police said.

She told her mother that a boy in the neighbourhood, who used to stalk her, took her to his house forcibly some ten months ago and raped her.

The girl, however, continued to meet him and had a sexual relationship with her.

Her mother approached Bhavani Nagar police with a complaint of rape last week.

During the probe, the girl told police that two other boys had raped her too, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohd Tajuddin Ahmed.

Police took all three boys in custody, the ACP said, adding they admitted the guilt.

A case of rape under the IPC and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act has been registered and further probe is on, he said.
From an eight-year-olds murder at Gurgaons Ryan International School to a search operation at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa, here are the stories that made headlines this week:

1) Ryan school murder: Doctor says victim could not shout as his wind pipe was slit

An autopsy into the murder of an eight-year-old student of Ryan International School in Gurgaon didnt establish sodomy but other forms of sexual assault cannot be ruled out, the doctor who conducted the procedure said.

A 42-year-old bus conductor, Ashok Kumar, was arrested after publicly confessing to slitting the throat of the Class 2 student who he allegedly tried to sexually abuse inside the private schools toilet.

Read full story

2) Kangana Ranauts jabs at Bollywood bigwigs in AIB video

Kangana Ranaut and AIB went full Taylor Swift in their new video as they served tea to more people than one can count on their fingers. They dragged Karan Johar for saying she plays the victim card, parodied scenes from his film, called out actors for having women half their age play their love interests, among a plethora of other things.

The video, at a little over 7 minutes, manages clever allusions to a lot of things she finds wrong with the Hindi film industry. Here are 10 we could manage to find.

3) Found at Deras Sirsa HQ: Secret tunnels, firecracker factory, womens hostel

No proper record of dead bodies being sent from the hospital running inside the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters was maintained while a skin bank was running without license, a senior official said as the mammoth sanitisation exercise of the complex was completed on Sunday.

Secret tunnels, including one which linked jailed sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singhs plush residence with female disciples hostel, an empty box of AK-47 cartridges, an illegal firecracker factory were among other shocking detections made, according to Haryanas public relations department deputy director, Satish Mehra.

Irregularities in the implementation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act by the Dera were also detected, he said.

Read full story

4) Delhi school rape: 5-year-old frantically tried to wash blood off her clothes

Saturday was the first time in five months that the five-year-old refused to have lunch with her father after returning from school. The usually bubbly child refused to utter a word, despite much cajoling by her parents, leading them to believe she had fever.

It turned out she was looking for a chance to quietly slip into the bathroom.

As it turned out, their girl had been raped, allegedly by a peon of her school in Gandhi Nagar, and was looking for a chance to wash the blood stains off her clothes.

Read full story

5) Asaram, Ram Rahim, Rampal: The 14 fake babas put on boycott list

Prompted by recent controversies surrounding self-styled godmen, the apex body of Hindu sadhus -- the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad  has released a list of 14 fake babas and demanded a crackdown on rootless cult leaders by bringing in a legislation.

Giving out the list, the parishads president Swami Narendra Giri said: We appeal to even the common people to beware of such charlatans who belong to no tradition and by their questionable acts, bring disrepute to sadhus and sanyasis.

Read more about the 14 fake babas
India supported the discussion in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the 'Responsibility to Protect' and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity as the world body takes up the issue after 12 years in the backdrop of a looming crisis in South Asia over the Rohingya issue, among others.

India has agreed for the discussion on the understanding that there wont be any adoption of the resolution by the UNGA. New Delhi also hopes that normative concepts at stake require careful deliberation.

As many as 113 countries, including India, voted in its favour while 21 others, including Pakistan, Iran and Cuba, opposed the idea of having a debate, with many of them challenging the definitional and political aspects of these issues.

Seventeen members of the UN abstained from the vote. In his explanation of the vote, Syed Akbaruddin, Indias permanent representative to the UN, said that the discussions on the concept required open, inclusive and transparent deliberation.

The Responsibility to Protect was one of the foremost of every state and, as such, India would support the inclusion of such an item on the agenda for the current session, he said.

Akbaruddin said that India is voting in support of the recommendation of the General Committee to include it on the agenda of the 72nd session of the General Assembly with the understanding that the sponsors of the proposal aim to have a debate at the current session only.

This is for the first time in 12 years that the General Assembly voted to include the item on the formal agenda.

They have articulated their objective as wanting to have a thematic debate and not one that addresses country-specific situations, and have also indicated that they do not seek the adoption of any resolution, said Akbaruddin.

This is in line with our understanding that the gravity of the normative concepts at stake requires careful deliberation rather than pre-emptive decision-making, he said.

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Father Tom Uzhannalil, the Indian Catholic priest hailing from Kerala who was abducted by terrorists in Yemen, expressed his thanks to the Narendra Modi government for its concern to secure his release.

I am thankful to the President (Ram Nath Kovind) and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and all the ministers concerned whoever has (expressed) concern, Uzhannalil said.

Thanks to the country leaders and countrymen. May God bless all of them for their response, he added.

Uzhannalil said the terrorists who abducted him did not hurt him.

He said that his captors would have responded to the missives that came for his release.

Uzhunnalil, abducted by terrorists in Aden in March last year, was rescued from captivity from an undisclosed location in Yemen. The Sultanate of Oman helped to find and rescue Uzhannalil who is an employee of the Vatican.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier this week tweeted about the release of the Catholic priest.

According to reports reaching Kerala, after his release, the priest was flown from Yemen to Muscat. He later left Oman on a chartered flight for the Vatican.

He will be flown to Kerala later.
A Jain couple from Madhya Pradesh has decided to leave behind their three-year-old daughter and property worth around Rs 100 crore to become munis (monks), stunning the community that is no stranger to acts of renunciation.

Sumit Rathore, 35, and his wife Anamika, 34, are scheduled to take deeksha (the first step of their initiation into monkhood) under Sudhamargi Jain Acharya Ramlal Maharaj at Surat in Gujarat on September 23.

Their decision has sent shockwaves across hometown Neemuch, about 400km northwest of state capital Bhopal, where their families are established in politics and business.

The first question on the lips of incredulous Neemuch residents is: what about their daughter, Ibhya?

I will take care of my granddaughter, said Anamikas father, Ashok Chandaliya, a former Neemuch district president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Read more: Gujarat Class 12 topper Varshil Shah is now Jain monk Suvirya Maharaj

He said no one could convince the couple not to renounce the world. We had no counter to their religious arguments and relented. One cannot stop anyone when religion calls, Chandaliya added.

Sumits father, Rajendra Singh Rathore, who owns a factory that makes sacks for cement companies, too accepted the decision. We were expecting this, but not so soon, he said.

Sumit and Anamikas decision was not exactly a surprise for their loved ones because they had declared their intent to become munis when Ibhya was only eight months old and, as preparation, started living separately.

Sumit announced his final decision to take deeksha during a gathering of Acharya Ramlals at Surat on August 22. The Acharya told him to seek Anamikas permission. She gave consent and expressed her desire to take deeksha too. Their families rushed to Surat to dissuade them, but failed.

Sumit and Anamika, who married four years ago, have taken a vow of silence till the deeksha.

Anamika was Neemuchs first gold medallist in Class 8 board examinations. She did her BE from Modi Engineering College, Laxmangarh (Sikar) in Rajasthan, and worked with Hindustan Zinc before marriage.

Sumit holds a diploma in import-export management from a college in London, where he stayed and worked for two years before returning to Neemuch to manage the family business.

Sumits cousin, Sandeep, who is close to him, said, He had everything that a man wanted. Property worth around Rs 100 crore, a loving wife and a daughter. But he chose to renounce everything. We are stunned.

Prakash Bhandari, a leading Jain community member in Neemuch, said as far as he knew, this decision was unprecedented. This is the first time that such a young couple is taking deeksha and that too by leaving behind a daughter, added Bhandari, secretary of Sadhumargi Jain Shravak Sangh.

Earlier this year, a stunning renunciation by a Jain teen from Gujarat made waves across the country.

Varshil Shah, 17, renounced the world and became a monk in June, barely weeks after scoring a stupendous 99.9 percentile in Class 12 Commerce examinations. After initiation for his spiritual quest, the teens name changed to Suvirya Ratna Vijayji Maharaj.

The Jain community, with an estimated population of less than 50 lakh in India, follows an austere lifestyle including vegetarianism and a large section is known to observe customs laid down thousands of years ago. Digambara Jain monks  who consider the sky their clothing  still go naked.

The death of a 13-year-old Jain girl, Aradhana Samdariya, in October 2016, less than three days after she ended a 68-day fast under the tapasya ritual practised by her community triggered debates across the country.

Aradhanas death put the spotlight on the communitys tapasya ritual. Amid debates, many Jain leaders came out in support of her parents, saying they were being hounded and the community was being maligned.

According to Jain elders, the tapasya that Aradhana undertook was voluntary and the first of nine steps (nav-pad) aimed at attaining salvation, and it was not the same as the ritual of santhara under which the elderly or the sick abstain from food until they die.
RANCHI

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological fountainhead RSS would like to see more people who subscribe to their ideology at the helm of educational institutions in Jharkhand, where the party is in power.

A meeting of the BJP and its affiliates held in Ranchi during the visit of party president Amit Shah on Saturday discussed the issue of religious conversions at schools and colleges run by Christian missionaries and decided to press the state government to check their growth, said an RSS leader who attended the close door meeting.

It was agreed at the meeting top press the BJP-led government of chief minister Raghubar Das to scrap affiliation of educational institutions that are allegedly directly or indirectly engaged in religious conversion, he said.

Besides the BJP and RSS, representatives of Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Seva Bharati, Vidhya Bharati and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) attended the meeting that was chaired by Shah.

The meeting emphasised on improving the quality of education in both rural and urban areas by deputing officials who believe in Sanghs ideology at the helm of the educational institutions, said the RSS leader, who spoke on condition on anonymity.

Historically, Christian missionaries have had a strong presence in the tribal-dominated Jharkhand. They ran most of the prominent schools and colleges in the impoverished state, until the government expanded its educational network.

In recent decades, as the political influence of the BJP grew in the region, Jharkhand has also seen a strong expansion of educational institutions run by groups associated with the RSS, which is increasingly challenging the presence of the Christian missionaries, alleging they indulge in religious conversion under the pretext of offering education and other social services.

Earlier this year, the Jharkhand government rechristened the states oldest Ranchi College to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University. Mukherjee was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangha, the forerunner to the BJP.

The renaming sparked angry protests from tribal students, who accused the government of saffronising higher education by suppressing students opinion and issuing diktats to please the RSS.

Saturdays meeting of the Sangh affiliates also hailed the 1000-day old Raghubar Das government for its decision to introduce the controversial anti-conversion law, and resolved to implement the same effectively.

The Jharkhand Religious Freedom Act, 2017 put severe restriction on religious conversion. As per its provisions, anyone found violating the legislation would be imprisoned for three years and fined Rs. 50,000 or both, and four-year imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine, or both, if the person converted is a minor, woman or schedule caste or schedule tribe.

It also mandates a person converting willingly to inform the deputy commissioner about details such as time, place and the person who administers the conversion proceedings.

Pro-Christian tribal groups and opposition parties have condemned the law describing it another step by the RSS-BJP combine to victimise minorities in the state.
BJP on Saturday staged a demonstration here demanding the resignation of Karnataka Minister K J George in the wake of the Supreme Court ordering a CBI probe into the alleged suicide of a DySP, who had accused him and some senior IPS officers of harassing him.

The apex court had on September five ordered a CBI probe into the death of M K Ganapathy, a deputy superintendent of Karnataka police, saying there were startling facts in the case which needed to be probed in a fair manner.

Led by BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, a large number of party leaders and workers turned up at the Mourya Circle here asking George to step down as a minister, saying otherwise the probe might be influenced.

Lok Sabha members Shobha Karandlaje, B Sriramulu and Pratap Simha and party leaders, including K E Eshwarappa, took part in the protest.

Sriramulu said he was a minister when Yeddyurappa was the Chief Minister but resigned when his name figured in the Lokayukta report in connection with illegal iron ore mining.

The 51-year-old Ganapathy was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a room at a lodge at Madikeri in Kodagu district on July seven last year, with the mystery surrounding the death raising a huge political controversy. Prior to the alleged suicide, Ganapathy had told a local TV channel in an interview that the then Home Minister George and two senior police officers A M Prasad and Pranab Mohanty would be responsible if anything happens to me.

The Supreme Court had also asked the CBI to file a status report on the probe within three months.
Home ministry officials said Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who returned from a four-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) earlier this week, is quite taken by Kashmiri students whom he met during his stay in Srinagar.

Singh met close to 70 delegations during his visit which included politicians, businessmen, traders and students.

Three to four groups of young students had come to meet Mr Rajnath and the minister was extremely impressed by what they had to say. The students were exceptional in their approach on every issue... a senior home ministry official said.

According to the official, the students told Singh they wanted career opportunities inside Kashmir, greater transparency between the government and citizenry, and most importantly, peace in the Valley

 They wanted him to speak to Hurriyat leaders to which Mr Rajnath responded that he had already made it clear that anyone who liked to talk to him on Kashmir issue is more than welcomed... the official told HT.

According to another official.the home minister, after meeting the students, is of the view that they are some of the main stakeholders in the state . There will be a special focus on children below 18 years of age.Plans on future schemes, education opportunities and career counselling are some of the areas that need to be worked on, the official added.

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A Muslim man from Kerala, whose marriage to a converted Hindu woman triggered a national controversy, approached the Supreme Court on Saturday to freeze a National Investigation Agency probe into his wedding and alleged his wife was being tortured by her family.

In his petition, Shafin Jahan said his wife Hadiya, earlier known as Akhila, is under tremendous physical and mental attack by her family, with whom she is living, and that even activists were barred from meeting her. He also alleged that the NIA probe was proceeding without the supervision of a retired judge, as stipulated by the top court.

She is confined to her room and not allowed to meet anyone. She was physically and mentally harassed by her relatives. Some of the Sangh Parivar outfits are also trying to threaten her, Jahan told Hindustan Times.

He also asked the apex court to listen to Hadiya before any decision.

The case grabbed national spotlight last year after Akhila Ashokan, a homeopathy doctor, converted to Islam, took the name Hadiya and married Jahan last December. But her father, an ex-serviceman, approached the Kerala high court, saying his daughter was indoctrinated and forcibly converted. He also claimed that she would be sent to Afghanistan or Syria, akin to 21 people missing from Kerala who are suspected to have joined the Islamic State.

In May, the high court annulled their marriage and in August, the Supreme Court refused to stay the HC order and asked the NIA to probe the wedding.

But weeks later, justice T K Ravendran who was assigned to oversee the investigation withdrew, citing personal reasons. There are many attempts to brand me as a terrorist. Many such unknown cases will come up in coming days to tarnish me, Jahan told Hindustan Times.

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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed support for the Rohingyas, adopting a stand contrary to the position of the Narendra Modi government.

We do support the @UN appeal to help the Rohingya people. We believe that all commoners are not terrorists. We are really concerned, Banerjee tweeted on Friday evening.

The Centre has said it will deport Rohingya refugees, an ethnic minority from Myanmar who have fled their home soil after an intense military crackdown by the military. The crackdown has been compared to an ethnic cleansing by the United Nations.

The Bengal CMs decision to break ranks with the Prime Minister on an international issue is in line with her running feud with the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Trinamool Congress chief has criticised the Narendra Modi government on a number of points, including politics over cow and the note ban exercise last year.

BJP and the Sangh Parivar frequently accuse the Bengal chief minister of appeasing Muslims. They maintain that her government has paved the way for infiltration of Muslims from Bangladesh into Bengal for political gains.

Muslims constitute more than 27% of Bengals population and are believed to support Trinamool Congress in all polls in the state from rural to Lok Sabha.
Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, famous for his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan war, has been hospitalised and his condition is said to be critical.

The only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, Singh was admitted to the Armys Research and Referral hospital on Saturday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and IAF chief BS Dhanoa visited Singh at the hospital.

His condition is critical, official sources said. The 98-year-old was admitted to the hospital after he complained of uneasiness.

PM Narendra Modi with Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh at the Army's RR hospital a short while ago. @htTweets pic.twitter.com/OuzDR2VpAw  Rahul Singh (@rahulsinghx) September 16, 2017

We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best, Modi tweeted after his visit.

An icon of the Indian military, Singh led a young IAF into war and to victory in 1965 when Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor. Singh was 44 years old at the time and led with courage, determination and professional skill despite constraints on a full-scale use of air force combat power.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the hike in fuel prices, for punishing the people by the high taxes on petrol and diesel.

Post Demonetisation disaster and shoddy GST Implementation, Modiji is now punishing the common Indian by massive taxation on petrol and diesel, said Gandhi in a tweet.

Post Demonetisation disaster and shoddy GST Implementation, Modiji is now punishing the common Indian by massive taxation on Petrol & Diesel  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) September 16, 2017

His comment came after new union minister KJ Alphons on Saturday stoked a controversy by saying people who own bikes and cars are not starving and can afford to pay higher prices for fuel.
The latest round of talks between India and Pakistan on Indus Water Treaty concluded without reaching an agreement, the World Bank has said even as it assured that both countries will continue to work to resolve the issues in an amicable manner.

While an agreement has not been reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the Treaty provisions, the World Bank said in a statement.

Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty, the World Bank said after the conclusion of the Secretary-level discussions between the two South Asian neighbours on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

The two-day discussion took place at the World bank headquarters on September 14-15.

The World Bank remains committed to act in good faith and with complete impartiality and transparency in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Treaty, while continuing to assist the countries, the bank said in its statement.

The IWT was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

The World Banks role in relation to differences and disputes is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties.

The Indian delegation was led by the Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh. It also had representatives from Ministry of External Affairs, Power, Indias Indus Water Commissioner and Central Water Commission.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan along with Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.

The last round of talks were held on August 1, which the World bank said were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.
One recent August day, a festive atmosphere enveloped Budabirmaha hamlet in the tribal Kandhamal district of Odisha. The day had started with dancing to the beating of drums as the villagers welcomed their guests, health workers who would test them for malaria.

Whoever tests positive should complete the medicine course without fail, Salman Mallick, the villages health volunteer, told the gathering in the local Kui language.

With this, the team set about testing all 189 villagers in the first of two mass screenings to be conducted each yearbefore and after the monsoon rainsunder a joint programme by Tata Trusts and the Government of Odisha that aims to reduce malaria deaths by 100% and malaria incidence by 40% by 2021.

Budabirmaha is a small tribal hamlet in Kotagarh hamlet of Kandhamal district, Odisha. It doesnt have pucca roads, electricity or mobile coverage. Nearest sub-centre is eight kilometres away. (IndiaSpend)

The programme uses a simple, bare-bones strategyeducation for prevention, twice-yearly testing, and rapid treatment with a pre-established protocolall through a local volunteer.

With Odisha accounting for 41% of Indias 1 million malaria cases in 2016, the success of the programme is crucial for Indias fight against malaria.

Remote and cut off

It may not look like a lot, but the screening in Budabirmaha is a minor revolution.

Surrounded by impenetrable forests and hills in what was Naxalite territory until a few years ago, Budabirmaha is one of many tribal villages that seldom get attention from the state authorities. The village has no pucca road, electricity connection or mobile phone coverage.

The nearest health sub-centre, the first point of contact in Indias primary health care system, is eight kilometres away. A redrawing of panchayat lines last year put Budabirmaha under another panchayat, and it has not been assigned an ASHA (accredited social health activist) worker since. Instead, the village has been allocated to another ASHA worker who visits once a month.

A villager in Budabirmaha, Kandhamal in the long lasting insecticidal net that has been given to him. (IndiaSpend)

Most of the villagers belong to the Kandha tribe and practice sustenance farming, clearing forest land and growing paddy and other crops.

Paddy fields, thick forests and slow-moving streams encourage the breeding of the Anopheles fluviatilis mosquito, and the deadly falciparum malaria is widespread. Kandhamal district, of which the village is a part, has an annual parasite incidence of 38.5, which means approximately 38 people among every 1,000 test positive for the parasite, although not all people who contract the parasite suffer from malaria. With poor access to quality healthcare facilities, most patients go to local quacks and traditional babas for treatment.

Malaria can mean late or wrong treatment, and even death.

Afebrile malaria, or malaria without fever, can easily go undetected, which makes seasonal mass screening critical, Jayeeta Chowdhury, the health programme manager at Tata Trusts, told IndiaSpend.

This is how 3-year-old Rishi Vardhamaji was diagnosed with malaria even though he had no symptomshis second bout this year.

Undernourished children are at greater risk of contracting malaria due to poor immunity. If undetected, malaria further lowers their immunity and worsens malnutrition, possibly leading to stunting.

Four of 10 children screened while this reporter was in the village tested positive for malaria.

Odishas tribals face the brunt

Tribal populations, like in Budabirmaha, comprise 8% of Indias population yet account for 46% of Indias malaria incidence and 47% malarial deaths. The states inhabited largely by tribal populations together report 80% of malaria incidence, with Odisha accounting for 41%, Chhattisgarh 14%, Jharkhand 13% and Madhya Pradesh 6%.

Although India reported 1 million malaria cases in 2016, malaria has been in decline in India overall, with the number of reported cases falling by 45% from 2000 to 2015.

However, the battle against malaria has made slower gains in Odisha, which recorded the most number of deaths (77) from malaria in 2016.

This is because 86% of Odishas malaria cases in 2016 were of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadlier of the two main types of the malaria parasite found in India (the other being Plasmodium vivax). Plasmodium falciparum multiplies rapidly in the blood to cause severe anaemia and clog small blood vessels, potentially leading to cerebral malaria, which is often fatal.

Eliminating malaria

The partnership between Tata Trusts and the state government of Odisha, as we said, aims to reduce the annual parasite incidence to less than 1 in 1,000 population, deaths by 100% and malaria incidence by 40% by 2021.

Tata Trusts provide technology, human resources, logistical support and knowledge, while the state government contributes medicines and diagnostic support.

Village health volunteer, Salman Malick, 25 with anti-malarial drugs, It is my dream to make my village a model village said Malick. (IndiaSpend)

Targeting 623 of the most inaccessible villages in the states three southern districts of Rayagada, Kalahandi and Kandhamal, the programme relies on three simple stepsprevention, timely detection, and rapid treatment.

The experience of Budabirmaha village is instructive. An associate organisation of Tata Trusts, Livolink Foundation, worked closely with the villagers to convince them to nominate a village health volunteer. The villagers chose 25-year-old Salman, who has studied upto grade X and, like many in the village, uses the surname Mallick.

After training in detection and treatment of malaria and malnutrition, as well as schooling in data management by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP), Salman became a certified fever treatment depot holder.

A health worker with Rapid Diagnostic Kit (RDK) strips, the strips are bivalent and detect falciparum, vivax and mixed malaria. A droplet of blood is collected on the strip which is inserted in the RDK, results usually take 15-30 minutes. (IndiaSpend)

Armed with a rapid diagnostic kit, a portable device much like a diabetes test kit, Salman tests people for malaria and prescribes medicinesa three-day course for falciparum malaria, 14-day course for vivax malaria, and 15-day course for those with both vivax and falciparumand follows up to check results. If the treated persons do not get better at the end of the course, he refers them to the government health sub-centre.

Salman, who gets a Rs 1,000 honorarium a month, also conducts twice-weekly meetings to educate the community about malaria symptoms, prevention and treatment.

It is my dream to make my village a model village, Salman told IndiaSpend, adding that until a few months ago, the villagers would go to Bengali babas and spend Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 on treatment. Now they get treated free of cost, and there is better awareness about prevention.

Prevention forms a key part of the programme, for which other villagers such as 81-year-old Nielson Mallick have been enlisted. We had heard about using mosquito nets but never knew how they looked or where to get them, he said while showing us the long-lasting insecticidal (LLI) nets distributed by the ASHA worker. Nielsons duty is to ring the church bell at 8 pm every night to remind everyone to use mosquito nets.

Residents have been trained in spraying insecticide to the inside surfaces of homes that serve as mosquito resting placesa technique called indoor residual sprayingand to observe each Friday as dry day to empty out all water storage vessels and other possible mosquito breeding spots.

The programme will also try some innovative ideason the cards is a portable digital microscope, and a real-time surveillance application that will store information on a cloud that can be accessed from anywhere. It will also conduct two research studies on two genes and their association with malaria.

The state government has used some of the successful strategies from this partnership to start a programme called Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran, or Eliminating Malaria in Inaccessible Areas in 23 districts of Odisha. By July 2017, it had reached some 80 blocks and conducted 2,000 camps, Madan Mohan Pradhan, the Joint Director of Health Services associated with NVBDCP in Odisha, told IndiaSpend.

The strategy of mass screening, indoor residual spraying and use of LLI nets is working, Pradhan said, citing his experience with the community health centre of Malkangiri district: I saw a drastic reduction of symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria. Where last year the cases diagnosed were six per day, this year there were just two cases a day.
A day after killing a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan and injuring a civilian, Pakistani Rangers opened heavy fire on six to eight Indian posts along the international border in Arnia sub-sector of RS Pura in Jammu district on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

The Border Security Force (BSF) responded in equal measure, its Jammu frontier DIG Dharmender Pareekh said. From mid night till Saturday morning there were exchanges of fire and shelling in Arnia sector in area of 6 to 8 border outposts of BSF, DIG Pareekh said.

The firing stopped at 6.45am and no loss of human life or injuries to anyone was reported, he added.

But, an Arnia police station officer said Pakistan resorted to indiscriminate firing with small and heavy weapons at Sai, Treva and Jabowal forward posts.

He said three cattle died, three others were injured and three houses and a temple were damaged in the firing.

Arnia tehsildar has ordered closure of schools coming within 5km range of border.

On the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, Pakistani Rangers had shot dead BSF constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh in a sniper fire in Arnia sector, prompting BSF to retaliate stingingly.

On Friday morning, a civilian Ajay Kumar of Suhagpur Powal was injured when a shell exploded on a road while he was coming out of a rice mill. Two Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory action by the BSF on Thursday.

Home minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Jammu on September 12 had reiterated his word of advice to the BSF and Army to not to open first fire but stop counting their bullets if Pakistan fired even a one at India.

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A woman was killed and her husband and daughter-in-law were injured when a mortar fired by Pakistan exploded in their house in Jammu and Kashmirs Arnia sub-sector on Sunday, officials said. Three other people of another family were also injured in an explosion in the same area.

The woman was killed when the mortar exploded in their house in Ala village around 3am, said Arnia station house officer Satish Kumar.

The deceased woman was identified as Ratna Devi, and her injured husband as Chuni Lal and daughter-in-law Rajni Devi.

With this, the death toll in Arnia since Thursday has gone up to two.

Earlier, BSF Jammu Frontier DIG Dharmender Pareekh said three other people were injured in Pakistani shelling in Arnia.

They were injured when a shell exploded in their house in ward number 4 of Arnia town around 10 pm on Saturday.

Villagers point to the mark of a mortar shell fired by Pakistan in Arnia. (PTI)

Pareekh said Pakistani Rangers started firing without any provocation in Arnia, and Indian personnel retaliated in an effective manner. There was no loss of life or injury to BSF personnel.

The three injured civilians were identified as 65-year-old Maya Devi, 12-year-old Shubam and his 35-year-old mother Rajni Kumari. Maya Devi is being treated at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.

On Saturday, Pakistani Rangers had opened heavy fire on six to eight Indian posts along the international border in Arnia sub-sector. Three cattle died, three others were injured and three houses and a temple were damaged in the firing.

On the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, Pakistani Rangers had shot dead BSF constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh in a sniper fire in Arnia sector, prompting BSF to retaliate stingingly.

On Friday morning, a civilian Ajay Kumar of Suhagpur Powal was injured when a shell exploded on a road while he was coming out of a rice mill. Two Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory action by the BSF on Thursday.

Home minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Jammu on September 12 had reiterated his word of advice to the BSF and Army to not to open first fire but stop counting their bullets if Pakistan fired even a one at India.

Meanwhile, security forces have made a list of top most wanted terrorists in Kashmir that includes al-Qaedas Zakir Musa.

An army source confided that there were orders from the top to eliminate these terrorists at the earliest to restore normalcy in Kashmir.

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The ambitious sub-regional road connectivity plan involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN), an initiative that was being pushed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost regional integration, seems to have hit another roadblock.

After Bhutan decided not to ratify the BBIN motor vehicle (MV) agreement last year following domestic opposition, India had decided to operationalise the pact with the other two members  Bangladesh and Nepal.

But government sources said Bangladesh has now thrown a spanner to Indias plan by expressing its inability to come on board till the time Bhutan makes its formal stance on the agreement clear. Sources said Bangladesh backed out of the proposed meeting of the three countries called by Indias Union road transport and highways ministry on September 7-8 at Bangalore to finalise the protocol to make the MV agreement operational.

Though India, Bangladesh and Nepal have ratified the pact, unless protocols are finalised, the MV agreement cannot be implemented.

In a written communication to India, Bangladesh cited Article XVI of the BBIN which mandates that the MV agreement has to be ratified by all four countries to make it operational.

Hence, without the formal consent of Bhutan, this provision technically restricts the other three countries to move ahead with the plan for phased implementation of the agreement, the Bangladesh government has communicated to India.

The pact will allow seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles among the four countries.

Under the BBIN agreement the contracting parties will allow cargo vehicles for inter-country cargo including third country cargo and passenger vehicles or personal vehicles to ply in the territory of another contracting country subject to the terms of the agreement.

In the above circumstances, the proposed three country meeting through the invitation of MoRTH, India at Bangalore would not be fruitful at this moment, the communication further states.

The BBIN agreement was signed in Bhutans capital Thimpu in June 2015.

This is the second time that the Indian governments sub regional road connectivity plan has hit a stumbling block. Earlier Pakistan scuppered the SAARC motor vehicle agreement by refusing to come on board.

Currently, India only has a bilateral motor vehicle agreement with Nepal and Bangladesh but a multilateral pact would go a long way in boosting trade in the region

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Three men, arrested in the Hyderabad ISIS module case last year, allegedly assaulted three jail officials at the Chanchalguda central prison on Saturday.

Officials of the prisons department are learnt to have alerted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) besides lodging a complaint with the Hyderabad police on the incident.

Director General of Prisons V K Singh said the prisoners  Mohammed Ibrahim Yazdani, Mohammed Iliyas Yazdani and Mohammed Athaullah Rahman, who had been under high security cover, attacked the jail staff after a meeting with visitors.

The jail authorities granted permission to the prisoners to meet the visitors (said to be relatives) at noon. The meeting was over at 12:30 pm. Afterwards, while waiting at a wicket gate separating two sections to collect their belongings including bread, fruits and dry fruits brought by the visitors, the trio suddenly pushed a warder, entered the main gate area and manhandled prison staff while verbally abusing them, officials said.

At that time, duty warder Bharat Kumar opened the Wicket Gate-II to take the other prisoners to send to out-courts. Suddenly, the three under trials prisoners pushed the duty warder and entered into the main gate by force and shouted abuses, Singh said.

Warder G Sampath suffered injury in the eye while the other staff suffered minor injuries, the DG said.

Jail superintendent lodged a complaint with the Dabeerpura police. According to inspector D Venkanna Naik, a case has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 225 read with 34 (Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person) and section 45 of the Prisons Act.

Thirty-one-year old Ibrahim (alias Ibbu) and Iliyas (25) are among the five youths arrested by the NIA in June 2016. Arrested along with them were Habeeb Mohammed, Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Amoodi and Muzaffar Hussain Rizwan for their suspected links with ISIS.

Ibrahim, Iliyas and Amoodi were the leaders of a newly formed group that was allegedly planning attacks on InOrbit Mall and IT zone in Madhapur. The NIA seized two pistols, an air gun, target boards used for shooting practice and explosive substances (urea, acids and hydrogen peroxide) apart from Rs 15 lakh cash from the suspects.

The investigators found that they were taking guidance from key ISIS recruiter Shafi Armar, who was a former Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative based in Syria.

The NIA is likely to question the suspects and verify the background of their visitors.

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The Ghaziabad police on Saturday arrested self-styled godman Baba Pratibhanand, who is wanted by Delhi police in connection with the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party leader and businessman Deepak Bhardwaj in 2013.

Investigation had revealed that Pratibhanand hired contract killers to eliminate Bhardwaj, the richest candidate in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections with declared assets of nearly Rs 600 crore.

The arrest is the latest in the sordid saga of godmen in India found involved in ghastly crimes ranging from sexual abuse to murder.

Last month, another so-called spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of raping two of his female devotees.

Earlier this year, a 23-year-old law student in the southern state of Kerala chopped off the genitals of a self-proclaimed holy man, Gangeshananda Theerthapada, also known as Sree Hari, for allegedly trying to rape her.

These spiritual leaders built vast empires often through dubious deals.

Machendranath alias Pratibhanand-- a native of Beed in Maharashtra-- too nursed an ambition to build his own ashram. He allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore for Bhardwajs contract killing, out of which he had planned to corner Rs 2 crore to build the ashram in Haridwar.

Pratibhanand was arrested from Ghaziabad junction by a police team and booked him under the Arms Act. After getting information that he was roaming around Ghaziabad railway junction, we launched a manhunt with several teams and nabbed him. A pistol was also recovered from his possession. He was absconding since Bhardwajs killing, said Akash Tomar, superintendent of police (city).

The officer said the self-styled godman had arranged shooters for Bhardwajs murder and had a bounty of Rs 1lakh on his head.

According to sources, Pratibhanand had run away from Maharashtra during his childhood and had arrived in Delhi where he became a baba at a temple.

Earlier in 2013, Bhardwajs younger son Nitesh confessed that he got his father killed by engaging assailants provided by Pratibhanand. He held a grudge against his father for refusing to give a share in his (Bhardwajs) property to him.

The murder conspiracy was hatched six months prior to the killing. The hired killers had attempted twice to kill the BSP leader outside his 35 acre farmhouse in South Delhis Rajokri.

Pratibhanand was roped in by an accomplice of Nitesh. The self-styled godman hired Purushottam Rana alias Monu and Sunil Mann, the two shooters who allegedly killed the BSP leader on March 26, 2013 inside the farmhouse - Nitesh Kunj.

The Ghaziabad police said they would soon get in touch with their counterparts in Delhi, who are investigating the murder case.

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Whats the worst thing you can do on a WhatsApp group-- send good morning quotes/forward marriage jokes/make up convenient facts?

Think again.

In my school group, there is a friend who cannot be bothered to write happy birthday. She copies and pastes the last sent message, spelling mistakes and smileys included, which looks quite weird when read, said Riti Khanna, a beauty care professional based in Delhi.

The worst are sales moms. We had one in our mom group who started dealing in China-sourced baby productstoys, blankets, bottles. She would send 100 photos of one product one after the other. When I objected to it on the group, she called me a dictator, said Amrita Gupta, a banker based in Mumbai.

There are people in my alumni group who, when they dont agree with what I am saying in an argument, get personal. For example, when I expressed my doubts about demonetization on the group, one of them said I must have hoarded black money, said Aman Malik, a product designer based in Gurgaon.

Its hard to find today someone who isnt tired of WhatsApp groups, but its harder to find someone who is not a member of one. WhatsApp is to middle-class Indians what Snapchat is to American teenagers: a social network that really, truly gets them. While they account for most of the backlash against the messaging platform, deadly rumours arent the only thing that circulates through Indias WhatsApp network of 200 million users, the worlds largest market for the app. Extremely open (free to download, easy to use) and entirely closed (end-to-end encrypted), Facebooks instant messaging app is central to the making of community and consensus in India today. The Family Group isnt WhatsApps only offering to Indian society. The platform has created whole new virtual communities -- school mom group, condo groupas well as animated old associations like alumni and party members.

How is a WhatApp group different from one formed over email or Facebook? Its urgent and intimateurgent because it exists on the Smartphone and intimate because its held together not by common interest but core connections, as members of a wfamily, office, building, or alumni. WhatsApp provides not only a channel of communication but also a template for it. There are no limits: you can post as many updates in a day as you like on as many topics as you like, making it totally normal to go from talking about maids to talking about Modi. The conversations bare the soul of modern India: likes and dislikes, pride and prejudice, fear and loathing.

So, what are Indians currently talking about over WhatsApp?

MAJORITY RULES

Sandip Kumar, a Delhi-based lawyer, is a part of an alumni group from a prestigious law school. Everyone is placed high in their careers. Members are added selectively; there is even a waiting list for entry. Its meant for networking within legal and public policy community. But people are constantly posting about current affairs, often without checking their facts, he said. In August, the outgoing vice president, Hamid Ansari, ruffled feathers by saying that Muslims felt insecure and uneasy in todays India. Within seconds, smartphones across India were buzzing with WhatsApp alerts. A college senior on our group said Hamid Ansari was a cousin of Mukhtar Ansari, the gangster-politician from eastern Uttar Pradesh. I pointed out that it was not true. He got aggressive and said he knows best because he is from the same area. I sent him a link to an article stating his family background; he sent me a link to postcard news affirming his relations with the criminal. I said this is bullshit, but he still didnt back down.

Few of the groups 254 members are Muslims, said Kumar. They just go quiet when something like this happens. As do women when male members of the group post jokes about the glass ceiling and participants from Dalit and tribal communities every time someone brings up merit. I usually stay quiet when a man posts a sexist joke, said Amrita Gupta who is a member of an alumni group from her business school. Earlier I used to call the men out.

Once, when one of them posted a sexist joke, I said is that what you think of your wife? The jokes might stop for a month or two, but always come back. I am a feminist and a vocal, outspoken one, but I have given up within the group. I dont have the time or the bandwidth. In India, its really difficult to change a mans mindset.

As in real life, minority groups dont always stand for each other in a WhatsApp group. At the time of the debate over whether security forces should use pellet guns on protesters in Kashmir, a woman posted on the alumni group that all Kashmiris should be killed, said Kumar. I asked her, are you calling for a genocide?

Last month, after years of checking facts on his many WhatsApp groupsschool, college, familyAman Malik quit them all. People were pushing content without verifying facts or caring about the agenda behind them. I became notorious for posting links to articles by credible journalists. But after failing to convince fellow members on his B school alumni groupeconomically top 2 percent of the countrythat Urdu is an Indian as Hindi, he gave up. It was pointless and a waste of time. Everything was polarizedpeople are either for or against something.

The idea is to create a community of peers. Structurally, WhatsApp groups work on a sense of likeness, a unifying basis. They are made up of People Like Us. A WhatsApp group is a cohort; the idea is to find comfort in sameness. Thats why its natural to exclude or silence others, says Santosh Desai, social commentator and a reluctant member of an elite condo group. The process of consensus building is embedded in the way a group is created and conversations are conducted. Jokes gain currency through successive rounds of validation. No matter what the make of a group, a lot of their energy comes from attacking the liberal opinion. The moment a liberal point of view is posted on a group, you can sense the breathing becoming shallow.

FAULT LINES

The politics of Indias WhatsApp conversations isnt hard to guessits pro-Hindus, pro-BJP and pro-Narendra Modi. Neither is the worldview reflected in the updates circulating through the network, whether on terrorist attacks in Europe or Donald Trumps proposed ban on immigrants from Muslim-majority countries. However, no public opinion is above personal interest. So, Trump is only a hero on NRI family groups until he turns his attention to H-1B visas; and Modi a visionary on business groups until his decision threatens to affect profit margins. Member of a WhatsApp group made up of factory owners operating in one industrial zone, Delhi-based Amarjit Singh says conversation on his group has lately revolved around frustrations with the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST). Stung by the blow, even the most passionate of the prime ministers supporters on the group are reacting to GDP figures from UPA years with a thumbs-up and Achche Din jokes with tears-of-joy.

Politics isnt, however, the only thing that unites and divides members of a WhatsApp group. Solidarities can as easily make or break over a subject like breastfeeding, as Amrita Gupta realized after forming a WhatsApp group with fellow expecting mothers in her prenatal classes in south Mumbai. Certain mothers on mom groups get so judgmental. After our deliveries, when a mother mentioned she was feeding her child formula, another said, you are giving your child poison. Arguments also broke out over whether to keep your dogs away from your newborns. I mean dont expect me to take a stand on it.

Her own disillusionment with the group began over class. Most of these women were filthy richbuilders wives, Bollywood wives. They had separate staffnanny, cook, driverfor every child. And then there were Burberry Moms-- women who dress their children in designer wear from head to toe. There are two classes of Burberry MomsClass One shops from America and Class Two shops from Dubai. After a certain point, they branched out from the main group and made a separate group. So did the working mothers including myself. While they were focused on organizing themed play dates, our main concern was balancing work and babies.

Gupta continued as the admin of the original group until she was forced to mediate a fight between a Sales Mom and a Burberry Mom. It happened at a play date where the first said to second over a parenting decision, what kind of mom are you! Then all hell broke loose on the group. Sides were taken. Both these women were calling me to present their version. Finally, I left the group and made one of them the admin. I created a new group with sane members of the last group.

Does anything good ever come out of a WhatsApp group? Plenty, it turns out.

3 AM SUPPORT

Gupta is not the only one to balance out the daily insanities of Indian WhatsApp network with a sane group. I am in sane group with like-minded peoplejournalists, lawyers, policy professionalswhere we only share links to articles and commentary, said Sandip Kumar, but we have a rule that no one posts their opinions on anything. If two people must debate what they think about the subject of an article, they do that in a one-on-one WhatsApp conversation.

If not for WhasApp groups, passionate users argue, how would school moms have exchanged page-by-page homework, housing societies organized sufi nights and factory owners discovered Manmohan Singhs economic wisdom.

For all the eye rolling her many family WhatsApp groups (fathers family, mothers family, older siblings) cause Riti Khanna, she thinks they allow the extended family to remain connected across cities and time zones. Its also the only place where women crisscrossing bloodlines could have a corner to themselves. We have a ladies-only group with sisters and sisters-in-law where we discuss girly things: from husband bashing to blouse designs to the recent AIB video about vagina being a womans best friend.

A WhatsApp group is what Khanna turns to when she needs emotional support at 3 a.m. I am also in a group of women bloggers. We discuss everything under the sunmarried lives, relatives, frustrations with children. Sometimes, lying awake worried that she has been harsh on her children, she sends a message to the group. I ask anyone there? I need to chat. And one by one, the group starts buzzing with yes, I am here.

Some names have been changed on request.

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After claiming that he would form his own political party, actor Kamal Haasan on Friday said that he would be willing to work with Rajinikanth if the superstar ever decides to enter politics.

However, he added that he would not enter politics in haste.

There are questions whether I will join hands with Rajinikanth in politics. If Rajini enters politics Ill join hands with him, the actor said.

Read more: No work, no pay: Kamal Haasan targets Tamil Nadu MLAs staying in resorts

No work, In a recent interview to the leading website, the actor asserted that he was thinking of launching a political party.

Voicing his opinion on the present political scenario in Tamil Nadu, the megastar said The sacking of VK Sasikala as the general secretary of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was a solid step forward.

On the work front, Hassan is busy with post production work of his forthcoming film Vishwaroopam 2.
Raising her pitch against the saffron brigade, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said her government will simply not allow any procession with weapons and police will strictly deal with anyone trying to carry out any such plan.

Enthused by the unprecedented show of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti on April 5 in Bengal this year, the saffron camp has planned shastra puja (weapon worship) on Bijoya Dasami on September 30.

In the second week of August, Sachindranath Singha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad organisational secretary for West Bengal, Odisha, Sikkim and Andaman, told HT the organisation will take all legal steps if the Mamata Banerjee administration tries to stop shastra puja.

RSS and VHP usually celebrate the occasion with grandeur in various parts of the country. But shastra puja has never been popular in West Bengal.

Read: Saffron camp prepares for weapon worship in Bengal on Bijoya Dasami

Mamata Banerjee also had an advice for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: Dont abandon your ideology in order to help the BJP. Earlier the mission of the RSS was to serve, now it has turned into a shopping mall culture, remarked Mamata Banerjee.

The saffron camp retorted immediately. We never said we would take out processions with weapons. We have planned shastra puja which means worship of weapons. This is an integral part of Durga puja itself, something the chief minister is unaware of, Jishnu Basu, general secretary of RSS in south Bengal told HT.

Read: How RSS plans to take over West Bengal: Social media campaign to new members

The chief minister seems to have lost confidence in herself, quipped Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh. The state government has no right to decide the date and time of rituals such as Durga immersion. All it can do is decide the routes for immersion processions. If she feels that her police cannot handle processions she is free to seek help from the Union home minister. After all, she did ask for Central forces to handle the crisis in Darjeeling and the riots at Basirhat, said Ghosh.

RSS workers, with swords in their hands, make a show of strength in Malda town during Ram Navami. (HT File Photo)

Durga puja cannot begin unless Durgas weapons are worshipped. Its a century-old ritual. Weapons are never carried in immersion processions. The chief minister is trying to mislead the people, added Jishnu Basu. He also described Mamata Banerjee as the most communal chief minister of Bengal after Suhrawardy.

Police wont permit anybody to organise processions with weapons. Anybody trying to take out one will be firmly dealt with, said the chief minister with director general of Bengal police Surajit Kar Purakayastha by her side. Some people are drawing comparison between Mumbai Police and Bengal Police and spreading wrong messages, she quipped.

There have never been any processions with weapons. Each and every procession needs police permission. Permission will not be given to any procession where weapons are displayed. Police will take stern action if anyone attempts any such thing, said the DGP.

Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh taking part in a procession in Kharagpur with a sword in his hand. (HT File Photo)

Referring to the controversy surrounding the governments decision not to allow immersion of Durga idols on October 1 - the day of Muharram - Banerjee said the governments policy was not a reflection of the alleged appeasement. The government had to discontinue immersion for a day because of Muharram only to prevent any disruption of communal harmony. Will Mumbai Police be able to handle the situation if Muharram processions and Ganapti immersion processions coincide? said Banerjee.

She also pointed out that October 1 coincides with Ekadashi according to Hindu almanac. It is a day when immersions are not usually held according to tradition, she said.

Read: VHP to organise monks, priests to enforce ban on cow sale for slaughter in Bengal

On Friday the advocate general told Calcutta high court - which is hearing a PIL on the immersion timings - that the state will allow immersion till 10 pm on September 30 (Bijoya Dasami), extending the deadline by four hours.

The DGP said on Saturday that police recently arrested two persons in the north Bengal town of Raiganj for allegedly planning to throw the head of a pig inside a temple. Both are local BJP supporters. They admitted that they conspired to carry out the plan, said Kar Purakayastha.

People trying to disturb communal harmony will be dealt with an iron hand. Their political affiliation will not be taken into consideration. Those who will observe Muharram should do so peacefully, said the chief minister.
Steve Smith, Australia skipper, exuded confidence his team can dominate Indias left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the one-day series beginning on Sunday after two days of facing a local bowler of similar action in the nets.

Kuldeeps 4/68 on Test debut against Australia helped secure Indias 2-1 series victory earlier this year but the tourists left no stone unturned in their preparation, roping in local left-arm wrist spinner KK Jiyas for some valuable practice.

(Read | India vs Australia: Virat Kohli believes allrounders are key to any teams success)

Hes a good young talent, Smith said of Yadav, who will lead Indias spin attack in absence of seniors Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who have been rested from the first three encounters of the five-match ODI series.

He can be difficult to pick at times so hes someone youve got to watch really closely. Hopefully we can put him under a little bit of pressure early in his spell and try and take him for as many (runs) as we can.

(Read | Virat Kohli is the best cricketer in the world, says Jhulan Goswami)

(Engaging Jiyas) is a chance to train against someone who bowls the same. Theres not too many around the world so its a little bit different and its been good to get someone who bowls a bit of that.

While Kuldeep Yadav remains the worry for Australia, India are fretting over Shikhar Dhawans replacement after the opener was released from the squad to be with his ailing wife.

(Read | India vs Australia: Virat Kohli says he gets tons as he doesnt play for them)

Home captain Virat Kohli hinted Ajinkya Rahane would partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the batting order.

I am not saying its easy, Kohli told reporters at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Ajinkya Rahane plays in middle order in ODIs and Tests and then he has opened in the ODIs as well.

Now we are backing Rahane at the top of the order so he knows his plans are clear.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the authority to control mob violence, but making general statements once every few months does not carry conviction, said noted activist Harsh Mander.

He was talking to HT on the sidelines of a press conference held on Friday to mark the arrival of Karwan-e-Mohabbat (journey of love) in Jaipur. Civil society members and human rights activists have embarked on a nationwide journey to express solidarity with victims of mob lynching.

So-called cow protectors have targeted cattle and meat traders -- violence that has killed several people. On April 1, Pehlu Khan was beaten up by a mob near Alwar when he was transporting cows for his dairy farm; he died after two days of the attack.

We can accuse our prime minister of many things but we cant accuse him of weakness. If he really is convinced that this kind of mob violence is wrong, he has the authority and he has the competence to control it, Mander said.

Just making a general statement once in six months while all your official colleagues  union ministers, MPs, MLAs, and (state) home ministers on the floor of the House  continue to justify and support mob violence and police continue to act in partisan way, carries no conviction that the government actually is opposed to this violence.

Mander said India Spend survey of reported cases of lynching post 2010 revealed that 97% of them happened after Modis government came to power, and 86% people killed were Muslims and 8% Dalits.

We are seeing a pattern where political leadership has created a permissive climate for hate violence. There was always hate, but they couldnt act upon it but now they have freedom to act, he said.

Members of the civil rights group decried that Rajasthan was the only state where the caravan was attacked. The attack could not have happened if the police was not soft in its response. There is continuous appeasement of communal majoritarian community, Mander said.

The journey of love, traversing Assam, Bengal, Bihar, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and MP, will conclude at Mahatma Gandhis birthplace, Porbandar, in Gujarat on October 2, said civil rights activist Kavita Shrivastava.

We think there is a dangerous poison of fear and hate spreading in society. We have heard of a few cases but we have come to know that such incidents have taken place in many states, she said.

Without any reason, innocent people are being beaten up, sometimes killed. So we want to give a message to the minority and Dalits who are fearful. The other objective is to send a message that the majority community cannot stay silent. We have to break our silence.

Activist John Dayal said today one could see that the dice was loaded against the Muslims.

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Mass protest erupted across Barmer district on Saturday a day after a six-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped inside a state-run school.

Hundreds of people, including social organisations and student groups like ABVP and NSUI, protested at various places in the district demanding justice for the victim.

The girl was discharged from a hospital on Saturday morning after doctors saw improvement in her medical condition.

Police took her to the crime spot for verification and completed other investigation formalities.

The investigating officer and deputy superintendent of police, Ratan Lal, told HT that he watched the CCTV footage on Saturday.

Police, however, are yet not named any accused. The investigating officer said though they have grilled many people and school staff but accused have not been identified yet.

Police filed a case on Friday on the basis of statement given by the victims father, who said his daughter, a class 2 student, was tied to a table in a room near the school toilet and gang raped.

Chandan Singh Bhati, convener of social organisation Group of People, said they have protested and demanded justice for the victim.

Inder Purohit, a social activist, said this incident has created fear among girl students. He said this was the time to give a message to girls that they were not alone and the society was with them.

Karishma Bhati, a college student, said: We are gathered to demand justice for the victim and to pose the question not only before government machinery like administration and police but also before the society and school management at large.

POLICE TRYING TO SUPPRESS THE CASE: CONGRESS

The Congress alleged that police were trying to suppress the case because such incidents have exposed the poor law and order situation in the BJP-ruled state.

The way police were working, it seems that police were trying to suppress the matter, Congress national secretary Harish Choudhary said.

He alleged that it was not first case of police inaction. In another case last week, a gang-rape victim in Chohtan area had committed suicide due to police inaction. It appears that the state government was not serious about security and security of women, he said.
Thousands of school students affected by the political impasse in Darjeeling hills found their teachers walking that extra mile on Saturday. A few hundred teachers organised a peace rally in Kurseong and demanded that schools be allowed to function normally.

The bandh called by 15 political parties and organisations spearheading the Gorkhaland movement entered its 94th day on Saturday. Darjeeling and Kalimpong are known for some of the best convent schools in the country and children from not only other states but countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Thailand come here to study.

Read: Darjeeling unrest: Bengal govt to explore options for tripartite meeting

Kurseong alone is home to 17 ICEC schools and many missionary and government-run schools. The bandh has caused immense problem for the students, especially those who will appear for their final board examinations in 2018.

On Saturday, heads of the ICSE schools and some government-run schools organised the rally. Teachers carried placards that said: Gorkhaland is our constitutional right, education is our fundamental right.

Addressing the rally, Robindra Subba, director of Himali Boarding School, said education cannot be allowed to suffer. Most of the teachers said they supported the demand for Gorkhaland but did not want a separate state at the cost of education.

Read: Presidents rule after 90 days of shutdown: Wild rumours doing the rounds in Darjeeling

Chetan Tewari, principal at St Anthonys School and Kurseong coordinator for Association of Hill Listed ICSE Schools said, Students have already suffered a heavy loss and we humbly request all parties to allow normal functioning of schools.

Though most of the schools in Kurseong are open, students are not attending classes in uniform.

Read: Darjeeling unrest: GJM supporters clash with police as administration try to lift bandh

In Darjeeling and Kalimpong, classes are being held outside the schools. Some institutions are even organising special classes for final-year students in Siliguri. This is putting additional financial burden on parents.

Tewari told HT that though more than 95 per cent boarders have returned to his school, the students and teachers feel insecure. This insecurity should be done away with, he said.

Some of the reputable schools in the region are St Pauls School (set up in 1864), St Josephs School (1888), Loreto Convent (1846), Goethals Memorial (1907), Mount Hermon (1895), Dr Grahams Homes (1900). Almost all these institutions have boarding facility for students.

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A 17-year old girl, Pooja Gupta, died when a part of a roof of a single-storeyed building collapsed near Tala in north Kolkata around 2 am on Saturday. Despite being declared unsafe in 2001, several people were living in it.

This is the second instance of loss of life in poorly maintained buildings in the city in 11 days. On September 5, three of a family were killed when parts of a three-storeyed building, declared dangerous by civic authorities, collapsed in a densely-populated area near Nimtolla in north Kolkata.

The house near Tala post office where the tragedy took place on Saturday, too, was and old one and poorly maintained. It is located Kolkata and was within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area. However, locals could not say if this structure, too, was declared unsafe by the civic authorities.

The local councillor pointed out that the civic authorities declared the building dangerous 16 years ago, but the residents continued to live in it.

The loud thud brought neighbours rushing to the spot. They found the girl critically injured and took her to R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.

The locals started clearing the rubble even before the police and fire brigade personnel arrived.

On July 25, a portion of an almost 100-year-old building collapsed in the city killing two people. That building, too, was declared hazardous by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
The Allahabad high court has decided to function on Saturdays as well. Both Allahabad and Lucknow benches will handle old pending cases on the weekend.

For first such working day, on September 16, the court has set up six special benches for Allahabad and five for Lucknow.

In Allahabad, three of six benches will be two-judge benches while other three will act as single judge bench.

These include, benches of justices Krishna Murari and RN Kakkar; justices Bachchoo Lal and Aniruddha Singh and the bench of justices Vijay Lakshmi and Ifaqat Ali Khan.

Justices Mukhtar Ahmad, VK Misra and Pratyush Kumar will hear cases as single judge bench, read a notification put up on the official website of the Allahabad high court.

The notification for Lucknow said three judges, including justices Raghvendra Kumar, Sanjay Harkauli and Rekha Dikshit will sit as single bench while two will be double judge benches of justices Vikram Nath and DS Tripathi and justices Mahendra Dayal and Rang Nath Pandey.

At both Allahabad and Lucknow, the single judge bench would hear listed jail appeals and criminal appeals, starting from the oldest, while the two-judge benches would hear listed applications under Sections 482 & 483 CrPC, jail appeals, jail revisions, criminal revisions and criminal appeals, starting from the oldest irrespective of the year.

The special benches have been formed to decide old cases which are pending for decades. The court will not hear any newly filed case on Saturdays. Cases will be taken up for hearing only if counsels are ready to argue the case on Saturdays. However, if court has appointed any amicus curiae (impartial adviser to a court) it will hear the case.
Its not just a cleanliness mission; its a whole freedom movement, which Narendra Modi ji is leading, said President Ram Nath Kovind as he compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi with freedom fighters Tatya Tope and Nana Sahib, both of whom led the battle against the British in Kanpur region during the 1857 uprising.

Kovind, who was in Ishwariganj, a remote village in Kanpur, to launch Swacchata Hi Sewa Hai mission aimed at spreading the word of cleanliness, said: Its the same battle that is being fought to make India clean.

Kovind, who was accompanied by first lady Savita, was on his maiden visit to his hometown Kanpur after becoming President.

The President administered oath to the gathering for keeping the vicinity clean and said each one of you is a rashtra nirmata and have a crucial role to play in building the nation.

President can be one, but rashtra nirmata can be many. I want you to become rashtra nirmatas, in order to take countrys development to new heights, he said amid cheers from dwellers of Ishwariganj that is perhaps the first village in Kanpur division to be declared open defecation free (ODF).

Kovind highlighted the aspect of personal health and said, unhygienic conditions are home to mental illness. As per a survey, India has more than 6 crore people with mental problems and unhygienic conditions was attributed to be the sole cause behind the illness.

The President said, Every visit to Kanpur reminds me of my school and college days. I do share emotional bonding with Kanpur.

Kovind was accompanied by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, union minister Uma Bharti among others.

Yogi, too, stressed on cleanliness and health and said the UP government so far did well in transforming villages along the Ganga into the ODF.

But there are still many villages left. The deteriorating state of the stretch of Ganga that passes through Kanpur is a matter of concern, he said.

The chief minister directed officials to expedite transformation of the villages and start work for observing Ganga Mahotsav in all districts through which the Ganga passes.

In last six months, Yogi said more than 10 lakh toilets had been constructed in UP and 15,000 more were in the making.

Naik compared the Presidents welcome in his home town to that of Lord Rams return to Ayodhya from Lanka and said UPs contribution to building the nation cannot be denied.

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With the aim of curbing the menace of land mafia in Uttar Pradesh, unique ID numbers will be soon allotted to agricultural and other types of lands so that no one can illegally grab or sell them. These ID numbers will help in creating a digital identity of the land as all details of the pieces of land, their owners, legal records, plot number and whether it is disputed or not will be made available online.

This will also help people in getting exact details of the land they are interested in buying. Generally, buyers get insufficient details of the land from legal documents and plot numbers and many a time end up buying disputed land or the one which is in the possession of land mafia.

Board of Revenue chairman Pravir Kumar, who held a meeting with the district administration officials in Allahabad recently, said the land would be divided into different categories and unique IDs would be allotted to each of them on the basis of their grading.

The portals would be soon made available to all the district magistrates for beginning the process. The unique ID will also have details like total area of the land, its adjoining lands and their owner and in which tehsil and block it is located, he added.

The digitalisation of land records will help in checking land mafia as they mainly grab those lands which are lying unused or are empty, Kumar said. The Revenue Board chairman said the UP government had also launched an anti-land mafia portal so that officials could put up daily updates on action taken against those involved in illegal land deals and encroachment.

The officers are required to upload the details of complaints against land encroachment after which they should begin the process for resolving the complaint. This will help in maintaining complete transparency in dealing with land grabbing case, he said.
Farhat Naqvi, younger sister of Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukhtar Abbas Navi on Saturday alleged that a group of men tried to kidnap her near Chauki Chauraha area in Bareilly in broad daylight.

The incident happened less than a kilometre from the office of senior superintendent of police while she was returning home.

I was standing on the side of the road when the men stopped their car near me and tried to pull me inside it, Farhat told Hindustan Times. A group of women who were with me came forward to help and I was saved somehow, she added.

Chauki Chauraha is one of the busiest intersections and even has a womens police station. The office of the divisional commissioner is also nearby.

Farhat said the person driving the car threatened her saying, We will see you later.

I could not identify the people who were in the car or the car registration number, she said, adding she was also not sure how many people were inside the vehicle.

She later lodged a complaint with the police.

Farhat lives at her parents home in Bareillys Kila area and runs a social group which provides legal help to divorced women. She had gone to the police station in connection with her work.

The district police have initiated preliminary investigation into the kidnapping bid.

Our team is looking into the evidence to trace the vehicle and the accused who were involved in the incident, senior superintendent of police Joginder Kumar said.
The bandh is in protest of police action on its leaders during a march to the Secretariat on Monday.
The family members of a man who died after falling from a tree in the neighbouring Kaushambi district were forced to carry his body back home on a motorcycle from the district hospital.

Lalta Prasad, 30, a daily wage worker of Hisampur village in Karari area of Kaushambi fell off the tree that he had climbed to arrange firewood on Friday morning.

His family members rushed Lalta Prasad, who had become unconscious, to the Kaushambi district hospital where doctors declared him brought dead after examination.

The family members asked the doctors on duty at the Kaushambi district hospital for an ambulance. When the doctors allegedly failed to provide a vehicle even after an hour, the agitated family members decided to take Laltas body back home on a motorbike.

The district hospital has two ambulances.

Officiating chief medical superintendent (CMS) of the hospital Dr Arvind Kanaujia said the doctors had arranged for an ambulance but the grieving family members refused to wait for the same and took the body on a bike.

The district administration has a different take on the incident. Kaushambi district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said since Lalta was brought dead to the hospital, the doctors advised a post-mortem.

Post-mortem is not mandatory in every case. Since a post-mortem report is necessary at times where family members of the deceased are eligible for benefits of government welfare schemes, the doctors on duty advised for the same. Unable to understand the importance of post-mortem, the grieving family members turned it down and took the body on the bike on which they had brought it to hospital, he said.

In June, a labourer was forced to carry the body of his seven-month-old niece nearly 10 kilometres on his bicycle solely due to lack of a government ambulance at the same district hospital.

Photo Caption : Grieving family members of Lalta Prasad taking his body back home on a motorbike outside Kaushambi district hospital on Friday morning.

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In six months police have killed 15 notorious criminals in encounters in various districts. IG (law and order), Hari Ram Sharma said, since April to mid-September there were 420 encounters between police and criminals across Uttar Pradesh in which 15 criminals were killed one policeman was martyred.

After taking over the reins of the state on March 19, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered crackdown on criminals. There is no place for the criminals they will have to surrender before law or flee the state, he had said.

The police was given free hand by the CM to take on criminals and gangsters who had set a reign of terror particularly in the districts located in East and West UP. Initially policemen seemed hesitant in eliminating criminals but when the order came from the top, police launched an all out operation against criminals. Within a fortnight half-a-dozen criminals were killed in midnight operations.

Policemen are sharing information of encounters on social media- Twitter and WhatsApp as well.

Sharma said, in majority of the cases criminals attacked the police team after being challenged. The policemen were left with no option but to retaliate. Police also succeeded in nabbing 1106 criminals during encounter of which 868 were the one on whom the police has announced reward, he said.

In several cases instead of surrendering, criminals armed with sophisticated weapons attacked policemen he said and added 84 criminals and 88 cops were injured in the encounter.

The police have also slapped National Security Act (NSA) on 54 criminals and seized illegal property of 69 criminals under Gangster Act. The aim is to break the financial backbone of criminals gangs. The operation against the criminals will continue in full swing, Sharma said.

Talking to HT a senior police officer said the encounters mark the return of the encounter era of Kalyan Singh government when the police eliminated hardened criminals across the state. During Kalyan Singh government 1997-99 the policemen were given free hand to eliminate notorious criminals.

The Special Task Force was constituted to track the criminals and eliminate them. After BJP grabbed power in March there was sudden spurt in crime. The pressure increased on the police after the traders and social organizations demanded crackdown on the criminal gangs. The killing of the criminals indicates that those who challenge the might of the police will face the music, he said.
The recent murder of an 8-year-old boy in a Gurugram school has forced parents to take a second look at the buildings where their children study . And all those who never gave school security a thought are doing so now.

Ironically, despite so much rethinking about students safety , there is almost none in thousands of government primary and upper primary schools across the state.

Anybody can walk inside and harm students as there is no one to check. There are only a few teachers who run the school and look after it. But for want of a security guard, they are helpless. HT did a reality check at a primary school in Nirala Nagar area and found no guard at the gate.

Anybody can enter the school unhindered, said a school teacher, requesting anonymity. Local residents often turn the school into a garbage dump. The authorities must give us funds or provide a security guard as a number of girls come to our school.

Parents too are concerned about their wards safety. We cannot afford to send our children to study in a private school because of hefty fees. Government school is the only option for poor people. But we are worried about our childrens safety. Hopefully the state government machinery will do something for safety of children in schools, said Sarita whose daughter goes to a government school.

MANY SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE A BOUNDARY WALL

Absence of boundary wall in schools poses a serious threat to students. As per rules, every school should have a boundary wall or a proper green fencing to protect the children and school property and prevent unauthorised access on the campus.

Of the nearly 1.60 lakh primary and upper primary schools in the state, more than 55,000 schools do not have boundary walls. In April 2016, construction of boundary wall in 35,417 schools was proposed but it is in limbo.

In Lucknow too, a number of primary and upper primary schools do not have boundary walls or dilapidated ones. The worn out classroom doors need urgent repair or replacement.

Locals near a primary school in Sarojini Nagar in Gehru block said, For years the government schools in the vicinity have not had boundary walls. Forget about security guard, they do not have adequate number of teachers to take classes. Many a time in the absence of teachers, students can be seen taking classes.

Director, basic education, Sarvendra Vikram Bahadur Singh said, We have not issued any advisory yet. But it will come soon as safety of the students cannot be compromised with. We are working on it and guidelines will be issued soon.

MEASURES SUGGESTED BY GURUGRAM POLICE

Vigilance Officer: His role will be essential, with the specific purpose of maintaining an overall vigil over children in the school and ensuring that dangers and risks to students are minimised.

Health officer: The school shall have a designated health officer who will ensure basic screening of staff for medical ailments/infections at their time of joining by ensuring basic medical check is carried out.

Read: Schools in Lucknow approach cops for verification of staff

Canteen Officer: The school shall have a designated canteen officer who will ensure basic hygiene and cleanliness of any food or liquid items served, as well as of the premises, counters, utensils, crockery etc.

Safety officer: The school shall have a designated safety officer whose specific responsibility will be to ensure that there is minimum risk to child safety on account of physical hazards.

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Danish chef Rene Redzepi has revealed that the re-opening of his Copenhagen restaurant Noma has been pushed back to 2018. Earlier set to open in December this year, the construction hit a snag a few months ago. Crews stumbled upon an ancient stone wall buried in the ground, reads an update posted on the restaurant website. Archaeologists who were brought to the site to inspect the wall eventually declared the finding to be insignificant.

In northern Norway - in search of ingredients for #noma2.0 pic.twitter.com/3D2CLwYL5N  Rene Redzepi (@ReneRedzepiNoma) August 30, 2017

The setback, however, means that instead of December, the restaurant will open in mid-January. The original Noma shuttered earlier this year at the height of its popularity, in order to pave way for Redzepis vision to open an urban farm-to-table restaurant in Copenhagen with an on-site farm and greenhouse.

The menu will be seasonal, focusing on seafood in winter and early spring, when fish, urchin and oysters are at their peak, and the plant kingdom in spring and summer. Come fall and winter, the menu will shift again to highlight the bounty of Danish forests, with ingredients like mushrooms, nuts, berries, game meats.

In spite of the closure, theres been no rest for the Noma team. Earlier this spring, Redzepi flew his team out to Mexico for a pop-up stint. Currently, the team is hosting a series of temporary outdoor, family-style dinners under Copenhagens Knippelsbro Bridge.

Best turnip in the world  you can peel it like a banana, but it tastes like pear #noma2.0 pic.twitter.com/RoQ0jyZ4ig  Rene Redzepi (@ReneRedzepiNoma) August 13, 2017

The five-course menu for the Under the Bridge pop-up is inspired by the teams travels and has been extended into November. Bookings are open for dinners from Oct. 4 to Nov. 12. The prix fixe menu is DKK 1250 (US$200).

Watch a short film on the future of Noma

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
First They Killed My Father

Director: Angelina Jolie

Cast: Sareum Srey Moch, Phoeung Kompheak, Sveng Socheata

Rating: 3/5

Angelina Jolies relatively short career as director is rather strange, if you look closely. For one, not many people have seen her movies  which isnt unusual, since most movies arent popular  but its her choice of subjects thats worth discussing: Its the perfect synthesis of her ideologies as a human being and her artsy sensibilities as a filmmaker.

Of the four narrative feature films she has made, three have been  chances are, unwittingly  war movies. The sole exception is 2015s By the Sea, which most people decided was either a failed vanity project, or a thinly-disguised therapy session, or a stifled cry for help.

But I liked it.

She went in with the intention of making a pulpy psychosexual thriller about a crumbling marriage, and came out with a 60s European art film. By the Sea was a bold, challenging piece of cinema that would have been a source of great pride for most seasoned filmmakers, let alone someone whose day job as a movie star makes her one of the most recognisable faces on the planet.

Jolies latest, the Cambodia-set First They Killed My Father is quite possibly her most mature film yet. It has none of the tacked on romance of In the Land of Blood and Honey  her first feature, set during the Serbian war. Nor has it been injected with the syrupy melodrama of Unbroken, her fact-based World War II epic. Instead, First They Killed My Father is a near silent, quasi-existential war movie told through the eyes of a child  Loung  much like Netflixs first original film, the Cary Joji Fukunaga masterpiece, Beasts of no Nation.

Its set in 1975, in the aftermath of the American desertion of Cambodia following a series of campaigns that involved several unprovoked strikes. Cambodia, it should be mentioned, took a neutral stance during the Vietnam War. With the Americans gone, the void they left was suddenly filled by a formidable new force, the Khmer Rouge, the extremist followers of the Communist party led by Pol Pot.

Of course, parallels could be drawn to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but something tells me that making a statement on Americas wartime habits wasnt on Jolies mind.

Her story is about Cambodia, its people, and its (recent) history. If it ever receives any sort of Oscar consideration, itll be as a foreign language film.

In a matter of moments, Loungs life of privilege  she was the daughter of a government official  is uprooted. At the first sight of the Khmer soldiers storming Phnom Penh, Loungs father packs some bags, piles his children into the family truck, and attempts to flee the city.

First They Killed My Father is the harrowing tale of how a hunted family journeys from village to village in an attempt to survive, walking under the glare of a harsh sun, hitching rides on trucks and bullock carts, with nothing but the tattered clothes on their back. They eat whatever crawls into their hands; they sleep on streets, only under trees big enough for their large family, and they hide in plain sight  away from the enemy and their dirty scarves and blunt machetes.

But for all its dourness  and, lets be clear, all war is unequivocally terrible  First They Killed My Father isnt as brutal as Beasts of no Nation (theyre similar films, comparison was bound to happen). That film has the power to leave you rattled for days with its tale of lost innocence. This one, however, would be lucky if it got you to read the source novel, or a couple of Wikipedia articles.

By framing her movie through a childs perspective, Jolie brings a feeling of baffled innocence to the tragedy. There is very little distinction between the good guys and the bad guys  because, of course, children dont think in binary. Loungs eyes notice things only a child would notice  the toys she left behind because her father told her to only pack what she needed; the wicked smile of the Khmer soldier who frisked her the first time; and her favourite dress being muddied to make it look like enemys uniform.

Its a mixed bag, this. Irritatingly, even after having seen all her movies, while its quite obvious that Jolies interests are clear - as is her passion for these stories - her style as a director hasnt yet taken shape.

Most of this films visual language isnt her own. For that, like Jolie, we must look to the celebrated cinematographer, Anthony Dod Mantle (Slumdog Millionaire), who brings his signature oversaturated colour palette and his trademark roving digital camera to the picture, and almost singlehandedly gives it personality. Even the heartbreaking act of cutting Luongs sisters hair in an effort to disguise her is bathed in warm afternoon glow. The mass exodus is shot with drones, launched hundreds of feet into the air. From their vantage point, the fleeing families look like ants scurrying along in dirt.

Perhaps itll take her a few more films, but it is my firm belief that one day Angelina Jolie will make a great one. Shes almost there.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

The author tweets @RohanNaahar

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
The Shiv Sena on Saturday dubbed a cabinet sub-committee formed by the Maharashtra government to look into the issue of Maratha reservation as a timepass and sought to know why justice has not been meted out to the community despite several road shows in the state.

On August 9, lakhs of members of the Maratha community, staged their 58th and final muk morcha (silent protest) in Mumbai demanding reservation in jobs and educational institutions.

The same day, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in the state assembly that the government would extend to the community the educational concessions that are currently given to the OBCs.

He had also said the government would form a cabinet sub-committee, which would review the implementation of various schemes for the community and accordingly, the five- member sub-committee was announced.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, it said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held a big roadshow in Ahmedabad. Such roadshows have their own benefits.

However, several roadshows, morchas and protests held by the Maratha community yielded no results, it claimed.

The party said Fadnavis agreed to spend Rs 30,000 crore from the states coffers to realise Modis dream of a bullet train but allegedly adopted the Congress policy of forming a cabinet sub-committee for Maratha reservation to kill time.

It asked if there was any time limit for the committee and what were its powers.

It is being said that this committee will submit its report to the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission. Also, itll hold discussions with Maratha organisations every three months. If talks will happen in three months, how long will this committees time pass last? the Sena claimed.

The committee is headed by Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil. The other members are Diwakar Raote and Eknath Shinde of the Sena and Girish Mahajan and Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar of the BJP.
A total of 2.54 lakh kg of trash was removed from various shorelines by different citizen groups and the coast guard.

Marking the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup day, 3,000 people cleared 2.40 lakh kg of trash from Versova beach after they completed their 100th week of their clean-up. This was one of the largest beach cleanup drives the country has ever seen, said Afroz Shah, lawyer and beach cleanup crusader who has been leading the movement at Versova since October 2015.

The International Coastal Cleanup day is conducted in various parts of the world on the third Saturday of September every year under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and under the aegis of South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) in the South Asian Region.

With seven excavator machines and two tractors, Mumbaiites along with representatives of the UNEP ensured that the north central part of the 3km long beach (Darachiwadi) was cleaned up between 3pm and 5pm. We thank citizens to help us achieve the quantum of 7.4 million kg trash removed from Versova over 100 weeks, said Shah.

As a part of the Centres Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the Indian Coast Guard carried out beach cleanup drives at several locations across Maharashtra including Juhu, Girgaum Chowpatty, Dadar, Khanoji Island, Dahanu, Ratnagiri and Murud Janjira beaches. Around 7000 volunteers including NGOs, NCC cadets, NSS, school and college students, staff of various organisations and local community joined hands with the coast guard officers.

Approximate 5000 kgs of garbage including medical, plastic, jute and Plaster of Paris waste was collected and handed over to BMC for disposal, said an official from the Indian Coast Guard adding that their nationwide campaign resulted in the collection of 68.9 tons (62,505kg) of marine litter. Debris collection was highest from Mumbai at 8,500 kg and New Mangalore at 6,300 kg.

Residents of Mahim also cleared 700 kg of garbage from their beach. We had close to 20 people that cleared trash from a 100-patch on the beach. Close to 200 people will be joining another cleanup drive on Sunday, said Anwar Khan, chairman, advance locality management, Mahim Dargah Street.

Civic body officials said the city had come together for one cause and it was a remarkable feet. The amount of marine litter collected and sent to the city dumping grounds on Saturday was much more than any cleanup witnessed in the past. We welcome the efforts by citizens to strive for clean seas, said a senior civic official.

Why should you care?

Each year, people around the world produce nearly 300 million tons of plastic and a similar amount of plastic waste. Of that, as much as 13 million tons finds its way into our oceans The plastic wreaks havoc on our fisheries, marine ecosystems and economies, costing up to $13 billion per year in environmental damage.
Its not just unauthorised pandals that mushroom on Mumbais roads during Ganeshotsav. There is also an increase in illegal hoardings, especially around these pandals.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) licence department has removed 808 banners and posters  twice the monthly average  after the festival.

Of the 808 illegal banners and posters, 503 were political in nature and 204 were religious. As many as 101 were commercial.

An official from the licence department said, In other months, we remove 350 to 400 banners and posters. Within 10 days after the festival, we removed 808 banners. Some posters were cleared during Eid.

The official said residential areas saw fewer illegal hoardings, but Girgaum, Lower Parel, Parel, Mumbai Central and Byculla, Ghatkopar, Malad, and Borivali recorded a high number of such posters.

These areas either have a large Marathi, Gujarati or Muslim population, or are shopping hubs.

The official said, If pandals have civic permissions, it is easier to regularise them, but so many pandals are unauthorised, we cannot keep a check on the hoardings they put up. Also, most of them are supported by some political party, which is why maximum illegal banners are political in nature.

According to the BMC data, 1,165 mandals were given permission to erect pandals.

The BMC had received 2,085 applications, of which it rejected 239. More than 600 applications were pending at the start of the festival.
The controversial On-Screen Marking (OSM) assessment method, which the Mumbai University adopted this year for checking answer sheets of students, may not be used for upcoming examinations, after it has led to chaos over the past six months and delayed results.

In a series of meetings held between university staff, college principals and education experts, a broad consensus seems to have emerged to keep the OSM system only for self-financed courses.

It makes no sense to repeat this disastrous move for the upcoming exams. Most experts have suggested that exams of departments under the unaided sections (self-financed courses) should continue with online assessment, said one of the experts, who has been part of the meetings. He said that most experts, as well as representatives from the state government insisted that exam papers of aided sections (BCom, BSc and BA) as well as those from Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) be assessed manually.

This year, assessment of answer booklets commenced after a delay of two months, following which a series of other issues have cropped up. While delay in declaring results and wrongly failing students in certain subjects have been some of the problems, the bigger issue MU faces is that more than 28,000 answer sheets are not to be found.

Aided courses like BCom and BA make up for a large chunk of students, so it will be better to assess these manually. Self-financed courses have smaller number of students, making it an easier task, said another official present at the meeting.

At a recent press conference, Devanand Shinde, in-charge vice-chancellor of MU, had said the university was putting a lot of thought into their decision on OSM. Whatever suggestions have been received from experts will be presented to the governor and chancellor of universities, Ch Vidyasagar Rao, following which a final call will be taken, said an official from the examination department.

The universitys examination department recently announced the timetable for the upcoming semester examinations for the current batch. Teachers and students have shared their displeasure about the timetable and that some exams have been scheduled during Diwali vacations, while all third year and masters course exams have been scheduled after the vacations.

The problem is that the university never cares to take the opinion of teachers and students, who are the main stakeholders, while taking decisions. Hopefully, better decisions will be taken in terms of assessment methodology, said Anju Kapoor, principal of UPG College, Vile Parle.

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The gang of kidnappers who abducted the 11-year-old boy and took him to Baghpat for ransom, had left a number of clues which led the police to tail them and arrest two of them following a late night encounter on September 15.

The police said they primarily identified the suspects through footage of CCTV cameras installed at a petrol pump, which they passed while taking the boy, Sahil Nagar, to Baghpat in an i-10 car.

Our teams went out with the image grab obtained from the CCTV camera footage to nearby villages in Baghpat, where the boys family had gone to rescue the kid. Some villagers identified them and said that the accused were local residents, said HN Singh, senior superintendent of police, Ghaziabad.

Besides the CCTV grab, the police said they had also bugged the money bag with a location tracking chip. The police claim that the bag contained papers while the family now claims it contained money that was delivered to the gang at Rataul in Baghpat around 1am on September 9.

According to the police, the location of the gang was tracked and teams sent to arrest them when their location was tracked to Sahibabad. The officials said that the gang members had planned some robberies and to snatch chains in Ghaziabad.

Sunil, who got injured in the late-night encounter at Koyal Enclave, is a relative of sharpshooter Raju Pehalwan, who was involved in killing BJP leader Gajendra Bhati in Khoda recently, Singh said.

Pehalwan is presently absconding while the police already arrested the other sharpshooter, Narendra Gurjar, alias Fauji, on September 11.

The police said that they put the mobile phone number from which the family received ransom calls on surveillance. The police identified the shop where the SIM card was purchased from and it helped them identify the suspects.

We suspect that an acquaintance of the family is involved. The boy is going through his examinations and was in trauma when he was rescued. He was kept in sugarcane fields and isolated places before he was rescued, said Satish Nagar, Sahils uncle.

The police said that their investigation is continuing in the case and more arrests may follow.

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The Ghaziabad police on Saturday said they have procured non-bailable warrants against former MLA Amarpal Sharma, who they claim is involved in the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gajendra Bhati.

Bhati was gunned down by two armed assailants in Khoda on September 2. Another BJP local functionary, Balbir Chauhan, was injured in the incident. The police on September 11 had arrested Narendra Gurjar, alias Fauji, as a suspect in the case.

We have obtained a non-bailable warrant against former MLA Amarpal Sharma who is on the run and was not found in his house or offices. Fauji had clearly indicated that he (Sharma) has a role in the killing and had arranged a meeting earlier to get rid of Bhati, due to political rivalry, said Akash Tomar, superintendent of police (city).

Sharma was an MLA of the Bahujan Samaj Party from the Sahibabad assembly segment but was trounced in the recent assembly election. He was expelled by the BSP leadership ahead of the UP assembly elections and had joined the Congress.

His party leaders are also not supporting him since his name cropped up in the case. Our teams are conducting searches to make an arrest, Tomar said.

Following his arrest on September 11, Fauji claimed before the media, Amarpal Sharma offered me Rs10 lakh to get rid of his election rival. The second person with me was Raju Pehalwan. Sharma told me to get rid of Bhati as he may pose problems in upcoming elections. The police arrested me while I was going to collect money, near Bhopra. TT murder (pertaining to former councillor Pradeep Chaudhary) case was also at the behest of former MLA.

According to the police, Sharma was trying to contest the upcoming local body elections from Khoda but could not be contacted as his mobile phone remained switched off.

Bhati was never my rival and I am not involved in the incident at all. It is claimed that I got rid of Bhati because he was about to contest for the chairman elections from Khoda, but it is not yet decided whether the seat would be under general or OBC category. Why will I kill anyone? The police has never contacted me or confronted me with the accused (Fauji) they arrested, Sharma had told Hindustan Times after Faujis arrest.

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Following a theft of Rs17.2 lakh from a petrol pump on September 11, one of the thieves killed the other, his brother-in-law, according to the Ghaziabad police. The police unravelled the blind murder case with the help of a SIM card and arrested the suspect, Umesh Kumar Sharma.

The body of the victim was found with two bullets to his head in his car near an under-construction substation at Raj Nagar Extension on the morning of September 12.

The crime branch of the Ghaziabad police on Saturday unravelled the case with the help of a SIM card that belonged to a colleague of the victim, Sonu, who worked as a manager with a petrol pump in Crossings Republik.

Umesh and Sonu had planned to escape with Rs17.2 lakh from the petrol pump that was to be deposited in a bank on September 11, a Monday.

On the day of the incident, as planned, Sonu left the petrol pump with the cash but placed it in two packets. One of the packets had Rs6.2 lakh while the remaining, Rs11 lakh, was kept below his seat in the car. This was probably because he wanted to double-cross Umesh, said HN Singh, senior superintendent of police, Ghaziabad.

Sonu left Crossings Republik with the money and met Umesh, who got into the rear seat of the vehicle, the police said.

Later, Umesh pumped two bullets in Sonus head and left with the packet containing Rs6.2 lakh but did not have any clue about the other packet kept safely by Sonu. After firing two rounds from a countrymade weapon, Umesh fled with Rs6.2 lakh cash on his bike, Singh said.

Later, Umesh had also met the police for post-mortem examination of the body and took part in the last rituals to avoid police investigation.

The police said that the other packet, containing Rs11 lakh, was found intact in the car.

The police said that it was a blind murder case but they got clues about it from a conversation about the incident between Sonu and Umesh, by tracking a SIM card that Sonu had given to Umesh.

We got to the root of the conspiracy through the SIM card and arrested Umesh. He revealed the entire incident and we also recovered the packet containing Rs6.2 lakh packet which he had kept safely. The weapon was also recovered, an officer from the crime branch said.

Umesh is married to Sonus sister and stays in East Defence Colony, Sahibabad.

Umesh also worked at the same petrol pump but was fired some time ago, which led to a financial crisis. Sonu had wanted to purchase a plot and wanted money for the same.

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The police registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC against unidentified persons into the mysterious death of 22-year-old Manipur student, Pravish Chanam.

Chanam had come to attend a music concert in Greater Noida on September 8 and was found dead a day later with injuries to his head near Nithari intersection.

On Saturday, the relatives of the deceased met the superintendent of police and demanded that the police register a murder complaint in the matter. Based on the statements of the family members, his friends and circumstantial evidence obtained by the police, we registered a case of murder against unknown persons, said Arun Kumar Singh, the superintendent of police (Noida city).

On Friday, more than 100 students from Manipur had gathered at the senior superintendent of polices office in Surajpur and demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.

Chanams family members and friends slammed at the shoddy investigation carried out by police. The body, which was found last Saturday, was registered as unidentified and was cremated 72 hours later, without informing his family members.

The SSP on Friday admitted to lapses by the police personnel in the matter and suspended five personnel from duty.

A missing person complaint was lodged at the Knowledge Park police station on September 9, but the information was not shared with the control room. Simultaneously, the personnel of Sector 20 police station failed to update the control room on the body of the man they had found in Nithari.

Ravikant Chanam, the elder brother of Pravish, said that he was admitted to district hospital on September 8 and walked out of the hospital on his own the next day morning. He was attacked by some unknown persons, which resulted in injuries to his head, he said.

Meanwhile, a street vendor in Nithari told police that she had offered water to Chanam around 4pm on September 9, but he collapsed without drinking it.
A dairy businessman was shot dead in broad daylight by two persons on a bike on Taksal Road in Noidas Sector 7B on Saturday afternoon. According to eyewitnesses, the duo had attempted to snatch the mans bag and had opened fire as he resisted the robbery attempt.

According to sources, the miscreants shot the businessman on his chest when he resisted the robbery bid. The businessman fell to the ground and held the bag tight. The miscreants then thrashed the man, took his bag and fled the spot.

Locals claim that the victim was carrying Rs8 lakh in the bag and was on his way to deposit it in a bank in Sector 1.

According to the police, the victim was identified as RK Singh, a resident of New Ashok Nagar, which falls along the Uttar Pradesh and Delhi border.

The police said, Sixty-year-old Singh was travelling on his motorcycle on Taksal Road in Sector 7B when two persons opened fire at him. Singh received bullet injuries to his chest and collapsed. Onlookers said the duo had tried to snatch a bag from Singh, after which they opened fire at him.

Singh was immediately rushed to district hospital but was declared dead on arrival, the police said.

We did not find any bag at the spot. It is possible that the miscreants had taken the bag from him after opening fire at him. Singh runs a dairy business in New Ashok Nagar and used to mainly supply milk. From what we learnt, Singh used to collect money from his clients. It is possible that he was carrying the money in his bag, said Arun Kumar Singh, the superintendent of police (Noida city).

His family members have been informed about the incident. They will be in a better position to tell whether he was carrying money in his bag at that point of time, Singh said.

The police said that based on the statements of his family members, a case will be registered in the matter. Meanwhile, the police is also scanning CCTV cameras installed in the area to establish the identity of the assailants.

The robbers were riding a Passion motorcycle, the police said. The rider was wearing a helmet but the pillion riders face was not covered, the police said.

Incidents of attacks on businessmen have increased of late. On Monday, a businessman was shot at near his residence in Noidas Sector 50. A day later, about 200 members running businesses in the city staged a protest in Sector 50 and slammed the police for having failed in curbing attacks on businessmen in the city.
The Noida police arrested three persons after a brief exchange of fire near D Park in Noidas Sector 62 on Friday. The police said the three are hardened criminals and were planning to rob a money exchange executive of Fortis Hospital, the police said.

The police said, they received information that some persons were planning to rob a money exchange agent, who carries about Rs15-20 lakh in foreign currencies to Delhi every day.

Based on the information, we stationed a police party near Fortis Hospital for the last couple of days. On Friday evening, the police team stopped four persons travelling on two motorcycles. Seeing the police, the men started to flee the spot. One of the constables tried to stop them and managed to catch hold of their motorcycle, said Arun Kumar Singh, the superintendent of police (Noida city).

To escape from the clutches of the police, they opened fire at the police party and ran to take cover among the trees near D Park. In retaliation, the police also opened fire at them. In the crossfire, one of the miscreants received bullet injuries to his thigh.

We managed to arrest three of them while one person is still at large, an officer said.

The accused were identified as Anjam, Yogesh and Tarun, all residents of Ghaziabad.

They are hardened criminals and have been jailed earlier for many offences including murder, extortion and loot. Anjam received a bullet wound to his thigh and is admitted to a hospital, Singh said.

Yogesh has 16 cases registered against him and has been active in criminal activities since 2010, the police said. Anjam has 10 cases registered against him and Tarun is wanted in four cases, the police said.

The police are on the lookout for their accomplice, Yashpal, who managed to evade arrest on Friday.

The police confiscated a .32 bore pistol, two .315 bore pistols and two motorcycles from the possession of the accused.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday directed agriculture department officials to start working for the creation of an organic corridor along both the banks of Ganga river and national highways passing through the state.

The chief minister, who agreed to the proposal of principal secretary Sudhir Kumar. at a review meeting of the department, said that the promotion of organic farming had been identified a core area and, hence, the scheme should get rolling right away from the month of October itself.

The organic corridor programme envisages the creation of organic farm clusters along the banks of Ganga and NH. The corridor will provide an easy access to markets for those engaged in organic farming.

At the same time, it can showcase the benefits of the use of organic fertilisers and pesticides and trigger large scale shift from use of chemicals that takes a toll on land productivity.

Kumar also directed the urban development, agriculture, water resources and minor irrigation departments to work out a co-ordinated plan for the use of treated sewerage water for its use for irrigation purpose.

Aware of an overall shortfall of almost 10 lakh quintals of locally produced seeds, Kumar instructed officials to go in for the modernization of seed processing equipments for strengthening Bihar State Seed Corporation to improve the availability and quality of seeds to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

Around 15 lakh quintals of seeds of all varieties of crops grown in the state are required. At present, the state has a capacity of about 5 lakh quintals. It is imperative to step up production of quality seeds so that farmers are inclined to source their requirements from BSSC, he said, suggesting that officials should solicit services of experts to meet the mismatch.

While indicating the need for setting up of a seed bank for meeting the demand generated for contingency crop scheme, the chief minister said that adequate measures for regulating temperature and humidity in the storage facility should be incorporated for improving the shelf life of seeds for two or more years on a rolling basis.

Former agriculture advisor to the Bihar government, Mangla Rai said that an action plan for accelerating seed replacement rate should be in place and proper awareness among end users should be created as part of a sustained drive.

The chief minister instructed officials to prepare a scheme for encouraging farm tool manufacturers and its evaluation and certification. He also directed officials to shore up infrastructure facilities in marketing yards and install computerized facilities for the display of wholesale price of agri-produce in different mandis across the country.

Kumar also pitched in for the formulation of a development plan of area specific horticulture produce, like gorgun nut in Darbhanga, parwal in Patna, magahi paan in Nalanda and local varieties of papaya, banana and guava elsewhere. He also asked officials to include moong and makka in the seed expansion programme in Kosi division and Khagaria district respectively.

Agriculture minister Prem Kumar and chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh were among several ministers and officials who attended the meeting.

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Police in Bihars Purnia district claimed to have solved the murder case of a private electrician with the arrest of his wife and her paramour.

Purnia superintendent of police (SP) Nishant Tiwary said Lalita Devi, 30, and her paramour Kunal Kishor Bharti , 31, were arrested on Friday for allegedly killing of Niranjan Mandal alias Chhotu Mandal. Interestingly, Devi was the complainant in the case, Tiwary said.

The iron rod which was used to kill Mandal had also been recovered, Tiwary said, adding that Devi and Bharti, , who worked as cashier with North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limiteds Gulabbagh office in Purnia, 367 km east of Patna, had confessed to their crime.

The police had recovered Mandals body near his house at Lalbagh locality in Sadar police station area of Purnia on Wednesady, a few hours after Devi registered a missing person case, he said.

Devi and Mandal were married for 10 years and had two children. In the last one year, she became close to Bharti, who was living in a rented accommodation near her house. As Mandal was objecting to their relationship, Devi and Bharti hatched a conspiracy to kill Mandal, he added.
Two months after the rape and pregnancy of a 10-year-old girl came to light in Chandigarh, and three days after a DNA test indicated that the accused 45-year-old maternal uncle did not father the child of the rape survivor, the police have decided to get a retest done. Police said this was being done to weed out any chances of error in the earlier DNA report and is part of further investigation into the case.

The court of additional district and sessions judge Poonam R Joshi ordered further investigation after the police moved an application seeking permission for further investigation in this case. The defence counsel submitted no objection and the matter will now come up for hearing on September 22.

The girl and her family maintained their stance about her uncle, the complainants cousin, being the only accused in the case.

HT had exclusively highlighted that the DNA report was negative and that paternity of the accused was excluded from this case on Tuesday.

Following this, the case has taken a new turn with the cops groping in the dark after findings of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report.

As the victim has named only him as the person who had raped her 6-7 times, we want to get the DNA done again, said a senior Chandigarh police official. He clarified, The re-test does not mean that we doubt the report but just do not want to take chances.

The police are also exploring the possibility of other persons sexually exploiting her.

Sources added that since the reports of the DNA not matching were reported, police have spoken to the victim as well as the family again. They have stuck to their original stance that it was only the accused uncle who had raped her. The family has also said that they do no suspect anybody else.

Chandigarh SSP also met the victim at her house on Thursday to gather leads on other possible accused in the case. However, the girl and her family maintained their stance about her uncle, the complainants cousin, being the only accused in the case. The victim had even identified the accused in court when the trial began. Meanwhile, the police also plan to get the DNA tests done of the other suspects.

CWC recommends protection for victim

Based on the Child Welfare Committees interaction with the victim and her family, the organisation has written to the Chandigarh Police and director social welfare (DSW) recommending that she be given police protection.

The family is intimidated yet again due to media persons visiting their house. Hence, the letter was moved with their consent. Neil Roberts, chairman of the CWC, confirmed the development. However, he said they were yet to receive any confirmation or revert about the same. DSW Nishu Singhal also personally spoke to SSP Nilambari Vijay Jagdale on Friday. A senior official of the social welfare department told HT, At the point, protection for the victim is most crucial. It is about her more than the family or parents now since everyone has become a suspect after the CFSL report.
A local court ordered to attach Mohali railway station along with two trains including, Chandigarh-Amritsar and Ambala-Kalka passenger, after the railway ministry failed to pay a compensation of Rs 1.7 crore per acre to the residents of Kambali village in Mohali. Besides this, the court has also ordered to attach immovable that belonged to Mohali railway station.

The railways had acquired the land from villagers of Kambali to construct the Mohali railway station and lay down the track of Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail line in 1999.

The counsel for the petitioners, Naveen Behal said the order was pronounced last month on August 18.

The attached trains can operate even after the court orders. But if the railways do not pay the enhanced compensation till next hearing on September 22, we will move application for auction of railway properties, he added.

Railways had acquired 20 villages land

In 1999, railways had acquired land of 20 villages in Mohali district at an average rate of Rs 7 Lakh per acre to set up railway infrastructure in the district. The land was acquired in Ludhiana district as well. However, dissatisfied over the compensation, they moved to the district court next year, which in 2007 enhanced the compensation to Rs 17 lakh per acre.

The attached trains can operate even after the court orders. But if the railways do not pay the enhanced compensation by September 22, we will move application for auction of railway properties.

Behal added that railways had paid villagers the enhanced compensation but the farmers were not satisfied with the local courts order so they moved to Punjab and Haryana high court. Clubbing all enhancement petitions which were close to 500, the high court on June 1, 2016, further hiked the compensation.

For instance, in case of Kambali village farmers, where at least 56 acres were acquired by railways, the compensation was increased to Rs 1.7 crore per acre, said Behal while informing that while railways did not move higher court to appeal against the high court orders and the affected villagers moved district court to claim the enhanced compensation as per high court directions.

Will defend our position: Railway official

Railways chief administrative officer (construction) PK Sanghi said they will file a detailed affidavit before the local court on the next hearing,defending their position. He said in several cases, they have already moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court verdict that ordered the enhancement, on basis of which farmers had gone to local court.
After striking gold in Telugu, Rana Daggubatis political drama Nene Raju Nene Mantri is slated for release in Tamil as Naan Aanaiyitaal on September 22. The film was supposed to have a simultaneous release in Telugu and Tamil. However, due to reasons unknown its Tamil release was deferred and now has confirmed to hit the screens next week. The film has been inspired from the ideologies of late Tamil Nadu chief minister and actor MG Ramachandran.

When released in Telugu, the film had a three way box-office battle with Jaya Janaki Nayaka and Lie. If youre wondering how it managed to do well at the ticket window, despite the stiff competition, the film was made on a low cost and Ranas father is one of the producers. It is rumoured that the Baahubali star didnt take his remuneration and chose to release the film through his home banner, taking sole responsibility of success and failure. Luckily, the trade paid off handsomely for Rana. Setting the cash registers on fire, the film had made over Rs 30 crore (gross) in its first week in cinemas and recovered its production cost from Telugu states alone. According to trade pundits, the film earned a share of over Rs 17 crore from its first week and thanks to its low production cost, entered the profit zone in no time.

Directed by Teja, the films success has given him a new lease of life. The films story is about what happens when a simple moneylender from a small town is pushed to the brink by those in power. Rana played a politician and his grey-shaded character Radha Jogendra was very well received among audiences. Also starring Kajal Aggarwal, Catherine Tresa and Ashutosh Rana, the film is the biggest non-Baahubali first week grosser for Rana.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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They can be messy, nosy, fussy or big eaters. But if youre hosting travellers from around the world, surprises can also include thank-you notes hidden all over the house, Slovakian sandwiches and a tale a day from a different country.

Dolly Singh, 34, a home chef from Mumbai, recalls how touched she was when a Spanish couch-surfer left her a note saying goodbye, and wishing her luck finding all the other thank-you notes she had slipped into nooks and corners in the house.

It was the sweetest gesture. For a whole month, I found notes behind the couch, inside a cupboard or under a book. One said, I was glad to find a friend in you, another went You were so extremely hospitable. She made me realise that even a stranger from across the globe can make you happy.

In a shrinking world, people opening up their homes to strangers through homestays, Airbnb and couch-surfing websites are finding that, through the mutual kindness of strangers that drives such platforms, they are able to celebrate differences, learn and explore new cultures in their own homes.

Singh, for instance, formed a daily ritual with a Slovakian traveller of chatting over sandwiches he made for her when she came home from work every day. And everything from the ingredients (a different recipe every day) to the movies they picked to watch while they chatted and snacked turned out to be a revelation.

A rather strange radish sandwich got them talking about their respective cuisines  the sparseness of his against the relative over-the-topness of ours. He said he could never understand why Indians were so obsessed with adding coriander to every dish!

In his 11 days in her home, they also managed to watch a few Bollywood films together. He especially wanted to see 3 Idiots, which he had heard about even before coming to India.

I would explain how Indias traditions and customs made up the theme of many of the movies we were watching, and give him a little background about their origins, Singh says.

He had heard about the song and dance routines in Indian movies and said he was glad he had someone to guide him through the rest of it all.

Dolly Singh, 34, a home chef from Mumbai, has fond memories of being a guest while couch-surfing in Lille, France. But her favourite memories were made as host, when one guest left her thank-you notes sprinkled all over the house, and another made her a different sandwich every day.

Come on over

Never has it been easier, or safer, to have a stranger in your home.

Many couch-surfing platforms, for instance, let you open up your home only to members of your existing social networks  so, Facebook friends, friends of friends, etc. This means that when the person arrives at the door, you already have a connection.

This is encouraging urban middle-class and upper-middle-class people to join the pool of hosts, says sociologist

Souvik Mondol.

So, homestays are no longer limited to small cities and hill stations. And in the cities, often more than the money, the hosts are looking to experience an exchange of culture and information, looking to learn more about countries they may have been to or place on their bucket list, or just countries they grew up reading about.

The money, let it be said, is not bad. Hosts even in remote areas can earn anything between Rs 75,000 and Rs 3 lakh a month in association with us, says Tejas Parulekar, co-founder of the micro-hospitality company, SaffronStays.

Ease of transaction has played a huge role in making homeowners comfortable with opening up their homes to strangers, Parulekar adds.

Theres cultural exchange happening domestically, too  Gujaratis moving in with an Uttarakhand family for a week; a Rajasthani living with a Delhiite, and then, when the latter was lost, inviting him to use the familys haveli in Pali.

We as a country are getting more mobile and the Indian traveller is ready to be more adventurous. Solo low-budget trips are extremely popular and people are open to experimenting with food as well and staying with locals gives you a mix of all that, says travel writer Mangal Dalal.

Also, social interaction has become an interesting and necessary part of the travel experience as a whole. The idea of inhabiting someone elses shoes is seen as exciting. In a time when part of the purpose of travel is to be able to post lots of interesting stories when you return, couch-surfing is becoming a sought-after element.

When Swayam Tiwari, an Airbnb host, found himself lost in Rajasthan, he called a Rajasthani guest he had once hosted in Delhi. The guest directed him to his familys haveli, which was straight out of a movie, complete with open-hearted hospitality, portraits of hunting scenes, and pillars courtyards.

Maharaja for a day

When Swayam Tiwari, 45, a marketing professional-turned travel blogger, found himself lost in the outskirts of Pali in Rajasthan, he promptly called up a Rajasthani guest he had once hosted in Delhi through Airbnb.

He gave me directions to his ancestral house nearby. I went there expecting a small standalone house. It turned out to be a traditional Rajput haveli! Tiwari says. Just like in the Bollywood movies, there were paintings of the ancestors on hunting expeditions, interspersed with antiques that included a taxidermy tiger called Henry!

Like any royal guest, Tiwaris arrival was met with a sumptuous Rajasthani spread; as he ate he was told tales of Rajput bravado.

My stay ended with a drink of fresh camel milk straight from the shed. The experience was so overwhelming,

because almost every member of the family rallied around me to ensure I was comfortable, something you dont really see in the cities.

Dhoklas Vs Kebabs

Aditi Sahadev with her parents at their homestay in Uttarakhand. Hosting people from across the country has opened their eyes to just how untrue community stereotypes can be, she says.

Aditi Sahadev, who runs The Ramgarh Retreat, a homestay in Uttarakhand, says that hosting people from all over the country has always been an enriching experience and most often than not, has taught her something new. Recalling one of her first experiences with a big group of Gujarati guests she says, My parents were extremely excited about being gracious hosts and so we decided to welcome them with typical Gujarati fare, complete with dhokla, khandvi and theplas!

Although they were sweet enough to have what we offered, they eventually told us that they would have loved some chicken tikka and scotch to go with it instead, much to our shock! giggles Sahadev. We later on had a good laugh about our over-enthusiasm and learnt never to typecast people based on the community they hailed from.

While cultural exchanges are a part and parcel of such travel stories, they also help dispel myths and teach you about little practices specific to certain communities. Tiwari recalls how he once hosted a Gujarati businessman at home in Delhi and was very taken up by a gesture of his.

We had spent a lot of time talking and sharing details of our lives and had become quite fond of each other, when one day he asked me to share an entire meal from the same plate with him, he says. He later explained that was a common thing to do in his hometown as a sign of deep friendship, which was extremely touching.

Meet my Indian family

Delhi-based entrepreneur Rahul Ahuja, 31, started couch-surfing almost ten years ago. I remember staying at a womens engineering hostel for a night, in Beijing, where the girls snuck me in, he recalls. Sometimes, all I got was a yoga mat.

During a one-night stopover in Bangkok, Ahuja couch-surfed with his dad, who loved the concept so much that he came home and convinced Ahujas mother to open up their study to strangers.

One of their first guests was a Spanish-origin English teacher from Switzerland named Martina Weber.

On day one, my mother walked into her room at 8 am with tea and piping hot aloo parathas, and Martina was shocked. Thats not really how couch-surfing works in most places; its meant to be basic, Ahuja says, laughing.

Weber ended up extending her stay by a week because she loved being part of the big, happy Punjabi family.

She put on 3 kg; wrote down recipes so she could recreate her favourite Indian dishes back home.

The best surprise, however, was when she did a Facebook Live two years ago

from her classroom in Switzerland, because she was giving a lecture that day on Indian culture.

She told her students that my parents were her Indian parents and talk about how she had felt so much at home here, a gesture that really overwhelmed my mother, Ahuja says.

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Stars from all over the world will descend on the red carpet for the Emmy Awards Monday morning. TV and web series from leading channels will compete in many categories that will acknowledge the content and technical genius.

HBO is leading the race with 46 nominations in different categories while FX and Netflix have 27 nominations each. NBC and ABC follow them with 17 and 11 nominations respectively.

All eyes will be on shows like The Night Of, This Is Us and Big Little Lies that have been the talking points throughout the year.

Shows such as Transparent and The Handmaids Tale are also considered to be the front-runners in major categories.

The show, to be held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, will be hosted by Stephen Colbert.

Indian actor Priyanka Chopra, whose show Quantico isnt nominated in any of the categories, is among the presenters. Other presenters include Mark Feuerstein (Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later), Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts), Chris Hardwick (Talking Dead), Kaitlin Olson (The Mick), Jeremy Piven (Wisdom of the Crowd), Craig Robinson (Ghosted), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Anika Noni Rose (The Quad), and Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane).

The Emmys will be telecast live on CBS in the US. However, the Indian audiences dont need to worry as Star World and Star World HD will start airing the event from 5 in the morning. The Emmys will be available as a video link on Hotstar from Monday at 8 pm.
Filmmaker Tushar Tyagis film Kaashi, promoting the Indian governments Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Swacch Bharat programmes, is all set to contest at major film festivals including the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Other than this, Kaashi will also participate in Atlanta Film Festival and Florida Film Festival.

Kaashi is the story of a 13-year-old girl who is forced to go for open defecation because of the lack of money and resources. Her mother wants to provide her a toilet, but the family is struggling with poverty. Such a situation forces Kaashi to participate in a school competition that has a prize money of Rs 2000.

Tushars film Gulabee won at the Canada International Film Festival.

Tushar talks about his film, Not so many people talk about the problems that are being faced by the masses living below poverty line in rural India. Its the17th year of 21st Century and a high time social issues like these must be addressed. I shot this film in my grandparents village where most of the people have not seen a film in a theater all their lives, but the whole village was excited to see how movies are made.

Engineer-turned-director Tushar has shot his film in Uttar Pradeshs villages to give it an authentic feel. However, he is not new to filmmaking. His previous films like Lying Is Done With Words, And Also Aith Silence and Gulabee have been acknowledged at many film festivals.

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An American countys last-minute decision to rope in an amateur interpreter for a press briefing on Hurricane Irma has triggered a controversy after experts said the lifeguard signed words such as pizza, monster and bear.

Manatee County leaders asked Marshall Greene to pitch in shortly before they were to address the public with crucial information, New York Post said in a report.

Greene, who uses the sign language to communicate with his brother, signed words unrelated to what the speaker was saying at the news conference, it said.

Hurricane Irma, which ranked as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record before striking the US mainland as a Category 4 hurricane on September 10, killed at least 84 people. Several hard-hit Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, suffered more than half the fatalities.

Greenes family told a news station, WFLA, he was doing what the county asked for. He cant be expected to communicate something he doesnt know, his father said.

Experts and activists have demanded an apology over Florida officials decision to use the amateur interpreter.

This is not an interpreter. Deaf and hard of hearing lives are at risk! https://t.co/JbVShJ88XH via @youtube  Violet (@vwebtastic) September 10, 2017
Bangladesh has accused Myanmar of repeatedly violating its air space and warned that any more provocative acts could have unwarranted consequences, raising the possibility of a deterioration in relations already strained by a refugee crisis.

Nearly 400,000 Rohingya Muslims from western Myanmar have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25, fleeing a Myanmar government offensive against insurgents that the United Nations has branded a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Bangladesh said Myanmar drones and helicopters had violated its air space three times - on September 10, 12 and 14 - and it had called in a top Myanmar embassy official in Dhaka to complain.

Bangladesh expressed deep concern at the repetition of such acts of provocation and demanded that Myanmar takes immediate measures to ensure that such violation of sovereignty does not occur again, the ministry said in statement late on Friday.

These provocative acts may lead to unwarranted consequences.

A Myanmar government spokesman said he did not have information about the incidents Bangladesh had complained about but Myanmar had denied an earlier accusation.

The spokesman, Zaw Htay, said Myanmar would check any information that Bangladesh provided.

At this time, our two countries are facing the refugee crisis. We need to collaborate with good understanding, Zaw Htay told Reuters.

Bangladesh has for decades faced influxes of Rohingya fleeing persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where the Rohingya are regarded as illegal migrants and denied citizenship.

Bangladesh was already home to 400,000 Rohingya before the latest crisis erupted on Aug. 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked about 30 police posts and an army camp, killing a dozen people.

The Myanmar security forces responded with what rights monitors and fleeing Rohingya say is a campaign of violence and arson aimed at driving out the Muslim population.

Humanitarian crisis

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council have urged Myanmar to end the violence, which he said was best described as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar rejects the accusations, saying its security forces are carrying out clearance operations to defend against the insurgents of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which claimed responsibility for the Aug. 25 attacks and similar, though smaller, attacks in October.

The government has declared ARSA a terrorist organisation and accused it of setting the fires and attacking civilians.

About 30,000 non-Muslim villagers have also been displaced in the conflict in which Myanmar says more than 430 people have been killed, most of them insurgents.

Nearly half of 471 villages in the north of its Rakhine State had been completely deserted or partly abandoned, the government said.

The ARSA has denied links to foreign Islamists and has called for neighbouring countries to block any foreign terrorists from trying to join it. It says it is fighting for the rights of Rohingya.

The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border and raised questions about Myanmars transition under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi after nearly 50 years of strict military rule.

The generals still control national security policy but nevertheless, Suu Kyi has been widely criticised abroad for not stopping or condemning the violence.

There is little sympathy for Rohingya in a country where the end of military rule has unleashed some old communal animosities and the military campaign in Rakhine State is generally supported.

Ethnic cleansing is not recognised as a separate crime under international law but allegations of ethnic cleansing as part of wider, systematic human rights violations have been heard in international courts.

Rights group Amnesty International said on Friday evidence pointed to a mass-scale scorched-earth campaign across the north of Rakhine that was unmistakably ethnic cleansing.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina headed for the UN General Assembly on Saturday to plead for global help coping with the Rohingya crisis, as the numbers seeking refuge in her country following a crackdown in Myanmar topped 400,000.

The prime minister left a day after her government summoned the Myanmar envoy for the third time to protest over its neighbours actions. Her office said Hasina would demand more pressure on Myanmar during talks in New York.

Bangladesh has been overwhelmed by Rohingya Muslims since violence erupted in Buddhist-dominated Myanmars Rakhine state on August 25.

The United Nations said Saturday that the total number of people to have entered Bangladesh having fled the unrest had now reached 409,000, a leap of 18,000 in a day.

Conditions are worsening in the border town of Coxs Bazar where the influx has added to pressures on Rohingya camps already overwhelmed with 300,000 people from earlier refugee waves.

Sheikh Hasina will raise the Rohingya issue during her speech at the UN General Assembly. She will seek immediate cessation of violence in Rakhine state in Myanmar and ask the UN secretary general to send a fact-finding missing to Rakhine, a spokesman for the prime minister, Nazrul Islam, told AFP.

She will also call the international community and the UN to put pressure on Myanmar for the repatriation of all the Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar, he said. The prime minister is to address the UN assembly on Thursday.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali earlier told reporters: We will continue international pressure on the Myanmar government to immediately end its ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, he added.

Backlash fears amid Myanmar tensions

Amid mounting tensions between the two, the foreign ministry on Friday summoned the Myanmar charge daffaires in Dhaka to protest alleged violations of its airspace by Myanmar drones and helicopter.

The ministry warned that the three encroachments between September 10 and 14 could lead to unwarranted consequences. Myanmar did not immediately comment.

The Bangladesh government has also protested to the embassy over the planting of landmines near their border, which has killed several Rohingya, and the treatment of the refugees.

UN leader Antonio Guterres has also said Myanmars treatment of the Rohingya could amount to ethnic cleansing.

UN agencies and other relief groups have warned that the refugee crisis could get out of control.

The World Health Organisation and UN childrens agency on Saturday launched vaccination campaigns against measles rubella and polio. They estimate that 60 percent of the new arrivals are children.

Most Rohingya, who spent more than a week trekking cross-country from Rakhine to reach the Bangladesh border, have found existing camps overflowing and have instead settled on muddy roadsides.

Many families do not have a shelter over their heads and refugees have been fighting for food and water deliveries.

The needs are seemingly endless and the suffering is deepening, said UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado.

Outside the giant Balukali camp, Jamila Khatun, 60, sat under a blue plastic bin bag held up by bamboo poles with her children and grandchildren as she recounted her journey to Bangladesh.

She said she handed over her jewellery to a Bangladesh boatman two days ago to get across the river frontier from Myanmar.

We walked by night for three or four days to avoid the military and then came over by boat.

We dont know what we will do or where we will live but if people here feed us we will stay. We dont want to go back, she told AFP.

Nur Khan Liton, a respected Bangladeshi rights activist working with the refugees in Coxs Bazar, told AFP: Refugees are still pouring in. But there is no attempt to bring discipline and order in the aid management.

Liton said the Rohingya have become victims of muggings and extortion and that cases of diarrhoea are spreading. I heard that one Rohingya boy has died of diarrhoea.

The government has put the army in charge of ferrying foreign relief aid from airports to Coxs Bazar. It also plans to build 14,000 shelters, which it hopes will be enough for 400,000 people. Each shelter can house six refugee families.

Hasina has ordered the shelters erected within 10 days, Bangladeshs disaster management secretary Shah Kama told AFP.

The authorities have sent police reinforcements to Coxs Bazar to protect Buddhist temples in case of a radical Muslim backlash.
Britain raised its threat level to maximum on Friday and announced troops would be deployed to key sites after a bomb detonated on a packed London Underground train, injuring at least 29 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

(Highlights of the London Underground train blast)

The explosion -- Britains fifth terror attack in six months -- sparked a wall of fire that left passengers with burns and caused a stampede of panicking people in which some were trampled.

Twelve hours after the blast at Parsons Green station in southwest London, Prime Minister Theresa May announced the national threat level would be raised to critical, meaning another attack may be imminent.

She said military personnel would take over guard duty at certain closed protected sites, freeing up 1,000 police officers to be deployed on the transport network and on streets across Britain.

The country was last on critical alert after the bombing at a concert in Manchester in May, which was also claimed by the IS group.

In a statement Friday, IS said a detachment had carried out Fridays attack in London.

No-one has yet been arrested over the bombing, but anti-terrorism police chief Mark Rowley said the investigation was making really good progress.

Were chasing down suspects, he told reporters.

Somebody has planted this improvised explosive device on the Tube. We have to be open-minded at this stage about him and potential associates.

Rowley earlier said most of the injuries were due to flash burns, while others were wounded as passengers ran out of the station in panic.

A local resident, Charlie Craven, who was on his way to the station at the time of the attack, said he heard a massive bang.

I saw an orange sort of fireball encompassing the whole Tube coming towards you, he told AFP.

Witness Lauren Hubbard described it as a wall of fire.

Twitter user @Rrigs posted pictures of a white bucket smouldering on the train and described how a fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door.

The bucket, which was inside a frozen food bag from the budget supermarket chain Lidl, looked like the type used by builders and there appeared to be cables coming out of it.

- Unhelpful speculation -

US President Donald Trump said that loser terrorists were behind the attack, adding that they were already in the sights of British police.

Londons Metropolitan Police dismissed the tweet as unhelpful speculation, while May also rebuked him.

I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation, she said, speaking after an emergency meeting of senior ministers.

May said the device was clearly intended to cause significant harm, condemning it as a cowardly attack.

Speaking on Friday evening, Rowley said the remnants of the bomb were being examined by forensic scientists.

British media reported that it had timer but failed to detonate fully.

Otso Iho, a senior analyst at Janes Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, said the attack showed a continued high intent but low capability in the terrorism threat in Britain.

Hans Michels, a professor of chemical engineering at Imperial College, said the flash flame suggests that the explosion was only partly successful.

Much of the bucket still seems to be intact and there appear to be no victims with lethal impact wounds, he said.

- Armed police on patrol -

The London Ambulance Service said none of the 29 victims treated in hospital were in a serious life-threatening condition, and eight have since been released.

Louis Hather, 21, had been travelling to work and was three carriages down from where the explosion took place.

I could smell the burning. Like when you burn plastic, he told AFP.

He was trampled on as passengers stampeded out of the station and his leg was badly cut and bruised.

Sally Faulding, a 51-year-old teacher, said: People were falling over each other.

Richard Aylmer-Hall, 52, told the Press Association: There was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming.

The area around Parsons Green station -- a quiet and wealthy residential district, filled with chic cafes -- was evacuated for most of the day.

Local residents and businesses rallied together to offer tea, phone charging points, and the use of their toilets to people unable to get home.

Four previous attacks in London and Manchester this year claimed the lives of 35 people.

Three of those attacks involved a vehicle ploughing into pedestrians.

The other attack was a bombing in May at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester which killed 22 people, including several children.
While the odds are tipped in favour of Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of Pakistans ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in the bye-election to his former parliamentary seat in Lahore on Sunday, there are some who have predicted resistance from other parties.

One contender seems to be Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which says its candidate, Yasmin Rashid, a stalwart of the party and a gynaecologist by profession, is well respected in the whole constituency.

She will bring in more votes than usual, said analyst Ayaz Khan, who insists the PTI will do better than its dismal rout in the last general election in 2013.

A trip through the constituency, largely comprising parts of the old quarter of Lahore, however, clears up any doubts. Buntings and posters of Sharif and his family have flooded the area.

This is Nawaz Sharif territory, where much of the development work is attributed to the former premier. Allah Ditta, who sells soft drinks in the old city, said he will always vote for Sharif come what may.

For many like him, Sharif is the answer to their prayers. For the past two decades, the area  where cars battle for space with horse-drawn carriages  has seen unprecedented development under Sharif and his brother, Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. Historically, the area continues to vote for the former premier.

The timing of Kulsooms health scare (she is currently being treated for lymphoma or throat cancer), could not have come at a worse time.

Kulsoom was a safe bet for the Sharifs. Voters in the NA 120 constituency are familiar with her and are keen that she returned to Pakistan ahead of polling day on Sunday.

She is a safe bet. Not tainted by charges of corruption like her husband, Kulsoom is seen with respect for her role as a temporary opposition leader when Nawaz was imprisoned by (former military ruler Pervez) Musharraf (in 1999), said one voter.

In her absence, Kulsooms daughter Maryam Nawaz is running the campaign. She has held numerous rallies and street corner meetings and expects the PML-N to pull through.

Ironically, it is her own party that doesnt seem to be helping. Local media reports suggest that chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and his son Hamza are apparently ensuring they stay out of Pakistan till the by-polls are over.

Maryam Nawaz insists the whole family is supporting her in the campaign for her mother, but other said the absence of Shahbaz will hurt the campaign.

Poll posters with the image of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, despite the Pakistan Election Commission warning against the same. (via Twitter)

In all this, Hafiz Saeeds Jamaat-ud-Dawah has made its appearance with the presence of an independent candidate whose campaign posters feature the image of the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder. Analysts said the right wing vote bank continues to cast its ballot in favour of the PML-N but the JuDs political debut is a significant factor.
Police arrested an 18-year-old man in the port area of Dover on Saturday morning in connection with Fridays terror incident on Londons Tube network that injured 30 people.

Analysts said the number of casualties could have been higher if the device had detonated properly  police sources and eyewitness accounts suggested the improvised explosive device did not function as intended. It exploded partially, caused a flash but did not lead to a powerful blast. Initial investigations suggested that it was a viable device.

Scotland Yard said the unnamed man was arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act. Britains terror threat level was raised to critical on Friday evening following a detailed assessment of the situation in an emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May.

The last time the threat level was raised to the highest level was in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena explosion on May 22. The updated level enables the deployment of army at sensitive locations and installations.

Neil Basu, senior national co-ordinator for counter terrorism policing, said: We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical.

The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place.

This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage.

The Yard said detectives had spoken to 45 witnesses and continued to receive information from the public to the confidential anti-terrorist hotline. The public has sent 77 images and videos to investigators via the UK Police Image Appeal website.

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British police raced Saturday to track down whoever planted a bomb on a packed London Underground train, as authorities raised the national threat level to maximum, meaning another attack may be imminent.

Friday mornings blast, which left 29 people injured, was Britains fifth terror attack in six months and was claimed by the Islamic State group.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced late Friday that the threat level had been raised to critical, and said troops would take over guarding key sites to free police officers for deployment elsewhere.

The explosion at Parsons Green station in south-west London sparked a wall of fire that left passengers with burns and caused a stampede of panicking people in which some were trampled.

No-one has yet been arrested over the bombing, but anti-terrorism police chief Mark Rowley said the investigation was making really good progress.

Were chasing down suspects, he told reporters.

Somebody has planted this improvised explosive device on the Tube. We have to be open-minded at this stage about him and potential associates.

May said military personnel would take over guard duty at certain closed protected sites, freeing up 1,000 police officers to be deployed on the transport network and on streets across Britain.

The country was last on critical alert after the bombing at a concert in Manchester in May, which was also claimed by the IS group.

In a statement Friday, the group said an IS detachment had carried out the London attack.

Rowley earlier said most of the injuries were due to flash burns, while others were wounded as passengers ran out of the station in panic.

Witness Charlie Craven told AFP he heard a massive bang, adding: I saw an orange sort of fireball encompassing the whole Tube coming towards you.

Another, Lauren Hubbard, described it as a wall of fire.

Twitter user @Rrigs posted pictures of a white bucket smouldering on the train and described how a fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door.

The bucket, which was inside a frozen food bag from the budget supermarket chain Lidl, looked like the type used by builders and there appeared to be cables coming out of it.

Unhelpful speculation

US President Donald Trump said that loser terrorists were behind the attack, adding that they were already in the sights of British police.

Londons Metropolitan Police dismissed the tweet as unhelpful speculation, while May also rebuked him.

I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation, she said, speaking after an emergency meeting of senior ministers.

May said the device was clearly intended to cause significant harm, condemning it as a cowardly attack.

Speaking on Friday evening, Rowley said the remnants of the bomb were being examined by forensic scientists.

British media reported that it had a timer but failed to detonate fully.

Hans Michels, a professor of chemical engineering at Imperial College, said the flash flame suggests that the explosion was only partly successful.

Much of the bucket still seems to be intact and there appear to be no victims with lethal impact wounds, he said.

Armed police on patrol

Twenty-nine victims were treated in hospital, although health authorities said none were in a serious life-threatening condition, and eight were released on Friday.

Louis Hather, 21, had been travelling to work and was three carriages down from where the explosion took place.

I could smell the burning. Like when you burn plastic, he told AFP.

He was trampled on as passengers stampeded out of the station and his leg was badly cut and bruised.

Sally Faulding, a 51-year-old teacher, said: People were falling over each other.

Richard Aylmer-Hall, 52, told the Press Association: There was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming.

The area around Parsons Green station -- a quiet and wealthy residential district, filled with chic cafes -- was evacuated for most of the day.

Local residents and businesses rallied together to offer tea, phone charging points, and the use of their toilets to people unable to get home.

Four previous attacks in London and Manchester this year claimed the lives of 35 people.

Three of those attacks involved a vehicle ploughing into pedestrians.

The other attack was a bombing in May at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester which killed 22 people, including several children.
Police in Malaysia have arrested seven youths in connection with a fire at an Islamic boarding school in Kuala Lumpur that killed at least 23 people, mostly teenagers.

The seven, aged 11 to 18, were brought to court and remanded for seven days, Kuala Lumpur police chief Amar Singh told reporters at a news conference on Saturday.

I can assure you now that the case is solved with the arrest of the seven of them, Singh said.

It was the most deadly incident of its kind in Malaysia in two decades, and has outraged the public, some of whom have called for greater safety and tougher regulation at such religious schools.

The arrested include students from the surrounding neighbourhood, and some have tested positive for consuming marijuana.

The police are treating the case as one of murder and mischief by fire.

The blaze erupted early on Thursday in a top-floor dormitory at the three-storey boarding school where most of the students were sleeping in bunk beds, with many of the windows covered by metal grilles.

Asked if the suspects had planned to kill the victims, Singh said: Intention was to burn, but it could be because of their age or because of their maturity levels, perhaps they may not have known that it would cause deaths.

Two gas cylinders were brought up from the kitchen to the second floor, he said.
Syrian government or Russian air strikes targeted US-backed Syrian militias in Deir al-Zor province at dawn on Saturday, a militia official told Reuters.

Ahmed Abu Khawla said the strikes injured six fighters from his group, the Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias battling Islamic State with the US-led coalition.

The jets came from government territory and hit positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates river, said Khawla, who heads the Deir al-Zor military council fighting under the SDF.

The US-backed SDF and Syrian government forces, supported by Russian and Iran-allied groups, have been converging on Islamic State in separate offensives in Deir al-Zor.
Nearly 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled renewed violence in Myanmar, crossing the border in Bangladesh in waves following a military crackdown the UN says amounts to ethnic cleansing.

It is the latest chapter in a long and tumultuous history of the Rohingya, the worlds largest stateless population.

Before the most recent surge of violence, there were over one million Rohingyas in Myanmars restive Rakhine state.

But the questions of who they are, how many live in Myanmar and when they arrived is hotly disputed, highly emotive and behind much of the current unrest.

Many of the Muslim minority trace their lineage in Myanmar back generations, but were effectively stripped of their citizenship by the former junta and are demonised among the Buddhist-majority population as illegal immigrants.

Here is a brief history of Myanmars Rohingya Muslims.

When did they first arrive in Myanmar?

By some accounts, they are descendants of Arab, Turkish or Mongol traders and soldiers who in the 15th Century migrated to Rakhine state, previously called the Kingdom of Arakan.

Other historians say they emigrated from Bangladesh in several waves, a widely held view among most Burmese.

For centuries the small Muslim minority lived peacefully alongside Buddhists in the independent kingdom, some were even advisors to Buddhist royals, according to historians.

Upheaval ensued from the late 18th century.

In 1784 the kingdom was conquered by the Burmese and later by the British following the first Anglo-Burmese war of 1824-1826.

Under British rule, a large number arrived to work as farmers and later as military recruits.

In the 1830s there was a massive influx of Muslim peasants from neighbouring Bengal, mostly to work in the agriculture sector, said Sophie Boisseau du Rocher, Southeast Asia expert at the French Institute for International Relations.

By 1912, more than 30 percent of the population of Arakan state were Muslim, up from five percent in 1869, according to British census data cited by historian Jacques Leider.

When did tensions start?

Tensions between the Rohingya Muslims and the Buddhist majority date back to the beginning of British rule in 1824.

As part of their divide-and-rule policy, British colonists favoured Muslims at the expense of other groups. They recruited them as soldiers during World War II, pitting them against Buddhists aligned with the Japanese as the war played out on Burmese soil.

Both armies, British and Japanese, exploited the frictions and animosity in the local population to further their own military aims, said Moshe Yegar, author of a book about Muslim communities in Southeast Asia.

Their status was fortified in 1947 when a new Constitution was drafted, enshrining them with full legal and voting rights -- which would be later stripped and render them stateless.

Rakhine has a poverty rate nearing 80 percent, double the national average, kindling resentments over ethnic claims to the area.

What happened under the junta?

A 1962 military coup ushered in a new era of repression and brutality. The countrys ethnic minorities like the Rohingya did not fare well.

Most were effectively rendered stateless in 1982 when the junta issued a new law on citizenship, requiring minorities to prove they lived in Myanmar prior to the first Anglo-Burmese war in 1823 to obtain nationality.

After the junta was dissolved in 2011, the country saw a rise in Buddhist extremism which further sidelined the Rohingya and marked the beginning of the latest era of tensions.

The 20th century saw a series of military crackdowns against the group: in 1978 and 1991-2, which prompted hundreds of thousands to flee to Bangladesh.

Some were sent back by Dhaka, and the United Nations questioned the supposedly voluntary nature of the repatriations.

Whats behind the latest violence?

They have been subjected to restrictions on movement, employment and access to basic services since another outbreak of violence in 2012.

Tensions mounted again in October 2016, when a small and previously unknown militant group -- the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) -- staged a series of deadly attacks on Burmese military forces.

The army responded with a massive security crackdown, sparking a new wave of refugee arrivals into Bangladesh.

On August 25, ARSA again launched an early morning attack on army installations in Rakhine, triggering a brutal military campaign in response.

An estimated 391,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in the last three weeks, according to the United Nations, which has said the military crackdown amounts to ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims.
British foreign secretary Boris Johnson set out his plans for a glorious Brexit in a lengthy newspaper article on Saturday that angered colleagues and reignited speculation he would challenge Prime Minister Theresa May for the leadership of the Conservative party.

With May due to set out her vision for Brexit in a speech in the Italian city of Florence on Friday, Johnson published a 4,300-word article that roamed well beyond his ministerial brief and, in some cases, went beyond the approach set out by the government.

Britain, he said, would not pay to access European markets in the future. Once out of the European Union, the country should borrow to invest in infrastructure, reform the tax code and set immigration levels as it sees fit.

A prominent Brexit campaigner in last years referendum, Johnson also repeated the controversial claim that the government would be 350 million pounds better off per week once outside the EU.

My friends, I must report that there are at least some people who are woefully underestimating this country, Johnson wrote in the Daily Telegraph. They think Brexit isnt going to happen.

I am here to tell you that this country will succeed in our new national enterprise, and will succeed mightily.

We have a glorious future.

Grassroots

A favourite with grassroots members of the Conservative Party, Johnson had been expected to challenge for the leadership after May gambled away her parliamentary majority in a June election she did not need to call.

Instead, he publicly pledged his loyalty. But the Times newspaper reported earlier this week that Johnson believed he had since been sidelined as May prepares to compromise over a divorce bill with the EU to ease the negotiations.

We would not expect to pay for access to their markets any more than they would expect to pay for access to ours, he wrote. The article made no reference to a transition period the government is expected to negotiate.

And yes  once we have settled our accounts, we will take back control of roughly 350 million pounds per week, he said. It would be a fine thing, as many of us have pointed out, if a lot of that money went on the NHS (health service).

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the comments laid bare the conflicts within Mays government and cut the ground from beneath the prime ministers authority.

During the campaign, Johnson travelled around Britain on a bus emblazoned with a slogan suggesting that Britain was sending 350 million pounds ($435 million) a week to the EU - a figure rejected as inaccurate by experts - and that the money would be better spent on the NHS.

Johnsons Telegraph article was published shortly after the prime minister increased Britains threat level to critical after a bomb injured 29 people on a train on Friday morning.

On the day of a terror attack where Britons were maimed, just hours after the threat level is raised, our only thoughts should be on service, said Ruth Davidson, the popular leader of the Conservatives in Scotland.

Will Tanner, a former adviser to May, said the timing was astonishing, self-serving and disloyal. The real PM *just* raised threat level. Meanwhile guy who wants to replace her issues a prelude to resignation, to save face over 350 million pounds. Hmm.
Nearly 10 months after her shocking defeat at the hands of US President Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton has said that she was not ready or equipped to run for the White House against a reality television star.

The former Democratic presidential candidate said she had an agenda of development, but possibly there were no takers.

I take running for president and being president really seriously. I really wasnt ready or equipped to run for president against a reality TV candidate, Clinton told PBS News Hour in an interview.

It maybe the toughest job in the world, the 69-year-old former US secretary of state, said.

I knew that there was unfinished business from the successful two terms of president Obama, whom I had served, but that we needed to go further on the economy, on health care, and so much else, she said.

I really prepared and I prepared what I wanted to say, how I would defend what I wanted to do. It turned out that was very hard to communicate. It was a time when an empty podium got more broadcast minutes than all of the policies that I was putting forth, she said.

Clinton said it was clear that the kind of campaign she was running, and the seriousness with which she looked at the agenda, she wanted to represent and then execute was just out of sync with the anger that a lot of the electorate felt, or the disappointment that another part of the electorate felt.

In her latest book What happened, which will hit the book stores this week, Clinton, the 67th US Secretary of State, appeared to be very critical of Trump.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds up a copy of her new book What Happened at a book signing event at Barnes and Noble bookstore in New York City. (AFP)

I believe that he has given a lot of encouragement and rhetorical support to the Ku Klux Klan. He accepted the support of David Duke. I believe that he has not condemned the neo-Nazis and the self-proclaimed white supremacists in Charlottesville and other settings, she said.

The Congress had to, on a bipartisan basis, pass a resolution asking that white supremacy be condemned by this president, which he then signed. And we will wait and see what he does. So, I cant tell you whats in his heart. I dont know. It could be total rank, cynical opportunism. Hes got a hard-core base that believes these things, and hes going to keep feeding it, Clinton said.

Responding to a question, Clinton called for a full-court diplomatic effort against North Korea.

We should have a full-court press diplomatic effort. If Trump doesnt want to listen to the experts inside his own government, then go to people outside in think tanks and academia who know about this very complicated region, and particularly North Korea, she said.

Make it clear that we will do everything in our power to protect our allies, South Korea and Japan, including installing even more missile defence. Now, the Chinese dont like that, but then the Chinese better be more on board with us in trying to rein in Kim Jong-un, Clinton said.

The Japanese are not for long going to leave their defence against this aggressor in North Korea to us, when they cant really rely on Trumps understanding of our promises, she said.
A week after Equifax disclosed that it suffered a massive data breach that may have compromised sensitive information belonging to 143 million people, the credit reporting agency's chief information officer, David Webb, and chief security officer, Susan Mauldin, are retiring, effective immediately, the company said in a statement Friday evening.

The sudden departures come as Equifax has been the target of intense criticism over the lapses in security that led to the hack and the way the company has handled the aftermath.

Richard Smith, Equifax's chief executive, apologized for the breach in an op-ed published by USA Today earlier this week. "This is the most humbling moment in our 118-year history," he said. But his promises to make changes at the company were not enough for many alarmed lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

At least two congressional hearings on the Equifax breach have been announced. The first scheduled panel will take place on Oct. 3, when Smith is expected to testify. A bipartisan group of 36 senators have asked the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate reports that Equifax executives sold stock after learning about the breach but before it was made public. And the Federal Trade Commission took the unusual step of announcing that it is conducting a probe into the Equifax breach.

A major frustration for consumers who've sought to protect themselves from the Equifax data breach has been having to pay for freezing and unfreezing their credit, as a precaution against fraud. On Friday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Mass., and a dozen other Democrats introduced a bill that would ban credit reporting bureaus such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion from charging consumers for the service.

Equifax said in its statement that the company would offer free security freezes through Nov. 21.

But that is unlikely to satisfy the demands of some elected officials.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said on Thursday that the company's chief executive and board of directors should step down unless they take five steps to correct their mishandling: notify affected consumers; provide free credit monitoring to them for at least 10 years, offer to freeze their credit for up to 10 years; remove forced arbitration clauses from their terms of use; and comply with fines or new standards that come out of investigations.

"It's only right that the CEO and board step down if they can't reach this modicum of corporate decency by next week," he said.
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By day, Taipei resembles other capital cities throughout Asia. Contemporary buildings of concrete, steel and glass dominate the skyline in commercial districts, mingling with a vast network of dilapidated low-rise apartments. Cars, scooters and yellow taxis whiz by streets crowded with dense throngs of pedestrians from all walks of life: businessmen in suits, mothers pushing strollers, millennials snapping selfies.

Not quite as pristine as Singapore but cleaner and less dense than Hong Kong or Shanghai, Taipei's streets are especially enthralling at night, when the busiest thoroughfares light up with staggered, twinkling signs projecting Chinese characters in primary colors.

Taipei also happens to be one of the most popular food destinations in Asia. It's known as the home of thin-skinned soup dumplings; the place where pearl milk tea (aka boba tea) was invented; where stinky tofu is a delicacy; and where crispy seafood on a stick is a night-market must.

On a recent rainy evening, I found myself on a nondescript side street in Taipei's Zhongshan District, huddled beneath a fabric awning in front of Fu Ba Wang Pork Restaurant. I was waiting in line for a taste of lu rou fan, or minced pork and rice, another one of Taiwan's most comforting and classic dishes.

At the entrance, a cleaver-wielding cook sat behind a stainless-steel counter where huge slabs of pork, braised until the skin gleams a caramelized golden brown, arrived steaming from the kitchen and were promptly dumped into a vat of opaque brown sauce.

More Information If you go GETTING THERE/AROUND EVA Airways offers nonstop service from IAH to Taiwan. Round-trip flights in economy start at less than $1,000; evaair.com. Uber is available, though taxis are inexpensive and more convenient for short rides. Public transport (MRT subway system, bus and trains) is excellent. WHEN TO GO Fall (late September/October) and spring (late March/April) are the best times to visit, when the weather is mild and dry. Taiwan's subtropical climate means summers are hot and humid. Typhoon season runs June through October. WHERE TO STAY Mandarin Oriental Taipei: Luxury hotel in the heart of Taipei with two-story spa, heated pool and fitness center, three fantastic restaurants, a tea lounge, bar and on-site cake shop. From $350 per night; mandarinoriental.com W Taipei: Hip and stylish hotel in the Xinyi shopping district. Upgrade to a high floor facing the Taipei 101 skyscraper and get the breakfast buffet. From $280 per night; wtaipei.com Ambience: Cute, 60-room boutique hotel featuring minimalist modern design and Philippe Starck furnishings. Rates from $85 per night; ambiencehotel.com.tw WHERE TO EAT Chun Shui Tang: Popular chain credited with the invention of Taiwanese boba, or bubble milk tea. B1, No. 9, Songshou Road, Xinyi District | Shinkong Mitsukoshi A9, Taipei, Taiwan 110; chunshuitang.com.tw Din Tai Fung: World-famous Taiwanese tea house known for soup dumplings. No. 194, Sec. 2, Xinyi Road, Taipei, Taiwan 106; dintaifung.com.tw Tian Jin Onion Pancake: Street-food stand selling flaky onion pancakes. No. 1, Lane 6, Yongkang Street, Da'an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 Fu-Ba-Wang Pork Restaurant: The specialty is the lu rou fan, or Taiwanese minced pork with rice. No. 20, Lane 115, Section 2, Nanjing East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491 Raohe Night Market: Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105 Shilin Night Market: No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111 Shi Ji Hot Pot: Skip the hot pot in favor of the beef noodle soup. No. 53, Section 1, Anhe Road, Da'an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 Ice Monster: Taiwanese shaved-ice shop known for mango shaved ice. No. 297, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da'an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106; ice-monster.com PRACTICAL TIPS The local dialect is Taiwanese, but most speak, read and write in Mandarin. Before you go, add traditional Chinese as a language option on your smartphone. Five-day sim cards with unlimited data can be purchased at an airport kiosk for about $15. English-speaking personal guides and drivers can be hired on an hourly basis at wogogo.com. MORE INFO: travel.taipei/en See More Collapse

Fishing a juicy slab from the vat, the cook chopped it up into tiny bits, placing small amounts over a bowl of rice before ladling it with sauce. It wasn't fancy, nor was it expensive - the dish cost less than $1. But the kernels of rice were a thing of beauty, glazed with a sheen of unctuous, savory sauce and punctuated by bits of skin and pork that melted on the tongue.

Moments like this were the reason I was in Taipei.

I had arrived three days prior, without a real plan other than to eat well. Though it hadn't been part of my original 10-day itinerary to Bangkok, I added the stopover at the last minute, which was permitted without a fee because I flew Taipei-based EVA Airways. Splitting up the legs between Bangkok, Taipei and Houston also meant that my transit home would be shortened from 22 hours to 15, nonstop. With no visa requirements for Americans visiting Taiwan for less than 90 days and a favorable exchange rate ($1 equals approximately 30 New Taiwan dollars), it was a no-brainer: This was my chance to visit a bucket-list foodie destination with minimal hassle and expense.

Cultural considerations, life-changing bubble tea

The idea of feasting in Taipei sounded good in theory, but there were challenges. For starters, everything is written in Chinese, from street signs to addresses on Google Maps and Uber. I don't read or speak Chinese.

Researching the city ahead of time, I also found that the majority of English-written articles on Taiwanese cuisine were by U.S.-based, non-Taiwanese writers. I wanted to dig deeper, to discover what really good Taiwanese food tasted like from a local perspective.

Enter my friend George. Born in Taiwan, he'd lived most of his life in California but had relocated to Taipei full time a few years ago. A hard-core foodie, he is always trying new places, looking for those humble, unpretentious spots that Asians prize most, the ones where it's all about the food.

With the benefit of a Western and local lens, George was the perfect guide to help me experience Taipei's best eats in a short of amount of time.

To start, we met at a branch of Chun Shui Tang, the teahouse credited with the invention of "boba," or "bubble" milk tea, which has become increasingly popular in the States.

It was love at first sip. Chun Shui Tang's milk tea was hands down the best I'd ever tasted: smooth and milky, the tea's strength in perfect balance with the added sweetener and cream.

"It'll ruin you," George warned with a knowing smile. And he was right: Would I ever be able to find anything close to this back home? I don't think so. From that moment forward, "It'll ruin you," became the theme of our food adventures.

Starting with classics

I quickly learned a few things about eating in Taipei. First, residents think nothing of hopping in a taxi for a 10- to 15-minute drive, just to try one small snack. Second, long, fancy sit-down meals, though available, are not generally what the city is known for. Like Fu Ba Wang Pork Restaurant, many spots are little more than food stands with seating in the back. Also, cash is king.

There is no right or wrong way to explore Taipei's food culture, either, other than to keep an open mind and save room in your stomach so you can try more things. Pork-based dishes and starchy, chewy cakes rule.

Given three short days, my focus was to try the foods uniquely indigenous to the region.

Niu rou mian, or beef noodle soup, is widely considered the national dish of Taiwan. Taipei holds an annual food festival to crown the best-tasting version of the dish each year. You can find it at many restaurants throughout the city, and when you ask locals for their favorite, a heated debate often ensues.

George's pick, Shi Ji Hot Pot Restaurant, had an award-worthy niu rou mian. The broth was a luscious, chocolate-brown color with a strong full-bodied savoriness. The noodles were springy and al dente. As for the beef - both brisket and tendon were tender and masterfully prepared.

I had never tried the traditional Taiwanese meatball, or rou yuan, until George escorted me to Tonghua Meatball, another tucked-away hole-in-the-wall beneath a brightly lit sign.

Inside, the restaurant had just a handful of tables. The meatballs were kept in a vat of hot oil, then cut through the top with scissors to reveal the meat filling. I found the dish rather weird - it was more of a gigantic, chewy-skinned dumpling with a pork and bamboo center than a meatball. Even so, I couldn't help but marvel at the texture of the dense, glutinous outer shell. The Taiwanese prize this chewy quality, called "QQ,"

Dining hubs

Taipei has many night markets; we hit Shilin Night Market and Raohe Night Market, the largest and oldest, respectively.

At Shilin, a sprawling labyrinth of alleys and stalls was filled with street-fair-type games; flea-market-style vendors selling everything from souvenirs to underwear; and food carts offering everything from offal (kidneys, chicken hearts, tripe) to Taiwanese fried chicken, fish balls and pork sausages. At Raohe, red entrance gates led the way to many food options, such as oyster pancakes and lots of stinky tofu.

Both were fun for people watching and late-night grazing - and, since nothing cost more than a few dollars, it was enough to buy and try rather than to finish every last bite.

I highly recommend exploring Yongkang Street, a known epicurean destination in Taipei. Spanning several blocks with more than 30 eateries, the spot has one place to try above all else: the original Din Tai Fung. World famous for its xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, the multilevel restaurant impresses. The soup dumplings are exquisitely crafted, the dumpling skins impossibly thin yet resilient and moist, with a lusciously plump soupy pork filling.

Also worthwhile? Tian Jin Onion Pancake, a street stand nearby, where the line of waiting customers is constantly 10 to 20 people deep. Here, two female cooks perform culinary acrobatics over a sizzling flat-top grill, one pouring batter, then flipping the onion pancakes as they cook; the other flipping and smashing pancakes before folding them into a small paper bag for takeaway.

Savory and flaky, with a pull-apart, chewy center, the plain onion pancake - which costs about 80 cents - was nothing short of phenomenal.

Hungry for return visit

In the end, I'd tried obscure spots and famous restaurants. Had my world rocked by snacks purchased off the streets for less than a dollar and snacked nonstop until I could snack no more.

Was it enough? Not nearly.

I missed out on a sesame seed pepper bun at the night market, and there were several more night markets and massive underground food halls that I would have loved to explore.

No, three days was not sufficient - but as a stopover on my way back to the States, it was a great introduction to Taipei's sensational food culture.
WASHINGTON - The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee has joined an effort to challenge President Donald Trump's announced ban on transgender troops, a sign that open resistance to the order is growing.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a military hawk and one of the GOP's most outspoken critics of Trump, said in a statement Friday that he was backing the measure because "we should welcome all those who are willing and able to serve our country."

"Any member of the military who meets the medical and readiness standards should be allowed to serve - including those who are transgender," he continued.

The announcement from McCain came as he joined Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.,, the ranking Democrat on the committee, and committee members Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, in introducing a bill to thwart the president's plan.

Gillibrand and Collins had hoped to attach an amendment to that National Defense Authorization Act, pushing back against the transgender troops ban. But their efforts fell short when the Senate could not agree on a roster of amendments to vote on. So, they redrafted the amendment as a separate piece of legislation.

McCain had previously been cagey about whether he would support the Gillibrand-Collins effort, noting that it might be premature, because the ban had not gone into effect. He did, however, promise to let senators offer any amendments they wanted.

Trump announced via Twitter in July that transgender troops would no longer be allowed to serve in the military. And last month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced he would conduct a six-month review of transgender troops before implementing that order. For now, transgender troops currently in the military are being allowed to reenlist, according to new Pentagon guidelines reported Friday by the Associated Press.

Under Trump's plan, Mattis has until Feb. 1 to finish his study. But the Senate's bill would speed up Mattis's timeline to the end of the year, prevent the military from discharging currently-serving transgender troops, and express Congress' conviction that qualified individuals should be allowed to serve regardless of gender identity.

Despite McCain's and Reed's support, it is not clear whether the bill will get a full Senate vote in the next several months.

The defense appropriations bill is one of the few so-called "must-pass" measures that Congress grapples with each year, and thus is a popular vehicle for lawmakers who might otherwise have difficulty securing debate time for their preferred measures. In the next several months, Congress must tackle budget matters, a looming debt ceiling, immigration and several other high-profile issues that could eclipse a bill to ensure the military service of transgender troops.

Still, McCain's endorsement puts some urgency behind the matter, and it signals to both congressional leaders and Mattis that this is not an issue he intends to ignore.

"The Senate Armed Services Committee will review the results of the DOD study on accession," McCain said in his statement, "and will continue to work closely with our military leaders on any policy changes as we conduct oversight on this important issue."
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Irene Tamayo, 69, sat on the porch of her gutted home in the city of South Houston on Thursday, thumbing through water-stained documents, hand shredding those she no longer needed.

It's been about two weeks since Hurricane Harvey ceased its devastating torrential rains on South Houston, but Tamayo said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has yet to pay her or the city of about 16,000 residents a visit.

"I'm still listed as pending," she said. "I tried to schedule an appointment a week ago, but I'm still waiting."

According to Tamayo and many residents in South Houston, FEMA has the area listed as inaccessible when they try to arrange for an inspector to visit through the agency's website in order to assess damages.

At least 42 inches of rain fell on the city, in which 80 percent of its properties rest in the Harris County floodplain, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of floodplain and county data.

Many residents there feel mired in limbo until they receive significant federal assistance beyond an initial FEMA check of $500.

According to FEMA, the agency will list an area or a home inaccessible if damages are too great for inspectors to enter.

This, however, is in spite of many city services returning, postal delivery resuming and roadways drying.

FEMA data estimates thousands of homes were affected in South Houston. FEMA spokesman Peter Herrick added that federal officials know residents are still waiting for an inspector to visit their homes.

Herrick said residents should continue reaching out to the agency for help until it arrives.

He added that inaccessibility is usually determined by the condition of a individual's home or block and not the community as a whole.

'Sad and frustrating'

Until FEMA assesses damages to their homes to kickstart the flow of federal aid, South Houston residents are relying on dwindling bank accounts and strained fixed incomes to get by.

"It's been sad and frustrating," said Mayor Joe Soto, whose mother was displaced in the flood. "My mom is living with me, so I'm going through the same struggle firsthand that my city is going through."

In addition to helping his mother with her home, Soto is also bearing the responsibilities of leading a community where he says at least 3,000 homes took in water.

"I'm hoping we can get our streets cleaned before Thanksgiving," he said. "It's a lot of trash, and it'll take multiple trips just to clear one block."

Soto is frustrated by what he said appears to be a lack of coordination from FEMA officials.

He said he's juggled multiple calls from the agency often repeating the same answers to different people. "I'm trying to talk to them, but it's like the left hand isn't talking to the right," he said. "But I get it. These guys are from New York, or wherever, and they don't know the area and what's outside of Houston."

Tamayo is retired and like most of her neighbors on her quiet block she lost much of her belongings in waist deep water that followed Hurricane Harvey in late August.

The smell of mold lingers in the air as mounds of flood-damaged sheetrock, toys, furniture and ceramic floor tiles sit in the sun.

And though much of the city sits in the floodplain, many residents in this area don't have flood insurance.

Tamayo has lived in her home for more than 35 years, and it was the first time it had flooded since she's lived there.

"I'd never seen anything like it," she said. "The water was even deeper at the end of the road. I tried to save as much as I could, but my daughter told me it was no use - there was just too much water."

The delayed response for federal assistance isn't uncommon for rural or small municipalities during catastrophic events, say emergency response experts.

A valid fear

South Houston residents fear a higher priority is being placed on Houston, and experts believe the fear is valid.

Jeff Schlegelmilch, deputy director for Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness, said large urban areas tend to absorb much of attention during disaster relief.

More than 220,000 applicants have received federal assistance in the Houston region and more than $342.5 million has been approved, according to FEMA.

Many of those affected in South Houston received the initial $500 check from FEMA to help with immediate needs. But after almost two weeks since the storm and efforts to refurbish homes, the money was spent quickly for many.

"It would be a big help if FEMA could help," Tamayo said. "We'll figure out a way to manage until then."

Despite its name, South Houston, or SOHO, isn't a part of the city of Houston. With its own mayor and council, the city sits in southeast Harris County along the Gulf Freeway almost surrounded by Houston with Pasadena to the east.

In the 1960s, residents adopted the unofficial motto, The Friendly City within a city.

The community, anchored by trucking, construction and manufacturing companies, is predominately Hispanic, according to U.S. Census data. Almost 1 in 4 South Houston residents live in poverty.

The area's claim to fame came in 1919 when George Washington Christy - a former mayor of South Houston - opened a Christy Bros. Circus.

The circus wintered first in Galveston and then in South Houston, where Christy had built a home.

Taking 'baby steps'

Jaime Gonzales, 52, has called SOHO home since he was a teen when his parents immigrated to the area when they moved from Mexico.

"It's devastating," he said. "Every yard looks and smells the same. You wake up every morning hoping it's not going to be like it was."

Gonzales said he and his family are trying each day to add some level of normalcy to their lives since Harvey.

"Baby steps," he said. "There's nothing you can do but keep living."

As Tamayo continued shredding sensitive documents, her neighbor across the street, Raul Mendez, 67, slowly walked through his brick veneer home, which he shares with his nephew Jose Melchor.

The floorboards have been removed, exposing a slab foundation, and all that remains inside are a couple of air mattresses, a few lamps and some foldable tables.

As of Friday Mendez was also waiting for FEMA to assess his home's damages.

"I bought my home in brand new in 1988 with my late wife and paid it off. It's mine, and I'm very proud of my home," he said. "It breaks my heart to see it like this, but I know help will get here."
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A plan to end the George R. Brown Convention Center's run as an emergency shelter by Thursday night stumbled when one proposed replacement - the Northwest Mall - fell through, spurring a scramble that ended late Friday with a deal to move flood victims to a Houston Community College warehouse.

The American Red Cross, which is operating the downtown shelter in cooperation with the city of Houston, had informed the roughly 1,000 evacuees still at the convention center that they would be heading to the mall - and had even relocated portable showers to the site - when the deal collapsed Thursday. The evacuees instead will relocate to the HCC facility, which sits one mile south of NRG Park, the county-owned building still serving as the area's second key shelter for storm victims.

"The shelter transition tomorrow is a continuation of the city and Red Cross partnership to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are given viable housing options," said Tom McCasland, Houston's housing director.

The Red Cross' initial lease term ended Thursday, said Rob Jackson of Houston First, which operates the convention center, and a new convention begins events on Sunday. Mayor Sylvester Turner has said the push to vacate the GRB is driven by a need to transition flood victims beyond emergency shelters, not the convention schedule.

"The plan all along was that they were going to find a longer-term shelter from which they would transition into more sustainable housing," Jackson said. "The shelter they'd planned to move to for whatever reason didn't work out, so there's been an aggressive effort to find an alternative."

Representatives of Levcor, which owns the Northwest Mall, did not return calls for comment.

Efforts to find homes for shelter residents are coming into focus, McCasland said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to fund at least 60 days of city officials' six-month plan to move hundreds of shelter residents to longer-term housing, he said, a deal that could see families begin to move into federally funded apartments as early as Saturday morning.

"Many, many people are focused on making sure the people who are currently at the George R. Brown are moving into these longer-term housing solutions, knowing that we do need to wrap up our activities at the George R. Brown and that we'll be continuing those activities at another shelter location in the coming days," McCasland said. "The transition allows us the necessary time to connect our neighbors to the participating landlords."

'Some serious issues'

The city on Friday also began moving some GRB residents into the former Star of Hope shelter on Emancipation Avenue, a 300-bed space for which City Council approved a one-year lease this week. FEMA's decision means federal funds also will help operate that facility, McCasland said.

The goal is to use federal funds to get residents placed in housing that they can then resume paying for themselves, as two-thirds of GRB residents were before the storm, McCasland said. Those who prove unable to do so may have their ongoing rent payments supported by extensions of FEMA funding, Red Cross dollars or city funds.

For others whose housing may have been tenuous or nonexistent before the storm, McCasland said, the goal will be to reduce homelessness in the process of addressing their needs.

"We're going to be facing some serious issues as we move forward, knowing that we already had an affordable housing crisis before the storm and that crisis just got a lot worse because of the storm," McCasland said.

The chronically homeless who had taken refuge at the shelter began being moved out Tuesday, he said, through the city's existing homeless programs.

Ready to leave

Some residents at the GRB Friday said they were more than ready to leave, complaining of malfunctioning laundry and shower facilities, inferior meals and a lack of communication from Red Cross officials that has hamstrung their ability to plan their next steps.

"We've been dealing with nothing but rumors," said Christine Gibson, 59, who has lived at the convention center for 19 days.

Red Cross spokesman Fred Mariscal said problems with shower and laundry facilities were related to the aborted move, which he said had been viewed as an opportunity to do maintenance. Residents are fed a warm lunch and dinner every day, he added.

NRG Park, which is being operated as a shelter by local nonprofit BakerRipley, held about 2,240 people Friday. The facility had been prepared for up to 10,000 evacuees when it opened Aug. 29.

McCasland deferred to the Red Cross on why GRB residents were not relocated to the county facility; Mudd said NRG was not discussed as an option.

County Judge Ed Emmett, who led the effort of standing up county-owned NRG, has said he asked BakerRipley to run the operation because he lacked faith in the Red Cross' competence. Emmett's spokesman Joe Stinebaker noted that Turner has not asked Emmett whether those at the convention center could be relocated to NRG, which is scheduled to end operations Sept. 23.

Robert Downen contributed to this report.
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AUSTIN - Texas' successful shift to prison treatment and rehabilitation programs to transition felons back into society is being eyed as a possible model for federal criminal justice programs.

A bipartisan group of about two dozen elected officials, religious and business leaders and representatives from the Justice Department and other federal agencies joined President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, at a White House roundtable conference as a first step in an effort to shift the federal corrections system from its punitive crime-fighting focus to improved reentry programs that have been proven to lower recidivism in several states.

Among the attendees in the Thursday session hosted by Kushner's Office of American Innovation were Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn; Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston; Dallas investor Doug Deason; and Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the conservative Austin-based Texas Public Policy Foundation that has endorsed many of the reforms in Texas as a step in the right direction.

Also present were Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback - both Republicans - and Georgia officials. All are from states where prison reform initiatives have yielded positive results.

A decade ago Texas decided to try treatment and rehabilitation programs for some imprisoned felons rather than building three new state prisons. The result has since reduced the crime rates and the population of Texas prisons, the largest state corrections system in the United States.

The so-called Texas model has been adopted with success by many other states.

"Texas has been the leader in this area, by far," Deason told the Chronicle after leaving the meeting. "We got some ideas from other states, and they got some from Texas ... Texas saved millions of dollars as a result of its reforms, and I think the federal prison system could be changed for the better in the same way.

"The left loves these ideas. The right loves them. It's a matter of bringing in the squishy middle now," he said.

Kushner's office in recent months has explored ways to make government more efficient by bringing technology executives together in a similar round table. And Kushner and other White House officials have said in recent days that the justice-reform initiative has much the same goal.

Alternative strategies

While Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have pushed for more aggressive prosecution of some federal laws such as drug offenders and illegal immigrants, in a move that promised to boost the federal prison population, conservatives nationally have pushed for more treatment and rehabilitation programs, along with better reentry initiatives, to ensure that ex-convicts can succeed once they complete their prison time rather than falling back into a life of crime.

Those groups - who support much of Trump's political base - have criticized the federal mandatory-minimum sentences that have resulted in longer prison sentences for some federal crimes.

Mandatory-minimum sentences have recently been jettisoned in several Republican-controlled states, where officials and lawmakers have found their prison systems cost taxpayers too much with high recidivism rates. States such as Texas that have adopted alternative strategies have been able to save money and reduce crime.

Focus on reentry

In recent months, press reports have detailed private discussions that Kushner has had with members of Congress and outside groups about sentencing reform and other changes. Officials said Thursday's meeting focused on reentry, including drug and mental health treatment programs, vocational training and mentoring programs that have proven successful in several states.

While prison populations in several states have been dropping in recent years, the number of convicts in federal prisons is expected to grow by 2 percent in the coming year, to about 191,000 prisoners. That would reverse a four-year downturn, officials have said.

The Justice Department has requested an additional $10 million to care for the additional inmates.

Deason said Thursday's meeting was the first of several expected in coming months to sharpen the ideas into workable policy that could change the nation's criminal justice system for the better.
Skeptical of appointment

Regarding "Turner appoints czar for recovery efforts" (Page A3, Friday), Mayor Sylvester Turner has selected Marvin Odum, former president and member of the board for Shell Oil Co., to be chief recovery officer of the city's Harvey relief efforts. Turner announced this move in a press conference, saying that we need to "transform the city for the better," so that we don't "do the same thing" and instead put Houston in a "better position."

Yielding to the oil and gas mindset will not be a change for Houston. Real estate development and prioritizing petrochemical capital is what has lead to excessive flooding and pollution of some of Houston's most poor communities, as shown with Hurricane Harvey. We were told paving over floodplains with concrete is good for Houston, because it will promote our economy. We were told that it's necessary for flares from the chemical plants to burn off all of their chemicals into our air. These are the decisions made by people like Odum.

Odum may be a good person at heart, but if Turner wants to change things for the better, he should prioritize the poorest of Houstonians, and not the wealthiest among us, by turning away from the class of folks who have made this storm worse.

Bryan LaVergne, Houston

Working the numbers

Regarding "County: Emmett eyes upgrades for dams, reservoirs, regulations" (Page A1, Thursday), a question that should be asked in the wake of Harvey is: Should money be spent to widen bayous or is it better spent to elevate or buyout floodprone houses?

A Brays Bayou flood control engineer stated in a public meeting I once attended that the current widening project will reduce the potential for future flooding of homes but will never be a "silver bullet" to stop flooding of some homes along Brays Bayou. His comment was with regard to a 100-year flood event. Then came Harvey!

County Judge Ed Emmett's comments on flooding state that $20 billion would be needed just to provide 100-year flood protection along Harris County's bayous. The article also states that more than 100,000 homes were flooded. One online source quotes a cost of $30,000 to $100,000 to elevate a house. Twenty billion dollars would elevate 200,000 houses at $100,000 per house. On the other hand, $20 billion would go a long way to buying Harvey's flooded houses.

Before billions of dollars become dirt hauled down our roads, having been carved from our bayous, I urge officials to carefully consider more effective ways to spend taxpayers' money to mitigate future flooding.

Mike Quearry, Houston

Happenstance or hostility?

Regarding "Navy orders safety check after second ship collision" (Page A8, Aug. 22), for the second time a U.S. ship destroyer has been T-boned by a much larger container ship. I have to wonder if these are really "accidents" or have the auto navigation systems on these container ships been hacked. After all, motor vehicles can be hacked and the driver is powerless to control the vehicles.

One collision is an accident. Two in the same manner seems to be a hostile act.

William Mears, New Caney,

Trying Japan's patience

Regarding "N. Korea launches another missile over Japan" (Page A15, Friday), it has become obvious that North Korea does not care what the world thinks of it as long as they can act like a bully and threaten anyone they please. Japanese officials, being the classy people they are, sent Pyongyang an official protest over the latest incident of North Korea's egregious behavior. I suspect North Korea ruler Kim Jung Un and his ilk will shrug their shoulders and go on doing whatever they wish. This has been their response to all past world disapproval of their actions.

After this latest incident, I believe Japan is perfectly within its rights to warn Pyongyang that if another missile is launched into Japanese airspace, it will be shot down. If Pyongyang chooses to test this, the Japanese are well within their rights to shoot down missiles that threaten the peace and security of Japan. Apparently North Korea doesn't understand or care about any other kind of message. Nothing else has worked so far. Maybe this will.

Cathy Newman, Meadows Place

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More than 50 Missouri Department of Transportation employees  including three from this area  are working in Florida to help with clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Florida requested assistance from other states.

The Missouri crews deployed from Sikeston last week heading to Tallahassee to receive their work orders. They took a variety of equipment with them, such as loaders, road tractors, backhoes, chainsaws and trucks. Their primary responsibility is debris removal from roadways. The crews are prepared to be out of state for up to two weeks. Among those traveling to Florida are Greg Van Horn, Brad Koch and Travis Sanders.

Im so proud of the outpouring of volunteers for this mission. However, I am not surprised, said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. We have great employees who continue to step up and show true dedication to serving others.
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Madison Quinn has started an organization to send care packages to children fighting cancer.

PHS Student Starts Charity For Children Fighting Cancer

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  About two years ago, Madison Quinn was browsing through Instagram when she found photos of Abel.

Abel was a young boy in California fighting cancer. The photos she saw touched her and she reached out to his mother asking what he likes because she wanted to send him a get well present. It was Batman. Quinn went to the store and bought a Batman figurine and mailed it out to California. Abel took the wings off of Batman and took it with him for every single chemo treatment, and his mother sent photos of that back.

"I wanted to do something," the 15-year-old Pittsfield High School junior said. "Not enough people do it. There is a lot of bad in the world. But these kids are going through more than they ever should and they're severely underfunded, they have limited treatment because adult cancers get 96 percent of the funding and all childhood cancers get 3.8 percent."

She began sending care packages to children all over the United States fighting the same battle. Shortly after, she met Landen Palatino.

Palatino was a local boy fighting Grade 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer. She got in touch with his mother Tina Palatino and went for a visit. There the two played video games and the 8-year-old Palatino would rescue her character. They had fun. They became best friends.

She'd be in school and Palatino would get out of treatment and be asking for her.

"We'd send each other silly selfies. He'd always ask me, in the middle of class, 'can you come over and play video games?'" Quinn said.

Quinn entered last year's Super Landen 'Stache Dash, which raised money for Palatino, and when she arrived there was happy to see him there. Despite being 8 years old and battling cancer, Palatino stuck right by Quinn's side, running the race with her.

"He ran the whole thing by my side. We stopped and looked for fish in the water. We played on the slide and the swings," Quinn said.

Meanwhile, Quinn continued sending out care packages to children with cancer and in December she made a push to send out 60. She woke up during the mornings and collected bottles and cans. She held fundraising drives. She created an organization called Strong Little Souls to reach out to children and families all over.

"Before that, I'd send out a couple a month, maybe two or three. It was the holiday season, so maybe I could just do one big send out and it worked," Quinn said.

That has continued and this summer she went to a Pittsfield Suns game, threw out the first pitch, and collected donations and sold bracelets. She raised $2,000 that one night.

On Aug. 27, Quinn's little friend Palatino died.

"He's meant a lot to me and I've meant a lot to him," Quinn said. "He's always been super close."

This holiday season Quinn is again looking to send out care packages and has now set her sights on 100. She's dedicated it to Palatino, dubbing it "Landen Loves Toy Drive" and is now soliciting donations in his memory.

"He's the reason I am doing it," she said.

She is again looking for donations to help brighten the day of those children fighting cancer. She'll be searching for children, reaching out to parents to find out what they'd want so there is a personalized touch, and putting the packages together. She said each one usually costs about $40 to $50.

"Some people are more willing to give me toys than cash and I understand that. Other people will just give me cash and I'll do that," Quinn said. "Shipping is going to be really expensive. Last year with the 60, it was like $900. I am assuming it is going to be double that. So I am also trying to raise funds for shipping and the care packages."

By late November, Quinn hopes to have a basement full of toys and other gifts, which she'll package up with help from a few friends.

Her efforts haven't gone unnoticed. That journey from the first care package sent has led Quinn down a path of meeting numerous organizations and individuals with the same focus.

"There are so many nice people I've come across and so many people I would have never met if I didn't do this. I'm thankful of that," Quinn said.

She's been to the Ronald McDonald House and hospitals in New York City meeting children. She attended CureFest in Washington D.C. and stood outside of the White House with other childhood cancer advocates. She'll be throwing a super hero themed party at the home of a child with cancer outside of Boston.

She met author Ty Allan Jackson, who autographed and donated a ton of books for her to give out, and author Daniel Sadowski who will be holding a book signing and will donate one copy of his book Finding Brooklyn for every sale he has that day. Other charities are donating their goods for her to send out in the care packages.

Quinn went to a Walking Dead convention and met actor Scott Wilson, who plays Hershel Greene. She started telling him about Palatino and what she is doing and Wilson held up the line to praise her efforts.

"It is crazy to have somebody you look up to tell you how much you mean to them. It is really eye opening," Quinn said.

She lost her friend "Super Landen" but he remains an inspiration for Quinn to become super herself by helping children who are fighting that battle.
Donation bins sit on the front porch of the New Hope United Methodist Church offices on West Main Street.

Church Seeks Help Making Kits to Aid Hurricane Victims



Supplies wait to be assembled into 'flood buckets' for victims of West Virginia flooding in 2016.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Yes, there is something you can do to help the victims of the recent hurricanes.



The New Hope United Methodist Church is assembling "flood buckets," a 5-gallon bucket of items that people whose homes have been ravaged by flooding can use to aid their cleanup efforts. The national United Methodist Church's Committee on Relief has been assembling these kits for years now, according to local pastor Courtney Randall, and have determined the best way to package them and the most helpful contents.



Randall said New Hope contributions began a couple summers ago when children in the church's "Ready, Set, Serve" community service program for youths assembled buckets for victims of flooding in West Virginia.



"That's where the kids learned to pack the buckets," she said. "They do a really good job."



This time around, Randall is hoping to get broader community assistance with the kits. There are three ways you can help:



1. Donate supplies. A complete list of what is needed to fill a bucket can be found here and includes items like laundry detergent, clothespins, trash bags and insect repellent. Randall cautions that people must be aware of the correct sizes needed to avoid items that are too big to fit into the bucket. (The lid must be able to be snapped on the bucket in order for safe transit.) Most of the supplies can be purchased at hardware stores or WalMart. Supplies can be left in the bins on the front porch of the church offices at 550 West Main St. in North Adams, which is located on the east corner of Notch Road.


Rachel Branch, Thomas Bernard and Robert Moulton Jr. speak at a forum held by MCLA and the Chamber of Commerce. The chamber held a meet and greet for members before the event that was hosted by Greylock Works owners Karla Rothstein & Sal Perry (in background). PreviousNext

North Adams Mayoral Hopefuls Meet at Chamber, MCLA Forum



Candidate Robert Martelle, second from left, was allowed to speak at the end of the forum. He did not respond in time to be included. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Three of the four mayoral candidates running in the preliminary election on Tuesday offered their positions on questions ranging from economic development to the opioid crisis at a forum Thursday held in the renovated Weave Shed at Greylock Works.

Thomas Bernard, Rachel Branch and Robert Moulton Jr. each stated how they could make a difference in the corner office. Bernard pointed to his years in nonprofits and academia working with government officials; Moulton highlighted his role as a business owner and city councilor, as well as working with the nonprofit North Adams Ambulance; Branch, a member of the McCann School Committee, described herself as a "community street fighter" with an extensive experience in public and community service.

Robert Martelle, who did not respond in time to fully participate, spoke at the end about the need for jobs, addressing the heroin epidemic and the problems some residents have in dealing with the state Department of Children and Families.

The forum was held by the Department of History, Political Science and Public Policy at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. Greylock Works hosted the event and it was catered by Meng's Pan Asian Cuisine. The chamber members were invited to meet the candidates prior to the forum, which was open to the public.

The questions were provided in advance to the candidates who responded to the forum invitation and were asked by students in professor Samantha Pettey's state and local politics class.

David Leonard, Mackenzie McCarthy, Isaac Stewart, Charlie Weissfellner and Sam Broderick asked questions or kept the time: Darnell Henriquez and Justin Therrien were the ushers.

The order was randomly drawn with Bernard going first, and then Moulton and Branch; each was given 3 minutes to answer each question and allowed two-minute opening and closing statements.

All three candidates largely agreed on the broader issues: support for educational needs, economic development, addressing the opioid crisis, affordable health care and taking into account those being left behind as the city grows. Their differences were largely in the details and the subjects they were most passionate about.

Not surprisingly, one of the questions was about the role of the college; all three stated that the college played a vital role in the community and that more ways should be found to integrate students into the life of the city.

In terms of job development and accommodating growth, Bernard said North Adams is becoming attractive for homebuyers because of its many amenities, but it will take a strong education system and jobs to keep them here. When people are looking at real estate websites, it was important that they show North Adams has a "strong and vibrant school system," he said.

He said he would work with the superintendent of schools to narrow the achievement gap in North Adams and would support McCann Technical School and Berkshire Arts & Techonology Public Charter School in Adams. Ensuring access to health care and determining the appropriate need in this area were also critical, he said.

"There's a softer message that is important," Bernard said, which was raised at last week's Northern Berkshire Community Coalition meeting. "Community identity ... who are we and who do we want to be as a community ... and the thing that's going to have people stay is a community, a sense of belonging. It's strong neighborhoods, it's strong efforts to bring people together ... it's the things that get people excited about the city as a whole."

Moulton agreed that there were a number of factors, such as the museums and colleges, that bring people to North Adams. The house next to his was sold sight unseen to a couple from Arizona, he said.

"What are we doing to keep people here?" he said. The city has its blighted areas but there was, he continued, a tendency for longtime residents to say, "oh, poor us." But that's not really true anymore.

"If you want to see something that's exciting, go to a Planning Board meeting," Moulton said, because of the new businesses and expansions that are happening. "We have a lot to offer and I'm excited to be a part of it."

While the city is seeing new growth, "I believe there must be an acknowledgement and acceptance of our declining population," Branch said. "If our community is warm, open, welcoming, engaging, conscientiously aware, and creates an inspirational atmosphere, we are well on our way to keeping those who make their homes here and those new members of the community."

Her plans would include all residents having a say in how the city should move forward. "We need to address the real human problems we have in North Adams," Branch said. "Such as the drug and alcohol epidemic, which requires treatment centers, stopping domestic violence and rape, and supporting the agencies that assist in addressing racism and anti-Semitism."

To directly address job growth, Bernard said he would streamline the process of how businesses work through the permitting systems adding that the city's job would be to say "yes" and only rarely say "no." He would advocate for the workforce training programs at McCann and Berkshire Community College, and would develop a "business manager" for the city whose job would be business recruitment and development that would eventually be self-funded.

"Are we willing to invest in what it takes to bring business here?" he asked.

Moulton said the city has to be attractive and inviting. Private investment, such as the Greylock Works and the Norad Mill are proof that exciting developments are happening, he said. He agreed with the current administration's move to sell off properties to be better developed by private investment.

"The city itself doesn't do it, you're looking for the entrepreneurship," Moulton said. "We're a very reasonable place to do business, it's fairly easy to do business. Could it be streamlined more? I suppose it always could be but people look out there for the opportunities that are here."

He thought that the city was on the upswing, even though it had a ways to go. "It's going to be surprising where we are in the next five years," he said.

Branch said it was a matter of all the residents working together. "Every resource available must be promoted and highlighted," she said. "One of the ways we can assist those positions is to encourage volunteer work that might lead to employment."

Existing businesses should be encouraged to develope apprentice programs "at a miniumum wage leading to a livable wage career path," she said. "And any other avenue we can find and create together to solve this ongoing problem."

All three said they would encourage the Massachusetts Nursing Association and Berkshire Health Systems to continue talking. The registered nurses' union and health system contract negotiations have been at a standstill for months over the safe staffing issues. The local MNA negotiating committee has been authorized to call a strike if needed.

Bernard said affordable health care is a priority, calling it a tenet of his campaign. He said he would be listening to both sides and be a voice for the community but stressed that continued harsh negotiations create a lack of trust between employee and management, and the health care system and the community. He would hold them accountable to their duty of care.

"We need to put patient care first but equitable care and equitable treatment of caregivers is important," he said. "All sides should do everything they can to settle open labor issues because not doing that threatens patient care."

Moulton said as mayor, you had to keep the cohesiveness and keep people talking.

"It's a very very difficult division. What you don't want to get to is them against us, that doesn't work for anybody, least of all patients," he said, noting how the sudden closure of North Adams Regional Hospital caught many off guard. That could have been avoided if more efforts had been made to keep people informed, he said. "You have to keep them talking."

Branch was much more blunt. "I am a very strong supporter of the nurses," she said. "And if a strike were to occur, I would attempt to provide every opportunity possible for inclusive meetings to address the very real concerns of nurse to patient staffing."

A member of the North County Cares Coalition, Branch has been outspoken on the need to bring the former hospital facility owned by BHS in North Adams back up the standards needed to meet the area's aging and poorer population.

"This is a human rights issues and patients must come first," she said. She is also advocating for the community's participation in the disbursement of some $1.1 million from NARH's endowment fund made up of donations from community.

All three also supported greater medical support for heroin addicts and resources for police to root out drug dealers. Education is also critical with Branch describing drug abuse like a contagious disease that requires early intervention. Bernard said the state needed to step up funding and ensure prescribers aren't continuing to add to the problem. Moulton said nothing can really get done until the public evinces its outrage and demands actions.

They also agreed on the need for reliable public transportation for residents to be able to get to jobs and colleges. Bernard thought the entire public transportation system needed to be reimagined, such as using on-demand and ride sharing services. Branch had similar ideas, including encouraging private buses or vans, and pushing for state funding.

"We can all do energy efficiency with more walking and more bike riding, but this is a tough issue," she said.

Moulton said millions are flowing out the Berkshires to support Boston's MBTA and some of that money needs to stay here. The city could also look for grants and develop a plan "to get the best bang for our buck."

Bernard and Branch support the one-mile North Adams leg of the Mohawk Bike Path as long as everyone's concerns can be addressed. The route would go through private land being donated to the city that parallels Chenaille Terrace; the residents there have objected to what they believe will be a bike path in their back yard.

Moulton thought the route could go down another street (it was not clear which street he meant) and through one or more homeowners' side yards to connect to the airport land.

"If you get one or more persons to be the hero of the neighborhood," he said. "I think it is a very, very viable solution to the problem."

[The cost estimate for the entire bike path from Route 7 to Harriman & West Airport is about $4.9 million; the North Adams section would be funded through federal scenic byway monies.]



Sixty or more people attended the forum that was recorded by NBCTV. The final question related to the city's water quality. The water itself is safe but a test in July turned up coliform bacteria that was not immediately reported to the state. A test the next day at the same locations turned up negative but because of the reporting delay, the city was required to alert residents of the failed tests  nearly two months after they occurred.

"Incidents like that create a lack of public trust," Bernard said. "If our standard is basic compliance, we at least have to do that well."

He promised a review at every level of reporting and testing to find what's not working and create a documented standard to adhere to for all city operations.

Moulton said water quality was on everyone's minds because of the findings of PFOA in nearby communities. "Why weren't we notified?" he said. "There should have been outrage."

His thought is to look into privatizing the water treatment plant again. (The city took over the privately operated plant in 2010.)

"Water is life," said Branch, insisting that every test be done and everything be examined in a fully transparent manner. "It's the responsibility of our mayor and anyone in our administration.

The forum, attended by more than 60 people, was taped for broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community Television.




iciHaiti - Sunrise Airways : Relief flight on the island of Saint-Martin





The Haitian Haitian-based company, Sunrise Airways, has joined the ongoing post-IRMA recovery efforts in St. Maarten and St. Martin. The humanitarian relief flight was organized in conjunction with Dutch Special Forces, the Republic of India, and local officials in St. Maarten/St. Martin to rescue more than 100 Indian nationals stranded by the storm. In an extended gesture of goodwill, Sunrise Airways further opened the flight to wives and children of St. Maarten/St. Martin police officers and other first responders.



"This type of humanitarian effort embodies the whole notion of what our 'One Caribbea' mantra is all about," declared Philippe Bayard, President of Sunrise Airways, adding "We are proud to stand in solidarity with our Caribbean brothers and sisters in St. Martin, and elsewhere in Irmas path, during this very trying time of need."



Note that the Haitian community of Saint-Martin (French side of the island) with more than 9,000 members, represents more than 12% of the population 22116 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22116-haiti-news-zapping.html



SL/ iciHaiti






















iciHaiti - Politics : Competition for the Recruitment of State Administrators





The Ministry of Communication informs us that the competition for the recruitment of 50 executives https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21644-haiti-notice-call-for-applications-for-50-state-administrators.html candidates to the body of "State administrators" will take place at the Lycee Toussaint Louverture, on 16 and 17 September 2017.



Let's reclall that this that this competition is aimed at integrating young professionals into the public service on the basis of merit, as prescribed by law. These candidates will have to undergo written tests prepared by an independent jury which will also ensure the correction.



Officials from the civil service made themselves available to the Office of Management and Human Resources (OMRH) to monitor the smooth running of the tests.



IH/ iciHaiti


















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The BBC is redacting details of job applicants university and school education from their CVs amid concern too many of its staff are from a privileged background.

More than 60 per cent of its staff had parents with professional or senior management jobs.

And, while just seven per cent of the general population went to a private school, 17 per cent of those working at the corporation did so.

In an effort to make the UK's public broadcaster better reflect the public it serves, James Purnell, the BBCs director of radio and education and a former Labour Culture Secretary, revealed it was considering introducing targets for the class of its staff.

And it has already started removing information about the universities and schools attended by job applicants, including their grades in exams, from CVs, although only on an optional basis. This followed a trial scheme involving trainees and apprentices last year. However when a candidate becomes "visible" to the BBC  in an interview or a video  these details are made available to the staff doing the recruitment with some roles requiring a degree.

Mr Purnell told the Royal Television Societys convention at Cambridge: Its something lots of organisations are doing, across accountancy, across law.

The theory, which I think is right, is that you can get that evidence in other ways, so you can get it through demonstrating competency in other ways.

Recommended This is how much every top BBC star is paid

The BBC currently has targets to employ certain numbers of people based on gender, race, sexuality and disability, again in an attempt to reflect the general population.

We dont have targets for socioeconomic [status], but we are thinking about it, said Mr Purnell, who went to Oxford University and admitted he was definitely privileged.

The hard question is what is good. We know what our data is, we dont know how it compares to other people.

Until we have data across the industry, I think its quite hard to know what good is.

We would love to have a target, we would be very happy to do that, its just what it would be.
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Harry Dean Stanton, one of the most recognisable character actors in cinema, has died of natural causes at the age of 91.

The American star, whose unique look made him an instantly familiar on-screen presence, passed away in Los Angeles leaving behind a list of credits spanning over six decades.

Stanton starred in a whole range of classic films (Cool Hand Luke and Alien to name but a few) until his breakthrough lead role arrived in Wim Wenders Paris, Texas in 1984 when he was 58.

He also crossed over to television familiar to many as cult leader Roman Grant in HBO drama Big Love which ran from 2006-11 and, most recently, in David Lynchs Twin Peaks revival. Hed worked with the director previously on films Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and Inland Empire.

Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Show all 21 1 /21 Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) Laura's murder is the mystery that sets off Twin Peaks and which brings Dale Cooper to the sleepy town drenched in mystery. Her soul still appears to be trapped in the Black Lodge, along with Cooper. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) The FBI Special Agent sent to Twin Peaks to investigate Laura's murder ended things in a perilous situation. The show's famous final scene sees him smashing his face into the mirror, as the killer BOB's reflection stares back out. Is he possessed? Or is this his evil doppelganger, with the Good Dale still trapped in the Black Lodge? Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Shelly Johnson (Madchen Amick) Shelly spent the series trapped in an abusive marriage to trucker Leo Johnson, whose fate was left uncertain at the end of the show, though her own secret affair with Bobby Briggs ended in a marriage proposal. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Bobby Briggs (Dana Ashbrook) Bobby found himself in a lot danger during his high school days thanks to his involvement in the local drug trade. Though formerly Laura's boyfriend, his secret romance with Shelly blossomed over the series and ended in a proposal. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Nadine Hurley (Wendy Robie) Ed Hurley's eccentric wife, possessing both phenomenal strength and an obsession with drape runners, saw her attempted suicide trigger a bout of dementia-amnesia, where she still believed she was a teenager. After having a sandbag dropped on her head, however, Nadine's memory was restored. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Norma Jennings (Peggy Lipton) The owner of the Double R Diner, she and Ed have been in love since high school, and the show saw them come very close to finally getting together during Nadine's bout of memory loss. Will they still be pining for each other? Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Ed Hurley (Everett McGill) With Nadine's memory returning at the end of the series, the implication is that Ed and Nadine's marriage has remained intact. Ed suffered tremendous guilt over the loss of Nadine's left eye in a hunting accident during their honeymoon, when it was struck by a piece of buckshot from his gun, which has made him feel like it was impossible to ever leave her. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Audrey Horne (Sherilyn Fenn) A master manipulator whose teenage crush on Cooper faded when she met Billy Zane's rich charmer John Justice Wheeler, the show left things open as to whether she died in the explosion at the local bank, having chained herself to the vault door in protest. However, the book The Secret History of Twin Peaks confirms she survived and was taken to hospital in critical condition. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? James Hurley (James Marshall) Twin Peaks' biker with a soul was once Laura Palmer's secret love, though her death saw him realise his true feelings toward her best friend Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle). However, by the end of the series, James had left the town and was en route to Mexico. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Gordon Cole (David Lynch) Cooper's boss supposedly has a fairly prominent role in the new series, though the show saw him fall head-over-heels for Shelly, upon discovering she's the only person the hard-of-hearing chief could understand with perfect clarity. Photograph by Marc Hom Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Ben Horne (Richard Beymer) Audrey Horne's father seems to have changed little in our time away, as he's still apparently managing the Great Northern Lodge in Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Lucy Brennan (Kimmy Robertson) and Andy Brennan (Harry Goaz) Neither have Lucy or Andy, still in their respective jobs at the Twin Peaks Police Department, though it's nice to see their relationship has only blossomed with time. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Tommy "Hawk" Hill (Michael Horse) Hawk is still part of the Police Department too, and it seems like he's been tasked with the mysterious mission of tracking down Agent Cooper. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? The Log Lady (Catherine E. Coulson) A task entrusted to him by the Log Lady, a bittersweet moment considering Coulson sadly passed away in 2015. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Denise Bryson (David Duchovny) One individual who's definitely shot up the career path is Denise, now the chief of staff for the entire FBI. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Beverly Paige (Ashley Judd) We don't know much about Ben Horne's assistant, but it's likely we'll see more of her soon. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? William Hastings (Matthew Lillard) Is the local high-school principal of Buckhorn, South Dakota really behind the murder of Ruth Davenport? Is this somehow connected to BOB, or Dale Cooper's doppelganger? Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Wally Brando (Michael Cera) Lucy and Andy's son really couldn't have turned out any other way. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Sam Colby (Ben Rosenfeld) and Tracey (Madeline Zima) Sam's job to watch over the strange glass box in New York came to an abrupt end when both he and Tracey were consumed by a demon which burst outside of it. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Tammy Preston (Chrysta Bell) A new partner for Gordon Cole, who's taken her on as a kind of protege. Twin Peaks season 3: Who's back? Who's new? Janey-E Jones (Naomi Watts) The wife to Dougie Jones, the strange other Cooper, with the pair having a son together.

His extensive list of credits include Repo Man, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Pledge and Pretty in Pink in which he played the father of Molly Ringwalds lead character.

Stanton, whose Hollywood friends included Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson and Sam Shepard  who passed away earlier this year  will posthumously appear in Lucky which is set to premiere at the London Film Festival on 9 October.

Tributes have poured in for the late actor, from fans, friends and those who worked with him.

A statement was issued by David Lynch via the official Twin Peaks Twitter account.

Lynch said: The great Harry Dean Stanton has left us. There went a great one. Theres nobody like Harry Dean. Everyone loved him. And with good reason.

He was a great actor (actually beyond great)  and a great human being  so great to be around him!!! You are really going to be missed Harry Dean!!! Loads of love to wherever you are now!!!

Stephen King wrote: Harry Dean Stanton had the best line in CHRISTINE: Im sellin this shithole and buyin a condo. Rest in peace, HD. You were great.

The official Tribeca Twitter account observed: Robert Ebert once said: No movie featuring Harry Dean Stanton can be altogether bad. That is the power of a truly extraordinary actor.
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A model has spoken out to say that banning size zero models from working is a form of body shaming.

Just last week, two luxury French fashion powerhouses joined forces to stop sing ultra-thin models in catwalk shows and photoshoots as LVMH and Kering  who own Gucci, Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton and Dior  confirmed they would stop using size zero (UK size four) models.

But, while the news was generally considered a step in the right direction, model Jaime King thinks otherwise and is now actively speaking out against the proposals.

Recommended Two huge French fashion giants just banned size zero models

Instead, she believes that banning ultra-thin women from working in the fashion industry is just the same as body shaming larger sized women experience.

I think it would be radically unfair to say if youre a size zero, then you cant work, just like its unfair to say that if youre a size 16, you cant work, she told the New York Post.

Im naturally really thin and sometimes its really hard for me to gain weight.

When people on Instagram say, Go eat a hamburger, Im like, Wow, theyre body shaming me for the way I look.

King isnt speaking out just as a skinny woman though, as she admits to being judged by potential employers after being diagnosed with endometriosis and gaining 3 stone  a factor she puts down to her hormones going crazy.

And it was like, Oh, (producers) want to offer you this role, but they want to know why you got fat. I realised being shamed for gaining weight or being too thin felt the same.

In 2015, Frances National Assembly passed a law that requires models working in the country to provide a medical certificate stating their overall health and body mass index is appropriate.

Modeling agencies or fashion houses that do not follow the law face imprisonment and a hefty fine of 75,000 euros.

Contrarily, King isnt against all regulations within the modelling industry as she admits that she completely agrees with parental chaperones for models under 18.

I wasnt ready for a lot of the situations I was put in she adds.

Why is it that in the fashion industry its OK to shoot people naked under the age of 18, and in any other place it would be child pornography? The things I was asked to do, I look back on it, and its crazy.
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For those who have a hard time accepting hipster food trends (see rainbow lattes) - brace yourselves.

The latest trend in cuisine poses a threat to one of Britains longest standing traditions: teatime.

Say hello to cheese tea: an iced beverage topped wish lashings of frothy, whipped cheese.

Though unappetising to some, the avant-garde beverage has already proven extremely popular in Taiwan, where it was created.

It has since spread to the food stalls of Singapore, Hong Kong and most recently, New York - hence why people are both concerned and excited that we might be about to see a cheese tea invasion on British soil.

At Happy Lemon - a Taiwanese bubble tea chain that already exists in London - in New Yorks Flushing district, customers can buy up to four different flavours of the tea, Conde Nast Traveler reports, describing it as macchiato-like in form.

These include green tea with salted cheese and chocolate with salted cheese (the new salted caramel?).

You can also buy variations of the tea on the West Cost at LAs Little Fluffy Head Cafe, where Camoflauge Matcha and Dirty Mess Milk Tea are some of the options on the menu.

The original recipe used a powdered form of cheese, however, now innovators are going an extra mile to achieve that distinctive, and reportedly smooth, flavour by topping their teas with fresh cream cheese.

Not too dissimilar from a frappe in its humble beginnings, baristas making the cheese teas begin by beating a cream cheese base with evaporated milk until it begins to froth.

Then, this is poured into the iced tea beverage, acting as a fluffy topping.

Naturally, the drink is already a bonafide hit on Instagram, with eager cheese-tea drinkers avidly sharing their unique tea-drinking experiences on the platform.
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A 14-year-old girl was raped in a horrendous attack in broad daylight in a London park, police have said.

The teenager was in a secluded part of Avery Hill Park, off Avery Hill Road in Greenwich, when she was attacked between 9am and 1pm on 4 September.

Scotland Yard released images of the man they would like to speak to in connection with the rape.

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DC Mark Azariah, of the forces Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: This was a horrendous attack on a vulnerable girl in the middle of the day.

If you were in and around the area and saw anyone matching the description of the suspect or saw anything suspicious, I would urge you to get in touch.

Likewise, if you have information about the man wanted for questioning as a result of the images released today, my team are waiting for your call.

The suspect was described as a black male of slim build, with short black hair and a moustache. He was believed to be in his twenties.

He was wearing sand-coloured combat trousers, dark shoes which might have been blue, and a grey drawstring bag, a police spokesperson said. He was also wearing sunglasses with black, round lenses.

Police said the victim was being supported by specialist officers and that no arrests had been made.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 07789 926065 or email mark.azariahmet.pnn.police.uk.

The Press Association contributed to this report
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An 18-year-old man has been arrested in the departure area of the port of Dover in connection with attack on a London Underground train in Parsons Green.

The suspect was arrested by Kent Police under the Terrorism Act on Saturday morning.

He remains in custody at a local police station and will be transferred to London in due course.

The Metropolitan Police described the arrest as significant but did not give any further information on the mans alleged role, having previously suggested investigators were hunting multiple suspects.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical.

The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place.

This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage.

Speaking later on Saturday, Mr Basu confirmed that the teenager was arrested in the departure area of the port, from where ferries depart for northern France.

Police are continuing to appeal for information on the attempted bombing, which struck a packed District Line train at the height of Friday mornings rush hour.

Commuters described a fireball sweeping through the carriage, injuring 29 people and prompting a dangerous stampede by those trying to flee.

Detectives have so far spoken to 45 witnesses are receiving photos and videos from the public, while scouring CCTV footage.

 Theresa May announces terror threat level raised to critical

Theresa May raised the terror threat level to critical overnight, signalling that a new attack could be imminent as armed police and soldiers were deployed to patrol potential targets.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the UKs most senior counter-terror officer, previously said police were chasing down suspects.

There is no doubt in my mind that those responsible intended to cause great harm and injury, he added.

Recommended Parsons Green residents come to terms with terror attack

The security minister, Ben Wallace, said there were additional fears that the bombing could spark copycat atrocities, with previous terror attacks thought to have pushed extremists into action.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the threat to critical because of intelligence, extremists behaviour and the pace of the investigation.

In this case imminent means that we know there was an attempted attack on a Tube yesterday morning, it used the type of explosive similar to that used in Manchester [but] it didnt go off, Mr Wallace added.

We are trying to track down who did it, whether its a bomber or bomberstheres potentially a very dangerous individual or individuals out there and we need to track them down."

Like the bomb detonated by Salman Abedi at Manchester Arena, the Parsons Green device contained triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and nails.

The sensitive explosive, which can be made in under a day using chemicals widely available on the high street, has become a hallmark of Isis attacks including those in Paris and Brussels, as well as numerous plots across Europe.

The Independent was able to access the bomb-making manual believed to have been used for the device in Parsons Green  as well as the Boston Bombings and other massacres - in under five minutes on Saturday morning.

Both al-Qaeda and Isis have details instructions on making improvised explosive devices, with forensics experts working to establish the origin of the latest bomb.

Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Show all 23 1 /23 Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion A bucket with flames and wires coming out of it was photographed in the carriage after the explosion  apparently the source of the blast AFP Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion An explosion on a packed Tube train has injured a number of people in west London AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion The blast triggered a stampede as commuters panicked AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion Click through for more pictures from the scene Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosioN Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion PA Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green  in pictures AFP/Getty

Experts believe the device in Parsons Green used TATP, a crude delay timer and fairy lights, but failed to fully explode.

Commuters described a fireball bursting from the device and a strong chemical smell, with wires and fairy lights seen trailing from the flaming plastic bucket.

David Videcette, a former counter-terrorism detective in the Metropolitan Police, said: The first fireball normally intended to set off the main charge, which is the explosives.

What often happens with people who try to make bombs is they dont test the main charge and the initiator together.

They know they work individually, but the difficulty comes with the chain reaction.

In a similar incident at Brussels Central Station in June, a suitcase bomb packed with nails burst into flames but did not explode, while Stockholm attacker who killed five people with a lorry in April was burned by a failed device.

In October, a homemade bomb made using an al-Qaeda manual failed to detonate on a Jubilee Line train at North Greenwich Tube station.

Then in May, a man was found guilty of building a bomb using fairy lights and a pressure cooker with the intention of targeting a railway line in the Midlands.

Recently Isis has issued advice on how to make bombs using the explosive TATP and incendiary devices, while calling for indiscriminate attacks in countries including that UK that are targeting its militants in Syria and Iraq.

In a claim of responsibility issued on Friday night, the terrorist group said the Parsons Green attack was carried out by the soldiers of the caliphate, adding: What is coming is more devastating and more bitter, Allah willing.
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A woman has thanked the stranger who rescued her from a stampede at Parsons Green after an explosion on a District Line train at the station.

Katherine Mason was one of dozens of commuters who were caught up in the panic after the explosion, which Scotland Yard is treating as terror related.

Witnesses described people with burns running from the blast with other people sustaining injuries as they rushed to escape the west London station.

NHS England said it was treating 29 people in hospital but none are thought to be in a serious or life-threatening condition.

But Ms Mason managed to escape injury thanks to the intervention of another passenger.

She thanked him on Twitter, saying: To the man that pulled me out of the pile of people on the stairs during the stampede at Parsons Green - thank you. Thank you so much.

Footage from the incident showed a burning plastic container in a shopping bag with black, white and red wires coming out of it.
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An asylum seeker who was deported to Afghanistan despite being threatened with beheading by the Taliban is to be flown back to the UK following a lengthy court battle.

Samim Bigzad has been waiting to hear his fate in a hotel in Kabul as his legal representatives took the Home Office to court to overturn his deportation.

But he is expected to be returned to London on Sunday morning after the Court of Appeal threw out the Governments attempt to keep him in Afghanistan.

A High Court judge had warned that the Home Offices actions constituted a prima facie case of contempt of court after it violated a previous order.

The Home Office initially attempted to deport Mr Bigzad in August but was thwarted when a Turkish Airlines pilot refused to take off from Heathrow with him on board.

The pilot blocked G4S guards attempting to force the 22-year-old onto the plane after campaigners alerted passengers and crew to his plight.

Mr Bigzad was taken back into detention until Tuesday, when relatives were told he was to be deported with less than four hours notice.

His legal representatives secured an emergency injunction as he was held awaiting a connecting flight in Istanbul that night, which required the Home Office to return the asylum seeker to the UK pending a judicial review of his case, but he was instead put on the plane to Afghanistan.

Samim Bigzad claims to be a target for Taliban militants

In a second order issued by the High Court on Wednesday, Justice Jay said the Government must take all steps available to procure [Mr Bigzads] immediate return to the United Kingdom.

The document, seen by The Independent, said he must be put on the next available commercial or chartered flight with space and gave the Home Office until 4pm on Friday to present a witness statement explaining its actions.

But no explanation emerged, and a third order was issued from another High Court judge, who threw out Home Office attempts to overturn previous rulings and keep Mr Bigzad in Kabul.

Justice Lang wrote that the Government must secure his immediate return to the United Kingdom from Kabul at any cost.

Whatever the merits of the claim for a judicial review, and even if Justice Morris erred in granting a stay on removal, [Mr Bigzad] ought not have been removed from the UK in breach of an order of a high court judge and so he must returned, she added.

He is now entitled to remain in the UK at least until the legal issues have been resolved.

On Friday evening, the asylum seekers legal team were notified that he would be returned to the UK on a flight departing Kabul early on Sunday morning.

But the following day, the Home Office launched another application to keep him in Afghanistan.

After a four-hour hearing at the Court of Appeal, Mr Bigzads lawyers said the Governments efforts had been defeated and he would be flown back to London.

 Kabul suicide bombing kills at least 24 and leaves 40 injured

Jamie Bell, a solicitor with Duncan Lewis Public Law, said the Home Office had acted unlawfully in breaching High Court orders and that a contempt of court action would be brought.

This is the first step of Samims new legal battle and we now begin the fight for him to be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom, he added. We urge the Home Office not to detain Samim on return.

He has been held at the Brook House immigration detention centre near Gatwick, where the abuse of migrants has been exposed by undercover footage.

Recommended G4S faces further investigation over immigration detention centre

MPs grilled G4S directors over the scandal, exposing drug use, self-harm and suicide attempts, at a Home Affairs Committee hearing on Friday.

Managers said they were ashamed of the footage and had launched an independent review, as well as complying with a police investigation.

But campaigners said the case is not isolated in the UKs immigration detention system, where vulnerable asylum seekers like Mr Bigzad can be held indefinitely.

Mr Bigzads initial application for asylum was refused last year and was detained without warning during a routine immigration appointment in July.

He fled Afghanistan in 2015 after being threatened with beheading by Taliban militants, who targeted him because of his work for a construction company that had contracts with the Afghan government and American military.

Islamist insurgents have launched frequent attacks on puppets accused of colluding with their enemies, amid a rise in conflict and terror attacks in Afghanistan.

Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Show all 13 1 /13 Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people A man reacts in shock after a suicide car bombing in a diplomatic zone of Kabul, Afghanistan, left at least 80 people dead Reuters Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people The Taliban has denied responsibility for the deadly suicide car bombing that set more than 50 cars alight Reuters Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Two Afghan men carry one of the many injured in the attack REUTERS Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people A man tries to drive his vehicle heavily damaged in the blast AP Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Two men walk away from the scene, covered in blood REUTERS Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people The bomb was detonated near the German embassy in the citys heavily guarded diplomatic district REUTERS Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people One of many cars destroyed in the attack burns Reuters Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people The attack sent plumes of smoke over Afghanistans capital AP Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Several buildings have been damaged in the blast AP Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people The car bombing is thought to be one of the most deadly attacks ever to hit the capital Alamy Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Wounded victims lie on their beds in Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital in Kabul AP Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Relatives of Afghan victims mourn outside a hospital after the blast in Kabul Reuters Kabul bomb blast kills at least 90 people Crowds in Kabul survey the damage after the deadly attack EPA

The Independent has seen evidence including contracts, tax returns and rental agreements that support Mr Bigzads claims.

I escaped from my country because I was targeted by the Taliban and I am scared to go back, Mr Bigzad said last week. I just need a chance for the Home Office to save my life.

The young asylum seeker had hoped to build a life in the UK, where he has been living in Margate, Kent, while learning English and acting as the primary carer for his father  a British citizen.

Allan Briddock, an immigration barrister from One Pump Court, said the treatment experienced by Mr Bigzad is not uncommon.

He told The Independent the Home Office frequently tries to deport asylum seekers over and over again, while seeking to minimise ways to resist removals.

Lawyers used to be told the exact time and date but in the last kind of year theyve introduced a removal window lasting for three months, and once it starts you have no way of knowing at what point theyll try to remove you so it leaves people in a really precarious position, Mr Briddock added.

You cant get injunction because the judges say theres not an immediate threat.

It reduces a persons right for access to lawyers and for proper judicial process in the case.

Humanitarian organisations have appealed for the British Government to halt deportations to Afghanistan, where it announced it would be sending more troops to fight the Taliban earlier this year.

But Kabul has been ruled officially safe for returns after Theresa May won a legal battle during her time as Home Secretary in the Court of Appeal.
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Boris Johnson has set out a detailed vision for Britain's exit from the European Union that revives the widely-criticised claim Brexit could boost NHS coffers by 350m a week.

Just six days before Theresa May will set out her Brexit blueprint in a speech in Florence, the Foreign Secretary has penned a 4,000-word article laying out his own path for a "glorious" future outside the bloc.

Britain should not pay for access to European markets and must seize the opportunity to reform the tax system to encourage investment, he said.

Continued membership of the single market and customs union would make a "complete mockery" of the referendum result, Mr Johnson suggests.

The Foreign Secretary's decision to publicise his own Brexit strategy is likely to fuel speculation his leadership ambitions remain undimmed.

In the article for The Daily Telegraph, he insists Brexit will allow the UK to "be the greatest country on earth" and "our destiny will be in our own hands".

"This country will succeed in our new national enterprise, and will succeed mightily," he wrote.

The Leave campaign's most eye-catching pledge during the referendum campaign was a claim ending Britain's contributions to the EU would free up an extra 350m a week that could be spent on the NHS.

But it was widely derided and in the weeks after the result, Mr Johnson and other campaigners, appeared to distance themselves from the promise.

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

In the article for the Telegraph, however, he said the UK would "roughly" be 350m better off and it would be a "fine thing" if a lot of it went on the health service.

He wrote: "Once we have settled our accounts, we will take back control of roughly 350m per week. It would be a fine thing as many of us have pointed out if a lot of that money went on the NHS, provided we use that cash injection to modernise and make the most of new technology...

"One of the advantages of investing in the NHS - if we combine that investment with reform - is that we can turbo charge the role of our health service in driving bioscience."

Critics warned there is "absolutely no chance" of the 350m pledge being delivered and said Mr Johnson was untrustworthy.

Mr Johnson does not mention plans for a transition period after Britain leaves the bloc in March 2019 and argues there is no need to pay for market access.

Many have interpreted the article as an attack on the PM (AFP/Getty)

"We would not expect to pay for access to their markets any more than they would expect to pay for access to ours," he said.

The Government should "seize the opportunity" of Brexit to reform our tax system to boost investment.

"Outside the EU there are obvious opportunities - in agriculture, fisheries, in the setting of indirect taxation," he said.

"At the stroke of a pen, the Chancellor will be able to cut VAT on tampons; often demanded by Parliament but - absurdly - legally impossible to deliver."

The UK should not slam the door on immigration but businesses must do more to give British youngsters a good start in life, Mr Johnson said.

"We will have an immigration (system) that suits the UK, not slamming the door - but welcoming the talent we need, from the EU and around the world," he said.

"Of course we will make sure that business gets the skills it needs, but business will no longer be able to use immigration as an excuse not to invest in the young people of this country."

Free trade deals outside the EU could help lift billions out of poverty in developing parts of the world, Mr Johnson insisted.

Rules restricting foreign buyers from snapping up property could be imposed once Britain leaves the EU, he added.

Vote Leave's campaign bus falsely claimed leaving the EU would free 350m a week for the NHS (Getty)

"It is often pointed out that the price of housing in certain parts of London may be increased by buyers from overseas. But there is no point in putting any kind of tax on foreign buyers, because the inhabitants of 27 other countries cannot legally be treated as foreign."

Responding to the article, a spokesperson for Jeremy Corbyn said: "Boris Johnson has laid bare the conflicts at the heart of Theresa May's Government over Brexit and cut the ground from beneath the Prime Minister's authority.

 Lord Sugar says Boris Johnson and Michael Gove should be in prison over Brexit 'lies'

"In the process he has exposed the Tories' real Brexit agenda - a race-to-the-bottom in regulation and corporate tax cuts to benefit the wealthy few at the expense of the rights of the rest of us.

"The Foreign Secretary even has the gall to dredge up the fantasy of 350 million a week extra for the NHS. The Prime Minister must spell out now how this will be paid for, or stand condemned for once again trying to mislead the British public."

Labour's Chuka Umunna, leading supporter of Open Britain, which is campaigning for continued single market membership, added: "Boris Johnson had a chance to vote to deliver the 350m extra a week for the NHS in February, and he refused to do so.

"He promised to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in Britain, and nothing has happened. No one can trust a word he says.

"The 350m a week promise was a fib, and there is absolutely no chance of it being delivered. Boris should be apologising for his disgraceful conduct in the referendum, not continually making the same impossible promises.

"He's like an old rocker who sings the same tunes, but they just don't sound right anymore. A period of silence on his part would be welcome."

Tom Brake, the Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman, said: "Boris Johnson should know that simply repeating a lie doesn't make it true.

 'Boris Johnson's conscience' parody sung at anti-Brexit march on Parliament

"Crashing out of the single market would severely damage our economy and mean less money for the NHS, not more.

"This Brexit fantasy is a transparent attempt to appeal to Conservative right-wingers and prepare the ground for a leadership bid.

"With the Tories increasingly hell-bent on an extreme Brexit, it is crucial we fight to stay in the Single Market and offer the British people a way out of this mess."

PA
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The use of photo identification at polling stations is to be trialled in a series of forthcoming council elections, as the Government considers making it a legal requirement in the fight against voter fraud.

The Electoral Commission watchdog recommended in 2014 that voters should be required to prove their identities before casting a ballot, in response to a review into electoral fraud by Sir Eric Pickles that came in the wake of widespread voter fraud in Tower Hamlets.

Critics of the plan say it solves an almost non-existent problem while potentially disenfranchising large numbers of people on low incomes who do not have photo ID.

There were 44 cases in 2016 elections of people trying to use another individuals vote  known as personation  up from 21 in 2014.

Pilots will be held in local elections in Woking, Gosport, Bromley, Watford and Slough in May 2018, with photo and non-photo forms of identification being trialled in different areas to see which is most effective and efficient. The East London borough of Tower Hamlets will also run a separate pilot examining the security of postal votes.

Voters in Northern Ireland have had to prove their identity at polling stations since 1985, with photo ID required since 2003. There have been no cases of personation in the province since 2003.

Announcing the trials, constitution minister Chris Skidmore said: For people to have confidence in our democratic processes we need to ensure that our elections are safeguarded against any threat or perception of electoral fraud.

The current situation of people simply pointing out their name without having to prove who they are feels out of date when considering other safeguards to protect peoples identity. It is harder to take out a library book or collect a parcel at a post office than it is to vote in someones name.

I am very hopeful that by taking a careful, evidence-based approach in these pilots we will be able to roll out ID in polling stations at future elections.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake commented: Introducing voter ID at polling booths is a solution to a problem that is almost non-existent in the UK.

This is a completely unnecessary move that risks undermining our democracy by preventing millions of people from voting.

Evidence from around the world tells us forcing voters to bring ID wont stop determined fraudsters, but is likely to lead to even lower turnouts amongst young people and minority groups.

We should be encouraging people to vote, not excluding them.

Sir Erics report on electoral fraud last year said the current system was unsatisfactory and recommended that the Government should consider options such as requiring voters to show their driving licence, passport or utility bills.

Electoral Commission chief executive Claire Bassett said: We welcome the ministers announcement today as a positive first step towards implementing our 2014 recommendation that an accessible, proportionate voter identification scheme should be introduced in Great Britain.

Voters in Northern Ireland have been required to show photographic proof of identity since 2003, and we have the opportunity to learn from that experience. The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and we will publish our findings following the May elections, in the summer of 2018.
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Sir Vince Cable has accused Boris Johnson of being a Poundland Donald Trump as the backlash against the Foreign Secretarys 4000-word Brexit article continues.

The Liberal Democrat leader, demanded that Theresa May slap down Mr Johnson after he penned a provocative piece for The Telegraph in which he laid out a detailed plan for Brexit, just six days before the Prime Minister is expected to announce her own vision for Britain once it leaves the EU.

The article exposed a number of notable differences between the Foreign Secretary and other senior Cabinet ministers, including Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Mr Johnson was criticised for the article, which strayed beyond his ministerial remit, covering issues ranging from tax reform to housing policy.

Published the day after a terrorist attack at Parsons Green Tube station injured 30 people, it has been widely interpreted as a renewal of Mr Johnsons long-held prime ministerial ambitions.

Ms May is set to deliver a major speech in Florence, Italy, next week where she will lay out her vision for post-Brexit Britain.

Speaking as he arrived in Bournemouth for the Lib Dems annual conference, Mr Cable said: Boris Johnson is on manoeuvres, which means everyone else should take cover.

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 clearly thinks that Theresa May is on the verge of a U-turn which would lead to atransitional deal that would keep us in the single market. Boris Johnson sees this as his chance to bag the top job, so is pushing for a far more extreme Brexit. This might play well with hard right Conservative MPs but would be a disaster for the UK economy.

Theresa May must slap down Boris Johnson in the strongest terms or she will lose the last vestige of her authority to negotiate Brexit. The cabinet is more split than an oak tree struck by lightning. Britain desperately needs political grown-ups who will put the country first, not a Poundland Donald Trump like Boris Johnson.

In his article, Mr Johnson said any attempt by the UK to remain in the EU single market and customs union would make a complete mockery of the referendum result.

 Boris Johnson says the sums the EU are demanding for Brexit are extortionate

Britain should not pay for access to European markets but instead cut taxes in order to attract investment, he said.

The Foreign Secretary also repeated the contentious claim that the UK could invest an additional 350m a week in the NHS once it leaves the EU.

The timing of the article prompted criticism, including from within Mr Johnsons own party.

In a thinly-veiled attack, Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, wrote on Twitter: On the day of a terror attack where Britons were maimed, just hours after the threat level is raised, our only thoughts should be on service."

However, a number of pro-Brexit MPs welcomed Mr Johnsons intervention.

Conor Burns, his parliamentary aide, wrote on Twitter: "Absolutely brilliant article in The Telegraph by Boris Johnson on our vision for Britain post Brexit. An optimistic and global future."

Crispin Blunt, the former chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs select committee, told the BBCs Today programme: "His job as the great wordsmith of our present parliamentary party is to paint a picture of the future of the United Kingdom outside the European Union.

"Positive, optimistic about the world we are going to have. He is back to doing exactly what he should be doing as part of the team and with the role of Foreign Secretary."
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China has warned that it will never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, Beijings ambassador to the US warned, just hours after Kim Jong-un said his country was on course to achieve that final goal.

Speaking at a Chinese embassy event in Washington DC, Cui Tiankai also called on Donald Trumps administration to stop sabre-rattling against the secretive communist state.

Instead the US should resume dialogue and negotiation over the stand-off, he said.

Honestly, I think the United States should be doing much more than now, so that theres real effective international cooperation on this issue, he told reporters.

They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation, he said, while adding that China would never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.

His comments came within days of North Korea firing another ballistic missile over Japan that landed in the Pacific Ocean.

It came despite threats by US President Donald Trump that the communist state would feel the fire and fury of his armed forces unless it halted its nuclear weapons programme.

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

Pyongyang shrugged off the rhetoric and launched another deadly Hwasong-12 in its goal to become a nuclear power and reach an equilibrium of military force with the US.

Mr Trump described the move as an act of utter contempt for its neighbours and the entire world and warned any US response would be effective and overwhelming.

North Korea on Friday launched its latest ballistic missile  which travelled past Japans northernmost island of Hokkaido before landing in the sea.

Its leader Kim Jong-un, who was quoted by the state news agency KCNA, later said: Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option.

In response, President Trump warned that American military options were robust should they be required to respond to threats from Pyongyang.

Speaking at Joint Base Andrews, the Air Force installation outside Washington, Mr Trump said: America and our allies will never be intimidated. We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilization, from all who dare to threaten our way of life.

This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours, and the entire world community.
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It is official US policy not to protect Canada in the event of a missile attack by North Korea or any other country, a leading general has warned.

It has long been assumed that Washington would defend its northern neighbour.

However, General Pierre St-Amand, the highest-ranking Canadian officer in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad), dismissed the idea during a parliamentary committee meeting in Ottawa.

The extent of the US policy is not to defend Canada. That's the fact I can bring to the table, he said.

This statement surprised many in Canada, with public broadcaster CBC saying it had demolished a long-held political assumption that the US would intervene.

Norad is a joint US and Canadian organisation charged with ... the detection, validation and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters

However, General St-Amand suggested the official policy might not necessarily be the one carried out in the event of an attack.

A decision would be made in the heat of the moment by the Trump administration and US military commanders, he said.

Mark Gwozdecky, assistant deputy minister for international security at Global Affairs Canada (the government department that handles diplomacy) said there had been no direct threat to Canada from North Korea.

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On the contrary, in recent contacts with the North Korean government, including in August when our national security adviser was in Pyongyang, the indications were they perceived Canada as a peaceful and indeed a friendly country, he said.

However Mr Gwozdecky added that North Koreas recent actions  which include nuclear bomb tests and firing missiles over Japan  represent a grave threat to regional security, our friends and allies, South Korea and Japan.

Politicians in Canada has suggested joining the US missile shield system for a number of years, but Ottawa has never actually done so.
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The Vatican has recalled a high-ranking priest from its embassy in Washington after US prosecutors said they wanted to charge him in a child abuse images investigation.

The State Department had asked the Vatican to lift his diplomatic immunity because they suspected the unamed diploment of possessing abuse images that included pre-pubescent children, according to a US source.

But instead he was withdrawn from the US and the Pope's investigators have now launched their own probe, seeking evidence from the US.

If the accusations pan out, the case would be a major embarrassment for the Vatican and Pope Francis, who has pledged "zero tolerance" for sexual abuse.

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The diplomat would be the second from the Vatican's diplomatic corps to face possible criminal charges for such crimes during Francis' papacy. And any trial in the Vatican would come as Francis' own financial czar, Cardinal George Pell, is on trial in his native Australia for alleged historic sex abuse cases.

The State Department said it had asked the Vatican to lift the official's diplomatic immunity on 21 August, and said the request was denied three days later. For the State Department to make such a request, its lawyers would need to have been convinced there was reasonable cause for criminal prosecution.

The circumstances that prompted prosecutors to make the request, however, were not clear. The Justice Department, which would have brought any charges, didn't immediately comment, and the Vatican gave no details about what, if any, evidence had been provided to persuade it to recall the priest.

In a statement, the Vatican said the State Department had notified it on 21 August of a "possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images" by one of its diplomats in Washington.

A US official familiar with the case said the priest was a senior member of the Vatican embassy staff. The Vatican yearbook lists three counsellors who work under the nuncio, or ambassador.

Priests who are diplomats in the Vatican's Washington embassy usually receive authorisation from the archdiocese of Washington to preside at Mass or perform other clergy functions in local parishes, although they only do so on very limited occasions, a spokesman for the archdiocese said.

Under the US bishops' child protection policy, local church officials must review allegations of child porn possession against their priests. However, the requirements in the diplomat's case are unclear. The Archdiocese of Washington does not know the name of the accused priest, the spokesman said.

Still, the archdiocese plans to give all local clergy copies of public statements about the case from the Vatican and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops so priests can answer any questions from parishioners, the spokesman said.

The Vatican said recalling the priest was consistent with diplomatic practice of sovereign states. In declining to identify him, the Vatican said the case was subject to confidentiality while still under investigation. It said the Vatican had asked for information about the case from the US; it was not clear if any had been provided.

The Vatican has recalled envoys before, including its then-ambassador to the Dominican Republic, who was recalled in 2013 after being accused of sexually abusing young boys on the Caribbean island.

The Vatican justified its decision to remove Monsignor Jozef Wesolowski from Dominican jurisdiction by submitting him first to a canonical court proceeding at the Vatican, and then putting him on trial in the Vatican's criminal court, which has jurisdiction over the Holy See's diplomatic corps.

Wesolowski was defrocked by the church court. But he died before the criminal trial began. Dominican prosecutors initially balked at the recall, and they never filed charges because of his immunity.

After he was defrocked, Wesolowski lost his diplomatic immunity and the Vatican said he could be tried by other courts. However, it refused to provide Dominican authorities with information about his whereabouts or how even he had pleaded to the charges.

The Vatican does not have extradition treaties.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The Vatican in 2013 specifically criminalised child porn possession, distribution and production in its criminal code. Possession carries a possible jail term of up to two years and a 10,000 (8,800) fine. Distribution can be punished with a term of up to five years and a 50,000 fine, while the most serious offense of production can bring a 12-year term and 250,000 fine.

The head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said the case was serious and that he hoped the Vatican would be "forthcoming with more details."

"We reaffirm that when such allegations occur, an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation should begin in cooperation with law enforcement and immediate steps be taken to protect children," DiNardo said in a statement.

Francis has a spotty record on handling sex abuse cases. He won praise from advocates of survivors of abuse for having established a commission of experts to advise the church on keeping paedophiles out of the priesthood and protecting children. But the commission has floundered after losing the two members who themselves were survivors of abuse.

Francis' promotion of Pell to be his finance czar when allegations abounded in Australia about his past conduct, as well other appointments, in-house decisions and his scrapping of a proposed tribunal to prosecute negligent bishops also have raised questions.
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The Bangladeshi government has committed to building thousands of new shelters for Rohingya Muslims who have been displaced from neighbouring Burma.

Around 400,000 Rohingya have crossed the border into neighbouring Bangladesh since a renewed assault by the countrys military in Rakhine state.

The huge number of refugees arriving in such a short period of time means official camps are bursting at the seams, according to a spokesperson for the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Many of the new arrivals have been forced to set up makeshift shelters in temporary camps, in cramped and unsanitary positions.

Responding to the influx of refugees, the Bangladeshi government said it will set up 14,000 additional shelters, in Kutupalong, near the border with Burma, according to a report in the countrys Daily Star newspaper.

Each shelter will house up to six families. The site will also include 8,500 temporary toilets and 14 warehouses to store aid and provisions.

Rohingya refugees  in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young girl and a baby wade through mud after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma on 10 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees walk through a camp in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after arriving from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young Rohingya refugee gathers firewood after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees wait for sacks of rice to be distributed in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees arrive on a boat in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after crossing from Burma on 8 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees react after being re-united with each other after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Getty Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along the remains of a road after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Myanmar Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees stand in the rain after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indian children hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma EPA/Raminder Pal Singh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organisation, listen to their leaders' speeches against Burma's persecution of Rohingya Muslims, during a demonstration in Karachi Reuters/Akhtar Soomro Rohingya refugees  in pictures Hundreds of Iranians take part in a protest against violence in Myanmar after weekly Friday prayers, in Tehran EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indonesian Muslim activists hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya minority in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia EPA/Ali Lutfi Rohingya refugees  in pictures Members of an Islamic organisation shout slogans against the Burma government during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh EPA

However, the government also plans to impose a number of harsh restrictions on the inhabitants of the shelter.

Last week, Bangladeshi Home Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said inhabitants would be forbidden to leave the camp and also prohibited from travelling across the country by vehicle.

The current crisis in Rakhine State began in late August, when an insurgent Rohingya group attacked a police outpost.

This prompted Burmas military to launch clearance operations against the rebels, setting off a wave of violence that has left hundreds dead, and tens of thousands fleeing to Bangladesh.

 Rohingya crisis: Muslim village burnt to the ground

The army has been accused of using scored-earth tactics to expel Rohingya from the area. Fire-detection data and satellite imagery shows at least 80 large-scale fires in inhabited areas across northern Rakhine State since 25 August, according to Amnesty International.

Tirana Hassan, Amnesty Internationals Crisis Response Director, said: There is a clear and systematic pattern of abuse here. Security forces surround a village, shoot people fleeing in panic and then torch houses to the ground.

In legal terms, these are crimes against humanity  systematic attacks and forcible deportation of civilians

The UN High Commissioner for human rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, has also said the militarys assault was a textbook example of ethnic cleansing and a cynical ploy to forcibly transfer large numbers of people without possibility of return.
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A Christian man has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for insulting the Prophet Muhammad, his lawyer has said.

Nadeem James, 35, was said to have committed blasphemy in a poem he sent to a Muslim friend on the WhatsApp messaging service.

He was arrested in July last year after going on the run following the accusation of blasphemy, which human rights groups say is sometimes used in the country to settle personal scores and target minorities.

Defence lawyer Anjum Wakeel told the AFP news agency that in this case there had been a dispute between his client and the friend over a woman.

Mr James was handed a death sentence by the court on Thursday on blasphemy charges, he said.

My client will appeal the sentence in the high court as he has been framed by his friend, who was annoyed over Mr James affair with a Muslim girl.

The verdict was passed by a court in the town of Gujrat in eastern Pakistan.

There was widespread outrage across Pakistan last April when student Mashal Khan was beaten to death at his university in Mardan following a dorm debate about religion, during which he was accused of sharing blasphemous material on social media.

Police arrested over 20 students and some faculty members in connection with the killing.

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

Since then, parliament has considered adding safeguards to the blasphemy laws, a groundbreaking move given the emotive nature of the issue.

There have been at least 67 murders over unproven allegations of blasphemy since 1990, according to figures from a research centre and independent records kept by Reuters.

In 2015, Muslims beat to death a Christian couple and burned their bodies in a brick kiln for allegedly desecrating the Quran.

And in 2011, a bodyguard assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer after he called for the blasphemy laws to be reformed.

Mr Taseers killer, who was executed last year, has been hailed as a martyr by religious hardliners.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Russia paid $50,000 (36,800) to the author of a United Nations report which found the country to be the victim of sanctions imposed on it by the US and the EU, it has been revealed.

An investigator from the UN human rights council said the sanctions, imposed in response to the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, amounted to unilateral coercive measures.

A Geneva-based watchdog group has now challenged the reports author, former Algerian ambassador Idriss Jazairy, over the ethics of his receiving $50,000 from Russia last year.

The UN report makes the astounding claim that the Russian government of Vladimir Putin is a victim of human rights violations, and that the perpetrators are the EU and the US, said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, a non-governmental human rights group.

Russian military activity in Crimea Show all 11 1 /11 Russian military activity in Crimea Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian13-ap_1.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian9-ap.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian12-ap.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian11-rtp.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian10-afpgt.jpg AFP/Getty Images Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian7-rt.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian6-afpgt.jpg AFP/Getty Images Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian8-rt_1.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian-navy1-rt.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian4-ap_1.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian3-ap.jpg AP

Russia immediately seized upon the UN report, saying that Moscow categorically rejected unilateral coercive measures which it said amounted to collective punishment and violated the standards of international law and fundamental human rights".

In June this year, the UN voted to extend sanctions that prohibit EU businesses from investing in Crimea as well as targeting tourism and imports of products from the country.

Russias delegate said the sole authority to introduce sanctions should be the UN Security Council".

Sanctions had been imposed following the legitimate right of the citizens of Crimea to exercise their right to self-determination.

Other nations including Venezuela, Cuba and China are members of the 47-nation council, and have been able to influence the appointment of experts sympathetic towards their regimes.

UN Watch expressed concern over a fixed panel discussion set to take place discussing Western sanctions against regimes considered to be human rights abusers and chaired by the Egyptian ambassador.

The panel includes Mr Jazairy and two other experts installed by Cuba, along with the Venezuelan ambassador and a pro-Russian Belarus academic.

Mr Putin said this week that Russia will ask the UN to send its peacekeepers to Donbass in eastern Ukraine to secure a ceasefire, which German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed, saying it could be the first step towards removing the sanctions.

Update: Special Rapporteur Mr Jazairy has responded to UN Watch's claims, saying any resources are managed by the UN and rejected the suggestion that a donation could have influenced his report on Russia.
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US tanks have arrived in Poland at the same time as Russia began military exercises on its western border, in what critics have dubbed big war games.

Although the US hardware is there for a swap rather than action, it is the first time such vehicles have arrived in Poland directly by sea.

The rotation took place as Americas former Cold War enemy began week-long military drills, called Zapad 2017. They are joint exercises with its ally and former Soviet Union state Belarus.

Soldiers and equipment from the second Armoured Brigade Combat Team, first Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas, are replacing the third Armoured Brigade Combat Team, fourth Infantry Division that has been in Europe for nine months.

The replacement is part of what the US military calls a continuing heel-to-toe rotation to maintain an American armoured brigade in Europe.

The delivery reportedly includes 87 M1 Abrams tanks, 103 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 18 Paladin self-propelled Howitzers, and other trucks and equipment, according to the US European Command (EUCOM).

Such tanks are typically shipped to Germany from Poland and then taken by rail or truck to their next location

Major General Steven Shapiro of the 21st Theatre Sustainment Command said using the Polish port of Gdansk helps test the Army's capacity of the port, and to make sure that the Army knows how to operate inside Poland.

According to Russia, the drills by its forces involve fewer than 12,000 troops, just below the threshold that would require them to invite international observers.

The US and NATO dispute this, however, and claim the drills could involve as many as 100,000 troops, making it one of the largest Russian exercises since the Cold War.

Russian military activity in Crimea Show all 11 1 /11 Russian military activity in Crimea Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian13-ap_1.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian9-ap.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian12-ap.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian11-rtp.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian10-afpgt.jpg AFP/Getty Images Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian7-rt.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian6-afpgt.jpg AFP/Getty Images Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian8-rt_1.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian-navy1-rt.jpg Reuters Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian4-ap_1.jpg AP Russian military activity in Crimea Ukraine-russian3-ap.jpg AP

The military exercises have caused jitters in some quarters over Moscows recent military adventures, including in Ukraine, and recent tensions with the West.

The drills cover a vast area from the western borders of Russia and Belarus up into the Arctic and will see the two countrys forces fake a battle.

The exercises, described as a variant of Soviet drills from the 1970s, were revived on a large scale by President Vladimir Putin in 2009. Since then, they take place every four years and have been viewed as relatively routine.

Recommended Russia warns Moscow could use nuclear weapons against US over Crimea

But perspectives have shifted since Russias covert annexation of Crimea in 2014,which took place under the initial guise of a military drill.

People are worried this is a Trojan horse, said US Army Lt General Ben Hodges, the commander of Army forces in Europe. They say, Were just doing an exercise, and then all of a sudden, theyve moved all these people and capabilities somewhere.

Lt Gen Hodges and other US and European officials have stressed that the current exercises are most likely just drills.

War games are frequently conducted around the world, including by the US, which this summer helped lead a NATO exercise involving 25,000 troops in Eastern Europe that practicing for a Russian attack. Moscow criticized those exercises as a threat.
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Up to 400,000 Ryanair passengers could see their flights cancelled over the next six weeks as the airline plans to cut as many as 50 departures a day.

Ryanair says the mass cancellations are being made in a bid to improve its system-wide punctuality, and has apologised to the small number of customers affected by these cancellations.

Our travel correspondent explains these unprecedented circumstances, and your rights.

What's the background?

The airline says it is cancelling "up to 50" flights a day until the end of October because its punctuality has slipped from nine out of 10 flights to eight out of 10 over the past fortnight. The reason: staff shortage. Ryanair's marketing director, Kenny Jacobs, said: "We have messed up in the planning of pilot holidays and we're working hard to fix that."

The tighter crewing numbers, said to be a result of a new leave calendar, means pilots and cabin crew need urgently to take vacations.

By cancelling less than 2 per cent of our flying programme over the next six weeks, we can improve the operational resilience of our schedules and restore punctuality to our annualised target of 90 per cent, says the airline. It claims that by having standby aircraft ready it will improve timekeeping.

What is actually happening?

On each of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September, more than 80 Ryanair flights were cancelled. Mr Jacobs said that there was "a slightly higher number this weekend as we begin to implement these cancellations". As a result, on each day, as many as 15,000 Ryanair passengers were told shortly before departure that their plane has been cancelled. They were then asked to choose between claiming a refund or rebooking their flight.

On Sunday evening, Ryanair published its cancellation plans for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 18-20 September. A further 164 flights have been cancelled, potentially affecting 30,000 passengers.

Is my flight likely to be affected  and how will I know if it is?

According to cases seen by The Independent, the amount of notice initiially given was typically between six and 48 hours. The airline will publish cancellation notices for flights on Thursday 21 September and possibly a few days beyond on Monday 18 September.

Some passengers say they were given contradictory information about cancellations, or found out their flight was cancelled only when they went online to check in.

If you booked through an agent, you may need to check your flight online to ensure it is still operating.

We are travelling early in October and are concerned our flight may be cancelled either outbound or inbound. Can we cancel, get a refund and rebook with another airline?

If you pre-emptively cancel and book with someone else, there is no mechanism for a refund unless your flight is one of those cancelled. I calculate the airline is currently grounding one in 40 flights (2.5 per cent of the schedule), so the chances are high that your flights will go ahead as normal.

My flight has been cancelled. How can I get where I need to be?

You are entitled under EU rules to rerouting, under comparable transport conditions, to your final destination at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately what exactly the earliest opportunity means has not been properly tested and defined in court.

Many passengers are being told they may need to wait several days before they can be flown to their destination. But the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) tells me airlines are obliged to book you on a rival airline where there is a significant difference in the time that a reroute can be offered on the airlines own services. The CAA does not define significant; easyJet, Britains biggest budget airline, insists that if it can get you to your destination within 48 hours then it will not allow a switch to another airline.

I believe that it would be difficult for any airline to argue that making you wait more than two days isnt a significant difference. So if Ryanair refuses to book you on, for example, British Airways or easyJet, you could buy a new ticket and then seek to recoup the cost from the Irish airline. But I must stress there is no absolute guarantee you will be able to get your money back.

Ryanair has rebooked me two days late. What do I do about finding somewhere to stay?

Happily theres no confusion over the duty of care. Passengers shall be offered free of charge (a) meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time; (b) hotel accommodation in cases where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary, say the EU rules.

The airline is obliged to provide these, but if it does not, you should keep all receipts to claim back the cost later (and note that refreshments do not include alcohol).

The Independent has heard reports of some passengers being told by airport staff that they are entitled to only one night's accommodation, which is not true. The airline's obligation extends for as long as it takes to get you to where you need to be.

What about compensation?

Ryanair is obliged to pay 250 cash compensation for each passenger on a cancelled flight of up to 1,500km, rising to 400 for longer flights. The only way the airline can dodge this liability is if it tells you of the cancellation at least two weeks ahead; or, if it gives you a weeks notice and finds another flight that gets you to your destination less than four hours after the scheduled time of arrival; or if gives you less than a weeks notice but puts you on a flight that arrives less than two hours after you were supposed to get there.

But Ryanair told me the cancellation is beyond its control. Does that mean it doesnt have to pay compensation?

The only grounds for not providing compensation are extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Since the airline has conceded "We messed up in the planning of pilot holidays", it would be difficult for Ryanair to argue that cancellations brought about by its own administrative changes were caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Both my outbound and inbound flights have been cancelled by Ryanair. Can I claim compensation for each?

The airline may argue that, since you could not reach your destination, the inbound cancellation did not affect you. But it's worth a try.

How do I claim compensation, and how long will I have to wait?

You do not need to use a claims-handling firm, which will take at least one-third of the compensation; instead, fill out the online form. Ryanairs record in paying compensation when it accepts it is at fault is fairly good, with claims routinely paid in a week or less.

Bear in mind, though, that the number of claims will soar as a result of all the cancellations, so processing times are likely to be long.

I have a non-cancellable hotel booked at my destination, which I now cannot use. Will Ryanair cover the cost?

No. Payments for independently booked hotels, car rental, etc, are consequential losses for which Ryanair is not liable. If they are part of a package holiday, bought in a single transaction, then the tour operator should refund them. Otherwise travel insurance, if you have it, may cover your losses.

It is better in any event, of course, not to incur losses. So it is worth talking to the hotel/car rental firm to see if they will waive the charge or allow you to postpone to a future date.

If I book a flight now for later in the autumn, can I be sure it will operate?

There is no absolute certainty that any specific flight on any airline will operate: all manner of problems, from air-traffic control strikes to bad weather, can ground a plane. While Ryanair has not yet revealed any cancellations beyond Wednesday 20 September, it is fair to assume that the airline has a good idea about some future cancellations  for example, flights that are currently lightly booked. It may be that these are taken off sale to prevent any further passengers buying a ticket. Conversely, if ad hoc decisions are being taken close to departure, there could be a risk of cancellation for fresh bookings.

Something to declare: Ryanair fees; the sound of France; Bob Dylan's world Show all 2 1 /2 Something to declare: Ryanair fees; the sound of France; Bob Dylan's world Something to declare: Ryanair fees; the sound of France; Bob Dylan's world 39278.bin GETTY Something to declare: Ryanair fees; the sound of France; Bob Dylan's world 39279.bin GETTY

How much is this going to cost Ryanair?

If 400,000 passengers have their flights cancelled, the total liability in compensation payouts is likely to be around 100m, though past experience suggests by no means everyone will claim. In addition, the airline is obliged to pay for hotels and meals for stranded passengers, and flights on other airlines.

What exactly has the airline said?

This is the airlines statement on Friday 15 September in full.

Ryanair today (15 Sept) announced that it would cancel 40-50 flights daily for the next six weeks (to the end of October) to improve its system-wide punctuality which has fallen below 80 per cent in the first two weeks of September through a combination of ATC capacity delays and strikes, weather disruptions and the impact of increased holiday allocations to pilots and cabin crew as the airline moves to allocate annual leave during a 9-month transition period (April to December 2017) to move the airlines holiday year (currently April to March) to a calendar year (Jan to Dec) from 1 January 2018 onwards.

Ryanair has operated at record schedule and traffic levels during the peak summer months of July (12.6m guests) and August (12.7m guests) but has a backlog of crew leave which must be allocated before 31 Dec 2017 in order to switch to a calendar leave year (as required by the IAA) from 1 Jan 2018 onwards.

These tighter crewing numbers and the impact of ATC capacity restrictions in the UK, Germany and Spain, as well as French ATC strikes and adverse weather (thunderstorms) have given rise to significant delays in recent weeks. Ryanairs on-time performance has declined from 90 per cent to under 80 per cent over the past two weeks, a figure that is unacceptable to Ryanair and its customers.

 Ryanair's Michael O'Leary tells Theresa May to start delivering on Brexit

By reducing its scheduled flying programme over the next six weeks by less than 2 per cent (of its over 2,500 daily flights), the airline will create additional standby aircraft which will help restore on-time performance to its 90 per cent average. Ryanair apologises sincerely for the inconvenience caused to customers by these cancellations. Customers will be contacted directly about this small number of cancellations and offered alternative flights or full refunds.

Ryanairs Robin Kiely said: We have operated a record schedule (and traffic numbers) during the peak summer months of July and August but must now allocate annual leave to pilots and cabin crew in September and October (while still running the bulk of our summer schedule). This increased leave at a time of ATC capacity delays and strikes, has severely reduced our on-time performance over the past two weeks to under 80 per cent. By cancelling less than 2 per cent of our flying programme over the next six weeks, (until our winter schedule starts in early November) we can improve the operational resilience of our schedules and restore punctuality to our annualised target of 90 per cent.

We apologise sincerely to the small number of customers affected by these cancellations, and will be doing our utmost to arrange alternative flights and/or full refunds for them.
Budget airline Ryanair is cancelling up to 50 flights daily for the next six weeks after it "messed up" the planning of pilot holidays.

Kenny Jacobs, chief marketing officer, said the company was "working hard to fix" the problem, after it announced a 2% reduction in scheduled flights until the end of October.

He said: "We apologise to all affected customers for these cancellations. We have messed up in the planning of pilot holidays and we're working hard to fix that."

Ryanair said air traffic control (ATC) delays and strikes, bad weather and a backlog of annual leave to be taken by pilots and cabin crew had led to punctuality falling to below 80% over the last two weeks.

A spokesman said this figure was "unacceptable" and the company has apologised to affected customers, who it said will be offered alternative flights or refunds.

Some customers said last-minute cancellations had left them out-of-pocket due to non-refundable accommodation costs, or with no choice but to book expensive alternative flights or transport.

Others said they had been left stranded in their holiday destination and m any urged Ryanair to publish a list of all flight cancellations.

Writing on the airline's Facebook page, Maria Joanna Suquitana said guests travelling to Italy for her brother's wedding had their flights cancelled just hours before they were due to depart.

She wrote: "We were forced to rent a van from Germany and drive 16 hours because we just can't trust to fly with you again. Most stressful days of our lives."

Karen Naughton Brill said her daughter's 21st birthday present of flights to Amsterdam had been "ruined" when they were cancelled with less than 12 hours' notice.

She wrote: "S he's gone to bed in tears, rang hotel, can't get refund too short notice, same with parking, Anne Frank house tickets etc etc all non-refundable."

Olivia Poole said her flight on Sunday was cancelled "with no explanation".

She wrote: " We've shelled out five times our original flight price for last minute, incredibly overpriced flights with another airline as your next available flights were on the day we're due to fly back. I will be going to any length required to receive the compensation as per EU legislation."

Facebook user Harriet Kathryn Ross wrote: "What they need to do is confirm and publish a schedule of which flights will be cancelled over the next six weeks. So customers have enough time to make alternative plans. Ryanair it's wrong to leave people in suspense at the last minute. It's not fair."

Ryanair said a change in the company's holiday year, from April to March to a calendar year from January 1 2018, had seen an increase in holiday allocations as staff used their annual leave before the end of the year.

It said the 40 to 50 flight cancellations each day accounted for less than 2% of its 2,500 daily flights and it would create additional standby aircraft to help restore punctuality.

Mr Jacobs said a "slightly higher number" of flights would be cancelled this weekend.

Robin Kiely, head of communications at Ryanair, said: "We have operated a record schedule and traffic numbers during the peak summer months of July and August but must now allocate annual leave to pilots and cabin crew in September and October while still running the bulk of our summer schedule.

"This increased leave, at a time of ATC capacity delays and strikes, has severely reduced our on-time performance over the past two weeks to under 80%. By cancelling less than 2% of our flying programme over the next six weeks, until our winter schedule starts in early November, we can improve the operational resilience of our schedules and restore punctuality to our annualised target of 90%.

"We apologise sincerely to the small number of customers affected by these cancellations and will be doing our utmost to arrange alternative flights and/or full refunds for them."
The message is clear: we cannot afford what the EU are trying to sell. Stock picture

Seamus Coffey, an economist and lecturer from UCC, is now the face of Irish taxation and he has had a pretty hectic few days!

On Wednesday Mr Coffey appeared before the Budgetary Oversight Committee in his new role as Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council which followed hot on the heels of the much anticipated 'Coffey Report' that focused on Ireland's tax code.

Both his appearance before the Committee and his detailed report give plenty of food for thought on the future of Ireland's corporate tax code and the ever present threats to our complete sovereignty on tax matters.

A 4bn adjustment, as put forward by Coffey as the potential revenue loss that would stem from EU tax harmonisation, moves the tax policy conversation quickly from a theoretical matter to a budgetary one.

The CCCTB is effectively two separate proposals that have been pulled together. The first relates to EU countries coming to an agreement on appropriate rules that would mean that the tax base of a company would be the same irrespective of whether it was situated in Ireland or, say, France.

The theory here is generally sound as a common set of rules would reduce the compliance burden on companies, however it would restrict the ability of countries to make specific tweaks necessary to help achieve their current economic goals.

The second part to the proposal though is where the real issue lies.

The consolidation suggested by the EU commission would lead to a change in the way tax revenues have thus far been allocated as it would focus on apportioning these revenues based upon the size of the various markets in which a product/service is sold rather on the value chain which led to the creation of the product/service.

Clearly Ireland would draw the short straw in this regard.

It is timely therefore that Mr Coffey has put this in context and has stated, in his view, that this threat is a bigger risk to the Irish economy than Brexit.

The message is clear: we cannot afford what the EU are trying to sell.

It is for this reason that we can potentially be somewhat relaxed about CCCTB, in that no government, irrespective of their political leanings could make a decision to move forward with a proposal which, over time could put the country's public finances in such a precarious position.

However the threats unfortunately do not start and end with the CCCTB. In the last few days the EU has stated its desire to address the taxation of the digital economy.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker has suggested that for this proposal countries should not be afforded a veto.

Would this not represent a blatant infringement on sovereignty? Crucially the OECD have weighed in and suggested that the EU would be best served to wait until they finish their work on this difficult area - too many cooks, etc.

The problem though is that the EU are not generally minded to heed advice from the OECD, especially at a time when the power struggle on tax matters between Paris and Brussels has never been greater. It is clear, however, that tax rules have struggled to keep pace with the digital revolution, but blunt means of taxation such as a turnover tax will lead to inequitable results. Why should a software provider's delivery method (ie, via download rather than via a physical disc) impact its tax bill?

I am not suggesting that the solution is obvious or easy but rushed law often leads to bad results. No problem however is insurmountable and it is incumbent on those impacted (including Ireland and the large digital MNCs) to lead the charge on devising the best way forward, or else proposals like the EU's won't go away and countries will eventually take unilateral action of their own.

So where does this leave Ireland?

In a time of unprecedented international tax policy reform the Coffey report both serves as a demonstration that Ireland's corporate tax code is sustainable, fair and transparent, but it also acts as a blueprint for future modernisation and reform.

Certainty today, possibly more so than low tax rates, is a key component contributing to investment decisions and if Ireland uses the Coffey report as a road map it should reap the benefits in terms of increased investment being placed here on the back of a stable and sensible regime.

Peter Reilly is a tax policy leader at PwC
Xavier Niel, billionaire and co-chief operating officer of Iliad; Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris; and Emmanuel Macron, Frances president, at an event in the French capital this summer. Photo: Bloomberg

Talks between Eir's existing shareholders and French telecoms billionaire Xavier Niel are thought to be continuing as he weighs up taking a stake in the former State-owned company.

Mr Niel, an internet and telecoms pioneer in France, is believed to be considering the acquisition of a significant stake in the Irish telco.

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Eir has staged a major turnaround since emerging from what was Ireland's biggest ever examinership in 2012.

Eir confirmed on Thursday that it has been approached by a potential investor.

"The major shareholders of Eircom Holdings SA (EHSA) have informed the board of the issuer that they have been approached by a potential investor who may wish to make a significant investment in EHSA alongside them," it said.

"In so informing the board, the major shareholders have affirmed their continuing commitment to their investment in EHSA for the foreseeable future," it added.

"There can be no certainty that the discussions between the shareholders of EHSA and the potential investor will result in a transaction."

Mr Niel, who controls French telecoms firm Iliad, which operates one of France's largest mobile operators, Free, was named by 'The Irish Times' yesterday as the suitor. Eir declined to comment on the identity of the potential investor.

Mr Niel is also the co-owner of France's 'Le Monde' newspaper. Eir's biggest shareholders are private equity funds Anchorage Capital, with a 42 stake, Davidson Kempner Capital with 14pc, and Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, which last year acquired a 16.3pc stake.

Last year, Anchorage secured voting control at Eir.

About 24pc of the company is still owned by a mix of finance houses including former lenders. It is not clear if the new investor will offer to mop up those small stakes as part of its approach.

A 1.29bn equity valuation was placed by Eir on the company last year, but shareholders could demand a premium to cede majority control to an outsider. Releasing full-year results this week, Eir said that its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 4pc to 520m in the 12 months to the end of June, while underlying revenue was 1pc higher at 1.32bn.

"An IPO (initial public offering) is always a theoretical possibility, but we're concentrating on improving the operational performance of the business," Eir chief executive Richard Moat, told the Irish Independent this week.

"We made 4pc growth in earnings this year, and we want to continue that kind of level of growth going into the future."
Well summer didn't last long! Already the nights are drawing in, the kids are back at school and if you're like me, you're even switching on the heating to take the chill out of the evening.

With heating bills set to go up again (both the PSO levy and oil prices are on the increase), it's set to be an expensive winter, so what better time to get your house in order and try to cut those costs?

This week, I'm looking at tips on doing just that, along with an explanation of the State grants available for insulation and boiler replacement. Most people don't realise these are not means-tested - anyone who applies is guaranteed to get one, so it's a great time to seriously consider wrapping your house up in warmth, as you do the same to yourself.

Move the dial

Turning down your thermostat by one degree saves 3pc on your heating bill. Twenty degrees is considered optimal but it depends on your level of existing insulation.

Turn off radiators in unused rooms and add thermostats to radiators you do use. When the room is warm, switch off the heating; the residual warmth will continue as the radiators cool down.

Consider fitting a 'Hive' or 'Climote' control (available from Bord Gais or Electric Ireland), so you can switch on/off heating and water remotely. If you're late home, there's no need for it to come on automatically, it's a waste.

Use an energy efficient electric fan heater if you only need one room warm (from 24.99, Woodies); it costs around 20c an hour to run.

Draughty decisions

Use old fashioned draught excluders, especially on external doors, either the foam/fabric type or brush. They cost around 10.

If you can't afford double-glazing, plastic coat windows with polythene to keep rattles and draughts away. A pack measuring 157cm x 106cm costs 2.99 from Lenehans hardware and you only need a hair-dryer to fit it.

Immerse yourself

Always use a timer on your immersion so it only heats water when you need it. Check the temperature if it's heated centrally. There's no point in having scalding water if your radiators aren't warming up.

Bleeding obvious

Bleed your radiators now to remove locked air and make them more efficient.

Fit a de-aerator (4.99, lenehans.ie) which stops air locks.

Grants

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland pays grants for around one third of the cost of insulation and boiler works. While there are some restrictions, applications under the Better Energy Scheme are open to all and approval is instant (seai.ie).

Get quotes from approved local contractors (using the list on site); works must be completed within six months of grant approval. The table shows the maximum available across the range, which is based on the size of the house.

The only caveat is that your house was built before 2006 and you use approved materials and contractors. You'll save 20pc on your heating bills with an efficient boiler and attic insulation. Call 1850 927 000 or email info@betterenergyhomes.ie for more details. Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, the works are carried out free of charge, but to qualify, you must be in receipt of social welfare and have a child under seven in the house. Check your local citizens information centre or call the SEAI for an application form.

Solar sense

Fitting solar panels could heat up to 60pc of your water, while a one square metre panel is the equivalent of 400 units of electricity. The SEAI offers a 1,250 grant toward this, but it is a big undertaking, so get good advice before starting.

HRI scheme

Any building alterations to your home (including fitting new windows) qualifies for a VAT refund under the Home Renovation Initiative.

A word of warning though: if you receive a grant from the SEAI, the amount is tripled before the rest of the spend qualifies.

It may be better to do one or the other. Ask your contractor for advice before commencing.
Cast member Harry Dean Stanton smiles at the premiere of "Big Love" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California, U.S. on February 23, 2006. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

Harry Dean Stanton, one of the most recognisable character actors in cinema, has died of natural causes at the age of 91.

The American star, whose unique look made him an instantly recognisable on-screen presence, passed away in Los Angeles leaving behind a list of credits spanning over six decades.

Stanton starred in a whole range of classic films (Cool Hand Luke and Alien to name but a few) until his breakthrough lead role arrived in Wim Wenders' Paris, Texas in 1984 when he was 58.

He also crossed over to television familiar to many as cult leader Roman Grant on HBO drama Big Love which ran from 2006-11 and, most recently, in David Lynch's Twin Peaks revival. He'd worked with the director previously on films Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and Inland Empire.

His extensive list of credits include Repo Man, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Pledge and Pretty in Pink in which he played the father of Molly Ringwald's lead character.

Stanton, whose Hollywood friends included Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson and Sam Shepard - who passed away earlier this year - will posthumously appear in Lucky which is set to be released later this year.
GARDAI are investigating an arson attack outside the home of a Cork prison officer.

The Prison Service official, who lives in the Blarney area, had his car targeted in an apparent petrol bomb attack in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The car was parked outside the home where he resides with his wife.

The vehicle was badly damaged in the blaze before it could be extinguished.

However, no one was hurt and no damage was caused to the property involved.

It is understood that another person in the area saw two young men running from the scene at around the same time.

The incident occurred a number of years after the homes of Prison Service officials and Gardai were attacked in the same general area.

It is unclear if there is any link between this incident and those historic attacks.

Gardai are now investigating the matter and one of the theories being examined is whether the attack is linked to a grudge someone may have against the officer involved in relation to his work.

Officers are checking properties in the area to see if anyone else spotted suspicious activity near the officer's home over recent days.

Any CCTV security cameras in the area will also be checked to see if any caught the men running from the scene on footage.

The Prison Officers Association said it is "deeply concerned" about the attack.

"Our thoughts at this time are very much with the prison officers involved and their families. We will do all we possibly can to support them after such a traumatic event," said Jim Mitchell, Deputy General Secretary.

"The POA has consistently raised the issue of attacks on prison officers and their property both inside and outside of prisons over years. We again call on the Minister and the Prison Service to review all such events and do all possible prevent such vicious attacks into the future."
A four-month waiting period for the treatment of children with scoliosis promised by the end of 2017 will not be met. Stock photo

Some Irish children who need an urgent operation for the severe spinal condition scoliosis will be offered surgery in a German hospital.

The HSE is to outsource the surgery to St Franziskus Hospital in Munster, Germany, as well as to HCA International which runs UK health facilities, including Portland Hospital in London , the Irish Independent has learned.

The outsourcing of surgery for children, some of whom have been waiting two years, follows a renewed pledge by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that every effort will be made to fulfil the promise that no child will be waiting longer than four months for scoliosis surgery at the end of the year.

There are still around 300 children waiting for scoliosis surgery.

A spokeswoman for the Children's Hospital Group said the surgery is being shared by Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin and Temple Street young patients have also had the surgery in the Mater Hospital and Cappagh Hospital in Dublin.

Outsourcing

Some children have already been operated on at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore in London.

"Reducing waiting times for children with scoliosis is a priority," said the spokeswoman.

"For the first time in a number of years the waiting list for scoliosis surgery is reducing. However, an outsourcing initiative has been necessary to support this four-month target."

The new theatre in Crumlin which opened in April is now operating three days a week, and a new orthopaedic surgeon started in early September.

Claire Cahill, the Kilkenny mother who co-founded ScolioNetwork, said parents are to get a full update next week on the plan to cut the waiting times.

She said asking families to travel to mainland Europe can be disruptive but if it means children accessing treatment then it's positive.

Parents remain very cautious about the target being met but have noticed more young children are being called for surgery in the last two weeks.

A paediatric scoliosis group was established in March which includes the three advocacy organisations.

The three children's hospitals have submitted a funding proposal to the HSE for a "sustainable" scoliosis service in 2018.

The new theatre in Crumlin was not operational for several months earlier this year due to a lack of nurses until a successful recruitment campaign.
Jean-Claude Juncker has insisted his plans to drive forward tax harmonisation are not "anti-Irish", in an exclusive interview with the Irish Independent.

The president of the European Commission said there would be no interference with our tax rates without the consent of the Irish Government.

In comments that will be seen as crucially important to Brexit negotiations, he claimed the Good Friday Agreement was an EU victory that must be protected. That sense of EU ownership over the peace process will delight Irish diplomats and signals a potentially more co-operative approach to the vexed question of the Irish Border in Brexit talks.

Earlier this week, Mr Juncker had stoked fears for Ireland's economic well-being when he called for a radical shake-up of EU rules that would strip individual countries of the right to block changes to tax law.

The head of Ireland's Fiscal Advisory Council, Seamus Coffey, said the move to introduce a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) would be "more serious" than Brexit for Ireland. However, in his only interview with Irish media, Mr Juncker appeared to modify his stance - admitting he's already come under attack in his home country of Luxembourg over the controversial proposals.

"When it comes to taxation, because that was your question, I was proposing if the European Council did so, by unanimous decision, to change the voting rules in the European Union when it comes to taxation. But if you have unanimity or qualified majority voting, this is not ... this does not mean that these things could be done without debate," he said.

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"In a debate, the argument of the 'wants' and that of the others have to be listened to carefully. So there is not an anti-Irish thing because already ... in Luxembourg papers are writing... saying qualified majority could be taking place. No. I want us to have the debate and then the vote, not the opposite."

The proposals set out in Mr Juncker's State of the Union speech in Strasbourg would mean EU tax law could be changed via so-called qualified majority voting (QMV) among member states. It is part of a push to implement sweeping changes to the way corporate taxes are levied. Currently, all countries must agree before EU tax laws can be changed.

That has been a bone of contention, as Ireland repeatedly outmanoeuvred French and EU moves to attack the 12.5pc tax rate. A move to QMV would end the ability to block changes.

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Acknowledging the role Irish tax policy played in the recovery here, Mr Juncker expressed admiration for the speed and scale of the economic turnaround.

"Never in history has this happened," he said. "I'm really impressed by the way the Irish government, parliament and the people were trying, under difficult conditions, to come out of the situation they were in."

On the Border, the usually outspoken Eurocrat was noticeably circumspect, a sign of the sensitivity the issue is being treated with in Brussels.

"I don't want to put in danger the Good Friday Agreement - which was a major achievement of European, and British and Irish policy making during the second half of the 1990s. And we have to know that this is an issue we should not deal with in a superficial way because it's a demanding issue."

Asked if the British government would ever get its act together on the Brexit negotiations, he replied: "I'm not in charge of Britain or London. I never was by the way."

He praised the work of Michel Barnier, the EU commissioner in charge of Brexit, in relation to negotiations on the Irish Border. "I wouldn't like us to re-experience what the Republic and the North had to go through in recent decades," he said.

"I have full confidence in the elegant way Michel Barnier is dealing with that question and he is considering this question as being of high importance."
"Around six months ago our landlord told us we were going to be evicted as he is selling the house." Photo: PA

A "miracle" baby who survived being born over two months prematurely in the back of a van, and who then had to be resuscitated by gardai, looks set to become the youngest victim of Ireland's housing crisis.

Little Keith Theseus Geoghegan-Kelly had a dramatic entrance into the world last Friday morning and continues to fight for his life in intensive care.

His devastated father Keith Snr said that if his son is released from hospital then they may not be bringing him home, but instead to a hotel room as the family are set to enter the emergency accommodation system.

Keith Snr, who is from Blanchardstown area of Dubllin, told Independent.ie that time is running out for himself and his partner Sinnitta Geoghegan to find a home for Keith Jnr, their older daughter Lexi (1) and Keith's son Noah (10), who is from a previous relationship and often stays with them.

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Keith Snr (32) explained: "We have been living in our house in Blanchardstown for about six years now and around six months ago our landlord told us we were going to be evicted as he is selling the house.

"Since then we've been looking for anything going but there's hundreds of people viewing everything, once agencies hear that you're on the HAP (Housing Assistance Payment support) Scheme they don't want to know, they don't even bother to get back to you then.

"The stress of it has really taken its toll on us, we're going to lose our home on Sunday and there's nothing lined up."

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Sinnitta was due to give birth to the couple's second child on November 19 but ended up going into labour over two months early on Friday 8 September.

Keith Snr said: "She woke up with pains at around 2am and we thought it must just be Braxton Hicks but when we got up at 6am she knew she was really in labour.

"We dropped Lexi to a friend's house and we were in the van on the way to the Rotunda but Sinnitta knew she wasn't going to last until then so we had to pull in behind the Vineyard pub in Blanchardstown and she gave birth in the back of the van.

"The baby wasn't breathing, he didn't cry, he didn't open his eyes, we knew we didn't have time to get to the hospital so we went to Blanchardstown Garda Station, we know a tiny bit of CPR but we figured someone there would know more."

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Thankfully their instinct was right and Garda Cathriona White was able to revive baby Keith, before Detective Garda Shane McCarton drove them to Connolly Hospital, where baby Keith had to be resuscitated before he was later transferred to the Rotunda Hospital.

Keith Snr, who is unemployed, said: "We're taking it every day as it comes, he's a little miracle and he's fighting for his life, we've been told that it will be at least November until he's allowed to leave hospital."

In between visiting Keith Jr and caring for Noah and Lexi, Keith Snr and Sinnitta are still trying to find somewhere to live before they lose their home on Sunday.

He said: "We've contacted the council for help but there's a waiting list for houses so we've been told that we could end up staying in a hotel room.

"It's just a nightmare because when Keith Jr gets out of hospital he'll be so susceptible to picking up infections, it's not what you want to bring a premature baby to.

"We don't have any relatives to stay with either because we have three kids and they all have kids and families of their own so they just don't have space."

A spokesman for Dublin City Council told Independent.ie: "We dont comment on individual cases.

"There are supports and advice available for tenants who are experiencing difficulties through Threshold who provide a Freephone service on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities.

"Any family that finds itself in danger of being made homeless should contact the Placefinder service operated by the DRHE.

"They have the expertise to source accommodation appropriate to a familys particular circumstances.

"Details on supports and advice are available on the DRHEs website www.homelessdublin.ie"
Planning laws for data centres could be loosened in light of the delays experienced by tech giant Apple in Galway.

This week it was warned that ongoing delays surrounding the planning process could put the entire 1bn project at risk.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met with executives from the company to discuss the matter.

"They expressed frustration at the legal and planning delays that have delayed that investment," he said.

However, the Taoiseach said the company remains committed to the project, adding that he shares the frustrations because the west of Ireland needs jobs.

"One of the things that is under consideration is an amendment to the Strategic Infrastructure Act to treat data centres as part of our strategic infrastructure and enable the planning process to work more smoothly," he said.

Meanwhile, business group Ibec said the protracted dispute "is a very good example of a planning system that's dysfunctional". Orla Casey, planning and infrastructure policy executive for Ibec, said the system "can too easily be exploited".

She told the Irish Independent that "ultimately it's a worry that if this isn't rectified, you'll see projects go elsewhere. There is also reputational damage to Ireland" .

She said the objection process can lead to endless delays that can ultimately doom a project. "With every delay it reduces the viability of the scheme," she said.

"We want Ireland to be an attractive place to invest, but the planning process is a black hole of bureaucracy."
The Moran Report found that THG was rejected as an authorised ticket reseller (ATR) for the Olympic Council of Ireland ahead of the Rio Games because officials in Brazil suspected it planned to hold unauthorised hospitality events. The contract subsequently went to Pro10, which Judge Carroll Moran said was effectively a front for THG Photo: AFP/GETTY

The Olympic ticketing arrangement involving THG and Pro10 may have breached criminal law, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement said.

In a lengthy analysis of the Moran Report into the Rio ticket fiasco, the ODCE's director Ian Drennan says it may be the case that those operating the arrangement made a gain by deceiving the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or Rio organisers.

The Moran Report found that THG was rejected as an authorised ticket reseller (ATR) for the Olympic Council of Ireland ahead of the Rio Games because officials in Brazil suspected it planned to hold unauthorised hospitality events. The contract subsequently went to Pro10, which Judge Carroll Moran said was effectively a front for THG.

The Oireachtas Committee on Sport asked the ODCE to review the Moran Report with a view to investigating whether any corporate laws were broken.

In a submission, seen by the Irish Independent, Mr Drennan said the sections of the report dealing with THG and Pro10 are "the most serious aspects".

He suggests the committee may wish to consider the report in the context of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, which deals with deception.

Mr Drennan wrote it is not within the ODCE's remit to investigate a criminal offence. He added it is not clear where such an offence might have occurred.

The ODCE also considered the annual 60,000 honorarium paid to former OCI president Pat Hickey.

Mr Dreenan noted that the payments, which started in 2010, were properly reflected in the OCI's financial statements and all relevant taxes were paid.

"There would not appear to be evidence suggesting a breach of company law," he said.
Mayo fans Mickey Collins (on left) and Timothy Brody with Dubs fan Daniel Halpin at Drimnagh Castle Primary School in Dublin. Photo: Caroline Quinn

In the foothills of Croagh Patrick, a gold All-Ireland medal gleams in the last rays of the setting sun, a tantalising talisman for what may come tomorrow.

"There'll be plenty more where that came from," Mayo fan Michael Gill promises Mike (17) and Lucy (14) Dawson, the grandchildren of quiet Joe Staunton, one of the last men to take the Sam Maguire home to Mayo in 1951 and who passed away in 2011.

Joe never talked much about his own glory but went to all the matches - and remained frustrated when the county failed to recapture the magic, recalls his son-in-law, Ger Dawson.

But this time Mayo is united in certainty that 66 years of famine ends tomorrow.

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And even Taoiseach Leo Varadkar concedes the whole country - bar Dublin - will be rooting for Mayo.

Mr Varadkar, who represents the Dublin West constituency, said he is "supposed to pretend to be neutral but I don't think anybody would believe that".

"Of course I'll be hoping that Dublin win the three in a row. But I'm conscious that the rest of the country will be cheering for Mayo.

"I don't think anybody would begrudge them if they won," he says.

"They've been in so many finals now and come so close that I can understand why anybody outside of Dublin would be rooting for them."

At Michael Gill's house in Lecanvey, down the road from Staunton's Pub, two flags provocatively flutter in the stiff breeze blowing up from Clew Bay, the blue of the Dubs for his wife Aisling and the green and red for Michael, a retired garda who spent many years working out of Donnybrook station.

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Michael made headlines back in 2006 when a photograph plucked him out of Hill 16 - a lone figure in his county colours, standing amid a sea of blue.

A song by Gerry Carroll, 'Mayo for Sam 2013 Michael Gill on Hill 16', cemented his status as one of the county's cult heroes. This year is the first time since 1989 that he hasn't been able to lay his hands on a ticket.

A midwife at Castlebar General Hospital, Aisling jokes that she is only allowed "the tiniest Dublin flag" in the hospital, but staff pack it neatly away on her day off.

"I think I probably scanned all the Mayo team as babies," she laughs.

The couple's own three sons are divided in loyalty - but the whole family believe Mayo can do it. "They'll have to play out of their skins but they can do it," says Michael.

Martin Connolly, a former Mayo player and county selector, believes they have an excellent chance.

The team has been well tested while Dublin has not, he points out.

"Mayo will bring everything but the kitchen sink," he warns.

At Newport National School, the entire student body - amongst them former player Colm McManamon's son, Kyle (6) - has turned out in flamboyant green and red and there's chaos as they scream "Up Mayo!"

Daithi Moran's mother spent half an hour painstakingly depicting the county crest on her nine-year-old son's face (inset left), while even principal Brid Chambers is sporting the county colours.

Brid is another fan struggling to get a ticket which are like "hens' teeth", she laments.

Teacher Aisling Doherty, twin sister of player Jason Doherty, reveals the team are in good form and "well up for it".

Her family will be travelling to Croke Park together. "I just can't wait for it to be over now," she says, the nerves building.

In Westport, publican Mick Byrne hasn't missed a Mayo match since 1981 and isn't letting the fact that he is on crutches get in the way this time.

A poster on the wall reads: "They can have the Hill but we'll take the field."

But if Mayo lose? "We will just gather up the pieces and go back again 'til we do win it," he says firmly.
The planning application is currently with Laois Co Co and if successful, is likely to be appealed to An Bord Pleanala by residents. Stock image.

Thomas MacDonagh, the poet and Easter Rising revolutionary, once described his small home town of Cloughjordan in County Tipperary as the "calm of middle country". And, on a drizzly, recent Monday morning, the former garrison town is just as tranquil.

Indeed, the tranquillity and lack of employment was too much to bear for the many who left throughout 60 years of depopulation. By 2002, the town's only remaining bank had shut down, prompting businesses to relocate 16km away to Nenagh. With a population of just 431, Cloughjordan was dying on its feet.

That is until a group of mostly urban professionals chose it as the location of Ireland's first eco sustainable community, because it had a rail service (now threatened) to keep their carbon footprint in check. They settled on a 67-acre plot of land just off the main street and were selling plots in 2007.

In an era when rural Ireland is suffering from the closure of banks, post offices, shops, pubs and garda stations, might that kind of reinvigoration from urban dwellers seeking refuge from sky-high city housing costs be just the ticket for towns and villages battling depopulation just as Cloughjordan was then?

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Some Cloughjordan locals were initially sceptical of the kind of people the initiative would attract, remembers May Casey, a retired teacher who has been living there for 40 years.

The eco-village "quite divided the community, with some enthusiastically welcoming it and others, like in any rural place, being suspicious of new people moving in en masse," she says.

But the influx of people to the town did provide a vital injection. It boosted the population by 8.3pc between 2011 and 2016, and helped keep schools and businesses open while providing some new ones. "The eco-village brought in new life and diversity. They brought a bookshop which we wouldn't otherwise have been able to sustain, a cooperative cafe, and music sessions to the pubs," May says. "We have two schools in a very healthy state, a circus town that's marvellous for young people, and more kids playing with the hurling club."

Sally Starbuck, an ecological architect who owns a three-storey live-work unit in Cloughjordan, and helped draw up the eco-village's masterplan, believes elements of the initiative could be applied to other rural parts of the country if a local authority or institution was willing to provide the land, and if there weren't the kind of unwieldy planning delays and conditions that dogged their project.

"It's not a cheap option - you do have your transport costs and we're not living in yurts - but the actual cost would be much less than in Dublin, which has just gone bananas," she says. "... if people can work from home, that makes a big difference to living in a place like this."

Joe Fitzmaurice, a baker, and his wife Julie Lockett, a former professional dancer, swapped Dublin for the Cloughjordan Eco-village in 2011. Julie explains: "We were renting in Dublin and then looking to buy a house and start a family. Neither of us had ever lived in the countryside before and, because I'm English, I wanted to live somewhere where there would be quite a lot of activity going on and with people from other nationalities around. We have two boys, aged 9 and 11. Since the eco-village has been up and running, both schools have had two extensions built."

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The couple set up Riot Rye Bakehouse and Bread School beside their home. There, Joe runs 40 bread-making courses a year and bakes 400 loaves of organic bread a week.

The eco-village has 50 acres of land for allotments, woodland and a community farm. Its members volunteer on the farm and source their produce from there for a fee of around 70 a month. The project is also home to an eco-enterprise centre, an amphitheatre for events, an eco-hostel, and a district heating system powered by wood-chip.

But it seems it takes time to get so many like minded people to move to the same location and for the eco village, it has been a long road. The project was first conceived back in 1999 by a core group of environmentalists, but planning permission wasn't secured until 2005. The first homes weren't built until 2009, just as would-be residents were gripped by the property crash and credit crunch. By 2007, some members who had paid a deposit on the sites got so frustrated with the lack of progress that they left.

In the meantime the continued expansion of the project has become mired in red tape.

Tamara MacGinty, a retiree from Seattle living in a two-bed cedar-clad house she and her Irish husband built in Cloughjordan, moved there to be part of a sustainable, close-knit community. She says: "We have 132 sites and 55 houses are built. There are people waiting to buy and to build, but we have some issues around planning. One of the reasons for that is that the sewage system in Cloughjordan isn't adequate for handling new builds, so we're waiting for Irish Water to do whatever they need to do to make that allowable."

Peter Manley, a former investment banker turned musician feels "disillusioned" - he spent 450,000 building his home there and now believes it's worth only 220,000. "Not a single bit of development work has been done on the estate since we moved here five years ago," says Peter, who lives there with his wife and children.

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"Nature is taking over again, with brambles, willows, docks, thistles. The cut and dry economics don't seem to work here. Some city slickers came down with the ideology that they are living in a field and won't have bills to pay. If I were going to do this model elsewhere in Ireland, I'd do it somewhere where there are jobs and a need for housing."
RYANAIR has come under fire for cancelling up to 50 flights a day for the next six weeks as it moves to reduce a backlog of holidays for staff.

The airline announced yesterday it would cancel a number of flights to improve its punctuality which has fallen below 80pc in the first two weeks of September.

The Dublin-based carrier will offer refunds or alternative flights to the "small number" of affected passengers over the period.

Ryanair also said the cancellations, which amount to 2pc of its network, won't have an impact on earnings in September and October.

Ryanair is mandated under the Irish Aviation Authority to bring staff holidays in line with the calendar year from January 1, requiring it to allocate the leave before the end of the year.

The move will help bring up punctuality back up to 90pc by providing additional standby aircraft, after on-time performance fell below 80pc in the first two weeks of September.

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That's been prompted by air traffic control issues in France, the UK, Germany and Spain, as well as thunderstorms, Ryanair said in a statement.

Here's what we know so far:

Why is Ryanair cancelling these flights?

Ryanair is cancelling between 40 and 50 flights a day over the next six weeks in a bid to fix their on-time performance rates.

The airline claims that the decision comes after Ryanairs on-time performance has declined from 90% to under 80% over the past two weeks, a figure which the company claims is unacceptable.

Ryanairs Robin Kiely said: By cancelling less than 2% of our flying programme over the next six weeks, (until our winter schedule starts in early November) we can improve the operational resilience of our schedules and restore punctuality to our annualised target of 90%.

We apologise sincerely to the small number of customers affected by these cancellations, and will be doing our utmost to arrange alternative flights and/or full refunds for them.

How are the "small number" of customers affected taking the news?

Not well.

The move has left customers in an outrage, with many being left stranded in foreign countries.

Shane Collender wrote on Twitter: "@Ryanair Appalling treatment of customers. I had to book my flight home with @AerLingus on Sunday because you cancelled at short notice."

Louis Hervik wrote: "So you're cancelling my trip less than a week in advance because you haven't scheduled in staff holiday? What the f**k is wrong with you!"

Gary Cummings was due to fly from Leeds to Bratislava on Friday morning.

On Thursday night he received a text message from Ryanair, saying his flight had been cancelled.

The only alternative flight he was offered was on Monday - when he was originally due to be returning to Leeds.

"We were left in limbo really," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Most web users were contacting the airline to ask if their specific flight had been cancelled.

On Boards.ie one user spoke of their anger: "Am really dissapointed. Flight cancelled with less than 48 hours notice and no explanation. Family upset. Ryanair livechat appear to be arranging alternative flight with one connection, then when asked to complete the deal then offer only flight into same country, hire car and they may no offer re-imbursement.

"He then transfers to other agent who asked for detailed account of previous chat and then cut us off while typing after less than 30 seconds

"Now hotel are fully paid and too late to cancel, tickets to Museums bought and bus tickets bought. And they knew this was coming

"They won't even give a reason for cancellation. Probably claim it was beyond their control"

Are there flights to and from Dublin affected today?

Yes, cancellations include to Barcelona (FR6875), to Madrid (FR7526), from Paris (FR23), from Barcelona (FR6874), from Madrid (FR7257), to Amsterdam (FR3102), to Edinburgh (FR816), from Amsterdam (FR3103), from Edinburgh (FR817), to and from Gatwick (FR142 and FR143).

So what can you do if your flight has been cancelled?

Ryanair says that they will do their utmost to arrange alternative flights and/or full refunds for customers.

Will you get a refund?

Yes, if your flight is cancelled there are two options available to you to choose from. You can either apply for a refund or change your cancelled flight for free.

How can you reply for a refund?

To get a refund for the cancelled flight usethe link below and enter your booking details.

https://refundclaims.ryanair.com/

Ryanair claims that refund will be processed with-in seven working days.

What should you do if you are already abroad and my flight gets cancelled?

You should either try and rebook on Ryanairs website, and hope to get a seat on another flight, or make your own arrangements to fly home.

What about food or accommodation?

Under the EU261 Regulation, Ryanair are required to provide meals and refreshments for the amount of time you are stranded, two phone calls or emails and hotel accommodation if it becomes necessary. They are also required to provide transport to that accommodation.

When will you know if your flight is one of the flights affected?

Passengers will get a text a day or even hours before to say their flight is cancelled and to apply for a refund.

How many people are affected?

It's estimated at up to 9,000 a day, with 285,000 journeys likely to be hit by the airline's move.

What are the politicians saying?

Fianna Fail transport spokesperson Robert Troy said the decision to cancel the flights without adequate notice has caused deep concern to the passengers affected.

"I'm really very disappointed in the manner in which this decision has been carried out and communicated to passengers," he said.

"Passengers intending to travel today or over the weekend weren't given any warning to allow them to make alternative arrangements.

"I do feel that Ryanair have failed in their duty of care to their customers," he added.

Deputy Troy called on Ryanair to publish all planned flight cancellations for the period this weekend.

He also said customers should not have "to wait for their money any longer than is absolutely necessary".
Next time you marvel at the mountains, ocean or city beneath you at 35,000 feet, spare a thought for the passenger who assumed theyd be doing the same.

Except their window seat does not actually have a window.

Delve deep into social media and youll find a common occurrence of travellers arriving for their flight, having booked - and sometimes paid for - a seat with a view, only to find the cold, grey cabin wall.

Theres even a hashtag, #wheresmywindow. Sometimes the passenger might receive a slither of light from the seat in front or behind, but either way - its not a window.

Absolutely breathtaking view from today's @British_Airways Tehran-London flight on a @Boeing 777. I reserved a 'window' seat with no window. pic.twitter.com/etrrZm01oz  Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) September 3, 2017

Some passengers wallowed in the absence of natural light.

Some got angry. But others got creative.

Paid 2 move my seat next 2 my travel partner, thought I'd buy a window seat only to find it had no window... thanks @Ryanair,  well spent! pic.twitter.com/oKC5SAA1Ht  Alexandra Fouracre (@alfiefouracre) August 26, 2017

Why do these window seats not have windows?

The quirk is a result of cabin layouts and differs from aircraft to aircraft and airline to airline.

We contacted the worlds two largest aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, to ask if they had any control over whether all the window seats actually had windows.

Airbus said its down to the airlines as they are the ones with seating maps for their specific cabin products, while Boeing added that each carrier kits out their own planes and that is where the decision on interior layout are made.

So, basically, they just make the windows.

They shouldn't call it a window seat if there isn't a window. Boo. pic.twitter.com/HemuWjNQnx  Nolan DeWispelare (@ndewisp) August 31, 2017

Luckily, for those who want to ensure theyre never de-windowed, the aircraft reviews website Seat Guru details which aircraft feature seats without windows, and how to avoid them.

An easy one to evaluate is Ryanair as it uses the same aircraft and layout across its entire fleet - 403 Boeing 737-800s.

The airline lets passengers pay to reserve their seats - as has been the talk of the town over the summer - so 11a, which has no window, will set you back 7 each way, though the airline does warn on its site: This seat has no window.

It will cost 1 more than the seat behind - 12a - which does have a window. The same is true on the other side of the aircraft for seat 11f.

Who ever heard of a window seat with no window? Thanks a lot @AmericanAir pic.twitter.com/HDw8d95Tx8  Wayne Vaughan (@WayneVaughan) August 26, 2017

In a statement Ryanair said:

There are three seats on all Boeing Next Generation 737-800s that do not have windows. Customers who choose to purchase these seats are advised of this fact during the booking process on the website.

Norwegian, Southwest and TUIFly, among others, have the same issue on its Boeing 737s. A spokesperson for the manufacturer said it is because of some ducting risers forward of the wing on the 737 create a larger gap between windows in that area.

Easyjet, on the other hand, operates two different aircraft - the A319 and A320 (this in two different layouts) - and avoids having windowless window seats in the middle of the cabin, however, some of the seats at the rear of the aircraft are lacking a full view.

It costs 3.99 to reserve this seat - the same as it does all the other seats in the same section (extra leg room and up front cost more). A spokesperson for the airline said it does not describe any seat as a window seat, as such, only that you'll be closest to the cabin walls.

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The situation reoccurs on the Boeing 777 - used by, for example, Emirates. Seat 15a or k are the ones to avoid.

Indeed, it even seems to happen to those who turn left on entering the aircraft - towards first class. According to Seat Guru, 12a (and 12k), a Club World seat on BAs configuration of an A380, the world's largest passenger plane, might be missing a window.

Reserving that seat could cost passengers 83, in addition to the fare, on a flight to, say, Singapore. A spokesperson for the airline, however, said that the seats do in fact have windows.

Similarly, seats 21a and 21k on Virgin Atlantics A330, which serves a number of long-haul destinations, such as New York, appears to lack a view to the outside.

The window is not present due to structural design of the aircraft, says Seat Guru.

A spokesperson from Virgin, however, showed on a virtual tour of that aircraft that the window is there, just slightly set back from the seat.

Due to the structure of the aircraft, windows can sometimes not be directly adjacent to the seat, the spokesperson said.

Read more:

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Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Jean-Claude Juncker has been cast as the bogeyman of Brexit, and he managed to set the teeth of political leaders from Helsinki to Dublin on edge this week with a controversial State of the Union speech to the European Parliament.

But he has also managed to dominate headlines from the Black Sea coast to Co Donegal's Bloody Foreland.

Today's interview with the Irish Independent, which took place as reaction to the speech was rolling in from all corners of the continent, provides the first insight into Mr Juncker's thinking in setting out a vision he always knew would raise hackles in many quarters.

In Ireland, as ever, it was a push for common tax rules that set alarm bells ringing. Brussels's long-standing drive for tax harmonisation is seen as detrimental to Irish interests - in particular as the preferred launch-pad for US multinationals into the wider EU.

But a veteran political leader like Mr Juncker knows that. He knows full well that there's no chance any government here will bow to the idea of letting tax policy be set by a majority of EU members.

After the gung-ho rhetoric on Wednesday, his subtler language on the tax issue in an exclusive interview with this newspaper today bears that out.

Even if tax wasn't such a critical issue for Ireland, every shift from unanimity at European Council level towards qualified majority voting on major issues risks making us as peripheral politically as we are geographically. Remember, this is a Union that will soon have twice as many member states on shores of the Baltic as it does on the Atlantic.

Mr Juncker, a former prime minister of Luxembourg, is a wily political operator.

Before his new-found commitment to corporate tax reform, his home country, on his watch, was a welcoming haven for big corporations wanting small corporate tax bills. He knows the vulnerabilities of small countries in a big union, but he is also a committed Europhile at the helm of a deeply troubled union.

The eurozone - of which Mr Juncker was an architect - only just scrapped through the financial crisis.

Brussels failed to hold on to the Brits last year, can't get to grips with the Mediterranean migrant crisis, and is presiding over a rumbling populist insurgency that has barely been contained in France and the Netherlands and may already have been lost outright in Poland and Hungary.

Faced with such deep existential threats, his speech should be seen less as a set of implementable policy proposals than a pitch to seize the narrative back for Brussels.

The speech barely mentioned Brexit - the biggest setback for the EU since 1956 - he instead seized on Europe's belated return to economic growth and then took the fight to the Union's challengers by doubling down on the drive for integration on everything from cyber crime to the amount of fish in a fish-finger, and of course corporation tax.

Unlike in his Strasbourg speech, it is clear from Mr Juncker's behind-the-scenes comments to this newspaper that Brexit's impact on Ireland is a source of unique concern. Significantly, the usually outspoken Luxembourger shifts to uncharacteristically cautious language to even discuss the Border and the potential impact on the peace process.

Since 2008, the European debate has focused on the Union's failings and shortcomings. Bar where it was part of the emergency response to the crisis, around banking and finance, integration has largely been parked. Mr Juncker wants it unparked. In his State of the Union speech, the Commission president articulated his vision of how the EU might move closer - common currency, common defence, common border controls and common taxes.

It is a one-size-fits-all federalism that would be a potential disaster for Ireland - but it's a position that he's prepared to articulate and stand over. He knows he won't win on every front, he may not even win on any, but he has managed in little more than a week to shift the debate from Europe's failures and how to manage them to Europe's future and how to achieve it.
Dundalk Grammar School welcomed the Leaving Certificate class of 2017 back for their Graduation Tea recently.

The students were welcomed bythe Headmaster of Mr Jonathan Graham, and staff for the annual Graduation Tea which is held in recognition of the students' achievements in the State Examinations. It also gives the students and is an opportunity to get together for a final time before they set off for college.

This year's class group continued on the success of previous years and collectively achieved the highest average points score ever recorded at the school.

National trends were reflected in their college offers as many students opted to pursue courses in the Arts, Business, Biomedical Science and Computing, Nursing, Engineering, Art and Design, to name but a few. The majority of this year's DGS graduates will continue their studies in the Republic of Ireland, with University College Dublin and Dublin City University being the most popular destinations. In addition a number of students have chosen to study elsewhere with college destinations in the UK, America and Germany.

Ms Eithne Hamill, their former Year Head was also present on the night to welcome them back and expressed her absolute delight at their results. On behalf of the school community, Mr Graham congratulated all this year's graduates and wished them every success in their future studies.
There was a triple celebration recently in St. Vincent's School with a wonderful flag-raising ceremony attended by almost 1,000 students and staff.

The Green Flag, the Gaelbhratach Flag and the Amber Flag now take pride of place on the school grounds.

Teacher Kerry Moran explains 'The Green Flag Committee proudly raised its 5th Green Flag which the school was awarded for it's work promoting and conserving biodiversity within the school community and beyond.

The school is now focused on working on the sixth theme within the green school programme which is based on the global impact of litter and waste. A number of initiatives have been introduced in relation to this issue with students and staff making a particular effort to minimise plastic waste by purchasing reusable water bottles. This theme also requires our school to reflect on the diversity of cultures within our society today.

Last year second and transition year students celebrated the broad range of cultures in our school community by hosting a 'Day of Culture'.

Niamh Byrne says 'The Amber Flag is a nationwide initiative that aims to demystify issues around mental health and to encourage young people to be more open in talking about their concerns.

The Gaelbhratach Committee have earned two flags in the relatively new Irish language scheme, which is funded by Foras na Gaeilge and organised by Gael Linn, two of the largest and most effective Irish language organisations in the country. Senior students and committee members Caoimhe de Bhailis, Ayumi Catibusic and Callie Agnew spoke to the school community about the many activities and initiatives they have undertaken in order to receive the Flag. 'We have endeavoured to promote a fun, positive and modern image of the language amongst students', Ayumi explains.

It organized 'Gaeilge 24' where hundreds of students spoke Irish for 24 hours.
An array of exciting free events will get under way across County Wicklow on Friday, September 22, as part of Culture Night.

The night that celebrates all forms of culture from art to music and history and architecture will see events taking place in eleven areas including Arklow, Blessington, Redcross, Bray and Wicklow Town.

Russborough House is always a favourite with tourists and on Culture Night it is expected that many local culture vultures will pay a visit to this west Wicklow gem.

While the house tours are fully booked already, there are still some places available for the children's ReCreate Workshop which runs from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m.

ReCreate artists will create an open play space inviting children of all ages to come and enjoy the wonderful world of reused materials, inspiring curiosity and creativity for all.

Known for his adventurous and exciting projects artist Rod Coyne will host an event at his Avoca Studio Gallery at Knockanode, Avoca, from 5.30 to 7 p.m. entitled Rod Sees Red.

Here, he will present a painting demonstration andtalk, where he will be discussing a recent experiment to introduce reds into painted landscapes.

'Recently I decided to introduce radical amounts of red into my landscapes regardless if they were there or not. First off I swapped the greens of the landscape for a tonally similar palette of reds. Then I started replacing the blues of the sea and sky with a palette of reds. Looking at the two versions I saw instantly that the second option still looked realistic, just as if painted at sunrise or sunset. But where the land was red that took on a completely other worldly feel,' he explains. Brazilian culture will be at the heart of a Bray event which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Cornerstone at The Well, Church Terrace, Main Street.

Featuring Forro, a unique Brazilian style of music and dance, a photographic exhibition of images of Brazil and Bray take by Brazilians and a screening of Brazilian cinema as well as a taste of Brazilian food, the event offers something for everyone. In Wicklow, the Dominican College will play host to Song Enchanted Evening, a concert featuring Lorna Breen, soprano and the Avondale Voices Community Choir from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
A Bray antiques dealer will host a unique fair with flair in one of the 'big houses' of Ireland this weekend.

Chantal Fortune is curating the antiques fair at Wells House in Wexford which takes place this Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, from 1 p.m.

The Bray resident and former proprietor of Florence Fortune's Antique Shop has planned a fantastic combination of displays and demonstrations that will ensure the weekend is a riveting antiques experience.

Among the attractions will be a fine selection of dealers selling their wares, including jewellery, silver, china, collectibles, furniture and carpets. An old rivet repaired china collection will be on display with a craftsman Mark Fortune demonstrating how it was done; in the Great Hall, there will be furniture restoration demonstrations by Maurice Molloy of Molloy Restoration; and, on the Sunday, painting conservationist Pearl O'Sullivan will hold a painting restoration demonstration.

Chantal herself will be doing free identification and valuations throughout the weekend, which is always a highlight for visitors.

This is the third year that Chantal has hosted this antiques fair, which is perfectly placed inside the Tudor Gothic architecture of Wells House with its beautiful interiors, wares and wonders. Wells House is located at Ballyedmond, south of Gorey. Entry to the fair is 3 per person and an 8 entry fee per car to the grounds applies.
Bray Emmets GAA Club will separate the wheat from the chaff next week as they search for the male and female GAA players with the biggest boot.

The 18th annual All-Ireland Kick Fada competition takes place at the Bray club's grounds at Old Connaught Avenue on Saturday, September 23.

The competition aims to find the longest kickers, both male and female. Last year, Mayo's Fintan Ruddy won the men's event following a great duel with Dublin's Mark Vaughan while Serena Hannon (Dublin) emerged victorious in the women's section to complete a five-in-a-row.

Competitors must apply to enter this year's competition and can do so by emailing allirelandkickfada@gmail.com before Monday, September 18. This is to ensure that organisers can run both competitions in the most efficient manner for those who have to travel long distances to compete.

The club is also hosting a free family fun day in conjunction with the Kick Fada. Open to members and non-members, the fun day will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature lots of fun activities, stalls and refreshment stands. The Kick Fada will take place from 12.30 p.m. until 2 p.m.
Teresa Dineen, district governor, with new president Karl O Broin, who accepts the chain of office from outgoing president Jerry Teehan

It was a night of celebrations for the Bray Lions Club members as they welcomed the new club president Karl O'Broin at their handover dinner in Martello Hotel.

Karl thanked the outgoing president Jerry Teehan for his hard work and sterling contribution to the club over the past two years.

After a delicious meal was had by all, President Karl welcomed Lions District Governor Teresa Dineen and partner Declan Moon to Bray and to the celebrations. He congratulated Teresa on being the first District Governor of the newly formed Lions District in Ireland.

Karl spoke of the commitment from the founders of Bray Lions Club from 30 years ago and introduced the surviving members - Joe Duggan, Norman Heagney, John McEvoy and Michael O'Brien. Another founding member, Tony Foran, could not attend on the night.

Meanwhile, outgoing President Jerry Teehan thanked all the clubs volunteers and supporters for their contributions through the years and also paid tribute to Molly Comish, who is Ambassador of the Year 2017 for the club and founder of Dignity Packs Ireland, which are small rucksacks of essential hygiene items for homeless men and women.

More than 60 people present enjoyed the evening and Karl thanked Danny Bohan once again for being an outstanding master of ceremonies on the night.
While the sale of the convent and grounds has meant a change of venue, activities continue this autumn at the Luisne Centre for Spirituality in Kilcoole.

Luisne is in operation now for 13 years and will begin a new series of workshops across the road at Kilcoole Community Centre this Saturday.

Diarmuid O Murchu will lead this interesting and provocative series on Searching for a Meaningful Faith in Today's World. The series comprises five approximately monthly workshops, with the first taking place this Saturday, September 16 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The workshops cost 20 each or 80 for all five if paid in advance.

Anyone interested is asked to book as soon as possible at office@luisne.ie or phone 086 0517575. Visit www.luisne.ie to stay up to date with activities at the cetre.

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the Holy Faith Sisters in Kilcoole. The country and county have greatly changed in the course of those 120 years.

In 1897 there was great poverty in Ireland; today, in spite of the housing crisis, there is relative wealth. The advance in society can be attributed to ease of access to education for all and the Holy Faith Sisters, traditionally a teaching order, contributed to that.

When the Sisters first came to Kilcoole they established three schools within the same building: one for boarding boys, one for local girls and one for local boys. The fees from the boarders helped to fund the school project as there was no department of education in those days.

Over the years, the work of the Sisters both, generally and in Kilcoole, expanded to include parish work, home visitation and the running of spirituality centres, including Luisne.

Although the remaining Sisters are moving to another venue in the surrounding area their work in Kilcoole continues.
A north Wicklow TD has called on the Minister for Education to examine the possibility of another secondary school for Greystones as a matter of urgency.

Deputy Stephen Donnelly wants Minister Richard Bruton to conduct a capacity study, which would take into account the growing population of the town.

Referring to the campaign for Greystones Community National School, which has only been granted planning permission in recent weeks, Deputy Donnelly said the turning point was a meeting with Department of Education officials where the department's growth projections were challenged.

'Greystones has a rapidly growing population, which wasn't being factored into projections,' he said. 'Once this was changed, the numbers made the case for the new Charlesland school.'

With the new primary school secured, the Greystones Deputy is now turning his attention to ensuring there are enough spaces available locally when children move onto secondary level. While the town is already served by St David's and Temple Carrig, quite a number of students are leaving Greystones every day to attend school.

'Every year I speak with parents worried about secondary school places. The town is blessed with two fantastic secondary schools. However, every day many, many students leave the town for school, which is not as it should be. And the number of students is growing fast,' he said.

'So it's time to see what the Department thinks: do the numbers stack up? If so, we need to start thinking about a new school now. In my previous experience campaigning for Greystones Community National School, the process is a long and drawn out and may take a number of years.'

'I've asked the Minister for Education to conduct a full demographic analysis of future need in the area with a view to ensuring that there is space long term for these children,' said the TD.

Meanwhile, Deputy Donnelly is also demanding the Minister for Education carry out an investigation into fire safety breaches at Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath. The department revealed last week that the Greystones school was one of five national schools in the country which failed to comply with fire safety standards.

School Principal Rita Ni Thuathail told this newspaper that the school had lobbied the department to get access to the report for two years and its contents had come as a shock. The main issue was the lack of illuminated emergency lighting while an upgrade of the floor structure to meet a 60-minute fire resistance standard was also required. The school has been given a schedule of works, which are due to being in eight to 12 weeks time.'

While Deputy Donnelly commended the school on its response, he said that 'they, their staff and their students should never have been put in this position.'

'When were these fire breaches found? Why were they not identified before the school was opened? Could any other Wicklow schools, teachers and students be at risk? We need a full investigation into these and many other questions.'

Deputy Donnelly has called on the Minister to conduct a full review of all schools impacted, particularly those schools still under construction.

'Even if these breaches are technical in nature, it is deeply worrying that they could have remained for so long without either identification or rectification. Parents expect and deserve to know that the standards put in place to keep their children safe are being adhered to,' said Deputy Donnelly.
Fair Day in Millstreet comes twice annually and the September undertaking was welcomed by enthusiastic numbers convening on the North West Cork town.

Perfect weather conditions added to the occasion, yet equine stock were down in numbers as an assembly of cobs, ponies, horses to donkeys and trotters dotted their usual position in the Fair Field car park.

The Fair once upon a time provided horses for the armies of Europe and closer to home, Guinness Brewery availed of equine stock to draw their popular stout all over the country.

That said, there were transactions, a six year old piebald fetched 300 as Ballinagree's bargained with one of the top buyers in the country Michael Darcy from Carlow.

"Its a great price, look at her teeth, dead quiet, she is yours if you're interested and I will give you luck money", Jackie told the eventual buyer.

Nowadays, the September Horse Fair is now more of a social outing by meeting, renewing acquaintances and generating new friendships. And the trappings of the modern day Horse Fair were again evident with the Town Square awash with stalls of every conceivable nature.

Again the numbers of street traders were down on former years. Boosted by the weather, those present enjoyed the carnival atmosphere before going their separate ways to view the big games action on TV.

Once the Fair was completed late on Sunday evening, a dedicated crew from Cork County Council operated a speedy clean up acknowledged by traders, dwellers and visitors.
The fifth IRD Duhallow Business Awards will take place in just two months time and members of the business community in the region are being encouraged to apply across a host of categories.

While the region is long regarded as being rich in culture, music and sport, the business community have also shown they are the true ambassadors of Duhallow.

IRD Duhallow, in conjunction with The Corkman, will honour and recognise the business community who help put their region on the map.

The awards recognise the sustainability, creativity and innovation which businesses in the region showcase, as well as their invaluable contribution to the local economy. The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 16, in a marquee on the grounds of the James OKeeffe Institute in Newmarket.

John Feerick, MD of The Corkman said: For the fifth year in a row, The Corkman is truly delighted to be the media partner for the IRD Duhallow Business awards.

He said over the last number of years in the Duhallow region, the business community have shown their innovation, dedication and utter determination to push their enterprises forward.

There is certainly a can-do attitude in the Duhallow catchment region and while the area is rich in sport, music and a community spirit, it really is fitting that the business community are also lauded for their achievement, he added.

Maura Walsh, CEO of IRD Duhallow, said:  We are once again really delighted to hold these business awards. Without question, the awards reflect the business acumen, talent and calibre of the business community in this catchment region.

As the catchment region of IRD Duhallow has recently been expanded, for the second year in-a-row applications can be submitted from the Muskerry region.

When all applications have been submitted, it will then be a matter for the judges to view each application on its own merits and then the short-listing stage will be undertaken.

The categories for the awards will consist of Best Business Start Up (confined to businesses which commenced trading on or after January 1, 2015); Best Established Business Award (confined to businesses that commenced trading prior to January 1, 2015); Creative Industry Award; Best Agri Related Business; Women Led Business Award and Community Enterprise Award.

There will also be an overall award and this will go to the company that judges feel is the most deserving of the title of Best Duhallow Business'.
One of the country's leading advocates of rural communities has hit out at plans to extend the Cork City boundary as a 'land grab'.

GAA pundit Pat Spillane made the comments at the recent AGM of Muintir na Tire in Laois in the course of a wide-ranging debate on the myriad serious challenges facing rural life in Ireland.

His comments came as Cork County Council fired off its first formal salvo in the fight to retain as much lands as possible - in the shape of a report recommending the County cede just Frankfield, Douglas, Grange and Ballyvolane. This would leave the County Council with a budget deficit of 8.6 million per annum, rather than the 50 million-a-year hole that the Mackinnon report would represent to the county budget.

The Mackinnon report recommends Cork City should expand to take in Cork Airport, Ballincollig, Blarney, Glanmire, Glounthaune, Little Island,and Carrigtwohill. If the Government proposal succeeds, it is feared the county would be left struggling to provide its current level of services.

Pat Spillane lent his weight to the debate on Saturday in response to Cork county Muintir na Tire delegates who said Mckinnon would mean a 'huge transfer of resources' from rural Ireland to the city. Mr Spillane concurred, describing the proposal as 'nothing short of a land grab' by the City Council.

Fianna Fail leader and former Cork City Councillor Micheal Martin meanwhile called for an end to 'scaremongering on the issue' and for all sides to work together towards facilitating the general thrust of Mckinnon, which he described as 'reasonable'.

Cork County Council's formal proposal - to cede the areas of Frankfield, Grange, Douglas and Ballyvolane which have a combined population of 39,258 residents, was adopted at County Hall on Monday after councillors invoked Section 29 of the Local Government Act. The proposal would see the city population swell to 164,915, but taking in greenfield sites would allow scope to grow the population to nearly 284,000; representing a rate of urban growth density in line with the principles of the National Planning Framework.

There are also concerns within the County Council on the impact on staffing with the authority insisting workers be continuously updated on any transfers to City Hall as a result of changes. 211 staff would transfer to the city under the County proposal, which will be decided on in six months.
The people behind Drogheda's first ever comedy festival took to the streets recently to ask local residents what their favourite joke was.

Laugh Out Louth will take place in Drogheda at various locations around the town over the weekend of October 13th to 15th.

The much-anticipated festival will feature renowned Irish comic Deirdre O'Kane as well as special guests Joe Rooney, Eric Lalor and MC Micheal Kierans.

The voluntary organising committee for the festival were in the centre of town last weekend asking locals to tell them a joke. As well as passers by, the group also spoke to a number of local politicians and well known characters. The videos are currently available to view on the festival's Facebook page.

The first ever comedy festival to take place in Drogheda, Laugh Out Louth has been produced by a local voluntary committee and has been created to raise awareness of mental health issues in our community (especially male mental health) through comedy.

All proceeds raised through the event will go to the Drogheda branch of The Samaritans and all the performers taking part are giving their time for free.

The festival will culminate with a show at Droichead Arts Centre featuring one of Ireland's top stand-up comics making a return to Drogheda after two sell out shows in 2016, Deirdre O Kane. She is accompanied by well-known comic Eleanor Tiernan.

Psychotherapist Bairbre Kelly, one of those involved in organising the event, explained how the idea for the festival came about.

'We had a physical and mental health seminar in Drogheda last year with Bressie and that was a huge success but I was really concious of the imbalance between male and female who came, it was mostly female. So I thought how can we get men talking about their mental health and I thought comedy because comedy is something Irish people are good at and relate to,' said Bairbre.
At a time when Drogheda United could be doing with a partnership of some sorts with an English club - perhaps revisiting the old links with Nottingham Forest might be the way to go.

Having established links with the local schoolchildren's League and now with a structure that starts at u/15, the future is immense in terms of progression of young players.

Forest could fit the bill. With a fine academy venue close to the City Ground, the club is well placed for progression in the future.

Its fine halls tell the stories of the past exploits, Martin O'Neill of course part of their European glory years.

It was back in 1972 that he joined Forest from Distillery, alongside a certain Martin Donnelly. He would ultimately end up with Drogheda before departing for San Diego in 1979.

1973 was the year the Drogheda and Forest links were great.

Ian Hines is a Welshman, born in Bangor in 1953 and having seen action with Rhyl Town, became part of the Forest scene. Drogheda were on the lookout for players and Forest's trainer, Colin Murphy, recommended the talented defender to John Cowan.

Hines signed and became a vital part of the team with such names as Jimmy Jackson, Christy Campbell, Gel Martin and Jerome Clarke.

He lived at 85 College Rise back then and married local woman Pauline Moore from Parkview.

He went off to play in Australia 40 years ago and returned two years later.

Drogheda also signed Ramon 'Ray' Wilson from Forest in 1973 and John W Coddington was also a Nottingham native, also spending 10 years with Huddersfield.

John Limb also came from Forest as did Barry Towell, a 19 year old centre half. Trevor Moden was also at the City Ground.

Another ex Forest favourite was Dubliner Dermot O'Shea who became a fine full back. He made his Drogheda debut against Shelbourne and scored twice!
Tensions were raised at the September meeting of Drogheda Municipal meeting when Councillor Joanna Byrne claimed the council's report on homeless figures was 'not worth the paper it was written on'.

At the meeting, Cllr Byrne said Drogheda has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people presenting as homeless; 16 where the figure would normally be between three and five.

She claimed the homelessness report wasn't worth the paper it was written on and said she could bring officials across town and show them at least three people who are lying in doorways and sleeping rough.

'There have been two deaths in Dublin and Cork already,

'I don't think it's just a big city issue and it won't be too long before it's on our doorstep,' she said.

'These are not irregular patterns they are consistently sleeping in the same places, some of them are there for months now.'

Responding to her comments, Director of Services with Louth County Council Paddy Donnelly said it was unfair to describe a report that was presented with all due diligence as not worth the paper it was written on.

'There needs to be a level of respect that's not being observed here,' he said. 'We can only manage the homeless situation as presented to us. If they don't present to us then how can we be aware of it.

'I'm not going to sit here and have a report that is prepared diligently described as not worth the paper it's written on. It's unfair to staff,' he said. 'We can withdraw the reports if councillors don't think they're of any merit regardless of how figures are compiled or what definitions are used.'

Cllr Byrne said: 'We have people sleeping in doorways and it's a regular pattern at this stage. The true reflection of it isn't in that report.'

Councillor Richie Culhane said the council can only prepare a report based on the numbers and figures before them.

'As a public representative we have a duty to bring this information to them. If you are aware of someone who is homeless you need to bring it to their attention,' he said.

Agreeing, Councillor Kevin Callan said he was aware of an incident recently in which an individual was living in their car and council staff made at least five visits to see what they could do to help.

'The individual didn't want to move but the council were excellent,' he said. 'Talk is cheap.'
The Dominican Church is to become a sleepout centre as part of the Focus Ireland 'Shine a Light Night' campaign next month.

Shine a Light Night is where communities, be they business or social, sporting or schools, come together for one night to raise vital funds and to stand in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness in Ireland today.

Events are taking place at the Dominican in Drogheda, Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral and Munster's Cork City Gaol.

Drogheda's event on the night of Friday October 13th will see volunteers take up residence in the grounds of the church and fundraise for the homeless charity.

For Fr Jim Donleavy it's the perfect way to follow the words of Pope Francis. 'Reach outside the Church,' Fr Jim stated, 'and that's something we hope to do with this.'

They are looking for volunteers to sleep out and also those who would like to collect on their behalf.

'Homelessness is such an issue in Ireland at the moment and we want to play our part in helping,' Fr Jim stated.

People interested in taking part on the night of October 13 can make contact with the church shop.

They are hoping that a sponsor will come on board with a marquee for cover on the night.

The Dominican Church ball takes place in the Westcourt Hotel on Saturday September 30. There will be a raffle on the night with proceeds shared between the repair fund and Focus Ireland.
The new chief superintendent of the Gardai in Louth has been named as Christy Mangan, a highly decorated officer with more than 35 years experience in the force and who rose to prominence as the lead investigator in the 'Scissor Sisters' case and as head of the Cold Case Unit, which included a review of the Irene White case.

CS Managan, originally from County Meath, has been twice awarded the Walter Scott medal for valour, for twice confronting armed men - once during a bank robbery in 1988 and again in 1996 during a raid on an apartment in Dublin. He replaces Chief Superintendent Sean Ward who had been in the top job in Louth since January 2016.

CS Mangan made the move from the Cavan-Monaghan division, where he has served as chief superintendent since August 2016, to Louth's divisional headquarters in Drogheda where he took up his new post earlier this month.

CS Mangan is a former detective superintendent who, in 2007, headed up the Cold Case Unit, also known as the Serious Crime Review Team, to conduct reviews of unsolved murders and disappearances.

Located at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Harcourt Square, the unit has reviewed a large number of the State's most prominent unsolved cases, including the death of Dundalk mum, Irene White, and the disappearance of local teenager, Ciara Breen.

CS Managan has spent most of his career in Dublin, starting out in Crumlin and Drimnagh, and he was appointed to the Garda National Drugs Unit. In the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, he was involved in serious and violent crime investigations in Dublin, including the Scissor Sisters case where sisters Linda and Charlotte Mulhall killed and dismembered their mother's boyfriend, Farah Swaleh Noor, in 2005.
Enniscorthy was hopping at the weekend during the annual Blackstairs Blues Festival.

Organiser John Murphy said the whole weekend had been a great success with plenty of top class acts travelling to Enniscorthy from as far afield as America to take part in the festival.

'The weekend went really well and we were really pleased with how it turned out. The pubs were packed and the local hotels and bed and breakfasts were booked out so it was good for the town.

'Most of the venues were packed to capacity and there was a great good vibe in the town.'

Local musician Clive Barnes was a big hit with the audiences and John said that some other acts that received rave reviews were Stone Cold Hobo, Martin Cummins, Gerry Quigley and Jim Finn band and Malkum and Chris who travelled from America to take part.

The Eric Bell Trio and Jackie McAuley Trio were another two acts that went down a treat.

'There were so many unreal performances over the course of the weekend. Everyone was really pleased with how the weekend went over all. This year was the best year of the festival and we really took it up another step. We are getting stronger every year.'

John said that the committee will now take a few weeks to relax before approaching all the local venues to see what ways the festival can be improved on next year.

'We'll start planning for next year in a few weeks and hopefully it will be bigger and better.'
Kilmuckridge man Nick Sheridan struggled to control his laughter while reporting about a drunken rampage by an elderly couple

Newsreader Nick (25) is currently working in Scotland and was reporting on STV2 about the incident which occurred in an upmarket hotel. However as details of the story came to light, including the fact that one of the pensioners was naked, Nick struggled to keep a straight face.

Nick got a fit of giggles as he read out the following story and it's not hard to see why.

'And the main headlines in Dundee this morning, a nude pensioner terrorised guests and staff at a luxury resort hotel by brandishing scissors during a drunken rampage,' he said.

'72-year-old Robert Fergus was joined by his wife Ruth who was sporting a nightie as she threatened to gun down staff at the MacDonald Loch Rannoch Hotel in Perthshire.

'Mr Fergus was fined a total of 2,750.'

After the news broadcast Nick took his Twitter account and said: 'Thanks to everyone for their kind words. Thankfully humans are still reading the news and not robots so these things happen.'

Nick, who is a former student of St Peter's College, previously worked for RTE, Newstalk and TV3. The son of Bernie and Nick Sheridan, Nick grew up in Kulmuckridge before the family moved to Castlebridge a decade ago.

Speaking from Glasgow where he now lives Nick said that the fit of the giggles didn't get him in any trouble with work.

'Luckily the bosses were fine about it. I think everyone just appreciated the humour in the story. It's been a crazy few days. The actual news bulletin went out on the Friday previously but it came to more and more people's attention last week as it was shared online.

'It was such an odd story. We left some details out of it (the news bulletin) like how the staff ran two and a half miles across the highlands to escape from this pair. They seem like they are a respectable pair by and large whatever happened to them on that night.

'Luckily nobody got hurt during the incident.

'I was lucky too that the story which followed that was a light hearted one. It would have been different if it had been another serious story and I was still giggling.'

Nick moved to Scotland earlier this year having completed an internship with a Swedish news outlet. He decided then not to move back to Dublin and jumped at the chance to work with STV.

He said that he had only been home to Wexford once since he moved but said that last week's news bulletin has seen him reconnect with many of his old friends.

'It's been the best thing ever because I've been contacted by a lot of my old school friends and other people who I'd lost contact with and I've been able to reconnect with them so it's been brilliant in that respect.'

Nick received the 2016 Prix CIRCOM Regional Rising Star Award and in 2009 he was named Young Irish Film-Maker of the Year and travelled to South Korea to attend the Seoul International Youth Film Festival.
Large crowds gathered in Monamolin for the funeral of the late Margaret O'Leary, who sadly passed away in her 97th year at her home in Garrydaniel after a short illness.

Margaret was born in Charlesfort, Ferns and was the youngest sister to the late Kathleen Murray and the late Matt Reddy. She moved to Monamolin in the 40s when she got married to Thomas, who sadly predeceased her 44 years ago.

Family was important to her, she supported them and was very interested and actively involved in everything they did.

Margaret was an active member in her local community, she was President of the Buffers Alley camogie club up until her passing, where she was awarded the Seana Gael award a few years ago for her long service to the club.

She has grandchildren and great-grandchildren still playing with the club today. Margaret was a very proud grandmother when the Wexford Camogie Senior team won the All-Ireland final at Croke Park in 2007, where her granddaughter Mary Leacy, who was captain, lifted the O'Duffy cup after their win.

Once again in 2010, her other granddaughter Una Leacy, Mary's sister, was also captain to the Wexford Camogie Senior team, where she led the girls to glory once again. Margaret was a regular supporter of the local Buffers Alley club and county throughout the years.

Margaret was also heavily involved in local social clubs in the village of Monamolin, and was a member of Boolavogue ICA as well as the Ferns Active Retirement Group.

She loved meeting people and would light up a room as soon as she entered it, with her great sense of humour and her warm, ready smile. Margaret was a lady who lived life to the full and was always eager to help others.

Margaret had a great love of crochet, and would regularly be seen making blankets, which she gave to family and friends both at home and abroad.

One of her great passions was literature and drama. She would often recite poetry that she learned in her school days and loved the Irish language, which led her to write her own poems about family, friends, sporting events and many other topics.

One of the family favourites is the poem called 'TIME', which was published into a book, with many others, and is treasured by all.

Earlier this year, Margaret saw her wish come true and was Grand Marshall in the first ever St Patrick's Day Parade held in Monamolin.

Margaret's faith was a big part of her life and attended mass daily up until the time of her illness.

Margaret is survived by her children Liam, Margaret, Kathleen, Agnes, Carmel, Seamus, Thomas, Monica, Eithne, Caroline, Imelda, Gertrude, Fintan, and extended family.

Go ndeana dia trocaire ar a anam dilis.
Household names in the media mixed with US and Irish political experts during an entertaining, thought-provoking and inspiring Kennedy Summer School last week.

The summer school was hailed as a great success by New Ross Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Willie Fitzharris, while its founder Noel Whelan said he was thrilled with how it went, especially the way it branched out to incorporate events at New Ross Library, the Kennedy Homestead, the John F Kennedy Arboretum and St Mary's Secondary school.

The summer school began on Thursday night at St Michael's Theatre with a documentary entitled 'Condemned to Remember' about Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental.

On Friday morning more than 700 Transition Year students gathered at St Mary's Secondary School to hear insights into building resilience from Niall 'Bressie' Breslin and Sinead McSweeney, Twitter Ireland's Managing Director. Students described it as an 'inspiring and empowering occasion'.

Lunchtime on Friday saw Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe deliver a weighty address about his budgetary plans and future economic strategy at the John F Kennedy Arboretum. He outlined that for middle-income earners he would be making 'steady and affordable progress' in reducing the tax burden for them.

RTE newsreader Eileen Whelan was MC at the event and she praised Noel Whelan and all the volunteers and sponsors who, she said, made the festival amazing.

Failte Ireland chairman Paul Kelly said the summer school is a role model to other towns and villages across Ireland of what can be done by a group of hard working volunteers.

Later in the afternoon the Kennedy Homestead was filled with an audience ready to recreate the famous tea party of 1963. They were entertained with a series of cookery demonstrations by Paul Kelly, executive pastry chef at the Merrion Hotel, Kevin Dundon of Dunbrody Country House; Margaret Roche head chef at Hugo's restaurant; and Mike O'Connor, assistant head of the School of Culinary Arts at DIT. Afternoon tea, featuring fruitcake just like the one served to Kennedy in the same farmyard in 1963 was also served.

At St Michael's Theatre that evening Bertie Ahern, Mark Durkan, Verona Murphy and Tony Connelly all joined the Brexit panel discussion. Mr Ahern said he isn't very impressed by the UK's approach to the issue. 'There is little light at the end of the tunnel . . . I can't see much progress being made,' he said. When asked 'If he was in Government again what would he do?', he said: 'If you ask me, one word 'pro-active'; they haven't got a "bulls notion"'.

Ms Murphy said, 'In Ireland, there is a failure to enforce legislation especially on foreign registered vehicles.' Mark Durkan said, 'People will start to question if we did the right thing with the Good Friday agreement - we need to protect it.'

On Friday evening Barack Obama speechwriter Cody Keenan offered a masterclass in speech writing, saying 'Until you've really lived someone's hopes and dreams it can be hard to write their speech'. He also reckoned that 'If Barak Obama ran last year, he would have kicked Trump's ass.' He ended on a note of hope, stating, 'Hope is contagious, it doesn't always win in the short-term but it always wins in the end.'

Ian Paisley Jnr MP took to the stage to close the evening's event on Friday, speaking in a public interview with Noel Whelan. He said: 'Growing up, we were on the same island and yet it was broken.'

He said the best people to run Northern Ireland are the people, 'divided as we might be'.

Opening the school's events on Saturday morning was a symposium with Felix M. Larkin, Mary E. Daily and Professor Robert Schmuhl, chaired by David McCullagh - all focussing on the life and times of John F. Kennedy on the centennial of his birth.

Bob Shrum captivated the audience in a public interview with one of the Kennedy Summer School curators Dr. Brian Murphy as he journeyed through his career and offered real insights to US campaign politics. Bob Shrum was one of the very few people at the Kennedy Summer School to have spoken with JFK in person and he said: 'His presence filled the room.'

On Saturday afternoon Sarah McInerney chaired the Irish politics session as she was joined by Fine Gael's Regina Doherty, Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald, Labour's Joan Burton and Fianna Fail's Lisa Chambers.

RTE's Washington correspondent Caitriona Perry received rapturous applause as she spoke on Saturday afternoon. She described the moment during the Presidential campaign that she knew that it was possible Donald Trump could become the next US president.

Afterwards a US politics session got under way with Bob Shrum, Gina London, Bob Schmuhl, Dr. Robert Mauro and John McGuirk. Bob Schmuhl of Notre Dame University said: 'What we are seeing in America is unprecedented and, I would say historic. Donald Trump was a presence in the American living room for 20 years, it eased his transition to politics for the public.'

The audience heard how Americans have lost trust in the media, while The Trump Show is keeping them entertained.

Concern was expressed by Dr Mauro about the future for America, while Mr Shrum expressed optimism about the future of the Democrats, saying the party must continue to champion social justice causes and stand up for economic issues if it is to regain power. The weekend drew to a close with a public interview with Ryan Tubridy during which he discussed the inspiration behind the Summer School, JFK, and his relationship with Ireland.

The summer school, which is deliberately held outside the peak tourist season, brings significant economic benefit to the town and county, amounting to a 50,000 spend annually. Visitors from the US, the UK, France, Germany and all across Ireland snapped up an average of 300 tickets per day for the three-day summer school.

One of the curators of the 2017 Kennedy Summer School, Larry Donnelly said: 'This, the fifth year of the Kennedy Summer School, has been unprecedented in its success. The school's tickets sold out some five weeks ago and we've had people from all across the country and the world tuned into our live stream events and each of the talks this year have been podcast on our website. We are already working on very exciting plans to expand the Kennedy Summer School even further in 2018.'

Noel Whelan said 700 students got to listen to inspiring talks while the festival broadened its reach by having Ryan Tubridy discuss his children's book at New Ross Library.

He said Wexford County Council, New Ross Municipal District, the OPW and Failte Ireland have all backed the summer school to ensure it has an even bigger impact on the town next year. He welcomed the decision of Larry Donnelly and Dr Brian Murphy to remain as co-directors for next year, when the John F Kennedy Arboretum will celebrate 50 years in existence.

'One of the problems with festivals is they can become too reliant on one or two people. Project Manager Karen O'Connor and chairman Willie Kielthy, along with Larry and Brian, have helped to build it up. The speakers go home and speak in glowing terms about New Ross and County Wexford and the delegates go home and tweet and talk about it.'
A New Ross priest strongly denounced Children's Minister Katherine Zappone at masses on Friday and Sunday following her address at the Kennedy Summer School last Thursday.

Minister Zappone gave an impassioned plea for the Government to move on the referendum for repealing the 8th amendment, at the official opening of the Kennedy Summer School at St Michael's Theatre on Thursday night.

Ms Zappone said: 'As long as the Constitution treats a foetus as equal to a woman, her autonomy can be nothing more than a myth.'

At his sermon on Friday morning and again on Sunday, New Ross PP Fr Roger O'Neill spoke about the issue.

On Friday he said: 'And it almost commands that I speak about it because there is an irony that the Minister for Children would be promoting the murder of children in the womb. Also that such an utterance would take place in a building where the holy sacrifice of Mass was offered for one hundred years; a building that is still a church, was a church, but is still owned by the parish. So let us today do our little bit to try to counteract this in what way we can. We will pray the official Bishop Conference Prayer for the child in the womb. the prayer entitled Choose Life.'

During the sermon, one person was heard to exclaim 'Oh my God' in shock. Speaking to this newspaper on Monday Fr O'Neill said the 8th Amendment guarantess the equality of the life of the child in the womb.

He said he received a very positive reaction from parishoners after the masses.

'The teaching of the church is that we don't support abortion. We regard the dignity of human life from conception to death and we pray the official Bishop Conference Prayer.'

Fr O'Neill said many New Ross parishioners were upset about what Minister Zappone had to say.

He said he was not in attendance at the theatre on Thursday night as he had another engagement. but he did read the transcript.

The building is leased to St Michael's Theatre, he said, adding that he does not know if having Minister Zappone in attendance would affect the lease 'going forward'.

'People were unhappy what what she had to say. It's not about her; it's more about what she said. Nobody would have any problem with anyone coming to speak at the theatre. It's what she said on the 8th Amendment.'

Reacting to a post on Facebook by New Ross Municipal District council Cathaoirleach Cllr Willie Fitzharris praising the success of the summer school, St Leonards PP Fr Michael Doyle said: 'For the promotion of the death of children. Yes, that is very cultural. The culture of death. It reminds one of a gathering of Nazis self congratulating themselves.'

Cllr Fitzharris said in his post in the early hours of Sunday morning: 'The Kennedy Summer School 2017 closed last evening and I can't wait until next year. The event has contributed enormously to the culture and economic benefit of New Ross. Our opening was by Katherine Zappone, the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs and our closing was by Ryan Tubridy but there was a mountain of talent and culture in between. The Kennedy Summer School has become the biggest arts and cultural event in the Wexford arts calendar and I want to congratulate all involved.'

Fr Doyle replied later in the morning on his Facebook page.
Two Gorey Community School students are the face of the new 1 commemorative stamp from An Post celebrating 50 years of second level education in Ireland.

Last Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the then Minister for Education, Donogh O'Malley, announcing plans for second-level education throughout Ireland and to mark the milestone An Post issued a commemorative stamp on the anniversary.

The stamp, designed by leading designer Ger Garland with photography by Alan Betson, features Lauren Dench and Michael Duke two students of Gorey Community school, the largest second level school in the country.

A First day Cover, designed to accompany the stamp, includes a portrait of O'Malley who served as Minister for Education from 1966 until his death in 1968.

Lauren and Michael are both sixth year students at Gorey Community School and principal Michael Finn said that the duo were chosen randomly over the summer.

'The news that two students from GCS would feature on the commemorative stamp was relayed to us during the summer and obviously there were no students here at the time as they were all on holidays.

'We then chose two students from the school whom we felt were good ambassadors of the school. We wanted to pick sixth year students to signify that their education with us was coming to a close.

'Lauren and Michael are both good upstanding role models for students and very good ambassadors for the school. They were delighted to be picked to represent the school and know it is a huge honour.'

Lauren who hails from Ballygarrett and Michael who comes from Mount Alexander in Gorey were a popular choice for the stamp.

Mr Finn said that in addition to being a great honour for Michael and Lauren it was a great honour for Gorey Community School.

'We were really happy to be chosen. It is a great recognition for the school as both the largest second level school in the country and also the diversification that is seen here.

'As a community school there is a diverse student population here which embodies the importance aspect of education and the importance of diversification. We have students here of all abilities and social backgrounds and there is a wonderful mix of people.

'Being such a large school enables us to support that diversification', he said.

With just under 1,600 students enrolled in the school Gorey Community School is the largest community school in the country.

Donogh O'Malley joined the Fianna Fail cabinet as Minister for Health following the General Election of 1966. He replaced Patrick Hillery as Minister for Education one year later and acted immediately to introduce the recommendations of an official Department report of the education system.

Shortly after his appointment he announced that from 1969 education to Intermediate Certificate level would be free.

It is widely accepted that the introduction of free second level education changed the face of modern Ireland fundamentally. Reports of the time indicate that about a third of all children finished primary school were dropping out of education altogether. At fifteen years of age fewer than 50 per cent were still in full time education. By age sixteen, only 36 per cent were still at school.

Another reforms initiated by Minister O'Malley was the extension of the school transport scheme. The commemorative stamp and First day Cover (FDC) are available from main post offices, from the stamp counters at Dublin's GPO or online at www.irishstamps.ie
RoboDone is on its way to Ireland after Wexford native Trevor Murphy became the first Irish businessman to partner with the company outside of Japan.

RoboDone, which is the first of its kind to come to Ireland, is a progressive primary school computing, coding, and robotics extra curriculum active programme, which is owned and run by the school and promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

Trevor, who is from Park, Wexford, attended a number of UK Computing at Schools events, and recently visited Japan to explore their methods and best practises. And after extensive research by Trevor, he opted for the RoboDone Model from Japan.

The programme is led by Trevor, who is also lead mentor and principal at Kids Coder Club, Alignment.ie and Computing at Schools, which provide extra curriculum computing classes to primary and post-primary children.

'The programme will be launched this September and I will show the teachers how it is done so they can then teach the pupils in their own classrooms with continuous support from us,' said Trevor.

The goal of the RoboDone Model is to ensure every primary school in Ireland has a structured computer science syllabus, which is continuously updated and supported.

The programme provides a full computer science syllabus from second to sixth class, with continuously updated work books, online student learning and testing environment, full teacher training and support, and financial rewards for progressive schools and teachers.

Trevor said: 'Computers are used in almost every aspect of our daily lives now, so the study of its fundamental basis, like the programming, will help us understand our society better.

'Other countries are following Japan, so we have to be ready and get our kids ready before it is too late.'

For further information about the RoboDone Model, email Trevor at trevor@alignment.ie or visit his website www.kidscoderclub.ie
Culture Night kicks off early in Listowel with 'Poetry in Locomotion on the Lartigue Monorail', organised by Listowel Writers Week at 5pm. A host of poets from writing groups all over North Kerry will read their poetry while travelling on the monorail.

At St. John's Theatre & Arts Centre new sculptural artworks will form a multi-media exhibition by local artist Liam Brennan. The centre will also host A Creative Ireland Kerry Youth Choral Open Session with conductor Anna Connelly. Young people ages 8 to 18 years are encouraged to attend and try out singing, joining in a sing-a-long with participants.

Fergal Keane (see above) launches his new book Wounds in the Listowel Arms from 7pm in what's sure to be a massive event.

The Olive Stack Gallery will have an open night with their artists in residence Marian Shapiro and Margo Anton. They will offer mosaic demonstrations and open studio visits throughout the evening. At the Seanchai Centre an open-mic celebration of poetry, song, and storytelling will be going on in their beautiful 19th century Georgian building.

Up the town from 9pm onwards Billy Keane will be hosting an evening of poetry, song, theatre and music which is sure to please late into the night. Local musicians and performers will be playing at Christy's The Well during the evening.

"It promises to be a lovely evening with something for all; it is also a great opportunity to visit one of our cultural venues in Listowel if you haven't been in a while," Kerry County Council Arts Officer Kate Kennelly said.

All events are free to enjoy. For more details go to www.culturenight.ie/kerry or www.culturekerry.com or phone 066 7183541
Two Listowel youths accused of beating two men senseless in separate attacks just minutes apart in the town last month were warned by a district court judge that if they so much as 'breathe in the wrong direction' they will go to jail.

Thomas Diggin, 10 Baile O Dubhda, John B Keane Road, and Finn Scratchley, Dromerin, Listowel, were each charged with the assault of an Aiden O'Sullivan and Joseph Shine on August 18 last.

Mr O'Sullivan was 'all of a sudden set upon' by two youths who punched and kicked him repeatedly into the face on William Street at 1.30am on the date, Sgt Kieran O'Connell told Judge James O'Connor at Listowel District Court on Thursday.

Mr O'Sullivan suffered a broken nose, two broken front teeth and required 14 stitches to his face as a result of the brutal attack.

25 minutes later and half a mile away, Mr Shine was 'set upon' by two young men just as he reached the driveway to his home, as they kicked him repeatedly to the face and body, causing what gardai described as 'severe swelling'.

Mr Diggin (18) and Mr Scratchley (19) were charged with assault causing harm to both men. Judge O'Connor accepted jurisdiction in the case after hearing the State's evidence.

He remanded both in custody with consent to continuing bail on their own bond of 1,000 ahead of an October 19 return date - on condition they observe a curfew of between 11 and 8am and sign on regularly at Listowel Garda Station.

Judge O'Connor issued each the same stark warning: "If you so much as breathe in the wrong direction, open your mouth to anyone or mess around with anyone you will be going to jail".
Kerry businessman Jerry Kennelly has been awarded the TK Whitaker Award by the Irish Academy of Management.

The IAM said it wished to recognise Kennelly for what they described as his "significant contributions to business and the wider community of current and future entrepreneurs in Ireland and beyond". Mr Kennelly launched his first business, Newsfax, a wirephoto service in 1981.

In 1996 he launched Stockbyte which was sold to Getty Images for $135 million in 2006. His next venture, Tweak is an online platform, offering logo and ad design, photography and copy writing services to small businesses. In conjunction with Institute of Technology Tralee and Shannon Development Mr Kennelly was a co-founder of the Endeavour programme in 2009.

The not-for-profit tech sector business accelerator scheme involved 20 companies which now have a value of in excess of 100m. He also founded the Young Entrepreneur Programme in which 5,000 secondary and third level students took part. Since 2010 that programme has been focussed on primary schools and over 40,000 children have participated in it.

"Jerry Kennelly's contribution to Irish life is not confined to the realm of business. We are delighted to award Jerry Kennelly our highest honour, the TK Whitaker Award," said IAM Chair Prof Margaret Linehan. The IAM describes itself as the "pre-eminent body for academics researching management and business in Ireland." Previous recipients of the TK Whitaker Award include Denis Brosnan, Margaret Downes and Dr Martin Naughton.
Tralee CBS, The Green, has firmly stated that the 150 'student contribution' it requests from parents and guardians ahead of each school year is not compulsory and said its requests are compatible with Department of Education directives.

The school met with criticism last week on social media platforms, with parent Magda Graszk setting up a petition against the requested contribution to CBS The Green. The petition attracted some 200 signatures in the space of a week.

In a letter sent to parents in June, the school explained that, "unfortunately due to educational cutbacks it is not possible to operate the school effectively without the imposition of an administration fee". The money covers the cost of items such as school journals, insurance, photocopying, computer licences, exam fees, workshops, and guest speakers.

The school also stated that "each student will be provided with his own locker and key on payment of 100", adding that "locker keys will be distributed as soon as possible after payment is made".

The points around lockers and keys have been questioned by Ms Graszk.

"I understand that voluntary contributions are important to schools and I want to support the school," she said. "But I am concerned that people that can't afford this won't have lockers. I couldn't even lift my son's bag because his books were so heavy."

In a statement issued this week Tralee CBS said that, "under no circumstances does non-payment of the contribution result in a child not being given a locker or being excluded from any part of the school curriculum or from recreation or activities".

It added that the school is not unique in requesting such contributions and that a student's place in the school and access to education programmes and services does not depend on paying the contribution.

Principal Anne O'Callaghan said the school's letter in June requested, not demanded, a contribution.

The school has said the payment requested is entirely voluntary, and therefore legal, adding that it takes "no pleasure in having to rely on these contributions but we have no alternative..."

Ms Graszk was also told her son would be facilitated if he needs a locker, regardless of whether or not the contribution is paid.
Kerry Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris TD - the party's spokesperson on Agriculture and Fisheries officially opened Veon's new regional office at the Advance Factory Unit at Castleisland Mart last Wednesday morning.

Veon is Ireland's leading forestry company and has expanded over the past year to meet the professional forestry needs of farmers and forest owner clients.

Deputy Ferris welcomed the new office which he said was a vote of confidence in the commercial forestry sector in Kerry.

He said the new office also highlighted the increasingly important role that forestry plays in providing income diversification opportunities for farmers, especially in light of continuing uncertainty over the effects of Brexit on farm incomes.

Veon's Castleisland Mart offices will be managed by foresters Chris Byrne and Daniel O'Connell.

"With Brexit looming in the background it makes more sense now than ever before to protect future income streams and take advantage of the grants and premia payments available from the Forest Service" Chris Byrne said.
Justice is blind and frost-bitten in Wind River, an impeccably crafted thriller set on a snow-laden Indian reservation, where the murder of a teenager sends a chill through a community riven by bigotry and fear.

Taylor Sheridan, Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Hell Or High Water and Sicario, returns to the director's chair for a high-stakes game of cat and mouse in unforgiving terrain.

Working from his own lean script, he vividly brings to life clashes of culture and ideals, punctuated by pulse-quickening scenes of carnage that expose the ugly reality of race relations in present-day America.

As Sheridan makes uncomfortably clear at the end of his film, the Department of Justice does not collate statistics on the number of Native American women who vanish every year.

Horrors depicted on screen with cool, clinical detachment could be based on hundreds, perhaps thousands of unreported true stories.

The writer-director thaws out our emotional response to his material with powerhouse performances from Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen as lawmakers from different worlds, united in quivering indignation.

Both actors rise magnificently to the challenge of plucking heartstrings in gruelling conditions, interspersed with the adrenaline-pumping action of two blood-spattered shootouts.

Cory Lambert (Renner) works as a tracker for the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, where he hunts predators that threaten livestock.

During one sortie into the wilderness, Cory stumbles upon the frozen body of 18-year-old Natalie Hanson (Kelsey Chow).

She has been sexually assaulted and rookie FBI agent Jane Banner (Olsen) arrives soon after from the Las Vegas office to take charge of the investigation.

'How far do you think someone could run barefoot out here?' she asks, ill-prepared for sub-zero temperatures.

'How do you gauge someone's will to live, especially in these conditions?' responds Cory.

The lawmakers join forces with tribal police chief Ben (Graham Greene) to unmask the culprit and dole out justice on behalf of the victim's grief-stricken father (Gil Birmingham).

A haphazard array of evidence implicates Natalie's wastrel brother Chip (Martin Sensmeier) and her boyfriend Matt (Jon Bernthal).

Meanwhile, Cory is haunted by a tragedy closer to home and the devastating impact on his wife Wilma (Julia Jones) and young son, Casey (Teo Briones).

Wind River is a survival thriller of the fittest, photographed against breathtaking backdrops described by one wise character as 'the land of You're On Your Own'.

The central police investigation unfurls with quiet urgency, reflected in the slow-burning intensity of performances from a superb ensemble cast.

Violence is used sparingly in a serpentine narrative that stylishly knots together present and past, including two stylistic nods to the Silence Of the Lambs.

Thankfully, fava beans and Chianti are not on Sheridan's menu.

Instead, he serves up just desserts, ice cold.
Family Carers Ireland and CarePlus Pharmacy are asking people across Wexford to nominate family carers and young carers across the county for this year's CarePlus Pharmacy Carer of the Year Awards.

Nominations can be completed at www.familycarers.ie or by simply filling out the nomination forms in Family Carers Ireland Resource Centres and CarePlus Pharmacies across Ireland.
A Wexford garda who quit after only seven months service because of alleged bullying and what he claimed was failure of his colleagues to carry out their public duties, has launched a High Court action against the Commissioner for refusing to allow him re-join the force.

Former Garda Mark O'Neill has claimed in sworn documents opened before Mr Justice Richard Humphreys that his colleagues at Wexford Garda Station failed to investigate crimes and perform mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints.

Mr O'Neill also alleged his former colleagues failed to record official records on PULSE the computer system gardai use in their work. He resigned from the force in April of 2016, having joined only seven months earlier in September 2015.

As well as making complaints about the alcohol testing checkpoints he also said there had been a failure to respond to emergency calls, that there was a lack of supervision of probationary gardai, bullying and that his personal property was damaged.

Mark Harty, counsel for O'Neill, told the judge his client had been a member of the Garda Reserve before joining the force full-time. He had resigned after having become unhappy with regard to a number of issues.

Mr Harty, who appeared with barrister John Berry and solicitor Sean Costellor, said Mr O'Neill, from Kill, County Waterford, had since been prompted to re-join the force by a Garda Superintendent and he had applied again in June 2016.

He said Mr O'Neill's application to re-join was not dealt with for 12 months, and in June 2017 he had been informed that his application had been refused.

During the year-long delay he had been informed that the behaviour he had complained about would have to be investigated before his application to re-join could be considered.

Mr Harty said that Mr O'Neill had not been given any reasons for the Commissioner's refusal nor had he been informed of the outcome of any investigation that may or may not have taken place.

Counsel said Mr O'Neill was entitled to know the reasons for the refusal and the Commissioner was obliged to give them. He had disclosed matters internally to senior officers 'before such issues had come into the public domain.'

'He has made complaints about behaviour which is criminal in nature and in which Mr O'Neill has been the injured party. He has a right to be kept informed of the progress of the results of any investigation,' Mr Harty said.

Mr O'Neil has taken judicial review proceedings against the Garda Commissioner and is seeking an order quashing the refusal to let him re-join An Garda Siochana.

He also seeks an order directing he be given reasons why the Commissioner refused his application to re-join.

He has also asked the court for a declaration that when a former garda who has given a superior officer information leading to the launch of an investigation, the former member is entitled to be kept informed of the progress and result of the investigation.

Permission to bring the challenge was granted on an ex-parte basis, where only one party was present in court. Judge Humphreys adjourned the matter to a date in the new law term.
Niall Breslin photographed with some students after his talk on Building Resilience, in St Mary's school in New Ross.

Household names in the media mixed with US and Irish political experts during an entertaining, thought-provoking and inspiring Kennedy Summer School last week.

The summer school was hailed as a great success by New Ross Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Willie Fitzharris, while its chairman Willie Kielthy said he was thrilled with how well it went, especially the way it branched out to incorprate events at New Ross Library, the Kennedy Homestead, the John F Kennedy Arboretum and St Mary's Secondary school.

The summer school began on Thursday night at St Michael's Theatre with a documentary entitled 'Condemned to Remember' about Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental.

On Friday morning more than 700 Transition Year students gathered at St Mary's Secondary School to hear insights into building resilience from Niall 'Bressie' Breslin and Sinead McSweeney, Twitter Ireland's Managing Director. Students described it as an 'inspiring and empowering occasion'.

Lunchtime on Friday saw Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe deliver a weighty address about his budgetary plans and future economic strategy at the John F Kennedy Arboretum. He outlined that for middle-income earners he would be making 'steady and affordable progress' in reducing the tax burden for them.

RTE newsreader Eileen Whelan was MC at the event and she praised Noel Whelan and all the volunteers and sponsors who, she said, made the festival amazing.

Failte Ireland chairman Paul Kelly said the summer school is a role model to other towns and villages across Ireland of what can be done by a group of hard working volunteers.

Later in the afternoon the Kennedy Homestead was filled with an audience ready to recreate the famous tea party of 1963. They were entertained with a series of cookery demonstrations by Paul Kelly, executive pastry chef at the Merrion Hotel, Kevin Dundon of Dunbrody Country House; Margaret Roche head chef at Hugo's restaurant; and Mike O'Connor, assistant head of the School of Culinary Arts at DIT. Afternoon tea, featuring fruitcake just like the one served to Kennedy in the same farmyard in 1963 was also served.

At St Michael's Theatre that evening Bertie Ahern, Mark Durkan, Verona Murphy and Tony Connelly all joined the Brexit panel discussion. Mr Ahern said he isn't very impressed by the UK's approach to the issue. 'There is little light at the end of the tunnel . . . I can't see much progress being made,' he said. When asked 'If he was in Government again what would he do?', he said: 'If you ask me, one word 'pro-active'; they haven't got a "bulls notion"'.

Ms Murphy said, 'In Ireland, there is a failure to enforce legislation especially on foreign registered vehicles.' Mark Durkan said, 'People will start to question if we did the right thing with the Good Friday agreement - we need to protect it.'

On Friday evening Barack Obama speechwriter Cody Keenan offered a masterclass in speech writing, saying 'Until you've really lived someone's hopes and dreams it can be hard to write their speech'. He also reckoned that 'If Barak Obama ran last year, he would have kicked Trump's ass.' He ended on a note of hope, stating, 'Hope is contagious, it doesn't always win in the short-term but it always wins in the end.'

Ian Paisley Jnr MP took to the stage to close the evening's event on Friday, speaking in a public interview with Noel Whelan. He said: 'Growing up, we were on the same island and yet it was broken.'

He said the best people to run Northern Ireland are the people, 'divided as we might be'.

Opening the school's events on Saturday morning was a symposium with Felix M. Larkin, Mary E. Daily and Professor Robert Schmuhl, chaired by David McCullagh - all focussing on the life and times of John F. Kennedy on the centennial of his birth.

Bob Shrum captivated the audience in a public interview with one of the Kennedy Summer School curators Dr. Brian Murphy as he journeyed through his career and offered real insights to US campaign politics. Bob Shrum was one of the very few people at the Kennedy Summer School to have spoken with JFK in person and he said: 'His presence filled the room.'

On Saturday afternoon Sarah McInerney chaired the Irish politics session as she was joined by Fine Gael's Regina Doherty, Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald, Labour's Joan Burton and Fianna Fail's Lisa Chambers.

RTE's Washington correspondent Caitriona Perry received rapturous applause as she spoke on Saturday afternoon. She described the moment during the Presidential campaign that she knew that it was possible Donald Trump could become the next US president.

Afterwards a US politics session got under way with Bob Shrum, Gina London, Bob Schmuhl, Dr. Robert Mauro and John McGuirk. Bob Schmuhl of Notre Dame University said: 'What we are seeing in America is unprecedented and, I would say historic. Donald Trump was a presence in the American living room for 20 years, it eased his transition to politics for the public.'

The audience heard how Americans have lost trust in the media, while The Trump Show is keeping them entertained.

Concern was expressed by Dr Mauro about the future for America, while Mr Shrum expressed optimism about the future of the Democrats, saying the party must continue to champion social justice causes and stand up for economic issues if it is to regain power. The weekend drew to a close with a public interview with Ryan Tubridy during which he discussed the inspiration behind the Summer School, JFK, and his relationship with Ireland.

The summer school, which is deliberately held outside the peak tourist season, brings significant economic benefit to the town and county, amounting to a 50,000 spend annually. Visitors from the US, the UK, France, Germany and all across Ireland snapped up an average of 300 tickets per day for the three-day summer school.

One of the curators of the 2017 Kennedy Summer School, Larry Donnelly said: 'This, the fifth year of the Kennedy Summer School, has been unprecedented in its success. The school's tickets sold out some five weeks ago and we've had people from all across the country and the world tuned into our live stream events and each of the talks this year have been podcast on our website. We are already working on very exciting plans to expand the Kennedy Summer School even further in 2018.'

Mr Kielthy said 700 students got to listen to inspiring talks while the festival broadened its reach by having Ryan Tubridy discuss his children's book at New Ross Library.

Summer school founder Noel Whelan said: 'Wexford County Council, New Ross Municipal District, the OPW and Failte Ireland have all backed the summer school to ensure it has an even bigger impact on the town next year. He welcomed the decision of Larry Donnelly and Dr Brian Murphy to remain as co-directors for next year, when the John F Kennedy Arboretum will celebrate 50 years in existence. 'One of the problems with festivals is they can become too reliant on one or two people. Project Manager Karen O'Connor and chairman Willie Kielthy, along with Larry and Brian, have helped to build it up. The speakers go home and speak in glowing terms about New Ross and County Wexford and the delegates go home and tweet and talk about it.'
Michael Scully and Mary Lacey, New Ross; Statia Bohanna, Newbawn and Bridget Hamilton and Johnny Elms New Ross at the fundraiser

More than 1,000 was raised for the Tina Cahill fund at a night of great music and food at Corcoran's pub in New Ross recently.

A crowd attended the pub to show their support to Tina's family, some of whom plan to travel to Australia to be by her side for her trial in connection with the death of her fiance David Walsh in February.

Everyone was entertained by DJ Justin Lusby who donated his services free for the night, playing hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Event organiser Michael Malone cooked the food, which was enjoyed by all.

The Cahill family need to raise 100,000 to meet Tina's legal fees and are only one third of the way there.

One of the organisers Mairead St Ledger said all money raised is going to the Cahill Family Community Fund.

If anyone wishes to contribute they can contribute online www.ifundraise.ie/cahillfamilycommunityfund or alternatively with the AIB: IBAN - IE89AIBK93343021624079 BIC AIBKIE2D.

The next fundraiser takes place on Saturday, October 7, and it is a shave or dye night at a venue to be confirmed.
The County Council has agreed to maintain the green areas in the Colmcille Drive estate, Rosses Point.

Cllr Declan Bree's motion asked them to ensure the area was adequately maintained.

"Many of the residents are now elderly. They are now requesting the Council to help with the upkeep of the green areas" said Cllr Bree.

The Council has been in contact with the community of Council tenants and will work to improve and maintain the area.
(L-R), Siobhain Morley, Katie Murtagh, Caelainn McGonagle, Lauren Mullen and Jade Bonney at the IT Sligo first year induction day

A sea of fresh young faces full of hope flowed through the doors of IT Sligo yesterday on the first day of the new college year.

Induction for nearly 1,200 new full-time students began with a welcome talk in the Knocknarea Arena at 9am.

For the anxious parents/guardians another talk was held at 10am.

The campus is abuzz this week with a variety of activities, events, exhibition stands etc throughout the two days of induction to help the new students settle into their college adventure.

Well known Social Media influencer James Kavanagh will be on campus for the two days of induction to give his unique 'take' on IT Sligo.

First impressions are all important and for many of the students, they were not disappointed yesterday.

Shanice McTiernan from Manorhamilton and Diarmuid Loftus from Sligo were looking forward to starting their course in Human Nutrition. Owen Clancy is studying Business, also from Manorhamilton: "It's grand yeah. Seems to be good craic. I'll have four years of study. The Induction was grand," he said.

Fellow Sligoman James Hampson will be studying marketing and sales and thought his first day was "very promising for a good year".

Former Ursuline student Emma Donaghy from Sligo is studying International Sales and Spanish because she liked Spanish and Business in secondary school. "I'm buzzing, it looks really good so far. Lots of nice people," she smiled.

Sean 'Jethro' Carolan from Crossmolina, Co. Mayo came here to study Fine Art. "I always liked art, especially when I was in secondary school. I just always found it relaxing and it worked to me well," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to my time here in Sligo, hopefully all will go well," he said.

The new international students will explore some of Sligo's landmark tourist locations in a day-trip on Friday 15th.

Last Friday an Online Induction was held for new distance learners - one third of IT Sligo's 6,000 student population are online learners. They normally study from home/abroad/workplace but the new intake (approx. 450) attended the one-day induction event last Friday.
A 28-year-old man has been remanded in custody with consent to bail after allegedly making off without paying for a 500 taxi ride from Tralee to Sligo where he was due to appear on a Public Order summons.

Waleed Khan, a native of Pakistan and formerly of Globe House but now living in an asylum centre in Tralee, Atlas House was originally facing just one Public Order summons for engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour at the A and E Department at Sligo University Hospital on July 16th last.

However, he was charged last Thursday with dishonestly by deception obtain services from Pat Godley by obtaining a taxi from Tralee to Sligo with the intention of causing loss in that he agreed a fee of 500 to Sligo and failed to pay on arrival. Khan told the court he lived in Ireland for a number of years.

"Is the taxi driver here? asked Judge Kevin Kilrane.

"we sent him home," said the arresting Garda Martha Carter.

The court heard Khan had no family in Ireland. He claimed a 300 fee was agreed with the taxi driver.

Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor (defending) said Khan had moved from Globe House after "having some difficulties there."

Khan said he would definitely pay by getting a loan from his "Pakistani friends living in Riverstown."

Judge Kilrane remanded Khan in custody to a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Friday night at 9pm.

At that sitting, Khan elected for trial by judge and jury on the charge. There was no mention of any money being present in court for the taxi driver.

Free legal aid was granted to Mr MacSharry.

Judge Kilrane remanded Khan in custody with consent to his own cash bail of 250 to appear at a sitting of Harristown District Court in Castlerea on September 15th.
At least 25 packs of incontinence pads were dumped on the Greenhill Road, just past the scenic view car park.

Wicklow County Council are investigating the dumping of a load of incontinence pads at a scenic location in Wicklow town.

Packets of unused Hartmann Moliform incontinence pads were dumped in a ditch on the Greenhill Road, just past what is known locally as the scenic view car park.

It is believed that a truck or van would had to have been used to transport the incontinence pads due to their overwhelming numbers.

At least 25 packs of the incontinence pads were discarded in a ditch on the side of the road. It is believed the incident occurred sometime between the night of Wednesday, August 30, and the morning of Thursday, August 31. In total the pads are worth around 300.

Wicklow County Council are investigating the matter. An Environmental Officer has visited the site. The landowner will be asked to clean up the area, while investigations into who caused the dumping continue.

Cllr Irene Winters said a use could have been found for the discarded items.

'These incontinence pads were supplied for use by an adult somewhere and if that adult no longer needed them, then they should have been returned to the HSE or donated to a nursing home, instead of fly-tipping them in the ditches of Wicklow town,' she said.

Ian Davis of PURE became aware of the dumping through social media but advises that calling the lo-call number 1850 365 121 to report incidents is the best option.

'That way we can keep a record, schedule for collection and start an investigation into the matter,' said Ian.

'These incontinence pads just seem to have been dumped in a ditch on the side of the road. At the moment I am out judging for the PURE Mile competition so it's terrible to see something like this happen at the same time you are going around appreciating all the different community efforts to keep areas tidy. Where the bags were dumped was in the PURE Mile competition a few years and the local community did a great job. You have people setting out to improve and enhance a PURE Mile area only for someone to come along and do this.'
Catherine Nevin has been given full-time temporary release from prison as she sees out her final days in a nursing home.

The 65-year-old is being supervised by the Probation Service since she received temporary release from the Dochas Centre in Dublin.

She was released two weeks ago following months of medical treatment for an incurable bran tumour. She is now being cared for in a secret location. Prior to that she had been receiving care at Dublin's Mater Hospital. She is required to sign on once every four weeks with probation officers. If she is too ill to make the journey then the probation officers can travel to meet her at the nursing home.

In April 2000, Nevin was jailed after a jury found her guilty of paying a hitman to murder her husband Jack in their home at Jack White's Bar, Brittas Bay, on March 19, 1996.

The trial lasted 42 days and the jury deliberated for a record five days before reaching their decision. She lost an appeal against her conviction in 2003. In 2014 a Supreme Court appeal against her conviction was dismissed.
Rihanna attends Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Launch on September 7, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Rihanna's Fenty Beauty range was one of the most highly anticipated launches of the year - and for good reason.

With 40 shades in the foundation range alone and one of the most diverse campaign videos for a beauty brand of all time, Fenty Beauty had a legion of fans before even the first product was released.

Since the range was launched last week, bloggers and beauty-lovers alike have been putting the products to the test - and it hasn't disappointed.

Nigerian-Irish YouTuber Deborah Adesina was among the first to upload a review of the products to YouTube, gaining over 500,00 views in 24 hours.

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Speaking to Independent.ie, Deborah (24) said the release of the range was a "game changer" for the beauty industry, thanks to its wide selection of shades, in particular for dark skin.

"When I was shopping the range in Harvey Nichols, I had people Snapchatting me saying, 'Oh my God I see my shade!' Everyone was so excited," she said.

"The darker shades have even sold out on some counters now. Brands always said they didn't stock darker shades because they don't sell, but the reality is that they sell the wrong dark shades. Someone can be light black, whereas someone else could be dark black, so the shades wouldn't match.

"Rihanna has totally changed the makeup game. I don't think any brand can match up to it now. She's changed history. After Fenty Beauty launched, brands were tweeting about their shades for dark skin and I was just like, 'We don't care now!'"

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Deborah, who has a master's degree from DIT in Fashion Buying and Management, said that buying a foundation shade to match her skin tone when she was growing up was a struggle, and sometimes she'd avoid shopping for foundation at all as a result.

"It's been a long time coming. Sometimes when I was growing up and shopping for makeup, I wouldn't bother with foundation. I was always matched to a shade that was too light or too dark, and the sales assistant would try to convince me to buy it for 40. That happened a couple of times, and I'd go home and it wouldn't match at all.

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"When I went to get matched for the Fenty Beauty foundation, I matched two shades. That has never happened to me before.

"Rihanna has won the makeup game for now. Other brands have more than 40 shades, but they don't market it to people with dark skin. It was always marketed to white people.

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"They always forgot about the small, niche groups, whereas Rihanna's campaign was so diverse. The other brands have made Rihanna more millions now," she laughed.

"Rihanna's range has changed how people see makeup. The foundation is full coverage, but still super light. She's a massive influence for the younger generation."
North Korea has again defied the global community with the launch of a ballistic missile which flew over Japan and travelled the furthest Pyongyang has ever fired a projectile, in what has been interpreted as a message that the regime "has Guam in mind".

The launch of the intermediate-range missile yesterday will also be seen as a direct challenge to Donald Trump, who warned the North last month that it would face "fire and fury" if it threatened the US.

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The missile, launched from Sunan, the site of Pyongyang's international airport, flew about 2,300 miles (3,700km) - the greatest distance travelled by a North Korean missile.

The distance is slightly greater than between the North Korean capital and the US territory of Guam, which has come under threat from Pyongyang in recent weeks, prompting Japan's Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera to say that he believed North Korea "has Guam in mind".

Garren Mulloy, a defence expert and associate professor of international relations at Japan's Daito Bunka University, told 'The Daily Telegraph': "From previous launches and the altitude and ranges of those missiles, it has been assumed that Guam is within range of the North's missiles, but this latest test is proof."

Sirens sounded in Japan as residents were warned to take shelter while the missile passed over Hoakkaido.

"We can never tolerate that North Korea trampled on the international community's strong, united resolve toward peace that has been shown in UN resolutions and went ahead again with this outrageous act," said Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister.

Jim Mattis, US defence secretary, called the latest missile launch a reckless act which had "put millions of Japanese in duck and cover".

Rex Tillerson, the US secretary of state, said North Korea was "endangering the entire world" and urged China and Russia to do more to rein in North Korea.

"China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own," he said.

China said it "opposed" the test, but reiterated its call for all sides in the crisis to exercise restraint. "The situation on the Korean Peninsula is complicated and sensitive," a spokeswoman said.

Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed in a phone call yesterday that resuming talks with North Korea was the only way to resolve tensions, the Kremlin said.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian president, told reporters Moscow "resolutely condemns" such moves and said the missile test will "lead to the further growth of tensions and the further escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula".

Russia backed the resolutions passed by the UN Security Council, but the Kremlin has also been critical of calls from the US to ramp up the sanction pressure on North Korea.

Amid further calls for firmer action against North Korea, an official from Pyongyang said economic measures would have no impact.

Choe Kang-il, deputy director general for North American affairs at the North's foreign ministry, said: "You can impose whatever sanctions you want, but no matter how long these sanctions last - whether it is for a hundred or a thousand years - we will ... continue with our planned tests."

A Gallup poll has found a majority of Americans support military action if economic and diplomatic efforts fail.

The survey of 1,022 US adults found 58pc said they would favour military action against North Korea if the United States cannot accomplish its goals by more peaceful means first.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a liberal who initially pushed for talks with North Korea, said Pyongyang's tests currently make dialogue "impossible".

"The sanctions and pressure by the international community will only tighten so that North Korea has no choice but to take the path for genuine dialogue.

"If North Korea provokes us or our allies, we have the strength to smash the attempt at an early stage and inflict a level of damage it would be impossible to recover from."

Mr Moon also spoke on the phone with the Japanese prime minister about their response. Presidential spokesman Park Su-hyun said the two leaders agreed to co-operate in identifying "stern and effective measures" to be discussed at next week's UN General Assembly ministerial meetings. ( Daily Telegraph)
Donald Trump was already the presumptive nominee by the time of the 2016 California primaries

California politicians have voted to move the 2020 presidential primary to March to give the US's most populous state more influence in choosing nominees.

The bill approved early on Saturday will now go to Governor Jerry Brown for consideration. He has not said if he will sign it.

California's 2016 primary fell in June after Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were already the presumptive nominees.

The new bill would move the contests to the Tuesday after the first Monday in March.

In the 2016 contest, that would have fallen on "Super Tuesday", the first major day of nominating contests following early primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

California awards more delegates in the Democratic and Republican primaries than any other state.
Armed police officers and a soldier on duty at the entrance to Horse Guards in Whitehall, central London, as Operation Temperer is enacted after security experts warned another terrorist attack could be imminent Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

An armed police operation is under way by counter-terror officers investigating the Parsons Green bombing.

A house is being searched and residents close to the address in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, are being evacuated, Scotland Yard said.

The raid comes after the arrest of an 18-year-old man in Dover earlier on Saturday who is understood to be the suspected bomber.

The evacuation in Sunbury began at 1.40pm following the arrest at 7.50am. Scotland Yard said it was "a precautionary measure following the arrest of a man in Dover". A 100-metre cordon is in place.

Speaking after a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the arrest was "very significant", but added: "The operation is ongoing."

She indicated that the suspected bomber was male, saying "we will have to make sure to take all steps that we can to ensure the sort of materials that this man was able to collect".

Investigators - who it is understood are linking the attack to Islamist extremism - are continuing their probe and the threat level remains at critical, which means a further attack is feared to be imminent.

The country's top counter-terrorism officer indicated that a potential network of plotters could have been involved.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were "chasing down suspects", while suggestions were made by Donald Trump that the bomber was known to Scotland Yard.

Police declined to say where the suspect was from, whether he was the suspected bomber or the precise details of the offence for which he was arrested.

His capture took place in the port area of Dover, which is the busiest ferry hub in Europe and serves as a commercial gateway to the French coast, including Calais and Dunkirk.

A key strand of the investigation has focused on CCTV as officers comb through footage to establish who planted the device, and when and where it was placed on the train.

Security minister Ben Wallace suggested CCTV images of the bomber could be released as part of the manhunt for those responsible, but Scotland Yard subsequently denied there were any plans to do so.

The suspect is expected to be moved to a south London police station.

A vast manhunt was launched after an improvised device partially exploded on a District Line train at Parsons Green station during the Friday morning rush hour, injuring 30.

Three victims remain in hospital, NHS England said.

Troops have been dispatched to key sites across the country to free up armed police officers after the country's terror threat level was raised to its highest point.

Friday's device reportedly contained the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and nails, but is thought to have only partially detonated from inside a bucket.

Parsons Green station was reopened in the early hours of Saturday.

There were fears the number of those hurt could have been much higher - with the real potential for life-threatening injuries - had the bomb, which was concealed within a supermarket carrier bag, fully exploded.

It is not yet known whether the bomb, which was reportedly fixed with a timer, went off at its intended target.

The train - bound for Edgware Road - was just pulling into the station in south-west London when the device detonated in the rear carriage, sending passengers fleeing to safety.

Mojgan Jamali, who lives in Cavendish Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, said she was told by police she had "one minute" to pack her bags, grab her children, and leave her home as police carried out urgent evacuations.

The mother-of-three told the Press Association: "I was in my house with my children and there was a knock at the door from the police.

"They told me to leave. They said: 'You have one minute to get out of the house and get away.'

"I just got out, I got my three children and we left the house and the street.

"We didn't know what was going on. There was a lot of rumours going on, a lot of stories, people saying this and that, but we didn't know.

"Earlier the police came around and asked if we could look after another family in our home for a little while, which I was obviously happy to do.

"But then they came back later and just said we had one minute."

Mrs Jamali, 33, said she did not know where to go, so decided to take her children - aged between five and 10 - to the shops.

She said: "I had to do something to keep them entertained and to keep their minds off it - it's obviously pretty scary. I'm trying to keep them calm.

"But I know two people on this street who don't have a car and they don't have a phone to contact their relatives.

"I hope this gets settled soon, that we can get back to normal."

She added: "I only had to open the door and I saw police everywhere."
Britain's prime minister ordered troops on to the streets last night after a suspected Islamist placed a powerful time-bomb on a packed rush-hour train heading towards Westminster.

Theresa May took the decision after the independent Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre recommended raising the terror threat to its highest level, Critical, meaning another attack is believed to be imminent.

The army will deploy troops at key locations around the capital to free up police who were last night involved in a huge manhunt.

Terror group Isil claimed responsibility for the attack, which left 29 people injured - including a boy of 10 - when an improvised explosive device went off on a packed District line train at Parsons Green in south-west London. At least one Irish person was confirmed injured, though not seriously.

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The main device, which was packed with shrapnel and fitted with a crude timer, failed to detonate, meaning potentially hundreds of lives were spared.

Police think the bomb may have accidentally detonated prematurely, with Westminster station the intended target.

Witnesses described scenes of terror and panic after the blast sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through the carriage.

A major manhunt for the bomber has been launched, with police working with MI5 as they examine the device.

No arrests have so far been made and the attacker remains at large, with a report that the security services have identified a suspect from CCTV.

After the attack during the morning rush-hour, Britain's most senior counter-terror officer Mark Rowley said: "We now assess this was a detonation of an improvised explosive device."

Most of the injured suffered "flash burns" from the device. Others were trampled and suffered crush injuries in the rush to escape the packed carriage, which was the last in the train.

Witnesses reported seeing people "covered in blood" after a "flash and a bang" from the device sent a "fireball" through the packed Tube train.

Pictures and video posted on social media showed a flaming bucket - which appeared to have wires coming from it - inside a Lidl carrier bag on the floor of a carriage.

Emergency services including armed police rushed to the scene after being alerted at around 8.20am.

Peter Crowley, a sales consultant, posted a picture on his Twitter feed showing his charred scalp, his hair burnt to the roots.

"I heard a large bang from the doors on the other side of the Tube train and this fireball came towards my head and singed off all my hair," said Mr Crowley (37) from Sutton in south London. "It was a really hot, intense fireball above my head. I've just got red marks and burns to the top of my head. There were a lot of people a lot worse than me."

He saw one man burnt across the side of his face while his puffa jacket was set alight.

A caller to LBC radio station said he was speaking from hospital where he was being treated for burns. "It's my head, and it's my hair. Just hurts. It's crazy. There was a flame in my face. There were just people with hair on fire... hands on fire."

Luke Warmsley (33) who was on the train, said: "It was like a large match had gone off at the end of the carriage. There was a plume of smoke. I looked and just saw more and more people running towards me."

Lauren Hubbard (24) who was in the end carriage of the train with her boyfriend, heard a loud bang and saw a "fireball" racing in her direction.

"It was hot and just came towards you, this flaming orange coming towards you. It smelt like burning," she recalled. "We ran and hid behind cement boxes on the tracks and were the last people to get off the platform."

She knew straight away what was happening. "My first thought was 'this is a terrorist attack, I'm going to die'."

Mrs May returned to London to chair a meeting of Britain's emergency response committee later yesterday.

"My thoughts are with those injured at Parsons Green and the emergency services who, once again, are responding swiftly and bravely to a suspected terrorist incident," Mrs May said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "We've been in touch with our embassy in London in relation to the suspected terrorist attack that occurred on the London Underground today.

"We will continue to keep in touch with the authorities in London and a helpline has been established for anybody seeking information."

The number is (01) 4082527.
Police and forensic officers taking part in an operation in Cavendish Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, as part of the investigation into the Parsons Green bombing. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Armed police raided the home of two respected foster carers in their hunt for the bomb factory used by the Parsons Green bomber today, just hours after arresting an 18-year-old man close to the port of Dover.

The rapidly moving developments came a day after commuters fled in terror after a homemade bomb partially detonated on a District Line train, injuring 29 people.

Kent police detained the teenager close to the Port of Dover at 7.50am on suspicion of being a terrorist, describing it as a significant arrest.

Police officers were later seen searching bins close to Dover Priory rail station a few minutes walk from the port.

The suspect is due to be moved to a south London police station tonight.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical.

"The public should remain vigilant. This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers."

The arrest place to close to the busiest ferry hub in Europe, which serves as a commercial gateway to the French coast, including Calais and Dunkirk - raising the prospect the suspect could have been attempting to leave the country.

Five hours later armed police backed by the bomb squad arrived at an address in Sunbury-on-Thames, south west London, and began evacuating residents from surrounding homes.

The elderly owners of the Cavendish Road property, Penelope and Ronald Jones, are a dedicated foster couple who have taken in hundreds of young people since 1970, including refugees from several countries.

In 2009 Mr and Mrs Jones were appointed MBEs for services to children and families. The honour was presented to them by the Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Jones, 71, and her husband, 88, said at the time: We open our hearts to all the children. Anybody that comes to us we will do whatever we can to help them with whatever they need.

Their home is 11 miles from Parsons Green and on the overground rail line to Wimbledon, which is on the District Line. The couple were unavailable for comment.

A neighbour who gave her name as Daphne, who lives opposite the house that was raided on Cavendish Road, said: ''I am so worried about Ron and Penny, they are a lovely couple.

Mojgan Jamali, who lives close to the house, said: "I was in my house with my children and there was a knock at the door from the police.

"They told me to leave. They said: 'You have one minute to get out of the house and get away.'

"I just got out, I got my three children and we left the house and the street.

Friday's device reportedly contained the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and nails, but is thought to have only partially detonated from inside a bucket.

There were fears the number of those hurt could have been much higher had the bomb, which was concealed within a supermarket carrier bag, fully exploded.

It is not yet known whether the device, which was reportedly fixed with a timer, went off at its intended target or whether it was intended to go off further into central London.

The train, which was bound for Edgware Road, was just pulling into the station in south-west London when the device detonated in the rear carriage, sending passengers fleeing to safety.

Parsons Green station was reopened in the early hours of Saturday.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, speaking after a meeting of the Governments Cobra emergency committee, said: "There is no doubt that this was a serious IED, it was good fortune that it did so little damage in fact."

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were "chasing down suspects", indicating that a potential network of plotters could have been involved in the Parsons Green attack.

The Met said it has spoken to 45 witnesses and 77 images and videos have been sent to detectives by members of the public.

A key plank of the investigation has focused on CCTV, with officers combing through footage to establish who planted the device, and when and where it was placed on the train.

Security minister Ben Wallace suggested CCTV images of the bomber could be released as part of the manhunt, but Scotland Yard subsequently denied there were any plans to do so.

Troops have been dispatched to key sites across the country to free up armed police officers after the country's terror threat level was raised to its highest point.

The threat level remains at critical, which means a further attack is feared to be imminent.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Demonstrators shout and wave Catalan separatist flags as civil guards leave a printing facility after raiding it in search of ballot papers in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, outside Barcelona. Photo: Reuters

The Spanish government has dismissed Catalan leaders' offer of talks on their independence referendum as "a trap".

Madrid has said it will intervene in Catalonia's finances to ensure that no public money is used to fund what it says is an "illegal" vote.

Sixteen days away from the planned October 1 referendum, Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and other officials have released a letter appealing for an agreement on a vote and issuing "a new call to dialogue" without preconditions.

In the letter, addressed to Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy and King Felipe VI, the leaders said they were seeking talks "to listen to the voice of the citizens".

But the overture was rebuffed by the Spanish government, which claimed that Madrid had not even received the letter.

Its spokesman said the government thought it "a sarcasm" that Catalan leaders spoke of dialogue when "they have only put on the table a referendum yes or yes".

He also criticised Barcelona's mayor, Ada Colau, over her support for the vote and warned that she was "either with the law or against it".

Ministers also gave Mr Puigdemont an ultimatum -sign an agreement that public funds will not be diverted for the poll within 48 hours or the government will seize control of that part of the Catalan budget destined for services and salaries.

This, said finance minister Cristobal Montoro, was to ensure "not even one euro" will go to pay for "something illegal".
The White House has said the plan for an independence referendum in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region later this month distracts from efforts to defeat Isil. It urged Kurdish leaders to call off the vote.

"We therefore call on the Kurdistan Regional Government to call off the referendum and enter into serious and sustained dialogue with Baghdad, which the United States has repeatedly indicated it is prepared to facilitate," the White House said in a statement.

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The parliament of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region convened for the first time in two years yesterday to vote on a plan to hold a referendum on independence on September 25.

The central government in Baghdad opposes the plan, which was announced earlier this year by Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Iraq's neighbours, Iran and Turkey, have also expressed their opposition to the plan, as they fear an independent Kurdish state could fuel separatism among their own Kurdish populations.

The parliament met in the KRG capital, Erbil, in northern Iraq.

Mr Barzani was adamant that the vote would not be delayed.

"We still haven't heard a proposal that can be an alternative to the Kurdistan referendum," he said.

Gorran, the main opposition movement to Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), boycotted the parliament session in Erbil.

It was a dispute between Gorran and the KDP that caused the assembly to suspend its sessions in 2015.

Barzani's decision not to postpone the referendum was "very wrong", Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday.
A man fights against waves caused by approaching Hurricane Max on the outskirts of Acapulco, Guerrero state (AP Photo/Bernandino Hernandez)

One person has been reported missing and more than 200 homes have been damaged by wind or water after a hurricane battered parts of Mexico.

Hurricane Max hit the Pacific coast state of Guerrero on Thursday.

Guerrero's governor Hector Astudillo tweeted that the person had gone missing from San Marcos, a town to the east of Acapulco, and that homes in the area were damaged.

Max weakened into a broad area of low pressure on Friday, according to the US National Hurricane Centre, but its remnants were still capable of dumping heavy rain over Guerrero and western Oaxaca states.

Meanwhile, further out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Norma strengthened into a hurricane on a path that should take it to the Los Cabos resorts at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula by late Sunday or Monday.

The US National Hurricane Centre said Norma was bringing winds of 75 mph and was travelling at about 2 mph.

The centre said swells generated by Norma will begin affecting portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico on Saturday and continue into early next week.

In the Atlantic Ocean, Jose re-strengthened into a category 1 hurricane.

Jose had sustained winds of 75 mph and was located about 640 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

A new tropical depression also formed far out in the Atlantic and was expected to become a tropical storm on Friday or Saturday.
The British ambassador to the United Nations Matthew Rycroft speaks to reporters before the Security Council meeting (AP/Mary Altaffer)

The UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's "highly provocative" ballistic missile test and demanded that Pyongyang immediately halt its "outrageous actions" and demonstrate its commitment to denuclearising the Korean peninsula.

The UN's most powerful body accused North Korea of undermining regional peace and security by launching its latest missile over Japan and said its nuclear and missile tests "have caused grave security concerns around the world" and threaten all 193 UN member states.

North Korea's longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile early on Friday from Sunan, the location of Pyongyang's international airport, signalled both defiance of North Korea's rivals and a big technological advance. After hurtling over Japan, it landed in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Since US president Donald Trump threatened North Korea with "fire and fury" in August, the North has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, threatened to send missiles into the waters around the US Pacific island territory of Guam and launched two missiles of increasing range over Japan. July saw the country's first tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could strike deep into the US mainland when perfected.

The intermediate-range missile test came four days after the Security Council imposed tough new sanctions on the North for its September 3 missile test including a ban on textile exports and natural gas imports - and caps on its import of oil and petroleum products. The US said the latest sanctions, combined with previous measures, would ban over 90% of North Korea's exports reported in 2016, its main source of hard currency used to finance its nuclear and missile programmes.

North Korea's foreign ministry denounced the sanctions and said the North would "redouble its efforts to increase its strength to safeguard the country's sovereignty and right to existence".

The Security Council stressed in Friday's press statement after a closed-door emergency meeting that all countries must "fully, comprehensively and immediately" implement all UN sanctions.

Japan's UN ambassador Koro Bessho called the launch an "outrageous act" that is not only a threat to Japan's security but a threat to the world as a whole".

Mr Bessho and the British, French and Swedish ambassadors demanded that all sanctions be implemented.

Calling the latest launch a "terrible, egregious, illegal, provocative reckless act," Britain's UN ambassador Matthew Rycroft said North Korea's largest trading partners and closest links - a clear reference to China - must "demonstrate that they are doing everything in their power to implement the sanctions of the Security Council and to encourage the North Korean regime to change course".

France's foreign ministry said in a statement that the country is ready to work on tougher UN and EU measures to convince Pyongyang that there is no interest in an escalation, and to bring it to the negotiating table. It said North Korea will also be discussed during next week's annual gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly.

The Security Council also emphasised the importance of North Korea working to reduce tension in the Korean Peninsula - and it reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the territory divided between authoritarian North Korea and democratic South Korea.

The council welcomed efforts by its members and other countries "to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution" to the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue.

The growing frequency, power and confidence displayed by Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests seem to confirm what governments and outside experts have long feared: North Korea is closer than ever to its goal of building a military arsenal that can viably target US troops both in Asia and in the US homeland.

This, in turn, is meant to allow North Korea greater military freedom in the region by raising doubts in Seoul and Tokyo that Washington would risk the annihilation of a US city to protect its Asian allies.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the latest missile travelled about 3,700km (2,300 miles) and reached a maximum height of 770km (478 miles). Guam, which is the home of important US military assets, is 3,400km (2,112 miles) away from North Korea.

Despite its impressive range, the missile probably still is not accurate enough to destroy Guam's Andersen Air Force Base, said David Wright, a US missile expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a liberal who initially pushed for talks with North Korea, said its tests currently make dialogue "impossible."

"If North Korea provokes us or our allies, we have the strength to smash the attempt at an early stage and inflict a level of damage it would be impossible to recover from," he said.

AP
At a private ceremony on Oak Island, Iredell native Alex Mendaloff III was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of the Army and awarded the Legion of Merit, the North Carolina Distinguished Service Medal and The Old North State Award. Mendaloff is a local lawyer, former judge, and retired Army lieutenant colonel.
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#suitcase murder suspect Justice minister orders extradition of 'suitcase' murder suspect to New Zealand South Korea's justice minister on Monday ordered the extradition of a woman believed to be the mother of two children whose bodies were found in suitcases in New Zealand in August,...

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Priyanka Chopra has been in headlines for all wrong reasons after her Sikkim insurgency comment. The actress who was at TIFF (at the Toronto International Film Festival) promoting her Sikkimese film, Pahuna, earlier in an interview said, "Sikkim is a small state in the Northeast of India which never had a film industry of its own or anyone who made films from there and this is the first film ever that came out from this region because it is very troubled with insurgency.

And soon after, she was trolled on social media for being insensitive and for not getting her facts right. After seeing all the criticism, the Quantico babe issued a statement where she aplogised to everyone for causing hurt.

The statement read,  It saddens me that a comment I made during a recent interview at TIFF has caused this much pain when that was never the intention at all. I never meant to imply that Sikkim has insurgency. My statement was in context of the film that deals with people who seek refuge after they suffer from conflict. Sikkim is a peaceful, green state with peace loving people. I know that my statements have hurt the sentiments and pride of the people of Sikkim and for that I truly apologise.

Priyanka even thanked the Sikkim Government to be so supportive to her entire cast and crew while shooting her first Sikkimese production film,  I have always taken pride as being someone who is informed about the world but this time, some of the statements made were incorrect and while I should have been better informed about certain facts, I take full responsibility for what I said. I understand now that our film was not the first Sikkimese film to be made, but our aim has always been to provide local talent, both actors and technicians, a global platform to shine. My team and I have had a wonderful experience working in the state and with the local cast and crew and are thankful to the support extended by the Government of Sikkim. I understand the impact of the statements made and hope that the people and Government of Sikkim find it in their hearts to forgive me.

Now there are reports that the Information and Public Relations, Government of Sikkim has decided to screen Pahuna before a special committee in the state before the film's release.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will oppose the government's plans to deport 40,000-odd Rohingya Muslim refugees living illegally in the country, when the Centre submits its affidavit on the issue in the Supreme Court on Monday. The rights body will plead against their deportation on "humanitarian grounds' and for fear of persecution if they are sent back.

afp

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) is set to file the affidavit on deportation of Rohingyas whose stay has been termed as "illegal, a security threat and strain on India's resources". NHRC chairperson and former CJI Justice H L Dattu told TOI, "We will intervene in the matter on humanitarian grounds. We are a human rights body and if these persons (Rohingyas) are deported back to their country, we see it as a violation of human rights."

The rights body is also likely to cite various orders of the SC in which it has held that fundamental right to life and liberty enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution applies to all, irrespective of whether they are Indian citizens or not, said sources. Earlier, while issuing a notice to the home ministry last month and criticising its decision to deport Rohingyas, NHRC had stated that "India has been home to refugees for centuries. It has continued to receive a large number of refugees from different countries".

reuters

"Even though India is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention on Refugees and also the 1967 Protocol, it is a signatory to a number of United Nations and world conventions on human rights. Till today, the country has evolved a practical balance between human and humanitarian obligations on the one hand and security and national interests on the other," it had stated.

Home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday confirmed that the government will file its affidavit on Rohingyas on September 18. While the MHA refused to share details on its official stand, sources said it will be more or less the same as mentioned in the advisory sent to states recently, in which it was claimed that Rohingyas posed grave "security threat". The government had asked states to identify Rohingya refugees and initiate the process of deporting them.

afp

Two Rohingya immigrants  Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir who are registered as refugees under the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR), had filed a plea in the apex court, claiming they have taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community there. They challenged their deportation on several grounds, including violation of international human rights conventions.
Days after Rajasthan Police gave cleaned chit to six accused of the lynching of Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, who was murdered near Behror by cow vigilantes, the family has reached Delhi and sought the intervention of Supreme Court and transfer of case outside Rajasthan.

Pehlu Khan's son Irshad who was also attacked alleged that during the course of police investigation, he was never called to identify the accused. On April 1 this year, Khan and his two sons  Irshad and Arif  were attacked by cow vigilantes in Behror in Alwar while they were returning to their home in Nuh, Haryana. While the 55-year-old father of eight died, the sons were seriously injured.

At a press meet at Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Digvijaya Singhs residence on Friday afternoon, Irshad alleged and Indian Express quoted, I am an eyewitness, but I was never called by Rajasthan Police to identify the accused. Now, of the 13 accused, six have been given a clean chit and five are out on bail. If the men in the video didnt kill my father, who did? Khans dying declaration mentioned names of Om Yadav, Hukum Chand Yadav, Sudhir Yadav, Jagmal Yadav, Naveen Sharma and Rahul Saini  all have been given a clean chit. Saying he felt helpless and betrayed, 24-year-old Irshad also alleged, We are being threatened by those out on bail.
The Indian Education system, as we all know it, is riddled with loopholes. From outdated syllabus, lack of teachers to improper infrastructure, innumerable problems plague government schools across the country.

Things become even more apparent when officials pay a visit to check the status, however, one surprise our by Uttarakhand education minister went awry.

The minister in the BJP-led state government Arvind Pandey recently paid a surprise visit to Dehraduns Mahila Inter College and a video of him asking some 'basic' arithmetic questions to a teacher has gone viral.

According to News 18, Pandey who wanted inspect the quality of education, picked up chalk and duster, walked up to the board, and wrote (-) + (-) = 'what'.

While teacher gave the correct answer, which was minus (-), the minister completely dismissed it.

According to Pandey, (-) + (-)= (+) in mathematics but (-) in Chemistry, a theory he thinks is correct. The official who realized the minister's wrong answer, tried to intervene to no avail.

But that's not all, Pandey took things to the next level, by asking the teacher to guess the fourth chapter from a book lying in front of her.

After the video went viral, Pandey tried to defend his case on Twitter saying, "Neither the teacher nor the students were carrying any book. The teacher was teaching with the help of a "key", a book with questions and their solutions." reports News 18.
For the first time in 300 years, theres not a single living person on the island of Barbuda  a civilization that has existed on that island for over 300 years has now been extinguished,said Ronald Sanders, ambassador to the US.

Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms to form in the Atlantic, battered several Caribbean islands before moving on to the Florida Keys. So much so, the storms devastating impacts can be seen from space.

Before and After Images of Hurricane Irma's Destruction in Barbuda and the Virgin Islands. https://t.co/diSogP3ZRw #StormHour pic.twitter.com/NU9dJVxubi  #StormHour (@StormHour) 12 September 2017

NASA has released a series of satellite imagery showing the Caribbean before and after the storm.

Irma passed the northernmost Virgin Islands on the afternoon of September 6. At the time, Irma was a category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles (295 kilometers) per hour.

According to the NASA reports, the most obvious change is the widespread browning of the landscape.

NASA

"Lush green tropical vegetation can be ripped away by a storms strong winds, leaving the satellite with a view of more bare ground. Also, salt spray whipped up by the hurricane can coat and desiccate leaves while they are still on the trees."

The different hue of the ocean is to be caused by differences in the seas surface. Choppier waters are less smooth on the surface and therefore reflect less light, so they appear to be darker.'

NASA

Barbuda, in the eastern Caribbean was directly hit by the category-5 storm early on September 6. The left image shows Barbuda on August 21, 2017. The right image shows the ravaged landscape on September 8.

According to reports, almost all the islands 1,800 residents were evacuated to the neighbouring Caribbean island of Antigua.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has mocked his "enemies" - Japan and the US - with a grand celebration of the success of the latest missile launch.

reuters

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about the military option," Kim said.

afp

Friday's ballistic missile launch of the intermediate-long range Hwasong-12 rocket was the 15th successful test by Pyongyang this year, reports Efe news.

For the second time in less than a month, the missile flew over northern Japanese territory and after traversing some 3,700 km, "along the preset flight track," it "accurately hit the preset target waters in the Pacific".

afp

The photos published by the state-run Rodong Sinmun daily showed the missile was fired from a mobile launcher.

The North Korean leader urged the scientists to carry on the weapons tests in the future and underlined the need to consolidate their military attack abilities in order to create a "nuclear counterattack the US cannot cope with".

afp

Pyongyang hopes to eventually miniaturise nuclear warheads so as to fit them in intercontinental ballistic missiles so that they have the ability to strike US territory.
A language school in Croatia is encouraging people to learn English by taking inspiration from Slovenian-born First Lady of the United States Melania Trump.



The photo of Melania Trump appears on a billboard for The American Institute, alongside the slogan "Just imagine how far you can go with a little bit of English".

Pictures of the billboard have now taken social media by storm.

The Zagreb-based American Institute, describes itself as a center for the promotion of the English language, American culture, and the American higher education system."

On Facebook, the institute wrote: We entered the billboard game.

According to Total Croatia News, the campaign is the work of Ivis Buric, who said the billboard wasnt meant to be offensive: The message is unambiguously referring to a person who, with a little knowledge of a foreign language, has become one of the most powerful individuals on the planet.

Along with speaking English and Slovenian, Melania Trump speaks French, Serbian and German.
The Valve World Expo & Conference Asia 2017 will be held on September 20 and 21 in the Suzhou International Expo Center in Suzhou, China.





Following the huge success of past Valve World Expos and Conferences, the Valve World Expo & Conference Asia 2017 promises to be a valuable meeting point for valve professionals from all over the world with a special emphasis on recent developments in China.





Piping and valve professionals from the West & East can update their knowledge of valve applications in a variety of industries with a clear focus on the chemical, petrochemical, power generation, oil & gas and process industries.





The event will be bi-lingual and all presentations will be simultaneously translated into Chinese and English. The combination of a content-focused, end-user driven conference, with social programs, Master Classes, and a hands-on exhibition will offer a unique international platform for knowledge and business.
Caving to CIA, Harvard Rescinds Manning Fellowship





"This is what a military/police/intel state looks like," says whistleblower after prestigious university succumbs to protest from Central Intelligence Agency



By Jon Queally

September 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - In a move called " moral cowardice " and in the wake of objections from the current and a former head of the CIAan agency that has tried to and successfully assassinated people, helped overthrow democratic governments, and sowed chaos throughout the world as the U.S. government's clandestine enforcerHarvard University overnight rescinded a fellowship invitation to Chelsea Manning, an Army whistleblower who exposed U.S. war crimes in Iraq and spent more than seven years in prison for her decision to release classified military and State Department documents to the press.

"How cowardly to be bullied by the CIA like this," declared Trevor Timm, executive director of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, in response to Harvard's decision.

And Manning herself was quick to speak out:

honored to be 1st disinvited trans woman visiting @harvard fellow they chill marginalized voices under @cia pressure #WeGotThis https://t.co/7ViF3GaSec  Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) September 15, 2017

this is what a military/police/intel state looks like the @cia determines what is and is not taught at @harvard #WeGotThis https://t.co/09xIJGlhgf  Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) September 15, 2017

ACLU staff attorney, who has represented Manning for years, expressed disgust in a statement posted online:

The decision to disinvite Manning from the fellowship, came after CIA Director Mike Pompeo withdrew from a speaking engagement at the university on Thursday night and former director agency chief Michael Morrell announced his resignation as a Harvard senior fellow, also in protest.

CIA Director Withdraws from Harvard Kennedy School Forum pic.twitter.com/N7YKyGy9H4  CIA (@CIA) September 15, 2017

In his resignation letter, Morrell, said it was his "right, indeed my duty, to argue that the School's invitation [to Manning] is wholly inappropriate."

Former CIA acting director Mike Morell resigns from Harvard over Chelsea Manning [ @xychelsea ] appointment. More: https://t.co/Ddd1KoOlBl pic.twitter.com/6ChXtx5pJZ  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) September 14, 2017

In a statement posted to Harvard's website early Friday morning, Harvard Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf officially rescinded Manning's fellowship invitation, calling the earlier honor a "mistake."

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Elmedorf wrote that "I still think that having her speak in the Forum and talk with students is consistent with our longstanding approach, which puts great emphasis on the value of hearing from a diverse collection of people. But I see more clearly now that many people view a Visiting Fellow title as an honorific, so we should weigh that consideration when offering invitations." He continued:

I see more clearly now that many people view a Visiting Fellow title as an honorific, so we should weigh that consideration when offering invitations. In particular, I think we should weigh, for each potential visitor, what members of the Kennedy School community could learn from that persons visit against the extent to which that persons conduct fulfills the values of public service to which we aspire. This balance is not always easy to determine, and reasonable people can disagree about where to strike the balance for specific people. Any determination should start with the presumption that more speech is better than less. In retrospect, though, I think my assessment of that balance for Chelsea Manning was wrong. Therefore, we are withdrawing the invitation to her to serve as a Visiting Fellowand the perceived honor that it implies to some peoplewhile maintaining the invitation for her to spend a day at the Kennedy School and speak in the Forum.

Jesselyn Radack, director of the Whistleblower & Source Protection Program (WHISPeR) at the watchdog group ExposeFacts, called it "ironic that Michael Morell, a former CIA leader involved in torture and drone killings, had a crisis of 'conscience' that prompted Harvard's Kennedy School to withdraw its invitation to humanitarian Chelsea Manning."

The university, Radack continued, "obviously offered Chelsea Manning a visiting fellowship because of the valuable contribution she could make, and revoked it under pressure from the CIA. So much for academic freedom."

On social media, other critics blasted the university's decision to side with the CIA, with many pointing out that Harvard University has given out plenty of fellowships over the years to people who have committed what should be considered "horrific" offenses in their careers.

Thoughts on Harvard's cowardly & disgraceful decision to withdraw @xychelsea 's fellowship. pic.twitter.com/Exxf1uCWBS  Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) September 15, 2017

Easiest journalistic task: feature the countless Harvard "Visiting Fellows" who have said & done horrific things yet provoked no controversy https://t.co/9FUpwJBZ8z  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) September 15, 2017

"Due to a clerical error we thought she'd perpetrated war crimes, but it turned out she EXPOSED them, and Harvard WILL NOT stand for that" https://t.co/0kSSe4BotU  Pixelated Boat (@pixelatedboat) September 15, 2017

Here's who Harvard is losing because they are gaining Chelsea Manning. I think that's what they call a win-win. https://t.co/8qVDyRAzmr  Trevor Timm (@trevortimm) September 15, 2017

But the honorific is still fine for Corey Lewandowsk? If title "fellow" now conveys endorsement, Harvard is doing a lot of endorsing. https://t.co/j3IxPQe6I4  Joshua Block (@JoshACLU) September 15, 2017
5 Lies Nikki Haley Just Told About The Iran Deal





She was speaking at a conservative think tank that helped make the case for the disastrous war in Iraq.



By Ryan Costello

September 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - At the home of the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based think tank whose scholars helped make the case for the devastating war with Iraq, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley made the case for Trump to kill an agreement that is effectively forestalling both a nuclear-armed Iran and war with Iran.

In so doing, Haley relied on a host of lies, distortions and obfuscations to paint an Iran that is cheating on its nuclear commitments and terrorizing the world. Lest the U.S. once again repeat the mistakes that led the U.S. to war with Iraq, it is worth rebutting several of these lies:

Iran has been caught in multiple violations over the past year and a half.

The IAEA, in its eighth report since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) went into effect, once again affirmed that Iran is abiding by its nuclear commitments last week. Yet, Haley falsely asserted that Iran has been caught in multiple violations since the accord went into effect.

Her evidence centers around Iran exceeding a limit on heavy water on two separate occasions in 2016. Unfortunately for her accusation, there is no hard limit mandated by the JCPOA  which indicates that Iran shall export its excess heavy water, and that Irans needs are estimated to be 130 metric tons . Thus, there is no violation on heavy water, and Iran continues to abide by the provisions of the JCPOA  including notably on uranium enrichment and inspector access.

There are hundreds of undeclared sites that have suspicious activity that they (the IAEA) havent looked at.

In the question and answer portion of the event, Haley asserted that there were not one or two suspicious sites that the IAEA cant access  but hundreds! Of course, the U.S. intelligence community likely monitors dozens if not hundreds of non-nuclear sites in an attempt to detect any potential covert Iranian nuclear activities. Yet the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Paul Selva, stated in July that Based on the evidence thats been presented by the intelligence community, it appears that Iran is in compliance with the rules that were laid out in the JCPOA. Hence, there is no indication of Iranian cheating and no need for the IAEA to knock on the door of hundreds of suspicious sites, as Haley suggests.

If there is solid evidence that a few of those suspicious sites that Haley cited are harboring covert nuclear activities, the U.S. can present the evidence for those suspicions to the IAEA and press them to investigate. Critically, however, Haley declined to do so at her meeting with the IAEA last month. According to a U.S. official , Ambassador Haley did not ask the IAEA to inspect any specific sites, nor did she provide the IAEA with any new intelligence.

Iranian leadershave stated publicly that they will refuse to allow IAEA inspections of their military sites. How can we know Iran is complying with the deal, if inspectors are not allowed to look everywhere they should look?

While Iran barring an IAEA request permitted under the accord would be concerning, the IAEA has not recently had cause to request access to any non-nuclear site. Again, Haley has reportedly even declined to present evidence to the IAEA indicating that they should access any suspicious sites  military or otherwise. Hence, one can reasonably conclude that Haleys statements are not based on legitimate fears, but are part of a political attack on the deal that her boss wants to unravel.

In fact, initial reporting on the U.S. pushing for military site inspections cast it as a justification for Trump withholding certification of the nuclear accord. As a result, when considering Iranian statements on military site access, one must also factor in the ample evidence suggesting that the Trump administration is fabricating a crisis to withdraw from the accord.

Further, there is little reason to take Iranian statements in response to Haleys at face value. Iran issued similarly threatening statements ruling out inspections of military sites during negotiations in 2015, yet eventually allowed IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano access to the Parchin military base as well as the IAEA to collect samples at the site later that year.

The deal [Obama] struck wasnt supposed to be just about nuclear weapons. It was meant to be an opening with Iran; a welcoming back into the community of nations.

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As the Obama administration outlined ad-nauseam, the nuclear deal was limited to the nuclear sphere. There is no annex in the JCPOA directing the U.S. and Iran to settle their differences on Iraq, Syria or Yemen, or obligating Iran to comply with its international human rights obligations or transform to a true democracy. The Obama administration did hope that the JCPOA could build trust to enable the U.S. and Iran to potentially resolve issues outside of the nuclear sphere, but such hopes rested on engagement outside of the contours of the JCPOA. The JCPOA dealt with the number one national security threat presented by Iran  the possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon. Haleys assertion to the contrary is merely meant to cast the deal in a negative light.

We should welcome a debate over whether the JCPOA is in U.S. national security interests. The previous administration set up the deal in a way that denied us that honest and serious debate.

The U.S. Congress held dozens of hearings over several years to examine the Obama administrations negotiations with Iran and  midway through the negotiations  passed a law instituting a 60-day period of Congressional review wherein Obama could not begin to waive sanctions. Congress engaged in heated debate, and opponents of the accord poured in tens of millions of dollars in order to pressure Members of Congress to vote against the deal. No Republican legislator supported it despite there being no favorable alternative, and enough Democrats backed the accord in order to block resolutions of disapproval that would have killed the JCPOA in its crib.

That intensely partisan, fact-optional debate would once again decide the fate of the accord if Haley has her way  only this time, there would be no filibuster . If Trump withholds certification, even if Iran remains in compliance, Congress could consider and pass sanctions that kill the deal under expedited procedure thanks to little-noticed provisions in the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. Trump could pass the buck to Congress and if every Member of Congress votes as they did in 2015, the deal would be dead.

Ryan Costello, Contributor Assistant Policy Director, National Iranian American Council
Home Israel Security Forces Are Training American Cops Despite History of Rights Abuses By Alice Speri September 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Its not uncommon for residents of Americas most heavily policed neighborhoods to describe their local cops as  an occupying force . Judging by where many U.S. police forces get their training, the description seems apt. Thousands of American law enforcement officers frequently travel for training to one of the few countries where policing and militarism are even more deeply intertwined than they are here: Israel. In the aftermath of 9/11, Israel seized on its decades-long experience as an occupying force to brand itself a world leader in counterterrorism. U.S. law enforcement agencies took the Jewish state up on its expertise by participating in exchange programs sponsored by an array of pro-Israel groups like AIPAC, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Over the past decade and a half, scores of top federal, state, and local police officers from dozens of departments from across the U.S. have gone to Israel to learn about its terrorism-focused policing. Yet Israels policing prowess is marred by its primary purpose: the occupation. Israel has carried out a half-century of military rule in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza, an occupation rife with abuses . The countrys police and security forces also regularly violate the rights of Palestinians and immigrants inside of Israels 1967 borders. A lot of the policing that folks are observing and being talked to about in these trips is policing that happens in a nondemocratic context, said Alex Vitale, a sociology professor at Brooklyn College and author of a forthcoming book on global policing. It involves either military policing, border control policing, or policing of folks in the occupied territories who arent full legal subjects in the Israeli legal system. While attention on the militarization of American police forces has intensified in recent years, spurring some reforms that the Trump administration has already undone , U.S.-Israel police exchange programs have carried on without much public scrutiny. This week, a delegation of top American law enforcement officers is in Israel for the ADLs National Counter-Terrorism Seminar, which includes training on topics such as leadership in a time of terror and balancing the fight against crime and terrorism, according to literature by the group advertising the trip. More than 200 law enforcement executives from over 100 departments in the U.S. and abroad, immigration enforcement agencies, and even campus police have participated in the ADL program since it launched in 2004. Among this years participants in the seminar is D.C. Metropolitan Police Commander Morgan Kane, whose attendance at the training earned the department a public rebuke from D.C. Council Member David Grosso. I am concerned that we are not doing enough to prevent the militarization of law enforcement in the District of Columbia, he wrote in a letter to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham. Learning from military advisors is not what local law enforcement needs. It just occurs to me that it isnt a good idea, whether in Israel or another place, to go and train with a military or national police, in essence learning from people who are better at the violent approach to conflict resolution, Grosso told The Intercept. Thats not appropriate for what were trying to do here in D.C. We already have the FBI, the CIA, the secret service, we have so many national police here, heavily armed, he added. We dont need more of that, we need more of a community based approach. A spokesperson for the D.C. police told The Intercept in an email statement that the department is participating in the training to learn best strategies in combatting terrorism. Expanding our knowledge on counter-terrorism and gaining valuable experience for the next generation of MPD leadership is critical to the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of D.C., the spokesperson wrote. This opportunity will not allow us to deviate from our commitment to providing fair, unbiased, and constitutional policing. In addition to meeting with their Israeli counterparts, American police on the delegations also visit representatives of the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as border security and intelligence services  essentially taking lessons from agencies that enforce military rule rather than civil law. It fits in with this ideology of police as warriors, said Vitale. The focus of this training is on riot suppression, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism  all of which are essentially irrelevant or should be irrelevant to the vast majority of police departments, he added. They shouldnt be suppressing protest, they shouldnt be engaging in counterinsurgency, and almost none of them face any real threat from terrorism. The trainings in Israel also fit within a broader militarization of U.S. law enforcement that is well underway back home. Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order rescinding limitations imposed by former President Barack Obama on a military program, known as 1033, that allowed police departments to make discounted purchases of excess military equipment like armored vehicles and grenade launchers. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Click Here For Your Free Daily Newsletter Obama ordered the restrictions in 2015 after public outrage at the deployment of some of that equipment during protests against police abuse in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere. Announcing the new measures in a speech to the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the country, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called that equipment lifesaving, dismissing criticisms of police militarization as superficial concerns. Marketing the Occupation The police exchanges with U.S. officers are premised on Israels experiences with terrorism and its security forces handling of continued risks. But Israels record in carrying out its counterterror policies is checked with allegations of grave abuses. Founded amid a campaign of ethnic cleansing in 1948, Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza in 1967s Six Day War and has since maintained its occupation  including by building civilian Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, itself a violation of international law. Now, the same security forces accused of mistreating citizens and stateless Palestinian subjugates are training American cops. Last year, the ADLs training included meetings with officials from Israels internal security service, known as Shin Bet. The security agency was allegedly behind the surveillance  as well as torture and targeted assassinations  of Palestinians in both Israel and the occupied territories. The U.S. law enforcement officials on tour with the ADL also met with Israeli police special patrol units known as Yasam  paramilitary, riot police whose excessive force and abuse of Palestinians is well-documented  and traveled to checkpoints, prisons, and Hebron. In Hebron, a city in the West Bank, some 200,000 Palestinians are barred from entering the old city center, where fewer than 1,000 Jewish settlers are protected by the same number of Israeli soldiers. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Click Here For Your Free Daily Newsletter The ADL, a group with a nominal mission to oppose bigotry that has instead expended much of its energies on advocating for Israel, failed to devote much attention to Palestinian law enforcement. In 2016, the groups itinerary included a single meeting with a Palestinian police officer  from the Bethlehem Tourist Police. A spokesperson for the ADL said in a statement to The Intercept that critics suggestions that its programs contribute to police brutality and racism is false and defamatory. On the contrary, ADLs law enforcement missions have a goal of doing exactly the opposite, by strengthening law enforcements connection to the communities they serve, the spokesperson added. In the past, the group condemned those drawing parallels between police abuse in the U.S. and Israels occupation of Palestine. There is a long history of using legitimate American social justice issues to undermine the Jewish state, a top official from the group wrote in the aftermath of the Ferguson protests. There is no rational connection between the challenge of racism in America and the situation facing the Palestinians, the ADL official added. Yet the criticism persists. The group Jewish Voice for Peace recently launched a campaign to bring greater public scrutiny to U.S.-Israel police exchange programs. These programs transform Israels 70 years of dispossession and 50 years of occupation into a marketing brochure for successful policing, Stefanie Fox, the JVPs deputy director, wrote in an email to The Intercept. Under the banner of counterterrorism training, high-ranking police and immigration officials visit checkpoints, prisons, settlements, police stations, and other key sites that are central to Israels policies of occupation and apartheid. Law enforcement exchanges are marketed as an opportunity for American police to learn about counterterrorism from the fields self-appointed leader, but, for Israels advocates, they are also seen as a way to sell a particular audience on pro-Israel ideology. [They] come back and they are Zionists, then-ADL regional director David Friedman said of the delegations impact in 2015 . They understand Israel and its security needs in ways a lot of audiences dont. That may just be the intended outcome. They are trying to get the U.S. to see the world as divided into these camps of good and evil and they want to tighten the U.S. commitment to Israel on the basis of it being on the front lines fighting terror, said Vitale, the Brooklyn College professor, referring to the groups behind the trips. The whole project is a political project which uses the police to answer a particular analysis of international affairs. To date, Israel has already been an inspiration to some controversial police initiatives like the infamous NYPD Muslim surveillance program , which was modeled in part on the surveillance of Palestinians in the West Bank. Thomas Galati, the chief of the NYPD Intelligence Division at the time, had participated in one of the ADL trainings in Israel. Israeli police and security forces may also be learning a thing or two from their American counterparts. In 2016, for instance, Israel passed a  stop and frisk law  modeled after its American equivalent, allowing police to search anyone, regardless of behavior, in a location that is thought to be a target for hostile destructive actions. Palestinian residents of Jerusalem said the legislation is applied with  blatant racism . We see Israeli police taking on U.S. stop-and-frisk policies, further adding to the state violence already facing Palestinians, said Fox, of JVP. This deadly exchange goes both ways, and encourages worst practices such as racial profiling, mass surveillance, police brutality, and suppression of political dissent that already exist in both countries. Alice Speri is a multimedia journalist with an interest in justice, civil rights, and the struggle for equality. She has reported on state violence and institutional failure in the U.S. and abroad, from Ferguson, Missouri, to Haiti and Palestine. Her work has appeared in VICE News, Al Jazeera America, the New York Times, and several other publications. She is originally from Italy and lives in the Bronx. This article was first published by The Intercept - Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Due to troll attacks, it is now necessary to register before making your comment. - Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Click here to comment on our Facebook page
The NYTs Yellow Journalism on Russia





The New York Times descent into yellow journalism over Russia recalls the sensationalism of Hearst and Pulitzer leading to the Spanish-American War, but the risks to humanity are much greater now, writes Robert Parry.



By Robert Parry

September 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Reading The New York Times these days is like getting a daily dose of the Two Minutes Hate as envisioned in George Orwells 1984, except applied to Americas new/old enemy Russia. Even routine international behavior, such as Russia using fictitious names for potential adversaries during a military drill, is transformed into something weird and evil.

In the snide and alarmist style that the Times now always applies to Russia, reporter Andrew Higgins wrote  referring to a fictitious war-game enemy  The country does not exist, so it has neither an army nor any real citizens, though it has acquired a feisty following of would-be patriots online. Starting on Thursday, however, the fictional state, Veishnoriya, a distillation of the Kremlins darkest fears about the West, becomes the target of the combined military might of Russia and its ally Belarus.

This snarky front-page story in Thursdays print editions also played into the Times larger narrative about Russia as a disseminator of fake news. You see the Russkies are even inventing fictional enemies to bully. Hah-hah-hah! The article was entitled, Russias War Games With Fake Enemies Cause Real Alarm.

Of course, the U.S. and its allies also conduct war games against fictitious enemies, but you wouldnt know that from reading the Times. For instance, U.S. war games in 2015 substituted five made-up states  Ariana, Atropia, Donovia, Gorgas and Limaria  for nations near the Caucasus mountains along the borders of Russia and Iran.

In earlier war games, the U.S. used both fictitious names and colors in place of actual countries. For instance, in 1981, the Reagan administration conducted Ocean Venture with that war-game scenario focused on a group of islands called Amber and the Amberdines, obvious stand-ins for Grenada and the Grenadines, with Orange used to represent Cuba.

In those cases, the maneuvers by the powerful U.S. military were clearly intended to intimidate far weaker countries. Yet, the U.S. mainstream media did not treat those war rehearsals for what they were, implicit aggression, but rather mocked protests from the obvious targets as paranoia since we all know the U.S. would never violate international law and invade some weak country! (As it turned out, Ocean Venture 81 was a dress rehearsal for the actual U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983.)

Yet, as far as the Times and its many imitators in the major media are concerned, theres one standard for us and another for Russia and other countries that we dont like.

Yellow Journalism

But the Times behavior over the past several years suggests something even more sinister than biased reporting. The newspaper of record has slid into yellow journalism, the practice of two earlier New York newspapers  William Randolph Hearsts New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzers New York World  that in the 1890s manipulated facts about the crisis in Cuba to push the United States into war with Spain, a conflict that many historians say marked the beginning of Americas global empire.

Except in todays instance, The New York Times is prepping the American people for what could become World War III. The daily message is that you must learn to hate Russia and its President Vladimir Putin so much that, first, you should support vast new spending on Americas Military-Industrial Complex and, second, youll be ginned up for nuclear war if it comes to that.

At this stage, the Times doesnt even try for a cosmetic appearance of objective journalism. Look at how the Times has twisted the history of the Ukraine crisis, treating it simply as a case of Russian aggression or a Russian invasion. The Times routinely ignores what actually happened in Ukraine in late 2013 and early 2014 when the U.S. government aided and abetted a violent coup that overthrew Ukraines elected President Viktor Yanukovych after he had been demonized in the Western media.

Even as neo-Nazi and ultranationalist protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at police, Yanukovych signaled a willingness to compromise and ordered his police to avoid worsening violence. But compromise wasnt good enough for U.S. neocons  such as Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland; Sen. John McCain; and National Endowment for Democracy President Carl Gershman. They had invested too much in moving Ukraine away from Russia.

Nuland put the U.S. spending at $5 billion and was caught discussing with U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt who should be in the new government and how to glue or midwife this thing; McCain appeared on stage urging on far-right militants; and Gershman was overseeing scores of NED projects inside Ukraine, which he had deemed the biggest prize and an important step in achieving an even bigger regime change in Russia, or as he put it: Ukraines choice to join Europe will accelerate the demise of the ideology of Russian imperialism that Putin represents.  Putin may find himself on the losing end not just in the near abroad but within Russia itself.

The Putsch

So, on Feb. 20, 2014, instead of seeking peace , a sniper firing from a building controlled by anti-Yanukovych forces killed both police and protesters, touching off a day of carnage. Immediately, the Western media blamed Yanukovych.

No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Click Here For Your Free Daily Newsletter

Shaken by the violence, Yanukovych again tried to pacify matters by reaching a compromise  guaranteed by France, Germany and Poland  to relinquish some of his powers and move up an election so he could be voted out of office peacefully. He also pulled back the police.

At that juncture, the neo-Nazis and ultra-nationalists spearheaded a violent putsch on Feb. 22, 2014, forcing Yanukovych and other officials to flee for their lives. Ignoring the agreement guaranteed by the three European nations, Nuland and the U.S. State Department quickly deemed the coup regime legitimate.

However, ethnic Russians in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, which represented Yanukovychs electoral base, resisted the coup and turned to Russia for protection. Contrary to the Times narrative, there was no Russian invasion of Crimea because Russian troops were already there as part of an agreement for its Sevastopol naval base. Thats why youve never seen photos of Russian troops crashing across Ukraines borders in tanks or splashing ashore in Crimea with an amphibious landing or descending by parachute. They were already inside Crimea.

The Crimean autonomous government also voted to undertake a referendum on whether to leave the failed Ukrainian state and to rejoin Russia, which had governed Crimea since the Eighteenth Century. In that referendum, Crimean citizens voted by some 96 percent to exit Ukraine and seek reunion with Russia, a democratic and voluntary process that the Times always calls annexation.

The Times and much of the U.S. mainstream media refuses even to acknowledge that there is another side to the Ukraine story. Anyone who mentions this reality is deemed a Kremlin stooge in much the same way that people who questioned the mainstream certainty about Iraqs WMD in 2002-03 were called Saddam apologists.

But what is particularly remarkable about the endless Russia-bashing is that  because it started under President Obama  it sucked in many American liberals and even some progressives. That process grew even worse when the contempt for Russia merged with the Lefts revulsion over Donald Trumps election.

Many liberals came to view the dubious claims of Russian meddling in the 2016 election as the golden ticket to remove Trump from the White House. So, amid that frenzy, all standards of proof were jettisoned to make Russia-gate the new Watergate.

The Times, The Washington Post and pretty much the entire U.S. news media joined the resistance to Trumps presidency and embraced the neocon regime change goal for Putins Russia. Very few people care about the enormous risks that this strategy entails.

For one, even if the U.S. government were to succeed in destabilizing nuclear-armed Russia sufficiently to force out President Putin, the neocon dream of another malleable Boris Yeltsin in the Kremlin is far less likely than the emergence of an extreme Russian nationalist who might be ready to push the nuclear button rather than accept further humiliation of Mother Russia.

The truth is that the world has much less to fear from the calculating Vladimir Putin than from the guy who might follow a deposed Vladimir Putin amid economic desperation and political chaos in Russia. But the possibility of nuclear Armageddon doesnt seem to bother the neocon/liberal-interventionist New York Times. Nor apparently does the principle of fair and honest journalism.

The Times and rest of the mainstream media are just having too much fun hating Russia and Putin to worry about the possible extermination of life on planet Earth.
The Russia-China Plan For North Korea



Moscow has been busy building agreements that would extend Eurasian connectivity eastward. The question is how to convince the DPRK to play along



By Pepe Escobar



September 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The United Nations Security Councils 15-0 vote to impose a new set of sanctions on North Korea somewhat disguises the critical role played by the Russia-China strategic partnership, the RC at the core of the BRICS group.



The new sanctions are pretty harsh. They include a 30% reduction on crude and refined oil exports to the DPRK; a ban on exports of natural gas; a ban on all North Korean textile exports (which have brought in US$760 million on average over the past three years); and a worldwide ban on new work permits for DPRK citizens (there are over 90,000 currently working abroad.) But this is far from what US President Donald Trumps administration was aiming at, according to the draft Security Council resolution leaked last week. That included an asset freeze and travel ban on Kim Jong-un and other designated DPRK officials, and covered additional WMD-related items, Iraqi sanctions-style. It also authorized UN member states to interdict and inspect North Korean vessels in international waters (which amounts to a declaration of war); and, last but not least, a total oil embargo. RC made it clear it would veto the resolution under these terms. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the US diminishing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Moscow would only accept language related to political and diplomatic tools to seek peaceful ways of resolution. On the oil embargo, President Vladimir Putin said, cutting off the oil supply to North Korea may harm people in hospitals or other ordinary citizens. RC priorities are clear: stability in Pyongyang; no regime change; no drastic alteration of the geopolitical chessboard; no massive refugee crisis. That does not preclude Beijing from applying pressure on Pyongyang. Branch offices of the Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China in the northeastern border city of Yanji have banned DPRK citizens from opening new accounts. Current accounts are not frozen yet, but deposits and remittances have been suspended. To get to the heart of the matter, though, we need to examine what happened last week at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok  which happens to be only a little over 300 km away from the DPRKs Punggye-ri missile test site. Its all about the Trans-Korean Railway In sharp contrast to the Trump administration and the Beltways bellicose rhetoric, what RC proposes are essentially 5+1 talks (North Korea, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea, plus the US) on neutral territory, as confirmed by Russian diplomats. In Vladivostok, Putin went out of his way to defuse military hysteria and warn that stepping beyond sanctions would be an invitation to the graveyard. Instead, he proposed business deals. Largely unreported by Western corporate media, what happened in Vladivostok is really ground-breaking. Moscow and Seoul agreed on a trilateral trade platform, crucially involving Pyongyang, to ultimately invest in connectivity between the whole Korean peninsula and the Russian Far East. South Korean Prime Minister Moon Jae-in proposed to Moscow to build no less than nine bridges of cooperation : Nine bridges mean the bridges of gas, railways, the Northern Sea Route, shipbuilding, the creation of working groups, agriculture and other types of cooperation. Crucially, Moon added that the trilateral cooperation would aim at joint projects in the Russian Far East. He knows that the development of that area will promote the prosperity of our two countries and will also help change North Korea and create the basis for the implementation of the trilateral agreements. Adding to the entente, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha both stressed strategic cooperation with RC. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Click Here For Your Free Daily Newsletter Geo-economics complements geo-politics. Moscow has also approached Tokyo with the idea of building a bridge between the nations. That would physically link Japan to Eurasia  and the vast trade and investment carousel offered by the New Silk Roads, aka, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU). It would also complement the daring plan to link a

Trans-Korean Railway to the Trans-Siberian one. Seoul wants a rail network that will physically connect it with the vast Eurasian land bridge, which makes perfect business sense for the fifth largest export economy in the world. Handicapped by North Koreas isolation, South Korea is in effect cut off from Eurasia by land. The answer is the Trans-Korean Railway. Moscow is very much for it, with Putin noting how we could

deliver Russian pipeline gas to Korea and integrate the power lines and railway systems of Russia, the Republic of Korea and North Korea. The implementation of these initiatives will be not only economically beneficial, but will also help build up trust and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Moscows strategy, like Beijings, is connectivity: the only way to integrate Pyongyang is to keep it involved in economic cooperation via the Trans-Korean-Trans-Siberian connection, pipelines and the development of North Korean ports. The DPRKs delegation in Vladivostok seemed to agree. But not yet. According to North Koreas Minister for External Economic Affairs, Kim Yong Jae: We are not opposed to the trilateral cooperation [with Russia and South Korea], but this is not an appropriate situation for this to be implemented. That implies that for the DPRK the priority is the 5+1 negotiation table. Still, the crucial point is that both Seoul and Pyongyang went to Vladivostok, and talked to Moscow. Arguably the key question  the armistice that did not end the Korean War  has to be broached by Putin and the Koreans, without the Americans. While the sanctions game ebb and flows, the larger strategy of RC is clear  a drive aimed at Eurasian connectivity. The question is how to convince the DPRK to play along. This article was first published by Asia Times -
The Nigerian military has declared the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, a terrorist organisation., this was made known in a statement on Friday by the Director of Defence Information, John Enenche.

Several people have been left injured due to clashes between the military operation and IPOB members in Abia State . Although there have been reports of deaths particularly of IPOB members, none has been confirmed.

IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu are campaigning for an independent country of Biafra made up of ethnic Igbos. Although they had said their campaign was non-violent, Mr. Kanu said this week that that stance would be reviewed, accusing the military of attacking unharmed members of his organisation.

In his statement by the major general, Mr. Enenche, listed five reasons the military considered for labelling IPOB a terror group.

These include The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads; extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks, and militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017.

Read the militarys full statement below.

PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE STATE OF INDEPENDENT PEOPLE OF BIAFRA

1. The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group which has posed to be a security challenge in the Country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other. After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient, to notify the general public that; the claim by IPOB actors that the organization is non-violent is not true. Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB. In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that has been terrorising the general public among others include;

a. The formation of a Biafra Secret Service.

b. Claimed formation of Biafra National Guard.

c. Unauthorised blocking of public access roads.

d. Extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks.

e. Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017.

f. Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on 11 September 2017 and also attempts to snatch their rifles.

g. Attack by IPOB members, on a military check point on 12 September 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldiers rifle.

3. From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group.

4. The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the Country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property.

Source: ( Premium Times )
A peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, especially between farmers and herdsmen was a necessary ingredient for development and economic growth, according to the Emir of Loko in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abubakar Sabo, on Friday.

The monarch also urged his subjects and other Nigerians at large to continue to be their brothers keepers by living in peace and tolerating one another, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

He advised Nigerians to be law abiding and respect the constituted authorities so as to achieve speedy development in the country.

As custodian of people, culture and peace, it is our role to advise our subjects and other Nigerians on the need to live in peace and tolerate each other.

Peace is priceless, non-negotiable, it is the necessary requirement for the development of any nation or society as no society can achieve meaningful progress without peace.

We must, therefore, shun all negative acts and hate speeches.

No society or nation can achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancor and confusion, hence, the need for Nigerians to embrace peace at all the time, Sabo said.

The Emir also called on the farmers and herdsmen to co-exist peacefully in order to boost food production in the state.

He commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for his efforts in promoting peace and for embarking on projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.

The traditional ruler also commended Alhaji Adamu Loko, the Turakin Loko and a philanthropist, for his humanitarian gesture in the area.

Source: ( PM News )
It was all round smiles for Ugochi Ihezue as she beat 36 other contestants to emerge the winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2017 pageant.it was a keenly contested competition but in the end Miss Kebbi who emerge as the winner.

She is officially MBGN World and will represent Nigeria at the Miss World pageant.

Others in the top five include  Fourth runner-up  Miss Bayelsa, Third runner-up/Miss Ecowas- Miss Oyo, Second runner-up/Miss Tourism  Miss Plateau, First runner-Up/MBGN Universe  Miss Sokoto.

Source: ( Linda Ikeji )
First lady of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Buhari, confirmed that over 200,000 victims of insurgency and families of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country have been assisted through her Future Assured programme

This was disclosed this on Friday when she hosted the First Lady of the Republic of Uganda, Mrs Janet Museveni, at the State House in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the aim of the meeting was to interface on the need to improve the health and well-being of women and children in their respective countries.

The wife of the President informed the visiting first lady of her passion to always support the health and physical well-being of women and children in Nigeria.

She said since the inception of the current administration, the Future Assured programme has recorded a huge success, especially in the areas of healthcare services as well as girl-child education.

According to her, we provided free medical outreach programme where we screened over 20,000 women of different medical conditions such as Hypertension, cervical cancer as well as diabetes.

Mrs Buhari said she was raising awareness to support malnurished victims of insurgency in the North east.

According to her, this was being done through her Get Involved initiative , a component of her Future Assured programme.

 I will always do what I can to touch the lives of women and children in Nigeria, she said.

The wife of the President said that she inaugurated Youths Educational Empowerment Programme to enable women and children continue with their education.

In her response, the Ugandan First Lady thanked Mrs Buhari for giving her the opportunity to learn about her various women empowerment programme.

Mrs Museveni, who is the current Minister of Education and Sport in Uganda, also said that she was in Nigeria to extend greetings from women and children of Uganda to Mrs Buhari.

 I want to take this opportunity to learn from the wife of the President of Nigeria, the work she is doing to improve lives of women and children.

I always used any opportunity I have to learn from what is happening around our continent; our continent of Africa is still the one that has many challenges to catch-up with the rest of the continents,  she said.

The Ugandan first lady said that she was humble to be given the opportunity to participate in the rebuilding of her country.

She, therefore, thanked Mrs Buhari for the reception accorded her.

Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Khadijah Abba-Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Dr Hajo Sani, Wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Dr Mairo Al-makura.

Also present was the former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen.

Source: ( PM News )
The Pennsylvania Court has scheduled Bill Cosbys retrial on charges of sexual assault for April 2, 2018, on Friday.

Cosby is been charged with three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting accuser, Andrea Constand, at his home in 2004.

The 80 year-old actor already stood trial in June but Judge Steven ONeill declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to agree on a verdict.

The actor hired new lawyers for the retrial, including Tom Mesereau, who is best-known for his part in Michael Jacksons acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005.

The retrial was originally due to start in November, but Cosbys new legal team requested a delay to give them time to catch up on the case.

The trial would take place in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Unlike Cosbys previous lawyers, his new legal team has not requested that jurors be selected from outside Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where Cosby lives.

More than 50 women have come forward to publicly accuse Cosby of drugging and raping them, but the trial is focused solely on accusations from Constand, a former employee at Temple University in Philadelphia, Cosbys alma mater.

She alleged that Cosby gave her pills and sexually assaulted her as she drifted in and out of consciousness.

The African-American actor started his career as a stand-up comic in the 1960s.

His biggest success was the television sitcom The Cosby Show, which ran from 1984 to 1992, in which he played obstetrician Cliff Huxtable, the wise and loveable patriarch of a large, affluent black family.

Source: ( PM News )
The lawmaker representing Lagos Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Oluremi Tinubu, has affirmed that hate speech and quit notices will hurt Nigeria.

Tinubu, while describing Nigeria as a complex country, noted that her greatness lied in the diversity of the different groups that make up the country.

The senator spoke at a town hall meeting with her constituents on Friday at Arcade Hall, Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos on Friday.

Tinubu commended the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, one of the groups that formed the coalition, for prevailing on the youth to withdraw their quit notice.

I also appeal to others to follow suit and take back any statement capable of leading to hostilities and apprehension, she said.

She called on Nigerians to re-evaluate themselves and those around them to adequately benefit from the diversity of ideas and experiences.

She said that Lagos with all the different ethnicities that make up Nigeria residing within her boundaries, has proven that it is possible to coexist peacefully.
A business man identified as, Hassan Baba,has been remanded in prison custody at the Minna Chief Magistrates Court for allegedly impersonating Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger to defraud a director of N18m.

The accused was docked alongside one Bala Danladi on a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, criminal breach of trust and cheating by impersonation.

The Police Prosecutor, Jude Akaeze, told the court that one Mohammed Ibrahim, a Director of Finance at the Niger State House of Assembly reported the matter at the G.R.A station on July 26.

Mr. Akaeze said the complainant alleged that Mr. Baba had come to his office and introduced himself as a right hand man of Governor. Bello and gave him two phone numbers allegedly to be the governors numbers.

He said Mr. Baba was said to have been using the numbers to call Ibrahim under the guise of being the governor, telling him that he will be sending Baba (himself) to him if he wanted anything.

Mr. Baba thereafter conspired with Mr. Danladi, a driver to Mr. Ibrahim, to forge a letter of appointment of permanent secretaries using the letter head of the state Head of Service and included Mr. Ibrahims name in it as permanent secretary Ministry of Finance to convince him that he was close to the governor.

Mr. Baba was said to have capitalized on Mr. Ibrahims trust and confidence in him as the governors right man hand by defrauding the director of N18m between May and June.

During police investigation, N1.2 million and two cars were recovered from Baba and it was also discovered that Mr. Danladi gave Baba all the information he needed about the director.

When the charges were read to the accused persons, they all pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 97, 364, 132, 392, 312, and 324 of the penal code respectively.

He told the court that police had concluded investigation into the case and asked for a date to commence hearing.

However, counsel to the first defendant, Liman Abdullahi, prayed the court to order the police to furnish him with the statements of the complainant, accused persons and the police investigation report.

Mr. Abdullahi noted that his application was predicated on section 36 subsection 6 of the 1999 constitution.

The prosecution thereafter sought the leave of the court to file a written address in response to the issues raised by the defense counsel.

The presiding Magistrate, Mohammed Gabi, adjourned the matter until Sept. 28 to enable the prosecution file his written address.

Source :(NAN)
Nigerias first lady, Aisha Buhari, received the First Lady of the Republic of Uganda, Janet Museveni who paid her a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa on Friday 15th September.

What caught our attention was her $4490 Oscar De La Renta Magnolia Guipure Caftan dress for the event.

See photos below



Here are photos and screenshots taken off online retail stores;

This is not the first time she would be spotted wearing expensive designers Recall that for her official portrait, she rocked a 10million watch.

Investigations revealed that Aisha Buhari, wife of the President of Nigeria wore a Cartier Baignoire Folle 18-Carat White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch that cost 34,500 to President Buharis inauguration on Friday, May 29.

The equivalent of this at the current CBN foreign exchange rate of N303 to 1 is N10, 453, 000.

(gistreel)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a banker with Access Bank identified as Cyril Ndakoji Amaechi for defrauding Jephthah International School.

The EFCC told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that Amaechi received N36, 186, 012 (thirty-six million, one hundred and eighty-sixty thousand and twelve naira) from the school and diverted same for his private use.

The South-South Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr. Ishaq Salihu, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, said the suspect, a marketer in the bank, had connived with two other persons to swindle the school management.

Salihu also added that while Amaechi was using the schools deposit to build a mansion for himself, he (suspect) issued fake bank statement to the school management, giving the impression that their funds were intact.

The building, which is sited at Rumuekini in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, housed a three-bedroom flat and a double two-bedroom flats.

Speaking further, Salihu explained that the banker got two of his friends involved in the crime in a bid to ensure that the school management was convinced that their money was intact in the bank.

He added that Amaechi had managed to use monies from somebodys bank account to pay the school when they came for withdrawal, adding that the suspect later found it difficult to balance the two accounts.

The EFCC zonal director said, The proprietress of Jephthah International School reported to her banker, Access Bank, that some of her cheques cannot be cashed. In the evening of that day, Access Bank, through their representative reported to the EFCC to look into the matter.

Investigators immediately swung into action and the culprit, the principal suspect, and his accomplices were arrested. The proceeds of the crime have been recovered substantially. We realised that he has built a one-three bedroom apartment and two two-bedroom apartments from the proceeds of his criminal activity.

He is a marketer and accounts officer of Jephthah International School. He was literally robbing Peter to pay Paul. When the centre could not hold, the school realised that their cheques could not be honoured and reported back to the bank to find out what was happening.

Earlier on, he (suspect) had got one of his accomplices in the person of Oboma Chisom, who posed as a Customer Relations Officer of Access Bank to place a call to the Administrator of Jephthah International School, that she should tarry a while; that the bank was having some network problems and that her cheques will be honoured within a short period of time.

The EFCC zonal head explained that the suspect got in touch with one Adebayo, who helped him to design letter-headed papers of his (Adebayo) organisation and succeeded in paying the proprietor of the school staff salaries and thereby temporarily eased the building tension.

He was trying to balance two different accounts and the same time. We have gone for interim forfeiture order to enable us to seize the property he acquired with proceeds from the crime, Salihu said.

However, the anti-graft agency has arrested two persons, Tasiu Ismail and Haruna Ismail, suspected to have cloned the Facebook account of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere.

Also arrested was one Rowland Chimezie for allegedly impersonating top government officials, including Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Chief Felix Obuah.

The proprietor of Jephthah International Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Edith Chukwuogo, thanked the EFCC for their commitment towards ensuring that the suspect was fished out.

She also expressed gratitude to Access Bank for deciding to pay the money diverted by the suspect.

 Today.ng
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari failed to demonstrate the promise he made to Nigerians during his inauguration as the President in 2015.

Buhari, during his inauguration ceremony, promised to carry all sections of the country along in his administration when he said: I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

But, the Catholic Bishops in a communique signed by their President, Ignatius Kaigama and issued after their meeting in Taraba State yesterday maintained that Buhari had failed to live up to those words two years after assuming office.

According to the clerics, the inability of the Federal Government under Buhari to address grievances among different sections of the country had led to rising tension in the land.

The communique said, In his inaugural speech as civilian president of Nigeria on May 29, 2015, the President sent out a message of hope and of his commitment to national integration and cohesion.

He said: Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office, I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores.

More than two years later, the reality on ground and the verdict of most of our people across the nation  irrespective of religious affiliation, ethnic group or social status  point to the contrary. The inability of the government to address the inequitable situation in the country has provided breeding ground for violent reactions, protests and agitations, which exploit the grievances of different segments of the country.

We call on government at all levels to urgently address these anomalies, remove everything that smacks of injustice, and give everybody and every part of our country a sense of belonging.

Speaking further, the bishops frowned at the deployment of military personnel in the Southeastern part of the country, describing it as capable of igniting a fire that could turn into an uncontrollable conflagration.

While calling on aggrieved citizens and groups to maintain law and order, the CBCN said that the government must live up to its responsibilities to the citizens in order for development to occur in the country.

The group, however, commended the Federal Government for the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism in the North-East and the release of some of the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State.

 Dailypost
The Rivers State Police Command on Wednesday,paraded a fake Police Sergeant,identified as Mr Benjamin Tanko, an indigene of Kajuru in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State.

He was arrested in a police camouflage at the Oil Mill Motor Park by Men of the CP Monitoring Unit led by the officer in-charge, Sp Grace Wonwu.

The suspect who claimed to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the Port Harcourt Area Command is helping the Police in Investigation and will be arraigned as soon as investigation is over.

Items found on him include; three different Police I.D cards with different force numbers.

Source: ( Linda Ikeji )
Larry King (born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger; November 19, 1933) is an American television and radio host, whose work has been recognized with awards including two Peabodys and 10 Cable ACE Awards.

He began as a local Florida journalist and radio interviewer in the 1950s and 1960s and became prominent as an all-night national radio broadcaster starting in 1978.From 1985 to 2010, he hosted the nightly interview television program Larry King Live on CNN. He currently hosts Larry King Now on Hulu and RT America during the week, and on Thursdays he hosts Politicking with Larry King, a weekly political talk show which airs in the evening on the same two channels.

Larry Kings representative confirmed that the longtime TV and radio host recently underwent treatment for lung cancer.

On February 24, 1987, King suffered a major heart attack and then had quintuple-bypass surgery. Since then, King has written two books about living with heart disease. Mr. King, Youre Having a Heart Attack: How a Heart Attack and Bypass Surgery Changed My Life (1989, ISBN 0-440-50039-7) was written with New Yorks Newsday science editor B. D. Colen. Taking On Heart Disease: Famous Personalities Recall How They Triumphed over the Nations #1 Killer and How You Can, Too (2004, ISBN 1-57954-820-2) features the experience of various celebrities with cardiovascular disease including Peggy Fleming and Regis Philbin.

King related his heart attack experience in a film interview in the 2015 British documentary film The Widowmaker which discusses cardiology diagnostic tests.

King has received annual chest X-rays to monitor his heart condition. During his 2017 examination, doctors discovered a cancerous tumor in his lung. It was successfully removed with surgery.[66]

He immediately underwent a successful surgery to remove the upper lobe and lymph node in July, the rep added, noting that King returned to work two weeks later.

source: IB9ja
The Minister of State for Health on Friday, disguised herself as a patient and busted a couple of corrupt medical workers in the nations capital.

Dressed in a hijab and a veil to disguise herself as a patient, the Ugandan Minister of State for Health, Ms Sarah Opendi on Friday, arrested two health workers at Naguru-China Friendship Hospital in Kampala, the nations capital after they allegedly asked her for a bribe.

I arrived here and disguised myself as a patient with abdominal complications. I wanted to confirm reports I have been receiving from the public that Naguru health workers ask patients to pay for [the supposedly] free services,she said.

Ms Opendi arrived on a boda boda at the General Outpatient department at around 10am to seek treatment.

Upon arrival, the minister went through all the steps like any other patient including buying a 32-paged exercise book where doctors can write their medical notes like diagnosis and treatment.

I went to the doctor who I informed me about my sickness. The doctor then recommended that I do some tests including: liver function test, diabetes and Hepatitis B, she said. However, I was directed to the laboratory, she added.

At the main laboratory, Mr Andrew Kalule, a lab technologist was the first one to fall into the ministers trap as he asked for Shs150, 000 to perform the recommended tests.

I never had all the money but I gave him Shs100,000 and pleaded with him to allow me bring the balance when I get. He then gave me his number and name as Ssozi, the minister told journalists who were called in during the arrest. Christine Namanda, a nursing assistant was the second victim to fall into the ministers trap after allegedly asked for Shs5,000 in order to avail testing strips used to diagnose diabetes.

Namanda who had just returned from maternity leave told journalists that the testing strips were out of stock at hospital but would only be availed at a cost.

When police searched Ms Namanda, she was found with about Shs87, 300 which she had allegedly collected from unsuspecting patients. The notes were in denominations of Shs5,000 and Shs20, 000. After the search, Ms Opendi could easily identify her note having recorded its numbers.

The deputy hospital director, Dr Stephen Kyebambe applauded the minister for helping them expose the culprits who have been extorting money from patients.

We dont condone health workers conduct of collecting money from our patients because we have free and private services. Those patients who pay money at our private wing should be given a receipt by the cashier, he said.

However, several health workers who spoke to this reporter after the arrest of their colleagues indicated that they work under awful conditions which tempt them to ask for money from patients in order to survive.

The nurse who has been arrested has a 3-months-old baby and earns about Shs270,000 per month. As I talk to you, it is lunch time but we are not given anything to eat; not even break tea, a health worker stated.

Mr Kalule apologized to the minister and indicated that Naguru hospital lacked all the testing strips and reagents required to perform the highly specialized tests she needed.

Ms Sheila Okodi, a senior hospital administrator, said the National Medical Stores was yet to deliver some of the supplies that are out of stock.

According to Ms Opendi, the suspects will be taken to the Anti-Corruption Court over corruption charges..
A UK-based civil society organization, Citizens United for Peace and Stability (CUPS) said on Friday that it is gathering facts about the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in a bid to ask the Government to revoke his British citizenship.

Nnamdi Kanu is a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

Dr. Idris Ahmed, the Convener of CUPS said the move seeking the revocation of Kanus British citizenship was connected to alleged acts of terrorism perpetrated by IPOB, including the recent attacks on Northerners living in the Southeast.

Beyond any doubt, IPOB is a terrorist organization. I have watched so many video clips on Facebook in which Nnamdi Kanu talked about mobilizing weapons and financial resources to wage war against the Nigerian State, Ahmed said in a Facebook post.

The CUPS organization has started compiling evidence to pass to the British Government to strip Nnamdi Kanu of his UK citizenship, he said.

Under a new law, over 100 UK citizens who went overseas to commit acts of terrorism or fight for ISIS have been stripped of their citizenship by the Home Secretary (Minister of Internal Affairs).

Nnamdi Kanu perfectly falls into this category, he said.

(gistreel)
A primary school teacher has been nabbed after he was found out to have filmed his pupils n*ked as they changed for swimming.

According to an ABC News report, a once-respected primary school teacher in Perth with 38 years service has been jailed for secretly recording his young students while they were getting changed for swimming lessons.

The 60-year-old man, who cannot be identified to protect his victims, pleaded guilty to 42 charges of indecently recording, or attempting to indecently record, girls aged between 9 and 13.

The offences, which happened in March 2014 and again in March 2016, involved him hiding a pen camera in a bomber jacket, which he placed inside a disabled school toilet.

Some of the children were recorded naked, while others were captured in their underwear.

Not all victims have been able to be identified.

The offences were uncovered when another staff member found the camera and recognised the teacher in the footage.

He then fled and while on the run from police for five days, wrote a nine-page letter, in which he said he could not understand why he committed the offences and that he expected to burn in hell for his sins.

I dont know why I did this. Ive lost any hope of teaching again, he said.

The District Court was told the man had a troubled upbringing that was marred by violence and abuse, and at the time of the offences he was suffering severe anxiety and depression.

Judge Andrew Stavrianou accepted the man had psychological problems which reduced his moral culpability, but he said the offences were so serious only a term of immediate imprisonment was appropriate.

You were well-regarded, however, the students in this case had a right to expect when they went into the changeroom that they would be safe, he told the man.

Similarly, parents would expect when their children went to school they would be safe.

Your conduct was deliberate and intentional  each of those victims had their privacy violated.

However, he accepted that the man was remorseful and noted that he had clearly lost his career and any hope of working with children ever again.

Judge Stavrianou imposed a sentence of two years and three months in jail and the man will have to serve half the term before he can be released.
A young lady who was bent on committing suicide, removed the batteries from her clock before going on to kill herself.

Leah Hook, a 16-year-old girl took her own life after removing batteries from a clock as a message to her parents so that they knew when she died, an inquest has been told.

The teenager stayed at home over the Easter holidays while her family went for a bike ride.

According to Metro UK, when they returned they found her hanged with a plastic alarm clock next to her. body.

A coroners officer told an inquest in Gloucester: Leah had taken a battery out of the clock so it stayed at 3.30pm.

Her dad believed this was a message to tell them what time she had gone.

Her parents dialled 999 but despite the attempts of paramedics, the schoolgirl could not be revived.

Leahs father, Richard, told the inquest: We were trying to go away for the Bank Holiday weekend.

We were trying to get her to come along to Devon, but she really didnt want to go away. With hindsight maybe she had been waiting for an opportunity.

In the end we went out, we were worried about her, we tried to talk her into coming. She texted us while we were out, the texts seemed normal.

I texted her while I was in Bath but then I didnt get a reply.

Mr Hook, 52, and partner Deborah had left Leah at home in Stroud, Gloucestershire, while they cycled to nearby Bath, Somerset.

But when they returned to the house they found the teenager unresponsive, and began performing CPR while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

An inquest heard that Leah had been stressed because of her mock GCSEs, and had not gone to school that week.

She was said to have become withdrawn from friends and family, and had refused to go to the stables where she worked part time, saying she couldnt be bothered to do anything.

The GCSE pupil had smoked cannabis before her death but a toxicology report could not specify how much, or when.

The inquest heard she had seen her GP in June 2015 for self-harming and had been referred to a support group but never followed up on it.

Senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Katie Skerrett, said: She was in the house alone, her stepbrother was in Scotland and not expected to be back. She wrote detailed notes for what was to happen after.

Mrs Skerrett added: A young lady who felt very low in her life did not feel able to get support from other organisations or from her parents and took the most drastic action, leading to loss of life.

Leah was a keen equestrian who started riding ponies as a primary school pupil.

Workers at the stables raised cash to pay for a permanent memorial to Leah, a statue of a horse with a plaque with her name on it.

They recalled how she was able to make children feel happy and safe as she took them out on pony rides.

Her boss, Barton End owner Abby Cooke, said after her death: I have known Leah since I started to teach her to ride in primary school, she was so enthusiastic that she spent all her spare time up here working.

She was a beautiful girl very hardworking and dedicated to my animals.

She ended up taking care of my childrens pets and showing them how to look after them properly and she was the primary carer for our petting animals.

She always had a kind word to say and loved taking small children on their first pony rides, chatting to them to make them feel happy and safe.

She always had a smile so it was even more heart-breaking to know that she was suffering inside and we didnt know.

Our thoughts are with her mum and dad and family at this time.

At an inquest at Gloucester Coroners Court, a conclusion of suicide was recorded.
The Nigerian Army released a press statement yesterday declaring the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, a terrorist organization in Nigeria.

Also, South East governors had a meeting in Enugu state yesterday evening and they banned the activities of the secessionist group in the region.

Former spokesperson to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, took to his social media handle to react to the news.

See his reactions below:
Activities of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in all five states of South-East Nigeria has been banned. This was announced by Chairman South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, after a cloed door meeting South East Governors Forum had with South-east leadership of the National Assembly, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

In view of the prevailing security situation in the South-East and its attendant consequences, the South-East Governors hereby resolved as follows: All the activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on National issues and submit to the committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South-East zone through the Chairman of South-East Governors Forum, he said.

Nigerias former President, Olusegun Obasanjo who had a chat with Newsweek, said Pres. Buhari must meet with Nnamdi Kanu, before the ongoing crisis gets out of hand.
Super Eagles star John Mikel Obi is blessed with a set of twins from his Russian girlfriend Olga Diyachenko. The former Chelsea midfielder has shown off his cute twin babies on Instagram as his daughters are getting lots of buzz from social media. He was spotted dancing alongside the beautiful kids recently. Mikel Obi is celebrating his twin daughters Ava and Mias birthday, who he welcomed with his Russian girlfriend, Olga Diyachenko on September 14, 2015.

The happy dad who shared this video, wrote; Mikel Obi is celebrating his twin daughters Ava and Mias birthday, who he welcomed with his Russian girlfriend, Olga Diyachenko on September 14, 2015. The happy dad who shared this video, wrote; Happy birthday to our beautiful daughters  #mypride #myjoy Happy birthday to them and many more years ahead See more photos of them:

source: Theinfong
Some security operatives who were abducted at their duty post by yet to be identified assailants have been set free by their colleagues.

The Zamfara Police Command said it has rescued three police officers of the command abducted by unidentified gunmen from their station in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

The states Commissioner of Police, Shaba Alkali, confirmed that the officers were rescued by the police in Gusau on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that unidentified gunmen had, on September 4, attacked the police outpost in Keta village in Tsafe Local Government Area and abducted the three police officers.

The officers are: ASP Ahmad Shehu; the stations officer in charge of the outpost, Sgt. Safiyanu Barau; and Cpl. Musa Balarabe.

The commissioner said the officers were in good health, except Balarabe, who was wounded as a result of a gunshot, adding that he was receiving medical treatment.

According to him, the rescue process was done through the cooperation of the public. You know, in the police, we have various strategies on security matters.

We really enjoyed the support and cooperation given to us by the people in the area in rescuing them; that is why we are emphasising on community policing.

The general public has greater role to play in police activities to maintain peace and stability, Alkali said.

He urged residents to continue to cooperate with the police and all other security agencies in order to maintain peace and stability in the state.

Alkali also urged members of the public to always give useful reports on security issues in their areas to the police.
Crossdresser Bobrisky yesterday, claimed that Tunde Ednut who criticized him by releasing an unedited picture of him actually asked him out in 2016.

According to Bobrisky in a video he made public, Tunde asked him out back then and he reused and blocked him.

Tunde fired back at him only after Nigerians demanded to know the truth and kept on asking in his comments section. Calling Bobrisky a transgender, Ednut wrote;
The tweet has since gone viral with over 2500 retweets and 500 likes as at time of publishing.

Various reactions trailed the post See some below
The Nigerian army, in a statement issued at about 12:42 a.m on Friday, advising Nigerians to disregard the statement by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu which gave the impression that it was withdrawing its troops from the exercise codenamed Operation Python Dance II.

According to the Army Spokesman, Sani Usman, Its not true that we are withdrawing the troops.

The Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikpeazu, had said on Thursday that the army from Friday would commence a gradual withdrawal of troops from the streets of Abia.

This (the governors remark) should not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops earmarked for Exercise EGWU EKE II, Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, said, adding that The General Officer Commanding 82 Division has not said such thing.

The army said the exercise will commence as scheduled and would run till the end of the year.

Members of the public especially in the areas where the exercise will take place are please enjoined to go about their lawful businesses.

We wish to also state that we would not allow any individual or group to jeopardise the conduct of the field training exercise through unlawful or criminal activities, the army said.

The army appealed to Nigerians to support the exercise which it said was part of its constitutional duties.

It promised that the troops would conduct themselves in the best professional manner, abide by the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct in line with requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the exercise.

The movement of several Armoured Personnel Carriers into Umuahia, Abia State, on Sunday caused a violent skirmish between the troops and the supporters of IPOB, the separatist group campaigning for the independent state of Biafra.

The situation has prompted some Nigerians, especially those from the South-east, to condemn the military exercise as being unnecessary, provocative, and capable of leading to a more serious national security crisis.

The effect of the Umuahia incident spread to Aba, still in Abia State, where suspected members of IPOB burnt down a police station and also in Jos, Plateau State, where violence erupted between the Hausas and the Igbo community.

Meanwhile, a former attorney general in Akwa Ibom State, Victor Iyanam, has said that there was nothing wrong or unusual about the military operation in the South-east.

Mr. Iyanam said Thursday on Facebook that the military for a long time now has been a part of the nations security process.

The police could never have been able to do it alone, he said.

Why do we pretend about the military presence in this country? How about the joint Military/Police patrols all over the country?

Odi was levelled by the military, (and) there was applause for whatever reason. Ibrahim Zakzaky in Kaduna and his followers will not forget their encounter with the military in a hurry. Python Dance Phase1 just rounded off in Rivers State and nobody quarreled with that.

This story of Militarisation is just not credible.

A decision on the security situation is neither legislative nor judicial. It is the perogative of the President. The hullaballoo on militarisation is diversionary and mischievous. Buhari cannot afford to be a do-nothing President just so that he would be seen as a democrat, Mr. Iyanam said.

Source: ( Premium Times )
International insurance law association AIDA, with the support of the Australian Insurance Law Association ( AILA ), will host an industry conference that will tackle casualty catastrophes and its destructive potential on insurance companies.The inaugural Asia Pacific Insurance Conference (APIC17) will be held Oct. 18-20 in Singapore, and will feature Willis Re Australia CEO Cameron Green as keynote speaker, as well as thought leaders from across the globe.According to Green, the general insurance industry has made great investments to increase its understanding of the capital needed to support underwriting property risk, assessing exposure to property catastrophes, and developing a range of modelling tools.But the measurement of liability downside risk lags far behind property modelling, he said. Liability is different. Risks are driven by forces that are difficult to model but no longer impossible. We are now at the turning point that faced the property cat market 30 years ago.The conference will see the Willis Re boss discuss the different forms of casualty catastrophes, including major loss events; medical misadventures; and systemic product liability losses; and the systemic implications of the collapse of a finance company.One physical event, like London's Grenfell Tower fire, could trigger a flood of claims, including professional indemnity, D&O, and workers' compensation.Green said the pressure is on for insurers to better identify exposures and, in particular, aggregation risks for casualty catastrophes.Unlike property risks, there is no off-the-shelf model to assist them, said Green. While first-party risks from earthquake, wind, flood, and man-made perils are well served by property cat reinsurance models, third-party casualty risks, until recently, considerably less so. While conventional reinsurance can respond well to threat scenarios, like industrial accidents or earthquakes, they are not designed to offer broad systemic protection.Green said that at Willis Re, a methodology called Measure, Manage, and Mitigate, is being used to help clients understand the risk of ruin from casualty aggregations.Providing guidance on risk quantification in liability classes, where data is generally poor, relative to property threats, is valuable [because] this deficit will become an increasing source of attention from external stakeholders demanding more coherent and credible casualty downside risk metrics than exist today, he said.Measuring involves identifying the depth of industry classifications, professions, and occupations across a portfolio; Managing means setting up a framework around the measurements and implementing a scenario testing; and Mitigation entails ensuring that clients have adequate reinsurance to cover the risks identified.Full program details of APIC17 are available at: www.apacinsuranceconference.com.
The axing of a $14 billion insurance giant's top boss has led to a share-price bounce that analysts said investors should take as a chance to sell down, spelling trouble for the global company's incoming boss. QBE Insurance Group's shares rose on Tuesday after QBE chairman Marty Becker announced the company's succession plan, which will see Pat Regan, the current head of QBE's Australian and New Zealand business, succeed John Neal as the group's chief executive next year.While company shares were still slightly up on Wednesday, QBE stock has lost about $4.5 billion in value since the profit downgrade in June caused by the companys emerging markets business. Bloomberg data showed the stock underperformed the market by about 10 times over the past five years and is now worth less than when Neal assumed the CEO spot in 2011.Credit Suisse analyst Andrew Adams said the change in CEO was expected to make the market bullish, which presents investors with the opportunity to reduce their exposure."It will likely be interpreted as a fresh beginning, a new start for QBE on the hopeful road to recovery, he told the Australian Financial Review. We would use the likely positive market reaction as opportunity to reduce exposure to QBE. We maintain our 'underperform' rating."Citi analysts, meanwhile, said QBE's recent track record of disappointments has investors viewing the company as uninvestible."QBE may look like it offers an opportunity, with significant upside in management can turn the business around," Citi analyst Nigel Pittaway told AFR. "Those with a relatively high risk appetite may see it as tempting. There may be a significant opportunity for the brave; we are not recommending it currently. We retain our 'neutral' call."With Regan taking the helm at QBE, some analysts are on the lookout to see if the former QBE CFO can successfully turn the company around  something which his persistently optimistic predecessor was unable to achieve, the report said.Morningstar analyst David Ellis said he was looking forward to improved business performance next year."The new CEO will need to deal decisively with operational problems in the Asia Pacific and Latin American businesses and we would not be surprised to see more short-term earnings volatility, he told the publication. However, from 2018, we forecast steady and consistent earnings improvement."Credit Suisse's Adams warned investors not to expect a quick turnaround under the new CEO, and said the company might still cut its financial targets for fiscal 2018."It will likely be interpreted as a fresh beginning, a new start for QBE on the hopeful road to recovery, he said. However, we caution the expectation of any quick turnaround in QBE's earnings.
What Is a Liability?

A liability is something a person or company owes, usually a sum of money. Liabilities are settled over time through the transfer of economic benefits including money, goods, or services.

Recorded on the right side of the balance sheet, liabilities include loans, accounts payable, mortgages, deferred revenues, bonds, warranties, and accrued expenses.

Liabilities can be contrasted with assets. Liabilities refer to things that you owe or have borrowed; assets are things that you own or are owed.

Key Takeaways A liability (generally speaking) is something that is owed to somebody else.

Liability can also mean a legal or regulatory risk or obligation.

In accounting, companies book liabilities in opposition to assets.

Current liabilities are a company's short-term financial obligations that are due within one year or a normal operating cycle (e.g. accounts payable).

Long-term (non-current) liabilities are obligations listed on the balance sheet not due for more than a year.

1:47 What's a Liability?

How Liabilities Work

In general, a liability is an obligation between one party and another not yet completed or paid for. In the world of accounting, a financial liability is also an obligation but is more defined by previous business transactions, events, sales, exchange of assets or services, or anything that would provide economic benefit at a later date. Current liabilities are usually considered short-term (expected to be concluded in 12 months or less) and non-current liabilities are long-term (12 months or greater).

Liabilities are categorized as current or non-current depending on their temporality. They can include a future service owed to others (short- or long-term borrowing from banks, individuals, or other entities) or a previous transaction that has created an unsettled obligation. The most common liabilities are usually the largest like accounts payable and bonds payable. Most companies will have these two line items on their balance sheet, as they are part of ongoing current and long-term operations.



Liabilities are a vital aspect of a company because they are used to finance operations and pay for large expansions. They can also make transactions between businesses more efficient. For example, in most cases, if a wine supplier sells a case of wine to a restaurant, it does not demand payment when it delivers the goods. Rather, it invoices the restaurant for the purchase to streamline the drop-off and make paying easier for the restaurant.

The outstanding money that the restaurant owes to its wine supplier is considered a liability. In contrast, the wine supplier considers the money it is owed to be an asset.

Liability may also refer to the legal liability of a business or individual. For example, many businesses take out liability insurance in case a customer or employee sues them for negligence.



Other Definitions of Liability

Generally, liability refers to the state of being responsible for something, and this term can refer to any money or service owed to another party. Tax liability, for example, can refer to the property taxes that a homeowner owes to the municipal government or the income tax he owes to the federal government. When a retailer collects sales tax from a customer, they have a sales tax liability on their books until they remit those funds to the county/city/state.

Liability can also refer to one's potential damages in a civil lawsuit.

Types of Liabilities

Businesses sort their liabilities into two categories: current and long-term. Current liabilities are debts payable within one year, while long-term liabilities are debts payable over a longer period. For example, if a business takes out a mortgage payable over a 15-year period, that is a long-term liability. However, the mortgage payments that are due during the current year are considered the current portion of long-term debt and are recorded in the short-term liabilities section of the balance sheet.

Current (Near-Term) Liabilities

Ideally, analysts want to see that a company can pay current liabilities, which are due within a year, with cash. Some examples of short-term liabilities include payroll expenses and accounts payable, which include money owed to vendors, monthly utilities, and similar expenses. Other examples include:

Wages Payable : The total amount of accrued income employees have earned but not yet received. Since most companies pay their employees every two weeks, this liability changes often.

: The total amount of accrued income employees have earned but not yet received. Since most companies pay their employees every two weeks, this liability changes often. Interest Payable : Companies, just like individuals, often use credit to purchase goods and services to finance over short time periods. This represents the interest on those short-term credit purchases to be paid.

: Companies, just like individuals, often use credit to purchase goods and services to finance over short time periods. This represents the interest on those short-term credit purchases to be paid. Dividends Payable : For companies that have issued stock to investors and pay a dividend, this represents the amount owed to shareholders after the dividend was declared. This period is around two weeks, so this liability usually pops up four times per year, until the dividend is paid.

: For companies that have issued stock to investors and pay a dividend, this represents the amount owed to shareholders after the dividend was declared. This period is around two weeks, so this liability usually pops up four times per year, until the dividend is paid. Unearned Revenues : This is a company's liability to deliver goods and/or services at a future date after being paid in advance. This amount will be reduced in the future with an offsetting entry once the product or service is delivered.

: This is a company's liability to deliver goods and/or services at a future date after being paid in advance. This amount will be reduced in the future with an offsetting entry once the product or service is delivered. Liabilities of Discontinued Operations: This is a unique liability that most people glance over but should scrutinize more closely. Companies are required to account for the financial impact of an operation, division, or entity that is currently being held for sale or has been recently sold. This also includes the financial impact of a product line that is or has recently been shut down.



Non-Current (Long-Term) Liabilities

Considering the name, its quite obvious that any liability that is not near-term falls under non-current liabilities, expected to be paid in 12 months or more. Referring again to the AT&T example, there are more items than your garden variety company that may list one or two items. Long-term debt, also known as bonds payable, is usually the largest liability and at the top of the list.

Companies of all sizes finance part of their ongoing long-term operations by issuing bonds that are essentially loans from each party that purchases the bonds. This line item is in constant flux as bonds are issued, mature, or called back by the issuer.

Analysts want to see that long-term liabilities can be paid with assets derived from future earnings or financing transactions. Bonds and loans are not the only long-term liabilities companies incur. Items like rent, deferred taxes, payroll, and pension obligations can also be listed under long-term liabilities. Other examples include:

Warranty Liability : Some liabilities are not as exact as AP and have to be estimated. Its the estimated amount of time and money that may be spent repairing products upon the agreement of a warranty. This is a common liability in the automotive industry, as most cars have long-term warranties that can be costly.

: Some liabilities are not as exact as AP and have to be estimated. Its the estimated amount of time and money that may be spent repairing products upon the agreement of a warranty. This is a common liability in the automotive industry, as most cars have long-term warranties that can be costly. Contingent Liability Evaluation: A contingent liability is a liability that may occur depending on the outcome of an uncertain future event.

A contingent liability is a liability that may occur depending on the outcome of an uncertain future event. Deferred Credits : This is a broad category that may be recorded as current or non-current depending on the specifics of the transactions. These credits are basically revenue collected before it is recorded as earned on the income statement. It may include customer advances, deferred revenue, or a transaction where credits are owed but not yet considered revenue. Once the revenue is no longer deferred, this item is reduced by the amount earned and becomes part of the company's revenue stream.

: This is a broad category that may be recorded as current or non-current depending on the specifics of the transactions. These credits are basically revenue collected before it is recorded as earned on the income statement. It may include customer advances, deferred revenue, or a transaction where credits are owed but not yet considered revenue. Once the revenue is no longer deferred, this item is reduced by the amount earned and becomes part of the company's revenue stream. Post-Employment Benefits : These are benefits an employee or family members may receive upon his/her retirement, which are carried as a long-term liability as it accrues. In the AT&T example, this constitutes one-half of the total non-current total second only to long-term debt. With rapidly rising health care and deferred compensation, this liability is not to be overlooked.

: These are benefits an employee or family members may receive upon his/her retirement, which are carried as a long-term liability as it accrues. In the AT&T example, this constitutes one-half of the total non-current total second only to long-term debt. With rapidly rising health care and deferred compensation, this liability is not to be overlooked. Unamortized Investment Tax Credits (UITC): This represents the net between an asset's historical cost and the amount that has already been depreciated. The unamortized portion is a liability, but it is only a rough estimate of the assets fair market value. For an analyst, this provides some details of how aggressive or conservative a company is with its depreciation methods.

Liabilities vs. Assets

Assets are the things a company ownsor things owed to the companyand they include tangible items such as buildings, machinery, and equipment as well as intangible items such as accounts receivable, interest owed, patents, or intellectual property.

If a business subtracts its liabilities from its assets, the difference is its owner's or stockholders' equity. This relationship can be expressed as follows:

Assets  Liabilities = Owners Equity \text{Assets}-\text{Liabilities}=\text{Owner's Equity} AssetsLiabilities=Owners Equity

However, in most cases, this accounting equation is commonly presented as such:

Assets = Liabilities + Equity \text{Assets} = \text{Liabilities} + \text{Equity} Assets=Liabilities+Equity

Liabilities vs. Expenses

An expense is the cost of operations that a company incurs to generate revenue. Unlike assets and liabilities, expenses are related to revenue, and both are listed on a company's income statement. In short, expenses are used to calculate net income. The equation to calculate net income is revenues minus expenses.

For example, if a company has more expenses than revenues for the past three years, it may signal weak financial stability because it has been losing money for those years.

Expenses and liabilities should not be confused with each other. One is listed on a company's balance sheet, and the other is listed on the company's income statement. Expenses are the costs of a company's operation, while liabilities are the obligations and debts a company owes. Expenses can be paid immediately with cash, or the payment could be delayed which would create a liability.

Example of Liabilities

As a practical example of understanding a firm's liabilities, let's look at a historical example using AT&T's (T) 2020 balance sheet. The current/short-term liabilities are separated from long-term/non-current liabilities on the balance sheet.





AT&T clearly defines its bank debt that is maturing in less than one year under current liabilities. For a company this size, this is often used as operating capital for day-to-day operations rather than funding larger items, which would be better suited using long-term debt.

Like most assets, liabilities are carried at cost, not market value, and under generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) rules can be listed in order of preference as long as they are categorized. The AT&T example has a relatively high debt level under current liabilities. With smaller companies, other line items like accounts payable (AP) and various future liabilities like payroll, taxes will be higher current debt obligations.

AP typically carries the largest balances, as they encompass the day-to-day operations. AP can include services, raw materials, office supplies, or any other categories of products and services where no promissory note is issued. Since most companies do not pay for goods and services as they are acquired, AP is equivalent to a stack of bills waiting to be paid.

How Do I Know If Something Is a Liability? A liability is something that is borrowed from, owed to, or obligated to someone else. It can be real (e.g. a bill that needs to be paid) or potential (e.g. a possible lawsuit). A liability is not necessarily a bad thing. For instance, a company may take out debt (a liability) in order to expand and grow its business. Or, an individual may take out a mortgage to purchase a home.

How Are Current Liabilities Different From Long-Term (Noncurrent) Ones? Companies will segregate their liabilities by their time horizon for when they are due. Current liabilities are due within a year and are often paid for using current assets. Non-current liabilities are due in more than one year and most often include debt repayments and deferred payments.

How Do Liabilities Relate to Assets and Equity? The accounting equation states thatassets = liabilities + equity. As a result, we can re-arrange the formula to read liabilities = assets - equity. Thus, the value of a firm's total liabilities will equal the difference between the values of total assets and shareholders' equity. If a firm takes on more liabilities without accumulating additional assets, it must result in a reduction in the value of the firm's equity position.

What Is a Contingent Liability? A contingent liability is an obligation that might have to be paid in the future, but there are still unresolved matters that make it only a possibility and not a certainty. Lawsuits and the threat of lawsuits are the most common contingent liabilities, but unused gift cards, product warranties, and recalls also fit into this category.
The UN Security Council was called into emergency session today after North Korea conducted its longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile, to discuss what to do now that Kim Jong Un has ignored its latest round of sanctions.

France's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country is ready to work on tougher UN and EU measures "to convince the regime in Pyongyang that there is no interest in an escalation, and to bring it to the negotiating table".

It said North Korea will also be discussed during next week's annual gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly.

The intermediate-range weapon North Korea launched early Friday from Sunan, the location of Pyongyang's international airport, hurtled over US ally Japan into the northern Pacific Ocean.

The launch signalled both defiance of North Korea's rivals and a big technological advance.

Since US President Donald Trump threatened North Korea with "fire and fury" in August, the North has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, threatened to send missiles into the waters around the US Pacific island territory of Guam and launched two missiles of increasing range over Japan.

July saw the country's first tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could strike deep into the US mainland when perfected.

The growing frequency, power and confidence displayed by these tests seem to confirm what governments and outside experts have long feared: North Korea is closer than ever to its goal of building a military arsenal that can viably target US troops both in Asia and in the US homeland.

This, in turn, is meant to allow North Korea greater military freedom in the region by raising doubts in Seoul and Tokyo that Washington would risk the annihilation of a US city to protect its Asian allies.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the missile launch as a serious violation of Security Council resolutions, coming less than two weeks after the North's sixth nuclear test, which also violated a UN ban.

The Security Council's emergency meeting on Friday was behind closed doors.

On Monday the council unanimously approved its toughest sanctions yet on North Korea over its nuclear test, which Pyongyang said was a hydrogen bomb.

The US said the measures, including a ban on textile exports, combined with previous sanctions would ban more than 90% of North Korea's exports reported in 2016.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry denounced the sanctions and said the North would "redouble its efforts to increase its strength to safeguard the country's sovereignty and right to existence".

South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said the latest missile travelled about 2,300 miles and reached a maximum height of 478 miles.

Guam, which is the home of important US military assets, is 2,112 miles away from North Korea.

Despite its impressive range, the missile probably still is not accurate enough to destroy Guam's Andersen Air Force Base, said David Wright, a US missile expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper said Friday, without mentioning the latest missile test, that its weapons tests demonstrate that it can "turn the American empire into a sea in flames through sudden surprise attack from any region and area".

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a liberal who initially pushed for talks with North Korea, said its tests currently make dialogue "impossible".

"The sanctions and pressure by the international community will only tighten so that North Korea has no choice but to take the path for genuine dialogue" for nuclear disarmament, Mr Moon said.

"If North Korea provokes us or our allies, we have the strength to smash the attempt at an early stage and inflict a level of damage it would be impossible to recover from."

North Korea has repeatedly vowed to continue its weapons tests amid what it calls US hostility - by which it means the presence of nearly 80,000 US troops stationed in Japan and South Korea.

AP
There had been reports that British and French prosecutors met last month to discuss the terms of a settlement deal known as a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) following a probe into the use of middlemen to sell jetliners.

That could result in a fine of over 1bn (1.13bn), it was reported, but experts said it was premature to talk about a settlement in an inquiry widely expected to drag on for years.
The announcement came after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he abhors the comments Mr Hook made on his High Noon programme on Friday, September 8.

Supermarket chain Tesco has joined the Dalata Hotel Group in withdrawing its advertising from the show in response to Mr Hooks remarks, for which he has since apologised.

The broadcaster questioned whether the victim of an alleged rape case in the UK should accept a portion of the blame for the crime, because she went back to the hotel room of a man she had first met that night.

I strongly disagree with the comments that he made, Mr Varadkar told RTEs Morning Ireland yesterday.

Nobody who is raped or sexually assaulted is ever responsible for that in any way. I totally disagree with, and abhor, the comments that he made.

He has since then, of course, apologised and apologised profusely and I think he does understand that what he said about this issue, on that occasion and in the past, was unacceptable.

I think its indicative of attitudes that still exist in Irish society that need to change.

Mr Hook previously courted controversy with comments he made about a rape case in 2015.

Boston Herald columnist Michael Graham, a long-time contributor to Mr Hooks shows, criticised the stations decision to suspend Mr Hook and said he would not appear on Newstalk while Mr Hook remained off-air.

I cannot bear how the Irish media/elites/virtues-signaling/anti-free-speech Left has treated a good and decent man like [George Hook], Mr Graham said in a series of tweets.

The National Womens Council of Ireland, which has submitted a complaint about the remarks to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, welcomed the move.

Director Orla OConnor said: It shows that Newstalk is taking the matter seriously, and that they are aware of the extremely damaging impact these remarks have on women who have experienced rape, particularly on those who are considering reporting the crime to An Garda Siochana.

The events this week, from sponsors pulling their sponsorship to the courageous stance taken by staff, both collective and individual, has shown that these views will no longer find a receptive audience.

Mr Hook had presented the show as usual from Monday to Thursday. He opened Mondays show with an apology for his remarks.

It was wrong of me to suggest that any blame could be attributed to those victims or that they bear any responsibility in the crimes committed against them, he said. By doing that I played a part in perpetuating the stigma and I unreservedly apologise for doing so.

Dr Ciara Kelly yesterday stepped in to present Mr Hooks show.

Newstalk presenter Sean Moncrieff tweeted that it has been an incredibly difficult week at Newstalk. But Im immensely proud of the professional and brave staff here, said Mr Moncrieff.
Passengers reacted in horror as the man took out a knife and began to wave it about in a threatening and abusive manner as the bus made its way from the city towards Macroom, en route to Kerry.

The man, aged in his 40s, was taken off the bus and arrested by gardai following the incident. He was taken into custody shortly before 3pm and was being detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at Macroom Garda Station.
Finbarr Geary, aged 36, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court yesterday to engaging in threatening behaviour and being intoxicated and a source of danger at the Mercy University Hospital.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said Geary had long-term alcohol difficulties which had led to him being admitted to St Michaels unit at the Mercy from time to time.

On the occasion that gave rise to the charges of being drunk and a danger and engaging in threatening behaviour he had been at the unit for a week, Mr Buttimer said.

Inspector Adrian Gamble said the investigating officer, Garda Ivor OCallaghan, responded to a call to go to the hospital because of a disturbance there.

Mr Geary was a patient there and he took a large quantity of alcohol, the inspector said.

He said the accused became confrontational with nurses and pushed Garda OCallaghan. When he was being arrested he resisted violently. There was no injury to the nursing staff but there was pushing and shoving, the inspector said.

Mr Buttimer said the accused accepted that the situation was made worse by virtue of occurring in a hospital. The solicitor said the defendant was under what he described as a reasonably liberal regime in the unit at the time and was allowed out of the premises to have a cigarette.

However, during that time outside the door he accessed vodka and came back in an intoxicated condition. Staff observed this. He consumed so much alcohol he blacked out. He ended up waking up in the Bridewell garda station not knowing what happened back in the hospital, Mr Buttimer said.

As a result of his failure to turn up in court to face the case previously he spent two days in custody. Yesterday, Judge Olann Kelleher took this into consideration as he imposed a three-month suspended sentence. Gearys address was care of Cork Simon community.
A statement from RTE said the company deplores the content of the account, accusing it of being disloyal and a disservice to staff. The @rtesecretpro account has amassed over 5,000 followers since it first tweeted nine days ago and has touched upon a number of topics from behind the scenes at the station.

Since the recession hit a decade ago, there have been basically no promotions. The same people are in the same jobs they were in 2008, one tweet reads. Its like that because the vast majority of people in here think what they are doing is pointless, it said.
The premise for such a statement was that the force was going through enormous change, decades old cultural chickens were coming home to roost and Ms OSullivan was having to deal with a new reality that would have been alien to her predecessors.

The day that the column appeared I ran into an opposition politician who stated he was surprised at me. He said that a colleague of his had that morning suggested I had had a senior moment, inferring a lapse of reason due to temporary infirmity.

Why? Because what Id written did not play into the prevailing narrative that Noirin OSullivan must be relentlessly criticised and driven from office pronto (and I had engaged in plenty of criticism of Ms OSullivan).

According to the prevailing narrative all portrayals of the commissioner were to be cast in the harshest light. To do otherwise would be to render you an apologist. It was black and white, really. There was to be no room for manoeuvre in the narrative, no attempt to come at the story from a different angle, no nuance.

Above all, no nuance.

Nuance is fast disappearing from public discourse.

Every issue must be reduced to black and white, the good guys and the bad guys.

We have, in some ways, returned to a situation in which there is a prevailing orthodoxy, and woe betide anybody who strays from that.

Back in the day, the social orthodoxy was classically right wing and overseen by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Today, it would appear that the tenets espoused are drawn from the left.

That of itself is no bad thing, as far as this columnist is concerned. The problem arises in the vehemence applied to the imposition of that orthodoxy.

Once again, the thought police are out with the batons, this time on behalf of, what one might describe as, the illiberal left.

And like the priests of old who patrolled dancehalls to suppress bad thoughts, todays guardians of virtue and vice crowd out social media to attack any who languish outside the fold.

Kevin Myers would have been regarded as unclean by the illiberal left. So when he made offensive remarks last July in the Sunday Times about Jewish people and women he was toast. It wasnt enough that he was fired within hours of the paper hitting the street.

He apologised, but that was never going to do. He was pummelled from all angles. The prevailing orthodoxy had it that he should be driven from the public square. He must be destroyed, reduced to a snivelling wreck, made to repent into eternity.

At this point, a declaration of interest. When Myers column exploded I had a little shot of schadenfreude. Four years ago, I wrote a weekly column for that newspaper and was told I was being let go without notice in order to make way for a big cheese. Enter Mr Myers.

So my initial reaction to his travails lacked sympathy in deference to my bruised ego.

That was before the backlash got nasty, brutish and completely out of hand. He didnt deserve to be destroyed. Not even for displacing me!

The lowest point in the Myers affair occurred when the controversy compelled him to cancel a longstanding engagement to speak at a conference on censorship in Limerick.

The dominant consensus had it that his opinions must never be heard again. A victory for the mob, another blow to the dearly departed concept of nuance.

Nuance isnt a word one would associate with George Hook, yet he might well ask where it has been for the last week.

Hooks inference that women may bear some responsibility if raped was appalling. He was rightly castigated. His apology sounded genuine, but sceptics might legitimately question it.

Would there have been any apology if the reaction had not been so voracious?

He has paid a high price. At 76, he looks like ending a successful broadcasting career in some ignominy. Thats not pleasant but it is self-inflicted.

Yet the vehemence directed towards Hook suggests the mob believes he must be hoist on his own petard and marched through the streets as a warning to anyone who might be tempted to stray from the dominant consensus.

There is no room to ask Hook what exactly he meant or where hes coming from. There is no room to examine whether he represents a strand of opinion and, if so, how such a warped opinion should be addressed.

There is absolutely no room for nuance. In the suffocating monochrome public debating square Hook is bad. Good people must put him down.

During the week, the Irish Times journalist Kitty Holland tweeted the following: I feel sorry for G Hook. Hate his views on women + will argue them to death. But destroy him? No better than 1950s Catholic thought police.

Ms Holland, it is fair to say, is a standard bearer for the liberal left orthodoxy.

What was interesting was the reaction on Twitter to her comments. The mob was disappointed in Kitty. She had let herself down. How could she not want to destroy G Hook? She must have been having a senior moment.

That is the world in which we now live. There is black and white, good and evil.

There is the corrupt and contemptuous elite and there are the virtuous people (members of the elite are singled out by the high priests of the orthodoxy, just as the unclean once were by the bishops).

When one of the elite falls  a top garda, a broadcaster, a journalist  he or she must be driven from the temple of decency into the wilderness to be destroyed. Intolerance is the order of the day.

Thats the shape were in as we face the prospect of addressing the status of the Eighth Amendment.

When the Constitution was amended in 1983, those who opposed the lunacy of what was being done were castigated as murderers.

Arguments from people like attorney general Peter Sutherland about problems being stored up for the future were dismissed. Questions as to whether the Constitution was the appropriate repository for the issue of abortion were ridiculed.

Anybody who didnt submit to the proposition that the amendment was the way to go were cast as godless heathens, interlopers in a society that strove for unquestionable virtue. Nuance was having as bad a time then as it is now.

And today? Change the sides and insert the same intolerant attitude.

The thought police are out again.

The forthcoming debate has all the portents of being as ugly as ever.

Keep the head down and watch out for senior moments.
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BRAVE Rhys Peacey will return to the scene of the hit-and-run accident that almost claimed his life.

Rhys's family was warned to expect the worst when he was hit by a car in Chamonix, in the French Alps, in February.

The 22-year-old former Cowes High School student, of Horseshoe Close, Northwood, had travelled to the resort to work as a taxi driver and enjoy the snowboarding season but ended up in a coma in a French hospital, fighting for his life.

Rhys had suffered a severe brain injury and his parents, Suzanne and Adam, were warned he may not wake up.

Since then, however, he has made a recovery Suzanne has described as 'miraculous'.

Following rehabilitation treatment at St Mary's Hospital, Rhys has moved to Abbotswood Court, Romsey, a residential rehabilitation unit, where he has made huge strides in regaining his speech and movement.

His sister, Alice Peacey, 26, of School Lane, Carisbrooke, said: "Where it's a dedicated unit, it's working really well for him. He's hard at work all day, then he asks the doctors for more exercises to do. They've told him to slow down.

"He's doing fantastically well. You can have a conversation with him now and his movement is improving.

"It's the right side of his body he struggles with but he has almost full movement back in his right leg now. He can walk and move around. It's remarkable.

"Rhys has always been a determined person. I really hoped this wouldn't stop him from doing what he wanted to with his life and, if anything, it's pushed him even harder."

Rhys wants to return to Chamonix, where the police investigation into the hit and run continues, to come to terms with what happened.

Alice said: "I think it's incredibly brave. I wouldn't want to go somewhere so painful and tragic. But it will give him a sense of peace and closure to go back to where his life was almost taken.

"He can stand there and say, 'I survived'."

Rhys is trying to raise 2,000 to pay for the trip. Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/rhys-go-back-to-chamonix-france


Q: I have a question about DACA and illegal immigrants. Please help us understand why these illegal immigrants that have been in the USA for years have not already applied for citizenship? Some have been in this country for 15 or more years, I dont understand what the controversy is now, since they have not taken any steps to become a permanent resident. Is there something that was stopping them from applying?

S.B.

Answer: In order to take steps, there must be steps to take, said Helen Parsonage, a local attorney who specializes in immigration matters.

A person can become an undocumented immigrant in one of two ways, she said in an email response to SAM. Some enter the United States across the border without permission or a visa. These folks make up about one-third of our undocumented population, according to the Center for Migration Studies.

The other two-thirds came here on a visa of some kind and simply stayed for one reason or another  they started a family, put down roots, want a better life and education for their children, or simply like it here. Which way they came makes a huge difference.

To become a citizen, she said, an immigrant must first become a permanent resident (or green card holder) for three to five years. To become a resident, an immigrant must first have someone who is entitled by law to petition for them to receive legal status  typically, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent, spouse or adult child, or an employer  and then the immigrant must show that they came into the United States legally, with a visa, and stayed here legally the whole time since.

An exception is made for spouses, minor children and parents of United States citizens, who can become residents if they entered with a visa, no matter how long they stayed on after it expired, Parsonage said. Everyone else must first wait for a visa to become available (which can take 5 to 25 years), then leave the United States and get their residency abroad, which requires a pardon for having been here undocumented.

Such a pardon is only possible, she said, if they can show that their absence will cause extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen or resident spouse or parent, and if they only have one period of unlawful presence.

For many immigrants, the only U.S. citizen relative they have is a child  which does not qualify them for this type of pardon, she said. In cases of children who are considered U.S. citizens because of being born here, their parents who came in without a visa are almost never going to be able to become residents, Parsonage said.

There are, of course, some exceptions that fit a tiny minority of these folks, but on the whole most are not able to become residents and therefore cannot become citizens.
WESTFIELD  For nearly 10 years, Tom Ham hauled a handmade wooden altar around North Carolina in his trailer, using it at Christian leadership meetings organized by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina that were held in various parts of the state.

Friday, Ham loaded the altar in his Dodge truck one last time, delivering it from his house in Reidsville to its original home, a stone chapel at Vade Mecum Resort near Hanging Rock State Park.

As Ham and others unloaded and positioned the altar back to the place it stood for nearly 40 years, a few people got chills, recognizing it as a poignant moment in the history of the chapel and the ongoing, but slow, revitalization of the 400-acre property, which is now part of Hanging Rock State Park.

Vicar Bob Cook of Christ Episcopal Church in Walnut Cove was among a handful of people who came to see the altars arrival.

It feels so right, Cook said. It likes a sacred piece is coming home.

The altar is a simple but elegant handmade maple table adorned with carved acorns and leaves on its two front legs. Its history is murky, but the Friends of Sauratown Mountains, which supports Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock state parks, said it believes it likely was in the chapel when it opened in 1939.

Vade Mecum was among several resorts that sprang up around what is now Hanging Rock State Park in the late 19th century. Once its resort days were over, the property was sold to the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and turned into a camp. A chapel, gym and cabins were added.

Ham came for weekend camps as a kid in the 1960s.

As many times as I came to the chapel, I never paid attention to the altar, he said.

A decade or so later, the diocese sold the property, taking with it the altar and subsequently placing it in a chapel at its Browns Summit retreat center in Guilford County.

Then, that retreat center closed in the early 2000s, and the altar wound up in the hands of Ham, who volunteered to drive it around the state for Christian lay leadership meetings.

A few years ago, the diocese decided those meetings would be held in a central location, and it no longer needed the altar. They instructed Ham in 2014 to find a church that needs it.

Ham wasnt having much luck with that, storing the altar under blankets in his carport, until he read a story in the Winston-Salem Journal about efforts to revitalize the Vade Mecum property with money from the $2 billion Connect NC bond package that voters approved in 2016. Hanging Rock is slated to receive about $2.1 million for the restoration of Vade Mecum from the bond sale.

Ham approached Debbie Vaden and Johannah Stern, officers with the Friends of the Sauratown Mountains, a few months ago about moving the altar back to the chapel.

Our mouths hung open, Vaden said.

As word about Vade Mecums restoration efforts have trickled into the community, more people are stepping forward with artifacts from the property. For most of its life, the property was home to summer camps that created warm memories for thousands of kids.

Now adults, many of those former campers have taken a keen interest in the propertys future.

What shape the property will take in the coming years is still being considered. Today, from 2 to 4 p.m., people are invited to drop by the visitors center at Hanging Rock State Park to see a master plan developed by OBS Landscape Architects.

Friends of the Sauratown Mountains is acting as a caretaker for the Vade Mecum property, which is at 1105 Camp Sertoma Drive off Moores Spring Road.

It is open to the public on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December.

Vaden said she hopes to have some sort of service at the chapel for people to see the altar in the next several months.
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 ...
Soldiers shot dead 36 Burundian refugees in clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said Saturday, prompting shock, outrage and a demand for answers from the United Nations.

A Burundian refugee said that more than 30 had been killed and at least 100 wounded in the violence in Kamanyola, in the eastern province of South Kivu, on Friday.

Maman Sidikou, the head of MONUSCO, the UN's peacekeeping mission in the country, said in a statement Saturday that at least 36 refugees had been reported killed.

He also stressed that defence and security forces could resort to force "only as a last resort" and in accordance with international norms, and urged "the authorities to promptly open criminal investigations".

Interior ministry official Josue Boji said the clashes began after a group of refugees overran a jail run by the country's domestic intelligence agency to demand the release of four Burundians who had been arrested for expulsion on Wednesday night.

Boji, who had put the toll at 34 dead earlier -- including a Congolese soldier -- said troops tried to disperse the refugees by "firing in the air but were overwhelmed" when the group responded by throwing stones.

At least 124 refugees were also wounded.

The UN refugee agency also called for an investigation of "this tragic incident," saying in a statement that it was "in shock and saddened".

The agency said it had sent teams to Kamanyola, including medical staff to see to those injured.

A Burundian refugee told AFP: "I saw people falling down, men, women and children who were completely unarmed."

Burundi's foreign minister, Alain-Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter described the incident as a "shooting" and said "explanations are needed."

Tens of thousands of Burundians have fled to the eastern DR Congo to escape a wave of violence that unfurled in 2015 after Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza sought a fiercely contested third term in office.

Overall, the violence in Burundi has claimed between 500 and 2,000 lives, according to differing tolls provided by the UN or NGOs and more than 400,000 Burundians have fled abroad.

Around 36,000 are in DR Congo, mainly in the overcrowded camp of Lusenda in the east, or several transit camps.

Most of the refugees involved in Friday's incident are followers of a female prophet called Zebiya, who has attested to seeing visions of the Virgin Mary in northern Burundi, according to testimony to AFP from some of them.

They fear religious persecution if they are sent back home, they said.

On September 4, the UN released a report accusing Burundi's government of crimes against humanity, including executions and torture, and urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a case "as soon as possible".

Burundi's government firmly rejected the allegations, accusing the UN investigators of being "mercenaries" in a Western plot to "enslave African states".
KEARNEY  It was a God thing.

Thats how Sherry Morrow describes the biography, Ron & Carol Cope: A Nebraska Love Story, which was published on Wednesday, Carol Copes 108th birthday.

For months after Carol died on Sept. 13, 2012, friends told Morrow, a longtime friend of the Copes, that she should write a book about the couple. Morrow heard it again in April 2013 from a woman at the University of Nebraska Foundation office.

I dont write books, Morrow of Kearney replied.

Well, I have a friend who might be interested in writing it, the woman said. His name is Todd von Kampen.

Morrow hung up, looked up at the ceiling and said, OK, God, I get it. Im sorry Im so slow.

She had never met von Kampen, but she called him. By the end of 2013, with support of the Ron and Carol Cope Foundation and the Kearney Area Community Foundation, the project was underway.

Von Kampen, 53, lived in Omaha then. Hed barely heard of the Copes, but as he spent more than three years poring over Cope diaries, journals, newspapers and letters, he discovered parallels between his life and theirs.

It was one of the many aspects of the love story that Im so blessed to tell, he said. I kept finding rich details that reached far beyond Kearney to a big swath of Nebraska. No matter what else I ever do, Ill never have another experience like this.

He has worked as a musician and a journalist in his hometown of Ogallala, and in Scottsbluff, North Platte, Des Moines and Omaha. He is the author of All-Night Theater: The Music and Life of J.E. Thayer, a book/CD collection about the late Dr. James E. Thayer of Sidney, who composed the music for annual revues in North Platte and Ogallala.

Now, peeling back the layers of the Copes lives, von Kampen discovered that he knew people who had known the Copes or their relatives, especially in Pawnee County, where Ron and Carol were born and raised, and which von Kampen covered for the Omaha World-Herald.

He learned that two former priests he knew from St. Agnes Church, his wife Joans home parish in Scottsbluff, had been pastors of the Copes at St. James Catholic Church here. One of them, Father Charles Torpey, is a cousin of Father Robert Wiest, who was the surrogate son of sorts for the childless Copes. Wiest, who died in 1997, was a Kearney native who sold shoes at Claussens, the store the Copes co-owned in Kearney. When Wiest went to seminary in the 1950s, the Copes supported him. Wiest considered Ron his second father, von Kampen said.

One of von Kampens Ogallala High School classmates was a Claussens customer as a child. Lynne Werner, another high school classmate who now chairs the Hall County Airport Authority in Grand Island, had worked with the Cope Foundation as a Wells Fargo Bank financial adviser. Von Kampen interviewed former state senators he had covered in Lincoln who remembered Ron from his service in the legislature from 1975-83.

There was just one degree of separation between people Ive known for a long time and Ron and Carol Cope, von Kampen said.

He uncovered other links. Von Kampen, a Civil War buff, learned that Ron Copes grandfather James A. Cope fought in the 12th Wisconsin Regiment as it stormed toward Atlanta with Gen. William Sherman in 1864. James then came to Pawnee County in 1870 and served four years in the Nebraska legislature. Ron was elected to the legislature 90 years later. All this helped me paint a great story, von Kampen said.

Then there was music. Like Carol, von Kampen plays the piano. Her father Frank Schrepel played in brass bands. Her brother Art Schrepel had his own dance band in the early 20s. Carol was such an accomplished piano player that by age 14, she was traveling with Art from town to town and saw things she said that a girl of that age shouldnt have seen, von Kampen said. She hoped to become a professional piano accompanist in Hollywood, which is why she went to California briefly in 1939.

Like Ron Cope, von Kampen converted to Catholicism when he married a lifelong Catholic. That helped me tell how the Copes Catholic faith played such an important part in this tale, von Kampen said.

Carols father Frank was born in North Platte, where von Kampen lives now. Her grandfather Louis Schrepel was a gunsmith there in the 1870s who, it is said, had William F. Buffalo Bill Cody for a customer.

As von Kampen continued to dig, he learned that clinical depression afflicted Carol several times, but Rons support for Carol during these periods never faltered. She went into her deepest, darkest depression after Ron died in 1992. In early 1994, she finally found an anti-depression medication that worked, and she became the incredible dynamo that people remember, von Kampen said. But this intensifies the depth of their love story. I pray that people who suffer from depression will find hope and encouragement from this tale.

His research opened his eyes to Kearney, too, and the deep spirit of collaboration and generosity that enabled Kearney to thrive. Not every community has succeeded the way Kearney has. This is an important theme, he said.

He entitled the book Ron & Carol Cope: A Nebraska Love Story because it became clear to me that Kearney could not contain their lives or their love. Their story offers so much to every community large and small across the state, he said.

He said the book names others who stepped forward as leaders in Kearney, but Ron and Carol together typify the spirit of selfless generosity and love that left Kearney four times as large when Carol died as it had been when they arrived. Their lives tell whats possible when you love others before yourself.

He added, It is far easier to tear apart a community than it is to build it up. We live in a time when people seem bent on tearing us apart, but maybe this is the time to tell a story like this, especially in Nebraska. Weve achieved what we have when weve all worked and lived together in harmony. It shows who we are when we are at our best. Ron and Carol tried to be such people throughout their lives.
The following is a list of activities in Hub Territory over the weekend.

- Wild Wetlands, an opportunity to explore the wetland areas near the Platte River and the creatures that call the area their home, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Saturday) at Rowe Sanctuary at 44450 Elm Island Road southwest of Gibbon. 308-468-5282; www.rowesanctuary.org. Free admission. Most of the activities will take place in the wetlands near the river. Bring old shoes or water shoes and plan to get wet and have fun.

- UNK Homecoming Parade featuring school marching bands and community floats, 10 a.m. today (Saturday) starting at Downtown Kearney: The Bricks and ending at Centennial Park. Free admission.

- Kearney Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Feed, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. today (Saturday) at Fire Station 1 at 2211 Ave. A. Admission is by donation. Includes a bake sale by the KVFD Auxiliary.

- Homecoming Choir, part of the University of Nebraska at Kearney Homecoming, 3 p.m. Sunday in the Fine Arts Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Building at 2506 12th Ave. on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. 865-8618; www.unk.edu. Free admission. The concert features the Gary Thomas Distinguished Alumni Award Reception following the concert.

- The 72nd Revival AAA Glidden Tour featuring antique automobiles, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Nebraska Prairie Museum on North Highway 183, Holdrege. 308-995-5015; www.nebraskaprairie.org. More than 400 antique cars from the 1900s will be on display as part of the AAA Glidden Tour, displayed by owners.

- Kearney Area Coder Dojos, a club for children ages 8-17 presented by the University of Nebraska at Kearneys Computer Science and Information Technology Department, 6-8 p.m. Monday at Otto Olsen Building Room 110 at 2508 12th Ave. on campus. Free admission. Coder Dojos are unstructured, open-sourced coding clubs. CSIT faculty and students will assist as mentors. Call 865-8370 to register or for more details.
VALENTINE  A former Kearney teacher has been charged with inappropriately touching one of his students more than 20 years ago.

Eldon D. Haas, 63, of Valentine was charged in a Cherry County warrant Thursday with felony third-degree sexual assault of a child between July 5, 1994, and July 4, 1996, in Cherry County. The charge involves sexual contact.

Haas was arrested on the warrant Friday and posted 10 percent of a $50,000 bond, or $5,000 and was freed. Charges were filed by the State Attorney Generals Office.

Court records outline the case against Haas:

In October 2014, a Nebraska State Patrol officer began investigating a child sexual assault that allegedly happened in Cherry County in the mid-1990s. The alleged victim told law enforcement he was 11 or 12 years old when he went to Cherry County with Haas.

At the time, records say, Haas was about 42 years old and was a fifth-grade teacher at Kearneys Northeast Elementary School.

Haas and the alleged victim stayed at Haass parents home outside of Valentine, records say. During the visit, water was spilled on the alleged victims bed and the alleged victim slept in Haass bed.

Records say Haas is accused of rubbing his hands on the alleged victims stomach over and below his clothing and of rubbing the boy sexually.

Haas worked for Kearney Public Schools from 1976 until March 2012, when he resigned his position at Northeast.

Last month, Haas was interviewed by an investigator with the State Attorney Generals Office.

Between the dates of the alleged incident state law required sexual assault charges be filed within seven years of a victims 16th birthday. Seven years from Haass alleged victims 16th birthday was in 2006.

However, in 2004, the law was changed removing the statute of limitations.

If convicted, and if he isnt placed on probation, Haas faces up to two years in prison. A hearing date hasnt been set.

@HubChic
KEARNEY  Two rural Kearney outbuildings were destroyed in a Friday fire that quickly spread thanks to high winds.

At 1:03 p.m., the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was called to 15365 YDC Road, about four miles north of Kearney, because of a structure fire. At the time of the call, the National Weather Service listed Kearney as having 24 mph wind speeds with 40 mph gusts.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, one building, a 30-foot by 20-foot pole barn used as a shop, had already been destroyed. Inside the shed were a 1992 pickup and an estimated $12,000 in tools, KVFD Capt. Ric Pulliam said.

Embers from the initial fire, combined with high winds spread to grass and a 40-foot by 60-foot building that had hay stored in the haymow.

Shortly after KVFD arrived at the scene, the Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department was called for mutual aid with its trucks and personnel.

Firefighters used water, shuttled from Riverdale and foam to extinguish the fires.

Between the two departments there were three engines, three grass rigs, five tankers, a rehab unit and a combined 39 firefighters, Pulliam said.

Pulliam said the fire started when power lines running to the smaller shed arced in the wind and caught the building on fire. A passerby noticed the fire and called 911.

The property is owned by Alice Loeffelholz of rural Kearney. Her home wasnt involved in the fire.

@HubChic
KEARNEY  Beth Marie Petersen, 58, of Axtell died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Kearney with the Rev. Stan Murdoch officiating. Private family burial will be at White Hill Cemetery near Minden before the services.

There will be no public visitation. Craig Funeral Home in Minden is in charge of arrangements.



She died surrounded by her family. Beth was born on Jan. 24, 1959, in Loup City to Leland and Betty Bauhard. She grew up on a farm outside of Arcadia where she enjoyed working on the family farm, riding her horse, Jessica, and playing her trumpet, which kindled her passion for music.

She then graduated from Loup City High School in 1978 and attended Kearney State College where she graduated with a bachelors degree in music education.

She began student teaching and working for Bethpage Mission in Axtell, where she met her future husband, Doug Petersen, through a mutual friend, Larry Bonet. Before she finished student teaching, she was hired as the instrumental music teacher and worked beside J. Rodney Wendell for the next 10 years developing an outstanding music program.

Doug and Beth were married on Aug. 15, 1987. Together, they opened Dougs Shop and later had three children, Mitch, Emalie and Ellie. Beth also had an adopted son, Marshall Bennet, who lived at Mosaic in Axtell. He has spent many holidays and weekends at Beths house, and she was always sure to make him feel welcome.

After teaching for 10 years, Beth took a break in order to homeschool her children from kindergarten through 12th grade. She spent numerous hours and days preparing and teaching, in order to provide for them a good education. In addition to homeschooling, she taught private piano and instrumental lessons.

She was the Learning Center manager for Central Community College where she assisted people with their GED classes and college education. She enjoyed her weekends and free time, camping, reading, watching her kids race motocross, sitting on the deck, playing with her dogs, going for drives in the country, riding four-wheelers, and spending time with her family and friends.

After her children graduated, she returned to Axtell Community School and education, where her passion truly was, teaching music. She spent the next nine years with hundreds of students, whom she loved. She and her students won many awards, such as marching band competitions, concert band competitions, Nebraska Music Educator of the Year, NTV Teacher of the Month and Citizen of the Year in Axtell.

She not only taught music, but life lessons and how to be a friend. She truly loved life and lived it to the fullest through all of her days. Her faith was unwavering, and she was an active member of First Baptist Church in Kearney. Not only did she leave a legacy in music, but in the hearts of all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leland and Betty, and sister, Dixie.

She is survived by her husband, Doug; son, Mitch; daughters, Emalie and Ellie; son, Marshall; sister, Barbara Macura and husband Paul of Gardnerville, Nev.; niece, Erin and husband Jeremy Defruiter and sons; and many other family members.

A memorial fund has been established in Beths memory at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Axtell for later designation by her family.
Imam Syed Soharwardy speaks during a memorial service at a mosque in Calgary, Alta., June 5, 2016. A survey suggests Canadians have a generally positive impression of Muslims but that view doesn't apply to some of the religion's leadership and beliefs. Calgary Imam Syed Soharwardy, founder of Muslims Against Terrorism and the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, understands why Canadians would be suspicious of Muslim leadership. He said many imams discuss only religious teaching and morality when they should speak out against fanaticism, extremism and intolerance. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A Russian international-trade annex building is shown in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. To the neighbourhood gossips, the grand grey Russian building atop the hill was a goldmine. Now it's empty. Amid escalating tensions, the U.S. government this month kicked Russians out of three diplomatic buildings including an international-trade annex perched majestically atop a slope in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRES/Alexander Panetta
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Quebec provincial police officers check a trailer for evidence in Lachute, Que., Friday, September 15 , 2017. Quebec provincial police confirm a woman found dead in suburban Montreal is the mother of a six-year-old boy who is the subject of an Amber Alert. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Anissa Weier passes a note to defense attorney Joseph Smith Jr. during closing arguments in her case before Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Waukesha, Wis. Weier is accused of helping her friend stab their classmate nearly to death to please online horror character Slender Man. (C.T. Kruger /Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, Pool)
Gen. Petr Pavel, head of NATO's Military Committee, poses during an interview with the Associated Press, in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Pavel said there's reason to be concerned about the large-scale Zapad 2017 military manoeuvres being conducted now by Russia and Belarus, since they could be seen as "a serious preparation for big war." (AP Photo/Llazar Semini)
A Rohingya Muslim man Bodi-Ur-Rehman stops for a photograph as he arrives carrying his belongings at Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Thousands of Rohingya are continuing to stream across the border, with U.N. officials and others demanding that Myanmar halt what they describe as a campaign of ethnic cleansing that has driven nearly 400,000 Rohingya to flee in the past three weeks. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Relatives cry during a mass funeral for victims of a school fire outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Officials said the private Islamic boarding school was operating without a fire safety permit and license, and that a dividing wall was illegally built on the top floor that blocked the victims from a second exit. (AP Photo/Daniel Chan)
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Al-Abadi says he is prepared to intervene militarily if the Kurdish regionAos planned referendum results in violence. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
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In this undated photo distributed on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends what was said to be the test launch of an intermediate range Hwasong-12 missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
In this photo provided by Steph Forsyth, police raid a property, in Sunbury-on-Thames, England, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. British police made a "significant" arrest Saturday in the manhunt for suspects a day after the London subway was hit by a partially-exploded bomb and launched a heavily armed search of a home southwest of London. (Steph Forsyth via AP)
LONDON SUWBAY 091417: Map locates incident at Parsons Green subway station in London; 2c x 3 inches; with BC-EU--Britain-Subway Incident; ETA 5 a.m. Editors Note: It is mandatory to include all sources that accompany this graphic when repurposing or editing it for publication
Actor Sterling K. Brown, left, poses with his wife, actress Ryan Michelle Bathe, at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards Performers Nominee Reception at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Taipei, Sept. 16 (CNA) Passengers on flights departing from Taiwan will be able to get a full refund starting Saturday if they opt not to take a flight that has been delayed by more than five hours, according to a revision to aviation rules by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
To mark 60 years of Catholic education, St. Joseph Catholic Academy began the 2017 school year with an all-school Mass, consecrating the school and the school community to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Celebrating the Mass with faculty and students was the Rev. Todd Belardi, St. Joseph Catholic Academys chaplain, religion teacher and Theology Department chairman; the Rev. William Hayward, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, and the Rev. Allen Alexander, parochial vicar of the Holy Rosary parish.

The Sept. 8 Mass coincided with the birthday of Mary, the mother of Jesus, said Robert Freund, principal and president of St. Joseph Catholic Academy.

As Catholics, we hold Mary in high esteem and honor her as the mother of Jesus. Through consecration to Mary, we enhance our love for God by asking Mary to intercede on our behalf, taking our cares, concerns and prayers to her son, he explained. My hope and prayer for this school year is that we all join together in this Marian Consecration, giving ourselves, our efforts, our prayers and deeds to the care of our Blessed Mother.

Freund told students that he admired St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar, imprisoned at Auschwitz during World War II, who volunteered to die in place of a German stranger.

A man with a special devotion to Mary, Maximilian Kolbe has a shortened version of the Marian Consecration that I have committed to renew daily throughout the school year, he said, adding, I hope many will join me in this daily reminder of our consecration to Mary. We will also pray this Immaculata prayer as a school community every Friday morning during school announcements.

The prayer is:

Immaculata, Queen and Mother of the Church, I renew my consecration to you for this day and for always, so that you might use me for the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus in the whole world. To this end I offer you all my prayers, actions and sacrifices of this day.

Hayward, who performed the consecration ceremony, explained that those who participate in the consecration make a gift of themselves to Mary.

The church says we discover ourselves by making a gift of ourselves, he said. When we consecrate ourselves to Mary, we set in motion a chain of events that will encourage us to more and more give ourselves over to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Hayward said when the angel came to St. Joseph and told him to have no fear to take Mary as your wife... St. Joseph thought about it and took her into his home.

In doing so, he handed himself over to her. After that, several things happened that we find disconcerting: he had to go down to Bethlehem for the census with Mary laden with child; all he could provide for the birth of Jesus was a dirty stable; he had to become an undocumented refugee/immigrant in Egypt; he had to take on a trade; he had to live under the radar; he had to raise a child who was the son of God, and he had to die, he explained. All challenging, but in the end they didnt really matter, because he had given himself over to her.

Impressed with the students, Hayward said they were attentive and open to the message.

I believe most of them joined in the consecration prayer. I loved celebrating the Mass and I thank Father Todd Belardi for putting this together, he said. This is great for SJCA because it conforms the Academy in the spirit of St. Joseph. I know the Holy Spirit will form the students who made the consecration more and more to have the heart and mind of this great saint.

For the academys younger students, Lower Campus Principal Kerstin Santarelli said that the Marian Consecration was very real and significant.

Our preschool and elementary students can strongly identify with Mary and her goodness, as they innately understand the love a mother has for her children. Mary is not only the mother of Jesus; she is also mother to all of us, all of Gods children, she said. Our students recognize this love and grow closer to Jesus through their prayer to Mary. Like Mary, our staff nurtures, guides and fosters all of our students to become their best selves. We see each and every SJCA student as one of our own. We love them, and are wholly dedicated to their full formation in mind, body and spirit.

St. Joseph Catholic Academy has always had a strong devotion to Mary, as she is closely intertwined with their patron, St. Joseph, explained Santarelli.

This Marian Consecration gives our entire school an infinite host of graces and we look forward to embracing this dedication to Mary throughout the school year, she said. We are especially grateful to Father Bill Hayward for being instrumental in bringing this consecration to our school. St. Joseph Catholic Academy is thankful to all the Kenosha parishes for their continued support and prayers.

St. Joseph history





Originally founded in 1957 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, St. Joseph High School served as an educational leader in the community. In the early 1990s, in response to requests from local Catholic grade schools, St. Joseph added a junior high to its building.

As Catholic school enrollment declined from 1990 through 2008, St. Joseph High School worked with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and local parishes to create a community-based preschool through high school Catholic educational community called St. Joseph Catholic Academy.

Officially opened on July 1, 2010, on two campuses, St. Joseph Catholic Academy is supported by 10 local parishes and has grown to become the largest private school in the area.
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Police closed off Maidstone town centre this afternoon following reports of a suspicious package.

The High Street was closed to the public while police investigated.

The area has now been reopened.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 4.52pm on Saturday 16 September to a report of a suspicious package in Jubilee Square in Maidstone High Street.

"Officers attended but deemed it to be a well-intentioned false alarm."
Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine says the proposed settlement of the Puget Sound Energy rate case lays the groundwork for cleaner energy supplies in King County.

I have made real progress in increasing King County production and use of clean, renewable energy. This settlement takes us even further. Through the rate case process, we advocated for closing coal plants faster, treating our county rate payers fairly, and assisting the local community around Colstrip. This agreement meets these priorities and I thank PSE, the Utilities and Transportation Commission staff, the Sierra Club, and other parties for their work to reach this agreement. King County has been working with local cities to increase energy efficiency and accelerate the transition to clean renewable energy by 2025. We are sending a strong signal to the nation and the world that we take climate pollution seriously, and working together, we can make a meaningful difference."

More than one-third of Puget Sound Energys (PSE) current electricity supply comes from coal. PSE has already committed to close the two oldest units of Colstrip coal plant in Montana by 2022. This rate settlement assumes that the remaining two power generating units have a useful life through 2027, and requires regular updates on timelines for retirement and cleanup of Colstrip. The proposed settlement also sets aside funding to help the local community around Colstrip with economic transition.

Working with King County-Cities Climate Collaboration partners in 2014, King County set shared goals to increase countywide renewable electricity use to 90 percent by 2030, phase out coal-fired sources by 2025, and limit new construction natural gas powered electricity plants. These goals have guided our collaboration and advocacy with PSE and the state Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The countys 2015 Strategic Climate Action Plan builds on this goal, and sets ambitious targets for use and production of renewable energy in county operations and across King County. King County and city partners have advocated for accelerated phase out of all coal fired electricity, replacement with renewable energy sources and energy efficiency strategies, and for a just transition and support for coal plant workers.

King County and cities have also sought new renewable purchase options for municipal customers, and PSE responded with a new a new wind power option for local governments and other large customers known as Green Direct. King County signed up as the largest municipal customer of this program, which is directly supporting construction of a new wind farm in southwest Washington State.

Once construction is complete in 2019, King County will purchase wind from the project to meet 98 percent of government electricity use in PSE service territory. This will cut the Countys direct greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent. The county will continue to advocate for clean, renewable electricity for all the residents of King County.

Relevant links

Quotes

I have made real progress in increasing King County production and use of clean, renewable energy. This settlement takes us even further. Through the rate case process, we advocated for closing coal plants faster, treating our county rate payers fairly, and assisting the local community around Colstrip. This agreement meets these priorities and I thank PSE, the Utilities and Transportation Commission staff, the Sierra Club, and other parties for their work to reach this agreement. King County has been working with local cities to increase energy efficiency and accelerate the transition to clean renewable energy by 2025. We are sending a strong signal to the nation and the world that we take climate pollution seriously, and working together, we can make a meaningful difference. Dow Constantine, King County Executive

For more information, contact:

Alex Fryer, Executive Office, 206-477-7966
Q: How can I help victims of Hurricane Irma?

A: When Irma blew through the Southeast, causing major destruction in parts of Florida and the Caribbean, much of the country was still focusing on the flooding in Texas from Hurricane Harvey. Hurricane Irma wasn't as devastating to Florida as some had predicted, but it claimed thousands of victims there nonetheless, and it ravaged many parts of the Caribbean. All those areas will need financial assistance for months to come. Here's how you can help:

A good first step is check out the lists of charities at Charity Navigator (opens in new tab) and the Better Business Bureau's Give.org (opens in new tab) that focus on Hurricane Irma relief and meet the charity watchdogs' standards.

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Some of the worst devastation took place in the Caribbean, and many international giving organizations are targeting their efforts there. USAID, the government agency that focuses on foreign aid, has a list of organizations that are assisting Hurricane Irma victims internationally (opens in new tab). These include Unicef (opens in new tab) and the Global Giving Foundation (opens in new tab), whose Hurricane Irma Relief Fund (opens in new tab) will work with local nonprofits to provide emergency supplies and help with long-term recovery and rebuilding.

Local organizations in Florida are also leading Irma relief efforts. The United Way of Miami-Dade County's Operation Helping Hands (opens in new tab) has teamed up with the Miami Herald to raise money for local nonprofits working on disaster relief. You can also go to the site to sign up as a disaster volunteer.

Besides asking for donations, the Red Cross (opens in new tab) is looking for people to volunteer at shelters to load and unload trucks, serve food, provide comfort, and set up facilities. See the Red Cross Hurricane Irma volunteer application (opens in new tab) for more information.

Community foundations throughout Florida are establishing funds for Irma victims. See the Community Foundation Locator's list of Florida foundations (opens in new tab). For example, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (opens in new tab) created the My Key West Emergency Relief Fund, which will distribute donations to nonprofits throughout the Keys to help with recovery. (This fund distributed $1.3 million to Keys nonprofits for disaster relief after Hurricane Wilma in 2005.) The Miami Foundation (opens in new tab) has several funds, including a Hurricane Relief Fund, an Irma Caribbean Strong Relief Fund and the Irma Community Recovery Fund. The foundation also has a list of other organizations (opens in new tab) leading Hurricane Irma relief efforts in Miami-Dade County, the Florida Keys and southwest Florida. See the Council on Foundations' Hurricane Irma page (opens in new tab) for more programs.

For more information on how to make the most of charitable tax breaks, protect yourself from scams and help victims of Hurricane Harvey, see Donating to Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts.

TAKE OUR QUIZ: Are You Covered?
KAMPALA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Ugandan shilling was little changed on Friday, with a slight bias toward the stronger side on the back of this week's excess liquidity mop-up and a Treasury bill auction which drew inflows from offshore investors. At 1008 GMT commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,593/3,603, little-changed from Thursday's close of 3,595/3,605. UGX Spot Rate..... Ugandan Shilling Money Guide.... Calculated Cross Rates.......... Deposits..................... Deposits & Forwards............. Uganda Equities Guide....... Uganda All Share Index........ Shilling background ..... Ugandan Debt Guide............ All Uganda Bonds............. Uganda T-Bills.............. Uganda Benchmark............. Central Bank ................ Ugandan Contributor Index.... Uganda Coffee Prices....... (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema)

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.
(Updates currency quote, adds political context)

LIMA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Peru's sol currency weakened by 0.34 percent to 3.25 per U.S. dollar on Friday after the opposition-controlled Congress ousted center-right President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's Cabinet in a no-confidence vote.

The single-chamber legislature voted 77-22 to dismiss the Cabinet in the early morning hours, pitching the copper-producing Andean country into its worst political crisis in years. Kuczynski, a 78-year-old former Wall Street banker who has vowed to modernize Peru and spur economic growth, took office last year after a razor-thin electoral victory.

His party only secured a small portion of seats in Congress.

(Reporting by Teresa Cespedes and Marco Aquino, writing by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and W Simon)
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the morning. High 41F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Occasional snow showers. Low 26F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snowfall around one inch.
Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung

Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung visited the family of a South Korean missionary held captive in North Korea since 2013, the ministry said Saturday.

The Vice Minister visited Kim Jung-wook's family on Friday to comfort them and explain the government's ongoing efforts to bring the 53-year-old Christian missionary safely back home.

"We will continue doing our best to successfully repatriate detainees using all the resources at our disposal," Chun was quoted by the ministry as saying to the family.

Kim has been held in the North since October 2013 on charges of entering the country secretly, plotting to overthrow the regime and spying for South Korea's intelligence agency. He was sentenced to hard labor for life.

Including Kim, there are six South Koreans in captivity in the North.

Choe Chun-gil and Kim Kuk-gi, two other missionaries who were arrested in February and October 2014, respectively, have also been sentenced to hard labor for life.

The three remaining detainees are North Korean defectors.

The North has been absolutely unresponsive to any requests by Seoul about the detainees, such as talking about their release or having their family visit them. (Yonhap)
Pedestrians walk in front of a large video screen in Tokyo broadcasting a news report showing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, following a North Korean missile test that passed over Japan on Sep. 15. / AFP-Yonhap



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to complete the country's nuclear program, saying that its final goal is to establish an "equilibrium" of military force with the U.S., its state media said Saturday.

Kim made the remark during his inspection of the launch of a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile that flew over Japan a day earlier, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea on Friday fired a ballistic missile from Pyongyang that crossed over Japan. It flew around 3,700 kilometers while reaching a maximum altitude of some 770 km.

"We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade," Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

He underlined "the need to put an end to them with the all-state efforts as it has nearly reached the terminal," he added.

It marked the second missile launch over Japan in less than a month. It also followed the wayward regime's sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sept. 3.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military option" for North Korea, Kim said.

Kim, in addition, called on the North's scientists and technicians to "put rockets on a modern and ultra modern basis and develop the operation level onto a higher stage with their close combination" -- remarks that some observers say hinted at the possibility of additional provocations from Pyongyang.

The photo of the launch, released by the North's daily Rodong Sinmun, showed that the Hwasong-12 missile was fired from a road-mobile launcher -- an indication of enhanced mobility. The North was seen using a fixed launchpad to fire the same missile in May and last month.

Friday's provocation came days after the U.N. Security Council slapped fresh sanctions on Pyongyang over its latest nuclear test.

North Korea said Wednesday that it "categorically" rejected the U.N. sanctions, vowing to strengthen its nuclear program at a faster pace.

Pyongyang is seeking to develop nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. It fired Hwasong-14 ICBMs twice in July.

Tensions between Pyongyang and Washington heightened as the North pushed ahead with provocative acts in defiance of international condemnation.

North Korea earlier threatened to fire a salvo of missiles into waters near the U.S. territory of Guam, where key U.S. military bases are located. It held off on the plan, saying it will watch the U.S. attitude some more.

Experts said that Friday's firing apparently showed Pyongyang's capacity to strike Guam, located some 3,400 kilometers from North Korea.

The North claimed that the work "for increasing combat power of Hwasong-12 has been realized." (Yonhap)
North Korean International Olympic Committee member Chang Ung talks in an interview held in Lima on Friday. / Yonhap



North Korea's sole member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula caused by the North's nuclear and missile tests and the United Nations' sanctions may not affect next February's Winter Olympics in South Korea's PyeongChang.

In an interview with Olympic Channel, Chang Ung said that politics and Olympics are separate things and North Korea could have competitors at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics if its athletes qualify.

"I am quite sure politics is one thing and the Olympics is another thing. So I don't see any big problem for the PyeongChang Olympic Games," Chang said in the interview held on the sidelines of an IOC meeting in Lima on Friday (Peruvian local time).

Asked whether Pyongyang will send athletes across the inter-Korean border, Chang said, "The North Korean Olympic Committee (NOC) still cannot confirm any athletes as they haven't qualified yet.... It (the decision) is up to the NOC. They decide. In fact, the NOC didn't send any athletes to Sochi because of the qualification. Hopefully, if they are qualified, then they will go."

South Korea, the IOC and the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games have continued their efforts to bring North Korea to the upcoming Winter Games. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Lee Hee-beom, the chief organizer of the PyeongChang Winter Games, recently expressed hope for North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Games.

The Winter Games are scheduled to be held in the host city of PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, and two other nearby cities -- Gangneung and Jeongseon -- from Feb. 9-25 next year.

In a separate comment given to the Associated Press, however, Chang ambiguously said that "nobody knows" if South Korea will be safe for the Olympics. (Yonhap)
Second aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales named by Duchess of Rothesay





HMS Prince Of Wales







Cost: 3bn

Flight deck length 920ft

Weight: 70,600 tonnes

Range: 10,000 nautical miles

Crew: 700, not including air element; total berths for up to 1,600

Capability: Able to carry 36 F35B jets and four helicopters. However, Commodore Jerry Kyd, commanding officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, has stated that it could carry up to 70 F-35Bs



Second aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales named by Duchess of Rothesay - BBC News

: 3bn920ft: 70,600 tonnes: 10,000 nautical miles: 700, not including air element; total berths for up to 1,600: Able to carry 36 F35B jets and four helicopters. However, Commodore Jerry Kyd, commanding officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, has stated that it could carry up to 70 F-35Bs

8 September 2017BBC NewsThe second of the UK's new generation of aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales, has been officially named in a ceremony at Rosyth Naval Dockyard.Prince Charles, who shares a title with the 3bn vessel, watched as his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Rothesay, carried out the duty.The 900ft-long warship is externally complete but it will take 18 months to fit its internal systems.It will be 2019 before the ship can begin sea trials.Its identical sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, arrived in its home base of Portsmouth last month.The carrier cannot currently deploy planes but flying trials are due to begin next year.The two new aircraft carriers are bigger than anything ever built for the Royal Navy.Once afloat they will displace 70,600 tonnes.The duchess said the ship shared a title with her husband."So I have a particular affection for it," she said.The naming was completed by triggering a bottle of 10-year-old whisky from the Laphroaig distillery in the Isle of Islay, smashing it against the ship's hull.Martin Douglass, engineer and director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance which built the ships, said the Queen Elizabeth had arrived in Portsmouth three weeks ago.He said: "It is in a maintenance period to bring her up to full spec to hand her over to the Royal Navy later in the year."Mr Douglass said HMS Prince of Wales was about two years behind the other aircraft carrier.He said: "It has just finished the structural completeness externally and now we are into the outfitting phase."The engineer said it would take about 18 months to ensure the ship's systems were connected correctly.HMS Prince of Wales, like its sister ship, was built at six different yards around the UK before being assembled at Rosyth in Fife.About 10,000 people and 800 different companies have been involved.HMS Prince of Wales' future had been in question after the 2010 defence review said it could be sold off or mothballed because of budget cuts.However, in 2014 the government announced that it would be brought into service with the Navy.During the course of the project, an order for jets capable of short take-offs and vertical landings was switched to jets with a longer range that could carry more weapons.However, the MoD decided to revert to the original F35B jets for logistical and financial reasons.Ian Groom, the captain of HMS Prince of Wales, said the second aircraft carrier would allow the UK to always have a carrier available.He said: "These ships are designed specifically to deliver carrier strike, the F35 jets, but they have a hugely flexible range of other activities right the way from delivering humanitarian aid to delivering hard military power."Captain Groom insisted that there was still a need for aircraft carriers despite security concerns focusing on terrorism.He said: "These ships can be placed anywhere in the world, they can travel 500 miles a day."We can put a mixture of assets whether it is the full 36 jets and four helicopters or a range of other assets but what they really provide is that political choice, to act independently or with our partner nations. They have got huge value even in today's age."At the moment, the ship has about 200 crew in Rosyth. This will be raised to 700 as it nears sea trials.It will be ready for front-line duties around the world from 2023.
We have all seen the propensity of friends, neighbors and colleagues to thoughtlessly charge "racism" when someone disagrees with anything from immigration policy to a proposal for health care reform to tax cuts.



Most rational people despise racists, so charging another person with racism feels like a win-win for the accuser. "I'm not a racist, but you most certainly are. Therefore, we must discount anything you say."



Unlike amateur pundits, professional media cannot whimsically lodge hate accusations. Even under today's lowered standards of media conduct, reporters and editors know they need a third-party, authoritative "source" to accuse individuals or groups of racism and other forms of hatred.



They typically rely on the Southern Poverty Law Center, quoting it liberally as an ostensibly objective, knowledgeable source on all things hateful, racist and anti-Semitic.



Last week, a group of 47 prominent conservatives asked journalists to knock it off. The signers represented groups as diverse as the Jewish Institute for Global Awareness, Refugee Resettlement Watch, the American College of Pediatricians, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Media Research Center.



"The SPLC is a discredited, left-wing, political activist organization that seeks to silence its political opponents with a 'hate group' label of its own invention and application," they wrote, in five pages detailing the SPLC's careless and politically motivated attacks on groups it disagrees with.



The letter explained how the Southern Poverty Law Center placed The Family Research Council, a Christian organization opposed to same-sex marriage, on a "hate map" with violent and dangerous groups like the Ku Klux Klan. They quoted a U.S. Attorney's evidence of terrorist Floyd Lee Corkins II using the law center's "hate map" to target the Research Council and other Christian groups on the list.



"Having evolved from laudable origins battling the Klan in the 1970's, the SPLC has realized the profitability of defamation, churning out fundraising letters, and publishing 'hit pieces' on conservatives to promote its agenda and pad its substantial endowment (of $319 million). Anyone who opposes them, including many Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and traditional conservatives is slandered and slapped with the 'extremist' label or even worse, their 'hate group' designation. At one point, the SPLC even added Dr. Ben Carson to its 'extremist' list because of his biblical views."



SPLC's lawyers have every right to operate their law firm as a high-dollar, left-wing think tank that acts like a bombastic social media bully. Donors who like these tactics should feel free to send their donations to pad that $319 million endowment and the hefty salaries of SPLC employees.



Meanwhile, we remain confounded and slightly scandalized by the mainstream media's routine reliance on this outfit, and the propensity of reporters to present the "hate map" and assorted blacklists as sources of objective findings.



Don't expect the legacy media to accept this polite warning from 47 conservatives, but the general public should know: The Southern Poverty Law Center is a private, wealthy, activist law firm with a far-left political agenda. By labeling opponents as monsters, the law firm foments hate.







This editorial appeared in the Gazette and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.




The first year of the College 4 Kids program held in Fremont yielded positive results with numerous children participating.

During the Fremont Public Schools Board of Education September meeting, Kevin Eairleywine, executive director of human resources and elementary operations, spoke about summer activities that were available to students in the FPS District following the 2016-2017 school year.

College 4 Kids proved to be one of the summers highlights.

Because of Todds (Hansen) hard work, we were able to host our first College 4 Kids here, Eairleywine said of Hansen, who serves as executive director of Fremonts Metropolitan Community College campus. We were able to have it at Milliken Park (elementary) and 65 students took part in it and had a great time.

For more than 30 years, Metropolitan Community College has been hosting College 4 Kids, a five-day-long educational experience where children ages 3 through 11 immerse themselves in the world of arts, crafts and plenty of learning relating to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Throughout the week the event was held, participants had the opportunity to select from seven mind-enriching activities to participate in throughout the course of each morning, which started at 9 a.m. and ended at 11:55 a.m.

Up to 20 children had the opportunity to participate in each 55-minute class, which were offered to groups of children aged 6-7, 8-9 and 10-11.

Other College 4 Kids locations offered programming for 3-5 year olds, however, since this was Fremonts first year of hosting the event, it was a better option to test the water with the older kids, Tina Morgan, Metros College 4 Kids coordinator said during a previous interview with the Tribune.

One, 55-minute-long class daily for the five days cost $30, and children were able to register for up to three classes per-day for the week.

Classes children participated in included: Enchanted Engineering, Snack Attack, Roller Coasters and Rockets, Under the Big Top, Silly Stories, Crazy Chemical Concoction and Wildlife Adventure.

Classes were proctored by several Fremont Public Schools teachers, including: Benjamin Adler, Michelle Barnett, Alisa Beam, Leigh Ann Bennett, Jill Hittner, Lauren Hopken and Becky Nielsen.
Shortly before Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. mainland, the latest waves of Hurricane Trump hit Washington, reshaping political battle lines in a totally unexpected but potentially productive way.

Many analysts wonder if Trumps new alliance with Democratic congressional leaders can persist past last weeks success in raising the debt ceiling, funding the government and making a down payment on Hurricane Harvey reconstruction. After all, these measures HAD to be passed, as opposed to those the president would LIKE to pass.

But it may recur because it reflects two institutional realities that almost certainly will ultimately force the president to seek Democratic votes.

 Senate rules requiring 60 votes for most legislation mean that GOP leaders will generally need more than the 52 Republicans. They werent enough for the special procedure Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used in the effort to repeal-and-replace Obamacare. Except for a few months in 2009, neither party has had 60 votes in nearly 40 years.

 The House GOPs adherence to the so-called Hastert Rule. That is, the refusal to consider measures without support from a majority of Republicans, has weakened the chambers clout in recent years by preventing consideration of measures with broader support.

Throughout the Obama years, House Republicans repeatedly passed legislation reflecting the views of a majority of their members, who hail primarily from heavily Republican districts. Multiple appropriations bills cutting social programs and other conservative measures died in the Senate because they failed to attract enough bipartisan support to get the 60 votes needed to surmount the Senates rule allowing unlimited debate.

On health care, Republican leaders sought to act with only GOP votes, using the rule that allows a reconciliation bill implementing the annual budget resolution to pass each house with a simple majority, meaning 51 in the Senate.

But increased GOP congressional numbers have broadened the partys ideological coalition, requiring the conservative majority to make compromises with more moderate members. Thats how House Republican leaders succeeded in passing Obamacare repeal on their second try, but the legislation cut too many benefits from too many people for some Senate Republicans.

The failure angered Trump, who is far more interested in results than ideological purity. If he had been better prepared for his presidency and been able to set his own congressional priorities, he might have put tax reform or infrastructure reconstruction before Obamacare.

White House legislative director Marc Short conceded Tuesday at a breakfast session with reporters sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor that the Obamacare experience showed the difficulty of trying to pass major legislation with only GOP votes, something likely to become increasingly evident in the months to come. Though Trumps initial infrastructure plan relies more on private and state funds than federal money, its still too costly for many House Republicans. But Democrats wont support repairing the nations roads and bridges without a significant influx of additional federal money.

Short said Republicans are still planning to pass tax reform via reconciliation, which would only require GOP votes, but added that the White House plans to reach out for bipartisan backing and is not assuming it can be done strictly on a partisan basis. On Tuesday night, Trump hosted three moderate Democratic senators from red states he carried last year.

Meanwhile, the need for additional billions for hurricane relief may complicate prospects for any Republican tax bill that cuts rates so much it costs the government far more in revenue than it recovers from closing loopholes.

Trump will also need bipartisan support for his announced intention of protecting the Dreamers  from his own administrations decision ending their protection from deportation. Indeed, many Republicans wont support it unless it is part of a broader immigration bill.

Thats probably why Short indicated that Trump wants to include enhanced border security  though not necessarily his controversial plan for a wall  in any legislation protecting the Dreamers brought to the United States illegally as children. In 2013, a bipartisan Senate-passed immigration bill might have passed the House, but GOP leaders killed it by invoking the Hastert rule and refusing to bring it to the floor.

Forming additional bipartisan majorities like Trump and the Democrats created last week wont be easy. It will require cooperation from GOP leaders, who control the calendar in both houses. It will be necessary for the only measure Congress MUST pass in December, a bill funding the government for the rest of the fiscal year.

Thats why, for Trump, reality requires that he continue to look beyond his Republican majorities if he wants to get things done.
Its way too early to think about the 2020 presidential primaries  too early for normal people, that is. But that hasnt stopped politicians in both parties from doing just that. And yes, that includes Republicans, many of whom are already pondering who might challenge President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination three years from now.

I dont see how we can avoid it, Vin Weber, a former Republican congressman, told me recently. Its pretty clear someones going to do it.

I think hes inviting one, Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, one of Trumps GOP critics, said last month.

There should and will be a challenge, agreed William Kristol, editor at large of the conservative Weekly Standard. Kristol, another Trump scourge, has launched a project he jokingly calls the Committee Not to Renominate the President.

Like so much else about the Trump presidency, this is unusual.

Presidents have faced challenges within their parties before, of course. Its happened four times since 1968, when Eugene McCarthy ran against Lyndon B. Johnson. But its unusual for intra-party feuding to begin this early, eight months into a newly elected presidents first term.

In Trumps case, the causes are easy to find.

The GOP is deeply divided, and the president hasnt done much to heal the breach. Quite the contrary. He has attacked his partys leaders in Congress. He has strayed repeatedly from GOP orthodoxy, most recently when he made a quick deal over the debt ceiling with Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. He still tweets about Republicans as if he werent one of them  which, until recently, he wasnt. If Trumps 2016 campaign was a hostile takeover, its a takeover that remains incomplete, especially in the partys political class. And by continuing to run against the establishment, Trump is increasing the chances that one of its members will run against him.

Besides, the president is unpopular. His approval rating in the Gallup poll has settled at a dismal 37 percent. That puts him in the zone of electoral vulnerability that drew challenges to Presidents Ford in 1976, Carter in 1980 and George H.W. Bush in 1992.

One more factor: the slim possibility that Trump might not run again, whether because of the investigation into his campaigns ties to Russia or, less likely, because hes tired of the job. Thats been enough to persuade some potential candidates to visit Iowa and New Hampshire, just in case.

Who might run?

At the very least, theres likely to be a conscience candidate, a Never Trumper who cant abide the thought of the president sailing to renomination without a fight. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska might fit that bill.

Theres a still-vocal runner-up from 2016: Ohio Gov. John Kasich. He says he wont run as a third-party independent, but he wont rule out entering the Republican race.

There could be a grudge candidate, someone savaged by Trump who might enjoy afflicting him in return. That could describe Flake or Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

And, circling nearby, theres a long list of more conventional candidates ready to swoop in if the incumbent falters: Sens. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton  even, if the president should drop out, Vice President Mike Pence.

Trumps campaign organization, which never stopped for a rest after last years election, appears to take all this seriously. The president has already held rallies and fundraising events in swing states; thats unusual, too.

Last month, his campaign pollster, Tony Fabrizio, released survey results designed to show, in his words, Trump crushing a hypothetical GOP field. Actually, it showed the president winning a not-very-intimidating 50 percent of Republican votes, including 54 percent of Republicans who said they would definitely show up for the primaries. Cruz was in second place, with 14 percent; Kasich was third, with 10 percent.

Despite that less-than-impressive 50 percent, however, Fabrizio was right that Trump is likely to defeat any combination of rivals.
The appointment last week of John Bolduc as the newest superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol checked off many boxes of the type of candidate many hoped to see fill the position.

Hes an experienced officer and supervisor who has worked in law enforcement for 31 years. To best serve and understand Nebraskas distinct, diverse populations, his previous work and leadership in small communities, suburban areas and urban centers are a major bonus.

Most importantly, Bolduc pitched himself as a cultural change agent, one that Gov. Pete Ricketts said has extensive experience communicating to and improving the departments hes led. The nominee received a unanimous recommendation from an accomplished search committee.

As an outsider, Bolduc is an ideal position to create the change needed in the State Patrol following turmoil and leadership under its previous superintendent.

In the press conference announcing his appointment, Bolduc acknowledged the State Patrol has problems that need to be overcome. With state officials publicly stating there was probable cause his predecessor, Col. Brad Rice, had committed a crime and forwarding the results of an internal investigation to the FBI, Bolduc knows hes entering the job at a difficult time.

External allegations of improper use of force, mishandling of internal affairs, violations of anti-harassment and equal opportunity policies  the impact of actions before Bolducs appointment wont simply disappear. He must be proactive and crystal clear in laying out his vision for the State Patrols future under his leadership and insisting such missteps wont be tolerated.

The first step to preserving the credibility threatened by actions that predate his arrival isnt to sweep them under the rug. Instead, new leadership must work with high-ranking officers to ensure such mistakes arent repeated and that the integrity and reputation of the State Patrol remain impeccable.

Two of the four finalists were captains in the State Patrol. To advance that far in the process, theyve clearly served Nebraska admirably and must not have been involved in what Ricketts has called interference in internal investigations at the highest level of the department. These men will serve critical roles during the upcoming transition.

Still, a fresh start, under the command of a leader from an outside agency is the right call for the State Patrol at the present. The department needs to right its course and pursue a new direction  and a seasoned superintendent from a different background was a proper call.

Though Bolduc is slated to begin his new duties Oct. 16, he will require approval by the Legislature when it reconvenes in January. Lawmakers should confirm him and give him the free rein needed to pursue the cultural change he promised before his nomination.

 Journal Star, Sept. 14, 2017
PRESS RELEASE

German Foreign Minister Again Calls for Easing Anti-Russian Sanctions if UN Peacekeepers Are Deployed to Donbass

Sept. 15, 2017 (EIRNS)German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel once again said a stage-by-stage lifting of anti-Russian sanctions could begin if Russia agrees to the deployment of UN peacekeepers in Donbass. "I suggested long ago a phased lifting of sanctions in case of a gradual implementation of Minsk (agreements)," Spiegel Online quoted Gabriel as saying.

"It is simply unrealistic to say that first these agreements must be implemented 100%, and only then we will take steps. A stable and long-term ceasefire would be a major step. For that, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a proposal (about peacekeepers in Donbass) that reappraises the position he has adhered to up until now,"

the minister said.
PRESS RELEASE

North Koreas Latest Missile Launch

Sept. 15, 2017 (EIRNS)North Korea launched another ballistic missile over Japan, for the second time in less than a month, early this morning. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from the Pyongyang area and flew around 3,700 km (2,300 miles) over northeastern Japan and landing in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Korean news agency Yonhap. It traveled 1,000 km (621 miles) farther than the Norths previous test and was said to have been capable of hitting Guam.

Within six minutes of the launch South Koreas military fired two ballistic missiles Hyunmoo-2, the countrys National Defense Ministry said today. Launched "from an eastern site near the inter-Korean border. One missile flew about 250 km and accurately hit the target in the Sea of Japan. The second launch was not successfulthe missile fell shortly after being fired.

The ministry stressed Seouls response came while the Norths missile was still flying. This signals that South Korea can quickly respond to Pyongyangs provocations, it said.

The United Nations Security Council is also expected to gather later today.

The Japanese defense chief said he held a phone conversation with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis to discuss the Korean Peninsula crisis. The sides confirmed the need to exert pressure on Pyongyang.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in warned the North today that its missile tests forecloses dialogue and warned Pyongyang against making an attack, local media said. "Dialogue is impossible in a situation like this," Yonhap quoted President Moon as saying at the National Security Council meeting. "In case North Korea undertakes provocations against us or our ally, we have the power to destroy (the North) and make it unable to recover."

After the North Korean missile launch, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for the international community to take "new measures" against North Korea, singling out Russia and China as the countries best placed to apply pressure on the D.P.R.K., almost week after it tested what is now believed to be a powerful hydrogen bomb.

Gen. McMaster and Nicki Haley were more threatening. "For those who have said, and been commenting about a lack of a military option, there is a military option," McMaster said. "Now it is not what we would prefer to do."

Haley said that the UN has "strangled their economic situation at this point" but the results of that are going to

"take a little time.... What we are seeing is they continue to be provocative, they continue to be reckless. And at that point there is not a whole lot the security council is going to be able to do from here when you have cut 90% of the trade and 30% of the oil,"

she said. "So, having said that, I have no problem with kicking it to Mattis because I think he has plenty of options."
PRESS RELEASE

Counterpunch Reports on the Unraveling of Russian Hack Story

Sept. 15, 2017 (EIRNS)Yesterday's Counterpunch ran "The Russian Hacking Story Continues to Unravel," a news item on the study published this week by Skip Folden, a collaborator with the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS). Folden has sent his memo to former FBI head and current special investigator Robert Mueller, the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, and other decision-makers. His report, "Non-Existent Foundation for Russian Hacking Charge," thoroughly covers the lack of evidence for the Russian hack, and the absolute failure to properly investigate what has been called "the crime of the century."

Foldens lengthy and detailed report takes up the lack of any specific evidence to support the "Russia did it" line; the non-existence of any trace routes showing that data from the Democratic National Committee's server was hacked and transferred to Russian agencies; the false attribution of malware supposedly found at the DNC to Russian actors (given that the malware was readily available, and of Ukrainian, rather than Russian origin); a full refutation of Crowdstrikes competence to attribute crimes to Russia (as evidenced by Alperovichs disgracefully incorrect claims about Russian GRU hacking of Ukrainian artillery equipment); the addition of fake Russian fingerprints; and the suspicious timeline of events from the Wikileaks announcement of upcoming Hillary emails to the claims of Russian hacking and the emergence of Guccifer 2.0.

Additionally, the lack of consideration of any "analysis of alternatives" to the Russia-did-it story, shows the political motivations to arrive at a desired conclusion. Regarding the FBIs failure to directly inspect DNC computers, Mike Whitneys Counterpunch article draws a useful parallel:

"Have you ever read anything more ridiculous in your life? The FBIs negligence in this case goes beyond anything Ive ever seen before. Imagine if a murder was committed in the apartment next to you and the FBI was called in to investigate. But when they arrive at the scene of the crime, theyre blocked at the door by the victims roommate, who refuses to let them in. Speaking through the door, the roommate assures the agents that the victim was shot with a single bullet to the head, and that the smoking gun that was used in the murder is still on the floor. But dont worry says the obstructing roommate,Ive already photographed the whole thing and Ill send you the pictures as soon as I get the chance. "Do you really think the agents would put up with such nonsense? "Never! Theyd kick down the door."

The American people are becoming increasingly sick and tired of hearing about the dastardly deeds of Russia, and after a year of headlines and ZERO evidence, feel that it is time to move on.

The Counterpunch article concludes:
PRESS RELEASE

Transcontinental Rail Becoming Talk of Peru

Sept. 15, 2017 (EIRNS)Over the last weekend, conferences were held in three different cities in Peru, to discuss the bioceanic train project: EIR itself held a conference on the subject in its office on Saturday, this time focused on the proposals for the southern route (Brazil-Bolivia-Peru) drafted by the militarys National Center of Higher Studies (CAEN). A conference was held Monday at the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute (IIAP) in the northern city of Iquitos, to expand the regional coalition fighting for the northern train route which has been created by the Ucayli economists group which invited Helga Zepp-LaRouche to keynote the national conference of the Peruvian Association of Economists in Pucallpa in 2016.

A whole new area of the country was drawn into these discussions by the third conference, organized by the engineers association in Perus second-largest city, Arequipa, with the participation of a speaker from Chinas rail company, the CREEC, which is working on the bioceanic rail project, on the benefits which would ensue from the southern route passed through through Arequipa!

An agreement to get the transcontinental train actually under construction has yet to be made, principally because of Wall Streets grip on the governments of Brazil and Peru, which are playing a "yes, yes, but..." strategy. Bolivia, like China, will not take no for an answer, however, which has created the conditions for this fight for the train, whatever route, to explode in Peru. Bolivia is holding the first meeting of the Bioceanic Operations Group yesterday and today, where technical people from the six countries which would be directly effected by the southern route (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) were to be present. Reportedly, representations from the three European countries interested in financing the projectSwitzerland, Germany and Spain, the most recent to join in) were to participate by hook-up.

Unlike the Brazilian government, the Peruvian government of Wall Street banker Kuczinski has verbally committed to the project (southern route), but has yet to release its proposal for the Pacific coast post where it will begin. That has been promised for the end of September.

Building this transcontinental railroad to unite the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America is urgent. The bestial narcoterrorists of Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) which Alberto Fujimoris government crushed, are rebuilding, fed by their dominance of the expansion of coca production in the country, and the release from jail this year of many of their leaders, for whom George Soross "human rights" army organized sentence reductions. Sendero just succeeded in leveraging a national teachers strike fighting for just interests, to win back control over the national teachers union. Unless the train project introduces a new paradigm of full-scale development, Perus most vulnerableits childrenwill be left at the mercy of Londons narcoterrorist army.
If youre looking for a takeaway beyond the soundbites from Hillary Clintons 2016 election postmortem What Happened, youll have to read deep into the book. It doesnt come until page 450, in a discussion of decorum and how it applies to losing candidates. At first, Clinton writes, I had intended to keep relatively quiet. Former presidents and former nominees often try to keep a respectful distance from the front lines of politics, at least for a while. I have always admired how both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush avoided criticizing Bill and Barack, and how Bill ended up working with George H.W. on tsunami relief in Asia and Katrina recovery on the Gulf Coast.  Thats how its supposed to work. But these werent ordinary times, and Trump wasnt an ordinary president.

Yes, yes, and again (for emphasis): yes. Clinton is correct. This suggests why What Happened is a necessary  if at times clunky and unconvincing  retrospective. Not because the former secretary of State lowers her guard (she doesnt, really), nor because she has the right (of course she does) to tell her story in any way that she sees fit. No, the issue is the 2016 election and its aftermath, which, not unlike the tsunami or Katrina, has left us to reckon with a catastrophe of unprecedented scale.

I dont want to re-litigate the presidential contest; it is over and our only option is, as Clinton observes in her final line here, to Keep going. But I also agree with George Santayana that [t]hose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. We disregard history at our peril; demagogues such as President Trump and Vladimir Putin depend on that. In that sense, perhaps, the most useful way to read What Happened is as one last instance of Clinton doing what she calls her civic duty. That the book is marked by her flaws (namedropping, contrived inspirational anecdotes, a refusal, or at least an inability, to reckon with her own failings as a candidate) as much as by her strengths (an experts understanding of policy and process, as well as an unexpectedly authentic sense of empathy) is only as it should be. This is her story, after all, and the most useful measure of it is to say the portrait that emerges is very much in line with the person, public or otherwise, weve known all along.

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I had intended to keep relatively quiet. ... But these werent ordinary times, and Trump wasnt an ordinary president.  Hillary Clinton

Let me be honest: I voted for Clinton in both the primary (as a matter of strategy) and in the general (more enthusiastically). Ive never cared all that much for her as a person, but her preparedness and level of achievement is beyond dispute. She should have been president, and she knows it; regret and loss is palpable throughout the book. And yet its also the case that she remains unable to reckon with just what happened in the 2016 election, looking for explanations, for reasons, while at the same time never quite uncovering her own complicity.

Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July 2016. (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

This is a tricky criticism, not least because it extends to all of us. Until returns started coming in on election night, did it really occur to anyone (even Trump) that she might lose? Thats what makes the election so difficult to reconcile  that and the starkness of the choice. It is perhaps unfair to expect that someone as close to the process as Clinton would be able to see it through a reflective lens. At the same time, she is relatively even-toned here, even when angry or fighting back.

Much has been made, say, of her criticism of Sen. Bernie Sanders, who contested the Democratic nomination and without question played a role in her defeat. At the same time, she is if not quite magnanimous then fair to Sanders, noting that while he and she disagreed on guns, for instance, the Republicans were far more extreme and giving him credit for helping to hammer out a progressive Democratic platform. Her ultimately conclusion, that wittingly or otherwise, his attacks caused lasting damage, making it harder to unify progressives in the general election and paving the way for Trumps Crooked Hillary campaign, seems incontrovertible and illustrates one of the key issues faced by her campaign: the extent to which voters and members of the media were predisposed to think the worst of her.

If What Happened has anything to tell us, its that this is part of a larger problem with the culture and the way it deals with women.

In part, this has to do with oversaturation; Clinton was, perhaps, the most scrutinized presidential candidate of all time. In part, it has to with the appearance of indiscretion, going back to Whitewater and Arkansas. One of the holes in What Happened is its discussion of fake news, which Clinton largely identifies as a propaganda technique, promulgated in large measure by the Russians. While this is true, though, it is also the case that not only the right-wing outlets such as Fox and Breitbart but also mainstream media focused relentlessly on no-smoke, no-fire stories, such as Benghazi or Clintons emails.

Among the most trenchant sections of the book is one detailing Matt Lauers egregious performance at NBCs Commander in Chief Forum on Sept. 7, 2016; Lauer repeatedly used the emails to question her judgment while giving Trump what amounted to a free pass. Now, Clinton confides, I wish I had pushed back hard on his question. I should have said, You know, Matt, I was the one in the Situation Room advising the President to go after Osama bin Laden. I was with Leon Panetta and David Petraeus urging stronger action sooner in Syria.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton during the second presidential debate. (Patrick Semansky / AP)

Later, Clinton brings a similar wistfulness to her account of the second debate with Trump, at which he stalked her on stage, seeking to intimidate her. Do you stay calm, she asks, referring to her options, 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. 

I would have loved to see her do the latter, but even now, Clinton isnt sure. This highlights one of my problems with her as a politician: her reserve, her sense of caution, which is also, I would suggest, part of the reason she didnt win. And yet, if What Happened has anything to tell us, its that this is part of a larger problem with the culture and the way it deals with women, and especially with successful women, who are generally regarded as a threat. When even someone as accomplished as Hillary Clinton is reluctant (afraid, even) to speak her mind about something we all witnessed  Trump hulking behind her on the debate stage, looming, getting too close  what does it say for the rest of us? Only that we are not as enlightened, as advanced, as we believe.

There are plenty of reasons for what happened in November, which also represented the manifestation of a seismic shift in presidential politics away from what is often derisively referred to as business as usual toward something more anarchic and unprepared. But at heart, I think, its a matter of our biases, racial and cultural and gender, all of which remain in force. [W]hen a woman lands a political punch, Clinton writes,  its not read as the normal sparring that men do all the time in politics. It makes her a nasty woman.  Again, she is absolutely right. Read What Happened, then, not as score settling or revisionist history. Read it, rather, as what is it: self-serving in places but relatively honest, if not a knockout blow then something of a necessary punch.

Hillary Clinton signs What Happened in New York on Tuesday. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images)

Ulin is the author of Sidewalking: Coming to Terms with Los Angeles. A 2015 Guggenheim Fellow, he is the former book editor and book critic of The Times.

What Happened

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Simon & Schuster: 512 pp., $30
CNN New Day anchor Chris Cuomo admits that standing outside in a storm as powerful as Hurricane Irma requires some rationalization.

Its arguably a stupid thing to do, he said this week on the phone from Naples, Fla., where he and his crew spent several nights living out of a minivan while reporting for the cable network. But we do it for a reason.

Cuomo was among the anchors and correspondents willing to take the risks necessary to inform the public and emergency responders about the conditions and spread the word on the needs of the victims (CNN had an army of 140 people working on the story). He went a step further by sharing his satellite phone with residents who needed to get in touch with loved ones after the storm.

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Such emotional moments helped boost the ratings for all the cable news networks during the storm coverage. Fox News Channel had the most viewers among the news networks. But, aside from the Weather Channel, CNN got the biggest ratings boost for the week that ended Sept. 10, according to Nielsen.

For the duration of the storm from Sept. 6 to 11, CNN averaged 1.47 million viewers, a 69% jump from its average for the previous four weeks, according to Nielsen. Fox News had 1.76 million viewers, a 28% jump; while MSNBC had 1.13 million, an increase of 12%. In the 25-to-54 category, the age group that advertisers value most in news programming, CNN was up 89% and ranked first in the category during for five straight days, the longest such streak the Time Warner-owned channel has had since 2001.

The ratings surge is a reminder that many viewers are still in the habit of going to CNN in a time of crisis, underscoring its commitment to devoting resources to breaking news around the world over 37 years.

CNN was a natural place for all those viewers to flock to, given that the brand remains incredibly strong and the place for major news, CNN President Jeff Zucker said in an interview.

Over the past six months, more viewers have watched breaking news during the day on MSNBC than on CNN.  NBC News spokesperson

The question is whether CNN can hold on to those viewers when the intensity of a news story subsides. It has become more of an imperative lately as MSNBC has made major gains in ratings after several years of running a distant third behind Fox News and CNN. MSNBC has picked up viewers during the day with its breaking news coverage while leading CNN on most weeknights when its politically left-leaning hosts are on.

Zucker said he does not see a need to change course, noting that his network still leads MSNBC in the 25-to-54 category year-to-date in prime time.

But the competition is gaining ground. MSNBC has been powered to its best numbers ever thanks to the emergence of Rachel Maddow as the voice of the anti-Trump movement. She is now the most-watched host on cable news among the 25-to-54 demographic.

The audience for first-place Fox News is so loyal, the networks ratings have withstood several major changes in personnel including the loss of marquee anchor Bill OReilly, who was fired in April amid a sexual harassment scandal at the network. Even with the lineup shifts, Fox News viewers know they can rely on the channel to hear a robust defense of President Trumps policies from its commentators.

Zucker notes that his network is running ahead of its record ratings year of 2016 on the strength of its breaking news coverage, which he believes is what viewers still look for from the channel.

If you think about the last five or six weeks there has been a tremendous run of big stories with whats happened in Charlottesville, whats happened in North Korea and what happened with Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Irma in Florida, he said. The fact is audiences have been incredibly strong for CNN all year.

CNN remains ahead of NBCUniversal-owned channel MSNBC among 25- to 54-year-olds and is having the best year in its history in the category.

Although it does not matter to advertisers, MSNBC has the bragging rights of being ahead of CNN among all viewers over the full day in 2017, for the first time ever. NBC News, which runs the channel, believes the milestone is viewers recognition that MSNBC is more than a political talk outlet.

Over the past six months, more viewers have watched breaking news during the day on MSNBC than on CNN, an NBC News spokesperson said. Thats a seismic shift that was almost unimaginable two years ago when MSNBC changed its daytime product from opinion shows to live, breaking news coverage in collaboration with NBC News.

Even with the pressure from MSNBC, Zucker said he has no plans to shake up his prime-time lineup to try to take on Maddow in the 9 p.m. Eastern hour. CNN currently has Anderson Cooper anchoring the time slot on most nights.

Were incredibly happy with our schedule, Zucker said. We dont have this need to win every hour. We have this need to report and service our audiences on television and in digital.

CNNs ratings and its digital growth have it on track to take in $1.1 billion in profit this year, a strong financial performance that comes at a time of pending transition. AT&Ts deal to acquire CNN parent company Time Warner is expected to be approved in the next few weeks. It has led to speculation about whether the company is willing to deal with the headaches that come with being in the news business and whether it wants Zucker at the helm of the network. Trump, who became a reality TV star at NBC under Zuckers watch at the network, often complains about CNNs aggressive coverage of his administration.

Zucker declined to comment on the AT&T deal, and would not confirm whether new management had called to praise the hurricane coverage and the service it provided to viewers.

As far as the criticism from the White House, Zucker said CNNs internal research continues to show the fake news narrative pushed by the White House has had no effect on public perception, even prior to its coverage of Irma.

There is no evidence any of those silly attacks by the Trump White House were having any effect whatsoever, Zucker said. There is strong evidence it was working to the contrary given our audience levels.

One unexpected side benefit generated from Cuomos Irma coverage is the social media attention he received for the tight T-shirts he wore on camera. He good-naturedly insisted the wardrobe choice was not an attempt to generate viewer interest.

My T-shirts are all XL, said the anchor, who stands 6 feet 2 and weighs 220 pounds. I wear black because it hides the sweat. The idea of my wearing an intentionally tight shirt is demonstrably false.

stephen.battaglio@latimes.com

Twitter: @SteveBattaglio

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What exactly does a big company like Nestle get when it buys an upstart like Blue Bottle?
Bret Parsons is a real estate agent and director of the architectural division at Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills North. The office is the highest-grossing residential real estate office in the country.

A decade earlier, as a residential loan agent, Parsons wrote millions of dollars worth of residential mortgages.

In addition to selling homes, the 54-year-old is taking on a new challenge: documenting the architectural legacy of Los Angeles in a series of books. Two have already been published, with 11 more volumes on the way.

Hooked at an early age

Born in Monterey County to a father who owned a John Deere tractor dealership and a mother who was a county planning commissioner, Parsons had a love of homes at an early age.

In kindergarten, when his classmates were coloring stick figures, he was drawing homes in three dimensions, much to the amazement of his teacher, he said. An appreciation for architecture was also a family affair.

I had very indulgent parents and grandparents who took me on every single house tour when I was younger, Parsons said. I just couldnt get enough.

One of those trips was to a publicized Eichler-designed residence that was owned by family friends. Parsons was mesmerized by the homes handsome features such as its redwood doors and walls of glass.

Extra credit

A self-confessed terrible student, Parsons began staying after class to help his English teacher design her new house when he was a high school sophomore. He had hoped the after-school work would result in a better grade, but he barely managed a C.

I didnt learn any English from her, but I helped her design a great house, he said.

Get a job, son

After graduating from San Jose State University, Parsons moved to Los Angeles in 1986 to do postgraduate work on architecture and accounting at UCLA.

Amazed at the wealth of architecture in the city, he spent his time exploring neighborhoods and looking at every home he could  until his dad called one day yelling at him to find gainful employement.

It was quite funny because my dad never swore, he said. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

Parsons got a job as the marketing director for the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. There he worked with top designers, architects, contractors, landscapers and vendors.

I didnt know what next step to take at the time, he said. But looking backward now, everything connected together.

More success stories from How I Made It 

I had very indulgent parents and grandparents who took me on every single house tour when I was younger. I just couldnt get enough.  Bret Parsons

A new chapter

The first book Parsons wrote was a happy accident. I had lunch with architect Ward Jewell and he asked me who my favorite architect was, and I told him Gerard Colcord, said Parsons, who was working as a mortgage broker at the time.

As fate would have it, Jewell had just renovated two Colcords and offered to put him in touch with the owners, who then referred him to Colcords longtime assistant, German architect Lisa Kent.

The two met at Kents San Diego home, where she allowed Parsons to look around in her garage.

There he uncovered a treasure trove: every drawing and blueprint of Colcords filed away in steel drawers with German precision, he said. I was like a kid in a candy store.

After lunch with Kent, Parsons made the two-hour drive back to Los Angeles. He never intended to write a book on Colcord, but by the time he arrived home, he had it outlined in his head. Then I drove into my garage and sat there thinking, How do I write a book?

Two years later, Colcord: Home was published. What followed was a revelation: It was time to get out of the mortgage industry and become a real estate agent.

I did 300 interviews for my book, and after it was published, people began calling me to sell their homes thinking I was a Realtor, he said. So I thought I might as well make it official.

The next chapter

After publishing the Colcord book, Parsons wanted to continue preserving the architectural legacy of Southern California. He teamed up with Marc Appleton and Steve Vaught, who will be his coauthors on the remaining books.

We realized the bulldozer is probably going to win, but we wanted to memorialize all the great architecture that was here, Parsons said. At the rate properties are being bulldozed, real estate agents will someday become dirt salesmen.

Between the three of them, they had every edition of Architectural Digest from the late 1910s through World War II.

We took all the old issues and knew there was a series highlighting the greatest residential architects in Southern California, he said.

Parsons is the author of Colcord: Home and coauthor of Gordon B. Kaufmann. (Mark Vieria)

A star on every corner

Managing a listing and a client, particularly in L.A., isnt so different from packaging a movie, Parsons says. Its a job that often involves wearing many hats.

I have to be a Realtor, a lawyer, a cinematographer, a photographer, a referee, he said. When the fight develops, Im a negotiator and more importantly a psychologist.

The next big thing

Parsons, who lives in Hancock Park, considers Los Angeles to be the greatest home-building region in the world because of its weather, economic climate and topography.

Despite reaching new sales heights in the last year, the area is still undervalued compared with other major cities around the world, he said.

Los Angeles is the only place where you can have a beach house, a mountain house, a hill house, a canyon house, a valley house, a desert house and a ski house all within two hours driving distance of one another, he said. Custom, architect-designed homes that are also fully equipped by leading design practitioners  thats whats next.

neal.leitereg@latimes.com
Big companies are good at lots of things. Managing complex supply chains. Buying in bulk to get the lowest prices from suppliers. Getting products on lots of store shelves and in front of lots of consumers.

But theyre not good at everything. Like being cool.

Which is why, over the past few years, big brands have gone on a buying spree, snapping up small, hip, high-end companies that have the kind of image and street cred that some multinational conglomerates have acknowledged they are unable to create on their own.

In the latest deal in the space, announced earlier this week, Nestle, the worlds largest food and beverage company, is buying Oaklands Blue Bottle Coffee, a chain with just 40 locations, all in trendy urban neighborhoods, all with baristas who take an improbably long time to craft a cup of pour-over coffee.

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Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Swiss firm is reportedly paying as much as $500 million for a majority stake in Blue Bottle, valuing the coffee company at more than $700 million.

Why spend that much on a tiny chain rather than trying to build one from scratch, possibly for much less cash? Because Nestle knows theres a good chance it wouldnt work, said Nick Setyan, a food and beverage analyst at downtown L.A.s Wedbush Securities.

I dont think they view that as their core competency, he said.

In many ways, the idea of a tiny coffee chain that charges high prices  a small, basic coffee costs $3.75, almost twice the price at Starbucks  for painstakingly produced products is the opposite of Nestle, a publicly traded corporate giant that makes mass-produced, affordable products available everywhere. Nestles brands run the gamut, from Dreyers ice cream and Cookie Crisp cereal to Gerber baby food and Purina kibble.

And thats kind of the point of the deal, said Taylor Palmer, an analyst at research firm IBISWorld. In buying Blue Bottle, Nestle is buying a company whose customers care about all the little things Blue Bottle does and that Nestle typically doesnt.

Theyre able to tap into a brand that people really identify with, and one with values people dont necessarily associate with larger brands, he said. They can attach themselves to the feeling that is elicited by consumers when they see these brands.

That same thinking has motivated other deals, too, across all sorts of industries.

Walmart has acquired trendy online retailers Bonobos and Modcloth. Big hotel chains have acquired high-end boutique hotels. Consumer products giant Unilever paid $1 billion for millenial-focused grooming company Dollar Shave Club.

But nowhere has the trend been more noticeable than in the food and beverage industry, particularly in beer and coffee.

Two years ago, Emeryvilles Peets Coffee & Tea acquired two craft coffee companies, Portlands Stumptown and Chicagos Intelligentsia. Peets itself was acquired back in 2012 by Luxembourg consumer products conglomerate JAB Holdings, which also owns Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Panera Bread and fashion brands Jimmy Choo and Belstaff.

AB InBev, the owner of Budweiser, has numerous craft-beer holdings, including Chicagos Goose Island Beer Co., Seattles Elysian Brewing and L.A.s Golden Road Brewing. Big Belgian brewer Duvel Moortgat owns Kansas Citys Boulevard Brewing and Paso Robles Firestone Walker.

Heineken this year acquired Petalumas Lagunitas Brewing Co., and Constellation Brands, the owner of Mexican mega-brews Corona and Modelo, paid $1 billion for San Diegos Ballast Point Brewing Co. in 2015.

In the most recent suds deal, Japanese brewery Sapporo announced last month it had acquired San Francisco icon Anchor Brewing, one of the pioneers of the U.S. craft-beer industry.

In every case, those buyers have deep enough pockets that they could try to start high-end coffee or craft beer brands of their own.

Thats the tack Starbucks has taken, announcing last year that it aims to put high-end coffee bars  under the Starbucks Reserve brand  within many of its existing locations, and eventually to open hundreds of standalone Reserve coffee bars.

Often, its important to not promote the parent brands association with the smaller brand once an acquisition is made.  Deborah MacInnis, professor, USCs Marshall School of Business

But IBISWorlds Palmer said consumers are much more likely to stick with a craft brand once its been acquired by a bigger company than they are to become loyal to a new brand created by a big company.

When consumers see a brand being built by a large multinational, and they see it marketed as a craft beverage or craft product, they view those products with a heavy dose of skepticism, he said. But when its a brand thats acquired, people can still view it as what it was before.

Setyan agreed, saying theres little evidence to suggest customers change their behavior after these deals.

Most consumers dont pay enough attention to even know, he said.

Indeed, big corporate buyers often go out of their way to leave these companies alone, at least on the surface, so as not to taint their independent image, said Deborah MacInnis, a marketing professor at USCs Marshall School of Business.

Often, its important to not promote the parent brands association with the smaller brand once an acquisition is made, she said. The brand loses some of its specialty and niche appeal when the corporate brand becomes strongly associated with it.

In a statement announcing last weeks acquisition, Nestle said Blue Bottle will continue to operate as a stand-alone entity, while having full access to Nestles well-recognised capabilities in coffee and its strong global consumer reach.

In other words, dont expect Blue Bottle to start selling Nescafe instant coffee.

Its possible for big companies to create successful, higher-end, craft-style brands of their own, but the success stories are few.

McDonalds launched its McCafe line of Starbucks-style coffee drinks the better part of a decade ago but has continued to rethink the offering as it continues to try to capture drinkers of higher-end coffee.

Coors, part of conglomerate MolsonCoors, launched beer brand Blue Moon, which remains a popular seller  despite a 2015 lawsuit, since dismissed, that argued Coors was deceiving customers by promoting the brand as craft beer.

Analysts said theres another reason big companies are buying and dont seem to mind spending big bucks on smaller firms.

Remember all those things big companies are good at doing? Those can help quickly ramp up distribution, sales and profits at the acquired companies once they are brought into the corporate fold.

Palmer, for instance, expects Blue Bottle, with the size and bargaining power of Nestle behind it, will be able to significantly lower the price it pays for everything from coffee beans to coffee cups. But because of the companys craft image, it probably wont be lowering the prices it charges to customers.

Thats one of the crazy things about companies acquiring craft brands, Palmer said. People will still associate Blue Bottle with a certain level of quality, so theyll be willing to pay as much as they are now. Theyll be selling the same $5 cup and getting a significant increase in profit.

james.koren@latimes.com

Follow me: @jrkoren

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Two bills that would boost protections for consumers taking out PACE home-improvement loans are headed to Gov. Jerry Browns desk after passing the Legislature.

The regulations come amid criticism by consumer advocates that too many borrowers are taking out unaffordable loans for solar panels and other energy-efficiency projects  the kind of upgrades funded by PACE  because contractors misrepresent how the financing works.

The bills, if signed, would enshrine a number of reforms into law, including a first-time requirement that income be factored into underwriting. The legislation also bars kickbacks and establishes a minimum training requirement for contractors, who typically also act as salespeople.

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We want people to benefit from water and energy efficiency, but they shouldnt have to sacrifice consumer protections, said Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills), who authored AB 1284, which includes the income and training requirements.

The bill also charges the Department of Business Oversight with regulating PACE lenders, something Dababneh called critical to the success of the new rules.

We were able to make sure there is some enforcement, he said. We have a referee.

Major lenders largely supported the package of bills, but consumer groups said there were too many loopholes in Dababnehs bill, which passed early Saturday morning.

There remain significant areas of concern, the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition told Dababneh in a letter, expressing its neutral position.

First started in 2008, PACE, or Property Assessed Clean Energy, programs are typically established by local governments, which tie the privately financed loans to the home and allow them to be repaid as line items on property tax bills. Beyond energy efficiency, the loans can be used for items such as low-flow toilets that save water.

In Southern California, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties have approved PACE lenders to operate.

The programs can be a moneymaker for governments, which take fees for collecting the loan payments and turning them over to the lenders. Contractors who do the work are paid and managed by the lenders.

If PACE bills go unpaid, a homeowner could lose the house to foreclosure. But the three major California-based lenders  Renovate America, Ygrene Energy Fund and Renew Financial  say the vast majority of their thousands of customers come away happy after completing energy-efficiency projects.

And they say they havent yet foreclosed on anyone for not paying their assessment.

But consumer groups say too many contractors have misrepresented how the loans are to be paid back, particularly to elderly individuals who now are struggling to make payments. Kern County and its largest city, Bakersfield, recently voted to end their PACE programs because of such concerns.

The two bills attempt to fix some of the problems.

SB 242 would mandate that PACE providers have calls with all homeowners before they take out the loan to ensure they understand the terms  something not all of the major companies did at first, but say they do now.

The bill, authored by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), also bars lenders from paying kickbacks to contractors.

AB 1284 would require lenders to make a reasonable good faith effort to ensure borrowers have the ability to repay their loans based on income, assets and current debt obligations. Today, eligibility is largely based on home equity.

This is really going to reshape and strengthen PACE significantly in California, said Greg Frost, a spokesman for Renovate America.

Alys Cohen, a staff attorney with the National Consumer Law Center, disagreed.

She said AB 1284 has too many loopholes, including one that allows a borrower to be approved for financing before an ability-to-repay analysis is completed. If the analysis later finds the homeowner cannot afford the payments, the bill requires PACE lenders to cover the difference, except in the case of intentional misrepresentation by the borrower.

Dababneh said lenders cant file a lien to enforce the loan before completing the analysis, which gives assurance to borrowers they wont be on the hook.

But Cohen said how the process will work isnt spelled out and doing an analysis on the back end leaves open the possibility that homeowners will be forced to make payments they cant afford.

This whole process is backwards, she said. The setup allows the contractor to pressure the homeowner at the door because they dont have to do the affordability analysis until after.

It preserves a troublesome business model, she said.

Dipti Singh, directing attorney with pro bono law firm Bet Tzedek, said the income section also is vaguely written.

For example, when describing how a lender  often called a program administrator  must verify a borrowers income, it gives examples of how they may complete that requirement, rather than mandate specific steps.

We dont want a program administrator to just check one pay stub, for example, and call it a day, she said.

Still, Singh called the bill a step in the right direction and said Bet Tzedek would continue to work with lawmakers to tighten the rules.

We are not done, she said.

Dababneh said he thought many of the issues consumer groups raised will be addressed in rule-making by the Department of Business Oversight and said he was open to cleanup legislation if anything needs fixing.

andrew.khouri@latimes.com

Follow me @khouriandrew on Twitter
The showdown between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump has once again raised the specter of nuclear annihilation.

That has done wonders for the bomb-shelter industry.

Sales and inquiries have spiked, according to several of the U.S. companies that make money from doomsday fears.

"The increase in demand is everywhere. We are getting hundreds of calls," said Ron Hubbard, president of Atlas Survival Shelters, based in Montebello, Calif. Hubbard said he expects to have a banner year, selling 1,000 shelters at an average price of $25,000 each.

Bomb shelters are a cyclical industry, booming during crises and waning during periods of peace and predictability. Trump's "fire and fury" threat, after news about North Korea's nuclear weapons advancement, has helped boost sales, and not just in the United States.

Hubbard reports there is intensified demand in Japan, where he has opened a sales office in Osaka. He's also opening a 400,000-square-foot plant in Dallas, largely to serve the Japanese market.

"We are back in the 1960s again," said Hubbard, referring to the Cold War demand for bomb shelters. "We've got a crazy man on one side and Donald Trump on the other."

Gary Lynch, general manager of Rising S Shelters in Murchison, Texas, has also seen a rise in demand for his products, both in Japan and here. "It is all due to the rhetoric on what is going on in North Korea," said Lynch, who said he has sold 67 bomb shelters internationally this year, mostly to Japan, compared with just nine for all of 2016.

In the United States, bomb-shelter customers run the gamut. Some are homeowners recently alarmed about the threat of a nuclear strike. They also include survivalists and "preppers"  people preparing for man-made or natural disasters. Rising S is owned by a Texas prepper named Clyde Scott.

After Barack Obama was elected president, Lynch said Rising S was contacted by customers worried about the government coming after their guns. After Trump was elected, a different clientele  Democrats  started calling. "People are worried that Trump would start a war," he said.

Consumers shopping for a family bomb shelter have a world of options. At Rising S, Lynch's most popular model is a 500-square-foot, steel-encased bunker that can accommodate a single family, for $120,000. That price does not include underground installation or overseas shipping. But it does include an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) filtration system, essential for surviving after an attack.

Atlas markets 15 types of shelters, Hubbard said, but focuses on a corrugated steel pipe model, which can be decked out with luxuries or kept as a simple "man cave." He said he's brought his average price down from $100,000 to about $25,000 in the past six years.

"I think of myself as a modern-day Henry Ford, coming out with a shelter that everyone can afford," Hubbard said.

Vivos, another California-based company, offers a completely different shelter experience. It sells shares in underground bunker complexes, a sort of doomsday condominium. Vivos says its 80-person Indiana complex is completely sold out, with shares going for $35,000 per adult.

Although they vary in their products and customer base, U.S. shelter makers all have learned that paranoia can be a potent marketing pitch, especially when trust in government is on the wane.

Vivos, for example, has a website with images of viral pandemics, asteroid strikes, nuclear mushroom clouds and other calamities.

"People are sensing that a global life-changing event is just ahead. Millions of people believe that we are living in the 'end times.' The governments of the world know something and have been bunkering up for decades. Why is nobody telling you to prepare?" the company says.

Owners of shelters generally say they don't want their neighbors to know they have one, Hubbard said. "They would all be freaking out and banging on your door," he said. "It is kind of like when a ship sinks  everyone swims to the floating life raft."

It's a roller-coaster business. In 2014, Vivos scrapped plans for a 5,000-person shelter in Atchison, Kan., after saying it was about to build the world's largest doomsday bunker.

Atlas Survival Shelters began in Sacramento, Calif., in the 1950s. It was then named "Atlas Bomb Shelter Distributing" and purchased ominous advertising warning about the "danger of a nuclear war." But the company went out of business as the Cold War cooled and people started joking about "Duck and Cover," the 1951 civil defense film that featured Bert the Turtle.

Not all preparedness advocates are fans of private bunkers. "Anyone buying a shelter should first vet it carefully with someone knowledgeable about exposure to nuclear fallout," said Dr. Robert Levin, public health officer of Ventura County, California.

Levin, who has recently urged communities to more seriously prepare for a nuclear emergency, said there are other precautions people can take. One, he said, is for people to identify secure places in their homes or offices  or along their commute routes  where they can take cover during an emergency.

Hubbard, however, said there's a growing segment of homeowners who want the ultimate protection. That includes people in Japan, where developers are building new communities with bomb shelters installed and marketed to lure customers.

There's even increased interest in South Korea, he said.

"South Koreans generally don't buy shelters because they are numb to the rhetoric coming out of North Korea," he said. "But apparently Kim Jong Un has struck a chord."
In 2012, Camilo Ontiveros attempted to extract a cubic meter of soil from a hillside in the Mexican state of Nayarit and display it at the Hammer Museum as part of that years Made in L.A. biennial. The Los Angeles artist was interested in bringing something Mexican to the United States  literally, a piece of earth to display in a museum.

Everything is born from soil, he says. Soil is life. How hard is it to bring something that is alive here? Something that gives so much life?

The answer is: very hard.

Due to all manner of bureaucratic roadblocks  partly because the soil sample was above the U.S. Department of Agriculture s 3-pound limit  he was never able to bring the piece of Mexican earth into Los Angeles. So for the show at the Hammer, he instead displayed a voluminous binder of correspondence with the U.S. government agencies that had denied his petition.

El Pedon, as the piece was titled, gets at a long-running focus in the artists work: the economic, cultural and other exchanges that occur between the U.S. and Mexico.

I dont deal with the border literally, he says. Instead, he focuses more at the idea of exchange  more with migration and labor, the labor that migrants are engaged in, in adaption.

For his latest work, part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA, Ontiveros is contending with the charged nature of migration at a particularly intense political moment.

For the exhibition Home  So Different, So Appealing, currently on view at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art , the artist gathered the belongings of Juan Manuel Montes  the first recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (known as DACA) to be deported under the Trump administration  and bound the objects with rope into an improbable tower that stands at the entrance to the gallery.

The piece was rendered more poignant when the Trump administration announced that it planned to phase out DACA.

Now its not just one person being deported, says Ontiveros. Now its 800,000 people fearing deportation.

Ontiveros arrived in the U.S. at the age of 15 without papers but became a legal U.S. resident in the late 1990s. He is quiet and mild-mannered. Yet in his art he has shown a bold exploration of forms, and of challenging the social and political status quo.

In this lightly edited conversation, the artist discusses how he came to be in possession of Montes belongings and the aspects of his own life he sees reflected in these very intimate objects.

Artist Camilo Ontiveros with a sculpture he created with the belongings of a DACA recipient. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

You began work on your piece Temporary Storage: The Belongings of Juan Manuel Montes months before Donald Trumps DACA decision. What inspired it?

I dont know why I saw it coming  the way Trump has been dealing with a lot of things, not just immigration. There has been a lot of skepticism about DACA since it started. The question of, How can I give up my information? Then the government can pick me up any time. Its really painful and really devastating for the immigrant community that the government can just take something away like that.

How did you get access to Montes things?

I contacted someone who was working with lawyers who are representing Juan Manuel Montes. She put me in touch with [his mother]. She was really taken by the idea of presenting Juan Manuels case through a piece of art. I sent her pictures of what I did before and said I wanted to do something similar. She was more than willing to participate.

They are the belongings of someone who is really vulnerable, someone who is taken away.  Camilo Ontiveros, artist

An installation view of Juan Manuel Montes belongings in Temporary Storage in Home: So Different, So Appealing, at LACMA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

What was it like to sift through his personal belongings?

As Im taking things away, it kind of hit me. It became more real. He left the room and was deported and his mom left the room as is. For me to come take that away  it was mixed feelings. Im taking away his belongings. For her, she will see that absence. They are the belongings of someone who is really vulnerable, someone who is taken away. I have mixed feelings about it.

The Trump administration has said that Montes wasnt deported, but that instead he left the country voluntarily. His lawyers filed witness statements that said he was forced across the border into Mexico by immigration agents. Montes will be allowed to temporarily reenter the country later this year for the court case that could determine his status, but what is your view on his situation?

I dont know what happened. Ive heard both sides. But what brought me to Juan Manuel is I see a reflection of me. I was here illegally. I went through the same kinds of fears growing up. I was a student. I went to college. I pursued a masters degree. And if it wasnt for me having papers and a little bit of status here, I wouldnt have been able to do all of that.

I arrived here illegally like everybody else. I crossed with  I think my grandfather paid someone. I used somebody elses papers. It was this business people in Tijuana had. I had to go there and learn my new identity in six hours: where I was born, where I went to school. Then I crossed through immigration.

The current sculpture was inspired by a piece you made as a graduate student at UCLA in 2009  in which you piled up your belongings and bound them with rope. What motivated you to make that piece?

Id been working with bundling and rope a lot. I was interested in the objects youd see in the backs of trucks being transported from L.A. to Tijuana. I was interested in the merger of economies and cultures. I deal with that in some of my work.

And I was thinking about movement and being able to pack all of your belongings and be ready to move. This was during election time. Obama was running. Deportations were going on. That piece was all of my belongings  everything I owned at that moment. I was renting a room and I packed my room and put it there.

This thing weighed a ton. I wouldnt be able to put it on my shoulders. I was thinking about movement in this absurd way. I was playing with the same absurdity of a law.

What brought me to Juan Manuel is I see a reflection of me. I was here illegally. I went through the same kinds of fears growing up.  Camilo Ontiveros, artist

Camilo Ontiveros first made a version of Temporary Storage at UCLA in 2009, featuring all of his own belongings. (Camilo Ontiveros)

Why address this in an art museum?

It brings the issue up in a different platform. It brings the issue up in this stage of the art institution. It allows for a conversation. Though I dont know that the art world is very prone to have these kinds of discussions. They want to talk about objects.

Home  So Different, So Appealing

Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles

When: Through Oct. 15

Info: lacma.org

Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter 

carolina.miranda@latimes.com

@cmonstah

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Philip Glass is walking through the African Mammal Hall at the Natural History Museum, pointing out which of the species on display hes shot and killed in his life. Theres the giraffe and greater kudu, the cape buffalo and the hippopotamus. But the animal hes most proud of hunting is the lion.

Last year, Glass  not the composer, but a rancher who breeds Dorper sheep in the middle of Texas  spent $100,000 for the opportunity to hunt a lion on a guided safari in Zimbabwe. You can actually watch him do it in a new documentary out this weekend, Trophy, which explores the ethically murky waters between trophy hunting  paying to kill wild, exotic creatures for sport  and animal conservation.

After Glass shoots the lion, cameras follow as he walks over to it, and his eyes fill with tears. He strokes the animals mane and holds its colossal, limp paw in his palm as he cries.

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That was obviously some hunters remorse from killing the king of beasts, that most awesome trophy  the pinnacle of hunting. Theres nothing better, he recalls. Theres all kinds of other things that are more rare, more expensive  but nothing compares to a lion. Its hard to get some animal like that  an animal that is very smart and very nocturnal  to come to a place where you can actually have a chance to take a shot at him in the daytime. I could have easily hunted 21 days and never got a chance at it  and thats part of it.

Glass, 45, settles on a bench in the Hall of Birds across from a taxidermied Golden Eagle. Hes wearing a camouflaged button-up and matching cap that bear the name of his business, Half Circle Six Ranches. Ive come to the museum to meet Glass and try to understand why one of his biggest goals in life is to hunt the Big Five  a lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros, the latter of which is the only one remaining on his list.

But Im also curious about why he agreed to be the subject of this documentary, given what happened to Walter Palmer in 2015. Palmer, for those who dont remember, was the Minnesotan dentist who killed a well-known African lion named Cecil on a hunting excursion similar to the one Glass went on. After news broke that Cecil had been killed, Palmers photo and personal information went viral. Protesters showed up at his dental office, he was publicly shamed by politicians and celebrities, and five months after Cecils death, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added two subspecies of lion to the endangered species list so that trophy hunters will have a more difficult time legally killing them.

Glass is one of the main subjects of Trophy, a documentary that explores the world of trophy hunting. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

As a journalist, part of my job includes interviewing subjects whose views I often do not agree with or support. My personal feelings, however, are meant to be irrelevant so that my reporting remains unbiased. But with Glass, Im fearful my own beliefs might creep into my line of questioning. After watching the man shoot both a lion and an elephant  and rejoice in those feats  I cant help but feel like hes, well, kind of a monster.

Like so many Americans today, I love my dog, spend too much money on toys he destroys in four seconds and post an embarrassing number of photos of him on my Instagram account. I wont visit SeaWorld and even feel uncomfortable seeing animals in cages at the zoo. Im not a vegetarian  yet, anyway, because Ive recently started to feel a twinge of guilt any time I eat a grilled chicken breast.

So how am I supposed to connect with a trophy hunter?

This is the same quandary director Shaul Schwarz faced when he began making Trophy three years ago with his romantic partner, Christina Clusiau. The couple were sitting in their kitchen in Brooklyn, N.Y., when Schwarz stumbled across a trophy picture of a hunter standing over a dead animal.

He was outraged. He couldnt believe it, remembers Clusiau, a former Time magazine photo editor. I grew up in northern Minnesota, where hunting is what people do. But he grew up in Israel, where a deer is Bambi. So I was like, Why are you so upset? Dont judge it yet.

I grew up in northern Minnesota, where hunting is what people do. But he grew up in Israel, where a deer is Bambi. So I was like, Why are you so upset?  Christina Clusiau

Directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau are shown at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where their film was acquired by the Orchard and CNN. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Their interest piqued, the pair decided to fly to Safari Club International, an annual Las Vegas convention where hunters convene to bid on safari trips, check out the latest riflery and even purchase fur coats. There, Schwarz and Clusiau met an outfitter who said she had the perfect subject for the filmmakers  Glass. He was heading to Namibia to hunt an elephant, so without even talking to him beforehand, the duo hopped on a plane with their camera gear to meet the hunter overseas.

When the group first met at an airport in Africa, the directors were upfront with Glass about their intentions.

We were like, Look, we dont agree with you, necessarily. Were liberals from New York, says Schwarz, a photojournalist-turned-documentarian whose best-known film is 2013s Narco Cultura. But we promise you were not a little news bulletin thats coming in, going to ask you a bunch of questions and screw you. We are going to let you give your opinion.

Glass says he could feel the filmmakers heart, and liked that they were interested in exploring how money from hunting trips had helped certain populations of animals in Africa to rebound. He also knew that they were talking to John Hume, a wealthy South African who keeps roughly 1,500 rhinoceros on his land and saws off their horns every two years to prevent poachers from slaughtering them. According to Hume, veterinarians say rhino horn is akin to human fingernails, so it doesnt hurt to remove and grows back in a couple of years.

I liked that they were exploring sustainable utilization, Glass explains. And the way I think of it is, somebodys gotta tell this story: Why shouldnt it be me? I live this life. Im not just some hunter thats a businessman and hunting is a hobby. Hunting is my life.

Glass says he cant remember a time when he wasnt hunting. Sometimes, when he was a boy, hed go for drives with his father in the country. If his dad spotted some game on the side of the road, hed turn the truck off and without saying a word, push his son out onto the road to find and kill the camouflaged animal.

Ever since, hes traveled the world to hunt, visiting Kyrgyzstan, Austria and Australia in search of local species. Hes spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his hobby. Hes eaten all kinds of bizarre meat, from hippo to elephant, which he said was particularly tough.

Theres a fallacy that trophy hunters go climb a mountain, shoot something, hack the head off, leave it to rot and walk down the hill, he says, his voice raising. And 99% of the time, that is not the case.

Regardless of whether or not he consumes the meat of the animal he kills, there are no doubt plenty of viewers who will feel anger toward Glass. Even Alec Baldwin was unable to mask his disdain for him when he moderated a question-and-answer session with the hunter after a recent screening of the doc in the Hamptons.

I cant help but ask this, Im sorry, the actor said. But if the lion had jumped up and bitten you in half  it was awake  would you think we should cry for you?

During another public Q&A, this one at South by Southwest in March, one audience member became so outraged with Glass that she began yelling at him, shouting What if I killed your children? She was later removed by security.

(Glass does have kids, by the way, three of them: a 24-year-old son, 17-year-old daughter and 11-year-old boy, whom he takes hunting in the opening scene of Trophy.)

The way I think of it is, somebodys gotta tell this story: Why shouldnt it be me? Im not just some businessman and hunting is my hobby. Hunting is my life.  Philip Glass

Meanwhile, the Orchard  the distribution company releasing the film  says it has been having trouble booking the documentary in theaters because the film features animals dying. Even so, the movie  which had a rare 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes on its opening day  will have a chance to reach a mass audience early next year, when it is set to air on CNN, just like Blackfish did in 2013.

As for Schwarz and Clusiau, even they admit to still having mixed feelings about the star of their documentary. Their most difficult moment during filming came while witnessing Glass hunt an elephant that had been traveling in a herd. Once the hunter got a shot off, the other elephants began running away and crying.

I couldnt take it  the family crying, trying to get away from this crazy American, says Schwarz. He was in his own world, high-fiving everyone.

And then we got close to the elephant and it was still alive, Clusiau adds. That was pretty awful.

That was the most horrible thing we filmed, he said. We were both, like, broken. And on that day, we hated Philip. But then that night, all the villagers who got to eat the elephant he shot kept coming to thank him, and it was genuine. It messes with you.

From Glass perspective, society has become so urbanized that were too disconnected from the meat we consume. Its easy, he believes, to cuddle our dogs and cats and coo at the lions we see on Animal Planet when youve lived your whole life in New York City and never so much as pulled the head off a pigeon.

An animal does not have the same rights as a person, he says. Thats why I quote Genesis in the Bible, because God created the animals and created man to rule over them, specifically  to rule over, to have dominion over. But ruling over doesnt mean smashing every last one of them and eating them all. It means caring for them and doing something better for them. And if doing something better for the animals involves hunting a few of them, why is that a bad thing? How can you argue with that?

The way animal activists argue with that is by pointing out that the money from trophy hunting that is meant to go toward conservation rarely all ends up in the right hands. Oftentimes, according to Schwarz, its siphoned off to corrupt government officials.

Glass believes such skimming off the top is inevitable, pointing instead to the food, schools and clinics that have come as a result of trophy hunting in Africa. Furthermore, he argues, someone like me  someone who claims to love animals but has never killed one? He says I will never love an animal in the same way he does.

Thats the part thats hard for me to explain to you, because thats in my heart, he says, sincerely trying to convey his feelings to me. Put yourself in my shoes. Walk up to the lion and do what I did  feeling the lion, smelling the lion, just revering this incredible animal that youve wished to hunt your whole life and looking at him and how hes made. If you believe in evolution, you believe that lion was an accident. An accident. And in my heart, I could never accept that. I could never accept that that animal wasnt spoken into existence by God himself, because it is perfectly designed.

Its at this point in the interview when my feelings finally threaten to overwhelm my journalistic responsibility. Why, I ask, do you have to kill an animal to be close to one?

Sure, maybe Ill never hold a lions paw in my hand, but when Glass did that, the animal was dead. From where I stand, thats about the same as getting to see an orca up close in a tank at SeaWorld while knowing whales are actively suffering in captivity.

And the evolution argument? Im cool with his religious beliefs, but why does evolution have to be an accident? If God put a lion on Earth, thats fantastical. And if DNA mutated over time to create that lion, thats pretty magical, too.

If you believe in evolution, in my mind, you believe the lion is an accident, he says, getting heated now. It just randomly occurred, no different than a house cat. And the lion is not a house cat.

I take a breath and realize arguing with Glass isnt going to get me very far. Then I remember something Schwarz told me. Though he gets on well with Glass, the director is still personally disgusted with his hunting practices and even referred to him as a psychopath numerous times in our conversation.

Do I understand why he wants to kill an elephant and hang it on his wall? Hell no. Its not my cup of tea, Schwarz says. But can this psychopath help conserve? Thats the question.

amy.kaufman@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA

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Pay attention to Ken Burns The Vietnam War on PBS, theres much to learn
Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, who a decade ago co-directed The War, about World War II, have now made The Vietnam War.

Written  like that series and other Burns projects running back to The Civil War  by Geoffrey C. Ward, it begins Sunday on PBS, with 10 episodes running some 18 hours.

The series is both long, and somehow not long enough. Vietnam, a conflict kept alight by official lies, naive idealism and a shark-like inability to go any way but forward, was as deep a well as the country has ever gone down; half a century later, we have still not climbed out.

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There are many good reasons to watch The Vietnam War. Unless you are very well informed, it will teach you things you do not know and correct things you thought you knew. It may be, if you are of those generations for whom the words the war call to mind only Iraq or Afghanistan, that you know nothing of Vietnam at all. But there are lessons in this misadventure worth learning regarding the crooked course of human events and the collision of national interests and individual lives. Its multiplicity of voices, from both sides of the war and the war at home, might make you a more thoughtful, less judgmental person in the end if you pay attention.

And you should pay attention.

It was so divisive, one commentator remembers. Its like living in a family with an alcoholic father  Sssh, we dont talk about that. Our country did that with Vietnam.

Still, this is not the first time television has looked at Vietnam; indeed, it was the first television war, played out in millions of living rooms on the nightly news. Burns project is not even the first long examination; Vietnam: A Television History ran 13 hours on PBS in 1983.

But Burns is Americas Documentarian; there is a built-in weight to his work  not appropriate to every subject hes tackled, but it works for war.

Burns reputation gives him access to people and pictures. He has the drive to be definitive, which is of course impossible. As huge as The Vietnam War is, parts of the story are left unexplored; for example, it barely touches the ways in which American forces interacted with the civilian society of South Vietnam, and how one might have changed the other. Subjects that might have whole documentaries of their own  drugs, the children some soldiers left behind  are dutifully noted and dropped.

But if there is never another series on the subject, this one will serve posterity very well. It is something to reckon with: fact-filled, fascinating, infuriating, dreadful, beautiful, nerve-wracking and numbing. There are so many bodies, burning and blown apart, that they fail to register after awhile. (Its possible that we have seen too much artfully simulated screen-glamorized violence to fully appreciate the real thing; in any case, this is not a show for young eyes.) But as the series moves on past the war to passages of reflection and reconciliation, it grows moving to a degree unusual in Burns work; whatever you have managed not to feel in the preceding hours comes back to get you.

The story goes back to its French colonial origins, with a young Ho Chi Minh looking for Western support for Vietnamese self-determination, jumping ahead every so often to remind us that an American story is coming. (There is a sequence at the beginning where the footage is actually run backward, back through Presidents Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Eisenhower and Truman, with bombs returning to planes, Buddhist monks and draft cards emerging from flames.)

Given the scope of the subject and the size of their series, and how many participants in the war and the war at home are still available, Burns and Novick use relatively few commentators to move their story along. But each has personal experience of Vietnam; there are no remote scholarly voices, but a well-chosen cast of soldiers, citizens, politicians, protesters and reporters.

As is his wont, Burns threads personal journeys through the history that shaped their course, which grows more chaotic and out of control, and a conflict few Americans paid mind to in the early 60s gives way in the 70s to massacres at My Lai and Kent State.

Seen from afar, Vietnam may have been for nothing, or less than nothing; Burns and his collaborators clearly regard it as tragic. (For North Vietnam, of course, it was a successful war for national liberation and reunification.) But up close, history is only a way of describing in a general, theoretical way many individual experiences, each of which is beyond theory or argument, and all of which are true.

The Vietnam War

Where: KOCE

When: 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; concludes Sept. 28.

Rating: TV-MA-LV (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17 with advisories for coarse language and violence)

robert.lloyd@latimes.com

Follow Robert Lloyd on Twitter @LATimesTVLloyd

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In the Moment is more than a philosophy. Its the name of Behrs paint pick for 2018 Color of the Year.

The serene, blue-green color with a slightly gray cast represents the first time Behr has singled out a feature color from its annual list of 20 hot hues to watch.

And if youre thinking, 2018? But its only September! youre right. This year, Behr was one of the first major paint manufacturers to forecast an it color and corresponding trend direction for what we will be seeing in 2018. But it wont be the last.

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Kind of like how holiday decorations are creeping onto store shelves before Halloween, competitive trend announcements are getting earlier and earlier, but I digress.

The it color, along with chosen trend palettes (a range of colors picked to work together), are important to note because they represent almost a year of researching global and cultural trends plus design world cues in order to pinpoint the exact hues and shades that will feel instinctively fresh and provide welcome updates in the months to come. The forecast also highlights colors you can expect to see popping up in product design.

Weve always tried to promote a range of colors where theres a little something in there for everybody, said Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services for Behr. This year, the color of the year is one of those statement colors that is really versatile and user friendly and works with just about any setting, interior or exterior.

The color guru added: We feel like directionally, weve been living with a lot of gray in home decor for years, but we are seeing color families of blue on the rise and greens are becoming popular again  this color kind of fits into all of that.

The creative team was also inspired by coastal, beachy themes, trends in current sales and the continuing importance of the Danish idea of hygge, the concept of creating a warm, welcoming and cozy environment.

That Scandinavian influence is key, and very universal, said Woelfel. Its appropriate for the times were living in these days.

Plucked from a palette of 20 trending colors, In the Moment is designed to be paired with bright, energetic accent colors like Behrs Civara, an orange-based red, when you want to raise the energy in the room, said Woelfel, or combined with mellow neutrals like Soft Focus (white) or Kombucha (a sandy beige) for a more tranquil feel.

It depends on the type of mood you want to create, she said.

Woelfel said her team named the trending colors with monikers like Unplugged, Spirit Warrior, Soul Search, Quiet Time, Life Is Good and Road Less-Traveled to correspond with the mindful-living trend that inspired their work.

The names tell a little bit of a story to help describe what the color is meant to do, said Woelfel.

Heres to painting the world in shades of mindfulness and finding ourselves at home In the Moment.

Bonnie McCarthy contributes to the Los Angeles Times as a home and lifestyle design writer. She enjoys scouting for directional trends and reporting on whats new and next. Follow her on Twitter @ThsAmericanHome

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Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, and it is Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. It is not Cinco de Mayo today  but it is Mexican Independence Day. Lets take a look back at the week in Opinion.

Hillary Clinton has lived in the public eye since the 1970s and is arguably the most high-profile, experienced politician not to have been elected president. Years of bogus scandal-mongering against her culminated in a surreal presidential campaign in which her opponent called for her imprisonment and directed sexist insults at her. Her loss ushered in a presidency that she has called a clear and present danger to American democracy.

Now were finally hearing from Clinton in book form and on the lecture circuit. Her reflections on such a pivotal moment in U.S. history, one might think, would be welcome.

Or not. In fact, some of her most vocal supporters want her to go away, including Opinion contributing writer Melissa Batchelor Warnke:

It is not the book that bothers. Its the accompanying media tour  its the inevitable distraction from issues on which Democrats are finally pushing forward. Its a refracturing of Clinton supporters and those of Sen. Bernie Sanders , a scratching at old wounds that are finally starting to heal, and redrawing divisions between organizations that are beginning to build together. Trump shores his base up by attacking others, and having Clinton back on the scene gives Trump prime ammunition after hes been weakened by a series of legislative and leadership failures. Trump has finally been forced to work with Democrats; for Petes sake, hes having Chuck and Nancy over for dinner tonight. Please do not let the price of Clintons renewed visibility be another round of Trump leading his minions in ever more demented Lock her up! chants. People who hated Clinton last time  whether because they saw her as a corporate centrist warmonger or because they believed she was corruptible and inauthentic  will still hate her after reading this book. Her voice is defiant enough to anger those on the far right who always thought she just talked a little too damn much for a woman. And leftists will note that she fails to challenge any of her original premises or policy prescriptions. ... Our political system has changed immeasurably since November 2016. Standards and norms have flown out the window. Partisan rancor is exceptionally high, with inter- and intra-aisle fighting encouraged by the president himself. The Trump administration has radicalized not just those on the right, but those on the left. The ranks of organizations such as the Democratic Socialists of America are swelling; true progressives are starting to find a voice within dusty Democratic organizations; and Democratic representatives are finally starting to show some spine and unify around ideas such as single-payer healthcare, for which Sanders paved the way. Clinton has the right to her book and her media tour. But if shed focus on herself rather than on advising and rebuking those on the left, shed help the party she claims to love move forward into a winning future. >> Click here to read more

Columnist Doyle McManus doesnt know what Clinton is trying to achieve. Presidential also-rans usually dont write about why they lost, and for good reason, McManus points out. He ends with a sad lesson for Clinton: She might have been better off stowing What Happened in a desk drawer. The lesson shes learning is a harsh one: After a disastrous election, even the supporters of a defeated candidate may not be eager to have her around. L.A. Times

If Obama had done what Jared Kushner is doing, Republicans would have pounced. And they did, hunting down any evidence of impropriety in the Obama administration based on the idea that Americans deserve an accountable government, writes Kurt Bardella, who participated in those investigations as an advisor to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. But as Kushner, the White Houses multi-tool and President Trumps son-in-law, continues a desperate international hunt for hundreds of millions in cash to shore up his business empire, Republican investigators are nowhere to be found. L.A. Times

This is a fascinating portrait of Orange Countys hard-to-unseat, pro- Putin Republican. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is 70 and a friend to marijuana advocates. He writes libertarian tunes on his guitar. He thinks the Charlottesville, Va., riots were staged by liberals. So how does this perennial target of Democrats still have a job? Because he stands squarely in the middle of the old school, wealthier, whiter, conservative, still-lovin-the-Gipper part of the OC. San Francisco Chronicle

Imagining an Alt-Right Night at Dodger Stadium: Each fan gets a bare-chested Vladimir Putin bobblehead. No tacos or sushi are served. SUVs and monster trucks park for free, but EVs and hybrids pay a premium. Jackie Robinsons No. 42 comes down because racism was in the past. Ted Nugent performs Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Trump throws out the first pitch, but only after whipping the crowd into a frenzy for 15 minutes. L.A. Times

Turns out Susan Rice was just doing her job, but dont expect anyone in Trumpland who accused her of illegally spying on the presidents allies to apologize. Earlier this year, after Trump had falsely accused the Obama administration of wiretapping him, it was revealed that Barack Obamas national security advisor had requested the unmasking of Trump officials identities who were meeting in secret with officials from the United Arab Emirates about setting up a back channel for communication with Russia. Now, writes Max Boot, Rice is just collateral damage in the administrations attack on facts and reality. L.A. Times

Reach me: paul.thornton@latimes.com
UC Berkeley officials said Saturday that organizers of a far-right speakers series scheduled for later this month have missed the deadline to reserve two of the largest indoor venues on campus for the event, but that they will continue to work with organizers on planning for the festival.

The University cannot defend spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide security arrangements for events based on the press releases of organizers, Dan Mogulof, assistant vice chancellor of the universitys Office of Communications and Public Affairs, said in a statement.

Mogulof said the Berkeley Patriot student group that is working with right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos on the Free Speech Week festival had failed to meet the universitys requirements to reserve Wheeler Auditorium on Sept. 24  the first day of the festival  and Zellerbach Auditorium on Sept. 27. He said organizers failed to submit the necessary payments to reserve the halls by 5 p.m. Friday.

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Berkeley Patriot also failed to provide the university with evidence that speakers are actually confirmed, such as e-mails, evidence of travel arrangements, or contracts, Mogulof said. In both instances, the student organization missed three previous deadlines set by the university, he said.

This failure to confirm, combined with the refusal to provide unqualified speaker lists and schedules has led the campus to question whether Berkeley Patriot actually intends to, and/or is able to, carry out the proposed events, Mogulof said in his statement.

Yiannopoulos dismissed the universitys claims as a total lie and part of a misinformation campaign. He said organizers were in the middle of negotiating the terms of the $100,000 reservation fee when things broke down.

They asked for the money after the cutoff for wire transfer on Friday, he told a Times reporter on Saturday. They will have it Monday. The event will proceed. Classic attempt to force cancellation with impossible demands at the last minute. It will not succeed.

But Mogulof disputed Yiannopoulos version of events and said he was not part of the negotiations. He said the university was dealing solely with Berkeley Patriot.

The fee payment requirement was in the contract first provided to the Berkeley Patriot five weeks ago, he said Saturday, noting that the group was sent a reminder in writing Wednesday.

Berkeley Patriot representatives did not respond to a request for comment.

But Bryce Kasamoto, a 20-year-old senior and a spokesman for the group, said Wednesday that the group expected to meet the campus deadline, which he said was approaching within the next week.

It is all going to be ready and finalized pretty soon, he said. This event is going to go forward and its going to be very exciting.

Free Speech Week is slated to include Pamela Geller, Mike Cernovich, Erik Prince, Ann Coulter, Yiannopoulos and former White House strategist Stephen K. Bannon. But the full list of speakers is not yet confirmed and some who have been listed said they do not plan to attend.

Three of the speakers listed by Milo Inc.  Charles Murray, Heather MacDonald and Michael Malice  have said they are not coming to Berkeley.

Murray and Malice confirmed through emails to The Times that they wont be attending the series.

I was never contacted by the organizers of this event, Murray wrote in an email. The inclusion of my name in the list of speakers was done without my knowledge or permission. I will add that I would never under any circumstances appear at an event that included Milo Yiannopoulos.

A spokeswoman for the Manhattan Institute, where MacDonald is a fellow, said neither we nor Heather know anything about the event.

benjamin.oreskes@latimes.com

javier.panzar@latimes.com

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UPDATES:

5:35 p.m. This article was updated with an additional comment from Murray.

This article was originally published at 4 p.m.
A cashier who told police she didnt know she was pregnant when she gave birth in a McDonalds restroom last week, made a similar claim three years ago when she gave birth to another child in a bathroom, the San Mateo County district attorney said Friday.

Sarah Lockner, 25, faces charges of attempted murder after she allegedly tried to flush her newborn down a toilet at her workplace. When police responded to the Redwood City McDonalds, she reportedly told them that she hadnt realized she was pregnant.

On Friday, Dist. Atty. Steve Wagstaffe said that Lockner had also given birth to a child in her bathroom at home three years earlier.

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Supposedly she stated then that she did not know she was pregnant, Wagstaffe said.

The prosecutor said there is no suggestion there was anything criminal about the previous birth. However, authorities are investigating the circumstances of the pregnancy and birth in the earlier incident, Wagstaffe said.

Lockner was working as a cashier on the evening of Sept. 4 when she complained of stomach pain, according to the district attorneys office.

During her shift, Lockner visited the restaurants bathroom multiple times, prosecutors said.

A co-worker was concerned about Lockner, so she entered the bathroom to check on her. When she went inside, prosecutors said, there was blood on the floor.

Lockner blamed the blood on a heavy period, prosecutors said.

A second co-worker noticed Lockners behavior and also decided to check on her.

When the second employee walked into the bathroom and peered over Lockners stall, prosecutors said, she saw a newborn baby face down in toilet bowl, with Lockners hand on the babys back.

The employee then heard the toilet flush.

Lockner asked her co-worker not to call police, but it was too late, prosecutors said.

Police arrived to find the baby in Lockners arms.

The infant is alive and stable, but probably suffered brain injury, prosecutors say. At one point, the infant had no pulse and was not breathing.

Though Lockner has claimed she didnt know she was pregnant, prosecutors have discovered evidence that indicates she was aware of her condition, Wagstaffe said. He declined to describe the evidence.

Lockner, who is being held on $11-million bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in San Mateo County court.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA
A U.S. Bureau of Prisons employee fatally shot a man and injured another outside a Los Angeles bar and then fled to Mexico before he was arrested, authorities said Friday.

The Los Angeles Police Department says 31-year-old Marco Antonio Garcia has been arrested on suspicion of murder. It wasnt immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.

Police say Garcia approached two men outside a bar in Van Nuys on Sunday night, took out a handgun and fired multiple rounds. One man was killed and another was injured.

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Investigators are still trying to determine a possible motive. They said Garcia fled immediately after the shooting to Mexico, where he was arrested.

A Bureau of Prisons spokesman didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Californias new sanctuary state bill limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents drew support Saturday from Los Angeles officials, but a stinging rebuke from the Trump administration, whose Justice Department said the measure undermines national security and law enforcement.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said he was grateful to the legislature, while Police Chief Charlie Beck said the bill built on 40 years of the citys efforts to foster trust in immigrant communities.

We are committed to reducing crime through community partnerships and constitutional policing, said Beck.

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The legislation passed early Saturday drastically scaled back the version first introduced, the result of tough negotiations between Gov. Jerry Brown and the bills author, Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), in the final weeks of the legislative session. The bill, SB 54, must still be signed by the governor.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, an early and prominent opponent of the bill, said the changes had satisfied his concerns that it would hurt immigrants more than it would help them.

While not perfect, [the bill] kept intact our ability to maintain partnerships with federal law enforcement officials who help us in the fight against gangs, drugs and human trafficking, McDonnell said in a written statement. It also retains the controlled access that the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has to our jails.

The Trump administration, which earlier threatened to withhold federal grants from sanctuary cities, warned that the bill threatened public safety.

Just last month another illegal alien allegedly killed a community volunteer, yet state lawmakers inexplicably voted today to return criminal aliens back onto our streets, said Devin OMalley, a spokesman for the U.S Department of Justice. This abandonment of the rule of law by the Legislature continues to put Californians at risk, and undermines national security and law enforcement.

Called the California Values Act, the sanctuary bill initially would have barred state and local enforcement from holding, questioning or sharing information with federal immigration agents about immigrants in custody unless the immigrants had violent or serious criminal convictions.

McDonnell had broken ranks with many other Los Angeles elected officials by opposing the initial legislation, arguing that if immigration agents could not pick up people from the jails, they would go looking for them in the streets, spreading fear and curtailing immigrants cooperation in criminal cases.

The amended bill would allow federal immigration authorities to keep working with state corrections officials and to continue entering county jails to question immigrants. The legislation would also permit police and sheriffs to share information and transfer people to immigration authorities if they have been convicted of one or more crimes from a list of 800 outlined in a previous law, the California Trust Act.

Under added provisions of the bill, however, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would have to develop new standards to protect people held on immigration violations, and to allow immigrant inmates to receive credit toward their sentences for time served if they complete rehabilitation and educational programs while incarcerated.

The state attorney generals office would have to develop recommendations that limit immigration agents access to personal information. The attorney general also has broad authority under the state Constitution to ensure that police and sheriffs agencies follow SB 54s provisions should it be signed into law.

More than 150 communities have laws or policies that restrict the ability of police and jails to hand over people who are in the country illegally to federal immigration officers. The Trump administration in April warned nine jurisdictions, including Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans and New York, that they risked losing federal grants by sidestepping cooperation with federal agencies.

Top politicians in Los Angeles  a fulcrum of Trump resistance  had avoided the sanctuary label. But the City Council this month moved to declare L.A. a city of sanctuary, in response to Trumps August announcement that he would unwind a program protecting immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

Pablo Alvarado, executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said the bill achieved only incremental progress, and he called on local law enforcement to fully implement its provisions.

The scapegoating and persecution of immigrants is what has made our community unsafe, Alvarado said. With this bill, our state is telling Trump: Mr. Trump, you can keep your money. Well keep our immigrant community. 

gholland@latimes.com

Twitter: @geholland

Times staff writers Jazmine Ulloa and Andrea Castillo contributed to this story.

UPDATES:

4:15 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments from local and federal officials.

1:20 p.m. This article was updated with addition comments from local and federal officials.

This article was originally published at 11:50 a.m.
Harry Dean Stanton, a prolific character actor who brought a soulful, hangdog presence to such varied films as Alien, Paris, Texas, Repo Man and Pretty in Pink, becoming a favorite of film fans and directors alike, died on Friday at age 91.

Stanton died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles of natural causes, said John Kelly, his agent.

With his rail-thin, perpetually haunted mien and his unique flair for portraying drifters, grifters and other unconventional, sometimes eccentric outsiders with subtlety and naturalism, Stanton rose from early obscurity to become a mainstay of films from the 1970s onward. With more than 200 credits to his name in film and television, he never stopped working, earning some of his most memorable roles, like a self-proclaimed polygamist prophet on the HBO series Big Love, long after many actors would have retired.

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Most recently, Stanton appeared in Showtimes Twin Peaks: The Return and starred in the independent film Lucky, slated for release on Sept. 29, playing a world-weary atheist facing mortality in a role that closely paralleled his own life.

Stanton was the rare character actor who was also a veritable household name. But, though his performances frequently drew praise from critics and he was the subject of two documentaries, he never received any major awards recognition. And while he never seemed to want for work, often doing several films a year, he was only rarely given the chance to play the lead  a fact that sometimes grated on him, he told The Times in 1986.

Its just so frustrating when youre in a supporting role because you only get to express a part of yourself, said Stanton, who was known to be as droll and laconic off the screen as he often was on it. Theres always a stigma attached to those terms: character actor, supporting player. It bothers every actor, whether they admit it or not. I guess Ive always resented the fact that you have your humanity taken away by only playing a sidekick role.

That said, few in Hollywood could do as much with as little. He was one of the movie worlds great minimalists, able to convey more with a silent, thousand-yard stare than many of his fellow actors could with a long monologue. If he had a motto, Stanton once said, it would be: To be a fine actor, one should never put on an act, never on screen or off. 

Indeed, whether playing a doomed crew member on a spaceship in Alien or a kind-hearted, down-on-his-luck father in Pretty in Pink, Stanton rarely failed to make an impression, even when his screen time was limited. Critic Roger Ebert once stated that no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh  another consummate but often unsung character actor  in a supporting role can be altogether bad.

Born in Kentucky on July 14, 1926, the son of tobacco farmer and a cook, Stanton headed west after serving in the Navy during World War II and broke into acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. Often billed early on as Dean Stanton to avoid confusion with another actor named Harry Stanton, he found steady work in the late 1950s and early 1960s on television shows like Bonanza, Rawhide and Gunsmoke as well as in films like How the West Was Won.

In 1967, Stanton earned a supporting part opposite Paul Newman in the prison drama Cool Hand Luke, and as Hollywoods auteur-driven era of the 1970s took hold, his penchant for playing rough-around-the-edges antiheroes began to gain more widespread notice. Throughout the 70s, he would appear in such films as Two-Lane Blacktop, The Godfather: Part II, The Missouri Breaks and Wise Blood.

Still, it wasnt until 1984, when was already in his late 50s, that Stanton got his first true leading role, playing a rootless, nearly mute loner in the drama Paris, Texas, directed by Wim Wenders and written by Sam Shepard. The film won the Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival, and that same year, Stanton also delivered a memorable turn as a car thief in director Alex Coxs bizarro sci-fi comedy Repo Man, cementing his newfound cult status.

I wouldve preferred to blossom earlier in life, Stanton told The Times in 1986. I think every actor wants to play those big parts. In the very first play I ever did, I remember understanding all the characters in it. I always felt I could play anyone.

Theres always a stigma attached to those terms: character actor, supporting player. It bothers every actor, whether they admit it or not.  Harry Dean Stanton

Stanton became a frequent collaborator of another of modern cinemas great offbeat characters, director David Lynch, who cast him in the films Wild at Heart and The Straight Story. Stanton also appeared in the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, based on Lynchs television series, and the shows recent revival, Twin Peaks: The Return.

Besides acting, Stantons other abiding love was music. In 1988, he told The Times that he began singing before I could even talk and he was facile on guitar, drums and harmonica. For decades, he played alongside numerous musicians, performing everything from folk and country-western to rock and blues. He fronted his own Harry Dean Stanton Band and counted Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson among his friends.

In 2014, Stanton released an album, Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction, as an accompaniment to an impressionistic documentary about him with the same title.

Stanton was never married, though he had a long relationship with actress Rebecca De Mornay. For him, the notion of developing attachments seemed to go against his restless, Beat-poet-like nature, and that extended to family  or lack thereof. I might have had two or three [kids] out of marriage, he once told Associated Press. But thats another story.

Offscreen, Stanton was well-versed in everything from Shakespeare to Buddhist literature and had a deeply philosophical bent  a quality that came through in his performances as well as his interviews.

I feel very nomadic, like a warrior or a hunter, he told The Times. Its always been a big conflict for me to settle down and have a family or put down roots. My body is my home. Id rather spend my life searching. Settling down would be a death for me.

Times staff writer Steve Marble contributed to this report.

josh.rottenberg@latimes.com

Twitter: @joshrottenberg

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Faced with an appalling shortage of public toilets in the Skid Row area, Los Angeles city officials promised in July to put up 10 more toilets by mid-September. Times up, but the toilets are not  at least not yet. City officials say they will unveil within a month a mobile hygiene center in the midst of Skid Row on a city-owned parking lot, offering toilets, hand-washing stations, showers, and half a dozen stacked washers and dryers for laundry. There will be security personnel as well as formerly homeless people working at the site, along with outreach workers who can steer people to housing and services. So, if downtown homeless people can hold it for a month, theyll get 10 toilets and more.

It may sound like the city is creating an elaborate toilet theme park when a bunch of port-a-potties would do. But simply planting a port-a-potty on a dark street corner can create more problems, becoming a magnet for predators and drug users. Toilets need a certain amount of security as well as constant cleaning. The model of a cluster of toilets with sinks has been successful in other cities.

A bathroom is not just an amenity, it is a necessity  and with 34,000 homeless people in Los Angeles, more are desperately needed, not just downtown but in other areas of the city that have high concentrations of homeless people. Meanwhile, restrooms in some parks  particularly in Venice near the beach  need to stay open around the clock, not the eight hours per day planned by the city.

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Officials who designed the Skid Row hygiene center say they can get the next ones up faster. Good. We shouldnt have to remind the city that going to the bathroom is an urgent need. Part of the problem is finding lots on which to place the trailers that house the mobile facilities. Anyone who has a parking lot to offer should call the city.

Not having enough toilets and sanitary facilities is the precursor to a public health crisis. Witness whats been happening in San Diego, where an outbreak of hepatitis A  a disease that spreads when people fail to wash their hands after going to the bathroom  has left 16 people dead and nearly 300 hospitalized. More than half the afflicted are homeless people. Now the city is scrambling to erect industrial tents with beds and hygiene facilities. In Anaheim, city officials calculated that taking away a few port-a-potties along the Santa Ana river would reduce the number of homeless people camped there. It has not.

You dont make homeless people vanish by refusing to provide toilets. You just end up with unsanitary conditions for everyone.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
To the editor: I hate the message that the so-called alt-right offers, but I dont equate its adherents able to speak at a place like UC Berkeley with their ability to convince people to follow their agenda. (Unprecedented measures at Berkeley for conservative writers speech, Sept. 14)

If the ideas of the alt-right were so powerful, they would already dominate public thinking. In reality, the people who espouse them are in the minority, and most of us find their beliefs repugnant.

I say let these people speak, but also allow those who oppose their ideas to speak at a similar venue and challenge the alt-rights often mistaken underlying assumptions. Preventing people from speaking only gives their whining about being persecuted and/or unheard a certain amount of validity.

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The anti-fascists who have disrupted events at which conservative figures were scheduled to speak are only helping publicize their message, and the alt-right loves it. The anti-fascists actions bring about the Streisand effect, where attempting to censor something results in wider publicity for what they are trying to protest.

Dan Branstrom, Desert Hot Springs

..

To the editor: Oh, lets not roll out too many security measures for the upcoming slate of conservative figures set to speak at UC Berkeley. Allow the campus self-appointed Red Guards to do their thing.

As they continue to stifle free speech and opposing points of view, they expose the ignorance, intolerance and indoctrination that so effectively characterize the Democratic Party that helped put them where they are.

Theyre the best counterbalance Republicans have these days to President Trumps ongoing caricature and misappropriation of the Republican principles of capitalism, prosperity and freedom.

Patrick M. Dempsey, Granada Hills

..

To the editor: Kudos for your fine editorial in support of free speech at UC Berkeley, no matter the speaker. (UC Berkeley is sending mixed messages about freedom of speech, editorial, Sept. 14)

The university is, after all, a public institution, accountable to the state government and taxpayers who help fund it.

As to the universitys coddling of students delicate psyches by offering counseling to those who may be offended by what they hear at conservative journalist Ben Shapiros upcoming appearance, this seems an excessive and conceivably expensive undertaking, well beyond the purview of an educational institution whose primary mission is to prepare young men and women for life in a world whose present-day sensibilities might best be equated with those of a combat zone.

Jeff Denker, Malibu

..

To the editor: I was a student at UCLA when Shapiro was the conservative columnist for our campus newspaper The Daily Bruin.

Shapiros views then were largely identical to his views today, yet somehow we were able to get through each of his weekly opinion pieces without needing emotional counseling.

Scott Frick, Costa Mesa

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
To the editor: High court justices inclined to side with the devoutly Christian baker in Colorado who refused to make a cake for a gay couples wedding reception should ask whether they want to shield both believing and nonbelieving bigots from discrimination lawsuits. (Theres no gay wedding cake exception to anti-discrimination laws, editorial, Sept. 13)

Consider an atheist gay newspaper publisher who hires only fact-focused reporters. When he finds that one such reporter has converted to evangelicalism, can he fire her for fear that her dispatches may evince a biblical (and anti-gay) spin?

How about salespeople whose inherently communicative efforts are so vital to businesses success? Can a humanist employer, for example, turn down a Southern Baptist for sales work if she feels that his faiths antipathy toward gays will impede his solicitation of LGBTQ customers?

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Religion historically has been a singularly divisive force. Hence our courts should review religious liberty claims with great skepticism  and bear in mind that faith-based discrimination works both ways.

Aaron Mills, Solana Beach

..

To the editor: The Colorado baker did not refuse service to anyone on the basis of sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

In fact, he said he would have served the couple anything other than a wedding cake. The baker refused to produce that cake because he found the message of the cake offensive.

What if an African American baker was asked to bake a cake with the Confederate flag on it? Should he have no right to refuse service in that instance?

Ben Evenstad, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: Theres a simple way to test whether its OK for a business to refuse service to gay people  or pretty much anyone else  based on their sincerely held religious beliefs: Just replace the word gay with the name of another minority.

If the baker in question had told a Jewish couple that baking a cake for them would equate to endorsing their refusal to practice his personal religion, he would rightly be called a bigot. Blaming ones bigotry on Christian teachings is just a smokescreen.

Geoff Kuenning, Claremont

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
California farmworkers will have to undergo sexual assault prevention training By Jazmine Ulloa Gov. Jerry Brown/ (Monica Davey/ EPA) Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday signed legislation to ensure farm labor contractors train employees on how to prevent and report sexual assault, a response to a 2013 PBS Frontline investigation that found sexual violence against women was a pervasive problem in California fields. Senate Bill 295 by Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel) makes sexual harassment training mandatory at all businesses that supervise farm employees or provide them with lodging, transportation or other services. The training has to be conducted or interpreted in a language that employees can understand, the law stipulates, and farm labor contractors will have to provide proof of all of their materials and resources to the Farm Labor Commission as part of the license renewal process. Under the new law, the state labor commission also will be able to charge a $100 civil fine for any violation of the new requirements. The PBS Frontline investigative documenatory, Rape in the Fields, The Hidden Story of Rape on the Job in America found more than half a million women work in U.S. fields. Most do not have legal residency in the country, and sexual harassment and violence often go unreported. A 2012 Human Rights Watch survey found 80% of 150 women in Californias Central Valley had experienced some form of the abuse. Facebook

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Los Angeles voters can cast ballots in Assembly race on Tuesday By Chris Megerian Wendy Carrillo is one of 13 people running for a state Assembly seat. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The political dominoes from U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxers retirement are almost done falling. Her decision two years ago to forgo reelection led to a reshuffling that eventually left vacant a state Assembly seat in Los Angeles. There are 13 candidates running in the special election, and the primary is Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Gov. Brown signs major housing legislation By Liam Dillon At a signing ceremony in San Francisco on Friday morning, Gov. Jerry Brown signed 15 bills aimed at addressing the states mounting housing problems. It is a big challenge, Brown said. We have risen to it this year. The bills could add nearly $1 billion in new funding for low-income housing developments in the near term as well as lessen regulations that slow growth. Read More Facebook

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Watch live: Gov. Jerry Brown signs bills to tackle Californias housing crisis Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers are gathered in San Francisco for the signing into law of a package of proposals designed to tackle some of the most pressing parts of Californias housing crisis. Read More Facebook

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Businesses in California will be required to tell customers exactly how much their automatic renewal will cost By Mina Corpuz California will require online businesses that offer free trials to tell customers exactly how much an automatic renewal will cost under a law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday. The laws author, Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), thinks the bill, known as SB 313, will make it easier for customers to cancel service. Consumers need to know what they are signing up for and that they can just as easily cancel any service or subscription online as when they started it online, Hertzberg said in a statement. Streaming services like Hulu and Spotify and the file-sharing site Dropbox have elicited lawsuits and consumer complaints about their automatic service renewals, according to Hertzbergs statement. The law goes into effect in July. Facebook

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Heres why Californias early primary in 2020 is destined to pick the next president. (Nah, not really) By Mark Z. Barabak (Harry Chase / Los Angeles Times) Today we answer questions. Woo-hoo! Now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed the bill, it looks like California is moving up its 2020 presidential primary. Finally! Uh. No more watching from the sidelines as small-fry states like Iowa and New Hampshire throw their weight around. Um. Im already fluffing pillows and prepping the guestroom for all the 2020 hopefuls wholl be camped out. Er. What? You dont seem too excited. Look, it would be great if California voted in a truly meaningful presidential primary. Its been about 50 years since that happened. But its about as likely in 2020 as President Trump dumping Vice President Pence and running for reelection on a unity ticket with Hillary Clinton. How can that be? Lots of reasons, both political and practical. Do tell. Read More Facebook

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Poll: Californians like Obamacare more than ever but are divided on single-payer healthcare By Melanie Mason Members of the California Nurses Assn. and other supporters rally at the state Capitol for a single-payer health plan June 28. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) As the latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act fizzles, the law has reached its highest popularity in California in four years, according to a new poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California. Nearly 60% of the Californians hold a generally favorable view of the healthcare law, and just over a third of Californians see it unfavorably  the highest approval rating since PPIC began tracking the laws popularity in 2013. But while Democrats and independents back the law, known as Obamacare, with strong majorities, three-quarters of Republicans have negative views of it. Only 18% of Californians believe congressional Republicans should try again to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, and 58% of adults want to see bipartisan efforts to improve the law. Underscoring the GOPs challenge in dramatically reducing governments role in healthcare, two-thirds of the states adults believe it is the federal governments responsibility to ensure that all Americans have health coverage. But Californians are divided on whether to substantially increase government involvement through a single-payer system, such as the Medicare for All proposal recently introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont). A national single-payer insurance program such as Medicare for All gets support from 35% of Californians, according to the poll. Support is higher among Democrats  44%  and independents  34%  than among Republicans. Only 6% of Republicans back such a system. But the current system, a patchwork of government and private insurance options, isnt particularly adored by Californians. Just under 30% of adults support continuing with a mix of private and public insurance options, while 36% of Democrats, 21% of Republicans and 31% of independents see that mixed system as the best way to provide health coverage. Facebook

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Half of Californias likely voters think Sen. Dianne Feinstein should retire, poll finds By Phil Willon (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) As Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein contemplates a 2018 bid for reelection, a new poll has found that 50% of Californias likely voters think she shouldnt run again. Just 43% of likely voters support Feinstein running for a sixth term, according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released Wednesday. The results are similar among all California adults, not just likely voters, with 46% saying she should not run for another term and 41% saying she should run. Feinstein, 84, has come under increased pressure from members of Californias left, many of whom were infuriated when earlier this month she called for patience with President Trump and refused to back demands for his impeachment. Still, the poll found that Feinstein remains popular. More than half of likely voters  54%  approve of the job shes doing, compared with 38% who disapprove. Thats on par with Gov. Jerry Browns approval rating, and it bests the marks for Californias other Democratic senator, Kamala Harris. When likely voters were asked about Harris, the former state attorney general elected to the Senate in November, 47% approved of the job she was doing in Washington and 30% disapproved. Almost a quarter of voters didnt offer an opinion about Harris. The contrasting results on Feinstein are difficult to decipher but at the very least indicate voters remain restless. Partly, this is a holdover from last years election in which you saw many Democrats wanting a more liberal alternative at the presidential level and you saw many independents wanting an outsider, said Mark Baldassare, president of Public Policy Institute of California. As people are looking to next year, theres a desire for something new. Speculation continues that Feinstein may face a Democratic challenger. Among those who have been mentioned is state Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), who is weighing his next political move after he terms out of office in 2018. De Leon lashed out at Feinstein after her comments about Trump in early September. In her last election, Feinstein trounced her Republican opponent, Elizabeth Emken, by a 25-percentage-point margin in 2012. She won by almost an identical margin in 2006 when challenged by former Republican state Sen. Richard Mountjoy. However, California has since switched to a top-two primary system. The two candidates who receive the most voters in the June primary election will advance to the 2018 general election, regardless of their party. Two Democrats faced off in the finale of Californias 2016 U.S. Senate election, with Harris besting then-Rep. Loretta Sanchez. Facebook

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Barbara Boxer says if Sen. Dianne Feinstein runs for another term, she should expect a tough race By Mina Corpuz Former Sen. Barbara Boxer (Mina Corpuz / Los Angeles Times ) Its one of the hottest political parlor games in California right now: Will she run again? Everyone is waiting for Sen. Dianne Feinstein to announce if shell seek a sixth term. And even though they served as colleagues in Washington for more than two decades, former Sen. Barbara Boxer said she has no inside intel on what Feinstein will do in 2018. I believe she is running until I see any other indication, Boxer said Wednesday at a Sacramento Press Club lunch. Every single race is hard.... Anyone who runs against her will give her a tough race. Feinstein, 84, has made clear she is taking her time, even as ambitious politicians eye the seat she has held since 1992. One long-shot Democrat already is raising money for the race, and Feinstein recently drew criticism from California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, who has not ruled out a primary challenge against her. Boxer said Wednesday her own priority for next years midterm election is flipping several Republican-held House seats in Southern California. Theres no such thing as an off election year, she said. Its an on year. Much of this work will be done through the political action committee Boxer founded, PAC for a Change. The organization also supports electing more Democrats to the Senate and standing up to President Trumps policies, she said. Since leaving the Senate in January, Boxer has also given speeches and promoted her book, The Art of Tough. She doesnt like to consider herself a retiree. Boxer also skirted a question about her pick for governor in a race that already is crowded with several Democrats. All of the candidates, she joked, are like my sons and daughters. Facebook

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Californias top elections officer now says his agencys website wasnt the one scanned by Russian hackers By John Myers Secretary of State Alex Padilla (John Myers / Los Angeles Times) Five days after saying he had been told Russian hackers scanned the states main elections website for weaknesses in 2016, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said Wednesday that it turns out it didnt actually happen that way. Padilla said that his office was given incorrect information by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and that the Russian operation was instead focused on scanning the network of the state Department of Technology. Our notification from DHS last Friday was not only a year late, it also turned out to be bad information, Padilla said in a statement. Bryce Brown, a spokesman for the states information technology agency, said officials had long known about suspect activity that occurred on our network last summer but didnt know anything else until the notification from federal officials. Although we did not have knowledge of the source until now, we have confirmed our security systems worked as planned and the activity was blocked as it happened in 2016, he said. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment. On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that federal officials also reversed course in a notification they had made to Wisconsin elections officials about Russian activity. In June, federal officials told Congress that 21 states elections systems were targeted by Russian activity. Padilla insisted last week that the scanning incident found no vulnerabilities or access to any California voter information, and he criticized DHS officials for the delay in sharing information about 2016 activities. On Wednesday, he said hopes that federal officials will continue to work with the states in preventing cyberattacks. I remain committed to a partnership with DHS and other intelligence agencies; however, elections officials and the American public expect and deserve timely and accurate information, Padilla said. Facebook

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Hollywood tour buses could get more rules slapped on them under the law Gov. Jerry Brown just signed By Patrick McGreevy A tour bus passes the late Carrie Fishers gated home in Beverly Hills. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at reining in the proliferation of tour buses offering to take fans to the homes and gathering spots of celebrities in Hollywood and other trendy neighborhoods. The measure allows cities and counties to adopt rules that restrict the routes or streets used by the tour buses, and prohibit the use of loudspeakers on open-topped buses and vans. Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian (D-Sherman Oaks) introduced the proposal in response to a report by NBC Los Angeles that found some tour buses were operating unsafely without proper permits. He also cited complaints about topless buses on narrow streets of the Hollywood Hills, Malibu and Bel-Air. Facebook

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Latino state lawmakers back Antonio Villaraigosa for California governor By Phil Willon Antonio Villaraigosa gives a pep talk in Los Angeles at Cathedral High School, where he once was also a student. ((Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The Legislatures California Latino Caucus on Wednesday endorsed former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for governor. While expected, the nod from the politically influential caucus is a boon for Villaraigosa, a former Democratic Assembly speaker and the only major Latino candidate running for governor. Villaraigosa has lagged behind Lt. Gov. Gavin Newson in early polls and fundraising. As Assembly speaker and Los Angeles mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa worked to strengthen our economy, expand our healthcare, improve our schools and invest in strategic infrastructure projects that create middle-class jobs, Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), chair of the caucus, said in a statement Wednesday morning. An intriguing aspect of the endorsement is that one of the most prominent members of the California Latino Caucus is Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). In Sacramento, speculation abounds over whether De Leon may run for governor, and the Villaraigosa endorsement could indicate De Leon has other plans for his political future. Villaraigosa joins a slate of other Latino statewide candidates endorsed by the caucus: Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-Azusa) for lieutenant governor; current appointee Xavier Becerra for attorney general; incumbent Alex Padilla for secretary of state; Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) for insurance commissioner; and Assemblyman Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) for superintendent of public instruction. Facebook

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California is trying to educate people about marijuana before recreational sales start By Patrick McGreevy Months before California allows the sale of marijuana for recreational use, the state has launched an education campaign about the drug, including highlighting the potential harms of cannabis for minors and pregnant women. The state is scheduled to issue licenses starting Jan. 2 for growing and selling marijuana for recreational use, expanding a program that currently allows cannabis use for medical purposes. In response, the California Department of Public Health has created a website to educate Californians about the drug and its impacts, including how to purchase and safely store cannabis. We are committed to providing Californians with science-based information to ensure safe and informed choices, said State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. The website, Lets Talk Cannabis, notes it is illegal for people under 21 to buy marijuana for non-medical use and warns that using cannabis regularly in your teens and early 20s may lead to physical changes in your brain. The site also warns that marijuana edibles may have higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. If you eat too much, too fast you are at higher risk for poisoning, the website warns. The state urges parents and guardians to talk to their teenagers about legal and health issues surrounding marijuana use. The state officials also say consuming cannabis is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who plan to become pregnant soon, noting that it can affect the health of your baby. The website got good marks from legalization activist Ellen Komp, deputy director of Californias chapter of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. The website is fairly accurate, she said, but added, The risks with pregnancy are somewhat overstated, telling women they should not use cannabis for nausea or even if they are thinking of getting pregnant. Some 43% of Californians have used marijuana for recreational purposes and 54% said they have not, according to a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll last November. Among those who have not used it, just 2% said they are much more likely to use it if Proposition 64 passed, which it did, while 5% said they are somewhat more likely to use it, and 89% said they are no more likely to smoke pot if it was legalized. Other advice from the states site: driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and increases the chance of a car accident, and cannabis should be stored in a locked area to avoid poisoning children and pets. Updated at 11:30 am to include data from poll on marijuana use. Facebook

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Todays newsletter: Republicans fail again to repeal Obamacare By John Myers Todays Essential Politics newsletter details the last gasp of the Republican efforts in Washington to repeal the Affordable Care Act, efforts that President Trump insisted on Tuesday arent over. We also take a look at the win by Roy Moore, a former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, in a Senate runoff that saw the president back the losing candidate. And weve got the details of what happens if Gov. Jerry Brown, as expected, signs the sanctuary state bill into law. The newsletter comes out Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Are you a subscriber? Sign up below. Read More Facebook

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After meeting with Trump, California Democrats say they want a seat at the tax reform table By Sarah D. Wire Ahead of Republicans plans to unveil a more detailed overview of their tax reform plan Wednesday, President Trump sat down with a bipartisan group of members that included California Democratic Reps. Linda Sanchez and Mike Thompson. Sanchez, of Whittier, who serves on the House committee that has authority over tax legislation, said members didnt learn much about the details of the plan Tuesday. There were kind of generalities but no specificity, which is why were interested to see what they put out tomorrow, because clearly its not something thats had Democratic input, Sanchez said. According to a White House transcript of part of the meeting, Trump said the plan is focused on making the tax code simple and fair, increasing the deduction most families can take, lowering the business tax rate and bringing wealth stored overseas back to the United States. Thompson, of St. Helena, said the president listened to what Democrats had to say, but he didnt get the impression that the policy plan would change before it becomes public Wednesday. I dont think it was that kind of meeting. We all agreed we wanted a fair, easy-to-work-with tax code that generates more jobs, said Thompson, who is also on the committee. He said repeatedly he wants to be successful. Republicans are set to unveil a consensus document Wednesday they say will be a much more detailed overview than previous tax policy papers theyve released. But it is not expected to be an actual plan or bill. Republicans will huddle with Vice President Mike Pence for half of Wednesday to discuss tax reform. Democrats are holding their own tax reform forum too. Its been 30 years since Congress has passed a major tax overhaul, and Republican leaders have set an ambitious timeline for passing a tax-reform measure, indicating they want to get it to Trumps desk by the end of the year. Sanchez said she tried to stress in the meeting that Democrats should play a role in writing the final bill. There wasnt discussion about the group sitting down with Trump again, she said. The president was very pleased that it was a bipartisan effort, which sort of confused me because that was the first meeting where there were members of the Democratic side of the Ways and Means Committee there, Sanchez said. I dont know if theyve been telling him that the process is bipartisan or if he knew it wasnt bipartisan but didnt care, but I thought that was kind of odd. Facebook

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Judge rewrites summary of proposed gas tax repeal initiative, saying it was fundamentally flawed By Patrick McGreevy A Chevron gas station in Sacramento shows prices in February. ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) A judge on Monday rewrote the title and summary for a proposed initiative that would repeal recent gas tax increases in California. He rejected a title and summary written by the state attorney generals office as fundamentally flawed. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy M. Frawley criticized the attorney generals office for not mentioning in the title that the ballot measure would repeal newly approved taxes or fees. This is not a situation where reasonable minds may differ, Frawley wrote in his ruling. The Attorney Generals title and summary ... must be changed to avoid misleading the voters and creating prejudice against the measure. The initiative proposed by Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) would repeal a bill approved in April by the Legislature and governor that would raise the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon and increase vehicle fees in order to generate $5.2 billion for road repairs and to improve mass transit. The title and summary will be placed on petitions to be circulated by those trying to qualify the measure for the November 2018 ballot. The title and summary are also placed on the ballot if enough signatures are collected. The original title written by Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerras office was: Eliminates recently enacted road repair and transportation funding by repealing revenues dedicated for those purposes. Allens attorneys argued the voter could read that to mean that the Legislature identified existing funds for transportation and the initiative would take those funds away. The judges title says: Repeals recently enacted gas and diesel taxes and vehicle registration fees. Eliminates road repair and transportation programs funded by these taxes and fees. The judge also made it clear in the summary that an Independent Office of Audits and Investigations that would be eliminated by the initiative is newly established. Representatives of the attorney generals office were not immediately available to comment on whether the ruling would be appealed. Facebook

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Democrats to try to force vote on Dream Act with rarely successful procedural move By Sarah D. Wire House Democrats are trying to force a vote on Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allards version of the Dream Act, they announced in a news conference Monday. The House and Senate have less than six months to address the legal status of people brought into the country illegally as children before the program protecting them from deportation ends in March. In the weeks since President Trump announced he was ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Democrats have pushed for a quick vote on Roybal-Allards bill, which is backed by every House Democrat and four Republicans. There are also a handful of other Republican-sponsored bills that could be considered. To force a vote, Democrats would need a majority of the House  218 members  to sign whats called a discharge petition to pull the bill from the House Judiciary Committee and bring it to the House floor. Roybal-Allard, a Democrat from Downey, said she believes there is enough support to pass the bill if Democrats can get it to the House floor. Democratic leaders said they expect all House Democrats will sign the petition. The American people overwhelmingly oppose deporting our Dreamers, Roybal-Allard said. But the Republican leadership is ignoring the wishes of a majority of the American people. Democrats hold only 194 seats, and would have to convince 24 Republicans to buck their party leaders and sign the petition. House leaders control which bills come to the floor for a vote and when. Although discharge petitions have been used in the past to shame congressional leadership into letting a bill move forward, the procedural move is rarely successful. This month, Republican Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado filed a discharge petition for the Bridge Act, a Republican- sponsored bill to address the legal status of people brought to the country illegally as children. Five members of Congress had signed on as of Monday. FOR THE RECORD Sept 26, 12:38 p.m.: An earlier version of this post identified the member of Congress who filed a discharge petition for the Bridge Act as Rep. Mike Thompson. It was Rep. Mike Coffman. Facebook

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California lawmakers grant some megaprojects relief from environmental law, but not others By Liam Dillon Developers plan to build two skyscrapers near the Capitol Records building in Hollywood. (Reed Saxon / Associated Press) When professional sports team owners, Facebook and big developers have asked California lawmakers for some relief from the states main environmental law over growth, the answer usually has been yes. The law, the California Environmental Quality Act, requires developers to disclose and reduce a projects effects on the environment  a process that often can get tied up in lengthy litigation. This year, legislators passed a measure aiming to shorten any potential environmental lawsuit against Facebooks expansion of its headquarters, two skyscrapers planned in Hollywood and other megaprojects to less than nine months. Doing so has led many to question why only big projects get such relief. Read More Facebook

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The fate of Californias biggest campaign donor disclosure bill may hinge on some small details By John Myers Members of the California Fair Political Practices Commission. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP) You wouldnt expect to see the leader of Californias campaign watchdog agency rooting for Gov. Jerry Brown to veto sweeping new disclosure rules for political donors. And yet, thats where things stand in a seven-year debate over helping voters follow the money. I think we can do better than this bill, said Jodi Remke, chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Remke and her staff have raised a red flag about the fine print tucked inside Assembly Bill 249, the California Disclose Act, that rewrites rules for campaign contributions that are earmarked. Read More Facebook

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Oceanside lifeguard receives Californias highest public safety honor By Mina Corpuz Medal of Valor recipient David Wilson stands with his parents, a family friend, Gov. Jerry Brown and Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra. (Mina Corpuz / Los Angeles Times ) An Oceanside Fire Department officer who risked his life to save a boater received the states highest award for public safety officers on Monday. Gov. Jerry Brown and Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra presented David Wilson with the Public Safety Medal of Valor at a ceremony at the state Capitol. In July 2016, Wilson rescued a man whose boat crashed into a jetty in Oceanside Harbor. The victim was barely conscious and jammed between two rocks. With only a short window between each set of waves, Wilson dove underneath the water and swam into the boulders to free the victims legs. You earned it, Brown said at the ceremony. You were assaulted by the waves and the rocks, and you went ahead anyways. Thats why you are the only one getting a medal of honor. A review board made up of law enforcement officers reviewed 21 nominations for the Medal of Valor. The award is given out once a year. There can be more than one recipient, but this year Brown chose one. Facebook

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7.5 million Californians could lose coverage under latest Obamacare repeal effort, state health insurance exchange says By Melanie Mason Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California, the states health insurance exchange, in 2013. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP) Californians who get their health coverage on the individual market could face dire consequences under the current Republican effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, warned a new analysis released Monday by Covered California, the states health insurance exchange. Under the latest plan, which is being led by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), 7.5 million Californians could lose their health insurance by 2027, the analysis said. It also said the repeal could trigger a collapse of the states individual insurance market. The Graham-Cassidy plan takes resources away from California and from the majority of states, which means that far fewer Americans would have insurance or the existing protections from insurers, said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California, in a statement. The effect on California would be devastating, and lead not only to there being more uninsured people than there were before the Affordable Care Act, but would also cause huge negative impacts on the health care delivery system, the economy and on those with employer-based coverage, Lee said. The report comes on the heels of another grim analysis by Gov. Jerry Browns administration, which estimated that the Senate proposal would strip California of nearly $139 billion in federal funds from 2020 to 2027. The Covered California report looked at two different scenarios for how state officials could respond to such a slash in federal dollars. If the state chose to prioritize protecting Medi-Cal, which provides coverage for low-income Californians, the analysis projects the collapse of the individual insurance market by 2021. If officials chose to direct attention to the individual market by stepping in to cover subsidies now paid for by the federal government, that could lead to large reductions in the Medi-Cal program. In both scenarios, the result would be up to 7.5 million fewer Californians with health insurance, according to the report. Proponents claim Graham-Cassidy gives states flexibility and choice, but in reality it puts states into a lose-lose situation, Lee said. Under this plan, California and states across the nation would be forced to either turn their backs on their most needy residents, or let the individual market be destroyed. Either way, millions lose coverage. Read More Facebook

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Todays newsletter: Sports spat starts with California teams By Christina Bellantoni Todays Essential Politics newsletter details President Trumps sports spat, which originated with California teams before becoming national political drama on football fields across America. It also notes last falls USC/Los Angeles Times poll, which found huge partisan divisions in how California voters viewed Colin Kaepernick at the time. Democrats liked him more, while he had just 6% favorability among tea party Republicans here. The state was evenly divided on whether to support his protest during the national anthem. The newsletter comes out Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Are you a subscriber? Sign up below. Read More Facebook

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Attorney running against Sen. Dianne Feinstein is hosting Hollywood fundraiser By Christine Mai-Duc Pat Harris may be a long-shot candidate for U.S. Senate, but hes not fundraising like one. On Monday Harris, a Democrat challenging Sen. Dianne Feinstein, is set to tread territory familiar to many prominent statewide candidates looking for cash: the Hollywood fundraiser. The event is to be held at the Catalina Jazz Club on Sunset Boulevard and is being billed as a CD release party for Carol Welman, a jazz musician and Harris wife. Tickets range from $150 for a single ticket to $2,700 for a VIP dinner for two. (An email to Welmans subscriber list earlier this week advertised tickets for as little as $30). Harris announced that he was running last month on a platform that includes support for single-payer healthcare and a pledge that he will only take campaign donations from individuals. Facing pressure from progressive activists, Feinstein has been coy so far about whether shell retire or run again in 2018. Either way, shes stockpiled $3.5 million in her campaign war chest. As of June 30, Harris had raised no money except for $104,685 he loaned his own campaign. Three other candidates have also filed to run against Feinstein: Democrats Steve Stokes and David Hildebrand, and independent Jerry Carroll. Facebook

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Rep. Keith Ellison headlines dinner for Orange County Democrats, who declare orange is the new blue By Christine Mai-Duc The focus was on 2018 as Orange County Democrats gathered Saturday night in Costa Mesa to bask in their high hopes here. Headliner and deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, urged unity as dozens of Democrats navigate crowded primaries throughout the state. Ellison getting star treatment tonight, speaking to VIP attendees & meeting congressional candidates & gubernatorial hopeful @DelaineEastin pic.twitter.com/2Bh8K5H1Qu  Christine Mai-Duc (@cmaiduc) September 24, 2017 Much of focus tonight on flipping 4 GOP congressional seats in OC. Ellison: "We need 24 more seats...I figure 4 of em we can get right here" pic.twitter.com/CDDbGWpNnT  Christine Mai-Duc (@cmaiduc) September 24, 2017 The theme of the annual awards dinner was Orange is the New Blue, a twist on the title of a popular Netflix show and the latest indication of Democrats rosy outlook as they try to flip the countys four GOP-held House seats next year. Ellison told the crowd it was not the proper role of the DNC to choose among the many primary contenders. But you will sort it out running spirited campaigns, you will sort it out over ideas, and when it is over we need you to hold hands and support the Democrat. Ellison pushed for a return to grass-roots organizing and outreach to voters of all stripes  and not just during election years. We cannot come a month before the election, tell them ... Come vote for us, Ellison said. Weve got to be in their lives in a physical, palpable way. Then we do have to have the right words, we do have to stand up for them. Ellison on more permanent solution for DACA: no wall, no increase in detention beds "but there might be some other things" Dems can agree to pic.twitter.com/yrmOGfXYan  Christine Mai-Duc (@cmaiduc) September 24, 2017 In an interview, Ellison also stressed the need to pass legislation for young people brought to the country illegally who were allowed to stay and work under the Obama Administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Ellison said Democrats are open to negotiating certain immigration enforcement provisions in order pass a replacement for DACA, which President Trump announced he will end in March. But he said Democrats wont acquiesce to Trumps demand for a border wall or allow additional capacity for immigration detentions. There are certain things that are simply not on the table  the wall or more detention beds, were just not doing that, he said. Facebook

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Russians tried to find weaknesses in Californias election website last year, say state officials By John Myers Secretary of State Alex Padilla (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Californias chief elections officer said U.S. government officials believe Russian hackers tried to find weaknesses in the states election website during the 2016 campaign, but that theres no evidence their effort was successful. Secretary of State Alex Padilla said the Department of Homeland Security only told him on Friday of last years attempt. He described the attack as a scanning of the states website in hopes of finding weaknesses in its computer network. Our office actively monitors scanning activity as part of our routine cybersecurity protocols, Padilla said in a statement. We have no information or evidence that our systems have been breached in any way or that any voter information was compromised. Those involved were Russian cyber actors according to Padillas description of information he received from federal officials. In June, a top federal official told the Senate Intelligence Committee that systems in 21 states were believed to have been scoured by cyberattackers. The election website, www.sos.ca.gov, contains public information about voting procedures as well as data on past election results and current issues. More sensitive data, including the electronic files of some 17 million registered voters, are not included on the website. A leaked National Security Agency document earlier this year outlined a Russian effort to hack into devices made by a Florida-based voting software company. One California county, Humboldt, used the companys software, but did not find any evidence of tampering. Padilla, a frequent critic of President Trumps special panel investigating the potential of voter fraud, said federal officials should have notified him much earlier of the attempted breach. The practice of withholding critical information from elections officials is a detriment to the security of our elections and our democracy, he said. Facebook

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Antonio Villaraigosa jabs at Gavin Newsom over his apparent embrace of single-payer healthcare bill By Melanie Mason Supporters of a measure to establish single-payer healthcare in California were thrilled by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsoms embrace of their bill on Friday, but a rival gubernatorial campaign was less impressed with his position. A spokesman for former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa accused the lieutenant governor of flip-flopping because after Newsom was asked if he explicitly endorsed the legislation  Senate Bill 562  he responded that he endorsed getting this debate going again. This is an outrageous parsing of words when millions of people are at risk of losing their healthcare, Villaraigosa spokesman Luis Vizcaino said in a statement. It is a yes or no question, lieutenant governor. Are you for SB 562 or not? The nurses and California voters deserve the truth, Vizcaino added. The question of backing SB 562 is thorny since it was shelved earlier this year after Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) called it woefully incomplete. Backers have said theyd be willing to make changes to the measure, but the contours of those proposed changes have not been made public. Vizcaino said Villaraigosa has always supported universal healthcare and the concept of single payer, but agreed with Speaker Rendon that the bill couldnt be sent to the governor without a funding plan. Speaking to reporters, Newsom said he saw a single-payer system in which the government covers healthcare costs as the best way to achieve universal coverage and said he would be actively engaged in designing and developing it if SB 562 does not pass next year. RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Assn./National Nurses United, said she saw Newsoms remarks as a clear endorsement of their measure and a stance she said was not surprising. We always knew Gavin would support our bill, DeMoro said. She lambasted Villaraigosa  who does not support SB 562  for criticizing Newsom, whom her group endorsed nearly two years ago. I want Villaraigosa to explain to the Latino community why he doesnt think they should have ... comprehensive healthcare, she said. Villaraigosas being disingenuous. He knows better. Hes just politically posturing trying to find a wedge issue and he knows better. UPDATE 4:32 p.m.: This post was updated with an additional statement from Villaraigosas spokesperson on the former L.A. mayors support for universal healthcare. Read More Facebook

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In San Francisco, Bernie Sanders plays two roles: Obamacare defender and single-payer advocate By Melanie Mason View Twitter post Sen. Bernie Sanders headed west to drum up support for his recently unveiled Medicare for All proposal Friday, but first trained his sights on the Obamacare repeal bill currently gripping Congress. Sanders (I-Vt.), whose speech was the cornerstone of a California Nurses Assn. gathering in San Francisco, blasted the Republican plan led by Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina as horrific legislation. How cruel, how immoral it is, to say to those millions of Americans, we are going to take away that health insurance that keeps you alive, Sanders said. Sen. John McCain announced on Friday he could not support the measure, dealing the GOP plan a blow. Sanders thanked McCain for his stance, prompting the liberal crowd to cheer the Arizona Republican. Some Democrats had worried that Sanders push for his single-payer plan could distract from efforts to oppose the repeal bill. But the senator was explicit in his appeal to the approximately 2,000 supporters in attendance to focus their energy on defeating the repeal measure. Our job is to continue to make sure the Republicans do not get the 50 votes they need ... I beg of you, please, do everything you can to stop the bill, he said. Still, the crux of Sanders speech focused on his single-payer bill, which he sold as an improvement over the status quo. The Affordable Care Act, as we all know, made significant improvements to our healthcare system, Sanders said, citing the expansion of the number of Americans with health insurance and the ban on insurance companies ability to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions. But we must be honest and acknowledge that with all the gains of the Affordable Care Act, it does not go far enough, he added. The bill expands the Medicare program to cover the healthcare costs of all Americans with no out-of-pocket payments for patients. The measure does not include a plan to finance such a system, but Sanders has released a report laying out various ways to cover the costs, including a progressive income tax. During his pitch, Sanders said the implications extended beyond health policy. It is a struggle about what this great nation stands for, Sanders said. It is a struggle about whether or not every working person in this country has healthcare as a right or whether we allow insurance companies and drug companies to continue to rip us off. Facebook

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Gas tax foes win victory as they try to get a repeal on November 2018 ballot By Patrick McGreevy A Chevron gas station in Sacramento shows prices in February. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) In a rare court rebuke of the state Attorney Generals Office, a judge said Friday that the title and summary written for a proposed initiative is misleading  and that hed do a rewrite himself to make it clear the measure would repeal recently approved increases to gas taxes and vehicle fees. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy M. Frawley said he would draft a new title and summary to be placed on petitions for the initiative after attorneys for the state and proponents of the ballot measure could not agree on compromise language. In this circumstance, I honestly believe that the circulated title and summary that has been prepared is misleading, Frawley told attorneys during a court hearing Friday. He hopes to release the new title and summary by Monday. The initiative proposed by Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) would repeal a bill approved in April by the Legislature and governor that would raise the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon and increase vehicle fees to generate $5.2 billion annually to fix the states roads and bridges and improve mass transit. Allen and his attorneys said the state attorney general sought to confuse voters with a title that does not use the words taxes or fees. The title was proposed to say: Eliminates recently enacted road repair and transportation funding by repealing revenues dedicated for those purposes. Allen, who is running for governor in 2018, said the court decision showed the attorney general was trying to sway voters against the initiative. Justice is being served for the voters of California, Allen said after the court hearing. I think that he [the judge] has properly seen that the attorney general has tried to intentionally mislead the voters of California because he has tried to prejudice their vote and tried to keep increased taxes for Californians. A coalition of business, labor and government officials called Fix Our Roads, which supports the gas tax legislation, had representatives in the courtroom who later criticized Allen for seeking political gain at the expense of California motorists. This is more about Travis Allens gubernatorial race than anything else, said coalition spokeswoman Kathy Fairbanks. Hes condemning voters to driving on potholed roads and being stuck in traffic. Allen said the initiative and his campaign for governor are both aimed at giving voters power to fight higher taxes. Finally ordinary Californians are understanding that they actually can hold Sacramento accountable, Allen said. This is why Im running to be the next governor of California, because for too long Sacramento has been run by out-of-touch elitists that are coming from Sacramento and the Bay Area of San Francisco. A second initiative to repeal the gas tax has been proposed by a different group of Republican activists. Allen said he supports the second initiative but noted it has to collect many more signatures because it seeks to change the state constitution. It has a long way to go, Allen said. If the judge issues a new title and summary Monday, Allen said the petitions will hit the streets immediately and he is confident they will get the 365,880 signatures to qualify the measure for the November 2018 ballot. Facebook

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We will have universal healthcare in the state of California, Gavin Newsom promises single-payer advocates By Melanie Mason View Twitter post Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has made his most explicit endorsement yet of a controversial single-payer healthcare proposal that has roiled Democratic politics in California. Newsom appeared Friday before the California Nurses Assn., the most ardent backers of SB 562, a stalled bill to establish a system in which the state would cover all residents healthcare costs. Theres no reason to wait around on universal healthcare and single-payer in California, Newsom said. Its time to move 562. Its time to get it out of committee. The line prompted cheers and a standing ovation from the audience of about 1,500 members of the nurses union. He capped off his remarks with a promise: If we cant get it done next year, you have my firm and absolute commitment as your next governor that I will lead the effort to get it done. We will have universal healthcare in the state of California. Enthusiastic nurses in the room heard an unequivocal backing of their effort to push forward with the bill. When he says hes going to get this done, he means, seriously, that he will pass SB 562 and make sure that there is healthcare for all Californians, said Catherine Kennedy, a neonatal nurse from Roseville. But speaking to reporters after his address, Newsom was less clear in embracing the specifics of the proposal. I 100% support moving this process along, getting this debate going again and addressing the concerns, the open-ended issues that the nurses themselves have acknowledged as it relates to the need of going through the legislative process and to fill in the blanks on the financing plan, among other issues, he said. Facebook

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President Obama appears in an Assembly race mailer in California  but read it closely By Christina Bellantoni The race to replace Jimmy Gomez, who was elected to Congress earlier this year, has so far been waged by mail and door-knocking in northeast Los Angeles. Most of the mailers feature local leaders and endorsements from groups including Planned Parenthood and the Sierra Club. But one mailer that arrived in my mailbox Thursday has a much more familiar face  former President Barack Obama. While it might seem like one to the casual voter sorting through junk mail, this isnt an endorsement. Want to know what kind of job Gabriel Sandoval will do in the Assembly? Listen to the people hes worked with in the past, the mailer reads, above Obamas official White House portrait. In small type, it notes that Sandoval served as a Senior Civil Rights Attorney and Senior Advisor for a White House initiative within the Department of Education. It features a glowing quote over an image of a July 12, 2013, letter from the president to Sandoval written on White House letterhead. Facebook

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Healthcare a hot issue in race for California governor By Phil Willon Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and Gavin Newsom (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images; Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) With the hyperpartisan politics surrounding healthcare stirred up by efforts to repeal Obamacare and calls for a single-payer system, both Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa are claiming the mantle of healthcare visionary. On the campaign trail the two Democratic candidates for governor are touting their signature healthcare accomplishments from earlier in their political careers as their bona fides. For Newsom, its about Healthy San Francisco, the nations first municipal universal healthcare program, approved while he was mayor; and for Villaraigosa, its Healthy Families, which provided healthcare coverage to the children of Californias working poor, legislation he authored as a California assemblyman. But do they deserve all the credit? It sure doesnt look that way. Healthy San Francisco is one of the many topics Newsom is expected to highlight when he speaks to the California Nurses Assn. convention in the Bay Area on Friday morning. On Thursday night, Newsom took a shot at the latest Republican effort in Washington to roll back the Affordable Care Act  a bill written by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) The numbers on this make my skin crawl. Under Graham-Cassidy, an individual with metastatic cancer could see their premiums increase by $142,650. Diabetes? $5,600. Want to tackle the opioid crisis? Gets a lot tougher if an individual suffering from drug dependence sees their premiums go up by $20,450, Newsom said in an email sent out by his campaign. This is not a game. Lives are at stake. Read More Facebook

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Rep. Duncan Hunter calls for preemptive strike against North Korea By Joshua Stewart, San Diego Union-Tribune Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) introduces U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions at a news conference. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune) Rep. Duncan Hunter said that the United States needs to launch a preemptive strike against North Korea in order to prevent the rogue nation from harming the U.S. first. You could assume, right now, that we have a nuclear missile aimed at the United States, and here in San Diego. Why would they not aim here, at Hawaii, Guam, our major naval bases? Hunter, an Alpine Republican, said Thursday during an appearance on San Diego television station KUSI. The question is, do you wait for one of those? Or two? Do you preemptively strike them? And thats what the president has to wrestle with. I would preemptively strike them. You could call it declaring war, call it whatever you want, Hunter continued. Hunter, a member of a House Armed Services Committee and the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the United States nuclear arsenal, did not say whether the military should strike North Korea with conventional or nuclear weapons. Read More Facebook

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Will Bernie Sanders push for Medicare for All help or hinder the California effort for single-payer? By Melanie Mason When Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders visited Beverly Hills last May, he made a full-throated appeal for California to lead the country and pass a pending state proposal to establish single-payer healthcare. On Friday, hell return to California for a San Francisco speech trumpeting his own higher-stakes plan  a bill to drastically overhaul the nations healthcare system by covering everyone through Medicare. The push for single-payer, in which the government pays for residents medical care, has already rattled Californias political landscape. Now, the Sanders measure brings an additional jolt, elevating the issue to a national debate that has implications for the future direction of the Democratic Party and early jockeying in the 2020 presidential race. Read More Facebook

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What will Kevin de Leon do when his term in the California Senate expires next year? By Patrick McGreevy State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, speaks during the last regular Senate floor session of the year. ( (Rich Pedroncelli / AP)) As he gaveled down what may be his last full year as leader of the California Senate on Saturday, Kevin de Leon had still not said what he planned to do next. Will he run for governor or U.S. Senate? Does he want to be mayor of Los Angeles some day? De Leon told reporters they will have to wait to find out. His advisors, supporters and political observers have their own ideas what De Leon could do next. Read More Facebook

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Skelton: The presidential election bills on Gov. Browns desk may be satisfying politics, but theyre risky ideas By George Skelton Two presidential election bills are on Gov. Jerry Browns desk, sent to him by the Democratic Legislature. Both should be tossed in the trash. No doubt Im in the minority on this. These bills do offer some fun, even if theyre flawed. One has strong pluses that are outweighed by unacceptable minuses. The second is a mean-spirited gotcha bill aimed at the Democrats No. 1 enemy: President Trump. It may be satisfying politics, but it sets a risky precedent. The first bill moves up Californias presidential primary from June to March. Great idea. But it also moves up the state primary along with it. A horrible idea. The second measure would require all presidential candidates to release their tax returns for the last five years. Anyone who refused wouldnt be allowed on the California ballot. Thats a sharp poke at Trump, who in 2016 was the first presidential candidate in 40 years not to release his taxes. Yes, watching Trump squirm would be entertaining. And maybe the tax information would be useful for some voters. But even if the disclosure requirement were constitutional  and theres substantial doubt about that  its a crummy precedent. Read More Facebook

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California Senate leader preparing for legal fight over sanctuary state legislation By Sarah D. Wire California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown hasnt yet signed legislation making California a so-called sanctuary state, but state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon is preparing to defend it in court. In between several immigration events in Washington on Wednesday, De Leon (D-Los Angeles) said he met with former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr.  who has served as outside counsel to the Legislature for much of the year  to continue to further discuss inoculating California from [U.S. Atty. Gen.] Jeff Sessions Department of Justice. Passed early Saturday by the Legislature, the sanctuary state bill would limit state and local law enforcement communication with federal immigration authorities and prevent officers from questioning and holding people on immigration violations. Sessions has threatened to withhold some federal grant funds from cities and counties that refuse to assist federal immigration agents. Holder and other former Justice Department lawyers believe the bill is defendable, and if the Trump administration tries to compel California cities to act by withholding funds, it will find itself in court, De Leon said. Defenders of so-called sanctuary cities often rely on a 1996 Supreme Court ruling that cited the 10th Amendment and found the federal government cant compel local governments to cooperate with enforcing federal laws. It is immoral, and quite frankly un-American, that Americas top law enforcement official would withhold dollars that our local police officers need  precious dollars we need desperately to counter terrorism, to deal with the issue of human trafficking as well as international drug cartels, De Leon said. On Tuesday, Sessions urged Brown not to sign the bill, calling it unconscionable and a threat to public safety. Brown responded to Sessions comment on CNN by calling the legislation well-balanced. It protects public safety, but it also protects hardworking people who contribute a lot to California, Brown said. He has until Oct. 15 to sign the bill. De Leon also shot back against Sessions statement that the federal money isnt an entitlement, saying Californians pay more in federal taxes than they receive in federal funding. Thats not a gift or a grant from the Department of Justice to California. Those are our dollars; they belong to the people of California, he said. Facebook

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California, with alliance of states, pledges to keep pushing climate policies despite lack of federal progress By Chris Megerian (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California and a growing alliance of states committed to fighting global warming said Wednesday that theyre slashing greenhouse gas emissions at the rate required by the Paris climate agreement. However, the rest of the country would need to join their effort for the United States to actually hit the target of cutting emissions by at least 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. President Trump has pledged to pull the country out of the Paris deal, but the states reiterated their pledge to keep pressing forward during a news conference in New York. Were all in, California Gov. Jerry Brown said. Eventually, Washington will join with us. You cant deny science forever. Californias climate goal is even more ambitious than the Paris target. A law signed by Brown last year requires the state to cut emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. California became a founding member of the U.S. Climate Alliance, along with New York and Washington state, months ago. Either we end this problem, or this problem will end us, said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. On Wednesday, North Carolina became the 15th member of the U.S. Climate Alliance. Other members include Massachusetts, Oregon and Puerto Rico. Clean air and a healthy environment are vital for a strong economy and a healthier future, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a newly elected Democrat, said in a statement. Facebook

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Bay Area cities sue major oil companies over climate change By Chris Megerian (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) San Francisco and Oakland are suing to get five oil companies, including San Ramon-based Chevron, to pay for the cost of protecting the Bay Area from rising sea levels and other effects of global warming. These fossil fuel companies profited handsomely for decades while knowing they were putting the fate of our cities at risk, San Francisco City Atty. Dennis Herrera said in a statement. The lawsuits, which were filed Tuesday in state court in San Francisco and Alameda counties and announced Wednesday, dont ask for a specific dollar amount. But the cities could try to put oil companies on the hook for billions. Long-term improvements in San Franciscos seawall are projected to cost $5 billion, according to one of the lawsuits. The law is clear that the defendants are responsible for the consequences of their reckless and disastrous actions, Oakland City Atty. Barbara J. Parker said in a statement. A spokesman for Chevron, Melissa Ritchie, said the lawsuits would not help address climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global issue that requires global engagement and action, she said in a statement. Should this litigation proceed, it will only serve special interests at the expense of broader policy, regulatory, and economic priorities. Facebook

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California sues to stop Trumps border wall: No one gets to ignore the laws. Not even the president By Patrick McGreevy  California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announces lawsuit against Trump Administration. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging that President Trumps proposal to expedite construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border violates laws aimed at protecting the environment. Becerra announced the legal challenge standing in front of the existing border fencing at Border Field State Park near San Diego, saying the federal government failed to comply with federal environmental laws and relied on federal statutes that dont authorize border wall projects in San Diego and Imperial counties. No one gets to ignore the laws. Not even the president of the United States, Becerra said. The border between the U.S. and Mexico spans some 2,000 miles. The list of laws violated by the presidents administration in order to build his campaign wall is almost as long. He said the project involves the improper waiver of 37 federal statutes, many aimed at protecting the environment. Filed in federal court in San Diego and including the California Coastal Commission as a plaintiff, the lawsuit states its purpose is to protect the State of Californias residents, natural resources, economic interests, procedural rights, and sovereignty from violations of the United States Constitution and federal law. Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra at the U.S.- Mexico border where he announced lawsuit to stop a proposal for a border wall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) The lawsuit also alleges that federal officials have not shown any data suggesting new border barriers in the San Diego area will reduce illegal entry into the U.S., nor that there is a significant problem in that area. It adds that the wall would have a chilling effect on tourism to the United States from Mexico. In August, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a notice that it was waiving federal and state laws on the environment to expedite the construction of prototypes of the wall along the San Diego border with Mexico. The California lawsuit claims the federal government violated the U.S. Constitutions separation-of-powers doctrine by vesting in the Executive Branch the power to waive state and local laws. The lawsuit also says the Department of Homeland Security decided to build the walls without complying with the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act. As a result, the lawsuit alleges, the federal government lacks proper environmental analysis of the impact of the 400-foot prototypes of the wall currently planned, as well as the 2,000-mile-long final wall. A federal official declined comment. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on pending litigation, said Tyler Q. Houlton, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security. State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) stood with Becerra at the event, saying the wall is unnecessary and will put a barrier between relations involving the two countries. Maybe to people in Iowa, it sounds like a really good idea, she said. We dont need more structure. We need a good relationship [with Mexico]. Times staff writers McGreevy reported from Sacramento and Ulloa from San Diego. AG @XavierBecerra takes some shots at Trump: He hasn't made the transition from candidate to president. #borderwall pic.twitter.com/liSJdrAK2v  Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) September 20, 2017 Facebook

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California to sue Trump administration over plan for U.S.-Mexico border wall By Patrick McGreevy California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra plans to announce a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of the state that will challenge President Trumps proposal to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, a project Becerra has called medieval. Becerra is scheduled to travel to Border Field State Park near San Diego to announce that a lawsuit is being filed in federal court over construction of border wall projects in San Diego and Imperial counties. The lawsuit, which includes the California Coastal Commission as a plaintiff, states its purpose is to protect the State of Californias residents, natural resources, economic interests, procedural rights, and sovereignty from violations of the United States Constitution and federal law. It adds that the wall would have a chilling effect on tourism to the United States from Mexico. The states lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration has failed to comply with federal and state environmental laws and relied on federal statutes that dont authorize the proposed projects. The brief alleges the federal government violated the U.S. Constitutions separation-of-powers doctrine by vesting in the Executive Branch the power to waive state and local laws, including state criminal law.. The lawsuit also says the Department of Homeland Security decided to build the walls without complying with the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. As a result, the lawsuit alleges, the federal government lacks proper environmental analysis of the impact of 400-foot prototypes of the wall currently planned, as well as the 2,000-mile-long final wall. The Democratic attorney general has been critical of the wall for months, including in April during an appearance on ABCs This Week. Im still trying to figure out who believes that a medieval situation to fix our broken immigration system is what we need, Becerra said. He also accused Trump at the time of reneging on his promise to have Mexico pay for the wall. I think American taxpayers probably are very much aligned with Mexico. None of them, whether its Mexico or our taxpayers, wants to pay for a medieval wall, he said. This is the latest of more than two dozen lawsuits and legal briefs filed against the Trump administration by Becerra, who was appointed attorney general in January and is running for election to the post next year. He previously sued to challenge Trumps plans to end a program that protects young immigrants from deportation, ban immigration from some countries and roll back environmental laws. Last week, three advocacy groups sued the federal government to block construction of a border wall, alleging that the Trump administration overstepped its authority by waiving environmental reviews and other laws. The action by the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife and Animal Legal Defense Fund seeks to prevent construction of wall prototypes in San Diego. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said last month that prototypes for a border wall may be completed by the end of October. Becerras lawsuit is the latest attempt by California Democrats to fight the wall proposal. A bill that would have banned state government contracts for any company that helps build the wall passed the state Senate, but stalled recently in an Assembly committee. Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) authored the bill, testifying at a committee hearing that the wall is another attempt to separate and divide us. It sends a message that we are better off in a homogenous society. Todd Bloomstine, a lobbyist representing the Southern California Contractors Assn., opposed the bill, asking the panel, What next unpopular project would be [on the] blacklist? Read the lawsuit >> UPDATE 8:30 a.m. This article was updated to provide additional details of the lawsuit. This article was originally published at 6 a.m. Facebook

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Judge rules state used misleading language in summary of ballot measure to repeal California gas tax By Patrick McGreevy GOP Assemblyman Travis Allen, in red tie, with Democratic state Sen. Bob Hertzberg, left, and Charles Munger Jr., far right, in 2014. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A judge tentatively ruled Tuesday that the state-written title and summary of an initiative to repeal the recent gas-tax increases were misleading and should be rewritten by the state attorney generals office. The ruling by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy M. Frawley, scheduled to be finalized at a court hearing on Friday, was welcomed by the initiatives lead proponent, Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach). This preliminary ruling is a major victory for Californians, Allen, a candidate for governor, said in a statement. This brings us one step closer to repealing Jerry Browns hugely unpopular gas tax. I look forward to the final ruling on Friday, and ensuring that the Repeal the Gas Tax Initiative receives the straightforward ballot title and summary that it deserves. Judge Frawley agreed with Allens legal claims that the title and summary drafted by Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerras office is confusing, misleading, and likely to create prejudice against the proposed measure. The judge said the initiative would repeal taxes and fees approved by the Legislature this year, but the title and summary issued by the state makes it sound like it would eliminate transportation funding without using the words taxes and fees in the title. He ordered state officials to come to Fridays hearing prepared to discuss alternate language for the ballot measure. To avoid misleading the voters and creating prejudice against the measure, the Attorney General must prepare a true and impartial statement that reasonably informs voters of the character and real purpose of the proposed initiative in clear and understandable language, the ruling says. The existing circulating title and summary fails this test. If the judge finalizes the order after hearing arguments Friday, Allen can use the new title and summary to circulate a petition. Allen needs to collect 365,000 signatures from registered voters in 150 days to put the measure on the November 2018 ballot. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown: Trumps rhetoric about North Korea adds to non-rational bluster By Mina Corpuz (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California Gov. Jerry Brown said President Trumps name calling and threats at the United Nations can get in the way of diplomacy and statesmanship. Earlier Tuesday, Trump called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a Rocket Man on a suicide mission and said the United States may have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. It just raises the temperature and the exchange of non-rational bluster back and forth, Brown said in a interview with CNNs Jake Tapper. I dont think thats positive. Brown is in New York for some climate meetings related to the United Nations General Assembly. Facebook

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Yes, dahlink: Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, widower of Zsa Zsa Gabor, is running for California governor By Phil Willon Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, widower of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, outside of the couples Bel-Air mansion in 2011. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, widower of the whimsical celebrity and actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, is back. Von Anhalt has filed to run for governor of California  his second attempt after a short-lived campaign in 2010  saying hes fed up with seeing roads falling apart, people struggling to afford rent and an explosion of homelessness in the state. Ive lived in this city for 36 years. Ive never seen so many people eating out of a trash can in the Western world, Von Anhalt said Tuesday. We talk about Hollywood, and this being the entertainment center of the world. How is this possible? Von Anhalt, Garbors ninth and last husband, is running as an independent. He filed an official Candidate Intention Statement with the California Secretary of States office Monday, the first step in launching an official campaign. The 74-year-old Bel-Air resident, a German immigrant, said he has enough money to help support his own campaign. He said he dropped out of the 2010 governors race only because his wife became seriously ill. She died in December. She was the one  who wanted me run, Von Anhalt said. Von Anhalt also flirted briefly with a run for Los Angeles mayor in 2013, a race eventually won by Eric Garcetti. FOR THE RECORD 5:33 p.m.: An earlier of this post said Von Anhalt was age 71. He is 74. Facebook

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Assemblyman urges other legislatures to join California in censuring President Trump By Mina Corpuz Assemblyman Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) speaks with Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A California lawmaker who authored a resolution to support a censure of President Trump sent letters to 49 other state legislatures Tuesday to urge them to join the effort. Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, a Richmond Democrat, sent the letters days after the Assembly became the first state legislative body to support a congressional censure of the president. California has spoken and we look to the rest of the nation to join us, Thurmond said in a statement. Its important that all our states unite and show that the United States of America stands against hate. Read More Facebook

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After cap-and-trade vote, Assemblyman Chad Mayes faces a second Republican challenger for reelection By Patrick McGreevy Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley leaves the Assembly floor before resigning as Assembly Republican leader on Aug. 24. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) Former Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron on Tuesday became the second Republican to announce plans to challenge Assemblyman Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) in the 2018 election. Jeandron, a La Quinta resident, said he was angered over Mayes vote as Assembly Republican leader to support an extension of the states controversial cap-and-trade program, which requires businesses to buy permits to release greenhouse gas emissions. Jeandron saw the action as continuing a wrongful tax increase and said he is signing a no-tax pledge. I just dont believe [Mayes] has held Republican values, Jeandron told The Times. He has been blinded by ambition. He has been seduced by the governor. Mayes vote led to an outcry by Republican leaders, and he eventually succumbed to pressure to step down as leader of the Assembly Republicans. Mayes defended his position, telling colleagues during the floor debate, many of us believe that climate change is real and  we have to work to address it. Jeandron, who lost to Mayes in the 2014 election, joins San Jacinto City Councilman Andrew Kotyuk in planning to challenge Mayes for the 42nd Assembly District seat. Facebook

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Republican John Cox tasted political defeat many times before launching his bid for California governor By Phil Willon Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox speaks to the Lincoln Club of Riverside County in June. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) Candidate for California governor John Cox is relatively new to the states politics, but Cox has run for office multiple times, and even tangled with Barack Obama on the debate stage when the pair ran in the 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate race. Neither candidate was considered their partys favorite. But things began looking up for Obama, of course, who won the Senate race and then the presidency. Cox dropped out before the GOP primary election. It was his third try for elected office in Illinois and his third defeat. Now hes back, this time in his new home of California, running for governor against a trio of Democratic heavyweights. Once again, Cox is a practical unknown. Once again, the Republican is in a left-leaning state reaching for a coveted political office. Once again, Coxs campaign is being fed by cash from his own bank account. Read More Facebook

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After she was confronted by protesters, Pelosi says Democrats want a clean Dream Act  with no border wall By Jazmine Ulloa House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Monday said she understood the fear in young protesters who shouted her down at a San Francisco news conference, asking for a legal path to citizenship for themselves and their parents. Speaking at Sacramento State hours after the disruption, Pelosi said she agreed with the protesters, pointing to the Dream Act as only the first step to broader immigration reform. We are all disrupters ourselves, she said, standing next to fellow congressional Democrats. So we recognize it and respect it in others. At Sac State, @NancyPelosi on SF protests today: We are all disruptors ourselves. So we recognize it and respect it in others. #dacadeal pic.twitter.com/W1WKQikmsc  Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) September 19, 2017 Both press events were scheduled by Pelosi to discuss a legislative fix to help thousands of young people affected by President Trumps decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The Obama-era policy provided temporary status for 800,000 people brought to the country illegally as children. Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York met with Trump last week after the termination of DACA was announced. In Sacramento, Pelosi said they had come to an agreement to a clean Dream Act, which would provide a path to permanent status for citizens who work, study or serve in the military, without tougher border enforcement or increased deportations. Meanwhile, Democrats are fighting with the president over the construction of a wall along the U.S-Mexico border. And House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin has made it clear he wants some kind of border security, Pelosi said. That is not under discussion, she said. We can discuss other issues, but we are not going to discuss how we protect the Dreamers. At Sac State, @NancyPelosi arrives to talk #DACAdeal and help for Dreamers. Elected officials from every level of government also present. pic.twitter.com/yoESsRC1Ok  Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) September 18, 2017 Facebook

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Feinstein, who called for patience with Trump, lashes out over his attacks on Clinton By Sarah D. Wire Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said it was appalling and disgusting to see President Trump retweet a video edited to look like he hit former rival Hillary Clinton in the head with a golf ball. He continues to obsessively lash out at her  at his rallies, with his words and now through social media  in a manner that is utterly unbecoming of the president of the United States, Feinstein said in a statement Monday. Every one of us should be offended by the vindictive and candidly dangerous messages the president sends that demean not only Secretary Clinton, but all women. Grow up and do your job. Clinton is out with a new book about the campaign, and Trump has repeatedly used Twitter to deride her as a sore loser. He retweeted the animated GIF Sunday which shows him hitting a golf ball that then knocks down Clinton. Feinstein, who has yet to say whether shell run again in 2018, has walked a fine line with Trump in recent months. Shes criticized him at times, but drew ire from some progressive Californians last month when she called for patience in dealing with the president, saying that Trump could be a good president if he learned and changed. Facebook

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California lawmakers are building a wall against President Trumps policies By George Skelton California state legislators ended their annual session the way they began it  building a wall to protect undocumented immigrants from President Trump. Not an iron wall, as Trump promised to erect along the U.S.-Mexico border, but a legal barrier to prevent local police and sheriffs from teaming with the presidents agents to enforce federal immigration law. The legislators did a lot of other things, too, before adjourning early Saturday until January. They sent Gov. Jerry Brown bills to address Californias dearth of affordable housing, to borrow $4 billion for parks and waterworks, to spend $1.5 billion in greenhouse-gas pollution fees, to provide tuition-free community college for first-year students and to lift some secrecy from prescription drug pricing. Earlier in the session, the heavily Democratic Legislature passed its boldest, most controversial bill of the year: A $5.2-billion annual increase in fuel taxes and vehicle fees to finance transportation infrastructure, especially to repair crumbling highways. Republicans will attempt to repeal the bill at the ballot box in 2018. Brown says that borders on insanity. Read More Facebook

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Trump is riding a very dead horse on climate change, Gov. Brown says at New York conference By Ann Simmons (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday touted steps California has taken toward a healthier climate, but warned that powerful forces he called climate deniers are resisting technologies and policies designed to improve conditions. I like all the optimism around here, but I dont want to minimize the steep hill that we have to climb, Brown said at the start of a gathering of international leaders called Climate Week NYC. Decarbonizing the economy when the economy depends so totally on carbon is not childs play. Its quite daunting. Hosted by the Climate Group, an international nonprofit organization that works with business and government to promote clean technologies and policies, the event was scheduled to bring together high-profile governors, executives of Fortune 500 companies and leaders of multinational businesses for a week to share their strategies in tackling climate change. The discussions come amid concerns about global warming and after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused devastation in Houston, Florida and across parts of the Caribbean. Some scientists believe that warmer ocean waters caused by climate change are creating stronger storms. Read More Facebook

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Nancy Pelosi shouted down at DACA news conference for working with Trump By Sarah D. Wire Dreamer protesters have disrupted a Pelosi presser in CA, asking for protections for Dreamer & their parents: https://t.co/o3zGNJvblL  Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) September 18, 2017 More than four dozen immigration activists upset with Democrats for negotiating with President Trump shouted down House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at a San Francisco news conference Monday. We are not your bargaining chip, the crowd chanted at one point, according to KCBS News political reporter Doug Sovern. VIDEO: Chaos at @NancyPelosi #DACA event as 40+ undocumented hijack her news conf in SF: "We are not your bargaining chip! Let us speak!" pic.twitter.com/KC2WyrjqSy  Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) September 18, 2017 'All of us or none of us' Crowd takes over DREAM Act event. Pelosi getting blasted by about 100 young 'undocumented youth' pic.twitter.com/RgwnZ4dB3O  Evan Sernoffsky (@EvanSernoffsky) September 18, 2017 San Francisco Chronicle reporter Evan Sernoffsky said on Twitter that some in the group were yelling, All of us or none of us. Other reporters said the group chanted, Shut down ICE. Pelosi held the news conference to advocate for speedy passage of a legislative fix to the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country illegally as children. Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York met with Trump last week after he announced an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The Obama-era program deferred deportation for some people brought to the country illegally as children. Pelosi and Schumer said their discussion with the president included the possibility of adding more immigration enforcement  which some immigration advocates are against  to legislation to address DACA. At the news conference, Pelosi first made remarks and introduced an immigrant in the country illegally, at which point the shouting began, according to a Pelosi aide. The group surrounded Pelosi, with some gesturing close to her face. She attempted to calm the crowd for about half an hour before leaving the news conference. The aide said the group was made up of local DACA beneficiaries. We need to have a conversation, but that was completely one-sided; they dont want any answers, Pelosi told reporters afterward, according to a transcript. Pelosi said the activists should be focused on Republican members of Congress, not Democrats. I understand their frustration, Im excited by it as a matter of fact, but the fact is theyre completely wrong. The Democrats are the ones who stopped their assault on sanctuary cities, stopped the wall, the increased deportations in our last bill that was at the end of April, and we are determined to get Republicans votes to pass the clean Dream Act. Is it possible to pass a bill without some border security? Well well have to see. We didnt agree to anything in that regard, except to listen, Pelosi said. UPDATES

1:06 p.m. This post was updated with more details throughout and quotes from Pelosi. This post was originally published at 12:12 p.m. Facebook

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Democrats hopes of flipping seats in California are soaring, but it wont be as easy at it seems By Christine Mai-Duc (Associated Press / AFP/Getty Images) Democrats know they have to win at least a few seats in California if they want to regain control of the House in 2018. But though the energy and hopes of many Democratic activists here are soaring, flipping Republican-held seats here could be harder than it appears. There are a few bits of conventional wisdom that suggest Democrats have a long road ahead. For one, Republicans often turn out in greater numbers than their Democratic counterparts in midterm-election years. And even though Hillary Clinton won seven of the Republican-held districts Democrats are now targeting, past election data show voters there still lean much more conservative than other parts of the state. If past is prologue, says Rob Pyers, research director for the nonpartisan election guide California Target Book, Democrats will have a hard time picking up more than a couple of seats in California. With most voters unlikely to tune in until at least next spring, there are many factors that could affect the political calculus, including whether the California Republican Party will be able to field a competitive candidate for governor, or whether ballot initiatives such as a potential repeal of the newest gas tax hike will propel GOP voters to the polls. Read More Facebook

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California will be the keeper of the nations future in the era of Trump, state Democratic lawmakers promise By Melanie Mason State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, from left, Gov. Jerry Brown and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press) Within a day of President Trumps election last November, Californias top Democratic lawmakers responded with a joint statement that contained an audacious promise. It was their state, not Washington, D.C., that would be the keeper of the nations future. An artistic rendering of that vow, with looping calligraphy and a roaring grizzly, is now on display in the offices of Senate leader Kevin de Leon and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. In the wake of Trumps win, the words seemed to be a sort of foundational document  Californias declaration of resistance. That pugilistic posture is often conveyed in shorthand: California versus Trump. But the ensuing legislative year, which ended Friday, revealed the messy reality of squaring up against the federal government. Its been challenging, De Leon (D-Los Angeles) said, bleary-eyed as he took a break during the final days of the session. You have to debate, you have to negotiate, you have to make your case, and I think at the end of the day, well still have the most far-reaching policy in the nation. Read More Facebook

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California Politics Podcast: Lawmakers leave Sacramento after a busy year By John Myers From immigration issues to housing, some of the biggest debates of the Legislatures nine-month session happened at the very end. In governing, as in life, deadlines often make things happen. On this weeks California Politics Podcast, we take an early look at some of the most important decisions lawmakers made in the final few days of the 2017 session in Sacramento. That includes a landmark decision to intervene in the issue of illegal immigration, and to pass a long discussed package of bills to begin addressing Californias housing crisis. We also look at some of the broader political themes of the entire legislative year -- most notably, the effort by Democrats in the Legislature to provide a resistance to actions taken by President Trump. Im joined by Times staff writers Melanie Mason and Liam Dillon. Facebook

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Passage of sanctuary state bill draws rebukes from Trump administration officials, praise in California By Jazmine Ulloa Supporters of state sanctuary bill SB 54 rally outside the Hall of Justice. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) California lawmakers on Saturday passed a sanctuary state bill to protect immigrants without legal residency in the U.S., part of a broader push by Democrats to counter expanded deportation orders under the Trump administration. The landmark legislation by Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) would limit state and local law enforcement communication with federal immigration authorities, and prevent officers from questioning and holding people on immigration violations. But the bill sent to Gov. Jerry Brown drastically scaled back the version first introduced, the result of tough negotiations between Brown and De Leon in the final weeks of the legislative session. Its passage already is reverberating across the country. Trump administration officials have sounded off in opposition. And immigrant rights groups and some California law enforcement officials have come out in support of what they call a hard compromise. Read More Facebook

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Supporters unable to resurrect California clean-energy proposal on final day of legislative session By Chris Megerian Environmentalists rally in front of Assemblyman Chris Holdens office in Pasadena on Thursday. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Despite a last-minute push from environmentalists and actors from The Avengers, legislation that eventually would require all of Californias electricity to come from clean sources failed to advance this year. Facing opposition from unions and utilities, Assembly leadership refused to put the measure, SB 100, up for a vote on Friday, the final day of the legislative session. The decision to not move the bill this year is disappointing, said Kathryn Phillips, director of the Sierra Clubs California chapter. But we are committed to moving this policy next year. Theres no time to waste. The measure, written by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (
California lawmakers sped to the close of the legislative session on Friday, addressing one of their signature issues with a sweeping package of bills aiming to address the states crippling housing costs.

The bills expect to raise billions in funding to help finance the construction thousands of new homes for the states low-income residents. They also attempt to ease local regulations on home building  a necessary move, lawmakers said, to help middle-class Californians who are now overwhelmed by costs.

Ive read study after study after study outlining this crisis, said Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), one of the leading legislators on housing issues. Were here to do something about it.

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Three measures, Senate Bills 2, 3 and 35, comprise the key parts of the housing deal. Under SB 2, those refinancing their homes or filing other real estate documents  aside from home and commercial property sales  will pay a starting fee of $75 with a maximum of $225 paid per transaction. The measure is expected to raise about $250 million a year to finance the construction of affordable housing.

SB 3 places a bond measure on the November 2018 statewide ballot with $3 billion set aside to also finance low-income development, and an additional $1 billion for veterans home loans. SB 35 would require cities and counties to limit environmental, planning and other reviews on land already zoned for a developers proposed amount of housing.

Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign the three bills.

This comprehensive approach does whats long been needed in California  build new homes and improve access to housing, Brown said in a joint statement over the summer with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon.

Housing was one of many major issues lawmakers addressed before adjourning for the year, including legislation that would make California a so-called sanctuary state for immigrants here illegally and a bill to move up the 2018 presidential primary to the spring.

Growing housing costs have touched every part of California. The states median home value of $505,800 is more than 2 times the national average, and nearly 2 million residents pay more than half their income on rent.

Just this week, the U.S. Census bureau revealed that one in five Californians is living in poverty  the nations highest rate  once accounting for housing and other costs of living.

The poverty rate in California, everyone talks about it, said state Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), author of SB 2. Look at everything we do. For child care, for education, for minimum wage, for health care. All those things are significant. And because of housing costs, it negates all those good things.

This years decision represents lawmakers largest attempt to address the problem in recent memory. In 2011, at the height of the states budget crisis, legislators ended an urban renewal program that contributed billions of dollars to finance low-income housing. Ever since, lawmakers introduced a version of SB 2 every year to no avail. Last year, other major housing legislation crumbled after Brown and lawmakers couldnt agree to a final deal.

Even though lawmakers hailed Fridays votes as historic, the bills wont put much of a dent in Californias affordability problems. The state will remain billions of dollars short annually of the money needed to finance new homes for the neediest Californians, according to state and third-party estimates of the legislation. Similarly, tens of thousands of additional new homes will be needed each year simply to keep pace with population growth.

Opponents of the legislation noted that the states problems are so large that it would be prohibitively expensive to address them with new taxpayer spending.

The numbers prove that this is simply not the case, Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) said during debate on SB 2 Thursday evening.

Despite the bills limited effects, the votes were far from assured. Rendon held the roll call vote on SB 2 open for nearly an hour Thursday evening as the measure was two votes short of a two-thirds supermajority threshold needed for passage. SB 2 passed after Rendon held beer-fueled lobbying efforts off the floor of the Assembly with two Democrats who were holding out, and thanks to a Republican assemblyman who unexpectedly voted in favor.

The lawmaker, Brian Maienschein of San Diego, said his decision was motivated by an outbreak of hepatitis A in his city, which has killed 16 homeless residents in recent months. Maienschein, who worked on homelessness issues at the United Way in San Diego prior to his election, said he didnt like forcing homeowners to pay more, but the problem had reached emergency levels.

This is a public health crisis, Maienschein said. Our economy is at risk. And everyone in San Diegos quality of life is affected by this.

Republican lawmakers also raised sharp objections to SB 3, the housing bond. GOP legislators who are military veterans argued that legislative leaders included $1 billion for veterans home loans only to engender sympathy from voters at the ballot box.

We have taken the image of a veteran and wrapped this other item in the flag, Assemblyman Rocky Chavez (R-Oceanside) said during debate Thursday night. Ladies and gentlemen, as a veteran I find that offensive.

Atkins attributed part of the difficulty in securing the votes for a housing package to fatigue among Democrats, who voted earlier this year to increase the gas tax and extend cap and trade, the states primary program to combat climate change. Like SB 2, both those measures required two-thirds supermajorities, and Democrats vulnerable to reelection battles next year were wary of a third such decision.

The lone Democrat who voted against SB 2, Sabrina Cervantes of Riverside, called the bill a regressive tax that disproportionately affects the middle class.

It took a lot of effort, Atkins said. But it was time.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

Twitter: @dillonliam

ALSO

California lawmakers have tried for 50 years to fix the states housing crisis. Heres why theyve failed

State Senate bills aim to make homes more affordable, but they wont spur nearly enough construction

State lawmakers advance major housing bills, including a $75 fee on refinancing

Updates on California politics
JOHNSTON | In the wake of the starvation deaths of two adopted girls, policy changes and more money are needed to revamp Iowas system for recruiting and retaining parents who adopt foster children, a state senator said Friday.

Those tragedies, said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, have pointed out the weaknesses of having the Iowa Department of Human Services outsource the selection of adoptive and foster care parents to private and nonprofit agencies, and of gradual government workforce reductions that leave fewer child-abuse investigators working more hours.

McCoy said he believes the deaths of the two 16-year-olds  Natalie Finn of West Des Moines and Sabrina Ray of Perry  and the subsequent criminal investigations have highlighted the need for significant reforms in Iowas child-protection system.

I think it's going to take tens of millions of dollars, McCoy said during Fridays recording of Iowa Public Televisions Iowa Press, to provide adequate staffing and resources for Human Service officials to take back the full oversight responsibilities of placing children in safe homes and monitoring their care.

They're understaffed, they're underfunded and they need more emphasis being put into training, and all of that takes resources, McCoy said. And we have cut $124 million from the DHS budget over last year, which has led to 56 counties in Iowa without child abuse investigators.

Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven, who appeared with McCoy on the show, said a number of changes have occurred since he came on board in June and theres more to come.

Most notably, he said, his agency is taking a closer look at the people receiving adoption subsidies and making sure adoptive parents have some continued responsibility by taking children to the doctor at least once a year.

Foxhoven, who estimated his agency is down about 900 caseworkers since 2012, said there also has been increased efforts to remove bureaucratic and troublesome duties so social workers can focus on managing their cases.

The state has hired a consultant to make recommendations on ways to improve Iowas system, and that report will be made public once finalized, he added.

Right now, it's important for us to take a look at what we do and let our people get things off of their plate that eats up their time, that doesn't make any sense, and then we could be able to really assess if we added more people, he said.

After the show, McCoy told reporters he wants to see the state have professional, licensed social workers doing home visits and assessments for placement of adoptive or foster children. He said he believes most Iowans want lawmakers to revisit the oversight required of children being educated at home.

The fact is that once that child leaves the school system, they lose their safety net, they fall off the radar. Its like a plane falling off the radar. They go dark and nobody sees them, and so nobody knows what kind of a hell theyre going through, nobody knows what kind of abuse theyre going through, he said.

 I know the home schooling coalition is working overtime right now to try to debunk a lot of the fear that people have of home schooling, but most Iowans feel that we should have some safety net and some oversight of these kids.
Trump promotes sons Justice with Judge Jeanine interview President Trump promoted via Twitter an interview with his son Eric Trump just before it aired Saturday night on Fox News Justice with Judge Jeanine. Eric Trump on @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews now!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 Eric Trump called into the show to defend his father from criticism prompted by the first government shutdown in more than four years, as well as a series of Womens March events that saw protesters in dozens of cities take to the streets to oppose the presidents policies. .@EricTrump joined me over the phone from Mar-a-Lago ! pic.twitter.com/Hro3TzUW52  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 21, 2018 Speaking to host Jeannine Piro  who is reportedly an old friend of the presidents  Eric Trump offered effusive praise for his father, ticking off glowing statistics to illustrate the strength of the U.S. economy and gains against Islamic State fighters overseas. My fathers working like no ones ever worked before to bring back this country and to fulfill his promise to make America great again, said the executive vice president of the Trump Organization. He also repeated a sentiment recently expressed on Twitter by his father: That Democratic lawmakers forced a government shutdown on the anniversary of the presidents inauguration in a bid to distract from his achievements. You look at this whole government shutdown, and the only reason they want to shut down government is to distract and to stop his momentum, Eric Trump said. I mean, my father has had incredible momentum. Hes gotten more done in one year than arguably any president in history. Facebook

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Trump tweets: a perfect day for all Women to March President Trump hailed the nationwide Womens March gatherings Saturday. On Twitter, the president called it a perfect day for all Women to March, seeming to imply that those taking part were celebrating his administrations accomplishments: Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Participants in the marches across the United States were actually seeking to deliver a powerful rebuke to Trumps policies and mount a crucial mobilization for this years midterm elections. But Trump continued to tout his administrations unprecedented success in tweets sent later in the day: Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election. Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate - and so much more. Big 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The Trump Administration has terminated more UNNECESSARY Regulation, in just twelve months, than any other Administration has terminated during their full term in office, no matter what the length. The good news is, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 In addition to the roll call of major American cities where womens marches took place  including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta  protesters also raised their voices in suburbs and small towns, reflecting the aim of coalescing a broad-based movement on the anniversary of Trumps inauguration to oppose the presidents stance on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and an array of other issues. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Trump calls shutdown a present from Democrats By Associated Press President Trump is blaming Democrats for the government shutdown  tweeting that they wanted to give him a nice present to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration: This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 That comes after Senate Democrats late Friday killed a GOP-written House-passed measure that would have kept agencies functioning for four weeks. Democrats were seeking a stopgap bill of just a few days in hopes that would build pressure on Republicans, and they were opposing a three-week alternative offered by GOP leaders. Democrats have insisted they would back legislation reopening the government once theres a bipartisan agreement to preserve protections against deporting about 700,000 immigrants  known as Dreamers  who arrived in the United States illegally as children. Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration: Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Cant let that happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Democrats are laying fault for the shutdown on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House and have struggled with building internal consensus. In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president tried to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans to Congress in November in order to power through this mess: Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 He noted that there are 51 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, and it often takes 60 votes to advance legislation: For those asking, the Republicans only have 51 votes in the Senate, and they need 60. That is why we need to win more Republicans in 2018 Election! We can then be even tougher on Crime (and Border), and even better to our Military & Veterans!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 #AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The stopgap spending measure won 50 votes in the Senate, including five from Democrats. Although the House and Senate were in session Saturday, it was unclear whether lawmakers would take any votes of consequence. Trump had been set to leave Friday afternoon for a fundraiser at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he intended to mark the inauguration anniversary. But he remained in Washington and ended up scrapping his plans to attend the Saturday fundraiser. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet casts doubt on likelihood of averting shutdown President Trump appeared to cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown Friday night in a tweet. Trump also sought to blame Democrats for what would be the first shutdown since 2013. His message came just hours before the midnight deadline by which lawmakers must pass a measure to fund government agencies, or some operations will cease. Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Despite last-minute negotiations Friday between Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Congress remained deadlocked over a spending bill and the federal government was headed toward a shutdown at midnight. Senate Democrats  joined by some GOP deficit hawks and immigration allies  were set to filibuster a stopgap funding bill approved by the House on Thursday. A Senate vote was planned for 10 p.m. Eastern, and even White House officials predicted it would fail. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro. Facebook

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Trump signs surveillance law after confusing tweets By Associated Press President Trump on Friday signed a bill into law to renew a foreign intelligence surveillance program, announcing his action in the latest in a series of confusing tweets about the spy program: Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018 Trumps tweet on Jan. 11 created chaos in the House just before it voted to reauthorize what is known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He linked the intelligence program to a dossier that alleges his presidential campaign had ties to Russia. That caused people to wonder if he didnt support the program that allows U.S. spy agencies to collect intelligence on foreign targets abroad. Trump and other Republicans have alleged that Obama administration officials improperly shared the identities of Trump presidential transition team members mentioned in intelligence reports. Democrats say there is no evidence that happened. Shortly before the House vote, and after conferring with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump did an apparent about-face. This vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land, he tweeted. We need it! Get smart! In his tweet announcing that he had just signed the bill, Trump wrote: This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! There are no obvious links between the dossier Trump spoke of, which includes salacious but unsubstantiated allegations against him, and the reauthorization of the spying program, or between the program and Trumps oft-repeated claims that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests that Pennsylvania trip is a political one The White House press office was once again forced to walk back a tweet from President Trump on Thursday morning after he described a trip to Pennsylvania later in the day as a political one  a statement that would force the Republican Party, not taxpayers, to pay for the journey. The White House had said Trump was going to an industrial equipment company outside of Pittsburgh to highlight the good economy and new tax cuts, making it an official, policy-oriented event. It was widely assumed that the trip had a political cast  the area is holding a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a Republican who resigned. Trump, by his tweet, seemed to confirm that politics was the whole purpose: Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 Trump later shared via Twitter a pair of video clips of his speech at H&K Equipment, in which he touted the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas and tried to turn the conversation back to his accomplishments after weeks dominated by distractions, including questions about his mental health and comments about immigration that some considered racist: Departing Pittsburgh now, where it was my great honor to stand with our incredible workers, and to show the world that AMERICA is back - and we are coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before! pic.twitter.com/kWPgylqFzj  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 AMERICA will once again be a NATION that thinks big, dreams bigger, and always reaches for the stars. YOU are the ones who will shape Americas destiny. YOU are the ones who will restore our prosperity. And YOU are the ones who are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/f2abNK47II  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 The Republican National Committee, rather than the White House, is supposed to pay for political travel so that taxpayers are not financing party activities; for trips that combine policy and politics, parties have split the cost under past presidents. Neither the RNC nor the White House responded to emails sent Thursday asking who would pay. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement later Thursday suggesting that taxpayers would foot the bill. She insisted that Trump would be conducting government business while in Pennsylvania. Read More This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump tweets praise of Bob Dole after awarding him Congressional Gold Medal By Associated Press Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole knew the art of the deal before President Trump published the 1987 book of the same name. The two shared a stage under the Capitol dome Wednesday as Dole, 94, accepted Congress highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his World War II service and decades of work in the House and Senate. Trump later praised Dole in a tweet, attaching to his message a video composed of clips from the ceremony: Today, we witnessed an incredible moment in history  the presentation of Congress highest civilian honor to our friend, and true AMERICAN HERO, Bob Dole. #CongressionalGoldMedal pic.twitter.com/qNQqDLRmCk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2018 At the ceremony, the president saluted Dole as a patriot and gave tribute to Doles struggle as a veteran who worked his way back from a grievous shoulder wound he suffered in Italy. He knows about grit, said Trump. But it was Doles penchant for working across the aisle that earned him his latest award, according to the legislation. Bob Dole was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship, reads the legislation Trump signed in September. Some of the awards 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts report that seeks to link terrorism cases with immigration By Joseph Tanfani The Trump administration on Tuesday released a report attempting to link terrorism with migration, arguing that it was evidence of the need to dramatically reshape the nations immigration system. New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 ....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The report, ordered by President Trump in an executive order last year, said that 75% of the 549 people convicted of terrorism charges since 9/11 were born outside the U.S. Administration officials called that a sign that the U.S. needs to scrap its policy of family preferences for visas, which they call chain migration, and a diversity visa lottery program. But the report did not specify how many  if any  of the convicted terrorists entered the country through those means. It also did not detail how many of the convictions were related to attacks or plans in the U.S. versus overseas and how many involved people who went to fight overseas for the Islamic State or another terrorist group. Those details were not available, officials said. The report, due last year, is being released in a highly charged moment in the immigration debate, as Trump and some Republicans in Congress seek tough new border and immigration measures in return for a deal protecting the 690,000 people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Trump also fired off a pair of tweets on the topic earlier Tuesday: We must have Security at our VERY DANGEROUS SOUTHERN BORDER, and we must have a great WALL to help protect us, and to help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The focus of our immigration system should be assimilation, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition that his name not be used. He said the nation should give priority to potential immigrants who speak English, who have an education and those who are committed to supporting our values  not family members of people already here. The official said the timing of the report was coincidental. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets welcome to president of Kazakhstan By Associated Press President Trump said Tuesday that he and the president of Kazakhstan are united in a shared determination to prevent North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Trump and President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed North Korea along with other issues during meetings at the White House. Today, it was my honor to welcome President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/TerYFZViax  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 Trump said Kazakhstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Together we are determined to prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation, he said, as both presidents addressed journalists between meetings. Nazarbayev noted that his country once had one of the worlds largest nuclear arsenals but voluntarily gave it up after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said his country is in talks with Iran, which was the focus of a global deal that lifted some economic sanctions in exchange for Irans curbing its nuclear program. Trump has sharply criticized the Iran nuclear deal and threatened last week to pull out soon unless other countries fix what he says are terrible flaws. Read More Facebook

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Trump falsely claims his approval rating among black Americans has doubled By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump lashed out at the news media Tuesday morning in a tweet denouncing the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion among members of his campaign team. Do you notice the Fake News Mainstream Media never likes covering the great and record setting economic news, but rather talks about anything negative or that can be turned into the negative. The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead, except as it pertains to the Dems. Public gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the presidents tweet, but it appeared as though he was watching Fox & Friends. A short time later, Trump tweeted a headline from a report that aired during that mornings episode: 90% of Trump 2017 news coverage was negative -and much of it contrived!@foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The segment focused on the latest survey results from conservative watchdog Media Research Center, which purportedly analyzed the evening news broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC from Jan. 20 to Dec. 31 and found that 90% of the statements made about Trump were negative. Study: 90% of Trump media coverage in 2017 was negative pic.twitter.com/vbrwup4Drg  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 16, 2018 But believe it or not, through all this negative coverage, they did a survey of 600,000 people about how black America views this president, co-host Brian Kilmeade said. His numbers have actually doubled in approval. Trump highlighted the statement in another tweet: Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better! @FoxNews  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 But its not true. The claim appears to have originated from a misreading of data from the online polling firm SurveyMonkey, according to factcheck.org. The firm polled 600,000 Americans in 2017 and found that Trumps approval rating among blacks actually dropped from 23% early in his presidency to about 17%, as of the week ending Jan. 3. Some conservative outlets, including Breitbart, produced an average from those and other SurveyMonkey figures and compared them to the scores Trump received from black voters in the 2016 exit polls. That methodology is not sound. And since the statistics measure different things, the comparison is misleading. Facebook

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Trump goes after senator who surfaced his immigration remark By Associated Press President Trump turned his Twitter torment Monday on the Democrat in the room where immigration talks with lawmakers took a famously coarse turn, saying Sen. Richard J. Durbin misrepresented what he had said about African nations and Haiti and, in the process, undermined the trust needed to make a deal. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting, Trump tweeted, using a nickname to needle the Illinois senator. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 Trump was referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects young people who came to the United States illegally as children. Members of Congress from both parties are trying to strike a deal that Trump would support to extend that protection. Trump also cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching an agreement in tweets sent earlier Monday: Statement by me last night in Florida: Honestly, I dont think the Democrats want to make a deal. They talk about DACA, but they dont want to help..We are ready, willing and able to make a deal but they dont want to. They dont want security at the border, they dont want.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 ...to stop drugs, they want to take money away from our military which we cannot do. My standard is very simple, AMERICA FIRST & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 On a day of remembrance for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump spent time at his golf course with no public events, bypassing the acts of service that his predecessors staged in honor of the civil rights leader. Instead, Trump dedicated his weekly address to Kings memory, saying Kings dream and Americas are the same: A world where people are judged by who they are, not how they look or where they come from. That message was a distinct counterpoint to words attributed to Trump by Durbin and others at a meeting last week, when the question of where immigrants come from seemed at the forefront of Trumps concerns. Some participants and others familiar with the conversation said Trump challenged immigration from shithole countries of Africa and disparaged Haiti as well. Without explicitly denying using that word, Trump lashed out at the Democratic senator, who said Trump uttered it on several occasions. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks pundit for laudatory Fox & Friends spot By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump thanked Fox News personality Stuart Varney after Varney praised Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends. In a pair of tweets early Sunday, Trump quoted from Varneys commentary, in which he argued that Trump deserves more credit for the booming economy. The pundit, who also hosts a show on Fox Business Network, cited moves by some corporations to raise workers minimum wage or pay out one-time bonuses in response to the GOP tax cuts. President Trump is not getting the credit he deserves for the economy. Tax Cut bonuses to more than 2,000,000 workers. Most explosive Stock Market rally that weve seen in modern times. 18,000 to 26,000 from Election, and grounded in profitability and growth. All Trump, not 0...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 ...big unnecessary regulation cuts made it all possible (among many other things). President Trump reversed the policies of President Obama, and reversed our economic decline. Thank you Stuart Varney. @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 Varney was reacting to a quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who on Thursday called the bonuses handed down to workers pathetic in comparison to the gains corporations are expected to see from the tax cuts. In terms of the bonus that corporate America received versus the crumbs that they are giving to workers to kind of put the schmooze on is so pathetic, Pelosi told reporters. Its pathetic. Varney shot back Sunday that the bonuses, along with explosive stock market growth, are enriching all Americans. This is a huge shot in the arm, its the result of this tax cut deal and I think President Trump should get the credit for it, he said. .@Varneyco Sets the economic record straight after Nancy Pelosi calls U.S. mass bonuses crumbs pic.twitter.com/BvjIHGm3HE  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 14, 2018 The sweeping tax plan passed last month lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and cuts personal income taxes. Analysts say the benefits will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, as theyre more likely to be in positions to share in corporate profits. For instance, Wells Fargo & Co., which responded to news of the tax overhaul by announcing it will raise workers pay to at least $15 an hour, also reported that it expects to pay an effective tax rate of 19% this year, down from about 31% in previous years. That should amount to tax savings of more than $3 billion annually. On average, middle-class Americans are expected to see a very small tax cut in the near term and a tax increase after 2025, when all of the tax cuts for individuals expire. The tax cuts for corporations, however, are permanent.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer James Rufus Koren. Facebook

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Trump touts MLK proclamation in tweet, but ceremony is overshadowed by reports of racist remarks By Associated Press President Trump signed a proclamation Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noting the contributions of a great American hero. Today, it was my great honor to proclaim January 15, 2018, as Martin Luther King Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/samlJsz1Nt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 Overshadowing the event was mounting backlash from Trumps comments during a private meeting with lawmakers the day before. A short time after the meeting, which was called to discuss a possible immigration deal, reports emerged that Trump had asked participants why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senates second-ranking Democrat, appeared to confirm those reports on Friday. Trump did not respond Friday to several questions about the incident, including whether he actually used vulgar language to describe African nations, or if he is racist. The president said at the White House that love was central to the slain civil rights leader. Trump said the nation celebrates King for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or place of our birth, we are all created equal by God.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump criticizes Democrats in tweet calling for stricter immigration rules President Trump hit out at Democrats on Thursday night in a tweet calling for stricter immigration rules. Trump wrote that members of the party seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the border with Mexico: The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the tweet. Earlier Thursday, Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children but have temporary permits to work, attend school or serve in the military. The president drew widespread condemnation after reports emerged that he had asked participants in an Oval Office meeting about the proposal why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts bill aimed at improving border screening for fentanyl By Associated Press President Trump signed legislation Wednesday aimed at giving Customs and Border Protection agents additional screening devices and other tools to stop the flow of illicit drugs. Speaking at a surprise bill-signing ceremony while flanked by members of Congress from both parties in the Oval Office, Trump described the bill as a significant step forward in the fight against powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which he called our new big scourge. He echoed that language Thursday in a tweet: Yesterday, I signed the #INTERDICTAct (H.R. 2142) with bipartisan members of Congress to help end the flow of drugs into our country. Together, we are committed to doing everything we can to combat the deadly scourge of drug addiction and overdose in the United States! pic.twitter.com/ELZvFol5Lo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 The legislation will pay for new portable and fixed chemical screening devices to detect and intercept fentanyl at ports of entry and in the mail, along with other laboratory equipment and personnel, including scientists. Trump has made fighting the opioid epidemic a centerpiece of his administration, though critics say he hasnt dedicated nearly enough money or resources to make a difference. Trump suggested during his remarks on Wednesday that hed like to take a more aggressive approach to the drug crisis  but the countrys not ready for what he has in mind. So were going to sign this. And its a step. And it feels like a very giant step, but unfortunately, its not going to be a giant step, because no matter what you do, this is something that keeps pouring in, he said. And were going to find the answer. There is an answer. I think I actually know the answer, but Im not sure the countrys ready for it yet, he added. Does anybody know what I mean? I think so. Facebook

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Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama By Associated Press Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet: Cutting taxes and simplifying regulations makes America the place to invest! Great news as Toyota and Mazda announce they are bringing 4,000 JOBS and investing $1.6 BILLION in Alabama, helping to further grow our economy! pic.twitter.com/Kcg8IVH6iA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Good news: Toyota and Mazda announce giant new Huntsville, Alabama, plant which will produce over 300,000 cars and SUVs a year and employ 4000 people. Companies are coming back to the U.S. in a very big way. Congratulations Alabama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 Several states had competed for the project, which will be able to turn out 300,000 vehicles per year and produce the Toyota Corolla compact car for North America and a new small SUV from Mazda. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and company executives held a news conference to announce that the facility is coming to the Huntsville area not far from the Tennessee line. Production is expected to begin by 2021. The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment, because the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states. Read More Facebook

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Trump highlights call for border wall in tweets on visit with Norways prime minister By Associated Press President Trump praised Norways prime minister in a tweet on Wednesday after Erna Solberg became the first foreign leader to visit with the president in 2018. Today, it was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway to the @WhiteHouse - a great friend and ally of the United States! Joint press conference: https://t.co/qWR1BhfQZI pic.twitter.com/PJvwznjRCO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Trump also shared via Twitter a video clip of a joint news conference he held with Solberg on Wednesday afternoon. In the clip, Trump responds to a question from a reporter by saying there can be no bipartisan immigration deal absent funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, young people who were brought to the United States as children and are living here illegally. The United States needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval. The safety and security of our country is #1! pic.twitter.com/4CFzQXb5aS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 We need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in, Trump said Wednesday.  Any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it all doesnt work. On Tuesday, Trump drew widespread attention when he said during a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers that he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. That contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill in subsequent tweets and public comments. Read More This post contains reporting from Los Angeles Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump praises Cabinet in tweet touting meeting By Associated Press President Trump promoted a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday, sharing via Twitter a link to a video of the session posted on the White House YouTube account. In his tweet, Trump thanked his Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country and wrote that the last year has been one of monumental achievement. I want to thank my @Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country. 2017 was a year of monumental achievement and we look forward to the year ahead. Together, we are delivering results and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/ptXa1hAPwW pic.twitter.com/yv6RALkQf3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The former reality television star continued to dispense accolades at the meeting Wednesday, greeting reporters in the Cabinet Room by saying: Welcome back to the studio. Then he proceeded to relive a Cabinet Room session from the prior day, when he had allowed reporters and TV cameras to stick around for much of his meeting with a bipartisan group of legislators on the thorny issue of immigration. It was a tremendous meeting. Actually, it was reported as incredibly good. And my performance  you know, some of them called it a performance  I consider it work, Trump said. Trump went on to say he had received letters from news anchors calling it one of the greatest meetings theyve ever witnessed. He added that the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because theyre going to say, if Trump doesnt win in three years, theyre all out of business. Asked for examples of letters received from news anchors, the White House said it had received private communications. It also offered a series of positive on-air comments and tweets from journalists about the unusual access to the meeting. During his remarks, Trump swung from praising his own meeting coverage to telling journalists that they were dependent on his presidency for ratings to threatening a strong look at libel laws. Still, Trump thanked the journalists in front of him, joking: Youve gotten very familiar with this room. I appreciate your nice comments yesterday. Facebook

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Trump blasts DACA ruling in tweet calling courts broken and unfair By Lisa Mascaro President Trump denounced the federal courts Wednesday as broken and unfair after a district judge in San Francisco issued a nationwide injunction keeping protections in place for so-called Dreamers. Trump tweeted: It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 On Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administrations decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which has protected from deportation some 700,000 people who came to the country illegally as children. Alsup granted a request by the state of California, the University of California and other plaintiffs to stop Trump from ending DACA on March 5. The administrations decision to end DACA, which was announced in September, was based on a flawed legal analysis, Alsup wrote in his decision. Dreamers would be irreparably harmed if their DACA protections, which allow them to live and work legally in the U.S., were stripped away before the courts had a chance to fully consider their claims, he ruled. The action is the mirror image of a ruling in 2015 by a federal judge in Texas who ruled in favor of that state when it sought to block President Obama from expanding DACA to include the parents of Dreamers. Trump administration officials praised that judicial ruling. By contrast, they sharply criticized Alsups decision. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks lawmakers for productive immigration meeting, says deal must include border wall President Trump thanked a bipartisan group of lawmakers for participating in a meeting on immigration legislation on Tuesday. Much of the discussion involved so-called Dreamers, an estimated 700,000 young people who were brought to the country illegally as children and are now facing deportation. In a tweet, Trump wrote that there was strong agreement to negotiate a bill to protect Dreamers, as well as put into place some of the reforms favored by Republicans. Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for todays very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 The most notable exchange of the meeting came when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the San Francisco Democrat, asked Trump whether he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. Yeah, I would like to do it, Trump responded. The statement drew widespread attention because it contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump later backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill, tweeting that a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico must be part of any deal: As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Pressure has been mounting for Congress to broker an immigration deal by Jan. 19 as part of a must-pass budget package to fund the government. This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump thanks officers and veterans in tweets President Trump doled out a slew of accolades Tuesday via Twitter. He thanked the nations law enforcement officers, including in his message a hashtag denoting a day of appreciation organized by a national support group for law enforcement families. On behalf of the American people, THANK YOU to our incredible law enforcement officers. As President of the United States - I will fight for you, and I will never, ever let you down. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue! #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Qb4uxB4JRm  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trump later expressed gratitude for federal immigration agents, in particular: .@ICEgov HSI agents and ERO officers, on behalf of an entire Nation, THANK YOU for what you are doing 24/7/365 to keep fellow Americans SAFE. Everyone is so grateful!#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HXCpTlruVo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The president thanked veterans as he cited his administrations efforts to curb the number of veteran suicides by improving mental health treatment for the high-risk group: Today, it was my great honor to sign a new Executive Order to ensure Veterans have the resources they need as they transition back to civilian life. We must ensure that our HEROES are given the care and support they so richly deserve! https://t.co/0MdP9DDIAS pic.twitter.com/LP2a8KCBAp  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trumps tweet included photos of the president signing an executive order Tuesday directing the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to provide seamless access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for 12 months for members leaving the armed forces. Also on Tuesday, Trump touted a law he signed the day before designating the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a national historic park: It was my great honor to sign H.R. 267, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, which redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. https://t.co/Qe0b6HBFTY pic.twitter.com/QTgaqTawPT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 And he thanked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for sharing a video compilation comprised of clips of politicians and commentators praising the GOPs tax cut bill: Thank you @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy! Couldnt agree w/you more. TOGETHER, we are #MAGA https://t.co/QaxtqpyXTR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018  This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump hails tax bill in tweets recapping speech to farmers By Associated Press Connecting with rural Americans, President Trump on Monday hailed his tax overhaul as a victory for family farmers. Farm country is Gods country, Trump told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Trump became the first president in a quarter-century to address the federations convention. His Southern swing also included a stop in Atlanta for the national college football championship game. Cant wait to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee to address the 99th American @FarmBureau Federations Annual Convention in Nashville! #AFBF18



On my way now - join me LIVE at 4:00pmE: https://t.co/QaljAqekdD. pic.twitter.com/Wm7Io0hYT8  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and a group of Tennessee lawmakers, Trump said most of the benefits of the tax legislation are going to working families, small businesses, and who  the family farmer. The package Trump signed into law last month provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest reductions for middle- and low-income individuals and families. In every decision we make, we are honoring Americas PROUD FARMING LEGACY. Years of crushing taxes, crippling regs, & corrupt politics left our communities hurting, our economy stagnant, & millions of hardworking Americans COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN. But they are not forgotten ANYMORE! pic.twitter.com/MdYS7xnukQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The president vastly inflated the value of the package in his speech, citing a total of $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, with most of those benefits going to working families, small businesses and who? The family farmer. The estimated value of the tax cuts is actually $1.5 trillion for families and businesses because of cuts in deductions and the use of other steps to generate offsetting tax revenue. We have been working every day to DELIVER for Americas Farmers just as they work every day to deliver FOR US. #AFBF18 pic.twitter.com/QDH7fvFkZ7  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 From Nashville, Trump traveled to Atlanta to watch Alabamas Crimson Tide and Georgias Bulldogs face off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. We are fighting for our farmers, for our country, and for our GREAT AMERICAN FLAG. We want our flag respected - and we want our NATIONAL ANTHEM respected also! pic.twitter.com/16eOLXg6Fi  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Before departing for the game, Trump referenced his ongoing defense of the American flag and the national anthem, saying there was enough space for people to express their views. We love our flag and we love our anthem, and we want to keep it that way, he said. Facebook

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Trump tweet hails drop in unemployment rate for African Americans By Associated Press President Trump touted a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans on Monday in a tweet. African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in our country. The Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full point in the last year and is close to the lowest in recorded history. Dems did nothing for you but get your vote! #NeverForget @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Trump also hailed the development via Twitter on Saturday. His latest tweet on the topic came about an hour after it was discussed during an episode of Fox & Friends, according to Mediaite. Facebook

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Trump talks up the economy and dresses down the media in Sunday tweets With President Trump cheering from the sidelines, the White House on Sunday pressed its defense of the presidents fitness to govern, as fired former aide Stephen K. Bannon reversed course and apologized for his role in a new books explosive portrait of Trump. The presidents critics, meanwhile, said Trumps stream of taunts and insults in response to the book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, released last week  served only to underscore the authors unsettling portrayal of Trumps year-old presidency, depicting a leader whose own aides consider him childish, ignorant and dangerously erratic. Trump provided more ammunition Sunday morning, as he continued to attack the book via Twitter while preparing to depart Camp David for the White House: Leaving Camp David for the White House. Great meetings with the Cabinet and Military on many very important subjects including Border Security & the desperately needed Wall, the ever increasing Drug and Opioid Problem, Infrastructure, Military, Budget, Trade and DACA.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Ive had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 The most vehement defense of Trump on Sunday came from senior advisor Stephen Miller, a onetime Bannon acolyte who distanced himself from his former mentor. In a combative appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Miller called the book grotesque and writer Michael Wolff the garbage author of a garbage book. Trump is known to closely monitor aides televised performances in putting forth his case, and he gleefully weighed in within moments of Millers televised clash with host Jake Tapper. CNN has long been a particular target of Trumps ire. Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trumps reaction, however, seemed to bolster Tappers on-air depiction of Miller as using his appearance on the show to play to the president rather than addressing questions put to him. I get it  theres one viewer that you care about, the host said exasperatedly after Miller turned the discussion repeatedly to negative news coverage of the president while deflecting specific queries. Later on Twitter, Trump took up two themes that have been prevalent on his social media feeds recently. The president again went after the news media, tweeting that the recipients of his self-proclaimed most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year, which he promised earlier in the week to announce on Monday, would actually be revealed the following Wednesday: The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trump later lauded a New York Post opinion piece that compared him favorably with his predecessor, President Obama, as well as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In quoting the op-ed, Trump initally misspelled consequential as consensual, but he deleted those tweets and re-sent the messages. His is turning out to be an enormously consequential presidency. So much so that, despite my own frustration over his missteps, there has never been a day when I wished Hillary Clinton were president. Not one. Indeed, as Trumps accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 ...Clinton in the WH, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. This was truly a change election  and the changes Trump is bringing are far-reaching & necessary. Thank you Michael Goodwin! https://t.co/4fHNcx2Ydg  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Trump also continued talking up the economy, which has been enjoying a period of strong gains. The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 In addition to Miller, other senior administration officials made the rounds of Sunday news talk shows to decry the claims made in Wolffs book. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Wolffs characterization of Trump as averse to digesting classified briefing material was ludicrous, and the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, insisted that that those around Trump love their country and respect their president. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Responding to book that mocks his intelligence, Trump tweets hes like, really smart By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump declared himself a very stable genius on Twitter on Saturday and later in a televised news conference called the author of a book that questioned his mental fitness a fraud. His comments came on a bone-cold day at Camp David during a weekend retreat with top administration officials and Republican congressional leaders strategizing on the years legislative agenda, including matters such as infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and national security. Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Still, Trumps explosive rebuttal to author Michael Wolffs claims not only opened the day, but it also ensured the presidents capability to fill the highest office in the land was a topic that would not go away. In his early-morning tweets, Trump said two of his greatest assets have been mental stability, and being, like, really smart. He noted that his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, played these cards [about competence] very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). Read More Facebook

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In morning tweets, Trump touts job numbers and takes digs at news media By Associated Press President Trump used Twitter on Saturday morning to tout a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans. He also used the tweets as an opportunity to take digs at media outlets whose past coverage he has found to be critical. The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8%, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News! And, in the Washington Post (of all places), headline states, Trumps first year jobs numbers were very, very good.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages. Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017  the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. In his tweet, Trump praised a report that noted the numbers, touting the fact that it appeared in the Washington Post (of all places). Minutes later, Trump renewed his attack on an ABC News reporter who was suspended last month after filing an erroneous report on Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor. Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The reporter, Brian Ross, was reportedly reassigned within ABC News upon returning from his unpaid suspension. But on Saturday, Trump wrote that he should have been fired. Trumps tweets came hours before he was set to host congressional Republicans and administration officials at Camp David. The meeting scheduled to begin at midmorning Saturday was expected to touch on the budget, infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and the shape of the midterm election this fall. Facebook

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Trump commends Sen. Rand Paul after he proposes eliminating all U.S. aid to Pakistan President Trump commended Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Pakistan. Trump tweeted Friday night: Good idea Rand! https://t.co/55sqUDiC0s  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was suspending security assistance to Islamabad until the country moves aggressively against local militants who have attacked U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at the apparent inability of Pakistani authorities to rein in militants who cross out of the countrys rugged tribal areas to attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson. Facebook

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Trump continues to lash out at Sloppy Steve Bannon in tweets on tell-all book By Associated Press President Trump is praising a major Republican donor family for distancing themselves from his former advisor Steve Bannon. Trump tweeted Friday: The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trump has continued to lash out at Bannon over an explosive new book that quoted his former aide as questioning Trumps competence and describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower among Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as treasonous and unpatriotic. On Thursday, billionaire GOP donor Rebekah Mercer issued a statement distancing her family from Bannon. Mercer is a co-owner of Breitbart, the populist website Bannon helps run. I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected, Mercer said. My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements. The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, quickly shot atop Amazons best-seller list, and the publisher moved up its release date by four days, to Friday. Trump took up the topic again on Twitter on Friday night, denouncing both Bannon and the books author, Michael Wolff, in starkly personal terms: Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Trumps message linked to a meme depicting a parody book cover titled, Liar and Phony, that featured a photo of Wolff and disparaging quotes about the author. In a tweet sent earlier Friday morning, Trump suggested the book was intended to serve as a distraction from the FBIs investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which Trump wrote is proving to be a total hoax. Well, now that collusion with Russia is proving to be a total hoax and the only collusion is with Hillary Clinton and the FBI/Russia, the Fake News Media (Mainstream) and this phony new book are hitting out at every new front imaginable. They should try winning an election. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 That came amid reports that Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation. Trumps effort to keep Sessions, a vocal and loyal supporter of his election bid, in charge of an investigation into his campaign offers special counsel Robert Mueller yet another avenue to explore as his prosecutors work to untangle potential evidence of obstruction. Read More Facebook

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Trump praises the economy ahead of meetings at Camp David By Associated Press President Trump is praising the strength of the U.S. economy ahead of meetings at Camp David with congressional Republicans. Trump tweeted early Friday: Dow goes from 18,589 on November 9, 2016, to 25,075 today, for a new all-time Record. Jumped 1000 points in last 5 weeks, Record fastest 1000 point move in history. This is all about the Make America Great Again agenda! Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Six trillion dollars in value created!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The president also told reporters on the South Lawn that the tax cuts are really kicking in after Congress passed a package of tax cuts at the end of 2017. And the president praised the December jobs report, which found U.S. employers added 148,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest level since 2000. The modest but steady pace of hiring is a reassuring sign for investors who have been buoyed by the just-passed Republican tax plan and have been sending stock market indexes roaring to uncharted heights. The president is meeting with Republican congressional leaders and members of his Cabinet on Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2018 agenda. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets as Dow crashes through 25,000 By Associated Press President Trump dispatched a congratulatory tweet as the Dow Jones industrial average rose above the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000. Dow just crashes through 25,000. Congrats! Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 After the Dow closed above 25,000, Trump shared a graphic depicting the stock indexs record-setting rise. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Later in the day, the president was back on Twitter, complaining that news outlets had barely covered the stock market milestone. He suggested that the strength of the economy would be the biggest story on earth, had it unfolded during the presidency of his predecessor. The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if O was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The Dow broke past 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25% gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics. Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently. The Dow has made a rapid trip since it reached 24,000 points Nov. 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes. Read More Facebook

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Trump reacts to Fire and Fury book in tweet lashing out at author and Sloppy Steve President Trump lashed out at the author of a soon-to-be-released book about the chaotic first year of his presidency Thursday night. In a tweet, Trump called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, a phony book and claimed that hed never spoken to its author, Michael Wolff. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve! Trump wrote. He appeared to be referring to former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, whose stunning criticisms of Trump and his circle figure prominently in the title. I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that dont exist. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trumps tweet came hours after he had his lawyer demand that Henry Holt & Co. and Wolff stop publication the book. Instead, the publisher expedited the books release to Friday, four days before it was slated to hit bookstore shelves, in response to unprecedented demand. Published excerpts on Wednesday and Thursday whetted that appetite and roiled Washington. Bannons comments, including that it was treasonous and unpatriotic for Trumps son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort to have met in 2016 with Russians said to have dirt on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, prompted Trump on Wednesday to rebuke his former advisor, saying Bannon had lost his mind. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump thanks senators who attended meeting on immigration President Trump tweeted thanks to Republican senators who attended a meeting about possible immigration legislation on Thursday. In his message, Trump also listed his top priorities when it comes to any type of overhaul of the nations immigration system. Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country - time for change!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Trumps tweet echoed his remarks at the beginning of Thursdays meeting, when he insisted again that constructing a border wall and overhauling two legal immigration programs must be part of any deal with Democrats to protect the so-called Dreamers from deportation. Two-year deportation protections and work permits given under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program begin to expire March 6 under an executive order. Trump announced in September that he was ending the Obama-era program, but told Congress to draft a law to continue protections for people brought to the country illegally as children  a group that has widespread public support. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Brian Bennett. Facebook

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Trump resumes Twitter war against kneeling NFL players President Trump has resumed his Twitter war against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality. In a tweet early Thursday, Trump replied to a supporter who shared a meme that appears to depict family members lying on the grave of a fallen soldier with the caption: This is why we stand. Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! Trump wrote. So beautiful....Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The president has denounced players who kneel during the anthem in previous tweets. Hes also called for the firing of players who do so. His latest message came amid news that the NFL finished the regular season with TV ratings that fell nearly 10% below the previous season. Analysts attribute the drop to controversies facing the league, as well as changing viewing habits and a possible saturation point in the number of games available. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Stephen Battaglio and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump credits himself with facilitating talks between North and South Korea By Associated Press President Trump says his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk. Trump tweeted early Thursday: With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North. Fools, but talks are a good thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 That assertion is in conflict with some of the presidents own statements. Last year, he ridiculed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for talking about negotiations with the North. This week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Years Day address. But Trumps ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks wont be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. The overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons. In his New Years Day address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. Kim said he has a nuclear button on his office desk and warned that the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike. Trump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening in a tweet. Facebook

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After disbanding his vote fraud panel, Trump still says voting system is rigged By Brian Bennett One day after disbanding his troubled voter fraud commission without any findings of fraud, President Trump continued to call the U.S. voting system rigged and said states should require that Americans have voter-identification cards. In two tweets on Thursday morning, Trump blamed the commissions failure on the lack of cooperation from mostly Democrat States that refused to hand over voter rolls because they know that many people are voting illegally. However, voting supervisors in Republican-led states refused as well, objecting on privacy and other grounds. Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do.....except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Despite Trumps assertions, analysts have not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May after alleging, without proof, that millions of illegal votes were cast for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump was elected after winning a majority in the electoral college, but the nationwide count showed Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes. The commission sought personal data on voters across the country and faced mounting lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts another good day for stocks, credits tax cut By Associated Press President Trump touted another good day for the stock market Wednesday in a tweet. Stock Market had another good day but, now that the Tax Cut Bill has passed, we have tremendous upward potential. Dow just short of 25,000, a number that few thought would be possible this soon into my administration. Also, unemployment went down to 4.1%. Only getting better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Big gains for technology and healthcare stocks helped U.S. indexes set records again Wednesday. Some analysts attributed the surge to investor enthusiasm for Trumps $1.5-trillion tax cut. All told, Wall Street analysts estimate the tax package should boost earnings for companies in the Standard & Poors 500 index by roughly 8% this year. Thats much more generous than the average tax cut of 1.6% that middle-class families will receive, according to the Tax Policy Center. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The public has been less enthusiastic about the tax law. A Monmouth University poll last month found that nearly half of Americans disapproved of it, with only 26% in support. Still, as Trump also noted on Twitter, some workers have seen a benefit: So far, dozens of companies have announced bonuses and higher minimum wages as a result of the tax cut. AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America, and American Airlines have all pledged to pay $1,000 bonuses to their employees. Some 40 U.S. companies have responded to President Trumps tax cut and reform victory in Congress last year by handing out bonuses up to $2,000, increases in 401k matches and spending on charity, a much higher number than previously known. https://t.co/bmWrwWzxMR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Investors also appear less concerned than many politicians about how the additional profits will be used. The Trump administration says it expects companies will plow much of the extra profit back into their businesses, purchasing more software, machinery, and other equipment. Those investments will make workers more productive and provide a key boost to the economys long-run growth. They should also boost wages and salaries for employees. Opponents of the tax law respond that companies are more likely to pass the windfall on to shareholders in the form of higher dividend payments and share buybacks, which raise the price of those shares still in investors hands. Previous cuts in corporate tax rates, in the United States and overseas, havent always led to higher wages. For Wall Street, its all good, at least in the short run. Most analysts take the view that either way, companies and the economy will benefit. Facebook

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Trump reacts to death of Mormon Church president By Associated Press President Trump mourned the death of Mormon Church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday evening. Trump tweeted a link to a statement in which he said that Monson demonstrated wisdom, inspired leadership, and great compassion and delivered a message of optimism, forgiveness, and faith. Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://t.co/ETD3fWtfU3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 A church bishop at the age of 22, Monson became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counselor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. After a life of church service, Monson died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. He was 90. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets that Iranian protesters will see great U.S. support at the appropriate time By Associated Press President Trump continued to express support for Irans anti-government protesters on Wednesday. In a tweet, Trump commended the protesters and pledged that the United States will support them at the appropriate time. Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Trumps tweet Wednesday morning came as Iranian Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo sent a letter to United Nations officials complaining that Washington was intervening in a grotesque way in Irans internal affairs. The President and Vice-President of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts, the ambassador wrote to the U.N. Security Council president and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.S. didnt immediately respond to the letter, which maintains that Washington has crossed every limit in flouting rules and principles of international law governing the civilized conduct of international relations. At least 21 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran during a week of anti-government protests and unrest over economic woes and official corruption. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took part in counter-demonstrations Wednesday backing the clerically overseen government, which has said enemies of Iran are fomenting the protests. Trump has unleashed a series of tweets in recent days backing the protesters, saying Iran is failing at every level and declaring that it is time for change in the Islamic Republic. Facebook

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Trump congratulates Sen. Orrin Hatch upon news of his retirement By Associated Press President Trump congratulated Sen. Orrin Hatch for an absolutely incredible career upon news of Hatchs impending retirement. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Trump called Hatch a tremendous supporter and wrote that he will be greatly missed in the Senate. Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Hatchs decision to retire from the Senate after four decades lets the Utah Republican walk away at the height of his power after helping to push through an overhaul of the tax code and persuading Trump to downsize two national monuments. Retirement also preserves the 83-year-olds legacy by allowing him to avoid a bruising reelection battle that would have broken his promise not to seek an eighth term. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet exaggerates progress in improving veterans care By Associated Press President Trump played up tremendous progress in improving care for veterans in his first year on Tuesday in a tweet. His message linked to an Instagram video describing eight accomplishments that show Trump is fighting for our veterans. But it overstates the impact of these steps. We will not rest until all of Americas GREAT VETERANS can receive the care they so richly deserve. Tremendous progress has been made in a short period of time. Keep up the great work @SecShulkin @DeptVetAffairs! https://t.co/ir25vW15hx pic.twitter.com/OtuzIgxMn6  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Of the eight achievements cited, two are ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two are pieces of legislation that extended the troubled Veterans Choice program on a temporary basis. This became necessary because the Trump administration repeatedly miscalculated the amount of taxpayer dollars available to pay for care from private doctors outside the Veterans Affairs system when veterans had to endure long waits for treatment at VA medical centers. The departments poor budget planning caught lawmakers off guard. A fifth claim involves telehealth, a step letting doctors practice medicine across state lines using digital technology. Announced in August, it has yet to take full effect because a proposed VA regulation hasnt been completed. The VA wants authority to practice across state lines to come from legislation, not a regulation. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a telehealth measure that now goes to the House. A sixth claim refers to legislation that streamlines the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. This step has had limited effect so far because it applies to new disability claims, not the 470,000 pending claims. The last two initiatives make it easier for the VA to discipline employees. The department has pointed to more than 1,300 employees who have been fired under Trumps watch. Because their infractions are not detailed in public documents, the effect on veterans care is not fully known. Facebook

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Trump unleashes his first tweetstorm of 2018 By Noah Bierman President Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year. With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable. His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office: Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing. Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote. Later Tuesday, Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians: It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ....impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt. Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned! I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 The president also tweeted a quote from Fox Business Networks Lou Dobbs Tonight, which aired a segment praising Trumps first-year accomplishments. Dobbs reportedly joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for a gala to celebrate New Years Eve. President Trump has something now he didnt have a year ago, that is a set of accomplishments that nobody can deny. The accomplishments are there, look at his record, he has had a very significant first year. @LouDobbs Show,David Asman & Ed Rollins  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month. Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress. Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen. Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics. Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed. Read More Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests U.S. will withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan By Shashank Bengali Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies & deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest and asked for clarification about Trumps comments, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. Read More Facebook

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Trump continues to tweet in support of Iranian protesters By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size  were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Trump has tweeted about the protests for three days straight as Iranians took to the streets despite a heavy police presence, tear gas and scores of arrests. The defiance gained urgency after two people were reported shot to death in the city of Dorud, about 200 miles southwest of Tehran. As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities on Sunday slapped a temporary ban on Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which were widely used to fan protest fervor. Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Irans leaders already are casting Trumps increasingly effusive expressions of support for the demonstrators as opportunistic meddling and are painting the demonstrators as foreign pawns, adopting a strategy that some analysts say could jeopardize the legitimacy of the nascent antigovernment protests. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets condolences after Colorado deputies are shot in ambush, one fatally By Associated Press A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one and injuring four others, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. Two civilians were also injured. President Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter: My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost
Trump Jr. to speak privately to Senate staff on Thursday

(Richard Drew / Associated Press)

President Trumps oldest son is expected to meet privately with a Senate committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, several senators said Wednesday.

Donald Trump Jr.'s appearance Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee would probably focus on a meeting he had with a Russian lawyer and others during the final stretches of last years campaign. Emails released in July show that Trump Jr. was told the session at Trump Tower in New York was part of a Russian government effort to aid his father, the Republican nominee.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating that meeting, also attended by Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and then-campaign chairman, Paul Manafort. A grand jury has heard testimony about it.

Trump Jr. has also agreed to appear in the coming weeks before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is conducting its own investigation.

Separately, President Obamas national security advisor, Susan Rice, was meeting on Wednesday with the House Intelligence Committee, according to a person familiar with the interview. This person wasnt authorized to discuss the committees confidential work and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

That committee has subpoenaed the Justice Department and the FBI for documents related to a dossier of salacious allegations involving Trump and possible ties to Russia.

As for Donald Trump Jr., some Democratic senators said they planned to attend his session though tradition dictates that senators cannot ask questions at such interviews conducted by committee staff.

Sens. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said they would be there. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) was considering it.

I go in with an open mind, Durbin said. I want to hear his answers to questions  there are plenty of questions  about the involvement of the Trump corporation as well as the Trump campaign with the Russians and other foreigners, and I just want to hear what Mr. Trump has to say.

Durbin said he would be shocked if questions werent asked about whether Trump Sr. knew about the Trump Tower meeting.

The critical part of his testimony will be following the financial dealing, Blumenthal said. He said he also wants to find out what Trump Jr. may know about potential obstruction of justice, adding there may have been conversations between the two about the firing of FBI Director James Comey and other matters.

Blumenthal and Coons said the private interview is no substitute for a public hearing, which the committee chairman, Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), has promised will happen.

This meeting is far less important than his public testimony, under oath, before the American people, Blumenthal said.

Grassley would not say on Wednesday whether he would issue a subpoena for Trump Jr. if he refuses to testify publicly.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is reviewing subpoenas from the House intelligence committee.

In a letter Friday that was obtained by the AP, the committee wrote that it had served subpoenas on Aug. 24 to the department and the FBI for documents related to the committees investigation of Russian meddling. The Justice Department and FBI had missed the original Sept. 1 deadline, so the committee extended the deadline to Sept. 14.

The letter was signed by the committee chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), who stepped back from the Russia investigation this year after he was criticized for being too close to the White House. Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) took over the leading role, but his name does not appear on the letter.

As chairman, Nunes retains subpoena power in the committee.

According to the letter, the original subpoenas requested any documents related to the dossier and sought information about whether the department was involved in its production.

If the documents are not produced, the committee is seeking to compel Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, who has withdrawn from investigations examining connections between Trump and Russia, and newly installed FBI Director Christopher Wray to testify in an open hearing. The committee issued two additional subpoenas to Sessions and Wray on late Tuesday.

Resort to compulsory process was necessary because of DOJs and FBIs insufficient responsiveness to the committees numerous Russia-investigation related requests over the past several months, the letter said.

If the committee is unable to obtain documents or testimony, Nunes wrote, the committee expressly reserves its right to proceed with any and all available legal options, including a House vote to hold Sessions and Wray in contempt.

The Justice Department confirmed it was reviewing the subpoenas but declined further comment.

The dossier attracted public attention in January when it was revealed that then-FBI Director Comey had briefed Trump, soon before he was inaugurated as president, about claims from the documents that Russia had amassed compromising personal and financial allegations about him.

Its unclear to what extent the allegations in the dossier have been corroborated or verified by the FBI because the bureau has not publicly discussed it.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said Tuesday evening on MSNBC that the subpoenas were issued over the objections of Democrats. Schiff said Republicans are working harder to discredit those who compiled the dossier than to find out if the allegations in it are true. He said Republicans should be more focused on getting documents from the White House.

The subpoenas were first reported by the Washington Examiner.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cameo Resources Corp. (TSX Venture:CRU) (OTC:SIDNF) (CAMEO or the Company) will be applying to the TSX Venture Exchange for approval to extend the expiry date of 893,333 common share purchase warrants that were issued as part of a non-brokered private placement completed by the Company in September 2015. The Warrants are exercisable for common shares of Cameo at a price of $1.25 per share. The Company is proposing to extend the expiry date of the warrants by an additional twenty-four (24) months to 4:30 p.m., Vancouver time on September 24, 2019. All other terms and conditions of the warrants, including the exercise price, will remain the same. The proposed extension of the expiry is conditional upon the receipt of Exchange approval.



Cameo Resources Corp. is focused on enhancing shareholder value through astute acquisitioning of exceptional projects in perceived undervalued situations. The Company is continuing to seek out viable opportunities. Please see the news release dated August 22, 2017 for more information concerning proposed transaction.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

CAMEO RESOURCES CORP.

Akash Patel

Akash Patel

President

For further information, please contact

Akash Patel

President

Email: akashp006@gmail.com

www.cameoresources.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.
A Burbank resident delivered banners earlier this month representing the city of Burbank and Roosevelt Elementary School to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, to show those sheltered from Hurricane Harvey that the California city and school care for them.

Hurricane Harvey displaced thousands along the Texas Gulf Coast, and those forced to flee have relied on shelters such as stadiums, religious centers and even homes normally used as vacation rentals.

Lorena Mendez Quiroga spent the first weekend of September in the afflicted Texas city and brought two banners, each with handwritten messages written on them as a show of local support for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

They are just a symbol of solidarity, that we are with them like the country is with every single one of those Houstonians, Quiroga said.

One banner represented Burbank and was covered with several hundred names, messages and prayers to the ailing evacuees, written outside of Portos Bakery in Burbank the day before Quiroga left for Texas on Sept. 1.

The 4-foot-by-12-foot white banner with the image of an American flag was provided for free by Yes Signs & Banners in Burbank.

The other banner was created on behalf of Roosevelt Elementary school. The bright, larger yellow banner was covered with names and messages from students, often enclosed by hearts drawn in marker.

Within the convention center, there were these playgrounds and, as soon as we made our way there, [the evacuees] were so appreciative, Quiroga said. I told them that our kids and residents worked so hard to express their love, prayers and solidarity with you.

Quiroga, a documentary filmmaker, dedicated a major part of her visit to focus on speaking with undocumented immigrants who feared going to the larger shelters and, instead, relied on small churches where they felt safe from possible deportation.

She met with a cameraman and two producers in Texas, relying on favors from friends living in the area to drive to some of the flooded regions as well as a small Catholic church that sheltered a number of undocumented Latino immigrants.

To me, these families look like refugees and are hard working and just seem absolutely devastated to me, Quiroga said.

In an Aug. 25 statement made ahead of Hurricane Harveys Texas approach, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said, Routine noncriminal immigration enforcement operations will not be conducted at evacuation sites or assistance centers such as shelters or food banks.

jeff.landa@latimes.com

Twitter: @JeffLanda
A Costa Mesa resident recently launched a company while also accomplishing a personal goal: stand-up paddleboarding from Catalina Island to Newport Harbor.

Thomas Bissell, a graduate of Newport Harbor High School and USC, completed the eight-hour, 32-mile trip on Sept. 8 before starting Solid Sun Logistics, which sells sunscreen, hats, face lotion and other products. The company donates 5% of its online sales to nonprofits, including the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach.

Bissell said his father accompanied him in a support boat.

In an email, Bissell said the paddleboard journey was brutal at times  even frightening with a possible shark sighting  but I never once thought about quitting. The whole point of this was to test my grit, focus and perseverance  three attributes an aspiring entrepreneur needs for success.

South Coast Plaza to showcase silk printing

South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is hosting a silk printing demonstration Saturday through Wednesday.

It will take place in the shopping centers Jewel Court and will exhibit how Hermes silk scarves are designed by hand.

Demonstrations are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. each day.

Fresh Brothers helps with hurricane relief

Fresh Brothers locations, including those in Newport Beach, are donating 20% of their sales Tuesday to support hurricane relief efforts in Texas and Florida.

We are a family business helping families across the country whose lives have been affected by these devastating hurricanes, Adam Goldberg, founder and chief executive of Fresh Brothers, said in a statement. My wife, Debbie, and I started this company as a way to give back to our local communities. When the hurricanes hit, it was a no-brainer to use our local Fresh Brothers stores to assist in hurricane relief efforts.

UCI to host tech awards ceremony

UC Irvines Applied Innovation will host the third annual Timmy Awards, which recognize tech companies with awards for Best Tech Startup, Best Tech Manager, Best Tech Work Culture and Best Tech Workplace for Diversity.

The ceremony, emceed by author, talk show host and entrepreneur Ash Kumra, will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at UCI Applied Innovation, 5141 California Ave., Irvine.

Judges looked through more than 150 nominations to form a pool of 40 finalists for the awards.

Spinnaker reaches asset milestone

Newport Beach-based Spinnaker Investment Group, LLC has surpassed $200 million in assets in 16 months, according to a news release.

It has also hired Nichol Bridges, who has 16 years of account and client management experience, as an insurance consultant, which allows the company to offer insurance services to clients.

PIMCO receives Champion for Babies and Families award

MOMS Orange County, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit that provides services to low-income pregnant women, has given Newport Beach investment company PIMCO its inaugural Champion for Babies and Families award.

The award recognizes PIMCOs outstanding support of expectant employees, employees who are new mothers and fathers or caregivers and who are returning to work, according to a news release.

We commend [PIMCO] for their leadership and commitment to giving new parents the best possible start in their journey as working parents and for their support in helping Orange County families have healthy babies, MOMS Orange County Chief Executive Pamela Pimentel said in a statement.

Huntington Beach store starts offering U-Haul trucks

A-1 Mail Stop in Huntington Beach has been named a U-Haul neighborhood dealer, according to a news release.

The store, owned by Mark Correll, is at 9114 Adams Ave. It will offer U-Haul trucks, moving supplies and in-store pickup for boxes.
In 1979, Carole Dougherty volunteered to help save the historic Doctors House from demolition. But first she formed a new group and brought a preservation movement to life.

The house that triggered this movement was built around 1888 at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Belmont Street and had been occupied by four successive doctors.



For the record: A earlier version of this column misspelled the names of Carole Dougherty and Greg Grammer.

One of two Queen Anne-Eastlake style Victorian homes remaining in Glendale, it was designated a historical landmark in 1977.

Two years later, the property was sold to make room for an apartment building. Despite its landmark designation, the City Council granted demolition approval, saying they had no funds to save it, according to Marie Luft, author of Memories of Glendales Doctors House, 1979-1984, A Labor of Love.

In a recent email sent from her new home in San Clemente, Dougherty recalled what happened next.

Gertrude Day, wife of council member Jack Day, persuaded her husband to invite anyone interested in saving the Doctors House to a special meeting at City Hall, she wrote. It was surprising how many people showed up. He, along with Carroll Parcher and Eric Schneirsohn, played a crucial role in saving the Doctors House.

At the end of that meeting, Day formed an ad-hoc committee and appointed Dougherty as chair.

Although it was a big job, and something out of character for me, I accepted because I had been involved in preservation activities with Pasadena Heritage and the L.A. Conservancy and had access to people to advise the committee, Dougherty wrote.

She credits the first board members for the success of the new organization.

Among them were attorney Bill Heyler, who wrote the original bylaws, and Joni Atkinson, who wrote press releases, descriptions for their first house tour and history articles for the newly established newsletter, edited by Robert Newcomb.

Vonnie Rossman was ambassador at-large and Audrey Hales raised much needed money with her garage sales.

Patricia Messina was very generous with her time helping to establish a professional approach to our house tours, Dougherty wrote.

An artist developed a logo, and they named themselves the Glendale Historical Society with the hope of reviving the original society, which had been active in the 1940s and 50s.

That strategy didnt work, Dougherty explained in her email. Members of the original organization didnt join in any large numbers.

Plus, I think the name was off-putting to younger people who were getting involved in preservation with its hands-on attributes over what was perceived as static old-fashioned history, Dougherty wrote. I often heard us referred to as the Hysterical Society. It was a struggle to recruit members.

Once organized, Dougherty searched for someone to oversee the Doctors House project. She regularly attended council meetings and met Marie Luft, who was there to speak on another issue.

Her presentations showed an articulate woman who was thorough and prepared  someone who was a bulldog but in a charming way, according to Doughertys email.

It took a lot of persuasion, but Luft eventually agreed to take on the huge task. Her engineer husband, Glenn, became involved after the house was moved to Brand Park.

Without Marie and Glenn  there would be no historical society or Doctors House today. And that is not hyperbole, Dougherty wrote.

In 2009, the society honored its founding president with the Carol Dougherty Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was the spirit and life force of the Glendale Historical Society, serving as vice president and president the first years, according to current president Greg Grammer.

Its so good to see where the historical society is today, Dougherty wrote. It was our dream in 1979 to see it thrive with membership, funding and influence. I feel so good about having been there in the beginning and having my dream come true.

To the Readers:

An email from Arlene Vidor, a frequent user of the Brand Lateral and many other Verdugo Mountains and San Raphael Hills trails, arrived regarding the Aug. 12 column about Brand Park trail maintenance.

I want to extend kudos to Stephen Webber and Marc Stirdivant. To have so many scenic trail hikes available almost right at ones doorstep is a rare gift to us, she wrote.

The Brand Lateral is exceptional due to the steep grade and various footing challenges  definitely a unique trail that needs tender loving care, and the work that has gone into it really shows. Special honors to these two gentlemen.

KATHERINE YAMADA can be reached at katherineyamada@gmail.com. or by mail at Verdugo Views, c/o Glendale News-Press, 202 W. First St., Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Please include your name, address and phone number.
A mother bear and her cub were returned back to the wild after the pair was found wandering around a La Crescenta neighborhood Friday morning.

The bears were first spotted walking around the backyard of a home in the 2500 block of Cross Street sometime around 10 a.m. Deputies with the Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Station soon arrived and were able to corral the bears into an area between the home and another residence.

However, according to the sheriffs station, the mother and her cub eventually climbed onto a tree to sleep after being corralled for several hours.

Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were soon called in and subsequently shot the bears with tranquilizer darts.

Authorities said the sedated bears were taken by Fish and Wildlife and returned to the wilderness.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc
In less than a year as Australian government leader, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has drawn more ire from environmentalists than most anti-regulation crusaders manage in a full term in office.

He delivered last month on his chief campaign promise to make the land Down Under the first to repeal a functioning carbon tax on the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.

His government has also approved the massive Carmichael Coal Mine development in Queensland that environmentalists say threatens to damage the Great Barrier Reef with its runoff and to blast the atmosphere with an additional 130 million tons of carbon dioxide each year.

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He invited loggers to Parliament House in Canberra in March to bolster his Liberal Party governments push, unsuccessful so far, to open pristine Tasmanian forest to logging by having the UNESCO World Heritage designation of the 183,000-acre preserve revoked.

He put a climate change skeptic in charge of the countrys Renewable Energy Target program, then slashed $435 million in funding for its commitment to producing at least 20% of energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. A study published last week said the new policy would add $10 billion to oil and gas company profits without noticeably lowering household electricity bills.

And in the interest of streamlining the environmental impact assessments on new energy projects, Abbott has shifted authority from federal agencies to Australias state and territorial governments to review the voluminous expert research and analysis and to greenlight proposals, potentially in as little as 10 days.

The prime ministers ramrodding of regulation and tax rollbacks has stirred accusations from environmental scientists that the new administration is an environmental train wreck and from political opposition leader Bill Shorten, who called Abbott an environmental vandal who is sleepwalking Australia to economic disaster.

But the conservative deemed unelectable by his own party before leading it to parliamentary victory and himself to the government seat in Canberra has been playing to an appreciative audience in the business and industrial circles he courted to win the Sept. 7 election.

When Abbott laid out his vision for removing obstacles to logging the Tasmanian old-growth forest, he called the Australian Greens party the Devil, drawing a rousing ovation from timber industry stalwarts in the visitors gallery.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has also made progress in selling the Carmichael mining venture to the public with the Indian private investors promise of more than 3,900 jobs once the mine is fully functional and $300 billion for the economy over the next 60 years.

Abbotts predecessors from the Labor Party managed to shepherd the country through the recession with less damage to citizens well-being and living standards than was borne in most Western countries, thanks to lucrative resource sales to China.

But the slowdown in energy and commodities exports over the last three years and Labors infighting that saw one faction depose another turned much of the country against the more environmentally friendly former government, especially those seeing potential dollar signs from expansion of coal seam fracking and other industrial expansions that have bogged down amid improved regulation to protect the air, water and climate.

Some recent assessments of Abbotts hard line on the environment have suggested, though, that his policies might not survive his early days in office as young Australians are vehemently opposed to them.

A June poll by the Lonergan Research firm found 97% of Australians surveyed supported continued World Heritage listing for the Tasmanian forest, which includes 2,000-year-old growth and the worlds tallest flowering trees.

Timber industry jobs account for only 1% of Tasmanian employment, compared with 15% in tourism, the Guardian newspaper reported in its account of the March parliamentary reception for Tasmanian loggers. It called Abbotts hopes for harvesting the habitat of the endangered Tasmanian devil visionless and destructive dogma.

Follow @cjwilliamslat for the latest international news 24/7
FRANKLIN, Ind., Sept. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (TSX-V:IB) (OTCQB:IAALF) (IBC or the Company) a leading beryllium and copper advanced alloys company, announces that it intends to appeal an arbitration award made in favor of the former co-owner of Beralcast, which IBC purchased in 2010 and which now serves as the Companys beryllium-aluminum alloys operating division.



An arbitrator with the International Center for Dispute Resolution has ordered IBC to pay Gerald R. Hoolahan, the former co-owner of Beralcast, a total of approximately US$1.24 million in damages resulting from an alleged breach of contract relating to the sale, and an additional US$155,697 in attorneys fees, costs and expenses.

IBC vigorously disputes the allegations and intends to appeal the arbitrators award.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:

"Duncan Heinz

Duncan Heinz, President, CEO and Director

Contact:

Jim Sims, Investor and Public Relations

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.

+1 (303) 503-6203

Email: jim.sims@ibcadvancedalloys.com

Website: www.ibcadvancedalloys.com

@IBCAdvanced $IB $IAALF

About IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.

IBC is a leading beryllium and copper advanced alloys company serving a variety of industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, precision manufacturing, and others. IBC's Copper Division manufactures and distributes a variety of copper alloys as castings and forgings, including beryllium copper, chrome copper, and aluminum bronze. IBC's Engineered Materials Division makes the Beralcast family of alloys, which can be precision cast and are used in an increasing number of defense, aerospace, and other systems, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. IBC's has production facilities in Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. The Company's common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "IB" and the OTCQB under the symbol "IAALF".

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of this communication. This disclosure contains certain forward-looking statements about the Company, including, but not limited to, the Companys current intention to pursue an appeal of the decision of the arbitrator. These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Companys assessment of the information currently available to it and legal advice that has been provided to it to date. Accordingly, the Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and cautions you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. IBC makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made, except as required by applicable law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in IBCs filings at www.sedar.com.

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.

401 Arvin Road, Franklin IN USA 46131 Toll Free: (800) 423-5612 T: (317) 738-2558

www.ibcadvancedalloys.com
TURKEYS

Drinking parties to kick off the beginning of a semester are nothing new on college campuses, but the number and severity of

are running off the charts, police say. Last weekend city police charged 20 students with underage drinking, bringing the total of arrests to about 80 in the last few weeks. Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio said the incidence of binge-drinking and other life-threatening situations is a problem. One student was discovered lying unconscious in the middle of a street. Last weekend more than 50 students crammed into an off-campus house for a drinking party, creating a fire hazard, police said. Five students were taken to a hospital with symptoms of severe intoxication. Police and university officials said they expect to continue the crackdown on illegal drinking. "It's the worst I've seen it in years," DiLuzio said.

When was the last time a U.S. Treasury Secretary called for a military jet to chauffeur him on his honeymoon? Steven Mnuchin is defending his request to do just that, saying he needed a secure communications connection for job reasons while touring France, Italy and Scotland with his wife, actress Louise Linton. The jet escort, which costs taxpayers $25,000 an hour, was canceled after officials said that Mnuchin, a member of the National Security Council, could stay in touch securely with the White House using other means. Mnuchin criticized news coverage of his request, saying he's "very sensitive" to the use of government money. Meanwhile, he's under investigation by the Treasury's Inspector General for taking an Air Force jet last month to Louisville and Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he and his wife viewed the solar eclipse.

TROPHIES

Members of Girl Scout Troop 82136 pitched in to help a literacy program, donating 650 of their own books to the Cops 'n' Kids program in Easton. In addition to nurturing positive relationships with police officers, Cops 'n' Kids helps develop healthy learning environments, making sure children have reading materials at home. It supports a reading room at the Easton Area Community Center, where kids and parents can read together, share stories and select free books to take home. More than 80,000 books have been donated since the program started in 2011. The reading room is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; special programs are held from 10 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays of the month

More than three decades after he left India for graduate school at Lehigh University, Sanjay Shah returned to Bethlehem this week with a donation for his alma mater -- $5 million to help grow the school's executive education program. Shah is the CEO of Vistex Inc., a global software company he founded in 1999. The funds will be used to develop the new Vistex Institute for Executive Learning and Research, to be located in a building planned for the corner of Taylor Street and East Packer Avenue. Vistex has 20 offices worldwide and 1,300 employees, helping many firms -- Apple, Adobe, General Motors and Walmart, among them -- with marketing solutions for their products and services.
People who enjoy a variety of music and an even wider variety of wine are in for a treat.

The first-ever Wine and Music Fest will take place on Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 6 p.m. in downtown Bangor.

A section of Broadway between First and South Main streets will be shut down for the festival.

The festival will feature wines from four local wineries. Bangor's hometown rockabilly band, The Psycho Cats, opens the main stage at noon. Music will begin on a second stage at 1 p.m.

The event is open to people of all ages but only people 21 years old and older can enter the wine tasting area. Wine tasting tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the event.

The four wineries that will be featured are Tolino Vineyards, from Washington Township, Franklin Hill Vineyards from Lower Mount Bethel Township, Blue Mountain Vineyards, which is in the New Tripoli section of Lynn Township, and the Rowan Asher Winery based in Stroudsburg.

A Tolino Vineyards representative said she expects to bring at least a half dozen of the vineyard's wines for people to taste. Sunnyside, a sweet concord wine, Catawba, a sweet white wine and Mama's Rose, a semi-sweet rose, will likely be offered at the festival from Tolino.

The event is being organized by the Historical Bangor Business Association, which was formed in 2016. The association's goal is to promote growth and expose visitors to Bangor's restaurants, historical sites and other businesses.

Earlier this year, the association organized a car show and a block party in Bangor.

Norm Matthews is co-owner of Dinky's Ice Cream Parlor in Bangor. His wife Jill Matthews is co-president of the association.

"We're trying to bring more people to Bangor to improve business and let people know what we have down here," Mathews said.

Also taking the main stage at the festival will be the Bovine Social Club, Nalani & Sarina and the Sarah Ayers Band featuring James Supra. The second stage will feature Dan, Nick & Marisa, Rick Fisher/Scott Crash and Jordyn Kenzie.

The main stage will be in the JobConnection Services parking lot at 6 Broadway. The second stage will be in front of the Broadway Pub at 62 Broadway.

There will be parking available at Bangor Memorial Park with a shuttle making trips throughout the day between the park and the event.

John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has met with political representatives in the North West to set out the key investment and planning priorities for the region, as well as the measures required in the upcoming budget to support the regions future growth.

Ibec North West Regional Director Terry MacNamara said, Business will play a critical role in the future economic growth of the region. Connectivity, skills development and infrastructure provision must be prioritised, now more than ever, to mitigate the impact of Brexit on the region and strengthen our competitive position. It is imperative that business takes the opportunity to liaise with policymakers in setting priorities that support business and drive development of the region. Meeting with political representatives in the North West gives the business community a platform to do that and help bring the region to a new phase of growth and prosperity.

Successful businesses are central to the North Wests economic prospects and the creation of a thriving regional economy. However, a prosperous business community is dependent on a strong infrastructure network. Every business in the region would welcome greater investment in our road network. The current situation is having a direct effect on business productivity and growth. One of the main challenges for the region is peripherality, with poor accessibility placing the region at a distinct disadvantage in terms of attracting Foreign Direct Investment and economic development. Tourism and leisure remains one of the big potential growth areas for the region due to the North Wests natural beauty. However, the growth of inbound tourism to the region relies heavily on accessibility.

Investment in infrastructure is necessary to support job creation and develop the region's economy. It is a key concern for businesses in the region. Businesses are being held back in their efforts to improve productivity because of the lack of quality infrastructure. Insufficient broadband connectivity is a huge barrier to growth in the region and is putting local businesses at a significant disadvantage.

"Furthermore, it is vital we take decisive steps in Budget 2018 to offset the risks of Brexit. In order to support businesses, a multi-annual framework for funding Brexit mitigation should be put in place, targeted at supporting innovation, market diversification, upskilling and capital expenditure in equipment and machinery.

We welcome the recent Government decision to reverse its debt reduction strategy of 45% of GDP, to allow for more capital investment. But the Government can, and must, do even more to implement long-term planning and place a sharper focus on increased infrastructure and education investment with the Exchequer funds now available. Better use must also be made of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and other non-Exchequer finance, such as from the European Investment Bank. The path towards this should begin with Budget 2018.

"Ibec is calling on Government to give the region's investment needs the high priority they deserve to secure the future economic performance of the North West. Efficient delivery will be key and must be led by a comprehensive National Planning Framework. With the right investment decisions, the North West region can play a significant role in addressing economic and societal imbalances.
Each year I convene three panels to compile lists of the Top 50 Liberal Democrats, the Top 100 People on the Left and the Top 100 People on the Right. Each list is published to coincide with the three party conferences. This is the tenth year Ive been doing this and despite two referendums and two general elections in the past three years the pace of change is, if anything, increasing  perhaps not surprising, given the stresses of Brexit and a hung parliament.

The Liberal Democrats have demonstrated the frenetic nature of politics today probably more than the two other parties, with no less than a third of the names on the list not featuring on last years. Out goes Tim Farron and his team after a deeply disappointing election campaign, fatally undermined by Farrons failure to deal with the gay sex question, together with Labours ability to portray itself as simultaneously pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit. Still, at least the departing leader has an increase in seats, together with a surge in membership to a record level, to his credit.

And Farron remains popular with the grassroots, so he stays (just) in the top ten of our list. But the biggest movements are of course amongst the new leadership team: naturally Vince Cable shoots straight to number 1, closely followed by the partys first woman Deputy Leader, Jo Swinson, at number 2. Others who were lined up to work on his leadership campaign (had there been an election) have climbed up or appeared for the first time: Tom Brake (now the only Commons survivor of the 1997 intake), Lib Dem peer Dee Doocey, advisers Chris Bones and David Howarth, veteran activists Duncan Brack and Mark Pack. Straight in at number 11 goes by-election victor Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park for only six months, and Cables new chief of staff, despite not even being a party member three years ago. Such are the opportunities available in a small party.

The other main group of new entrants, or re-entrants, are of course the partys new MPs, some returning after their 2015 defeats. Watch out in particular for Layla Moran, new MP for Oxford West & Abingdon, the partys first-ever female BAME MP and, judging by the number of conference fringe meetings shes addressing, already a conference darling. The main Liberal Democrat speakers on Europe and Brexit  Tom Brake, Sarah Ludford, Catherine Bearder, and, now out of Parliament, Nick Clegg  also show perform well. And straight in at number 5  the highest new entrant  is former MP Nick Harvey, now filling the (probably thankless) task of party chief executive.

The Lib Dems still, however, lack stars recognisable in the outside world; most of the names here will be familiar only to party activists. But Cable has had a good start in terms of media appearances (and hes published a novel), and the return of some coalition ministerial talent should help. If the new leadership is canny enough to navigate the shoals and torrents of Brexit, and exploit the divisions all too evident in Labour and Tory ranks, the party still has a future.

(+15) Sir Vince Cable

MP for Twickenham, Leader

Vince Cable won the leadership unchallenged but journalists will continue to speculate how long he will last. Will he give up the leadership mid Parliament? My guess is, dont bet on it. He will define the LibDems as a pro European party but success will depend on whether he can rebuild the LibDems dwindling local government base.

(+27) Jo Swinson

MP for East Dunbartonshire, Deputy Leader

The leader in waiting, Jo Swinson has had a quiet time since taking over the deputy leadership in July. A feisty campaigner, she will be no doubt touring the country but she ought to build a very prominent media profile. The LibDems have been a very male dominated party and its her task to counter that perception.

(-1) Nick Clegg

Former Leader

He may have lost his seat but Nick Clegg is still very popular within his own party, and is one of the partys most recognisable faces. He is concentrating on fighting Brexit and his new book, out next month, will give him an even higher profile on the issue.

(-1) Sal Brinton

President

Sal Brinton has been a very unifying figure at a difficult time for the LibDems. An inveterate gossip, she makes it her business to know whats going on in the party and to calm people down in times of crisis. She identified the Farron problem before most others.

(REENTRY) Sir Nick Harvey

Interim Chief Executive, LibDems

Having failed to win back his North Devon seat at the election, few expected Nick Harvey to return to the political fray. However, the party needed a new face to run it day to day and as a well-known and respected figure he will carry much more weight than maybe some of his more non-political predecessors have done.

(+6) Tom Brake

MP for Carshalton & Wallington, Lib Dem Chief Whip & Foreign Affairs Spokesman

Omnipresent on the media, Brake is one of the partys most reliable, if not most exciting, performers. Even though he has only a dozen MPs to herd, being LibDem Chief Whip is never an easy job. Popular with the partys press officers because hes willing to go on any media outlet on a difficult wicket at the drop of a hat.

(-) Kirsty Williams

Former Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

She stood down from the leadership in Wales after losing all the LibDem seats in the Welsh Assembly apart from her own. She is now, however, the only LibDem in a position of power, having accepted a place in the Welsh Executive Cabinet  hence her high position in this list.

(-2) Willie Rennie

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

Avoiding wipeout in last years Scottish Parliament elections in 2016 counted as success in LibDem terms. Much of this was due to Rennies unexpectedly good performances in the TV debates. He built on this and in the June general election the LibDems gained three seats north of the border.

(-1) Lord Newby

Lib Dem Leader in the House of Lords

Given the LibDems strength in the House of Lords and likely impact on the passage of the EU Withdrawal Bill, Newby will have a crucial role to play. He also coordinated the partys 2017 manifesto. A calm, urbane man, Newby is an underrated media performer. Expect to see a lot more of him.

(-9) Tim Farron

MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale, Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Tim Farron will remain an important voice in the Liberal Democrats. His party never completely took him to their hearts, especially in Westminster, where he was the subject of several whispering campaigns. In 2015 the party needed a rabble rouser to take over and they got one. Maybe if hed had the full five years he could have made more of an impact.

(NEW) Sarah Olney

Chief of Staff to Vince Cable

Having lost her Richmond Park seat after only six months in Parliament, Sarah Olney might have disappeared from view, but in early September she was recruited to run Vince Cables office. Having no long background in the party, itll be interesting to see how she handles all of the conflicting demands on a leaders office.

(-8) Norman Lamb

MP for Norfolk North, Chair of the Commons Science & Technology Committee

Norman Lamb fully expected to lose his seat in June but didnt. He then had to decide whether to challenge for the leadership. He didnt. Still a widely respected voice, especially on health issues, he is now chair of the Science & Technology Committee. Also possibly the most Eurosceptic LibDem in Parliament. Not a high bar to cross, it has to be said.

(-4) Alastair Carmichael

Former Scottish Secretary, MP for Orkney & Shetland

Formerly very close to Tim Farron, it will be interesting to see what niche Carmichael carves out for himself in this parliament. He has bounced back from his encounter with the Standards & Privileges Committee and remains a popular figure in the party.

(REENTRY) Ed Davey

LibDem MP for Kingston & Surbiton, Home Affairs spokesman

It had been widely thought that Ed Davey would stand against Vince Cable for the party leadership but in the end he decided to put his family first. If Cable flounders, expect Davey to lead the opposition to him. In the interim, he will be seen as a wise owl figure, but crucial in the struggle to re-establish the Liberal Democrats as a viable parliamentary party.

(NEW) Layla Moran

LibDem MP for Oxford West & Abingdon

The partys first-ever female BAME MP, and appropriately for the Liberal Democrats someone who went to school in Brussels, Layla Moran has already been tipped as a future Liberal Democrat leader. This isnt quite the kiss of death which it is in other parties, and with her deep interest in science and education she is likely to be a major figure in the partys future  provided she can hold on to her seat.

(+2) Phil Reilly

Director of Communications for the Liberal Democrats

All round nice guy, Reilly has made the transition from being one of Nick Cleggs Press team to taking on the whole comms role for the party. He has really grown into the role and commands respect from all those who encounter him. Devout West Ham fan.

(+3) Shaun Roberts

Director of Campaigns & Elections

Having returned to Liberal Democrat employment after a spell working for Which? just before the Brexit referendum, Shaun has barely had chance to catch breath in his role. Hes overseen the return of the party to successful Parliamentary by-election ways  first winning a fierce internal debate over taking Witney seriously (securing a huge swing as a result) and then the dramatic victory in Richmond Park. The more modest general election result, however, means the jury is still out on whether his attempts to modernise the partys campaigning will turn out to be successful.

(+3) Duncan Brack

Vice Chair Lib Dem Policy Committee

The more important or difficult a policy document is in the Liberal Democrats, the sooner the call goes in to Duncan Brack, former policy director for the party and now Vice Chair of the partys Federal Policy Committee. A bearded environmentalist, Duncan hasnt been spotted wearing sandals but is otherwise the perfect example of a committed, expert political activist who makes the partys wheels run smoothly behind the scenes.

(+3) Mark Pack

Editor, LibDem Newswire

The activists activist. Former Campaigns Officer in party HQ, indefatigable trainer and author of several guides to campaigning, what Mark Pack doesnt know about campaigning isnt worth knowing. Editor of the most widely-read Lib Dem newsletter/blog, he is aiming to use his massive profile within the party and his place on the ruling Federal Board to push for a more consistent party strategy, including building a core vote: a tough challenge.

(-9) Caroline Pidgeon AM

Lib Dem leader on the GLA

Bright, funny, sassy, intelligent, she fought an excellent campaign for London mayor in 2016 even if she didnt get the result she deserved. She now concentrates her fire on Sadiq Khan as a leading light on the Greater London Assembly.

(-6) Mike German

Party Treasurer & DWP Spokesman in the House of Lords

(+12) Catherine Bearder

Member of the European Parliament

(NEW) Baroness Doocey

LibDem Peer and adviser to Vince Cable

(+24) Baroness Ludford

LibDem Peer, former MEP

(NEW) Chris Bones

Adviser to Vince Cable

(-9) Paddy Ashdown

LibDem Peer, former Lib Dem leader

(-3) Caron Lindsay

Editor of LibDem Voice

(-15) Baroness Susan Kramer

Lib Dem Peer & Economics Spokesman

(-3) James Gurling

Chair, Campaigns and Communications Committee

(+5) James McGrory

Co-Director, Open Britain, former Press Secretary to Nick Clegg

(-21) Lynne Featherstone

Lib Dem Peer & Spokesperson on Energy & Climate Change

(-18) Baroness Parminter

LibDem Deputy Leader, House of Lords

Lord Stoneham

LibDem Chief Whip, House of Lords

(+4) Tim Pickstone

Chief Executive, Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors

(-12) David Laws

Former LibDem Schools Minister

(REENTRY) Polly Mackenzie

LibDem Commentator, former spad to Nick Clegg

(NEW) Joe Zammit-Lucia

LibDem donor, helped to set up Radix think tank

Christine Jardine

LibDem MP for Edinburgh West

(+8) Maajid Nawaz

Director of the Quilliam Foundation, former LibDem PPC

(NEW) Lord Paddick

LibDem Home Affairs Spokesman in the Lords

(NEW) Andrew Wiseman

Chair, Federal Conference Committee

(NEW) Jim Williams

Originator of Your Liberal Britain policy discussion initiative

(NEW) Alex Cole-Hamilton

Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Western

(NEW) Bess Mayhew

Chief Executive, More United

(NEW) Stephen Lloyd

LibDem MP for Eastbourne

(NEW) Wera Hobhouse

LibDem MP for Bath

(-15) Rumi Verjee

LibDem donor

(NEW) Jamie Stone

MP (and former MSP) for Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross.

(REENTRY) David Howarth

Former MP for Cambridge and member of the Electoral Commission.

(-13) Menzies Campbell

Former leader of the LibDems, LibDem peer

* Iain Dale produces the annual lists of the most influential people in each of the main UK political parties.
Liberal Democrats are united on Europe. We strongly believe that Britain is better off as a full member of the European Union. I am proud of this stance, and continue to argue for an exit from Brexit. The European Union has been a project of huge economic and social success, fostering prosperity and maintaining peace on a continent historically ravaged by division and war. I want Britain to remain. The Liberal Democrats are the party of Remain.

Meanwhile, even the spectre of leaving is doing great damage. Parliament has been asked to confer huge new power on Government  far from taking back control as the country was promised. Already our economy is being jeopardised by the huge devaluation in the pound, which is pushing up prices and leaving British companies vulnerable to takeovers. An exodus of highly skilled European workers puts public services at risk too.

As a party, we acknowledge the result of the 2016 referendum, which gave the Government a mandate to start negotiations to leave. Yet it becomes clearer by the day that we were absolutely right to argue the negotiations would never deliver the promises of the Leave campaign. When the true scale of that failure is known, the public must get a first referendum on the facts. I believe they will demand it. And there will be no deal on offer which is better than staying in the European Union.

Our voice is being heard and listened to on this. The debate is shifting in our direction with key Labour figures like Sadiq Khan and David Miliband now signing up to our view. But to continue setting the agenda, we must not walk into a trap laid by our opponents. If our argument for a democratic exit from Brexit is drowned out by a chorus of democracy deniers we will get nowhere.

As your new Leader, I am keen that we learn the lessons of the election  but I hope we learn the right ones. Our message on Europe was strong, but we must be about more than Europe. Our manifesto was widely praised as credible, costed and progressive. Yet our excellent policies on health, education and the environment were obscured by a sense that the European Union was all we cared about. We need only look at how such a strategy affected the Conservative Party at elections in the late 90s to know that a mirror image of it is unlikely to be a shortcut to success for us now.

To amplify our voice in Parliament and at every level of government in the UK, we need to reconnect with voters, reaching out to both Remain and Leave supporters. We must show that we are the party with a grown-up approach to the economy, a commitment to good public services, and the ideas to meet the big challenges of the 21st century  housing supply, a changing labour market and excessive corporate power. As the Brexit negotiations falter, we can assemble a majority who will want to see an exit from Brexit, but only if we also understand what voters on both sides of the divide want from their government.

The Government is taking the 2016 referendum as carte blanche to pursue an extreme form of Brexit. It is undemocratic, it is dangerous for the economy and damaging for our society. Our party will fight them every step of the way. We have not yet left the European Union, and I believe it is possible to stop it: we are ready to lead the shift in public opinion. So as we debate this weekend lets stick to our guns, make the weather and ask the Brexiteers  if theyre so confident in their deal  why are they so scared of the people?

* Sir Vince Cable is MP for Twickenham and was leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2017 until 2019.
09.0009.05 Opening of Conference by Baroness Brinton

09:05-09:15 Report: Federal Conference Committee  the one you need to be in to vote for the suspension of standing orders to discuss the Europe motion

09:15-09:25 Report: federal Policy Committee

09.2510.10 Policy motion: Learning to Communicate in English

10.1011.40 Consultative session: Party Strategy Consultation

11.4012.30 Policy motion: The Paris Agreement and uK Climate Change Policy

12.3012.50 Speech by Layla Moran MP

12.5014.10 Lunch

14.1015.25 Policy motion: The impact of Brexit on Public Services

15.2515.45 Speech: Baroness Brinton 17.0017.50 f11 17.5018.00 f12

15.4517.00 Policy motion: Natural Environment Policy report

17.0017.50 Report: Federal Board

17.5018.00 Report: Campaign for Gender balance and motion on Membership Subscription

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
There are some lively fringe events today.

One of the most popular, which sadly clashes with a Federal Board meeting so I cant be there, is an ALDE event with Catherine Bearder MEP and Nick Clegg. Britains place in the EU  Lib Dems are not giving up. Thats in the Bryanston Suite in the Marriott.

Your Liberal Britain has some ideas about turning the party into a much wider social movement. I think that they need to do more in the way of diversity and appealing to local government, but they have a lot to offer the party. Join Jim Williams and his team this lunchtime in the Durley Suite in the BIC.

This evening is the first of the Lib Dem Voice fringes with Vince himself talking about adult education and building the skills the economy needs. Mary Reid wrote about it the other day.

Maybe a list of our speakers will entice you. Vince Cable  yes, we managed to book him before he became our new Leader, and we are delighted that he has been able to honour the commitment. Then Layla Moran  our Education spokesperson. And Chris Fox, our spokesperson for Business and Industrial Strategy. They will be challenged by Joanna Cain from the rather different perspective of the Workers Education Association.

And there will be scones. So come and help yourselves at 7:45 in the Purbeck Suite of the Marriott

At the same time, the Young Liberals will be talking about intergenerational politics and fairness, Green Liberal Democrats talk about the progress to a zero carbon Britain, ALDC has its AGM and LDs 4 Seekers of Sanctuary looks the difficulties facing refugees.

ALDC has its AGM and Campaigner Awards and the Education Association looks at prospects for education in the new Parliament. Details can be found in the directory here and in the Conference app.

The day ends with the amazing disco. The wristbands are incredibly sparkly. Guest DJs Tim Farron, Sarah Ludford, Daisy Benson and Kelly-Marie Blundell have some wonderful stuff on offer. We know. Weve seen the set list, which we will be publishing later.
A MAN who has been living in the Direct Provision Centre at Mt Trenchard since 2005 could now be facing deportation, solicitor Rossa McMahon told Newcastle West court.

He was speaking in defence of Joao Vuanza, Mt Trenchard Hostel, who was charged with assaulting the centres manager on August 29, 2016.

Outlining the details of the case, Inspector Alan Cullen said that on that date, gardai were called to a dispute at Mt Trenchard during which the defendant assaulted the manager and was arrested.

Pleading for his client, Mr McMahon said that the bus was late and Mr Vuanza was initially remonstrating with him.

When the manager came out to intervene, his client became irate with him.

His client was from Angola and had been in Ireland since 1997, Mr McMahon added and in Mt Trenchard since 2005. He has been in the system for quite a considerable period, he said and had no previous convictions.

He boiled over on the day due to frustration and he apologises for that, Mr McMahon said. A deportation order is on the way, he told Judge Mary Larkin when asked at what stage of the asylum process his client was at.

She fined Vuanza 50.
WHEN RAYMOND McNamaras consultant told him a day before his cancer surgery that a robot was going to remove his kidney, he immediately thought it was a joke.

But that all changed when the 60-year-old Janesboro man was wheeled into the theatre and introduced to the four-armed Da Vinci robot last October.

The Da Vinci Xi dual console surgical robot  the only one of its kind in the Irish public health system  is the latest medical technological innovation that can operate on the most complex of cancer sites.

So far, the robot has operated on approximately 90 patients from all over the country since it was first docked in June 2016. And Raymond was one of the first patients to go under its knife for kidney cancer.

On the morning of September 10, Raymond was crossing the road on OConnell Street to his workplace Don OMalley and Partners, when the first symptoms of his life-changing illness came out of the blue.

I found myself dying to go to the toilet. And when I went into the building, went straight up to the toilet, there was blood.

It wasnt painful. It just felt very hot. And for the whole day, anyway, I was going up and down to the toilet, and it just started flowing. I went to the doctor the following morning, and he said: You could have a kidney infection or something like that.

Presuming that it was an infection, Raymond started his course of antibiotics, and was told to report back to the GP if the symptoms hadnt cleared up by that Friday.

But the symptoms and the agony grew worse, day by day, and climaxed that Thursday, he says.

I had to go to the Regional that Thursday, the pain was so intense. I couldnt go to the toilet as blood clots were after forming. I found out much later on that the kidney was leaking blood because the tumour was after growing so big that it was ready to pop. And if it did pop, I would have been goosed, a calm Raymond explains.

After spending a number of days at UHL, the patient thought that he was on the mend and ready to be discharged, until the registrar broke the bad news.

The registrar came into me and said: Look, we got the results of the scan and he said: Basically, you have cancer in the kidney.

I asked him: So what do I do from here? I was really straightforward about it. And he told me that they could remove the kidney completely, and that I could live with one.

He admits that the first thing that went through his mind was his brother, who passed away at the age of 59.

He said to himself: Oh Jesus, I am going to follow soon. You know the way you might think that? You would be thinking for the worst. But then when you settle down, you realise it might not be too bad.

He adds that his his wife Mary, his two daughters and son also thought the worst at the beginning, but the registrar was able to put them at ease and explain his treatment.

Even then, he did not know that he was going to be on the operating table, with a man-controlled robot shadowing over him.

It was about a day or two before it, I was told about it. I was told in a joking fashion, like: Ah, well see what the robot will do and I was like: Hah? I didnt think they had one.

And when I went up to the surgery, I didnt know what to expect, I didnt know what kind of a robot I was going to see. I was in the pre-assessment in the waiting area, and everything would be going through your mind. The surgeon then came in, he was making jokes and putting me at ease, and I laughed along with him.

And then Raymond was wheeled into the operating room, where he met the Da Vinci surgical robot, who has been nicknamed JP, after billionaire philanthropist JP McManus.

The robot, which cost 2.6m, was donated by the JP McManus Benevolent Fund in early 2016.

Once the facility is docked, it is then operated by a maximum of two fully-trained surgeons in a separate console or room, who can make minimally invasive 8mm incisions via the robot.

After a successful nephrectomy  the complete removal of a kidney  Raymond had a speedy recovery, and was back to work within a number of weeks in November.

If this had been carried out without the aid of a robot, the period of convalescence could have been two to three times longer, he reckons.

The proud grandfather-of-four says that there could have been a different outcome if he had not received the initial symptoms on that morning in September.

If I hadnt got that warning, the morning I went to work, I wouldnt be here to explain it to you. I didnt know about it, it was growing on me for months, probably. And there was no explanation as to why it happened. I asked the surgeon if it was anything that I was doing, and he said: No, it just happens.

He says that he is equally grateful for the brilliant timing of JP the Robots arrival at the Dooradoyle hospital.

I was extremely grateful. I owe an awful lot to JP, as I like to call him. It is a tremendous facility.

The people who get to use that machine are extremely lucky, and if they were sitting here today, I am sure they would be saying the same thing. I am just delighted that it was there, it was just brilliant timing, he says with a smile.

And after being given a new lease of life, Raymond was able to celebrate his 60th birthday with his family just last month.

My attitude towards life changed a bit and my outlook changed too. Life is life, you make the most of it, and I am grateful that I am still here.
The next generation gets ready to take over Indias biggest businesses Gen-Next is beginning to take charge. They're not just taking forward old businesses but striking new ground in new spaces. Here's a look at their journey /news/talking-point/the-next-generation-gets-ready-to-take-over-india-s-biggest-businesses-111646979347181.html 111646979347181 story

Kavin Bharti Mittal

Age: 29

Education: Electronics and electrical engineering with management, Imperial College, London

Position: Founder and chief executive officer, Hike Ltd

The son of telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal, who along with his family has a net worth of $8.4 billion (around Rs53,760 crore)the flagship company, Bharti Airtel Ltd, founded almost four decades ago, has a total market cap of over Rs1.6 trillionhas moved away from the fathers shadow to start from scratch. Kavin launched two start-ups while still in college. In 2008, at the age of 20, the Mittal scion set up AppSpark, an app company for iPhone users. The next year, he launched a movie-ticketing app, Movies Now, for iPhone users. On his return to India in 2012, Kavin built Hike Messenger, an app-messaging platform.

This year, Hike Messenger acquired Creoa Bengaluru-based technology start-up that makes the dual-SIM (micro and nano SIM) smartphone Mark 1. Hike has raised around $175 million from Chinese internet giant Tencent and electronic maker Foxconn.

In June, Hike launched a mobile payment tool, Hike Wallet, built within its messenger. The wallet supports UPI (unified payments interface) based payments. We are laying the foundation for something bigger. Payments will enable us to generate revenue on the platform," Kavin told Mint in a June interview.

Rishad Premji. Photo: Hemant Mishra/Mint

Rishad Premji

Age: 40

Education: MBA, Harvard Business School

Position: Chief strategy officer, Wipro Ltd

Rishad Premji, son of billionaire Azim Premji, is chief strategy officer and member of the board at Wipro Ltd and leads the investor relations and corporate affairs functions for the company.

In 2015, he conceptualized Wipro Ventures, a $100 million (around Rs640 crore) investment arm of Indias third largest software services firm Wipro, to invest in start-ups developing technologies and solutions. In July, Wipro Ventures invested an undisclosed amount in New York-based venture capital fund Work-Bench, its second investment in a venture capital fund. Last year, it invested in Israel-based TLV Partners. Wipro Ventures has invested $32 million in 10 start-ups and two venture capital firms. The total capital deployed till date (by Wipro Ventures) is about $32 million. We have worked with our investee companies in over 80 client engagements and won seven deals together in the first quarter of this financial (year)," a Wipro spokesman told Mint in July. Nine of Wipro Ventures 12 investments are in the US, two in Israel and one in India.

Rishad also oversees mergers and acquisitions, and, over the last two years, Wipro Ventures has been the most aggressive among Indian IT services companies, having spent $1.14 billion in buying five firms, including Denmark-based design venture Designit and US-based cloud computing enterprise Appirio Inc.

Jai Anmol Ambani. Photo: PTI

Jai Anmol Ambani

Age: 25

Education: Bachelors degree in management from Warwick Business School, UK

Position: Executive director, Reliance Capital Ltd

It was only last year that Jai Anmol Ambani, son of billionaire Anil Ambani, who has a net worth of $3.3 billion (around Rs21,120 crore), joined the board of Reliance Capital Ltd, which has life insurance, general insurance, home finance and asset management arms. At Reliance Capital Ltds annual general meeting last year, chairman Anil Ambani had said his son has been lucky" for the company. Last month, under Jai Anmols leadership, the company announced an employee stock option (ESOP) scheme with a notional value of Rs300 crore. The first task that the father has handed over to his son is to use technology in the workplace to take the company ahead. During an analyst meeting in March, Jai Anmol had said that the company plans to take digital initiatives in all businesses to serve new-age customers. Prior to joining the board, he worked at Reliance Capital from 2014 in various capacities, learning the ropes at the various financial services that the company offers.

Disclaimer: Reliance Group companies have sued HT Media Ltd, Mints publisher, and nine others in the Bombay high court over a 2 October 2014 front-page story that they have disputed. HT Media is contesting the case.

Isha and Akash Ambani. Photo: Milind Shelte/India Today Group

Isha and Akash Ambani

Ages: 25

Education: Akash studied at Brown University, US; Isha went to Yale University, US

Position: Board members, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd

The year 2017 can be considered a landmark one for the Ambanis. Isha and her twin brother Akash addressed investors at the annual general meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on 21 July for the first time, introducing the 4G-enabled feature phone Jio Phone. Isha described the details of the product while Akash showcased its functionality.

The two have been board members of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd since October 2014; Akash is chief of strategy as well. Their father Mukesh Ambani, whose net worth is estimated at $38.8 billion (around Rs2.4 trillion), said during the AGM: Jio is a young organization and Akash and Isha, our directors at Jio, both 25, lead a large contingent of success-hungry and highly talented professionals."

The Ivy League school-educated twins are on the board of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd as well. And Isha, who worked as a business analyst at global consultancy firm McKinsey & Co. Inc. for a few months before joining the family businesses, is more closely involved with the retail arm, having conceptualized and launched its online fashion portal, Ajio.com, in April 2016.

These millennials introduced an open-plan layout at Reliance Corporate Park on Mumbais outskirts, with no private cabins for senior management, including their father. The initiative has fostered a culture of collaboration and opennesskey to building a successful technology start-up, even one with immense backing," said Akash in an interview to GQ India magazine in August.

Akash studied economics at Brown University while Isha has a double major in psychology and South Asian studies from Yale University.

Though it is evident that Mukesh Ambani is handholding both his children, as seen during the AGM, he hasnt yet elucidated on the course he would like them to take.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra. Photo: Priyanka Parashar/Mint

Roshni Nadar Malhotra

Age: 35

Education: MBA in social enterprise management and strategy, Kellogg School of

Management, US

Position: Chief executive officer, HCL Corporation Pvt. Ltd

As the CEO of HCL Corporation Pvt. Ltd, the unlisted private holding company of HCL Technologies Ltd and HCL Infosystems Ltd, the buck stops with Roshni Nadar Malhotra, the only child of Shiv Nadar, the founder and majority shareholder of HCL Technologies Ltd, a software developer and outsourcing provider.

HCL Corporation has a more than 50% stake in both HCL Infosystems and HCL Technologies. According to Bloomberg, Nadar Malhotra is responsible for strategic decisions, including the key areas of determining its governance structures, treasury, risk and portfolio management. In fact, she started out in HCL Corporation with the companys treasury operations.

She serves as a trustee of the non-profit Shiv Nadar Foundation, which was set up in 1994 by Shiv Nadar, who has a net worth of $13.5 billion (around Rs86,400 crore). The foundation has established the SSN Institutions, Shiv Nadar University, VidyaGyan Leadership Academies, Shiv Nadar Schools, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and Shiksha, a technology-led intervention in rural education to eradicate illiteracy. Malhotra is more focused on the VidyaGyan schools in Uttar Pradesh, which help rural children from economically challenged backgrounds. The first batch of VidyaGyan students graduated from the academy in 2016. Under her leadership, the Shiv Nadar Foundation carried out a joint initiative with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to promote the education of Dalit and Muslim girl child in some of the most backward districts in Uttar Pradesh.

She graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied communication, with a focus on radio, television and film. She has worked with channels such as Sky News in London.

Roshni is married to Shikhar Malhotra, who is the vice-chairman of HCL Healthcare, director and board member of HCL Corporation, and a trustee of Shiv Nadar Foundation. They have two sons.

Pirojsha Adi Godrej. Photo: Aniruddha Chowdhury/Mint

Pirojsha Adi Godrej

Age: 37

Education: Graduated from Wharton School of Business and completed masters in international affairs from Columbia University, and MBA from Columbia Business School

Position: Executive chairman, Godrej Properties Ltd

Pirojsha Adi Godrej, son of Adi Godrej, who has a net worth of $2.9 billion (around Rs18,560 crore), took over as the executive chairman of Godrej Properties Ltd (GPL), the real-estate arm of Godrej Group, in April. Before joining GPL in 2004, Pirojsha worked as additional private secretary to the minister of state for external affairs in New Delhi and interned in the New York senate office of Hillary Clinton.

After two years at GPL, he enrolled for MBA at Columbia Business School. He rejoined GPL in 2008 as executive director. Pirojsha led the initial public offering in 2010 that enabled Godrej Properties to raise $100 million (around Rs640 crore). Two years later, he was appointed managing director and chief executive officer. Under his leadership, the company has closed deals, enabling it to grow at a time when weak consumer sentiment and unsold inventories had hit the property market (for instance, in 2015 Godrej Properties closed Indias largest commercial real-estate deal with pharmaceutical firm Abbott India Ltd for Rs1,479 crore). At present, Godrej Properties is developing residential, commercial and township projects spread across about 13.5 million sq. m in 12 cities.

Sharvil P. Patel.

Sharvil P. Patel

Age: 38

Education: Doctorate, University of Sunderland, UK

Position: Managing director, Cadila Healthcare Ltd

Pankaj R. Patel, with a net worth of $5.9 billion (around  37,760 crore), stepped down as managing director of Cadila Healthcare Ltd in July, to pave the way for his son Sharvil P. Patel, the new managing director. This was part of the succession planning, according to a regulatory filing by Cadila Healthcare.

Pankaj said in the filing that Sharvil had been associated with the company for close to two decades and had been actively associated in managing the business for over a decade. According to Bloomberg, if the stock market is any guide, Sharvil has inherited one of the top generic drug manufacturers in the world.

The third-generation Cadila Healthcare scion graduated in chemical and pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Sunderland and completed the doctorate, doing research work in breast cancer at John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, US.

Pankaj will continue to be the chairman and mentor his son. Cadila was founded by Ramanbhai, Pankaj Patels father and the firm now has a market value of almost $8 billion and annual revenue of about $1.4 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Anand Piramal.

Anand Piramal

Age: 32

Education: MBA, Harvard Business School

Position: Non-executive, non-independent director of Piramal Enterprises Ltd

In August, Anand Piramal, billionaire Ajay Piramals son, was appointed non-executive, non-independent director of Piramal Enterprises Ltd. In a statement, the father, who has a net worth of $5.5 billion (around Rs35,200 crore), said investing in and preparing the next generation of leaders is a critical priority.

Anand heads Piramal Realty, which was founded in 2012, and focuses on the Mumbai region only. Under his leadership, Piramal Realty has raised a total of Rs2,700 crore from global investment firms Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus. The company, which started off in the residential segment, recently announced that it would be investing Rs2,400 crore in its first commercial projecta 16-acre corporate park in Mumbai. It is now looking to buy land in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to expand its commercial real estate business.

Early this year, the company decided to invest around Rs1,800 crore in its new residential project in suburban Mumbai. Prior to Piramal Realty, Anand built Piramal Swasthya (started as a rural healthcare start-up called Piramal eSwasthya), which is a non-profit.

Compiled by Team Mint from publicly available information
SACRAMENTO  The University of California will uphold its free-speech tradition by hosting provocateurs such as Milo Yiannopoulos, regardless of their message, unless they resort to personal threats or attacks on audience members, UC President Janet Napolitano says.

If we at UC unreasonably limit the ability of speakers like Milo Yiannopoulos and Ann Coulter to safely express themselves on our campuses, we are telling the world that we would accept suppression of our own speech, Napolitano told a legal conference Friday in Sacramento.

She spoke a day after conservative commentator Ben Shapiro gave a speech at UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall under heavy security, while several hundred protesters held a rally nearby but were kept from entering the campus. Yiannopoulos, Coulter and another right-wing commentator, Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for President Trump, are scheduled to appear at UC Berkeley during a four-day event, starting Sept. 24, that sponsors are calling Free Speech Week.

A speech by Yiannopoulos on the campus in February was called off after violent clashes, and Coulter canceled a Berkeley appearance in April, saying she had been warned of possible violence.

In her most extensive comments to date on the issue, Napolitano said the university has obligations to both the speakers and their frequent targets, groups that have historically been on the receiving end of hate and bigotry.

Though many in the UC community have rightly sought to protect them against vicious verbal attacks, she said, We cannot go so far as to silence all verbal attacks. We must protect freedom of speech for all.

That means we defend the rights of provocateurs to share their objectionable thoughts at our university campuses. ... That does not mean we have to allow rhetoric that personally intimidates or harasses others.

She acknowledged that the line is difficult to define, but said UC officials should cut off any speaker who is personally going after a member of the audience.

We expect more controversial speakers and more passionate protests, Napolitano said. But when emotions run high, when fear and divisiveness seem to overtake our public discourse, we must reach toward our basic values to guide us through the turbulence. ... Those values include freedom of expression, but also respect and civility toward those whose beliefs and ideas are polar opposites from ours.

Napolitano spoke at a conference promoting civil discourse attended by Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in a section of the federal courthouse called the Kennedy Learning Center. Kennedy, a Sacramento native, said in opening remarks that he fears the idea of free speech is slipping away from our young people in an increasingly polarized nation.

The answer to a wrong or insulting or immoral idea is more speech, not less, he said. Universities, in particular, Kennedy said, must step up to the plate and insist that theres a place for thoughtful ... robust disagreement.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
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In the days before Paul Doherty died, there was one last thing he wanted to see: last months total solar eclipse.

A senior scientist at the Exploratorium, Mr. Doherty had plans to be on the museums eclipse team stationed in Casper, Wyo. But it was not meant to be  he died of cancer Aug. 17, four days before the solar phenomenon.

His death at age 69 came as a surprise to his friends and family, who recently had been told the disease was in remission.

Mr. Dohertys reputation as a science guru will endure. He worked at the Exploratorium for 31 years, founded its Center for Teaching and Learning, and taught as an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University. He traveled to Tibet to teach science to Buddhist monks. He even co-wrote science fiction novels.

He influenced a disproportionate number of people in the Bay Area with his intelligence, kindness and love of science, said Martin Rock, an associate director at the Exploratorium.

In fact, if you ask any science teacher at any level in the Bay Area, they likely will have been mentored by Paul personally, and will almost certainly be using lessons in the classroom developed and taught by Paul, he said.

Mr. Doherty, a native of Boston, received a doctorate in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and then spent 12 years as a physics professor at Oakland University in Michigan. His career centered on helping others learn  he published his workshops on his website for others to use. In 1996, the National Science Teachers Association awarded him the title of Best Science Demonstrator at the World Congress of Museums in Helsinki.

But hes better remembered for turning Late Show host David Letterman into a human conduit on live TV. Mr. Doherty hooked the late-night television host to a Van deGraff generator and passed 50,000 volts of electricity through him. It was enough energy to pop the corn kernels Letterman was holding in his open hand.

Hal Murray, who liked to hike and climb with Mr. Doherty, recalled his friends generous spirit.

All of my friends who knew him think he was one of the nicest people they have ever met, Murray said. He was helpful and encouraging. He was very good at explaining things at almost any level.

Mr. Doherty was a skilled rock climber who could scramble up the face of El Capitan and became the first person to ascend a 20,000-foot peak in the Sierra Nevada de Lagunas Bravas in the Andes.

His friends recalled he was also adept at playing a corrugated plastic tube instrument known as the whirly.

When he set his mind to something, there was nothing that could prevent him from accomplishing his goals, Rock said. Whether it was building a Mars chamber to be the first person on Earth to view Martian snowflakes or mastering an instrument called the whirly.

Mr. Doherty is survived by his wife, Ellen Henson.

A celebration of his life is scheduled for the evening of Oct. 6 at the Exploratorium.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
As time begins its march away from the biggest storm in United States history, Houstonians are working hard to return to normalcy. Though the streets have cleared and the water has mostly receded, many are still without homes or a car.

The resource list from last week has been updated with updated FEMA numbers, new recovery centers and D-SNAP information, as well as the removal of obsolete information.

Government assistance

Go to DisasterAssistance.gov to fill out a questionnaire to begin the process of applying for federal aid from FEMA.

Apply for federal aid for recovery of storm-caused damages and loss at fema.gov, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. (TTY 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.)

To register for recovery you will need:

Address of location where damage occurred.

Current mailing address.

Your Social Security number. If you don't have one you still may be eligible for aid if there is someone in your household with one.

For businesses, you will need the Social Security number of the party responsible for the business.

Insurance information.

Financial information.

Your family's gross total household income at the time of the disaster.

Contact information.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or direct deposit information (optional).

Banking information - bank name, type of account, routing and account number - if you are approved for assistance.

Description of damage.

FEMA Houston-area Disaster Recovery Centers: Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, state and other agencies will be on hand to discuss assistance and offer guidance on applications. If possible, homeowners, renters and businesses should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. Register at fema.gov. A FEMA app for Apple and Android devices also is available. Download at fema.gov/mobile-app.

Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily at:

Katy Mills Mall (Fort Bend County), 5000 Katy Mills Circle

Baytown Community Center (Harris County), 4407 Market, Baytown

Greenspoint Mall (Harris County), 263 Greenspoint Mall

Webster Civic Center (Harris County), 311 Pennsylvania, Webster

Netrality Building (Harris County), 1301 Fannin (formerly the recovery center at George R. Brown Convention Center)

Simonton Community Church, 9703 FM 1489, Simonton

Disaster survivors can visit any location for assistance. Locations of other recovery centers can be found at fema.gov/DRC.

HoustonRecovers.org is the central hub for information on Harvey recovery. The website has links to resources where you can volunteer, donate and register for assistance, as well as updates from City Hall and community updates. Call the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management for information at 713-884-4500.

IRS.gov offers information on tax relief available for those living in the disaster areas. Go to IRS.gov or call 800-829-1040, available 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Texas Vet Centers and Mobile Vet Centers offer readjustment services at the following locations:

NRG Arena (Main Entrance), 1 NRG Park (Blue Section)

Lone Star Veterans Association, 2929 McKinney

Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic, 3420 Plaza Circle, Beaumont

American Legion Post 658, 14890 FM 2100, Crosby

Walmart, 23561 US-59, Porter

The Vet Center Call Center Counseling also is available at 877-927-8387.

Veterans from storm-affected areas who require immediate assistance may contact the Health Resource Center Disaster Hotline at 800-507-4571.

Housing

The Salvation Army of Greater Houston's Family Residence at 1603 McGowen is open to assist evacuees and those who have lost their homes.

FEMA's Transitional Shelter Assistance program helps eligible displaced people to stay at a participating hotel free of charge temporarily if they are unable to return home. For a list of participating hotels, go to femaevachotels.com, or contact FEMA to apply at 800-462-7585.

Harris County Housing and Community Resource Center helps with locating emergency shelters, rental properties and financial assistance. Call 713-696-1998.

Rebuildinghouston.org helps senior, disabled and veteran homeowners in Harris County with home rebuilding efforts. Call 713-659-2511.

Airbnb is helping find temporary housing for those displaced by the floods until Sept. 25. Call 855-424-7262 or visit airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/hurricaneharveyevacuees to find available homes.

Legal

The State Bar of Texas' Disaster Hotline is answered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and connects low-income people affected by a disaster with legal aid providers who can help with issues such as replacing lost documents, answering insurance questions, helping with landlord/tenant problems, and handling consumer protection concerns such as price-gouging and contractor scams during the rebuilding process. Callers can leave a message at any time at 800-504-7030.

The Houston Bar Association has expanded its LegalLine program. Volunteer attorneys will assist affected residents with legal advice on landlord/tenant matters, insurance, FEMA assistance, property, lost documents and other storm-related issues. Lines are open 3-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Wednesday. Call 713-759-1133 or 866-959-1133.

Food

The Houston Food Bank offers a list of food pantries and other food assistance, Call 832-369-9390.

For disaster food stamp benefits, call the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at 877-541-7905.

The Houston Health Department opened four Women, Infants and Children (WIC) sites dedicated to help people affected by Harvey's unprecedented flooding. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the sites will begin registering pregnant women, women who recently had a child, infants and children under the age 5 for WIC benefits. Sites are at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, and Walmart stores at 111 Yale Street, 11210 W. Airport and 9460 W. Sam Houston Parkway. Call 832-393-5427.

Financial

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest, long-term disaster loans to small businesses, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster-damaged property. Apply at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or call 800-659-2955.

The Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center Network and the U.S. Small Business Administration have opened a business recovery center where business owners can access a variety of specialized services free of charge. The Harris County center is located at 2302 Fannin and is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday- Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Property

The National Flood Insurance Program answers questions for policyholders about the claims process at 800-621-3362.

To find an abandoned car, go to findmytowedcar.com or call 832-394-4869.

The Texas Department of Insurance has advice on what to do if your home or auto was damaged by Harvey, the insurance claims process and contractor fraud prevention. It has extended its call center hours to 8 p.m. Call 800-252-3439 or go to tdi.texas.gov.

Harris County homeowners who have any type of property damage from Hurricane Harvey can now report it on the Harris County Appraisal District's phone app, where they will be given options to identify whether the damage was to the home or garage. The app also provides an event damage report that lists options for the amount of water, an estimate of damage caused by a tornado or roof leaks and a section for fire damage. When the homeowner is ready to submit the report, they take a photo of the front and back of their driver's license to verify the property owner's identity. Call 713-821-5805 or email help@hcad.org.

CrisisCleanup.org helps connect volunteers with those in need of help cleaning up. Call 844-965-1386.

Nonprofits

United Way of Greater Houston offers a 24-hour helpline to assist disaster victims get the resources they need. Call 211.

Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston provides help for those in need, focusing on homebound seniors, refugee families and other vulnerable populations who will need extra resources after the storm. Call 713-533-4900.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has a Flood Relief Hotline. Call 713-874-6664.

The Islamic Society of Greater Houston is providing food, shelter and other emergency assistance. Call 832-941-0766.

West Houston Assistance Ministries, 10501 Meadowglen Ln, is providing rent assistance, transportation assistance and car repairs, gas cards, bus passes, food and water, gift cards, clothes, cleaning supplies and motel accommodations for up to one week. Call them at 713-780-2727 or visit their website, whamministries.org.

Business assistance

The Texas Association of Business is offering assistance to business owners via a hotline during normal business hours. Call 512-637-7714 or email hurricane@txbiz.org.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers food, emergency housing, as well as farmer and rancher assistance to individuals and small businesses affected by severe storms and flooding. Call the Hurricane Harvey Information Line for Texas Producers at 866-680-6069.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's Disaster Distress helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year, for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Call 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Missing persons

To report or locate a missing child, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 866-908-9570.

To find family or friends or to register yourself as safe, go to safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/.

To report the location of a body, call 911. Do not attempt to move or disturb the body in any way.
It has been three weeks since Hurricane Harvey dropped an unparalleled deluge onto the Gulf Coast. Since then, hundreds of thousands of volunteers have mobilized and come to the aid of those in need. For some, the recovery process will take weeks, if not months, and the need for volunteers continues to increase.

Here's how you can help:

Call the Harris County Volunteer hotline at 281-656-1533 or visit volunteerhouston.org to sign up for shifts at shelters and donation sorting centers in the Houston area.

BakerRipley is asking for volunteers at NRG, GRB and other major shelters in the area. Sign up at volunteer.bakerripley.org.

The American Red Cross is registering volunteers to work at shelters and donation centers, including Toyota Center. Sign up at redcross.org.

The Houston Food Bank is seeking volunteers for food prep and other duties. Visit houstonfoodbankorg to register.

The Houston Furniture Bank seeks volunteers for furniture distribution, helping to move furniture in the warehouse and other duties. Visit houstonfurniturebank.org.

Lord of Life Lutheran Church in The Woodlands is partnering with Interfaith Ministries for clothing distribution. Volunteers can sign up by calling 281-367-7016.

Houston Volunteer Lawyers is asking attorneys to volunteer their time and expertise to provide legal help to storm victims. Register to volunteer at makejusticehappen.org.

The Islamic Society of Greater Houston is calling for volunteers to man its donation distribution centers across the city. For a list of distribution centers and to sign up to volunteer, visit isgh.org or call 832-941-0766.

Check helphoustonharvey.comfor an updated list of shelter volunteer opportunities in the Houston area.

Free indeed Community Works needs volunteers at their food, baby care, and donation distribution centers. Visit communityworkscdc.org.

First Baptist Church of Fresno needs help with food and supply distribution for flood victims in the Arcola, Fresno and Cianna Range areas. Go to fresnobaptistchurch.org.

Reach Out WorldWide needs volunteers willing to assist with cleaning and gutting homes. Volunteers must be in good physical shape. Contact responders@roww.org for information.

Friends of North Rosenberg is looking for assistance with cleaning and gutting homes, as well as and debris removal. Visit attackpoverty.org for information.

All Hands Volunteers is setting two bases in Fort Bend County and one in Aransas Pass. Get information at hards.org.How to donate

Texas Mattress Makers and Houston Children's Charity have teamed up with Carlos Correa and Dave Ward to raise money for Hurricane Harvey Children's Relief Fund The goal is to raise $500,000 to help put 5,000 children back in bed; 100 percent of the donations will go to the purchase of mattresses, bedding and bed frames. Donate at YouCaring.com/CarlosCorrea.

BARC Houston, Houston's municipal animal shelter, needs monetary and supply donations to help with the continuous care of its animals. Donate at houstontx.gove/barc.

Houston Pets Alive! is in need of supplies and monetary donations. Go to houstonpetsalive.org.

There are some 400 dogs and 100 cats housed at the Pet Rescue Pavilion at NRG Arena, where families can come search for lost pets. Volunteers are needed to help with animal care, dog walking, administrative duties and building dog beds and other items. To register, visit bestfriends.org/hurricaneharvey.
Life will never be the same for a former Chipotle employee in Austin.

In just over a week, Remington Williams went from rolling burritos and making salad bowls to walking the runway at New York Fashion Week.
A man was arrested for allegedly punching a local 7-Eleven employee as the suspect tried to walk out of the store without paying for beer, according to Laredo police.

Juan Carlos Soto Vidrio, 49, was arrested and charged with robbery on Friday.
A pastor's spouse once told me a touching true story.

Inscribed on the gold band she gave her husband on their wedding day are the famous lines from the Book of Ruth: "Whither thou goest, I will go."

The reference, common in weddings, has added meaning for a pastor's wife. She was also vowing loyalty to his clergy vocation.

Clergy spouses face challenges that often escape our notice, and we do not know much about them.

Lifeway Research completed a comprehensive survey of clergy spouses. The evangelical research center interviewed more than 700 Protestant ministers' spouses, yielding considerable insights about this unique group.

A majority of pastors' spouses report some level of isolation. More than two-thirds agree with the statement, "I have very few people I can confide in about the really important matters in my life."

They have weak support systems, relying overwhelmingly on their spouses when stressed or sad. About two in five rely "a great deal" on relatives or friends for support. Only nine percent say they can count on other ministers' spouses for support.

This disconnection is prevalent among younger spouses, who report more conflicts within their churches, more issues with trust, and more challenges in building relationships than their older cohorts.

Half of clergy spouses agree their family lives in a "fishbowl," a popular metaphor for pastors' families' visible and often scrutinized marital and parental relationships. But only 23 percent believe congregation members have a right to know what goes on in their families.

Financially, 85 percent of pastors' spouses agree with the statement, "The church we serve takes good care of us." Yet 61 percent say their family's financial needs outstrip their church salaries. Even so, more than a third report frequent worries about finances, and two thirds say they are concerned about their retirement benefits.

In spite of these and other challenges, clergy spouses report they lead mostly happy lives.

Eighty percent of pastors' spouses say they are extremely or very satisfied with their marriages, even as half report difficulties in establishing time for the martial relationship due to congregational needs and frequent church events.

This new research raises important questions about the care of souls. While ministers tend to the spiritual needs of parishioners, who cares for their spouses?

My friend's wedding-band inscription was a small and visible sign of a profound spiritual commitment.

Hundreds of thousands of American women (and men)  are married to members of the clergy. They make a unique commitment to their faith. Yet far too often, they struggle in isolation and silence.

As a society, we promote religion through the tax code and honoring members of the clergy as moral leaders who guard what is sacred and point us toward what is right.

They face challenges and sacrifices that few of us can ever understand. We owe them a fuller measure of empathy, support, and friendship.

Jacob Lupfer is a Religion News Service editor and doctoral candidate in political science at Georgetown University.
Taxpayers are getting closer to hearing details of what U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady is promising will be a new tax plan that will save families thousands of dollars in taxes.

The Woodlands Republican, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, says documents on the Republican tax plan -- which he describes as a "bold, pro-growth tax reform" plan -- will be released by the Ways and Means Committee during the week of Sept. 25. It is the chief tax-writing committee in Congress.

Brady has told The Courier in previous interviews the GOP proposal would save an average Texas family of four about $5,000 a year. During a series of talks while he was home in his district last month, Brady also repeatedly said that he's confident the GOP proposal will become law by the end of the year, despite fierce opposition from congressional Democrats.

"2017 is our year to make history on tax reform,' Brady said after announcing his committee would soon be releasing the tax proposal. "Working together, we will."

The upcoming release of the tax blueprint comes after The Associated Press reported that Brady and House Speaker Paul Ryan met behind closed doors with GOP lawmakers during the week to lay out a timetable on the tax proposal.

Besides promising that the GOP tax plan would lower taxes for both individuals and businesses, Brady has said he wants to simplify the tax system so that filing taxes is simply a matter of filling out a postcard.

"A code so simple and so fair that nine out of 10 of Americans will be able to file using a simple postcard-style system," Brady said during a talk in The Woodlands last month.

But when details of the plan are released, it's not quite clear whether they will include Brady's postcard proposal.

"While the tax reform working group has not confirmed yet every specific detail of the upcoming announcement, they will announce their support for drastically simplifying our broken tax code," his office said in an email on Friday. "Chairman Brady is leading his committee to deliver a simpler and fairer tax code where 9 out of 10 Americans will be able to file their taxes using a simple postcard style system that includes the home mortgage deduction, charitable giving, the child tax credit and college tax credits."

Meanwhile, Brady and his fellow Republicans are bracing for continued stiff opposition from Democrats, who say the GOP tax plan cuts taxes for the rich, while not helping boost the middle class or the poor.

"Any tax reform effort should not benefit the wealthiest individuals, who have already seen outsized benefits from recent economic gains," Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a letter to the president last month. Schumer was one of 45 Senate Democratic caucus members who signed the letter saying they would not support the GOP effort to overhaul the tax system.

As the AP notes, Republicans view their proposal as their last, best chance to notch a significant accomplishment to take to voters in the 2018 midterm elections following the collapse of their "Obamacare" repeal drive.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In 2004, Hjalti Sigurjon Hauksson was imprisoned for raping his stepdaughter nearly every day for 12 years, starting when she was just 5. Thirteen years later, his crime has helped bring down Iceland's government.

The story involves Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson and his father, Benedikt Sveinsson.

Here's what happened: Several months ago, Sveinsson drafted a letter of recommendation for Hauksson, arguing he should have his "honor restored." In Iceland, convicts can have certain civil rights returned by submitting letters of recommendation showing good character. Hauksson and another convicted pedophile, Robert Downey (formerly named Robert Arni Hreidarsson), received full pardons over the summer.

Those decisions "rattled Icelandic society," according to Iceland Magazine. As a reporter explains: "public and media have spent much of summer discussing the two cases and the horrifying world of violence and abuse they revealed."

Soon after, one of Downey's victims launched a campaign urging the government to release the letters of support for Downey and Hauksson. But the Justice Ministry refused to respond to questions on the subject.

This week, a parliamentary committee ruled that the administration was violating freedom of information laws by keeping the names a secret. So the letters were released to the news media. Even more damning: On Thursday, Iceland's justice minister, Sigridur Andersen, told television news reporters he had informed the prime minister of his father's involvement back in June. She said she told no one else.

That disclosure, which smacked of a coverup, sent shock waves through Iceland's political class and threatened the fragile three-party coalition that put Benediktsson in power last year.

To secure a majority, his Independence Party joined forces with the centrists and the Bright Future coalition, squeaking in with a razor-thin majority of 32 out of 63 seats. On Friday, Bright Future voted unanimously to leave the government. The letter "was the straw that broke the camel's back," a Bright Future insider told Reuters. "This is not in our spirit, and everybody agreed this was the end of it. It came as a complete surprise. It was something we couldn't have continued with, this is something completely opposed to our principles. The corruption and dishonesty are just incredible."

Bright Future's decision left Benediktsson without a majority. He called his behavior a "serious breach of trust" and dissolved his government. "We have lost the majority, and I don't see anything that indicates we can regain that," he told reporters. He has called for speedy elections, aiming for November.

This isn't Benediktsson's first controversy. He and his father both appeared in the Panama Papers, connected to offshore tax havens and a controversial sale of state assets.

In a statement, Benediktsson's father apologized for signing the letter of support for his old friend. "I have never considered the restored honor as anything except a legal procedure making it possible for convicted criminals to regain some civil rights," Sveinsson said, according to the BBC. "I did not think of it as something that would justify Hjalti's position toward his victim. I told Hjalti to face his action and to repent."

Hauksson's victim called the situation surreal. In interviews with Icelandic media, she said Hauksson has continued to harass her, even approaching her 6-year-old daughter while she was on a field trip. Hauksson was working as a bus driver at the time.
A New York professor drew ire from City University administrators and law enforcement officials because of a tweet in which he said teaching "future dead cops" is "a privilege."

Michael Isaacson, an adjunct professor at CUNY's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, was placed on administrative leave because of the three-week-old tweet, which appears to have recently caught the attention of the college's president and New York City's largest police union.

In a tweet on Aug. 23, Isaacson, who teaches economics, said: "Some of ya'll might think it sucks being an anti-fascist teaching at John Jay College but I think it's a privilege to teach future dead cops."

In a statement Friday, John Jay College President Karol V. Mason called Isaacson's comments "abhorrent" and the "antithesis" of an academic institution that trains future law enforcement. While she said that professors have a right to free speech and academic freedom, "expressions of hate or intimidation are not welcome in that civil discourse."

"This adjunct expressed personal views that are not consistent with our college's well known and firm values and principles and my own personal standards and principles. I am appalled that anyone associated with John Jay, with our proud history of supporting law enforcement authorities, would suggest that violence against police is ever acceptable," Mason said.

Mason added that faculty members and students have been threatened as a result of the tweet, and Isaacson was placed on administrative leave for safety reasons.

In an email to The Washington Post, Isaacson, an anti-fascist activist, said he "unequivocally" supports the college's decision "in the interest of public safety," and he apologizes to faculty members and his students for placing them at risk.

"I am saddened that I cannot continue to teach my students, but I value their safety and the safety of the John Jay community above all else," he said, adding later: "My [principal] regret is that I put people at risk who did not assume that risk voluntarily."

The decision to place Isaacson on administrative leave was announced on the same day that the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association of the City of New York, a union that represents 50,000 active and retired police officers, called for Isaacson's firing.

Patrick J. Lynch, the union's president, railed against what he described as "disgusting anti-police attitudes" and "gleeful embrace of political violence."

"It is absolutely outrageous that an individual who holds and expresses these views could be employed by any academic institution, much less one that counts an overwhelming number of New York City police officers as among its students, alumni and faculty members," Patrick J. Lynch, the union's president, said in a statement.

Isaacson will remain on administrative leave while university officials review the matter, Mason said.

New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill and New York Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio also have weighed in.

"I know Michael Isaacson's reprehensible values don't represent @JohnJayCollege, #NYC, #NYPD or families of murdered cops." O'Neill wrote on Twitter. DeBlasio, also on Twitter, wrote: "I know Michael Isaacson's reprehensible values don't represent @JohnJayCollege, #NYC, #NYPD or families of murdered cops."

Isaacson shot back at de Blasio in a series of tweets Saturday. He said the mayor, whose rift with the city's police force is well documented, attacked free speech, academic freedom and John Jay College's administrative autonomy.

According to Isaacson's resume, he began teaching economics at John Jay last year. Before that, he was a lecturer at Long Island University, New York University and Howard University.

Though many of his students intend to go into law enforcement, he said he teaches them the "economic reality" of that career choice. He said he hopes to encourage his students "to think critically about what they hope to offer their communities and whether law enforcement is the best avenue to achieve that."

He said that law enforcement as an institution operates in the interest of the weapons and prison industries, and not the communities it's sworn to serve.

"Every bullet fired is revenue for the weapons industry. Every prisoner is revenue for the prison industry," he said, adding that policing as an institution has disproportionately placed a burden on low-income people and communities of color.

In a statement posted on Twitter Friday, he said he hopes his students can find a career path "that does not put them in the position of having to act as an agent of that institution."

Isaacson describes himself as an anti-fascist and anarchist and has said that he believes President Donbald Trump is a fascist.

He said the media has misrepresented anti-fascists or antifa activists as members of a violent group and ignored "the vast majority" of advocacy work that does not involve violence and tries to avoid physical conflict. Anti-fascists, he said, are about "engaging and serving communities" against the threat from white supremacists, Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.

But as a result of violence hyped in the media, many have joined the antifa ranks "purely on the basis of thrill seeking rather than community support," he said.

Last month, however, images broadcast across the country showed dozens of anarchists and antifa members, their faces hidden behind black bandannas and hoodies, jumping over barricades at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park in Berkeley, California, and attacking a handful of Trump supporters and right-wing activists. In another controversial protest, dozens of antifa activists smashed windows and lit fires on the University of California campus in Berkeley in February, leading the university to cancel a speech by right-wing blogger Milo Yiannopoulos.

Isaacson defended his view in a combative Fox News interview Thursday with Tucker Carlson, who has described antifa as a "political militia that is doing the bidding" of Democratic politicians like House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and California Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.

Isaacson is not the only professor to get in trouble with the universities they work for over a controversial statement.

In June, Lisa Durden was fired from Essex County College in Newark after she gave a confrontational Fox News interview, which was also with Carlson.

"Boo hoo hoo, you white people are angry because you couldn't use your white privilege card to get invited to the Black Lives Matter's all-black Memorial Day Celebration," Durden said.

Another professor, Kathy Dettwyler, was fired the same month after she wrote on Facebook that Otto Warmbier, who was taken into custody in North Korea, then fell into a coma and died, was a "clueless white male" who "got exactly what he deserved."

More recently, last month, Kenneth Storey was fired from the University of Tampa after he appeared to suggest in a series of tweets that Hurricane Harvey is karma for Texas for voting Republican.

The series of firings have drawn criticisms from the Foundation of Individual Rights in Education, which advocates for free-speech rights at American colleges and universities.

Ari Cohn, an attorney for the organization, said professors should be able to express diverse views and ideas in a public forum, as long as they're not speaking on behalf of the academic institutions they work for. The firings, he said, could force faculty members to be silent for fear of offending people online and getting fired.

"Administrators, especially in recent months, have been capitulating to outrage mobs and firing professors left and right because they offended someone," he said.

---

The Washington Post's Michael E. Miller and Kyle Swenson contributed to this story.
Harvard's controversial decision first to offer and then to rescind a visiting fellowship to Chelsea Manning has boiled over into an tense, uncompromising debate.

Her detractors believe she betrayed the United States when, as an Army intelligence analyst, she divulged government secrets.

Manning's legions of admirers are inspired by her strident opposition to government secrecy and overreach.

And the prestigious Kennedy School is now caught in the middle for apparently bowing to pressure from CIA Director Mike Pompeo and others, but also for what some consider the institution's double standard in maintaining its association with other controversial figures.

To quickly recap:

On Wednesday, the Kennedy School's Institute of Politics named Manning a visiting fellow, one of four additions to a lineup that includes Sean Spicer, President Donald Trump's short-lived White House press secretary, and Corey Lewandowski, who was fired as Trump's campaign manager several months before the election. As part of the program, visiting fellows appear on Harvard's campus for speaking engagements and events, interacting with undergraduate students on "topical issues of today," the school's initial announcement explained.

Then on Thursday, citing "an obligation to my conscience - and I believe to the country," the CIA's former acting director, Michael Morell, a fellow since 2013 at Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, resigned in protest and called the school's invitation to Manning an endorsement of her decision to break the law. Hours later, Pompeo backed out of a scheduled appearance at Harvard, declared Manning "an American traitor," and publicly shamed the school for signaling to its students that "you too can be a fellow at Harvard and a felon under United States law."

And finally on Friday, Harvard published a 700-word statement, several minutes past midnight, from Kennedy School Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf, who sought to rationalize the meaning of Harvard fellowships - "Any determination should start with the presumption that more speech is better than less," he wrote - before concluding that offering one to Manning was a "mistake," and he withdrew the invitation.

Morell hailed the decision, saying Elmendorf demonstrated "courage and wisdom."

Others, including Republicans and Democrats in Congress, spoke out, too, framing the case argument against Manning just as Pompeo and Morell did: Her actions - she went to prison for leaking tens of thousands of classified documents originating within the departments of defense and state - put deployed troops at risk and undermined the core values espoused by the armed forces and intelligence community.

Addressing Pompeo and Morell on Twitter, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote: "Thank you for standing up for our troops & intelligence officers."

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., also on Twitter, applauded the Kennedy School for "correcting this" and added: "Plenty of other trans service men & women who can speak to this issue who didn't collab with Wikileaks."

Cotton and Moulton are recent combat veterans who fought overseas with the Army and Marines, respectively.

Trevor Timm, who heads the Freedom of the Press Foundation, called this connection "unfounded." Writing Friday in the New York Times, he argued that no evidence has ever come to light linking Manning's disclosures to compromised safety.

"Mr. Morrell, in his resignation letter, quoted unnamed officials claiming Ms. Manning "put the lives of U.S. soldiers at risk," without citing any specific examples. This is a common charge against her, and an unfounded one: The evidence of "damage" from Ms. Manning's leaks has been grossly exaggerated.  During her trial, the government could not point to anyone, soldier or otherwise, physically harmed by WikiLeaks' publications."

He also noted two other Kennedy School fellows and the apparent double standard their participation highlights. The dean's decision to rescind Manning's fellowship, he suggested, puts Harvard squarely in the corner of those who believe it's acceptable to curtail transparency for the sake of national security.

"Other 2017 visiting fellows include Sean Spicer, President Trump's first press secretary, who was accused of lying to the public on almost a daily basis by reporters, and the former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was arrested for committing battery against a journalist during the 2016 campaign.  What Mr. Elmendorf and the Kennedy School are saying, essentially, is that no issue or action is off topic for visiting fellows except, apparently, giving information to journalists and informing the public about what its government is doing behind closed doors."

And then there's Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who revealed the existence of secretive government surveillance programs. On Twitter Friday he pointed out Harvard's association with another former CIA director, David Petraeus, who acknowledged mishandling classified information but avoided prison.

"What explains the difference in Harvard's treatment between Chelsea Manning and David Petraeus?" Snowden tweeted. "Power. Never forget who institutions serve."

Elmendorf, in his lengthy statement Friday, apologized for the imbroglio, saying he moved to withdraw Manning's fellowship after realizing that it was perceived to be "an honorific." That was not the intent, the dean stressed.

But maybe none of this will matter.

Author Micah Zenko, a political scientist who writes extensively on national security subjects, opined Friday about the meaning and value of visiting fellowships, writing for Foreign Policy that most "contribute little in the way of publications, and leave almost no lasting imprint."

He characterized such arrangements as mutually beneficial to the individual and the institution that names them a fellow. Those who take such roles do so primarily "to expand their social networks and rebrand themselves," Zenko wrote. In turn, the schools can leverage their fellows' celebrity or renown to drive interest among and solicit funding from prospective donors.

"For both, it is less an honorific than a tacit exchange of prominence for access but without the guarantee of any office space. . . . Such titles," he concludes, "don't merit the honor that institutions attempt to bestow them."

The title of his piece: "Harvard Fellowships Have Always Been a Joke."

Jim Mattis didn't undermine President Trump's transgender military ban. Trump already had.

Chelsea Manning doesn't look glamorous in Vogue. And that's great.

Chelsea Manning on leaking information: 'I have a responsibility to the public'

Other 2017 visiting fellows include Sean Spicer, President Trump's first press secretary, who was accused of lying to the public on almost a daily basis by reporters, and the former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was arrested for committing battery against a journalist during the 2016 campaign. . . . What Mr. Elmendorf and the Kennedy School are saying, essentially, is that no issue or action is off topic for visiting fellows except, apparently, giving information to journalists and informing the public about what its government is doing behind closed doors.

Mr. Morrell, in his resignation letter, quoted unnamed officials claiming Ms. Manning "put the lives of U.S. soldiers at risk," without citing any specific examples. This is a common charge against her, and an unfounded one: The evidence of "damage" from Ms. Manning's leaks has been grossly exaggerated. . . . During her trial, the government could not point to anyone, soldier or otherwise, physically harmed by WikiLeaks' publications.

Glad @Kennedy_School corrected this. Plenty of other trans service men & women who can speak to this issue who didn't collab with Wikileaks. https://t.co/UynscvhwSc

- Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) September 15, 2017

@CIA Director Mike Pompeo & @MichaelJMorell get results. Thank you for standing up for our troops & intelligence officers. https://t.co/BODysfS7zA

- Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) September 15, 2017

@Kennedy_School dean showed real leadership in rescinding Manning's status as Visiting Fellow. Few are willing to admit a mistake. He did.

- Michael Morell (@MichaelJMorell) September 15, 2017
BEIRUT - The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Syria said Saturday that its partner forces have been attacked by Russian warplanes, escalating tensions on one of the country's most complex and contested battlefields.

The coalition said in a statement that an early morning airstrike targeted positions used by the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, a Kurdish-dominated militia backed by Washington, as well as the international advisers supporting them in a weeks-old offensive to dislodge Islamic State militants from the eastern province of Deir al-Zour.

As the Islamic State loses territory across Syria and Iraq, oil-rich Deir al-Zour has become a hub for the group's senior leaders.

Stretching along the eastern border with Iraq, it has also emerged as a geopolitical battleground for forces trying to support or thwart Iranian attempts to secure supply routes stretching from Beirut to Tehran.

The U.S.-led coalition intervened in Syria and Iraq in 2014 to halt the Islamic State's conquest across swaths of both countries. Iran and Russia's involvement dates back to the early months of the civil war that followed Syria's 2011 anti-government uprising, bankrolling and later militarily supporting President Bashar Assad's forces as part of a broader attempt to maintain key allies across the region.

In Deir al-Zour, the two military groups now find themselves fighting a common enemy. SDF fighters have advanced against Islamic State positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in recent weeks, while forces allied with Assad's government have scythed through the extremist group's territory from the western side, entering Deir Ezzor city and bringing the rival coalitions to within several miles of each other.

Saturday's attack marks the first time that the U.S.- and Russian-backed forces have clashed directly, signaling what appeared to be a growing willingness for Russia to protect its pro-Assad allies as they consolidate control over the most strategic parts of the province.

Although the Pentagon, SDF, Russia and Syria have agreed a line of "physical separation" between their parallel offensives, rising tensions have raised the specter of open clashes.

"Coalition officials are available and the deconfliction line with Russia is open 24 hours per day," said coalition commander Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II in a statement Saturday.

"We put our full efforts into preventing unnecessary escalation among forces that share ISIS as our common enemy," said Funk, adding that the coalition and its partners retained a right to self defense.

The skies over Syria have become increasingly congested as the six-year conflict has dragged on, with warplanes from the coalition, the Syrian government and Russia all carrying out airstrikes.

Although direct clashes are rare, the U.S.-led coalition launched a series of strikes in early June against pro-Assad militiamen in southern Syria, after they advanced on an outpost housing American special forces, as well as a contingent of rebel fighters they supported.

On Friday, Ahmed Abu Khawla, a leading SDF commander, warned the Syrian army and allied militia against firing across the Euphrates as his fighters closed in - something he said had happened in recent days.

"We have notified the regime and Russia that we are coming to the Euphrates riverbank, and they can see our forces advancing," he told the Reuters news agency.

In an interview with Al Manar TV, a channel affiliated with the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, a prominent Assad adviser insisted Friday that pro-government forces reserved the right to attack.

"Whether it's the Syrian Democratic Forces, or Daesh or any illegitimate foreign force in the country . . . we will fight and work against them so our land is freed completely from any aggressor," she said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

---

The Washington Post's Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.
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Hundreds of spectators lined Guadalupe Street on Saturday morning, some waving miniature Mexican flags and others holding umbrellas against the bright sun, enjoying the parade that kicked off the Avenida Guadalupe Associations 36th annual Dieciseis celebration.

In previous years, the parade has taken a straight mile-long route, traveling east on Guadalupe toward its intersection with Brazos Street, but this time out, organizers decided to take the festivities into the surrounding neighborhood. Headed by a police motorcade, the parade featuring civic and cultural organizations such as Grupo Azteca Teokalli and Asociacion de Charros de San Antonio, started at the intersection of Guadalupe and Brazos and made a made a loop that took it past the homes of area residents.

Turning down Navidad and coming down San Fernando was a beautiful experience, said Gabriel Velasquez, executive director of the community development corporation, who marched in the parade carrying a Virgen de Guadalupe banner. People were out in their yards. (It was) interesting to see the charros come through that neighborhood.

Also known as Fiestas Patrias, Dieciseis  or, alternately, Diez y Seis  marks the day in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla launched the Mexican War of Independence from Spain with El Grito de Dolores.

Velasquez estimates about 3,000 people turned out for the parade, part of a daylong celebration with live music on two outdoor stages. This year Avenida Guadalupe partnered with Univision to put on the event. With popular acts such as Tejano bands Costumbre and Deszigual on the bill, a large turnout was expected.

Before the parade began, street vendors selling paletas and other snacks worked their way through the crowd. As motorcycle police began the procession, they were greeted by a smattering of applause and shouts of Thank you!

Melinda Trevino, 47, was among those who gathered to watch the parade. She was accompanied by her sons Michael, 17, and Aaron, 13.

When they were smaller, I used to bring them, so now, I want them to know more about their culture, their roots because we live way (out) in Bulverde, she said.

Cesar Hernandez brought his daughter Marysol to the parade for similar reasons. The 6-year-old was ready for the occasion, wearing a dress in the colors of the Mexican flag.

I try to teach her our traditions, said Hernandez, a Mexico native, speaking in Spanish, so she can feel proud of Mexico.

In spite of continuing debate about building a border wall between the United States and Mexico and the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, there was little in the way of overt political displays at the event.

Esmereldo Pruneda, a member of the Carnalismo Brown Berets of San Antonio, said the event was more a celebration of our heritage than a political statement, but, he said, with recent events such as those in Charlottesville, Virginia, it is important to be out and show que aqui estamos y no nos vamos  were here and were not leaving.

Artist Ernesto Olivo was one of the participants. Wearing a sparkling gold pony costume, he carried the rainbow flag as part of Orgullo de San Antonio, an LGBTQ group within the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The event was great, always lots of positivity  family, youth, very multigenerational, which is awesome, he said. Being from Mexico, its always very nostalgic to me, so I get super sentimental just seeing the people waving and the kids.
Business

JAB Holding, owner of Bally, Belstaff and Jimmy Choo, has been divesting its luxury fashion businesses to concentrate on its food & beverage portfolio.

Sep 16, 2017 | By Jonathan Ho

According to Bloomberg, China fashion brand Septwolves and conglomerate Fosun are among the few companies putting in bids to acquire Swiss luxury leather crafter Bally International AG. Reimann family owned JAB Holding Co. was entertaining non-binding bids and offers for Bally when partners of the private equity firm looked to focus its business interests in the food & beverage sector by divesting non-related companies. JAB Holding, owner of Bally, Belstaff and Jimmy Choo, has been divesting its fashion businesses, agreeing to sell London shoemaker Jimmy Choo to Michael Kors Holdings for US$1.2 billion. Meanwhile, Swiss leather brand Bally is valued at US$717 million.

China fashion brand Septwolves and conglomerate Fosun Looking to Acquire Bally

Among the bidders including Chinese apparel Fujian Septwolves Industry Co and Fosun International Ltd., is Japanese trading firm Itochu Corp, the second-largest Japanese sogo shosha after Mitsubishi Corporation.

Founded in 1851, the Schonenwerd, Swiss-based Bally was a luxury leather goods maker which eventually expanded into apparel. In the companys recent history, TPG originally bought the label in 2001 when the brands losses after Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was CHF 100 million.

In 2002, newly appointed Bally CEO Marco Franchini was tasked with turning the brand around. After serious restructuring and sales network consolidation. the company finally broke even in 2004. By 2007, under the auspices of Creative Director Brian Atwood, Bally posted an EBITDA in double digits on the CHF 400m in revenues (privately owned firms do not have to declare earnings). JAB Holdings Labelux acquired Bally in 2008.

According to JAB, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Citigroup handled the sale of Jimmy Choo and it is expected these banks will handle the Bally bid should a deal be reached.

A primer on Ballys potential buyers

Founded in 1992, Fosun International Limited is a Chinese international conglomerate headquartered in Shanghai and incorporated in Hong Kong in 2004. Fosun started its business by doing market research, eventually extending its business into the healthcare industry, real estate and then in 2010, the conglomerate spent billions buying foreign firms in the healthcare, tourism, fashion, and banking industries in the US and Europe including Club Med, Cirque du Soleil, Italian suit maker Raffaele Caruso SpA and Greek jewellery brand, Folli Follie.

Founded in 1990, the Xinjiang founded, Xiamen based is an apparel designer and maker. Septwolves Industry holds menswear Ralph Lauren-esque brands like Wolf Totem. As of August 2017, Septwolves owned a majority stake for the licensee of Karl Lagerfeld China. Septwolves is among Chinas top Fortune 100 companies.

Itochu Corp is the second-largest Japanese sogo shosha (general trading company) after Mitsubishi Corporation. It has six major operational divisions specializing in textiles, minerals, food, machinery, petrochemicals, general products and real estate. In the 1990s Itochu made several investments in the media industry, including a minority stake in Time Warner. Today, the Japanese trading house owns 34% of English brand Paul Smith.
MARTINSVILLE  A Martinsville General District Court judge on Friday denied bond for a man accused of eluding police in a high speed chase, allegedly reaching speeds of more than 100 mph in an urban area.

Judge Marcus Brinks said defendant Steven Arnell Hairston has a bad criminal record, called him a danger to the community and said the prosecution has a strong case.

On Sept. 3, Officer S.L. Rogers of the Martinsville Police Department got behind a blue Cadillac on Market Street in Martinsville. The Cadillac made an improper lane change and stopped in the roadway during a green light. Rogers activated his vehicles emergency lights and tried to pull over the Cadillac on Fayette Street, but the vehicle turned down High Street and began to accelerate.

During the pursuit, the Cadillac ran a red light, turning onto Liberty Street from Commonwealth Boulevard, while hitting speeds of more than 100 mph. The Cadillac then turned onto Clearview Drive and at this point, the vehicle was in the wrong lane, at this point still exceeding 70 mph at times. While traveling in the wrong lane, the driver lost control of the Cadillac and the vehicle went down an embankment, Rogers said.

Martinsville resident Steven Arnell Hairston was identified as the driver. During Friday's bond hearing, Hairston's wife requested her 46-year-old husband be released on bond, saying she needs him home for financial reasons and would try to make sure he complies with any bond conditions set by the court.

Hairstons lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Christina Slate, said Hairstons employer was willing to hold his job for him if he gets out on bond. Otherwise, he will lose his job.

Martinsville Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Andy Hall opposed Hairston being granted bond. Hall described the circumstances of the incident in which Hairston is charged as scary. Hall also said Hairston has multiple felony convictions.

A look at court records shows that Hairston in 1991 was found guilty in Martinsville of forgery and uttering/writing a forged check. For that, he served one year in prison. In Henry County, he pleaded guilty in 2000 to grand larceny, statutory burglary, forgery and forged writing. In 2001, he was found guilty of grand larceny and statutory burglary a second time, also in Henry County. For that, he received a five year sentence. In 2008, he was found guilty of statutory burglary a third time in Henry County, sentenced to six years in prison, with three years and 10 months of that time suspended. Also in 2008, he was found guilty of a separate grand larceny charge, but all five years of that sentence was suspended and he was given three years of probation instead.

MARTINSVILLE GENERAL DISTRICT COURT

Also Friday in Martinsville General District Court, Judge Brinks set a $20,000 secured bond with certain conditions for Richard Lee Hannon Jr., 27, of Martinsville, on a charge of unlawful wounding.

Hannons mother testified in support of his being released on bond. She said she has health issues and that he is in effect her caretaker.

The alleged victim also testified, saying he did not oppose Hannon being granted bond and calling Hannon a good guy. The alleged victim told the judge that sometimes, things get blown out of proportion and that he's not afraid of Hannon.

Martinsville Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Alberto Herrero opposed bond being granted, expressing concern that Hannon might not appear in court based on his past record.

Judge Brinks granted $20,000 secured bond on a number of conditions. Brinks ordered Hannon not to leave Virginia, to have no contact with the alleged victim, not to possess or use firearms, not to use alcohol or illegal drugs, to live with his mother, to abide by a curfew, and to be at home unless he is at work or traveling to or from work.

An arrest warrant and criminal complaint by Officer L.C. Jones of the Martinsville Police Department alleged that on Sept. 4 Jones responded to a home in the 100 block of Gravely Street in reference to an assault. When Jones arrived, the alleged victim had a visible laceration to his right eye, a visible laceration to his left cheek and a small cut to his left elbow. The alleged victim said the incident occurred at Neighborhood Market at 707 North Memorial Boulevard. Through store video footage, Hannon was identified as the person who allegedly attacked the alleged victim.
Each year, one in seven large corporations commits fraud. Why? To find out, Alexander Wagner takes us inside the economics, ethics and psychology of doing the right thing. Join him for an introspective journey down the slippery slopes of deception as he helps us understand why people behave the way they do.

Watch now http://ted.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=07487d1456302a286cf9c4ccc&id=aa45d426d6&e=d3135666a2
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced on Friday that Glacier National Park has begun stabilization work at the Sperry Chalet dormitory building to prepare for winter.

On August 31, the building burned http://www.krtv.com/story/36267385/main-building-at-glacier-national-parks-sperry-chalet-destroyed-by-fire when the Sprague Fire significantly expanded and surrounded the Sperry complex.

The chalet was erected in 1913 by railroad magnate James Hill, as he and his son looked at ways to spur westward tourist travel on their Great Northern Railway. The chalet opened in 1914, its rock and wood construction weathering decades of the elements.

"The Glacier Conservancy was able to get an engineering crew up there with our staff practically the day after we asked for help. With winter approaching, we could never have moved fast enough without the support of our private philanthropic partner to get this critical work done."

Donations to the Glacier National Park Conservancy https://glacier.org/ have funded the work of the engineering firm and will fund initial stabilization materials and needed labor this fall.

By David Sherman  MTN News

http://www.kpax.com/story/36379292/work-begins-to-restore-sperry-chalet-building-damaged-by-fire
The summer months have been dreadful for our nation and our world. Fires in Montana have burned over 1 million acres. Unhealthy air has been the order of the day for weeks now. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma wreaked devastation on parts of Texas and Florida. Farther from home, in monsoon rains brought floods to India, killing hundreds. Mexico was struck by a massive earthquake and then by Hurricane Katia. So much has been lost. Lives, homes, possessions, animals, wildlife. Hurricane recovery has been talked about not in terms of weeks and months, but years.

The devastation has been overwhelming. Distressing. Even demoralizing. How does one even begin to put the pieces back together again, when they have been shattered so thoroughly?

While so much has been destroyed, the fires and hurricanes and earthquakes have not destroyed the human heart (images of looting notwithstanding) and the human capacity for resilience. We're wired for resilience and for healing, for recovery and for restoration. We've already seen it. Boat brigades providing rescue. Neighbors helping neighbors, and strangers helping strangers. We've heard stories of hope and stories release from seemingly impossible circumstances. Miracles, really.

I was reminded of the youth group from the church I served in Wyoming going to New Orleans to work with one of the recovery agencies a couple of years after Hurricane Katrina. They were transformed. They moved so quickly from blessing by comparison. They did not say for long that "We are blessed because we have so much and the hurricane didn't hit us." They saw the beauty in a life of simplicity. They saw the richness in not only doing, but being. They learned stewardship from watching the people of New Orleans care for their community. They discovered richness in a rhythm of work and rest. They discovered and devoured delicious Cajun food and gulf shrimp. Spending days unplugged and offline, they discovered that their ears would hear and eyes would see in new ways. Through stories of faith and deliverance, they learned that God is present and working in mysterious and profound ways. They moved quickly to seeing and believing, "The people, this place, are so blessed, because God is here."

"Surely God is in this place and I did not know it." Jacob, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham - son of God - uttered these words after having a dream and receiving a promise from God. Jacob was on a journey both physical and spiritual, and stopped for the night." With only a rock pillow and hard ground mattress, he fell asleep and dreamed and saw a ladder stretching from heaven to earth, with God's angels ascending and descending. God stood above that ladder and gave Jacob a promise of land, offspring, and blessing. God granted Jacob assurance - assurance that God would be with Jacob and would keep him where ever he would go. And finally, God promised that "I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

It was not the first time that God had made that promise. It would not be the last. God would direct the prophet Isaiah to say to the people, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you fear not, for I am with you." (Isaiah 43:1-2, 5)

When Jacob awoke from his dream, he said, "Surely the LORD is in this place and I did not know it."

When we experience dreadful losses, or have scarce resources for even day to day life; when employment is a hope but not a reality, when it's days before the doctor's office will call with test results, when our spirit is anxious and our heart is worried and our mind cannot turn itself off in the wee hours of the morning as we lie awake looking at those same stars that Jacob looked at, the promise seems faint, and God seems distant if present at all.

Yet, as the youth discovered, and as surely will be experienced in Texas, Florida, Mexico, India, and throughout the world in the days and weeks to come; as we discover in the deserts and broken places in our lives, God is found in unexpected places and is present even in the unlikeliest of moments. In our places of desolation, times of desperation, and moments of hopelessness, God's promise remains steadfast and true. God is with us and will keep us wherever we go and wherever we are. God will not leave us.

During their time in New Orleans, one of the families they assisted promised the youth a meal on their last day. They had fresh gulf shrimp and they wanted to share of their bounty to show their gratitude.

On their last day in New Orleans, the youth enjoyed a traditional shrimp boil. In a place that had been devastated and yet had showed resilience and healing and had survived, they watched a meal being prepared, a table being set, and the food being blessed. These were all familiar acts, and the youth did not miss the similarities. They were transported to another time and to another table, where a holy meal, a Last Supper, was offered and shared in what would be the greatest act of love. That day, in New Orleans, in a place wrecked by natural disaster, poverty and scarcity, they shared in fellowship and stood on the promises. "Behold, I am with you and I will keep you wherever you go."

"Fear not, for I am with you." God declares and promises this, over and over again and for as many times as we need to be reminded. Thanks be to God.

Kim Pepper is chaplain at St. Peter's Hospital and St. Peter's Hospice.
On Sunday, Sept. 24, people of various races, backgrounds and economic situations from throughout McDowell County will gather together in the spirit of unity, cooperation, concern and bringing hope into the need.

The McDowell Community Unity service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 in the auditorium of East Middle School. It is a follow up to last years Unity service, which was held in October at the First Baptist Church of Marion.

This special event held last year at First Baptist was designed to be an afternoon of prayer and worship celebrating the opportunity and calling we share to be united together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Leaders from the city of Marion, local ministers, law enforcement and the school system and numerous other local residents took part in this event, which drew a standing room only crowd to the large and historic church building. The spirit of fellowship and unity that came out of this event inspired the organizers to follow up on the good will that was generated.

This is an opportunity as a community to show our respect and our compassion for each other so we dont fall into the pit other communities have fallen into when they focus on what divides us rather than what unites us, said Marion Mayor Steve Little.

This years special service was broadened to include all of McDowell County. To accommodate the bigger crowd, it will be held at East Middles large auditorium, which seats more than 750.

Some of the participants lined up for this service are Little, Mayor Pro Tem Billy Martin, Social Services Director Lisa Sprouse and Police Chief Allen Lawrence. Like last year, students from McDowell High will read the Old Testament and New Testament lessons in both English and Spanish. One of the guest speakers will be EMS Director William Kehler. Either Sheriff Dudley Greene or Chief Deputy Ricky Buchanan will represent the McDowell Sheriffs Office.

The Rev. Walter Pegues of Addies Chapel United Methodist will give a prayer for unity in action. The Rev. Danny Hampton of Freedom Life Ministries will deliver the sermon and Pastor Bob Ritter of Nebo Crossing will give a prayer to dedicate the offering.

The offering will be collected to benefit two local agencies that help those in need: McDowell Mission Ministries and Freedom Life Ministries.

Following the service, a community resource fair will be available in the cafeteria. There, you will find information booths representing various churches, McDowell Mission, the East Marion and West Marion community forums, DARE, the Sheriffs Office, CareNet Counseling, Vaya Health and the McDowell Health Coalition.

The service and the resource fair will also specifically focus on the problem of addiction and opioid abuse here in McDowell.

Greene said this is an issue that cuts across race, gender and other demographics.

There will be room for 50 tables at the resource fair. Several of them are already committed to agencies that specialize in addition recovery and other types of social services. Organizers are offering the uncommitted spots first to the churches involved with the planning team and then to any other churches in McDowell that would like to participate.

Over the past year, a special committee has met to discuss and plan for the next Unity service and what it should accomplish. The committee has also been organized into a non-profit corporation called McDowell Unity Inc.

The stated purpose is:

 To promote a spirit of unity, concern and cooperation among the diverse people living and working in McDowell County, North Carolina.

 To advocate for the needs of people of all races, genders and ages in McDowell County, North Carolina, but especially for those unable to be their own advocate.

 To provide education and increased awareness of the existence of resources in the McDowell County community to help people struggling with a wide variety of issues, including without limitation family stress and abuse, addictive substances, mental and emotional stress and challenges, and other issues that negatively influence their daily lives.

The organizers said it is important for people who are suffering from substance abuse to know these churches and organizations stand ready to help them with their recovery.

So many people who are in addiction think they wont be welcome at these churches, said Sabra Rock, executive director of McDowell Mission Ministries.

The planners of last years special service said it came out of conversations here in McDowell by local leaders about what was going on across the nation. These conversations focused on the divisions that exist between various segments of society and the distrust and suspicion many African-Americans and Hispanics have regarding their law enforcement. It came about after other cities across the nation experienced protests and demonstrations about the issues of systemic racism and violence against minorities at the hands of law officers. There were also cases of violence directed towards law enforcement.

But instead of waiting for something to happen and then react to it, the planners of last years Unity service thought something proactive should be done now here in Marion.

Now, they are taking the same approach to the issues now confronting McDowell County.

We are actively engaged and reaching out to the hurting people in our community, said Hampton.

For more information, call Jan Ramsey, one of the organizers, at 659-2248. If your church or organization wishes to be part of the community resource fair, call the Rev. Danny Hampton at 559-2224 no later than Monday, Sept. 18.
The state quadrupled its solar energy production over the past year, according to an announcement by Lt. Gov Mike Cooney on Friday.

Montana was producing 6.6 megawatts of installed capacity a year ago. The governors office released an energy plan, Montana Energy Future, with a goal to double solar capacity by 2025. Now the state has an installed capacity of 26 megawatts.

Its an incredible honor to announce Montana has not only doubled our solar production much earlier than expected, weve quadrupled it in a single year, he said.

Cooney said the state hopes to continue increasing solar production, which creates jobs and promotes energy independence.

Done right, we can drive economic growth while sparking new clean technology, he said.

There are 373,807 solar jobs as of 2016 in the United States. The solar industry employs more people than coal, natural gas, wind or nuclear sources.

The announcement was made at the Lewis and Clark Library in Helena, which installed a 50kW rooftop solar array earlier this year.

John Finn, library director, said adding the solar array, which was accomplished with funds from a host of donors, is about providing an opportunity for the community to learn about solar energy. The panels are visible and attract attention on purpose, he said. The cost savings are an added benefit and have saved the library $3,000 since April. Finn said the library is in the process of planning small solar projects at the librarys branches in Lincoln and Augusta.

The Montana Renewable Energy Association presented the Bullock administration with a clean energy leadership award.

I know growth of an industry takes vision, Henry Dykema, president of MREA, said of the administrations work on promoting solar.

The announcement was ahead of the 7th annual Montana Clean Energy Fair, which starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in Pioneer Park. In addition to a 5k Sun Run, exhibits by clean energy businesses in the state will provide people with an opportunity to learn more about solar. There will be workshops on solar and wind, an electric car show and activities for kids. Admission to the fair is free.
Sometimes a great notion takes on a life of its own.

Such is the case of Maple & Lead, a new book that holds its coming-out party at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Holter Museum of Art.

Festivities include meeting the book and its creators, Aaron Parrett and Seth Roby, as well as enjoying live music by Steve Laster and John Dendy while you sip beer or wine.

The vision to create this letterpress book was so vast it required Aaron Parrett and his Territorial Press to move into a new building this past year, so it could hold a larger printing press than his previous shop on Rodney Street.

Maple & Lead merges bookmaking and art.

The book made by letterpress uses relief printing, which presses the lettering and illustrations into each page.

It is both beautiful to look at and immediately engaging as you turn the pages and read the words.

All were written by Parrett.

These are all short stories I wrote over the past 15 years that were published in a variety of publications, he said.

The illustrations are striking woodblock prints by Helena artist Seth Roby.

Printing was limited to 100 copies.

The book prices range from $100 to $300 depending on whether its an artists proof, a handbound hardcover copy or a professionally bound one.

Parrett sent the stories to Roby, who took his own artistic liberties in creating the woodblock prints to illustrate the book.

I wanted them to have my own personality, Roby said.

In the day of the e-Book, Parrett and Roby are decidedly veering off into a different place and time -- one where making a book engages the whole mind and body, from creating the polymer plate, to running the pages multiple times through the press to add different ink colors and yet another time to add a woodcut print to a page.

And then theres also folding the printed pages, punching holes into the paper and then sewing the binding.

This is not a commercial enterprise, said Parrett. Its an art.

He also admits, Its an obsession that makes no sense.

He estimates hes lucky if hell make 25 cents per hour once the books are sold.

No doubt thats why he calls the Territorial Press largely a philosophical enterprise.

Letterpress was actually the way people printed until 1975, when everything went to offset, said Parrett. Then letterpress became obsolete.

In the past 15 years theres been a resurgence of letterpress in the art market.

He admits its a ridiculously expensive way to make a book. Its book as art object.

Parrett just returned from the Codex Book Fair, where letterpress books were selling for $5,000 to $6,000 to up to $25,000.

Being pragmatic and grounded in Helenas financial reality, Parrett and Roby are also offering a paperback version of their book for $20.

Maple & Lead, which was produced on Parretts newer Vandercook Press, is actually much less labor intensive than Parretts other printing jobs -- 95 percent of which are done with handset wood and metal type on his C&P platen press.

This was the type of printing Parrett was doing in his hole-in-the-wall shop on Rodney Street, where he was interviewed by the Independent Record in January of 2016, and continues to do for a number of small jobs.

Hand-setting type was just totally impractical for printing a book of 70,000 words, he said.

Besides collaborating on books, Roby and Parrett also lead other lives.

Roby is an artist and teaches art as an adjunct faculty member at Carroll College and Helena College.

Parrett teaches English at the University of Providence, formerly the University of Great Falls. Hes written short stories and nonfiction books and is a musician in the band, Balled in Burlap.

Copies of the paperback book are also available at Montana Book & Toy Company, where they will hold a book signing this fall.

Maple & Lead is more than an arts book -- its an embodiment of community. It and the new Territorial Press print shop hidden away in a back alley off Front Street would never have happened without community support, say Roby and Parrett.

To reach them about printing or book ideas visit the Territorial Press website at https://www.territorialpress.com/.
September 15, 2017

Request for Quotations

Dear Offerors:

International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc., IBTCI, is pleased to issue this competitive Request for Quotations (RFQ) to procure a simultaneous translation services from French to English and English to French. fora three (03) days meeting to be held in Bukavu for the DRC MECC project during the period of performance as follows:

Background

This workshop will be the culminating event for Year One of the Refine and Implement phase. Participants from the US offices of FFP, the USAID Mission offices in Kinshasa and Bukavu, and field-based Implementing Partners will come together to discuss how learning from completed assessments, baseline data results, stakeholder consultations, and other key findings will be used to evaluate, validate, and refine their Theory of Change and implementation approaches.

The event is styled as a series of working sessions, whereby all attendees are required to participate and contribute quality input, information, and expertise. The working language of the event is French - written, spoken, read. While most participants are bi-lingual, a small number from USAID FFP/HQ are not. In order to ensure full engagement, individual participants will not be designated as interpreters for their colleagues during the different sessions. The interpreter will perform a critical communication and support service.

Location: Bukavu/DRC

Specifications: Simultaneous translation for three days Meeting for 60 people from October 23-25, 2017

Provide the necessary equipment for simultaneous translation including headphones for 60 people.

Provide verbal interpretation services from French to English and English to French. This may include simultaneous interpretation (working in pairs), consecutive (requiring personal note taking), and/or whispered interpretation.

Make available for the duration of the meeting 4 (four) experienced translators from French to English and English to French.

TERMS OF REFERENCE: Interpreter

Tasks:

Participate in pre-workshop orientation meeting.

Verbally translate the proceedings, questions, answers, and key points during workshop sessions, primarily plenary events (French to English, and English to French).

Keep notes while interpreting for accuracy and memory recall.

Work in pairs to balance the interpretation sessions.

Provide consecutive/whispered interpretation (French to English, and English to French) in small group settings as necessary.

Participate in a short de-brief at the end of each day to review, enhance/correct the work from the day.

Assist in written translation (French to English, and English to French) corrections as needed.

Translate in an impartial way and must not try to impose his own opinions when translates which have been said.

Qualifications:

Minimum of a bachelors degree in in any subject (particularly languages)

Complete spoken, written, and reading fluency in English and French

Previous documented experience as an interpreter E/F and F/E.

Previous experience in simultaneous interpretation highly desirable.

Excellent concentration and the ability to think quickly are essential.

Ability to convert concepts in the source language to equivalent concepts in the target language

Ability to render spoken messages accurately, quickly, and clearly.

Well organized, punctual and reliable

Deliverables: Coherent delivery of spoken messages during workshop sessions.

Support materials:The Interpreter will receive a set of materials to orient and assist in organizing the generation of text, including:

Detailed Agenda in English and French

List of terms, acronyms, and program titles

Session outlines as available in original language

List of participants.

Supervision: The Interpreter will report to the TOPS Workshop Facilitator.

Please submit all items electronically at meccprocurement@gmail.com with copy to amatonge@ibtci.com by 5:00 PM close of business (Bukavu Time) Friday, September 29, 2017.

If you have any questions, please contact at +243 844-222-849 or send an email to meccprocurement@gmail.com

Offeror Submission

IBTCI requires all quotations to be submitted in writing using the attached price template, with a cover letter and a statement that the terms and conditions of the purchase order are accepted. The offer should include the following elements:

* Quotations to include the following:

Pricing details of services to be provided (unit and total prices).

This offer must be signed by an authorized company representative .

. Documentation that your company is a registered entity in DRC and authorized to do business

Offer validity: at least three (3) months from the RFQ due date

* Payment terms (payment due date), company contact details (address, telephone, email, name and title of contact person), as well as bank details in the name of the offerors business/organization.

Evaluation Criteria

Offers will be evaluated out of a possible total scoring of 100 points taking into account the criteria listed below:

Quotation satisfies the specifications outlined in this RFQ: 20 points

Ability to deliver conference simultaneous interpretation services and equipment as requested: 30 points

Price (using attachment 3-Price Template): 30 points

Payment terms: 20 points

Contract Mechanism

IBTCI anticipates issuing a total not-to-exceed Purchase Order in USD to the vendor whose proposal meets the above requirements. IBTCI may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities.

Disclaimers and IBTCI Protection Clauses

The following terms and conditions apply to this RFQ:

The vendor is responsible for all costs to prepare its quotation.

IBTCI will make the award based on best value technical and price quotation.

Incomplete quotations may be rejected at IBTCIs sole discretion.

Any exceptions or additions to the terms and conditions may result in a determination that your quotation is not compliant and will be rejected.

IBTCI may contact offerors to confirm contact person, address, quotation amount and that the quotation was submitted for this solicitation.

IBTCI is exempt from all taxes and VAT taxes, see attachment 4.

IBTCI reserves the right not to make an award.

Attachments:

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One of the main novelties of the battery of assessments chosen by researchers and led by Silvia Zaragoza lies in the fact that, in addition to being short, they consist of tests available to doctors and psychologists experts in mental health. Moreover, the tests are available in several languages, which makes it easier to use them with patients of different origins.Another advantage is that they are easy to administer, and therefore facilitates being used by health professionals in order to assess patients with schizophrenia."In schizophrenia, it is desirable for the patient to be as independent and function as best possible, although that does not always happen," explains Silvia Zaragoza. She goes on to say that "this test allows each patient to better adapt to his life. For example, if a patient is slower mentally, but short-term memory is not affected, he or she will have more chances of leading an independent life than someone whose memory is also affected."This battery of assessments represents a very important step towards offering patients specific examinations, which can be conducted through their regular mental health centers or private centers. After an initial examination, the clinics can also conduct a follow-up of patients and also confirm whether changes in medications worsen attention span or memory, a common complaint among patients at their routine visits.The study was published in the journal, printed by the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS), one of the most prestigious journals on schizophrenia worldwide, and is part of the doctoral thesis of researcher Silvia Zaragoza under the UAB's PhD program in Psychiatry. Zaragoza, expert in clinical research, led the study which also included the collaboration of researchers Julio Bobes and Maria Paz Garcia-Portilla, both professors of psychiatry at the University of Oviedo and members of CIBERSAM.The test will be developed and commercialized by Psyncro (Neuropsychological Research Organization sl), a company founded by Silvia Zaragoza. Her doctoral supervisor and advisor were CIBERSAM researchers from the UAB Department of Psychiatry Antoni Bulbena and Victor Perez, while professors from the University of Girona Joan Vilalta and Manuel de Gracia directed her academic work.Source: Eurekalert
SAN FRANCISCO  The runaway success of Pokemon Go last year taught the world at least two things. One: Lots of people love Pokemon. And two: Creating good augmented reality  the kind that superimposes 3-D objects into the real world and convinces people theyre actually chasing a Pikachu  is really, really hard.

Its not so hard that its impossible, said Jeff Kelley, an iOS developer at app design and development firm Detroit Labs. But its hard enough that youre probably not going to get a return on your investment.

Previously, if developers wanted to add augmented reality to an app, first theyd have to spend months building their own tools and performing a bunch of math to calculate how a 3-D object should look when light hits it from different angles, and how it interacts with real-world objects, Kelley said.

That high barrier to entry will all but disappear when iOS 11 launches Sept. 19 with AR Kit, a set of developer tools that takes out the hardest part of developing augmented reality experiences for the iPhone.

As a developer, you dont have to do all the hard math stuff to get it to work, Kelley said. The minimum time investment now goes way down.

That means there soon could be a surge in the number of apps that feature augmented reality experiences, exposing more people to a technology that was once considered the purview of hardcore geeks.

Despite the enormous popularity of Pokemon Go last year, only 31 percent of Americans know what augmented reality is, according to a survey conducted in July by Skrite, a startup that makes a social augmented reality app.

As with its more immersive cousin, virtual reality, tech companies have for years tried to bring augmented reality to the mainstream, with little success. Googles infamous Google Glass  a head-mounted display  was a flop that drew criticism over its conspicuous design and potential for privacy violations (the device could be used to record people).

Startups at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas year after year have hawked augmented reality screens that act as virtual dressing rooms, none of which have gained mass market adoption. And furniture stores and interior design firms have long offered tools to let people see what a sofa or coffee table might look like in their home, but these apps have been clunky or difficult to use.

Until Pokemon Go, most augmented reality experiences just werent very good, Kelley said. Even the most basic of experiences left much to be desired. Kelley recalls working on an app five years ago for wall decoration company Fathead, in which users could point a smartphone at a wall in their house and see how a Fathead wall sticker might look in their home. In order for it to work, though, users first had to print a PDF and stick it to their wall as a physical marker so that the app knew where to superimpose the virtual sticker.

With Apples AR Kit leveling the playing field, developers can spend less time worrying about the tech that powers augmented reality, and spend more time focusing on the experiences they want to create, Kelley said, which could ultimately lead to more experimentation and better products.

Some challenges still will lie ahead, though.

AR Kit can solve the tech component, but many augmented reality experiences require 3-D art. Even Snapchats dancing hot dog, silly as it may be, had to be drawn and rendered by someone.

The other challenge is that while the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X are optimized for augmented reality viewing, many phones  particularly cheaper options with lower-end cameras  arent. At a starting price of $699 for the iPhone 8 and $999 for the iPhone X, experiences made for those phones may exclude many potential users.

But itll be just a matter of time before the technology is readily available to everyone, developers said. Facebook already offers its own platform, AR Studio, for developers wanting to create augmented reality experiences for the social network, and dozens of third-party platforms such as Vuforia and EasyAR allow developers to create AR experiences across multiple platforms, including iOS and Android.
Retinoblastoma is the most common primary cancer of the eye occurring in childhood , with a frequency of 1:14,000 to 1:20,000 live births depending on the country, and accounts for 3% of all childhood cancers. It is more frequent in Africa and India. About 80 % of retinoblastoma cases are diagnosed before 3 years of age.

Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer of the eye occurring in children. It is a malignant tumor (cancerous growth ) of immature cells of the retina (the light sensitive layer at the back of the eye) .

Untreated retinoblastoma can be fatal; in developed countries, advances in treatment have resulted in a 95 to 99% survival rate.

Retinoblastoma occurs in 2 forms  a heritable and a non-heritable (sporadic) form. Heritable retinoblastoma indicates that the tendency to develop retinoblastoma is transmitted from parents to offspring, and accounts for 40% of the cases. The differences between the two forms are listed below:

Heritable retinoblastoma Sporadic retinoblastoma Percentage of total retinoblastoma cases 40 60 Laterality Bilateral in 85 % of cases Unilateral Average age at diagnosis 12-15 months 24 months Transmissible to offspring Yes No Predisposition to second nonocular cancers Yes No Multifocal tumors(multiple growths in different parts of the retina ) Yes No Family history of retinoblastoma Present in 10-20% of cases Absent Associated with increased paternal age Present in some cases Absent

Children with the heritable type of retinoblastoma are more at risk of developing cancer (second non-ocular cancers) in other organs of the body, the most common of which are osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer), soft tissue sarcomas and melanomas (tumors of pigmentary cells). These second cancers are more common in patients who have received radiotherapy for their retinoblastoma, and even more so when this radiation has been given before 12 months of age. These second primary malignancies are the most common cause of death following retinoblastoma in developed countries.

The development of most cases of retinoblastoma may be explained by Knudsons two hit hypothesis.

Every individual has 23 pairs of chromosomes, one chromosome of every pair obtained from each parent. Genes (containing codes to synthesize proteins and thus determining various characteristics of an individual) are situated on these chromosomes. The retinoblastoma gene (or RB1) is situated on the 14th band of the long arm of chromosome 13 (13q14). This is a tumor suppressor gene. This means that presence of this gene in its normal form protects against retinoblastoma.

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According to Knudsons two hit hypothesis, the DNA has to suffer two hits or two mutations for the cancer to occur.

In the heritable type of retinoblastoma, one mutation is inherited from the parent, and so all the cells in the body have this mutation (germline mutation). The second mutation occurs later after fertilization in the retinal cells, resulting in retinoblastoma (somatic mutation). In the sporadic variety, both mutations occur within a single retinal cell after fertilisation of the egg (both are somatic mutations).

Recently, another variety of retinoblastoma has been discovered, where the retinoblastoma gene was normal, but there was a high level of amplification of the MYCN gene only in the tumor cells. This does not result in heritable retinoblastoma, and these children do not have any of the characteristics of heritable retinoblastoma, including the risk of transmission to offspring.

Retinoblastoma may present in a variety of ways. However, the most common modes of presentation are -

Most common modes of presentation of retinoblastoma Leucocoria (white reflex in pupil or amaurotic cats eye reflex)

In 60% of cases The pupil that normally appears dark, now appears whitish in color due to the tumor or detached retina showing through the pupil Strabismus or squint

In 20% of cases Either an outward or inward deviation of the affected eye occurs Ocular inflammation

In 5% of cases The eye is red and whitish pus like material may be seen behind the cornea

Less common modes of presentation include blood in the anterior chamber (seen behind the cornea), cataract, increased pressure in the eye and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye. In neglected cases, spread outside the eyeball results in the eye being pushed forward (proptosis) and appearing very prominent.

Retinoblastoma most commonly spreads along the optic nerve and into the brain and skull bones. It spreads through the blood to the bone marrow. Other organs to which it can spread are bones of the arms and legs, spinal cord, lymph nodes and abdominal organs.

The diagnosis of retinoblastoma is mainly clinical. The classical presentation of leucocoria or whitish appearance of the pupil should be considered to be retinoblastoma unless proved otherwise. The pupil is dilated and a detailed fundus (examination of the retina) is carried out, to determine if the tumor is monofocal or multifocal. If multifocal, all the tumors should be documented. Since most children in this age group are not very cooperative, an examination under anesthesia is required in all patients for a thorough assessment of ocular disease prior to treatment.

Ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the eye and orbit) measures the tumor size and shows the presence of heterogeneity (variations in the tumor) and calcification (accumulation of calcium in tissues)

CT (computed tomography) scan of the eye may show calcification. However, CT scan is less preferred because it exposes the child to radiation.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the eye, orbit and head is the preferred mode of imaging to evaluate the tumor in the eye and to detect possible extension into the orbit and brain. MRI can also detect if there an associated tumor of the pineal gland; this condition is referred to as trilateral retinoblastoma. MRI also helps in differentiating other conditions that simulate retinoblastoma.

If extension into the optic nerve (the nerve at the back of the eye that transmits visual signals from the retina to the brain) is suspected, a lumbar puncture (placing a needle into the back and withdrawing cerebrospinal fluid which surrounds the spinal cord) may be done.

If there is evidence of extension outside the eye, bone scans and bone marrow testing to detect the spread are required.

Genetic studies to determine heritability and the type of genetic involvement are done to help in genetic counselling.

There are a number of conditions that simulate retinoblastoma as they also cause leucocoria or a whitish appearance of the pupil. Though all of these conditions (collectively referred to as pseudoglioma) should be kept in mind and the patient must be examined to rule out these conditions, leucocoria should be considered to be due to retinoblastoma unless proved otherwise, as this condition can be fatal.

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Conditions that simulate retinoblastoma Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous ( PHPV) Developmental disorder in which there is failure of regression of primary vitreous

Unilateral in 90% of cases

Associated with a small eye Retinopathy of prematurity Retinopathy affecting premature infants exposed to high oxygen concentration

Formation of new vessels in the immature retina with fibrous proliferation to form a mass behind the lens that gives appearance of leucocoria Congenital cataract Cataract present since birth gives whitish pupillary appearance

Coats Disease Massive leak of lipids (fats) resulting in retinal detachment



Unilateral in 90% of cases

More common in boys Cyclitic membrane Organisation of exudates behind the lens following inflammation of ciliary body. The ciliary body controls the shape of the lens and secretes aqueous humor, the fluid in the front part of the eye Fundus coloboma Very large fundus coloboma (absence of tissue) may cause whitish appearance of pupil. The fundus is the part of the eye opposite the pupil Toxocara Endophthalmitis Infestation by dog roundworm or cat roundworm

Severe vitreous inflammation causes the whitish appearance of pupil Norries Disease X-linked recessive disorder in males with bilateral mass formation behind the lens

The patient may have mental retardation and deafness Incontinentia Pigmenti X-linked dominant disorder in females

Retinal vascular disease and skin pigmentation may be present Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy Condition that prevents blood vessels from forming at the edges of the retina

The management of retinoblastoma involves a multidisciplinary approach and involves ophthalmologists, pediatric oncologists (doctors who specialise in cancer in children), pathologists, radiation oncologists (doctors who specialise in giving radiotherapy for cancers) and genetic counsellors. The primary focus of treatment in advanced disease is the preservation of life; however modern techniques have more precise goals like preservation of the eyeball and vision as far as possible.

The treatment of retinoblastoma involves strategically choosing among the various available modalities according to the individual case. This would depend on laterality, stage of the disease, age of the child and presence of spread at the time of diagnosis. In children who present with advanced disease contained in one eye with no visual potential in that eye, that eye is surgically removed , resulting in a 95- 99% cure rate. Where there is visual potential or in bilateral tumors, chemotherapy (treatment with anti-cancer drugs) is the treatment of choice. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with other modalities, especially in the concept of chemoreduction, wherein the size of the tumor is reduced with chemotherapy, thus rendering the tumor amenable to one of the local therapies.

The following table lists some of the important modalities of treating retinoblastoma.

Various treatment modalities for retinoblastoma Chemotherapy (use of anti-cancer drugs) Intravenous (injection into the veins of the arms) To reduce the size of the tumor which is beneficial for additional local adjunctive treatments including cryotherapy and laser

Useful in large and bilateral tumors

Number of cycles of treatment depends on the stage Intra-arterial (injection into the ophthalmic artery which supplies the main central artery of the retina) Useful in selected cases, and in vitreous seeds (free floating groups of tumor cells in the vitreous).

Useful as primary therapy

Reduces risk of systemic toxicity (toxicity to the remaining organs in the body)

Drugs used are melphalan, topotecan and carboplatin Periocular (injection into the tissue around the eyeball) To provide extra drug dose near the tumor in advanced cases Intravitreal Injection into the vitreous of melphalan (with or without topotecan) is useful in cases of vitreous seeding following treatment of retinoblastoma Laser Photocoagulation Laser application with argon or diode laser Useful in small tumors

May be used as an adjunct to chemotherapy

2-3 sessions at monthly intervals Cryotherapy Exposure of the tumor to very cold temperatures May be used in small primary or recurrent tumors Brachytherapy Placement of a radioactive implant (Iodine-125 or Ruthenium-106) on the sclera near the base of the tumor Useful in medium- sized peripheral tumors Enucleation Surgical removal of the tumor containing eyeball Performed in eyes with large tumors (that are contained within the eyeball) and where there is no visual potential Transpupillary thermotherapy (with or without the aid of indoycanine green) Application of heat through the pupil by infrared diode laser May be used in isolation for small tumors External beam radiotherapy Application of radiation to the eyeball region from outside Used along with chemotherapy for spread of the cancer outside the eye. Very rarely used nowadays because of the danger of complications, like inducing second primary malignancies, and local facial abnormalities

Retinoblastoma is fatal if untreated due to spread to the brain and various organs of the body. Since early diagnosis and treatment is optimal in industrialised countries, the prognosis for the eyes is very good. The latest techniques of intra-arterial chemotherapy (referred to as ophthalmic artery chemosurgery or OAC) and intravitreal injections have reduced the need for removal of the eyes, and for external beam irradiation. However, long term outcomes still depend on the development of secondary tumors, predominantly bone tumors. The risk of second tumors increases with radiation for the treatment of the original condition.

Adult survivors of retinoblastoma often have subnormal visual function.

Children with unilateral retinoblastoma without a germline mutation have a very small risk of developing a tumor in the other eye. A regular clinical eye examination and ultrasound examination is recommended.

With treated bilateral retinoblastoma, clinical examinations are conducted every 3-6 months up to the age of 7 years, then annually, and later every 2 years for life not only for new retinal tumors, but also for other second non-ocular tumors.

Patients with heritable retinoblastoma should preferably avoid radiotherapy, tobacco and exposure to sunlight (agents that damage DNA and thus predispose to cancers) to reduce the risk of second non-ocular tumors.

Individuals with retinomas (non-cancerous retinal tumors) should undergo clinical examination and imaging every 1-2 years to detect malignant (cancerous) change.

Genetic counselling forms an integral part of the management of a patient with retinoblastoma. The susceptibility to heritable retinoblastoma is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Unfortunately, genetic counselling is very complicated in retinoblastoma and depends on the type of retinoblastoma and genetic testing. The following table gives the risk of having children with retinoblastoma, and the risk for subsequent children if one child develops the disease.

Parent has - Risk of having a child with retinoblastoma If one child has retinoblastoma, risk for subsequent children getting retinoblastoma Bilateral retinoblastoma 45-50 % 45-50 % Unilateral retinoblastoma 7  15 % 45-50 % Unaffected < 1% 5% Unaffected , but a carrier 45-50 % 45-50 %

The above table is a simplified version, and actual risks should be determined after molecular genetic testing of the blood of at risk persons.

Retinoblastoma can only be prevented by proper genetic counselling, wherein parents do not go in for more children if there is a high risk for developing retinoblastoma.

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis may be made by testing the embryo after in-vitro fertilisation (test tube baby). If found to have the retinoblastoma gene mutation, then implantation may be deferred, thus preventing a pregnancy in which the child is at risk.

Prenatal genetic testing (during pregnancy) may be done by chorionic villus sampling (cells from placenta) before 12 weeks of pregnancy, or from amniotic fluid (after 12 weeks of pregnancy). If found to be positive for the mutant gene, then fetal ultrasound can be used for early detection of tumors, and an early delivery may be planned to start early treatment. However, non-continuation of pregnancy has certain medical and legal issues which need to be ascertained.
Indian music festivals have come of age and how. They certainly are at par with global concerts. Here is our list of 10 such music festivals in India that you must attend.

Ziro Festival of Music

Held at picturesque Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, this festival is a four-day celebration of the independent music scene in India.

Source: Ziro Festival - Shiv Ahuja

You can enjoy 40 acts by talented musicians on two stages.

Source: Ziro Festival - Shiv Ahuja

In a short span of time, the Ziro Festival has become one of the most prominent fixtures on the Indian music calendar.

Source: Ziro Festival - Shiv Ahuja

Listening to talented artistes like Sofia Ashraf, The Kathmandu Killers, Reggae Rajahs, Alaska Snack Time and Khasi Bloodz in a truly majestic setting is a unique experience you wouldn't want to miss.

When: 28th September to 1st October

Where: Biiri Village Ground, Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

Website: www.zirofestival.com

Magnetic Fields Festival

This is a magical musical carnival.

Source: Magnetic Fields - Rebecca Conway

You get to enjoy amazing international underground music in a typical Rajasthani setting with a traditional mahal as a venue.

Source: Magnetic Fields

Book a tent or a luxury suite and gear up to enjoy some heady performances by artistes like The Ska Vengers, Delhi Sultanate, Begum X, Ben UFO and Machinendrum this year.

When: 15th to 17th December

Where: Alsisar Mahal, Alsisar, Rajasthan

Website: magneticfields.in

NH7 Weekender

Organisers call NH7 Weekender the Happiest Music Festival' in India and rightly so.

Source: NH7 Weekender - Clique Photography

Having attended various editions of this annual gig carnival, one can safely say this is one weekend of crazy live performances and swooning music fans.

Source: NH7 Weekender- Clique Photography

This year's main editions are being held in Meghalaya and Pune and seven one day Express' editions in various cities.

Source: NH7 Weekender - Clique Photography

Watch established names in music and upcoming talents share the stage and belt out some heady beats.

When & Where: Meghalaya (27th to 28th October); Pune (8th to 10th December)

Website: https://insider.in/nh7-weekender

Hornbill Festival

Kisama village, situated 12 kilometers away from the capital city of Nagaland is the setting for one of longest music festivals in India and abroad.

Source: Facebook - Hornbill Festival

This 10-day carnival is a tribute to the vibrant culture of Nagaland.

While the real lure of this fest remain the amazing music performances by aspiring musicians and established names, the charm of experiencing the diversity of the state and enjoying their food is something very few festivals can provide.

Source: Facebook - Hornbill Festival

A rock competition featuring amazing new talent and performances being judged by big names in music is a real unique treat.

When: 1st to 10th December

Where: Kohima, Nagaland

Website: http://hornbillfestival.com/

Enchanted Valley Carnival

This multi genre gig will have you swooning to Arijit Singh and Farhan Akhtar, dancing to Badshah, swirling to Papon or simply grooving to house, techno, trance, drum and bass beats churned out by leading DJs.

Source: Facebook - EVC

Held in the charming Aamby Valley in Lonavala, this is one amazing carnival where all you do is camp and groove.

Source: Facebook - EVC

Enjoy a casual sport with fellow campers, take part in a drum circle, wile away your time at art and painting workshops or enjoy impromptu jam sessions.

When: 16th to 17th December 2017

Where: Aamby Valley City, Lonavala

Website: https://evc.co.in/

Storm Festival

The Storm festival is truly a one-of-a-kind, camping music festival. Artists from India and across the globe regale you with their peppy live performances.

Source: Facebook - Storm Festival

The real charm of Storm are late night jams with artistes, barbeques and campsite bonfires. The dates for the next edition are yet to be announced but we already have our bags packed for this one.

Source: Facebook - Storm Festival

When: TBA

Where: Napoklu, Coorg

Website: http://stormfestivalindia.com/

Sunburn

Sunburn is a cult music celebration.

Source: Facebook - Sunburn Festival

Thousands of music revelers swooning to edgy beats on a beach in Goa around New Year made it the party of the year.

Source: Facebook - Sunburn Festival

It was recently shifted to Pune but didn't lose any of its charm.

Source: Facebook - Sunburn Festival

The rumours are (and we are hoping they are true) that the fest is headed back to Goa.

Source: Facebook - Sunburn Festival

The festival has grown bigger and better each year and now hosts 100 talented artistes across multiple stages.

When: 29th December to 31st December 2017

Where: Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune

Website: http://perceptindia.in/sunburn.html

Vh1 Supersonic

Nikhil Chinapa has curated one of the most sought after and anticipated music events in our country.

Source: Facebook - VH1 Supersonic

In its fifth year, Supersonic is known to host some of the best music names from India and abroad and has seen headlining acts by the likes of The Chainsmokers, Paul Van Dyk, Above & Beyond, Dash Berlin, Pretty Lights and many more.

Source: Facebook - VH1 Supersonic

This is one of the most popular music festivals in India and you should definitely book tickets in advance as hordes of music buffs will be headed to Pune for their annual pilgrimage.

When: 9th to 11th February 2018

Where: Laxmi Lawns, Pune

Website: http://www.gosupersonic.in/index.php

Sula Festival

For two days, the vineyards of Nasik reverberate with groovy electronic music.

Source: Sula Festival

The Sula Fest is a lifestyle event that attracts hardcore music maniacs and leisure travelers alike.

Source: Sula Festival

It is one heady dose of fashion, leisure, music and of course, wine. Head there to just unwind and relax while sipping wine and listening to heady beats.

When: 3rd to 5th February 2018

Where: Sula Vineyards, Nasik, Maharashtra

Website: http://www.sulafest.net

Mahindra Blues

A niche festival that is the best treat a Blues fan can expect in India.

Source: Facebook - Mahindra Blues

Mahindra Blues has emerged as one of the best music festivals in country despite catering to a particular genre.

Source: Facebook - Mahindra Blues

The quality of music and the lineup of performers each year are at par, if not better than, any Blues festival across the globe.

Source: Facebook - Mahindra Blues

Mehboob Studios provide the perfect setting for this fest.



When: 10th to 11th February 2018



Where: Mehboob Studios, Mumbai



Website: http://www.mahindrablues.com
Recently, a gaggle of girls (and gays) gasped at Varun Dhawan's exposed Lux Cozy underwear strap, calling it blasphemous. It's damn ugly ya..., exclaimed a 20-something millennial who only identified herself as a former Varun Dhawan fangirl. I'm sorry to say this, but this photo made him lose his sex appeal!, messaged a gay friend whose love for Varun Dhawan goes way back to his butt-baring days from 'Student Of The Year'. So what went wrong for Varun in Budapest? Definitely not his muscle-mary abs, or his Aalim Hakim-approved hairstyle, or his aviators that are a homage to Tom Cruise.

Source: Filmybeat

Underwearthe good kindcan leave a long-lasting impression especially when you want to be naked in front of a certain admirer. And underwear straps (think the iconic Calvin Klein logo-ed strap) have been an item of external sexual fantasy for most women (and men). So, unless you are a bro that loves going commando, underwear is something that you should take seriously. It needs to be comfortable-yet-stylish, classic-yet-cool and most importantly not venture down the tacky route. Because it's 2017 and ain't nobody got time for that. Also, underwear for activities like gym, work, sleep, and sex should all lead different (and individual) lives and never interact with each other.

Source: Aussie Bum

In order to explore the sartorial nuances of the humble underwear, we asked 8 Indian men to take us through the journey of their underwear, and here's what they had to say.

1) "Honestly, I don't even know who washed my underwear. I just leave it in the laundry box and it comes back clean. Basically, you need to throw away your underwear when you can't wash off the cum stains anymore. Bonus: I wear my mesh undies when I know I'm about to get laid. Sexy, no?" - Tarun, 24

2) "I usually wash them immediately after I wear them. And, I don't have separate underwear for the gym. Alternatively, when I know I'm about to get laid, I bring out my best pair out to play. They are usually light-weight boxers that hug your package tight and make them look good. Otherwise, I prefer my underwear loose enough to feel like I've gone commando (laughs)" - Sumeet, 27

3) "I have a different underwear for every day of the week and it's usually a pair of compressions shorts. Also, when I'm about to get laid, I wear my lightest pair, 'cause it's just easier to take off!" - Aditya, 26

Source: Diesel

4) "I throw away my underwear once it becomes saggy/loose and the colour starts to fade away. And I wash it every day, obviously. I wear sexy underwear that basically means a fresh, new pair when there's sexy time involved!" - Manav, 28

5) "I wear the same undies for gym and life, and usually throw them away when it tears and doesn't up/gets ugly. When I know I'm about to get laid, I wear my CKs or my Kenneth Coles!" - Sahil, 26

Source: Calvin Klein

6) "I wash my underwear daily. Because, hygiene. I have separate underwear for regular use, gym, and play. I'm usually very particular about the underwear brands I wear. I'm a loyalist to NEXT, Diesel, and CK. But this doesn't mean I don't enjoy my Aussie Bums which are usually reserved for special datesof you know what I mean." - Rahul, 27

7) "Just don't wear your Star Wars undies when you think you are getting laid. Unless she's into the whole nerd game (laughs)" - Karan, 26
New Happy Meal apple juice

NEW YORK  The Happy Meal is getting a new apple juice in November.

McDonald's says it will swap out Minute Maid juice cartons for an organic one by Honest Kids. Both brands are made by the Coca-Cola Co., but the Honest Kids juice has half the calories and less sugar.

The move is the latest by the fast-food company to try to appeal to customer's changing tastes. It has removed, for example, artificial preservatives and other ingredients from its Chicken McNuggets. And over the years, McDonald's has added apple slices and yogurt to its kid's meal to try to please parents who are skittish about feeding their children fast food.

$750K for man burned by beer

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.  A man whose esophagus and stomach were severely burned when he drank a beer tainted by a caustic chemical at an Atlantic City casino restaurant has been awarded $750,000.

A jury on Friday awarded the man, Richard Washart, $650,000 for pain and suffering and $100,000 for emotional distress, said his attorney, Paul D'Amato.

Washart sued a McCormick & Schmick's restaurant at Harrah's casino, claiming he was served beer tainted by a caustic agent used to clean beer tap lines. Harrah's was not a defendant in his lawsuit.

Washart, a former Ocean City police lieutenant, said he took a gulp of the beer he had been served and immediately felt burning pain.

He ran to the bathroom, where he experienced the first of six rounds of projectile vomiting. He tried to drink water from a faucet but was unable to because of the pain in his mouth and throat.

A short time later, he began vomiting blood and went to a hospital. A doctor said he had never seen a patient survive with such severe burns to the esophagus and stomach.

Wads of cut-up cash in toilets

GENEVA  A Geneva official has confirmed a newspaper report that said wads of cut-up 500-euro notes (about $600 each) mysteriously turned up jammed into the toilets of three neighborhood restaurants and a bank in separate episodes in recent months.

Prosecutor's office spokesman Henri Della Casa confirmed Friday's report in the Tribune de Geneve, saying the shredded notes were once worth tens of thousands of euros in total.

Preliminary clues from an investigation suggested the bounty once belonged to unnamed "Spanish women who had placed the loot in a Geneva vault several years ago," the report said.
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP)  "One more thing." With that phrase, Apple paid homage to its late co-founder Steve Jobs for the 10-year anniversary of the iPhone on Tuesday when it unveiled its latest  and, at $999, its most expensive  new version of the device, the iPhone X.

CEO Tim Cook called it "the biggest leap forward" since the first iPhone. ("X" is pronounced like the number 10, not the letter X.) It loses the home button, which revolutionized smartphones when it launched; offers an edge-to-edge screen; and will use facial recognition to unlock the phone.

Apple also unveiled a new iPhone 8 and a larger 8 Plus with upgrades to cameras, displays and speakers.

Both iPhone 8 versions will allow wireless charging, a feature thought to be limited to the anniversary phone. Many Android phones, including Samsung's, already have this.

Highlights from the event:

STEVE JOBS HOMAGE

This is the first product event for Apple at its new spaceship-like headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The event opened in a darkened auditorium, with only the audience's phones gleaming like stars, along with a message that said "Welcome to Steve Jobs Theater." A voiceover from Jobs, Apple's co-founder who died in 2011, opened the event before CEO Tim Cook took stage.

"Not a day that goes by that we don't think about him," Cook said. "Memories especially come rushing back as we prepared for today and this event. It's taken some time but we can now reflect on him with joy instead of sadness."

NEW WATCH

Apple's latest Watch has built-in cellular service. The number on your phone will be the same as your iPhone. The Series 3 model will also have Apple Music available through cellular service.

"Now, you can go for a run with just your watch," said Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer and in charge of Watch development.

Apple is also adding more fitness features to the Watch, and says it is now the most used heartrate monitor in the world. Now, Apple Watch will notify users when it detects an elevated heart rate when they don't appear to be active. It'll also detect abnormal heart rhythms.

The Series 3 will start at $399. One without cellular goes for $329, down from $369 for the comparable model now. The original Series 1, without GPS, sells for $249, down from $269. The new watch comes out Sept. 22.

APPLE TV GETS UPGRADE

A new version of the Apple TV streaming device will be able to show video with sharper "4K" resolution and a color-improvement technology called high-dynamic range, or HDR.

Many rival devices already offer these features. But there's not a lot of video in 4K and HDR yet, nor are there many TVs that can display it. Apple TV doesn't have its own display and needs to be connected to a TV.

Apple said it's been working with movie studios to bring titles with 4K and HDR to its iTunes store. They will be sold at the same prices as high-definition video, which tends to be a few dollars more than standard-definition versions. Apple said it's working with Netflix and Amazon Prime to bring their 4K originals to Apple TV, too.

The new Apple TV device will cost $179 and ships on Sept. 22. A version without 4K will cost less.

IPHONE X DETAILS

Apple is releasing a super-premium iPhone with a super-premium price tag, starting at $999.

While Apple is continuing to update its existing, cheaper models, the new iPhone X  pronounced like the number 10  will have a screen with higher resolution and "OLED" technology for richer colors.

It will also lose a distinct home button to make more room for the 5.8-inch display, which is slightly more than the Plus model's 5.5 inches. The features are similar to what Samsung offers.

The new design will enable new ways to interact with the phone. Instead of pressing the button to get the home page, you swipe up instead.

Apple is also offering the ability to unlock the phone with facial recognition rather than a fingerprint or passcode. Though some Android phones offer this, Apple is adding sensors to improve performance and says it worked with mask designers during testing to improve security. An executive initially failed to unlock the phone this way in a demo Tuesday, though.

The new phone, which is coming Nov. 3, will also permit animated emojis that mirror your facial movements and promises two more hours of battery life than what's in the current iPhone 7.

Such an iPhone has been widely anticipated for the iPhone's 10th anniversary and comes just weeks after Samsung unveils its own super-premium phone, the $930-and-up Galaxy Note 8.

IPHONE 8

Apple is refreshing its lineup of iPhones with camera, display and speaker improvements.

The new phones promise to shoot pictures with better colors and less distortion, particularly in low-light settings. The display will adapt to ambient lighting, similar to a feature in some iPad Pro models. Speakers will be louder and offer deeper bass.

The new iPhone 8 will keep its predecessor's size  4.7 inches  but have a higher starting price of $699, up from $649. The 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus starts at $799, up from $769. The new phones come out Sept. 22

Apple is bucking its traditional naming convention by calling the new phones iPhone 8 rather than 7S. The S designation might have given consumers the impression that the new phones are mere incremental updates from the current iPhone 7.

The Plus version will continue to have two camera lenses and now has the ability to optimize lighting as you shoot.

Both versions will allow wireless charging, a feature thought to be limited to the anniversary phone. Many Android phones, including Samsung's, already have this.

FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

Apple watchers say the company's new Face ID technology could help revolutionize facial recognition and bring it to the mainstream.

Too often, people have been able to fool such technology by wearing masks or printing out photos of faces.

But Apple's iPhone X projects infrared dots on faces to create a 3-D facial model. That enables it to confirm a warm-blooded person is looking at the phone.

Artificial intelligence expert Amarjot Singh, a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, says Apple's new sensors, along with a neural-engine chip, takes the technology a step further by combining what researchers have been working on all in one place.

Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller says only 1 in a million people could unlock another person's phone with their face.

Shaun Moore, CEO of San Francisco-based facial recognition startup TrueFace.ai, says Apple's entry into the field will help bring awareness to facial recognition and help people view it as a viable solution to everyday problems.

AUGMENTED REALITY

Gartner analyst Brian Blau says the iPhone X's augmented reality features will change the way people use apps and give app developers new, "cool things" to do.

Apple on Tuesday showed off a simple use for this new, sophisticated camera technology with "animoji." Those let people animate emoji characters with their facial expressions.

Blau says this  showing off a new technology with something that everyday people can use and understand  is what Apple does best.

The analyst also praised for the extended battery life for the phone, saying that's not something that often comes with new smartphones.

The leaks and rumors leading up to Tuesday's showcase at Apple's Cupertino, California, headquarters meant there were few surprises at the event. But Blau says you could tell this was a special event for Apple, which honored is late co-founder Steve Jobs in the theater named after him.
VATICAN CITY  A high-ranking priest working in the Vatican's embassy in Washington has been recalled after U.S. prosecutors asked for him to be charged there and face trial in a child pornography investigation, Vatican and U.S. officials said Friday.

The diplomat was suspected of possessing, but not producing or disseminating, child pornography including images of prepubescent children, a U.S. source familiar with the case said. The source was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Vatican declined to identify the priest, but said he was currently in Vatican City and that Vatican prosecutors had launched their own probe and sought evidence from the U.S.

If the accusations pan out, the case would be a major embarrassment for the Vatican and Pope Francis, who has pledged "zero tolerance" for sexual abuse. The diplomat would be the second from the Vatican's diplomatic corps to face possible criminal charges for such crimes during Francis' papacy. And any trial in the Vatican would come as Francis' own financial czar, Cardinal George Pell, is on trial in his native Australia for alleged historic sex abuse cases.

The State Department said it had asked the Vatican to lift the official's diplomatic immunity on Aug. 21. It said that request was denied three days later. For the State Department to make such a request, its lawyers would have needed to be convinced that there was reasonable cause for criminal prosecution.

The circumstances that prompted prosecutors to make the request, however, weren't clear. The Justice Department, which would have brought any charges, didn't immediately comment, and the Vatican gave no details about what, if any, evidence had been provided to persuade it to recall the priest.

In a statement, the Vatican said the State Department had notified the Vatican on Aug. 21 of a "possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images" by one of its diplomats in Washington.

A U.S. official familiar with the case said the priest was a senior member of the Vatican embassy staff. The Vatican yearbook lists three counselors who work under the nuncio, or ambassador.

The Vatican said recalling the priest was consistent with diplomatic practice of sovereign states. In declining to identify him, the Vatican said the case was subject to confidentiality while still under investigation. It said the Vatican had asked for information about the case from the U.S; it wasn't clear if any had been provided.

The Vatican has recalled envoys before, including its then-ambassador to the Dominican Republic, who was recalled in 2013 after being accused of sexually abusing young boys on the Caribbean island.

The Vatican justified its decision to remove Monsignor Jozef Wesolowski from Dominican jurisdiction by submitting him first to a canonical court proceeding at the Vatican, and then putting him on trial in the Vatican's criminal court, which has jurisdiction over the Holy See's diplomatic corps.

Wesolowski was defrocked by the church court. But he died before the criminal trial got underway. Dominican prosecutors initially balked at the recall, and they never filed charges because of his immunity.

After he was defrocked, Wesolowski lost his diplomatic immunity and the Vatican said he could be tried by other courts. However, it refused to provide Dominican authorities with information about his whereabouts or how even he had pleaded to the charges.

The Vatican doesn't have extradition treaties.

The Vatican in 2013 specifically criminalized child porn possession, distribution and production in its criminal code. Possession carries a possible jail term of up to two years and a 10,000-euro fine. Distribution can be punished with a term of up to five years and a 50,000-euro fine, while the most serious offense of production can bring a 12-year term and 250,000-euro fine.

The head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said the case was serious and that he hoped the Vatican would be "forthcoming with more details."

"We reaffirm that when such allegations occur, an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation should begin in cooperation with law enforcement and immediate steps be taken to protect children," DiNardo said in a statement.

Francis has a spotty record on handling sex abuse cases. He won praise from advocates of survivors of abuse for having established a commission of experts to advise the church on keeping pedophiles out of the priesthood and protecting children. But the commission has floundered after losing the two members who themselves were survivors of abuse.

Francis' promotion of Pell to be his finance czar when allegations abounded in Australia about his past conduct, as well other appointments, in-house decisions and his scrapping of a proposed tribunal to prosecute negligent bishops also have raised questions.
CRYSTAL LAKE  Two years ago, Michelle Trujillo and her gravely ill 6-year-old daughter, Sophia, packed two suitcases and headed to the National Institutes of Health in Maryland for groundbreaking treatment they hoped would save the young girls life.

It was definitely one of the hardest things to up and leave your house and everything you know, Trujillo said. But we had to do it.

Last week, the mother and daughter returned to their Crystal Lake townhouse after a harrowing medical journey in which Sophia, now 8, defied the odds and became a tiny, tutu-wearing inspiration for doctors now studying her case.

No longer symptomatic of aplastic anemia  a rare blood disorder that impaired Sophias immunity and would have been terminal without a blood transplant  the third-grader returned to school Monday where she burst into tears of happiness as her best friends greeted her at the door.

Everybody is going to be thrilled, but were also going to try to make it a normal part of her day because she wants to get back to normal, said Julie Noonan, principal at St. Philip the Apostle School in Addison.

Her doctors and nurses at the NIH cheered her on in spirit.

To see a little girl like her, who had something that in most cases that wouldve led to a fatality  to see her doing this well is incredibly rewarding, said Dr. Richard Childs, assistant U.S. surgeon general and Sophias lead physician in Maryland.

Sophia Trujillo was featured in a 2015 Tribune story about the shortage of minority and multiracial bone marrow donors. Sophia is half Filipino, as well as Irish, Spanish and Italian.

After Sophias diagnosis, her mother coordinated donor drives across the country and put out passionate pleas on social media for mixed-race donors to be tested. But despite hundreds of people who stepped forward to be tested after the initial Tribune story, there was still no bone marrow match for Sophia.

The predicament highlighted a nationwide paradox that has troubled medical experts and families awaiting transplants for years: Despite growing diversity in the United States, there are not enough minority and multiracial donors registered and available for patients in need.

As time goes on, the mixes of races become even more prevalent and complicated as people from many races and ethnicities procreate.

Recognizing the dilemma, a team of doctors in 2009 began a clinical trial at the NIH that treated multiracial aplastic anemia patients with a procedure that created a match by combining the stem and umbilical cord cells of two different donors, Childs said.

By the time Sophia was accepted for the trial two years ago, 25 patients had been treated and 23 had survived  results that far exceeded the 70 percent survival rate doctors hypothesized when the research began.

Today, the clinical trial has an 84 percent survival rate after 30 patients received the transplants, Childs said.

But for the Trujillos, there were major setbacks before Sophia could return to good health.

Days before the process was to begin, Michelle Trujillos blood pressure rose to a level that forced the medical team to postpone her donation of stem cells for her daughters procedure.

Doctors monitored Trujillos vitals for two weeks until they considered her well enough for the donation. The mothers stem cells were then combined with cells from an unknown umbilical cord donation from Taiwan for a procedure known as a haplo/cord stem cell transplant.

A few days after the transplant was complete, Sophia contracted an extremely rare fungal infection in her eye and surrounding area that is fatal in more than 80 percent of cases, Childs said.

It was so unbelievably nerve-wracking, demoralizing and depressing to have this infection that we were very worried was going to take her life happen to the cutest little girl that youve ever seen  with an incredibly proactive mom who had done everything to get the best care, Childs said.

In an atypical medical move, Childs treated Sophias infection, called MUCOR, with granulocytes  or white blood cells  from her mother. The unconventional approach spared the young girl from a disfiguring surgery that is usually used to treat the infection.

Still, there was no guarantee Sophia would recover.

There were days you could tell on the entire medical teams faces, Trujillo said. You werent sure if she was going to make it to the next.

After Sophia spent 30 days in the intensive care unit, her doctors were pleased to see the infection disappearing and the transplant working. But they kept her near the hospital so they could monitor her closely.

Michelle Trujillo found a new job in Maryland, which allowed her to work by her daughters bedside when necessary. The mother and daughter settled into an apartment, made friends and even hired a nanny  a recovering cancer patient  from the NIH, Trujillo said.

In between regular blood-count checks and eight follow-up surgeries to ensure the infection was gone, Sophia attended classes with other patients at a school inside the NIH.

But she missed the friends, ballet classes and family she left behind in the Chicago area.

The difference was at NIH, my friends are all sick, and at home, my friends are all well, said Sophia, who was given the green light by doctors to return home last week.

During one of her final checkups, Sophia surprised Childs by waiting for him on the pediatric floor wearing a miniature assistant surgeon general dress blues uniform her grandmother had made for her.

She stood in a salute and reminded him that she wants to be a doctor when she grows up  to help patients with aplastic anemia, he said.

It was an emotional discovery for Childs, who expects Sophia to be off transplant medications within the next six months and to be free of the disease as she lives a normal life.

On Monday, Michelle Trujillo wept as she drove away from her daughters school, and for much of the day while Sophia was away. But the tears came from a mix of happy emotions, she said.

It was so great to see her embraced by everyone who has been praying so hard for her return, Trujillo said. I know that she is going to be amazing and go right back into normalcy. She can just be a child.
By far the most common surgeries performed on dogs in the United States are spay and neuter procedures  collectively called gonadectomies  that remove the reproductive organs to prevent unwanted pregnancies and pet overpopulation.

But while these surgeries are common, they are not without controversy. Misconceptions and concerns about these procedures abound. A big reason for the confusion is the overwhelming number of studies that have been done on gonadectomies. Intuitively, you might think that so much research on a subject would provide ultimate clarification, but instead the ocean of data has caused a lot of uncertainty.

Dr. G. Robert Weedon directs the shelter medicine program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, which performs more than 4,000 low-cost spay and neuter surgeries each year at rural shelters in east Central Illinois. He says that many research studies have been misinterpreted or over-interpreted, causing confusion among both veterinarians and owners.

That is why Weedon and three fellow shelter medicine researchers from the University of Minnesota, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Mississippi State University recently published a review article evaluating the relevant literature and drawing conclusions about gonadectomies, especially regarding the optimal age to perform this procedure.

Here is a sampling of the findings covered in Weedons article. Take care to note the incidence of each disease.

 Mammary neoplasia (cancer of the mammary glands) is seven times more likely in unspayed female dogs than in those that have been spayed; the incidence of this cancer ranges from 3.4 percent to 13 percent. Optimal spay age to avoid mammary neoplasia in female dogs is less than 2.5 years.

 Benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia (a non-cancerous, enlarged prostate) occurs in more than 50 percent of intact male dogs, with incidence increasing with age.

 4 out of 5 studies show an increase in prostate cancer in neutered dogs; however, this cancer arises in only 0.2 percent to 0.6 percent of the population.

 Testicular neoplasia, with an incidence of 0.9 percent, is only seen in intact male dogs.

 Pyometra (inflamed or infected uterus) occurs in roughly 25 percent of intact female dogs.

 Obesity is very common in spayed and neutered dogs, reported to be between 21.4 percent and 44.4 percent.

This list, which represents is only a fraction of the data Weedon and his co-authors address in their review, helps illuminate the complexity of the science regarding sterilizing pets. The ideal age for a spay or neuter is not clear-cut; veterinarians have to consider many factors when recommending timing for the procedure.

For example, waiting until a later age to spay or neuter a pet may increase the dogs risk of certain types of cancer. Choosing not to spay or neuter a dog leaves the animal at a relatively high risk of pyometra in female dogs and benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia in male dogs.

On the other hand, currently published data suggests that in some breeds, spayed and neutered pets have an increased risk of other types of cancer, as well as of obesity.

Your veterinarian is responsible for evaluating the relative risks and communicating those risks accurately to you. For example, you may hear of a study that indicates that that spaying your female dog increases her likelihood of acquiring bladder stones; your veterinarian should discuss this risk with you, and let you know that bladder stones are reported in only one in 100 dogs.

And the connection between the gonadectomy and the disease may be coincidental rather than causal. In the case of bladder stones, Weedon emphasizes, no clear cause-and-effect has been established between spays and an increased risk of bladder stones. Some veterinarians speculate that the increased rate may be due to the fact that owners who have had their dogs spayed are more observant and more willing to seek veterinary care and treatment for bladder stones.

Weedon recommends spaying or neutering pets in almost every scenario, although the ideal age can change depending on the breed and health of your dog, as well as the circumstances in which the dog lives. Your veterinarian has the knowledge to help interpret the large amount of contradictory data, and the training to make the best recommendation for the age at which to sterilize your pet.

To learn more about the risks and benefits of spay and neuter surgeries for your dog, contact your local veterinarian.
HURON COUNTY  By the time he was 6 months old, Ian Faist had spent most of his life in the hospital.

Ian was born Oct. 22, 2016, and the 11-month-old suffers from spina bifida and other health problems. He has experienced a lot of medical complications in his young life.

But his father, Aaron Faist of Sebewaing, says his long-term prognosis is good.

By the time hes 5, he will be like any other kid  getting him there is the challenge, Faist recently told the Tribune.

Ian is expected to have a tracheotomy for about two years and to be on a ventilator for nine months to one year.

Spina bifida means that a baby is born without its spine having properly fused.

Aaron and his wife, Marilee, found out via ultrasound a couple weeks before he was born that Ian would be born with spina bifida.

But that was not all.

About two weeks after he got out of the University of Michigan Childrens Hospital after surgery for spina bifida, doctors found that Ian suffered from hydrocephalus, or fluid on the brain.

It was causing pressure and pulling his brain down.

Doctors had to perform brain surgery to install a shunt.

For five more weeks, Ian was in the hospital until two days before Christmas.

The family was looking forward to Jan. 15: The day of Ians benefit sponsored by the Owendale Lions Club and the Owendale-Gagetown Parent-Teacher Organization.

Then, Aarons mother-in-law called Aaron to inform him that Ian had stopped breathing.

My wife had to actually perform CPR on him, Aaron recalled.

Ian was taken to Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. Then he was off again to the U of M hospital for another 80 days.

Ian was then diagnosed with central apnea, and was put on a ventilator for when he sleeps.

His brain forgets to tell his body to breath, his father explained.

Ian is expected to grow out of that by age 1 or 2.

Were never really truly out of woods until we get rid of the trach, Aaron said.

Aaron worries about the tracheotomy plugging up, as well as the shunt in Ians head.

Were so worried about (the shunt) not functioning  It can cause brain damage and even kill him if it's not caught in time.

Some of the stuff was worse case scenario for him and some of it was the best, Aaron said, noting that the point where Ians spine did not fuse is low on his back  which means he has full range of motion for his legs and hips.

Ian is home and receives physical and occupational therapy weekly, and is under constant monitoring.

He is taken care of with the help of family and private nurses.

A nurse comes in from 8 at night to 8 in the morning every day.

Because we live in a rural area, its hard to find people who want to do private nursing, Aaron said. It can be exhausting. Its one of those things where you just have to do it. You dont have any other options.

Hes doing really well, he added. Hes progressed nicely since he came home.

Because of the time he spent in the hospital, Ians development is delayed, but he has improved by leaps and bounds since he came home in April, Aaron said.

The only benefit of Ian experiencing so many health problems so young is that he wont remember it, Aaron said.

Although the family could not be at Ians benefit because he was sick, the Faists recently joined the Owendale Lions Club for its annual corn roast.

The benefit raised $16,000, which helped a great deal with the familys costs since Marilee had taken leave from her job as a teacher at Owendale-Gagetown Area School District. Until July, Aaron had only been working part time.

Marilee went back to work when school started this month, and Aaron began working full-time in July for the Bay Area Community Foundation.

Since the couple is working and they have health insurance, Aaron said that the family is not currently accepting donations.

The Faists spent a lot of time in the Ronald McDonald House while Ian was in the hospital.

Its a charity that they believe in and encourage donations there if anyone wants to support Ians plight.

Everything that was raised, was raised for Ian," said Fred Sullivan, a member of the Owendale Lions Club. "The money was not for his parents. Our rule is the money raised from the public, goes back to the public.

I call him my kid," Sullivan added. "The club calls him our adopted child. He is just special to us and (Ian) is doing fantastic.

Hes a very happy little boy now, Aaron said. He laughs. He smiles just like any other 10-month old kid would.

Aaron said the Sportsmans Club in Sebewaing also raised $3,500 for Ian.

Hes definitely started to develop his own personality, Aaron added. Hes got a little bit of a temper on him, but from what Im told, so do I.
DECATUR  A 40-year-old Decatur man found in the 1400 block of East Wood Street on Friday died of multiple gunshot wounds, Macon County Coroner Michael Day said Friday.

Day said in a news release that the man was shot in the chest and lower left leg. An autopsy was conducted at the McLean County Coroner's Morgue in Bloomington, Day said, and an inquest is pending.

The identity of the man will be revealed after his family has been notified, Day said. Day said the Decatur Police Department identified the man with help from the public after the coroner's office released his photo and description to media outlets.

Decatur police Lt. Brian Cleary said in a news release that patrol officers went to the address Friday on a report that a person was down in front of it. When they arrived, they found the dead man. No arrests have been made.

The investigation comes two days after police announced three arrests in connection with the Aug. 27 murder of Zachary Hubbartt, who they say was lured to an address in the 1200 block of East Condit Street on the pretense of buying cannabis and then shot to death.

In that case, Jason A. White and Ryan D. Waters face preliminary charges of first-degree murder, and Autumn D. Billings faces a preliminary charge of obstructing justice. All preliminary charges are subject to review by the Macon County State's Attorney's Office.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to contact police dispatch at (217) 424-2711, the Investigations Division at (217) 424-2734 or Crime Stoppers at (217) 423-TIPS.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the middle initial of Ryan D. Waters.
The day started out with a close-air support mission and ended with the first Navy air-to-air "kill" since 1991.

Three months after an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the carrier George H.W. Bush shot down a Syrian Su-22 Fitter near Raqqa, Syria, on June 18, the four Navy pilots who participated in the mission offered a blow-by-blow account during a special panel at the Tailhook 2017 Symposium, held Sept. 7-10.

In a recording first uncovered by The Drive on Thursday, the pilots describe an operating environment that had become more unpredictable and dynamic.

The George W. Bush, which had been launching daily airstrikes from the Persian Gulf, had moved into the Mediterranean in early June, just days before the mission.

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"Everyone's kind of heading to the same place that day, to Raqqa," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael "MOB" Tremel, a pilot with Strike Fighter Squadron 87, the "Golden Warriors," who would ultimately execute the shoot-down that day.

"At that point in time, the [area of responsibility] was pretty hot in that general vicinity and a lot of guys were dropping bombs," he said.

Walking to the jets, the mission of the day was close-air support, and that's what the pilots on board the Bush were prepared for.

But there was time en route for a cup of coffee -- both Tremel and his wingman, VFA-87 training officer Lt. Cmdr. Jeff "Jo Jo" Krueger, enjoyed some java at 22,000 feet inbound to Raqqa, Tremel said.

"Again, we briefed to CAS and that was going to be our mission that day, so we felt like it would be in our wheelhouse, what we were doing," he said. "But we also trained to all the air-to-air contingencies we might have and we talked about that."

Eventually, the aircraft arrive in the region and coordinated with two other Hornet pilots, all in a "stack" above the area of operation. All four were communicating about events playing out on the ground far below.

"We're hearing that the situation's getting more heated on the ground with some of the friendly forces getting closer to some of the Syrian forces so, based on that, we get Jo Jo and MOB on the radio," said Lt. Cmdr. William "Vieter" Vuillet, a pilot with another squadron attached to the Bush, VFA-37 "Raging Bulls."

As the pilots prepared to execute their CAS mission, someone spotted a Russian Flanker aircraft circling overhead, an occurrence the pilots said was not unusual in the region.

Throughout the deployment, the pilots said, their interactions with Russian fighters were professional.

But as a cautionary measure, Tremel, who previously had some minor technical issues with his aircraft, volunteered to follow the aircraft and monitor its actions.

Picking Up the Syrian Aircraft

"I'll extend out in air-to-air master mode while these guys are in air-to-ground master mode to monitor the situation on the ground," Tremel said. "That's when I'll pick up an unknown aircraft approaching from the south."

Observers, including Air Force assets in the region, were sending conflicting information about the identity of the aircraft, but eventually a consensus emerged that it was a Syrian plane.

Tremel decided the best thing he could do is get a visual ID on the aircraft and its activities, so he decided to descend and get a better look.

Meanwhile, Krueger worked to streamline radio communications, shedding secondary tasks and focusing on keeping information flowing as the situation unfolded.

As Tremel neared the Syrian aircraft, he emphasized that he was ready to return to his primary job as soon as he could be sure it posed no danger to friendly forces.

"Our whole mission out there was to defeat ISIS, annihilate ISIS," he said. "So as quickly as we can get back to that mission, that was our goal that day ... At any point in time, if this had de-escalated, that would have been great. We would have gotten mission success and [gone] back to continue to drop bombs on ISIS."

But that was not to happen. The Hornets began putting out radio warning calls to persuade the SU-22 Fitter to turn around, but it kept approaching friendly ground forces.

Krueger then advised that the U.S. aircraft should execute "head-butts," close overhead passes on the Syrian aircraft with warning flares, Tremel said.

They ultimately did three such passes, with no effect on the Syrian plane.

Su-22 Releases Ordnance

"After that third one, he [proceeded] to execute a dive and release ordnance in proximity of friendly forces," Tremel said.

As the Syrian aircraft climbed after dropping ordnance, Tremel would respond, firing an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. For reasons he didn't explain, the sidewinder missed the Fitter.

"I lose the smoke trail and I have no idea what happened to the missile at that point in time," he said.

Losing little time, Tremel let another missile fly -- an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM. This time, it had the desired effect.

"The aircraft will pitch right and down and pilot will jump out and left in his ejection seat," he said.

Wanting to stay clear of the debris field, Tremel executed a quick turn to the left, he said, allowing the ejection seat to pass to the right of his canopy.

The pilots described the events in understated terms, but acknowledged adrenaline was high as they returned to operations.

Vieter, who descended to get a visual following the air-to-air engagement, said he and the pilot flying with him, Lt. Stephen "Scotty P" Gasecki, could not resist getting on a secure communication channel to tell the tanker crew what happened when they went to refuel.

Vieter and Gasecki opted to continue with their mission, while Tremel and Krueger soon decided to return to the ship.

'No Small Feat'

Krueger said it was "no small feat" for Tremel to take the initiative to arm his aircraft and fire ordnance at an armed aircraft for the first time in two-and-a-half decades.

"Looking at the wreckage down below us, It was a different feeling," Krueger said. "... We had to make some decisions pretty quickly, and I thought that the training and commander's guidance that we got at that point was a big deal."

Upon return to the ship, the fanfare was underwhelming; the sentiment was merely that "the show goes on," Tremel said.

He shook a few hands on the flight deck, then was ushered away, the ordnance remaining on his aircraft quickly reloaded onto other fighters that would launch within the hour.

He even completed his scheduled safety officer duties once back aboard the ship, he said.

As he addressed the Navy's annual convention of fighter pilots, though, the atmosphere was different.

"It's extremely surreal to be sitting here in this environment," Tremel said. "I couldn't have done it without the guy sitting next to me, Jo Jo, and the other guys that were airborne. It was an absolute team effort, to include all the coordination that went on with the Air Force the entire time we were in the AOR."

A marker with Tremel's name and aircraft will soon be added to the wall of Navy air-to-air kills at the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, better known as TOPGUN.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.

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The school year is well underway, but Decatur schools still face dozens of vacancies on the teaching roster. If that seems perilous, consider this: For districts across the state, such shortages are becoming a common frustration, one thats threatening to become more challenging in the years ahead.

For schools and the children being educated, the impact of such shortages is the risk of classrooms with more students or some programs not being offered, while available resources are spread thinner.

Karen Mercer, who teaches first grade at Oak Grove School in Decatur, came to the state from North Carolina with her husband when he was hired at Millikin University. Her qualifications would immediately jump off a resume to a school looking to hire a teacher. But in Illinois, the regulations are daunting.

"I have glowing recommendations. I have well above proficient ratings on all of my evaluations in the past. It's not like I'm a poor teacher," said Mercer, who nonetheless was forced to wait a year to get back in the classroom as she sought certification in Illinois.

Those who make a living in education say Mercers experience is a product of a worrisome trend building for at least the past decade: barriers created by the state of Illinois, fewer college students choosing to make education a career and downstate demographics  where pay tends to be lower and communities smaller  are making hiring tougher every year.

According to a survey conducted by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, 60 percent of districts in the state had difficulty filling all their teaching positions. Of those, 75 percent are seeing fewer qualified candidates, particularly in rural, central and northwest areas of the state. A significant number, 16 percent, had to cancel or suspend programs because of teacher shortages in special education, reading/English, math and science.

Decatur Education Association President Suzanne Kreps said changes over time have made teaching more challenging and less attractive as a career, and not just in Illinois.

"It's a nationwide issue," she said. "Low pay, respect of the profession, unfunded state mandates. Teachers spend so many hours entering data, assessing, planning and grading that it is overwhelming. It didn't used to be like this. When I started in 1990 I was able to spend most of my time on classroom instruction and planning, she said.

A new direction

In Decatur schools this year, there are 493 regular education positions, with 23 vacancies, or 4.7 percent, according to Maria Robertson, director of community engagement. In special education, there are 184 positions with 14 vacant (7.6 percent); 138 regular education teaching assistant positions with no vacancies; 126 special education teaching assistant positions, with one vacancy.

Jey Owens, Decatur public schools recruitment and retention specialist, said Decatur had 147 vacancies from February to July, but thanks to the human resources department's efforts, that number was brought down to its current level. She said Decaturs harder-to-fill positions are foreign language, math and science teachers.

One problem she noted for Decatur was starting salaries are not competitive, though recent joint efforts between the school board and Decatur Education Association have improved that. When Owens goes to colleges to recruit, she said Decatur can't begin to match what other districts can offer to a starting teacher, even with the lower cost of living in this area.

The Decatur School District recognized its predicament and took the step of hiring Owens as a recruiting specialist. While thats not practical for smaller, rural districts, it has shown success in Decatur.

We have identified the problem and tried to go in a new direction, Owens said. My sole purpose is to go out and recruit new teachers and administrators to the district.

Owens has many angles of approach, including career fairs in person and virtual ones online; working with Millikin University to find candidates in traditional education majors and those with bachelor's degrees in other areas who might consider teaching; visiting with teaching assistants about pursuing degrees in teaching; and community outreach to find chemists or mathematicians who might want to have a second career in teaching.

Among the initiatives she's created are new teacher orientation that lasts a whole week and covers everything they might need to know, introduces them to people who can help them and matches them up with mentors to guide them and ensure they settle in.

The Decatur school board and the Decatur Education Association worked together to raise the beginning salary for a new teacher, in the hope that would attract more candidates. A first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree will make $36,000 annually; with a master's, $38,000.

Owens is researching a report for the school board, she said, that will outline possible incentives that could bring new teachers, but as always, funding is a concern.

We're going to have a great number of retirements next year and in the next three to five years, Owens said. It's something we have to be prepared for. If I have things in place now, and more teachers coming in, I won't have to pull every strand of my hair out.

School districts depend on the Illinois Association of School Administrators' Job Bank as they look for teaching candidates, and spokesman Michael Chamness said the organization doesn't have any hard data on what's behind shortages.

"We are hearing about problems finding teachers in the (math, science and special education) areas," he said. A disturbing trend we are hearing about is that there are fewer people going into the teacher preparatory programs.

Reasons? Again, no data to back it up, but when you consider pay, reduced retirement benefits, attacks on public education and performance expectations based largely on standardized test scores it may be that the teaching profession is not as popular as it once was.

Tough, hard work

Teacher licensing in Illinois is cited often as part of the problem by school leaders. Before a candidate can be admitted to a teacher preparation program, they must pass a Test of Academic Proficiency or post acceptable scores on the ACT or SAT test.

After earning a bachelor's degree, the candidate must pass a series of tests in content areas, the Basic Skills Test, and the edTPA, which also requires a portfolio prepared by the candidate that includes lesson plans, analysis of whether students are learning, plans to address gaps in student knowledge and a video of them working in the classroom.

Another issue is that a licensed teacher who moves to Illinois from another state faces a barrage of difficulties getting their existing license accepted by Illinois.

It took me six months, and I already had a superintendent's certificate in Missouri, and I had a teacher's certificate in Illinois prior, because I taught here to begin with, said Decatur Superintendent Paul Fregeau, who became superintendent earlier this year.

Mercer, the Oak Grove School teacher who came from North Carolina, said there were so many hoops to jump through that she couldn't teach last school year, despite having a master's degree in education, 25 years of experience and certifications in kindergarten through fifth grade, special education for kindergarten through 12th grade and science in grades six through nine. She also taught in a bilingual school in Mexico for two years, yet had to take a course in English language learners and several tests to get an Illinois certification.

Illinois does not have reciprocal agreements with any other state, Mercer said, unlike North Carolina. Her certification, obtained in Iowa where she went to college, was accepted in North Carolina, where she was living before moving to Illinois. Conversely, graduates certified to teach in Illinois must then be certified in whatever state they choose to live.

"One of the things that has to happen is to make out-of-state teachers more welcome in the state," said Mercer, who worked for Millikin last school year, helping to place student teachers.

And while alternatives exist for those who come to teaching with bachelor's degrees in areas other than education, the barriers are also high. Those candidates must teach for two years full time under the mentoring of an experienced teacher, get accepted into an approved teacher-preparation program, pass various skills and content-area tests and make up any coursework deficiencies for teacher education requirements.

Since 2005, Owens said, the percentage of incoming college freshmen who plan to become educators has shrunk from 9.9 percent to 4.2 percent. Nationally, 116,000 teaching jobs are open, with California, Texas, Illinois, New York and Florida the hardest-hit states. Statistics compiled by UCLA in a 2015 report bear out those numbers.

Said Fregeau: You have the vagaries of the state budget, and people don't want to enter education when they're not sure it's going to be funded, the difficulty to get licensed and a lot of different job opportunities that didn't exist years ago.

And teaching is tough, hard work, not something you can walk in and easily do."

It scares me

School districts with fewer resources and smaller salaries can find the search for qualified teachers to be even more daunting.

In midsummer, Argenta-Oreana schools Superintendent Damian Jones was worried. In the past, he said, he'd post a teaching job and would have 30 or more applicants. In the last couple of years, that number has shrunk to three or four.

We hired the last teacher the last week (before teachers reported for work in August), Jones said. Fortunately, we are not starting the year understaffed. We would have had larger class sizes if we had been unable to fill some of our high school openings.

Jones found that staff sharing openings with their peers via social media was critical as the days ticked by over the summer and candidates werent coming forward.

The use of social media was instrumental in A-O filling all positions, Jones said. Several of our staff members, Angie Young, our guidance counselor in particular, continued to post updates on their Facebook accounts. Those posts were shared often, and we did fill positions because of that.

At Maroa-Forsyth schools, new Superintendent John Ahlemeyer said teaching candidates are getting hard to find all over the state, not just in Central Illinois. The district has only one opening at present, in special education, which he hopes to fill in time for the second semester.

There are still people out there who are passionate about teaching and want to do it. We just need to be more strategic and smarter about connecting with them. Before (the shortage), they'd come to us, Ahlemeyer said. I think that's going to be the new strategy in the future  to be more aggressive identifying the new candidates out of college."

Like others in his profession, Jones finds one answer not adequate to explain the teaching professions struggle to fill job openings.

Is it due to many years of inadequate funding, to numerous unfunded mandates, to a belief that state and federal government do not value the profession, is it a loss of autonomy in subject material? I really can't answer that, Jones said.

However, it scares me that this is the beginning of a long drought for quality teaching candidates.
TRAVERSE CITY -- Contract talks between the Detroit Red Wings and Andreas Athanasiou progressed to the point where the sides had a face-to-face meeting Saturday.

But there still is no deal.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland traveled to Toronto Saturday and met with Athanasiou and his agent in an effort to get the restricted free-agent forward signed.

Holland said they have not reached an agreement, however. He was scheduled to fly back to training camp in Traverse City this afternoon.

The Red Wings have offered a two-year deal for $1.9 million a season and a one-year contract for a lower average salary.

Athanasiou, according to his agent, Darren Ferris, continues to weigh offers from the KHL, including a deal from Ak Bars Kazan worth a reported $3 million per season.
Air India

A union of Air India employees today met Cabinet minister Nitin Gadkari and appealed to him to protect their jobs as the government prepares to privatise the national carrier.

Air India's Employees Union (AIEU), representing the airline's non-technical staff also submitted a memorandum to Transport Minister Gadkari and appealed that the government waive Air India's debt and allow the existing management to run the company instead of selling it to a private player.

Gadkari is part of the group of ministers constituted by the Union Cabinet to chalk out a strategy for disinvestment of Air India.

"In case of privatisation, Air India employees are concerned about the fate of its permanent employees and demand job security, welfare facilities such as medical, provident fund, passages, staff transport, canteen are to be retained during service and also after retirement of employees," the union wrote in their letter to Gadkari.

They have also demanded that the airline clear their salary dues.

"AIEU would like to request the government to waive (Air India's) debt and give opportunity to Air India to keep flying the flag of the national carrier," the memorandum added.

Another union of Air India employees met the Air India chairman earlier this week in Delhi and they too pressed for "partial or complete" debt waiver for the airline.

The carrier has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) today declined a plea by India Horizon Fund for an interim stay over Religare Enterprises' move to invest up to Rs 500 crore in its arm Religare Capital Markets.

The tribunal also observed that there was "deliberate suppression of material facts" from it by IDBI Trusteeship Services Ltd, a consenting party in the suit, which has already approached the Bombay High Court on the same issue.

"Having heard the counsel for the parties on the grant of interim relief, we are of the considered view that no interim relief could be granted at this stage," said a two-member tribunal bench headed by Chairman Justice M M Kumar.

Institutional investor, India Horizon Fund along with IDBI Trusteeship Services, had moved NCLT seeking a stay over the proposal by Religare Enterprises to invest in Religare Capital Markets for repaying debt related to Mauritius business and capital needs of Indian business.

The NCLT observed that IDBI Trusteeship Services Ltd had made no disclosure to it about the suit before the Bombay High Court, where it was declined interim relief on the same.

"Moreover, at this stage, the locus standi of the petitioner, if it is left alone without the consenting party (IDBI) would be only 5.59 per cent and therefore, there would be valid doubt for its locus standi," the tribunal added.

India Horizon Fund moved the NCLT under section 241, 242 and 244 of the Companies Act 2013, which deals with oppression of the minority shareholders and mismanagement.

The sections mandate that only parties or individuals who own more than 10 per cent stake in a company can appeal at the NCLT.

"In view of the above, we decline to exercise our equitable discretion of granting any interim relief," the tribunal added.

The petitioners, however, have claimed to meet the criteria along with the consent letter of IDBI.

The NCLT has directed Religare Enterprises to file its reply within four weeks and any rejoinder by the parties in two weeks and has fixed next date of hearing on November 8, 2017.

"Let the reply be filed within four weeks with a copy in advance to the learned counsel for the petitioner. Rejoinder, if any, to be filed within two weeks," it added.

Religare Enterprises' shareholders have given their approval to an ordinary resolution through postal ballot, the company said today in a regulatory filing.

As per the voting result, 55.63 per cent shareholders voted in favour of the proposal while the remaining 44.37 per cent were against it.

The voting result also showed that 99.95 per cent of total votes cast by public institutional shareholders were against the resolution. Promoters did not participate in the voting.

However, 99.03 per cent of the public non-institution shareholders who participated in the voting were in favour of the proposal.

The voting was closed on September 9.

In the postal ballot notice issued in July, Religare Enterprises had said it proposed to make further capital investment of up to Rs 500 crore in Religare Capital Markets (RCML). RCML subsidiary Religare Capital Market International, Mauritius Ltd (RCMIML) had availed of 'stand-by letter of credit facility' (SBLC) of USD 72.5 million from Axis Bank in 2014.

"The SBLC facility is falling due for repayment. Since RCML and RCMIML are in losses and have negative cash flows, they need support from the holding company, which is Religare Enterprises Ltd," the July 26 notice said.

Religare Enterprises said it will use part of sale proceeds from divestment of its health insurance business to make investment in RCML.
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Consumer goods major Johnson & Johnson India recently announced a new paternity leave policy under which both new and adoptive fathers will be entitled to eight weeks of paid leave during the first year of birth or adoption.

A company release had said that this enhanced paternity leave will enable the fathers to bond with the child during the first year. This is also expected to attract younger employees to the workforce.

Leave to bond with a new-born or adopted child which was earlier primarily restricted to mothers is now also being extended to fathers. Maternity leave has been extended to 26 weeks in India from 12 weeks earlier. While companies would give one day off to new fathers, the duration of it is being extended.

Technology consultancy major ThoughtWorks increased the paternity leave to 4 weeks, which can be availed at any time during the first year of child birth or adoption.

We, earlier had 2 weeks of paternity leave. We increased it to 4 weeks in 2016, since both, male and female employees felt that this, would allow fathers to contribute more during the child's first year," said Kaushik Ghosh, People Head at ThoughtWorks India.

"The extension allows fathers of new-born, to provide greater support to the child and the mother during the first year. It also allows for better sharing of responsibilities by both parents, as it can get quite exhausting for the mother if she has to manage, by herself, said Ghosh.

Even in the case of adoption where a child needs time to adjust to a new house and environment, both parents are given leave. There is no legal requirement as per Indian labour laws to offer paternity leave.

Chitra Byregowda, Head- Diversity and Sustainability, Mindtree said that at the company paternity leave can be availed for a maximum of five working days and within 30 days after child birth which can be taken at a stretch or otherwise.

She added that any employee who adopts a child is also entitled for paternity leave of five working days, if the age of the child is less than five years and appropriate legal process for adoption is followed.

Similarly, Arif Khan, Chief HR Officer, Sasken Technologies which provides a calendar week as paternity leave said that the family wants to be together to welcome the new entrant and for this its important that the father is part of the celebration and spends the initial days with the new born.

It is not large companies which are following these practices. Smaller companies, both in the online as well as offline space

Digital lending startup Capital Float allows paternity leave of 10 days that can be taken over six months. Apart from that, flexible working hours and work from home for a certain period is also allowed.

Rajesh Viswanathan, CFO & Head of HR, Capital Float said that we believe that this policy helps members take time off from work and be with their loved ones during one of their most important and cherished moments.

Weve observed that fathers return to work with renewed energy and motivation. This further contributes to the strength of the relationship between the company and the team, he added.

Compared to a mindset that bringing up a child is only a womans job, both individuals as well as organisations have realised that it is the joint responsibility of both the father and mother. An ad by Raymond a few years ago had led to heated debates about whether a father should stay home with the baby if the mother has to go to work.

Anand Talwar, CHRO, ITC Infotech said that they offer five days of paternity leave. This leave is spread across one year from the date of child birth. The employee can avail this leave as per his requirement

Paternity leave is very important and useful for any new father. This helps the employee to be with the family during child birth, addresses medical requirements of the child/mother including vaccinations during the first year, he said.
The Nifty closed flat with a slight negative bias on Friday after North Korea test-fired another missile that flew over Japans northern Hokkaido far out into the Pacific Ocean.

The index closed flat as traders preferred to stay on sidelines ahead of the weekend. The index made an indecisive pattern, Spinning Top kind of pattern for the third consecutive day in a row.

A Spinning Top candle is often regarded as a neutral pattern which suggests indecisiveness among both bulls as well as bears. When a Spinning Top is formed in an uptrend, the one we are in right now, suggests that the bulls are losing conviction and a possible top could be in place, but it will still require confirmation.

The markets again rallied intraday to come in touching distance with all-time highs, the initial gap down was largely attributed to Geopolitical tensions around North Korea, Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder & Head of Trading, Zerodha told Moneycontrol.

News of Aircel bankruptcy around closing again drove the markets slightly lower. We continue to hold a short-term bearish and a long-term bullish strategy on the markets. We would advise refraining from taking big bets on the long side right now, he added.

The index witnessed selling pressure soon after it climbed its crucial resistance level of 10,100. The good part is that it closed above its 5-days exponential moving average (DEMA) placed at 10,059.

It looks like bulls are awaiting fresh signals but uncertainty around the global front is not giving enough conviction to bulls to take charge of D-Street, suggest experts. A decisive move above its previous record high of 10,138 is required for the index to breakout.

The Nifty opened at 10,062.35 dipped slightly towards its intraday low of 10043.65. It rose to 10,115.15 before closing the day at 10,085.40, down 1.2 points.

The Nifty continued its range bound move for the third trading day. Traders at this juncture need to be utmost cautious as this rally should perish going forward without adding much value addition to the previous top of 10137 even if it breaks out, Mazhar Mohammad, Chief Strategist  Technical Research & Trading Advisory, Chartviewindia.in told Moneycontrol.

We believe that it is in a topping formation and once the signs of reversal get confirmed the subsequent down leg shall drag down the indices towards 9,700 kinds of levels, he said.

Mazhar advises traders to ride their long positions with a stop below 10,000 on a closing basis and make use of this rally if any to exit their long positions even on strength beyond 10137 levels.

On the options front, maximum Put OI was seen at strike prices 9,900 followed by 10,000 while maximum Call OI was seen at strike prices 10,200 followed by 10,100. Fresh Put writing was seen at strike prices 9,900 while Call writing was seen at 10,100 and 10,200.

Intact Call and Put writing is keeping the range-bound market move as it got stuck near to its lifetime high zones while India VIX moved up by 1.81% at 11.67. It has been making Spinning Tops from last three consecutive sessions which indicates a tough fight between bulls and bears near to its life time high zones, Chandan Taparia, Derivatives and Technical Analyst at Motilal Oswal Securities told Moneycontrol.

Trend of the market is intact to positive but if it sustains below 10,050 then only a profit booking could be seen towards 10,000-9,980 zones while on the upside a decisive move above 10,138 could commence the next leg of the rally towards 10200 and higher levels, he said.
Merck Chairman and CEO Ken Frazier, left, talks to President Trump during a meeting with pharmaceutical industry leaders.

US President Donald Trump will focus on three key issues such as peace, prosperity and upholding sovereignty and accountability during his maiden address to the UN General Assembly next week, according to National security advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster.

Trump will speak to the assembly on Tuesday during the 72nd annual General Assembly session of the UN.

In addition to his customary address, Trump will also hold a series of meetings with world leaders and address several other thematic issues at the UN during his stay in New York.

"The president's consistent message across all of his engagements throughout the week will emphasise three goals common to all nations who will be gathered there: first, to promote peace; second, to promote prosperity; and third, to uphold sovereignty and accountability, "McMaster told reporters yesterday.

Observing that a peaceful world depends on the contributions of all nations, McMaster said the global community must share responsibility for international security while each country protects the security of its own people.

"Prosperity is also a shared responsibility. The president looks forward to furthering economic cooperation, investment opportunities and new business ties with other governments and businesses across the world. As always, this administration's iron-clad commitment to free, fair and reciprocal trade and access to markets will be the bedrock of our economic talks," he said.

Noting that sovereignty and accountability are the essential foundations of peace and prosperity, he said America respects the sovereignty of other countries, expects other nations to do the same, and urges all governments to be accountable to their citizens.

"That accountability has broken down in places such as Venezuela and Syria. And we also see today revisionist powers who are threatening the sovereignty in the Greater Middle East, Eastern and Southern Europe and in East Asia," he said.

McMaster said the president will join senior UN leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution.

The president will express support for Secretary General Guterres' reform efforts.

The UN of course holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if it's run more efficiently and effectively, he said.

On Monday, Trump will meet leaders of France and Israel, two of America's closest allies. While their conversations will be wide-ranging, we expect that Iran's destabilising behavior, including its violation of the sovereignty of nations across the Middle East, to be a major focus, he added.

Trump will host a working dinner with Latin American leaders on Monday evening.

"He's looking forward to discussing the crisis in Venezuela, as well as our increasingly strong economic ties, shared goals for elevating the prosperity of our peoples, and the extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," Mc Master said.

After his first address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump will have a lunch with Secretary General Antonio Guterres. He will also meet Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia, this year's General Assembly president and the Emir of Qatar. In the evening, he will host a traditional diplomatic reception.

Mc Master said, "He (Trump) will urge all states to come together to address grave dangers that threaten us all. If nations meet these challenges, immense opportunity lies before us."

On Wednesday, Trump will meet leaders of Jordan, the Palestinian National Authority, the UK and Egypt.

He will host a working luncheon with African leaders to discuss how the US can help African nations develop their economies, address urgent challenges, and strengthen security relationships and economic relationships between our nations, McMaster said.

On Thursday, Trump will meet leaders of Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

"The latter two countries in particular have suffered direct and persistent attacks on their sovereignty in recent years," he said.

"He will also host a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan. As Kim Jong Un's most recent missile launch demonstrates, North Korea remains one of the world's most urgent and dangerous security problems. It is vital that all nations work together to do our utmost to solve that problem," McMaster said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the president will highlight the UN reform event.

"It is very, very important. We've got a massive reform package being led by the secretary general that really streamlines not just the processes, but also that budget as it goes forward, and makes the UN much more effective," she said.

"There are no shortage of issues, with North Korea being front and centre. Iran will be an issue. Syria will certainly be talked about. Terrorism efforts and how we counter that is a huge topic on what we're dealing with. Obviously, the humanitarian issues that we face around the world," Haley said.
The Madras High Court directed the state government on Friday to pay a compensation of Rs 10.50 lakh with interest at 9 per cent per annum to the victim's family in a case of custodial death.

Justice S Vaidyanathan issued the order on a petition of the widow of Pandian seeking a compensation of Rs 19 lakh.

She had alleged that her husband died due to custodial torture and the state was bound to pay the compensation.

Pandian was detained by police on April 5, 1995 in connection with a Narcotic Investigation Bureau case.

"The respondents are directed to pay the compensation of Rs 10,50,000, less, the compensation already granted i.e. Rs 1 lakh, with interest at 9 per annum from the date of custodial death i.e. from April 5, 1995 till the date of payment, within 45 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order," Justice Vaidyanathan said.

If they fail to do so, the judge said, the amount of Rs 9.50 lakh would fetch interest at 12 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the plea till the date of payment.

"It is seen that the trial court has rendered detailed findings as to how the incident had taken place in the police custody and the accused J Rajendran, a police personnel, was held guilty."

"Further, in the instant case, if the report of the Sub- Collector was to be acted upon, all the officials comprised in the team should have been shown as accused, but not done so," the judge said.

Justice Vaidyanathan went by the decisions of the Supreme Court pertaining to motor accident and custodial death cases.

The judge said "If the said amount of Rs 9.50 lakh is not paid within the time stipulated above, the interest portion at 12 per cent per annum from the date of filing of this writ petition till the date of payment, shall be recovered from the personal accounts of the official(s) concerned who are responsible for the implementation of the court's order."
Representative image

As New Delhi wakes up to the air pollution  a problem it can not ignore  a study suggests that people in India's capital can live 9 years longer if the country meets the WHO's air quality standards.

The Air Quality-Life Index (AQLI) report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) suggests that if India meets the national Air Quality Standards or WHO standards for PM2.5particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size, several cities would gain in terms of life expectancy.

Delhi's citizens would be the biggest beneficiaries if the city adheres to the WHO prescribed air quality norms. They could live 9 years longer if the norms are met, the report states. The people of Kolkata and Mumbai could live roughly 3.5 years longer if the country met WHO standards. Overall, Indian citizens could live four years longer if India meets WHO standards, the report states.

Source: EPIC AQLI report

Other major cities with a potential considerable improvement in the average life expectancy if WHO norms are followed include, Bengaluru (1.4 years), Chennai (1.7 years), Hyderabad (2.3 years) and Jaipur (4.3 years).

Life expectancy in the following cities can go up to eight years if the country adheres to the WHO standards: Agra (8.1 years), Patna (6.9 years), Bareilly (7.8 years) and Kanpur (7.2 years).

The index studies particulate pollution concentrations and translates its impact on lifespans. Thereby, providing a reliable measure of the potential gain in life expectancy communities could see if their pollution concentrations are brought into compliance with WHO, national, or some other standard.

High levels of air pollution are a part of peoples lives in India, just as they were in the US, England, Japan and other countries in the past. The last several decades have seen tremendous progress in many of these countries, but this progress did not happen by accident  it was the result of policy choices, Michael Greenstone, the Director of Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago said.

About 1.6 million people died of air pollution in China and 1.4 million died in India in 2013, according to a 2016 study.

The number of deaths attributable to PM 2.5 exposure in India has been on the rise. According to the Sate of Global Air 2017, India recorded over a million death due to exposure to PM 2.5.

Over 5.5 million (55 lakh) people die prematurely every year due to household and outdoor air pollution globally, with 55 per cent deaths caused in India and China, according to a 2016 report by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

India is already taking action to reduce pollution. EPIC-India is currently working with the central government and several state pollution control boards to implement Indias first emissions trading program for particulate pollution.
The HRD Ministry on Saturday clarified that the institutions created through an Act of Parliament do not need an FCRA licence to receive foreign funds.

The Home Ministry has cancelled the FCRA licences of several hundred organisations, including DU, JNU and IIT Delhi, for failing to file annual returns for five consecutive years.

"Institutions created through an Act of Parliament are exempt from filing returns as they are covered under the annual government audit," a senior HRD ministry official said.

Citing Section 50 of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 2010, the official said the statutory bodies created though central or state Acts are exempt from the FCRA.

They are required to have their accounts compulsorily audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, he added.

"IIT Delhi was filing returns even after the completion of audit," he said.

The institutions whose FCRA licences have been cancelled include: JNU, DU, IGNOU, IIT Delhi, Panjab University, Indian Council Of Agricultural Research, Gargi College and Lady Irwin College.

The list includes, Supreme Court Bar Association, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, Gandhi Peace Foundation, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, School Of Planning & Architecture, Delhi and FICCI Socio Economic Development Foundation.

Doon School Old Boys Association, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia International Trust, and Co- ordinating Voluntary Adoption Resource Agency have also been barred from receiving donations from abroad and their FCRA registrations cancelled.

The official said there was no information or notice about "non-filing of returns or any other compliance pending".

The organisations whose FCRA licences have been cancelled are mostly societies, NGOs and trusts, he said.

"Names of statutory centrally funded institutions, which are exempt from filing returns, figure in the list," he added.

IIT Delhi had yesterday claimed that there were "procedural lapses" in the cancellation of its licence.

According to norms, no organisation is allowed to receive funds from abroad unless it is registered under the FCRA.

It is mandatory under the law for such organisations to submit income and expenditure statements to the government annually else their registration is cancelled.
BJP president Amit Shah on Friday called upon party workers to strengthen the party's Jharkhand unit.

Addressing party men at the party office here, Shah said in his 110 days of journey across the country, Jharkhand is the 22nd state.

The aim is expansion of organisational works, a party release quoting him said here.

Shah said that the BJP has been getting support from the people as seen in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, but the party has to reach its peak.

He also said there is no need for over enthusiasm, the release said.

He said constructive results are being seen and there is enthusiasm among the workers, the release added.
Late last Thursday night I was chasing a story about the rumored retirement of state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, Illinois first female House Majority Leader, when I got a text message from a high-level employee of Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

She asked if she could call me Friday morning about something her boss was doing that day. I said of course, and went back to work.

A few minutes later, Currie finally returned my repeated calls and texts and I forgot all about the AG Madigan request.

Back in 1979 when Currie started her first term, Chicago's House delegation was packed with very conservative white men. But, now, "I don't feel as if I'm leaving a void" by retiring, the liberal legislator from Chicagos liberal Hyde Park neighborhood told me Thursday night. The city's delegation these days is filled with "fresh, bright, able, progressive people," Currie said.

Currie had a difficult time that night singling out a favored highlight of what will be 40 years in the House and 20 years as Majority Leader by the time she retires. Instead, she ticked off a long list of subjects, ranging from early childhood education, to civil rights and civil liberties, women's issues, environmental issues, freedom of information, school funding and even the impeachment of Rod Blagojevich.

Currie her stamina and energy isn't what it used to be and it was time to "do something different."

Currie took a lot of grief when House Speaker Michael Madigan made her his Majority Leader. Some of her fellow independent liberals viewed her as a sell-out to party machine hacks. Downstate legislators were upset that Madigan had picked a fellow Chicagoan instead of maintaining geographic balance by choosing someone from their ranks. And conservative Democrats, some of whom were uncomfortable with a female Majority Leader, viewed her as too much of an intellectual who was always championing politically "dangerous" ideas like state-regulated needle exchange programs to prevent the spread of AIDS among intravenous drug users.

But she has shown over time that she could effectively work within the system without losing her liberal street cred, and Speaker Madigan is now far more open to liberal causes than he was before he elevated Currie to the second chair. Illinois, for instance, now has five needle exchange centers. Also, as the country has shifted to a partisan divide between urban/suburban vs. exurban/rural, Downstate Democrats have been disappearing and losing some influence within the caucus.

I finished talking with Currie and went to bed. The next morning after Id written the story about her and done a couple of blog posts, my phone rang. It was that same Lisa Madigan employee whod texted me the night before. Id completely forgotten about it.

Hold on a second, the staffer said, Lisa wants to talk to you.

I instantly knew what it was. This was no routine call.

Im ready to move on to a new challenge, she said when I asked why.

Attorney General Madigan talked about running for governor more than once in the past, but she took herself out four years ago, saying she wouldnt run as long as her father, Speaker Madigan, was in office.

But AG Madigan told me she doesnt regret not having the opportunity to run for governor. I ran for attorney general because I believed this office would be the greatest opportunity to help people, she said, flatly denying that she got out because she feared she might lose reelection because of her infamous father's horrific poll ratings.

She didnt rule out a future run for office and pointedly refused to rule out a bid for governor beyond 2018.

But if a Democrat defeats Gov. Bruce Rauner next year, thatll put Madigan out of the running for maybe eight more years. I cant say I blame her for getting out now. Shes also been mentioned as a possible Chicago mayoral candidate, but I was told in no uncertain terms she wouldnt run for mayor in 2019. It really sounded to me like she was looking forward to a private sector career.

And what about Speaker Madigan, whos been in office almost forever? Several people close to him have recently retired. And then came Majority Leader Curries announcement. And then his own daughter. But I cant find anyone who has a convincing argument that hell actually hang up his spurs any time soon. He still seems to be enjoying himself.
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The CPI on Friday launched a nationwide month-long campaign against the BJP-led NDA government, accusing it of pursuing policies which have resulted in intolerance and loss of jobs.

During the campaign, the party will organise protests, marches and seminars in various parts of the country.

"Modi government's policies have resulted in spreading intolerance, joblessness and slow paced economy. Dalits and minorities are feeling threatened. Even corruption is rampant and top BJP leaders have been accused of indulging in corruption," Sudhakar Reddy, CPI General Secretary, alleged though he did not name any BJP leader.

The campaign will focus on four specific issues - price rise, demonetisation and GST, alleged corruption, and recovery of non-performing assets.

Strongly criticising the government on steep price rise of commodities, especially fuel, Reddy said price rise is a curse on the people and alleged that the government is refusing to take any action against it.

Regarding price rise of petroleum products, Reddy said it has direct impact on prices of all other commodities.

"Reduction in the price of crude oil has never been reflected in the price of petroleum products in our country," he said.

The party also demanded the Centre should declare the list of the 500 Indians who have been named in the Panama Papers for offshore investments and hoarding black money in foreign banks.

On alleged corruption, the party blamed the BJP for "manipulating" the media to show only reports of corruption against opposition leaders while blocking reports of corruption in the Vyapam scam and in the case of ex-IPL chief Lalit Modi.

In a reference to the joint statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, CPI MP D Raja said the government could have avoided mentioning China and North Korea.
A Chinese state-owned investment firm has provided a USD 10 billion credit line for Iranian banks, Iran's central bank president said on Saturday.

The contract was signed in Beijing between China's CITIC investment group and a delegation of Iranian banks led by central bank president Valiollah Seif.

The Iran Daily said the funds would finance water, energy and transport projects.

Iran is vital to China's trade ambitions as it develops its trillion-dollar "One Belt, One Road" strategy aimed at dramatically boosting its ties to Europe and Africa.

In addition to the credit line, the China Development Bank signed preliminary deals with Iran worth $15 billion for other infrastructure and production projects, Seif announced.

The contracts reflect "a strong will for continuation of cooperation between the two countries," Seif said.

The credit line will use euros and yuan to help bypass US sanctions that have continued despite the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in 2015.

China was a signatory to the deal that lifted sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran's nuclear programme.

President Xi Jinping visited Iran a week after it came into effect, vowing to boost bilateral trade to $600 billion within a decade.

Although trade was just USD 31 billion in 2016, it has jumped more than 30 per cent in the first six months of 2017.

China is already Iran's biggest oil customer and accounts for a third of its overall trade.

Since the lifting of sanctions, Beijing has opened two credit lines worth USD 4.2 billion to build high-speed railway lines linking Tehran with Mashhad and Isfahan, Iran Daily reported.

The latest move follows an eight-billion-euro credit deal signed with South Korea's Exim bank last month.

European banks remain wary of penalties from Washington for working with Iran, but talks are said to be at an advanced stage for USD 22 billion in credit deals with banks from Austria, Denmark and Germany.

China's new USD 10 billion credit line will go to Iran's Refah Kargaran, San'at va Ma'dan, Parsian, Pasargad and Tose'e Saderat banks.
China should not build a road through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as it is disputed territory, a leading Chinese scholar said on Friday.

Shen Dingli, associate dean at Shanghai-based Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, was speaking at a session titled 'Emerging World Order' at the ongoing Pune Dialogue on National Security here.

"China should consult with India if it is okay to build a road in 'PCK (Pakistan-controlled Kashmir)'. The Chinese should not build the road in the disputed territory because it is under dispute between India and Pakistan. But why does China fail to ask? We should consult together and build it together. Why only consult with Pakistan and not India?" he said.

Talking about the recent Dokalam stand-off, he said Dokalam is a disputed place between China and Bhutan, so China should not build infrastructure there.

India and China should resolve their border issues through "give and take", Shen said.

Wang Dong, another Chinese scholar, said India and China hold the key to shape the emerging world order. "If we can effectively manage our differences, we can take steps further," he said.

Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Afghanistan's Ambassador to India, said India has been fighting terrorism for decades, but was not allowed to join in the global anti-terrorism fight earlier, else the situation would have been different.
A Christian man has been sentenced to death for blasphemy by a court in Pakistan. The man was arrested last year for allegedly making fun of Islam.

Nadeem James Masih a 35-year-old from Sara-e-Alamgir town in Pakistan's Punjab was arrested after a friend accused him of ridiculing Prophet Muhammad on WhatsApp. In a trial that was held within the prison for security reasons, James was given the capital punishment. Besides the death sentence, Masih has been fined Rs 300,000, said a PTI report.

According to PTI sources, Masihs lawyer Anjum Wakeel has said that he will appeal against the decision. "My client will appeal in the Lahore High Court as he has been framed for having an affair with a Muslim girl."

In Pakistan, which is a Muslim majority country it is a crime to criticize Islam.

The controversial blasphemy laws were introduced by former military ruler Zia-ul Haq in the 1980s and anyone charged under them becomes an easy target for extremists. Several people, particularly minorities, have been targeted in the country in the name of blasphemy.

In 2015, a Christian couple was burned in a brick kiln for desecrating the Quran. Earlier, a mob had burnt down nearly 125 homes of Christians in Lahore for alleged blasphemy by a Christian man. Former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was gunned down by his bodyguard after he called for a reformation in the blasphemy laws.

Civil rights groups have accused that the law is being misused by people to settle personal scores. Calls for any revaluation or reformation of the law has met with often violent oppositions.

(With inputs from PTI)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the test of a new-type anti-aircraft guided weapon system organised by the Academy of National Defence Science. Photo: Reuters

The US finds itself in a tough situation as it scrambles to find a proper response to the North Korean threat. The hermit nations continuous missile tests along with its nuclear program are placing Washington in a real spot of bother.

North Korea missile test last week was the second time that the country had sent its missiles flying over the Japanese territory. More alarmingly for the US, the missile which flew approximately 3700 km proved that the US territory of Guam is within its range.

The advancement in missile capabilities comes at a time when Pyongyang has beefed up its nuclear arsenal. The country had successfully tested a Hydrogen bomb earlier this month which is far more powerful than atomic bombs.

The US is now looking for a way to find a solution for the situation in the Korean peninsula, and a conventional military option seems highly impossible.

According to retired Col. Richard Klass Klass who was quoted in a report from The Hill, "Kim Jong-un knows were not going to launch a conventional attack, and unless we can do a blockade and get the Russians and Chinese to agree to it, I dont think hes going to stop doing what hes doing.

This would mean a much lighter economic sanction than the one US envisages. Neither Russia nor China is likely to accept any tough sanctions against Pyongyang, particularly the blockade of oil supplies.

The other option i.e. to put pressure on China on all fronts may further worsen the situation. Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest in US told The Hill that this would mean sanctioning Chinese banks and could also include stepping up so-called freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea and arming the Taiwanese. Thus leading to a new cold war.

Ultimately the only possible solution, according to many is to accept the nuclear capacity of Pyongyang and live with it. What I think we can do is mitigate and shrink how big that program has to be. We can shrink it to 50 ICBMs, rather than 200 ICBMs. Id rather live with a North Korea with 50 ICBMs than 200. Its the difference between millions of lives or hundreds of millions," said Kazianis.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends a signing of her new book 'What happened' at Barnes & Noble bookstore at Union Square in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., September 12, 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Nearly 10 months after her shocking defeat at the hands of President Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton has said that she was not ready or equipped to run for the White House against a reality television star.

The former Democratic presidential candidate said she had an agenda of development, but possibly there were no takers.

"I take running for president and being president really seriously. I really wasn't ready or equipped to run for president against a reality TV candidate," Clinton told PBS News Hour in an interview.

It maybe the toughest job in the world, the 69-year-old former US Secretary of State, said.

"I knew that there was unfinished business from the successful two terms of president Obama, whom I had served, but that we needed to go further on the economy, on health care, and so much else," she said.

"I really prepared and I prepared {what} wanted I to say, how I would defend what I wanted to do. It turned out that was very hard to communicate. It was a time when an empty podium got more broadcast minutes than all of the policies that I was putting forth," she said.

Clinton said it was clear that the kind of campaign she was running, and the seriousness with which she looked at the agenda, she wanted to represent and then execute "was just out of sync with the anger that a lot of the electorate felt, or the disappointment that another part of the electorate felt."

In her latest book 'What happened', which will hit the book stores this week, Clinton, the 67th US Secretary of State, appeared to be very critical of Trump.

"I believe that he has given a lot of encouragement and rhetorical support to the Ku Klux Klan. He accepted the support of David Duke. I believe that he has not condemned the neo-Nazis and the self-proclaimed white supremacists in Charlottesville and other settings," she said.

"The Congress had to, on a bipartisan basis, pass a resolution asking that white supremacy be condemned by this president, which he then signed. And we will wait and see what he does. So, I can't tell you what's in his heart. I don't know. It could be total rank, cynical opportunism. He's got a hard-core base that believes these things, and he's going to keep feeding it," Clinton said.

Responding to a question, Clinton called for a full-court diplomatic effort against North Korea.

"We should have a full-court press diplomatic effort. If Trump doesn't want to listen to the experts inside his own government, then go to people outside in think tanks and academia who know about this very complicated region, and particularly North Korea," she said.

"Make it clear that we will do everything in our power to protect our allies, South Korea and Japan, including installing even more missile defence. Now, the Chinese don't like that, but then the Chinese better be more on board with us in trying to rein in Kim Jong-un, Clinton said.

"The Japanese are not for long going to leave their defence against this aggressor in North Korea to us, when they can't really rely on Trump's understanding of our promises," she said.
Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
<

In court yesterday to argue for a new trial for the man convicted of killing Sierra LaMar, defense attorneys unexpectedly filed a motion to disqualify the judge in the case due to a possible conflict of interest from decades ago.

<

Al Lopez, attorney for convicted murderer Antolin Garcia Torres, 26 of Morgan Hill, submitted the motion Sept. 14 to disqualify Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Vanessa Zecher because she previously represented a sheriffs sergeant who played a prominent role in the investigation of Sierras disappearance.

<

Garcia Torres sentencing hearing was scheduled for Sept. 15 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, the same venue where Thursdays proceedings were heard. However, due to the unexpected filing of the motion to remove Zecher from the case, the sentencing hearing was postponed, according to news reports.

<

Thursdays hearing was set to argue a separate motion, filed by Lopez Aug. 29, requesting a new trial for Garcia Torres. However, that argument was continued to a future date as well.

<

Zecher presided over the four-month trial for Garcia Torres that ended early this summer. That trial ended with the jury finding Garcia Torres guilty of murdering Sierra, who was 15 when she disappeared from her north Morgan Hill home in March 2012. The jury also found Garcia Torres guilty of three unrelated attempted kidnappings in the parking lots of two Safeway stores in Morgan Hill in 2009.

<

After convicting Garcia Torres on all charges, the same jury determined he should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole, rather than the death penalty requested by prosecutors.

<

The defense motion to disqualify Zecher relates to the judges previous representation of Santa Clara County Sheriffs Sgt. Herman Leon in a wrongful death lawsuit several years ago. Leon was involved in the killing of Jeffrey Leonti, a mentally ill inmate at the county jail, according to Lopez motion. Leon was a jail guard at the time of the incident.

<

Leontis family subsequently sued the county over the death, according to the court filing. Zecher was working as deputy county counsel at the time, and in that capacity was assigned to personally represent Sgt. Leon and others in a lawsuit in excess of $1 million.

<

Zechers representation of Leon was substantial, as she ended up settling the lawsuit for a fraction of the amount demanded, the motion argues.

<

The motion does not say when Leontis death and the subsequent lawsuit took place, but a report by the San Jose Mercury News says the in-custody death occurred in 1989. The settlement was reached in 1991, and cost the county a total of $650,000, according to the Mercury News.

<

Lopez Sept. 14 motion states that Zecher never informed defense counsel of her prior representation of Sgt. Leon. The defense team just learned of Zechers role supporting the sheriffs sergeant in the Leonti lawsuit earlier this week, as they were researching court records for more background on Leon, who is now a key figure in multiple complaints related to the prosecution of Garcia Torres.

Defense: Detective not credible

<

Lopez Aug. 29 motion for a new trial, which was supposed to be the subject of the Sept. 14 hearing, accuses Leon of false testimony and fabrication of evidence in the Sierra case. He allegedly misplaced an envelope containing a number of hairs that were collected during the police investigation of Sierras disappearance. He then testified incorrectly during the trial that another evidence exhibit contained the hairs in question, according to the defense motion.

<

The Sept. 14 motion identifies Leon as lead detective and designated investigating officer for the people in the investigation of Sierras murder.

<

Furthermore on May 10, the day after the jury found Garcia Torres guilty, another murder case was granted a new trial based in part on the false testimony of Sgt. Leon, reads the Aug. 29 motion. In that case, identified as the Pilipina trial, Leon testified that suspects in stabbing murders often wear gloves to protect their hands from cuts and evidence transfera sign of premeditation.

<

In his Pilipina trial testimony, Leon cited sheriffs statistics showing that suspects wore gloves during 30 to 40 percent of the stabbing crimes he reviewed since 2007, according to Lopez. However, research by defense attorneys found that suspects wore gloves in zero stabbing cases during the timeframe identified by Leon.

<

The Pilipina case was the sole case where a stabbing suspect wore gloves during the act, based on witness statements, Lopez motion for a new trial states.

<

The Aug. 29 motion also accuses Leon of destroying evidence in the Pilipina case, and claims he admitted doing so during a 2011 preliminary hearing in relation to the murder.

<

The prior false testimony of Sgt. Leon in the Pilipina case is evidence that would impeach his credibility regarding the missing envelope of hair in this (Sierra) case, Lopez motion says.

<

The defense attorney argues that because the conviction of Garcia Torres relied on false evidence and an unreliable investigator, he should be granted a new trial.

<

Sierra was a sophomore at Sobrato High School when she disappeared March 16, 2012. Garcia Torres was arrested by sheriffs deputies in May 2012 on suspicion of kidnapping and killing the teen.
Dear Dr. Roach: I have a grandson who pinches his face. He just graduated from high school and did very well. He will be going to college in the fall. He does not like to be around people, and when I ask him where or what would he like to go or do, he says nowhere. He does play a lot of games on his phone and TV. I have watched him and am very concerned. He does it several times a day, even when he plays his games.

-- D.F.

A: Many conditions are associated with repeatedly touching the face, and I can't guess reliably what his might be. The list is fairly long, and includes anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome and autism spectrum illnesses. The fact that he has done so well at school is very important, and while it doesn't either confirm or reject any of these diagnoses, it is reassuring.

If I were the physician seeing him, I would want much more information about his developmental history, school evaluations and any psychological assessments that might have been done. Interviewing his family (especially parents and siblings) could be very helpful. If it weren't clear to me at that point, I would recommend a psychiatric evaluation, if the problem was severe enough to merit it, which is difficult for me to say from your description.

Diverticulosis

Dear Dr. Roach: Earlier this year, my 59-year-old brother was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He underwent a cardioversion successfully, and the cardiologist put him on an anti-arrhythmia drug (amiodarone) and a blood thinner (Xarelto) indefinitely.

After four months, he suffered a major GI bleed event that hospitalized him. A colonoscopy showed only diverticulosis, which they concluded was what caused the bleeding event. He was recommended for lifelong medication.

In your opinion, can a person with diverticulosis safely be on a blood thinner like Xarelto without a major risk of GI bleeding? Also, if the cardioversion got his heart beating normally again, and he is on an anti-arrhythmic drug, must he be on a blood thinner as well?

-- A.J.F.

A: There always is a risk of a serious GI bleed in someone taking an anticoagulant such as warfarin or one of the newer drugs, like Xarelto. However, for many people, there is less risk of a major bleed than there is of a stroke, so that's why it's critically important to look at an individual's particular risk.

One tool for doing so is the CHA2DS2-VASc (pronounced "chads-vasc") score, which estimates the risk for stroke in someone with atrial fibrillation. People with an elevated score are recommended for anticoagulation with an anticoagulant; those at lower risk usual are treated with aspirin.

This does not look at the risk of bleeding, but a history of diverticulosis is not considered a major risk for bleeding. For most people with a high CHA2DS2-VASc score, anticoagulation will have more benefit than harm. More than 80 percent of people who had a stroke with atrial fibrillation were not getting the recommended treatment. For people with atrial fibrillation and a high CHA2DS2-VASc score, the balance of risks and benefits clearly is on the side of anticoagulation, as a stroke is devastating.

Skin cancer risk

Dear Dr. Roach: My brother has skin cancer on his neck. I wonder about some moles on my body. He said I am probably OK because my hair is a little darker than his. I replied that because we are both Scottish, Irish and Norwegian, my risk is the same as his. Who is correct?

-- C.C.

A: It's probably in between. The darker the skin is, the lower the risk of skin cancer. Dark hair tends to go with darker skin, but that's not always true. Given a family history of skin cancer, I recommend a yearly complete skin exam. It is certainly true that people of Celtic background have a very high incidence of skin cancer, especially if they live near the equator.
The remarkable success story of Key Media International (KMI) keeps gathering pace. After a spectacular five-year revenue growth rate of 169%, KMI has been included on the 2017 PROFIT 500 ranking of Canadas fastest growing companies by Canadian Business.



Now in its 29th year, PROFIT 500 is a joint venture between Canadas premier business and current affairs media brands, aiming to profile the nations most successful growth companies. KMI  a global publishing and events company with a huge stable of influential industry publications  has now made the list for five consecutive years.



Were massively excited  once again  to be part of the PROFIT 500 line-up, says Tim Duce, CEO, KMI. To be included among such powerhouse contemporaries is proof that KMI is fast becoming one of the biggest names in the business. Ive no doubt that this is down to our great range of products, our wonderful readers, our roster of valued clients, and  of course  the hard work of our dedicated team. As we go from strength to strength, heres to celebrating our PROFIT 500 inclusion next year!



Its never easy to earn a spot on the PROFIT 500, but this years applicant pool was the most competitive yet, explains Deborah Aarts, PROFIT 500 program manager. This years winners demonstrate the resilience, innovation and sheer management smarts it takes to build a thriving business today. Canadaand the worldneeds more entrepreneurial success stories like these.



KMI ranked at number 335 on this years list, which is published in the October issue of Macleans magazine and online at CanadianBusiness.com. For more information on the PROFIT 500 ranking process visit PROFIT500.com or CanadianBusiness.com.
Hello Everyone,

Today was my last day of screenings at TIFF 2017. Ive been all around the world on this trip to Toronto, and I ended up beating my record by one film this year. In all (meaning I sat through each film entirely  I dont count or report on the films I walk out of), I saw 34 moviesand I had a marvelous time.

My first film today was KINGS, directed by Deniz Gamze Erguyen. Because Erguyen had directed MUSTANG (nominated for Best Foreign Film Oscar in 2016), I was looking forward to this film about a family caught in the middle of the L.A. riots starring Halle Berry. Unfortunately, its a mess. The family dynamics are complicated (Berry is a single mother and a foster mother to several children). She bakes cakes for clients around town and relies on her oldest son to help keep all the kids in check. Daniel Craig plays a crazy next-door-neighbor who likes to yield and occasionally shoot a shotgun into the air. As racial tensions are escalating after the brutal police attack on Rodney King, Berrys family is also going through transitionand everything starts to boil at the same time. Erguyen attempts to inject the film with some visual poetry of lava boiling under the earths surface, but tonally it doesnt work with some of the silliness were seeing on screen (like Berrys outer space sex dream). I wanted to like this film, but it just didnt work.

Next up, I saw DONT TALK TO IRENE, directed by Pat Mills. We had Mills as a guest at the Dayton LGBT Film Festival a couple years ago, and Ive been anxious to see what he would do next. Ill be honest, the trailer wasnt doing much for mebut the film ended up being pretty terrific. This charming (yet unafraid to be crude) tale of an overweight high school outsider who wants to be a cheerleader is very funny and engaging. When she gets suspended at school, she has to do volunteer work at a retirement home as punishment. What results is hilarious and quite touching.

My last film of the day (and of the festival) was MY DAYS OF MERCY, directed by Tali Shalom-Ezer and shot in Cincinnati. Daytons own Karri OReilly served as executive producer, and she invited me to be her Plus One for a lovely dinner & the films international premiere with some of the cast and crew (including the director, the Director of Photography, folks from Killer Films and more). After the dinner, we all walked down the Red Carpet with fans, reporters and paparazzi clicking photos and hollering out for Ellen as we walked by (Ellen Page was right behind us, and everyone was hoping to get a great picture or an autograph). The film was introduced by the director and all the key people from the film were onstage and thanked. The film is a lovely, quiet romantic story about two women on opposing sides of the death penalty debate. Starring Ellen Page, Kate Mara, Amy Seimetz, and Charlie Shotwell  the performances are all very strong. This was the first time that many of the people involved with the film had seen it since the score had been added, and the crowd reaction went over quite well. I think this film will find distribution, which doesnt hurt to help secure even more films from shooting in the area.

So now Im done with TIFF 2017. Ive seen some tremendous work, a few stinkers and quite few films that I think will do well at THE NEON.

Thanks so much for joining me on my cinematic journey. (Below are a few pics from last nights premiere.)

See you at the movies,

Jonathan

MANY CONGRATS to Karri OReilly & Her Team for a great film and a great premiere!
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 61F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with some showers after midnight. Thunder possible. Low 54F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Five companies that signed the largest state procurement contracts in 2016 and in the first half of 2017 are mostly linked to high-ranking government officials.

Hetq received the data about those five companies from the Ministry of Finance.

The data reveals that officials use their business connections to win major state procurement competitions.

The Defense Ministry signed five major contracts.

Flash and AMPG win several contracts

Flash and AMPG Group are among the list of companies that have signed major contracts in 2016 and in the first half of 2017.

The owners of these companies are not commonplace people. Flash belongs to Barsegh Beglaryan, a friend of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Albert Taroyan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Philippines in Armenia, owns AMPG Group.

Flash signed major contracts and received the largest amounts of money from the state budget in 2016 and 2017 to supply diesel fuel. In two cases, the company signed the contracts with the Ministry of Defense.

Under the contract signed in 2016, the company received 2 billion 342 million drams from the state budget and supplied the Ministry of Defense with gasoline and diesel fuel. Almost half of the contract value has been allocated for Regular diesel.

In the first half of 2017, Flash has signed a contract worth 1.864 billion drams. Under that contract, the company will again supply the Ministry of Defense with the Premium and Regular types of diesel, summer and winter diesel fuel.

This company signed a contract with the State Revenue Committee (SRC) in 2016 and in the first half of 2017 for excise stamps printed on alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.

The AMPG Group's contract was the second largest after Flash in 2016. Last year, under a contract with the SRC, the company printed excise stamps "2017" on polymer membranes for imported and local alcoholic drinks (45 million), cigarettes (259 million) and articles subject to mandatory marking (500 million), in compliance with standards. This contract amounted to 1.891 billion drams.

In 2017, the company won a 1.411 billion AMD contract to print excise stamps "2018" for imported and local alcoholic drinks (37 million) and cigarettes (295 million), in compliance with standards.

The SRC allocated the substantial part of the amount envisaged by the contract for printing cigarette excise stamps.

Other large contracts of 2016

Last year, there were three more companies that signed large-scale contracts with government agencies and received large sums from the state budget.

Gevgrig signed a 979 million AMD contract with the Ministry of Defense to supply aviation fuel. Arsen Harutyunyan, one of the owners of Gevgrig, served as director of the Maxhur company belonging to the former Republic Party of Armenia (RPA) MP Harutyun Pambukyan. Maxhur also deals in diesel fuel sales.

Gevgrig has since filed for bankruptcy.

In 2016, Khachhar signed a contract with the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies worth 787 million drams. Under the contract, the company carried out capital repair works along the Yerevan-Sevan-Azerbaijan border - repairing the asphalt-concrete pavement, installing new metal barriers and implementing other construction works. Khachhar also signed the largest contract with the Yerevan Municipality in 2016. The owner of Khachhar is Rouben Baghdasaryan, who is linked to the RPA parliamentarian and owner of Jermouk Group, Ashot Arsenyan.

Avangard LLC signed another contract, worth 585 million AMD, with the Ministry of Defense to supply 1,200,000 kg of melted cheese to the army. This company is registered in Martouni, Artsakh. According to the data of the Artsakh State Register of Legal Entities, the company belongs to Gastello Mkrtchyan, aka Gastik. He is an employee of the Defense Ministry.

Armenia's Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO studied the public procurement contracts signed from November 22, 2015, to January 22, 2016 and found that during that period the Ministry of Defense signed eleven contracts with Avangard.

The company supplied the army with food, construction materials, utility supplies, sanitary and washing materials, electrical, radio and household equipment, ammunition supplies, garments, car spares, laundry and cleaning services.

Companies that signed largest contracts in the first half of 2017 belong to officials

As already mentioned, two out of five companies that signed the largest contracts in the first half of 2017 are Flash and AMPG Group.

In the first half of this year, the second largest contract after Flash was signed with Arpa-Sevan OJSC, that belongs to the RPA parliamentarian Hakob Hakobyan. The company has signed a contract worth 1.873 billion AMD with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to carry out major repair works on dilapidated sections of the Arpa-Sevan N 2 tunnel.

The other large contract during the first half of 2017, worth 960million AMD, was signed between the EIC Telecom Company and the Government Staff. The purpose of the contract was to organize the April 2 election process.

Under the contract, the company was obliged to carry out the video recording of the electoral process in all electoral precincts, to save the videos, and provide copies if needed. In the precincts where internet was available, they were supposed to ensure online broadcasting, introduction and maintenance of video copies. According to the State Register of Legal Entities, Yervand Simonyan is the owner of the company.

The fifth major contract of the first half of 2017 was signed by the Ministry of Defense and the Artsakh Footwear-Sewing Manufacturing Union CJSC. The aim of the $ 847 million contract is to provide footwear to the army.
With summer drawing to a close and the school year approaching, Midlands labor market stabilized in August.

Figures from the Texas Workforce Commission on Friday showed Midlands unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.2 percent and down from 4.7 percent last August. Despite being unchanged, Midland reported the second lowest unemployment in the state, just behind Amarillos 3.1 percent.

Odessa reported a 4.3 percent rate in August, up marginally from 4.2 percent in July and well below the 7 percent reported last August.

Were doing well across the Basin, said Willie Taylor, chief executive officer of the commissions Workforce Solutions Permian Basin. Its a good report. We see a lot of stability in the region and I love that.

He said the continued stability in terms of industry composition, labor force and wages is serving as a drawing card, bringing in workers from outside the area.

Taylor also said indications are more people are going back to work.

And if theyre not working, we want them in training, he said. I cant emphasize enough the importance of skill sets. Industry is constantly changing, improving its technology and when industry improves its technology, workers need to improve their skill sets.

If the area colleges report record enrollment as expected, he said that would be very good news.

As long as the colleges are seeing strong enrollment, that maintains the feeder system for our workforce, he said.

The civilian labor force held relatively stable at just over 86,300, down from 86,800 in July. Taylor attributed that drop to seasonal trends, primarily students returning to college.

Midland added 100 jobs from July to August, as 100-job gains in the Mining, Logging and Construction sector, the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector and the Professional and Business Services sector were offset by the loss of 200 jobs in the Government sector.

For the 12 months from August 2016 to August 2017, Midland added 1,800 jobs for a growth rate of 2.1 percent. Midlands dominant sector, the Mining, Logging and Construction sector, added 1,900 jobs, followed by Government with 300 new jobs, the Other Services sector with 200 jobs and Manufacturing with 100 new jobs. Those gains were offset by the loss of 300 jobs in the Education and Health Services sector, 200 jobs in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector and 100 jobs each in the Professional and Business Services and the Leisure and Hospitality sectors.

Statewide, the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, down from 4.3 percent in July and the fourth consecutive monthly decline. The state marked 14 consecutive months of economic growth, adding 5,500 jobs in August and 298,600 jobs over the last year, the commission reported.

While Amarillo reported the lowest unemployment at 3.1 percent, the highest was in McAllen-Edinburg-Misson at 8 percent.

Midland unemployment

January 2017 4.1 percent

January 2016 4 percent

February 2017 4.2 percent

February 2016 4.2 percent

March 2017 4 percent

March 2016 4.4 percent

April 2017 3.5 percent

April 2016 4.5 percent

May 2017 3.4 percent

May 2016 4.5 percent

June 2017 3.5 percent

June 2016 5 percent

July 2017 3.2 percent

July 2016 4.9 percent

August 2017 3.2 percent

August 2016 4.7 percent

Preliminary numbers for August with July numbers in parentheses:

Amarillo 3.1 (3.2)

Midland 3.2 (3.2)

Austin-Round Rock 3.4 (3.2)

College Station-Bryan 3.6 (3.5)

Lubbock 3.6 (3.6)

San Antonio-New Braunfels 3.7 (3.7)

Sherman-Denison 3.7 (3.5)

San Angelo 3.8 (3.9)

Dallas-Plano-Irving 3.9 (3.7)

Fort Worth-Arlington 3.9 (3.8)

Wichita Falls 3.9 (3.9)

Abilene 4.1 (4.0)

Tyler 4.1 (3.9)

Killeen-Temple 4.2 (4.1)

Odessa 4.3 (4.2)

Laredo 4.4 (4.2)

Waco 4.5 (4.4)

Texarkana 4.7 (4.7)

El Paso 4.8 (4.6)

Victoria 4.8 (4.7)

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land 5.2 (4.9)

Longview 5.2 (5.1)

Corpus Christi 5.8 (5.5)

Beaumont-Port Arthur 7.2 (7.0)

Brownsville-Harlingen 7.3 (7.0)

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 8.0 (7.6)
Midland reported an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in August, unchanged from July and down from 4.7 percent last August, according to figures released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The Tall City moved into second place statewide, just behind Amarillos 3.1 percent unemployment.
Weir Oil and Gas committed last week to building a $30 million facility in Midland, but it was revealed Friday how many new jobs were expected to be created in the Tall City.

Division President Paul Coppinger said during a press conference at the Midland Development Corp. offices that Weir will hire more than 100 new employees on top of the 160 it has currently.

Weir struck a deal with the MDC recently that will see the oilfield services company build a 92,000 square-foot facility at the MDCs currently undeveloped David Mims Business Park on Interstate 20 near Schlumbergers Midland headquarters. In return, the MDC will offer Weir a $1.8 million forgivable loan to be paid in equal installments over five years so long as the company maintains a payroll of no less than $6 million and a property value of at least $20 million.

Weir will buy 20 acres of the 73.62-acres available at a cost of $20,000 per acre. The property will be on the tax rolls at $65,000 per acre.

Coppinger said the company is glad that its long hunt for a place to consolidate its Permian Basin facilities is over. Were excited to be going through our next phase of expansion in the Permian Basin.

Weir currently operates three facilities in the Permian: two in Odessa and one in Midland County. Per the deal, Weir must close all three and cannot built within a 60-mile radius for the next five years.

Over the past 18 months, we have been going through an exhaustive process to evaluate many different properties and many different combinations in jurisdictions, Coppinger said. Finally, we were able to reach an agreement where both parties thought it was in their best interest from a financial point of view and from an operational point of view and for our customers and our community.

The MDC wasnt first on Weirs list. The company sought to strike a deal with the city of Odessa to build its facility; however, a trio of city council members scuttled any deal at its May 9 meeting and also fired Odessa Development Corp. President Jimmy Breaux, who was helping broker an agreement. Also of note at that meeting is that it was the impetus for the Odessa American to bring a lawsuit against the city. The newspaper alleges city council members violated the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Weir ultimately ended pursuit of building in Odessa in June. When asked whether Odessa City Council had made a mistake, Coppinger said he couldnt answer for them.

They have to make the best decision for their constituents, he said. I dont have any hard feelings or what to judge their decision because they are elected to make decisions in the best interest of their community, and Im sure they believe they did that. That may be the best decision for them, and it just didnt turn out to line up with our goals and objectives, and this opportunity did.

Moving to Midland might be more advantageous in the long run. The facility will be built on I-20, which is a main artery in the oil patch. Also, one of Weirs largest customers is oilfield services giant Schlumberger. The two companies will soon be neighbors.

The MDC deal is with a pair of Weir subsidiaries: SPM, which specializes in pressure pumping and well control products, and Seaboard, which sells pressure control equipment and wellhead products. Weir Oil and Gas is a division of Weir Group, a company based in the United Kingdom.

Weir Group is a large multinational that earns billions of dollars annually. When asked why any incentive was necessary at all, Coppinger said its a fairly common thing, regardless of size of your company, to work with local government officials who cooperate on incentives to bring more jobs to an area.

It wasnt so much about whether we need to money or not; its a decision on the financial benefits of us making this investment and how can we benefit the community while getting some assistance to do so, he said.

Weir hopes to open the new facility sometime between August and October next year.
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Tommy Lee Jones is one of San Antonio's most celebrated  yet reluctant  celebrities.

The gruff and serious native Texan has acted in nearly 80 films and is known worldwide, but he has always called Texas home.

Jones is an accomplished actor with multiple awards and nominations, but you probably already knew that.

RELATED: Famous actors and actresses with San Antonio connections

But what you may not know is that today is Jones' birthday.

The legendary Texas actor was born 71 years ago on Sept. 15, 1946, in the Hill Country town of San Saba.

Click through the slideshow above for a few facts about Jones that he probably wishes nobody knew about him.
Today marked the beginning of the Third Annual Permian Basin Writer's Conference. The event, held at Midland College, is a resource for aspiring or published authors looking to learn more about the book industry. The conference offers workshops with industry insiders through Sunday.

Author and publisher Chuck Sambuchino hosted today's all-day Boot Camp. He discussed publishing options, finding an agent and crafting query letters. Participants also learned about marketing through social media. The session included a "critique fest" with random attendees receiving a professional's opinion on the first page of their novel.
Federal agents have arrested six men accused in the recrystallization and distribution of methamphetamine in Dallas.

Six men, four of which were in the country illegally, were arrested and charged with three separate federal criminal complaints stemming from their role in selling large quantities of methamphetamine in the Dallas and Desoto areas, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) wrote Sept. 1 in a news release.
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Sewage backups are now part of what people are dealing with across Central Florida in the recovery from Hurricane Irma.

Sewage backups reported at Seminole Co. lift stations

About 200 lift stations in Seminole County lost power

"As you can imagine, it was a nasty odor," one person said

Lift stations across Seminole County  critical for keeping the sewage moving underground  are backing up because of power loss.

Bo Bodine said sewage has backed up near a lift station next to his Casselberry home. He said sewage has been leaking out onto the street in the area.

"Some people thing it might be rainwater, but it's actually sewage backing up into the street," Bodine said.

Joy Ibbotson had the same problem in her Sanford neighborhood.

"It bubbled up out here all the way into the street, and then it was so full it actually came up through the sewer manholes that are in the street," Ibbotson said.

The power in Ibbotson's neighborhood came back on, but it was too late to stop things from backing up at a lift station near her home.

"And you could smell it," she said. "As you can imagine, it was a nasty odor. What would you think of when you think of sewage bubble up into the road?"

A Seminole County utility manager said most of the nearly 200 lift stations across the county that lower power during Irma now have power restored, and generators are running the rest of the stations.

Ibbotson said even though power is back on in her neighborhood, she's still trying to limit water and bathroom usage.

It's just good to be conscientious about the people around you and what they might be going through," she said.

Conserving isn't as easy for Bodine, though.

"Very tough," he said. "Especially when your power is out and people would like to take showers to stay cool."

Bodine, however, admitted his situation could be much worse.

"You should keep a good attitude about it because we could be in Houston where there's 2-feet-deep of flooding," he said.

Bodine said Duke Energy tells him the power could come back on in his Casselberry neighborhood by the end of the weekend.
Thanks to Plainview Area Endowment, Paws Pet has a new computer and new cages, Petersburg has medical supplies for their ambulance service, and Unger Memorial Library has new books, and the YMCA has upgraded workout equipment.

A nonprofit 501c3 group, Plainview Area Endowment has existed since 2010, said John Tye, chairman of the advisory board of directors for PAE.

We realized that there was really no foundation set up for Plainview area folks to get grants of a more varied nature than already existed, Tye said.

Since 2010, PAE has amassed about $850,000, all from donations. Those funds are invested, and the earnings are used to provide grants.

This year, about $20,000 in earnings is going to be used for grants, Tye said.

The grants are not meant for salaries or operating expenses, but for physical, tangible benefits, such as a grant to Love in Action Ministry to make home repairs.

An affiliate of Community Foundation of West Texas, formerly Lubbock Area Endowment, PAE also works in surrounding communities such as Petersburg, Slaton, Post and Levelland.

Every year at this time, we begin to solicit requests for grants, Tye said. Typically, half a dozen nonprofits qualify for the grants.

The deadline for grant requests is Oct. 1, and PAE determines what groups will receive the awards around the middle of October.

Everything you need to submit a grant request, including information and forms, can be downloaded at plainviewareaendowment.org, Tye said. Donations can make an impressive impact with something thats tangible. Show us how its going to improve quality of life in the Plainview area.

In addition to grants, Plainview Area Endowment will invest funds that you set up. The categories are:

--Donor-Advised Funds: Recommended grants to the charities you wish to support each year

--Designated Funds: Specified charitable projects or organizations to receive ongoing support from your endowed fund

--Scholarship Fund: Provide educational support for deserving students

--Field of Interest Fund: Address specific issues; donor decides the purpose of the fund

Its easy to set up a Donor-Advised Fund, Tye said. We take care of your investment and set up tax filing; the earnings go to the charity you designate.

Scholarship funds have been set up for Lockney graduates and the Plainview High School Acappella Choir. The Plainview Class of 1965 has set up a fund for Plainview High School graduates.

While donors can donate any amount to the Plainview Area Endowment, minimum donor amounts are required for the four funds.

Those who wish to can make a contribution to Plainview Area Endowment in memory of a loved one.

We place a small ad in the Herald every day near the obits telling how you can give in memory of someone, Tye said.

The Plainview Area Endowment also has a Donate Now button to make donating easy.

For the most part, we get small donations with a few big donations. Every dollar counts, Tye said.

Giving Tuesday is another opportunity for Plainview residents to make donations to local charities in an effort to raise as much money as possible in 24 hours.

On Nov. 28, from midnight to 11:59 p.m., supporters of South Plains nonprofits will go online at www.givingtuesdaylbk.org, connect with causes they care about and make tax-deductible donations. Supporters will search for participating nonprofits and simply click to donate.

In addition to Tye, members of the PAE advisory board are Frances Barrera, Bill Cross, Mike Fox, Don Hill, Kregg Hukill, Roy Kiser, Willis McCutcheon, Corky Terrell, Mark Warren, J. Pat Manning and Phyllis Wall.

The mission of the Plainview Area Endowment is to provide a base of continued financial support to community organizations and encourage a legacy of charitable giving.
SOUTHINGTON  Two corporations recently expanded in Executive Boulevard office buildings off West Street.



Late last month, Stanley Black & Decker expanded its headquarters at 400 Executive Boulevard. The tool and hardware company already had offices on the second and third floor of the former The Hartford office building and recently signed a lease to add 21,000 square feet on the first floor.



The companys total footprint will be more than 80,000 square feet, according to a statement released in late August about the transaction.



Real estate firm CBRE represented the building owner, Amtrust International, which is on the fourth floor. A representative from Stanley Black & Decker couldnt immediately comment on the transaction.



Liz Hyatt, Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce executive director, attended an open house in May at nearby 200 Executive Boulevard for the opening of Webster Banks community banking offices. That company brought 500 employees when it opened.



They were wonderful, they were very warm and welcoming, Hyatt said of Webster Bank officials and CEO Jim Smith. Them moving their offices here showed how much strength and support they wanted to put behind Southington.



She said Smith is very strategic about location. Webster Banks Southington office consolidated locations in neighboring towns like Cheshire and Wallingford. A company representative couldnt immediately be reach for comment.



The buildings that used to house The Hartford now have a mix of small and large companies.



The addition of Stanley and Webster were good signs for the town, Hyatt said.



I think that Southington has such great connection of corporate business and small businesses, she said.



Executive Boulevard is close to exit 31 off Interstate 84. A nearby shopping plaza includes Target and Lowes and a recently built plaza is home to HomeGoods, Pet Valu, Michaels and Chips Family Restaurant.



Across the street, local developer Mark Lovley is building a hotel and retail plaza expected to include a coffee house and pizza restaurant.



jbuchanan@recordjournal.com 203-317-2230 Twitter: @JBuchananRJ






Craig Venter has got a deal for you. For $25,000, he'll sell you a complete genome sequence, a full-body MRI scan, a cardio CT scan, bone densitometry, cognitive testing and more, all in the hope of discovering a lurking tumor or brain abnormality -- and nipping it in the bud.

"We're driving a medical revolution," says Venter of his latest startup, Human Longevity Inc., or HLI. "We have sequencing that's better than anybody else in the world. We have the most accurate data."

Venter, one of the best known scientists of the 21st century for his role in mapping the human genome, has been striking that kind of lofty note a lot lately, and investors are loving it. The four-year-old company has raised as much as $500 million, including $200 million this year, giving it a valuation of about $1.9 billion, according to data provider PitchBook. Plans are in the works for yet another round of venture capital before ultimately going public, according to Venter.

The problem is Venter's promises are ringing hollow for a growing chorus of critics. Conversations with more than a dozen current and former employees, customers and medical professionals depict a company that may prove unable to keep up with its founder's ambitions. Some doctors contend that such comprehensive testing isn't particularly useful, and even those who do think so say rivals may outpace Venter. Competing government-backed efforts in the U.S. and the U.K., for instance, threaten to overtake HLI in the race to collect massive amounts of the population's genetic and clinical data, a key proposition for the company's business success.

"Is HLI going to stay far enough ahead that these projects don't make it obsolete?" says Daniel MacArthur, co-director of medical and population genetics at the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Venter has no doubt about that. He says 40 percent of the 1,000 or so customers who have taken the test, called the Health Nucleus, have learned they have a "serious disease." Some come from China, through a Shanghai-based medical tourism startup called Quantum Clinics, which partnered with HLI in 2016. Wealthy Chinese, willing to pay out of pocket, are attracted to HLI's white-glove service and attentive care, according to Chief Executive Officer Lu Yi, who said Quantum will send about 50 Chinese patients for testing over the following year.

Yet as Venter touts that 40 percent disease-discovery rate, a paper posted online earlier this year by HLI scientists said age-related diseases requiring "prompt" medical attention have been found in just 8 percent of participants. Venter says the difference in numbers is because "it depends on what you count." He includes findings like pre-diabetes that would lead a person to change his or her lifestyle.

Some doctors doubt the need for such extensive tests. "I don't like the idea of selling a product by scaring people," says Ethan Weiss, a cardiologist at the University of California San Francisco. Weiss looked over a list of conditions that Venter said had been caught by the test. He took issue with cases of dilated left atrium, which can be a predictor of cardiac risks. "Maybe your risk of developing atrial fibrillation over a lifetime is higher, but it's not clear today that this is valuable information. Your heart's not going to explode."

For a customer who discovers a dangerous, unknown tumor, there's no question that the test would be priceless. But for those who don't receive clear-cut findings, the volume of data generated by the test can be overwhelming.

"I got a 400-page report and no one knew what to do with it," said Emily Melton, a partner at the venture firm DFJ, who took the test and shared the results with her doctors. DFJ has invested in HLI. Steve Jurvetson, who led DFJ's participation, declined to comment.

Venter says the problem isn't with his company's reports, but rather with the medical community, which is untrained and can't keep up with his technology.

HLI, at any rate, is far short of selling the number of tests it needs to generate the database that will sustain the business. The company's goal is to gather a massive data set of both genetic information and clinical features -- from brain scans to gut bacteria profiles -- and discover new insights about how genes drive the aging process. Those insights could then be sold to pharma companies to make drugs. To arrive at such a level of understanding, particularly for complicated diseases, hundreds of thousands or even millions of samples would be needed to power the studies.

Skeptics doubt that Venter can get there before massive, government-backed efforts, which are embarking on similar projects. "Over the next three years, the U.K. Biobank will sequence and make public exome or genome data from 500,000 well-phenotyped people. And over the same time frame, the U.S. 'All of Us' program will hopefully sequence more than 1 million," MacArthur says.

To ramp up its customer base, HLI has resorted to slashing prices. In May, it created a $7,500 option with reduced services, then added a $4,900 offering for just the genome and whole body MRI. The website has been offering a limited time promotion of $2,500. Venter says he's working on signing contracts with large employers and expects to have "literally tens of thousands" of customers through those corporate partnerships.

As the race heats up, Venter's bolder statements have irked some of the company's current and former employees, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. Two former employees described chaotic early days where the company was working on as many as 10 different projects, from forensics to a search engine for genomic information. Multiple cancer projects were underway at one point, including a service that would sequence a patients' tumor tissue and compare it to normal tissue. There was also a short-lived excursion into pediatric rare diseases.

That's "a fair criticism," said Venter, who stepped aside as CEO in January when HLI hired Cynthia Collins. He remains executive chairman of the board and speaks for the company. He added that some trial and error was necessary to figure out where the startup would be most successful. "We're concentrating on our uniqueness and probably have eliminated 100 or so of our diverse test projects."

The potential gap between Venter's unbridled enthusiasm and his startup's actual capabilities spilled into the public this month when a paper was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In it, HLI scientists said they could use a DNA sample to accurately identify an individual in a line-up of 10 people about 80 percent of the time. Most of the identification power came from predicting the gender, race and age. The scientists also used the information to render a facial image.

Jason Piper, one of the 28 authors, who had left HLI prior to the study's publication, took to Twitter to criticize the paper. "Don't get me started about how terrible those faces are," he said, arguing that the images generated by HLI's algorithms were simply the average face of a given ethnicity, so naturally, many people would look like the average.

Two other authors of the paper, who asked not to be named because they weren't authorized to speak for the company, said the shortcomings of facial predictions were due to the small sample size of 1,000 participants and the images would improve with more data.

Meanwhile, Venter was telling media outlets, "When you have the whole genome, we can predict a photograph." That led to headlines like this one, on San Diego's KPBS website, trumpeting: "These San Diego Scientists Can Predict How You Look Using Only Your Anonymous DNA."

When told about Venter's statement, another author of the study paused. "Well, there's marketing and there's the truth," he said. "You need to separate those things."

---

Bloomberg's Li Hui contributed.
A teacher in eastern Michigan has been placed on administrative leave after she was accused of "violently snatching" a sixth-grade student from his chair as he stayed seated for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brian Chaney of Farmington Hills, Michigan, said a teacher consultant forced his 11-year-old son, Stone, to stand for the pledge late last week at East Middle School. Chaney called the action a violation of his son's civil rights, explaining that Stone had been making a personal decision not to salute the American flag - but to honor God and his family - for the past several years.

It had not been a problem, his father said, until now.

"When you put your hands on kids and force your own way of thinking, that's not right," Chaney told The Washington Post on Friday.

On his third day at a new school, Stone was sitting in class stressing about how to use the combination lock on his middle-school locker - which, his father said, should have been the extent of an 11-year-old boy's worries.

"The teacher consultant comes up behind me and snatches me out of my chair violently," Stone told NBC affiliate WDIV. "I was so confused. I didn't know what was going on."

The next day, on Sept. 8, Stone's father said, a substitute teacher also "berated" the boy for staying seated during the pledge.

Chaney spoke Tuesday at a Farmington Public Schools board of education meeting, demanding answers. "I'm going to say we're quite disappointed," he told board members, standing with his four sons.

"My wife and I, my father-in-law, my parents, my entire family - we've shed many, many emotions in the last four or five days," he said. "We are very disappointed that when we dropped our son off into the hands of East Middle School, we thought it would be nurturing hands."

Chaney continued: "What we see on the TVs, what's going on in America, it just came to my living room. Tears are done. I'm mad now. We're looking for accountability."

Farmington Public Schools Superintendent George Heitsch said in a statement to The Post that school leaders have opened an investigation into the incident. Chaney said that the educator who allegedly forced his son to stand during the pledge is a consultant who trains other teachers, but the district has not confirmed that.

Heitsch said the district supports each student's right to decide whether to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. "At Farmington Public Schools, we expect every child and adult in our district to be treated with dignity and respect," he said. "At this time, the District cannot speculate about the outcome of the pending investigation."

Chaney, who is black, said the choice to quietly sit during the Pledge of Allegiance is one shared by the whole family but that Stone made the decision on his own. Chaney said that sitting during the pledge is making a statement that he does not approve of what the American flag stands for or how his ancestors were treated. He said his son is a "hero" for standing up for what he believes.

Others have made similar decisions about the pledge. A Native American teenager from northern California who had been sitting it out for years reportedly was docked a grade last year when she refused to stand for the pledge.

In a 1943 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court said students have the right to decide whether to participate in the pledge. According to West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette:

- - -

If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. If there are any circumstances which permit an exception, they do not now occur to us.

We think the action of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power, and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control.

- - -

Chaney said he is not comfortable sending his son back to a school where the teachers have set a negative tone. School officials have offered to switch the sixth-grader to another homeroom or another school within the district, Chaney said, but he has not yet made a decision. He said he hopes the incident will "shake up the school district" so that "everyone will be treated equally."

"Kids have rights, too," he added.
The Trump administration is quietly moving to allow energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for the first time in more than 30 years, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post, with a draft rule that would lay the groundwork for drilling.

Congress has sole authority to determine whether oil and gas drilling can take place within the refuge's 19.6 million acres. But seismic studies represent a necessary first step, and Interior Department officials are modifying a 1980s regulation to permit them.

The effort represents a twist in a political fight that has raged for decades. The remote and vast habitat, which serves as the main calving ground for one of North America's last large caribou herds and a stop for migrating birds from six continents, has served as a rallying cry for environmentalists and some of Alaska's native tribes. But state politicians and many Republicans in Washington have pressed to extract the billions of barrels of oil lying beneath the refuge's coastal plain.

Democrats have managed to block them through votes in the Senate and, in one instance in 1995, by a presidential veto.

In an Aug. 11 memo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acting director James Kurth instructed the agency's Alaska regional director to update a rule that allowed exploratory drilling between Oct. 1, 1984, and May 31, 1986, by striking those calendar constraints.

Doing so would eliminate an obstacle that was the subject of a court battle as recently as two years ago.

"When finalized, the new regulation will allow for applicants to [submit] requests for approval of new exploration plans," Kurth wrote in the memo.

If the rule is finalized after a public comment period, companies would have to bid on conducting the seismic studies. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated in a June 27 memo, obtained by Trustees for Alaska through a federal records request, that this work would cost about $3.6 million.

With oil prices averaging around $50 per barrel, potentially too low to justify a significant investment in drilling in the refuge, it is unclear how much interest companies would have. Some might consider proceeding with those studies to get a better sense of the area's potential.

The behind-the-scenes push to open up the refuge - often referred to by its acronym, ANWR - comes as longtime drilling proponents occupy key positions at the Interior Department.

Its No. 2 official, David Bernhardt, represented Alaska in its unsuccessful 2014 suit to force then-Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to allow exploratory drilling there. Joseph Balash, President Trump's nominee to serve as Interior assistant secretary for land and minerals management, asked federal officials to turn a portion of the refuge over to the state when he served as Alaska's natural resources commissioner. The state's plan was to offer the land for leasing.

During a stop in Anchorage on May 31, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said he hoped to jump-start energy exploration on Alaska's North Slope in part by updating resource assessments of the refuge.

"I'm a geologist. Science is a wonderful thing. It helps us understand what is going on deep below the surface of the Earth," Zinke said at the time. "We need to use science to update our understanding of the [coastal plain] of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Congress considers important legislation to responsibly develop there one day."

The Fish and Wildlife memo notes that the Interior Department asked it "to update the regulations concerning the geological and geophysical exploration" of that coastal area but does not identify who issued the directive.

An Interior officialsaid in an email Friday that the department is "required by law - the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act - to allow for seismic surveys in wildlife refuges across Alaska."

"Hundreds of seismic surveys have been conducted on Alaska's north slope - many of them on ANWR's borders," the official added.

Both the Clinton and Obama administrations concluded that the department was legally barred from permitting seismic studies in the refuge. And environmentalists have consistently opposed such activity, which sends shock waves underground. They say it would disturb denning polar bears, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, as well as musk oxen and other Arctic animals.

An increasing number of polar bears are now denning onshore during the winter - when seismic studies would take place - due to diminishing sea ice, and a significant portion of the coastal plain is designated as critical habitat for the bears. The Aug. 11 memo directs the Fish and Wildlife Service's regional director to conduct an environmental assessment as part of the proposed rule change because the Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to show that their actions will not jeopardize or adversely modify critical habitat of a listed species.

"The administration is very stealthily trying to move forward with drilling on the Arctic's coastal plain," said Defenders of Wildlife President Jamie Rappaport Clark, who led the Fish and Wildlife Service under President Bill Clinton. "This is a complete about-face from decades of practice."

Environmental groups would be likely to challenge any decision to conduct seismic work in the refuge in federal court.

Alaska officials have been working for several years to restart seismic studies on the coastal plain. They say the initial ones, conducted in the winters of 1984 and 1985, were done with outdated technology and do not reflect the area's true potential. The Geological Survey, which reanalyzed that data nearly 15 years later, estimated that 7.7 billion barrels of "technically recoverable oil" lie under the coastal plain.

The June 27 memo, sent to Zinke's energy policy counselor Vincent DeVito, said the department could either assume the existing seismic data is acceptable, reexamine that data with "state-of-the-art" technology or conduct new studies with modern, 3-D technology.

In an interview Thursday, Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Andy Mack said that recent oil discoveries near the refuge's western edge suggest there may be more oil there than federal officials identified three decades ago.

"Alaska's always had an abiding interest in resource development, particularly in oil," Mack said. "We're not discounting the existing data, but it's old, and it's relatively limited."

The question of whether Interior can restart the seismic work is a subject of legal dispute. The 1980s studies, which took place along 1,400 miles of survey lines and were financed by private oil firms, were aimed at gathering information for a report the interior secretary submitted to Congress in 1987.

In 2001, Interior solicitor John Leshy issued a formal opinion concluding that the 1983 rule was "a time-limited authorization for exploratory activities in the coastal plain."

Twelve years later, Alaska sought permission from the Fish and Wildlife Service to launch a new exploration program; Obama administration officials rejected the request, and the state sued.

On July 21, 2015, U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason ruled against the state. "Whether the statute authorizes or requires the Secretary to approve additional exploration after the submission of the 1987 report is ambiguous," she wrote, but Jewell's interpretation that she no longer had authority to allow it "is based on a permissible and reasonable construction of the statute."

Mack said he was not sure whether companies would want to drill in the refuge, but they now are more interested in the potential on land than offshore.

ConocoPhillips, for one, is "actively exploring and focused on new development opportunities" within the neighboring National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, according to spokesman Daren Beaudo. "If ANWR was opened, we'd consider it within our portfolio of opportunities . . . and it would have to compete with other regions for our exploration dollars," he said.

Yet Pavel Molchanov, an energy analyst at Raymond James & Associates, predicted "very little interest" in drilling in the refuge for the foreseeable future.

"The number of companies that would be open to a meaningful bet on ANWR we could realistically count on one hand, and that would be generous," Molchanov said.
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Update: Absconders Justin Hughes and Danny Lee were arrested late Friday afternoon.

Police have issued warrants for 27 parolees in Harris County who have served time for an array of crimes including attempted murder, robbery and drug possession and are unaccounted for following Hurricane Harvey.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice issued a total of 69 warrants for parolees residing in Harris County during Hurricane Harvey.

DRUGS IN TEXAS: Massive meth lab and distribution center in Dallas busted

Of the warrants issued, police said 33 of the parolees have been in contact with authorities while nine others have been arrested and face possible action by the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole.

During the storm, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice evacuated the Southeast Texas Transitional Center in Houston, transporting approximately 500 parolees. A spokesman with the agency said the 27 parolees sought by police in Harris County were most likely serving the remainder of their parole living in public and not in a facility.

Texas police agencies have been notified of the warrants, which have been placed into state and national databases.

The 27 parolees who have active warrants from the state's department of criminal justice include:

Joshua Nathaniel Curry

Richard Andrew Hentze

Deijuan Holloway

Bruce Sanchez

Nicolas Ollie Sanders

Lesha N'Kol Henry

Charles Howard

Larry Jimenez

Dale Sisson

Jimmy Westbrook

Ryan Lawson

Denny Joseph Lee

Alfonso Ray Rodriguez

Correy Walker

William Allen Batiste

Gavin Glass

David Harvell

Justin Hughes

Steven King

Kevin Edward McNew

Steven Edward Rasberry

Ira Joe Sheffield

Corey Ewing Tatman

Avean Tolliver

Julian Nicholi Zipper

Michael Eugene Franco

Anyone who encounters any of these parolees is encouraged to call 911.

See mugshots of the parolees in the gallery above.
The Pilgrim Center of Hope, a Catholic evangelization ministry in San Antonio, will present a free talk titled, An Evening with Mary, at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 626 Market St., in Pleasanton.

Pilgrim Center co-founder Mary Jane Fox will lead the discussion, described as an opportunity to discover how the mother of Christ can lead individuals, couples and families to a deeper relationship with Christ and how prayer with Mary can facilitate healing and peace.
This weekend guitarist Sharon Isbin joins the MSO to play a beloved concerto by Joaquin Rodrigo and a new piece by Chris Brubeck, son of Dave Brubeck.
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San Antonio musician Fernando Herrera is most widely known for playing for John F. Kennedy just hours before the presidents death. An artist in the true sense of the word, Herrera also painted murals, designed Fiesta floats, and even fought the occasional bull.

Thats what they called him, said his nephew Michael Lerma, a retired musician. The Renaissance man.

Herrera died Tuesday in San Antonio. He was 88. Funeral arrangements have not yet been determined.

Visual artistry and matador skills aside, Herreras decades-long career as a flamenco guitarist and classical pianist took him to stages large and small, near and far.

Those included two performances on The Ed Sullivan Show, Lerma said, as well as appearances at two Worlds Fairs and with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Closer to home, he entertained everyone from King Juan Carlos of Spain on his 1987 visit to San Antonio to members of the local Christopher Columbus Italian Society.

More for you Texas couple finds ring lost in tornado, immediately gets engaged

Because of a tragic turn in history, however, it was an evening with President Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, along with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, that stood out in the artists multifaceted career.

On Nov. 21, 1963, in a ballroom of the Rice Hotel in Houston, the League of United Latin American Citizens hosted an evening for the president, who was in the midst of a whirlwind Texas tour that earlier in the day took him through San Antonio.

Dressed in traditional flamenco performers outfits, Herrera and fellow guitarist George Gamez charmed the Kennedys and Johnsons with the classic Mexican ballad Cielito Lindo as the two power couples sat on a small stage along with the musical duo and some other performers.

Jackie spoke Spanish to the audience (and) the audience was thrilled, said Gamez, now a Los Angeles-based psychologist, attorney and recording artist. They didnt know whether Kennedy was actually going to show up.

Lerma recalled how Herrera spoke of President Kennedy shaking his hand at the end of the performance, and Jacqueline Kennedy doing the same and telling him muchas gracias and musica muy bonita.

Lady Bird was dancing, he told the Express-News in 2015. Oh, it was beautiful.

In 1965, Herrera performed an original piece dedicated to the late president at Our Lady of the Lake University, a gesture Kennedys widow thanked him for with a personal note. Herrera called his composition A New Frontier.

For about the past five years, Los Angeles filmmaker Steven Barber has been working on a documentary about Herrera and that night called Kennedys Last Song: The New Frontier.

I feel like I lost my grandfather, Barber said. This movie has a really divine, personal, family feel to it.

Born in 1929 to a family that included three brothers and nine sisters, Herrera grew up in San Antonio with a love of music that saw him singing English and Spanish boleros on radio station KONO by age 7.

He took up piano, and by age 16 was studying with the founder of the Mexican National Symphony in California, according to a 2002 Express-News article. He later added flamenco guitar to his repertoire.

By the early 1960s, Herrerra was the master who was giving music lessons. One of his students was 10-year-old Tom Frost III. Now the senior executive vice president of Frost Bank, Frost also is a songwriter and musician who calls himself The Singing Banker.

He was so charming, Frost said. Just that incredible charm he had without even opening his mouth, just in his eyes. Im a better musician and person because I met Fernando, especially when I was so young.

Frost would reconnect with Herrera years later, around the time Barber was working on his documentary. One of Frosts fondest and final memories of Herrera was inviting the musician to play the French grand piano at his home.

It was beautiful to hear the piano, he said. And his ability to play was so amazing.

Herreras creativity wasnt limited to music.

Gamez recalled how he decorated Macys store windows in San Francisco while they hustled for music gigs, and worked on Fiesta floats in San Antonio in the 1960s. Herrera also painted his share of murals in San Antonio, at locations such as the long-gone Patio Flamenco coffeehouse on Travis and Flores streets and a former pool hall lounge on Zarzamora. One subject of those murals was a bullfighter.

It was something Herrera knew well. Inspired by his mothers love of the legendary Spanish bullfighter Manolete, Herrera participated in bloodless bullfights for the March of Dimes, which took place in the late 1950s and early 1960s at Freeman Coliseum.

Mainly I did it for the art of it, Herrera told the Express-News in 2002. Its not a sport but an art form.

And Herrera saw art just about everywhere he looked.

Everything is involved in art, he said in that same article. Living means to live the life of an artist and experience the atmosphere of life.

rguzman@express-news.net

Twitter: @reneguz
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When Adam A. Sanchez Jr. began working in the deli at H-E-B at 17, he started a career that would last almost four decades.

Helping to open stores in San Antonio and Houston, Sanchez also helped launch locations in Mexico.

He started from the bottom  and worked his way up the chain, his son Matthew Sanchez said. He became somebody H-E-B loved.

Later moving to Kiolbassa Smoked Meats  he had promoted its products while at H-E-B  Sanchez helped us in a variety of areas with his experience and expertise, said Michael Kiolbassa, company president. He was everything you could want in a team member; he had a big heart, was a hard worker  he was the whole package.

Sanchez died of a heart attack Tuesday, at 54.

A 1980 graduate at Sam Houston High School, Sanchez learned how to cut meat at one of the schools vocational programs while also taking auto mechanics.

He started out at Ideal grocery store at age 16, then moved to the H-E-B on South New Braunfels Avenue at 17. He became a butcher at 18.

After rising to market manager, Sanchez opened up several stores in San Antonio and also helped establish stores in Mexico in the late 1990s and in Houston in the early 2000s.

He was always willing to do what was right for the company, for the customer, longtime friend and colleague Robert Bobby Stanley said.

More Information Adam A. Sanchez Jr. Born: Oct. 18, 1962, San Antonio Died: Sept. 12, 2017, San Antonio Survived by: Sons Matthew Adam Sanchez and daughter-in-law Yadi, Jonathan Sanchez and daughter-in-law Marisol Candelaria Sanchez, and Andrew Sanchez; daughters Jennifer Sanchez and Addissyn Sanchez; three grandchildren; parents Adam and Virginia Sanchez; two sisters Services: Visitation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Roy Akers Funeral Home, 515 N. Main Ave.; celebration of life at 6 p.m. Sunday at Camelot Christian Center, 7620 Ray Bon Drive See More Collapse

Also known for his upbeat attitude, Sanchez never seemed to have bad days, Stanley recalled. He was very bubbly, very positive.

Moving to Kiolbassa in 2005, Sanchez started out in the production department. Later, he moved to the safety team.

It was when he began on the sales team that he was able to put his experience as a former market manager to good use.

His network inside H-E-B helped us tremendously throughout the years, Kiolbassa said. He also pioneered our expansion into Mexico with his connections with the H-E-B Mexico team.

At home, Sanchez loved caring for his automobiles, welcoming help from his children  within limits.

He would take me with him to wash the car, Matthew Sanchez said. Throughout the years, I wanted to actually wash the car, but he would never let me; I could only wash the wheels.

He taught us to love our family  by the love he showed for his parents, Matthew Sanchez said. Thats the legacy that hes had.

mheidbrink@express-news.net
Since the Trump administrations decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in early September, immigration reform has become bigger than Russia once again.

And depending on the spin, it has nothing to do with the majority of immigrants.

For some, scrapping the provision that gave immigrants who were brought to America as children an opportunity to live their lives without constant fear of deportation was merely an example of President Donald Trumps march across President Barack Obamas legacy. It was the solidifying of racial and cultural lines that separate America.

For others, getting rid of the temporary deferment was about law and order, a move meant to fortify American borders and enforce existing laws by forcing Congress to fish or cut bait on revisiting the rules of those who call the U.S. home.

The upside, of course, is that Congress is on the case.

Im hoping that this is a moment where we are forced to finally do something, Sen. Richard J. Durban, D-Ill., said regarding efforts.

Thing is, the main reason were having this conversation in the first place is because of the millions of people who have had a burning, forced-to-do-something moment of their own  people who fall outside DREAMer and even DACA parameters because they were born in other countries  and, thus, made the choice to become immigrants.

Those people are the foundation of our immigrant community and, if we go back far enough and it can be argued that this group is the foundation of our country. They came from all over, they built, they fought to protect and they forged the strongest union in the free world.

The PBS program Destination America answers the why-did-they-come question with five reasons: freedom to worship, freedom from oppression, freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom to create. The faces have changed, explains the site, but the reasons havent. Arguably, its hard for anybody who grew up with those freedoms and the promise they provide to really understand what it means to live without them.

The Dreamers, immigrants brought to America by their parents without a say in the matter, grow up with those freedoms. Granted, there is a fear that they will dissolve amid a traffic stop or an immigration sweep at a parents workplace. But Dreamers go to the same churches, playgrounds, schools and dance classes as their American-born neighbors. They get the same media messages. They reap the benefits America provides and, more important, contribute to their communities with a gratitude nurtured at home. And they do this because somebody who could only dream about those aforementioned freedoms was forced to leave their entire world behind.

This, of course, is not meant to take anything away from efforts to ease things on Dreamers. DREAM Act legislation is important, because people who did nothing wrong shouldnt have to look over their shoulder just to get through the day. President Trump has urged Congress to do something and to do it right, and so they should. But focusing only on Dreamers is a half measure that insults our overall American story.

We must not forget the majority of undocumented immigrants  Dreamers with the lowercase, law-breaking, high-risk dream  that America has come to depend upon. Make no mistake, we need them. As we move to rebuild in the wake of two major hurricanes, were going to need everyones help even more.

When it comes to immigration reform, Congress has the responsibility to remember all immigrants. They need to finally do something that puts everyone on the path to legalization and they  we  need to do it right.

mariaanglin@yahoo.com
President Donald Trump is looking for a congressional leader he likes. Mitch McConnell has been found wanting, so now the president is flirting with Chuck Schumer.

Trump sided with Schumer and Nancy Pelosi last week on an agreement to extend the debt ceiling for three months. The Republican leadership in Congress wanted a longer extension, worried that a short-term measure would give Democrats more leverage when it expires at the end of the year. The agreement  plus Trumps warm words about Chuck and Nancy and his reported delight over the positive press coverage of the deal  has driven speculation that Trump will turn to the Democrats in a bipartisan pivot.

If a partnership with Schumer is indeed Trumps plan for a new phase in his presidency, he should think again.

It makes sense that Trump is tempted. His frustration with congressional leadership is, from his perspective, understandable. These are the pros who told him when he showed up in Washington that they had a plan and that he neednt worry. So far, theres nothing to show for it.

Trump feels some freedom to maneuver. He has a firmer grasp on Republican voters than anyone in Congress. If Republicans didnt hate their own leaders, Trump never would have won the nomination or become president in the first place.

Personal affinity surely plays a role. Trump speaks the language of his fellow outer-borough New Yorker Schumer more than Paul Ryan, the earnest policy wonk, or Mitch McConnell, the masterly tactician.

Finally, Trump might believe that he can boost his sagging poll numbers by reminding people hes a nonideological deal maker and by getting things  anything  done.

A Schumer alliance is, nonetheless, a siren song. The debt deal wasnt really a deal. It was a case where Trump could see some advantages  securing Hurricane Harvey funding, gaining some breathing space for tax reform  by simply giving in to Schumer and Pelosi. How often is that going to happen?

Maybe there could be a deal over a codification of DACA, with Trump again largely deferring to Schumer and Pelosi, or some creative infrastructure package. But there are limits to what Ryan and McConnell, who have considerable legislative power, would be willing to bring to the floor; they arent going to shift to the left just because Trump does.

And Schumer has his own priorities. He isnt going to bless a tax cut for the rich. Hes not going to repeal Obamacare. Hes not going to fund the border wall. Hes not going to support the RAISE act, cutting levels of legal immigration. Hes not going to roll over on another conservative Supreme Court nominee.

The idea that Trump, who has been too inept to help his own party in Congress, will team up with perhaps the most deviously shrewd Democrat in the country and come out on top is difficult to credit. Schumer will milk Trump for whatever he can get  every tactical advantage, every bit of new spending  so long as he doesnt give away anything important and doesnt materially boost Trumps political standing.

The dalliance with Schumer comes in the midst of the Republican push for tax reform. It can only add another layer of distrust and dysfunction atop an already-fraught relationship with the GOP leadership at a time when it is grappling with an enormously complex legislative task.

Indeed, the ultimate appeal to Trump of an alliance with Schumer must be the hope of escape from the chaos of his own governing style, which has been a drag on his own party. But there is no escape, whether Trumps wingman is McConnell or Schumer, or, for that matter, Ted Cruz or Bernie Sanders.

The Senate minority leader may look alluring now. Soon enough, he will be just as unsatisfactory in Trumps eyes as nearly everyone else in Washington.

comments.lowry@nationalreview.com
By all means, San Antonio officials have to put our best foot forward for Amazons proposed second headquarters.

The prospect of 50,000 high-paying tech jobs is tantalizing, and San Antonio has much to offer. We are a diverse, inclusive and thriving city with a wonderful quality of life and a pro-business mindset.

If we were selling San Antonio to Amazon, we would trumpet Toyotas decision to open a manufacturing plant on the South Side, how H-E-B and Whataburger have placed their corporate headquarters here, the exciting and inspiring development around the Pearl and in Southtown, the presence of numerous colleges and universities, including two medical schools; our proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and our crucial role in North American trade, our relatively low cost of living, strong military presence, and the impressive amount of outdoor activities in and around the Hill Country.

We have much to offer and much for which to be thankful. This is an incredibly exciting time for San Antonio. We are on the cusp of so much  in tech, education and downtown development  and Amazon could thrive here.

But let us suggest that this bid  which we hope is successful  could also serve as a learning moment. As we tout our pluses, let us also be cognizant of our shortfalls and endeavor to fix them.

Blind boosterism serves no one. If we want a company such as Amazon to locate high-tech jobs here, then we cant just apply and hope for the best.

We have to do the work to lay the right foundation  and there is plenty of work to be done.

Let us be frank. Amazon wants ready access to rail, train, subway, bus routes and major highways. We do not have any passenger or commuter rail options. Our bus system is inadequately funded. We do have major highways, but they are often congested. It was a battle just to adopt carpool lanes for upcoming highway expansions. We ignore our transportation needs at our own risk.

Amazon wants excellent institutions of higher education. San Antonio is blessed with many fine colleges and universities, but it does not have a tier one research university. Despite efforts, University of Texas at San Antonio is not close in this regard.

We lack an educated workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25 percent of San Antonios population age 25 or older has at least a bachelors degree. In Seattle, its nearly 60 percent. In Portland, Oregon, its 45.5 percent. In Austin, its almost 47 percent.

Many of our school districts are mired in dysfunction. The state has appointed a board of managers for the Edgewood and Southside independent school districts and has a conservator overseeing the activities of South San. Earlier this year, a federal grand jury issued indictments involving insurance contracts at local school districts. Amazon employees would not send their students to these districts  but they reflect deep inequity and are a self-created headwind.

San Antonio International Airport has already been cited by local officials as an obstacle to landing Amazons second corporate headquarters or other businesses. It is an obstacle. We lack direct flights for a city of our size. But its also an obstacle largely out of our control. Our proximity to Houston and Dallas will always make direct flights more challenging. That only makes these other issues that much more pressing.

We were struck by Amazons self-description in its call for proposals:

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking.

Good advice. To land Amazon, or even better, to be a place where startups can grow and thrive, lets apply those principles to San Antonio.

We hope Amazon chooses San Antonio not just for what we have but for the regions potential  it is immense. Making that more reality than potential, however, requires vision, leadership and buy-in from city residents.
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
A legal battle looms after a sickly child, brought to Prophet Paseka Motsoenengs church to be prayed for, died in front of congregants at the weekend.

Police have confirmed that the girl, 3, died at the Incredible Happenings Ministries in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, on Sunday after her mother took her there so that Motsoeneng, better known as Prophet Mboro, could pray for her recovery.

Ekurhuleni West police spokesperson Captain Lesetja Mathobela said a case of assault was opened by paramedics after a crew member was allegedly assaulted by Mboro and his followers.

Information received by police is that a mother took her child to church to be prayed for. The child then vomited in church and an ambulance was called, he said, adding that an altercation began after churchgoers accused the ambulance crew of arriving late.

It has been confirmed that the child died in church. A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Investigations are continuing, Mathobela said.

Mboro denied the allegations, saying he respects and upholds the law and the constitution. He accused paramedics of being negligent and failing to give the child oxygen.

The mother had brought her very sick child to me. When the paramedics arrived, I begged them to give the child oxygen and other emergency treatment but the paramedics wasted a lot of time reprimanding the mother and accusing the mother of neglecting her child.

I told the paramedics that the child appeared to be dehydrated and needed immediate attention, but they ignored me and continued to berate the distraught mother, Mboro said.

He added that he would help the childs mother in her bid for justice for her child, starting with opening a case of culpable homicide today. All I did was insist the child must be helped, which the emergency services personnel failed to do. (We will be) opening a case of culpable homicide in Alberton. Health workers are clearly untrained to deal with emergency situations in the field, and this matter must be remedied without any delay.

As a church, we will always work with government officials to assist them in fulfilling their duties, Mboro said.

Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntladi said the staff member escaped with a cut on her face after being manhandled by Mboro and some of the congregants.

Ambulance crew were called to Prophet Motsoenengs church in Katlehong for a collapsed case around 11.34 in the morning. On arrival, the crew took all relevant medical equipment with (them and walked) into the church building for patient assessment and treatment.

Before they could do anything, the prophet already (had) the child in his hands (loading) what seemed to be a lifeless body into the ambulance. Confrontation immediately started between the crew and the prophet, whereby a female ambulance driver was manhandled on scene by the prophet, supported by the congregation, Ntladi said.

He said the crew called for back-up.

The terrified driver had to lock herself in the fire engine as members of the church were baying for her blood, shouting abusive language, Ntladi said. He lauded the polices swift response, saying they had saved the situation.

Ntladi said advanced life-support paramedics were called to the scene and the girl was declared dead. The assaulted crew member was hospitalised after the incident.

Ntladi decried recent attacks on emergency services personnel.

In March, a paramedic was shot and killed near the Odi EMS base in Mabopane, Tshwane.

In July, personnel were assaulted and a fire engine shot at in the Dukathole informal settlement in Germiston.

In September, paramedics were attacked in Cosmo City after responding to a fake emergency report. They were unharmed.

In October, two paramedics were robbed at gunpoint in Alexandra, Joburg. The robbers made off with their wallets and cellphones. A few days later, two other attacks were reported in Ekurhuleni. Paramedics were robbed and assaulted at the Somalia settlement in Vosloorus and an ambulance was stoned in Palm Ridge.

These attacks put massive tension onto the DEMS personnel and resources within the city (and) the impact on service delivery is huge, Ntladi added. The Star

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Berkeley police shot down a viral rumor that a woman was stabbed in the neck during Thursdays protest outside of Ben Shapiros speech at UC Berkeley.

The rumor started when Kyle Based Stickman Chapman tweeted a photo of a young woman lying on the street during the protest, surrounded by police officers. The right-wing provocateur added the caption, A Ben Shapiro supporter was stabbed in the neck by Antifa terrorists last night in Berkeley CA. He also asked his followers to "pray4her."

Chapman, who is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a protester in March, shared the tweet with his 32,000 Twitter followers and also posted a similar message on his Facebook page, where it was shared close to 5,000 times. Citing Chapmans tweet, several right-wing blogs  including one helmed by former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos  ran the reported stabbing.

Berkeley police attempted to squash the rumor shortly before 10 a.m. Friday.

Online accounts surrounding a stabbing at last night's protest are false, the official BPD page tweeted. She fell and wasn't pushed. No fight. That is what she told us at the scene. These are the actual facts.

NBC Bay Area reporters witnessed the photographed incident. It appeared that an argument broke out over the womans pro-Shapiro protest sign  which she had been holding while teetering on a light pole  and she fell backward onto the street.

The fall happened at about 9:30 p.m, shortly after the Shapiro event ended. Emergency responders arrived at Bancroft and Telegraph by 9:40 p.m. and took the woman away on a stretcher.

As of Friday evening, Chapmans original tweet was still up, though he did clarify in a subsequent message that he heard the story through a second-hand source, who hadn't seen the stabbing, either.



Scores of Chapman's followers remarked that the woman appeared to be lying in a pool of blood. In fact, the picture shows the woman's red hair fanned beneath her head.

All told, about 700 people came to see conservative commentator Ben Shapiro speak at UC Berkeley, while about 200 hundred people protested outside the event.

Berkeley police, clad in riot gear, made at least three arrests before the event started at 7 p.m. Officials later said a total of nine people were arrested. The university spent $600,000 to enhance security measures during the closely-watched speaking engagement.

Police identified five of the people arrested. Sarah Roark, 44, of San Bruno; Hannah Benjamin, 20, of Fremont; Eddy Robinson, 44, of Oakland and Michael Paul Sullivan, 29, of Hayward were arrested for carrying banned weapons, police said. And Kerem Celik, 18, of Saratoga, was arrested for disturbing the peace.

Chapman is currently free on $135,000 bail in relation to the assault charge at a previous protest. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 12.
Pleasanton police, investigating a suspicious object Sunday at a Chevron gas station, said the area was deemed safe. The object turned out to be an electronic anti-theft device.

Police first reported the incident on Twitter about 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Hopyard Road and Owens Drive. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office bomb squad was called to the scene to investigate, police said.

The bomb squad deployed a robot to check out the suspicious object, police said. It was deemed safe about 1:50 p.m.

No further details were available.
The destruction of Hurricane Irma not only impacted Florida businesses and families, but hundreds of animals across the state suffered, too.

On Friday, Miami-Dade animal services relocated more than 100 dogs and cats seeking refuge post Hurricane Irma to shelters in Oakland, California.

During and after the storm, many pets went missing or were abandoned. The effort of relocating the pre-storm pets to California will help free up space and resources in Miami animal shelters for missing or abandoned animals.

The Miami Heat and FedEx teamed up with Miami-Dade Animal Services for Friday's relocation effort.

"For me as a player and being from here, its only right that I am a part of this and for me this is just one thing I am getting involved in," Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem said.

"Prior to the hurricane, I reached out to commissioner Hardemon just to let him know that once the hurricane is over I am looking to be involved in everything as far as rebuilding and helping the community," he said.

In the Upper Keys, one veterinary hospital possibly the only animal hospital up and running in Monroe County is doing what they can to help, but running short on medical supplies.

Early Friday morning, the Plantation Key veterinary hospital began giving away supplies to people who can't get to a grocery store to feed their animals.

Veterinarian Bob Foley said the donations are meant for people who need help feeding their pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

"Cheney Brothers flew in...about 2,000 pounds of dog and cat food and cat litter, which has been truly a blessing," Foley said.

But with access to the Florida Keys still limited, Foley is in need of more medicine and food to help others. He also anticipates more animals with limited space available.

"Florida Health Department stopped by here yesterday and asked how much space would I have for animals that are abandoned or animals that were owned by people who are now dead," Foley said.
The future of the Mavericks Surf Contest seems to have a much smoother ride ahead.

Today a bankruptcy court approved a proposed sale of the contest rights from current organizer Cartel Management company to the WSL, World Surfing League for $525,000.

The sale offer generated a bitter fight with other companies drawn into the wake of Cartel's bankruptcy that doomed this season's event.

Segler Holdings of Texas objected to the sale because It is owed about $820,000 from Cartel after winning a court battle two years ago over a botched promotional deal of a tanning product.

Segler's attorney Stewart Schmella told NBC Bay Area it appreciated the opportunity to express its objections and looked forward to seeing how Cartel would pay the money it owes.

A former contest partner, Titans of Mavericks, has also filed a lawsuit against Cartel and accused the company of 'deceiving' the San Mateo County Harbor District into putting only Cartel's name on the five year permit.

Harbor Commissioner Sabrina Brennan acknowledged more legal hurdles lie ahead but considered the possibility of WSL running the contest a huge step forward.

She pointed out the WSL is led by a woman CEO and, unlike Mavericks, allows female competitors.

"I'm relieved the Cartel bankruptcy is behind us," Brennan said, "it will be exhilarating and satisfying to see women athletes compete for the first time in the Mavericks big wave competition."
A San Francisco police patrol vehicle struck and injured a pedestrian Sunday morning, according to a police spokesperson.

The incident occurred at 23rd Avenue and Judah Street in the city's Outer Sunset neighborhood.

The female victim was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, police said.

No further details were available.
The cause of death for Semaj Crosby, the toddler who was found dead in her Joliet home, has been ruled asphyxia and her death has been declared a homicide, the Will County Coroner's office revealed Friday.

The coroner's office said its homicide ruling was "based on the unusual circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her decomposing body under the couch in her own home, the multiple previous contacts by the Department of Children and Family Services, the suspicious fire at the residence and lack of cooperation from the witnesses."

The case remains under investigation by the Will County Sheriff's office, the coroner's office said.

"The investigation into the death of Semaj Crosby is the highest priority for both the Will County States Attorneys Office and the Will County Sheriffs Department," said Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow in a statement. "All available resources are being deployed in this investigation. The tragic death of this little girl has had a profound impact on all of the prosecutors and investigators involved in this case."

Glasgow said the sheriff's department has met with the Justice For Semaj Action Team and provided as much information to its members "as legally possible."

"However, this is an extremely active and sensitive investigation. It is common for law enforcement agencies to withhold some information from the public to protect the integrity of the investigation," he said. "This is necessary to ensure that any defendant who is identified is appropriately charged and receives a fair trial under the law. Local law enforcement is committed to this case and will take every step possible to find answers and bring justice for Semaj."



Semaj's death remained a mystery for months after she was found dead in April following an intense hours-long search by police and dozens of community members.

On April 27, her body was found under the couch in her familys home  a home police have said was in deplorable conditions, a home she lived in alongside squatters.

In the months since the girls death, there have been no arrests. An initial autopsy revealed no signs of trauma and no clear indication of how she died.

Detectives said they dont know when or how Semajs body got under the familys couch. Law enforcement initially searched the house, but since the first reports indicated she had wandered off or was taken, police dedicated the search to surrounding areas.

It was only until we exhausted every resource we had  we had so many helicopters, hundreds of searchers looking for her  we said, Time out, lets start from square one, said Detective R.J. Austin.

At the time of her disappearance, the girl's mother told authorities her daughter had been playing outside with other children before she wandered away.

Less than three hours earlier, at about 3:20 p.m., investigators with the Department of Child and Family Services said they visited the home and saw the girl alive while investigating the mother for an allegation of neglect. At about 6:30 p.m., the family reported her missing.

Photos released by investigators following the girl's tragic death showed the home she lived in was in "very deplorable conditions." Anywhere from five to 15 people typically lived there at a given time, officials said, adding that the attorney for the girls mother told them many of those residents were considered "squatters."

In the months following Semaj's death, the medical examiner's office only said her cause of death was "pending further studies." Austin noted in his Q&A that at the time of her autopsy, Semaj had no visible wounds or blood on her body.

Days after her daughter's death, her mother Sheri Gordon thanked the community in an emotional statement saying, "I appreciate you guys for your love and support."

A day after Semaj was buried, a fire destroyed the home where she was found dead, burning it to the ground.

Illinois' Department of Children and Family Services released a 22-page reportdetailing its investigation into the death of the child, but did not say why or how the little girl died.

Read the full DCFS report

The report contains information regarding the various people who inhabited the home, including Semaj's biological parents. It also notes mental health concerns among adults and children living in the home. It states Semaj's cause of death as "unknown" pending the results full autopsy.

The director for DCFS, George Sheldon, resigned roughly one month after her death.

"Somebody knows what happened," Austin said. "I want justice for Semaj. I want justice. I want closure. I want one of them four grown women to come up to me, whether it was an accident or whether it was a crime maybe that they tried to hush."
Officials in Manatee County, Florida, are under fire after an interpreter for the deaf warned residents about "bears" and "monsters" during a Hurricane Irma emergency press conference.

As Hurricane Irma approached the Tampa Bay area last week, officials in the county called a press conference on Sept. 8 on the incoming storm and to relay crucial information, including evacuation orders. But county leaders say they realized they didn't have an interpreter for the deaf for the emergency address to the public, according to NBC affiliate WFLA.

Marshall Greene, a lifeguard with the countys marine rescue unit, has a brother who is deaf. His bosses, "in a pinch," asked Greene if he could step in and convey the information to the deaf residents of the county.

Members of the deaf community said Greene mostly signed gibberish, referencing "pizza," "monsters," and using the phrase "help you at that time to use bear big," during the press conference. Other information signed to viewers was incomplete, experts said.

Video of the briefing has gone viral on social media.

The county typically uses interpreters from VisCom, a professional sign language interpreting service. VisComs owner, Charlene McCarthy, told WLFA the county did not contact her company regarding providing services for the press conference.

"It was horribly unnerving for me," McCarthy said. "To watch that, knowing I could provide a qualified, certified interpreter."

The county admitted it made it mistake, but maintained it was a last minute decision and didnt have enough time to call in a professional interpreter.

The former president of the National Association of the Deaf also noted that Greene, who was dressed in a bright yellow shirt in the press conference, should have been wearing the established black allowing his hands to be visible.

"It was obvious to me he wasnt a professional interpreter. I was totally shocked," Chris Wagner said via an interpreter.

Greene's father told WFLA that his son was asked by his bosses to help out and thats exactly what he did.

"He can't expect to communicate something he doesnt know," he added.

The deaf community is laying the blame on the county, who they say shouldnt have put someone who is not a certified professional to convey emergency information during a press conference of this nature, and is demanding an apology from officials.
Hundreds of pro-Trump demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C. Saturday donning "Make America Great Again" garb in support of the president's "America First" agenda.

A short distance away, about two dozen counter-protesters gathered in Lafayette Square park across from the White House to demand that President Donald Trump take stronger action against Russia in response to Moscow's interference in the 2016 election.

At the Lincoln Memorial, about 1,500 so-called juggalos  supporters of the rap group Insane Clown Posse  convened to demand that the FBI rescind its classification of juggalos as a "loosely organized hybrid gang."

The National Parks Service braced for crowds in the thousands, but as the events opened there were sparse groups of people gathered on the north end of the mall near the Washington Monument.

[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More

The Mother of All Rallies Patriots Unification Gathering on the National Mall began at 10 a.m. ET and was scheduled to end at 5 p.m. ET. The Juggalos March began at noon at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and was slated to close with a concert at the memorials plaza.

Organizers of the MOAR event said the purpose of their demonstration was to seek "protection of traditional American culture while they express their love for the United States and the America First agenda," a message on the groups website says.

Although far fewer people turned out than the organizers expected, perhaps not surprising in Washington, an overwhelmingly Democratic town, the demonstrators were determined to show their support for the president.

"We are here to tell the world, the media and the Congress, not just the Democrats but the Republicans as well, that President Trump has our full support and that it's time to drain this swamp," one of the speakers said from the stage as the crowd applauded.

Trump was not in town to appreciate his supporters. He was spending the weekend at his golf club in New Jersey before attending the U.N. General Assembly next week.



At one point during the rally, a group of Black Lives Matter activists appeared near the stage. But the momentary tension was defused when one of the Trump rally organizers invited them onstage and offered one of them a microphone. "It's your right to say whatever you believe, and it's their (the crowd's) right to let you know what they think about what you're saying,'' the rally organizer said. "The important thing is that everybody has a right to speak their mind."



The Insane Clown Posse and its fans marched against what they say is discriminatory treatment by law enforcement. A 2011 report by the Justice Department's Gang Task Force placed the juggalos, who favor extensive tattoos and outlandish face paint, in the same classification as overtly violent gangs like the Bloods and the Crips. The report said juggalos are "forming more organized subsets and engaging in more gang-like criminal activity."

The Insane Clown Posse is suing the Justice Department over a 2011 FBI report that describes the rap-metal duos devoted fans, the Juggalos, as a dangerous gang.

The group claims to be a nonviolent community subject to largely class-based discrimination by law enforcement.



Jason Webber, an organizer of the Juggalo march and publicst for the ICP's record label Psychopathic Records, alleges the characterization "exposed law-abiding Juggalos to harassment and discrimination by police, employers and others," NBC News reported.

The band, along with the ACLU, sued the FBI in 2014 seeking to change the classification but with little success so far.

While both events have explicitly urged participants in their codes of conduct to not use violence during their respective gatherings, many feared the possibility of clashes in the wake of the violent Charlottesville, Virginia, demonstrations where a young woman was killed when a car plowed into a group of people protesting a white nationalist rally.

Photos posted on social media Friday ahead of the events showed Juggalos and Trump supporters coming together, united over what they claim is a free speech issue.

"Juggalos and Trump supporters unite chanting "USA USA" #MOAR #JuggaloMarch, Twitter user Jack Posobiec captioned a photo of the two groups gathered.

https://twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/909096707593572352

Webber says the group is apolitical, but added that many of the bands songs speak out against racism and bigotry.

And though organizers of MOAR say they "condemn racists of all colors and supremacy of all colors" in their mission statement, Peter Boykin, president of Gays for Trump and a speaker at the conservative rally, said in an interview with The Washington Post ahead of the event that he will speak out against what he calls "Sharia law, transgender men and women in the military and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program" in his speech.

Wrapping around those events will be the annual Fiesta D.C. parade celebrating Latino culture. The annual parade is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. along Constitution Avenue NW.

Earlier Saturday, runners participated in the Race To Beat Cancer 5K. The event benefiting cancer research celebrates survivors, and honors those who have lost their battles with cancer.

Inside the bride-to-be's pre-nuptial diet and fitness plan

Overall, the NPS said it has issued permits for more than 35 events, including a wedding, making Saturday one of the busiest days of the year for the Metropolitan Police Department. D.C. police said it plans to be "out in full force" to help manage the gridlock conditions brought on by several planned road closures. A full list of planned road closures can be found here.

Police say they were ready for the protests, which are nothing new in the nation's capital.

"Right now, there's a demonstration of some sort happening at the White house. I guarantee you," Jeffery Carroll, assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said Friday. "It's part of D.C. It's in the fabric of the city."
President Donald Trump lashed out at ESPN on Twitter Friday after "SportsCenter" host Jemele Hill tweeted earlier this week that Trump was a "white supremacist" and "bigot."

Hill later apologized for her tweets and ESPN said Thursday it has accepted the apology.

Trump on Friday tweeted: "ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming). People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth!"

ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming). People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Friday also double downed on comments she made earlier calling Hill's comments outrageous and a fire-able offense based off of ESPN's previous history for suspending or terminating talent for making poltical commentary but adding Its not my decision to make for a private company.

ESPN said in a statement that Hill has a right to her personal beliefs, but not to share them on a public platform that implies she is speaking for the network. ESPN said she's acknowledged that her tweets crossed the line.

ESPN President John Skipper on Friday sent a company-wide email to staff about its social media policies and "issues of significant debate in our country," NBC News reported.

Skipper did not refer to Hill or Trump by name in the email sent Friday, but wrote that while "ESPN is not a political organization" its employees "are citizens and appropriately want to participate in the public discussion."

"At a minimum, comments should not be inflammatory or personal," Skipper wrote in the email. The email was not released by ESPN and was posted online, but an ESPN representative confirmed it was accurate.

So, to address the elephant in the room ... #Facts pic.twitter.com/RTrIDD87ut  Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 14, 2017

In her own tweet, Hill said she regretted that her comments painted her company in an unfair light.

Earlier the Democratic Coalition, an anti-Trump Super PAC, filed an ethics complaint against Sanders with the Office of Government Ethics for her comments regarding Hill's employment status with ESPN.
What to Know As of Friday morning, Jose was located 360 miles northeast of the southeastern Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph

The latest forecast places the South Coast of New England into the "cone of probability" for the position of the storm overnight Tuesday

early indications are swell from Jose may build to 15 to 25 feet by Wednesday

The Friday 5 a.m. update on Jose from the National Hurricane Center aired within 60 seconds of its issuance on NBC Boston and necn  for good reason.

The Hurricane Centers latest 5-day forecast places the South Coast of New England into the "cone of probability" for the position of the storm overnight Tuesday night, which is forecast to be a Category 1 Hurricane at that time.

[[444703593, C]]

As of 11 a.m. Friday, Jose was located 360 miles northeast of the southeastern Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. It is moving toward the northwest and was upgraded to a hurricane around 4:30 p.m.



There are some important points to keep in mind with this information. The cone of probability is determined by average error in the forecast track, which is over 200 miles at five days out. This means the storm can track anywhere in the cone of probability, which in this case ranges from a track along the New Jersey coast to a pass a couple hundred miles out to sea. Thats a huge difference! So theres still a lot of possibility with the track of this storm.

Additionally, the storm will be fairly large in scope by the time it gets this far north, though this can mean an expansion of rain and wind. Just how much of each will be determined by the final track, but waves are certain.

Anytime a large storm passes nearby, waves are destined to build on our New England waters, and early indications are swell from Jose may build to 15 to 25 feet by Wednesday.

This, combined with the potential for an expanding wind field, means NBC Boston and necn are encouraging those in the marine community to review hurricane preparedness plans at this time.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is also monitoring Jose's progress and said it will initiate pre-landfall planning as confidence in its track and intensity grows.

For reference, our exclusive NBC Boston/necn forecast product aired in our broadcasts early this week with a 20 to 25 percent chance of some rain/wind from Jose next week, and has risen to 50 percent over the week.

We have several days and lots of potential for changes in the forecast and well keep you posted on-air and online.

Additional online resources:

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency

National Weather Service/Taunton

National Hurricane Center

National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center
Attorney General Lisa Madigans revelation that she would not seek a fifth term in office sent shockwaves through Illinois political circles, with several names floated as potential candidates for the high-profile job shortly after the announcement.

Theres just one declared candidate in the race so far  Republican Erika Harold, an attorney and former Miss America who ran for Congress downstate in 2013 and announced her intent to run against Madigan last month.

While Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will likely put millions into the campaign as he seeks to prop up his own reelection effort, theres still uncertainty as to just who the GOP candidate may be.

Former Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross is among those who have been urged to throw a hat in the ring, though an insider revealed that people are asking, but he is not that interested.

Likewise, it's no for current House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, according to a spokesman, as well as for DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin.

On the Democratic side, the field appears wider.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul, who has represented Chicagos South Side since 2004, has long eyed the position and was one of the first Democrats whose names circulated as speculation grows.

My phone has not stopped ringing, and Ive been getting a lot of text messages, he said Friday. Theyve all been encouraging me, and theyve all been asking me where to pick up petitions.

Adding to the incentive for Raoul  his Senate seat is not on the ballot until 2020, meaning he would not need to give up his current position to run, and would be able to return to the legislature if he were to lose.

That choice is one that Democratic strategist Ron Holmes said may end up dissuading several potential candidates in the coming weeks.

"A lot of folks are going to claim interest but ultimately back off once they see what it takes to put together a statewide run, and more importantly what they would have to give up, Holmes said.

This has been Kwame's ideal job for a while and he wouldn't have to give up his senate seat. I doubt we see any sitting members of the House run on the D side, he continued, adding that Reps. Elgie Sims and Rob Martwick would be a long shot and that Durkin is an interesting choice.

For me, I wonder if in the year of the woman and with so many women leaving Illinois politics, could we see Kim Foxx step up? he asked, floating the first African-American female Cook County States Attorney as a potential replacement for the first female Illinois Attorney General.

Foxx has declined to comment on Madigans announcement, but Holmes listed off several factors that may make a run more probable, citing her $250,000 in campaign cash on hand, her high favorable ratings in county-wide polling, and the ability to say shes run a law office.

While Foxx has remained silent, state Rep. Ann Williams, a former assistant attorney general under Madigan who has represented Chicagos North Side since 2011, said the lack of female candidates in the conversation has led her to consider a run.

I'm concerned that there have been very few women mentioned as possible contenders for the seat, she said. That means there would be only one independently elected woman on the Democratic statewide ticket. And we are losing more and more strong women leaders in the legislature - this is a troubling trend at a time where issues important to women have been under unprecedented attack on the federal level. So yes, I'm taking a preliminary look and talking to other women leaders as well.

Another woman who could potentially fit that bill is Democratic State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, who said she's seriously considering running. In July, Nekritz announced she would not seek to keep her Buffalo Grove seat in 2018, but on Sunday, said, "I never intended to retire from working on the issues I care about."

Nekritz said she had no inkling that Madigan would say she was not going to run again, and the decision set off a flurry of speculation as the primary is just six months away.

Nekritz said her attorney is drafting petitions so that once she decides it's a definite go, she'll be ready to collect signatures to get what is likely going to be a multi-million dollar race off the ground.



Also considering a run from the Illinois legislature is state Sen. Michael Hastings, who was first elected in 2012 to represent a south suburban district that includes parts of Matteson, Frankfort, New Lenox and more.

Sources said Hastings, a former U.S. Army Captain who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, is making calls about a possible run for attorney general  and like Raoul, he would not have to give up his seat.

A third potential candidate from the upper chamber is state Sen. Ira Silverstein, who sources said is also interested in the position.

Silverstein has served in the General Assembly since 1999, representing a district that includes portions of Chicagos Northwest Side and surrounding suburbs.

As Majority Caucus Chair, Silverstein is the only potential candidate so far who is a member of Senate leadership, and he is up for reelection in 2018  meaning he would need to choose between running for AG or to keep his seat.

Also from the statehouse, state Rep. Chris Welch did not explicitly say that he was looking into the position  but he also did not rule out a run.

Obviously, this is quite unexpected, Welch said. Lisa Madigan has been a champion of working people as our AG, and I'm extremely flattered that so many people have put my name forward as a possible replacement. I'm humbled. I look forward to my continued service to the constituents of my district.

In a similar vein, Chicago Park District President Jesse Ruiz left the door open to speculation, saying, I believe today we should focus on honoring Attorney General Lisa Madigan for her dedicated public service to the people of Illinois. In the coming days there will be plenty of time to talk about who is now running for Illinois attorney general.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks are also potential Democratic candidates, while even former Obama White House adviser Valerie Jarrett has been rumored to be considering the position.

Though the field of potential candidates is wide now, its expected to thin quickly, as candidates will have to make their decisions in time to fundraise, circulate nominating petitions and campaign statewide ahead of the primary on March 20.
Four people were fatally shot on Chicagos South Side Friday night in a chaotic attack that multiple neighbors recounted as what sounded like "machine gun" fire.

The shooting deaths occurred in the citys Brighton Park neighborhood in the 4700 block of South Fairfield Avenue around 8:35 p.m., police said. Three males and one female were pronounced dead at the scene inside of a vehicle, police said.

Officers were searching for a white SUV in connection to the shootings, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeted.

Maria Mier said she lives in the area where the shooting occurred. She said she heard what sounded like "machine gun" fire and climbed into her bathtub to take cover.

Asked how many rounds she heard fired, she replied "more than 30, I think" and added that it was "really, really noisy."

Chicago police Sgt. Al Stinites said at the scene he had no further information on the victims or what kind of weapon was used.

Unconfirmed police scanner exchanges mentioned that a rifle may have been used.

The Chicago police have increased significantly the number of patrols in the ninth district tonight in this area, he said.

Mier said she hears gunfire in the area sometimes but nothing like Friday night's shootings. But Marina Carbajao, a college student who said her parents live down the street, said the neighborhood was "risky."

Its not a surprise, it kind of happens often here, honestly, its not the safest neighborhood, she said. It just kind of concerns me cause I leave my parents here and I go off to college.

She and mother were headed back from gas station and pulled up to a red light when the shooting started, she said. The pair heard more than a dozen "repetitive" shots that sounded like "a machine gun," she said.

I was with my mom in the car and I just ducked down and I jumped over to her seat, she said. I tried to cover hercause you know she was freaking outand I just wanna save my mom, you knowpriorities.

"I was like just duck down and hopefully nothing happens to us, she recalled telling her mother.



Area Central detectives were investigating. No other details were immediately available.
Autopsy results show the missing pregnant Maryland teacher who was found dead was shot in the back of her head, police said.

Laura Wallen, an Olney, Maryland, resident who was four months pregnant, had been missing for nine days. A search and rescue team found the 31-year-old's body about noon Wednesday in Damascus, Maryland, Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger said in a news conference Wednesday night.

Wallen's boyfriend, Tyler Tessier, 32, was arrested hours later and charged with first-degree murder. On Monday, he spoke at a news conference with Wallen's family, holding his girlfriend's mother's hand.

Police said Tessier was the father of Wallen's baby and had asked Wallen's father for permission to marry her despite being engaged to another woman. Wallen's father said she was expecting a baby boy.

"He has been deceiving and lying their entire existence and their relationship was the only thing that Laura and her family ever fought about," Wallen's father, Mark Wallen, said after a judge ordered Tessier held without bond Thursday afternoon.



Police said both women knew about their past relationships with Tessier, but both believed he was dating them exclusively. According to charging documents, Wallen sent Tessier's fiance a text message on Aug. 28 asking if the two could meet.

"It's important that some things are cleared up and I would imagine that if you were in my position, you'd want some answers as well. By no means is this an attempt at confrontation, just looking for an explanation," the text message read.

A pregnant woman who had been missing for more than a week was found dead and her boyfriend has been charged in her murder. Police described a troubling text Laura Wallen sent before her death. News4's Shomari Stone reports.

She was reported missing a week later. Tessier told police he last saw Wallen alive Sept. 4, but her family said they hadn't seen her since Sept. 1.

Investigators have interviewed Tessier's fiancee, but police have not said whether they believe she was involved.

Tessier, of Damascus, pleaded for his girlfriend's safe return.

"If somebody has her, please understand that you've taken away a huge person in so many people's life," Tessier said Monday. "I don't know where she is. I don't know. I pray that she's safe and that she comes back. That's all I care about."

Police had suspected Tessier's "involvement" since the investigation began, and allowed him to speak at the family's news conference as an investigation strategy, Manger said.

"The decision to allow him to participate in that news conference was a calculated decision made by the detectives in this case for the express purpose of hearing what he had to say. It was done with the approval and knowledge of the victim's family," the police chief said.

"He is a monster and he is a liar," Mark Wallen said. "And it was absolutely the hardest thing my wife could do would be to sit next to him and hold his hand."

The investigation is ongoing.

It could not immediately be determined if Tessier had an attorney. In addition to murder, he was charged with altering evidence and making a false statement to an officer.

Grief counselors were available at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Maryland, on Thursday after missing teacher Laura Wallen was found dead Wednesday. "She was exemplary," district superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano said. "She led with her heart, care and compassion." News4's Justin Finch reports.

Manger said Tessier was the last person known to have seen Wallen. Surveillance video shows the two together on Saturday, Sept. 2, at a grocery store near Wallen's home.

Later that day, Wallen texted her sister and said Tessier had taken her on an "adventure" to a farm.

"Tyler has me on an adventure in the country ... don't know why I'm here but it's for something," she wrote, court records say.

"Really where are you?" her sister replied.

"I'm waiting in a field," Wallen wrote.

"Take a picture," her sister said.

Wallen sent a photo of a large field with a tree line, police said.

Her body was found in a shallow grave in what appears to be that same field. The property, near Prices Distillery Road, belongs to a close friend of Tessier, according to charging documents. Manger said the property owner was found not to have any involvement with her murder.

Two days later, Wallen's sister received a "troubling" text message from Wallen's phone on Monday, Sept. 4, that "were not consistent with the writing style she has come to know," police said.

Manger said Tessier is believed to have sent the text, which read, "The baby isn't Tyler's."

The text went on to claim the baby belonged to an ex-boyfriend, a man police say she hadn't seen in two years. According to charging documents, the name of the ex-boyfriend was misspelled in the text, which Wallen's sister found odd.

Police said Tessier gave conflicting statements about his last interactions with Wallen.

According to charging documents, Tessier initially told police he last saw her on Monday, Sept. 4. During that meeting, Tessier said Wallen was "crying hysterically" and asked him to give her back the key to her home.

Tessier claimed he later asked her to meet him at Columbia Mall, but she never showed up.

Tessier said he then went back to her home but didn't go inside because he no longer had a key, according to police. But a neighbor later told police Tessier was seen walking Wallen's dog that afternoon. Wallen's family found the dog inside her locked home that evening.

During his last interview with police, Tessier claimed Wallen had said he was not the father of her child, adding that she needed to tell her ex-boyfriend he was the father, charging documents state.

Manger said Tessier then drove Wallen's Ford Escape to the Columbia area, and he admitted to getting rid of the front tag. Tessier also admitted to throwing out Wallen's driver's license and iPhone, Manger said. Tessier told police he got rid of the items to "buy her time," charging documents say.

When police asked him to spell the name of the ex-boyfriend, investigators say he misspelled it the same distinctive way it was misspelled in the text message to Wallen's sister.



A vigil for a missing Maryland woman's safe return became a gathering to grieve after news of her murder. News4's Jackie Bensen reports some students who knew Laura Wallen are angered and upset.

Wallen was a beloved social studies teacher at Wilde Lake High, and students and coworkers worried when she failed to show up for the first day of school on Sept. 5.

Wallen's Ford Escape was then found Sept. 7 at an apartment complex in Howard County. The SUV was not far from Wilde Lake High and was across the street from the Columbia Mall, according to investigators.

Tessier also texted an acquaintance Sept. 3 asking for a ride to Baltimore and their help "to clean up a mess," Manger said. That person declined to help.

Wallen's body was finally found on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Members of a search team saw a freshly dug area on a large farm in Damascus, and cadaver-sniffing dogs found Wallen's shallow grave. A purple piece of fabric was in plain view, police said.

Tessier was living in three different locations, Manger said, adding that police have interviewed everyone who he lived with.



"Laura is in the loving arms of God now," Mark Wallen told a News4 reporter via text message on Wednesday.

Wallen was a beloved social studies teacher at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Maryland. Her students and coworkers worried when she failed to show up for the first day of school on Sept. 5.

"She was exemplary," district superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano said early Thursday. "She led with her heart, care and compassion."

Grief counselors were available at the school.

"She was exemplary," district superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano said early Thursday. "She led with her heart, care and compassion."

Wallen's family said she was excited about her pregnancy and posted her sonogram on her refrigerator. Friends said she spent the days before her death preparing her classroom for the new school year.

Grief counselors were available at the school.

"We were praying for a good, old fashioned miracle. God did not give us the miracle that I asked for, but he did give us a miracle nonetheless. We have our daughter back," Mark Wallen said.

Laura Wallen's family said Friday her funeral will be held on Sept. 30 at Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring, Maryland. The family is asking for people to donate to one of two organizations in lieu of flowers: Dream Outside the Box, which is a nonprofit that teaches science to underpriveleged kids, and In Honor of Her, a domestic violence nonprofit.
Two Connecticut congressmen said Thursday they have made progress in getting help for homeowners dealing with crumbling foundations.

Rep. Joe Courtney and Rep. John Larson say they got a set of amendments passed that could bring some relief in the form of grants and tax breaks.

One amendment directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to tailor grants to match needs for people with crumbling concrete.

Another directs the IRS to develop tax deductions for people with losses due to crumbling concrete, something Courtney and Larson discussed with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Monday.

A third amendment calls for developing standards for acceptable levels of pyrrhotite in concrete.

Pyrrhotite is the naturally occurring mineral that experts say causes it to crack and led to the crumbling foundation problem in homes in north-central and eastern Connecticut. All this still must be approved by the Senate and signed by the President.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has received 563 complaints from residents who say the concrete in their foundations is cracking and crumbling.

Courtney and Larson said the amendments mark the first time a full chamber of Congress passed measures related to crumbling concrete.
Experts say people who consumed raw milk or raw milk products from a North Texas dairy could have contracted an infectious disease and need to see a doctor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued the brucellosis warning involving K-Bar Dairy in Paradise, 30 miles northwest of Fort Worth.

The Texas Department of State Health Services says K-Bar Dairy has complied with state law and is cooperating after two cows tested positive for the bacteria.

CDC officials say anyone who consumed unpasteurized K-Bar Dairy products from June through Aug. 7 should take antibiotics to prevent infection.

One Texas woman has gotten sick. Officials are also contacting K-Bar Dairy consumers from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Ohio, North Dakota and Tennessee.

Brucellosis can cause fever, aches and fatigue. Long-term complications include arthritis, heart problems and meningitis.


Sharon Scott, 75, has been mayor of this tiny community on the southwestern shore of Copano Bay for only a couple of months.

The Houston Chronicle reports she assumed office when her predecessor resigned unexpectedly.

"If I'd known Harvey was coming, I think I would have said no," she said Thursday morning. Sitting at the kitchen table in her stepmother's house, the expression on her face was a combination of grin and grimace. In the next room, her 101-year-old father, a retired shrimper and Bayside pioneer, lay on a hospital cot under hospice care.

Scott's father, J.D. Derrough, was with out-of-town relatives when Hurricane Harvey roared ashore three weeks ago at Rockport, 15 miles across the bay. Scott rode out the storm with her daughter, son-in-law and three dogs in their Bayside home. As the wind howled deep into the night, people and dogs moved from room to room seeking safety from crashing windows, collapsing ceilings and water rising throughout the house.

"That wind just would not stop," Scott recalled. "For 12 hours, the wind blew."

The next morning, with Harvey headed east toward Houston, Scott walked down the road to her own two-story modular home with its superb view of the bay. Windows were out, the roof was gone and most everything inside was ruined.

Many of her neighbors in this quiet, unassuming little community, population 325, were even worse off. Barbara and Eddie De Luna, Bayside residents for 32 years, stayed with relatives in Seguin the weekend of the storm. They came home to find their mobile home literally flattened, as if a bomb had exploded inside and propelled everything outward.

"It was my worst nightmare," De Luna said Thursday, as a group from an Abilene church cleared away debris that used to be her home. "I told my husband it was like a nightmare in a horror story, and I'm still trying to wake up from it."

For now, the De Lunas are living in a Motel 6 in Beeville. They plan to stay in Bayside. Maybe they'll build a house, she said.

"Eighty percent of the homes are not livable," the mayor said. "Without help, we don't have the manpower to get back on our feet. We have two maintenance guys who work for the city and two office people. That's it."

Among those unlivable houses is a magnificent mansion on the bay, now leaning perilously to one side. It was constructed by John Howland Wood, a New Yorker who moved to Bayside's predecessor community, St. Mary's on the Aransas, in 1836, in time to participate in the Battle of San Jacinto. He and his wife, Nancy, constructed their rambling Greek Revival mansion in 1875. It was a house big enough for their 12 children.

They had high hopes for St. Mary's, and for several years, the town was a thriving port. Ships offloaded lumber onto wagon and cart trains bound for Refugio, Goliad, Beeville, San Antonio and Uvalde. That period of prosperity and promise ended in 1886 when the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway chose Rockport over St. Mary's. Two speculators in the early 1900s laid out Bayside near the St. Mary's site, but the town never became the thriving community they envisioned.

These days, traffic between Refugio and Corpus Christi speeds by on FM 136. Coastal Bend residents are likely to know Crofutt's Sandwich Shop, a 4-decades-old landmark famous for its sandwiches made with homemade bread, its cinnamon rolls and its cookies. Otherwise, little Bayside offers little reason to stop.

Today, Crofutt's sits beside the highway, locked up and empty. Owner Lorraine Short hasn't decided whether to reopen. "People are going to be disappointed if she doesn't," Scott said.

Among the retirees and second-home Texans living in Bayside are several newcomers, families with children. The mayor worries that they won't stay post-Harvey.

"So far, we've heard that eight families, and counting, are not coming back," she said.

That's also a concern to city council member Gloria Derrough, who's married to the mayor's centenarian father. "Property taxes and a water system are our only sources of income," she said. "We need to help people to stay."

Bayside, like Houston, has land-use and affordable housing issues to deal with after the storm. Residents who want to stay need a place to live while they're rebuilding, and the current Bayside zoning codes don't allow single-wide trailers.

"It's really an important issue," Derrough said. "It's going to affect Bayside's future, and we're just starting to address that. Are we going to break the ordinance and allow single-wides? Single-wides just for a year? Single-wides forever? We're trying to reach out to citizens, and some of them can't afford to rebuild."

After a barbecue lunch on Thursday provided to Bayside residents and volunteers by a West Texas rancher named Mike Gibbs, the mayor walked over to her ruined house, the home she and her late husband built in 1970.

Before digging through files hoping to find insurance papers, she glanced across the sparkling bay, toward what her husband always called their "million-dollar view."

"At least my pier stayed," she said. "My husband built it for me, because he knew I liked to fish. Someday I'll get to fish again."
A federal appeals court reinstated California's ban on foie gras Friday, finding that a state law preventing sales of the luxury liver pate made by force-feeding ducks and geese was not pre-empted by federal authority to regulate poultry products.

The ban was passed more than a decade ago after proponents said the process of fattening the livers of the birds was cruel and inhumane. The law took effect in 2011, but was blocked by a court in 2015, delighting chefs who wanted to serve the delicacy and leading to protests by animal rights groups.

While the unanimous decision by three judges won't immediately take effect, giving farmers and a restaurant time to seek further review, animal activists celebrated.

"The champagne corks are popping," said David Perle of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "PETA has protested against this practice for years, showing videos of geese being force-fed that no one but the most callous chefs could stomach and revealing that foie gras is torture on toast."

State lawmakers voted in 2004 to bar California farmers from force-feeding birds with a tube, which is how foie gras is produced. That part of the law, phased in over seven years, was not challenged.

But foie gras farmers in Canada and New York and Hot's Kitchen in Hermosa Beach targeted a second part of the law that banned foie gras produced out of state from being served in restaurants or sold in markets.

They argued successfully in the lower court that state law was superseded by the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act. That law prevents states from imposing labeling, packaging or ingredient requirements different from federal standards.

The main question was whether the state was banning an ingredient or a process.

"It is not the livers that are force-fed, it is the birds," Judge Jacqueline Nguyen of the appeals court wrote. "The difference between foie gras produced with force-fed birds and foie gras produced with non-force-fed birds is not one of ingredient. Rather, the difference is in the treatment of the birds while alive."

A lawyer for the farmers and Hot's Kitchen said the fight was far from over.

"The ruling is disappointing, the reasoning is flawed," attorney Michael Tenenbaum said. "Federal law is supreme when it comes to poultry products, whether it's foie gras or frozen chicken breasts."

When he won in U.S. District Court two years ago, Tenenbaum sent a press release saying that chef Sean Chaney was shouting "let the foie gras start flowing" from the rooftop of Hot's.

Chaney said he plans to continue serving the rich treat until ordered to stop by a court and said the ruling was merely "a little speed bump."

While the popularity has waned since they were allowed to first serve it after the lower court ruling, there are still popular selections on a special menu customers must request, Chaney said.

Among the offerings are "Lego my foie," a waffle with a dollop of pate and maple syrup and a burger topped with the spread.

He plans to put foie gras back on his main menu this fall despite the ruling.

Tenenbaum said he would seek a review from a full panel of the 9th Circuit and press on to the Supreme Court if necessary.

If the appeals court rejects a review, the ruling will take effect after the case is returned to the lower court, where Tenenbaum can raise other issues.

David Levine, an expert in federal court procedure at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, said it's a longshot that the ban won't go into effect.

"It's probably the end of the road, but not tomorrow," Levine said.
Californians may soon be able to choose the third gender option when applying for a driver's license or other state-issued identification card.

Legislation passed Thursday by the Senate now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown.

If he signs it, the options of `female,' `male,' and `non-binary' will be available on state-issued IDs. The Department of Motor Vehicles can't require someone to show documentation proving their gender choice. The bill also makes it easier for people to change their names and gender identity on other official documents such as birth certificates.

Democratic Assemblyman Todd Gloria says a driver's license is such an essential part of everyday life that everyone should be allowed to ensure it matches their gender identity. He says the legislation could affect as many as 250,000 Californians.

Oregon recently added a gender-neutral option to state IDs.
Surely some wonderful innovator is working on a Porto's Bakery & Cafe app, the kind of app that can live on the home screen of your phone, ready to alert you whenever a new Porto's location is on the way (and, of course, to what neighborhood).

But such an app might not go far enough, if we're going to be honest. What we'd like to suggest is that an inventor build an antenna of some sort, shaped, perhaps, like a potato ball, that can sit in your kitchen and light up when there's important Porto's news.

And important Porto's news has just arrived, with all of the excitement of a dozen guava cheese rolls sliding temptingly into a pastry box: The fifth Porto's restaurant is headed for West Covina, joining the Glendale, Burbank, Downey, and Buena Park eateries as part of the Porto's familia.

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune revealed that the restaurant "could break ground... later this fall" following a 4-0 vote by the Planning Commission approving the tear down of the existing structure at 1360 W. Garvey Avenue.

That's right, the newest Porto's will move into a brand-new building, a massive space that's slated to stand two stories tall.

Amazing. Just when you thought no restaurant interior could be as spacious as your capacious love for the potato ball, one promises to come along and reflect the sheer size of your inner potato ball-based yearnings.

The company, which was founded in 1960 with a shop on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, has become a go-to Southern California mainstay for classic Cuban cuisine and a host of breads, pastries, and cakes.

And, true, while there are thus far four Porto's around the region, you can currently buy a Porto's-made sweet at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City during the "Cuba Is" exhibit.

That's on through March 4, 2018.

So what's the highly anticipated opening date on the West Covina Porto's? Look to about a year from now, give-or-take-ish, at this point in time, per the SGVT.

No fretting, though, as you pore over various calendars: You can still find your potato balls at a quartet of other SoCal spots, even as you plan to devour them, later in 2018, on Garvey Avenue in West Covina.
When Hurricane Irma hit South Florida, the storm created a huge dent in Miamis poorest communities. Many who struggle for basic necessities faced a new challenge as power outages brought South Florida to a halt.

Low-income residents in Little Haiti, Liberty City and Overtown were without electricity for days. And, for those who depend on government assistance, having no power makes it difficult to purchase food because EBT cards are not accepted at powerless stores that are servicing cash-only customers.

Thats why community leaders stepped up to lend a helping hand to these individuals  at a time when many of them say they felt forgotten. Miami City Commissioner Keon Hardemon launched an effort to deliver the basic necessities to the aforementioned communities throughout the week.

Father Rev. Fr. Reginald Jean-Mary of Notre Dame dHaiti Catholic Church also spent the week reaching out to his community as the church serves as a lifeline for nearby residents. The church leader said he didnt expect Hurricane Irmas impact to be as great.

We thought that everything was going to be okay, especially since we were not going to be hit by the eye of the hurricane, Father Jean-Mary said.

A team of volunteers hosted community barbecues where they distributed water, ice and hot meals to residents of Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church, Charles Hadley Park and Gibson Park. Similar events were held in Pembroke Pines.

We could not ask for anything better, Michelle Rodriguez, a Little Haiti resident, told NBC 6.

Some groups voiced their discontent with the federal governments lack of intervention in low-income communities. Grassroots organizations, including the New Florida Majority, Dream Defenders and Florida Immigrant Coalition, joined forces to set up a relief fund to help residents.

As we saw with Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, low-income communities of color are often the least equipped to weather intense storms, Andrea Mercado, executive director of the New Florida Majority. The lack of electricity, potable water, and phone service is a dangerous combination, especially in poor communities where families may not have had the resources to purchase supplies.

Power outages across South Florida are cutting off access for those using electronic benefit cards.

A rally was held outside the Buena Vista Apartments in Little Haiti Friday afternoon. Outraged advocates said minority and low-income communities are last on the list when it comes to the governments relief efforts.

The people want to know Where is FEMA? Where is the Red Cross? And, where are the billions of dollars that you have raised in our name? exclaimed St. James Valsin of the Dream Defenders Organization.

Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Children and Families is working with USDAs Food and Nutrition Service to activate the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in eligible counties soon  to provide funds to victims of Irma who are in need of food.

[NATL]Photos: Long Road to Recovery Begins After Irma
A call about a stolen bag of chips on Thursday night led Portage police officers to finding a hollowed-out TV and a gun and ended with the arrest of four people on their way to Washington, police reported.

At about 7:30 p.m., police were called to the Portage Walgreens on a report that a suspect who appeared to be intoxicated had stolen a bag of chips. The suspect and three others were located across the street at Culvers in a car filled with stuff and strewn with trash.

As an officer approached the vehicle and asked the occupants to get out, he reportedly saw a semiautomatic .380 pistol on the floor. After a search of the vehicle, officers also found paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine and prescription drugs.

When the K9 unit inspected the vehicle, the dog made an alert toward a flat-screen television that had been secured to the roof of the car. Officers unfastened the back of the TV and found no drugs there, but found that it been hollowed out.

Eusebio Delgado, 37, of Royal City, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of prescription drug medication without a prescription.

Angelica Emilia Ortega, 18, of Moses Lake, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a prescription medication without a prescription.

Brenda De Jesus, 38, of Othello, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a concealed weapon and possession of prescription medication without a prescription.

Esteban Torres Aquilar, 45, of Othello, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of carrying concealed weapons and possession of prescription medication without a prescription.

No formal charges have been filed regarding the bag of chips.
A professor at a New York City criminal justice college has been suspended after tweeting "its a privilege to teach future dead cops.

The tweet posted by John Jay College of Criminal Justice adjunct economics professor Michael Isaacson was shocking and abhorrent, college president Karol Mason said in a statement Friday evening. Isaacson was put on administrative leave out of concern for the safety of students, faculty and staff. The college said he would remain on leave until it finishes an internal review.

While John Jay strongly supports and affirms the right of free speech and independent views and expressions by our faculty, students and staff, the statements made by the adjunct are the antithesis of what John Jay College represents, she said.

The tweet, sent on Aug. 23 under the handle @vulgareconomics, stated "Some of yall might think it sucks being an anti-fascist teaching at John Jay College but I think its a privilege to teach future dead cops" and brought immediate condemnation from across the social network.

Some of y'all might think it sucks being an anti-fascist teaching at John Jay College but I think it's a privilege to teach future dead cops  Mike Isaacson (@VulgarEconomics) August 23, 2017

It even drew the ire of the NYPDs unions, Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner James ONeill  a John Jay graduate.

As a 2x grad there, I know Michael Isaacson's reprehensible values don't represent @JohnJayCollege, #NYC, #NYPD or families of murdered cops, ONeill wrote.

As a 2x grad there, I know Michael Isaacson's reprehensible values don't represent @JohnJayCollege, #NYC, #NYPD or families of murdered cops pic.twitter.com/EdSEA0u525  Commissioner O'Neill (@NYPDONeill) September 15, 2017

Mason also added that faculty at the college received threats after Isaacson's tweet and students told administrators they were worried about their safety.

"I want to state clearly that I was shocked by these statements. They are abhorrent," she said. "This adjunct expressed personal views that are not consistent with our colleges well known and firm values and principles and my own personal standards and principles."

Isaacson, using another Twitter account, wrote Friday morning that he doesnt believe in the institution of policing, saying it "operates at the behest of a state that increasingly represents the weapons and prison industry rather than the public theyre supposed to serve."

"I illuminate this fact in my classes in the hopes that my students are able to choose a career path that does not put them in the position of having to act as an agent of that institution," he said.

NBC reached out to Isaacson seeking comment after his suspension. In a statement to the Daily News on Friday, he said his biggest regret was "putting my sudents and the John Jay faculty at risk."
A security guard killed a man accused of shooting two people outside a hookah lounge in North Philadelphia late Friday night.

The security guard was on-duty outside the J/F Hookah Lounge on the 2400 block of Germantown Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. when he spotted a gunman open fire on a man and woman, according to police.

The guard was on duty at the time standing by the front door when he observed only feet away from him this male approach from Cumberland Street and begin opening fire on pedestrians that were walking down the street, Philadelphia Police Captain Drew Techner told NBC10.

The two pedestrians, a 25-year-old woman and 30-year-old man, were both struck in the left leg. The security guard then took out his own weapon and fired at the gunman, investigators said.

Security guard had a weapon, Captain Techner said. He was armed and he shot multiple times on the shooter.

Police said the guard shot the gunman several times. The suspect was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:19 a.m. Saturday. Police have not released his identity but say he was a 30-year-old man.

The wounded man and woman were both taken to Temple University Hospital and are both in stable condition.

Police continue to investigate the incident.




A Pennsylvania farm where George Washington's troops narrowly escaped the British during the Revolutionary War is getting historic protection.

Preservationists and land conservationists were on hand Friday celebrating the official preservation of the 10-acre Dilworth Farm, a key part of the Brandywine Battlefield.

Republican congressmen Patrick Meehan and Ryan Costello joined Chester County officials and others at the site in West Chester.

The farm was bought for $850,000 with grants from Chester County and the American Battlefield Protection Program, and matched with private donations from the Civil War Trust.

Washington and his men performed admirably at Brandywine but ultimately lost the pivotal battle.

The 35,000-acre battlefield is perpetually under threat from Philadelphia-area development.

Hundreds of acres of Brandywine Battlefield land have been saved through local preservation efforts.
What to Know Sen. Menendez is accused of accepting bribes from Salomon Melgen in exchange for helping his friend with business disputes and with the visa

Menendez and Melgen have contended in court filings that the gifts were evidence of the pair's longtime friendship, not a corrupt agreement

Both men face multiple fraud and bribery charges

Sen. Bob Menendez has spent about 30 hours over the last two weeks in a New Jersey courtroom fighting for his political career and freedom, while showing little sign outside the courtroom he's in the middle of a federal corruption trial.

The New Jersey Democrat is defending himself against charges he lobbied government officials on behalf of a Florida eye doctor in exchange for campaign contributions and luxury vacations, and the trial is keeping him away from votes in Washington but not from Senate work entirely.

After prosecutors slammed him on the first day of the trial, Menendez attended a rally of about 100 people outside a federal building to protest President Donald Trump's decision to end deportation protection for young immigrants living in the country illegally.

During a day of testimony from two women Menendez is accused of helping get visas as part of a bribery conspiracy, his Twitter account blasted out messages saying he was "outraged" at Equifax, the credit-rating agency that was hacked, exposing the Social Security numbers and other personal data of about 143 million Americans. Menendez said he will work to preserve the right to sue for those affected by the breach.

The flurry of tweets, news releases and public events comes as Menendez is fighting for his political future. Republicans are already trying to pressure Senate Democrats to call for Menendez's resignation if he's convicted, which would allow Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to choose his replacement to fill out his term.

Menendez has pleaded not guilty.

His advisers say his work is an effort to persevere through an "unjust time in his life."

"He has chosen to continue his fight for New Jersey while at the same time fighting to clear his good name, when most people under these conditions would've simply collapsed," senior political adviser Mike Soliman said.

The spirited defense during the trial follows the script Menendez's team has used since he was indicted in 2015. Menendez vigorously denied wrongdoing that day and vowed to defend himself.

He has raised more than $6 million between a legal defense fund and for his 2018 re-election campaign since then. Hundreds of donors, including Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, continue to support him.

Experts interpret Menendez's work schedule as optimism about his chances of acquittal. It's also an effort to avoid showing any weakness, said Montclair State University political science professor Brigid Harrison.

"On some level, it's almost in-your-face," she said. "If you are going to start indicting senators for accepting campaign contributions from individuals and corporations and then advocating for them, there'd be nobody left."

The trial and allegations against Menendez don't seem to have eroded any support from his Democratic allies.

"New Jersey needs people in Congress who fight as fiercely on our behalf as Robert Menendez has his entire career," fellow Democrat and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said in a statement. "I'm grateful for his friendship and I look forward to continuing to work with him."

Republicans see it differently.

The Republican National Committee has launched a campaign to pressure Democrats to call for Menendez's resignation, and has even put together an election-style video that features then-Sen. Barack Obama calling for the ouster of a Republican lawmaker who was convicted.

The committee has also unveiled what they're calling a second phase of the campaign, calling on Democrats who've accepted campaign cash from Menendez's political action committee to return the money.

Menendez's standing in New Jersey, though, could be taking a hit from the trial. A Quinnipiac University poll released last week showed that 50 percent think he doesn't deserve re-election. The poll surveyed 1,121 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

That was up from a Quinnipiac survey in June when 44 percent thought he didn't deserve re-election. The poll surveyed 1,103 voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
Few issues have animated President Donald Trump's ardent supporters more than his pledge to build a wall along the nation's Southern border. Now, Trump's decision to put that promise aside  at least temporarily  while he pursues a deal with Democrats to protect young immigrants brought to the country illegally may test the limits of that loyalty.

Some avid Trump backers praised the president as a pragmatist trying to make deals with whomever he can. But others recoiled at the prospect of Trump joining forces with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on immigration, and seeming to get little in return.

"Many supporters of the president wonder whether our king has been captured and (White House chief of staff John) Kelly and a clique of generals and their globalist friends are now governing," said Roger Stone, a longtime informal adviser to Trump. His comments reflected the growing concern among some Trump backers about the diminished presence of nationalist advisers in the West Wing.

Amy Kremer, who founded the group Women Vote Trump, likened the president's deal-making with Democrats to one of history's most notorious political flip-flops: President George H.W. Bush's broken campaign-trail vow that he wouldn't raise taxes.

"If the wall doesn't get done and he gives amnesty, he'll lose the base," Kremer said. "You're going to see an absolute revolt."

The worries were sparked by Trump's startling efforts to forge consensus with Schumer and Pelosi  "Chuck and Nancy," as the president has cozily referred to the Democratic duo  over the fate of nearly 800,000 people brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Trump, Schumer and Pelosi discussed the matter at a private White House dinner Wednesday night.

On Thursday morning, the president  a former Democrat himself  and the minority leaders appeared largely aligned. Trump said an agreement to allow the young immigrants to stay in the country would have to include "massive border security." But he pointedly said a border wall, which is staunchly opposed by Democrats, could come later. He's outlined no specific path for ultimately making that happen.

While allowing young people who came to the U.S. illegally to stay in the country is broadly popular, immigration hardliners consider it amnesty. As a candidate, Trump vowed to repeal the executive action signed by President Barack Obama allowing the young people to stay. But he's struggled with the issue as president, often speaking sympathetically about the young immigrants. Earlier this month, he announced that he would rescind their protections in March, but said he wanted Congress to pass legislation protecting them from deportation.

Trump has tested the limits of his supporters' loyalty before, often to find that they were unshaken by his policy reversals. He failed to fulfill his pledge to repeal Obama's signature health care law. He's backed off his tough talk on China, declining to label Beijing a currency manipulator. The United States is still a party to the Iran nuclear deal, despite Trump's promise to rip up the agreement.

But immigration, and the border wall in particular, hold special resonance with Trump supporters. Some of Trump's appeal to the white, working-class voters who formed the basis of his voting bloc stemmed from his promises to crack down on illegal immigration. At his raucous campaign rallies, voters often broke out into chants of "build that wall."

Once in the White House, Trump's nationalist-minded advisers, particularly strategist Steve Bannon, often pressed the president on the particular importance of fulfilling his promise on the border wall. But Bannon, who kept a tally of Trump's campaign promises in his West Wing office, was pushed out this summer as part of Kelly's takeover of the White House.

The headlines Thursday on Breitbart News, where Bannon returned after leaving the administration, were unforgiving. One panned the president as "Amnesty Don." Another said Trump got "rolled" by the Democrats.

With his poll numbers sagging, Trump has spent recent weeks alternating between being deeply worried about disappointing his base and deeply frustrated with Republican lawmakers' struggles to pass significant legislation. The GOP's failure to pass an Obamacare overhaul in particular soured Trump's view of Republican congressional leaders, according to advisers, and opened him up to the prospect of partnering with Democrats instead.

Some of Trump's supporters praised the president for what they see as pragmatism.

"He's to the point he needs to get something done. The Republican Party has failed him miserably," said Jeff Jorgensen, the GOP chairman in western Iowa's conservative Pottawattamie County. "Hats off to him. If you need to cross the aisle to get things done, then cross the aisle."

There's no guarantee that the common ground Trump found this week with Democrats on immigration will result in legislation. Republicans still control which legislation comes up for votes, and neither Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell nor House Speaker Paul Ryan appeared eager to sign on. The scope of the border security measures that would be included in an eventual bill could also undercut Democratic support.

Trump, trying to tamp down criticism that he was acquiescing to his political opponents, insisted he would eventually make good on his promises to his base.

"Ultimately, we have to have the wall," he said. "If we don't get the wall we're not doing anything."
New questions were raised Thursday by the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to a civil lawsuit filed in March and an amended complaint made public last week.

Did a San Diego mosque unknowingly facilitate terrorism by funneling money to the Sept. 11 hijackers?

A new federal law allows families of terrorism victims to sue foreign governments, if they can prove the entity provided financial or material support to terrorists, according to the civil lawsuit.

Now, families of 9/11 victims are trying to prove a connection between the Saudi Arabia government and terrorists who spent time in San Diego, according to the civil lawsuit.

Two hijackers, who crashed into the Pentagon, lived in San Diego, according to the civil lawsuit.

They attended a mosque here, learned English and learned to fly airplanes, according to the civil lawsuit.

Sixteen years later, top law enforcement officials say more questions remain about who helped them settle in San Diego, and if those who helped Nawaf al-Hamzi and Khalid al-Midhar have ties to the Saudi Arabia government.

"I dont think its a stretch," said Sheriff Bill Gore in a 2016 interview on the same topic. "We all know that Bin Laden was a Saudi, and a lot of his financial support came from wealthy Saudi Arabian citizens."

Gore is now San Diegos sheriff, but on Sept. 11, 2001, Gore was a special agent in charge of the San Diego FBI office.

He spoke with us a year and a half ago about 28 then-classified pages of a Congressional report on the attacks, which detailed the terrorists connections to San Diego.

"We never saw anything that directly tied in San Diego, the direction of the 9/11 terrorist plot to any member of the Saudi Arabia government, but its still a lot left ... Theres still a lot of unanswered questions," Gore said, during that July 2016 interview.

Now, an amended complaint filed by the victims and families of the terrorist attacks accuses the Saudi Arabia government of helping the hijackers by funneling money through the Islamic Center of San Diego, according to the civil lawsuit.

The complaint relies on new evidence revealed in a previously undisclosed 9/11 report, which says the FBI believed the Islamic Center of San Diego of knowingly helping the terrorists, according to the full 9/11 Commission report, which includes the now released 29-pages.

The 9/11 Commission report is included as an exhibit in the civil lawsuit complaint.

The amended complaint filed by the victims and families of the terrorist attacks accuses the Saudi Arabia government of helping the hijackers by funneling money through the Islamic Center of San Diego, according to the civil lawsuit.

The lawsuit does not accuse the Islamic Center of San Diego of knowingly helping the terrorists, but rather focuses on the government of Saudi Arabias role in "facilitating the September 11th attacks" by providing "substantial assistance to al Qaeda," some of which came through the Islamic Center of San Diego, the lawsuit alleges.

"From 1998 and including September 11, 2001, Saudi Arabia funded al Qaeda by sending substantial sums of money through the Islamic Center of San Diego, or through various organizations, individuals and/or private businesses, including but not limited to U.S.-based Somali charities and/or other businesses, to al Qaeda," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit complaint describes Hazmi and Midhar, the two hijackers who spent time in San Diego, of posing as Saudi students and soliciting help from the Islamic Center of San Diego.

Investigative reports detail how the pair persuaded the administrator of the Islamic Center of San Diego to use his bank account to receive a $5,000 wire transfer from Al Abdul Aziz Ali, the nephew of Osama Bin Ladin, according to the civil lawsuit complaint, which includes investigative reports as exhibits to its claims.

Reached at the mosque Tuesday, the Iman of the Islamic Center of San Diego told NBC 7 the hijackers were not closely associated with the center, and accounts of money laundering were baseless accusations.

"Based on what community members tell me, they came here once or twice," said Imam Taha Hassane, who took over operations of the mosque in 2004. "They came here to pray, like anyone else."

Gore said the question may still be the focus of investigative work.

"I wouldnt be surprised if there are still people who are in the FBI and around the country working investigations involved with the 9/11 attacks," Gore said in the July 2016 interview on a similar topic.

Gore said in 2016 its important to remember the entire Saudi community, particularly the San Diego Saudi community is not to blame; stressing that questions only remain about a few specific individuals.

He said questions about the role of the Saudi government must be held to a high level of scrutiny.

"Like I said, theres a lot of very good Saudis here. But I think that Saudis funded some of the hijackers or funded al-Qaeda operations shouldnt be a real secret to anyone," Gore said in 2016. "But to say that 9/11 was directed by the Saudi government is kinda a stretch."

Thats the stretch and the link Attorney Jim Kriendler hopes to make during the process of the civil lawsuit against Saudi Arabia  a process that has already taken more than a decade with no end in sight on how long it will take.

"It is impossible to say. The KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) will fight the case very hard. We anticipate its lawyers will challenge JASTA on Constitutional grounds and will seek to dismiss the case alleging that there is not sufficient evidence that it bears responsibility for the 9/11 attacks," a Q&A section on the attorneys website states.

The Imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego told NBC 7 on Tuesday the two hijackers were not closely associated with the mosque.

He also said since he took over the center in 2004, they have never allowed individuals to use the bank account of the Islamic Center.
An expert who two years ago warned about dangerous lead levels in Flint, Michigan's drinking water has declared a qualified end to the crisis.

Virginia Tech researcher Marc Edwards said Friday that, after several rounds of testing, lead levels are back to normal  for a city with old lead pipes. He recommends the continued use of filters and warns of a "crisis of confidence" among residents who blame government for the water problems.

Edwards' team has collected samples from 138 Flint homes, with the fifth and likely final round last month.

Flint's water was tainted with the toxin for at least 18 months, as the city tapped the Flint River but didn't treat the water to reduce corrosion. As a result, lead leached from old pipes and fixtures.
A Philadelphia doctor is making progress finding a cure for a rare illness that can afflict children.

Just one in 7,000 children born get H-ABC, which is frequently confused with more common and well-known illnesses like cerebral palsy. It's a neurodegenerative disease that attacks children's brains. Because of a faulty, inherited genetic mutation, children progressively lose the ability to move their arms and legs and to speak. Eventually, it can kill them.

There is no cure. Symptoms can only be managed.

Dr. Adeline Vanderver of Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia is racing to find a cure.

These children have no time to lose, she said.

Vanderver is at the forefront of researching the disease.

The white matter of the brain is a part of your brain made up by specialized cells, and they create the insulation around your nerve fibers, she said. So your nerve fibers have to travel from the surface of your brain, sometimes very long distances, to connect with your spinal cord and to connect with your arms and legs where those nerve impulses are needed.

The disease itself is not the only problem.

A lot of doctors even don't know what these conditions are, Vanderver said.

Eloise Sloan, 11, of Rockville, Maryland, can understand and hear perfectly, but her motor skills are severely compromised now. Her father has watched a painful process over the years.

We became acutely aware when she was about 2-and-a-half or so that perhaps there was something a little wrong and we started doing a lot of investigation and going to visit some doctors and, quite honestly, they didn't know what was going on, either, Britt Sloan said.

Once Eloise finally was diagnosed with H-ABC the Sloans were at least able to get her into treatment to manage her symptoms and to doctors for monitoring.

Eloise has slowly lost movement and speech. The Sloans altered their house so Eloise can get around as easily as possible.

The family found their way to Vanderver years ago for Eloise's treatment.

Vanderver has identified the gene linked to H-ABC and now works with a team to find a cure.

In the last decade, theres really been revolutionary new approaches in how to target specific genetic changes in the body and to try to change those problems at the source, Vanderver said.

By using cells from affected patients, she measures RNA and DNA hoping to find a targeted therapy that would modify the gene that causes H-ABC.

Vanderver said because the disease progresses slowly she is hopeful she will be able to help Eloise and other children.

The Sloans say Eloise is hopeful, too.

Everybody that meets her says her smile is overwhelming, her father said.

She is genuinely happy, said her mother, Michele Sloan.
A community activist is trying to raise money to pay for a funeral for a homeless infant girl who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome last month.

The 4-week-old baby, named Ida, died on Aug. 4 at a hotel on New York Avenue, where the city houses homeless families. The child still hasn't been buried because her family cannot afford to give her a proper burial.

Earline Budd, an activist who has raised awareness for transgender and minority causes in the past, set up a GoFundMe campaign to help Ida's family pay for a funeral and private burial.

Budd said it's been difficult to raise money for the cause.

"With everything going on with the hurricanes, Irma and Harvey, it kind of blocked out the ability for people, I guess to even see this precious little life that meant so much," Budd said.

Anyone interested in donating can visit the GoFundMe page.
Dasheria Barksdale tried to leave him, but he came back and killed her, her friends say.

The 30-year-old was stabbed to death in Alexandria, Virginia, on Thursday by her boyfriend, according to police.

The time when someone tries to leave their abusive partner can be the most dangerous, a manager at a Washington, D.C. domestic violence shelter said Friday, in the wake of at least three devastating attacks on women in the region this month.

If you are ready to leave an abusive partner, you need a specific, detailed "safety plan," Chandra Robinson of My Sister's Place and other experts say.

Nothing guarantees, but you stand a better chance towards safety when you have a safety plan, Robinson said. Dont try on your own. I think thats the safest way."



The tiny details of this plan could help save your life.



We advise how you should park in the driveway, just in case you have to run out and leave, she said.



My Sister's Place staffers practices these safety plans again and again with their clients, who mostly are women.

Safe at Home is NBC4s effort to raise awareness about the problem of domestic violence and the solutions being worked on in the D.C. area. Were breaking the silence to help those in need find hope and a way out. More stories

It can take weeks or months to execute the plan. Here are some tips on how to start, from the domestic violence program in Arlington County, Virginia.

How to Develop a Safety Plan to Leave an Abusive Partner

 Contact a shelter or family violence hotline to speak with an advocate about what help is available to you.

 Keep money, clothes, important documents and an extra set of keys ready just in case you need to leave quickly. Store these in a safe place, like a friends house or in a spot your abuser wont find.

 Plan an escape route.

 Determine what time of day is best to leave. For example, does your abuser work during the day or at night?

 If you have children, practice emergency drills with them. Teach them how to dial 911.

 Include any pets in your plan.

 If you have a protective order, carry it with you. You may want to make extra copies to give to your employer or school.

 Discuss a signal with your neighbors or coworkers that you can use to call for help.

 Be prepared to protect yourself. Leaving a partner can be dangerous.

Developing a safety plan may seem daunting. Don't be afraid to ask for help, Robinson said.

The victim is doing a disservice to him or herself to take all of this on by themselves. Youve done enough just being a victim, she said.

Getting help with your plan from a professional is ideal, but family members, friends and coworkers who you trust also can help.

A woman was stabbed to death in Alexandria, Virginia, early Thursday after she tried to leave her boyfriend, her devastated friends told News4. Julie Carey reports.

How to Get Help With Your Safety Plan at Work

 Find someone at work who you can talk to about your situation, such as a boss.

 Give a photo of your abuser and a description of their vehicle to a trusted coworker.

 Move your workspace to a safe area.

 Ask your supervisor about policies and procedures that address domestic violence.

Barksdale, the woman who Alexandria police say was killed by her boyfriend, was the third woman in the D.C. area who officials say was attacked by her partner this month. Her boyfriend, Melvin Williams, 23, put a knife to her throat early Thursday, police said.

"He was saying, 'I told you, it's 'til death do us part, it's 'til death do us part. I told you I'm gonna kill you,'" a friend who tried to save Barksdale told News4.

On Wednesday, the body of pregnant, missing high school teacher Laura Wallen was found in a shallow grave in Damascus, Maryland. Police say her boyfriend, Tyler Tessier, 32, shot her in the head and then said at news conference with her family that he was desperate to find her. Wallen was 31 and excited about her baby, her father said.

Days earlier, on Friday, Sept. 8, Andrea Grinages boyfriend set her on fire in Capitol Heights, Maryland, leaving her with critical burns and forcing her to deliver her baby seven weeks premature, police and her family said. Laquinn Phillips, 34, was charged with attempted murder.

Anyone -- regardless of their race, age, class or location -- can be a victim of abuse.

This is why I call domestic violence an epidemic, Robinson said.

One in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have suffered violence by a partner in their lifetime, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a national report published this year.



If you need help, My Sister's Place in D.C. can be reached at 202-529-2991. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 8007997233; they provide resources no matter where youre located.
President Donald Trump's repeated promises to end the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal may accomplish what Tehran has been trying to do for decades  drive a damaging wedge between the U.S. and key European allies, NBC News reported.

Trump has made no secret of his dislike for the 2015 agreement, which had painful sanctions lifted in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear program. On the campaign trail, he called it "the worst deal ever."

On Thursday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said "Iran is clearly in default" of U.S. expectations for the pact. He cited Iranian support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, its development of ballistic missiles and "cyber activities."

While the Trump administration also extended sanctions relief to Tehran under that deal, NBC News reported that Trump plans to sign off on a new Iran policy ahead of his first appearance at the United Nations General Assembly next week. Trump is seeking to take a more aggressive approach, according to administration officials.
A staff member was charged Friday with assaulting children at the Boys and Girls Club in Dudley, Massachusetts.

Police confirmed a 33-year-old man from Southbridge is facing six counts of assault and battery on a child, as well as a charge of disturbing the peace.

The Dudley Police Department would not identify the suspect, who is accused of pulling girls' hair and clothing, and kissing some on the cheeks.

The incidents took place while the man was working, police said, adding each one is thought to have happened in the cafeteria.

The investigation began Tuesday. That day, a 12-year-old girl called her grandmother. Stacey Lundy-Teixeira was shocked at what she heard.

Her granddaughter says the staff member, smelling of alcohol, walked up to her.

"He pulled her hair, told her he was going to smack the braces off her face," Lundy-Teixeira said.

The girl went on, telling her grandmother the staff member also told several children, aged 6 and 7, they had to give him a hug and a kiss if they wanted a cookie.

"My heart breaks for all the children that have been there," Lundy-Teixeira said.

The Boys and Girls Club confirmed Thursday it had fired the staffer and called Dudley Police.

At a future date, likely in October, the suspect will face a cause hearing. If sufficient cause is found, he will be arraigned. Police said his identity would be made public at that point.
There will be no school again on Monday in Vermont's largest city due to teachers being back on the picket line.

About 400 members of the Burlington Education Association went on strike Thursday. Teachers say the issue is scheduling time for teachers to prepare outside the classroom and to work one-on-one with students. The school board says teachers made new, unexpected demands at the last minute.

On Saturday, school officials said there would be a change in meal distribution on Monday for the district's students.

In partnership with the King Street Center, Burlington Parks & Recreation, Burlington Housing Authority and Champlain Housing Trust, meals will be delivered to city neighborhoods as follows:

Bobbin Mill 11-11:30 a.m.

South Meadow 11:30-12 p.m.

Franklin Square 11-12 p.m.

Riverside 11-11:30 a.m.

Roosevelt Park 11:30-12 p.m.

Salmon Run 12-12:30 p.m.

J.J. Flynn and Burlington High School will be open for lunch from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The school district has about 4,000 students.
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Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature have passed legislation endorsing the framework of an incentive package for Foxconn Technology Group, which is poised to make a $10 billion investment in the state.

Now, the real work begins.

Thats not intended to diminish the long hours of debate and study devoted to the Foxconn bill by lawmakers since it was first revealed in early summer. Rather, its to acknowledge if ever there was a case of the devil lurking in the details of a deal, this is it.

Passed this month by the Assembly, 64-31, and the Senate, 20-13, the process now returns to state negotiators to finish writing the terms of the incentive package. That will take the form of a contract that will outline the more precise terms of how, when and if Foxconn will be compensated for investing up to $10 billion in capital over time and hiring up to 13,000 direct employees.

It will look much like a bank underwriting process, in which provisions are outlined to provide incentives for Foxconn to perform as announced while limiting the state of Wisconsins risk through repayment clawbacks or payment thresholds for meeting job-creation targets.

An amendment passed by the Senate and embraced by the Assembly would require the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to establish job creation thresholds for Foxconn that must be met before incentives could be paid, even in partial form.

While that amendment didnt set specific job ranges  state negotiators will work on that in coming weeks  it helps to address concerns that Foxconn would fall short of its predicted 13,000 jobs and still get the bulk of an estimated $3 billion in state incentives.

It leaves the state in a better position to negotiate with Foxconn over retroactive tax incentives for job creation. Foxconn is the worlds largest contract manufacturer of electronics and the fourth-largest information technology company by overall revenue, a status the company didnt obtain by having a team of weak negotiators.

In addition to the state contract talks, work is underway to solve what some people predict is the biggest problem of all: Finding enough skilled workers for Foxconn in an already tough labor market.

Marquette University President Michael Lovell touched on that need Thursday at a Tech Council Innovation Network meeting in Wauwatosa. Marquette campus leaders are regularly in touch with the company over its need for scientists, engineers and other technicians, Lovell said. Similar conversations are happening throughout the UW System, the states technical colleges and other private colleges and universities.

Lovell said its part of a larger trend  in Wisconsin and well beyond  to better align the needs of industry with higher education in a rapidly changing world.

We have to be nimble; we have to be quicker, Lovell said. Its a service to our students to help them prepare for a world in which many of tomorrows jobs dont exist today.

Lovell, an engineer who was part of the University of Pittsburgh faculty before coming to UW-Milwaukee and later to Marquette, talked about Pittsburghs transformation when Google opened a major office there. In short order, he recalled, Apple, Intel, Microsoft and Disney also took up residence in the city best known for the steel-making that is now largely in its past.

The same will happen in Wisconsin, he said. Once you build an infrastructure in a sector, others will follow, Lovell said.

Finally, as it becomes more apparent that Racine County will be Foxconns primary home, local officials there will step up work on the details of what it means for a liquid crystal display plant the size of 11 Lambeau Fields to be dropped in your backyard. Those questions will revolve around land, water, roads, power lines, housing, mass transit and much more.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Two foreign nationals were arrested on charges of stealing details of ATM cards at Kempegowda International Airport.CID said that they arrested Dan Sabin Christian (40) of Romania and Mare Janos (44) of Hungary at around 10.30 pm on September 12. The duo had allegedly installed skimmers  devices that read data on an ATM card  on eight occasions at five different cash dispensers in the city.

CID officials said they were acting on a complaint filed by officials of Kotak Mahindra Bank, which eventually led to the arrests. Police gathered inputs about another skimming device installed at a Kotak Mahindra ATM at the airport. A team inspected the place and established the presence of a skimmer and a miniature camera installed inside the cubicle. From noon onwards on Tuesday, the team kept vigil at the said cash dispenser. Around 10 pm, the two suspects arrived at the ATM. CID said that the accused grew suspicious and booked a cab to leave, without retrieving the skimming devices. However, they were caught by the police before they could get away.

During questioning, it was revealed that the two accused were part of an organised crime gang based out of UK. They used to collect information, including PIN codes of ATM cards and store it in memory cards. They then shared it with gang members.They are said to have arrived in India on September 1. Cristian and Janos were scheduled to fly to the UK on September 19. CID recovered skimming devices, a laptop, a hard disk, memory cards and card readers from them. The duo would spraypaint the skimming devices before installing them to match them with the colour of the ATM kiosk. The installation was done in the mornings, and required only a few minutes.

The travel documents of the accused showed that they had travelled to USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Philippines, Jamaica, France, Argentina, Uruguay etc. They had been barred from USA and Jamaica. We will share details with other nations, and try to get more information through Interpol, CID Director General (DG) Kishore Chandra said. They have been remanded to custody till Sept 22, he said. Last year, a Romanian duo involved in ATM data theft in Kerala and another Romanian national in Chennai were arrested in two incidents.

Cover keypad while typing PIN: Top cop

CID Director General (DG) Kishore Chandra requested all those who had swiped their cards at the five cash dispensers in question, to change their PINs and notify their banks. Chandra also suggested that citizens cover the ATMs keypad while typing the PIN code, which would help hide the PIN in case of a hidden camera.

HOW DUO STOLE DATA

 The duo would first spray-paint the card-skimming device and a pin hole camera with the same colour as the ATM kiosk.

 They would then attach the camera above the ATMs keypad and the skimming device behind the spot where the card is inserted.

 After user swiped his card, they would remove the camera and the device and get the PIN codes, card numbers and the CCV codes of the cards.

 They would then send all the data to their associate in the UK

BENGALURU: Two foreign nationals were arrested on charges of stealing details of ATM cards at Kempegowda International Airport.CID said that they arrested Dan Sabin Christian (40) of Romania and Mare Janos (44) of Hungary at around 10.30 pm on September 12. The duo had allegedly installed skimmers  devices that read data on an ATM card  on eight occasions at five different cash dispensers in the city. CID officials said they were acting on a complaint filed by officials of Kotak Mahindra Bank, which eventually led to the arrests. Police gathered inputs about another skimming device installed at a Kotak Mahindra ATM at the airport. A team inspected the place and established the presence of a skimmer and a miniature camera installed inside the cubicle. From noon onwards on Tuesday, the team kept vigil at the said cash dispenser. Around 10 pm, the two suspects arrived at the ATM. CID said that the accused grew suspicious and booked a cab to leave, without retrieving the skimming devices. However, they were caught by the police before they could get away. During questioning, it was revealed that the two accused were part of an organised crime gang based out of UK. They used to collect information, including PIN codes of ATM cards and store it in memory cards. They then shared it with gang members.They are said to have arrived in India on September 1. Cristian and Janos were scheduled to fly to the UK on September 19. CID recovered skimming devices, a laptop, a hard disk, memory cards and card readers from them. The duo would spraypaint the skimming devices before installing them to match them with the colour of the ATM kiosk. The installation was done in the mornings, and required only a few minutes. The travel documents of the accused showed that they had travelled to USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Philippines, Jamaica, France, Argentina, Uruguay etc. They had been barred from USA and Jamaica. We will share details with other nations, and try to get more information through Interpol, CID Director General (DG) Kishore Chandra said. They have been remanded to custody till Sept 22, he said. Last year, a Romanian duo involved in ATM data theft in Kerala and another Romanian national in Chennai were arrested in two incidents. Cover keypad while typing PIN: Top cop CID Director General (DG) Kishore Chandra requested all those who had swiped their cards at the five cash dispensers in question, to change their PINs and notify their banks. Chandra also suggested that citizens cover the ATMs keypad while typing the PIN code, which would help hide the PIN in case of a hidden camera. HOW DUO STOLE DATA  The duo would first spray-paint the card-skimming device and a pin hole camera with the same colour as the ATM kiosk.  They would then attach the camera above the ATMs keypad and the skimming device behind the spot where the card is inserted.  After user swiped his card, they would remove the camera and the device and get the PIN codes, card numbers and the CCV codes of the cards.  They would then send all the data to their associate in the UK
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Malayalam film actress Kavya Madhavan, wife of actor Dileep who is in judicial custody in the actress assault case, has sought anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court. The actress filed the plea before the court on Saturday.

The move comes in the wake of reports that the actress is to be arrested by detectives investigating the abduction and molestation of a leading Malayalam actress earlier this year.

The investigators are said to have found clues to an acquaintance between Kavya Madhavan and Pulsar Suni aka Sunil Kumar, the prime accused in the case.

According to the investigation team, Suni visited Kavya's residence at Vennala in Kochi before the crime in February and accepted a sum of Rs 25,000 as an advance from the actresss mother. Besides, after the abduction, Suni visited Laksyah, an online apparel store run by the actress.

Earlier, there were reports that some pages of the visitors' register at the villa of Kavya were missing.

Police were looking for the register following Pulsar Sunis statement that he had visited Kavya at her villa. Security staff at the villa told the investigating team that the register was partially damaged as it got soaked in the rain.

Kavya Madhavan has denied knowing Pulsar Suni.

The Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate Court will consider the bail plea filed by Dileep on September 18.

(With input from ANI)

KOCHI: Malayalam film actress Kavya Madhavan, wife of actor Dileep who is in judicial custody in the actress assault case, has sought anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court. The actress filed the plea before the court on Saturday. The move comes in the wake of reports that the actress is to be arrested by detectives investigating the abduction and molestation of a leading Malayalam actress earlier this year. The investigators are said to have found clues to an acquaintance between Kavya Madhavan and Pulsar Suni aka Sunil Kumar, the prime accused in the case. According to the investigation team, Suni visited Kavya's residence at Vennala in Kochi before the crime in February and accepted a sum of Rs 25,000 as an advance from the actresss mother. Besides, after the abduction, Suni visited Laksyah, an online apparel store run by the actress. Earlier, there were reports that some pages of the visitors' register at the villa of Kavya were missing. Police were looking for the register following Pulsar Sunis statement that he had visited Kavya at her villa. Security staff at the villa told the investigating team that the register was partially damaged as it got soaked in the rain. Kavya Madhavan has denied knowing Pulsar Suni. The Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate Court will consider the bail plea filed by Dileep on September 18. (With input from ANI)
Mohan Das Menon By

Some statements made in the first week of September in Beijing, Islamabad and Delhi have raised eyebrows given their strategic and political content. The first statement came from Delhi on September 6 when Indias Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat said, As far as China is concerned, the flexing of muscle has started. The salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual manner, testing our limits of threshold is something we have to be wary about. As far as our western neighbour Pakistan is concerned, we dont see any scope of reconciliation. Notably, the statement came in the wake of an affirmation, a day earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Xiamen, China, where both agreed to seek a constructive and forward-looking approach after the tense Doklam military standoff between the two countries.

A subsequent statement on September 7 by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi from Beijing to the effect was: Sino-Indian relations are not derailed. Sino-Indian development represents the future of the world... win-win co-operation is an inevitable choice and the correct direction for Sino-Indian ties.

The third important statement came from Islamabad, from where the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa tactfully dwelt on an advisory to Delhi, that, the welfare of millions of people in these two countries is linked with permanent peace. Instead of insulting Pakistan and using force against Kashmiris, it is in Indias favour to seek resolution of the dispute through diplomatic and political means.

The content of the statement of the Indian Army Chief on possible salami slicing of Indian territory, reflects a mature mindset of a nation subject to over 70 days of an eye-to-eye standoff with a highly militarised neighbour who had chipped away more than 38,000 sq km of Indian territory in 1962 war. Naturally, the Chinese side was taken aback by its frankness of expression, never combated earlier by Beijing.

Correspondingly, the statements from Beijing and Islamabad, too, hold a substantive degree of strategic relevance, tilting somewhat as they seem to, towards more congenial ties than attained hitherto fore. But, Delhi still has to reckon with the probability that in any area of unmitigated military tension, an overt set of tactics worked out in tandem by its two hostile neighbours could possibly be also backed up by integrated molecules of a covert strategy, seeking much larger military ends.

Notwithstanding those ends and targets, the fact remains that the Pakistan polity currently is on the verge of confronting a potentially grim internal turf war. Ever since the Supreme Court has shown the door to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, internal variances in the choice of his successor for the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have reinvigorated Pakistan Armys hopes of upgrading its stake to more decisive levels within the countrys fragile democracy. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif soon after his ouster had to rush to London to be with his ailing wife.

Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz, seen as a possible successor to his legacy, has already spread the message that her fathers judicial ouster was flawed and has accordingly been rejected by the Pakistani people. Beijing, with a friendly connect with both Sharif and the Pakistan Armys general, can be expected to reconnect more vigorously with Islamabads current political and military mentors when Afghan dynamics of a reactive Taliban come to fore once more.

Meanwhile, China and Pakistan, with or without Iran, seem to be working on a new Afghan peace plan that keeps NATO and the US Forces out, and in turn pre-empting even a minuscule role for India. Talks with Taliban, the prime agent to be involved in any such game-changing strategy, now seem inevitable for any fruition of intent on lines planned, alongside Beijings unwavering endorsement and financial support. If and when the Afghanistan ground gets too rough to handle, Beijing has already a lot on its global plate of options.

Beijings ongoing leveraging of its economic power in the international arena is premised on intense projection of its Belt and Road Initiative, involving an investment commitment of over one trillion dollars. Attempts to mollify India to partake of this humungous venture through an advocated entry into the China Pakistan Economic Corridor are likely to continue as the context of the recent statement by Wang Yi suggests.

Mohan Das Menon

Former additional secretary, Cabinet Secretariat

mdmenonconsulting@gmail.com

Some statements made in the first week of September in Beijing, Islamabad and Delhi have raised eyebrows given their strategic and political content. The first statement came from Delhi on September 6 when Indias Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat said, As far as China is concerned, the flexing of muscle has started. The salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual manner, testing our limits of threshold is something we have to be wary about. As far as our western neighbour Pakistan is concerned, we dont see any scope of reconciliation. Notably, the statement came in the wake of an affirmation, a day earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Xiamen, China, where both agreed to seek a constructive and forward-looking approach after the tense Doklam military standoff between the two countries. A subsequent statement on September 7 by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi from Beijing to the effect was: Sino-Indian relations are not derailed. Sino-Indian development represents the future of the world... win-win co-operation is an inevitable choice and the correct direction for Sino-Indian ties. The third important statement came from Islamabad, from where the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa tactfully dwelt on an advisory to Delhi, that, the welfare of millions of people in these two countries is linked with permanent peace. Instead of insulting Pakistan and using force against Kashmiris, it is in Indias favour to seek resolution of the dispute through diplomatic and political means. The content of the statement of the Indian Army Chief on possible salami slicing of Indian territory, reflects a mature mindset of a nation subject to over 70 days of an eye-to-eye standoff with a highly militarised neighbour who had chipped away more than 38,000 sq km of Indian territory in 1962 war. Naturally, the Chinese side was taken aback by its frankness of expression, never combated earlier by Beijing. Correspondingly, the statements from Beijing and Islamabad, too, hold a substantive degree of strategic relevance, tilting somewhat as they seem to, towards more congenial ties than attained hitherto fore. But, Delhi still has to reckon with the probability that in any area of unmitigated military tension, an overt set of tactics worked out in tandem by its two hostile neighbours could possibly be also backed up by integrated molecules of a covert strategy, seeking much larger military ends. Notwithstanding those ends and targets, the fact remains that the Pakistan polity currently is on the verge of confronting a potentially grim internal turf war. Ever since the Supreme Court has shown the door to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, internal variances in the choice of his successor for the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have reinvigorated Pakistan Armys hopes of upgrading its stake to more decisive levels within the countrys fragile democracy. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif soon after his ouster had to rush to London to be with his ailing wife. Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz, seen as a possible successor to his legacy, has already spread the message that her fathers judicial ouster was flawed and has accordingly been rejected by the Pakistani people. Beijing, with a friendly connect with both Sharif and the Pakistan Armys general, can be expected to reconnect more vigorously with Islamabads current political and military mentors when Afghan dynamics of a reactive Taliban come to fore once more. Meanwhile, China and Pakistan, with or without Iran, seem to be working on a new Afghan peace plan that keeps NATO and the US Forces out, and in turn pre-empting even a minuscule role for India. Talks with Taliban, the prime agent to be involved in any such game-changing strategy, now seem inevitable for any fruition of intent on lines planned, alongside Beijings unwavering endorsement and financial support. If and when the Afghanistan ground gets too rough to handle, Beijing has already a lot on its global plate of options. Beijings ongoing leveraging of its economic power in the international arena is premised on intense projection of its Belt and Road Initiative, involving an investment commitment of over one trillion dollars. Attempts to mollify India to partake of this humungous venture through an advocated entry into the China Pakistan Economic Corridor are likely to continue as the context of the recent statement by Wang Yi suggests. Mohan Das Menon Former additional secretary, Cabinet Secretariat mdmenonconsulting@gmail.com
G Parthasarathy By

There have been expectations in India that China would act against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, after critical references were made to Pakistan-based terrorist groups, in the declaration issued by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa at the BRICS summit in Xiamen, China. The declaration stated: We support the efforts of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in fighting terrorist organisations. We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir. We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries. The Heart of Asia Conference on Afghanistan held in Amritsar last year, issued a similar declaration.

Persuading China to agree to such a declaration on Chinese soil, just after the Doklam standoff, is a significant diplomatic achievement. China had earlier lost face internationally, by withdrawing its forces and construction equipment from Doklam, after weeks of hysterical posturing and rhetoric against India. It would, however, be a serious mistake for India to believe that this signals any impending change in Chinas support for its all weather friend Pakistan. While China may have lost face, the real setback it received was from another all weather friend North Koreas Kim Jong Un. China has, for years, played a double game in its ties with North Korea. While arming North Korea to the teeth, China has sought to be a Good Samaritan, pledging to get the nation to listen to its advice, for talks with the US and Japan, to roll back its missile and nuclear weapons programmes. This is, however, just another Chinese ploy to persuade the US to end military cooperation with South Korea and withdraw American troops from there.

This Chinese policy backfired with North Korea not only testing a hydrogen bomb, but also developing missiles with the range to hit the US. This has left the Americans fuming as it could draw the US into a nuclear conflict, should North Korea target its close ally Japan. US President Donald Trump is blaming China for the predicament he now faces. China had, after all, claimed that it would moderate North Korean behaviour. All this was happening even as Chinese President Xi Jinping was hosting the BRICS summit in Xiamen. Moreover, the summit was held at a time when Trump was getting tough with Pakistan, for its support to terror groups in Afghanistan, threatening to cut off economic aid and launch drone strikes. While Trump does not oppose talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, he also does not envisage, as Pakistan dearly wants, any significant role for the Taliban in ruling Afghanistan. The Chinese ploy in BRICS summit merely aims to assure the Americans that it opposes actions by some Pakistan-based terror groups.

There is thus nothing to suggest that China intends to act against Pakistan-based terror groups named in the BRICS declaration. Beijing will, in all likelihood, continue its links with the Taliban and Haqqani network, and oppose any punitive action against JeM leader Maulana Masood Azhar. Pakistans Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa recently asserted: We cannot fight Afghanistans war in Pakistan, thereby rejecting American calls to act against safe havens of the Taliban and Haqqani network, on Pakistani soil. Nor is China likely to coerce Pakistan into ending support for Pakistan-based groups promoting terrorism in Afghanistan, where American forces are now set to play a more active role. In these circumstances, it would be unrealistic for New Delhi to expect any support from China to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which appears set to continue, with tacit support from Beijing.

G Parthasarathy

Former diplomat

dadpartha@gmail.comw

There have been expectations in India that China would act against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, after critical references were made to Pakistan-based terrorist groups, in the declaration issued by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa at the BRICS summit in Xiamen, China. The declaration stated: We support the efforts of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in fighting terrorist organisations. We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir. We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries. The Heart of Asia Conference on Afghanistan held in Amritsar last year, issued a similar declaration. Persuading China to agree to such a declaration on Chinese soil, just after the Doklam standoff, is a significant diplomatic achievement. China had earlier lost face internationally, by withdrawing its forces and construction equipment from Doklam, after weeks of hysterical posturing and rhetoric against India. It would, however, be a serious mistake for India to believe that this signals any impending change in Chinas support for its all weather friend Pakistan. While China may have lost face, the real setback it received was from another all weather friend North Koreas Kim Jong Un. China has, for years, played a double game in its ties with North Korea. While arming North Korea to the teeth, China has sought to be a Good Samaritan, pledging to get the nation to listen to its advice, for talks with the US and Japan, to roll back its missile and nuclear weapons programmes. This is, however, just another Chinese ploy to persuade the US to end military cooperation with South Korea and withdraw American troops from there. This Chinese policy backfired with North Korea not only testing a hydrogen bomb, but also developing missiles with the range to hit the US. This has left the Americans fuming as it could draw the US into a nuclear conflict, should North Korea target its close ally Japan. US President Donald Trump is blaming China for the predicament he now faces. China had, after all, claimed that it would moderate North Korean behaviour. All this was happening even as Chinese President Xi Jinping was hosting the BRICS summit in Xiamen. Moreover, the summit was held at a time when Trump was getting tough with Pakistan, for its support to terror groups in Afghanistan, threatening to cut off economic aid and launch drone strikes. While Trump does not oppose talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, he also does not envisage, as Pakistan dearly wants, any significant role for the Taliban in ruling Afghanistan. The Chinese ploy in BRICS summit merely aims to assure the Americans that it opposes actions by some Pakistan-based terror groups. There is thus nothing to suggest that China intends to act against Pakistan-based terror groups named in the BRICS declaration. Beijing will, in all likelihood, continue its links with the Taliban and Haqqani network, and oppose any punitive action against JeM leader Maulana Masood Azhar. Pakistans Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa recently asserted: We cannot fight Afghanistans war in Pakistan, thereby rejecting American calls to act against safe havens of the Taliban and Haqqani network, on Pakistani soil. Nor is China likely to coerce Pakistan into ending support for Pakistan-based groups promoting terrorism in Afghanistan, where American forces are now set to play a more active role. In these circumstances, it would be unrealistic for New Delhi to expect any support from China to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which appears set to continue, with tacit support from Beijing. G Parthasarathy Former diplomat dadpartha@gmail.comw
Pushpesh Pant By

A seven-year-old boy gets killed in the Capital (in his school toilet) by a paedophile, a conductor in the school bus, who was soon arrested by the police. Skeletons kept tumbling out of this schools closet since the incident. No background check was done before employing the accused, who allegedly had lost his job at another school a few months back for his predatory behaviour towards children. A wine shop is discovered less than a stones throw away from the schools premises. Obviously, the security lapses on the part of the school are grave, and suspending the principal falls far short of meeting the ends of justice.

Worse, the state government in Haryana that has repeatedly exposed itself to be incapable of maintaining law and order can do no better than ordering a lathicharge against the protestersaggrieved and agitated parents and other residents in proximate colonies. This is the same Khattar Sarkar that had treated violent supporters of a depraved head of a cult with kid gloves, resulting in massive loss of life and damage to property. One could go back to the Jat reservation conflagration, but what is the point? Those who owe their positions to powerful patrons, dont give a damn about public opinion, popular unrest etc.

Gauri Lankesha woman journalist known for her sharp criticism of ruling elites regardless of their political affiliation, a powerful voice against superstition and caste prejudicewas shot dead in cold blood on the porch of her house. Funeral rites were not even over when a vulgar spat broke out between her supporters and detractors. The Right and the Left pointed fingers at each other. What is sad is that this isnt the first case of a gutsy journalist being killed to eliminate a painful irritant.

This time it happened in Bengaluru so it has made headlines. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, those who cant be bought over or browbeaten are made victims of fatal stabbings, crude bomb blasts or uncanny accidents. Investigations are often botched up or witnesses turn hostile.It is not the journalists alone who are at risk. Honest IAS and IPS officers, too, have been dying under mysterious circumstances. Young and bright people have been found dead, leaving behind disturbing unanswered questions. In many such cases, the only common thread is the deceased having trod on sensitive toes in recent past.

A doctor drowning to death in an open manhole in Mumbai during the recent flood after heavy rains, exposed the totally unprepared civic authorities.

There have been other deaths of newborns totalling now to over a 100 in government hospitalsand not only in Gorakhpur. Japanese Encephalitis in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and dengue, Chikangunia, swine flu are adding to casualty figures in towns and cities at an alarming rate. Long-suffering people wait patiently for a change in season to rid of the mosquito menace and viruses. With our gaze fixed at inter-planetary space, exploration research in medical sciences seriously lags behind. Neither a vaccine nor a cure is in sight. Corruption in the realm of medical education is rampant and has inevitably resulted in the fall of professional and ethical standards. Doctors in government hospitals have become notorious for running illegal empires of private practice. This has been possible only with the connivance of supervising bureaucrats and politician protectors who are as good as partners in crime.

It needs to be remembered and underlined emphatically that the rot hasnt set in overnight. It is not the past three years that mark a dangerous disruptive break from a happy past. Life of the common man has always been cheap in India. Farmers have committed suicide in thousands, but their plight hasnt caused most of us much loss of sleep. Gorakhpur and Nashik, Singhbhum and Bastar are far removed from vibrant centres of resurgent India. Only when Jayanti Natrajan is raided by the CBI, we wake up to hectares of forest land being denotified and its land-use changed to benefit an industrialist. The hawk-eyed media keeping track of rising tide of fascism and communalism has certainly not been following the goof-ups in the hinterland in the UPA regime. Of course, the detractors of Narendra Modi would blame whatever is happening on political vendetta, but it is going to become increasingly difficult for Doc Manmohan to give clean chits to his former colleagues and distance himself from what they did. Lets not forget that it was Lalu Prasad in his Cabinet who held the coveted Railways portfolio and his successors are now reaping what was sown then.

What is making people anxious is that while the Prime Minister has more than once lamented loss of innocent lives and lives lost due to criminal negligence or corruption, there has been no reduction in shocking incidents, accidents and manmade calamities. What is stopping him from cracking the whip? One may talk of charting the course for the next decade, but the clock has started ticking for 2019.

Pushpesh Pant

Former professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University

pushpeshpant@gmail.com

A seven-year-old boy gets killed in the Capital (in his school toilet) by a paedophile, a conductor in the school bus, who was soon arrested by the police. Skeletons kept tumbling out of this schools closet since the incident. No background check was done before employing the accused, who allegedly had lost his job at another school a few months back for his predatory behaviour towards children. A wine shop is discovered less than a stones throw away from the schools premises. Obviously, the security lapses on the part of the school are grave, and suspending the principal falls far short of meeting the ends of justice. Worse, the state government in Haryana that has repeatedly exposed itself to be incapable of maintaining law and order can do no better than ordering a lathicharge against the protestersaggrieved and agitated parents and other residents in proximate colonies. This is the same Khattar Sarkar that had treated violent supporters of a depraved head of a cult with kid gloves, resulting in massive loss of life and damage to property. One could go back to the Jat reservation conflagration, but what is the point? Those who owe their positions to powerful patrons, dont give a damn about public opinion, popular unrest etc. Gauri Lankesha woman journalist known for her sharp criticism of ruling elites regardless of their political affiliation, a powerful voice against superstition and caste prejudicewas shot dead in cold blood on the porch of her house. Funeral rites were not even over when a vulgar spat broke out between her supporters and detractors. The Right and the Left pointed fingers at each other. What is sad is that this isnt the first case of a gutsy journalist being killed to eliminate a painful irritant. This time it happened in Bengaluru so it has made headlines. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, those who cant be bought over or browbeaten are made victims of fatal stabbings, crude bomb blasts or uncanny accidents. Investigations are often botched up or witnesses turn hostile.It is not the journalists alone who are at risk. Honest IAS and IPS officers, too, have been dying under mysterious circumstances. Young and bright people have been found dead, leaving behind disturbing unanswered questions. In many such cases, the only common thread is the deceased having trod on sensitive toes in recent past. A doctor drowning to death in an open manhole in Mumbai during the recent flood after heavy rains, exposed the totally unprepared civic authorities. There have been other deaths of newborns totalling now to over a 100 in government hospitalsand not only in Gorakhpur. Japanese Encephalitis in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and dengue, Chikangunia, swine flu are adding to casualty figures in towns and cities at an alarming rate. Long-suffering people wait patiently for a change in season to rid of the mosquito menace and viruses. With our gaze fixed at inter-planetary space, exploration research in medical sciences seriously lags behind. Neither a vaccine nor a cure is in sight. Corruption in the realm of medical education is rampant and has inevitably resulted in the fall of professional and ethical standards. Doctors in government hospitals have become notorious for running illegal empires of private practice. This has been possible only with the connivance of supervising bureaucrats and politician protectors who are as good as partners in crime. It needs to be remembered and underlined emphatically that the rot hasnt set in overnight. It is not the past three years that mark a dangerous disruptive break from a happy past. Life of the common man has always been cheap in India. Farmers have committed suicide in thousands, but their plight hasnt caused most of us much loss of sleep. Gorakhpur and Nashik, Singhbhum and Bastar are far removed from vibrant centres of resurgent India. Only when Jayanti Natrajan is raided by the CBI, we wake up to hectares of forest land being denotified and its land-use changed to benefit an industrialist. The hawk-eyed media keeping track of rising tide of fascism and communalism has certainly not been following the goof-ups in the hinterland in the UPA regime. Of course, the detractors of Narendra Modi would blame whatever is happening on political vendetta, but it is going to become increasingly difficult for Doc Manmohan to give clean chits to his former colleagues and distance himself from what they did. Lets not forget that it was Lalu Prasad in his Cabinet who held the coveted Railways portfolio and his successors are now reaping what was sown then. What is making people anxious is that while the Prime Minister has more than once lamented loss of innocent lives and lives lost due to criminal negligence or corruption, there has been no reduction in shocking incidents, accidents and manmade calamities. What is stopping him from cracking the whip? One may talk of charting the course for the next decade, but the clock has started ticking for 2019. Pushpesh Pant Former professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University pushpeshpant@gmail.com
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh, an icon of India's military history, will always be remembered as a war hero who had successfully led a young IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The only officer to attain the highest post of Marshal, the Air Force equivalent to the Army's five star field marshal, Singh was a fearless and exceptional pilot who had flown more than 60 different types of aircraft.

He played a major role in transforming the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally and the fourth biggest in the world.

"His contribution to the Indian Air Force is monumental to the least. The IAF grew with him. He was epitome of military leadership in classical sense and it is, therefore, not surprising that he was honoured with the rank of Air Force Marshal," former Vice Chief of IAF Kapil Kak said.

Singh was honoured with the rank of Marshal on the Republic Day in 2002. Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw and K M Cariappa were the only two army generals honoured with the rank of field marshal.

Known as a man of few words, Singh was not only a fearless pilot but had profound knowledge about air power and applied it in a wide spectrum of areas.

Singh had assiduously led the IAF during the 1965 war and denied success to Pakistani air force though it was better equipped with American support.

"His most outstanding contribution was during that war," said Kak.

Commending his role in the war, Y B Chavan, the then Defence Minister had written: "Air Marshal Arjan Singh is a jewel of a person, quiet efficient and firm; unexcitable but a very able leader."

In 1944, the Marshal had led a squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign, flying close air support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the Allied Forces to Yangoon.

In recognition of his feat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on the spot by the Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia, the first Indian pilot to receive it.

Singh was selected for the Empire Pilot training course at Royal Air Force (RAF) Cranwell in 1938 when he was 19 years old. He retired from service in 1969.

Singh was born on April 15, 1919, in Lyalpur (now Faislabad, Pakistan), and completed his education at Montgomery (now Sahiwal, Pakistan).

His first assignment on being commissioned was to fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 RIAF Squadron.

After a brief stint with the newly formed No. 2 RIAF Squadron where the Marshal flew against the tribal forces, he later moved back to No.1 Sqn as a Flying Officer to fly the Hawker Hurricane.

He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944.

For his role in successfully leading the squadron in combat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944.

On August 15, 1947, he achieved the unique honour of leading a fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi.

After his promotion to the rank of Wing Commander, he attended the Royal Staff College at the UK. Immediately after Indian independence, he commanded Ambala in the rank of Group Captain.

In 1949, he was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and took over as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of an operational command, which later came to be known as Western Air Command.

Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as AOC of an operational base, initially from 1949-1952 and then again from 1957-1961.

After his promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed as the AOC-in-C of an operational command.

Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and he became the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in 1963. He was the overall commander of the joint air training exercise "Shiksha" held between IAF, RAF (Royal Air Force) and RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force).

On August 1, 1964, in the rank of Air Marshal, the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh took over reins of IAF, at a time when it was still rebuilding itself and was gearing up to meet new challenges.

Singh was the first Air Chief to keep his flying currency till his CAS rank.

Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from pre-World War II era biplanes to the more contemporary, Gnats and Vampires, he has also flown in transport aircraft like the Super Constellation.

In 1965, when Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam, with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired IAF to victory, despite the constraints imposed on the full-scale use of Air Force combat power.

Singh was awarded Padma Vibhushan for his astute leadership of the Air Force during the war.

Subsequently in recognition of the Air Force's contribution during the war, the rank of the CAS was upgraded and Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

He remained a flyer to the end of his tenure in IAF, visiting forward bases and units and flying with the squadrons.

He retired in August 1969, there upon accepting Ambassadorship to Switzerland. He was Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from December 1989 to December 1990.

Having been a source of inspiration to all personnel of Armed Forces through the years, government conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force upon Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only 'Five Star' rank officer with Indian Air Force

NEW DELHI: Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh, an icon of India's military history, will always be remembered as a war hero who had successfully led a young IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. The only officer to attain the highest post of Marshal, the Air Force equivalent to the Army's five star field marshal, Singh was a fearless and exceptional pilot who had flown more than 60 different types of aircraft. He played a major role in transforming the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally and the fourth biggest in the world. "His contribution to the Indian Air Force is monumental to the least. The IAF grew with him. He was epitome of military leadership in classical sense and it is, therefore, not surprising that he was honoured with the rank of Air Force Marshal," former Vice Chief of IAF Kapil Kak said. Singh was honoured with the rank of Marshal on the Republic Day in 2002. Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw and K M Cariappa were the only two army generals honoured with the rank of field marshal. Known as a man of few words, Singh was not only a fearless pilot but had profound knowledge about air power and applied it in a wide spectrum of areas. Singh had assiduously led the IAF during the 1965 war and denied success to Pakistani air force though it was better equipped with American support. "His most outstanding contribution was during that war," said Kak. Commending his role in the war, Y B Chavan, the then Defence Minister had written: "Air Marshal Arjan Singh is a jewel of a person, quiet efficient and firm; unexcitable but a very able leader." In 1944, the Marshal had led a squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign, flying close air support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the Allied Forces to Yangoon. In recognition of his feat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on the spot by the Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia, the first Indian pilot to receive it. Singh was selected for the Empire Pilot training course at Royal Air Force (RAF) Cranwell in 1938 when he was 19 years old. He retired from service in 1969. Singh was born on April 15, 1919, in Lyalpur (now Faislabad, Pakistan), and completed his education at Montgomery (now Sahiwal, Pakistan). His first assignment on being commissioned was to fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 RIAF Squadron. After a brief stint with the newly formed No. 2 RIAF Squadron where the Marshal flew against the tribal forces, he later moved back to No.1 Sqn as a Flying Officer to fly the Hawker Hurricane. He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944. For his role in successfully leading the squadron in combat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944. On August 15, 1947, he achieved the unique honour of leading a fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi. After his promotion to the rank of Wing Commander, he attended the Royal Staff College at the UK. Immediately after Indian independence, he commanded Ambala in the rank of Group Captain. In 1949, he was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and took over as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of an operational command, which later came to be known as Western Air Command. Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as AOC of an operational base, initially from 1949-1952 and then again from 1957-1961. After his promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed as the AOC-in-C of an operational command. Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and he became the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in 1963. He was the overall commander of the joint air training exercise "Shiksha" held between IAF, RAF (Royal Air Force) and RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force). On August 1, 1964, in the rank of Air Marshal, the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh took over reins of IAF, at a time when it was still rebuilding itself and was gearing up to meet new challenges. Singh was the first Air Chief to keep his flying currency till his CAS rank. Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from pre-World War II era biplanes to the more contemporary, Gnats and Vampires, he has also flown in transport aircraft like the Super Constellation. In 1965, when Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam, with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill. He inspired IAF to victory, despite the constraints imposed on the full-scale use of Air Force combat power. Singh was awarded Padma Vibhushan for his astute leadership of the Air Force during the war. Subsequently in recognition of the Air Force's contribution during the war, the rank of the CAS was upgraded and Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force. He remained a flyer to the end of his tenure in IAF, visiting forward bases and units and flying with the squadrons. He retired in August 1969, there upon accepting Ambassadorship to Switzerland. He was Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from December 1989 to December 1990. Having been a source of inspiration to all personnel of Armed Forces through the years, government conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force upon Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only 'Five Star' rank officer with Indian Air Force
By Online Desk

A Madhya Pradesh-based Jain couple has decided to embrace monkhood, abandoning their 3-year old daughter and property worth Rs 100 crore. The pair is likely one of the youngest to renounce worldly life and take up sanyas, which is usually adopted by the old.

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, 35-year-old Sumit Rathore and his wife Anamika Rathore, have decided to undergo Deeksha (the first step in the initiation into monkhood) under the auspices of Sudhamargi Jain Acharya Ramlal Maharaj in Surat, Gujarat on September 23.

Sumits cousin, Sandeep, who is close to him, said, He had everything that a man wanted. Property worth around Rs 100 crore, a loving wife and a daughter. But he chose to renounce everything. We are stunned, the HT reported quoted him as saying.

Although at first, the couples kin tried to dissuade them in vain, they eventually accepted their decision and the Rathores went about making plans and began living apart as far back as when their daughter Ibhya was an eight-month-old baby.

Sumit Rathore announced his decision to adopt monkhood on August 22, and Anamika followed suit.

Anamikas father, Ashok Chandaliya, former Neemuch district president of the BJP, has come forward to take care of his granddaughter, as he made peace with the decision of his daughter and son-in-law to distance themselves from familial duties and go on a spiritual path of renunciation.

Anamika, an engineering graduate from Rajasthans Modi Engineering College, had been working with Hindustan Zinc before her wedding. Sumit, a businessman, had returned to Neemuch to manage the family business, after completing a diploma in import-export management from a college in London.

Even in the Jain community, it is quite unusual to see such a young couple taking such a decision. Prakash Bhandari, Secretary of Sadhumargi Jain Shravak Sangh in Neemuch, said that as far as he knew this was unprecedented.

This is the first time that such a young couple is taking Deeksha and that too by leaving behind a daughter, he was quoted as saying by the HT report.

Even in modern times, a large section of the Jain community in India takes its rituals seriously, including Tapasya. A 13-year old Jain girl, Aradhana Samdariya, died in October 2016 after observing a 68-day fast following the tapasya ritual, sparking widespread outrage and shedding light on the practices followed by the community. Despite the controversies, many Jain spiritual leaders have dismissed the debates by terming them as attempts to malign the community.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam has justified the fuel price hike. Those who are using vehicles are not poor. The revenue from fuel price hike is being used for various welfare projects for the poor, the minister said. During his visit to the BJP state headquarters on Saturday, Kannanthanam told reporters it was a deliberate decision by the government. He said the government was aware of the protests against hike in fuel prices.

The Union Minister said the increased revenue from petrol and diesel price hike would go to major development and welfare activities for the people. About 67 pc of people in the country dont have toilet facilities. The additional revenue from fuel price hike would help build houses and toilets for them and other projects like construction of national highways.

Elaborating on fuel price hike, Kannanthanam said fuels like petrol and diesel are bought by vehicle users. Those who own vehicles are not from the financially weaker sections. About 30 pc of Indians are starving. The Modi Government gives high priority for their uplift. If the state governments agree, fuel and liquor would be brought under GST. The price hike in the country is only 4 pc which is less than what the RBI has fixed, Kannamthanam said.

Development of Tourism-IT sectors should be fast-paced

The Union Tourism Minister said development of Keralas tourism and IT sectors should be more fast-paced. Kannanthanam said he has asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to implement projects in a time-bound manner. Kerala, which was once top in IT development, has lost its upper hand. There are many tourism projects already sanctioned. Also, there are plans to implement many projects. However more funds can be sanctioned only if the sanctioned projects are finished on time. This has been communicated with the Chief Minister, Kannanthanam said.

Ministers logic

According to the minister, about 67 pc of people in the country dont have toilet facilities. The additional revenue from fuel price hike would help build houses and toilets for them and other projects like construction of national highways.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam has justified the fuel price hike. Those who are using vehicles are not poor. The revenue from fuel price hike is being used for various welfare projects for the poor, the minister said. During his visit to the BJP state headquarters on Saturday, Kannanthanam told reporters it was a deliberate decision by the government. He said the government was aware of the protests against hike in fuel prices. The Union Minister said the increased revenue from petrol and diesel price hike would go to major development and welfare activities for the people. About 67 pc of people in the country dont have toilet facilities. The additional revenue from fuel price hike would help build houses and toilets for them and other projects like construction of national highways. Elaborating on fuel price hike, Kannanthanam said fuels like petrol and diesel are bought by vehicle users. Those who own vehicles are not from the financially weaker sections. About 30 pc of Indians are starving. The Modi Government gives high priority for their uplift. If the state governments agree, fuel and liquor would be brought under GST. The price hike in the country is only 4 pc which is less than what the RBI has fixed, Kannamthanam said. Development of Tourism-IT sectors should be fast-paced The Union Tourism Minister said development of Keralas tourism and IT sectors should be more fast-paced. Kannanthanam said he has asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to implement projects in a time-bound manner. Kerala, which was once top in IT development, has lost its upper hand. There are many tourism projects already sanctioned. Also, there are plans to implement many projects. However more funds can be sanctioned only if the sanctioned projects are finished on time. This has been communicated with the Chief Minister, Kannanthanam said. Ministers logic According to the minister, about 67 pc of people in the country dont have toilet facilities. The additional revenue from fuel price hike would help build houses and toilets for them and other projects like construction of national highways.
Two years after creating her own line of all-natural skin care products, Cress Spring Body Care owner Patricia Nicholes was ready for retail, and Willy Street Co-op is helping her get there.

Nicholes is part of the first Retail Ready Lab at Willy Street Co-op. The program partners with small businesses to guide them over the course of a month as they work to get their products on retail shelves by holding one-on-one meetings, displaying their products in its stores and setting up live vendor demonstrations.

Through the Retail Ready Lab, vendors like Nicholes have the opportunity to speak not just to co-op staff but also to potential customers who can provide honest, unbiased feedback that the vendors family and friends may be wary to give.

Co-op spokesman Brendon Smith said staff gather input from customers either in-person, through paper submissions or from an online form. Those reviews are given to the Retail Ready Lab participants to help them tailor their products and brands.

For about a year and a half, Nicholes, of Blue Mounds, has sold her creams on cressspringbodycare.com. She uses only organic ingredients with no preservatives, emulsifiers or other ingredients that she says do more harm to sensitive skin than good. These combinations of ingredients came from a years worth of research after a lifetime of dry, itchy skin for Nicholes.

I had really bad skin my whole life, she said, so I was just trying to solve my own problem.

So far, Nicholes has done three live demonstrations  one at each of the co-ops locations. This is where she is able to show off the quality of her products, which include body and face creams as well as lip balms.

After I did some demos, people were very interested and started buying my products, Nicholes said.

Prior to joining the Retail Ready Lab, Nicholes said she had limited labeling on her products  just a small tab of printed card stock on the lid but now she has full labels that wrap around her products.

Professional advice and customer feedback is not the only opportunity for the Retail Ready Lab participants. Smith said that if co-op customers give enough positive feedback and if the staff finds that the product is fully ready for commercial sale, the vendors products may be offered a permanent spot on co-op shelves.

September wont be the only month for the Retail Ready Lab, Smith said. The co-op plans to continue the program with one to three vendors each month.

Willy Street Co-op declined to name its next Retail Ready Lab participants, but Smith said the co-op will be taking applications from local vendors with very limited or no distribution for upcoming months.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: We would prefer to be killed here rather than getting killed by Buddhist mobs and Burmese troops back at our native place in Myanmar, said Yasmeen, a Rohingya Muslim girl, who lives along with other 16 Rohingya families in outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

She said several of her relatives have been killed in the latest violence by Buddhist mobs and troops in Myanmar.

At least 1000 people mostly Rohingya Muslims have been killed in fresh violence in Myanmar since last month and about 4 lakh people have fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution by Burmese troops.

My father and brother are in captivity of Burmese troops and I dont know their fate. I dont know whether they are alive or dead. My mother, brother, sister and sister-in-law have escaped to Bangladesh, Yasmeen said.

She says she alongwith her husband and two children had fled Rakhine, Myanmar in 2012 after the violence by Buddhist mobs and troops.

My sister-in-law and some of our relatives were killed by Buddhists and Myanmarese troops. They had set all Muslim houses in our village on fire and we were fortunate to escape from the place and reach India, she said.

She said they reached Jammu, the winter capital of J&K, and stayed there for four years and lived as a United Nations (UN) designated refugee.

We reached Kashmir last year and local people here are very supportive, said Yasmeen.

At least 17 Rohingya Muslim families comprising about 70 souls are living in three houses of a religious seminary Darul Uloom Bilaliya in Khimber area in outskirts of Srinagar since last year. The Rohingya Muslim migrants are working as labourers.

IN PICTURES | Worsening plight of Rohingya Muslims in Kashmir

Another Rohingya Muslim Haroon Rashid, a father of two, said after escaping to Bangladesh in 2012, they travelled to Kolkatta and there from reached Jammu and lived there for four years before moving to Kashmir last year.

He said they left Jammu after facing continuous harassment from some locals, who wanted them to leave the place.

We were forced to leave our place in Arakan, Myanmar in 2012 due to violence by Buddhist mobs and army. They burnt all houses and my nephew and other relatives were killed, he said,

Rashid said his uncle, cousin and other relatives have been killed in fresh violence in Myanmar. I have lost contact with my sister and dont what has happened to her.

Rashid said Indian government should not deport them till peace and normalcy returns to Myanmar and Burmese government considers them the rightful citizens of the country.

When told that Supreme Court is hearing a case about deportation of Rohingya Muslims living in India, he said, How could we return to the place, where people including young and old are being killed and burnt alive. Our land has been snatched by Buddhists and we will be killed if we return back home. The Supreme Court should consider our case sympathetically and allow us to stay in India till peace is restored in Myanmar and we are given our due rights.

According to Jammu and Kashmir government, 5743 Rohingya Muslims were living in the State and most of them have been staying in districts of Jammu and Samba in Jammu province.

A Rohingya Muslim woman, Anwar Begum said the Buddhists and Myanmarese government bar Muslims from education. They also dont allow Muslim boys and girls to get married because they say it would increase the numbers of Muslims, which will in turn change demography of Myanmar.

She said the Myanmarese government does not accept them the rightful citizens of the country. We are stateless in our country. There are no jobs for Muslims. We are being killed, maimed and our property snatched by the Buddhists and Burmese troops. We are being treated in such a way as if we have no existence.

Anwar said many of her relatives were killed in fresh violence in Rakhine this year. Many of my relatives have reached Bangladesh while there is no news about many others. We are worried about them because we apprehend that they may have been killed by the Burmese troops.

I have also been victim of violence. My mother was killed by Burmese troops when I was only nine, added Anwar.

Asserting that they dont want to stay permanently in India, she said, We want the situation in Myanmar to improve so that they can return. The Buddhist mobs and Myanmarese troops should stop killing and torturing Muslims. They should treat us equal citizens and give us our due rights as a citizen as you have in this country. If the killings and violence against Muslims is not stopped, how can we return to our country.

A Rohingya Muslim youth Abdul Gafoor urged international community including India to play proactive role in pressurizing Myanmar government to stop genocide of Muslims and accept them as citizens of the country.

The situation back home is not conducive for our return. If we return at this time, we and our family members would be killed. However, if the situation improves, we have no hesitation in returning to our native country, he said.

Asked what will they do if they are deported by Indian government, Gafoor said, We will tell the Indian government to kill us here rather than sending us back to the hell again. Here at least after our deaths we will be given proper burial while in Myanmar we may be burnt alive.

We will be forced to commit suicides if we are forcibly pushed back to Myanmar at this point of time when the Burmese troops are resorting to genocide of Rohingya Muslims, he said.

Another Rohingya migrant, Hafeez-ur-Rehman said the Muslims are facing genocide and state terrorism at the hands of Burmese troops.

If this is not stopped then there is every possibility that our kids and children, who have seen this bloodshed, can turn extremists to avenge the deaths of their family members, relatives and near and dear ones. It is must for international community including India to stop bloodshed of Rohingya Muslims and pressurize Burmese government to end violence against Muslims, grant us citizenship rights and take us back honourably. It would ensure peace and would prevent young boys from adopting violent approach, he added.

Till peace is restored fully in Myanmar, we should be allowed by Indian government to stay here on humanitarian grounds, added Rehman.

SRINAGAR: We would prefer to be killed here rather than getting killed by Buddhist mobs and Burmese troops back at our native place in Myanmar, said Yasmeen, a Rohingya Muslim girl, who lives along with other 16 Rohingya families in outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. She said several of her relatives have been killed in the latest violence by Buddhist mobs and troops in Myanmar. At least 1000 people mostly Rohingya Muslims have been killed in fresh violence in Myanmar since last month and about 4 lakh people have fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution by Burmese troops. My father and brother are in captivity of Burmese troops and I dont know their fate. I dont know whether they are alive or dead. My mother, brother, sister and sister-in-law have escaped to Bangladesh, Yasmeen said. She says she alongwith her husband and two children had fled Rakhine, Myanmar in 2012 after the violence by Buddhist mobs and troops. My sister-in-law and some of our relatives were killed by Buddhists and Myanmarese troops. They had set all Muslim houses in our village on fire and we were fortunate to escape from the place and reach India, she said. She said they reached Jammu, the winter capital of J&K, and stayed there for four years and lived as a United Nations (UN) designated refugee. We reached Kashmir last year and local people here are very supportive, said Yasmeen. At least 17 Rohingya Muslim families comprising about 70 souls are living in three houses of a religious seminary Darul Uloom Bilaliya in Khimber area in outskirts of Srinagar since last year. The Rohingya Muslim migrants are working as labourers. IN PICTURES | Worsening plight of Rohingya Muslims in Kashmir Another Rohingya Muslim Haroon Rashid, a father of two, said after escaping to Bangladesh in 2012, they travelled to Kolkatta and there from reached Jammu and lived there for four years before moving to Kashmir last year. He said they left Jammu after facing continuous harassment from some locals, who wanted them to leave the place. We were forced to leave our place in Arakan, Myanmar in 2012 due to violence by Buddhist mobs and army. They burnt all houses and my nephew and other relatives were killed, he said, Rashid said his uncle, cousin and other relatives have been killed in fresh violence in Myanmar. I have lost contact with my sister and dont what has happened to her. Rashid said Indian government should not deport them till peace and normalcy returns to Myanmar and Burmese government considers them the rightful citizens of the country. When told that Supreme Court is hearing a case about deportation of Rohingya Muslims living in India, he said, How could we return to the place, where people including young and old are being killed and burnt alive. Our land has been snatched by Buddhists and we will be killed if we return back home. The Supreme Court should consider our case sympathetically and allow us to stay in India till peace is restored in Myanmar and we are given our due rights. According to Jammu and Kashmir government, 5743 Rohingya Muslims were living in the State and most of them have been staying in districts of Jammu and Samba in Jammu province. A Rohingya Muslim woman, Anwar Begum said the Buddhists and Myanmarese government bar Muslims from education. They also dont allow Muslim boys and girls to get married because they say it would increase the numbers of Muslims, which will in turn change demography of Myanmar. She said the Myanmarese government does not accept them the rightful citizens of the country. We are stateless in our country. There are no jobs for Muslims. We are being killed, maimed and our property snatched by the Buddhists and Burmese troops. We are being treated in such a way as if we have no existence. Anwar said many of her relatives were killed in fresh violence in Rakhine this year. Many of my relatives have reached Bangladesh while there is no news about many others. We are worried about them because we apprehend that they may have been killed by the Burmese troops. I have also been victim of violence. My mother was killed by Burmese troops when I was only nine, added Anwar. Asserting that they dont want to stay permanently in India, she said, We want the situation in Myanmar to improve so that they can return. The Buddhist mobs and Myanmarese troops should stop killing and torturing Muslims. They should treat us equal citizens and give us our due rights as a citizen as you have in this country. If the killings and violence against Muslims is not stopped, how can we return to our country. A Rohingya Muslim youth Abdul Gafoor urged international community including India to play proactive role in pressurizing Myanmar government to stop genocide of Muslims and accept them as citizens of the country. The situation back home is not conducive for our return. If we return at this time, we and our family members would be killed. However, if the situation improves, we have no hesitation in returning to our native country, he said. Asked what will they do if they are deported by Indian government, Gafoor said, We will tell the Indian government to kill us here rather than sending us back to the hell again. Here at least after our deaths we will be given proper burial while in Myanmar we may be burnt alive. We will be forced to commit suicides if we are forcibly pushed back to Myanmar at this point of time when the Burmese troops are resorting to genocide of Rohingya Muslims, he said. Another Rohingya migrant, Hafeez-ur-Rehman said the Muslims are facing genocide and state terrorism at the hands of Burmese troops. If this is not stopped then there is every possibility that our kids and children, who have seen this bloodshed, can turn extremists to avenge the deaths of their family members, relatives and near and dear ones. It is must for international community including India to stop bloodshed of Rohingya Muslims and pressurize Burmese government to end violence against Muslims, grant us citizenship rights and take us back honourably. It would ensure peace and would prevent young boys from adopting violent approach, he added. Till peace is restored fully in Myanmar, we should be allowed by Indian government to stay here on humanitarian grounds, added Rehman.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, died on Saturday night after a cardiac arrest. Ninety-eight-year-old Singh, the only IAF officer to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the Army, was admitted to the Armys Research and Referral hospital this morning, the defence ministry said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs  Gen. Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa  visited Singh at the hospital. Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members, Modi tweeted. We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best, he said. An icon in the countrys military history, Singh had led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 Indo-Pak war when he was just 44 years old.

As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, he led the IAF with courage, determination and professional skill. The fighter pilot, who inspired the IAF despite constraints on the full-scale use of air combat power, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, in 1965. Singh was born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur in Punjab in undivided India. His father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry.

Singh joined the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, in 1938 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December the following year. He led an IAF squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) that year. He was described as a fearless and exceptional pilot.

He was the IAF chief from August 1, 1964 to July 15, 1969. After his retirement from the air force, Singh was appointed as Indias ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as ambassador to the Vatican. He was also the high commissioner to Kenya in 1974. Singh served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and was also Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He was made Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002.

NEW DELHI: Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, died on Saturday night after a cardiac arrest. Ninety-eight-year-old Singh, the only IAF officer to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the Army, was admitted to the Armys Research and Referral hospital this morning, the defence ministry said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs  Gen. Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa  visited Singh at the hospital. Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members, Modi tweeted. We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best, he said. An icon in the countrys military history, Singh had led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 Indo-Pak war when he was just 44 years old. As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, he led the IAF with courage, determination and professional skill. The fighter pilot, who inspired the IAF despite constraints on the full-scale use of air combat power, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, in 1965. Singh was born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur in Punjab in undivided India. His father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry. Singh joined the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, in 1938 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December the following year. He led an IAF squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) that year. He was described as a fearless and exceptional pilot. He was the IAF chief from August 1, 1964 to July 15, 1969. After his retirement from the air force, Singh was appointed as Indias ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as ambassador to the Vatican. He was also the high commissioner to Kenya in 1974. Singh served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and was also Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He was made Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the nation in mourning the demise of war hero Marshal Arjan Singh and hailed his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict.

Ninety-eight-year-old Singh died this evening at a hospital here after suffering a cardiac arrest.

"Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community.

"Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero & won our nation's gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war," Kovind said in a series of tweets.

Modi said India would never forget his excellent leadership in the 1965 war when the Indian Air Force saw substantial action.

"India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation," he tweeted.

The prime minister said the determined focus of Singh, who was promoted to the five-star rank of Marshal of the Air Force in 2002, on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to India's defence capabilities.

"India will never forget the excellent leadership of Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action," he said.

Modi also recalled how the ageing war hero remained a consummate soldier till the very end.

"Sometime back I met him, who despite his ill health tried to get up to salute even though I said no. Such was his soldier discipline," he said.

Modi said his thoughts were with Singh's family and those mourning the demise of the distinguished air warrior and a fine human being.

Besides them, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP chief Amit Shah and chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala were among those who condoled the death of the war veteran.

"It is very rare for any country to have a soldier of that kind of credentials. It is a great loss for the country," Sitharaman said.

She too remembered how the war hero would always comport himself like a true soldier.

"I have seen him standing up and saluting the president and prime minister in official functions. He would never forget the decorum of a much-acclaimed soldier who knew what it takes to be in the armed forces," the defence minister said.

Rajnath said he was deeply pained at Singh's demise.

"Marshal of the IAF, Arjan Singh lived his life like a soldier. The tales of his courage will remain immortal. Deeply pained at his demise.

"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of Shri Arjan Singh. May God give them strength to bear this colossal loss," the home minister said.

Jaitley said Singh was one of the country's greatest soldiers in recent memory.

"Condolences on the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. He was one of the greatest soldiers in the recent memory (sic).

"My thoughts & prayers are with the family of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh ji. A grateful nation will miss him," the finance minister said on Twitter.

Shah, meanwhile, hailed Singh's rich contribution to the motherland.

"Pained by the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. I express my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

"Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh ji led the Indian Air Force through his exemplary leadership. His rich contribution to motherland is venerable," Shah said in a series of tweets.

Surjewala said the country has lost a great soldier and a fine diplomat.

"Deeply saddened by the passing away of @_IndianAirForce Marshall #ArjanSingh ji. India has lost a great soldier and a fine diplomat today," he tweeted.

Goa Chief Minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar said the nation has lost a great icon.

"As defence minister, I saw him on a number of occasions and always wondered how a man of his age could think of modernisation of the air force and talk about defence, the air force in particular. We have lost a great icon," Parrikar said.

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the nation in mourning the demise of war hero Marshal Arjan Singh and hailed his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict. Ninety-eight-year-old Singh died this evening at a hospital here after suffering a cardiac arrest. "Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community. "Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero & won our nation's gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war," Kovind said in a series of tweets. Modi said India would never forget his excellent leadership in the 1965 war when the Indian Air Force saw substantial action. "India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation," he tweeted. The prime minister said the determined focus of Singh, who was promoted to the five-star rank of Marshal of the Air Force in 2002, on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to India's defence capabilities. "India will never forget the excellent leadership of Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action," he said. Modi also recalled how the ageing war hero remained a consummate soldier till the very end. "Sometime back I met him, who despite his ill health tried to get up to salute even though I said no. Such was his soldier discipline," he said. Modi said his thoughts were with Singh's family and those mourning the demise of the distinguished air warrior and a fine human being. Besides them, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP chief Amit Shah and chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala were among those who condoled the death of the war veteran. "It is very rare for any country to have a soldier of that kind of credentials. It is a great loss for the country," Sitharaman said. She too remembered how the war hero would always comport himself like a true soldier. "I have seen him standing up and saluting the president and prime minister in official functions. He would never forget the decorum of a much-acclaimed soldier who knew what it takes to be in the armed forces," the defence minister said. Rajnath said he was deeply pained at Singh's demise. "Marshal of the IAF, Arjan Singh lived his life like a soldier. The tales of his courage will remain immortal. Deeply pained at his demise. "My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of Shri Arjan Singh. May God give them strength to bear this colossal loss," the home minister said. Jaitley said Singh was one of the country's greatest soldiers in recent memory. "Condolences on the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. He was one of the greatest soldiers in the recent memory (sic). "My thoughts & prayers are with the family of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh ji. A grateful nation will miss him," the finance minister said on Twitter. Shah, meanwhile, hailed Singh's rich contribution to the motherland. "Pained by the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. I express my deepest condolences to his family and friends. "Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh ji led the Indian Air Force through his exemplary leadership. His rich contribution to motherland is venerable," Shah said in a series of tweets. Surjewala said the country has lost a great soldier and a fine diplomat. "Deeply saddened by the passing away of @_IndianAirForce Marshall #ArjanSingh ji. India has lost a great soldier and a fine diplomat today," he tweeted. Goa Chief Minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar said the nation has lost a great icon. "As defence minister, I saw him on a number of occasions and always wondered how a man of his age could think of modernisation of the air force and talk about defence, the air force in particular. We have lost a great icon," Parrikar said.
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: The same judge who convicted Guru Ram Rahim Singh for rape of two women followers last month began hearing -- in the same court in Panchkula -- two murder cases against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief on Saturday. As it transpired, there was none of the drama, nor any of the mayhem, that was witnessed after the rape conviction on August 25.

No followers of the baba were allowed into town. And the streets leading to the CBI Special Court were thoroughly sanitized by a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, unlike last month when utter pandemonium prevailed in this suburb of Chandigarh, leading to the police firing more than 1000 bulllets that killed 32 followers of the unorthodox cult.

The proceedings in the court room too were bereft of drama. The judge decided that proper hearings of the two murder cases will begin separately next week. The case relating to the murder of Dera Sacha Sauda manager Ranjit Singh will be heard on a daily basis from Monday and that relating to the killing of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati's case will be heard on September 22.

Ram Rahim himself took part in the hearing by way of video conferencing from his present lodgings in the Sunaria Jail in Rohtak while seven other accused turned up in person.

As with the two rapes, these two murders go back nearly 15 years. Chhatrapati was shot in October 2002 and died in November that year. Ranjit Singh was shot dead in July 2003. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI probe into the murders in November 2003.

The prosecutions star witness could possibly be Khatta Singh, a former chauffeur of the godman. He had once been a hostile witness for the prosecution, but now he has come back from the cold to offer to spill the beans on his former employer.

Khatta Singh was once a close confident of Ram Rahim but fell out five years ago. Now that the godman is a convicted felon and the law enforcement agencies seem to be determined to throw the whole book at him, he is an enthusiastic witness in their hands.

Khatta Singh was present for Saturdays hearing of the two murder cases and emerged from the court complex to furnish juicy information to the waiting media crews.

Chief among his disclosures was that Ram Rahims one-the-lam adopted daughter Honeypreet Kaur is not in fact somewhere on the Indo-Nepal border trying to sneak out, but very much in the vicinity, perhaps holed up in one of the several secretive establishments run by the Dera Sacha Sauda.

Amid the court proceedings Saturday, sources in the Haryana police too were eager to sex up the Honeypreet story, claiming to have found further tidbits about her living arrangements while she was in the care of her foster father.

In the Dera Sacha Sauda Dera headquarters in Sirsa, Ram Rahim lived on the third floor of the mansion and she on the first. Apparently, she had pink wardrobes in her bedroom. Further, on the farther side of the bathroom there was a lift that used to go up and open into Ram Rahim's bedroom.

There are likely to be more such revelations in the days to come with the police arresting Honeypreets driver in Rajasthan on Friday.

CHANDIGARH: The same judge who convicted Guru Ram Rahim Singh for rape of two women followers last month began hearing -- in the same court in Panchkula -- two murder cases against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief on Saturday. As it transpired, there was none of the drama, nor any of the mayhem, that was witnessed after the rape conviction on August 25. No followers of the baba were allowed into town. And the streets leading to the CBI Special Court were thoroughly sanitized by a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, unlike last month when utter pandemonium prevailed in this suburb of Chandigarh, leading to the police firing more than 1000 bulllets that killed 32 followers of the unorthodox cult. The proceedings in the court room too were bereft of drama. The judge decided that proper hearings of the two murder cases will begin separately next week. The case relating to the murder of Dera Sacha Sauda manager Ranjit Singh will be heard on a daily basis from Monday and that relating to the killing of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati's case will be heard on September 22. Ram Rahim himself took part in the hearing by way of video conferencing from his present lodgings in the Sunaria Jail in Rohtak while seven other accused turned up in person. As with the two rapes, these two murders go back nearly 15 years. Chhatrapati was shot in October 2002 and died in November that year. Ranjit Singh was shot dead in July 2003. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI probe into the murders in November 2003. The prosecutions star witness could possibly be Khatta Singh, a former chauffeur of the godman. He had once been a hostile witness for the prosecution, but now he has come back from the cold to offer to spill the beans on his former employer. Khatta Singh was once a close confident of Ram Rahim but fell out five years ago. Now that the godman is a convicted felon and the law enforcement agencies seem to be determined to throw the whole book at him, he is an enthusiastic witness in their hands. Khatta Singh was present for Saturdays hearing of the two murder cases and emerged from the court complex to furnish juicy information to the waiting media crews. Chief among his disclosures was that Ram Rahims one-the-lam adopted daughter Honeypreet Kaur is not in fact somewhere on the Indo-Nepal border trying to sneak out, but very much in the vicinity, perhaps holed up in one of the several secretive establishments run by the Dera Sacha Sauda. Amid the court proceedings Saturday, sources in the Haryana police too were eager to sex up the Honeypreet story, claiming to have found further tidbits about her living arrangements while she was in the care of her foster father. In the Dera Sacha Sauda Dera headquarters in Sirsa, Ram Rahim lived on the third floor of the mansion and she on the first. Apparently, she had pink wardrobes in her bedroom. Further, on the farther side of the bathroom there was a lift that used to go up and open into Ram Rahim's bedroom. There are likely to be more such revelations in the days to come with the police arresting Honeypreets driver in Rajasthan on Friday.
By IANS

GURUGRAM: The grief-stricken father of Pradhuman, who was killed at the Ryan International School near here, says the prime suspect, bus conductor Ashok Kumar, could not have acted alone and that some others were involved in the horrific crime.



Hailing from Madhubani district of Bihar, Barun Chandra Thakur is fighting hard to secure justice to his deceased seven-year-old son.



Thakur told IANS that there was more to what meets the eye. Given the sequence of events, the September 8 killing of his child appeared to be part of a well-hatched conspiracy.



"It looks like everything had been planned in advance. The killer already had a knife... He visited the children's toilet which he shouldn't have... He threw the weapon used in the crime there itself...



"How come he was moving around in the school premises with such a large knife? Then, the grille of the bathroom window was also found cut... Now the conductor is giving contradictory statements. Don't all these point to a conspiracy?"



Thakur said: "If the conductor was scared that he had been seen indulging in an illicit act by the boy and everybody would come to know about it, didn't he think about the consequences of committing a murder? Didn't he think that he could be hanged for this? Also, if Ashok Kumar is the killer, then why didn't he flee after killing Pradhuman?"



Asked if the murder could be an act of revenge killing, he ruled out the possibility, saying he did not have any enmity with anyone.



Following the incident, several employees of the school are on the police radar.



On the possible involvement of others in the crime, Thakur said: "I am sure that some more persons are involved. As we saw the school was trying to sweep the matter under the carpet and even police were dilly-dallying, we decided to approach the Supreme Court."



Blaming the school's casual approach towards safety of children for the tragedy, he said: "I would drop my son at the school every day. How on earth I could have even thought that one day he would be murdered in his school."



Despite being emotionally torn due to the murder, he is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that not only Pradhuman gets justice but also no other child undergoes what his child had to.



"There is a need to replace the age-old rusted laws with new, more stringent ones, so that those with criminal mindset think twice before committing a crime. Besides, there is also an urgent need to prepare a much tougher guideline for the schools so that school managements don't shrug off their responsibilities."

GURUGRAM: The grief-stricken father of Pradhuman, who was killed at the Ryan International School near here, says the prime suspect, bus conductor Ashok Kumar, could not have acted alone and that some others were involved in the horrific crime. Hailing from Madhubani district of Bihar, Barun Chandra Thakur is fighting hard to secure justice to his deceased seven-year-old son. Thakur told IANS that there was more to what meets the eye. Given the sequence of events, the September 8 killing of his child appeared to be part of a well-hatched conspiracy. "It looks like everything had been planned in advance. The killer already had a knife... He visited the children's toilet which he shouldn't have... He threw the weapon used in the crime there itself... "How come he was moving around in the school premises with such a large knife? Then, the grille of the bathroom window was also found cut... Now the conductor is giving contradictory statements. Don't all these point to a conspiracy?" Thakur said: "If the conductor was scared that he had been seen indulging in an illicit act by the boy and everybody would come to know about it, didn't he think about the consequences of committing a murder? Didn't he think that he could be hanged for this? Also, if Ashok Kumar is the killer, then why didn't he flee after killing Pradhuman?" Asked if the murder could be an act of revenge killing, he ruled out the possibility, saying he did not have any enmity with anyone. Following the incident, several employees of the school are on the police radar. On the possible involvement of others in the crime, Thakur said: "I am sure that some more persons are involved. As we saw the school was trying to sweep the matter under the carpet and even police were dilly-dallying, we decided to approach the Supreme Court." Blaming the school's casual approach towards safety of children for the tragedy, he said: "I would drop my son at the school every day. How on earth I could have even thought that one day he would be murdered in his school." Despite being emotionally torn due to the murder, he is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that not only Pradhuman gets justice but also no other child undergoes what his child had to. "There is a need to replace the age-old rusted laws with new, more stringent ones, so that those with criminal mindset think twice before committing a crime. Besides, there is also an urgent need to prepare a much tougher guideline for the schools so that school managements don't shrug off their responsibilities."
By PTI

JAMMU: Three persons, including two women, were injured when Pakistani troops directed heavy mortar fire at 11 border out posts and hamlets today, along the international border (IB) in Jammu district, forcing BSF troops to retaliate.

There was heavy shelling of mortar bombs and firing on 11 BoPs and hamlets along IB in Arnia sector tonight, police officers said.

Such was the intensity of the firing that mortar shells reached Arnia town and over 10 to 12 shells exploded in Arnia bus stand, they said, adding, three persons including two women were injured and were hospitalised.

"From midnight till this morning, there were exchanges of fire and shelling in Arnia sector in area of 6-8 BOPs of BSF," a senior BSF officer said.

"Firing stopped at 0645 hours this morning," he said.

Pakistani troops also resorted to border firing with small and heavy weapons at four border hamlets of Nikowal, Budhwar, Buley-Chak, S H Way and Shahnaz forward posts of Arnia sector.

Three cattle were killed and four injured while a temple, three houses and three cowsheds were damaged.

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and a villager injured yesterday when Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the IB in Arnia sector.

Seven people, including three jawans and four civilians, have been injured in shelling and firing by Pakistan along the IB and LoC in Jammu and Poonch districts during the past three days.

Two Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory action by the BSF.

Incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops have increased sharply this year. Till August 1, there have been 285 such actions by the Pakistan army, while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to figures by the Indian Army.

JAMMU: Three persons, including two women, were injured when Pakistani troops directed heavy mortar fire at 11 border out posts and hamlets today, along the international border (IB) in Jammu district, forcing BSF troops to retaliate. There was heavy shelling of mortar bombs and firing on 11 BoPs and hamlets along IB in Arnia sector tonight, police officers said. Such was the intensity of the firing that mortar shells reached Arnia town and over 10 to 12 shells exploded in Arnia bus stand, they said, adding, three persons including two women were injured and were hospitalised. "From midnight till this morning, there were exchanges of fire and shelling in Arnia sector in area of 6-8 BOPs of BSF," a senior BSF officer said. "Firing stopped at 0645 hours this morning," he said. Pakistani troops also resorted to border firing with small and heavy weapons at four border hamlets of Nikowal, Budhwar, Buley-Chak, S H Way and Shahnaz forward posts of Arnia sector. Three cattle were killed and four injured while a temple, three houses and three cowsheds were damaged. A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and a villager injured yesterday when Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the IB in Arnia sector. Seven people, including three jawans and four civilians, have been injured in shelling and firing by Pakistan along the IB and LoC in Jammu and Poonch districts during the past three days. Two Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory action by the BSF. Incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops have increased sharply this year. Till August 1, there have been 285 such actions by the Pakistan army, while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to figures by the Indian Army.
Years after Buddhism in Mongolia was quashed by the Soviets, the religion has returned to prominence with over half of the population now identifying as Buddhist, according to official figures

Sacred vodka

Buddhist traditions in Mongolia predate the rule of Genghis Khan, who established close ties with a Tibetan Buddhist school, according to AFP. Even under Tibetan Buddhisms heavy influence, however, Mongolians gave the religion their own cultural touch: Inspired by shamanistic invocations using vodka, Mongolian Buddhists consider the Russian liquor sacred just as wine is to Christians

Communists demolish monasteries

During the countrys years as a Soviet satellite state, from 1924 to the early 1990s, the Arts Council of Mongolia estimates more than 1,250 monasteries and temples were demolished by the communists

Only one monastery, Ulan Bators Gandan monastery, was permitted to stay open during that period to support the Soviets claims of religious tolerance. Now 800 monks belong to the monastery, the countrys largest. After the 1990 revolution that overthrew the communists, a Buddhist leader from Ladakh was appointed the Ambassador to Mongolia

Indias spiritual masterstroke

When PM Narendra Modi visited the country in 2015, he said, It (Buddhism and spirituality) lives through the work of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, Indias ambassador here from 1990 to 2000. The Pethub Monastery that he established here will be an enduring symbol of our links

Touchy China a roadblock

The revival of Buddhism has become tougher after Mongolia pledged not to extend any more invitations to the Dalai Lama after his visit last November angered China, its neighbour and biggest trade partner

Years after Buddhism in Mongolia was quashed by the Soviets, the religion has returned to prominence with over half of the population now identifying as Buddhist, according to official figures Sacred vodka Buddhist traditions in Mongolia predate the rule of Genghis Khan, who established close ties with a Tibetan Buddhist school, according to AFP. Even under Tibetan Buddhisms heavy influence, however, Mongolians gave the religion their own cultural touch: Inspired by shamanistic invocations using vodka, Mongolian Buddhists consider the Russian liquor sacred just as wine is to Christians Communists demolish monasteries During the countrys years as a Soviet satellite state, from 1924 to the early 1990s, the Arts Council of Mongolia estimates more than 1,250 monasteries and temples were demolished by the communists Only one monastery, Ulan Bators Gandan monastery, was permitted to stay open during that period to support the Soviets claims of religious tolerance. Now 800 monks belong to the monastery, the countrys largest. After the 1990 revolution that overthrew the communists, a Buddhist leader from Ladakh was appointed the Ambassador to Mongolia Indias spiritual masterstroke When PM Narendra Modi visited the country in 2015, he said, It (Buddhism and spirituality) lives through the work of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, Indias ambassador here from 1990 to 2000. The Pethub Monastery that he established here will be an enduring symbol of our links Touchy China a roadblock The revival of Buddhism has become tougher after Mongolia pledged not to extend any more invitations to the Dalai Lama after his visit last November angered China, its neighbour and biggest trade partner
Prabhu Chawla By

No two letters tickle or titillate Indias bleeding heart elite than M for Muslim and K for Kashmir. Legitimate and well-documented criticism of extremists and stone-pelters and illegal immigrants such as Rohingya Muslims flooding the country throws them into a tailspin. They dismiss the harm to Indian soldiers in encounters and the threat to the Indian security system from religiously motivated terrorists as chalta hai. They take to the social media, television debates, columns and blogs to defend the so-called seekers of shelter in refugee garb.

Citing ethnic and religious affinities, they whip up organised frenzy against growing intolerance and persecution of minorities. Whataboutery is the excuse of the day. The secular intelligentsia use facile arguments such as if Hindu refugees from Pakistan are welcomed, why should India be hostile towards Rohingyas? They deliberately ignore the fact that Partition involved a traumatic exodus between two parts of undivided India, before Pakistan was even born.

Those who crossed into New India were Indians, though they were labelled refugees for official rehabilitation purposes. They didnt change their citizenship. They were Indians before 1947 and remain so. On the other hand, Muslims who crossed over from India were not called refugees in newborn Pakistan, which was created on the basis of religion. Hardly has any Muslim left their ancestral habitat to settle in Indialogical, considering Pakistan was carved out of India to create a Islamic nation. But India chose to be secular and supported Muslims who did not wish to move to Pakistan to stay on in the country.

Logically, oppressed and suppressed people, such as the Hindus during Partition, should migrate to a nation most suited to their lifestyle, faith and culture. But why do Muslim refugees invariably seek asylum in non-Islamic nations in Europe and Asia, instead of the Middle East or Pakistan? Why do Rohingyas settle in the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir state, instead of moving to Pakistan or Afghanistan? Its not that they dont try. They are simply not welcome. By 2013, Bangladesh had closed all the entry points to Rohingyas, burdened by the massive influx into refugee camps in their territory. The Malaysian Navy has stopped them from disembarking on the Malay coastline. The Indonesian government warned fishermen against rescuing and bringing Rohingyas into the country.

The large-scale illegal migration of Muslims to greener pastures is not confined to Rohingyas. Muslims fleeing dictatorship, terrorism and war in various Islamic countries have been denied refuge by rich Islamic nations. Ever since the rise of terror outfits such as Al Qaeda and IS, over half a million Muslim men, women and children have fled Syria, Yemen and other Middle Eastern nations to Europe, instead of the 50-odd Muslim-majority countries.

Of the estimated 15 million such immigrants, fewer than three million have been given shelter by rich Arab nations. It is evident that even the worse kind of persecuted Muslim refugees do not trust countries of similar faith as comfortable and secure destinations to spend the rest of their lives. Instead, they make for non-Islamic countries to spread their religion and gain wealth and good education. It is, therefore, understandable that host governments should consider them a threat to national integrity and security as well as an economic burden.

But logic and facts are alien to liberal lamenters hostile to the idea of nationhood based on cultural identity and religious, historical homogeneity. India is a singular example of unity and diversity derived from its 5,000-year-old heritage of inclusiveness and tolerance. But vested interests, which seek to divide it again along religious affiliations, have been exploiting its patience as its weakness. India is now a reluctant home for over four million illegal immigrants from the neighbourhood.

Now that stone-pelters in Kashmir have been silenced and tamed, professional secularists and their political icons have taken up the noble cause of allowing Rohingyas to live and flourish in India even at the cost of national security. Since consistency has never been a virtue, a few of them even sought the withdrawal of the Noble Peace Prize awarded to Myanmars State Counsellor and Leader of the National League for Democracy of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, for terming the Rohingya crisis as the biggest challenge we have had to face.

She defended her governments tough stand by saying, It is a little unreasonable to expect us to solve the issue in 18 months... as the situation in Rakhine has been such since many decades and goes back to pre-colonial times. We have to decide how to differentiate terrorists from innocents. You in India would be well-versed with this.

It is a chilling reminder of Islamic terror, which India has been battling for decades. Instead of protecting the anti-terror fraternity, the paragons of secular virtue argue that Rohingyas have the right to live in India permanently since a 1952 United Nations Convention states that a person or a group of persons are forced to move out owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, and membership of a particular social group or political opinion.

They argue that since Rohingyas are victims of Buddhist violence, they should be treated as refugees and not illegal immigrants. But when it comes to the plight of over a lakh Kashmiri Pandits (KPs), who fled pogroms from the Valley, loony liberals and their sponsors are conspicuous by their absence at pro-KP agitations, discussions and debates. However, they want India to begin a dialogue with death, and leave the traders of terror intact. In this context, it is bizarre that the welfare of 40,000 Rohingyas is more precious than the lives of over a billion Indians.

Unfortunately, some international agencies, which are infected by similar ideological bacteria, have criticised Indias plans to deport the Rohingyas. A statement attributed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees advised, India cannot carry out collective expulsions, or return people to a place where they risk torture or other serious violations. However, Rajiv K Chander, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva, retorted: Like many other nations, India is concerned about illegal migrants, in particular, with the possibility that they could pose security challenges. Enforcing the laws should not be mistaken for lack of compassion.

The proponents of selective invocation of laws must realise that national security is not negotiable. The government must prove its legal neutrality by bringing illegal Rohingya immigrants under Indian law as envisaged by the Constitution, which guarantees the safety of Socialist and Secular Republic of India.

Prabhu Chawla

prabhuchawla@ newindianexpress.com

Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla

No two letters tickle or titillate Indias bleeding heart elite than M for Muslim and K for Kashmir. Legitimate and well-documented criticism of extremists and stone-pelters and illegal immigrants such as Rohingya Muslims flooding the country throws them into a tailspin. They dismiss the harm to Indian soldiers in encounters and the threat to the Indian security system from religiously motivated terrorists as chalta hai. They take to the social media, television debates, columns and blogs to defend the so-called seekers of shelter in refugee garb. Citing ethnic and religious affinities, they whip up organised frenzy against growing intolerance and persecution of minorities. Whataboutery is the excuse of the day. The secular intelligentsia use facile arguments such as if Hindu refugees from Pakistan are welcomed, why should India be hostile towards Rohingyas? They deliberately ignore the fact that Partition involved a traumatic exodus between two parts of undivided India, before Pakistan was even born. Those who crossed into New India were Indians, though they were labelled refugees for official rehabilitation purposes. They didnt change their citizenship. They were Indians before 1947 and remain so. On the other hand, Muslims who crossed over from India were not called refugees in newborn Pakistan, which was created on the basis of religion. Hardly has any Muslim left their ancestral habitat to settle in Indialogical, considering Pakistan was carved out of India to create a Islamic nation. But India chose to be secular and supported Muslims who did not wish to move to Pakistan to stay on in the country. Logically, oppressed and suppressed people, such as the Hindus during Partition, should migrate to a nation most suited to their lifestyle, faith and culture. But why do Muslim refugees invariably seek asylum in non-Islamic nations in Europe and Asia, instead of the Middle East or Pakistan? Why do Rohingyas settle in the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir state, instead of moving to Pakistan or Afghanistan? Its not that they dont try. They are simply not welcome. By 2013, Bangladesh had closed all the entry points to Rohingyas, burdened by the massive influx into refugee camps in their territory. The Malaysian Navy has stopped them from disembarking on the Malay coastline. The Indonesian government warned fishermen against rescuing and bringing Rohingyas into the country. The large-scale illegal migration of Muslims to greener pastures is not confined to Rohingyas. Muslims fleeing dictatorship, terrorism and war in various Islamic countries have been denied refuge by rich Islamic nations. Ever since the rise of terror outfits such as Al Qaeda and IS, over half a million Muslim men, women and children have fled Syria, Yemen and other Middle Eastern nations to Europe, instead of the 50-odd Muslim-majority countries. Of the estimated 15 million such immigrants, fewer than three million have been given shelter by rich Arab nations. It is evident that even the worse kind of persecuted Muslim refugees do not trust countries of similar faith as comfortable and secure destinations to spend the rest of their lives. Instead, they make for non-Islamic countries to spread their religion and gain wealth and good education. It is, therefore, understandable that host governments should consider them a threat to national integrity and security as well as an economic burden. But logic and facts are alien to liberal lamenters hostile to the idea of nationhood based on cultural identity and religious, historical homogeneity. India is a singular example of unity and diversity derived from its 5,000-year-old heritage of inclusiveness and tolerance. But vested interests, which seek to divide it again along religious affiliations, have been exploiting its patience as its weakness. India is now a reluctant home for over four million illegal immigrants from the neighbourhood. Now that stone-pelters in Kashmir have been silenced and tamed, professional secularists and their political icons have taken up the noble cause of allowing Rohingyas to live and flourish in India even at the cost of national security. Since consistency has never been a virtue, a few of them even sought the withdrawal of the Noble Peace Prize awarded to Myanmars State Counsellor and Leader of the National League for Democracy of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, for terming the Rohingya crisis as the biggest challenge we have had to face. She defended her governments tough stand by saying, It is a little unreasonable to expect us to solve the issue in 18 months... as the situation in Rakhine has been such since many decades and goes back to pre-colonial times. We have to decide how to differentiate terrorists from innocents. You in India would be well-versed with this. It is a chilling reminder of Islamic terror, which India has been battling for decades. Instead of protecting the anti-terror fraternity, the paragons of secular virtue argue that Rohingyas have the right to live in India permanently since a 1952 United Nations Convention states that a person or a group of persons are forced to move out owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, and membership of a particular social group or political opinion. They argue that since Rohingyas are victims of Buddhist violence, they should be treated as refugees and not illegal immigrants. But when it comes to the plight of over a lakh Kashmiri Pandits (KPs), who fled pogroms from the Valley, loony liberals and their sponsors are conspicuous by their absence at pro-KP agitations, discussions and debates. However, they want India to begin a dialogue with death, and leave the traders of terror intact. In this context, it is bizarre that the welfare of 40,000 Rohingyas is more precious than the lives of over a billion Indians. Unfortunately, some international agencies, which are infected by similar ideological bacteria, have criticised Indias plans to deport the Rohingyas. A statement attributed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees advised, India cannot carry out collective expulsions, or return people to a place where they risk torture or other serious violations. However, Rajiv K Chander, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva, retorted: Like many other nations, India is concerned about illegal migrants, in particular, with the possibility that they could pose security challenges. Enforcing the laws should not be mistaken for lack of compassion. The proponents of selective invocation of laws must realise that national security is not negotiable. The government must prove its legal neutrality by bringing illegal Rohingya immigrants under Indian law as envisaged by the Constitution, which guarantees the safety of Socialist and Secular Republic of India. Prabhu Chawla prabhuchawla@ newindianexpress.com Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Underscoring the need for improving growth rate in the services sector, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to appoint a consultancy to achieve progress in the sector.

Despite the State achieving an impressive growth of 11.72% in the first quarter of 2017-18, which is two times more than the national growth rate of 5.6 per cent, service sectors achieved only 8.67 per cent growth, the Chief Minister said and wanted the officials to strive hard for enhancing growth rate in service sector.

During a meeting with the Heads of Departments at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi on Friday, the Chief Minister said that agriculture and allied sectors contributed 27.60%, industry and service sectors contributed 8.05% and 8.67% respectively.The service sector had a target of 13.9%, but achieved only 8.67% in the first quarter. The trade, repair, hotel and restaurants sector grew by 11.08%, the transport and storage sector by 9.04%, financial sector by 9.54%, real estate and housing by 5.3% and public administration by 8.16%.



After going through the figures, Naidu said that there is possibility for getting good returns with less investment and generation of more employment in service sector and wanted the officials to focus on improving the sector particularly in Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. He asked the officials to recall the development of Hyderabad city to the present level from a level of just having a hospital and a hotel.

Corrupt officials warned

Making it clear that he kept a target to end the menace of corruption in all the government departments, Naidu warned that strong action would be initiated against corrupt officials. As we are working in the direction to see that 80% of people should be satisfied over administration, I am firm on eliminating corruption, Naidu asserted.

Per capita income

The per capita income of Andhra Pradesh is `1,22,376 in 2016-17. Compared to last year, the States per capita income grew by 13.1%.

The countrys per capita income is `1,03,219 in 2016-17. Andhra Pradesh is ranked 6th in the country. Haryana is the state with the highest per capita income in India (`1,80,174). The per capita income of Telangana is `55,612.

Bill Foundation tie-up

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has agreed to partner with the Andhra Pradesh government in the agriculture field. They have used a high-quality technology in Africa, under Africa Soil Information Service, for soil profiling. Through the technology, the soil profile of every landholder could be recorded through spectroscopy and digital mapping. They have agreed to share the technology with the AP Government at a meeting scheduled at the end of this month.A two-day event AP Smart Landholder Summit along with Hackathon is scheduled to be organised in the State, for which The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be co-partners, and Bill Gates will participate in the evnt as keynote speaker.

Peoples feedback

Through different grievance redressal systems, it was found that overall, 58% (8,18,190) of peoples feedback is positive, and 42% (5,91,396) of the people are dissatisfied. People in Krishna and Guntur districts have the most number of positive feedback and Kadapa and Kurnool districts have the lowest satisfaction levels.

AP records

11.72% growth

AP records 11.72% growth in the first quarter of 2017-18 fiscal as against 5.6 growth rate in national level

Primary sector grew by 27.60%, industrial sector by 8.05% and the service sector by 8.67%

Fisheries sector grew by 42.09% and the Animal Husbandry sector by 14.69%

Against the target of 14.65%, industry sector witnessed 8.05% growth

Against the target of 13.9%, Service Sector achieved 8.67%

CM directs officials to focus on encouraging apparel parks and construction activity

VIJAYAWADA: Underscoring the need for improving growth rate in the services sector, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to appoint a consultancy to achieve progress in the sector. Despite the State achieving an impressive growth of 11.72% in the first quarter of 2017-18, which is two times more than the national growth rate of 5.6 per cent, service sectors achieved only 8.67 per cent growth, the Chief Minister said and wanted the officials to strive hard for enhancing growth rate in service sector. During a meeting with the Heads of Departments at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi on Friday, the Chief Minister said that agriculture and allied sectors contributed 27.60%, industry and service sectors contributed 8.05% and 8.67% respectively.The service sector had a target of 13.9%, but achieved only 8.67% in the first quarter. The trade, repair, hotel and restaurants sector grew by 11.08%, the transport and storage sector by 9.04%, financial sector by 9.54%, real estate and housing by 5.3% and public administration by 8.16%. After going through the figures, Naidu said that there is possibility for getting good returns with less investment and generation of more employment in service sector and wanted the officials to focus on improving the sector particularly in Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. He asked the officials to recall the development of Hyderabad city to the present level from a level of just having a hospital and a hotel. Corrupt officials warned Making it clear that he kept a target to end the menace of corruption in all the government departments, Naidu warned that strong action would be initiated against corrupt officials. As we are working in the direction to see that 80% of people should be satisfied over administration, I am firm on eliminating corruption, Naidu asserted. Per capita income The per capita income of Andhra Pradesh is `1,22,376 in 2016-17. Compared to last year, the States per capita income grew by 13.1%. The countrys per capita income is `1,03,219 in 2016-17. Andhra Pradesh is ranked 6th in the country. Haryana is the state with the highest per capita income in India (`1,80,174). The per capita income of Telangana is `55,612.Bill Foundation tie-up The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has agreed to partner with the Andhra Pradesh government in the agriculture field. They have used a high-quality technology in Africa, under Africa Soil Information Service, for soil profiling. Through the technology, the soil profile of every landholder could be recorded through spectroscopy and digital mapping. They have agreed to share the technology with the AP Government at a meeting scheduled at the end of this month.A two-day event AP Smart Landholder Summit along with Hackathon is scheduled to be organised in the State, for which The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be co-partners, and Bill Gates will participate in the evnt as keynote speaker. Peoples feedback Through different grievance redressal systems, it was found that overall, 58% (8,18,190) of peoples feedback is positive, and 42% (5,91,396) of the people are dissatisfied. People in Krishna and Guntur districts have the most number of positive feedback and Kadapa and Kurnool districts have the lowest satisfaction levels. AP records 11.72% growth AP records 11.72% growth in the first quarter of 2017-18 fiscal as against 5.6 growth rate in national level Primary sector grew by 27.60%, industrial sector by 8.05% and the service sector by 8.67% Fisheries sector grew by 42.09% and the Animal Husbandry sector by 14.69% Against the target of 14.65%, industry sector witnessed 8.05% growth Against the target of 13.9%, Service Sector achieved 8.67% CM directs officials to focus on encouraging apparel parks and construction activity
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The counsel for BS Yeddyurappa argued before the Karnataka High Court on Friday that the preliminary investigation of the Anti Corruption Bureau into the alleged denotification by the former chief minister is like a blind man in the dark room searching for a black cat which is not there.

Senior counsel C V Nagesh made this submission before Justice Aravind Kumar who is hearing two petitions filed by Yeddyurappa challenging the two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) against him on the charges of denotification of land. The FIRs were based on a complaint filed by Dr Ayyappa, former vice-chancellor of a private university.

Further, he argued that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) did not consider the recommendations of Yeddyurappa for denotification of land at all. Therefore, it was neither loss nor gain. Accordingly, there were no essential ingredients in the preliminary investigation conducted by the ACB to show that Yeddyurappa demanded and obtained illegal gratification. The ACB did not find basic materials to constitute offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Yeddyurappa and was only saying that some note sheets were missing from files and some holes were found in the documents.

Meanwhile, the counsel submitted a memo in the court, containing the samples of denotification done by BDA in favour of sitting MLA Byrathi Basavaraj at the instructions of present Congress government.

According to these documents, the BDA issued endorsement in favour of Byrathi Basavaraju not to include 18 acres land in the acquisition, following the communication issued by the State Government on February 13, 2014. However, Prof Ravivarma Kumar, senior counsel representing ACB, raised objections to it. Then the judge asked him to file objections if any, after taking the memo on record.

The professor also submitted that the submission of the counsel of Yeddyurappa that this government had done denotification of 1,300 acres land acquired for Dr Shivaram Karanth Layout is false.That submission is abuse of process of law, he claimed. In reply, Nagesh asked the counsel whether the ACB was claiming that his submission was false?Further hearing was adjourned to Monday.

BENGALURU: The counsel for BS Yeddyurappa argued before the Karnataka High Court on Friday that the preliminary investigation of the Anti Corruption Bureau into the alleged denotification by the former chief minister is like a blind man in the dark room searching for a black cat which is not there. Senior counsel C V Nagesh made this submission before Justice Aravind Kumar who is hearing two petitions filed by Yeddyurappa challenging the two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) against him on the charges of denotification of land. The FIRs were based on a complaint filed by Dr Ayyappa, former vice-chancellor of a private university. Further, he argued that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) did not consider the recommendations of Yeddyurappa for denotification of land at all. Therefore, it was neither loss nor gain. Accordingly, there were no essential ingredients in the preliminary investigation conducted by the ACB to show that Yeddyurappa demanded and obtained illegal gratification. The ACB did not find basic materials to constitute offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Yeddyurappa and was only saying that some note sheets were missing from files and some holes were found in the documents. Meanwhile, the counsel submitted a memo in the court, containing the samples of denotification done by BDA in favour of sitting MLA Byrathi Basavaraj at the instructions of present Congress government. According to these documents, the BDA issued endorsement in favour of Byrathi Basavaraju not to include 18 acres land in the acquisition, following the communication issued by the State Government on February 13, 2014. However, Prof Ravivarma Kumar, senior counsel representing ACB, raised objections to it. Then the judge asked him to file objections if any, after taking the memo on record. The professor also submitted that the submission of the counsel of Yeddyurappa that this government had done denotification of 1,300 acres land acquired for Dr Shivaram Karanth Layout is false.That submission is abuse of process of law, he claimed. In reply, Nagesh asked the counsel whether the ACB was claiming that his submission was false?Further hearing was adjourned to Monday.
Madison police are asking for the public's help to find a woman who went missing Thursday on the city's Southwest Side.

Authorities say there is no reason to suspect foul play in the disappearance of Caprice Alexander, 24, who has not been seen since she went for a walk around 5:30 p.m. Thursday from her home on Adderbury Lane.

Police say they are concerned for Alexander's well being because she takes medication.

Alexander is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 220 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, cameo shorts and a yellow headband with her hair in a ponytail.

Authorities say anyone with information should call the Madison police non-emergency number: 255-2345.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Despite the failure of PSLV-C39 launch, Antrix, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), made it clear that it is not going to be just a fledgling enterprise and added that it had Rs 800 crore worth of orders for the next five years till 2022. Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the company and the silver jubilee was held here in the presence of industry heavyweights like Jamshyd Godrej and Martin Sweeting.

Godrej Aerospace manufactures engines and boosters for ISROs rockets. Martin Sweeting is the founder of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.With speculations rife on the impact of the recent launch failure on the Indian space industry, Antrix CMD Rakesh Sashibhushan said, Such setbacks are a part and parcel of any space business unlike other sectors. Even SpaceX, which was supposed to have very stabilised production, suffered more serious setbacks than this. This is not a serious one. All stages have been done. Testing is being done. Demands keep coming. We had a meeting with international business customers even on Thursday. This wont have any impact on Antrix orders.

With a Rs 1,991 crore turnover in 2016-17, Antrix is positive about making a mark in the $260 billion satellite services market. Lot of companies are offering cheaper launch vehicles, probably to cut us down. But the fact that there will not be any GST levied on launch services provided to international customers is a welcome move. Domestic customers however, have to pay 18 per cent GST. We are still waiting for the notification though, Sashibhushan said. The GST Council is likely to meet on September 17 and he hopes the notification is issued in that meeting.

ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar said, Companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic are building small launchers. There are others who are offering a one-way ticket to Mars. Space tourism is coming up. Launch vehicle technology is a risky business and yet there are companies like Bellatrix Aerospace that are offering Garuda and Chetak. Their presence means that they are willing to take the risk.

Bellatrix develops orbital launch vehicles such as Garuda, a launch vehicle under development, and Chetak a nano-satellite launch vehicle.

BENGALURU: Despite the failure of PSLV-C39 launch, Antrix, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), made it clear that it is not going to be just a fledgling enterprise and added that it had Rs 800 crore worth of orders for the next five years till 2022. Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the company and the silver jubilee was held here in the presence of industry heavyweights like Jamshyd Godrej and Martin Sweeting. Godrej Aerospace manufactures engines and boosters for ISROs rockets. Martin Sweeting is the founder of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.With speculations rife on the impact of the recent launch failure on the Indian space industry, Antrix CMD Rakesh Sashibhushan said, Such setbacks are a part and parcel of any space business unlike other sectors. Even SpaceX, which was supposed to have very stabilised production, suffered more serious setbacks than this. This is not a serious one. All stages have been done. Testing is being done. Demands keep coming. We had a meeting with international business customers even on Thursday. This wont have any impact on Antrix orders. With a Rs 1,991 crore turnover in 2016-17, Antrix is positive about making a mark in the $260 billion satellite services market. Lot of companies are offering cheaper launch vehicles, probably to cut us down. But the fact that there will not be any GST levied on launch services provided to international customers is a welcome move. Domestic customers however, have to pay 18 per cent GST. We are still waiting for the notification though, Sashibhushan said. The GST Council is likely to meet on September 17 and he hopes the notification is issued in that meeting. ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar said, Companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic are building small launchers. There are others who are offering a one-way ticket to Mars. Space tourism is coming up. Launch vehicle technology is a risky business and yet there are companies like Bellatrix Aerospace that are offering Garuda and Chetak. Their presence means that they are willing to take the risk. Bellatrix develops orbital launch vehicles such as Garuda, a launch vehicle under development, and Chetak a nano-satellite launch vehicle.
Hemant Kumar Rout By

Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Indias quest for a complex air-to-air missile system seems to be over as after 15 years in the making Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Astra has completed developmental trials.The homegrown missile capable of detecting and destroying highly manoeuvrable targets, moving at a supersonic speed, will soon be inducted in the armed forces making the country sixth nation in the world to have such capability.

Final round flight trials were successfully conducted from Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft by Indian Air Force (IAF) over the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast. Altogether seven missiles were fired against Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) during the last four days.Defence sources said, the missile was fired at very long range and different altitudes. It successfully engaged high manoeuvring targets at medium range while multiple launches of the missile were carried out in salvo mode to engage multiple targets.

All the sub-systems, including the indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker performed accurately, meeting all the mission parameters and objectives. Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with warhead and the targets were neutralised.Director General of Missiles and Strategic Systems Dr G Satheesh Reddy said, state-of-the-art technologies developed under the Astra programme will be the building blocks for development of more variants of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

Earlier, the IAF was mostly dependent on Russian and Israeli air-to-air systems to meet its battlefield requirements. Once inducted, the all weather and all terrain Astra missile could be the mainstay of the nations territorial air defence in its category.

Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), first ground test of the missile was conducted in May 2003. While it was test fired in the night and in inclement weather in June 2010, first trial from a fighter aircraft was carried out in May 2014. The missile was fired against an actual target in 2012 when it destroyed a drone.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system which has a strike range of 20 km to 100 km. Programme Director, Dr S Venugopal led the launch operations and flight trials along with the teams from multiple organisations.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and DRDO Chairman and Secretary of Department of Defence (R&D) Dr S Christopher have congratulated DRDO, IAF, Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) and industries for the successful trials of Astra missile, a formidable class of weapon system.

BHUBANESWAR: Indias quest for a complex air-to-air missile system seems to be over as after 15 years in the making Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Astra has completed developmental trials.The homegrown missile capable of detecting and destroying highly manoeuvrable targets, moving at a supersonic speed, will soon be inducted in the armed forces making the country sixth nation in the world to have such capability. Final round flight trials were successfully conducted from Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft by Indian Air Force (IAF) over the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast. Altogether seven missiles were fired against Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) during the last four days.Defence sources said, the missile was fired at very long range and different altitudes. It successfully engaged high manoeuvring targets at medium range while multiple launches of the missile were carried out in salvo mode to engage multiple targets. All the sub-systems, including the indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker performed accurately, meeting all the mission parameters and objectives. Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with warhead and the targets were neutralised.Director General of Missiles and Strategic Systems Dr G Satheesh Reddy said, state-of-the-art technologies developed under the Astra programme will be the building blocks for development of more variants of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. Earlier, the IAF was mostly dependent on Russian and Israeli air-to-air systems to meet its battlefield requirements. Once inducted, the all weather and all terrain Astra missile could be the mainstay of the nations territorial air defence in its category. Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), first ground test of the missile was conducted in May 2003. While it was test fired in the night and in inclement weather in June 2010, first trial from a fighter aircraft was carried out in May 2014. The missile was fired against an actual target in 2012 when it destroyed a drone. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system which has a strike range of 20 km to 100 km. Programme Director, Dr S Venugopal led the launch operations and flight trials along with the teams from multiple organisations. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and DRDO Chairman and Secretary of Department of Defence (R&D) Dr S Christopher have congratulated DRDO, IAF, Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) and industries for the successful trials of Astra missile, a formidable class of weapon system.
By Express News Service

CUTTACK: In a shocking incident, a pregnant woman delivered a baby girl on the verandah of City Hospital in Cuttack on Friday as doctors of the hospital did not attend to her.

As per reports, when Gulsan Bibi (35) of Dagarpada was brought to the hospital by her sister-in-law Sabina Begum at about 7.30 am after she started experiencing labour pain. Sabina said, on reaching the hospital, she approached doctors to admit Gulsan but the doctors allegedly demanded Rs 1,000 for an ultrasound. When Sabian expressed her inability to pay, the doctors advised her to conduct ultrasound outside.

Later, Sabina managed to arrange money and get an ultrasound done at a private diagnosis centre. On examining the report, doctors advised Sabina to shift Gulsan to SCB Medical for a cesarean. Though the pain of Gulsan unbearable, doctors had not attended to her, Sabina alleged. After lying on the hospital verandah for about 4 hours, Gulsan delivered a baby girl at 11.30 am, said Sabina.

Later, relatives of the women and locals protested the carelessness of the hospital staff following which the latter started treatment of the mother and newborn.Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Cuttack, Biswa Kalyana Patnaik has ordered an inquiry.

CUTTACK: In a shocking incident, a pregnant woman delivered a baby girl on the verandah of City Hospital in Cuttack on Friday as doctors of the hospital did not attend to her. As per reports, when Gulsan Bibi (35) of Dagarpada was brought to the hospital by her sister-in-law Sabina Begum at about 7.30 am after she started experiencing labour pain. Sabina said, on reaching the hospital, she approached doctors to admit Gulsan but the doctors allegedly demanded Rs 1,000 for an ultrasound. When Sabian expressed her inability to pay, the doctors advised her to conduct ultrasound outside. Later, Sabina managed to arrange money and get an ultrasound done at a private diagnosis centre. On examining the report, doctors advised Sabina to shift Gulsan to SCB Medical for a cesarean. Though the pain of Gulsan unbearable, doctors had not attended to her, Sabina alleged. After lying on the hospital verandah for about 4 hours, Gulsan delivered a baby girl at 11.30 am, said Sabina. Later, relatives of the women and locals protested the carelessness of the hospital staff following which the latter started treatment of the mother and newborn.Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Cuttack, Biswa Kalyana Patnaik has ordered an inquiry.
By Express News Service

MADURAI/CHENNAI: Amid the fluid situation in the ruling party, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday set an October 31 deadline for the Election Commission of India to take a call on the AIADMKs frozen Two Leaves symbol.

Disposing of a public interest litigation, a Bench comprising justices K K Sasidharan and G R Swaminathan said: Any delay in the matter would seriously hamper the functioning of the political parties in their political activities. It wondered why the EC was proceeding at a snails pace when it was quick and snappy in a similar dispute involving the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.

This was the third timeline that came from high court benches in connection with the party turf war. While one pertained to the bar on holding floor test in the State Assembly before September 20, the other one was October 23, when a division bench will hear a challenge to the ruling party conducting its general council meeting.

In Kancheepuram, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami tore into rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran and dared him to let off the 18 MLAs shepherded by him in a resort in Karnataka. You are keeping some MLAs promising them allurements. Just let them off. Straightaway they will come to us, he said. Stating that Dhinakaran was keen on capturing the party and government, Palaniswami said: The party cadre and office bearers have closed the doors on you. You are trying to capture the party and government through crooked means. It wont happen.

Earlier in the day, Palaniswami and Advocate General Vijay Narayan held discussions with Speaker P Dhanapal at the Secretariat. Indications from the Speakers office suggested that the disciplinary action against the rebel could end up in disqualification.

Midnight memorial visit

J Deepa, niece of Jayalalithaa, paid a surprise visit to the memorial of her aunt on Marina at midnight on Friday and paid homage. She was there along with her husband Madhavan. Deepa said the government should not last as it didnt have majority

MADURAI/CHENNAI: Amid the fluid situation in the ruling party, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday set an October 31 deadline for the Election Commission of India to take a call on the AIADMKs frozen Two Leaves symbol. Disposing of a public interest litigation, a Bench comprising justices K K Sasidharan and G R Swaminathan said: Any delay in the matter would seriously hamper the functioning of the political parties in their political activities. It wondered why the EC was proceeding at a snails pace when it was quick and snappy in a similar dispute involving the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. This was the third timeline that came from high court benches in connection with the party turf war. While one pertained to the bar on holding floor test in the State Assembly before September 20, the other one was October 23, when a division bench will hear a challenge to the ruling party conducting its general council meeting. In Kancheepuram, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami tore into rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran and dared him to let off the 18 MLAs shepherded by him in a resort in Karnataka. You are keeping some MLAs promising them allurements. Just let them off. Straightaway they will come to us, he said. Stating that Dhinakaran was keen on capturing the party and government, Palaniswami said: The party cadre and office bearers have closed the doors on you. You are trying to capture the party and government through crooked means. It wont happen. Earlier in the day, Palaniswami and Advocate General Vijay Narayan held discussions with Speaker P Dhanapal at the Secretariat. Indications from the Speakers office suggested that the disciplinary action against the rebel could end up in disqualification. Midnight memorial visit J Deepa, niece of Jayalalithaa, paid a surprise visit to the memorial of her aunt on Marina at midnight on Friday and paid homage. She was there along with her husband Madhavan. Deepa said the government should not last as it didnt have majority
By Associated Press

BUJUMBURA: At least 36 Burundian refugees have been killed in clashes with Congolese security forces who allegedly fired indiscriminately at protesters, the United Nations envoy to Congo said on Saturday.

Maman Sidikou said he was "deeply shocked" at the violence. Another 117 people were injured and one Congolese officer was killed, he said in a statement.

Friday's clashes erupted in Kamanyola in Congo's South Kivu province when Burundian refugees and asylum-seekers protested the expulsion of four of their countrymen from Congo, Sidikou said, citing "credible reports" received by the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo. The death of the Congolese army officer led to "the escalation of violence".

The U.N. envoy called for a swift investigation and urged Congo's security forces to use force as a last resort.

Congo's military could not immediately be reached for comment.

Roughly 44,000 refugees from Burundi are sheltering in Congo. Many fled political violence at home in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term amid deadly protests.

Of the people killed in Friday's clashes, 15 were women, the commander of the Pakistani battalion of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Waquara Yunusi, told The Associated Press.

The Congolese government, the U.N refugee agency and the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo "have deployed teams on site to shed light on everything that happened," said the coordinator of the U.N. Communications Group in Congo, Florence Marchal.

Burundi's foreign minister, Alain Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter asked Congo and U.N. officials for an explanation of the shootings.

Residents in the area said the killings occurred after some Burundian refugees went to the bureau of intelligence in Kamanyola to inquire about four detained refugees. Congolese soldiers responded with gunfire when some of the refugees hurled stones, said refugee Aline Nduwarugira.

Another witnesses, Alfred Rukungo, said Congolese soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.

BUJUMBURA: At least 36 Burundian refugees have been killed in clashes with Congolese security forces who allegedly fired indiscriminately at protesters, the United Nations envoy to Congo said on Saturday. Maman Sidikou said he was "deeply shocked" at the violence. Another 117 people were injured and one Congolese officer was killed, he said in a statement. Friday's clashes erupted in Kamanyola in Congo's South Kivu province when Burundian refugees and asylum-seekers protested the expulsion of four of their countrymen from Congo, Sidikou said, citing "credible reports" received by the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo. The death of the Congolese army officer led to "the escalation of violence". The U.N. envoy called for a swift investigation and urged Congo's security forces to use force as a last resort. Congo's military could not immediately be reached for comment. Roughly 44,000 refugees from Burundi are sheltering in Congo. Many fled political violence at home in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term amid deadly protests. Of the people killed in Friday's clashes, 15 were women, the commander of the Pakistani battalion of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Waquara Yunusi, told The Associated Press. The Congolese government, the U.N refugee agency and the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo "have deployed teams on site to shed light on everything that happened," said the coordinator of the U.N. Communications Group in Congo, Florence Marchal. Burundi's foreign minister, Alain Aime Nyamitwe, on Twitter asked Congo and U.N. officials for an explanation of the shootings. Residents in the area said the killings occurred after some Burundian refugees went to the bureau of intelligence in Kamanyola to inquire about four detained refugees. Congolese soldiers responded with gunfire when some of the refugees hurled stones, said refugee Aline Nduwarugira. Another witnesses, Alfred Rukungo, said Congolese soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.
By AFP

WASHINGTON: Caracas has denounced President Donald Trump's plans to meet with Latin American leaders concerning Venezuela's ongoing crisis, branding the talks as "rival dialogue."

Earlier in the day Trump's national security adviser HR McMaster had announced plans for a "working dinner" on Monday that will convene several Latin American leaders in New York, as the UN General Assembly gets underway.

During the dinner Trump expects to "discuss the crisis in Venezuela, as well as the strong economic ties and extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," McMaster told journalists, without elaborating on which leaders the talks will include.

But having just begun exploratory talks with opposition delegates this week, Caracas met the news with scorn.

"You have nothing to evaluate President Trump... evaluate your internal problems," Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told journalists, lambasting the planned meeting as "rival dialogue."

Officials from both the Venezuelan government and the opposition began exploratory talks Wednesday, mediated by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the former Spanish prime minister.

The opposing sides agreed Thursday to a commission of "friendly countries" -- Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua -- tasked with assisting negotiations to emerge from the crisis that had fueled months of deadly protests.

Arreaza also appeared to respond to Trump's threat last month of a "military option" in Venezuela.

"Anyone who dares to attack Venezuela will suffer the consequences," he said.

Though the White House did not say who would attend Monday's talks, Arreaza mentioned Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is among those invited.

McMaster also ruled out the possibility that Trump could hold direct talks with Venezuelan representatives at the General Assembly.

President Nicolas Maduro will not attend the gathering of world leaders, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the embattled Latin American country.

Washington has already slapped sanctions on crisisstricken Venezuela -- including on Maduro himself -- to "deny the Maduro dictatorship a critical source of financing to maintain its illegitimate rule."

WASHINGTON: Caracas has denounced President Donald Trump's plans to meet with Latin American leaders concerning Venezuela's ongoing crisis, branding the talks as "rival dialogue." Earlier in the day Trump's national security adviser HR McMaster had announced plans for a "working dinner" on Monday that will convene several Latin American leaders in New York, as the UN General Assembly gets underway. During the dinner Trump expects to "discuss the crisis in Venezuela, as well as the strong economic ties and extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," McMaster told journalists, without elaborating on which leaders the talks will include. But having just begun exploratory talks with opposition delegates this week, Caracas met the news with scorn. "You have nothing to evaluate President Trump... evaluate your internal problems," Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told journalists, lambasting the planned meeting as "rival dialogue." Officials from both the Venezuelan government and the opposition began exploratory talks Wednesday, mediated by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the former Spanish prime minister. The opposing sides agreed Thursday to a commission of "friendly countries" -- Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua -- tasked with assisting negotiations to emerge from the crisis that had fueled months of deadly protests. Arreaza also appeared to respond to Trump's threat last month of a "military option" in Venezuela. "Anyone who dares to attack Venezuela will suffer the consequences," he said. Though the White House did not say who would attend Monday's talks, Arreaza mentioned Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is among those invited. McMaster also ruled out the possibility that Trump could hold direct talks with Venezuelan representatives at the General Assembly. President Nicolas Maduro will not attend the gathering of world leaders, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the embattled Latin American country. Washington has already slapped sanctions on crisisstricken Venezuela -- including on Maduro himself -- to "deny the Maduro dictatorship a critical source of financing to maintain its illegitimate rule."
By AFP

CAIRO: A top Egyptian court upheld on Saturday a life sentence for ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in a case revolving around state documents leaked to Qatar, a judicial official said.

The Court of Cassation ruling, which is final, overthrew a 15-year sentence for Morsi on charges of stealing the documents, handed during the initial sentencing.

But it upheld a life sentence - 25 years in prison in Egypt - on the charge of leading an illegal organisation, his lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maqsud told AFP.

The ruling came after lawyers appealed the initial 2016 sentencing.

The court also upheld death sentences for three other defendants, a life sentence and a 15-year sentence for two others.

The trial hinged on accusations that the defendants had passed on state secrets to Qatar, an ally of Morsi's Islamist government that has denounced his 2013 overthrow by the military.

Qatar has denied the charges.

Hundreds of Morsi supporters were killed during protests following his ouster. Thousands of others were detained in a crackdown that was later expanded to include leftist and liberal dissidents.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has been blacklisted as a terrorist group.

CAIRO: A top Egyptian court upheld on Saturday a life sentence for ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in a case revolving around state documents leaked to Qatar, a judicial official said. The Court of Cassation ruling, which is final, overthrew a 15-year sentence for Morsi on charges of stealing the documents, handed during the initial sentencing. But it upheld a life sentence - 25 years in prison in Egypt - on the charge of leading an illegal organisation, his lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maqsud told AFP. The ruling came after lawyers appealed the initial 2016 sentencing. The court also upheld death sentences for three other defendants, a life sentence and a 15-year sentence for two others. The trial hinged on accusations that the defendants had passed on state secrets to Qatar, an ally of Morsi's Islamist government that has denounced his 2013 overthrow by the military. Qatar has denied the charges. Hundreds of Morsi supporters were killed during protests following his ouster. Thousands of others were detained in a crackdown that was later expanded to include leftist and liberal dissidents. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has been blacklisted as a terrorist group.
By Associated Press

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to $600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts.

These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem.

Amir Toumaj, Iran research analyst at the U.S.-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said the number of fighters is fluid but as many as 6,000 Afghans are fighting for Assad, while the number of Pakistanis, who fight under the banner of the Zainabayoun Brigade, is in the hundreds.

In Afghanistan, stepped-up attacks on minority Shiites claimed by the upstart Islamic State group affiliate known as Islamic State in the Khorasan Province could be payback against Afghan Shiites in Syria fighting under the banner of the Fatimayoun Brigade, Toumaj said. Khorasan is an ancient name for an area that included parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

"People were expecting blowback," said Toumaj. IS "itself has its own strategy to inflame sectarian strife."

Shiites in Afghanistan are frightened. Worshippers at a recent Friday prayer service said Shiite mosques in the Afghan capital, including the largest, Ibrahim Khalil mosque, were barely a third full. Previously on Fridays  the Islamic holy day  the faithful were so many that the overflow often spilled out on the street outside the mosque.

Mohammed Naim, a Shiite restaurant owner in Kabul issued a plea to Iran: "Please don't send the poor Afghan Shia refugees to fight in Syria because then Daesh attacks directly on Shias," he said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

Pakistan has also been targeted by the Islamic State in Khorasan province. IS has claimed several brutal attacks on the country's Shiite community, sending suicide bombers to shrines they frequent, killing scores of devotees.

In Pakistan, sectarian rivalries routinely erupt in violence. The usual targets are the country's minority Shiites, making them willing recruits, said Toumaj. The most fertile recruitment ground for Iran has been Parachinar, the regional capital of the Khurram tribal region, that borders Afghanistan, he said. There, Shiites have been targeted by suicide bombings carried out by Sunni militants, who revile Shiites as heretics.

In June, two suicide bombings in rapid succession killed nearly 70 people prompting nationwide demonstrations, with protesters carrying banners shouting: "Stop the genocide of Shiites."

A Pakistani intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said recruits are also coming from northern Gilgit and Baltistan. Recruiters are often Shiite clerics with ties to Iran, some of whom have studied in seminaries in Iran's Qom and Mashhad cities, said a second Pakistani official, who also spoke on condition he not be identified because he still operates in the area and exposing his identity would endanger him.

Yet fighters sign up for many reasons.

Some are inspired to go to Syria to protect sites considered holy to Shiite Muslims, like the shrine honoring Sayyida Zainab, the granddaughter of Islam's Prophet Muhammed. Located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the shrine was attacked by Syrian rebels in 2013. Others sign up for the monthly stipend and the promise of a house. For those recruited from among the more than 1 million Afghan refugees still living in Iran it's often the promise of permanent residence in Iran. For Shiites in Pakistan's Parachinar it is outrage at the relentless attacks by Sunni militants that drives them to sign up for battle in Syria, said Toumaj.

Mir Hussain Naseri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerics' council, said Shiites are obligated to protect religious shrines in both Iraq and Syria.

"Afghans are going to Syria to protect the holy places against attacks by Daesh," he said. "Daesh is the enemy of Shias."

Ehsan Ghani, chief of Pakistan's Counterterrorism Authority, told The Associated Press that his organization is sifting through hundreds of documents, including immigration files, to put a figure on the numbers of Pakistanis fighting on both sides of the many Middle East conflicts, including Syria. But it's a cumbersome process.

"We know people are going from here to fight but we have to know who is going as a pilgrim (to shrines in Syria and Iraq) and who is going to join the fight," he said.

Pakistan's many intelligence agencies as well as the provincial governments are involved in the search, said Ghani, explaining that Pakistan wants numbers in order to devise a policy to deal with them when they return home. Until now, Pakistan has denied the presence of the Islamic State group in Pakistan.

Nadir Ali, a senior policy analyst at the U.S.-based RAND Corp., said Afghan and Pakistani recruits also provide Iran with future armies that Tehran can employ to enhance its influence in the region and as protection against perceived enemies.

Despite allegations that Iran is aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan, Ali says battle-hardened Shiite fighters are Tehran's weapon should relations with an Afghan government that includes the radical majority Sunni religious movement deteriorate.

"Once the Syrian civil war dies down Iran is going to have thousands, if not tens of thousands of militia, under its control to use in other conflicts," he said. "There is a potential of Iran getting more involved in Afghanistan using militia because Iran is going to be really concerned about security on its border and it would make sense to use a proxy force."

Pakistan too has an uneasy relationship with Iran. On occasion the anti-Iranian Jandullah militant group has launched attacks against Iranian border guards from Baluchistan province. In June, Pakistan shot down an Iranian drone deep inside its territory.

In Pakistan the worry is that returning fighters, including those who had fought on the side of IS, could start another round of sectarian bloodletting, said the intelligence official.

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to $600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts. These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem. Amir Toumaj, Iran research analyst at the U.S.-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said the number of fighters is fluid but as many as 6,000 Afghans are fighting for Assad, while the number of Pakistanis, who fight under the banner of the Zainabayoun Brigade, is in the hundreds. In Afghanistan, stepped-up attacks on minority Shiites claimed by the upstart Islamic State group affiliate known as Islamic State in the Khorasan Province could be payback against Afghan Shiites in Syria fighting under the banner of the Fatimayoun Brigade, Toumaj said. Khorasan is an ancient name for an area that included parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia. "People were expecting blowback," said Toumaj. IS "itself has its own strategy to inflame sectarian strife." Shiites in Afghanistan are frightened. Worshippers at a recent Friday prayer service said Shiite mosques in the Afghan capital, including the largest, Ibrahim Khalil mosque, were barely a third full. Previously on Fridays  the Islamic holy day  the faithful were so many that the overflow often spilled out on the street outside the mosque. Mohammed Naim, a Shiite restaurant owner in Kabul issued a plea to Iran: "Please don't send the poor Afghan Shia refugees to fight in Syria because then Daesh attacks directly on Shias," he said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. Pakistan has also been targeted by the Islamic State in Khorasan province. IS has claimed several brutal attacks on the country's Shiite community, sending suicide bombers to shrines they frequent, killing scores of devotees. In Pakistan, sectarian rivalries routinely erupt in violence. The usual targets are the country's minority Shiites, making them willing recruits, said Toumaj. The most fertile recruitment ground for Iran has been Parachinar, the regional capital of the Khurram tribal region, that borders Afghanistan, he said. There, Shiites have been targeted by suicide bombings carried out by Sunni militants, who revile Shiites as heretics. In June, two suicide bombings in rapid succession killed nearly 70 people prompting nationwide demonstrations, with protesters carrying banners shouting: "Stop the genocide of Shiites." A Pakistani intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said recruits are also coming from northern Gilgit and Baltistan. Recruiters are often Shiite clerics with ties to Iran, some of whom have studied in seminaries in Iran's Qom and Mashhad cities, said a second Pakistani official, who also spoke on condition he not be identified because he still operates in the area and exposing his identity would endanger him. Yet fighters sign up for many reasons. Some are inspired to go to Syria to protect sites considered holy to Shiite Muslims, like the shrine honoring Sayyida Zainab, the granddaughter of Islam's Prophet Muhammed. Located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the shrine was attacked by Syrian rebels in 2013. Others sign up for the monthly stipend and the promise of a house. For those recruited from among the more than 1 million Afghan refugees still living in Iran it's often the promise of permanent residence in Iran. For Shiites in Pakistan's Parachinar it is outrage at the relentless attacks by Sunni militants that drives them to sign up for battle in Syria, said Toumaj. Mir Hussain Naseri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerics' council, said Shiites are obligated to protect religious shrines in both Iraq and Syria. "Afghans are going to Syria to protect the holy places against attacks by Daesh," he said. "Daesh is the enemy of Shias." Ehsan Ghani, chief of Pakistan's Counterterrorism Authority, told The Associated Press that his organization is sifting through hundreds of documents, including immigration files, to put a figure on the numbers of Pakistanis fighting on both sides of the many Middle East conflicts, including Syria. But it's a cumbersome process. "We know people are going from here to fight but we have to know who is going as a pilgrim (to shrines in Syria and Iraq) and who is going to join the fight," he said. Pakistan's many intelligence agencies as well as the provincial governments are involved in the search, said Ghani, explaining that Pakistan wants numbers in order to devise a policy to deal with them when they return home. Until now, Pakistan has denied the presence of the Islamic State group in Pakistan. Nadir Ali, a senior policy analyst at the U.S.-based RAND Corp., said Afghan and Pakistani recruits also provide Iran with future armies that Tehran can employ to enhance its influence in the region and as protection against perceived enemies. Despite allegations that Iran is aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan, Ali says battle-hardened Shiite fighters are Tehran's weapon should relations with an Afghan government that includes the radical majority Sunni religious movement deteriorate. "Once the Syrian civil war dies down Iran is going to have thousands, if not tens of thousands of militia, under its control to use in other conflicts," he said. "There is a potential of Iran getting more involved in Afghanistan using militia because Iran is going to be really concerned about security on its border and it would make sense to use a proxy force." Pakistan too has an uneasy relationship with Iran. On occasion the anti-Iranian Jandullah militant group has launched attacks against Iranian border guards from Baluchistan province. In June, Pakistan shot down an Iranian drone deep inside its territory. In Pakistan the worry is that returning fighters, including those who had fought on the side of IS, could start another round of sectarian bloodletting, said the intelligence official.
By AFP

MONTREAL: Environment ministers from some 30 countries gathered on Saturday in Montreal to push forward on implementing the Paris climate accord without the United States, three months after President Donald Trump walked out on the deal.

Called by Canada, China and the European Union, the summit was taking place 30 years to the day after the signature of the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer -- which Canada's environment minister hailed as a multilateral "success story" by governments, NGOs and ordinary citizens jointly tackling a major global threat.

"We have an opportunity to accomplish even more with the Paris agreement," Catherine McKenna said as she opened the summit, attended by more than half the G20 members as well as some of the nations most vulnerable to climate change -- from the low-lying Marshall Islands and Maldives to impoverished Mali and Ethiopia.

"Changes are real, extreme weather events are more frequent, more powerful and more distressful," she told the gathering, pointing at the devastation wrought by mega-storms such as Harvey and Irma which many climate scientists believe are boosted by global warming.

"We are here together and we need to act together," the Canadian minister said.

Nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris in December 2015 to curb carbon dioxide emissions with the aim of limiting the rise in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, compared to preindustrial levels.

When Trump decided in June to withdraw the United States from the climate accord, Canada, China and the European Union immediately reaffirmed their respective commitments to the pact, which the Group of 20 declared "irreversible" the following month.

But time is ticking, the EU's top climate official Miguel Arias Canete told AFP, as ministers work to narrow their differences and better understand how to implement the ambitious accord -- with less than two months to go until the next UN Conference on Climate Change (COP23), in Bonn in November.

-Fossil fuel bans -

"This is not a bureaucratic discussion," Canete said ahead of the Montreal gathering. "This is a political discussion with people who have in mind the target of the agreement."

"We need a rule book to be able to monitor and verify and compare emissions of all the parties and see how far we are towards the targets," he said, with a goal of having those rules in place in time for the COP24 meeting in Katowice, Poland in late 2018.

Key player China -- the world's largest car market -- brings to the table a potentially major advancement in transportation after announcing its intention to ban petrol and diesel cars, following decisions by France and Britain to outlaw their sale from 2040.

The European Union -- which is targeting a 40 percent cut to its emissions by 2030 -- will also shortly put forward a proposal to member states on slashing carbon emissions in the transportation sector, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said this week.

And Canada -- as the world's sixth-largest oil producer -- insists it is "committed to its international climate obligations" which it hopes to reach by massively investing in "clean energy" technologies.

China's special representative to the talks, Xie Zhenhua, said Beijing considers the Montreal Protocol to be a "very effective and efficient" example of multilateral action on the environment -- largely because it rested on a broad consensus.

"We should take actions now," Xie said, "to ensure that we can realise the goals that we have set."

"The key issue is how we should combine climate actions with economic growth, the protection of people and job creation," he added.

"If we can combine all these matters we could make Paris agreement a great success."

MONTREAL: Environment ministers from some 30 countries gathered on Saturday in Montreal to push forward on implementing the Paris climate accord without the United States, three months after President Donald Trump walked out on the deal. Called by Canada, China and the European Union, the summit was taking place 30 years to the day after the signature of the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer -- which Canada's environment minister hailed as a multilateral "success story" by governments, NGOs and ordinary citizens jointly tackling a major global threat. "We have an opportunity to accomplish even more with the Paris agreement," Catherine McKenna said as she opened the summit, attended by more than half the G20 members as well as some of the nations most vulnerable to climate change -- from the low-lying Marshall Islands and Maldives to impoverished Mali and Ethiopia. "Changes are real, extreme weather events are more frequent, more powerful and more distressful," she told the gathering, pointing at the devastation wrought by mega-storms such as Harvey and Irma which many climate scientists believe are boosted by global warming. "We are here together and we need to act together," the Canadian minister said. Nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris in December 2015 to curb carbon dioxide emissions with the aim of limiting the rise in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, compared to preindustrial levels. When Trump decided in June to withdraw the United States from the climate accord, Canada, China and the European Union immediately reaffirmed their respective commitments to the pact, which the Group of 20 declared "irreversible" the following month. But time is ticking, the EU's top climate official Miguel Arias Canete told AFP, as ministers work to narrow their differences and better understand how to implement the ambitious accord -- with less than two months to go until the next UN Conference on Climate Change (COP23), in Bonn in November. -Fossil fuel bans - "This is not a bureaucratic discussion," Canete said ahead of the Montreal gathering. "This is a political discussion with people who have in mind the target of the agreement." "We need a rule book to be able to monitor and verify and compare emissions of all the parties and see how far we are towards the targets," he said, with a goal of having those rules in place in time for the COP24 meeting in Katowice, Poland in late 2018. Key player China -- the world's largest car market -- brings to the table a potentially major advancement in transportation after announcing its intention to ban petrol and diesel cars, following decisions by France and Britain to outlaw their sale from 2040. The European Union -- which is targeting a 40 percent cut to its emissions by 2030 -- will also shortly put forward a proposal to member states on slashing carbon emissions in the transportation sector, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said this week. And Canada -- as the world's sixth-largest oil producer -- insists it is "committed to its international climate obligations" which it hopes to reach by massively investing in "clean energy" technologies. China's special representative to the talks, Xie Zhenhua, said Beijing considers the Montreal Protocol to be a "very effective and efficient" example of multilateral action on the environment -- largely because it rested on a broad consensus. "We should take actions now," Xie said, "to ensure that we can realise the goals that we have set." "The key issue is how we should combine climate actions with economic growth, the protection of people and job creation," he added. "If we can combine all these matters we could make Paris agreement a great success."
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would lead Pakistan's delegation at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, according to the Foreign Office here.

Abbasi's trip to the US to attend the General Assembly session will not only be his first as premier, but also the first high-level visit from Pakistan to the US after President Donald Trump criticised the country for providing safe havens to terrorists.

Trump, while announcing his policy for South Asia and Afghanistan, had 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. Pakistan is upset over the allegations.

The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders and the UN Secretary General on the sidelines of the General Assembly session, the Foreign Office said.

Abbasi will address the Council on Foreign Relations and will interact with the US Pakistan Business Council, it said.

The Prime Minister will also have extensive interaction with the international media, the statement said.

On the margins of the session from Monday, ministerial-level meetings of many regional and sub-regional organisations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), G-77, Economic Cooperation Organisation, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth, Developing-8 and others, will be held.

There will also be a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan is a great advocate of multilateralism and the UN to promote collective responses to the multifaceted challenges of global peace, security and development, it said.

"We would continue our constructive role and engagement at the UN with a view to protecting and promoting our national interests, including on core issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, reform of the Security Council, counter-terrorism, human rights, peacekeeping, and a host of development and other matters," it said.

The annual session of the General Assembly has special significance as it is attended by a large number of heads of state and government.

The theme of this year's session is 'Focusing on people; Striving for peace and decent life for all on a Sustainable Planet'.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would lead Pakistan's delegation at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, according to the Foreign Office here. Abbasi's trip to the US to attend the General Assembly session will not only be his first as premier, but also the first high-level visit from Pakistan to the US after President Donald Trump criticised the country for providing safe havens to terrorists. Trump, while announcing his policy for South Asia and Afghanistan, had 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. Pakistan is upset over the allegations. The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders and the UN Secretary General on the sidelines of the General Assembly session, the Foreign Office said. Abbasi will address the Council on Foreign Relations and will interact with the US Pakistan Business Council, it said. The Prime Minister will also have extensive interaction with the international media, the statement said. On the margins of the session from Monday, ministerial-level meetings of many regional and sub-regional organisations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), G-77, Economic Cooperation Organisation, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth, Developing-8 and others, will be held. There will also be a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Office said. Pakistan is a great advocate of multilateralism and the UN to promote collective responses to the multifaceted challenges of global peace, security and development, it said. "We would continue our constructive role and engagement at the UN with a view to protecting and promoting our national interests, including on core issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, reform of the Security Council, counter-terrorism, human rights, peacekeeping, and a host of development and other matters," it said. The annual session of the General Assembly has special significance as it is attended by a large number of heads of state and government. The theme of this year's session is 'Focusing on people; Striving for peace and decent life for all on a Sustainable Planet'.
All current and future inmates at Wisconsins youth prison under investigation over allegations of abuse can join a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections moving through federal court, a judge ruled Friday.

U.S. Judge James Peterson gave class-action status to all inmates at the Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, which means attorneys representing inmates who in January filed a lawsuit in federal court against state Corrections officials could also represent the rest of the prisons inmates and future ones, too.

The decision gives attorneys access to information about more inmates experiences there and allows the inmates to be subject to any settlement or verdict that results from the lawsuit.

Peterson made his ruling during a telephone conference between Peterson, DOC attorney Sam Hall and attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin and the Juvenile Law Center, who are representing the inmates.

The move comes after Peterson in July ordered DOC officials to dramatically reduce or eliminate their use of solitary confinement, pepper spray and restraints to manage behavior of inmates at the Irma prison.

During a two-day hearing in the case in June, one juvenile prisons expert called to testify by the plaintiffs said some teen inmates are spending so much time alone in solitary confinement that they purposely behave in ways that will trigger being pepper sprayed so they can receive stimulation and get out of their cells.

On Friday, Peterson also ordered attorneys representing the state and the inmates to put together a report by next month on how the facilitys staff is complying with his summer order.
By Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR: Police in Malaysia on Saturday said that they have arrested seven boys suspected of starting a fire at an Islamic boarding school that killed 23 people because students there had allegedly teased them.

Speaking in a televised press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Police chief Amar Singh said the boys, aged 11 to 18, had been detained on Friday night after investigators obtained CCTV footage from a neighbouring building.

The blaze at a three-story "tahfiz" school, where Muslim boys study and memorise the Quran, blocked the lone exit to the dormitory, trapping students behind barred windows. Two adults and 21 teenage students were killed.

Singh said that six of the seven boys had tested positive for drugs. Two of the boys had been detained before, one on charges of vehicle theft, another for rioting, he said.

Singh gave no details on how the suspects had allegedly been mocked by students at the dormitory.

Officials said the school was operating without a fire safety permit and license, and that a dividing wall was illegally built on the top floor that blocked the victims from a second exit.

The fire renewed calls for better regulation of religious schools.

Religious schools, mostly privately run, are not supervised by the Education Ministry because they come under the purview of state religious authorities. Local media reported there are more than 500 registered tahfiz schools nationwide but many more are believed to be unregistered.

Data from the Fire Department showed that 1,083 fires struck religious schools in the past two years, of which 211 were burned to the ground. The worst disaster occurred in 1989 when 27 female students at an Islamic school in Kedah state died when fire gutted the school and eight wooden hostels.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police in Malaysia on Saturday said that they have arrested seven boys suspected of starting a fire at an Islamic boarding school that killed 23 people because students there had allegedly teased them. Speaking in a televised press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Police chief Amar Singh said the boys, aged 11 to 18, had been detained on Friday night after investigators obtained CCTV footage from a neighbouring building. The blaze at a three-story "tahfiz" school, where Muslim boys study and memorise the Quran, blocked the lone exit to the dormitory, trapping students behind barred windows. Two adults and 21 teenage students were killed. Singh said that six of the seven boys had tested positive for drugs. Two of the boys had been detained before, one on charges of vehicle theft, another for rioting, he said. Singh gave no details on how the suspects had allegedly been mocked by students at the dormitory. Officials said the school was operating without a fire safety permit and license, and that a dividing wall was illegally built on the top floor that blocked the victims from a second exit. The fire renewed calls for better regulation of religious schools. Religious schools, mostly privately run, are not supervised by the Education Ministry because they come under the purview of state religious authorities. Local media reported there are more than 500 registered tahfiz schools nationwide but many more are believed to be unregistered. Data from the Fire Department showed that 1,083 fires struck religious schools in the past two years, of which 211 were burned to the ground. The worst disaster occurred in 1989 when 27 female students at an Islamic school in Kedah state died when fire gutted the school and eight wooden hostels.
By AFP

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will on Thursday hold a ministerial-level meeting on the threat from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that will focus on enforcing sanctions on North Korea, diplomats said.

The United States called the meeting that will be held during the annual General Assembly gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.

The purpose of the meeting "is to discuss ways the Security Council can better enforce the resolutions it has adopted to prevent the spread of the world's most dangerous weapons," said a US concept note on the meeting obtained by AFP on Saturday.

The Security Council this week imposed a new raft of sanctions on North Korea, slapping an export ban on textiles, freezing work permits to North Korean guest workers and placing a cap on oil supplies.

The impact of those sanctions depends largely on whether China, North Korea's ally and main economic partner, will fully implement them and on Russia, which is hosting tens of thousands of North Korean workers.

During the council meeting, countries will address ways to stem missile and nuclear technology to "the world's most dangerous actors," the note said.

The meeting, held at a ministerial level, will highlight global unity in confronting the crisis with North Korea, diplomats said.

North Korea on Friday fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan, in response to a new round of UN sanctions imposed over its sixth nuclear test.

The council met behind closed doors on Friday and condemned the "highly-provocative" missile launch, but it did not threaten further sanctions.

Japan stressed that the focus must be on fully implementing the recent sanctions resolutions to put pressure on North Korea to come to the table to negotiate an end to its nuclear and missile programmes.

If fully implemented, the sanctions would deny North Korea more than $2 billion in revenue from exports and other economic activities, according to US officials.

China and Russia have been pushing a proposal to kick-start talks with North Korea with a freeze on the country's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills.

The United States has rejected that proposal as "insulting" and maintains it will only enter into talks with Pyongyang if it halts all missile and nuclear tests unilaterally.

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will on Thursday hold a ministerial-level meeting on the threat from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that will focus on enforcing sanctions on North Korea, diplomats said. The United States called the meeting that will be held during the annual General Assembly gathering of world leaders at the United Nations. The purpose of the meeting "is to discuss ways the Security Council can better enforce the resolutions it has adopted to prevent the spread of the world's most dangerous weapons," said a US concept note on the meeting obtained by AFP on Saturday. The Security Council this week imposed a new raft of sanctions on North Korea, slapping an export ban on textiles, freezing work permits to North Korean guest workers and placing a cap on oil supplies. The impact of those sanctions depends largely on whether China, North Korea's ally and main economic partner, will fully implement them and on Russia, which is hosting tens of thousands of North Korean workers. During the council meeting, countries will address ways to stem missile and nuclear technology to "the world's most dangerous actors," the note said. The meeting, held at a ministerial level, will highlight global unity in confronting the crisis with North Korea, diplomats said. North Korea on Friday fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan, in response to a new round of UN sanctions imposed over its sixth nuclear test. The council met behind closed doors on Friday and condemned the "highly-provocative" missile launch, but it did not threaten further sanctions. Japan stressed that the focus must be on fully implementing the recent sanctions resolutions to put pressure on North Korea to come to the table to negotiate an end to its nuclear and missile programmes. If fully implemented, the sanctions would deny North Korea more than $2 billion in revenue from exports and other economic activities, according to US officials. China and Russia have been pushing a proposal to kick-start talks with North Korea with a freeze on the country's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills. The United States has rejected that proposal as "insulting" and maintains it will only enter into talks with Pyongyang if it halts all missile and nuclear tests unilaterally.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said that the reform of the UN Security Council is one of the top priorities of the Trump administration as several countries, including India have been demanding it.

Haley's remarks came as US President Donald Trump was set to deliver his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week.

She said that the Security Council reform was still being talked about.

"I know that it's something that India wants," Haley told reporters at a White House news conference ahead of the annual General Assembly session from September 19-25.

"Many other countries want it as well. So we'll have to wait and see," Indian-American Haley said as she along with National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster briefed reporters on America's priorities at the United Nations next week.

"On Monday, the president will join senior UN leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution. The president will express support for Secretary General (Antonio) Guterres' reform efforts. The United Nations of course, holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if it's run more efficiently and effectively," McMaster said.

Haley, who has received accolades for her diplomatic skills since joining the administration in January, said the president will highlight the UN reform.

"It is very, very important. We've got a massive reform package being led by the Secretary General that really streamlines not just the processes, but also that budget as it goes forward, and makes the UN much more effective," she said.

"We basically have the president headlining a UN reform effort, which would really support the Secretary General. But the impressive part is we asked other countries to sign on to their support of reform and 120 countries have signed on, and will be in attendance. That's a miraculous number," she said.

Haley said vice president Mike Pence will be doing two very important briefings.

"He's going to do one on Human Rights Council. Now more than ever human rights matters. We say all the time if a government doesn't take of its people, bad things will happen.

And I think we're seeing that in multiple places, and that's all the reason why the Human Rights Council really needs to be effective," she said.

"We have offered reform. I think the vice president will go and not only support the reform, but talk about why it's needed and the areas that are really needing to be addressed when it comes to human rights," she added.

WASHINGTON: US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said that the reform of the UN Security Council is one of the top priorities of the Trump administration as several countries, including India have been demanding it. Haley's remarks came as US President Donald Trump was set to deliver his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week. She said that the Security Council reform was still being talked about. "I know that it's something that India wants," Haley told reporters at a White House news conference ahead of the annual General Assembly session from September 19-25. "Many other countries want it as well. So we'll have to wait and see," Indian-American Haley said as she along with National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster briefed reporters on America's priorities at the United Nations next week. "On Monday, the president will join senior UN leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution. The president will express support for Secretary General (Antonio) Guterres' reform efforts. The United Nations of course, holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if it's run more efficiently and effectively," McMaster said. Haley, who has received accolades for her diplomatic skills since joining the administration in January, said the president will highlight the UN reform. "It is very, very important. We've got a massive reform package being led by the Secretary General that really streamlines not just the processes, but also that budget as it goes forward, and makes the UN much more effective," she said. "We basically have the president headlining a UN reform effort, which would really support the Secretary General. But the impressive part is we asked other countries to sign on to their support of reform and 120 countries have signed on, and will be in attendance. That's a miraculous number," she said. Haley said vice president Mike Pence will be doing two very important briefings. "He's going to do one on Human Rights Council. Now more than ever human rights matters. We say all the time if a government doesn't take of its people, bad things will happen. And I think we're seeing that in multiple places, and that's all the reason why the Human Rights Council really needs to be effective," she said. "We have offered reform. I think the vice president will go and not only support the reform, but talk about why it's needed and the areas that are really needing to be addressed when it comes to human rights," she added.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has said America and its allies will never be intimidated and insisted that the US' options for addressing the threat posed by North Korea are both "effective and overwhelming".

Trump's remarks came in response to the latest ballistic missile test conducted by North Korea. The remarks also came after H R McMaster, the US' National Security Adviser, reaffirmed that the Trump administration has military options in place for dealing with North Korea.

"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming,"

Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force.

Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated.

"We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life.

This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said.

North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.

US Secretary of Defence James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said.

"The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defence of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defence Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said.

"Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defence cooperation between the three nations," he said.

Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was the second time that they've had to do that since World War II.

"I believe it will further North Korea's isolation diplomatic and economic isolation -- because more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said.

"I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said.

Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile.

"The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said.

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has said America and its allies will never be intimidated and insisted that the US' options for addressing the threat posed by North Korea are both "effective and overwhelming". Trump's remarks came in response to the latest ballistic missile test conducted by North Korea. The remarks also came after H R McMaster, the US' National Security Adviser, reaffirmed that the Trump administration has military options in place for dealing with North Korea. "After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force. Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated. "We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said. North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America. US Secretary of Defence James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said. "The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defence of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defence Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said. "Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defence cooperation between the three nations," he said. Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was the second time that they've had to do that since World War II. "I believe it will further North Korea's isolation diplomatic and economic isolation -- because more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said. "I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said. Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile. "The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said.
The Senate late Friday passed a new two-year state budget after three of four Republicans who held up passage changed their minds after securing veto promises from Gov. Scott Walker.

The vote was 19-14.

Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said Friday afternoon that he and two other GOP senators who previously withheld their support for the budget, came to support it after talks with Walker about using his line-item veto authority on parts of the budget.

As a result, Walker said he plans to make repeal of the prevailing wage for state construction projects take effect immediately rather than a year from now.

Kapenga and Sens. Stephen Nass, R-Whitewater, and Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, said Walker also plans to veto the budget to allow school districts to conduct referendum votes only on regularly scheduled primary and general election days. The group secured a handful of other vetoes from Walker.

Separately, Walker said in a statement late Friday that he would veto a $2.5 million study looking into toll roads in Wisconsin and a provision that would have removed local oversight of rock quarries.

The budget went through the state Assembly on Wednesday.

The governors signature would end a delay of more than 10 weeks, the longest of its kind in a decade, on the states next two-year spending plan. It also would cap a flurry of activity in the state Capitol this week, in which lawmakers have tackled the budget and a $3 billion subsidy deal for electronics maker Foxconn.

The group of four hard-line conservative senators had held out on supporting the budget passed by the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee. They included David Craig, of Town of Vernon, who was the only Republican to vote against the budget.

Craig said Friday he remained opposed to the budget due to its overall spending level, which would increase 4.3 percent from the previous budget.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, derided their GOP counterparts for the last-minute hiccups.

It demonstrates the dysfunction that is happening  the inability to govern, said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling, of La Crosse.

July 1 was the deadline for the GOP Legislature and Walker to enact the budget, which sets state spending levels through June 2019.

GOP holdouts posted demands

The holdout senators this week released a list of budget demands that included expanding access to private voucher schools outside Milwaukee and Racine, operational changes to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, requiring counties or municipalities that enact wheel taxes to do so by voter referendum and moving up the effective date of the budgets repeal of the states prevailing wage requirement.

Another demand: barring the University of Wisconsin System from spending on mandatory diversity, sensitivity and cultural fluency training.

Several of those demands were not among the list of vetoes announced Friday.

Kapenga said the list was the basis for much of Fridays talks between the three senators and the governor.

The last-second jockeying produced a final spate of drama between the Assembly and Senate, which have sparred for months on the budget. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, accused the holdout Republican senators of an eleventh-hour bid to derail an agreement among Republican leaders.

Assembly lawmakers easily passed the budget Wednesday, 57-39, and GOP leaders in that chamber said their work was done.

In past sessions, lawmakers and the governor have missed the July 1 deadline  but typically when the two parties have shared control of state government.

Progress on the budget had been delayed by Senate-Assembly disagreements, especially on transportation funding, until last week, when the Joint Finance Committee passed an amended budget.

It delays several high-profile freeway expansions in the Milwaukee area and cuts funding for resurfacing and rebuilding existing highways. The plan preserves funding for two ongoing projects in Dane County: one to expand and rebuild Verona Road near McKee Road; the other, U.S. Interstate 39-90 from the Madison area to Illinois.

It implements a new fee on hybrid and electric vehicles, which supporters call a move to tax such vehicles more comparably to vehicles powered solely by fossil fuel.

It includes a $639 million funding increase for Wisconsin K-12 school districts while boosting the household income limits for participation in the statewide private voucher school program.

The UW System gets a $31.5 million performance funding boost, with the extra money tied to certain performance benchmarks, and the systems tuition freeze is maintained.

Taxes for high earners and businesses are cut in the budget, which begins to roll back a personal property tax that businesses pay for machinery and tools. It also eliminates, starting in 2019, the states alternative minimum tax, which applies to individuals making between $200,000 and $500,000 a year.
Top vote-getter appears to secure role as Newport mayor

The new council will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 15 to vote on who will be mayor and vice chair for the next two years.
This is wrong. Every driver, trucker and business that relies on our roads knows that tolls actually take money away from infrastructure to build and maintain huge gantries and to pay for tolling bureaucracies. If Gov. Scott Walker and the Wisconsin GOP were true fiscal conservatives, they would reject tolling outright.

Unlike tolls, several funding options require no additional collection cost and allow almost 100 percent of revenue to go toward roads and bridges. The State Journal editorial board so gleefully endorsing tolling out-of-state drivers shows how misinformation permeates the transportation debate. To be clear: If tolls are built in Wisconsin, it will be Wisconsin families and businesses that are hurt most. It will be Wisconsin families and businesses that divert onto back roads to avoid tolls. And it will be Wisconsin families and businesses that face increased costs as shipping and manufacturing pay for new toll taxes by raising prices.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High 43F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow showers developing after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), the countrys second largest car manufacturer launched the second edition of its Unique and Innovative Online Buying Experience - HyBUY for XCENT customers. Hyundai earlier launched the HyBuy experience limited to only 300 Elite i20 cars, which they successfully completed in just a few days time.

Speaking on the launch of second edition of the HyBUY initiative, Mr. Puneet Anand, Sr. General Manager & Group Head  Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, HyBUY is a marketing innovation designed to create buzz on digital platforms and provide an innovative car buying experience to customers. After exciting the customers with ELITE i20 in the first edition of HyBUY, we have now opened HyBUY with our Stylish Family Sedan- The All New XCENT. The first edition has shown a trend of youngsters referring their friends and families to avail the benefit of the HyBUY program. In its second edition, we have opened booking for 400 XCENT customers with exciting offers adding to the customers delight this festive season.

Hyundai is a Modern Premium brand with a vision to be a Lifetime Partner in Automobile and Beyond. HyBUY will give customers an opportunity to avail benefits on their own through simple mechanism of social sharing.

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To own a Home is everybodys dream and Home Loans help accomplish this dream for many. However, this dream also remains unfulfilled in many cases where the home loan you apply for is rejected by the bank. So here are a few reasons that may lead to the rejection of your home loan and thus must be paid attention to at the time of applying for a home loan:

1. Low Credit Score

A low credit score adversely affects the chances of you getting a home loan. A low credit score may be due to a default in payment or delayed payments of already existing EMIs, Credit Card bills, etc.

2. Repayment

The ability of an individual to repay the loan also plays an important role. Before being granted a loan, the bank runs a background check on the income of the applicant so as to determine his/her ability to repay the loan. In case your bank feels that the loan amount is beyond your ability to repay, the loan application will be rejected.

3. Supporting Documents

It is important to submit all the requisite documents and papers that the bank asks for. In case of any incomplete or incorrect information submitted by you, your home loan application will be rejected.

4. Existing Debt

If you already have ongoing loans that you are repaying, the bank may reject your application for the home loan owing to excessive liabilities on your head. Apply for a Home Loan if you have the capacity to pay it easily. If you are considering your partners income then it is better to make him/her the co-applicant so that the bank is aware about the joint income and payback capacity, thereby deciding to sanction loan swiftly.

5. Bank Policy

At times the loan maybe rejected due to a conflict with the internal policy of the bank pertaining to location, etc. You could try to talk to the banks though and work something out.

Further, apart from the above mentioned common reasons some of the uncommon reasons for loan rejection are Unapproved building as per bank rules; approved building however unapproved property/ project; conflict between price mutually agreed between buyer and seller and the price at which the property is valued; defaulting/ black listed previous tenant; and irregular source of income or employment.
New Delhi: Six men accused of killing dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan's Alwar have been given a clean chit by the Rajasthan Police. While the Alwar lynching, which took place on April 1, was the first major instance of cow violence reported this year, the last six months, said a report by IndiaSpend.com, has been the deadliest in the decade so far.

DEADLIEST YEAR

The website claims that a total of 78 such incidents have been reported since the year 2010 and of those, 35 incidents or 45% of attacks took place in 2017.

According to their database, no incidents of cow-related violence were reported in 2010 and 2011, one each was reported in 2012 and 2013 and three in 2014. There was, however, a sharp and steady rise in such instances in 2015, which saw 13 cases being reported. The upward trend continued in 2016 with 25 cases and 2017 has seen 35 cases so far.

MUSLIMS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED

According to the report, 87% of the victims who died in such cases are Muslims. Since 2010, 30 people have died at the hands of self-styled cow vigilantes. 26 of these 30 were Muslims.

Of the total number of targets for cow-related violence, Muslims make up 53%.

VICTIMS BEING BOOKED

Out of the 78 such cases since 2010, from where Indiaspend's database begins, the victims of cow-related violence were booked by the police in 36 cases. That means 46% of victims of cow-related violence have had to face charges.

SPIKE SINCE 2014

The report said, "97% (76 of 78) of such incidents were reported after Prime Minister Narendra Modis government came to power in May 2014."

It adds that 52% of these cases were reported from states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kochi: Kavya Madhavan, wife of actor Dileep, has applied for anticipatory bail in the Kerala High Court in the Malayalam actress kidnapping case.

The actor, who has appeared in films like Meesa Madhavan and Chandranudikkunna Dikhil with her husband, applied for bail on Saturday and the court has pushed the matter to Monday.

The court is set to hear Dileeps fourth bail plea later on Saturday. All his earlier bail pleas have been rejected by the court.

Dileep has been lodged in the Aluva sub-jail since July 10 for his involvement in the abduction and molestation case.

Kavya's "hurried" move comes at a time when speculation surfaced that she too might be arrested.

The prime accused in the case, Pulsar Suni, and his accomplice were arrested a week after a popular Malayalam actress was abducted on February 17 on her way from Thrissur to Kochi and dumped outside director Lal's residence.

After the police traced the conspiracy to Dileep, he was arrested but Suni and his accomplices, throughout the investigation, reportedly confessed to the role of a madam as a conspirator behind the abduction. A few days ago, a team of investigators landed up at the doorsteps of the office of a private business run by Kavya, triggering another round of speculation on the identity of the madam.

The whole incident, the allegations and the investigation, also exposed the faultlines within Malayalam film industry with a few top female actors breaking away and forming a new womens collective protesting the silence of film unions in ensuring justice to the victim.
New Delhi: War hero Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, died on Saturday evening after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 98.

Singh, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the Army, was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral hospital this morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest, the defence ministry said.

The team of doctors monitoring him said he breathed his last at 7.47pm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs - General Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa  had visited Singh at the hospital in the evening.

In a series of tweets, PM Modi paid a tribute to the war hero and said India would never forget his contribution.

India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation. pic.twitter.com/8eUcvoPuH1 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2017

My thoughts are with his family and those mourning the demise of a distinguished air warrior and fine human, Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh. RIP, he wrote.

Recounting his meeting with Singh some time ago, Modi said that despite his ill health, Singh got up to salute him despite being told not to. Such was his soldier discipline, said Modi.

India will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action. His determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities, the PM tweeted.

President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed his condolence at the demise of Singh.

Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero & won our nation's gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war 2/2 #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 16, 2017

Former President Pranab Mukherjee remembered him as an outstanding soldier who led from the front, a diplomat and an administrator as he joined the nation in mourning the loss.

More tributes continue to pour in for Singh, an icon of the country's military history, who had led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 Indo-Pak war when he was just a 44-year-old.

As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, he led the IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

The fighter pilot, who inspired the IAF despite constraints on the full-scale use of air combat power, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, in 1965.

Born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur in Punjab in undivided India, his father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry.

Educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan), he had joined the RAF College, Cranwell in 1938 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December the following year.

He was the IAF chief from August 1, 1964 till July 15, 1969. Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and K M Cariappa of the Army were the two other officers with a five-star rank.

After his retirement from the air force, Singh was appointed as the India's Ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as the Ambassador to the Vatican.

He was also the High Commissioner to Kenya in 1974. Singh served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and was also the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He was made Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002. The fighter aircraft base at Panagarh in West Bengal was named in his honour on his birthday last year.
New Delhi: India, on Friday, hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) over Kashmir issue at the United Nations (UN). When the Kashmir issue was raked up, India, responded by saying that OIC has no locus standi to comment on its internal affairs.

Reacting strongly to a remark made by Pakistan at the UN, Sumit Seth, First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, said, The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in its statement contains factually incorrect and misleading references to the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir.

J&K is an integral and inseparable part of the country, Seth added warning OIC to refrain from making such references in future.

Sumit Seth made the statement as part of India's Right of Reply in response to comments made by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC.

Speaking at the UN, Pakistan had slammed India on the Kashmir issue.

This is not the first time that the OIC has commented on the Kashmir issue, with focus on the issue of alleged human rights violations in J&K. India had responded strongly to such allegations.

The OIC is a group of 57 nations which claims to be the collective voice of Muslims from across the globe.
Just before concluding his fourth visit to Kashmir this year, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh last week told security forces to show their 'human face' in the valley. They didn't have to kill necessarily, Singh told them to make an effort to reach out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of the state Mehbooba Mufti have made similar appeals publicly  to catch the militants alive and try to reform them, particularly those who are young and have picked up gun recently.

But while the political leaders have made public show of this 'softer side' of the state, the fact is that for 150 militants killed in J&K this year, not even 15 have been made to surrender.

That's because J&K doesn't have a functional surrender policy.

Multiple sources in the state police department confirmed the fact that the state had no mechanism of giving a second chance to the militants in the valley, who have picked up guns, and with whom it is engaged in battle 24x7.

This despite Modi declaring in his Independence Day speech from Red Fort, "Na goli se, na gaali se, Kashmir ki samasya suljhegi gale lagaane se (Kashmir's problems can be solved only with embracing the people of Kashmir, not with bullets or abuses)."

And it's not as if the forces don't want a surrender policy.

A senior IPS officer who has been overseeing operations in the valley said he had met senior bureaucrats and political leaders in course of consultation on the unrest but the political leadership seemed against formulation of a surrender policy.

"I've personally told Mehboobaji several times in closed-door meetings that we ought to codify and put in place a liberal surrender policy. But each time she has refused to show any enthusiasm for it. The surrender policy in my view is one of the best weapons in counterinsurgency. You win over your enemy, who in this case are your own people, without firing a single shot or losing any of your men. But they dont seem to have warmed up to the idea yet."

Incidentally the past seven months have also been the most successful, in the number of militants that the security forces have been able to kill  close to 150, as part of ongoing mission named 'Operation All Out'.

It's not as if surrenders cannot be affected in a violent conflict. As a senior official in Home Ministry told News 18, the surrender policy in Naxal-hit Bastar region, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, has been quite effective.

"It took one year for the surrender policy to be framed and implemented on ground. Sure, we heard criticism of the policy initially. There was some resistance also. But we knew what we wanted. Eventually a momentum built up and slowly we started getting senior cadre like LoCs [Local Operating Squad Commander] and it really hurt the Naxals. It was a bloodless yet successful operation in that sense."

The officer went on to say, "surrenders can be affected almost anywhere on earth, in the most violent of conflicts. Kashmir is no exception. One only needs a will and a plan." In terms of 'will and plan' all that the valley has at the moment is a 13-year-old militant rehabilitation policy. Since the policy is so old, the rewards for surrendering weapons and incentives for joining mainstream are not really in tune with the times.

On May 29 2017, 15-year-old militant Faizan Bhat was killed in an encounter.

For instance, the reward for surrendering a short-range wireless set, according to the January 2004 Kashmiri militants rehabilitation policy, is Rs 1000, compare this with Rs 5000 in case of Naxals in Chhattisgarh. The old militant rehabilitation policy lists rewards of Rs 1000 for each surrendered IED and Rs 3 for each surrendered bullet. On the other hand, the Chhattisgarh policy rewards Rs 3000 for each surrendered IED and Rs 5 for each bullet.

More importantly, while Chhattisgarh offers cash rewards and facilities for housing, and if the conduct of the surrendered militant is found to be good, a government job as well, and a chance to start afresh striking out all FIRs, these incentives are missing from the outdated rehabilitation policy in Kashmir.

Highlighting the absence of an effective surrender policy, Radha Kumar, who was one of the three interlocutors for J&K appointed by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of the Union government recounted a personal anecdote from the time when she was in Kashmir.

When we were interlocutors a group of former militants came to us to protest that they had not received the promised benefits under the policy. For years the government had given them stipends since they could not get jobs. In the mid-2000s the government stopped giving stipends but could not provide them gainful employment. The point to look at is how to free Kashmirs economy from near total state control, she said.

News18 reached out to J&K Police department to get its views on the surrender and rehabilitation policy for militants. In response, police officers claimed to have a surrender and rehabilitation policy in place but couldn't share any details about it. "We do have a surrender policy," was all that IGP Muneer Khan could share with News18 after a week-long back-and-forth exchange of calls and messages. Despite requests, he or his office couldn't provide any name or contact of militants who had surrendered and been rehabilitated in last one year.

In this file photo, 17-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen militant Adil Hussain Dar surrenders before J&K Police.

Though in a press conference held on September 12 to showcase the surrender of 17-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen militant Adil Hussain Dar, IGP Khan appealed the remaining active militants to surrender. "We will receive them with dignity [and help them] to join the mainstream." But the minor militant who Khan exhibited in a press conference happened to surrender, according to sources, because his gun malfunctioned.

In the absence of a surrender and rehabilitation policy, what happens when a militant decides to shun his weapons is anybody's guess. This perhaps also explains why incidents of surrenders are very few and far in between.

Dar is not the only active militant who is a minor. On May 29 this year, a 15-year-old boy Faizan Bhat was killed in an encounter. According to sources, at least 15 more child militants are active in South Kashmir alone. These children perhaps neither comprehend the risks involved nor are they mature enough to understand the violent ideology that exploits them.

Several international conventions prohibit the recruitment of children in armed conflict and they mandate that every country must have laws and policy to rescue such children. However, the top agency to protect child rights in India doesnt have a policy to rescue and rehabilitate child soldiers in Kashmir, said Vinod Tickoo, former member of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. "There are no child militants in Kashmir. NCPCR can always deal with exceptions on a case to case basis."

According to a human rights activist in Kashmir, the state has not formulated a surrender policy even for child militants because its priorities lie elsewhere. Formulating a surrender policy is not the governments priority. For the government, the bigger priorities are protests on the streets, stone pelting, use of pellets," said Khurram Parvez, coordinator of Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society.

He added, "In last many years the forces have only killed militants, without making efforts to arrest them. The forces cordon off the area where they suspect the militants to be. The men are most likely holed up in a building. Theres only one thing that happens after the area is made off limits  the house is blown up altogether."

Parvez, who was arrested by the state police last year in November and charged under draconian Public Safety Act (PSA), said, "It's not just about militancy anymoreWe see incidents of violence before and after a militant is killed. That cant be ignored."

To get the views of Army which has been engaged in counter-insurgency operation in Kashmir for the last two decades, News18 also reached out to a former Northern Command chief of the Army. He said armed forces, who are engaged in gunfight with militants, have no reasons to let them walk alive. "Armed forces don't make much of an effort into reforming those who have picked up weapons. In that sense, an old surrender policy is there but it's redundant. No one wants to deal with surrender of a militant."

(#Part 4 of 12-part Kashmir Beyond Cliches series)
New Delhi: The husband of a Kerala woman whose conversion to Islam became the subject of an NIA investigation following a Supreme Court order has filed a plea in the top court against the probe.

The plea by Shafeen Jahan urges the top court to recall its order and alleges that the National Investigation Agency isnt being fair in its probe.

The plea further contends that Hadiya, known as Akhila before the conversion, cant be confined to her parental home without consent and that she should be brought to the court.

The Supreme Court is likely to hear Jahans plea on September 22.

The top court had ordered the NIA to investigate the matter last month.

The case was earlier being investigated by the Kerala Police under Section 57 of Kerala Police Act, and dealt with charges of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion.

The case had gained prominence when the Kerala High Court, on May 25, had declared as "null and void" the marriage of 24-year-old Hadiya with Shafeen Jahan in December 2016 and ordered for placing her in her parents' protective custody.

Jahan, 27, had moved the top court against the High Court order, contending the ruling was an "insult to the independence of women in India".

Jahan claimed Hadiya, a homeopathy student in Kerala, converted to Islam of her own volition two years prior to their marriage and sought direction to Hadiya's father to present her in court.

Hadiya's father, however, said she was a "helpless victim" and trapped by a "well-oiled racket" which used "psychological measures" to indoctrinate people and convert them to Islam.

The father had claimed his daughter had been radicalised by some organisations and they had influenced her to marry a Muslim man, adding that there could be a conspiracy to send her to Syria to work for extremist organisations such as the Islamic State since the man she married had been working in the Gulf.
Vatican City: A Catholic priest from India who was freed after being held 18 months in Yemen says he was never physically harmed during his captivity, even if his captors feigned hitting him on videos seeking ransom.

The Rev. Tom Uzhunnalil told reporters on Saturday that his kidnappers "have not injured me at all."

Government officials announced Tuesday that Uzhunnalil had been freed and brought to Vatican City. The head of the Salesian order to which Uzhunnalil belongs, Don AF Artime, said they have no knowledge of any ransom having been paid.

Uzhunnalil lost about 30 kilogrammes during his ordeal and was generally weakened. Uzhunnalil said his captors procured tablets to treat his diabetes, and took care of him by giving him food and encouraging exercise indoors.
Chennai: Lawyers should ensure they do not suffer from the "disease of adjournment" and procrastinate the progress of cases, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Saturday said.

In his address at the 125th Anniversary celebrations of the Madras High Court Heritage Buildings, Justice Misra also said "punctuality is a facet of rule of law".

"All of us, members of the bench and the assisting counsel, should clearly understand that it is our obligation to sit on time as a judge (and) as lawyers to argue a case coming prepared," he said.

"If a lawyer delays, procrastinates, a judge doesn't sit on time, both of them violate the rule of law," he added. Justice Misra said no lawyer should suffer from "any kind of disease."

"I would say (that is the) disease of adjournment...When you ask for an adjournment, you must understand you are being killed by allergy," he said adding judges should develop an antidote towards adjournment. Lawyers should keep in mind that "we should not procrastinate the cases", he said, pointing out not all of them require preparation.

"It is not that every case requires so much of preparation and all of you know it also. Please come prepared, don't seek adjournment," he said.

Even if a judge was inclined to grant adjournment, the lawyer should politely inform the former that he was ready with the case and that he could be heard.

Heaping praise on the Madras High Court, Justice Misra said it has a "great heritage".

"The Madras High Court has not only witnessed several landmark battles fought on its floors but has withstood literal attack on its existence (during World War I). But it never yielded to any kind of anarchy or chaos. It stands as a testimony of bravery," he said.

Earlier, the chief justice inaugurated a renovated light house and museum on the High Court campus. He was accompanied by Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad, Chief Justice of Madras HC Indira Banerjee and Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

In his address, Prasad said the government's focus was on the disposal of cases pending for 10 years and above. "What I am trying to focus all over the country is that disposal of cases 10 years old and above must be settled and adjudicated on a priority basis," he said.

Of the 2.97 lakh pending cases in Tamil Nadu, a little over 77,000 cases were over 10 years old, Prasad said and called for a "mission-mode initiative" for their disposal. Citing statistics till December 31, 2016, he said the number of such cases at the Madras High Court was 33,960 while it was 44,721 in district and subordinate courts.

"On the 125th anniversary of this magnificent building, this temple of justice, may I request to make a mission-mode initiative to dispose of all the cases which are more than 10 years old. That should be the benchmark and the commitment on this happy occasion," he said.

This was "very doable" and many high courts in the country were already taking steps in this regard, he added. Prasad expressed joy over the Supreme Court's "new thirst for faster disposal" of pending cases and added that the government and judiciary were working together to bring "greater opportunity" for the poor for justice.

Digital technology is being used to ensure that the poor has access to justice, Prasad, who also holds IT portfolio, said, and referred to the government's Tele-Law and 'Nyayamitra' schemes in this regard.

"What is tele law. We have got nearly 2.7 lakh common service centres across the country, we married them with the legal volunteers and today poor people sit there, get justice through National Legal Services Authority," he said. So far 2,900 requests have been made and more than 2,200 of them have been redressed, Prasad added.

The minister urged young lawyers to register online as per the Nyayamitra scheme, saying their services would be utilised to serve the poor in need of justice.

He also praised the history and heritage of the Madras High Court, saying it laid down the foundation that a court should also be known for its architectural history and not just judicial history.

Many chief justices from the court had been elevated to the apex court, he added.

Chief Minister Palaniswami said the Constitution provided people the right to justice.

"It is a matter of pride that the Madras High Court has been delivering judgements dispassionately," he said. The judiciary, government and Legislative Assembly should "function independently within their borders", to ensure peace and joy for people, he said, adding that was the case in Tamil Nadu.

He referred to various initiatives undertaken by the state government to ensure speedy delivery of justice. The government had earlier allotted Rs 56.34 crore towards constructing buildings for the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, he pointed out.

A Rs 100-crore National Law School was in operation at Srirangam in Tiruchirappalli district, he said.

Under former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, the state government had proposed to the Centre to rename the Madras High Court as Tamil Nadu High Court, he said referring to an Assembly resolution in this regard. His government was committed to fulfilling the needs of the judiciary, he added.
Kolkata: The lal batti culture may have officially been done away with, but netas havent stopped throwing about their weight.

The latest case comes from West Bengal where a minister of the ruling Trinamool Congress has been caught on camera abusing a bank official.

North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh was recently passing through the states Ghughumari region when he saw a long line of customers outside a branch of the United Bank of India. The minister stepped out of his car and interacted with the people who told him that bank services had been crippled for nearly 10 days due to internet connectivity issues.

Ghosh then engaged in a spat with a bank official. Who is responsible for maintenance, Ghosh was seen asking the official. Its our responsibility, the latter replies.

Shut up! Dont cross your limits. I will give you a tight slap, Ghosh can be seen yelling at the official.

The official hits back, saying, You cannot talk to me like that. We have been working.

Angered by the officials reply, the minister then resorts to abuses. You son of a b****. Just shut up. I will throw you out.

There has been no official reaction on the Natabari MLAs behavior from the Mamata Banerjee government or the Trinamool Congress.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to Malayalam actor Mohanlal asking him to lend support to the "Swachhata hi Sewa" movement.

"Your participation will further inspire others to be a part of the movement. You can share your experience with me on the Narendra Modi app. Let us all come together for cleanliness, pay a fitting tribute to Bapu and work towards building a New India," PM Modi said in his letter to the National Award-winning actor.

Modi said cinema is one of the most effective media to bring about change on a large-scale. "As a much adored film personality, you have the power to impact people's lives positively. Your participation in the Swachhata mission will help connect millions to the noble initiative.

Citing Mahatma Gandhi's dream for a clean India, Modi said, "Inspired by the Father of the Nations noble thoughts and a faith in the spirit of 125 crore Indians, let us renew our pledge towards cleanliness."

President Ram Nath Kovind had launched the fortnight-long "Swachhata Hi Sewa" sanitation campaign in Uttar Pradesh on September 15. The nationwide campaign is aimed at highlighting the Modi government's flagship cleanliness initiative Swachh Bharat Mission.
Ahmedabad: Gujarats vikas (development) agenda, which had given its then chief minister Narendra Modi a major push in his 2014 campaign for Prime Ministership, has turned on its head with a local youths tongue-in-cheek social media posts saying Vikas Has Gone Crazy.

Some believe it all started with a Patidar youth, Sagar Savaliya, posting a photo on Facebook. It showed a state government bus with defunct rear tyres and a Gujarati caption saying, The state transport buses are ours, but after you board them, the responsibility of your safety is yours. Stay back, Vikas has gone crazy.

Gujarat Congress quickly latched on to the growing phenomenon and is producing hundreds of memes and satirical posts on social media, with the tagline of Vikas Gaando Thayo Chhe (Vikas Has Gone Crazy).

With the batch of humorous and satirical memes, pictures and videos flooding the internet right before the Assembly elections in November, it is giving BJP and its president Amit Shah some anxious moments.

Last week, Shah urged the Gujarat youth not to pay attention to anti-BJP propaganda on social media, while addressing a town-hall in Ahmedabad.

The irony of it is, however, the fact that the party which was the first to use online platforms for political mobilisation, is at the receiving end this time.

Not only are these memes full of humour, they are also addressing the day-to-day issues in Gujarat, like steep fuel prices, rising school fees, potholed roads, GST, etc. This is all the more crucial with only a few months left for the Gujarat elections.

With less than a week left for Navratri, the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has now come up with a 2.5 minute garba video on the same.

In the audio-video capsule being widely circulated on social media, a group of youth can be seen dancing to a song whose lyrics are a satire on good-governance, the common refrain being Vikas Gaando Thayo Chhe.

Savaliya, a 20-year-old engineering student, runs a website called befamnews.com. Translated to English, 'befaam' would mean uncontrolled or riotous. Sagar is an active member of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and is close to its convener Hardik Patel.

Speaking to News18, he said, Yes, I did coin the phrase. Development has gone crazy has triggered thousands of social media messages. Honestly, I did not expect it to go to this extent. I was just trying to contradict the big development claims that the BJP leaders make in Gujarat.

The Congress IT cell meanwhile claims that one of its volunteers floated the phrase on social media and it became an instant hit.

Yes, the Patidars have been promoting the phrase 'Vikas Has Gone Crazy' in a big way, but it was one of our volunteers who first coined it sometime in August. Since then, a Facebook page has seen over 75,000 likes and over 80,000 people are following it, Rohan Gupta, head of the GPCC IT Cell told News18.

Gupta added that the IT unit will further highlight issues faced by the people by tagging these with the phrase that has caught the imagination of social media users.

Nikunj Mehta, proprietor of Niksun Ad World Inc, the agency that has been entrusted with the task of publicity by the GPCC, said, his agency has not coined the concept.

However, this will help in the overall campaign to a great extent. People have been appreciating the social media messages because they address the everyday issues being faced by the people. It will definitely help us in the main election campaign as well, Mehta told News18.

The BJP, on its part, has been doing everything it can to contain the onslaught of memes on social media.

Rahul Gandhi talks of lack of development. He must remember that the state-of-the-art Sabarmati Riverfront, standing on which he made these statements, was once a garbage dump. We will have to counter the charges that the Congress has been leveling at us, Amit Shah said last Sunday.

When the media asked BJP state president Jitu Waghani about the memes going viral, he quipped, At least in Gujarat, development is being discussed. In Congress ruled states, only corruption is discussed.

Privately though, leaders admit that for the first time, BJP is at the receiving end of an aggressive social media campaign. This medium has so far been their territory for all these years.
Danish chef Rene Redzepi has revealed that the re-opening of his Copenhagen restaurant Noma has been pushed back to 2018.

In the world of contemporary gastronomy, the renaissance of Noma -- which has claimed the title of World's Best Restaurant four times -- was to be one of the hottest restaurant openings of the year. But construction hit a snag a few months ago, when crews stumbled upon an ancient stone wall buried in the ground, reads an update posted on the restaurant website.

Archaeologists who were brought to the site to inspect the wall eventually declared the finding to be insignificant. The setback, however, means that instead of December, the restaurant will open in mid-January. The original Noma shuttered earlier this year at the height of its popularity, in order to pave way for Redzepi's vision to open an urban farm-to-table restaurant in Copenhagen with an on-site farm and greenhouse.

The menu will be seasonal, focusing on seafood in winter and early spring, when fish, urchin and oysters are at their peak, and the plant kingdom in spring and summer. Come fall and winter, the menu will shift again to highlight the bounty of Danish forests, with ingredients like mushrooms, nuts, berries, game meats.

In spite of the closure, there's been no rest for the Noma team. Earlier this spring, Redzepi flew his team out to Mexico for a pop-up stint. Currently, the team is hosting a series of temporary outdoor, family-style dinners under Copenhagen's Knippelsbro Bridge. The five-course menu for the "Under the Bridge" pop-up is inspired by the team's travels and has been extended into November.

Bookings are open for dinners from Oct. 4 to Nov. 12. The prix fixe menu is DKK 1250 (US$200).
Trolling isn't uncommon these days and when you are a celebrity, things become even more difficult as several social media users believe they have the liberty to slut-shame actresses as and when they like. The latest target of online trolling, after Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Fatima Sana Shaikh, was Naam Shabana actress Taapsee Pannu.

But, when it's the opinionated Taapsee Pannu, we sure know that she will make a comeback with a fitting reply, and, she did. In a fun yet powerful way, Taapsee shut down her trolls who tried to attack her with rude, disdainful comments.

"When you are against the tide, it's YOU who needs to stand up for yourself......But don't forget the smile " #Judwaa2 #AaTohSahi pic.twitter.com/qIimdBSkHY taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 13, 2017

When News18.com spoke exclusively to Taapsee about the incident, the actress said that she had worked really hard on achieving the bikini body and added that since she has made it happen, she will flaunt it and that it was nobody's business. The Baby actor added that if users didn't want to see her pictures, they were more than welcome to unfollow her.

"We have a lot of torch bearers of nationalism and culture (self-proclaimed ones) in our country and it's always nice to have an opinion, but, don't shove it in my face. You keep your opinion to yourself, I have not asked for it, so, don't give it to me. I have worked extremely hard on that body, to get into that shape. It's really very hard for a 'Delhi sardarni' to compromise on food. I have made it happen, I am going to flaunt it. And, it is nobody else's business," said Taapsee Pannu during the international intimate wear brand Amante's store launch event in Gurugram.

(Photo: Taapsee Pannu at Amante's store launch event in Gurgaon/ PR Pundit)

She added, "If they don't like it they are more than welcome to unfollow me or not see the pictures. I was in a good mood, so they got a good, happy reply, otherwise they would have got a nasty one."

At the event, Taapsee revealed that she would be more than happy to endorse a lingerie brand and also shared her thoughts on how she never understood why not many actresses associated themselves with something as basic as a lingerie.

She said, "For the longest time I have been really looking forward to associate with a lingerie brand. Because all my life I kept seeing really cool looking dudes endorsing innerwear. But, it was very strange, not many actresses associated themselves with lingerie brands, which I could never understand why! So, I could only wait for an opportunity and Amante gave that to me.

Taapsee added, "It's not something to be hidden or be shy about, it's something that has become a part of fashion now. It's about 'daring to be yourself'."

A couple of days ago, the diva, who shared uber-hot pictures flaunting her toned body in a blue floral two-piece from her upcoming film Judwaa 2 on her Twitter account, received huge backlash for her bikini post. While several fans and followers swooned over Taapsee's never-seen-before avatar, others lashed out at her stating that she should be ashamed of posing in a bikini and posting the pictures online.
Shimla: Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has never approached the Maharashtra Women's Commission for her issues with actor Hrithik Roshan, the commission's chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said here on Friday.

"No complaint has been filed by Kangana and she has never approached the commission on her issues," Rahatkar told the media here.

Rahatkar responded to a media query that Kangana had sought the women's commission's intervention for Hrithik "misusing" her confidential emails and photographs when they were together.

In an earlier interview, Kangana had said that the women's commission did not help her when she approached them over her issues with Hrithik.

"Kangana has not even approached my predecessors. We have learnt that she has approached a woman who claimed to be a member of woman's commission. There is no complaint from her even in the past 25 years," she added.

Rahatkar, who is also the BJP Mahila Morcha National President and was in Shimla for the party's campaign, said she told Kangana that "no complaint has been filed by her with the commission (regarding the controversy)".

"I told her that this is wrong on her part to say in this way," she added.

Kangana, who has her roots in Himachal Pradesh, had claimed that she had lodged a legal complaint against Hrithik for "misusing" her confidential emails and photographs.

"Kangana is well versed about her rights and the laws. She knows the working of the women's commission. If she approached the commission, we will help her," Rahatkar added.
Mumbai: Actress Priyanka Chopra on Friday clarified that calling Sikkim insurgency-prone was in context of her film Pahuna... but she is apologetic about hurting the sentiments of the people of the hill state, and hopes they forgive her.

"It saddens me that a comment I made during a recent interview at TIFF has caused this much pain when that was never the intention at all," the Bollywood star said in a statement.

"I never meant to imply that Sikkim has insurgency. My statement was in the context of the film that deals with people who seek refuge after they suffer from conflict."

Calling Sikkim "a peaceful, green state with peace-loving people", Priyanka said: "I know my statements have hurt the sentiments and pride of the people of Sikkim and for that I truly apologise."

On Thursday, the National Award winning actress came under attack for a statement she made in Toronto when she was discussing Pahuna: The Little Visitors, her Sikkimese production which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

She had told ET Canada: "This is a Sikkimese film. Sikkim is a small state in the northeast of India which never had a film industry or anyone who made films from there. And this is the first film ever that's come out of that region because it's very troubled with insurgency and troubling situations."

The remark was widely slammed, with some Twitter users calling her "politically illiterate". Priyanka sent a written apology to the authorities in Sikkim, but they wanted another apology in more "clear-cut terms".

Priyanka said: "I have always taken pride as being someone who is informed about the world but this time, some of the statements made were incorrect and while I should have been better informed about certain facts, I take full responsibility for what I said.

"I understand now that our film was not the first Sikkimese film to be made, but our aim has always been to provide local talent, both actors, and technicians, a global platform to shine. My team and I have had a wonderful experience working in the state and with the local cast and crew and are thankful to the support extended by the government of Sikkim."

A well-known face, Priyanka said she understands the "impact of the statements made and hope that the people and government of Sikkim find it in their hearts to forgive me".

Directed by first-timer Paakhi A. Tyrewala, Pahuna... is about three Nepalese children who get separated from their parents, escape the Maoists in Nepal and flee to Sikkim.

It was launched as an association between Priyanka and her mother Madhu Chopra's banner Purple Pebble Pictures and Sikkim's Ministry of Tourism.
Bhopal: As chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been gearing up for another cabinet expansion, perhaps the last one before Madhya Pradesh goes to 2018 assembly polls, the axe might fall on three senior ministers, especially after the feedback offered by the party national president Amit Shah during his recent visit to the state.

Besides, following the feedback received from the party chief, CM Chouhan might well alter portfolios of ministers who have failed to impress with their work in their respective ministries.

Shah during the recent visit had met large number of party workers and leaders and recorded ground level feedback and also passed it on to the CM Chouhan. These visitors had offered feedback regarding a high handed bureaucracy and weak political leadership in the state.

Meanwhile with the disdain shown by CM Shivraj in axing senior most ministers Babulal Gaur and Sartaj Singh, during last cabinet reshuffle in 2016, it wont be a surprise if some of the senior ministers could be shown the door this time round when the cabinet sees another expansion in Navratri. However things could be different this time as Shah already struck down Chouhans apparent pick and choose policy saying that there was no such rule barring 75 plus ministers from cabinet.

So CM Chouhan this time have to bit more cautious while making his choices.

At present in the assembly of 230 lawmakers, the Shivraj cabinet has 29 ministers and six more ministers could be accommodated, giving much needed liberty to CM Shivraj to boost region and caste-based diversity in his cabinet.

If sources are to be believed, those who might not find themselves on cabinet after the fresh expansion include minister for Urban Administration and Development Maya Singh who apparently has failed to impress CM Chouhan with her functioning. At several places including Bhopal, the UAD officers have clashed with elected representatives leaving the party in embarrassing situation.

Health minister Rustam Singh could also be dropped as health services have gone from bad to worse in his tenure. Open rebellion from health staff including doctors has marred his tenure.

Besides the maverick School Education Minister Vijay Shah who is known more for his bizarre remarks than his functioning, might well get the hammer. On contrary, Minister for Higher Education Deepak Joshi could be entrusted with important responsibility besides his cabinet rank assigned to him during last reshuffle.

Meanwhile under scanner on charges of paid news, Public Relations minister Dr Narottam Mishra might save his place in the cabinet eventually as party chief had thrown his weight behind Dr Mishra by having lunch at his residence during his recent visit to MP. Political analysts also see Mishras entry into high commands good books as a ploy to keep CM Shivrajs meteoric rise in MP politics under check.

Meanwhile with an eye on 2018 assembly polls, CM Shivraj could well induct some fresh blood in the cabinet by bringing in some new faces into the cabinet. While considering the tough electoral battle ahead in Bundelkhand and Mahakaushal region, CM Shivraj could well offer fresh representation to these regions.

However with brewing discontent among government staffers especially teachers, physicians and after recent farmers crisis, besides MP staring at another drought; CM Chouhan faces a tough task ahead as he chooses his colleagues before entering electoral battle next year.
Ranchi: BJP president Amit Shah on Friday accused the Congress of "indulging in family fiefdom since Independence" and said there was no place for merit in that party.

He claimed that only the Left parties and the BJP had "internal democracy", while there was no such concept in any other party.

Referring to Jharkhand, Shah asked the gathering, "Who will run the party after Guruji (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president Shibu Soren)? Does anyone have any confusion about it," apparently hinting at JMM working president and Shibu's son, Hemant Soren.

Similarly, he asked the gathering if they had any confusion about who would become the Congress president after Sonia Gandhi.

Shah said in the BJP, intra-party polls were held every three years and anyone could become its president as the person was not elected on the basis of which family he belonged to.

He said the top post in the saffron party was all about commitment and merit and on the basis of that, he, who was a booth-level president of the party years ago, had become its national president.

Shah said the BJP was not in politics to grab power and described it as the "most democratic party" in the country.

"There should be three important things for a party -- internal democracy, functioning on principles and track record," he said.

Stating that almost 1,650 political parties were formed in the country in the last 70 years since Independence, Shah asked the gathering how many of these parties had internal democracy.

He said while the BJP had been working to take the country to the top, the Congress was engaged in "politics of family fiefdom since Independence" and added that "there is no place for merit" in that party.

Shah also alleged that Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had no system and added that such parties could do no good to the country.

The BJP chief, who was in the city in connection with his 110- day countrywide tour, released the 'Deen Dayal Upadhyaya - Sampurna Wangmai (thoughts in totality)', a collection of thoughts of RSS ideologue Upadhyaya, and thanked Dr Mahesh Sharma and his team for bringing it out.

He lauded Upadhyaya for his selfless work for the country and the party and laying the path for a 10-member outfit to become a party of 11 crore members.

Shah said it was a right decision by the Centre and 18 BJP-ruled states to celebrate Upadhyaya's birth centenary year.

The BJP chief criticised the policies formulated soon after Independence, saying these were based on the policies of western countries and cited the example of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee resigning from the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet over differences as regards the policies.

Stating that several western countries had only one crop, while India had three, he wanted to know how could one follow the agriculture policies of the western countries in India.

Shah said there should be strong policies to build the nation.

Praising the Raghubar Das government in Jharkhand, the BJP chief said all eyes were on the state. "There is no corruption, but stability and transparency," he added.

Referring to the "bimaru" (sick) states, Shah claimed that Bihar had shed the tag and so did Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

"Uttar Pradesh will also come out of it after five years as the BJP has formed a government with a three-fourths majority there," he said.

Shah described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "forward-looking leader" and said he had earned laurels and respect for the country from all over the world.

"Because of his (Modi's) initiatives, all the countries are now trying to build a good relation with India," he added.

On the other hand, Shah said, during the 10-year rule of the UPA, people had to wait for days to hear prime minister Manmohan Singh speak.

He claimed that the Modi government had successfully stopped the bungling of Rs 57,000 crore with the use of DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) in government schemes.

It had opened bank accounts for all the poor people in the country, he said, adding that it had also successfully distributed LPG connections among 2.8 crores BPL families in rural areas.

Shah claimed that the BJP government at the Centre was committed to electrifying all the villages in the country by May 26, 2018.

He said the government had constructed 4.5 crore toilets in the country in the first three years of its rule and it was committed to building toilets in all Indian households by 2022, the year the country would be celebrating the 75th anniversary of its independence.

Shah said India had excelled in all the sectors including space science, where it had made a record by launching 104 satellites at one go by a single rocket.

He said the defence personnel were waiting for the One Rank One Pension for over five decades and it was the BJP government, which honoured its promise by transferring Rs 8,500 crore to their bank accounts.

Shah also described last year's surgical strikes, carried out by the Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as one of the biggest achievements of the government, and said they restored self-confidence and honour in every Indian.

He claimed that the country witnessed a paradigm shift under Modi and added that the government was now not reforming, but transforming the country in all the sectors.

The government had a vision for all the people of the country and not for some, Shah said.
New Delhi/ Lucknow: From being a Mahant and five-term MP, Yogi Adityanath has come a long way to becoming the Chief Minister of India's most populous state  Uttar Pradesh. Just ahead of the Big Day on September 18, which marks the six-month period of his government, he meets Network18's for an exhaustive interview.

The Chief Minister, who is known for his serious demeanor, eases up an hour into the interview and talks about how 'aggressive policing' will pursue to shoo away criminals from the state. "If criminals fire bullets, they will get bullets. Our police will no longer sit quiet".

He says that as soon as his government was sworn-in, on March 19, a strong message was sent to anti-social elements. "Most gangsters had started feeling the heat as soon as the BJP formed the government in UP. Some even surrendered outside the state. We are very clear about imposing a strict law and order regime. A message has been sent out to goons that we will follow an aggressive policing system. If goons fire they will get retaliatory fire," an aggressive Yogi Adityanath told ETV-Network 18.

The CM said that not just law and order but even normal governance had collapsed during the 17-year-long rule of SP and BSP.

"Regional parties were known for their nepotism and corruption. The entire system had derailed by the time we took over. I can tell you about the two biggest changes we've brought in these six months of governance. First, we've introduced a new work culture in our system, and ended the old babudom. Secondly, we've instilled hope and security among the masses. There is renewed vigour and energy among people".

In the first six months of governance in the state, Adityanath says his government has laid a strong foundation which will catapult the state in the future.

"UP was the top state in most indices, of the country when we achieved Independence and we are now at the bottom. But we will change this and bring UP on the top. To begin with, we are focusing on reviving agriculture and setting up job creating manufacturing projects," he said giving a glimpse of the nature of policies that UP government will roll out in future.

Yogi Adityanath also batted for simultaneous, general and assembly, elections.

Manmohan Rai (left) and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

He said, "You are also from UP, tell me what else were government employees doing all through the year till now? Holding elections, announcing results and then conducting poll after another poll, be it for assembly, Lok Sabha, or local bodies. This should end. We support Modiji's view of holding Lok Sabha and assembly polls together," said Yogi.

The UP chief minister was recently in news for ordering 'pruning of inauspicious fig trees' and prohibiting vulgar songs during the annual Hindu pilgrimage - Kavad Yatra. Responding to the controversies surround him on these issues, Adityanath said, "I am very clear about what I said. Kavad Yatra is an important ritual. Earlier facilities were not allowed to them which resulted in some incidents. We ensured incident free Kavad Yatra this year. Let it be clear that Kavad Yatra is a celebration not a funeral, so we will allow singing and bhajans along the route".

Speaking about one of the major healthcare crisis in Uttar Pradesh since BJP government assumed power in UP  the death of hundreds of children in East UP's BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, Adityanath said the issue was politicised and blown out of proportion.

"The issue should not have been politicised. Deaths were most saddening, especially for me as I was the first person to bring the issue of Encephalitis deaths on the national platform. But let me again highlight that the death-rate of children was lowest this year as compared to the previous years. We have been successful in bringing down the death rate sharply, due to intensive vaccination drive in East UP and intensive clean water and cleanliness drive." The media had unnecessarily linked all deaths to shortage of oxygen, the UP CM added.

On a lighter note, Adityanath said that amid all the workload he finds little time for himself. As meetings and interaction with bureaucrats and ministers happen from early morning to late night, "There is hardly any time for myself."

In response to a question on how his life had changed from being a saint at Gorakhnath Mathh to becoming the state of UP, he said, "We are saints, we don't have a personal life, so little has changed for me from becoming a monk to a CM. Both dedicate their lives to the people and both are sensitive to issues of the masses. When I find a little time for myself, prayers and chanting hymns is what I do."

He tried to allay fears of Hindutvisation of academics, especially in context of the ongoing exercise to change the syllabus of schools and universities. "There is a need to change the syllabus of primary and basic schools which are outdated. But there would be no agenda behind this except providing the best education. We must however need to understand Hindutva, which is nothing else but humanitarian, which accepts everyone."

Yogi Adityanath promises to make UP among the most investor-friendly state in the next five years. "You will see the change. UP will be the top destination for investors in five years. My entire time goes in discussing ways to make UP a prosperous and happy state and we will achieve this in the time given."
Chennai: Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has finally addressed the speculation over him joining politics, saying that if the people give him a strong enough signal, he will.

Kamal Haasan on Friday also said that if superstar Rajinikanth ever chooses to join politics, he would like to work with him.

"Give me a signal.... If Rajinikanth comes to politics we can talk, won't I join him? Though we are rivals in our industry, we consult for key issues," the actor said at an event in Chennai.

The 62-year-old actor, popularly called Ulaganayagan (Hero of the World), has been a lot more vocal about his political intentions as compared to rival, Rajinikanth, who has kept his massive fan following guessing for several months.

In a recent interview to The Quint, the actor said he was thinking of launching a political party, out of compulsion and not choice. "Yes, I am thinking on those lines, not out of choice but compulsion. Which existent political party can provide me with a platform or an ideology that will match my reformatory goals in politics?" the actor said.

Earlier this week, he had stated that saffron is not my colour, clearly indicating that he is not interested in joining the BJP bandwagon, which anyway seems more keen on wooing Rajinikanth.

Kamal Haasan has also been critical of the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and the opposition DMK, while his recent meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had triggered speculation of a tilt to the CPI(M).

On Thursday, the veteran actor took potshots at the Tamil Nadu MLAs saying that they should also be covered under the "no work, no pay" formula.

"No work no pay only for Govt. Employees? How about horse trading politicians languishing in resorts?" the actor tweeted in an apparent reference to the resort politics of the AIADMK wherein a section of the MLAs owing allegiance to 'sacked' leader TTV Dinakran were being housed in resorts to prevent poaching.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday slammed the RSS and other right-wing groups for trying to spread hatred and accusing the state government of minority appeasement for banning immersion of Durga idols on Muharram.

I took the decision to ban idol immersion on Muharram keeping the sentiment of both the communities in mind. Muharram is not an event of joy, it is a mourning ritual. I dont want any kind of disharmony by allowing immersion (on Vijay Dashami) and Muharram on same day. But some people want to politicise the issue, Mamata said.

The CMs comments came a day after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said it will perform shastra puja at 300 locations in the state even though Mamata has asked the police to stop such weapon worship programmes.

The Trinammol Congress chief said she used to think that RSS believes in mission culture and works with dedication but unfortunately that is not the case now. They are now more into shopping culture. I would like to warn them, please dont force me open my mouth otherwise they will be embarrassed, she said.

Mamata warned the right-wing groups against playing with fire. I would like to advice RSS people that dont malign your image just because you have to give shelter to BJP. There are groups like VHP, Bajrang Dal, they are all involved in hate politics. I also would like to warn them dont play with fire.

Hinting at the division bench of the Calcutta High Court which lauded Mumbai Police for ensuring peace during Muharram and Durga Puja celebration, Mamata said, I heard someone compared Bengal Police with the Mumbai Police. I would like to tell them Durga puja in Bengal is different from Durga Puja in Mumbai in terms of number of pandals. Those who are comparing, I would like to ask them what will they do if Ganesh Puja and Muharram fall on the same day.

The CM said it is unfortunate that people are accusing her of appeasement politics. I am the CM of the state and I have to take care all of all people. I would like to request all political parties to ensure peace during the Puja. I wont allow any sashtra rallies in Bengal. I will not spare those who will try to organise such a rally in Bengal, she said.

On Friday, the West Bengal government told the Calcutta HC that immersion of Durga idols can happen till 10pm on September 30, Vijay Dashami. Earlier, the government had said it will be allowed till 6pm.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has lashed out at media for "unnecessarily sensationalising" deaths of more than 60 children at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College. In an exclusive interview to News18, on the completion of six months of his government in UP, Adityanath said that those deaths were unfortunate and nobody should politicise them.

Adityanath said that a large section of media had reported wrong figures. "The day a media house reported 60 deaths, only 11 deaths had occurred. One should understand that there is a vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis, but there is no vaccine for Encephalitis," he said.

The chief minister said that the primary reason behind Encephalitis was the unhygienic atmosphere, adding, "The deaths were linked incorrectly with oxygen-shortage by media."

No one reported that our government has provided Encephalitis vaccine to lakhs of children. The fact is that this year the figure of deaths due to Encephalitis is almost half in comparison to previous years. The data is there for everyone to see how many deaths occurred at BRD Hospital due to Encephalitis in the last few years. Our government is just six months old, and we are working rapidly to improve the infrastructure of the state which also includes medical facilities. I am sure in the coming years this mortality rate will go down for sure, he said.

On August 10 this year, first reports of children deaths started trickling in. At least 63 children lost their lives at Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur, CM Adityanath's home constituency.

It was alleged that oxygen supplier had cut off the gas supply after the state government failed to repay a debt of more than Rs 60 lakh. The official report by the chief secretary, however, denied there was a shortage of oxygen in the hospital.
Chennai: They have done only very few movies together over the last four decades - in which he always played the lead role - but Tamil actor Kamal Haasan has indicated he wouldn't mind working together with Talaivar Rajinikanth if he floats a political party.

"Give me a signal.... If Rajinikanth comes to politics, we can talk, wouldn't I join him? Though we are rivals in our industry, we consult on key issues," the actor was reported as saying at an event in Chennai.

This was just a couple of days after 62-year-old Haasan said in an interview that he was thinking of launching a new party "out of compulsion", and hence the guessing game over his proposed political trajectory will only get more confusing.

The statement will also spark questions on how the two giants of Tamil cinema can hit it off together as a political duo. Over the recent past, the politically correct Rajinikanth has been seen as gravitating right, posing for clicks with leaders from the BJP and Hindu organisations, while avowed atheist Kamal Haasan has launched with Kerala's Marxist chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and verbally sparred with union ministers over GST.

Earlier this week he also said saffron is not my colour", clearly indicating he will keep away from the BJP bandwagon, which is seen as aggressively wooing Rajinikanth.

"Which existing political party can provide me with a platform or an ideology that will match my reformatory goals in politics?" Haasan had asked the Quint in the interview in which he spoke of his intention to launch his own party. Whether Rajinikanth's anticipated political course will match his "reformatory goals" is anybody's guess.

If both indeed share a great personal rapport as has been widely believed, it has seldom been in the public domain. The recent DMK event in Chennai was the first at which they were seen together after a long while. If they spoke together it was on issues in which any Tamil actor could not afford to have a different view - like the ban on bull-taming sport Jallikattu.

Kamal Haasan was the chocolate-boy hero when Bengaluru-born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad made his debut as a villain in Apoorva Raagangal in 1975. In the films that followed the next year, Avargal and 16 Vayadinile the same casting pattern followed. In films like Ninaithale Inikkum Haasan was still the big hero opposite the glamourous Jaya Prada. The two did not do films together after Rajinikanth's meteoric rise in the 80's.

Recently, Haasan turned down director Shankar's offer to play baddie opposite Rajinikanth in the sequel to Enthiran and the role went to Akshay Kumar. Of late, Haasan has spoken about both doing a film together, but till that materialises pictures, like this one from an award event last January would be the only visual evidence we have of that celebrated camaraderie.

Will Haasan bury his professional rivalry and play Thalapathy to Thalaivar in a political role? In the gravity-defying worlds of Tamil cinema and Tamil politics, things should not be easily dismissed as impossible.
London: British police said they arrested an 18-year-old man on Saturday at a Channel port in their investigation into the bombing of a London Underground train.

"The 18-year-old man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover this morning, Saturday, 16 September, under section 41 of the Terrorism Act," police said in a statement that described the arrest as "significant".

"Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical," police said.

The man is in custody at a local police station and will be transferred to a south London police station in "due course".

Thirty people were treated in hospital after a bomb detonated in a packed London Underground train on Friday morning, in what was Britain's fifth terror attack in six months.

The toll was revised upwards by one early Saturday.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers," police said.

"For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage.

"This investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical," the statement added.

The Islamic State group said an IS "detachment" had been behind the bombing.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced late Friday that the threat level had been raised to "critical  meaning another attack could be imminent  and said troops would take over guarding key sites to free police officers for deployment elsewhere.

Four previous attacks in London and Manchester this year claimed the lives of 35 people.

Three of those attacks involved a vehicle ploughing into pedestrians. The other was a bombing in May at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester which killed 22 people, including several children.
Washington: China's ambassador to Washington on Friday called on the United States to refrain from making threats over North Korea, which a day earlier launched another missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai told reporters at an embassy event: "Honestly, I think the United States should be doing ... much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue."

"They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation," he said.

President Donald Trump and others in the United States and beyond have urged China to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on its Communist ally to help resolve the standoff over North Korea's weapons programmes.

China fought alongside North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Chinese leader Mao Zedong lost his eldest son, and Beijing has long been Pyongyang's chief ally and primary trade partner.

But the Chinese government has pushed back against the notion that it has any control over Pyongyang, and says it is the United States that should be doing more.

Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States was considering halting trade with countries doing business with North Korea.

Cui on Friday cautioned against putting China-U.S. trade on the table.

"Efforts to undermine Sino-U.S. trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target," the Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Cui as saying on Friday at a Chinese National Day reception.

"If someone were to pressure China or impose sanctions on China over the DPRK, it would not be supported by many U.S. citizens," Cui said, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Workers at U.S. airplane factories, farmers growing soybeans, companies that sell smartphones to China, manufacturers that enjoy large market shares in China, companies in the service sector that have gained trade surplus in China, U.S. states that engage in robust trade with China would all stand against it," Xinhua quoted him as saying.
Washington: Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna has appealed to the American business community not to look at the bilateral relationship between India and the US from a narrow trade perspective which is a multifaceted one.

"When we look at this relationship, I would encourage all of you not to look at it purely in the narrow trade perspective because this (India-US) relationship has the breadth and depth survive ups and downs. It has done so," Sarna told a gathering of representatives from the American corporate world at an event organised by US India Business Council (USIBC) this week.

"As far as I can remember since I first came here on a posting in 1998 there's only been an up and an up. We have gone through progressive administrations in both capitals with great confidence because there is an inherent logic to this relationship which goes above partisan politics, which goes above the buffets of what immediate trade figures may look like," Sarna said.

He said this in an apparent reference to the trade imbalance between the two countries which is repeatedly mentioned by senior officials of the Trump Administration.

According to Sarna, the trade figures don't look too bad at all.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in his address said there were certain imbalances which needed to be corrected.

"We are working on that. To put it into perspective, it is perhaps one-tenth of the trade imbalance that the US suffers against China. So we are looking at ways and means," the Indian Ambassador said.

Sarna identified defense and energy as among the key areas which can not only increase the trade between the two countries but also result in a balanced trade.

"The greater reliance on US technology, the greater possibility of defences to India, the greater possibility of co-development and co-production has its own implications for the trade figures and for the trade balance," he said.

In the civil aviation sector, 205 planes have been ordered by SpiceJet.

"But that's not all. India would be growing, and the figures keep changing from quarter to quarter even if you take anything between 5 and 7 percent, but civil aviation market in India is growing at 20 percent. By 202, India's going to be the third largest commercial aviation market in the world," he said.

So, the potential for the US to take advantage of this in terms of exports is again huge, the top Indian diplomat said.

Sarna said last month he flagged off the first crude oil export ever from the US to India.

"This is going to be a monthly buy because the prices are still good enough for India to be able to buy these despite the distance. And I think all the oil majors are not only investing in the US oil and gas sector but are now simply buying oil," he said.

From January next year, India will start buying LNG.

"I've just visited Alaska and seen the tremendous potential that Alaska has for export of gas and they are very keen to team up with Asian markets," Sarna said.
Cairo: An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced ousted president Mohammed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood to 25 years in prison in a final ruling over a case accusing him of spying for Qatar, judicial sources said.

Mursi, democratically elected after Egypt's 2011 revolution, was overthrown in mid-2013 by then-general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, now the president, following mass protests against his rule. He was immediately arrested.

Egypt's Court of Cassation reduced Mursi's sentence in the Qatar case to 25 years in its final ruling, from an original 40 years.

Mursi is already serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted for the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012.

Since toppling Mursi, Sisi has clamped down on dissent. Mass trials have been held for thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters, and hundreds have received death sentences or lengthy prison terms.

In 2014, Egypt charged Mursi and nine others with endangering national security by leaking state secrets and sensitive documents to Qatar. Egypt's relations with Doha were already troubled by Qatar's backing of Mursi.

Egypt is one of four Arab nations in a Saudi-led bloc that cut relations with the Gulf state on June 5, accusing it of backing militant groups and cooperating with their arch-foe Iran, allegations Doha denies.
Islamabad: Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to $600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts.

These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem.

Amir Toumaj, Iran research analyst at the U.S.-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said the number of fighters is fluid but as many as 6,000 Afghans are fighting for Assad, while the number of Pakistanis, who fight under the banner of the Zainabayoun Brigade, is in the hundreds.

In Afghanistan, stepped-up attacks on minority Shiites claimed by the upstart Islamic State group affiliate known as Islamic State in the Khorasan Province could be payback against Afghan Shiites in Syria fighting under the banner of the Fatimayoun Brigade, Toumaj said. Khorasan is an ancient name for an area that included parts of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

"People were expecting blowback," said Toumaj. IS "itself has its own strategy to inflame sectarian strife."

Shiites in Afghanistan are frightened. Worshippers at a recent Friday prayer service said Shiite mosques in the Afghan capital, including the largest, Ibrahim Khalil mosque, were barely a third full. Previously on Fridays  the Islamic holy day  the faithful were so many that the overflow often spilled out on the street outside the mosque.

Mohammed Naim, a Shiite restaurant owner in Kabul issued a plea to Iran: "Please don't send the poor Afghan Shia refugees to fight in Syria because then Daesh attacks directly on Shias," he said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

Pakistan has also been targeted by the Islamic State in Khorasan province. IS has claimed several brutal attacks on the country's Shiite community, sending suicide bombers to shrines they frequent, killing scores of devotees.

In Pakistan, sectarian rivalries routinely erupt in violence. The usual targets are the country's minority Shiites, making them willing recruits, said Toumaj. The most fertile recruitment ground for Iran has been Parachinar, the regional capital of the Khurram tribal region, that borders Afghanistan, he said. There, Shiites have been targeted by suicide bombings carried out by Sunni militants, who revile Shiites as heretics.

In June, two suicide bombings in rapid succession killed nearly 70 people prompting nationwide demonstrations, with protesters carrying banners shouting: "Stop the genocide of Shiites."

A Pakistani intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said recruits are also coming from northern Gilgit and Baltistan. Recruiters are often Shiite clerics with ties to Iran, some of whom have studied in seminaries in Iran's Qom and Mashhad cities, said a second Pakistani official, who also spoke on condition he not be identified because he still operates in the area and exposing his identity would endanger him.

Yet fighters sign up for many reasons.

Some are inspired to go to Syria to protect sites considered holy to Shiite Muslims, like the shrine honoring Sayyida Zainab, the granddaughter of Islam's Prophet Muhammed. Located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the shrine was attacked by Syrian rebels in 2013. Others sign up for the monthly stipend and the promise of a house. For those recruited from among the more than 1 million Afghan refugees still living in Iran it's often the promise of permanent residence in Iran. For Shiites in Pakistan's Parachinar it is outrage at the relentless attacks by Sunni militants that drives them to sign up for battle in Syria, said Toumaj.

Mir Hussain Naseri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerics' council, said Shiites are obligated to protect religious shrines in both Iraq and Syria.

"Afghans are going to Syria to protect the holy places against attacks by Daesh," he said. "Daesh is the enemy of Shias."

Ehsan Ghani, chief of Pakistan's Counterterrorism Authority, told The Associated Press that his organization is sifting through hundreds of documents, including immigration files, to put a figure on the numbers of Pakistanis fighting on both sides of the many Middle East conflicts, including Syria. But it's a cumbersome process.

"We know people are going from here to fight but we have to know who is going as a pilgrim (to shrines in Syria and Iraq) and who is going to join the fight," he said.

Pakistan's many intelligence agencies as well as the provincial governments are involved in the search, said Ghani, explaining that Pakistan wants numbers in order to devise a policy to deal with them when they return home. Until now, Pakistan has denied the presence of the Islamic State group in Pakistan.

Nadir Ali, a senior policy analyst at the U.S.-based RAND Corp., said Afghan and Pakistani recruits also provide Iran with future armies that Tehran can employ to enhance its influence in the region and as protection against perceived enemies.

Despite allegations that Iran is aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan, Ali says battle-hardened Shiite fighters are Tehran's weapon should relations with an Afghan government that includes the radical majority Sunni religious movement deteriorate.

"Once the Syrian civil war dies down Iran is going to have thousands, if not tens of thousands of militia, under its control to use in other conflicts," he said. "There is a potential of Iran getting more involved in Afghanistan using militia because Iran is going to be really concerned about security on its border and it would make sense to use a proxy force."

Pakistan too has an uneasy relationship with Iran. On occasion the anti-Iranian Jandullah militant group has launched attacks against Iranian border guards from Baluchistan province. In June, Pakistan shot down an Iranian drone deep inside its territory.

In Pakistan the worry is that returning fighters, including those who had fought on the side of IS, could start another round of sectarian bloodletting, said the intelligence official.
Seoul/ United Nations: North Korea said on Saturday it aims to reach an "equilibrium" of military force with the United States, which earlier signalled its patience for diplomacy is wearing thin after Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan for the second time in under a month.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option," North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was quoted as saying by the state news agency, KCNA.

Kim was shown beaming as he watched the missile fly from a moving launcher in photos released by the agency, surrounded by several officials.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches the launch of a Hwasong-12 missile in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 16, 2017. (Image: Reuters)

"The combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified," said Kim as quoted by KCNA. Kim added the North's goal of completing its nuclear force had "nearly reached the terminal".

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kim's leadership as it accelerates a weapons program designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.

After the latest missile launch on Friday, White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said the United States was fast running out of patience with North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

"We've been kicking the can down the road, and we're out of the road," McMaster told reporters, referring to Pyongyang's repeated missile tests in defiance of international pressure.

"For those ... who have been commenting on a lack of a military option, there is a military option," he said, adding that it would not be the Trump administration's preferred choice.

Also on Friday, the U.N. Security Council condemned the "highly provocative" missile launch by North Korea.

It had already stepped up sanctions against North Korea in response to a nuclear bomb test on Sept. 3, imposing a ban on North Korea's textile exports and capping its imports of crude oil.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, echoed McMaster's strong rhetoric, even as she said Washington's preferred resolution to the crisis is through diplomacy and sanctions.

"What we are seeing is, they are continuing to be provocative, they are continuing to be reckless and at that point there's not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here, when you've cut 90 percent of the trade and 30 percent of the oil," Haley said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he is "more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming." He said at Joint Base Andrews near Washington that North Korea "has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community."

MISSILE

North Korea's latest test missile flew over Hokkaido in northern Japan on Friday and landed in the Pacific about 2,000 km (1,240 miles) to the east, the Japanese government said.

It travelled about 3,700 km (2,300 miles) in total, according to South Korea's military, far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, which the North has threatened before.

"The range of this test was significant since North Korea demonstrated that it could reach Guam with this missile," the Union of Concerned Scientists advocacy group said in a statement. However, the accuracy of the missile, still at an early stage of development, was low, it said.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson called on China, Pyongyang's only ally, and Russia to apply more pressure on North Korea by "taking direct actions of their own."

Beijing has pushed back, urging Washington to do more to rein in North Korea.

"Honestly, I think the United States should be doing .. much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue," China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, said on Friday.

"They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation," he said, while adding that China would never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.

North Korea staged its sixth and most powerful nuclear bomb test earlier this month and in July tested long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching at least parts of the U.S. mainland.

Last month, North Korea fired an intermediate range missile that also flew over Hokkaido into the ocean.

Warning announcements about the latest missile blared in parts of northern Japan, while many residents received alerts on their mobile phones or saw warnings on TV telling them to seek refuge.

The U.S. military said it had detected a single intermediate range ballistic missile but it did not pose a threat to North America or Guam.

Global equities investors largely shrugged off the latest missile test by North Korea as shares on Wall Street set new highs on Friday.

DIFFERENCES OVER DIRECT TALKS

Trump has promised not to allow North Korea to threaten the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile.

Russia's U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said the United States needed to begin talks with North Korea, something that Washington has so far ruled out.

"We called on our U.S. partners and others to implement political and diplomatic solutions that are provided for in the resolution," Nebenzia told reporters after the Security Council meeting. "Without implementing this, we also will consider it as a non-compliance with the resolution."

Asked about the prospect for direct talks, a White House spokesman said, "As the president and his national security team have repeatedly said, now is not the time to talk to North Korea."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in also said dialogue with the North was impossible at this point. He ordered officials to analyse and prepare for possible new North Korean threats, including electromagnetic pulse and biochemical attacks.

The United States and South Korea are technically still at war with North Korea because the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty. The North accuses the United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea, of planning to invade and regularly threatens to destroy it and its Asian allies.
New Delhi: A new political party controlled by 26/11 attacks mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed is backing a candidate in a by-election in Pakistan on Sunday. A Reuters report has quoted a former senior Pakistani army officer as saying that the move is a key step in a military-proposed plan to mainstream militant groups.

The Milli Muslim League party loyal to Hafiz Saeed, who has a $10 million US bounty on his head, has little chance of seeing its favoured candidate win the seat vacated when Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif was removed from office by the Supreme Court in July.

But the foray into politics by Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawah is following a blueprint that Sharif himself rejected when the military proposed it last year, retired Lieutenant General Amjad Shuaib told Reuters.

Three close Sharif confidants with knowledge of the discussions confirmed that Sharif had opposed the "mainstreaming" plan, which senior military figures and some analysts see as a way of steering ultra-religious groups away from violent jihad.

"We have to separate those elements who are peaceful from the elements who are picking up weapons," Shuaib said.

India has for long maintained that Pakistan's powerful military has been fostering militant groups as proxy fighters.

"PATRIOTIC PEOPLE"

Saeed's JuD launched the Milli Muslim League party within two weeks after the court ousted Sharif over corruption allegations.

Yaqoob Sheikh, the Lahore candidate for Milli Muslim League, is standing as an independent after the Electoral Commission said the party was not yet legally registered.

But Saeed's lieutenants, JuD workers and Milli Muslim League officials are running his campaign and portraits of Saeed adorn every poster promoting Sheikh.

Another US designated terrorist, Fazlur Rehman Khalil, has told Reuters he too plans to soon form his own party to advocate strict Islamic law.

"God willing, we will come into the mainstream  our country right now needs patriotic people," Khalil said, vowing to turn Pakistan into a state government by strict Islamic law.

Saeed's JuD and Khalil's Ansar ul-Umma are both believed to be fronts for militant groups the army has been accused of sponsoring. Officially, the military denies any policy of encouraging radical groups.

As expected, both groups deny their political ambitions were engineered by the military. Pakistan armys official spokesman was not available for comment after queries were sent to the press wing, Reuters reported.

Still, hundreds of MML supporters, waving posters of Saeed and demanding his release from house arrest, chanted "Long live Hafiz Saeed! Long live the Pakistan army!" at political rallies during the past week.

"Anyone who is India's friend is a traitor, a traitor," went another campaign slogan, a reference to Sharif's apparent attempts to improve relations with India.

'DERADICALISATION' PLAN

Both Saeed and Khalil are proponents of a strict interpretation of Islam and have a history of supporting violence  each man was reportedly a signatory to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's 1998 fatwa declaring war on the United States.

Analyst Khaled Ahmed, who has researched Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawa and its connections to the military, says the new political party is clearly an attempt by the generals to pursue an alternative to dismantling its militant proxies.

"One thing is the army wants these guys to survive," Ahmed said. "The other thing is that they want to also balance the politicians who are more and more inclined to normalise relations with India."

The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency first began pushing the political mainstreaming plan in April 2016, according to retired general Shuaib, a former director of the Pakistani army's military intelligence wing that is separate from the ISI.

He said the proposal was shared with him in writing by the then-ISI chief, adding that he himself had spoken with Khalil as well as Saeed in an unofficial capacity about the plan.

"Fazlur Rehman Khalil was very positive. Hafiz Saeed was very positive," Shuaib said. "My conversation with them was just to confirm those things which I had been told by the ISI and other people."

Saeed has been under an apparent house arrest since January at his house in the eastern city of Lahore, but videos of his hate speeches against India keep surfacing.

CNN-News18 this week accessed one such video where Saeed is seen calling for jihad in Myanmar over the Rohingya Muslims issues.

The United States has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his conviction over the Mumbai attacks.

Nawaz Sharif, however, was strongly against the military's mainstreaming plan, Reuters quoted Shuaib as saying.

According to the Reuters report, Sharif wanted to completely dismantle groups like the JuD. Disagreement on what to do about anti-India proxy fighters was a major source of rancour with the military, the report cited one of the close Sharif confidants as saying.

In recent weeks, several senior figures from the ruling PML-N party have publicly implied that elements of the military  which has run Pakistan for almost half its modern history and previously ousted Sharif in a 1999 coup  had a hand in the court ouster of Sharif, a charge both the army and the court reject.

A representative of the PML-N, which last month replaced him as prime minister with close ally Shahid Khaqi Abbasi, said the party was "not aware" of any mainstreaming plan being brought to the table.

RELIGION AND POLITICS

Some analysts worry that mainstreaming such controversial groups would be a risky strategy for Pakistan.

US President Donald Trump's administration has threatened sanctions against members of Pakistan's military and even raised the spectre of declaring Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism.

"It will send a wrong message," said analyst Zahid Hussain, who nevertheless thought that Saeed's new party would have a "negligible" effect on Pakistani elections because religious parties have never won more than a few seats in parliament.

Others are not so sure.

Sheikh, the MML candidate in Sunday's by-election who says he was handpicked by Hafiz Saeed, vowed to establish strict Islamic rule and "break" liberalism and secularism.

Analyst Ahmed warned that few existing religious parties have a charismatic leader like Saeed, and Pakistan may find itself unable to control a rising tide of Islamist sentiment.

"If Hafiz Saeed comes into the mainstream, it's not that he is going to be politicised," he added. "It's that he is going to make politics more religious."

(With Inputs from Reuters)
Washington: US President Donald Trump will focus on three key issues such as peace, prosperity and upholding sovereignty and accountability during his maiden address to the UN General Assembly next week, according to National security advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster.

Trump will speak to the assembly on Tuesday during the 72nd annual General Assembly session of the UN.

In addition to his customary address, Trump will also hold a series of meetings with world leaders and address several other thematic issues at the UN during his stay in New York.

"The president's consistent message across all of his engagements throughout the week will emphasise three goals common to all nations who will be gathered there: first, to promote peace; second, to promote prosperity; and third, to uphold sovereignty and accountability, "McMaster told reporters on Friday.

Observing that a peaceful world depends on the contributions of all nations, McMaster said the global community must share responsibility for international security while each country protects the security of its own people.

"Prosperity is also a shared responsibility. The president looks forward to furthering economic cooperation, investment opportunities and new business ties with other governments and businesses across the world. As always, this administration's iron-clad commitment to free, fair and reciprocal trade and access to markets will be the bedrock of our economic talks," he said.

Noting that sovereignty and accountability are the essential foundations of peace and prosperity, he said America respects the sovereignty of other countries, expects other nations to do the same, and urges all governments to be accountable to their citizens.

"That accountability has broken down in places such as Venezuela and Syria. And we also see today revisionist powers who are threatening the sovereignty in the Greater Middle East, Eastern and Southern Europe and in East Asia," he said.

McMaster said the president will join senior UN leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution.

The president will express support for Secretary General Guterres' reform efforts.

The UN of course holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if it's run more efficiently and effectively, he said.

On Monday, Trump will meet leaders of France and Israel, two of America's closest allies. While their conversations will be wide-ranging, we expect that Iran's destabilising behavior, including its violation of the sovereignty of nations across the Middle East, to be a major focus, he added.

Trump will host a working dinner with Latin American leaders on Monday evening.

"He's looking forward to discussing the crisis in Venezuela, as well as our increasingly strong economic ties, shared goals for elevating the prosperity of our peoples, and the extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," Mc Master said.

After his first address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump will have a lunch with Secretary General Antonio Guterres. He will also meet Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia, this year's General Assembly president and the Emir of Qatar. In the evening, he will host a traditional diplomatic reception.

Mc Master said, "He (Trump) will urge all states to come together to address grave dangers that threaten us all. If nations meet these challenges, immense opportunity lies before us."

On Wednesday, Trump will meet leaders of Jordan, the Palestinian National Authority, the UK and Egypt.

He will host a working luncheon with African leaders to discuss how the US can help African nations develop their economies, address urgent challenges, and strengthen security relationships and economic relationships between our nations, McMaster said.

On Thursday, Trump will meet leaders of Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

"The latter two countries in particular have suffered direct and persistent attacks on their sovereignty in recent years," he said.

"He will also host a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan. As Kim Jong Un's most recent missile launch demonstrates, North Korea remains one of the world's most urgent and dangerous security problems. It is vital that all nations work together to do our utmost to solve that problem," McMaster said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the president will highlight the UN reform event.

"It is very, very important. We've got a massive reform package being led by the secretary general that really streamlines not just the processes, but also that budget as it goes forward, and makes the UN much more effective," she said.

"There are no shortage of issues, with North Korea being front and centre. Iran will be an issue. Syria will certainly be talked about. Terrorism efforts and how we counter that is a huge topic on what we're dealing with. Obviously, the humanitarian issues that we face around the world," Haley

said.
London: A homemade bomb planted in a rush-hour subway car exploded in London on Friday, injuring 29 people and prompting authorities to raise Britain's terrorism threat level to "critical," meaning another attack may be imminent.

The early morning blast sparked a huge manhunt for the perpetrators of what police said was the fourth terrorist attack in the British capital this year.

Prime Minister Theresa May, acting on the recommendation of the Joint Terrorism Analysis Center, raised the country's threat level from "severe" to "critical"  its highest possible level. May said military troops would augment the police presence in a "proportionate and sensible step."

Earlier, May said the device had been "intended to cause significant harm."

Still, to the relief of authorities and Londoners, experts said the bomb  hidden in a plastic bucket inside a supermarket freezer bag  only partially exploded, sparing the city much worse carnage.

"I would say this was a failed high-explosive device," Chris Hunter, a former British army bomb expert, said of the blast, which caused no serious injuries.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was carried out by an affiliated unit.

The bomb went off around 8:20 am as the train, carrying commuters from the suburbs  including many school children  was at Parsons Green station in the southwest of the city.

Witness Chris Wildish told Sky News that he saw "out of the corner of my eye, a massive flash of flames that went up the side of the train," followed by "an acrid chemical smell."

Commuter Lauren Hubbard said she was on the train when she heard a loud bang.

"I looked around and this wall of fire was just coming toward us," Hubbard said. She said her instinct was "just run," and she fled the above-ground station with her boyfriend.

Chaos ensued as hundreds of people, some of them suffering burns, poured from the train, which can hold up to 800 people.

"I ended up squashed on the staircase. People were falling over, people fainting, crying. There were little kids clinging onto the back of me," said another commuter, Ryan Barnett.

Passenger Luke Walmsley said it was "like every man for himself to get down the stairs."

"People were just pushing," he added. "There were nannies or mums asking where their children were."

Police and health officials said 29 people were treated in London hospitals, most of them for flash burns. None of the injuries were serious or life-threatening, the emergency services said.

Trains were suspended along a stretch of the Underground's District Line, and several homes were evacuated as police set up a 50-meter (150-foot) cordon around the scene while they secured the device and launched a search for those who planted it.

The Metropolitan Police said hundreds of detectives, along with agents of the domestic spy agency MI5, were looking at surveillance camera footage, carrying out forensic work and speaking to witnesses.

Speaking to reporters late Friday, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were making "good progress" and that the public should be reassured that more police and troops will be on the streets.

"We are only aware of one device," he said. "We have remnants of that device. We are chasing down suspects." He refused to provide further details, except to say the bomb involved the "detonation of an improvised explosive device."

Among the questions authorities were seeking to answer: What was the device made from, and was it meant to go off when it did, in a leafy, affluent part of the city far from London's top tourist sites?

British media reported that the bomb included a timer. Lewis Herrington, a terrorism expert at Loughborough University, said that would set it apart from suicide attacks like those on the London subway in 2005 or at Manchester Arena in May, in which the attackers "all wanted to die."

Photos taken inside the train showed a white plastic bucket inside a foil-lined shopping bag, with flames and what appeared to be wires emerging from the top.

Terrorism analyst Magnus Ranstorp of the Swedish Defense University said that from the photos it appeared the bomb did not fully detonate, as much of the device and its casing remained intact.

"They were really lucky with this one, it could have really become much worse," he said.

Hunter, the explosives expert, said it appeared that "there was a bang, a bit of a flash, and that would suggest that, potentially, some of the explosive detonated, the detonator detonated, but much of the explosive was effectively inert."

Police and ambulances were on the scene within minutes of the blast, a testament to their experience at responding to violent attacks in London. The city has been a target for decades: from Irish Republican Army bombers, right-wing extremists and, more recently, attackers inspired by al-Qaida or the Islamic State group.

Britain has seen four other terrorist attacks this year, which killed a total of 36 people. The other attacks in London  near Parliament, on London Bridge and near a mosque in Finsbury Park in north London  used vehicles and knives. Similar methods have been used in attacks across Europe, including in Nice, Stockholm, Berlin and Barcelona.

The last time the country's threat level was raised to critical, was after the May 22 suicide bombing at Manchester Arena that killed 22 people.

British authorities say they have foiled 19 plots since the middle of 2013, six of them since the van and knife attack on Westminster Bridge and Parliament in March, which killed five people. Police and MI5 say that at any given time they are running about 500 counterterrorism investigations involving 3,000 individuals.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said there had been a "shift" in the terrorism threat, with attackers using a wide range of methods to try to inflict carnage. Khan, who belongs to the opposition Labour Party, said London police needed more resources to fight the threat. Police budgets have been cut since 2010 by Britain's Conservative government.

The London Underground, which handles 5 million journeys a day, has been targeted several times in the past. In July 2005, suicide bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus, killing 52 people and themselves. Four more bombers tried a similar attack two weeks later, but their devices failed to fully explode.

Last year Damon Smith, a student with an interest in weapons and Islamic extremism, left a knapsack filled with explosives and ball bearings on a London subway train. It failed to explode.

U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on Friday's attack, tweeting that it was carried out "by a loser terrorist," and adding that "these are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard."

The British prime minister gently rebuked the president for his tweets. "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," May said.
Washington: The US remains committed to defeat terror organisations and their evil ideology, the White House has said.

The strong reaction came from the White House after a terror attack on a London underground train injured at least 29 people on Friday.

"The US remains committed to defeating terrorist organisations, as well as their evil ideology. The president has been unambiguous here, energising our Defeat ISIS campaign and calling on Muslim majority nations to combat extremism and to end financing of terrorist organisations," US National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R MacMaster told reporters at a White House news conference.

"We will defend our people and our values against these cowardly attacks, and we will always stand with countries around the world to do the same," he said as Britain was struck with another terror attack, which he described as horrific.

"The US, of course, stands in solidarity with the people of the UK and France. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to prevent attacks," he said.

Addressing US Air Force on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, US President Trump said his hearts and prayers go out the people of London who suffered a vicious terrorist attack.

"I spoke with a wonderful woman, British Prime Minister Theresa May, this morning and relayed America's deepest sympathy, as well as our absolute commitment to eradicating the terrorists from our planet. Radical Islamic terrorism -- it will be eradicated. Believe me," he said.

"America and our allies will never be intimidated. We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," Trump said.

White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders said the US strongly condemns the cowardly terrorist attack in London on Friday that targeted innocent civilians during their commute on the subway.

"We are grateful that no one was killed in this horrific incident. And our thoughts and prayers are with those injured, and we wish them a speedy and full recovery. We are aware of the arrest that took place in Paris, following the attack on a counterterrorism soldier. And we are thankful that the soldier was not seriously injured," she said.

"We are also aware of the attack in Burgundy, and our thoughts are with those wounded in that incident. France is our oldest and one of our closest allies, and we will certainly provide any support to their investigations that they request," Sanders said.
Like Mugabe, Suu Kyi blind to oppression

She is widely recognised as the de facto leader of the country. She is also the first woman to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Presidents Office, the Minister of Electric Power and Energy, and the Minister of Education in President Htin Kyaws Cabinet, and from 2012 to 2016 was an MP for Kawhmu Township in the House of Representatives.

Today, Suu Kyi is the leader of Myanmar. And she is not aware of the issues involving Rohingya Muslims, which are being described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Like most politically myopic leaders, she is now blind to all forms of oppression.

This is similar to Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. In the 70s, the world supported him and Joshua Nkomo in the apartheid war against Ian Smith and Rhodesia.

Rhodesia was the food basket of southern Africa.

Once leadership was achieved, Mugabe banished Nkomo to being a nonentity and converted Zimbabwe to a poverty-ravished and hunger-stricken country. He forgot democracy, created a dictatorship, abandoned his white friends and wined and dined with his wife while the nation suffered.

From politically oppressed to a politically blind and oppressive leader.

PHILIP AYOUNG-CHEE via email
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Harry Dean Stanton died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles at the age of 91, TMZ reports. The longtime character actor was memorable in roles in Pretty in Pink, Alien, Escape from New York, Godfather II, The Green Mile, Big Love, Repo Man, Cool Hand Luke, Twin Peaks, Wild at Heart, and countless others. In fact, the Hollywood Reporter, which calls Stanton the "quintessential American actor," argues he was memorable in pretty much every role he took. Stanton, born in 1926 in Virginia, served in the Navy during WWII and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. He got his first TV role in 1954 and jumped into movies in 1957, Variety reports. His acting career would span six decades. He was also an accomplished musician, performing regularly with The Harry Dean Stanton Band.

The actor known for his "gaunt, bedraggled look" didn't get his big break and first leading role until the age of 52 in 1984's Paris, Texas. After all these years, I finally got the part I wanted to play, THR quotes Stanton as saying of that film. If I never did another film after Paris, Texas, Id be happy. Ultimately, Stanton decided it was "too much work" to be a leading man. He has this pride in appearing to not have to work hard to be good," says Sophie Huber, who directed a 2012 documentary about Stanton. The actor was friends with Bob Dylan, Hunter S. Thompson (at whose funeral he sang), Marlon Brando, and Jack Nicholson (at whose wedding he served as best man and with whom he lived post-divorce). Stanton died of natural causes. He was a "lifelong bachelor" but has said he has "one or two children." His final film, Lucky, will be released Sept. 29. (Read more obituary stories.)
Michigan has one of the largest Arab populations outside the Middle East, but is it ready to elect a Muslim as chief executive? Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a liberal 32-year-old doctor in Detroit, says yes, and he is mounting a surprisingly robust bid to become the nation's first Muslim governor. Democratic leaders are stunned by the sudden emergence of the former Rhodes scholar, who served as Detroit's public health director, in the primary field after he quickly raised $1 million, the AP reports. "No one expected El-Sayed to raise that kind of moneyno one," says pollster Ed Sarpolus.

He is one of four viable Democrats and, for now, three Republicans in a race that his party considers a must-win to re-establish itself after eight years of GOP control of state government. Republican incumbent Rick Snyder is leaving after two terms and El-Sayed is hoping to benefit from an energized Democratic backlash against President Trump, who narrowly carried Michigan in 2016, and from the repercussions of a lead contamination scandal in the city of Flint blamed primarily on Snyder's administration. "What better way to send Donald Trump a message than to elect a millennial Muslim guy in a state that he barely took?" says El-Sayed. (Read more Michigan stories.)
Raul Castro seemed rattled. The Cuban president sent for the top American envoy in the country to address grave concerns about a spate of US diplomats harmed in Havana. There was talk of futuristic "sonic attacks" and the subtle threat of repercussions by the US. The way Castro responded surprised Washington, several US officials familiar with the exchange told the AP. In a rare face-to-face conversation, Castro told US diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis that he was equally baffled, and concerned. Predictably, Castro denied any responsibility. But US officials were caught off guard by the way he addressed the matter, devoid of the indignant, how-dare-you-accuse-us attitude the US had come to expect from Cuba's leaders.

The Cubans even offered to let the FBI come down to Havana to investigate. Though US-Cuban cooperation has improved recently, this level of access was extraordinary. Today, the number of "medically confirmed" American victims stands at 21. Some have permanent hearing loss or mild brain injury. The developments have frightened Havana's tight-knit diplomatic community. But several US officials say there are real reasons to question whether Cuba perpetrated a clandestine campaign of aggression. When the US has accused Cuba in the past of misbehavior, Havana has often accused Washington of making it up. This time, although Castro denied involvement, his government didn't dispute that something troubling may have gone down on Cuban soil. Read the full AP report here. (Read more Cuba stories.)
Police in St. Louis used tear gas to break up protests Friday night after around 1,000 demonstrators surrounded the home of Mayor Lyda Krewson, hurling red paint and breaking a front window. Police say at least nine St. Louis officers and a Highway Patrol trooper were injured in the protests, which followed the acquittal of white former police officer Jason Stockley in the 2011 shooting death of black motorist Anthony Lamar Smith, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Police say 32 people were arrested when a demonstration that had been largely peaceful turned violent after dark and "agitators began to destroy property and assault police officers."

Activists have promised more protests against the acquittal of Stockley, who, during a police chase, was caught on dashcam video saying "I'm going to kill this motherf*****, don't you know it," the AP reports. Less than a minute later, he shot Smith five times. Prosecutors accused him of planting a gun in the 24-year-old's car afterward. The St. Louis unrest comes three years after nearby Ferguson erupted over the police shooting of 18-year-old black man Michael Brown. "I'm sad, I'm hurt, I'm mad," Reverend Clinton Stancil of the Wayman AME Church tells Reuters. "We haven't made any progress since Ferguson, that's clear. Cops can still kill us with impunity." (Read more St. Louis stories.)
British police have made a "significant" arrest in the urgent manhunt for suspects a day after the London subway blast that injured more than two dozen people, authorities say. Police say that an 18-year-old man was arrested by Kent police Saturday in the port of Dover on the English Channel, the AP reports. He is being questioned under the Terrorism Act. Dover is a major ferry port for travel between Britain and France. "We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning," Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Basu said. But he warned that the investigation was ongoing and the terrorist threat level remains at "critical," meaning a government task force believes another attack is imminent.

Basu's comments suggested that other dangerous suspects may still be at large. The 18-year-old suspect hasn't been charged or identified. Police say he will be brought to a south London police station for more questioning. Police haven't said if he is suspected of planting the bomb or if he played a supporting role in a possible plot. Prime Minister Theresa May said raising the threat level to its highest point was a "proportionate and sensible step." Police called on the public to be vigilant. Armed police will be joined by soldiers at public places in London Saturday to deter further attacks. (May and the London Metropolitan Police have described President Trump's tweets about the attack as "unhelpful.")
The prime minister of Iceland is out after it was alleged he tried to hide the fact that his father was seeking to clear the name of a convicted pedophile, Deutsche Welle reports. According to the AP, Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson's government ended when his resignation was accepted by the country's president on Saturdayjust nine months after it was formed following the resignation of the previous prime minister. A man named Hjalti Sigurjon Hauksson was sentenced to five years in prison in 2004 for repeatedly raping his stepdaughter starting when she was 5 and continuing for 12 years, the Guardian reports. An Icelandic law allows convicted criminals to "restore their honor" and regain some rights. One requirement of the law is a supportive letter from a close friend. Benedikt Sveinsson, father of Benediktsson, was that close friend for Hauksson.

Benediktsson allegedly learned of his father's letter in Julythe prime minister says he was "in shock"but the government didn't disclose it until this week when forced by a parliamentary committee. The Bright Future Party called the whole situation a "serious breach of trust" and pulled out of a coalition with Benediktsson's Independence Party and the Reform Party. Benediktsson had been relying on that center-right coalition to hold a one-seat majority in the government. "We have lost the majority, and I don't see anything that indicates we can regain that. I am calling an election," Benediktsson says. A snap electionIceland's second in a yearwill likely be held Nov. 4 to elect a new government. As his son's government crumbled, Sveinsson said he "would like to apologize to all those who have been hurt because of the matter. (Read more Iceland stories.)
A senior NATO official says there's reason to be concerned about the large-scale Zapad 2017 military maneuvers being conducted now by Russia and Belarus, since they could be seen as "a serious preparation for big war." Gen. Petr Pavel, head of NATO's Military Committee, told the AP that NATO is increasing efforts to re-establish military-to-military communications with Russia to avoid any "unintended consequences of potential incidents during the exercise." The Zapad war games, being conducted this year mostly in Belarus, run until Sept. 20 and reportedly involve 5,500 Russian and 7,200 Belarusian troops.

Despite assurances from Moscow that "NATO is not considered as an enemy" and that "the exercise is not aimed at NATO," Pavel said Russians have not been transparent about the facts of the exercises. He says the number of troops in the exerciseswhich the Russians say is about 12,700could actually be between 70,000 to 100,000. "All together, what we see is a serious preparation for big war," he said. "When we only look at the exercise that is presented by Russia there should be no worry. But when we look it in the big picture, we have to be worried, because Russia was not transparent." (Read more Russia stories.)
It turns out the US isn't pulling out of the Paris climate agreement after all. Or maybe it is. But it might not. Really it's all a little unclear. In an exclusive report Saturday, the Wall Street Journal states a Trump administration official told a room of international politicians that the US will remain in the Paris climate agreement while likely lowering emissions-reduction goals it had set for itself under President Obama. The US has stated that they will not renegotiate the Paris accord, but they will try to review the terms on which they could be engaged under this agreement, the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy tells the Journal.

The announcement was reportedly made by senior White House adviser Everett Eissenstat during a meeting of more than 30 international ministers Saturday in Montreal. An unnamed official present for the meeting tells the Journal that Eissenstat said the White House is looking at relaxing its emissions goals while remaining in the agreement. They are seriously considering the terms on which the US could re-engage, the official says. They have also made clear that they have no intention to renegotiate." However, in response to the Journal report a White House official tells NBC News that there has been "no change" to the US' position on the Paris climate agreement, which President Trump had committed to pulling out of in June. (Read more Paris Agreement stories.)
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New Delhi:

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who has recently been slammed on social media for calling Sikkim an 'insurgency affected state', apologised on Friday for hurting the sentiments of people by incorrectly describing the state as insurgency-hit.

Soon after she made the controversial comment in an interview, Ms Piggy Chops was slammed by the Twitterati for being 'politically illiterate' and the state government had demanded an apology for the same.

In a recent interview at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the actor-producer had said her film 'Pahuna' was the first film to come out of the region which was troubled with insurgency. Hoping to pacify the government and the people of Sikkim, the "Quantico" star issued a lengthy statement to apologise.

"It saddens me that a comment I made during a recent interview at TIFF has caused this much pain when that was never the intention at all. I never meant to imply that Sikkim has insurgency. My statement was in context of the film that deals with people who seek refuge after they suffer from conflict," she said.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra slammed for calling Sikkim 'Insurgency troubled'

Describing Sikkim as a "peaceful, green state with peace-loving people", she said, "I know that my statements have hurt the sentiments and pride of the people of Sikkim and for that I truly apologise."

The actor said she took "full responsibility" for her remarks and admitted that she should have been better informed.

"I have always taken pride as being someone who is informed about the world but this time, some of the statements made were incorrect and while I should have been better informed about certain facts, I take full responsibility for what I said," she said.

Priyanka also retracted her statement that 'Pahuna', which is produced by her, is the first film to come out of Sikkim.

"I understand now that our film was not the first Sikkimese film to be made, but our aim has always been to provide local talent, both actors and technicians, a global platform to shine..."

Also Read | Latest Photoshoot: Priyanka Chopra is Ultimate Diva!

"I understand the impact of the statements made and hope that the people and Government of Sikkim find it in their hearts to forgive me," the actor said.

She also praised the government and the local people for supporting her during the shooting of the movie.

On the acting front, the 'Barfi' star, whose last Bollywood film was Prakash Jha's 'Jai Gangaajal', will be next seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Gustakhiyan'.

Also starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, 'Gustakhiyan' is expected to hit the screens in 2018.

Besides, there are reports that Priyanka is at present gearing up to produce her first Hindi film, based on the lives of few kids and their relationship with stray dogs.

Also Read | Priyanka Chopra has no time to do Hindi film this year: Madhu Chopra

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New Delhi:

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has managed to win the hearts of million and deeply impressed fans by his skilled, subtle, nuanced, and measured performances over the years, has reached another milestone that is a testimony to King Khan's immense popularity.

According to reports, the 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' star has recently crossed the 28 million mark on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The 51-year-old actor, who is an avid user of social media, has always showcased his love and concern for his little ones on social networking sites. From Suhana to AbRam, SRK has been seen striking cute and adorable poses with his sweet-hearts that made people drool over their bond and attachment which is too sweet to be handled. He also uses the platform to update about his professional life and often interacts with fans from across the globe through his Twitter handle.

Also Read: SRK shares picture with Suhana, missing darling daughter like crazy

The actor still trails behind megastar Amitabh Bachchan who earlier this month had crossed 29 million followers. SRK, however, is ahead of Salman Khan who has 25.6 million followers, Aamir Khan with 21.9 million, and Akshay Kumar who has 20.2 million followers on the social media platform.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan, who was last seen in Imtiaz Ali directed 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' is at present busy shooting for Kabir Khans next venture which is a short film based on the tourism of luxury city Dubai.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan is grateful to have 29 million Twitter followers

The release date of the yet untitled movie is not revealed till the date.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Bollywoodas superstar Salman Khan has completed his shooting for aTiger Zinda Haia and is now spending time in London with his nephew Ahil.

The 51-year old actor has a special place in his heart for his cute nephew and posted two adorable videos where the duo are seen enjoying their breakfast.

In the videos, naughty Ahil is accompanied by his uncle Salman on the breakfast table and is having some amazing moments. In the video which was captioned, "With Ahil in London over breakfast", the one-year-old teases Salman at the breakfast table.A

He picks up some food and is about to feed Salman, but eats it himself at the last minute, as the actor bursts into laughter.

With Ahil in London over breakfast . pic.twitter.com/1Fwx1vGVFy a Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) September 15, 2017

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New Delhi:

Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid in Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district by gunning down two terrorists on Saturday. As per the latest reports, a huge stash of arms has been recovered and the search operation is currently underway in the region. Identities of the neutralized terrorists have not been ascertained as of now.

Two terrorists have been killed. Alert troops of the Army foiled the infiltration bid. Weapons and warlike stores have been recovered from the slain terrorists, Defence Ministry sources were quoted as saying by IANS.

The infiltration bid comes in the midst of a series of ceasefire violation cases by Pakistan Army. Earlier on Saturday, the Pakistani security forces had violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Arnia Sector. The firing and heavy shelling by the Pakistani troops started at midnight and continued till 6:45 a.m. No casualty has been reported as of yet.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi:

The Central Board of Secondary Education on Saturday issued show cause notice to Ryan International School in Gurugram. The CBSE asks school to come up with a reply within 15 days.

A 7-year-old boy Pradyuman Thakur was found murdered inside the school campus last Friday.

The Supreme Court had also issued a notice to Centre and all the states. The apex court has sought their reply within three weeks.

Placing the onus on schools for the safety of students on their premises, the CBSE had also issued new security-related guidelines to be implemented by the institutions, failing which they would face derecognition.

The school authority has been scrutinised by Haryana police. Haryana police handed over 8-page long questionnaire to Ausgustine Pinto, Grace Pinto and Ryan Pinto who hold different positions in the Ryan International School.

The postmortem report of Pradyuman Thakur revealed that shock and hemorrhage were the causes of his death. The report also added that external injury caused by single-edged sharp weapon and its consequences were enough to cause death in a normal case of nature.

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New Delhi:

A leading Chinese scholar said in Pune that China should not build a road through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Shen Dingli, associate dean at Shanghai-based Fudan Universitys Institute of International Studies, was speaking at a session titled Emerging World Order at the ongoing Pune Dialogue on National Security and said that PoK is disputed territory.

China should consult with India if it is okay to build a road in PoK (Pakistan-controlled Kashmir). The Chinese should not build the road in the disputed territory because it is under dispute between India and Pakistan. But why does China fail to ask? We should consult together and build it together. Why only consult with Pakistan and not India? he said.

Talking about the recent Dokalam stand-off, he said Dokalam is a disputed place between China and Bhutan, so China should not build infrastructure there.

India and China should resolve their border issues through give and take, Shen said.Wang Dong, another Chinese scholar, said India and China hold the key to shape the emerging world order.If we can effectively manage our differences, we can take steps further, he said.

Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Afghanistans Ambassador to India, said India has been fighting terrorism for decades, but was not allowed to join in the global anti-terrorism fight earlier, else the situation would have been different.

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New Delhi:

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday turned away rowdy sheeter Kunigal Giri who offered to be questioned in senior journalist Gauri Lankesh murder case.

Giri arrived at the CID headquarters on Friday and said that he was ready to be quizzed as him name had cropped up in the case.

Everyone at the headquarters was in a state of shock as Giri himself came up to be questioned in the matter. After some chaos, the CID turned him away saying they had no intention to interrogate him.

"The SIT has not called Kunigal Giri for questioning and has no intention of doing so," TOI quoted chief investigating officer MN Anucheth as saying.

Earlier, Scotland Yard officials had been roped in to assist the investigation of murder of the senior journalist, Bangalore police officials said.

ALSO READ | Gauri Lankesh murder: Karnataka SIT to take help of Scotland Yard; to question brother, Naxal leaders

The officials will work along with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Karnataka government to crack the case.

According to sources in the Bangalore police, two officials of the Scotland Yard are assisting the SIT.

The duo officials have expertise in technical investigation, said a senior Banglore police official not willing to be named.

The senior official also added that the Scotland Yard team not satisfied with the response given by Gauris brother Indrajit Lankesh will be questioned again.

ALSO READ | Gauri Lankesh murder case: Intellectuals intensify protest in Bangaluru

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New Delhi :

Gurmeet Ram Rahim's so called adopted daughter Honeypreet Kaur is now the most sought after target of the police authorities. Unlike the 'Don' who was wanted by the police of 11 nations, Honeypreet Kaur can now proudly say that she is now wanted by the cops of three states if not nations.

The police authorities from the state of Bihar, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (UP) have launched a massive coordinated manhunt to arrest Honeypreet Kaur.

Ever since Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been put to jail to serve a prison term of 20 years on charges of rape of two devotees his adopted daughter and chief aid Honeypreet Kaur has been absconding.

Bihar-Haryana police coordination:

Haryana police has shared details of Honeypreet Kaur with Bihar police which has alerted all Seven districts of the state adjoining the Bihar-Nepal international border.

Vehicles are being searched as standard procedure and her pictures and posters have been circulated on every road junctions and public places.

The police is gathering as much information as possible from the hotels across these seven districts.

Action of UP Police:

On the other hand the police authorities of UP have also laid trap along the UP-Nepal border areas to catch Honeypreet Kaur based on inputs received from the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

The office of the DGP has issued orders to the police stations Bahraich, Maharajganj and Gorakhpur to be on high alert on the perception that Honeypreet might cross over to Nepal.

Like Bihar, the UP police has also circulated Honeypreet's pictures in all hotels along the above mentioned districts. Women police have been instructed specially to check women in burqas.

No one is allowed to cross the border without being frisked by appropriate authorities. Night patrolling has been intensified in areas which are open for transit.

Towns like Sonauli which are known to be hub for human trafficking from both sides of the border have deployed with more security personnel.







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New Delhi:

India on Friday slammed Pakistan for raising Kashmir issue at the United Nations on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) saying it has no locus standi on Indias internal affairs.

"India outrightly rejects all such references. The OIC has no locus standi on India's internal affairs. We strongly advise the OIC to refrain from making such references in future," Dr Sumit Seth, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to UN said.

"India notes with utmost regret that the OIC in its statement contains factually incorrect and misleading references to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inseparable part of India," Seth added.

The OIC is a group of 57 nations including Pakistan which claims to be the collected voice of Muslims across the world.

Pakistan, on behalf of OIC, had blamed India for the violations of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir and accused it in denying the right of self-determination to Kashmiris.

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New Delhi:

A Jain couple Sumit and Anamika Rathore from Madhya Pradesh have decided to leave behind three-year-old daughter and property worth Rs 100 crore to become monks.

On September 23, Jain couple will take 'deeksha' from Sudhamargi Jain Acharya Ramlal Maharaja Surat in Gujarat.

Their daughter Ibhya will now have to be arisen by the grandfather Ashok Chandaliya, who is a former Neemuch district president of BJP. They got married four years ago and when their daughter was just eight months old, they hinted at going on a spiritual quest.

In order to do that, they had started living separately and finally announced their decision to the family on August 22. Firstly all the members of the family have tried to dissuade the couple's decision but in the end, they accepted. The family members are well established in politics and business in Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch.

"We had no counter to their religious arguments and relented. One cannot stop anyone when religious calls," they said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
. 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.
New Delhi:

Pakistan on Saturday violated ceasefire in Arnia sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Three civilians were reportedly injured in the ceasefire violation in Arnia sector.

Firing started at around 9:30 PM. Pakistan was also continuously using mortar shelling. Mortar shelling was landing on residential areas.

Earlier on September 15, a BSF jawan was killed in firing by Pakistan in Arnia area of RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pakistanis troops violated ceasefire by resorting to firing on Indian posts in morning. The BSF jawan constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh succumbed to injuries. A civilian also got injured in the incident.

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New Delhi:

The security forces have released a new hit list of six terrorists operating in the Kashmir valley on Saturday.

The new list came a day after security forces killed Amarnath attack mastermind Abu Ismail and his associate Abu Kasim in an encounter.

After the killing of Ismail, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has named Zeenat-ul-Islam as its new commander. Islam is also included in the new hit list.

28-year-old Islam was recruited in November 2015 and is considered an expert with Improvised Explosive Devices.

Also Read | J&K: Amarnath attack mastermind Abu Ismail gunned down; Mobile internet services partially restored

List of the six terrorist security forces are looking for:

1. Zakir Rashid Bhatt alias Musa: Musa was earlier in Lashkar but now he is the head of Ansar Gajawat al-Hind, an Indian offshoot of al-Qaeda.

2. Reyaz A.N. Naiku alias Zubair: He is a commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and on the new hit list of security forces.

3. Wasim AH alias Osama: He is a Lashkar Commander and was part of Burhan Wani group. Forces are looking to hunt him down for a long time. The new list includes his name as well.

4. Abu Hamas: He is the head of Jaish-e-Muhammad in India. He is also on the hit list.

5. Shaukat Ahmad Tark alias Huzaifa: He is the district commander of Lashkar in Pulwama. He is also one of the six most wanted terrorist.

6. Zeenat-ul-Islam: The new commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was elevated after the killing of Amarnath attack mastermind Abu Ismail.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh has been admitted in a critical condition at the Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi. He was admitted in Army Hospital R&R following a cardiac attack on Friday morning. His condition has been reportedly critical. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid him a visit at the R&R hospital earlier on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and IAF chief BS Dhanoa visited the hospital to inquire after his health. Speaking on the conditions of the Marshal of the Air Force, PM Modi said that we are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best

Arjan Singh is the lone officer in the Indian Air Force to be conferred with the rank of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force. The Marshal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the war. The Marshal has flown over 60 aircraft and remained a flyer until the end of his career with the IAF.

He retired in August 1969. In 2016, the crucial air base at Panagarh was renamed Air Force Station after the Marshal. Panagarh is also the headquarters of the newly raised 17 Corps, Mountain Strike Corps.

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New Delhi:

The Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh,A 98, passed away following cardiac arrest on Saturday. He was admitted in a critical condition at the Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and IAF chief BS Dhanoa visited the hospital to inquire after his health. Speaking on the conditions of the Marshal of the Air Force, PM Modi said they are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also paid him a visit at the R&R hospital on Saturday.

Arjan Singh was the lone officer in the Indian Air Force to be conferred with the rank of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force. The Marshal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the war. The Marshal has flown over 60 aircraft and remained a flyer until the end of his career with the IAF.

Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passes away. He was admitted at Army Hospital R&R after he suffered a heart attack earlier today. pic.twitter.com/JHxyo7Y9cU a ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

He retired in August 1969. In 2016, the crucial air base at Panagarh was renamed Air Force Station after the Marshal. Panagarh is also the headquarters of the newly raised 17 Corps, Mountain Strike Corps.

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New Delhi:

Arjan Singh, the Marshal of the Indian Air Force and hero of 1965 India-Pakistan war passed away on Saturday at Delhi's Army Research and Referal Hospital. He had been admitted to Army Hospital after he suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the nation in mourning his demise and hailed his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict.

aSad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community.aMarshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero & won our nationas gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war,a Kovind said.

Modi said India would never forget his excellent leadership in the 1965 war when the Indian Air Force saw substantial action.aIndia mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation,a he tweeted.

The Prime Minister said the determined focus of Singh, who was promoted to the five-star rank of Marshal of the Air Force in 2002, on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to Indiaas defence capabilities.aIndia will never forget the excellent leadership of Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action,a he said.

Modi also recalled how the ageing war hero remained a consummate soldier till the very end.aSometime back I met him, who despite his ill health tried to get up to salute even though I said no. Such was his soldier discipline,a he said.Modi said his thoughts were with Singhas family and those mourning the demise of the distinguished air warrior and a fine human being.

Besides them, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP chief Amit Shah and chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala were among those who condoled the death of the war veteran.aIt is very rare for any country to have a soldier of that kind of credentials. It is a great loss for the country,a Sitharaman said.

Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community: President Kovind pic.twitter.com/NZgjClTZqW a ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

She too remembered how the war hero would always comport himself like a true soldier.aI have seen him standing up and saluting the president and prime minister in official functions. He would never forget the decorum of a much-acclaimed soldier who knew what it takes to be in the armed forces,a the defence minister said.

India will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action: PM Modi a ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

Rajnath said he was deeply pained at Singhas demise.aMarshal of the IAF, Arjan Singh lived his life like a soldier. The tales of his courage will remain immortal. Deeply pained at his demise.aMy heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of Shri Arjan Singh. May God give them strength to bear this colossal loss,a the home minister said.

India mourns unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/ITJB8femMh a ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

Jaitley said Singh was one of the countryas greatest soldiers in recent memory.aCondolences on the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. He was one of the greatest soldiers in the recent memory (sic).

aMy thoughts & prayers are with the family of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh ji. A grateful nation will miss him,a the finance minister said on Twitter.Shah, meanwhile, hailed Singhas rich contribution to the motherland.aPained by the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. I express my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passes away. He was admitted at Army Hospital R&R after he suffered a heart attack earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Uh4RqZ9NF2 a ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

"Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh ji led the Indian Air Force through his exemplary leadership. His rich contribution to motherland is venerable,a Shah said in a series of tweets.

Surjewala said the country has lost a great soldier and a fine diplomat.aDeeply saddened by the passing away of @_IndianAirForce Marshall #ArjanSingh ji. India has lost a great soldier and a fine diplomat today,a he tweeted.

Goa Chief Minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar said the nation has lost a great icon.aAs defence minister, I saw him on a number of occasions and always wondered how a man of his age could think of modernisation of the air force and talk about defence, the air force in particular. We have lost a great icon,a Parrikar said.A

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New Delhi:

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has been tough when it comes to dealing with criminals in the state. As per the official statistics, the UP police have carried out 420 encounters in the state so far. The police have reportedly killed 15 criminals in less than six months.

As per the report of Indian Express, while 15 criminals have been executed by the police, a policeman also lost his life in these encounters.

The policeman was identified as Jai Prakash Singh who was a sub-inspector. He died in an encounter which happened with criminals at Chitrakoot.

Numbers also reveal that a total of 88 policemen were also injured in the last six months of Yogi Adityanath rule.

The police operations have intensified in later part of the six months. As per report, 10 criminals were killed in last 48 days.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

NASA's Cassini has eventually fallen silent after making a plunge into Saturn. The spacecraft made two decades of space sojourn covering eight billion kilometres. Cassini in its closest approach went so far where no other spacecraft has ever gone before and during that period it made a video's and has released interesting images which was constantly released by NASA.

While making its first plunge through Saturnas rings, one of the cameras of the spacecraft captured a series of pictures, including the closest-ever images of the gas giant.

"Cassini's own discoveries were its demise," Earl Maize, an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) who manages the Cassini mission, previously told reporters . "We cannot risk inadvertent contact with that pristine body."

"[The main] reason for this ending to the Cassini mission is something that NASA is very worried about a contamination of our life forms on planets and moons that may harbor other forms of life," says Nicholas Suntzeff, a professor of Observational Astronomy at Texas A&M University, tells the Monitor via email.

Cassini showed us the beauty of Saturn.

It revealed the best in us.

Now it's up to us to keep exploring. pic.twitter.com/E4p1jOvFKf a CassiniSaturn (@CassiniSaturn) September 15, 2017

"The moons of Saturn a Enceladus and Titan a could have life or complex organic molecules that are the soup out of which life forms."



Earth received @CassiniSaturnas final signal at 7:55am ET. Cassini is now part of the planet it studied. Thanks for the science #GrandFinale pic.twitter.com/YfSTeeqbz1

Look at Cassini's journey here:



# October 15, 1997:

The spacecraft launched on October 15, 1997, from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The craft carried the Cassini orbiter, which would eventually be placed into Saturnas orbit, and the Huygens probe, destined for Titan.



# Venus flybys, 1998-1999:



Cassini for the first time passed Venus on April 25, 1998. It came within 176 miles of the surface of Venus and used the planetas gravity to accelerate the spacecraft to a speed of around four miles per second. The following year, on 24 June, the spacecraft passed Venus for a second time to get another gravity boost.



# Cassini traveled through the asteroid belt, 1999-2001



Cassini traveled through the asteroid belt that sits between Mars and Jupiter over the next two years. During this period of time, Scientists were able to use instruments on board to study this region of space before the spacecraft moved on to Jupiter, passing by on December 30, 2000. While in this part of space, Cassini joined up with the Galileo spacecraft to give a new view of the largest planet in the solar system.



# Cassini's arrival at Saturn, 2004:A

It was in 2004 that Cassini started approaching Saturn and started exploring Saturnas moons over several months. Only after this, Cassini successfully discovered two new moons, Methone and Pallene, in May, before making its first flyby of Phoebe in June. The spacecraft was inserted into Saturnas orbit on July 1.

# Cassini's Huygens departure for Titan, 2004:

The Huygens probe was detached from Cassini on December 23, beginning a three-week descent to the surface of Titan. It successfully landed on January 14, 2005. Its battery lasted for 72 minutes after landing and marks the first and only landing on a moon or planet in the outer solar system. Data returned provided an unprecedented view into the moonas meteorology and geology.



# Cassini flybys, 2005-2012:

After seven years orbiting Saturn, Cassini made multiple flybys of the planet and its moons. During this period of time, it saw liquid water on Enceladus, discovered new rings round the planet and found lakes on Titan. After completing its primary mission in May 2008, the spacecraft continued its next phase of exploration. In February 2010, the mission was extended to 2017.

# Cassini's Goodbyes, 2015-2016:

Cassini began making its final flybys of Saturnas moons in 2015 and 2016. During Cassini's last trips, it saw jets of ice and dust coming from Enceladus, charted Titanas tallest peaks and found and dicovered that it was pure liquid methane. It completed its last flyby of Titan in April in 2017.

Cassini's journey comes to an end on September 15, 2017

So far, the probe has made 22 ring crossings. On Sep 15, it made one final orbit, plunge into the Saturnian atmosphere, and burst into light as an artificial meteor.

"Cassini has got to be put safely away," Maize previously said. The decision was made at the recommendation of NASA's planetary protection office .

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Chinese electronics and software company Xiaomi on Friday partnered with HRX by Hrithik Roshan to launch the Mi Band HRX Edition in India. This new fitness band is an adaptation of Mi Band 2 by Xiaomi.

The device is priced at Rs 1,299 and will be available for sale from September 18 on Mi.com, and Mi Home offline stores. It will also be sold on Flipkart, Myntra, and Amazon from September 20.

With a battery life of 23 days, the Mi Band HRX Edition offers better tracking algorithm along with splash resistant capability. This fitness band monitors your sleeping patterns, reminds you to take short walks, take water breaks at regular intervals and also provide alerts if you have been sitting idle for too long.

Read more: First Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 flash sale in China finishes in just 58 seconds

The Mi Band HRX Edition comes with low-energy Bluetooth 4.0 chipset and a power efficient OLED display.

"Indians are becoming more fitness conscious and this category is at an extremely dynamic stage. The Mi Band is a great fit in the category as reflected by the great response received for the Mi Band 2. This is not an endorsement deal, it's a partnership for a new device. Hrithik provided inputs on features can be incorporated to make the product more relevant.", Xiaomi Vice President and India Managing Director Manu Jain told PTI.
New Delhi:

After the explosion in a packed Tube train in London, the police have launched a massive manhunt for the suspects. The attack was claimed by Islamic State terror group.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were chasing down suspects and hundreds of officers were trawling through CCTV.

He said support from the military would free up about 1,000 extra armed police officers, largely from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and Ministry of Defence police.

Detectives used CCTV images from the station and train to single out the suspect believed to have planted the homemade device, but were still working to identify the bomber.

Earlier on Friday, an explosion on a London Metro train at Parsons Green underground station injured several people.

The incident occurred during rush hour on a District Line Tube train as it pulled into Parsons Green station.

Scotland Yards counter-terrorism squad, SO15, arrived at the scene at Parsons Green Tube station and took the lead in the investigation from the British Transport Police.

UK police said London's Parsons Green tube explosion is being treated as terrorism.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, had declared it a terrorist incident, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have agreed to further increase pressure on North Korea, following its launch of a ballistic missile that flew over Japan on Friday morning.

The 2 talked over the phone for about half an hour on Friday evening.

Abe said the launch, which came shortly after the UN Security Council adopted a sanctions resolution, flagrantly affronts the international community. He said repeats of such acts must not be overlooked, and that Japan will respond in unity with other countries.

Abe stressed the need to bring greater pressure on the North.

Moon said that it's necessary to thoroughly implement the UN Security Council's resolution and make more efforts to call on China and Russia for cooperation.

The 2 leaders confirmed that Japan, South Korea and the United States will continue to work together to strengthen pressure on the North.

15
Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has suggested that North Korea's latest missile launch was likely linked to its earlier threat to aim at waters off Guam.

The ballistic missile North Korea fired on Friday morning is estimated to have flown about 3,700 kilometers.

Onodera told reporters on Friday that the launch showed that the missile could have reached Guam, which is about 3,400 kilometers from the country.

Onodera said he believes Pyongyang had the US Pacific territory in mind, given its past statements. In August, North Korea said it was planning to fire ballistic missiles toward waters off the island.

Onodera said Japan's Self-Defense Forces did not try to shoot down the missile, as such action was deemed unnecessary. He said interception only takes place when a missile is projected to hit Japan's territorial waters or land.
The total amount of money paid to medical institutions in Japan to cover treatment of injuries and diseases fell 0.4 pct from the previous year to 41,286.5 billion yen in fiscal 2016, the health ministry said in a preliminary report Friday.

This was the first decline in 14 years on a preliminary report basis, the ministry said, citing as a major reason a 4.8 pct decrease in drug dispensing costs thanks to price cuts for expensive drugs, including for hepatitis C.

But there is no major change in the uptrend of medical expenses on the back of the country's aging population, observers said.

The overall amount, which does not include costs for treatment shouldered fully by patients and those for diseases and injuries certified as being related to work, represents some 98 pct of Japan's total national medical expenses.
The court finds that the city has established that it would suffer irreparable harm if a preliminary injunction is not entered, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber wrote in his ruling.

CHICAGO - A federal judge ruled Friday against the Department of Justice's attempt to withhold funding from Chicago because the city refuses to cooperate in sharing immigration status info with federal officials.

He said the injunction is nationwide in scope, with there being no reason to think that the legal issues present in this case are restricted to Chicago.

The city of Chicago adopted a "welcoming ordinance in 2013" that prohibits disclosure of a person's immigration status and bars federal immigration officials from city facilities. Police are not allowed to ask an individual's immigration status.

Governor Rauner recently signed into law a measure expanding Chicago's policy statewide.

Crain's explains:

Like other sanctuary cities, Chicago has a longstanding policy of not sharing information with federal immigration authorities unless a suspect is charged or convicted of a serious crime. The policy promotes cooperation between local law enforcement and immigrant communities, Chicago said in its complaint. The Justice Department argued that it has discretion to attach conditions to the Byrne grants and that Chicago was effectively demanding that the U.S. give it control over the program.

At stake was $2.3 million dollars in federal grants to the city of Chicago.

Leinenweber, 80 years old, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
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NEW FAIRFIELDAs students at Kahla Middle School in Houston, Texas, settle into the school year  three weeks later than planned  they might see messages of encouragement decorating the halls, sent by students nearly 1,500 miles away.

The messages, written on 500 paper stars, will arrive with a donation from New Fairfield Middle School to help its new sister school rebuild after it was closed during Hurricane Harvey.

Kahla is one of four schools in Texas that have been adopted by one of New Fairfields schools.

Superintendent Alicia Roy said the initiative is meant to provide relief to Texas while also helping students in New Fairfield relate to those affected by the hurricane.

Its always important to give, but when theres school to school, theres a nice connection there, Roy said. Students helping students is important in beginning to understand generosity and how important it is to help others.

Staff members in New Fairfield used online resources, the National Superintendents Association, a Texas teacher certification group and a principal helping principals initiative to find the schools. They then reached out to see how best they could help.

For Khala, where students returned to school this week, middle-school staff thought monetary donations and positivity would be the most helpful. Khala itself didnt sustain too much damage, but many of its students families have been displaced, said Cheryl Milo, New Fairfield Middle School assistant principal.

Middle-school students decorated the stars, meant to represent the Lone Star State, with uplifting messages earlier this week. The school then held a Spirit Day on Friday, where students were asked to bring in at least $1 to donate and dress in Texas colors of red, white and blue. As of Friday, they had raised $400.

I feel bad, because I pictured if we were going through that, Id feel bad for our school, too, said sixth-grader, Owen Melgard, who wrote keep smiling and stay happy on his stars.

At New Fairfield High School, Principal Richard Sanzo said the effort has been led mostly by students who asked administrators about donating to Hurricane Harvey victims even before they knew about the sister-school initiative.

The school has partnered with Dayton High School in Dayton, Texas, collecting school supplies in a donation box that Sanzo said is always full when he walks by.

Junior Arianna Perlman, along with junior Emily Williams and senior Amy Coll, have been advertising the collections throughout the building, and raised more than $250 at a bake sale at the schools parent open house this week, Sanzo said.

What they recognize is that we are an interconnected community, both locally and nationally, and they want to ensure that the educational experience that theyre able to receive here is also available to students that were impacted by this event, Sanzo said. It makes me incredibly proud for students to step up and lead this effort.

Meeting House Hill School, home to New Fairfields third, fourth and fifth grades, has also been collecting school supplies for Hoyland Elementary Schools fourth grade in Houston, said Assistant Principal Allyson Story.

Story said Meeting House students are encouraged to bring school supplies to donate starting next week and will bring in donations during a Spirit Day later in the month to cover shipping costs.

For the youngest students in the district, at Consolidated School, their partnership with C.W. Cline Elementary School in Friendswood, Texas, will mainly be made through parents and staff, Principal Rob Spino said.

The schools PTO is setting up an online portal where members of the community can donate. They will then use the money to buy Home Depot or Lowes gift cards for the school, because C.W. Clines principal said many students families need the funds to start repairing their homes, Spino said.

Most schools hope to continue following their sister schools throughout the year. The principal at Dayton told New Fairfield High School that money might be more useful when the more immediate relief efforts end and families still need help.

Sanzo said they may steer some of their collections to help the schools needs in a few months. Story said Meeting House hopesg to continue the connection between students by setting up Skype calls between New Fairfield and Houston classes.

Our school-wide theme this year is Building Bridges and Making Connections, Story said. We thought this was a perfect way to have our students make connections with the outside community by helping others who are in need.

aquinn@newstimes.com
TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Granite Real Estate Investment Trust ("Granite") (TSX: GRT.UN / NYSE: GRP.U) announced today that it has agreed to acquire a portfolio in the United States consisting of approximately 2.2 million square feet of gross leasable area in three properties at a purchase price of US$122.8 million (the "Acquisition").

Two of the properties are located in Monroe, Ohio, 30 miles north of Cincinnati and the third in Olive Branch, Mississippi, 27 miles southeast of Memphis. The properties are located in two central U.S. logistic markets that are experiencing rapid growth in tenant demand, rental rates and absorption. In addition, the Cincinnati properties continue to build on Granite's presence within the fast growing e-commerce quadrant bounded by Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis and Louisville.

These modern properties, with an average age of less than six years, are 100% occupied, have a flexible design and multiple enhanced features including excess truck and trailer storage, cross dock capabilities and clear heights of 32 feet. There are five diverse, non-auto related tenants with a weighted average lease term of approximately 4.9 years.

Michael Forsayeth, Granite's CEO, commented that "Granite has recently increased its focus to thoughtfully deploy its balance sheet and recycle its property portfolio. The acquisition of this U.S. portfolio is a significant step that is consistent with Granite's strategy to accelerate growth and diversify. Pro-forma, this acquisition will further reduce Granite's Magna concentration from 70.2% of gross leasable area to 65.5%."

The Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and closing is anticipated to take place in October 2017. The Acquisition represents an in-going yield of approximately 6.1% and will be immediately accretive to funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations. Granite expects to fund the purchase through a combination of cash on hand and a drawdown of its unsecured credit facility.

Granite also announced significant progress in the re-positioning and re-leasing of its Novi, Michigan property which was vacated by Magna in March 2017. Granite has re-leased 71% of the building (216,830 square feet) for a lease term of 20 years with occupancy expected to commence in January 2018.

ABOUT GRANITE

Granite is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the ownership and management of predominantly industrial, warehouse and logistics properties in North America and Europe. Granite owns approximately 30 million square feet in over 90 rental income properties. Our tenant base includes Magna International Inc. and its operating subsidiaries as our largest tenants, in addition to tenants from other industries.

OTHER INFORMATION

Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents about Granite are available through the internet on the Canadian Securities Administrators' Systems for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at www.sedar.com and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) which can be accessed at www.sec.gov. For further information, please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact Michael Forsayeth, Chief Executive Officer, at 647-925-7600, Ilias Konstantopoulos, Chief Financial Officer, at 647-925-7540 or John De Aragon, Chief Operating Officer, Co-Head Global Real Estate, at 647-925-7505.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute ''forward-looking statements'' or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information may include, among others, statements regarding the intention of Granite and the vendors to complete the Acquisition on the terms and conditions described herein, the date on which closing of the Acquisition is expected to occur, the impact of the Acquisition on Granite's funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations, and Granite's plans, goals, strategies, intentions, beliefs, estimates, costs, objectives, economic performance, expectations, or foresight or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as ''may'', ''would'', ''could'', ''will'', ''likely'', ''expect'', ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''intend'', ''plan'', ''forecast'', ''project'', ''estimate'', "seek" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of the closing of the Acquisition on the terms and conditions described herein, the impact of the Acquisition on Granite's funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations, or other events, performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or the times at or by which such closing of the Acquisition, impact of the Acquisition on Granite's funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations, or other events or performance will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith assumptions and analyses made in light of its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond Granite's control, that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth in the annual information form of Granite REIT and Granite GP dated March 1, 2017 (the "Annual Information Form"). The ''Risk Factors'' section of the Annual Information Form also contains information about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information speak only as of the date the statements and information were made and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Granite expressly disclaims any intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise.

SOURCE Granite Real Estate Investment Trust

For further information: please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact Michael Forsayeth, Chief Executive Officer, at 647-925-7600, Ilias Konstantopoulos, Chief Financial Officer, at 647-925-7540 or John De Aragon, Chief Operating Officer, Co-Head Global Real Estate, at 647-925-7505.

Related Links

www.granitereit.com


RAPPERSWIL, Switzerland, Sept. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Alexandre Sudarskis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Neovii Pharmaceuticals will step down as CEO having reached retirement age. Neovii Pharmaceuticals appointed Juergen Pohle, Chief Commercial Officer, as CEO and Managing Director of Neovii as of January 1, 2018.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/527086/Neovii_Pharmaceuticals_Logo.jpg)

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/556703/Juergen_Pohle.jpg)

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/556702/Alexandre_Sudarskis.jpg)



CEO since June 2014, Alexandre Sudarskis established Neovii Pharmaceuticals' headquarters in Switzerland and has played a leading role in the launch of GRAFALON, the restructuring and globalization of the company. Further Alexandre lead the activities to broaden the portfolio which included in-licensing certain rights to ARCALYST.

Mr. Sudarskis commented: "Neovii has significantly expanded with increasing performance, paving the way to become a recognized player in transplantation medicine." He will continue to support Neovii as Executive Director and member of Neovii Pharmaceuticals Board.

David Fuhrer, Chairman, says: "Our special thanks go to the outgoing Managing Director Alexandre Sudarskis. Under his leadership, the turnaround of the company was successfully completed and business was expanded into new territories."

Juergen Pohle has served as Chief Commercial Officer of Neovii Pharmaceuticals since March 2016, where he was responsible for the company's global business. He draws on over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry at Bayer HealthCare, GSK and Novartis. Most recently he was heading the business for Emerging Growth Markets and Institutional Customers like UNICEF for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics AG in Basel. He is a German citizen, married and has one child.

David Fuhrer commented: "Juergen's leadership skills, his long-term proven track record and his many years of international experience in the pharmaceutical industry make him the ideal candidate for the position of CEO. We are extremely pleased that Juergen has embraced the challenge of further driving the development and growth of Neovii."

Juergen Pohle added: "I feel very honored and humbled to have been giving the opportunity to lead Neovii and would like to thank Alexandre for his mentorship during the last years. Furthermore, I wish to express my gratitude to David for the trust I have been granted. We will continue to develop Neovii to become a leading provider of life-saving, innovative drugs in the transplantation and rare diseases area."

About Neovii

Neovii is an independent, dynamic, rapidly-growing and global biopharmaceutical company with a patient-focused mission to develop and market novel life-transforming therapies.

Neovii has been dedicated for over three decades to improving the outcomes in transplantation medicine and the treatment options for hemato-oncological as well as immune disorders.

Neovii Pharmaceuticals AG's global headquarters is located in Rapperswil, Switzerland and has a branch office in Massachusetts, USA. Its biotechnology manufacturing facility is in Graefelfing, Germany. Neovii's products are available in over 50 countries worldwide.

For further information

For further information, please visit: http://www.neovii.com

SOURCE Neovii Pharmaceuticals AG

For further information: Your media contact on behalf of Neovii is Laura Duermueller, +41(0)44-455-84-57, [email protected]
The Broadway play Hamilton: An American Musical is a major hit, with a second national tour planned for 2018 and a film adaptation in the works. The sold-out show retells the story of Alexander Hamilton, the nations first secretary of the Department of the Treasury, from a modern perspective complete with rap music and a diverse cast.

While the show emphasizes Hamiltons success as an immigrant from the West Indies, it also addresses the vital role he played in establishing Americas economic system. After serving as an aide to General George Washington during the American Revolution and as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Hamilton became the nations first Treasury secretary in 1789.

After arriving in America in 1773 as a precocious 16-year-old to enroll in what is now Columbia University in New York, Hamilton became active in the Revolution. During its first decade, the new country was plagued by trade and economic problems between the states and difficulties raising revenue to pay off war debts. Hamilton and other Federalists pushed for a stronger central government, which resulted in the U.S. Constitution and the creation of a chief executive, courts and taxing powers.

In his six years as Treasury secretary, Hamilton left a strong mark on the nations economic future, in spite of opposition by Thomas Jefferson and other proponents of states rights and individual rights.

In fact, Hamiltons quest to establish a strong federal government famously resulted in the location of the nations capital on the Virginia-Maryland border. Hamilton wanted his newly formed Treasury department to take over state debts, as a first step toward building a fiscally strong nation, and Southern legislators were blocking the plan. At the same time, Northern legislators favored New York as the nations capital and blocked a plan by Southerners to place the capital on the Potomac River. The Compromise of 1790 gave each side what it wanted.

The resulting Funding Act of 1790 allowed the United States federal government to establish credit on the international stage. The Treasury department took over the Revolutionary War debts of states that had not yet paid those debts, and issued bonds to wealthy American citizens to pay them off. A tariff on imports raised money to pay the bondholders. The plan meant that foreign governments would accept U.S. credit, in light of federal taxing power, and both the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the War of 1812 were financed by money borrowed from Europe. It also gave the wealthy bondholders a stronger stake in the success of the nation. Hamilton also established a national bank, and his efforts boosted the growth of the nascent U.S. stock market.

Despite his accomplishments, Hamilton suffered an unfortunate fate in 1804. A long-standing feud with Vice President Aaron Burr ended with a duel in which Hamilton was killed, a dramatic story that tends to move the focus away from his central role in providing a strong foundation for the U.S. economy.

Eric Tashlein is a Certified Financial Planner professional and founding Principal of Connecticut Capital Management Group LLC, 67 Cherry St., C-2, in Milford. He can be reached at 203-877-1520 or through www.connecticutcapital.com. This is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or legal/tax advice. Please consult your advisor/attorney/tax advisor. Registered Representative, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc., A Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge Investment Research Inc., and Connecticut Capital Management Group LLC are not affiliated.
On Tuesday, August 1, 2006, Herbert Fields, a 70-year-old retired Stop & Shop warehouseman, sat in his car on West Ivy Street in the Newhallville-Dixwell area of New Haven, waiting for a friend who needed to run an errand. Two men came up to the car, one on each side of the car. One of them shot Fields in the neck with a .45 caliber Smith & Wesson, killing him. The other reached into the car quickly and then both ran to Dixwell Avenue and south on Dixwell.

Several weeks later, New Haven detectives questioned Bobby Johnson, 16. He confessed to having killed Fields with another young man, Kwame Wells-Jordan, 14, who also confessed and was charged with robbery, conspiracy and assault. Unlike Wells-Jordan, who despite his confession pleaded not guilty and was acquitted, Johnson pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2007 to 38 years in prison. In 2013, his habeas appeal was denied.

Yet last Wednesday, States Attorney Michael Dearington and Assistant States Attorney Timothy Sugrue of the Appellate Bureau of the Chief States Attorneys office submitted a motion to Judge Patrick J. Clifford to vacate Johnsons conviction and on Friday the judge did so and said he would dismiss the charge. Bobby Johnson left the courthouse a free man.

How did this happen? And how did it happen without the clear and convincing evidence of actual innocence and the conclusive proof, such as DNA, that someone else committed the crime that we have come to expect as a prerequisite for exoneration? It happened because the Chief States Attorneys Office and Dearingtons office, working with Kenneth Rosenthal, Johnsons lawyer, and the Connecticut Innocence Project, conducted a conviction integrity review. Treating the murder as a cold case, they re-examined all of the evidence and concluded that, despite the confession, guilty plea, and habeas verdict, Johnson didnt commit the crime.

In recent years, as prosecutors in a number of large cities and counties across the country have become increasingly aware of the frequency and various causes of wrongful convictions, they have created conviction integrity units in their offices to reexamine the evidence in cases in which theres good reason to believe a wrongful conviction occurred because of mistakes in the initial investigation, police or prosecutorial misconduct, a false confession, an eyewitness misidentification, perjured testimony or for some other reason.

The state has not yet created such a unit. But to their credit, Chief States Attorney Kevin Kane, Deputy Chief States Attorney Leonard Boyle and States Attorney Dearington conducted what was in effect a high-level conviction integrity review. After losing the bid for a new trial in the habeas court, Rosenthal approached Boyle and requested that he take another look at the case. After Kane, Boyle and Dearington reviewed the police and court records, they decided to re-investigate the murder, using resources of the states cold case-shooting task force bureau. The investigation raised serious concerns about Johnsons confession and the failure of the initial investigation to consider evidence pointing to two other individuals.

Johnsons confession was a classic false confession, crafted, as most such confessions are, by the police investigating the crime. Johnson had been seen in the vicinity of West Ivy and Dixwell at the time of the murder and had been wearing a red shirt that evening as was one of the men running south on Dixwell. Two weeks after the murder, he was interviewed by New Haven detectives Michael Quinn and Clarence Willoughby. He said he wasnt involved in the shooting. Two weeks later, he was interviewed again. The detectives told him they knew he had done it, said his fingerprints were on the car and that eyewitnesses had seen him at the scene, and told him he would face the death penalty if he didnt cooperate but would get probation if he did.

Johnson  16, psychologically vulnerable and without a lawyer or family member present  decided to cooperate and tell them what they wanted to hear. With the detectives offering details about the crime and correcting his statements to correspond to the facts in the crime  for example, when he said he shot Fields multiple times, they told him he was shot only once; when he said he ran north on Dixwell, they told him they ran south  he confessed. Once he had the facts right, the detectives had him admit in a videotaped statement that he shot Fields.

Two weeks later, after ballistics tests on a gun found on a man who was killed on Aug. 31 matched it with the bullet and cartridge found at the Fields crime scene, the detectives questioned Johnson again and had him change his story about the person from whom he obtained and to whom he returned the gun. With that corrected, he again admitted, in a videotaped statement, that he had murdered Fields and was arrested and charged with murder.

After being charged, Johnson told his attorney that two men had come to his home about two hours after the shooting and that one of them had admitted shooting Fields. When his attorney, Lawrence W. Hopkins, asked why he didnt tell the police, he didnt respond, just as he didnt when Hopkins asked why he confessed. In February 2007, prosecutors offered Johnson a sentence of 38 years if he pleaded guilty. Not having been given any information suggesting the confession was the result of police pressure or coercion, Hopkins recommended he accept the offer. He did so and in July 2007 entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 38 years in prison.

If this was a classic false confession case, it was also a classic case of a thoroughly botched investigation. The investigation continues and the prosecutors are unlikely to reveal who they believe killed Fields until they file charges, if indeed they do file charges. But it is quite likely that if and when they identify the men responsible for Fields murder, one will be the man who was killed in late August 2006 and who had the .45 caliber Smith & Wesson used to kill Fields on his body when he was found. He was suspected in two other murders that occurred in New Haven that summer. The other is likely to be his cousin, who left a palm print on the car door on the drivers side. That man is currently incarcerated on a weapons charge. It is likely the man with the .45 shot Fields and his cousin left the palm print when he leaned into the car to take the victims wallet. In retrospect, the biggest mystery about this case is not who killed Herbert Fields but why the detectives ignored the evidence pointing to those men and instead framed Johnson and his 14-year-old friend.

At Fridays hearing at which the judge granted the prosecutors motion to vacate the conviction, Darcy McGraw, the head of the Connecticut Innocence Project, said, Its a proud day for the criminal justice system in the state of Connecticut. She was right; it was indeed a proud day for the criminal justice system  and a very good day for Bobby Johnson.

David R. Cameron is a member of the states Eyewitness Identification Task Force and has called for the creation of a conviction integrity unit.
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HARTFORD >> Democratic leaders in the state Senate were blindsided Friday when three of their members voted in favor of the Republican budget proposal, which was offered as an amendment to the underlying Democratic budget.

Sens. Joan Hartley, Gayle Slossberg, and Paul Doyle bucked their party and voted for the Republican budget proposal, which they say included the structural changes they had called for when they voted in favor of the labor package. The Republican amendment passed on a 21-15 vote, and was shortly followed by a vote on the amended budget, which also passed 21-15.

The trio did not tell Senate President Martin Looney or Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff they would vote in favor of the Republican budget, which Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has said he would veto. The governor was not immediately available for comment.

The House was waiting to take up the Republican budget Friday at 5:30 p.m. and staff member for the House Democratic caucus said they were expected to debate the budget.

Doyle said during the debate that he didnt care if he didnt get re-elected as a result, because it was the right thing to do for the state of Connecticut.

The Democrats budget proposal was a two-year, $41.4 billion plan that would have increased spending 4.1 percent in 2018 and 1.5 percent in 2019. The Republicans two-year, $40.7 billion state budget, which increases spending 2.5 percent in 2018 and 1.1 percent in 2019.

While the Democratic budget proposal was technically balanced for the next two years, according to the fiscal note released by the Office of Fiscal Analysis earlier Friday, the plan would have created deficits of $1.44 billion, $2.16 billion, and $2.7 billion in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The Republican budget proposal largely uses savings from changes they hope to make to the labor agreement in 2027 and applies those savings to the current two budget years. The Republican budget document wasnt ready before debate on the budget bill began around 3 p.m. Friday. OFA, however, said shortly after 3 p.m. that the Republican plan would also create large budget deficits in future years. According to the OFA analysis, the GOP plan would create deficits of $1.24 billion, $2.14 billion, and $2.81 billion in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The state of Connecticut is certainly in a bad place today, Doyle said. Thats without dispute.

He said he thought Connecticut needed a bipartisan budget, adding after the vote that it was the most difficult decision of his career.

Read more at CTNewsJunkie.com.
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While student enrollment in Connecticuts urban school districts is on the rise, the vast majority of suburban and rural districts are seeing sharp declines, according to a Hearst Connecticut Media analysis.

Per-pupil funding ranges from a low of $12,650 in Danbury, which reported a 3.1 percent student population increase, to the high of $29,000 in the upscale regional district comprising Bridgewater, Roxbury and Washington, where the census has fallen nearly 18 percent in the last five years, state records show.

In New Haven, which grew 5.2 percent in enrollment from 2011 to 2015, the per-pupil funding rate is $18,247. Will Clark, the chief operating officer of New Haven Public Schools, said the growth has mostly been expected.

A 2009 analysis by education consultant Peter Prowda projected New Havens enrollment would be 20,827 in 2015; the actual number was 21,725. Clark said one reason the district may have attracted about 1,000 more students than Prowda projected is because the district added eight new magnet schools since 2010 and changed the themes of three existing magnets.

We believe that the portfolio of school approach and the choices offered create exciting options across the city at all levels for students, Clark said in an email.

In Middletown, which like New Haven is one of the 30 lowest-performing districts in the state, enrollment has fallen by nearly 8 percent, from 5,106 to 4,701 in five years. Per-pupil funding is $15,666 annually.

The reason why is connected to a bunch of different things. Its a lot to do with the recession, because five years later its going to affect your kindergarten enrollment, said Middletown Superintendent of Schools Patricia Charles. There was a 9 percent decline in actual births from 2009, and theres a projection it will be about 5 percent below the 2005-2009 average over the next five years.

Just south of Danbury is the affluent town of Redding, where enrollment has dropped more than 21 percent since 2012, even as the per-pupil cost reached nearly $23,000 a year.

Connecticuts historic locally controlled education systems are at a crossroads, while the state faces nearly continuous budget deficits and rising teacher pension obligations.

Theres a huge difference in that mile between Danbury and Redding, said Judith L. Falaro, a former New Haven high school principal who is an assistant professor of education at Quinnipiac University. Redding is much more affluent than Danbury, which is diverse and gets a lot of people who commute to New York, but it has a lot of the same issues that other big cities have.

Falaro said that the smaller cities of Danbury and Stamford have similar demographics and educational challenges.

Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven more complex problems, including more widespread poverty, high property taxes, aging infrastructure and language obstacles. Millenials, saddled with college debt equal to monthly mortgage payments, are being priced away from the towns where many grew up.

School retrenchment

Attendance is down, there is more spending, and class sizes are shrinking, said Joseph McGee, vice president of public policy for the Business Council of Fairfield County, who has studied the trend. The teaching force is aging, so theyre getting longevity benefits and they are more educated, with advanced degrees said McGee, who last year was co-chairman of the state Commission on Economic Competitiveness. Weve gone from explosive school growth during the Baby Boom, now to school retrenchment.

McGee believes the enrollment declines and rising costs should focus the public debate on the historic sanctity of local school-district lines, and force local officials to finally consider consolidation with neighboring towns. Districts paying more than $20,000 as year per student also include Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport, Weston, Hartland in upper Litchfield County, and Joel Barlow High School, which draws from Easton and Redding.

If towns want to tax themselves for what is basically a private-school education, its their choice, but how much should the state taxpayers be picking up, particularly the teacher pensions? McGee said. This has all been hiding in plain sight, but people do not understand it.

Of the 54 local and eight regional districts analyzed, only 11 gained students between 2012 and 2016. The highest was in New Haven, with its 5.2 percent increase. Bridgeport followed with a 4 percent hike, while Waterburys enrollment bumped up by 3.8 percent. In upper Litchfield County, school enrollment dropped by about 17 percent in Winchester and Hartland, and by nearly 20 percent in Barkhamsted and New Hartford.

In Torrington, where per-pupil funding is $15,896 annually, enrollment fell 6.6 percent in five years. Superintendent of Schools Denise Clemons said the falling population has led the district to form an ad hoc school board committee to look at the possibility of closing one or two of the five elementary schools.

There has been a decline in student population, and it may be relevant or related to the economic situation, she said. (Torrington) was a factory town, but most of the factories are gone, there is an aging population and it has a lot of urban problems, but because of its population it doesnt get the same grant funding as larger cities.

The cities of Hartford, Stamford, Norwalk and Danbury reported higher school enrollments. Populations also increased slightly in a few of the states smaller, wealthiest enclaves, including Darien (1.1 percent), New Canaan (1.3 percent) and Woodbridge (5 percent). Statewide, the public school enrollment of 2010-11 of 564,499 fell to 541,736 by 2015-16, the most-current statistics available.

Double-digit census reductions also were reported in Easton, Monroe, Milford, North Haven, North Branford, Bethany, Madison, Newtown, New Fairfield, Litchfield, and the two regional school districts for the towns of Durham and Middlefield, and the regional Haddam and Killingworth district.

The enrollment and funding numbers underscore the challenges facing educators as well as state officials who for months have grappled with Connecticuts school-funding formula and its impact on local property taxes at a time of a multi-billion-dollar state deficit.

Choice, income and demographics

Changing demographics, a widening gap between the poor and wealthy, and an annual battle in the General Assembly over per-pupil funding is part of the reason. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy faced a massive backlash in the General Assembly this year when he proposed shifting $400 million in annual employer pension payments from the state, back to the towns and cities where the teachers work.

Even with 10 percent to 20 percent enrollment losses, towns want to maintain levels of state education aid, he complained.

What you hear from them is oh 10 percent is not enough for us to really cut our costs. Malloy said in a recent interview. But I imagine a 10 percent increase would be a big reason to raise your spending. He said that placating the folks back home seems the goal  and one of the shortcomings  of the General Assembly.

So, all the non-profits, all the hospitals, all the municipalities, all the other boards of education, everybody has to be held harmless of any (funding) reduction, even when it would only reflect that school districts have lost 20 percent of their population, Malloy said. Thats unreasonable and thats where we are.

Daniel Long, senior education policy fellow at Connecticut Voices for Children in New Haven, said the disparity in Connecticuts education funding is growing.

These disparities in wealth and the need to provide city services and fund city schools leads to an increased burden on families in the poorest urban communities, he said. In the largest five towns in the state, there has been over the last 10 years a decline in enrollment by 2 percent. For the rest of the towns in the state, the decline has been about 14 percent.

However, the per capita funding for those five largest towns has increased 13 percent in that time, and in other districts it has increased 35 percent, he said.

Long said some anecdotal reasons why enrollment may be increasing in recent years are because urban centers tend to be younger with higher birth rates.

Theres a net migration out of Connecticut, but theres also a migration out of its urban areas as well, he said. Theres more going on than just enrollment trends.

School officials perspective

Local education administrators say that school choice, which has increased over the last 10 years, is part of the local census calculus.

Middletowns Charles said that district lost an increasing number of students to other districts magnet schools beginning in 2012, which leveled out around 400 students in 2014.

Charles said she believes the decline in enrollment presents a financial worry for the district, but she thinks the best remedy is to improve the quality of the schools.

I think we need to continue to look at our curriculum and how were engaging students and parents, and making sure everyone feels theyre part of the process so theyre invested in the public schools, she said.

Charles said there has been a somewhat surprising glimmer of hope: kindergarten enrollment in Middletown is at its highest in years. I cant explain it based on the projection that was given to us, but its bigger than we were expecting, she said.

This fall, Shelton is down another 65 students, most of whom are attending Fairchild Wheeler in Bridgeport or one of New Havens magnet schools.

The marketplace for schools has changed considerably, said Chris Clouet, Sheltons school superintendent, where overall enrollment has fallen more than 6 percent. There are just more options than there were.

I do think if the magnet schools hadnt opened we would have a higher enrollment in Shelton, Clouet said, noting a recent increase in new housing units. We do anticipate the shrinking will stop, Clouet added.

Carol Merlone, school superintendent in Ansonia, also said she believes open choice and magnet schools have contributed to the decline in the districts enrollment by 5.7 percent.

This past year with the renovation of Emmett OBrien, some of our 8th graders who would have normally come to AHS decided to try the technical route, she said in an email.

Spending per-pupil in Ansonia is $13,217.

In Bridgeport, where the numbers never stopped rising, the increase is partially due to the inter-district magnet schools, which over five years has added 600 suburban kids to the districts roster. At the same time, however, Bridgeport lost 2,754 students it would otherwise be educating to six charter schools in the city.

Even though enrollment hasnt mattered much when the state calculates its Education Cost Sharing formula, it does matter in determining how many teachers and classrooms a district needs. There are fewer women of child bearing age, people are getting older and the housing stock is not turning over as fast, said James Richetelli, a former Milford mayor and now chief operating officer of its schools.

As Milfords enrollment has shrunk by 10 percent over the past five years, its per-pupil expenditure has increased  to $18,732  because even though the district has cut staff, other expenses cant be cut in proportion, Richetelli said.

The school population decrease was 11.4 percent in Monroe, where Schools Superintendent John Battista said an earlier demographic study predicted the district would lose 100 students.

The demographer said that it was happening across the state, Battista said. He looked at the house sales and hypothesized that because older residents were not selling their homes, younger people with families were not moving into the town.

Still, the decrease over the past two years has been smaller than was predicted in Monroe.

Danbury Schools Superintendent Sal Pascarella said that districts increase is because families choose to move there.

It has a growing population from diverse backgrounds and a reputation for positive school climate for families, Pascarella said. The city is also a safe city and the greater Danbury area provides access to employment for adults while being the most economically affordable housing in Fairfield county.

Malloy, who has been pushing the General Assembly to provide more funding for city schools at the expense of richer suburbs, stressed that a pending court case is forcing Connecticut to address racial impacts in the under-performing urban districts.

We asked Danbury, Stamford and Norwalk to educate a very high percentage of our children that have special needs, who live in public housing, who are poor or living near the poverty line, Malloy said. We have to support those systems in the same way that we support a Hartford, or Bridgeport or New Haven, who we also ask to do those things as well. Those systems need to be concentrated on going forward, to an even greater degree than we have in the past.

Casey Cobb, a professor of educational policy at the University of Connecticuts Neag School of Education, noted that among many possible reasons leading to the decrease in enrollment trends, including an aging population and continuing out-migration stemming from the 2009 recession, there is out-migration to other locales that may be more prosperous in terms of job markets.
NEW HAVEN >> A federal judge has denied the city of New Havens motion to dismiss Scott Lewis claim he was wrongfully persecuted, convicted and incarcerated for a 1990 double murder.

U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill denied almost all of the citys motion, except for one aspect related to state law governing misconduct of city employees.

Underhill ruled Scotts attorneys can proceed with their allegations he was deprived of his constitutional rights when he was aggressively questioned and framed by New Haven police, subsequently put on trial, convicted of murder and felony murder and sentenced to serve 120 years in prison.

Lewis served 19 years of that sentence until he won his release in February 2014. All charges were dismissed.

Lewis and Stefon Morant were convicted in the slayings of Ricardo Turner and Lamont Fields at Turners apartment on Howard Avenue. Turner was a former alder in the Hill neighborhood.

Morant, convicted on two counts of felony murder, received a 70-year sentence. He, too, was released, after serving 21 years.

There was never any forensic or eyewitness evidence linking either man to the murders. They were convicted on the basis of testimony by a man who had been arrested in connection with another murder by New Haven police Detective Vincent Raucci Jr.

In December 2013, U.S. District Judge Charles S. Haight Jr. ruled that state prosecutors had failed to tell Lewis attorneys during the trial that the states key witness had repeatedly denied any knowledge of the double-murder.

In May 2015, a federal appeals court upheld Haights ruling, finding that the witness implicated the defendants only after Raucci promised to let him go if he said he was the getaway driver and incriminated Lewis and Morant.

The federal court ruling stated: Raucci was linked to the New Haven drug trade. The court also said the key witness parroted information supplied by an unscrupulous police officer (Raucci).

Lewis current attorney, Emma Freudenberger, said of Underhills ruling: What this does is let us go forward with all our constitutional claims against the city.

The attorney representing the city in the case could not be reached for comment. Former New Haven Police Chief Nicholas Pastore, a defendant in Lewis lawsuit, also could not be reached.

Laurence Grotheer, spokesman for the city, said in a statement It remains the Citys policy and practice to withhold comment on pending litigation.

Freudenberger said Lewis would never have been charged if the supervisors had been doing their jobs, all the way up the chain of command to Pastore. Raucci was not just one rogue bad apple, as the city has claimed. All of it was done with the knowledge and participation of other officers. Pastore ratified Rauccis misconduct by failing to supervise and discipline him.

In his lawsuit, Underhill noted, Lewis primarily alleges that he was framed for two murders by Detective Raucci, acting at the behest of Frank Parise, an organized-crime figure and drug dealer.

Underhill also noted that in 1996 Raucci was suspended and eventually resigned from the police force after an internal investigation showed he had accepted overtime pay for work he did not perform.

In addition, Underhill noted Lewis allegation that the NHPD had a long-standing pattern of concealing exculpatory information. Lewis complaint identified at least eight cases between 1984 and 1992 in which a state court found the NHPD had inappropriately destroyed tape recordings of witness accounts.

Underhill wrote that based on Lewis accusations, I hold that Lewis has plausibly alleged that Pastore, acting as a final decision-maker for the city, made a conscious decision not to supervise or intervene in Rauccis work despite numerous indications of serious misconduct, which decision led directly to Lewis wrongful prosecution and conviction.

Underhill said his finding is sufficient to keep both the city and Pastore as defendants with respect to at least some of the violations alleged.

Explaining his denial of the citys motion to dismiss, Underhill wrote: Lewis has more than adequately alleged municipal liability on the basis of Pastores own conduct.

Freudenberger said Underhill granted a portion of the citys dismissal motion pertaining to intentional tort claims. She noted, Connecticut law does not hold cities liable for intentional wrongdoing of their employees for intentional torts (a wrongful act).

Underhill concluded his ruling by ordering the city to file an answer to Lewis complaint by Feb. 19.

Editors note: This story has been updated to include a comment from the city spokesman.

Call Randall Beach at 203-680-9345.
NEW HAVEN >> Bobby Johnson made the five-second walk out of Superior Court Friday with the help of the same folks who helped him endure nine years in prison.

The steps leading out to Church Street arent steep or hard to walk on, but Johnsons mother, Angela, couldnt help but assist her son one more time, holding his hand as they approached the awaiting media gathering. The rest of his family, the folks who helped Johnson through nearly a decade in prison, walked next to him, erupting in applause when he stepped outside.

Everyone present wanted to hear the thoughts of a man whose murder conviction had been vacated by the state after Superior Court Judge Patrick Clifford entered a dismissal of the charges earlier in the morning.

Johnson stood in awe, lifting his eyes toward the sky like a mesmerized child.

Its a beautiful sight, Johnson said. It feels excellent to be out.

Johnson, 25, was 16 when he was charged and then convicted for the murder of Herbert Fields. Johnsons attorney, Kenneth Rosenthal, worked with the Connecticut Innocence Project to secure the decision Friday. Rosenthal asserted in court documents that New Haven police detectives coerced the then-teenage Johnson into confessing to shooting and killing Fields as he sat in his car on West Ivy Street. Robbery was the alleged motive.

Johnson said among the first things on his to-do list is to spend time with his family, some of whom were toddlers the last time he saw them.

Youve seen how crazy these people are, Johnson said smiling. My family is everything. Its hard not have family around. ... You had a lot of guys in there who dont have families, and they really give up. Its worth fighting. That support system alone can get you a long way.

Johnson said he was angry about the conviction early on but eventually his anger subsided as his case progressed.

I hope my situation opens up the doors for a lot of people, Johnson said. Theres a lot of innocent people there and I hope that we can make everything happen for them, too.

Rosenthal said that he, along with Innocence Project Executive Director Darcy McGraw, filed the habeas corpus petition for Johnson in 2011.

This is an extraordinary case, Rosenthal said. He said the chief states attorneys office previously had argued that the states remedy for actual innocence was not available if somebody pleaded guilty, which would mean that no matter what evidence you had of innocence, you have to stay in jail.

But the chief states attorneys office has said that thats not right, Rosenthal said.

New Haven States Attorney Michael Dearington confirmed Wednesday that he would ask Clifford to vacate the conviction. Dearington nolled the charges, but added that his office will continue to investigate Fields death.

In the motion, Dearington and Assistant States Attorney Timothy Sugrue of the Appellate Bureau wrote they were acting in the interest of justice and fair play, adding that, The totality of the information developed to date, and presently available, while falling short of proof of actual innocence, has sufficiently undermined the states confidence in the judgment of conviction.

Johnson did not address the court during his brief appearance Friday morning. However, Susan Troxler, Fields daughter, prepared a statement and said she had to deal with anger, pain and confusion over her fathers death.

While acknowledging she may never get closure, she offered her best wishes for Johnson.

Im very happy for Bobby, Troxler said.

Angela Johnson said her family always believed in her sons innocence, sticking by him despite all the accusations.

Hes my best friend, Angela Johnson said.

We used to do everything together. For him to go, and me knowing my son, knowing he didnt do it, it was very hard.

Many of the family members wore custom shirts on Friday with the words justice for, followed by their connection to Johnson, such as bro and cousin and uncle.

But it was his mothers shirt that caught Johnsons eye.

I like her shirt, Johnson said. Justice for my son. I like that.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901.
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One hundred and six.

Thats how many children and teens in Connecticut ended their lives from 2010 to 2016.

They ranged in age from 10 to 19.

Their deaths leave unsuspecting love ones puzzled with many questions and those who survive the attempts to end their lives admit they still face the same challenges.

John has tried three times since he was 11 to end his life. He tried at 12, again at 17 and a third time when he was 23. He said he still struggles with suicidal thoughts. John (the Register is not disclosing his real name to maintain his privacy) said he has dealt with depression since childhood and he still experiences feeling disconnected and out of touch with reality.

As someone who has attempted suicide, that doesnt go away, he said. Ill always have that piece of me. Im trying to work on being as optimistic as other people can be, but until I get out of my rain cloud, I dont know.

John, who is transgender, said he was the target of constant bullying and along with the deaths of his grandparents and the sexual assault he had experienced before he transitioned were among the factors that drove him to attempt to end his life.

But he said it was not something he could talk about at home and mental health was never taken seriously.

It was not an environment in which I could speak about my feelings, or how I was feeling toward other things, other people, John said. It just wasnt that kind of household.

He is not alone.

A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that from 2010 to 2015, 1,878 teens 15 to 19 years old died or were hospitalized for suicidal behavior in Connecticut. More than two-thirds were young women, which experts from the Mayo Clinic say could be linked to higher rates of depression in women and the hormonal fluctuations they experience. United Way of Connecticut reports teen girls also constitute the majority of suicide and crisis interventions calls.

Hidden pain

Alexa Berman was in a crisis  but nobody knew.

A bright, talented young girl, her mother, Debbie Zegas Berman, said the Milford teen displayed all the signs of a typical teen: She said her daughter had the lead in the middle school play, was a teachers dream student, had the love of her family and the attention of a boy in her class.

But just as she was about to start high school, she ended her life.

She was just 14 years old.

Its not so important how she did it, Debbie Berman said. Its important that she did.

Nobody saw the damage that had been done until it was too late.

She was a perfectly happy girl, outgoing, incredibly bright, Berman said. You wouldnt look at her and think she didnt fit in.

But when Alexa was in eighth grade, she became the target of bullying by a group of girls, Berman said. They convinced Alexas best friend to stop talking to her and started excluding Alexa from their group. The girls would leave her sitting by herself in the lunchroom, Berman said. At school, they ignored her but would message her online about everything they were doing without her.

She didnt understand the cruelty, Berman said of the daughter she adopted from Russia when she was 3. This friend was so deep a connection, she couldnt heal.

Berman said doctors told her Alexa, who was quick to hug people  even strangers, suffered from attachment disorder.

At the time, Berman said she also didnt understand how these incidents affected her daughter.

Teen years

Too often, the issues teens struggle with are underestimated or arent taken seriously because of their age, said Amy Lupoli, program manager of specialized services at the Clifford Beers Clinic. A parent might tell their child to forget about it when they are teased at school or to walk it off when they fight with a friend.

They want to be heard and want people to listen, Lupoli said. Sometimes, they dont know how to be heard.

But these moments mean more in a teenagers life than an adult may realize, Lupoli said.

As adults, we kind of overlook the emotions that teenagers are feeling, which are so intensified, she said. Issues like fighting with a friend or breaking up with a girlfriend or a boyfriend are so much more impactful in these youths lives, but we sometimes brush it off because we kind of just see, as adults, that its not that big of a deal.

Dr. Jeffrey Deitz, associate professor of psychiatry at Quinnipiac University, said there is tremendous rewiring that happens in adolescent brains and this a time when people experience the most chaos emotionally. Thats why teenagers are so impacted by life events, he said. They are unstable and their emotions can flip one moment to the next.

The child who went to school this morning is not necessarily the same kid who came home, Deitz said. When you start taking away supports, you have someone who is emotionally collapsed. It starts to erode their confidence.

Schools play an especially important role in teens lives. Its where they spend most of their time and form many of their social connections.

But it also can be a place where teens feel lost and ignored.

Morgan High School Principal Keri Hagness tries to foster open communication so no student is left feeling alone.

Students need to have a voice in order to feel trusted, she said.

Talking about suicide is important in schools because its a place where teens can feel especially isolated. Hagness wants to give students an opportunity to have a connection with someone at school, whether its a teacher, a counselor or their peers.

Its on us to know what our students are feeling and what theyre saying to each other and taking that seriously, she said.

Getting teens to talk about suicide is taking place in high schools across the country  and Netflix may have opened the door with its series about teen suicide set in a fictitious high school in 13 Reasons Why.

It tells the story of a teenage girls suicide and depicts the trauma she experienced preceding her death. And a song about suicide  1-800-283-8255, named for the suicide prevention hotline  by the rapper Logic is soaring up Billboards Hot 100.

The graphic depiction of the characters death in 13 Reasons Why has made the series controversial because showing suicide can be a trigger for kids at risk and lead to suicide contagion, according to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline website.

The pain from losing a child to suicide never goes away. After 17 years, Debbie Morgia still carries the loss of her 18-year-old daughter Alicia with her.

Morgia said she didnt understand the signs of suicidal behavior.

We didnt know anything, she said. We never thought about it as happening to us.

Alicia had been sick with rheumatoid arthritis since she was in fourth grade, Morgia said. She had been a happy girl who loved to play the flute, but after her diagnosis, she changed and became bitter, Morgia said.

Alicia couldnt comprehend that she had what she thought of as an old persons disease.

The medication she took made her gain weight, she began to hate her body and became depressed, her mother said.

When she was 16, Alicia made her first attempt to take her life. Her mother admits she thought Alicia just wanted attention and put her in therapy.

Theres always those signs that you dont see until after understanding depression, Morgia said.

She tells others her story so people can start talking about the issue.

Im not going to lie about it, Morgia said. Im amazed at how many people are not comfortable talking about it, but I think a lot dont want anyone to know what their loved one did.

Berman said suicide is not the same as other losses, and some people react as if it is a shameful thing. But she continues to share her daughters story to help prevent more youth suicides through her website SheMattered.com.

Understanding

John said it does get better but its also a roller coaster, so its kind of cheap to say it gets better.

Its persistent, he said. But with the right tools, with learning to change your mindset, its possible to get better.

John said he isnt there yet. And when he hears of someone who took their life, he said his first thought is of the pain the person must have been going through and he empathizes instead of judging.

I dont advocate for people to do it, but I also understand, he said.

And understanding is what a person on the verge of suicide needs.

A young woman from a foster home who Lupoli treated at the Clifford Beers Clinic had no connection with her biological family. She had a history of trauma and had been hospitalized for self-harm and suicide attempts.

To get in touch with the trauma was just so painful, Lupoli said. To have to think about it and to have to live with it, she just felt like it was easier to die.

The girl didnt trust adults and when she entered a peer group for treatment, she expected confrontations, but the other members were just there to listen to her story.

And that was what she needed to help her begin to heal.

All she really wanted was somebody to sit with her while they listened to what she had to say with no judgment, Lupoli said. Our first instinct as adults is to quickly solve the problem or tell them the answer and they just sometimes want you to listen. And their peers do that the best.
NEW HAVEN >> Bobby Johnson was 16 when he was arrested and charged with murder. He was 17 when he pleaded guilty to the crime. He was 18 when he was sentenced to serve 38 years for the homicide.

Two years ago, things finally went his way. After prosecutors reviewed his case, they found the conviction lacked integrity and filed a motion to vacate the conviction. After being released on Sept. 4, 2015, the 25-year-old was greeted by family outside Superior Court. Though he was sentenced in October 2007, Johnson had been in prison since his arrest in September 2006.

Its a beautiful sight, Johnson said at the time. It feels excellent to be out.

More than two years after walking out of court a free man, Johnson has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of New Haven, former Police Chief Francisco Ortiz and five retired police officers over the wrongful imprisonment and conviction. The lawsuit names former New Haven police Officers Clarence Willoughby, Michael Quinn, Patrick Redding, Herman Badger and Andrew Muro as defendants.

The charges against Johnson alleged he fatally shot Herbert Fields, 70, in Newhallville while Fields sat in his car on Aug. 1, 2006. New Haven States Attorney Michael Dearington requested the charges be vacated in September 2015 due to new information and after intervention from Johnsons attorney, Kenneth Rosenthal, and the Connecticut Innocence Project. The charges were formally vacated by Superior Court Judge Patrick Clifford.

Johnsons lawsuit arrives a month after the Register reported Scott Lewis will receive a $9.5 million wrongful imprisonment settlement from the city. Lewis was released in 2014 after serving 19 years in prison over a 1990 double-murder case. Lewis had received a 120-year sentence.

City officials are aware of this case however, as it is pending litigation, withhold any additional comment about it, city spokesman Laurence Grotheer said in a statement. Online court records do not list an attorney representing the defendants, including the City of New Haven.

Rosenthal said Monday that Johnsons lawsuit condemns a pattern of practice by New Haven police in the years leading up to the 2006 arrest. He added Johnsons release was completed with cooperation from the state office of the chief states attorney, New Havens states attorneys office and then-New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman and current Police Chief Anthony Campbell.

The retired officers practices violated Johnsons constitutional rights and included falsification of police records and strong-arming tactics used against a teenage Johnson when he was interviewed, according to the suit. Rosenthal said the lawsuits claims are similar to those brought to the attention of prosecutors, which ultimately led to Johnsons release in 2015.

Rosenthal said his client is seeking a civil jury trial and monetary damages. Rosenthal said Johnson lost the most important years of his life. He added Johnson has had trouble earning employment since being freed.

We will be asking the jury to award millions of dollars, Rosenthal said. What is worth not being incarcerated for something he didnt do?

The lawsuit alleges Willoughby and Quinn, the investigating detectives, worked together to manufacture evidence against Johnson. The two detectives allegedly strong-armed a young Johnson by claiming his fingerprints had been found in the victims car, later instructing him to confess to Fields murder. Johnson previously had told police he was at a neighborhood pharmacy north of the crime scene the day of the shooting. He told police he had briefly visited the scene but had no involvement in the shooting.

Police officers also allegedly had potentially exculpatory evidence relevant to the case but did not disclose it, Rosenthal said. Such misconduct would violate Johnsons constitutional right to due process. The lawsuit said the detectives were notified in September 2006 by Connecticut State Police that ballistic results showed a .45-caliber pistol recovered from the body of a 17-year-old gunshot victim who died Aug. 30 matched shell casings and projectiles recovered at Fields homicide scene. The gunshot victim had lived two blocks south of the Fields homicide scene. The lawsuit alleges police knew this victim previously had committed two murders that same summer but chose to withhold the information.

Information over the two murders requested by Johnsons attorneys was not turned over by the Citys Corporation Counsel, whom Rosenthal alleges aided and abetted New Haven police at the time to allow an innocent person rot in prison rather than admit their own dereliction.

Ortiz is named in the suit for allegedly failing to supervise or discipline Willoughby or Quinn. The lawsuit states several incidents demonstrating a, history of neglect and reckless indifference by New Haven police officers from 1982 to 1996. The lawsuits cites Lewis case against the city for his wrongful imprisonment.

Badger, Redding and Muro allegedly deprived Johnson of his right to a fair trail by failing to adequately and timely investigate and disclosed the criminal misconduct by Willoughby and Quinn.

The lawsuit alleges the City of New Haven is liable for Ortizs indifference toward his two detectives alleged misconduct and for the damages caused by the officers.

New Haven police spokesman Officer David Hartman on Monday confirmed all five officers named in the lawsuit are retired. The most recent retiree was Redding, who retired as assistant police chief in February 2014 after Esserman said he planned to bring in new staff. Badger, Quinn and Willoughby retired in 2008, while Muro retired in 2007. Ortiz left the department in 2007 for a security post at Yale University.

Hartman said in email he is not permitted to comment on pending litigation.

Johnsons lawsuit has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901.
For congressional Republicans, it's tax reform or die.

If Republicans can't pass a major tax bill, the rationale for the GOP majority will be obliterated.

In speaking with Republicans on the Hill, I know many think tax reform will be easier than the repeal and replace of Obamacare for a number of reasons.

First, many members of the so-called Freedom Caucus are not oblivious to the harm done to the Republican Party due to their intransigence during the summer Obamacare votes.

Second, questions of tax policy are mostly binary. That is, you either raise taxes or you lower them. And the squabbles to come are not new either. Republicans have always debated questions about pay-fors, which deductions to keep or revise, etc. We know what the fight ahead looks like.

But, as with health care, the Republicans in Congress will probably be unable to pass anything without disciplined and focused help from the White House. Leading the Trump administration's efforts on tax reform are the president's chief economic adviser Gary Cohn and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Both are committed to the idea that tax cuts equal economic growth. But beyond that, both Cohn and Mnuchin are imperfect messengers to Congress.

After all, Cohn is mostly a Democrat, and it is feared that he will be departing soon after a tax bill passes. Mnuchin doesn't really know Congress, he has had some distracting media of his own lately and he isn't the best salesman on television. None of this bodes well for the administration's tax reform sales effort.

By far, President Donald Trump's best spokesman on all things economic is Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney. He is an intellectually honest, pro-growth expert, and he is a true believer in Trump. He comes from the core conservative wing of the party and was even once a member of the Freedom Caucus himself. Oh, by the way, he knows the details of budget and tax policy better than anyone else in Washington. And yet, Mulvaney is not even a part of the "Big Six" negotiations on tax reform.

Well, he should be.

The failure of health care means that the only big accomplishment left for the GOP caucus to act on in the near future is tax reform. The Republican Party's entire identity and reason for being and for having so much power are riding on this bill.

Anyway, the GOP plan must be sufficient to produce growth, and it has to be defensible as tax cuts for the middle class - not just the wealthy. The mainstream media will never acknowledge the utility of tax cuts and the positive effects on society as a whole that more robust growth would bring. So, Republicans have to be ready for the predictable attacks.

The White House and GOP leaders say they'll have a plan by the week of Sept. 25. If that happens, perhaps a final budget resolution will be approved by mid-October. If it doesn't happen, look for several discouraged Republicans to call it quits and retire. Suddenly, once-safe GOP seats will be in play. The future of the Republican majority will be in doubt. And if Trump doesn't like the GOP-led investigations into matters that affect him and his family, he will truly hate the subpoenas to come from a Democratic majority.

So, failure is a grim reality that no Republican, not even those in the Freedom Caucus - much less the White House - will want to live with in 2018.
Imo State governorship aspirant, Robert Okpara, has reacted to the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as terrorists by the Nigerian government.The Nigerian military as well as South East governors, on Thursday declared IPOB and Kanu as terrorists, warning parents to caution their wards against being part of the alleged illegal organization.Reacting, however, to the development, Okpara who was a major actor in the last governorship election in Imo State and still warming up ahead of 2019 condemned the, hurried ill-advised declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization when stakeholders in the Southeast, including the 5 governors, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, traditional rulers, leaders of thoughts and the clergy have all scrambled for a peaceful negotiations on how to end the crisis.He said Tagging IPOB as a terrorist organization for reasons of claimed formation of Biafran National Guard, unauthorized public access roads and extortion from innocent civilians at illegal checkpoints, militants procession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles on a military patrol sounds like tales by moonlight story and an attempt to call a dog a bad name to hang it.Reading between the lines, the federal government speaking through different sources : APC, presidential spokespersons, the military seems to be pushing for clandestine attack on IPOB, classifying southeast zone as a conquered territory and the indigenes as prisoners of war(POWs).I guess this sounds like an ample opportunity to subdue the zone where APC won only Imo state and on the verge of losing the state through Rochas executive rascality and miscalculated misuse of power.Comparing the activities of the Nigeria police and others to those of IPOB, he said, Some of the above reasons for qualification as a terrorist organization ascribed to IPOB perhaps makes them Angels compared to the Nigerian police that brazenly extorts money openly from citizens on local roads and highways, Fulani Herdsmen that conduct their nomadic criminal operations with AK44 rifles where poor Nigerians, farmers, unsuspecting citizens in cities are shot dead rampantly and kidnapped, with their means of livelihoods destroyed with no response from the federal government.The Arewa Youths that declared Ibos persona non-grata from the north from October 1st and dared the police to arrest the leadership without any iota of reaction from the federal government is ridiculously demeaning to our collective sense of perceived geopolitical balance. This war of attrition against the Southeast is ridiculously contemptuous. The actions of the Arewa Youths supported by the northern governors and their co-travelers is great threat to the unity of the country. Except that was the hand of Isaw and voice of Jacob? The organization and the Herdsmen should be tagged terrorist organizations.Theres no other solution to whats happening around the country other than painstaking and patient dialogue similar to the same way the federal government opted for strategic dialogue with the Boko Haram sect, MEND, militants that witnessed the partial release of the Chibok girls and the ongoing continual training of militants across the world in exchange for peace in the Niger Nelta in support of oil exploratory activities. This dialogue must be all inclusive with credible people from the Southeast. Any other violent solution may escalate IPOB issue to unpredictable arms struggle, Okpara advised.He further warned that  Obliterating the IPOB members will be regarded as an act of war by the Southeast. Boko Haram was pampered when they commenced their annihilation campaign in Maiduguri. They were not hoarded into inhuman dirty water pool and killed the way IPOB members are being humiliated. Men and women of honor and goodwill must intervene on this matter.
Renowned lawyer, Mike Ozekhome has reacted to the declaration of Nnamdi Kanu and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as terrorists.A statement he signed said instances cited by the defence headquarters were not sufficient to label the agitators terrorists.The military had explained that the declaration was made for the following reasons: The formation of a Biafra Secret Service; Claimed formation of Biafra National Guard; Unauthorised blocking of public access roads.Extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks; militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017.Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on 11 September 2017 and also attempts to snatch their rifles.In his position, Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), noted: I do not believe the instances cited by the Defence Headquarters to justify declaring IPOB a terrorist organization.The last time I checked, I cant remember any of such organisation operating in the country being declared terrorist organisations.The herdsmen who go on rampage daily, maiming, raping, killing; those responsible for the Agatu massacre; Shiites massacre, Southern Kaduna pogrom, indiscriminate killings, brazen quit notices givers, across Nigeria, etc, have never been arrested, prosecuted, let alone been proscribed and stigmatised as terrorist organisations.We must surely have and operate two sets of laws for two sets of people in Nigeria. Nigeria, we hail thee. A government should be seen to be fair to all component parts of Nigeria.In his reaction, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the executive arm of government had the power to make the declaration.He insisted that the military can speak for the President.It (the declaration) should be from the executive and I believe the military has the mandate of the President.The president has not said anything to the contrary, so I believe they are speaking the opinion of the President.Another SAN, Samson Ameh, said the Buhari had the right to declare the group a terrorist organisation.The president has the right to make such a declaration. He has peculiar rights regarding the security of a country. Its like declaring a war, in America, it is called the affirmative action.That is what we call the police action here. Also, the Inspector-General of Police can make the declaration on behalf of the President.Meanwhile, Nigerian government has revealed how it will handle the threat posed by Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.
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 ...
APPARENTLY bothered by the industrial action rocking the education sector, leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has vowed to shut down all major federal express roads next week if no resumption date is fixed. The students union came up with the decision after an emergency meeting held in the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. NANS laments unions strike: They decried that the Federal Government allowed the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, to ground academic and non academic activities in Nigerian institutions. Communicating the outcome of their meeting with Vanguard, NANS Senate President, Comrade Taiwo Bamigbade said, The Senate meeting was well attended by the Student Union Presidents from various tertiary institutions across the six geo political zones of the federation, NANS National Executive Council members, stakeholders and concerned Nigerian students. NANS Senate condemns in totality the lack of sincerity of the Federal Government to the 2009 agreement it entered with all the academic staff unions. NANS President, Chinonso Obasi According to him, the inactiveness of the Federal Ministry of Education to engage the staff unions in a meaningful negotiation to avert the ongoing nationwide strike by ASUU, NASU, SSANU and NAAT calls for concern.

Integrity and standard of education He implored the unions to look beyond the strike action and possibly seek justice from the court, as their only negotiation tools to press home their legitimate demands from the Federal Government to save the integrity and standard of education in Nigeria. He said: NANS is calling on the Federal Government to expedite action to bring back the striking lecturers/staff to work or consider total shut down of all major federal express roads by Nigerian students if no resumption date is fixed in the next one week. Urges FG to probe governors over Paris Club Refund The students union, at the same meeting, also called for the probe of state governors who collected the Paris Club refund but refused to pay their workers salaries. Bamigbade said: NANS is calling for an immediate probe of all state governments Paris Club refund utilisation, as the purpose to which the fund was disbursed as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari was jettisoned by many states, leaving many state civil servants and pensioners salary arrears unclear. NANS urges FG to take over LAUTECH In its communique, NANS called on the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly and the two states involved in the ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, to act as a matter of urgency and to speed up the processes required to acquire Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State by the Federal Government to save the careers of thousands of Nigerian students in the university. He added that NANS also frowned at the proposed school fees for the university by the state government. Permanent resolution of crisis Similarly, the union called on the Federal Ministry of Education to mandate all heads of institutions to key in to T-Ship programme of National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, to guarantee affordable and timely health care service for Nigerian students.

Just as it also called on Health Maintainace Organizations, HMOs, to be more prudent in their dealings with Nigerian tertiary institutions and the student populace. While NANS commended Kaduna State Government for the reopening of tertiary institutions in southern Kaduna, it sues for the return of peace and order in the state and for more government attention on education. It added, The Senate congratulated the newly appointed Ondo State Executive Council Members (Commissioners) while calling on the Commissioner of Education to prioritise the permanent resolution of crisis in all state owned institutions, particularly Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, Ondo State. Union passes vote of confidence on its president Meantime, the NANS Senate has passed vote of confidence on her national president, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, GCNS, for his tireless efforts to reposition NANS better as well as his giant strides to have re-invigorated NANS back to the Committee of Continental Students Union Bodies under All Africa Students Union, AASU, with his adequate representation in just concluded AASU Summit in Ghana, where he won an award as the most outstanding student leader in Africa. The statement said,The Senate, as a matter of urgency, implore Federal Ministry of Health and Niger State Government to come to the aid of its former NANS president Comrade Mohammed Dauda Kapon, who needs a Liver Transplant in India Hospital.
Reno Omokri

In this interesting and thought-provoking article, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has critically examined the recent declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group, Operation Python Dance II in the Eastern States and many more.

I read the statement by the former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Mohammed Lawal with great amusement.

Mr. Lawal, who is one of President Muhammadu Buhari's lopsided recent appointees to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (AKA Northern Nigeria Petroleum Corporation) wants Nigerians to believe that former vice President Atiku Abubakar, has been plotting the downfall of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2014.

I find the allegation laughable. Why, you may ask?

Well, because it is silly for any ally of President to say Atiku Abubakar plotted President Buhari's failure. Does anybody need to plot the failure of a man who still calls Germany 'West Germany'? Was it Atiku's plot that made Buhari wait and waste six months before setting up a cabinet of square pegs in round holes? Atiku did not force Buhari to make promises he could not keep like making $1 equal to 1 or creating 3 million jobs per annum.

Even before day one didn't Nasir El-Rufai warn Nigerians in 2010 that 'if you ask Buhari, he will think that Blackberry is a fruit.'

A serial plagiarizer who plagiarized Barack Obama's and Charles De Gaulle's speeches, who surrounds himself with the likes of Amaechi, who is still afraid of rats as an ex general, needs no one to plot his failure!

Just as you have an auto-correct function on your phone, so does President Buhari have an auto-fail function in his government. He does not need an Atiku to plot his failure!

Let me cite an example. Two weeks ago, Benue state experienced a cataclysmic flooding of almost biblical proportions. Many pundits, including yours truly, appealed to the President to at least visit the victims of the flood to give them moral support.

However, the President chose to ignore the 100,000 families that had been rendered homeless and I thank God that this same Atiku Abubakar who they claim is plotting the President's failure was able to plot his way to donating 5 million to the suffering victims.

But that is not where the story ends. President Buhari who refused to visit Benue shocked right thinking people by visiting Kaduna even while the people of Benue (who coincidentally voted for him) had not had the pleasure of his visit.

President Muhammadu Buhari is strong enough to visit Kaduna state to commission a poultry but not strong enough to visit Benue to commiserate with humans. You visit with poultry but not people. Why does it seem as if this administration values animals over human beings? 

Recall that when Nigerians were facing possibly the worst food crisis in our history, Buhari's minister of agriculture was more focused on importing grass for cows from Brazil. And even after herdsmen killed vast amounts of people in Southern Kaduna the APC Governor of Kaduna admitted to paying them compensation for their cattle killed. Perhaps the President would have postponed his visit to poultry chickens in favour of visiting paltry citizens in Benue.

Can his handlers continue to blame Atiku Abubakar for these unforced errors?

President Trump who we unfairly like to criticize in this part of the world has visited Texas twice to help out with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and to project hope to his people. His office has equally announced plans to visit Florida after Hurricane Irma eases. And here our President is visiting poultry!

And look at what is happening in the Southeast. Do we blame Atiku for this avoidable crisis too?

Until Nnamdi Kanu was arrested by Muhammadu Buhari he was unknown to most Nigerians and this include Nigerians of Southeastern origin. The president actually created Nnamdi Kanu, made him a celebrity and gave him the power he has right now.

Right now he has empowered the young man to do a lot more damage to him and his inept administration by making him a cause celebre that even foreign diplomats go to pay homage to. What was Nnamdi Kanu doing before President Buhari had him arrested? Radio Biafra? How many people were listening to it?

What President Buhari did by arresting Nnamdi Kanu was to turn him from a Bright Chimezie to a Michael Jackson without releasing a Thriller album!

And to make matters worse, he has now initiated this unnecessary, ill thought out, ill advised and ill fated so called Operation Python Dance 2 in the Southeast.

The US Army is in Texas and Florida helping hurricane victims. That is what I expect the Nigerian Army to do in Benue , where 100,000 families have been rendered homeless by flood, not doing a 'Show of Force' in a place that is need of persuasion not threats.

Four days ago suspected herdsmen killed 20 people in Ancha village in Miango district of Jos. If the army wanted to do a 'show of force', that would have been a good place to start. It makes no sense to do a show of force in a peaceful community when you have violence prone communities all over Nigeria.

Since when did the dictionary definition of intimidation change to 'show of force'? Please let us call a spade a spade and not a big spoon.

The injustices under the Buhari administration are just too glaring, to blatant and too obnoxious.

Arewa youths gave their fellow Nigerians a Quit Notice and they get a song and dance from the Buhari administration. IPOB youths who did not threaten other Nigerians get Python Dance from the same government. How is that fair?

Ignorance is a disease and the Buhari administration appears to be heavily inflicted by this disease. If not, they ought to have known that no nation on earth has permanently put down a separatist movement by force of arms alone.

History does not repeat itself. Men repeat history. The United States has 14 separatist movements. England invited her own separatist movements to form regional govt in Ireland and Scotland. In the case of Scotland, they even threw in a referendum into the bargain! 

President Buhari could have defeated Nnamdi Kanu's IPOB and its separatist agenda if he had only been equitable and just in his management of Nigeria. 

Buhari's appointments overwhelmingly favour the North. The military and security agencies are almost entirely in the hands of not just Northerners, but core Northern Muslims. 

The chief of army staff is a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The National Security Adviser is similarly a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The Chief of staff to the President is likewise a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is, you guessed it-core Northern Muslim from Borno. 

The chief of air staff is a core Northern Muslim from Bauchi. The Inspector-General of Police is a Northern Muslim from Niger state. The Controller General of Prisons is a core Northern Muslim from Kebbi. The Comptroller General of Immigration is a core Northern Muslim from Jigawa. The Comptroller- Generalof the Nigerian Customs Service is a core Northern Muslim from Bauchi. 

The Director General of the Department of State Security Services is a core Northern Muslim from Katsina. The Chief of Defence Intelligence is a core Northern Muslim. 

These are the appointments in the security agencies. Even if you are a core Northern Muslim, as long as you fear God, you can see that this list is obviously lopsided in favour of the core North. 

In fact, the President has even stopped pretending. At the last eid-el-fitri, President Muhammadu Buhari discarded all pretense and addressed the nation in Hausa, the language of the core North. 

When you take into consideration his famous comment, to wit "the constituents, for example, gave me 97% cannot in all honesty be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave me 5%", you can now see how alienated he has made the South feel from Nigeria.

Since his swearing in as President of Nigeria, President Buhari has not seen it fur to visit the Southeast yet this is a man that said "I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody" (never mind that he plagiarized Charles De Gaulle.

If President Buhari wants to end the Biafran agitation, he needs to, with urgency, retrace his steps and start acting like he is the President of Nigeria, and not the President of core Northern Muslims only. The day he makes this paradigm shift, will mark the day that separatist agitation will start to fizzle out.

President Buhari does not need guns to quell any separatist movement. All he needs is guts.
Today, the Nigerian Army released a statement declaring the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, a terrorist organization in Nigeria.In the same vein, South East governors had a meeting in Enugu state this evening and they unanimously banned the activities of the secessionist group in the region.Former spokesperson to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, took to his social media handle to react to the news. See his reactions below
Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi has warned that anybody found with Biafra emblem will be arrested and charged to c...

Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi has warned that anybody found with Biafra emblem will be arrested and charged to court. Ogbizi who stated this while parading 7 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, explained that with the proscription of the group by the South East governors, it has becomes illegal for anyone to operate under IPOB or adorn Biafra emblems.He lamented that one of the injured officers, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, serving at the Ariaria Police Station has died out of the injuries he sustained during the attack.
Former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr. Clever Ikisipo, has commended President Muhammad...

Former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr. Clever Ikisipo, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his passion to develop the Niger Delta region particularly Bayelsa State.

Ikisikpo, a kinsman to former President Goodluck Jonathan, said Buhari had done what Jonathans administration failed to do for his people.





He spoke at the weekend when students representatives from Bayelsa East District, consisting of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass local government areas, conferred on him an award for his oustanding leadership qualities in Kolo area of the state.





He said Buhari ensured that some persons from Bayelsa were given a licence to build refinery and were awarded oil blocks adding that other developmental projects were being undertaken in the state and other parts of the region.





Ikisipo, an erstwhile two-time member of the House of Representatives said: If I say we should appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari, people will ask, why should we appreciate him. You may not know why we should thank God for making Buhari the President of Nigeria.





Today, what our own could not give to us, Buhari has given to us. An Ogbia man, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, has been given a licence to build a private refinery. We had an opportunity given to the people of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass to own oil blocks in the past, did we get any? No.





But Buhari has given one of us, a woman, an oil block. That is why I am saying we should appreciate Buhari. He is doing well for the Niger Delta people. Because if the refinery is built today, it will take not less than 10,000 workers. Will Brass, Ogbia and Nembe, not get up to 3,000 workers there? Then, would you not be empowered?





So, are we not supposed to appreciate Buhari? The oil block we could not get is to be given to one us. If oil block is given to an Ogbia, Nembe or Brass person, are we not going to get one of the Alakijas, are we not going to get one of the Danjumas. Oil block is one the things that make those people billionaires. Today, Danjuma can give somebody N2bn without batting an eyelid.





Finally, I want to also say we need to appreciate Buhari for fighting corruption and bringing positive change in the country. My friend, one of the serving senators from Bayelsa State, asked me, so, if Buhari had not taken over government, so we would not know the quantum of amount coming into Bayelsa State.





Ikisikpo regretted that when the Ijaw had the opportunity to develop the region, they misused it.

For instance, he said that some of the presidential aides from Bayelsa squandered the commonwealth of the people through excessive greed and reckless spendings and made it impossible for the region to feel the impact of governance.





He said: I want to tell you some bitter truth. There is an adage that says, before you remove the speck in someones eyes, first remove the log in your own eyes.





God gave us an elephant but we allowed the elephant to get rotten. Some may not get the adage perhaps. If we had judiciously used that elephant properly, I think by now, Bayelsa East would have become a small Dubai.





But we misused the opportunity. Through that opportunity, we could not get oil blocks, through that opportunity; we could not get even modular refineries in Bayelsa East.





Bayelsa East is the first place to produce crude oil in Nigeria, but go to Oloibiri where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity, the place is a thick forest, where you can kill the biggest animal on earth. Is it supposed to be so?





When I entered the House of Representatives in 2003, my first motion was how to make Oloibiri a place that would be conducive to every Ogbia person, every Nembe person and every Brass person. I moved a motion that the Federal Government should build an oil museum there. A beautiful resolution was given, but nothing happened.





At the House of Reps, the first position given to me was deputy chairman, House Committee on Appropriation. The former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, was the chairman.





I told him in our first budget meetings that what I wanted was the Yenegwe-Okaki-Kolo-Nembe-Brass Road. When we met with the Budget Office, they asked if the road was a federal government road. I said yes. And they said, go and bring documents. We got the documents at Federal Ministry of Works and presented them.





That was a project that was started during Melford Okilos administration, but was abandoned and went into oblivion. Today, the project has been forsaken. Like I said, we were given an elephant, if the elephant that we were given, had used the opportunity very well, that road would have moved up to Brass today.
Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has revealed the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari as he travels to the 72nd Session of t...

Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has revealed the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari as he travels to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The President is prepared to tell world leaders that the ingredients for a happy, peaceful country are good governance and a strong economy, he said.





If we can get the economy right and we can get the good governance to our people, we believe that most of our problems would be taken care of.





We are a country of young people; the majority of our population is under the age of 35 and a lot of them are restless.





They are restless because of economic opportunities and that is why we have the migration issue.





A lot of the youths are the product of very bad governance over the years and that has deprived the young people of educational opportunities and job opportunities.





So Mr president is trying to restructure the country to put in place the bases for good governance.





Because once you have good governance and your resources are being channeled to where they are supposed to be, which is on development, then you begin to address a lot of issues, he added.





He said one of the priorities for the Nigerian delegation at UNGA 72 included strengthening human rights institutions and the rule of law.





Onyeama explained that Nigeria was on the Board of the UN Human Rights Council and as such was doing everything necessary to promote human rights.





According to him, the country is also committed to addressing all issues relating to human rights violations in any forms.





Buhari will join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and also hold a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe.





The Nigerian leader is billed to have a a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump of the United States of America, along with other world leaders.





Buhari, who will be accompanied by the governors of Zamfara, Ebonyi and Ondo States, and key cabinet ministers, will transit through London on his way back to the country.
The Igbo Community Association in Kano State has distanced itself from the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its leader, Nn...

The Igbo Community Association in Kano State has distanced itself from the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The President-General of the association, Mr. Ebenezer Chima, made the position of the association known at a joint news conference in Kano on Friday.





We want to state categorically here that we, the Igbo residing and doing business in Kano State, unequivocally state that we dissociate ourselves from the activities of IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.





We are strongly advocating peace and unity in the land, Chima said.





While condemning in its entirety the unfortunate and avoidable crisis in Abia, he called on all Igbo resident in the state to remain calm, promising nothing would happen to them.





According to him, the state government under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and security agents have given the assurance of adequate security of our lives and property.





However, we join the South-East governors, the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and other notable Igbo leaders, to ask the Federal Government to address the issues of equality and even distribution of our common wealth.





This, we believe, will bring an end to the agitations in the country.





On his part, President of Ethnic Community Leaders Association in the state, Dr. Jimpat Ayelangbe, assured all non-indigenes of adequate security of their lives and property.





He said the assurance stemmed from the meetings they had with various leaders and security agencies in the state.





ECLAK got the mandate to speak to the media by allaying fears of our people over the concern of their lives and property.





ECLAK is interested in a united Nigeria because we believe that those not living in their states of origin should not contribute to disorganise the country.
The Eze Igbo in Zamfara State, Igwe Egbuna Obijiaku, has said that the agitation for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra does n...

The Eze Igbo in Zamfara State, Igwe Egbuna Obijiaku, has said that the agitation for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra does not mean good for Igbo, because it was aimed at disrupting the peace and stability of the country.He also commended the South East Governors Forum for outlawing the activities of the IPOB.Obijiaku, who gave the commendation on Saturday while speaking to newsmen in Gusau, said that Igbo in Zamfara were not in support of the activities of IPOB.He urged the Igbo community in the state to disregard the Biafra agitation.According to him, the IPOB agitations for Biafra nation, apart from its threat to national unity, peace and stability, is also a big threat to Igbo economic stability.We are solidly behind our leaders and governors in this regard. We are also in support of the decision of the Forum of Igbo traditional leaders of all the 19 Northern states, he said.If we look at the entire population of Igbo community, only 40 per cent are living on Igbo land. About 40 per cent are living in the Northern parts of Nigeria, almost 15 percent are living in South Western parts of the country and the remaining five per cent are living abroad.Therefore, to me, any agitation calling for separation from this country will not be good for Igbo. We are living in a secular country: that was how God has created us and that is how He wants us to be.It is very unfortunate for somebody who has not been in Nigeria over the years to just come and be calling us to join him in unlawful agitations to break peace and stability that were built over the years.This IPOB agitation does not mean good for Igbo. In fact, it was aimed at disrupting the peace and stability of the country, he said.He, therefore, urged the entire Igbo community in Zamfara to disregard such unlawful agitation and go about their normal activities.We should continue to live peaceably with one another, we should cooperate with security agencies and government in maintaining peace and stability in the country, he added.He said over the past 20 years, the Igbo community had been living peacefully in Zamfara without any harassment and that they should continue to maintain it. (NAN)
Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian military to exercise restraint in handling Nnamdi...

Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian military to exercise restraint in handling Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He spoke against the backdrop of the declaration of IPOB members as terrorists.





Read his article below





Fellow Nigerians, let me confess my admiration for security forces generally. It is not just because of the cleanliness and crispiness of their uniform or the famed discipline that they imbue in their members. It is because I find their job too risky. I often wonder why any man or woman would voluntarily sign his or her death warrant. For me, they appear more like suicide bombers. As a toddler in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, I remember being told by older people that soldiers are trained to kill and we were told to avoid them.





The myth flying around included that most of them were recruited without having much education. But as I grew up, I began to acquire a special fascination for them, especially the elite squads in the Navy and the Air Force. I would later interact with many soldiers at home and abroad. I love their uniforms, jackboots and in particular their menacing guns.





I still imagine till this day what it takes to be a killer. We were told soldiers were regularly injected with special drugs that makes it impossible for them to have the milk of human kindness in them. But with time, I saw and met many soft-hearted soldiers. I used to tease them about what we were told as kids. I must say I became one of their fans and good friends. I visited our soldiers in Sierra Leone and Liberia and gave them my humble support and they were very appreciative of my modest contribution and inspiration.





The reason for my preamble must be obvious to you all. I was seriously angry after seeing a video purportedly showing how our soldiers were brutalising fellow Nigerians and subjecting them to the worst indignities known to mankind. Ive been praying that the videos were shot in outer space and not anywhere near Nigeria. But if what I saw very vividly actually took place on our planet and in this our dear beloved nation, then weve truly missed the road. I did not see any sign of weapons with these hapless victims of oppression and repression.





At the very worst, even if as the military authorities claimed, that the soldiers were pelted with pebbles and stones, the treatment meted out to the personalities in the video is undeserved by any human being. How was the response from the military commensurate to that of the supposed hoodlums? Was it not an act of provocation in itself for soldiers to be engaging in drills in an area already soaked with tension?





Let me stretch the argument a bit further. Whose idea was it to draft the soldiers onto the streets to intimidate Nigerians in areas where there was no war? How can anyone send soldiers to threaten a people who already feel marginalised and are saying so very resoundingly? What is wrong with empowering members of the Nigeria Police Force and especially the anti-riot police squad to tackle cases of hooliganism and even terrorism. Soldiers are meant to come out in open battle only in extreme cases where there is total chaos and mayhem. President Muhammadu Buhari has wittingly or inadvertently walked into the trap cleverly set for him by the Biafra secessionists. Kanu and company have read the President well knowing his proclivity for no-nonsense and high-handedness.





If truth must be told, this is the height of intolerance on the part of the Nigerian State. I have not seen any Lawyer who believes in the legality of what our soldiers have done. Kanu may be reckless and irresponsible by promoting internecine wars and heating up our country unnecessarily but no one can deny him the right of expressing himself and agitating for his beliefs. What could have been done to him was very simple; send the police after him and get him rearrested for flouting his bail conditions. Some of his hard core loyalists and acolytes could be easily identified and kept out of circulation. For the past few months, Kanu has been raking and ranting but he has not fired a bullet.





As a matter of fact, this government has unfortunately resurrected a man who was already on his way to Golgotha and at a time his bravado was becoming increasingly irritating to many of those who took him seriously initially. The staccato fashion of his argument was becoming boring and predictable. I really dont know who misadvised our leaders into thinking they can fight all wars and win all. Believe me please, I know Nigeria a bit, it is a dangerous gamble.





Im aware that our President is a retired Major General, a man well known for his taciturnity, who packs his punches and loves to take on known and imaginary enemies. But we supported him because we believed Baba had transfigured into a born again democrat. The Buhari we supported was not the man who ruled with draconian Decrees from 1983-85 and was forced out of power and his detractors rejoiced openly and widely. The same Nigerians who praised you for beating your child would soon turn around to castigate you and ask why youre so wicked. That is the reality of Nigeria. This particular case is even more precarious. Some Northerners had issued threats to the Igbos to quit their territory or face monumental reprisals.

A few of the respected people in the North cautioned them but they were rebuffed with insults in a most vicious manner. No security arm ever tried to even invite them for any chat not to talk of arrests. The then Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, did so well by engaging different sections of Nigeria in peaceful dialogue and we were happy that the ticking bomb was carefully detonated. Just imagine what would have happened if he invaded parts of the North or East with soldiers blazing with guns and bayonets. He would have been accused of all sorts, including ethnic cleansing.





Our President should be told in very clear terms that the world has changed drastically in the last three decades. No leader can order his troops out in the streets to kill and destroy wantonly. We should not over-stretch our luck. Nigeria cannot afford a second civil war. Our economy is already in shambles. We should prosecute how to return to economic recovery urgently and resist the temptation of wasting our scarce resources on persecuting our fellow citizens. The videos in circulation tend to portray us as barbarians who belong in the prehistoric age. Weve suffered enough negativity and should not invite the wrath of the world upon ourselves.





Believe it or not, Nigeria may find itself in the bad book of War Crimes Tribunal. It is not impossible, no matter how long it takes. Mass graves have been reported in some parts of Nigeria with concrete proofs. Nigerians have been detained indefinitely in near solitary confinements without trial. These are not the best examples to lay for our future. Many of those who should speak up against tyranny are too squeamish for obvious reasons. But it should not be so.





Im not a supporter of Biafra. I dont have to be. I love and prefer a bigger, stronger and more prosperous Nigeria. But there are reasons for many Nigerians to detest Nigeria, today. They feel they have been horribly marginalised and treated like second class citizens in their own country.





Their perception is that they believe all or most of the following things. Their children no longer attend the good schools for which the Igbos have become well known. The goods, some of which they even make themselves in Aba, have become only available for the rich. Infrastructure is sorely lacking for the most part. Where they exist, they are decaying and nobody is really attending to them.





There are no new jobs and the few old jobs are being lost in droves. The state of healthcare is almost hopeless. Federal character has become a total charade. We can go on, ad infinitum, reeling out the litany of woes that our brothers and sisters in the South East believe is responsible for the unusually strident agitation that we are now witnessing. To be fair and charitable they do have cause to be aggrieved in many respects.





Our government should address these issues instead of attacking those who disagree with them. One of the surest ways to do this is by education, information and public enlightenment to demonstrate that the position is not as bad as they feel.





The social media is awash with facts and figures for and against the depth and seriousness of the so-called marginalisation of the South East. The next step would be to identify those issues which are of critical concern, proffer solutions to resolve them and then act on these solutions. The third and equally important duty of the government is to ensure an equitable distribution of resources and positions.





Indeed, this is the major reason for the clamour for restructuring. Whilst we still operate in a system where government provides practically everything, it is only just that people must have a sense of belonging and participation.





However, the best form of restructuring that Nigeria needs now is not merely to decentralise power but to cede power completely to the private sector whilst government contributes its quota by providing the enabling environment for the much needed industrialisation and technological advancement that will take us out of our present doldrums.





In the name of God, the omnipotent and merciful, everyone should beg our Federal Government to end this self-immolating war of attrition. We have nothing to gain. In fact, we have more to lose.




This is a story of a Nigerian 26-year-old lady, Adetutu who was exploited and made to undergo untold hardship in a foreign land.

On the surface, Adetutu looks every bit a happy lady. But deep inside her, she rages with anger at the terrible experience she had in Oman, the Middle East country where she had gone in search of job.Jobless and without hope of getting a job any time soon, she had jumped at a touted employment opportunity in Oman because she needed to take care of not just herself but also her baby. So, it was like a prayer answered when she was told of an employment opportunity in the land of the Arabs.Today, she looks back at her short stay in the country with regrets. It was nothing but a journey to hell. Narrating her ugly experience in a chat with our correspondent, the Mass Communication graduate from one of the polytechnics in the South West said: I was looking for a job when one of my neighbours told me that his sister from Egypt sent him a message on WhatsApp that her agent had asked if she had any lady that would like to work as a housemaid in Oman.When the guy talked to me about it, I decided to tell my boyfriend about it. He asked me what it would cost me to get to Oman, and I told him that I was told the agent wanted the sum of N200,000, which my boyfriend paid twice.It was when she got to Oman that the reality dawned on her that she had been swindled.What the agent told me was not what I met there, she said.Before I left Nigeria, he told me that I would be taken care of and I would be free. But to my surprise, when I got there, it was far from that.On the day we got there, because we were three girls that travelled from Nigeria, we were taken to the Middle East Sophisticated Project Manpower office where we stayed for three days before sponsors from different places came around to pick us one by one for what we were there for (house help).Signs that she was in a big mess started unfolding when her supposed host rudely impounded her phone and international passport and became very hostile.She said: As soon as I got to my sponsors house, they collected my mobile phone and my international passport and told me that I would not be able to communicate with my family members for two years, and if I must, then I would have to recharge their phone to call my mum only.If the reception she got from her host was rude, the job she did the days that followed was demeaning. I woke up daily around 5 am and would not sleep until 11 pm or midnight as I would still be busy performing all manner of house chores. I was never offered breakfast until about 4 pm. Many times, I would have to steal bread from the fridge and take it to the bathroom to eat.Later, I told them to take me to the office; that I didnt like to work with them, because they never allowed us to go out for anything. Their house was like a prison. All the gates were always locked.Reprieve came her way when her hosts could no longer cope with her nagging and rebellious attitude. Adetutu was sent back to the agents office where she met other Nigerians with tales similar to hers.While her phone had been seized by her sponsors, she was fortunate to see some other girls who still had theirs. I made use of someones phone to start communicating with my boyfriend, to intimate him with the situation over there, she said, adding that it is much better to serve as a housemaid in Nigeria than to do so in Oman.Adetutus hope of returning to Nigeria got a boost when her boyfriend decided to send her a ticket. But her bid to return met a brick wall.When I told them at the office that I was going back home, a guy in the office, an Egyptian named Sahid, said that if I insisted on going back home, I would not be paid my salary for three weeks, which was about N15,000. In short, I was not given my salary and my phone.Adetutu left for Oman with high expectations but returned flattened and devastated. She returned to Nigeria without a dime to show for her toil, but she would consider herself luckier than some other girls that travelled with her in that she was not sexually abused.Among the unlucky girls was one whose journey to Oman Adetutu said was facilitated by an Alhaja, who on getting to Oman worked for a Nigerian couple as a housemaid.Adetutu said: The girl in question was turned into a sex machine by her male employer. To make matters worse, the male employer in question was always collecting her used menstrual pad for unknown reasons. And when the Alhaja who facilitated her journey to Oman was contacted in Nigeria, the elderly woman said there was no big deal in the way the Nigerian girl was being treated.That is the height of wickedness. As a Yoruba woman, she should know that the used pads collected from her were being used for rituals.Adetutu is sad that the agents who are responsible for this heinous act still roam the streets of Nigeria free, swindling many innocent ladies in the name of giving them employment in Oman and other Middle East countries.Adetutu said while she has forgiven those people, it is worrisome that some parents still patronise them by supporting their female children to embark on this satanic trip in the name of looking for jobs abroad.She also blamed many radio presenters, especially in Ibadan, who out of ignorance, allow the criminals to use their air time to advertise this modern slavery. I just decided to open up because there are many ladies and parents out there who still encourage their children to patronise these criminals.
As shared by Reno... Read below. I read the statement by the former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mall...

As shared by Reno... Read below.





I read the statement by the former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Mohammed Lawal with great amusement.

Mr. Lawal, who is one of President Buhari's lopsided recent appointees to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (AKA Northern Nigeria Petroleum Corporation) wants Nigerians to believe that former vice President Atiku Abubakar, has been plotting the downfall of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2014.



I find the allegation laughable. Why, you may ask?



Well, because it is silly for any ally of President to say Atiku Abubakar plotted President Buhari's failure. Does anybody need to plot the failure of a man who still calls Germany 'West Germany'? Was it Atiku's plot that made Buhari wait and waste six months before setting up a cabinet of square pegs in round holes? Atiku did not force Buhari to make promises he could not keep like making $1 equal to ?1 or creating 3 million jobs per annum.



Even before day one didn't Nasir El-Rufai warn Nigerians in 2010 that 'if you ask Buhari, he will think that Blackberry is a fruit.'



A serial plagiarizer who plagiarized Barack Obama's and Charles De Gaulle's speeches, who surrounds himself with the likes of Amaechi, who is still afraid of rats as an ex general, needs no one to plot his failure!



Just as you have an auto-correct function on your phone, so does President Buhari have an auto-fail function in his government. He does not need an Atiku to plot his failure!



Let me cite an example. Two weeks ago, Benue state experienced a cataclysmic flooding of almost biblical proportions. Many pundits, including yours truly, appealed to the President to at least visit the victims of the flood to give them moral support.



However, the President chose to ignore the 100,000 families that had been rendered homeless and I thank God that this same Atiku Abubakar who they claim is plotting the President's failure was able to plot his way to donating ?5 million to the suffering victims.



But that is not where the story ends. President Buhari who refused to visit Benue shocked right thinking people by visiting Kaduna even while the people of Benue (who coincidentally voted for him) had not had the pleasure of his visit.



President Muhammadu Buhari is strong enough to visit Kaduna state to commission a poultry but not strong enough to visit Benue to commiserate with humans. You visit with poultry but not people. Why does it seem as if this administration values animals over human beings?



Recall that when Nigerians were facing possibly the worst food crisis in our history, Buhari's minister of agriculture was more focused on importing grass for cows from Brazil. And even after herdsmen killed vast amounts of people in Southern Kaduna the APC Governor of Kaduna admitted to paying them compensation for their cattle killed. Perhaps the President would have postponed his visit to poultry chickens in favour of visiting paltry citizens in Benue.



Can his handlers continue to blame Atiku Abubakar for these unforced errors?



President Trump who we unfairly like to criticize in this part of the world has visited Texas twice to help out with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and to project hope to his people. His office has equally announced plans to visit Florida after Hurricane Irma eases. And here our President is visiting poultry!



And look at what is happening in the Southeast. Do we blame Atiku for this avoidable crisis too?



Until Nnamdi Kanu was arrested by Muhammadu Buhari he was unknown to most Nigerians and this include Nigerians of Southeastern origin. The president actually created Nnamdi Kanu, made him a celebrity and gave him the power he has right now.





Right now he has empowered the young man to do a lot more damage to him and his inept administration by making him a cause celebre that even foreign diplomats go to pay homage to. What was Nnamdi Kanu doing before President Buhari had him arrested? Radio Biafra? How many people were listening to it?



What President Buhari did by arresting Nnamdi Kanu was to turn him from a Bright Chimezie to a Michael Jackson without releasing a Thriller album!



And to make matters worse, he has now initiated this unnecessary, ill thought out, ill advised and ill fated so called Operation Python Dance 2 in the Southeast.



The US Army is in Texas and Florida helping hurricane victims. That is what I expect the Nigerian Army to do in Benue , where 100,000 families have been rendered homeless by flood, not doing a 'Show of Force' in a place that is need of persuasion not threats.



Four days ago suspected herdsmen killed 20 people in Ancha village in Miango district of Jos. If the army wanted to do a 'show of force', that would have been a good place to start. It makes no sense to do a show of force in a peaceful community when you have violence prone communities all over Nigeria.



Since when did the dictionary definition of intimidation change to 'show of force'? Please let us call a spade a spade and not a big spoon.



The injustices under the Buhari administration are just too glaring, to blatant and too obnoxious.



Arewa youths gave their fellow Nigerians a Quit Notice and they get a song and dance from the Buhari administration. IPOB youths who did not threaten other Nigerians get Python Dance from the same government. How is that fair?



Ignorance is a disease and the Buhari administration appears to be heavily inflicted by this disease. If not, they ought to have known that no nation on earth has permanently put down a separatist movement by force of arms alone.



History does not repeat itself. Men repeat history. The United States has 14 separatist movements. England invited her own separatist movements to form regional govt in Ireland and Scotland. In the case of Scotland, they even threw in a referendum into the bargain!



President Buhari could have defeated Nnamdi Kanu's IPOB and its separatist agenda if he had only been equitable and just in his management of Nigeria.



Buhari's appointments overwhelmingly favour the North. The military and security agencies are almost entirely in the hands of not just Northerners, but core Northern Muslims.



The chief of army staff is a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The National Security Adviser is similarly a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The Chief of staff to the President is likewise a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is, you guessed it-core Northern Muslim from Borno.



The chief of air staff is a core Northern Muslim from Bauchi. The Inspector-General of Police is a Northern Muslim from Niger state. The Controller General of Prisons is a core Northern Muslim from Kebbi. The Comptroller General of Immigration is a core Northern Muslim from Jigawa. The Comptroller- Generalof the Nigerian Customs Service is a core Northern Muslim from Bauchi.



The Director General of the Department of State Security Services is a core Northern Muslim from Katsina. The Chief of Defence Intelligence is a core Northern Muslim.



These are the appointments in the security agencies. Even if you are a core Northern Muslim, as long as you fear God, you can see that this list is obviously lopsided in favour of the core North.



In fact, the President has even stopped pretending. At the last eid-el-fitri, President Muhammadu Buhari discarded all pretense and addressed the nation in Hausa, the language of the core North.



When you take into consideration his famous comment, to wit "the constituents, for example, gave me 97% cannot in all honesty be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave me 5%", you can now see how alienated he has made the South feel from Nigeria.



Since his swearing in as President of Nigeria, President Buhari has not seen it fur to visit the Southeast yet this is a man that said "I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody" (never mind that he plagiarized Charles De Gaulle.



If President Buhari wants to end the Biafran agitation, he needs to, with urgency, retrace his steps and start acting like he is the President of Nigeria, and not the President of core Northern Muslims only. The day he makes this paradigm shift, will mark the day that separatist agitation will start to fizzle out.



President Buhari does not need guns to quell any separatist movement. All he needs is guts.



Reno's Nuggets



This week's nugget is very special to me. It is directed at one Peter Odumosu, a man who has for weeks been going around social media spreading false and wicked lies about me to the effect that I stole government money. In this regards he was helped by one Olumide Dada, a certain Dr. Yomi Ogunyemi and one Kola Arubayi who joined him to cast aspersions on my character that have no bearing on reality. To them I prayed to God whom I have served with what I believe is a pure conscience from my childhood, during my recent pilgrimage, that if their allegations against me are true may God punish me and do so publicly. However, if they have falsely accused me, may God fulfill the word He confirmed in 2 Thessalonians 1:6.



Congratulations guys, you made it onto my column in ThisDay newspaper. To all of you I say the following





If you see someone 'flexing', don't hate or falsely accuse them of flexing 'with other people money'. Instead, study what makes them flex. If you hate a successful person, you can NEVER attract what you hate. The Bible says "He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed"-Proverbs 13:20. The main reason haters don't succeed, is because they walk with bitterness instead of walking with God! #RenosNuggets



And to Enebeli Theo, Adamu Usman Attaboh, Ogbonnaya Kanu and Ebi Warekromo. I say God bless you for coming to my defense without being asked. That's what true friends are for.



And for all those who sat on the fence, joking and exchanging banters while these people engaged in the vilest form of character assassination, I pray that in your own time of false accusation, you will have friends like Enebeli Theo, Adamu Usman Attaboh, Ogbonnaya Kanu and Ebi Warekromo and not friends like yourselves. In Jesus' name I seal all that I have written here.
President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to depart Abuja for New York, tomorrow to join other world leaders at the 72nd Session of the U...

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to depart Abuja for New York, tomorrow to join other world leaders at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72).He will also have a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump, during the trip.The high point of Buharis trip, according to Mr. Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, is his participation in the General Debate during which he will deliver the Nigerias National Statement.The theme for this years debate is: Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet.President Buhari will join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and also hold a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe.Equally, the Nigerian leader will hold a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump of the United States of America, along with other world leaders.During the General Assembly, Nigeria will participate in high level meetings on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Building Momentum for Change, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a High Level Event organized by the African Union under its Theme of the Year: Roadmap on the Demographic Dividend: from Commitment to Action, among others.At the events, President Buhari and members of his delegation will strive to project Nigeria as a strong moral force and responsible member of the international community.Nigerias commitment to global peace, security and development will also be reaffirmed and where necessary, the need for increased international cooperation in the fight against corruption.Other priorities for the Nigerian delegation at UNGA 72 include strengthening human rights institutions; the rule of law; support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of terrorist acts and recent flooding, and mitigating the effects of Climate Change.The Nigerian delegation will also canvass the support of UN member states for the Buhari administrations efforts towards combatting illicit financial flows in order to foster sustainable development.The President will be accompanied by the governors of Zamfara, Ebonyi and Ondo states, and key cabinet ministers.
SADDLE RIVER-- Police issued an alert after approximately five coyotes circled a person out walking a dog Thursday.

The incident occurred on Oak Road, where the band came within six feet of the person and tried to snatch the dog, police said. A passing motorist honked and then left the vehicle to help scare the animals off.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife and TYCO Animal Control have both been notified, police said.

Police are advising residents to keep small pets indoors and to make sure young children are not left unsupervised. Anyone walking dogs, jogging or engaging in other outdoor activity are being asked to carry an air horn or walking stick to use in any encounters with the animals.

More information on coyotes can be found at the Division of Fish and Wildlife website.

Any contacts with coyotes should also be reported to police by calling 201-327-5300.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BASS RIVER -- A 57-year-old woman was killed Friday night in a single-car crash on a wooded stretch of rural road in Bass River, police said.

At 6:37 p.m., Helene Malone of Sicklerville was heading east on Leektown Road when her car veered off the left side of the highway, said Sgt. Jeff Flynn, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police, which patrols Bass River in largely rural Burlington County.

Flynn said Malone's car then veered back on to the road, but traveled across both lanes and again went off the highway, this time on the right side, where it flipped over and finally came to rest.

Malone was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

No cause or contributing factors had been determined as of Saturday morning.

"The crash is still under investigation," Flynn said.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BRIDGETON -- A man shot in his home by a state trooper dispatched to the wrong address has sued numerous entities and individuals for their "egregious, outrageous and unlawful acts" in connection with the incident, according to court documents.

Along with Gerald Sykes, his wife, Margo, is listed as a plaintiff in the suit stemming from the shooting on the night of July 29, 2016 in Upper Deerfield Township.

The complaint claims "negligence, gross negligence and willful and wanton misconduct" on the part of many involved in the case leading up to the time Sykes was shot to his treatment afterward.

An investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, released in February, concluded the actions of the trooper who fired on Sykes was "justifiable under the law."

The couple -- Gerald Sykes was 76 when the shooting took place and Margot Sykes was 80 -- still suffer from what happened that night, according to their attorney, Richard S. Kaser.

"They both continue to heal and cope with the emotional and physical aspects of what has happened. Their home will never feel the same to them. It will never again be a place of tranquility and safety. It is no longer their home, but just their house," said Kaser who filed the suit in Superior Court in Bridgeton.

Among the entities named in the complaint are the State of New Jersey, the Attorney General's Office, New Jersey Office of Information Technology, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey State Police, Cumberland County, Cumberland County 911 Center, City of Vineland and the Vineland Police Department.

Individuals named include dispatchers and various supervisors involved with the state police and dispatchers.

The Sykes were in the bedroom of their Centerton Road home asleep when the two troopers from the Bridgeton Station arrived after mistakenly being dispatched for what was thought to be a 911 hang-up call there.

A 911 call had been made to the Cumberland County 911 center and a dispatcher tried to transfer it to state police, but mistakenly sent it to the Vineland Police Department, according to the state's findings of the probe into the case. The Vineland dispatcher then interpreted the call as a 911 hang-up and alerted state police that it had originated at the Skyeses home where a cell tower is located.

These were the "grossly negligent" errors which caused the state troopers to be dispatched to the wrong house around 11:39 p.m., the suit claims, an action which set off a series of events that left Gerald Sykes critically injured.

The suit claims that the Sykeses were awakened by their barking dog and saw through the windows of the French doors in their first floor bedroom a light from a flashlight coming from the outside deck.

The suit says the troopers never identified themselves to the Sykes, something the state says in its report they did do.

According to the suit, Gerald Sykes thought the two figures outside were burglars. He retrieved a pistol from a nightstand and told his wife to call 911, but she told him the phone was dead which increased the couple's "fear and anxiety."

Gerald Sykes then retrived a shotgun from his bedroom closet, according to the suit, and went to the great room of the house where, through the French doors there, he saw the two figures out on his deck. Sykes, the suit said, tossed his pistol to the ground and "held the shotgun across his body in the 'ready' position."

At that point, around 11:45 p.m., four shots were fired by one of the troopers through the windows. Three shots hit Gerald Sykes -- two in his chest and one in his upper groin -- according to the complaint. He then "fell into a coffee table then onto the floor. Still believing that he and his wife were under attack, Mr. Sykes fired one shot in defense."

That blast of birdshot, the state investigation said, injured one of the two troopers in the elbow.

There remains a dispute whether Sykes pointed his shotgun at police before he was shot or not. The suit claims he only fired off a round only after he was himself struck.

Gerald Sykes made his way back to his bed and called 911, the suit claims, telling them he had been shot by "prowlers" and "pleaded with them for 45 minutes for the aid of the police and life-saving emergency personnel" while "fighting death ... wth three open bullet wounds."

Eventually Gerald Sykes was told to come out of the house and he did, but only with the aid of his wife, the suit said. He was then ordered by police to lay face down in his yard and was handcuffed behind his back "despite the three bullet-hole wounds and external bleeding," says the suit.

EMTs were eventually allowed in and Gerald Sykes was flown to Cooper University Hospital in Camden in critical condition where he was held under arrest for a time and his family was not allowed to see him, the suit claims.

Margo Sykes, the suit said, was "ordered" into a state police vehicle and taken to the Bridgeton station "for several hours." She was not allowed to go to the hospital with her husband or was told of his condition, the complaint alleges.

Gerald Sykes suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs, the loss of his spleen, perforation of his bowel, muscular and tissues damage, injuries to his left wrist and emotional and psychological damages,' the suit says.

His wife "suffers from emotional and psychological injuries" after being "caused to witness the shooting of her husband and its prolonged aftermath."

The Sykeses also suffered, the suit claims, "sustained temporary and permanent personal injuries, economic loss, shame, ridicule, severe emotional damages, psychological damages, loss of self-worth ...

"Mr. Sykes still suffers with pain in his upper torso, but has physically healed well for a man of his age. He tires easily now and cannot enjoy his farm like he did just a little over a year ago," Kaser said. "Mrs. Sykes cannot stay in the house by herself due to her emotional trauma."

The suit demands a jury trial and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has no comment on the suit, a spokesman said.

An email seeking comment from Cumberland County officials was not immediately returned Friday.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Brad Sloan has a good marriage, a fine college-bound son, and a pretty good life in suburban Sacramento. And it's eating him up.

The friends he went to school with are now Beltway pundits, hedge-fund millionaires, hot-shot directors, retired-to-Maui tech geniuses. His own life is fine - but why is it only fine? Why isn't it awesome?

Yes, envy is an ugly, albeit very human emotion -- which puts it right in filmmaker Mike White's wheelhouse.

While his biggest hit was the original "School of Rock," White's best scripts have been comedies of discomfort - squirm-inducing character studies like "The Good Girl" and the terrific "Chuck & Buck." They're movies about people doing slightly ugly, very human things.

And "Brad's Status" (which he also directed) fits perfectly, painfully among them.

As the movie opens, Brad - played by the almost-too-well-cast Ben Stiller - is getting ready to take that proud-parent's special trip, the college-tour tour. Unfortunately, his son's excursions to check out Amherst, Tufts and Harvard is coinciding with his own mid-life crisis.

What's worse (and it gets worse) is that Brad doesn't merely blame himself for not being rich and famous - he blames his wife for not pushing him harder. And he's not just jealous of his old friends - he's even jealous of his own son, who's on a fast track for Ivy League schools that Brad only got wait-listed for.

Brad could be a difficult person to spend 101 minutes with, but White keeps the film tart, not bitter, by both staying inside Brad's head and letting us see how disordered his values are.

For example, Brad narrates the entire film (not only a clever choice, but a consistent one - too many films begin with a few lines of narration and then drop the device). But then White shows us the faces of the people Brad is complaining to - and we're reminded, even if he isn't, of how petty he really sounds.

We see Brad's fantasies of what he imagines his friend's posh lives are like. But then we pick up some of the real details - financial scandals, drugs, sick children - and we realize, even if he doesn't, that he's the one with the enviable life.

Stiller is very good in the part - he has always enjoyed playing vaguely annoying people - and he's the center of a fine cast that includes Michael Sheen as the most self-satisfied of his successful friends and the quietly authentic Austin Abrams as his blithely confident son.

Yet "Brad's Status" is, in its way, in almost as much of a comfortably privileged bubble as Brad himself (there is only a single African-American character, seen in long shot, and he doesn't even get a line).

Nor does it push itself to do more. It still spares Brad a bit (you long for some of the self-laceration Stiller put himself through in the films he did with Noah Baumbach, like "Greenberg" and "While We're Young"). It begins to peter out by the end, and ends a little abruptly.

It's a good and with a few nice, sharp touches. But -- like its protagonist -- it never really lives up to its full potential.

Ratings note: The film contains strong language.

'Brad's Status' (R) Annapurna/Amazon (101 min.) Directed by Mike White. With Ben Stiller, Michael Sheen. THREE STARS

Stephen Whitty may be reached at stephenjwhitty@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwhitty. Find him on Facebook.


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.
A number of Verizon Wireless customers in southwest Iowa will soon have to find new providers.

The company recently sent a letter notifying customers that their service would be dropped in mid-October. The letter noted the customers use a significant amount of data while roaming outside the Verizon coverage area.

They said they were going through their records and most of our data usage was in roaming areas, said Kate Murphy, who lives with her family in rural Mills County just south of Glenwood.

Murphy said that, until recently, the family used data on their phones at home because of a weak Wi-Fi signal, which wouldve contributed to the roaming.

The Murphys have five phones with Verizon, which is dropping service on four of them on Oct. 17. The phone not losing service is used by a family member in Atlanta.

Meagan Dorsch, a Verizon spokeswoman, said the company regularly reviews accounts with data use that primarily takes place outside of the Verizon network.

The company sent letters about service termination to 753 Iowa customers, who have 1,897 phone lines, according to Dorsch. Verizon doesnt operate towers in the affected areas, and the roaming costs generated by these lines exceed what these consumers pay each month.

People who live within the Verizon service area are not impacted, Dorsch said in an email. This only affects a few people who primarily roam on other networks, and does not affect customers who primarily use Verizons own network.

Verizon is forgiving any unpaid cost on the phones.

Austin Fredrickson, who lives outside Mineola, said he and his wife use Wi-Fi at home and both work in the Council Bluffs-Omaha metro area. Fredrickson was unsure how their data usage warranted being dropped.

Fredrickson said hes happy he should be able to keep his current number  which he uses for his business  when he finds a new provider. And, speaking of finding a new provider, both Fredrickson and Murphy said theyd be making sure that phone use at home wouldnt be roaming with the new company.

Murphy and Fredrickson were among a number of Glenwood area residents who noted theyd soon lose their coverage on the popular Glenwood Buzz Facebook group.

Social media suggested customers in Shenandoah, Red Oak and Sidney have also been affected.

Murphy said her family recently switched to Verizons unlimited plan. Social media posts in Glenwood and other towns noted that many, though not all, of the affected customers had the unlimited plan.

That mightve been the kiss of death, Murphy said. But we have heard from other people without unlimited that have lost services as well.

Kelly Crummey, another spokeswoman with Verizon, confirmed that unlimited data plan customers were not the only ones affected.
Flights should resume from local airport by March, manager says

As the North Platte Airport Authority considers which one of six airlines will provide service there, it will also try to prevent a repeat of the last 10 months.

Airlines were given until Sept. 12 to bid for service out of North Platte. Six responded: Great Lakes Airlines, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Boutique Air of San Francisco; Key Lime Air of Dove Valley, Colorado; Silver Airways of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah; and Sky Value Airways of Kennesaw, Georgia.

All of the airlines except Silver Airways previously bid to serve North Platte, said Mike Sharkey, manager of the airport. Sky Value is also known as Aerodynamics Inc. Great Lakes Airlines served North Platte just before its most recent airline, PenAir.

PenAir filed bankruptcy in August, nine months after its first flight from North Platte to Denver. While it promised to operate until a new airline came, it cited a pilot shortage earlier this month and announced that its last flight would take off Sept. 10.

North Plattes next airline should be flying here in early March, Sharkey said.

The vying airlines sent bids to the Department of Transportation, which were forwarded to the airport. The airport authority board will review bids at its Sept. 25 meeting.

The board will recommend a choice to Mayor Dwight Livingston, who will send his recommendation to the DOT.

Generally it takes them about 30 days to select the airline, Sharkey said, adding that negotiating the airlines contract comes next, followed by about 90 days to get up and running at the airport.

In choosing the airline, the board will recommend the one that they feel is the best fit and the most financially sound, Sharkey said. And the one they feel will do the best.

The board will also look at another key factor: How theyre handling the pilot shortage, Sharkey said.

In the past, Sharkey has said that lawmakers need to relax the federal law that requires commercial pilots to log 1,500 hours of flight time. The law, which took effect in 2013, caused Great Lakes Airlines to cancel flights during its first stay in North Platte, leaving fliers unhappy and leading the airport to its subsequent search for a new airline.

The law increased the required hours logged from 250 after a fatal airplane crash near Buffalo, New York, during a 2009 snowstorm, USA Today reported in 2015.

Others, such as Dan Reed, a Forbes contributor who has covered airline news since the 1980s, say that if airlines increased starting wages for pilots, the job would become more attractive.
A Kansas man charged after a July 1 crash that killed four motorcyclists has been ordered to trial in Keith County District Court.

Jeser Cisneros-Hernandez, 22, is charged with four counts of motor vehicle homicide, one count of reckless driving and one count of failure to stay in the proper lane. Hell be arraigned in district court Oct. 6.

Cisneros-Hernandez, of Liberal, Kansas, was eastbound on U.S. Highway 26 near Ogallala when his 2002 Ford Escape crossed the center line and struck two westbound motorcycles.

On the motorcycles were two couples from Iowa: Sheila Matheny, 54, and James Matheny, 61, of Bedford; and Michal Weese, 58, and Jerolyn Weese, 59, of Council Bluffs.

Cisneros-Hernandez told investigators he was traveling on about an hour of sleep after his work shift in Sidney, Montana, and was heading home to Liberal.
To empower more Americans to lift themselves out of poverty, we need to measure the effectiveness of our welfare programs and focus resources on those producing real results. Right now, I am pleased to be working on renewing an evidence-based program with a proven track record of improving outcomes for families in Nebraska and across the country.

The reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program is one of my priorities as chairman of the Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee. Proposed by President George W. Bush, this program was fully authorized by Congress in fiscal year 2010.

The program helps support state and local efforts to provide voluntary, evidence-based, outcome-focused home visiting services to parents and children living in communities which put them at risk of poor social and health outcomes. Objectives include increasing economic self-sufficiency of families, improving prenatal health and birth outcomes, promoting school readiness of young children and preventing child abuse and neglect.

This is one of the only government programs in which funding is contingent on proven evidence of effectiveness. This is a model we need to replicate across the federal government to ensure that taxpayer dollars are focused on programs producing real results for those who need it most. The current lack of accountability in many other government programs is a disservice to both taxpayers and those we are seeking to help.

The evidence-based nature of the home visiting program has motivated our committee to renew it at level funding, meaning we are maintaining the same level of funding rather than increasing spending. The reauthorization bill is also fully paid for  to do otherwise with our national debt now exceeding $20 trillion would be entirely irresponsible.

The costs of reauthorizing the program are offset by the Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act, also passed by the committee, which prohibits individuals with outstanding arrest warrants for a felony or parole violation from receiving monthly Supplemental Security Income payments. Fugitives evading prosecution should not continue to receive monthly payments from the federal government, and this legislation puts a stop to this abuse of taxpayer dollars.

The home-visit programs upfront investment in families protects children and reduces government dependence down the road. There is broad bipartisan support for the program, including dozens of national organizations and hundreds of state and local organizations, including business leaders, law enforcement officers, faith-based groups, health care providers, child welfare advocacy organizations and early education providers.

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to meet with Nebraskans across the district working toward self-sufficiency through this program and see firsthand the positive outcomes being achieved. At one of these visits earlier this year, I spent time with a participant named Dawn who shared how she found a stable home and a steady income to provide for her growing family through a home visiting program. She is now working toward her college degree.

These are the types of outcomes we should be expecting and receiving from the use of limited taxpayer resources.

We must focus on solutions that truly empower Americans through independence and productivity. I am glad the committee has affirmed the importance of reauthorizing the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, and I look forward to bringing this bill to the House floor.
The owner of the Coca-Cola sales and distribution center in Portage will stop delivery operations from the facility by mid-October.

This is according to a statement issued by Chicago-based public relations firm Edleman on behalf of Reyes Holdings LLC of Rosemont. Reyes Holdings is owner of Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution, which operates the Portage facility at 5959 Coca Cola Ave.

Great Lakes said it informed its Portage employees Thursday that it would discontinue delivery operations from the facility, which has been open the past 25 years. The Portage site is not closing, according to the company, but some jobs will be eliminated.

The company said some functions from its Portage facility will be moved to its operation in Alsip, Illinois.

Great Lakes would not disclose how many employees were affected by the move, but noted those losing their jobs would be assisted in finding alternative positions within the company.

"We deeply value the contributions our team members have made, and we have worked hard to minimize impact to employees," Great Lakes said in a statement. "At Great Lakes Coca-Cola, we are always evaluating our business and organizational structure to ensure we remain competitive as an industry leader."

Information from Reyes Holdings' website notes the company annually delivers more than 950 million cases of beverage and food products from more than 150 warehouses in North, Central and South America, as well as Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Reyes Holdings operations include Reyes Beverage Group; The Martin-Brower Co. LLC, a global quick-service restaurant distribution business and worldwide supplier of distribution services to the McDonalds restaurant system; Reinhart Foodservice LLC; and Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution LLC.

Reyes Holdings is a privately held company with more than 24,000 employees and annual sales of approximately $24 billion.
PORTAGE  A man and woman were found dead of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning late Friday night at Marina Shores at Dune Harbor, according to the Porter County Coroner's Office.

Michael S. McKinney, 44, of Wanatah, and Jennifer Ellenberger, 38, of Crown Point, were both pronounced dead at the scene after being discovered unresponsive in the cabin of a boat docked in the Portage harbor, the coroner's office stated in a news release Saturday.

According to statements from witnesses, McKinney's mother had been searching for her son when she found the two victims inside the boat, the release stated. A call came in to 911 at 10:02 p.m., and the Porter County coroner was dispatched an hour later.

Carbon monoxide levels taken by the Portage Fire Department at the scene were found to be at toxic levels, according to the coroner. Toxicology tests are being performed by the coroner's office to confirm carbon monoxide poisoning. There were no indications of foul play.

The Portage police and fire departments assisted in the investigation, as did the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
CROWN POINT  A retired St. John police commander charged with sexually battering three women and official misconduct for ghost payrolling had his case continued Friday.

Michael Fryzel, 54, was slated to appear before Lake Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray for an omnibus hearing. However, Murray was attending a judicial conference, and Pro-Tem Judge Michael Lambert was substituting for him. The new date of Fryzel's next hearing was not known.

Fryzel, who also served as a St. John Town Council member for nearly eight years, resigned from the Police Department in March 2015, two days before federal lawsuits were filed accusing him of sexual harassment of female town employees.

Following an investigation by the Indiana State Police, Fryzel was charged in Lake County Criminal Court with three counts of sexual battery, five counts of official misconduct, two counts of theft and three counts of battery. Some of the allegations against Fryzel date back to 2011.

He was released on a $7,500 bond in May 2016, according to court records.
CROWN POINT  When ground was broken Thursday on the Dean and Barbara White Southlake YMCA, many didn't realize the 9 acres on which the $35 million expansion will sit was donated by Franciscan Health Crown Point.

"From our perspective, it's a wonderful addition to the (hospital) campus," said Franciscan Health Crown Point CEO and President Barbara Anderson.

She said the YMCA and hospital administrators had agreed two years ago that the Y might use Franciscan's land for its expansion, and when the Y brought its final plans to the hospital, specifying how much land they'd need, the hospital thought it would be a good fit.

Thursday's expansion ceremony took place a year to the day of Region billionaire Dean White's death, whose family's gift of $21 million led the way to the new facility.

"The current Y sits on our land," Anderson said of the hospital. "We said to them that although we are looking at potential expansion to our (hospital) campus, we think there is enough room for the Y to expand, and for us to develop our campus around that.

"They approached us for a 9-acre plot, and Mr. (Dean) White and Kevin Leahy (president and CEO of Franciscan Alliance), and the sisters agreed we'd go ahead and approve that plan. The sisters really love to support projects like this in the community."

The existing Y opened in October 1997 at 26,987 square feet. In 2003, an expansion brought that total to 39,687 square feet. The addition begun Thursday will include a 76,000-square-foot building expansion to the east side of the existing facility.

"From our perspective, it's a wonderful addition to the campus, as we have a health care facility that provides for this community that also is expanding," Anderson said.

The expansion to the Crown Point facility at the corner of Court Street and Burrell Drive is expected to be completed by December 2018, according to Laurie A. Halaska, CEO of Crossroads YMCA, which operates the branches in Griffith, Hammond and Whiting, in addition to the Southlake Y.

"This facility will raise the health standards in Crown Point and surrounding communities," she said Thursday.

Anderson said the hospital may work with the Y on its education programs, such as, for example, diabetic screenings, and cardiac and pulmonary rehab efforts.

Franciscan Health, formerly Franciscan Alliance, is a health care system serving Indiana and parts of Illinois. It operates 14 hospitals and employs more than 18,000 full- and part-time employees.
GARY  The Indiana National Guard is expected to complete the demolition of 13 structures in the city's Fourth District by the end of this month.

U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, Friday joined Major General Courtney Carr, the head of the guard, in a visit to a demolition site in the 1900 block of Maryland Street.

Young said he saw some of the abandoned homes during a tour of the city with Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson in February.

He then worked with the Indiana National Guard to allow them to come to the city to conduct demolitions through the use of funding from the Federal Asset Forfeiture Program.

Guard officials indicated earlier that Gary police believe the abandoned buildings targeted for demolition contribute to illegal drug activity in the area.
Three Port Authority employees wound up in a hospital after the barge they were on possibly exploded Friday afternoon near the Michigan City marina.

The injuries were not considered life threatening, authorities said.

Efforts were underway to contain fuel, transmission fluid and possibly other liquids suspected to have spilled from the 24-foot-long, 16-foot-wide barge into the water.

The incident happened at about 2:30 p.m.

Luis Morales, a petty officer with the U.S Coast Guard station in Michigan City, said the three men were coming in after removing buoys that mark the swimming area for the summer at nearby Washington Park beach.

The barge was in Trail Creek across from the edge of the marina when another boater roughly 500 feet away heard what could have been an explosion and used his radio to contact the Coast Guard, Morales said.

''He heard a bang and he turns around and that boat is flipping over,'' he said.

The vessel was partially submerged on its side.

Morales said two of the men on the boat wound up in the water while the third employee pulled himself up on a pier along the west side of the creek.

Life rings from a Coast Guard vessel that went out were used to pull the men in the water to safety, Morales said.

All three of the men had on life jackets that automatically inflated when they hit the water, he said.

''Once you fall in, this has a sensor and once it feels water it blows up,'' Morales said.

Two members of LaPorte County Emergency Medical Service were taken to the rescue boat where they placed one of the men on a backboard then after returning to shore took him away by ambulance.

Morales said another man suffered leg and arm injuries while the other appeared to have just scrapes.

The injuries included some possible fractures, he said.

Sam Johns, president of the Michigan City Port Authority Board, did not release the names of the men because he was not sure if all of their family members had been notified of the accident.

''We think there was an explosion. We have no idea what the cause of it may have been,'' Johns said.

Morales said the flat bottom of the barge was rounded and wasn't sure if anything but an explosion could have had such an effect.

There was a sheen in the water, but Coast Guard members from Chicago came over to determine if the discoloration was actually from fuel, how much and help with the containment.

Five buoys, extra life jackets, a fire extinguisher and a container of various supplies from the boat were recovered from the water.
SOUTH BEND, Ind.  South Bend's mayor wants the northern Indiana city to begin offering paid parental leave to city workers after they have a baby or adopt a child.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg said Thursday that paid parental leave is "the right thing to do" and is "pro-family" by supporting parents.

He says that if South Bend's Common Council approves the paid leave option that's part of his proposed city budget it should motivate local businesses to do the same.

The mayor noted both now-President Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton supported paid parental leave during the 2016 presidential election. He says the U.S. is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that doesn't mandate paid parental leave.

The South Bend Tribune reports Buttigieg's proposed $300 million city budget would earmark $156,000 for paid parental leave.

___

Information from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com
Would you support mandatory kindergarten for Indiana schoolchildren?

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick is pushing for it to better prepare our children for their elementary education and beyond.

But Indiana is one of 16 states that doesn't mandate schooling for children under the age of 7.

Should the status quo of optional kindergarten in the Hoosier state be changed, and why?

Sound off by sending us letters to the editor of 150 words or less on the topic. Send them by email to letters@nwi.com or by mail to Letters to the Editor, 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46307.

Include your full name, city/town of residence and a phone number where we can contact you to verify the letters, which will be published in upcoming editions of The Times.

Letters will be published in upcoming editions of The Times and at nwi.com/opinion.
NY1 has learned that former New York congressman Michael Grimm will run for his old seat, less than 16 months after he was released from federal prison.

Sources said Grimm will hold a rally Oct. 1 in New Dorp, where he is expected to announce his candidacy for next year's Republican primary against current Rep. Dan Donovan, who represents Staten Island and parts of south Brooklyn.

A federal tax fraud conviction appeared to end Michael Grimm's political career nearly three years ago, after he admitted to paying several workers off-the books at a Manhattan restaurant that he owned.

But after he resigned his seat and served seven months in prison, Grimm began taking steps back toward the political arena. He created a new Twitter account, posting opinions and politician-style photos.



Then, he appeared on NY1 on August 31 and criticized Donovan.

"I don't think he's doing well at all as a Republican; I think he's doing a great job as a liberal Democrat  whether it's going against the president on the health care vote, whether it's going against the president on the sanctuary city vote, whether it's all his anti-Second Amendment bills," Grimm said. "These are all Democrat positions and he's been down the line on those positions, and that's a problem."

All of the borough's Republican elected officials have already signed a pledge to support Donovan.

When NY1 contacted him, Grimm declined comment.
Record Number of Black Candidates Seeking History During Midterm Elections

While some already are household names like Stacey Abrams in Georgia, Val Demings in Florida, and Anthony Brown in Maryland, others like Natalie James in Arkansas, Will Boyd in Alabama,...

Tell the Supreme Court: We Still Need Affirmative Action

One of the great joys of my life is teaching. Im fortunate to teach classes on social justice at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most respected schools in...
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Over the past several weeks, millions of young adults went off to college for the first time. My Facebook feed was filled with pictures of parents and their tear-filled goodbyes as they dropped off their kids on campuses to begin their next chapter in life.

For students and parents, the beginning of freshman year is often the culmination of a year or more of searching for the perfect match in a college. It is filled with hope and joy, but what colleges rarely tell prospective students is that it's also filled with plenty of failures. As the author and columnist Frank Bruni recently pointed out, the freshman year of college is a lonely one for many students.

It's also the year when most students drop out. In 2015, only a little more than half of students who enrolled in college in 2009 made it to graduation, with the largest percentage leaving after their freshman year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse.

"For far too many students, the first year of college is still a pretty dismal experience," said George Mehaffy, vice president for academic leadership and change at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. "But it doesn't have to be."

Mehaffy is leading a project with 44 public universities to redesign the first year of college. Most students and parents think that if they made it through high school and were accepted to college, they'll jump through the next hoop without a problem. Students go off to college with plenty of worries, but finishing their degree is usually not one of them.

The reasons freshmen get derailed that first year are varied.

Academics, of course, play a big role. More than one-third of students say the transition to college classes was difficult for them, according to a survey of freshmen by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles. For many students, high school was a breeze, and they had a support network of parents and teachers who directed their learning every step of the way. That safety net disappears when they get to college. In the UCLA survey, some students reported they found it difficult to manage their time effectively, develop effective study skills, or understand what professors expect.

Another problem is that too many freshmen treat college as a spectator sport, waiting for it to happen to them. They sit back and wait for professors to deliver lessons in the classroom. They participate in campus life but too often from the sidelines, so they lack any deep engagement in activities. They fail to cultivate relationships with professors or staff on campus who might lend advice and act as mentors. Nearly one-third of freshmen seriously consider leaving school during their first year, according to the National Survey of Student Engagement, an annual poll of freshmen and seniors.

The freshman year of college is in desperate need of a makeover.

One urgent need is to fix the first-year curriculum. "It lacks both relevance and coherence for the students that experience it," Mehaffy said.

Students have too many choices, and rather than find that liberating, they are paralyzed by it. Even if they have declared a major, many students arrive without really knowing what they want to do, or have aspirations that never match their talents. A student may want to be a nurse but runs into trouble with biology, or aspires to be an engineer but fail math. Or they fail to see the relevance of introductory courses to what they want to do in life. Colleges need to build clearer pathways through four years so students can better see and understand their route to a degree.

That pathway could start in high school. About one in four freshmen take college-level courses during high school as part of dual enrollment programs. Students who took academically rigorous dual-credit courses were significantly more engaged in the first year of college, according to the student-engagement survey.

Another key reform is to force freshmen to engage early on and find their "tribe" so that they don't feel lonely  and that should start with where they live. After a decade of building luxury dorms with private bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, a few colleges are beginning to move back to the basics. Georgia State University has recently built dorms with smaller rooms and dining halls on the ground floor to reduce costs for students and increase a sense of community. The University of Delaware just opened a new freshman residential complex that is at the center of the academic campus and has plenty of lounge and study space to allow students to make friends and feel more connected.

Finally, professors play a key role in students' success, but often freshmen are stuck in large lecture-style classes in which they rarely get to talk with faculty members and find themselves interacting with graduate teaching assistants or part-time professors.

In many ways, first-year students need intense, close encounters with faculty more than upperclassmen do. About two out of five freshmen say they have "never discussed ideas from readings or classes with faculty members outside of class." Three out of five freshmen say they never worked with professors on activities other than coursework, according to the student engagement survey. Colleges should figure out ways to provide smaller classes for freshmen even if they have to cut back on them for upperclassmen.

When freshmen arrive on many campuses, they are given a survey from UCLA that measures their well-being, political beliefs and what they hope to achieve in college. In the most recent version of that survey, 86 percent of freshmen said they expected to graduate in four years. The reality is that fewer than 40 percent do, and the first year of college has emerged as the most critical barrier to students succeeding.

***

Jeffrey J. Selingo is the author of There Is Life After College, about how todays graduates launch into their careers. He is former editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education, a professor of practice at Arizona State University, a trustee of Ithaca College and a visiting scholar at Georgia Tech's Center for 21st Century Universities.
LINCOLN  Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller called Friday for Equifax Inc. to stop trying to sell credit monitoring services to victims of its massive security breach.

The two joined colleagues from 32 states and the District of Columbia in raising concerns about how the credit monitoring company has responded to the breach.

In a letter, the attorneys general objected to Equifax seemingly using its own data breach as an opportunity to sell services to breach victims.

Although Equifax is offering free credit monitoring services for one year, it also has been offering a fee-based service on the same website.

The attorneys general called the practice unfair and said the competing offers will serve only to confuse consumers who already are struggling to make decisions on how to best protect themselves.

The group requested that Equifax disable links to the fee-based service until the sign-up period for the free service has ended. They also asked that the sign-up period be extended through at least Jan. 31, 2018, rather than end on Nov. 21.

In addition, the attorneys general said Equifax should reimburse affected consumers who had to pay for a security freeze with other companies, such as Experian and TransUnion.

Equifax has agreed to waive fees for placing a security freeze through its own company.

Some 143 million Americans had their personal information exposed because of the data breach, including more than 700,000 Nebraskans and nearly 1.1 million Iowans.

The information at risk includes Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some cases, drivers license and credit card numbers.

Equifax announced the breach to the public last week, although the company said it became aware of the breach on July 29.

The attorneys general of Connecticut, Illinois and Pennsylvania sent a letter to Equifax last week seeking information about the circumstances that led to the breach, the reasons for the months-long delay between the breach and the companys public disclosure, what protections the company had in place at the time of the breach and how the company intends to protect consumers affected by the breach.

The new letter said early indications are that Equifax had failed to apply a necessary patch to its software, allowing the breach to occur.

The letter noted that Equifax has responded to two earlier concerns.

The company no longer requires people to waive their right to sue in order to get the free credit monitoring. The company also made its offer of free credit monitoring more visible on its website.

Other states signing the letter are Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia.

To see if your information was affected, go to equifaxsecurity2017.com, where you will be asked to enter your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number.

Equifax also has set up a dedicated call center at 866-447-7559, available from 6 a.m. to midnight.
A 29-year-old Papillion woman suffered a serious leg injury after the 2005 Nissan Altima she was driving crashed into a utility pole near 30th and Vane Streets early Saturday, police said.

The woman was driving northbound on 30th Street about 12:45 a.m. when the Altima drifted, crossing the southbound lane and hitting the pole. The woman, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to Nebraska Medicine with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
By PTI: By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Sep 15 (PTI) Around 50 calves of one-horned rhinoceros from Nepals Chitwan National Park might have swept across the Indian border in the recent monsoon floods.

Severe flooding has devastated communities and destroyed crops in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

"Around 50 calves of rhino are born every year, and that many calves along with their mothers might have been washed away in the disaster," CNPs Chief Conservation Officer Ram Chandra Kandel.

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Three rhinos were killed in the flooding, he said.

Chitwan National Park is the largest rhino conservation centre of park of Nepal.

So far eight rhinos that were swept away in the disaster were rescued and returned to the CNP, he said.

The Chitwan National Park (CNP) has proposed a rhinoceros count next year, breaking the regular routine of conducting a rhino census in every four years. Last time the count was conducted in 2015.

A rhinos, which was washed in the calamity, is stranded in Narasahi in Nawalparasi and another one is at Tribeni with its calf.

The rhinos were swept away by the extensive floods triggered by the incessant rainfall in August. Most of the rhinos were rescued from the Indian area are adult rhinos.

According to the park employees, the rhinos in the park are in a chaotic condition as they were washed away from their habitat to new places by the floods.

Even the rescued rhinos are feeble and in a emaciated condition as they went without food and post-disaster trauma for nearly three weeks.

Chief Conservation Officer Kandel said that they were proposing to hold a rhino census in 2018 for determining the exact rhino population in the park after the flooding.

As per the 2015 rhino census, the number of rhinos in the park was 605. Eight rhinos were shifted to Bardia and five to Shuklaphanta wildlife reserves in the western Nepal from the CNP in the subsequent years.

The park is also planning to hold a tiger census to ascertain the tiger population as they were also washed away by the flood. Hundreds of herbivores, including wild boars, deer and spotted deer among others were also killed in the recent floods. PTI SBP UZM RBS

--- ENDS ---
LINCOLN  Three key lawmakers expressed concern Friday about state probation officials dismissive response to a report on juvenile justice system issues.

Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer of Norfolk; State Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse, the Executive Board chairman; and Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete, the Judiciary Committee chairwoman, called the response to the report from the inspector general of Nebraska Child Welfare unfortunate.

All branches of government must be accountable to each other, they said, noting pointedly that the Legislature creates and funds the probation office.

Judicial branch officials shot back with a statement saying the issue is one of separation of powers and judicial independence. They said the Nebraska Constitution makes the three branches of government separate, distinct and coequal.

The emailed statement was not attributed to any one official but was sent out on letterhead from State Court Administrator Corey Steel and State Probation Administrator Ellen Fabian Brokofsky.

Wednesday, in a statement about the report, judicial branch officials said judges, judicial branch administrators and probation officers have collectively light years more experience in working with children and families in court than does the inspector general.

No credibility should be given to the OIG report whatsoever, the statement said.

However, it also said that probation officials took the report, findings and recommendations seriously, given the nature of the incidents reviewed.

The Administrative Office of Probation, including the juvenile probation division, is part of the judicial branch under the direction of the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Inspector General Julie Rogers works for the legislative branch in a position created to provide oversight and accountability for the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Rogers and probation officials have had a testy relationship ever since the Legislature shifted responsibility for juvenile offenders from the State Department of Health and Human Services to probation.

The latest dispute concerns the annual report that Rogers office released Wednesday.

The report pointed out problems in child welfare and juvenile justice and offered recommendations for improving the care provided by HHS, two private child welfare agencies and the states juvenile probation division.

This years recommendations for probation addressed issues brought to light by the suicide of a teenager who had been placed under restrictions by probation as an alternative to detention.

In the report, Rogers faulted the probation office for neither addressing nor acting on any of the recommendations directed at juvenile probation.

She said the lack of response raised questions about how probation is improving the juvenile justice system.

On Thursday, child advocacy groups Voices for Children in Nebraska and the Nebraska Appleseed Center expressed dismay about probations response to the recommendations.

Juliet Summers, policy coordinator for Voices for Children, said coordinating with the inspector general and responding formally to her recommendations could prevent future deaths of children under state care.
The stack of 20,000 pages of documents and written testimony filed in the Keystone XL pipeline case grew taller Friday as written final arguments for and against the project were submitted to the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

Lawyers for TransCanada argued that they demonstrated during a four-day hearing in August that the project meets the public interest, the standard necessary to secure approval from Nebraska regulators. They also urged commissioners to reject arguments that they should select an alternative route.

Not only does Keystones evidence  the only affirmative and competent evidence in this case  satisfy (state law), it shows the preferred route is the best route available, said Jim Powers, the Omaha lawyer who represents TransCanada.

Attorneys for an array of pipeline opponents made precisely the opposite argument in their closing briefs. TransCanadas justification that the project will generate tax revenue and thousands of jobs for the state were utterly disproven, said David Domina, the Omaha lawyer who represented landowners opposed to the project.

When it finally came to evidence, TransCanada had woefully little to offer, he said. The applicant must fail, because its proof failed.

The sides have until Sept. 25 to file reply briefs before the five independently elected members of the Public Service Commission work toward a Nov. 23 deadline to decide whether to approve, deny or order another route for the pipeline through Nebraska.

The PSC application represents the companys final hurdle to building a project that has generated nearly a decade of international controversy.

The Keystone XL was first proposed in 2008 to carry 830,000 barrels daily of oil sands crude from western Canada to refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast. The underground pipeline project was finally rejected in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama, only to be given new life earlier this year by President Donald Trump.

But recently, questions have emerged about whether the project is even needed, given the worldwide glut of oil, persistently low prices for crude and the industrys retreat from Canadas oil sands region.

TransCanada officials have said they will make a final decision in December about whether the project is financially feasible.

Bold Alliance and Sierra Club, two opponents granted formal intervenor status by the commission, argued that the project represents a threat to land and water and should be rejected.

The application is not in the public interest because it would violate private property rights and irretrievably impact natural resources, including native grasses and the endangered whooping crane, said Ken Winston, a Lincoln attorney representing the pipeline opponents.

Representatives from Native American nations also oppose the project for its potential impact on cultural sites and land historically occupied by their tribes.

Domina, the landowners attorney, also argued that nothing would prevent TransCanada from selling the pipeline, perhaps even to a country or group with interests opposed to the United States. He said the commission should impose permit restrictions that would prevent such action.

Powers, the companys lawyer, argued that the pipeline opponents did not present evidence contrary to the findings of state and federal environmental reviews that determined that leaks from the pipeline would not have a major impact on groundwater.

Gov. Pete Ricketts was traveling on a trade mission in Japan and could not be easily reached for comment.
Sometimes the past can provide important lessons for the present. Thats certainly the case with one of the most disturbing incidents in Omahas history: the riot and lynching of 1919.

That infamous episode shows the tragic consequences  in a pattern seen in many American communities in the 19th and 20th centuries  when corruption, racial hysteria and public violence combined to trigger terrible upheaval and injustice.

Staff writer Micah Mertes examined that history in his detailed look at the 1919 riot, in which a mob besieged the Douglas County Courthouse and lynched Will Brown, an African-American man accused of raping a white woman.

The rioters came close to killing Mayor Ed Smith, a reform-minded foe of longtime Omaha political boss Tom Dennison. The mob went to great lengths to wreak extensive damage to the courthouse.

The mob action was an outrageous assault on civilized order, and by no means was it an entirely spontaneous event.

Dennisons agents egged on the mayhem by distributing liquor and providing transportation. One of Dennisons key associates, a chief instigator of the riot, abruptly disappeared with the political bosss help in the wake of the tumult, relocating to Denver and returning only after the coast was clear.

A World-Herald editorial condemned the hideous orgy of lawlessness and called for strong punishment. Those whose guilt can be proved ... should be sent for a long term to the state prison, said the editorial, which received the 1920 Pulitzer Prize.

But justice failed to arrive. Although a grand jury ultimately issued 189 indictments, Mertes reported, only a few were prosecuted, and mostly on minor charges. In 1921, Smith was defeated at the ballot box, and Cowboy Jim Dahlman returned to the Mayors Office, with Dennison once again pulling the strings. He remained a force in the city into the early 1930s.

Public riots have had a long history in the United States. A young Abraham Lincoln, in a public address in 1838, listed tumultuous incidents in various states, then warned that the nation was gravely threatened whenever the vicious portion of population shall be permitted to gather in bands of hundreds and thousands to carry out murder and destruction.

A decade before Omahas 1919 riot, an anti- Greek riot spurred the exodus of much of South Omahas Greek community.

The lynching of Will Brown and the associated upheaval led federal troops to impose martial law to restore order and, in particular, protect Omahas African-American citizens.

This horrendous setback for race relations was all the more lamentable in that a generation earlier, Nebraska had commendably adopted landmark civil rights legislation  sponsored in 1893 by Omaha physician Dr. Matthew Ricketts, the first African-American member of the State Legislature.

In 2017, our society needs to hold tight to vital principles: respect for public order and rejection of violence. Integrity in government and the justice system. Equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race or creed.

The Omaha riot of 1919 stands as a sobering reminder that if we fail in that obligation, the consequences can be catastrophic.
PONCA, Neb.  Kayaks, bobbers and snakes, oh my!

Nearly 800 schoolchildren roamed across Nebraskas largest outdoor classroom Friday on the eve of this weekends 13th annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park.

The family- and rookie outdoorsman-friendly event features more than 90 hands-on outdoor sport and wildlife activities today and Sunday. It attracted 45,000 people last year and is the largest event of its kind in the Midwest.

But Friday was set aside for kids from Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. They paddled kayaks, fished for trout, squirmed at snazzy reptiles and inspected whats in an owls puke  all in the name of learning about the world around them.

Nicholas Kleve, who has brought his fifth-grade class from Lewis and Clark Elementary School in South Sioux City, Nebraska, to the expo for years, said the annual field trip pays classroom dividends.

Learning can happen outside of the four walls of our classroom, and experiences here can be powerful, he said.

For example, learning about how to cut the kayak paddle into the water to gain momentum is physics, Kleve said.

Kleve said the event is also a subtle way to teach kids  who may spend too much time in front of a television or video game  a healthful-living activity and an appreciation for the outdoors.

Jeff Fields, northeast regional park superintendent for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said thats why the expo was created, in 2005.

Were trying to plant a seed, he said. We have dozens of things going on for families and their kids, and we hope at least one of them gets them hooked. Maybe theyll buy a fishing license and go fishing.

Fields said the expo has become so much of an outdoor family tradition that those three words are now its slogan. Its not unusual to see three-generation families spending a weekend day at the nearly 2,300-acre park in northeastern Nebraskas Dixon County.

Outdoor activities available to try include archery, crossbow and shotgun shooting; a climbing wall; boat tours of the Missouri River; and bird banding.

New activities include a ropes obstacle course set up by RockIT Event Pros of Minden, Nebraska, and a mountain bike obstacle course.

The big-game camp, which traditionally features demonstrations on preparing venison stew and cooking snapping turtles, is expanding its menu to cleaning and cooking frog legs and cooking porcupine. Venison sausage-making also is on the agenda.

The expo will also include live wildlife exhibits, exhibition shooting, a canine aquatics competition and a lumberjack show.

Casie Williams, a teacher at Allen (Nebraska) Consolidated School who was attending the expo for the first time, watched her 16 pupils at the fishing pond.

The kids are so interested in learning some skills, she said. They love being outdoors and getting in touch with nature.
Delhi University Admission 2022: 3rd merit list for UG courses to be out today

Air India launches direct flight from Delhi to Copenhagen

India

oi-PTI

Air India on Saturday commenced operations of its direct flight between Delhi and Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

The national carrier has been expanding its international operations and has started services to overseas destinations, including Washington and Stockholm, so far this year.

To mark the launch of the Copenhagen flight, Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal lit the traditional lamp at Terminal 3 of the airport here.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is Air India's 44th international destination and 11th European non-stop destination.

This is the 11th destination in Europe for Air India and it is "connecting the Mermaid with the Maharaja", Bansal said, adding that he is looking forward to good passenger load.

The iconic 'Little Mermaid' statue in Copenhagen is one of the city's most famous monuments. The bronze structure sits on a rock by waterside in the city and represents a famous character from a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

The Air India service to Copenhagen will be operated with a Dreamliner aircraft thrice a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

"AI 157 will depart from Delhi at 1430 hours to reach Copenhagen at 1845 hours the same day. The return flight AI 158 will leave Copenhagen at 2045 hours and reach Delhi at 0735 hours the next day," the airline said in a release.

To mark the launch of the flight to Copenhagen, Air India is offering return fares starting from Rs 42,700, inclusive of all taxes.

Apart from Copenhagen, the airline has direct flights to Stockholm, Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Birmingham and London.

The services to Moscow is temporarily suspended and would restart in October, an airline official said.

Air India group operates to 44 international destinations and over 70 domestic stations. It has an operating fleet of 142 aircraft, including A320, B777 and B737-800 planes.

PTI
IAF Arjan Singh's 100th birth anniversary today: Remembering first and only 'Five star' rank officer

103rd Birth anniversary of Arjan Singh: Remembering IAFs 1965 war hero and the only five-star ranked officer

Arjan Singh: All you need to know about the only five-star ranked officer

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, who was admitted to Delhi's Army Research and Referral Hospital today, died in the evening due to a cardiac arrest.

Singh, an icon of India's military history, will always be remembered as a war hero who had successfully led a young IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

He played a major role in transforming the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally and the fourth biggest in the world.

Here are a few things to know about Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh

The Marshal was born on 15 April 1919, in Lyalpur (now Faislabad, Pakistan), and completed his education at Montgomery (now Sahiwal, Pakistan).

At the age of 19, he was selected to the Empire Pilot training course at RAF Cranwell.

His first assignment on being commissioned was to fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier Province as a member of the No. 1 RIAF Squadron.

After a brief stint with the newly formed No. 2 RIAF Squadron where the Marshal flew against the tribal forces, he later moved back to No. 1 Squadron as a Flying Officer to fly the Hawker Hurricane.

Achievements

He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944.

The Marshal led the Squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign, flying Close Air Support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisting the advance of the Allied Forces to Rangoon.

For his role in successfully leading the Squadron in combat, the Marshal was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944.

On 15 August 1947, he achieved the unique honour of leading a fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft in Delhi, over the Red Fort.

After his promotion to the rank of Wing Commander, he attended the Royal Staff College at UK.

Immediately after Indian independence, he commanded Ambala in the rank of Group Captain.

In 1949, he was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and took over as Air Officer Commanding of an operational command, which later came to be known as Western Air Command.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, had the distinction of having the longest tenure as the AOC of an Operational base, initially from 1949-1952 and then again from 1957-1961.

After his promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed as the AOC-in-C of an Operational Command.

Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and he became the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in 1963.

He was the overall commander of the joint air training exercise "Shiksha" held between the IAF, RAF and RAAF.

On 01 August 1964, in the rank of Air Marshal, the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh took reins of the IAF, at a time when it was still rebuilding itself and was gearing up to meet new challenges.

The Marshal was the first Air Chief to keep his flying currency till his CAS rank.

Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from Pre-WW-II era biplanes to the more contemporary, Gnats & Vampires, he has also flown in transport aircraft like the Super Constellation.

During 1965 war

The Marshal of the Air Force was the first Indian Air Chief to lead a young Indian Air Force into war.

He was Chief of the Air Staff when the IAF saw action in 1965. He was hardly 44 years of age when entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Air Force.

In 1965, when Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam, with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnur, the Marshal led the Indian Air Force through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired the IAF to victory, despite the constraints imposed on the full-scale use of the Air Force combat power.

Then Defence Minister YB Chavan wrote about him, "Air Marshal Arjan Singh is a jewel of a person, quiet efficient and firm; unexcitable but a very able leader."

The Marshal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his astute leadership of the Air Force during the war. Subsequently in recognition of the Air Force's contribution during the war, the rank of the CAS was upgraded and Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

He remained a flyer to the end of his tenure in the IAF, visiting forward Bases and units and flying with the Squadrons.

OneIndia News
Fake Vs original; Trouble for the DUSU President as allegations of fake documents rises

Delhi HC seeks DUSU winning candidates' reply on plea against defacement

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, September 16: The Delhi High Court has sought the responses from the four winning candidates on a petition accusing them of defacing public properties during the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) poll campaign.

The high court also issued notice to the Delhi government and Delhi University on the plea seeking to refurbish the properties defaced during the polls and for taking action against the candidates.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and C Hari Shankar also sought to know the stand of the authorities on the plea for complete ban on defacement of public properties by use of spray paints, posters, banners and hoardings during the elections.

While Rocky Tusheed and Kunal Sehrawat (both NSUI) were elected President and the Vice President of DUSU respectively, ABVP's Mahamedha Nagar and Uma Shankar were elected to the posts of secretary and joint-secretary.

The bench said it is already seized of a similar petition and listed the fresh PIL filed by advocate Sahil Sharma with the earlier one for hearing on September 20.

The court observed that if the violators are punished once, they will not do it again.

Besides Delhi government and the varsity, the court also sought the responses of DU's Chief Election Officer, South and North Delhi Municipal Corporations, Lieutenant Governor, Delhi Police and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on the plea.

The petition sought direction to the authorities to take strict action against the violators, who should be made to "clean the streets and walls" to make them learn a lesson for damaging and defacing the proerties for political motives.

The plea, which sought direction to cancel this election and conduct re-polls, said the candidates who have violated the rules should be disqualified.

In a similar matter pending before the court, petitioner Prashant Manchanda has sought a complete ban on the alleged defacement of the public properties by the candidates for the DUSU polls.

The court has issued show cause notice to the candidates of various students outfits who had contested in the elections as to why action should not be taken against them for allegedly defacing public property with their posters.

It had earlier expressed shock at the massive use of pamphlets, fliers and plastering of DU walls with posters for the upcoming students union polls and sought responses of the city police and the civic bodies.

Manchanda, in his plea, has alleged that disruption of the classrooms by the candidates and student outfits in "horrible shape and painting (walls) in the classrooms, deals a striking body blow to the Right to life, liberty and education of the students".

PTI

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 12:38 [IST]
Did Pehlu Khan lynch himself? His son begs to differ

India

oi-Shreya

By Shreya

The Rajasthan police on Thursday (September 14) closed the case on the six accused named by the lynched farmer Pehlu Khan in his dying declaration. According to the CID CB Rajasthan the six men accused by Pehlu Khan before his death were not involved in the lynching, though his son Irshad claims otherwise.

In a press conference held by lawyer Tehseen Poonawalla, Lawyer and Congress Maharashtra Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla along with Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh, the family of Pehlu khan expressed their angst and revealed the blatant apathy they received from the Rajasthan police and the government.

Irshad Khan, son of Pehlu Khan, who witnessed the brutal lynching of his father said that the Rajasthan Police gave clean shit to 6 of the 15 accused, including two minors, in spite of the fact that his father specified their involvement in the case before his death.

Irshad blamed the BJP-ruled Rajasthan government for not providing him and his family adequate protection to fight the case despite being aware of the threats they have been receiving. He even alleged that he received threats from BJP workers on phone.

"We have been threatened of being shot if we appear before the Court and the police have so far only given us false assurance. Every time we asked the police about the investigation, we were just given false hopes."

Agitated and bereaved, Irshad demanded an answer, "At least tell me who killed my father." He also appealed that the case should be transferred outside Rajasthan, where he can appear for court hearings without fear.

Instead of registering a case against the accused, Rajasthan Police initially registered a case against Pehlu Khan and his sons Irshad and Arif under the Rajasthan Bovine Animal (Prohibition of slaughter and Regulation of temporary migration or export) Act, 1995. Section 302 against the "killers" was added after the outrage, Shehzad Poonawalla pointed out.

Loopholes in the investigation

The glaring contradictions in the Rajasthan Police report and the clean chit given to the six accused by the CID CB, indicate at an unfair investigation of the lynching. The Rajashthan police report clearly mentioned the names of Om Yadav, Hukum Chand Yadav, Sudhir Yadav, Jagmal Yadav, Naveen Sharma and Rahul Saini as the accused in the case, however, the CID CB gave them a clean chit on the ground of statement by a staff of a gau shala connected to the act and the mobile locations of the six accused at the time of the act.

Shehzad Poonawalla pointed out how the investigation could have been botched. He said, there have been several cases in the Supreme Court where dying declaration has been accepted without any corroborative evidence but in the case of Pehlu Khan both the dying declaration and the testimony of his son Irshad Khan have been ignored.

Contradictions were also noticed in the case of the two-page bail order of another accused Ravindra where the order had two different information. In one page the order read that the accused was seen in the video footage of the lynching and the other page of the same order claimed that the accused was not in the murder spot.

Shehzad Poonawala said, "The judgments of the court indicate that even convictions can be based upon dying declarations and for the Rajasthan Court, acting under some pressure, to use flimsy grounds to overrule it and give a clean chit smacks of a massive cover up."

"Of the seven accused in the case, five are now out on bail even though some are clearly seen on camera beating up Pehlu Khan. This is because the police officers have helped them by saying that there is no evidence against them. If there was no evidence, why were they arrested at all?" Shehzad added.

Lawyer and petitioner for Manav Suraksha Kanun (MASUKA) Tehseen Poonawalla also said that "law has been subverted in the case of Pehlu Khan,"

He said that he will raise the issue of Pehlu Khan in the Supreme Court and will apprise the court of the "massive cover" up in the case, and how justice is being denied to the family of Pehlu Khan.

Tehseen Poonawalla said that he will also demand a court monitored probe in the case of Pehlu Khan as "no fair probe can be expected from the Rajasthan Police given the political and ideological support given to the perpetrators by the high and the mighty in the state,"

Digvijaya Singh also called out the Narendra Modi government on the increasing number of lynching and mob violence in the country. "This Government is responsible for creating an atmosphere of fear in the country," he further added.

Taking on the government, Digvijaya said "BJP Government is trying to protect the accused and is denying justice to the victims. This has become a pattern across India where the victims are left hapless and the accused, mostly with links from Sangh Parivar and affiliated groups are protected,"

Pehlu Khan's family was also helped with financial assistance of Rs 25,000 at the press conference.

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 5:57 [IST]
By PTI: Kochi, Sep 16 (PTI) Malayalam actress Kavya Madhavan today filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Kerala High Court apprehending arrest in the case against her husband and actor Dileep for abduction and sexual assault of a South Indian actress here in February this year.

Kavya moved the plea on a day a court in Angamaly heard a fresh bail plea moved by Dileep. The court extended the judicial remand of Dileep till September 28 and adjourned the matter to Monday.

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In her plea, Kavya alleged that the investigation team in the case was being totally "biased, partisan, and ill motivated".

The actress alleged that the officers in the probe team "made open threats of arraying" her as an accused to "cover up lacunas in the unfounded allegations against her husband Dileep and intimidate" all persons associated with him. The petition is likely to be considered on Monday.

In her petition, Kavya alleged that the investigating team, in a systematic way, is "torturing, humiliating and harassing" the petitioner in public by "selectively allowing a hard core criminal and infamous" Pulsar Suni, who is the first accused in the case, to make "preplanned, piecemeal disclosures" to media while being escorted to courts in more than a dozen pending cases.

She accused the probe team of "selectively leaking news" to the media against her to carry out "valueless but targeted media trial" on the pending case.

She also said her husband had never seen, met or talked to the prime accused in the case, Pulsar Suni.

But on the fabricated false allegation that Dileep committed criminal conspiracy with Suni, he was "arrayed" as an accused in the crime, she alleged. Dileep, charged under various IPC sections including criminal conspiracy, has been lodged in a jail in his home town of Aluva since his arrest on July 10.

Meanwhile, a magistrate court in Angamaly today considered the fresh bail plea moved by Dileep. The court adjourned the case to Monday after hearing arguments of prosecution and Dileep.

The court then extended the judicial remand of Dileep till September 28.

Six persons, including Pulsar Suni, Martin and Vigeesh, were arrested in connection with the incident.

The high court had dismissed Dileeps second bail petition on August 29, after considering the evidence against the actor produced by the prosecution in a sealed cover.

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The police have claimed that the conspiracy to abduct and assault the actress in a moving car and film the act was hatched by Dileep.

The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 night and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi. PTI COR TGBROH RT

--- ENDS ---
'Drought cess', 'lake view cess', 'fat tax': The bizarre taxes we pay

India

oi-Anusha

The Goods and Services Tax may propagate the idea of 'One Nation One Tax' but state governments continue to have the power to levy region-specific taxes for goods and services out of the GST ambit. Such a tax is one of the primary reasons for sky-high prices of petrol in Mumbai. From drought-cess in Maharashtra to Fat tax in Kerala, from lake view tax in Bengaluru to superstructure tax in Telangana, here is a quick look at some bizarre taxes.

Drought-cess in Maharashtra

In 2015, the Maharashtra government introduced the concept of 'drought cess'. It proposed to collect Rs 3 per litre of petrol and use the money to help farmers in distress. While the move was intended to be a temporary one that was meant to be withdrawn within months, it continues to exist. "There is no drought cess but there is a tax of Rs 2 per litre of petrol," Rajendra Bhagat, Undersecretary (Finance) Maharashtra told OneIndia. The name may have changed to suit conveniences but the tax is very real. The drought cess was levied in 2015 on "luxury items" like cigarettes, petrol and gold.

Fat tax in Kerala

While the same is now under the GST ambit, the Kerala government in 2016 shot to fame after it introduced 'fat tax'. The government decided to levy a 14.5 per cent tax on junk food. The tax was levied on pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and tacos sold through branded outlets. In the government's defense Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac said that move was in sync with the World Health Organization's advocacy of "using fiscal tools to promote healthy eating". The move was aimed at discouraging youngsters from eating junk food and revert to a healthy eating habit. The move was lauded by nutritionists, doctors, and parents but restauranteurs were an unhappy lot.

Lake view and maintenance tax in Bengaluru

If the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) has its way, people in Bengaluru living in lake view apartments may have to shell out more money in the form of taxes. The civic body has proposed a tax- Lake view and maintenance tax. The move is to encourage people to contribute towards maintaining the lake. The logic- "it has also been observed that people are keen on enjoying the scenic view of the lakes, but do not want to take ownership in keeping it clean and maintaining it," said the officials from the authority. The civic body either wants people living in apartment or builders (residential and commercial complexes) to pay up or take responsibility of the water bodies around them.

Superstructure tax from Telangana

The Telangana government came up with a "superstructure tax" as punishment for illegal buildings in the Hyderabad municipal corporation limits. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation carried out a comprehensive survey and identified around 1.2 lakh unauthorized structures in the city. The government asked the Deputy Commissioner to levy taxes on structures which were constructed on the government and Wakf lands.

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 10:35 [IST]
Govt is "oblivious" to the deaths of children in custody: SC

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, September 16: The Supreme Court said the government was "oblivious" to the deaths of children in custody. The SC bench expressed "distress", saying that these kids were not only "voiceless" but seem to be "dispensable" as well.

Voicing disconcert over the lack of documentation on the number of unnatural deaths of children in child care institutions, a bench of Justices M B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked the Centre and state governments to document such deaths of kids who are in need of care and protection, "with far greater concern than has been shown so far".

"The unnatural death of any child in need of care and protection or in conflict with law and in a child care institution needs attention since it is these voiceless children who need to be heard," the bench said.

It also said that it is "rather unfortunate that the Central Government and the State Governments are oblivious to the possibility of death of children in custody in child care institutions."

The strong observations by the top court came in a verdict on a 2013 PIL on "inhuman" conditions prevailing in 1,382 prisons across the country.

"This is distressing. The pain and anguish of the next of kin of children who pass away in custody is not less, but more than the pain and anguish of the next of kin of any prisoner who suffers an unnatural death in custody," the court said, adding that "it seems that apart from being voiceless, such children are also dispensable".

While passing a slew of directions regarding unnatural deaths and prison reforms across India, the bench said the dignity of an individual is not a "plaything for those in authority".

It said those in authority must show greater degree of sensitivity towards persons in custody as all forms of custodial violence makes it "abhorrent" and invite disparagement from all sections of civilised society.

"Like most societies, we are not strangers to custodial violence and unnatural deaths but our vibrant democracy permits us to debate and discuss these issues with rational arguments.

"However, right sounding noises critical of custodial violence (in any form) cannot achieve any useful purpose unless persons in authority hear the voices of the victims or the silence of the dead and act on them by taking remedial steps," the top court said.

It directed the Ministry of Woman and Child Development to discuss with official concerned of the state governments and formulate procedures for tabulating the number of children who suffer unnatural death in child care institutions.

The bench observed that National Human Rights Commission has an extremely important role to play in cases of unnatural death in jails and although the NHRC has issued detailed instructions from time to time, "it does appear however that these instructions are not being taken seriously but are being followed more in the breach".

"All that we can say in this regard is that while the Central Government may have noble intentions and is perhaps taking steps to improve prison administration and to bring about reforms in prisons, the fact remains that conditions in prisons leave a lot to be desired and there are quite a few unnatural deaths in prisons," it said.

It said that suggestions and recommendations made by the Centre do look good on paper but they do not seem to have any remedial effect and the Ministry of Home Affairs must take a proactive interest in prison reforms.

It also said that no state government could "shirk" its duties and responsibilities for providing better facilities to prisoners.

The bench further said that there is no reason at all to exclude their next of kin from receiving compensation only because the victim of an unnatural death is a criminal. "Human rights are not dependent on the status of a person but are universal in nature," the SC bench added.

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 10:54 [IST]
The Western bias and why it cannot digest Indias success

Explained: Why has US removed India from its currency monitoring list

India slams Islamic organisation for comments on Kashmir

India

oi-PTI

India has taken a serious view of the statements made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the Kashmir issue. India said that the OIC has no locus standi to comment on internal affairs. The OIC is a 57-nation grouping which claims to be the collected voice of Muslims across the world.

In a strong reaction to a statement made by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC at the UN, India said Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral and inseparable" part of it, and advised the organisation to refrain from making such references in future.

"India notes with utmost regret that the OIC statement contains factually incorrect and misleading references to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inseparable part of India," Sumit Seth, First Secretary at India's Permanent mission to the UN in Geneva said.

He made the statement exercising India's Right of Reply in response to comments made by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC.

"India outrightly rejects all such references. The OIC has no locus standi on India's internal affairs. We strongly advise the OIC to refrain from making such references in future," Seth said.

Speaking on behalf of the OIC, Pakistan had lambasted India on the Kashmir issue.

PTI

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 10:06 [IST]
Indians suffered and fled Myanmar just like Rohingya Muslims

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

The mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar has drawn the attention of world media, following what is widely being called ethnic cleansing conducted by the military of the Buddhist majority country.

Over 3,70,000 of them have escaped to the neighboring country of Bangladesh according to data from United Nations and India has claimed to now have 40,000 Muslims from the Rakhine region of the nation formerly called Burma.

Though there is a lack of clarity on the Indian government's stand on the handling of the issue as regards to its submissions in Supreme Court, what it intends to do is clear from the stand of the Home Ministry and its ministers that these ''illegal immigrants'' will have to be deported soon as they pose a security threat.

Such a stand has seen some 7,000 settlers of the community in Jammu region to submit a petition in the apex court asking to be treated with dignity as they are not terrorists and not such a single such case against them exists.

While the chances of the government changing its stance, stated by senior ministers, in the affidavit to be submitted on Monday remains slim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and the country as a whole would do well to measure its response by remembering that despite Rohingya's being the latest and the most persecuted community in Myanmar and probably the world, various Indians communities have also suffered a similar same fate in India's neighbour with which it shares over 1500 km long border.

Indians from various states when the country was still under British rule, as was Myanmar, migrated there for job and trade opportunities. These included mostly who belonged to Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Marwadi and Bengali communities. They were part of the civil service, traders, farmers, and laborers among others.

Although many of them did well for themselves financially, racial discrimination and slurs aimed towards them have existed ever since the beginning. Such communities flourished under the British Raj but major incidents of violence with racial undertones raised their heads towards the end of it.

The fourth decade of the 20th century witnessed first major instances of anti-Indian violence. The first of these in 1931 had its roots in clashes between the Telugu and Burmese dockworkers in Rangoon, the then capital of the country. The second one, which saw even worse rioting, broke out after a Muslim writer wrote a book considered critical of Buddha. Though it started out as a religious issue, violence quickly turned against all Indians.

The situation became worse in the 40's with World War 2 as Japan attacked the country and British withdrew, leaving the Indian communities vulnerable to attacks from the invading army as well as Burmese nationals. This led to the first major exodus of those of Indian-origin.

Independence of the country in 1948 complicated the situation and it deteriorated further after the military coup in 1962 as it followed growing demands of federalism by different ethnic groups in the country. Next couple of years saw the ouster of more than three lakh people with origins in India.

To make matters worse, a new citizenship law introduced in 1982 rendered those with origins outside the country stateless as it was based in racial terms and not on place of birth. This also led to reverse-migration to India and is still causing a similar effect in the treatment meted out to Rohingyas as well. The technical end of the military rule in 2011 has done little to change these ground level realities.

One major result of this for those of Indian-origin in present-day Myanmar is the dilution of the culture of the places of their origin. The Tamil community is a prime example of this, with Burmese becoming the medium of education and the closing of Tamil schools, the generations far removed from the original settlers are now more in touch with customs, culture, etc. of the Burmese rather than of their forefathers.

Meanwhile, those from the same community who had returned to India, finding it difficult to settle in the southern state of their ancestors, have according to many reports moved back to areas near the border between the two countries and set up businesses which help them stay in touch with their lives in Myanmar. The town of Moreh in Manipur, which has a large population of Burmese Tamils, an example of this.

Even with such a history of struggle, the actions or talk of representatives of the Indian government on the issue of Rohingya Muslims seem to suggest an acute ignorance, intentional or otherwise, of those still suffering similar fate to that of Indians in Myanmar, past and present. As little else would explain a decision to send them back that almost guarantees inflicting more persecution and violence on them.

OneIndia News
J&K: 2 terrorists shot dead while making infiltration bid

India

oi-Vicky

Two terrorists were gunned down while trying to make an infiltration bid at the Machil sector in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists tried to infiltrate into Indian territory in the wee hours of hours, but were spotted and gunned down by the Indian Army.

The infiltration bid comes in the midst of scores of cease fire violations being reported by Pakistan. Pakistan normally resorts to such violations and provides cover fire so that terrorists can infiltrate.

Intelligence Bureau reports had warned about increased attempts by Pakistan to push in terrorists into the Valley before the winter sets in. The Indian Army has been dealing severe blows to terrorists in the Valley. In 2017 alone the number of terrorist deaths have crossed 150.

On Thursday, a key commander of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and the mastermind of the Amarnath yatra attack, Abu Ismail was shot dead in a 3 minute encounter by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

OneIndia News
Karnataka becoming the hotbed of resort politics- state and party no bar

India

oi-Anusha

Be it legislators from Gujarat ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections or, currently, rebel MLAs of the AIADMK, Karnataka seems to be the hotspot for resort politics. The phenomenon has been normalized to such an extent that it rarely draws criticism anymore. The herding of legislators ahead of key political developments has become the new normal and Karnataka, the new tourism spot for resort politics.

For close to a week now, Tamil Nadu MLAs of the AIADMK who have pledged their support to TTV Dinakaran have been herded at a resort in Kodagu of Karnataka. A month ago, Congress MLAs from Gujarat were lodged at a resort in the outskirts of Bengaluru. In both cases, leaders of the political parties claimed that they were "protecting their MLAs from horse trading". "Secure", "safe", "protected" etc were the words that MLAs who had been herded chose to use to explain their experience of being lodged in resorts of Karnataka.

Just a year ago, Congress ensured that JD(S) corporators were packed off to a resort away from Bengaluru soon after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike elections results were announced. Despite the BJP emerging as the single largest party, the Congress and JD(S) chose to form a coalition ruling in the BBMP.

The phenomenon of report politics is nothing new to Karnataka irrespective of whether parties and politicians are in-house or from other states. In 1984, the then Chief Minister of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, N T Rama Rao, kept his flock together for a whole month in a resort in Devanahalli, of course with the help of then Karnataka Chief Minister, Ramakrishna Hegde. In 2002, then Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh herded his legislators to Bengaluru. In both cases, trust vote was the challenge.

Karnataka in 2004 and 2008, saw blatant resort politics. in 2004, the BJP won 90 seats out of 224 but the Congress with 65 seats parlayed with JD(S) for the support of its 58 members forming a coalition government. In 2008, however, the JD(S) jumped to support BJP, once again opening up the pandora's box of resort politics making way for the infamous 'operation Kamala'.

The trend of resort politics has been slammed by analysts for undermining democracy and transparent election process. As more and more such incidents take place, resort politics is being normalized. At times, to such an extent, that there is no outrage anymore. Increasingly, Congress-ruled Karnataka is turning a "safe haven" for those politicians accusing the BJP of victimising them.

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 16:29 [IST]
Kerala Priest Uzhunnalil thankful even to abductors for not harming him

India

oi-PTI

Kerala Priest Tom Uzhunnalil, who was kidnapped last year during a deadly attack by Islamist militants in Yemen, thanked on Saturday all those involved in his release, and even had a kind word for his abductors for not harming him.

"I thank in the name of the Lord God even my keepers, who have been understanding to me and who have not hurt me. It's God's intervention," an emotional Thomas Uzhunnalil, 59, said after emerging from 18 months in captivity.

"The best weapon against any enemy is love and prayer," he said at a press conference in Rome after an intervention by the authorities in Oman to secure his release.

He was abducted in March 2016 during an attack on a care home operated by missionaries in the southern port city of Aden which killed 16 people, including four nuns.

Muscat said Tuesday that it had "coordinated with Yemeni parties" to mediate the release of Uzhunnalil, a Salesian priest who had last appeared in a video circulated online in December 2016, in which he appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis to secure his release.

The Vatican has said that Uzhunnalil, a diabetic who lost 30 kilos (66 pounds) during his ordeal, will spend time recuperating in Rome after a medical check-up.

He met Wednesday with Pope Francis, who had described the Aden attack as "senseless and diabolical".

Yemeni authorities blamed the ISIS group for last year's attack, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Al-Qaeda, which is also active in the area, has appeared to distance itself from the mass shooting, saying it was not involved.

The internationally recognised government in war-torn Yemen is grappling with both an Iran-backed rebellion and a growing jihadist presence.

Uzhunnalil, who had been running three Catholic churches in Yemen, said he had been abducted essentially for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"They did not know me. I happened to be in that place," he said, adding that the attackers "left me in peace and killed the others -- perhaps they wanted money."

"After the killing of the sisters they put me into the car. They spoke Arabic, I didn't understand them," he added, but "I was not afraid. I was not trembling. I prayed to God to be merciful."

"I was not mistreated. They have not injured me at all," added Uzhunnalil, who said he did not know if a ransom had been paid.

He also said that the apparent aggression towards him in the video he appeared in was seemingly for show.

He said that his attackers, rather than abuse him, "didn't try to force me -- but they said 'when you are free, back home, read the Koran and become a Muslim'."
FM Nirmala Sitharaman hints at possibility of Centre considering restoration of state status to J&K

Manmohan Singh headed Cong panel begins Kashmir visit

India

oi-PTI

Srinagar, September 16: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh headed Congress panel on Saturday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to keep the dialogue route with separatists open. The party delegation is on a two-day visit to Kashmir to attend a series of meetings on the current situation in the valley.

The AICC's 'Policy and Planning' group was formed in April in the wake of widespread violence in the state during the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls. The other members of the group include Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union home minister P Chidambaram and party general secretary Ambika Soni.

Immediately after their arrival, the group held an executive committee meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee at Hari Niwas here, a party spokesman said.

He said the group was scheduled to meet various delegations from Kashmir, including opposition parties.

Apart from the political parties, the group will interact with several other delegations like civil society organisations, Shia associations, delegation of 2014 flood victims, saffron growers, house boat associations, trade and tourism delegations as well as a delegation of journalists, the spokesman said.

However, meeting separatist leaders is not part of the group's agenda, he said.

Speaking to reporters on sidelines of the meeting, Azad said the central as well as the state government should keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

"The central as well as the state government have to decide which stakeholders to talk to. Everyone knows who the stakeholders are, but they are afraid to take the names. And when they are afraid to even identify them as stakeholders, how will there be a resolution?

"They (central and state governments) should talk to them (separatists) and try to resolve the issue," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by raising the emotions of people but has remained silent since taking over the reins of the country.

"Modi's election win was 90 per cent because of Kashmir.

In our rule, one soldier was beheaded by Pakistani troops (along the Line of Control), but such instances have happened a number of times now in their (BJP) rule, and still the prime minister is silent," he said.

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the Congress government had made south Kashmir militancy-free, but the region had been on boil since the PDP-BJP coalition came to power in the state.

"We had made south Kashmir militancy-free during my tenure (as chief minister) in 2007. But, where is south Kashmir today? It is boiling. No one is coming to Kashmir, no tourist. The number of ceasefire violations in these three years is more than the total in 10 years of UPA," he claimed.

"So many soldiers have been killed, common people injured ...and the way small kids including girls have lost their eyes, it did not happen during our time, he said in an apparent reference to a series of stone pelting incidents in the valley.

Asked about the party s stand on Article 35A of the constitution, the senior Congress leader said the party knew its stand, but the group was here to listen to people.

Article 35A renders special status to the northern state.

"Firstly, we have come to listen to all. So, we have not come here only for 35-A. This committee was formed much before the issue of 35-A erupted. The panel was formed keeping in view the overall situation of Jammu and Kashmir which has deteriorated under the BJP rule," he said.

The Congress will hold a meeting with MLAs and MLCs, besides interacting with a delegation of minority community and fruit growers, tomorrow.

The first leg of tour in Jammu was completed on September 10 and 11.

PTI

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 18:27 [IST]
Arjan Singh: All you need to know about the only five-star ranked officer

IAF Arjan Singh's 100th birth anniversary today: Remembering first and only 'Five star' rank officer

103rd Birth anniversary of Arjan Singh: Remembering IAFs 1965 war hero and the only five-star ranked officer

Arjan Singh, 1965 war hero, passes away

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh died at 7.47 pm on Saturday after suffering a heart attack. He was 98.

Singh, 98 India's oldest, five-star ranked air force officer, was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral hospital this morning.

Born on 15 April 1919 in Lyallpur, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Arjan Singh entered the distinguished Royal Air Force College at Cranwell at the age of 19 and graduated as a pilot officer the following year.

Singh was the only officer of the IAF to be given a distinction equal to that of a Field Marshal.

In 1965, when Pakistan had launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led the Indian Air Force through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

In 2016, the IAF named its Panagarh (West Bengal) air base after Arjan Singh on the occasion of his 97th birth anniversary. The Panagarh base would be called Air Force Station Arjan Singh.

In his glorious career, Arjan Singh flew over 60 different kinds of aircraft and his zest for flying didn't end until the day he retired in 1969.

OneIndia News
Nationwide protest by Congress against draconian fuel price hike

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Sep 16: Come September 20, the opposition Congress is all set to start a massive nationwide protest against the "draconian" fuel tax which has led to the astronomical rise in petrol and diesel prices in the recent times. The Congress made the announcement regarding its upcoming protest on Friday.

The strike is against the steep increase in central excise duty on petrol and diesel. The Congress accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of "looting" the common people and "profiteering" at their expense by increasing fuel prices.

Congress's senior spokesperson Ajay Maken said the party would continue its fight "until this draconian taxation regime is withdrawn". He claimed that in every 100 rupees of petrol, Rs 51.78 was in taxes and Rs 44.40 for diesel.

He demanded a white paper on taxes imposed on fuels and the gains made by the government, and said the party would agitate across the country. The agitation would start on September 20 from the national capital.

"The Congress will launch a nationwide agitation against this burdening of the common man with increased taxes and flooding the coffers of the government," he said. Maken said the Congress would start a signature campaign at petrol pumps from September 17 and launch a big protest on September 20.

He said the party would fight this battle to reduce taxes on every available forum and challenged the BJP to come out with a white paper on taxes on fuels and the gains thereof.

"We will fight for the people, tooth and nail, until this draconian taxation regime is withdrawn," he told reporters. The Delhi Congress chief said burning holes in the pockets of the common people has become the benchmark of governance for the BJP.

"Looting people, profiteering at their expense and squeezing their hard earned money is the sole aim of the BJP government. While crude oil prices plummet, petrol-diesel prices skyrocket!" he said.

He said while the Modi government has spelt out "absurd" reasons such as "Hurricanes Harvey and Irma" for the increase in petrol and diesel prices, "it has dealt a devastating blow to the savings of the common people by brazenly increasing central excise duty 11 times in the past 3.5 years."

Maken alleged that the increase in excise duty of petrol since May, 2014 is 133.47 percent and that on diesel is 400.86 percent after the central excise duty has been hiked 11 times since the BJP came to power.

He said while international crude oil prices came down by more than 52 percent since the Modi government took over on 26 May, 2014, petrol prices skyrocketed to a three-year high. He also said that total contribution of petroleum to the central and state exchequers would touch Rs 5.24 lakh crore in 2016-17.

"The way prices are rising and taxes are being imposed on petroleum products and other things and the economy is still going down, it puts a question mark on the working of this government," he said.

The Congress demanded an immediate course correction of petrol and diesel prices by withdrawing the massive central excise duties and other taxes which have burdened the common people of the country and only flooded the coffers of the BJP government.

According to sources, the protest is unlikely to have much impact as most of the states in the country are ruled by the BJP.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 8:22 [IST]
By PTI: Lucknow, Sep 16 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his ministerial colleagues who were recently elected to the state Legislative Council will take oath at 11 am on Monday at the Tilak Hall of the Legislative Building here.

"Chairman of the UP Legislative Council Ramesh Yadav will administer oath," Special Secretary, Legislative Council Secretariat, Chedilal said in a press release here.

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Chief Minister Adityanath, his two deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma as well as minister Swantradev Singh were on September 8 declared elected unopposed to the Legislative Council.

On September 11, Uttar Pradesh minister of state Mohsin Raza was declared elected unopposed to the Legislative Council. With this, all the five Legislative Council seats, for which the bypolls were held, went to the BJP. PTI NAV ADS

--- ENDS ---
NCW notice to Punjab govt in molestation case involving Beant Singh's grandson

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Sep 15: In a 23-year-old case of abduction and molestation of a French tourist, allegedly involving the grandson of former chief minister Beant Singh, the National Commission for Women has written to the Punjab government and summoned the state DCP.

Katia Darnand, a French national, had accused Gurkirat Singh Kotli, grandson of then chief minister Beant Singh, and others of abducting and molesting her in 1994. But all the accused were acquitted on April 10, 1999 as Darnand did not return to testify against the accused.

"We have issued a notice to the Punjab government as well as summoned the DCP to give us an explanation. This is in response to a petition asking us to reopen the case because it was very shoddily conducted," said NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam.

The petition was presented by Delhi BJP councillor Gurjeet Kaur and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Parminder Singh Brar.

"The complainant Gurjeet Kaur appealed to the Commission to reopen the case and order a fresh trial saying appropriate sections of IPC were not included in the case against former CM Beant Singh's grandson Gurkirat Kotli who attacked, kidnapped, molested and probably raped Katia Darnand on the fateful day of August 31, 1994," according to a press statement from SAD.

In an open letter in a national daily last month, Darnand recounted the horror and wrote that she still felt the injustice that allowed the accused to be acquitted even though she had identified them all. She also referred to the recent case in Chandigarh where Varnika Kundu, the daughter of an IAS officer, was allegedly stalked by Vikas Barala, son of the Haryana BJP chief.

PTI

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 11:06 [IST]
Mamata's party has replaced 'Rule of Law' by 'Rule by TMC law': Rijiju

No idol immersion on Muharram, says Mamata

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday warned the Hindu organisations that violence will not be tolerated during Durga Puja.

She categorically said, "No idol (Durga) immersion on Muharram. Politics shouldn't be done in name of festivals."

No violence will be tolerated during Durga Puja. No idol immersion on Muharram. Politics shouldn't be done in name of festivals: WB CM pic.twitter.com/wqnURPZrcn  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

Her comments came a day after the VHP decided to go ahead with its plan of a "shastra pujan (weapon worship)" at private and religious institutions during Viajya Dashami across the state.

CM Banerjee had directed the police to prevent any attempt for conducting such a ceremony on Viajya Dashami.

Last month, CM Banerjee had directed SPs in the districts to talk to Durga Puja committees and Muharram committees regarding holding of their respective rallies and said that there would not be any idol immersion on October 1.

"This year Durga Puja and Muharram fall on the same day. Except for a 24-hour period on the day of Muharram, immersion will resume on October 2 and will continue till October 4," she said in a tweet.

(With agency inputs)

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 18:14 [IST]
Devotees can worship Ram Lalla at Ayodhya from end of 2023

Bright pillar of glory of modern India coming up in form of Ram Mandir: PM Modi

Will BJP benefit from Ram Mandir in the UP Polls: ABP CVoter snap poll says yes

Construction of Ram Mandir to cost Rs 1,800 crore as per revised estimates

Ram Mandir movement: Nirmohi Akhara's Mahant Bhaskar Das passes away

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Mahant of Nirmohi Akhara, Bhaskar Das, a prominent figure in the Ram mandir movement, passed away on Saturday morning. He was 90-years-old.

Das, who staunchly pushed for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, died of heart attack. He was admitted to a hospital in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, four days back.

It was reported on Friday that his condition was critical and he kept in an ICU. This was his third heart attack.

Bhaskar Das was born in 1929 in Gorakhpur. He moved to Ayodhya in 1946 and got associated with the Ramjanmabhoomi- Babri masjid case in 1949.

In 1989, the Nirmohi Akhara filed a lawsuit against the Uttar Pradesh State government, claiming that they had been worshiping the deities installed at a temple at the then disputed site since ancient times. They also requested the Court to hand the management of the temple over to them.

Das, all his life, remained a strong proponent of Ram Mandir movement. He had demanded on several occations that the disputed land in Ayodhya belonged to Hindus.

Das was also a priest at Ram Chabutara near the disputed site.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 9:03 [IST]
'Sex offenders registry is need of the hour,' says Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi

India

oi-Anusha

"Technology as tool to counter abuse of children" was Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi's demand in the Bengaluru leg of his ambitious Bharat Yatra. Speaking to OneIndia, Satyarthi highlighted why there was a need to launch a nationwide sex offenders' registry on an urgent basis.

"We should build a robust public sex offenders registry. If a comprehensive skill registry can be built by us, then so can a public sex offenders registry, to make India safe for our children. I urge all software engineers, disruptors, innovators and scientists to join hands and come together in building this for our country" Satyarthi said at Christ University in Bengaluru. He added that he chose to give a call for a technology-based counter to child abuse in Bengaluru for the city's IT image.

"Every time a child is killed, abused, raped- it makes me angry- not disturbed. We as a nation have to learn how to nurse our children with respect and dignity," Satyarthi added. He highlighted how child welfare is often forgotten in the larger scheme of things simply because children are not political citizens. " Children are not vote banks and their issues are never highlighted. Parents, especially those belonging to the poor sections, are not aware or empowered to ask their elected representatives as to what is being done to safeguard their children. The government must ensure that India is safe for our children, my children," he said.

Speaking on the trafficking, Satyarthi added how technology can also help destroy trafficking routes. "Traffickers use specific routes and children from specific regions are trafficked for specific purposes. Children from Assam are trafficked as laborers. Children from West Bengal are trafficked for flesh trade. Technology can put an end to it," he said.

Urging the government to push for a registry on sexual offenders, Satyarthi said it could be the first effective step towards safeguarding children in the society. "Name and shame them. Sexual offenders should not be accepted as employees anywhere," he told students of the University.

Hundreds of students and participants took a pledge to stop child abuse and speak up against it on Saturday. Throughout his journey, Satyarthi hopes to gather close to a crore pledges. The global child rights activist is on a 35-day long march, Bharat Yatra, across the country to build unprecedented awareness on combating child sexual abuse and trafficking.

OneIndia News
Taxi driver arrested in Mumbai for posessing 22 kg cannabis

India

pti-PTI

Mumbai, Sep 16: A 23-year-old taxi driver was arrested from Central Mumbai for allegedly possessing 22 kg cannabis (ganja) worth Rs 4.40 lakh, police said on Saturday.

The accused, identified as Shahidoor Saiyad Ali Mandal, was arrested from Sion on Friday with 22 kg of marijuana in his taxi, in a trap laid by Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai Police in Sion, they said.

Anti-Narcotics Cell's Azad Maidan unit carried out the arrest.

"We are investigating the source of the contraband and trying to find out about the accused's customers as well," Deputy Commissioner of Police (ANC) Shivdeep Lande said.

An offence has been lodged against Mandal under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

On September 14, around 200 kg cannabis worth Rs 30 lakh was seized from eight persons in three separate cases by the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Telangana.

On Tuesday, forty-three kilograms of cannabis was seized and two persons were arrested by the West Bengal CID from Nadia district's Chakdah region in the state. Acting on a tip-off, an anti-terrorism squad team of the state CID conducted a raid in the early hours of today on NH-34 near Chakdah Chowrastha More, and seized the drug from a vehicle and arrested the two, a senior officer of the agency said.

PTI
Prashant Kishor claims Nitish Kumar in touch with BJP says don't be surprised if he joins hands with it again

Tejashwi's plea to retain bungalow turned down by Nitish govt

India

oi-PTI

Patna, September 16: Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav's plea to allow him to retain the bungalow was turned down by the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government. The bungalow was allotted to Tejashwi Yadav when he was the deputy chief minister.

The 5, Deshratna Marg bungalow of Tejashwi has now been allotted to Sushil Kumar Modi, the Deputy Chief Minister in the JD(U)-BJP coalition government.

The reallocation of ministerial bungalows was made in August, through an order of the Building Construction Department, to accommodate 14 ministers of the BJP and one of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in the new government.

"There will be no change in the office order for allocation of bungalows for anybody -- whether of the ruling NDA or opposition," Building Construction Minister Maheshwar Hazari told PTI today.

"The 5, Deshratna Marg bungalow would now be earmarked in the name of the deputy chief minister, while the 1, Polo Road bungalow, which Tejashwi would swap with Sushil Modi, would be the permanent address of the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly," Hazari, who is from the JD(U), said.

Tejashwi, the younger son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, had written a letter to Kumar following the office order, with a prayer to allow him to retain the 5, Deshratna Marg bungalow.

On Tejashwi's letter, Kumar had on Monday said, "One should not develop any personal attachment towards a government facility. Today I am on the seat, but it is not permanent."

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) criticised the government order reallocating the bungalows.

"When Sushil Modi had ceased to be the deputy chief minister in 2013 and become the leader of opposition in the Legislative Council, he was allowed to retain his 1, Polo Road bungalow," RJD spokesman Mritunjay Tiwari told PTI.

"Why can't Tejashwi Yadav be treated similarly?" he wondered and claimed that the government had taken a "vindictive approach" towards the leader of opposition as he was "creating trouble" for both the chief minister and the deputy chief minister.

As per the government order, the chairperson of the Legislative Council to get the 3, Deshratna Marg bungalow, which was earlier allotted to former Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

PTI

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 10:39 [IST]
32,000 girls converted to Islam and sold as ISIS slaves: This is The Kerala Story

A bayath, a massive suicide bombing, the Coimbatore blast was in the making for a year

'Thankful to PM, President and all ministers': Tom Uzhunnalil

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil, who was freed from Islamic State's captivity after 18 months, has expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and all the ministers involved in efforts to free him from captivity.

The priest was abducted during a terrorist raid on a Missionaries of Charity-run old age home in Aden in Yemen on March 4, 2016.

Thankful to the President, PM, all ministers concerned & countrymen. May god bless them all: Father Tom Uzhunnalil who was rescued from ISIS  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

He was rescued from captivity in Yemen on September 12 and then flown to the Vatican. In his first video message after being released on September 12, Father Uzhunnalil said he was "happy, strong in mind and soul" though he needed to recuperate.

Father Tom was rescued after intervention of Oman's foreign ministry.

The Catholic Church, political leaders and family members of Father Uzhunnalil had earlier thanked the governments of India and Oman for the efforts taken to secure his release.

Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) President and Major Archbishop of Syro Malankara church Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, CBCI Secretary General, said the church was grateful to the government of India and all concerned for the steps taken to secure his release.

Father Uzhunnalil, who belongs to Bharananganam in Pala in Kottayam, was abducted from the port city of Aden after the terror group attacked a care home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. There were several video messages from him after the incident, asking for help.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 15:13 [IST]
Portals of Gangotri shrine close for winters, devotees can worship at Mukhba village now

Anand Mahindra's tweet about UPI at country's 'last tea shop' is every Indian's emotion

Uttarakhand minister's math gaffe during school inspection

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Uttarakhand Education Minister Arvind Pandey had to cut a sorry figure after he got his math wrong during an inspection visit to a government school.

The minister took it upon himself to ask a class 8 school teacher some questions in mathematics. It so turned out that his arithmetic fundamentals did not appear to be sound and what's more, he stood his ground.

He asked the teacher how much would minus one and minus one add up to. The minister insisted that the answer was zero whereas the correct answer is minus two. The entire episode has been caught on camera.

The minister, who had defended himself on the first day, went into damage-control mode the next day. The teacher was, however, left insulted.

The teachers in other parts of the state were irked by the incident and even demanded ministers' apology, reported NDTV.

The Congress also lashed out at the minister.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 10:17 [IST]
China using two new surveillance campaigns to target Uyghurs: Report

New COVID-19 rules for Indians going to China announced

China platform collapse: 31 people placed under criminal 'coercive measures'

International

pti-PTI

Beijing, Sep 16: In connection with the platform collapse in Jiangxi province last year that killed 73 people, China has placed 31 people under criminal "coercive measures".

Criminal "coercive measures" in China may include summons by force, bail, residential surveillance, detention or arrest. A State Council investigation concluded that the tragedy was a workplace safety accident caused by issues including lax supervision and the building company's failure to fulfill its obligations, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

On November 24, 2016, a platform being constructed for a cooling tower at a power plant collapsed in Fengcheng, causing a direct economic loss of about 102 million yuan (USD 15.6 million).

Authorities have revoked the top-level contractor qualification and the work safety license of the company responsible and handed out administrative penalties to other companies and people involved.

The State Council also asked local authorities and building companies to draw lessons from the accident, raise awareness about work safety and improve the management for construction safety, according to the report.

PTI
180 Hindu organisations write to UK PM, say they are living in a state of fear

ISIS claims London underground bomb attack, hunt on for 'bucket bomber'

International

pti-PTI

London, September 16: Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the improvised explosive device (IED) explosion on a packed underground train at a London station, injuring at least 29 people in the fifth terrorist attack this year.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said was "clearly intended to cause significant harm".

"The bombing on a metro in London was carried out by a detachment of the Islamic State," it said in a statement published by its Amaq propaganda agency.

The explosion, on a District Line Tube in the British capital's southwest, occurred as the train pulled into Parsons Green station. Commuters said they heard a bang and saw a fireball inside the carriage when the "bucket bomb" exploded. Several people suffered facial burns, some reportedly were even trampled in the rush to escape.

But none of the injuries were life threatening. Pictures of a white bucket on fire inside a supermarket bag, with wires trailing on to the carriage floor of the train went viral on social media.

Investigators were examining what appears to be a circuit board recovered from the scene, news reports said. Scotland Yard said it was a terror incident and they "assess" an IED triggered the blast.

A hunt was on for a suspect the British media labelled as the "bucket bomber". Some reports indicated that the suspect was identified after investigators reviewed the CCTV footage at the station.

This is the fifth terrorism incident in the UK this year. But it's the only one in 2017 in which nobody has died. The previous four saw 36 people killed. The London Ambulance Service said 29 people have been treated in hospital. Police said that 'most' had 'flash burns'.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said more police would be deployed in London, particularly on the transport network, but refused to say whether anyone had been arrested. Prime Minister May said the incident was a "cowardly" act "clearly intended to cause significant harm".

Addressing the media after chairing an emergency response COBRA committee meeting at Downing Street, May said the UK's terror threat level remains unchanged for now, at "severe" - the second highest. "That means that a terrorist attack is highly likely. But this will be kept under review as the investigation progresses.

The public should go about their daily lives but remain vigilant," she said. "We do need to ensure that we are dealing with, not just the terrorist threat but with the extremism and the hate that can actually incite that terrorism." the prime minister added.

The police later in an updated statement said an area of 50 metres in radius around the station has been evacuated as a precaution in case the bomb left on the train remains unstable. Mayor Sadiq Khan said London "utterly condemns the hideous individuals who attempt to use terror to harm us and destroy our way of life", and urged Londoners to remain calm and vigilant.

Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism squad, SO15, has taken the lead in the investigation from the transport police. "Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, has declared it a terrorist incident," the police said in a statement earlier in the day.

"The Metropolitan Police Service and British Transport Police attended the scene, along with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service. At present we are aware of a number of people who have suffered injuries," it said, adding that the station remains cordoned off and "we are advising people to avoid the area." Downing Street said May was "receiving regular updates".

"My thoughts are with those injured at Parsons Green and emergency services who are responding bravely to this terrorist incident," May had tweeted soon after the incident. Eyewitnesses outside the station reported seeing people with facial injuries.

Passenger Chris Wildish told the BBC that he saw a bucket in a supermarket bag with "low-level flames coming out of it" by the door of the rear carriage. Londoners have been told to stay in lockdown as police evacuated the area and cordoned-off a wide zone.

PTI
By PTI: Gaya (Bihar), Sep 15 (PTI) A court here today sent the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts, Tausif Khan, and two of his associates to four days of police remand.

Gaya Chief Judicial Magistrate Ramanand Ram passed the order, sending Tausif Khan, Sanaah Khan and Shahber Khan, who were arrested on Wednesday, to four days of police custody.

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The police here have registered a case against the three for their alleged involvement in terror activities.

A four-member team of the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrived here today and joined the personnel of the other probe agencies in questioning the three accused, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gaya, Garima Mallik said.

The intelligence personnel of the Army, along with those from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Bihar ATS, quizzed the three men particularly about their foreign connections, police sources said.

The Bihar police, with the help of a cyber cafe operator and locals, nabbed Tausif and Sanaah from outside a cyber cafe in the Rajendra Ashram locality here on Wednesday night.

Following their interrogation, Shahber was nabbed from Shahdeo Khap village of Gaya for allegedly giving shelter to Tausif and helping him get a school teachers job.

The Gaya SSP had said the alleged masterminds original name was Tausif Khan and that he had been living in Gaya under the name of "Atiq Sir".

The cyber cafe owner, Anurag Basu, who also runs a monthly magazine in Gaya, saw the two posting some objectionable material on the social media and informed the police, which led to their arrest.

Additional Director General of Police (Headquarter) S K Singhal had yesterday said Tausif and Sanaah culled information on the ISIS from the Internet and e-mailed some of it to a few parliamentarians, among others.

Gaya town Deputy Superintendent of Police Alok Kumar Singh had said Tausif, a resident of Ahmedabad and aged around 35 years, was a B.Tech in computer and electronics from the D Y Patil University in Maharashtra.

He was teaching mathematics and science in a school at Shahdeo Khap village.

He also presented the teachings of Islam "in a wrong way, to arouse anti-national feelings among his pupils", the DSP had said. PTI CORR SNS NN RC

--- ENDS ---
Mad mullahs of the west and how ISIS infiltrated their minds

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Islamic State was quick to call the London attack. In fact every attack that has taken place in the West has been called by the ISIS. Does this mean that the ISIS has been successful in infiltrating the West and setting up modules?

One thing is for sure and that is the ISIS has managed to infiltrate the minds of several Muslims and turned them into radical beasts. The ISIS does not work on the concept of a module. It tilts more towards a cost effective terror concept called the Lone Wolf. Everyone who believes in their ideology is a member of the group and anyone can stage an attack without the approval of their bosses provided they give credit to the group.

An inspired module is one that draws inspiration from a group's ideology. The members of the group of a lone person is not in touch with the members of the terrorist group. The planning of an attack is not discussed or known to the members of the group. The ideology is in circulation and it is up for grabs. Any person can draw inspiration and carry out an attack in the name of the terrorist group.

In India too several such modules were busted. Most of the members were not in touch with any of the members or handlers of the ISIS. They drew inspiration from the material circulated online and planned and tried to execute the attack on their own. This also meant that the ISIS or the al-Qaeda did not have to fund these modules.

The members collect funds and go about their business on their own. For using the ISIS ideology, the group only would seek credit in return.

One needs to bear in mind is that the ISIS does not function like other terror groups. The ISIS does not function on the module theory. It is an outfit that works like an army in Iraq and Syria.

The function it gives its recruits in Iraq and Syria is very different to that it expects from its men in other parts of the world. When Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the boss of the ISIS delivered a message a year back, he made it amply clear that the outfit needed people who were inspired by it. He wanted to spread the ideology of the ISIS across the world and directed all to set up the Caliphate in their respective countries.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that the ISIS functions on inspiration. There is no set pattern that it works on. It has thrown a lot of material online about ideology and how it expects its men to function. It does not call for an attack that would require a great deal of planning.

Do not follow the rules is the message that it delivers. For instance, if a 'non-believer' is pushed down a building, the IS would call it an attack. The Nice attack in which a lorry mowed down several people was also called an attack. That attack was carried out by an ISIS inspired man who was not part of any module.

OneIndia News
N Korea nearing 'equilibrium' in military force with US: Kim Jong-un

International

pti-PTI

Seoul, Sep 16: Even as the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the Pyongyang's "highly provocative" ballistic missile test, North Korea leader Kim Jong Un said the country is nearing its goal of "equilibrium" in military force with the United States.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency carried Kim's comments today a day after US and South Korean militaries detected the missile launch from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

It travelled 3,700 kilometres as it flew over Japan before landing in the northern Pacific Ocean. It was the country's longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile. The North has confirmed the missile as an intermediate range Hwasong-12, the same model launched over Japan on August 29.

The KCNA said Kim expressed great satisfaction over the launch, which he said verified the "combat efficiency and reliability" of the missile and the success of efforts to increase its power. While the English version of the report was less straightforward, the Korean version quoted Kim as declaring the missile as operationally ready.

He vowed to complete his nuclear weapons program in the face of strengthening international sanctions, the agency said. The UN Security Council accused North Korea of undermining regional peace and security by launching its latest missile over Japan and said its nuclear and missile tests "have caused grave security concerns around the world" and threaten all 193 UN member states.

Kim also said the country, despite "limitless" international sanctions, has nearly completed the building of its nuclear weapons force and called for "all-state efforts" to reach the goal and obtain a "capacity for nuclear counterattack the US cannot cope with."

"As recognised by the whole world, we have made all these achievements despite the UN sanctions that have lasted for decades," the agency quoted Kim as saying. Kim said the country's final goal "is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK," referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

He indicated that more missile tests would be forthcoming, saying that all future drills should be "meaningful and practical ones for increasing the combat power of the nuclear force" to establish an order in the deployment of nuclear warheads for "actual war." Prior to the launches over Japan, North Korean had threatened to fire a salvo of Hwasong-12s toward Guam, the US Pacific island territory and military hub the North has called an "advanced base of invasion."

The Security Council stressed in a statement after a closed-door emergency meeting that all countries must "fully, comprehensively and immediately" implement all UN sanctions. Japan's UN Ambassador Koro Bessho called the missile launch an "outrageous act" that is not only a threat to Japan's security but a threat to the world as a whole."

Bessho and the British, French and Swedish ambassadors demanded that all sanctions be implemented. Calling the latest launch a "terrible, egregious, illegal, provocative reckless act," Britain's UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said North Korea's largest trading partners and closest links a clear reference to China must "demonstrate that they are doing everything in their power to implement the sanctions of the Security Council and to encourage the North Korean regime to change course."

France's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country is ready to work on tougher UN and EU measures to convince Pyongyang that there is no interest in an escalation, and to bring it to the negotiating table. Friday's launch followed North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3 in what it described as a detonation of a thermonuclear weapon built for its developmental intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The North flight tested its Hwasong-14 ICBMs twice in July and analysts say the missiles could potentially reach deep into the US mainland when perfected. The growing frequency, power and confidence displayed by Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests seem to confirm what governments and outside experts have long feared: North Korea is closer than ever to its goal of building a military arsenal that can viably target US troops both in Asia and in the US homeland.

This, in turn, is meant to allow North Korea greater military freedom in the region by raising doubts in Seoul and Tokyo that Washington would risk the annihilation of a US city to protect its Asian allies. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a liberal who initially pushed for talks with North Korea, said its tests currently make dialogue "impossible."

"If North Korea provokes us or our allies, we have the strength to smash the attempt at an early stage and inflict a level of damage it would be impossible to recover from," he said.

Robust international diplomacy on the issue has been stalled for years, and there's so far little sign that senior officials from North Korea and the US might sit down to discuss ways to slow the North's determined march toward inclusion among the world's nuclear weapons powers.

PTI
UNSC's counter-terror meet in India to focus on use of internet, new payment mechanism by terrorists

UNSC meet in India to begin its deliberations in Mumbai is a message in itself: MEA

UNSC dubs North Korea's missile test 'outrageous'

International

pti-PTI

United Nations, Sep 16: A day after North Korea fired an intermediate-range missile from Pyongyang over northern Japan, the UN Security Council on Saturday strongly condemned "highly provocative" launch and demanded that the reclusive nation immediately halt such "outrageous" actions.

In a statement, the Security Council said the launch was carried out just three weeks after a first missile overflew Japan and less than two weeks after Pyongyang's sixth and biggest nuclear test.

"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned these launches, condemned further North Korea for its outrageous actions, and demanded that North Korea immediately cease all such actions," the Security Council said in a statement after an emergency meeting.

The emergency meeting of Security Council was convened at the request of Japan and the US. The 15-member body stressed that these actions were not just a threat to the region, but to all UN Member States.

"The United Kingdom stands with the people of Japan in face of this terrible, egregious, illegal, provocative, reckless act by the North Korean regime, which once again demonstrates their complete disregard for the sovereignty and the citizens of one of their neighbours," the British Ambassador to the UN, Matthew Rycroft told reporters after the meeting of the Security Council.

Earlier this week, the UN Security Council agreed to tighten sanctions on North Korea, banning its textile exports and capping fuel supplies. North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kim Jong Un's leadership to accelerate a weapons programme designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.

PTI
Sky News 13 Nov 2022

Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has said he feels "betrayed" by Manchester United and claims he is being forced out of the club.
By India Today Web Desk: In fresh twist to AIADMK infighting, sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran will begin his campaign against the unified factions of Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam. Dinakaran is scheduled to hold a meeting with the disqualified MLAs of the party.

During the floor test of the Palaniswami government at least 19 AIADMK - all supporters of Dinakaran - had voted against the confidence motion. Later, they were disqualified as MLAs under anti-defection law.

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Following the revolt of 19 party MLAs against Palaniswami, they were all initially put up at a resort in Puducherry. They later shifted to a resort in Coorg in Karnataka and are since staying there. One of them shifted camps to support Palaniswami later.

AIADMK INFIGHTING: THINGS TO KNOW TTV Dinakaran yesterday launched a fresh attack on his rival, Chief Minister Palaniswami and vowed to "end this rule of betrayal" within a week. The 'sacked' party deputy chief also ruled out his faction having any direct or indirect pact with M K Stalin-led DMK, saying that party "is our primary rival." Dinakaran alleged that Palaniswami had tried to "adopt short-cut" method of facing a floor test of his government on Monday by disqualifying 18 MLAs supporting him. "The short-cut adopted by Palaniswami is he tried to have the floor test by Monday (apparently September 18) after disqualification (of his supporting MLAs)," he alleged. By doing so, Palaniswami may not require to garner the required support of 117 MLAs to win the trust vote, he said. In the 234-member state Assembly, AIADMK has 134 MLAs including the Speaker. The RK Nagar seat is vacant following the death of then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa last year. Meanwhile, the Madras High Court had on Thursday directed that no floor test be held in the state Assembly till September 20. Dinakaran has escalated his attack against Palaniswami since the August 21 merger of the two camps. Dinakaran also slammed Palaniswami for "aligning" with former rebel leader O Panneerselvam, now Deputy Chief Minister. "There is no history of adharma and betrayal having triumphed. In one week we will end this rule of betrayal in the Assembly," he said, apparently indicating at a possible floor test of the government. Dinakaran claimed 21 AIADMK MLAs were now against the chief minister and wanted his removal, a demand raised with the Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao. "The Governor delayed (on directing floor test), but DMK won't keep quiet. They want elections to happen and so they moved the court (for floor test)," he said. The DMK, which has more than once petitioned Rao to direct the Palaniswami government to prove its numbers, had moved the court on the matter recently. On his rival AIADMK camp's criticism that he has joined hands with DMK in his tussle against Palaniswami, Dinakaran said "there is no direct or indirect alliance with that party." "I repeatedly say that DMK is our primary rival. There is no direct or indirect alliance with that party," he asserted. His faction had moved the court against a possible disqualification of its MLAs after "sensing" such possible action," from Speaker P Dhanapal, he said. "You should question me if only I align with DMK after this government goes," he said. Palaniswami, who had "betrayed" AIADMK chief V K Sasikala, will not be "forgiven" by God, Dhinakaran said. He also faulted the Chief Minister for convening the party General Council to remove her as interim general secretary. Dinakaran had earlier dismissed the September 12 General Council as a "public meeting", saying the court could have the final say on the matter.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (Eds: Adding a para after intro)

New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) Air India today launched its direct flight from the national capital to Copenhagen, the eleventh destination for the airline in Europe, describing it as connecting Maharaja with the Mermaid.

In Air Indias trademark style, the inaugural flight was operated by an all-woman crew.

The national carrier has been expanding its international operations and has started services to overseas destinations, including Washington and Stockholm so far this year.

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To mark the launch of the Copenhagen flight, Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal lit the traditional lamp at Terminal 3 of the airport here.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is Air Indias 44th international destination and 11th European non-stop destination.

This is the 11th destination in Europe for Air India and it is "connecting the Mermaid with the Maharaja", Bansal said, adding that he is looking forward for good passenger load.

The iconic "Little Mermaid" statue in Copenhagen is one of the citys most famous monuments. The bronze structure sits on a rock by waterside in the city and represents a famous character from a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

The Air India service to Copenhagen will be operated with a Dreamliner aircraft thrice a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

"AI 157 will depart from Delhi at 1430 hours to reach Copenhagen at 1845 hours the same day. The return flight AI 158 will leave Copenhagen at 2045 hours and reach Delhi at 0735 hours the next day," the airline said in a release.

To mark the launch of the flight to Copenhagen, Air India is offering return fares starting from Rs 42,700, inclusive of all taxes.

Apart from Copenhagen, the airline has direct flights to Stockholm, Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Birmingham and London.

The services to Moscow are temporarily suspended and would restart in October, an airline official said.

Air India group operates to 44 international destinations and over 70 domestic stations. It has an operating fleet of 142 aircraft, including A320, B777 and B737-800 planes.

To revive Air India, which has huge debt burden, the government is working on the modalities for the strategic disinvestment of Air India and its five subsidiaries. PTI RAM JC IKA

--- ENDS ---
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North America Biorational Market is poised to reach USD 2.04 billion by 2021

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North America Biorational Market was worth USD 794.5 million in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 20.8%, to reach USD 2.04 billion by 2021. Biorational products are the insecticides that are comparatively non-toxic to human beings with minimal environmental side-effects. These are typically derived from natural and organic origins which includes biological pesticides as well as products used for crop stress management, enhanced plant physiology benefits, and root growth management.Browse full Report @Stringent regulations pertaining to the use of synthetic pesticides has contributed tremendously towards market penetration in the region. Various agri-business initiatives were adopted by the food processors and farming enterprises to cater the growing concerns towards food security. Ongoing industrialization of the food system, particularly in the U.S. and Canada is anticipated to drive investments for enhancing crop yield rates, with minimal environmental impact. Adverse impacts of synthetic pesticides on beneficial organisms in farmland and terrestrial ecosystems have offered ample scope for bio-based products. However, people are still not aware about the biorational products and their usage which might be a hindrance to the growth of the market.Download free Sample report @Market SegmentationProduct Botanical products Microbial pesticides Semiochemicals Other biorational products Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Product Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Product Market Share Analysis, By ProductCrop type Grains and oilseeds Fruits and vegetables Others Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Crop type Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Crop type Market Share Analysis, By Crop typeMethod of propagation Foilar spray Seed treatment Soil treatment Others Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By method of propagation Market Attractiveness Analysis, By method of propagation Market Share Analysis, By method of propagationOn the basis of geography, the global market is analysed under various regions namely U.S.A and Canada. North America currently dominates the biorational market.Inquire before buying report @Some of the key players dominating the market are Koppert B.V., Marrone Bio Innovations, Monsanto Company, The Dow Chemical Company, and Gowan Company LLC, Valent U.S.A. Corporation, Russell IPM limited, Agralan limited, Monsanto Company, Gowan company LLC, Suttera, Syngenta, BASF SE, Isagro S.P.A, and Bayer AG.About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options. For more info kindly visit,Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.com
Global Plastic Packaging Market to surpass us$ 480.97 billion by 2025

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The Global Plastic Packaging Market was valued at US$ 300.86 billion in 2016, according to a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Packaging is a process that involves protecting and enclosing of finished products for distribution, sale, storage and transport. The rigid packaging is gaining traction in the past five years due to the rise in demand from packaged food, which includes ready-to-eat meals, dried and frozen foods. The increasing demand for convenience food in Asia Pacific and Europe is expected to boost the market for plastic packaging during 2017-2025. Rigid packaging finds wide applications in the packaging industry, due to its high impact strength, barrier properties and stiffness which makes it ideal for the transportation of various products in the form of bottles, ampules, jars, aerosols container and cans. Also, rapidly growing export and import of food products across the world is expected to fuel the growth of the market for rigid packaging, which in turn is expected to fuel the market for plastic packaging during the forecast period. According to Coherent Market Insights, the rigid packaging segment in the product type, is dominating the market for plastic packaging in 2016 and is expected to retain the trend in the following years. Food & beverages, pharmaceuticals and personal care industry are the major end use industry, which finds large applications for rigid packaging.To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in this market, click the link below:Technological advancement coupled with development of new product is expected to be the key drivers for the market growth of global plastic packaging. Also, the growing demand for flexible packaging from processed and hot food industry is expected to boost the market for plastic packaging during the forecast period. The flexible packaging segment market in the global plastic packaging market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.7% in terms of volume. For instance---On January 19, 2017, UFLEX--- introduced Super Barrier Polyester Film, FLEXPETTM F-PGB-12, a specially modified surface treatment which offers high barrier to oxygen.On September 8, 2016, UFLEX---introduced new ESL ASEPTIC FLEXI-POUCH MACHINE for milk packaging, which sterilized and packed the milk and increases the self-life up to 90 days.Key takeaways of the market:Asia-Pacific is projected to be the largest region in global plastic packaging market. It accounted for around 36.4% of overall plastic packaging market revenue in 2016. The market in this region is expected to be primarily driven by rampant growth of end-use industries in China, India, and ASEAN countries. The growing food & beverages industries, rising economy, growing per capita income of middle class people are some of the key drivers for the growth of plastic packaging market in the Asia-Pacific region.The market in Latin America is expected to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period. Rise in discretionary income along with increasing ready to eat food are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the players in this region.Pharmaceuticals is one of the key industries for the use of plastic packaging. A strong drug export and import activity in Asia-Pacific and North America is expected to enhance the growth of plastic packaging in the forecast period. The pharmaceuticals applications such as sachets, blister pack, stick packs and strip packs are the key plastic packaging application in pharmaceuticals industry, which provides barrier to moisture, light, chemical, ease of opening and child resistance. . According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) is a Trust established by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India---the Indian healthcare industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% from 2008 to 2020. The market is expected to reach US$ 280 billion by 2020.Amcor Ltd., Sealed Air Corporation, Bemis Company, Sonoco Products Company, Mondi Plc., Tray Pack Corporation, Lacerta Group Inc., Bemis Company Inc., Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co. Kg, RPC Group Plc are few of the key players in global plastic packaging market.Request a sample pdf Copy of report@There are various organic, and inorganic growth strategies which are being followed by the leading market players in the market. Technological advancement is leading to the key innovation in the new product launches. Companies are also investing in expansions, mergers & acquisitions, and joint ventures in the market. For instance---On 2016, Silgan---acquired WestRock division in US$ 1 billion.July 2015, Bemis Company Inc. signed an agreement with Emplal Participacoes S.A. to acquire its South American rigid plastic packaging business.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com
Latin America Feed Flavors and Sweeteners Market to reach USD 290 million by 2021,.

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The Latin America Feed Flavors and Sweeteners Market was worth USD 240 million in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 3.50%, to reach USD 290 million by 2021. Market is looking strong in this region in the mentioned forecast period of this report in terms of growth rate. Feed additives and Sweeteners are the edible substances added to the animal feed in order to make it tastier to eat and add some extra nutrients in the feed.People have been keeping livestock in form of cattle for a long time for their own benefits like milk and wool from sheep. In order to keep these livestock healthy, they need to provide better food to them, which was provided back then in the form of natural feed additives and sweeteners mixed to the regular feed for the livestock. It wasnt until the second half of twentieth century, when a RandD started increasing in this sector and many more food additives started coming into the market, of both natural and artificial origin. Same is in the case of sweeteners, they come from both natural sources and are also manufactured artificially.View full report @With this region being near the North American region which is a developed region, technology and new inventions arrives fast in this region. With new technology comes the new innovations which help the market in this region a lot. Also, developing countries like Brazil and Mexico contribute a lot to the growth of this region. Main purpose of using Feed Flavors and sweeteners in animal feed is to remove the bitter taste of minerals, vitamins and other medicines to increase the intake of animals. On the other hand, unawareness of people to spend on their livestock is challenging this market.The Latin America market for Feed Flavors and Sweeteners is broadly categorized by Type and by Livestock. On the basis of Livestock, they are further categorized into cattle, swine, poultry, aquaculture and others. On the basis of Type, there are Natural and Artificial Feed Flavors and Sweeteners. On the basis of livestock, Cattle is the biggest market followed by swine and poultry.Download free sample report @Geographically, Latin America feed flavour and sweetener market has been segmented into Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and rest of the nations of South America. Latin America has the second highest growth rate in the world among all the segmented regions in the Global Market. Brazil in this region has the biggest market share and growth rate.Some of the major companies dominating the market, by their products and services include Biomin GMBH, E. I. Dupont, Eli Lilly and Company, Ferrer Internacional S.A., Industrial Tecnica Pecuaria, Jefo Nutrition Inc, Kerry Group PLC, Phytobiotics, Prinova and Tanke International Group.Buy now @About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options. For more information, kindly visit,Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.comVisit MarketDataForecast Blog @View latest Press Releases of MDF @Plot # 127 & 128, 2nd Floor Lake View Plaza,Amar Co-operative Society, Kavuri Hills,Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081.
Health Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market Highly Grow in Recent Period at a Steady CAGR

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MaketStudyReport.com adds a new Health Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market Research Report for the period of 2017-2024 that shows the growth of the market is rising at a 31% CAGR to 2024.Health Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market size is set to exceed USD 1.5 billion by 2024; according to a new research study. Rising smartphone users worldwide coupled with increasing use of health apps and growing popularity of internet of things is set to drive health intelligent virtual assistant market growth. Mobile healthcare technology has gained immense popularity among populations all over the globe. The increased adoption of heath apps demonstrates the shift in trend in patient care; wherein service over mobile devices is being preferred over visiting the physicians.Growing popularity of internet of things is likely to further stimulate health intelligent virtual assistant business growth. The use of internet of things in healthcare has increased both the size as well as accuracy of medical data through variety of data collection, and expanded the reach of healthcare professionals beyond their limited facilities.Get Sample Copy on this Report:Increasing lifestyle related disorders coupled with rising health consciousness should also drive the health intelligent virtual assistant market. Lifestyle diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Intelligent virtual assistants respond to the voice or text queries through mobile devices or health apps, thus increasing patient engagement and improving self-management skills for chronic disease. Thus, rising global chronic disease burden across the globe in healthcare industry should further augment health intelligent virtual assistant market growth in coming years.Growing need to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of care will fuel health intelligent virtual assistant market growth. Promising improvements in healthcare infrastructure, patient experience will restructure the healthcare delivery over the coming years. To reduce the medical errors and improve the quality of healthcare has been the first preference of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).Get Discount on this Report:U.S. health intelligent virtual assistant market accounted for the largest regional industry share in 2016. Wide spread adoption of healthcare IT, technologies for effective healthcare system and increasing smartphone users in the U.S. will stimulate industry growth.UK held considerable regional health intelligent virtual assistant market share in 2016 owing to adoption of advanced healthcare technologies. Rising penetration of the internet of things coupled with increasing regulation act related to communication and data should drive business growth in coming years.Japan health intelligent virtual assistant market attributed for over 30% of Asia-Pacific share in 2016, witnessing healthy growth over the forecast years. Increasing investment by market players for technological development and improved economic indicators should stimulate business growth. Growing aging population and rising uptake of intelligent virtual assistant solutions associated with healthcare should fuel the industry growth.Some of the prominent industry players offering unique and advanced products include Next IT Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Nuance Communications and eGain Communication. Other notable industry participants are True Image Interactive, CodeBaby, Kognito, Medrespond, Welltok and CSS Corporation.Health intelligent virtual assistant market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD million from 2013 to 2024, for the following segments:Health Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market by Technology:Speech recognition, Text-to-Speech, Voice recognitionHealth Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market by End User:Payer, Provider, OthersThe above information is provided for the following regions/countries:North America, U.S., Canada, Europe, Germany, UK, Italy, France, Spain, Asia Pacific, China, India, Japan, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, Middle East and Africa, South Africa.Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Market Share & Forecast, 2017  2024Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Market size is forecast to exceed USD 10 billion by 2024. AI has revolutionized the healthcare industry by designing treatment plans, medication management, assisting in repetitive tasks, and drug discovery. Rising adoption of precision medicine has made enabled simplicity of management and cost reduction. Increasing application in genomics research coupled with incremental innovation in robotic personal digital assistants should boost industry growth.About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:
Automotive Labels Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

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Automotive labels serve the purpose of displaying company name, cost, technical information, components information, other specifications, and barcode in automobiles. These labels are durable even in high temperature. They are required to cope with engine conditions including high temperature and exposure to liquids such as brake fluid, screen wash, and engine oil.The growing demand from automobile industry for RFID labels and mandatory compliance with automotive labeling laws are the main drivers for automotive labels market. Emerging countries and new product launches open up new opportunities for the market growth. The initial cost of manufacturing is more if manufactured in small quantities, hence the cost to profit ratio is a concern to small manufacturers.Request Sample of Automotive Labels Market:Automotive Labels Market TaxonomyOn the basis of end use, the automotive labels market is segmented into:Asset LabelsDome LabelsBranding LabelsWarning LabelsInventory LabelsOn the basis of mechanism, the automotive labels market is segmented into:In-moldHeat TransferGlue-appliedPressure sensitiveOn the basis of identification methods, the automotive labels market is segmented into:HologramBarcodeRFIDOthersOn the basis of application, the automotive labels market is segmented into:Chassis LabelsEngine Component LabelsInterior LabelsExterior LabelsAsset tags are used to identify the product with unique serial number such as barcode. Dome labels are used to print the logo of the company. Branding labels and warning labels are used for printing brand name and cautions respectively for the appliances.Check the Trending Report of Automotive Labels Market:Pressure sensitive labels are set on the application of pressure. Heat transfer labels are set on heat exposure and glue labels are applied by using adhesives. The segmentation based on application also depends on the label position.Automotive Labels Market OutlookAsia Pacific is the largest and estimated to be the fastest growing market due to burgeoning growth in the automobile industry, which has been driven by high automobile sales rate in India and China. According to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), sales of cars in China stood at 28.03 million in 2016 and 3.00 million in India.Europe is the second largest automobile labels market due to the well-developed public transportation sector. Cars, vans, trucks, and buses in the region are considered to be the quickest, safest, and cleanest in the worldNorth America is an emerging region in the automobile labels market. Demand for automobiles for heavy transportation has risen in the U.S. and Canada. A high preference for personal transportation in North America is expected to drive the automobile sector in the region.To Get Discount on this Report:Latin America is projected to augment market growth due to the need of personal transports and high disposable incomes. Argentina is the largest export market in Latin America, which is also affected by economic downturn like most other countries in Latin America.The major players in the Automotive Labels Market are 3M (U.S.), Avery Dennison Corporation (U.S), UPM-Kymmene Corporation (Finland), H.B. Fuller (U.S.), Sika AG (Switzerland), CCL Industries Inc. (Canada), Barry-Wehmiller Companies Inc. (U.S), Dunmore (U.S.), Lewis Labels Products Corp. (U.S), and Precision Contract Manufacturing (U.S).About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200 Seattle,WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
Vacuum Packaging Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

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Vacuum packaging is a technology in which air is removed in order to block the growth of oxygen-breathing microbes, which spoil the product. The purpose of vacuum packaging is to eliminate oxygen from the package. Removal of inner oxygen results in a longer shelf life. It is essential that the accurate incorporation of the product, process, package, and distribution exists in the supply chain to avoid recontamination. The global vacuum packaging market is gaining momentum primarily due to the increasing demand for sanitary packaging in various sectors. A prominent disadvantage of vacuum packaging includes the loss of preservation once the package is opened.Major drivers for the vacuum packaging market include the demand for hygienic packaging, manufacturers demand of longer shelf-life, a shift toward easy-to-handle & convenient packaging, and growth of end-use industries. Food packaging market plays a critical role in driving the growth of vacuum packaging market. Ease of handling, portability, and flexibility have increased the popularity of packaged food. This technique ensures shelf life extension with high sterile environment, which prohibits food spoilage.Request Sample of Vacuum Packaging Market:Vacuum Packaging Market TaxonomyOn the basis of Packaging Material, the market is segmented into:PolyethylenePolyamideEthylene Vinyl AlcoholOthersOn the basis of Machinery used, the market is segmented into:ThermoformersExternal Vacuum SealersTray Sealing MachinesOthersOn the basis of packaging type, the market is segmented into:Flexible PackagingSemi-rigid PackagingRigid PackagingOn the basis of end use, the market is segmented into:FoodPharmaceuticalsIndustrial GoodsOthersPolyethylene is the most used material for vacuum packaging due to its low production & processing cost that has encouraged producers to prefer polyethylene over other packaging materials. Polyamide is another highly demanded packaging material due to its properties such as transparency, elasticity, and high thermoforming & high shrinkage characteristics. Increasing requirement for transparent food covering, due to its assurance on food quality by visual inspection, is expected to drive the polyamide demand over the forecast period. Thermoforming machines can be used for vacuum packaging in large production facilities. It is possible to customize thermoform plastics on the basis of size, color, clarity, and shape. This enables products to fit perfectly in order to create a consistent appearance according to the requirement.Market OutlookAsia Pacific is a major player in the global vacuum packaging market. The market growth is driven by factors such as high demand for packaged food, elevated healthcare expenditure, and rapid urbanization & industrialization in China and India. The augmented use of vacuum packaging in various end-use industries such as pharmaceuticals is projected to propel the growth of the vacuum packaging marketEurope accounts for a large market share due to the presence of major packaged food and pharmaceutical manufacturers in this region on account of large packaged and processed food demand. Growing healthcare sector is also expected to propel the pharmaceutical packaging demand in the region. According to the Population Reference Bureau, Statistics Canada and EU, the geriatric population stood at 51 million in North America and 94 million in Europe as of 2016, which has boosted the pharmaceutical industryCheck the Trending Report of Vacuum Packaging Market:Emerging customer base in the Middle East and Africa region provides the vacuum packaging market with high growth opportunities. Increasing need for hygienic and safe products drives the vacuum packaging market in this region. Increasing use of pharmaceuticals due to epidemics such as Ebola in Africa is likely to drive the demand for vacuum packaging in African countriesIn Latin America, increasing awareness among consumers regarding food preservation and high disposable incomes coupled with growing reliance on packaged and easily available foods augment the growth of the vacuum packaging market. Presence of major processed food manufacturers such as Nestle and Heinz boosts the potential of vacuum packaging market in this regionSome of the key players in the vacuum packaging market include Amcor Limited, Bemis Company, Inc., Berry Plastics Corporation, Sealed Air Corporation, Linpac Packaging Limited, Multisorb Technologies, Inc., Coveris Holding SA, CVP Systems Inc., Ulma Packaging, SCOOP, and Orics Industries, Inc.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200 Seattle,WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
By PTI: By Manoj Rammohan

Copenhagen, Sep 16 (PTI) Air India has launched its direct flight to the Danish capital from New Delhi, the 11th destination for the national carrier in Europe, describing it as connecting Maharaja with the Mermaid.

The flight landed at the airport here after more than a seven-hour journey at around 1900 hours (local time) today.

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In Air Indias trademark style, the inaugural flight was operated by an all-woman crew.

The national carrier has been expanding its international operations and has started services to overseas destinations, including Washington and Stockholm so far this year.

To mark the launch of the Copenhagen flight, Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal lit the traditional lamp at Terminal 3 of the airport in New Delhi on September 16.

The flight was accorded a ceremonial water canon salute after landing at the Copenhagen airport and there was also a cake cutting function at the airport.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is Air Indias 44th international destination and 11th European non-stop destination.

This is the 11th destination in Europe for Air India and it is "connecting the Mermaid with the Maharaja", Bansal said today, adding that he was looking forward for a good passenger load.

The iconic "Little Mermaid" statue in Copenhagen is one of the citys most famous monuments. The bronze structure sits on a rock by waterside in the city and represents a famous character from a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

The Air India service to Copenhagen will be operated with a Dreamliner aircraft thrice a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

"AI 157 will depart from Delhi at 1430 hours to reach Copenhagen at 1845 hours the same day. The return flight AI 158 will leave Copenhagen at 2045 hours and reach Delhi at 0735 hours the next day," the airline said in a statement.

To mark the launch of the flight to Copenhagen, Air India is offering return fares starting from Rs 42,700, inclusive of all taxes.

Apart from Copenhagen, the airline has direct flights to Stockholm, Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Birmingham and London.

The services to Moscow is temporarily suspended and would restart in October, an airline official said.

Air India group operates to 44 international destinations and over 70 domestic stations. It has an operating fleet of 142 aircraft, including A320, B777 and B737-800 planes.

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To revive Air India, which has a huge debt burden, the government is working on the modalities for the strategic disinvestment of Air India and its five subsidiaries. PTI RAM CPS

--- ENDS ---
Pumped Hydro Storage Market by Technology, Application & Geography - Analysis & Forecast to 2024

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MaketStudyReport.com adds a new Pumped Hydro Storage Market Research Report for the period of 2017-2024 that shows the growth of the market is rising at a Steady CAGR to 2024.Pumped Hydro Storage Market size will exceed USD 350 billion by 2024. Favorable regulatory framework pertaining to the upgradation and expansion of electrical infrastructure coupled with growing adoption of sustainable energy will drive the pumped hydro storage market size. Lack of efficient monitoring system and frequent supply outages across the developing economies will further stimulate the product demand. The China National Energy Administration in 2017 declared a funding of USD 326.4 billion toward the expansion of renewable electrical network by 2020.Ongoing expansion of micro-grid networks favored by rapid development of distributed generation technology will propel the pumped hydro storage market size. Growing concerns toward reduction of carbon footprint along with upgradation and expansion of existing PHS system to enhance the operational flexibility will propel the business outlook. In 2016, the Government of Canada pledged to reduce emissions by 80% below 2005 levels until 2050.Get Sample Copy on this Report:Japan pumped hydro storage market size is set to exceed 30 GW by 2024. Growing concerns toward energy security along with increasing investments toward deployment of grid network will propel the product landscape. Upsurge across the integration of renewable energy technologies will further stimulate the business outlook. The Japan Ministry of Economy, have announced investments worth USD 700 million in line with the integration of sustainable energy storage technology across the country.High storage capacity, energy efficiency and grid stability are some of the key parameters that will drive the pumped hydro storage market. According to EASE, the PHS plants have an average efficiency of 70% ? 80% when compared with other technologies. Increasing energy demand across emerging economies will further foster the business outlook.U.S. pumped hydro storage market size will grow owing to upgradation and refurbishment of existing grid infrastructure along with rising adoption of advanced grid support system. Integration of clean energy technologies and expansion of micro grid networks will further embellish the product landscape. China under its sovereign wealth fund has proposed an investment of USD 800 billion across the U.S. infrastructure sector.Open loop in 2016, accounted for over 90% of pumped hydro storage market share. Availability of free-flowing water source along with effective compatibility with a hydroelectric plant will embellish the product penetration. According to Department of Energy, there are three open-loop projects announced and in under construction phase in the U.S.Get Discount on this Report:Growing energy consumption along with ongoing investments toward modernization of electric grid infrastructure will embellish the South Korea pumped hydro storage market. Favorable government initiatives pertaining to sustainable energy mix will further stimulate the industry outlook. In 2017, The South Korea government has approved a plan to invest USD 1.67 billion toward development of renewable energy in the country.Key industry players in pumped hydro storage market includes Voith Hydro, EDF, Absaroka, Genex, Toshiba, Schluchseewerk AG, Dongfang Electric, Snowdonia, SinoHydro, Eskom, Enel, Northland Power and J-Power.Global pumped hydro storage market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of GW and USD from 2014 to 2024, for the following segments:Global Pumped Hydro Storage Market, By System:? Open loop, Closed loop, InnovativeThe above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:North America, U.S., Canada, Europe, France, UK, Spain, Russia, Poland, Asia Pacific, China, Japan, India, Australia, Malaysia, Latin America, Brazil.For Enquiry on this report:Related Report:Global Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Market Research Report 2017In this report, the global Pumped Hydro Energy Storage 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.About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:
Global LLDPE Market Revenue to surpass USD 60 billion by 2024

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Linear low density polyethylene market held a revenue of USD 37 billion in 2015, and is projected to exceed USD 60 billion by 2024 with a lucrative annual growth rate of 6% over the period of 2016-2024.Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Market is winning an edge over other polyethylene derivatives such as LDPE and HDPE, due to its superior tensile strength that makes it suitable for a wide forum of application including domestic sector packaging, agriculture, and automotive industry. LLDPE is extensively used as films in food packaging industry where elongation and flexibility are the basic requirements. Global packaging industry is set to touch the trillion-dollar bench mark in terms of revenue by 2024, which is anticipated to have a linear influence on LLDPE market in the years ahead.Request for sample of this report@Key insights pertaining to the application and regional outlook of Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) market:North America linear low density polyethylene industry worth USD 7 billion in 2015, is set to establish its strong prominence, owing to the rise in infrastructural projects and high living standards of major population base. This region is also gaining high profit from the booming automobile industry with high demand from automotive biggies like General Motors.Increase in infrastructural activities in emerging countries is likely to contribute majorly to Asia Pacific LLDPE industry growth with China and India construction spending around USD 1.75 trillion and USD 420 billion respectively in 2015. Asia Pacific linear low density polyethylene market is thus witnessing a robust growth, having had over 45% of the overall industry share in 2015.Europe LLDPE industry is also expanding its base, being one of the largest automobile manufacturers with major suppliers from Germany and Sweden. Europe is growing at a fast pace in telecommunication, meat packaging, and electronics industries which in turn is driving the industry growth. Increasing adoption of rotomolding technology in these mentioned sectors coupled with rapid industrialization will set Europe to grow at an annual rate of 5% over the period of 2016-2024.Browse Source Report@Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Market Size By Application (Films, Injection Molding, Rotomolding), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, GCC), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024LLDPE Films covered over 70% of the application landscape in 2015 and will register substantial growth rate over the years ahead. The growth can be attributed to the heavy demand for protective films across the agriculture sector to reduce soil erosion and combat the effect of harmful UV rays. In addition to this, large scale adoption of LLDPE films in construction and packaging sector will further add to its growth.Another major application driving linear low density polyethylene market is rotomolding, which was worth over USD 4.4 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to generate a revenue of more than USD 6.9 billion by 2024. Owing to the economic benefits of rotomolding over other molding techniques such as blow molding and its escalating usage across the end-use sectors such as automotive, construction, packaging, water treatment, and agriculture will push the application growth.Growing global concerns relating to environmental hazards from non-biodegradable products may slow down the market expansion over the span of few years. However, owing to its superior mechanical properties, the application spectrum of LLDPE industry is widening particularly across the construction, packaging, and agriculture sectors. This is set to build a promising path ahead for linear low density polyethylene market.Make an inquiry before purchase of this report@Key industry players include Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, LyondeBassells Industries N.V., Mitsubishi Chemicals, INEOS Group AG, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), The Dow Chemical Company, and Nova Chemicals Corporation.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:
Industrial Protective Clothing Market to register a CAGR of 14% over the period of 2017 to 2023

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Industrial Protective Clothing Market share is slated to grow substantially by the rising awareness regarding fatality occurrence in the accident-prone industries such as mechanical, chemical, oil & gas and construction. According to Global Market Insights, Inc., Global Industrial Protective Clothing Market is estimated to register a CAGR of 14% over the period of 2016 to 2023. Many of the worldwide organizations such as NIOSH, NFEA, and OSHA are imposing stringent rules and regulations about the working safety, which will in turn boost industrial protective clothing industry.Flame-retardant apparels application is projected to witness a CAGR of more than 14% over the coming period of 2016-2023The predominant applications of the industrial protective clothing industry are flame retardant apparels, clean room clothing, limited general-use clothing, chemical defending garments, and mechanical protective clothing. The mechanical protective clothing application segment will achieve a revenue of more than USD 2 billion by 2023, owing to the emergence of durable and light-weight products, which are extensively used for oil & gas and manufacturing industries.Request for sample of this report@The flame-retardant apparels accounted for a revenue of over USD 1.3 billion in 2015 and will generate lucrative revenue over the coming years, driven by its huge demand across oil & gas petrochemical sectors. The flame retardants apparels are primarily used where risky operations are carried out such as grinding and welding across the foundries like metal forming & forging.Regionally, MEA industrial protective clothing industry is anticipated to register a growth rate of over 10% over the coming six years, owing to the largest establishment of petrochemical industry across this region. The growing demand for chemical and flame retardant clothing across MEA will influence MEA industrial protective clothing market growth lucratively.North America industrial protective clothing industry share occupied more than 40% of the global revenue and will grow noticeably over the coming years, driven by the strict safety regulations imposed by the organizations such as NFEA, OSHA, and NIOSH.Browse Source Report@Industrial Protective Clothing Market Size By Application (Chemical Defending Garments [Particulate Matter, Radiation Protection], Flame Retardant Apparel, Mechanical Protective Clothing, Limited General-Use Clothing, Clean Room Clothing), By Product (Disposable, Durable), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Brazil), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023Asia Pacific industrial protective clothing market size is predicted to record a CAGR of 15% over the period of 2016 to 2023. The growing investment in the construction sector such as residential buildings, harbors, and airports across this region will augment the industry growth. India, Japan, and China will contribute significantly towards the regional demand.The industry players will adopt the business strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, and collaboration to sustain the higher market position. The key players in the global industrial protective clothing market are Royal Ten Cate, DuPont, Honeywell, Teijin, Kimberly-Clark, Bulwark FR, Ansell, and W. L. Gore.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 zeolite 4A market share to hit 77 kilo tons demand by 2024

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According to the report by Global Market Insights, Inc., Zeolite 4A market having had a revenue of 1.2 billion in 2015 and is predicted to witness an annual growth rate of more than 5% over the coming seven years. The ban on phosphate based detergent will build a huge market scope for the zeolite 4A based detergents, which, in turn, will propel the zeolite 4A industry size.Germany zeolite 4A market share should generate over 77 kilo tons demand by 2024. Favorable regulatory framework towards GHG emissions restriction along with strong manufacturing base of detergents and refrigerants in France, Germany, Belgium, and Netherlands should drive industry growth.Request for sample of this report@Detergents are expected to lead application landscape over the coming yearsAbsorbents, detergents, and catalysts are the key applications in zeolite 4A industry size. The escalating demand for detergents surpassed a revenue of USD 535 million in 2015 and is projected to witness an eye-catching growth over the coming years. The growth can be attributed to the high dirt removal capability of zeolite 4A based detergents along with its ability to prevent deposition of foreign particles.Absorbents application will exhibit an annual growth rate of 3% over the coming seven years, driven by its increasing requirement by the oil & gas industry. Additionally, supportive initiation taken by the government about its usage for water treatment will further enhance the zeolite 4A market growth. The zeolite-based catalyst is predicted to register a notable annual growth rate of more than 3% over the coming period of 2016-2024, owing to its increasing usage across the petrochemical industry.Browse Source Report@Zeolite 4A Market Size By Application (Detergent, Adsorbents, Catalysts), Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Netherlands, Norway, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Turkey, Qatar), Application Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024Below are the regional trends influencing zeolite 4A industry over the period of 2016 to 2024U.S. zeolite 4A market share is predicted to surpass a revenue of USD 340 million by 2024, owing to its increasing demand for infrastructure applications, pertaining its usage in asphalt concrete mix formulation.Brazil zeolite 4A industry size is anticipated to reach 10kilo tons by 2024, driven by its increasing use in animal feed to enhance nutrition intake.China zeolite 4A market will exhibit an annual growth rate of 3% over the coming seven years. The growth can be attributed to the mounting infrastructural expenditure.Zeolite 4A market will attain the highest growth across the countries such as Germany, France, Netherlands, and Belgium, owing to the stringent government norms towards GHG emissions & ban on usage of phosphate.Make an inquiry before purchase of this report@The market players are willing to invest more in R&D programs to develop and commercialize a wide range of zeolite 4A grades over the coming years. Key industry participants include PQ Corporation, Tosoh Corporation, Clariant International Ltd, BASF.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:
Carotenoids Market to reach USD 1.51 billion by 2021

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According to the report "Carotenoids Market by Source (Synthetic and Natural), by Type (Astaxanthin, Beta-Carotene, Canthaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, and Zeaxanthin), by Application (Supplements, Feed, Cosmetics, and Food), and by Region - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (20162021)" published by Market Data Forecast, the Global Carotenoids Market was worth USD 1.25 billion in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 3.84%, to reach USD 1.51 billion by 2021.Browse report details @The Carotenoids market is showing evident potential in the mentioned forecasting period. The market continues to gain momentum with the rising demand for naturally sourced carotenoids in the market. Companies have been showing keen interest in the market lately.Carotenoids are class of plant pigments responsible for the bright red, orange and yellow hues in various fruits and vegetables. These are also important for maintenance of a plants health as well as human health on consumption of these fruits and vegetables. They assist plants in the process of photosynthesis by helping them in absorbing light energy and are thus the reason behind the colour of plants or the fruits & vegetables. They also act as antioxidants in plants as well as human body.The increase in the demand for natural colorants have been fuelling the growth of the market of carotenoids over the recent years. Other major factors driving the market growth include expanding end user applications, industrialization in sectors like pork, poultry and aquaculture, preventive healthcare and nutraceuticals. The market has also been facing some restraints and challenges. These include harmful effects of high dose of carotenoids, lack of R&D in remote regions and stringent government regulations and approval norms. These factors have been responsible for holding the market back from reaching its full potential, and are required to be dealt with.Get Free Sample Market Brochure of the report for more information, Request a copy @The Global market for Carotenoids is segmented on the basis of source, type and application. The market segmentation on the basis of source is done under Synthetic and Natural. Based on type the market is segmented into Astaxanthin, Beta-Carotene, Canthaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, and Zeaxanthin. Further, the market is also segmented based on application into, Supplements, Feed, Cosmetics, and Food. Based on geography, the global market is analysed under various regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The Carotenoids market was dominated by Europe, with the overall market share of over 36% globally. Europe was followed by Asia-Pacific and North America. Asia Pacific is predicted to grow at a rapid pace in the coming few years.Some of the major companies dominating the market, by their products and services include BASF SE, Royal DSM N.V., Chr. Hansen A/S, FMC Corporation, Cyanotech Corporation, Kemin Industries Inc., D.D. Williamson & Co., Inc., Dohler Group, Allied Biotech Corporation, Excelvite SDN. BHD.Make an Inquiry before buying @Ask any discount available @About Us:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and skillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions.Media Contact:Abhishek ShuklaInternational Business Development ManagerMarket Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626; Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.comVisit MarketDataForecast Blog @
Latin America Neurological Monitoring Devices Market : Geographic Growth Opportunities

Latin America Neurological Monitoring Devices Market

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The Latin America Neurological Monitoring Devices Market was worth USD 0.67 billion in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 7.9%, to reach USD 0.97 billion by 2021.Neuro physiological market vendors will have to utilise resources wisely and focus on product R&D to create flexible and extensively tested user-friendly devices. Manufacturers would also do well to encourage competition, innovation and dynamism, which are essential for success of the market.The advances in the field of neurological research and medicine, availability of sophisticated equipment that monitors and tracks nerve and brain activity to make better diagnosis and offers better treatments to patients, higher incidence of neurological disorders like epilepsy, Parkinsons, Alzheimers and other neurodegenerative disorders, treatments available for many disorders like nerve repair and regeneration and rise in the aging population are driving the market. A large population still cannot afford modern healthcare facilities which is a major restrain for the market.View Full Report @The Latin America neurological monitoring devices market is segmented on the basis of type into Monitors of Intracranial Pressure & Blood Flow Dynamics and Monitors of Brain Electrical Activity. Monitors of Intracranial Pressure & Blood Flow Dynamics segment is further divided into Intracranial Pressure Monitor, Jugular Venous Oximetry, Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Ultrasonography, Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Brain Tissue Oxygen Tension Monitor. Monitors of Brain Electrical Activity segment is sub-segmented into Electroencephalography and Evoked Potentials. Based on procedure the market is segregated into Non-Invasive and Invasive. On the basis of therapeutic application, market is bifurcated into Brain Injuries, Stroke, Dementia, Headache Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Epilepsy, Parkinsons disease and Huntingtons disease. By End User, the market segmentation is among Hospitals, Neurological Centers and Institutions, Clinics & Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Diagnostic Centers and Ambulances.Based on geography the market is analyzed under various countries namely, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Mexico is dominating the neurological monitoring devices market for this region and expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period.Free sample of the report is available @Key market players include CAS Medical Systems Inc., Compumedics Ltd., Natus Medical Inc., Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare, AMD Global Telemedicine, Intel Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, InTouch Health, InTechnology, MEG International Services Ltd., Rimed Inc., Siemens Healthcare, Medtronic Inc., Electrical Geodesics Incorporated, Nihon Kohden Corporation and Advanced Brain Monitoring.Market Segmentation1) Type Introduction Monitors of Intracranial Pressure & Blood Flow Dynamics Intracranial Pressure Monitor Jugular Venous Oximetry Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Ultrasonography Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Brain Tissue Oxygen Tension Monitor Monitors of Brain Electrical Activity Electroencephalography Evoked Potentials Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Type Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Type Market Share Analysis, By Type2) Procedure Introduction Non-Invasive Invasive Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Procedure Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Procedure Market Share Analysis, By Procedure3) Therapeutic Application Introduction Traumatic Brain Injuries Stroke Dementia Headache Disorders Sleep Disorders Epilepsy Parkinsons disease Huntingtons disease Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Therapeutic Application Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Therapeutic application Market Share Analysis, By Therapeutic Application4) End User Introduction Hospitals Neurological Centers and Institutions Clinics & Ambulatory Surgical Centers Diagnostic Centers Ambulances Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By End User Market Attractiveness Analysis, By End User Market Share Analysis, By End UserInquire before Buying atReasons to buy Latin America Neurological Monitoring Devices Market Research Report: Regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untapped Segment-level analysis in terms of technology, component, and type along with market size forecasts and estimations to detect key areas of industry growth in detail Identification of key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) in the market and their impact on shifting market dynamics Study of the effect of exogenous and endogenous factors that affect the global market; which includes broadly demographic, economics, and political, among other macro-environmental factors presented in an extensive PESTLE Analysis Study the micro environment factors that determine the overall profitability of an Industry, using Porters five forces analysis for analysing the level of competition and business strategy development A comprehensive list of key market players along with their product portfolio, current strategic interests, key financial information, legal issues, SWOT analysis and analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment Competitive landscape analysis listing out the mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies An executive summary, abridging the entire report in such a way that decision-making personnel can rapidly become acquainted with background information, concise analysis and main conclusions Expertly devised analyst overview along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketFor more information, kindly visit,Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.comVisit Market Data Forecast Blog @View latest Press Releases of MDF @Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialties with competitive pricing options.2nd Floor, Lakeview Plaza, Kavuri Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033, India+1-888-702-9626 (U.S. TOLL FREE), contact@marketdataforecast.com
Vanillin Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

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Vanillin (4-Hydroxy-2-mythoxy benzaldehyde) is an organic compound that belongs to phenol aldehyde group. Vanilla beans is the largest concentrated natural source of vanillin available followed by Leptates bicolor, Chinese red pines, lychee fruit, and raspberry. Vanillin is produced through three ways i.e. natural, biosynthesis, and chemical synthesis. Natural and chemical synthesis always dominate the global market for vanillin owing to the facts that biosynthesis production method is not well defined and also they possess restricted commercial applications. Vanillin is extensively used in food industry as a flavoring agent for chocolates, ice-creams, candy, biscuits, and cakes. Ethyl vanillin and methyl vanillin are the two types of vanillin. Ethyl vanillin is a stronger flavoring agent as well as is expensive than methyl vanillin. Apart from food industry, vanillin successfully stands for intermediate applications in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries.Request a sample pdf Copy of report@Use of vanillin as a food additive is approved by authorities worldwide and FDA has granted GRAS status to its use. This is in accordance to the fact that the use of vanillin in consumer products has not reported any confirmed adverse effects over the past few years. An Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 10 mg/kg has been agreed between the FAO/WHO and EU. Excessive intake of vanillin may cause migraine headache and allergic reactions in some cases. Lack of evidences to restrict vanillin consumption as a consumable food additive attracts manufacturers to invest more in global vanillin market. Rising urbanization, high disposal incomes along with improved standard of living, and continuous research to increase techno-commercial benefits are projected to be the key drivers for global vanillin market during the forecast period (2017-2025).Global Vanillin Market TaxonomyOn the basis of production, global market for vanillin is segmented into:NaturalChemicalOn the basis of type, global market for vanillin is segmented into:Ethyl vanillinMethyl vanillinOn the basis of end use, global market for vanillin is segmented into:FoodPharmaceuticalsFine chemicalsNatural production segment contributes major shares in terms of volume and value due to bulk availability of natural raw materials and higher product yield than chemical segment. Natural vanillin production is expected to continue its dominance over chemical production during the forecast period (2017-2025).Ethyl vanillin segment is the leading segment in terms of volume followed by methyl vanillin segment. As ethyl vanillin is a stronger agent than methyl vanillin, it is expected that the trend will continue during forecast period (2017-2025).Food segment holds highest shares in terms of volume and value followed by pharmaceutical segment due to increased urbanization, rising consumer food demand coupled with health awareness. Pharmaceutical segment is expected to grow significantly during forecast period (2017-2025).Ask for Customization @Global Vanillin Market OutlookAsia Pacific dominated global vanillin market in terms of revenue in 2016 and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. Europe is the second largest region to contribute in global vanillin market growth followed by North America. Owing to the presence of a large number of food and pharmaceuticals units, significant growth is expected in Europe during the forecast period. Latin America and Middle East are also expected to witness robust growth in the global vanillin market.Key Players in Global Vanillin MarketSome of the key players in the global vanillin market are Evolva Holding SA, Solvay SA, Borregaard, Jiaxing Zhonghua Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Virginia Dare, Shanghai Xinjia, Watkins Natural Gourmet, Zibo Svolei, Liaoning Shixing, Synnova Chemicals, and Prinova Group LLC. In 2013, International Flavors & Fragrances partnered with Evolva Holding for the production of biotechnology-based vanillin. In 2016, Evolva Holding increased its production capacity that helped them to establish a strong global business presence.Browse full reportAbout Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702
Fluorosurfactant Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

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Fluorosurfactant is a long carbon chain having multiple fluorine atoms. It lowers the surface tension of water much more than other surfactant mulch do. Fluorosurfactant is used to produce fluoropolymer and also used as leveling and wetting agent. Its industrial applications include stain repellents and polishes, paints, coatings, wood stains, graphic arts, caulks, adhesives, polymers, waxes, polishes, hard surfaces cleaner, floor strippers, electronics, metal plating, and in oil & gas fields as firefighting foam.The increasing demand for short-chain fluorosurfactant and better performance of fluorosurfactant than the hydrocarbon surfactants are the drivers for the fluorosurfactant market. The emerging economies and growing demand for high-performance paints from end-use industries provide a platform for the fluorosurfactant market. But the higher price of fluorosurfactant than its alternatives and its toxic nature slow down the growth of fluorosurfactant market.Request a sample pdf Copy of report@Fluorosurfactant Market TaxonomyFluorosurfactant market is segmented on the basis of type as:Anionic FluorosurfactantNonionic FluorosurfactantAmphoteric FluorosurfactantCationic FluorosurfactantFluorosurfactant market is segmented on the basis of application as:Paints and coatingSpecialty detergentsFirefightingOilfield and miningOthersAnionic fluorosurfactant is a low foaming and chemically & thermally stable wetting agent. It is the most commonly used fluorosurfactant globally. Nonionic fluorosurfactant is used in solder mask, paint, ink, floor wax, pesticides, electronic-cleaning, and electroplating treatment. Fluorosurfactants find immense application in the paint and coating sector as wellFluorosurfactant Market OutlookAsia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest growing fluorosurfactant market in the forecast period due to the rapid growth in urbanization and industrialization in this region. China exhibits high demand for paints & coatings followed by IndiaNorth America is the largest market for fluorosurfactant in the world due to the significant growth in construction sector the region has experienced, which rises the demand for paints and coatings. Also, the increasing shale exploration is in turn escalating the demand for fluorosurfactants in the regionEurope is also a major fluorosurfactant market. But the present economic downturn acts as a major hindrance to the fluorosurfactant market growth. However, the presence of major companies in Europe will lead to technological advancements in fluorosurfactant marketAsk for Customization @In the Middle East region, it is mainly used in oil field industry to improve performance in aqueous and non-aqueous systems. Hence, it is an emerging market as technology is evolvingIn Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia exhibit demand for high-quality paint and coatings. Venezuela is a major oil producer and the construction industry in Brazil and Argentina witness significant growth due to high disposable incomes. The aforementioned factors are expected to boost the market growthSome of the major players in the fluorosurfactant market are The Chemours Company (U.S.), Merck KGaA (Germany), The 3M Company (U.S.), OMNOVA Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), Tyco International Plc. (Ireland), Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. (Japan), DIC Corporation (Japan), Innovative Chemical Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Advanced Polymers, Inc. (U.S.), and Pilot Chemical Company (U.S.).Browse full reportAbout Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702
Global Agricultural Enzymes Market Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 7.36% During the Period 2017-2021

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Market Research Hub includes new market research report "Global Agricultural Enzymes Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.This market research study identifies Agrinos, BASF, Bayer, Novozymes, and Syngenta as the leading players in the global agricultural enzymes market. A comprehensive analysis of this market is also presented by application (control products, growth enhancing products, and fertility products), by types (carbohydrases, proteases, lipases, and others), by crop types (fruits and vegetables, cereals and grains, pulses, and others), and by geography (the Americas, APAC, and EMEA).Request Free Sample Report -Overview of the global agricultural enzymes marketThe demand for organic farming is increasing because it improves the health of the agro-ecosystem. This involves the enhancement of the biological activity of the soil, biodiversity, and biological cycles. Technavios research analysis has identified the growing preference for organic farming as one of the major factors that will have a positive impact on the growth of the on the agricultural enzymes market. Organic farming is not harmful as synthetic materials because they encourage the application of biological and mechanical practices. Additionally, it also minimizes the rate of pollution as they promote the health of soil, water, and air. The adoption of organic farming includes the usage of bio-products such as bio-pesticides or insecticides, bio-fertilizers, and bio-stimulants. This in turn, will boost the demand for agricultural enzymes. Technavios market research analysts predict that this market will grow at a CAGR of more than 7% by 2021.The rising shift in the preference of end users towards organic farming is driving the market for agricultural enzymes in the Americas. The implementation of the latest technologies with huge investments in research and developmental activities in North America will contribute growth to the market. The market will continue to grow in the region throughout the predicted period due to the rising focus on agriculture biotechnology and environment-friendly agricultural practices.Competitive landscape and key vendorsThe agricultural enzymes market has the presence of many players. The presence of many start-up organizations will strengthen the competitive environment of this marketspace. Technological advancement in products and competitive prices will further intensify the competition among the vendors.Key vendors in this market are -AgrinosBASFBayerNovozymesSyngentaBrowse Full Report with TOC -Other prominent vendors in the market include AB Enzymes, Agrilife, American Biosytems, Aum Enzymes, BioWorks, Buckman Laboratories International, CAMSON, DFPCL, Direvo Biotech, DuPont, Enzymatic Deinking Technologies, Greenmax AgroTech, Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies, and Stoller USA.Segmentation by application and analysis of the agricultural enzymes marketControl productsGrowth enhancing productsFertility productsThe demand for agricultural enzymes is increasing in the control products segment due to their unique properties to withstand the changing weather conditions. The market will continue to grow for the next four years in this segment due to the ability of agricultural enzymes to enhance the growth of the crops and add nutritional value.Segmentation by crop types and analysis of the agricultural enzymes marketFruits and vegetablesCereals and grainsPulsesThe cereals and grains segment includes wheat, barley, rye, and oats that consist of enzymes such as -amylase, endoxylanase, and proteases. Other cereals grown in smaller quantities include triticale, rye, oats, and spelt. The demand for cereals and grains is high in Europe because they are used in animal feed and in production of biofuels. This in turn, will drive the demand for agricultural enzymes in this segment.Key questions answered in the report include- What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2021?- What are the key factors driving the global agricultural enzymes market?- What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the global agricultural enzymes market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in the global agricultural enzymes market?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global agricultural enzymes market?- What are the trending factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA?- What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global agricultural enzymes market?Enquire about this Report -About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRH's expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :Read Industry News at -
Low Bed Trailer Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 20172025

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A low bed trailer is utilized in various applications and has the capability to carry loads up to 12 feet high. A low bed trailer is majorly used to carry oversized cargo such as industrial equipment, bulldozers. The high spending for infrastructure development in the emerging economies such as China and India is a key driver for the global low bed trailer market. For example, for road construction, China invested US$ 207 billion in 2015 and built 49,000 miles of expressways. Similarly, for the development of 35,000 km of roads across the country, the Indian government released funding of US$ 45 billion. The 14000 km will be developed for feeder route and 21000 km will be for economic corridor. Moreover, the Indian government also released the fund of US$ 65 billion for the upgrade of two lane national highway to four lane national highway. Hence, this increasing investment of the road construction have increased the demand of transportation of heavy manufacturing equipment has fueled the market of low bed trailer globally. In addition to this, the increasing adoption of mass reduction technology by the OEMs for the fleet trucks for increasing demand of fuel efficiency also become one of the major driver for the growth of the global low bed trailer market. Improved aerodynamics, low rolling resistance, use of low-rolling-resistance tires, idling reduction technologies are some of the new technologies adopted by the OEMs which helps to improve the fuel efficiency of the trailers.Request sample of Low Bed Trailer Market:In addition to this, the increasing demand of freight for defense equipment and shortage of vehicle logistics for rail and road transport are some of the other drivers which also provides the growth opportunity to the global low bed trailer market.Low bed trailer market taxonomyOn the basis of product type, the global Low-bed trailer market is classified into:2 axle3 axle4 axle6 axleothersBased on product segment the 3 axle product segment holds the dominant position in the global Low-bed trailer market in 2016 and is projected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The increasing demand for transportation of agriculture and building machines become the major driving factor for the growth of 3 axle product in the global Low-bed trailer marketOn the basis of application, the global Low-bed trailer market is classified into:Forestry ApplicationMining Industry ApplicationEngineering Construction ApplicationOtherget best discount on this report:Low bed trailer Market Outlook  North America holds the largest market of the global Low-bed trailer market.On the basis of geography, global Low-bed trailer market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Asia pacific holds the dominant position in the global Low-bed trailer market in 2016 and is projected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The increasing infrastructure facilities such as production halls, bridges, public buildings, roads and many more in Asia pacific countries such as India, China has increased the demand of specialized equipment and manufacturing structures and machines provides the growth opportunity to the Asia pacific low bed trailer market. For example, for highway network the china government have a target to build 3 million km by 2020check the trending report of Low Bed Trailer Market:Key companies of global Low bed trailer marketKogel Trailer GmbH & Co.KG, Bernard Krone Holding SE & Co. KG, Wabash National Corporation, Bockmann Fahrzeugwerke GmbH, Dennison Trailers ltd, Great Dane Trailers, Humbaur GmbH, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company are some of the key companies of the global Low bed trailer market.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
Comedian Sunil Grover is reportedly making a comeback to the small screen soon.

By India Today Web Desk: Former The Kapil Sharma Show comedian Sunil Grover is all set to make a return to the world of small screen again, according to a report in The Times of India.

And fresh reports claim that the comedian is making a comeback to TV with his former TKSS members and friends Ali Asgar, Kiku Sharda , and Sugandha Mishra.

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Apparently, both Kiku and Sunil have started their rehearsals for the show, reported The Times of India.

It is also being reported that Sunil's new show will also have other actors from the reality show The Drama Company.

The internet is abuzz with rumours of Kapil's friends betraying him for a new gig, while Kapil is taking a season break .

Sunil Grover's new show will most likely air next month. The tentative premiere date of the show is October 1.

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Soy Lecithin Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

Soy Lecithin Market

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Soy lecithin is an insulator, which reduces heat flow between high and low temperature materials. Soy lecithin is generally used in buildings as window insulating film, in mechanical systems, spacecraft, and automotive. Air being a poor thermal conductor, soy lecithin is used as an alternative to it in many thermal insulation applications. Soy lecithin traps gases and forms a layer of coating against heat. Also, soy lecithin reduces noise and vibrations.Soy lecithin is used as a wetting, stabilizing, and dispersing agent due to which it is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is rich in fat and protein owing to which it finds application as animal feed. It is also used in paint industry as an antioxidant and wetting, suspending, emulsifying & stabilizing agent.Request a sample copy of this report:Soy lecithin Market Taxonomy:On the basis of grade, the soy lecithin market is classified into:Food gradeFeed gradePharmaceutical gradeIndustry gradeOthersOn the basis of function, the soy lecithin market is classified into:EmulsifierNutritional supplementsDispersantsWetting agentsViscosity modifierRelease aidSurfactantsOthersOn the basis of application, the soy lecithin market is classified into:Food & BeveragesIndustrialAutomotive & AerospaceConstructionPaintsOthersPharmaceuticalsSoy lecithin is largely used in food, industrial as well as pharmaceutical industries due to the rich protein content and protective cover formation property.Access Table of Content (TOC) of the report:Soy Lecithin Market Outlook:Asia Pacific is estimated to be the largest and fastest growing market in the forecast period owing to the high demand for the product and abundance of raw materials. India and China contribute significantly to the market growth in the region. The forecasted growth is backed by the immense demand for the product from food, construction, and paint industriesNorth America is the second largest market of soy lecithin. The market growth is primarily supported by the rising demand for protein-rich as well as processed food. Busy life schedules of modern society has augmented the demand for packaged nutritional supplements, which in turn boosts the demand for soy lecithinEurope is an emerging market in the global soy lecithin market. The rising use of cheap source of high-quality protein in food and supplements increases the demand for soy lecithinThe Latin America and Africa soy lecithin markets are witnessing sluggish growth rate, however, the growing economy of these regions creates a better platform for soy lecithin market in the upcoming years.Soy lecithin being of lower price and easily available is preferred over other protein enriched food items.Soy Lecithin Market Challenges:Excess consumption of soy lecithin leads to many health issues. Strict government regulations pertaining to genetically modified soybeans hinder the soy lecithin market growth to an extent.Soy Lecithin Market ParticipantsSome of the key market players identified in the value chain of global soy lecithin market are Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Lipoid GmbH, American Lecithin Company, Lasenor emul, Lecico Gmbh, Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd., Ceresking Ecology & Technology Co. Ltd., and Bunge Limited.View this full report:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com
Aluminum Casting Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

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Tempered aluminum is known as cast aluminum. It is lightweight and is able to withstand high operating temperatures. The ability to cast complex shapes with low machining need is the major advantage of casting. Aluminum is preferred over steel and iron due to its superior mechanical properties. However, the high price of aluminum makes it necessary to mix it with magnesium, iron, and copper. The corrosion resistant properties of aluminum make it extremely useful to make cans and vessels, which can be used to store food & beverages.One of the major driving factors for aluminum casting market growth is the lightweight property of aluminum that contributes toward major cost savings in the automobile and aerospace industries. It is also used in construction, industrial, electrical, kitchenware, and many other sectors. A major challenge hindering market growth is the high cost of aluminum coupled with the cyclic rise and ebb of the automotive industry.Request sample Aluminum Casting Market:Aluminum Casting Market TaxonomyOn the basis of casting process, the aluminum casting market is classified into:Die CastingGravity Die CastingHigh PressureLow PressurePermanent Mold CastingSand CastingSqueeze CastingOn the basis of end-use industry, the aluminum casting market is classified into:Transportation & AutomotiveCars & LCVOther TransportAerospaceBuilding & ConstructionIndustrialOthersget best discount on this report:Die casting process is used for high volume production of aluminum. Great finish can be obtained by this process, hence requiring minimum machining. Aluminum molded in permanent mold casting is stronger than sand and die casting processes. Whereas, sand casting is economic for small quantities.The automobile and aerospace industries are the largest end users. Aluminums lightweight and high strength properties make it a prime commodity in these industries.Aluminum Casting Market OutlookAsia Pacific is the largest market for aluminum casting. This is due to the presence of some of the largest aluminum producing countries in this region. China, Australia, UAE, and India make up four of the top five aluminum producing countries in the world. The burgeoning automobile sector and proximity to the source have boosted the aluminum casting industry. Furthermore, there is currently a dearth of technical expertise in the aviation sector, but robust technological innovations in China is expected to boost the aviation market as well. For instance, in May 2017, China launched its first homemade jet known as C919Europe and North America are the next largest markets due to the presence of lucrative automobile industry and major airline manufacturing companies such as Airbus, Boeing, Cessna, and Bombardier in these regions. Raw material aluminum is mainly imported from Asia Pacific and engineered as per needs on siteLatin America aluminum market has shrunken in recent years due to the slowdown of the economy in the region. Moreover, rising power costs has forced companies to invest elsewhere. According to the International Aluminum Institute (IAI), the regional production rate has halved from 2.70 million tons a year in 2008 to 1.33 million tons in 2015In the Middle East, the UAE and Bahrain are the major aluminum mining countries. The largest aluminum producer in the Middle East region, Emirates Global Aluminum plans to list the company on the local stock exchange in order to raise funds. The company is valued at US$ 15 billion and seeks further investments to reduce the dependency of the kingdom on hydrocarbon revenueAfrica is a nascent market for aluminum with lower production as compared to other regions. The largest producer in the region is Guinea. Consumption in the region is low and most of the manufactured aluminum is exportedCheck The Trending Report of Aluminum Casting Market:Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (CHALCO) agreed to buy 40% shares in Chinalco Shangai in 2017. This acquisition further consolidates its position in the region. It is the third largest alumina producer in the world.Some of the major players in the aluminum casting market are Alcoa Corporation, Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, Ryobi Limited, United Company Rusal, Arconic Inc., China Hongqiao Group Limited, Gibbs Die Casting Corp, Rio Tinto, Dynacast Charlotte, and Nemak S.A.B. de C.V. among others.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
Aerosol Cans Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025

Aerosol Cans Market

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Aerosols are homogeneous, crystalline particles made up of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in the air or another gas. Aerosols find applications in paints, perfumes, room fresheners, medical products, deodorants, and so on. Aerosol cans are handheld containers that release aerosol. Aerosol cans shield products from external conditions such as moisture, heat, dust, and other contaminants during transportation. However, health and environmental risks posed due to the use of aerosols act as major restraints for the growth of the aerosol cans market.Increasing demand for personal care products drives the demand for aerosol cans. Growing use of aerosol cans in paints, medical products, food, adhesives, and vehicles are augmenting the growth of the market. Rising demand for household and personal care products is also expected to have a positive impact on the aerosols market but the presence of fluorocarbons named hydro fluoroalkanes (HFA) is projected to restrain the demand. Emission of CFC is a major disadvantage of aerosols. Aerosols are also found to be inflammable, toxic, and explosive.Request a sample copy of this report:Aerosol Cans Market Taxonomy:On the basis of propellant type, the global aerosol cans market is classified into:Liquefied Gas PropellantCompressed Gas PropellantOn the basis of material, the global aerosol cans market is classified into:TinplateGlassCoated glassAluminumStainless steelPlasticOn the basis of end use, the global aerosol cans market is classified into:HouseholdAutomotiveAgricultureHealthcare and cosmeticsIndustrialConstructionSportsOthersOn the basis of packaging type, the global aerosol cans market is classified into:BottlesCylindersCansOthersAluminum is the most commonly used material for aerosols cans production due to lightweight coupled with improved safety and hygiene features. Liquefied gas propellant segment holds a major market share. Liquefied gas propellants aid in maintaining the performance of spray during the lifespan of aerosol cans, owing to which it witnesses significant demand in the aerosol cans market. Bottles and cans are the most used forms of aerosol packaging types. Rising demand for air care products along with personal care products such as shaving and depilatories, hair care products, skin care products, and deodorants are expected to create a positive impact on the market for aerosol cans. Use of aerosol as spray paints in construction and automobile industries display the widespread demand for aerosol cans. Aerosol cans are also used to store pain relievers and asthma inhalers.Access Table of Content (TOC) of the report:Market Outlook:Europe dominates the global aerosol cans market primarily due to the high demand for personal care products in this region. The use of deodorants in developed countries such as the U.K. and Germany has led to technical advancements in the aerosol cans market. The presence of major companies such as Unilever and Nivea has resulted in rise in demand for aerosol cans in this regionThe U.S. is the leading player in the aerosols market in North America. However, the strict ecological rules issued by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the use of HCFC, CFC, and HFC components in aerosols act as a major hindrance for the aerosol cans market in North AmericaIncreasing awareness regarding personal upkeep and hygiene has led to the growth of aerosol cans market in China and India. Around 70% of the Indian population lives in rural areas. This provides the companies with large untapped markets in Asia. Demand for deodorants and other healthcare products is increasing due to the changing lifestyle trends and rising focus on hygiene, together with increasing product availability. These factors drive the market growth in Asia Pacific, making it the fastest growing market for aerosol cans. The Australian community is highly affected by asthma on a large scale, which results in increasing use of asthma inhalers that in turn bolsters the aerosol cans marketIncreasing automobile production in Brazil and Argentina has led to an increase in demand for aerosol cans in Latin America. Growing disposable incomes along with high standard of living is driving the use of personal care and household products in the regionUrbanization coupled with technological advancements is boosting the use of aerosol cans in the household as well as personal care segments across the Middle East. Developments put forth by several manufacturers and higher living standards & buying power of the people sparkle the demand for aerosol cans in the region.Some of the major players in the global aerosol cans market include Holdings, Inc. (U.S.), CCL Industries, Inc. (Canada), Ball Corporation (U.S.), Crown WestRock Company (U.S.), Nampak Ltd. (South Africa), Ardagh Packaging Holdings Limited (Luxembourg), BWAY Corporation (U.S.), Colep Portugal S.A. (Portugal), and Exal Corporation (U.S.). Companies adopt certain strategies such as new product launches, expansions, mergers & acquisitions, and investments to cope up with the increasing demand for aerosol cans in the emerging markets.View this full report:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com
There's not much to celebrate in the standardized test results released last week by state education officials. The drop in students' reading, writing and math scores is a startling downturn in a state already lagging much of the country in graduation and other educational goals.

But the worst marks belong to Portland families whose widespread refusal to have their children take the Smarter Balanced exam compromised the reliability of test results for the entire school district. As The Oregonian/OregonLive's Betsy Hammond reported, too many Portland Public Schools students in each grade skipped the test, leaving too small a sample for reliable conclusions on how well schools and the district are educating kids. Those samples were further skewed due to the greater nonparticipation rates of white, higher-income students compared to minority and low-income students.

Editorial Agenda 2017

Boost student success

Get Oregon's financial house in order

Help our homeless

Honor our diverse values

Make Portland a city that works

Expand access to public records

________________________

Read more about the editorial board's priorities for Oregon.

The high opt-out rates send a confusing message from a parent community that professes to advocate for all kids and supports the goal of closing the "achievement gap" between white students and those from historically underserved populations. Why? Because this test isn't so much an evaluation of individual students, but rather an evaluation of how well schools, districts and the state's educational system are doing in teaching Oregon students what we expect them to learn. The aggregated data from students' tests helps identify places that are either lagging or excelling in educating underserved populations and students as a whole. But widespread opt-outs undercut the validity of such data, ultimately allowing schools to avoid answering uncomfortable questions about their serial lack of progress.

For example, the tests measure what percentage of third-graders are meeting reading expectations for their grade, a key predictor of academic success. These tests, given annually, can show whether a school is making progress over time in getting more third-graders to meet that standard. Why wouldn't we want to track such information? A pattern of increasing success can tip administrators off to successful programs or strategies that can be copied elsewhere. A pattern of decreasing success can alert administrators of the need to intervene.

Take Forest Grove School District, where more than half its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Over the past three years, the percentage of third graders showing proficiency in English Language Arts has grown from 29.4 percent to 35.6 percent to 40.2 percent in three years, significantly narrowing the gap with the statewide average.

Portland's numbers, unfortunately, are unreliable. While the most recent figures show that 56 percent met benchmark, that's roughly the same as three years ago. Are Portland schools just standing still at that figure? Are they making progress? With insufficient participation in the tests, it's hard to know how much to trust the data.

To be sure, the Smarter Balanced exam has its problems. It takes too long. The test-taking can drag on for weeks, disrupting regular classes and electives. And some students may find the tests to be stressful, even though there are no consequences for those who don't show proficiency.

Some students' individual circumstances may require opting out. But in most cases, adults -- administrators, teachers and parents -- could have managed any concerns. Instead, the instinct was to simply skip the exam. While parents understandably want to advocate for their children, they should recognize how pulling students out of testing only lets the adults in the system avoid accountability for students' results.

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and John Maher.

To respond to this editorial, post your comment below, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor.

If you have questions about the opinion section, email Laura Gunderson, editorial pages editor, or call 503-221-8378.

It didn't help that a majority of members on the previous Portland school board practically encouraged families to opt out of taking the exam. Many fell for the rhetoric from the teachers' union, which opposes the tests and fought off their use in evaluating teacher performance. But with three new members, the school board can send a new message about how participation in these tests is directly tied to the district's goal of providing a quality education for students regardless of background or neighborhood. And this year, hopefully, Portland families will look beyond advocating for just their children and see their role in advocating for all.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
Many Portlanders have a way to deal with the traffic disaster that is the stretch of Interstate 5 along the Rose Quarter: Avoid it. Some may bike, but many simply make the drive on surface streets.

They know that short distance between the Fremont Bridge and Interstate 84 is a backed up, tangled mess of last-minute lane changes punctuated by honks, road rage and fender-benders. In both directions. Not too surprising, an Oregon Department of Transportation study over a five-year period found that segment boasts the highest crash rate in Oregon.

And while many Portland area roads are headaches at rush hour, this stretch logs 12 hours of congestion daily. That's because it's a key route for freight traffic, otherwise known as the economic engine of our region and the state.

Simply put, that freeway's toast and Portland City Council should approve a fix.

Thankfully, the Rose Quarter bottleneck was included in the Oregon Legislature's $5.3 billion transportation package, which will raise money for these and other statewide projects through a variety of fees and gas taxes. That's a great deal for Portlanders who will reap the benefits of a safer road. It's also a boon for Oregonians statewide who called for a fix after delays at the Rose Quarter have made it increasingly difficult for them to get their goods to market.

It's a very rare gem that pleases both Portlanders and the rest of the state.

But, of course, not all Portlanders are pleased. Some have begun to fight this proposed project with twisted logic and inaccurate terms.

Activists are asking Portland City Council to say "no thanks," arguing that freeways shouldn't be expanded because that will attract more drivers, as The Oregonian/OregonLive's Elliot Njus has reported. But those people are coming, freeway improvements or not. City leaders expect another 50,000 jobs to be created in the central city over the next 20 years. They're also planning for the number of inner city households to grow by 163 percent, from 23,000 in 2010 to 60,500 by 2035.

And, the thing is, the Rose Quarter project doesn't actually call for a new freeway lane that would allow drivers to spew emissions for miles and miles down Interstate 5. This fix isn't about easing congestion -- although the area could use it. The plan simply calls for extending and reworking lanes leading to off and on ramps in both directions so there'll be less frantic and dangerous vehicle hopscotching.

This is about safety and it makes sense.

The transportation department made a similar off-ramp lane changes on Interstate 84 by Northeast Halsey Street to the Interstate 205 northbound ramp. That stretch was another jumbled mess as travelers bound for the Portland Airport zigzagged through commuter traffic to make the exit. The state reports the new "lane" reduced crashes by 14 percent and traffic delays by 10 percent. Not huge gains on the congestion front, and it seems the area hasn't been flooded with new residents because of the addition.

The $450 million Rose Quarter project also calls for seismic upgrades and widening the freeway's shoulders, which currently are too narrow for emergency vehicles to respond to crashes.

The no-freeway folks maintain the proposed project isn't a wise use of taxpayer funding. But if Portland leaders turn up their noses at the deal, the money won't magically be transferred to other city projects. It's state money - not Portland's.

The $450 million would simply go away.

And that would be a shame. Other parts of the proposal include adding bike and pedestrian bridges and capping Interstate 5 from Northeast Broadway Street to Weidler Street to create better access for walkers and bikers and transit. This package has been in the works for years, vetted and supported by a 29-member citizen advisory group that signed off on it in 2012.

Editorial Agenda 2017

Boost student success

Get Oregon's financial house in order

Help our homeless

Honor our diverse values

Make Portland a city that works

Expand access to public records

________________________

.

Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman supports the project. But he's also pushing the state to use tolls at certain hours to discourage drivers. The transportation department already received a smart mandate from state lawmakers to research and implement tolls when possible. While tolls may be perfect in some places, there are several reasons it may not work at the Rose Quarter and that shouldn't derail this needed project.

Portland has become a big city and that trend isn't going to reverse. Economically, we wouldn't want it to. In turn, leaders should keep a careful eye on planning, continuing as they have for years to encourage modes of transportation that keep cars off the road. And people who care about the city, its livability and safety, should keep prodding leaders to stay on that track.

But this project isn't the one to fight. It's too important for all of Oregon.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and John Maher.

To respond to this editorial, post your comment below, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor.

If you have questions about the opinion section, email Laura Gunderson, editorial pages editor, or call 503-221-8378.
Her voice trembling with hurt, disappointment, sadness and anger, Leslie Thomas told Multnomah County commissioners she had complained about racism among her county coworkers. She was wounded when the county failed to act, she said.

One colleague, she told them, joked about killing every black person in sight, using the n-word. Thomas, an African-American woman, said when she reported the incident to managers and human resources officials, she was told the incident was labeled a conflict between coworkers.

"I do not feel supported (or) valued as an employee of the county," Thomas said at a county commission meeting Thursday. "The wound cut deep and continues to bleed as the result of the inactive role the county and my department has taken on this case."

Thomas was among more than a dozen people who testified about experiencing or witnessing systemic racism within Multnomah County's workforce, prompting County Chair Deborah Kafoury's announcement Friday that the county will investigate discrimination among workers.

"To the Multnomah County employees who stepped forward at yesterday's hearing ... I hear your concerns, I feel your frustration and I am promising that we can and must do better for people of color," Kafoury said in a statement released Friday afternoon.

The county will hire an outside consultant to review the county's hiring and retention of people in protected classes, Kafoury said. Protected classes include race, national origin, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and people who are pregnant or have disabilities.

Any complaints concerning offensive or discriminatory language or behavior will immediately get sent to the county's chief operations officer and the relevant department director, she said.

The board was scheduled to hear testimony on the county's workforce equity policy. The policy is intended to promote equity and support increasing resources for workforce diversity programs, targeting recruitment for vulnerable populations and developing pipeline programs.

The hearing came a week after the county's director of public health, Tricia Tillman, called on the county to investigate systemic racism in a September 7 letter. Her complaints were first reported by the Portland Tribune Tuesday. Tillman said the Multnomah County Health Department director, Joanne Fuller, told Tillman she would need to leave the county's employment with little explanation. Tillman said she had only received formal praise and positive feedback and performance reviews in her almost 12 years working for the county.

"This treatment smacks of institutional racism and disparate treatment," Tillman wrote. She called her work environment "stressful, unsafe and toxic."

According to Thursday's testimony, Tillman's experience is not unique. A Multnomah County Library employee, an African-American woman, said a colleague bullied her and belittled her work but did not do that to her white coworkers. She told of a probationary worker who feared he would not be hired because coworkers perceived him as a threatening black man. He was not in fact hired, she said.

"I want employees at Multnomah County to know their complaints will be heard, they'll be addressed, and we will not tolerate bigotry or discrimination in our workplace," Kafoury said.

--Jessica Floum

503-221-8306
The bank robber passed a mint to the teller, then demanded the mint from the bank.

That's pretty much how police say a bank robbery went down at a Bank of the West branch in Southeast Portland on Thursday afternoon.

According to police and federal agents, Daniel Allen Butler handed a teller an Andes mint with this note: "Take the chocolate, act normal, give me fifties.''

The robber, dressed in blue jeans, a white sweater and a neon green cap, left the bank branch at 8135 S.E. Division St., with money in a black WinCo grocery bag just before 3 p.m. He also had shiny bandages over his nose and ink or bruising under his eyes, witnesses told police.

A short time later, police got a tip that the suspect was in the area of Southeast 80th Avenue and Harrison Street.

They found Butler, 62, in the 7800 block of Harrison and a WinCo bag in a nearby driveway, according to an FBI agent's affidavit.

The bag contained Andes chocolate mints, a bank robbery note, cash, glitter Band-Aids, a neon green Seahawks hat, black mascara and eyeshadow.

The teller was able to confirm that Butler was the bank robber, and he fit the images of the suspect caught on the bank's surveillance, police said.

"I wanted to see if it would work,'' Butler told police, according to FBI special agent June Piniewski. "I've always heard that you could just hand them a note, but I had to put it to the test.''

He also told officers he was glad he got caught "because I would have kept doing it again and again,'' according to the affidavit.

Butler made his first appearance in U.S. District Court in Portland on Friday afternoon. He's being held in the Multnomah County Detention Center on a U.S. marshals hold.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Portland police still lack the ability to track whether officers are using less force against people with mental health issues three years into a federal settlement that was supposed to improve their response, outside consultants say.

"We do not believe the PPB has the data systems in place to adequately measure the effectiveness of their unique system," the Chicago-based consultants wrote in a report recently filed in federal court.

The city-hired consultants, Rosenbaum & Associates, tried to evaluate the bureau's Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team of officers who receive more than 40 hours of training to handle mental health crises. They work regular patrol, are scattered among the bureau's three precincts and go to mental health-related emergency calls if they're available.

A U.S. Justice Department investigation found in 2012 that Portland police used excessive force against people with mental illness. The negotiated settlement with the city, approved by a federal judge in 2014, calls for changes to Portland policies, training and oversight.

The agreement recommended a different method of crisis response modeled after a strategy Memphis police started that has a team of trained officers respond to mental health crisis calls as their full-time role. The team reports to one high-ranking supervisor.

"PPB continues to operate with a modified Memphis model but has yet to produce data to demonstrate its effectiveness and responsiveness to the Portland community," the report said.

The consultants say they suggested that the Police Bureau track frequency of mental health calls, adequacy and availability of the specially trained officers by precinct and shift, outcomes of the calls and differences in outcomes when enhanced crisis intervention officer can't respond.

The bureau had been using a special screen that pops up on an officer's mobile computer to fill out information on all interactions with people who exhibit mental illness. But police halted the practice after the District Attorney's Office advised them that the information must be shared with defense lawyers if the people faced criminal prosecution.

To address the district attorney's concerns, the bureau switched to a different type of screen that an officer completes only if the call requires a written police report, to make the information more accessible for sharing with the defense at prosecution.

But that means the information no longer reflects all police contacts with people suffering from mental illness, consultants Dennis Rosenbaum and Amy Watson found.

Data the consultants reviewed from March 2016 through Jan. 31 showed that 10 percent, or 18,748, of Portland police calls had some type of mental health element involved. Of those, 6.3 percent, or 1,179, were considered of a type that should draw an enhanced crisis intervention officer. Of those 6.3 percent of calls, the officers with the extra training responded nearly 70 percent of the time.

The consultants asked the city Bureau of Emergency Communications, which dispatches police to 911 calls, for more detailed information on mental health calls, but the bureau said it didn't have the staff to perform such data extraction or analysis. The consultants said the Police Bureau also has access to the information, but it also said it didn't have the staff to provide a data review.

"This significantly limits (both bureaus') capacity to analyze trends and assess the adequacy of their mental health response system,'' the consultants said.

Mary Claire Buckley, principal management analyst who works on the Police Bureau's Department of Justice compliance team, said the bureau is working to compare the outcomes of responses to mental health calls by enhanced crisis intervention officers versus other officers. She said she anticipates that analysis may be available next month.

Justice Department lawyers also noted in a report this summer, "Our team has repeatedly heard from officers, on ride-alongs and in the (enhanced crisis) training, that they are frustrated by repeated contacts with known individuals ... who they take to the hospital only to be released, over and over without any answers from PPB about what they should do.''

The consultants also found that the bureau has failed to embrace computer tracking to identify at-risk officers or patterns of problems that would allow for early intervention, as required under the federal agreement.

The consultants said police supervisors who oversee the system have resisted their recommendations "time and again."

Police supervisors have told the consultants that the system's setup meets the settlement's requirements. It does track supervisors' performance reviews of officers under their command, and the rate that the officers use force as a ratio of their arrests and compared to that of other officers on their shifts.

The Justice Department expects more, the consultants said.

"We have seen little in the way of meaningful progress during this review period. ... After two years, we believe more progress should have been made and urge PPB to make substantive changes," the consultants wrote in their quarterly report, covering July through December 2016.

The Police Bureau says the Employee Information System is intended to allow a "comprehensive review" of an officer's performance on the job, benefit the bureau and officers by "facilitating professional growth" through feedback from supervisors -- but may not be used to make decisions about discipline, transfers or promotions.

The consultants said they'd like to see the tool used to " help save officers' careers and encourage good policing in general."

The system flags officers in the computer database if they have used force in 20 percent of their arrests in the prior six months, if they have used force three times more than the average number compared with other officers on the same shift, if they receive two or more complaints with similar allegations or if they have received three or more complaints within the prior six months.

The consultants said the system should track much more information over a longer period, including complaints against officers, their total number of responses to 911 calls, their use of force overall and compared to force used by officers by shift and precinct, ratio of force to arrests and ratio of force used to suspect injuries and officers injuries.

They also recommended that the system track the type of complaints, sustained complaints, ratio of complaints to interactions on the job, tendency to engage in car or foot chases after suspects, their use of sick leave, how frequently they charge a suspect with resisting arrest and how that compares to officers by shift and precinct.

About 90 percent of the flags that arose from the current system aren't forwarded to an officer's direct supervisor, but reviewed by the system administrator, the report said.

Seattle police, in contrast, require a direct supervisor review to determine if an intervention, such as mentoring, is warranted.The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office has a performance review committee of three commanders that makes such decisions.

"The adequacy of the current review process is unknown because of a lack of documentation, but on its face, does not appear sufficient in light of best practices," the report said. "Also, a system of intervention has not been established to our knowledge which is the primary goal of (such) systems. As such, we see no evidence that officers who truly would benefit from supplemental instruction and guidance are receiving it."

Buckley said the bureau has made changes to the system since the consultants completed their report. For example, more is being shared with officers' direct supervisors when a flag is triggered in the system, and the supervisors are now required to document if they took any action, such as a debriefing, extra counseling or training, Buckley said.

The bureau has met the settlement requirements governing what the system tracks and what would trigger an alert about an officer, Buckley said.

"Certainly we're going to be looking at improvements to the system. But we first want to comply with the settlement agreement before we're able to add things,'' she said. She added that the bureau's resources are limited, noting there's one sergeant who is in charge of the Employee Information System, and the programmer is based in Denver.

The consultants expect to release an updated report next month.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) Former ISRO chairperson G Madhavan Nair was today summoned as an accused by a Delhi special court in the sensational Antrix-Devas deal case for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 578 crore to the exchequer.

Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal took cognisance of the CBI charge sheet which alleged that Nair and other officials of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space (DoS) wrongfully leased out S-Band, a restricted wavelength of the INSAT satellites, to Devas Multimedia by Antrix.

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The court took note of the probe report and issued summonses to Nair and others including A Bhaskar Narayana Rao, the then Director in ISRO, K R Sridhar Murthy, the then Executive Director of Antrix, former Additional Secretary in the Department of Space (DoS) Veena S Rao and sought their presence before it on December 23.

The cognisance of the final probe report was taken after the agency apprised the court that it had secured the requisite sanction from the authorities concerned to prosecute the former officials of premier space organisations.

The FIR was filed on March 16, 2015 against Nair and others accusing them of facilitating "wrongful" gain of Rs 578 crore to private multi-media company Devas by Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO.

The probe agency had on August 11 last year filed a charge sheet against the accused, alleging they had caused a loss of Rs 578 crore to the exchequer by abusing their official position to favour a private company.

The case relates to leasing of S-Band, a restricted wavelength of the INSAT satellites to deliver video, multimedia and information services to mobile receivers in vehicles and mobile phones to Devas Multimedia by Antrix. PTI UK SJK RT

--- ENDS ---
Singh has been admitted to the Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.

By Sudhi Ranjan Sen: Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh has been admitted in a critical condition at the Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.

His condition is reportedly critical. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the Marshal at the Delhi hospital.

"We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best," said PM Modi.

PM @narendramodi at R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill; PM also met his family members pic.twitter.com/56WqdBlCXB- PIB India (@PIB_India) September 16, 2017

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The Marshal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the war. The Marshal has flown over 60 aircraft and remained a flyer until the end of his career with the IAF.

He retired in August 1969. In 2016, the crucial air base at Panagarh was renamed Air Force Station after the Marshal. Panagarh is also the headquarters of the newly raised 17 Corps - Mountain Strike Corps.

BRAVERY AND GRIT

Singh was born in 1919 in Lyalpur, which is now in Faisalabad province of Pakistan. He joined the Royal Indian Air Force when he was 19 years old. He led his squadron against the Japanese in the Arakan Campaign and in the Imphal Campaign, he flew Close Air Support Missions.

PM Modi visits Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh

He then moved on to fight in the campaign to free Rangoon. For his valour, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). On August 15, 1947, when India became independent, Singh led the fly-past of over 100 aircraft over the Red Fort.

The Marshal led the Western Air Command after independence and took charge as the Indian Air Force Chief in 1964. The IAF then, as it is now, was on the cusp of a change. While the IAF was adapting itself to modernisation and rebuilding, the 1965 war with Pakistan began.

The IAF was still largely using World War-II era fighters. The first set of Russian-made supersonic Mig-21 had just about arrived. In contrast, Pakistan had US-made modern fighter jets. Despite constraints, the IAF achieved complete air superiority, giving the ground forces the much-needed support.

WATCH VIDEO | Delhi: 5-star Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh hospitalised after cardiac arrest

--- ENDS ---
First Baptist Church, on the corner of Washington and Sugnet, hosted a free continental breakfast on Tuesday, the first day of school, for students, parents and teachers passing by the church on their way to Plymouth Elementary and Northeast Middle School. Muffins, apples, juice and coffee were offered by church members to excited and nervous students and their families as they hurried toward the schools.

This fourth annual event is an intentional connection that the church makes with its neighborhood. Pastor Lara Freeburg said, "As a mother, I know how crazy the first day of school can be. It brings me joy to know we can make that a bit easier with breakfast for students and their families." The breakfast is an outreach to the neighborhood and provides a psychological boost to the students. According to church member Dave Pellegrom, " We want to welcome the kids back to school and by creating a relationship between the church and the schools, we can do this for the kids."

One passing father commented, "I see you here every year and it's really nice that you do this for the kids. It's really great what you do for the community." Another said, "We look forward to this every year." Karen Walker-Freeburg summed up the church's commitment to the event, "Midland parents are incredibly dedicated to their children. It is an honor to support them on this important first day of school."

The stated vision of The First Baptist Church is: "Where every person matters and relationships with God and neighbors grow." The church seeks to serve its neighbors through such events as the neighborhood block party held last month; a community picnic at the church, and a Halloween Hallway for neighborhood trick or treaters on Halloween.

The Take Note and Youth Choir after-school music programs have begun and are open to all 1st through 8th graders who love to sing. The church also participates in the Backpack Buddies program with Plymouth School, hosts a HeadStart program, and sponsors Boy Scout Troop 763 at the church. For more information about church programs, contact the office at 835-6731.
It's the "what if" cover - the image that the New Yorker planned to run if Hillary Clinton had won the 2016 election.

This week, the magazine decided to go public with the illustration, which now accompanies editor David Remnick's forthcoming sitdown article, "Hillary Clinton Looks Back in Anger" - one day after her campaign memoir, "What Happened," was released.

The image, by French artist Malika Favre, is titled "The First," and depicts a historic President Hillary Clinton gazing at the moonlight from the would-be viewpoint of the Oval Office. Now, alongside Remnick's piece, the artwork, of course, takes on an entirely different tone - not of history, but of the poignancy of the hypothetical.

Now Playing: The New Yorker released its cover on Wednesday that would have been published if Hillary Clinton had defeated Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Video: GeoBeats

"That image brings everything back to me in a flash," New Yorker art editor Francoise Mouly tells The Post. "The night of the election, I was at the office late, hard at work with final retouching on [Favre's] image. I was focused on the technical details, getting the face just right, and on the layout. . . . "

"I was trying not to tune in the results coming in. I had not prepared anything else," continues Mouly, who launched the Resist! cartoon newspaper in response to President Donald Trump's victory. "Eventually the sense of dread that crept among the few colleagues still in the office eventually overwhelmed me, and I left."

"I remember going to bed with a feeling of relief, pride and excitement and waking up the next day to intense disappointment," Favre recounts of Election Night. "It was frustrating on all counts."

More News Latest New Yorker cover depicts Trump giving wind to KKK's sails

The artist notes that the artwork can be read on multiple levels. "There is that moment of glory of seeing her standing in the Oval room at night," the artist says of the Clinton figure, "but also that feeling of anticipation and almost loneliness that I wanted to convey. A little bit like a 'What now. . .?' moment."

Mouly salutes the lasting power of Favre's image, even when cast in a different historic light.

"The pent-up hope, the sense of accomplishment, the turn toward the future that we embraced up to that day is still in the image. It's a testimony to the skill of a great artist that she can bring us back to that time of hope," says Mouly, who has spoken often about her opposition of Trump. "And with her permanent record of that feeling, we'll find the strength to build a future we can believe in."

Last March, Favre created an animated New Yorker cover that celebrated women in medicine and spawned selfie replicas from a diverse range of healers.

The issue lands next week.
EDITORS NOTE  OWI means operating while intoxicated. DWLS means driving while license suspended. (MC) is for Judge Michael D. Carpenter. (L) is for Magistrate Gerald Ladwig. (B) is for Circuit Judge Michael J. Beale. (SC) is for Circuit Judge Stephen P. Carras. Sentences may vary based on previous offenses committed by the defendant. Some sentencings include other fees imposed by the state. Compiled by reporter Kelly Dame.

Bay City

Becky Sue Sharp, 44, unlawful use of license plate on Sept. 20, $250 fines and costs (L).

Coleman

Willie Lee Agnew IV, 22, third-degree retail fraud on May 26 and domestic violence and interfering with electronic communications on June 11, 93 days in jail for each of the first two counts suspended with credit for two days for one and six days for the other term and one year in jail for the final count suspended with credit for six days, $1,200 fines and costs, one year probation, may not be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars or Walmart in Midland County, attend counseling as directed, restitution left open (MC).

Freeland

Michael Anthony Blaszkowski, 30, failure to report traffic accident to fixtures on May 12, 90 days in jail suspended with credit for one day, $300 fines and costs, one year probation, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Gladwin

Rebecca Ruth Mann, 26, failure to report traffic accident on July 2, $325 fines and costs (MC).

Harrison

Richard Eugene Leck, 38, marijuana use and allowing DWLS on May 1, 90 days in jail for the first count and 93 days in jail for the second count with all but two weekends suspended and credit for one day, $700 fines and costs, driver license suspended for one year (MC).

Hope

Jeffrey Allan Franklin, 21, assault and battery on May 10, $600 fines and costs, one year probation, not to be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, no contact with the victim, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed, sentence delay granted, restitution left open (MC).

Merrill

Curtis Edward Wietfeldt, 19, OWI on July 18, 93 days in jail with credit for 43 days, $125 fines and costs (MC).

Midland

Taylor Nicole Cochran, 22, North Merritt Drive, allowing DWLS on July 27, $300 fines and costs (MC).

Elizabeth Diana Dickerson, 23, East Stewart Road, impaired driving on May 28, one day in jail with credit for time served, $600 fines and costs (MC).

Gregory Scott Hays, 51, North Union Road, assault and battery on Jan. 30, 93 days in jail suspended with credit for five days, $600 fines and costs, $105 restitution, one year probation, not to be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, no contact with the victim, may nor use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Benjamin Chester Hayes, 36, P.O. Box 1310, domestic violence on May 19, 45 days in jail with credit for two days, $225 fines and costs, attend programs while in jail (MC).

Jennifer Kay Holder, 30, Clay Street, second- or subsequent-offense DWLS on Aug. 12, 21 days in jail with credit for time served, $125 fines and costs (MC).

Bradford Ceasar Kemp, 19, Baker Street, aggravated assault on May 28, 45 days in jail with credit for 23 days, $125 fines and costs, attend programs while in jail, obtain a psychological exam within 30 days of release from jail (MC).

Devin Stephen-Altum Munger, 27, Hedgewood Drive, allowing DWLS on July 12, $400 fines and costs (MC).

Nathan David Shankel, 24, East Brooks Road, OWI on May 19, 68 days in jail with credit for time served, $125 fines and costs, vehicle immobilized (MC).

Cody Forrest Staffeld, 26, Gerald Court, assault or assault and battery on April 30, 2011, $125 fines and costs (SC).

Sanford

Jordan Daniel Baker, 27, domestic violence on March 26, 30 days in jail with credit for time served, $270 fines and costs (MC).

Elsewhere

Damonte Dewayne Bell, 23, Flint, unlawful use of license plate and DWLS on July 16, three weekends in jail, $600 fines and costs, vehicle immobilized (MC).

Joseph Tyler Mitchell, 32, Grand Blanc, OWI, DWLS and marijuana use on July 23, 2016, seven days in jail with credit for one day, $225 fines and costs, driver license suspended, vehicle immobilized (MC).
The Farwell Elementary School was put into outside threat mode for a short time Monday afternoon due to a domestic assault, the Clare County Sheriffs Office reports.

Deputies had been in the area of the school to investigate a domestic assault at a home nearby. They were told the suspect  a 39-year-old man  had assaulted a woman and child at a home, and was headed to the school to take a child that lives in the home where the assault occurred.

The precautionary measure was taken at 2:11 p.m. to keep the students and staff safe until deputies could arrive on scene and gather further information. The school was on outside threat mode for about 25 minutes.

The security measure was lifted after the man was found at another home. He did not go to the school, a media release states. The man was not arrested at the time, and a report has been sent to the Clare County Prosecutors Office for a review of charges.
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The latest show at Art Konsult talks about reproductive agency, cow politics and everything taboo. Go check it out this weekend.

By Adila Matra: Two jutting metal rods clamped to the wall seem very phallic shaped. There are two breast like spheres just next to these followed by a box with a toggle that is connected to wooden penises sliding in and out of the box. The sign above says, 'Touch Everything'. There is shock and disbelief on the faces of those who enter Art Konsult. Indian art connoisseurs rarely get to see such provocative works; we are told to shush and be 'sanskari' nowdays. So, this brazen exhibition is like a breath of fresh air.

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Presented by Siddhartha Tagore of Art Konsult, conceptualised by Engendered, Transnational Arts & Human Rights and curated by Myna Mukherjee, 'Contrabanned' is a show of works that provoke and goad us to think in today's India. While 'Touch Everything' is the creativity of artists Aditi Angiras and Murari Jha, the mixed media sculpture of a cow named 'Milking It' is the brainchild of Gargi Chandola and Yaman Navlakha who try to project cow as a metaphor. According to the artists, from commerce to political expedience to blind jingoism, the cow is used to further an agenda that has a dangerous endgame.

Says curator Myna Mukherjee, "What determines a provocation in fraught and contested terrains such as these? Is a provocation just an evocation of a different truth? Can we bear the oppression of a singular truth in times like ours? This exhibition examines the 'contra' nature of all truth by raising these questions through the works of over 20 contemporary artists."

Baaraan Ijlals Bird Box

The sound theater installation 'Dastarkhwan Monologues' by Shashwat Srivastava is a small room that has been modelled to look like a restaurant in Lucknow.

On the menu are the conversations with local food connoisseurs about the crackdown on meat by local administration and how it has affected the businesses. The room also echoes with the recordings of these conversations.

Also Read: The answer to religious extremism lies in religious liberalism, says Amish

All the conversations that are regarded taboo in our society find a place in 'Contrabanned'. For instance, Chintan Upadhyay's series of bold sketches titled 'Gandi Baat' is all that we do not want to talk about. There's one titled 'I was adjusting my underwear and they thought I was masturbating - I did not even know masturbation' and another one that shows a pregnant lady saying 'Boss trust me it is yours'.

Sketch from Chintan Upadhyay's 'Gandi Baat' series

The most endearing work perhaps is the Birdbox which is an audio/video installation of a series of conversations between young girls from Bhopal, Lucknow, Karvi and Delhi. They talk about eve teasing being accepted as the norm and how they were oblivious to the fact that rape could lead to pregnancy. Artist Baaraan Ijlal says Birdbox suspends us into how the world looks, feels, sounds, feels from a girl's perspective.

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There are many more provocations in Art Konsult's limited space. The ramifications transcend boundaries of the gallery and precincts of time. They stay etched in our head and flow out as discussions way after one has stepped out.

-'Contrabanned - Provocations of Our Times' is on at Art Konsult, Hauz Khas Village till September 24; 11 am to 7 pm.

--- ENDS ---
BLOOMINGTON  A 22-year-old Bloomington man is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and a man initially arrested in connection with the crash has been released without charges.

Jakeb Collins, 22, is charged with a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death.

McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers said Friday that Bloomington police arrested another man, Darin R. Scott, 54, of Bloomington, 30 minutes after the Wednesday afternoon crash based on the tip that a reckless driver was in the area that police received before the crash at Morrissey Drive and Chrisman Drive on the city's southeast side.

The accident occurred around 12:43 p.m.

Police also found a red mini van with what appeared to be white paint particles on it when they arrived at Scott's home, said Chambers.

"It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that linked Darin Scott to this accident," said Chambers.

After Scott's arrest, police received a voice mail Wednesday night from Collins' mother with information that her son may have been involved in the crash, according to a statement read in court Friday by Assistant State's Attorney Ashley Scarborough.

The prosecutor said the suspect's mother told police her son appeared shaken when he returned Wednesday and told her he had almost been run off the road by a truck.

During questioning, Collins "confessed to the officer that he was the driver of the red van involved in the traffic crash," said Scarborough.

Collins also has a red mini van with white paint that may have been transferred during the accident that killed Phyllis Graver, 79, of Carmel, Ind.

She was a passenger in an SUV involved in the crash with Collins' car, said police. The SUV driver, identified in charges as Richard Goertemiller, was hospitalized, but authorities said he is expected to survive.

Collins is being held in the county jail in lieu of $30,035.

Meanwhile, Bloomington police are continuing their investigation into possible DUI charges against Scott, according to a statement Friday from BPD.

The BPD did not respond to a request for comment seeking more information and circumstances related to the initial arrest.
BLOOMINGTON  Despite a decrease in freshman and overall enrollment at Illinois Wesleyan University, President Eric Jensen said it's holding on and he is pleased to have one of its most diverse entering classes.

Enrollment numbers are not yet official, but Jensen said there are about 418 new students and an overall enrollment of around 1,675. That compares to 470 incoming students last fall and an overall enrollment of 1,773.

Nearly one-third of students in the entering class identify themselves as multiracial, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, Native American or international students, according to Jensen.

We care about diversity for two reasons. First, this is a historically Methodist school. Diversity in all forms  economic, racial and even geographic  is an important part of our mission, said Jensen. Second, every single person on campus benefits from diversity. We're training leaders and they will be working in a multi-ethnic world.

Contributing to that diversity is a group of 10 students from the New Orleans area recruited through a partnership with Then Posse Foundation, a national college access and leadership development program that seeks out high-achieving high school students from challenged school districts.

They're fitting in wonderfully, said Jensen, noting that three are involved in student government, one is a cheerleader and another was selected for the competitive humanities fellow program.

This year's class includes students from 18 states and 15 countries.

The smaller incoming class was not unexpected, although the decline was larger than anticipated.

Jensen said the university had budgeted for an incoming class of 450. He noted that other schools, both public and private, also are experiencing declines.

Results of a survey reported this week in Inside Higher Ed bears that out.

The online publication's survey, conducted in conjunction with Gallup, showed that only 34 percent of colleges met enrollment targets as of May 1, the traditional date when schools incoming classes are set.

We're holding on in a difficult market, said Jensen. We're working on a set of efforts that are designed to broaden our base for recruiting inside and outside of Illinois.

The number of students enrolled is only one of four main factors the university looks at when evaluating its recruiting success.

Other variables are diversity, the discount rate (how many students are paying full- or nearly full-price tuition) and student quality (test scores and grade point averages), explained Jensen.

Three out of four are good to great, he said.

Looking to the future, Jensen said IWU will keep moving on diversity and being academically innovative.

IWU is focusing on having students do real-world projects through skilled faculty mentoring, he said.

We're trying to support faculty-driven initiatives to give students those unique experiences, said Jensen.
NORMAL  Many water supplies have been compromised in areas of Florida devastated by Hurricane Irma so the tap has been turned on in Central Illinois.

Midwest Food Bank, 2031 Warehouse Road, Normal, has sent two semi-trailer loads of mostly water to Florida.

"In several areas, they (public officials) aren't sure the water is safe to drink," said Phil Hodel, food bank communications director. Those areas include Immokalee, "a very poor area," he said.

So a food bank volunteer and employee drove a semi to Immokalee, where 1,300 cases of water were distributed in 90 minutes on Thursday.

A second semitrailer load, this one filled with water and cleaning supplies, was to leave for Fort Myers, Fla., late Friday night, Hodel said.

"We're not sure yet where it will go from there," Hodel said.

Another 18 semi-trailer loads of disaster relief boxes of food have gone out from the food bank since Aug. 25 to Texas to assist people displaced by Hurricane Harvey. The food was distributed by The Salvation Army.

Late afternoon Friday, The Salvation Army contacted the food bank, requesting semi-trailer loads of disaster relief boxes to be sent to Tampa, Fla., Hodel said. He expects additional aid for Texas.

"We have three more (semitrailer) loads of disaster relief boxes ready to go," he said. Volunteers assisted assembling and packing disaster relief boxes at the food bank's Normal location Wednesday through Friday.

"We will be adding volunteer opportunities," said Hodel, who invited potential volunteers to check bloomington.midwestfoodbank.org or the food bank's Facebook page.

Hodel noted that hundreds of Central Illinoisans have helped to fill boxes since the hurricane relief effort began.

"The response of this community has been heart-warming and helpful," he said.

"We know we will be doing this (Harvey and Irma relief) through the end of the year and probably longer than that," he said.

Meanwhile, American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region has deployed 111 volunteers and staff  including 38 from Central Illinois  to assist relief efforts from the two hurricanes, said Trish Burnett, Red Cross regional communications director. Their work includes operating shelters, serving meals and snacks, providing health services and distributing supplies.

People who wish to become trained Red Cross disaster relief volunteers may do so 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30 at Red Cross, 1 Westport Court, Bloomington. Register at Laura.Streid@redcross.org or at 309-662-0500, Ext. 7428.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Hundreds of people protesting the acquittal of a white former St. Louis police officer in the fatal shooting of black man following a high-speed chase marched for hours in mostly peaceful demonstrations, until a broken window at the mayor's home and escalating tensions led riot-gear-clad officers to lob tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Activists had for weeks threatened civil disobedience if Jason Stockley were not convicted in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith, stirring fears of civil unrest and the erecting of barricades around police headquarters, the courthouse where the trial was held and other potential protest sites.

A racially diverse crowd of protesters  some carrying weapons, as allowed by state law, and others toting children and waving posters  took to the streets within hours of Friday's decision.

More than 20 arrests were made by early evening, and some protesters were pepper-sprayed during confrontations with authorities. St. Louis police reported that 10 officers had suffered injuries by the end of the night, including a broken jaw and dislocated shoulder, and some journalists reported being the target of threats from demonstrators.

Activists said they would meet again Saturday to plan further demonstrations.

Stockley, who was charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 shooting, had insisted he saw the 24-year-old Smith holding a gun and felt he was in imminent danger. Prosecutors said the officer planted a gun in Smith's car after the shooting.

In an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Stockley said he understands how video of the shooting looks bad, but that he did nothing wrong.

"I can feel for and I understand what the family is going through, and I know everyone wants someone to blame, but I'm just not the guy," he said.

Stockley, 36, requested his case be decided by a judge instead of a jury, an option open to any defendant.

"This court, in conscience, cannot say that the State has proven every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt or that the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense," St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson wrote in his decision.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner acknowledged the difficulty of winning police shooting cases but said prosecutors believe they proved that Stockley intended to kill Smith.

Assistant Circuit Attorney Robert Steele emphasized during the trial that police dashcam video of the chase captured Stockley saying he was "going to kill this (expletive), don't you know it."

Less than a minute later, the officer shot Smith five times. Stockley's lawyer dismissed the comment as "human emotions" uttered during a dangerous police pursuit. The judge wrote that the statement "can be ambiguous depending on the context."

Stockley, who left St. Louis' police force in 2013 and moved to Houston, could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole.

The case was among several in recent years in which a white officer killed a black suspect, including in the nearby suburb of Ferguson, Missouri, where Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, was killed by a white police officer in 2014. That officer never was charged and eventually resigned.

Officers also have been acquitted in recent shooting trials in Minnesota, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. A case in Ohio twice ended with hung juries, and prosecutors have decided not to seek a third trial.

Friday's protests began with largely unsuccessful efforts at civil disobedience. Demonstrators were blocked on an entrance ramp before they could rush onto an interstate, and found the city's convention center's doors locked when they tried to enter.

Early confrontations erupted when protesters blocked a bus filled with officers in riot gear, and later surrounded a police vehicle that was damaged with rocks, prompting police to deploy pepper spray. A freelance Associated Press videographer said a protester threw his camera to the ground and damaged it, and he was later threatened with a beating if he didn't put another camera away. A KTVI reporter said water bottles were thrown at him after a protester taunted him, drawing a crowd.

As night fell, hundreds of demonstrators walked through the streets to the city's upscale Central West End section, where they chanted and marched as people looked on from restaurants and hospital windows lining busy Kingshighway.

Tensions escalated after protesters broke a front window and splattered red paint at the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, who had called for calm ahead of the verdict and later said she was appalled by what happened to Smith and "sobered" by the outcome.

Police in bulletproof vests and helmets closed in and demanded protesters get off the lawn and out of the street in front of the house. Officers used tear gas to move the crowd out of the area and the protests were all but dispersed within the next two hours.

The St. Louis area has a history of unrest in similar cases, including after Brown's death, when protests, some of them violent, erupted.

The encounter with Smith began when Stockley and his partner tried to corner Smith in a fast-food restaurant parking lot after seeing what appeared to be a drug deal. Stockley testified that he saw what he believed was a gun, and his partner yelled "gun!" as Smith backed into the police SUV twice to get away.

Stockley's attorney, Neil Bruntrager, argued that Smith tried to run over the two officers. Stockley fired seven shots as Smith sped away. A chase ensued.

At the end of the chase, Stockley opened fire only when Smith, still in his car, refused commands to put up his hands and reached along the seat "in the area where the gun was," Bruntrager said. Stockley said he climbed into Smith's car and found a revolver between the center console and passenger seat.

But prosecutors questioned why Stockley dug into a bag in the back seat of the police SUV before returning to Smith's car.

The gun found in Smith's car did not have his DNA on it, but it did have Stockley's.

-- Associated Press writer Summer Ballentine contributed to this report.
Todays guest post is written by Dr. Jim Pfaus. Opinions shared on guest posts may not completely reflect the positions of the blogs author.

Dr. Jim Pfaus is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Concordia University. He states on his faculty page, My research is generally concerned with the neurochemical and molecular events that subserve sexual behavior and neuroendocrine functions. I am interested in the role of brain monoamine and neuropeptide systems in sexual arousal, desire, reward, and inhibition in laboratory animals. I am also interested in the inhibitory and disinhibitory effects of drugs of abuse on sexual behavior.

The recent New Atlantis report purports to be scientific yet it twists Simon LeVays words toward their own VERY selective propaganda.

In reality, there are PLENTY of data showing that in men sexual orientation is pretty well fixed by the time adolescence rolls around, and is likely so because of genetic factors that come into play in utero.

For some women, however, the concept of fluidity between orientations suggests that it might not be fixed  for THEM (or that they are bisexual but can ascribe an orientation to what they do and how they feel about doing it, which I am sure can and is used by those saying it is all a choice as evidence of such choice). But, as with everything, women are the last to be understood in terms of their gender, sexual orientation, and manifestations of sexual pleasure.

It is entirely possible that androgens fix everything into place in men in a way that seems immutable (along with our lost ability for female-like multiple orgasms).

One of the biggest flaws in all of this is that sex serves at least two masters, reward and reproduction. The reward part is ultimately what matters most, since there is absolutely no reason that gay men and lesbians cannot make babies, which they now DO in far greater numbers than in the past. Western religions do not regard male homosexuality well (thanks Leviticus!), but one wonders if the reproductive element in this played a role in that. A man lyething with another man shall be stoned but why? Because they cannot or will not make a baby for their doting mother who needs to be a grandmother to reach her cultural pinnacle?

Maybe THAT is the choice that should be discussed, along with societal and cultural choices that might actually allow gay men to marry and create the kind of economic stability that a kid could be raised in. The one thing that a choice argument cannot get around is the FACT that gay men exist in EVERY culture, EVERY racial demographic, and EVERY epoch of recorded human history. Neither Communism or Capitalism can make that claim!

The only way that homosexuality becomes something hard to understand is from a reproductive standpoint, especially in light of so-called Evolutionary Psychological theories that claim almost everything as genetic and biased toward ultimate causality meaning the propagation of the strong in a species. Like, what IF that is not the ONLY evolutionary pressure? What IF predisposition involves an early interaction with the external world as well, along with epigentic changes? That is not choice either it is crystallization of behavioral patterns and conscious awareness of ones own predisposition and orientation. And it has nothing whatsoever to do with reproduction  again, since gay men and lesbians CAN and DO reproduce. Choice is a loaded term. And VERY easy to pervert for anti-gay propaganda purposes

To be clear on the LDS churchs current official position on the matter of choice I quote from Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction (an official LDS webpage):

The experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all Gods children, including our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.

Although the Church takes a strong stance against homosexual behavior, it has at least moved away from seeing homosexuality as a choice or something that can be changed by entering a heterosexual marriage or undergoing reparative therapies (for the most part these are no longer the standard ecclesiastical recommendations that they were in the past). The LDS Church expects both romantic and sexual celibacy from its gay and lesbian members which is often not seen as a loving and understanding approach by those expected to live by such strict and unhealthy standards in order to remain worthy and be an active part of their church community.

The following podcast interviewing a panel of professionals, that I was a part of along with Dr. Bill Bradshaw (retired BYU professor) and Dr. Daniel Parkinson (psychiatrist), is a resource some may be interested in:

Making Sense of the Research on Homosexuality

Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST can be reached at natashaparker.org. She authors the Mormon Therapist Blog, hosts the Mormon Mental Health and Mormon Sex Info Podcasts, writes a regular column for Sunstone Magazine and is the current president of the Mormon Mental Health Association. She has 20 years of experience working with primarily an LDS/Mormon clientele.
Patna: Police in Patna, after nearly a week-long effort, arrested six persons, including one woman for conspiring to commit armed robbery at the house of one retired professor and planning to kill all the residents so as not to leave any witness who could identify them.

At a press conference at the police headquarters, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said that the arrested men were overheard planning their next act of crime that involved committing armed robbery at the house of retired A N College English professor Nuruddin Ashraf at his residence in Gardanibagh and killing him and other members of the family in the process.

"The plan was hatched by gang leader Faizan Khan, a.k.a. Munna whose wife Tara Khatoon worked as a maid at the house of Professor Ashraf. Through her, Munna figured out that the family kept a large amount of cash at home along with jewelries to the tune of several lakh rupees. Last Sunday, he summoned his partners in crime to a tea stall not too far from Prof. Ashraf's house where he laid out his plan to commit robbery and to kill the residents. Their conversation was overheard by another customer at the tea shop who called the police and informed them about Munna's plan," the SSP said.

After that, the police deputed two plain-clothed cops at the tea stall to keep an eye on any suspicious activity while also placed a cop outside the professor's home. The break finally came on Tuesday when the police detained two men from the same tea shop. During the search of their homes, police recovered two loaded country-made pistols and some live cartridges, the SSP said.

Based on their accounts, police raided the home of Munna but he somehow managed to escape. His wife Tara, whose job was to provide all the information about the intended victims, was arrested along with three other men from various locations in Patna, police said.

Arrested men were identified as Tara Khatoon, Suraj Kumar of Saristabad, Gardanibagh resident Surya Kant, Phulwari resident Vijay Kumar and Ranjit Kumar, and Naubatpur resident Phulendra Kumar.
Patna: Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav, along with Building Construction Minister Maheshwari Hazari and PHED Minister Vinod Narayan Jha inaugurated the 'Engineers' Day' function organized by the Bihar Engineers Service Association (BESA) at the Abhiyanta Bhawan in Patna on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Yadav said that a state could develop only if the intentions of the government are honorable.

"If the government is honest about it and its intentions are honorable, only then a state could develop and prosper. Think about it, the public is the same and so are the engineers but as soon as the government of Bihar changed in 2005, the pace of development skyrocketed in the state," the minister said.

"Prior to 2005, there were only four bridges on the Ganges in Bihar. In last 12 years, construction on ten new bridges began two of which have already been inaugurated and have become fully functional. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a short span of three years, has shown the nation with his New India vision what can be accomplished when the intentions are right," Yadav said.

Painting a rosy picture of Bihar under the NDA government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that the government was preparing to build another bridge parallel to the existing Vikramshila Bridge in Bhagalpur and yet another bridge in Buxar that has been cleared by the Center for its speedy construction.

"Moreover, people driving out of Patna would see four-lane highways no matter which direction they go. The road between Mokama and Munger would also be entirely made up of four lanes to cut drive time between the two places," he said.

Building Construction Minister Maheshwari Hazari and PHED Minister Vinod Narayan Jha thanked the engineers for their contributions in rebuilding Bihar.
According to the statement, on 10, 12 and 14 September, Myanmar military battalion drones and helicopters entered Bangladesh's airspace.

Bangladesh also stated that these provocations may lead to untoward consequences.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Bangladesh lodged strong protest against the repeated of violation of its airspace by the Myanmar military drones and helicopters. Bangladesh also stated that these provocations may lead to untoward consequences.

The Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh said, the Charge d' Affaires of the Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka met the Manjurul Karim Chowdhury, Director General (South East Asia Wing) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this evening at the ministry where a protest note was handed over to him.

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According to the statement, on 10, 12 and 14 September, Myanmar military battalion drones and helicopters entered Bangladesh's airspace. Earlier too, on 27, 28 August and 1 September, the Myanmar helicopter entered Bangladeshi airspace.

Pertaining to which, a diplomatic note was sent to the Myanmar Embassy from the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh also urges Myanmar to take immediate steps to prevent such incidents.

Referring to earlier instances of violation of air space since 25 August 2017, Bangladesh expressed deep concern at the repetition of such acts of provocation and demanded that Myanmar takes immediate measures to ensure that such violation of sovereignty does not repeat, it said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh said, it has urged Myanmar to take immediate action and stop such coercions, according to diplomatic sources.

ALSO WATCH | Centre exploring ways to deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims

--- ENDS ---
Patna: Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader Pappu Yadav, in the wake of the brutal murder of a 7-year old boy from Bihar at Gurgaon's Ryan International School, demanded a PIL filed against the school in Delhi High Court and nationalization of all schools and hospitals in the country.

Yadav, an MP from Madhepura, speaking at a press conference in Patna on Friday, said that what happened with the Class II student in Delhi was despicable and the guilty parties, including school officials, must be brought to justice without any delay.

Advocating nationalization of all schools and hospitals, Yadav, who spent a great deal of time in high-security Tihar Jail in Delhi for his role in the murder of a CPI-M leader in the '90s, said that if banks could be nationalized then so can hospitals and schools in the nation.

"Schools have become a money-minting enterprise for politicians and fake babas. They all need to be nationalized so they are not driven by profit motive that leads to incidents like these in Gurgaon school. Until schools and hospitals are nationalized, I will continue to take my fight from the Parliament to the streets of Bihar," the JAP leader said.

Yadav also took shot at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying after joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he forgot about his demand for special status for Bihar.

"I at least wrote a letter to the Prime Minister reminding him about Bihar's demand for special economic status. What have you done lately about it? Did you forget Prime Minister Modi's comment about your DNA saying something was very wrong with it? What happened to your promises," the former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and a protege of Lalu Prasad Yadav said.
Iran's President Rouhani urges Myanmar to stop crimes against Rohingya

09/07/17

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday urged the Myanmar government to put an end to vicious crimes against Rohingya Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country, ISNA reported. At least 123,000 Rohingya have fled from western Myanmar into neighboring Bangladesh since late last month when violence erupted in Myanmar's Rakhine state, the UN said on Tuesday.



Source: Iranian daily Vatan Emrooz

During a cabinet meeting, Rouhani pointed to the brutal killing of Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya minority, saying, "In Myanmar, Muslims are in a very difficult situation and hundreds of thousands have been displaced."



Rouhani added, "Many have been killed and their bodies burnt, and many houses have also been set on fire."



In recent days, as a military crackdown destroyed villages and killed hundreds, desperate people attempted to pass through muddy fields to escape the violence. At least 46 Rohingya died last week when boats capsized while crossing a river between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

An estimated 164,000 Rohingya refugees have fled violence in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state in the past 2 weeks. https://t.co/Lxt0KNgjUQ pic.twitter.com/hDDeFUEi77  UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) September 7, 2017

Rouhani noted that there's no difference between Rohingya Muslims and other Muslims across the world.



"We, as a revolutionary Muslim country, feel responsible for the world's oppressed people, even those who are not Muslims," he said. "We have urged the Myanmar government to put a stop to the brutal crimes against Muslims."



He also urged neighboring and Muslim countries to help the displaced people of Myanmar, and voiced the Islamic Republic's readiness to lend a helping hand to the Rohingya.



Source: Iranian daily Etemad



The Rohingya are a largely Muslim ethnic group who mainly live in Rakhine state in western Myanmar, where they face severe restrictions on basic rights. There are an estimated 1 million Rohingya living in Myanmar, and up to another million refugees abroad.



Rouhani also called on the United Nations to fulfill its duties in response to the violence.



"Today, we should all take a firm stance against such acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing so that we can help the world's oppressed people, including the people of Myanmar," the Iranian president remarked.

"#Rohingya children on both sides of the border need urgent help and protection" Anthony Lake, #UNICEF Executive Director v/@unicefbd pic.twitter.com/aokJtMmNPK  UNICEF Emergencies (@UNICEFEMOPS) September 7, 2017

Meanwhile, aid agencies say the Myanmar government has blocked their access to Rakhine state, increasing the risk to people fleeing the violence.



"By blocking access for humanitarian organizations, Myanmar's authorities have put tens of thousands of people at risk and shown a callous disregard for human life," Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International's director for crisis response, said in a statement.



"Rakhine state is on the precipice of a humanitarian disaster," she added.



The continuing violence has also provoked a storm of criticism of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto leader and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her struggle against military rule.



On Monday, Malala Yousafzai, a fellow peace prize laureate, took to Twitter to criticize Suu Kyi, urging her to speak out about the plight of the Rohingya. The governments of several Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the UAE and Turkey have also expressed concern over the issue.



Suu Kyi and her government have claimed that the Rohingya are migrants from Bangladesh who do not deserve citizenship rights, although most have roots in the area that go back generations.

Over 366,000 people have signed a petition demanding Aung San Suu Kyi's Nobel Peace Prize be revoked over violence against Rohingya Muslims. pic.twitter.com/hjgbXhMzJv  AJ+ (@ajplus) September 7, 2017

On Wednesday, in response to widespread criticism, Suu Kyi claimed during a phone conversation with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan a "huge iceberg of misinformation" about the Rohingya crisis was being distributed to benefit what she called "terrorists."



She also said her government was fighting to ensure "terrorism" didn't spread over the whole of Rakhine state.
Russia, Turkey, Iran Agree On Borders Of Syrian 'De-Escalation Zones'

09/15/17

Source: RFE/RL

ASTANA, Kazakhstan -- Negotiators from the three countries sponsoring Syria peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, say they have reached an agreement to set up de-escalation zones in Syria for six months. The negotiators from Russia, Turkey, and Iran said in a joint statement on September 15 that the zones would include, either fully or partly, Eastern Ghouta in the northern Damascus countryside, and the provinces of Idlib, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama. The statement said the six-month term could be extended in the future.

The announcement came after Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Russia, Iran, and Turkey had resolved disagreements about the borders of a fourth "de-escalation zone" in Syria's northern province of Idlib.



That report said delegates still need to discuss which forces would be deployed in the Idlib de-escalation zone, which includes territory under the control of a Syrian rebel alliance led by a former Al-Qaeda offshoot, the Al-Nusra Front.



Turkey's pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper said in an unsourced report on September 15 that the three countries plan to divide the Idlib zone into three areas.



It said the plan called for Turkish forces and moderate opposition fighters in the Free Syrian Army to patrol the northwest part of the region bordering Turkey.



It said Iranian and Syrian army forces would be deployed to the southeast, with Russian forces in between those two areas.

Russia, Turkey, and Iran are sponsors of the Astana talks on Syria, which are separate from United Nations-sponsored talks in Geneva.



The three countries signed a memorandum in May that called for the creation of the four de-escalation zones.



Russia has moved to establish three of them and there has since been a drop in violence between combatants.



But differences over the borders of the fourth proposed de-escalation zone have prevented the signing of a formal agreement on the creation of all four zones.



The U.S. State Department has said that Washington "remains concerned with Iran's involvement as a so-called 'guarantor' of the Astana process."



The U.S. government is concerned about calls for Iranian forces to also be deployed as cease-fire monitors.



It says Iran's "activities in Syria and unquestioning support" for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government "have perpetuated the conflict and increased the suffering of ordinary Syrians."



Some Syrian opposition fighters also have rejected the idea of Iranian forces being given a role as cease-fire monitors, saying they are not neutral forces.



With reporting by Reuters, Anadolu, Yeni Safak, AP, AFP, Kazinform, TASS, Izvestia, Interfax, and RIA Novosti

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
Ghanas Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, and the CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Dr K K Sarpong, have saved Ghana over $1 billion in a new LNG transaction that will allow for the addition of up to 1,000MW to Ghanas power supply.



The new GNPC LNG deal, involving the worlds largest gas producer, Gazprom, is being hailed within the international energy market as a masterstroke. It replaces two signed competing contracts for the same Tema LNG project, signed by the previous John Mahama government, which were both considered over-priced and over-sized for Ghana.



The history of electricity supply in Ghana has been punctuated with several bouts of supply deficits  a huge attendant economic cost to the nation. Over the past decade especially, ensuring reliable and affordable electricity supply in Ghana has been extremely undermined by the limited access to reliable and economic fuel sources. The West African Gas Pipeline project was the first move by the power sector to displace crude oil and diesel as the principal fuel sources for the thermal plants. Unfortunately, supply of natural gas from Nigeria via this project has been gravely unreliable.



With the discovery of oil and gas in the country, the government recognizing the urgent need to cure the fuel supply risk in the electricity supply chain, invested in the Ghana Gas infrastructure to harness the indigenous gas. The rapid growth in demand for electricity and our quest for industrialization however has called into question the sufficiency of the current natural gas supply base in the country. The World Bank and Ministry of Energy estimate that a total of about 250  300 mmscf/d of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be needed by 2018 to undergird the supply of gas from the indigenous fields.



In a bid to meet this requirement, the erstwhile Mahama government entered into contracts with three different companies (namely, Quantum Power Ghana, West African Gas Limited and Kaheel) for the supply of LNG and the construction of its associated import terminal. The aggregate contractual commitment made to these companies amounted to 1000 mmscf/d (only 25% of which was the countrys needs as prescribed by the World Bank and the Ministry of Energy at the time) or $25bn over the term of the contracts. From a broader perspective, this was equivalent to more than half of Ghanas 2016 GDP. A fourth entity called the Tema LNG (TLNG) also made submissions to the government but were not successful. Needless to say, if all three contracts were made effective, the country would have suffered a devastating and longstanding impact on its balance sheet.



On the assumption of office, the new administration felt the need to evaluate the four agreements/proposals on the table to compare the commercial benefits of each against the other, with the objective of deciding which of the projects if any could progress. Subsequently, the Minister constituted a Committee to establish a common frame of reference and receive revised proposals from all four entities that would allow for a more transparent, fair and scientific comparative analysis.



The Committee came to the determination that the TLNG proposal offers the best value for the nation. TLNG is a consortium made up of Gazprom Marketing and Trading Ltd (the worlds largest supplier of natural gas with the largest natural gas reserves in the world), Helios Investment Partners (the largest investment firm in Africa with over $3 billion in capital commitments), Gasfin Development (a global leader in cryogenic tank design and currently involved in 6 regasification projects) and Blystad Energy Management (a Norwegian firm focused on developing and managing marine power projects that require LNG as a fuel source).



Subsequently, through a well-exhaustive and rigorous process, GNPC (and its external lawyers) have been able to negotiate a Gas Supply Agreement with Gazprom that reflects balanced equity and efficient risk allocation whilst delivering a huge value for the Corporation.



In summary, the TLNG proposal saves GNPC (and the nation for that matter) $100M in annual credit exposure and $1.2bn over the term of the contract.



The following highlights some of the major considerations culminating in the superiority of the GNPC-TLNG deal:



Low Total Cost of Delivered Gas



The total cost of gas delivered to GNPC is $7.70/mmbtu. This is not just the cheapest among the four projects; it is cheaper than the gas from the indigenous Sankofa gas fields.



Project Infrastructure Cost Fully Borne by TLNG



GNPC makes no capital contribution to the project. The TLNG consortium, led by Helios investment partners, the largest Africa focused fund ($3bn under management) is fully financing the entire capex of the project.



Minimal Credit Exposure to GNPC



GNPCs liabilities to Gazprom are backed by a Single Standby Letter of Credit  approximately 25% of GNPCs annual take-or-pay liabilities. Gazprom provides a guarantee to underpin the terminals liabilities.



No Government Guarantee Required



Unlike the other proposals, this deal requires no Government of Ghana guarantee.



GNPC Shares in Profits of Gas Sales to Neighboring Countries



GNPC has the right to share in profits of gas supplied by Gazprom through the terminal to other West African countries. This arrangement could yield GNPC in excess of $95 million over the term of the contract.



TLNG deploys Proven Engineering Technology/Approach



The engineering approach proposed by TLNG is well-proven and has demonstrably good safety record, having been deployed in several countries including USA, Holland, Indonesia, Egypt and Angola.



GNPC owns the Infrastructure at the end of Contract Term



Ownership of the entire import terminal infrastructure is transferred to GNPC/GoG at the end of the term of the contract. The residual value is estimated in excess of $100 million, with a useful technical life of over 10 years.



Counterparty Risk: Solid Balance Sheet and Credit Rating of Counterparty



contractual exposure under the TLNG structure is to Gazprom, the worlds largest gas producer and a publically traded company, with annual revenues in excess of $100 Billion  more than twice Ghanas GDP.



Gazprom bears Terminal Failure Risk



Gazprom absorbs the risk and liabilities associated with the import terminal failure. This is backed by a Corporate guarantee of $1.2 billion.



Gazprom bears Risk of Off-spec Gas



Gazprom is wholly responsible for all damages caused by off-spec gas (gas that does not meet GNPCs specification) whether caused by Terminal or their own LNG. This covers damages that may occur to downstream assets such as the VRA turbines that will ultimately consume the gas



Gazprom bears LNG Cargo Risk



TLNG consortium contractually commit to being available 98% of the year. Gazprom is liable for costs associated with import terminals failure to provide service. Gazprom will compensate GNPC for cost of securing alternative fuels, in the event of unavailability of the import terminal.



Low Take-or-Pay Gas Quantity Obligation on GNPC



TLNGs proposal is based on volumes of 250 MMscf/d, proportionate to the demand forecast by the Ministry of Energy, resulting in a lower exposure to GNPC as compared to the other proposals. The contract allows Ghana to reduce volumes by 10% per year if required.



In synopsis, there is demonstrably a need for LNG in the country beyond 2018. The complex nature of the LNG supply infrastructure, the volumes of transactions involved and the scales of risk associated calls for a well-coordinated solution with a carefully structured risk allocation among parties to ensure that the country is not unduly exposed or short-changed.



The GNPC-Gazprom deal has been well-structured to protect the interest of the country. GNPC has negotiated a unique structure whereby risks and liabilities that would have otherwise been to the account of GNPC (such as under the three other proposals) has been absorbed by Gazprom. The biggest risk to Government on a regasification project is that of terminal failure and GNPC has secured a deal whereby Gazprom takes this risk.



This transaction will lead to the establishment of Gazproms first physical presence in Africa. The Gazprom Group has identified other significant energy related opportunities in Ghana where they believe they can add value in terms of the development and commercialisation of the gas sector in Ghana. Their plan is to use Ghana as a regional hub into West Africa and ensure that Ghana benefits as a result. As afore-stated, Gazprom is the largest gas producer in the world with annual revenues (in excess of $100 Billion) more than twice the size of the GDP of Ghana.

Source: classfmonline









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The government has contracted the Ghana Small Scale Palm Oil Producers association at Asuom in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region to supply palm oil to the various Senior High Schools nationwide under the free Senior High School programs.



The decision was part of governments proactive measures to sustain the free Senior High School policy which was commenced in this academic year.



The Executive Secretary of the Association, Paul Amaning revealed this during the mini launch of the association at Asuom in the eastern region.



He said they have agreed with government to be the main suppliers of palm oil to the various SHSs to be used for cooking under the free SHS policy.



Mr. Amaning said that to meet the demand of supplying enough palm oil to the schools, the association have sought assistance from MASLOCK to provide 40,000 nursey seedlings of oil palm to be distributed the its members to cultivated.



He indicated that the seedlings will be ready by April next year for distribution to the registered members of the association, adding that it will also help the President achieve his planting for food and job campaign.



He added that, the executives will facilitate the work of the small-scale palm oil producers in the district ensure the production of enough oil for the SHS through effective monitoring.



A farmer, Nti Ahinkora also pleaded with government to supply enough fertilizers and wellington boots for the farmers to help grow their palm plantation to meet government demand.



He stated that most of the roads from their various farms to the market have turned into a death trap, therefore their harvested palm nuts are destroyed because the roads are not motorable.



For his part, the Chief of the area Osabarima Ofosuhene Appenteng II commended the government for awarding the oil palm supply to the people in his community.



He indicated that, it will motivate the youth to engage in farming since there is a ready market awaiting them.

Source: Brytfmonline.com









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The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has made a proposal to government to levy tobacco and alcohol to fund the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

According to the Authority, the proposal is one of the options of finding additional sources of funding to sustain the NHIS policy, since the 2.5 per cent NHIS levy collected under the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the 2.5 percentage Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions appears to be adequate. Dr Samuel Annor, Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA made this known when he appeared before Public Account Committee (PAC) to respond to some violations contained in the 2015 Auditor Generals Report in relation to the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The PAC is currently holding public sittings on the Report of the Auditor General for the Public Accounts of Ghana for the year ended 31st December, 2015. Dr Annor also explained that the reason for the suggestion to tax alcohol and tobacco is borne out of the fact that the nation is likely to spend more in treating people with alcohol and tobacco related illness thus affecting the programme.

He said providing additional source of funding to sustain the programme would go a long way to end the cycle of indebtedness of the NHIS to its service providers. Dr Annor also acknowledged that confidence in the NHIS was waning as a result of gradual decline in the renewal of the cards over the last two years, saying that, it is a great source of concern. He explained that the number of subscribers to the scheme reduced from 11.3million in 2015 to 11 million in 2016.

He said the refusal by service providers to give quality care to clients due to high levels of indebtedness is to be blamed for the decline. Dr Annor however noted that, over the last three months, there has been some improvement in the number of subscribers to the scheme and expressed the hope that the increase would continue for sometime to come.

Source: GNA









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President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Dr. Harry Agbanu has expressed sadness over an alleged terms of settlement in the case challenging the legitimacy of the University of Education, Winnebas Governing Council.



The plaintiff, Supi Kofi Kwayera, wants the Pro. Vice Chancellor of the university to be appointed as the substantive Vice Chancellor to serve the remaining term of office, according to a communique reportedly from his lawyer, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.



As part of the settlement, the plaintiff also wants the Finance Officer to be relieved of his duty and a new officer appointed, giving consideration to a native of Winneba or Central Region"



Apart from that "natives and persons permanently residence in Winneba should be given the first choice in employment as casual labour on the construction sites"



However, during an interview on Citi Eyewitness news, Friday, the President of UTAG expressed disappointment over the terms of settlement especially the portion which demands that natives of Winneba should be given priority in the University when it comes to employment.



"I am just sad as a Ghanaian. I am ashamed as a Ghanaian that this is the state that we have descended in as a country. I'm sad that this is where we have got to as a country and I think we should blame ourselves; all of us... politicians, academicians; all of us as a country must now our heads in shame. Today is a day of shame.... because the University is sited in the village 20% of the employees of that university must come from the village...where are we going? Are others not Ghanaians? Where are we going with this kind of attitude as Ghanaians? Is this how we are going to develop?" he queried.



Meanwhile, lawyer Afenyo-Markin has described the terms of settlement as 'fake'.



Speaking in an interview on Citi FM, he said he had not issued any document and that it is a strategy being employed by some individuals who want to muddy the waters....not even a draft document has been sent or exchanged. The UTAG local union had an election, with all its questionable characteristics and I am sure that somebody threw in this to achieve a certain purpose. It (the propsoed settlement) is fake. It couldnt have been the case



Background to the case



In July this year, a High Court in Winneba ordered the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Mawutor Avokeh, to step aside until a case brought against him is determined. The court order also affected the schools Finance Officer.



The orders were part of the reliefs granted for the interlocutory injunction sought by the plaintiff, Kofi Kwayera, in the case brought against the University which insisted that the Vice Chancellor and the Finance Officer were operating under the institutions defunct governing council.



The Court also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Education to reconstitute the governing council of the University of Education, Winneba.



The Court thus ordered the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev Fr Afful-Broni, to act in the position of the VC, to allow the day-to-day administration of the institution to continue.







Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.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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One hundred and eight Ghanaians have been deported from Benin following the takeover of their residence by the Beninoise government for the construction of a habour, TV3 reports.



Made up of men, women and children, the deportees arrived in the Central Region where they were registered and screened by officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Health Service.



According to Eric Arthur, Regional Public Relations Officer of NADMO, the deportees will soon be dispatched to their respective communities across the country.



He however hinted that they are still expecting more returnees from Benin.



"We've been able to identify the communities where they live in Ghana. We are expecting a total number of 336. The only challenge we have is that, we don't actually know when they are coming. To be honest, we received the information last night, at 2am," he said on News360.



In June this year, it was reported that the Ghanaian fishing community at Akpakpadodome in Benin was facing eviction following the governments decision to develop the area.



One of the elders in the community in an interview on Kofi TV lamented that the Benin government had refused to compensate them.



People from Benin who leave in the area have been compensated but the government gave us nothing because we are from Ghana he said.



The Ghanaians were expected to be deported in July but the exercise was extended to September following the intervention of the Ghanaian Mission in Benin.



The community, according to reports, is made up of 860 Ghanaians who survived on small-scale fishing.

Source: ghanaweb.com









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Audio Attachment: Click to listen to Kwesi Pratt Jnr

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has sacked two Senior High School headmasters for extorting money from students despite strict directives from the Ministry of Education not to do so.



A statement signed by the Director General of the GES, Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, on Thursday said the two headmasters: Mr Biasu Wisdom of Pentecost SHS and Assistant Headmaster of Daffour SHS, Rev. S.P. Elewokor are relieved of their post.



The headmaster of Duffour SHS, Mr. S.C.K Agbakey, will be reprimanded for failing to supervise his subordinate the statement further indicated.



Meanwhile, seven others are to be interdicted pending further investigations into the allegation against them.



During a panel discussion on Radio Golds "Alhaji and Alhaji" Saturday, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr described as unfair and repugnant the dismissal of the headmasters.



I find it extremely unfair because over the past weeks, they (headmasters) have been begging for guidelineswhat should we charge and what we should not charge and so on as at today the guidelines have not been given to them so why won't they make mistakes and if they make mistake why dismiss themI can't believe it...how is it a crime for headmasters to ask parents to pay hostel fees? (if they dont get accommodation in the school?) he quizzed.



According to him, "we were trying to talk to one of the affected headmasters and he told us that he's been warned by the ministry not to speak; you have sacked the person and then you say he can't speak; what kind of society are we building? I find this extremely repugnant...it is just an attempt to create the impression that those who are complaining about the implementation of this programme are just saboteurs. I have heard people call the headmasters corrupt, lazy, thieves. What is the basis for calling them thieves...I think they are just being used as scapegoats and are just being treated unfairly.

Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.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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By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) Noted scientist Sekhar Basu was today given one-year extension as Atomic Energy Secretary, till mid-September next year.

This is his second extension on the post.

He was appointed to the post in October 2015 and his tenure was to end in September 2016. However in August last year, he was given one-year extension.

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The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the extension of Basus tenure till September 19, 2018, an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.

Basu is a scientist of exceptional ability who has played a lead role in multiple areas of nuclear science and engineering and is a major contributor in establishing India as a leader in nuclear field.

He had been the Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and chief executive of the Nuclear Recycle Board (NRB).

Basu, who was instrumental in setting up reprocessing and waste management facilities at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam, is a recipient of Padma Shri award.

The Power Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant at Tarapur was also built under his guidance. Basu is an engineering graduate from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute in Mumbai. PTI AKV DIP

--- ENDS ---
The erstwhile Mahama government is reported to have procured about 30 ambulances estimated at 2.4 million Euros but the vehicles are lying in waste.



The vehicles procured are said not to be fit for the purpose for which they were purchased.



Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu made this shocking revelation during a familiarization tour of some health facilities in Accra.



He toured the Tema General Hospital, Tema Medical Stores, La General Hospital and the Air Force Base where the ambulances are kept.



Mr. Agyemang disclosed that during transactions, it was detected that though the ambulances meant for the National Ambulance Service (NAS) were supplied, the Ministry didn't accept them because their specifications were not desirable for them to be used as ambulances.



Payments have however been made by the Mahama government through the Bank of Ghana to the supplier of the ambulances, although they were rejected for being below the required standards.



The 30 vehicles purchased at a cost of 80000 Euros each were part of the 200 ambulances that were meant to equip NAS in its emergency health response across the nation.



Providing further information on the deal on Joy FM's "News file" on Saturday, the Minister of Information Mustapha Hamid indicated that the contract was single-sourced to one Richard Dzakpa, a former aide to former National Security Coordinator, General Nunoo Mensah.



He said the contract which was awarded to Richard Dzakpa's company called [email protected] in 2010 by the previous government, did not go through any competitive bidding process.



He stated that "Richard Dzakpa of [email protected] was just asked to supply these ambulances to the Ministry of Health".



The company consulted with a foreign dealer called the Big Sea which made the [email protected] their local agents.



However, after the arrival of the vehicles into the country, a technical examination of the vehicles in 2015 by global automobile manufacturers of Mercedes Benz - a model for the ambulances - revealed 18 threatening defects on each vehicle.



A technical report dated February 10, 2016 noted that the supposed ambulances are better off being used as 13-seater mini-buses because they were unsuitable for conversion into ambulances.



A German automobile company also disclosed the electronic gadgets fitted in the vehicles as being of "very poor quality" which could potentially endanger lives.



Commenting on the procurement of the ambulances on News file, seasoned journalist Abdul Malik Kweku Baako was alarmed over the deal.



Kweku Baako was absolutely "speechless" as he couldn't advance his submissions on the deal.



All he could say was "this thing stinks".

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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MOUNT CARMEL -- The death of a man whose body was found on a walking trail in Northumberland County Wednesday morning has been ruled a homicide.

Coroner James F. Kelley said Sean M. Maschal, 33, of Mount Carmel, died from a gunshot wound to the head.

His body was found shortly before noon Wednesday by an ATV rider on the trail that goes through wooded former coal lands near Locust Gap in Mount Carmel Twp.

The shooting may be drug-related and does not appear to be a random act of violence, Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewicz said Friday.

It appears to have stemmed from a personal interaction but he did not provide any details.

A number of police agencies are involved in what he described as an "extremely intensive" investigation including the township and state police, he said.
Police in Lebanon are investigating a fatal accident where a woman was struck by the rear tires of a slow-moving tractor-trailer early Saturday morning.

Officers were called to the intersection of North 9th and Mifflin streets at 1:42 a.m. after receiving a report of a disturbance and a pedestrian struck, according to police.

The victim has been identified only as a 48-year-old woman from Lebanon, pending the notification of family members, investigators said.

"Police learned (the victim) had been struck and killed by the rear trailer tires of a tractor trailer as the driver slowly passed the group that was causing the disturbance. The driver of the truck is cooperating with the investigation," according to a news release.

Police said several witnesses ran from the scene after the woman was struck.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police at 717-272-2054.
In the first nine months of the 2017-2018 session, the PA Senate's State Government Committee has deemed approximately 20 bills worthy of hearings. Among them was SB 658, which named the Eastern Hellbender as the official amphibian of Pennsylvania. And though the Hellbender is an important part of our ecosystem, perhaps its cousin the "Gerrymander" would have been a better choice.

True, the "Gerrymander" is technically not an amphibian, but rather a devious political practice that allows legislators to rig elections in their favor. But given that the Brennan Center for Justice rated Pennsylvania as one of the country's worst gerrymandered states, an official designation seems fitting. Moreover, the Committee seems fine with keeping our state's unofficial non-amphibian around for a while, because not included among the bills given hearings was SB 22, which could end gerrymandering in PA permanently. The State Government Committee in the PA House has been slightly busier, voting on about 30 bills. But they, too, have failed to hold hearings on their version of the anti-gerrymandering bill, HB 722.

Both bills have broad bipartisan support among legislators. The House bill has nearly 100 co-sponsors, while the Senate bill has more than 15. But as long as the bills are stuck in committee, the full legislature will not have a chance to vote on them. We need to tell the Commonwealth's lawmakers to give these bills hearings, and give Pennsylvania a chance at real government reform.

Alex K. Rich, Manheim Township
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- After spending months in futile efforts to complete a budget, Pennsylvania legislators have turned their attention to what they should be wearing to the fight over state finances.

It's another issue Democrats and Republicans can't seem to agree on.

Complaints about dress code scofflaws prompted the parliamentarian for the state House of Representatives, where Republicans are in the majority and run the show, to issue a memo last week reminding members that men must wear a coat and tie.

It touched off a debate between two legislators who also are military veterans. They argued in a string of emails distributed widely among members and staff and obtained by The Associated Press.

Democratic Rep. Jake Wheatley said he'd consider wearing a tie "if dressing in the appropriate attire would get us to actually be good public servants and do our appropriate work."

"Thanks for reminding me that we work in an environment that cares more about appearance than substance," said the representative from Allegheny County.

That triggered a response from Rep. Rick Saccone, also from Allegheny County, but a Republican from far across the ideological divide.

Saccone, an Air Force veteran, compared the dress code to military uniforms, saying they project "a sense of professionalism that impacts performance."

Wheatley, who served as a Marine Corps radio operator during the Gulf War, noted that the Legislature is "weeks past our obligated date for producing a balanced budget."

"We seem more concerned about what folks wear to the floor than what we are doing or not doing on the floor and that's a problem," he wrote.

Lawmakers passed a $32 billion spending plan in late June but so far have struggled to get a deal on new revenues to plug a $2.2 billion budget hole.

The state Senate approved a mix of borrowing and new taxes in July, but Republican House leaders did not call back their chamber until Monday.

Wheatley said most people only want to know when they'll complete the budget.

"Our mission goes well past the appropriate attire for our chamber and is now in the stages of we need to lock ourselves in the chamber and stay there on that floor or in our caucuses and working on real solutions," he wrote.

Wheatley said later he regrets using reply-all on the email and promised he'll wear a tie.

Saccone added that it's not something he's fixated upon.

"The public will say, 'Why are you so worried about coat-and-tie when you're supposed to be working on a budget?'" Saccone said. "It's not either-or."
By PTI: Imphal, September 16 (PTI) Four persons were injured in a bomb blast in Manipurs East Imphal district near the CRPF battalion premises this evening injuring four persons.

Police told PTI that the IED was planted by unidentified persons at Mantripukhri area and exploded at about 5.30 pm.

One of the injured is a mechanical supervisor of Hindustan Construction Limited and all the four have been admitted to the hospital.

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Their condition is out of danger, hospital sources said. PTI COR KK LNS

--- ENDS ---
Police arrest a protester as protesters gather, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in St. Louis, after a judge found a white former St. Louis police officer, Jason Stockley, not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase in 2011. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Mahant Pratibhanand, is one of the main accused who gave money to kill BSP leader Deepak Bhardwaj.

By India Today Web Desk: The Ghaziabad police on Saturday arrested a self-styled godman in Uttar Pradesh who was allegedly involved in the 2013 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Deepak Bhardwaj.

Machhendra Nath alias Baba Pratibhanand, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh by the Delhi Police, was on the run for the last four years, police said.

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WHY WAS DEEPAK BHARDWAJ MURDERED

BSP leader and businessman Bhardwaj's younger son Nitesh had hatched the plot to kill him over family property dispute.

Mahant Pratibhanand, who was on the run till now, had received a contract to arrange the shooters to eliminate Bhardwaj.

THE INCIDENT

Bhardwaj was shot dead on March 26, 2013 at his farmhouse, Nitesh Kunj located in Rajokri, Vasant Kunj area of New Delhi.

He was gunned down by 2 hired killers - Sunil Mann alias Sonu and Purushottam Rana alias Monu, who were later arrested.

Police also arrested Rakesh alias Bhola, the owner of the car used by the killers after the murder, and Rakesh Malik, a commercial pilot, who allegedly hired the shooters.

Nitesh and his aide and advocate-cum-property dealer Baljeet Singh Sehrawat were also arrested.

Bhardwaj had contested for 15th Lok Sabha from the West Delhi Constituency in May 2009.

Reportedly, he was the richest candidate for the 15th Lok Sabha elections with declared assets amounting to be more than 6 billion.

(With inputs from agencies)

--- ENDS ---
People watch a TV screen showing a local news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. North Korea leader Kim said his country is nearing its goal of "equilibrium" in military force with the United States, as the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the North's "highly provocative" ballistic missile launch over Japan on Friday. The signs read "Kim Jong Un attends the launch of the Hwasong-12 missile." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
St. Mary's Ava Schultz wins GHT Player of the Week for Week 12

St. Mary's Ava Schultz is the final player of the week of the fall season after her effort in the regional semis for the Snowbirds' volleyball team.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today hit out at dynastic politics, saying dynasty in democracy is "nasty", days after Rahul Gandhi talked about the phenomenon being present in the Indian system.

"There is discussion about dynasty. Dynasty and democracy cannot go together. Very simple... it weakens our system. Dynasty in democracy is nasty," he said at a book launch but added that his remarks were not linked to any party.

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He said he used to voice similar views earlier too but now he hesitates as he is out of politics.

Naidu, however, made it clear that he is not referring to any political party while speaking against dynasty.

"I am not keeping in mind any particular party -- this party or that party -- as someone said everybody is trying to follow each other."

Speaking at the University of California in Berkeley, Rahul had earlier this week said that dynasties are commonplace in India, from politics to business, and stressed that a persons capabilities are more important than pedigree.

"Most parties in India have that problem So...Mr Akhilesh Yadav is a dynast. Mr Stalin (son of M Karunanidhi in DMK) is a dynast... even Abhishek Bachchhan is a dynast. So thats how India runs.

"So dont get after me because thats how India is run. By the way, last, I recall, Mr Ambanis are running the business. Thats also going on in Infosys. So thats what happens in India," Gandhi had said listing several prominent Indians born into famous families. PTI NAB PYK ZMN

--- ENDS ---
One looks as if it wandered out of an aging factory town, the other like an Amazon.com warehouse.

Stony, old Graterford state prison, one of the nation's largest with an inmate population bigger than most Pennsylvania municipalities, and its $400 million replacement, the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix, stand side-by-side on a three-square-mile plot an hour northwest of Philadelphia.

That Phoenix  the state's biggest taxpayer-backed project since the Philadelphia Convention Center  will be a dramatic upgrade over Graterford, built in 1929, was evident during tours this month of both facilities.

Its sand-colored blocks will have remote-controlled zone heating and cooling; no more of Graterford's notoriously sweaty summers when, as a corrections officer said, "you peel your clothing off at the end of the day." It will have electronic locks, instead of Graterford's hand-sized keys, two gyms instead of one, and dozens of classrooms instead of a few.

It also will be less expensive to operate, according to the state Department of Corrections. It cost $123 a day, the state says, to house an inmate at Graterford in 2016  up from $114 the year before. Newer prisons cost as little as $90  that could be about a $48 million difference annually  and John Wetzel, Pennsylvania secretary of corrections, hopes the cost at Phoenix will be less.

Back when the prison was proposed a decade ago, Pennsylvania's prisoner count was approaching 50,000 and expected to continue rising, but in recent years the inmate population has dropped, and the state has been closing older prisons. The state spends about $2 billion a year to operate 25 prisons with more than 47,000 inmates.

Two years behind schedule, Phoenix finally is due to open in the summer of 2018. After a decade of hearing of an impending move and years of watching construction at the site next to them, inmates and those who guard them have something in common: apprehension about the move from their old, familiar prison to the new, more technologically advanced prison a thousand feet away.

Small groups of staffers have walked through the new prison, according to state officials, but many of the more than 700 members of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association union working at the maximum-security Graterford have not, said union president Jason Bloom.

"Nobody really knows what to expect," he said. "It's just the apprehension of not knowing."

In a profession that relies on knowing one's surroundings inside and out, the disruption to routine outweighs excitement over "going from a '72 Pinto to getting a new Cadillac," he said. The corrections officers also are concerned about unresolved issues over staffing levels.

And most of the men living at the prison also would rather stay at Graterford, said John Pace, who served 31 years of a life sentence he received as a juvenile, and now works with men inside and others who have left.

"They don't know what the new prison is going to be like," he said, noting that new prison designs can disrupt programs for prisoners, which are conducted by staff, prisoner groups, and many outside visiting organizations. "The structure they've been accustomed to will no longer exist."

In addition, prison reform advocates and officials of the 15,000-resident host community, Skippack Township, Montgomery County, worry about the fate of the Graterford complex, with its robust supply of lead and asbestos probably impractical for any other use save for additional prison space, about the last thing the town would want.

It's what the state did at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, which continued to operate for a generation after its replacement, Graterford, first opened, and at SCI Pittsburgh, which the state closed but reopened for a few years.

Michael Wenerowicz, a former Graterford superintendent who is now deputy secretary of corrections for the state's eastern region, said that won't happen with Graterford. He said limits on fuel and sewage access once Phoenix gets running make it "impossible for me to put this facility back on line."

At Phoenix, double-celling will be more common than it was at Graterford, a decadeslong state policy and "a more responsible use of our resources," says William Nicklow, director of the Department of Corrections' Office of Population Management and Sentence Computation. At Phoenix, fewer cells will be able to accommodate more prisoners.

Thus, inmates now alone in their cells  a result of good behavior and available space  worry they will be getting cellmates. "The lifers, of which there are many  they always enjoyed the privilege of having a single cell. That is going to end," says Angus Love, who as executive director of the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project has sued a string of Pennsylvania prison officials to demand basic medical and living-space improvements.

Phoenix will be broken into cellblock groups of up to 280 inmates patrolled by a pair of officers on each shift, instead of Graterford's long halls housing up to 700 monitored by several corrections officers. That arrangement should make it easier to control the complex: Smaller is more manageable, and "if it becomes more manageable, it is safer," Wenerowicz said.

Familiar patterns will change. "At Graterford, everything is inside. At [Phoenix], we're going to be outside a lot," says Lt. Julian Taylor, a 12-year veteran on a recent shift on Graterford's death row.

Phoenix also will have fewer beds, a maximum of 4,055, instead of the 4,718 beds at Graterford, and it will have a death row for male inmates and a transitional housing unit in a separate building for up to 192 female inmates.

For all the updates and the obvious changes, tours of Phoenix with Wetzel, and of Graterford with Wenerowicz, show that the fundamental realities of prison life won't change.

The cells will be about the same size as Graterford's. The metal-shelf bunk-over-bunk cells, the officers' stations, cell checks, the showers with hip-level doors, the supervised group walks to work areas, food halls, classrooms, and exercise yards, the constant surveillance, should all seem familiar.

Superintendent Cynthia Link, who has run Graterford since 2015 and will be Phoenix's first warden, hopes to move the last Graterford inmates to the new complex by July.

Graterford, which sprouted into a rural labor camp in the 1920s, was a considerable improvement over the riot- and escape-prone Eastern State Penitentiary.

Ninety-four years after inmate crews began turning fields at Graterford into a rural labor camp for inmates at Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary and 10 years after then-Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to replace Graterford set off a years-long legal fight over how to bid the job, corrections staff are starting to move into support buildings at Phoenix. But as of last week, the housing units still hadn't passed Labor Department inspections, and state General Services officials hadn't resolved $25 million in payments disputed by general contractor Walsh/Heery Joint Venture.

David Downey, who had spent a month at Graterford a decade ago while awaiting a transfer, is one who heartily endorses the move.

"It was like the Wild West," he recalled. "Graterford is dirty, it's dangerous."

By the Numbers

10 years ago: Gov. Ed Rendell proposed a replacement for Graterford

2015: year Phoenix was scheduled to open

1929: year Graterford was built

4,055: beds at SCI Phoenix

4,718: beds at SCI Graterford

47,000+: inmates in Pennsylvania state prisons

$45,000: cost per year per inmate at Graterford

$2 billion: cost per year for the state to run its prisons
For the first time in 27 years, Pennsylvania's Board of Pardons could commute the sentence of a female lifer. Samantha Melamed has the story.
A Texas medical examiner on Friday officially confirmed the identity of James J. Brzyski, the defrocked Archdiocese of Philadelphia priest and suspected child sexual predator found dead Wednesday in a Fort Worth motel room.

The body of Brzyski, 66, was found dead in a Super 7 motel room surrounded by pills and bottles of vodka. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office said the cause and manner of his death were pending the results of a toxicology report.

A 2005 grand jury report released by Philadelphia prosecutors said he may have molested or raped more than 100 children. But the allegations were too old for Brzyski  or any of the other archdiocesan priests named as abusers in the report  to be prosecuted in criminal or civil courts.
Used needles litter the ground at an open-air drug market along Conrail train tracks in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Read more

Citing the danger to Philadelphia neighborhoods posed by the opioid crisis, state prosecutors are trying to make permanent the $1 million bail set for each of nine people arrested Sept. 1 in a Summerdale raid in which police allegedly seized up to 40,000 bags of heroin and fentanyl valued at $1.5 million.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Georgia D. Barker made the request Friday to Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Tracy Brandeis Roman, calling the amount of the deadly drugs taken from the Rosalie Street rowhouse "staggering" and saying the nine people  all identified as natives of the Dominican Republic  likely would flee if released.

Roman, however, postponed a decision on the prosecution request for the unusually high bail until a Sept. 27 hearing after defense attorneys Peter C. Bowers and Louis T. Savino objected. The defense lawyers told Roman that without official testing, the drugs involved might not warrant $1 million bail for each of the nine.

Barker agreed to the delay, but told Roman that "the bulk is staggering," regardless of the unofficial State Police field test analysis of the drug-filled glassine bags seized in the raid.

In a news release, the Attorney General's Office called it "among the largest drug seizures by the office in recent memory."

On Sept. 1, drug agents from the Attorney General's Office, working with Philadelphia Police, raided a house in the 1100 block of Rosalie Street and allegedly seized 30,000 to 40,000 glassine bags of heroin and fentanyl  an even more potent synthetic opioid  and six to nine pounds of unbagged drugs with a street value of about $1.5 million.

Illegal use of heroin and other opioids has been blamed for an increasing number of overdose deaths around the country. In July, an analysis by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reported 4,642 drug-related overdose deaths in Pennsylvania last year  an increase of almost 37 percent.

The number of heroin deaths has remained steady, the DEA reported, but fatal overdoses from fentanyl increased 130 percent.

According to the state Attorney General's Office, a state drug agent and four city police officers began experiencing symptoms after being exposed to drug powder during the Rosalie Street raid. All five were administered the anti-opioid overdose drug Narcan and recovered.

The immediate neighborhood around the house was cordoned off and Philadelphia firefighters helped decontaminate the area.

State prosecutors identified the nine people arrested as: Antonio Galan, 37, and his sister, Yolarini Galan, 35; Jose Munoz, 42; Carlos Munoz, 24; Emillio Padilla, 24; Walky Pereira, 31; Jose Manuel Robles-German, 23; Jancy Rosario, 27; and Ariel Rondon, 32.

State court records show that only Robles-German had a prior arrest and it was withdrawn.

All nine suspects remain in custody on charges involving manufacturing and distributing drugs, and prosecutors argued that they likely would flee if released.

The chance of any of them being released on bail seems unlikely. In addition to asking that the $1 million bail be continued for each defendant, prosecutors also have asked for a "Nebbia hearing" at which the defendants must document the legitimacy of the source of any money to be applied toward bail. The hearing is named for a New York drug defendant whose case resulted in a federal appeals court decision in 1966 that a judge may inquire about the legality of the source of money a defendant is asking to apply to bail.
Police on Friday were investigating attempted lurings of children in Northeast Philadelphia that may be connected.

The incidents began Tuesday and were reported in the city's Somerton, Wissinoming, and Frankford sections.

In several instances, the perpetrator was described as a Hispanic man with a beard driving a black vehicle and offering girls money if they would let him take pictures of them, police said.

On Tuesday, two children reported they were in the 400 block of Tomlinson Road in Somerton about 3:15 p.m. when they were approached by a man in a black vehicle who offered each of them cash if they got into the back of the vehicle.

On Thursday, someone reported that a man fitting the same description was standing outside the Sullivan School gym at 5300 Ditman Street in Frankford about 10:30 a.m. and was taking pictures of children and following them.

There were four other possibly connected incidents, police said.

Anyone with information can call the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251 or dial 911.
The Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777 was a crushing defeat for the patriots, allowing the British to take Philadelphia. Long after the war was won, the location of the battle, Dilworth Farm in West Chester, remained unprotected. For the first time, the American Battlefield Land Grant Program is being used to protect farmlandthis Chester County battlefield. The battles 240th anniversary was marked with 800 re-enactors in Chester County. Read more

In a freshly cropped field in Chester County, three men in thick wool coats and tricorne hats lifted 10-pound muskets and fired them toward a burning September sun.

A fife and drum corps played "Yankee Doodle Dandy" nearby, beside a fading barn.

Smoke billowed from the musket locks, and the shock of the shots thumped against the ribs of all onlookers holding coffee and pastries here Friday morning, about 240 years after the Battle of Brandywine nearly ended America's budding revolution.

"Now imagine thousands of muskets going off, all day," said John Foskey Jr., 46, a Wilmington resident playing the role of a captain with the First Delaware Regiment on Friday. "People lost their lives here, shed their blood. This is hallowed ground."

The Civil War Trust, a nonprofit focused on preserving battlefields, has purchased this 10-acre patch in Birmingham Township, known as the Dilworth Farm, for $850,000. It is the first Revolutionary War battlefield to be acquired in Pennsylvania with grants from the American Battlefield Protection Program, financed by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and administered by the National Park Service. Grants were also provided by Chester County and private donations from the Civil War Trust.

The cost was worth it, supporters said at the announcement Friday, and there are plans to preserve more parcels in and around the farm. "When you save battlefields, you create outdoor classrooms," said Jim Lighthizer, president of the trust.

All told, the Brandywine Battlefield sprawled across 35,000 acres of rolling hills and creeks in Chester and Delaware Counties, and it remains the largest single-day battle during the War of Independence. It saw George Washington's Continental army flanked, surprised, and nearly decimated by British Gen. William Howe for hours on Sept. 11, 1777. It was brutal and bloody, but it wasn't the fatal blow Howe had hoped for.

Dilworth Farm had some of the battle's heaviest action and was occupied for days after the British won, historian Andrew Outten said.

American troops retreated and regrouped, defeated in battle but victorious, eventually, in the war.

Rep. Pat Meehan of Pennsylvania's Seventh District, said the battle, despite a loss, offers valuable lessons for all Americans.

"In the end, Washington made a fundamental decision for the first, real time to try to match up toe-to-toe with the British," Meehan said. "It was a decision to make a stand for what eventually became the preservation of this country."

The property will eventually be titled to Birmingham Township, an affluent, 6.4-square-mile community on the border of Delaware County. Birmingham has about 40 percent of its land in preserved open space, said John L. Conklin, chairman of the board of supervisors.

All told, about 400 battlefield acres have been preserved in Chester County.

On Saturday and Sunday, about 800 Revolutionary War reenactors and thousands of spectators were to have gathered down the street from Dilworth at the Sandy Hollow Heritage Park nearby to commemorate the Battle of Brandywine. This weekend is the second time Birmingham has hosted a commemoration of the battle.

"The field we're having this reenactment on is still being farmed," Conklin said. "The township owns it. It's 46 acres and in the middle of it is a farm."

There are a seemingly endless number of properties that could be included in the Battle for Brandywine, and not all are slated to be saved.

One man in the crowd of 200 carried a "Save Crebilly Farm" sign, referring to a 325-acre farm in Westtown Township that is slated for a 317-unit Toll Brothers development. The group Neighbors for Crebilly Farm say the property is also a key piece of the Battle of Brandywine and has been actively fighting to preserve the tract.

"Everybody in the area wants to save this farm. It should be a county park or part of the Brandywine Battlefield," group member Ken Hemphill told Philadelphia Magazine in May.

A parcel that historians and preservationists are eyeing in the area is Osborn Hill, the vantage point from which Howe directed his troops. That 88-acre parcel sits in both Birmingham and Westtown Townships.

"From a strategic point, it was a major element that is not protected by a conservation easement," said Molly K. Morrison, president of Natural Lands, a Media-based nonprofit that preserves open space.

The reenactors who accompanied Friday's ceremony at Dilworth Farm were sweaty and red in their wool by noon, but they would be there all weekend, they said, helping make history come alive with sore feet.

"Imagine wearing dress shoes all weekend out there," Foskey said. "Dress shoes that are two sizes too small."
By PTI: power in polls: VP

New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today expressed concern over the use of money power in elections, saying besides the Election Commission, political parties and voters will have to work together to end the menace.

Addressing a gathering at a book launch here, he said some parties and candidates are evening giving out mangalsutra (symbol of a married woman) as freebies ahead of polls.

advertisement

Batting for simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha, assemblies and local bodies, he said "election fever" throughout the year means longer imposition of the model code due to which developmental work takes a hit.

He also suggested setting up of special election tribunals to dispose of election petitions against candidates which otherwise take years in regular courts. As of now, such petitions can be filed in high courts.

The vice president was of the view that the current provisions of the anti-defection law should be made more stringent as they still give scope to defections.

Referring to the Hindi version of the book on Indian elections by former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi, he said there is need to encourage other languages including Hindi.

He said other Indian languages should not be referred to regional but Indian languages.

Naidu recalled that in his younger days, he had blackened Hindi boards at a post office and a railway station but later regretted when he came to Delhi in 1993 and understood the languages importance. PTI NAB ZMN

--- ENDS ---
Lawyer Stephen Grose (second from left) with Tina Brosius parents Lorraine and Ernest Brosius to his right, after the decision. Read more

HARRISBURG  On Friday evening, Kerri Brosius stood up in front of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and begged for mercy.

The plea was not for herself, but for her mother, Tina Brosius, who has been in prison since Kerri was a child.

Brosius was 18 years old and already the mother of two children in 1994, when she learned she was pregnant again  the result of a date rape. Her father had said if she had another child, he'd put all of them out on the street. She believed him. So, when she gave birth again, she allowed her newborn baby to drown in a portable toilet.

But even after being sentenced to life in prison, Brosius' connection with her two older daughters remained strong. Kerri told the board about all the milestones her mother had missed  and asked them not to let even more time elapse.

"She has grown into a wonderful and supportive mother, and I think it's time for her to be free," she said. "She has paid her debt; 23 years is enough."

The board agreed: All five members recommended clemency. Now it's up to Gov. Wolf to grant it  and there's no deadline for him to do so. But if he does, Brosius will be the first Pennsylvania woman in nearly three decades to win commutation of a life sentence.

Only nine women lifers have received commutations since 1971. The last one was in 1990.

Because life sentences in Pennsylvania exclude the possibility of parole, a commutation  recommended unanimously by the Board of Pardons and signed by the governor  is the only way out of prison for the state's more than 5,000 lifers.

Such acts of clemency have become exceedingly rare. Between 1971 and 1978, 251 lifers including seven women were granted clemency. Commutations practically ceased in the 1990s, after Reginald McFadden, newly released from a life sentence, killed two people and raped a third. So far, Gov. Wolf has granted two commutations of life sentences.

Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, who chairs the Board of Pardons, said the board and its staff are working hard to process more applications, and provide hope when it's merited.

"In many ways, our justice system is broken," he said. "I believe we should be more about second chances in our state, and that's the direction the Board of Pardons has been going in now."

At the hearing, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who sits on the Board of Pardons, noted that Brosius' sentence was "dramatically" longer than what's typical in similar cases in Dauphin County.

Even John Cherry, who was Dauphin County District Attorney when Brosius was convicted of first-degree murder, testified that she had been in prison too long.

He had offered a deal if she pleaded to third-degree murder  at the time, that carried a sentence of 10 to 20 years  but negotiations fell through.

"I'm here because my sense of justice dictates I be here," he said. "A case that should have been resolved as a third-degree sentence ended as one of life imprisonment."

Absent from the proceeding was Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico, the prosecutor on the case in 1995.

Marsico doesn't think commutation is appropriate just yet. "Maybe five or six years down the road."

He considered the nature of the crime and the fact that she has served less time than many of the juvenile lifers currently being resentenced following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that life-without-parole for minors is unconstitutional. (Many of those individuals have been resentenced to 35 years to life, a term informed by current state law.)

Still, many in Brosius' community have stood by her.

On Friday, about 80 members of her family's church chartered buses to attend the hearing, held in Pennsylvania's Supreme Court chambers. For the first time in memory, the Board of Pardons had to ascertain the capacity of the room and print out hand-numbered tickets. More than 40 people were turned away.

In fact, her bid for clemency began at the church, Calvary United Methodist in Harrisburg. Stephen Grose, a Harrisburg litigator and a member of the congregation, had long been aware of her case. "She's been on our church prayer list for the past 15 years at least." In 2011, he conferred with his pastor and decided to help.

"It wasn't asked. It was a calling," he said.

He filed an application with the Board of Pardons in January 2013. It's taken close to five years to wend its way through the system.

Both of Brosius' daughters were there, as well as her parents.

The board members' questions hinted at Brosius' fraught relationship with her father, Ernest, which may have factored into the crime.

Ernest Brosius testified he had mended his relationship with his daughter while she was in prison.

Shapiro quizzed him about his feelings for his daughter: "Clearly, a big part of her emotional stability and well-being comes from the way in which you speak to her and treat her."

Brosius said he was there for his daughter.

Shay Kerns-Barr, a retired official with the Department of Corrections, said Brosius was the most dedicated mother she had ever met in prison.

"Tina came to jail as a child  at 18, I believe she was still a child, and grew into an amazing individual. I believe in my 20 years I spent working in jail, Tina was the one inmate I believed in, the one inmate I thought would make something of her life, and the one inmate I prayed for."
Camden schools are well along in their comeback after four years under state supervision, Gov. Christie said Friday in a sometimes emotional, hour-long speech to students, parents, and officials gathered at the city's newest Renaissance school.

The Republican governor, a frequent visitor to Camden nearing the end of his second and final term, credited his bipartisan partnership with local and state Democratic leaders for turning around the city's ailing school system and other accomplishments.

"Eight years ago, change began to take hold in this city," Christie said, saying the relationship between him and Democratic Camden Mayor Dana Redd took root as they launched bold plans to save the city from increasing crime, infrastructure problems, poverty, and failing schools soon after each of them was elected.

Among the results, Christie said, has been a sharp improvement in the high school graduation rate  from 49 percent in 2013, when the state took control of the school system, to 70 percent in 2016. Nearly 20 charter and Renaissance schools have opened by now, supplementing the traditional schools.

The governor spoke just two days after the state relinquished its often rancorous 22-year control of the Newark, N.J., school system, returning it to local control. But he did not indicate how much longer Camden would remain under state supervision and left without taking questions from reporters.

The school systems in Jersey City and Paterson also were placed under state supervision when officials determined they were failing their students. Jersey City schools were returned to local control earlier this year.

Christie posed for pictures with students who attend the newest Renaissance school  the KIPP Cooper Norcross Whittier Middle School. The school opened last month in the renovated building of a public school, built in 1910, that was forced to close two years ago because it had fallen into disrepair.

Christie spoke before an enthusiastic crowd of about 150 officials, parents, and students who gathered at the school to hear his remarks about improvements that have been made to the city's education system.

But the Camden Education Association, in a news release Friday, said that Christie, Redd, state-appointed Schools Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard, South Jersey Democratic political leader George E. Norcross III, Congressman Donald Norcross (D., Camden), and other officials had "used political connections, driven by financial and ideological interests, to exploit the Camden community; its residents, and its children."

The teachers union accused Rouhanifard of using a "politically orchestrated state takeover" to close at least six neighborhood schools to make way for Renaissance school operators to take over the buildings and to make a profit. Renaissance schools are privately operated, but publicly funded. They are open to all of the students residing in the schools' neighborhoods. These schools and charter schools are alternatives to traditional public schools that serve more than half of the city's 15,000 students.

Keith Benson, president of the CEA, could not be reached for comment; there were no visible protests or other union presence at the event. The CEA release said that there was "little empirical evidence" to prove the state takeover had improved the education offered to the city's students and that residents should identify and examine "who is doing the educating."

Rouhanifard, who spoke at the Kipp school before Christie, disputed the union's assertions in an interview after the event.

"The only people benefiting are the kids. This school is run by a nonprofit that opened the doors to better serve the kids. If they had not done this, the building would still be vacant," he said.

The superintendent also said that after the state supervision started, there was a 53 percent reduction in school suspensions, and more than $323 million in capital improvements were made to about 13 schools.

Sharell Sharp was among the parents who attended the event. Her daughter, Trinity Holland, 13, is enrolled in the Cramer Hill Mastery Renaissance school. "It's excellent, I love it," Sharp said. "Prior to Mastery, my daughter struggled significantly with reading.  She's jumped up three reading levels."

Redd said that Camden has become Christie's "second home" and that he is always welcome. He had helped her and other officials "create a national model for working together" to help revitalize the city and its schools. "This partnership between Gov. Christie and myself opened the way for school choice and real reform," she said.
President Donald Trump meets with people impacted by Hurricane Irma as he hands out food at Naples Estates, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Naples, Fla. Read more

Update: Not hearing back from either Wawa or the PrimoHoagies franchise, we will instead defer to readers who responded and said the hoagies were made by Publix, the supermarket chain with a major presence in Florida. Said one: "The platter holding the hoagies  is a common platter from Publix Supermarkets. They do make good hoagies as well." So Publix it is and a hats off to them.

Earlier story:

On Thursday, President Trump went to Florida to inspect damage from Hurricane Irma and, while visiting a mobile home estate in Naples, handed out sandwiches and fruit at a staging center there.

No less than the New York Times and the Associated Press both called the sandwiches "hoagies," a term neither usually uses outside of a Philadelphia context. (It certainly looks like hoagies in the tray in the photo above.)

While hoagies are a staple of South Philly, that really can't be said about South Florida  at least not yet. And the mention of them being handed out by the president during a visit to a disaster zone made us wonder: Who made them?

Our suspicions immediately fell on Wawa. The Delaware County-based empire of convenience stores cum gas stations has opened 115 locations in the Sunshine State in recent years and has plans for dozens more. One of the operating stores is on Radio Road, not far from the Naples Estates mobile home development the president visited Thursday. But Wawa hasn't replied to email and telephone requests for comment.

An Internet search turned up another possibility with a local tie: PrimoHoagies. The Gloucester County-based firm has three franchises in Florida, including one Vanderbilt Beach Road in Naples. Corporate directed us to the to the manager there. We have reached out to him, but have not heard back.

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As the states budget impasse drags on, Gov. Wolf said Friday he will have to start withholding payments to Medicaid providers. Read more

HARRISBURG  With the state's cash running low, Gov. Wolf on Friday said he was forced to withhold nearly $1.2 billion in payments to Medicaid program providers.

In a short statement, the governor said his administration will be unable for at least a week to make the payments to managed care organizations, the private health insurers that cover many of the state's neediest children, elderly, and disabled residents. Insurance industry officials said Wolf's move is unlikely to interrupt services for Medicaid recipients but could affect the business side.

Wolf also said that come next week, his administration will also have to delay a scheduled $581 million payout for the state's share of pension obligations to public school teachers and employees.

It is the second time in the last three years that lawmakers and the governor have headed into the fall without a complete budget in place, forcing tough choices about which bills to pay and where to cut spending. No political solution is in sight to the impasse between the Republican legislature and the Democratic governor, although Wolf is expected to speak with legislative leaders over the weekend to try to jump-start negotiations.

The governor has warned that without a completed budget, other funding may be in jeopardy too, including money for schools and roads.

"There is some real hardship for people and institutions that people in this building really care about, that people of Pennsylvania really care about," Wolf said in an interview this week with the Inquirer and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, in describing his limited options in managing the impasse.

The announcement comes at a time when the balance in the state's primary bank account is careening toward zero and when the state's budget remains out of balance  making some key state officials hesitant to approve a loan.

Legislators passed a nearly $32 billion spending plan late on June 30, just hours before the start of the new fiscal year. But nearly two-and-a-half months later, they have yet to enact a plan to pay for it. The deficit stands at $2.2 billion.

The House and Senate each passed sharply different revenue bills, by narrow margins. Many expect their leaders to negotiate a compromise that will land somewhere in the middle, but no one has budged  in public, at least.

Wolf has said for weeks that Friday was to be a day of reckoning of sorts, since Medicaid payments to providers were due.

Such payment delays to managed care organizations have occurred in the past, forcing them to borrow money to continue paying doctors and others who care for the low-income residents who qualify for Medicaid.

"It shouldn't impact patients and their access to care, which is the most important part of this issue. It does make the business side of the insurance equation a little messier  but, again, it won't be the first time for that," said Samuel Marshall, president and CEO of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, which represents many health insurers.

Jawanza A. Keita, director of corporate communications for AmeriHealth Caritas, one of the state's managed care organizations, said in a statement that Wolf's decision to delay payments "will not impact our services."

"The health and well-being of our members is our top priority," Keita said.

A spokesperson for Aetna Better Health would not comment, while a spokeswoman for UPMC For You said the organization was reviewing the impact.

The revenue plan passed by the Republican-controlled Senate earlier this summer seeks to balance the budget through a mix of borrowing and new and increased taxes, including a new levy on natural gas drilling. But tax-averse fellow Republicans in the House were opposed to many parts of that.

Earlier this week, the House approved a plan that would balance the budget by borrowing against the state's share of landmark tobacco settlement, expanding gambling, and pulling money from special funds that pay for things such as mass transit, environmental projects, and parks. Democrats have questioned the legality of those transfers.

State treasurer Joe Torsella, a Democrat, had helped the state manage the impasse through a short-term line of credit, but he has said he will not approve further loans without a revenue package in place.

Rep. Stan Saylor (R., York), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, sent a letter Thursday to Torsella and state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale urging them to help.

He said that cuts to state agencies, schools, health-care providers, or human services would be "extremely harmful." He also noted that the House passed a revenue plan on Wednesday of this week, and that Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) issued a statement saying his chamber recognized "the urgency of the situation" and promised to "act swiftly to address the needs of the Commonwealth."

The out-of-balance state budget is the subject of a lawsuit filed Thursday by two private citizens and state Rep. Jim Christiana (R., Beaver). They argue that the state's constitution requires a balanced budget and puts the onus for that on both the governor and legislators.

The three are seeking to declare various Democratic leaders' actions unconstitutional, to require the secretary of the budget office to freeze spending "until expenditures balance with available revenues," and to prohibit state officials from borrowing money.

Staff writer Don Sapatkin contributed to this story.
Silver Wings International member Pauline Fazio shows off the TWA tattoo on her thigh during their yearly convention Saturday. Read more

In a room full of people who loved being airline stewardesses for Trans World Airlines during the golden age of the jet, Paulette Fazio really loved the job.

Fazio, 70, of Pittsburgh, was one of about 200 TWA retirees who gathered in a hotel conference room in Old City for their annual Silver Wings International conference Saturday morning. The room was full of midcentury modern women and a handful of men who'd spent most of their lives lugging luggage between home, hotels, and international flights to Paris and Rome before suitcases had wheels.

Fazio was carrying a vintage TWA flight attendant bag but said "Oh please, that's nothing" and left the room for a few minutes. When she returned, she was wearing a TWA shirt, a company button with a seagull on it, and a tropical-colored beanie none of the attendants ever loved.

Those items also paled in comparison with what was under Fazio's shorts. The TWA tattoo on her upper thigh, upside down to any eyes but hers, was a birthday gift she gave herself.

"TWA is in my heart, so it might as well be on my body," Fazio said as the women around her burst into laughter.

It was that kind of day at the Wyndham: mostly a family-reunion feel with some comedy skits in between and perhaps a slight bachelorette-party vibe for the ones hollering about martinis from the back of the room.

"I had to fight back tears a lot this morning," said Elaine Coleman, 78, of Teaneck, N.J.

The iconic airline began flights in 1924 but didn't truly take off until Howard Hughes, the famous Hollywood mogul, aviator, and eventual recluse, took over in 1939 and helped usher in the jet age. TWA's last flight was on Dec. 1, 2001, from Kansas City to St. Louis, but Silver Wings began earlier, in 1987, so former attendants could "celebrate the pride and dignity of their chosen profession." The group has about 900 members.

"It was a family more than anything," said Erica Ruitenbach, 70, of Palm Springs, Calif. "It was our life."

They hugged one another all morning, asking where they flew out of and if they'd heard from so-and-so or whether they thought the conference room was too cold or too hot. A card was passed around for one flight attendant who'd had kidney surgery. One man sneaked out early to go to the Barnes museum.

Many of the attendants lamented over the long-gone days of civilized air travel, when men wore suits and women donned gloves  not pajama bottoms and yoga pants. Many went to college before joining TWA and spoke three languages.

Flying is just meaner today, they said, and that includes the ruthless airlines overbooking flights and the entitled passengers.

"Today, it's more like a bus in the sky," Ruitenbach said.

Nearly all of them picked Rome as their favorite destination  the shopping, the food, the sights. Layovers were bellissima.

"I mean, I'm Italian, why even ask me that? Rome is Rome," Fazio said.

Still, there's a lot they don't miss, including hopping on the scale to keep the job or bra checks often done by a male boss. Each passenger was given four Winston cigarettes per flight and the "no smoking" section was more of an inside joke.

"They had little curtains, but they didn't do anything," said former attendant Laurie Lees.

The highlight of Saturday's meeting was a presentation about the forthcoming hotel in the old TWA terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens. The sweeping concrete terminal is a temple to aviation, a masterpiece seemingly out of the Jetsons designed by Finnish-born architect Eero Saarinen in 1962 and dark since 2001.

Kaunteya Chitnis of MCR Development wooed the crowd as if he were putting on a fireworks display, showing slides of the 505 rooms that will be built there, the attendants' old designer uniforms, and a prop-driven Lockheed Constellation that will become a reservations-only lounge in the new hotel.

"It's going to be the most iconic hotel in the world," Chitnis said.

The attendants had a lot of questions: Would the hotel preserve the briefing rooms where attendants met? Could the Silver Wings be flown there for the grand opening? Why not build more "Connie" lounges to imbibe in?

There were some minor corrections about who designed what uniform.

"The powder blue Ralph Lauren was my favorite," whispered Bonnie Blake, 69, of The Villages, Fla.

Mostly, the retired flight attendants woo-hooed and clapped in approval, and at least one pointed out that the hotel and the history of TWA would live on long after them.

"This is all I ever wanted to do," said Sharon Graves, 69, of Stamford, Conn., who still works as an attendant. "It was in my high school yearbook as a future goal."
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) Lessons taught by ancestors on conserving the environment have been forgotten and global warming "is a message from God" for course correction, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.

Vardhan said various international agreements on environment and climate change will not show results unless work in carried out at the ground level.

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He, however, lauded the international community for coming together to address the problem of global warming that threatens the world.

"Our ancestors handed over to us clean rivers, rich fertile land, pure air, forest. But in the process of improving our lives, we did things that led to degradation of environment. This is why God has sent us a message under the name of global warming and climate change," he said.

Vardhan was speaking at an event organised on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol.

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.

The minister also urged all stakeholders, including the industry and the consumers, to move towards more environment friendly cooling agents used in refrigerators and air- conditioners.

Citing the Montreal Protocol, Vardhan said such treaties under the aegis of the United Nations have helped achieve many important milestones to conserve the environment.

The Minister also spoke of the strong policy leadership given by India during the negotiations for the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

Under the amendment, three different schedules have been set for countries to freeze and then reduce the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The developed countries, led by the US and Europe, will reduce HFC use by 85 per cent by 2036 over a 2011-13 baseline

China, which is the largest producer of HFCs in the world, will reduce HFC use by 80 per cent by 2045 over the 2020-22 baseline. India will reduce the use of HFCs by 85 per cent over the 2024-26 baseline. PTI PR RT

--- ENDS ---
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By Jeff Mason and Roberta Rampton

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  President Donald Trump will pummel foes and embrace friends in his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week, keeping pressure on Washingtons adversaries North Korea and Iran, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said on Friday.

Briefing reporters ahead of the annual U.N. meeting, Haley and White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster took a tough line on North Korea, warning that a military option to deal with its nuclear threats was available.

Trump will meet with leaders from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America throughout the week, but his remarks, scheduled for Tuesday morning, will be the presidents highest profile opportunity to explain his foreign policy vision couched in his America first agenda.

I personally think he slaps the right people, he hugs the right people, and he comes out with (the) U.S. being very strong, in the end, Haley, speaking at the White House, said of Trumps speech.

Haley declined to say whether Trump would commit Washington to maintaining its current level of funding for the 193-nation body. Trump has complained that the United States funds 22 percent of the U.N. budget and nearly 30 percent of U.N. peacekeeping duties.

Trump will kick off the week with a meeting about U.N. reform on Monday. He will then have meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that will focus on Iran, McMaster said. Trump has dinner scheduled with Latin American leaders.

On Tuesday, he will meet Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Trump said last week he would be willing to mediate the worst dispute in decades between Qatar and U.S.-allied Arab states.

On Wednesday, he will meet with leaders from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Britain and Egypt and on Thursday there are talks scheduled with leaders from Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine before holding a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan.

McMaster said it was unlikely that Trump would speak to Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, whom the White House has sanctioned and called a dictator.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Roberta Rampton; editing by Grant McCool)
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A month after a white supremacist demonstration in Charlottesville turned violent, California is sending a powerful message to Washington that Donald Trumps response to the racially driven terror attack is unacceptable.

A new resolution passed by the lower house of the California legislature is asking the U.S. Congress to formally censure Trump, with one lawmaker in the state saying, We will no longer tolerate his behavior.

The leader of the free world cant continue to use language that legitimizes the actions of extremists groups that promote hate, Assemblymember Tony Thurmond said in the statement. Congress must exercise its power to check the president by voting for his immediate censure.

In the unlikely scenario that a Republican-controlled Congress would censure the current president, it would make Trump the first occupant of the Oval Office to be censured since 1834, though Congress eventually expunged the censure three years later.

According to The Hill, California is asking other states to join them in passing similar measures and to urge the president to publicly apologize to all Americans for his racist and bigoted behavior.

The bill passed in California comes after the president signed a resolution of his own condemning the attacks in Charlottesville. During the signing of the measure, though, Trump again refused to name specific hate groups and instead chose to denounce racism in all forms.

We condemn the recent violence in Charlottesville and oppose hatred, bigotry, and racism in all forms, Trump said on Thursday.

A mere hours before that, Trump doubled down on earlier off-the-cuff comments he made about Charlottesville, saying that both sides share the blame for the violence.

You have some pretty bad dudes on the other side also, Trump said, again equivocating counterprotesters with white supremacists. When you look at really whats happened since Charlottesville, a lot of people are saying and people have actually written, Gee Trump may have a point.'

No, Donald Trump has no point, but the state of California certainly does. Its time for Congress to act to hold this president accountable.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Partly cloudy. High 62F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Thunder possible. Low 54F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Across the U.S., women veterans share some of the same experiences, including PTSD, sexual trauma and other inequities related to a culture of gender bias in the military. Women veterans in the Lowcountry are no different, which is why Brooke Jackson Kahn started her nonprofit, She's the Veteran. Read moreWomen veterans often feel overlooked, lack mental health treatment and other resources
By PTI: (Eds: With details from the press conference of ACB SP)

Panaji, Sep 16 (PTI) Hours after filing FIR against senior Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar, the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Goa Police today did not rule out the possibility of his custodial interrogation.

ACB which has been investigating the complaint of disproportionate assets filed against Kavlekar in the year 2012, last evening registered FIR against him under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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"Kavlekar has still not been able to satisfy the investigating agencies about the additional source of income to the tune of Rs 5 crore," Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George told reporters here.

"If he fails to give a satisfactory reply, we might need his custodial interrogation," he said.

George said the FIR also names his wife, Savitri, as the co-accused as she is the director in his company.

"As of now the disproportionate assets have been valued at over Rs 4.78 crore excluding the unexplained amount of Rs 5.50 crore," George said.

He said Kavlekars wife might also be summoned for questioning by ACB as a part of the investigation.

The couple have been booked under section 13 (2) (any public servant who commits criminal misconduct) of Prevention of Corruption Act.

Kavlekar, who is the leader of opposition in the Goa assembly, was chairman of Goa Industrial Corporation from 2005-2012, George said, adding, assets amassed during this period are under scanner.

During investigation, Kavlekar was questioned but he has not been able to give satisfactory replies because of which we had to register the case.

The Kavlekar couple had filed their assets as Rs one crore each before the institution of Lokayukta (elected representatives have to file the details of their assets with the Lokayukta).

George said that it took time for the police to file FIR as some of his properties were in Kerala and the documents about it were in Malayalam which needed to be translated.

He said the searches are going on at his residences and offices of his company.

George said the legislator owns four companies.

When contacted, Kavlekar said he is ready for inquiry by ACB or any other agency.

"I am not on the wrong side. I am ready for inquiry," he said, adding, the state government was trying its best to demoralise the opposition through such tactics.

Kavlekar is a three term member of Goa assembly and was Chairman of state run Goa Industrial Development Corporation during the tenure of Digambar Kamat.

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In 2012, Goa police had filed a case against Kavlekar under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, taking suo moto cognisance of some media reports alleging his involvement in illegal allotment of plots.

The investigations had also revealed that Kavlekar owned a plantation worth Rs 32.5 crore in Kerala. PTI RPS RMT BAS

--- ENDS ---
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
Minnesota's all-important summer tourism season showed a continuation of the state's upward tourism business trend.

A recent survey of the state's lodging properties leading into the Labor Day weekend indicated that summer revenue was up for 42 percent of survey respondents and occupancy was up for 35 percent. By comparison, some 30 percent said revenue was down and 31 percent reported decreased summer occupancy.

The survey noted some conflicting trends: The hotel and motel sector reported decreased occupancy due to significant supply growth of new hotel rooms in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan region. The increased supply of hotel rooms exceeded recent demand growth.

In contrast, however, Minnesota resorts and campgrounds experienced stronger revenue and occupancy growth this summer.

Overall, 81.5 percent of the respondents rated their current financial health as positive. About one-third of those reported their business is growing.

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The survey was completed by state lodging businesses, including hotels and motels, resorts, B&Bs, campgrounds and vacation home rentals.

The summer travel season in Minnesota is vital to the state's economy  it accounts for 37 percent of annual expenditures that contributes to a $14.4 billion tourism economy.

The survey was undertaken by Explore Minnesota , the state's tourism promotion office. Its director/CEO John Erdman said, "Overall it's been a good summer, and these results indicate that tourism is steady and contributes to the state's economy. From big summer events and lakeside getaways to new hotels, there's always something happening here. Minnesota is an appealing, close-to-home getaway for our core target market and we continue to attract travelers from farther away."

"The year 2017 has been a great year for Minnesota tourism and the momentum will continue to pick up steam as we head into 2018 with high-profile events like Super Bowl 52, Red Bull Crashed Ice, NCAA Frozen Four and X Games shining an even brighter spotlight on our state," Erdman said.

Paris popular

Despite terrorist incidents and threats in France and elsewhere, Paris is on track to welcome more tourists this year than ever after a bumper first half of the year.

The Paris region, according to Travel Wire News, registered 16.4 million arrivals in the six months to June -- the most in any first half of the year since current records began in 2008. The figure confirms a strong recovery from a lull that followed Islamist attacks in the French capital in November 2015 that killed 130 people.
A Rochester man faces multiple charges after authorities say he refused to obey a pair of domestic abuse no contact orders  going so far as to enter the victim's home and climb into bed with her.

Cody Allen Ambrose, 22, made his initial appearance Wednesday in Olmsted County District, where he's been charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and one count of pattern of stalking conduct, all felonies, as well as four gross misdemeanor counts of violating a DANCO.

He remains in custody in lieu of $80,000 unconditional bail and is due back in court Oct. 5.

On July 25, Ambrose pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in exchange for dismissal of a domestic assault charge arising from an incident with a woman.

The first DANCO was issued as a term of his sentence, and was served on him in court that day, prohibiting him from having any contact with the woman and ordering him to stay more than 100 yards away from her residence.

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The following day, Ambrose was arrested for and charged with, among other things, felony fleeing in a motor vehicle, and was ultimately released on $7,500 conditional bail.

The morning of Aug. 27, the victim called police to report that she'd woken up about 5 a.m. that day and discovered Ambrose in bed next to her, the criminal complaint says.

She "freaked out," she said, and contacted law enforcement. The woman told the officer she'd been receiving text messages from Ambrose; in one of them, he admitted to being in her house that morning, and said he left several items on her vehicle, the court document says.

The officer's report notes two texts on Aug. 26 and seven on Aug. 27. He also saw a balloon reading "I'm sorry" attached to the woman's car, and a bottle of chocolate milk, flowers and some candy.

Police called Ambrose, who denied the visit and the messages. Officers couldn't find him that day.

On Aug. 28, Ambrose was arraigned on new charges for violating the DANCO on Aug. 14, 16 and 18. A second DANCO was issued and personally served on him in open court.

The next day, officers responded to a report of an argument: It was between Ambrose and the victim, the documents say. The woman told police Ambrose had entered her home again the night before while she slept and took her iPad.

He reportedly confirmed he had it, but said she had to come to his home and talk if she wanted the iPad back. The woman complied, but Ambrose refused to return it when she arrived, prompting the argument.

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The victim said Ambrose was still sending her text messages, the complaint says, and felt "terrified" and "extremely threatened" by him. She feared Ambrose "may kill or seriously injure her as his behavior continues to escalate," the report says.

Ambrose was found and arrested early Aug. 31, and allegedly admitted violating the DANCO by contacting the woman.
By PTI: (Eds: Adding Cong reax and more quotes)

Panaji, Sep 16 (PTI) The Leader of the Opposition in Goa Assembly, Chandrakant Kavlekar, and his wife have been booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income, a development the Congress termed as "politically motivated".

The agency has valued the "disproportionate assets" at over Rs 4.78 crore excluding the "unexplained amount" of Rs 5.50 crore.

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The ACB, which has been probing the matter since 2012, registered the FIR against the Congress leader and his wife Savitri under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act last evening.

When contacted, Kavlekar said he had done nothing wrong and was ready for an inquiry by the ACB or any other agency.

He alleged that it was a tactic by the government to "demoralise" the opposition.

A senior ACB official said the possibility of custodial interrogation of Kavlekar could not be ruled out.

"Kavlekar has still not been able to satisfy the investigating agencies about the additional source of income to the tune of Rs 5 crore," Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George told reporters here.

If he fails to give a satisfactory reply, we might conduct custodial interrogation, he said.

George said the FIR also names his wife Savitri as a co-accused as she is the director in his company.

"As of now the disproportionate assets have been valued at over Rs 4.78 crore excluding the unexplained amount of Rs 5.50 crore," George said.

He said Kavlekars wife might also be summoned for questioning by the ACB as a part of the investigation.

The couple has been booked under Section 13 (2) (any public servant who commits criminal misconduct) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Kavlekar was chairman of Goa Industrial Corporation from 2005-2012, George said, adding, assets amassed during this period are under scanner.

During the investigation, Kavlekar was questioned but "he had not been able to give satisfactory replies because of which we had to register the case", the officer said.

The Kavlekars had filed their assets as Rs 1 crore each before the institution of Lokayukta.

Elected representatives are bound to file the details of their assets with the Lokayukta.

George said it took time for the police to file the FIR as some of his properties are in Kerala and the related documents are in Malayalam, which needed to be translated.

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He said the searches are going on at Kavlekars residences and offices of his companies.

George claimed the legislator owns four companies, including a firm that takes up civil works contracts.

Reacting to the development, Kavlekar said, "I am not on the wrong side. I am ready for an inquiry. The state government is trying its best to demoralise the opposition through such tactics," he alleged.

Kavlekar, currently outside Goa, told PTI he had already informed Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar about his visit outside the state.

"I will reach Goa either tonight or tomorrow," he said.

The Congress leader said he would not seek the pre-arrest bail.

"There is no question of moving for an anticipatory bail. I have cooperated with the police in the past and will do so now as well," he said.

Kavlekar is a third time member of the Goa Assembly. He currently represents the Quepem constituency.

He was the chairman of the state-run Goa Industrial Development Corporation when his party was in power.

In 2012, the Goa Police had filed a case against Kavlekar under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, taking cognisance of media reports alleging his involvement in illegal allotment of plots.

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The investigations had revealed that Kavlekar owned a plantation worth Rs 32.5 crore in Kerala, officials claimed.

Meanwhile, state Congress unit president Shantaram Naik said the case registered against the Kavlekars and the searches are "malicious and politically motivated".

"The raids and the case against him arepolitically motivated and malicious. The searches are carried out with an ulterior motive of compelling Congress MLAs to join the BJP under duress," Naik told reporters here.

He said the raids are being conducted despite Kavlekar cooperating with the agencies in the past.

"Considering the background of the formation of the present government, the Congress suspects that there is some maliciousand ulterior motive behind the raid. It is learnt that some MLAs of Congress were threatened with a probe if they dont toe the line of the BJP," Naik alleged. PTI RPS RMT NM NSK GVS

--- ENDS ---
Augsburg is celebrating its change from a "college" to a "university" with a ceremony at its Rochester location on Monday.

The university will celebrate with a ribbon cutting sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. The program will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Augsburg's Rochester location within Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Ave. SE.

"As 'Augsburg University,' we embrace our leadership role as a university at the forefront of intentional diversity, equity and inclusion," said Augsburg University President Paul C. Pribbenow in a news release.

The Minneapolis-based college has had a Rochester presence since 1998. The school's current offerings include undergraduate and graduate degree programs in nursing, accounting, finance, management and education.

The school made the official name change to a university on Sept. 1 to reflect the college's nine graduate degree programs, in addition to its more than 50 undergraduate degree programs.
AUSTIN  It's all preliminary at this point, but just the prospect of Hy-Vee opening a distribution center in Austin has city officials giddy.

"This project would be a great boost for our community that will only get better with time," City Administrator Craig Clark said.

On Friday, Hy-Vee announced it was "exploring preliminary plans to build a distribution center over several phases" in Austin. A 150-acre site north of Interstate 90 on the western edge of the city was being considered as the project site.

While Hy-Vee does not currently own the property, the company stated that if all went to plan, construction could start on the first phase of the facility in 2019. Austin was being considered for the distribution center because of the city's "centralized location in the company's eight-state territory and interstate access, as well as the community's ample workforce."

Hy-Vee now owns and operates distribution centers in Cherokee, Iowa, and Chariton, Iowa.

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News of the distribution center plans come just months after Hy-Vee opened a new grocery store at the former site of Oak Park Mall.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Austin, and we are excited to continue our great relationship with Hy-Vee," Mayor Tom Stiehm said Friday.

John Garry, executive director of Development Corp. of Austin, said that Hy-Vee's plans would bring positive effects for local economic growth. He said that local contractors and retail establishments would see a "substantial increase in revenue" if the distribution center is built.

The planned distribution center would bring significant economic impact, including out-of-town construction spending, work for local contractors, increased demand for professional and retail service providers, increased local sales tax revenue and increased real estate transactions.

Clark said the center could help diversify the city's tax base and expand utility customer base, while also creating an expansion of employment options in Austin.

The city, Clark said, is "ecstatic" about the announcement.
RED WING  Red Wing Shoes Co. announced its commitment of $500,000 to support recovery efforts for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Partnering up with Good360  a leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving  Red Wing Shoe provided disaster victims with needed goods during the rebuilding and recovery process that was left after Harvey's devastation.

The donation included work boots, coveralls that are suited for cleaning up, as well as socks and footwear for those directly affected by the storm. The company's philanthropic arm, Red Wing Shoes Co. Foundation, also will contribute through its Partners in Sharing, which matches employee and retiree monetary donations to qualified charities.

Mark Urdahl, CEO of Red Wing Shoes, stated the Houston area had a significant connection to Red Wing Shoe since the 1920s, when the company established its North America operating hub.

"Our thoughts are with our own employees, dealers, customers and the community at-large affected by the deadly storms," Urdahl said. "The hard work of rebuilding will go on for years, and we want Texas to know that Red Wing is committed to helping the region with its recovery."
The Rochester City Council will take aim Monday at proposed guidelines for building indoor gun ranges in the city.

During its 7 p.m. meeting in the council chambers of the city-county Government Center, 151 4th St. SE, the council will hear testimony regarding a proposed ordinance change to place conditions on such ranges.

Much of the proposed ordinance reinforces state and federal construction and safety regulations.

Council member Ed Hruska, who raised concern earlier this year about the lack of city guidelines after discovering an indoor gun range is planned on two acres at 5105 Commercial Drive SW, said creating local guidelines can reinforce existing standards and potentially add local controls.

"I think that's just some clarity on that to show people they are covered," he said.

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While the proposed ordinance is intended to cover any new development within the city, its timing has put much of the focus on the proposed Heartland Gun Club and Range, which filed an initial site development plan for the Commercial Drive site in April.

On Aug. 23, the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend the city maintain current guidelines after hearing testimony from Heartland developers and neighbors.

Much of the commissioners' discussion focused on two issues: the distance between a gun range and existing homes and policies regarding alcohol at a gun range.

Distance

The proposed ordinance leaves questions to be answered regarding the distance required between a gun range and existing homes. As written it would require either 500 feet between a home and the gun range or that the range be 500 feet from a property line in a residential district.

Mark Engel, planning services supervisor for the Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department, said the 500-foot proposal could be changed as the council considers potential action.

Pat Egan, the Twin Cities developer representing Heartland investors, called the distance an added burden that could scuttle the project depending on measurement requirements. He points to several Minnesota communities that have similar gun ranges close to homes without incident.

Bruce Blatti, however, said he and other neighbors simply want to know they will be safe. They have suggested a 1,200-foot setback would be more appropriate.

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While existing design guidelines may keep neighbors safe from bullets fired within the facility, he voiced concerns about the potential for loaded weapons being transferred to and from any range in the city.

"There's always the distinct possibility of an accidental discharge," he said, voicing doubt that 500 feet would keep neighbors safe.

While noise concerns have been a factor in discussing distance setbacks, Hal Henderson, an HGA architect working on the proposed range, said distance isn't a factor when it comes to noise, since state guidelines set noise limits for a gun range. He said noise is contained by design of the facility, rather than the distance.

Alcohol use

Public comment, as well as letters submitted to the city, have raised concerns about the potential for alcohol use at a gun range.

Based on comments from neighbors and others, the concerns appear to stem from the Heartland plans, which show a proposed Patriot Lounge on the site.

Egan has said the lounge and related club are meant to be membership perks, allowing members opportunities to relax with their families or business associates, but alcohol consumption is not planned.

"Alcohol and guns do not mix," he said.

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Additionally, he said a range safety officer would ensure no one under the influence of alcohol or drugs was using the range.

"If that's true, that's good news," said Blatti, who added he remains skeptical.

He said he's hoping the council can put more teeth into existing protections.

State and local law do not allow gun ranges to receive liquor permits, but the proposed requirements for a permit to build a gun range would go a step further by banning anyone from possessing alcohol at a gun range.

Blatti said he'd like to see the additional prohibition of alcohol on site added to ensure public safety.

The proposed ordinance is the eighth public hearing on the city council's agenda Monday night. Following testimony on the issue, the council will discuss how it wishes to continue.

Hruska said he's not willing to predict whether a decision will be made during the meeting.

"We'll have to see how it plays out," he said, noting the goal is to respond to concerns and find the right direction for the city.
PRESTON  Frustrated by the lack of a veterans home in southeast Minnesota, community leaders in Fillmore County are banding together to change that.

Don Gildner is among those helping lead the charge. A semiretired farmer and U.S. Army veteran, Gildner said aging veterans should have the option of going to a veterans home nearby.

"If you are going to place somebody 200 miles away, It's awful hard for their families to come see them on a regular basis, and we just feel we could really use one in this corner of the state," said Gildner, who is co-chairman of a committee working to get a home built in Preston.

But getting a new state veterans home built in Fillmore County won't be easy. For starters, the Minnesota Legislature would need to set aside $10 million for the project to cover one-third of the home's estimated $30 million price tag. Lawmakers also need to identify how the state would pay for three years of operating costs for the home. And two other Minnesota communities  Bemidji and Montevideo  also want a state veterans home built in their cities.

Even if legislators allocate the money for a Fillmore County home, which would be built in Preston or Spring Valley, the project then would have to compete for money at the federal level. Still, supporters of the Fillmore County effort say they've got the data to prove a home is needed in the region.

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Reports shows need for home

There are five state veterans homes in Minnesota with locations in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay. Combined, these homes have a waiting list of about 1,053, according to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans who were honorably discharged and their spouses are eligible for nursing home-type care in these facilities.

Efforts to get a state veterans home built in Fillmore County started about three years ago, said Cathy Enerson, Economic Development Authority director for Preston and Spring Valley. She said the two communities pitched in to fund a needs assessment for the home. That report found there are 22,294 veterans aged 65 and older who live within a 90-mile radius of Fillmore County. The report concludes there is significant demand until at least 2040 to support a 100-bed nursing facility.

Preston has volunteered to donate 15 acres of land for the home, and Spring Valley has offered to donate 29 acres, Enerson said. The decision on where the home would be built would be left up to state and federal officials.

Enerson said having a veterans home built in Fillmore County would not only benefit local veterans but also be a boost for the economy as a whole.

"It's estimated that there would be 140 jobs with that. And that's where some of the long-lasting economic impact is," Enerson said.

Plenty of political hurdles

The project will have to clear plenty of political and bureaucratic hurdles to advance. For starters, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has determined Minnesota can add up to 200 licensed beds statewide. Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, and Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, both have introduced bills seeking $10 million to build a 140-bed veterans home in Fillmore County. Another bill seeks $16 million to build homes in Montevideo and Bemidji.

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Davids said he will be pushing hard to get funding for the Fillmore County veterans home in a statewide construction bill next year. He said a state government budget bill passed this session had $10 million in it to fund construction and operation of a veterans home. That funding was stripped out after Gov. Mark Dayton voiced concerns about it. Dayton vetoed an earlier version of the bill and wrote in his veto message that the $10 million was insufficient to cover the state's share of construction and operational costs and that the measure failed to adequately fund needs at existing veterans homes.

Davids said he was dismayed by the governor's lack of support for the $10 million in funding for a new veterans home. He said that funding would have shown the federal government the state is serious about the project.

"The governor killed the funding for it. Period, end of story," Davids said.

But in a statement, the governor's office pushes back saying lawmakers are the ones to blame for the lack of funding. It states legislators failed to do a "responsible evaluation" of the cost to build a new home and operate it.

"In the final negotiations, once they had made their political show for a new veterans home, they readily dropped the funding for it. Gov. Dayton proposed the responsible course of action: to make a comprehensive assessment of the project's total costs before the next legislative session. His administration will make that analysis," the statement says.

Even if the Fillmore County veterans home secures state dollars, it will face serious competition at the federal level. Ben Johnson, legislative director for the state's veterans affairs department, said projects with state matching funds are given higher priority at the federal level. However, requests far outpace the amount of available funding.

For instance, this year the proposed federal funding level is $90 million. That usually covers work on 15 to 18 state veterans homes nationwide. The majority of those dollars generally go to health and safety upgrades at existing facilities.

"There are only ever a couple of new construction projects that get federal matching grants, and it's all 50 states competing for the same pool of money," Johnson said.

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'Tremendous' local support

Nonetheless, Fillmore County supporters remain determined to push ahead. They have met with staff from 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz's office to talk about the project. Walz is the lead Democrat on the House's Committee on Veteran's Affairs. In a statement, Walz's office said, "There's a need for expanded long-term care services for veterans in southeastern Minnesota. Rep. Walz stands ready to assist the Fillmore County community in getting answers on questions they may have from the federal government as they move forward."

Bill Rohe is co-chairman of a committee seeking to get the veterans home built in Spring Valley. He said community support for the project has been incredible.

"It's tremendous. I don't know that I've heard a negative word on the whole thing," he said.

Despite the challenges, Rohe said he is optimistic that eventually a home will be built in Fillmore County.

"We just keep going," he said. "We knew it was not going to happen overnight."
President Trump's announcement that he'll end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals initiative within six months has triggered a passionate national debate about the program and what should happen next.

DACA is an immigration policy initiated by the Obama administration in June 2012 that allows some people who entered the country illegally as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit.

While a six-month phase out has been ordered by Trump, the political conversation has ratcheted up without hesitation. Here's a look at both sides of the matter, with links to the sources posted online.

KEEP DACA

Supporters say it's constitutional.

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While DACA's constitutionality hasn't been determined by the courts, according to the fact-check website PolitiFacts , supporters say it's constitutional as an executive action. "'Millions of people have benefitted from, and relied on, the DACA program over the past five years," according to a legal filing in federal court. "Given that all of those people have interests that have deepened over the years, the government has to have a stronger reason than it has given before it can constitutionally end the program and wipe out those interests."

PolitiFact says, "While there is debate on the constitutionality of DACA, that has not been determined by courts."

Eliminating DACA is targeting the wrong problem.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD) summed it up this way : "Today's announcement makes one thing very clear  Congress has to act ... However, focusing immigration efforts on children and young people, many of whom have never known another home and came to this country by no fault of their own, should not be where enforcement efforts are concentrated. Instead of targeting innocent kids, we should be targeting criminals."

People protected under DACA are contributing to the American economy and society.

"They're our friends, coworkers, and neighbors, and they make enormous contributions to the economies of Minnesota and the entire country," Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) told MPR News, "The decision by President Trump to end DACA is a disgrace to our moral values and principles. It's not who we are or should be as a nation."

Keeping DACA is about keeping a promise.

(Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson) said the "government's rescission of DACA violates the promises made to these young people  97 percent of whom are in school or in the workforce  who have relied on the law to make important decisions about their lives," according to MPR News.

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END DACA

It's unconstitutional and was an abuse of executive power by President Obama.

"However well-intentioned, President Obama's DACA program was a clear abuse of executive authority, an attempt to create law out of thin air," (House Speaker Paul) Ryan said in a statement following the DACA announcement made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions last week. "Congress writes laws, not the president, and ending this program fulfills a promise that President Trump made to restore the proper role of the executive and legislative branches."

DACA has encouraged illegal immigration.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said this in his statement on DACA: "President Obama's refusal to enforce our immigration laws and decision to unilaterally create immigration programs encouraged more illegal immigration and contributed to the surge of unaccompanied minors and families seeking to enter the U.S. illegally."

Ending DACA is about presidential leadership.

"'This is one of the best examples of real leadership that we've seen from President Trump," (former House Speaker Newt) Gingrich said on "Fox & Friends."

It's about keeping a campaign promise.

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Conservative pundit Ann Coulter suggested the Trump administration should not be concerned with placating DACA recipients, according to Newsweek. "Trump's landmark, election-winning immigration speech, 8/31/16: ENFORCEMENT 1ST! We can't even discuss amnesty until we have a wall!"
By PTI: Chandigarh, Sep 15 (PTI) The nomination process for the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency by-election began today with no candidate filing papers on the first day.

The process began after a notification was issued, a spokesperson of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, said.

No one filed nomination paper on day one, he said.

"Nomination papers can be filed with the Returning Officer concerned between 11 am and 3 pm," the spokesperson said.

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He said that the last date of submission of nomination papers will be September 22 and scrutiny of papers will be done on September 25. The last for the withdrawal of candidature is September 27.

On October 11, polling will be held from 8 am to 5 pm, and counting of votes will be on October 15.

He said that there will be no holiday on September 16, a Saturday, under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, therefore, nomination papers can be presented to the returning officer on that day.

September 17, however, will be a holiday. Likewise, September 21 being a Agrasen Jayanti is not a holiday under the Act and nomination papers can be presented, the spokesperson said.

The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in the Gurdaspur and Pathankot from the date of announcement of the elections and shall remain in force till its completion, he said.

The Gurdaspur Lok Sabha by-polls was necessitated following the death of BJP MP Vinod Khanna in April. PTI CHS ANB

--- ENDS ---
As John noted earlier this week, Obamacare replacement legislation isnt dead in the U.S. Senate after all. Senators Cassidy, Graham, and Johnson have come up with a bill that partially repeals Obamacare and turns power over to the states.

Their legislation would:

* Repeal Obamacares individual and employer mandates.

* Repeal the medical device tax.

* Enhance the states ability to waive Obamacares regulations.

* Give to the states in block grants dollars that currently are being spent by the federal government in the form of Medicaid expansion, tax credits, cost-sharing subsidies and basic health plans, with these dollars to be devoted to health care, mostly at the states discretion.

* Grant federal money to states in proportion to their population of poor people.

The window for passing bills under the reconciliation procedure (i.e., with 50 votes) closes on September 30. Thus, the question isnt just whether the sponsors can muster 50 votes. It is also whether they can do so by the end of the month.

John noted one obstacle. The CBO might not be able to score the bill in time.

The other obstacle is opposition from the usual GOP suspects. Rand Paul has already said he wont support the bill because it redistributes, rather than repeals, Obamacare.

Thus, the sponsors seemingly can only afford to lose one of the three GOP Senators who opposed skinny repeal (and no one, other than Paul, who supported it). The three are Sens. Collins, McCain, and Murkowski.

Collins seems unlikely to back the proposal because it defunds Planned Parenthood. McCain reportedly is well-disposed to the bill, which is sponsored by his pal Lindsey Graham. However, he is said to have cautioned that any repeal effort should go through the regular committee process. Were already midway through September, which doesnt leave much time for that.

Murkowski is also known to favor regular order. I suspect that, at a minimum, she wants to see the CBOs analysis of the impact on coverage, dubious though that analysis may be.

Might the Cassidy-Graham-Johnson find support among any Democrats? The only candidate I can think of is Joe Manchin. Unlike the rest of the Democratic caucus, hes a genuine moderate. Moreover, his state, West Virginia, would be a big winner in a system that grants federal money in proportion to the percentage of poor residents.

Even so, winning over Manchin seems like a long-shot. So time may well run out on the effort to pass this latest incarnation of Obamacare replacement legislation by the end of the month.
President Trump has decided to work with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi because hes concluded that otherwise he wont be able to get things done. This begs the question, which is whether the things he can get done with Chuck and Nancy are worth doing.

President Obama didnt work with Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan for the sake of getting things done. But Obama is a principled leftist. Trump is neither principled nor particularly conservative.

Theres also the question of whether getting the requisite Democratic support in the Senate necessitates working with Schumer. In the House, it does not require working with Pelosi as long as Trump has the support of the Freedom Caucus, which he did on Obamacare repeal.

The normal way to muster the requisite Democratic support in the Senate is to pick off the least leftist Dems in the chamber, not to win over the leftist Minority Leader. In Trumps case, this approach might seem particularly doable given the large number of Senate Democrats running for reelection next year in states Trump carried.

However, Trump may have concluded that picking off the Joe Manchins, Joe Donnellys, and Heidi Heitkamps wont work. If so, he may be right. First, there may not be enough of them. Second, the combination of party discipline and the prospect of being primaried may be enough for Schumer to keep even these Democrats in line.

Trump may also like working with Schumer  fellow New Yorker and fellow jerk. Maybe its that simple.

But if Trump is going to work through Schumer, rather than trying to pick off stray Dems like Heitkamp, then why is he embracing Heitkamp, thereby improving her reelection prospects? With Schumer on board, Heitkamp becomes irrelevant when it comes to passing a given piece of legislation.

Yet, as the Washington Post notes, at a recent event in North Dakota, Trump invited Heitkamp onstage and praised her as a good woman. The National Republican Senatorial Committee was not amused. Nor should it have been.

If Trump wants to get anything even vaguely conservative done, he should be doing all he can to help defeat Democratic Senate candidates in 2018. Surely he remembers that all but three GOP Senators stood with him on the Obamacare repeal vote. No Democrat did. Not even Heidi Heitkamp.

Trump may figure that staying on the good side of Heitkamp and the few Senate Dems like her will give him greater leverage in striking deals with Schumer. The less confidence Schumer has in his ability to hold his caucus together, the more concessions he may be inclined to make.

As already noted, however, Schumer (1) can lose a few Dems and still block legislation and (2) can maintain discipline through traditional methods, plus the prospect of primary challenges to anyone who breaks ranks.

According to the Post, congressional Republicans are reeling from Trumps sudden overtures to the Democrats. They are said to be laboring, sometimes awkwardly, to project leverage.

Im not sure how they will be able to project it. Trump may be ineffective when it comes to thwarting Democrats, China, Iran, and North Korea. But when it comes to screwing Republicans, hes a star.

Some Republican members of Congress may be thinking how much better things would be if Mike Pence were president. Ann Coulter is.

Its an idle thought right now. But if the Democrats capture the House and Robert Mueller makes certain findings, the thought may take on relevance. In this scenario, Senate Republicans will project plenty of leverage. Unless you believe that Trumps pals Chuck and Nancy will stand up to their howling base and protect Trump from impeachment and removal.
Gurgaon woman Smriti Kalra has been charged with 'causing hurt to deter a public servant'.

By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Police on Friday arrested the Gurgaon woman, whose video slapping an army jawan in broad daylight on a busy Vasant Kunj road, went viral.

But the 44-year-old identified as Smriti Kalra, charged with 'causing hurt to deter a public servant' was granted bail by a metropolitan magistrate on the same day.

In the video, the woman stops her white Tata Indica infront an Army vehicle ferrying soldiers and picks a verbal fight with one of them.

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Soon, she starts to physically assault an Army jawan, who is then saved by his colleague.

It is not clear if their was a collision between the two vehicles from any video accessed so far from witnesses.

Woman slaps soldier. Is this acceptable? Hope army & police verify this video circulating on social media & take action against the guilty pic.twitter.com/3Od5wy86Em- GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) September 12, 2017

--- ENDS ---
Trial in two murder cases against Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim concluded today in the special CBI court of judge Jagdeep Singh in Panchkula. Singh is the same judge who convicted Gurmeet in two rape cases on August 25.

By India Today Web Desk: A special CBI court in Panchkula today concluded the hearing in two murder cases against jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who appeared before the bench via video conferencing.

Arguments in the cases, related to the murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and former Dera manager Ranjit Singh, allegedly by functionaries and followers of the sect were heard for the last time in the court of special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh .

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The same court had, on August 25, convicted Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on two counts of rape of female disciples .

There are no reports of the Dera followers assembling in Panchkula for the hearing , unlike the rape case hearing where over one lakh followers had converged in the town. Chhatrapati and Ranjit Singh were murdered in 2002. The sect chief is an accused in both murder cases as these were carried out allegedly at his behest.

Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by the CBI court on August 28.

HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED IN JUDGE JAGDEEP SINGH'S COURTROOM

Ram Rahim joins the proceedings through video conference, refuses to use translator.

Khatta Singh had changed his 2007 statement in 2012 out of fear: Khatta's lawyer

"Honeypreet can be anywhere between Pune, Chhattisgarh and Himachal. Don't be surprised if she is found hiding in Sirsa itself," Singh added.

Khatta Singh to India Today, "I was intimidated. I was warned about my children's safety by Ram Rahim. He was a powerful man. He could do anything. Today I want to give fresh statement."

Khatta Singh had earlier changed his statements, which he says was done under pressure and due to threat to his life. The court will decide whether or not to use his testimony in the case on September 22.

Former driver of Ram Rahim, Khatta Singh appears before court as key witness.

Last hearing in the two murder cases against Gurmeet Ram Rahim begins in Panchkula CBI court.

Meanwhile, a joint team of Haryana and Bihar Police are conducting raids at Bihar-Nepal border, looking for Honeypreet.

We have five companies of paramilitary forces, rest are our district forces: Panchkula DCP Manbir Singh on security measures in city.

With inputs from Anindya Banerjee

Also watch: Honeypreet's ex-husband's shocker: Gurmeet Ram Rahim sexually exploited her as she was beautiful

--- ENDS ---
By the July 31 deadline, some school districts in South Jersey still lacked sufficient candidates for all the open seats on local boards of education. In other districts, there were just enough candidates, but no competition.

Of the 16 municipalities in Cape May County, four have open seats where no candidate is listed on the ballot. In the entire county, only one municipality, Wildwood, has a contested election, and thats for one seat. The problem is not isolated to Cape May County. In Atlantic County, of 18 municipalities with school elections this year, there are six open seats without candidates and 16 uncontested races.

So why arent more people running for the local elected office?

Explanations differ, from population size to tax base to a change in the nomination deadline, but no one has pinpointed why.

Statewide, the ratio of candidates to open seats was 1.29 to 1 in 2016, New Jersey School Boards Association spokesman Frank Belluscio said. Although thats up slightly from 2015s ratio of 1.22 to 1, it is still down from 2011  the last year all board elections were in April. That year, it was 1.44 to 1.

Belluscio thinks the date change for the school board elections from April to November affected candidate turnout, as they are now required to submit nomination petitions in July.

It takes place in the middle of the summer. This year, it was July 31  the height of summer vacation season, he said.

The NJSBA wants the deadline to be moved to September, but said county clerks oppose a later date.

Belluscio said other reasons for lack of participation could be the time commitment being a board member takes, or lack of residents with children in school.

Of course, there are a number of non-parents and older citizens currently serving on school boards. The success of the public schools is in the interest of the entire community, and the schools are funded by the entire community, he said.

Avalon and Stone Harbor school boards both have two seats up for election this year, but only one candidate from each of the adjoining boroughs. Lois Scarpa, of Avalon, and James Gallagher, of Stone Harbor, were the only candidates to file petitions for the three-year terms by deadline.

Scarpa, 69, said the lack of volunteers to fill the open seats is concerning, but suggested it might be due to the districts miniscule size and high property values.

School board members traditionally are parents who have children in the school and are interested in making it the best possible place for their children, said Scarpa, whose children all went through the district. Its just too expensive for young families to live here, so that hampers the population in the school, and it hampers the number of volunteers you have in a community.

John Weingart, associate director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University and a former school board member, said it is probably due in part, at least, to a lack of interest from increasingly smaller pools of candidates.

Its the fact that New Jersey has this bizarre number of school districts, Weingart said. The state of Maryland is roughly the same population, roughly the same geography, and has 23 school districts.

He said while some school districts have intense competition for spots on the board  Egg Harbor Township this year has 10 candidates for three open seats  others such as West Wildwood, Mullica Township, Folsom and Longport have tiny communities to draw from.

Egg Harbor Township Board of Education President Lou Della Barca said the size of the township definitely plays a role in bringing so many candidates to the table.

Over the last several campaigns, five to six candidates have run for the three board positions, he said.

Della Barca, whose seat is not up for re-election, attributed this years large turnout to continued growth in the district and local tax and policy issues.

Scarpa, who is seeking her second term on Avalons board, said she never even intended to be a board member. Just like this year, in 2014, when she was first elected, there was only one candidate for two open seats  and it wasnt her.

I was a write-in because they had no one to fill the seat, she said.
BRIGANTINE  Former Democratic presidential candidate Martin OMalley was in town Friday for an an Atlantic County Democrats fundraiser where he talked about the party's national progress since the 2016 elections and mulled another run for president.

OMalley, who finished 3rd behind Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic Primary and is the former governor of Maryland, said the road for Democrats to retake the House of Representatives and Senate begins in the 2018 elections, and that the party must stick to the main policy issues that create jobs and help working class people.

Its all about jobs and economic opportunity, he said. The promise of our country is that if you work hard, youre able to get ahead. Too many of our fellow citizens felt that no one was listening in Washington. They wanted to break the table of democracy so they grabbed the sludge hammer called Trump and broke it. But now shes ours to fix.

OMalley said he believes Democrats will come back strong in the 2018 midterm elections because they are focusing more on issues like the minimum wage, college affordability, and infrastructure and transit spending.

He also said he believes that gubernatorial Democratic nominee Phil Murphy is a perfect fit for New Jersey, and that Murphy is a good example of what Democrats need to emulate on the national stage.

He is speaking to exactly the kind of things that people expect out of their elected officials, OMalley said. I think youre going to see a very strong message coming out of New Jersey.

OMalley also said on Friday that he is mulling another run for president, but that he is focusing on getting Democrats elected in New Jersey and Virginia in 2017 and nationally in 2018.

All of us have a responsibility of helping in the midterms, he said. I like focusing my attention on the local districts because our congressional districts have been carved up so much by gerrymandering. The key to fixing that is by electing more local officials and governors.
She should have won. We havent had a Miss New Jersey win in a long time.

Pat Maggio

via Facebook

Miss New Jersey describes out-of-body experience on Miss America stage

This type of police brutality is why police get a bad reputation.

Kathie Cavanaugh

via Facebook

Castellani excessive force lawsuit

settles for $3 million

Its still a mind altering substance and, yes, smoking and driving has killed people in car accidents.

Brandy Kasparian Stanley

Northfield police seize 2 pounds

of marijuana in grow-house raid

$15,000 per child in Hamilton Township. Wow.

Martha E. Anderson

via Facebook

Local districts awarded extra aid

to expand preschool programs

What?! No wonder shes smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

Doug Easterly

via Facebook

Three years probation for former Ocean City Housing Authority director

Trapped? Pretty sure the windows come out in an emergency. On the wrong train? That would be her fault.

George Riley

via Facebook

College student falls asleep, gets

trapped in empty NJ Transit train

Middle class here, and would not be able to consider our purchase of Tesla without subsidy offered.

Dwain Skrobarcek

Taxpayers shouldnt have to subsidize overpriced Teslas, says H. Sterling Burnett

Lets keep in mind those who have supported and been committed to this city. Hope our crafters/vendors will be staying. They were a large part of the mystique of that part of the city.

Denise Khoury Gallagher

via Facebook

Atlantic City Council approves Gardners Basin redevelopment agreement
Ship collisions inexplicable

The USS Fitzgerald gets hit in the South China Sea by an enormous tanker, resulting in loss of life and almost sinking her. The Navy called it an accident. The destroyer has multiple radar systems, underwater obstacle detection, GPS, satellite guidance  all with alarms so loud they could not be ignored. The bridge had to have been so noisy it could wake the dead. One such event might be an accident, but this happened again shortly afterward to the USS McCain.

If the government is covering up an attack by claiming an accident, I could see that as a smart thing to do. To just say oops it just happened again is insane. If this really was accidental and the Navy admits it, well that tells me we are being lead by morons. Why in the world dont they just lie like they always do? I am very accustomed to the volumes of lies we are barraged with from government every day. Why should they pick now to tell the truth?

Stephen Kruger

Brigantine

Removing statue of Lee like destruction by Taliban

Responsible citizens deplore last months events in Charlottesville, Virginia. Media reporting blames racism, but there has been little focus on the impetus for the march, nor the part played by law enforcement in allowing the violence to commence.

Progressives on city council voted to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee. This is no different than the Taliban blowing up centuries old Buddhist statues. It is an attempt to erase history. The accomplishments of some of the most significant figures in the countrys history are to be eradicated because they dont comply with current mores as laid down by todays ultra-liberals. Dont try to use the study of these times for instructional purposes, just eliminate them. It is the equivalent of book burning and should be opposed by every thoughtful American.

As for the actions of the police, reports have them forcing the opposing factions into one another rather than attempting to keep them separated. One can only suppose they wanted something like what transpired to occur. If there is another explanation, I would like to hear it.

Take a moment to check history and you will find the political party now raising the cry against such as Gen. Lee was the one fighting to preserve the slavery system and that fought against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Perhaps the Democratic Party needs to be abolished?

James M. Shippen

Northfield
Did Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh murder two people who played a crucial role in the Dera Sacha Sauda chief getting convicted of rape?A special CBI court has begun hearing final arguments to answer that question.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim is accused in two murder cases, which are connected to his rape conviction

By India Today Web Desk: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief, today appeared in front of the CBI court judge who sentenced him to two decades in prison for raping two female followers - but this time, for the final hearings in two murder cases.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who appeared via video conferencing, could end up spending his entire life in jail if he's convicted. In the most extreme case, he could be sent to the gallows.

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Ram Rahim allegedly ordered the killings of former Dera Sacha Sauda manager Ranjit Singh and Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhattrapati, who were responsible for making public an anonymous letter that revealed information about Ram Rahim's rapes.

The letter, written by an unnamed female Dera Sacha Sauda member, was addressed to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It narrated how Ram Rahim Singh sexually exploited female followers at his sprawling Sirsa ashram.

According to the prosecution, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh suspected that Ranjit Singh, then a manager at the Dera headquarters in Sira, was responsible for leaking the letter and so, had Ranjit killed.

Click here to Enlarge Ram Chander Chhattrapati, the journalist who published the anonymous letter

Ram Chander Chhattrapati, on the other hand, played a direct role in the Dera chief's downfall. Chhatrapati came across the anonymous letter and unhesitatingly published it in Poora Sacch, the local daily that he then ran.

Soon after the letter was published, the Punjab and Haryana High Court took note of the allegations and directed the then district and sessions judge in Sirsa to order a probe into the matter.

The judge in turn recommended that a central agency probe the allegations of rape against Ram Rahim Singh. The high court then asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to launch an investigation.

Meanwhile, months after Chhatrapati published the anonymous letter in his daily, the journalist was shot dead from point-blank range right outside his house on October 24, 2002.

The CBI continued its probe into the allegations of rape against Ram Rahim, and its special court ruled last month that they had merit.

The agency also launched a separate murder probe, ultimately filing a charge-sheet accusing Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of ordering the two murders.

--- ENDS ---
EDMONTON, Alberta, September 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) is pleased to announce that it has concluded discussions with the Government of Alberta on a formalized Mandate and Roles Document (MRD). The MRD, pursuant to Alberta's Public Agencies Governance Framework, fulfills the obligation that all agencies have clearly articulated roles and responsibilities.

AIMCo's Mandate and Roles Document was created collaboratively between the Honorable Joe Ceci, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, and the AIMCo Board, represented by Board Chair Mr. Mac Van Wielingen and Governance Committee Chair, Ms. Andrea Rosen. The outcome is an MRD that provides a clear articulation of the role of the public agency with respect to its relationship to government, and which outlines the goals and performance expectations of the Minister.

"On behalf of Board of Directors and Management of AIMCo, I am pleased to have reached this critical agreement with the Government of Alberta, which represents an important element of sound governance," states AIMCo Chair, Mac Van Wielingen. "This agreement provides transparency and codification of a set of commitments made by AIMCo and the Government of Alberta. It corroborates and confirms that AIMCo will continue to operate independently, will continue to have a diverse board of appropriately qualified individuals who together will satisfy requirements for specific competencies, and that the Board recruitment and nomination process will align to the Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act and applicable policies established by the Government of Alberta, yet still be consistent with best practices expected for a globally competitive institutional investment manager such as AIMCo."

For further information, a copy of the Mandate and Roles Document is available to the public on the Alberta Investment Management Corporation website, located in the Governance section, under the Who We Are heading. http://www.aimco.alberta.ca/Who-We-Are/Governance

About Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo)

AIMCo is one of Canada's largest and most diversified institutional investment managers with more than $100 billion of assets under management. Established on January 1, 2008, AIMCo's mandate is to provide superior long-term investment results for its clients. AIMCo operates at arms-length from the Government of Alberta and invests globally on behalf of 32 pension, endowment and government funds in the Province of Alberta.

For more information, please visit http://www.aimco.alberta.ca.

Media Contact: Denes Nemeth, Director, Corporate Communication, O: 780-392-3857, M: 780-932-4013, E: denes.nemeth@aimco.alberta.ca

SOURCE Alberta Investment Management Corp.
BEIJING, Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AdMaster, a leading marketing data technology company in China, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Alibaba recently. The partnership represents Alimama's (a business unit of Alibaba Group managing its core business data) big step-forward in developing a new brand marketing ecosystem with third-party collaboration.

Under the partnership framework, AdMaster has completed the integration of its advertising measurement solutions into Ali's digital marketing ecosystem. All advertisers and agencies that use Alimama's Uni Desk for digital marketing (except on Taobao platform) can enjoy AdMaster's independent third-party measurement service from now on. Meanwhile, Ali's big data platform empowers AdMaster to conduct target audience verification based on its data.

Third-Party Measurement Empowers Marketing Effectiveness

Third-party measurement has been well recognized in the industry for the advertisers and agencies to engage third parties to provide advertising measurement service. The data obtained through the third party independent measurement process becomes the foundation for marketing optimization initiatives.

Alimama is now expanding its footprint from Taobao to a wider coverage. This move is well received by advertisers and agencies are participating in this expansion. Both advertisers and agencies play key roles. Subsequently, Alimama launched Uni Desk, a new marketing platform specifically for agencies. As an important part of Uni Marketing product matrix, Alimama's Uni Desk creates a new business model for agencies to serve brand owners through big data and technology.

In this process, third-party data measurement on marketing effectiveness on platforms beyond Taobao is particularly important. The partnership between Alimama and AdMaster just falls in place as a natural consequence.

AdMaster has been providing big data technology solutions to over 80% of the international and local leading brands in China in the past ten years. Alimama has been looking for partners to open up their marketing big data capabilities in the appropriate way. Thanks to the collaboration on Uni Desk, AdMaster made one big step forward on their data hub strategy, a new wave of evolution on AdMaster's established advertising measurement technology.

Joint Development of Data Ecosystem

According to this strategic partnership framework, besides verifying the basic characteristics of the consumer groups on Ali's platform, AdMaster can measure the precision targeting effectiveness of advertising campaigns through the consumer interest data generated by Uni Desk. In the mean time, both parties will explore more digital marketing measurement solutions together.

"We take a positive open attitude towards an innovative win-win partnership. After all, it is for the betterment of the industry," AdMaster Founder and CEO Vincent Yan said.

It requires multiple parties to build the digital marketing ecosystem. It is a critical step to empower third party's measurement capabilities by sharing Ali's marketing big data. Ali noted that they would like to be the driver of the prosperous development of the digital marketing industry by exploring new marketing technologies and empowering agencies and brands with data. Collective effort is encouraged to build the new digital marketing ecosystem under the landscape of "New Marketing".

About AdMaster:

AdMaster is an independent marketing data technology company that uses big data to help brands measure the effectiveness of their digital marketing investment. We create value for brands by centralizing digital marketing data from multiple sources and turning it into actionable data delivered through our software-as-a-service platform. We offer solutions for third-party digital advertising verification, cross-screen reach analysis, social media monitoring, e-commerce measurement and data management  including data obtained from computers, mobile devices and digital TV.

For more information, please visit: www.admaster.com.cn

SOURCE AdMaster

Related Links

http://www.admaster.com.cn/


Nexus Services, Inc. will secure the bond and cover bail at no cost to anti-racism demonstrators. Demonstrators and their families can call the 24-hour hotline at 804-658-6743. "So long as white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and neo-Confederates continue to flock to our nation's cities in the name of hate and violence, Nexus Services will stand alongside those who exercise their rights to demonstrate against hate and racism," Mike Donovan, civil rights activist and president and CEO of Nexus Services, Inc. said Friday afternoon about the bail-assistance program offered by his company.

"At Nexus Services, we believe in free speech and understand the importance of fighting white supremacist ideology in our systems of government, in our communities, and across our great nation. Our commitment is to ensure that good people standing against hate have the right to be heard, not be jailed. Above all these demonstrators should not languish in a jail cell because they cannot afford bail," concluded Donovan. Nexus Services, Inc. will not secure bond for anyone wearing masks in public demonstrations that appear to be in violation the "Ku Klux Klan Act" of 1871.

About Nexus Services, Inc.:

Nexus Services, Inc. affirms the inherent worth and dignity of people by becoming a voice to those victimized by the legal system and providing hope to those who have lost it. Nexus Services aids immigrant communities in crisis through sponsoring bonding and pro bono legal services. Nexus guides pretrial and post-conviction offenders to a place of stability and accountability while striving to reduce jail populations. Additionally, Nexus' frontline approach to advocacy, charity, and goodwill in the community facilitates their mission to help clients achieve long-term success and become established members of society. Nexus is committed to standing with their clients and their clients' families in their quest to seek justice and for full integration into society. Nexus is united by the quest for justice and desire to spark change in the world.

CONTACT: JEN LITTLE

540-255-9492

[email protected]NEXUSHELPS.COM

SOURCE Nexus Services, Inc.
HOUSTON, Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- alliantgroup, a leading tax consultancy based in Houston, is proud to announce the additions of Ken Wasch and Rhianna Collier to its Strategic Advisory Board.

Wasch serves as President of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), a trade association for the software and digital content industry. Collier serves as Vice President and Managing Director of SIIA's Software & Services Division. Together, Wasch and Collier have spent their careers advocating for the software and tech industry and are committed to helping these companies stay competitive in an increasingly competitive global market.

"I am thrilled to announce these two new additions to our Strategic Advisory Board. Ken and Rhianna have decades of experience between them and understand how to help U.S. businesses in this space," said Dhaval Jadav, alliantgroup CEO. "Our Strategic Advisory Board is something wholly unique to alliantgroup, and Ken and Rhianna are exactly the type of industry experts that we want on our team."

SIIA serves its members' interests by being a resource for industry trends and new technologies and promoting regulations that support the industry as a whole. alliantgroup first partnered with SIIA last year. Since joining the association, alliantgroup has helped SIIA members claim over $5 million back in valuable tax credits and incentives.

"Rhianna and I are honored that we have been asked to serve on alliantgroup's Strategic Advisory Board. We have worked with alliantgroup for years and seen the firm accomplish some remarkable things in that time," said Ken Wasch. "I'm looking forward to continuing our work with alliantgroup as we help our SIIA members as well as the entire software industry."

alliantgroup's mission is one of education and awarenessthe firm assists U.S. businesses and their CPAs in claiming powerful tax incentives. alliantgroup believes that every business, regardless of its size, should take full advantage of every state and federal tax incentive, credit or deduction available to them. Since its founding in 2002, alliantgroup has helped over 12,000 businesses claim more than $6 billion in tax savings. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, alliantgroup has offices nationwide including New York City, Boston, Irvine, Orlando, Chicago, Sacramento, Indianapolis and Washington D.C. Find more information on alliantgroup on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.

SOURCE alliantgroup

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PITTSBURGH, Sept. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recognizing that the hard work of family farmers and their allies is revitalizing local economies and bringing rural and urban people together, Farm Aid 2017 highlighted the great promise of farmers and the food they produce to grow strong communities. The annual festival took place today at KeyBank Pavilion in Burgettstown, Pa.

The sold-out event celebrating family farmers brought more than 23,000 supporters together to celebrate the success and ingenuity of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia farmers. Across the country, low prices for commodity crops, including livestock and dairy, are putting farmers at risk. Dairy is a leading agricultural product in Pennsylvania, and dairy farmers are going off the land here as a result of the downturn.

Farm Aid highlighted area dairy farmers who are developing relationships with customers through direct markets. Attributes of the region's agriculture create resilience, including Pennsylvania's farm diversity, a focus on organic and sustainable agriculture, and, as noted, direct markets. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of organic agriculture in the U.S. and ranks fourth in the country for direct farm sales.

"We've been inspired by the hard work of rural and urban people here who are digging in and creating real change," said Willie Nelson, president and founder of Farm Aid. "They're examples of many thousands of farmers across the country who are innovative and resilient, finding ways to stay on the land and make us strong."

Farm Aid's day-long festival kicked off with a conversation between local farmers and Farm Aid board members Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews. From the Farm Aid stage, they talked about the urgency of investing in family farm agriculture and the efforts to invigorate local food economies.

"At a time in our country when we look for real value, farmers in this region are delivering it, offering us inspiration and reason for hope," said Farm Aid's executive director, Carolyn Mugar. "Farmers and growers are demonstrating that caring for the land and harvesting good food creates shared wealth from farm to table."

Following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Farm Aid board members also reminded attendees that farm policies and programs must support and protect farm families. Farm Aid has activated its Family Farm Disaster Fund and distributed grants to Texas and Louisiana farmers and ranchers who have lost their crops, livestock, pasture, barns, equipment and other essentials to maintaining their livelihoods. In Florida and the Southeast, Farm Aid is already working with long-term partners to assess the needs of impacted farmers and ranchers.

Farm Aid 2017 featured performances by Nelson, Mellencamp, Young and Matthews, who performed with Tim Reynolds, as well as Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Blackberry Smoke, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Valerie June, Insects vs Robots and Blackwood Quartet.

Farm Aid 2017 offered menu items that adhered to Farm Aid's HOMEGROWN Concessions criteria: all ingredients are sustainably produced by family farmers; the food is produced with ecological practices; and farmers receive a fair price for their products. Offerings included an organic beef corn dog made with artisanal cornmeal, pastured pork, pierogies made with local potatoes and cheese, fresh local fruit, and baked goods made with local organic flour.

Concertgoers found inspiration in Farm Aid's HOMEGROWN Village, which featured hands-on activities that gave festivalgoers a chance to meet farmers, dig in and learn about the ways family farmers are enriching our soil, protecting our water and growing our economy, in addition to bringing us good food for good health. In the HOMEGROWN Skills Tent, attendees had the opportunity to engage with food, farming and crafting.

"Farm Aid 2017" airs live on AXS TV from 7 to 11 p.m. EDT, as well as at www.farmaid.org from 3 to 11 p.m. EDT. Willie Nelson's SiriusXM channel (59), Willie's Roadhouse, also airs the show live from noon to 11 p.m. All broadcasts will include backstage interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage of the event.

Participating food company sponsors of HOMEGROWN Concessions include Lundberg Family Farms and Frontier Co-op. Additional sponsors of Farm Aid 2017 include Bonterra Organic Vineyards, UPMC Health Plan, Horizon Organic, Applegate Farms, Lagunitas, PA Preferred and ASPCA.

If you are a farmer and have been affected by Hurricanes Harvey or Irma, please contact Farm Aid at 1-800-FARM-AID (800-327-6243) or [email protected]. Additional tools for farmers and ranchers are available at farmaid.org/disaster. To donate to those affected in Texas and Louisiana, please visit farmaid.org/harvey.

Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For more than 30 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $50 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

SOURCE Farm Aid

Related Links

http://www.farmaid.org


The instant change in attitude became apparent on Friday when the dog squad was seen active at Pradyuman's house to ensure foolproof security just before CM Khattar's arrival.

By Ajay Kumar: The job of the dog squad of Gurugram police, it appears, is only to guard VVIPs and it has nothing to do with crime investigations like Pradyuman murder case, observers say.

This could be the reason why Gurugram cops are at the receiving end and facing criticism over failed probe to crack this case. Note: The dog squad has only one Labrador!

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The instant change in attitude became apparent on Friday when the dog squad was seen active at Pradyuman's house to ensure foolproof security just before Khattar's arrival. However, the same force failed to use the canine on day one of the probe at the crime scene.

"The family members of kid pointed out that only few persons visited inside the toilet after the crime. Why Gurugram police did not use the sniffer to find out who were those were people who went inside?" said a family member. "Gurugram police seem to have approached the case in a very casual manner, even DCP rank officers inspected the toilet casually. The dog could have found out the right leads that were not visible to naked eyes."

ALSO WATCH | Ryan school murder: Gardener Harpal recounts what he saw on the day Pradyuman died

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SPARKS, Md., Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- McCormick & Company, Inc. (NYSE: MKC) will conduct a conference call and webcast of its Third Quarter 2017 financial results on Thursday, September 28, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time. Lawrence Kurzius, Chairman, President & CEO; Mike Smith, Executive Vice President & CFO; and Kasey Jenkins, Vice President Investor Relations will be hosting the call.

What: McCormick & Company presentation of Third Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results

When: September 28, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Where: ir.mccormick.com

How: Live over the Internet: Log onto the Web at ir.mccormick.com , click on "Webcast" and follow the directions to listen to the call.

If you are unable to attend the live webcast, the presentation will be archived on our website at ir.mccormick.com. To listen to an audio replay, call 877-660-6853 in the United States or 201-612-7415 internationally. When prompted, enter the conference ID number 13670101. The replay will be available until 12:00 midnight Eastern time on October 19, 2017.

About McCormick

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor. With $4.4 billion in annual sales, the company manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry  retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick. McCormick Brings the Joy of Flavor to Life.

For more information, visit www.mccormickcorporation.com.

For information contact:

Investor Relations:

Kasey Jenkins (410-771-7140 or [email protected])

Corporate Communications:

Lori Robinson (410-527-6004 or [email protected])

SOURCE McCormick & Company, Inc.

Related Links

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SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, September 15th, new start-up company, MyCajita, will be open for business and launch its website at www.mycajita.com. MyCajita --first of its kind-- is a subscription box that delivers a monthly experience that is inspired by Mexico's culture, tradition and lifestyle. The box is a shared experience that is curated by an expert and is a combination of small batch, boutique, and artisanal items, imported from Mexico or from local artisans. The thoughtfully curated, monthly experiences include a combination of food & drink, art, history, textiles, home decor, fashion, music, and more.

"Salud" Tequila Box: Premium mixers, imported mouth-blown glassware, imported hand painted Talavera tile coasters, and custom blended organic rimming salts. Also included (but not pictured) is a pamphlet describing history of tequila, and background on each product, and a Recipe Card with exclusive drinks made by our celebrity mixologist. Everything you need to make a premium tequila cocktail at home! "Cafe y Chocolate" Box: imported hand painted coffee mugs, imported organic Oaxacan Chocolate, hand carved Molinillo (the traditional way to froth hot chocolate), fair trade organic Mexican coffee, piloncillo (unrefined sugar), and canela (Mexican cinnamon). Also included (but not pictured) is a pamphlet describing the history of chocolate and coffee in Mexico, background on each product, and a recipe card to make authentic Cafe de Olla and Chocolate at home!

Monthly subscriptions are as low as $39.99 with tax and shipping included. Plans offer flexibility with options to skip a month, or cancel at any time. MyCajita also offers corporate and seasonal gifts to fit various needs as well as an online store to purchase additional items or re-stock on your favorites.

MyCajita is proud to be launching during Hispanic Heritage Month and is committed to staying active in Hispanic communities and giving back to creating success opportunities.

Some of the monthly themes to be included with MyCajita are:

Cafe y Chocolate -- traditional, artisanally crafted mugs, imported small batch chocolate and coffee, and everything needed to prepare Cafe de Olla and authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate!

-- traditional, artisanally crafted mugs, imported small batch chocolate and coffee, and everything needed to prepare and authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate! Contemporary Mexican Art -- limited edition prints of art.

Tequila Craft Cocktails -- everything needed to create a sophisticated craft tequila cocktail at home.

Salsa Roja en Molcajete -- A traditional mortar and pestle found in every house in Mexico . Along with fresh ingredients and celebrity chef recipes to prepare some authentic Salsa Roja and more!

The idea of MyCajita came to fruition after co-founders Alex Lopez and Danny Vivian noticed a loss of culture happening with every passing generation, and a desire by most to stay connected to their culture. The influx of Chinese-made, poor quality, and antiquated styled products led them to search boutique and reputable artisans, that reflect authenticity and quality craftsmanship, to source products and create experiences that would help keep people connected to Mexico's culture.

"We strive to continue to share Mexico's rich culture, history and artistry with everyone. We create memorable experiences, find quality, boutique products, and bring a little bit of Mexico to you every month," said Alex Lopez, Chief Executive Officer of MyCajita. "When people subscribe to MyCajita, they join La Comunidad, a way to discover, experience, and enjoy Mexico's culture and lifestyle in an affordable, and convenient way."

For more information, visit www.mycajita.com, or follow @MyCajita on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CONTACT: Danny Vivian, [email protected], (714) 694-3426

SOURCE MyCajita

Related Links

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ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alpharetta Technology Commission (ATC), a nonprofit organization helping the City lead in innovation, cutting-edge infrastructure, national branding, and the growth of its technology ecosystem, today announces its new name: Tech Alpharetta. The new name, along with corresponding visual identity, was debuted last evening by Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle at the group's Annual Technology Dinner.

Brand Evolution Grounded in Success

Tech Alpharetta, then ATC, was established as a strategic advisory board of local tech leaders in 2012 on Mayor Belle Isle's vision to make Alpharetta the "Technology City of the South." Three years later, the organization opened its Innovation Center, specifically developed to create a unique and supportive space for tech entrepreneurs, world-class businesses, startups, and venture capitalists to meet, network and innovate. Today, the City of Alpharetta has realized its aim of becoming a leader of technology in the state  housing more than 600 technology companies [1] and supporting seven-times more technology jobs than the national average1.

"While we originated as a strategic board, we have since evolved to become much more," says Karen Cashion, CEO of Tech Alpharetta. "For some time now, we have supported the entire Alpharetta technology ecosystem  from startups to enterprise-level companies; and our new name wholly represents who we are and what we do today."

The name Tech Alpharetta broadly encompasses the group's key functions as:

Purveyors of strategic economic development advice to the City,

Incubators of tech startups through its Innovation Center, and

Builders of the tech community through locally-based tech networking and enrichment events.

"Alpharetta is the Technology City of the South, and for over five years the ATC, now Tech Alpharetta, has been the holder of that flame," said Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle. "Tech Alpharetta now will continue to bridge our vision and reality. We will continue to enable Alpharetta to accomplish goals beyond our authority and resources."

New branded exterior signage is being installed at the Tech Alpharetta Innovation Center today. For more information about Tech Alpharetta, its mission, or availability and amenities at the Tech Alpharetta Innovation Center, visit www.techalpharetta.com.

About Tech Alpharetta

Tech Alpharetta (previously the Alpharetta Technology Commission), the first organization of its kind in Georgia, was established in 2012 by the City of Alpharetta and is an independent, 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization today. Comprised of Alpharetta's leading technology companies, both large and small, the members work to identify and pursue key investment opportunities and policy decisions for Alpharetta's technology companies and its burgeoning technology industry.

MEDIA CONTACT

Rachel Hans

Trevelino/Keller

(404) 214-0722 Ext.113

[email protected]

[1] http://growalpharetta.com/site-selectors/industry/



SOURCE Tech Alpharetta

Related Links

http://www.techalpharetta.com


AMSTERDAM, Sept. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IBC Hall 14, Stand E13 -- Zixi expands partnership with Harmonic, the worldwide leader in video delivery technology and services, to deepen their development efforts focusing on broadcast quality live IP video platforms, and further integrate broadcast industry standards and safety protocols in hybrid cloud infrastructures. As a result of these efforts, Zixi technology will be integrated in Harmonic's VOS media processing platform and Spectrum XE media servers.

Harmonic enables media companies and service providers to deliver ultra-high-quality OTT and broadcast video services to consumers globally. Zixi is the industry leader for enabling dependable, live broadcast-quality video over public Internet.

"Live IP-based video distribution over the open Internet is not easy, but broadcasters rely on Zixi and Harmonic to provide operational efficiency and dependability that rivals traditional satellite systems. We recognize that reliability and interoperability are key issues for the media industry. We are committed to work together to make sure widely used formats and industry standard protocols to enable flawless ingest to playout for our mutual customers." Chris Noe, Executive Chairman of Zixi.

"Harmonic and Zixi are long-time partners providing best-in-class solutions for high-demand, broadcast quality IP-based delivery. Zixi's team has years of experience providing rock solid technology relied on by many of Harmonic's largest customers. We are solidifying our mutual expertise within our VOS platform moving video preparation and delivery into a hybrid cloud operation, accelerating time to market for new OTT services." Bart Spriester, senior vice president, video products at Harmonic.

Zixi can be seamlessly added to hardware and software platforms by leveraging the free Zixi SDK and API. Doing so allows all users to become industry standard compliant. Zixi technology enables all partners, and their customers, to have a cost effective, proven, and secure method for delivering true broadcast quality live content over the open Internet. Demonstrations will be held at the upcoming IBC 2017 show at Zixi booth (Hall 14 Stand E13) and Harmonic booth (Hall 1 Stand B20).

About Zixi

Zixi is revolutionizing video transmission in the same way the cloud transformed computing. Zixi's industry-leading software platform transforms the Internet into a broadcast-quality, global video delivery network so the world's leading media organizations, service providers, and technology companies can enrich user experiences, create new services, reduce operating costs, and realize possibilities not yet imagined. Zixi is a privately held company led by media industry veterans and IP video experts, with company headquarters in Boston, MA. Read more on www.zixi.com

PR Contact:

Zixi

Robin M. Stone

[email protected]

617-596-3489

SOURCE Zixi

Related Links

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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
Ranchi, Sep 12 : The central government has promised to assist Jharkhand in the state's pending irrigation projects, an official said on Tuesday.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was in Jharkhand on Monday and held a high level meeting with Chief Minister Raghubar Das and officials of the Water Resources Department.

"In the meeting central ministers assured to assist the state to complete the irrigation projects. The ministers also asked to explore for pipeline irrigation projects," Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department Sukhdeo Singh told IANS.

He said: "In Jharkhand, the created potential of irrigation is 9.91 lakh hectares of the total cultivable land of 27 lakh hectares. This way the created potential of irrigation is 36 per cent but actual covered irrigation area is 20 per cent. The central minister assured to assist in bridging the gap of 16 per cent."

Gadkari also asked the state government to explore irrigation system for the uncovered area. Sources in the government said that the minister suggested for pipeline irrigation system to avoid protest over land acquisition.

In Jharkhand, farmers depend on rainfall for farming. There are 102 small, medium or big irrigation projects pending, with many such projects stuck for more than 40 years.

Sources in the Water Resources Department said that before the formation of Jharkhand, funds were not available for the irrigation projects causing delay. But after its formation in 2000, land acquisition became a big issue.

Gadkari told officials to prepare a detailed project report for the new projects and the Centre would assist the state.
New Delhi, Sep 13 : American DJ, record producer and musician Niles Hollowell-Dhar, popularly known as DJ KSHMR, will tour six cities across India starting from October 20.

Promoted by Percept Live, he will be performing in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

The artiste, of Kashmiri descent currently living in California, ranked No. 12 in a list of the world's top 100 DJs released by DJ Mag last year.

"I attribute a large part of my success to India and the country has always held a special place in my heart. This is my first tour in India -- a homecoming of sorts and a moment I've long waited for. I plan to give people an experience that reflects just how important it is to me," DJ KSHMR said in a statement.

KSHMR will donate proceeds of his New Delhi event titled "KARMA" to the charity Child Rights And You (CRY) that works for the welfare of underprivileged children through dignity, justice and equity for all.

"Having CRY a part of this show is a huge honour for me because they address poverty at its brunt -- the children. They are the window of time through which we may leave some good beyond our own," added the artiste, who has tracks like "Secrets", "Bazaar" and "Megalodon" to his credit.

The artiste, who also headlined this year's Ultra Music Festival in Miami, will perform at India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida, on October 20, E-Zone, Bengaluru, on October 21, VGP Beach Resort, Chennai, on October 22, Aquatica, Kolkata, on October 27, HITEX Exhibition and Convention Centre, Hyderabad, on October 28, and Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai, on October 29.

KSHMR has worked with artistes like Enrique Iglesias, Robin Thicke, Selena Gomez, R3hab, TiAsto, Carnage, DVBBS, Borgeous, Dimitri Vegas Like Mike and Bassjackers, among others.

Karan Singh, Global CEO at Sunburn, said: "KSHMR is an act like no other. Right from the curation of his sets, to the grand visuals that he incorporates that come together to make a truly multi-sensory experience.

"We had a phenomenal turnout and response last New Year's Eve when KSHMR headlined the finale set at Sunburn 10. Taking it a notch higher this year we are curating a-one-of-a-kind arena tour that will bring to life an unparalleled live music experience and a memorable one for all attendees," he added.
Dehradun, Sep 13 : A solar power plant commissioned by a French firm with an outlay of 4 million euros was inaugurated by French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler in a Uttarakhand village on Wednesday.

The plant strengths India's ambitious plans to achieve optimum renewable energy targets.

The plant, built by Technique Solaire in Maheshwari village in Haridwar district, would generate 5.5 MWp, which is the equivalent of the local electricity consumption of 13,500 inhabitants.

"The project embodies the strength of Indo-French cooperation in the solar energy sector and the ability of French companies to deliver," a statement quoted Ziegler as saying.

"With a cumulative capacity of around 650 MW installed across India, French companies are committed towards becoming one of the major actors of the solar revolution going on in India," he said.

France actively supports India's programme for developing renewable energy, which is a key tool in the common combat against climate change.

Several French companies are committed to contributing to the development of non-fossil fuel energies in India.

JLTM Energy India Pvt Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of Technique Solaire, was awarded the project, spread over 25 acres, in Maheshwari in October 2015.

The company has evolved a model that makes local farmers stakeholders in the project, providing them the added benefit of a yearly income from the plant.

With this first success, and the ambition of the Indian government to develop solar energy with a goal of 100 GW by 2022, Technique Solaire intends to develop more than 200 MWp of projects in India in two to three years.
In 1945, two years before India gained Independence, Homi Bhabha launched the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) with generous help from JRD Tata and in 1948 became chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru tasked him with developing nuclear weapons soon after. From the very outset, just four months after Hiroshima, he was in command and remained so guiding India's nuclear future. Representing India from 1950 at the conferences of the International Atomic Energy Agency-ostensibly to discuss the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It enabled him to learn what other nations were doing and appreciate how India had a lot to do to catch up with them. He intensified the lobbying to develop nuclear weapons and after the India-China war, campaigned for it vigorously and openly.

At a time when sharing of information about atomic energy activities by different countries was scanty, he envisioned, with a broad perspective, a comprehensive nuclear programme relying on a three stage fusion-to-fission programme, tapping the available atomic mineral deposits in the country (considering India's reserves of thorium is 10 times that of uranium). He reasoned that the aim of the atomic power programme must be to base the nuclear power generation on thorium rather than uranium which can, at best, be used only as a start-off. The plutonium produced by it can be used in a second generation of power stations that converts thorium into uranium which leads on to third generation breeder power stations which would produce more uranium than they burn in the course of producing power.

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New Delhi, Sep 13 : The CBI summoned Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, on Thursday as part of its investigation into the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006.

The junior Chidambaram was asked to appear before the investigators at its headquarters in CGO complex in south Delhi's Lodi Road area, said sources in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI's move comes in the wake of Supreme Court's order in April directing the agency to come with a detailed investigation report by the next hearing.

He would be questioned by the agency over the alleged money laundering through his firms in the Aircel-Maxis tie-up in 2008, the sources said.

The summoning comes days after Karti Chidambaram was instructed by the Supreme Court to appear before the CBI in relation to the INX Media Case, where he is accused of receiving irregular FIPB clearance for investment upto Rs 305 crore. In the course of hearing against him, the CBI on Tuesday claimed they have traced 25 companies linked to him abroad.

According to the CBI chargesheet submitted in a special court, Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of Maxis, had sought approval for an investment of $800 million in Aircel.

Though it was the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), headed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which was competent to grant the approval, however, it was cleared by the then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Bharatiya Janata Party Leader Subramanian Swamy has alleged that Chidambram then had tweaked FIPB norms for clearing Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006.

Seeking a probe into the role of Chidambaram in alleged violation of norms by the FIPB in approving the deal, Swamy has referred to the CAG's 2015 report which pointed to two alleged illegalities.

According to Swamy, the CAG cited the illegality of FIPB approving Maxis' acquisition of 93.3 per cent stake in Aircel Tele Ventures Ltd through its wholly-owned subsidiary, the GCSHL, well in excess of the then ceiling of 74 per cent investment by a foreign entity.

The second illegality, Swamy has said, was that since the foreign investment in Aircel was more than Rs 600 crore, it should have gone to the Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs for approval but it was instead cleared by the FIPB.
Washington, Sep 14 : Top US Democratic leaders have announced that they have reached agreement with President Donald Trump to pursue a legislative deal that would protect hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants from deportation.

The agreement was announced in a joint statement by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer following a dinner with the President at the White House on Wednesday. The pair said that they also agreed to work on a border security package that would exclude Trump's proposed wall with Mexico, the Washington Post reported.

Trump scrapped the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme earlier this month. The Barack Obama-era DACA scheme was put in place to protect so-called "Dreamers" -- migrants brought to the US illegally as children -- from deportation.

The measures, which protect some 800,000 people in the US, also provide temporary permits for work and study.

Trump announced on September 4 that he would cancel the scheme, while giving Congress six months to enact a replacement plan for DACA recipients.

Following talks, Schumer and Pelosi said they had "a very productive meeting at the White House with the President". The discussion focused on DACA. "We agreed to enshrine the protections of DACA into law quickly, and to work out a package of border security, excluding the wall, that's acceptable to both sides."

In a letter to her Democratic colleagues in the House, Pelosi said she hoped the deal could be done "in a matter of weeks".

Democrats have repeatedly said they will block any legislation that contains funding for the border wall -- Trump's key campaign pledge.

A White House statement was more muted, simply saying that there had been a "constructive working dinner" where tax reform, border security and DACA had been discussed. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later disputed the Democrats' account.

"While DACA and border security were both discussed, excluding the wall was certainly not agreed to," she wrote on Twitter.

Breitbart, the conservative news outlet headed by former Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon, called reports of an immigration deal a "full-fledged cave" by Trump on "amnesty" for the Dreamers.

Representative Steve King, Republican of Iowa, wrote on Twitter: "Trump base is blown up, destroyed, irreparable, and disillusioned beyond repair. No promise is credible."

Pro-Trump Fox News host Sean Hannity appeared dismayed, tweeting, "weak Republicans have betrayed voters" -- they "wanted [Trump] to fail" and had "pushed him into arms of political suicide".
Chennai, Sep 14 : The Madras High Court on Thursday ordered that a floor test should not be held till September 20 for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.K. Palaniswami to prove his legislative majority.

The court passed the order after hearing the petitions filed by the DMK and sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dinakaran.

The court asked the government counsel whether action was being contemplated by the Speaker against the 19 legislators belonging to the Dinakaran group who have revolted against the Chief Minister.

The government counsel submitted that action against the Dinakaran group lawmakers had begun and that the court could not intervene at this stage as it was the Speaker's domain.

The DMK and the Dinakaran faction fear that the Speaker would act against the 19 lawmakers so that the government wins the floor test.

The 19 lawmakers have submitted a letter to the Governor withdrawing their support to Chief Minister Palaniswami. They have asked the Governor to initiate the process to install a new Chief Minister.

Speaker P. Dhanapal has also issued notices for breach of privilege to the DMK MLAs for displaying banned tobacco product "gutkha" in the assembly.

In the 235-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, there are now 234 members including a nominated member who does not have voting rights.

One seat is vacant since the death of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa last year.

Effectively, the number of legislators with voting rights in the assembly is 233 and the half-way mark 116.

The number of legislators opposed to the government is 119 -- including 98 of the DMK and its allies and the Dinakaran faction's 21.

"The ruling party has the support of only 114 legislators," DMK leader M.K. Stalin has said.
New Delhi, Sep 14 : Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, on Thursday refused to appear before the CBI in connection with a case related to FIPB clearance in 2006 in the Aircel Maxis deal when his father was Finance Minister.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in its summon issued on Wednesday, had asked Karti Chidambaram to appear at its headquarters in the CGO complex in south Delhi's Lodhi Road area for questioning today (Thursday).

In his written response through a courier service, Karti's lawyer Arun Natarajan informed the agency that his client would not present himself for questioning as directed, saying a special court had discharged all the accused in the matter.

Natarajan said the response had been sent through fax and email also.

"All proceedings connected with the said (case)... were also terminated," the response said.

It said after the discharge of the accused and "termination" of the proceedings, the CBI will not have jurisdiction to issue summons in connection with the case.

In its response, the CBI said its summons to Karti was "valid" and his claim on quashing of proceedings by the court was "wrong".

The CBI said an appeal was made in the High Court in May against Dayanidhi Maran, Kalanithi Maran, and two companies discharged by a trial court.

The CBI said its investigation on points mentioned in its chargesheet continued, including Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance on a quid pro quo basis. "The proceeding in the trial court is on. Karti's claim that the case has been quashed is wrong."

"Four individuals and four companies were charge-sheeted. An Interpol notice against two Malaysian individuals and two Malaysian companies has been issued. So, the investigation in the case is still on and Karti was summoned as part of the ongoing probe," a CBI official said.

The CBI wants to question Karti over the alleged money laundering through his firms in the Aircel-Maxis tie-up in 2008, the official said.

The summons come days after Karti Chidambaram was directed by the Supreme Court to present himself before the CBI in relation to the INX Media case, wherein he was accused of securing FIPB clearance for certain FDI investment.

According to the CBI charge sheet submitted in a special court, Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis, had sought approval for an investment of $800 million in Aircel.

Though it was the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which was competent to grant the approval, it was cleared by the then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy had alleged that Chidambaram then had tweaked FIPB norms for clearing the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006.

Seeking a probe into the role of P. Chidambaram, Swamy had referred to the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2015 report that pointed to two alleged illegalities.

According to Swamy, the CAG cited the illegality of FIPB approving Maxis' acquisition of 93.3 per cent stake in Aircel Tele Ventures Ltd through its wholly-owned subsidiary, the GCSHL, well in excess of the then ceiling of 74 per cent investment by a foreign entity.

The second illegality, Swamy said, was that since the foreign investment in Aircel was more than Rs 600 crore, it should have gone to the Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs for approval but was cleared by the FIPB.
Washington, Sep 14 : President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was close to reaching a deal with Congress to protect the "Dreamers", as children brought into the US illegally by their parents are known.

"We're working on a plan for DACA. People want to see that happen," Trump said, referring to the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme created via executive order by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Trump terminated the programme last week and gave Congress a six-month deadline to solve the problem through legislation.

DACA offered deportation reprieves to nearly 800,000 immigrants and allows them to apply for work permits.

The deal being negotiated with Congressional Democratic leaders "is subject to getting massive border controls", the President told reporters at the White House before heading to Florida to tour areas devastated by Hurricane Irma, Efe reported.

Trump, who discussed DACA over dinner on Wednesday with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), said Democratic leaders agree on the need to secure the border with Mexico.

After dinner, Schumer and Pelosi said in a statement that they had "agreed to enshrine the protections of (the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme) into law quickly, and to work out a package of border security, excluding the wall, that's acceptable to both sides."

"What remains to be negotiated are the details of border security, with a mutual goal of finalizing all details as soon as possible," the Democratic leaders said, adding that "both sides agreed that the wall would not be any part of this agreement."

However, early on Thursday, Trump, who for more than 18 months has been vowing to build a wall along the US-Mexican border, insisted that "no deal was made" on DACA.

Schumer and Pelosi later issued a statement clarifying that what was agreed upon was Trump supporting Congressional actions to put DACA protections into law.

Trump told reporters that "the wall will come later".
Astana, Sep 14 : Russian, Turkish and Iranian forces will monitor at least three of the four Syrian de-escalation zones mandated following last December's ceasefire, Moscow's chief delegate to the Astana process said here on Thursday.

The parties gathered in the Kazakh capital -- the three guarantor nations, the Bashar al-Assad government and the Syrian opposition -- are close to agreement on the details of the zones, Alexandr Lavrentiev told a press conference, Efe news reported.

Even so, he said, negotiations continue on the "concrete" composition of the forces to be deployed in the provinces of Idlib, Homs and Ghouta.

While the parties agreed in May on the creation of the zones, the opposition has refused so far to accept the presence of Iranian observers in the de-escalation areas.

Lack of accord on that point wrecked the fifth round of Astana talks in July.

The fourth truce zone, located in southwestern Syria, was designated thanks to the intervention of the US and Jordan, who used their influence over the rebel groups active there.

The US and Jordan, who are also represented at the talks in the Kazakh capital, will have a great deal of say in the mechanisms for overseeing the de-escalation in the southwest, Lavrentiev said.

The Russian diplomat expressed confidence that all pending questions regarding the truce zones would be resolved on Friday.

Other topics under negotiation during this sixth round of the Astana process include the establishment of a cease-fire coordination centre and the appointment of a working group on the release of prisoners and hostages.

The participants are expected to sign a joint declaration on the removal of landmines from around Syrian monuments that are listed by the UN as World Heritage Sites.
Dehradun, Sep 15 : President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah will visit Uttarakhand between September 19 and October 5, officials said on Friday.

Kovind's visit has been tentatively fixed for September 23. Naidu will visit Uttarakhand on October 3.

Modi will undertake a one-day visit on October 5 to participate in a function at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration at Mussorie.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Uttarakhand on September 19.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has held a series of meetings with high-level officials ahead of the high-profile visits.

Shah will take stock of party affairs in the state after its landslide win in the March assembly elections and oversee coordination between the Uttarakhand BJP unit and the state government, a BJP leader told IANS.
Kanpur, Sep 15 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday kick-started the "Swacchta Hi Seva" campaign from Ishwariganj village of Kanpur -- his home district -- and administered the oath of cleanliness to the large gathering.

The President also honoured those who helped make Ishwariganj an open defecation-free (ODF) village.

"Construction of toilets is more important than temples," he said, adding that the cleanliness mission had brought about a new awakening among the people.

"Today, our country is fighting a decisive battle against uncleanliness. We have two years to achieve the targets of Swachh Bharat Mission. The 'Swachhta hi Seva' campaign is a nationwide attempt to strengthen this mission," Kovind said.

He said keeping the surroundings clean was not only the job of sanitation personnel and government departments but that of people as well.

"Cleaning is not only the responsibility of sanitation workers. Even Mahatma Gandhi tried to teach this point 100 years ago while he himself engaged in cleaning. He had said that till the time you will not pick up broom and bucket in your hands, you will not be able to clean your village and city," he said.

Kovind said insanitation was a curse for society and that illnesses caused by it cost as much as 6.4 per cent of India's Gross Domestic Product.

Referring to Kanpur as his home, he mused how he found it a little discomforting to be welcomed in one's own home but added that he knew that this grand welcome was not for Ram Nath Kovind but the President of India.

"I have an emotional connect with Kanpur. I started my life from a small village in Kanpur Dehat (rural)," the President said.

Kovind also said the rich history of the city always inspired him and exhorted the people to make the city clean.

"We all have lived in villages and know the difficulties of not having toilets in home," he said while urging people to become a part of the campaign to make toilets at home.

Kovind also mentioned the 'have toilet' campaign by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and said people should follow his request of "Darwaza band karo, beemari band".

In course of his address, he also hailed the efforts of another Bollywood star Akshay Kumar towards making India clean.

The Uttar Pradesh government will observe "Seva Diwas" (day of service) on September 17 and carry out a range of activities, including building cess-pit toilets, voluntary work and sanitation drives.
New York, Sep 16 : White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is extremely pessimistic about the situation in Mexico, describing it as on the verge of collapse amid a crisis as desperate as the one in Venezuela, media reports said.

The New York Times said on Friday that those comments were made at a working dinner at the White House last Wednesday at which US President Donald Trump, members of his Cabinet and Democratic members of Congress were present, Efe news reported.

Analyzed at that meeting were proposals to define legislative guidelines on immigration matters, particularly regarding the hundreds of thousands of "Dreamers", young people who came to the US as children with their undocumented parents.

Two different sources said Trump at that working dinner asked for a comment from Kelly, who was homeland security secretary before occupying his current position, and who has repeatedly warned about the instability of the US border with Mexico.

According to The New York Times, Kelly insisted on the need to strengthen border security and gave a very pessimistic view about the border and Mexico's political situation, though the daily offered no specific quotes on the matter.

The sources told the newspaper that Kelly compared Mexico to Venezuela under the presidency of the late Hugo Chavez, and suggested that it was on the verge of collapse, which could have repercussions in the United States.

The meeting was part of Trump's contacts with politicians of the rival party, including Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, in an attempt to find a solution to immigration problems.
Los Angeles, Sep 16 : Actress Rosamund Pike has revealed that she "barely spoke" to actor Christian Bale while shooting for their new film "Hostiles".

Pike says she did this intentionally as it helped with the shooting process.

"Christian and I barely spoke, and to this day we hardly know each other," Pike told dailymail.co.uk.

In the movie, Pike plays the part of Rosalie Quaid, a suicidal widow who is struggling to come to terms with the murder of her family.

"I sometimes felt very troubled that I could be in that space (playing the character), but then be fortunate enough to go home, and my children be alive. They were on location with me the whole time," she said.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) Sanjay Dutt came out of the jail last year and the actor said during his time behind the bars he missed being in front of the camera.

The 58-year-old star, who is returning to the silver screen with "Bhoomi", said in Yerawada Central prison he always used to think about his comeback movie and the Omung Kumar-directed film was the perfect story.

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"I missed myself on the big screen all the time. When I was in jail, I used to think whenever I will come out, I will start doing films again and Bhoomi was the right script. It is a great film to make a comeback with," Dutt told reporters here at a press conference.

The film is a revenge drama that revolves around a father-daughter relationship. Actor Aditi Rao Hydari is playing the role of Dutts daughter in the movie.

Dutt says his on screen character Arun Sachdeva is completely different from his real self.

"In this film, I have not acted like the father I am in real life. There is a huge differnce between my character Arun Sachdeva and the real Sanjay Dutt as father. Father is a father anyway. But I didnt relate my relationship with my kids to my relationship with my onscreen daughter," he said.

Produced by Omung, Sandeep Singh and Bhushan Kumar, "Bhoomi" is set to release on September 22. PTI SHD BK

--- ENDS ---
London, Sep 16 : Islamic State said the group carried out the bombing at Parsons Green underground station in west London on Friday, media reports said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday that the terror threat level is raised to critical, which means a further terrorist attack in Britain may be imminent.

May said that her government decided to raise the terror threat level from severe to critical, highest possible level, after an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion took place on a packed rush-hour carriage at Parsons Green subway station on Friday morning in London, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Islamic State's Amaq News Agency said on Friday night that the terrorist group claimed responsibility for the subway explosion in London, Sky news reported.

London police said on Friday that the home-made explosive device partially detonated in the morning rush-hour blast in a subway station in London. The device had a timer, police added.

At least 29 people, including a young boy, were injured when the bomb sent a ball of fire on a packed carriage of a District Line train at Parsons Green subway station.

Nobody suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident, the fifth terrorist attack Britain has suffered in less than six months. They are being treated in hospitals mainly for burn injuries.

Condemning the "cowardly" terror attack, May said an improvised explosive device that exploded on a packed Tube train was intended to cause significant harm, according to Sky News.

A massive hunt for the perpetrator is under way, and London police called upon people to provide information that would help identify and arrest the man who placed the explosive device on the train.

According to previous local media reports, the identity of the suspect has been found with the help of surveillance footage.

The Friday blast came after three deadly terrorist attacks in London this year -- Westminster Bridge, London Bridge and Finsbury Park, and one in Manchester at a concert.
Los Angeles, Sep 16 : Annotated scripts by the late "Star Wars" actress Carrie Fisher are set to be auctioned in October.

Fisher, who starred as Princess Leia in the film series, passed away in December 2016.

Now, some of her personal, hand-annotated shooting scripts for the sci-fi film series will be up for auction during a three-day auction of Carrie and her late mother Debbie Reynolds' property October 7-9, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The first is Fisher's shooting script from "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back". The 158-page script features annotations by Fisher which show the subtext and context of her iconic character's dialogue. It is estimated to sell for $30,000 to $50,0000.

Also up for auction is her bound presentation script for the 1977 movie "Episode IV: A New Hope", signed by filmmaker George Lucas.

Lucas wrote on the script: "To Carrie with much love, George."

It is estimated to sell for around $20,000 to $30,000.
Baghdad, Sep 16 : The Parliament of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan convened for the first time after two years of suspension, and is scheduled to discuss referendum on independence of the Kurdish region.

"The meeting will discuss the referendum of the Kurdistan region, which will be on September 25, and will respond to the decision made earlier by the Iraqi parliament, which rejected this referendum," said Tariq Jowhar, media advisor of the Parliament, said on Friday.

Jowhar said the session was chaired by the Deputy Speaker, as Speaker Yousif Mohammed Sadiq did not attend the session since his Gorran Movement is boycotting the session along with the Kurdistan Islamic Group, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, the two major Kurdish parties of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) announced that the Parliament session, originally scheduled on Thursday, would be delayed to late Friday to convince Goran Movement and the Islamic group to attend the first parliament session in two years.

On Thursday, the Kurdish regional government said it had received an alternative plan for the referendum on independence in Kurdistan on September 25.

An international delegation, including the US, Britain and UN envoys, met with Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and presented the alternative path for the controversial independence referendum.

The referendum has been opposed by Baghdad because it would threaten the integrity of Iraq and would distract the ongoing fight against Islamic State militant group by Iraqi forces.

The neighbouring countries of Turkey, Iran and Syria also feel that the move would threaten their territorial integrity, as large numbers of Kurdish population live in those countries.
Astana, Sep 16 : The guarantor nations of the Syrian ceasefire -- Russia, Turkey and Iran -- announced in the Kazakh capital the creation of de-escalation zones in Syria that are to be in force for at least six months.

"We have declared the creation of de-escalation areas in eastern Ghouta, in certain areas of northern Homs, in Idlib province and in certain areas of the neighbouring Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces, and some areas of southern Syria," reads the final declaration of the Astana-6 peace talks on Friday.

The document states that the zones "are a temporary measures that will initially last six months and will be automatically extended on the basis of consensus among the guarantor countries", Efe news reported.

The talks were also attended by the Syrian Government and armed opposition.

Despite opposition from the anti-Damascus side, Iranian forces are to take part in efforts to uphold the terms of the agreement reached on Friday following two days of talks in Kazakhstan.

The head of the Syrian opposition delegation Fateh Hassoun told a press conference that the armed groups did not agree with Iran's role in the ceasefire.

"We have a stance on the presence of Iran as a guarantor. We do not agree with that role," Hassoun said.

Rebel leader Yasser Abdul Raheem was more determined.

"We will not accept Iran's participation even if they wear the UN's blue helmets," he said.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrajmanov announced that the next round of the Astana Process is planned for October.
Noida, Sep 16 : Police killed two criminals and arrested three others in two separate encounters in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

In Sahibabad, police busted an extortion racket and gunned down two criminals, one of whom was involved in the murder of a Bharatiya Janata Party leader in Delhi and carried a bounty of Rs one lakh.

Based on specific information that some criminals were on their way to pick up extortion money from parents of a child, Ghaziabad police had put up check posts.

The criminals on a bike opened fire on the police team around 2 a.m., in which a senior sub-inspector sustained a bullet injury while two criminals were gunned down in retaliatory fire.

The other police action took place in sector 58 of Noida in which a robbery was averted.

Noida Superintendent of Police (City) Arun Kumar said based on a tip-off that a gang of robbers was headed to the Fortis hospital to rob cash that was scheduled to move from the hospital, police teams intercepted four men on bikes just after midnight.

Asked to stop, the men opened fire. One criminal was injured in retaliatory firing. The remaining three tried to flee but two were nabbed.

The injured criminals were sent to a medical facility.
Mumbai, Sep 16 : Chakri Toleti, who is directing a yet untitled film featuring Sonakshi Sinha and Diljit Dosanjh, got injured on the movie's set.

The incident happened on Wednesday here.

According to a source from the unit, Toleti was explaining a scene to Diljit and Sonakshi, and was deeply engrossed in it. In the scene there was supposed to be an oil spill and the two actors had to slip and fall.

Toleti did not realise that the oil had already been spilled on the floor as the crew was still preparing for the scene, he slipped and injured his leg.

The shoot was on a halt for half-a-day until the doctors gave him a go-ahead to continue working. His leg is in a plaster, but the shoot has resumed and is currently underway in Ahmedabad, said the source.

Toleti said in a statement: "It was an unfortunate incident, but now I'm recovering slowly. We had to halt the shoot for some hours but with the support of the Sonakshi, Diljit and the crew, we managed to finish the shoot in the decided time."

The movie is produced by Vashu Bhagnani. Its shoot had begun in New York earlier this year.
Washington, Sep 16 : Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has urged the American Red Cross to "honour its promises" to help in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey that lashed the state of Texas last month.

More than $300 million have been donated to the Red Cross after Harvey battered the city of Houston and nearby regions after it made landfall on August 25, reports Xinhua news agency.

Turner on Friday said he understands that helping people on this scale is difficult, but the organisation should give proper answers to doubts about how it spends the donated money.

"If you promise people something, you got to make it happen... Otherwise don't promise at all," he said.

Many Harvey survivors have claimed that they were not getting the assistance promised by the organisation, specifically the $400 promised to every family that survived the flood.

The Red Cross said its system for the programme went down on Monday.

Later on Friday, the Red Cross said that it would launch a website on September 21 to handle all registrations, which will remain open until October 10.

Severely impacted households from 39 Texas counties can apply for the $400.

Last week, Houston City Councilman Dave Martin urged residents not to donate their money to the "inept" and "unorganised" Red Cross.

Martin also questioned why the Red Cross appears to be taking credit for relief efforts in Houston when the local government has been doing most of the work.

Harvey was the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years, displacing more than 1 million people and damaging some 200,000 houses in its path of destruction that stretched for over 480 km.

The Houston area was hit by severe flooding, after receiving about 1.4 metres of rain.
Ghaziabad, Sep 16 : The Ghaziabad police on Saturday arrested a criminal in Uttar Pradesh who was involved in the 2013 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Deepak Bhardwaj.

Machhendra Nath alias Baba Pratibhan, who carried a bounty of Rs one lakh by the Delhi Police, was on the run for the last four years, a police officer said.

Nath is a resident of Beed in Maharashtra.

Bhardwaj, who had contested the Lok Sabha election on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket in 2009 was the richest candidate in Delhi with a declaration of Rs 600 crore assets.

He was shot dead at his 34-acre Nitesh Kunj farm house near the toll plaza in Gurugram on March 26, 2013.
Dublin, Sep 16 : Irish budget airline Ryanair will cancel 40 to 50 flights every day for the next six weeks in a bid to improve its punctuality, the media reported.

The airline announced the plan on Friday, saying that it was "unacceptable" that its punctuality had fallen below 80 per cent in the first half of September, BBC reported.

It also said it had to clear a backlog of staff leave by the end of the year.

The move could affect up to 285,000 passengers, who will be offered alternative flights or refunds.

Ryanair said that less than 2 per cent of its flights would be cancelled and the move would help it hit its annual punctuality target of 90 per cent.

Ryanair has advised customers that flights will be operating as scheduled unless passengers have received a cancellation email.

"By cancelling less than 2% of our flying programme over the next six weeks, until our winter schedule starts in early November, we can improve the operational resilience of our schedules and restore punctuality to our annualised target of 90 per cent," the BBC quoted Ryanair's Robin Kiely as saying.
London, Sep 16 : A manhunt is under way to find the attacker who attempted to blow up a packed London Tube train during the morning rush hour, injuring 29 people and resulting in an increase of the terror threat level from "severe" to "critical".

The Islamic State group on its Amaq news agency claimed it was behind the explosion, which took place at 8.20 a.m. on Friday and sent a ball of fire along a carriage of the eastbound District Line train from Wimbledon at the Parsons Green station, south-west London.

Police said they were "chasing down suspects" and had hundreds of officers trawling through CCTV following the District Line attack, the BBC reported.

Reports said that the police have found CCTV images that captured the perpetrator as he boarded the train with the bomb packed in a white plastic bucket inside a Lidl supermarket bag.

The station reopened in the early hours of Saturday. Raising the terror status to its highest level, which means another attack is considered imminent, Prime Minister Theresa May said military personnel would replace armed police "on guard duties at certain protected sites which are not accessible to the public".

Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it was "very routine" for the Islamic State to claim the attack "whether or not they've had any previous engagement with the individuals involved".

He asked the public to remain "vigilant", but said people should "not be alarmed".

Commuters described a "fireball" sweeping through their District Line carriage, burning off some victims' hair and leaving some with severe burns. The blast sparked a stampede of passengers attempting to flee the station, threatening to crush a pregnant woman and children caught in the panic.

British media reported that the crude device, carried in a bucket and shoved into a shopping bag, had a timer, suggesting that some degree of bombmaking knowledge was employed.

Police swiftly declared a terrorist incident but have not confirmed any details of suspects after US President Donald Trump claimed the perpetrators were "in the sights of Scotland Yard".

The Metropolitan Police dismissed the US President's "speculation", while May said the intervention was "not helpful".

There were no reports of life-threatening injuries in the incident which is the fifth terrorist attack in Britain in less than six months.
BJP president Amit Shah asserted that India has the sovereign right to develop the country within its boundaries, dismissing China's objection to Japan showing interests in investment in the northeastern states.

By Press Trust of India: BJP president Amit Shah today asserted that India has the sovereign right to develop the country within its boundaries, dismissing China's objection to Japan showing interests in investment in the northeastern states.

"India's policy has been very well clarified by Sushmaji (External Affairs Minister). It is our sovereign right to develop the country inside our boundaries and we will utilise that right," Shah told a press conference here while replying to a query on the issue.

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Amid Japan's push for stepping up investments in India's north east, China had yesterday stated that it was opposed to any third-party involvement in the resolution of the Sino-India boundary disputes or any foreign investments in areas over which it has claims in the region.

A joint statement, issued by India and Japan on Thursday following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, had announced the setting up of the Act East Forum and referred to plans to take up infrastructure projects such as road connectivity and electricity in India's northeastern states.

Reacting to it, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Hunyin had said, "You also mentioned Act East policy.

"You must be clear that the boundary of India and China border area has not been totally delimited. We have disputes on the eastern section of the boundary."

"We are now trying to seek a solution through negotiations that is acceptable to both sides. Under such circumstances, various parties should respect such aspects and any third party should not be involved in our efforts to resolve the disputes," she said.

--- ENDS ---
Mysuru, Sep 16 : Reshma Qureshi, an acid attack survivor who has been vocal about her struggle and has featured on the fashion ramp, says her attacker and his family want her to "let him go" now that she has become "famous".

Reshma was here to walk the ramp for designer Jaheena at the fourth edition of Crocs Mysore Fashion Week as the showstopper. The catwalk is not new to her -- she took to the New York Fashion Week ramp last year.

In a tete-a-tete with IANS, Reshma responded to a query on whether the attacker or his family contact her now that she is a known face.

"I haven't spoken to the attacker or his family as such, but I met him two months back in court. I instinctively wanted to rip his throat out, to be honest... When he saw me, he told his lawyer and people, 'She has become so big and a model, she is in a good place, so please release me or help me out'," Reshma said.

"His family does see me in the news and people do say that now that you have become big, why don't you let him go... But why should I let him go? He did wrong, so why should I? My mother clearly says that the way my daughter was earlier, bring that back, then we will let you go," Reshma added in a determined tone.

The daughter of a Mumbai-based taxi driver, Reshma's life changed in 2014 when, during a visit to her hometown in Uttar Pradesh, her brother-in-law and his friends assaulted her at a railway station and threw acid on her face.

Reshma's brother-in-law mistook her for her elder sister, since both of them were wearing burqas. She was only 17 at the time.

She says people often feel sorry that she suffered when her sister was the real target. But she adds, "Even if it had happened to her (sister), she would have been in the same kind of agony. So, how does that change anything? The statement is unsettling."

After the attack, which left her not just with physical but emotional scars too, Reshma tried to commit suicide thrice.

"But my parents supported me and then, after two months, the NGO Make Love Not Scar, Ria Sharma and Tania Singh came in and helped me... Now people know me because of them," she said.

Reshma does not like to be called an acid attack "victim". "We are not and we should not be called that... I am a survivor."

She continues to take up offers to walk the ramp as she feels a lot of women who have been or are being victimised will be inspired by her and gain confidence and courage for their own battles.

Reshma hopes that some day there will be a fashion show solely for acid attack survivors who are scared to step out of their homes.

"They are no less than celebrities. We have to muster tonnes of courage to face the world as we go through a lot... The first time that I walked the ramp, I was scared to the bones, but the people in New York cheered me up," said Reshma.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Crocs Mysore Fashion Week 2017. Kishori Sud can be contacted at kishori.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Sep 16 : The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India has lauded the role of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in securing the release of Father Tom Uzhannalil, the Kerala priest abducted by the Islamic State in Yemen in March 2016.

The priest was released on September 12 and the Minister tweeted on Saturday a letter written to her by the CBCI Secretary General Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas.

Mascarenhas has expressed gratitude to Sushma Swaraj, saying she had done a marvellous work by undertaking the matter of Father Uzhannalil.

The Catholic priest reached the Vatican on September 13, a day after his release from an undisclosed location in Yemen after the intervention of Oman.

"I am really touched by your compassionate nature and for the very personal interest with which you undertook the matter. Every time we met you, we came re-assured that sooner or later Father Tom would be released," read the letter.
Srinagar, Sep 16 : Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday said that the BJP came to power by pitching militancy in the state against the rest of the country.

Azad, who is a member of the Congress' policy planning group on Jammu and Kashmir led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for growing incidents of violence in the state.

"One soldier was beheaded during the UPA government in Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists and the BJP exploited the issue to the hilt against the Congress.

"Such incidents have also taken place during Modi government and they do not talk about it now," Azad said.

He was speaking to the media after the Congress group arrived in Srinagar to interact with "like-minded" people to find the way forward to end violence in the state.

Asked whether the Congress would engage in talks with separatist Hurriyat leaders, Azad said: "I have seen the list of 45 political parties and other groups we will be meeting here, but I did not find Hurriyat in that list."

He, however, put the ball in the government's court, saying Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been speaking of a dialogue with all stakeholders to solve the Kashmir problem.

"But she is shying away from naming who these stakeholders are," he said.

The Congress leaders are meeting the delegations at the Hari Niwas guest house in the high security Gupkar Road area of Srinagar.

Clarifying that they have not come to J&K just for the issue of Section 35A, dealing with the permanent residents of the state and their citizenship rights, Azad said the group was formed well before that keeping in view the situation in the state.

Asserting that the situation during the Congress rule was much better, Azad said there were a number of young people who have suffered serious injuries including loss of sight in the violence.

Before coming to the Kashmir valley, the members of the committee had gone to Jammu where they interacted with a large number of people and met delegations.

"We had 35 meetings in Jammu and about 45 to 50 in Kashmir and now we are going to Ladakh. We have come to hear the people, what they want to say."
London, Sep 16 : An 18-year-old was arrested on Saturday in connection with the terror attack on a London Tube train that left 29 people injured.

The man was detained in the port area of Dover by Kent Police over the Friday morning rush hour attack at the Parsons Green station in southwest London, BBC reported.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said the arrest was "significant", but the terror threat level remains at "critical".
Ghaziabad, Sep 16 : A self-styled godman allegedly involved in the 2013 murder of BSP leader Deepak Bhardwaj was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district after eluding police for four years, police said on Saturday.

Machhendra Nath alias Baba Pratibhanand, on whose head Delhi Police had placed a Rs 1 lakh bounty, was arrested from the railway station here on Friday night by a team led by Superintendent of Police, City, Akash Tomar, SSP Ghaziabad H.N. Singh said at a press conference here.

Police swooped in on Pratibhanand, a resident of Maharashtra's Beed, on a tip-off about his presence.

A .32 bore pistol and cartridges were seized from Pratibhanand, who confessed to his crime during interrogation.

Pratibhanand confessed that while selling ayurvedic medicines in a temple, he had come in contact with lawyer Baljeet Sahrawat, through whom he came into touch with Bhardwaj's younger son Nitesh. Nitesh and his mother were not good relations with Bhardwaj and hired Pratibhanand to eliminate him for Rs 5 crore.

Out of this, Rs 50 lakh was paid in advance to buy weapons and other items like vehicles for the assailants. Pratibhanand got his driver Purshottam Rana and others to eliminate Bhardwaj, who was shot dead at his 34-acre Nitesh Kunj farmhouse near the toll plaza in Gurugram on March 26, 2013.

Since then, Pratibhanand was on the run, travelling through Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, said the SSP.

The godman also told police that he had agreed to get Bhardwaj murdered so he could have enough money to establish an ashram in Haridwar and fulfil his childhood dream of heading a 'Mutt'.

Bhardwaj, who had contested the Lok Sabha election on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket in 2009, was the richest candidate in Delhi, having declared assets worth Rs 600 crore.
Chandigarh, Sep 16 : The trustees of Ryan International Schools on Saturday moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case related to the murder of seven-year-old Pradhuman at the Ryan International School in Gurugram last week.

The trustees -- Augustine F. Pinto, his wife Grace and their son Ryan, approached the high court here after the Bombay High Court rejected their bail plea citing jurisdiction issues.

The regional head of the Ryan Group of Institutions, Thomas Francis, who was arrested by the Haryana Police in the case, moved an application for regular bail.

The matter will be heard by the high court on Monday.

The Bombay High Court had earlier granted conditional interim stay on their arrest till 5 p.m. on Friday, while asking them to deposit their passports with Mumbai Police. The interim protection against arrest was granted to enable the three to approach the Haryana court.

Seven-year-old Pradhuman Thakur was murdered at Ryan International School in Bhondsi area on the Sohna Road in Gurugram district on September 8. Apprehending arrest by Haryana Police, the Pintos -- who are trustees of St Xaviers Education Trust -- had filed an anticipatory transit bail application before the Bombay High Court on Monday.The application was opposed by the boy's father, Varun Thakur, through his lawyers.

Pradhuman was found dead with his throat slit inside the school's washroom within an hour after his father dropped him at school on Friday morning. The case snowballed into a major national issue of safety and security of children in schools, with vociferous protests held by parents and activists outside Ryan schools in several states.
New Delhi, Sep 16 : Marshal of Indian Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh was on Saturday suspected to have suffered a massive heart attack and was in a critical condition on ventilator support at the Army Hospital (R&R) here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where Arjan Singh is undergoing treatment.

"I received the message that Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh was taken ill. He was suspected to have had a massive heart attack in the morning and was brought to this hospital. At the hospital, he held the hand of the doctor who had been regularly visiting him, and was also responding to the treatment," Sitharaman told reporters after the visit.

"I also spoke to his family -- his two sisters and the husband of one of the sisters -- and then visited the ICU where he is being treated.

"The Prime Minister was informed and he came here around 5 pm, spoke to the family, went to the ICU. His condition remains critical," the Minister added.

The three services chiefs also visited the hospital.

"We all are here, just giving all the necessary support to the family. We only hope that he recovers early. His condition remains critical," Sitharaman said.

Arjan Singh, 98, was appointed Chief of Air Staff on August 1, 1964. He was the first Air Chief who kept his flying category till being appointed the CAS (Chief of Air Staff).

Singh had the unique honour of leading a flypast of over 100 IAF aircraft over the Red Fort on August 15, 1947 when India attained Independence. In the 1965 war with Pakistan, he led the IAF operations that pushed back the Pakistani offensive.

He led the Indian Air Force through the war showing successful leadership and effort. Upon retirement from IAF in 1969, he was appointed the Ambassador to Switzerland.

In recognition of his services, he was conferred the rank of Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002, making him the first and the only 5-star rank officer with the IAF.
Bengaluru, Sep 16 : The government on Saturday ruled out further extension in filing of returns under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime after December and advised taxpayers to file them in advance and not wait for the last day.

"We have kept long deadlines for GST filing. For at least six months, the taxpayers have to file their own assessment. There will be no extension later," Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia told reporters here after the first meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) that was formed to tackle the IT-related glitches in the GST Network (GSTN).

The GST Council has allowed businesses to file GSTR-3B, which is a self-assessment of their sale and purchases, till December.

"Initial hiccups are there but no mass scale failure. Initial issues need to be sorted out. We have decided a plan of action. The attempt was to work around the difficulties to eliminate problems, leading to better understanding of all stakeholders," he added.

As decided in the last GST Council meeting on September 9 in Hyderabad, returns for July have to be filed by October 10 under GSTR1, by October 31 under GSTR2 and by November 10 under GSTR3.

"The deadline for filing of returns under GSTR3B, which is a self-assessment of summary returns will be the 20th of the next month. We have already extended the period for GSTR3B by six months. People have to file the returns by then (six months). There is not going to be any extension of time for GSTR3B," said Adhia.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the GoM as its convener, said though 47 lakh traders/dealers have filed returns under GSTR3B for July, the number for August was only 3.05 lakh till date.

"As there are only four days left for filing the returns under 3B for August, I appeal to all the registered taxpayers to file their summary returns under 3B at the earliest and not wait till the last date (September 20)," he said.

Assuring the taxpayers that the government would be able to iron out 70-80 per cent of the technical issues being faced in filing returns by October 30, Modi said the people should not wait for the last day.

"The general tendency is that people wait for the last day resulting in heavy rush. There is heavy rust to file returns in the last 3-4 days beforeA the deadline," he added.

IT services firm Infosys is taking care of the IT infrastructure for GSTN as its sole vendor.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who heads the GST Council, had set up the five-member GoM on September 12 to study and resolve the IT challenges faced in the implementation of GST after many member states complained to him last week that the glitches were causing problems for taxpayers in filing returns.

Besides Modi, other GoM members are Chattisgarh Minister for Commercial Taxes Amar Agarwal, Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda, Kerala Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Issac and Telengana Finance Minister Etela Rajendar.

GSTN Chairman Ajay Bhushan Pandey and GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar assist the GoM in addressing the glitches.

Modi also said a day-long meeting of tax officers of state governments was held on Friday with the GST Network (GSTN), stakeholders, bankers, tax experts, big corporates and Infosys regarding the glitches faced in filing returns.

The GoM meeting will be held every 15 days, mostly in Bengaluru, with the next meeting scheduled in the first week of October.
Dindugal, Sep 16 : DMK Working President M. K. Stalin on Saturday threatened to launch a people's movement against the minority AIADMK government in tamil Nadu if they do not get "justice" from courts on their demand for floor test.

"We hope that in two or three days we will get justice from the High Court (where DMK has filed a petition for floor test). I have no doubts about it but if we do not get justice from the High Court we will mobilise people and launch an agitation," Stalin told a public meeting here in the southern part of Tamil Nadu.

He said the state government was being run by the Centre because the Chief Minister E. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam were behaving like "slaves" of the government in Delhi.

Stalin alleged that the Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, who has been approached many times by the opposition on the issue, has failed to take any decision probably because "he is under someone's pressure".

He said the government enjoyed the support of only 114 MLAs against 119 MLAs ranged against it in a House of 233 members showing it was in a clear minority.

Despite being in minority, the ruling party was being allowed by the Governor to continue in power, he said.
Bengaluru, Sep 16 : Technical glitches and procedural problems galore on the GST Network have delayed payments and filing of returns under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, a Group of Ministers (GoM) admitted on Saturday.

"Technical glitches, procedural problems and absence of some forms on the network portal are causing delays in making payments and filing of returns by traders and dealers under the new GST regime," Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is the GoM's convener, told reporters here.

The five-member GoM, which held its first meeting here, was set up on September 12 to look into the technical issues faced by the GST Network and address them in consultation with all stakeholders and its vendor, Infosys Ltd.

The decision to form the GoM was taken at the last meeting of the GST Council in Hyderabad on September 9 after several member states complained to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who heads the Council, that the glitches were causing problems for taxpayers in filing returns and making payments.

"As the new tax regime is being implemented only since July 1, with filings, posting invoices, making payments and returns entirely online through the GST Network (GSTN), there are bound to be glitches in the initial days, which we are trying to address them on fast track," said Modi after chairing the GoM's first meeting here.

Besides Modi, other GoM members are Chattisgarh Minister for Commercial Taxes Amar Agarwal, Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda, Kerala Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Issac and and Telengana Finance Minister Etela Rajendar.

GSTN Chairman Ajay Bhushan Pandey and CEO Prakash Kumar assist the GoM in addressing the glitches.

"Over the last two months, 23,18,000 new traders have registered for the GST, with 11 lakh dealers under the composition scheme, taking the total number to over 85 lakh, including 62.25 lakh traders who migrated from the old VAT and service tax regime," said Modi.

Under the composition scheme, traders or dealers with less than Rs 75-lakh annual turnover have to file their quarterly returns though they will not tax their consumers.

"Though 47 lakh traders have filed summary returns under the GSTR3B for July, only 3.05-lakh of them have filed for August so far while the deadline is September 20," said Modi.

The glitches in the network will also compound filing the returns, as the GST portal will not be able to cope with the load on the system if traders rush to file at the last minute.

"The GST portal is by far the world's largest network, on which 22 crore invoices were filed over the last two months from across the country," he said.

Declining to explain the glitches faced by dealers to comply with the GST norms, Modi said the GoM had discussed the issues with Infosys, Commercial Tax officials of the state and central governments and tax consultants and resolved to fix about 80 per cent of them by October 30.

As each dealer had to register with PAN and Aadhaar numbers and comply with the norms applicable to them under the GST regime, they have been also facing procedural problems, as some of the forms to be filled were not yet uploaded on the portal.

"We have taken up the issues raised by the stakeholders with the vendor and instructed it to address each of them on priority to ensure hassle-free filing of returns and payments by traders or dealers from November 1," added Modi.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) India today hit back at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for raking up the Kashmir issue at the UN, saying the grouping has no locus standi to comment on its internal affairs.

In a strong reaction to a statement made by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC at the UN, India said Jammu and Kashmir is an "integral and inseparable" part of it, and advised the organisation to refrain from making such references in future.

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"India notes with utmost regret that the OIC statement contains factually incorrect and misleading references to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inseparable part of India," Sumit Seth, First Secretary at Indias Permanent mission to the UN in Geneva said.

He made the statement exercising Indias Right of Reply in response to comments made by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC.

"India outrightly rejects all such references. The OIC has no locus standi on Indias internal affairs. We strongly advise the OIC to refrain from making such references in future," Seth said.

Speaking on behalf of the OIC, Pakistan had lambasted India on the Kashmir issue.

The OIC is a 57-nation grouping which claims to be the collected voice of Muslims across the world. PTI MBP CPS

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi, Sep 16 : Remembering Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh as "an outstanding soldier and a diplomat who led from the front", Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said that he will always be a source of inspiration to the Indians.

Expressing her condolences, she said: "Arjan Singh was an outstanding soldier and a diplomat who led from the front. He will be particularly remembered for his successful operation tenure on the Burma Front during World War II."

"He was a jewel in the throne of our Armed Forces and his extraordinary contribution to as an Air warrior would always be a source of inspiration to us," she added.

Gandhi also conveyed her sympathies to his family and offered prayers for the departed.

Arjan Singh died at the Army Research and Referral Hospital here on Saturday evening. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after suffering a massive heart attack in the morning.
New Delhi, Sep 16 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday termed the death of Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh a "great loss" to the country.

"The kinds of aircraft that he has flown, the positions that he held, the awards that he has received and number of years of service. Irrespective of that his retirement happened in 1970, after that too he kept himself very active," Sitharaman said.

"It is very rare for any country to have a soldier of that kind of potential. It is a great loss for the country," she said.

The minister said she was out of station on Saturday morning, and returned to Delhi at 3.30 p.m., after which she rushed from the airport to the Army Research and Referral Hospital where he was admitted.

"I was out of station, I had gone to the Western Command, and after returning at 3.30 from the airport I called the Air Chief and straight I went to the hospital. From there of course, we were in touch with the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister also came, spoke with the family," Sitharaman said.

"We hoped that he would recover and the family was very supportive, his son and daughter are coming."

She said that the nation will have to recollect all the great things that are associated with him.

"He was active, was present at most public functions...He never thought he was a retired soldier. He was mentally and physically all around," she said.

"Taking all his achievements very lightly on his shoulders...that kind of a conduct for a soldier is something, which I think, is exemplary and that is what is going to be etched in so many of our memories.

"Generations have seen him and that was the kind of energy that he carried with him," Sitharaman added.

She said that Arjan Singh had flown 64 types of aircraft, and even at his old age, never missed a public function.

The minister also recollected that the nonagenarian would always stand up when the Prime Minister or President came.A

"There were several times when he would be seated and he would see the President or the Prime Minister of India, and he would get up to salute them. I have also seen Prime Minister Modi telling him that he should sit and he shouldn't get up, he is such a senior officer, five star general, somebody who was so elderly... But still he would insist. He would never forget the decorum of a much acclaimed soldier who knows the value of what it is to be in the armed forces.

"That is something which in spite of his age, he would stand up Ato be a true soldier," she said, adding, "That was what made people admire him."

Arjan Singh died at the Army Research and Referral Hospital here on Saturday evening. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after suffering a massive heart attack in the morning. He was 98.

Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston
Mumbai, Sep 16 : Acclaimed actress and activist Shaban Azmi will be honoured as an 'Icon of Indian Cinema' at the closing ceremony of the Mumbai edition of the eighth Jagran Film Festival here next week.

The ceremony will be held on September 24 in the presence of members of the Indian film fraternity, said a statement.

Manoj Srivastava, the Festival's strategic consultant, said: "It's a matter of pride for the Festival that such a great actor who hasn't perhaps got her due as yet, is being honoured with the 'Icons of Indian Cinema Award'."

Shabana has featured in movies like"Ankur", "Nishant", "Arth", "Shatranj Ke Khiladi", and emerged as one of the icons of parallel cinema in India. She has done her fair share of mainstream films too.

The Jagran Film Festival took off in Delhi before moving on with the journey to cities like Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Ranchi, Dehradun, Bhopal, Indore and Meerut. The journey will culminate in Mumbai between September 18-24.
New Delhi, Sep 17 : An ATM fraudster, who has cheated at least 50 people over the last three years, has been arrested here, police said on Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the accused Sandeep, 28, was arrested from Farsh Bazar area of east Delhi on Thursday.

Prasad said that Sandeep, a resident of Punjab, used to work in the housekeeping section of reputed hotels and noticing the lifestyle of the guests, he also wanted to lead a lavish lifestyle.

He starting cheating people who visited ATMs by different methods and then he withdrew their money, police said.

Upon receiving a complaint earlier this month, police accessed CCTV footages and formed got a photo of the accused.

The police then circulated it to their contacts on the ground.

On Thursday, a security guard at an ATM in Farsh Bazar came to the police station and told that he had locked inside the ATM counter the person shown in the picture circulated by police.

Police said that the accused had spent all the money in leading a lavish life and touring various places in India and abroad.

Police has also recovered 12 ATM cards and a silver chain from the accused.
Doha, Sep 17 : French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the lifting of a Saudi-led embargo on Qatar in effect since June 5, media reports said.

Macron is calling for "the embargo measures affecting the people of Qatar, in particular families and students, to be lifted as quickly as possible," the president's office said in a statement on Friday after he met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The statement said Macron "expressed his concern over the tensions that threaten regional stability, undermining the political resolution of the crises and our collective fight against terrorism", Xinhua news agency reported.

During the meeting in Paris, the two leaders have discussed the latest developments of the Gulf crisis, and the efforts to resolve it through dialogue and diplomatic means with Kuwait's mediation.

The visit is the third trip, after Turkey and Germany, of the Qatari emir's first foreign tour since the crisis began. The emir is also scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

A French frigate "Jean Bart" arrived at Qatar on Wednesday to take part in the joint military exercises of Qatar and France, as a part of the framework of the joint military cooperation between the two countries to combat terrorism and extremism.
The CMI 25 recognition is a further testament to our philosophy on service, relationships and the trust we have established with our customers, employees and suppliers for five decades.

Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW), was named to the 2017 MeetingsNet CMI 25 list of the 25 largest and most influential meeting and incentive travel management companies focused on the U.S. corporate market. Now in its 11th year, the list is a unique resource for meeting managers, incentive travel executives, and procurement professionals looking for experienced, professional outsourcing partners.

It is a tremendous honor to be included on the CMI 25 list for the ninth consecutive year, said Jean Johnson, CMP, Co-CEO and Chief People Officer with Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. This year marks a special milestone as we celebrate 50 years of success in the meetings and travel business. The CMI 25 recognition is a further testament to our philosophy on service, relationships and the trust we have established with our customers, employees and suppliers for five decades.

Technology solutions continue to be a core focus for our company, said Tina Madden, Co-CEO and Chief Customer Officer. Last year, we implemented a business intelligence tool (BI) to leverage event data from multiple sources, create real-time dashboards, and provide actionable, predictive insights to our clients. This is a game changer for our industry and it is exciting to see it unfold.

As a group, the companies on the 2017 CMI 25 list executed more than 139,000 corporate meeting and incentive travel programs in 2016representing more than 12.5 million group room nightsand employed more than 9,000 people in the U.S. alone. As these impressive numbers help reveal, meetings and incentive travel programs are extremely valuable to the businesses and cities that host them and to the participants who benefit from the networking and learning, said MeetingsNet Content Director Sue Hatch.

About MeetingsNet (CMI 25)

The CMI 25 is the most comprehensive listing of major independent meeting companies serving the corporate world. The full list was published in the September 2017 issue of the MeetingsNet on the website at http://www.meetingsnet.com or review the expanded listing on the digital magazine at http://www.meetingsnet.com/digital-edition.

About Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW)

M&IW is a global event management company that believes live events transform organizations. As a strategic partner and leading service provider, we work with some of the most recognized companies across the globe to help them source, design and execute successful events. M&IW is a 3rd generation, privately-held, Womens Business Enterprise (WBE) in business for 50 years. Global headquarters in Wisconsin, regional offices across the US, in the UK, Singapore and Brazil, and a presence in 19 countries.

M&IW provides Global Enterprise Solutions and a portfolio of management services for meetings, events, incentives, conference and trade shows. As an extension of our clients' meeting management resources, we help them increase the quality of their programs, achieve business outcomes, mitigate risk, and reduce costs. Our client services include: Global Strategic Sourcing, Registration and Attendee Management, Event Marketing, Creative Services, Group Travel Management, Event Planning, Program Management, On-Site Execution, Incentive Solutions, Mobility Solutions, Strategic Meetings Management consulting and Data Analytics. For more information, visit http://www.meetings-incentives.com.
The ISG has been serving the casino and gaming industryfor over 35 years, says Tom Stiles, the Executive Director of the ISG.

On October 3rd-5th, 2017 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Identification Systems Group will exhibit alongside longtime product partner Entrust Datacard in booth # 4204.

Together they will be demonstrating the features of the desktop Datacard CD800 Series ID card printers and multi-hoppers optimized for player card issuance by casinos and other gaming facilities. The ISG will also be showing the SmartReg reader solution to automate enrollment processing and player card issuance, and ISG Casino Track, a software solution used by gambling facilities to identify and track players who are listed on voluntary internal or state barred self-exclusion lists. By verifying their identity as soon as they enter your facility, Casino Track greatly reduces the risk of a barred player engaging in gaming activity or cashing out. The ISG will also be giving away personalized sample player cards and various prizes to booth attendees.

The ISG has been serving the casino and gaming industry in the US and Canada for over 35 years with identification, card issuance and tracking solutions, says Tom Stiles, the Executive Director of the ISG. This is a perfect opportunity for other decision makers in the gaming industry to sample the newest offerings from us and Datacard, and communicate to us both their current and future system needs.

About the ISG

The Identification Systems Group (ISG) is a nationwide network of local experts in identification, security, tracking, and card personalization technologies, providing high quality, cost-effective solutions backed by local support and the strength of our Professional Services Certification program. Each member company works together to provide seamless support and collaboration in the identification and issuance industries across the USA and Canada. For more information, please visit http://www.IdentificationSystemsGroup.com.
Mexicans don't have to pay anything to call landlines in Mexico on September 16, 2017, with HablaMexico.com.

HablaMexico.com, the platform dedicated to Mexicans abroad, launches new opportunities to get free calling credit between September 15-18, 2017. First, one can join the contest on Extrano Mexico Facebook page to win $10 Voice Credit for international calls to Mexico and other destinations by simply answering a question. Secondly, on September 16, 2017, HablaMexico.com will be welcoming Mexican with free calls to landlines in Mexico. The condition to be able to call landlines at no cost, on September 16, is to have a PIN with HablaMexico.com. Opening an account will be the first step, and HablaMexico promises no hidden fees: https://hablamexico.com/

Between September 15-18, Extrano Mexico Facebook community hosts an Independence Day contest that will bring the winner up to 2000 international minutes to Mexico or other destination, valid for lifetime. All those who want to join the race are welcome to leave a comment answering the question: "Que es lo que te hace sentir mas orgulloso acerca de la historia mexicana o el espiritu mexicano?" In other words: "What are you most proud of when it comes to the Mexican story?" Answers are awaited until September 16: https://www.facebook.com/ExtranoMexico.Fan/

On September 16, the Mexican diaspora is welcome on HablaMexico.com for a big surprise for them and their families and friends in Mexico: calls to landlines, that cost nada de nada. The surprise on Independence Day of Mexico will be HablaMexico's way to celebrate Mexican immigrants worldwide, and applaud their courage and colourful spirit that imbued so beautifully into the new home culture.

Calling balance with HablaMexico.com works very similar to a calling card, the difference being that there is no need to go to the store to get the credit, since it is available online, and secondly, the rates are essentially lower. Someone who wants to use the service or take advantage of a promotion or surprise on HablaMexico.com needs a PIN. The lowest purchase to get a PIN and also have a minimum calling balance for future calls is $2.

One can purchase Voice Credit that never expires, or get an unlimited plan that will give him/her more credit to communicate. One can use Voice Credit at 0.5 cents/minute for calls to landlines in Mexico, and 1.9 cents/minute for calls to mobile phones there. The unlimited plan is the best option to save big on calls to Mexico. The price per month is: $4.99 for unlimited international minutes.

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HablaMexico.com is a global provider of calling credit as the most economical alternative to old-fashioned calling cards. Their mission is to support long distance communication by offering promotions on international calling minutes as regular giveaway, but also by keeping international calling rates to Mexico and other destinations as low as possible. Plus, there are 2 more services for Mexicans abroad and their families: Virtual Numbers and Mobile Recharges.

HablaMexico.com is a website dedicated to Mexicans oversea and other people who need to communicate with the Philippines or to support people in there from the distance. The platform is a brand of KeepCalling, with more than 10 years of experience on the global market. The mother company is a telecommunications business registered in 2002 in the USA, listed by Inc 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the USA for 5 consecutive years. Presently, KeepCalling provides its services to hundreds of thousands of consumers, with a focus on customer satisfaction.
The 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards airs Sunday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, hosted by Stephen Colbert.

Hosted by Actor, Stephen Colbert, the Emmy Awards will honor the best in U.S. prime time television programming which aired from June 1, 2016 until May 31, 2017, as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, California, and will be broadcast in the U.S. by CBS. The ceremony will be hosted by Stephen Colbert.

This year the freshman HBO science fiction western drama Westworld and NBC sketch comedy Saturday Night Live are the most nominated programs, with 22 nominations each. Others include Netflix originals, The Crown and House of Cards. In 2013, Netflix became the first streaming service to win a Primetime Emmy Award. Only four years later, nearly half of the shows nominated for best comedy or drama come from streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, which has been nominated this year for their original series, The Handmaids Tale.

Click here to watch Anna Chlumsky and Shemar Moore announce the nominees for the 69th Emmy Awards.

***

DMG Productions

Contact: Sarah McBrayer  Creative Director

Phone: (866) 496-4065 x 802

Website: http://www.dmgproductions.org

DMG Productions (responsible for creating Innovations with Ed Begley Jr., American Farmer, Shades of Green, Business Update, Health Heroes, and more) includes personnel specialized in various fields from agriculture to medicine, independent films to regional news, and more. Field producers work closely with experts in the field to develop stories. This powerful force enables DMG to consistently produce commercial-free, educational programming that both viewers and networks depend on.
Through the relationship we build with the school, wed like to build more relationships with the students and help them become the best candidates possible for our job openings.

Wayne Homes, an Ohio-based custom home builder that specializes in custom on-your-lot homes, is proud to announce its partnership with Stark State College to provide scholarships to students.

This year, the newly-established Wayne Homes Scholarship will award up to $4,000 in scholarships to Stark State students. The alliance is geared toward providing annual scholarships to eligible students pursuing careers in design engineering, construction management, business, sales and marketing and with an interest in pursuing careers with Wayne Homes upon graduation.

Weve recognized the value that the school has brought to us with at least 30 percent of our home office employees having, at a minimum, taken classes there, Ben Vogel, Wayne Homes Product Development Manager and Stark State Board of Directors member, said. Through the relationship we build with the school, wed like to build more relationships with the students and help them become the best candidates possible for our job openings.

The Stark State College Foundation will collaborate with the heads of the degree fields identified and ask them for recommendations of students they feel are the most deserving. The Foundation will then distribute the scholarships based on the recommendations and financial need of the student.

The first-ever award winners will be announced at the colleges annual Scholars and Benefactors Luncheon in mid-May.

For more information about Wayne Homes, or to inquire about job opportunities, visit WayneHomes.com.
By India Today Web Desk: At India Today Mind Rocks 2017 held at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi, we have the two people who have played a significant role in reshaping the concept of online dating in India. In a session moderated by Asmita Bakshi, Editorial Consultant India Today, Sachin Bhatia, CEO, Truly Madly and Taru Kapoor, CEO, Tinder India, open up about the growth of online dating in the country.

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On the question of dating apps changing the idea of dating in India, Sachin said, "Dating apps act as catalyst in a way. Earlier people didn't have an option to meet people beyond their campuses, casts and communities, but now they do. They get to explore and meet new people."

On the other hand, Taru added, "I like to think of Tinder as an introduction platform. It lets you meet like-minded people. In India, we don't have the culture of walking up to someone and introducing ourselves. We have reduced that awkwardness through dating apps. The friction is gone. Now you have the ability to connect with whosoever you want with feeling awkward."

When asked about the difference in experiences that men and women have on these apps, Sachin added, "Truly Madly in India has a ratio of 70 men to 30 women. Girls have more options, so men generally complain. Girls have more options, but their antennas are stronger than men, and they have figured out how to keep men at bay."

On being asked about an ideal bio, Taru Kapoor said, "The perfect profile has to be authentic. The trick is to figure out what's unique about you, and you have to portray it in a strong light. Your pictures should be interesting, because they say a story. You must write a bio, not having a bio makes your chances of being swiped right 98% lesser. Bio helps with conversation openers."

Taru went on to share some tips on impressive pictures and suggested, "Don't put up group photos and don't hide behind those sunglasses."While Sachin shared some really important tips for men and women each, "Two advices: NO selfies for guys. You look uglier. And, girls, don't pout. It's too common, and wear red."

On being questioned about the idea of dating being cool, Sachin also concluded, "Dating isn't new, online dating is. There is a certain taboo, so we need a little education on that. A date is still a date, even if it's online."

Taru shared her thoughts on online dating being open to people of different sexualities, and said, "We stand for the ability to choose who you want to date and marry. It shouldn't be constrained by any social norms."

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While Sachin made an important announcement, "We are launching an app for LGBT community on Monday, it'll be called Delta. Every fourth person identifies himself as LGBT, and we're trying to make them find the right people."

Talking about dating apps, Taru said, "I've had people tell me that they matched and got married in 8 days. We share stories on our web pages, and they're just so relatable."

On the ideal way to start a conversation, Sachin added, "What most conversations start with heys and hellos or compliments. We, at Truly Madly, help you initiate a good conversation by picking up cues from social media profiles, and suggesting them to you."

Talking about the facilitation of technology in dating, Taru said, "Technology is only a facilitator, it cannot take away the efforts of a relationship. Tinder has taken away the fear of rejection, it lets you know you that you've been swiped right too. It eases communication, but it makes sure that the human relationship is still intact."

--- ENDS ---
Our first goal is to beef up the information provided on all variations of user queries on sensory software, such as sensory analysis software or sensory testing software.

RedJade, a leading provider of sensory software at http://redjade.net, is proud to announce the first phase of an important website upgrade. The company has revised its website, adding new information pages and a blog as the first phase in a website overhaul.

"We're excited at this first phase of our website overhaul," explained Steve Willis, Vice President at RedJade. "Our first goal is to beef up the information provided on all variations of user queries on sensory software, such as sensory analysis software or sensory testing software. Our next phase will be a complete overhaul from top to bottom of the website."

REASONS TO CHOOSE REDJADE SENSORY SOFTWARE

As part of the information upgrade to the website, new content has been added to supplement images and cornerstone articles. For example, the informational page on sensory software explains three key reasons to choose RedJade as a sensory software provider. First, there is the fact that RedJade is the only sensory analysis software that was developed by leading experts in the sensory science field. Second, there is the fact that RedJade was born in Silicon Valley, allowing it to leverage key talent in the software development industry. And third, the software is easy-to-use and intuitive. Finally, it should be pointed out that interested parties can click on the 'Schedule a Demo' link at the top of the website to request a no obligation software demo and trial. By making it easy to experience RedJade in a hands-on fashion, the new website hopes to encourage more people in the industry to experience RedJade's superior quality. Another important fact is that there are drill downs to more specific queries such as sensory analysis software at http://redjade.net/sensory-analysis-software/, reaching out, in that way, to Internet searches who have specific needs in mind.

ABOUT REDJADE SENSORY SOFTWARE

RedJade has redefined the sensory industry with RedJade (http://redjade.net), a sensory software application that raises the bar on what to expect from software. As pioneers in the sensory field since 1974, the company spent years evaluating software solutions that could bring testing processes to the digital age. The entrepreneurs at RedJade couldn't find any, so they developed one. The result is the only sensory software made with the expertise, insights and track record of a leading sensory analysis firm. The company's software developers are among the brightest minds in Silicon Valley. Combine those two factors, and the sensory software industry gets RedJade - there is simply no other product like it in the marketplace.

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Tel. 650-346-8796
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By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) The armies of India and the US today commenced a joint military exercise at a base in Washington state to hone tactical skills in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations, a statement from the military said.

Yudh Abhyas 2017, a joint military exercise, saw representation from 5th Infantry Battalion of 20 Infantry Regiment of the US Army while the Indian side was represented by soldiers of Gorkha Rifles from the Surya Command.

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During the two-week exercise, soldiers from both countries will hone their tactical skills in counter insurgency and counter terror operations under a joint brigade headquarter.

"Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in UN peacekeeping operations," the statement added. PTI PR KUN

--- ENDS ---
The consumer-data firm's CIO, David Webb, and its chief security officer, Susan Mauldin, are "retiring" a week after Equifax announced the cyber attack that has been called one of the worst such data breaches in US history.

Webb will be replaced by Mark Rohrwasser, who joined the company last year, Equifax said in an emailed statement. Mauldin will be replaced by Russ Ayres. Both Rohrwasser and Ayers have previously worked in Equifax's IT division.

The hack occurred between mid-May and July, Equifax said when it first disclosed the break in last week.

The company said criminals had accessed details including names and social security numbers. Credit card numbers for about 209,000 people, and certain documents for another 182,000 were also accessed. Equifax has set up a website to help people figure out if they are among those whose information was compromised.

The company said there was no evidence of a breach into its core consumer or commercial credit reporting databases, and has since admitted that the source of the breach was a software flaw that could have been prevented.

Three Equifax executives sold nearly $2 million in company stock just days after the breach.

The company said the executives "had no knowledge" of the incident beforehand, according to an emailed statement from the credit-monitoring agency.

Some US lawmakers have called for an investigation of the breach, with Equifax's CEO expected to testify before Congress over the matter, and the company's shares have plunged in the days since it was disclosed.
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Often, this may be done for political/nationalistic reasons  to remove all traces of colonial rule, or to reflect the ideology of the government in power. In other instances, place names have been changed for purely commemorative reasons  perhaps to honour great leaders or important events in the countrys history.

Here is a look at six African countries that have undergone a name change at some point in their recent existence.

Zimbabwe/Rhodesia

Present-day Zimbabwe was known as southern Rhodesia between 1898-1964, named after British colonialist and businessman Cecil Rhodes. As early as 1960, however, African nationalists began to refer to their country as Zimbabwe. They went on to incorporate the name into the official titles of their many pro-independence organisations.

It is widely believed that the name Zimbabwe is a compression of the words dzimba and dzamabwe (meaning house of stones) in the Shona language, which is widely spoken in present-day Zimbabwe. The European settler community continued to use the name Rhodesia; however, in due course, both the native Africans and the Europeans settled on the name Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. When the country finally attained independence from the British in 1980, it dropped the name Rhodesia to remove all vestiges of British colonialism.

Burkina Faso/Upper Volta

President Thomas Sankara, the young and charismatic leader of what was then known as Upper Volta, officially renamed the country as Burkina Faso on 4 August 1984. He chose the names Burkina and Faso from the two major languages spoken in the country. The old name Upper Volta had been given by the French colonialists in reference to the Volta River that flowed through the area.

Burkina in the Moore language means men of integrity while Faso is the Dioula word for fatherland; put together, Burkina Faso means land of the upright people. A citizen of Burkina Faso is known as a Burkinabe  the suffix -be means women or men in the Fulfulde language, also widely spoken across Burkina Faso.

Sankara was thus able to use three main languages in his country to derive a name that expressed the values and ideals of his fellow citizens in languages that they understood.

Ghana/Gold Coast

Ghana changed its name from the Gold Coast in 1957 to reflect its new status as an independent country after it attained self-rule from the British colonialists. Ghanas foremost nationalist leader Dr. Kwame Nkrumah renamed the country immediately after independence.

The name Ghana is believed to be in reference to the ancient kings (Gana) of the old Wagadugu Empire that ruled over the area now known as Ghana in medieval times. The new name was symbolic of the fact that every citizen of the new country was a potential king (or president).

Tanzania/Tanganyika-Zanzibar

Tanganyika was the name of a sovereign state located between the great African lakes and the Indian Ocean that existed from 1961, when it gained independence from the British Commonwealth. Between 1962 and 1964 the nation referred to itself as the Republic of Tanganyika.

Old Zanzibar, on the other hand, consists of a group of small islands collectively known as the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Ancient Zanzibar had been ruled by a sultanate before the coming of Western colonial powers.

On 26 April 1964, Zanzibar united with the Republic of Tanganyika to form the Peoples Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. In 1965, the republic combined the two country names into one new name: Tanzania.

Benin Republic/Dahomey

Dahomey was the name of a powerful pre-colonial West African kingdom in what is now the Benin Republic. At its peak, the Dahomey kingdom spanned present-day Benin, Togo, and some parts of southwestern Nigeria. Dahomey was famous for its female warriors who were skilled in battle and often served as royal body guards.

In 1975, under the leadership of Mathieu Kerekou, Dahomey changed its name to Benin Republic. This happened 15 years after the nation gained independence from the French colonialists in 1960. The change was liked to the Marxist-Leninist ideals in which its new leader believed.

Democratic Republic of Congo/Zaire

the Democratic Republic of Congo used to be known as Leopoldville in the 19century when it was a colony of the old Belgian monarchy. Between 1908 and 1960, it was known as the Belgian Congo. However, when the nation attained independence in 1960, its leaders renamed it Congo after the Congo River that flows through much of the country.

In 1971, President Mobutu Sese Seko again renamed the country, this time calling it the Republic of Zaire in a dodgy move he described as necessary to shed every ounce of Western colonial influence. Mobutu was deposed as president in 1996 and the new government of Laurent Kabila in 2007 returned the country to its old name.
Apple fans have welcomed Face ID as the future and the preferred way to unlock an iPhone X. Some privacy advocates have pointed out that the concept seems a little dystopian.

But others, like Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, who chairs a Senate privacy committee, want answers about how it works.

While Apple provided few details about the facial recognition system during the announcement a few days ago, the company now says it plans to release more information about Face ID privacy and security before the device goes on sale on November 3.

Apple's senior vice president for software, Craig Federighi, said that Apple plans to release a security "white paper" on Face ID in an interview with TechCrunch on Friday. Apple often releases detailed, technical reports it calls white papers on critical security features.

One of the common misconceptions about Face ID that Apple is keen to dispel is that Apple is building a database of faces with its new feature. "Face ID data never leaves the device, is encrypted and protected by the Secure Enclave," an Apple representative told Business Insider.

Our teams have been developing the technologies behind Face ID for several years, and our users privacy has been a priority since the very beginning.

Face ID provides intuitive and secure authentication enabled by the TrueDepth camera system and the A11 Bionic chip, which uses advanced technologies to accurately map and match the geometry of a user's face. Face ID data never leaves the device, is encrypted and protected by the Secure Enclave.

Weve tested Face ID on people from many countries, cultures, races and ethnicities, using over one billion images to train our neural networks and defend against spoofing.

Were confident that our customers will love using the feature and find it an easy and natural way to unlock their iPhone X. We will offer more details on Face ID as we near the products availability.
On Friday, staff of the bank wore school uniforms to work but some interpreted it to mean an endorsement of the free SHS policy.

The bank said the adoption of the school uniform initiative was part of a blitz day celebrations organized to create awareness among its customers about the banks educational plan policy.

A branch manager of the bank in Takoradi , Richard Tetteh Doku, told the Daily Guide newspaper that the move was not the first time the staff had dressed in school uniform as part of a blitz day celebrations.

READ MORE: Accra Girls denies student with dreadlocks admission

He said in July, this year, the bank organized a similar event during which the staff put on various school uniforms to create awareness about the banks educational plan policy.

We dress like this to arouse the curiosity of our customers, and once they see us in the uniform they try to enquire why we have dressed in school uniforms. We will then take the opportunity to explain the policy for them to understand it better, he explained.

The staff of most of our branches in Accra and other parts of the country also put on different kinds of uniforms to mark the day. So it had nothing to do with politics or the governments Free SHS policy.

READ MORE:Headmistress of Temasco assaulted by angry parents

He indicated that one customer secretly took shots of the staff in the banking hall without their consent and purportedly posted them on social media and created the impression that the banks staff were in solidarity with the governments policy.

When my attention was drawn to the pictures on and on other social media, I went to play the banks Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera and saw the one who took the pictures.
The headmaster of Pentecost SHS, Wisdom Blazu and Assistant headmaster of Daffour SHS, Rev. S.P Eleworkor were sacked by the Ghana Education Service.

Seven other school administrators had been interdicted for various misconduct.

They include; Headmistress of Kwenyarko SHS Mrs Florence Pra, Ahantaman SHS headmistress Mrs Mercy Ocloo, Ekumfi Ameyaw SHS Techiman Julian Okon and his Assistants Jacob Barzon and George Frimpong Kwarteng.

Speaking on Accra-based Starr FM over the development, the Vice President of NAGRAT, Angel Kabonu said the decision is unfair considering the union representations of the interdicted headmasters were not in the meeting that indicted them.

That did not happen and we are not too happy about it, he said, adding we have difficulty aligning ourselves with the decisions that had been taken yesterday [Thursday September 14, 2017.

READ ALSO: Here are the fees being absorbed by government

On his part, the National Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary School of Ghana (CHASS), Samuel Yeboah said the news of the interdiction without the said headmasters receiving fair hearings is rather unfortunate.
Adewole, who resides at No. 38, Apata Street, Shomolu, Lagos, was charged for indecent assault.

The police prosecutor, Simeon Imhonwa, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 25 at his residence.

He said the accused assaulted the underage girl by putting his hand into her private part.

The accused fingered the minor (name upheld) and also threatened to kill her if she informs anyone,Imhonwa said.

The prosecutor said the girls parents, who reside in the same compound with the accused, reported the case to the police after their daughter narrated her ordeal.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes section 135(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The accused however pleaded not guilty of the offence.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N400, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Spokesperson for the command, DSP Kennedy Idirisu, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lafia, said the suspect was arrested in Yelwan- Bassa village in Kokona Local Government Area.

He said the suspect had confessed to the crime and expressed remorse over her action.

He said investigation revealed that Aisha, who is the second wife of Alhaji Isah, was always at loggerheads with the first wife, Maimuna, and that all efforts by their husband to settle their differences were unsuccessful .

Aisha claimed that the first wife was always instigating her children not to run errands for her , a development that infuriated her since she had no child of her own. She said she had given birth to a baby girl in 2016 , but the baby died after six months.

Idirisu said Aisha had thrown baby Baaba into the well in April but since no one saw her , the family believed the baby accidentally fell into the well and died .

On August 26 , the police spokesman said, Aisha raised alarm that another child , Zainab , had fallen into the well and the husband dashed into the well to rescue the baby .

He said the husband brought out the baby dead , with her hands tied , which drew suspicion from the family and villagers leading to the arrest of Aisha.

According to him , Aisha later confessed to the crime and also accepted responsibility for the death of baby Baaba in April.
They are being taken through screening and registration before they are sent to their respective communities, NADMO officials have said.

Preliminary screening and registration figures reveal that the returnees are from mostly from Central Region, Takoradi in the Western Region and Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

NADMO officials have hinted more returnees are expected in the coming weeks.

Regional Public Relations Officer of NADMO, Mr Eric Arthur, told 3news that they have been able to identify some of the communities they originally come from.

So, what weve been able to do today is that we conveyed all of them from the Regional Police Commander to Esuohyia where they were registered.

All of them were taken to their various communities, Arthur added.

Asked if NADMO was expecting more deportees, Arthur responded saying they are expecting 336 more people. As we speak now, we dont know when they are actually coming, he said.
As many as 2,500 college students turned to clean Mumbai's beaches on International Coastal Cleanup Day.

Two students participate in a clean-up drive organised by the Coast Guard in Mumbai

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Well over 3,500 people, including 1,000 Coast Guard personnel, today took part in a annual cleaning drive at three Mumbai beaches to mark International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day.

The Coast Guard organised the campaign at Girgaun Chowpatty, Dadar Chowpatty and Juhu beaches to educate citizens about marine pollution, and about ways in which they could keep beaches and seas clean.

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"This waste which we are cleaning is due to us. And if we...(had) dumped it at (a) proper place, this situation could have been averted. We will certainly keep this lesson and pass it on to our students," said Suman, who's training to become a teacher. She was one of the 2,500 college students who turned up.

Coast Guard IG KR Naoutiyal sounded pleased with the turnout.

"It's good feeling that along with the Coast Guard, there are several students, citizens and family members of our officers who have taken part in this drive," he said.

"These students, who are our brand ambassadors, will help to spread the message."

Coast Guard officers organised similar drives in Dhanau and Ratnagiri, both coastal towns in Maharashtra.

--- ENDS ---
The accused Ogunjimi, 30, a bricklayer and Abiola, 29, an auto mechanic  were arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr J.A. Adigun, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

The accused, both residents of Alausa, Ikeja, however, pleaded not guilty and were admitted to a bail of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Adigun said the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, the accused committed the offences on Sept. 1 at 2.00 a.m. on Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja.

He said the accused and others still at large, who were armed with a toy gun, conspired to burgle the apartment of Messers Uchenna Oluigbo, Lawrence Oyinda and Yusuf Abubakar to steal their valuables.

The accused broke into the houses of the complainants and carted away with their property.

They threatened to shoot the complainants with the gun if they refused to comply and out of fear, the complainantscooperated.

The accused stole different types of phones, gold necklace, cash from the complainants which valued was yet to be ascertained,  Awase said.

The accused were arrested while others escaped with the stolen items.

The police discovered that the gun in their possession is a wooden toy gun, Awase told the court.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 307 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused may be jailed seven years if found guilty, according to the provisions of Section 307.
The mining license of Exton Cubic, a company with ties to Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former president John Mahama, was revoked after it was found out that the company did not obtain its mining license in a transparent manner.

But the group is accusing the president of political victimisation, demanding that the company be allowed to mine bauxite in the country.

The statement, issued in Accra by the Director of Communications at the Flagstaff House Eugene Arhin, said the President, as co-Chair of the Advocacy Group of Eminent Persons for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will participate in a series of SDGs events, and also deliver a speech on the theme Africa Beyond Aid, at the 5th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development, at the Earth Institute, Columbia University.

President Akufo-Addo will also hold bilateral talks with some colleague Heads of State, as well as with some CEOs of important global enterprises. At an event organised by the Africa-America Institute, on 19th September, the President will receive the National Achievement Award on behalf of the people of Ghana.

On Thursday, 21st September, President Akufo-Addo will deliver his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, and hold a meeting with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Friday, 22nd September.
Brigadier General Christopher Gyasensir, who was on his way back from a funeral at Asamankese, was approached by a woman begging to be helped to convey the husband who had collapsed on their farm to the hospital.

READ MORE: Over 500 nurses employed after overnight protests

We rushed him to the Asamankese hospital and on arrival about 2 pm, I went to the Emergency Unit to tell the nurses that I had a patient in my car, Brid. General Gyansesir narrated in a letter widely circulated on social media.

I was amazed at their prompt response and the professionalism with which they handled the situation.

He said judging from what he witnessed vis-a-vis complaints about the attitude of nurses, he felt obliged to formally write to commend the nurses for showing the good side of the profession.

He also singled out the nurses at the emergency unit who were on duty on August 5, 2017, for commendation.
During the meeting scheduled for Monday Trump expects to "discuss the crisis in Venezuela, as well as the strong economic ties and extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster told journalists.

The White House did not elaborate on the meeting's agenda or who exactly will participate.

McMaster also ruled out the possibility that Trump could hold direct talks with Venezuelan representatives at the United Nations General Assembly.

President Nicolas Maduro will not attend the gathering of world leaders, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the embattled Latin American country.
While known to many as an illness from the Middle Ages that devastated Europe, the plague in its bubonic form is still endemic to countries including Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Peru.

In Madagascar, an island off Africas south-east coast, about 600 cases of plague are reported every year, most of them bubonic, which is transmitted when a person comes in contact with infected fluid or tissue.

The much rarer pneumonic strain of the disease is fatal unless treated within 24 hours.
The US leader will host a lunch with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korea's Moon Jae-in on Thursday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump's National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told a White House briefing.

"As Kim Jong-Un's most recent launch demonstrates, this is one of the world's most urgent and dangerous security problems," he added.

Hours earlier, Pyongyang had fired a missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean -- its longest missile flight yet -- in response to fresh punitive measures imposed by the UN Security Council. That launch came less than two weeks after Pyongyang staged its most powerful nuclear test yet.

McMaster sent a mixed message Friday, insisting that the US retained a "military option" in dealing with North Korea even while calling on "everyone to do everything we can to address the global problem short of war."

"We're out of time," McMaster said. "We have been kicking the can down the road and we are out of road.

"For those who have been commenting about the lack of a military option, there is a military option," he said. "Now it's not what we prefer to do."

"We need time obviously for any strategy to work," he added.

The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said trade with North Korea would be cut 90 percent after the "massive sanctions" package agreed by the Security Council. That, she added, "is just the beginning of what we can do."

On Monday, McMaster said, Trump will also meet French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks focused on Iran.

Trump has called the nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, which requires Tehran to reduce its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, "the worst deal ever negotiated." But on Thursday he extended the sanctions relief, avoiding a step that could have undercut the accord.

Key US allies, including France, have strongly encouraged Trump to uphold the agreement in order to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear arsenal. Macron has said he sees "no alternative" to sticking by the accord.

But Netanyahu strongly opposes the deal, saying Tehran cannot be trusted and that Israel's survival could be at stake.
The assault targeted the former mining town of Akashat, in mainly Sunni Arab Anbar province some 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of the jihadists' border bastion of Al-Qaim.

Al-Qaim and the Euphrates towns of Rawa and Anna downstream form just one of two enclaves still held by IS in Iraq after a string of battlefield defeats this year.

"The army, the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation force) and the border guard launched a major operation to liberate Akashat... and secure the border to its north," said the head of Joint Operations Command, General Abdelamir Yarallah.

The Hashed al-Shaabi are a paramilitary force largely composed of Iran-trained Shiite militias but also including some fighters recruited from Sunni tribes.

Iraqi commanders estimate there are no more than 300 civilian families left in Akashat, a former railhead that was once a major source of phosphate production.

Imed Meshaal, mayor of Rutba, a desert town further south recaptured from IS last year, told AFP the jihadists had turned the area into a major hub for arms caches, training camps and command centres.

Iraqi commanders say they estimate IS still has more than 1,500 fighters in its Al-Qaim enclave.

The jihadists also control a second enclave west of the ethnically divided Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk centred on the mainly Sunni Arab town of Hawija.
The purpose of the meeting "is to discuss ways the Security Council can better enforce the resolutions it has adopted to prevent the spread of the world's most dangerous weapons," said a US concept note on the meeting obtained by AFP on Saturday.

The Security Council this week imposed a new raft of sanctions on North Korea, slapping an export ban on textiles, freezing work permits to North Korean guest workers and placing a cap on oil supplies.

The impact of those sanctions depends largely on whether China, North Korea's ally and main economic partner, will fully implement them and on Russia, which is hosting tens of thousands of North Korean workers.

During the council meeting, countries will address ways to stem missile and nuclear technology to "the world's most dangerous actors," the note said.

The meeting, held at a ministerial level, will highlight global unity in confronting the crisis with North Korea, diplomats said.

North Korea on Friday fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan, in response to a new round of UN sanctions imposed over its sixth nuclear test.

The council met behind closed doors on Friday and condemned the "highly-provocative" missile launch, but it did not threaten further sanctions.

Japan stressed that the focus must be on fully implementing the recent sanctions resolutions to put pressure on North Korea to come to the table to negotiate an end to its nuclear and missile programs.

If fully implemented, the sanctions would deny North Korea more than $2 billion in revenue from exports and other economic activities, according to US officials.

China and Russia have been pushing a proposal to kick-start talks with North Korea with a freeze on the country's nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills.
Scroll down for a closer look:

BMW is giving its i3 a facelift for 2018. The automaker will release a sport edition called the i3s that comes equipped with a starting range of 97 miles and 184-hp electric motor.

You can read more about the i3s here.

BMW also debuted a new Mini concept that will serve as the basis for a production model in 2019. There's no word on specs yet, but the concept shows the next Mini may not have chrome features for the first time.

You can get a closer look at the BMW Mini concept here.

BMW also unveiled its i Vision Dynamics concept that it says boasts a range of 373 miles and top speed of 120 mph.

A production version of the coupe is slated to arrive in the next few years as part of BMW's big push to over 12 all-electric cars by 2025.

It's not purely electric, but Mercedes debuted its hydrogen-powered GLC car that will go on sale in the US in 2019. The SUV has a combined range of 310 miles. The 9.3kWh electric motor boasts a 30-mile range.

These estimates were provided by the New European Driving Cycle. The range will likely be lower once the car is assessed by the Environmental Protection Agency. You can read more about the GLC F-Cell here.

Mercedes showed off its EQA concept that it claims can drive 250 miles on a single charge. The compact SUV previews what Mercedes has in mind when it electrifies its entire lineup by 2022.

Audi unveiled an electric concept, the Aicon, that it says could drive 400 miles on a single charge. The Aicon also supports wireless charging and the battery can be charged to 80% capacity in 30 minutes, Audi says.

You can get a closer look at the Audi Aicon here.

Audi also unveiled an electric SUV concept called the Elaine that could drive 311 miles on a single charge.

The concepts aren't exact previews of production models, but they show what Audi may consider for future vehicles. Audi plans to launch two electric SUVs in the next two years.

Volkswagen unveiled its I.D. Crozz concept that will serve as the basis for an electric SUV arriving in 2020. The concept can drive an estimated 310 miles on a single charge, according to the NEDC.

You can read more about the I.D. Crozz concept here.

Honda unveiled the design for its Urban EV concept that will serve as the basis for a production car arriving in Europe in 2019.
Passengers on premium trains like the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto will soon be able provide food-related feedback via tablets provided by the Indian Railways and the IRCTC.

By Press Trust of India: Good, bad or ugly -- passengers on premium trains will soon be able to rate on tablets the food they eat under a scheme to be launched soon, a senior official said on Friday.

They can record their feedback through an online form on the tablets to be provided by the Indian Railways, the official said.

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Around 100 tablets have so far been given by the Railways to on-board supervisors of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in different railway zones for recording customer feedback on food quality, staff behaviour and other related issues, the official said.

The tablet was used on a trial basis for the first time on the Ahmedabad-Delhi Rajdhani yesterday. The system would be formally launched on the Mumbai Rajdhani in a couple of weeks, IRCTC chief spokesperson Pinakin Morawala said.

"This will help us be more specific with the redress of complaints and suggestions. We will be able to gauge the rate of customer satisfaction as well as grade the suggestions," he said.

The Railways is also looking at an offline version of the scheme to deal with erratic networks or Internet problems.

The software on the tablet records the name, phone number and train details of the passenger. Then it poses a series of questions to determine the food experience on the journey.

Currently, IRCTC takes feedback either on an on-board suggestion book, or through its twitter handle. Passengers can also also call 139 to complain about the quality of food.

These methods will continue to be available along with the new system, Morawala said.

In the new system, passengers would be asked to rate different aspects of the food being served - on quality, quantity, presentation, staff behaviour and overall satisfaction - on a scale of 1-5.

If the rating is three or less on any count, the passenger is asked further questions on specific problem areas - taste, appearance and others.

"As of now, we are targeting 10 per cent of passengers in a train for feedback. Eventually we might increase our target," said Morawala.

The feedback forms have a separate box where passengers can recount their individual experiences and details not captured by the set queries.

Once recorded, passengers will get a message on their mobile phones, thanking them for the feedback and checking if the information provided to the Railways is genuine. This would ensure that the feedback is not being manipulated.

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IRCTC as of now has 40 trains under it and initially this feedback system will be introduced in the premium trains -- Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi -- that they operate.

--- ENDS ---
Hillary Clinton has taken off the "straitjacket" she says she was forced into during the 2016 Democratic primary.

In her new campaign memoir, the former presidential candidate wasn't exactly subtle about her disapproval of Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign against her for the Democratic presidential nomination, writing that Sanders, a Vermont independent, caused her "lasting damage," deepened divisions among progressives, and "pav[ed] the way for then candidate Donald Trump's 'Crooked Hillary' campaign."

While many, including Sanders, dismissed Clinton's criticism as an irritating re-hashing of a now-irrelevant battle, the divisions between Clinton's centrist wing of the Democratic Party and Sanders' more progressive (or more populist) supporters couldhave implications for Democrats in the 2018 midterms and even the 2020 presidential election.

Purity tests

The day after Clinton released her book, Sanders unveiled his much-anticipated single-payer healthcare plan. Short on details and ambitious in its vision, the proposal won the endorsement of 15 top Democrats, many of them likely 2020 presidential candidates.

But other party leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, distanced themselves from the plan.

"We want to move the issue forward," Schumer said, adding that "there are are many different bills out there," including "many good ones" that he and other Democrats are examining.

Pelosi warned that support for a single-payer system shouldn't become a "litmus test" for Democrats.

In an interview on the liberal podcast "Pod Save America," Clinton said that while she supports the proposal as a "political statement," she doubts it's much more than a pipe dream at this point.

She also criticized the plan's lack of particulars in an interview with Vox.

"I don't know what the particulars are," Clinton told Vox. "As you might remember, during the campaign he introduced a single-payer bill every year he was in Congress  and when somebody finally read it, he couldn't explain it and couldn't really tell people how much it was going to cost."

Democratic strategist Rodell Mollineau, a co-founder of the consulting firm Rokk Solutions, echoed this skepticism.

"I believe in single-payer," he said. "I think there's a big difference between saying you support single-payer and figuring out a way to get the votes and an economic plan in order to get it passed and to pay for it."

Clinton raised the issue of ideological "purity" in her book, arguing that Sanders unfairly narrowed the progressive platform.

"It was beyond frustrating that Bernie acted as if he had a monopoly on political purity and that he had set himself up as the sole arbiter of what it meant to be progressive," she wrote, adding that Sanders simultaneously gave "short shrift to important issues such as immigration, reproductive rights, racial justice, and gun safety."

Mollineau warns that ideological tests could prove just as dangerous for more centrist candidates in 2020.

"When I hear or read that there's some folks who think that someone like a Kamala Harris might not be progressive enough to be our nominee in 2020  now regardless of whether you support her or not, that's a ludicrous statement and it's a horrible way of applying a purity test," he said.

Steve Schale, a Florida-based Democratic strategist and former adviser to President Barack Obama in the state, says that ideological debates among progressives are not what the party needs right now.

"We're not going to win elections trying to make sure that we have 100% loyalty among 35 or 40% of the electorate, which is what Democrats are," Schale said. "We've got to have a conversation about how we grow the appeal."

Unity among liberals is important, Schale argues, but not nearly as critical as opening the party back up to those independents or one-time Democratic voters who, for a myriad of reasons, abandoned Clinton.

"It's easy to scapegoat the base, or to scapegoat Sanders voters," he said. "But the reality is that [Clinton] lost because the places Barack Obama was much more competitive in in 2008 and 2012 ... she just got torched in."

Onwards and leftwards

Throughout Clinton's book "What Happened," and in interviews over the last several days, Clinton argued that Sanders is not a Democrat. She alleged that he ran for the nomination not to help the party, but to "disrupt" it.

And by that measure, she says, he succeeded.

Mollineau argues that Sanders and others eager to challenge the party establishment "can't have it both ways."

"If you want to affect change within the Democratic Party than you need to become closer to the Democratic Party  you can't lob bombs from outside," Mollineau said, adding that while Sanders "could have been doing more to change the Democratic Party from within" throughout his years in Congress, "he just chose not to."

But while Clinton's career in public office is likely over, Sanders still remains a powerful force in national politics. For several months, he's held the mantle as the most popular politician in the country.

Many Democrats, including Jill Filipovic, an author and liberal commentator, argue that it is now Sanders' responsibility to unite the left.

"Sanders has positioned himself as a leader for the future of the left, and his followers agree, with near-messianic worship," Fillipovic wrote in a CNN column. "Embracing the whole left would be a good place for him to start."

But as Thomas Edsall pointed out in a recent New York Times column, there is evidence that progressives have only moved farther left since the election. He cites Pew Research Center data that shows that Democratic voters  particularly whites, Millennials, and post-grads  are much more eager to label themselves "liberal" in 2017 than they were in past years.

And while the left has seen a resurgence in support since November, the money and energy that's flowing into the party is going to Sanders' Our Revolution organization and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, rather than the Democratic National Committee, which is suffering somewhat of a crisis of credibility post-2016.

While Mollineau admits that there are "ideological battles" that will likely be fought in the coming months and years, the tension between Clinton and Sanders won't necessarily remain central.

Although he doesn't put it past campaigns or super PACs to use lingering 2016 tension to "gain a tactical advantage" by aligning a candidate with Clinton or Sanders in an effort to alienate the others' supporters.
This week alone, Trump discussed tax reform with Democratic lawmakers at a trio of meetings. Following one with a bipartisan group of congressmen, Trump told reporters that "the rich will not be gaining at all with this plan" and that he thinks "the wealthy will be pretty much where they are."

"If we can do that, we'd like it. If they have to go higher, they'll go higher, frankly," Trump said. "We're looking at the middle class and we're looking at jobs."

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One later in the week, Trump pointed to how healthcare legislation was thwarted after Republican Sen. John McCain voted it down. He signaled that if Republicans aren't a sure bet to stay unified in a policy matter, he'll "have to do more and more" with Democrats.

"If [Republicans are] unable to stick together, then I'm going to have to get a little help from the Democrats and I've got that and I'll tell you for the tax bill I would be very surprised if I don't have at least a few Democrats," he said, adding, "I do believe we'll have some Democratic votes."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell already said the reconciliation process  requiring just 51 votes  will be utilized to pass tax reform. In that scenario, Trump does not need any Democratic votes so long as the Republican front stays unified.

Trump's comments on taxes not being lowered for the wealthiest Americans ran opposite of what his own Treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, said earlier in the week, when he noted that many wealthy Americans will get a tax break as a result of the proposal  which still has yet to be released, though Bloomberg reported that the target date is September 25.

Mnuchin said the only wealthy Americans who would not see such a break are those living in California and New York, which is a result of the deductions for state and local taxes being eliminated as a part of the GOP plan.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who discussed tax reform with Trump this week, said he opposes a bill that will repeal those state and local deductions as well as one that eliminates the mortgage interest deduction, another proposal that GOP leaders have discussed.

"You would affect people who live in high-tax states" by eliminating those state and local deductions, Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center, told Business Insider. "It's become kind of a cliche to say those are Democratic states, but we've done an analysis that shows a significant number of Republican congressmen come from those states. So, I think it's going to be much more difficult than they claim it's going to be to eliminate the state and local tax deduction."

"It's something that they could do if they got the rates down low enough," he continued. "But it's also something I think is very unlikely."

Meanwhile, it sounds as if Trump will also not get his desired 15% corporate tax rate  a decrease from the current rate of 35%. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, one of the "Big Six" working on the tax reform legislation, said he sincerely doubts that Republicans will "be able to get to that level on the corporate tax rates" during an interview with CNBC on Friday, though he said he was working to possibly get there.

Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak, president of the Potomac Strategy Group, told Business Insider that it's smart for Trump to negotiate with Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on issues that "aren't going to be done on a party-line basis, because there is a different threshold there."

But for tax reform, "it appears they still intend to use reconciliation, which you would only need Republican votes" for, he said.

"So negotiating with Schumer and Pelosi on tax reform would be not only unnecessary but would be actually unhelpful," he added.

Mackowiak added that Trump "feels like some of this bipartisan stuff has been very good for him the last 10 days."

"And if worked on other issues, maybe it will work on tax reform," he continued. "It could be that he's not fully aware that this is really going to be almost entirely Republicans that will move tax reform."

Another possibility in Trump's thinking, Mackowiak said, is that he might be concerned that hardline conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus could block the legislation if it does not move far enough to the right.

Without a bill to dissect, however, the effects of Trump's posturing with Democrats remains "a big question," he said.

"It seems like this is heading to a decision point here on tax reform," he said. "And if they are going to stay on the one-party path, which I generally think makes sense, then they're going to need to worry about picking up conservatives, not picking up Democrats."

In addition to scrapping the previously mentioned state, local, and mortgage deductions, Politico reported last month that Republicans are seeking to eliminate businesses' ability to deduct interest while seeking to phase in full expensing for small businesses, which would allow them to deduct investments in new equipment or facilities immediately. That's the core of a package that would allow the GOP to drop both corporate and individual rates, although it's unclear just exactly how much they would be able to.

Ideas such as a border-adjustment tax were tossed around earlier this year, but have since been tossed aside.

Grover Norquist, the nation's premier anti-tax activist and president of Americans for Tax Reform, said he's a fan of where the effort is at, adding that he's confident the plan will not be altered to include things that are unsupportable  a border-adjustment or value-added tax, or a carbon tax  for him.

"Because those would grow in such a way that they would negate all the pro-growth aspects that are in the original bill," he told Business Insider. "Now, I've been assured by everyone in the 'Big Six' that neither of those are on the table, neither of those are ever happening. But that's something I'd look at in the long term and say this is not better than nothing, even though it might look good in some areas, you have planted a seed in an Oak tree that will overshadow good stuff."

"It's like asking what would you like on a pizza for your pizza toppings other than shards of glass," he continued. "I don't care what else is going on the pizza, because it has shards of glass I'm not eating it."

Trump's recent overtures to Democrats haven't included such items that Norquist compared to "shards of glass" on a pizza.

But as Hatch told CNBC on Friday, the parties involved are "trying to get on the same page."
US officials in Congress and the White House over the past week have expressed deep concern about developments in Colombia, where efforts to demobilize the country's oldest rebel group are proceeding alongside a boom in cocaine production.

On Tuesday, during a Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control hearing, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley and Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein pressed a panel of US law-enforcement and military officials over the rise in cocaine production, zeroing in on the role played by Colombia's pursuit of peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Grassley said the peace accord has had a "staggering" impact on the country's cocaine trade, and Feinstein criticized the government of President Juan Manuel Santos over its promise not to extradite FARC members, suggesting US aid to Colombia be "conditioned on extradition when the US requests it."

William Brownfield, the State Department's assistant secretary of international narcotics and law-enforcement affairs, stressed that Colombia's military and national police had been "terrific partners" but echoed the idea the Colombian government had dropped the ball on counternarcotics efforts for the sake of peace negotiations.

"It is my personal belief that the government of Colombia and its president [were] overwhelmingly focused on the peace negotiations and the peace accord. I believe that by so focusing their attention, they by definition focused less on the issue of drugs and drug trafficking," Brownfield said. "I believe in addition they concluded that in order to reach a successful peace accord, they had to cede to the FARC on issues related to drugs."

Brownfield also criticized the Santos government's efforts to combine manual eradication of coca crops with voluntary crop-substitution program. The US has pushed to restart aerial fumigation with glyphosate, which Colombia discontinued in 2015.

Feinstein also cast doubt on the prospects of the peace process, saying she didn't believe "for one second" that the FARC would become "a peaceful, law-abiding institution."

Dissident FARC rebels do appear to be asserting themselves in Colombia's criminal underworld, but the cocaine boom  production rose 134% between 2013 and 2016  has been driven by a variety of factors, not all related to the FARC.

Later on Tuesday, Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said the country had reached 62% of its goal to eradicate 50,000 hectares of coca crops this year, and the country continues to work closely with the US to seize cocaine as well.

While the Santos government has been criticized for the slow pace with which it is implementing elements of the peace accord, the hardline measures mentioned during the Senate hearing, if adopted, could exacerbate issues like public resistance to Colombia's crop-eradication efforts as well as recidivism among demobilized FARC rebels.

The hearing made scant mention of Colombian criminal groups other than the FARC, even though Colombia itself considers groups like Los Urabenos the most significant threats to the country. Little was said about drug trafficking in Ecuador, whose proximity to Colombia has made it prime territory for traffickers who take advantage of its long coastline.

Moreover, the tone of the hearing suggested to some that an outdated mindset persisted among US officials.

A slap in the face

The concerns expressed during hearing on Tuesday may not necessarily become official US policy, but a memo released by the White House on Wednesday signaled the potential for a much more drastic shift in US dealings with Colombia.

The threat to decertify Colombia and put it on the same "blacklist" as Venezuela and Bolivia  which the memo said Trump would keep as "an option"  elicited dismay in the US and Colombia.
Directed by Filmboy Yemi Morafa, the episode aired on Friday, September 15, 2017.

A Live screening was held for the show with the cast, crew and fans in attendance.

Its so exciting to see Nigerians this excited about a Nigerian show, the lady seated next to me said to her friend.

Their fandom wasn't forced. It was evident in the way they shrieked with delight whenever they came across a cast. They even had placards in support of their favourite character - Team General, Team Tenka and so on.

The Milestone episode sees Kolade, who had promised to take charge in the 99th episode, lose his position as the CEO of BBP. He resumes work at BBP, ready to humiliate Danlami and nominate Alhaji Tanko Ali as a member of the board.

Unfortunately for Kolade, Danlami, thanks to his wife Hadiza, has something up his sleeves. He reveals to members of the board that Kolade is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and has been meeting in secret with a rival company; therefore, he cannot continue to run the company.

Kolade nominates Teniola Bhadmus as the next CEO of the company, while another member of the board nominates Danlami. They all get to vote and the latter emerges the winner.

You have all made a grievous mistake, Kolade says with an ominous tone as he leaves the meeting.

Meanwhile, somewhere on a boat, Ola is in a meeting with the General -- a decision some may consider careless -- where he tells him that he is resigning as his lawyer. He is then asked by the General to choose himself or his mother and sister as his hostage(s).

After several attempts to reach Ola, Ayo and Cissy decide to leave for the airport without him. However, the cab driver doesnt take them to the airport. Instead, he takes them to the Bhadmus mansion where they receive a silent reception at the doorstep from Adaora,Mayowa and Mama Egba.

Yes, Mama Egba is back. We dont get to hear her say a word, but yes, she is back, perhaps to assist Chief in managing his wives who will now be living under the same roof.

Now, to the scene that had the audience at the event cheering - Teni goes to see Emeka after she finds out that Mayowa had ordered the security men to block Emeka from entering the mansion.

Teni, just go home, said an angry Emeka, who had spent the day trying to reach her and being rough-handled by a guard at the Badmus Mansion gate.

He had gone over to confront her and perhaps find closure after watching the announcement of her upcoming marriage to Michael on the television.

Emeka, I love you, she replies. And then she sees the Tattoo, which every team #Tenka would agree is the most romantic thing on Nigerian TV.

What follows this discovery is an intense sexual moment that further immerses viewers into the Teni and Emeka story.

To make this anticipated moment more dramatic, it is cinematically tied to another event; the return of Michael from the mental home to his apartment. All these happen with a stirring soundtrack in the background.

Alas, It is officially a love triangle!

The episode lets down the curtains at the boat scene of Ola and the General. "Can you swim?" The General asks him before his thug pushes Ola into the water, gifting the viewers the greatest cliffhanger on the show so far.

That said, I enjoyed watching the episode with the fans, witnessing their excitement and having conversations about a common interest. The reaction of the viewers is proof that our television culture is coming back to life and in a way that is worth reckoning with.
You could be forgiven for making the mistake that you'd accidentally stumbled onto an unreleased James Bond movie.

Exotic location, check. Evil laboratory, check. Formidable henchman, check. Overwhelming odds, check.

All that's left to see is a half-awake Daniel Craig sneaking around being a nuisance to elaborate paper-thin villain schemes, but you never get that.

What you get instead is a just-as-stylish Eggsy (Taron Egerton) tricking his way into being a nuisance to elaborate paper-thin villain schemes.

At this point of the movie, there's no doubt left in the audience that Kingsman is a terrific entertaining action set piece.

However, what the audience does not realise is that the feeling is about to incredibly skyrocket even more.

When Kingsman: The Secret Service was released in 2014, it was a near-faultless action comedy that could self-consciously play around with spy movie tropes and poke fun at itself.

If there is anything to be said about The Golden Circle, it is that it's a fantastic improvement on its predecessor, and that's saying a lot because it was sensational as well.

With Secret Service creating what is more or less an origin story, The Golden Circle has a solid foundation to build on to be able to spawn something that is simply too stunning to appropriately describe in ordinary words.

Egerton returns to play 007-lite Eggsy, the once unrefined street kid that has been polished into shape by veteran spy, Galahad (Colin Firth) who was killed in Secret Service.

The movie picks up with Eggsy now a more stylish gentleman of the secret agency, dating his controversial anal Swedish conquest Princess Tilde (Hanna Alstrom).

After an attempt on his life in the opening scenes serves up a taste of the fanciful action sequences the movie has in store, Eggsy's life soon takes a bit of a downturn.

The bombing of the Kingsman headquarters and agents by a ruthless crime boss forces Eggsy to take a trip with his trainer Merlin (Mark Strong) to the United States of America to join forces with an ally, the Statesman.

The protagonists have to deal with vicious psychopath, Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore), the criminal head of The Golden Circle who deals in drugs and is exhausted by its criminalisation that has forced her into hiding.

Carrying out her murderous whims is failed Kingsman recruit, Charlie Hesketh (Edward Holcroft) who is an obvious physical ripoff of the Winter Soldier from the Captain America movies.

With Poppy set to bring the world to its knees by crude means, it is up to Eggsy to save the day while he deals with relationship troubles at the same time.

The Kingsman team's matchup with the Statesman introduces the audience to a new band of characters working for the American secret agency that trades in alcohol as a front.

With Tequila (Channing Tatum), Ginger Ale (Halle Berry), and Whiskey (Pedro Pascal), Eggsy must race against the clock to save the world for the second time.

The action sequences in The Golden Circle are not just superbly on par with those of the first movie, they're fancier and louder, and run at breathtaking pace.

There are quite a lot of them to pick from too, with director Matthew Vaughn spoiling the audience with a barrage of action scenes that thrill in a lighthearted manner and still have drastic effects on the direction of the plot, and the world.

Despite the excitement of these electric scenes, the soul of the movie rests squarely on the performances of the characters.

Best known for playing Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones and Javier Pena in the Netflix series Narcos, Pedro Pascal is one of the most delightful characters to watch, with his Wonder Woman-like lasso weapon being a star attraction.

Channing Tatum's screen time is limited, but he makes the most use of his presence in the time that he got, same as Halle Berry who has her own little plot thread running underneath.

The same thing can be said for Bruce Greenwood who plays a notably familiar US President who brings a lot of heart to his performance that it's hard to not laugh at every single line that spills out of his mouth.

Elton John's intoxicating appearance, playing himself, is the perfect tonic on the movie's roster of remarkable characters.

To the movie's credit, Vaughn sticks to what worked well in Secret Service and mixes it up a little into a wicked cocktail that gets the audience's blood amped.

Even Poppy's evil techniques are not so different from the ones employed by Samuel L. Jackson's Richmond Valentine in the first movie.

This is to say the movie retains the lustfulness for brazen violence and sometimes crossing uncomfortable lines that makes the audience cringe for a second.

Despite the movie's cheery tone that draws the audience into a state of constant mirth, it still manages to strike a chord with a character's unexpected death.

This moment is deeply poignant more than it probably should have been with the help of the music score that's excellent throughout the duration of the movie.

There is hardly a perfect movie, but it's almost impossible to find a fault with The Golden Circle; at least not a fault that could ruin the overall experience anyway.
Ikisikpo, who is a kinsman to former President Goodluck Jonathan, said Buhari did what Jonathan failed to do for the people of Bayelsa.

The Senator stated this on Saturday, September 16, when students' representatives from Bayelsa East District, conferred on him an award for his outstanding leadership qualities in Kolo area of the state.

The district consists of Ogbia, Nembe, and Brass local government areas of the State.

According to him, Buhari made sure that some persons from Bayelsa were given a licence to build refinery and were awarded oil blocks.

ALSO READ: 7 Reasons why you should give Jonathan a hug

Ikisikpo added that other developmental projects are being undertaken in the state and other parts of the region by the Buhari administration.

He said: "If I say we should appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari, people will ask, why should we appreciate him. You may not know why we should thank God for making Buhari the President of Nigeria.

"Today, what our own could not give to us, Buhari has given to us. An Ogbia man, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, has been given a licence to build a private refinery. We had an opportunity given to the people of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass to own oil blocks in the past, did we get any? No.

"But Buhari has given one of us, a woman, an oil block. That is why I am saying we should appreciate Buhari. He is doing well for the Niger Delta people. Because if the refinery is built today, it will take not less than 10,000 workers. Will Brass, Ogbia and Nembe, not get up to 3,000 workers there? Then, would you not be empowered?

"So, are we not supposed to appreciate Buhari? The oil block we could not get is to be given to one us. If oil block is given to an Ogbia, Nembe or Brass person, are we not going to get one of the Alakijas, are we not going to get one of the Danjumas. Oil block is one the things that make those people billionaires. Today, Danjuma can give somebody N2bn without batting an eyelid.

"Finally, I want to also say we need to appreciate Buhari for fighting corruption and bringing positive change in the country. My friend, one of the serving senators from Bayelsa State, asked me, so, if Buhari had not taken over government, so we would not know the quantum of amount coming into Bayelsa State."

He noted that the Ijaw misused the opportunity to develop the region.

The former lawmaker said that some of the presidential aides from Bayelsa squandered the commonwealth of the people through excessive greed and reckless spendings and made it impossible for the region to feel the impact of governance.

He said: "I want to tell you some bitter truth. There is an adage that says, 'before you remove the speck in someones eyes, first remove the log in your own eyes.'

"God gave us an elephant but we allowed the elephant to get rotten. Some may not get the adage perhaps. If we had judiciously used that elephant properly, I think by now, Bayelsa East would have become a small Dubai.

"But we misused the opportunity. Through that opportunity, we could not get oil blocks, through that opportunity; we could not get even modular refineries in Bayelsa East.

"Bayelsa East is the first place to produce crude oil in Nigeria, but go to Oloibiri where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity, the place is a thick forest, where you can kill the biggest animal on earth. Is it supposed to be so?

"When I entered the House of Representatives in 2003, my first motion was how to make Oloibiri a place that would be conducive to every Ogbia person, every Nembe person and every Brass person. I moved a motion that the Federal Government should build an oil museum there. A beautiful resolution was given, but nothing happened.

"At the House of Reps, the first position given to me was deputy chairman, House Committee on Appropriation. The former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, was the chairman.

"I told him in our first budget meetings that what I wanted was the Yenegwe-Okaki-Kolo-Nembe-Brass Road. When we met with the Budget Office, they asked if the road was a federal government road. I said yes. And they said, go and bring documents. We got the documents at Federal Ministry of Works and presented them.

"That was a project that was started during Melford Okilos administration, but was abandoned and went into oblivion. Today, the project has been forsaken. Like I said, we were given an elephant, if the elephant that we were given, had used the opportunity very well, that road would have moved up to Brass today."
The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba stated this during a courtesy visit by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar [UNICAL],Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, at the Commissions headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Senator Ndoma-Egba said that the main resource of any society could be found in its youth and not the natural resources or minerals.

According to him, the youth must be skilled, motivated, educated and empowered. If the youth are not properly educated, skilled or motivated, rather than be a blessing to the society, they become a curse, he noted.

He added that: We are concerned that our youth must remain a resource and not a curse to our region. That is why we are partnering with universities and higher institutions in the Niger Delta region to educate and produce some of the best minds the country will have to offer.

ALSO READ: NDDC seeks UN support to develop region

Senator Ndoma-Egba said that the NDDC was making efforts to ensure that all on-going projects in the universities in the Niger Delta States were completed, especially in the University of Calabar--one of the oldest universities in the South-South.

The NDDC board Chairman assured the UNICAL VC that the Faculty of Law building project which is on-going, will not only be completed, but would also be furnished, and would stand out as one of the best faculties in the country.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Akpagu, thanked the Commission for all its interventions in his university and all other universities in the Niger Delta.

He appealed to the Commission to intervene in its building of an Ultra Modem Medical Center, noting that since the inception of the university in 1975, the Centre had operated from a 4-room apartment, but with the current population of 46,000 students, the facility had become grossly inadequate.

He also pleaded with the Commission for a massive expansion, stating that UNICAL was the only 2nd Generation University without an Engineering faculty.
Kanu addressed the petition to the United Nations, the European Union, the Presidents of the United States, Russia, and Israel.

In the petition dated September 14, the IPOB leader alleged that the Nigerian soldiers are intimidating, torturing, abducting, and killing Igbo people.

He said the humiliation of his people would not stop if the international community does not intervene quickly.

"Unarmed civilians largely made up members of the Indigenous People of Biafra are now being tortured and murdered in cold blood on a daily basis," the petition which was signed by Kanu's lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, read in part.

"We have no doubt that the undisclosed reason for deploying troops in South-Eastern states by the President (Muhammadu) Buhari-led administration is to attack unarmed and defenseless members of the Indigenous People of Biafra who are merely exercising their constitutional guaranteed rights to self-determination.

"The situation in the South-East of Nigeria is serious and demands your urgent action Sir.

"The modus operandi of the Operation Python Dance II presently adopted by the military deployed in the South-East offends all known rules of professional engagement even in a war zone."

A combined team of the Nigerian Army, the Police and the Department of State Service (DSS) had reportedly raided Kanu's house on Thursday, September 14.

According to IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, whereabouts of Kanu, his parents and his siblings could not be ascertained after the invasion.

The Thursday's incident was the second alleged attack on Kanu's house as soldiers earlier in the week allegedly opened fire on the residence, leaving some IPOB members dead, and others injured.

ALSO READ: IPOB reacts to Army announcement that its a terror group

The army has since denied the first purported attack on Kanu's house, saying a group of IPOB members blocked the road against troops of 145 Battalion while on a show of force along FMC-Word Bank Road in Umuahia town, Abia State.

The army further said the IPOB members insisted that the military vehicles would not pass and started pelting the soldiers with stones and broken bottles to the point of injuring an innocent female passerby and a soldier, Corporal Kolawole Mathew.

This, the army said, made the soldiers fire warning shots in the air to disperse the 'hoodlums'.
During a session at the India Today Mind Rocks Delhi 2017, Chairman of Jagriti Yatra Shashank Tripathi said that the future generations will not forgive "us" if "we" don't build a "New India" in another 20 years.

By India Today Web Desk: It was 102 years ago when Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa and decided to discover India. On the advice of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the then towering personality of the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi undertook a train journey to see India.

Mahatma Gandhi spent one year touring districts and villages of the country trying to understand the real India. Later, Jawaharlal Nehru also devoted a lot of his time in understanding India, its culture, history and tradition. Nehru also wrote the famous book, Discovery of India.

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As they say, history repeats itself. For past 10 years a group of activists are rediscovering India under the aegis of Jagriti Yatra. "We have taken 4,200 young minds to different parts of the country to inspire them into enterprise and build a New India," said Shashank Tripathi, the chairman of Jagriti Yatra.

WHAT IS JAGRITI YATRA?

Jagriti Yatra is a 15-day long national train journey that takes youths on about 8,000-km route across the length and breadth of India. It is an attempt to understand the country, its problems and possible solutions to the problem.

The aim of the Jagriti Yatra is to build the India of smaller towns and villages through enterprise. "Our belief is that if you have to build New India, you need to know our villages and towns. India resides in tier-II and tier-III districts. If you have to build a New India, you have to develop these small towns and villages," Tripathi said.

This year's Jagriti Yatra will begin on the Christmas eve, December 24 from Hubli in Karnataka. Shashank Tripathi said that the current generation has only about 20 years to build a New India.

"After 20 years, we will be facing those demographic problems that China is facing and if we don't build a New India by then, the future generations will not forgive us," Tripathi said at the India Today Mind Rocks 2017 at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi today.

"If you want to do something for the country, create and enterprise to solve the problems of tier-II and tier-III districts. Whatever problems India today has, all those problems exist in tier-II and tier-III districts. Go to those places and create and enterprise to solve their problems. We at Jagriti will help you. The Prime Minister is also very keen to help," Tripathi said.

HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR?

Responding to a question about how to become a successful entrepreneur in smaller towns, Tripathi said, "To be successful in creating an enterprise, you need to have a network. You should have a team. Nothing can be achieved alone. There is a team of 4,200 people (at Jagriti), you can connect with them. If you want to go alone, build your own team, because even banks would ask the first thing about the team only," Tripathi said.

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"Second important thing about an enterprise is an idea. If you have an idea, you will have funding and support will follow," Tripathi said.

Tripathi also spoke about the Deoria model of Jagriti enterprise. He narrated the success story about a fabric design and also a Bhojpuri-Hindi call centre. Tripathi said both enterprises were created in remote areas of the eastern UP district and both are successful.

--- ENDS ---
The Governor stated this in Owerri on Saturday, September 16, at the new yam festival organised by the State Council of Traditional Rulers, headed by HRM Eze Samuel Ohir.

"I can see that the unity of Nigeria is today dramatised in the land of Imo State. I say so because growing up as a child, I never knew where I came from because I found myself somewhere in Plateau State as a little boy and the only language I could speak was the Hausa language," Okorocha said.

"I had no choice because that was where I was brought up. So, I grew up being born an Igbo man, but was reared in the North and was made financially buoyant in the South-West.

"So, I have declared myself that in no way should I be found as a tribalised Nigerian.

"I will remain detribalised as long as Igbo gave me parentage and childhood, as long as North reared and nurtured me and for as long as South-West empowered me.

"My community and my identity is Nigeria."

ALSO READ: Okorocha says Nnamdi Kanu is a man looking for relevance
Jonathan made the call in a message posted on his Facebook page on Friday, September 14, in reaction to the ongoing crisis between pro-Biafra loyalists and the military in the South-east.

The ex-president urged the Council of State to intervene in the matter.

The Nigerian army had declared the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) a militant terrorist organisation, following a recent rampage by the group in Aba, while protesting the alleged attack on Kanu's house by soldiers.

In its mission to maintain law and order in the south-east, a military operation, code-named Python Dance II, had last week clashed with IPOB members, leading to deaths, destruction, and arrests.

The council of state is made up of former heads of state and governors of the 36 states of the federation, as well as heads of security agencies and some government bodies.

Jonathan wrote: "The reports I have received about recent developments in the country lead me to appeal to all men of good will to use whatever influence they have to push for peaceful coexistence and restraint on all sides. Perhaps it is time for the Council of State to intervene and offer its wise counsel. Irrespective of whatever provocation, Nigerians must never turn on each other.

"Even in the face of difficult circumstances, we must have faith that God in His infinite wisdom will guide us to finding a way out that is fair and just to all concerned. In as much as there may be a need to enforce order, there is a greater need to reinforce our humanity and treat Nigerian citizens humanely whether they be from the North or South.

"Nothing justifies the desecration and destruction of religious places of worship or a police station. But even more so, nothing justifies the endangering of human life. Let us exchange ideas instead of exchanging insults and threats. Nigeria is going through tough times because God wants us to grow through tough times. We must be resolute as a people even as we know that it is impossible to deny the brotherhood of all Nigerians after over a century of a shared commonwealth."

ALSO READ: Jonathan says Nigerians still believe in PDP
It was gathered that more than 14,000 of the defectors were led out of the opposition party by Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a former National Vice Chairman of the PDP.

Ojougboh said they were "suffocated out of the party through deliberate act of impunity which led to the defeat of the party in 2015."

The defectors were reportedly received by top members of the APC in Agbor, Delta State.

National Vice Chairman of the ruling party, Mr. Hilliard Eta; Delta State leader of the party, Olorogun Otega Emerhor; Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu; and the state chairman of the party, Prophet Jones Erue, were among those who received them.

Ojougboh, who spoke during the ceremony, said that the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP did not reckon with them since the Supreme Court sacked the Sheriff faction of the party.

He said, "We asked the national body to open up the party after the unfortunate court judgment, the next thing we heard was that they were going to grant us amnesty, as if we are criminals.

"When Raymond Dokpesi was nominated as member of the committee for the non-elective convention, his nomination was rejected because they said they spent money on the court judgment.

"As if that was not enough, during the Anambra State governorship primary election, Jerry Gana was made chairman of a three-man committee to midwife a transparent election, but governors Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State rejected it and came up with another committee that went to Anambra and handed everything to Peter Obi.

"Back here in Delta, we asked the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to remove impunity, but what we continue to see here is a  family government.

"We now said it is time to look for people of like minds, people of progressive ideology to meet with, because I know most of you have ambitions to pursue.

"If we do not make a decision to belong to the progressives, most of you will miss out."

Earlier, the APC had announced that it would commence reconciliation visits to the state chapters of the party in the South-South geopolitical zones on Sunday. September 17.
The court of cassation upheld a life sentence first passed in June 2016 on the charge of leading an illegal group but threw out a 15-year sentence on the charge of having stolen secret documents, his lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maqsud told AFP.

A life sentence in Egypt amounts to 25 years in prison, and the court's rulings cannot be appealed.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was overthrown by the military in July 2013 following mass protests against his one-year rule.

The court also upheld death sentences for documentary producer Ahmed Ali Abdo, EgyptAir cabin crew member Mohamed Adel Kilani and university teaching assistant Ahmed Ismail Thabet, as well as a life term and 15 years for two others, the official said.

The trial hinged on accusations that the defendants had passed on state secrets to Qatar, an ally of Morsi's Islamist government that has denounced his overthrow.

Qatar has denied the charges.

Qatar is currently embroiled in a crisis with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which are boycotting the small Gulf emirate for its support for the Brotherhood, among other accusations.

Morsi, who came to power after the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak, was elected in 2012 and ruled for a year before his ouster.

His year in office was divisive and millions had taken to the streets demanding his resignation before the army toppled and detained him.

He has been sentenced separately to 20 years in prison over deadly clashes between protesters and security forces outside his palace in December 2012.

A court overturned a death sentence in another trial over prison breaks and violence during the 2011 revolt, pending a retrial.

Following Morsi's overthrow, a police crackdown killed hundreds of protesters who supported him.

Since his ouster, Egypt has been battling an insurgency by an Islamic State group affiliate based in North Sinai that has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers and dozens of Coptic Christians.

Courts have sentenced hundreds of Islamists to death, including other Muslim Brotherhood leaders, though many have appealed and been granted new trials.

A veteran activist and engineering professor, Morsi emerged as a compromise candidate for the Brotherhood to field in Egypt's first democratic presidential election in 2012.
Bright Future accused Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson of failing to inform the government that his father had signed a letter supporting a convicted paedophile's bid to have his honour restored.

Benediktsson's father, an entrepreneur named Benedikt Sveinsson, backed a man who was convicted in 2004 of having raped his stepdaughter almost every day for 12 years so he could erase his criminal record.

Iceland could now face a second snap election in a year.

The last government collapsed over the Panama Papers scandal that embroiled several ministers and forced former prime minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson to resign.

The ruling centre-right coalition of the conservative Independence Party, led by Benediktsson, the centre-right Reform Party and the centrist Bright Future, was formed only nine months ago after the October vote.

Bright Future said its executive committee "has decided to terminate the cooperation with the government" because of a "serious breach of trust".

Reform Party leader Benedikt Johannesson meanwhile called for new elections.

Icelandic media speculated the minority government could stay if it gains the support of another party, or President Gudni Johannesson could ask another party to form a coalition, or new elections could be held.

"The prime minister will most likely resign today," Olafur Hardarson, a political science professor at the University of Iceland, told AFP.

"Usually, the president would then ask the sitting government to continue as a temporary government," he added.

'The last straw'

After serving his sentence, the convicted child molester had applied for "restored honour" to enable him to expunge his criminal record, which is permitted under Icelandic law and is subject to the support of persons of good character.

According to media reports, the prime minister's father is an old friend of the man, who served a five-and-a-half year jail term.

Smari McCarthy, a lawmaker for the anti-establishment Pirates Party, said: "Iceland's Jimmy Savile case: our PM, who was in the Panama Papers, has hid for two months his father's support for a paedophile's clemency," referring to British DJ and television presenter Jimmy Savile who abused scores of girls and young women.

Iceland's justice minister reportedly informed the prime minister about his father's support for the molester in July and he had kept it hidden until a parliamentary committee brought the case forward.

"This was the last straw,"Gudlaug Kristjansdottir, Bright Future chairwoman, was quoted as saying by the Iceland Monitor daily.

Benediktsson, who was implicated in the Panama Papers scandal that revealed offshore tax havens, has delayed the release of a report on tax evasion during the legislative campaign. His coalition partners now feel the trust has been broken.

'Knocked on doors for favours'

The Icelandic procedure for rehabilitating convicts, which does not change or reverse a verdict, is at the heart of a fierce public debate that has intensified in recent weeks over another convicted paedophile who was granted an expunged record.

More and more Icelanders see this procedure as a blow for victims.

The Icelandic Women's Rights Association said the government collapsed because women were willing to make their voices heard.

"People spoke out about violence which women and children were subjected to. People spoke out when convicted abusers knocked on their friends' doors to ask for favours," it said in a statement.

A spokeswoman of the Pirate Party on Friday called for an urgent vote for constitutional reforms, without specifying the changes it sought.
The law passed on Wednesday evening after a rowdy parliamentary debate following a cabinet reshuffle that saw Ben Ali-era officials join the cabinet as ministers of finance and education.

The reshuffle was seen as strengthening President Beji Caid Essebsi's grip on power, months ahead of Tunisia's first post-revolution municipal polls.

"We do not forgive!" and "We refuse to launder the corrupt!", protesters shouted at the demonstration which was organised by the opposition and the "I will not forgive" collective.

They also branded Prime Minister Youssef Chahed's Nidaa Tounes party and the Islamist movement Ennahdha which supported the bill "enemies of the revolution, enemies of the martyrs".

The protest by mostly young people took place under tight security along Habib Bourguiba Avenue in central Tunis, the hub of the 2011 revolution that brought about Ben Ali's downfall.

"This is a shameful law for Tunisia! It recognises corruption and forgives the corrupt," said opposition parliamentarian Samia Abbou.

Proposed by Essebsi in mid-2015, the bill grants an amnesty to businesspeople and Ben Ali officials on trial for corruption, in exchange for returning ill-gotten money plus paying a fine.

In the face of growing public anger, the text was revised to cover only officials accused of involvement in administrative corruption, not those who received bribes.

Hamma Hammami, leader of the Popular Front party, accused Essebsi of seeking to exonerate Ben Ali-era officials.

"Beji Caid Essebsi is today at the head of the counter-revolution with Rached Ghannouchi," the head of Ennahdha, Hammami said.

He added that he feared "a return to a despotic and authoritarian regime".
"I thank in the name of the Lord God even my keepers, who have been understanding to me and who have not hurt me. It's God's intervention," an emotional Thomas Uzhunnalil, 59, said after emerging from 18 months in captivity.

"The best weapon against any enemy is love and prayer," Uzhunnalil said at a press conference in Rome after an intervention by the authorities in Oman to secure his release.

He was abducted in March 2016 during an attack on a care home operated by missionaries in the southern port city of Aden which killed 16 people, including four nuns.

Muscat said Tuesday that it had "coordinated with Yemeni parties" to mediate the release of Uzhunnalil, a Salesian priest who had last appeared in a video circulated online in December 2016, in which he appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis to secure his release.

The Vatican has said that Uzhunnalil, a diabetic who lost 30 kilos (66 pounds) during his ordeal, will spend time recuperating in Rome after a medical check-up.

He met Wednesday with Pope Francis, who had described the Aden attack as "senseless and diabolical".

Yemeni authorities blamed the Islamic State group for last year's attack, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Al-Qaeda, which is also active in the area, has appeared to distance itself from the mass shooting, saying it was not involved.

The internationally recognised government in war-torn Yemen is grappling with both an Iran-backed rebellion and a growing jihadist presence.

Uzhunnalil, who had been running three Catholic churches in Yemen, said he had been abducted essentially for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"They did not know me. I happened to be in that place," he said, adding that the attackers "left me in peace and killed the others -- perhaps they wanted money."

"After the killing of the sisters they put me into the car. They spoke Arabic, I didn't understand them," he added, but "I was not afraid. I was not trembling. I prayed to God to be merciful."

"I was not mistreated. They have not injured me at all," added Uzhunnalil, who said he did not know if a ransom had been paid.

He also said that the apparent aggression towards him in the video he appeared in was seemingly for show.
Jan Kubis, the top UN envoy in Iraq, offered international backing for immediate negotiations between the country's federal government and the autonomous Kurdish region.

In a document he delivered to Barzani on Thursday, Kubis proposed "structured, sustained, intensive and result-oriented partnership negotiations... on how to resolve all the problems and outstanding issues" between Baghdad and Arbil.

The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) based in the northern city of Arbil is embroiled in long-standing disputes with the federal government over oil exports, budget payments and control of ethnically divided areas.

Iraqi Kurdish lawmakers on Friday approved holding the referendum in the face of fierce opposition both from Baghdad and the Kurds' international backers.

In the document seen by AFP, Kubis called for talks, overseen by the UN Security Council, that would aim to reach a deal within "two to three years" defining "principles and arrangements" for future relations between Baghdad and the KRG.

In return, Barzani's administration would agree to postpone the referendum at least until the end of negotiations.

"Here is this offer, if they accept this alternative, there will be negotiations," Kubis told AFP.

He hoped to hear from Barzani "in the next two or three days", the UN envoy said. "I hope they will consider the options and I am waiting for their answer."

After several rounds of negotiations in the past, Arbil has repeatedly accused the central government in Baghdad of failing to deliver on its promises.

Despite assurances of Security Council involvement in implementing any future accord, Barzani on Saturday reiterated at a meeting in Dohuk, in the west of Iraqi Kurdistan, that the referendum would be "neither called off nor postponed".

But he also said that "any real alternative" was welcome and the door was not closed to a negotiated settlement.

On Friday, the United States, despite its longstanding support for the Kurds and its alliance in fighting Islamic State group jihadists, sternly urged Arbil to call off its independence referendum.

"The United States has repeatedly emphasised to the leaders of the Kurdistan Regional Government that the referendum is distracting from efforts to defeat ISIS (IS) and stabilise the liberated areas," the White House said.

"Holding the referendum in disputed areas is particularly provocative and destabilising," it warned.

Washington has repeatedly offered to help negotiate a long-term settlement between Arbil and Baghdad, but regional leaders -- including Barzani -- have been increasingly frustrated that warm words have not led to a precise diplomatic timetable.

This week, top US envoy Brett McGurk was again in Arbil and attempted to persuade the Kurdish leader to call off the vote in exchange for a new diplomatic initiative.

Turkey and Iran fear referendum

Analysts say the referendum plan, which has stirred Arab-Kurdish ethnic tensions, could mark the end of an era of cooperation during which Baghdad and Arbil battled IS together after it seized swathes of northern and western Iraq in the summer of 2014.

In the region, Turkey and Iran fear the referendum could stoke separatist aspirations among their own sizeable Kurdish minorities.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the vote could prove "a very, very bad thing" for the Iraqi Kurds, whose economy is heavily dependent on oil exports via a pipeline running through Turkey.

On Thursday, the Baghdad parliament fired the governor of the northern province of Kirkuk, Najm Eddine Karim, over his provincial council's decision to take part in the non-binding Kurdish referendum.

The oil-rich province is disputed by Baghdad and Arbil and home to diverse communities including Arabs and Turkmens who oppose the vote.
MOLINE -- Don McLean's "American Pie'' played in the background. Hugs and handshakes, hope-filled and heartfelt, were at every turn. Inspiration filled the air.

The line to fill out postcards, earmarked for Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, stretched from the courtyard of Moline's Esperanza Legal Assistance Center to its parking lot.

At stake to the many who gathered on a muggy and sun-kissed Saturday morning, the American Dream.

The "We Are all Dreamers'' rally, brought to life by the DACA Coalition, carried with it a message of hope and urgency in support of DACA recipients (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and those who have benefited from the Dream Act ( Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act).

Established in 2012, DACA protects 800,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States by their parents and grants them the right to remain in the U.S. to work or study. In September, President Donald Trump announced he will rescind the program in March 2018 if Congress cannot come up with a solution for them.

"I am proof the American Dream works,'' said Jazmin Newton Butt, president of Davenport LULAC (League of American Latin American Citizens) Council 10, who first touched American soil at age 2. Ms. Newton Butt, an Iowa-based attorney, who benefited from the Dream Act, was the first in her family to graduate from high school, college and law school.

"We must act quickly, because March will be upon us. What makes this country so great -- and it is great -- is we can chase and capture the American Dream. It is there for us all, but we must be united and we must be diligent.''

Numerous Q-C area agencies and individuals lent support to the DACA QC Coalition's effort to reach the community.

"This step taken by Donald Trump is not what this nation is about,'' said Silvis resident Caryn Unsicker, who stood alongside several LULAC members from Iowa, those from the Progressive Action for the Common Good, members and the Quad-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and representatives of Palomares Social Justice Center.

"Undoing what President (Barack) Obama did to allow those who want the chance -- simply an opportunity for a better life -- borders on criminal,'' added Ms. Unsicker. " As a nation, we are in this together and must continue in our support of the 800,000 affected.''

Sharing the day with Ms. Unsicker was 18-year-old Alyis Mathew-Brown, a local high school student, who simply wants kindness spread across the land.

"We are all human beings,'' Mr. Mathew-Brown said. "There is too much hating on others going on. My goal is simply respect. I believe we lack that in our country.''

Lupe Filo, a 30-year-old Moline-based real estate agent with Ruhl and Ruhl, said she arrived in 2001 knowing only that there would be greater opportunity for success in the United States than there was in Mexico.

"I have been afforded the chance to have so much, to live the dream,'' Ms. Filo said. "Nothing was handed to me, but I was given every opportunity to succeed. I am proof the American Dream lives. I'm urging everyone to stand in support, to reach out to your legislators and to unite as one.''
Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing along the international border in Jammu's Arnia sector around midnight.

By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan once again violated ceasefire along the international border in Jammu's Arnia sector. Heavy firing, which continued overnight, came to an end around 6.30 am.

During the 6-hour-long intermittent firing, Pakistan Rangers used mortar shells. However, no loss of life has been reported.

They targeted Sai, Treva and Jabowal forward posts of the Border Security Force (BSF). "Indian troops retaliated strongly after which the firing exchanges stopped," the official said.

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Two residential houses, a temple and three cattle sheds were damaged in the indiscriminate shelling by Pakistan. "Three cattle perished and three were injured," he said.

Pakistan Rangers had resorted to unprovoked firing at Indian positions in Arnia sub-sector on Friday morning as well, in which a BSF soldier was killed.

The martyred solider was identified as Ct Brijendra Bahadur Singh, a native of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh.

-With IANS inputs

--- ENDS ---
Quad-Citians are assisting in aid and recovery efforts in the areas struck by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

More than 100 people were volunteering through the areas Red Cross chapter, working in both Harveys and Irmas zones, said Red Cross spokeswoman Trish Burnett. They have been sent to Texas, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and the Virgin Islands. They are assisting at shelters, serving meals and providing disaster aid, including cleaning kits and insect repellent.

The Quad-Cities volunteers are mixed in with those of other areas, and they are working in two- to three-week shifts before being sent home, she said.

By that point, they need a break, Ms. Burnett said.

More than 80 of those Red Cross volunteers were working in the Harvey area, while more than 30 were sent to help people in Irmas path, she said. Some of those were people who were originally sent to Harvey but were willing to go again.

The Iowa Army National Guard unit based in Davenport sent two CH-47F Chinook helicopters and a small team of soldiers to assist in recovery efforts after Harvey, said spokesman Col. Greg Hapgood. The team worked in the Houston area and assisted in moving needed supplies to areas inaccessible by ground.

The Davenport unit also sent helicopters and soldiers to help withrecovery efforts after Irma, Col. Hapgood said. That time, they were turned around on the way because recovery organizers in the area determined they were not needed.

In each case, the Davenport soldiers were joined by others from other regions of Iowa, according to a news release.

The Illinois National Guard did not send soldiers from the Quad-Cities area to the hurricane-stricken areas, though aircraft and crew were sent from Peoria, a spokesman said.

MidAmerican Energy had resources available to assist in Texas and other areas struck by Harvey, but utilities closer to that area were able to provide the needed assistance, said Adam Jacobi, a company spokesman.

MidAmerican, however, is assisting in the region damaged by Irma.

Friday, MidAmerican announced it had sent about 30 employees to assist in Macon, Ga., according to a news release. That was in addition to a contingent already working in Florida.

We do have a substantial number of crews in Florida, Mr. Jacobi said.

In a news release dated Sept. 8, the utility numbered its Florida contribution at about 250 people, including 90 line workers, 150 contractors to trim trees and 16 support staff. The effort is in cooperation with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 109 and Local 499.

All are expected to spend weeks in the hurricane zone, the release states.

Other agencies and groups have also provided assistance, according to officials. Here are some of the local responses to the hurricanes:

-- UnityPoint Health hospitals in the area donated to the Red Cross to help financially support the volunteers who went.

-- United Ways Quad-Cities chapter is not helping directly, but United Way is raising money to assist with the recovery.

-- St. Ambrose University students donated school supplies to Texas students who lost theirs in the flooding from Harvey.

-- Augustana College students also are gathering donations, including through crowd funding campaigns.

-- MABAS 43, which is comprised of the metropolitan Quad-Cities fire departments, was ready in case they were needed, but in the end were not asked to send anyone. MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) is a way fire departments in an area organize themselves to provide support to each other or other areas.

HOW TO HELP

Monetary Donations:

Red Cross' donation site includes a drop menu listing a variety of donation needs, including for the hurricanes : redcross.org/donate/donation?flow=oc3&loggedIn=false .

United Way's page include specific funds for each hurricane : unitedway.org/recovery .

Augustana student's campaign to help provide clean drinking water: gofundme.com/augustanawalkforwater .

Giving Blood:

The Red Cross is also encouraging people to donate blood at upcoming drives because of the disruption to donation efforts in the south caused by the hurricanes.

Here is a list of the Quad-Cities area's upcoming blood drives the Red Cross provided in a news release. They are listed by county, then town:

-- Rock Island County

Moline

10/4/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross of Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive, PO Box 888

-- Henry County

Cambridge

9/28/2017: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., St John's Vianney Church, 313 S West St.

Galva

10/10/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 214 N. W. 2nd Ave.

Hooppole

10/9/2017: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hooppole Community Center, 1404 Washington St.

Kewanee

10/11/2017: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St.

-- Mercer County

Aledo

9/19/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave.

-- Whiteside County

Fulton

9/26/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St.

10/10/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St.

Morrison

9/21/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway.

Prophetstown

10/9/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD #3, 79 Grove St.

Rock Falls

9/20/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rock Falls Community Building, 601 W. 10th St.

10/4/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rock Falls Community Building, 601 W. 10th St.

Sterling

9/19/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kune's Country-Buick Chrysler Showroom, 2502 Locust St.

9/26/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Newman Central Catholic High School, 1101 W. 23rd St.

10/5/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road

10/5/2017: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road

10/12/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sterling High School, 1608 4th Ave.
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You Are Bidding On the Full Purchase Price for 20.43 Acres in Northern California! Mountain Property. Expansive Mountain and Valley Views for Miles. Trees. Wildflowers. Parcel: This auction is for legal description: Lot 41 Moon Valley Ranch Unit No. 2. This is a 20.43 ACRE +/- parcel of land in Lassen County, California. This land is about 6 miles west of Madeline, California approximately 6 miles west of Highway 139. The property is located on Lone Pine Trail. The property is located in the mou...

Price: $ 19,900 City: Madeline State/Province: California Seller State of Residence: Arizona Property Address: Lone Pine Trail Zoning: Residential Type: Recreational, Acreage Zip/Postal Code: 96119 Location: 852**, Tempe, Arizona

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6.67 ACRES IN MILLARD COUNTY, UTAH PRIVACY & FREEDOM, VACANT LAND Property Summary: 6.67 Acres of Commercial, Agricultural Vacant land in Millard County, UT. Less than 3hrs from Salt Lake City and less than 4hrs from Las Vegas, Nevada. Owner financing available. NO CREDIT CHECKS! NO BACKGROUND CHECKS! TERMS: $999 down, $99 a month for 36 months 0% interest. Cash buyers welcomed discounted price. SE HABLA ESPANOL. FOR SALE CASH PRICE: $3499 This lot in Millard County, UT, is 19 miles southeast o...

Price: $ 3,499 Seller State of Residence: Nevada Property Address: W 15600 S ST State/Province: Utah City: Milford Type: Commercial, Agricultural,Recreational, Vacant Land Zoning: Agricultural Zip/Postal Code: 84751 Location: 847**, Milford, Utah

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Kangana Ranaut, in her shimmering gown, seems to be back with her classy taste in fashion.

By India Today Web Desk: Kangana Ranaut's fashion misses of late, may have disappointed many of us. And if you had been yearning to see the queen of Bollywood get back on track, we have good news for you.

Sashaying at a recently held cinema summit, Kangana stole a lot of hearts in an ensemble that, we bet, will bring back the otherwise dwindling hope to see the actress winning the fashion game.

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This time, Kangana kept it simple yet elegant, in a silver corset gown, with minimal makeup and no jewellery.

Photo: Yogen Shah

What caught our eye was the intricate embroidery on the sheen fabric that added the right amount of ethnicity to the look.

Contrary to some of Kangana's earlier experiments with her style quotient, this look may not have been as avant-garde. But honestly, we don't mind her keeping to her usual sartorial taste, if the result is this unique.

Also Read:Kangana Ranaut tells us how to wear a saree with shoes

In fact, we highly appreciate the actress' decision to sport a non-accessorised look which only dampened the risk of going over-the-top with the outfit. With a dress, as elaborately designed as this, it was important to tone down its brilliance and Kangana pulled the trick like a boss.

Photo: Yogen Shah

The Simran actress matched the Ulyana Sergeenko dress with a pair of black pointy pumps. Over all, we are happy that Kangana is finally putting enough sense to her fashion choices and we only hope it gets better with time.

--- ENDS ---
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ATTENTIONYOU ARE BIDDING ON THE DOWN PAYMENTPLEASE REVIEW THE ENTIRE LISTING THOROUGHLY Here's an awesome 20.4 Acres of vacant land in Termo (Lassen County), 30 miles north of Susanville. This area is rich in agriculture, good soil, and plenty of underground water. There is good access right to the lot via Prairie Road to Chukkar Rd. See several nice clear maps & directions provided below, demonstrating exactly what I just described.Pictures were taken on 2 separate site visits, Spring and Fall....

Price: $ 273 Seller State of Residence: California Zip/Postal Code: 96132 Type: Vacant Land Area Acreage (acres): 20.00 City: Termo State/Province: California Property Address: Chukkar Road Zoning: Residential, Agricultural Location: 961**, Termo, California

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500$ earnest money in a paypal payment is expected within 48 hours by wining bidder. And a closing date within 14 days. Home will have electric base board heaters in all 3 bedrooms, plus 2 fully mounted double insulated piping wood stoves with 15 cord of wood seasoned and stacked. No single layer black piping above the inserted stove collar( only black piping is above the roof to promote good draw) . Plus , each double insulated pipe connection has a 4 inch wide piece of metal wrapping fastened ...

Price: $ 55,000 Seller State of Residence: Idaho Property Address: 884 Lower Page Road State/Province: Idaho City: Smelterville Number of Bedrooms: 3 Number of Bathrooms: 1 Property Type: House Sale Type: Existing Homes Setting: Rural, Country Year Built: 1922 For Sale by: Agent Zip/Postal Code: 83868 Location: 838**, Smelterville, Idaho

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Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada.

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Kauai Beach Villas Here is your chance to own an Timeshare Deed (Does Not Expire) at a bargain price. This is a One Bedroom Suite with One Bathroom (Deeded as Unit A13;Wk 40) with FLOATING WEEKS 1-52 (allows you to travel to any of the aforementioned weeks on a reservation basis; Thursday-Sunday Check-In/Out) at the Kauai Beach Villas, an RCI SILVER CROWN Resort located in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii!!! Mortgage is paid in full; you will receive clear title guaranteed! Usage is ANNUAL and begins in 201...

Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Florida Property Address: 4330 Kauai Beach Drive State/Province: Hawaii Type: Beach/Ocean Number of Bedrooms: 1 City: Lihue, Kauai Zip/Postal Code: 96766 Number of Bathrooms: 1 Location: 328**, Orlando, Florida

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Earlier in August, the Supreme Court had directed the NIA to probe the case of conversion of Akhila, also known as Hadiya, to Islam to find out if there was any terror angle involved in the matter.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the NIA to probe the case of conversion of Akhila.

By India Today Web Desk: The controversial case of conversion of a woman to Islam and her subsequent marriage to Shafeen Jahan has taken a fresh turn with the man filing a plea in the Supreme Court against a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Earlier in August, the Supreme Court had directed the NIA to probe the case of conversion of Akhila, also known as Hadiya, to Islam to find out if there was any terror angle involved in the matter. It was alleged that her conversion was carried by a bunch of people acting at the behest of terror outfit ISIS .

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Now, Akhila's husband Shafeen Jahan has alleged that the NIA is not fair in its investigation of the case. Making this submission in the Supreme Court today, Shafeen sought fresh direction from the apex court to stop NIA probe into the matter.

The NIA is the nodal central agency for all terror related probe. Shafeen has also contended that Akhila cannot be forced to stay at her parental home without her consent. The Supreme Court is likely to hear Shafeen's plea on September 22.

AKHILA CONVERSION CASE

Before the NIA took over the controversial conversion case, it was being investigated by the Kerala Police. The Kerala Police had filed a case under Section 57 of Kerala Police Act that deals with the charges of promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion.

In May this year, the Kerala High Court had declared the marriage of Akhila with Shafeen as "null and void" . They had married in December last year. The high court ordered that Akhila be placed under her parents' protective custody.

Challenging the Kerala High Court order, Shafeen Jahan moved the Supreme Court. Shafeen claimed Akhila converted to Islam on her own in 2014 . He also sought direction to her father to present her before the Supreme Court for her deposition.

On the other hand, Akhila's father said that she was trapped by a "well-oiled racket" that indoctrinate gullible people and persuade them to convert to Islam. Her father also told the court that Akhila had been radicalised and that there was a conspiracy to send her to Syria to work for the ISIS.

ALSO WATCH | Anti-terror squad to probe Kerala case: Love jihad now a national security issue?

--- ENDS ---
Changing your skin tone is a personal choice and can be very empowering, but it should not be at the cost of your health or self esteem. This opinion does not reflect the opinions of The Red & Black.
Georgia swimmings next crop of talent has made its way into the program, eager to continue the winning tradition set by head coach Jack Bauerle. This years freshman class is large, including 10 men and nine women, hailing from all across the country and beyond, including Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
Hopefully, all's well that ends well, and business should get back to normal soon, says Alok Chandra.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

The hospitality industry in India breathed a sigh of relief in July with the Supreme Court ruling that roads inside city limits were not 'high-speed highways', and as such could be denotified, thus paving the way for exemption from the court's earlier ruling to shut down establishments less than 500 metres from all state and central highways.

The intention of the earlier ruling was to prevent people, particularly drivers of heavy goods vehicles, from drinking and driving.

Unfortunately, by not defining 'highways', this led to the stoppage of service of all alcoholic beverages in establishments even in the heart of towns and cities across India -- which, after all, have over the years grown around highways.

Telling respectable establishments to move to comply with the ruling was just bureaucratspeak: Setting up a good restaurant today costs anything up to Rs 10 crore (Rs 100 million), while hotel costs run into hundreds of crores and take years of work, and moving them is just not possible.

As anyone who has travelled west or north from Delhi knows, till recently the highways in neighbouring states were dotted with temporary sheds declaring they were 'English Wine & Beer Shops' -- a transparent attempt to differentiate such establishments from the theka desi sharab (vendors of local spirits) selling rotgut and low-cost spirits.

These were the vends the ruling sought to target, and rightly so.

The fault actually lies with the excise policies of states in north India that hold annual auctions for retail licences of liquor.

Since there is no guarantee that successful bidders will get a licence again the next year, they seek to maximise sales and minimise costs by putting up temporary structures in the most accessible of places (off highways) -- with predictable consequences.

Also, the venal proclivities of state excise authorities are too well known to require recounting.

The ruling provided their cadres a marvellous opportunity to 'yank the chains' of licencees and indulge in rent-seeking behaviour -- in one instance I know personally, a decades-old retail licence was initially said to be 480 metres from a 'highway' passing through the heart of Bengaluru, and proved to be 550 metres when reassessed.

The exercise also provided an opportunity for the famed Indian jugaad (improvisation): changing the entrance to hotels so that the drivable distance met the 500-metre criteria, or setting up maze-like access barriers, with the same effect -- the list is probably endless.

Hopefully, all's well that ends well, and business should get back to normal soon.

However, for both Karnataka and Telangana, what is inexplicable is why the authorities concerned did nothing since April (when the Supreme Court ruling came into effect in the rest of India) to denotify highways passing through the principal cities in these states?

Were they waiting for a 'representation' from the industry, or was it just a case of political indifference and bureaucratic inertia?

Alok Chandra is a Bengaluru-based wine consultant.
The space agency has set 2020 as the deadline for the first privately built rocket to be launched into space.

Godrej & Boyce confirmed on Friday it would join an industry consortium being formed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to build workhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs) to send local and global satellites into space.

The space agency has set 2020 as the deadline for the first privately built rocket to be launched into space.

It is at a nascent stage right now. The discussions are going on how to form a consortium and who will do what, said Jamshyd N Godrej, chairman, Godrej & Boyce, on Friday.

So far, Isro has built PSLV rockets used for the Moon and Mars missions on its own but has been constrained in scaling up to meet the growing global demand for launch services of smaller satellites.

Besides, it also has to devote resources to build heavier rockets, satellites and launch deep space missions.

This has prompted the space agency to look at private firms to build PSLV rockets under its guidance.

Godrej produces Vikas, the rocket engine that powers both the PSLV and the heavier Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), besides various systems such as antennae and thrusters for Isro.

If you have to really develop a major aerospace industry in India you need all these building blocks. Companies with different expertise have to come together, said Godrej.

Globally, there has been an explosion of companies that are building small and mini satellites but there is a shortage of launchers.

Firms such as PlanetLabs and Spire Global have used the PSLV to hurl their satellites into space and the opportunity is only growing.

Isro is restructuring Antrix Corporation, its commercial arm, so that it can work in partnership with the private sector and promote homegrown space technology for global markets.

Godrej is also investing in building its aerospace capabilities to service both the local and global markets.

Companies such as Rolls Royce and Boeing want components from India. They want in large numbers, not on a small scale, said Godrej.

He also concurred with a Boeing executives assessment that Indias private sector lacked the capability to manufacture complex military aircraft under transfer of technology.

In September, Boeing India chief Pratyush Kumar had said only Hindustan Aeronautics had such capability, which Godrej said is a fact.

Photograph: Babu/Reuters
The cryptocurrency will fall in the RBI's domain.

Rajesh Bhayani reports.

The central government is considering a proposal to introduce its cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin.

Sources close to the development said the proposal was discussed by a committee of government officials, and the panel found the idea of setting up and running blockchain for financial services useful.

Whenever the decision is taken, the cryptocurrency will fall in the domain of the Reserve Bank of India and some Acts such as the Currency Act might have to be amended.

Hence, this will be a time-consuming process.

Sources said the government might name its cryptocurrency 'Lakshmi'.

Vaibhav Parikh, partner, Nishith Desai Associates, said: "I won't be surprised if the government comes up with its own cryptocurrency because banks are trying blockchain as a technology and to make blockchain work it would need some cryptocurrency."

"Since it doesn't trust Bitcoin it may come up with their own currency."

Running a ledger-like blockchain cryptocurrency is required for settlement and the RBI and government officials have said that they are not comfortable with Bitcoin.

China, Russia, and Estonia are said to be considering having their own cryptocurrencies.

A few days ago, RBI Executive Director Sudarshan Sen had talked about the central bank's discomfort with Bitcoin, which has recently come under intense global regulatory scrutiny. He had also hinted at the need for India's own cryptocurrency.
'Politicians insist on focusing on the North even though the rest of India offers a better way of engaging with our Muslims namely, live and let live,' argues T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan.

In 1947, the British freed us from their rule. Amidst violent Hindu-Muslim riots, they also freed some Muslim Indians from the fear of Hindu majority rule by giving them Pakistan.

Pakistan has moved on since then. Seventy years later, however, we in India are still angsting over Hindu-Muslim relations.

But as Tonto famously asked the Lone Ranger 'We, Paleface? who are this 'we' of India who continually angst over Hindu-Muslim relations?

As a Tamil who has lived for 60 years in Delhi, let me say it plainly.

The Hindu-Muslim 'narrative' of the 29 states that make up our otherwise lovely country has been captured by just three states -- Kashmir, Punjab and UP.

Their experience has become our national experience.

Thus, Kashmir determines the degree of jingoism.

Punjab determines the extent of tearfulness.

And UP determines the extent of divisiveness in Indian politics.

If you are a painful little pedant, you will point to Maharashtra or Gujarat, where they turn a very useful Hindu-Muslim trick politically.

And now Bengal is also trying something similar by importing the very Muslims who had chosen to leave Hindu-majority India.

But that is about all.

In the rest of the Indian states -- including indeed in many of the North Indian ones -- the Hindu-Muslim thing is done differently.

Not that the Hindus actually love the Muslims there; nor do the Muslims love the Hindus.

They mostly ignore each other so that they can live together peacefully.

Not acknowledging each other is thus an important contributor to communal peace. But the fake jhappi-pappi culture of Punjab and UP is totally absent there.

There are at least two reasons for this dichotomy which I think we must acknowledge.

One reason is very old, and the other one is very new.

The old reason is the way Islam came to North India through Punjab and expanded via UP.

The sword was the primary instrument of expansion.

The North Indian experience was thus of a violent Islam, what it called the Turki variety.

That violence is the dominant memory in much of North India.

In the rest of India -- and in the South particularly -- Islam came via trade, not the sword.

There the memories are different.

The two communities despise each other, but 'no hate please, we are not from the North'.

Sadly, it seems the absence of hate has no political or social value.

Politicians insist on focusing on the North even though the rest of India offers a better way of engaging with our Muslims namely, live and let live.

The new reason is what happened after Partition.

In Punjab and Bengal most Muslims went off to Pakistan, east and west.

But in UP only the rich fellows departed. The rest stayed on saying, quite rightly, this land is my land.

Except, hang on: It is not just in UP that they stayed on.

They stayed on in the other states too. Dont ever forget this.

So Partition, in my North Indian Tamil perspective, was more a Punjabi-Bengali thing than a Muslim-only thing.

And -- please don't interrupt -- had it been a purely Muslim thing, East Pakistan would not have chosen to break up with the West.

Religion proved a poor adhesive. Islam played a role in defining the political identity, but it could not join the two cultural identities.

Whence my Tamil question: Why does what happens in UP dominate the whole 'narrative'?

In fact, not even the whole of UP, just western UP?

Are the rest of us idiots or what?

Is it not extraordinary that 70 years after Independence, we have replaced one political party, the Congress, by another that is exactly like it, namely the BJP?

The politics of both is thus determined by their attitude to India's Muslim citizens. How Mohammad Ali Jinnah would have loved this outcome.

It is not important that one loves them and the other hates them. That is banal.

What is important is that both need them, and exploit them in a way that pisses off the Hindus.

In North India the Congress panders, the BJP persecutes.

This is not the case in the rest of India.

There the very same parties don't stir the anti-Muslim pot all the time.

The result is a completely different flavour of Hindu-Muslim relations, of mutual contempt, and benign neglect by each of the other.

IMAGE: A Muslim woman waits to cast her vote at a polling station in Varanasi. Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
Arjan Singh, the Marshal of the Indian Air Force, was a fearless and exceptional pilot and remained a source of inspiration to all personnel of the Armed Forces through the years.

IMAGE: Arjan Singh is the only officer to attain the highest post of Marshal, the Air Force equivalent to the armys five star field marshal. Photograph: PTI Photo

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, an icon of Indias military history, will always be remembered as a war hero who had successfully led a young IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war.

The only officer to attain the highest post of Marshal, the Air Force equivalent to the armys five star field marshal, Singh was a fearless and exceptional pilot who had flown more than 60 different types of aircraft.

He played a major role in transforming the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally and the fourth biggest in the world.

His contribution to the Indian Air Force is monumental to say the least. The IAF grew with him. He was epitome of military leadership in classical sense and it is, therefore, not surprising that he was honoured with the rank of Air Force Marshal, former Vice Chief of IAF Kapil Kak said.

Singh was honoured with the rank of Marshal on the Republic Day in 2002. Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw and K M Cariappa were the only two army generals honoured with the rank of field marshal.

Known as a man of few words, Singh was not only a fearless pilot but had profound knowledge about air power and applied it in a wide spectrum of areas.

Singh had assiduously led the IAF during the 1965 war and denied success to Pakistani air force though it was better equipped with American support.

His most outstanding contribution was during that war, said Kak.

Commending his role in the war, Y B Chavan, the then defence minister had written: Air Marshal Arjan Singh is a jewel of a person, quiet efficient and firm; unexcitable but a very able leader.

In 1944, the Marshal had led a squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign, flying close air support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the Allied Forces to Yangon.

In recognition of his feat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on the spot by the Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia, the first Indian pilot to receive it.

Singh was selected for the Empire Pilot training course at the Royal Air Force, Cranwell in 1938 when he was 19 years old. He retired from service in 1969.

IMAGE: Army general J N Chaudhuri and Air Marshal Arjan Singh at the Defence Headquarters in New Delhi in 1965. Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images

Singh was born on April 15, 1919, in Lyalpur (now Faislabad, Pakistan), and completed his education at Montgomery (now Sahiwal, Pakistan).

His first assignment on being commissioned was to fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-WesternFrontierProvince as a member of the No.1 RIAF Squadron.

After a brief stint with the newly formed No 2 RIAF Squadron where the Marshal flew against the tribal forces, he later moved back to No 1 Sqn as a Flying Officer to fly the Hawker Hurricane.

He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944.

For his role in successfully leading the squadron in combat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944.

On August 15, 1947, he achieved the unique honour of leading a fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi.

After his promotion to the rank of Wing Commander, he attended the RoyalStaffCollege at the UK. Immediately after Indian independence, he commanded Ambala in the rank of Group Captain.

His contribution to the Indian Air Force is monumental to say the least. The IAF grew with him.

In 1949, he was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and took over as Air Officer Commanding of an operational command, which later came to be known as Western Air Command.

Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as AOC of an operational base, initially from 1949-1952 and then again from 1957-1961.

After his promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed as the AOC-in-C of an operational command.

Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and he became the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in 1963. He was the overall commander of the joint air training exercise Shiksha held between IAF, Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force.

On August 1, 1964, at the rank of Air Marshal, the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh took over the reins of the IAF, at a time when it was still rebuilding itself and was gearing up to meet new challenges.

Singh was the first Air Chief to keep his flying currency till his CAS rank.

Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from pre-World War II era biplanes to the more contemporary, Gnats and Vampires, he has also flown in transport aircraft like the Super Constellation.

In 1965, when Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam, with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

He inspired IAF to victory, despite the constraints imposed on the full-scale use of Air Force combat power.

Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his astute leadership of the Air Force during the war. Subsequently in recognition of the Air Forces contribution during the war, the rank of the CAS was upgraded and Arjan Singh became the first Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

He remained a flyer to the end of his tenure in IAF, visiting forward bases and units and flying with the squadrons.

He retired in August 1969, there upon accepting ambassadorship to Switzerland. He was Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from December 1989 to December 1990.

Having been a source of inspiration to all personnel of Armed Forces through the years, government conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force upon Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only Five Star rank officer with Indian Air Force.
A Congress panel headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

The party delegation is on a two-day visit to Kashmir to attend a series of meetings on the current situation in the valley.

The All India Congress Committees Policy and Planning group was formed in April in the wake of widespread violence in the state during the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls. The other members of the group include Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union home minister P Chidambaram and party general secretary Ambika Soni.

Immediately after their arrival, the group held an executive committee meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee at Hari Niwas, a party spokesman said.

He said the group was scheduled to meet various delegations from Kashmir, including opposition parties.

Apart from the political parties, the group will interact with several other delegations like civil society organisations, Shia associations, delegation of 2014 flood victims, saffron growers, house boat associations, trade and tourism delegations as well as a delegation of journalists, the spokesman said.

However, meeting separatist leaders is not part of the groups agenda, he said.

Speaking to reporters on sidelines of the meeting, Azad said the central as well as the state government should keep the dialogue route with separatists open.

The central as well as the state government have to decide which stakeholders to talk to. Everyone knows who the stakeholders are, but they are afraid to take the names. And when they are afraid to even identify them as stakeholders, how will there be a resolution?

They (central and state governments) should talk to them (separatists) and try to resolve the issue, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by raising the emotions of people but has remained silent since taking over the reins of the country.

Modis election win was 90 per cent because of Kashmir. In our rule, one soldier was beheaded by Pakistani troops (along the Line of Control), but such instances have happened a number of times now in their (Bharatiya Janata Party) rule, and still the prime minister is silent, he said.

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the Congress government had made south Kashmir militancy-free, but the region had been on boil since the Peoples Democratic Party-BJP coalition came to power in the state.

We had made south Kashmir militancy-free during my tenure (as chief minister) in 2007. But, where is south Kashmir today? It is boiling. No one is coming to Kashmir, no tourist. The number of ceasefire violations in these three years is more than the total in 10 years of United Progressive Alliance, he claimed.

So many soldiers have been killed, common people injured... and the way small kids including girls have lost their eyes, it did not happen during our time, he said in an apparent reference to a series of stone pelting incidents in the valley.

Asked about the partys stand on Article 35A of the Constitution, the senior Congress leader said the party knew its stand, but the group was here to listen to people.

Article 35A renders special status to the northern state.

Firstly, we have come to listen to all. So, we have not come here only for 35A. This committee was formed much before the issue of 35A erupted. The panel was formed keeping in view the overall situation of Jammu and Kashmir which has deteriorated under the BJP rule, he said.

The Congress will hold a meeting with MLAs and MLCs, besides interacting with a delegation of minority community and fruit growers, on Sunday.

The party had completed the first leg of its tour in Jammu on September 10 and 11.

Image: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union home minister P Chidambaram will be in Kashmir on September 10 and 11. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
Two militants have been neutralised by the security forces after a gun-battle broke out late at night in Kupwara's Machil sector.

By Shuja-ul-Haq : The army today foiled yet another infiltration bid, this time in Machil sector along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 's Kupwara district.

Two militants have been neutralised by the security forces after a gun-battle broke out late at night.

A search operation is underway currently.

More details awaited.

Also read: Situation in Kashmir is better than before: Rajnath Singh

--- ENDS ---

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The Central Board of Secondary Education on Saturday issued a show cause notice to Ryan International School, Gurugram, asking why its affiliation should not be withdrawn and said it had failed to observe basic security measures.

A two-member fact finding committee set up by the CBSE following the murder of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur last week said it appeared from the sequence of events that Ryans International was guilty of gross negligence.

The death could have been avoided had the school been more cautious, the show cause notice said.

The unfortunate death could have been averted had the school authorities discharged their duty with responsibility, care and security. The school failed to observe the basic security measures as stipulated by the board.

From the entire sequence of events it appears that the school is guilty of gross negligence and failed to ensure safety and security of students in its schools, the notice said.

The school authorities have been asked to respond within 15 days on why its provisional affiliation should not be withdrawn for wilful violation of provisions of CBSE by-laws.

The probe panel said the school had no provision of toilets for drivers, conductors and cleaners and they were using the facilities meant for students and staff.

The CBSE notice also pointed out a safety breach in the school boundary wall (covered with barbed wires) which, the committee observed, is a threat to childrens safety as anybody can enter the campus.

The panel noted the insufficient number of CCTV cameras and said most of the installed cameras did not work.

School failed to discharge its responsibility to file FIR and inform District Education Officer and CBSE after knowing the incident, the board said, adding that the FIR was subsequently filed by a parent.

The two members of the panel were Y Arun Kumar, deputy commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Kailash Chand, principal, govt co-ed senior secondary school, Preet Vihar.

The Haryana government on Friday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the murder and announced that it would take over the administration of the school for three months.
His demise marks an end of a glorious era of the Indian Air Force.

War hero Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, died on Saturday after he was today and his condition was critical.

Ninety-eight-year-old Singh, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the army, was admitted to the Armys Research and Referral hospital on Saturday morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest, the defence ministry said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs -- General Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa -- visited Singh at the hospital.

An icon in the countrys military history, Singh had led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war when he was just a 44-year-old.

As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, he led the IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

The fighter pilot, who inspired the IAF despite constraints on the full-scale use of air combat power, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, in 1965.

Born on April 15, 1919 in Lyallpur in Punjab in undivided India, his father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry.

Educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan), he had joined the RAF College, Cranwell in 1938 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December the following year.

Singh had led an IAF squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross that year.

He was the IAF chief from August one, 1964 till July 15, 1969.

Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and K M Cariappa of the army were the two other officers with a five-star rank.

After his retirement from the air force, Singh was appointed as the Indias Ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as the ambassador to the Vatican.

He was also the high commissioner to Kenya in 1974.

Singh served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and was also the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He was made Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002.

The fighter aircraft base at Panagarh in West Bengal was named in his honour on his birthday last year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday dedicate to the nation the Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada, described as Gujarats lifeline by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, at an event coinciding with his 67th birthday.

The foundation stone of the dam was laid on April 5, 1961 by the countrys first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. However, it took 56 years to complete its construction.

Modi will arrive on Saturday, and seek blessings of his mother Hiraba on Sunday morning.

His visit, which has added significance as the assembly elections are due in Gujarat by year-end, is the second in less than a week after he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and launched the bullet train project.

Tomorrow Sardar Sarovar Dam will be dedicated to the nation. This project will benefit lakhs of farmers and help fulfil peoples aspirations, Modi tweeted on Saturday.

Earlier, Modi had stressed that the project will start a new chapter of prosperity for Gujarat.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had called the project as Gujarats lifeline noting that the agriculture income and production of farmers in the state more than doubled because of it.

The event will take place at Kevadia in Narmada district.

The delay in the completion of the dam was due to numerous reasons. Medha Patkar-led Narmada Bachao Andolan took the government to the Supreme Court over environmental and rehabilitation issues, and obtained a stay in 1996.

The court allowed resumption of work in October 2000.

The height of the dam was recently raised to 138.68 metre, which will allow maximum usable storage of 4.73 million acre feet of water.

The Congress committed the sin of obstructing the project at every step. Within 20 days of becoming prime minister, Modi gave final approval to raise the height of the dam, Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said.

After the inauguration at the dam site at Kevadia, Modi will go to Sadhu Bet, an island in the Narmada river where a 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, called the Statue of Unity, and a memorial complex dedicated to the countrys first home minister are coming up.

Thereafter, the PM will attend the closing ceremony of Narmada Mahotsav, and address a gathering at Dabhoi.

He will also lay the foundation stone for National Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum during the event.

Modi will then visit Amreli in Saurashtra where he will attend a host of programmes and address a public gathering.

Looking forward to addressing a gathering of cooperatives, Sahakar Samemelan in Amreli tomorrow, the PM tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Congress has claimed that the project is not complete and canals of 43,000 km length were yet to be built despite the BJP ruling the state for 22 years.
Two terrorists were killed on Saturday as the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Machhil sector of north Kashmir's Kupwara district, defence officials said in Srinagar.

"An infiltration bid has been foiled in Machhil sector and two terrorists have been killed," defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.

He said troops noticed suspicious movement along the LoC and challenged the intruders, leading to a gunfight in which the two terrorists were killed.

Weapons have been recovered from the gunned down terrorists, the spokesman said.

Pak violates ceasefire for four consecutive days, shells BSF posts

Pakistani troops targeted Indian border outposts and hamlets along the International Border in Jammu district in overnight firing and shelling, a senior Border Security Force officer said on Saturday.

There have been continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the IB for the past four days, in which one BSF jawan was killed and a few others were injured.

Pakistani troops started firing at Indian posts in Arnia sector around midnight, prompting BSF personnel to retaliate, the officer said.

"Firing stopped at 0645 hours," the officer said.

One temple, two houses and three cowsheds were damaged in the Pakistani firing in Sai, Treva and Jabowl villages. Three livestock were killed in the overnight shelling, the officer added.

BSF jawan Bijender Bahadur was killed and a villager injured on Friday when Pakistan troops resorted to firing and shelling along the IB in Arnia sector.

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory action by the BSF on Thursday, while three Indian jawans were injured in unprovoked firing and shelling by Pakistani troops along the IB and the Line of Control in Jammu and Poonch districts on Wednesday.

Incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops have increased sharply this year. Till August 1, there have been 285 such actions by the Pakistan army, while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to figures by the Indian Army.

Representative image.
By PTI: adjournment: CJI

(Eds: Adds more quotes)

Chennai, Sep 16 (PTI) Lawyers should ensure they do not suffer from the "disease of adjournment" and procrastinate the progress of cases, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra today said.

In his address at the 125th Anniversary celebrations of the Madras High Court Heritage Buildings, Justice Misra also said "punctuality is a facet of rule of law".

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"All of us, members of the bench and the assisting counsel, should clearly understand that it is our obligation to sit on time as a judge (and) as lawyers to argue a case coming prepared," he said.

"If a lawyer delays, procrastinates, a judge doesnt sit on time, both of them violate the rule of law," he added.

Justice Misra said no lawyer should suffer from "any kind of disease."

"I would say (that is the) disease of adjournment.. When you ask for an adjournment, you must understand you are being killed by allergy," he said adding judges should develop an antidote towards adjournment.

Lawyers should keep in mind that "we should not procrastinate the cases", he said, pointing out not all of them require preparation.

"It is not that every case requires so much of preparation and all of you know it also. Please come prepared, dont seek adjournment," he said.

Even if a judge was inclined to grant adjournment, the lawyer should politely inform the former that he was ready with the case and that he could be heard.

Heaping praise on the Madras High Court, Justice Misra said it has a "great heritage".

"The Madras High Court has not only witnessed several landmark battles fought on its floors but has withstood literal attack on its existence (during World War I). But it never yielded to any kind of anarchy or chaos. It stands as a testimony of bravery," he said.

Earlier, the chief justice inaugurated a renovated light house and museum on the High Court campus. He was accompanied by Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad, Chief Justice of Madras HC Indira Banerjee and Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

In his address, Prasad said the governments focus was on the disposal of cases pending for 10 years and above.

"What I am trying to focus all over the country is that disposal of cases 10 years old and above must be settled and adjudicated on a priority basis," he said.

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Of the 2.97 lakh pending cases in Tamil Nadu, a little over 77,000 cases were over 10 years old, Prasad said and called for a "mission-mode initiative" for their disposal.

Citing statistics till December 31, 2016, he said the number of such cases at the Madras High Court was 33,960 while it was 44,721 in district and subordinate courts.

"On the 125th anniversary of this magnificent building, this temple of justice, may I request to make a mission-mode initiative to dispose of all the cases which are more than 10 years old. That should be the benchmark and the commitment on this happy occasion," he said.

This was "very doable" and many high courts in the country were already taking steps in this regard, he added.

Prasad expressed joy over the Supreme Courts "new thirst for faster disposal" of pending cases and added that the government and judiciary were working together to bring "greater opportunity" for the poor for justice.

Digital technology is being used to ensure that the poor has access to justice, Prasad, who also holds IT portfolio, said, and referred to the governments Tele-Law and Nyayamitra schemes in this regard.

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"What is tele law. We have got nearly 2.7 lakh common service centres across the country, we married them with the legal volunteers and today poor people sit there, get justice through National Legal Services Authority," he said.

So far 2,900 requests have been made and more than 2,200 of them have been redressed, Prasad added.

The minister urged young lawyers to register online as per the Nyayamitra scheme, saying their services would be utilised to serve the poor in need of justice.

He also praised the history and heritage of the Madras High Court, saying it laid down the foundation that a court should also be known for its architectural history and not just judicial history.

Many chief justices from the court had been elevated to the apex court, he added.

Chief Minister Palaniswami said the Constitution provided people the right to justice.

"It is a matter of pride that the Madras High Court has been delivering judgements dispassionately," he said.

The judiciary, government and Legislative Assembly should "function independently within their borders", to ensure peace and joy for people, he said, adding that was the case in Tamil Nadu.

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He referred to various initiatives undertaken by the state government to ensure speedy delivery of justice.

The government had earlier allotted Rs 56.34 crore towards constructing buildings for the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, he pointed out.

A Rs 100-crore National Law School was in operation at Srirangam in Tiruchirappalli district, he said.

Under former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, the state government had proposed to the Centre to rename the Madras High Court as Tamil Nadu High Court, he said referring to an Assembly resolution in this regard.

His government was committed to fulfilling the needs of the judiciary, he added. PTI SA BN GVS

--- ENDS ---
UK terror threat level was increased to critical after the blast at the Parsons Green station of the London tube. Britain has deployed hundreds of soldiers to free up the police to hunt those behind the attack.

By India Today Web Desk: Friday morning's blast at the Parsons Green station of the London tube left as many as 29 people injured. The explosion took place on a packed rush-hour commuter train.

The police confirmed that Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used in London underground train attack. The bomb, which apparently failed to detonate properly, was the fifth major terrorism attack in Britain this year and was claimed by the Islamic State group.

People are saying this was the cause of the London Tube explosion. Hope everyone is ok ?? pic.twitter.com/hR4pGgtdBD- Diane Abbott (@DianeAbbottUK) September 15, 2017

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The London metro carried several school children and other commuters.

Reuters

In the wake of the London metro blast, the UK terror threat was increased from severe to critical as police continue to hunt the person who attempted to bring the carnage to the London rush-hour tube train.

PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY SPEAKS

In a televised statement on Friday night, Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK terror threat level was being raised to its highest rating and that armed police and members of the military would be seen on the streets in the coming days.

Raising the national threat level to maximum also suggests that another terror attack in the UK may be looming large.

"For this period, military personnel will replace police officers on guard duties at certain protected sites that are not accessible to the public.

"The public will see more armed police on the transport network and on our streets, providing extra protection. This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses," the Guardian quoted May as saying.

POLICE HUNT FOR SUSPECT

Britain has deployed hundreds of soldiers at strategic sites on Saturday to free up police to hunt those behind a bomb which injured 29 people on a packed commuter train in London and triggered the country's highest security level.

Reuters

The attack at Parsons Green tube station prompted the UK government to take the rare step of deploying the soldiers.

Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer Mark Rowley said late on Friday that the investigation was progressing well.

"We are chasing down suspects," he said.

"Hundreds of police officers are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry, trawling through hours of CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses."

The Metropolitan Police force says police "are making fast-time inquiries to establish who was responsible and are working closely with the security services."

US PRESIDENT TRUMP BLASTED

The US President Donald Trump blasted the "loser terrorists" behind the train attack in London.

"Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!"

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

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He then added, "Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner," without giving details of what that meant.

"The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!" he added.

FRANCE, BRITAIN AND GERMANY

German and French leaders said on September 15 that the attack on the London subway train only strengthens their determination to increase international cooperation in fighting terrorism.

Reuters

Chancellor Angela Merkel said after meeting with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe in Berlin on Friday, "Our thoughts are of course with the wounded, our thoughts are with the British population."

Mr Philippe said the London bomb and an attempt early Friday by a knife-wielding assailant to attack a soldier at a Paris subway interchange "show how much we collectively, in France, Britain and also in Germany, face a major threat."

--- ENDS ---
The Cambodia-based environmental group Mother Nature was formally shut down on Friday at the request of its director, Buddhist monk Prum Thomacheat, who said that he and other members were being threatened by government authorities over their activism.



The group has now had its name removed from an Interior Ministry registry, group founder Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson told RFAs Khmer Service on Sept. 15.

Prum Thomacheat and another monk who served as the group's secretary have been subject to systematic threats for the past three years, from October 2014 until the present day, Gonzalez-Davidson said, speaking from Spain where he has lived since being expelled from Cambodia in 2015.



Gonzalez-Davidson had asked the two monks, both Cambodian citizens, to serve in these roles "as the Ministry of Interior wouldn't allow me [as a foreigner] to establish an organization on my own or stand as that organization's director," he said.



Since then, they have faced charges and were almost sent to jail once. Therefore, the two venerable monks have decided to dissolve the organization so that they will not be persecuted or face threats of being jailed, he said.



Registered with Cambodian authorities in 2013, Mother Nature has worked over the years to protect Cambodias environment, exposing irregularities in Cambodias trade in dredged sand with foreign countries and helping villagers organize to protect their land.



Jailed, harassed



Several of the group's members have been harassed and jailed over the years.



On Sept. 13, a Koh Kong provincial court detained Mother Nature activists Dem Kundy and Hun Vannak on charges of inciting others to commit crimes and violations of privacy. The pair were taken into custody while taking photos of dredging operations along the Cambodian coast carried out by a firm linked to the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party.



And in July 2016, activists Try Sovikea, 28, San Mala, 26, and Sim Somnang, 31, were sentenced to 18 months in jail for threatening to destroy a barge belonging to the sand-dredging company Direct Access the year before.



They were released when a judge suspended the last eight months of their sentences, and they subsequently filed an appeal against a $25,000 fine they were ordered to pay.



Though Mother Nature has disbanded as an organization, the groups activists will now carry out operations on an independent and voluntary basis, Gonzalez-Davidson said.



We have evolved into a movement, Gonzalez-Davison said. And so the removal of our name from the Interior Ministrys registry will not affect our activities at all.



We will continue to carry out our activities as usual, he said.



Reported by Zakaria Tin and Neang Ieng for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Richard Finney.




Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen called on the United States on Friday to withdraw its Peace Corps volunteers from his country a day after he said he was suspending cooperation with Washington to find the remains of Americans killed in the Vietnam War.



"It's good if you pull out the Peace Corps," Hun Sen said as he stepped up his criticism of Washington at a gathering of 10,000 garment workers at Vattanac Industrial Park on the southwestern outskirts of Phnom Penh.



The Peace Corps was established in 1961 to promote world peace and good will. It has been operating in Cambodia since 2006, involved mostly in English-language teaching and health-care training. About 500 Americans have participated in such stints so far.



As Hun Sen made the announcement, the U.S. embassy was swearing in 71 new volunteers from the Peace Corps, Reuters news agency reported.



On Thursday, he announced a suspension of a long-running search for more than 40 missing-in-action soldiers during the Vietnam War, saying the action was in retaliation for the U.S. decision earlier this week to halt issuing visas to senior Cambodian foreign ministry officials and their families.



Washington issued the visa suspension after Phnom Penh said it would not take back Cambodian nationals being deported by the United States after being convicted of crimes.



Relations between the U.S. and Cambodia are at a new low.



'Misleading, baseless' charges



Hun Sen charged recently that the United States had conspired with Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha to try to overthrow his government.



The Cambodian authorities arrested Kem Sokha on Sept. 3, charging him with treason.



In a strong response, Washingtons ambassador to Cambodia William Heidt branded Hun Sen's claims as inaccurate, misleading and baseless and called for Kem Sokha's release.



He also called for an end to pressure on Cambodian civil society and for dialogue between the government and opposition to salvage elections scheduled in 2018, where Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party could face a stiff challenge from Kem Sokha's Cambodia National Rescue Party.



Hun Sen also recently forced the closure of The Cambodia Daily, an independent English-language newspaper, over alleged unpaid tax bills as well as about a dozen radio stations that broadcast opposition voices or programming by the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Voice of America.



Radio Free Asia announced this week that it would close its nearly 20-year old bureau in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, saying Hun Sen's authoritarian government had made "false statements" and used "intimidating rhetoric" to pressure its local bureau, including allegations of tax and registration violations.



But RFA said it would continue reporting on Cambodia as part of its mission to provide accurate and timely news and information on Asian countries whose governments prohibit access to a free press.



'No pressure applied'



The Cambodian Information Ministry denied that the government had applied pressure on RFA and warned that any RFA reporter continuing to work for RFA within Cambodia would be regarded as "spies."



In the name of the Ministry of Information, I would like to completely deny that the ministry has put pressure or restricted freedom against Radio Free Asia (RFA) or other media outlets," ministry spokesman Ouk Kimseng told a press conference.



"This is the point that the Ministry of Information would like to clarify to the public in regard to RFAs statement.



He indicated that the closure of the RFA office in Phnom Penh would make its reporters' work in the country illegal.



"If they want to work from such darkness, they should be held accountable before the law of our country whether the law permits them to do so," he said.



"For me, if RFA [reporters] join our [press conference] here today, I welcome them. But from tomorrow on I wont, because they have decided to stop working in Cambodia. 



Reported by Moniroth Morm and translated by Sovannarith Keo for RFA's Khmer Service.
The Madhya Pradesh government has suspended six officials in the 'moong dal' procurement scam and has for the first time accepted that pulses were much more than they were actually produced by farmers in Harda and Narsinghpur districts.

By Hemender Sharma: The Madhya Pradesh government has suspended six officials in the 'moong dal' procurement scam and has for the first time accepted that pulses were much more than they were actually produced by farmers in the districts of Harda and Narsinghpur because of the support price that was announced by the government.

The six suspended officials are Ashok Satyarthi, Chandrashekhar Patel, Amit Thakur, Dhananjay patel, Abhishek Patel and Bhagwati Paliwal.

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The state government in a panic reaction had announced a minimum support price of Rs 5050 per quintal for 'moong' after six agitating farmers were killed in police action in Mandsaur in the first week of June.

A support price of Rs 8 per/kg for onion was also announced at the same time. The state government ended up procuring onion several times over the actual produce and the case is now being investigated by Economic Offences Wing of the state police.

A three-member committee headed by Commissioner Food Vivek Porwal was formed to investigate the pulses procurement scam after India Today reported it in the first week of August.

In Harda, the government had ended up procuring moong dal that was almost thrice the average yield of the last five years. The average yield of the last five years had taken into account the bumper crops that were reported, given the fact that the state had recorded a double digit agriculture growth rate for five consecutive years.

In Tendukhera of Narsinghpur district, extra moong dal worth Rs 17 crore was shown procured on papers following which an inquiry was ordered. The investigating officer found that not just extra procurement was shown on paper, but also the dal procured was kept in the open during the rainy season.

--- ENDS ---
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[ROANOKE] The only hospital in Patrick County announced last week that it is closing less than two years after filing for bankruptcy.

Emergency patients were being diverted from the Pioneer Health Services facility to other hospitals, and inpatients were being stabilized and either discharged or transferred.

Hospital administrator Jeanette Filpi made the announcement through a post to Pioneers Facebook page on Thursday.

As most of you know, Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick County filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection on March 30, 2016 due to financial hardships, she said. Since that time, we have worked diligently to structure a sale of the hospital to maintain viable operations. Unfortunately, our best efforts were unsuccessful and we have no choice but to close the hospital at this time.

Americore, the Florida startup that is buying the Lee County hospital, had planned to buy the 25-bed critical access hospital in Stuart out of bankruptcy court, CEO Grant White said this summer. That deal fell apart on Sept. 8.

That was the final straw for the hospital, said Joe Flores, Virginia deputy secretary of health and human services.

White could not be reached for comment.

The hospitals average census is about 10 to 11 patients a month and nearly 90 percent of them are Medicare patients, Flores said. With its critical access status, Medicare does reimburse at a higher rate, but payments still fall short of commercial payers.

In Patrick County there are 18,000 people. About 1,200 are uninsured but would have coverage with Medicaid expansion, said Massey Whorley, a senior policy advisor for Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

While additional paying patients would help, Whorley said the declining population and economic base coupled with capital expenses in running a hospital at half capacity, delivered a one-two punch to the hospital.

News of the hospitals closing hit the administration at the same time that it was trying to work with insurance carriers to cover parts of Virginia that were going to be left without an insurer in the individual market next year. With Anthem agreeing on Friday to write policies, Flores said they can direct more attention to Patrick, but so far no health care company has offered to step in.

Martinsville, at about a half-hour away, is the next closest hospital.

Thats not a realistic option if youre having a heart attack. Every minute counts, Flores said.

In Filpis Facebook post she said the timing of the closing was due to the resignation of the physician recruited last year to lead the hospitals clinic. His last day is Sept. 30. Other posts to the page made over the last few weeks indicate the hospital was seeking to fill a number of other positions.

The Patrick County hospital is owned by Mississippi-based Pioneer Health Systems, which also owns rural hospitals in Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association spokesman Julian Walker said the closure is sad and distressing news for patients who receive vital medical care from the hospital, for the compassionate health care professionals who work there, and for the communities.

The University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center has tracked the closure of rural hospitals since 2010 and lists 81 on its website. Six of those closed this year.

The only other hospital on the list is Lee County, which Wellmont Health System shuttered four years ago.

Walker said policy uncertainty in Washington has created fragile times for health care companies.

Here in Virginia, many hospitals have faced year-over-year financial challenges due to government funding cuts, unfunded care mandates and other pressures, he said.
With his death, both the chief litigants in the case from the Hindu and Muslim sides have passed away. Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the case, died at the age of 95 in July 2016.

By India Today Web Desk: Mahant Bhaskar Das, the chief litigant in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid case and the sarpanch mahant (chief priest) of the Nirmohi Akhada, died on Saturday. He was 89.

With his death, both the chief litigants in the case from the Hindu and Muslim sides have passed away. Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the case, died at the age of 95 in July 2016.

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Bhaskar Das was taken to the Harshan Heart Institute in Faizabad on Friday night after having severe breathing problems. He breathed his last around 3 am.

The Nirmohi Akhada priest had filed a claim for the Ramjanmboomi land's ownership in 1959.

--- ENDS ---
Seven people arrested during rally, protests

6:20 p.m.: There were a total of seven arrests made during Saturday's pro-Confederate rally and counterprotests in Richmond.

Four of the arrests were for wearing a mask in public.

Caroline Hill, 24, of McLean; Thomas W. Rockett, 21, of Herndon; Corissa C. Duffey, 25, of Stockbridge, Ga.; and Ian M. Gerson, 32, of Brooklyn, N.Y. were charged with wearing a mask in public. It's against Virginia law for anyone over age 16 to wear a mask to conceal their identity.

Brittany D. Bush, 29, of Petersburg, was charged with disorderly conduct. She was arrested for allegedly threatening a bystander.

Jabari A. Robinson, 21, of Roanoke, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The only Richmond resident arrested during Saturday's protests was Deante L. Watkins, 18, who was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen weapon and two counts of possession of a concealed weapon.

Richmond police also said there were no injuries or accidents reported.

People who filmed Saturday's march and were harassed for doing so

Two detained for wearing masks

4 p.m.: Two people wearing masks, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, were quickly detained by police in Stuart Circle.

It was not clear if the two people were part of the counterprotest march that had just ended near the J.E.B. Stuart statue.

It's a violation of Virginia law to wear a mask to conceal your identity. Police had warned in advance that they would be enforcing the mask law.

Section 18.2-422 of the Code of Virginia:

It shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age to, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing.

Marchers return to Stuart Circle

3:45 p.m.: After marching along Richmond streets near the Monroe Park campus of VCU, a group of roughly 50 to 100 counterprotesters has returned to Stuart Circle where the march began.

A confrontation with a pro-Confederate was quickly broken up by Richmond police. There were no arrests.

Police in riot gear were seen assembling and some protesters scattered.

Counterprotesters marching in Richmond

2:20 p.m.: A group of between 50 to 100 counterprotesters have started marching through the city chanting "Black live matter" and "Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!"

Some of the marchers demanded they not be broadcast or filmed.

The march started in Stuart Circle and has since taken the counterprotester on Franklin, Broad, Belvidere and Main streets.

Petersburg woman arrested

1:40 p.m.: Richmond police arrested a Petersburg woman during Saturday's pro-Confederate rally and counterprotest.

Police said Brittany Bush, 29, was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, after she allegedly threatened a bystander.

Police said the incident is still being investigated, and this was the only arrest during Saturday's rally and protest.

Rally and protest winding down near the Lee statue

1:15 p.m.: In an assembly zone near the Gen. Robert E. Lee monument, which was entirely anti-racist, many of the protesters have left, but there are still roughly 150 people lounging in the shade and eating.

A group called The Democratic Socialists of America spent some time socializing near the Lee monument, and then collected garbage from others around the assembly zone before leaving.

The Richmond group Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality  whose members held a banner throughout the protest that read "No shrines to white supremacy"  have left the area, giving each other high-fives as they departed.

There's still a significant police presence around the Lee statue, but far fewer officers than there were earlier.

Woman detained by police; tow truck shows up to assist rally organizers

11:53 a.m.: Police detained a woman near a group of counterprotesters near the Stuart monument.

As police were walking her through the crowd, counterprotesters started chanting "shame" and "who do you protect, who do you serve?"

It was unclear why the woman was detained.

Witnesses said that the incident followed a heated, verbal exchange between protesters.

Meanwhile, a tow truck showed up at Robinson and Hanover streets to tow the pickup truck of the pro-Confederate rally organizers who had two tires slashed.

The organizers got into a police car for a ride to a "safe location."

Pro-Confederate rally organizers wait for tow truck after two tires slashed

11:20 a.m.: Rally organizers, who left in a white truck with both right-side tires flat, are waiting for a tow truck at Robinson and Hanover streets.

Thomas Crompton, one of the pro-Confederate rally organizers, told police he and the three other ralliers with him were being tailed and that their tires were slashed.

It was either frame damage of our lives, Crompton told officers. There was a mob.

Organizers told reporters they wouldnt comment. Asked if they felt their rally was successful, Tara Brandau said only, We were peaceful.

They wanted us out of the state, but then they slash our tires so we cant leave the state. That makes no sense, Brandau told police as they waited for a tow truck.

 Ned Oliver

Pro-Confederate rally organizers from Tennessee leave

11:05 a.m.: Police led the pro-Confederate group over a barricade and away from the Lee monument.

One of the pro-Confederate rally organizers from Tennessee, Thomas Crompton, said they were done with their demonstration. As the group got to their truck on Meadow Street, two right-side tires were flat. The group drove off in the truck with the flat tire as some counterprotesters chased them.

Back at Lee monument, two new pro-Confederate protesters showed up, one holding a Confederate flag. They stayed for about 30 minutes and then left.

 Shelby Lum and Graham Moomaw

N.C. 'country boy' in Richmond

Erik Pulley, 20, of Wilson, N.C., said he's in Richmond to support keeping the monuments.

"Because you never see a black monument getting torn down, do you?" said Pulley. "You always see a white one."

Pulley, who called himself a "country boy," and said his family has ties to the KKK and Aryan Brotherhood, came to Richmond by himself.

 Patrick Wilson

Scene around the Lee statue

10:15 a.m.: More than 100 people have assembled to the west of the Lee statue.

About six pro-Confederate protesters are being confronted by more than 100 counterprotesters, who are shouting "Traitors go home." The pro-Confederates are chanting back "all lives matter" and called their opponents "sheep."

Police in riot gear quickly moved in to maintain distance between the two groups.

A pair of two young women in sundresses handed out white paper roses and sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

The march of counterprotesters that started at the Maggie Walker statue started to move to the barricades between Stuart and Lee monuments.

The Richmond Police Department tweeted that no arrests have been made, but one person has been removed from the area around Lee monument.

 Ned Oliver and Katie O'Connor

Counterprotesters reach Stuart Circle

10:14 a.m.: At 10 a.m., the march of counterprotesters, which was joined by Black Lives Matter New York, that started at the Maggie Walker statue reached Stuart Circle, chanting Hey hey, ho ho, racism has got to go, to cheers from people already there.

The group marching, since it doesnt have a permit, had to stay on the sidewalks and out of the streets, however, police blocked off the intersection at Belvidere and Broad streets so it could cross over on their way to Stuart Circle.

 Katie O'Connor

Organizers arrive on Monument Ave.; marchers leave Walker statue

9:45 a.m.: Two of the organizers of the pro-Confederate rally, Judy and Thomas Crompton, arrived on Monument Avenue at about 9:30 a.m.

Thomas was carrying a semi-automatic rifle and showed the police his permit.

Police had opened the gates at Broad and Adams and a small number of people had begun trickling in.

A few arguments flared up. Police stopped one counterprotester who was using a mic to swear at the pro-Confederates.

Meanwhile, the crowd that had gathered at the Maggie Walker statue on Broad Street have begun their march to Stuart Circle.

Large police presence on Monument Avenue

9:03 a.m.: Large numbers of state and city police began arriving on Monument Avenue around 9 a.m., many by GRTC bus.

Some officers wore riot gear and others were in their standard uniforms.

Officers, who have promised swift arrests if they witness any illegal activity, distributed zip-tie style handcuffs.

In addition to fencing set up Friday, police positioned dump trucks as make-shift barricades to prevent a car attack.

As of 9 a.m., there were virtually no pro-Confederate rally attendees or counterprotesters in sight.

More than 100 people gathered at Maggie Walker statue

8:56 a.m.: With six police officers on motorcycles watching calmly from Broad Street, more than 100 people milled around the Maggie Walker statue at the corner of West Broad and North Adams streets.

The statue, said Jelani Drew, advocacy coordinator for the Richmond Peace Education Center, is the only monument to civil rights in the city, whereas the statues on Monument Avenue have a very different message.

"We're here to show support for people of color who may feel affected by what happened in Charlottesville and by the Confederate group rallying today at (the Lee Monument)," Drew said.

She said that the pro-Confederate groups are not separated from white supremacy. While the risk of violence may be lower, the ideas are just as dangerous.

The group plans to march from Maggie Walker to Stuart Circle, where the first monument on the avenue, of JEB Stuart, stands  though those plans may change depending on street closures and access.

Pam Derby drove 50 minutes from her home in Charles City to attend the rally.

"I believe all people are created equal," she said. "America was built on the backs of blacks, and I believe the statues (on Monument Avenue) denigrate them."

Throughout the crowd, participants wore Black Lives Matter t-shirts and a few gently beat drums in front of Maggie Walker as more and more people arrive.

Richmond resident Anita Lee held a sign that declares, "Honor black history not confederate shrines."

She said she was there because she is in favor of taking down the statues of Confederate generals on Monument Avenue.

Jamie Kilpatrick, also a Richmond resident, sat next to Lee and concurred.

"I believe monuments are supposed to glorify," she said. "I don't believe we should glorify treason, racism and slavery."

 Katie O'Connor

Large state police convoy on Chippenham, Powhite

8:30 a.m.: A large number of Virginia State Police vehicles, at least 20, were seen travelling north on Chippenham Parkway and then north on Powhite Parkway at about 7:45 a.m. Saturday.

The vehicles, which included cruisers and SUVs, headed east on the Downtown Expressway, and were likely headed for the law enforcement staging area near the Richmond Coliseum.

 Paul Whelan

Protests and marches scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m.

8:15 a.m.: A peaceful rally and counter protest organized by the Unitarian Universalist Church is scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Maggie Walker statue at the intersection of Adams and Broad streets.

Participants in the pro-Confederate rally are being asked by organizers to arrive at the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue at 10 a.m.

Police from around the region will be on hand and officials have erected an extensive network of barricades around the statue to create three "assembly zones" where all weapons will be banned except firearms, which authorities say they can not legally prohibit under the state's open carry law.

The assembly zones won't divide attendees by their view points - police said they would have no way of knowing who should be assigned to what area. The zones are not connected at the statue, which police have cordoned off. The only way to travel from one area to another is from behind by walking several blocks on the side streets.

 Ned Oliver

How this is different than Charlottesville

8:03 a.m.: The lead-up to the event has been very different from the Aug. 12 protests in Charlottesville.

The Charlottesville rally was planned and promoted for months by large, militant white nationalist groups. In the weeks leading up to it, police said they had intelligence suggesting protesters and counterprotesters were planning violence.

Police have said they havent received any similar intelligence about the Richmond protest. And unlike the groups behind Charlottesville, the Richmond event is being planned by a small group that has so far not demonstrated any meaningful, widespread support. Read more.
HAYMARKET  A 15-year-old boy was fatally shot by police in Northern Virginia after authorities say the teen brandished a crowbar.

Prince William County Police say the shooting occurred around 10:45 a.m. Friday in Haymarket, about 37 miles west of Washington.

No officers were injured.

Police responded to a call about a possible hostage situation and were told that a person with a bomb strapped to his chest was holding a family member hostage. When officers arrived, the 15-year-old was brandishing a crowbar and walking toward them, police said.

An officer then shot the boy, who died at the scene.
The kin of Jammu and Kashmir's last king Maharaja Hari Singh are urging the state government to declare a holiday on his birth anniversary.

By Pooja Shali: The erstwhile royal family of Jammu and Kashmir has initiated a campaign urging the state government to declare a holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.

Vikramaditya Singh, grandson of the former king Maharaja Hari Singh, has written to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, requesting a holiday on September 23.

Speaking to India Today, Vikramaditya Singh said, "Jammu feels more isolated, marginalised and threatened by fundamentalist forces more than ever today. Sentiments of lakhs of people are still closely attached with Hari Singh's visionary social reforms, stand for justice and building of solid institutions."

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Singh added, "We are simply asking for Jammu sentiments to be respected by declaring a state holiday. We do not want to be treated as second class citizens in our own state any more."

The two-page letter dated September 15 written to CM Mufti, asks the government to acknowledge the efforts of Dogra king in the field of heath care, education apart from administration.

A campaign has been initiated on social media to gather public support.

Sources within the Jammu and Kashmir government say that the request will be noted on Monday. However, no plan has been drafted yet to declare the day as a holiday.

Jammu is a Hindu-majority region of the state with over 60 percent Dogra population. The region has a diverse mix or Hindus, Sikh and Muslims including refugees from 1947 west Pakistan.

--- ENDS ---
These days America sometimes looks as if it were slipping into the grip of another Red Scare. Only this time the object of fear and loathing is the far-right menace, not the far-left one.

The first Red Scare happened after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. The second followed WWII, and helped commence the Cold War.

Both scares involved a hysterical overreaction to a genuine threat. Totalitarian communism was antithetical to Americas most cherished values, and anti-communism was the morally correct position to take.

Some took it too far. The overreaction led to loyalty oaths and star-chamber hearings before the House Un-American Activities Committee and Hollywood blacklists and a general atmosphere of what, today, we might call political correctness: an intolerance of dissenting ideas that challenged, or were insufficiently devoted to, the prevailing anti-communist orthodoxy. The more common name for the overreaction is McCarthyism.

All of this produced almost inevitable blowback, which came to be known as anti-anti-communism. Anti-anti-communists did not support communism, but they also opposed McCarthyism. To muddle the issue even further, many on the left were at least sympathetic to communism, and at least a few were objectively pro-Soviet, so it was easy to lump anti-anti-communists in with those who were pro-communist, and it could be difficult to navigate all of the finely grained distinctions.

Those debates have passed into historys sepia pages. Now the current debate over the alt-right has begun to display some of the same hallmarks.

******

To begin with, there is the undeniable existence of a clear and present danger. The racist rights identitarianism is antithetical to Americas most cherished values, and opposing the alt-right is the morally correct position to take. The threat must be countered at every turn.

At the same time, the wholesome and necessary opposition to bigotry has started to metastasize into something less healthy.

You can see that in the way Berkeley reacted to a speech by Ben Shapiro. From the militarized police preparation to the emotional counseling for students, youd have thought Shapiro, a Jewish conservative who opposes Donald Trump, was the reincarnation of Adolf Eichmann.

You can see it at the Oregon Bach Festival, which recently fired British conductor Matthew Halls for affecting a Southern accent while joking with a friend. The friend, Reginald Mobley, is from the South, and black. A woman reported Halls for making racist comments. Mobley insists there was nothing racist or malicious about his friends joke. Too bad, festival officials said; Halls is out. Mobley told a British newspaper Halls has been victimized and Im very upset about it.

You can see it at the University of Iowa, which requires job applicants to promise they will demonstrate their contribution to diversity and inclusion if they are hired. (Virginia Tech tried to impose a similar litmus test for faculty members a few years ago.) To consider why that might be problematic, imagine the university were to demand that applicants demonstrate their fidelity to capitalism and free enterprise.

You can see it in the proliferation of college bias response teams, which swing into action when somebody reports somebody else  informs on them  for saying or doing something that might be viewed as offensive or hurtful. On todays campus, that can be practically anything. One actual case: Anonymous student reported that African-American Alliances student protest was making white students feel uncomfortable. Another resulted in the defunding of a student satirical newspaper after it poked fun at safe spaces.

You can see it in the debate over the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has come under fire for conflating mainstream conservatives, and even non-conservatives such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School who opposes Islamic extremism, with neo-Nazis and Klansmen. As National Review put it last year, A category ... that includes both Aryan Brotherhood felons in San Quentin and Somali-Dutch atheist women with celebrated literary careers is not an especially useful category.

******

Like anti-communism in the Fifties, this atmosphere also has inspired blowback. The term for the current phenomenon is Trumpism. And, as with anti-anti-communism, the term covers a lot. It includes decent people who are tired of seeing other decent people fired for making innocent jokes. It also includes virulent bigots like the ones who turned out to commit mayhem in Charlottesville.

All analogies are inexact, and its easy to push this one too far. The current situation differs from earlier Red Scares in a number of important respects  starting with the fact that for all the sympathy communism garnered in some circles in earlier decades, avowed communists never enjoyed electoral success (although a few socialists did). Bigots, however, have done extremely well in American politics until quite recently  and, arguably, still do.

Another difference: While the Red Scares permeated every sector of American society, most of the intolerant excesses of todays tolerance warriors are confined to colleges and universities.
In the past eight months, three U.S. warships have collided with foreign vessels and a fourth Navy ship ran aground. Seventeen American sailors lost their lives in the disasters.

On Sept. 7, the House Armed Forces Subcommittee on Readiness and Seapower and Projection Forces held a hearing try to address the root causes of the collisions. Witnesses included Adm. Bill Moran, vice chief of naval operations, Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, director of surface warfare, and John Pendleton, director of defense force structure and readiness issues at the Government Accountability Office.

The session laid bare some harsh facts about the status of naval training and readiness  and the health and welfare of those who serve the Navy. As a retired sailor with a son on active duty and a daughter in Navy ROTC at Cornell University, I found it difficult to hear the top brass confirm the criticisms coming from many prior naval officers.

In the days following the USS Fitzgerald accident in June, columns and blogs from surface warfare officers (SWOs) hinted at the likelihood that poor training was a key factor in the collision. After the USS McCain collision two months later, the chorus of concerned voices grew louder.

On Aug. 27, the Navy Times published the article Maybe todays Navy is just not very good at driving ships. The writer interviewed current and former SWOs who confirmed that many of todays young officers are improperly trained, have poor leadership skills, and are clueless navigators.

For some time, there have been disturbing hints of trouble. The investigation following the January 2016 capture of two Navy riverine boats by the Iranian navy concluded that insufficient training and lax oversight played key roles in the capture. The commander of that squadron was relieved of duty due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead.

The Navys report on the ramming of the USS Fitzgerald by a Philippines-flagged container ship outlined the Fitzgeralds failure to detect danger. The commanding officer and executive officer were both relieved for inadequate leadership.

This problem was years in the making. Back in 2003, tasked with ever more missions and fewer ships, the Navy eliminated a six-month school in Newport, R.I., that taught young officers basic navigation skills and leadership. In its place, the officers were given a set of 21 CDs to study on their own and were expected to learn the rest of their craft through on-the-job training.

It took the Navy five years to realize what a colossally stupid mistake it had made. Since then, 15 weeks of that course have been restored  but many of those untrained officers have since been promoted to significant leadership levels within the Navy.

******

During the hearing, the admirals were frank about the Navys failure to properly train surface warfare officers. They assured Congress there were steps underway to address the problems.

Navy leadership has a lot of work to do and is facing some formidable challenges. During the course of the hearing, we learned that about 100 ships are routinely deployed every day. That number has remained constant since 2001  even though the number of Navy ships has declined by 14 percent since then. Ships are deploying more often and for longer periods of time.

Pendleton, the GAO director of defense force structure and readiness, told Congress that 37 percent of the Navys destroyers and cruisers in the Pacific arena had expired warfare training certifications and were operating under waivers. Thats a five-fold increase since May 2015.

Lengthy and grueling operational tempos mean delayed maintenance and decreased pre-deployment training cycles. And unsustainable demands arent just being placed on material assets. Deployed sailors in the Pacific theater work on average 108 hours a week. In a 168-hour week, that leaves just 60 hours for sleeping, eating, and everything else. When there arent enough hours in a day, sleep gets sacrificed  leaving fatigued crews and a compromised safety environment.

******

During the hearing, Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., told the panel, We need to make sure the Navy has enough sailors to do the job and that they are properly trained. Our sons, daughters, neighbors, and friends are sacrificing so much to keep us safe  and its up to us to keep them as safe as possible.

Yes, keeping our sailors safe should be paramount. The Navy needs to get its act together. But lets not overlook the role of Congress in this sad state of affairs. Cheers to the few representatives who brought up the topics of sequestration and continuing resolutions and questioned the admirals about the impact those congressionally imposed actions have on the Navy.

The panels response was immediate. Sequestration and its harsh cuts in funding have decimated the military. And there is no one to blame but Congress.

Sequestration was created in 2011 as a line in the sand, a threat that would happen only if a bipartisan super committee failed to negotiate a $1.2 trillion budget reduction. But as with too many other issues, Congress was incapable of successful negotiation. No agreement was reached by the deadline, and although Congress was warned repeatedly that sequestration would harm the military and weaken our defenses, the severe budget cuts that began in 2013 are still ongoing.

Sequestration, especially when combined with nine years of continuing resolutions, has impacted training and maintenance and caused severe shortages in parts, material goods, and military personnel numbers. For all services, training accidents have increased, hundreds of aircraft have been grounded, and scheduled repairs are backlogged. And the most tragic result is that American lives are being lost.

Its past time for the Navy to address its operational and personnel problems. Under new leadership, perhaps it can now focus on mission-critical issues rather than nonsense such as unisex uniforms and abolishing historic job titles. I have faith that the problems can be resolved.
Have you read a poem in the past year? If so, youre in the minority.

Just seven in 100 Americans read poetry even once in the past 12 months, government figures show, down from 17 percent in 1992.

Poetry is going extinct, a headline in The Washington Post lamented in 2015, after the 2012 statistics, the latest available, were released.

But wait. Sometimes called the Cinderella of literary forms, poetry isnt dead; its not even asleep.

I wont go as far as a British newspaper, which earlier this year heralded a genuine renaissance in poetry in the United Kingdom. But, in the United States, poetry, like an endangered species thats been protected, is showing signs of life.

Poetry Out Loud programs in all 50 states invite students in grades 9 through 12 to compete in contests by memorizing and reciting poetry. The Library of Congress this year named the first national youth poet laureate.

A new book, Why Poetry, urges people to stop thinking of a poem as a riddle or code to crack and read what the words say to them.

Like classical music, poetry has the unfortunate reputation for requiring special training and education to appreciate, which makes us feel (unnecessarily) as if we havent studied enough to read it, Matthew Zapruder, a poet and former poetry editor of the New York Times Magazine, writes in Why Poetry.

Tracy K. Smith is the new poet laureate of the United States, the 22nd in a line of literary legends that includes Robert Frost, Richard Wilbur and Rita Dove. Dove also served as poet laureate of Virginia and holds the Commonwealth chair at the University of Virginia.

The author of three books of poetry, Smith, 45, won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2012. Her 2015 memoir, Ordinary Light, was a finalist for the National Book Award. She and her husband, Raphael Allison, a literary scholar, teach at Princeton University and have three children.

Smith said a few months ago that as poet laureate she would take poetry beyond the ivy walls of universities and urban literary festivals to places where it is seldom heard or read. She received invitations from communities struggling with addiction as well as from nursing homes, hospitals and hospices.

Nursing homes are often overlooked when we think of poetry, she said in a telephone interview Wednesday, before her inaugural reading at the Library of Congress. Poetry can be very useful at the end of life.

The U.S. poet laureate, who is chosen by the Librarian of Congress, has few duties beyond fostering a national appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. And, if youre wondering, no, this is not a case of your tax dollars at work.

The poet laureates stipend is privately funded through an endowment created in 1936 by Archer M. Huntington, a philanthropist whose mother was from Richmond. Among Huntingtons many gifts was the money to start the Mariners Museum in Newport News.

The title originally was Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. In 1985, Congress changed it to Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

When he had the job in 1963, Howard Nemerov was only half joking, the library says in a history, when he wrote, The Consultant in Poetry is a very busy man, chiefly because he spends so much time talking with people who want to know what the Consultant in Poetry does.

For Smith, who still remembers the thrill of discovering Emily Dickinson in fifth grade, her job will be to make poetry less stressful and more enjoyable.

People have anxiety about poetry, she said. They see a poem as an object that must be analyzed to death to be enjoyed or understood.

But theres no need to feel obliged to wrestle hidden meaning from poems. Plus, who couldnt benefit from taking a few minutes from our busy, tech- and information-overloaded days to let poetry speak to us?

Poems teach us how to read them, Smith says. So, when her students read a poem for the first time, she starts with a simple question: What do you notice?

Its a good question, one I plan to ask myself more often  and not only when Im reading a poem.
By P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan: The Angamaly Judicial first class magistrate today extended actor Dileep's remand till September 28. Dileep, who has been lodged at a sub-jail for more than two months now, approached the court for bail plea for the fourth time in the Malayalam actress abduction and assault case.

Earlier today, the court heard the arguments from both sides for over 2 hours. After hearing, the court set aside the case for final judgment on Monday (September 18). In his bail plea, Dileep stated that he has already served more than 60 days in judicial custody. As he's not been charged under serious sections, he is naturally eligible for bail after 60 days, as urged by his counsel.

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During the course of hearing, the prosecution strongly opposed the plea submitted by the actor. They cited that, if Dileep is let free when the case is at a critical juncture, there is a possibility that he may influence the witness. The prosecution also pointed that recent surge in the number of celebrity visitors in jail shows his influence in the industry.

Meanwhile, Dileep's wife and actor Kavya Madhavan has approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail. Her bail plea will also be considered on Monday.

A popular Malayalam actress was kidnapped and molested by a gang of six men earlier in February this year. In July, Dileep was arrested on the charged of criminal conspiracy and for plotting the plan for the actress' abduction.

ALSO WATCH: Dileep's bail plea rejected by the Kerala HC

--- ENDS ---
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Nanningas cause of cause of death will not determined until all tests results are in, however, there is no evidence of foul play, according to the release.

Update, 9:39 a.m. Friday: The Bedford County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday morning a hiker died Thursday on the Appalachian Trail.

The hiker's body has been sent to the medical examiner's office in Roanoke. Investigators are waiting to learn the identity and cause of death.

The sheriff's office said the death appears to be a "tragic accident."

This has been a breaking news update. Previous coverage is below.

Update, early Friday: BIG ISLAND  More than 50 emergency officials responded to the Snowden area Thursday night to assist in the search and rescue of a man who allegedly fell off a trail into a ravine.

A News & Advance reporter saw what appeared to be a body bag on the floor of a boat, which was carrying authorities who had been transporting the patient out of the woods, on the James River late Thursday night, but responders on scene would not officially comment on the state of the victim, where the victim was transported or what kind of injuries the victim suffered.

The first call about the fallen hiker was received by Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue had at about 10 a.m. Thursday, with other agencies being pulled in to assist throughout the day.

Lt. K. Williams, of the Bedford County Sheriffs Office, said a couple of hikers reported the fallen man, whose identity had not been released as of press time.

Responders hiked to the man's location near Petites Gap Road from the Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue base just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, totaling about 8 miles, Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue Lt. Mark Carter said.

Responders first reported to the James River footbridge near Snowden. Multiple vehicles later moved to the trailhead near Petites Gap Road.

The initial call reported the location closer ... to that [footbridge] area, Carter said. ... Our initial team from Bedford County went in from that location, and from a terrain standpoint, this is going to be an easier access point.

Responders located the victim in a ravine about eight miles from the trailhead, he said.

The extraction process for the injured man started at about 6:38 p.m., Carter said.

A rope system had to be devised to get to the man and pull him up, Carter said.

Big Island Fire and Rescue Chief Brandon Cocke said the federal classification of the area as a "wilderness area" prevented the use of tools typically used to speed up extrications, such as helicopters or chainsaws.

"By definition, it's a wilderness area; nothing man-made is supposed to work there. If God didn't make it, it's not supposed to be there," he said.

This made access and transportation that much harder, he said.

Thursday night, crews had decided to use the James River to transport the man. Three responders wearing helmets and life jackets set off down the river on three boats provided by local law enforcement agencies.

Cocke said the boat never would leave the river, therefore avoiding the wilderness area and its technology ban.

When asked if the fall was being investigated as an accident, Cocke said he didn't know.

"As far as we're concerned, it's an injury, and we're trying rescue [them]," he said.

Responding agencies included Rockbridge Sheriff's Office, Bedford County Sheriffs Office, National Park Service, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Big Island Emergency Crew and Bedford County Special Operations Command.

Smith can be reached at asmith@newsadvance.com and (434) 385-5530. Mahoney can be reached at rmahoney@newsadvance.com and (434) 385-5554.

Update, Thursday evening: BIG ISLAND  Responders have spent hours working to rescue a hiker who fell off the Appalachian Trail near Snowden on Thursday.

Bedford County Fire and Rescue Lt. Mark Carter said Thursday evening a 911 call regarding a hiker whod fallen from the trail came in at about 1 p.m. He couldnt say who the hiker was or whether the hiker is a man or woman.

Responders first reported to the James River footbridge near Snowden. Multiple vehicles later moved to the trailhead near Petites Gap Road.

The initial call reported the location closer ... to that [footbridge] area, Carter said. ... Our initial team from Bedford County went in from that location, and from a terrain standpoint, this is going to be an easier access point.

As of 6 p.m. Thursday evening, Carter said the hiker was injured but didnt provide details on his or her condition. Responders had located the victim in a ravine about eight miles from the trailhead, he said.

Personnel from Bedford County Fire and Rescue, the Bedford Fire Department, the Big Island Volunteer Fire Department, the Big Island Emergency Crew, the Forest Volunteer Fire Department, the Bedford County Sheriffs Office, the Virginia Department of Forestry and from Rockbridge County have responded to the area to aid in the rescue.

Carter said theyve formed groups that have been at the scene for hours and could be for several more. There are medics and an ambulance in the area to aid the hiker, he said.

Crews trying to access the hiker are armed with rope to help them navigate the ravine and a specialty stretcher, Carter said. The rescue is a complicated one that requires specialized equipment, and while he said emergency calls involving hikers arent uncommon, he said a severe fall like this one is more unusual. He couldnt confirm the height of the fall in this incident and said responders arent sure of the circumstances.

Earlier: Bedford County rescue crews are responding to a call about a "person over a cliff on the Appalachian Trail," according to the Forest Volunteer Fire Department.

Bedford County's Special Operations Command said on Twitter the person fell into a ravine.

Units from Rockbridge and Bedford SOC are still trying to locate the patient at this time  Forest Vol Fire Dept (@FVFD51) September 14, 2017

U5 is responding with SOC for a person over a cliff on the Appalachian trail  Forest Vol Fire Dept (@FVFD51) September 14, 2017

SOC units Rescue 1, Utility 5 responding to Blue Ridge Parkway for subject in a ravine.  Bedford County SOC (@BCoFRSOC) September 14, 2017

Further details were not immediately available.

This has been a breaking news update. Check back later for more information.
RADFORD  A South Boston man accused of robbing drug-dealing Radford University students was convicted Friday of 22 charges. A jury followed minimum sentencing requirements and recommended a term of 55 years in prison.

Tavaras Aquil Hamlett, 22, was one of three men who Commonwealths Attorney Chris Rehak said traveled to Radford looking for a drug dealer to hold up.

Its just about the perfect crime  its rarely reported, Rehak said at the start of a two-day trial.

Radford Circuit Court Judge Joey Showalter scheduled a Dec. 15 sentencing hearing where Hamletts punishment will be decided.

Hamlett was the first of the three to come to trial. Malik Jamal Williams, 21, and Jeremy Michael Hill, 23, both have Oct. 27 hearings to schedule the next steps in their cases.

Jurors found Hamlett guilty of being a principal in the second degree to each of 14 charges: grand larceny, three counts of robbery, two counts of burglary, three counts of abduction and five counts related to using firearm to commit a crime. He also was convicted of eight conspiracy charges.

Hamlett was acquitted of one accessory to the use of a firearm charge.

Hamlett did not take the stand until the sentencing portion of his trial, apologizing to his family, the court and jurors for taking their time, but insisting that while he was present during the events witnesses described, he had not actually robbed or abducted anyone himself.

I came up here to see friends that go to school here, he added. I never came all this way to rob anyone.

Testimony Thursday and Friday traced how Hamlett approached a woman taking a break from her job at the Deli-Mart near Radford University and asked if she knew where he could buy marijuana.

Doina Jeter, then 22 and a university student, like the other witnesses who encountered Hamlett and his friends, testified that she told him that she might be able to help. Jeter had Hamlett enter his phone number in her phone. She passed that along to her boyfriend, who lived on Davis Street within sight of the Deli-Mart. The boyfriend called Hamlett and said that he could sell him the drug.

Mothane Bani-Hani, then 19, testified that he sold Hamlett five or six grams of marijuana for about $100. Hamlett told him that he had cousins who wanted more marijuana, and Bani-Hani said he might be able to get it.

Still, Bani-Hani said that he was surprised when Hamlett returned with two other men. He let them in and told them that he did not have the marijuana yet, Bani-Hani recalled.

Then, I looked down at my phone and when I looked up there was a gun in my face, he said.

Bani-Hani said that he was taken to his bedroom and his hands were tied with his iPhone charger cord. Each member of the trio took turns holding a revolver on him while the others ransacked the apartment, he said.

The thieves took clothing that he had just purchased, Jeters jewelry that was at his home, a signed Eagles shirt from the wall, his roommates Xbox and his television, Bani-Hani said. They also took about $500 or $600, he said.

As the ransacking went on, Bani-Hanis friend Leeshane Ramos, who worked at Deli-Mart with Jeter and like Bani-Hani was involved in selling marijuana, arrived. The robbers quickly took Ramos phone and money.

Ramos  who only testified after Rehak agreed to grant him immunity from prosecution for the drug sales he discussed  said that he tried to negotiate with the robbers. Ramos testified that he offered to take them to someone who had more marijuana and money if they would return his belongings.

The three men agreed and soon they were on their way to an apartment in the 1100 block of East Main Street where Zachary McCraw, then 21, lived. Two men accompanied him into the apartment while the third stayed in their car, Ramos said.

McCraw testified that he had known Ramos through marijuana sales. He said that when Ramos arrived that day, one of the two men with him pulled out a revolver.

The men took about $1,500 from him, along with other valuables and about four ounces of marijuana, McCraw said.

Ramos and the thieves left McCraw, and Ramos said they soon returned his money and phone and dropped him on Main Street. Ramos got Jeter from the Deli-Mart and they ran to Bani-Hanis apartment, where they found him unharmed, according to testimony from all three.

Bani-Hani, McCraw and Ramos testified that their marijuana sales stopped after the robbery and said they have moved on with their lives. Ramos is serving a prison sentence for convictions tied to grand larceny and assault.

Defense attorney Matt Roberts of Blacksburg pointed out that only Bani-Hani identified Hamlett in the courtroom as one of the robbers. Ramos, Jeter and McCraw said they could not be sure anymore.

But Rehak noted that all had been quick to pick Hamlett out of photo lineups police prepared soon after the robberies.

Those identifications, along with video footage from the deli mart and another store that showed Hamlett, and even details about the case given by an inmate who had been jailed with Hamlett and Williams should be enough to reach a guilty verdict, react toward jurors.

What more could you ask for in a case like this, he asked.
By India Today Web Desk: Dileep's wife Kavya Madhavan has approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the sensational Malayalam actress abduction and assault case. In her bail plea, the actress has mentioned that the police may be trying to "implicate" her in the case. The Court will hear the case on Monday.

This moves comes after the main accused, Pulsar Suni, made fresh allegations that he had received instructions from 'Madam' Kavya Madhavan. Earlier to this, Kavya's boutique raided by police after Suni claimed that he deposited a memory card with photos of the kidnapped Malayalam actress at her shop.

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After which, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) questioned Kavya Madhavan for her alleged involvement in the case. Kavya denied knowing Pulsar Suni. Recently, Suni revealed that he had received Rs 25,000 from filmmaker Nadir Shah's manager.

Meanwhile, Dileep, who has been lodged in the Aluva sub-jail, has approached for bail plea for the fourth time. The Court is expected to hear his bail later today.

A popular Malayalam actress was kidnapped and molested by a gang of six men earlier in February this year. In July, Dileep was arrested on the charged of criminal conspiracy and for plotting the plan for the actress' abduction.

ALSO WATCH: Dileep's bail plea rejected by the Kerala HC

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced that her government was keen to have a high speed rail corridor between Burdwan and Kolkata.

By Indrajit Kundu: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off his high profile bullet train project from Ahmedabad, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too sought a similar project for her state.

After chairing a crucial meeting to revamp infrastructure in the state, Banerjee on Friday announced that her government was keen to have a high speed rail corridor between Burdwan and Kolkata.

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"We had a plan. We even wrote to the Union Rail Ministry seeking a bullet train project from Durgapur till Kolkata, connecting the new airport at Andal with the existing Dumdum airport so that anyone can reach Kolkata from Andal in an hour," she said.

BANERJEE'S PLANS

Banerjee said the country's first private greenfield airport, the Bengal Aerotropolis Project at Andal in Burdwan was being made effective as the capacity of the existing Kolkata airport will soon get stagnant.

Accordingly, the state government has decided to increase its stake to 15 per cent with infusing funds in order to make the project viable.

The state government currently holds 11 per cent stake in BAPL (Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited), while Singapore's Changi Airport continues to remain the majority stakeholder with 31 per cent stake.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone for India's first bullet train network on the Ahmedabad - Mumbai route. The ambitious project is pegged at a whopping Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said her state government too wants high speed bullet trains. Banerjee said, a proposal to this effect had also been sent to the Union Rail Ministry to improve connectivity between state capital Kolkata and the new Andal airport in Burdwan.

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Sunie Wood Mitchell, 90 of Glade Hill, Va. passed away on Friday, September 15, 2017. Born April 27, 1927 in Rocky Mount, she was the daughter of the late George "Lish" Wood and Bertie Rakes Wood. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Elsie Wood Moyer (George "Slim" Moyer), two brothers, Arburn B. Wood (Alice Miles Wood), Buford E. Wood; brothers-in-law Jarvey Mitchell,Jr., Alfred (& Mildred) Mitchell, V. D. Altizer, and Earl Sturgill; and sister-in-law Joy (Harry) Wiseman; her father and mother-in-law Jarvey and Gladys Mitchell,;and nephews, Gene Moyer, Jimmy Wood, Bill Montgomery. Sunie is survived by her husband of 68 years, Lax W. Mitchell; special care givers: sister-in-law Nancy H. Mitchell; nieces and nephews who were like their own children, Robert "Bobby" Moyer (Faye), Bernice Moyer, Thalia M. Altice (Lloyd), Debbie Montgomery, Beverly and Melvin Horne, Chris Mitchell and Lena Bandy, Gerald and Sandy Mitchell, Mark and Leatha Wiseman, Rick and Leisa Wiseman and Jim and Teresa Nowak. She is also survived by sister-in-law Gloria (Leroy) Moran; and numerous other nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank special nurse Linda Murphy for her loving care and compassionate heart. For many years Sunie served as the Secretary to the President of Weaver Mirror Company in Rocky Mount. After retirement, she and her husband owned and operated a framing company, providing beautiful frames and cherished memories for people across Virginia, particularly Franklin County. Sunie was an active member of Crafts United Methodist Church where she has served as Clerk, choir member, fundraiser, kitchen helper, and any other area needed. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Flora Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Rocky Mount. A funeral service will be conducted at Flora Chapel, 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2017 with The Rev B. Sung and The Rev. Dr. Judith Short officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Crafts United Methodist Church, 4367 Webster Road, Glade Hill, Virginia 24092.
By Jeanne Milliken Bonds and Jen Giovannitti

Bonds and Giovannitti are Community Development professionals with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The Federal Reserve 5th District includes Maryland, D.C., Virginia, most of West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has released a new report, Health Disparities in Appalachia, that measures population health in Appalachia and documents disparities between the Appalachian region and the nation, as well as between and among the 13 states and 420 counties in ARCs region, which includes rural areas and counties experiencing economic distress.

The report is part of Creating a Culture of Health in Appalachia: Disparities and Bright Spots, a multi-part health research project conducted by the ARC in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The research team was led by PDA, Inc., of Raleigh, North Carolina, in collaboration with the University of North Carolinas Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and Wake Forest School of Medicine.

As Community Development professionals with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, we see this report as an important contribution toward learning more about the potential link between the health conditions of the regions communities and their economic realities. Many of the communities located in the Appalachia are within the Richmond Feds District and are a focus of our work on behalf of low- and moderate-income communities. The study reviews 41 population and public health indicators to provide a comprehensive overview of the health of the 25 million people living in the region. There are indicators that show the region performing worse than the nation as a whole, particularly around mortality rates, but also indicators that show the region is actually doing better. However, when assessing 20-year trends for selected indicators, the report shows that, overall, the nation frequently outpaces improvements in the region, resulting in widening disparities for Appalachians.

Our Community Development Department has a mission to improve access to credit and economic outcomes for low- and moderate-income communities so we pay close attention to both people- and place-based strategies, and the data that informs those strategies. Like the ARC, we care deeply about the regions health and vitality. But we also care about the process by which communities can use the data to forge innovative strategies to create more vibrant, competitive local economies. The social determinants of health  median household income, poverty, disability, education  tell a broader story that helps inform us of the economic health of our District. At the practitioner level, engaging in workforce development strategies is a long-term process to improve labor market outcomes for individuals and make them more resilient to labor market changes. The physical and mental health of those individuals and their communities is a significant determinant in those outcomes.

We are committed to engaging the leading practices and most current data in our field in order to build new opportunities for people and communities across our District. The ARC and their collaborators are providing needed research and data that will better inform not only our work, but that of hundreds of organizations and institutions across the region so that our Appalachian communities can build upon their unique assets and prosper.

ARC health report data sets and state fact sheets are available on the ARC web site at www.arc.gov.

For more information on our Healthy Communities initiatives, visit the Richmond Feb website at www.richmondfed.org and the Federal Reserve System website for Community Development at www.fedcommunities.org
When one set of girls and women are denied the rights another set of girls and women have, it's called discrimination.

The biggest bull I heard last month was the notion that forced sex contributes to a stable marriage. At least that's what a government affidavit seemed to imply, by stating that criminalising marital rape may "destabilise the institution of marriage".

That's right, folks. That's what the government filed in a Delhi High Court hearing on a petition demanding that marital rape be made a crime. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is hearing another petition against marital rape: this one seeks to remove the legal exception that allows girls aged 15-18 to be raped by their husbands.

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That's right, folks. There is an actual legal exception for this. It's in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code and it reads thus: "Sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape". Needless to say, this is one of those colonial relics we've inherited-like Section 377, which criminalises same-sex behaviour. Needless to say, this too, like Section 377, should be dumped asap. As soon as possible.

Here too, the government has distinguished (or extinguished) itself by arguing that it "would not be appropriate and practical" to dump this exception. I'm dumbfounded at what this implies. Why is it impractical and inappropriate to stop men from forcing their underage wives to have sex? Why would we not want to stop child marriage by making it that much harder to rape underage girls?

As the law currently stands, the only teens who are protected from marital rape are those below 15 years. Imagine the plight of a married 14-year-old girl; for one year, the sex in her marriage is considered statutory rape-since she cannot legally consent until she turns 18. But when she turns 15, the same sex is suddenly no longer rape. Because of the exception in Section 375.

Or imagine the situation of two 16-year-olds. If she's unmarried and her boyfriend has sex with her, that's statutory rape, even if she wants to get it off with him. Her consent doesn't count. But if she's married and her husband has sex with her, it's not even if she doesn't want him in her body. Here too, her consent doesn't count.

When one set of girls and women are denied the rights another set of girls and women have, it's called discrimination. And discrimination is another good reason to declare marital rape a crime, not just for underage girls, but right across the board. For all women. No exceptions.

Why do our laws fumble so much when it comes to rape? Is it because lawmakers pigeonhole us into boxes- married, unmarried, 15-18, below 15-instead of seeing us as #YesAllWomen? Is it because marriage is seen as 'sacred' instead of a relationship that must work for both, not just one? Is it because sex is seen as a duty that women are expected to perform for men, specially within marriage? Is it because we're seen as half-women with no mind, desire or autonomy when it comes to sex? Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. (Although it should be cross, cross, cross, cross.)

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As per the law now, marriage equals blanket consent. Unmarried girls below 18 have no consent. Rape judgments still question whether upper-caste men can rape Dalit women because of caste purities. Sex workers find it tough to file rape cases or get convictions, since sex work itself is misread as all consent-or no consent. Either all sex work is seen as rape (read: no consent), or none of it is seen as rape (read: blanket consent.)

What a load of bull. There's only one course of meaningful action: make all rape a crime. Rape is rape. No categories. No exceptions. As @lazybanker said on Twitter recently, "Astounding that in the largest democracy in the world we are debating which type of rape is debatable and which isn't."

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I rest my case.

--- ENDS ---
(Agencia CMA Latam) - Peru's Congress rejected the confidence vote requested by the country's Prime Minister Fernando Zavala. In a 77-22 vote, with 16 abstentions, the Parliament decided to force ministers to leave their posts, and make President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to form a new cabinet.

Zavala requested the vote on Wednesday, after accusing the parliamentary majority of censorship. He also said that the cabinet is undermining the educational reforms proposed by the government and forced the resignation of the Minister of Education, Marilu Martens. She is under fire for her allegedly pivotal role in a teacher's strike that lasted for 45 days.

"I am grateful for the great work of my Prime Minister and his Cabinet, who worked to protect state policies for the benefit of the country," Kuczynski wrote on Twitter. The president also stressed that he would take "not a step back, in defense of the education reform."

According to the Peruvian Constitution, if Congress twice refuses to support an entire cabinet of ministers, the president is empowered to dissolve the parliament and to convene a legislative election.

by Agencia CMA Latam

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
By PTI: (With fresh inputs)

New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) War hero Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, was hospitalised today and his condition was critical.

Ninety-eight-year-old Singh, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the Army, was admitted to the Armys Research and Referral hospital this morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest, the defence ministry said.

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"A team of doctors is monitoring his condition at Cardio- Thoracic and Vascular Centre of the Army hospital," it said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs -- Gen. Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa -- visited Singh at the hospital.

"Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members," Modi tweeted.

"We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best," he said.

Sitharaman expressed the hope that Singh would recover at the earliest, adding his condition remained critical.

An icon in the countrys military history, Singh had led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 Indo-Pak war when he was just a 44-year-old.

As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, he led the IAF through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

The fighter pilot, who inspired the IAF despite constraints on the full-scale use of air combat power, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, in 1965.

Born on April 15, 1919 in Lyallpur in Punjab in undivided India, his father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry.

Educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan), he had joined the RAF College, Cranwell in 1938 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December the following year.

Singh had led an IAF squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) that year.

He was the IAF chief from August one, 1964 till July 15, 1969.

Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and K M Cariappa of the Army were the two other officers with a five-star rank.

After his retirement from the air force, Singh was appointed as the Indias Ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as the Ambassador to the Vatican.

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He was also the High Commissioner to Kenya in 1974.

Singh served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and was also the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He was made Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002.

The fighter aircraft base at Panagarh in West Bengal was named in his honour on his birthday last year. PTI MPB SC SC

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, 98, died after suffering a cardiac arrest today.

He was India's oldest serving officer. Singh was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi earlier today after he suffered a stroke.

In 2002, when Singh was made Marshal of the Air Force, he held the highest rank ever rewarded to an officer in the Indian Air Force.

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The Marshal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the war.

Singh flew over 60 aircraft and remained a flyer until the end of his career with the IAF.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid visit to the Marshal earlier today.

Following Singh's demise, several political leaders expressed grief over the loss.

Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community 1/2 #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/j1Tlw2GWsI- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 16, 2017

LEGACY OF COURAGE

Singh was born in 1919 in Lyalpur, which is now in Faisalabad province of Pakistan. He joined the Royal Indian Air Force when he was 19 years old.

He led his squadron against the Japanese in the Arakan Campaign and in the Imphal Campaign, he flew Close Air Support Missions.

He then moved on to fight in the campaign to free Rangoon. For his valour, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). On August 15, 1947, when India became independent, Singh led the fly-past of over 100 aircraft over the Red Fort.

The Marshal led the Western Air Command after independence and took charge as the Indian Air Force Chief in 1964. The IAF then, as it is now, was on the cusp of a change. While the IAF was adapting itself to modernisation and rebuilding, the 1965 war with Pakistan began.

The IAF was still largely using World War-II era fighters. The first set of Russian-made supersonic Mig-21 had just about arrived. In contrast, Pakistan had US-made modern fighter jets. Despite constraints, the IAF achieved complete air superiority, giving the ground forces the much-needed support.

--- ENDS ---
The Police have been asked to step in to track a gun submitted as an exhibit but has gone missing from the Courts possession.

This was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of M.J.C.A, Papalii John Papalii, who is extremely concerned about what has happened.

The weapon disappeared last week Thursday.

The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration immediately launched an internal investigation to find out how the gun disappeared.

Our investigation was not successful and given this is a crime, removing evidence entrusted to the Court, the police was called in for a criminal investigation, said Papalii.

In the meantime, he told the Samoa Observer evidence is now locked away in a safe place with only one key.

I have that key and it will not leave my sight, he said. All the exhibits that come in will be handed over to me for safe keeping to ensure this issue is not repeated.

Papalii declined to comment on why the matter was not reported to Police earlier.

I cannot say anything further that may jeopardize the ongoing investigation and also I cannot confirm or deny if we suspect that employees are involved, because we dont know, said Papalii.

Police Superintendent, Logotino Filipo, the Police Media Spokesperson confirmed the have taken over the case.

It is confirmed that an investigation has been launched earlier this week. I cannot comment further while the investigation is proceeding, said Filipo.

As reported earlier, according to one M.J.C.A. official, the weapon went missing last week.

Since last Thursday an internal investigation has been launched into the matter, one official said.

The C.E.O. and the Minster have been informed about this unfortunate situation.

The official said the weapon, as exhibits and evidence, are usually stored at the A.C.E.Os office.

However for some reason this gun was stored in the office storage room and from there it went missing. An investigation has been launched by the C.E.O as this is a serious matter especially within our office.

A notice has been circulated among the Ministrys staff members in the bid to locate the gun.

A notice was given to the employees for information about the missing weapon as there is no one who has access to the storage room but the employees, the official said.

However as of today (yesterday) no one has come forward.

The Official further stated that everyone who had access to the storage room would be interviewed.
The Audit Laws before the legislative amendments passed by Parliament in 2014 required that the Controller and Auditor General submit a Report to Parliament every year. So far the current Controller and Auditor General, has submitted to the Legislative Assembly 11 Reports on Irregularities and Audits to Parliament since appointment in late 2010"

The Audit Office has strongly rejected reports that it has failed in its role to conduct and complete audits for the last 17 years.

The rejection is made in an Information Paper it had issued on 31 August 2017 to inform all stakeholders about the current and future status of accounts, audits and reports to Parliament.

Part of the Information Paper was the subject of a statement released by the Press Secretary on Thursday night.

This statement was published in the Samoa Observer yesterday under the headline Audit Office dismisses unfounded and defamatory statements.

It was when the story came out yesterday that the Samoa Observer was informed the Information Paper was only partly used in the statement from the Press Secretary.

The initial Information Paper issued on 31 August 2017 was signed by Audit Offices Director of Legal Unit, Vaipou Fetuliai Lagaaia.

The paper was set out to address what the Audit Office described as unfair and unfounded spread and publication of defamatory statements against the professional reputation and credibility of the Samoa Audit Office that the current and past Controllers and Auditors-General have worked hard to build since the establishment of the Samoa Audit Office.

The information paper is published here in full:

INFORMATION PAPER  31 AUGUST 2017

There have been discrepancies and falsities in both the print and social media in relation to accounts, audits and reports to Parliament and with emphasis on the alleged failed role of the Controller and Auditor General and his Office or the Samoa Audit Office to conduct and complete audits for the last 17 years.

It is important therefore that the Samoa Audit Office issues this Information Paper to inform all Stakeholders about the current and future status of accounts, audits and reports to Parliament as well as refresh knowledge and understanding of all Stakeholders about the role, functions and procedures or processes of the Audit Office including its communication and reporting of irregularities and audit results to Parliament interfacing with parliamentary procedures and protocols.

Furthermore, the Information Paper also intends to share reforms and developments undertaken by the Audit Office from 2006 to date. These reforms and developments formed the most comprehensive reforms ever undertaken by the Audit Office since Self-government and Independence of Samoa as a Nation.

The Appendix that accompanies this Information Paper presents information for Stakeholders under the following categories.

I. Current status of accounts and audits

II. Current status of communication and reporting of audits to Cabinet and Government Stakeholders

III. Current status of communication and reporting of audits to Lenders and Donors

IV. Current status of communication and reporting of audits to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Stakeholders

V. Current status of communication and reporting of audits to Other Stakeholders such as Professional Stakeholders, Media and Citizens

VI. Traditional Role and Functions of the Audit Office

VII. New Functions of the Audit Office

VIII. The developments and reforms of the Samoa Audit Office

IX. The Future

X. Communications and reports to Parliament and Parliamentary Committees from the Public Sector

We trust that this Information Paper will raise and maintain awareness of all of our Stakeholders as identified in our Communication Strategy about the work of the Controller and Auditor General and the Audit Office.

This Information Paper should also address the unfair and unfounded spread and publication of defamatory statements against the professional reputation and credibility of the Samoa Audit Office that the current and past Controllers and Auditors-General have worked hard to build since the establishment of the Samoa Audit Office.

To state briefly and summarise what it is in the Appendix, the current Controller and Auditor General has held Office for 6 years now and not 17 years as falsely reported. During his 6 years in Office, the accounts and audits have been completed up to financial year ended 30 June 2016.

Communication and reporting of Irregularities to the Legislative Assembly have been completed up to financial year ended 30 June 2016 while communication and reporting of Audits to Parliament have been completed up to financial year ended 30 June 2015. Pursuant to Parliamentary Standing Order 162, these audit reports cannot be published by any person, until the reports of the Constitutional Offices Committee of Parliament on the Reports of the Audit Office have been presented to Parliament.

The achievements in updated accounts, audits and reports to Parliament have been reached in despite there being a backlog or arrears of accounts, audits and reports to parliament inherited by the current and past Controllers and Auditors General of between 3 to 5 years since the establishment of the Samoa Audit Office.

The Audit Laws before the legislative amendments passed by Parliament in 2014 required that the Controller and Auditor General submit a Report to Parliament every year. So far the current Controller and Auditor General, has submitted to the Legislative Assembly 11 Reports on Irregularities and Audits to Parliament since appointment in late 2010.

The new Audit Laws passed in 2014 encourage frequent and more Reports to Parliament every year so the Controller and Auditor General and the Audit Office are now working towards producing reports for Parliament on a 6 monthly basis by financial year ending 30 June 2020 and on a quarterly basis by financial year ending 30 June 2024.

The Appendix accompanying this Information Paper can be accessed from the Samoa Audit Office Website and can also be provided via email if requested. This Information Paper is respectfully submitted for and on behalf of the Controller and Auditor General and the Samoa Audit Office.
Medha Patkar is holding a 'jal satyagrah' along with 40 other women in Barwani district alleging that state govt has compromised the interests of people by releasing water from Indira Sagar and Omkareshawar dams for Sardar Sarovar dam.

By Hemender Sharma: Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar is holding a 'jal satyagrah' along with 40 other women at Barda village in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh alleging that state government has compromised the interests of its people by releasing water from Indira Sagar and Omkareshawar dams to ensure that the Sardar Sarovar dam has water till optimum level on September 17, when PM Narendra Modi will dedicate it to the nation.

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Talking about her protest, Medha Patkar said, "The two dams have not yet reached the optimum levels, in fact, there is no rain upstream, the Bargi and Tawa dams too are much below their optimum levels, but water is being released so that there is water for the inauguration ceremony. And as a consequence, the backwaters are submerging many areas in Barwani where compensation has not been given."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, full 56 years after the foundation of the Sarovar dam was laid will dedicate it to the people of Gujarat.

September 17 also happens to be the birthday of PM Modi.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government has claimed that compensation has been given to all those who are getting displaced and that people were being evacuated as per orders from the Supreme Court.

However, Medha Patkar and her supporters are insisting that they would not move from the water at any cost.

In June this year, the Narmada Control Authority had given permission to the Gujarat government to close the sluice gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam which could lead to rise in the water to the optimum level of 138.68 meters from 121.92 meters.

--- ENDS ---
A long-term strategic framework was highlighted as a priority in yesterdays opening of the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Waigani Convention held in Samoa.

The Waigani Convention is similar to the Basel Convention, which is the primary international instrument governing the transboundary movement and the environmental management of hazardous waste. Importantly however, the Waigani Convention also includes radioactive waste, and applies only to the Pacific islands region.

Nine of the 13 Members of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P) who are Parties to the Waigani Convention were present at the meeting. S.P.R.E.P is the Secretariat of the Convention, which entered into force in 2001.

Hazardous waste is a particularly acute problem for small island countries, said the Director General, Leota Kosi Latu.

We all import significant quantities of hazardous materials, and many S.P.R.E.P Members, especially low-lying atoll nations, have only very limited space for safe storage or disposal of wastes. Additionally, with so many hazardous materials transported by sea through our region on major trade routes, there is always the potential for accidents and pollution.

Leota added: Our region is slowly embracing the concepts of integrated waste management and the user-pays principles to fund the improvement of waste management. There are new opportunities on the horizon that would provide a platform to continue the good work in the Pacific such as the PacWaste Plus project funded by the European Union and other similar projects.

The Secretariat was able to address these challenges through the regional projects that have been implemented to address the issues of hazardous waste management which included the Agence Francais De Developpment (A.F.D) waste project, PACWaste and the GEFPAS uPOPs project.

These have had some wonderful success in upskilling our capacity through the various training events and workshops, and the removal of certain legacy wastes such as asbestos, but they have either ended or are coming to an end soon, Leota.

The Waigani Convention builds upon the provisions of the Noumea Convention, which deals with marine pollution in the Pacific islands region.

Tauti Fuatino Leota, Assistant Chief Executive Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Samoa said: There is a need to have better linkages between the Waigani and Noumea Conventions and to have these linkages better reflected in the work plan of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee.

The 13 Parties to the Waigani Convention are: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Untouched, unspoiled and unique.

Thats what Louise of Sydney, Australia will tell her families and friends when she returns after her holiday in Samoa.

In the country for seven days, Louise caught up with Dear Tourist in Apia yesterday.

Louise said travel brochures do not do justice to the uniqueness of Samoa.

Samoa is stunning, to say the leastI love it, she told Dear Tourist yesterday.

The Financial Manager is staying at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Greys Hotel & Bungalows. She is dreading going back to the reality of life.

I havent had enough of Samoa, just yet.

I dont think I can ever have enough though.

I love it here, Samoa is untouched and unspoiled, compared to other Pacific Islands, and Ive been to such as Vanuatu, Fiji and Noumea.

Samoa is far more unique and Im not just saying that for the sake of being here.

I really do mean it, you should be proud of what Samoa has to offer for people like us, workaholics and then take time off to come here its just excruciatingly beautiful.

I stayed at Sinalei and even that place is awesome, from the service to the rooms to the food. Its an all in one package, for me and I just love it here.

Louise cannot get over the hospitality of the Samoan people.

Its like they are family. They are very helpful and very friendly and I cant fathom over that to be honest.

The Samoan culture where the youngster respects the elders is amazing.

I mean even to the people they dont know, If they are older than the young person, respect is given to nonetheless, said Louise.

She was also admires the slow life pace compared to life in Sydney. People here are chilled out, relaxed and again very friendly, she said chuckling.

Louise was highly impressed with the culture of Samoa that is very much alive.

I am really impressed the culture is not spoiled, Samoa are still in charge of their land, people here attend church every Sundays and then the strong bond that hold families together is magnificent.

I dont know where else you can find such originality, said Louise to the Dear Tourist.

I must say that I will miss Samoa when I return to Sydney.
BEIJING (AP)  The founder of a Chinese online peer-to-peer lender has been sentenced to life in prison on charges he defrauded investors of $7.7 billion in one of China's biggest financial scams.

Ezubo was the biggest competitor in an informal finance industry that Chinese authorities allowed to flourish with little oversight over the past decade to support entrepreneurs who cannot get loans from state banks. A series of lenders have collapsed as economic growth slowed, leaving authorities struggling to defuse protests by depositors.

Ezubo's founder, Ding Ning, and his younger brother, Ding Dian, were sentenced Tuesday to life by the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court for "fundraising fraud," according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

It said another 24 executives were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years.

Two companies affiliated with Ezubo were fined a total of 1.9 billion yuan ($291 million), Xinhua said. It said some defendants also were convicted of offenses including smuggling precious metals and illegal gun possession.

Regulators seized Ezubo in December 2015 on charges of taking deposits without a license. Xinhua said authorities have confiscated the company's assets to repay depositors but gave no indication how much money was recovered.

Regulators allowed private sector lending to support entrepreneurs who create China's new jobs and wealth but are largely shut out of lending by the state-owned banking industry. The national bank regulator estimated in 2015 the industry had grown to $1.5 trillion.

Beijing tightened control as defaults mounted following the 2008 financial crisis. The finance industry as a whole has come under tougher scrutiny after a plunge in stock prices in 2015 led to accusations of insider trading and other offenses.

Ding, 34, was a high school dropout who worked at his mother's hardware factory, where he gained experience running online sales, according to media reports. With no technical or financial training, Ding launched Ezubo in July 2014 and opened marketing offices across China.

Ezubo appeared to gain Beijing's endorsement when the Cabinet website, gov.cn, published an interview with Ding discussing his life as an entrepreneur. That interview has since been removed.

The seizure of Ezubo prompted protests by depositors who complained the government failed to protect them.

Depositors traveled to Beijing to protest at government offices and the headquarters of state television, which had broadcast advertisements for Ezubo.

Ezubo attracted deposits by promising returns of 9 to 14.6 percent, according to investigators. But authorities say a former executive admitted 95 percent of those borrowers were fictional entities created by Ezubo. In a confession broadcast by state television in February 2016, the executive called the company "a fraud ... a typical Ponzi scheme."

The court said Ding and other defendants "inflicted huge losses on investors in many parts of China and disrupted the national financial management system," according to Xinhua.

The internet has helped lenders attract money from working class or rural depositors, many of them financial novices with little knowledge of the risks involved.

After Ezubo depositors poured out their anger on Chinese social media, police phoned some internet users to warn them against criticizing the Communist Party online.

One investor from northeastern China who lost 480,000 yuan ($76,000) told The Associated Press that police confiscated her computer and cell phone after she posted online that she might file a petition with the central government.

Earlier, two businesswomen in southern China were sentenced to death in 2012 and 2013 in separate cases on charges of "illegal fundraising." The penalty for the first was converted to a prison term following an outcry online that it was too severe.
Think a minuteA few years ago the Queen of England made a short visit to the United States. She took 4,000 pounds of luggage. The queen had 2 outfits of clothes for each occasion.

She took with her 40 pints of blood in case she needed emergency surgery. She brought her own hairdresser, 2 drivers, and many other servants. The queens brief visit to America cost 20 million U.S. dollars!

Compare that royal entrance to Gods visit to earth. Jesus Christ entered the world in a small animal shed. The newborn King of the world slept in a feed trough for animals. Although the worlds calendar is based on this Kings birth, there were probably more animals to welcome Jesus than people.

Jesus mother, Mary, was just a 14-15 year old teenage girl who was not married when she became pregnant with Jesus. It was an embarrassing scandal. In fact, if this happened to a teenage girl like Mary today, there is a strong chance Jesus would have been aborted. And Jesus hometown was a poor, low-class area.

Yet God chose to come like this to show us that even with all the unfair, bad things in life that happen to us, with Jesus in charge of our life everyday, you and I can still have successful, happy lives.

So if you think that you got a bad, unfair start in life, Jesus knows exactly how you feel. He was hurt and treated unfairly all his life. He was even finally killed and executed as the worst of criminals for something he never did. Yet even death could not stop Him and keep Him down. After being dead and buried for 3 days, Jesus came back to life and proved that He is God the Son Whos the Lord of life and death.

This Christmas, Jesus Christ wants you to receive His supernatural peace and power, so you can succeed and handle whatever bad, unfair things happen to you. So why not ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way, and decide to start living His way for the rest of your life? Just Think a Minute
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council was called into emergency session Friday after North Korea conducted its longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile, to talk about what to do now that Kim Jong Un has ignored its latest round of sanctions.

France's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country is ready to work on tougher U.N. and EU measures "to convince the regime in Pyongyang that there is no interest in an escalation, and to bring it to the negotiating table." It said North Korea will also be discussed during next week's annual gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly.

The intermediate-range weapon North Korea launched early Friday from Sunan, the location of Pyongyang's international airport, hurtled over U.S. ally Japan into the northern Pacific Ocean.

The launch signaled both defiance of North Korea's rivals and a big technological advance.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump threatened North Korea with "fire and fury" in August, the North has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, threatened to send missiles into the waters around the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam and launched two missiles of increasing range over Japan. July saw the country's first tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could strike deep into the U.S. mainland when perfected.

The growing frequency, power and confidence displayed by these tests seem to confirm what governments and outside experts have long feared: North Korea is closer than ever to its goal of building a military arsenal that can viably target U.S. troops both in Asia and in the U.S. homeland.

This, in turn, is meant to allow North Korea greater military freedom in the region by raising doubts in Seoul and Tokyo that Washington would risk the annihilation of a U.S. city to protect its Asian allies.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the missile launch as a serious violation of Security Council resolutions, coming less than two weeks after the North's sixth nuclear test, which also violated a U.N. ban.

The Security Council's emergency meeting Friday was behind closed doors.

On Monday the council unanimously approved its toughest sanctions yet on North Korea over its nuclear test, which Pyongyang said was a hydrogen bomb. The U.S. said the measures, including a ban on textile exports, combined with previous sanctions would ban over 90 percent of North Korea's exports reported in 2016.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry denounced the sanctions and said the North would "redouble its efforts to increase its strength to safeguard the country's sovereignty and right to existence."

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the latest missile traveled about 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) and reached a maximum height of 770 kilometers (478 miles). Guam, which is the home of important U.S. military assets, is 3,400 kilometers (2,112 miles) away from North Korea.

Despite its impressive range, the missile probably still is not accurate enough to destroy Guam's Andersen Air Force Base, said David Wright, a U.S. missile expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper said Friday, without mentioning the latest missile test, that its weapons tests demonstrate that it can "turn the American empire into a sea in flames through sudden surprise attack from any region and area,"

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a liberal who initially pushed for talks with North Korea, said its tests currently make dialogue "impossible."

"The sanctions and pressure by the international community will only tighten so that North Korea has no choice but to take the path for genuine dialogue" for nuclear disarmament, Moon said. "If North Korea provokes us or our allies, we have the strength to smash the attempt at an early stage and inflict a level of damage it would be impossible to recover from."

North Korea has repeatedly vowed to continue its weapons tests amid what it calls U.S. hostility  by which it means the presence of nearly 80,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan and South Korea.

Robust international diplomacy on the issue has been stalled for years, and there's so far little sign that senior officials from North Korea and the U.S. might sit down to discuss ways to slow the North's determined march toward inclusion among the world's nuclear weapons powers.

Friday's test, which Seoul said was the 19th launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea this year, triggered sirens and warning messages in northern Japan but caused no apparent damage to aircraft or ships. It was the second missile fired from Sunan over Japan in less than a month.

South Korea detected North Korean launch preparations Thursday, and President Moon ordered a live-fire ballistic missile drill if the launch happened. This allowed Seoul to fire its missiles only six minutes after the North's launch Friday. One of the two missiles hit a sea target about 250 kilometers (155 miles) away, which was approximately the distance to Pyongyang's Sunan, but the other failed in flight shortly after launch, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The past couple of weeks have been great for Samoa. There is absolutely no doubt about it. Some wonderful things have been said about this country that we should all take pride in.

For instance, high profile visitors and tourists alike have been impressed so much by Samoas casual openness and seemingly faultless generosity that theyve been doing little else than singing our praises.

Even when theyve returned to their home countries, some of them are unable to shake the good memories off that theyve written letters we have published on these expressing how grateful they were for the wonderful times theyd spent here. Whats more, at a time where there is chaos, strife and tensions everywhere, our environment of peace and political stability is unrivalled.

Which is fantastic. Who doesnt feel a jolt of pride raising the spirits high when hes being praised immodestly this way? Dont we become more nationalistically strong, more united and enormously optimistic?

Of course we should.

But we shouldnt be complacent either. Wherever there is mountain there will always be a valley. And in Samoa, we are not immune from the challenges and these global problems.

We are at the crossroads when it comes to a lot of issues. In fact, looking at so many problems surrounding us today, whether its economical, social or spiritual, we have to accept that wherever there is good, evil will surely be lurking around the corner.

It goes without saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Just as not all that glitters is gold, as the old adage goes.

When we stop to look at Samoa today, it must be said we have come a long way. The development in a number of areas has been impressive. But at what cost?

Think of the foreign debt for instance. And think of the desperate measures being put in place by the government to try and plug that hole.

Have you ever stopped and wondered about all these fees being increased left, right and centre? They keep telling us that it is part of government reforms, but really? When it comes to the issue of debt, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaois administration has maintained there is nothing to worry about. Further, they claim the debt has been necessary otherwise the development would still be stuck several years to 1985.

Its a well-rehearsed response, one that has obviously worked well for the government since they keep reverting to it. Whether its the truth or not, you can be the judge.

But heres the wonderful thing about numbers. They dont lie and these numbers are alarming. In 1982 when H.R.P.P came into power, the countrys debt was $15million. Today, that has ballooned to close to $2billion if not more by now?

Should we be concerned? Absolutely.

We have a situation from this current government, where our generation and four generations down will still pay that loan, Tuilaepa has been warned.

This debt will not suddenly disappear and someone will have to pay it. Our childrens children will be paying it in years to come.

But then we are already seeing the cost. The debate about customary land is not just a hot potato issue; it is a very real struggle. Its an issue promoted by a government that is desperate. All these increases in services and what have would not have been necessary if our government was not encroaching the red zone in terms of debts.

Should we blame them for development?

No and yes. Weve said this before but we will say it again: Good intentions are not necessarily the best intentions? Good intentions are sometimes wrong? Good intentions are at times evil? Believe it or not, good intentions are corruptible.

The word greed comes to mind. Think about all the governments around the world. No government ever gets into power on the promise to destroy its people. And yet thats precisely what they do when they are voted in.

They become greedy so that they shut their minds, ears and eyes from the suffering of the majority. In the process, they gather everything for themselves.

Greed slowly but surely gets the better of them as they sweet talk their way with plenty of good intentions into our pockets.

Is that happening in Samoa today?

We hear people talk about how Samoa has developed and how far we have come as a country. Fine.

But when was the last time we checked what would become of it in the future, given the rate the government is continuing today? What happens when our children will no longer be able to afford to pay this debt, when all these leaders of today are gone? Whats the future for them?

Have restful Sunday Samoa, God bless!
A young man from the village of Nofoalii has survived a shark attack which has left villagers deeply disturbed.

The young man was fishing in the lagoon on Friday afternoon when he was attacked, villagers told the Sunday Samoan yesterday.

It was not possible to get a comment from the family of the man attacked.

But one of the villagers who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the incident has left villagers concerned, especially since many of them depend on fishing for their daily upkeep.

Ive been told that the shark came out of nowhere while the young man was trying to get a fish he had caught, the villager said.

The young man sustained injuries to his hands and legs.

A nearby villager helped him before he was taken to the Leulumoega District Hospital.

He is in a very serious condition, said the villager.

It was not possible to get a comment from the Police or the hospital yesterday.
The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, has been forced to defend the government against claims it is broke in light of a number of increases in fees government bodies are charging members of the public.

This week, the government announced an increase to the cost of passports as well as increases in business licenses.

Other fee increases are also in the pipeline. Critics of the government say this proves the point that the government is desperate for cash.

Contacted by the Sunday Samoan, Minister Sili said the increases are justified.

He said money earned from the increases would contribute to finance the development of Samoa. It is also to guarantee essential services are available to all Samoans with things such as roads and water supply.

According to a public notice, the new business license fees for Companies and Trust license is $800. For Sale Traders and all other registered businesses, the new fee is $352. The new fees become effective in January 2018.

But Sili told the Sunday Samoan the government feels that it is the right time to review some of these fees, since they have remained the same since 1998.

If its ten years already, obviously we need to increase it but we will not have a huge increase. Its better to do it incrementally than to delay it, said Sili.

The increase is really to bring the cost of business to be in line with the cost of delivering the services, and its not just the business fees that are being increased. According to Sili, theres quite a bit of a debate that goes on before an increase is approved."

The Ministry recommends an increase then its discussed within the National Revenue Board and they make the recommendation to the Cabinet.

As to the level of how much is increased, that discretion lies with the Board.

Sili also noted the government is always looking for money to fund the needs of the people who are asking to fix the roads and in need of stable water supplies.

Obviously the money has to come from somewhere to provide for those services, he said.

According to the public notice, an overall review of all Non Tax Revenues which includes business license fees, the Business License Act 1998 is now been amended to increase business license fees."

For information, it is now almost twenty years since the existing business license fees were applied from 01 January 1998, hence the need to review and modernized these rates."

These new rates will be effective on the 01 October 2017 and will commence to apply when existing registered business licenses are renew for 2018."

Accordingly, we kindly advise all 2017 business license holders to please take note of these amended fee rates when 2018 Business License certificates are renew from 01 December 2017 to 31 January 2018."

The additional late payment penalty of $200 will remain to be imposed if the 2018 Business license fee is renewed late after 31 January 2018.

The fees have been approved according to section 6(1) (c) of Business License Act 1998.

The public notice further indicates that any person who operates an economic or business activity without the required license is a serious offense and will be prosecuted under the provisions of the Business License Act 1998.
New Zealand and Australia passport holders will now require an OK to board approval from American Samoa before they fly there.

The revision by the American Samoa Government on entry permit waiver for certain countries are in line with the United States current list of Visa Waiver Countries.

The notice obtained by the Sunday Samoan was sent to the Airlines on Friday, effective immediately.

Many passengers were caught off guard yesterday and they demanded refunds for the airfares from the airlines.

The notice has a list of 38 countries including New Zealand and Australia.

Before these countries listed below did not require an OK board to enter the U.S. territory.

One Airline Official told the Samoa Observer they were not given ample time to make the necessary adjustments.

We only received the attached yesterday afternoon (Friday) from our American Samoa office which is from the Office of the Attorney General in American Samoa."

We found it ridiculous that they make it effective immediately and yet no one who already booked to travel to American Samoa this weekend is aware of it."

Our first passenger who came at 6.30 am this morning (yesterday) to check in when told about it immediately wanted a refund for his ticket."

If you look at the list of countries affected, many Samoans with overseas passports will be affected. It is certainly a good way to discourage people travelling to American Samoa and help its economy develop in the opposite direction, said the Airline official.

According to the notice, citizens of countries listed below are not required to secure an entry permit before entering American Samoa.

However, they must contact the Attorney Generals office to secure an OK board."

The OK board will be issued upon proof of a valid machine readable passport the expiration date of which must be more than six months, from the departure date from American Samoa, says the notice.

Also required is a round trip or onward ticket leaving American Samoa within 30 or less of arrival and payment of a $20 fee, which payment may be made upon arrival.

Furthermore the notice indicates that a 30 permit will be issued to these travelers upon arrival provided the above requirements are met."

Immigration officers may refuse entry to any traveler whose entries violate American Samoa law, or who poses a threat to the welfare, health, safety or security of American Samoa.

According to the notice, the list waiver countries is based on the United States current list of Visa Waiver Countries which includes England, Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales. Other Countries under the waiver are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom2

The revision does not affect the travelers entering the U.S. territory to board fishing or commercial vessels. They are not eligible for this program. These travelers must secure an entry permit in order to enter, says the notice.

American Samoa Immigration laws has it that Samoa passport holders requires a 30 day permit to enter the territory.

Samoa Observer reached out American Samoas Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale for an explanation on the matter however hes yet to respond.
Its a success story made in Fagaloa in Samoa.

Back in 1997, a 29-year-old Mauu Siaosi Puepuemai and a friend returned to Samoa from American Samoa with the idea to set up Pizza place. They did. But like most new ventures, the place now famously referred to as.

Georgies Pizza, soon struck problems."

When my friend (palagi) left Samoa in 1999, I had a brilliant business idea to continue the business on my own. The only problem was I had no money. I was trusting God to help.

Mauu said he had a passion for his business but the struggle was real.

I had to loan from all over the place just to keep my dream alive, he said.

I bought on credit from Tuala Oli Ah Him at the very first time for tables, spoons, chairs, table mat, I mean everything.

With nothing more than a small oven, Mauu was drawn to the idea of being his own boss. He started with two relatives as employees.

I know that behind every success story is an embarrassing first effort, a stumble, a setback and failures, he said.

But we kept on working together...there were ups and downs in the beginning but I was told when I was young that the secret to success is to start from scratch and keep on scratching. We didnt have much, and as Ive mentioned before - it wasnt easy at all.

But the dream is alive nonetheless.

Eighteen years later, the Pizza place is not only one of the most popular in Apia, it has given birth to other business ventures including a Car Rental and a growing Ava Mai Fagaloa Farm.

Now 48-years-old, Mauu celebrated his Pizza places birthday with families and close friends yesterday.

Mauu said when the Pizza Restaurant started to take off, he considered a secondary income. Thats how the kava plantation started.

I started to grow ava at my village, Samamea Fagaloa to take care of the businesss basic needs, he said.

I found out that ava brings me a lot of hope eventhough I need a lot of patience because its not like other crops and plants where you can harvest every two to three months.

To be honest, I almost gave up on growing ava because it takes about three to four years to grow. But as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait and are patient.

Located on the mountainside at Samamea Fagaloa, the plantation has expanded to over 50 acres.

As of today, Im happy to say that the income from the ava farm is a great help for my businesses, he said.

The profit from my pizza and ava is good and now we have been able to set a car rental with the money we get from selling ava.

Its all about making good use of what God has blessed us with.

Today, Mauu is a contented man.

While he still struggles, he admits that he has come a long way.

Thats how life I suppoese, he said. Life is very simple if you want to achieve something, you work hard for it.

I come from a very humble beginning. I know what its like to not have much, and I know what its like to not have money and food.

I had so many struggles but I still stuck to my dreams and I think there is still a lot of room to develop.

Born and raised at Samamea Fagaloa, Mauu is married to Manilla.

They have three children.

The Pizza man is a deacon of the Congregational Christian Church at Samamea and Vailoa-Uta.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have helped me to make it through especially to my brothers, Aloe, Iopu and Manuele and the Lei Sam family for the building.
By India Today Web Desk: Six fire tenders and four water tankers were rushed to Mumbai's famous RK Studio after a fire broke on Saturday afternoon.

The fire is reportedly confined to electric wiring, electric installation, decoration equipment at the spot.

No injuries have been reported so far. It has been reported that the fire broke out on the sets of television show Super Dancer.

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Sources said that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Fire personnel have brought the situation under control.

The prominent film studio was named after legendary actor Raj Kapoor.

Meanwhile, actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted expressing grief.

Sad A major fire broke out at RK StudiosWe have lost the iconic Stage 1 Thankfully no casualties nor injuries. All your concerns appreciated- Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) September 16, 2017

The studio was founded in 1945 and several films have been produced. The first film to produced at the studio was Aag in 1948.

The studio has iconic films like Awaara, Boot Polish, Shri 420 and Jaagte Raho to its credit.

The last film produced by the studio was Aa Ab Laut Chalen in 1999.

More details awaited

--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has left the country for New York, U.S.A.

He is there for the 72nd United Nations General Assembly from 16 - 23 September 2017.

The theme of the meeting is Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa is expected to deliver a speech at the meeting where the Pacific has contributed proposals for grants and had attracted the attention of the big countries to support small island nations in their drive against the impacts of climate change on their economies and the environment.

The C.E.O. for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peseta Noumea Simi is accompanying the Prime Minister.
One of the nightmare scenarios at the now-shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) centers on the containers storing highly radioactive waste produced by the plant during its lifetime.

What if there is a leak or a crack in any of the canisters already in place, or soon to be put in place, at the site that is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean on one side and Interstate 5  one of the busiest freeways in the country  on the other?

The topic took center stage Thursday night in Oceanside at the most recent meeting of the SONGS Community Engagement Panel.

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And while the most vocal critics of the facilitys operator, Southern California Edison, were not reassured after hearing a discussion on storage safety, the man in charge of decommissioning the plant said he will consider moving up the timeline for inspecting canisters that will eventually hold some 3.55 million pounds of waste.

Weve made a lot of improvements to our system, based on public and panel comments, said Tom Palmisano, Edisons chief nuclear officer, said after the meeting. I take these comments, when something appears to be appropriate and practical, and we certainly consider something like that.

Assemblies of spent fuel sit in 51 canisters designed by Areva, a multinational based in France. The canisters are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for 20 years. Palmisano said they are due for inspections in 2023.

Attendees heard from a representative of the Electric Power Research Institute regarding advancements on the horizon to detect cracks and leaks, as well as equipment already available.

That prompted panel member Pam Patterson, who is also a member of the San Juan Capistrano city council, to ask Palmisano, if youve got the technology in place, why not conduct inspections right now?

Palmisano said he would consider accelerating inspections before 2023. After the meeting, Palmisano told the Union-Tribune that moving up the schedule would not require approval from the NRC.

A crack should be always be a massive concern for everybody, Patterson said after the meeting. And I think its interesting that he said were not required to do (inspections) right now. What kind of answer is that? What kind of stewardship and responsibility is that?

Edison has always maintained the canisters at SONGS are safe. There are years of experience with the stainless steel canisters that were using, Palmisano said. During Thursdays presentation he pointed to a graphic showing five nuclear sites that have had their licenses for storage sites extended an additional 40 years.

But nearly all of the people who lined up during the public comment period were not mollified.

You should always plan for the worst and this is not a plan for the worst, said Arleen Hammerschmidt of Oceanside, who criticized waiting until 2023 to inspect canisters. Its a big gap and its a big hope that nothing goes wrong.

Erica Rose of San Clemente brought up a concern expressed by many Edison critics  that the containers holding the the fuel assemblies should be thicker. To say there is no danger to the public if there is a crack, Im more than a little skeptical, she said.

After the meeting, Palmisano said thicker 10-inch to 12-inch casks manufactured in Germany in the 1980s are no longer available in the U.S. market and similar casks are not designed to handle the waste at SONGS.

Our fuel assemblies are too tall, Palmisano said. They dont fit  Hypothetically, we would have to go commission a very unique design.

Thursdays meeting was the first since Edison reached an out of court settlement with Citizens Oversight, an activist group that has been one of its harshest critics.

As part of the agreement, a team of experts in engineering, radiation detection, nuclear waste siting and transportation will be put together to develop a strategy to store the waste off-site. Edison will pay up to $4 million to assemble the panel and Citizens Oversight will have input on the selections.

In addition, Edison has promised to look at alternate locations for SONGS waste, including the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Arizona. Attorneys for Citizens Oversight say Palo Verde is a logical place since Edison is part-owner of the Arizona plant, holding a 15.8 percent stake.

However, representatives of Palo Verde said within hours of the Edison-Citizens Oversight settlement they had no plans to accept spent fuel from SONGS.

Nonetheless, Palmisano said Edison will formally contact Palo Verde by late November. We will make a good faith effort, as we committed to (in the settlement) to ask Palo Verde and other owners of Palo Verde to allow us to move our fuel, Palmisano.

In addition to the 51 canisters already in dry storage, Edison plans to move assemblies currently in wet storage  where spent fuel is placed in a metal rack in a deep pool of water  into a newly constructed dry storage location, starting in December.

By the time the transition is complete in 2019, another 73 canisters will be placed in vertical casks, a little more than 100 feet from the ocean.

Ray Lutz, the national coordinator for Citizens Oversight, called on Edison to delay the transfer from wet storage to dry storage.

I want the strategic plan done on what their plans are on moving the waste offsite before they jump ahead and start moving a bunch of these canisters into the ground, Lutz said.

But Palmisano, citing sources including the Union of Concerned Scientists, said moving the waste into dry storage is preferred.

The spent fuel pools are safe but they need active components, Palmisano said. They need water, they need electricity, they need operators. Seismically these casks at San Onofre are much more robust than the spent fuel pool  So there are a lot of reasons to move it out of the spent fuel pool as soon as you can.

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rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski

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For decades, California fourth-graders marked a familiar ritual, collecting Popsicle sticks, cardboard and craft store items to build scale models of the states historic missions.

In San Diego County, home of two of the historic missions, Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of the 21 California missions, and Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the largest one, the project has been a rite of passage for many students and their sometimes frazzled parents.

That tradition apparently is coming to an end. The new state framework for history and social studies curriculum declared the practice not only outdated, but inappropriate.

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Building missions from sugar cubes or Popsicle sticks does not help students understand the period and is offensive to many, the framework, adopted by the California Department of Education, explained. Missions were sites of conflict, conquest, and forced labor.

Instead, the framework urges, students should focus on daily life in the mission system, exploring the roles and interactions of different groups, from local Native Americans to Spanish explorers.

What the framework calls for is that the students understand the impact the missions had on Native Americans, Spanish explorers, rancheros living in California, and the environment, said Juliana Liebke, history social science curriculum specialist for the San Diego Unified School District. So building a mission does not help students to understand any of that.

Liebke and other local school officials said they havent had time to fully analyze the recommended changes, but said that steering away from model building is a move in the right direction.

It became more about the artistic component, which is very important, but it became less about the phenomena of the missions and these groups living together, and creating what would become California, said Sharmila Kraft, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for Vista Unified School District.

The creators of the state framework have harsher words for the project, which they say idealizes a troubled era of California history.

I hate Mission Projects, Nancy McTygue, executive director of the California History-Social Science Project and one of the lead writers of the new project, wrote five years ago in a 2012 edition of the projects quarterly publication, The Source. This activity is just wrong on so many levels  its offensive to the Native peoples whose lives were largely shattered by the mission system, its a waste of time and money, it doesnt build reading or writing skills, and it doesnt teach anything of substance about our past.

The state directive to drop the project codifies changes that McTygue has long advocated.

Thoughtful teachers abandoned this practice years ago, but Im still amazed when I hear it got assigned yet again, she wrote in the 2012 article.

Mission models have been a mainstay of California elementary education for decades, becoming a source of both nostalgia and vexation to parents. Many of the parents who helped their own kids through the project remember building missions themselves in fourth grade, by gluing Popsicle sticks or stacking sugar cubes

The projects involve elaborate engineering, as well as 11th-hour efforts to create the structures, and an increasingly diverse array of materials. Companies including Michaels craft stores and others offer kits for the models, and some students have recently constructed them from Lego blocks, or built digital versions on the popular video game Minecraft.

Some local parents said they resented the assignment, which involved more work for the parents than kids. Others remembered it fondly, applauding the opportunity for hands-on creativity.

I think any kind of a project helps a child to remember what they looked up, Oceanside resident Jan Lopez wrote in an e-mail. Our society is too involved in screens and not making things.

Lon Safko, president of Paper Models Inc. in Lake Elsinore, said his company grew out of the desperation of panicked parents.

Many contacted him at wits end, proclaiming, Oh my God, theyre going to fail fourth grade if we dont get some macaroni and toilet paper tubes together to build a mission, Safko said.

Although the company has sold thousands of mission models over the years, that diminished as schools gradually forbade the use of kits, and he takes the elimination of the project in stride.

The biggest thing Im interested in is making sure the kids get a good, balanced education, Safko said.Im all for that.

Balance is the key, said John Putman, a history professor at San Diego State University, who studies California and the West.

I agree with the decision to get rid of the models, he said. First of all, they romanticize the period by putting all this emphasis on the building. I think whats often lost is the larger significance of the Mission Era and the Mission Period. Second thing it does is encourages too much attention on the Mission Era, compared to the rest of California history.

Putman said the states fascination with missions blossomed in the early 20th Century, and represented a kind of monument envy that Californians held toward the historic fixtures of the East Coast. Studying the periods socioeconomic complexities would serve students better than the models, he said.

But he cautioned against oversimplifying the subject in the opposite direction, by equating it with slavery.

Some American Indians have likened the mission projects to projects that require students to recreate plantations in the American South or concentration camps in Germany, Tuyen Tran, assistant director of the California History Social Science Project, wrote in a May 23 blog post.

That appraisal also risks misrepresentation of the mission period, Putman warned.

Its too easy of a comparison, and its dangerous in a lot of ways, he said. Its sometimes oranges and apples when we make these comparisons. There are a lot of dynamics involved, and thats how we should be presenting it to the children.

In Oceanside, the Old Mission San Luis Rey Historic Foundation has long held a contest, inviting local students to write essays about the Mission Period, or build models of the building. The contest included a day-long festival, with an awards ceremony, Native American storytellers and tours of the mission. Theyre reconsidering the tradition, in light of the state framework changes, said board member Mary Gleisberg.

Were rethinking now if were going to continue with the mission model building contest, which the kids and parents have really enjoyed, she said.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
A community effort to outline the future of public arts programs, and find ways to fund them, kicked into gear this week with an enthusiastic town hall-style meeting at Oceansides downtown public library.

This was incredible, participant Cindy Rocco said afterward. Its like a huge think tank, and its really exciting.

Oceanside has a thriving arts scene, with theater groups, galleries and museums, but so far its had little financial support from City Hall. The often cash-strapped City Council places a higher priority on public safety and other practical needs, such as streets and water.

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Annual per capita spending on the arts in Oceanside is among the lowest in San Diego County  an average of 14 cents per person  compared to $10.17 per capita in neighboring Carlsbad and $4.59 per capita in the city of San Diego, according to a report the Oceanside Arts Commission prepared earlier this year.

Participants in Thursdays brain-storming session gathered around tables and talked in broad terms about the need to secure more grants, improve publicity and communications, unite the citys diverse population, and encourage or assist local artists.

The moderated meeting was the first in a series being led by David Plettner-Saunders of The Cultural Planning Group, a San Diego-based consulting firm hired to guide the creation of Oceansides first Master Plan for the Arts.

The arts are an economic driver, Plettner-Saunders said, adding that successful arts programs can boost business, improve property values and unite communities.

Completion of a Master Plan for the Arts would outline goals and potential funding sources for arts programs, city officials and volunteers say, and would make it easier to obtain grants and donations. Other cities, such as Carlsbad, finished their master plans years ago and have used them to build their arts programs.

This is going to provide us with a road map for developing the arts in Oceanside, said Ann Worth, chairman of the citys Arts Commission.

In part because of the citys location next to Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, which draws members from across the United States and its territories, Oceanside has long been known for its ethnic and cultural diversity.

That diversity was emphasized in July, when California chose a downtown Oceanside neighborhood as one of the states first 14 cultural districts. Each district gets $10,000 over the next two years to highlight diversity and promote tourism.

Its a huge honor, Worth said.

Oceansides cultural district will focus on inclusivity, creativity, talent, and economic development in the walkable downtown area around North Coast Highway that includes theaters, museums, galleries, and the public pier.

The citys proposed master plan also should celebrate the citys diversity and its many cultural resources, such as the beach amphitheater, the harbor, and historic downtown theaters, participants said Thursday.

We need more cultural awareness  and better communications, said Dinah Poellnitz, founder and owner of the Hill Street Country Club Gallery, who led one of the discussion groups.

She was among several people who suggested the city designate a portion of its tax revenue for arts programs, or assign a city staffer to pursue grants for arts programs.

This is an extremely exciting time right now for the arts in our city, said volunteer David Schulz, manager and co-owner of the 60-year-old Star Theatre. We can make a difference and start things going in a positive direction for Oceanside and beyond.

The completed master plan is expected to be presented to the City Council for approval by the middle of next year.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
In todays polarized America, some subjects are best forgotten in polite company to avoid a heated argument.

But virtually no topic is off-limits for the Probus Group, a discussion group of Escondido retirees in their 80s and 90s whove tackled Trump policies, gun control, school testing, Confederate monuments, North Korean aggression and atheism.

Next on their list? DACA, the program for children of immigrant parents seeking to stay in the U.S. that President Trump wants to eliminate.

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Probus is a resident activity group launched six years ago at the Redwood Terrace retirement community in Escondido. It was inspired by the Probus Club (short for professional and business), a fellowship group formed in the United Kingdom in the mid-1960s by retired Rotary Club members.

Mick Cupples, chaplain at Redwood Terrace, moderates the meetings, which are held every other Thursday.

While many Probus Group members say theyve rarely had their opinions changed as a result of the hourlong discussions, most say theyve been enlightened by the experience.

I think this is a microcosm of what can happen if people of different persuasions were to sit down together and respect each other, even if they disagree, Cupples said. The biggest outcome is learning why people on the other side feel the way they do.

Moderator Mick Cupples, left, and members Ray Kersey and Betty Brill listen to a members opinion during the Sept. 14 discussion on corporate CEO salaries. (Pam Kragen / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The most recent discussion on Sept. 14 was on whether corporate CEOs are paid too much. Member Ray Kersey, an 84-year-old retired patent attorney, said a recent study found that todays CEOs make 270 times the salary of their lowest-paid workers. This compares to a 30:1 ratio back in 1978.

At the beginning of the meeting, he asked the group of eight women and five men for a show of hands on who thinks CEOs are overpaid. Several women raised their hands. After some spirited discussion on topics including innovation, stock options, taxes and the exorbitant pay of pro athletes and CEOs of publicly funded institutions, Kersey polled the group again. Most of the same hands went back up.

Thats par for the course with Probus Group.

Longtime member Betty Brill, 96, said shes never changed her mind as the result of a discussion, but shes grateful for the opportunity to speak and listen.

Its dreadfully important to keep our minds occupied, said Brill, a retired accountant who spent 20 years serving on the boards of nonprofits. By learning about these issues and having these discussions, it keeps our brains stimulated all the time.

Retired mechanical engineer Bob Wistort, 89, said he enjoys the meetings for the lively conversation, even if it doesnt budge him from his original position. He appreciates that no matter how difficult the topic, theres always room for everyone to grow in mutual understanding.

Cupples, who has overseen Probus Group for the past four years, admits there have been a few times the discussions grew tense and voices were raised. For example, theres not much middle ground on President Trump and the topic of abortion is best avoided because opponents of the procedure see no room for discussion.

If youre in favor of abortion, Cupples said, then youre a murderer in their eyes. Theres nowhere to go from there.

Cupples said hes gratified by the residents deep interest in current events and is sometimes surprised by their progressive views. For example, many Probus members believe in climate change and many also believe that Confederate monuments would be best displayed in museums rather than public parks.

Depending on interest in the topic, Probus Group meetings draw from 15 to 25 residents. That makes it the most popular activity group at Redwood, which has 150 residents, said activity coordinator Beverly Stummar.

She attributes the groups success to Cupples skills at structuring and enhancing the meetings by sending members background research and articles on each topic two days before each meeting. She said he is also excellent at keeping the conversations flowing and, most important, encouraging an atmosphere of courtesy.

Historian and retired librarian Lucy Berk, 86, joined Probus after moving into Redwood Terrace two years ago. She not only enjoys the discussions, she likes that no matter how divisive the topic, group members strive to get along peaceably.

Its good training, Berk said, on how not to throw words and fists that hurt.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
After turning down federal money because it bars them from drug testing clients, a North County-based program that works with homeless families is asking cities along the state Route 78 corridor to help cover the hole in its budget.

Solutions for Change is asking each city to kick in as much as $140,000 to help operate its programs this year.

The response has been mixed.

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One city said yes, two said no and two others are thinking about it.

Solutions founder Chris Megison said Friday his organization will continue to push for the funding.

We look at this as round one, he said. We will be mobilizing. Whatever it takes. We are helping literally hundreds of people from these cities. There is a crisis and we are not just going to go away.

Solutions works with  and provides housing for  163 North County families enrolled in its 1000-day Solutions University program, designed to teach parents to achieve self-sufficiency. Solutions also runs an aquaponics farm and sells its produce to school districts.

The money trouble for Solutions for Change started last year after the federal housing department changed its funding priorities to support programs that get homeless people into housing with no strings attached. But that meant the programs could not drug test clients. Solutions, which insists on sobriety, refused to comply and walked away from the money.

That created a $600,000-a-year hole in its $3.2 million budget  and led Megison to start scrambling for funds, even with a crowd-sourcing effort that raised about $230,000. A few months back  and now in the second fiscal year with no federal funds  Megison turned to North County cities to help bridge the gap.

We have never asked for this kind of request before, Megison said. We have never been in a situation like this where we had to make an emergency request.

Mixed results

It was a tough time to ask. All the cities were about to start their fiscal years, and most funding decisions had already been made.

Still, San Marcos agreed to the request, for the most part. Its City Council allocated $126,000 to the group in June.

Oceanside and Carlsbad both said last week they declined the request, and neither city brought the item to its City Council.

Oceanside said it does support Solutions, but it does not have the money at this time to help cover the gap. The city does put in money to help homeless people, including what it gives to Alliance for Regional Solutions, a network of homeless shelters across North County. Solutions is not part of the network.

Carlsbad said it has supported a number of shelters and organizations, including helping Solutions purchase apartment complexes to permanently house the families the group serves  and has also spent $3.1 million to buy a 17-unit complex in the city.

Related

Issa, other Republicans ask for policy change

For homeless families, 33 apartments open in Escondido

No decisions have been made in Escondido or Vista, which was the birthplace of Solutions for Change, and still home to its headquarters.

The Escondidos City Council will probably discuss the request at its meeting Oct. 18. A scheduling conflict led Vista to postpone a discussion set for last week. A new date has not been scheduled, but Vista Mayor Judy Ritter said she wants to see the city make the donation.

They started here, they take care of families here, and their farm is here, she said. They deserve the funding to help them this year.

More housing coming

A year ago, after turning down federal money, Solutions closed its emergency shelter, which served as an intake for families taking part in its so-called Solutions University, a three-year program that seeks to teach the parents to be self-reliant.

Megison said his group does not have sufficient data yet as to how closing the intake shelter affected the long-term program.

The group is expanding the number of units it has to house people, including 33 apartments added in June when the organization opened up a new complex in Escondido  the first complex Solutions has built outside of Vista.

More are coming. In Oceanside, construction is under way on a 33-unit, $15 million building set to open in Fall 2018. A project in Carlsbad is also planned.

But all of the money for those projects is earmarked for bricks and sticks, Megison said, not for operating the program. That is where the shortfall is. And the loss of federal funds came as the group increased the number of families it houses by 33, with the addition of the new Escondido site. More families, less money.

For years, Solutions has tried to wean itself from federal money, and hopes to be entirely funded by private sources by 2019. But for now, they need local funds to replace federal funds.

Some of the future funding will come from the organization itself, including its Solutions Farms. But its still in its infancy, and needs a couple of years before it starts generating funds. They also use their real estate development to put money in the coffers. The idea is for the real estate to pay for itself, and use the social enterprise profits and private donations to run the programming.

Lobbying the feds

But then came the curveball, when the federal department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, changed its funding to support a model known as Housing First. The new policy focuses first on getting people into housing, with no strings attached  that means clients cannot be tested for or barred for drug or alcohol use.

Many social service groups in San Diego and across the nation have embraced the model as an effective tool for getting people off the street, then eventually sober and employed.

Still, a number of agencies across the nation, including Solutions, have said that the Housing First approach might work for single adults, but not for homeless families.

A few months ago, 23 congressional members, including Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, began pushing HUDs new leadership for a policy change  not to end Housing First, just to restore funding to programs that dont follow the one-size-fits-all approach. There have been no funding decisions, but the lobbying continues.

Especially in such a crisis, Issas spokesman Calvin Moore said in an email last week, theres got to be room for as many evidence-supported approaches into the mix as possible if were really going to make a dent in this problem and bring meaningful, lasting change.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
For April Laster, openness and community are necessary for creating space of inclusion and where people can be taken care of and take care of each other. She started Open Heart Leaders to serve as a network of resources for urban communities that she says are often overlooked or forgotten about. When she was a student at Alabama A&M University, the organization started out as Open Heart Educators and focused on tutoring and workshops. She made the change to broaden the way she could serve her community when she returned to San Diego.

I truly have a heart for people, she said. If I could be to someone else what no one was for me, then I am willing to do that, she says. The purpose is to make sure responsible, productive programs are being properly installed in communities, and the right resources and funding are being funneled back into the communities that are lacking.

For Laster, whos 35 and lives in El Cajon, that includes offering health courses, life skills and parenting classes, art and language activities, mediation services, mentoring and other services and programs. She took some time to talk about her goals for the organization, what it means to her to have an open heart, and what shes learned about her own strength and desire to help people.

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Q: Open Heart Leaders is something you started in college? What led to this idea?

A: I was tired of seeing people being overlooked in what were considered the lower class neighborhoods and those kids and adults didnt have access to the same resources as other neighborhoods and communities. Open Heart Leaders works in specific target areas and produces programs that fit the demographic needs of the areas it serves. We started in 2003 as Open Heart Educators in Huntsville, Ala., by putting on workshops and small discussion forums with a focus on providing resources to underprivileged and urban communities. We want to create leaders who are trained and skilled on operating the programs and ensure they continue.

Q: Your organizations goal is to create avenues and ways of funneling lost resources and networks back into the communities with the guidance of proper leadership. What resources have been lost in the communities youre serving?

A: Resources such as the arts, job placement services, banking options, daycare, special needs centers, recreational facilities and so much more. As budgets are cut, for some reason city officials find it easier to pull funding or diminish budgets in the not-so-popular living areas. It has become easier to shut down centers that aid in medical care, education and the arts in the neighborhoods where people may not know how to fight back against those cuts.

Q: How would you define what proper leadership looks like in these situations?

A: Proper leadership would be having those who are passionate about the task and those who are skilled and educated to do the research and create a rapport with the people that they serve. Its dedication even when things are not going right the first time, being creative and willing to be a team player even if you are never seen out in front.

What I love about El Cajon ...

I love that I have access to different cultures that I didnt experience much where I grew up in San Diego. North Park and El Cajon are two different worlds, but the food and the markets out here are amazing.

Q: You launched four programs in 2016-2017? What are they?

A: Real Talk and Glass House are two interactive discussion programs separated by age groups that allow specific topics to be addressed by experts on those subjects. Humanity Heart Pantry is a program that will focus on schools and provide basic toiletry needs for underprivileged and underserved kids. The Take Charge program focuses on re-entry into society for those whove previously been incarcerated, transitioning from halfway homes or recovering from drug and alcohol abuse by offering courses that are designed by those with the same experiences.

Q: How do you decide on the types of programs and services that will be useful to the communities youre serving?

A: We make those decisions based on statistics provided by the city or good, old-fashioned word of mouth, and by surveying the community. Most of what we offer has been heavily guided by the community speaking out on whats lacking in their neighborhoods. We also brainstorm with other organizations to find out whats needed so that were not recreating the wheel.

Q: Why Open Heart? What does that mean to you?

A: Its just approaching every situation with an open heart. We will extend grace to those whove been looked down on, and it will restore faith and hope in those that may have been given up on. It means making a way for those who didnt know what options were available to them. In practice, its putting yourself in someone elses shoes and figuring out and implementing a solution as if you were them. And its thinking things through by looking at the big picture before making hasty decisions about life.

Q: Whats been challenging about your work?

A: The lack of support or funding for the much-needed programs in these areas. Its also challenging because no one really likes to partner or help unless they receive a benefit from it on the front end.

Q: Whats been rewarding about it?

A: Knowing the lives that will change and be impacted by the work were trying to do. Whats also been rewarding is seeing that there are those who are willing to go on the front line for the sake of others.

Q: What has it taught you about yourself?

A: That I am stronger than I thought and that my heart really is set up to put others before myself.

Q: What is the best advice youve ever received?

A: Go where you are celebrated not tolerated.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: That I want to learn three other languages so that I can expand the opportunities available for Open Heart Leaders.

Q: Describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: My ideal weekend would be to spend Saturday morning hitting up the swap meet and afterward, go to the outlets by the border. Later, hit up a beach and write, and focus on my upcoming book.

Email: lisa.deaderick@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @lisadeaderick
The armored amphibious vehicle that caught fire on Camp Pendleton Wednesday morning, sending 14 Marines and a Navy corpsman to area hospitals for serious burn injuries, struck a natural gas line during routine pre-deployment training.

Although San Diego Gas & Electric Co. supplies natural gas to the sprawling North County base, the utility said it was not an SDG&E line that ignited.

We are aware of a gas incident that occurred on Camp Pendleton on Wednesday. We investigated and determined that an SDG&E gas line was not involved, said Sempra Energy spokesman Joe Britton.

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The brass at 1st Marine Division remained tight-lipped about the blaze that engulfed the Assault Amphibious Vehicle  called an Amtrack by the troops  around 9:33 a.m. Wednesday in the San Mateo section of the base.

Crewed by members of the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, it was carrying a detachment from 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment during the land-based portion of a pre-deployment Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation when the vehicle struck a gas line that was away from the main roadway.

In a Camp Pendleton utility guide published on Aug. 16, 2016, the Marine Corps mandated numerous safety measures for natural gas pipelines latticing the base.

All aboveground pipes and components are required to be primed and painted yellow  which identifies natural gas  and labeled. All new lines located in vegetated areas or located away from paved areas require special markers indicating the presence of natural gas. Markers are mandated on or near all taps, tees and caps continuously along natural gas lines so that Marines can see them from afar, too.

Marine Corps officials at both the Pentagon and Camp Pendleton declined to say whether maps showing known gas lines were provided to the troops planning or conducting the exercise; whether ditches and other areas that held the pipes were marked as out of bounds for vehicle traffic during the training event or whether the unit had been briefed about potential safety risks posed by nearby natural gas lines before they kicked off the exercise.

The San Diego Union-Tribune could not determine if base officials even knew that a natural gas line was there or were aware who installed it.

Officials also declined to say whether the Marines were wearing their flame-resistant organizational gear or FROG, designed to prevent very serious burn injuries.

FROG comes in both desert and olive color scheme and consists of a long-sleeved tunic or T-shirt, trousers, gloves and a balaclava for the face and head. Theres a hinged face guard that can attach to a Kevlar helmet.

Tougher than steel, the Kevlar plastic used in the head gear and the Small Arms Protective Insert on a Marines vest and back  the SAPI plates  resists both blunt force trauma and high heat. FROG gear is supposed to protect the body from flames where the Kevlar ends.

When units deploy overseas, the Marine Corps swaps out their FROG kit with the Enhanced Fire Resistant Combat Ensemble, an upgraded flame-resistant material and self-extinguishes fire, drastically reducing the incidence and severity of burn injuries, according to Marine Corps Systems Command.

The level of FROG or EFRCE apparel worn by infantrymen and armor crewman usually is determined by a unit commander, an order that is issued before the training begins.

When contacted by The San Diego Union-Tribune, however, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines personnel referred all questions to division spokesperson 1st Lt. Paul Gainey.

The accident is under investigation and we will make no comments until it is completed, Gainey said.

Marine representatives at the Pentagon also declined comment.

Six of the service members taken to area hospitals were listed in critical conditions and another six were marked serious. One was in stable condition.

Eight of the 15 troops were rushed to the burn center at the University of California San Diego medical center. Another four went to the University of California Irvine medical center in Orange County. One was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.

Two others were treated for minor injuries at Camp Pendleton, but Marine officials declined to say whether any had been released

UC Irvine Medical Center has Orange Countys only Level I trauma center and only regional burn center. One of only five American Burn Association-verified centers in Southern California, it treats about 300 adult and pediatric burn survivors annually.

In 2009, the Burn Center at the University of California San Diego medical center also was certified by the American Burn Association. It treats about 450 burn victims each year.

Since Camp Pendleton is equidistant from both Irvine and San Diego, it made sense to split the majority of patients between hospitals, said UC Irvine Health spokesman John Murray.

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cprine@sduniontribune.com
Moments after relieving Navy legend Nora Tyson as Third Fleets commander, Vice Adm. John Sarge Alexander on Friday vowed to transform the San Diego-based force into an arm of American might, protecting our shores and exerting influence abroad.

His eyes will focus on Asia, where rising powers such as China and Russia might rival American dominance in the region and perennial threats such as North Korea continue to bedevil Pentagon strategists.

Tyson had spearheaded Third Fleet Forward, a concept designed to give the Navy an extra fist in the Pacific, fighting alongside the Japan-based Seventh Fleet but commanded from Point Loma.

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It follows the legacy of William Bull Halsey, the famous World War II commander of Third Fleet who urged his captains to hit the enemy hard, fast and often.

Adversaries are getting much more sophisticated with much greater capability and capacity, said Texas native Alexander, 57, as he stood upon the windy flight deck of the carrier Theodore Roosevelt anchored on North Island.

A key reason for choosing Alexander to take Third Fleets helm stems from the past three years hes spent deeply studying fleet operations. He served as both the director of Maritime Operations at U.S. Fleet Forces Command and commanded Battle Force Seventh Fleet, the Japan-based task force built around the carrier Ronald Reagan.

Beginning Monday morning, he pledged to build a system that actually works for us at Third Fleets Point Loma-based Maritime Operations Center, the headquarters that guides warships across the globe.

That will help Alexander make his fleet more expeditionary, pushing west its flattops from California and Washington, plus the scores of submarines, cruisers, destroyers, littoral combat ships and supply vessels that protect them or operate independently in the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean.

He also wants to hike high end combat training on Americas west coast, testing skippers on realistic combat scenarios while preserving strong ties with allies across the Pacific.

His vision arrives at a time of vast technological changes within the Navy, too. The amphibious warship Wasp, for example, is slated to soon replace her sister gator the Bonhomme Richard in Japan, bringing with it the ability to deploy stealthy Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighters invisible to potential enemies.

Alexander has long ties to San Diego, coming aboard the carrier Kittyhawk as a young aviator in 1985.

A bombardier and navigator on Grumman A-6 Intruder attack jets, he served with the Boomers of Attack Squadron VA-165, the Silver Fox VA-155, the Main Battery of VA-196 and as an instructor for the Golden Intruders of VA-128.

Compiling more than 700 carrier landings, he also led the Black Ravens of Electronic Attack Squadron 135.

Alexander acknowledged that hes following a tough act with Tyson, a trailblazing Navy leader who became the first woman to command both a carrier strike group and a battle fleet. She retired Friday morning after 38 years in uniform.

Throughout Friday mornings ceremony, waves of applause erupted for her, especially in the front rows holding dignitaries from Americas allies worldwide, including admirals from Mexico, Canada and Chile.

The gathered brass included not only her fellow Navy three-stars in San Diego -- Naval Surface Forces commander Tom Rowden and Naval Air Forces commander Mike Shoe Shoemaker -- but also Pacific Fleet Adm. Scott Swift and Coast Guard Vice Adm. Fred M. Midgett.

Some of the loudest cheers came from her pals from home state Tennessee, including lifelong friends who studied next to her at St Marys Episcopal School for Girls and Vanderbilt University.

She spoke of joining the Navy after a recruiter cold-called her in 1979 and never regretted the incredible ride its been.

Although the Navy blocked women combat slots, she took advantage of changes in federal laws and military regulations and worked hard to prove herself, eventually rising to command a battle fleet.

I was fortunate enough to command a squadron and an amphibious assault ship, serve with some pretty exceptional people and be promoted to admiral, said Tyson, 60. For someone who never thought shed be in the Navy, and never dreamed shed be a lieutenant commander, thats pretty incredible.

So as I came upon these opportunities I found success by being a little bit humble and by accepting challenges, by trying to stay smart in my craft  whatever it was  and by truly valuing the contributions of every sailor, soldier, airman, Coast Guardsman and Marine I worked with.

A lot of people ask me how proud I am to be the first woman to command a career strike group. Or to be the first woman to command an operational fleet. Im proud of that, but Im even more proud to be part of a Navy where those milestones are now behind us.

Tysons last official day in the Navy is Oct. 1. She is moving with her husband, retired senior enlisted sailor Wayne Tyson, to their home in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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cprine@sduniontribune.com
Federal agents were tracking a young immigrant who was facing deportation when he fatally shot a popular community volunteer during a robbery in San Francisco, authorities said Friday.

The slaying occurred on Aug. 15, four days after sheriffs investigators say 18-year-old Erick Garcia-Pineda stole the murder weapon from the personal car of a San Francisco police officer.

The case has stirred memories of the 2015 killing of a young woman on a San Francisco pier by a Mexican national who had been deported five times. A gun stolen from a law enforcement officer was also used in that shooting.

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The shooting also ignited a national debate on sanctuary city policies that bar local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities unless they are seeking suspects convicted or charged with violent crimes.

Authorities say Garcia-Pineda had been detained by immigration authorities in December and released from custody in April pending deportation. An immigration judge required him to wear an ankle monitor and routinely check in with immigration officials.

He failed to show up for his August appointment, said James Schwab, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

His ankle monitor was removed when he was arrested on Sept. 3 by sheriffs deputies on misdemeanor battery charges. ICE says the Sheriffs Department ignored a request to block his release from jail that day.

Investigators later connected Garcia-Pineda to the killing of 23-year-old Abel Esquivel during a robbery.

ICE agents also asked the local sheriff in May to detain a second man arrested locally who is also charged with Esquivels murder, Jesus Perez-Araujo, 24.

San Francisco police arrested Perez-Araujo for possession of marijuana and illegal possession of brass knuckles. He was charged only with misdemeanor possession of brass knuckles, court records showed.

Esquivel volunteered at the Central American Resource Center, which provides legal help to low-income Latino clients and other social services.

We were shocked to hear the weapon belonged to a police officer, said Lariza Dugan Cuadra, executive director of the center.

Martin Halloran, president of the police officers union, said the officer did not know his vehicle had been broken into until after the shooting.

There were no visible signs of the burglary, Halloran said. The officer, a highly decorated veteran, is devastated.

In the 2015 killing, Kate Steinle was shot as she walked on a pier crowded with tourists.

The San Francisco sheriff had released Jose Inez Garcia Zarate from jail several weeks before the Steinle shooting despite a detainer request from ICE.

Zarate acknowledges shooting the gun but said it fired accidentally. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

Jury selection for his trial begins Oct. 2 while the debate over sanctuary cities continues.

The Trump administration opposes the policy and has threatened to withhold federal funds to those cities, prompting lawsuits. A federal judge on Friday barred the administration from withholding funding until a lawsuit in Chicago is resolved.

Californias sanctuary state bill that would limit police cooperation with federal immigration authorities cleared a major hurdle Friday when it was approved by the state Assembly.

The Senate was scheduled to give final approval to the legislation before lawmakers wrap up the legislative year late Friday or early Saturday.

San Francisco police say Garcia-Pineda and two other young men began driving around the city looking for robbery victims after they stole the gun on Aug. 11.

A police bulletin from 2015 said officers should keep a gun with them when they are in public and that if they are forced to leave a firearm briefly in an unattended vehicle, they must secure the weapon in the locked trunk where it cannot be seen.

Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

ALSO

Mom who tried flushing newborn down toilet at McDonalds gave birth in a bathroom three years before, D.A. says

Diners warned of possible hepatitis exposure at San Diego beach restaurant

Motive a mystery in killing of three kids: I just dont understand how he made this choice
Shivpal said that he was not ready to tolerate his brother and leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's humiliation and the two of them will be taking some radical decision very soon.

By Siraj Qureshi: The internal strife in the Samajwadi Party (SP) is not showing any signs of ending despite having lost the UP assembly elections.

The party leadership is currently busy making arrangements for its national convention to be held on 5th October in Agra, however, the most senior leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal Yadav are not leaving any opportunity to point out the 'incompetence' of SP president Akhilesh Yadav .

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Talking to the Samajwadi Party supporters in village Bichhwa of Mainpuri district, Shivpal clearly said that he was not ready to tolerate his brother and leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's humiliation and the two of them will be taking some radical decision very soon, which will be applicable to all Samajwadi Party members.

Shivpal further said that the condition in which the Samajwadi Party has come down to at present is the consequence of his elder brother Mulayam Singh's silence. He said that it is the Indian culture to respect the elders, but the person whom Mulayam Singh accorded seniority, has forgotten to respect his seniors. Even then, Mulayam never cared about his own humiliation.

He said that the entire dispute in Samajwadi Party revolves around his opposition of the land and liquor mafias and their associates, who were destroying the party's reputation. When he came out openly against these people, they conspired to break apart the party, in which they succeeded because of some people who forgot their station.

Meanwhile, the party leadership loyal to Akhilesh have started planning for the October convention of the party, where the party leadership will deliberate on the strategy to deliver a sound defeat to the BJP in the state in 2019 parliamentary elections.

Talking to India Today, Wajid Nisar, former Agra president of SP said that the people are fed up with the Central and state BJP, businesses have crashed and the money flow in the market has slowed down.

People want Akhilesh Yadav back at the state's helm, and the October convention of the party will decide its strategy for the next election. He said that the target is to first uproot the BJP from the Centre and then from the state as well.

As a counter step to the Samajwadi Party's strategy and to find out BJP's shortcomings in Agra, the UP BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey arrived in the city today, where he held a roadshow. However, the roadshow's lackluster performance was a clear sign that the BJP senior leadership needs to work extra hard on winning back the hearts of the people of Agra, who have lost their faith in the 11 (9 MLAs + 2 MPs) representatives that got elected from Agra.

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The party's interest in retaining its popular base in Agra is clear from the fact that every day, one or the other senior leader or minister of the party are camping in the city, since almost a fortnight, to assess the party's activities in the vast Agra division, which has been a traditional stronghold of both the Samajwadi Party and the BJP.

--- ENDS ---
A father suspected of killing his three children in West Sacramento has been interviewed by investigators, though they still arent offering a motive for the slayings, authorities said Friday.

Investigators talked with Robert William Hodges, 32, after he was found near midnight Thursday parked about seven miles from the apartment where police found the three children after a domestic violence call. Police previously said Hodges was 33.

I dont know what they gleaned from that interview. I dont know what the motive was, said West Sacramento Police Sgt. Roger Kinney.

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Hodges is being held for arraignment Monday on suspicion of three counts of murder in the slayings of 11-year-old Kelvin Hodges, 9-year-old Julie Hodges and Lucas Hodges, nearly 8 months.

A message left at a telephone number linked to Hodges parents was not returned. Authorities said he does not yet appear to have a lawyer.

Yolo County Chief Deputy Coroner Gina Moya said more tests are needed before authorities can say how the children died.

Hodges also is being held on suspicion of attempted murder in an assault on his wife, Mai Hodges.

She didnt go to a hospital, but what he did to her was significant enough that it did merit a charge of attempted murder from our investigators, Kinney said.

Mai Hodges sister, Lyang Xvang, said the family was not aware of any problems between the couple.

They love each other very much, Xvang said. I just dont understand how he made this choice.

Mai Hodges is talking with investigators as she is able, Kinney said.

Im sure shes going through a roller coaster of emotions, so were getting what we can out of her as shes able to communicate, he said.

To read the article in Spanish, click here
A homeless man was placed on life support after being beaten with a skateboard early Saturday in what witnesses told police appeared to be an unprovoked attack.

The 55-year-old victim was sleeping in an alley off El Cajon Boulevard near Idaho Street in North Park about 4:30 a.m. when he was assaulted, San Diego police said.

The victim was struck numerous times in the head with the skateboard and suffered serious head trauma, officials said. He was taken to a hospital.

As his condition remained grave, homicide investigators took over the case about 3 p.m., officials said.

Homicide Lt. Todd Griffin said medical staff determined that the man suffered internal head injuries consistent with an attack. He was placed on life support and is not expected to survive, Griffin said.

The mans name was not released.

The assailant was described as white, in his late teens to early 20s, about 6 feet tall, with shoulder-length hair and wearing gray shorts and a dark shirt. He was seen fleeing in a white Honda, police said.
Susan Hoopengarner answered her cellphone and gasped at the welcome sound of a familiar voice: Hi Mom. I love you, and Im safe.

It was her son, Brad Michels, 40, who owns a San Diego real estate business. He had been stranded with his wife, Colleen, and another San Diego couple on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

In the days since Hurricane Irma ravaged the island Sept. 6, Susan and her husband, who live in Washington state, had been frantically searching for news. The Category 5 mega-storm had assaulted Tortola with winds up to 185 mph and gusts matching Indy 500 raceway speeds.

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Were Brad and his wife still alive? Were they injured? Where were they? When and how could they return home?

Hoopengarner called the U.S. Consulate in Los Angeles and the U.S. Embassy in Barbados. She phoned her local newspaper, her senator, her governor, even the White House. I spent almost a week trying to contact someone who could help. Tortolas phone lines were down, and no one had the information she sought.

From a BVI_HurricaneIrma Facebook page, she learned that the island was left in shambles. Trees were stripped and toppled, vegetation ripped away, buildings torn apart, boats scattered like Tinker Toys  even the island prison had been ripped open, unleashing about 120 inmates into neighborhoods of Tortola, the largest of the island in this British territory.

British Virgin Islands took the full brunt of Irmas fury as she raged across the Caribbean, reported Great Britains Daily Mail, shocking videos reveal the scale of destruction on Tortola.

I was worried sick about them, said Hoopengarner. So its understandable that her eventual conversation with her son after the storms 12-hour rampage overhead, was the most wonderful call of my life.

The Michels and their San Diego friends, chiropractor Victor Runco and his wife, Krista Creedon, had taken refuge in a downstairs hallway of their rented villa overlooking Cooten Bay on the north shore.

It was the only place they could find with no windows. Ive never been in a predicament in which I thought I was going to die  until this time, Michels said.

Twelve hours later, though damaged, the resort home had withstood the battering-ram winds. Rain had forced its way under the sliding glass doors, turning the second floor into an anke-deep lake.

Left without electricity or fuel for the generator, Michels and Runco grabbed machetes and chopped through debris, heading south on foot toward Road Town, the islands largest settlement.

Upon reaching a mountain overlook, they glimpsed the town below. It was in shambles, and its streets had turned into waterways. So the Americans turned back.

On Thursday morning, the men hiked out again. Navigating through the bomb-like carnage necessitated detours, and a seven-mile road trip to Tortolas small airport became a 12-mile hike. They carried all four mobile phones and, along the way, got one iPhone to connect, via FaceTime, to the outside world.

The airport was damaged, and commercial airlines were grounded, but a few private planes and military helicopters had begun ferrying in supplies.

It was on a charter plane four days later that the two San Diego couples finally were able to evacuate Monday night, but Michels received messages as recently as yesterday, from other Americans still stranded on Tortola.

By the grace of God they got off, exclaimed his mother. The charter plane took the four Americans to nearby Puerto Rico. From there, the Michels flew to Baltimore, then to Los Angeles, finally arriving in San Diego about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, a week after the hurricanes passage. They were exhausted and traumatized.

After the storm swept through, their sweltering rental home had been invaded by roaches, bugs and rats. Michels even had to kill one marauding rat with a machete. But they counted their blessings.

They could see a house below them with much of its roof missing and another destroyed after its doors blew off. But five or six homes remained, like theirs, mostly intact.

We got lucky, said Michels, crediting their location. Cooten Cove should be renamed Lucky Cove.

Hurricane help: Call it chowder for charity. This past weekend, The Fish Market restaurants in San Diego, Del Mar and four other California locations sold soup to raise funds for Hurricane Harvey victims.

In three days, 2,900 cups and bowls of clam chowder generated $4,000 for U.S. Salvation Army hurricane relief efforts  proving it truly is comfort food.

Ocean envy: Was that John Barbey sailing a sabot solo on Glorietta Bay? The VF Corp. (Vanity Fair) heir celebrated his 100th birthday in March, but that milestone hasnt kept the energetic La Jolla centenarian grounded. The photo of him sailing a sabot made the September San Diego Yacht Club news.

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: @dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.news
It took a San Diego jury about four hours Friday to find Armando Perez guilty of murder for fatally stabbing his 19-year-old estranged wife in a mens bathroom at San Diego City College in 2010.

After the verdict was read and jurors were filing out of the courtroom, Perez, 44, stood a few feet away from them and said, Thank you in a loud, clear voice.

His attorney, Barton Sheela, said Perez had asked him earlier if would be OK to thank jurors for a verdict that likely surprised no one who had followed the case involving the grisly killing of Diana Gonzalez

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Out of court, Deputy District Attorney Jessica Lees said the emotional case was hard on Gonzalezs family.

It was a very gruesome murder and hopefully now Diana can rest in peace, Lees said.

Perez, who was found guilty of first-degree murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16 in San Diego Superior Court.

This was the second time a jury had been convened to decide whether Perez was guilty of premeditated murder in the death of his wife.

While representing himself in 2014, Perez pleaded guilty just as his trial was set to begin. While he was in prison, an appeals court overturned his conviction, ruling that no one facing a sentence of life in prison without parole can plead guilty unless represented by an attorney.

Perez was given a new trial before Judge Frederic Link and Sheela, from the Office of the Alternate Public Defender, was appointed his attorney.

Over the two-week trial, a jury of eight men and four women heard from the prosecution that Perez had beaten his wife on several occasions before forcing her to a motel and raping her over a three-day period in September 2010.

She filed a police report and obtained a restraining order against Perez, but the District Attorneys Office did not file a case against him, arguing there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges.

Perez took the witness stand this week and admitted he showed up outside his wifes classroom on Oct. 12, 2010 and waited for her. Gonzalezs parents, aware of her husbands growing violence against her, also had gone to City College to pick her up as a safety measure.

While they were waiting for her, Perez got Gonzalez into a bathroom and slashed her repeatedly in the chest, neck, face and genital area. He then carved an expletive into her back and left her on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood.

Perez testified that he lost control of himself when he saw his wife kissing another man outside of her classroom.

Sheela argued unsuccessfully to the jury that Perez did not premeditate his wifes slaying, but acted in the heat of passion. He asked that jurors find Perez guilty of voluntary manslaughter.

The jurors deliberated for a few minutes late Thursday afternoon, then resumed Friday morning. They reached a verdict shortly before 2 p.m.

The judge read the verdict, then thanked the jurors for their diligence in reviewing the evidence and reaching a conclusion.

I know it wasnt easy, Link said. It never is.  These cases are tough.
The deadly hepatitis A outbreak has put San Diegos difficulty in dealing with its growing homeless population in the national spotlight.

Other cities, including the big one just up the coast, have greater numbers of homeless, fewer shelter beds and also have seen a variety of diseases spread among people living on the street  though nothing that compares with the local hepatitis scourge.

Different cities have taken different approaches to the problem, with some sanctioning homeless encampments and others committing millions and even billions of dollars to create housing.

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Many have found themselves in the same position as San Diego, with people on the street far outnumbering shelter beds, prompting cities to turn to large industrial tents similar to the ones Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Wednesday.

There were about 550,000 homeless people in the nation in 2016, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported after counts across the country. This years count found San Diego Countys 9,116 homeless people, including 5,621 who were unsheltered, was the fourth largest in the nation and a 5 percent increase from 2016. The increase among San Diegos unshetered was 14 percent.

The situation is much worse in Los Angeles, where this years count found 57,794 homeless people, including 42,828 who were unsheltered, a 23 percent jump from last year.

As a comparison, 62 percent of San Diego Countys homeless were unsheltered, while 74 percent are unsheltered in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles has responded to its homeless situation with one of the nations biggest financial commitments to increase housing.

Last November, city residents approved bond measure Proposition HHH to provide $1.2 billion to build permanent housing during the next decade. In March, county voters approved Measure H to increase sales tax 0.25 percent over 10 years and generate $3.5 billion for rent subsidies and services.

The combined amounts were far greater than any city had made to help the homeless, surpassing the $2.6 billion investment New York Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged in 2015 to create 15,000 supportive housing units over 15 years for the citys 73,500 homeless people.

In Orange County, this years count found 4,792 homeless people, with 2,584 unsheltered, or 54 percent. The number of homeless overall was up 7.6 percent from the last count in 2015.

Hundreds of homeless people in Orange County live in an encampment along the Santa Ana River. County officials have been unable to legally evacuate people from the land, so instead they have brought in portable showers twice a week. The county would not, however, allow a nonprofit to install portable toilets in the area.

In 2010, Orange County adopted its Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, with goals that included creating a centralized intake facility, an expanded homeless information system, year-round emergency centers, more permanent housing and support services.

Last October, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California released a report that said the plan had fallen short, and homelessness had increased since 2010.

Things improved in May, when Orange County opened its first year-round shelter, a 200-bed facility in a converted warehouse. July saw the opening of HomeAid Orange County, which shelters 10 to 15 families a night.

In Santa Cruz County, the annual count found 2,249 homeless people, a 14.5 percent jump from the 2015 count. Of those, 1,799 were unsheltered, a staggering 80 percent.

The Santa Cruz City Council formed a subcommittee to study homelessness this year and made a series of recommendations that included creating a year-round emergency shelter and bringing in sanitary facilities and storage lockers downtown.

It was ripe in time to figure out what we could do, said Santa Cruz Deputy City Manager Scott Collins.

The city still is far short on shelters.

Santa Cruz also had a hepatitis A outbreak among its homeless community this year. Collins said there were no fatalities, but 70 people were infected. The city responded with vaccinations, hand-washing stations and portable toilets downtown and began power-washing sidewalks and public rights-of-way, similar to steps San Diego has taken recently with its more serious outbreak that has left 16 dead and about 400 hospitalized.

In 2012, Los Angeles began a similar street-washing program after meningitis was diagnosed in four homeless people.

The weekly cleaning began after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health discovered human waste, injection needles, condoms and a rat infestation in a nine-block area.

Jonathan Herrera, Mayor Faulconers senior adviser on homeless coordination, said he and others in the city have been keeping tabs on what other cities are doing to address their homeless problems.

I think its imperative as we move forward that we dont reinvent the wheel and we learn from the failures and successes of folks in L.A. and Orange County, he said.

Herrera participates in a working group of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and on Monday he is leaving with a delegation for a Portland, Ore., conference held by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The conference will include site visits to homeless providers and information about working with state governments on homelessness and contributing factors of homelessness on the west coast.

Herrera also has visited a tiny house homeless community in Seattle with San Diego City Council members and toured homeless navigation centers in that city and San Francisco.

Herrera also has checked out San Franciscos Pit Stop program, a mobile restroom that serves the homeless, and has looked into Los Angeles plan to acquire nuisance motels for shelters, Albuquerques homeless work program and a sanctioned zone for homeless tent communities in Sacramento.

San Diegos latest effort to help the homeless was announced Wednesday by Faulconer, who said the city was bringing back large industrial tents that once had been used as shelters.

To try and turn the tide on the hepatitis A outbreak, San Diego has given vaccinations to some 20,000 people over several months, installed dozens of hand-washing stations across the city and opened up some public restrooms 24 hours a day, particularly in Balboa Park.

Saturday morning, the city announced it has installed the first of numerous portable public restrooms planned in the downtown area at First Avenue and C Street near City Hall. The facility will have full-time security and will be cleaned twice a day.

The tent plan isnt unique to San Diego.

Kurt Lundell, business development manager for Sprung Structures, said his company has provided tents to use as homeless shelters in Oceanside, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orange County, Santa Clarita, San Bernardino, Santa Cruz,Santa Monica, Hawaii and Albuquerque.

The structures use for homeless people has become so common that the company markets the tents on its website as the ideal solution for homeless shelters.

While the large framed tents are faster to construct than actual buildings, Faulconer said Wednesday that the first of three tents planned for San Diego wont be up until December.

Local businessman Dan Shea, who has been pushing the the tent plan with Padres Managing Partner Peter Seidler, has been in contact with the company for months and explained that it takes about 60 days for Sprung Structures to manufacture and deliver a tent once its ordered, and another couple of weeks for it to be constructed.

Homeless Playlist  On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
New portable public restrooms have been opened in downtown San Diego and more are planned, the ciy announced Saturday morning.

The move is the latest step in the campaign by the city and county to turn the tide against the growing hepatitis A outbreak that has killed 16 and afflicted more than 400 since last fall.

The dearth of 24-hour public restrooms downtown has long been cited as a shortcoming in the city  an inconvenience for visitors and a more dire problem for the increasing number of people who are homeless.

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The use of sidewalks and public rights of way as toilets by the homeless has created unsanitary conditions that health officials believe have contributed to the spread of hepatitis.

RELATED: County warns of possible hepatitis exposure at Pacific Beach restaurant

The city has begun power-washing those areas with a bleach solution and the county has set up some 40 hand-washing stations around the city over the past week.

Four new portable restrooms have been placed near City Hall at First Avenue and C Street. The city says they will be maintained at least twice as day and will be monitored by 24-hour security. A hand-washing station is nearby.

The city plans to identify additional sites for restrooms in the coming weeks on top of the 20 public restroom facilities currently downtown, including yesterdays installation, the Saturday announcement said.

To that end, the city is asking downtown property owners to contact the city if they have space for a portable restroom, particularly if their land is near at-risk populations.

The installation of more public restrooms is important to stop the spread of hepatitis A, Jonathan Herrera, the citys senior adviser on homelessness coordination, said in a statement. This is one of the many steps the city is taking to assist the County of San Diego in addressing this public health emergency.

The city also released an updated map of public restrooms downtown. (See link below)
Lori Saldana has announced that she is running for the Board of Supervisors, the fourth Democrat and second former state assembly member to enter the race for an open seat.

Saldana, who has been discussing plans to run for months, filed a candidate intention statement with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters on Friday afternoon.

Her campaign is focusing on affordable housing, climate change, and transportation. But lately, shes acutely concerned about the ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A outbreak, she said.

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People are not getting the support and the healthcare that they need, and its going to turn out very badly,Saldana said. It has literally taken 16 deaths and hundreds of cases, and probably hundreds more to come because of the nature of this disease.

She joins former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, attorney Omar Passons, and retired deputy chief in the San Diego Fire and Rescue Department Ken Malbrough, who are Democrats. Former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and real estate advisor Marcia Nordstrom, both Republicans, are running as well.

The office is nonpartisan, but elections often follow party lines. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district 2 to 1.

Saldana said San Diego needs to take more systematic steps to address homelessness like other counties have done. It needs to look if there are issues with employment, or how people get to work, or how to take advantage of state resources to create more affordable housing.

Saldana served in the Assembly from 2004 to 2010 as a Democrat. She became an independent three years ago, and ran for San Diego mayor last year, but finished second in the primary with 23 percent of the vote. Mayor Kevin Faulconer received 57 percent, enough to win outright in June. She became a Democrat again after last years election.

She also ran for the House of Representatives in 2012, finishing a close second to now-Rep. Scott Peters in the primary. She had strong support from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

I didnt make a big deal about it. I didnt make a big deal when I left the party, and I didnt make a big deal when I came back in, she said.

She was born in San Diego and her father was a reporter for the Evening Tribune, which became the Union-Tribune after a merger in 1992. She has bachelors and masters degrees from San Diego State University. She teaches businesses information technology in the community college system. She has also served in leadership positions in the local chapter of the Sierra Club, and wrote a book on backpacking.

After more than two decades in office, Supervisor Ron Roberts is facing term limits and will leave his seat at the end of 2018. The District 4 includes most of the city of San Diego, and spans La Jolla to Kearny Mesa, Encanto, downtown and Ocean Beach.
San Diegos partial deregulation of local taxis three years ago came with optimism about higher incomes for drivers and better customer service, but instead the industry is facing possible extinction because of competitors Uber and Lyft.

Ridesharing apps have decreased local demand for cabs so sharply since 2014 that theres no way to tell whether partial deregulation  eliminating a cap on the number of local taxi medallions  was a smart or dumb idea, industry leaders say.

Those who controlled the scarce medallions before the cap was lifted warned that the new policy would flood the streets with too many cabs, stressing that a previous experiment with deregulation in 1979 was a disaster.

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The drivers working for those medallion owners lobbied city officials to lift the cap so that they could rise up from poverty and become small business owners, instead of low-income employees forced to work long hours at low wages.

Neither of those things has come close to happening, and neither side in the debate anticipated that Uber and Lyft would make both of their stances moot.

We were so busy fighting each other that we missed the real enemy, said Michel Anderson, a longtime consultant to the local taxi industry.

Instead of what the two sides predicted, the industry is in freefall.

Predictions that lifting the cap would lead to a sharp rise in the number of medallions have proven false.

More than 270 drivers did apply for new medallions when the Metropolitan Transit System began making them available in June 2015, but many abandoned the process within a few months because of decreased demand for cabs.

And some who owned medallions before the cap was lifted also gave up theirs, even though many had spent as much as $140,000 on their medallions back when the cap made them scarce and valuable.

Data provided this week by Metropolitan Transit System shows the number of medallions in San Diego since the cap was lifted has increased from 993 to 996.

For the most part, permit holders have been surrendering their permits due to lack of business, a shortage of licensed drivers and overall adverse market conditions, an MTS spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the number of local cab drivers has plummeted from about 3,500 to an estimated 1,700, with many former cab drivers now working for Uber and Lyft.

And dispatch centers for taxis, which handle the calls the cabs respond to, are also struggling with decreased demand.

One bright spot was San Diego Yellow Cab launching a competing app called ride yellow in spring 2016, but industry leaders say a more aggressive campaign is needed.

Anderson says the focus must become lobbying for regulations to help taxis compete with Uber and Lyft, which they say are subject to significantly fewer rules, fees and other expenses.

The United Taxi Workers of San Diego, which spearheaded the efforts in 2014 to lift the cap, has shifted its focus to ridesharing services.

Rideshares are our common enemy, not each other, said Mikaiil Hussein, the organizations president. We have to unite to save our industry.

Tony Hueso, owner of USA Cab, said San Diego needs a transportation czar to figure out how to cope with ridesharing, which also threatens buses, trolleys and other transit in the region.

We need some entity to be created that works with SANDAG and all of the transportation companies and networks on the future, he said.

Hueso said among the key differences between cabs and rideshare services are that cabs pay an annual fee to MTS, must get a city business license and must get special licenses from the state for their vehicles.

In addition, cabs in San Diego are required to get commercial insurance policies with $1 million in coverage, undergo background checks and have federally-sanctioned radios in their vehicles.

We have made taxicab service too expensive with all of the regulatory schemes, Hueso said.

Most taxis in San Diego charge customers a $2.80 base fare, $3 a mile and $24 an hour for waiting time. Uber and Lyft charge about 10 cents per minute and 90 cents per mile.

Another key difference is San Diego cabs typically cant pick up passengers in other cities, such as Coronado or El Cajon, unless they have a business license there, while Uber and Lyft face no such challenges.

A spokeswoman for Lyft said having more transportation choices is good for San Diego.

San Diegans benefit when there are more options and having more options is good for consumers, said the spokeswoman, Darcy Nenni. Our goal is to always bring safe, reliable, and affordable rides to people in San Diego and to work with great local partners and companies.

Two spokespeople for Uber contacted by the Union-Tribune declined to comment on how rideshare services are affecting San Diegos taxi industry.

Hueso said a key change would be reducing San Diegos requirement that each cab driver have a $1 million insurance policy, which costs them about $350 per month. Los Angeles only requires $350,000 in insurance, he said.

Anderson said other cities have leveled the playing field in ways San Diego could follow. For example, Uber drivers must now undergo background checks in Austin, Tex.

He said local government agencies are losing the revenue theyve been getting for years from the taxi industry to ridesharing, but havent seemed to notice.

They really dont care about how they are hurting and putting at an economic disadvantage an industry thats been part and parcel of San Diego for decades and that they themselves benefit from because of the fees it generates, he said.

Most of the changes sought by the taxi industry would need approval from the San Diego City Council.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
By PTI: at 2030 hours today: DEL39 BIZ-LD TRADE

New Delhi: Indias exports recorded a double digit growth of 10.29 per cent after a gap of three months to USD 23.81 billion in August, mainly on account of rise in shipments of chemicals, petroleum and engineering products, government data showed today. BOM12 BIZ-RBI-RESERVES

Mumbai: The countrys forex reserves surged by USD 2.604 billion to reach an all-time high of USD 400.726 billion in the week ended September 8 on account of rise in foreign currency assets, RBI data showed today. DEL19 BIZ-AADHAAR-LICENCE

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Gurugram: The Centre will soon start linking driving licence with Aadhaar, Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today. DEL28 BIZ-RBI-CAD

Mumbai: Indias current account deficit(CAD) rose sharply to USD 14.3 billion -- or 2.4 per cent of GDP -- at the end of first quarter of 2017-18, mainly on account of an increased trade gap. DCM42 BIZ-GST LD-TRANSITION

New Delhi: As much as Rs 65,000 crore out of the nearly Rs 95,000 crore tax collections in July -- the first month of GST -- have been claimed as transitional credit by taxpayers, prompting the CBEC to order a scrutiny of all cases above Rs 1 crore. DEL13 BIZ-LD STOCKS

Mumbai: North Koreas latest missile test that flew in the face of UN sanctions kept the market on its toes as the Sensex today ended with a measly gain, helped by a flurry of late buying. DEL17 BIZ-TATASONS-MISTRY

New Delhi: Tata Sons, the promoter of major operating companies of the Tata group, is planning to convert itself into a private limited firm from a public limited one, which has been opposed by the family of ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry. DCM20 BIZ-GST-GOM

New Delhi: The group of ministers set up to look into the technical issues faced by GST Network, headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, will hold its first meeting tomorrow. DCM47 BIZ-AGRI-ONION

Nasik: Six out of 16 wholesale mandis here have been shut for onion trading after a sudden steep fall in prices to Rs 11/kg, the district administration said today. DCM57 BIZ-DIGITAL-JOBS

Gurugram: Indias burgeoning digital economy is expected toprovide job opportunities to about 50-70 lakh youth in the country by 2020, Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today. DCM63 BIZ-FINMIN-DEBT

New Delhi: Indias external debt came down by USD 13.1 billion or 2.7 per cent to USD 471.9 billion at the end of March this year on annual basis mainly due to decrease in NRI deposits and commercial borrowings. DEL40 BIZ-BLUEWHALE-ADVISORY

New Delhi: A government advisory on Blue Whale Challenge Game has asked guardians to monitor their childrens online and social media activity to ensure that they are not engaging with the deadly game which has led to a spate of suicides in India and other countries. PTI ADI MKJ

--- ENDS ---

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A man who authorities said struck a deputy with a vehicle in Pala Friday was arrested following a chase and a struggle with a sheriffs dog, officials said.

Deputies walked up to a parked vehicle they thought was suspicious on the Pala Indian Reservation about 11 a.m., Sgt. Nathan Rowley said.

He said a 29-year-old woman inside was arrested on a warrant without a struggle.

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But when deputies tried to detain another occupant, the 45-year-old man moved to the drivers seat and sped away, hitting a deputy with the vehicle, Rowley said. The deputy suffered a minor injury.

The driver led deputies on a pursuit that ended roughly 5.5 miles away when the driver crashed on Pala Road just north of the Riverside County line and south of Temecula, Rowley said. The man then ran from the vehicle.

A deputy who ran after him suffered a minor injury, Rowley said.

Deputies from San Diego and Riverside counties, as well as California Highway Patrol officers, set a perimeter and searched for the man.

A sheriffs dog led deputies to the suspect, who was hiding in brush. Thats when the man began to struggle with the canine, at one point pulling out a knife, Rowley said.

The deputies wrestled away the knife as the man continued to fight with them and the dog, Rowley said. They eventually were able to handcuff him.

Rowley said the dog suffered a minor injury during the scuffle.

The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment of multiple wounds. He would be booked into jail on multiple felony charges once he is released from the hospital, Rowley said.

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Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
A Los Angeles judge has ordered briefings and a hearing on a motion to unseal court records related to the criminal investigation of the California Public Utilities Commission, even though state prosecutors did not oppose the request.

The order from Judge William C. Ryan, announced Friday, means there will be no immediate release of search warrant affidavits or other records filed in the case.

Judge Ryan ordered San Diego attorney Michael Aguirre, who filed the request, to notify the commissions private-sector lawyers about the matter, even though the commission itself was served Aug. 21 and never objected.

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The state Attorney Generals Office, which sought the search warrants in 2015 as part of a probe of possible corruption at the utilities commission, also did not oppose the motion to unseal records.

We are hoping the CPUC will expeditiously make their position known about whether these records should be disclosed or not -- especially because they already have been given one opportunity and the Attorney General has raised no objection, Aguirre said.

Court officials did not respond to a request for comment Friday. The Attorney Generals Office and Southern California Edison also did not respond. Pam Naughton, a San Diego attorney hired by the CPUC, said it was appropriate for the judge to order proper notice be given.

It is public knowledge that our firm represents the CPUC in this matter, she said.

UCLA law professor Ingrid Eagly said judges can order briefings and hearings on any motion before the court.

This allows the judge to receive additional guidance from the parties on the legal and factual issues involved, she said. Just because a motion is not opposed does not mean that a judge will necessarily grant the motion.

The Attorney Generals Office launched a criminal investigation of the commission in 2014 after emails surfaced showing regulators frequently met with utility executives in private to discuss business pending before the commission.

One such meeting, held in Poland, led to a deal to charge the ratepaying public 70 percent of the $4.7 billion cost for failure of the San Onofre nuclear plant north of Oceanside.

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
The San Diego Housing Commission says it wont release nearly 2,000 records that could shed light on an IRS audit of Housing Development Partners, the commissions in-house development arm.

The commission  a public agency charged with preserving and creating affordable housing  disclosed in a 2015 financial report that federal tax authorities were taking a closer look at the 2013 tax return for the non-profit development company.

A June 2015 audit notice released by the commission shows IRS officials sought Housing Development Partnerss business contracts and meeting minutes in an effort to determine if the company still qualified as a nonprofit organized for charitable purposes. Tax authorities also sought documentation to support nearly $1.4 million in developer fees, consultant payments and other expenses. Four months later, federal tax authorities notified the commission that the affiliates nonprofit status had been upheld and its returns were accepted as filed.

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U-T Watchdog in May requested emails, text messages and other electronic communications that contained several keywords that might pertain to the IRS inquiry, including phrases such as tax return, 501(c)3 exemption and Internal Revenue Service.

Last month, after a protracted back-and-forth over language contained in the request, the agency agreed to produce all responsive and non-privileged communications that contained the latter phrase and were sent or received over a five-month period ending in November 2015.

Last week, they handed over six emails of the 2,000 that the agency said contained the agreed-upon keywords.

Spokesman Scott Marshall said most of the rest of the requested communications were employee files, documents from developers and applications for homebuyer assistance  each of which he said was exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act. He said the audit itself was also not subject to release.

Attorney Terry Francke, general counsel for open government advocacy group Californians Aware, said the exemption for employee files applies only in cases in which disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. He said he was not aware of any provision in state law that would keep housing officials from handing over the IRS audit.

Records that have been released reveal housing officials sought waivers for thousands of dollars in IRS fines. A March 2013 letter attached to a September 2015 email from Karen Betts, a senior accounting technician at the housing agency, shows the IRS denied the housing agencys request to waive a $5,700 penalty over 2010 tax returns it filed with missing or incorrect taxpayer identification numbers. Another document attached to the same email shows officials filed a separate reconsideration request over a $7,400 penalty related to similar issues flagged by the IRS in 2013. That penalty was later waived.

Records so far produced by the housing commission arrived after the agency lodged several objections to the scope of the initial records request submitted by the U-T in May. The commission determined the request, which sought records dating back to 2013, was overly broad, burdensome and oppressive, explaining it would require gathering 90,000 records at a cost to the agency of $20,000.

Housing officials took similar issue with a pared-down request submitted a month later. They said that request, which sought records dating to 2015, would still involve rounding up some 65,000 records at an estimated cost of around $17,000. Revised versions of the request were rejected for a third time in July and a fourth time on August 7, when agency officials told the newspaper it was too much work to produce an estimated 2,000 emails containing the key phrase Internal Revenue Service.

Officials reversed their stance on that request a day later, writing in an August 8 email to a reporter that the agency had reevaluated its position and was already in the process of redacting privileged information from the requested documents. Emails received by the U-T last week contained no redactions and no detail on the exact number of requested communications the agency considered unresponsive or exempt from public disclosure.
Its been six years since the U.S. Census Bureau began issuing an alternative report on poverty that for the first time included cost of living. The research has upended conventional wisdom. The epicenter of American poverty is not poor, economically stunted states like West Virginia or Mississippi but rich, vibrant California  almost entirely because of housing costs. The latest version of the census report came out this week, and once again the Golden State had the highest percentage of residents struggling to pay for basic necessities. Data from 2014 to 2016 showed 20.4 percent of state residents  more than one in five  were under the poverty line.

This grim picture cant be squared with the self-satisfied rhetoric on display in Sacramento as the Legislatures 2017 session closed with passage on Thursday and Friday of the biggest package of housing bills in decades  maybe ever.

Two of the most ballyhooed measures were Senate Bill 2, by state Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, to impose a $75 fee on some real estate transactions to provide about $250 million in annual funding for affordable housing programs, and Senate Bill 3 by Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, to put a $4 billion bond before voters in 2018 to fund affordable and veterans housing. Both barely got the minimum two-thirds support necessary to pass the Assembly with the help of Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, R-San Diego, who spoke of his hometowns huge homeless problem in explaining why he broke with GOP lawmakers on the bills.

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Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, described the SB 2 vote as a tremendous accomplishment. Looking at SB 2 and other votes, Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto, exulted late Thursday, Were making huge strides tonight.

But such an assessment is difficult to square with what the hard numbers show  and what history reflects. An analysis last month in the Los Angeles Times showed that if SB 3 is approved by voters next year, the measure and SB 2 could create about 14,000 new housing units annually. That sounds good in general, but not in context: Even in strong construction years in California, the total number of new units built has been about 80,000 of the 180,000 needed annually to keep up with population growth. In the big picture, there is no history in California of subsidized affordable programs keeping overall housing prices in check. They help the small percentage of families who win de facto housing lotteries, but thats it.

This is why Gov. Jerry Brown has been so cool to government spending as the key to addressing the housing crisis  and why he has come around to the argument offered by developers, business groups and Republicans that the actual key is reducing obstacles to adding housing stock. In January, he said he would support legislation like SB 2 and SB 3 only if he got major concessions toward this end.

What he got instead was Senate Bill 35 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco. The bill would make it easier for developers to win final approval for housing projects that meet zoning and affordability standards in communities that have long defied state guidelines on addressing local housing needs. The costly twist dampening the applause Weiner otherwise deserves: Approved projects have to pay prevailing, or union, wages to construction crews.

In Sacramento, it seems, even the most urgently needed new policies can be achieved only with payoffs to special interests.

Yet whether 2017 is remembered as the year the Legislature finally took the housing crisis seriously doesnt depend on the votes of the past week. It depends on what happens from here. If state lawmakers realize what theyve done is merely a modest start to a vitally needed long-term push to increase housing stock, good for California. But if state lawmakers conclude theyve done enough to send a message of care and empathy, then move on from housing bills to other issues, bad for California.

This housing crisis was years in the making  and will take years to fix.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion
Harvard University abruptly rescinded its invitation for controversial government leaker Chelsea Manning to be a visiting fellow one day after current and former CIA officials protested the universitys announcement.

Now Manning isnt the only one facing criticism. Now there are accusations that the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School reconsidered its invitation solely because of the objections of former CIA acting director Michael Morell and current CIA director Mike Pompeo .

On Thursday, Morell resigned as a senior fellow at the institute and Pompeo canceled his scheduled speaking engagement at the university as both blasted Harvard for honoring someone they consider a traitor to the U.S. military.

The schools dean, Douglas W. Elmendorf, called Mannings invitation to be a visiting fellow a mistake but added that the reconsideration was not intended as a compromise between competing interest groups.

Elmendorf did not specifically mention objections from the CIA or others, but in a statement he denied that Harvard was honoring her actions.

We did not intend to honor her in any way or to endorse any of her words or deeds, as we do not honor or endorse any Fellow, Elmendorf said in a statement.

In a tweet, Manning responded by saying this is what a military/police/intel state looks like.

Manning is a former U.S. Army soldier who was convicted of leaking classified documents and sentenced to 35 years. Former President Barack Obama commuted her sentence, and she was released in May after serving seven years in prison.

Edward Snowden, a well-known whistleblower, accused Harvard of siding with the CIA. And others criticized the university for the way it handled the situation.

Elmendorf said on Wednesday that Manning had been invited as a visiting fellow, which would have involved a day-long visit to meet with students and offer remarks to an audience at the university. Many people criticized that decision, some going as far as calling for Harvard to have any of its government funding eliminated.

Then Morell and Pompeo raised their objections publicly.

Ms. Manning swore an oath to the United States Constitution, promised to protect her fellow soldiers, and signed a commitment to abide by the law, Pompeo wrote in a letter. She did none of that and yet Harvard has placed her in a position of honor.

The episode has left a blemish on Harvards image, even among those who do not agree with her actions, but rather take issue with the universitys handling of its decision.

Despite withdrawing the title of visiting fellow, Elmendorf said Manning is still welcome to visit the university to speak with students and speak at its forum. Manning was the only visiting fellow, of roughly 10, whose title was rescinded.

Among others who kept their visiting fellow title: former White House spokesman Sean Spicer and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

Have some thoughts to share?

Join me in a conversation: Shoot me a private email with your thoughts or ideas on a different approach to this story. As always, you can also send us a tweet.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

Read The Conversation on Flipboard.
To cater to nearly 90 per cent of the traffic entering Delhi through highways, the agency has proposed development of the Urban Extension Road-2 (UER-2) to interlink four highways - NH-1, NH-10, NH-8 and NH-2 - in two phases.

All highways coming to Delhi will be linked together, leading to diversion of nearly 90 per cent of the traffic coming to the Capital.

By Rakesh Ranjan: The Capital is gearing up to run circles around its monstrous traffic jams. The Centre has chalked out a Rs 50,000-crore plan, including a third ring road, to free up the area's choking roads. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed over a dozen road infrastructure projects, with interconnectivity of national highways converging in Delhi and new bypass routes as well as elevated corridors.

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To cater to nearly 90 per cent of the traffic entering Delhi through highways, the agency has proposed development of the Urban Extension Road-2 (UER-2) to interlink four highways - NH-1, NH-10, NH-8 and NH-2 - in two phases. Apart from this, the NHAI has suggested a bypass for the Faridabadbound traffic coming from Karnal and Panipat. NHAI chairman Deepak Kumar told Mail Today that the UER-2 has been planned as the third ring road in Delhi to ease the burden on perennially congested arterial roads. "The NHAI has proposed to take up the work in phase-I while phase-II will be executed by the Delhi government.

In the first phase, work will be completed between NH-1 and NH-8 while the second phase will connect NH-8 with NH-10 and NH-2. This will provide alternate route to traffic coming from these highways in both directions," he said.

Officials said the centre has given in-principle nod to the projects to decongest the city. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari. These road projects are in addition to the eastern and western peripheral expressways that are being constructed to divert heavy goods vehicles from the city. Gadkari has also directed the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to resolve all land-related issues to expedite the Capital's decongestion plan.

The infrastructure projects include the much-delayed Kalindi Kunj Bypass at an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore. The 13-km bypass corridor has been languishing for nearly 24 years but the NHAI wants the project to be taken up on priority. Officials said the Kalindi Kunj Bypass will have a 5.5-km elevated road. The bypass, aimed to clear up Ashram Chowk and Mathura Road, was stuck as a part of land required for the project fell within the jurisdiction of the Uttar Pradesh government's irrigation department. However, the UP government has now agreed to transfer the land to Delhi PWD. The government has also given in-principle nod to the elevated East-West Corridor connecting Anand Vihar ISBT to Peeragarhi, via ITO and New Delhi railway station. This will decongest some of the most crammed stretches of the city - Vikas Marg, ITO, Ajmeri Gate and Karol Bagh among others.

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The elevated corridor will be nearly 25-km long and is likely to incur a cost of Rs 6,000 crore. The project will be completed in three years from the date of commencement. According to the proposed alignment, the corridor will begin at the Anand Vihar railway station and run parallel to Karkardooma and Vikas Marg in east Delhi. In the central part of the city, the corridor will pass through ITO, DDU Marg and New Delhi railway station. In the first phase, the corridor will be developed up to Punjabi Bagh and later extended to Peeragarhi and Tikri Border along the NH-10 in west Delhi.

FLYOVERS GALORE

A flyover connecting New Delhi railway station to Rajghat to decongest Ajmeri Gate and Asaf Ali Road and an elevated corridor connecting Badli metro station to Inderlok metro station along the western Yamuna Ccnal have also been proposed. The NHAI also wants to widen the Mehrauli-Badarpur corridor at a cost of Rs 700 crore.

According to officials, this project was conceived in 2013-14 to tackle the ever-increasing traffic volume on the outer ring road. The project has been stuck due to technical reasons and lack of coordination among government agencies. The NHAI in its presentation proposed the construction of UER-I to connect Rajokri, Bijwasan, Najafgarh, NH-8, NH-10 and NH-1.

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The DDA has to provide land for the projects. The eastern leg of UER-I will take off from Maa Anandmayee Marg and bypass Mehrauli and Rajokri. The second phase of Urban Extension Road (UERII) will connect Vasant Kunj through the existing Dwarka Link Road and Najafgarh linking NH 8, NH 10 and NH 1. The NHAI has also suggested speedy completion of the Faridabad -Noida- Ghaziabad (FNG) expressway. According to the agency, the outer ring road ends abruptly at Salimgarh Fort by merging with the inner ring road. So, there is no bypass for traffic coming from Karnal and Sonepat (NH-1) and Ghaziabad and east Delhi to Faridabad via NH-2.

Traffic from these areas passes through Ashram and Modi Mill Flyover, creating congestion at these locations. In addition to these projects, proposals such as a north-south corridor from Wazirabad to the IGI Airport, extension of the Barapullah elevated road from INA to the airport and extension of Mehrauli-Badarpur Road from NH-2 to Noida Expressway were also discussed.

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ALSO WATCH | Mumbai's killer potholes: Same story every year

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Shillong, Sep 15 (PTI) A court here today remanded six Nigerians and an Indian woman to six days police custody in a case wherein a Meghalaya woman was duped Rs 21 lakh.

The accused were brought from Delhi and produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class L Kharshiing.

The judge sent them to six days police custody as sought by the investigation officer.

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The seven persons were arrested in Delhi on September 12.

The accused had befriended the victim on Facebook and then claimed to have come to India to meet the Meghalaya woman, but they were detained at the Delhi airport by customs for carrying huge amount of cash and expensive gifts for the woman. The woman was then made to pay to the custom officials.

To help her Facebook friend, the victim had sent Rs 21 lakh in instalments through bank transfers. However, she later realised that she had been cheated and lodged a complaint with the police. PTI JOP NN SRY

--- ENDS ---
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- A five-year child shot Friday morning while at a Folly Road residence near Hartsville has died.

Rodney Thomas Pittman, Jr., 29, of Hartsville, was taken into custody following the shooting, according to a Friday afternoon release on the incident.

Lt. Robert Kilgo Saturday afternoon indicated that Pittman will be arraigned at 4 p.m. at the W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center.

Kilgo said that Pittman was dating the child's mother and lived in the same residence with the child.

The case is being investigated by the Darlington County Sheriff's Special Victims Unit and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The Hartsville Police Department has provided assistance.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Gerald Evans, CEO of HanesBrands Inc., is this years Florence School District One Distinguished Graduate.

Gerald, a graduate of South Florence High School, will be honored at the 16th annual School Foundation Celebration Gala on Oct. 10.

Mary Lib Evans, Geralds mother, said that Geralds successful career was built on a solid foundation of dedication to studies and hard work.

I never once in my life told him to go do his homework, Mary Lib said. It was like a job for him. He had a good foundation in public school.

Mary Lib, a retired Florence School District One teacher, said Gerald took advantage of college preparatory classes. She said he knew he had a bent toward academics, and he was a good steward of his gifts.

Gerald earned his B.S. degree in marketing and an MBA from the University of South Carolina.

However, when it was time for Gerald to seek full-time employment, Mary Lib said, commitment to an employer meant more on Geralds resume than a high GPA.

Gerald began work for Bickett Distributing Company soon after his 16th birthday and continued to work for the food-distribution company during his time off from college. Mary Lib said that Gerald is well-liked by employees and is a consistently diligent worker.

After graduation, Gerald began his career as a marketer for the Leggs hosiery brand. Gerald has also held positions in sales and management and is noted for business excellence in a global economy.

Mary Lib said Gerald has a down-to-earth personality.

HanesBrands Inc. is now a Fortune 500 company with more than 70,000 employees.

With more than 30 years of experience in business for the apparel industry, Gerald is a leader worth honoring, says Debbie Hyler, executive director of The School Foundation.

A true role model, he exemplifies the importance of drive, vision, passion and humility as values for personal and professional success, Hyler said.

The School Foundation Celebration Gala will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology.

Tickets start at $75 for Florence School District One educators and $100 for individuals. Reserved tables of eight are $1,000 for bronze sponsorship, $2,500 for silver sponsorship, $5,000 for gold sponsorship and $10,000 for platinum sponsorship. A VIP reception will be held for contributors of $2,500 or more.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Hyler at 843-662-9996 or by emailing her at dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org. Tickets can also be purchased on the foundations website, theschoolfoundation.org.

The School Foundations mission is to promote educational excellence in the district through grants for innovative learning and through high impact initiatives designed to prepare students for success. Currently, the foundation is leading a school readiness awareness campaign focusing on preparing all children to enter kindergarten with the skills needed to succeed.
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 16 (PTI) The latest round of Indo-Pak talks on the Indus Waters Treaty have ended without any agreement, the World Bank has said, while emphasising that it will continue to work with complete impartiality in fulfilling its responsibilities under the pact.

The second round of discussions between India and Pakistan on Ratle and Kishanganga hydroelectric projects, over which Islamabad has raised objections, took place at the World Bank headquarters here on September 14 and 15 under the aegis of the World Bank.

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"While an agreement has not been reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the Treaty provisions," the World Bank said in a statement.

"Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty," it said after the conclusion of the Secretary-level discussions between the two countries on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The World Bank remains committed to act in good faith and with "complete impartiality and transparency" in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Treaty, while continuing to assist the countries, it said in its statement.

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

The World Banks role in relation to the "differences" and "disputes" is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties.

The Indian delegation was led by the Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh. It also included Indias Indus Water Commissioner and representatives from the ministry of external affairs, power, and Central Water Commission.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan along with Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.

The last round of talks were held on August 1, which the World bank said were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation. PTI LKJ AJR ASK AKJ ASK

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Bengaluru, Sep 16 (PTI) The government today ruled out any further extension of timeline after December for filing GSTR-3B tax returns by businesses.

GSTR 3B is a simple return form introduced by the CBEC for the month of July and August, following the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax from July 1.

"We have already extended the period for GSTR-3B... People have to file their own self-assessed summary return till December, and there will not be any extension of time as far as GSTR-3B is concerned," Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said.

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Adhia was speaking to reporters here after the first meeting of the Group of Ministers (GOM) formed to tackle the IT-related glitches in GST network.

He was asked whether the government intends to further extend time for filing returns under GST.

The GST Council had earlier allowed businesses to file GSTR-3B till December.

Adhia said the government had earlier decided to extend the time limit to have a proper learning period due to GSTN portal hiccups.

"It decided to extend the timeline of filing GSTR-1, from September 10 to October 10. The last dates of filing returns for GSTR-2 and GSTR-3 are October 31 and November 10, respectively," he added.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the GoM, said it would be only by October 30 that the government would be able to iron out 70-80 per cent of the technical issues being faced by stakeholders in return filing.

To a query, Adhia said the meeting was very fruitful because it led to a better understanding among all stakeholders.

"Any new system will be afflicted with some initial hiccups, but the attempt today was to work around difficulties faced by stakeholders in filing returns on GSTN platform," he said.

Sushil Kumar Modi said only 3.3 lakh people had filed their GSTR-3B in August, while there are 85 lakh dealers registered under the new tax regime.

"Further, even for the previous month of July, only 46 lakh taxpayers have filed their 3B returns so far," Modi said.

Indias GSTN is the biggest in the world with minimal human interface, he said, adding that as of now, 22 crore of invoices have been filed which shows the robustness of GST regime.

Modi also said that as many as 23.18 lakh new dealers have been registered, and another 11 lakh dealers were under composition scheme.

GSTN, portal for real-time taxpayer registration, migration, and tax return filing under GST, faced problems, forcing government to extend the last date of filing returns.

Modi appealed to taxpayers not to wait for the last date to file returns.

He said the GoM would meet once every 15 days.

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Asked if software major Infosys, the service provider, will be penalised for the glitches the stakeholders are facing, Adhia said the company has not failed and it is "the media presumption".

"There are always initial hicupps and issues, but there havent been large-scale failures," he said.

Kerala Finance minister Thomas Isaac, Chhattisgarh minister of Commercial Taxes Amar Agrawal, Karnataka Agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Telangana Finance minister Etela Rajender are other members of the GoM.

Adhia, GSTN Chairman Ajay Bhushan Pandey and GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar also attended todays meeting.

GST was adopted to make it easier for businesses to move goods from one state to another, which was not the case under the earlier central and state tax regimes.

However, GSTN, the system supposed to handle the filing of returns, suffered glitches due to the rush of filing invoices as the deadline approached. PTI BDN RA BN SA

--- ENDS ---
Food 

Ambience 

Service 

116 High Street

West Sunderland

SR1 1TX

0191 514 0508

www.donerhaus.uk





















And now, as John Cleese used to say from behind his Monty Python desk in the middle of nowhere, for something completely different.





I occasionally get accused of favouring gilded, highfalutin places. Thats nonsense, obviously: Im in favour of good food, wherever its found. So, just to ring the changes, I went to Sunderland for a kebab.

Not just any old kebab, of course. The website for Wearside newcomer Doner Haus, situated handily close to Sunniside car park, promised the most genuine Berlin doner this side of the water.





If that seems odd, you should know that in Berlin, doner is very much a thing. On a recent trip, there really did seem to be a doner-slinger on every street corner. There are a lot of Turkish immigrants in Berlin, and the worlds kebab-afficionados are the beneficiaries.





Ciya, Istanbul

Personally, I have sampled sufficient rotating meat sandwiches in my day, from Istanbul to Iran to Islington, whether they be doner, gyros or shawarma, to hold some pretty strong views on the matter.





Ciya, Istanbul

As with any sarnie, when done well they are much more than the sum of their parts. The meat, irrespective of quality, must be well flavoured, whether by marinade, charring or both. Salad must be bang fresh and herby. Some tangy, pickled element is vital, and the bread must be structurally up to the task. Sauces and condiments must offer bosh, tingle and wallop. If all these criteria are in order one neednt even necessarily be drunk to enjoy a kebab. Sadly, on all of the above metrics, and any others I could invent, Doner Hauss offering was found wanting.





Doner Haus, Sunderland

We tried the Checkpoint Charlie, a concoction of sliced beef and turkey breast topped with onions, gherkins, mustard mayo, ketchup and cheeses. The one thing I can say in its defence is that the bread was good, a toasted sesame thing which was light and springy. Everything else was grim. The meats tasted salty, yet bizarrely lacking in any other flavour, with an odd, highly processed texture. The cheese, of which there wasnt a great deal, tasted industrially nasty. The onions and gherkins perked things up slightly. But only slightly.









We also ordered a chicken and Wurst plate, on which all the elements of a chicken kebab, sans bread, were served up, accompanied by a massive pork sausage. Tasting everything separately was telling. Miniscule piles of chopped lettuce, spinach (grittily unwashed), red cabbage, onion, tomato and cucumber were laid out in order, like a naff rainbow. None of them tasted of anything at all. The chicken meat was sad and unloved, and the chips were dull. I dont mind catering fries when theyre decent, but these tasted like cheap catering fries. The sausage itself - and I speak here as an enthusiastic advocate of quality German and Polish sausages  was pappy and bland. The majority of my plate was returned to the kitchen unmolested.









Starters had been just as bad. Falafel were underseasoned, not even managing to taste of the chickpeas from which they were formed.









Berlin Krispy Chicken Strips were like a poor mans version of what Im guessing you might get in your local Dixy Chicken (which is probably being very unfair to Dixy Chicken).









The sauces that came with this lot - ketchup, yellow mustard, mayo and sweet chilli - were sub-Heinz bobbins.









All of this was supremely disappointing, as the fit-out of the place had lent oxygen to the flickering flame of optimism. The restaurant is set around a central bar, and features cool blue tiles, a wall of green vegetation and brightly coloured seating. It looks great. Furthermore, the few servers we spoke to were lovely and an asset to the place. Unprompted, we were asked where wed parked and told it would be free. Nice one. They opened the door for us on the way in and out. They all just seemed like really nice people, and I felt sad for them having to serve up such rubbish. I even felt guilty for leaving so much on my plate.





They were honest too. We asked if any of the desserts were home-made. We get them imported, was the puzzling reply.









A banana cheesecake didnt taste like it had come from Germany so much as Iceland, and Im not talking about the country. It hadnt been given sufficient time to defrost, the centre being brick hard and crunchy with ice crystals. It was apologised for, and not charged.





Between Berlin and Sunderland, something has been badly, tragically, lost in translation. This was a thoroughly dispiriting meal, one which left me craving for anything which tasted vegetal, fresh or cared for.









Its clear that Bavava Restaurants, the crew behind this place, have spent a lot of their time on the concept and branding. A few cringe-worthy cod Germanisms aside (their kebabs are made for ze taste, apparently), Im all for supporting new ideas in catering. Its a shame that they havent spent any time figuring out how to make their limited menu taste good.




Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying by the state news agency, KCNA, that North Korea's final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US.

Kim Jong-un said that North Korea's final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US. (Photo: Reuters)

By Reuters: North Korea said today it aims to reach an "equilibrium" of military force with the United States, which earlier signaled its patience for diplomacy is wearing thin after Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan for the second time in under a month.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option," North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying by the state news agency, KCNA.

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Kim was shown beaming as he watched the missile fly from a moving launcher in photos released by the agency, surrounded by several officials.

"The combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified," said Kim as quoted by KCNA. Kim added the North's goal of completing its nuclear force had "nearly reached the terminal".

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kim's leadership as it accelerates a weapons program designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.

After the latest missile launch on Friday, White House National Security Adviser HR McMaster said the United States was fast running out of patience with North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

"We've been kicking the can down the road, and we're out of road," McMaster told reporters, referring to Pyongyang's repeated missile tests in defiance of international pressure.

"For those who have been commenting on a lack of a military option, there is a military option," he said, adding that it would not be the Trump administration's preferred choice.

Also on Friday, the UN Security Council condemned the "highly provocative" missile launch by North Korea.

It had already stepped up sanctions against North Korea in response to a nuclear bomb test on September 3, imposing a ban on North Korea's textile exports and capping its imports of crude oil.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, echoed McMaster's strong rhetoric, even as she said Washington's preferred resolution to the crisis is through diplomacy and sanctions.

"What we are seeing is, they are continuing to be provocative, they are continuing to be reckless and at that point there's not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here, when you've cut 90 percent of the trade and 30 percent of the oil," Haley said.

US President Donald Trump said that he is "more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming ." He said at Joint Base Andrews near Washington that North Korea "has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbors and for the entire world community."

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MISSILE

North Korea's latest test missile flew over Hokkaido in northern Japan on Friday and landed in the Pacific about 2,000 km (1,240 miles) to the east, the Japanese government said.

It travelled about 3,700 km (2,300 miles) in total, according to South Korea's military, far enough to reach the US Pacific territory of Guam, which the North has threatened before.

"The range of this test was significant since North Korea demonstrated that it could reach Guam with this missile," the Union of Concerned Scientists advocacy group said in a statement. However, the accuracy of the missile, still at an early stage of development, was low, it said.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Tillerson called on China, Pyongyang's only ally, and Russia to apply more pressure on North Korea by "taking direct actions of their own."

Beijing has pushed back, urging Washington to do more to rein in North Korea.

"Honestly, I think the United States should be doing much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue," China's ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, said on Friday.

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"They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation," he said, while adding that China would never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.

North Korea staged its sixth and most powerful nuclear bomb test earlier this month and in July tested long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching at least parts of the US mainland.

Last month, North Korea fired an intermediate range missile that also flew over Hokkaido into the ocean.

Warning announcements about the latest missile blared in parts of northern Japan, while many residents received alerts on their mobile phones or saw warnings on TV telling them to seek refuge.

The US military said it had detected a single intermediate range ballistic missile but it did not pose a threat to North America or Guam.

Global equities investors largely shrugged off the latest missile test by North Korea as shares on Wall Street set new highs on Friday.

DIFFERENCES OVER DIRECT TALKS

Trump has promised not to allow North Korea to threaten the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said the United States needed to begin talks with North Korea, something that Washington has so far ruled out.

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"We called on our US partners and others to implement political and diplomatic solutions that are provided for in the resolution," Nebenzia told reporters after the Security Council meeting. "Without implementing this, we also will consider it as a non-compliance with the resolution."

Asked about the prospect for direct talks, a White House spokesman said, "As the president and his national security team have repeatedly said, now is not the time to talk to North Korea."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in also said dialogue with the North was impossible at this point. He ordered officials to analyze and prepare for possible new North Korean threats, including electromagnetic pulse and biochemical attacks.

The United States and South Korea are technically still at war with North Korea because the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty. The North accuses the United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea, of planning to invade and regularly threatens to destroy it and its Asian allies.

ALSO WATCH | Kim Jong-Un's hydrogen bomb dare: How to contain North Korea?

--- ENDS ---
One of three men accused of using a gun stolen from a San Francisco police officer to kill a man in the Mission District last month had been released from County Jail earlier in the year despite a request from federal immigration agents that he be held and turned over for potential deportation, officials said Friday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials lodged what is known as a detainer request for Jesus Perez-Araujo, 24, after he was arrested three months before the Aug. 15 street killing of 23-year-old Abel Enrique Esquivel Jr., said ICE spokesman James Schwab. The agency asked the city to hold him for up to 48 hours after his release.

Now Playing: Comparison of 2016's violent crime stats from major Bay Area cities Video: Ted Andersen, SFGATE

But San Francisco, and every other county in the Bay Area, does not honor detainer requests because of concerns that they violate inmates constitutional rights. And San Francisco, where leaders have rallied behind sanctuary policies that limit local cooperation in deportation efforts, notifies ICE in advance of an inmates release only under strict circumstances.

Perez-Araujo was arrested in May on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, was charged in court with a single misdemeanor count of possession of brass knuckles and released shortly thereafter, officials said. The charge does not fit the criteria under which the San Francisco jail would notify ICE.

Despite the detainer, local authorities made the decision to release him back into the community without providing any notification to ICE, resulting in another arrest that may have been averted had the city chosen to cooperate with ICE, Schwab said.

The San Francisco Sheriffs Department, which runs the jail, has said repeatedly that if immigration agents want to ensure they take custody of an inmate before release, they should obtain a warrant.

If ICE had presented us with a criminal warrant, we would have honored it, sheriffs spokeswoman Eileen Hirst said Friday.

The situation is similar to the jails controversial 2015 release of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate  also known as Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez  an immigrant who ICE wanted for deportation and who was later accused of killing 32-year-old Kate Steinle on the citys Pier 14. That slaying also was committed with a gun stolen from a law enforcement officers vehicle.

The episode highlights the fraught relationship between federal immigration authorities and leaders of sanctuary cities, who say public safety is enhanced when all city residents, including immigrants lacking documentation, can utilize public services and communicate with police without fear of deportation.

Perez-Araujos case is likely to become part of the debate over sanctuary laws that have prompted support from immigration advocates and attacks by the Trump administration, which has sought to increase deportations and has said sanctuary laws needlessly endanger communities.

On Friday, the California Legislature took up a bill that would forbid immigration detainers across the state and spell out when local jails can notify ICE about an inmates pending release.

What makes this so tragic is that it might have been prevented if San Francisco did not have such an egregious sanctuary policy, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for more restrictive enforcement. How many deaths is it going to take before people realize this is a mistake?

But Francisco Ugarte, an attorney defending Garcia Zarate against a murder charge, said, I think people who are trying to shoehorn the immigration question into this case have an ulterior motive. We know that noncitizens commit crimes at a lower rate than their citizen counterparts, and we know there is no correlation between deportation and public safety.

In an unusual twist in the case, immigration officials said Friday that one of the other men accused in the Mission District killing, 18-year-old Erick Garcia-Pineda, was wearing a GPS-enabled ICE ankle monitor at the time that allowed the agency to track his every move. .

The series of events that led to Esquivels death began Aug. 12, when Garcia-Pineda and Perez-Araujo stole a silver .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver and ammunition from a private car that was parked in San Francisco and belonged to city police Officer Marvin Cabuntala, according to a court complaint filed Thursday. The police internal affairs division is probing the theft and whether the officer failed to properly safeguard the weapon.

Garcia-Pineda, Perez-Araujo and Daniel Cruz, 18, then went on a robbery spree in the early-morning hours of Aug. 15, authorities said, ending with Garcia-Pineda shooting Esquivel, a city native and supermarket worker, at 26th Street and South Van Ness Avenue. Data from the ankle monitor is now key evidence in the case.

The three men were arraigned Thursday on a slate of charges, including murder, and are being held in jail without bail. Each pleaded not guilty.

Perez-Araujo had never been in ICE custody, officials said. But Garcia-Pineda was the subject of deportation proceedings after he was detained in December by federal authorities, Schwab said.

In April, an immigration judge released Garcia-Pineda while his court case continued, on condition that he wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and report to ICE in-person on a regular basis, Schwab said. He said Garcia-Pineda complied until August, when he missed a mandatory appointment with ICE.

Later, after the killing but before Garcia-Pineda had been linked to it, he was booked into jail twice in San Francisco in unrelated cases, officials said. He was arrested Aug. 18 on suspicion of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and assault with a firearm, and arrested Sept. 3 on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. He was not charged by prosecutors in either case, and was freed.

Sheriffs deputies at the jail appear to have removed Garcia-Pinedas ankle monitor before releasing him the first time, again underscoring the frayed relationship between ICE and local officials. ICE said the GPS tracker was removed Aug. 19, when an agency contractor responsible for monitoring individuals received a tamper alert.

Its not clear why ICE did not immediately respond to the location of the alert, but officials said the agency later could not track down Garcia-Pineda.

Though the Sheriffs Department would not comment on Garcia-Pinedas case specifically, officials said deputies would remove any inmates ankle monitor during booking. The disconnection typically alerts the monitoring agency, Hirst said, and that agency would know via GPS that the person was in San Francisco jail.

Its then up to the issuing agency to be tracking this person and following up with us if they want us to do anything in particular with them, Hirst said.

ICE officials said they lodged a detainer request when Garcia-Pineda was arrested Sept. 3, hoping to take custody of him and continue deportation proceedings. But the case did not fit San Franciscos criteria for notifying ICE, and Garcia-Pineda was released. Around this time, city investigators were piecing together the Mission District killing, and they arrested all three men early this week.

Angela Chan, an immigration lawyer and policy director at the Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco, said counties were right to ignore ICE detainers, because courts have ruled they violate the constitutional ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

It sounds like it was a terrible tragedy that occurred, but we need to stop stereotyping and scapegoating immigrants, she said. There is violent crime committed by both immigrants and nonimmigrants.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
On the second page of What Happened, Hillary Clinton accepts responsibility for her loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

I couldnt get the job done, and Ill have to live with that for the rest of my life.

She then proceeds to spend many of the next nearly 500 pages apportioning blame on others for the result of an election that she was so confident of winning. She had spent the closing days of the campaign polishing her victory speech and devouring memos on the impending transition.

There had been no doomsday scenarios playing out in my head in the final days, no imagining what I might say if I lost, she says of election night. I just didnt think about it. But now it was as real as could be, and I was struggling to get my head around it. It was like all the air in the room had been sucked away, and I could barely breathe.

Clinton is hardly alone in her shock, or in the struggle to assess how a man she described as unqualified, immature and even dangerous became leader of the free world, which helps explain why What Happened shot to the top of the best-seller list in its first week.

What Happened contains anecdotes that will be alternately uplifting and heartbreaking to her most ardent supporters. Detractors will seize on ammunition for affirmation of her sanctimony and inauthenticity.

Yes, there is no shortage of score settling and excuses in this book. But lets face it: The book would be much less interesting  and, frankly, less honest  without her sometimes caustic airing of grievances.

Most of the prerelease excerpts focused on what she said about culpability of others in her defeat: the elbow-throwing of her opponent in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders; a news media preoccupied with her emails and insufficiently focused on policy or Trumps flaws; the double standard applied to women in politics; the hesitancy of a devout supporter, President Barack Obama, to adequately warn Americans about the threat from Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Most pointedly, Clinton faults the actions of FBI Director James Comey. His Oct. 28 announcement that he was reopening the email probe, she wrote, was a fatal blow at a time she was gaining momentum.

Even if Comey caused just 0.6 percent of Election Day voters to change their votes, and even if that swing only occurred in the Rust Belt, it would have been enough to shift the Electoral College outcome, she writes.

Clinton correctly anticipated that What Happened would engender criticism about her raising myriad factors that worked against her, from the audacious information warfare waged from the Kremlin to the deep currents of anger and resentment in American culture.

I understand why some people dont want to hear anything that sounds remotely like relitigating the election, she writes. People are tired. Some are traumatized. Others are focused on keeping the discussion about Russia in the national security realm and away from politics. I get all that. But its important that we understand what really happened. Because thats the only way we can stop it from happening again.

As with any politicians account of a campaign, What Happened is less than the definitive word on what really happened in 2016. Accounts by journalists and historians in the mold of Theodore White (his Making of the President series set the standard) tend to be richer in revelation, more illuminating in context and more thorough in scope. The best of these accounts carry no impulse to try to rationalize or rewrite a campaign narrative.

Clinton was decidedly selective in her apportioning of blame.

For example, she was highly critical of media coverage, especially the comparative volume given to Trump and the fact that his offenses and miscues rarely stuck, as she put it. It is certainly true that the outrage, gaffes and vitriol of the Trump campaign was news and, in normal times, would have been a liability. But it also important to note that Trump was subjected to more fact checking and critical analyses than any nominee in modern times.

Besides, Clinton did herself no favors by severely rationing her media accessibility. She did not have a news conference for the first eight months of 2016; she declined invitations to meet with editorial boards of most major U.S. newspapers, including The Chronicle. Its disingenuous to complain about inattention to policy positions while passing up opportunities to subject them to public scrutiny.

One of the favorite conservative talking points about the allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election is along the lines of, Vladimir Putin didnt prevent Hillary Clinton from campaigning in Wisconsin. She attempts to serve up answers for her loss in a Democratic-leaning state. She cited a new voter ID law as well as polls that suggested she was comfortably ahead, perhaps because Trump voters refused to participate.

As with her rationalization of her use of a private email server as secretary of state, Clintons explanation of her Wisconsin defeat is a bit too long, a bit too deflective, a bit too at odds with her repeated claim that I blame myself for Trumps election.

For those who long for what might have been, Clinton offers a look at the closing riff of the victory speech she expected to give on election night. It brought her to tears every time she read it. She had hoped to speak of her dream of going back in time to be with her mother, abandoned by her parents at age 8, on the train to California to live with her grandparents.

Clinton imagines taking the 8-year-old Dorothy Rodham in her arms.

Look at me. Listen to me. You will survive, a President-elect Clinton would have said in her victory speech. You will have a good family of your own, and three children. And as hard as it might be to imagine, your daughter will grow up and become President of the United States.

With the publication of What Happened, those words, those dreams  and those tears  can now be shared. The answer to the question of what really happened? remains elusive.

John Diaz is The San Francisco Chronicles editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnDiazChron

What Happened

By Hillary Rodham Clinton

(Simon & Schuster; 494 pages; $30)
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FLORENCE, N.J.  Nissa Scott started working at the cavernous Amazon warehouse in southern New Jersey late last year, stacking plastic bins the size of small ottomans. It was not, she says, the most stimulating activity. And lifting the bins, which often weigh 25 pounds each, was also tiring over 10-hour shifts.

Now Scott, 21, watches her replacement  a giant, bright yellow mechanical arm  do the stacking.

Her new job at Amazon is to babysit several robots at a time, troubleshooting them when necessary and making sure they have bins to load. On a recent afternoon, a claw at the end of the arm grabbed a bin off a conveyor belt and stacked it on another bin, forming neat columns on wooden pallets surrounding the robot. It was the first time Amazon had shown the arm, the latest generation of robots in use at its warehouses, to a reporter.

For me, its the most mentally challenging thing we have here, Scott said of her new job. Its not repetitive.

Perhaps no company embodies the anxieties and hopes around automation better than Amazon. Many people, including President Trump, blame the company for destroying traditional retail jobs by enticing people to shop online. At the same time, the companys eye-popping growth has turned it into a hiring machine, with an unquenchable need for entry-level warehouse workers to satisfy customer orders.

Amazons global workforce is three times larger than Microsofts and 18 times larger than Facebooks, and last week, Amazon said it would open a second headquarters in North America with up to 50,000 new jobs.

Complicating the equation even more, Amazon is at the forefront of automation, finding new ways of getting robots to do the work once handled by employees. In 2014, the company began rolling out robots to its warehouses using machines originally developed by Kiva Systems, a company Amazon bought for $775 million two years earlier and renamed Amazon Robotics. Amazon now has more than 100,000 robots in action around the world, and plans to add many more.

The robots make warehouse work less tedious and physically taxing, while also enabling the kinds of efficiency gains that let a customer order dental floss after breakfast and receive it before dinner.

Its certainly true that Amazon would not be able to operate at the costs they have and the costs they provide customers without this automation, said Martin Ford, a futurist and author of Rise of the Robots, a book about automation. Maybe we wouldnt be getting two-day shipping.

The dynamics between people and machines play out on a daily basis on the floor of Amazon warehouses in places like Florence, N.J., and Kent, Wash. In Kent, the robots vaguely resemble giant beetles and scurry around with vertical shelves loaded with merchandise weighing up to 3,000 pounds on their backs. Hundreds of them move autonomously inside a large caged area, tailgating each other but not colliding.

On one edge of the cage, a group of human workers  the stowers  stuff products onto the shelves, replenishing their inventory. The robots whisk those shelves away, and when a customer order arrives for products stored on their backs, they queue up at stations on another edge of the cage like cars waiting to go through a toll both.

There, human pickers follow instructions on computer screens, grabbing items off the shelves and putting them in plastic bins, which then disappear on conveyor belts destined for packers, people who put the products in cardboard boxes bound for customers.

Dave Clark, the top executive in charge of operations at Amazon, said the company wants the machines to perform the most monotonous tasks, leaving people to do jobs that engage them mentally.

Its a new item each time, Clark said. Youre finding something, youre inspecting things, youre engaging your mind in a way that I think is important.

The robots cut down on the walking required of workers, making Amazon pickers more efficient and less tired. The robots also allow Amazon to pack shelves together like cars in rush-hour traffic, because they no longer need aisle space for humans. The greater density of shelf space means more inventory under one roof, which means better selection for customers.

The Amazon warehouse in Florence shows the latest example of the kinds of jobs machines can do better than people. Eight mechanical arms are in operation at the facility, a warehouse where large quantities of merchandise are broken down into smaller units and distributed to Amazon fulfillment centers across the country.

The arms go by the awkward name of robotic palletizers, but workers have given them a dash of personality, sticking signs on each one naming them after Stuart, Dave and other minion characters from the Despicable Me movies. Unlike the warehouse robots in Kent, which were based on the machines Amazon got through its Kiva acquisition, these arms come from an outside company.

Amazon began installing them late last year, not long after it opened the warehouse in Florence. The robot arm is configured to pick up only bins of a standard size, not objects of other dimensions. In a demonstration of future possibilities, Amazon showed a virtual reality simulation used to prototype new robot concepts, including an arm with a forklift attachment that moved pallets.

When Amazon installed the robots, some people who had stacked bins before, like Scott, took courses at the company to become robot operators. Many others moved to receiving stations, where they manually sort big boxes of merchandise into bins. No people were laid off when the robots were installed, and Amazon found new roles for the displaced workers, Clark said.

The people didnt go anywhere, he said.

The question going forward is: What happens when the future generations of robots arrive?

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

For now, there are warehouse tasks  for example, picking individual items off shelves, with all their various shapes and sizes  where people outperform robots. Amazon has added 80,000 warehouse employees in the United States since adding the Kiva robots, for a total of more than 125,000 warehouse employees. And it says the warehouse hiring spree will continue.

But startups and researchers are scrambling to overcome the many remaining technical obstacles. Amazon even sponsors an annual contest to encourage more innovation in the category.

Ford, the author, believes it is just a matter of time before the employment picture in Amazons warehouses changes.

My assumption is this technology will eventually displace a lot of people in those warehouses, Ford said. I would not say that overnight huge numbers of jobs disappear. Maybe the first indication is they dont get rid of those people, but the pace of job creation slows down.

Amazons Clark said history showed that automation increases productivity and, in some cases, demand from consumers, which ultimately creates more jobs. He said warehouse workers would continue to work in technologically rich environments.

Its a myth that automation destroys net job growth, he said.

In the case of the Florence facility, it opened up the new opportunity for Scott.

At one point, one of the arms knocked over a tote, sending a dozen or so cone-shaped plastic coffee filters skidding across the ground. Scott hit a button that froze the arm so she could safely pick up the mess.

Then the arms started working again.

The robot will work the same all day long, said Edward Cohoon, who supervises Scott and other Amazon workers as they tend to individual robots. Their stomachs dont grumble.

Nick Wingfield is a New York Times writer.
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If youre a geek, this is the place to be, Shane Wall said to me.

A lot of people in Silicon Valley, whether working at Apple or Google or the next hot startup, would say the same thing. But Walls current gig as director of HP Labs carries a particular resonance among scientists and engineers even passingly familiar with the regions history.

There was a time when HP Labs in Palo Alto epitomized the very heart of Silicon Valley ingenuity. The famed research and development arm of Hewlett-Packard was the West Coasts answer to AT&Ts vaunted Bell Labs in New Jersey, producing groundbreaking innovations like the programmable calculator and ink-jet printing.

Wall, of course, is aware of that reputation  and how the units record of innovation had atrophied in recent years.

The mission is to return HP Labs to the glory of what it was when it was essentially the founding lab of Silicon Valley, Wall said.

That might be overly ambitious. HP Labs decline was no doubt related to the corporate dysfunction that has befallen Hewlett-Packard since the turn of the millennium: ill-fated acquisitions, CEO misconduct, boardroom infighting. A former head of HP Labs, Prith Banerjee, similarly vowed a return to glory days in February 2012; he was out two months later.

Even without those specific woes, the quality of U.S. corporate R&D has been on the wane for several decades now.

From 2005 to 2015, business R&D spending soared 78 percent to $355 billion, according to the National Science Foundations National Center for Science and Engineering. Yet new research shows that companies are not getting as much bang for their buck.

Anne Marie Knott, a professor of strategy at Washington Universitys Olin School of Business in St. Louis, recently analyzed the performance of publicly traded companies since 1972, measuring productivity by comparing increases in R&D spending with increases in annual revenue.

She found that corporate returns on R&D spending actually declined 65 percent.

R&D has not been as productive as it was four decades ago, Knott said.

But why?

The idea of a corporate lab first emerged in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution, when the United States embraced methods of mass manufacturing. At the time, research focused mostly on materials science like the behavior of metals and lubricants.

In the early 20th century, the Pennsylvania Railroad company built a facility to test how locomotives performed at speeds as high as 90 mph. Inventions like electrical power and long-distance communications surged, making Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison household names. Corporations needed to build labs so they could harness all of this innovation  and perhaps contribute some of their own.

The emergence of computers provided another boost to corporate research. Hewlett-Packard launched HP Labs in 1966, which promptly created the HP2116A minicomputer. In the years that followed, HP Labs rolled out LED lighting, scientific calculators, lasers to make microchips, and ultrasound technology to capture live images of the human heart.

However, the emergence of the Internet in the 1990s posed problems for big companies. The pace of innovation accelerated and once-dominant industries seem to crumble overnight. Corporations were too slow and bulky to catch up.

In 2009, Mark Hurd, then Hewlett-Packards CEO, slashed R&D spending, including HP Labs. The cuts improved the companys earnings and share price but earned Hurd, already known as a bean counter, the animosity of engineers and scientists who appreciated the labs legacy.

The sheer size of companies can make it hard for innovations to reach the market, said Rahul Kapoor, an associate professor of management at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School. Strong leaders are needed to overcome bureaucratic inertia to see promising technologies to the finish line, he said.

In addition, some companies argue that the existence of R&D labs suggests to other employees that only scientists in white coats are responsible for creating new stuff. Kapoor argues that people throughout the company should be innovating.

One example: Despite spending billions of dollars on R&D, big names like Hewlett-Packard, Intel and Microsoft failed to spot the mobile revolution, in which smartphones and tablets replaced the personal computer as the primary technology in consumers lives. Now Apple and Google rule there.

Wall Street kept up the pressure. Corporate labs now had to produce innovations that produced financial returns faster. Other companies, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, slashed R&D spending, preferring to acquire new treatments instead of developing drugs themselves. And the vogue for listening to customers, though admirable, slowed innovation, Knott said  since customers often cant imagine wanting products that have yet to be invented.

Given that, reinventing a corporate laboratory might seem hopeless. But the recent split of Hewlett-Packard into HP Inc. (PCs, printers) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (business servers, cloud computing) offered HP Labs a prime opportunity to reclaim its innovation groove, Wall said.

The split allowed us to focus and invest in our business in a way that we hadnt been able to before, he said. You have less hierarchy upon which a decision is made. You know your financial window that you operate within. And you can make the trade-offs within that window.

In a way, the split made HP Labs even more essential to HP Inc. Investors assumed the rationale behind the move was to separate the declining consumer PC and printer business from the faster growing market for business computing.

We were seen more as the value company that was not going to be growing, Enrique Lores, who oversees the printing business for HP Inc., told me. This is the how the investors perceived us. But we believed there was an opportunity to turn this company around.

The new HP Inc. needed the labs to find ways to keep its business relevant for years to come.

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Innovations from the lab with digital graphics has allowed HP Inc. to broaden its customer base from consumers to commercial printing. For example, HP Inc. now prints labels for Coca-Cola bottles and Oreo packages in China.

Digital printing enables significant reductions of cost, Lores said. When you are using traditional printing technologies, you need to print a lot and then a lot of the printed material is never used. With digital, you can personalize what you print and only print what you need.

New technology from HP Inc. also allows consumers to print photos directly from mobile devices in various formats like stickers.

One big advantage with corporate labs is that companies can think ahead and find opportunities for technologies beyond their original purpose, Whartons Kapoor said.

We try to really put ourselves 30 years in the future, Wall said. And we start by looking at humanity. Socioeconomic, geographic, political changes we call megatrends. We do them every year and we refresh it at midyear.

Its a very deep look at how we see the world changing, he said. And that frames a set of things. The cities are getting bigger. The population is getting older. Globalization. What does that mean in terms of how we design or develop products?

Take 3-D printing. Like many companies, HP Inc. is pursuing this technology as a more efficient way to make everything from models and toys to smartphone cases  even sophisticated gear like camera lenses.

But Wall believes 3-D printing will evolve to a point where the technology can produce anything in mass quantities, from cars to computers, at lower costs. And that will allow companies that now rely on cheaper labor in foreign countries to bring back manufacturing to the United States.

This technology doesn't exist anywhere, Wall said. Theres a lot of different 3-D print(ing) technologies out there, but theyre all analog. Whats destructive here is digital. So imagine a fully digitally manufactured world.

That is corporate labs at their best: allowing companies to imagine the future while making money in the present.

Thomas Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: tlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByTomLee
A man convicted of kidnapping and killing South Bay teenager Sierra LaMar could receive a new trial if defense attorneys are granted a motion arguing that the judge who presided over the trial should have recused herself because she previously represented the lead investigator for the prosecution.

Defense attorneys for 26-year-old Antolin Garcia-Torres filed a motion for disqualification during a sentencing hearing Thursday in Santa Clara County Superior Court. The move brought the sentencing hearing to an abrupt halt until the motion is resolved.

A jury convicted Garcia-Torres in the high-profile capital murder case, but voted in June to give him life in prison without parole instead of the death penalty.

The defense motion seeks to get Garcia-Torres conviction tossed, arguing that Judge Vanessa Zecher should have never presided over the trial.

Before becoming a judge, Zecher represented the lead investigator, Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Herman Leon, in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a mentally ill inmate in 1990 while she was a deputy county counsel in Santa Clara County, according to Garcia-Torres attorneys and court officials.

While researching allegations of misconduct in previous investigations involving Leon, defense attorneys learned Wednesday, the day before the sentencing hearing, that Zecher had represented Leon in the civil case.

In the wrongful death case, the family of inmate Jeffrey Leonti charged that he died in 1989 while in custody at the Santa Clara County Main Jail when guards used stun guns to subdue him. The lawsuit named Leon as one of the guards involved in Leontis death. The county ended up paying Leontis family $650,000 to settle the case, attorneys said.

Defense attorneys argued Zechers involvement was substantial, stating within the course of her representation of Sergeant Leon as his attorney she was required to develop a duty of loyalty to him and his interest, including protecting him from allegations in the killing of Jeffrey Leonti ... had such a disclosure been made, defense counsel would have insisted on Judge Zecher disqualifying herself from the case.

Leon, who later became a Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office sergeant, had been involved in the LaMar case since she disappeared near her Morgan Hill home on March 16, 2012, while walking to catch a bus to school.

In May 2012, after Garcia-Torres had been charged in the case, court records show Leon outlined why the suspect was arrested on suspicion of LaMars murder despite no body being recovered.

Sierra LaMar has no independent means of support, he wrote in a statement on the grounds for Garcia-Torres arrest. All of her known personal belongings, including her asthma inhaler, her money, her house keys and the clothing she was wearing the morning of her disappearance, have been located.

The strongest piece of evidence uncovered in the investigation and highlighted by prosecutors throughout the trial was Sierras hair found on a rope in Garcia-Torres car.

But the defense sought to cast doubt on the evidence when shortly after Garcia-Torres conviction, a Santa Clara County court found Leon falsely testified in another murder trial. The defense began probing into past misconduct by Leon, which led them to discover that Zecher represented him decades ago.

Defense attorneys now say Leons earlier misconduct is grounds for making the argument that he tampered with evidence in the LaMar case and possibly planted the hair evidence.

But before a motion is heard on Leons integrity as a witness, a judge must decide whether Zecher should be disqualified from the case. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Patricia Lucas, the presiding Santa Clara County Superior Court judge, is expected to send the disqualification motion to the Judicial Council of California. The organization will probably assign a retired judge to hear arguments to reach a decision.

The Santa Clara County district attorneys office declined to comment on the motion.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
A San Francisco resident was arrested in the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man in the citys Tenderloin neighborhood in July, and court records show the killing occurred after the suspect completed a lengthy jail term for his role in a Southern California ATM theft ring.

Jahmal Winston, 30, was booked into San Francisco County Jail this week on suspicion of murder stemming from the slaying of Oakland resident Robert Pleasant, authorities said Friday.
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Nelson Lum remembers returning to San Francisco, his hometown, after his service with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. It was 1968 and there was a lot of hostility toward veterans of that war.

It was a time of protests, he said. They looked at us as being villains, instead of the government policy that produced the war.

The Bay Area was one of the centers of protests and marches against the war, which was probably the most unpopular military conflict in American history. Veterans took some of the brunt. A television documentary that begins airing Sunday night by acclaimed historian Ken Burns is sure to revive some of those bitter memories.

But today, Lum said, people see Vietnam veterans differently than they did five decades ago. Attitudes have changed completely, he said. Theres more respect for war veterans in general, he said. And he wants to make sure Vietnam veterans are not forgotten.

We want to make sure they are not treated the way we were treated, he said.

Lum, a retired San Francisco police sergeant, is commander of Cathay Post 384 of the American Legion, the organizations first Chinese American unit. Like other legion posts, his group looks out for veterans, marches in parades, sponsors youth activities. But they also provide honor guards, who attend funeral services for veterans, bestowing a last tribute for men and women who have served their country.

More and more of these services are for Vietnam veterans, who served between 1964 and 1975 and are now in their late 60s and 70s.

A total of 2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam and 58,202 died in the war. There are no reliable statistics as to how many of those who came home are still living, and the federal Veterans Administration does not measure the rate at which they are dying.

Bu there are far more Vietnam veterans than any other wartime group. According to the Veterans Administration, only 558,000 of the 16 million who served in World War II are still alive.

By law, every person who served honorably in the military is entitled to a final honor: a grave marker, a flag, and a graveside service, including a final bugle call  the mournful sound of Taps.

But the military honors are not always possible these days. In the Vietnam War era, the Bay Area was ringed with military posts. The Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force had a big presence in the region. But those days are over, and active duty and reserve military are hard-pressed to supply honors at funerals.

So volunteers have stepped up.

Some are veterans groups like the American Legion. Others are small groups like the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Honor Guard in Solano County and the United States Volunteers-America, based on the Peninsula. Both groups provide uniformed honor guards for veterans of all wars.

The last salute is important. Its an honor to do it, said Lu Pietrowski, a Vietnam veteran who coordinates the program at the Sacramento Valley cemetery in Dixon. These are our brothers and sisters. They put their lives on the line for this country.

But its also for the families.

The graveside honors is the last thing that the family will remember about their loved ones, said Leo McArdle of Daly City, who belongs to the United States Volunteers.

The families appreciate what we do, Pietrowski said. You can see it in their faces, especially when we salute and present the flag to the next of kin. It really gets you. Sometimes Ive walked away with tears in my eyes myself.

Pietrowski, 66, became involved not long after the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery was established 10 years ago. The cemetery and the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery opened after smaller places, like the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, filled up. Golden Gate is now closed to new burials.

The Sacramento Valley National Cemetery now has 30,672 graves, and is one of the largest of the countrys 135 national cemeteries.

The Dixon honor guard started about 2008, when a vet named Andy Derflinger noticed a graveside service with no honor guard because military personnel werent available. Derflinger remembered the cold reception Vietnam veterans got when they returned, and believed they deserved more, especially at the end of their lives. So he organized an honor guard of civilians.

Pietrowski took it over when Derflinger died last winter. At present the organization has 16 volunteers.

The honor guards officiate two and sometimes three times daily. Most of the burials now are Vietnam veterans, said Pietrowski, 66.

The volunteers wear uniforms, and march to the grave site. Sometimes the detail will consist of as few as two or three volunteers, who will perform Taps, fold the flag that covers the coffin, and present it to the next of kin.

If they have enough personnel and the family requests it, they will perform full honors, including the ultimate final military honor  a rifle volley, executed with careful precision. To be sure the ceremony is done properly, the honor guards practice close order and weapons drills.

McArdle, of the 31st California Regiment of the U.S. Veterans, operates in connection with the Golden Gate National Cemetery, but has about 30 volunteers all around Northern California.

Like most honor guard volunteers, they are usually contacted by a veterans family or a funeral home.

We never accept a fee, McArdle said. But one time, at the San Joaquin cemetery, we did a service for a very poor veteran, a World War II guy. The family came in an old car and a pickup truck, held together with duct tape and wire. The coffin was cardboard.

We did full honors and a relative insisted we take a gift, McArdle said. He pressed it on me, and I couldnt refuse. It was a dollar and some change. It was all they had.

McArdle, 72, served two tours in Vietnam. I love the military, and would have stayed in were it not for a disability I got, he said. He has no political views on the war. I was military and I did my job whether I liked it or not, he said.

Lum, who was drafted and served in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, said the military gave him a purpose in life and the GI bill enabled him to get a college education.

I would do it again, he said. It is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Carl Nolte is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf
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Former San Francisco Supervisor John Avalos was driving on the Bay Bridge at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 when he spotted an alarming sight: a disheveled-looking man walking on the north side of the bridge carrying a thick chain with some kind of ball at the end of it.

It was clearly something that was going to be swung around, recalled Avalos, who was driving home to the city from his new union job in Emeryville. I was afraid. Is he going to hang himself or jump off the bridge or attack a car with that?

Avalos called 911 (hands-free, he swears!) but heard a busy signal. He tried twice more but continued to get a busy signal. So at 6:33, he pulled over to send a tweet to the citys 911 call center describing what hed seen.

More than a half hour later, at 7:10 p.m., the account for the 911 call center responded: emergency calls from the Bay Bridge go to the California Highway Patrol, not to the citys 911 call center, it informed him. The CHPs Twitter account was tagged, but it didnt respond. Avalos had no idea what happened to the chain-wielding man.

More by Heather Knight Emergency at 911 call center: understaffing

The experience was especially irksome because it was all too familiar. A few months before, Avalos was driving on San Jose Avenue in the city on a Sunday afternoon when he saw a car stalled on the J-Church Muni tracks. A person was inside. He called 911 and couldnt believe how long it took for somebody to answer. The Department of Emergency Services confirmed it took nearly a minute and a half for a dispatcher to answer.

I was stunned how long it took, Avalos said. Its been a problem for a number of years. To me, it really shows that people are asleep at the wheel on this very, very critical need.

The former politicians experiences are just two more examples of a confused, understaffed emergency response system in a rich, high-tech city that should be able to do better.

Three-and-a-half months after Mayor Ed Lee issued an executive order demanding major change at the troubled 911 call center, call response times have improved. Dispatchers were answering just 75 percent of incoming calls within 10 seconds in the spring. Now, theyre up to 82 percent. But the centers rate is still short of the national standard of 90 percent, a rate it hasnt met since 2012.

The rising response rate is great. But its clear theres still a long way to go.

Managers at the 911 call center continue to emphasize bringing on new recruits to get the understaffed department functioning again, and vow that the 90 percent goal will be reached by December. Lee has also tried to reduce the call volume by having 911 dispatchers divert calls about car break-ins that are not in progress to the 311 call center instead.

But theres still nothing significant being done to retain the dispatchers already on staff, many of whom are suffering from low morale and burnout from working mandatory overtime shifts. More keep quitting, reducing the impact new recruits can have on response times.

Dispatchers make between $84,032 and $102,154 annually depending on length of service, but so far, that level of pay hasnt been enough to retain a stable, satisfied staff.

The dispatchers have been meeting with the citys human resources team since Lees May directive to come up with solutions to the staffing crisis. So far, it sounds like theyve been as fruitful as Avalos calls from the Bay Bridge.

At an Aug. 30 meeting, the dispatchers asked for an immediate 5 percent raise, double overtime instead of time-and-a-half for mandatory extra hours, and a public safety retirement plan that would allow them to retire earlier and receive a higher percentage of their salary as pensions.

Along with firefighters, police officers and sheriffs deputies, the city gives those beefed-up pensions to probation officers, district attorneys investigators and juvenile court counselors. It remains unclear why those latter three are deemed worthy of the pensions while the dispatchers, literally the first of the citys first responders, are not.

Burt Wilson, president of the dispatchers union, said all of the dispatchers proposals were rejected by the city  including the public safety pension.

Instead, he said, the city offered a 3.5 percent bonus in August 2018 and another 3.5 percent bonus in August 2019. Neither would be permanently built into the salaries, and the dispatchers would have to agree to stop talking to us pesky journalists about the public safety idea to get the bonuses.

Wilson called the bonuses hush money and said his members promptly rejected the proposal. The city upped its offer to 5 percent bonuses, and the dispatchers countered with 6 percent actual raises each year. The sides are now at a stalemate, Wilson said.

He added that the citys team said it would fight a potential ballot measure asking voters to give dispatchers a public safety pension. He said the city priced out the initial cost of reclassifying the dispatchers at $2 million a year, though it would likely rise after that.

Still, in a city with an eye-popping $10 billion budget, that doesnt seem like an amount worth dismissing out of hand if it meant emergency calls would be answered more promptly.

Mayor Lee told me he agrees that retention is a major challenge, and people are getting burned out, but he refused to talk about negotiations or the public safety proposal.

Were in hard-nosed negotiations, he said. Im not going to do that in the public and in the press. ... Were exchanging some good ideas, and we hope to have a package to agree on soon.

Susan Gard, chief of policy for the Human Resources department, agreed that negotiations are hallowed ground and wouldnt confirm Wilsons account of the proposals. She said increased compensation is a possibility, but that the public safety retirement plan is not.

We may be able to do some other things to improve recruitment and retention, she wrote in an email. One idea: providing a grant to purchase more treadmill desks so they are able to move while at their stations.

Told of the treadmill desks via text, Wilson replied: Lol. That was my initial response, too.

The systems shortcomings become painfully clear on days like Sept. 1, when the temperature hit an all-time high of 106 degrees. Wilson said that at one point in the sweltering midafternoon, 45 calls to 911 were ringing with no immediate answer because all dispatchers were on other calls.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin has called a hearing for Wednesday to discuss the emergency response during the heat wave. He said he thinks the 911 call center performed well, given the huge call volume. But he wonders why the Department of Emergency Management, which includes the call center, didnt activate its special response to coordinate a variety of city agencies until 5 p.m.  long after the heat wave had taken hold.

Ensuring that the 911 call center is fully staffed and answering calls quickly is the most fundamental thing city government can do, Peskin said. Short staffing and poor response times have been well-known at City Hall for years, he said, but only now is some improvement being made.

The blinking red light has been on the dashboard for a number of years, Peskin said. Its a systematic government failure  theres no question about that. The city could have been a lot more aggressive, but slowly but surely were getting there.

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Avalos, who termed out of his supervisor post in January after eight years, said 911 call center woes were discussed regularly when he was on the board. Hes not sure why they havent been resolved.

Where is the city putting its money if it cant do that simple thing? he asked. Im very afraid that Im going to need emergency services for myself or someone that I love, and its not going to be available as quickly as I would need it. That is really scary.

As for that chain-wielding man on the Bay Bridge, Avalos never got answers. But I finally did, about that and much more.

Calls made to 911 from freeways and bridges  even within San Francisco city limits  are supposed to be directed to the California Highway Patrol dispatch center in Vallejo. Calls made from Treasure Island proper, and all pieces of land within the citys borders, even adjacent to freeways, are supposed to be directed to the citys call center on Turk Street. Its unclear whether this division works all of the time.

Officer Vu Williams, spokesman for the CHP, said 911 calls from other drivers on the bridge that night did reach the CHP dispatch center. Its unclear why Avalos heard a busy signal three times. Both Williams and Francis Zamora, spokesman for the citys Department of Emergency Management, said callers to their centers should not hear busy signals and should be put on hold if no one can pick up the phone.

Adding to the confusion is that the call center discovered that 911 calls made from cell phones on AT&T plans werent going through for about four hours the following day. Avalos uses an AT&T plan. If the two problems were linked, it could mean the city wasnt aware of the AT&T problem until long after it started.

Zamora recommended that all city residents program this 10-digit number into their phones: (415) 553-8090. Dialing that number should always get you through to the Turk Street center, even if youre near a freeway or on a bridge or your cell company isnt processing 911 calls.

And the man on the bridge? The CHP did respond that evening and took him to San Francisco General Hospitals psych ward.

Possible crisis averted. That time, anyway.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com, Twitter: @hknightsf

Tell us your 911 stories

Have you had trouble connecting to 911 in San Francisco when you experienced an emergency? Let us know by emailing hknight@sfchronicle.com.
SACRAMENTO  A panel of high-ranking judges says televising court hearings is good for the public.

Speaking Friday at a legal conference in Sacramento, Sidney Thomas, chief judge of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, recalled the surprised and pleased responses he heard from people who watched the courts live-stream webcasts of its hearings on challenges to President Trumps ban on travel from mostly Muslim nations.

Viewers told him that was a lot more complicated than I thought it would be, Thomas said. They expected a shouting match. They heard an unfiltered, rational discussion.

Telecasts and outreach efforts, like holding hearings on campuses after letting students review the lawyers briefs, show the public how judges interact and resolve complex, difficult issues, said Judith McConnell, a state appeals court justice in San Diego and administrative presiding justice of the 25-member Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Thomas, who heads the nations largest federal appeals court, said live-streaming from remote locations also makes for more informed coverage by news media.

With dwindling resources and fewer reporters assigned to cover the courts, its up to us to give the media the tools, he said.

Judges below the U.S. Supreme Court level have generally sought to increase media access in recent years, on their websites, in public events and in interviews, though not about pending cases.

I always talk to the press, said McConnell, whose father was a journalist.

But its not a universal attitude, said Jeremy Fogel, who directs the Federal Judicial Center in Washington while on leave from his position as a federal judge in San Jose.

A lot of new judges are afraid to talk to reporters, said Fogel, who himself is available for interviews. They dont think theyre supposed to.

And while the California Supreme Court, state appellate courts and some federal appeals courts now telecast hearings in cases of high interest, the nations high court has refused to admit cameras, and makes audio recordings of its hearings available only at the end of the week. Justices have contended that telecasts would cause some lawyers to play to the camera or would enable misleading 30-second sound bites in newscasts.

Its not for every court, Thomas observed.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
The revelations are part of a new Army-endorsed book 'India's Most Fearless', that features the first ever interview with the Para (Special Forces) Major who led one of the teams across LoC in a revenge raid 10 days after the Uri attack.

By Mail Today Bureau: Two moles in the Jaish-e-Mohammed, both Pakistani nationals cultivated and 'turned' by Indian intelligence agencies, helped confirm the final targets for India's September 2016 surgical strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir . The Indian Army's Special Forces teams were also in touch with two other PoK locals who provided crucial final human intelligence that paved the way for the operation that resulted in 38-40 terrorists being killed late at night on September 28.

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The revelations are part of a new Army-endorsed book 'India's Most Fearless', that features the first ever interview with the Para (Special Forces) Major who led one of the teams across LoC in a revenge raid 10 days after the Uri attack.

The book features 14 tales of modern military valour, including the Indian Army's crossborder strike in Myanmar in 2015 and the rescue of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, who made headlines in February 2016 for surviving six days under an avalanche in Siachen. "Through masked communications, we contacted four assets across LoC - two local villagers in PoK and two Jaish operatives who had been turned by Indian agencies," says the Major, identified in the book by his temporary radio name during the operation 'Mike Tango'.

In the book, the Army Major speaks at length about the planning stages, the journey into PoK and the tense atmosphere in which they arrived at their targets.

"This was meant to be a total surprise action. And it was. But as we neared our targets, the Pakistan Army posts began firing illumination rounds to light up the area. If they even smelt us, we would have had a fight on our hands. And their positions meant they could dominate us," the book quotes the Major as saying.

"Furious by the attack, the Pakistan Army posts opened fire with everything they had. Medium machine gun artillery and rocket-propelled grenades rained around us. At one point, the bullets were so close that they were whistling past our ears," recalls the Major in the book.

--- ENDS ---
Michael Macor/The Chronicle

It was never as certain or insistent as the states housing crisis, but when it finally came this week, the California Legislatures response was substantial. With lawmakers about to adjourn for the year, an 11th-hour Assembly decision on a new real estate fee  just reaching a two-thirds supermajority around 10:30 p.m. Thursday after an hour of vote-wrangling  cleared the way for final approval of a package of bills to lower barriers to residential development and fund affordable housing.

As even their champions acknowledge, the bills shouldnt be seen as more than the beginning of an answer to a housing shortage that is making homelessness more pervasive, commutes more crushing, and the state and national economies much less than they could be. But they are a good beginning and an undeniable triumph for housing advocates, including a new breed of pro-development YIMBYs  a yes-in-my-backward counterweight to Californias rampant NIMBY-ism  and the legislators who led a years-long campaign for housing legislation, particularly a pair of San Francisco Democrats, Sen. Scott Wiener and Assemblyman David Chiu.
It might sound like an understatement or faint praise to say that Aint Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations is worthy of the band of its title.

But theres no such thing as being merely worthy of the Motown quintet that bequeathed the world My Girl, Get Ready, I Wish It Would Rain and Papa Was a Rollin Stone. To be worthy of that is to transcend.

Berkeley Reps world premiere musical, which opened Thursday, Sept. 14, under the direction of Des McAnuff, makes songs resounding clarion calls from their opening beats  the teasing jazz piano riff of I Cant Get Next To You, the ache-filled strings soaring over gentle guitar thrums in Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me). Richly textured, perfectly blended harmonies back lead vocals that somehow combine swaggering showmanship, meticulously honed technique and emotion of almost unbearable intensity. Channeling Eddie Kendricks, actor Jeremy Pope has an otherwordly, buttery falsetto that warbles among notes as if they were playthings. When David Ruffin (Ephraim Sykes) takes the lead on the shows title track, abasing himself before his love for an imagined woman, he howls as if to implore the grim reaper for a few minutes more to live.

And then theres the choreography, by Sergio Trujillo, which Otis Williams (Derrick Baskin) accurately describes as some of the smoothest moves ever known to five men and a mike. Whether theyre herky-jerky silly, or undulating, blossoming with desire, the cast bring gymnastic spring to even the simplest steps  a clap of the hands, a swivel of the hips. In case that wasnt hardworking enough  faces dont drip but rain with sweat  they also do actual gymnastics: spinning multiple axels to land on a dime, jumping 180 degrees without breaking a lunging pose, leaping from standing to a splits and then back again, all while tossing and catching a microphone.

As producers consider a Broadway transfer, the shows book, written by Dominique Morisseau and based on Otis Williams memoir, The Temptations, could still use some tweaking. An over-reliance on narration, by Baskins Otis, means were told that the bandmates had an exchange, or that, oh hey, the civil rights movement is happening, rather than getting to see it for ourselves.

Characters are more flash points than three-dimensional figures, and thats whether theyre among the more temporary of the Temptations (the group cycled through 24 members over the years) or Otis, who takes the show through an arc familiar to anyone whos seen a VH1 Behind the Music special or two: meteoric rise, dissension among the ranks, health problems and worse that accompany life in the fast lane, reconciliation and redemption. Baskin acquits himself as well as he can, but he cant overcome hoary lines like through all the bumps on the journey, nor can he make his supposed care for his family take on the narrative heft the show intends when it gets only a few instants of stage time.

The story that registers most acutely is the band members life-or-death pull toward the music and the spotlight. When Ruffin forces his way onstage to sing with the band after hes been ousted from it, when Melvin Franklin (Jared Joseph) starts taking cortisone shots so that he can dance through his arthritis, whats clear is that the Temptations yearn to perform as much as their audience hungers to witness them. Almost 60 years after Berry Gordy (Jahi Kearse) founded Motown Records, Aint Too Proud shows that mutual desire hasnt abated one whit.

Lily Janiak is The San Francisco Chronicles theater critic. Email: ljaniak@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LilyJaniak

Aint Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations: Written by Dominique Morisseau. Directed by Des McAnuff. Through Oct. 22. Two hours, 40 minutes. $40-$115, subject to change. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

To see a trailer: https://vimeo.com/229916937

A conversation between Dominique Morisseau and Otis Williams: https://vimeo.com/232900475
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SACRAMENTO  The state Assembly passed a bill Friday to create a statewide sanctuary policy to limit law enforcements ability to work with federal authorities to deport undocumented immigrants.

SB54, by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, would bar local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on deportations except in cases in which immigrants had been convicted of certain crimes. The bill passed the Assembly 49-25 and now heads to the Senate, which will have to vote on the bill before session ends Friday night.

Advocates for the bill said it is needed to counter President Trumps intended crackdown on undocumented immigrants that has left many in fear.

Its real fear, its the kind that makes people stop you on the street and well up in tears, said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, D-San Diego. This is a good bill. Its one that will make our communities safer and one that is justice and right.

RELATED: Judge rules Justice Dept. can't keep grant money from uncooperative sanctuary cities

The bill passed the Senate in April on a party line vote, but ran into trouble in the Assembly due to law enforcement opposition. On Monday, Jerry Brown and de Leon announced a deal meant to clear a path for the bill by making a number of changes, including adding hundreds of crimes to the list of those for which immigrants would not be protected, including sex offenses and battery. The bill also exempts the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from most aspects of SB54.

The changes prompted the California Police Chiefs Association to go from opposing the bill to neutral. The California State Sheriffs Association still opposes the bill.

If passed by the Senate today, Brown is expected to sign the bill. Brown said Monday in a statement that the bill protects public safety and people who come to California to work hard and make this state a better place.

SB54 expands on policies already in place in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland and dozens of other jurisdictions in California. Proponents argue that sanctuary city policies help protect the public by encouraging undocumented immigrants to report crimes without fearing it will lead to their deportation.

From speaking to hundreds of victims of crimes and witnesses of crimes, if you are an immigrant victim or you are an immigrant witness, its difficult to trust working with law enforcement if you think there is a chance your immigration status might be passed along to the federal government, said Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, a former criminal prosecutor in San Francisco.

Republican lawmakers have uniformly opposed the bill, saying it puts Californians in danger by allowing criminals to avoid deportation, while jeopardizing billions in federal funding. The Trump administration has threatened to withhold grant money from local jurisdictions that have sanctuary laws.

Several Republicans mentioned Kate Steinle in their opposition to the bill, saying her San Francisco homicide is an example of how sanctuary policies arent in the publics interest. A Mexican immigrant who was in the country illegally and had been deported five times is accused in Steinles murder on San Franciscos Pier 14 two years ago.

Why are we providing sanctuary for people like that? said Assemblyman James Gallagher, R-Yuba City. A lot of people talk about building a well. This builds a wall between our local government and our federal partners and it makes our communities less safe.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
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One of three men accused of using a gun stolen from a San Francisco police officer to kill a man in the Mission District last month had been released from County Jail earlier in the year despite a request from federal immigration agents that he be held and turned over for potential deportation, officials said Friday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials lodged what is known as a detainer request for Jesus Perez-Araujo, 24, after he was arrested three months before the Aug. 15 street killing of 23-year-old Abel Enrique Esquivel Jr., said ICE spokesman James Schwab. The agency asked the city to hold him for up to 48 hours after his release.

Now Playing: Comparison of 2016's violent crime stats from major Bay Area cities Video: Ted Andersen, SFGATE

But San Francisco, and every other county in the Bay Area, does not honor detainer requests because of concerns that they violate inmates constitutional rights. And San Francisco, where leaders have rallied behind sanctuary policies that limit local cooperation in deportation efforts, notifies ICE in advance of an inmates release only under strict circumstances.

Perez-Araujo was arrested in May on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, was charged in court with a single misdemeanor count of possession of brass knuckles and released shortly thereafter, officials said. The charge does not fit the criteria under which the San Francisco jail would notify ICE.

Despite the detainer, local authorities made the decision to release him back into the community without providing any notification to ICE, resulting in another arrest that may have been averted had the city chosen to cooperate with ICE, Schwab said.

The San Francisco Sheriffs Department, which runs the jail, has said repeatedly that if immigration agents want to ensure they take custody of an inmate before release, they should obtain a warrant.

If ICE had presented us with a criminal warrant, we would have honored it, sheriffs spokeswoman Eileen Hirst said Friday.

The situation is similar to the jails controversial 2015 release of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate  also known as Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez  an immigrant who ICE wanted for deportation and who was later accused of killing 32-year-old Kate Steinle on the citys Pier 14. That slaying also was committed with a gun stolen from a law enforcement officers vehicle.

The episode highlights the fraught relationship between federal immigration authorities and leaders of sanctuary cities, who say public safety is enhanced when all city residents, including immigrants lacking documentation, can utilize public services and communicate with police without fear of deportation.

Perez-Araujos case is likely to become part of the debate over sanctuary laws that have prompted support from immigration advocates and attacks by the Trump administration, which has sought to increase deportations and has said sanctuary laws needlessly endanger communities.

On Friday, the California Legislature took up a bill that would forbid immigration detainers across the state and spell out when local jails can notify ICE about an inmates pending release.

What makes this so tragic is that it might have been prevented if San Francisco did not have such an egregious sanctuary policy, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for more restrictive enforcement. How many deaths is it going to take before people realize this is a mistake?

But Francisco Ugarte, an attorney defending Garcia Zarate against a murder charge, said, I think people who are trying to shoehorn the immigration question into this case have an ulterior motive. We know that noncitizens commit crimes at a lower rate than their citizen counterparts, and we know there is no correlation between deportation and public safety.

In an unusual twist in the case, immigration officials said Friday that one of the other men accused in the Mission District killing, 18-year-old Erick Garcia-Pineda, was wearing a GPS-enabled ICE ankle monitor at the time that allowed the agency to track his every move. .

The series of events that led to Esquivels death began Aug. 12, when Garcia-Pineda and Perez-Araujo stole a silver .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver and ammunition from a private car that was parked in San Francisco and belonged to city police Officer Marvin Cabuntala, according to a court complaint filed Thursday. The police internal affairs division is probing the theft and whether the officer failed to properly safeguard the weapon.

Garcia-Pineda, Perez-Araujo and Daniel Cruz, 18, then went on a robbery spree in the early-morning hours of Aug. 15, authorities said, ending with Garcia-Pineda shooting Esquivel, a city native and supermarket worker, at 26th Street and South Van Ness Avenue. Data from the ankle monitor is now key evidence in the case.

The three men were arraigned Thursday on a slate of charges, including murder, and are being held in jail without bail. Each pleaded not guilty.

Perez-Araujo had never been in ICE custody, officials said. But Garcia-Pineda was the subject of deportation proceedings after he was detained in December by federal authorities, Schwab said.

In April, an immigration judge released Garcia-Pineda while his court case continued, on condition that he wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and report to ICE in-person on a regular basis, Schwab said. He said Garcia-Pineda complied until August, when he missed a mandatory appointment with ICE.

Later, after the killing but before Garcia-Pineda had been linked to it, he was booked into jail twice in San Francisco in unrelated cases, officials said. He was arrested Aug. 18 on suspicion of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and assault with a firearm, and arrested Sept. 3 on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. He was not charged by prosecutors in either case, and was freed.

Sheriffs deputies at the jail appear to have removed Garcia-Pinedas ankle monitor before releasing him the first time, again underscoring the frayed relationship between ICE and local officials. ICE said the GPS tracker was removed Aug. 19, when an agency contractor responsible for monitoring individuals received a tamper alert.

Its not clear why ICE did not immediately respond to the location of the alert, but officials said the agency later could not track down Garcia-Pineda.

Though the Sheriffs Department would not comment on Garcia-Pinedas case specifically, officials said deputies would remove any inmates ankle monitor during booking. The disconnection typically alerts the monitoring agency, Hirst said, and that agency would know via GPS that the person was in San Francisco jail.

Its then up to the issuing agency to be tracking this person and following up with us if they want us to do anything in particular with them, Hirst said.

ICE officials said they lodged a detainer request when Garcia-Pineda was arrested Sept. 3, hoping to take custody of him and continue deportation proceedings. But the case did not fit San Franciscos criteria for notifying ICE, and Garcia-Pineda was released. Around this time, city investigators were piecing together the Mission District killing, and they arrested all three men early this week.

Angela Chan, an immigration lawyer and policy director at the Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco, said counties were right to ignore ICE detainers, because courts have ruled they violate the constitutional ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

It sounds like it was a terrible tragedy that occurred, but we need to stop stereotyping and scapegoating immigrants, she said. There is violent crime committed by both immigrants and nonimmigrants.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
SACRAMENTO  California lawmakers sent Gov. Jerry Brown sweeping legislation early Saturday morning that would create a statewide sanctuary policy, end lifetime registration for some sex offenders and move up the states presidential primary election.

SB54, by Sen. President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, would bar local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on deportations except in cases in which immigrants had been convicted of certain crimes. The bill passed the Assembly 49-25 and 27-11 in the Senate.

Advocates for the bill said it is needed to counter President Trumps intended crackdown on unauthorized immigrants that has left many in fear.

Its real fear, its the kind that makes people stop you on the street and well up in tears, said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, D-San Diego. This is a good bill. Its one that will make our communities safer and one that is justice and right.

After Brown expressed concerns with the bill, the governor worked with de Leon on amendments, with those changes adding hundreds of crimes to the list of those for which immigrants would not be protected, including sex offenses and battery. The bill also exempts the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from most aspects of SB54.

The changes prompted the California Police Chiefs Association to change its position on the bill from opposing it to being neutral. The California State Sheriffs Association still opposes the bill.

If the Senate passed the bill, Brown was expected to sign it. Brown said Monday in a statement that the bill protects public safety and people who come to California to work hard and make this state a better place.

SB54 would expand on policies already in place in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland and dozens of other jurisdictions in California. Proponents argue that sanctuary city policies help protect the public by encouraging immigrants without documentation to report crimes without fearing it will lead to their deportation.

From speaking to hundreds of victims of crimes and witnesses of crimes, if you are an immigrant victim or you are an immigrant witness, its difficult to trust working with law enforcement if you think there is a chance your immigration status might be passed along to the federal government, said Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, a former criminal prosecutor in San Francisco.

Republican lawmakers have opposed the bill, saying it puts Californians in danger by allowing criminals to avoid deportation.

Several Republicans mentioned Kate Steinle in their opposition to the bill, saying her slaying in San Francisco is an example of how sanctuary policies are not in the publics interest. A Mexican immigrant who was in the country illegally and had been deported five times is accused of killing Steinle.

Why are we providing sanctuary for people like that? said Assemblyman James Gallagher, R-Nicolaus (Sutter County). A lot of people talk about building a wall. This builds a wall between our local government and our federal partners, and it makes our communities less safe.

Another bill sent to Brown, SB386 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would allow many sex offenders to petition to be removed from the registry 10 to 20 years after they are released from prison, as long as they have not committed another serious or violent felony or sex crime.

The bill passed the Senate early Saturday morning with a bi-partisan 28-4 vote. It now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown, whose office said he will sign it.

SB 384 proposes thoughtful and balanced reforms that allow prosecutors and law enforcement to focus their resources on tracking sex offenders who pose a real risk to public safety, rather than burying officers in paperwork that has little public benefit, said Brown spokeswoman Ali Bay.

Law enforcement pushed for the bill, arguing that Californias registry is so large that officers and the public cant determine who is at high risk for reoffending. The registry has 100,000 sex offenders  meaning 1 in 400 Californians is on it.

It is really hard to talk about doing anything that can be perceived as helping a sex offender, Wiener said. But, the reality is the registry is so broken that it makes people less safe.

Other bills decided include:

SB568 by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens (Los Angeles County), passed; it would move Californias presidential primary up to make the state more relevant in elections. Under the bill, the primary in presidential election years would move from June to March.

SB5 by de Leon, was pending a vote; it would ask voters next year to approve a $4 billion bond for water, flood and parks projects in the state, was approved by the Legislature and sent to Brown.

SB100 by de Leon, which would require California to receive all of its power from renewable sources by 2045, stalled in an Assembly committee and will be taken up again next year.

AB186 by Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, D-Stockton, failed; it would have allowed some counties  including Alameda and San Francisco  to create safe injection sites to reduce opioid overdoses. Eggman said she will try again to pass the bill next year.

While I am disappointed that the bill will not pass at this time, I am committed to finding a way forward next year, Eggman said. The opioid epidemic continues, and new solutions are desperately needed.

SB328 by Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge (Los Angeles County), failed; it would have required middle and high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

SB149 by Sens. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, and Wiener passed; it would require candidates for president to release five years of their tax returns to be placed on the California ballot.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
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The California Legislature passed a bill Thursday that would require future presidential candidates to publicly release their tax returns before the state includes them on the primary ballot.

The bill, called the Presidential Tax Transparency and Accountability Act, asks a candidate to turn in their tax returns for the previous five years. The documents would then be posted publicly on the California Secretary of State's website.

The bill, a clear reaction to President Donald Trump decided not to share his own tax returns, passed the California Assembly 42 to 18. Next, it goes to the state Senate for a vote and then to the governor.

California Sen. Scott Wiener, the former San Francisco supervisor, is one author of the bill. Wiener said the bill offers "honesty and transparency" to the American people.

"As the months continue to go by in the disastrous Trump Administration and the investigations and conflicts of interest pile up, it becomes more and more clear how critical basic transparency is in how we elect our president," he said it a statement to SFGATE.

As another author of the bill, California Sen. Mike McGuire, said in a statement, the bill is a response to Trump's actions.

"President Trump's blatant disregard for the tradition of releasing tax returns is dangerous to our democracy," he said, according to The Hill. "For decades, every President has put their personal beliefs aside and put our country first and released their returns."

The bill states that the goal is to help voters make a more informed decision.

"The Legislature finds and declares that a Presidential candidate's income tax returns provide voters with essential information regarding the candidate's potential conflicts of interest, business dealings, financial status, and charitable donations," the text reads.

A similar bill requiring candidates for public and federal office to release their tax returns was introduced in New York earlier this year.

While still a candidate on the campaign trail, President Trump repeatedly promised to release his tax returns after an audit was completed. In April 2017, then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Trump was still under audit.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.
NEW YORK  The citys quest to make itself a legitimate rival to Silicon Valley as a high-tech hub has long bumped up against some harsh realities, among them the fact it hasnt had a top-tier technology school pumping out the next generation of entrepreneurs and engineers.

A potential answer to that problem, a technology-oriented graduate school called Cornell Tech, was dedicated last week at a ceremony at its new campus on an island in the East River.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, called the schools opening an important milestone in New York states long-term economic strategy and a powerful symbol of possibility.

Cuomo said New York has been losing ground in the tech race not because others were winning but because we were not competing.

The collaboration between Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, built with the help of hundreds of millions of dollars from philanthropies and from the city, has just 250 masters degree students and 50 doctoral students taking classes this fall. But officials hope to expand it to 2,000 students by the time the campus is fully developed.

Part of the concept is to promote close ties between academia and the startup economy, officials said.

Cornell Tech presented an opportunity that is almost unheard of today, to build a new type of academic program and a new type of campus from scratch, Martha Pollack, the computer scientist who was named the 14th president of Cornell University this year, said in a speech to a business group.

She called the school the first of its kind campus, built for the digital age.

The first three buildings of a 12-acre campus on Roosevelt Island are now open after a fledgling Cornell Tech program spent the past four years as a rent-free tenant at a Google office building in Manhattan.

The campus was born from a competition held by New York City in 2011, backed by independent then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who made his fortune selling innovative data terminals to Wall Street.

The best inheritance that I can leave my daughters and my grandchildren is a better city and a better world, Bloomberg said at the ceremony.

Donations to build the new campus have included $100 million from the former mayors charity, Bloomberg Philanthropies, $350 million from philanthropist and duty-free magnate Chuck Feeney and $133 million from Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs. The city provided $100 million in seed money plus development rights on city land.

Students in fields including engineering, computer science, business and health tech are living this fall in a newly opened 26-story residence hall with sweeping views of Manhattan on one side and Queens on the other.

Cornell Techs main academic building, called the Bloomberg Center, looks far more like a tech company than a university.

Professors and researchers type away at laptops in the open-plan office. If they want privacy for a meeting they can repair to a huddle room.

There are no book-lined faculty offices, nor, it appeared during a recent visit, any books at all.

Its a real shock to the system for those of us who come from academia, Pollack said. You cant imagine going to a faculty member and saying, No, youre not going to have an office. Youre going to be in an open floor plan.

The third Cornell Tech building, called the Bridge, is owned by developer Forest City Ratner and will be shared by the school and commercial tenants including, so far, Citigroup and Italian chocolate maker Ferrero, the maker of Nutella.

Pollack said the arrangement means that our students and researchers will interact with startups, entrepreneurs, investors and established companies all in the pursuit of commercial innovation.

The Technion, Israels oldest university, is responsible for two of the seven masters programs Cornell Tech offers. The programs in health tech and connective media are part of the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, which also hosts a post-doctoral startup program for graduates to transform their research into new companies.

The Technions president, Peretz Lavie, said he was flattered when Bloomberg invited him to enter the competition for a New York campus but he knew that the Technion would need an American partner. The Cornell-Technion marriage works because the two universities share similar educational missions, Lavie said.

Its a match made in heaven for many reasons, he said in a telephone interview.

Bloomberg acknowledged when he announced the competition back in 2011 that it would take time for New York to become the high-tech leader he envisioned.

We understand that we will not catch up to Silicon Valley overnight, he said. Building a state-of-the-art campus will take years  and attracting a critical mass of technology entrepreneurs may take even longer.

But Bloomberg said he believed that in its first three decades the school could help launch 400 new companies.

Cornell Tech officials say that more than 30 startups have been formed out of the program, raising $20 million and employing 105 people.

Karen Matthews is an Associated Press writer.
An encounter took place between Special Task Force (STF) and criminals in Pandarak, 60 km from Patna, on Saturday morning.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: An encounter took place between Special Task Force (STF) and criminals in Pandarak, 60 km from Patna, on Saturday morning. The encounter took place in the riverine area of the Ganga when the STF team had reached there following information that local criminals were planning to execute some big incident.

Eyewitnesses say that the entire riverine area thundered during cross firing between STF and criminals . According to police sources, approximately 150 rounds were fired in the encounter with the criminals.

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While it has been reported that close to 80 rounds were fired by the criminals and STF fired almost 75 rounds in retaliation. The encounter continued for more than 4 hours after which the criminals managed to escape from the spot.

The encounter began after the criminals came to know about the police action against them.

After almost four hours of encounter, the criminals left behind huge cache of arms and ammunitions and fled into the jungle. Soon after the encounter ended, the STF carried out search and combing operation in the entire riverine area.

Police sources said that the criminals with whom the encounter took place belonged to the Gaya gang headed by dreaded local gangster Ram Janam Yadav. The gang who involved in several incidents of loot, kidnapping and extortion for last several years.

--- ENDS ---
Rare is the gifted teenager who is not bored in high school. Yet few have signaled their boredom as extravagantly as Martin Shkreli, the pharmaceutical company founder who was sent to jail Wednesday to await sentencing for a fraud conviction.

Shkreli was a chronic class-skipper who, friends have said, preferred to spend his time on chess and playing guitar in a band. His highly selective Manhattan school asked him to stop attending.

Entrepreneurs, it turns out, do not just move fast and break things, as Facebooks longtime credo put it. They are also more likely than others to cross the line.

According to research by economists Ross Levine and Yona Rubinstein, people who become entrepreneurs are not only apt to have had high self-esteem while growing up (and to have been white, male and financially secure). They are also more likely than others to have been intelligent people who engaged in illicit activities in their teenage years and early 20s.

And those indiscretions have not been limited to using drugs or skipping school, but have included antisocial acts like taking property by force or stealing goods worth less than $50.

In light of the recent troubles of Shkreli and other scandal-ridden entrepreneurs like Travis Kalanick, the former Uber chief executive, and Parker Conrad, a founder and ousted chief executive of the multibillion-dollar human resources software firm Zenefits, the question is whether youthful rule breaking might have foreshadowed not only their rise, but also their fall.

It is perhaps not surprising that longtime rebels like Kalanick  who has boasted of being among the first peer-to-peer file-sharing pirates when he was in his early 20s  would be inclined toward entrepreneurship. It is a calling that, in the often repeated narrative of economist Joseph Schumpeter, rewards those who upend the established order.

As the brain matures, I think the energy in terms of breaking rules is focused toward I can do that better as opposed to Im going to take a pair of sneakers, said Levine, who published a peer-reviewed paper on the topic with Rubinstein in a top journal this year. Both men are experts on entrepreneurship, and Rubinstein also studies human capital.

The problem is that the psychological forces that drive teenagers to break rules may not be so easily channeled later on.

Laurence Steinberg, a Temple University professor and an expert on the psychological development of adolescents, cited a phenomenon known as moral disengagement, in which people rationalize behavior at odds with their own principles. A teenager who steals a pair of sneakers, for example, may tell himself that the manufacturer was overcharging consumers.

Studies have shown that such moral disengagement frequently enables wrongdoing, and that it can survive into adulthood. According to Steinberg, entrepreneurs who are prone to moral disengagement may continue to break actual rules, not just metaphorical ones.

You think the regulations are uncalled for, he said. Even though you might be breaking them, youre really not doing a bad thing, because they were bad regulations.

Such behavior is often encouraged in Silicon Valley. For years, many technology investors applauded Ubers practice of operating without the approval of local regulators, and then exploiting the companys popularity among riders to bring about changes to the rules.

Or consider the early days of the financial technology and payments company Square, which used a credit card account one of its founders set up for one business to handle payments for other businesses that lacked such accounts.

The practice sometimes ran afoul of credit card company rules, but Square pressed ahead, demonstrating that small businesses would pay for a service that made it cheap and easy to accept credit card payments. If you dont do it, you cant test whether people even like the concept, said Greg Kidd, who was an adviser to the company. Kidd noted that Square soon raised $10 million from enthusiastic investors.

While such rule breaking may be legitimate in certain circumstances  the major credit card companies eventually altered the restrictions on the use of business credit card accounts, allowing Square to get off the ground  the financial rewards for operating this way can reinforce a tendency toward shiftiness.

There are two factors that make it even more tempting to fudge ethical questions: the relative lack of oversight at startups, and the enormous risk of failure.

Entrepreneurial businesses are often in crises, due to high levels of environmental uncertainty, the large number of actual or potential competitors, and the significant amounts of financial capital needed to compete, said a 2015 article in the Journal of Business Ethics. Moral disengagement can cognitively pave the way and increase the likelihood that these dilemmas will be resolved unethically.

In effect, entrepreneurship takes people who, as a group, are prone to breaking actual rules and puts them in a setting that constantly encourages them to do so.

Shkreli, who is to be sentenced in January for defrauding investors in two hedge funds he managed  and had his bail revoked Wednesday after offering a bounty for a strand of Hillary Clintons hair  has played down his wrongdoing.

He did it, and it worked, and they got paid, one of his lawyers said in court, arguing that Shkreli made his hedge fund investors whole partly by using stock from his pharmaceutical company. Steinberg called it a clear example of moral disengagement. (The lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said that Shkreli never intended to defraud anyone.)

Conrad, who was ousted as chief executive of Zenefits last year after it was disclosed that he had created a tool to help insurance brokers evade state training requirements, was not averse to rule breaking as a younger man. He was asked to leave Harvard for a year after rarely showing up to class and earning terrible grades. He eventually returned and graduated.

(An investigation commissioned by the Zenefits board concluded that the requirements the tool helped brokers evade were not substantive.)

Conrads flaws as a manager may have been evident at Zenefits, whose motto was Ready, Fire, Aim, long before his downfall. Not least to Conrad himself, who confessed in a 2014 interview that his sluggish approach to hiring senior executives meant balls are getting dropped. Investors lined up to give the company money anyway.

Of course, youthful wrongdoing is hardly destiny when it comes to adult rule-breaking, as Levine, the economist, pointed out. While he was at Harvard, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was summoned before an administrative board over allegations that he had hacked into university websites. But he appears to have matured over time, even retiring the move fast and break things motto in 2014.

These days, many venture capitalists spend as much time assessing what kind of troublemaker an entrepreneur may be as they do assessing a business revolutionary potential.

We do want them to be rule breakers, said David Golden, who helps run the venture capital arm of Revolution, the investment firm of AOL co-founder Steve Case. We dont want them to be felons.

Golden admitted, however, that such judgments can be flawed. He cited a software company that Revolution agreed to finance in 2014, only to discover that the founder had misrepresented certain companies as customers.

To eliminate subjectivity, some people have tried to quantify an optimal willingness to break rules. Before he started his venture capital fund, Switch Ventures, Paul Arnold collected data on roughly 12,000 startups with the goal of identifying the profiles of entrepreneurs that were most strongly associated with success.

Arnolds most striking finding involved startups where at least one founder had worked at the consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

He studied nearly 1,000 such companies and discovered that startup founders who left McKinsey after about three to four years tended to be extremely successful, but that those who stayed a lot longer were close to average. He concluded that the first group had the platonically ideal capacity for rule breaking: They were sufficiently fluent in rule following to hold a job at McKinsey but didnt like the strictures and kind of resisted it.

But even Arnold, whose intuition on these questions was honed not just by statistics but by life experience  he was a two-time high-school dropout who was often in trouble for things like smoking marijuana before eventually finding his way to law school  admitted that he might have missed the warning signs with Kalanick.

While he was chief executive of Uber, the company developed a tool to evade regulators, had dozens of employees allege sexual harassment or discrimination, and was accused by a rival of stealing intellectual property.

The Uber story is that the initial rule-breaking was innovation, Arnold said. But it was a slippery slope. They broke the next one and the next one, and were doing less and less ethical things.

I dont know, he confessed. Its a tricky topic.

Noam Scheiber is a New York Times writer.
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A woman arrested outside the Ben Shapiro event Thursday at UC Berkeley said she spent the night in jail for nothing more than carrying a large cardboard sign that Berkeley police deemed a banned weapon.

Sarah Roark, a 44-year-old San Bruno resident, never made it to the protest outside the talk by the conservative author. City police officers stopped and detained her before she could join the crowd at Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue.

On Friday, Roark said at a news conference that her sign was booked into evidence, but she and fellow members of the group Refuse Fascism created a replica to show reporters  a large poster-style placard filled with text under the heading The Trump/Pence Regime on Civil Liberties.

Its flimsy cardboard covered in plastic, Roark said, adding that she believes in nonviolent protest. I was exercising my free-speech rights.

Roark said it is ironic that conservative figures such as Shapiro talk about the erosion of free-speech rights on college campuses while people like her who oppose the speakers are barred from carrying political signs.

They never explained to me how it was a weapon, Roark said. I didnt know it was considered a weapon until I saw a tweet that I had a banned weapon.

Now Playing: It was a mostly non-violent evening, yet barriers are still set up around UC Berkeley's campus Thursday evening, where hundreds of demonstrators arrived to protest a speech by conservative commentator and former Breitbart editor, Ben Shapiro. Video: KTVU

Shortly after Roark was taken into custody, Berkeley police posted her mug shot on Twitter along with the alleged charge of carrying a banned weapon.

The comic creator and UC Santa Barbara alumna said she had never been arrested  not even for a moving violation  before Thursday night. She was booked at the Berkeley Police Station before being transported to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin around midnight. She was released at 10 a.m. and told her arraignment will be on Oct. 13.

Roark and three others were arrested Thursday under a city law enacted less than a month ago. The new ordinance gave police additional power to manage demonstrations whose organizers do not have permits. For instance, city officials can create a list of items that may be deemed weapons, and police may seize those items and detain the individuals carrying them.

Violating the law is considered a misdemeanor. It wasnt clear Friday whether Alameda County prosecutors would take up the cases.

For Thursdays Shapiro talk and the corresponding protests, city officials released a list of prohibited items. Signs were not on the list, but any item generally considered an implement of riot was forbidden.

Roark said a police officer warned her that her sign would not be allowed in the protest, but she carried it anyway. She said it had no plywood or pole backing and couldnt have been used to hurt anyone.

I decided the First Amendment was more important than something in the municipal law, she said.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
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Rihanna hosted her third annual Diamond Ball on Thursday, Sept. 14, in New York City.

The charity event benefiting the Clara Lionel Foundation  a non-profit organization to help impoverished communities across the world  saw a beyond star-studded red carpet.

LIVING LARGE: Austin woman goes from Chipotle employee to runway model in 10 days

Among those attending the event were none other than Beyonce and Jay Z (sans children), Dave Chapelle, Kendrick Lamar and several other big names.

The event featured performances by Chapelle and Lamar along with an auction that, according to Page Six, raised $840,000.

Some of the items included a diamond necklace, a Maldives vacation, and a bottle of champagne signed by Jay Z.

Take a look through the gallery above to see who came out for the event.
DETROIT  An expert who has warned about dangerous lead levels in the city of Flints drinking water declared on Friday a qualified end to the crisis.

Virginia Tech researcher Marc Edwards made the announcement at a news conference two years to the day after standing in front of City Hall with residents and other researchers to highlight serious lead contamination problem in the financially struggling citys water supply.
WASHINGTON  Republicans spooked world markets in their ardor to cut spending when Democrat Barack Obama was in the White House. Now, with Republican President Trump pressing for politically popular tax cuts and billions more for the military, few in the GOP are complaining about the nations soaring debt.

The Tea Partyers and other conservatives who seized control of the House in 2010 have morphed into Ronald Reagan-style supply-siders while the GOPs numerous Pentagon pals run roughshod over the few holdouts. Tax cuts in the works could add hundreds of billions of dollars to the debt while bipartisan pressure for more money for defense, infrastructure and domestic agencies could mean almost $100 billion in additional spending next year alone.

The bottom line: The $20 trillion national debt promises to spiral ever higher with Republicans controlling both Congress and the White House.

Republicans gave up on caring about deficits long ago, bemoaned Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who was elected in the 2010 Tea Party class.

Its a far cry from the Newt Gingrich-led GOP revolution that stormed Washington two decades ago with a mandate to balance the budget and cut taxes at the same time. Or even from Republicans of 2001, who enthusiastically cut taxes under President George W. Bush, but only at a moment when the government was flush with money.

Now, deficits are back with a vengeance. Medicare and Social Security are drawing closer to insolvency. Fiscal hawks and watchdogs like the Congressional Budget Office warn that the debt is eventually going to drag the economy down.

But like Obama and Bush before him, Trump isnt talking about deficits. Neither much are voters.

Voters, frankly, after these huge deficits, are saying, Well, how much do deficits really matter? said former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., a two-time presidential candidate. Were not Greece yet, right?

Topping the immediate agenda, however, is a debt-financed drive to overhaul the tax system.

Top Capitol Hill Republicans such as House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky had promised for months that a tax overhaul would not add to the deficit, with rate cuts financed by closing loopholes and other steps.

Instead, Republicans are talking about tax cuts whose costs to the debt  still under negotiation  would be justified by assumptions of greater economic growth.

We want pro-growth tax reform that will get the economy going, that will get people back to work, that will give middle-income taxpayers a tax cut and that will put American businesses in a better competitive playing field so that we keep American businesses in America, Ryan said this past week. Thats more important than anything else.

He backed off months of promises that the Republicans tax plan wont add to the nations ballooning deficit.

The GOP moves could justify $800 billion or so in tax cuts over 10 years, but the administration is pressing behind the scenes to push the envelope well beyond that range.

Theyre starting to talk about tax cuts instead of tax reform, said former Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H.

Among the few deficit hawk holdouts is Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a key vote on the Senate Budget Committee, whos been pumping the brakes on taxes, a stand thats earned him face-to-face meetings with both Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trump himself. Corker says he believes in some adjustments but doesnt want to let this just be party time that just takes us no place but massive deficits down the road.

Trumps election has GOP military hawks pressing to shovel enormous amounts of money into the Pentagon  about $90 billion over the stringent spending limits set by the hard-won 2011 deficit control effort. Republican demands for spending cuts as the price of lifting the governments debt limit and averting a market-rattling default on U.S. obligations pushed negotiations perilously close to a market crisis that summer.

The unpopular leftover from the 2011 agreement are those spending limits, which if violated would be enforced by across-the-board spending cuts. Republicans want to scrap them, at least for military money.

Theres so much pressure on our side for additional defense spending, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. Believe me theres more defense hawks than budget hawks in the Republican conference right now.

But it takes Democratic help to lift the limits and their price, unsurprisingly, is more money for domestic programs.

That leaves GOP deficit hawks frustrated. Theyve won, for now, a $200 billion package of spending cuts as part of the House budget resolution, which has stalled after committee approval this summer.

Conservatives demanding that spending cuts accompany any extension of the governments borrowing ability were undercut by Trump, who agreed last week to add temporary borrowing approval to a must-pass Harvey relief bill.

Andrew Taylor is an Associated Press writer.
1 School shooting: Authorities in Washington state are searching for a thief who made off with the purse of a parent who rushed to check on her child after a school shooting last week. The Spokane County Sheriffs Office said the thief has racked up more than $36,000 in fraudulent charges. The fact these criminals took advantage of such a tragic situation is particularly heinous. said Deputy Mark Gregory. Authorities say the purse was stolen Wednesday as parents converged on Freeman High School in Rockford, where a gunman had opened fire, killing one student and injuring three others. A 15-year-old has been arrested. A two-lane road into the small town was clogged as worried parents sped to the school. Some people abandoned their cars, and Gregory said someone stole a purse hastily left behind by a worried parent.

2 El Chapo case: A drug trafficking case against Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman wont be dismissed even though his lawyers argued the U.S. government violated international law by charging him with different crimes after he was extradited, a federal judge has ruled. Guzman was transported from Mexico to New York City in January to face charges that he oversaw a multibillion-dollar international drug trafficking operation that laundered money and oversaw a ruthless campaign of killings and kidnappings. His lawyers argued in court papers that the government charged him with different crimes after he was en route to the U.S. Judge Brian Cogan ruled Friday that Guzman cant raise the issue without protest or objection from Mexico. Guzmans case is set for trial in April.
The victim was traumatised, had cigarette burn marks on her apart from other injuries. A man from West Bengal had lured the girl by promising marriage.

By Chayyanika Nigam: A pregnant woman tricked a prostitution syndicate into giving up its whereabouts that led to the rescue of her 16-year-old sister who was being drugged, tortured and forced to have sex with about 20 clients a day. The teenager from West Bengal was trapped in Delhi's biggest red-light district, GB Road, for nearly five months.

She got freedom only after two raids were conducted in four months at the brothels in the area. Fearing police action, the syndicate sent her back home with the help of a customer. She was traumatised, had cigarette burn marks on her apart from other injuries. A man from West Bengal had lured the girl by promising marriage.

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He would call her frequently on her mother's mobile phone. She eloped with him in May, leaving everything behind at her home. From Diamond Harbour, she was taken to Kolkata and then brought to Delhi by train. As soon as she reached the Capital, the trafficker sold her to a pimp at GB Road where she was thrown into a dimly lit room with two other girls who were older than her. "The madam used to give us meals only twice a day and if any customer complained about me, I was left to starve. From Day 1, I was forced into prostitution. Men of my father's age used to avail the services," she told the police.

Her schedule started at 10 in the morning, when she was supposed to get ready with attractive clothes, combed hair and make-up. "From 11am, customers used to visit the brothels and the first shift ended at 4pm. Then food was served where we were not allowed to demand more. Daal, roti, sabzi was the daily menu.

After a few hours of rest, we were supposed to bathe and get ready for the evening shift. From 8pm to 4.30am, I was supposed to entertain the customers," she recalled. "After completion of the shift, we were given food.

Then we were allowed to sleep in those tiny rooms where we could not even move an inch after lying down." One day, the teen managed to call her mother from a customer's cellphone and informed her family that she was in a red-light area in Delhi. The information was shared with West Bengal Police and a raid was conducted at GB Road with the help of Delhi cops. But the girl could not be found. Her sister, who is ninemonth pregnant, called on the number of that customer and hung up.

He called back and, after hearing a woman's voice at the other end, struck up a conversation. The sister said, "Dada, I called you by mistake," and kept talking, displaying interest in him. He asked her to visit Delhi, promising to take care of her expenses. He then shared his photograph and address with her. She passed on the information to West Bengal police and then to Delhi police.

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The man was detained at Barakhamba Road police station and he confirmed that the girl was at a GB Road brothel. He also promised cops to help in the raid. However, a search with the help of NGO Shakti Vahini failed to find her. Meanwhile, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal issued summons to 125 brothel owners on GB Road and asked them to appear before the panel.

The consecutive raids by cops and the DCW notice scared the pimps into releasing the girl. A person accompanied her till Diamond Harbour station and gave her `3,000 in cash. Before leaving, he asked her to withdraw all the police cases and return to GB Road to earn money.

Speaking to Mail Today, Sudeshna Roy, member of West Bengal's protection of child rights commission, said she met the victim on Friday. The girl is traumatised and is in a rescue home for a month to continue her counselling. Narrating the victim's ordeal, she said, "On a regular basis, she was given a drink laced with sedatives, after which she used to feel dizzy. Whenever she refused, she was beaten up and kept starving." The other two girls with whom the victim shared the room, known as tahkhana, were allegedly injected with drugs daily.

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"The customers used to pay as little as `350 per service. The money was given to the pimp and sometimes the customer used to give a tip of Rs 50. But the girls are not supposed to keep the tips and the money was snatched from them," the victim said.

Also Watch:

Mega sex racket busted; 33 including 6 women, 6 lawyers arrested

--- ENDS ---
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Amid a face-off between President Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, the fear of a nuclear exchange is rising.

Does this mean the fringe bomb-shelter business is booming as it did during the Cold War?

It depends on who you talk to.

The handful of U.S. companies manufacturing shelters designed to protect occupants from a nuclear explosion report increases in sales and inquiries this year, but we've reached out to several local planning departments who aren't seeing a surge in fallout permits.

Ron Hubbard, the president of Atlas Survival Shelters in Montebello, Calif., says business got so busy this year that he had to open a second 440,000-square-foot factory in Texas.

"This is here to stay," Hubbard says. "This is the new normal. People are putting in bunkers below their houses. People want protection for their family.

The industry is cyclical and ebbs and flows with the international political climate and public sentiment around safety. During the Cold War years of tension and nuclear buildup, fallout shelterswhether a converted basement or a backyard bomb shelterbecame the rage.

Hubbard says he saw a spike in early August after Trump threatened to unleash "fire and fury" against North Korea if the country endangered the United States. The President's chilling words evoking the horror of a nuclear exchange sent people calling.

"I sold more in the last month than I've sold in the eight months before that," he says.

When Hubbard started his business in 2011, he sold about 10 shelters in the first year. In 2017 he says he's on track to sell about 1,000 at $25,000 each. Hubbard says he offers a variety of shelter options to protect people from everything from tornados to nuclear war. Hubbard, who calls himself the Henry Ford of the bomb shelter business, offers a model as cheap as $9,999.

In the Bay Area, he has sold about a half-dozen in the past six months.

"They're becoming quite popular in San Jose," he says. "In San Francisco they don't have yards. Unless they put it in before they build the house, it's really hard to add one in the city. Oakland, San Jose, Pleasanton, Los Altos Hills, Saratoga...those are places where I've sold shelters. Those areas people have the land and the yard."

Gary Lynch runs the smaller but growing operation Rising S Shelters in Murchison, Texas, with the least expensive option starting at $40,000. Last year Lynch sold about 120 shelters, and this year he's on track to build double.

"We sell over all over the world," Lynch says. "If I had to pick one state that has the most interest this year, that would probably be California."

While the companies report a sales boom, SFGATE didn't find strong evidence of a bomb-shelter trend in the Bay Area.

City planning departments require residents to permit shelters and of the three departments SFGATE contacted, none had seen an uptick in shelters appearing in design plans.

The Los Altos Planning Department said that residents sometimes inquire about removing old Cold War shelters from their properties but this year they haven't been asked about putting one in.

Suzanne Avila, the planning director in Los Altos Hills concurred. "No, staff has not received any inquiries about installing a bomb shelter," Avila wrote in an email. "Many property owners building new homes include a basement, but those are typically used for additional living space.

In Pleasant Hill, where the Planning Department posts rules around residents permitting fallout shelters online, planner Andrew Shiplet also hasn't seen any bomb shelters in residents' plans.

While Atherton Town Planner Lisa Costa Andrews hasn't had any inquiries on building bomb shelters this year, she says she sees designs that include a 'safe room' in the basement.

"The room is usually hidden, able to be secured from the inside and is of substantial construction," Andrews wrote in an email. "It is used if there is an intruder in the home for the safety of the occupants."

Hubbard says while some clients get permits, "most of my customers do not need a permit to install a shelter."

SFGATE didn't have any luck either with locating a Bay Area resident who installed a shelter this year.

"These people are very secretive," Hubbard says. " People are more secret about their bunkers than their bank accounts. If someone has a shelter and everyone in the neighborhood knew, then when something happens everyone in the neighborhood is going to be coming to your house."

This story was updated Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
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A correctional officer at Avenal State Prison allegedly kicked a feral kitten and was told on by an inmate who saw the incident.

Judith Shipstad of Los Gatos told the Fresno Bee that she received a letter from inmate Richard Sandoval claiming that he witnessed one of the guards kick a kitten and seriously injure it.

BAY AREA CAT KILLER: San Jose serial cat killer gets 16-year sentence

Sandoval wrote:

"One of the cops here ... was walking and then kicked the baby kitten about 20 feet up in the air and broke its back left leg. The poor baby can't walk. He tries with three legs but then falls over and lays there and cries.

"We can't get to it because he's behind a chain-linked fence, so he's helpless and in pain. I try to feed him and he just cries. I feel so bad for him. I prayed for him.

"The other inmates are trying to get the cop that did that to be held accountable for what he did. There were inmates who seen him do it. I was told by other inmates. I didn't see it myself, but I did see the poor kitty afterwards."

MIRACLE: Cat disappears in NorCal, turns up in Canada 4 years later

The kitten was taken to a veterinarian and is now being cared for at the home of a female correctional officer.

Prison spokesman Michael Tuntakit told the Bee that the animal abuse claim is under investigation, and that "if it was a staff member, we'll hold that staff member accountable."

The prison had a "feral cat colony" for three decades. According to the Bee, 15 years ago the prison briefly created "a population control program" that involved "trapping, neutering and releasing" the cats. The program has since ended.
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Police in Placerville arrested a man accused of robbing a grocery store on Friday night after he fled the scene on foot and led police on a foot chase on Highway 50.

According to a press release from the Placerville Police Department, police responded to a call from a Placerville Grocery Outlet alleging that Carmichael robbed the store and held an employee at knifepoint.

The store told police that Carmichael stole "some merchandise" from the store, and when an employee told Carmichael to stop, Carmichael stopped walking towards the exit, turned around and pulled a knife on the employee. Carmichael then ran away from the store but dropped items he allegedly stole as he was running.

RELATED: Anguish, outrage over street killing of SF man with gun stolen from cop

Police then searched the surrounding area and found a subject "matching the description of Carmichael" at a nearby Jimboy's Tacos.

After seeing the police officers, Carmichael dropped the stolen merchandise behind a tree and ran onto the eastbound on-ramp of Highway 50 at Schnell School Road. Officers stated that they ordered Carmichael to stop, but he refused.

Carmichael then "ran across all lanes of traffic on Highway 50," but officers eventually caught up to him on the hill near the westbound on-ramp of Highway 50 and took him into custody.

STRANGE: Police: Naked California brothers break into, vandalize church

Carmichael was booked at the El Dorado County Jail on suspicion of robbery, resisting arrest and violation of probation.

In 2000, Carmichael was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for "multiple felonies" but was released in 2013 after getting his sentence "realigned" under Assembly Bill 109, which sought to address the "overcrowding" of California prisons.
By India Today Web Desk: Following the blockbuster success of Kabali last year, superstar Rajinikanth is teaming up with Pa Ranjith for Kaala. While the shooting of the film is progressing at a brisk pace, reports suggest that Kaala could be Rajinikanth's fastest shot film. The team has already completed 70 per cent of the shoot so far.

"The team is shooting at amazing pace, making it probably the fastest shot film in Ranjith's career. Nearly 70 per cent of the film has already been completed. The makers are really impressed with the way the film has shaped up," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

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Tipped to be a action drama, Rajinikanth plays a gangster who fights for the rights of Tamils in Dharavi area of Mumbai. While it was earlier speculated that the film was based on gangster Haji Mastan, the makers quashed the baseless rumours.

One of the main highlights of Kaala is the strong supporting cast that includes Nana Patekar, Huma Qureshi, Samuthirakani and Anjali Patil.

Produced by Dhanush, Kaala is expected to release next year.

Meanwhile, rumours are rife that Rajinikanth is likely to float his own political party by the end of this year.

ALSO WATCH: Rajinikanth in politics- Thousands urge Superstar to take the plunge in Tamil Nadu's Trichy

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At UC Berkeley, 177 professors and graduate students have signed an open letter urging thousands of colleagues and classmates to boycott campus for four days this month to ensure their physical and mental safety.

The strongly worded letter, titled Boycott the Alt-Right @UCBerkeley, asks that students, instructors and employees cancel classes, close buildings and not penalize students who are afraid to come to campus from Sept. 24 to 27.

TRENDING: Millions of Californians on the hook for $16 billion water plan

Thats when Milo Yiannopoulos has said he, Steve Bannon, Ann Coulter and other couriers of the far-right agenda are supposed to descend onto campus for four days of rallies and speeches theyre calling Free Speech Week.

ALSO: Student group must pay needed fees for 'Free Speech Week,' UC officials say

But as of Sunday, the event remained in doubt after university officials said organizers failed to pay the required fees and rent for the facilities when they turned in a contract for the event late Friday, after missing two earlier deadlines.

The boycott letter, nonetheless, warns that the city of Berkeley will be the site of explicitly violent alt-right, militia and pro-Fascist events prompted by the expected arrival of the odious trifecta, as one student described the three.

Campus administrators say Free Speech Week is no sure thing, because the students who invited the speakers havent made the security arrangements needed to reserve rooms for them to speak in. Even so, administrators expect to meet or exceed the extraordinary measures they took Thursday when a far less provocative conservative, Ben Shapiro, spoke at UC Berkeleys Zellerbach Hall. At an estimated cost of $600,000, the extensive police presence kept hundreds of protesters at bay.

In February, a far smaller police presence failed to protect the campus from masked rioters who smashed windows, set equipment on fire and stopped a scheduled speech by Yiannopoulos.

Now he says hes coming back with cohorts. And many faculty and students want nothing to do with it.

As faculty we cannot ask students and staff to choose between risking their physical and mental safety in order to attend class or come to work in an environment of harassment, intimidation, violence, and militarized policing, says the letter, adding that some students and employees are particularly at risk: non-white, gender queer, Muslims, disabled, feminists and others routinely singled out by the right.

Yiannopoulos is a right-wing showman who delights in mocking such groups. Bannon is an ex-adviser to President Trump who edits the right-wing opinion site Breitbart News. And Coulter, an author, has said that illegal aliens have killed, raped and maimed thousands of Americans.

The letter also cites the left-right violence that has escalated around the country since Trump became president, including the death of a peaceful protester in Charlottesville, Va., and stabbing deaths in Portland, Ore., and Maryland. Since the inauguration, the East Bay has also seen five violent clashes that have cost taxpayers at least $1.5 million.

Theres no way UC Berkeley can provide safety and security for four days. This is some sort of fantasy, said Deborah Blocker, an associate professor of French who signed the letter and intends to teach her two small classes off campus.

But beyond personal safety, Blocker said, we will do it massively  as a symbol. If they (the right-wing) are going to be handed the keys to this campus ... then academics will go elsewhere.

Peter Glazer, an associate professor of theater, dance and performance studies who also signed, said the value of boycotting campus is also to deny the invited speakers the audience, the trouble, and the kind of press they crave.

UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof said faculty members are free to decide where and when they teach their classes.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal 'should not try to disturb peace and play with fire' during Durga Puja in the state.

By India Today Web Desk: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP to not disturb peace in West Bengal during Durga Puja, saying that they 'should not play with fire'.

"There is misinformation campaign by certain outfits that we are stopping Vijaya Dashami celebrations at puja pandals and households," Mamata Banerjee said, stating that the West Bengal government did not put any curb on celebration of Vijaya Dashami rituals.

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She said that the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal 'should not try to disturb peace and play with fire', adding that Durga Puja had been traditionally celebrated with amity in Bengal where lakhs of people hit the streets.

"What we had said is on the day of ekadashi on October one there will be no immersions. Muharram, which is an occasion of mourning by the Muslim community, falls on the same date. Immersion will resume as usual from October two to four," she told reporters at the state secretariat.

"Women will put sindoor on each other and Vijaya Dashami rituals will be observed as usual. Those having no inkling about Durga Puja and Kali Puja celebrations in Bengal are spreading all sorts of rumours," she said.

DO NOT PLAY WITH FIRE, SAYS MAMATA BANERJEE

Mamata Banerjee said that her government was determined to maintain peace and harmony during the coming Durga Puja festival.

"If someone tries to disrupt peace, the administration will take stern action," she said, adding that "BJP should not do politics using CBI, ED and foment riots".

The chief minister also said that police had recently arrested two people involved with BJP for trying to create communal problem at a place in West Bengal. She said that her administration would not allow any procession in the state with arms on the day of immersion.

"This is illegal and such processions have not been Bengals tradition and we will not allow it to take place. The administration will take strong action if there was any attempt to take out such procession," Mamata Banerjee said.

She also urged members of the Muslim community to peacefully take out their procession during Muharram.

The state government had told the court that it has allowed immersion of Durga idols on Vijaya Dashami day till 10 pm to ensure law and order.

With inputs from PTI

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According to the postmortem report, Pradyuman sustained an 18 cm long wound a little over his neck which cut through his ears, damaging the wind pipe.

By Puneet Kumar Sharma: The postmortem report of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur reveals that given the nature of injuries inflicted on his body, he could not have survived for more than 2-3 minutes.

Pradyuman Thakur was found murdered with his throat slit inside the washroom of Ryan International School in Gurgaon on September 8.

According to the postmortem report, Pradyuman sustained an 18 cm long wound a little over his neck which cut through his ears up to the "superficial scalp tissue behind ear".

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The wound was 2 cm deep said the postmortem report of Pradyuman. The report also said that Pradyuman's veins near the throat region and food pipe were found slashed. His trachea (wind pipe) too was damaged.

The postmortem report also revealed another wound, 12-cm long and 2-cm deep, below the first injury.

As per the report, Pradyuman's survival was not possible for more than 2-3 minutes after sustaining injuries of this nature.

A copy of the postmortem report of Pradyuman Thakur. A copy of the postmortem report of Pradyuman Thakur.

In another development, the Ryan International School is likely to reopen this Monday, September 18. The school's functioning has been taken over by the Gurgaon administration for the next three months.

Gurgaon deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said, "From Monday, the school is likely to reopen and we will take over the management. Many safety guidelines were not followed."

"We don't want loss of academic session of students. After three months, we will see what happens. The school has been shut for over a week," said Gurgaon deputy commissioner.

A copy of the postmortem report.

DO WATCH: Pradyuman was taken to 2 hospitals, he was conscious all along: Ryan bus conductor

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Sanjay Dutt confessed at the India Today Mind Rocks 2017 Delhi that he was in three relationships at one point of time.

By India Today Web Desk: Sanjay Dutt opened up on his affairs like never before, at the India Today Mind Rocks 2017 Delhi event. The actor was speaking at a session called Living On The Age: Youth Is Not For Wasting.

Among other interesting snippets from his life, Sanjay Dutt spoke about his playboy image while growing up.

During his early days in the Hindi film industry, Sanjay was linked with several actresses.

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He was asked if he ever was in two relationships at one point of time. Dutt took the cake with his candid confession, "I was in three relationships at one point of time."

So how did he manage to make his way around three women at one time?

"You need to be clever... one shouldn't know what is happening with the other," was Dutt's reply.

And what about his playboy image while growing up?

"It was nice to be loved by people. Especially by the ladies!"

WATCH DUTT'S FULL SESSION AT MIND ROCKS 2017 HERE:

--- ENDS ---
SACRAMENTO  California would no longer require all sex offenders to register for life under a bill that passed the state Legislature on Saturday.

SB386 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would allow many sex offenders to petition to be removed from the registry 10 to 20 years after they are released from prison, as long as they have not committed another serious or violent felony or sex crime.

The bill passed the Senate early Saturday morning with a bi-partisan 28-4 vote. It now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown, whose office said he will sign it.

SB 384 proposes thoughtful and balanced reforms that allow prosecutors and law enforcement to focus their resources on tracking sex offenders who pose a real risk to public safety, rather than burying officers in paperwork that has little public benefit, said Brown spokeswoman Ali Bay.

Law enforcement pushed for the bill, arguing that Californias registry is so large that officers and the public cant determine who is at high risk for re-offending. The registry has 100,000 sex offenders  meaning 1 in 400 Californians is on it.

It is really hard to talk about doing anything that can be perceived as helping a sex offender, Wiener said. But, the reality is the registry is so broken that it makes people less safe.

Legislation to overhaul the registry has been recommended by law enforcement officials for years, but lawmakers were hesitant to vote for a bill that would label them soft-on-crime. Wieners first attempt on the bill this year failed too, but he brought the bill back this week through a maneuver known as gut-and-amend, where the contents of an active bill are dumped and replaced with those of a dead bill.

Changes to the bill require anyone who wants to be removed from the registry to petition a court first. Previously, the bill allowed for a one time purge of people with certain convictions who had been on the registry for more than 30 years without committing a new crime. That provision was also removed.

Under current law, when a person is required by a judge to register as a sex offender, there are few ways to have their name removed from the registry, regardless of the underlying offense. Thats resulted in a registry that includes 650 sex offenders whose last convictions were in the 1940s and 1950s, according to the Sex Offender Management Board. Another 3,000 were last convicted of a sex crime in the 1960s and 1970s.

California is one of four states to require lifetime registration.

Supporters of the bill argued that research shows that the longer people are crime free, the less likely they are to re-offend, thus keeping sex offenders on the registry for decades does not reduce crime.

SB384 is estimated to cost the state Department of Justice, which oversees the registry, more than $70 million over the first six years to implement. The state would see an undetermined amount of savings from no longer having to monitor all sex offenders for life.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley said the bill fixes an antiquated, ineffective 70-year-old system.

Im proud of what we were able to do, Wiener said.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
SACRAMENTO  California lawmakers  determined to do something about homelessness and rising housing costs  passed 15 bills Friday that would spur affordable housing development in reluctant cities and raise millions to aid poor tenants.

The bills head to Gov. Jerry Brown after years of failed attempts by the Legislature to identify new funding to address the states housing crisis. Brown is expected to sign the bills.

For millions of people, it is next to impossible to buy a house or even find an apartment they can afford, Brown said. These 15 bills will spur the building of more housing and increase the number of Californians who can actually afford to buy or rent.

Under the package of bills approved Friday, two main sources of funding would be created: new fees on real estate documents and property transactions, and a $4 billion bond measure that voters would decide next year.

SB2 by Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, would create a $75 to $225 recording fee on real estate documents and some property transactions. The fee would not include home sales. A bulk of the funding would go to local governments to build housing, make existing housing more affordable and create permanent or temporary shelters.

The Legislature also sent Brown a bond measure that would be put before voters next year under SB3 by state Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose. The bill would ask voters to approve $4 billion in general obligation bonds to build rental housing for low-income families and to fund other existing housing programs. The bond would set aside $1 billion for the states veteran home-loan program, which would otherwise run out of money in 2018.

SB2 and SB3 needed two-thirds approval in both houses. The Assembly passed them with the bare minimum needed late Thursday night. The bills passed the Senate on Friday.

Another bill headed to Brown, SB35 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would force reluctant cities to build more low-to-middle-income housing. SB167 by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, would make it harder for local governments to deny housing projects.

AB1505 by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, would allow local governments to require developers to set aside a certain percentage of affordable rental units in new construction.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
MANILA  A Philippine official on Friday ordered an entire city police force off the job in metropolitan Manila after some of its members were suspected in the gruesome killings of three teenagers and others were seen on surveillance cameras robbing a house.

The 1,200-strong Caloocan city police force will be relieved in batches and replaced, said metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde. The officers will undergo 45 days of retraining, after which those facing no charges can be reassigned to other stations.
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TUMBRU, Bangladesh  Days after fleeing their village on the Myanmar side of the border fence, a group of Rohingya Muslims watched from just inside Bangladesh as yet another house went up in flames.

You see this fire today, said Farid Alam, one of the Rohingya who watched the fire burn from about 500 yards away. That is my village.

The villagers said they had escaped days ago, crossing into Bangladesh at the border point of Tumbru and joining thousands of other ethnic Rohingya huddling in the open in the district of Bandarban to escape recent violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

When they crossed the border, they saw land mines that had been newly planted by Myanmar forces, Alam said.

Thousands of Rohingya are continuing to stream across the border, with U.N. officials and others demanding that Myanmar halt what they describe as a campaign of ethnic cleansing that has driven nearly 400,000 Rohingya to flee in the past three weeks.

That number includes an estimated 240,000 children, UNICEF said in Geneva on Friday.

We had a big house, we are 10 people in the family, but they burned our home, Alam said as he watched the other house burning Friday.

Ethnic Rohingya have long faced discrimination in Myanmar and are denied citizenship, even though many families have lived there for generations.

After a Rohingya insurgent group attacked police posts in Myanmars Rakhine state on Aug. 25, the military responded with clearance operations. Fleeing Rohingya say security forces shot indiscriminately, burned their homes and threatened them with death. The government says hundreds died, mostly Rohingya, and that 176 out of 471 Rohingya villages are now abandoned.

Julhas Alam is an Associated Press writer.
SEOUL  North Korea conducted its longest-ever test flight of a ballistic missile Friday, sending an intermediate-range weapon hurtling over U.S. ally Japan into the northern Pacific Ocean in a launch that signals both defiance of its rivals and a big technological advance.

The missile traveled 2,300 miles as it flew over Japan before landing in the northern Pacific Ocean.

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday that the country is nearing its goal of equilibrium in military force with the U.S., as the U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the Norths highly provocative ballistic missile test on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

Since President Trump threatened North Korea with fire and fury in August, the North has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, threatened to send missiles into the waters around the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam, and launched two missiles of increasing range over Japan. July saw its first tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could strike deep into the U.S. mainland when perfected.

At a White House briefing Friday, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said the U.S. has a military option for North Korea, but that is not its preferred route.

The growing frequency, power and confidence displayed by these tests seem to confirm what governments and outside experts have long feared: North Korea is closer than ever to its goal of building a military arsenal that can viably target both U.S. troops in Asia and the U.S. homeland. This, in turn, is meant to allow North Korea greater military freedom in the region by raising doubts in Seoul and Tokyo that Washington would risk the annihilation of a U.S. city to protect its Asian allies.

Kim Tong-Hyung and Foster Klug are Associated Press writers.
LONDON  British police made an apparent breakthrough Saturday in the race-against-time subway bombing investigation with what they called a very significant arrest, but the country remained on a critical alert, meaning another attack is judged imminent.

Police arrested an 18-year-old man in the port of Dover  the main ferry link to France  and then launched a massive armed search in the southwestern London suburb of Sunbury in which they evacuated residents, established a huge cordon and imposed a no-fly zone above the property being searched.

Police did not say that they had arrested the man believed to have planted the bomb that partially exploded on a crowded London subway train Friday morning, but Home Secretary Amber Rudd and others said the arrest was of major importance.

The man is being held under the Terrorism Act and has been brought to London for questioning. He was not immediately identified. Authorities also would not say if they thought the man was trying to flee to France on a Dover ferry.

Hundreds of soldiers patrolled public areas Saturday, freeing up police for the bombing investigation. Rudd said the countrys terror threat level  which was raised Friday night to the highest possible level  will stay there until the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Center is convinced the threat of imminent attack has eased.

The homemade bomb on the rush-hour train only partially detonated  Rudd said it could have been much worse  and there are fears that accomplices may have similar devices. Experts said the bomb could have caused many fatalities if it had functioned properly. Three of the 29 people injured by the blast remained hospitalized Saturday.

In Sunbury, police did not reveal details about the search, but the precautions suggested concern that there might be explosives or violent extremists on the property. The Islamic State group has claimed one of its units planted the bomb.

Police are combing through closed-circuit TV images and have extensively studied the remains of the partially detonated explosive device, which was contained in a bucket and concealed in a plastic shopping bag.

The train hit by the bomber at Parsons Green station in London had video cameras in each car, and the London Underground network has thousands of cameras at the entrances to stations and along its labyrinth of subterranean and above-ground passageways.

Gregory Katz is an Associated Press writer.
BEIRUT  The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Syria said Saturday that its partner forces were attacked by Russian warplanes, escalating tensions on one of the countrys most complex and contested battlefields.

The coalition said in a statement that an early morning air strike targeted positions used by the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, a Kurdish-dominated militia backed by Washington, as well as the international advisers supporting them in a weeks-old offensive to dislodge Islamic State militants from the eastern province of Deir al-Zour.

As the Islamic State loses territory across Syria and Iraq, oil-rich Deir al-Zour has become a hub for the groups senior leaders.

Stretching along the eastern border with Iraq, it has also emerged as a geopolitical battleground for forces trying to support or thwart Iranian attempts to secure supply routes stretching from Beirut to Tehran.

The U.S.-led coalition intervened in Syria and Iraq in 2014 to halt the Islamic States conquest across swaths of both countries. Iran and Russias involvement dates back to the early months of the civil war that followed Syrias 2011 antigovernment uprising, bankrolling and later militarily supporting President Bashar Assads forces.

In Deir al-Zour, the two military groups now find themselves fighting a common enemy. SDF fighters have advanced against Islamic State positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in recent weeks, while forces allied with Assads government have moved through the extremist groups territory from the western side, bringing the rival coalitions to within several miles of each other.

Saturdays attack marks the first time that the U.S.- and Russian-backed forces have clashed directly, signaling what appeared to be a growing willingness for Russia to protect its pro-Assad allies as they consolidate control over the most strategic parts of the province.

Although the Pentagon, SDF, Russia and Syria have agreed to a line of physical separation between their parallel offensives, rising tensions have raised the specter of open clashes.

The skies over Syria have become increasingly congested as the six-year conflict has dragged on, with warplanes from the coalition, the Syrian government and Russia all carrying out air strikes.

Louisa Loveluck is a Washington Post writer.
By PTI: (Eds: Adds details)

By Aditi Khanna

London, Sep 16 (PTI) An 18-year-old man was arrested today in connection with the terror attack on a packed London Tube train, the Metropolitan Police said, calling it a "significant" development in the ongoing investigation.

The man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover this morning under the UKs Terrorism Act. He was taken into custody at a local police station and then transferred to a south London police station.

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"We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical," said Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu.

At least 30 people were injured during the attack in which an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated on a Tube train at Parsons Green underground station during the morning rush hour yesterday.

Basu, also the UKs Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, seemed to indicate that the force was still on the hunt for further suspects.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage," he said.

"The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place," he added.

UK security minister Ben Wallace had said earlier today that there was "potentially a very dangerous individual or individuals out there and we need to track them down."

The Met Police said so far detectives have spoken to 45 witnesses and continue to receive information from the public to the confidential anti-terrorist hotline.

The Islamic State group has said it was behind the bomb but Met Polices Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it was "very routine" for ISIS to claim the attack, whether in contact with those involved or not.

Announcing the change in the UK threat level, Prime Minister Theresa May said the military would be providing support to police and would replace officers on guard duty at national infrastructure sites not accessible to the public.

It is part of the first phase of Operation Temperer, activated when the terror threat level reaches its highest possible.

"This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses," May said.

This is the fourth time the UK national terror threat level has been raised to "critical" since the system was made public in 2006. The last time was in May this year following the Manchester Arena bombing, when it was feared that the bomb-maker was still at large and could strike again.

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May took the decision last night after the independent Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre recommended raising the terror threat level to critical ? meaning another attack is expected.

The blast, which is being described as a "bucket bomb" sent a "fireball" through the Tube causing burn injuries to many commuters. The main device, which had been fitted with a crude timer using shop-bought fairy lights, failed to detonate, meaning hundreds of people were spared death and serious injury.

Anti-terror police are understood to be working on the theory that the bomb was detonated early by accident and that the intended target may have been the Tube station at Westminster, near Parliament in central. PTI AK NSA ABH AKJ ABH

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with more details)

By Aditi Khanna

London, Sep 16 (PTI) An 18-year-old man was arrested today in connection with the terror attack on a packed London Tube train, the Metropolitan Police said, calling it a "significant" development in the ongoing investigation.

The man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover this morning under the UKs Terrorism Act. He was taken into custody at a local police station and then transferred to a south London police station.

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Hours later counter-terrorism specialist firearms officers began evacuating buildings to search at a particular residential address in Sunbury, Surrey, south-east England.

They said the evacuation was a "precautionary measure" following the first arrest in the investigation into the bombing of the underground train a day earlier.

"We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical," said Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu.

At least 30 people were injured during the attack in which an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated on a Tube train at Parsons Green underground station during the morning rush hour yesterday.

Basu, also the UKs Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, seemed to indicate that the force was still on the hunt for further suspects.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage," he said.

"The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place," he added.

UK security minister Ben Wallace had said earlier today that there was "potentially a very dangerous individual or individuals out there and we need to track them down."

The Met Police said so far detectives have spoken to 45 witnesses and continue to receive information from the public to the confidential anti-terrorist hotline.

The Islamic State group has said it was behind the bomb but Met Polices Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it was "very routine" for ISIS to claim the attack, whether in contact with those involved or not.

Announcing the change in the UK threat level last night, Prime Minister Theresa May said the military would provide support to police and would replace officers on guard duty at national infrastructure sites not accessible to the public.

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It is part of the first phase of Operation Temperer, activated when the terror threat level reaches its highest possible. "This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses," May said.

UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd chaired a meeting of the emergency response COBRA committee today to confirm that the terror threat level would remain at critical.

This is the fourth time the UK national terror threat level has been raised to "critical" since the system was made public in 2006. The last time was in May this year following the Manchester Arena bombing, when it was feared that the bomb-maker was still at large and could strike again.

May took the decision after the independent Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre recommended raising the threat level to critical ? meaning another attack is expected.

The blast, which is being described as a "bucket bomb", sent a "fireball" through the Tube causing burn injuries to many commuters. The main device, which had been fitted with a crude timer using shop-bought fairy lights, failed to detonate, meaning hundreds of people were spared death and serious injury.

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Anti-terror police are understood to be working on the theory that the bomb was detonated early by accident and that the intended target may have been the Tube station at Westminster, near Parliament in central.

Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick described the attack as "cowardly and indiscriminate" as she joined her forces on the ground today to patrol the streets on London.

Dick travelled by Tube before joining Met officers patrolling the South Bank of the river Thames to highlight the very visible hike in police presence on the streets of the British capital. "London has not stopped after other terrible attacks and it will not stop after this one," she said.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said "significant" police activity would continue over the weekend and thanked police, adding: "They are there to keep us safe". PTI AK NSA ABH ZH AKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
Harry Dean Stanton, Melora Walters

Harry Dean Stanton, left, a cast member in the HBO series "Big Love," lights a cigarette as fellow cast member Melora Walters poses on the red carpet at the show's third season premiere in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009.

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Harry Dean Stanton, the craggy-faced character actor who for decades filled memorable and often eccentric roles including a prisoner in "Cool Hand Luke" and the creepy polygamist prophet on "Big Love," has died at age 91.

Stanton died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles of natural causes, said John Kelly, his agent.

He was a favorite of directors over the years with his gift for portraying offbeat and colorful characters. At the time of his death, he was completing the 'LUCKY," a film that parallels Stanton's own life.

Born in Kentucky, Stanton headed west after serving in the Navy during World War II and broke into acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. His career, and his credits, were sweeping: "Cool Hand Luke," "The Godfather: Part II," "Escape from New York," "Paris, Texas," "Pretty in Pink," "Repo Man."

Stanton had a fondness for David Lynch, and Lynch had a fondness for him. He was cast as the ill-fated private detective in "Wild at Heart" and had roles in "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" and the recent reboot of "Twin Peaks: The Return."

He turned down a role in "Blue Velvet," however, a part later given to Dennis Hopper.

Stanton was never married, though he had a long relationship with Rebecca De Mornay.

"I might have had two or three (kids) out of marriage," he once told Associated Press. "But that's another story."

-- By Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Something new is hatching at the crossroads of Victory Boulevard and Clove Road.

The second chain of its kind on Staten Island, LaRosa Chicken & Grill will be the first of several new businesses to open in the strip mall that has been dormant for several years at the busy Sunnyside intersection.

The family-style eatery, offering healthy menu options, opened at 245 Richmond Valley Road last year, and since then owner Michael Esposito said Staten Islanders have been asking for a second location.

"People have been asking when I'm coming to the North Shore. People drive all the way out to Richmond Valley now, so I wanted to bring the restaurant to the North Shore, and this location would allow me to reach a lot of people. It's very central to the North Shore," said Esposito.

"We cook a lot of the chicken on the rotisserie. We have started to offer fried chicken, and we offer all the sides. There are no preservatives in the food. It's made fresh to order," he added, noting the restaurant will seat 50, and delivery is offered.

As to why he chose to bring the chain restaurant to Staten Island, Esposito said, "It wasn't a burger or pizza place, there's a thousand of them on Staten Island already."

The restaurant will take up 1,700 square-feet in part of the commercial storefront that long housed the former Clove lakes Book Store, which was one of the last tenants to leave the shopping center, said Rob Nixon, leasing agent for the St. Georg-based Casandra Properties Inc., which is actively leasing the new strip.

THE STRIP MALL CONSTRUCTION

The owner of the once dilapidated Sunnyside strip mall at Victory Boulevard and Clove Road has gutted the 7,000-square-foot shopping center to make way for a new, vibrant commercial strip with restaurants and retailers.

The commercial strip, located at the corner of a busy intersection -- that once housed five stores, including the Clove Lakes Book Store, Diagnostic Imaging, Spiral Designs and a dry cleaners -- has been vacant for more than three years.

For the last two years, St. George-based developer, David Berman, a principal with the St. George-based WB Management of NY, has been refurbishing the shopping center, which is already being eyed by national tenants,

"We are really flying now (with the construction). The scaffolding on the right side of Victory Boulevard came down. The storefronts are in. The lighting is being installed. All the paving, including the parking lot, will be done over the next month or so. Everything is being repaved, both in the front and back," said Nixon, who is working on the leasing for the mall with Brian McGowan, also of of Casandra Properties.

He noted a lot of recycled material was used on the construction of the center.

"A lot of reclaimed materials were used in the design and construction. Copper, reclaimed wood and nails were all used throughout the beams and storefronts. This is an environmentally-conscious project," said Nixon.

Berman purchased the property on Sept. 25, 2013, for $2.46 million, according to public records.

MORE PARKING

While the building's structure will remain the same, the developer is adding an additional parking behind the strip mall, said Nixon.

"A big reason as to why restaurants have gone in and out of the center is the parking situation there," said Nixon, noting there will be about 30 parking spots once the new shopping center is complete.

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Watch: Nasty landlord-tenant clash ends with immigration arrests

A mother and son embroiled in a nasty landlord-tenant dispute have been booted from their home and possibly the country.

The quarrel was quashed when the undocumented tenants were arrested by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month.

Mexico natives Carolina Olivares Recillas, and her son, Erick Daniel Gomez Olivares, were picked up by ICE officials at their Richmond apartment on Aug. 4, according to an ICE spokeswoman.

Recillas overstayed her six-month tourist visa from May 2014, and her son was granted a four-day tourist visa in June 2013, but also did not leave the country, officials said.

An immigration judge granted bond in the two cases, and the mother and son were released from ICE custody on Aug. 28 after posting the bond, said the ICE spokeswoman.

According to a source with knowledge of the investigation, Recillas and Olivares still have pending immigration cases, and a judge will decide if deportation is warranted.

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Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com

Judicial whistleblower hires a controversial lawyer

Justice Judith N. McMahon, the former administrative judge for civil matters on Staten Island, was allegedly verbally and emotionally abusive to the former chief clerk of state Supreme Court, St. George, as well as to others and intimidated court staff into doing what she wanted, according to sources with knowledge of the clerk's complaints to state court officials.

In recent days, the Advance has learned that Michael Pulizotto, the clerk who secretly taped a number of conversations and who just took on a controversial Staten Island attorney to represent him, also alleged Justice McMahon threatened his job status and made discriminatory remarks about him in the presence of others.

The recordings have sparked a months-long probe by the inspector general of the state Office of Court Administration (OCA). The investigation is ongoing.

Lucian Chalfen, an OCA spokesman, declined comment on the allegations, citing them as a personnel matter.

Pulizotto, meanwhile, has retained controversial lawyer Richard Luthmann.

Luthmann on Wednesday said his client was "exploring his legal options, including the presence of a giant rat on court property with Michael's name on it."

The huge blow-up rat was placed Thursday at the entrance to the driveway at the back of the courthouse.

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Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com

S.I. couple accused of fraud after receiving more than $750K in Sandy relief

A married Staten Island couple duped several federal agencies into giving them more than three-quarters of a million dollars in Hurricane Sandy relief, authorities allege.

Nagwa Elsilimy and Ahmed Arafa, both 59, fraudulently obtained federal aid totaling more than $750,000 after filing applications with false information to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Housing and Urban Development and Build It Back, according to allegations in court records filed in Brooklyn federal court.

Elsilimy was arrested Thursday morning and released on $100,00 bail after her court appearance. Arafa is currently in Egypt, according to a court spokesman.

The defendants received a total of $767,249.11, including $16,526 from FEMA and $750,719.89 from HUD, through BIB, after filing for disaster relief assistance, authorities allege.

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Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com

Source: CCRB finds Eric Garner cop used chokehold, restricted his breathing

The Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) has found that NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo used a banned chokehold in the Eric Garner incident, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

The board also ruled that Pantaleo restricted Garner's breathing before he died in police custody three years ago in Tompkisville, the source said.

In a viral video, Pantaleo is seen bringing Garner down from behind while cops attempt to arrest him for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes near Tompkinsville Park on July 17, 2014.

Garner can be heard in the video repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe!"

According to Pantaleo's lawyer, Stuart London, the officer was denied his due process because the CCRB never interviewed him about the incident.

"In every case where allegations are substantiated the subject is always given an opportunity to explain his or her actions," London told the Advance. " That was not the case with respect with officer Pantaleo."

The CCRB has recommended the cop, who remains on desk duty, be disciplined, but has not recommended he be terminated, the lawyer said.

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Maura Grunlund | grunlund@siadvance.com

Lying for the mob: Woman falsely claimed to be private sanitation business owner

She claimed she was the boss of a Mariners Harbor private sanitation company, and she really wasn't.

And now, Lisa Lampitelli has a criminal conviction to show for it.

Lampitelli, 45, of Sprague Avenue, Tottenville, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Criminal Court to second-degree offering a false instrument for filing, a misdemeanor, to satisfy all charges against her.

According to a criminal complaint, Lampitelli submitted an application containing false information to the city Business Integrity Commission between May 25 and June 9 of 2015.

The document sought an exemption from a licensing requirement for removing construction and demolition debris, the complaint said.

The application falsely stated Lampitelli owned Atlantic Couriers Inc., said the complaint.

In a statement, Daniel D. Brownell, chairman of the BIC, said the defendant was merely a front for the actual owner, whom the agency had denied a license due to his organized-crime ties.

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Eddie DAnna | danna@siadvance.com

Mom who dumped newborn in trash pleads to manslaughter

The New Springville woman who prosecutors said dumped her newborn baby in the trash after giving birth last year pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter in exchange for a promised 12-year prison sentence.

Asked by Justice Mario F. Mattei if she caused the infant's death on March 11-12, 2016, while intending to cause serious physical injury, Nausheen Rahman said, "Yeah."

She spoke in a low, clear voice and made no independent statement about the incident beyond responding "yes" and "no" to Mattei's questions.

As the defendant entered her plea, her father watched from the rear row of the courtroom, his chin in his hand.

According to evidence at a recent pretrial hearing, Rahman told cops she would never have discarded the baby if not for fear of her parents.

Rahman, 30, had originally been charged with second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse.

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Staten Island Advance Photo

18-year-old nabbed for allegedly breaking into cars in Huguenot

Police arrested an 18-year-old man for allegedly breaking into cars in the vicinity of Bloomingdale Park on Sunday morning in Huguenot.

Police allege that Tyreek Foster, 18, of Warren Street in the Stapleton Houses, was involved in 10 incidents that included offenses such as breaking into cars and trespassing in yards on various streets near the park at around 5:30 a.m. He was arrested at 6:10 a.m., said a spokeswoman for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

A level-one mobilization, which is a large police response, was called to search for two males in the vicinity of Marcy and Rathbun avenues at about 5:30 a.m.

The 123rd Precinct is seeking the owners of items stolen in the vicinity of Bloomingdale Park.

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Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com

Police seize rifles, pistols, knives from New Springville home

Police effected an arrest Friday morning at a home in New Springville, coming away with rifles, pistols and multiple criminal possession charges.

Anthony Romano, 36, allegedly was found in possession of assault rifles, BB guns, gun powder, ammunition, firearm building tools and knives during a search by police at about 7:30 a.m. inside his home on Bridgetown Street.

Romano faces multiple criminal possession of a weapons charges, police said

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Rev. addresses brazen thief who allegedly hit Sunday mass in Oakwood

The Rev. Louis Jerome has a message for a man who reportedly made off with a collections box following Sunday mass.

"The church is always available to help people -- financially, or by giving them food -- and in this case, to take something is not right," said Father Jerome.

Father Jerome and other clergy members at St. Charles Parish in Oakwood were sending parishioners on their way after the 8:15 a.m. mass on Sept. 3, when a man inside the parish reportedly approached the altar, grabbed a collections box and exited through a side door.

Police are investigating the incident, according to an NYPD spokesman.

An estimated $200 was in the box, said Jerome.

"It goes to the upkeep of the church, it may go to charities, it goes to finance things in the parish,'' he said.

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Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com

Police: Man, 47, nabbed in stabbing of teen

A 47-year-old man was arrested for stabbing a 15-year-old boy on Bay Street in Stapleton, police said.

Rubin Michael of Gordon Street, Stapleton, was arrested at Bay and Canal streets around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, according to a spokesman for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The incident occurred a couple of hours earlier around 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Water and Bay streets, according to the police spokesman.

The boy suffered serious injuries when he was slashed in the back of the head with a box cutter, police said. He was taken in stable condition to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton, according to the spokesman.

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On his part, Palaniswami has suggested just the opposite - that Dinakaran will be behind bars like his aunt Sasikala. Dinakaran has already been jailed this year in connection with a case of alleged bribery.

By Akshaya Nath: Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami will betray the people of Tamil Nadu, and will soon be in prison, rival AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran said today.

Palaniswami earlier suggested just the opposite - that Dinakaran would be behind bars like his aunt Sasikala - after the sidelined leader threatened to fire him from the AIADMK. Recently, Dinakaran and Sasikala were both formally removed as the party's deputy general secretary and general secretary, respectively.

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TTV Dinakaran says the people of Tamil Nadu have faith in him despite the fact that he's been to jail.

"I am a person who has been to jail, and then won the people's trust," Dinakaran said.

"During the Narasimha Rao government, the only reason I was in jail was...(the) FERA (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act) case, and I have not cheated or used public fund(s)," he said.

Dinakaran has been accused of acquiring US $1,04,93,313 without the Reserve Bank's permission, and moving those funds to a current account in Dipper Investments Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. The Enforcement Directorate slapped him with a fine of Rs 28 crore.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court refused to give him more time to contest the charges he faces, and warned him against filing such "frivolous" pleas again.

(Inputs from PTI)

ALSO WATCH

Kamal Haasan slams Dinakaran's MLAs lodged at Coorg resort

--- ENDS ---
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Former Borough President Guy V. Molinari is still urging Ex-Congressman Michael Grimm -- who was released from jail last year after being convicted for Federal Tax Fraud -- to run for Congress.

While Grimm has yet to say whether he would challenge his successor, Rep. Daniel Donovan in a primary next year, NY1 reports he will announce his bid for Congress on Oct. 1.

"Michael Grimm hasn't announced he will run, but I sure hope he does. He's certainly looking at it," said Molinari, a former congressman himself, and Grimm's mentor.

"I'm one of those people who is really encouraging him to run," he added.

Grimm served eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of tax fraud related to a health food restaurant he used to co-own.

He had won re-election in November 2014, and pleaded guilty the following month, resigning from office in January before taking the oath of office for a third term.

OCT. 1 ANNOUNCEMENT?

Sources told NY1 that Grimm will hold a rally Oct. 1 in New Dorp. There, he is expected to announce his candidacy just 16 months after being released from prison, the report says.

Grimm didn't return Advance calls about his potential bid for Congress.

Molinari has never swayed in his support for his protege, maintaining that his service as a Marine, FBI agent and congressman made him a patriot and "American hero," hoping his young friend would return to public office.

Molinari urged Grimm to run in 2010 against Democratic incumbent Michael McMahon, backed him in re-election bids and believes he can win again.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- State Sen. Diane Savino is in the midst of a week-long trip to Russia to familiarize herself with the culture of many of her constituents.

Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) represents many Russian-speaking districts, including Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn and South Beach on Staten Island.

"She felt it was important to learn the culture of the people she represents," said Savino's Chief of Staff Robert Cataldo."It's important to learn where people come from."

Savino left on Wednesday and will be traveling to several cities in the Kremlin, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Moscow, she met with the mayor and chamber of commerce, and they discussed infrastructure and congestion, Cataldo said.

Various media outlets reported that Sputnik News, a Russian-funded news outlet, quoted Savino as saying Moscow was better run than New York City.

Cataldo, however, said she told a local television reporter that she felt Moscow had solved some of the issues that New York currently deals with, like congestion and infrastructure.

"She never said Moscow is better than New York or Russia was better than the Unites States," Cataldo said. "She never spoke to Sputknik News."

"It was that narrow band of questioning that the senator was responding to, and in no way suggests anything but her continued vigilance for the host of civil liberties issues of which she has historically been in the forefront," Cataldo said in a statement.

Savino is among a group of state assembly members who went on the trip to discuss issues facing big cities, like homelessness and traffic.

The lawmakers paid their own way for the trip.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Over 125 community members celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, with Holocaust Survivors at the Union Center at Wagner College on Sunday. The event was sponsored by the Wagner College Holocaust Center to thank the survivors for sharing their stories with younger generations



Students of all faith at Wagner College who are studying the Holocaust also attended the event. In class, they will be creating an original play based on local survivor testimonies. For many of them, it was an eye-opening moment to meet the Holocaust Survivors in person, rather than only reading about them in a textbook.

The Klezmer Ensemble Tsu Fils David along with Yiddish Dance Master Sarah Myerson made sure that everyone was on the dance floor. Survivors, members of the Jewish Community, and the Wagner College students sang and danced to traditional music. Holocaust Survivor Arthur Spielman spoke about the tradition of Yiddish songwriting of Krakow, Poland, which is where he lived before World War II. Watch the above video and witness the celebration.
Nadda also spoke about the introduction of the concept of integrated sciences where a patient could be treated using modern as well as ancient forms of medicine.

By Mail Today Bureau: Union health minister JP Nadda said on Friday that AIIMS being opened in various parts of the country will ensure the same standard and quality of treatment for which people travel to Delhi from far away.

Speaking at the Dilli Aaj Tak Health Summit, he also mentioned various initiatives being introduced by the ministry to enable maximum access to health services across the country.

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Nadda also spoke about the introduction of the concept of integrated sciences where a patient could be treated using modern as well as ancient forms of medicine. He said the government's health surveillance system is so strong that even if a deadly virus in a sewer is found, the area goes through a vaccination programme. If a person suffering from Ebola entering the country is detected, he is kept in quarantine till he recovers, he added.

"Indian doctors practicing abroad are the strength of the health system of other countries. If they return, the health system of those countries will collapse," he said, accepting that India lacks adequate infrastructure on which the government is working with dedication.

"While the western and southern parts of the country are doing much better in the health sector, other areas need a push. We are exploring public-private partnerships through various schemes and initiatives so that the rural-urban divide is reduced," Nadda said, adding that his ministry's prime focus is on prevention of diseases. "Mission Indradhanush has done extremely well and reached out to children who were left out for various reasons.

We have come up with an initiative where those in the middle ages would go through a screen test to detect diabetes, hypertension, cervical and breast cancer," the minister said. The minister said the government's efforts have shown results by reducing mortality rate of children through introduction of several vaccinations and the positive impact has been praised by several international agencies including WHO.

"The infant mortality ratio is declining faster than the world ratio. We are launching an intensified IVP vaccination program on October 7-8," Nadda said. On regulating prices of stents, he said the government is still trying to figure out excessive service charge imposed by manufacturers that keep prices high. The minister also spoke about the initiative 'Delhi Declaration' formed to combat pollution in the Capital.

Watch: Doctors indulge in spat while pregnant woman battles for life at Jodhpur hospital

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The United States should refrain from issuing more threats to North Korea. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation, China's ambassador to Washington Cui Tiankai said.

By Reuters: China's ambassador to Washington on Friday called on the United States to refrain from making threats over North Korea, which a day earlier launched another missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai told reporters at an embassy event, "Honestly, I think the United States should be doing much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue."

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"They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation", he said.

President Donald Trump and others in the United States and beyond have urged China to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on its Communist ally to help resolve the standoff over North Korea's weapons programmes .

China fought alongside North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Chinese leader Mao Zedong lost his eldest son, and Beijing has long been Pyongyang's chief ally and primary trade partner.

BEIJING REJECTS NOTION OF CONTROL OVER PYONGYANG

But the Chinese government has pushed back against the notion that it has any control over Pyongyang, and says it is the United States that should be doing more.

Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States was considering halting trade with countries doing business with North Korea.

Cui on Friday cautioned against putting China-U.S. trade on the table.

"Efforts to undermine Sino-U.S. trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target", the Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Cui as saying on Friday at a Chinese National Day reception.

"If someone were to pressure China or impose sanctions on China over the DPRK, it would not be supported by many U.S. citizens", Cui said, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Workers at U.S. airplane factories, farmers growing soybeans, companies that sell smartphones to China, manufacturers that enjoy large market shares in China, companies in the service sector that have gained trade surplus in China, U.S. states that engage in robust trade with China would all stand against it", Xinhua quoted him as saying.

WATCH VIDEO | Japan slams North Korea for missile launch in Pacific Ocean; UN imposes stricter sanctions

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It's hard to say what will happen to Martin Shkreli in jail, but one thing's for sure: It won't be fun.

Prior to being locked up, the 34-year-old former pharmaceutical executive, had spent an inordinate amount of time online, live streaming his life and chatting with fans as he played with his cat "Trashy."

Now he may have to share quarters with vermin -- human and animal, with limited access to a computer and no social media.

Shkreli spent his first days in lock-up after a federal judge revoked his bail on Wednesday. US District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto found he posed an "ongoing danger or risk to the community" by posting a $US5,000 bounty on Facebook for a strand of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's hair, an offer Shkreli later said was "a joke."
By Rajat Rai: Since Yogi Adityanath came to power, the Uttar Pradesh cops have gunned down 15 hardened criminals and arrested 1,106 in the past six months. Police claim that there were 420 encounters from April to mid-September in which one policeman was also killed. Bordering Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad also witnessed exchange of fire between policemen and criminals in the last 48 hours. Two gangsters were killed and three arrested in two separate encounters.

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In Sahibabad, 35 km from Delhi, police busted an extortion racket and gunned down two criminals, one of whom was allegedly involved in the murder of a BJP leader in Delhi and carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh. The other police action took place in sector 58 of Noida in which a robbery was averted. Police statistics reveal the National Security Act (NSA) has been imposed on 54 criminals and action under the Gangster Act has been taken against another 69. Facing the heat, most toughs have fled to neighbouring states and even Nepal.

"I warn criminals either to surrender and go behind bars or leave the state. We will not hesitate in taking strict action against them," Yogi had said before and after taking charge. Most encounters took place in the western region of the state, followed by Poorvanchal and Bundelkand. While six encounters took place in western UP (four in Shamli and two each in Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar), one each have taken place in Mathura, Hapur and Chitrakut.

Statistics from Mar 20-Sept 14 this year show a total of 420 encounters have taken place and 88 police personal have been injured in these. Some 1,106 criminals have been arrested, out of which 868 are dreaded and were having cash rewards on their head. Out of the 88 injured policemen, sub-inspector SP Singh lost his life in the ravines of Chitrakoot district a few days ago. A police team had an encounter with the Babli Koli gang of dacoits on the UP-MP border.

While two dacoits were killed, Singh, who was the station incharge, also lost his life. Babli managed to flee. In the last 40 days, more than 15 encounters have taken place. According to statistics, police killed seven wanted criminals in the last 32 days and nabbed many more.

Till 2009, police encounters were quite common in Uttar Pradesh, but the intervention of human rights bodies and magisterial inquiries pulled the plug. However, a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity that the sudden surge in encounters has been due to instructions from higher-ups. In the last 10 days, three gun battles have taken in the capital Lucknow where one was killed.

On the first of this month in Lucknow Sunil Sharma, the killer of councillor Pappu Pandey, was killed. Similarly, on July 29, Shamli police killed two wanted criminals Nishad and Servar. On August 3, Jay Yadav, again a notorious criminal in Azamgarh, was killed. A week later, Shamli police killed Ikram in an encounter and on August 16, Nitin Babua from Muzaffarnagar was killed.(Inputs from Kumar Abhishek)

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Also Watch: CM Yogi Adityanath at Safaigiri: Cleanliness can stop encephalitis deaths, other diseases in UP

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As if the Australian Tax Office  plagued by the Plutus payroll and Michael and Adam Cranston saga  didn't have enough bad press at the moment. But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair Delia Rickard estimates around $2 million has been shelled out so far this year by unwitting victims to scammers claiming to be from the ATO.

"That's around 40,000 people," she said. "It's really huge  and that is only the people who are reporting the calls. Most people are too embarrassed to complain or do anything about it when they are conned.

"It's outrageous ... these people are operating from overseas call centres they have a script, they are threatening. They are big organised crime and they make a fortune," she said.

The ATO scam  where some one calls claiming to be from the ATO and that you owe them money  usually has a huge spike in calls from scammers at the end of the tax year. The Scamwatch website records there was a fourfold increase in the money lost in the ATO scam, known as upfront and advanced fee fraud, at the end of this financial year. The 2017 figures for June, show consumers lost nearly $1.4 million ($1,399,334) in fraud scams, which is almost four times the 2017 monthly average the scammers are bagging in cash. Last month (August) innocent tax payers were conned into giving $283,213 over to fraudsters  which has been around the usual 2017 monthly average.
A koala has been released back into the wild after miraculously surviving a 16 kilometre trip clinging onto the underside of a car wheel arch.

Jane Brister, a Koala Rescue Specialist at Fauna Rescue SA, was called to a suburb in Adelaide last week after a driver reported hearing "unusual sounds" and "crying" coming from his car.

Kelly the koala was trapped behind a tyre as the truck made a 15km trip through Adelaide Hills.

The driver had driven from his home in the Adelaide Hills district to the city, a trip he estimated to be nearly 16 kilometres, according to Brister.

"Early in his journey, an oncoming driver flashed his lights at him, and so he thought there must be something wrong with his car," Brister said. "But [when] he pulled over... he couldn't find anything in the dark."
Students are planning their studies for next year amid uncertainty about how much they will cost. Credit:Louise Kennerley This is not the Coalition's first attempt at university funding reform. It tried and failed to cut funding by 20 per cent and deregulate fees in the 2014 budget. And an alternative suggestion to deregulate some fees also failed to find friends. But despite coming back with yet another revised proposal for savings, the Coalition nonetheless has an almighty fight on its hands. The opposition is coming not just from Labor (who don't like the "big, fat cuts") and the Greens (who say it will stop kids going to uni), but the university sector as a whole. This is unlike the debate over fee deregulation, where students disagreed with universities over the proposed changes. Education Minister Simon Birmingham has argued there have been "rivers of gold" flowing into higher education since 2009 when the then Labor government uncapped enrolments in bachelor level courses (which are subsidised by the government). Birmingham talks of an "enormous growth" in taxpayer dollars for universities: "[with] 71 per cent growth in funding just for teaching and learning in our universities, running at twice the rate of economic growth." Education Minister Simon Birmingham says universities have been receiving "rivers of gold" from the taxpayer over recent years Credit:Alex Ellinghausen He also points to Australia's HECS-HELP debt.

"Our loan book has ballooned out from about $20 billion just six, seven years ago to $50 billion today. Around one-quarter of that is estimated not to be being repaid," he told Sky News this week. But the sector heartily disagrees with this assessment. Universities Australia say the changes will see job losses and erode student support services, while Australia's elite universities say they will be left "financially crippled" by Birmingham's bill. In a passionate speech to a conference in Canberra on Thursday, Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson accused the government of "working against the success of everything we stand for" and filling the debate with "alternative facts". She pointed out that on average, "leading" Australian universities are only 40 per cent federally funded. And argued rather than a 71 per cent revenue growth over the last eight years, the increase in total funding is the result of an increase in student numbers  given places are now uncapped  so universities are doing more. An OECD report released this week found that in world terms, Australian households and international students account for a high share of university expenditure, spending 48 per cent compared to the OECD average of 22 per cent. Thomson also warned that Australia's standing in international rankings and ability to attract the lucrative international student dollar are also at risk with the proposed bill. She quoted the Times Higher Education global rankings editorial director Phil Baty who last week said, "Australia's leading institutions are already falling behind peers in mainland China and Hong Kong, who receive high and sustained levels of [government] funding".

So, as the government looks to convincing Senate dealmaker Nick Xenophon to grant it the crucial votes it needs to pass the reforms, who is right? Grattan Institute higher education program director Andrew Norton told Fairfax Media there is a confusing "lack of consensus" around what the government's per student funding is for. While ostensibly it is for teaching, Norton says the legislation does not specify this and in practice it is also used to fund research and normal operations. Curtin University higher education policy researcher Tim Pitman adds while research is critical to universities' rankings and prestige, it is very costly and "not properly funded". But despite this imbalance, industry experts say it is highly unlikely universities will collapse as a result of the government's proposals. In a blog post from June, Norton wrote: "overall the last decade has been exceptionally good for universities, with the strongest increases in total public funding for decades and the strongest growth in private funding ever." Indeed, one element that is increasingly essential to university coffers is the very healthy international student market, which generates about $15 billion a year. As of 2016, there were more than 300,000 international students enrolled in higher education in Australia, up almost 13 per cent on 2015.

However, Melbourne University higher education researcher Gwilym Croucher cautions that while these funds are vital, the reliance on the international dollar makes the sector vulnerable. While times are good at the moment, the market is competitive and fickle students could decide to take their money elsewhere. "Part of the big concern here is we're betting the house of higher education in Australia on international student fees," he says. Croucher adds this becomes a further problem if funds are cut and educational standards drop: "[The international student boom] relies on us having a world-class system." Meanwhile, students are applying for degrees and planning their studies next year without knowing exactly how much they will pay. And time is running out for the government to sort things out in time for the planned January 2018 start date. There are only another four Senate sitting weeks left this year. But if the university sector is proving difficult to wrangle, the Senate is proving to be an even trickier beast. One Nation's votes are not locked it, David Leyonhjelm says he won't vote for a watered-down package and the Nick Xenophon Team's crucial three votes appear unlikely if the bill stays in its current form. As the bill passed the lower house on Wednesday, NXT MP RebekhaSharkie said the bill was just "tinkering around the edges" and does not address bigger problems like youth unemployment and a skill shortages.
Leading "no" campaigners, including Turnbull government MPs, say they fear it will become illegal to oppose same-sex marriage in word or even thought, if gay marriage is legalised.

The extraordinary claims, made at the campaign launch for the Coalition for Marriage on Saturday night, went as far as expressing fear that thought crime would be punished by law.

Matthew Canavan, a member of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's cabinet until he resigned over his dual citizenship, told the 1500-strong Sydney audience: "The 'yes' side want to make it illegal to just express a different view about marriage, that is their agenda."

On the sidelines, he told Fairfax Media he feared "a strong push to effectively eradicate the view that marriage should be between a man and a woman, to make it illegal".
I can't quite remember what else was said  a common occurrence, I'm told, among people whose amygdalas have been commandeered (think Mike Tyson chewing off Evander Holyfield's ear during their 1997 heavyweight title fight)  but I'm sure there were words bandied about like "Mexicans" and "Muslims" and "pussies" and "walls" and "emails" and "barefaced lies". "Look, I don't think I can do this," I said, reaching across the front seat to open her door. "Are you throwing me out of your car?" she replied with a look of pained incredulity. "I don't know," I spluttered. "Yes. No. Of course I'm not." I was ashamed of how I'd responded to my cousin, not because I thought I was wrong about Trump, but because of the way I'd expressed my views. Truth be told, I'd been violent.

And then we resumed our journey around the foreshores, me anguished and white-knuckled behind the wheel; she seemingly self-possessed, but probably just as troubled. "Wow, Cuz," she said after a few minutes, obviously trying to light some kindling under our frozen silence. "Perhaps we should talk about something else in future." Hillary Clinton last November: the writer's cousin referred to the Democratic presidential candidate as 'that woman'. Credit:MATT SLOCUM Many years ago, during another upsurge in Middle East violence, I visited a village in Israel called Neve Shalom Wahat al-Salam (Oasis of Peace), high up in the hills above the old armistice line, established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. For decades, Neve Shalom had served as a rather quaint experiment in peacemaking, where Jews and Arabs sought to co-exist across the faultline of their endless conflict, and where enemies sometimes came together in encounter groups run by the "School for Peace". For four days I sat in a room with a group of Israelis and Palestinians, listening to their stories of pain and enmity. Among the Israelis were kibbutzniks, soldiers, settlers, rabbis, those who believed in peace, those who didn't. Among the Palestinians were supporters of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and Hamas, plus others who had been involved in the first Palestinian uprising years earlier.

For the first 2 days, both sides raged at each other and wept and dug their heels in and competed for the legitimacy and truth of their own sense of victimhood. The room was electric with tension as they challenged the other's history, language and culture; as they traded wound for wound, memory for memory, loss for loss. Then, slowly, tentatively, on the third day, they began to listen and, without realising it, started to confront the dark stereotypes they'd formed of the other. They began seeing each other as human beings, not the devils of their worst imaginings. It was the first time many in that room had actually met their "enemy". By the time they said goodbye, there was hugging and crying and, in some cases, the exchanging of phone numbers. For a brief moment it looked like peace was the most natural thing in the world. Even in the best of circumstances  and this was anything but the best  the ability to truly listen has always been questionable. We hear what we want to hear; or fail to hear anything at all. I remember years ago a friend recounting the first time she met her Spanish husband's family, and witnessing all the siblings and the mother at the dinner table shouting at the father "Escuchame! Escuchame!" My friend didn't speak Spanish, so she thought Escuchame was her new father-in-law's name. It wasn't. It was the Spanish word for "listen to me". The whole family had been begging the father to listen. I think about these episodes now as, all around us, the shouting gets louder. The hardening of positions. The ugliness of partisanship. The mocking, goading and contempt for people who hold different views to our own. Everything amplified to new levels of outrage.

Supporters stand near Donald Trump's bus during a campaign stop last October in Alabama, home state of the writer's cousin. Credit:Brynn Anderson When did we lose the ability to truly listen? Did we ever have it? In the days, weeks and months following my conniption in the car I stewed over my reaction. I was ashamed of how I'd responded to my cousin, not because I thought I was wrong about Trump, but because of the way I'd expressed my views. Truth be told, I'd been violent. Violent in my thinking. (This cousin of mine is  what was Hillary's word? Yes. Deplorable.) Violent in my speaking. (I'm driving around Sydney with a fing Trump supporter.) Violent in my actions (nearly ejecting her from my car). I'd proved myself no better, no less self-righteous, no less dogmatic and contemptuous than those I'd criticised for their so-called narrowness or ignorance. In fact, I'd probably proved myself worse, given my job as a journalist is to seek views from all sides. And therein lay the rub. I hadn't even asked my cousin why she'd voted for Trump in the first place. What was it about having grown up in the "Cotton State" that so leant itself to a Clinton wipeout? (Trump won Alabama by the enormous margin of 62.9 per cent to 34.6 per cent.) What was it about Alabama's Confederate history, its old racial anxieties, its parlous economic state, its disaffection with the Democratic Party, its contempt for Hillary Clinton herself, its hunger for something, anything, different that so assured Trump's victory? I didn't know because I hadn't asked. In the days and weeks after our trouble-filled car trip, my cousin and I met regularly for family breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We talked books and films and  with my daughters  music, fashion and dating. We exchanged private intimacies about lost loves. We explored issues relating to faith and reason. We laughed. We cried. We bonded. I grew to love her.

Just before she returned to the US she gave me her copy of David Brooks' The Road to Character, a book I'd expressed interest in reading. The book was an exploration of the lives of some of the world's great thinkers and leaders, and how they'd struggled against their own limitations to build strong inner characters. "People who are humble about their own nature are moral realists," Brooks writes. "Moral realists are aware that we are all built from 'crooked timber'  from Immanuel Kant's famous line, 'Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.' People in this 'crooked timber' school of humanity have an acute awareness of their own flaws and believe that character is built in the struggle against their own weaknesses." For months I couldn't stop thinking about my weaknesses  intellectual arrogance being just one of them  and how at the heart of my response to my cousin was the casus belli for every war, every act of religious intolerance, ethnic hatred, racial discrimination and environmental vandalism that had ever plagued human history: "I'm right. You're wrong. I know the truth. You don't." That's the hell realm of today's political discourse: a crescendo of mutual disgust and loathing delivered in a forest of hashtags and 140-character assassinations. Six months after my cousin returned to Alabama, I read a story by Frank Bruni, one of David Brooks' colleagues at The New York Times, about the depths to which civilised debate had fallen in the US. "If not physically then civically," he wrote less than two months before the fatal confrontation in Charlottesville, "we're in a dangerous place when it comes to how we view, treat and talk about people we disagree with. Ugly partisanship may not be new, but some of its expressions and accelerants are. We'd be foolish to let this moment pass without owning up to them." I sent this story to my cousin with a note saying, "And I'd be foolish to let this moment pass, too, without saying to you how sorry I am for the way I reacted in the car on our very first drive together. I know we got over it  more than that  we became close buddies  but the shame remains in how I reacted to the fact that you supported He Who Shall Not Be Named." (I still couldn't resist that dig.) "It was unforgivable and I've remonstrated with myself a lot ever since, plus learnt a great deal about how my own reaction was/is symptomatic of 'the dangerous place' we're all in." She replied almost immediately: "I very much admire your gracious and humble reflection on our inaugural  no pun  really :)  car ride in Sydney. To me our experience was epic  campfire storytelling-worth and a gateway to other dimensions! We came out on the other side  together and closer, with respect and a sense of humour and appreciation."

President Donald Trump speaks about the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last month. Credit:AP We sure did, although I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a part of me  call it the ravenous ego part  that didn't want to send her an "I-told-you-so" email cataloguing the Trumpian horrors to date. Hmm, where to start? What about the undermining of American intelligence agencies, upending of traditional alliances, cosying up to dictators, enormous policy vacuums and legislative defeat on health care, attacks on overseas women's health organisations, multiple firings and resignations, general bellicosity, and possible obstruction of justice, not to mention collusion with the Russians? Or just keep it simple with character traits like vanity, bullying, recklessness, cruelty, misogyny, laziness, vulgarity, shameless dishonesty and a worrying propensity to support neo-Nazis? Oh and did I mention unhinged? But to what end? So that I could download all my old judgments, opinions and biases (conscious and unconscious) with her? So that I could debate the "facts" and "truth" as I saw them? That would hardly constitute listening, it certainly wouldn't be true dialogue. It would be just more of the same sound and fury; one ego (mine) trying to convince another ego (hers) who was right. Besides, in the three telephone conversations we've managed since she returned home, I've preferred venturing down different pathways: Are you happy? Who are you dating? Are you still moving to the north-west? Have you seen The Handmaid's Tale? Do you have any friends across state lines in devastated Texas? Are you coming back to Sydney for Christmas? (Yes, it seems she is.) I wanted to know these things because (a) I cared, and (b) it's not often you rediscover a first cousin after more than three decades, have a spectacular blow-up on the first day, then end up forging a new kinship. It made me think Thomas Jefferson was right when he said: "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."
Down among the pho joints, butcher shops and Asian supermarkets of Victoria Street in Richmond, there's a new hot topic of conversation: same-sex marriage.

Attitudes towards the debate on Melbourne's lively Vietnamese strip are said to be mixed. The schism is most typically found on religious and generational lines.

The "yes" and "no" campaigns are trying to win the hearts and minds of Chinese Australians. Credit:Daniel Pockett

Generally, the older Catholic traders hold the traditional view, that marriage is between a man and a woman. For the second generation, it's different.

"The younger Vietnamese tend to support it, like I do," says Meca Ho, president of the Victoria Street Business Association.
Australian expats in London have been left horrifed by the most recent terrorist attack to strike the city, with some saying they are considering returning home while others say they are shaken but defiant.

At least 29 people were injured after an improvised bomb exploded on a peak-hour train at Parsons Green station on Friday morning (London time) in what police say was the fifth terrorist attack in Britain this year.

Will Medcalf lives in Parsons Green, takes the Tube there daily and was at the station an hour before the bombing on his way to work.

He said the Parsons Green blast was the most alarming of recent terrorist attacks for most Australians in London.
Earlier in the week, the University of Queensland announced it hoped to become a smoke-free educator by mid-2018 and early indications suggest the majority of students support the announcement, however an outraged group of students have created an opposing campaign and begun posting contested messages online.

One of the leaders of the UQ DARTS Facebook page, which advocates against the smoke-free plan, is Kurt Tucker - former president of the university's Liberal National Club. Since the announcement on Tuesday, the page has posted that the decision would see smoking banned in residential colleges and described the decision as "enforcing a complete ban", which is misleading according to the university.

While early surveys suggest the majority of students support the university's move, an angry opposition campaign has formed online. Credit:Glenn Hunt - AFR

UQ announced it intended to become smoke-free from July 1, 2018, and that the decision "aligns with UQs responsibility and desire to provide healthy and vibrant campuses, and reflects evolving societal norms". The university has started education campaigns to encourage staff and students to reduce or quit smoking and UQ's efforts would continue to ramp-up as the July deadline approached.

Since a Parliamentary Committee Inquiry last year, the Queensland government has been working with all tertiary education providers to reduce the use of tobacco on campuses. The Queensland University of Technology and Australian Catholic University are already smoke-free, while the University of the Sunshine Coast has announced it aims to become smoke-free by the start of 2018.
Beryl's devotion to The Big Sing rivals her Christian faith.

Each year she travels from the Docker River community to attend the event at Ross River in the Northern Territory with her family, according to photographer Amy Jean Harding.

Australian Life photography competition winner Amy Jean Harding's portrait Beryl & Jesus.

"Together the Indigenous participants sing Christian hymns in their own language," she said. "It's such an incredible event and very moving."

Beryl had been singing beside a campfire at The Big Sing when Harding asked to shoot her portrait.
Two mothers who bonded over their Chinese backgrounds and sons at Knox Grammar are now suing each other for defamation following a string of instant messages which one woman says made her out to be a "savage person" and they other says painted her as disloyal.

Ava Wei Wu, who wrote a reference for Michelle Li Chen's son to attend the Wahroonga boys' school in 2014, allegedly used a WeChat forum for non-English speaking Knox parents last year to denounce her erstwhile friend as a "green tea prostitute" who thought she was high class because she sent her children to a private school and bought fake handbags, according to Ms Chen's statement of claim.

A spat between two Knox Grammar mothers on WeChat has reached the Supreme Court. Credit:Ben Rushton

Ms Chen allegedly responded by claiming to a group of more than 1000 WeChat friends that Ms Wu was a "barking dog" who had "amnesia" when it came to paying her debts, nearly ran down a policeman who stopped her for a roadside breath test and was deluded in thinking that she was helping Ms Chen to make friends since she didn't understand English, according to Ms Wu's statement of claim.

"After all, such a person who was a mistress and destroyed the families of others is bad in essence," Ms Chen allegedly wrote.
Without naming anyone, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said that dynasty and democracy cannot go together.

By India Today Web Desk: A few days after Rahul Gandhi kicked up the 'dynasty' debate during a speech in University of California in Berkeley, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu said "dynasty and democracy cannot go together".

Staying true to his love for words, Venkaiah Naidu said, "Dynasty is nasty but tasty to some people".

The Vice-President, however, steered clear from naming anyone and said "not speaking about a party or person".

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"I am not keeping in mind any particular party as someone recently said that everybody is trying to follow each other. But the point is that in a democracy, character, calibre, capacity and conduct (should matter), and not caste, community or cash," Venkaiah Naidu said at a book launch in New Delhi on Friday.

Talking about dynasty politics in India at UC, Berkeley, Rahul Gandhi said that "Most parties in India have that problem. So... Mr Akhilesh Yadav is a dynast. Mr Stalin is a dynast... even Abhishek Bachchan is a dynast".

"So that's how India runs. So don't get after me because that's how they India is run," the Congress vice-president said while admitting that "around 2012, arrogance crept into the Congress party and we stopped having conversations with people".

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's speech in University of California, Berkeley, BJP leader and Union minister Smriti Irani said, "A failed dynast today chose to speak about his failed political journeys in the US".

BJP chief Amit Shah also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi and said that some Opposition leaders are delivering speeches abroad as no one in the country wants to listen to them. "Some of these leaders go abroad and give speeches there. They are scared to speak in front of their own countrymen," Amit Shah said in Kolkata.

ALSO WATCH: Rahul renews attack on Modi government in Berkeley, says note ban caused tremendous damage

--- ENDS ---
Robert John Hall was convicted of raping one sex worker and suspected of raping another. He pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced, claiming the sex was consensual. Credit:Facebook HOW A PETTY THEFT LED TO A RAPIST Hall may never have been caught had he not made a mistake. His victim, who cannot be named legally, reported the attacks immediately on that March night in 1990, first to her waiting cab driver and then to the motel receptionist. Doctors at the hospital took DNA samples from her vagina, but police closed their investigation the same year. Then, in 2007, Hall committed a petty crime, the first on his criminal record since armed robberies decades before. He drove off from a petrol station in Queensland without paying.

Queensland Police swabbed a DNA sample with his permission, and in 2010 their NSW counterparts were told of a match. The petrol thief and the Kiama rapist shared the same DNA profile, a profile to be found only once in a theoretical sample of 100 billion Australians. Police in NSW arrested Hall three years later. At trial, he testified the sex was consensual but a jury convicted him in November of two counts of threatening with a weapon to inflict bodily harm to coerce sex and two counts of sexual intercourse without consent. He was sentenced this month to a maximum term of five years' jail with one year non-parole. Hall, 59, had spent the entire proceedings on bail, including after conviction, as he wanted to visit his surgeon about a recent hip replacement. But District Court Judge Peter Whitford said Hall was already reformed before custody, even as he continues to deny the offences he committed aged 32 in the Kiama motel.

Describing the case as "highly exceptional" and "most extraordinary", Judge Whitford said it raised serious questions about the purposes of sentencing and tested the limits of judicial discretion. However, District Court registrar Nicole Hoffman refused to release redacted material Judge Whitford considered in exercising that discretion, arguing it was "almost impossible" to know what detail might tend to identify the sexual assault victim. In his remarks, Judge Whitford noted Hall's "objectively quite terrible criminal conduct", his lack of remorse and the psychological harm inflicted on the victim. On the other hand, he said the assaults took place over a "relatively short" period of time, that Hall's family had suffered greatly during the legal proceedings and Hall himself presented as a medium suicide risk. Judge Whitford paid greatest attention to the character Hall had displayed since 1990, including "exemplary devotion to his family" as a husband of 20 years and as an "idolised" father and grandfather.

He observed Hall's reputation for integrity in his earthmoving business as well as his volunteer firefighting and efforts during natural disasters. "Mr Hall has already established that he can rehabilitate himself, and indeed has," Judge Whitford found. "He has become a fully participating, productive member of society. "In addition to the demonstrable contribution he has made to the life of his family, through his voluntary work the offender has given back to society far more in the last 25 years than many ordinary citizens manage in a lifetime." SENTENCING IS 'RARELY EASY', JUDGE SAYS

While factoring in Hall's good conduct in the decades since the offence, Judge Whitford also found him entitled to receive some sentence reduction because his crimes belonged to a time when rape sentences were much lighter. (The maximum penalty for rape today is 14 years' jail and the standard non-parole period is seven years.) Hall's lawyers also argued the delay between charges and sentencing  four years  justified some reduction in jail time, which Judge Whitford accepted to a limited degree. "The task is rarely, if ever, easy," he said of sentencing. If separate sentences for each conviction had been imposed, the judge said he would have ordered terms of four years' jail for each of the weapon threat offences and three years' for each of the sexual assaults, a total of 14 years.
The most senior water official in NSW, Gavin Hanlon, has resigned two months after he was exposed offering to share confidential government documents with irrigation lobbyists.

Mr Hanlon had served as a Deputy Director General of the NSW Department of Primary Industries in its water division during discussions about the future of the state's involvement in the $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin Plan to replenish the river system.

According to Four Corners, Gavin Hanlon was caught on tape offering to share confidential information with irrigation lobbyists.

ABC's Four Corners program aired in July recordings of Mr Hanlon offering to provide irrigation lobbyists campaigning against the conservation plan with access to classified documents via an online Dropbox account. The offer was made to irrigator bodies which met with select DPI staff by teleconference on at least four occasions, on Mr Hanlon's invitation.

Recordings of one of these teleconferences showed the NSW government had considered opting out of the plan, which governs water use in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT.
The days of powered scooters tearing across Gold Coast sand and along footpaths near the beaches could be numbered, with the city's council moving to enact a ban.

It came after concerns were raised by councillors and surf lifesavers about pedestrian safety and potential damage to beaches caused by motorised scooters, quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles.

Unauthorised motorised vehicles, similar to those shown above, could be banned on and around Gold Coast beaches Credit:Gold Coast City Council

Councillor Gary Baildon, who represents residents in Main Beach and Surfers Paradise, raised the issue of unauthorised motorised vehicles on footpaths along the coastline during the council meeting on Friday, before mayor Tom Tate expanded the point to include their presence on the beaches.

Division 11 councillor Hermann Vorster said the issue was "a bit ambiguous at the moment" because it was not clear whether the potential banning of unauthorised motorised vehicles on and around the beaches, fell under council or state government jurisdiction.
Anti-Adani protesters are preparing for a week-long demonstration against the Indian mining giant in an attempt to stop initial works going ahead on its Carmichael coal mine.

Tycoon Gautam Adani last month announced the company would break ground on the $16.5 billion central Queensland mine in October.

The site of Adani's Carmichael Coal mine project.

Demonstrators from the Frontline Action on Coal and Reef Defenders groups were undergoing training on Saturday and Sunday ahead of a planned week-long protest kicking off at Yasso Point in Bowen on Sunday night.

Whitsunday tourism operator and farmer Paul Jukes will be among the protesters.
As Cassini started to spin and tear apart in Saturn's frozen atmosphere, it had one final gift for us.

The probe threw its thrusters into full power, burning up the last of its dwindling fuel supplies, and managed to keep its antennas pointed at Earth even as its components started to melt.

CSIRO scientists at Canberra's Deep Space Communication Complex, who were responsible for tracking and controlling Cassini's last moments using a pair of huge dishes, say the probe managed to survive nearly a minute longer than anyone had predicted.

As it melted, it sent back volumes of vital data on Saturn's atmospheric composition, from which scientists will make many new discoveries in the months and years ahead.
Athens: Greek authorities have insisted they are doing everything they can to clean up pollution following the sinking of an oil tanker that has left large sections of the Greek capital's coastal areas coated in viscous, foul-smelling oil.

Crews scrambled on Wednesday to clean up the spill but couldn't stop it spreading.

A worker carries fuel oil in bags as he cleans a polluted beach in the island of Salamina near Athens, on Friday. Credit:AP

The 45-year-old vessel, Agia Zoni II, was carrying 2500 tonnes of fuel when it sank off the island of Salamis on Sunday. By Wednesday, a thick oily tide had covered stretches of the Athens Riviera several miles away.

"This is a catastrophe," said Fotis Yiamanis, a resident of the seafront neighbourhood of Faliro, where Greeks enjoy morning swims several months of the year.
British police have arrested a second man over a London train bombing on Friday.

The 21-year-old man was arrested in the west London suburb of Hounslow just before midnight on Saturday, local time, the Metropolitan Police force said.

On Saturday morning, Kent police an arrested an 18-year-old man in the port town of Dover, nearly two hours out of London.

The arrest was made just hours before British police evacuated the home of two foster carers.
Saturday, September 9, about 1:15am In a blue jacket and tailor-ripped jeans, Jenkins walks single-file with three other women through what surveillance footage labels as the hotel's entry hall, apparently on their way to a party on a floor above. Police are now studying social media videos that appear to have been made at that party. One posted to Facebook appears to show Jenkins listening to music in the room. Police said more than 30 people were at the party, about half of whom have since been identified and interviewed, while the rest are being sought. Jenkins was last seen on the Crowne Plaza's ninth floor, witnesses told police. The teen's mother told reporters that her friends said they left Jenkins alone in the hall to retrieve her car keys and phone from a room and never saw her again. Saturday, about 3:24am

Jenkins emerges from an elevator - alone now, and barely able to balance herself. She slams against the wall, then rights herself and passes beneath the surveillance camera. About two minutes later, the elevator doors open again, but there is no one there to get on. Saturday, about 3:30am Jenkins staggers through halls with no one else in sight, pausing to rest against a wall at one point, and a few minutes later nearly falling over a railing at the bottom of a staircase. She looks to be lost - wandering down a hall only to reappear on the camera a minute later; going into a room, then coming back out; and finally returning the way she came.

Saturday, 3:32am Walking a little more steadily than she had in the hallways, Jenkins makes her way into an empty kitchen - all stainless steel and reddish tile. She passes a metal counter and makes her way around an industrial sink. She sways a bit to the right, then to the left, and then finally walks out of the frame for the last time. Jenkins' mother, Teresa Martin, would later tell reporters that her daughter ended up in a vacant part of the hotel, although the walk-in freezer in that area was functioning.

The rest of Saturday morning Martin got a call about 4am and learned that her daughter's friends couldn't find her, according to the Chicago Tribune. She phoned 911 later that morning to reported Jenkins missing, the newspaper reported after listening to audio from the call: "She said she was worried because her daughter, who had a light tolerance for alcohol, had evidently been drinking - 'One cup is too much for her' - and that the teen wasn't the type to disappear." Martin asked if police would look at surveillance footage, according to the Tribune, but the dispatcher told her that would take time. "What I would recommend is just go home, relax a little bit, give it some time," the dispatcher said, the Tribune reported. "She very well still could be in the room. She could just be passed out. You know how it is. You're drinking the night before, you get - you know what I mean."

Saturday evening Police said they took a missing-person report shortly before 1pm, but the first attempts to find Jenkins failed. They would search the hotel again later in the day, after seeing the surveillance footage described above. Staff at the Crowne Plaza searched the floor of the party and public areas early in the afternoon, according to the Tribune. By 6pm, Jenkins' family were knocking on guests doors and searching for witnesses, and police returned to the hotel shortly afterward. Cameras recorded someone entering the vacant kitchen about 8:30pm, the newspaper reported. But the person just looked around and left. It wasn't until 12:30 a.m. Sunday, the Tribune wrote, that someone went back to the kitchen, inspected the corner where Jenkins last appeared in the video, then left and returned with a police officer.

Sunday and beyond First one, then several officers rushed into the kitchen early Sunday morning. Police said detectives escorted Martin in, where she confirmed that the dead woman in the freezer was her daughter. About an hour before sunrise, the Tribune reported, surveillance cameras recorded a body bag leaving the kitchen. Rosemont police said they have interviewed more than two dozen people in the days since, and recreated the scene of Jenkins' death in a computer, and sent Facebook videos from the party off to a lab for enhancement. "We are aggressively working with the Chicago Police Department and others to locate any individuals who were inside the hotel room that evening," the department wrote in a statement. "Additionally, we are still following up on the over 500 tips and leads coming in."
'It's one of those things that are absorbed by society': A wedding supplier's shop in Dublin. Credit:Nick Miller "What happens? Two people get married and the world continues." We chat over a coffee in the parliament building in Dublin. Buttimer is good company and a classic Irish talker: words flow from him in an earnest stream. He's busy now with another huge challenge: the prospect of a referendum to repeal Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion. County Tipperary, November 17, 2015: Richard Dowling, left, and Cormac Gollogly become the first same-sex couple to tie the knot under Ireland's new law. Credit:PA Compared to this, our chat about marriage equality is a relief. He can rehearse his old lines from the 2015 referendum, he can reflect on the joy of that day, he can proudly recount how they met every challenge, red herring and falsehood from their opponents and won.

He gets a little teary remembering it all. "The outpouring of celebration and emotion and pure joy in Dublin Castle and across the country on results day illustrated the importance of what it meant to people," he says. "This wasn't a political campaign and a rally, this was about how people 20, 30, 40 years in committed loving relationships can be able to get married. This is about how we can live our life, being able to look at the person we love and say 'will you marry me?' 'Yes'." In Australia, opponents of marriage equality campaigning for a 'no' vote in the postal survey are, somewhat paradoxically, trying to harness Ireland's experience to their cause. One of their key, oft-repeated messages - put by Tony Abbott among others - is that same sex marriage leads to new restrictions on religious freedom. The Coalition For Marriage put out a press release this month asking: "If a change in marriage law has no consequences for religious freedom, how do you explain the Irish government overturning religious freedom protections just months after the referendum?"

It's a reference to a change to Ireland's Employment Equality Act, which passed the country's parliament soon after the marriage equality referendum. The act allowed church-run schools and hospitals to discriminate against employees on the grounds of their sexuality - teachers, nurses and doctors could be fired for being gay. As a result, gay and lesbian teachers in the country's many (around 90 per cent of the total) church-run schools had to hide their sexuality. They felt the law's "chilling effect" on their lives. The 2015 amendment did not remove the exemption. But it watered it down, in the case of schools and hospitals which received public funding, requiring that the discrimination was "objectively justified". "It's still in the statute books but it's been changed so it can't happen," Buttimer says. He doesn't agree this amounts to a loss of religious freedom. "We can't condone prejudicial behaviour in the workplace," he says.

But more than this, he says it's a red herring. To link this change in the law to the marriage referendum is to confuse correlation with causation. It's a lesson for Australia, he says. "Referendums are notorious for going down tangential routes, side alleys and end[ing] up in a cul de sac where you are debating nothing that's of importance," he warns. A voter in Ireland's gay marriage referendum. "The referendum was about one question only, can all of us be able to get married to the person we love. It's not about anything else, there's no side-effect, there's no consequence. I just don't buy the argument, we didn't buy it here and I hope the Australian people won't buy it.

"It suits the 'No' argument to be able to go down a different route ... [to put] the proposition that the world would be a lesser place." The change to the discrimination law and the change to the marriage law are parts of a bigger Irish story: a modernising, liberalising population losing confidence in a scandal-wracked church. Homosexuality was illegal in Ireland until the early '90s, and stigma has remained until very recently. The marriage equality referendum, for many, was not just a vote on marriage, it was an affirmation of acceptance and equality. Only after the vote could many gay couples feel confident in public displays of affection, having heard the country's voice in support. Buttimer says the biggest change after the referendum has been "below the radar". "People can walk home from a nightclub hand in hand, or down the street of a local town. They can live in a neighbourhood where no one bats an eye any more."

Many people came out to their neighbours and friends during the referendum campaign, as they went door to door pushing for a 'Yes' vote. Top politicians and a prime time TV journalist revealed their sexuality for the first time. The country had stopped taking orders from its bishops. Ireland is still one of Europe's most religious countries. One pamphlet distributed during the 2015 campaign noted that if 80 per cent of Ireland's weekly churchgoers had voted 'No', the referendum would have been defeated. It has the second highest level of Christian religious affiliation after Poland  and 34 per cent of the Irish went to church every week, again second only to the Poles, and far ahead of the UK (13 per cent) or France (8 per cent). Almost 60 per cent of the Irish pray at least once a week. But these numbers are in decline.

Dr Jane Suiter is associate professor at Dublin City University in the school of communications. She says the influence of the church has "dramatically" decreased in Ireland in recent years. "The impact of the child sex abuse revelations, the Tuam Mother and Baby Home where the mass graves of babies were found  the Magdalene laundries [where women were exploited and abused by nuns] - they've all served to undermine the authority of the church," Suiter says. A lot of the working class communities that often don't vote - and with a high rate of Mass attendance - came out to vote and very strongly for marriage equality, Suiter says. They preferred the testimony of the 'Yes' ground campaign, the mothers knocking on their door and saying "my son is gay, can you please vote for his right to marry", to the lectures they were getting from the pulpit. "The 'Yes' side was far more mobilised, it had a clearer strategy and a central headquarters, whereas the 'No' side relied on tried-and-trusted routines of mostly trying to get on the mainstream media," Suiter says.

"And there was a big difference also in the type of campaign. The 'No' guys went for a much more Project Fear, this is the end of families as we know it and those kind of messages. 'It became about equality': A mural by artist Joe Caslin on the Mercantile building in Dublin. Credit:New York Times "Whereas the 'Yes' side went much more for people at the centre of it. And we know that people respond to people  it became about equality rather than fear, and they very deliberately stayed away from negative campaigning of any sort." The 'Yes' campaign successfully framed it as an "equality" campaign, she says. "It became reasonably difficult for the 'No' side to make an anti-equality argument. They railed against that framing, of even calling it marriage equality as opposed to same-sex marriage or whatever."

All the same, there was a moment when the 'No' campaign hit its stride. In the second week of the campaign they focused on a message about children  that they "deserve a mum and a dad", Suiter says. "A lot of people respond to this, especially older generations. There was a moment among the 'Yes' campaigners on the streets - they were worried this was having an impact, they were hearing it a bit back from the [front] doors." But the 'Yes' campaign responded with a secret weapon: Colm O'Gorman, head of Amnesty International in Ireland, who hit the airwaves with his personal story about his loving family. "[The Yes campaign] probably knew this line was coming and they were reasonably well prepared for it," Suiter says. Secret weapon: Colm O'Gorman outside St Andrew's Church in Dublin. Credit:New York Times

Fierce fights have the potential to cause deep divisions. But after the Irish referendum, says Suiter, the strength of the result and the joyousness of the celebration kickstarted the healing process. "Afterwards there were people who'd voted against it on the radio saying 'oh if I'd only thought about that I would have voted yes too'. The pure joy [they saw] and the realisation that actually nothing had happened to weaken their own marriage because there were now other people allowed to get married too  I think if it were to run again tomorrow it would pass by a far greater majority." But it won't run again, she says. It is simply no longer a live issue. "It's absolutely gone. It's vanished. It's a done thing. Those who were against it have moved on to abortion - that group who are against most social change referendums, that's where their focus is. As for the ordinary person, you don't even hear it on late-night phone-ins." The 'No' campaigners of 2015 have mostly gone to ground. Fairfax attempted to contact three of the most vocal and none wanted to talk. A Dublin diocese spokeswoman said it was a "pretty bad week" and she couldn't find someone to talk about the impact of the 'Yes' vote on Irish society or the church.

The 'No' campaigners of 2015 have mostly gone to ground. Credit:New York Times Senator Buttimer, of course, is more than willing to speak on their behalf. "As somebody who spent five years in the seminary, who has a degree in theology, I would put to the religious people in Australia that  God wants us to be the most complete person we can be, that means being able to marry the person we love. "I don't think the Catholic church lost its ability to teach or lost its magisterium, but it lost the respect of many people who felt their stance was wrong." Brian Sheehan, general secretary of Ireland's Social Democrats, was executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network in Dublin and co-director of the Yes Equality campaign for the marriage referendum.

He says the 'No' campaign's Apocalypse Now version of a future with gay marriage never materialised "because there was no truth in it". "There was a lot of fear-mongering that marriage would be destroyed, in fact marriage has been improved," he says. "It has lifted the value that society places on marriage." Since the vote "all that has happened is that wedding suppliers include same-sex products in their catalogues", he says. "It's one of those things that are absorbed by society without tumultuous conflict." Adds Buttimer: "I really hope the people of Australia won't fall for bogus arguments. This is not changing the world from round to square.
London: Want to shrink the German economy? Hold an independence referendum in Bavaria? Give break-dancing a boost? Germans can't complain about a lack of options in the national election on 24 September.

Forty-two parties are on the national ballot, 12 more than four years ago. As elsewhere in Europe, mainstream party loyalties are eroding and alternative groupings are trying to woo both an increasingly skeptical electorate and non-voters. The populist Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is on course to win parliamentary seats on September 24, increasing the number of parties in the Bundestag to six. Yet the chance of smaller parties reaching the 5 per cent share of the vote needed to win seats looks vanishingly slim.

Election posters showing from left: CDU's German Chancellor Angela Merkel, social democrat challenger Martin Schulz and Free Democratic Party's Christian Lindner in Erfurt, central Germany on Friday. Credit:AP

The splintering of political support matters because it deprives mainstream parties of votes in a year when cobbling together a coalition government may be more difficult than before. Even with the anti-euro AfD and the tech-friendly Pirates stripped out, 4.2 per cent cast a ballot for a party that didn't make it into the Parliament in 2013.

This time, residents of Berlin can vote for die bergpartei, or mountain party, which has an aversion to capital letters and paints its own posters. The group says it's an "eco-anarchist, real-dadaist melting pot" and opposes "the day-in, day-out terror" of consumer society. It questions economic growth, urging "a conscious shrinking and deceleration".
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has clarified that there is no restriction on the immersion of idols on the day of Vijaya Dashami.

By Indrajit Kundu: Amid the ongoing row over Durga Puja visarjan in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday clarified that there was no restriction on the immersion of idols on the day of Vijaya Dashami.

"Let me make it amply clear what we told the puja organisers. There will be no immersion of idols only on Muharram, which is a day after Vijaya Dashami. There is no restriction on visarjan on Vijaya Dashami. We have only sought four hours on that day so that there is a gap between process of visarjan (immersion of idols) getting over and the other community performing their rituals", Banerjee clarified.

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"It is unfortunate that some sections of people are intentionally spreading misinformation. It's been said that Kolkata Police is not efficient enough like its Mumbai counterparts. Let me tell them, nowhere is Durga Puja celebrated on a larger scale than in West Bengal . Will Mumbai Police be able to control the crowd if Ganpati visarjan and Muharram fall on the same day", she added.

Accusing rival BJP of trying to fan communal tensions in the state, Banerjee said, "BJP is indulging in malicious campaigns. They have always been in the habit of making hate speeches and false propaganda. They are saying people should come out with weapons on Vijaya Dashami."

NOT INDULGING IN MINORITY APPEASEMENT: MAMATA

"This is not appeasement. Bengal has 30 per cent minority population. It is what we have inherited since independence. It is not our invention", Banerjee reacted sharply to the BJP's allegation that the state government was pandering to the Muslim community, highlighting the demographic reality of the state.

"Lies and canards are being spread. Bengal is the cultural capital of India and Durga Puja is our biggest festival. Will they decide how people should worship? I have heard restrictions are placed on consumption of meat in Mumbai on certain days, but we don't do such things in Bengal. We believe in accommodating all communities. Some people are indulging in dirty politics in the name of Durga Maa", she lashed out.

"Who do they intend to kill with their weapons rally on Vijaya Dashami, the Trinamool Congress supremo asked, with the BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad announcing their plans to carry out a rally with weapons on Vijaya Dashami.

During a meeting with Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata on August 23, Banerjee had announced that immersion of idols would have to end by 6 pm on Vijaya Dashami as Muharram processions would be taken out later that day.

'MUHARRAM, DURGA IDOLS' IMMERSION CAN'T HAPPEN TOGETHER'

"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 make all kinds of provocative statements using Hindus and Muslims as tools", she had requested the organisers.

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In a similar move last year, the West Bengal government had issued restrictions on immersion of idols, 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 sections of the public".

A single-judge bench headed by Justice Dipankar Dutta in its October 6, 2016 observation had stated that no 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 court observed, highlighting that such restrictions had never been placed on immersion of Durga idols during Vijaya Dashami on earlier occasions in Bengal.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Mamata government-owned auditorium cancels Mohan Bhagwat event in Kolkata

--- ENDS ---
The Government is requesting all workers of the Ministry of General Affairs to report to the New Government Administration Building, side entrance, on Monday, September 18, between 9 am and 12 noon. The government would like to hear from you and assess your personal situation after Hurricane Irma. Please walk with your Government pass, if possible.

The workers of the Ministry of TEATT are requested to report to the New Government Administration Building, side entrance, on Tuesday, September 19, between 9 am and 12 noon.

The workers of the Ministry of VSA are requested to report to the New Government Administration Building, side entrance, on Tuesday, September 19, between 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm.

The workers of the Ministry of Finance are requested to report to the New Government Administration Building, side entrance, on Wednesday, September 20, between 9 am and 12 noon.

The workers of the Ministry of ECYS and Justice who have not yet reported to their ministry's call last week, are requested to report to the New Government Administration Building, side entrance, on Thursday, September 21 between 9 am and 11 noon.

For the Ministry of VROMI information will follow.
The Food & Water Distribution Team coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor that consists of representatives of the Dutch Marines, Red Cross, K1 Britannia, Samaritan Purse , Community Leaders & volunteers, Civil Servants and a team of the Ministry of TEATT hereby informs the public of the points of distribution of Food & Water for Saturday, September 16th.

10:00 AM (approx) - Simpson Bay Village - (The Allan Halley Community Center)

10:30 AM (approx) - St. Johns / Saunders Village - (The MAC School)

12:00 PM (approx) - Betty's Estate

12:30 PM (approx) - Mary Fancy - (Jose Lake Sr. Ball Park)

01:00 PM (approx) - Beacon Hill - (open area next to Beach Comber villas)

03:00 PM (approx) - Cupecoy Area- (Next to the AUC School)

Persons are requested to bring suitable bags and clean containers to receive the Food and Water.

For individuals that may have difficulty reaching the distribution points, smaller groups of persons will be targeting specific areas throughout the districts to get the food and water supplies to those in need.

For persons wishing to volunteer you are hereby advised to join in with the working teams when the convoy reaches your district, your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Updates will be given daily.
PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Majesty of the Seas cruise ship arrived on Friday, September 15, on a humanitarian mission to evacuate American citizens and residents with Visa Waiver/ESTA entry requirements into U.S. territory.

The number of evacuees that boarded the Majesty of the Seas on Friday were 286. The vessel also brought in disaster relief supplies.

Evacuees gathered at the St. Maarten Festival Village on Pond Island on Friday. Registration started at 7.00 AM and ended 3.00 PM. The vessel came in with 900 crew and 75 of those were on hand to assist with the preparations at the Festival Village.

Majesty of the Seas will sail to San Juan, Puerto Rico where the evacuees will disembark. The evacuees will be responsible for their own travel beyond Puerto Rico to their final destination.

Port St. Maarten Management would like to thank Royal Caribbean for its pro-activeness in providing assistance. S.E.L. Maduro & Sons, agent for Royal Caribbean also shared the same sentiment.

Port of St. Maarten Press Release
PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- A delegation from Carnival Corporation & PLC lead by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arnold Donald, met with the Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher, and members of Port St. Maarten Board and Management on Friday afternoon regarding the status of the countrys port facilities and the destination.

The Carnival Corporation delegation told the Minister and Port St. Maarten representatives about the cruise lines love for the destination and that they are here to support the people and the country.

They added that they are excited about the spirit and determination of the people they have met with so far with respect to the rebuilding of the country.

Port St. Maarten Management and Board briefed the Carnival delegation about the current state of affairs at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities.

Information was also provided about the Great Bay Beach Promenade, the commercial center of Philipsburg, Front Street, beaches, shore excursions, among other tourism-related services.

Port St. Maarten has already contacted tour operators for status updates pertaining to their readiness for the upcoming cruise season.

Carnival Corporation was very pleased with the positive attitude, forward-thinking and outlook displayed during the meeting on Friday.

Port of St. Maarten Press Release
PHILIPSBURG:--- The joint task force consisting of members representing the police forces from Aruba and Curacao, the Royal Marechaussee, the V.K.S., the Customs Department under the leadership the Sint Maarten Police Force continue to work diligently to maintain the safety and security situation on the Dutch side of the island totally under control. Joint patrols continue to carry out general controls and other safety and security checks continue to take place on a 24-hour basis.

Police also continue to monitor the situation at all water and supplies distribution locations to make sure that this process takes place safe and without incident. Thus far no incidents have been reported. Gasoline stations and other businesses are gradually reopening to the public and also being monitored by police.

The curfew that was issued by the Honorable Prime Minister William Marlin is being strictly enforced and those in violation of the curfew are being arrested and put through the judicial process.

On Thursday, September 14th eight persons were arrested by police, seven of which were for violating the curfew and one for another offense. All suspects were brought to the Philipsburg Police Head Quarters where they held during the night. These suspects will face the Public Prosecutor on Friday, September 15th who will decide how this case will be handled further. These controls will continue indefinitely.

Police have also encountered many persons walking or driving on the streets while the curfew is in effect. The persons mostly claim that they have been working until late and were on their way home.

The Police Department is hereby informing all business managers/owners that the curfew applies to everyone and that they should take all necessary measures to make sure their employees are allowed to leave the workplace in time for them not to be in violation of the curfew and to experience any unnecessary delays or inconveniences.

KPSM Press Release
INFORMATION HELP DESKS

DISTRICT LOCATION HOURS MARIGOT Collectivite building 8:30 am to 12 pm everyday SANDY GROUND MJC 8:30 am to 12 pm everyday CONCORDIA Mediatheque 8:30 am to 12 pm everyday LA SAVANE Cite Scolaire 8:30 am to 12 pm everyday FRENCH QUARTER Primary St. Maximin 8:30 am to 12 pm everyday

CIVIL REGISTRY

For all administrative documents pertaining to the Civil Registry please report to the Collectivite main building in Marigot from 9 am to 12 am open every day.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY POINTS

DISTRICT LOCATION BAIE NETTLE Flamboyant Hotel HOPE ESTATE Parking lot of former Simply Market GRAND-CASE Parking lot of the MJC FRENCH QUARTER French Quarter Pharmacy



EMERGENCY LODGING

The Association SOS Attitude is bringing in rescue tents that will be arriving at the end of the week. A village will be installed at Green Valley (Grand-Case) and tents will be distributed to individuals in need.

To Register: Office of the Social Department (Pole Solidarite et Familles), Paul Mingau in Concordia starting Monday, September 18th from 9 am to 12 pm.

DEPARTURES FROM THE TERRITORY

Grand-Case Airport: flights between St. Martin and Guadeloupe are operating daily. You must go directly to the airport to embark. This service is handled by the State.

Maritime liaison to Guadeloupe is organized by the Collectivite en collaboration with the Region of Guadeloupe. Date and time of departure to determined.

To Register:

Reception desk at the Collectivite Administration Building in Marigot: 8:30 am to 12 pm everyday

Reception desk Cite Scolaire complex: 8:30 am to 12 pm everyday

*Boat transfers to Guadeloupe: Luggage and pets can be brought on board (8 hours boat trip)

WATER DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of water and foodstuff is partially handled by the State, however the Collectivie also. Territorial Councilor Mrs. Marie-Dominique Ramphort in responsible for the coordination of the distribution on the Commercial Port of Galisbay.

Daily distribution points:

Marigot: Anguilla Ferry Station 9 am to 12 pm Hope Estate: parking lot of the new Mall Aventura, 9 am to 12 pm French Quarter: in front of the Gendarmerie from 9 am to 12 pm

Distribution of water and foodstuff is organized daily in all the districts.

Major Cleaning in Marigot.

The President of the Collectivite of Saint Martin Mr. Daniel GIBBS, informs you that a major cleaning and clearing operation will be held in the night from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 September 2017.

The sector concerned goes from Bellevue to the Agrement roundabout.

150 men will be mobilized from 7:30PM on 9/15/2017 until 5AM on the 9/16/2017.

Reminder: The curfew is maintained from 18:00 to 5:00 in the morning.

Press Release from the Collectivity of St. Martin
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Claim: Flashlight apps harbor furtive code to steal your personal data and send it to foreign cybercriminals. Rating: About this rating Mixture

On 1 October 2014, cybersecurity company SnoopWall released a "threat assessment report" discussing flashlight apps for Android devices and security threats they may pose. Although the report was released to the accompaniment of alarmist news stories about how some flashlight apps could potentially access banking information and cell phone video cameras and send users' personal information to cybercriminals abroad in India, China, and Russia, the SnoopWall report itself neither stated nor offered evidence that such activity was taking place. That report merely charted the permissions accessed by the top ten Android flashlight apps and offered some tips about "best practices for increasing privacy and security on your device without spending any money."

It is indeed the case that a number of flashlight apps can and do request access to permissions and data on users' cell phones that seemingly has nothing to do with the ordinary functioning of the app, and that such permissions could theoretically enable criminals to obtain sensitive personal information from cell phone users. However:



Having a flashlight app on your cell phone does not necessarily mean someone is stealing your personal data.

Most customers use the flashlight apps that are natively provided with the Android and iOS operating systems on their smartphones, and those apps pose no security threats.

Just because an app requests permissions it may not need does not mean the app is being used for nefarious purposes. (Many, many apps request more permissions than they seemingly need.)

Nothing about flashlight apps makes them inherently more susceptible to criminal exploitation. (Flashlight apps just happen to be one of the most common cell phone apps.)

Any type of cell phone app could potentially be exploited for stealing personal data (or other nefarious reasons).



As the Daily Dot observed of the hysteria generated by SnoopWalls report, it all appeared to be part of a calculated fear-driven marketing ploy for SnoopWall's own products:

It all sounds pretty scary, but before you go culling your flashlight apps in one massive purge you should know that theres very little to fear. While SnoopWalls report makes things sound pretty dire, the company offers no actual proof that these apps are a threat to your personal security or  in the worst possible case  a danger to national security. Not one single shred of evidence is presented to support the companys claims because none actually exists. SnoopWall itself has been pushing its own flashlight app (as a replacement for all the ones that are trying to overthrow the U.S. government, naturally) and the oddly named Privacy App which is designed to highlight any other apps on your Android device that are a security risk and could do you harm. The end goal here is to score licensing deals with app makers to include the companys Privacy Shield software in their own apps. Just like the flashlight apps using you as ad fodder, SnoopWall wants your support which it can leverage in order to pay the bills. Companies need paychecks too, after all. But thats not the only thing that appears a bit hypocritical about SnoopWalls agressive attack against dishonest app developers. In researching SnoopWalls generically named Privacy App I found that users almost universally agree that the app simply doesnt work. While the app promises to find all the apps that are spying on you, the user reviews suggest its not doing much good. The entire front page of the apps Google Play listing is filled with reviews saying that the app produces nothing but false positives

SnoopWall's "threat assessment report" suggested that flashlight apps are more prone to requesting access to unneeded permissions and data than any other category of app, but as Wired noted, many other types of apps "want access to information they probably shouldn't," and the fact that a given app has access to data doesn't necessarily mean the app is actually stealing that data and transmitting it to internatonal cybercriminals. It may be the case, though, that you're paying for your "free" app by unwittingly allowing your personal data to be shared with marketers:

The Flashlight app on my phone is built by a company called iHandy. [A] mobile phone security operation called Appthority did an analysis of the data that Flashlight can potentially request, and it's pretty scary. According to Appthority's president, Domingo Guerra, Flashlight is designed to do location tracking, read my calendar, use my camera, gain access to unique numbers that identify my phone, and then share data with a number of ad networks, including Googles AdMob, iAd, and JumpTap. It may not actually be doing all of these things  Appthority's analysis only shows what the software is capable of, not necessarily what it's actually up to  but the fact that there's such an arsenal of dubious uses should raise eyebrows. On my phone, several apps want access to information they probably shouldn't, and odds are, that's the case with your phone, too. The lesson here is that when it comes to mobile software, theres really no such thing as a free app.

All in all, as the Guardian noted, "developers are often asking for far greater power over a user's device, in order to collect data and sell it on to marketers and ad networks. It's the latest reminder that if you're not paying for an app, its business model may well involve selling your data." Or, as Jeff Werner of the Northwest Florida Daily News observed:

Personally, I'm inclined to believe that there are apps out there that are sending personal data to places where that data has no business going, [but] I would be surprised if it was limited to flashlight apps. At the end of the day, it's important for you to make your own decisions. Be informed, but don't believe every last thing you see or read on the Internet. When it comes to your smartphone, because of the unique nature of the data it contains, and the sites that many of us access with it, be very careful which apps you choose to install. The fewer apps you select, and the more mainstream they are, the less vulnerable you will be to theft of your data.

One flashlight app developer, Goldenshores Technologies (makers of the "Brightest Flashlight" app for Android), settled a complaint with the FTC in 2014 over their collecting location data and unique device IDs from users' devices and sharing that data with advertisers. So when it comes to apps  even "free ones"  caveat emptor.
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Claim: NASA had to relabel the size chart used for a condom-like urination contraption built into the Maximum Absorbency Garment space suit system because astronauts refused to choose the "small" size. Rating: About this rating Mixture

NASA may be known for its brilliant employees, technical advances, and lofty projects, but according to a persistent Internet rumor, its astronauts are not immune to penis envy:

<!--



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This rumor about urinary sleeve sizes stems from the "Space Suit" episode of Moon Machines, a 2008 Science Channel documentary miniseries documenting the engineering challenges of the Apollo space program. Donald Rethke, who earned the nickname "Dr. Flush" for his work on zero-gravity waste management, stated in the interview for the documentary the size chart for the urinary condoms attached to the Maximum Absorbency Garment space suit system had to be changed because astronauts refused to choose the "small" size:

"Inside the urine collection assembly, which we call the pee pouch, is a one liter bag. And the attachment to the body was a condom with a hose on the end of it which allowed the urine to flow freely into the bag." The condoms initially came in three different sizes: small, medium and large. But few astronauts, whatever their real dimensions, refused to accept that they were anything but large. "We changed the names to large, gigantic, and humongous."

While this humorous anecdote certainly has an element of truth to it, Dr. Flush embellished the story.

Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins told a similar tale in his 1974 book Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys, but Collins reported the sizes were changed to "extra large," "immense," and "unbelievable." More significantly, Collins suggested these "heroic terms" were merely informal references, not official designations:

Then it's time to don a triangular yellow plastic urine bag by inserting the penis into a rubber receiver built into one corner of it. There are three sizes of receivers (small, medium, large), which are always referred to in more heroic terms: extra large, immense, and unbelievable.

Collins and Dr. Flush may disagree on what these new sizes were commonly called, but choosing the right condom size was indeed an issue that vexed the Apollo astronauts. Russell Schweickart, the Lunar Module Pilot on the 1969 Apollo 9 mission, said in an interview urinating in space was a little tricky:

There's always the possibility that in maneuvering around in a suit you can end up pulling off the condom, and there's always  we have three sizes you know, small, medium and large  in diameter, and there's always this little ego thing about which one you do pick. Of course the smart guy picks the right size, because it's very important. But what happens is, if you get too small a size it effectively pinches off the flow and you just turn yellow because you can't go; and if, on the other hand you've got an ego problem and you decide on a large when you should have a medium, what happens is you take your first leak and you end up with half of the urine outside the bag on you. And that's the last time you make that mistake. So it's a cute little trick there.

Given the differing accounts provided by Schweickart, Collins, and Dr. Flush, it is highly unlikely this name change was made on any official level at NASA. It does appear, however, that potty humor is alive and well in outer space.
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BRIDGEPORT -Guilty of murder.

It took less than four hours over two days for a jury to find a local nurse guilty of killing a female college student and dismembering her body.

Two previous 12-member juries had deadlocked six to six on whether Jermaine Richards killed 20-year-old Alyssiah Marie Wiley of West Haven sometime after April 19, 2013.

However, the third jury, after a stream-lined week and a half trial, declared Richaards guilty of the crime.

Wiley, a sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University disappeared sometime after leaving the Willimantic campus on April 19, 2013, in Richards' car. Twenty-seven days later, after a statewide search and appeals by her mother on television, Wiley's grisly partial remains were found in a wooded area at the end of Quarry Road in Trumbull, a mile and a half from Richards Bridgeport home.

There is no debate that Richards, a private-duty nurse from Bridgeport, had been dating Wiley since she had been in high school.

But there is no physical evidence in the case. No blood residue or anything to show where or when Wiley was killed. No eyewitnesses and certainly no confession. Richards did not testify during the trial.

Instead the state rested its case on the claim that Richards had the motive and the opportunity to kill Wiley.

All the evidence points to Jermaine, argued Senior Assistant States Attorney Ann Lawlor.

Wileys family and friends testified Richards was jealous and possessive.

Her sister, Chaharrez Landell, testified that a month before Wileys disappearance, Wiley had called her panicked.

He put me in a headlock and threw me on the bed and I couldnt breathe, Landell said her sister told her.

When Landell picked her sister up at the Norwalk home where Richards was working as a nurse she said Wiley was crying and told Landell she wanted to break up with Richards but didnt know how.

Prosecutors Lawlor and Joseph Corradino presented a newly acquired photograph of Wiley sitting in a domestic violence seminar.

But Hussey pointed out to the jury that Richards and Wiley remained together.

Jevene Wright, a high school classmate of Richards, testified that Richards told him he was upset because he believed Wiley was 'messing around,' with an old friend.

'She doesn't know who she is messing with,' Wright recalled Richards telling him. 'I'm a nurse and I know how to get rid of her.'

But Wrights credibility was put to the test when it was revealed that he was testifying as part of deal after he was arrested for stealing more than $1 million from his employer while on probation for another embezzlement.

They interviewed 400 people and not one person could say he killed her, defense lawyer Walter Hussey told the jury. They are asking you to take a leap of faith without evidence.
After recent problems, first with Great Lakes Aviation and then with PenAir, the Western Nebraska Regional Airport sought bids for a new carrier to service the area. Six bids were placed with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The bids were more than expected and officials around the region have said that is a good sign for Scottsbluff.

The Star-Herald will examine the companies submitting bids in stories this week. In this edition, the Star-Herald looks at Silver Airways and Key Lime Air.

Florida airline bids for Midwest service

Florida-based Silver Airways flies routes primarily in Florida and the Bahamas. With an upgraded fleet of planes, theyve submitted a proposal to serve the Nebraska and Kansas markets left without service when PenAir declared bankruptcy.

In its proposal, the Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airways made an all-or-none bid of just more than $2 million to provide service from Denver to the Scottsbluff, North Platte and Kearney markets, along with Dodge City and Liberal, Kansas.

In the proposal to the Western Nebraska Regional Airport Authority, the airline proposed offering 12 weekly roundtrips, nonstop flights from Denver to Scottsbluff, Kearney and North Platte. The Dodge City and Liberal routes will have six nonstop and six one-stop flights.

Silver is a codeshare partner with JetBlue and United Airlines. The proposal said they plan to market flights in the Midwest region via United Airlines. That allows for travelers to purchase tickets through United and earn bonus miles through the United MileagePlus program.

Having codeshare partners gives Silver Airways access to a large airline hub and carrier offering hundreds of connecting flights. It also helps assure reliable service operated on a schedule thats built to be defensible against delays.

Silver Airways also has interline agreements with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, US Airways, Alaska Airlines, Bahamasair, Hahn Air, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and All Nippon Airways. That allows for a single baggage check-in to passengers final destination.

Launched in 2011, Silver operates 34-passenger Saab 340Bplus turboprop aircraft. With 22 planes, its the largest Saab fleet in North America. Recently, the company announced it would expand its fleet to 50 planes. Over the next few years, it plans to replace its existing Saab fleet with new 46-passenger, French made ATR-600 planes for a cost of about a billion dollars.

Greg Meyer, public information officer with the Broward County Aviation Department, said the airline that rebranded as Silver Airways has a long history at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, rivaling some of the legacy carriers for longevity.

With headquarters at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the airline also has a maintenance facility at the Orlando International Airport.

Since Silver Airways took to the sky in December 2011, its carried just over 1.5 million passengers, averaging 125 daily flights to 18 destinations throughout Florida and into the Bahamas.

Silver Airways President and Chief Financial Officer Jason Bewley wrapped up the companys proposal with why the company chose to pursue markets in the Midwest.

We believe that traffic potential in these communities has not fundamentally changed in the last five years  instead the airline operating environment has changed, he said. We believe that only Silver Airways is uniquely positioned to restore the passenger traffic lost in recent years.

Florida airline bids for Midwest service Florida based Silver Airways is one of six airlines that want to serve the western Nebraska area with direct flights to Denver.

Key Lime Air wants to offer essential air service

SCOTTSBLUFF  Key Lime Air put forth three bids to Western Nebraska Regional Airport to offer Essential Air Service between Scottsbluff and Denver, recently vacated by PenAir.

With its headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, at Centennial Airport, Key Lime Air operates more than 30 aircraft. It is one of the largest single-feeder aircraft networks in the U.S. Key Limes first flight was in 1997 with a single-cargo aircraft going over the Rocky Mountain region.

Key Lime Air, dba Denver Air Connection, partnered with the state of Wyoming in 2015. It also operates charter flights and serves as a cargo feeder for the United Parcel Service. Denver Air Connection completed 2,545 of 2,553 scheduled flights for a reliability rating of 99.69 percent, according to the proposal.

Key Lime operates in four airports in Colorado and two in Wyoming.

In its bid, Key Lime noted that it owns, operates and maintains all of its entire fleet of aircraft enabling the company to effectively control its stringent operational and maintenance programs to the highest standard.

The first option for service is a 19-Seat Part 121 Domestic Operation, which would use a 19-seat Metroliner turboprop aircraft. This bid option will require $2,927,634 as an annual compensation requirement.

Option two, a 135 Metroliner that will run either on demand or by a schedule, is a $1,728,642 bid. The 135 scheduled would be limited to nine available seats while the on-demand will allow all 19 seats to be available.

The third option, the 135 30-Seat Dornier Jet, is an on-demand flight offering all 30 available seating. This bid is for $3,935,655.

Key Lime Air President and co-owner Cliff Honeycutt said one of the bids was for standard air service.

The other two are alternative bids under public charter rules, he said. Its effectively a way for us to operate with more reliable service.

Honeycutt said the cost of a ticket would range from $75 to $115, but an estimated cost of $90 was put on the bid as an average to simplify things and reduce confusion.

Key Lime Air will provide 12 weekly roundtrip flights between Scottsbluff and Denver, according to the proposal. The Denver International Airport will serve as the main hub of operations for Key Lime Air.

The proposal also included a mock flight schedule of what a typical week would look like for its air travel in between Scottsbluff and Denver.

Key Lime had big aspirations 20 years ago when it began to move out of the Florida Keys. Honeycutt said Scottsbluff is right in Key Limes backyard and providing service made sense.

Key Lime has had three incidents in the past four years. On Dec. 30, 2014, engines were not sufficiently heated for the cold weather and its plane hit residential terrain shortly after takeoff from Centennial. The pilot was the only one on board and received fatal injuries.

On Jan. 21, 2015, one of its cargo planes flying for UPS crashed during an emergency landing. The pilot, who was the only person on the plane, did not suffer any serious injuries.

On Dec. 5, 2016, heavy rains in the area contributed to a fatal crash where the pilot was the sole occupant of the plane.
A Casper, Wyoming, man is accused in the February 2016 robbery of the pharmacy at the Scottsbluff Safeway store.

The robbery at the Safeway occurred the evening of Feb. 9, 2016. At the time of the robbery, Capt. Tony Straub said that according to store employees, a man jumped over the counter at the pharmacy, demanded painkillers and a pharmacist gave him an unknown amount of drugs. The man jumped back over the counter and fled the store.

On Friday, the suspect in the case, Eric Leach, 27, made his first appearance in court. Eric Leach has been charged with robbery, a Class II felony, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony, according to Scotts Bluff County Court. Charges were filed Sept. 1 and Leach was arrested in Natrona County on Sept. 4.

According to an arrest affidavit, in November 2016, a Casper, Wyoming, detective contacted the Scottsbluff Police Department, inquiring about the unsolved robbery. The mans sister, Lesley Leach, had told detectives that she had seen information in the media regarding the robbery and she believed her brother to be a suspect. The man matched the description of the robber, described as being a Caucasian male, about 56 to 58 with a slim build. During the robbery, the suspect wore a blue surgical gloves, mask and sunglasses.

Scottsbluff Police interviewed Lesley Leach, who was being held in a Wyoming jail. During an interview, the woman told police that her brother had lived in Gering at the time of the robbery. During a phone call, another sister allegedly told the woman that her brother planned to rob a pharmacy. Later, Lesley Leach said, her sister showed her a photo of the suspect in the robbery. Lesley Leach said she knew that it was her brother because of the manner in which he stands and because he had a purse that belonged to his daughter. Her sister also told her that her brother stole ADHD medication and Fentanyl, which had not been released by police. She said her sister also provided information about how he committed the robbery, changed hoodies and that he had used a gun.

Lesley Leach told police that her brother had been staying with his father in Gering, but left Gering a day or two after the Safeway robbery. He moved to Colorado before returning to Casper with his wife. The woman said that her brother is addicted to heroin and as of November 2016, he had been jailed on a case involving the altering of a prescription.

A second Casper detective also provided an informant who told police that Eric Leach had been bragging about the robbery in November 2016. Eric Leach had allegedly said he knew where the cameras in the business were as he had installed the system. The informant said that Lesley Leach had also told the informant about the robbery.

In May 2017, investigators made contact with Eric Leach, who was being held in a jail in Converse County. During the interview, Leach denied having put in the cameras at the store, though he admitted he had worked installing cameras for about eight years. He described his sister as obsessed about the robbery and said he had a falling out with her. He admitted to having used methamphetamine and opiates. He said he had started using meth after his doctor cut him off from prescribing opiates in January or February 2016.

He denied having committing the robbery. Police also interviewed Eric Leachs wife, who denied that he had committed the robbery and she said that the couple were out of town at the time of the robbery. However, she also admitted that he had been using Fentanyl purchases for about two years prior to the robbery.

Police interviewed Eric Leachs previous employer, the operator of a security camera company. He said Leach had quit his job in the first week of February 2016. In the summer of 2016, the employer said, he had caught and reported to police that Leach had been charging to accounts belonging to his business.

Leachs bond was set at ten percent of $250,000. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 21 for a preliminary hearing.
Last Friday the Appropriations Committee hosted a public hearing on LR238, which is an interim study that examines sources of funding for behavioral and mental health internship programs in rural Nebraska.

Much of the behavioral and mental health workforce is experiencing a shortage of professionals. This shortage strains the existing resources available for those who need behavioral or mental health services. This could be people who struggle with addiction, individuals with developmental disabilities, head trauma patients, and many others. That shortage is particularly pronounced in the rural areas of Nebraska.

According to a report prepared by the University of Nebraska Medical Center  College of Public Health, 79 counties were designated as shortage areas for psychiatrists and mental health practitioners in 2014. Virtually all of those counties are in rural areas.

There were a number of professionals from western Nebraska who traveled to the Capitol to testify on some of the issues they have experienced with their workforce and acquiring the funding to operate internship programs. Id like to thank Dr. Anne Talbot and Dr. Mark Hald from Options in Psychology in Scottsbluff, Dr. Katie Carrizales from Educational Service Unit (ESU) #13 in the Panhandle, Brent Anderson from Cirrus House in Scottsbluff and Jeff Tracy from Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska. Each testifier did an excellent job illustrating the issues unique to our area of the state.

Some of the issues outlined by our providers in the Panhandle included regulatory interpretation of Medicaid reimbursements for behavioral and mental health internships, the authorization process for doctorate candidates seeking an internship, lower reimbursement rates for behavioral health when compared to other healthcare services, and the use of leftover Medicaid funds for referral programs to behavioral & mental health services.

Other indirect ways of funding internships is simply to decrease the costs for providers. I had highlighted some of the regulations by the Department of Health and Human Services that could be simplified to make it easier for providers to initiate internships. One such regulation is concerned with the authorization of professionals in Nebraska to practice their trade: called credentialing. The process can sometimes take over months, delaying payment to interns and disincentivizing their participation in training programs.

But not all funding sources identified were through Nebraska Medicaid, however. There are many private sources that offer funding for internships. One such program is the newly formed High Plains Psychology Internship Consortium, which operates in northeastern Colorado and western Nebraska. Private programs such as this one are a viable source for internships, and are especially designed to keep professionals in rural areas.

The best way to keep our professionals in rural areas is exemplified by School Psychologist Dr. Katie Carrizales of ESU #13. Originally from the Panhandle, Dr. Carrizales decided to come back home after getting her degree. Part of what made this possible was the internship program she participated in and later training. Rural professionals need to be a jack-of-all-trades so to speak, and providing internship programs in rural areas provides training that is different from the more specialized training received in urban areas.

I learned a lot about funding issues and more broadly the behavioral & mental health workforce issues experienced in rural Nebraska. Im grateful to all those who testified in Lincoln and look forward to working on these issues.

As always, I remain open to your feedback on how I may address the issues that mean most to you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions you may have. Thank you to those who have taken the time to express their views on various issues. My contact information is: Senator John P. Stinner, District 48 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68209-4604; telephone: 402-471-2802; email: jstinner@leg.ne.gov.
A white University of Kentucky student accused of physically assaulting a Black student worker while repeatedly using racial slurs says she will withdraw from the school. The decision announced Tuesday by a lawyer for 22-year-old Sophia Rosing came after hundreds of students rallied on campus the night before. News outlets report the students called for unity and for the university to quickly address the situation. Officials say Rosing has been charged with assault, public intoxication and disorderly conduct. She pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday afternoon. The altercation at Boyd Hall was captured on video and posted to multiple social media platforms.
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After almost six years, a judge confirmed Friday what Jason Stockley had always believed: He was not guilty of murder.

It feels like a burden has been lifted, but the burden of having to kill someone never really lifts, he said in an exclusive interview with the Post-Dispatch on Friday. The taking of someones life is the most significant thing one can do, and its not done lightly.  My main concern now is for the first responders, the people just trying to go to work and the protesters. I dont want anyone to be hurt in any way over this.

Stockley, 36, who now lives in Houston, was charged last year with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith, 24. The shooting happened Dec. 20, 2011, as a police chase ended at West Florissant and Acme avenues.

The chase began after Stockley and his partner Brian Bianchi tried to arrest Smith for a suspected drug deal at a Churchs Chicken at Thekla Avenue and Riverview Boulevard.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson filed his ruling early Friday. Protests soon erupted in downtown St. Louis.

I can feel for and I understand what the family is going through, and I know everyone wants someone to blame, but Im just not the guy, Stockley said.

He said he understood that the video of the shooting looked bad to investigators and the public.

Every resisting (arrest) looks bad, it never looks good, Stockley said. But you have to separate the optics from the facts.

And thats what the judge did in the case, he said, noting that Wilson focused on the 15 seconds between the time Stockley left his police car and then unholstered his weapon and fired at Smith as proof that he did not execute him.

Tears welled in the former police officers eyes when asked why he had agreed to be interviewed.

Because I did nothing wrong. If youre telling the truth and youve been wrongly accused, you should shout it from a mountaintop.

The shooting

Stockley had been a city police officer for five years when the shooting took place. Before that, he had a military career and was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

He said he chose police work after his tour in Iraq because its based on a foundation of service.

But, Stockley said, the work can be dangerous. And the level of firepower he was seeing on city streets led him to arm himself with an unauthorized AK-47 pistol with 100 rounds.

I used it as a deterrent, and I believed it was better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, he said.

I accept full responsibility for violating the rules. But its not a moral crime. Its a rule violation.

At his trial in August, St. Louis prosecutors alleged Stockley told his partner that he was going to kill Smith while they were pursuing him, then planted a gun on Smith after the shooting.

Stockley can be heard on videotape saying, Going to kill this (expletive) dont you know it, prosecutors said. Stockley said he didnt remember making the statement or what he said before or after it.

In a 30-page ruling, Wilson said the statement Stockley made to his partner lacked context because everything said before and immediately after was inaudible on in-car camera video.

Stockleys decision to enter Smiths vehicle after the shooting was another point prosecutors criticized, saying it made no sense for the officer involved in a shooting to handle evidence. They suggested that was when he planted a gun.

Stockley said Friday that he knew what the gun looked like and he wanted to find it as quickly as possible if Smith had thrown it out the window.

The judge said there was no evidence proving the gun had been planted. It was reasonable for Stockley to believe Smith was reaching for a gun when he shot him, Wilson ruled.

Stockley said the only thing he wished he would have done differently the day of the shooting was take the day off.

I dont know how changing any number of my actions that day would have changed the outcome, he said.

He continued: The decision to use force could be the most important decision youll ever make because it could be your last. And regardless of what happens, nobody wins.

Multiple investigations

Stockley resigned from the police department in 2013 after a 30-day suspension for carrying the AK-47 pistol on duty. He got a management job with an oil company in Texas.

I wanted to change careers, he said.

Internal affairs and FBI investigators investigated the shooting, but no charges were issued until May 2016, when then-Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce charged Stockley with first-degree murder.

Stockley noted that three weeks earlier, demonstrators had protested at Joyces home over her decision not to prosecute an officer in a different police shooting.

Stockley said that may have prompted the action in his case. Jennifer Joyce made an emotional decision for personal and political reasons, not a legal one, he said Friday.

Stockley was at his home in Houston when police arrived to arrest him. He said he was watching a movie with his wife when their power suddenly went out. He went outside to check the breaker, and noticed only his home was without power.

He turned around to find several Houston police officers with guns drawn. He wondered whether there was some kind of mistake.

Then, he said, he saw two St. Louis police officers.

Thats when I realized they were there for me and it wasnt just a power outage, he said. I couldnt believe it.

Stockley has remained in this area since then, as a condition of his bail. He spent his time consumed in the evidence of his case, studying scientific journals and research. His biggest fear about the trial, he said, was that the witnesses would bow to political pressure.

I feel a sense of relief that no one lied on the stand.

But the relief goes only so far. He said he feared for his life. During the hourlong interview, when anyone knocked at the door, Stockley put his hand on a gun he kept nearby.

My life has been in turmoil for some time. Ive been in a holding pattern. I havent been able to be with my family.  Im trying my best not to let this dictate my life.

Stockley said he missed being a police officer but didnt plan to return to the profession.

For the past year and a quarter Ive been completely focused on this case, and have never let my mind wander from that. I dont really have a plan.

But if I did have one, I wouldnt tell you.
UPDATES with no information on arrest details yet

The businesses where windows or glass doors were broken out during protests cleaned up debris Saturday to get back to business in the Central West End.

At leat a half-dozen businesses and the St. Louis Public Library's Schlafly Branch suffered damage Friday night when protests moved to the neighborhood. The protests began peacefully on Friday morning after a judge ruled that Stockley, a former St. Louis police officer, was not guilty of murder in the 2011 on-duty shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith.

But later in the day, protesters began throwing bottles and other objects at police officers, business windows were shattered and nine police officers were injured. The home of Mayor Lyda Krewson, who lives in the Central West End, also was damaged.

Police made 32 arrests but by late Saturday afternoon had released no names or information on charges.

The library reopened at midday after the staff went "literally... book by book" to check for glass fragments, said library director Waller McGuire. He arrived at the library at 2 a.m. Saturday.

He said it was "upsetting, but it's encouraging" to have seen people step in to help the library staff clean up. "The public library is one of the best parts of democracy," he said. "I don't think this was because we're a library."

Outside Golden Grocer, two volunteers swept broken glass at about 8:15 a.m. Other businesses with broken windows include Culpeppers, La Petite Spa, BBQ Saloon restaurant and the Fauxgerty clothing store.

One employee who declined to give his name or workplace for fear of retaliation from his boss said he saw it was teenagers, not adults, who lit a nearby Dumpster fire and broke windows of the restaurant where he works. He said adult protesters were shouting at the teenagers to stop the vandalism.

(Grown) people know that that doesnt do anything to change (expletive)," he said, referring to the breaking of the windows. It was just kids acting childish. The people who do the vandalism dont care about the message.

Some businesses received cleanup aid from strangers who felt impelled to help after watching the news. Jason, a 42-year-old Maplewood man who declined to give his last name, worked with a colleague Saturday morning to sweep up all the remaining glass outside a restaurant on Euclid Avenue that had a smashed window.

He said he showed up because he upset at seeing people, from news reporters to Central West End residents, walk by or gape at the broken windows, say thats terrible, and do nothing. The Central West End was rife Saturday morning with couples and singles walking their dogs, running, grabbing coffee or lounging on the patio.

If my kids lived around here, I wouldnt want them hurt by broken glass, he said.

Like other volunteers, employees and passerby in the Central West End said, he said its important to distinguish the people wrecking businesses from the protesters.

The people who are protesting, its about making a change. The people who are vandalizing, its about breaking the law, he said.

Adrian Castillo, 29, was helping his wife, Lauren, inspect the business she manages, the Lemon Salon. They found a SMS graffiti painted above the salons door, but no broken glass.

A south St. Louis resident, Castillo said watching the aftermath of the Stockley verdict was like watching St. Louis descend into a similar kind of chaos that accompanied the aftermath of the police shooting of Michael Brown.

Its unfortunate. A man lost his life. Just unfortunate all around, Castillo said, referring to Smith. Now our citys in turmoil again. I dont know what the answer is. Hopefully, we come out stronger and better.

Lewis Reed, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, issued a statement Saturday in response to the overnight destruction.

"As the night went on, I was disappointed to learn about the attacks on the mayor's home, members of the media and on law enforcement," Reed said. "The violence and destruction that occurred last night in the Central West End is not only unproductive, but it is also distracting. The thousands of peaceful protesters who were making their voices heard are now being grouped together with actions of a smaller, misguided group of individuals. But, we cannot let that tarnish the message made so clear yesterday by so many people from so many different walks of life. This city has to change."
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ST. LOUIS  About 1,000 protesters surrounded the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson in the Central West End late Friday, breaking at least two windows and throwing red paint at the brick house before some 200 police in riot gear moved in to break it up.

There was no indication on the scene that Krewson was in the home at the time.

A total of nine police officers had been reported injured as of 9 p.m., including one officer with a dislocated shoulder and an officer with a possible broken jaw, Acting Police Chief Lawrence O'Toole said shortly after midnight Saturday, appearing with Krewson in a video. A Highway Patrol trooper was also reported injured.

Two of the city police officers were injured by thrown bricks, police said. They were taken to a hospital, with one officer's injuries described as "serious." A third officer was hurt but declined treatment.

Police spokeswoman Schron Jackson said early Saturday that police arrested 32 people Friday. She did not have more details, but said the names of those arrested and the charges they face "are forthcoming."

Mostly peaceful protests following the not-guilty verdict in the murder trial of former police Officer Jason Stockley turned into unrest after dark, as police officers responded to several locations throughout the Central West End.

Many of the demonstrators were peaceful," O'Toole said. "However, after dark, many agitators began to destroy property and assault police officers."

Several restaurants and a St. Louis Public Library branch were also damaged by the end of Friday night. O'Toole said officers fired pepper pellets and tear gas to dispel crowds.

Orders to disperse were given numerous times," O'Toole said. "Tear gas was deployed after officers were assaulted with bricks and bottles. Officers did deploy pepper balls as a less-than-lethal option after agitators continued to assault officers with objects and destroy property.

Krewson did not speak about the apparent damage to her home, but thanked officers and those watching the video.

"Thank you to St. Louis police officers," she said. "Thank you also to the citizens of St. Louis for your patience and your tolerance. We look forward to finishing this evening on a good note, and to tomorrow.

After the large group of protesters was able to march unimpeded to Krewson's home, gather on the lawn and knock on the door  a process that took some 30 minutes  the first police finally arrived and began pushing them back, firing canisters of tear gas. Journalists witnessed at least one arrest.

City police tweeted: "Tear gas was deployed because agitators became violent towards officers and destroyed property" in the area.

Amid that confrontation, some protesters were holed up at the Central Reform Congregation synagogue at Kingshighway and Waterman. It was near there that the officers were hit with bricks.

Multiple Central West End venues had windows shattered, including Culpeppers grill and the St. Louis Public Library Schlafly Branch.

Earlier, police pepper-sprayed demonstrators Friday afternoon as they declared the ongoing protest at Tucker Boulevard and Clark Avenue downtown as "no longer peaceful".

By early evening, protesters had dissipated from downtown and were gathering in the Central West End. They filled the streets there as they marched through the neighborhood, their number growing to what appeared to be more than a thousand. At one point, they tried to enter Forest Park but were stopped by police. By nightfall, protesters were marching south on Kingshighway toward Highway 40 (Interstate 64), some chanting: "If you kill our kids, we kill your economy!"

Southbound Kingshighway was closed from Lindell to the interstate, police said. A large number of police vehicles blocked on- and off-ramps there. The marchers eventually turned back north again after being denied access to the interstate.

Later, protesters in the Central West End were pulling down American flags that lined the streets on Euclid, and burned several of them. At least one of the flag burning incidents, on a knoll near the interstate, led to a heated argument between factions of protesters.

4 officers injured downtown

Stockley, who is white, was charged with murder in the 2011 shooting death of black drug suspect Anthony Lamar Smith. His acquittal in a bench trial early Friday sparked the protests downtown and in the Central West End.

Early in the day, four police officers sustained minor injuries downtown, mainly as a result of protesters throwing things at them, and more than a dozen protesters were arrested, O'Toole said. He said one officer was treated for a hand injury, and three others declined medical treatment.

"It's hardly been completely peaceful," O'Toole said at an early evening news conference. His department later tweeted out photos showing rocks and water bottles that were thrown at police.

A joint statement from the protest groups ArchCity Defenders, St. Louis Action Council and Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment criticized city officials' response to the protests, saying they were demonizing protesters by preemptively bemoaning violence and civil unrest, calling instead for peace.

True peace, requires justice, and there was nothing just about today's verdict, the statement said.

The optics of closed business, walled off city buildings and a highly militarized police force are merely staging for the city's spin that we the protesters are the violent ones, the statement continues. While our communities grieve, we are demonized. While we stand in bold assertion of our constitutional rights, we are criminalized.

Earlier, hundreds of people chanted peacefully, while other protesters blocked an on-ramp to Interstate 64, some throwing bottles and trash toward police.

At one point earlier in the afternoon, at least a few protesters were pepper-sprayed by police as protesters tried to block police from traveling in vehicles on Tucker between Clark Avenue and Spruce Street.

Later that afternoon, some people jumped on a police SUV near the corner of Tucker Boulevard and Clark Avenue and smashed the windshield. Police officers, some in black riot gear and holding police shields, approached the crowd as some demonstrators shouted expletives at them and threw water bottles. Police pepper-sprayed several demonstrators who remained on the street after being ordered to disperse.

"We're very angry, we're tired and we're just bringing awareness to let this community know, this is not OK and let this judge know his ruling was not OK," demonstrator Bishop Derrick Robinson said. "We're upset by his ruling and we're out here today to continue to bring awareness and disturbance on the day."

"However long it takes, we're out here," he added.

Multiple protesters were arrested. Police shoved one man with a baton then yanked him to the ground.

Greg Harvey, 28, a producer with KMOX-AM 1120, said police told him to move out of the street, shoved him then pepper-sprayed him while people were protesting peacefully.

"God, it burns so bad," Harvey said.

More than 100 police, many with batons and riot shields, were there. Dozens of police at one point formed a line across Tucker.

'The power of the people'

"My goal is to resist the power of the state," said the Rev. Renita Lamkin Green, pastor of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau, after standing in front of the line of police. "The power of the people is greater than the power over the people."

Others, like architect George Nikolajevich, stood off to the side.

"We have to find a way to live together and resolve our problems in a peaceful and constructive way, because, for the future of America, it's important," said Nikolajevich, who works at CannonDesign and is originally from Yugoslavia. "I am very optimistic, but some others are not."

Meanwhile, at 13th Street and Washington Avenue, some protesters threw chairs that had been set up for an event in front of the St. Louis Public Library.

Later in the afternoon, the protests calmed. Many police dispersed and hundreds continued chanting and walking on the streets.

Earlier morning protests witnessed by Post-Dispatch journalists had been nonviolent, when police went out of their way to give marchers space, often blocking off traffic to let them pass. By noon, there were hundreds of protesters downtown.

"We are saddened, we are frustrated and quite frankly we are pissed off," said St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad. "Until black people in this city get justice, until we get a seat at the table, there will be no peace in this city."

State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., who was a frequent protester in Ferguson in 2014 before he was elected to office last year, said "we can't be so pro-police to the point where we forget about accountability. If you don't truly understand the challenges and barrier of what we go through, that's an issue."

A group of protesters led by veteran activist Zaki Baruti started at Market Street in the morning, walked south on Tucker, west on Clark, and tried to get up the on-ramp to westbound Highway 40 (Interstate 64). But about 30 police officers with bikes blocked their access.

Many of the protesters started heading for the multi-modal transportation hub nearby, but some in the group instead went toward police headquarters at 1915 Olive Street.

Police did not come outside the locked building to address the group. Protesters called for police resignations and an economic boycott on St. Louis.

A protest leader known as Pastor Doug said through a megaphone, "They won't get no rest until we get some justice," he said. "We are shutting down every big event this weekend."

One man on a bike was arrested at Washington and 14th Street.

Protesters also tried to get into the America's Center. Some banged on windows, but were told to stop by other protesters. They opted for a group hug instead.

"We are all subjected to white supremacy and there's nothing we can do about it," said activist Johnny Roberts, 26. "What can we do about it?"

Immediately after the verdict, activist Anthony Shahid stood outside the courthouse downtown and held up a light-blue cloth bag over his hand with Stockleys picture attached to it.

This is what you call white privilege. This is what you call unconstitutional," Shahid said. "We dont even have constitutional rights. This is what you call human rights being violated  What theyre doing throughout America theyre treating us like straight (racial epithet), rats and roaches.

Meanwhile, activists including Franks held a press conference at the scene of the shooting.

Protesters also gathered at West Florissant and Acme avenues where Stockley fatally shot Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011.

Nassim Benchaabane, Jesse Bogan, Mike Faulk, Erin Heffernan, Joe Holleman, Denise Hollinshed, Jeremy Kohler, Ashley Lisenby and Kevin McDermott contributed to this report.
UPDATES with Ed Sheeran canceling Sunday night St. Louis concert

ST. LOUIS  U2's concert scheduled for Saturday night at the Dome at America's Center is canceled. So is Ed Sheeran's for Sunday night at Scottrade Center.

Live Nation and U2 announced the news in a joint statement. "We have been informed by the St. Louis Police Department that they are not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size. We have also been informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity.

In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans safety by proceeding with tonights concert. As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment. - Live Nation and U2

Fans who purchased tickets online will receive a refund on the credit card tickets were ordered on. Refunds for non-internet purchases will be available starting at 10 a.m. Monday at at point of purchase.

Later Saturday in an Instagram post on U2's account, Bono posted that he was "deeply saddened at what has happened in St. Louis and having to cancel our show tonight....I found myself reading Dr. King's speech from the National Cathedral and asking myself is this 1968 or 2017?"

Sheeran's representatives cited "safety of the fans" and said he would "look forward to returning to St. Louis as soon as Ed's schedule will allow in 2018."

On Friday, former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley was found not guilty in the murder of Anthony Lamar Smith, leading to much unrest in St. Louis including downtown and in the Central West End.

Other events got called off Saturday in the wake of the Stockley protests. PeaceFest 2017 at Harris Stowe State University was postponed and rescheduled for Oct. 28. The Science Uncorked event at the St. Louis Science Center, set for Saturday night, also was postponed. A new date was not immediately announced.

The St.Louis Symphony Orchestra on Saturday canceled its "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" concert for Saturday night and said it was working to reschedule the date.

Another Saturday cancellation was Shakespeare in the Streets in front of the downtown St. Louis Public Library. It was a victim Friday night as well.

Also rescheduled were comedian Mike Birbiglia's two shows Saturday night at the Pageant - moved t Dec. 10, and Will Hoge's show at Delmar Hall until Dec. 5.

A slew of events were canceled or postponed Friday as well, including the Moonlight Ramble bike ride, originally set for Saturday night. The Cardinals Care 6K run set for Sunday also was called off.

U2's "The Joshua Tree Tour" commemorates the 30th anniversary of the band's landmark album, and is one of the year's biggest treks. The tour has two more U.S. dates before heading to South America.
Rarely, if ever, have so many presidential winners and losers been so incessantly chatty.

Hillary Clinton  who lost the 2016 election, in case you werent sure  is on a book tour with her campaign memoir, What Happened. (Hint: Shes a woman, the Comey letter.)

Donald Trump  who is still campaigning despite having won  is chatting up Democrats to try to get something done. Anything! By weeks end, he was recanting every mean thing he ever said about illegal immigrants and was softening his vow to send Dreamers (children brought here by their parents) back to their point of conception.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama, who already had his turn but cant quite quit the presidency, is still talking.

Finally, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who lost the Democratic nomination to Clinton, is still running and still ranting about Medicare for everyone. Given the likely eventuality of a single-payer health care system, he and Larry David may as well take a victory lap. Its beginning to seem that Sanders won after all. As did the Democrats.

On the losing side are the Republicans who put their faith in a guy who promised the moon but has managed only to deliver a galaxy of tweets and several significant staff replacements. Trump the Republican was always a strain to credulity, but people can make themselves believe just about anything, as thousands of years of ritual sacrifice and snake dances confirm. Trump the salesman has always known this, either instinctively or as the result of his first successful con.

There are two things to know about con artists: One, theyre having fun; two, once a bluffer tastes the sweet satisfaction of scamming a sucker  ones born every minute, you know  he cant stop. Once The Donald realized people would buy his brand of unction, he couldnt resist. No matter what he said or did, people of good (and not so good) faith donned their protective glasses and refused to see.

Trump was never ideologically driven, though he did surround himself with ideologues as helpmates. Or were they the biggest suckers of all?

This thought finally began to take shape when Trump recently met with the enemy  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Depending on whose version one prefers, they discussed making a deal on both the future of hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants and what Trump called extreme security.

Almost instantly, Breitbart slapped Trump with a headline and a nickname: Amnesty Don. How quickly Steve Bannon shape-shifted from former senior White House policy adviser and Trumps personal Pravda to his antagonist. Other Republicans, presumably speaking for the base, declared Trumps presidency kaput.

Then again, maybe Trump decided it was time to get something done. Maybe hidden deep within, he has a heart. Or, more likely, he saw polls saying that most Americans think children brought here not of their own accord should be allowed to stay in the country where they grew up.

Maybe he gets his wall in the process, maybe not. But what seems increasingly clear is that, while Clinton tries to purge her demons by explaining how she lost, Trump is busy fashioning a perfect world for Democrats to prevail. Which is to say, he may get more accomplished for the Democratic Party than Clinton could have with a Republican-dominated Congress.

Consider: Immigration reform is beginning to look a lot less Draconian and a lot more Pope-ish. Bannon, a Catholic, notably remarked during a recent 60 Minutes interview that the church has been terrible on immigration, encouraging forgiveness rather than wall-building, because, he said, it needs illegal immigrants to fill the pews. Such a charmer, that one.

Also, the wall is not, in fact, getting built, though repairs are currently being made to existing wall-like structures. Ditto health care, which, instead of being repealed and replaced, likely will be an Obamacare fix, followed by a single-payer system that Democrats wanted all along and that Trump supported before he became a Republican.

Thus, it would seem that Democrats really won the election and that President Trump, despite his faux-angry campaign promises, is a pretty good Democrat after all. Congratulations, Mr. President, on your best performance yet. Congratulations are also owed to former President Obama, whose chief legacy survives. Congratulations, Sen. Sanders: Your day is nigh.

Finally, congratulations, Madame Secretary: Everybody knows you won, as well as why you lost. You get the last word, a great haircut, and you didnt have to take the worst job in the world. Not a bad days work.

Kathleen Parker kathleenparker@washpost.com Copyright The Washington Post
Its Super Gov!

Last Saturday night, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens made a spectacular entrance into a Professional Bull Riders event at the JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo., rappelling down from the ceiling into the darkened arena accompanied by four Missouri Guard members and a giant spotlighted American flag. Cowboy boots? Check. Troops? Check. Flag? Check. Dramatic music playing? Check. Public address announcer calling him a hero? Check.

Is there anything he missed? Well, the national anthem could have been playing, but otherwise it was perfect. You can check out the video on Greitens Facebook page (of course) or wait until the inevitable campaign commercial. We are left with only two questions: As long as he was there, why didnt Super Gov ride a bull? And: Isnt this kind of weird?

Toys R Them

It turns out theres such a thing as the National Toy Hall of Fame. Its in The Strong museum in Rochester, N.Y. This years induction ceremonies are Nov. 9, with two or three winners expected to be named from a field of 12 finalists. Winners are chosen for longevity, popularity and ability to inspire creative play. And the nominees are:

The board games Risk and Clue. The Magic 8 Ball (which already knows if its going to win or not). Matchbox Cars. My Little Pony. The paper airplane. PEZ dispensers. Fake food. Transformers. Uno (the card game, not the beagle born in Belleville that won the 2008 Westminster Dog Show). Wiffle ball. And finally, sand. Yes, plain old sand.

If organizers invite him, were sure Gov. Greitens would rappel into the ceremonies for them.

Trolley folly

Last month, the Delmar Loop businessman and trolley district chairman, Joe Edwards, asked for another $500,000 from St. Louis County taxpayers to complete the long-overdue $51 million trolley project. He warned that federal funds for future St. Louis-area transportation projects would be threatened if the trolley was not completed quickly and operating successfully.

Edwards was ringing a different bell on Wednesday upon learning it was unlikely the county would approve the request, on top of the $3 million its already put into the project. Once its up and running, well be able to show (the $500,000) is really needed, he told the Post-Dispatchs Mark Schlinkmann.

Raises the question: Which is it? The money is needed to get the trolley rolling, or once the trolley is rolling county leaders will understand why the money is needed? Edwards has had a great track record with Loop development, but not so much with the trolleys bumpy progress. The latest projected trolley opening is November, a month mostly associated with birds that tend to gobble, not fly.

Pizzagate. Oh, the humanity.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was recently in the news when Special Counsel Robert Mueller asked him to co-investigate possible collusion by Donald Trumps presidential campaign with Russian election hackers. But hes got even more on his plate because other people didnt have much on theirs.

Schneidermans office is looking into a possible pizza scam. Organizers of last weeks New York Pizza Festival in Brooklyn have been accused of passing out tiny, cold slices of pizza to festivalgoers who paid up to $75 apiece, thinking they were going to pig out.

There is no scorn like an unfed pizza-eaters scorn. Organizers say they plan to reimburse the pizza-deprived masses and reschedule, but Schneiderman may have something to say about that. To boost attendance, we know a guy who might rappel into the event for them.

Big Brother is my co-pilot

Tesla Motors, the maker of luxury electric cars, revealed a dirty little secret as many of its Florida customers were trying to flee in advance of Hurricane Irma. A week ago, the company wirelessly updated the software on customers cars to increase their batteries longevity so they wouldnt risk being stranded in the storm. Normally, lower-priced Tesla models get lower mileage per charge than the higher priced models, meaning they would have needed to stop along the way to recharge.

The update, however, revealed that theres nothing physical in the lower-priced cars that prevent them from going the same distance as higher-priced Teslas between charges. The same battery powers both high-end and low-end models. The company simply designed its software to make the lower-priced models less efficient. That way, it can more easily justify the tens of thousands of dollars more it charges for the upper-end models.

The company plans to zap those updated cars with new software on Sept. 16 that will return them to lower efficiency. Eco-friendly discovers it has an evil twin.

A stern and well-deserved rebuke

The bipartisan censure of state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, was about the best the Legislature could manage as it gathered this week for its annual veto session. The Senate would have had to muster adequate support to convene in special session needed to debate and vote on her ouster, and even then, the constitutionality of such an action would have been dubious.

A censure yielded the best possible result as punishment for Chappelle-Nadals social media posting in which she expressed hopes for President Donald Trumps assassination. She gets to keep her seat (and pension) while ensuring that her constituents arent left without representation. Though we called previously for her resignation, we have no doubt shes learned her lesson.
Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly (NA) Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has to accept Supreme Court of Pakistans (SC) verdict in the Panama Papers Case .

He made the statement while speaking to media here on Saturday morning.

Read more: NAB chairman has remained controversial since day one: Khursheed Shah

The opposition leader stated that there are no friends and enemies in politics. I have talked with leaders of different political parties yesterday (Friday), he added.

Shah stated that every political party has a right to bring forward its opposition leader.

Shah stated that speculations are being made regarding the reduction of parliamentary tenure from five to four years. He went on to say that PML-N has also appreciated the suggestion of reducing the tenure.

Taking a jibe at Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the PPP leader said that he would have lauded the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government even if they had worked at least 25 percent for the province.
Russia, Iran, and Turkey, which together act as guarantor states in peace talks for Syria, have agreed on the details of a de-escalation zone in the Arab countrys western Idlib province during resolution talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana.

In a joint statement after two days of talks in Kazakhstan, the three countries said on Friday that they had agreed "to allocate" their forces to patrol the zone covering Idlib province and parts of the neighboring Latakia, Hama and Aleppo regions.

"Observers from these three countries will be deployed at check and observation points in safe zones that form the borders of the de-escalation zone," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The main mission of these observers has been defined as the prevention of clashes between the government and the opposition forces and any violations of the truce," it added.

The statement went on to say that "under no circumstances the creation of the above-mentioned de-escalation areas undermine the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic."

Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentyev said Russia, Iran and Turkey will each send about 500 observers to Idlib, and the Russians will be military policemen.

Describing the agreement as a turning point in people's minds, Lavrentyev added, however, that the details of how to enforce a "de-escalation" zone in Idlib province have yet to be agreed.

At a press conference following the announcement, Bashar al-Jaafari, who headed the Syrian government delegation at the talks, stressed Damascus' support for any initiatives that would stop shedding the Syrian blood and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

He also said the Syrian armys latest victories in its fight against Daesh reaffirm the governments determination to fully liberate the Syrian territory from terrorism.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari, speaking in Astana to Lebanons al-Manar TV station, described the newly-agreed zones in Syria as a "secure cordon" with checkpoints.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said a seventh round of talks in Astana was planned for the end of October.

The northwestern province of Idlib borders Turkey and is largely under the control of al-Nusra Front Takfiri militants.

The original agreement on the creation of the four zones, which came about in May, has been one of the substantive results of the talks, many rounds of which have taken place since January.

So far, agreements had been reached on the demarcation of three of the zones in Idlibs neighboring provinces of Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since 2011.

In Idlib, militants from the al-Nusra Front group are fighting the Syrian government.

The militants suffered their biggest blow since the onset of the militancy last year, when Syria recaptured Aleppos provincial capital.

The mediating states then joined efforts late last year to bring about a ceasefire over the city, which was then extended to the entire Syria.
Iran's on-off space programme has received a boost after a recent satellite launch was seen to annoy Washington, with Teheran dusting off plans for a manned mission, perhaps with Moscow's assistance.

"Ten skilled pilots are currently undergoing difficult and intensive training so that two of them... can be selected for the space launch," the head of the science ministry's aerospace research centre, Mr Fathollah Omi, told the state broadcaster last week.

He said the plan was to put humans into suborbital space "in less than eight years".



"In preliminary talks with Russia's main space company, we have agreed to cooperate on this important project and we are waiting for their definitive answer," he added.

Russia has not confirmed the talks, although Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees its space programme, visited Teheran two years ago to discuss potential collaboration.

The Islamic Republic's scientists are also celebrating the fact that two monkeys they launched into space in 2013 have recently given birth to their first baby.

"Aftab and Fargam were two monkeys sent separately into space and returned alive. Researchers are studying the effect of a space trip on their baby," said Mr Omi.

Iran's space programme has progressed in fits and starts.

It has sent a turtle, a mouse and worms into space and, after the successful voyage by the monkeys, then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that he would like to be the first to go up on an Iranian rocket. But he was out of office a few months later, and the whole programme appeared to have been mothballed earlier this year due to financial constraints.

"It was estimated that putting a man into Earth orbit would cost around US$15 billion to US$20 billion (S$20 billion to S$27 billion) over 15 years. As a result, the budget cannot be allocated for this project," the deputy head of Iran's Space Organisation, Mr Mohammad Homayoun Sadr, said in May. That decision appears to have been reversed in the wake of the international furore over Iran's testing of a new satellite launch rocket in July.

The 500km-range rocket - named Simorgh after a bird from Persian legend and with the words "We can do it" inscribed on the side - was launched from the newly inaugurated Imam Khomeini Space Centre in Semnan province.

The United States in particular baulks at any technological advance that might also benefit Iran's ballistic missile programme, and Washington quickly threatened fresh sanctions.

Mr Omi confirmed the plans for human spaceflights, as well as a new 1,000km-range satellite- rocket that had followed the "great reaction from the world" to the Simorgh test.

"The Islamic Republic reacts very negatively when it feels it is being held back," said Mr Adnan Tabatabai, an Iran analyst and CEO of Germany's Carpo think-tank.

"Iran's nuclear programme and particularly its research and development became all the more prestigious and important the more that Iran was under pressure by the West to halt it," he said. Iran's four launches of domestically produced satellites since 2009 have all sparked condemnation from the West.

The new Communications Minister, Mr Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, said on Wednesday that a new satellite, named Doosti, was waiting to be launched.

"Its leaders like to literally show that the sky is the limit to Iran's technological progress," said Mr Tabatabai.
Tauranga and the wider Western Bay of Plenty is one of five pilot areas selected for the Welcoming Communitiesprogramme, alongside Southland, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Canterbury.

The Welcoming Communities New Zealand Pilot Programme supports communities to become more welcoming towards newcomers  whether they are migrants, former refuges, international students or even New Zealanders coming from elsewhere.

Pilot councils can opt to become accredited as a Welcoming Community by meeting the Welcoming Communities Standard for New Zealand. The programme also aims to facilitate the sharing of good settlement practice and ideas, foster collaboration and recognise success.

Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless says the programme provides a framework to directly address some of the issues and misunderstandings around integration and cultural bias.

International activity, including trade, investment, tourism, skilled migrants and education play a critical role in the economic success of the sub-region. Through the Welcoming Communities programme, we can build on our communities capacity to embrace diversity, and value the contribution of our newcomers.

A funding agreement with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has been signed, and a memorandum of understanding between the two councils and terms of reference for the Welcoming Communities Governance Group has been drafted.

The standard for the programme has gone out nationwide for consultation in a process facilitated by MBIE.

Once the standard is finalised, both local councils will write a welcome plan highlighting initiatives and projects addressing the gaps identified by benchmarking against the standard.

Multicultural Tauranga president Ann Kerewaro says her organisation is definitely supportive of the programme.

Weve made several applications for funding through the programme, but its very early stages at the moment.

She says there is always racism in communities, but thinks Tauranga is pretty welcoming when it comes to new migrants.

I dont think people are any worse at being welcoming here than anywhere else. But migrants also have to be willing to be a part of the communities they join. Weve run several events, and New Zealanders seem keen to welcome people from other countries.

It really adds to the mix of the area.

Ann herself is an immigrant from England  although shes been here for over 50 years.

It was so easy because we had a job to come to with fair pay. Compared to what some of todays migrants go through, its quite different.
Falcon fanatics will flock to Te Puke to discuss one of the most deadly bird of prey.

New Zealands fastest flier, Karearea the New Zealand falcon, will be the focus for local Forest & Bird members this month.

Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust in Rotorua is the site for the monthly field trip for members on Sunday, September 17.

The branch will also host a public meeting on Monday, September 18, where Debbie Stewart from the centre will give a presentation on their work.

Director and founder of the Trust, Debbie is an experienced falconer and will talk about On the Wing  the first city release of a threatened species in New Zealand.

She will also give a background to Wingspans history over 25 years of being registered as a charitable trust and the development of the fascinating site on Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua, says organiser Carole Long.

She says Debbie was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit in 2013 for her services to birds of prey and raptor conservation, and is an excellent speaker.

She pioneered the breeding of NZ falcons and morepork, and has also had success in breeding native fish and lizards, working with kiwi conservation as well in earlier days.

The meeting will be held in the Masonic Lodge rooms, Oxford Street, Te Puke, at 7.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, supper will be served and a gold coin donation would be appreciated.
With polls showing Labour steadily in the lead, National brought out the big guns of traffic congestion.

More than 300 people gathered at the Te Puke Citizens RSA Club to hear Prime Minister Bill English discuss how the party can improve the New Zealand economy with roading being one the top issues on their list.

In front of a sea of blue supporters, Bill announced earlier today in Te Puke and Rotorua that National will be heavily investing in roading if re-elected, with Rotorua being the first of many cities to receive a four lane road.

Under a National-led government, the congested Te Ngae Road will become four lanes between the city and the airport.

Te Ngae Road, along State Highway 30, links Rotorua with the citys airport and serves both local and inter-regional traffic, connecting Rotorua to the Western Bay of Plenty, including the Port of Tauranga, and Eastern Bay of Plenty.

We now have the chance, for instance in investment and roading to not just envisage, but plan a scale of transport interconnection that we never used to think was possible.

He says as New Zealand grows infrastructure has to as well.

Well end up with four lanes from Wanaka to the foot of the Kaimai Range- thats where we are heading.

MP Simon Bridges says the reason why Rotorua will receive the four lanes is because Rotorua has experienced strong economic growth in recent years, growing 3.9 per cent in 2016, above the national average.

As more people and businesses choose to be in Rotorua and its surrounding districts, National wants to ensure the citys infrastructure provides for and supports future growth, Mr Bridges says.

Te Ngae Road supports a growing number of tourists travelling to Rotorua and growth in the regions primary industries, making it increasingly important to connect people and products to key domestic and international markets.

This key transport route is playing an increasingly important part in unlocking the citys future growth.

We recognise the need to meet anticipated residential and commercial growth, as well as increased traffic freight volumes and the need to provide certainty for local government and developers.

National wants to get ahead of forecast growth now and stop congestion becoming a handbrake on the city.

It is estimated that extending the programme of work to Rotorua Airport, including four-laning, will cost $75 to $100 million. Funding for the project will be met from the National Land Transport Fund and the budget capital allowance.

The project will be added to Nationals Accelerated Registration ional Roading Programme, which is an important part of our plan to support our growing regions. We know that when the regions do well, New Zealand does well, says Simon.

This regionally significant project for Rotorua will expand on the comprehensive package of projects that have been delivered across New Zealand. They all improve safety, resilience and boost economic productivity and ensure centres like Rotorua have the modern, fit-for-purpose infrastructure they need to support their strong growth.

We can make investments in infrastructure that help ensure New Zealand continues to get ahead because of our growing economy supported by Nationals strong economic plan.
Creative Bay of Plenty has appointed seven new trustees, following an interview process with high calibre applicants.

The new trustees are Shirley-Marie Coffin, Steve Graveson, Debra Laraman, Kristen Joiner, Suzanne McNicol, Jo West and Paul Whitaker.

The interview panel to decide on the appointments was made up of Creative BOP chair MichelleWhitmore, arts sector representative Simone Anderson, and the mayors of Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Greg Brownless and Garry Webber.

The calibre of applicants was extremely high and we made the decision to expand our board numbers to ensure that the organisation is in the best position possible to deliver on our current contracts and to take on any new deliverables that emerge from the draft Arts & Culture Strategy, says Michelle.

The new appointees will join incumbent chair Michelle Whitmore and fellow trustee Thoje Hood.

With the new appointments, the board will say farewell to Dean Wearne and Awhina Thatcher who have been long term trustees of the organisation. Both will be formally recognised for their contribution.

The new expanded board will assemble for its first meeting later this month and will undertake a strategic planning workshop in October.

Trustee Profiles

Shirley-Marie Coffin

Shirley-Marie is an experienced consultant having worked in the arts, heritage, environmental and cultural sectors for more than 20 years. She balances a multitude of commitments whilst running a busy household, maintaining professional affiliations and working as a consultant with her husband Antoine Coffin in their own heritage and environmental consultancy business.

Shirley-Marie enjoys being on boards that are positive and proactive in creating new and exciting experiences for all communities and she equally enjoys the challenge of making Tauranga a vibrant and progressive place to live.

Steve Graveson

Steve is passionate for the arts and enjoys seeing the effect art and culture has in our communities. He has been the project manager for Katikati Open-Air Art since 1999 and became president in 2009. Since 2005 Steve has also been heavily involved with the organisation of the New Zealand Mural & Art Festival also held in Katikati.

He has worked as the property manager at Katikati Primary School since 1999, and was involved on Waimata, Katikati Primary and Katikati College Board of Trustees for a number of years.

Steve enjoys time spent with his whanau, his paint brush and time away relaxing at his bach.

Kristen Joiner

Kristen is a producer, writer and activist with a background in gender and human rights. She is co-founder of the award-winning New York City-based non-profit production company Scenarios USA. Scenarios pioneering scriptwriting program is used by over 4000 teachers in the United States to shift young peoples attitudes toward gender. Kristen has produced 15 shorts written by youth from impoverished communities and directed by some of Hollywoods finest filmmakers. She has recently stepped down from her executive director role with Advancing Girls Education in Africa, a Malawi-based NGO, to move to Tauranga with her family.

Debra Laraman

Deb is the head of creative art and design at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. She is a multi-award-winning designer, academic and author and is passionate about education and how creativity and innovation can transform lives, business and community. Deb is pleased to be part of the revitalised board of trustees for Creative Bay of Plenty and is looking forward to working with the community and arts sectors to help the region develop into one of the leading art and cultural centres in New Zealand.

Suzanne McNicol

Suzanne is a marketing communications consultant with a 20 year career in consumer marketing, brand management and media relations. She has worked extensively in broadcast media and across several projects in New Zealands creative industries. Suzanne is experienced in governance, revenue development and partnership marketing for the arts and culture and Not-for-Profit sectors as a founding trustee of the NZ Music Commission and through director roles at YWCA Auckland, and Aucklands indie radio station, 95bFM. A self-confessed arts junkie, Suzanne is thrilled to be working with the refreshed board to help the regions creative sector to flourish.

Jo West

Jo is a primary educator with 23 years national and international experience, including senior management roles from Special Needs Co-ordinator to Deputy Principal. She is currently the specialist arts teacher at Bethlehem School. Jo is passionate about the arts and the significance they have to play in the future success of our city. A musician, dancer, choir trainer, musical director and admirer of artworks, she has always been an advocate for the arts and has fostered her love of the arts through travel, singing, reading and attending shows, exhibitions and events.

Jo has been on the Bethlehem School Board of Trustees since 2013, is a selected member of the Technical Advisory Group for the Heart of the City project and is a member of Tauranga Sunrise Rotary Club. She has travelled extensively and has lived in both the UK and USA. However Tauranga, where she was born and has spent most of her life, has been home for the last 19 years. Jo is married with two wonderful children.

Paul Whitaker

Pauls purpose in life and his passion is to make a positive difference and be instrumental in helping individuals, groups and organisations reach their full potential and to live a full and productive life. This is his motivation in being involved with Creative Bay of Plenty.

Paul originally hails from the north east of England where he became a qualified educationalist with a passion for making education more powerful and more relevant. As the Director of the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education Centre he continued this work in New Zealand. On arriving in Tauranga, Paul and his wife Lynne (born and bred in Katikati) ran a number of businesses before Paul took on the role of Executive Director of YMCA Tauranga. Over the last nine years Paul has worked for the Wright Family in a leadership and training role. He is currently the support manager for the Wright Family Foundation, a member of the Establishment Board of Trustees for Pyes Pa West School and a member of the organising committee for TEDx Tauranga.
Is the employee hand book or a council resolution the binding document for a town government?

Councilman Tim Altizer brought that issue before the council at its Sept. 12 meeting. Altizer said the council passed a resolution in 2013 stating the town would offer health care coverage to retirees and dependents.

He said the town could be liable for the cost of that health care since the resolution does not spell out that employees have to pay for that health care. Town Manager Jim McGlothlin said the employee handbook spelled out that the employee has to pay 100 percent of the cost.

Altizer said it seemed to him the town is bound by the resolution not the employee hand book. Town Attorney Jim Carmody would not answer Altizers questions about that or other issues saying he worked for the council.

Altizer moved that the council ask Carmody to research the issue and see if the town has any liability. Rick Widener seconded the motion and Mayor Lee Dye cast the tiebreaking vote to have the matter researched.

[In other action council:]

*Heard from Carmody that the town is moving forward on collecting past due meals taxes from a Cedar Bluff business.

*Regina Sayers introduced herself as a candidate for western district supervisor.

*Declared a pressure washer and an ATV as surplus property in order to dispose of them.

*Approved the revised drug free work place policy.

*Heard from Linda Singleton about the annual Heritage Festival. Singleton also announced that the Veterans Day parade is Nov. 10.

*Singleton also listed the accomplishments of the town under the leadership of Town Manager Jim McGlothlin.

*Heard from McGlothlin that Hill Studio is working on the Scenic walkway.

*Heard from McGlothlin that the CRVI met and the town is moving forward on Hometown of Clinch designation.

*Heard from Town Attorney Jim Carmody that the ad is ready to go on the Gillespie property.

*Heard from Tim Altizer that citizens are concerned about the police chief job not being advertised. Carmody said he has not found any requirement to advertise it.

*Altizer expressed the concern that the town has relieved the treasurer of a duty assigned to him by the charter. He said the charter obligates that office to collect taxes and that is not being done.

*Adjourned until Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
[September 15, 2017] KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic to Provide Free Flu Shots to Help Kids and Families Fight the Flu

As part of its commitment to improve the health and well-being of children, The Rite Aid Foundation announced today the launch of its KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic. The KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic will visit KidCents charities in communities served by Rite Aid to provide free flu shots* to children served by the charity. Immediate family members as well as the staff and volunteers of the charity will also be able to receive free flu shots. "Each year, millions of children get sick with the flu, a virus that can be especially tough on children," said Tracy Henderson, director of The Rite Aid Foundation and charitable giving initiatives. "Since a flu shot is the single best way to prevent the flu, we're making it easier than ever for kids and their families to fight the flu by bringing the KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic to town." The KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic will begin its three-week tour today in Pittsburgh. Over the course of the three-week tour, the KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic will visit the following KidCents charities: Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County - Fresno, Calif.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego - San Diego, Calif.

The Hearing and Speech Agency - Baltimore, Md.

Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program - Detroit, Mich.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve - Akron, Ohio

Joshua Group - Harrisburg, Pa.

Sarah Heinz House - Pittsburgh, Pa.

Children's Home Society of Washington - Seattle, Wash. At each stop, Rite Aid Certified Immunizing pharmacists will administer free flu shots to the children served by the KidCents charity as well as theirimmediate family and the organization's staff and volunteers. The Rite Aid Foundation will also provide refreshments, activities and a goody bag to everyone who receives a flu shot. In addition, each of the charities visited by the KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic will receive a $10,000 KidCents grant from The Rite Aid Foundation.



Added Henderson, "As a thank you for the great work our KidCents charities are doing in their communities, we wanted to do something meaningful for them. We hope that this KidCents donation will help them continue doing what they do best, while keeping children safe, happy and healthy through flu season and beyond." In addition to the KidCents Mobile Flu Clinic, seasonal flu shots are also available at Rite Aid pharmacies nationwide. Customers can visit any of Rite Aid's more than 4,500 convenient pharmacy locations to receive a flu shot from a certified immunizing Rite Aid pharmacist, subject to state regulations. To locate the nearest Rite Aid pharmacy, visit www.riteaid.com or call 1-800-RITE-AID.

KidCents was developed by The Rite Aid Foundation to provide Rite Aid customers an opportunity to do even more to help the kids in the communities Rite Aid serves. Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid's wellness+ with Plenti program can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 440 nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and wellbeing of children. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com. Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $32 million to non-profit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $81 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994. Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with more than 4,500 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2017 annual revenues of $32.8 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com. *Subject to state regulations View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170915005607/en/

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The driver who fled last month after a fatal hit-and-run dirt bike crash in Syracuse has been found, police said.

Anthony M. Linton Jr., 29, of Syracuse, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash, announced Sgt. David Sackett, of the Syracuse Police Department, on Saturday morning.

Linton was arrested more than three weeks after the deadly South Side accident.

Ervin Royall, 24, of Syracuse, was riding his bike at Tallman and South Salina streets on Aug. 22 when he collided with a dirt bike, police said. The accident was reported around 9:20 p.m.

Linton -- the driver of the dirt bike -- fled from the crash, police said.

When officers arrived at the intersection, they found Royall unconscious and fatally injured. He was rushed to Upstate University Hospital, where he died.

After the crash, police said the dirt bike driver was likely seriously injured during the accident.

Linton was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and reckless driving. He is also facing "numerous" other traffic charges, Sackett said.

Linton is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center without bail. His mugshot was not immediately released.

The investigation into the fatal accident is ongoing, Sackett said.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Law enforcement are searching for a suspect after a man was shot Friday night just outside downtown on the South Side of Syracuse, the Syracuse Police Department announced.

The injured man is expected to survive, police said.

Officers were called to the 1000 block of South Townsend Street, between East Taylor Street and downtown's East Adams Street line, at 9:45 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Several people also called 911 after hearing gunshots in the area, police said.

When officers arrived, they found a man in his 20's who had been shot in the leg. He was taken to Upstate University Hospital by American Medical Response ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to the department.

Police are now searching for the person responsible.

The Syracuse Police Department asks anyone with information on the incident to call criminal investigators at (315) 442-5222, or use the "SPD Tips" app.
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- A woman hit by an SUV Thursday evening and the vehicle's driver have both been identified by the Oswego Police Department.

The woman is in stable condition and the driver has yet to be ticketed, according to the department.

Officers were called to the intersection of East Bridge and East Sixth streets at 6:17 p.m. Thursday for reports of a pedestrian crash.

Arron Hardy, 22, of Oswego, was headed west when she stepped off the curb and walked onto East Bridge Street / State Route 104 near the East Sixth Street intersection, according to the police department. She was in the travel lane, not in the crosswalk.

As she was crossing the road, Hardy was struck by a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 27-year-old Deanna Hart of Oswego, officers said.

Hardy was unconscious when police arrived and had to be airlifted by Mercy Flight to Upstate University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. She is now in stable condition.

Hart and her two juvenile passengers were not injured in the crash, police said.

The Oswego City Police Department stated it has not issued any tickets or citations yet for the incident.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Onondaga County is closing its children's outpatient mental health clinic in Syracuse because it cannot find enough psychiatrists to treat patients and the program is outdated, according to a county official.

The clinic at 618 Madison St. on the campus of Hutchings Psychiatric Center serves 90 patients. It will close by Dec. 31.

The county will work with families to line up alternate services for their children at school-based clinics and other programs, said Ann Rooney, deputy county executive for human services.

Some patient advocates were alarmed by the decision announced by County Executive Joanie Mahoney today in her proposed budget presentation.

Spencer Gervasoni of AccessCNY, a Syracuse agency that works with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, said she fears the clinic closure will result in more kids not getting treatment for mental illness.

"It's a devaluation of children," she said. "This is like an earthquake."

The county clinic could not take on more patients because of a severe shortage of psychiatrists in Central New York, Rooney said. The clinic also does not comply with the new model of care which coordinates children's mental and physical health, she said.

There will be no layoffs when the clinic closes. All six employees will be reassigned elsewhere in the county's department of children and family services. Rooney said the county is not closing the clinic to save money.

Syracuse area parents have long complained of a shortage of both inpatient and outpatient mental health care for children and long waits for appointments.

"In this area we could always use more," Rooney said.

The county expects the growing number of school-based mental health programs to help pick up the slack. There are 25 school-based mental health clinics in Onondaga County. Those clinics minimize the amount of time kids receiving services are out of the classroom, Rooney said.

Some therapists who work in the county clinic will keep some of the children as private patients, she said.

Rooney also expects Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare to absorb some patients. That nonprofit agency recently opened a new clinic at 329 N. Salina St. in Syracuse that offers mental health and substance abuse services to children.

ARISE, a Syracuse nonprofit, provides outpatient children's mental health services at 15 locations, including seven Syracuse city schools. ARISE expects to pick up some of the displaced patients.

"We will make sure we are part of the solution to getting everybody served," said Kristin Miguel, director of clinical services at ARISE.

Marla Byrnes, a retired Hutchings Psychiatric Center nurse and board member of the Syracuse chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, said the closure will be heartbreaking for families happy with the county clinic.

"To have the county say they are bowing out of the business is disturbing because most children's services have waiting lists and there is high demand," she said.

Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245
[September 15, 2017] The Americas is the Highest Contributor in the Global Mainframes Market: Technavio

The global mainframes market is expected to grow at an impressive CAGR of close to 3% during the forecast period, according to Technavio's latest market research. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170915005064/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global mainframes market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) In this market research report, Technavio covers the market outlook and growth prospects of the global mainframes market for 2017-2021. The market is further categorized into four application segments, including generation, transmission, substation automation, and distribution. Technavio's research analysts segment the global mainframes market into the following regions: Americas

EMEA

APAC 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. Global mainframes market in Americas The Americas is the highest contributor in the market due to the presence of leading vendors in the market such as IBM, Dell EMC (News - Alert), and BMC Software. The adoption of mainframes in the Americas is considerably high as the leading BFSI, healthcare, retail, and telecom firms have implemented mainframe solutions. The adoption of mainframes in North American nations is high as compared to the South American nations. Acording to Amrita Choudhury, a lead enterprise application research analyst at Technavio, "The US and Canada are the leading countries in which enterprises have installed mainframe solutions to manage databases. Enterprises operating businesses in the BFSI sector in South American nations such as Brazil and Chile have primarily subscribed to mainframes."



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.

Global mainframes market in EMEA The market for mainframes solutions in Europe is growing as the mobile payment industry is becoming dynamic in the region. The adoption of advanced payment technologies in European banks will require effective data processing solutions. The adoption of mainframes in the European Union nations is gradually increasing in the telecom sector to manage data, voice, and messaging services. The UK, Germany, France, and Spain are the leading countries adopting virtualized servers. The need for software centric IT infrastructure has led to the increasing adoption of software-defined solutions in Europe. Global mainframes market APAC Digital transformation is one the major factors behind the growth of the mainframes market in Asian Countries such as China, India, Singapore, and Australia. The adoption of cloud-based services in data centers and mainframe management is increasing gradually. The adoption of cloud in Singapore is increasing due to government investments in smart projects such as Smart Nation. The Singapore infrastructure development authorities are encouraging public and private sector firms to adopt cloud-based solutions for storing digital files. "China and India are also adopting cloud-based storage solutions to reduce their overall storage costs. Enterprises are implementing cloud-based storage to reduce the investments and operational costs associated with data centers. The adoption of cloud in Asia is increasing at a significant rate as the demand for cost-effective IT solutions has intensified in all kinds of organizations," says Amrita. The top vendors in the global mainframes market as highlighted in this market research analysis are: BMC Software

Dell EMC

FUJITSU

Hitachi Data System

IBM (News - Alert) Browse Related Reports: Global Currency Exchange Software Market 2017-2021

Global Debt Collection Software Market 2017-2021

Global Complex Event Processing 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/20170915005064/en/

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With so much happening in current affairs, (Trump, missiles, floods), it appears both concern and conversation about refugees has faded far into the background. We know refugees are people forced to leave their country due to war or natural disaster and that they seek asylum, protection granted by the state. However, we know very little about this process and the difficulties people face when seeking asylum.

With a year of cuts and changes to immigration rules, Home Office Caseworkers and Legal Aid Caseworkers, along with many others in the public sector, feel the strain of being without adequate resources or staffing; but, its those seeking asylum that suffer the most. Many refugees wait years to be granted asylum and having risked their lives (some, having experienced torture or rape) are left in detention centres only to be put on a return flight. The recent government statics, for the year ending June 2017, revealed that, of the 38,517 asylum applications received by the UK in 2016, only 9,933 were accepted. This becomes a desperately shocking statistic when we consider that, of Austrias 39,860 applications, 30, 370 were successful.

Over 5 million have fled Syria. Recently, the number fleeing South Sudan reached 1 million. Even more recently, abuse claims against G4S staff from Brook House, an immigration centre near Gatwick Airport, reached the headlines. It was reported that officers were filmed, mocking, abusing and even assaulting detainees. Unlike most European countries, there is no limit to the amount of time a person can be detained in the UK. As MP Stuart McDonald commented, some of the most vulnerable people imaginable are simply being detained for the convenience of the Home Office, for an unlimited time, without committing any crime.

Its interesting that political dramas like The State, documentaries like The Refugee Diaries and the recent photography exhibition, MIGRATE, which captured journeys of refugees, have gained such popularity. Why is it that were willing to engage with refugees as a concept rather than an aspect of our reality? I entirely believe in the power and importance of creative mediums: film, poetry, photography, these are some of the most influential avenues through which we can communicate ideas and discuss significant issues. However, shouldnt we be concerned by our eagerness to consume the drama? There seems to be an uncomfortably large gap between our interest in refugees lives, their stories and their struggles, and our willingness to grant asylum, share our homes and live alongside them.
[September 15, 2017] Equifax Releases Details on Cybersecurity Incident, Announces Personnel Changes

ATLANTA, Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the company's ongoing review of the cybersecurity incident announced September 7, 2017, Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) today made personnel changes and released additional information regarding its preliminary findings about the incident. The company announced that the Chief Information Officer and Chief Security Officer are retiring. Mark Rohrwasser has been appointed interim Chief Information Officer. Mr. Rohrwasser joined Equifax in 2016 and has led Equifax's International IT operations since that time. Russ Ayres has been appointed interim Chief Security Officer. Mr. Ayres most recently served as a Vice President in the IT organization at Equifax. He will report directly to the Chief Information Officer. The personnel changes are effective immediately. Equifax's internal investigation of this incident is still ongoing and the company continues to work closely with the FBI in its investigation. Specific Details of Incident: On July 29, 2017 , Equifax's Security team observed suspicious network traffic associated with its U.S. online dispute portal web application. In response, the Security team investigated and blocked the suspicious traffic that was identified.

, Equifax's Security team observed suspicious network traffic associated with its U.S. online dispute portal web application. In response, the Security team investigated and blocked the suspicious traffic that was identified. The Security team continued to monitor network traffic and observed additional suspicious activity on July 30, 2017 . In response, the company took offline the affected web application that day.

. In response, the company took offline the affected web application that day. The company's internal review of the incident continued. Upon discovering a vulnerability in the Apache Struts web application framework as the initial attack vector, Equifax patched the affected web application before bringing it back online.

On August 2, 2017 , Equifax contacted a leading, independent cybersecurity firm, Mandiant, to assist in conducting a privileged, comprehensive forensic review to determine the scope of the intrusion, including the specific data impacted.

, Equifax contacted a leading, independent cybersecurity firm, Mandiant, to assist in conducting a privileged, comprehensive forensic review to determine the scope of the intrusion, including the specific data impacted. Over several weeks, Mandiant analyzed available forensic data to identify unauthorized activity on the network.

The incident potentially impacts personal information relating to 143 million U.S. consumers  primarily names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver's license numbers.

In addition, credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 U.S. consumers, and certain dispute documents with personal identifying information for approximately 182,000 U.S. consumers, were accessed.



Equifax also identified unauthorized access to limited personal information for certain U.K. and Canadian residents and is working with regulators in those countries.

With respect to the company's security posture, Equifax has taken short-term remediation steps, and Equifax continues to implement and accelerate long-term security mprovements.



Questions Regarding Apache Struts: The attack vector used in this incident occurred through a vulnerability in Apache Struts ( CVE-2017 -5638), an open-source application framework that supports the Equifax online dispute portal web application.

-5638), an open-source application framework that supports the Equifax online dispute portal web application. Based on the company's investigation, Equifax believes the unauthorized accesses to certain files containing personal information occurred from May 13 through July 30, 2017 .

. The particular vulnerability in Apache Struts was identified and disclosed by U.S. CERT in early March 2017 .

. Equifax's Security organization was aware of this vulnerability at that time, and took efforts to identify and to patch any vulnerable systems in the company's IT infrastructure.

While Equifax fully understands the intense focus on patching efforts, the company's review of the facts is still ongoing. The company will release additional information when available. Overview of Consumer Support Response and Recent Developments

The company is fully committed to proactively supporting consumers who may have been impacted by the cybersecurity incident. A timeline of our response includes: The company worked diligently with Mandiant to determine what information was accessed and identify the potentially impacted consumers in order to make an appropriate public disclosure of the incident.

As soon as the company understood the potentially impacted population, a comprehensive support package was rolled out to consumers on September 7, 2017 .

. Equifax took the following steps:

Created a dedicated website where consumers could understand whether they were impacted, find out more information about the incident and learn how to protect themselves.



The company offered free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection to all U.S. consumers, regardless of whether they were definitively impacted.



TrustedID Premier includes 3-Bureau credit monitoring of Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports; copies of Equifax credit reports; the ability to lock and unlock Equifax credit reports; identity theft insurance; and Internet scanning for Social Security numbers.



The company has also set up a dedicated call center to assist consumers with questions and signing up for the free offering and has continued to ramp up the call center to reduce wait times.

Equifax also provided written notification to all U.S. State Attorneys General and contacted other federal regulators.

Since the announcement, Equifax has taken additional actions including:

Providing a more prominent and clear link from the main www.equifax.com website to the cybersecurity incident website www.equifaxsecurity2017.com, so that consumers can quickly and easily find the information they need.



Tripling the call center team and continuing to add agents, despite facing some difficulty due to Hurricane Irma.



Resolving issues with the impact look-up tool.



Addressing confusion concerning the arbitration and class-action waiver clauses included in the Terms of Use applicable to the product:



The company never intended for these clauses to apply to this cybersecurity incident.





Because of consumer concern, the company clarified that those clauses do not apply to this cybersecurity incident or to the complimentary TrustedID Premier offering.





The company clarified that the clauses will not apply to consumers who signed up before the language was removed.



Clarifying that no credit card information is required to sign up for the product and that consumers will not be automatically enrolled or charged after the conclusion of the complimentary year.



Making changes to address consumer concerns regarding security freezes:



The company clarified that consumers placing a security freeze will be provided a randomly generated PIN.





The company continues to work on technical difficulties related to the high volume of security freeze requests.





Consumers who paid for a security freeze starting at 5pm EST on September 7, 2017 will receive a refund.

on will receive a refund.



The company agreed to waive fees for removing and placing security freezes through November 21, 2017 . About Equifax Equifax is a global information solutions company that uses trusted unique data, innovative analytics, technology and industry expertise to power organizations and individuals around the world by transforming knowledge into insights that help make more informed business and personal decisions. The company organizes, assimilates and analyzes data on more than 820 million consumers and more than 91 million businesses worldwide, and its database includes employee data contributed from more than 7,100 employers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. It is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index, and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. Equifax employs approximately 9,900 employees worldwide. FOR MORE INFORMATION

1550 Peachtree Street, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Media Relations

[email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/equifax-releases-details-on-cybersecurity-incident-announces-personnel-changes-300520691.html SOURCE Equifax Inc.

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Google is now facing yet another lawsuit. Three former female employees are accusing the company of discriminating against women in terms of salary and promotions.

Filed Thursday, Sept. 14, in a California court, the proposed class action lawsuit follows as Google faces an investigation led by the U.S. Department of Labor into its alleged gender bias in terms of compensation.

Google Faces Gender Bias Lawsuit

This seems to be Google's first potential class-action lawsuit associated with gender discrimination, but it's certainly not the lone company facing such criticisms of gender bias. Oracle, Microsoft, and Twitter are all facing their own lawsuits, Reuters reports. Combined, these paint of a picture of inherent sexism at workplaces in Silicon Valley.

The three plaintiffs held different positions while at Google: one was a software engineer, one was a communications specialist, and one was a manager who worked in various roles. They claim that at Google, women receive less compensation for doing the same work as men and that it puts women in lower job ladders where they're less likely to be promoted, get raises, and receive bonuses.

"Google has discriminated and continues to discriminate against its female employees by systemically paying them lower compensation than Google pays male employees performing substantially similar work, under similar working conditions," the complaint reads, as NBC News reports.

They argue Google violated California state laws stipulating equal pay for the same work and disallowing unfair and unlawful business practices. The plaintiffs want to represent women who held jobs at the Mountain View, California company in the last four years.

A Google spokesperson has said in a statement that the company works hard to "create a great workplace for everyone, and to give everyone the chance to thrive here." They disagreed with the allegations but promised to review the lawsuit in detail.

The plaintiffs seek back pay and compensation, including wages, stock, and bonuses. It also commands Google to change its policies in relation to proper, fair compensation. The lawsuit comes just a month after a now-former Google employee, James Damore, published a 10-page essay criticizing Google's diversity efforts and claiming there are fewer women engineers because of biological differences between males and females.

The essay's author was later fired but attracted both ire and support for his opinions.

Silicon Valley Sexism

In recent years, there's been an overwhelming increase of female professionals in Silicon Valley speaking out about their experiences. It began with former Uber engineer Susan J. Fowler, who published a detailed account of sexism inside the ride-hailing company. Several other testimonies soon followed, unraveling the unfortunate landscape of sexism in the tech industry.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Facebook previously confirmed that a Russian troll farm had bought $100,000 worth of ads and ran them on Facebook during the 2016 presidential election. Now, new reports say the social media company has provided special counsel Robert Mueller more details about the ad spending.

Facebook provided copies of the ads and explained who bought them and how they were used to target certain groups, said a source who wished to remain anonymous.

Per Bloomberg, Facebook is apparently now working with investigators and declined to say anything more about the matter. Facebook's information is of paramount interest to Mueller, especially as investigators try to determine if Russia intervened during the 2016 presidential campaign period.

The new information includes more details than the amount Facebook originally shared in Congress previously, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Russian Investigation

Authorities are looking into how agents could have possibly used online advertising on social media and search engines to affect the election. That means tech firms such as Facebook are being forced to provide sensitive new information to investigators.

Other social media, and Facebook in particular, are "red-hot" topics of the investigation, according to Bloomberg.

It's likely that Facebook was compelled to share more details because there was a search warrant. Otherwise, it might not have voluntarily offered it to the authorities at all. This essentially means Facebook might have chosen to withhold information that could help investigators.

An alternative theory by TechCrunch suggests Facebook could have deliberately shared more details about the Russian ad spending to Mueller because his investigation is tighter. Sharing more sensitive information with the Congress might increase the chance of leaks.

Facebook And The Russian Ad Spending During The 2016 Election

Last week, Facebook revealed it had sold $100,000 in political ads to pro-Kremlin accounts between 2015 and 2017. It also said there's evidence that some of the accounts have ties to a troll farm in St. Petersburg, though it had no way to independently confirm that information.

All these discoveries arrive amid questions about Russia's role in the last election, and whether President Donald Trump's campaign sought help from the Russian government to get ahead in the election.

When Trump eventually won, some accused Facebook of letting it happen, or at least helping. Some thought its inability to curb fake news on news feeds helped spread misinformation among voters. At the time, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg denied the allegations, calling the idea "crazy."

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The world faces the prospect of more tension with China over trade, security and human rights after Xi Jinping awarded himself another five-year term as leader of the ruling Communist Party and called for self-reliance in technology, a stronger military and protection of core interests abroad. At a party congress, Xi gave no sign of plans to change the "zero-COVID strategy that has frustrated Chinas public and disrupted business and trade. He called for faster military development and announced no change in policies that strain relations with Washington and Asian neighbors. Xi is tightening control at home and trying to use Chinas economic heft to increase its influence abroad.
A memorial Mass and prayer vigil for Maxwell Gruver, a Louisiana State University student who died Thursday, is set for Monday at the Christ the King Catholic Church at LSU, the Rev. Andrew Merrick announced Friday via email.

The Mass is set for 6 p.m.; the vigil will immediately follow the services.

Christ the King Catholic Church, at 11 Fratenity Lane, is also hosting counseling services on Tuesdays and Thursdays for grieving students.
A verse of the Australian national anthem has been translated into Ngunawal for the first time and sung at Parliament House.

An ensemble from the Gondwana children's choir performed the piece to a crowd who had gathered for the Minerals Council of Australia annual parliamentary dinner.

The Gondwana Children's Choir perform the Australian national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, in English and Ngunnawal at Parliament House on September 6. Credit:Lyn Williams

Gondwana Choirs general manager Bernie Heard said the ensemble was made up of both the Indigenous Children's Choir and the Sydney Children's Choir. There were 47 children involved in the event.

"It was an incredible honour for our young people," Ms Heard said.
A new hangar for the Australian War Memorial is set to be built in Mitchell to address an 1800 square metre "storage deficit".

The new site at the memorial's conservation storage in Mitchell, is set to house a P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft, multiple helicopters and even a F18 hornet jet fighter.

A proposed layout of the new storage site from papers submitted to the public works committee.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works heard on Friday the project is expected to cost $16.1 million and would be completed by December 31 next year.

The new hangar will address a storage shortfall for the memorial of 1807 square meters at the Treloar Resource Centre, with the collection growing 400 square metres per year.
Finals footy represents an increase in focus and intensity for players, but the first week showed that commentators were also up to the challenge.

They might have been going to the well all season to bring us the latest in newly coined terminology, but that didn't mean the well was empty just yet.

From the cheap seats

At Adelaide v GWS, Brian Taylor produced the "squirter kick" and buttered up at Geelong-Richmond with the "clobbering ball". No word back from the Fairfax research laboratories just yet on what either of them might be, but it will be a thrilling and enlightening moment if anybody ever works it out.

Perhaps more importantly, in the final quarter of that game, BT also introduced "Mustin" as a contraction of Dustin Martin, a handy precaution in case a majority of citizens at some point in the future suddenly decide his name is too exhausting to say in full.
The news the ACT government is planning to release land along the proposed light rail corridor to Woden will be of concern to many.

"Urban renewal precinct" might be a catchy term but it's not one that many Canberrans embrace and indeed one they often fight aggressively against.

For it is urban renewal that causes the slow disappearance of green spaces in the community, the high-rise apartments going up in town centres, the redevelopment of local shops into mixed-use precincts.

While some projects are accepted more than others the idea that the national capital needs to change is still abhorrent to many people.
The Nationals' vote to remove all subsidies for renewable energy providers segues neatly with Turnbull's resolve to steal taxpayer dollars to engage in market manipulation by conspiring to subsidise polluting coal-fired power stations beyond their use-by date ("Renewables get thumbs down from Nationals", Sunday CT, September 10, p8). Minerals Council of Australia  which may well have vested interests in framing the hypothesis from which desired results automatically occur  commissioned research by BA and asserts renewables are set to receive $2.8billion a year, up to 2030.

A balanced article would provide comparative Australian Institute research estimating fossil fuel industries receive subsidies of $10billion a year, mostly to mining. This taxpayer donation to mining's bottom line becomes even more obscene on learning these global corporations "invest" more in PR and buying politicians than they remit in taxes to Treasury.

Tortuous legislation, ghost-written by "big four" accounting strategists, involving transfer pricing, offshore dividend flows and inter-subsidiary, high-interest loans, give the illusion of Australian mining being loss-making! Then there are uncosted externalities of negative health outcomes, accumulating over generations, irreversible environmental destruction, air quality deterioration and, as well illustrated by Caribbean hurricanes and Pacific island inundation, global warming.

Assistant Health Minister David Gillespie dared suggest a note of caution on the party's gung-ho approach, however only on the basis that some "voters used renewable energy"  health effects being relatively inconsequential to him!
Imagine the entire population of Canberra driven from their homes in mere weeks. That's almost the scale of what's happening in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, once known as Burma. More than 300,000 persecuted Muslim Rohingya were forced to leave their torched villages in the past month.

Australia's response has been a disgrace, all the more so amid our campaign for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. We've offered just $5 million to the emergency relief effort, a pittance compared to the $122 million we are spending surveying opinions on whether same sex-couples should be able to marry.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says she's "deeply concerned" and has called for "restraint".

Australia is the richest kid on the block. This is our region.
The giant steel fence slowly encircling Parliament House is a "monstrosity" and risks further alienating the public from their representatives, one of the few politicians to vote against the fortification says.

Construction workers placed the first 2.6-metre steel panels across the upper reaches of the building's sloping roof this week, with work to accelerate before MPs return to Canberra in mid-October. Large gum trees have also been chopped down, and manicured lawns ripped up to dig trenches for the structure.

The security fence is installed across the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra. Credit:Andrew Meares

The fence  and a series of new guardhouses  will eventually seal off vast stretches of the Parliament's exterior currently accessible to the public. The security overhaul will cost taxpayers $126 million.

Fairfax Media has spoken with a number of MPs who voted for the fence but are alarmed by the scale of the structure now they've seen it. None would criticise the project publicly because they still accept security took priority over the symbolism of broad public access to "the people's house".
But while the government had hopes of ushering the package through the Senate this week, by the time Parliament rose on Thursday night, this major budget announcement was still languishing on the to-do list. In part, this is because the media reform package ended up dominating political play. But the government still doesn't have the numbers in the Senate either. This is not the Coalition's first attempt at university funding reform. It tried and failed to cut funding by 20 per cent and deregulate fees in the 2014 budget. And an alternative suggestion to deregulate some fees also failed to find friends. But despite coming back with yet another revised proposal for savings, the Coalition nonetheless has an almighty fight on its hands. The opposition is coming not just from Labor (who don't like the "big, fat cuts") and the Greens (who say it will stop kids going to uni), but the university sector as a whole. This is unlike the debate over fee deregulation, where students disagreed with universities over the proposed changes. Education Minister Simon Birmingham has argued there have been "rivers of gold" flowing into higher education since 2009 when the then Labor government uncapped enrolments in bachelor level courses (which are subsidised by the government). Birmingham talks of an "enormous growth" in taxpayer dollars for universities: "[with] 71 per cent growth in funding just for teaching and learning in our universities, running at twice the rate of economic growth." He also points to Australia's HECS-HELP debt. "Our loan book has ballooned out from about $20 billion just six, seven years ago to $50 billion today. Around one-quarter of that is estimated not to be being repaid," he told Sky News this week.

But the sector heartily disagrees with this assessment. Universities Australia say the changes will see job losses and erode student support services, while Australia's elite universities say they will be left "financially crippled" by Birmingham's bill. In a passionate speech to a conference in Canberra on Thursday, Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson accused the government of "working against the success of everything we stand for" and filling the debate with "alternative facts". She pointed out that on average, "leading" Australian universities are only 40 per cent federally funded. And argued rather than a 71 per cent revenue growth over the last eight years, the increase in total funding is the result of an increase in student numbers  given places are now uncapped  so universities are doing more. An OECD report released this week found that in world terms, Australian households and international students account for a high share of university expenditure, spending 48 per cent compared to the OECD average of 22 per cent. Thomson also warned that Australia's standing in international rankings and ability to attract the lucrative international student dollar are also at risk with the proposed bill. She quoted the Times Higher Education global rankings editorial director Phil Baty who last week said, "Australia's leading institutions are already falling behind peers in mainland China and Hong Kong, who receive high and sustained levels of [government] funding". So, as the government looks to convincing Senate deal maker Nick Xenophon to grant it the crucial votes it needs to pass the reforms, who is right?

Grattan Institute higher education program director Andrew Norton told Fairfax Media there is a confusing "lack of consensus" around what the government's per student funding is for. While ostensibly it is for teaching, Norton says the legislation does not specify this and in practice, it is also used to fund research and normal operations. Curtin University higher education policy researcher Tim Pitman adds while research is critical to universities rankings and prestige, it is very costly and "not properly funded". But despite this imbalance, industry experts say it is highly unlikely universities will collapse as a result of the government's proposals. In a blog post from June, Norton wrote: "overall the last decade has been exceptionally good for universities, with the strongest increases in total public funding for decades and the strongest growth in private funding ever." Indeed, one element that is increasingly essential to university coffers is the very healthy international student market, which generates about $15 billion a year. As of 2016, there were more than 300,000 international students enrolled in higher education in Australia, up almost 13 per cent on 2015. However, Melbourne University higher education researcher Gwilym Croucher cautions that while these funds are vital, the reliance on the international dollar makes the sector vulnerable. While times are good at the moment, the market is competitive and fickle students could decide to take their money elsewhere. "Part of the big concern here is we're betting the house of higher education in Australia on international student fees," he says.

Croucher adds, this becomes a further problem if funds are cut and educational standards drop: "[The international student boom] relies on us having a world-class system." Meanwhile, students are applying for degrees and planning their studies next year without knowing exactly how much they will pay. And time is running out for the government to sort things out in time for the planned January 2018 start date. There are only another four Senate sitting weeks left this year. But if the university sector is proving difficult to wrangle, the Senate is proving to be an even trickier beast. One Nation's votes are not locked it, David Leyonhjelm says he won't vote for a watered-down package and the Nick Xenophon Team's crucial three votes appear unlikely if the bill stays in its current form. As the bill passed the lower house on Wednesday, NXT MP RebekhaSharkie said the bill was just "tinkering around the edges" and does not address bigger problems like youth unemployment and a skill shortages. Sharkie also issued this ominous warning to any ministers wanting a quick resolution to the debate: "What we need is a comprehensive review of higher education that involves federal and state governments, universities and the vocational education apprenticeships sector around the table.
Meanwhile, the Greens were careening offcourse, and Peter Dunne, veteran leader of the one-MP party United Future, added to the general sense of chaos by throwing in the towel after polling showed he was doomed. While a lot can happen in a week, recent polling suggests that, even taking into account New Zealand's fiendishly complicated MMP proportional representation voting system, a left-leaning coalition just might end up taking power at the September 23 election. The alternative is a fourth term under National, led by Bill English, the former finance minister who took over as PM last year when John Key stepped aside. When I caught up with Ardern in Auckland recently, she'd been in full media-blitz mode all day. As she ordered in a cafe near her electorate office in Mount Albert, the cashier blinked with delight and said "Jacinda!" A female customer crept up close and whispered "Good luck with everything", and another woman blurted that she was "very excited to see you're running. It's awesome. We love it." Ardern has been endlessly interviewed ever since entering parliament, so there's a surfeit of data already available. Most New Zealanders probably already know that she's 37; grew up in the small North Island towns of Morrinsville and Murupara, where her dad was a cop; was a Mormon until the homophobia did her head in and is now agnostic; did a communications degree at the University of Waikato; joined Labour at a young age; and worked for the then British prime minister Tony Blair's Cabinet Office. Eventually, in the 2008 election that Helen Clark lost to the National's John Key, Ardern got a Labour "list" (proportional representation) seat to call her own. In February she won a barely contested by-election to become MP for Mount Albert. Kiwis who've read a little more widely also know that she lives in Point Chevalier, Auckland, with broadcaster Clarke Gayford. She had buck teeth as a kid; her favourite school subjects were metalwork and history; she drinks whiskey; she likes drum'n'bass; her cat Paddles has polydactylism (extra toes); she owns an extensive collection of 16th-century chamber pots; and her favourite colours are "all of them, all at once" (actually, one of the above isn't true).

To these highly relatable facts we can add a new, much less relatable one: as Leader of the Opposition during campaign time, Ardern must accept the protection of beefy, Holden-driving men in suits from the Diplomatic Protection Service. On the short stroll from office to cafe, one walks ahead pressing the zebra-crossing buttons and checking for trains at the level crossing. When we arrive, there's another officer already inside. "It's a rigmarole," she says. "I understand in big crowds, but I'm still coming to terms with the idea that it's necessary when going to get milk. The contrast of being someone who grew up in small-town New Zealand, now having this automatic posse of people who move around with me is very  odd." At the campaign launch at Auckland Town Hall on August 20, Ardern invoked the names of Labour leaders past. She and her old mentor Helen Clark hugged. NZs last Labour PM Helen Clark with Ardern  the next? Credit:David White/Stuff In her younger years, Ardern was involved with the International Union of Socialist Youth (briefly as president). She used to say "comrade" a lot, and celebrated internationalism. The great thing about being active in USY was that a decade on, "some of my friends are ministers around the world. I've got friends in Italy, in Denmark, in South Africa, who are now in office."

The job in Blair's Cabinet Office was in 2006, shortly before he handed over the UK prime-ministership to Gordon Brown. So is Blair one of Ardern's chums too? Because as far-left NZ political activist John Minto has pointed out, Blair in 2003 took Britain into George W. Bush's catastrophic Iraq War on a lie, and many consider him a war criminal. How did working for Blair jibe with Ardern's enthusiasm for peace and justice, and so on? Actually, says Ardern, she didn't meet Blair in person at that time  "the Cabinet Office is massive". But the issue of whether she was bothered about working for a war criminal? "That's a fair question." The answer, though, is complicated. In early 2006, she was living in New York  volunteering at a soup kitchen and for a workers' rights campaign because she didn't have a work visa. Six months in, she realised she was skint, and applied for the Cabinet Office job, taking the interview by phone. She had very low expectations, so when the job offer came, "I was absolutely gutted. I felt this real dilemma, which was absolutely about Blair." Ardern took the job, though. "It was totally pragmatic. I wanted to live overseas. I wanted to have that time and experience abroad. I was doing amazing voluntary work that I loved, but I needed to live, so I took the job." She didn't realise till she got to London what a tiny cog she would be  "we were in a unit of 80, and we were one of many units"  and that there would be no connection to Blair. "I was working alongside small businesses, trying to make their lives easier. Once I got over myself I just got into the work."

Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford celebrate her landslide by-election win for the Auckland seat of Mount Albert in February. Credit:Lawrence Smith/Stuff What really struck Ardern about Blair when she was in the UK, though, was observing how fast political power dissipates. In Blair's final parliament speech, he finished by saying "and that is that, the end". "I still remember that moment,' says Ardern. "You can have that enormous career in politics, that period, and then suddenly, pouff. That's that. It's done, and you're gone." If she wins next Saturday's election, how many terms would she like before  pouff  she's gone? "Oh gosh! Before I hand over the baton to [deputy] Kelvin [Davis]? At least a couple. Three seems to be a good figure, doesn't it?" Clark made three. What tips did Ardern pick up during her time working for her (or rather, for Clark's chief of staff Heather Simpson)? "It was always about 'sweat the small stuff'. Be all over the detail." It was impossible to miss the symbolism of the recent Clark-Ardern mutual shoulder-grab-and-grin. Does Ardern think Clark would have made the effort to come along if Andrew Little had been on the podium? "I actually hadn't thought about that," says Ardern. Honestly? Ardern laughs. "Do you realise how traumatic the past three weeks have been?" Traumatic maybe, but obviously pretty exciting, too. Pundits have swooned. A cottage industry of neologism-coinage has sprung up: Jacindamania. The Jacinda Effect. Jacinderella. Jacinda-Nick-of-Time.
How's the serenity?" our mate Darryl Kerrigan from The Castle would say, if he were sitting here. "So much serenity, Daz," I would reply, taking in the sprawling valley where I am sitting. I'm surrounded by 300-metre-high sheer sandstone escarpments, which throw waterfalls during heavy rain, and eucalypt forest dotted with ancient black cypress pines.

The silence is punctuated with the gentle song of some of the 152 different bird species in this 2830-hectare wildlife conservation area in the Greater Blue Mountains region in NSW. Eastern grey kangaroos recline, sunning their bellies, while the wombats, whose top speed of 40 kilometres an hour makes them almost as fast as Usain Bolt, graze lazily.

Wolgan Valley.

It's often not until we pause that we realise how ragged our lives have become. Without proper breaks we're less productive, creative and  speaking for myself  more connected to phones and computers than our surroundings or the people we're close to. Being in nature is a remedy for much of this, yet most people in developed countries spend 90 per cent of their time indoors.

Our body clock is powered by natural light, which resets our circadian rhythm each day, stimulating hormones that energise us during the day and help us settle into the night. Nature also has the power to relieve stress, improve concentration and give our immune system a boost. One study from this year found that those who could readily see birds, trees and greenery were less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress.
"Don't you and your husband fight?" I asked one escort who got married years ago and was still working. "Sure!" she replied. "We fight! We fight like any other couple. But we fight about stupid stuff, not about my job. He gets it. It took him a while to realise it really is just a job, but he gets it." I asked another escort which would she choose: a relationship or her job? "I wouldn't choose," she smiled. "You can have both, you know. Imagine that, Samantha. Wouldn't it be nice if you could have both?" Any time I met with another escort, I would always ask about her love life. It amazed me the ones who were happily coupled, living in bliss.

There were also lots of men who spent the money their girlfriends earned as a way of "dealing with it". I heard of many women funding their partners' lifestyles out of guilt for doing the work they do. But there were men out there who could accept it without draining the woman's conscience  and bank balance  dry. I also realised that this line of work is almost impossible to give up  certainly harder than I first thought. I thought that love would rescue me and that leaving this job would be easy once I'd found love. That being in love was the thing that could kill Samantha. How wrong I was. The force, the pull of fast cash and easy hours, was stronger, harder, more important than love. Although there are plenty of escorts with understanding and patient partners, there are just as many  if not more  who know they can never give up this work, no matter how much their loved ones want them to. "I keep promising my boyfriend I'll stop when we get engaged, but I'm already planning how to keep working without him finding out," admitted one. Another confessed to me that she had stopped working, suddenly and with a huge pang of guilt, when her boyfriend found out about her job. But that lasted two weeks before she started sneaking around again.

"I feel really guilty, but I can't help it," she lamented. "The cash is too good. Where else can I make that much money? How can I give it up? I can't! Not even for Alex " That's why, when young women come to me, their youthful eyes bright at the thought of becoming an escort, I always warn them of the pitfalls of this industry. "Relationships will be hard and you get addicted," I say, urging them to get a career, get married, have kids first, before they fall under the intoxicating spell of sex work: fast cash and sweet freedom. There is always a price to pay; there is always a cost. Most escorts, however, are defiant  they will never stop working because of a man. "I'll stop when I want to stop!" said one of my girlfriends. "Really, when will that be?" I asked her, intrigued.

"Oh god, I don't know! Never!" And again, more laughter. Because we understood. And just as my very first madam, Nina, had warned me in my first week as a sex worker, sitting in a plush penthouse in North Sydney, to "never give up for a man", she also warned me never to fall in love with a client. I did both, almost. But Nina was always right, God bless her. A woman shouldn't have to give up anything for a man. It will never work. Even Big knew that, deep down. To give up something, you have to want to give it up, not do it because everyone else wants you to. Just like smoking or drinking, or eating too many cream cakes, you can't give up because someone doesn't like it. Loading
The school holidays are well and truly upon us, with Pacific Motorway and Bruce Highway clogged by families hoping to escape to the sun and sand on the Gold and Sunshine Coast.

Australian Traffic Network reporter Ben Mihan said during Saturday morning and the best part of the afternoon, there were more than 30 kilometres of delays greeting beachgoers on the run down to the Gold Coast.

Southbound congestion on the Pacific Motorway through Robina on Saturday. Credit:Department of Transport and Main Roads

Mr Mihan said at 2pm the Pacific Motorway was congested between Ormeau and Gaven, before a 15-kilometre reprieve, followed by further delays between Robina and Palm Beach. However, by 3.30pm the congestion had eased to just 10 kilometres between Robina and Palm Beach.

Looking north, there were more than 10 kilometres of traffic delays on the Bruce Highway heading up to the Sunshine Coast. The congestion stretched between Beerwah and Landsborough, before an eight-kilometre reprieve, followed by further congestion between Palmview and Tanawha. However, the highway had recovered and cleared by 3pm.
Davies' case spent three years bouncing around the Magistrates' Court. Credit:The Age That he hasn't killed by now can only be put down to luck, because as a serial arsonist he has set fire to occupied properties  including his family home, with his mother and two brothers inside. Far from hiding away, he took to the internet to share his bizarre rants  often appearing hidden by a black balaclava. With his voice barely disguised he would lecture on arson, vandalism and his other peculiar interests. Brendan Davies in an online video. Desperate for an audience, he started his own site and would join chatrooms until booted out. He would not be deterred when others declared him a "creep" or worse.

He described himself as "a tortured victim-creation of Australian society. My society has done everything wrong in the world to me. I am a highly intelligent and deeply insightful philosopher." In one video he said: "Society has created the arsonist and has victimised them terribly. The arsonist is using arson to strike and hit his society back as a form of justice, of vengeance, his own personal justice against his society that has wronged him. Arsonists have every right to attack society because society has done everything to them." He omitted one important point. If you want to set fire to stuff and get away with it, you should probably not post videos on arson, disguised or not. Later police would allege the methodology he discussed was the type he used in reality. In 2010 a serial arsonist launched 12 attacks against buildings including schools, a nightclub, homes and commercial properties. By November, Davies - who had a prior history of arson and lived in the area as a child - had become a person of interest and the subject of a police surveillance operation. They were able to track his car to the scene of five deliberately lit fires in January and February 2011, with targets including the unmanned Mount Waverley police station, two churches, a bakery and a child care centre.

He was initially charged with all 17 fires, but ultimately went to trial on the five that happened while he was under electronic surveillance. The day after he set fire to the Croxley Hall Child Care Centre he was arrested, and when detectives searched his Rowville home they found hard copy and computer notes that included disturbing details on judges, police and lawyers involved in his previous cases. The material was considered so alarming that the names of the prosecution team and lead investigators were deleted from subsequent legal proceedings. Police also found his shelves filled with books on serial killers and on his Facebook site he had "liked" US mass murderer Charles Manson. "It was a form of hero worship," one source said. Indeed, in one of his random postings he declared: "I am an expert on serial killers. Serial killers are tortured victim creations of their evil lie-based societies. They have every right to undertake murder acts, and society has no right to pass judgment on them." In the scheme of things it should not have been a difficult trial, with the prosecution using his videos to show his tendencies to arson and tracking information to show that he was at the scene of all the fires.

Then Davies sacked his lawyers and chose to represent himself. Every judge hates a self-represented client, as the court must then protect the accused from their own inexperience and stop them implicating themselves in a legal own goal. One stupid comment can result in a mistrial and taint the defence's grounds for an appeal. Judges expect these cases to hit a few speed bumps along the way, but County Court judge Gerard Mullaly could hardly have thought he would have to deal with an obstinate, argumentative, irrational and seemingly inexhaustible defender. The case went to court 31 times before we were even close to a real hearing. It spent three years bouncing around in the Magistrates' Court and a further three in the County Court. Eventually the pre-trial arguments went a staggering five months before a jury was empanelled. Then the trial went another three months over 61 sitting days. Davies challenged every witness on everything, delayed at will and launched three failed appeals to the Supreme Court.

"He was never short of a word, and a phenomenal memory and is amazingly intelligent," one observer said. Fairfax Media reported some of the jurors cried and cheered with relief when they returned guilty verdicts over the five fires in November last year. But it was only in Mullaly's sentencing remarks a few months ago that you glimpse the severity of Davies' troubled past. Since the age of 18 he has been convicted of around 40 offences ranging from stalking to weapons possession and arson (when he tried to burn down a house with his mother and two brothers asleep inside). The most worrying was in February 2009, when his car was spotted parked outside a Blackburn brothel. When he was intercepted by police they found a large knife and - in the boot - alternative number plates, garbage bags, plastic ties, gloves, tape, rope, handcuffs and a hammer. Clearly he was set to commit a crime, but what? Police believe he planned to abduct, rape and murder a sex worker. The theory was supported by a notebook that included instructions: "Look through her messages, find a client, SMS him from her phone, completely destroy the phone, strip her, put clothes in garbage bag, collect all jewellery and put in bag, cut her nails, place all ten clipped nails in bag, remove her teeth, put into bag or leave with body, remove all ties et cetera before disposal."

Despite the notes, he was convicted of the lesser charge of being armed with a controlled weapon with criminal intent. Davies is a disturbed and troubled man with an autism spectrum disorder. He has effectively refused to be examined by forensic psychologists  as if he doesn't want anyone to know what is inside his head. He claims to have had a terrible childhood and yet his mother and father (who are separated) remain supportive, turning up at court often only to be abused. He is rarely paroled as he shows no signs of reform, and serves out his full term before re-offending. In sentencing Davies earlier this year, Mullaly would have considered his previous behaviour, his prison record, his failure to undertake psychological assessment, refusal to engage in rehabilitation programs, and his conduct in court. "I have formed the view based on all the evidence in these proceedings that you have a particular disdain for the justice system and a deep-set hatred of the police.
Rules banning smoking outside Victoria's public hospitals could be reviewed because health workers are being attacked and abused while trying to police the policy.

Smokers beneath a ''No Smoking'' sign at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Saturday. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Calls for an audit of the ban are being led by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, which is concerned nurses are being put in danger.

"We're hearing that the policing of the ban actually leads to violence and aggression against our members," union state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said.
The Victorian policeman was last year jailed for 19 years with a minimum of 15 for raping and abusing nine children over a 16-year span. He was handed one of the state's longest ever sentences for sexual offences, but his name remains suppressed under a Magistrates Court order dating back to 2012, made to protect the identities of the man's victims. This suppression order is still in place despite all nine victims who have given evidence against him supporting a move to name him. Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch this week used parliamentary privilege to name the policeman. Senator Hinch had the permission of the man's victims and some of them, including Ms May flew to Canberra to watch him give his speech. For Ms May, now 47, it isn't just about closure.

The victims want to share their own stories of horrific abuse in the hope other survivors will come forward. This is why, in her own words: In June 2016, I sat in court and heard what my abuser had done to so many children and it saddened me to think that they went through the hell that I did. Our abuser was sentenced and those that were there to witness his sentencing were all in agreement that his name should be told as we all felt that many more victims would come forward. Since then, I have tried all avenues to get his name out there and that is why I approached Derryn Hinch asking for help as I felt my voice again was being taken away from me.

I am not and never will be ashamed of what has happened to me as a child/teenager. I am now a grown 47-year-old woman who has the strength and determination to see the law changed specifically on historical cases like ours. I have a beautiful husband and family that support me 100 per cent as well as many friends. The fact that our abuser was a Victoria Police officer is more than enough for him to be publicly named. Being able to allow us to name him will then allow people to sleep at night safely knowing that their abuser is behind bars because until now he has been the protected one.

I have had nothing but admiration and support from the public in naming him. His victims have become adults and we should have the legal right to name our abuser. I am proud of what I have done and I would not change how I did it. If I allowed one of you to live my life, I am sure you would all be feeling the same. It's not just naming and shaming, it is allowing people to have a voice and closure.
A 45-year-old Baxter man who was arrested over a fatal shooting in Baxter on Saturday has been released pending further investigations as homicide detectives await the results of an autopsy.

Police are treating as suspicious the death of the Baxter man whom neighbours described as a "typical battler" and a "number one helper in the street".

A man has been released as murder investigations continue into Baxter shooting. Credit:Courtesy: @7NewsMelbourne

The victim  who is yet to be formally identified  is believed to have known the man who was arrested at the scene.
Emergency services have freed a driver trapped in his truck after his vehicle ploughed into power lines cutting electricity to hundreds of customers in Melbourne's east.

The accident brought down the power lines in Canterbury Road in Heathmont about 9:15am on Saturday when the truck smashed through a fence.

The truck ploughed through a power pole on Canterbury Road. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The driver was trapped for at least two hours. He has been taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition with facial injuries.

VicTraffic is advising motorists to avoid Heathmont Road, suggesting Bedford Road as an alternative route.
A 60-year-old male teacher charged by Child Abuse Squad detectives last year was sentenced to two years and three months' prison in the District Court on Friday.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, taught at a southern suburbs school when he was charged with a string of offences related to the discovery of a hidden video recording device placed in a student toilet cubicle.

"I expect to burn in hell for my sins," the man wrote.

The man had pleaded guilty to 27 counts of indecently recording a child under 13 years, 15 counts of attempting to indecently record a child under 13 years.

Judge Andrew Stavrianou said the teacher, who hid his face from parents of his victims who were in the public gallery, had filmed the children changing after swimming lessons.
A motorcyclist is in hospital with serious head injuries after a collision with a car in Perth's northern suburbs.

Major Crash officers said the rider's red Honda motorcycle collided with a brown Suburu Forrester at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Hodges Drive in Connolly at about 12.05 pm on Friday afternoon.

Witnesses are urged to contact Crimestoppers. Credit:Cathryn Tremain

The 21-year-old male rider suffered serious head injuries and was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital where he is in a stable condition.
Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi...
As Brent Comstock grew BCom Solutions, his Auburn-based digital marketing agency, two things became clear. One, that the business was reaching a point where it needed to expand outside of Auburn. And two, in order to expand, he needed to figure out a way to reach other rural communities.

We were struggling to figure out how do we get our foot in different rural communities on a level that doesnt literally require us to go to every small town, said Comstock. Thats just not scalable, nor is it very entrepreneurial.

The solution that Comstock came to was a realignment of BComs mission to be a digital provider of online solutions for campaigns, causes and advocacy issues, primarily those that focus on rural communities.

Comstock said the business was able to take its teams digital expertise and passion for rural communities and affect dozens, if not hundreds, of other communities through its work.

As BCom pursued that path over the last two years, the need to be based in one location was lessened. The company began exploring how it could use its headquarters in Auburn as a vehicle to support positive conversations and a forward thinking mentality for startups and ecosystems in other rural communities.

Thats where the inspiration for the Rural Impact Hub came from.

The vision of the Rural Impact Hub is rooted in using community engagement and entrepreneurial thinking for the betterment of not only Southeast Nebraska but all of rural America. BCom believes citizens, corporations, and organizations should work together to collaborate as a community.

Comstock tried other versions of the Rural Impact Hub over the last couple of years in Auburn and learned through trial and error what worked and what didnt when it came to engaging rural communities.

What I didnt know at the time, was that before you get to entrepreneurship and innovation, you have to first discuss the challenges facing the community, said Comstock. At the core, we believe that entrepreneurship is a vehicle for solving challenges and problems. However, you cant expect people that dont fully understand the challenges to immediately start a company.

Comstock realized that his original model focused too much on physical space and an if you build it and they will come mentality that wasnt necessarily working for his small community.

We tried to bring an incubator, coworking and all these startup things in Omaha and Lincoln, are natural things that happen, said Comstock. We tried to do that in a rural community but we realized that we had not properly built an ecosystem to support those initiatives.

But where he was having success was when it came to getting people to attend networking and business events at the headquarters.

We latched onto that and said OK, forget the space, said Comstock. Were going to market this as a program that people will engage in, in a way that they probably otherwise would not do.

This version of the Rural Impact Hub is all partner driven. Comstock went to typical sources of community involvement like the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, community groups and state colleges to get them engaged in the program.

Were bringing together various groups throughout the community to come together on a regular, purposeful, consistent basis and have conversations about a variety of different things, said Comstock. (We offer) keynote speakers, monthly workshops, facilitated space and gatherings that allow people in the community, and the difference makers, to come together and have those conversations with hopes that in spending time together, theyll be able to align and work together to grow their community.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Rural Impact Hub though is the fact that their model of engagement is not only simple, its also replicable. Comstock has been speaking with communities in Central and Western Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Alaska and on both coasts about how they can implement the Rural Impact Hub program.

Weve started the mobilization process of getting this type of (programming) set up in at least 10 other communities, said Comstock. I say that with caution because weve done that before, but Ive never had it happen this quickly and Ive never had people that are amazed by the simplicity of this model.

The trick has been for the Rural Impact Hub to create a process for economic and community development that is scalable and simple. The program has to have enough support behind it that people feel confident that they can do it on their own, but still leaves enough room for them to customize it to meet their individual needs.

We tend to put together these ornate plans on how we engage with the community and then we dont think about the practicality of implementing them, said Comstock. Not only is (our model) replicable but its relatable to all the other rural organizations. I think before, a lot of these groups and entities, they struggled with how do we relate to this? What does the partnership look like?

The organization has seen small impacts so far. Since the launch, three organizations have joined on as community partners with one of the partners relocating to the Rural Impact Hub office.

This is probably one of the first times that these various groups of people have come together on a consistent basis, said Comstock. Were not trying to recreate any other organization. Were trying to be a lean, low-key organization thats simply a facilitator of bringing various people together.
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

NOME  The outpouring of support from neighboring states has been overwhelming, said Mike Doguet, owner of Doguets Diamond D Ranch Turf Farm in Nome, Texas.

We have had truckloads of hay coming from all over, Doguet said. Its just been amazing.

Doguet, along with his son-in-law Matt Willey, opened up their warehouse facility at Nome following Hurricane Harvey to serve as an animal supply point, with assistance from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

They had just weathered one of the worst hurricanes in the history of Texas, making every attempt to save nearly 500 head of Brangus cattle on their ranch in Southeast Texas. With flood waters rising every hour, Doguet and Willey along with ranch hands found themselves rounding up cattle on horseback, in the dark or by boat, to get the herd to the highest point on the ranch.

But even the places you thought were the highest points, it turned out they werent, Willey said. We were down to our last 80-100 acres or so of high land.

Doguet said a mere seven inches separated flood waters from entering their ranch home, though family members had to be taken out by boat.

Doguet said they did lose more than 300 round bales of hay that sat in a pole barn engulfed by rising flood waters. However, the bales were stacked and those that were on the second and third rows survived.

But a lot of folks around here dont have barns, and winter is coming up, Doguet said.

The animal supply point has been providing hay, bedding materials and other supplies for ranchers and livestock owners in Jefferson County and the surrounding area. The need was so intense immediately after the hurricane that the supply point distributed as many as 500 round bales in one afternoon.

There were trucks lined up all along the road, Willey said. We had an assembly line here inside the warehouse getting dog and cat food unloaded. Youve just never seen anything like it. But you know what, nobody got impatient. Everybody just understood the situation.

There are people here that have so much pride and dont want any help with hay or supplies. Weve had to force the issue. They need the hay; they need to keep their cattle fed and alive. This is what this is here for and this why so many people have chipped in.

Doguet pulled out a legal pad with a list of ranchers needing hay. Some needed as much as 600 round bales.

Every one of these individuals need double what they are asking for, but they dont want to take something that might help another person, Doguet said.

The next concern is cattle coming down with pneumonia.

Willey said some of his cattle were showing symptoms so he made a quick trip to see Eric Metteauer, veterinarian with SETX Equine and Veterinary Hospital in Sour Lake. Metteauer has been working around the clock rescuing cattle or tending to sick livestock. At his practice Thursday, he was treating everything from horses to dogs.

Willey said Friday was going to be an early start.

We are going to start at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow and work about 250 to 300 head, he said. Weve got to act fast.

The animal supply point was one of 11 that have operated since Hurricane Harvey hit in August. For more information or to donate, visit http://bit.ly/2y3vU43.

-30-
EVENT TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR---------

The City of College Station is hosting Movies in the Park: The Princess Bride from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. Bring your blankets, chairs and coolers to watch the movie on a 32-foot-inflatable high-definition screen. Admission is free. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at sundown. Other activities include: lawn games, sidewalk chalk, photo opportunity with live characters and free popcorn from The Texas Popcorn Company. For more information, visit cstx.gov/movies or call 764-3486.

SATURDAY

EVENTS

Washington County Fair, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Brenham. Open Jr. Heifer & Steer Show, barbecue contest, chuck wagon cook-off, trail ride, horseshoe tournament, youth rodeo, archery demonstration, parade, washer tournament, mechanical bull, bean bag tournament, craft beer roundup. Free admission. Washingtoncofair.com.

Spirit Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley. Show your team spirit and receive $1 off the regular price of admission when you wear a team shirt or jersey. Cmbv.org.

Aggieland Humane Society free adoption weekend, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sterling Subaru in Bryan. The company has paid for all the adoption fees, including free microchipping, spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations and a month of pet insurance. Save time by filling out the application at aggielandhumane.org/adopt.

The Arabian Autumn Classic Horse Show, noon to 10 p.m. Brazos County Expo Complex. For more information, visit www.gulfcoastarabians.com/upcoming-shows.

Steel Magnolias, 7 p.m. Navasota Theatre. The realities of a small Louisiana parish unfolds in a story of love, life and loss. $7 to $14. navasotatheatre.org/steel-magnolias/.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

AARP Smart Driver Course, 8 a.m. to noon. CHI St. Joseph Health Medical Office, 2700 E. 29th St., Suite 140. Designed for drivers age 50 and older, has given millions of drivers the skills and tools they need to drive safely on today's roads.

Childbirthing Class, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Scott & White College Station Hospital, 5th Floor Classroom, 700 Scott & White Drive, College Station. Topics include childbirth education and labor support, understanding labor and birth, caring for yourself postpartum, feeding your baby and newborn care. Free. RSVP is required by emailing csbabies@sw.org.

SingleMoms Created4Change support group, noon. Lincoln House of Hope, 1013 Eleanor St. in College Station. Call before attendance at 575-1034.

Overeaters Anonymous, 10 a.m. Church of the Nazarene, 2122 E. William J. Bryan St. in Bryan.

GARDEN AND MARKETS

Brazos Valley Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon. Downtown Bryan at Main and 22nd Streets. Selling local produce, poultry, eggs, jams and jellies and pickled items. www.brazosvalleyfarmersmarket.com or email wisefamilyfarm@gmail.com or 229-5503.

Brenham Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon. 307 S. Park St., Brenham.

SUNDAY

EVENTS

Fiestas Patrias Festival, 1 to 10 p.m. Downtown Bryan. The celebration of Mexican culture and independence featuring a parade, music, dancing, vendors and activities. www.fiestaspatrias.org.

The Arabian Autumn Classic Horse Show, noon to 10 p.m. Brazos County Expo Complex. For more information, visit www.gulfcoastarabians.com/upcoming-shows.

The Bridal Association of the Brazos Valley presents the Fall Bridal Show and Benefit, noon to 4 p.m. Brazos County Expo. More than 100 vendors will be set up and professionals will be there to personalize a wedding, reception or honeymoon. Proceeds from the show will benefit Pink Alliance. Admission is $10 in advance online or $15 at the door. www.babv.org.

Third annual Aggies Back to School Bash, 3:30 p.m. Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. Featuring Cody Johnson, Roger Creager and Koe Wetzel. Doors will open at 3 p.m., with music beginning at 3:30 p.m. The show will conclude around 9 p.m. If you have pre-purchased tickets, bring your original ticket to the show on Sunday. Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets, visit https://prekindle.com/find-tickets/id/24898848710031620 .
Less than a year after implementing a ban on the use of wireless communication devices while driving, the College Station City Council may soon repeal its hands-free ordinance.

The council gave direction during a workshop Monday to draft an ordinance repealing its current ban in light of the statewide ban on texting and driving that went into effect Sept. 1. The College Station Police Department is now only enforcing the state ban, and the council will formally consider repealing the city's ordinance at an upcoming meeting.

Council members were divided on the decision -- the majority leaned toward uniformity with the state law, though several expressed concerns about the enforceability of the ban passed during the most recent session of the Texas Legislature. The city ordinance that went into effect last November and was fully implemented Jan. 1 prohibits drivers from any use of hand-held communication devices while driving, unless at a complete stop. The statewide ban only prohibits reading, writing or sending electronic messages unless at a complete stop.

Councilmen Jerome Rektorik, Councilman Barry Moore, Councilwoman Julie Schultz and Councilman James Benham were the majority members in favor of repealing the city's ordinance Monday. Benham was the only council member who voted against the city's ordinance in August 2016, saying it would create a "patchwork quilt of legislation." Neighboring Bryan does not have a hands-free ordinance in place.

"I stand on the side of uniformity of law and enforceability of law, and uniformity of law for the drivers in the twin city area to have one set of regulations they operate under when they drive between Bryan and College Station," Benham said.

In addition to differing fine amounts, there are also dissimilarities between the city and state ordinance when it comes to defenses. While the local ordinance allows use of a device only while at a stop, in hands-free mode or for emergency use, the state's ban allows for more affirmative defenses for using their cell phones while driving, including playing music and interacting with the GPS function.

Lt. Steve Brock, the College Station Police Department's public information officer, said officers cannot search drivers' phones after pulling someone over who they believe was texting, which "obviously creates the issue on the enforcement side."

"The exceptions are that you're free to manipulate your phone to maybe go to your favorite music list or to put in coordinates via GPS... that creates some inherent issues as far as enforcement goes, because if we pull someone over and they tell us they were putting in coordinates for the GPS, we're not going to take their phones and search their phones," Brock said.

Mayor Karl Mooney, who along with Councilwoman Blanche Brick and Councilwoman Linda Harvell was in favor of amending the current ordinance, said he was "rather frustrated" with the state on the situation. Studies show that "education and proper legislation from municipalities works," he said, and models also show that reducing texting and driving will reduce crashes and save lives.

"I predict that when we get to the 86th Legislature, they're going to come back, revisit this and say, 'My goodness, we should have made this much firmer, we should have enabled our police officers to be able to enforce this law, because what we did was, we came short of the mark,'" Mooney said.

Police Chief Scott McCollum said at Monday's workshop meeting that the local ordinance was "very enforceable," and a "step in the right direction" from a public safety perspective. Though he said data wasn't available to definitively say whether the ordinance reduced the number of crashes in College Station, a study by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that there was a noticeable decrease of drivers using cell phones after it was enforced.

Katie Womack, senior research scientist for TTI's Center for Transportation Safety told the council that a 42 percent decrease in wireless communication device use was observed. Data was collected for 200 vehicles -- 100 stopped and 100 moving -- at 12 intersections across town. Womack said there was a "dramatic" decrease in use for the moving vehicles.

College Station police gave 578 warnings and 640 citations under the ordinance.

If the council votes to repeal the ordinance, it will cost $7,715 to remove existing signs. The initial cost to purchase and install the existing signs was $25,580. Purchasing and installing 18 new signs would cost $14,728.
The European Commission has called on the EUs most senior judges to penalise Poland for flouting an emergency ban on logging in Biaowieza Forest, the best preserved forest ecosystem in Europe.

In July, the court ordered all chainsaws and harvesters to be stopped immediately while it considered the case. EU judges issued the emergency ban due to intensive logging taking place in the forest, which is in breach of EU nature laws.

Polish authorities have claimed that they are removing trees to tackle a bark beetle infestation. Last year, the government approved a plan that would allow a threefold increase in logging in the forest  about 140,000 hectares of pristine woodland on the border between Poland and Belarus, parts of which are untouched by humans.

The forest is home

But many scientists and the European Court confirm that bark beetles are not a threat to the forest, and if the natural ecosystem is left alone, it will thrive. Dead trees are extremely important for the biodiversity of the forest, they argue.

The timber harvesting has been opposed by the Polish public, scientists and environmental campaign groups including Greenpeace, WWF and ClientEarth. The forest is home to many rare birds, lynxes, wolves and the biggest wild-ranging herd of European bison.

But Polish environment minister Jan Szyszko not only ignored the courts temporary ban, but declared his intention to openly, the first time this has happened in the history of the European Union, according to campaign group Client Earth.

ClientEarth lawyer Agata Szafraniuk said: We hope, for the sake of the forest, that the court will uphold the emergency logging ban and do everything to make Minister Szyszko obey the law, which is here to protect Bialowiezas unique nature.
OMAHA  An inmate who fled a state prison Wednesday is wanted for questioning in connection with a Thursday incident in which a car rammed a police cruiser, injuring an officer who then fired several shots at the car, Omaha police say.

Nicholas Hupp, 30, a work release inmate at Community Corrections Center-Omaha, ran from the prison while being searched Wednesday, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, a car collided with a police car. Investigators said when Officer Jordan Smith went to get out of his cruiser after the crash, the other car rammed his driver's side, injuring the officer's legs. Police said Smith then fired three shots into the car, which sped off.

Police later found the car, which had been stolen, abandoned several blocks away. The driver has not been found, and no evidence was found indicating the driver was shot.

Smith was taken to a hospital, treated for his injuries and released.

Late Friday, Omaha police said they are seeking Hupp for questioning in the Thursday incident.

Hupp was serving a sentence of 22 years and eight months to 39 years and six months for more than 10 convictions related to thefts, drug possessions and other crimes in the Omaha area.
NORWALK  Following an arrest over a domestic incident early Saturday morning, a Norwalk man incurred further charges after he called the victim of the incident and harassed her from the Norwalk Police Department holding facility, police said.

Norwalk police responded to a domestic disturbance at an East Rocks Road apartment around 2:26 a.m. between 25-year-old Travon Simms and a female.

The woman told police that Simms had arrived home from a friends house heavily intoxicated when the two began to argue, according to police reports.

During the argument, which the woman said never became physical, she tried to go outside to smoke a cigarette, however, police said Simms would not allow her. When the argument began to escalate, the woman said that Simms grew angry and stormed out of the house, breaking their front door in the process.

Police said that Simms proceeded to take lawn chairs from the homes front porch and throw them around the apartments front yard, at which point a nextdoor neighbor called police.

When police arrived, they learned that Simms had a protective order placed against him by the woman, which required that he not assault, threaten, abuse, harass, interfere with, follow or stalk her. Police determined that the argument violated the protective order and Simms was placed under arrest.

Simms, who is the nephew of Norwalk Common Council member Travis Simms, was charged with disorderly conduct, violation of a protective order and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

Later, however, when police were getting ready to release Simms from their holding facility, officers overheard the 25-year-old on the phone talking with the victim of the incident, which violated his terms of release.

When Simms was placed back under arrest and faced with an additional charged, police said the Norwalk resident grew irate, repeatedly kicking the wall and spitting around his cell.

Simms was then charged with second-degree violation of conditions of release.

He was held on a $25,000 bond, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 18.

ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2570; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE
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NORWALK  If you help out your community, your community will help you back, explained Jen Cunniffe to her 9-year-old daughter and the girls 8-year-old friend, as the three used their trash grabbers to gather litter caught in the reeds at Oyster Shell Park.

Cunniffe was one of dozens of volunteers gathered at North Water Streets Heritage Park for a community-wide cleanup effort targeting Norwalks coastline.

In all, over 70 volunteers took to the land abutting Long Island Sounds many tributaries Saturday as a part of the third annual Source to Sound river and harbor cleanup.

The Source to Sound is an intercity partnership between the Norwalk River Watershed Association, the Keep Norwalk Beautiful initiative, the Norwalk Land Trust, New Canaans Grace Farms, Wiltons Woodcock Nature Center, Westports Harbor Watch and many more.

The coast cleanup has been held in some shape or form in Norwalk over the past eight years as a part of the Ocean Conservancys annual International Coastal Clean-Up Day, when millions of pounds of trash is collected by hundreds of thousands of volunteers each year around the world.

Louise Washer, the president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association, said the event has come a long way since its inception. In the first year, the event garnered only a handful of interested residents. Since then, the event has ballooned in size, growing more and more with each passing year.

I think its important to get involved with the environment locally, especially now with DEEP (the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) facing funding cuts, said Washer. I think its just a great community effort, people feel like they can make an impact.

Washer pointed to the growing sizes of plastic gyres, which are huge masses of marine debris, in the Pacific Ocean as one of the impetuses for the cleanup. By caring for local bodies of the water like the Sound and engaging the community in these cleanup efforts, Washer said she hopes to foster a healthier relationship between people and their surrounding environment.

By attending this years event, Stamford resident Madhav Vishnubhatta hoped to instill a similar mindset in his twin, 5-year-old sons.

I thought it would be a good opportunity for our kids to learn about how to rescue the environment, how to keep it clean and how to do your part for the community, said Vishnubhatta, who found out about the cleanup online.

This year, volunteers collected 1,065 pounds in trash from areas around Oyster Shell Park, Vets Park and Grist Mill Road. In addition to the 74 bags of trash collected during the event, volunteers also amassed over 600 plastics bottles that will be sent to TerraCycle, a New Jersey company that makes consumer products from waste.

Josh Cooper, the lab director of Harbor Watch, a group tasked with studying local waterways and educating citizens on how best to protect them, has volunteered at the cleanup over the past four years.

Having witnessed the increasing pollution of the Sound and other water bodies, Cooper said that seeing the community band together to try and reverse the damage was a cause for optimism.

Public awareness and public action are hugely important because the more people are helping, the more likely more people will join in on the cause, said Cooper.

ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2570; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE
In the wake of a massive data breach impacting 143 million people, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson on Friday joined attorneys general from 30 other states in sending a letter to Equifax requesting that the credit reporting firm disable links for enrollment in fee-based credit monitoring service.

The state attorneys general launched their investigation as soon as Equifax publicly disclosed the breach last week. Equifax is offering free credit monitoring services in response to the breach, but the attorneys general objected to Equifax seemingly using its own data breach as an opportunity to sell services to breach victims, they wrote.

We believe continuing to offer consumers a fee-based service in addition to Equifaxs free monitoring services will serve to only confuse consumers who are already struggling to make decisions on how to best protect themselves in the wake of this massive breach, the attorneys general wrote. Selling a fee-based product that competes with Equifaxs own free offer of credit monitoring services to victims of Equifaxs own data breach is unfair, particularly if consumers are not sure if their information was compromised.

The attorneys general also said that, although Equifax has agreed to waive credit freeze fees for those who would otherwise be subject to them  which includes Nebraska residents  the other two credit bureaus, Experian and Transunion, continue to charge fees for security freezes.

The attorneys general said that Equifax should reimburse consumers who incur these fees to completely freeze their credit.

In a letter sent to Equifax last week by the attorneys general of Connecticut, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, the states requested information about the circumstances that led to the breach, the reasons for the months-long delay between the breach and the companys public disclosure, what protections the company had in place at the time of the breach and how the company intends to protect consumers affected by the breach.

The other states that signed the letter are Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The attorneys general have expressed their concerns to Equifax regarding the terms of service relative to the free credit monitoring services and the prominence of service enrollment information on Equifaxs Web page. Equifax has been responsive to these concerns.
Individuals whose Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status is nearing an end will have the opportunity to get assistance with their DACA renewal at a clinic Thursday.

The Multicultural Coalition of Grand Island is teaming up with Justice for Our Neighbors Nebraska and the Center for Rural Affairs to sponsor the DACA renewal clinic. The clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 511 N. Elm St.

The clinic is for people who have DACA status and have it expire between Sept. 5 and March 5, said Audrey Lutz, executive director of The Multicultural Coalition of Grand Island. What this does is it renews their papers for their legal status here in the United States since we dont know what is coming and if Congress will pass any relief for DACA or continue it. What this is doing is buying people as much time as possible.

She added the DACA renewal applications have to be filed by Oct. 5 for those whose DACA status expires by March 5, 2018.

Lutz said those wishing to attend the clinic must call (402) 898-1349 to schedule an appointment. She added she expects people to not be at the clinic for longer than an hour, but that this depends on the demand.

According to a flier provided by Lutz, those attending the clinic need to bring:

 A copy of their previous DACA filing.

 Certified dispositions for any criminal arrests.

 A list of addresses since their last DACA grant.

 Travel dates for any trips outside the United States.

 Two passport photos.

 A copy of their last EAD card (work permit).

 A $495 money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

For the $495 money order, Lutz said, there is financial assistance available for those who are unable to pay this fee.

Justice for Our Neighbors is working on dollars for people who cannot come up with that amount of money, she said. The Multicultural Coalition is also going to help with passport photos if people cannot afford them. If people feel motivated to give, they can give a donation to Justice for Our Neighbors Nebraska or The Multicultural Coalition.

Lutz added those assisting with the DACA renewal during the clinic will be Justice for Our Neighbors Nebraska attorneys and Department of Justice-accredited officials.

She encouraged individuals to volunteer to assist with the DACA renewal clinic. Those interesting in doing so can call The Multicultural Coalition office at 385-5242.
Seven citations were issued for speeding in special enforcements held during Husker Harvest Days.

One citation each was handed out for open container and having no seat belt. Nebraska State Patrol troopers also assisted three motorists in need of help.

The State Patrol handled traffic operations as well as special enforcements around Husker Harvest Days Tuesday through Thursday.

Troop C, based in Grand Island, worked with local law enforcement agencies in Hall County and the Nebraska Department of Transportation to assist with traffic flow for the three-day event. Troopers conducted the special enforcement operation thanks in part to a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportations Highway Safety Office.
Above the Missouri River on Monday, one of the states most famous musicians will release one of the states most famous birds  the doubly bald eagle found a few months ago with an electrical burn at the top of its featherless head.

And the bird, formally known as 2017-172 but sometimes called Friar Tuck, wont stick around after Mannheim Steamrollers Chip Davis tosses it into the air.

Hes ready to go, said Betsy Finch of the Fontenelle Forests Raptor Recovery Center. Hes come a long way from the depressed, skinny bird that came in, to the point where hes one of the most nasty eagles weve ever handled.

The bird has regained its strength, ability to fly and willingness to fight its handlers with all of its weapons  beak, talons and wings. And with the skin graft it received last month, the eagle is also regaining its crown feathers.

The birds release from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center near Nebraska City comes sooner than Finch expected. When a state conservation officer picked it up along a riverbank near Syracuse in late May, the bird was emaciated, unable to fly and had a dark scab covering its head.

Raptor Recovery staffers helped the bird rebuild its strength, but for weeks they couldnt solve the mystery covering the eagles head.

In July, a plastic surgeon from Omaha examined the eagle at the Henry Doorly Zoo and determined the wound was from an electrical burn, possibly from the bird striking a power line. Dr. Coleen Stice removed the scab, waited for the birds scalp to heal and then transplanted a patch of healthy skin from its leg to its head.

Stice had planned two grafts, but the eagle didnt need the second surgery. And it recovered quicker than expected from the first.

When Fontenelle Forest was planning its release, it thought of Davis  a Grammy Award-winner and supporter of the Omaha nonprofit.

We thought it would be the perfect person to release the eagle, said Molly Mullen of Fontenelle Forest. Hes done so much behind the scenes and weve never had to give him the press or the glory.

They met Davis in 2015, when the musicians son found a young owl on the family's land in the Ponca Hills north of Omaha.

The public is invited to the 11 a.m. release for a chance to see the bird before it returns to the wild. Davis isnt scheduled to perform Monday, but he will take the eagle from its carrier and, at the count of three, throw it into the air.

The bald eagle will be brown-headed because the graft came from its leg. Its new feathers are just beginning to grow.

They look like bangs, Mullen said. Not only are you going to see an eagle up close, its going to be a really funky eagle.
Recently more than a hundred people with violations such as misdemeanors, outstanding traffic warrants, ordinance violations and non-violent crimes on their records got the ball rolling on a process that can eventually lead to having them removed.

Second Chance Saturday was an important event because people with criminal backgrounds often have difficulty entering the workforce, and by expunging or sealing encounters with the law that happened years ago, that barrier can be removed.

The event was held Sept. 9 in Venice, with the idea of serving historically underrepresented residents in the southern part of Madison County.

It was a great day to give individuals a second chance, said Gussie Glasper, who lives in neighboring Madison. Glasper chairs the countys Public Safety Committee which lately has been searching for ways to relieve what has become a crisis of overcrowding at the Madison County Jail.

We encourage people by saying OK, you have your record expunged. Its done. Now dont look back. Look forward and stay positive, Glasper told the committee. It was a great day.

The event was co-sponsored by the law firm of Simmons Hanly Conroy, which offered pro bono meetings with attorneys, judges, and other law enforcement officials involved in the process.

The expungement process includes filling out petitions related to each charge or arrest.

The forms must then be notarized by the County Clerks office and sent to the Illinois State Police as well as the arresting agency. The process can take up to six months to complete but Second Chance Saturday organizers hope to cut that to 90 days.

The event was not open to those with charges that happened after Aug. 15, 2017, or for those with warrants involving domestic violence, child support, violations of orders of protection, civil contempt or federal, felony or juvenile warrants.

A similar event in October of 2016, in Alton, drew more than a hundred people.

Mike Parkinson told committee members that he attended the event in Venice for the first time.

It was, he said, an absolutely fabulous event that should be offered to county residents more frequently.

People look at it and say, Were letting hardened criminals out and were looking at expunging their records. But thats not what this is about, said Parkinson, who serves on the Public Safety Committee and is also a sergeant with the Granite City Police Department. This is about people who have hardships and they want to take care of their problem but are afraid or scared. I really saw some great things down there.

The Madison County Judiciary, the States Attorneys Office, the Circuit Clerks Office and lawyers for Simmons Hanly Conroy and the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation were on hand to help.

Also on hand were Dr. Ed Hightower, president of the Leadership Council of Madison County, and Ted Gianaris, a shareholder with Simmons Hanly Conroy, who helped organize the event.
Former state Rep. Dwight Kay has announced he will be running again for his old seat in the 112th District.

First, though, he will have to face Wendy Erhart, of Maryville in next springs Republican Primary. Erhart announced her candidacy on Wednesday at SIUEs Morris University Center.

The primary winner will face Democratic incumbent Katie Stuart in the November, 2018, general election.

Kay won the seat in 2011 by defeating incumbent Jay Hoffman. Kay served three terms before losing to Stuart in November.

I think the state of the state speaks for itself, Kay said of his motive for running. Weve been run for years by people who are either so politically connected they cant do their jobs or so inept they dont know how to do their jobs.

The 112th District includes Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville and parts of Granite City.

Both challengers have been collecting signatures to get on the primary ballot.

Since 1995, Kay has held been Vice President of Cassens Transport. From 2004 to 2010 he was a member of the Illinois Chambers Employment Law Counsel.

During his tenure in Springfield, he served on several committees, including Judiciary, Small Business Empowerment and Workforce, and Transportation, Regulation and Roads.

Erhart graduated from SIUE in 1993. She is currently a Strategic Initiatives Manager with Justine Peterson, a local community development lender.

In a statement released this week, Erhart said she is running because I love Illinois and the Metro East.

Our home deserves better than the failed policies and politicians of the past, she said. Im a businesswoman, and a mom  not a politician. Ive spent my career managing budgets, building teams and solving problems. Thats the type of experience and fresh voice we need in Springfield.

Erhart is on the board of the Collinsville Food Pantry and previously served as a board member with the Southwestern Illinois Leadership Council.
An Edwardsville man has been charged with allegedly threatening to blow up the home of Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton.

The threat was allegedly made April 26. Shortly afterwards, Richard A. Russo, 52, was charged by the Madison County States Attorneys Office with threatening a public official.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 09:03 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20dc462 4 Editorial Transportation,transportation-ministry,public-transportation,#Editorial Free

The Jakarta administration has decided to back off. After months of campaigning for its plan to ban motorcycles on the citys main roads of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin, it has bowed to pressures to abort the program.



The Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) advised the administration to call off the plan as multiple infrastructure projects have resulted in limited public transportation alternatives in the area.



Transjakarta and regular buses, which are also caught in chronic congestion caused by the closure of several road lanes, are considered not ready to take on additional passengers in the event the motorcyclists were banned from using the roads.



The cancelation, however, should not stop the administration from finding a solution to the citys gridlock. It is clear the city has too many motorcycles and cars than it can handle. The millions of vehicles cause headaches while on and off the streets.



The Jakarta Transportation Agency recorded that 10,080 vehicles were caught encroaching sidewalks in August when it commenced Orderly Sidewalk Month. The agency and police ticketed and towed vehicles despite rants from their owners.



Qlue, the administrations app for public complaints, recorded last month that two main problems on sidewalks were illegal parking and dysfunctional street lamps. About 60 percent of more than 4,000 sidewalk complaints pertained to illegal parking. Oftentimes people resort to parking on streets and sidewalks as parking lots in shopping malls and office buildings are already full.



There is no quick fix for all the traffic problems, but the only way to address the overpopulation of vehicles is to encourage people to leave their motorbikes or cars at home and switch to public transportation. Jakarta streets should be made unfriendly to private vehicles.



While waiting for the arrival of the MRT and other major public transportation systems, it is not a bad idea for the administration to consider doubling or tripling parking fees to discourage car use.



The administration should not spoil motorists any longer as the citys carrying capacity of vehicles is narrowing. After all, the citys parking rates, currently standing at Rp 4,000 (30 US cents) per hour for cars and Rp 2,000 per hour for motorcycles, are among the lowest in the world.



Another disincentive is raising vehicle-related taxes such as vehicle-ownership transfer fees (BBN-KB), motorized vehicle tax (PKB) and fuel taxes.



Even if full monitoring and implementation remains difficult, it will force motorists to think twice before turning on their vehicles, especially because various forms of relatively convenient modes of transportation such as Transjakarta are in place.



The administrations bid to expand and enlarge sidewalks in the city this year is another blow for motorists, but on the other hand it benefits pedestrians and encourages more people to walk.



The administration has to act anyway, or else the city will continue to lag behind other metropolises. The governments aspiration to develop the capital into a regional and global political and economic player will never materialize.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 19:00 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20ecc9a 1 City #market,#SenenMarket,#fire Free

After being neglected for about eight months, the Jakarta administration has planned to revitalize the burned down section of Senen Market in Central Jakarta.

City-owned developer PT Pembangunan Jaya will be in charge of the revitalization project this year with Rp 116.9 billion (US$8.7 million) in funds.

Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said recently that the market, once rebuilt, would be integrated with apartment blocks. The location is very strategic, close to a bus station and a train station. Therefore, we will integrate the market with apartments, he said at City Hall on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

In the early hours of Jan. 19, a fire began on the first floor of the market and spread to the markets blocks I and II. It took more than 500 firefighters from across the city to help put out the fire. They worked for almost 24 hours to completely extinguish the fire.

No casualties were reported in the incident, but more than 1,000 kiosks in both blocks burned down. (vny)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 13:25 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20e70e5 1 National drought,Pasuruan,water-crisis,East-Java,disaster-mitigation Free

Dozens of villages in Pasuruan regency, East Java, continue to suffer from severe drought, a local disaster mitigation official announced on Friday.

Pasuruan Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Bakti Jati Permana said drought has affected at least three districts in the regency.

BPBD Pasuruan is currently conducting various mitigation efforts, including providing clean water to the affected villages.

Since last month, residents have been supplied with clean water, with a delivery of five or six times a week, Bakti said as quoted by Antara.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has recorded as of last Sunday more than 2,726 villages across Java, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) struggling with drought, putting around 3.9 million residents in a dire need of clean water.

On Tuesday, President Joko Jokowi Widodo gathered his Cabinet ministers to discuss drought tackling measures and to ensure that the mitigation efforts were in place.

Jokowi said that ensuring a clean water supply and maintaining the operation of irrigation channels in drought-affected regions were the main priority in the short term. (mos/ebf)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, September 16 2017

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said on Friday that the railway connecting Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, with Jakarta is set to commence operation in November.

The construction of the railway, which has been underway since June 2015, has already reached 80 percent completion, Budi said.

Last month, state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) already received one train out of the total of 10 trains.

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Linkedin Bambang Nurbianto (The Jakarta Post) Nanning, Cuangxi, China  Sat, September 16, 2017 05:43 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20d9bdd 1 Business China-ASEAN-Expo-CAExpo,Nanning-China,Guangxi,China Free

Visitors crowded the pavilions of Indonesia and nine other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the last day of the 14th China-ASEAN Expo in Chinas southern city of Nanning in Guangxi province on Friday.

All corridors of the Indonesian pavilion were packed with visitors, while attendants were busy serving their customers, who were hunting handicrafts, fashion items, home decorations, accessories and various kinds of food usually sold at cheaper prices on the last day.

From what I've seen, many more visitors have come this year. It may be because the security is a bit loose, said Asikin, a Trade Ministry staff member, who also attended the ministrys booth in the Indonesian pavilion last year.

Even after the exhibition ended at 5 p.m. local time, visitors were still trying to enter the pavilions by negotiating with security officers, however most failed.

Chika, an expo participant, said visitors always stormed the exhibition venue on the last day because they knew the participants offered big discounts.

I learned that big discounts are only given at the Indonesian pavilion on the last day. I don't think it's good because during the earlier days, many visitors only looked. They came back on the last day, she added.

Previously, Trade Ministrys export development director general Arlinda said lasts year transactions at the Indonesian pavilion reached about US$4 million. (bbn)
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Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara  Sat, September 16, 2017 09:04 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20dcc35 1 News Lombok,West-Nusa-Tenggara,Mataram,tourism,halal-tourism,International-Halal-Travel-Fair Free

Mataram in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) hosted the International Halal Travel Fair (IHTF) for the second time on Friday at the Islamic Center NTB Ballroom.

Initiated by NTB Tourism Agency in collaboration with the province's Indonesian Tourism Players Association (ASPPI), the event was reportedly joined by 260 buyers and 60 sellers.

"Last year the event was joined by only 90 buyers; this year it features 260 buyers from 18 countries," the agency head Lalu Mohammad Faozal told The Jakarta Post in Mataram on Friday.

Among the foreign buyers who attended the event were travel agents from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, India, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

IHTF has been included in NTB's annual tourism agenda as part of an effort to promote and market the region's Muslim-friendly tourist destinations since last year.

Mubarok Muslim Tour and Travel director Inne Hilfiana said NTB and especially Lombok had attracted many Middle Eastern tourists following its designation as a halal destination.

Read also: Aceh highlights traditional cuisine to promote halal tourism

Buyers and sellers interact at the International Halal Travel Fair 2017 on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Islamic Center NTB Ballroom in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. (JP/Panca Nugraha)

"Previously Saudi Arabian and Middle Eastern tourists preferred to travel to Bandung or Bogor. But these past two years they have opted for Lombok," said Inne, adding that her company had so far arranged trips to Gili Trawangan in North Lombok and Sembalun area in East Lombok.

"Beforehand we usually searched for destinations on the internet. Thanks to IHTF, we can now directly communicate with local travel agents, allowing us to market more destinations," she said.

Meanwhile, Arista Indonesia Aviation Center (AIAC) CEO Arista Atmadjati said accessibility was important to boost tourism in Lombok and Sumbawa.

"Lombok has gorgeous beaches and natural scenery. It is also home to a rich culture, and has become a halal tourism icon. But [the infrastructure] has to continue to develop, including accessibility," said Arista.

She said the number of direct international flights servicing Lombok International Airport needed to be increased as it was currently only serviced by AirAsia and Silk Air flights from Malaysia and Singapore, respectively. She also suggested that NTB copy the charter flight concept that had been applied in Manado, North Sulawesi, which improved access for those coming from eight cities in China. (kes)
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 16:07 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20ea713 2 News bali,travel,Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia Free

After Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF), Bali is hosting yet another travel exhibition from Sept. 14 to 17 in Karangasem.

The Karangasem Travel Mart (KTM) 2017 is reportedly joined by tour operators from Indonesia and other Asian countries.

Indonesia needs to have a lot of worldwide travel mart events like ITB Berlin. It should be a market place for people from all over the world, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

Read also: The spirit behind Bali's natural sea salt

This event will serve as the platform to introduce tourist objects in Karangasem in a form of a familiarization trip [famtrip]. Theres also going to be a table top event where buyers will meet with sellers, added the ministry's archipelago tourism marketing development deputy, Esthy Reko Astuti.

Themed The Spirit of Bali, KTM 2017 is expected to provide business opportunities for both sides, improving Balis tourism value as well as regional income.

Karangasem is home to plenty of popular tourist sites such as Besakih Temple, Taman Ujung, Candidasa and Amed. (kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 08:40 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20dbc63 4 News Eiffel-Tower,yogyakarta-tourism,destination,France Free

Yogyakarta residents are now able to see the famous Eiffel Tower in their city as the French Embassy recently opened a miniature of the structure in Taman Pintar Yogyakarta.



Along with Yogyakarta Mayor Haryadi Suyuti, French Ambassador to Indonesia Jean-Charles Berthonnet officially opened the new attraction known as the Eiffel Tower Explore Zone on Monday, the French Embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.



The 2-meter miniature was designed to scale and set in front of a fireworks diorama to give a close-to-reality experience. The display also provides information about the history of one of the worlds most popular tourist attractions and its architect.

Read also: French tourists explore spiritualism on Java

The 2-meter Eiffel miniature was designed to scale and set in front of a fireworks diorama to give a close-to-reality experience for its visitors in Yogyakarta. (French Institute in Indonesia/File)

Marc Piton, director of the French Institute in Indonesia and the embassys counselor for cooperation and cultural action, said the agreement between the embassy and the city administration to open the exhibit was made on May 4.



The opening of the Eiffel Tower Explore Zone in Taman Pintar was made as the tower had its own charm for Indonesian citizens. Now Indonesians, especially Yogyakarta residents, could see the physical form and historical information, he said.



The project is also supported by Eiffel Tower Operating Company SETE to introduce the tower to other parts of the world.
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 13:05 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20e6f03 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,France,Indonesian-culinary Free

Indonesia is taking part for the first time in the upcoming Village International de la Gastronomie event slated in Port du Gros Caillou, beside the Seine River, in Paris, France, from Sept. 22 to 24.

The event is supported by the French government alongside 50 other countries. The Indonesia Tourism Office [VITO] together with our partners will present Indonesian culinary, spa and culture to the public as a way to promote Wonderful Indonesia, said VITO Frances Eka Moncarre.

Village International de la Gastronomie is the seventh edition of Fete de la Gastronomie, a project by the French Economy and Finance Ministry.

Last year the event attracted 30,000 visitors and this year it seeks to welcome 50,000 people. The entrance tickets are priced from 1 (US$1.19) to 4.

Tourism Ministry's deputy assistant for Europe, the United States, Middle East and Africa tourism promotion, Nia Niscaya, said Indonesia would play the Wonderful Indonesia tourism video and hand out information regarding Indonesian tourism during the event.

Read also: Recipe to promoting Indonesian street food

There will be performances of Indonesian traditional dance for three days presented by a dance group in Paris, Balinese massage demo, pencak silat demo by Indonesian Pencak Silat group in France and VITO France Facebook photo competition, added Nia.

Among the Indonesian delicacies set to be presented are rendang (beef simmered in coconut milk), sate ayam (chicken satay), nasi goreng (fried rice), bakmi goreng (fried noodles), nasi kuning (yellow rice) and traditional snacks.

France is a potential tourism market for Indonesia. With a population of 66 million people, its citizens reportedly were already quite familiar with Indonesian destinations.

In 2017 Indonesia is among the top five most popular countries to visit for French tourists. Furthermore, no visa is required to visit Indonesia for 30 days, said Nia.

France is one of the top three European countries, right after United Kingdom, that contributes the highest number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia.

Up to 250,920 French tourists visited Indonesia last year, a 20 percent increase from 2015. This year the ministry seeks to attract at least 330,000 people. (kes)
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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 10:39 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20df29a 1 Guide To Jakpost-guide-to,#JakpostGuideTo,Rawamangun,travel,#travel,jakarta,#Jakarta Free

Jl. Balai Pustaka in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, is a relatively unknown destination among Jakartans, let alone visitors to the capital.

However, despite its below-the-radar reputation, Jl. Balai Pustaka  which means "library hall"  is packed with a plethora of eateries, making it an interesting place to explore. Just don't expect to find a library beyond the street name.

Check out the list of activities in store for those keen to venture into the area.

How to get there

To get there from the Sunan Giri bus stop, the M04 mikrolet (public van) is available.

From the Blok M terminal in South Jakarta, board a Transjakarta bus to Dukuh Atas 2 and hop off at the Sunan Giri stop.

Those from Central Jakarta can also take a Transjakarta bus from Harmoni and change to the route to Blok M terminal.

Those coming from East Jakarta can hop on a Transjakarta bus at Pulo Gadung terminal, taking the Dukuh Atas 2 route and getting off at Sunan Giri.

What to wear

Jl. Balai Pustaka is relatively short, so it is recommended to explore the area on foot. It is a pleasant walk, so wear casual attire, such as a T-shirt, jeans and a pair of good walking shoes or sandals.

Read also: JakPost guide to Jl. Radio Dalam

What to do

Persahabatan General Hospital, located near the Jl. Balai Pustaka Timur intersection, is a lung disease specialist hospital, and offers an integrated stop-smoking program. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Rawamangun houses two hospitals, the Dharma Nugraha Hospital and Persahabatan General Hospital. The former, located on Jl. Balai Pustaka Baru, specializes in treating cancer.

Persahabatan General Hospital, located near the intersection with Jl. Balai Pustaka Timur, is known as a specialist hospital for treating lung diseases.

Those aspiring to quit smoking may visit Persahabatan General Hospital, as it offers a service to help you do just that. Patients will receive an integrated service of consultation, medicine and guidance to overcome the effects of nicotine withdrawal to help them quit the bad habit.

Tailors at the Sunan Giri traditional market are ready to make 'kebaya' and other bespoke attire for its customers. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

In addition to healthcare services, the street is also home to the Sunan Giri traditional market.

Situated on the opposite side of Jl Balai Pustaka, visitors will find a myriad of tailors offering a variety services, such as bespoke kebaya (traditional Javanese blouse), uniforms and wedding gowns.

What to buy

Apotik Rini, the area's oldest pharmacy, is open 24 hours and boasts a wide range of medicines. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

As Jl. Balai Pustaka is near two hospitals, the street has many pharmacies.

Apotik Rini is one of the oldest pharmacies in the area, and boasts a 24-hour service and is well-stocked with medicines.

The street offers a limited number of retail shops, but dedicated bargain hunters will be happy to learn that it is home to the Quicksilver and Adidas warehouse outlets.

The former offers swimwear and beachwear for both adults and children at a whopping discount of up to 80 percent. The latter features discounted Adidas lines, from sneakers to T-shirts, to training wear and more.

In addition to these, the Tip Top Supermarket is known as a bargain haven among housewives. Situated along Jl. Balai Pustaka Timur, Tip Top is said to offer lower prices for daily goods compared to other supermarket franchises in Jakarta.

Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Boulevard Raya, Kelapa Gading

What to eat

Among East Jakarta residents, Jl. Balai Pustaka is known as a culinary hub with street food vendors offering a wide variety of tasty dishes, such as sate Padang (Padang-style beef satay) and bebek goreng (fried duck).

Bakso Gepeng Rawamangun, located next to Apotik Rini, is among the legendary vendors of the street. Opening in 1989, the bakso gepeng (thin meatball) has become a sort of icon in the area.

Taste the "original" Nasi Padang at the flagship Sederhana Rawamangun outlet. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

The renowned and popular Padang restaurant chain, Sederhana, has its roots here. The Balai Pustaka outlet is the flagship and oldest Sederhana restaurant in Jakarta.

Sanderson Coffee Co. offers Indonesian blends and single-origin coffees as well as free Wi-Fi in a relaxing, modern-vintage setting. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Those looking for a cuppa Java may drop by Sanderson Coffee Co., where coffee enthusiasts will be able to find the Tanamera blend, single-origin Indonesian coffees and more. The cafe is also equipped with Wi-Fi and power plugs, making it a convenient place to upload Facebook or Instagram posts on your mini-tour.

Tips:

Wear comfortable attire, as the area is hot and humid.

If exploring the area on foot, don a bandanna or wear a face mask, as the traffic is dense, especially during rush hour.

Check doctors schedules before seeking treatment at the local hospitals.

Apotik Rinis parking space is limited, so it's best to park elsewhere and walk to the pharmacy. (kes)
OMAHA  A teen health summit in Omaha next week will focus on suicide prevention, school success and self-esteem.

The summit, hosted by the North Omaha Community Care Council, will be held Sept. 23 on the Fort Omaha campus of Metro Community College.

The featured keynote speaker is Felicia Webster, a local spoken-word artist and author known for her dramatic presentations.

The event is free and open to all metro-area youths ages 13-19. A hot breakfast, a complimentary lunch buffet and snacks will be provided.

Youths must bring their school ID to the event.

Registration can be made online at http://bit.ly/2vYFEvO. Free transportation to and from the summit will be provided for teens who indicate on their registration forms that they need it.
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 15:04 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20e97ee 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,TripAdvisor,Arief-Yahya Free

While attending the 22nd General Assembly UNWTO in Chengdu, China, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya had a meeting with TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer and the companys head of destination marketing for Asia Pacific, Sarah Matthew.

During their meeting, Arief promoted two upcoming big events in Indonesia, namely IMF World Bank Annual Meeting that will be held in October 2018 and the Asian Games 2018 in Palembang, Jakarta and Bandung.

The IMF World Bank Annual Meeting is less than 12 months away, the event has kicked off in United States and weve prepared tour packages to Bali and other destinations, said Arief.

Arief estimated that the event would be attended by around 18,000 to 20,000 delegates, along with their families.

Weve set up 60 tour packages to seven destinations and 33 tour packages to Bali. Other destinations outside Bali include Lombok, Banyuwangi, Labuan Bajo, Joglosemar, Toraja and Lake Toba, added Arief.

Read also: How to get affordable airplane tickets outside of travel fairs, promotions

As for the Asian Games 2018, the minister asked TripAdvisor to do reviews and help promote destinations that will be the host of this event, which is estimated to attract around 24,000 people ranging from athletes, supporters and crew members.

Arief also requested the company to provide the rank list of the most effective organizations and media companies for attracting foreign tourists to Indonesia.

TripAdvisor is a US-based travel website company that allows users to do hotel bookings and reviews of travel-related content.

Responding to the ministers requests, Steve expressed his gratitude towards the great partnership between the two parties and that he would give the web traffic data on foreign tourists who show interest or have been to Indonesia before and would help promote other Indonesian destinations such as Yogyakarta and Bali. (kes)
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Sat, September 16, 2017 14:01 1885 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a20e8b49 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Arief-Yahya,United-Nations,digital-tourism Free

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya was one of the speakers in a panel discussion at the 22nd General Assembly UNWTO in Chengdu, China.

Held on Sept. 14, the discussion was moderated by Anita Mendiratta, the CEO and founder of Britny, the lead consultant of CNN International Tourism. Themed "New technologies to enhance tourism sector performance", the event was joined by around 1,500 delegates.

Speaking in front of the audience, Arief talked about the three types of digital revolutions: telecommunication, transportation and tourism.

Digital technology revolution cant be avoided, it is going to happen. It will change the world, creating new business model, so business people who dont want to switch into digital platform will be left by the customers, told Arief.

He explained that digital technology has changed the transportation industry as evidenced by the rise of online public transportation companies such as Grab and Uber that have managed to reduce the transportation fee.

Read also: Jokowi suggests universities to offer social media program

The same thing in the telecommunication industry, its getting cheaper with chat applications such as WhatsApp, Google, Baidu, Line that allow users to send messages for free.

The third revolution is in the tourism industry where online travel agents such as Traveloka, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Ctrip and others have disrupted conventional travel agents.

In his presentation, Arief also talked about how the growth of foreign tourists coming to Indonesia could reach 23 percent, making it in the top 20 worldwide list, while the average worldwide growth was at six percent.

It's because we are becoming more digital, from the utilization of social media, big data, e-commerce and digital approach to customers, told Arief. (kes)
(lead article)

Capitalism makes storms social disaster for workers

Cuban Revolution mobilizes population to defend island

Left/Roberto Garaycoa, above AP/Mike Stewart Above, stuck in traffic fleeing Hurricane Irma. Florida governor told millions to evacuate, but they were left on their own. Every man for himself and defense of big-business profits marks response of capitalist governments. Left, electrical workers in Havana began repairs immediately after storm. Revolutionary government in Cuba organized with working people to ensure that no one is left defenseless or on their own.

Hurricane Irma battered Cuba for more than 72 hours, slowly moving along the north coast, sending Category 5 winds, strong storm surges and substantial rainfall, causing severe damage to agriculture, the electrical grid, homes and factories. We have one unmovable principle, said Cuban President Raul Castro in a call to action to the Cuban people. The Revolution will not leave anyone defenseless and is already taking measures so that no Cuban family is left on its own.

This is the polar opposite of the attitude of government authorities in the United States, epitomized by the pictures of tens of thousands stuck in traffic from Miami to Atlanta if you could get gas.

As it became clear Cuba could be in the path of Hurricane Irma, the national and local Civil Defense sprung into action  working with the trade unions, other mass organizations, government ministries and directors of state-owned industries  to use all the resources of Cubas revolution to minimize harm to human life.

Each of the islands 16 provinces and every municipality has a local defense committee. Civil Defense organizes drills and widely distributes guides for rural and urban areas, detailing what every household and workplace needs to do. The central leadership of the revolutionary government at all levels is directly involved.

Everybody knows in advance what shelter they are assigned to if they have to evacuate  or what friend, neighbor or relative plans to take them in  what they need to have in an emergency pack, what route the evacuation will take. Special measures are in place for the elderly, disabled, ill and pregnant women.

All these plans kicked in for Hurricane Irma.

Brigades were organized to harvest as much as possible crops in threatened areas to minimize losses and to have food available in shelters. Juventud Rebelde reported that some 40 tons of seeds for use in reconstruction efforts were identified and stored.

Livestock were moved to higher ground. Solar panels and parabolic dishes were dismantled to avoid damage during the storm.

More than 1,600 line workers were sent to stay in the areas expected to be hit hardest, so they would be in place to restore power. Teams of doctors and nurses organized to be ready to attend to those who had to evacuate. Hundreds of shelters around the country were double-checked to make sure they had the necessary supplies, from lanterns, stoves and radios to food and medicine.

Before the storm landed, more than a million people had been evacuated, calmly, with dignity, 70 percent of them hosted in others homes.

Because of its immense size, for all practical purposes no area was free from the storms effects, said President Castro. Agriculture was especially hard hit. A large part of the banana crop was wiped out  some 22,000 acres  as well as half of all vegetable crops. There were heavy losses to cattle, hog and chicken farms.

No material resource is worth more than the life of any individual, said Federico Hernandez, president of the Granma province Defense Council, Sept. 7. Ten people died during the three days the storm battered the island. Unlike in the U.S. and the imperialist colonies in the Caribbean, Cubas revolutionary government knew  and printed  the names of each person who died, and the reason they werent able to survive.

Cuba will win battle to rebuild

No one should fool themselves, Castro said. The task we have in front of us is immense, but with a people like ours we will win the most important battle: the recovery.

Cuba is also aiding other countries hard hit by the storm. Some 771 health care workers stationed in Antigua and Barbuda, San Cristobal y Nieves, Santa Lucia, Bahamas, Dominica and Haiti when the hurricane hit hard continue to work.

Twelve Cuban volunteers, including linemen and an electrical engineer arrived in St. Johns, Antigua, Sept. 10 to travel to Barbuda and repair the electrical system wiped out in the storm there. Almost all the homes on the island were damaged and everyone has been evacuated to Antigua with the help of the Venezuelan government.

The Cuban people are demonstrating once again that they share what they have, not whats left over.





Related articles:

Social catastrophe in US, colonies in the Caribbean







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(front page)

Social catastrophe in US, colonies in the Caribbean

Both Hurricane Irma, which tore through the Caribbean Antilles, Cuba and Florida, and Hurricane Harvey, which slammed into Texas a little more than a week earlier, are described by capitalist politicians and the big-business media as unprecedented natural disasters. But what isunprecedented is the way these natural events are transformed into social disasters for working people by the normal workings of the capitalist system, where the drive for profits by the propertied rulers takes precedence over the well-being and lives of workers, ranchers and farmers.

For working people  whether in the U.S.; French, British or Dutch Caribbean island colonies; in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico; or in Mexico or Asia facing hurricanes, monsoons or earthquakes  the owners of capital and their governments have one message: Youre on your own. Its up to you to keep yourself and your family out of harms way, bear the cost and pull your life together afterwards.

You cant tell millions upon millions of people to evacuate without giving them any real way to do so, stay-at-home mother Darlena Cunha in Gainesville, Florida, told the Washington Post as Hurricane Irma approached.

Meaningful evacuation would have meant public transport, safe shelters along the way, medical help and facilities throughout, and safe shelter, food, water and sanitary supplies on the other side of it all. For free, she said.

We know these storms come. We need a preventive plan set into motion before a storm hits to save lives, Cunha stressed. Sending in the cleanup crew to count the bodies and save the traumatized survivors is not enough.

The only exception was the revolutionary government of Cuba, which mobilized and led the Cuban people to work together.

Capitalist rulers had no plan.

In both Florida and Houston, construction and other bosses got rich overbuilding roads, parking lots, malls, offices, houses and resorts  many at or below sea level  in search of profits. In doing so, they covered over grasslands and other natural runoffs for flood water.

In Houston at least 4,000 residential and commercial structures have been built within the identified 100-year floodplain since 2010, the Post said, and 30 percent of Harris Countys coastal prairie wetlands were paved over from 1992 to 2010.

Like many cities in Florida, the Wall Street Journal reported, parts of Tampa are built on filled-in marshland. Many homes, apartment buildings, and even a major trauma center are close to sea level. Tampas population has increased 12 percent since 2010. Roughly 50% of the population lives on ground less than 10 feet above sea level.

In Estero, Florida, the lines of people waiting to get into the Germain Arena temporary shelter were close to two miles long. If we cant get in, Gina Munoz, who was in line with her two grandchildren, told NBC, We dont have anywhere to go.

In some locations, cops did background checks on people seeking shelter to see if they owed fines or had outstanding warrants. Many immigrant workers avoided going to shelters for fear they would be deported.

The parasitic property insurance bosses are an integral part of the unfolding social disaster. Due to small print insurance rules widely put in place after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, those with property insurance will have to pay little-known additional hurricane deductibles that allow these companies to shift thousands of dollars in damage costs onto home owners.

The rulers were even more callous in their colonies. Hundreds of soldiers and police were dispatched by French, British and Dutch authorities to restore order and hunt down looters.

After four days with no water, no electricity, no roof over our heads, two babies to take care of  they give us three bottles of water. And then they complain that people loot, was a message posted on social media from the French Antilles. This is not stealing, this is surviving.

Even though Irma to a large extent bypassed Washingtons colony of Puerto Rico, the infrastructure there that the U.S. rulers have allowed to go to hell collapsed. Almost 70 percent of the population lost electricity.

Over years the cash-strapped U.S. Virgin Islands colonial government, which owes $2 billion to capitalist bondholders and creditors, swiped millions of dollars in funds supposedly set aside to cover disaster insurance claims to pay for other priorities.

The International Monetary Fund rejected a proposal for a moratorium on the $3 million debt of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, despite the fact that Hurricane Irma destroyed all of its infrastructure and 95 percent of homes.

The one exception to this picture was in the British Virgin Islands, home to many of the major capitalist firms involved with offshore corporations and other tools bosses use to disguise their wealth and avoid taxes. Executives and other employees in this niche business got special treatment.

The law firm Conyers Dill and Pearman had its staff airlifted to Puerto Rico and then the Cayman Islands and Bermuda in private aircraft and helicopters.

Unlike undocumented workers in Florida threatened with deportation, the Cayman authorities have been first class and good about relaxing the usual work permit restrictions, a managing director at Grant Thornton, an upscale accounting firm, told the Financial Times.

Workers faced a different picture. By Sept. 8, more than 7,000 complaints about price gouging for water, gas and airline tickets were received by the Florida attorney generals office.

Some Florida Pizza Hut and Walmart stores threatened workers with disciplinary measures if they left work early to prepare to evacuate.

One thing points to the capacity of working people to take control of their own destiny  time and again, the solidarity of working people has come into play to save lives, care for the injured and those whose lives have been turned upside down.

Puerto Ricans moved quickly to get help to people in nearby islands directly hit by Irma, donating water, clothing, first aid and other supplies and using their own boats to deliver them and evacuate people on the way back.
(front page)

Join SWP in drive for Militant, books, fund

The Socialist Workers Party is launching its nine-week fall circulation and fund drives Sept. 16. The drives will aid party members and supporters across the country in expanding the readership of theand books by SWP leaders. Theyre also mapping out plans to raise $100,000 for the ongoing work of the party. The next issue of thewill include charts with quotas taken by local party units.

In addition to branches of the SWP, members of the Communist Leagues in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will be joining the circulation effort.

At the heart of these plans is knocking on workers doors in cities, towns and rural areas. Party members will discuss the unprecedented political and economic crisis in the U.S., its origins and the only serious answer  for independent working-class political action to take political power out of the hands of the ruling rich and reorganize society in the interests of the toiling majority.

In Colorado, SWP member Alyson Kennedy says party members there are planning a team to Rifle, a ranching region several hours from Denver, where they will introduce the party to ranchers fighting to defend their livelihood and their right to stay on the land.

In Vancouver, British Columbia, members of the Communist League are organizing a team to Vancouver Island to talk to working people about the impact of layoffs that have hit production workers in the lumber industry there. They are also planning a return trip to the areas of the province that have been hard hit by wildfires and discuss with workers the refusal of the government to organize to defend their homes and jobs.

Party members and supporters in Seattle went to Central Washington to support apple workers on strike at Larson Orchards over abusive working conditions. After talking to strikers on the picket line, we went door to door in Quincy, discussing the issues in the strike and building solidarity with the apple workers, introducing the party and its books and papers.

One woman named Norma, who works in a corn-canning factory, was attracted to the Amnesty for Immigrants headline in the Militant. I have a friend who is 80 years old and still has to work to live, because he wasnt born here and has no Social Security, she told me. I also have a lot of friends in the apple picking work who I think would like to see this paper. We told her that the party fights for amnesty, to stop the deportations and to organize the unorganized  demands to unify the working class.

She got a copy and took a sub blank to send in. Party members plan to get back to this area, and take her up on her offer to help introduce us to more people who work in the orchards.

Seth Galinsky in New York reported how party members campaigned in defense of the Cuban Revolution last week at a concert in Central Park by Cuban musician Silvio Rodriguez. They held up signs that included U.S. Out of Guantanamo and End the Embargo, speaking to hundreds of people queued up to get into the concert. They showed them the Militant and the five books on special with a subscription  Are They Rich Because Theyre Smart?, The Clintons Anti-Working-Class Record and Malcolm X, Black Liberation, and the Road to Workers Power, all three by SWP National Secretary Jack Barnes; Is Socialist Revolution in the US Possible? by SWP leader Mary-Alice Waters; and Its the Poor Who Face the Savagery of the US Justice System: The Cuban Five Talk About Their Lives Within the US Working Class, as well as other books by leaders of the Cuban Revolution.

Some people said they were glad to see the SWP there, others said they came for the music but opposed the Cuban Revolution. Many wanted to talk politics. By the end of the evening, nine introductory subscriptions, 27 single copies of the paper and 12 books on working-class politics had been purchased by concert goers, who also donated $32.

Lisa Potash, SWP candidate for Atlanta mayor, wrote that party members campaigned in downtown Decatur at a rally of more than 200 people opposing a Confederate monument there. Salihah Ife, a bartender at the rally with her children, got a copy of the paper and said she would like to get Malcolm X, Black Liberation, and the Road to Workers Power and First and Second Declarations of Havana. Deronte Austin, a landscaping worker, signed up for a subscription to the paper and picked up Its the Poor Who Face the Savagery of the US Justice System.

If you would like to join in the partys drive to expand the reach of the Militant and books on revolutionary politics, contact the nearest SWP branch, listed on page 8.





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(front page, As I See It)

Workers need our own party to unite our class, fight for power

Militant/Sara Lobman

CHICAGO  Workers face an unprecedented economic, social and political crisis today as the bosses and their government seek to rebuild their profit rates on our backs.

As Karl Marx explained in the Communist Manifesto, the relentless assaults of the bosses drive working people to come together, to form unions and to fight to defend themselves. As these struggles come together, he said, every class struggle is a political struggle.

This is a life and death question for the working class. What is the road to working-class political action that can win?

The trade unions in the U.S. are weak and membership has plummeted. Only 6.4 percent of workers in private industry are organized in unions today. The officials of our unions have tied the labor movement to the bosses political parties, especially to the Democratic Party. Instead of organizing workers to rely on ourselves and our allies to battle attacks from the employers and their government, they say we should rely on friends of labor in the Democratic Party to take care of us. The results are clear  disaster.

The problem is that the Democratic Party  like its twin, the Republicans  is a capitalist party that defends the interests of the boss class. The two parties trade places in power every few years, but, whichever is in office, the bosses are on top.

The Service Employees International Union officialdom announced on Labor Day they were going to use the unions 2 million members and $100 million for an extensive campaign to turn things around. How? A big drive to elect more Democrats in 2018.

The states the SEIU officials target include Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where workers voted for change with Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, but didnt get it. So in 2016 they voted for Donald Trump, because they were sick of both parties, which do nothing to tackle the worsening conditions workers face. Workers tried to show their anger, to find a way to register a demand for change, to drain the swamp. Millions, disgusted, didnt bother to vote.

Liberal Democrats, socialist Democrats, friends of labor Democrats  all do the same. Whatever they say, their goal is to keep the private profit, dog-eat-dog capitalist system afloat. They balance the budget on the backs of the working class, prosecute the imperialist rulers seemingly unending wars, deprive workers access to medical care we need and can afford, and, like in Houston, tell working people when Hurricane Harvey approached, Youre on your own.

Scott Courtney, an executive vice president of SEIU, outlined their plan in a Sept. 4 opinion column in the Washington Post entitled, The Democratic Party Needs to Become a Workers Party.

Its not hard to understand why so many people say politics has nothing to offer them anymore, Courtney admits.

If the only choice at the voting booth is between the lesser of two evils, he says, you still end up with evil.

Agreed. So shouldnt workers rely on ourselves and use our fighting capacity to take on the bosses and their government? And shouldnt we break forever from the bosses two-party shell game and build an independent working-class political party, a party with a revolutionary political perspective like the Socialist Workers Party?

Courtney never mentions one word about organizing to build the unions or strikes or social struggles to defend our interests. Union officials will use the millions they control to turn us right back into the Democratic Party. They hope to recruit an army of tens of thousands of volunteers from the working class. For workers in this country to start moving forward, the labor movement needs to force Democratic candidates to support unions, the right to form unions, higher wages for workers and universal health care, he says. This will give voters a reason to stand in line at the polls again.

The SEIU officials made this the center of the Fight for $15 protests in Chicago  where I work at Walmart  and elsewhere on Labor Day, featuring liberal Democrats running for office in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan.

But this is exactly the class-collaborationist course that has led the labor movement to the disastrous place we are in today. We cant tie our future to promises of a friendlier, more progressive Democratic Party.

Working people need to recognize what we know from bitter experience  there are two classes under capitalism, the bosses and the workers, and the capitalists have two parties and we have none. Our unions need to break with the Democratic Party, to organize our own party that can mobilize the millions of nonunion workers and the unemployed, to rely on the power of our class and its allies  the vast majority  to strike and demonstrate in the streets to fight the carnage conditions we face.

Such a party can fight for a federally funded public works program to provide millions of union-scale jobs rebuilding Texas, Florida  and Caribbean nations, including the U.S. colonies of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands  crippled by the capitalist rulers dog-eat-dog system that leaves working people open to the fury of hurricanes and other natural disasters. We can fight for the expropriation of the pharmaceutical and hospital monopolies to turn health care into a human right, not a for-profit racket.

And we can fight to unify the working class, demonstrating for amnesty for undocumented immigrants, against racist cop assaults, in defense of a womans right to abortion and opposing Washingtons wars abroad.

This is the road toward building a revolutionary working-class party that can lead the fight to take political power out of the hands of the capitalist rulers, put a workers and farmers government in place, and join the fight for a socialist world.





Related articles:

On the Picket Line







Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home




Honda is set to switch its Formula 1 customer team for next season, announcing a new partnership with Toro Rosso as the McLaren partnership ends.

Poor performance and reliability have plagued McLaren since Honda took over from Mercedes as engine partner for the 2015 season, with McLaren having received 260 grid penalties in 2017 alone.

McLaren is understood to have agreed a three-year deal to run Renault engines, with Toro Rosso using Honda power from 2018 in a multi-year deal.

Furthermore, current Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz Jnr will join the Renault squad on loan for next season as part of a complicated deal involving the two teams and engine manufacturers.

In a statement on the Official McLaren website, McLaren Technology Group Executive Director Zak Brown, said: Todays announcement gives us the stability we need to move ahead with our chassis and technical programme for 2018 without any further hesitation.

As an organisation , McLaren has always worked extremely hard to form lasting partnerships with its technical suppliers.

Were convinced we can bring real value to Renault Sport Racing as we work alongside it to develop this current power unit into a regular race winner.

On Thursday, the BBC announced that former world champions Red Bull are set to split with Renault at the end of the 2018 season, meaning a move to Honda to align with junior team Toro Rosso for 2019 is highly likely.

Mirroring McLarens partnership with Honda, Red Bull have been highly critical of the Renault power-unit in recent years, which has seen the team drop from world-champions to the third best team over the last four years.

With developments of the 2018 car underway, Toro Rosso technical director James Key has admitted that a change of engine supplier would present challenges, but that these can be overcome.

It will be a question of adaption of our plans rather than a wholesale change, says Key, we are in the process of re-planning our design and production activities with Honda to ensure that we both hit all our important deadlines.

Meanwhile, Takahiro Hachigo, president of Honda Motor Company, described the McLaren split as unfortunate, but was excited about the manufacturers future with Toro Rosso.

Toro Rosso is an experienced team with a youthful energy and history of nurturing the stars of the future, said Hachigo.

Everyone at Hinda is looking forward to working with Toro Rosso, and we are excited to start this new chapter in our Formula 1 journey with them.

Honda and Toro Rosso will work as one team to strive for progress and a successful future together

Image Credit - Wikipedia Commons
Late Company, the darker-than-dark production from 29-year-old Canadian playwright Jordan Tannahill, will leave you uncomfortable.

Of course, that isnt a bad thing  the best theatre exists to move us in ways we didnt expect, and this exploration of an incredibly bleak situation succeeds in its aims.

The best way to experience Late Company is without knowing its exact subject matter, but lets just say that contemporary themes of cyber-bullying, homophobia and mental health are brought to the front in a powerful display, as the characters struggle in very different ways to understand the situation thats in front of them.



The play breaks down middle class societal structures in a way that is subtle yet alarming, as our characters try and fail to confront their issues over a supper of scallops and white wine. The top performance comes from Lucy Robinson as Debora, whose gradual unravelling is played out through a disturbing and captivating performance that doesnt drop for even a second.

Lisa Stevenson, as apparently ditzy Tamara, acts as the perfect foil for her buttoned-up, politicians wife counterpart  too willing to talk, too desperate for forgiveness, and constantly on the hunt for easy answers that are never likely to present themselves.

The staging  this production takes place in the intimate, 100-seat Trafalgar Studio 2  is a claustrophobic space that reflects the tension we feel from the subject matter. As we peer into Debora and Michaels dining room, where tension hangs like a knife, we are reminded how family tragedy, too, has given strangers an insight into lives that they never shouldve been witness to.

It is surly teenager Curtis, dragged into an inadvisable situation by his parents, who offers the most honest, unaffected voice  and the concluding minutes of the play confirm this.

Although the issues the play presents are perhaps not explored in as much depth as they could be, this is reflective of the characters attempts to grapple with a situation that they have no idea how to handle  and the soundbites they splutter are reflective of the lack of understanding often seen in such situations.

Late Company is tightly wrought at just 75 minutes, with every word a deliberate move towards the unravelling that takes over in the closing seconds. Its devastating, uncomfortable  yet still somehow leaves us with the hope of redemption.

Late Company is playing at Trafalgar Studios, London, until 16th September. Get tickets here.

Image credit: Alastair Muir
Broadcasters have been criticised by watchdog Ofcom for not doing enough to reflect diversity  with the BBC employing more older men than women.

The regulator said that the BBC should lead the way on the issue and called for a step change across the industry.

Across the big five broadcasters  the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky and Channel 5 owner Viacom  the BBC ranked fourth for female representation across its employees, at 47%.

Ofcom CEO Sharon White (Ofcom/PA)

Sky was the lowest at 42%, while Channel 4 the highest at 59%.

At the BBC, 39% of senior management roles are held by women, according to the report, lower than Viacom and ITV.

The BBC employs 8% more men than women over 50.

Older men are generally more likely to be employed than older women by the broadcasters.

BBC employees are increasingly likely to be male, the more senior their role, but all main five broadcasters have more men in senior positions than women.

The report comes after the BBC was forced to publish details of its top talent pay, which revealed two-thirds of its stars earning more than 150,000 are male, with Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans the top-paid on between 2.2 million and 2.25 million.

Chris Evans (Nick Ansell/PA)

Ethnic minority employees make up 12% of employees across the five broadcasters, lower than the UK population average of 14%.

Across the BBC, only 6% of senior roles are held by people from an ethnic

minority background, with only ITV having a lower proportion.

Ofcom said that figures suggest employees from an ethnic minority background are less likely to be promoted than other employees.

It said that ethnic minority groups feel that they are portrayed negatively on TV.

Half of disabled people feel under-represented on screen, while many older people, especially women, say they are represented negatively.

The report also looked at religion and belief, sexual orientation, as well as age, disability, racial group and gender.

Channel 4 has the most diverse workforce across most characteristics, while the BBC was second.

Sir Lenny Henry has previously heaped pressure on broadcasters to increase diversity.

Sir Lenny Henry (Ian West/PA)

Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow has previously warned people working in the media have become too far removed from ordinary peoples lives.

Ofcom chief executive Sharon White said that previous audience research revealed broadcasters were falling short in reflecting the society we live in today.

Television is central to the UKs cultural landscape, society and creative economy, and we believe that creativity in broadcasting thrives on diversity of thinking, she said.

Jon Snow (Ian West/PA)

Todays report paints a worrying picture, with many broadcasters failing properly to monitor the make-up of their employees.

There is a cultural disconnection between the people who make programmes, and the many millions who watch them because too many people from minority groups struggle to get into television, she added.

Ofcom will report next on the radio industry.
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The recent testing of a thermonuclear warhead by North Korea, accompanied by its earlier testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles, is a matter of concern to Nebraskans for Peace.

Some time ago, we, together with the national organization PeaceAction, called for a new nuclear freeze accompanied by later systematic reductions in the number of nuclear weapons available to all powers:

"We need a new nuclear freeze and then systematic reductions with a protocol for controlling fissionable materials. Our suggestion would be that the campaign advocate for gradual reductions: first of 25 percent or more (which has at least been proposed for U.S.-Russian bilateral reductions to follow-up the New START agreement), then of 50 percent, then of 75 percent and finally of 95 percent both in nuclear warheads and in fissionable materials. This would require the creation of infrastructure for monitoring and verifying compliance with agreed reductions."

We endorse the United Nations resolution of July 7, which declares a ban on all nuclear weapons; this ban was passed by 122 nations and will be signed during the present month. Unfortunately, among the nations refusing to sign the ban were North Korea and the United States.

We appreciate the United Nations efforts to use sanctions as a tool to bring North Korea to a place where it is ready to disarm, but we believe that the international situation would be greatly improved if United States, North Korea and all other nations holding nuclear weapons would agree to a systematic regime of nuclear weapons reduction in conformity with the July 7 UN declaration.

Presently the United States is proposing to spend $1 trillion on what it calls nuclear weapons modernization. Many other nations are undertaking massive expenditures on nuclear weapons.

These are said to guarantee the peace. But that clearly has not been the case as the numerous wars since World War II illustrate: the Korean War; the wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; the numerous wars in Africa and South America; the wars in Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the former Yugoslavia.

The wars since World War II have been particularly hard on civilians, creating millions of refugees and hundreds of thousands of dead; as Chris Hedges -- Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, New York Times best-selling author, former professor at Princeton and ordained Presbyterian minister -- observes, One million died in North Korea. Hundreds of thousands were killed in South Korea, and 200,000 to 400,000 in Vietnam. In the wars of the 1990s, civilian deaths constituted between 75 and 90 percent of all war deaths.

We condemn North Korea for its efforts to intimidate other powers, but we also condemn the great powers that possess nuclear weapons for undertaking the same kinds of actions.

We believe that a new negotiation should be undertaken to bring all nuclear powers to the table and to a commitment to the July 7 nuclear weapons ban and a systematic freeze and reduction in nuclear and thermonuclear weapons.
The work is important and arduous, yet it comes with low pay, high stress and rarely offers benefits.

Jobs in childcare and early childhood education are critical because they shape the future, Nebraskas children, at a peak formative time in their lives. Yet many of the workers tasked with their care  particularly the youngest kids  work for wages near the poverty line.

Lincoln and Nebraska as a whole pride themselves as being great places to raise a family. To that end, stories abound of native Nebraskans who returned home to have children after pursuing careers out of state  this is the Good Life, after all.

But that is incongruous with the salaries and general lack of benefits received by the workers who take care of those children.

A study released this month by the University of Nebraskas Buffett Early Childhood Institute found that center-based providers make an annual median income of $18,706  nearly $7,800 below the poverty line for a family of four  while fewer than half receive health insurance or other benefits. Home-based providers make more money, with a median of $26,000, but nearly all work overtime, deflating the hourly wage to roughly $11.

Despite the growing need for these services, workers pay and benefits are limited enough to where a disproportionate number for any industry need a helping hand. About a fifth of the 1,600 providers surveyed hold second jobs, while a similar percentage uses public assistance  meaning Nebraskans writ large are helping cover the shortfalls of these wages.

Not only are more Nebraska mothers working outside the home than ever before, but the percentage of children in this state attending a paid childcare facility has even outstripped that figure. The Buffett Institute reports nearly 80 percent of Nebraska children age 5 or younger attend some paid childcare, while 62 percent of mothers of infants hold a job.

With continued demand for the services of childcare providers, the need to re-examine the wages and working conditions for their employees only grows.

The external stresses of this industry no doubt manifest themselves in the environment at some childcare facilities. Children thrive in positive environments  and workers must be able to leave some difficult baggage at the door to provide that.

Nebraskans need to take a closer look at this industry and the barriers faced by childcare workers. In turn, we must take steps to improve this system so vital to the states future.

Childcare is a significant expense for working parents in Nebraska, and it serves as an investment in the long run. The workers who provide care to advance that future need an investment, too.
All current and future inmates at the states youth prison under investigation over allegations of abuse can join a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections moving through federal court, a judge ruled Friday.

That would include any inmates who were sent there from Racine County. That includes a youth from here who was reportedly beaten and sexually assaulted at Lincoln Hills in 2012.

U.S. Judge James Peterson gave class action status to all inmates at the Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, which means attorneys representing inmates who in January filed a lawsuit in federal court against state Corrections officials could also represent the rest of the prisons inmates and future ones, too.

The decision gives attorneys access to information about more inmates experiences there and allows the inmates to be subject to any settlement or verdict that results from the lawsuit.

Peterson made his ruling during a telephone conference between Peterson, DOC attorney Sam Hall and attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin and the Juvenile Law Center, who are representing the inmates.

The move comes after Peterson in July ordered DOC officials to dramatically reduce or eliminate their use of solitary confinement, pepper spray and restraints to manage behavior of inmates at the Irma prison.

During a two-day hearing in the case in June, one juvenile prisons expert called to testify by the plaintiffs said some teen inmates are spending so much time alone in solitary confinement that they purposely behave in ways that will trigger being pepper sprayed so they can receive stimulation and get out of their cells.

On Friday, Peterson also ordered attorneys representing the state and the inmates to put together a report by next month on how the facilitys staff is complying with his summer order.

Hall also told the court on Friday that DOC officials are reviewing a proposal to settle the lawsuit from inmates attorneys, instead of resolving the suit in federal court.
MADISON  The State Senate Friday passed the 2017-19 biennial budget that Republicans lauded but Democrats criticized.

Shortly before 9 p.m., the Senate passed the $75 billion budget on a 19-14 vote.

There were no changes to the Opportunity Schools and Partnership Program, which affects the Racine Unified School District and which was passed by the Assembly.

The program gives Unified an extra year to improve its test scores in the event the district receives a failing grade from the state in the fall, but it also gives area villages the opportunity to form their own district if the voters decide to do so.

If the district fails in that extra year, its possible multiple failing schools would be pulled from Unified and put into the hands of a county executive-appointed commissioner to run as a separate district.

I am happy to vote for a budget that provides a record investment in K-12 education, eliminates waiting lists for 2,200 children with disabilities, freezes tuition at UW Schools, and provides additional funding for special education and mental health, stated Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, on Friday night.

These investments are made while still delivering meaningful tax relief, Wanggaards statement continues. In 2014, I campaigned on eliminating the state forestry property tax, which hits every homeowner. In this budget, I deliver on that promise.

In addition, we finally begin the elimination of the job-killing personal property tax and completely eliminate the alternative minimum tax. Property taxes on the average home will be lower than in 2010 and 2014, meeting another campaign promise.

Wanggaard also pointed out the budget funds repairs and expansions at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Gateway Technical College, and restarts the Interstate 94 project in southeastern Wisconsin.

State Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Kenosha, who voted against the budget, said it did not take care of Wisconsin roads, creates a billion-dollar structural deficit and favors right-wing ideology over common sense.

Wirch issued a statement saying the budget fails to address a real transportation crisis.

Going into this budget, the ongoing transportation crisis loomed over almost everything else, Wirch stated. Our roads are a mess. Weve gone from the Top 5 in road quality in 2010 to 49th out of 50 this year.

We started the budget process with a $1 billion deficit in the transportation fund, Wirch continued, and budgets since (Gov. Scott) Walker and Republicans took control in 2011 have not only kicked the can down the road, they have made matters worse.

The Senate started Fridays session at 12:30 p.m. after pushing the start back from 9:30 a.m. because Senate GOP leaders have had some issues getting all party members on board.

Senate Democrats had proposed 16 amendments to the budget, but all of them were rejected.

After a 10-hour session on Wednesday, the State Assembly passed the budget 57 to 39.

On Thursday, the Republican-controlled Assembly passed a measure giving the Foxconn Technology Group up to $2.85 billion in tax incentives, 64 to 31, sending it to Walker.
RACINE COUNTY  County health officials on Friday confirmed a case of West Nile virus in a Racine County resident.

Local and state health officials are advising residents to continue protecting themselves against mosquito bites, the Central Racine County Health Department said.

According to the release, West Nile virus has already been confirmed in a wild bird and horse in Racine County this summer. WNV infections in humans have been reported from June through October statewide, but most people reported becoming ill with WNV in August and September.

The chances of a person contracting WNV is very low, and the majority of people, 80 percent, infected with WNV do not get sick. Those who do become ill may develop a fever, headache and rash that lasts a few days. In rare cases, WNV can cause severe disease with symptoms including muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and coma.

Symptoms may begin between three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are at an increased risk of severe disease from the virus.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus other than to treat symptoms. If people think they have West Nile virus infection, they should contact their healthcare providers.

WNV is spread to people through infected mosquitoes and is not transmitted person to person, animal to person or animal to animal. Although few mosquitoes actually carry the virus, the best way to avoid mosquito-borne diseases is to reduce exposure to mosquitoes and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

When cold weather arrives, the mosquitoes will be eliminated, but until then, residents are urged to take measures to protect themselves. The Central Racine County Health Department recommends the following:

Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing as mosquitoes may bite through clothing.

Make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquito entry.

Properly dispose of items that hold water, such as tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or discarded tires.

Clean roof gutters and downspouts for proper drainage.

Turn over wheelbarrows, wading pools, boats and canoes when not in use.

Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least every three days.

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs and drain water from pool covers.

Trim tall grass, weeds and vines as mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.

Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas.

The Department of Health Services has monitored the spread of WNV since 2001 among wild birds, horses, mosquitoes and people. During 2002, the state documented its first human infections and 52 cases were reported that year. During 2016, 13 cases of WNV infection were reported in Wisconsin residents.

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health will continue WNV surveillance until the end of the mosquito season.

To report a sick or dead crow, blue jay, or raven, call the Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at 1-800-433-1610. For more information on WNV, go to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/arboviral/westnilevirus.htm.
The State Bank of India (SBI) is expecting that slippages will be under control in the coming quarters, an official said here on Saturday.

The fresh slippages have started tapering off and going forward the slippages would be under control, SBI Managing Director (National Banking Group) Rajnish Kumar said on the sidelines of Banking Colloquium organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Kumar said the cost of credit in large- and mid-corporate segments was high as compared to credit cost in the retail portfolio.

In the retail portfolio, the credit cost is not high but in corporate and mid-corporate segments, the same is high as the level of non-performing assets (NPAs) is high (in the segment) and the bank has to make provisions for stressed assets, he added.

Kumar said that cost of lending would be high with the provisioning cost of 2.4 per cent which needed to be brought down.

Stressing on the need for improving earnings to make higher provisioning, he said the gross NPAs went up after the merger of associate banks with the SBI.

The lender is projecting a credit growth of 6-8 per cent in the current fiscal, he added.

Kumar said the lender took a host of measures apart from the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) process to address the problem of NPAs.

The provision coverage ratio is over 60 per cent and going forward, it may be required to increase by 600-700 basis points (6-7 per cent), he added.
Reiterating that there wont be any Durga Puja immersions on Muharram, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday warned right-wing organisations including BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal and the VHP to not disturb peace in the state.

Dont disturb peace during Durga Puja Dont play with fire, said Banerjee in a stern warning to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The West Bengal government on Friday told the Calcutta High Court that it would allow immersion of Durga idols till 10 pm on Bijoya Dashami, extending the time by four hours from the previous deadline.

The state government and the right-wing organisations had locked horns over the original order with the BJP accusing the government of interfering with the rights of Hindus to appease Muslims.

Muharram will be observed on 1 October, a day after Dashami, the last day of Durga Puja.
A former politician, a cinema hall owner and a trader have been shot dead in separate incidents in Bihar, triggering angry protests, police said on Saturday.

Surender Yadav, a former candidate in a local body poll was shot dead in Malsalami here; Nirbhay Singh, owner of Uday cinema was shot dead in the city suburb while Kishori Prasad, a bookshop owner was stabbed in Sitamarhi district.

Angry over the killings, residents including shopkeepers protested, blocked roads and burnt tyres in their areas.

In view of prevailing tension, additional security forces have been deployed in the areas, the police said.

Surender Yadav, who contested local body polls, was shot dead in his house late on Friday when he was alone, a senior police officer said.

Unidentified gunmen first shot him dead, then attacked the body with sharp weapons, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said. A probe has been launched.

Nirbhay Singh, the cinema hall owner in Bihta, about 25 km from here, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne criminals on Friday evening while he was standing at the main gate of the movie-hall, a police officer said.

All shops will remain closed on Saturday in Bihta bazaar to protest against the killing.

Kishori Prasad was stabbed to death in Sitamarhi when he was on his way to his residence after closing his bookshop. Police have detained two suspects, officer-in-charge Anil Sharma said.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said: Law and order have totally collapsed in Bihar. Criminals are free to do whatever they want.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Saturday said the state of Jharkhand was getting more central funding under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jharkhands share in the central taxes which was Rs.39,938 crore during the 13th finance commission has increased to Rs.1,24,408 crore under the 14th finance commission while central grants have gone up from Rs.6,087 crore to Rs.9,469 crore, Shah said in a press conference.

Earlier, addressing a Gareeb Kalyan Mela (poor welfare fair) in the state capital, Ranchi, Shah said Jharkhand was created by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Narendra Modi was ensuring its development.

Due to the policies adoopted by Modi government, the countrys eastern part too is getting developed. Modi government is fully supporting the Jharkhand government for the betterment of the state, he said.

Shah also praised state Chief Minister Raghubar Das and the BJP-led government in Jharkhand for working towards improving the lives of the people of the state especially the poor.

At the end of the rally, Shah distributed gas connections to the financially backward women of the state under the Ujjwala Yojana scheme.
Around two weeks after Gauri Lankesh was gunned down at her Bengaluru residence, people from the media, activists, friends and admirers paid rich tributes to the slain journalist and activist here.

Known for her fearless attitude, Editor of weekly Kannada magazine Gauri Lankesh Patrike, Lankesh vehemently opposed communalism and was a staunch critic of Hindutva politics.

A special event called Gauri Ke Naam, organised by the Centre for Policy Analysis on Friday, was also joined by poets and musicians, among others, to pay tribute to Lankesh and her fearless journalism-activism.

An Indian Sufi ensemble based in the capital, Ruhaniyat, presented songs of peace and freedom.

One of the band members Sarim Ali expressed deep sorrow at Lankeshs death and said: It is completely unacceptable to suppress a voice, a voice of a person who was struggling for other peoples rights.

People who feel that killing her was justified are completely wrong.

Mayank from the same band said: It is very depressing. We are a progressive nation, but what is happening is just the opposite.

Other performers included Saif Mehmood, Sujata, Vangish Jha, Ashok Kumar Pandey, Ravi Kant, Achyutanand Mishra, Sangwari group and Raza Haider.

Haider enthusiastically raised his voice through poetry against the various attacks on freedom in the country today.

Gauri was a friend, an ardent activist in terms of women issues and democracy per se. She was a fierce fighter as far as democratic rights are concerned, said Raza.

She never backed out from anythingnever said no to any campaign ever. I just wanted to pay tribute to her, he added.

Then there was Relaa, a collective of Indian performers-turned-activists, reviving the long-forgotten tradition of protest songs in its fight against casteism, capitalism and discrimination.

It is that time in this nation when we are told what to wear, what to eat, what to say, etc. etc. There isnt much of freedom left with the masses to decide things for themselves, the group manager said.

Relaa is a cry against oppression, a cry for equality, a cry against caste atrocities, a cry for freedom, he explained.

Indian academic and novelist Purushottam Agrawal was also present at the event.

When someone is brutally killed, apparently for her views, it is a matter of concern for every citizenregardless of any agreement or disagreement with her, he said.

It (this kind of violence) wont end with her. Tomorrow it could be you, me or anyone else. One could be killed in the name of cow protection, Indian culture, Hindutva, Islam or whatever, he said.

I am here to express that this kind of madness will not be tolerated. Political violence from any quarter is to be condemnedwhether it is by the right wing or the left wing, he added.
Police killed two criminals and arrested three others in two separate encounters in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

In Sahibabad, police busted an extortion racket and gunned down two criminals, one of whom was involved in the murder of a Bharatiya Janata Party leader in Delhi and carried a bounty of Rs.1 lakh.

Based on specific information that some criminals were on their way to pick up extortion money from parents of a child, Ghaziabad police had put up check posts.

The criminals on a bike opened fire on the police team around 2 AM, in which a senior sub-inspector sustained a bullet injury while two criminals were gunned down in retaliatory fire.

The other police action took place in sector 58 of Noida in which a robbery was averted.

Noida Superintendent of Police (City) Arun Kumar said based on a tip-off that a gang of robbers was headed to the Fortis hospital to rob cash that was scheduled to move from the hospital, police teams intercepted four men on bikes just after midnight.

Asked to stop, the men opened fire. One criminal was injured in retaliatory firing. The remaining three tried to flee but two were nabbed.

The injured criminals were sent to a medical facility.
Dr Amit Kumar and two other associates were arrested from a hotel in Haryana, on the charges of running a kidney racket scam from a charitable hospital in Haridwar, on Friday.

The accused were making efforts to flee to Katmandu (Nepal). They produced before the media in Dehradun on Saturday.

Billu, involved in managing the hospital, was arrested by a police team in Haridwar and now efforts are being made to get hold of others involved in the scam.

The Dehradun police had recently issued a look out notice against Dr Amit Gupta from Mumbai, Dr Akshay Kumar, Dr Sanjay Das (both from Bihar), Sushma Kumari from Uttar Pradesh, Chandan Gudiya from West Bengal and Jagdesh Bhai from Gujarat.

Dehraduns Senior Superintendent of Police Nivedita Kukreti said, We interrogated the accused persons and they told us that they had many foreign clients. Amit Gupta and two others were arrested from Pallavi hotel in Panchkula. While Billu, who was working in the hospital, was nabbed from Raipur.

The location of the Gangotri Hospital- located close to Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar- helped the dubious medical institute flourish. As it was situated on the outskirts of the city, the work was executed silently.

The hospital had network of agents in different parts of India. The Gangotri Hospital used to take responsibility of bearing the travel charges (both ways) of the donor. Some donors were even provided air service.

Police cases are registered against Amit Kumar in cities like Mumbai, Anand and Guntur. He was even booked by CBI and ED. A Mercedes car, a BMW, a Ford Figo, cash worth Rs 33.73 Lakh, laptop and mobile phones were recovered from the arrested persons.
Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, whose life was caught in a web of drugs and legal hassles, says as a father, he does not want his son to be like him.

The son of late veteran actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis, Sanjay fought a battle with drugs and went to rehab as well as served a jail term. He was arrested for illegal possession of arms in a case related to the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, in which over 250 people were killed and several hundred were wounded.

At the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit here on Saturday, Sanjay spoke uninhibitedly about his journey and struggles.

When asked how does he compare himself with his legendary father when it comes to fatherhood, Sanjay, a dad of three  a son named Shahraan and two daughters Trishala and Iqra  said: My father raised us as normal children. I was sent to a boarding school I went through the grind. And I am the same way with my children.

I try to teach them the values of life, give them sanskaar, and teach them (that) respect for elders is very important even if they are your servants And that youve got to value life. I only pray my son is not like me. Because what my dad went through, I dont want to go through that.

The father-son duo Sunil and Sanjay had together featured for the last time on screen in Munna Bhai MBBS..

At one point during his time in jail, Sanjay had wondered why was he in prison despite being Sunil Dutts son.

As for his mother, Sanjay, 58, said his mother never saw any wrong in him.

All mothers are the same  they cant see anything wrong in their son Whatever happens. If someone complained that Sanju has done this, she couldnt believe it. She used to get angry with them only, he said, fondly recounting his younger days.

Dressed casually in a pair of denims teamed with a black t-shirt and sporting a well-groomed beard, Sanjay spoke candidly to a crowd of school-goers that he always thought from his heart.

But using head is also important. Dont think from your heart, also use your brains sometimes, he said, offering more pearls of wisdom to the crowd.

Always listen to your parents and never keep any company thats bad for you. Be safe. You go with the law of the land, and (I) promise, nothing will happen, said Sanjay, who spoke about how his conviction in the Arms Act was based on a piece of paper in which he purportedly confessed possessing a weapon.

They said that I was in possession of a weapon, but they never found the weapon.

Opening up on his tryst with drugs, the Khalnayak star said: Well, I got onto drugs in college. It used to be like if youre not into it, youre not in the scene. So, I started it, but I got so hooked on to it that it took me about 10 years to get out But I was lucky that I had the means and the provisions to get out of it.

I saw life differently without drugs and I want to tell the young guys that please stay high on your life, on your family, or your work Theres no substance which can make you high. I promise, its my experience.

Drugs are an easy escape, he admitted, but said the fact that its related with being really cool, is bad because it can lead to addiction and draws people in a vicious cycle.

Sanjay is coming back to films with Bhoomi, father-daughter story directed by Omung Kumar.
Joy Sengupta keeps a low-profile and is the kind of actor who does not wear his rich experience and versatility on his sleeve. He made his screen debut in Govind Nihalanis Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa but few are aware that he is known as the Amitabh Bachchan of English theatre in Mumbai. That has taken him across continents, landed him invitations to teach at high level management institutes and fetched him wonderful reviews in international media like The New York Times. His latest is Bilu Rakkhosh in which he plays the title role.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q What made you accept the title role in Bilu Rakhhosh? The more a character is unidimensional or sweeping, the more it becomes uninteresting to craft out because the complexities and deficiencies make us layered and grey. Therefore I found it challenging to delve into this character.

Q What kind of homework did you put in?

In acting, homework can involve only two elements direct or shared experience. Direct experience involves experiencing life to the fullest and letting the experience create the stimuli. Shared experience refers to the period or the milieu one is unfamiliar with and one which would give the actor more knowledge from different sources, animate or inanimate. Emotions are universal and do not need a cerebral approach.

Q Was Bilu created from experience?

Bilu demanded a three-pronged approach the personal, professional and social. My father originally belongs to North Calcutta, very close to where Bilu of the film resides. I know the sounds, tastes, emotional pitch of Karbala Tank Lane. I have gone through a see-saw of emotions within my completely middle-class ambience. I have witnessed the breaking down of my North Kolkata joint family for the right reasons. I have been a part of movements and transitions as we moved from Karbala Tank Lane to Dum Dum and then Delhi. I have experienced tremendous turbulence in my personal relationships, which includes a broken marriage. I have worked with kids all my life and am very attached to them. All such experiences aided me.

Q What about Bilus sustenance in the corporate world he is forced into? I interact with the corporate world at a day-to-day level. I have conducted workshops for middlelevel management and a big part of my family has been at the centre of the corporate chain. My sister chucked her lucrative multinational job to follow her heart, sacrificing her financial cushion. So my whole life and shared life experiences link to Bilu organically.

Q You are known as the Amitabh Bachchan of the English stage in Mumbai. How do you react to this superlative? The kind of theatre I have done is bereft of the star system. The world of Chekov or Tendulkar, Sophocles or Badal Sircar, cannot afford any ego or any attempt at superseding communication. My training has been diverse, from classical to realism to street theatre, I have done them all. They involved group chemistry. The objective was to communicate the playwright and directors vision and never showcasing myself. Apart from that, I have always been shy of the spotlight!

Q What has been your overall experience in theatre?

I have been very fortunate in my journey. I have garnered appreciative audiences across continents and got flattering reviews from papers like The New York Times. Even the average theatre-goer has gone on to say that my performance was their first play-watching experience and now they are hooked to theatre for life. I have also been invited by directors from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Young Vic to join them. It has been rewarding and fulfilling. Yet, every new play, every year, makes me nervous and shaky, excited and jumping all over again.

Q Bengali directors cast you quite often. Why is that?

I think directors recognise that my approach to cinema is less like an actor and more like a student of cinema. I am fascinated and addicted to the medium. So, a young or a new guy looking for cooperative and collaborative approach is more drawn to me than those, who just need brands. I have been taken for a ride too, a few times, for my over zealousness to support new endeavours. Yet, I would rather be enthusiastic than crafty. I know some of my work will survive purely in cinematic and historical terms, than most other work in the market.

Q Would you agree that Bilu Rakkhosh is possibly the most challenging role you have done in Bengali cinema till today?

Bilu Rakhhosh was definitely challenging at many levels. It wasnt a linear narrative, or a sentimental feel-good film. It involved both cerebral and emotional approach. Its fragmentation of time and space demanded a process of filmmaking and acting different from the usual. Yet it was done on a shoe-string budget with all its constraints. So the level of hard work, cooperation and sacrifice was that much higher.

Q You have spanned theatre prolifically and with great success, television also with some amount of success and cinema with lesser success than the other two. Has this been a conscious choice on your part? Or do Bollywood filmmakers shy away from casting you?

I made my cinema debut in Govind Nihalanis Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa based on a famous novelette by Mahasweta Devi. It was a political novel and an art house film. This was a time when Hindi cinema was highly formulaic, which slotted stars in either romantic or action roles and there were only star heroes. The multiplex movement had not begun and the digital revolution was far away. I got character roles that I found humiliating but I tried to work out a balance with intelligent cinema married to sensible television and stimulating theatre. I am still doing the same and have neither been slotted, stereotyped or branded. I have never had flash-inthe-pan success. I have not tasted the rise or fall of stardom. But I have had a long career where I have never sat at home twiddling my thumbs, wondering if or when.
How should we look at the art created in the past in a post-Trump/postBrexit era where exclusion, xenophobia and conflict have erected invisible barriers between people? The emphasis on difference means that many communities and races have become marginalised on the basis of fossilised definitions and ideas of identity which are equivalent to stereotyping. Works of art and architecture teach us that ideas flower in a culture of exchange and embody our capacity to adopt a more tolerant attitude.

Art invites us to revisit and consider the possibility of acknowledging shared encounters and pasts. The Chapel of the Rosary or Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence is located in a small town in Southern France. It is a long, L-shaped building in white with a sloping, gabled roof that carries a large ornate metal cross. Its interior and exterior was designed by French artist Henry Matisse between 1949 and 1951.

The Chapel of the Rosary draws influences from as far as Spain and North Africa, regions Matisse travelled to and whose art inspired his work. Most importantly the Chapel is redolent of an aesthetic that pays homage to Islamic aesthetics and architecture. In fact, such was its all pervasive influence that Alistair Sooke in his book Henry Matisse: A Second Lifewrites, Matisse wanted the chapel to be a place where people could leave their burdens behind  as Muslims leave the dust of the streets on the soles of the sandals lined up at the door of the mosque. Sooke also writes that Matisse had seen an important exhibition on Islamic art in Munich in 1910 which prompted him to visit Spain so the use of crescent moons in the spire and abstract patterns and designs on the wooden confessional door of the Chapel in Venice are all reminiscent of mosques and geometric lattice work.

While Matisse drew from iconography, design and environment, famed graphic artist MC Escher was attracted to the intellectual potential and mathematical finesse of Islamic art. Escher travelled to Alhambra, Spain in 1922 and was so inspired by the flat, tessellating patterns and the idea of contemplation and infinity inherent in the creation of the colourful mosaics that adorn the walls and ceilings of the fortress and complex that it transformed his art.

As a result, we see tessellating patterns of dancing fish, dragonflies, crabs and other natural life painstakingly devised and executed by Escher in ink and watercolour on the basis of his research and study of Islamic design. Amongst contemporary artists Joyce Kozloff  one of the founders of the Pattern and Decoration Movement in the 1970s is also drawn to the beauty and potential of art from other cultures such as Morocco, Egypt and Turkey.

Joyce studied books on geometric Islamic patterns and believes that the decorated arts have the potential to eradicate Western notions of high and low art whilst offering engaging critique on our lives, cultures and even our current geopolitical scenario. In her works, If I were a Botanist (Gaza) and If I were a Botanist (Pale of Settlement) created in 2015 we see a similar format where the world of aesthetics, order and celestial beauty is haunted by the ghost of conflict and difference.

In both works a canvas is divided into three sections where a long, narrow vertical blue strip in each canvas containing a map divides the canvas and makes up the central portion of the collage. The strip is flanked on either side by the two remaining portions both of which occupy a greater portion of the canvas and contain an explosion of overlapping and intersecting geometric tessellations drawn from Islamic patterns. Resplendent with saturated colour, this kaleidoscopic vision is in stark contrast to the somber and ironic content of the central strip.

The Map of Gaza is featured in the first work and Pale of Settlement in the second, an area to which Jews were restricted in Imperial Russia from 1835 to 1917. All of it means that art offers us a chance to expand and alter our worldview, not repeat our mistakes.
The OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival started with great fanfare at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar, recently as connoisseurs and discerning audiences gathered in large numbers to witness it. The objective of organising this festival was to expose the audience of Odisha to the best classical music and dance, and also inspire the youth to internalise the soft power and subtle flavours of the classical arts.

The first presentation in the inaugural evening was Ekatatwa. Ekatatwawas a pure dance piece choreographed with the amalgamation of Odissi, Kathak and Bharatanatyam. It was a production, where art and artist united in pursuit of supreme bliss, celebrating the use of the body through all of its movements to reach beyond the plane of the mundane, in search of a higher existence.

Ekatatwa was the journey of a human in search of the ultimate. In the beginning of time humans prayed to natural phenomena and that was portrayed through the movement of Surya. Uma Dogra showed dawn or Usha, when the red orb of the sun rises in all its glory like a beautiful maiden, spreading over all of nature and causing it to wake up and blossom.

Daksha Mushroowala took up from where Dogra left, showing the power of the sun in the perfect idiom of Odissi in the style advocated by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. It was the turn of Vaibhav Arekar, a top Bharatanatyam performer cum mentor to complete Suryas journey from the eastern sky to the West.

The ever troubled hearts of mankind created iconic gods, all from their own imagination to give them happiness and succour. The realisation that came to humans to get back their mental happiness was portrayed through imagery, which was again drawn from nature.The quest for that source of eternal bliss lies within the self and it brought out beautifully with the shloka, Aradhyami Atma Lingamby Adi Shankaracharya.

The lotus of every soul within is clamouring to be awakened. The trio portrayed the joy of life through a tarana ending with a Sufi song. The message was brought home through the vocabulary of dance. Ekatatwa was a common principle that strung together three dancers cum choreographers  Daksha Mashroowala, Uma Dogra and Vaibhav Areka, representatives of three classical dance styles, Odissi, Kathak and Bharatnatyam. The music director of the presentation was Manoj Desai who blended the percussion instruments by playing them in a beautiful way  one heard the tabla bols as well as mridangam bols.

The piece was remarkable for its fluid grace, immaculate body movements with amazing precision and charming gestures and postures. The second presentation of the evening was an instrumental jugalbandi of flute by Annada Prasanna Pattanaik and veena by Puspa Kashinath. Pattanaik  a well-known flautist famed for his experimental playing  smoothly transited to higher octave while playing various Indian classical ragas.

Kashinath proved equal to Ananda for her handling of the veena. She deftly matched up to the jugalbandi with her music partner to produce aesthetic beauty. Udayaraj Karpur enjoyed accompanying the duo on the tabla. The second evening of the OMC GKCM Award Festival was a beautiful blend of traditional repertoire and innovative compositions featuring Navia Natarajan, eminent Bharatnatyam dancer, and a tabla recital by the talented Ojas Adhiya.

The first presentation of Nataranjan was Parashakti, which explored the dualistic nature of Devi. Devi Bhagavata Mahapurana states that Adi Parashakti is the original creator, observer and destroyer of the universe followed by one invocatory piece of pure Bharatnatyan dance. She drew from Adi Shankaracharyas Navaratnamallika Lalitopakyanamof Somadeva Sharma. To invoke the beauty of Devi and annihilate the fierce demon, verses from Lalitipakyanam were chanted. The dance composition was by Natarajan while the music was composed by D Srivasta. If she had established herself in this piece, then the varnam, Swami nan uddan adi mayi showing her pining for Lord Shiva entrenched her deeply in the hearts of the audience. Ragam Nata Kurunji in Aditalam amply displayed that aspect.

The art lovers present in the auditorium were mesmerised by the superbly graceful and enchanting performace of Natarajan who was given thunderous applause. The second programme of the evening was the tabla recital by percussionist Adhiya. His composition impressed connoisseurs through the magical rhythm of fingers with a fine blend of Toda, Tukda, Tihyee, Chakradhar, Paran in teentalwith 16 beats. He was accompanied on the harmonium by Siddhesh Bicholkar.

Tabalia Ojas Adhiya fulfilled audience expectations with his superb rendition on his percussion instrument. The awardees of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award Festival 2017 were Shyamamani Devi and Guru Dhruba Charan Biswal for music and dance respectively.

The recipients of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman were Odissi vocalist Jatin Kumar Sahu, Bharatanatyam dancer Jyotsna Jagannathan, and Odissi dancers Namrata Mehta and Lingaraj Pradhan.
Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh died at the Army Research and Referral Hospital on Saturday.

He was 98. Singh was admitted to the Delhi hospital after he suffered a heart attack on Saturday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited the Marshal at the Delhi hospital.

Singh was promoted to the five-star rank in 2002. The Padma Vibhushan awardee was the only officer of IAF to be promoted to five-star rank.

He was Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) from August 1, 1964 to July 15, 1969.

He became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force to be upgraded to the position of Air Chief Marshal from the rank of Chief of the Air Staff in recognition of his Air Forces contribution in the 1965 war.

He took retirement from services in 1970 at the age of 50.

In 1971, he was appointed as the Indian Ambassador to Switzerland. He concurrently served as the Ambassador to the Vatican.

The Marshal had flown over 60 aircrafts and remained a flyer until the end of his career with the IAF.

In 2016, the crucial air base at Panagarh was renamed Air Force Station after the Marshal.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to Ryan International School, Gurugram in the case of the brutal murder of a class 2 student and asked why its affiliation should not be withdrawn. The school has been given 15 days to submit its reply.

The board also noted that the boys death could have been averted had the school authorities discharged their duty with responsibility, care, sincerity.

The scathing report by the CBSE panel further said most of the installed CCTVs in the school were not functional, drivers and conductors were using the students toilets inside the school, and also found a breach in the school boundary.

Seven-year-old Pradhuman Thakur was found dead with his throat slit in the washroom of Ryan International School on September 8.

Police arrested school bus conductor Kumar, 42, on suspicion of him being the childs killer after failing to sexually assault the child. However, the post-mortem report has confirmed that there was no sexual assault on Pradhuman.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday handed over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The childs father, Varun Thakur, had moved the Supreme Court for a CBI probe into the case citing too many loopholes in the police theory and the school managements stand on the murder.
The Union governments digital locker serviceDigiLocker has seen a substantial surge in the number of registered users from 11.23 lakh in 2015-16 to 82.66 lakh in 2016-17 while the number of uploaded documents in the same period too increased from 19.36 lakh to 104 lakh.

Revealing the data, Minister for Information and Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the DigiLocker mobile applaunched by the Centre in February 2015is a secure medium to share and access documents digitally.

@digilocker_ind is a secure medium to share and access any of your certificates and documents digitally. #DigitalIndia, Prasad tweeted.

.@digilocker_ind is a secure medium to share and access any of your certificates and documents digitally. #DigitalIndia pic.twitter.com/ZLP0dzhkc3  Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) September 16, 2017

DigiLocker provides a secure dedicated personal electric space to the citizens of the country to store government documents and certificates.

It is one of the key initiatives under Digital India Programme, which the Indian government initiated to digitally empower society, and targets the idea of paperless governance.

On 7 Sptember, 2016, the government announced that people can save their driving licences and vehicle registration certificates in DigiLocker to facilitate access to documents anytime and anywhere.

The digital documents like driving license and vehicle registration, available on smartphones are considered authentic by law enforcement agencies including traffic police.
Ryan Pinto, the CEO of Ryan International Group of Institutions, and his parents have moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the murder of Class II student Pradyuman, who was found dead on 8 September in Gurugrams Ryan International School, run by the group.

Ryan Pinto and his parents Augustine and Grace, founding chairman and managing director of the group, respectively, have approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the said case. Advocate Arshdeep Cheema, counsel for the petitioners told The Statesman, that pleas for Pintos were filed in the High Court registry but the registry raised some objections.

The bail plea would be filed on Monday after removing the objections, Cheema said.

The seven-year-old Pradyuman was found murdered in a toilet of Ryan International school on 8 September.

Following this, a case was registered at Gururgrams Bhondsi police station on the same day under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 25 of the Arms Act and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

The police has arrested the school bus conductor in this regard. Apart from this, officials of the school have also been arrested under the Juvenile Justice Act.

The incident triggered widespread outrage and witnessed protests from the various sections of the society.

On the demand of the victims parents, the Haryana government announced to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said that the state government would write a letter to the CBI requesting the agency to take over the investigation of the murder case.

The government has also taken over the management of Ryan International School, for a period of three months. Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram will be its Administrator during this period.

Besides, states Education minister Ram Bilas Sharma has announced that amendment comprising stringent provisions on the safety and security of the students would be made during the coming Session of the State Legislative Assembly.
After the killing of Amarnath Yatra attack mastermind, Abu Ismail, the security forces have released a new list of top five terrorist active in the Jammu and Kashmir.

The new list was issued on Friday after the security forces eliminated ten terrorists who figured in the previous list of 12 ultras.

One of the terrorist, Tariq Pandit, figuring in the earlier list was caught alive by security forces and the other, Saddam Padder, is still at large.

The new list was released after killing the Pakistani terrorist and commander of Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT), Abu Ismail, in an encounter in Srinagar. Ismail had succeeded Abu Dujana, another Pakistani terrorist who was killed last month.

Zakir Musa

Terrorist Zakir Musa, who has become the face of the international terror outfit Al-Qaida in Jammu and Kashmir, is now at the top of the list. He had recently split from Hizbul Muhajideen (HM) when his terror outfit bosses in Pakistan did not support his idea to chop heads of the top separatist leaders in Srinagar and hang them in the Lal Chowk.

Thereafter, he quit the HM and launched the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind of the Al-Qaida. Within a short span, Musa has become popular among the youth in the valley. According to intelligence reports, Musa is considered a threat to the social fabric of the valley as he is inclined towards Islamic caliphate in Kashmir.

Zeenat-ul-Islam

The 28-year-old, an IED expert, responsible for having killed three soldiers in an attack in Shopian on 23 February, is touted to become the next commander of the LeT also features in the list.

Riyaz Naikoo

Naikoo a tech-savvy A++ category terrorist, who heads the HM operations in Kashmir is suspected to be involved in killing of several policemen.

Saddam Padder

Padder is of HM outfit terrorist. He is a school dropout and was in the LeT before joining the HM in 2015.

Khalid

Khalid, commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who after terror training in Pakistan is active in Sopore area of North Kashmir. He is believed to be behind the last months terror attack on the police lines at Pulwama where eight police personnel, including 4 CRPF jawans lost their life. He also attacked a convoy of the army in Baramulla in August last year when two soldiers and a policeman were killed.

Among the top LeT terrorists eliminated by the security forces this year in the Operation All Out are, Abu Ismail, Abu Dujana, Junaid Mattoo and Bashir Lashkari. The HM terrorists killed in encounters were, Sabzar Bhat, Sajad Ahmad Gilkar and Yasin Ittoo. Besides, three unidentified top terrorists of the Pakistan based JeM were killed in July in an encounter in Tral in South Kashmir.
The National Commission for Women has written to the Punjab government and summoned a senior police officer in a 23-year-old case of abduction and molestation of a French tourist, allegedly involving the grandson of former chief minister Beant Singh.

Katia Darnand, a French national, had accused Gurkirat Singh Kotli, grandson of then chief minister Beant Singh, and others of abducting and molesting her in 1994. But all the accused were acquitted on April 10, 1999 as Darnand did not return to testify against the accused. We have issued a notice to the Punjab government as well as summoned the DCP to give us an explanation. This is in response to a petition asking us to reopen the case because it was very shoddily conducted, said NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam.

The petition was submitted by Delhi BJP councillor Gurjeet Kaur and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Parminder Singh Brar. The complainant, Gurjeet Kaur, appealed to the Commission to reopen the case and order a fresh trial saying appropriate sections of IPC were not included in the case against former CM Beant Singhs grandson Gurkirat Kotli who attacked, kidnapped, molested and probably raped Katia Darnand on the fateful day of August 31, 1994, according to a press statement from the SAD.In an open letter in a national daily last month, Darnand recounted the horror and wrote that she still felt the injustice that allowed the accused to be acquitted even though she had identified them all.

She also referred to the recent case in Chandigarh where Varnika Kundu, the daughter of an IAS officer, was allegedly stalked by Vikas Barala, the son of the Haryana BJP chief.
Paradoxical though that caption may appear, it is precisely what the doctor ordered. Opinion, however, will be sharply divided over the apex courts lifting the blanket ban imposed last November on the sale of fireworks in the National Capital Region and replacing it with a strict regulatory regime. Those who relish a splash of sparkle and bang with their celebrations would concur with the court that a total ban was extreme, yet others who choked and came close to suffocation after Diwali last year will contend that regulations seldom have the desired effect.

They would also note a recent observation from the court that there were enough fireworks in the region for an army. The decision of the court that the situation would be reviewed after the festive season might also spark some dismay ~ it may be a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

The court has put a cap on the number of temporary licences to be issued for the sale of fireworks, fixed responsibility for ensuring compliance. The sceptics would insist that with lavish spending on fireworks having become part of the wealth-flaunting culture, ways are sure to be found to beat the system, and also point to the court slamming the Delhi government for ensuring that regulations remained on paper only.

What will be widely welcomed is their Lordships Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta directing the Central Pollution Control Board and the Fireworks Development Research Centre to study the impact of fireworks on the quality or air and make suitable recommendations ~ thus far there has been no comprehensive study, information furnished by often hysterical environmentalists have swayed public opinion.

The apex court has done well to observe that fireworks were alone not the cause of the difficulties experienced last Diwali. Freak weather conditions had trapped the toxic fumes, preventing their dissipation.

The prognosis for the weeks ahead is not very encouraging: the burning of crop stubble remains a major problem in the agricultural belt around the NCR and the authorities in Haryana, UP and Punjab have pleaded helplessness in the absence of a more economically viable way of removing the stubble of the kharif crop (primarily paddy straw) to prepare the fields for sowing the rabi. Penal action against farmers is stoutly resisted, both by the farmers and their political lobby which points to the agriculture sector already being in distress.

There has been no reduction in motor-vehicles in the NCR, fuel quality remains problematic and emission-levels can be felt during the cool season.

The Delhi governments odd-even project never progressed beyond an experimental stage, and the Central and state governments cannot get their act together. As for muted fireworks a test will be how noisy will be burning of the effigies on Dussehra that heralds the Diwali bangs.
The nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Justice A.K.Puttaswamy (Retd.) & Anr v. Union of India, has recently recognised the right to privacy as a fundamental right read into Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Consequently, this decision unequivocally overruled several previous decisions ranging from the M.P.Sharma case, the Kharak Singh judgment as well as the notorious A.D.M Jabalpurdecision, holding them as bad law.

The Court (Nariman J.), in the present case provided a three-fold interpretation of the right to privacy that involved the right to move freely, informational privacy and privacy of choice, which protects an individuals autonomy to make personal choices. This decision highlights the intention of the Court to preserve personal intimacies, the sanctity of family life, marriage, procreation, the home and sexual orientation.

The decision has impacted several existing laws and pending decisions, chief being the Koushal judgment (December 2013), which upheld the constitutionality of Section 377 of IPC, criminalizing homosexuality. In 2009, the Delhi High Court had struck down Section 377 on grounds of right to privacy and autonomy to attain fulfilment, grow in self-esteem and build relationships of ones choice, including determination of sexual orientation and gender identity. However, in 2013, the Supreme Court reversed the Delhi HC decision holding the HC had overlooked the fact that the LGBTQ community constitutes a miniscule population of India.

During the past 150 years, a mere 200 persons had been convicted under Section 377, which forms no basis to declare the law unconstitutional. (Still pending before a constitutional bench is a curative petition seeking to invalidate Section 377 because it violates the right to privacy.) The recent privacy decision is a breath of fresh air, as the bench tackles the constitutionality of S. 377 with respect to the right to privacy. Three out of five concurring decisions collectively formulated the privacy ruling, reasoning that the right to privacy is a fundamental right.

Justice Chandrachud on behalf of the Chief Justice, Justice R.K. Agarwal and himself rejected the majoritarian stance taken by the Court in Koushal, quoting two glaring instances where the Court referred to the LGBTQ community as a miniscule population based on the number of arrests that had taken place under S.377 and downgrading their real rights as so called rights. This ruling indicated the weight of minority communities as equivalent to that of the majority, stating the de minimus justification of the Koushal bench as intolerable.

Moreover, Justice Chandrachud observed that the right to privacy must be viewed in relation to the person as opposed to the space occupied, which makes sexual orientation and gender identity an essential facet of the fundamental right of privacy. He reaffirmed the rights of the LGBTQ community as real rights based on constitutional doctrine, which entails the right to life and the right to dwell in privacy and dignity. Furthermore, sexual orientation was highlighted as a primary facet of the right to privacy and dignity.

The Supreme Court bench now seems to concur with the rationale of the Delhi High Courts Naz Foundation decision which declared that the right to privacy and dignity are dimensions of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court ruled that privacy protects all facets of gender identity. The Court further elucidated that the ambit of the right to privacy entails privacy of the home which in turn protects the family, marriage, procreation and sexual orientation, which are all important aspects of dignity.

This ruling establishes the paramount importance of individual autonomy and personhood, liberating several victims of S. 377. Though this bench was not authorised to reverse the Koushal decision, which is still pending in the SC, it has created certain individual rights which makes it extremely hard for Section 377 to meet.

The explicit critical analysis by five out of nine judges on the Koushal decision has set high standards of adjudication for the pending curative petition. The non-binding SC case discussion expressly criticised the Koushal judgment. Any bench reviewing the Koushal judgment will presumably keep in mind the right to privacy as a fundamental right.

(The writers are respectively, a fourth-year law student and professor at the Jindal Global Law School)
The pace at which Government spending is increasing ought to be a cause of concern for all of us. The size of the Union Budget which was Rs.336 crore in 1950 has gone up to Rs.21.5 lakh crore. Even five years ago, in 2012, the total budget expenditure was Rs.14.9 lakh crore.

Tax revenues, which were Rs.10.77 crore in 2012, are now pegged at Rs.19.12 crore. Thus it would appear that the expenditure of the Government is escalating at a frenetic pace with increasing taxation fuelling the galloping expenditure. It is we the taxpayers who are financing the Governments profligacy. Another cause of concern is that the increase in taxes has been asymmetrical.

Last year, indirect tax (Excise duty, Customs and Service tax) collections exceeded direct tax (Income-tax) collections for the first time since the 2006-07 financial year; which reverses the post-liberalisation trend that saw direct tax collections surging ahead of indirect taxes and the share of direct taxes in the GDP rising every year. In an economy like ours, where the share of manufacturing is hardly 15 per cent of the GDP, if indirect tax collections exceed direct tax collections then one can safely surmise that indirect tax rates are too high.

A classic case is of petrol which is sold at Rs 80 per litre though the landed cost is Rs 31 per litre. It is also not difficult to conclude that the trend of abnormal increase in indirect taxes, despite a fall in production (as evidenced by falling or stagnant PMI) shows that unconscionably high taxes are levied on production. This negates the various welfare measures meant for the poor. The high rate of taxation is hastening our evolution into a high-cost economy.

One reason for the surge in Government expenditure is the burgeoning funds at its disposal. Each department has increased its budget requirements simply because more funds are available. Money is often wasted because allocated funds cannot be gainfully utilised at the pace they are disbursed. A classic example is the UP National Rural Health Mission scam; thousands of crores were disbursed by the Centre to the UP Government, which had no idea how to use the funds. Ambulances and expensive equipment were bought. These lay idle and the rest of the money was simply defalcated.

The Government has justifiably expressed concern over the falling private investment in the economy but with higher taxes, disposable income with individuals and businesses has decreased sharply. Falling investment in the economy has resulted in a slowdown in our growth rate with almost zero creation of new jobs. Foreign capital is not attracted to India to any significant extent because of many reasons but mainly because of our inconsistent policies. For example, our Government has cancelled approved defence contracts worth Rs1.60 lakh crore in the last three years.

A recent survey found India almost at the bottom of the countries preferred by expatriates. With such disheartening vitals, we have to search for a home grown solution to our woes. A simple solution would be to cut down taxes with a concomitant decrease in government expenditure. This would leave businesses with surpluses which could be used for expansion of existing businesses and investment in new businesses. Also, the existing regime of high taxes has resulted in the flight of indigenous capital to foreign shores.

On many occasions, capital that has been stashed abroad is brought back to India as foreign investment in various fictitious names. This is a very inefficient way of using our own capital. Looking at Government expenditure, the current Budget is funding about 100 major schemes with a sum of Rs 6.75 lakh crore. Regretfully, except for some flagship schemes the outcome of the remaining schemes is seldom even mentioned.

Schemes are merrily renamed, recast, terminated, and abandoned till it becomes difficult to assess their success or failure. Despite humongous amounts being spent on social sector schemes, through the years we are far short of the Millennium Development Goals for 2015. Despite spending a bomb on the National Health Mission every year, we frequently have tragedies of the Gorakhpur kind. Contrast this with what happened prior to Independence.

The iconic Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), was constructed in Bombay at a cost of Rs.13 lakh in 1887. Assuming price escalation at 1500 times, the current cost would be less than Rs.200 crore and that too for an architectural marvel which is a functional railway station even after 130 years. This is true of most of the initiatives undertaken in the past. Obviously, our ancestors were savvy enough to get bang for every buck they spent.

Then what has gone wrong? First, most of our schemes are conceived by armchair experts sitting in the myriad mantralayas in Delhi. Something that the bureaucrat has read about or seen in some foreign country is transplanted into Indian soil without any trial or survey. One has to examine the recent deliberations of Niti Aayog to realise the truth of this observation. Then comes the role of junior bureaucrats and accountants who draft the scheme in a way which requires mounds of paperwork from each beneficiary and rules out most of the deserving cases.

The result is that most of the money allocated for any scheme is either re-tuned or eaten away or spent on some peripheral object. Often the money allocated for a particular project does not bear any relation to the urgency of the project or its funding requirements at a particular stage or time. Sometimes projects are delayed to the point that fund requirements escalate manifold. In consequence, very few projects succeed and unqualified successes are few and far between. Many approaches have been tried to improve planning but none has been a roaring success. The Planning Commission, which was brought into existence in 1955 to draw up fiveyear plans, gradually became redundant. In 2015, the Planning Commission was replaced by Niti Ayog which is mandated to work as a think-tank. Zero-based budgeting has also been tried out.

An outcome budget accompanies every Union budget but the details provided are sketchy at best. Despite the limited success of the planning process, a change in the focus or direction of planning has never been attempted. Ideally, planning should flow from bottom to top and not top to bottom. A decidedly better alternative to formulating all schemes in Delhi would be to send bureaucrats directly to the field to find out the problems and possible solutions from the affected persons. A plan with identifiable outputs and a working blueprint would be prepared for each village or block with inputs from the affected people. Such plans would be aggregated to the district level, the state level and then the national level with each level taking responsibility for implementation. Instead of schemes, funds would be allocated sector-wise.

The outcome would be monitored at the village and block level to identify the shortcomings, if any. Also State budgets, which have similar objectives, should dovetail with the Union Budget so that expenditure is more focussed. Presently, money for Centrally Sponsored Schemes is provided by the Centre but implementation is left to the State bureaucracy over which the Centre has little direct control. Dovetailing of Central and State budgets would obviate this problem which has derailed many Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Decentralised planning would reduce expenditure because spending would only be on identified needs and only to the extent that money could be used productively.

Since we would have small-size plans at the village and block levels, the outcome would be easy to monitor and failures would be pinpointed. Finally, our planners and leaders need to remember Mahatma Gandhis advice ~ Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him.

Will he gain anything by it? Grand statues and bullet trains will not be of much use to the large number of the poor in our country. Another doubt arises; how long can our ridiculously low percentage of taxpayers sustain the increasing pace of Government expenditure?

(The writer is a retired Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax)
Europeans watched with disbelief, just like the Americans of both political parties and the rest of the world, as Donald Trump powered ahead with his rhetoric to win the Republican Party nomination for their presidential candidate and then defeated Hillary Clinton to become the President of the United States.

After the devastation of World War II, the once proud European countries had to accept the US security guarantee to counter the threat of the Soviet Union. The result was NATO that lost its main purpose with the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Efforts were then made to use NATO as the force to defend and extend the interests of the so called western civilization. When the resurgence of the Russian Republic under Vladimir Putin with his annexation of Crimea and support to the Russian-speaking rebel groups in eastern Ukraine to secede from Kiev brought back images of the Cold War in Europe, NATO regained its importance, particularly among the former Warsaw Pact countries and the Baltic states.

Germany and France took leading roles in imposing sanctions against the Russians, which were supported wholeheartedly by the Obama administration. In this tense situation Donald Trump declared during the election campaign that NATO was obsolete. Worse still, there were persistent rumours about Russian efforts to hack e-mails of the Democratic Party, ostensibly to help the election of Trump. Then he broke all convention by supporting Brexit, an unprecedented overt intervention in the referendum of an ally, and publicly embraced Nigel Farage, leader of the racist Ukip Party in Britain that was at the forefront of the Leave campaign there. Despite the shock of all these incidents, European leaders hoped that Trump would change his rhetoric if, or when, he became the President of the United States and assumed the leadership of the western world.

The belief was that, with the responsibility of office, he would toe the general foreign policy line on Europe as was done by all US Presidents since the end of World War II. But this time it turned out to be different. Trump started making off the-cuff remarks about foreign policy involving Europe that stunned the Europeans, while his cabinet members tried to put a favourable twist to his statements to assuage their feelings.

To be fair to President Trump, he did not talk about dismantling or reinventing NATO after he assumed office. He criticised rightly the European partners for failing to meet their financial obligations to NATO, as did other Presidents before him. Only this time he threatened them with consequence if they did not comply, which the Europeans interpreted to mean the US reneging from its commitment to consider any attack on a NATO country to mean an attack on the US. This could unravel NATO in no time.

His Vice-President, Mike Pence, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were alarmed and tried to convince Europeans that the President had no such intention. But they were unable to explain what other consequence the President had in mind. On meddling in European politics, Trump extended his support for Brexit by indirectly endorsing the French white anti Islam nationalist Marine Le Pen in her presidential bid in France.

His refusal to take any Syrian refugees while Europe tried hard to accommodate them (the Syrian crisis was not Europes creation) was considered highly objectionable in Europe. The real surprise was his constant attack on Germany for its high trade surplus with the US, equating Germanys trade policy with Chinas. No one has criticized Germany for its unfair trade policy before. It seems that President Trump, as the most famous real estate promoter in history, can only think in terms of quid pro quo. Remember that he urged (almost ordered) India to help the US by spending more on Afghanistans reconstruction as India runs significant trade surplus with his country. Surprisingly, President Trump stopped his election bombast against China after assuming office, although China has a colossal trade surplus with the US for decades.

The G-20 summit in Hamburg made Europeans really angry when President Trump refused to endorse the Paris Climate Treaty. It was a big achievement against all odds with Europeans, and particularly the host country Germany, taking the lead. Soon after returning to Washington, the US administration distanced itself from the treaty.

But the real bombshell came when, at a meeting in Brussels with EU officials after the summit, Trump called Germany bad, very bad and vowed to curb their car export to the United States. In the meantime, Angela Merkel got exasperated with conflicting signals from Washington about the US stand on NATO and relations with Russia. She suggested at an election campaign event that Germany and Europe could no longer rely on the US under Trump and added: We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands.

A vexing issue throughout has been the relationship with Russia, and constant news from the US about possible Russian involvement with the Trump presidential campaign to help him win the election. Trump publicly declared during the election campaign his intention to improve relations with Vladimir Putin, as noted earlier.

This was even more distressing for the European decision-makers as the xenophobic, racist and nationalist parties of Europe were big fans of Putin as well. As his election campaign managers got more and more entangled with the Russian connection and President Trump blamed everybody and every country during his press conference in Warsaw for interfering in elections elsewhere without ever mentioning Putin and Russia, the confusion in Europe was complete.

President Trumps effort to place neo-Nazis and white supremacists on the same moral ground with the protesters against those bigots in Charlottesville, Virginia, left Europeans gasping. The respected German weekly, Der Spiegel, in an article expressed the feelings of most Europeans thus: The White House is supposed to be home to Americas moral campus. Instead, though, it currently houses the countrys chauvinistin-chief.

(The writer is former Dean and Emeritus Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Twente, The Netherlands)
In terms of direct firepower there is no comparison between the 155 mm Bofors field howitzer and the non-lethal pellet-guns of Kashmir infamy, but the political back blast of both is as devastating as it is unending. Every now and then kickbacks in the Swedish gun deal ~ which caused the ouster of the Rajiv Gandhi government ~ hits fresh headlines, while the fires of alienation of the people of the Kashmir Valley are consistently re-fuelled by the governments refusal to withdraw those much condemned riot-control weapons from the central and state police forces in J&K.

The pellet-gun controversy has been recently revived, following a report from the Indian chapter of the respected human rights crusader, Amnesty International. In a study captioned Losing Sight in Kashmir the organisation has highlighted the cases of 88 persons whose eyesight was damaged by metal pellets fired from pump-action shotguns used by the J&K police and CRPF between 2014 and 2107. The report also stressed the victims having faced serious physical and mental issues, including symptoms of psychological trauma.

The report noted several cases in which the pellets remained in the skull of victims as doctors felt their sight would be risked by surgical intervention to try and remove them ~ though there could be long-term implications of the metal remaining embedded in their bodies. It is not as though the pellet-guns have been slammed for the first time.

Even the all-party delegation that had visited the Valley in 2016 had demanded their scrapping, The CRPF had announced a scheme to modify the weapons, instructions were issued not to fire them at the face or upper bodies of rioters but damage to the eyes continued to be reported. The home ministry had directed they be used as a last option, in the rarest of rare cases, but all such action bore little fruit.

Perhaps an admission of shame is the Ishapur ordnance factory, where the weapon was made, deleting the pellet-guns from its website hailing its products. The cops preference for the weapon is confirmed by the home minister having just admitted the failure of PAVA guns, touted as an alternative.

The pellet-guns were introduced in 2010 when stone-throwing first rocked the Valley: Omar Abdullah was chief minister then, and Manmohan Singh called the shots in New Delhi. The politics of the story is not a Congress-BJP or NC-PDP scrap, but the fact that they have not been used anywhere else in the country. On Independence Day Narendra Modi had stated that gallis and gollis were no answer to Kashmirs problems, and Rajnath Singh has recently attempted to extend that welcome outreach.

Withdrawing the pellet-guns would have given a practical dimension to the revised strategy for as long as they retain a place in the police armoury, peace overtures will have a hollow ring.
It is a direly sinister coincidence that North Koreas launch on Friday of yet another missile over Japan has coincided with Pyongyangs bluster against Japan and the US, altogether a conscious mockery of the canons of international relations.

That bluster has been reinforced by Fridays missile test, and it is time for America, Russia, and China to intervene. In the aftermath of the fresh Security Council sanctions in response to the regimes recent nuclear test, North Korea has threatened to sink Japan, and beat America to death like a rabid dog, reducing the country to ashes and darkness. Chiefly, the sanctions ban textile exports and impose a cap on coal and minerals.

The language of diplomacy is beneath contempt even at the mildest estimation; the Kim regime has violated the certitudes of civility. Tokyo has promptly condemned the decidedly unwarranted verbal posturing as absolutely unacceptable provocation, a response that has been buttressed by Shinzo Abe and Narendra Modi in course of the Japanese Prime Ministers visit to Gujarat. The ugly development across the oceans has overshadowed the foundation of the bullet train.

The debunking of the Security Council ~ a tool of evil in the pay of Washington and made up of money-bribed countries that move on the orders of the US ~ surpasses Donald Trumps condemnation of the world body as a redundant entity in this day and age. The Korea Asia-Pacific peace committee, which oversees North Koreas foreign policy, would rather the Council is broken up.

The four islands of the [Japanese] archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche, the committee said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. Juche is said to be the Norths ruling ideology that blends Marxism with an extreme form of go-it-alone nationalim preached by founder Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of the present leader, Kim Jong-un. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us  is the perilously skewed perception of geopolitics.

This is the first time that Pyongyang has issued an explicit threat to Japan since it fired a medium-range ballistic missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido at the end of August, triggering emergency sirens and mass text alerts. Considering the awesome build-up of tension in the peninsula, the response of South Korea ~ no less a target ~ has been remarkably restrained.

The countrys President, Moon Jae-un, has let it be known that he is against having nuclear weapons in his country, either by developing its own arsenal or by bringing back US tactical weapons that were withdrawn in the early 1990s.

Very pertinently, he has cautioned that our own nuclear weapons will not bring about peace in the Korean peninsula and could lead to a nuclear arms race in north-east Asia. He has hit the bulls eye and the world expects North Korea to respond responsibly.
France denounced in the strongest possible terms, the latest missile launch by North korea over Japanese territory, the countrys Foreign Ministry officials said.

Reiterating solidarity with its Asian partners on Friday, France called North Koreas move to build a nuclear and ballistic program a violation of its international obligations, which put at risk the security of the region and the international community, Xinhua news agency reported.

In the face of this threat, France is prepared to work  particularly within the UN Security Council and the European Union  to strengthen measures to convince the Pyongyang regime that escalation is not at all in its interest and to bring it to the negotiating table, the Quai dOrsay added in a statement.

North Korea reportedly fired, earlier on Friday, a missile that flew over Japans northern Hokkaido far out into the Pacific Ocean.

At the request of the US, Japan and South Korea, the UN Security Council was to meet to discuss the missile launch.

China on Friday said it opposes ballistic missile launches by North Korea against UN Security Council resolutions

On Monday, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear test on September 3, the ninth UN sanctions resolution adopted on North Korea since 2006.

The sanctions resolution curtailed North Koreas oil supply by almost 30 per cent, and banned all of its textile exports worth $800 million and remittances of North Korean labourers from abroad.
US President Donald Trump signed a resolution that condemns last months deadly violence staged by white supremacists in Charlottesville, in the US state of Virginia, the White House said.

The resolution, passed earlier this week by Congress after being sponsored by Democratic Virginia senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, condemned the events in Charlottesville as a domestic terror attack and white nationalists, white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), neo-Nazis and other hate groups, Xinhua news agency reported.

While urging Trump to speak out against the hate groups that espouse racism, extremism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and White supremacy, the resolution also honored an anti-racism protester, who was killed after a neo-Nazi sympathizer intentionally drove a car into a crowd on August 12 in downtown Charlottesville, a historic college town.

Before turning into violent clashes with anti-demonstrators which led to dozens of injuries, white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the KKK took to the streets in Charlottesville to protest the citys decision to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee, a general who had fought for the pro-slavery Confederacy during the US Civil War.

Trump first condemned the violence on many sides and drew bipartisan criticism. But the president repeated his controversial position after meeting with South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, the lone African-American Senate Republican who publicly criticized Trumps rhetoric.

I think especially in light of the advent of Antifa, if you look at whats going on there, you know, you have some pretty bad dudes on the other side, Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Antifa is an anti-fascist protest movement that sometimes resorts to violent measures to fight neo-Nazis and white supremacists, which has attracted a lot of attention in the wake of the Charlottesville violence.

Now because of whats happened since then with Antifa, you look at really whats happened since Charlottesville, a lot of people are saying and people have actually written, Gee, Trump might have a point,' Trump said. I said, youve got some very bad people on the other side also, which is true.

In a White House statement issued Thursday, Trump said he opposed bigotry in all forms and was pleased to sign the resolution.
The last days of the Newfie Pride

There were many nights he didnt sleep. The numbers and scenarios turned over and over in his mind, making rest impossible. Id get up two, three oclock in the morning, night after night, come out to the kitchen table and work the numbers every ...
But the tribe has a long way to go
We get seamless service on our mobile device, access 3G or 4G data and download apps. However, do we ever wonder about the high level back-end infrastructure that makes all this work or the people involved in running this infrastructure or laying the telecom cables through which we access this network, who test the networks and ensure there is no latency? However, some telecom experts feel that as we are moving to faster networks such as 4G or even 5G, a lot of reskilling is required to ensure that the telecom infrastructure is up and running and maintained well so that there is lesser downtime, call drops etc in the system.

Our telecom industry is well into the 21st century and today's telecom jobs are vastly different than they were a generation ago, said Ninad Desai, district chair, Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) India. A telecom professional having knowledge and understanding of only a specific area could survive easily around a decade back. However, its a different story altogether in this changeable and unpredictable world. Most of the telecom service providers these days are just interested in launching new services such as 4G or are looking forward to 5G. They are least bothered about the back-end infrastructure as they have outsourced it to third party service providers. For such service providers, it is just a business and they are also not worried about the skill sets or improving the efficiency of their infrastructure.

Apparently, BICSI is a professional association that supports the growing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) community and covers the spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety and security, project management and audio and video technologies. It provides information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies in the ICT industry serving professionals, including designers, installers and technicians.

This telecom expert feels that medium and high skilled jobs in the telecom sector are expected to grow and are not really facing the same challenge although they would grow marginally. The telecom jobs that are available today are for professionals who understand and build the telecom infrastructure for the 21st century. In telecom field, whether one is a fiber optic splicer, a technician, sales professional, project manager or a network infrastructure auditor, one thing is certainjob security lies in acquiring new skills throughout ones telecom career, added Desai.

This expert is also of the viewpoint that if we have skilled telecom professionals they will be able to maintain telecom networks better and would efficiently lay the telecom cables and test them and do trouble shooting so that they provide optimum service to the end consumers.

An efficient telecom infrastructure being run by skilled telecom professionals will result in lesser downtime and lesser call drops and would help the telecom service providers to offer more additional services on the same infrastructure, said Desai.
West Bengal president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Dilip Ghosh said that it was the Union government which rescued Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet members from Darjeeling.

Ghosh claimed that violence erupted in Darjeeling on the same day when Mamata held a cabinet meeting in the area.

She then sought help from Union government to get out of the hills. The home minister sent army and paramilitary forces to rescue the chief minister and other ministers, Ghosh said.

Responding to Ghosh's remarks, a senior Trinamool Congress leader said, It was the duty of the central government to respond to state government when forces are needed. They did not do anything great.

On the controversy over the idol immersion during Durga puja, which coincides with Muharram, Ghosh said the state government should allow central forces to step in if it fails to control the situation.

If the chief minister fails to control the situation, it should allow central forces to be deployed in Kolkata on the day of Durga idol immersion, he said.

Meanwhile, the state government, which has been under attack over restrictions on immersion of Durga idols, on Saturday told the Calcutta High Court that immersion will be allowed till 10 pm on September 30. The government had earlier said that the immersion will be allowed only till 6 pm on that day.

To a question by acting chief justice Nishitha Mhatre that if Mumbai police could do Ganesh idol immersion along with Muhram procession, why Kolkata police cannot, the chief minister said that Durga puja in West Bengal is unprecedented in India and is bigger than Ganesh Chaturthi.

BJP said they would carry out a rally displaying swords, which Mamata has banned. Lets see how she resists it. We will do that, said Ghosh.
BNP upbeat after fresh gharial breeding

A year after successful gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) breeding in the Bardiya National Park, the fish-eating crocodiles have bred 14 babies this year again.Last year, BNP gharials bred 24 babies.
Darjeeling, Thimphu, Gangtok and Siliguri are a tight cluster on any map even in a large atlas. Because of the recent standoff with China over Doklam, the strategic importance of the area, the saliency of the Siliguri corridor, cannot be overlooked. Is New Delhi taking an interest in the demand for a Gorkha homeland from this perspective?

My taxi has to wait outside Kurseong Toy Train station, on the way from Siliguri to Darjeeling, because a march by agitating Gorkha women will not let us pass. Violence in this sensitive area could be very unsettling. Angry women bang on the bonnet of my car and jeer at the Gorkha driver: "Have you joined the Bengalis?" It is a threatening query.

Similar bandhs and marches have brought life to a grinding halt for the past three months, and continuing. There are, of course, cunning leakagesa few chicken being sold here, some vegetables there. But this private enterprise disappears at the sight of approaching marchers. Contrary to what one might imagine, this sporadic enterprise does not demonstrate a weakening of the popular will. In fact it helps people a bit and enables them to bear the suffering a little longer. It supplements the agitation.

Clearly, Gorkhaland is not likely to be conceded in a hurry. What then have the leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) promised the people? What spell have they cast on them because of which the people have diligently pursued these marches, street-corner meetings and picketing outside offices in an atmosphere of total bandh (bar the contrived leakages). Schools, hotels, restaurants and shops are shut and labourers on all the 88 tea plantations have struck work and are, therefore, beginning to depend on packets of food some well meaning people are arranging.

No one quite knows the preferred game plans of the plantation owners. The gossip is that they would now like the strike to continue till December and so they are not obliged to pay the workers three months' wages (for the period when the plantations have been closed) plus bonus for puja holidays.

The inordinate extension of the bandh is causing all the leaders of the Gorkha Movement Coordination Committee to miss heart beats with alarming frequency.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is always inclined to see agitations, however legitimate, as an affront to her, has slapped countless cases against leaders, including Bimal Gurung, President of GJM, the main political party.

This has given him a respectable reason to run away from Darjeeling and hide in Sikkim. The cases, in other words, are a godsend. Had there been no cases, how would the leaders escape the wrath of the people who are on this occasion truly mobilised? They must be shown some movement towards Gorkhaland. This "movement" is proving elusive even by inches, leave alone feet and yards.

Since all leaders in the coordination committee were pushed from the precipice into a total bandh by the GJM leader Bimal Gurung, they are privately cursing him but are unable to publicly say anything that would make their resolve for Gorkhaland look weaker. But some of them are keeping a sly eye on any escape route which they can sell to the agitating populace as an advance towards their cause.

The situation is custom made for Mamata Banerjee, who is desperate to fill whatever political spaces she can with her TMC before the BJP does. If she can divide the leadership with promises of development plus a dialogue with the Centre on "the people's demand", perhaps a "dissident" faction can then be mobilised as a vehicle for the TMC.

There is a very big "perhaps". Why would West Bengal politicians and bureaucrats ever loosen their grip on the hill station, the toy train which their children enjoy so much during the summer vacation. There is nothing more popular internationally and which Bengal claims as its own -- Tagore and Darjeeling tea.

Activists of Gorkhaland Sanyukta Sangharsh Samiti shouting slogans during their demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi | PTI

New Delhi habitually goes into a freeze when confronted with something new, particularly where strategic concerns are involved. Gorkha/Nepali speaking people from Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan are already keeping New Delhi busy. Gorkhaland would be a new distraction.

A strong card the Gorkhas can play concerns the military. There are thousands of Gorkhas in the Army. It is not uncommon to run into a soldier with heroic stories of the Kargil war. These soldiers would be perfectly justified in seeking home leave to see the families who have suffered a bandh for three months. Thousands seeking leave at once? It is a sensitive pressure point.

The straightforward political game the BJP can play to endear themselves to the Gorkhas is by opening up debate on something less than Gorkhaland -- say, a Union Territory. Gorkhas would accept it. Darjeeling would come directly under New Delhi. Mamata would of course throw a ginger fit.

After a meeting of Gorkha leaders with Mamata on August 29, Vinay Tamang, Joint Secretary of the Morcha, and Anit Thapa, member of the Executive Committee, took the leaders and the agitators by surprise by asking them to end the bandh because positive but unidentifiable developments were expected by September 12. By that time the next round of meetings with Rajnath Singh and Mamata would have been held, they said. Well, September 12 too has come and gone and there is no sight of the bandh coming to an end.

Little wonder most of the Gorkha leaders, Bimal Gurung, Vinay Tamang, Anit Thapa, are on a rapidly declining popularity graph.

Bimal Gurung's political career was launched by his opening numerous fan clubs for a Gorkha singing sensation, Prashant Tamang, who won the 2007 Indian Idol, a reality show. Prashant won in the third week of September. On October 7, Bimal Gurung had launched the GJM. Impulsively, he leapt into the bandh when Mamata wanted Bengali to be inserted in the three language formula. Later she withdrew her word. But by that time the GJM and the coordination committee of other Hill parties were fairly advanced on a high-wire act. An endless bandh was on.

The leader whose graph is up is R.B. Rai, twice MP, President of the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist, Central Committee. He is universally accepted as politically savvy and an incorruptible and respected leader. He believes "tripartite talks" are a promising enough outcome to end the bandh. Apparently, Rajnath Singh has dropped hints that New Delhi-Kolkata- Darjeeling tripartite talks on Gorkhaland are possible. But will Mamata agree?

Rai is cross with the amateurishness of Bimal Gurung for playing "the ultimate card of a total bandh without having a back-up plan. We should have started with Mohalla marches, struck work for a few hours, tested the political reaction in Kolkata and New Delhi, planned jail bharo andolans, gauged the plantation workers capacity to survive long strikes without wages. And so on."

There was no plan, he laments. It is a fruitless bandh but it can only be called off when people see some real promise, he says.

So, until God comes riding a thunderbolt by way of a solution, Gorkha leaders are condemned to remain suspended on the last rung of a very high staircase leading to nowhere. - IANS
Intelligence agencies have warned the government that repeated attempts of infiltration along the LoC are part a larger game-plan of the Pakistan-based terror sponsors. These organisations have asked their Special Service Group to launch Border Action Teams in sectors identified by them for fresh terrorist violence.

The inputs indicated that terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen, LeT and JeM held a meeting at Budgam where these terror groups had planned to work together and launch attack on security forces in coming days. Winter may not be as peaceful in Kashmir as central agencies are also aware of plans of terrorists groups to launch attacks along the national highway passing through Anantnag, Pulwama and in the vicinity of Srinagar city as well as Ramban and Udhampur districts in Jammu region.

In June, movement of terrorists with an intention to carry out BAT action was reported opposite Gurez, Keran, Naugam, Uri and Rampur sectors in Valley region as well as Poonch, Krisna Ghati and Bhimber Gali sectors in Jammu region. However, in July this year , Machhal and Tangdhar sectors in the Valley region as well as Rajouri and Naushera sectors in Jammu region were the additional sectors where movement of terrorists were indicated for BAT actions.

The intelligence data also indicates an increase in the movement of terrorists615 terrorists at various positions across the border in July as compared to 598 in the month of June. The maximum movement of terrorists was indicated opposite the Poonch sector. These movements were indicated opposite Gurez , Machhal, Keran , Tangdhar, Naugam, Uri and Rampur sectors in Valley region as well as Poonch , Bhimber Gali and Krishna ghati , Rajouri and Naushera sectors of Jammu region.

Inputs also indicated that as compared to June 2017, there was a drop in the movement of terrorists opposite Machhal, Keran, Tangdhar, Rampur and Krishna Ghati sectors. However, Poonch, Bhimber Gali, Rajouri and Naushera sectors recorded more inputs regarding movement of terrorists across the LoC in PoK.

Out of the 45 attempted infiltration attempts (39 in the Valley and six in Jammu) in July, five terrorists succeeded in infiltrating, data collated by the central agencies reveals. "The fact is that the terror violence in JK has not spiked immediately. The problem has been festering since 2014 if we compare the data over the last three year ," said a top security official handling Jammu and Kashmir affairs .

Recent official data also shows that terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up twice since 2014 and the number of security forces killed has doubled; civilians killed has gone up thrice while civilian injuries have been six times this year as compared to 2014.

The NDA came to power in 2014 and during that year terrorist violence stood at 102 terror incidents killing 25 security personnel, 16 civilians besides injuring 35 others. There were 93 terror incidents in 2015 killing 19 civilians and 27 security men . In 2016, there were 165 incidents killing 16 civilians and 45 security personnel .

Now, fresh government data upto September 15 this year shows a spurt to a total of 202 incidents of terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir killing 56 security personnel, 53 civilians and injuring 208 others. Besides, 56 security personnel were killed and 232 others injured. However, militants killed and injured has also gone up since 2014 as number of encounters has risen from 39 to 63 so far this year killing 145 militants as compared to 67 in the year 2014.
Policy-Planning Group of Congress, headed by former prime minister Manmohan Singh, reached Srinagar on Saturday for an on the spot assessment of the situation in the troubled state.

Other members of the Group include leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union home minister P. Chidambaram and party general secretary Ambika Soni.

The Group will hold meetings with Congress legilsators of the state opposition parties, traders and members of the civil society.

The team had recently visited Jammu and met several delegations and parties during their stay in the winter capital.

Talking to reporters, Azad lashed out at the state government for not identifying the stake holders for talks.

''Everyone knows who the stakeholders are, but they (government) is afraid to take the names,'' he said. When they are afraid to even identify them as stakeholders, how will there be a resolution?''

A National Conference delegation led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah was among the first to meet the Congress leaders.

The NC delegation had also met the Union home minister Rajnath Singh in Srinagar last week.

Senior J&K Congress leader G.A. Mir said the purpose of the Group's visit is to interact with the party leadership in the state and a cross section of people.

He said the Group will also visit Ladakh for which dates will be announced later.

Mir said anybody who wants to meet the Congress leadership is welcome.

Some of our party workers used to find it difficult to travel all the way to Delhi for meetings,'' Mir said. This time they can discuss whatever that want with the Congress leaders in Srinagar and Jammu.''

The Congress leaders, sources said, will also collect feedback about the working of the state leaders and replacing Mir with Tariq Hamid Karra who joined the party after quitting the PDP last year in protest against the civilian killings and blinding of protesters by pellets. Kara also resigned from Parliament.

Given the uneasy relationship between the PDP and the BJP, the Congress is working on firming up the alliance of the like-minded parties in the J&K to take on the BJP in case there are snap polls in the state.

The Congress will also collect feedback from all three regions on the move against the Article 35 in the Supreme Court.

The party is not in favour of abrogating the Article which is an essential part of Jawahar Lal Nehru's legacy and was issued by the President after 1952 Delhi Agreement between Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah.
The pace with which Goa Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) booked leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar in a disproportionate assets case has surprised many in the tiny coastal state. Kavlekar and his wife Savitri, both Congress leaders, have been booked in the disproportionate assets case and the ACB appears very keen on custodial interrogation of both.

It is worth noting here that the case per se is not new. ACB has been investigating the matter since 2012 and it had submitted its report to the state chief secretary more than six months ago, before the assembly elections in March, 2017. "Kavlekar has still not been able to satisfy the investigating agencies about the additional source of income to the tune of Rs five crore," Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George said. "If he fails to give a satisfactory reply we might need his custodial interrogation," added George. According to ACB, disproportionate assets are valued at over Rs 4.78 crores.

Kavlekar has said that he has nothing to hide. He also stressed that it was tactic by the Parrikar government to demoralize the opposition. A member of Goa state legislature, Kavlekar was elected for the third term in the March assembly polls. He was chairman of Goa Industries Corporation from 2005 to 2012. His wife too contested the recent election but was unsuccessful. ACB has claimed that they found that Kavlekar owns four companies and many properties in Kerala.

So what took Goa ACB to act on a report that they had completed more than six months ago. Is it a coincidence that the action has come just a day after Lokayukta ordered ACB to reopen the investigation in the beach cleaning scam in which two firms, Ram Cleaners and Developers, and Bhumika Clear Tech Services were given beach cleaning contracts. A case had been filed against former Goa minister and BJP leader Dilip Parulekar on the basis of a complaint filed by independent legislator Rohan Khaunte, who is now revenue minister in Parrikar government. ACB , in its investigations, had given a clean chit to Parulekar. Lokayukta Justice P K Mishra has recommended that ACB should reopen the investigation or the government may consider handing over probe to CBI.

Pramod Acharya, Editor of Prudent Media, a Goa based media house, told THE WEEK that the timing of ACB's action against opposition leader, Kavlekar appears suspiciuos. "The case may not be, but the timing of ACB action against Kavlekar and his wife is definitely suspicious. The lokayukta has ordered reopening of the investigation in Beach Cleaning scam case involving former tourism minister and BJP leader Dilip Parulekar. The opposition had actively followed up on the case, Kavlekar himself was not much vociferous though. But by booking him in a disproportionate assets case the government appears to be keen to divert the attention," said Acharya.
A group of astronomers at the University of Sheffield has shown that Planet 9an unseen planet on the edge of our Solar Systemprobably formed closer to home than previously thought.

A team led by Dr Richard Parker from the University of Sheffields Department of Physics and Astronomy has found that Planet 9 is unlikely to have been captured from another planetary system, as has previously been suggested, and must have formed around the Sun.

The outskirts of the Solar System have always been something of an enigma, with astronomers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries searching for a giant planet that wasn't there, and the subsequent discovery of Pluto in 1930.

Pluto was downgraded in status to a 'dwarf planet' because astronomers discovered many other small objectsso-called Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt objectsat similar distances from the Sun.

In 2016, astronomers working in the USA postulated the presence of 'Planet 9' to explain the strange orbital properties of some Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt objects.

But while it isn't possible to directly observe Planet 9, it hasn't stopped theorists from trying to work out how it got there.

Planet 9 is at least ten times bigger than Earth, making it unlikely that it formed at such a large distance from the Sun. Instead, it has been suggested it either moved there from the inner regions of the Solar System, or it could have been captured when the Sun was still in its birth star cluster.

But a team, led by Dr Parker with colleagues from ETH Zurich, has shown that the capture scenario is extremely unlikely.

Researchers simulated the Sun's stellar nursery where interactions are common and found that even in conditions optimised to capture free-floating planets, only five-to-10 out of 10,000 planets are captured onto an orbit like Planet 9's.

Dr Parker said: "We know that planetary systems form at the same time as stars, and when stars are very young they are usually found in groups where interactions between stellar siblings are common. Therefore, the environment where stars form directly affects planetary systems like our own, and is usually so densely populated that stars can capture other stars or planets.

In this work, we have shown thatalthough capture is commonensnaring planets onto the postulated orbit of Planet 9 is very improbable. We're not ruling out the idea of Planet 9, but instead we're saying that it must have formed around the Sun, rather than captured from another planetary system."

The study was published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
A day after North Korea fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan, President Donald Trump said he is confident that the US' options towards North Korea are "effective and overwhelming."

"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force.

Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated.

"We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said.

North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. But the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Defense Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said.

"The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defense Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said.

"Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defense cooperation between the three nations," he said.

Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was second time that they've had to do that since World War II.

"I believe it will further North Korea's isolationdiplomatic and economic isolationbecause more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said.

"I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said.

Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile.

"The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said.
CIAA, PMO concerned about projects for MPs

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) have separately expressed concerns over the allocation of the Rs 10-billion package under the Constituency Infrastructure Special Programme (CISP) and Constituency Development Programme (CDP).
World Red Panda Day: Conservationists demand more action from government

Conservationists say that they have been facing challenges to conserve red panda population as the government has not taken major steps to protect these endangered mammals.
Sign of the times: Michael Bruce has won over clients with technology

Property website Purplebricks has been back in the headlines after another complaint against its adverts was upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority.

Two people complained that its claim, Viewings  we take care of them all, made in its most recent campaign, was misleading as viewings are not included in the firms fixed fee.

In itself, it is not a major issue. Purplebricks agreed to amend the wording and the ASA says the matter is resolved.

But it is not the first time Purplebricks has come under the cosh. Just two months ago the ASA upheld complaints against the firm over exaggerated claims about how much customers could save by using its services rather than a high street estate agent.

That came less than a year after it received a slap on the wrist over similar claims, and it also sparked an investigation into the business by the BBCs Watchdog.

All that has made for something of a bumpy ride for the firms investors in recent weeks.

Shares peaked at 514p on August 8 and have since fallen back to 389p. On their worst day, they dropped 7 per cent after Radio 4s You And Yours accused the company of exaggeration. It is worth noting that one of the major casualties of that drop is star fund manager Neil Woodford, who has a 27 per cent stake through his funds in the business. He invested 7 million in 2014, before it listed on the stock exchange.

Back in June, he said the market had been behind the curve in appreciating the companys success and there was much more room to grow in the months and years ahead.

Despite the recent turmoil, shares in the firm are still worth three times as much as a year ago, when they were 130p. That is because, crucially, Purplebricks has tapped into that all-important trend of the consumer abandoning the high street and going digital. Launched in 2012 by Irish brothers Michael and Kenny Bruce, Purplebricks offers estate agency services for a set fee rather than a percentage of the sale price, typically 1.5 per cent.

The downside is that the flat fee is paid upfront rather than when a home sells, unless the seller chooses the slightly more expensive pay later option. More also has to be paid if the local property expert is called in to conduct viewings, but included in the cost is promotion across social media and the major property portals such as Zoopla and Rightmove, as well as use of the websites app.

Calling itself a next generation estate agent, the business has impressed customers with its technology, which sends sellers feedback from viewings and enables them to see via the app how many people are looking at their home.

Growth has been strong since Purplebricks floated in December 2015. In its first full-year results, for the 12 months to April 30, revenue climbed from 18.6 million to 46.7 million.

Purplebricks success lies in its ability to provide cutting-edge technology and innovation to its customers alongside the traditional services they expect from an estate agent. The group has more than doubled its bank of local property experts to 448.

Taking it on the chin: Purplebricks' adverts have drawn complaints

The company gets 2.5 million visits to its website every month and says a sale is agreed on its properties every nine minutes. It has more than 26,000 entries on reviews website Trustpilot, with an average rating of 9.5 out of 10.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the firm is rapidly snatching market share away from high street estate agents and has increased its share of the UK online market to 72 per cent.

Purplebricks has already expanded into Australia, where first-mover advantage has seen it gain traction quickly. Now it has set its sights on the US. The firm has raised just shy of 50 million from investors to fund its push across the Atlantic. It formally launched its business there on Friday and will roll it out state by state.

While it will not be the first of its kind in the US, the market there is huge. There are about 5.5 million property transactions in America every year and the commissions are high  around 5 or 6 per cent. Purplebricks needs to snag only a small portion of these sales to make this venture a success.

Midas verdict: If Purplebricks can avoid further run-ins with the advertising regulator, then its share price should easily recover. Ambitious expansion plans could mean losses in the short term but, if successful, should reap rewards in the future.

Traded on: AIM Ticker: PURP Contact: 020 7457 2020
A deal to merge the European arm of Tata Steel, which runs the giant refinery in Port Talbot, and Germanys ThyssenKrupp looks set to go ahead soon after the German elections on September 24  if unions agree to it.

ThyssenKrupp has a board meeting scheduled for that week where the merger is expected to be discussed. The German engineer and steelmaker said: An agreement could be possible before the end of this month.

But trade unions oppose the deal. They would prefer ThyssenKrupp to list key operations, including its lifts division, on the stock market.

Sign of the times: Trade unions and activist investor Cevian oppose the deal

Activist investor Cevian, the firms second biggest shareholder, also opposes the deal.

Employees and shareholders are represented equally on the 20-member board, so chairman Ulrich Lehner may have to use his casting vote. Tata said it was still in talks with the German firm.

The planned merger follows Tata Steels controversial move to shift 130,000 past and present staff into the Pension Protection Fund.

It persuaded regulators and trustees that the existing schemes deficit threatened the survival of the firm and agreed to put 550 million and a one third equity stake in Tata Steel UK into the lifeboat fund.
Theresa May will meet Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa tomorrow to discuss joint action to ramp up pressure on Boeing in a dispute that threatens 4,500 jobs in Northern Ireland.

The US plane maker claims Canadian rival Bombardier is selling its C-Series jets, whose wings are made in Belfast, at below cost price in the US. It alleges Bombardier received unfair subsidies from the US and Canadian governments in a 2016 deal with US carrier Delta.

UK Government sources said the two Prime Ministers were in agreement that Boeing should back off.

Row: Wings for the Bombardier C-Series jets are made in Belfast

A ruling is expected from the US Department of Commerce on September 25 over Boeings claim. This could hit Bombardier with punitive tariffs, which would make it difficult to sell the jets in the US and could risk its future.

Bombardier, which announced 95 job cuts in Belfast last week, describes the allegations as absurd. It said it complied with all relevant laws in its funding arrangements.

Gavin Robinson, the DUP MP for Belfast East, who sits on the Commons Defence Committee, said the Government should warn Boeing that if it does not withdraw its complaint it could have an effect on defence orders.

The UK is buying 50 Boeing Apache attack helicopters and nine Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. Canada is buying Boeing F16 fighter jets.

Boeing has been reminded at the Ministry of Defence level that we are a very big customer, he said.

He also warned that should the ruling put Bombardier at risk, the Chinese could buy it and gain access to its technological prowess.

Boeing said that it had to take action as subsidised competition has hurt us now and will continue to hurt us for years to come.

Mrs May has spoken to US President Donald Trump over the case and leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein have written to the Vice-President. The Government said: Our priority is to encourage Boeing to drop its case and seek a negotiated settlement with Bombardier.
Quick change: Paul Price is a former Burberry boss

When new Topshop boss Paul Price was sprucing up his Islington pad, he and his partner would invite as many as 300 guests to parties.

Now the renovation is complete the couple say future gatherings at the three-storey townhouse will be nearer 50  a little more exclusive, perhaps with good reason.

Price began his new job just days ago  and the former Burberry executive will need every ounce of his focus and experience to steer the business through the choppy waters ahead.

Topshop and other brands owned by billionaire Sir Philip Greens Arcadia Group  including Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Wallis and Burton  are on a high street that is being buffeted from all sides.

Many fashion retailers are hoping this season will offer up better returns than recent years. But they are battling a squeeze in consumer confidence, pressure from escalating import costs after sterlings tumble and younger shoppers desertion to online outlets.

Topshop is facing much bigger and more potent competition than it ever has before with the growth of Zara, H&M and Primark over the past few years, says retail consultant Richard Hyman.

Thats before you mention the likes of Asos, Boohoo and Missguided, which in Topshops heyday were pinpricks on the map.

Someone has to be losing out and I think Topshop is one of them.

Insiders say Green, seen last month spraying champagne among scantily-clad partygoers on the Greek island of Mykonos, is delighted with the hiring of Price and feels the tide is about to turn on his fortunes.

The new Topshop supremo worked at Burberry for almost a decade, rising to chief merchandising officer, which required him to have his finger on the pulse of the brands luxury shoppers. Prior to that he worked at Lucky Brand Jeans, a US denim company based in California.

The American has now settled in North London, where he lives with his partner Fletcher Cowan.

The recent house renovation, which featured in a glossy magazine article, has revealed a property finely tailored to their rarefied tastes.

Prices art collection adorns the walls, with a painting by Oliver Marsden, a former assistant to Damien Hirst, and another by Mary Weatherford, a student at Princeton University with Price. Her plug-in, neon works have been auctioned for more than 175,000. A Jeff Koons porcelain Puppy vase  a snip by comparison at $7,500 (5,500)  adds a touch of humour in the living room.

Star quality: Paul Price's Burberry adverts featured David and Victoria Beckham's son Romeo (above right)

There is also a well-stocked bar area primed for the next bash.

The house itself, interior-designed by Australian-born Peter Mikic, is decorated with veined Spanish marble and vibrant colours  reflecting the high fashion tastes and extrovert personalities of the pair, who have become regulars on the social scene  from London to the islands of St Barts and Capri.

One half of the couple, Fletcher Cowan, a former pupil at 35,000-a-year Bedales School in Hampshire, is an aspiring television and internet personality with a quirky Channel Four series, How To Be A Socialite, already under his belt.

In an insight into the couples home life, Cowan told an interviewer this year: Paul is happiest cooking in the kitchen and Im at my happiest eating his food.

Upon Prices appointment, Cowan commented on social media: So proud of my guy. Rightly so. But Price faces challenges. His former world of Burberry luxury, with trenchcoats selling for 1,495, is far removed from the regional high streets that are home to Burton  another part of the Arcadia empire  where navy trench coats cost 75.

Stylish pair: Fletcher Cowan and Paul Price

But Price, Green and the billionaires Los Angeles-based backers at Leonard Green, a private equity fund which bought a 25 per cent stake in Topshop and Top Man in 2012, are determined to get a grip on the business.

Topshop is the key to success at Greens empire. Alongside Top Man it brings in almost 1 billion a year  around half of group sales and well over half of annual profit.

A further sign of Greens desire to raise the ambitions of the brands was revealed in his appointment of David Hagglund, a former art director at fashion magazine Vogue Paris, as creative director. He has also struck a deal to open stores in China.

A source familiar with Prices role said: His job is to make sure the brand appeals to a global audience and grows online. Burberry was a quintessentially British brand and it became a global fashion house.

He added: Topshop has embarked on that journey. But, if all goes to plan, in the next five or ten years Britain will be only one market and the majority of its sales will be from overseas.

Its a very smart hire and maybe Price can add a touch of glamour to the business along the way.
One in five UK parents have taken money from their pension, or stopped contributing to it, to help their children financially, according to a new report today.

But nearly six out of 10 parents who have loaned money to children or grandchildren have written off all or some of it.

And the latest research shows that three in four have not set any repayment conditions or plans for the money they have loaned.

A fifth of parents have taken money from their pension to help their children financially (file photo)

For the Bank of Mum and Dad is potentially the UK's most lenient lender and its relaxed approach means it ends up writing off huge numbers of loans each year, according to new research from Prudential.

Remarkably, every one of the more than 1,000 parents interviewed on behalf of Prudential said they had already loaned money to their children or grandchildren to cover major financial commitments, or hoped to do so in the future.

But the report warns there is a risk that their generosity will come at a cost to their own financial futures - one in five (19 per cent) said they had taken money out of their pension fund or sacrificed saving into their pension to help their children.

Other parents have had to cut back themselves as a result, with one in five (19 per cent) saying they've had to go without certain things, while one in ten admit they have ended up being short of money for emergencies since giving the loan to a family member.

However, despite the potential costs to their own finances, nearly six out of 10 (59 per cent) of those who have lent money to their offspring have subsequently decided to write off some or all of the debt - with a generous one in three (34 per cent) having written off the whole lot.

Part of the reason could be that more often than not, applying for a loan at the Bank of Mum and Dad doesn't involve any onerous terms and conditions - 75 per cent of parents who have loaned money did not impose any conditions or specific repayment terms on their loans, despite the fact that more than three quarters (77 per cent) of them initially expected to be repaid in full.

Just one in seven (14 per cent) of 1,057 parents surveyed lent the money with an agreement of fixed monthly repayments and only eight per cent put a written repayment agreement in place.

However, one in 14 creditor parents (7 per cent) take a tough line and have a written agreement in place specifying exactly what the loaned money should be spent on.

In another sign that the Bank of Mum and Dad is happy to write risky loans to their families, many parents admit to lending money their children can't repay.

Of those who have written off some or all of their loans, two in five (41 per cent) did so because their child simply couldn't afford to pay them back, while one in seven (15 per cent) said their child never had any intention of repaying them at all.

Kirsty Anderson, a retirement income expert at Prudential, said: 'I'm sure every parent would love to be in a position to help their families when they're faced with significant financial challenges and our research shows that many are doing just that.

'Whether it's helping with a deposit to buy or rent a house, or clearing student debt, the Bank of Mum and Dad plays a vital role in the finances of younger people.

'However, it is important that parents remember to consider their own futures when deciding on making loans to their families - for example, money taken now from savings and investments intended to provide for retirement could make a real dent in your income when the time comes to give up work, especially if you eventually have to write off all or some of the loan.

'But of course, family life is not always straightforward and many parents who are considering dipping into their pension savings or stopping saving altogether could benefit from a consultation with a professional financial adviser before making any decisions.

'Pension saving is for the long term and for most people is most effective when they save as much as possible for as long as possible during their working lives.'

Prudential's research also reveals that those parents who do expect to be repaid are giving their children a generous amount of time to pay off their loans.

Nearly one in three (31 per cent) expect repayments to take up to three years, and one in six (16 per cent) expect to wait between three and 10 years before the money is back in their accounts.
Frustrated holidaymakers are needlessly handing over hundreds of pounds in compensation for delayed flights to claims management firms.

The no-win, no-fee firms deduct up to 40 per cent of payouts for flights that are delayed for three hours or more or cancelled.

In the worst cases, passengers are being asked to hand over 215 from a 532 payout.

The fees include a basic cut of up to 30 per cent of the compensation, plus an administration fee of up to 25, and VAT charged at 20 per cent of the main fee, according to an investigation by consumer group Which?

Frustrated holidaymakers are needlessly handing over hundreds of pounds in compensation for delayed flights to claims management firms (file photo)

Despite the exorbitant costs, campaigners say hundreds of thousands of travellers are turning to these firms because of airlines tendencies to wriggle out of paying compensation.

Airlines have also been criticised for making the process as tortuous as possible to put Britons off lodging claims, even though they are entitled to do so under EU law.

Claims management firms have been the main beneficiaries, raking in tens of millions.

The scandalous fees have prompted calls for tougher rules forcing airlines to automatically pay compensation.

Most firms offer a no win, no fee basis, meaning they will not charge for unsuccessful claims.

Under Brussels rules, passengers departing from EU airports are entitled to compensation of between 220 and 360 on short-haul flights and up to 532 for longer journeys.

The no-win, no-fee firms deduct up to 40 per cent of payouts for flights that are delayed for three hours or more or cancelled (file photo)

Flights have to be delayed at least three hours. Which? analysed the most popular claims management firms.

It found flightdelays.co.uk took a fee of 29 per cent of the compensation, plus a 25 fee and VAT. No information on fees is featured on its home page. The firm claims to have recovered more than 25million. Based on this it would have taken 7.25million from the main fee, plus 5.5million in admin charges.

Airfair.com takes a 30 per cent cut plus VAT  equating to 191.50 on a 532 payout. Again there is no mention of the fees on its home page. EUclaim.co.uk deducts 185  including a 25 per cent fee, a 25 admin charge and VAT.

Tory MP Huw Merriman (pictured) said the compensation process unnecessarily complex and in desperate need of an overhaul

Other firms, including Which?, offer a free service. Which? spokesman Alex Neill said: The fact that passengers are willing to lose a substantial chunk of the compensation ... shows that the system must be changed.

Tory MP Huw Merriman, who sits on the Commons transport committee, said the rise of the claims industry showed the compensation process is unnecessarily complex and in desperate need of an overhaul.

Flightdelays said its charges are slightly higher as it covers the cost of clients legal proceedings. Managing director Steve Phillips backed calls for airlines to pay automatic compensation.

Airfair boss Will Smith said: Airlines are continuously putting up barriers to make it difficult for passengers to claim themselves. We have overcome these barriers.

EUclaim said it had a 97 per cent success rate in court, adding: We are proud at how many passengers we are able to help at our current ... prices.

Trade body Airlines UK said airlines were clear with their customers that direct applications were the best option, and that paying fees to third parties was unnecessary.

Andrew Haines, of the Civil Aviation Authority, said: Passengers can be confident that we have undertaken a number of significant steps to ensure that airlines comply with their obligations.
Dont assign any responsibility to Khadka: House panel to MoS

The Good Governance and Monitoring Committee of Parliament has directed the Ministry of Supplies (MoS) to relieve Gopal Khadka, managing director of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), of his responsibilities to facilitate an ongoing probe into his involvement in irregularities.
The Form III pupil who aspires to be a dermatologist was crowned in the midst of her family where about 300 guests attended the prestigious event to witness the crowning of Miss Teen Swaziland.



She relieved Temandlondlo Msibi the duties of Miss Teen Swaziland after she had reigned for two years.

As a young woman, I always viewed beauty pageants as the antithesis of encouragement when it came to making someone feel beautiful.



I pictured it as this situation where a young woman does everything in her power to be considered beautiful by people she doesnt know and will probably never have a formal conversation with.

It ends with a few judges telling her that she is or is not good enough to wear a crown.



Charismatic



Just like athletes contestants in beauty pageants train to win the gold, they learn to control their nerves, they train to present themselves the best, they train for different aspects of the competition, they are supposed to be fluent, charismatic and intelligent and they train for these as well.



Hardwork pays, luck should never be underestimated, natural talent never hurt anybody, and for young Tyra Johnson she ticked all these boxes that eventually made her crowned as Miss Teen Swaziland.



Although, we call them beauty pageants but not every winner is the prettiest, and because you know, as I mentioned above, beauty is not all judged but nonetheless a beautiful contestant have one box naturally ticked.

These pageants are also wonderful platforms for recognising charismatic and talented women and giving them a shot at their dreams.

Is Swaziland able to meet with the world standard of beauty pageants?



This is one question that has haunted most of us for some time because of how the whole idea of being a beauty queen in the Kingdom has been perceived by the media which has had influences from how some of the previous queens reigns end, which is in drama.

Lately we havent heard of any beauty queen that has represented us on the world stage because we have secluded ourselves from such competitions. Why?



One would ask, is it because not enough corporates have shown any interests in investing in such competitions or do we as a nation doubt that we are worthy of being in the world stage?

These are some of the questions that we need answers to to know that these girls that enter such competitions are in it for the long run.

As a titleholder, like it or not, you are nonchalantly held to a higher standard in society. the crown is a sparkly hat- and that hat is like a managers key that can open virtually any door. With the esteemed title, however, there are expectations and regulations, a sort of tacit pageant code.



Accomplishments



All applications for any title are expected to be honest about who they are and about their accomplishments.

After they are crowned, obviously they are expected to represent the programme with integrity.

But beyond that the titleholder is expected to be a member of a pageant programmes marketing team.

They become the face and the voice in front of the pageant. Therefore, they are expected to be articulate, well versed in the programs mission statement, and willing to sell that programme wherever they go.



So lets break this down. A titleholder is expected to be honest, articulate, and a promoter of the programme. While this may seem like a lot, this is merely standard for anyone interested in competing in pageants.



Honesty



As we know from grade school, honesty is the best policy. Additionally, integrity is on the forefront of the majority of judges minds. Just a reminder, they reserve the right and have the capability to check the validity of all the achievements listed on your pageant paperwork.



Articulate



This is a great adjective to use on your pageant paperwork and in interview. Treat everyone you meet with grace and kindness, never refuse a photo opportunity, and always thank the organiser, coordinator, or the person who invited you. These are all signs of a confident and articulate young lady.



Promoter



In my opinion, this is the most important duty of a titleholder. Promoting your programme is vital to its growth and success. Your cooperation with your director and your team is truly one of the most important mutual relationships that you can create. Being able to exploit your likeness and testimony around your state and the country is how the system thrives. This step also coincides with being articulate. It is very difficult to promote a programme if you are not comfortable speaking with people of all ages, intellects and backgrounds.



Finally, as I mentioned in the beginning, each of these must be taken into consideration before competing in a pageant. Being both a contestant and/or a titleholder bears great responsibility. Pageant titleholders are contributing and helpful citizens of society who strive to better the world wherever life leads them. If you have a passion for volunteerism and the well-being of others, then this might just be for you. We here at The Pageant Planet are glad that you have decided to consult us about the requirements of such a prestigious job, and you are one step closer to that sparkly hat!



Message from Dreams on Wheels to Miss Teen Swaziland:



Dreams on Wheels would gladly like to congratulate Tyra Johnson and her Princesses Emihle Dzimba and Nina Zwane for making it through this tough and stiff competition. We are glad and proud of the commitment and effort you showed towards your Dreams activities, we would like to assure the world that the best took the crown. We are pleased to share your memories with Dreams on Wheels, You are true ambassadors, the ambition and effort you have displayed so far has proven that. Fun time we had indeed ladies.
Author Samuel Rutherford once quoted that; After winter comes the summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies. He could have not said it any better.



I was talking to someone this week about her feeling that things werent happening fast enough. That with all she was doing, intending, and putting out, there more should be happening, and faster.



My question to her was should things really be happening faster? Or are you exactly where youre supposed to be? In all honesty, I have come to realise that we have a tendency to think we have it all figured out. When it should happen, how it should happen, who it should happen with and before its too late.



We are powerful creators but the truth is were not in this alone. There are other forces at play, and for the most part, to our benefit. Have you ever had something occur in your life that you had wished for years earlier, only to realise that now was the perfect timing? That in fact, you wouldnt have been ready for it any earlier? That in retrospect, everything was leading up to the perfect moment of this unfolding?



In charge



The problem with most of us is that we want to feel in charge of our lives. It makes us feel safe knowing we have control. And to some extent, we have complete control in dictating our desires, in stating our ambitions, and in following our well laid plans.



But sometimes, life has a way of throwing us curve balls. There is a delay in an outcome we are hoping to produce or the timing doesnt work out as planned. Were not where we think we should be, financially, socially, professionally, creatively, or romantically.
MBABANE  Government will not let Malkerns relinquish its status of being a town.



This is so because it is now appealing the judgment where the High Court declared that Malkerns was not a town.

In its appeal government averred that the High Court should have instead remitted the matter back to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development for a proper decision.



In its appeal government further argued that the High Court erred both in law and in fact in declaring that Malkerns was not a town.

The appeal is still pending in the Supreme Court.



In Her judgment Judge Mumcy Dla- mini said it was erroneous for the minister to do so (declaring Malkerns a town) without first extending an invitation under the Urban Government Act for property owners to file their objection.

Malkerns was declared a town in 2012.



He (minister) cannot point out to Legal Notice No.97 of 2010 or Legal Notice No.30 of 2011 as an invitation because both notices were under the Building Act which regulates construction of building, said Judge Dlamini.

The court also found that it was also prejudicial to the applicants (property owners) because their properties were suddenly levied with rates without their input as per the provisions of the Urban Government Act.



Judge Dlamini said she noted that the minister attested that the declaration of an area as a town did not necessarily attract rate payment.

However, he did not refute the applicants averments that Malkerns Town Board had created a valuation roll for purposes of levying rates upon their properties, observed the court.
NKOYOYO  She lives an impoverished life in a rented one-room house with her seven children while their father brushes shoulders with royalty.



This is the case of bedridden Fikile Ntekazi, who has seven children with a member of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Fo-rce (USDF), whom she claims does not contribute towards the childrens maintenance and upbringing.



The name of the soldier is known to this publication but has been deliberately withheld, as he could not be reached for comment and to respond on some of the allegations made by the mother of his seven children.



The soldier, who is a Dlamini, is based at Ludzidzini Royal Residence where he works as a Royal guard while the ailing mother of his seven children; three boys and four girls is unemployed and currently fighting for her life at the house she rents at Nkoyoyo.

The children are aged between 10 years and 23 years.



Struggling



Three of them are in primary school and two of the boys are struggling in high school, while the eldest girls are idling at home after obtaining not so positive results in Form V.

Just last month, Ntekazi and her children had to sleep in a door-less house after the landlady allegedly removed the door after she failed to pay rent for two months.



The last time I paid rent was in April, while I was still working as a shop assistant, he said.

The family literally goes for days without food as the mother is very sick and cannot even do piece jobs to raise money.



After the interview that was conducted amid gasps of air, she bid the reporter farewell and said it could be the last day of her life as the illness seemed to be defeating her wish to live longer and look after her children.
LOBAMBA  All chiefs in the country need to meet and approach the King on issues pertaining to their welfare.



This piece of advice was shared by Prince Mabizela before the Parliamentary probe team investigating the influx of foreigners into the country, with inclination to Asian nationals.



The prince was responding to questions posed by the probe team, as to who was responsible for the welfare of chiefs.

He said, Bobabe shifu kumele bahlangane bashulungane bashuce baye enkhosini,



Members of the Land Management Board were the first to bring in the aspect of chiefs welfare not being taken care of.

Chief Prince Ngangabani pointed out that chiefs were vulnerable to accepting bribes and gifts brought by foreigners in exchange of land because they were literally hungry.



He said chiefs do not get a salary or incentive but they only relied on what they got from their subjects. Most chiefs are living in poverty and this makes them vulnerable to corruption.



Their welfare is not taken care of and they cannot even access development funds, such as the regional development fund just to start income generating projects to sustain their families.



According to the prince, foreigners were now aware of the fact that chiefs are in need and that is why they bring them valuables and money to develop a rapport, which makes it easier for them to get a piece of land.



The prince said chiefs should be educated about their core mandate, which is to safeguard the land that belongs to the King.

Some people go to Swazi Nation Land to start businesses but they end up building their homes there, even when they are foreigners. Chiefs need to be reminded that owning a business on SNL does not mean you also qualify to be a resident.
Foreign employment: Govt to raise licence fee for recruiting firms

The government is planning to charge new recruiting agencies more in licence fees, increasing the amount by more than three folds.
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By Naeisha Rose

Trevis Hall, a boxer and a 2009 Golden Gloves winner from Far Rockaway, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted in July of bludgeoning and stabbing his ex-girlfriend Margarita Rivera to death, according to Queens DA Richard Brown.

Breaking up with someone should not equal a death sentence, but in a violent rage this defendant carried out a brutal execution of his former lover, Brown said.

Prior to being sentenced Sept. 7, Hall was found guilty of three counts of murder and criminal possession of a weapon at Queens Supreme Court in a jury trial presided over by Judge Barry Schwartz.

On Dec. 1, 2014, Hall bought a pipe at Home Depot around 1 p.m. and over an hour later he found his former girlfriend on Watson Place in Jamaica, where he struck her repeatedly in the head with it after stabbing her in the chest numerous times with a knife, according to trial records cited by Brown.

Police found Rivera in a pool of her own blood next to the metal pipe and knife, and before she was taken to a hospital she called out Tre three times as she bled profusely from her head, according to authorities.

The featherweight boxer was later found 15 minutes away unconscious inside a dumpster after a suicide attempt on 127th Street in Richmond Hill. He was sent by emergency responders to the same hospital where Rivera died that day from her injuries, police said.

A Home Depot receipt with the SKU number for the pipe was found in his pocket, and police later observed surveillance footage of Hall purchasing the pipe, according to Brown.

With a pipe and a knife, the defendant viciously stabbed and beat the 31-year-old victim in the middle of the street, Brown said. The defendant  a Golden Gloves winner in 2009  purchased the pipe just 90 minutes before the fatal assault and still had the receipt with the matching SKU number in his pocket when he was apprehended.

Detectives from the 103rd Precinct conducted the investigation.

The sentence imposed by the court today is more than warranted, the district attorney said.
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When Alora Moretti and Shawn Reaulo got engaged last year, they knew exactly where they wanted to get married: on a cruise ship. So they booked a cruise with Carnival Cruise Line that was set to sail out of Miami, Florida through the West Caribbeana, for their dream wedding on Sept. 9  this Saturday.

The couples plans were canceled Wednesday when they realized Hurricane Irma would show no mercy for their special day. That's when their their personal chaos ensued, whipping them into a frenzy of planning a wedding on the fly. They are now going to hold their wedding at home in Albany, as soon as possible.

What kind of decorations do you have at a wedding? Moretti wrote on Facebook Wednesday night.

Does anyone know anyone who can marry people on short notice? she wrote again Thursday morning.

Friends and family of the couple quickly spread the word and, before they knew it, dozens of people from the Albany community were reaching out to help Moretti and Reaulo re-plan and reschedule their wedding. Daniel Carpenter, mayor of Schuylerville and the husband of Morettis high school librarian, is set to be the officiant at their Sept. 17 wedding. The couple reached out to Rexfords Mohawk River Country Club and received a quick date and generous discount, placed an order for their cake with J&S Watkins Desserts on Thursday, and even landed a free professional photographer, who is a close friend of theirs. In less than 24 hours, Moretti and Reaulo re-planned their wedding and found a silver lining to the stormy cloud that threatened to ruin their special day.

We dont always subscribe to the idea that everything happens for a reason, but the way everything has worked out kind of feels that way, Reaulo said.

Moretti added that the day will be made even more special now since more friends and family will be able to attend the wedding.

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We were really sad because we were really looking forward to the cruise wedding, Moretti said. But we also werent going to have all our friends and family at our wedding. Now that were here, everyone else will be able to make it.

The pair said they are incredibly grateful for all their friends, family and community that helped make their new wedding a reality, but feel badly for those whose lives will be ruined because of the hurricane, Moretti said. For that reason, Moretti and Reaulo will not be accepting wedding gifts, but will instead have guests donate to Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

Everything has worked out for the better despite everything, so we just want to give back, Reaulo said. For anybody who can, whether or not its affecting you directly, do your best to support relief efforts for Harvey, Irma and the other hurricanes that are coming.
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Albany

Site work is under way for a new climate-controlled warehouse, dock and a roll-on, roll-off ramp at the Port of Albany as it prepares to handle bulkier, heavier cargoes as well as a wide range of commodities.

The work is part of $49 million in improvements at the port, according to Rich Hendrick, the general manager.

Other work includes a so-called heavy-lift highway that would carry oversized shipments of power generation equipment between the ramp and the one-acre climate-controlled warehouse, said Tony Vasil, the port's director of business development and marketing.

The Goldhofer trailers have 18 axles to support the equipment's weight. The dock, ramp and highway are slated for completion in 2020, while the warehouse will be ready in early 2018.

Other projects include the demolition and replacement of Shed One.

The expansion comes as ports up and down the East Coast prepare to handle more cargo following the expansion and widening of the Panama Canal.

The Port of New York and New Jersey already is seeing larger container ships, thanks to a project that boosted the height of the Bayonne Bridge roadway to 215 feet, a $1.6 billion project.

While the Port of Albany likely won't see any additional container cargo, at least in the short term, it has become the "premier heavy lift port in the Northeast," said Vasil, handling not only outgoing generators and turbines, many produced by General Electric in Schenectady, but also inbound equipment, including wind turbine blades,nacelles and towers.

Towers first started arriving in June.

"We've had the blades and hubs," Hendrick said at the time. "Now we're getting the full package."

The Albany Port District dates from 1932, but the port was making history well before then.

The Experiment, the second U.S. ship to sail to China, left Albany in 1785, and Robert Fulton's steamboat Clermont, the first commercially viable steamboat, sailed to New York City from Albany in 1809.

A century later, the port also made aviation history with the May 29, 1910 flight of the Albany Flyer, demonstrating the feasibility of cross country flights.

Pilot Glenn H. Curtiss flew the plane 150 miles, taking off from the current port site and flying to New York City, where he collected what may have been the first "Pulitzer prize," a $10,000 award for his accomplishment from New York World publisher Joseph Pulitzer.

In later years, the port has handled everything from Bakken crude and ethanol to molasses, subway cars, grain, scrap iron and wood pulp.

The Gorman Group, a highway construction company that this weekend is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an outing for 250 employees and their guests at Howe Caverns, has been a tenant at the port for four decades.

Cargill's grain elevator, built in 1932, was at the time the largest on the planet and is still considered one of the largest east of the Mississippi River.

This summer, the port was a transshipment point for 18 large tanks that traveled from China, where they were manufactured, to the Genesee Brewery in Rochester,

The tanks traveled across the Pacific and through the newly enlarged Panama Canal, up the Atlantic and Hudson River to the port, where a dozen of them were transferred to barges for the last leg to Rochester.

Six smaller tanks were loaded onto tractor trailers for the final leg, by highway.

eanderson@timesunion.com  518-454-5323
Nepal must wait for at least a year to tap $500m US grant

Nepal will have to wait for at least a year to tap the grant of $500 million provided by the US government, as various legal and other processes have to be followed to lay the groundwork to make appropriate use of the fund.
New Medicare cards  the ones that won't make it easy for ID thieves to steal your Social Security number  will find their way into wallets next year. But we're already hearing warnings about scams that are bubbling up before the big changeover.

TV ads have already begun talking about the new cards and featuring the tagline "Guard Your Card."

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will mail new cards to those receiving Medicare benefits beginning in April 2018 through April 2019. The new cards will use a unique, randomly assigned code  not your Social Security number.

Seniors do not have to do anything to get a new card.

"We're removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards to prevent fraud, fight identity theft, and keep taxpayer dollars safe," reads a statement on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' website.

Consumer watchdogs have argued for years that Medicare needs to remove Social Security numbers off Medicare cards because of fraud, including medical ID theft. Social Security numbers can be sold over and over again on the dark web and used by criminals and can be more valuable to fraudsters than a credit card number.

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 requires the agency to remove Social Security numbers from all Medicare cards by April 2019.

The new ID is called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, which is 11 characters in length. The unique ID will be made of numbers and uppercase letters.

But if impostors can scam people by pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service, you can bet the bad actors will write a script on how they're from Medicare or Social Security and need information, including your Social Security number, right now.

Fraudsters use any opportunity  even a crackdown on fraud  to figure out yet another way to engineer a rip-off.

Medicare is a lifeline for many seniors who are juggling medical bills. And scammers know from experience that it's easy to scare seniors into handing over information.

Many years ago, scammers would send seniors an email, reportedly from the Social Security Administration, to demand that seniors turn over bank account information, credit card information and Social Security numbers.

The threat? If seniors didn't act soon, the bogus email implied, they could lose their chance at getting a cost-of-living raise in their monthly Social Security checks.

Another earlier scam: After big storms or hurricanes, scammers have been known to call those in a disaster area to claim that Medicare cards must be reissued because of the storm. The seniors supposedly needed to "verify" information and then pay $40 to receive a plastic card that would hold up better in another storm. Scammers asked for bank account information to withdraw that $40.

Fraudsters use stolen Social Security numbers to file fake tax returns and claim refund cash that they're not owed. Crooks also use stolen Social Security numbers to open credit cards or apply for loans.

ID thieves also consider Medicare numbers and other protected health information valuable because the numbers can be used to bill Medicare for services that you didn't get.

Susan Bowen, who works for the Area Agency on Aging Region 9 serving northeast Michigan, has been trying to get the word out at various events, including conferences this summer relating to elder abuse, about the potential for new scams.

Bowen envisions scammers crafting stories that scare seniors into thinking they won't receive their new cards in time if they don't hand over bank account information and Social Security numbers.

Or maybe some fraudsters, as they have in the past, will say there's a fee connected to receiving a new Medicare card. There is no such fee.

Or scammers might threaten that you'd lose your benefits if you don't react to their demands right away, such as putting cash to pay a bill on a gift card.

The transition for the new Medicare cards will be happening in phases, so some seniors could be confused and wonder why they didn't get a new card yet.

"Medicare isn't going to call you. Social Security isn't going to call you," Bowen said.

But fraudsters will no doubt generate even more calls in light of the changes ahead, said Pat MacKinnon, assistant director for the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program.

The Senior Medicare Patrol  www.smpresource.org  also offers advice on what to do if you were billed for Medicare services you didn't receive or suspect Medicare fraud.

You can report scams where impostors claim to be from Medicare, Social Security or the IRS at www.ftc.gov.

Adam Levin, founder of CyberScout, said change in any system can lead to more activity from con artists and crooks. He said there was a spike in online fraud and a rise in scams after the rollout of new chip-enhanced credit cards in 2015.

In some cases, con artists sent emails that appeared to be from credit card companies telling consumers that they needed to update their information in order to receive the new EMV chip card. No such thing was required, of course.

Now, Levin said, scammers are capitalizing on the upcoming release of new Medicare cards and pretending to be Medicare reps who must verify Social Security and Medicare numbers, as well as birth dates and addresses.

"They may threaten that benefits will be lost or services delayed," Levin said. "This is a scam."

What consumers need to remember during this shift to new Medicare cards:

Don't get taken off guard by an odd phone call or email.

No legitimate agency is going to phone you and ask you for your Social Security number in order to issue you a new Medicare card.

If you're not sure if the call is legitimate, experts suggest that you hang up and call the agency back on the customer service line, which is 800-633-4227 for Medicare and 800-772-1213 for Social Security.

Hang up if someone tells you there's a fee of any kind associated with those new Medicare cards.

Remember, there is no charge for the new Medicare cards. No fees, no loss of benefits if you don't pay up on a gift card.

Don't leave your wallet in your parked car or locker at the gym.

ID thieves know that many people who are 65 or older continue to carry Medicare cards with them on a regular basis. So even if your wallet doesn't have cash or credit cards but it has a Medicare card, it's still a great target.

The AARP and other consumer watchdogs have recommended not carrying your Medicare card with you on a regular basis. You can make a photocopy and eliminate sensitive information, such as all but the last four digits of your Social Security number.

You can put an emergency contact number on the back of the photocopy. Make sure your contact has your Medicare number.

Fraudsters may be running more intense scams now that the Social Security numbers will be eliminated from Medicare cards.

"Scammers are looking to find ways to squeeze every last penny from their victims before certain avenues are closed to them," Levin said.
Now here's a solution that fits Amazon's bill

The city of Albany has the perfect solution for Amazon's nationwide search for a second headquarters, a $5 billion project known as HQ2.

Amazon says its initial requirements for its new campus will be to have a site with 500,000 square feet of existing buildings that it can move into by 2019, preferably in an urban or downtown setting.

The Central Warehouse in Albany fits that bill with 512,000 square feet of space, plus it is located in Albany's hip and upcoming warehouse district, with easy access to transportation networks such as the Amtrak station, I-90 and Albany International Airport.

Of course, Central Warehouse is already spoken for. Evan Blum, who owns Demolition Depot & Irreplaceable Artifacts, wants to establish a satellite facility in Albany.

Kaloyeros attorneys hope for Wey outcome

Lawyers for Alain Kaloyeros, the founding president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany, hope things go the way of Benjamin Wey in the federal bid-rigging case against their client. Like Kaloyeros, Wey had criminal charges brought against him by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. Wey was accused of securities fraud. Earlier this month, federal prosecutors asked to have the charges against Wey dismissed after the judge overseeing the case ruled that evidence seized could not be used in court because the search warrant was overly broad. Kaloyeros' attorneys are claiming the same.

Banks with vision make dream a reality

Michael Cocca had a dream. The empty Marine Midland bank building at Fourth and Grand in downtown Troy would make a wonderful ballroom and catering space.

Not everyone shared his vision, he recalled Thursday night as he accepted an award from the Rensselaer County Historical Society.

Among them was Marine Midland, which said no even though it owned the building. But Troy Savings Bank stepped up, turning Cocca's vision into reality.

The former Marine Midland building is now a four-level banquet and lounge space that hosted Thursday's event.

And Troy Savings eventually became part of Key Bank, now the largest bank in the Capital Region.

And Marine Midland? It's long gone, swallowed up by HSBC, which itself has abandoned upstate New York.
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Albany

Union leaders are urging a boycott of the Hilton Albany hotel over a labor contract dispute with its Long Island-based owners.

Members of the Hotel Trades Council started picketing outside the Lodge Street hotel on Thursday to protest contract demands being made by United Capital Corp. of Great Neck, L.I., that call for elimination of the pension plan and other concessions.

"These demands are mean-spirited," said Rich Maroko, an executive vice president and general counsel for the union, which represents about 35,000 hospitality workers statewide. The union represents about 600 workers at the new Rivers Casino in Schenectady.

The union represents about 140 people at the Hilton, who work as room attendants, bell staff, engineers, front desk staff, bartenders, cooks and food service workers. The union's labor contract expired in April.

An online notice from the state Mental Health Department indicates a planned conference for Monday and Tuesday was moved from the Hilton Albany to the Empire State Plaza conference center.

"We are aware of a disagreement between management and labor and wanted to find a suitable location," said department spokesman James Plastiras on Friday.

The 385-room, 17-story hotel first opened in 1980 as the Albany Hilton and its workers have long been unionized.

It later became an Omni and then a Crowne Plaza, before returning as a Hilton under owners from Texas. United Capital Corp. purchased the hotel in 2015 and operates seven other hotels in six states under franchise pacts with DoubleTree by Hilton and Radisson.

Maroko said United Capital, which is negotiating its first contract with the union, wants to replace the pension with a 10-cent an hour match to a 401(k) plan. Such a plan would cost the corporation about $5,200 for someone who worked there for 25 years, he said.

Other demands include cutting paid bereavement days from five to three, loss of a week of paid vacation time, and reduction of minimum guaranteed pay for workers called in on on their days off.

David Hayes, regional director of operations for United Capital, said the company was "kind of surprised" that picketing had started ahead of the next scheduled contract bargaining session with the union on Sept. 28.

Hayes said he did not want to "negotiate" contractual issues in the newspaper, adding the company would "negotiate in good faith" with the union.

This is not the first time that United Capital has clashed with local unions. In December 2015, the Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council urged a boycott over the company's use of nonunion workers during a $16 million renovation project.

That prompted the Public Employees Federation, which represents white-collar state workers, to pull an executive board meeting in support of the boycott
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MENANDS  Fifteen cats and 31 dogs from an overwhelmed Florida animal shelter arrived in the Capital Region Friday looking for their forever homes.

The 46 pets were up for adoption in West Palm Beach before Hurricane Irma hit and flooded Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control with other animals who are waiting to be reunited with their families. To make room in the shelter, Florida officials put adoptable pets on planes to other states, including New York.

The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society will house all 15 cats and 15 of the dogs. The other pooches will be cared for by the Montgomery County SPCA (4 dogs), the Columbia Greene Humane Society (5 dogs), the Saratoga County Animal Shelter (4 dogs) and the Animal Protective Foundation (3 dogs).

The five pooches taken in by the Columbia Greene Humane Society have been examined by a veterinarian and "found to be healthy, well-tempered dogs," the shelter said Monday.

Anyone interested in adopting one or more of these dogs can get pre-approved by filling out an adoption application on the shelter's website, cghs.org.

More for you 23 dogs escape Harvey, shelter in Menands

The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society is also caring for 24 dogs rescued from Houston area shelters overwhelmed by Hurricane Harvey. Those dogs arrived Sept. 7.

"These are animals that were already in shelters when the hurricane hit," MHHS spokeswoman Marguerite Pearson said. "By taking these pets in, we helped to free up space in shelters that are holding displaced animals until they can be reunited with their families, which will take weeks, maybe longer. Several have been adopted."

To adopt those who remain, visit mohawkhumane.org/adopt.

Now Playing: Fifteen cats and 30 dogs from Palm Beach, Fla., were transported to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society to make space for animals needing long-term shelter as they await reunion with their families following Hurricane Irma on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, at Albany International Airport in Colonie, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union) Video: Times Union

The Menands shelter is currently caring for a total of 407 animals in their facility and foster homes. To donate or volunteer, visit mohawkhumane.org/storm.

"We have many pets available for adoption," Pearson said. "We encourage people to not wait until the hurricane pets are available, as ... it will be an ongoing process. All are in need of loving homes."

Many of the animals rescued from storm-afflicted areas won't be available for adoption for weeks of even months, she said.

"These animals have been through a lot," Pearson said. "Air and land transports, new environments, new caretakers, new food, new everything."

Now Playing: Fifteen cats and 31 dogs from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control in Palm Beach, Fla., arrived at Albany International Airport on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Colonie, N.Y. The pets were evacuated following Hurricane Irma to make space for animals needing long-term shelter as they await reunion with their families. (Mohawk Hudson Humane Society) Video: Brandpoint

Many of the animals have developed kennel cough from the stress, she said.

Heartworm disease is also very common in warmer states, as it is transmitted by mosquitoes, which pose a year-round threat in the South, she said. Several dogs with heartworm will be fostered for three months while they are treated.

As pets become available, they'll appear on the shelters' websites.
Germantown

A Greene County man who police describe as a heroin dealer is in jail after authorities say he had more than 700 individual doses of the narcotic.

Following a six-week investigation, Joseph Clark, 25, of Cairo was arrested during a Sept. 9 traffic stop in southwestern Columbia County. Police said they executed a search warrant and found about 27 grams of heroin, representing an estimated street value of more than $3,000.

Clark was charged with two felonies for drug possession and sent to Columbia County Jail pending a later court hearing, police said.

The investigation was led by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the District Attorney's Office, the Capital District Drug Enforcement Administration and the county Probation Department.
New season line up at Cloughjordan Cine Club

17/09/17 - A Man Called Ove

Dir: Hannes Holm Sweden, Norway 2016 116 mins Cert: CLUB

Starring: Rolf Lassgard, Bahar Pars, Filip Berg, Ida Engvoll, Tobias Almborg, Klas Wiljergard, Chatarina Larsson, Borje Lundberg

Language: Swedish, Persian

Ove (Rolf Lassgard) is a nit-picking obstructionist widower who polices his tiny town like a tyrant and is desperate to kill himself so he can be reunited with his late, beloved wife, Sonja (Ida Engvoll). Those suicidal plans are constantly interrupted by his communitys residents, most notably a just-moved-in family of four led by Iranian-born Parvaneh (Bahar Pars), who shrugs off Oves nastiness with preternatural big heartedness.

As Oves icy exterior begins to thaw, writer-director Hannes Holm gives us lengthy flashbacks to Oves youth with his own widowed father and to his marriage to Sonja  alternately sorrowful and joyous incidents that deepen the character, casting his senior-citizen gruffness as the natural byproduct of accumulated experience.



15/10/17 - Personal Shopper

Personal Shopper

Dir: Oliver Assayas France, Germany 2016 105 mins Cert: 15A

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Lars Eidinger, Sigrid Bouaziz, Anders Danielsen Lie

Language: English, French, Swedish

Stewart plays Maureen, a young American in Paris who is employed as a personal shopper and assistant to Kyra (Nora Von Waltstatten) a horribly demanding German supermodel-slash-designer. Maureen has to pick up and drop off all the extraordinary couture outfits and luxury items of designer jewellery that Kyra is wearing at various events. But Maureen has got into the habit of borrowing these items herself, because she obviously looks so great in them. And she also is in the habit of staying overnight in Kyras luxury apartment while Kyra herself is out if town.

But this isnt all. Maureen is also a medium, attempting to contact her dead twin Lewis, who died in the mouldering Parisian house that they both grew up in. Lewis suffered from the same congenital heart condition that may yet kill Maureen and which Assayas discloses in a clinical context which cleverly, candidly reveals and yet desexualises Maureens body.



19/11/17 - Pilgrimage

Dir: Brendan Muldowney Ireland 2017 96 mins Cert: TBC

Starring: Tom Holland, Richard Armitage, Jon Bernthal, John Lynch

Language: Irish, French,English

A small band of Catholic monks keep to a solemn routine on a remote Irish coast. Then a stranger arrives. He comes wearing the white robes of the Cistercian order, bearing papers, and demanding the unthinkable. The Irish have no room to argue. Rome has spoken, says the Cistercian. There is no debate. From this foreboding prologue, director Brendan Muldowney creates an extraordinary period drama crossed with action-laced road movie.

Travelling through a 13th-century Irish countryside filled with warring clans and Norman conquerors, the monks bring their lands most sacred relic to Rome. The pilgrimage offers the groups youngest member a profound lesson, one of religious fervor, and the savagery of men who see themselves as soldiers with a cause, who train their ambition on a single, powerful object. Tom Holland (soon-to-be Spider-Man), Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, Fury) and Stanley Weber (Outlander) star in this thrilling, viscerally violent dissection of faith, fear, and the critical juncture where they meet.

17/12/17 - Tanna

Dir: Bentley Dean, Martin Butler Australia, Vanuatu, 2015 100 mins Cert: CLUB

Starring: Mungau Dain, Marie Wawa, Marceline Rofit, Chief Charlie Kahla, Albi Nangia, Lingai Kowia

Language: Nauvhal

Tanna is a wondrous place and host to tribes of people who have rejected what we call modernity for the traditional ways of their heritage. In this environment, captured in rich detail, the films story unfolds.

Its a great story too, one of love and violent conflict and ancient custom, all working to mark the destinies of its tribal characters. Those include a feisty adolescent girl, two opposed chiefs, an old shaman and young lovers who are tested by the bounds of tradition and obligation. Best of all, this tale, inspired by true events, was formed in collaboration between the directors, co-writer John Collee and the people of the village of Yakel.



21/01/18 - Certain Women

Dir: Kelly Reichardt USA 2016 107 mins Cert: 12

Starring: Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Lily Gladstone

Language: English

An adaptation of short stories by Maile Meloy, featuring four women that populate the three interwoven vignettes set in and around Livingston, Montana.

Together, they form an indelible portrait of independent women at odds with their rural surroundings.
[September 15, 2017] ALERE INVESTIGATION INITIATED by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates the Officers and Directors of Alere Inc. - ALR

Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Alere Inc. (NYSE: ALR). On July 11, 2016, Alere announced the recall of INRatio, one of its premier blood testing products, from the market. However, the Company had reportedly known of serious problems with INRatio for years but failed to disclose that information or withdraw the product sooner, even when, for example, it doubled the size of Quality Assurance staff to handle the growing number of consumer complaints related to it. The problematic INRatio tests caused inaccurate, and hence harmful, results for consumers who relied on the test for the proper administration of anticoagulation drugs, as well as other companies who utilized it in their research or clinical trials. Because of the actions of Alere executives, including but not limited to those relating to INRatio, the Company has been exposed to an investigatio by the U.S. Attorney's Office as well as significant litigation by both consumers and shareholders. Recently, in the securities class action lawsuit brought by shareholders who sued Alere for violating federal securities laws, the Court refused to dismiss claims relating to the INRatio recall, allowing those claims to go forward.



KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Alere's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws. If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Alere shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]).

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170915005021/en/

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[September 15, 2017] EQUITY ALERT: Rosen Law Firm Files Securities Class Action Lawsuit Against Equifax Inc.

Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) from February 25, 2016 through September 7, 2017, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit is filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and seeks to recover damages for Equifax investors under the federal securities laws. To join the Equifax class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-1205.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. or Kevin Chan, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. NO CLASS HAS YET BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE ABOVE ACTION. UNTIL A CLASS IS CERTIFIED, YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS YOU RETAIN ONE. YOU MAY ALSO REMAIN AN ABSENT CLASS MEMBER AND DO NOTHING AT THIS POINT. YOU MAY RETAIN COUNSEL OF YOUR CHOICE. According to the lawsit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Equifax's security was deficient; (2) such deficiencies heightened Equifax's exposure to a cyberattack; and (3) as a result, Equifax's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.



A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 13, 2017. If you wish to join the litigation, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-1205.html or to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Phillip Kim or Kevin Chan of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn (News - Alert): https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter (News - Alert): https://twitter.com/rosen_firm.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Since 2014, Rosen Law Firm has been ranked #2 in the nation by Institutional Shareholder Services for the number of securities class action settlements annually obtained for investors. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170915005947/en/

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[September 15, 2017] $10K Grant from Comerica Bank and FHLB Dallas to Benefit PowHer Play

Comerica Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded a $10,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP (News - Alert)) grant to PowHer Play, a Houston-based organization that supports women in improving their lives. The grant funds were announced yesterday at a check presentation during an open house event hosted by The Chatman Women's Foundation, the company through which PowHer Play does business. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170915005952/en/ (L-R) Amanda Edwards, Houston City Council Member At-Large, Position 4; Shantera Chatman, Founder & Executive Director at The Chatman Women's Foundation; Vanessa T. Reed, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Public Affairs and Community Reinvestment at Comerica Bank; and Bruce Hatton, Vice President and Affordable Housing Program Manager at FHLB Dallas, celebrate a $10,000 Partnership Grant Program award to the Foundation from Comerica Bank and FHLB Dallas. This is the nonprofit's third PGP award in three years. (Photo: Business Wire) "These grant funds will help The Chatman Women's Foundation continue to empower women through PowHer Play," said Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards, who joined bank representatives and organization leadership at the event. "I applaud the banks for their partnership and commitment to empowering women in the Houston area." This is the third PGP grant awarded to the nonprofit in three years. The 2017 grant will be applied to scholarships for women in transition, capacity-building and contractual services. Grants in 2015 and 2016, each for $4,800, bring PowHer Play's total PGP grants, icluding the 2017 award, to $19,600.



Now in its ninth year, the foundation has provided skills training, which includes mentoring, assertiveness, negotiations and updates on corporate trends to more than 1,000 Houston-area women since 2008. "Comerica Bank and FHLB Dallas are helping us make a real difference in the lives of women, enabling them to go back to school, build businesses, as well as move out of shelters," said Shantera Chatman, founder and executive director of PowHer Play.

Vanessa T. Reed, assistant vice president of Corporate Public Affairs and Community Reinvestment at Comerica Bank, worked with Ms. Chatman through the PGP application process. "At Comerica Bank, we strive to enhance and help educate the communities where we live and work. One of the ways we demonstrate this is by making charitable contributions to community nonprofits through unique partnerships with organizations like the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas," said Ms. Reed. "Comerica Bank is proud to support this organization through the PGP for a third time, and it is our privilege to partner with FHLB Dallas to help further the organization's mission." The structure of the PGP enables FHLB Dallas member institutions like Comerica Bank to make a contribution of $500 to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas will match at a 3:1 ratio. In 2017, FHLB Dallas awarded $300,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds through 31 member institutions to assist 30 community-based organizations. Combined with the $104,550 contributed by FHLB Dallas members, a total of $404,550 was awarded to the organizations. "The PGP helps promote and strengthen the relationships between our member institutions such as Comerica Bank and organizations like PowHer Play," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "The key component of this program is the partnership aspect." Ms. Chatman said there is a great need for programs such as the PGP. She said without the grant funds, the organization would have only been able to award a maximum of two scholarships. The PGP grant funds will enable the organization to award four to six scholarships in the upcoming year. "This is the only program that I know of that is so easily accessible to nonprofits such as PowHer Play," said Ms. Chatman. "The PGP allows organizations such as this one to thriv, and I am so grateful to the banks for providing these funds." About Comerica Bank Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $62.9 billion as of June 30, 2017, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community investment by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170915005952/en/

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OPPO to launch A71 in Nepal on Sept 18

OPPO is all set to launch their latest smartphone, the A71 in Nepal, on September 18. The ever-evolving smartphone brand is looking to provide Nepali customers with smartphones that feature their latest selfie technology along with spectacular design, reads a press release.
"Nick Haines, Colleen Nelson, Eric Wesson, Dave Helling and Jay Senter discuss concerns over the lack of minority labor for the new KCI project, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos visiting the metro, new KCPD chief Rick Smith's first month on the job, campus carry, competition for a new Amazon HQ, concerns over a Tyson Chicken plant in Tonganoxie and the push to expel MO Senator Maria Chappelle Nadal."

Quick look at what Kansas City journalists thought about all the stuff we've already discussed.Description . . .You decide . . .
AFTER AN EMPLOYEE WALKOUT AND DEBATE OVER WORKER FREE SPEECH . . . FUD MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN!!!

"They've reopened. Any update on whether it's morally questionable to go back?"

Take a look at Kansas City good news for the Friday dinner crowd . . .Theand left local foodies feeling empty without one of their favorite vegan haunts.After our TKC blog community put the drama on blast, the Pitch picked it up with a bit more insight into the gourmet fracas. Thankfully, the creation of local eccentrichas remerged and looked somewhat crowded this afternoon . . .In regard to alleged Prez Trump support, Alex Jones talking points and weird insights about local faith communities, TKC reader asks:You decide . . .
KCPS statement on the topic of illegal immigration

- Latinos, many undocumented, remain the largest and fastest growing minority group in the KCPS.





- While Prez Trump flip-flops on DACA, these words are direct and to the point . . .





- Like it or not, Kansas City, MO is a de facto sanctuary city and this represents a great deal of local institutional thinking.

Dr. Mark T. Bedell, Superintendent of KC Public Schools : It was announced recently that President Donald Trump has started a six-month process of dismantling the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. New DACA registrations have been suspended and the President has called on Congress to address the issue. This decision makes me angry, sad and determined. Regardless of federal actions, I want you to know that Kansas City Public Schools is and will remain a nurturing environment for all students and their families to the greatest extent possible . . .





"Let me make this clear: I will oppose anything that makes it more difficult for our children to succeed. DACA is a fundamentally humane program. It has opened new opportunities for our children as they pursue their college and career goals. I have had too many personal interactions with these young people to simply stand by while this nation pulls the rug out from underneath them. I have seen how much it means to them that they can pursue their dreams. I will steadfastly defend all our children, including these "Dreamers." They and their families have made our home their home. I recognize their fear and am determined to provide them with tangible solace and support. We must stand together."

A recent forthrightfrom a few days back remains relevant for many reasons . . .Here's the word that was downplayed in the mainstream news despite a great deal of social media support . . .You decide . . .
Over 500 trucks stranded in Kerung due to tighter security

More than 500 container trucks loaded with goods for Dashain, the biggest festival of Hindus in the country, have been stranded in the Chinese border town of Kerung after Chinese authorities tightened security in the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border area.
Five young people from Kansas City have been charged in connection with beating a Domino's Pizza delivery man with a bat earlier this week.





Twenty-year-old Leann B. Howe, 19-year-old Mikeal Farr, 19-year-old Miriah Farr, 20-year-old Tanner Stone, and 18-year-old Madison Lambson each face charges of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.





According to court records, KC police went to the area of 113th and Eastern Avenue on Tuesday after someone saw a car with a Domino's Pizza sign on the roof that had been abandoned . . .

Tonight's last news note of the day reminds to think past partisan and racial culture war and realize that poverty and/or lack of pizza is the root of all local crime.Deets:You decide . . .
Shining down south

When newly-wed Seema Sharma first travelled to the South-Indian city of Chennai, little did she know what the city had in store for her. Visiting the coastal city, where her husband, Heeralal Niure, had been living and working as a driver, sightseeing was the only thing on her mind at the time.
Thawang chief kidnapped by cadres of Chand-led party

Cadres of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Commu-nist Party of Nepal on Thursday night abducted Thawang Rural Municipality Chairman Bir Bahadur Ghartimagar in Rolpa.
New Delhi: The Central government plans to mobilise funds from the market to finance its mega urban schemes, including Housing for All and Smart City, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday. The Modi government has committed central assistance to the tune of around Rs 3 lakh crore under various new urban missions, a senior ministry official said. The government would contribute Rs 48,000 crore for Smart City Mission, Rs 50,000 crore for Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and Rs 14,650 crore for Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) by 2019-20. Besides, around Rs 1.80 lakh crore would be required as central assistance for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) by 2022. PTI
The age of the anti-hero

What inspired the stories in your latest book, Pratinayak?Pratinayak is a collection of stories which covers various phases that the Nepali society has gone through. I did not write this book in a single sitting. I wrote the stories over a span of many years. This anthology has stories that range from the ones I wrote when I was just starting out as a writer to ones that I wrote only very recently. In a way, this book sums up my writing journey till date and compiles stories that best describe my style of writing. Hence, I cannot put a finger on a single thing that inspired all the stories. All stories are unique in their own way, and every story is inspired by a different scenario. However, the theme that binds all the stories together is the hardship and struggle of the Nepali people. Our society has gone through various changes over the last few decades. This book is an effort to put light on that evolution and how it has changed lives of the people across the country.
Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 15

A year after the state government selected Patiala as a model district for implementing the ban on stubble burning, the district administration today imposed a ban on the practice under Section 144 of the CrPC.

Patiala was selected as a model district due to its large rural population. Last month, the district administration had warned farmers of action for stubble burning.

Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit said the orders would remain in force till November 13. He said the violators would be booked under relevant sections. Many bottling and gas pipelines pass through the district and therefore, the ban makes a sense, read the orders.

However, farmer groups in several villages said the failure of the administration in penalising the violators had emboldened others.

Notably, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is a leading cause of pollution in Delhi. Haryana has selected Karnal as its model district.

Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a complete ban on stubble burning in Delhi and its adjoining states but the implementation of the order could not take place properly. The NGT had asked the governments to penalise violators and give incentives to farmers who recycle their crop residue.

Meanwhile, farmers associations said they were ready to cooperate with the authorities but there was a need for monetary assistance to adopt other methods.

Small and marginal farmers cannot spend Rs 2,000 extra. They will try to burn the crop residue, they added.

Punjab produces 17 to 18 million tonnes of rice and wheat straw and about three-fourth of the residue is disposed of in the fields itself. Stubble burning also leads to the elimination of a farmer-friendly beetle, Zygogramma Bicolorata.

Orders will remain in force till Nov 13: DC

Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit said the orders would remain in force till November 13. He said the violators would be booked under relevant sections. Many bottling and gas pipelines pass through the district and therefore, the ban makes a sense, read the orders.
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi/Zirakpur, Sept 15

Call it an effect of the fear triggered by the recent death of a three-year-old child suffering from swine flu in Zirakpur, the health authorities are nowadays focusing their attention carrying out fogging drives to check the spread of malaria and dengue.

To date, five swine flu cases have been reported from Zirakpur town. Out of this, one patient had died, while others are undergoing treatment. The Health Department had deputed various teams to survey the entire city, particularly the area from where these cases are being reported.

The Civil Hospital and the community health centres in the Dera Bassi constituency have kept isolation wards for swine flu patients in case of an emergency. The Community Health Centre at Dhakoli has arranged a separate isolation ward and has kept necessary medicines and oxygen cylinders to deal with any emergency situation.

Besides maintaining an exclusive ward for patients at the hospital, the authorities had planned to roll out an awareness campaign to ensure that people take all precautions to keep themselves safe from exposure to the H1N1 influenza virus.

As per the health authorities in the Dera Bassi block, 64 persons have tested positive for malaria from March 2017 onwards to date. Following complaints of fever, blood samples of several persons were collected during the past months, out of which 64 tested positive.

Five pregnant women, whose blood samples were collected, have tested positive for malaria. Apart from this, eight persons tested positive for dengue in the Dera Bassi block from March onwards.

Though sources from the Health Department have been claiming that it had taken a host of measures to check the spread of malaria and dengue, their impact is yet to be seen on ground.

The demand for fogging has also come from various localities in the town where poor drainage system and dumped garbage have resulted in the growth of mosquitoes in a large number, said residents of Bishanpura.

Rita Bhardwaj, Civil Surgeon, Mohali, said: The department had already stepped up the drive to create awareness about cleaning coolers to check breeding of mosquitoes, while fogging has been undertaken on a war footing in areas from where cases have been reported.

Womans death due to fever leaves people jittery

The death of a woman (38), a resident of Bishanpura village, Zirakpur, due to fever on September 7 has left villagers jittery. Though the villagers claimed that she died of dengue, the health authorities here claim that it was not an established case of dengue as the tests were not carried out in a government-authorised laboratory.

Civil Hospital lacks cell counter machine

The Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, has no cell counter machine to check the platelet count of patients. Patients visiting the Civil Hospital face inconvenience as the hospital does not have proper equipment for testing. Sangeeta Jain, SMO, Dera Bassi, did not pick up the phone despite repeated attempts.
Chandigarh, September 15

A local court today allowed the application moved by the UT police in the 10-year-olds rape case, seeking permission for further investigation into the case. The police may also submit a supplementary chargesheet if the investigation into the case leads to some new revelation.

The victim had recently delivered a child. Surprisingly, the DNA of the accused did not match with that of the child, forcing the police to further probe the incident.

Sources said the police would now look into other theories as well. Male members of the family will also be questioned during the investigation, said the sources.

The police will also get the DNA report re-checked to be sure that there was no goof-up in it. The incident had come to light in July when the girl complained of stomachache. She was taken to the hospital, where her mother was told that she was pregnant. The girls mother came to know from her daughter that it was her maternal uncle who had committed the act.

The police had registered a case at the Sector 39 police station and the maternal uncle was arrested. The victim, whose abortion plea was turned down by the Supreme Court, had delivered a baby on August 17. The case took a mysterious turn after it was found that the DNA of the accused did not match with that of the newborn.  TNS
Our Correspondent

Kharar, September 16

Three persons looted a liquor vend near Anaj Mandi at gunpoint last night.

Balbir Chand, who works at the vend, told the police that he, along with another worker Karam Chand, was counting the cash when a person came to them asking about a liquor brand around 9 pm.

They turned him away. After five minutes, three persons, including the one who had come earlier, forcibly opened the shutter of the liquor vend and took away cash (around Rs 82,000) at gunpoint. They also took away their mobile phones and threatened them of dire consequences if they informed the police.

Kharar DSP Deep Kamal and SHO Rajesh Hasthir said they had made the CCTV footage procured from the vend viral.

A case under Section 382 of the IPC has been registered.
Chandigarh: The Department of Environment and Forests, Chandigarh Administration, in collaboration with NGO  Youth Innovative Society, celebrated World Ozone Day by organising a painting competition at various schools on Friday. On the occasion, Santosh Kumar, Director Environment, was the chief guest. Santosh said this special day is held on September 16 to mark the day when the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987. The aim of this is mainly intended to spread awareness about the depletion of the ozone Layer and search for solutions to preserve it. This year, the entire world is celebration its 30th anniversary. TNS
New Delhi, September 16

The post-mortem report of Pradyuman Thakur, the seven-year-old who was brutally murdered on the premises of Ryan International School, has revealed that shock and haemorrhage was the cause of his death.

The report said the external injury caused by single-edged sharp weapon and its consequences were enough to cause death.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Meanwhile, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said he hoped to reopen school from Monday.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said, I hope to reopen school from Monday and take over management of Ryan International. There will be a meeting of schools on following safety guidelines and they will be directed to ensure that no such incidents are repeated.

On Friday, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar promised a CBI inquiry in the case. ANI
10 named for violence ahead of Sainis event

Kaithal, September 16

The police have registered two cases in connection with violence at Sherdha village in the district.

Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini was to address a public meeting in the village on Thursday. Some miscreants uprooted tents and damaged chairs and the sound system at the venue before Sainis arrival.

The cases were registered at Rajound police station. The first case was registered against 10 named and nearly 125 unknown persons on the complaint of ESI Chain Singh.

The second case was registered against Sandeep Bharti, a resident of Budhana village in Hisar district, after a video went viral in which he was seen saying they would not allow Saini to enter Sherdha village and then the MP would not dare to organise a programme in Jind on November 26.

Sources said Bharti was accused of throwing ink at Saini in Kurukshetra a few months ago. Meanwhile, the administration deployed security forces in the village.

Rajesh Kashyap, one of the organisers of the public meeting, said that some police personnel were deployed outside his residence, but what would happen when the security is withdrawn after some days. He said there was no security in the localities of Dalits and Kashyaps. He alleged that some youths had tried to create trouble in these localities on Thursday night.OC
Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 15

Putting in place an institutional mechanism for the safety of schoolchildren in all government, private aided and unaided schools, the Haryana Government has warned erring school authorities of stern penal action.

The new safety regulations, which will be incorporated as amendments to the Haryana School Education Act, 1995, during the monsoon session of the Assembly, will go a long way in ensuring safety of schoolchildren, said Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma here today.

Stoppage of aid, withdrawal of recognition and taking over of management were among the salient features of an elaborate set of regulations on school safety released by the School Education Department.

Initiating criminal action for disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant under the IPC will be ensured under the new regulations, aimed at ensuring safe academic environment for all stakeholders in schools, said KK Khandelwal, Additional Chief Secretary (School Education).

The safety regulations made a provision for three-tier safety committee at the district, subdivision and school levels for ensuring safety of schoolchildren.

Elaborate norms on journey by school bus, journey not by school bus, safe school campus, general discipline, installation of CCTV cameras, fire safety, counselling, road safety, self-defence, guidelines for parents, special attention for children with special needs, training of staff and interface with police formed part of the new guidelines.
Tribune News Service

Panipat, September 15

The parents of a five-year-old KG student along with members of the parents association today filed a complaint against the principal and members of the managing committee of Geeta Vidya Mandir School at the SPs office as well as at the CM Window.

Ashwani Kumar, father of the child, said that his son was harassed by the school for two days

My son was not allowed to leave the school for more than two hours after the school timings yesterday, he said, and added that he could get the child after police intervention.

He demanded strict action against the members of the school management and the principal for harassing his son.

Jimmy Chugh, convener of the parents association, said that parents would start indefinite dharna at the school gate from Monday if no action was taken against the school.

Rohan Goyal, secretary of the association, alleged that nearly 45 parents had filed their complaints against the school administration at the Baljeet Nagar police post on September 4, but no action had been taken so far.
Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, September 15

In the wake of the murder of a seven-year-old schoolboy in Gurgugram, the district authorities have directed all private schools to abide by safety and security norms in the next 15 days.

At a meeting yesterday, principals and managers of private schools were told to follow the norms within two weeks so as to guard against any untoward incident on the school premises or till students reach their homes safely, said a spokesperson of the local administration.

A team of officials will start conducting surprise check after the given time period and strict action will be taken against the schools not adhering to the regulations. Suspension and cancellation of recognition and affiliation could be recommended against erring schools, he said. School representatives, who attended the meeting, agreed to work on it on priority, he added.

Suresh Chander, an office-bearer of the Private Schools Association here, claimed that majority of the 100-odd CBSE-affiliated schools in the city were well-equipped and following various safety and security norms. He said while such schools had already installed CCTV cameras on their premises and buses, measures were being taken to make both staff and students aware to ensure safety of children.

The student strength in the CBSE-affiliated schools in the city is around two lakh. However, security of students in many government and state board-affiliated schools was still a cause of concern, sources said. The sodomy and murder of a 13-year-old student of the government school at Seekri village here is a grim reminder of the dire need to address the safety issues of schoolchildren, said AK Gaur, a social activist.

Take steps within time frame: Owners body

Ambala: The Federation of Private Schools (Welfare) Association, Haryana, has asked private schools to implement the guidelines for the safety of students within the stipulated time.

Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the association, said no compromise on safety of the students would be tolerated.

He said: Since a majority of the teachers in private schools are women, the association would request the government to get the verification done in schools only and by women staff.

Kulbhusan said, The schools have been asked to set up CCTV surveillance system in all classrooms, corridors and other areas and the footage should be displayed in the principals room or have dedicated staff to monitor the footage. Carry out fire audit and drills for quick and safe evacuation, educate students about good and bad touch, carry out police verification of drivers and conductors and also to conduct training programme to keep a watch on their behaviour.

The association would ask the schools to issue two identity cards to each student and give the second card to parents so that they could use it as an entry card in the school, he said.

Kulbhushan said a committee, comprising members of the parent-teacher associations, be constituted to carry out the surprise inspections in the schools to check safety measures. The parents would be asked to visit schools during the fixed visiting hours and days only.

Audit of security measures in school buses

Kurukshetra: The district police have started an audit of the safety and security measures adopted by various schools here. SP Abhishek Garg today said teams had been deputed to check CCTV cameras, GPS system and first-aid kits in school buses. Medical and police verification of the staff hired by schools for transportation of students were also being done by the traffic wing, said the SP.
Welcome to Amrika!

Our Maharaja Sheroo Dai is leaving for New York after he is done celebrating Constitution Day here at home. Yes, our Prime Monster and thulo mancheys need a vacation every other month to refresh themselves so that they can always come back home and come up with new ideas to loot the state and everyone else while making their near and dear ones happy.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 15

Dubbing his implication as a knee-jerk reaction, Ryan International Groups northern zone head Francis Thomas today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court for regular bail in a case registered after a seven-year-old student was found murdered.

His counsel Jasjit Singh Bedi contended that the government became increasingly active on account of public outcry following the incident.

He added that the Education Minister had repeatedly told parents and the media that he would ensure registration of an FIR against the school and its management.

The provision of Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act appears to have been invoked on account of public and media pressure on the investigating agency, apparent from wide media coverage of the present occurrence, Bedi said.

The bail application was filed in the High Court Registry today. It would be re-filed tomorrow after removal of certain objections raised by the Registry in the matter.

Bedi submitted that the present bail application was being filed directly in the High Court as two separate resolutions were passed by the Gurugram and Sohna Bar associations against advocates representing the accused in the matter.

The petitioner undertook to abide by all terms and conditions imposed upon him while granting him the concession of regular bail and would join the probe as and when required, the advocate concluded.
Our Correspondent

Palampur, September 16

Thakur Kaul Singh, Health Minister, said here today that to streamline health services and fill over 300 vacant posts of doctor in the state was a difficult task when he took charge in 2012. He said over 200 posts of specialist and super-specialist were vacant hospitals. Besides, over 50 primary health centres were without block medical officers. Similarly, over a hundred dispensaries in rural areas were without doctors.

He stated this while inaugurating a 30-bed primary health centre at Gopalpur, 10 km from here.

The minister said soon after taking over the reins of the Health Department, he discontinued the appointment of doctors through the Rogi Kalyan Samiti and handed over the recruitment process to the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.

Besides, I immediately enhanced the salary of MBBS and PG doctors from Rs 26,000 to 40,000 and Rs 40,000 to 70,000 per month. In the past four years, over 500 new doctors have been posted, he said.

Kaul Singh said the defective recruitment policy of the previous BJP government had made a mess of the health services, as hundreds of doctors had left the services or refused to join hospitals in the absence of better pay and perks. The BJP government made no efforts to retain these doctors.

He said the BJP government had discontinued the appointment of doctors through the HP Public Service Commission.

Under the contractual system, the BJP government was paying only Rs 40,000 and Rs 26,000 to PG and MBBS doctors.
Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 16

The Army today said it foiled an infiltration attempt and killed two militants in the remote Machil sector of north Kashmir. The militants were trying to sneak into the Kashmir valley when they were shot.

An infiltration bid foiled in the Machil sector of Kupwara and two armed intruders killed, the Army said in a brief statement. It said weapons and war-like stores had been recovered from the slain militants. The infiltration attempt by the militants was detected in the pre-dawn hours in the Machil sector near the Gautam Post manned by the Armys 45 Rashtriya Rifles, Kupwara SSP Shamsher Hussain told The Tribune.

The officer said the militants were seen approaching the fence within a kilometres range of the Line of Control (LoC). It happened in the wee hours and now a search operation is continuing in the area, Hussain said.

The bodies of the two militants had been recovered, the police officer said, adding that their identities were being investigated.

The Machil sector, where the militants were killed, is a remote mountainous part of Kupwara district and a key infiltration route. Every year, the sector witnesses frequent and fierce firefights between infiltrating militants and the soldiers, who defend the LoC in the region.

The latest infiltration bid came within days of the killing of Abu Ismail, Lashkar-e-Toibas senior commander in the Kashmir valley. Ismail was shot on Thursday evening on Srinagars outskirts.

The security forces have mounted a series of counter-insurgency operations in recent months targeting the leadership of militant groups which led to the elimination of senior militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. After the killing of Ismail, the security forces expect serious deficiency in the militant leadership.

With the exception of Jaish-e-Mohammad, which has succeeded in infiltrating fresh groups of militant leaders and cadres in recent months, other groups are now mostly left with local militants in leadership roles.

Key infiltration route
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 15

A Border Security Force constable was killed in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan as it targeted Indian posts with mortars along the 198-km-long International Border in Arnia sub-sector of Jammu district on the intervening night of September 14 and 15.

Constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh, 32, belonged to Vidya Bhawan Naraypur in Balia district of Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by his wife Sushmita Singh.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The constable was on duty at a forward point along the fence in Arnia sector when Pakistan Rangers opened fire. A bullet hit him in the abdomen and he succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated, a BSF spokesperson said.

Villagers in the sub-sector said the Rangers initially started targeting Indian posts and civilian areas with small arms around 12.15 am and later used mortars.

Intermittent firing continued till 7 am. A few mortars landed close to our house, causing panic in the area, Ashok Kumar, a villager in Sohagpur area, said.

BSF IG (Jammu Frontier) Ram Awtar called the ceasefire violation an act of frustration. Pakistan had already been given a suitable reply and would continue to get a calibrated response, he said.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 16

The Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Jammu, today called for a bandh in Jammu on Monday over the abolition of tax and discrimination against Jammu but transporters are yet to decide on whether to support the call for a shutdown.

Rakesh Gupta, president, CCI, Jammu, today announced a one-day complete shutdown in Jammu province of all business establishments and a chakka jam on September 18.

The transport union, which skipped the meeting of the chamber before the announcement of the bandh, will hold a meeting tomorrow to decide whether they will support the call or not.

We have received a communication from the chamber for supporting the bandh call on Monday. We will hold a meeting of all transporters to decide our stand on it, said TS Wazir, president, Transport Union, Jammu.

The chamber president appealed to one and all in Jammu province to observe a complete shutdown in a very peaceful manner to express resentment against the unaccountable and insincere working of majority of ministers. The CCI, Jammu, demanded abolition of toll tax, acquirement of land for AIIMS at Vijaypur which was illegally encroached, a high-level inquiry on the artificial lake project on the Tawi river, a high-level inquiry into the power crisis and T&D losses and continuation of incentives to industries.

Deport Rohingyas

The CCI, Jammu, demanded abolition of toll tax, acquirement of land for AIIMS at Vijaypur which was illegally encroached, a high-level inquiry on the artificial lake project on the Tawi river, continuation of incentives to industries, state holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh on September 23 and deportation of Rohingyas
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 16

The Pakistan Rangers again pounded Indian border outposts and civilian areas with mortars along the 198-km International Border in the Arnia sector of Jammu district on September 15-16 night, triggering panic among the villagers.

Though there is no report of any loss to life or injury in the firing and shelling, civilians suffered damage to their property while four head of cattle perished in the shelling. From midnight till morning, there were an exchange of fire and shelling in Arnia where eight BSF outposts were targeted by the Rangers. There was no loss of life or injury. The firing stopped at 06.45 am, a senior BSF official said, adding that the border force also retaliated strongly.

It was for the fourth consecutive day when Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the border. A 32-year-old BSF jawan, Bijender Bahadur, was killed, while a civilian was injured in Pakistan firing and shelling on the intervening night of September 14 and September 15 in the Arnia sector. One temple, two houses, and three cowsheds were damaged in the Pakistani firing at Sai Khurd, Treva and Jabowl villages.

Four head of cattle perished in the overnight shelling. We have announced compensation for the affected people. As the firing and shelling stopped at 6.45 am, we decided not to close the school. We are closely monitoring the situation and the decision regarding the closure of schools within a five-kilometre radius of the border in view of any firing or shelling will be taken accordingly. We have kept our contingency plans ready, Rajeev Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, told The Tribune.

However, panic has gripped the border villages with the people preferring not to venture out. We had a sleepless night at Peer Baba (dargah) in the village. The intermittent firing and shelling from the Pakistan side has created a fear among the villagers who have started shifting their children to safer place, a resident of Sai Khurd panchayat said.
Srinagar, September 15

Three key separatist leaders on Friday said they were never against a sincere and result-oriented dialogue process and saw it as a means to conflict resolution.

In a joint statement issued by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, the three separatists described the Kashmir problem as a human and political issue and not a territorial dispute. The statement, which was issued following the meeting between the three separatists, assumes significance as the trio skipped any mention of plebiscite and UN resolutions as a solution to the Kashmir issue, which they have traditionally been seeking.

As far as a sincere, meaningful and result-oriented dialogue process among the three parties to the dispute (India, Pakistan and Hurriyat) is concerned, we were never against it and see it as a means of conflict resolution, the three separatists said in the joint statement issued after their meeting at Geelanis residence in the city here. The three separatists accused New Delhi of failing to create a conducive environment for such a process. The Indian state sees the issue as a law and order and administrative problem and is focused on enhancing its military power, they said. The separatists said the rhetoric to hold a dialogue for a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue in this grim situation of oppression was an excuse to flee from the dialogue table.  TNS
Gautam Rode tried something hed never done before for a scene in his film slated to release on October 6. The Saraswatichandra actor, who swears by a healthy lifestyle and has a record of never having tasted alcohol, gulped down a bottle of wine to get into the skin of the character!

Gautam shares, We were shooting in Mauritius and in this particular scene I was supposed to be tipsy. So I told my director that Im going to need to get real drunk to bring that out on screen. Ive never had alcohol in all these years, so they were skeptical if Id be okay. But I needed to feel that way, I wanted to be tipsy... so I drank half a bottle of wine. It is too much for a first timer. I remember feeling slightly dizzy, but the shot turned out to be pretty fine. I felt it was necessary for the scene.
Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 16

With the mutating of swine flu virus and no longer restricted to any season, the city people are increasingly going in for vaccines. Junior dose of the vaccine followed by adult dose are in great demand.

Influenza vaccines are easily available with doctors. Priced at around Rs 1,000 per vaccine, one shot will have validity for one year. Those who can afford are opting for vaccines, but the question remains about the masses for whom, the vaccine is out of reach.

Dr Rajinder Gulati, senior medical officer, Civil Hospital, Khanna, who is also an expert paediatrician, said, This year the strain of virus has changed. The virus is no longer limited to winter season. It can affect during any part of the year. The virus is active during summers this year too. So, keeping this in view, we recommend that people should get their children vaccinated against swine flu.

When asked about including swine flu vaccine in the national immunisation programme, Dr Gulati said when it comes to including vaccines in the national programme they had to be cost effective keeping in view the community at large.

At present there is no such plan, but may be down the years government can include them in the programme, he added.

Dr Gulati, however, recommends that children should be vaccinated against swine flu.

Shruti, a mother of six-year-old child, said her son catches infection easily from school. In the last two months he has fallen sick three times. He catches infection from school. Keeping this thing in mind I got him vaccinated against swine flu. It has become risky as the virus is active in summers as well. After consulting my paediatrician I got him inoculated and will be making it a yearly feature, she said.

Another city resident, Kanav Gupta said his grandfather, who was above 80 years and a diabetic patient, was also vaccinated for the swine flu. It is a precautionary measure as the doctor did not want any complications with his health due to old age and diabetes, he said.

Doctors recommend that those falling in the high-risk groups should get themselves vaccinated.
New Delhi, September 16

Air India on Saturday launched its direct flight from the national capital to Copenhagen, the eleventh destination for the airline in Europe, describing it as connecting Maharaja with the Mermaid.

The national carrier has been expanding its international operations and has started services to overseas destinations, including Washington and Stockholm, so far this year.

To mark the launch of the Copenhagen flight, Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal lit the traditional lamp at Terminal 3 of the airport here.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is Air Indias 44th international destination and 11th European non-stop destination.

This is the 11th destination in Europe for Air India and it is connecting the Mermaid with the Maharaja, Bansal said, adding that he is looking forward to good passenger load.

The iconic Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen is one of the citys most famous monuments. The bronze structure sits on a rock by waterside in the city and represents a famous character from a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

The Air India service to Copenhagen will be operated with a Dreamliner aircraft thrice a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

AI 157 will depart from Delhi at 1430 hours to reach Copenhagen at 1845 hours the same day. The return flight AI 158 will leave Copenhagen at 2045 hours and reach Delhi at 0735 hours the next day, the airline said in a release.

To mark the launch of the flight to Copenhagen, Air India is offering return fares starting from Rs 42,700, inclusive of all taxes.

Apart from Copenhagen, the airline has direct flights to Stockholm, Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Birmingham and London.

The services to Moscow is temporarily suspended and would restart in October, an airline official said.

Air India group operates to 44 international destinations and over 70 domestic stations. It has an operating fleet of 142 aircraft, including A320, B777 and B737-800 planes.

To revive Air India, which has huge debt burden, the government is working on the modalities for the strategic disinvestment of Air India and its five subsidiaries. PTI
What is a city?

Cities are fascinating. Kathmandu has been a home and much more to me all these years, and all my life, I have been exploring its streets, trying to understand what exactly makes this space a city? Recently, I found myself asking the same question in a city half way around the world.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16

The Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passed away at the Armys Research and Referral hospital here at 7.47 pm on Saturday. He was 98.

He was admitted to the hospital today morning following a cardiac arrest, the Ministry of Defence said in a release. He was being treated at the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences Centre of the hospital.

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Union minister of state for external affairs VK Singh tweeted about the death of Arjan Singh at 8.38 pm.

MARSHAL OF THE AIR FORCE ARJAN SINGH, DFC, PADMA VIBHUSHAN ,PASSED AWAY AT 7.47 PM TODAY AT ARMY https://t.co/loAzgaZh2r. SALUTE TO HIM.  Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) September 16, 2017

It was VK Singh who had earlier, at 5.25 pm, tweeted RIP to Arjan Singh. However, the tweet was deleted after the government said Arjan Singh was critical but alive.

"RIP, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, DSC, you will be remembered by all. My salute to you," he said in a tweet that was deleted later.

Earlier, senior officials and family members informed The Tribune of the death of Arjan Singh, but the government officially stated that he is alive but critical. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs -- Gen Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa  also visited Singh at the hospital earlier in the day.

Delhi: PM Narendra Modi & Defence Minister visited Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill, at Army Hospital R&R pic.twitter.com/zZUSqh8cBK  ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2017

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC, was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Air Force when he was only 44 years old, a responsibility he carried with elan. He was the Chief of IAF when it saw action in the year 1965.

Arjan Singh was born on April 15, 1919, in Lyalpur of undivided Punjab. He completed his education from Montgomery. In 1938 when he got selected for the Empire Pilot training course at RAF Cranwell, he was still in college and was only 19 years old.

His first posting on being commissioned involved flying Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North Western Frontier Province as a member of the No. 1 IAF Squadron.

Read more from The Tribune archives:

Arjan Singh flew against the tribal forces before he was transferred for a brief stint with the newly formed No. 2 IAF Squadron. Later, he moved back to No. 1 Sqn as a Flying Officer, when the Squadron was re-equipped with the Hawker Hurricane.

Promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944, Arjan Singh also flew Close Support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the allied forces to Rangoon, Burma. For his role in successfully leading the squadron during combat, Arjan Singh received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944. He was given command of the IAF Display flight which flew Hawker Hurricanes after the war that toured India giving demonstrations.

On August 15, 1947, he was given the unique honour of leading the fly-past of more than a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi.

Immediately after independence, he took over the command of Air Force Station, Ambala, in the rank of Group Captain. In 1949, after promotion to the rank of Air Commodore, Arjan Singh took over as the Air Officer Commanding of Operational Command, which later came to be known as the Western Air Command.

Arjan Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as the AOC of Operational Command, from 1949-1952 and again from 1957-1961. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, he was the AOC-in-C of Operational Command. Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff and became the Vice Chief of Air Staff by 1963.

On August 1, 1964, Arjan Singh took over as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) in the rank of Air Marshal. Arjan Singh was the first Air Chief who kept his flying category till his CAS rank. Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from Pre-Second World War era biplanes to the more contemporary Gnats and Vampires, he had also flown in transports like the Super Constellation.

A testing time came in September 1965 when Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam, in which an armoured thrust targeted the vital town of Akhnoor, he was summoned into the Defence Minister's office with a request for air support. When asked how quickly the IAF will be ready for operations, he replied with his characteristic nonchalance,"...in an hour". And true to his word, the Air Force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour. He led the IAF through the war showing unparalleled leadership.

Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 War and subsequently the rank of the CAS was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal.

Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force. He retired in July 1969, thereupon accepting ambassadorship to Switzerland. He remained a flyer till the end of his tenure in the IAF, visiting forward squadrons and units and flying with them.

In recognition of his services, the Government of India conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force onto Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only Five Star rank officer of the Indian Air Force.

In 2016, Air Force Station, Panagarh was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh.
Jaipur, September 16

A six-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two members of the cleaning staff at a prominent government school in Barmer district of Rajasthan, the police said today.

On the basis of complaint of sexual assault filed by the parents of the Class II girl, a case was registered against two sweepers of the school under IPC section 376(D) and sections of POCSO Act yesterday, Barmer Superintendent of Police Gagandeep Singla said. He said medical examination of the girl had been done but it was inconclusive. CCTV footage of the cameras at the school was being examined, he said. No arrest had been made so far and the matter was under investigation, he added.

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The incident comes in the backdrop of heightened concern over the safety of children in schools in the wake of a spate of attacks, including the killing of a seven-year-old boy in a school in Gurugram, Haryana.

Women activist, meanwhile, have condemned the alleged gangrape of the six-year-old girl. Taking a dig at the Union as well as state governments and the Indian judiciary for slow action on rape cases, activist Gunjan Agarwal said it was a big failure on the part of judicial system.  PTI/ANI

Tied to table near washroom

According to reports, the police filed a complaint on the basis of the statement of the victims father, which stated that the Class 2 student was tied to a table near the schools washroom and gangraped by the sweepers. News agency ANI reported the sweepers had been detained for questioning.
Roopinder Singh

India has lost a great man. The Indian Air Forces only 5-star officer  a towering personality in all respects  Arjan Singh, DFC Marshal of the Indian Air Force, was a gentleman, soldier, and a diplomat. Above all, he was a leader who led from the frontin peace, war and even in philanthropy.

Arjan Singh effortlessly transcended stereotypes. This teetotaller dapper fighter pilot was a soldiers General and also a successful diplomat. His ramrod posture and piercing gaze gave him a commanding presence, but he had the knack of making people feel at ease while he was talking to them. I was a diffident college student when I first introduced myself to him, but he made me comfortable. Decades later, when I requested his permission to write his biography, he started off by saying that there was not much that could be written about him. He was truly modest, with not much to be modest about.

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MIAF Arjan Singh DFC passed away at 98. Risaldar-Major Bhagwan Singhs grandson Arjan Singh was born to Kishan Singh and Kartar Kaur on April 15, 1919, at Kohali village in Lyallpur, now in Pakistan. Soon after the birth of his son, Kishan Singh went to Edinburgh University to study engineering and then worked with Ceylon Railways. Arjan Singh studied in Government School, Montgomery, and then at Government College, Lahore. He was in his fourth year when he was selected for the Indian Air Force. He trained in England and later joined No. 1 Squadron at Ambala in January 1940. He flew a Hawker Audax, which was shot down in the NWFP by the Pathans later that year. His gunner was injured in the crash.

Squadron Leader Arjan Singh was in Delhi for a meeting in 1943 when he met the pretty, young and petite Teji. The rest, as they say, is history. The two married in 1948 in Delhi at the Janpath house of Sir Sobha Singh, father of noted writer Khushwant Singh. Promotions and postings followed. Arjan Singh was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in June, 1944 by Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander of South-East Asia during World War II, for his bravery in defending the Imphal Valley.

After Independence, Arjan Singh built up the Indian Air Force virtually from scratch and was a key force in all the three major wars. He was the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force when, in recognition of the Air Forces contribution in the 1965 war, the rank of the Chief of Air Staff was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal. He was also conferred the Padma Vibhushan that year. He retired as Air Chief Marshal in 1969.

Two years later, he was appointed Indian Ambassador to Switzerland and the Vatican. In 1974, he was appointed High Commissioner to Kenya. He was Member of the Minorities Commission in 1980 and served as Lt. Governor of Delhi in 1989.

He was conferred the rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force on Independence Day in 2002. He was pleased that the adjunct Retd. would no longer be used with his name, ever. Field Marshal is a life-long appointment.

Two years later, I got a call from Arjan Singh Aulakh. I am no longer a Jat as you said in the book, I have no land now, he said. I had written in his biography that the Jat in him was kept alive by the farm. I discussed it with Teji and my children, and we sold the farm to set up The Marshal of Air Force and Mrs Arjan Singh Trust to provide finances for ex-IAF personnel and their dependents in need of help.

The couple had three children. Son Arvind teaches in a university in America, elder daughter died in a car accident in 1999 and is survived by her husband and two children and youngest Asha lives in Delhi. It was in 2011 that Arjan Singh lost his wife Teji, his partner in all his endeavours and the wind beneath his wings.

After her, he continued to soldier on strongly as ever, making his presence felt on all important occasions, national and those connected with the Indian Air Force. His 97th birthday was celebrated in great style by the IAF and the Panagarh (West Bengal) air base was named after him. Today a heart attack sent him to hospital and eventually, as the Marshal of the Indian Air Force soared to meet his maker, he would certainly have looked back at the fulfilling sorties in a life well lived.
Washington, September 15

A prominent Indian-American doctor and yoga enthusiast has been killed allegedly by a compatriot who chased and stabbed him multiple times near his psychiatric clinic in the US state of Kansas, police said.

Achutha Reddy, 57, who hailed from Telangana, was found dead with multiple knife wounds in an alley behind his Holistic Psychiatric Services clinic in East Wichita city on Wednesday, police said.

One of his patients, 21-year-old Umar Rashid Dutt, also an Indian-American, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder.

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Reddy was pronounced dead on the scene by the police, Lt Todd Ojile section commander of the homicide division at the Wichita Police Department, told reporters at a news conference yesterday.

The incident happened on Wednesday evening. The police received the call around 7.20 pm (local time).

The accused was found at a country club after a security guard reported a suspicious person sitting in a car in the parking lot with blood on his clothes.

During the investigation, we learned that the 21-year-old suspect was a client of Dr Reddy and had been at the office. The suspect was in the business for a short time. He left and then later came back with Dr Reddy and they went into an office there, Ojile said. After going to an office, a disturbance was heard. An office manager entered the office and observed the suspect assaulting Dr Reddy. She attempted to stop the assault which allowed the doctor to flee the office, he said.

Umar chased the doctor out of his office and stabbed him multiple times, Ojile said, adding that the reason for the murder has not been ascertained yet.

Umar has been held on $1 million bond. According to Wichita State University, he was a former student and was last enrolled in the spring of 2015. His tragic loss will be felt by many. In todays world mental health resources are stretched thin. Many looked toward Dr Reddy for help in their times of crisis. As many providers in the mental health profession, he offered hope to many suffering from mental illness, Wichita Police Department said in a statement.

In online videos, Reddy is seen performing an exercise he called Absolute Yoga. He was working with a number of hospitals in the region as a yoga and fitness expert.

Reddy graduated from a medical school at Osmania University in India in 1986 and did his residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1998. He specialised in psychiatry. Holistic Psychiatric Services psychotherapist Brenda Trammel described it as a great loss.  PTI
Vatican City, September 16

A Catholic priest from India who was freed after being held 18 months in Yemen said on Saturday that he was never physically harmed, even if his captors feigned hitting him on videos released during his captivity.

The Rev Tom Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was kidnapped from a home for senior citizens in Aden, southern Yemen, established by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in March 2016. Four nuns were killed during the attack.

Uzhunnalil's voice broke as he publicly expressed his condolences.

"I thank God almighty for this day. He saved me healthy enough. Clear mind. Emotions under control until now," the 59 -year-old Uzhunnalil said. "God has been extremely kind to me.

o gun was pointed at me."

Officials said they had no knowledge of a ransom having been paid.

Uzhunnalil said that when the home for senior citizens was attacked, he identified himself as an Indian and he was brought to another room "while they killed the others".

Indian officials announced his release on Tuesday, and images show a bearded, gaunt Uzhunnalil descending from an airplane in Muscat, Oman. The priest said he had been transferred from Yemen by car to Oman, and then brought by air to the capital before continuing his journey to Rome.

The priest said he didn't know his kidnappers' identities or affiliations and believed their motive was ransom, although the head of Uzhunnalil's Salesian order, Don AF Artime, said they had no knowledge of any ransom having been paid.

"No one ever told us that they asked for money. No one asked us for even a euro," Artime said. "We don't know anything about this. This is the whole truth. And I believe that Father Tom knows even less."

The mechanisms behind his release also were unclear, but the Vatican has thanked the Sultan of Oman in a statement and Uzhunnalil offered his gratitude to Indian leaders.

The priest said that his captors never harmed him, even if in some videos they made it appear that way in an effort to get a speedy response in negotiations. They provided tablets to treat his diabetes and took care of his basic needs. He was transferred several times during his captivity, but he doesn't know where he was held. His captors kept their faces covered in his presence, he said.

Artime said the priest lost about 30 kg during the ordeal, and described his health as "very delicate, very weak, adding: "He is calm of spirit".

During his captivity, Uzhunnalil said he prayed and exercised his mind by reciting Mass by memory.

When he was loaded into the trunk of a car when he was first kidnapped, Uzhunnalil said that the tabernacle from the altar inside the senior home was at his feet. His hands weren't tied, and he was able to reach under the velvet cloth and touch it, confirming that it contained four or five Eucharistic hosts that he had blessed the day before.

"So I said to myself, without the knowledge of God, nothing will happen to me," he said.  AP
New Delhi, September 16

War hero Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, died tonight at the age of 98.

Marshal Arjan Singh, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to a five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the Army, was admitted to Armys Research and Referral Hospital this morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest. He is survived by a son and a daughter. His wife passed away in 2011.

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The government announced his death at 9:03 pm through a press release, saying a glorious era has come to an end.

Gen VK Singh (retd) tweeted about the demise at 8:28 pm. Before that at 5:26 pm, the former Army Chief condoled the death and then deleted the tweet. Sources close to the family began informing people about the demise at 3:30 pm.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service Chiefs  Gen Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa  visited Arjan Singh at the hospital.

Read: IAFs grand leader

From The Tribune archives: When Arjan Singh sold off his farm for IAF personnel

Obituary: Arjan Singh  a man of few words and a fearless pilot

PM hails Marshals role in 65 war

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder condoled the Marshals death and declared a three-day state mourning to pay tribute to him.

Arjan Singh, who had flown more than 60 different types of aircraft, led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 war when he was just 46 years old. As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in J&K, he was summoned into the Defence Ministers office with a request for air support.

Asked how quickly the IAF will be ready for operations, he replied with his characteristic nonchalance, ...in an hour. And true to his word, the Air Force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 war.

Born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur, Punjab (undivided India), his father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry. Educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan), he joined the RAF College, Cranwell, in 1938 and was commissioned as Pilot Officer in December the following year. Arjan Singh led an IAF squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He was the Air Force Chief from August 1, 1964, till July 15, 1969. After retirement, Arjan Singh was made Ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as Ambassador to the Vatican. He was made Marshal of the IAF in January 2002.  TNS/PTI
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, September 16



Indias main wholesale market for onion at Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon near Nashik has come to a halt after the Income Tax department raided seven of the biggest traders who control the trade in the bulb.

The daily auction at Lasalgaon is suspended for the second day on Saturday and farmers are being told not to bring their produce to the markets, a trader from Lasalgaon said.

According to sources, the Income Tax department raided more than 25 premises belonging to the seven biggest onion traders at Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon following intelligence reports that they were operating as a cartel to jack up prices ahead of the festival season.

The raids came just days after wholesale prices of onion crossed Rs 25 per kg even as farmers groups complained of being paid a lot less.

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After the action by the Income Tax authorities on Thursday, wholesale onion prices fell sharply to Rs 11 per kg.

Wholesale prices of onion at the Navi Mumbai APMC is Rs 12 per kg, an official said. Truckloads of onion are being sent directly to Mumbai, Pune and other cities after the auction of onion stopped at Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon, sources said.

According to district officials at Nashik, more than 25 warehouses belonging to onion traders have been sealed after information about traders hoarding onion there were received.

Traders in Nashik say most of the 16 wholesale markets in and around Nashik have been shut and will reopen only on Monday after traders announce their future course of action.
Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 15

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the Centre would file in the Supreme Court its formal response as regards its plan on deporting Rohingya Muslims on Monday.

Monday is the last date for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to clear its position on the issue, as the apex court is scheduled to take up the issue for hearing on a plea by two Rohingya immigrantsMohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqiragainst the governments decision to deport them back to Myanmar.

The SC will also simultaneously hear two separate petitions  one filed by former BJP ideologue KN Govindacharya and a Chennai-based NGO Indic Collective  urging directions to the government to deport Rohingya refugees.

There seemed to be some goof-up as regards the government affidavit late yesterday evening. Salimullah and Shaqir had reportedly received a copy of the draft MHA affidavit as the final one, but later in a communication the Central Agency Section housed on the SC premise clarified that they should not treat the copy served upon them as the Affidavit of the Central Government.

Serving the notice on the Centre while hearing the deportation case, the SC had asked the MHA (respondent) to file the affidavit. We will file the affidavit in the Supreme Court on September 18, Rajnath told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The plea, filed by Salimullah and Shaqir, who are registered as refugees under the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR), claimed they took refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against their community there. They challenged their deportation on several grounds, including violation of international human rights conventions.

The issue came to the fore after the Union Home Ministry in July said illegal immigrants such as the Rohingya posed grave security challenges as they might be recruited by terror groups, and asked state governments to identify and deport them.

It directed the states to set up task forces at district level to identify and deport illegally staying foreign nationals. The government had also informed Parliament on August 9 that according to the available data, more than 14,000 Rohingya, registered with the UNHCR, had been staying in India.
Whose government is it anyway?

While Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was in the suites of Indias presidential palace, flood-hit people in Nepals plains did not have clean water to wash down the chiura and chauchau delivered by relief groups. Hungry children had no dry spot to sleep on.
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 15

Noting that the dignity of the individual is not a plaything for those in authority, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a series of directions for prevention of suicide and custodial death of prisoners; and compensation for the kin of inmates who died an unnatural death after 2012.

A Bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur asked all high courts to register suo motu petitions to identify the kin of such prisoners and award suitable compensation.

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It is important for the Central and state governments to realise that persons who suffer an unnatural death in a prison are also victims  sometimes of a crime and sometimes of negligence and apathy, or both. There is no reason at all to exclude their next of kin from receiving compensation only because the victim of an unnatural death is a criminal, it said.

According to official figures quoted in the verdict, 1,584 inmates died in prison in 2015, which also included 115 unnatural deaths.

The top court asked states to study and emulate the open prison currently being experimented in Shimla and the semi-open prison in Delhi, saying these were extremely successful.

The order came on a PIL filed in 2013 highlighting the inhuman conditions prevailing in 1,382 prisons across India. This is the second verdict from the top court. On February 5, 2016, it had issued a series of directions to deal with the problem of overcrowding in prisons.

It must be appreciated by the State that the common person does not violate the law for no reason at all. It is circumstances that lead to a situation where there is a violation of law. On many occasions, such a violation may be of a trivial nature or may be a one-time aberration and, in such circumstances, the offender has to be treated with some degree of humanity, it said.

At least in such cases, retribution and deterrence cannot be an answer to the offence and the offender. Unless the State changes this mindset and takes steps to give meaning to life and liberty of every prisoner, prison reforms can never be effective or long-lasting, the Bench, which also included Justice Deepak Gupta, said.

Citing a National Human Rights Commission report, it pointed out that the average suicide rate among the general public during 2007-11 was 11 per 1 lakh whereas the average suicide rate in prison stood at 16.9 per 1 lakh, which was over 50 per cent higher.

The court asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to direct the NCRB to explain and clarify the distinction between unnatural and natural deaths in prisons and also explain the sub-categorisation of others within the category of unnatural deaths, by October, 2017.

It asked the MHA to ensure circulation of the Model Prison Manual and Suicide in Prison  prevention strategy and implication from human rights and legal points of view prepared by the NHRC for prisons.

All efforts should be made, as suggested by the NHRC and others, to reduce and possibly eliminate unnatural deaths in prisons and to document each and every death in prisons  both natural and unnatural, it said.

It directed state governments to appoint counsellors and support persons for counselling prisoners, particularly first-time offenders, and asked them to study the availability of medical assistance to prisoners and take necessary remedial measures and involve recognised NGOs in such work.

The Bench asked the secretary general of the apex court to send the copy of its verdict to the Registrar General of every high court within a week. The top court also directed the Ministry of Women and Child Development to formulate procedures for tabulating the number of children dying an unnatural death in child care institutes by the end of 2017.

It asked the states to constitute the Board of Visitors in terms of Model Prison Manual by the end of November 2017.

Terming custodial deaths of children as distressing, the Bench said, It is time that unnatural deaths of children in child care institutions are seriously looked into by all concerned if we are to provide the children of our country with a better future.

It asked State Legal Services Authorities to conduct a performance audit of prisons and consider extending the time or frequency of meetings and also explore the possibility of using phones and video-conferencing for communications not only between a prisoner and family members of that prisoner, but also between a prisoner and his lawyer.
New Delhi, September 16

The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued a notice to Ryan International School, Gurugram, demanding to know why its affiliation to the board should not be cancelled, as the school finds itself mired in controversy over flouting safety norms after a 7-year-old student was found murdered in its toilet last week.

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A two-member fact finding committee  set up by the board after the child, Pradhuman Thakur, was murdered last week  said that the sequence of events that followed the murder appeared to point out that Ryan International was guilty of gross negligence and that the death could have been avoided had the school been more cautious.

"The unfortunate death could have been averted had the school authorities discharged their duty with responsibility, care and security. The school failed to observe the basic security measures as stipulated by the board. From the entire sequence of events it appears that the school is guilty of gross negligence and failed to ensure safety and security of students in its schools," the notice said.

The school has been given 15 days to respond to charges of willfully violating CBSEs by laws.

The panel  comprising Y Arun Kumar, deputy commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Kailash Chand, principal, Govt Co-ed Senior Secondary School, Preet Vihar  said the school had made no provision of separate toilets for drivers, conductors and cleaners, resulting in their using the ones meant for the schools students and staff.

A safety breach on the school's barb-wired boundary wall that could allow ingress into the campus and the schools failure in installing and maintaining adequate Close-Circuit Television cameras also found mention in the notice.

"School failed to discharge its responsibility to file FIR and inform District Education Officer and CBSE after knowing the incident," the board said in the notice, adding that the FIR was later filed by a parent.

The child was found with his throat slit in the toilet an hour after his father dropped him off at the school in the morning of September 8. Five of Ryan International Schools top management executives were arrested in a case that has resulted in the board ordering police audit of all affiliated schools, as well as verification and psychometric evaluation of all its non-teaching staff, among various other safety guidelines.

Francis Thomas, the schools northern India head, and Jeyus Thomas, coordinator and Human Resource (HR) head, were arrested under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Gurugram police had also asked Ryan International School group CEO Ryan Pinto to join its investigations, which will now be taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Bombay High Court on Friday rejected anticipatory bail petitions moved by trustees Augustine F. Pinto, his wife Grace and son Ryan, citing jurisdictional issues after they approached court fearing their arrest in the case. The court however gave them interim protection against arrest until Friday, so they could approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

They approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court with their pleas on Saturday.

The Haryana Government on Friday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over the case, and also announced it would take over administration of the school for three months. PTI/Agencies

READ


Ranchi, September 16

BJP president Amit Shah today asserted that India has the sovereign right to develop the country within its boundaries, dismissing Chinas objection to Japan showing interests in investment in the North-Eastern states.

Indias policy has been very well clarified by Sushmaji (External Affairs Minister). It is our sovereign right to develop the country inside our boundaries and we will utilise that right, Shah told a press conference here.

Amid Japans push for stepping up investments in Indias North-East, China had yesterday stated that it was opposed to any third-party involvement in the resolution of the Sino-India boundary disputes or any foreign investments in areas over which it has claims in the region.

A joint statement, issued by India and Japan on Thursday had announced the setting up of the Act East Forum and referred to plans to take up infrastructure projects such as road connectivity and electricity in Indias North-Eastern states.

Dont disturb peace: Didi

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP should not try to disturb peace in the state during the upcoming Durga Puja and warned that they should not play with fire.

Stating that her government did not put any curb on celebration of Vijaya Dashami rituals, Banerjee said: There is misinformation campaign by certain outfits that we are stopping Vijaya Dashami celebrations at puja pandals and households.  PTI
This piece was originally published in The Tribune on December 24, 2004



by Roopinder Singh

Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, DFC, has always had a larger-than-life image, and this is one person whose deeds continue to justify it. The Indian Air Forces only Field Marshal has inspired generations of flyers ever since he joined the IAF in 1939 and was posted to IAFs Number 1 squadron at Ambala in January 1940, flying in frail Westland Wapitis.

The man who led the IAF in the 1965 war has sold off his farm near Delhi, and entrusted a corpus of Rs 2 crore to a trust devoted to the welfare of retired Air Force personnel. Known for personal probity and punctiliousness, the MIAF has set a wonderful example in using personal wealth for the welfare of others.

This is leadership from the front, which the IAF has seen right from the time he joined it in 1939, the gallantry in the Imphal campaign of 1944 and the conflict of 1965. It is unprecedented and completely selfless, which is what his actions have been throughout, says Pushpinder Singh, editor of the Vayu Aerospace Review.

The Marshal of Air Force and Mrs Arjan Singh Trust will seek to open avenues of financial relief for ex-IAF personnel and their dependents who need assistance.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The money has been invested in RBI bonds and it is expected that the returns from it will be Rs 16 lakh and 15 per cent of the interest will be added to the corpus and the rest disbursed to those applying for assistance, says the MIFA.

MIAF Arjan Singh, his wife Teji Arjan Singh and their son Arvind Singh will be the trustees for life, but it will be run by the president of the Air Force Association and other ex-officio members of the IAF.

I had full support of the family, says Arjan Singh. His wife, Teji recalls that when she asked him, why he had put her name on it, he replied: If you hadnt agreed, how could I have done it?

The farm that MIAF Arjan Singh sold was the last link he had with land, which was very dear to him. His grandfather, Risaldar-Major Bhagwan Singh, had a farm near Lyallpur, now called Faislabad, in Pakistan, where the young Arjan Singh spent his childhood, watching planes and dreaming of flying one, someday.

After Partition, the family was allotted 80 acres of land in Churwali village, near Adampur, Punjab. I was also allotted a pucca house. Kartar Singh, a good man, used to look after the land and when I sold it, I gave the house to him. I sold off the land because I could not take care of it as I was in service. In fact, when I told Sardar Swaran Singh (the then External Affairs Minister), in whose constituency my land fell, how much I had sold it for, he chided me for selling it below the market rate, he said in an earlier interview when this writer wrote his biography. The family also had land in Terai, which was tilled by his father Kishan Singh and other family members.

I am no longer a Jat as you said in the book, I have no land now, said Arjan Singh, recalling a comment made in the book, written two years ago, that the Jat in him was kept alive by the farm.

For this Aulakh Jat, giving up his land is a great gesture, and by setting up a trust for the welfare of others, Arjan Singh has set a shining example in a nation where such things have become rare. He has also instutionalised the trust by ensuring that family members do not run it. IAF officials who are more in touch with the current needs control it. This makes it even more important that his example be emulated. For this a climate has to be created, where such trusts are encouraged.

The founder of The Tribune Dyal Singh Majithia set up a number of trusts to serve the public, including The Tribune Trust, Union Academy (later known as Dyal Singh School and Dyal Singh College), Lahore, Dyal Singh Library and Dyal Singh College, New Delhi. The nation, on the whole, had gained a lot from philanthropic trusts like the Dorabji Tata Trust, which helped set up the first cancer hospital in Asia, and the Birla Educational Trust that runs hundreds of primary schools and colleges.

Unlike these luminaries, MIAF Arjan Singh comes from a service background. His father, Kishan Singh, a civil engineer, worked in Ceylon Railways. However he has always been large-hearted, and eventually it is not what you have that counts, it is what you give that makes a difference. The IAF will surely remember this magnificent gesture of its Field Marshal for a long time.




Roopinder Singh

Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, DFC, has always had a larger-than-life image, and this is one person whose deeds continue to justify it. The Indian Air Forces only Field Marshal has inspired generations of flyers ever since he joined the IAF in 1939 and was posted to IAFs Number 1 squadron at Ambala in January 1940, flying in frail Westland Wapitis.

The man who led the IAF in the 1965 war has sold off his farm near Delhi, and entrusted a corpus of Rs 2 crore to a trust devoted to the welfare of retired Air Force personnel. Known for personal probity and punctiliousness, the MIAF has set a wonderful example in using personal wealth for the welfare of others.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

This is leadership from the front, which the IAF has seen right from the time he joined it in 1939, the gallantry in the Imphal campaign of 1944 and the conflict of 1965. It is unprecedented and completely selfless, which is what his actions have been throughout, says Pushpinder Singh, editor of the Vayu Aerospace Review.

The Marshal of Air Force and Mrs Arjan Singh Trust will seek to open avenues of financial relief for ex-IAF personnel and their dependents who need assistance.

The money has been invested in RBI bonds and it is expected that the returns from it will be Rs 16 lakh and 15 per cent of the interest will be added to the corpus and the rest disbursed to those applying for assistance, says the MIAF.

MIAF Arjan Singh, his wife Teji Arjan Singh and their son Arvind Singh will be the trustees for life, but it will be run by the president of the Air Force Association and other ex-officio members of the IAF.

I had full support of the family, says Arjan Singh. His wife, Teji recalls that when she asked him, why he had put her name on it, he replied: If you hadnt agreed, how could I have done it?

The farm that MIAF Arjan Singh sold was the last link he had with land, which was very dear to him. His grandfather, Risaldar-Major Bhagwan Singh, had a farm near Lyallpur, now called Faislabad, in Pakistan, where the young Arjan Singh spent his childhood, watching planes and dreaming of flying one, someday. After Partition, the family was allotted 80 acres of land in Churwali village, near Adampur, Punjab. I was also allotted a pucca house. Kartar Singh, a good man, used to look after the land and when I sold it, I gave the house to him. I sold off the land because I could not take care of it as I was in service. In fact, when I told Sardar Swaran Singh (the then External Affairs Minister), in whose constituency my land fell, how much I had sold it for, he chided me for selling it below the market rate, he said in an earlier interview when this writer wrote his biography. The family also had land in Terai, which was tilled by his father Kishan Singh and other family members.

I am no longer a Jat as you said in the book, I have no land now, said Arjan Singh, recalling a comment made in the book, written two years ago, that the Jat in him was kept alive by the farm.

For this Aulakh Jat, giving up his land is a great gesture, and by setting up a trust for the welfare of others, Arjan Singh has set a shining example in a nation where such things have become rare. He has also institutionalised the trust by ensuring that family members do not run it. IAF officials who are more in touch with the current needs control it. This makes it even more important that his example be emulated. For this a climate has to be created, where such trusts are encouraged.

The founder of The Tribune, Dyal Singh Majithia, set up a number of trusts to serve the public, including The Tribune Trust, Union Academy (later known as Dyal Singh School and Dyal Singh College), Lahore, Dyal Singh Library and Dyal Singh College, New Delhi. The nation, on the whole, had gained a lot from philanthropic trusts like the Dorabji Tata Trust, which helped set up the first cancer hospital in Asia, and the Birla Educational Trust that runs hundreds of primary schools and colleges.

Unlike these luminaries, MIAF Arjan Singh comes from a service background. His father, Kishan Singh, a civil engineer, worked in Ceylon Railways. However he has always been large-hearted, and eventually it is not what you have that counts, it is what you give that makes a difference. The IAF will surely remember this magnificent gesture of its Field Marshal for a long time.



This piece was originally published in The Tribune on December 24, 2004
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 16

Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira today offered monetary help to the families of farmers who had committed suicide due to debt.

Addressing the media here, Khaira said with the help of NRIs, seven families were given Rs 50,000 each as a one-time help and 20 families would be given a monthly pension of Rs 2,500 for the next five years. He said funds had also been arranged for another 35 families in the state.

He said the monetary help was provided under the Peerat Kisan-Khet Mazdoor Bachao Muhim initiated by AAP with the help of NRIs and local donors.

We have initiated the campaign from Bathinda and Mansa. The need of the hour is to save the state farmers as the successive governments have failed the agriculture sector, he said.

Taking on the Congress, Khaira said: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had promised to waive the total debt of farmers before the elections, but he is now shying away from his promise. The farmers must question the Congress about the bogus promises made to them when they come for campaign in Gurdaspur bypoll.

Candidate today

Chandigarh: Continuing with its practice of declaring candidates for an election before other parties, AAP will announce its candidate for the Gurdaspur parliamentary bypoll on Sunday. Party sources said the candidate would be announced in Jalandhar. State party convener Bhagwant Mann and Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira will make the announcement. Local Gurdaspur leaders Lakhmeer Singh and Major General Suresh Khajuria (retd) are the top contenders. TNS
Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, September 16

Less than a year after moving to the US with her family, 18-year-old Begowal girl Sukhleen Dhillon has been inducted as a private in the army.

Her father, Jatinder Singh Mintu, who is on a visit to Kapurthala these days, proudly shows the certificate issued by the Fort Jackson Army Training Camp in July. It reads: This certificate is presented to Pvt Dhillon Sukhleen Kaur, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, for successful completion of basic combat training.

Sukhleen is part of a company of 450 young recruits training in Georgia. She is the only Indian girl cadet among them, while there are several Indian men.

Speaking to The Tribune from Georgia, she said, Its special to have come this far. I have handled tricky weapons and walked over 10 miles carrying weights of more than 30 pounds. It feels nice to make my parents and country proud. She is keen on becoming a lieutenant.

Jatinder, accompanied by his brother Kulwinderjit Singh, said, Sukhleen initially felt lonely in the US. She then started following army aspirants on the internet. Soon, she surprised us by saying that she wanted to join the US army.

Jatinder, who is in the construction business, admitted that the family once had doubts whether she would be able to train so hard. During a training session, she suffered a fracture. We got worried and thought of calling her back. But she stayed put and said the injury would heal soon. We realised that she would pursue her dream at any cost, said the Kapurthala native, whose grandfather and paternal uncles served in the Indian Army.

Sukhleen studied at Begowal till Class VI and then moved to Amritsar after her mother, Balbir Kaur, got a job as a school principal there. She studied in the holy city till Class XII before shifting to the US last year. She wants her brother, Arshdeep, to join the army as well.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 16

The state BJP today presented a report card of eight ministers of the Capt Amarinder Singh government, flunking them for failing to perform their roles over the past six months. The party, however, didnt comment on the performance of Local Bodies Minister and former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Party leaders Harjit Singh Grewal and Vineet Joshi also didnt tell how Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had fared, saying that the matter would be discussed next week. Accusing the ruling Congress of failing to provide loan waiver, they said 237 farmers had committed suicide in the first 180 days of the government.

The duo said Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal had been unable to meet the states committed liabilities, while Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit Singh had failed to get the 1,500-km drain network cleaned. They claimed that Aruna Chaudhary had not been able to ensure that text books reached students in time, while Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had failed to provide post-matric scholarships to students.

The BJP leaders flunked Charanjit Channi for the job fest fiasco, Brahm Mohindra for failing to maintain decorum of the House, Tript Rajinder Singh for not strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions and Razia Sultana for not ensuring regular payment of social security pension.

Fazilka: BJPactivists staged a protest outside the DC office against the government. The protest was led by former Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani and Abohar MLA Arun Narang.  OC
Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, September 16

Most of the grants promised by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency during his Independence Day speech will remain in limbo, at least for the time being, with the imposition of the poll code.

Amarinder had chosen Gurdaspur to preside over the state-level Independence Day function apparently in view the bypoll. He had announced grants to the tune of hundreds of crores for development works in Pathankot, Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Dera Baba Nanak, Fatehgarh Churian, Qadian and Batala, the main towns comprising this parliamentary seat.

A Congress legislator said: The CM had announced the grants well in time to beat the election code of conduct. We wanted to start development works before the poll announcement. We had thought that the code would be imposed on September 16 or 17, but it came into force on September 11 and the bureaucracy, which had to release the money, was caught napping. The opposition parties will surely rake up this issue.

Sources say the only consolation for the Congress is the Rs 27 crore released for the Shagun and old age pension schemes in Gurdaspur district, both considered to be vote-spinning populist measures.

Among other doles announced by the CM included Rs 162 crore for upgrading school and health infrastructure in Gurdaspur, Rs 42 crore for the Batala MC and Rs 67 crore for the urban facelift of Pathankot.

VVPAT machines for byelection
Tribune News Service

amritsar, September 15

Akali president and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said here on Friday that the Congress governments failure to launch any public welfare initiative in the past six months would have a bearing on the upcoming Gurdaspur byelection.

He claimed that the Capt Amarinder Singh government had not fulfilled any of its poll promises, be it loan waiver or providing jobs. The Congress has done nothing except defame Punjabs youth as drug addicts, Sukhbir added.

The six-month unproductive period of the government will ensure our win in the bypoll, he said.

He alleged that the Congress government was not keen on getting langar purchases at the Golden Temple and the Takht gurdwaras exempted from the GST.

The former Deputy CM said: Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal should set an example by announcing foregoing the states share of the GST on langar items. He doesnt require any permission from the GST council. This will give at least 50 per cent relief to the SGPC, he said.

The SGPC has been burdened by Rs 9 crore per annum as GST on langar purchases for the Golden Temple, which feeds around 70,000 devotees daily.

He said ministers Navjot Singh Sidhu and Manpreet had scuttled ongoing projects initiated by the Akalis.

Reacting to it, Sidhu said, Projects such as the BRTS were started prematurely by Akalis without raising the requisite infrastructure. We are spending around Rs 150 crore on development projects for Amritsar, including revamping road infrastructure, bridges at Vallah Mandi and safe drinking water.
Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 15

Families of the eight Punjabi men, who went missing in Uttarakhand in June, have accused the Chamoli district police of botching the investigation and trying to close the case by passing it off as a mishap. The missing persons include US-based NRI Harkewal Singh and his father, Paramjit Singh.

The Uttarakhand police have been claiming that the vehicle carrying the men was washed away in flash floods in the Alaknanda river and its remains, including rubber pieces and a Toyota logo, besides a turban, were identified by Narinder Singh, brother of a passenger, Kirpal Singh.

Refuting the claim, Narinder said the police were pressuring him not to pursue the case. No turban was found at the purported accident site. It was a piece of cloth hanging from a cliff. I was asked to identify it, but I couldnt do it. However, I asked them to let me take it along to show it to my family, said Narinder. He also denied media reports that the turban was cremated symbolically in his native village.

They tried to influence me through the Amritsar police, but I and the others refused to budge, he said.

Gurpreet Singh, brother of missing driver Mehanga Singh, refuted Chamoli SP Tripti Bhatts claim that his family had identified beadings of the vehicle. I was in Dubai when the incident happened and came back a few days later. It was a group of drivers from our local taxi stand who went to identify the vehicles parts, but they failed to do so, Gurpreet said.

Manjit Kaur, wife of US-based Harkewal Singh, said the police had got the identification done from persons who were not known or related to the missing persons.

They are trying to show that it was an accident, but we are not convinced. How is it possible that the drivers Aadhaar card was found over 280 km from the site? said Manjit, fearing for the safety of her husband and father-in-law.

When contacted, the Chamoli SP said Mehangas father and other family members had identified the vehicles parts. When informed that Mehangas father Gajjan Singh had died in 2009, she claimed that it was Narinder who had identified the turban of his brother, Kirpal.

Uttarakhand DGP Anil K Raturi said if the families were not satisfied with the probe, a fresh investigation could be initiated. We will help the families trace their kin, said Raturi.

Meanwhile, North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) executive director Satnam Singh Chahal has written to the Ministry of External Affairs, seeking its intervention to get the case probed by a Central agency.
Tribune Reporters

Fazilka/Muktsar, September 15

The Vidhan Sabha panel on farmer suicides today visited Fazilka, Muktsar and Ferozepur districts.

In Fazilka, members of the panel directed officials to get forms filled from the families of deceased farmers so that the state government could compensate them.

The team, comprising its chairman Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Kuljit Singh Nagra, Nathu Ram and Nazar Singh Manshahia, visited the families of deceased farmers in Gobindgarh, Sappanwali and Roopnagar villages.

Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia said 24 farmers had reportedly committed suicide in Fazilka district since 2011. Most of the families have been compensated. The forms will be submitted to the panel in 15 days, she said.

Farmers and labourers complained of not getting grains under the Atta-Dal scheme.

In Muktsar, the team visited Iqbal Singh of Danewala village. His two debt-ridden sons had committed suicide. After their death, Iqbal shifted to the house of his daughter, who was married in Bathinda district. He came to the village today to meet the House panel.

Later, the team visited the house Gurmeet Singh in Panniwala village and met his widow Manjeet Kaur.

Ferozepur: The House panel visited Karama, Balaewala and Bharana villages of the border district and interacted with the families of deceased farmers.

Nagra said suicide did not solve any problem, instead created more difficulties for the family.

Sarkaria said the panel will submit its report to the Vidhan Sabha by November-end. Subsequently, it will be tabled in the Assembly.

Its an eyewash, claims BJP

Fazilka: Arun Narang, BJP MLA from Abohar, termed the House panel's visit to suicide-hit families a farce. He alleged the Congress government had failed to fulfil its election promise of waiving loans of farmers, resulting in spurt in suicides. Members of the panel are giving false assurances to families of deceased farmers, he claimed. The BJP MLA also hit out at the government for failing to provide sufficient water to villages situated at the tail-end of canals, resulting in drying up of cotton and paddy crops. oc
Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 16

A 30-year-old assistant professor at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has gone missing.

Sukhpreet Kaur of Baghapurana (Moga) had been residing at the faculty accommodation on the campus. She is an ad hoc assistant professor in the Hindi department.

The university officials said she went to meet someone outside the campus on September 11. Four days later, the police and the university authorities searched Sukhpreets room after a complaint from her brother.

The police found a note on her table. It says: I am going to meet Jazzinder Singh Virk alias Garry at Subway or Chocolate Home in the university market. He is from Kharar and resides in street No 2 of Dashmesh Nagar on the Jhuggian road. (The names of Virks parents and their telephone numbers are also mentioned). He has to return money which he had borrowed from me. If anything happens to me, he should be held responsible.

The police have collected CCTV footage from Chocolate Home which Sukhpreet visited at 5:16 pm on September 11. She returned soon as the man was not there.

She later met him in the parking area and went with him in his car, the police said. The car then drove towards Putligarh on the GT Road.

Sukhdev Singh, security officer, GNDU, said: The head of her department received a call from Sukhpreets father on September 14. We then intimated the police.

Sukhpreets father alleged that he had received a call from her daughters number. The caller demanded a ransom of Rs 3 lakh. The police have registered a case under Section 365 (kidnapping) of the IPC.

A police team from cantonment police station raided several locations in Kharar and Chandigarh. The police traced Sukhpreets mobile phone location in Chandigarh.

Vishaljit Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (West), said: Hopefully, we will crack the case soon.
Tribune News Service

Malout, September 16

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal took potshots at Cabinet ministers Navjot Singh Sidhu and Manpreet Singh Badal here today, while accusing the Congress government of stopping development works.

In his speech, he termed Sidhu a monkey. Later, he told mediapersons, I made this remark because he is always jumping.

Sukhbir claimed that Manpreet knew nothing about finance. He should first take lessons, the former Deputy CM said.

He compared the states new rulers to rookie drivers who caused mishaps. The SAD chief alleged that the state government had stopped all welfare schemes started during the SAD-BJP rule. I have learnt that some Akali families who voted for the Congress, hoping for debt waiver and jobs for each household, are repenting now, Sukhbir added.

He was here to name Harpreet Singh Kotbhai as the SADs Malout constituency incharge. Harpreet had won the Malout seat in 2007 and 2012. Prior to this years Assembly elections, he was shifted to Bhucho constituency, but he lost to Congress Pritam Singh Kotbhai. The SADs Malout candidate, Darshan Singh Kotfatta, had lost to Congress Ajaib Singh Bhatti.

Harpreet is like my brother. He has his roots here, Sukhbir added.

Cong failed farmers, youth: Badal

Chandigarh: Former CM and SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday said the Congress government had failed on all fronts be it political, economic or religious. It had not only belied the expectations of the people, but also betrayed their trust. In a statement from the party head office here, Badal said the Congress government had defrauded both farmers and youth. It has also played a cruel joke on the industry by announcing power to it at the rate of Rs 5 per unit, but not implementing the decision, he said. tns
PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 16

On the trail of notorious gangster Gopi Ghanshampuria, the Punjab Police intelligence unit has arrested Randeep Singh, alias Rimple, a liquor contractor who is reportedly a close associate of the gangster.

Ghanshampuria is wanted in the Nabha jailbreak case, besides kidnapping of an Ajnala-based doctor.

A senior intelligence official has confirmed his arrest. He was produced in the local court and was sent to two-day police remand, he added. His arrest has created a stir in the political circles in Amritsar and Ludhiana.

According to reports, Rimple was arranging money for the release of Ghanshampuria, who is learnt to have been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police. However, negotiation was underway to get him released under the influence of several politicians in UP as well as in Punjab. The Intelligence Bureau got the wind and an operation was launched to nab Ghanshampuria.

During investigations, the police zeroed in on Rimple who was arranging money for his release. A deal was struck at Rs 50 lakh.

We are yet to ascertain whether Ghanshampuria was officially arrested or not, said the official.

The intelligence official said Rimple had been involved in many cases in Amritsar, including attempt to murder and firing. He was booked on charges of physical assault and firing at a BJP sarpanch in January 2015.

Similarly, he was booked in November 2013 when he had allegedly opened fired at a car accessory centre owner.

However, these cases were either cancelled or did not reach to conclusion owing to political interference.
Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, September 16

Congress leaders from Majha have termed Sukhbir Singh Badals statement against the state government an attempt to cover the failures of the 10-year rule of the SAD-BJP.

PPCC vice-president Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Barindermeet Singh Pahra, Sukh Sarkaria, HS Ajnala, Tarsem Singh DC and Dharambir Agnihotri, all MLAs, said in a statement here Sukhbir had no right to issue a statement against the state government.

Sukhbir Badal is not the Leader of Opposition and people have not accepted his party. That is why, he is not entitled to pass any judgement, said Randhawa.

The Congress leaders said it was the public which gave a mandate to a party to form the government. They added, Sukhbir should mind his own business rather than speaking about the Congress government.

The Rs 600-crore BRTS project in Amritsar is lying non-functional. A majority of projects started by the SAD government are in a limbo. Sukhbir should not pass a judgement on a government which is in power for just six months. Moreover, the state is going through financial crises, which was created by the SAD-BJP combine, added the leaders.

Show-cause notice to Congressmen
B.N.Goswamy

I have neither the competence, nor the intention, to write on the complex subject of India-China relations here, current interest in the Doklam imbroglio notwithstanding. Nor do I wish to write  at least at this moment  on how the Indian market is becoming flooded with cheap icons of Indian gods and goddesses: Made in China but routinely picked up by unsuspecting devotees. My intent is essentially to speak of how objects of Chinese origin used to attract collectors of art in India a century or so ago, mostly in imitation of the fashion for chinoiserie that had seized Europe in the 18th century. At the turn of the 20th century, or a little before that  it has been recorded  you would enter an affluent Indian house, say in Bombay or Calcutta, especially one that had any connection with the outside world, and not fail to notice Chinese objects scattered all over the drawing room: painted folded screens, vases and tea services, chairs upholstered in Chinese silk and tables with intricately carved legs, little porcelain figures of ardent lovers. To the outsider, these objects spoke of the owners wealth  for they were collected at considerable expense  and of his refined, at the very least eclectic, taste.

Not everyone collected Chinese objects with an equally discerning eye, however. Tawdry, bazaar type objects abounded. But if there was one family that knew Chinese art, and collected it with passion, it was that of the Tatas of Bombay. Two names from that distinguished family stand out: those of Sir Dorab J. Tata, and his younger brother, Sir Ratan Tata, both sons of the legendary Jamshedji Tata. Between them they owned an enormous number of art objects, as many as a thousand of them and a little more, now, having been gifted, forming a part of the collection of Mumbais premier museum: the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly and for long years known as the Prince of Wales Museum. The bulk of the collection is made up, as Terese Bartholomew noted in her 2002 catalogue, of Chinese porcelain, followed by jades, lacquer, cloisonne, wood carvings, bronze images, and snuff bottles. Whether or not the great Five Blessings most valued in Chinese culture  longevity, health, wealth, love of virtue, and peaceful death  are hinted at but hidden in each object is not what every viewer could be looking for in this collection. But the sheer quality of some of these would shine through for everyone, even at first sight.

Consider, for instance, the Container, made of greyish nephrite from the Qing dynasty. Resting on a hardwood base, this exquisite object rises like a lotus plant emerging from fresh water with buds and sturdy undulating stems hugging its form. An egret, reminding one again of waterside surroundings, perches on the edge of the lotus leaf, and a pair of little swallows  essentially decorative in intent  carved out of the same piece of nephrite, adorn its side. There is an air of purity about the piece which comes across even if one does not know that there is a visual pun that is at play here, continuous harmony being hinted at in the form of the lotus. What function could this piece have been intended for  whether to serve as a flower vase or as an object for a scholars desk  becomes a truly redundant question, considering the sheer aesthetic pleasure that regarding it with care and patience can yield.

The remarkably complex, and superbly detailed, Imperial jade chime, another of the objects from the Tata collection, stems also from the Qing dynasty, but it bears a clear date: 1764 CE. Since one is not used to seeing objects like this, one needs to make a slight effort to comprehend what it is. It is in essence a lithophone, the hanging jade piece producing a measured sound (called taicou), the seventh in a scale, when struck with a wooden beater. But it could not have been produced as an isolated piece: it must, like other chimes, have belonged to a set of 16 Imperial stone chimes, which were a part of a court ritual in the Qing dynasty. The delicate patterns in gold on the hanging piece, set off by the dark wooden frame, feature two imperial five-clawed dragons contending for the flaming pearl among clouds, as the catalogue says. Seeing it, one can lose oneself in the sheer refinement of detail.

Much smaller in size, for functionally it was meant to be so, is a snuff bottle made of porcelain covered with red enamel. Snuff bottles  little objects, meant to be carried on ones body  stemmed originally from simple medicinal bottles, but had evolved into delicate works of art over time, and the Chinese, much addicted to inhaling snuff, loved showing their little treasures off while using them in public. Whether or not snuff cleared the sinuses, or relieved headaches, the bottles yielded much visual delight, and one knows how incredible the variety of them was, made as they were of metal, wood, coral, agate and, of course, porcelain. This little object has a lid bearing chrysanthemum blossom and begonias with tendrils from which one descends to the main body which contains rosettes intervened by swastika motifs: a motif of Indian origin, incidentally, which a Tang empress of the 7th century had declared as the source of all auspiciousness.

In contrast to these precious objects  contrasts are always useful  there stands a reverse painting on glass showing, possibly, a courtesan: a bazaar painting done for an Indian patron by a Chinese artist working in 19th century Kutch. But then that is not from the Tata collection.
Suparna-Saraswati Puri

Curiously, in India, one mans past can be another mans present, thereby making documentation a thoroughly fascinating engagement, especially for those who wish to delve into the nature of life through the prism of social anthropology. Delhi-based writer, critic, scholar and artist Manju Kaks latest book In The Shadow of The Devi: Kumaon  Of a Land, a People, a Craft may distract the reader as a coffee-table purchase but it is far from being one. On the contrary, it is an intensely well-researched manuscript that encompasses historical, social, political, mystical, economic, cultural, environmental and artistic skeins of the Kumaon region.

What sets apart this encyclopaedic book is the holistic treatment given by the author to the spectrum of concerns addressed in the book and the visual imagery that compliments the detailed narrative. Anup Sah, an award-winning Kumaoni photographer, whose work is inextricably connected to Uttrakhand, along with a host of others, including environmentalist lensman Vaibhav Kaul, showcase breathtaking frames of the mountain people, their crafts and the alluring landscape of the Himalayas, making the book a must have. In addition, chapters on the famous woodcarving traditions, legendary shilpkaar Gangu Ram, the beautiful Kumaoni women, their songs and gods, the rich and variegated flora and fauna of the region and emergence of Indias 27th state  Uttarakhand, highlight Kaks decades-long impassioned exploration of the pahars and the paharis.

Widely recognised for her interpretations through word, image, research or curatorial theme, Kak, who has a doctorate in History of Art from the National Museum, New Delhi, is a winner of Charles Wallace award and a Hawthornden Fellow.

Interestingly, the inspiration for writing this book lies in repairs of her 150-year-old ancestral house called Knock Fierna owned by her in-laws. Each trip I made to oversee repairs, I also researched some facet of the hills. Of course, I had grown up in them, having spent 11 years in a boarding school in Nainital, affirms the author in the Preface to the book. That she loves mountains also comes across in a documentary, They Who Walked Mountains, directed by her.

With eloquently woven little-known historical facts, In The Shadow of The Devi digs deep into the culture, ethnicity and aesthetics of Kumaon in a refreshing manner. The documented history of the state of Uttrakhand goes back a few millennia. This ancient land has been alluded to in both mythology and literature. The great antiquity of human habitation in the region is established by the discoveries of pre-historic dwellings, such as the rock shelters in Lakhudiyar in eastern Kumaon where pictographs and petroglyphs depict the cultural life of the early inhabitants, and in the various Stone Age implements found in Kumaons Almora and Nainital districts in eastern Uttrakhand, writes Kak in the introduction to the book.

As a scholar whose understanding of Kumaon transcends from the fact that India is old in experience, but young in modernity, mature yet naive, Kaks new book provides a refreshing perspective by asking questions about the nature of belief in the pahad because for culture to survive, it must be relevant to the society we live in.
Pushpa Girimaji

The recent death of a gastroenterologist in Mumbai on account of a fall into an open manhole during the torrential rain in the city is a reminder of similar accidents that have happened earlier too. How do we, as citizens, prevent such tragic incidents?

I am really glad that you have raised this issue because unless citizens act as pressure groups, our civic authorities will not perform the way they should. I must mention here that as per the statistical data put out by the National Crime Records Bureau, open manholes killed as many as 167 persons and injured five in the country in 2015. Uncovered, unprotected trenches, nullahs and pits took an even heavier toll. As many as 730 fell into them during the year. While 663 died, 65 suffered injuries. During the previous year, 195 persons died by falling into open manholes, while 780 died on account of accidental fall into open pits, as per the data.

Behind each of these tragic deaths is a tale of callous indifference exhibited by the municipal authorities to the safety of the citizens and to the duty of care entrusted to them. If only these authorities had done their job and closed the death traps on roads and pavements, so many lives would not have ended so abruptly and tragically every year. Ironically, the local bodies are well aware of the consequences of their dereliction of duty. Yet, they fail to take certain simple measures such as closing the manholes and other death traps or barricading them to prevent untoward incidents, just because there is no accountability.

So, citizen groups should get pro-active, start taking pictures of open manholes and trenches wherever they see them and start sending them to civic authorities. They must also seek information, through the Right to Information Act, on the number of manholes in the city/town/locality and the last time they were checked to ensure that the lids were in place. In a few states, the civic authorities have provided WhatsApp numbers for citizens to report open manholes and pits. You can also pressurise the civic authorities in your locality, through municipal councillors/MLAs, to provide such facilities and fix a time limit within which the complaints are attended to. Those who fail to act should be named and shamed. Steps such as these should certainly make the civic authorities sit up and perform!

Have courts awarded compensation to the victims or their families in such cases?

Courts have, in a number of such cases, awarded compensation. Last November, for example, the Delhi High court awarded compensation in five such cases  in four of the cases, the death had occurred on account of people falling into a Ganda Nullah in Mangolpuri, which had been left uncovered and un-barricaded. In fact, one of the persons had died while trying to save two children who had fallen into it. In the fifth case, a child had fallen into an open manhole and died. But what was most distressing in this case was that the local authorities were squabbling over who was at fault! While the Public Works Department said the fault lay with the Delhi Jal Board, the latter said the former should have informed it about the open manhole on its site! The Delhi High Court said in disgust: a statutory body does not have to be informed of its duty; it was an obligation on the part of the statutory body to perform its duties (Urmila Devi Vs MCD, Writ petition( C) No 1170 of 2007, decided on November 3, 2016))

The court held the civic authorities guilty of negligence and awarded compensation to the families of the victims, but that is not enough. Like the Supreme court said in Lucknow Development Authority Vs MK Gupta, way back in 1993, the compensation paid to the victims in cases like these, should be recovered from those who are actually responsible for the tragedy, on account of their failure to perform their statutory function. So this should become the norm in every such case.

In addition, those responsible for failing to cover and barricade manholes and pits, should also be held criminally liable under the Indian Penal code for causing death by negligence. (Also, the punishment provided under Section 304 A  causing death by negligence  must be enhanced from the present two years). In fact, its time that the municipal laws had an in-built clause to hold those guilty of gross negligence and dereliction of duty, criminally accountable.
Rameshinder Singh Sandhu

When visitors enter Gastown  the oldest and the original neighbourhood of Vancouver that dates back to 1800s  they cant hold themselves from getting lost in the beauty of this town. Part of Vancouver downtown, it is also a national historic site of Canada and still carries the same old charm with pride and holds potential for comparison with one of the most mesmerising old towns of Europe. Thanks to its cobbled streets lined with historic buildings and old European-styled street lamps that silently transport every soul to the old world leaving no stone unturned to underline the power of old towns in the so-called modern world of today.

The man behind the creation of this town which interestingly also turned out as a point from where Vancouver opened its wings or say took birth was Gassy Jack Deighton  a Yorkshire seaman, steamboat captain who arrived here in 1867 to open his business of saloon and galvanised by its success many other businesses came up with profits knocking on their doors. Luckily, the towns seaport location offered huge advantage for every success story where several crews of sailing ships stopped and considering booming businesses finally in 1886 the town was incorporated as the city of Vancouver.

Thats why, the town was also officially named after him but even before the official curtains went up, Deighton was popular among all as Gassy and whosoever came to this area, termed it as Gassys town.In December 1986, his statue labelled as founding father of Gastown was also constructed on the corner of Water and Carrall Streets  the same point where he opened his saloon and ever since hundreds of tourists daily pay tribute to him by taking pictures with his statue that also depicts his English lifestyle. Right opposite is the historic Flatiron building  now a hotel which also stands popular for pictures and reminds one of famous Flatiron building of New York City.

After being in the company of Gassys statue, none of the tourists can afford to miss heading to the highly popular steam clock located on Water Street. It stands as the most famous landmark of Vancouver as its presence contributes too much to this towns beauty. The steam-powered clock was built and designed in 1977 by a Canadian clock maker Raymond L. Saunders and makes a cut as worlds first steam engine clock. However, it becomes a bigger cynosure in every 15 minutes as it begins to whistle and steam starts coming out from its top making it more enthralling not only for eyes but also ears. Credit goes to Saunders idea of powering the clock sound production with steam which has been attraction for every tourist. Believe it or not, no one wants to leave the town till they have seen the clock whistling and of course its worth waiting. Taking note of this fascination may be for the same reason; this steam clock has been on cover pages of several travel magazines and movies!

Its also a perfect place to take breaks as it is inundated with Vancouvers best restaurants, cafes and bars with many giving alfresco options for seating which should be always chosen as you remain connected to the lively streets. Its also home to many souvenir shops, besides many other shopping outlets of clothing, art and craft to suit every budget.

Lastly, you may have visited this town during the day but its also worth visiting as the day melts. Its that time when its beauty and charm presents a new colour along with several talented street entertainers to leave you captivated and you will be like, the show must go on!
Ira Pande

The last fortnight has been a most distressing one: starting with the shameful killing of Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru, it also saw the tragic death of an innocent child in Gurugram within minutes of his father dropping him off to school. As if this and other news of the death of infants in yet case of negligent medicare and the shameful state of our health services was not disturbing enough, our TV screens burst with pictures of the Rohingya refugees being turned away from every country that they come to for refuge.

I find it difficult to accept that as a country that claims to honour its guests as gods and one that has always opened its doors to the refugees, we refuse to accept 40,000 more people. Most among the Rohingya are women, children or aged parents and their pitiful belongings are there for all to see. As far as I could tell, they did not seem threatening terrorists: most are underfed, scared and unwilling to go to a country where they are not even considered nationals.

I remember the millions who came to India after Partition, then a few years later came the Dalai Lama with a band of loyal followers, still later millions of Bangladeshi refugees that poured into eastern India following a civil war in their own country and lastly the Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka. The list is endless and some of the older refugees (such as the Zoroastrians, Jews, Armenians and Afghans) have seamlessly merged with our own people to contribute to the countrys social and cultural evolution. Where would we be without the Parsis of western India and the displaced Punjabis from Pakistan who came and settled in the Terai, making a mosquito-ridden swamp into north Indias most prosperous agricultural land in just a few decades?

In these globalised times, borders have to be opened up to help those in distress. Certainly, one cannot be blind to the threat to a nations security but under the UNs Human Rights Commission there are well laid-down guidelines for filtering genuine refugees from embedded terrorists. The truth is that we succumb to misinformation and malicious ethnic propaganda that blinds us to compassion and humanitarian considerations. It is all right for us to criticise European nations for denying entry to refugees from North Africa and Syria but does one dare to publicly support giving refuge to those who belong to a faith that is now looked at suspiciously the world over? We have very harsh words for the American and British restrictions on our own people who go there to work, yet use very different standards of evaluation when we look at those who seek similar conditions from us.

I had always admired our country for its courageous stand on accepting those in need of refuge, even if had meant inviting the wrath of powerful neighbours such as China (in the case of the Dalai Lama). I regret that we no longer show such courage or large-heartedness. If you study the contribution made by such aliens, you will be amazed and humbled at what they have given to our country. From music and the arts to industry (the Tatas or the Godrej family, for example), the list is very impressive indeed. What we need to remember is that they too once fled the country of their birth to make another country their home. All those with children who have migrated to other countries should ask: Is this what we would wish upon them?

The fault lies in submitting to the bilge that floats in our social media sites (WhatsApp and Twitter being the biggest agents of misinformation). The other day, I was sent a vicious account of how Hindus were killing Christian converts in Odisha. This was an old BBC report from the early years of this century and had been edited cleverly to make it sound as if it was something that had happened the other day. What incalculable damage is done when the gullible or bigoted people receive such fake news is unthinkable. The huge industry of trolls then takes over and abuses are freely exchanged. My shawlwala regularly sends me horrific reports (edited to incite no doubt) of the unspeakable crimes being committed in Kashmir. Others send me Hindu posts that are equally disturbing. What good is all this wild dissemination of non-news doing to us except forcing us to take sides against each other? While individual relationships between friends and families remain largely unaffected, it is the gradual widening of suspicion of another faith and its followers that is the real worry. In another few years, this chasm may well become unable to be bridged and what good will it does to anyone, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, Christian or Buddhist?

When even a Nobel Laureate such as Suu Kyi is unable to stand up to defend the rights of her own people, what hope is there for those of us who still bleat on and on about tolerance and compassion? A country that professes to be Buddhist is now being shown up as a nation of bloodthirsty killers. The voice of reason is being drowned under the lusty cries of revenge and hatred.

It is not just Islam that has been Talibanised: Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity are headed the same way.
Aditi Tandon in New Delhi

Aditi Tandon in New Delhi

Human ties are such that these go beyond the obvious: if marriage is thought to be a natural culmination of a common desire to live together, its consummation is also thought to be as spontaneous. The physicality of it has come to be known as a gross sum of deeply felt emotions. Socio-economic structures, awareness, or the lack of it, shape up sensitivities. It is in that context that the very ties run the risk of escaping the bedroom walls, allowing the law to get in. The charges can be as grave as marital rape; the victim invariably is woman.

Surveys done with a great amount of effort throw up startling facts: Husbands commit most of acts of sexual violence in India, and that just one per cent of marital rapes and six per cent of rapes by men other than husbands are reported to the police.

Social scientist Aashish Gupta with the Research Institute for Compassionate Economics compared National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on officially reported cases of violence against women with data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). Women respondents were asked whether they had faced any sexual or physical violence.

The figures were astounding: while 157 per 1,00,000 women reported to NFHS surveyors that they had experienced rape by men other than their husbands in the past 12 months, 6,590 said their husbands had physically forced them to have sexual intercourse against their will.

As things stand, marital rape is not recognized as an offence in India. A 157-year-old Indian Penal Code continues to apply despite being conceived in the Victorian times when men and women were considered unequal and women were barred from even owning property.

It was in this patriarchal landscape that the controversial Exception 2 to anti-rape section 375 IPC was born. This exception creates a fiction of legal marital rape and prevents women facing sexual assault in marriages from seeking legal protections. It, however, punishes non-marital rape with a minimum of seven years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

The significance

The debate on status quo on marital rape first gathered storm after the Congress- led UPA in 2013 rejected the JS Verma committee suggestion to remove the marital rape exception. Individual victims are now determined not to continue being treated like second class citizens.

Marital rape victim Khushboo Saifi, and two women organizations -- RIT Foundation and All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) -- have challenged the marital rape exception in Delhi High Court.

The petitioners say: All adults have the right to sexual autonomy and bodily integrity without the right not to be raped, married women are legally reduced to reproductive subjects. The right to sexual autonomy and bodily integrity includes the right not to be raped under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Marital rape is the last vestige of paterfamilias ideas, says Karuna Nundy, the lawyer for RIT foundation and AIDWA says.

Elsewhere in the world, the UK's House of Lords, the architect-nation of the Indian Penal Code, struck down the marital rape exception from their British law in 1991. Nepal, Canada, Australia, the European Court of Human Rights have also outlawed marital rape.

What govt, experts think

In the affidavit defending the exception, government's standing counsel Monika Arora says what constitutes marital rape needs to be defined precisely before a view on its criminalization is taken.

She says it has to be ensured that marital rape does not become a phenomenon to destabilize the institution of marriage and a tool to harass husbands. Even the Law Commission did not recommend criminalizing marital rape. The fact that other countries, mostly western, have criminalized marital rape doesn't necessarily mean India should also follow blindly.

The government has also told the high court that criminal law being in the concurrent list, states will have to be consulted.

Experts say the demand to criminalize marital rape is exaggerated because women suffering sexual abuse in marriages can take recourse to other existing legal provisions. These include Section 354 IPC (use of criminal force on a woman with the intention to outrage her modesty) Section 377 IPC (protects women from unnatural sexual acts); Section 498 A (anti-dowry law on cruelty in marriage) and the anti-domestic violence legislation.

Lawyer and womens rights activist Madhu Mehra thinks criminalization of marital rape is just a dot on the larger canvas of gender inequality in marriages. She and others say the government should amend Section 498 A IPC to expressly mention marital rape and other sexual assaults in marriages as cruelty.

At stake is marriage as an institution

This is one of the most complicated places to intervene since you are entering the bedrooms of people. We need to see how to do this gracefully. We are still negotiating.  Maneka Gandhi, Women and Child Development Minister

There is no rational basis for differentiating between marital and non-marital rape. The rationale traditionally given is based on archaic notions of consent and property rights.  Khushboo Saifi, marital rape victim and petitioner in Delhi HC

Defining marital rape would require a broad consensus. It has to be ensured criminalization of marital rapes does not destabilize the institution of marriage and becomes another tool to harass men.  Monika Arora, government's standing counsel

The plea to criminalize marital rape represents a blinkered view of social realities, law enforcement and the abuse of law. You cannot allow the police to invade the sanctity of the home. This is a highly sensitive subject and is best left to the legislature of the day.  Ashwani Kumar, former Law Minister
Dehradun, September 16

The Uttarakhand Police yesterday arrested Dr Amit Raut, the alleged mastermind behind the illegal kidney transplant racket busted at Gangotri Charitable Hospital a few days ago, from Panchkula, Haryana.

In all, four persons were arrested. Raut and his brother Dr Jeevan Raut had been absconding and the Uttarakhand Police had launched a massive hunt to nab them.

In a joint operation with the Panchkula police, the Uttarakhand Police led by ASP Lokeshwar Singh nabbed Raut and his associates from outside Pallavi Hotel in Panchkulas Sector 18.

Along with Raut, Dr Jeevan Raut, nurse Sarla and driver Pradeep were also arrested.On interrogation, it was found that all four were planning to escape to Nepal. They have been booked under the IPC. Raut has been booked for cheating, criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing grievous injury by dangerous means. He was also booked under the Human Organ Transplant Act, 2014, said Nivideta Kukreti, Dehradun SSP, while briefing mediapersons. The police also recovered five mobile phones, Rs 33.73 lakh cash and three cars from their possession.A degree holder in ayurveda, Raut is said to have conducted more than 50 illegal kidney retrieval operations during his three-month stay in Dehradun. Cases are still pending against him in Mumbai, Guntur and Anand.

Kukreti said the agreement of running Gangotri Charitable Hospital from Uttaranchal Dental was signed in 2016 through Ashok Jogi and Rajiv Choudhury.  TNS
Dehradun: Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Development Rekha Arya will lead a 55-km cycle rally from Dehradun to Hari Ki Pauri in Haridwar to generate awareness on saving the girl child on September 17. The rally will be flagged off by Chief Minister TS Rawat from the Police Lines in Dehradun from where it will proceed towards Haridwar. Union Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Development Maneka Gandhi will address a gathering in support of the Beti Bachaho, Beti Padhao campaign at Har ki Paudi. TNS
Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 15

BJP President Amit Shah will begin his two-day visit to Dehradun on September 19 as part of the 110-day nationwide tour to strengthen the party. During his two-day visit, Shah will hold series of meetings with party office bearers, heads of various party units, Cabinet ministers, MLAs and MPs for feedback on works carried by the state BJP government in Uttarakhand.

Giving details of Amit Shahs itinerary, Uttarakhand BJP chief Ajay Bhatt said, On the first day of his trip, he will hold meetings with the members of the core group of the party, district party presidents, general secretaries and chairmen of corporations.

On the second day of his trip on September 20, Amit Shah will inaugurate an in-house library at the state party headquarters. He will also address office bearers of 228 mandals and district presidents. Discussions will also be held with the Cabinet ministers in the TS Rawat government, Bhatt said.
Dhaka, September 16

Bangladesh has accused Myanmar of repeatedly violating its air space and warned that any more provocative acts could have unwarranted consequences, raising the possibility of a deterioration in relations already strained by a refugee crisis.

Nearly 4,00,000 Rohingya Muslims from western Myanmar have crossed into Bangladesh since Aug. 25, fleeing a Myanmar government offensive against insurgents that the United Nations has branded a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Bangladesh said Myanmar drones and helicopters had violated its air space three times  on September 10, 12 and 14  and it had called in a top Myanmar embassy official in Dhaka to complain.

Bangladesh expressed deep concern at the repetition of such acts of provocation and demanded that Myanmar takes immediate measures to ensure that such violation of sovereignty does not occur again, the ministry said in statement late on Friday.

These provocative acts may lead to unwarranted consequences.

A Myanmar government spokesman said he did not have information about the incidents Bangladesh had complained about but Myanmar had denied an earlier accusation.

The spokesman, Zaw Htay, said Myanmar would check any information that Bangladesh provided.

At this time, our two countries are facing the refugee crisis. We need to collaborate with good understanding, Zaw Htay told Reuters.

Bangladesh has for decades faced influxes of Rohingya fleeing persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where the Rohingya are regarded as illegal migrants and denied citizenship.

Bangladesh was already home to 400,000 Rohingya before the latest crisis erupted on Aug. 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked about 30 police posts and an army camp, killing a dozen people.

The Myanmar security forces responded with what rights monitors and fleeing Rohingya say is a campaign of violence and arson aimed at driving out the Muslim population.

Humanitarian crisis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council have urged Myanmar to end the violence, which he said was best described as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar rejects the accusations, saying its security forces are carrying out clearance operations to defend against the insurgents of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which claimed responsibility for the Aug. 25 attacks and similar, though smaller, attacks in October.

The government has declared ARSA a terrorist organisation and accused it of setting the fires and attacking civilians.

About 30,000 non-Muslim villagers have also been displaced in the conflict in which Myanmar says more than 430 people have been killed, most of them insurgents.

Nearly half of 471 villages in the north of its Rakhine State had been completely deserted or partly abandoned, the government said.

The ARSA has denied links to foreign Islamists and has called for neighbouring countries to block any foreign terrorists from trying to join it. It says it is fighting for the rights of Rohingya.

The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border and raised questions about Myanmars transition under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi after nearly 50 years of strict military rule.

The generals still control national security policy but nevertheless, Suu Kyi has been widely criticised abroad for not stopping or condemning the violence.

There is little sympathy for Rohingya in a country where the end of military rule has unleashed some old communal animosities and the military campaign in Rakhine State is generally supported.

Ethnic cleansing is not recognised as a separate crime under international law but allegations of ethnic cleansing as part of wider, systematic human rights violations have been heard in international courts.

Rights group Amnesty International said on Friday evidence pointed to a mass-scale scorched-earth campaign across the north of Rakhine that was unmistakably ethnic cleansing. Reuters
Lahore: A Christian man in Pakistan was sentenced to death for blasphemy after he sent a WhatsApp message to a friend that insulted Islam. Nadeem James Masih was charged in July after his friend Yasir Bashir told the police that he sent him a poem on the messaging service that was insulting to Islam. Following the incident, Masih fled from his home in Sara-e-Alamgir town in Punjab province to escape an angry mob that had gathered there, but later surrendered to the police. Masih has also been fined Rs 300,000. PTI
Baghdad, September 16

Iraqi armed forces said on Saturday they had started an offensive to dislodge Islamic State from an area on the border with Syria south of the Euphrates River.

The offensive in the Akashat region, which has natural gas reserves, is meant to pave the way for the seizure of militant-held towns in the Euphrates river valley, including the border post of al-Qaim, military statements said.  Reuters
Nasiriyah: Gunmen and suicide bombers killed at least 84 persons in southern Iraq in the deadliest attack by the Islamic State group since it lost second city Mosul, according to a new toll released on Friday. Many of the dead in attack near the city of Nasiriyah were Shia Muslim pilgrims, some of them Iranian, officials said.

The death toll has risen to 84 after the discovery of 10 more bodies at the scene of the attack, said Jassem al- Khalidi, health director for Dhiqar province, which has largely been spared the violence. AFP
Seoul/Tokyo, September 15

North Korea fired a second missile over Japan far out into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, South Korean and Japanese officials said, deepening tension after Pyongyangs recent test of its sixth and most powerful nuclear bomb.

The missile flew over Hokkaido in the north and landed in the Pacific about 2,000 km to the east, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

The missile reached an altitude of about 770 km and flew for about 19 minutes over about 3,700 km, according to South Koreas military, far enough to reach the US Pacific territory of Guam, which the North has threatened before.

On August 29, North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Hwasong-12, which travelled 2,700 km over Japan.

The range of this test was significant since North Korea demonstrated that it could reach Guam with this missile, the Union of Concerned Scientists said in a statement.

But it said the accuracy of the missile, still at an early stage of development, was low. Warning announcements about the missile blared around 7 am (2200 GMT Thursday) in parts of northern Japan, while many residents received alerts on their mobile phones or saw warnings on TV telling them to seek refuge.

The UN Security Council will meet to discuss the launch at the request of the United States and Japan, diplomats said.

US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said the launch put millions of Japanese into duck and cover, although residents of northern Japan appeared calm and went about their business as normal after the second such launch in less than a month.

The US military said soon after the launch it had detected a single intermediate range ballistic missile but the missile did not pose a threat to North America or Guam, which lies 3,400 km from North Korea.

US officials repeated Washingtons ironclad commitments to the defence of its allies. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for new measures against North Korea and said the continued provocations only deepen North Koreas diplomatic and economic isolation.

A poll by Gallup Analytics suggested a majority of Americans appeared ready to support military action against North Korea, at least as a last resort. Some 58 per cent said they would favour taking military action if economic and diplomatic efforts failed to achieve US goals.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said dialogue with the North was impossible at this point. He ordered officials to analyse and prepare for possible new North Korean threats, including electromagnetic pulse and biochemical attacks, a spokesman said. Russia said the missile test was part of a series of unacceptable provocations and that the UN Security Council was united in believing such launches should not be taking place.

US President Donald Trump had been briefed on the latest launch, the White House said. Trump has vowed that North Korea will never be allowed to threaten the US with a nuclear-tipped missile, but has also asked China to do more to rein in its neighbour. China in turn favours an international response to the problem.

The US wants to exhaust every diplomatic option on North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes, and to see loopholes in the North Korean sanctions regime closed, US disarmament ambassador Robert Wood said.  Reuters.

Launch deepens regional tension
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

View Results
Seoul/United Nations, Sept 16

North Korea said on Saturday it aims to reach an equilibrium of military force with the United States, which earlier signaled its patience for diplomacy is wearing thin after Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan for the second time in under a month.

Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying by the state news agency, KCNA.

Kim was shown beaming as he watched the missile fly from a moving launcher in photos released by the agency, surrounded by several officials.

The combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified, said Kim as quoted by KCNA. Kim added the Norths goal of completing its nuclear force had nearly reached the terminal.

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kims leadership as it accelerates a weapons programme designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.

After the latest missile launch on Friday, White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said the US was fast running out of patience with North Koreas missile and nuclear programs.

Weve been kicking the can down the road, and were out of road, McMaster told reporters, referring to Pyongyangs repeated missile tests in defiance of international pressure.

For those ... who have been commenting on a lack of a military option, there is a military option, he said, adding that it would not be the Trump administrations preferred choice.

Also on Friday, the UN Security Council condemned the highly provocative missile launch by North Korea.

It had already stepped up sanctions against North Korea in response to a nuclear bomb test on September 3, imposing a ban on North Koreas textile exports and capping its imports of crude oil.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, echoed McMasters strong rhetoric, even as she said Washingtons preferred resolution to the crisis is through diplomacy and sanctions.

What we are seeing is, they are continuing to be provocative, they are continuing to be reckless and at that point theres not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here, when youve cut 90 percent of the trade and 30 percent of the oil, Haley said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he is more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming. He said at Joint Base Andrews near Washington that North Korea has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbors and for the entire world community. Reuters

America will never be intimidated: Trump

President Donald Trump has said America and its allies will never be intimidated and insisted that the US options for addressing the threat posed by North Korea are both effective and overwhelming

The remarks also came after H R McMaster, the US National Security Adviser, reaffirmed that the Trump administration has military options in place for dealing with North Korea.

Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated. We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, he said
St. Louis, September 16

Clashes between demonstrators and riot-clad police marred the end of what had been a largely peaceful second day of protest rallies in St. Louis following the acquittal of a white police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man.

Several hundred people gathered near Washington University after dark as the main rallies and marches wound down on Saturday evening.

As the night wore on violence broke out between some of roughly 100 remaining protesters, some holding bats or hammers, and riot-clad police who ordered them to disperse.

Shop and restaurant windows were smashed, including at businesses crowded with patrons, and demonstrators hurled trash cans at officers, who numbered about 200.

Police declared the scene an unlawful assembly and threatened to deploy tear gas and arrested at least eight people.

"We had been getting such a good turn out earlier and it was a peaceful protest," said Jomar Jackson, 32. "But then a bunch of people came and decided to be disruptive." Elisheva Heit, whose flower shop window was smashed on the eve of its grand opening, said "I don't understand how this would bring the poor guy back to life."

Sweeping up glass, she asked passing officers "This is how you protect people?"

The demonstrations began peacefully on Friday after Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson acquitted former St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley, 36, of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith, 24.

But as on Saturday, Friday's protests ended in late night violence, with 33 arrests after clashes on which 10 officers were hurt.

"We don't want to see property destruction or see people getting hurt," Elad Gross, a 29-year-old St. Louis civil rights attorney, told Reuters as activists gathered peacefully at another protest site in a park on Saturday.

"But this is a protest that addresses injustices not only happening here in St. Louis but around the country." Rock band U2 canceled a concert scheduled for Saturday in St. Louis, and singer Ed Sheeran did the same for his show on Sunday, citing security concerns.

Deeply saddened at what has happened in St. Louis and having to cancel our show tonight, U2 singer Bono said in a post on Instagram.

The verdict came about three years after rioting broke out in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson when a black teenager was shot dead by a white police officer. That incident touched off nationwide soul-searching over law enforcement's use of force against African-Americans, the mentally ill and other groups.

REACTION TO VERDICT

After Friday's ruling, some 600 chanting protesters marched from the courthouse through downtown St. Louis, some of them holding "Black Lives Matter" signs.

Later, some broke windows at a library and two restaurants and threw bricks and bottles at officers, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the throng. At one point, demonstrators threw rocks and paint at the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, police said.

Smith was shot five times in his car after attempting to elude Stockley and his partner, who had chased the suspect after an alleged drug deal, authorities said.

During the pursuit, Stockley could be heard saying on an internal police car video he was going to kill Smith, prosecutors said.

Stockley believed that Smith was armed, defense attorneys said, and a gun was found in the car. Prosecutors argued Stockley planted the weapon and the gun had only Stockley's DNA.

Stockley left the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in 2013 and was arrested last year. He waived his right to a jury trial.

"This court, as a trier of fact, is simply not firmly convinced of defendant's guilt," Judge Wilson ruled.

Smith's family settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $900,000 in 2013, according to Al Watkins, an attorney for Smith's fiancee, Christina Wilson.  Reuters
Washington, September 16

US President Donald Trump will focus on three key issues such as peace, prosperity and upholding sovereignty and accountability during his maiden address to the UN General Assembly next week, according to National Security Adviser Lt Gen H R McMaster.

Trump will speak to the assembly on Tuesday during the 72nd annual General Assembly session of the UN.

In addition to his customary address, Trump will also hold a series of meetings with world leaders and address several other thematic issues at the UN during his stay in New York.

The presidents consistent message across all of his engagements throughout the week will emphasise three goals common to all nations who will be gathered there: first, to promote peace; second, to promote prosperity; and third, to uphold sovereignty and accountability, McMaster told reporters yesterday.

Observing that a peaceful world depends on the contributions of all nations, McMaster said the global community must share responsibility for international security while each country protects the security of its own people.

Prosperity is also a shared responsibility. The president looks forward to furthering economic cooperation, investment opportunities and new business ties with other governments and businesses across the world. As always, this administrations iron-clad commitment to free, fair and reciprocal trade and access to markets will be the bedrock of our economic talks, he said.

Noting that sovereignty and accountability are the essential foundations of peace and prosperity, he said America respects the sovereignty of other countries, expects other nations to do the same, and urges all governments to be accountable to their citizens.

That accountability has broken down in places such as Venezuela and Syria. And we also see today revisionist powers who are threatening the sovereignty in the Greater Middle East, Eastern and Southern Europe and in East Asia, he said.

McMaster said the president will join senior UN leadership and the leaders of more than 120 other nations to discuss reforming the institution.

The president will express support for Secretary General Guterres reform efforts.

The UN of course holds tremendous potential to realise its founding ideals, but only if its run more efficiently and effectively, he said.

On Monday, Trump will meet leaders of France and Israel, two of Americas closest allies. While their conversations will be wide-ranging, we expect that Irans destabilising behavior, including its violation of the sovereignty of nations across the Middle East, to be a major focus, he added.

Trump will host a working dinner with Latin American leaders on Monday evening.

Hes looking forward to discussing the crisis in Venezuela, as well as our increasingly strong economic ties, shared goals for elevating the prosperity of our peoples, and the extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades, Mc Master said.

After his first address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump will have a lunch with Secretary General Antonio Guterres. He will also meet Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia, this years General Assembly president and the Emir of Qatar. In the evening, he will host a traditional diplomatic reception.

Mc Master said, He (Trump) will urge all states to come together to address grave dangers that threaten us all. If nations meet these challenges, immense opportunity lies before us.

On Wednesday, Trump will meet leaders of Jordan, the Palestinian National Authority, the UK and Egypt.

He will host a working luncheon with African leaders to discuss how the US can help African nations develop their economies, address urgent challenges, and strengthen security relationships and economic relationships between our nations, McMaster said.

On Thursday, Trump will meet leaders of Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The latter two countries in particular have suffered direct and persistent attacks on their sovereignty in recent years, he said.

He will also host a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan. As Kim Jong Uns most recent missile launch demonstrates, North Korea remains one of the worlds most urgent and dangerous security problems. It is vital that all nations work together to do our utmost to solve that problem, McMaster said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the president will highlight the UN reform event.

It is very, very important. Weve got a massive reform package being led by the secretary general that really streamlines not just the processes, but also that budget as it goes forward, and makes the UN much more effective, she said.

There are no shortage of issues, with North Korea being front and centre. Iran will be an issue. Syria will certainly be talked about. Terrorism efforts and how we counter that is a huge topic on what were dealing with. Obviously, the humanitarian issues that we face around the world, Haley said. PTI
London, September 15

An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a packed train at a London underground station today, injuring at least 22 persons in the fifth terrorist attack this year, which Prime Minister Theresa May said was clearly intended to cause significant harm.

The explosion, on a District Line Tube in the British capitals southwest, occurred as the train pulled into Parsons Green station. Commuters said they heard a bang and saw a fireball inside the carriage when the bucket bomb exploded. Several people suffered facial burns, some reportedly were trampled in the rush to escape.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Pictures of a white bucket on fire inside a supermarket bag, with wires trailing on to the carriage floor of the train, went viral. Investigators were examining what appeared to be a circuit board recovered from the scene.

Scotland Yard said it was a terror incident. A hunt is on for a suspect the British media labelled as the bucket bomber. Some reports indicated that the suspect had been identified after investigators reviewed the CCTV footage at the station.

This is the fifth terrorism incident in the UK this year. But its the only one in 2017 in which nobody has died. The previous four saw 36 persons killed. The London Ambulance Service said 18 persons had been taken to hospital and four more had reached there on their own.

Prime Minister May, after an emergency response COBRA committee meeting, said UKs terror threat level remained unchanged for now, at severe, the second highest.  PTI
Washington, September 16

Caracas has denounced President Donald Trumps plans to meet with Latin American leaders concerning Venezuelas ongoing crisis, branding the talks as rival dialogue.

Earlier in the day Trumps national security adviser HR McMaster had announced plans for a working dinner on Monday that will convene several Latin American leaders in New York, as the UN General Assembly gets underway.

During the dinner Trump expects to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, as well as the strong economic ties and extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades, McMaster told journalists, without elaborating on which leaders the talks will include.

But having just begun exploratory talks with opposition delegates this week, Caracas met the news with scorn.

You have nothing to evaluate President Trump... evaluate your internal problems, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told journalists, lambasting the planned meeting as rival dialogue.

Officials from both the Venezuelan government and the opposition began exploratory talks Wednesday, mediated by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the former Spanish prime minister.

The opposing sides agreed Thursday to a commission of friendly countriesMexico, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaraguatasked with assisting negotiations to emerge from the crisis that had fueled months of deadly protests.

Arreaza also appeared to respond to Trumps threat last month of a military option in Venezuela.

Anyone who dares to attack Venezuela will suffer the consequences, he said.

Though the White House did not say who would attend Mondays talks, Arreaza mentioned Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is among those invited.

McMaster also ruled out the possibility that Trump could hold direct talks with Venezuelan representatives at the General Assembly.

President Nicolas Maduro will not attend the gathering of world leaders, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the embattled Latin American country.

Washington has already slapped sanctions on crisis-stricken Venezuelaincluding on Maduro himselfto deny the Maduro dictatorship a critical source of financing to maintain its illegitimate rule. AFP
Ken Brune was part of a family of four boys and four girls, and an uncle of his had 16 kids  eight boys, eight girls. His high school graduating class of 20 had the same number of each gender, too.

I tell everybody I grew up in a very balanced world, he says.

That equilibrium extends to this day. The attorney works where he resides, on the ninth floor of the Reunion Center building at Fourth and Main streets in downtown Tulsa.

Brune purchased the structure, which turned 100 years old this year, in 2004.

Downtown looked like it was about to re-direct itself, says Brune, who heads the Brune Law Firm. Somebody told me this building might be available. I decided that if I combine my home with the office, I could save a lot of money and Id be, if something happened to Tulsa, on the cutting edge.

Something did happen, and it happened to be huge.

More than a billion dollars of development has been poured into downtown since then. Several dozen tenants, including attorneys, artists and Internet radio disc jockeys, occupy the 10-story Reunion Center, whose green awning juts from its Fourth Street entrance.

Its personable, Brune says of the ambiance of the building, whose fair market value, according to assessor records, has jumped to $2.14 million since its purchase 13 years ago for $1.55 million.

Everybody knows everybody by face and name. We at least try on an annual basis to get everybody together. The owners on site. Im always here or available. Its a very comfortable situation for all of the tenants, I believe.

The Reunion Center has had lots of experiences in its time in downtown Tulsa. The bank that was originally there is gone, but the stories of the building live on.

Reunion Center origins

Reunion Center was erected in 1917 as home of the First National Bank of Tulsa, also known as The Oilmans Bank. In April of that year, $100,000 in cash  representing the banks reserve  was transferred by automobile to the new facility from the banks previous location at Second and Main streets, according to the Tulsa World archives.

Reunions grand lobby, where the bank was located, had tall, arched windows, 13-foot-high ceilings trimmed in terra cotta and gold, with marble columns and walls and terrazzo floors.

Back then, there was no such thing as gender equity, as the design of the bank illustrated.

On the east end, that was supposed to be the lady teller area because they didnt allow women to do banking in the main section, says Nancy Pascoe, Reunion Center building manager. Customer service would be from a woman to a woman.

The building later was home for Gulf Oil Corp. and retail stores, including Frougs and Walgreens.

When Boatmens occupied First National Banks former space in the 1990s, it covered the lobby and columns with oak, installing carpet and dropping the ceiling.

The once ornate space never has looked the same.

A brave rescue

Some longtime downtowners might recall craning their necks on a spring day in 2005. On June 6 of that year, a group of people watched as Tulsa Police pulled an El Paso, Texas, man to safety after he had threatened to jump from the top of the Reunion Center.

Four police officers talked that day to then-39-year-old Alejandro Alex Sarimiento, who told officers he was despondent about gambling losses at an area casino when he climbed to the roof of the building.

They negotiated with him more than three hours before immobilizing him with a Taser gun and pulling him from the edge.

It got to a point where he was talking more about jumping, so when he looked away, we hit him with a Taser, then-Sgt. Stephen Boyes told the Tulsa World in 2005.

Moving forward

RadioIDL is among the tenants leading the Reunion Center into the 21st century.

Co-founded by Shannon Moudy and located on the sixth floor, it focuses on Tulsans who live or work within the Inner Dispersal Loop, the highway system that frames downtown.

We are the center of the IDL. Were in the heart of the IDL, Moudy says. Mainly, what we do is promote community. Thats what this building is about. It is a central location.

An eclectic stock of people inhabit Reunion Center, Moudy says, some of whom gathered on the buildings roof to watch the solar eclipse Aug. 21, Moudy says. It was the first time a total solar eclipse had moved across the continental United States in 99 years.

We were sitting and pondering, thinking about how neat it was that this building was around the last solar eclipse, he says.

A designers perspective

Connie McFarland is president of McFarland Architects, which spent 16 years in the Reunion Center before moving out in October.

We were just in the middle of everything, she says. It was delightful.

From a designers point of view, she admires much about the building, including its placement.

Facing the south is always a really good thing in Feng Shui, McFarland says. The building faces the south, and it has a nice Chi, a nice flow. There is a really good heart and soul about the building.

The entry is very stately, with its marbles and granites. Its just built to last. One hundred years old is phenomenal.

Preserving architectural relics such as the Reunion Center is important, she says.

McFarland remembers living in Oklahoma City and attending the 1977 implosion of the 26-story Biltmore Hotel, which was built in 1932.

There was a strong soft wind and this huge dust cloud surrounded all of us who were watching it, she says. And there were so many people who were crying because they had gotten married there or they had their prom there. Ill never forget that their tears with their faces being so dusty turned into mud.

I thought, We shouldnt tear buildings down. We should build them to last and take care of them. Im just thrilled that Ken has taken that to task for that building.
Evelyn Sloat noticed a U.S. Army vehicle as she returned to her Coweta home from dropping off food at the family home of Edgar R. Pulliam Jr., who had been killed in Vietnam.

She assumed that an Army official was there to discuss arrangements for her son, who was also in Vietnam, to escort Pulliams body back to Coweta for burial. It was customary for a service member from the same hometown to escort a fallen soldiers remains, and Donald Sloat had been assigned this honor.

Instead, the officer was there to tell her that her own son had been killed six days after Pulliam.

In all, eight men died from the Wagoner County town of 2,500 died in Vietnam.

Of the 37 young men in the Coweta class of 1967, 14 would serve in the military during the Vietnam War, but only 10 would return.

From the class of 67, Coweta buried:

 Sgt. Phillip B. Sanders, 20, killed on May 15, 1969, and survived by a 6-month-old daughter, Christy, he never saw.

 Pfc. Edgar R. Pulliam, 20, killed during a night ambush on Jan. 11, 1970.

 Spc. Donald P. Sloat, 20, killed by a grenade on Jan. 17, 1970.

 Pfc. Jimmy Lee Campbell, 22, killed by a booby trap on Feb. 11, 1970. He was considered one of the best running backs ever to play for Coweta High School.

The others:

 Cpl. Billy K. Carver, 19, killed in action on April 8, 1967. He had been in Vietnam 48 days.

 Spc. Frank E. Faught, 22, killed in an ambush on Jan. 31, 1968. He was remembered as a good-looking farm boy with a killer smile who married his high school sweetheart.

 Tech Sgt. Dallas Perryman, 32, killed by rocket fire on Feb. 28, 1968. He wore slick-shined shoes and starched pants to school, preparing himself for the military.

 Cpl. Grover S. Boston, 20, killed in action on May 2, 1968. A draftee, he married a Coweta girl and died six weeks out of basic training.

(In 2009, Coweta dedicated a city park to Jimmy Lee Campbell as a permanent tribute to its Vietnam War dead. Nine names are engraved on a monument there. The ninth is that of Spc. Ruben Wayne Dykes, who died on Sept. 9, 1972, while on medical leave from his second tour.)

Each loss is equally felt by friends, family and community. But one family waited four decades for the truth.

Evelyn Sloat had been told that her son had stepped on a land mine. Then in 2008, a relative saw a different account on a website, and a member of his squad confirmed it.

Mrs. Sloat said in 2010 that she was bound and determined to get that medal for Don. He was never recognized for what he did.

She reached out to volunteers  Vietnam veterans who never knew Sloat  who eventually located three eyewitnesses who verified the story.

Sloat was a machine gunner with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade. On Jan. 17, 1970, his squad was in the Que Son Valley when a soldier tripped a booby trap that caused a grenade to roll downhill.

 Don did something truly extraordinary, President Barack Obama said on Sept. 15, 2014, when he awarded Sloat the Medal of Honor.

He reached down and he picked that grenade up. And he turned to throw it, but there were Americans in front of him and behind him in the kill zone. So Don held onto that grenade, and he pulled it close to his body. And he bent over it.  He saved the lives of those next to him.

In February, Sloats family presented his service medals, including the Medal of Honor, to the city of Coweta for display. In April, Cowetas junior high school was renamed Donald P. Sloat Junior High.

Mrs. Sloat died in 2011, but her family saw that her wishes were carried out.

Once our mother, Evelyn Sloat, learned how her son died, she made it her goal to have him recognized, said Don Sloats sister, Karen McCaslin. The ultimate recognition came when the president of the United States posthumously awarded Donald the Medal of Honor.

Mom wanted a school named after him, so now that, too, has come to pass.
When the recent data hack of the Equifax credit reporting company was made public, I assumed I was among the 143 million Americans who had bits of personal information stolen.

The odds were likely, considering thats about 58 percent of the U.S. adult population.

In Oklahoma, Attorney General Mike Hunter said Equifax estimates 1,704,777 state residents may have had information compromised.

Thats basically every person over the age of 16.

Tips and advice on dealing with the information breach centered on what to do next, including getting credit reports, maybe freezing credit and staying on top of any odd charges.

Staying cool about it, I went to the Equifax site to see how concerned to be. Immediately, it asked for the last six digits of my Social Security number and my last name.

Huh? Arent we supposed to avoid sharing stuff like that online?

Well, I did it anyway and found that the company believes my information may have been impacted by this incident. Then, it asked me to sign up for some credit fraud program. However, it only took some information and asked me to return later for the rest.

None of this inspires confidence, and it started to freak me out.

On Friday, Hunter said he was joining 34 state attorneys general in signing a letter to Equifax to address concerns over the company continuing to promote its fee-based monitoring program, consumers paying fees for a security freeze, and long wait times or the inability to speak with someone at the call center.

Name and number: Equifax is one of three companies collecting all financial transactions  banking, credit cards, mortgage payments, utilities, merchants and any other group who gets or wants my money.

Credit reports can go to potential employers, government officials, landlords, creditors and others who may be deemed to have a legitimate reason. Even the Tulsa Public Schools volunteer form asks for permission to do a credit check if the district feels it necessary.

Over time, entities have found lots of ways to get a hold of a persons credit report. Its no longer just about being approved or denied a line of credit to buy a major item.

National news stories going back nearly a decade show how some employers screen out job candidates based on credit score. Also, those with credit issues may have higher insurance rates or be denied coverage.

This three-digit number has become a judgment on character and in some cases wielded like a scarlet letter.

All of this makes it harder for people to dig out of the debt, which causes the lower credit score in the first place. Or there may be errors on the reports that consumers arent aware of.

Thats a pretty powerful, and intrusive, thing when you really think about it.

But it wasnt always this way.

Background: The nations obsession with consumer credit scores is a relatively modern phenomenon.

The collection of intelligence for credit reports started in the business world on investors in the mid-1800s. Its history is full of espionage, statistical analysis and subjectivity often steeped in race, class and gender discrimination, according to Time magazine.

By the end of the Civil War, the main tenets of contemporary credit reporting were established: private-sector mass surveillance, bureaucratic information sharing and a ratings system.

Those practices started shifting to individual consumer credit in the early 20th century.

Equifax was established in 1899 as the Retail Credit Co. (RCC) and expanded to individuals. Because those early days did not have rules governing what could be gathered and shared in an official capacity, the company added a lot of personal details.

When the company announced in the late 1960s that it planned to digitize information, privacy advocate Alan Westin led a charge against the move. He argued that people would have a harder time escaping their past mistakes.

In a New York Times article from 1970, Westin wrote: Retail Credit files may include facts, statistics, inaccuracies and rumors ... about virtually every phase of a persons life: his marital troubles, jobs, school history, childhood, sex life, and political activities. ... Almost inevitably, transferring information from a manual file to a computer triggers a threat to civil liberties, to privacy, to a mans very humanity because access is so simple.

That was an interesting bit of prophecy.

Congress launched hearings into the credit report practices, leading to passage of the Fair Credit Reporting Act in 1970. Among its requirements were to open the files to consumers, delete negative information after a period and ban data on race, sexuality and disability.

Because of the bad publicity, RCC renamed itself Equifax. Now, it might need a rebranding campaign again.

In the spotlight: Some of the companys activities are raising red flags.

After the information breach was announced late on Sept. 7, Bloomberg reported that three top executives sold about $2 million in company stock within days of the hack. The company discovered unauthorized access to its systems on July 29, and three executives completed stock sales on Aug. 1-2.

Company officials say the executives didnt know about the data breach at the time.

The Wall Street Journal discovered that Equifax had spent $500,000 on lobbying Congress in the first half of this year to weaken regulations and limit legal liabilities in situations such as being hacked.

Consumer information taken from Equifax include names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and drivers license numbers. Most of those are facts, not changing over time, which could make this a headache years down the road.

In addition, about 209,000 people had credit card numbers stolen and another 182,000 people with documents disputing credit reports had those papers swiped.

When staring at the Equifax screen that alluded to my being in this drama, all this news came back to me.

Many people I know have had errors on credit reports, putting the burden of proof on them to sort it out. It can take years. Often, people dont know about problems until they get denied credit or lose out on a job.

Thats unfair, considering the power these companies wield. But we as a country handed these for-profit entities that influence.

A person is more than a number, and these companies arent perfect. Maybe its time to rethink it all and stop relying so much on these scores.
Capt. Mark Kelly took Tulsans on a fascinating and descriptive tour of space flight Friday while mixing in stories of his wifes bravery and a love for the planet.

The space shuttle is like a butterfly bolted to a bullet, said Kelly. Its very fragile. Its an amazing rocket ship.

Kelly, who made four trips to the International Space Station, is one of Americas foremost experts in space travel. Hes married to former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011 that killed six people and became a major event in the contentious debate over gun control.

Her life has changed forever, said Kelly. But it did not put a dent in her spirit.

He even brought a message to Tulsa from his wife: Be bold. Be courageous. Be your best.

Kellys speech to a packed house in the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center was the first Tulsa Town Hall event of the new season. The popular series, in its 83rd year, will feature Dr. Bennet Omalu on Oct. 27; Laura Linney on Feb. 2; Rudy Maxa on March 23; and Piper Kerman on April 13.

Kellys presentation began with a video he recorded on the space station that was played at various U2 concerts during the groups 360 Degrees Tour in 2011. He introduced the song Beautiful Day, then quoted a line from David Bowies Space Oddity: Tell my wife I love her very much. She knows.

My goal to be an astronaut was to visit Mars, said Kelly. That did not happen. However, Ive gone into space four times. So Ive visited Earth five times.

During his speech, Kelly described a trip on the space shuttle, from the chaos of blasting off from Earth to returning in a fiery re-entry through the planets atmosphere.

I once had a lady on a flight ask me if its true that driving on the interstate is just as dangerous as flying in space, he said. I told her no.

He said the view of Earth from space is an amazing thing to see.

Kelly believes a few space travelers will eventually visit Mars but that the population of Earth is not going to be moving to another planet, as some have suggested.

We all live on this one planet, and weve got nowhere else to go, he said. So we better take care of this planet.

Kelly has been active, along with his wife, in advocating for responsible gun control. However, he did not touch on the issue during his appearance in Tulsa.

Instead, he talked about his wifes struggle to survive and then recover as well as she can from being shot in the head.

Giffords was among 13 people wounded by Jared Lee Loughner during a Congress on Your Corner event at an Arizona grocery store on Jan. 8, 2011. Six died, including 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green.

She would have these events and stand there all day to answer the questions of anyone who wanted to come, said Kelly. I thought I had the risky job.

Kelly said his wifes recovery has been long, difficult and painful and has changed how he operates.

It changed my decision-making process, he said. None of us is as dumb as all of us. A group of smart people can really make a dumb decision.

Now he deals with decisions like he did in the immediate aftermath of his wifes shooting, when he gathered all of the people in a room and started getting opinions  from the youngest person in the room up to the lead surgeon.

Never start at the top, otherwise no one will want to disagree, Kelly said. The biggest thing I do not want is yes people. Im perfectly capable of agreeing with myself.

Thats why I want people who are required to question my decisions.
The husband of a man who has had litigation pending against the University of Tulsa for nearly two years says he hopes to spread the word  even using billboards  about what he alleges is unwarranted mistreatment and harassment against the couple.

Christopher Barnett says the legal team for the lawsuit related to the suspension of his husband, George Trey Barnett III, from TU still hasnt completed depositions of key witnesses.

However, Christopher Barnett told the Tulsa World the lawsuit has nothing to do with financial gain. Instead, it is a necessary fight to prevent the university from taking such actions against Trey Barnett and other students, he said.

To that end, he said he purchased messages on three billboards along Tulsa highways that simply say: universityoftulsalawsuit.com. When entered online, the web address connects to the Oklahoma State Courts Network record of the case.

Additionally, Christopher Barnett said he is sending 15,000 postcards weekly with the same website address to residents near TUs campus. Both, he said, will be in effect for at least the next year.

The billboards, he said, cost about $7,500 per month, while the combined costs of creating and sending the postcards are about 18 cents each.

Christopher Barnett said he purchased the advertising items to show his support for his husband, who he says is being wrongly accused by TU of harassment and misconduct even though he did not do anything wrong.

The university, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

TU suspended Trey Barnett, who was a part of the Theater Department, in late 2014. The suspension was issued after a student and two professors lodged complaints based on defamatory, demeaning and bullying Facebook posts written by Christopher Barnett. The posts appeared on Trey Barnetts timeline because he was tagged in them.

A decision letter from TU to Trey Barnett obtained by the Tulsa World states that the school believed Barnett bears responsibility for the posts, even if he did not write them. Trey Barnetts petition against TU alleges the school is negligent, because he was not allowed a hearing to defend himself; but TUs letter indicates a professor had warned Trey Barnett multiple times about the behavior.

Obviously, Trey didnt sue the University of Tulsa for money, Christopher Barnett said Friday. I think everything that has happened shows we have plenty, and were not afraid to spend whatever it takes. Were very fortunate that we have been so blessed, and I think our money is being put to good use.

Trey Barnetts suspension resulted in condemnation from various First Amendment rights nonprofit groups, which said the school was unlawfully punishing someone for another persons protected speech.

Ive constantly said that if they were offended, all they had to do was hit the block button, but they failed to use any common sense, Christopher Barnett said.

Instead TU took the approach of censorship, being judge, jury and executioner and accusing Trey of something he did not do.

District Judge Daman Cantrell, who had been assigned to the case since January 2016, recused effective Aug. 28, citing a judicial canon tied to questions about impartiality.

Cantrell is an adjunct professor for TUs College of Law, whose website describes him as an active supporter of the law college judicial internship program.

The case has been assigned to District Judge Jefferson Sellers and is scheduled for an Oct. 4 status conference.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is shocked and saddened over the violent death of numerous Burundian nationals  among them likely refugees and asylum-seekers, in Kamanyola, a town in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNHCR also calls for an investigation into this tragic incident.

While the precise circumstances are not yet clear, reports indicate that in the course of a confrontation with Burundian demonstrators, Congolese security forces opened fire on the crowd. Initial reports suggest over 30 dead and more than 100 left injured.

UNHCR and its partners have sent teams to Kamanyola, including medical staff, to treat the injured.

Kamanyola hosts 2,005 refugees and asylum-seekers from Burundi, most of whom arrived in 2015. A total of 43,769 Burundian refugees live in DRC.

Media Contacts:
Ahern Selected to Lead UW Graduate Education Efforts

James Ahern

An accomplished anthropologist, teacher and graduate mentor has been selected to fill the position of associate vice provost for graduate education at the University of Wyoming.

The UW Board of Trustees today (Friday) approved the appointment of Professor James Ahern, who will begin his new duties Sept. 17 and report directly to Provost Kate Miller. In addition to his new duties, Ahern will remain as head of UWs Department of Anthropology until Oct. 17.

In his new role, he will be tasked with facilitating new strategic graduate degree initiatives and providing guidance and support for graduate faculty mentors and graduate students.

We are excited to have Dr. Ahern take on this important job in re-establishing the Office of Graduate Education within Academic Affairs, Miller says. To support the universitys mission and strategic plan, he will guide resource allocations to graduate programs and facilitate marketing, assessment, enrollment, retention, institutional teaching capacity, graduate student diversity and academic success.

Ahern joined UW as an assistant professor in anthropology in 2000, and he was promoted to full professor in 2014. In addition to numerous other leadership experiences, he has served as head of the Department of Anthropology since 2014.

Ahern helped build the Department of Anthropologys Ph.D. program, which matriculated its first students in 2003. This graduate program stands out among doctoral programs in anthropology in its emphasis on preparation for both academic and nonacademic careers, and its formal mentoring of teaching.

Ahern has directed the departments Ph.D. teaching mentoring program since 2010. Since joining UW, Ahern has served on 31 graduate thesis and dissertation committees. His students have gone on to successful careers in academia, state and federal agencies, and the private sector.

I am excited by the challenges and opportunities to support and strengthen graduate and professional education at UW, Ahern says. As a land-grant and state flagship university, UW must have strong and diverse graduate and professional degree programs, as these programs produce not only the intellectual capital of academia, but also the expertise for essential professions in the private and public sectors.

Aherns research has covered many aspects of human biological and biocultural evolution, and his recent efforts have focused on the complex biocultural dynamics that coincided with the Neanderthal/modern human transition in Central Europe.

Ahern received a bachelors degree from Beloit College, a masters degree from Northern Illinois University and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, all in anthropology.
GALLUP-FEEEDS-SME-Book Event:

GALLUP World Poll Hosts Amb. Robin Sanders Book "Rise of Africas Small & Medium Size Enterprises

Small Businesses Rise to the Challenges of Development in Sub Saharan Africa



Jon Clifton, Managing Partner Gallup World Poll remarks at thebook presentation on The Rise of Africas Small & Medium Size Enterprises written by Ambassador Robin Sanders, (right), Thursday, May 11, 2017- Photo by Idika Onyukwu

While development is ultimately the responsibility of each sovereign country, small and medium size enterprises (more commonly referred to as SMEs) within Sub-Saharan Africa are providing what Sanders calls creative business-aiding-development enterprises that are defining the regions future and responding to its many age-old challenges with both new and appropriate(repurposing by-products of paper or plastic) technology solutions, according to Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders. Ambassador Sanders, a former top U.S. government diplomat who served as U.S. Permanent Representative to the West African Regional Organization ECOWAS, and Ambassadors to Nigeria and Republic of Congo, spoke at the Washington, D.C. area launch of her new book on May 11, 2017. The book titled The Rise of Africas Small & Medium Size Enterprise; Spurring Development & Growing the Middle Class, highlights the role small businesses are playing in not only aiding development but adding to the economic growth of the Sub Saharan Africa Region. The Washington, D.C. book launch was hosted by Gallup World Poll, with Allafrica.com as the events media partner. Sanders, who is CEO of FEEEDS, along with Gallup World Poll and Allafrica.com have partnered annually to cover key events on Africa over the last several years from policies to elections, to improvement in governance.

In his opening remarks, Gallup World Poll Managing Partner Jon Clifton said, The Africa small business story is one of the good news stories, and Gallup World Poll data helps to tell this good news story. Clifton commented that in Ambassador Sanderss book there are a number Gallup World Poll Datagraphs that helped add to sharing this all-important story of the roll today that Africas SMEs are playing, even in, or in spite of difficult or post-conflict environments in some cases.

The Rise of Africas Small & Medium Size Enterprises discusses the determination of Africas SMEs to step into the void left by 40 years of post-independence development efforts that left very little impact on overall poverty reduction and job creation in the region. Some of the key chapters include a focus on recommendations on what donors, the African Union, African governments, and the new U.S. Administration can do to further assist Africa SMEs. The book also sheds light on the China Factor in the region and its efforts in the SME sector; serves as a resource-rich data source of not only what Africas SMEs are doing, but shares investment, foundation, and competition opportunities that Africas SMEs can take advantage of, and extensively covers what SSAfricas female entrepreneurs are achieving as well as they special challenges they face. Other areas covered by the book include: special programs by the various African stock exchanges (e.g. Johannesburg, Kenya, Nigerian) for Africas SMEs, which helps them better understand as well as access the capital markets, the new role that other technology creative-use boosters such as 3-D printing and drones are adding to the mix of small business opportunities; and, Sanders highlights the top eight list or her TEL list of sectors where Africa SMEs are playing and could play more of role in economic development.

Participants at the event included former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Ambassadors of Mozambique and Rwanda, Carlos Dos Santos, and Prof. Mathilde Mukantabana, and Economic Minister, Embassy of South Africa, Malose Letsoalo. Other key figures attending were Prof Kingsley Moghalu ex-Deputy Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, Eric Guichard, CEO-Homestrings, a leading Diaspora investment platform, representatives of UPAC, a prominent Africa Diaspora Business and Policy Organization, and other prominent members of the diplomatic community, think tanks, NGOs and academia from the greater Washington, D.C. area, New York, and Virginia.


Counter-culture themed restaurant Cheba Hut Toasted Subs will open its newest location in Las Vegas in late September. Serving handcrafted sandwiches in a relaxed environment, the Cheba Hut experience is hallmarked by excellent customer service from real people.

Founded by Scott Jennings in 1998 near Arizona State University, Cheba Hut has 19 locations across the U.S. in Arizona, Colorado, California, Oregon, New Mexico and Wisconsin. The Las Vegas restaurant will be the 20th Cheba Hut and the first in Nevada.

While Cheba Hut does not sell anything containing marijuana, the quick-serve restaurant offers more than 25 varieties of specialty meat and vegetarian sandwiches in three sizes: Nugs (four-inch), Pinners (eight-inch) and Blunts (12-inch). Sandwiches include:

White Widow with grilled chicken breast smothered in signature ranch dressing, topped with shrooms, bacon and provolone

Chronic with roast beef, BBQ sauce, green peppers, shrooms and cheddar

Magic Mushroom with pepper jack, portabella, teriyaki glaze, green peppers and pineapples

Dank with handcrafted marinara, genoa salami, pepperoni and provolone

All of Cheba Huts bread and sauces are made from proprietary recipes with the ranch dressing earning a cult following among fans.

Guests can also choose from several made-to-order salads, including Greek salad with chicken, antipasto and chicken bacon.

A munchies menu satisfies any craving with items such as Goo Balls (Rice Krispies, peanut butter, honey and cocoa), brownies, loaded notchos, pretzel nuggets and Rice Krispie bars made with a variety of different cereals.

Showcasing a distinct vibe and character at each location, Cheba Hut also offers a Secret Stash menu, with unique sandwiches created by the staff and tailored around the host city.

A full bar will highlight custom cocktails and local and regional craft beer on tap.

The 2,620 square foot restaurant will feature an outdoor patio that will host local musicians, late night happy hours and other events.

Our fans have been asking us for years when we will be opening in Las Vegas and we are excited to finally bring the people what they want  good food, good drinks, good vibes, said Cheba Hut Founder Scott Jennings. We take our food and customer service seriously and it shows in the 20 years weve been in the business. We look forward to being a part of the Las Vegas community and welcoming locals and tourists alike to a consistently great eating experience.

Cheba Hut is planning to announce via social media an epic grand opening party later in October that will leave guests speechless and possibly covered in ranch dressing.


Oft-imitated, never-duplicated deadpan comic Steven Wright will headline at the Treasure Island Theatre Oct. 27 at 9 p.m.

Renowned for his distinctive stand-up comedy, incorporating irony, philosophy, nonsense and delightful lethargic monotone delivery, Wright got his big break on The Tonight Show in 1982. Johnny Carson enjoyed the performance so much that he invited Wright to appear again the following Thursday, a rarity on The Tonight Show. His back-to-back appearances helped put his fledgling career into high gear. The comic soon found himself performing on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, and numerous trips back to The Tonight Show.

Wright expanded his career to include comedy albums, films and television appearances. Both his 1985 debut album, I Have A Pony, and 2007 follow up, I Still Have A Pony, earned Grammy nominations for Best Comedy Album. In 1985, Steven starred in his landmark first HBO Special A Steven Wright Special, which he followed with Wicker Chairs and Gravity in 1990. His third one-hour special, When The Leaves Blow Away, premiered on Comedy Central in 2006.

The offbeat comics film appearances include Desperately Seeking Susan, Mike Meyers So I Married An Axe Murderer, Oliver Stones Natural Born Killers, and Nora Ephrons Mixed Nuts. Wright was the voice of the DJ, K-Billy in Reservoir Dogs, played a Mountie in Canadian Bacon, opposite the late John Candy and had a supporting role in Dave Chappelles Half-Baked. He won an Academy Award for Best Short Film for The Appointments of Dennis Jennings, which he also starred in and co-wrote. Most recently Wright lent his inimitable voice to the upcoming animated film The Emoji Movie alongside TJ Miller, James Corden and Patrick Stewart.

In addition to his work in front of the camera, Wright was nominated for an Emmy Award as a producer of the hit FX series, Louie. He also guest starred in two episodes of Louie in 2011 and 2015 and can be seen in Louis CKs critically acclaimed web series Horace and Pete.
It has killed 5 people and injured dozens of others in Vietnam's central region. Many trees and electric poles in Ky Anh town fell; and billboards and sheet-metal roofs were swept dozens of meters away. The typhoon also blew off the roofs of many private homes and schools.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong and leaders of Ha Tinh province were present in Ky Anh town to command storm Doksuri prevention and control. He called on locals to stay indoors and ordered all forces to stand by to help evacuees from the storm.

The Departments of Education and Training of Nghe An and Ha Tinh asked schools to close to ensure safety for students.

Nguyen Quoc Anh, Deputy Director of Ha Tinhs Education and Training Department said,When the storm passes, schools should outline teaching plans to make sure that the curriculum is not missed. The department has set up 13 working teams to instruct schools how to protect themselves from the storm and ensure the students are updated with information about storm Doksuri.

The island district of Co To in Quang Ninh and Bach Long Vy in Hai Phong had winds with gusts of level 8 and 9. The coastal areas in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong had winds of level 6 to 7 and scattered rains.

Do Duc Hoa, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Bach Long Vy district, said boats and vessels have been tied carefully while food has been prepared for fishermen.

Earlier on Thursday (September 14), a whirlwind swept across many places in Thua Thien Hue causing serious losses. More than 700 houses were damaged. Thuy Phuong and Thuy Duong wards in Huong Thuy town were the most affected. Nguyen Thanh Minh, Deputy Chairman of Huong Thuy Peoples Committee, said the local administration has mobilized all forces to help local people promptly overcome the storm aftermaths.
VAMC became a pioneer of foreclosure by seizing Saigon M&C Tower

Recently, Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) announced that on September 21 it will seize a substation in Haiphong as collateral for a loan taken up by Vinalines-Dong Do Ship Repair Co., Ltd. The reason for foreclosing is that Vinalines-Dong Do has failed to pay its debts in accordance with the credit contract signed with Agribank, according to newswire vnexpress.

Earlier, Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) has become a pioneer in foreclosing on collaterals when it seized Saigon One Tower in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of August.

Previously, VAMC bought the debts of several enterprises, including Saigon One Tower JSC, the developer of Saigon One Tower, from other commercial banks. The total principal and interests of these enterprises were more than VND7 trillion ($308 million). VAMC has been urging them to pay debts in vain. Thus, seizing Saigon One Tower was a solution to resolve the hefty bad debts.

Similarly, in September, Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) has seized collaterals from 11 clients, including both individuals and organisations, after they defaulted on debts payments. In general, since the end of August, Techcombank announced seizing 32 collaterals consisting of properties and vehicles.

Dr Nguyen Tri Hieu, a banking expert said that in the coming period, solving bad debts via foreclosures on collaterals will be more flexible because Resolution 42 now stipulates that banks do not need court permission for the procedure.

However, the resolution has been effective for only a month, so Hieu said that it may be too early to see all the positive and negative effects. According to Hieu, during implementation, there may be problems like borrowers refusing to cooperate, especially if the collaterals are their homes.

Can banks seize these borrowers only places to live and throw them out? The Vietnamese Constitution stipulates citizens right to have a home and the Charter of the United Nations also holds the right for children. Thus, in such cases, it is very difficult for banks to foreclose on collaterals, Hieu said.

He added, Banks and related agencies should implement the resolution strictly and have solutions to balance the benefits of banks and borrowers to avoid resorting to violence like gangsters.

Currently, besides foreclosing, banks are speeding up the sales of collected collaterals to settle bad debts. On September 14, National Commercial Bank (NCB) held an auction to sell its collected collateral of a 2,100-square-metre land in the southern province of Binh Duong at the starting price of more than VND11.6 billion ($510,400).

Also, on September 19, Agribank will hold an auction to sell all the assets and land use rights of the V_Ikon project in Ho Chi Minh City with the starting price of VND319.5 billion ($14.1 million).

Similarly, Saigon One Tower, which has been seized by VAMC recently, will be sold through auction so that VAMC can collect debts. VAMC is establishing a council to appraise the tower and give a starting price. It is expected that the auction for this property will be held soon.
Organised by local education agency L&V with the support of Education New Zealand, the fairs will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 23 and Hanoi on September 24.

The two days will bring together over 35 world-class education institutions from New Zealand ranging from secondary and high schools, private training establishments, institutes of technology and polytechnics, and universities.

The large group of institutions will be showcasing their internationally-recognised study programmes, while also highlighting the strong education links between the two countries.

A number of New Zealand institutions currently offer co-delivered programmes in partnership with Vietnamese counterparts as part of a consolidated effort to bring the countrys education products closer to Vietnamese students.

The co-delivered programmes will bring New Zealands education products closer to Vietnamese students

Victoria University of Wellington offers a number of joint Masters and Bachelors programmes, such as the Bachelor of Commerce of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, the Bachelor of International Relations with Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, and MA programmes in Arts and Teaching English to Speakers in Other Languages (TESOL) with Ho Chi Minh City University of Education.

Massey University also has a number of partnerships with Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, including pathway programmes for the Masters of Finance, Masters of Business Studies (Human Resources Management), and Bachelor of Business. Massey Universitys other partnerships with Vietnamese institutions range from collaborations on study tours and exchanges with Viet Duc High School as well as initiatives such as faculty development and short courses in Education and Language Pedagogy with An Giang University.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has partnered up with Vietnamese institutions such as Vietnam National University, Hanoi University, and Post and Telecommunications Institute of Technology to create joint Bachelors programmes.

Meanwhile, University of Waikato has established the UEH-Waikato English Language centre at Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, where they are also launching a joint Bachelor of Business (2+2 or 2+1 programme).

In August 2017, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) announced an agreement with Hong Bang International University on the delivery of degrees in Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Information Technology. This partnership is the first of its kind between NMIT and a Vietnamese institute and was developed with a strong emphasis on ensuring that both institutes offered complementary syllabi that would strengthen students knowledge in their chosen fields.

John Laxon, Education New Zealands regional director of South, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, said these collaborations reiterate New Zealand universities commitment to providing Vietnamese students with holistic and valuable learning experiences.

These educational partnerships provide Vietnamese students with the opportunity to attend world-leading courses offered by New Zealand institutes, and to see how a New Zealand education experience can help students achieve a global career. New Zealand has emerged as an increasingly popular education destination for Vietnamese students, with a 64 per cent increase in the numbers of Vietnamese students choosing New Zealand as their study destination in first eight months of 2017 against same period last year, noted Laxon.

What is even more encouraging is that students are choosing to study at New Zealands world-class universities, with an 88 per cent increase in the number of Vietnamese students in our universities. We are excited to be supporting the upcoming agent-led fairs as part of our wider efforts to work closely with the top performing agents here in Vietnam and encourage students to visit www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz to learn about studying in New Zealand, he said.

Results of the recent 2018 QS World University Rankings also revealed that all eight New Zealand universities rank in the top 3 per cent worldwide.

In addition to its global standing, much of the growth in the number of Vietnamese students in New Zealand can be attributed to a diverse education system that specialises in wide range of education programmes. For instance, tertiary institutions offer a number of courses that focus on emerging fields of study, such as Agriculture, Food Science & Technology, Adventure Tourism & Hospitality, Animation, Gaming and Cyber Security, alongside more popular fields of study, like Information Technology (IT), Business, and Education.

New Zealand was also the first country in the world to put in place a Code of Pastoral Care for International Students aimed at safe-guarding the quality of life of students, making the country more attractive to prospective students.

For Vinh Le, a student pursuing a Masters of Business Data Science at the University of Otago, it was the countrys warm and welcoming environment that helped him adjust to student life in New Zealand.

People are very friendly and supportive. When I first got here, I was walking around campus with a map and students would come up and help me without me even asking! With all the help and support, I have been able to adapt to life here quickly, said Le.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggests an APEC fund to support SMEs development at 24th APEC ministerial meeting on SMEs in Ho Chi Minh City on September 15, 2017. Photo: VGP

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the above suggestion at the 24th APEC ministerial meeting on SMEs in Ho Chi Minh City on September 15.

SMEs account for around 97% of the total number of enterprises in APEC, creating 60% of jobs and more importantly they are a driving force for growth, innovations, creativity, the Government chief said.

SMEs development is also one of the four priorities of the APEC Year 2017 and Viet Nam wishes to cooperate with other member economies to help SMEs better themselves in the digital era, PM Phuc added.

With limited technological, financial and governance capacity, SMEs are the most vulnerable subjects but they are also the most dynamic ones, thus they need proactive care and assistance to evolve and make substantial contribution to socio-economic development.

In Viet Nam, the Legislature approved the Law on SMEs support and the Government has made drastic efforts to build a healthy and inclusive business environment in order to encourage freedom of business and creativity.

Viet Nam expects to cooperate with APEC economies to enhance tax system capacity to encourage healthy, fair and equitable competition, said PM Phuc.

The meeting is one of the most important ministerial level ones that Viet Nam has host during the APEC Year 2017.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc cancels scheduled meetings in the Southern localities to fly to Quang Binh province. Photo: VGP

- According to Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, three people reported dead, including one in Quang Binh, one in Ha Tinh and one in Thua Thien-Hue. At least 19 houses collapsed.

- After attending the 24th APEC ministerial meeting on SMEs in Ho Chi Minh City this morning, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Quang Binh province to direct settlement of the storm consequences.

- PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has tasked People's Committee of provinces from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa to coordinate with competent agencies to guide vessels operating at sea to find shelter or move away from dangered zone.

Provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri directly hit by the storm need to prepare evacuation plans and protect irrigation works.

The tropical storm is moving West-Northwest at 20-25 kph with gusts of 100-135kph and may further strengthen.
A police forensic tent stands setup on the platform next to the train on which a homemade bomb exploded at Parsons Green subway station in London on Sep 15, 2017. (Photo source: AP/Frank Augstein)

The explosion - Britain's fifth terror attack in six months - sparked a "wall of fire" that left passengers with burns and caused a stampede of panicking people in which some were trampled.

Twelve hours after the blast at Parsons Green station in southwest London, Prime Minister Theresa May announced the national threat level would be raised to "critical", meaning another attack may be imminent.

She said military personnel would take over guard duty at certain closed "protected sites", freeing up 1,000 police officers to be deployed on the transport network and on streets across Britain.

The country was last on critical alert after the bombing at a concert in Manchester in May, which was also claimed by the IS group.

In a statement Friday, IS said a "detachment" had carried out Friday's attack in London.

No-one has yet been arrested over the bombing, but anti-terrorism police chief Mark Rowley said the investigation was making "really good progress".

"We're chasing down suspects," he told reporters. "Somebody has planted this improvised explosive device on the Tube. We have to be open-minded at this stage about him and potential associates."

Rowley earlier said most of the injuries were due to "flash burns", while others were wounded as passengers ran out of the station in panic.

A local resident, Charlie Craven, who was on his way to the station at the time of the attack, said he heard a "massive bang". "I saw an orange sort of fireball encompassing the whole Tube coming towards you," he told AFP.

Witness Lauren Hubbard described it as "a wall of fire".

Twitter user @Rrigs posted pictures of a white bucket smouldering on the train and described how a "fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door".

The bucket, which was inside a frozen food bag from the budget supermarket chain Lidl, looked like the type used by builders and there appeared to be cables coming out of it.

'UNHELPFUL SPECULATION'

US President Donald Trump said that "loser terrorists" were behind the attack, adding that they were already "in the sights" of British police.

London's Metropolitan Police dismissed the tweet as "unhelpful speculation", while May also rebuked him.

"I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," she said, speaking after an emergency meeting of senior ministers.

May said the device was "clearly intended to cause significant harm," condemning it as a "cowardly attack".

Speaking on Friday evening, Rowley said the remnants of the bomb were being examined by forensic scientists.

British media reported that it had timer but failed to detonate fully.

Otso Iho, a senior analyst at Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, said the attack showed a "continued high intent but low capability" in the terrorism threat in Britain.

Hans Michels, a professor of chemical engineering at Imperial College, said the flash flame "suggests that the explosion was only partly successful". "Much of the bucket still seems to be intact and there appear to be no victims with lethal impact wounds," he said.

ARMED POLICE ON PATROL

The London Ambulance Service said none of the 29 victims treated in hospital were in a serious life-threatening condition, and eight have since been released.

Louis Hather, 21, had been travelling to work and was three carriages down from where the explosion took place. "I could smell the burning. Like when you burn plastic," he told AFP.

He was trampled on as passengers stampeded out of the station and his leg was badly cut and bruised.

Sally Faulding, a 51-year-old teacher, said: "People were falling over each other."

Richard Aylmer-Hall, 52, told the Press Association: "There was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming."

The area around Parsons Green station - a quiet and wealthy residential district, filled with chic cafes - was evacuated for most of the day.

Local residents and businesses rallied together to offer tea, phone charging points, and the use of their toilets to people unable to get home.

Four previous attacks in London and Manchester this year claimed the lives of 35 people.

Three of those attacks involved a vehicle ploughing into pedestrians.

The other attack was a bombing in May at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester which killed 22 people, including several children.
Hang pagoda, one of the most visited Khmer pagodas in Tra Vinh province

As a coastal province positioned between the Tien and Hau rivers, Tra Vinh has many canals, rivers, ponds and beautiful beaches that make up the unique landscape of the Mekong Delta region.

One of the most popular tourist sites in Tra Vinh is Ba Dong beach in Duyen Hai town, which is 55 kilometres from the central city.

Ba Dong coast is lined with beautiful pristine white sand hills and green casuarina trees rustling in the sea breeze.

Visitors to the beach will be enchanted with the tranquillity of the natural landscape as well as having the chance to sample fresh and tasty sea food at local restaurants while enjoying the breath of the salty sea air.

Another popular tourist spot is Ba Om pond, around seven kilometres to the southwest of Tra Vinh City.

The large, square pond is a favourite with local picnickers at the weekend and holidays thanks to its fresh water and surrounding ancient trees.

In the right season, the pond water surface is embellished with pink lotuses or red water lilies.

The pond is also a spiritual site for the Khmer ethnic group as it once served as a bathing pond for the 10th-century Angkor-era temple that was situated here.

Many traditional festivals of the Khmer people, such as Chol Chnam Thmay, Sen Don Ta and Ok Om Box, are hosted at the site.

Mother Nature and the tectonic process have also given Tra Vinh Con Ong  Long Thanh hot mineral spring water in Duyen Hai town, which is an ideal activity for visitors who are seeking relaxation and natural therapy.

In addition to its natural landscape, Tra Vinh has many cultural, historical and architectural sites, making it easier for the province to develop spiritual and cultural tourism.

The province hosts 143 Khmer pagodas, which were built in the traditional Khmer architectural style, as well as having the typical features of Khmer Theravada Buddhism.

Prominent among them are Nodel, Hang, Giong Lon and Ang pagodas, with the last mentioned being one of the most ancient and most visited Khmer pagodas in the Mekong Delta region.

By timely utilising the assorted advantages, the provincial tourism sector has gained encouraging achievements.

Nearly 600,000 tourists visit Tra Vinh every year, bringing approximately VND 160 billion in total revenue to the local hospitality sector.

Eyeing tourism as a key economic industry, Tra Vinh provincial authorities have developed a programme on boosting tourism with a focus on improving the provinces infrastructure which can comfortably accommodate visitors while hosting major cultural, tourism and sporting events.

The province has set the target of welcoming 2.5 million visitors by 2025, including 85,000 foreigners, aiming to gain an annual revenue of VND 1.6 trillion from tourist activities.

Tra Vinh provincial authorities have also attached great importance on putting forward preferential policies to stimulate more investment, increasing tourism promotion programmes and strengthening connection with other localities in the region.

The provincial Peoples Committee has approved to spend VND 14 billion in order to carry out tourist promotion activities until 2020.

Efforts have also been made to call for investment to upgrade Ba Om Pond into a national tourist site and to further develop other tourist sites such as the rhizophora ecological tourist area, the Ba Dong mangrove forest, and Duyen Hai mineral spring.
Threat Level for Gibraltar to Remain 'Substantial'

The Gibraltar Contingency Council (GCC) has today, 16th September, discussed yesterdays terrorist attack in London.

The Council concluded that the threat level for Gibraltar remains Substantial, an attack remains a strong possibility; but that there is no specific intelligence to suggest an increase in the threat to Gibraltar.

The GCC will continue to closely monitor events in the UK. The Royal Gibraltar Police will also review its operational posture and will take the necessary measures to keep the Public safe. Accordingly, the Public may see an increased uniformed police presence. This is a routine measure to provide additional reassurance to members of the Public.

The Public are asked to remain vigilant and to report any security concerns to the Royal Gibraltar Police via the Control Room on 200 72500
Brian Tyree Henry. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for IFP

Less than a year after FXs Atlanta put Brian Tyree Henry on the map for his performance as rapper Alfred Paper Boi Miles, the actor was nominated Thursday for an Emmy for his guest spot on NBCs This Is Us, which showed the world hes also got singing chops. (This is Us and Atlanta were also nominated for best drama and comedy, respectively.)

Henry, who is currently in Chicago filming Steve McQueens Widows, was so emotionally overcome when he spoke to Vulture on the phone that he kept repeating the word great until he came up with a better adjective. (More on that later.) Henry said hed been receiving crazy congratulations GIFs all morning. His favorite? The ones that are of me are really funny. Im like, Nice touch guys. Thats really nice.

Lets talk about Atlanta first. The show got nominated and Donald Glover got nominated. Thats big for a freshman comedy with such a distinctly black point of view.

I dont wanna say anything corny like, Its a dream come true, but this is unlike anything that I could have even fathomed. Its such a great time for this show and people are taking notice and people are showing us love, so Im really glad for that. I have no words. Im in Chicago looking at the skyline like, What the fuck?! So Im beyond overjoyed for this. Its so great. And Im glad that all of this is happening before we even started our second season. I cant even, I cant even. Im the most non-eloquent person right now. Its just really, really, really great.

Although Insecure sadly didnt get nominated, the comedy category has so much diversity. Youre competing against Master of None and Black-ish.

People are woke as hell right now on great television, so lets keep em that way. Thats what I say!

Donald Glover isnt available today because hes in the U.K. working on Star Wars. Have you been in touch?

Weve been all reaching out to each other, sending love this morning. Theres nothing but love. Everyones ecstatic and just really, really, really proud of the work weve done. Everyone is sending love and Im sure were gonna keep sending crazy texts throughout the day. Im definitely one that will text them in all times of night just to be like, Oh my God, guys, this is it, this is it! Im probably gonna take a video of me running down the street screaming in Chicago just to send it to them.

Youre nominated for the road-trip episode on This Is Us, where you sang that beautiful song.

Ah! Its just the best. That entire show, everyone, I was so happy for Milo [Ventimiglia] and Chrissy [Metz] and Sterling Brown! Im just so, so enamored with every single one of them. And Dan Fogelman, man, I cant even express how grateful I am to be a part of their family and that they allowed me to come in and do my thing. Its great. I need another word. I need a thesaurus! I need something other than great. Im gonna use resplendent all day. Resplendent is what it feels like! Its resplendent!

Why dont you just sing how you feel?

Yeah, just sing all day! Ive been getting a lot of We Can Always Get Back to This texts, like nonstop, which is really great. Im just so grateful that I was able to be a part of that and that were out here, man! Were all out here! Im trying not to say its a dream come true, but it feels like a dream! Its unbelievable. Its unbelievable.

Im not trying to bring you down, but I know that you must be thinking about a special someone today. [Editors note: Henry lost his mother, Willow Kearse Rice, in May 2016.]

Very much so. Very much so. But you know whats great about it is this is all her. You know, this is all her. That episode [in This Is Us] in itself was all her so I cant, in any way, be met with any kind of sorrow today because this is my mother. This is her. Im so grateful and so lucky to be looked over by such an amazing angel, honestly. So this is her. Instead of saying, This is us, Im changing it to, This is her.

Thats so sweet.

This is beyond anything I could have ever imagined, but I know she could have imagined it for me. You know, all homage to Willow Kearse, man. All to her. All to her.

Youre best friends with Sterling K. Brown, who was nominated for lead actor in a drama. Who sent the better text or GIF today, him or Donald Glover?

Well, Sterling called last night. [Laughs.] Hes been busy on Hotel Artemis and Ive been in Chicago. He called and I said, Tomorrows the day, man. How you feeling? What should we do? Like, I dont know. And hes like, Well Im gonna sleep. And I was like, Yeah, you should sleep cause youve burning the candle on both ends. But he called this morning just to say, Hey man, you know, alright, here we go. We screamed a little bit. We screamed. Im not gonna lie. It was just love. Im just so honored to be up there with him and that I was in an episode with him, you know what I mean? This ride with my brother this year has been crazier than anything Ive ever seen. Im just so grateful, just so grateful to be a part of the number with him. Its surreal.

Are you working today?

No! I have the day off. I have a feeling the set knew that Id be screaming and running around, so they were like, Lets let Brian stay at home! I think its okay!

What are you going to do to celebrate?

Im gonna see Spider-Man and The Big Sick because I want to support Kumail Nanjiani. Its a double-feature kind of day.
Last we saw him, Neal Gamby (Danny McBride) had been shot and left for dead in the North Jackson High School parking lot. The fever dream that opens season two of Vice Principals continues that stark-silly-strange tone, as Gamby, in full Warriors regalia, wanders through the halls of a seemingly pillaged North Jackson High. He first confronts a classroom full of students all wearing the same mask as his shooter, and then a tiger, before hes woken by his daughter, Janelle (Maya G. Love).

Its been a while since the shooting, and a lot has changed. Neal is now thick as thieves with the perpetual sweetheart Ray (Shea Whigham), beau of his ex-wife Gale (Busy Philipps), as hes been recovering in their home. Hes also gone to the trouble of putting together a conspiracy board that puts all others to shame: His is 3-D, with a fold-out model of the parking lot, though predictably all strings lead back to his imagined nemesis, Belinda Brown (Kimberly Hebert Gregory). Violence is never the answer, he mumbles to himself, as he tests out a spring-loaded gun, but it is the solution.

Meanwhile, Lee Russell (Walton Goggins) seems to be prospering as the de facto principal at North Jackson. Hes driving a BMW, has moved into a considerably larger house, and has changed the school mascot from the Warriors to the Tigers (ahem). Hes also ingratiated himself with the Liptrapps, dropping by every now and then to visit with Gamby.

Russells visit in Tiger Town goes a long way toward laying out the baseline and insane prescience of this show. He compares his new position to that of King Tut, and when Gamby points out that Tutankhamen died because he was poisoned, Russells response is simply, I dont give a shit! Im the king! Yikes. Its always been uncomfortable to watch Vice Principals and its Trumpian main characters, but its all the crazier given how keenly series co-creators McBride and Jody Hill have their finger on the pulse of the American climate. Vice Principals began filming in 2015 and wrapped in early 2016  both seasons were shot simultaneously  and its inarguably more cutting now than it initially felt last year. Were watching these men destroy everything around them in a matter of unearned pride.

Thats part of why its strange to discover that Belinda, who was essentially the third lead in the first season, is no longer in the picture. After Russell manages to get Gamby on his feet and back to school  with a send-off gift from Ray of a cane-sword, in what Im hoping is a Chekhovs gun situation  he puts his vengeance plan in motion, tracking Belinda to her new home and finally to a family dinner. He confronts her in the restaurants bathroom, fumbling his attempt at shooting her and ultimately getting derailed completely when she asks if hes ever considered why he got shot and Russell didnt. Then she excuses herself to return to her family, and that is that, apparently.

McBride himself has noted that Russell and Gamby are essentially villains, so Belindas absence  the lack of a hero  leaves something of a vacuum in the show. It remains to be seen if season two will introduce a similar balancing force, or if that weight will fall to Gamby to shape up and step up. Either way, its a loss if shes truly gone, though maybe its fitting that the one character wise enough to see past petty squabbling is the only one to get out. Happy trails, Belinda.

In the meantime, Gamby has to contend with a new vice-principal named Nash (Dale Dickey). Dickeys been made up to look like a mini-Gamby, down to the vest and the hair, as well as the ball-busting attitude. (Nash is built like a corn-cob pipe, according to Russell.) It seems like theyll be simpatico soon enough  or at least I hope they are, given how hysterical they look together  even if Gambys having trouble acclimating to a third wheel. Hes also doing his best to avoid Amanda Snodgrass (Georgia King) after ghosting during his recovery, as well as Ms. Abbott (Edi Patterson, in what continues to be a truly inspired, manic performance), who still has the hots for him.

Russell, for his part, has Superintendent Haas (Brian Howe) to deal with. Almost as soon as Lee shows Gamby his office  decked out in a painting of him seated among tigers with the student body saluting him, as well as various Korean-affecting knick-knacks  Haas comes charging in, pleased as punch to see Gamby back but ready to tear Lee a new one. Theres an immediate tension in the air, which is only worsened by Gambys Belinda-inspired suspicion about his shooting.

As they always do when theres trouble afoot, Gamby and Russell reconvene in the woods. Unsurprisingly, it doesnt take too long for them to get back on the same page, as Russell confesses his woes as principal and then produces a binder hes compiled for Gamby of every enemy hes ever made. The scene ends with a handshake that mirrors the ending of the pilot, where they initially shook hands after agreeing to work together to take Belinda down. But things arent over yet: Tiger Town closes out in the North Jackson cafeteria instead. After watching Nash struggle to get some students to turn a boom box down, Gamby takes matters into his own hands, seizing his Braveheart moment by smashing the boom box to pieces. Im back, he declares, and Im ready to put my foot inside someones ass! Looks like school is back in session.
Photo: RLJE Entertainment/TIFF

This article was originally published during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Remember when Vince Vaughn was kind of Americas boyfriend and dated Jennifer Aniston? You might want to file that away as ancient history, because you are not ready for the cute cad from Wedding Crashers to go full-tilt, right-wing nut job  with a Southern accent, and a shaved head with a black cross tattooed to the back of it  in his brutal new prison revenge flick, Brawl in Cell Block 99.

Perhaps this makes more sense if you consider that in real life, Vaughn is an outspoken libertarian and gun-rights advocate who endorsed Ron Paul, and then Rand Paul, in the last three elections. (Yeah, I Googled that multiple times to confirm.) His #NotImpressed lack of enthusiasm during Meryl Streeps rousing anti-Trump Golden Globes speech, while seated with fellow ultra-conservative and good friend Mel Gibson, made him a meme, and a bit of an alt-right hero. And there seems to be a distinct trend in the 47-year-olds work toward playing roles that delve into toxic masculinity or the broken promise of the American dream and the anger and violence it may beget.

Take his drill-sergeant character in his buddy Mels Hacksaw Ridge, who is extremely pro-America, and only starts to respect Andrew Garfields pacifist character once he understands that just because he wont carry a firearm doesnt mean hes a pussy. Or the terrifying crime boss he played on True Detective season two, whos the definition of a man trying to shape the world to his desires through brute force and is driven by an insecurity that hes failing at his duty to provide for his scary, hard-ass wife. (An insecurity that manifests itself in his beating the crap out of a low-level Latin pimp named Santos and ripping his gold grillz out of his mouth with pliers.) And its no coincidence that in Brawl, theres a direct line between Vaughns character losing his blue-collar job and his mayhem-ridden confinement in a minimum freedom prison.

Whatever you ultimately think of Brawl  and Vaughns  politics, its hard to deny that this is superior grindhouse filmmaking. (Prime-cut exploitation porterhouse, one review called it after its premiere as part of the Toronto International Film Festivals Midnight Madness section; theres no U.S. distributor yet.) Its director, S. Craig Zahler, proved his skill with both gore and insane setups in his first film, the horror Western Bone Tomahawk, in which Kurt Russells sheriff takes on a tribe of cave-dwelling cannibals. Brawl is even more gruesome, if you can believe it (who knew there were so many ways to break limbs or smash in skulls?), with Vaughn in a powerhouse performance as a hulking, muscular, hand-combat killing machine, like youve never seen  or would never expect to see  from him before.

Within minutes of the film starting, hes ripping apart his wifes car with his bare hands in a jaw-dropping scene that both announces what this guy is capable of, and what we, as an audience, should prepare ourselves to expect. And weirdly, his actions are kind of understandable. His character, tow-truck driver Bradley Thomas  also an ex-boxer and cancer survivor, two years sober  arrives to work that morning to find out hed been laid off (goddamn economy), then arrives home unexpectedly to catch his wife Laura (Jennifer Carpenter) about to drive off to cheat on him. Im seeing someone, she tells him, as he pulls her out of the car and commands her to go inside. You can see the beginnings of what happens in the trailer, as Vaughn pounds on the drivers side window and then finally just punches through it to rip out the rearview mirror. This is not a car destruction like any youve ever seen; its like this guy is unleashing a shrapnel-bomb of rage out of his fists onto the helpless machinery. The side mirror is next; then the hood, which he tears straight off the hinges and tosses into the street; then a headlight, which he not only smashes open but also reaches into and pulls out the wires from. (According to the producers at the post-screening Q&A, those are all practical materials Vaughn is destroying: real metal, real plastic, real glass, just rigged not to hurt their star outright.)

And then, after all that, with his knuckles swollen and dripping with blood, he rejoins his wife in their living room to discuss the state of their marriage. He has a long, oddly soft-spoken monologue comparing all their bad luck  which includes a miscarriage  to the frustration of going to a coffee shop and, again and again, accidentally picking up skim milk when what you really want is cream. The law of averages would suggest that at least some of the time, Id get the cream, he says. He wants the cream. Which means, hes willing to test his sobriety and start running drugs for his friend. And he thinks they ought to try for another baby.

I think the scene that hooked me was when Bradley goes home and finds out shes been cheating and kind of beats the car up, but then goes and says, This is a good sign that we need to get closer, Vaughn said, laughing, at the post-screening Q&A. I found it surprising and I also found it kind of real. Here are two people whove experienced a lot of pain, but are now trying to make a good life for themselves, So, they come together in that moment, and it oddly made me really root for them, he says.I think Craig does a really good job of having you connect to the characters and invest in them, and then the violence  you really understand whats at stake and the motivation of it by the time you get to the first arm break. Its understandable, sort of.

You know from Brawls title where all that drug running is going to have Bradley wind up, but the how is still pretty thrilling, involving unrelenting shootouts and Vaughn climbing up a pole underneath a pier thats covered in glass shards. Zahler takes his time building Vaughns character as a man of decency who loves his family and doesnt default to violence, but is nonetheless capable of striking down with great vengeance and furious anger if provoked. Once in jail, hes got to deal with shit-covered cells and Don Johnson as a cigar-chomping torture master of a warden who likes hooking up new prisoners to electric-shock belts; but its only when the king of exploitation movies, Udo Kier, shows up to issue a very motivating threat that Vaughn  who wrestled when younger, boxed his whole life, and now does jujitsu  really breaks out some impressive bone-crunching skills. Vaughn said even he was worried about hurting himself during the 15-, 20-punch combinations wed do in a take, and full blow, because theres really no way to make it look good without really kind of committing to it. (Udo Kier loved Vaughns performance so much that he kissed him onstage at the TIFF Q&A.)

Still, once you spot the conservative coding of the whole endeavor, its hard to unsee. Its his layoff, as a Forgotten American, that sends him into his life of drug-running and violence. His default, though, is being a guy who wont allow his pregnant wife to handle a kitchen knife because shes too delicate, and even carries her around their house so she wont have to walk. (She does, however, know how to use the gun from their bedside table.) When it comes to protecting her, theres no limit to the number of prison guards, drug bosses, and gangsters  often, youll start noticing, black, Latino, or Asian  whose faces hell bash in. And if that message were a bit too subtle, the film also includes a scene where a police detective seems almost reluctant to send him to prison, telling him he can tell hes a man with a moral compass. I knew before you told me that you had an American flag in your home, says the policeman. Youve probably got more than one. Youre a patriot.

I cant speak confidently to Zahlers politics. But just try not to make a connection between Vaughns statements on affirmative action; the trifecta of his Brawl, Hacksaw Ridge, and True Detective roles; and Zahlers broad-stroke themes, such as Bone Tomahawk being about the takedown of tribal savages who are terrorizing white people, or one of the villains of Brawl being a comically slimy Chinese abortionist. Theres also a line, uttered to a Mexican drug thug: The last time I checked, the colors of the flag werent red, white, and burrito. It got a big laugh at my screening, in socialist-heaven Toronto. Go figure.

Then theres Vaughns next project, Zahlers third feature, Dragged Across Concrete, co-starring Mel Gibson (an old friend of mine, Vaughn said at the Q&A) and reuniting the Brawl team of Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, and Udo Kier. Its a crime thriller about two policemen, an old vet, and his hothead younger partner, who get suspended when the liberal media latches onto a video of whats seen as their use of strong-arm tactics, and they have no choice, broke and embittered by what they see as their unjust persecution, but to enter the criminal underworld. Unsurprisingly, its already gotten a ton of backlash from liberal watchdogs bracing for what theyre sure will be a grossly conservative interpretation of police brutality.

Chances are, those liberal watchdogs arent far off; one of the films defenders is Donald Trump voter Dean Cain, who spoke out on Gibson and Vaughns behalf to Fox News. Still, even as a staunch immigrant-loving tree-hugger myself, I cant condone the outcry that suggests that Vaughn and Gibson and Zahler have no right to make their White Mens Rights horror-fantasy  if that is what it turns out to be. As much as parts of Brawl made my skin creep, it felt like valuable time spent immersed in the the other sides perspective: the rage, the entitlement, the feeling of being fucked over by a system thats stacked against Hard-Working Americans; the idea that a womans only place is as a volition-free flower to be protected at all costs (what are you doing in this, Jennifer Carpenter?). I havent seen American Assassins, the brain-off spy movie my colleague Emily Yoshida so artfully eviscerated, but Brawl has a kind of menace that I dont think could be mimicked with Hollywoods usual crop of bleeding hearts playing at counterterrorism or incarceration. Its terrifying, both for whats onscreen and just for existing. I want to see everything these guys have got. And, I have to admit, Vaughn is astonishing  and that car-pummeling scene is one of the most insane things Ive ever seen.
The brand of Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines continues to grow, with retailing giant Target announcing it will launch Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, a 300-item collection of home and lifestyle merchandise.

The collection reflects a modern take on Magnolias signature aesthetic with modern, classic, industrial and vintage touches, a news release on the Target website states, adding most items are priced under $30.

Mark Tritton, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Target, said he believes customers will love the modern farmhouse collection that will arrive in stores on Nov. 5, in time for the holidays.

Each purchase will benefit more than the bottom line of Target and the Gaineses, but also communities and families in need.

To kick off the partnership, Magnolia will work with Target House at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital to redesign their dining room in time for holiday gatherings.

Target House provides free long-term housing for St. Jude patients and their families, said the Target release.

Though most items sell for less than $30, items actually range in price from 99 cents to $129.99, said Target, adding more information about the collaboration with Chip and Joanna Gaines is available at Target.com.

The line will include everyday products such as table and wall decor.

Unlike some designers one-time-only collaboration with the superstore, the Fixer Upper stars partnership is not a limited run. The endeavor will last multiple years and seasons, Target said.

Target hiring

Speaking of Target, the retailer also announced it will recruit 100,000 seasonal employees and an additional 4,500 staffers for its distribution and fulfillment centers, according to its website.

Target hired 70,000 seasonal workers last year, and 7,500 for distribution.

All of Targets more than 1,800 stores will hold hiring events Oct. 13 through Oct. 15.

Part of the hiring increase is due to Target needing more employees to fulfill online orders through its order-pickup service.

Anyone calling the Target Greatland store in Waco will hear a recording about hiring plans and online locations for applying.

Mars pledge

Mars, the worlds largest chocolate maker, which has a plant in Waco that produces nearly all Snickers products for the U.S. market, recently pledged a staggering amount of money to fight climate change.

Fortune.com reported Sept. 6 that Mars will invest $1 billion over the next few years in renewable energy, food sourcing, cross-industry action groups and farmers, according to the Fortune story.

The company has previously taken steps in its efforts to become more sustainable, and wind farms in Texas and Scotland already generate enough to power U.S. and U.K. Mars operations, the story said. In the new announcement, Mars pledged to add wind and solar farms to another nine countries by 2018. It also promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 27 percent by 2025 and 67 percent by 2050.

Mars is a $35 billion company, according to the report.

L3 mum on separations

L3 Aeorspace Systems, which includes the 1,400-employee facility in Waco, recently announced it was offering voluntary separation to several groups of employees at its Crestview Aerospace, Mission Integration and Platform Integration divisions, with Waco falling into Platform Integration.

This offer is part of a broader effort to lower costs to a leaner structure and improve operating efficiencies within the segment, while ensuring that the business remain competitive, an L3 statement said.

The deadline to apply for voluntarily leaving the company was Aug. 31, but L3 spokesman Lance Martin has declined on several occasions to comment on the number of staffers who accepted the offer and whether the voluntary departures represent a prelude to layoffs.

He said this is a human resources matter that will remain confidential for now.

Martin said he also has been instructed not to discuss any L3 projects continuing at the affected L3 sites, including Waco.

Gas prices dip

Gas prices across the state are falling for the first time since Hurricane Harvey ripped across the Gulf Coast, disrupting refining operations.

The auto club AAA Texas reported Thursday the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded had slipped to $2.52, two cents less than the previous Thursday.

Of the metropolitan areas surveyed, Dallas drivers were paying the most at $2.61 per gallon, while Amarillo drivers were paying the least at $2.36 per gallon.

The national average stood at $2.65.

In Greater Waco, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded stood at $2.48 on Thursday, a penny less than the $2.49 a week earlier.

There is not a gasoline shortage in the U.S., but instead localized challenges, including power outages, impassable roads and debris in Florida, which was hit by Hurricane Irma, said AAA spokesman Daniel Armbruster. Total U.S. gasoline stocks sit above the five-year average.

Storage units

A 51,000-square-foot building at 225-315 North Industrial Drive, near Lake Air and Waco drives, has changed hands, and the new owner plans to place there 500 climate-controlled storage units.

I think it will make a great fit for that area, said Nathan Embry, with KW Commercial: Harrell Associates, who brokered the deal.

He said the asking price was $1.45 million, but the buyer paid a little less, adding the structure will carry the name Ideal Storage.
Breaking a trend, the Waco area actually lost jobs in August compared to the same month last year, though the jobless rate rose only fractionally.

The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Falls and McLennan counties, saw an estimated decline of 800 jobs among residents and commuters from outside the area, according to reports released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Job holders slipped from 119,400 in August of 2016 to 118,600 last month, with the biggest drop coming in the categories of trade, transportation and utilities; and leisure and hospitality, both of which experienced a 400-job slide. They were followed by losses of 300 in professional and business services; 200 in government; and 100 in financial activities.

Meanwhile, the Workforce Commission reported the jobless rate for the Waco MSA rose to 4.5 percent in August, up from 4.4 percent in July and 4.2 percent in August of last year. The civilian labor force, which includes those employed and those looking for work, declined by about a thousand people.

Employment among residents of the MSA slipped by about 1,200 in the last year, declining from 117,700 with jobs in August of last year to 116,500 last month. But the Workforce Commission reported that decline is partly a result of the drop in the number of people looking for work in Central Texas.

Statewide, the Texas economy expanded for the 14th straight month but saw only a 5,500-job gain in seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment. The adjusted jobless rate fell to 4.2 percent from 4.3 percent in July.

Texas employers added 298,600 jobs over the year in the diverse and competitive Texas economy, commission Chairman Andres Alcantar said in a press release. The Texas Workforce Commission is dedicated to building and deploying the partnerships necessary to support the rebuilding of our Texas communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey and to put our fellow Texans back to work.

Ruth R. Hughs, the commissioner representing employers, wrote in the press release that the states private sector has added 270,800 jobs in the past year.

The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded the months lowest jobless rate among Texas MSAs, with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3.1 percent. It was followed by the Midland MSA, with a rate of 3.2 percent, and the Austin-Round Rock MSA with a rate of 3.4 percent.

Several goods producing industries are showing strength in Texas, including construction, which has added 15,200 jobs over the year, Julian Alvarez, the commissioner representing labor, wrote in the press release.

Nationally, the jobless rate stood at 4.5 percent in August, down from 4.6 percent in July and 5 percent in August of last year.
Lampasas resident Leo Perkins, who turns 100 in two months, hugged his wife of 72 years, Lillian Perkins, while standing beside his son and two daughters.

He joined four other former prisoners of war who live in the area Friday in receiving accolades for enduring the hardships they faced.

Perkins was applauded and thanked for his time in service during World War II as a flight engineer.

He was shot down over Germany in a B-17 bomber and later ended in up in a prison camp known as Stalag 17-B. The then 24-year-old Perkins was on his 14th mission with the 381st Bomb Group. He was flying out of England when he and the rest of the 10-member crew were shot down.

Id do it all over again if theyd let me in, if they needed me, Perkins said.

The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System at the Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center honored five former POWs Friday for their personal sacrifices in service to their country.

These guys have served our country, but they have also experienced the traumas that other people havent in terms of being prisoners of war, said Larry Becker, the health networks advocate for former POWs. Being able to survive that and come back and be part of our community and have a life, we have to honor them.

State Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco, attended the event and said it was a tremendous honor for him to recognize the former prisoners of war. Anderson said he could not imagine the experience of being shot down or declared missing in action.

That they were standing alone against their oppressors wondering if theyd even survive their circumstances, just that sacrifice is immeasurable, Anderson said.

The veterans sacrifice shines as a beacon through time to empower people serving the nation now and others facing daily problems, giving them strength to know they can carry on, he said.

South Korea looks a lot different than it did in 1950, when the North Korean Peoples Army captured Jack Goodwin and imprisoned him for the next 38 months.

Goodwin, 87, of Woodway, said he recently visited, for the second time, the UN Forces First Battle Memorial in Osan, South Korea, which honors U.S. servicemen of Task Force Smith who fought North Korea in the Battle of Osan in 1950.

More than 142,000 Americans have been held as prisoners of war since World War I, and another 93,000 went missing in action, according to the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System.

For 2,703 days, Thomas Curtis, 85, was a prisoner of war.

If you can make a bargain with God, I did, Curtis said.

Curtis, a Temple resident, said he remains surprised anyone is interested in hearing his story, once he recently wrote about in a book titled, Under the Cover of Light: The Extraordinary Story of USAF Col. Thomas Jerry Curtiss 7 1/2 -Year Captivity in North Vietnam.

Curtis spent 25 years in the Air Force. But he was shot down Sept. 20, 1965, over North Vietnam. He was captured and wasnt released until Feb. 12, 1973.

I think about it every time I go into my bathroom, Curtis said. Theres a porcelain stool. Theres running water, hot and cold. Theres toothpaste, as much as I want to use. Theres a new toothbrush if I want it. Theres soap. There are towels. Thats just a reminder of the basic things that were simply taken away from me.
Victor Galindo Rogers, 84, of Waco, passed away surrounded by his loving family, Thursday, September 14, 2017. Victor's family and friends will gather for visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 17, at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend, in Waco. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 18, at St. Francis on the Brazos Catholic Church, 315 Jefferson Avenue, in Waco. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Dorothy A. Schuerg, 87, passed away on September 14, 2017. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 18, at Chapel Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 17, at Connally Compton Funeral Directors.

Dorothy was born in Bosque County, Texas, on December 19, 1929, to Adolph and Hulda (Kind) Siepert. She was a longtime member of both St. Mark Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church. Dorothy was very involved in her church and was a part of the Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. She was a devout Christian and was known for her giving spirit. You could always see her with a smile on her face.
Last month Willow Grove Baptist Church  a quiet place of worship established near Speegleville in 1871 by several ex-slaves led by William Buck Manning and A.W. Crawford  was vandalized with Nazi and other politically charged symbols smeared in condiments about the church fellowship hall. Happily, surrounding communities rallied to help in a church cleanup, sending a message of unity that transcends racial lines. As one of those speaking up for Willow Grove noted, So sorry this happened. Hatred pulls us together, though.

Theres another message for anyone who would stir hate or division in the Willow Grove community. Its one of resolve for overcoming adversity that dates back to the days of slavery.

Today the Willow Grove Cemetery Association and Willow Grove descendants will celebrate 146 years as a community and 82 as the Willow Grove Cemetery Association, founded back in 1935. Dr. Marcus Nelson, new Waco Independent School District superintendent, will speak at a banquet at Lee Lockwood Library and Museum. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m.

Willow Grove history is rich in legacy and spiritual strength. To that end, a little ketchup, a little mustard and a little hate is easily dispatched.

Several years after the Civil War, William Buck Manning handed A.W. Crawford the money of several ex-slaves to purchase 320 acres of farmland near Hog Creek in McLennan County. A.W. also was a former slave but could pass for white. The story goes he put an X on the land purchase papers to preclude any possibility of his later being charged with fraud in a culture where Southern white hostility toward blacks could prove fatal.

The former slaves had been living in nearby Valley Mills after being brought from Louisiana by William Manning, whom all of the slaves addressed as Old Master. According to an interview with Bucks brother, Allen V. Manning, in a unique, Depression-era narrative project (Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers Project, Oklahoma Writers Project, pages 215-222, 1936 to 1938), Allen and other ex-slaves were taken from the Manning plantation in Mississippi during the Civil War because Manning was a preacher who didnt believe in killing. When the masters son, Bill, was forced to join the Confederate army after they moved to Louisiana, Allen recalled Old Master as hoppin mad. So the old man loaded up the wagons again and headed for Texas. Most of his slaves walked alongside the wagon during the long, rough trip. A couple of years more passed before William Manning settled on a stretch in Texas.

Pretty soon Old Master say git the wagons loaded again and this time we start out with some other people, going north. We go north a while and then turn west and cross the Sabine River and go to Nacogdoches, Texas, Allen Manning recalled. Me and my brother Joe and my sister Adeline walked nearly all the way, but my little sister Harriet and my mammy rid in a wagon. Mammy was mighty poorly, and jest when we got to the Sabine bottoms she had another baby. Old Master didnt like it cause it was a girl, but he named her Texana on account of where she was born and told us children to wait on Mammy good and maybe we would get a little brother next time. But we didnt.

To hear Allen Mannings recollection, Old Master went with a whole bunch of wagons on out to the prairie country in Coryell County and set up a farm where we just had to break the sod and didnt have to clear off much. And the next baby Mammy had the next year was a girl. We named her Betty because mistress jest have a baby a little while before and its name was Betty. Old Masters place was right at the corner where Coryell and McLennan and Bosque counties come together, and we raised mostly cotton and jest a little corn for feed.

According to this narrative, Buck Manning was named William after Old Master. When given their freedom, many of the ex-slaves chose to stay and work for Old Master, at least till he cut their wages. Allen moved from Valley Mills to the Willow Grove community with his brother Buck and other ex-slaves. Later, when he was about 30, Allen married a girl from the Waco area and moved to Oklahoma. In his narrative, Allen tells of having 10 children in Oklahoma with only seven of them surviving. The following offers a reflection on his life then and the hardship and anger brought about by the Civil War and subsequent Reconstruction.

I sells milk and makes my living, and I keeps so busy I dont think back on the old days much, but if anybody ask me why the Texas Negroes been kept down so much, I can tell them. If they set like I did on the bank at that ferry across the Sabine and see all that long line of covered wagons, miles and miles of them, crossing that river and going west with all they got left out of the War, it aint hard to understand. Them white folks done had everything they had tore up, or had to run away from the places they lived, and they brang their Negroes out to Texas and then right away they lost them too. They always had them Negroes, and lots of them had mighty fine places back in the old states, and then they had to go out and live in sod houses and little old boxed shotguns and turn their Negroes loose. They didnt see no justice in it then

I interviewed several descendants of Buck Manning and A.W. Crawford about the establishment of the Willow Grove community. Just about every family member agrees the same values championed back when the community was founded continue today, resulting in a sense of unity that endures the ages.

Lillian Manning, a retired social worker and youngest child of Arthur James Manning Sr., in turn first child born to Reuben Griffin and Mentha Crawford Eaves Manning, told me the first thing her grandfather, Uncle Buck and the rest of the Willow Grove settlers did when establishing Willow Grove was to set aside acreage for a church, a cemetery and a one-room school. The Willow Grove community grew fast, as many of the families had multiple children. Her grandfather had 13, then raised a niece from infancy after his sister died.

Most of us know the stories about Willow Grove through oral history as family members were always telling stories of our past, Lillian said, adding that she had 12 siblings and that her father attended both Paul Quinn College and Guadalupe College in Seguin. Although he didnt graduate, he passed on his strong belief in education to them: Most of us attended college and my brother Ruben acquired a doctorate and was president of Paul Quinn College during the 70s.

She tells how family history instilled in her and her siblings prompted some of them  Merrie Ethel Manning-Barr, Monroe Lincoln Manning and herself  to visit Shubuta, Mississippi. The most memorable moment: visiting the plantation of William Old Master Manning after going to the courthouse and researching maps and archives. That led them to First Baptist Church in Shubuta where William Manning preached from 1836 to 1856.

As I sat there, I thought about William Manning, who all of the slaves called Old Master, Lillian told me. And I tried to visualize how slaves would have felt working the land, picking and chopping cotton  never knowing what their future might hold. That was a powerful moment.

Norman Manning, youngest son of A. J. Manning Jr., a Waco ISD trustee and president of the Willow Grove Cemetery Association, tells me that he was always aware of his winding family history. He voices pride in the fact his ancestors founded the Willow Grove community.

I didnt get involved with the association, though, until I moved back to Waco from Florida, he said. My aunt got me involved and helped me understand the importance of our familys significance in the Willow Grove community. After I got involved, I realized that we had a great organization that had done an excellent job of documenting our history. And I was determined to maintain the tradition. We have regular meetings and our celebrations are at the same time each year. In addition, we have several cemetery work days a year and family members show up eager to take care of our cemetery. We have family buried in the Willow Grove Cemetery from every war since World War I and most of us know where their grave sites are. We put flags on the graves on holidays such as Veterans Day.

Lillian Manning tells how, at the first Willow Grove Cemetery Association meeting (back when it was known as the Willow Grove Homecoming Club), everyone gave what coinage they had so Ethel Scales could take 25 cents and buy a secretarial journal. She was secretary till 1976 after which August Jean Manning DeBose became association secretary. So far, there have only been two secretaries in the history of the Willow Grove Cemetery Association, Norman said.

Norman said family members come from every region of the nation to participate in the Willow Grove Cemetery/Community Association Banquet. Willow Grove Baptist Church will top matters off with an anniversary service at 10:45 Sunday morning.

Rosetta Manning Mainor Stone, 97-year-old daughter of Arthur James Manning Sr., is mother of several well-known members of the Waco community past and present. Daughter Marcia and husband John Neal own Sascees Southern Style Food. And you can visit Reggie at his Silent Spectacular Shoe Shine business at the Hilton. He shines shoes with a flare. He also writes poetry, as did his brother Rafer Earl Mainor, who taught at Paul Quinn College. Mrs. Stone has a message for all young Willow Grove descendants: I want to tell our young family members to keep in touch with their family. It is important to carry on tradition. And with the Lords guidance, they will be the ones who will keep the stories alive.

Predominantly African-American church vandalized with Nazi, politically-charged symbols Graffiti bearing Nazi symbolism, the word Satan and the name of the president of the Unite
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Blood donations suspended as Rome battles mosquitoes.

Rome mayor Virginia Raggi has ordered a complete suspension of blood donations in Rome's ASL 2 section, a public health area containing around two million people in east and southern Rome, due to an outbreak of the chikungunya virus.

The mayor has also ordered an immediate disinfection campaign to combat mosquitoes which spread chikungunya, a viral infection that causes acute fever and joint pain, and which so far has infected 17 people in the greater Rome area: six in the capital and 11 in the nearby coastal town of Anzio.

Raggi's order on 13 September followed a warning hours earlier from Italy's health minister Beatrice Lorenzin who claimed that the capital was not acting fast enough to halt the spread of the virus despite being notified about it some six days earlier.

Raggi's anti-establishment Movimento 5 Stelle administration reacted by blaming the Lazio regional government for not updating the city on the outbreak. However this charge was quickly rejected by the Lazio region which said that it informed the Campidoglio about the then four confirmed chikungunya cases at lunchtime on 8 September. The Lazio region administration, run by the centre-left Partito Democratico, has urged Raggi's administration to avoid creating controversy and to focus on the task at hand. The suspension of blood donations could last for 28 days, according to local media, with concerns that it could lead to a serious reduction in blood availability in the capital.

The chikungunya virus, which rarely results in death but can lead to disabling effects, first broke out in the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy ten years ago.
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By The Associated Press Sep. 15, 2017 | 05:26 PM | OAK GROVE, KY

Churchill Downs and Keeneland have announced a partnership that proposes constructing two new racetracks, and one is in the Purchase area.The tracks say in a joint statement that one proposed track would be located in Oak Grove along I-24 in Western Kentucky. The other would be in Corbin, which is on I-75 between Lexington and Knoxville. Both would have live races and historical racing machines.The proposal is contingent on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission granting a pari-mutuel racing license at each site. The tracks said they were filing applications on Friday with the commission.Churchill Downs Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen says the proposed facilities would improve Kentucky's $4 billion horse racing industry bygenerating much-needed funds to increase purses and breeders' incentives.We are proud of the significant investment Churchill Downs and Keeneland are committed to making in our community, and are excited to see the infusion of tourism, economic development and new jobs it will bring to Oak Grove and Christian County, Oak Grove Mayor Bea Burt said.Churchill Downs and Keeneland said they are working with state officials to get incentives and necessary infrastructure improvements for the proposed tracks.

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By The Associated Press / West Kentucky Star Staff

Sep. 15, 2017 | ST. LOUIS, MO

By The Associated Press / West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 15, 2017 | 09:10 AM | ST. LOUIS, MO

A judge has acquitted a white former St. Louis police officer of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a black man following a high-speed chase in 2011.



Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson issued his ruling Friday against 36-year-old Jason Stockley. Stockley could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole had he been convicted.



Stockley shot 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith five times after a high-speed chase. Stockley says he saw Smith holding a gun before the chase began, and that he felt he was in imminent danger when he opened fire.



Prosecutors alleged that Stockley planted a gun in Smith's car after he shot him. A gun in the car had the officer's DNA on it, but not Smith's.



Fox 2 KTVI in St. Louis has been showing chopper footage of protesters gathering in the Downtown area of St. Louis due to the ruling.



Stockley left the police force in 2013 and moved to Houston.




The Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians in northern Wisconsin voted not to renew an easement for a major oil and gas pipeline that passes through its reservation.In the wake of the successful protest against the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota, this decision is the latest example of Native American tribes using sovereignty rights to oppose fossil fuel projects.The pipeline in question, Line 5, spans 645 miles and is owned by Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge. It is used to ship as much as 540,000 barrels of fossil fuels, including crude oil and propane, per day from Superior, Wisc. to Sarnia, Ontario and is part of Canada's largest export oil pipeline network. The resolution passed by the tribe calls for the decommissioning and removal of the pipeline from all Bad River lands and its watershed, which flows into Lake Superior.Robert Blanchard, chairman of the Bad River band said the 64-year-old pipeline is "an accident waiting to happen." A spill from the pipeline could affect land and water that the tribal members rely on for hunting, fishing, and gathering wild rice, Blanchard said."If something were to happen, no matter how big or how small, it's going to have an effect on us," Blanchard said. "We figure that now is the time to do something about it."Easements granted to the pipeline company on 11 parcels of land owned by the tribe expired in 2013. The company said it had been working with the tribe since then to negotiate a renewal and Enbridge spokesperson Michael Barnes said the company was surprised by the tribe's decision."In addition to working toward a mutually beneficial agreement, Enbridge also worked with the band's cultural resources, natural resources, and legal departmental staff to maintain safe pipeline operations within the boundaries of the Reservation," Barnes said in an email.Tribal officials said they have not been negotiating with the pipeline company about the easements and vowed to ensure that the pipeline does not remain. "We will reach out to federal, state and local officials to evaluate how to remove Line 5," Blanchard said in a statement.The vote by the tribe comes amidst increasing concerns by Native Americans and environmentalists in Michigan. They who worry that Line 5 could contaminate the Great Lakes if it were to leak at the Straits of Mackinac where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. Reps. Dave Trott (R-Mich.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) introduced legislation on January 12 calling for a shutdown of the pipeline if a federal study finds it poses significant risk to the Great Lakes.If the company and the tribe do not reach an agreement, the company may be forced to reroute the existing pipeline around the reservation or shut the pipeline down.If the pipeline is rerouted, it wouldn't be the first time that a Native American tribe succeeded in pushing a pipeline off its reservation. In 1995, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana fought and won a similar battle with Yellowstone Pipeline Co.That pipeline leaked 10,000 gallons of gasoline in 1993, just as the 20-year permit to cross the Flathead Indian Reservation was up for renewal. When the tribes declined to renew the lease, the pipeline company had to use tanker cars to ship the fuel around the reservation, something it continues to do two decades later.Similarly, the easement for a gasoline pipeline that passed through the town of Bellingham, Wash. had expired when the pipeline exploded in 1999, killing three people. As with tribal land, municipal land in Washington State cannot be taken through eminent domain."The Olympic Pipeline folks came to an agreement with the city that added in a whole lot more safety than what the federal government would have required, including different types of valves and different types of inspections," said Carl Weimer, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, a nonprofit watchdog organization based in Bellingham.The Grand Traverse band is challenging safety upgrades proposed for the Line 5 pipeline in Michigan, including a call for greater environmental scrutiny of the proposed work. Its legal objections are similar to arguments being used by the Standing Rock Sioux in North Dakota to halt Dakota Access."I think what has happened in Standing Rock has galvanized Indian country," Rastetter said of the high-profile fight to stop the $3.8 billion pipeline.
THE ONLY DEATH RELATED TO IRMA IN NORTH CAROLINA

Hurricane Irma and its aftermath have caused one death in Western North Carolina.

A Henderson County medical examiner said an Edneyville man died Tuesday from carbon monoxide poisoning. The man was using a generator to power his home after severe weather knocked out electricity in the area. Local authorities have not released the victims name or age. Irma caused widespread power outages all along the Blue Ridge in the Edneyville, Fruitland, Bat Cave, Middle Fork, and Gerton areas. Most power was not restored until Thursday.

The death of the Edneyville man is the first death in North Carolina related to Hurricane Irma.Kristin and I are saddened by this news and send our deepest sympathies to the victims family and friends,according to N.C. Governor Roy Cooper.

Cooper encouraged any North Carolinians using generators to be sure to follow all safety guidelines.

When the power goes out, generators can be a lifesaver. But used without good ventilation, generators can be deadly, Cooper said. If you have a generator, please make sure you operate it safely.
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Tensions on the left side of American evangelicalism had been building for years, and then Christian ethics professor David Gushee drew a bright red line.

Many religious groups reject gay-rights efforts because of ancient doctrines on marriage and sexuality, he noted in a Religion News Service essay last year. Some have tried to do this quietly.

It turns out that you are either for full and unequivocal social and legal equality for LGBT people, or you are against it, wrote Gushee, who teaches at Mercer University, a hub for Bible Belt progressives. He is the author of numerous books, including Changing Our Mind, Kingdom Ethics.

Gushee warned the orthodox: Neutrality is not an option. Neither is polite half-acceptance. Nor is avoiding the subject. Hide as you might, the issue will come and find you.

This warning was one moment of clarity that led to the Aug. 25 Nashville Statement from the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. The manifesto restates many ancient Christian doctrines, such as: God designed marriage as a covenantal union of only a man and a woman that is the sole context for sexual intercourse.

However, the preamble addresses new challenges, stating: Evangelical Christians at the dawn of the twenty-first century find themselves living in a period of historic transition. As Western culture has become increasingly post-Christian, it has embarked upon a massive revision of what it means to be a human being.

Thus, Article 10 states: WE AFFIRM that it is sinful to approve of homosexual immorality or transgenderism and that such approval constitutes an essential departure from Christian faithfulness and witness. WE DENY that the approval of homosexual immorality or transgenderism is a matter of moral indifference about which otherwise faithful Christians should agree to disagree.

First signers of the document included Anglican theologian J.I. Packer, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore, WORLD magazine editor Marvin Olasky, theologian R.C. Sproul, National Religious Broadcasters President Jerry A. Johnson and evangelical authors such as John Piper and Rosaria Butterfield. All six presidents of the Southern Baptist seminaries signed, along with numerous former SBC presidents such as the Revs. Jack Graham, Fred Luter, Frank S. Page and James Merritt. Initial signers included both supporters, and outspoken critics, of President Donald Trump.

Liberal evangelical author Jen Hatmaker responded on Twitter: The fruit of the Nashville Statement is suffering, rejection, shame and despair.

RNS columnist and LGBT activist Jonathan Merritt  son of the former SBC president  added that a statement like this is unlikely to move the needle with those who arent already in agreement. It is all head and no heart. ... It is all words and no word-made-flesh.Another symbolic reaction came from 400-plus alumni of Union University, the Southern Baptist campus in Jackson, Tenn., where Gushee taught for a decade before moving to Mercer. Their petition protested Union President Samuel Olivers signature, calling the Nashville Statement a declaration of bigotry and condemnation that is a far cry from the faith, hope, love and acceptance we were taught was the hallmark of the faith of Union University.

Union professor Hunter Baker responded by asking these alumni if Union had somehow hidden its orthodox doctrines on moral issues  which have not changed  when they enrolled. Should the school now abandon students, parents, faculty and donors who support its stand on marriage and sexuality?

The key to the Nashville Statement is that it addresses theology, not politics, and was primarily written to other evangelicals who are considering compromises in the face of cultural pressures that have radically increased in recent years, said Baker in an interview.

Right now, most of these pressures are falling on Christians in academia, publishing and nonprofit ministries  such as those linked to medicine or work with the poor  that interact with corporations or government agencies, he said. Many religious believers fear discrimination in major corporations and when seeking admittance to professional organizations and elite graduate schools.

There is a fear that, if you maintain your beliefs in classical Christian doctrines, you will be pushed to the margins of mainstream American life, he said. Its painful to clash with the culture. We get that, but we still wanted to urge other evangelicals to keep the faith.
Orient-Macksburg students attend Iowa Wild game courtesy of PTO The Iowa Wild hockey team hosted a School Game Day Thursday, Nov. 3. They played the Grand Rapids Griffins, winning 6-3. Orient-Macksburg students in grades 3-8 enjoyed a day at the Well, watching hockey. They were even given a fun workbook to complete during the...

Women in Ag Leadership Conference registration open Together We Lead is the theme of the sixth annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Nearly 30 speakers will enlighten, inspire and energize conference attendees Nov. 29-30, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. The...

Sheriffs Report ARREST LOG Madison County Sheriff Rodney Carpenter, 59, of Des Moines was charged on a warrant with a hold for another agency 5:59 a.m. Oct. 31 in Madison County. Carpenter was released from the Madison County Jail. Miguel Beltran Lopez Junior, 48, of Banning, Calif.,...
The Sauk County Health Care Center Board of Trustees chose a site Thursday on which to place an array of solar panels at the facility, while several board members maintained their opposition to the project.

During a presentation to the panel, Health Care Center Administrator Jennifer Vosen told board members they must decide on one of four sites selected for panel installation on the 55-acre Health Care Center property before the county can solicit bids.

The project, which is headed by Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, calls for installing solar panels at the county Law Enforcement Center in Baraboo and the Health Care Center in Reedsburg. Its designed to save the county money, while using sustainable energy.

The board opted to site a solar array near the southwest corner of the Health Care Center, choosing that option over putting two rows of panels near the propertys parking lot, installing a long row of panels along the south property line or placing a series of panels on the propertys southeast corner.

While you may not support it and agree with it, if it is to go through, you at least have a say in where its going to be out here, Vosen told board members.

Board member Dennis Polivka said he favored the option to place panels on the southwest corner of the property, but added that he was opposed to the project as a whole. Polivka said he disapproves of the solar initiative from a business perspective.

If we have to come up with a site, this is the only one because we dont want to use buildable land, he said. None of the choices appeal to me, but of the four, thats the only one that I would consider.

Hoffman Planning officials estimate the county could save $1 million over 25 years by partnering with a private firm to generate about 20 percent of the county buildings energy from solar power. Specific numbers will not become available until the county receives bids from potential investors.

After bid solicitation is reviewed by county staff, itll be sent to 13 firms on Monday. Bids will be due Nov. 3. Under the consultants timeline, contractor selection would take place Nov. 16. They hope installation is complete by June 15.

Under a third-party deal, the county would immediately benefit from cheaper energy prices. The investor that purchases and installs the solar equipment would benefit from the countys payments and financial incentives only available to private entities.

A deal would also include an option for the county to purchase the arrays at a reduced price in the future. Once it owns the systems, the county would pay nothing for the energy produced, which is expected to increase the annual savings.

Sauk County Board Chairman Marty Krueger, who is not on the Health Care Center Board of Trustees, suggested the panel put forth a motion to approve its preferred placement of panels on property while maintaining its opposition.

I think it should include a statement that says that this board does not support it, board member Mary Ellen Murray added.

Krueger said the boards decision places responsibility for the solar project with the County Board.

Ill run the experiment because we have no money in it, he said. I think your motion stresses its the (county) board making this decision to put it out here, not the board of trustees.

Zoning approval from Reedsburg will be required to move forward with the project. Hoffman Planning will make a presentation Tuesday to the full County Board.

The solar project has been under consideration for 2 years, but recently has been slowed by disagreements among members of the board. Despite reservations, the board approved soliciting bids in July.
The 151 Business Park, north of Beaver Dam, has been steadily growing over the past year and as of last month more than 30 employees at WDS Construction began moving into their new 27,600-square-foot office building.

Weve been searching for a new place to build our office for several years, President Ben Westra said.

Previously, WDS Construction was leasing office space in downtown Beaver Dam on Rowell Street. Westra said the company has spent the last five years looking for a suitable location to build their own headquarters. The company began to outgrow the Rowell Street location, according to Westra.

It forced us to find a better option that had more space, he said.

The company has had its ups and down in their search starting with property in downtown Beaver Dam to develop, which failed to go through. WDS was interested in purchasing the former Reilly Auto Dealership property at 109 Ryan Cantafio Way.

Then, 10 vacant acres next to Wyllow Pet Hospital in Beaver Dam Business Park was pursued. Westra said attention shifted soon after to the 151 Business Park once plans began to develop, ultimately dictating the companys decision to build in the 151 Business Park.

From start to finish, it took 11 months to build the WDS Construction headquarters located at 100 Tower Drive. Its three floors tall with offices, boardrooms, a training facility, commons area and a patio. The building contains lots of natural light, high ceilings and refurbished wood, which are features Westra said he wanted to include. Westra also said people like to comment on the 20-by-30-foot American flag on WDS Constructions front lawn.

The building sits on seven acres of land, which Westra says will allow the company the option to expand on that property. In addition, he said its nice to have room for the offices and space to park trailers and equipment too.

Westra said he loves Beaver Dam and continues to have a good working relationship with the city.

WDS Construction was also known as Vandelay Industries  a limited liability corporation owned by Westra  when it and Beaver Dam Area Development Corporations were moving forward with developing 151 Business Park and Beaver Dams seventh tax increment financing district.
A call about a stolen bag of chips on Thursday night led Portage police officers to finding a hollowed-out TV and a gun and ended with the arrest of four people on their way to Washington.

At about 7:30 p.m., police were called to the Portage Walgreens, where a suspect who appeared to be intoxicated had stolen a bag of chips. The suspect and three others were located across the street at Culvers in a car filled with stuff and strewn with trash.

As an officer approached the vehicle and asked the occupants to get out, he reportedly saw a semiautomatic .380 pistol on the floor. After a search of the vehicle, officers also found paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine and prescription drugs.

When the K9 unit inspected the vehicle, the dog made an alert toward a flat-screen television that had been secured to the roof of the car. Officers unfastened the back of the TV and found no drugs there, but found that it been hollowed out.

Eusebio Delgado, 37, of Royal City, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of prescription drug medication without a prescription.

Angelica Emilia Ortega, 18, of Moses Lake, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a prescription medication without a prescription.

Brenda De Jesus, 38, of Othello, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a concealed weapon and possession of prescription medication without a prescription.

Esteban Torres Aquilar, 45, of Othello, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of possession of carrying concealed weapons and possession of prescription medication without a prescription.

No formal charges have been filed regarding the bag of chips.
Commentary on the DACA controversy frequently notes that the nations nearly 700,000 so-called Dreamers are a law-abiding group. But a new bill to give DACA recipients full legal status, sponsored by Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Jeff Flake and Democratic Senators Richard Durbin and Charles Schumer, would allow newly legalized Dreamers to have many run-ins with the law  arrests, charges, convictions  and still receive benefits. Schumer, the Democratic leader, is demanding quick passage.

President Obamas original 2012 executive action creating Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals stipulated that to be eligible, recipients must have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offense, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. When Obama announced the criteria for renewing DACA status in 2014, multiple misdemeanor offense was changed to three or more misdemeanors.

The Obama administration defined a significant misdemeanor as a crime with a maximum sentence of one year, or, regardless of length of sentence, an offense of domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or driving under the influence.

With the Dream Act of 2017, Graham, Flake, Durbin and Schumer have adopted much of the existing Obama-era criteria about crime, but in a way that would allow Department of Homeland Security officials to be much more lenient with newly legalized DACA recipients.

The Dream Act would exclude anyone who has been convicted of any offense under federal or state law, other than a state offense for which an essential element is the aliens immigration status, that is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year; or three or more offenses under federal or state law, other than state offense for which an essential element is the aliens immigration status, for which the alien was convicted on different dates for each of the three offenses and imprisoned for an aggregate of 90 days or more.

The phrase other than a state offense for which an essential element is the aliens immigration status could excuse a lot of criminal activity. It would grant status to illegal aliens who have been convicted of felony ID fraud or other crimes that could be considered to be related to their immigration status, noted Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors tighter restrictions on immigration. You could say human smuggling, document fraud, benefits fraud, false claims to citizenship, illegal voting, and many other felonies have an essential element that involves immigration status.

In addition, Graham, Flake, Durbin and Schumer throw in the phrase for which the alien was convicted on different dates for each of the three offenses when referring to misdemeanor convictions. Many crimes involve multiple charges. The Dream Act of 2017 would require a young Dreamer to have committed offenses on not one, not two, but three separate occasions, and been convicted of all before he or she is ineligible for legalization.

And maybe not even then, because Graham, Flake, Durbin and Schumer would also allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive any denial of legalization for those crimes, or for more serious crimes, for humanitarian purposes or family unity or if the waiver is otherwise in the public interest. In other words, Department of Homeland Security can legalize whomever it chooses.

These standards are significantly more lenient than other legal immigration categories, noted Vaughan. Green card and temporary visa categories have stricter requirements for good moral character and criminal behavior.

The Dream Act of 2017 differs in other ways from DACA. For example, Obamas order applied to people who were under the age of 16 when they came to the United States. In the Dream Act, the age is 18. Obama required recipients to have been living continuously in the United States for at least five years. In the Dream Act, its four years. Obama required that a recipient be present in the United States on the date of this memorandum, that is, on June 15, 2012, when DACA was announced. The Dream Act has no similar requirement.

Graham, Flake, Durbin and Schumer introduced the Dream Act of 2017 back on July 20, before the current DACA controversy. Since then some other senators have signed on as co-sponsors: Republicans Cory Gardner and Lisa Murkowski and Democrats Kamala Harris, Dianne Feinstein, Catherine Cortez Masto and Michael Bennet.

Were ready to pass it, Schumer said recently, calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan to bring the bill up for a vote in Senate and House.

And just in case Congress is not ready, Schumer threatened to attach the Dream Act to must-pass legislation this fall. It could be a long fight.




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Welsh-medium school plans take next step with consultation given go ahead

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Sep 16th, 2017

Plans to create a new Welsh-medium school have moved a step closer to becoming a reality, with a consultation on the subject set to launch in weeks.

Members of Wrexham Councils Executive Board unanimously backed proposals to consult on opening a new Welsh-medium primary school to cater for for 210 pupils.

If the consultation is successful the school would be based at the old Hafod Y Wern school in Caia Park, initially accommodating 15 places for nursery and 15 places for reception classes from September 2019.

Eventually the school would move to the site of Borras infant school, with the pupils in the process of merging into the same building as the juniors.

The annual admission would remain at 15 pupils per year group while the seed school remains at Hafod Y Wern.

Speaking at this weeks meeting, lead member for education, Cllr Phil Wynn said: We recognise there are immediate pressures for provision of Welsh-medium primary school provision within the county, particularly in in the town centre.

Therefore we have to be creative in our thinking as to how we can address in the issue. Within the Strategic Outline Plan we do indicate we want to fund the delivery of a Welsh primary school in the Borras area.

The creative thinking is once Borras infants and juniors are on the same footprint, that will free up the infant school that we can utilise as 2-10 on a pupil intake on a permanent basis.

That is down the line. We still need to have dialogue with Welsh Government to secure funding and there is a planning process we need to go through to address the various issues to grant consent. While this is the aspiration, we cannot guarantee that it is deliverable, but I feel confident that we can.

However questions were asked on the timescale for the new school, with Cllr Gwenfair Jones stating: I really welcome the news that we are going to open another Welsh school and will be starting soon. My worry is that it will be another 12 months, why cant we aim for September 2018 and not 2019.

The meeting was told due to the consultation and statutory periods required, it would be difficult with school admissions for 2018 having already underway and the lack of guarantee that the school would be open by next year.

Cllr Carrie Harper posed a series of questions to the lead member, largely focusing on the intake numbers and on the final location of the new primary school.

She said: How is the admission policy going to work? Have you considered the fact if you if put seed school in Caia, you might create a demand there and will children in Caia then get priority for the seed school and potentially the permanent school in Borras?

It is likely that is what were going to see is an increase in demand in the immediate area and then does this address issues in Bro Alun and Plas Coch?

Cllr Harper added: On the consultation it is going to be difficult to consulate when youre stating that the permanent primary school says it is in Borras or a location yet determined. It is pretty open ended and difficult to respond to.

Youd be expecting a commitment for parents to send their children to a seed school in Caia without any commitment where the school will be located.

Cllr Wynn said: We cant pre judge that Borras will happen, that is our aspirations, and I am pretty confident that we we can deliver it. But if Hafod Y Wern was to be populated from nursery right through year six, if we were taking the 30 intake then by year three we are at capacity and we would not be able to take any other students.

We have to plan for what we know, which is a 15 intake. But we have aspirations that with Borras it will flip to a 30 intake as and when it is open.

I dont want to pre-judge the consultation and I will welcome all the responses that will come in. If we are looking for admission in 2019, we need to get Hafod Y Were after consultation into admissions booklet for parents to consider as a site.

Contact officer Dafydd Ifans added: It is a two stage consultation process and the first stage we want to start this month. During the initial consultation we will have some clarity about the 21st century schools bid, which will then allow us to provide more detail around what youre asking and more clarity on numbers and the final destination of the school will be much clearer..

We want to try get this off the ground as soon as possible. We will have more clarity as the decision about 21st century schools comes back, which will feed into this.

He added: We will come back to members with a proposal for a statutory notices, which will be very clear as to where the school will be situated in the long run and what the intake will be.

The consultation is scheduled to to take place between 26th September and 7th November.
Wrexham teenagers sign up for JCB apprenticeships as part of 7.5m scheme

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Sep 16th, 2017

Three new apprentices from have joined JCB Transmissions in Wrexham as the company steps up investment in its Young Talent programme to record levels throughout its UK factories.

The trio who have just started at JCB Transmissions are Alfie Beeson, Cameron Pemberton and Tomas Davies.

This year, JCB is ploughing 7.5 million into recruiting young people into the business to help meet future growth  triple the amount invested in the scheme when it started four years ago.

It means of the 168 people who are joining JCB, a total of 117 are apprentices  the biggest ever single intake of apprentices in the 71 year history of JCB. A number are Higher Apprentices who will go on to take degrees, learning while they earn and avoiding the need to incur costly student loans.

It brings to 20 million the amount the company has invested in its Young Talent programme over the past four years  an initiative which has seen around 550 graduates and engineers join the business. The news comes as JCB prepares to open up applications for its 2018 programme on Monday, October 2nd. Information will be available via the JCB website (www.jcb.co.uk).

Alfie, 18, of Wrexham, who has joined on a three-year Machinist Apprenticeship, said: I went to college last year and started an engineering course, which I liked.

But I realised I would rather be getting paid and learning at the same time, which is why I applied for the job at JCB. I am working on CNC and lathe machines under the supervision of a mentor.

The learning curve is pretty high but because of the support you get you dont feel out of your depth.

Cameron Pemberton, 16, also of Wrexham, is on a four year Higher Apprenticeship. His role involves carrying out durability and chemical tests on all the metals JCB uses in its machines.

He said: I joined straight from school  Ysgol Morgan Llwyd  because I was interested in engineering and wanted to follow a career in that subject.

JCB has a great reputation so when I found out they were inviting people to apply for apprenticeships I jumped at the chance.

I am hoping to work my way up the career ladder and progress to supervisor and manager over the next few years  there is plenty of scope for that progression here.

Tomas Davies, also 16, of Wrexham, finished his schooling at Ysgol Clywedog earlier this year and successfully applied for the three-year Machinist Apprenticeship at JCB Transmissions.

He said: It is such a big company and well-known everywhere that I knew it was the right move to make.

There are plenty of opportunities to have a very successful career here and pick up a very valuable qualification along the way.

The fact I am earning money as well is a major factor. None of my other friends are earning while they are studying, so I am at a real advantage in terms of saving for the future.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford started his career as an engineering apprentice in 1962 before joining JCB in 1964.

He said: Young people are the future of our company and investing in young talent is vital as the company expands. I began my working life as an apprentice and Im delighted to see a record number of apprentices joining JCB this year. Its a fantastic way to learn skills vital to our business, progress to degree-level study and to advance to senior roles in the company.

The 117 apprentices joining JCB are on a range of programmes from Level 2 upwards. The latest recruitment drive has seen a significant increase in the opportunities to develop welding and assembly skills which are essential to the UK manufacturing business.

These options are attractive to new employees entering work from education for the first time, or those from other sectors with work experience who are looking to learn a new trade and apply what they have learnt through their daily work.

The number of opportunities to join the Higher Apprentice programme has also been doubled enabling 20 places to study up to degree level for those who have attained either A-levels or a Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Group Training Director Alan Thomson added: JCB is expanding quickly and launching a range of innovative and exciting new products. We are ambitious to grow the business and the record level of investment in this years Young Talent programme is crucial to our future.
The Cassini spacecraft has been one of the most productive, versatile and inspiring astronomical platforms ever made. Launched on October 15, 1997, this spacecraft, simply by its own exploits, stands as a triumph for a generation of scientists across the globe, and testament to humanitys vast capacity for exploration far beyond Earth. Friday morning, after nearly 20 years of operation, including 13 years in the system of Saturn, its rings, and its icy moons, Cassinis journey ended.

Cassinis demise was as meticulously prepared as its life. As part of the planning for the spacecrafts final mission extension in 2010, its controllers debated what to do when Cassini finally ran out of fuel. Two propellant systems were available to perform maneuvers at Saturn, but the bulk of the steering was accomplished by gently nudging the spacecraft towards various moons. Using minuscule adjustments in position, Cassini used a succession of gravity assists to change its orbit, allowing it to conserve its fuel and last more than three times its initial mission specifications.

But even with careful management, the fuel reserves would eventually be exhausted. Rather than leave an uncontrollable spacecraft in orbit and potentially contaminate one of the nearby moons biologically, it was decided that Cassini would end its mission by performing a risky series of 22 dives into Saturns rings, taking the spacecraft closer to the planet than it had ever been. On its final orbit, Cassini plunged into Saturns atmosphere, taking one last series of atmospheric measurements before becoming a part of the planet it had studied since 2004.

The spacecrafts first major achievement upon reaching Saturn was the successful landing of the Huygens probe onto Saturns largest moon, Titan, the only soft landing ever conducted beyond the inner Solar System. The data provided by Huygens provided humanitys first glimpse into a world shrouded by a dense nitrogen, methane and hydrogen atmosphere.

Titan was also studied extensively in 127 targeted encounters by Cassini, its infrared cameras and radar capable of piercing the thick clouds encircling the moon. The portrait that emerged was incredibly rich: Titan was revealed as the only body in the solar system supporting surface liquid, with active streams, rivers, and lakes punctuating the landscape, some of which have changed over the duration of the mission.

Cassini also discovered geyser-like plumes jetting from the moon Enceladus. Its dust analyzer found these plumes produced salt crystals with an ocean-like composition, suggesting a water origin. The last close flyby, in 2015, was targeted to pass directly through a plume, the risky maneuver that found molecular hydrogen, further evidence of a subsurface ocean with hydrothermal vents potentially capable of supporting life.

The moon Iapetus, known for centuries to have a bright side and a dark side, was imaged in great detail by Cassini. Images showed even the smallest craters puncturing the dark hemisphere, revealing underlying bright ice. Together with Earth-based observations, a consistent picture emerged of Iapetus accumulating spots of dark debris on its leading hemisphere billions of years ago, leading to a feedback mechanism where this darker area warmed and sublimated underlying ice, which accumulated in the now brilliant areas elsewhere on the moon.

Saturns rings, previously studied by the Pioneer and Voyager flybys, proved to have dynamics even richer than expected when imaged constantly over many years. Cassini discovered complex waves rippling through the ring systems and found new shepherding moons responsible for them. The gap in Saturns rings named after Cassinis namesake was found to be littered with mile-sized boulders. A concentration of material in Saturns A ring, which may birth a new moon, was discovered in 2014, and final images of this region were recorded in Cassinis last days.

Cassini even performed myriad experiments on its way to Saturn. It carried out studies of Venus, Earth, the Moon, asteroid 2685 Masursky and Jupiter. When Earth and Cassini were on opposite sides of the Sun, radio waves sent between mission control and the spacecraft were used to test Albert Einsteins general theory of relativity by measuring the effect of the Suns gravity. Cassinis measurements agreed with general relativity to one part in 51,000.

Even with the vast amounts of data collected by Cassini, many questions remain unanswered about Saturn and many new ones were raised by Cassini itself. The elementary length of a day at Saturn, based on rotation of its core, remains inexact. And the age and exact mass of the rings remains undetermined.

The technical challenges posed by an extended mission to Saturn needed 15 years of pre-launch planning and the combined resources of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency, 17 countries and thousands of scientific personnel to solve. Scientists at NASA who have spent their entire working lives on the missionthe initial work began in 1982were visibly emotional on the final day of what one called the perfect spacecraft.

Cassini required mastery of technologies built over many decades to produce electrical power from radioactively-heated thermionic generators, to operate autonomously because of the two-hour delays in round-trip radio communications, to allow recovery, far beyond the reach of direct human intervention, from unexpected spacecraft anomalies, all the while serving as a stable platform from which its suite of complex scientific instruments could be pointed and the data collected relayed back to Earth.

The Huygens lander represented a different set of challenges, not only to survive its high-speed deceleration to a soft landing on Titan, but to do so supported primarily by measurements made by Cassini itself, which had the additional duty of storing and relaying Huygens weak signal to Earth.

Despite Cassinis success, no other major missions to the outer Solar System are being planned, nor are simpler missions to Saturn under active development. Only one other mission with comparable budget, the Mars rover Curiosity, has been launched in the last two decades. Cassini represents the last echoes of an epoch in which flagship-class missions of exploration beyond Mars were funded and launched.

And yet the technology available to enable such missions has vastly improved since Cassini was constructed. Moreover, the spacecraft has shown us just how much there is still to be learned in our stellar neighborhood. Mission concepts for exploration of the ice and potentially even the oceans lying under the surfaces of Saturns Enceladus and Jupiters Europa exist. They await an epoch in which the scientific aspirations of humankind can be fully given the material resources required to realize them.
On September 8, a group of about 60 self-proclaimed progressives led a march to the office of Senator Bernie Sanders in Washington DC. Their mission was to deliver a petition of 50,000 signatures, along with a $162,000 check from donations, to coax the former presidential candidate into forming a new political party. Sanders was made aware of the campaign and the plans to deliver the petition ahead of time, but was not present to receive the plea and ensured that no one in his office was present either. He has not made a comment on the entreaties.

Such was the inauspicious beginning of the Peoples Convergence, organized over the weekend by the founder of the Draft Bernie for a Peoples Party! campaign, Nick Brana.

The event attracted only about 140 registrants, with a few dozen walk-ins who joined throughout the weekend. While ostensibly called to discuss whether progressives should fight to reform the Democratic Party or start a new political party, all those participating shared an orientation to the Democrats, around whom they orbit and to which they look for leadership.

Socialist Alternative, the Green Party, the Progressive Independent Party and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) were all present. Some of the more well-known figures included Socialist Alternative leader Kshama Sawant, celebrity professor and DSA member Cornel West, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, and Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin.

The central political fraudthat the event and those who organized it have any real independence from the Democratic Partywas expressed in the first instance by their desire for the movement they are building to be led by Sanders, who ran for president as a Democrat and has repeatedly insisted on his desire to build support for the Democratic Party.

All the groups present backed Sanders in different ways in 2016, helping Sanders to channel social anger and opposition among millions of workers and youth behind Hillary Clinton, the candidate of Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus. Sanders, while nominally an independent, is now in the leadership of the Democrats Senate caucus.

The political orientation to the Democratic Party was expressed in different forms in the break-out groups.

In Back from the Brink: Stopping the War Machine, not a single speaker mentioned the capitalist system, nor did any speaker provide an explanation for what drives US imperialism. Panelist Medea Benjamin, founder of Code Pink, spoke mainly about the conflict in Korea and put forward her thesis that it is going to be women that pull us out of this disaster.

The discussion revolved around unifying various so-called "antiwar" coalitions, all of which are organized around the Democratic Party and have supported the CIA-backed war for regime-change in Syria. When an audience member asked how a movement shamelessly begging for a leader who enthusiastically supported the Obama administrations foreign policy, including the Iraq-Syria war, who has supported countless US interventions and ultimately endorsed war criminal Hillary Clinton for president, plans to be anti-imperialist, the panelists had no answer.

In the session Independent Politics & Left Coalition Parties, all seven panelists agreed that the real fight was to get the right people into office who will do work on our behalf, as Green Party representative Darryl Moch put it. The unseriousness of this panel was best expressed by the speaker representing the Peoples Party of South Carolina, who stated that a new political party cant be a political party about policies. It has to be fun... and about what is realistic on the ground.

Racialist politics predominated. The events surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline and the poisoning of the water in Flint, Michigan were lumped together and blamed on institutional racism, rather than the capitalist system. Several panelists lamented their own white privilege, with Araquel Bloss of the Progressive Independent Party noting that it is a painful process to acknowledge the shame.

In Rebuilding the Labor Movement, panelists discussed revitalizing the anti-working class trade unions. Dan La Botz, co-founder of Teamsters for a Democratic Union, longtime member of Solidarity and newly declared member of the DSA, complained about how Trump had divided the labor movement. He essentially blamed workers for the fact that a section of the unions supported Trump because he spoke to their industry, while only a small number of unions supported Sanders.

The unions, La Botz claimed, will be driven forward by a big upsurge of workers. In fact, the unions have been doing everything they can for decades to suppress opposition and, when it breaks out, to isolate, contain and crush it.

The culmination of the Convergence was a Draft Bernie Town hall event on Saturday night, featuring Cornel West, Kshama Sawant, comedian Jimmy Dore and Draft Bernie founder Nick Brana.

West asserted that dear brother Bernie should be held accountable and complained that he did not have anyone at his office to receive the signatures from the draft Bernie movement. He said that whether or not Sanders chose to lead the movement, it was necessary to form a solidarity of different groups based on integrity, honesty and decency to form a Third Party, though he said nothing about the program upon which the party should be based.

The panelists offered, at best, perfunctory criticisms of the corporate wing of the Democratic Party, while in the same breath concluding that they would continue to pressure the Democrats, if not work directly with them. Sawant, who is herself enmeshed in Democratic Party politics in Seattle, Washington, complained that the election would have produced a different outcome if Bernie had run all the way to the general election as Socialist Alternative had called for.

During the 2016 elections, Socialist Alternative was the most enthusiastic supporter of Sanders Democratic Party primary campaign, forming #Movement4Bernie. In the panel discussion, Sawant called for a party that is free from dependence on corporate money, claiming that Sanders showed on a very grand scale... that you can run successful campaigns, fight for working people without taking corporate cash.

Millions of people are not ready yet in a very clear manner to build a new party, Sawant warned. They still want to test out the Democratic Party. We cannot isolate ourselves from all those who support the Democratic Party, and must meet them where they are. This sophistry was aimed at justifying Socialist Alternatives political support for the Democratic Party.

In response to an audience member who pointed to the role Socialist Alternative has played in promoting illusions in the Democrats, Sawant argued, This is not about can we can attain in our abstract ideas the ultimate moral purity, but its a question of how we can actually organize the millions of Americans who are seething with anger. Sawants conclusion? To organize these millions, it is necessary to work with sections of the Democratic Party.

Brana let the cat out of the bag when he said that what our movement is lacking, making it possible for the Democratic Party to dismiss us, is because we lack leverage. He added, The case that we have made with Draft Bernie... is that the best way to reform the Democratic Party, if you believe that is possible, is to start a new partya remark that produced applause from all the panelists.

The political character of the event reflected the social forces for which the groups that organized it speak. They represent sections of the upper-middle class that are seeking, on the one hand, to advance their own particular interests and achieve a greater distribution of wealth within the top 10 percent, and, on the other hand, to block any independent movement of the working class. Their aim is not to organize the growing opposition of workers and youth, but to subordinate this opposition to the political establishment and the capitalist system.

The Sanders campaign was a mechanism for doing this. The forces at the "People's Convergence" conference are now casting about for a new mechanism, whatever particular form it might take.
After a one-day protest strike Tuesday against French President Emmanuel Macrons decrees aiming to destroy the Labour Code, truckers have announced that they will take strike action. However, the government has announced that it will not back down on the labour decrees that it has negotiated with the trade unions and business groups. It is insisting that the decrees will go into effect at the end of September.

The decrees aim to increase French companies global competitiveness by giving them more flexibility to hire and fire, tear up and rewrite contracts, cut wages, and attack social benefits.

On Wednesday, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) and Workers Force (FO) unions called for extendable strike action starting on September 25 to demand the retraction of the decrees. The transport federations of the French Democratic Labour Confederation (CFDT) and the French Christian Workers Confederation (CFTC), who refused to join the CGT protest strike on Tuesday, called a strike for September 18.

Jerome Verite, the general secretary of the CGT transport federation, declared, that of course, fuel depots in France would be a target. This will be a strike that will have very concrete impacts on the French economy, he said. Patrice Clos of FO said there would be strong and powerful actions.

In a communique, the CFDT asked workers to make their anger known against the social typhoon that the decrees will cause in the transport industry.

The government is promising, however, not to give an inch on the decrees and is insisting that demonstrations are not supposed to modify the content of the decrees. After the first day of action on Tuesday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe warned that strike action would have no impact on the policy his government would adopt.

He said, I respect opposition, it exists, it is there, I am listening to it. However, he stressed that he had no intention of giving in to opposition to his unpopular measures, asking, Where will democracy be if the parliamentary majority is systematically put in question?

In fact, it is the government that is trying to trample democracy underfoot. After record abstention in the second round of the legislative elections, Macrons parliamentary majority was in fact elected by a minority of Frances registered voters. Now that Macron is trying to destroy the social rights of the working class, 68 percent of the French population oppose his decrees, and 55 percent of the population supports strikes against this policy, whereas Macrons approval ratings have collapsed down to only 30 percent.

Philippes intransigence underscores that workers cannot obtain a victory in this struggle under the leadership of the trade union bureaucracies. They have negotiated the labour law with Macron and will not carry out any serious struggle against it. The unions and their petty-bourgeois political allies, Jean-Luc Melenchon of Unsubmissive France (LFT) and the New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA), are hostile to the revolutionary mobilisation of the working class that is the only way to stop the austerity offensive of Macron and the European Union (EU).

Now, Macron intends if needed to use all the repressive powers granted to him by Frances reactionary state of emergency against the workers, to ram through his decrees.

The political lessons of previous strike struggles against government austerity measures must be drawn. Even when truckers and refinery workers mobilised in powerful strikes in 2010 and 2016, the trade unions isolated them, and the conservative and Socialist Party (PS) government sent riot police to requisition the workers and break the strike.

In 2016, after four years during which they mounted no opposition to PS President Francois Hollandes attacks on the working class, the trade unions were forced to call strikes to avoid the eruption of wildcat strikes and protests by workers and youth hostile to the labour law of the PS. But the PS managed to ram the labour law through by mobilising the police-state apparatus under the terms of the state of emergency to crush the strikes and to assault protest marches.

The actions carried out by the unions and their political allies simply aim to avoid being outflanked on their left by rising social anger in the working class against Macron. The unionswhich are petty-bourgeois bureaucracies without a mass membership base, financed to the tune of 95 percent of their 4 billion yearly budget by the state and the employersneither have the ability nor the intention to lead a determined opposition to Macrons attacks.

In fact, Macrons decrees, which aim to grant the unions a union check financed by the employers and pay out subsidies to the unions to train union officials, give the unions a major role in legally approving new contracts cutting their members working conditions and violating the Labour Code. This is because the government is confident that they are trusted tools of the state machine against the interests of the working class.

After the truckers strike was announced, government spokesman Christophe Castaner warned Thursday that, as in 2010 and 2016, the government will move rapidly to forcibly reopen fuel depots if they were blocked by strike action.

The principle of taking strike action is fair, but the principle of holding France hostage cannot be so, Castaner said on France Info. And so we cannot imagine that a few dozen or a few hundred people could hold up traffic in our country.

Without stating explicitly that he planned to mobilise the police forces, Castaner stressed that the government would crush blockades of the fuel depots, stating that it will be necessary because one cannot paralyze France, one cannot prevent people from going to work.

Castaners comment is a warning to workers entering into struggle against Macrons government and facing the state of emergency, which Macron intends to make permanent by writing its main provisions into common law. To block the rise of a police state in France imposing a historic regression in social conditions via an authoritarian crackdown, workers must organise independently of the trade unions and in opposition to the pseudo-left parties close to the PS, that first introduced the labour law last year.

The working class must build new organisations of struggle to replace the empty shells of the trade unions, and above all, a new political leadership to mobilise political opposition to social cuts, and unify workers across Europe in a struggle against austerity and militarism. This is the task that the Parti de legalite socialiste (PES), the French section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, sets itself.

The PES insists that the confrontation with Macron cannot be waged as a trade union struggle, but as an international, revolutionary struggle for socialism and to defend all the social rights that workers won in Europe during the 20th century, which are now under threat. In this struggle, the natural allies of workers in France are the workers of the rest of Europe and the world, fighting militarism and the rising danger of police-state rule.
Nearly a week after Hurricane Irma, the most powerful storm ever recorded in the Atlantic, ravaged through Florida, the impact of the storms devastation continues to unfold as residents experience limited recovery.

Recovery has been sluggish due to the fact that many areas are still flooded and millions remain without power. According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, approximately 1.9 million households in Florida were still without power as of Friday morning. Officials warned that areas in southwest and southern Florida will not have power restored until later next week.

In Highlands County in south Florida, an area with a 19.4 percent poverty rate, nearly three-quarters of residents were still without power Friday. Residents had to wait in long lines to buy generators from a local Lowes store, as power could continue to be out until next week.

In an interview with CNN, Jessica Gonzalez, a resident of the city of LaBelle, in Hendry County, 30 miles east of Fort Myers, recounted her experience with the storm and its aftermath.

I honestly didnt think it would be that bad. You hear a lot its Category 5, but you really dont think its going to hit your house, Gonzalez said.

Her home was damaged by the storm and was still without power. Because the heat inside their home is so unbearable, Gonzalez cooks outside and sleeps in her car with her husband and two-year-old daughter.

Another report came from Bob and Tara Hahn, residents of the same neighborhood in LaBelle.

During the storm, a large tree smashed into their home, sending heavy rains pouring inside. Waiting for power to return, the couple was forced to move their 10 children into their eldest daughters two-bedroom house. As they wait, 17 people are living under one roof.

For days, millions across Florida have dealt with sweltering temperatures and humidity without air conditioning. Meteorologists forecast temperatures to fluctuate around 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the next few days.

According to Florida Power & Light (FPL), people on the west coast are expected to have power again on September 22. Without electricity, the humid climate will present unbearable situations for residents across the state.

Conditions like these and criminal negligence on the part of FPL and the state were responsible for the deaths of eight elderly residents of the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, a nursing home in Hollywood, Florida, north of Miami.

With FPL slow to fix a damaged power transformer, residents were subject to dangerous temperatures without air conditioning, even as the hospital across the street, Memorial Regional Hospital, maintained power throughout the storm and in its aftermath.

According to a time line released by the nursing home on Friday, repeated calls were made by staff to FPL and state officials requesting assistance in restoring power and air conditioning. The power outage was reported by staff on Monday and Tuesday without anyone being sent from FPL. Three messages were also left with a hotline promoted by Florida governor Rick Scott.

Another eight calls were made by nursing home staff over the two days to the Florida Department of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Health and Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, but no immediate action was taken.

Utility workers from FPL only showed up to fix the transformer on Wednesday after residents had been found dead in their rooms, overwhelmed by the suffocating heat and humidity. Broward County had not designated nursing homes as critical infrastructure facilities, meaning that they were not high priority for the utility company after the storm.

FPL spokesman Peter Robbins continued the companys efforts to shift the blame onto the nursing home workers, telling the Sun Sentinel on Friday, What we know now is that a portion of the facility did, in fact, have power, that there was a hospital with power across the parking lot from this facility and that the nursing home was required to have a permanently installed, operational generator.

It is still not clear why the staff did not evacuate residents from the facility when it became clear that conditions had become intolerable.

At least 27 more deaths have been reported across the state, many of them due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Desperate to have power again, people buy generators and run them inside of their own homes. Unaware of the dangers of carbon monoxide, those within are at extreme risk of serious illness or death.

In Orange County, sheriffs deputies found two teenagers and a woman, Jan Lebron Diaz, 13, Kiara Lebron Diaz, 16 and Desiree Diaz Molina, 34, dead, while four others were taken to a hospital to treat carbon monoxide poisoning.

Further south, residents of the Florida Keys continue to express frustration as they are still denied access to the Lower Keys.

An overwhelming 90 percent of homes were either damaged or destroyed when Irma made landfall over the Keys on Sunday. The US Department of Defense estimates that as many as 10,000 people remained on the low-lying islands as they were whipped by high winds and overwhelmed by storm surge.

Monroe County Commissioner Heather Carruthers asked residents for patience Thursday, citing the high number of power outages. If folks dont have power to boil water or dont have fuel to boil water, were really concerned about health, which is part of why were not inviting everyone back yet to parts of the Keys, she said.

Meanwhile in the Caribbean, the island of Barbuda was completely wiped out by Hurricane Irma when the storm hit last weekend. The island, which had a population of nearly 1,800, was completely evacuated, and at least 95 percent of structures on the small island were destroyed.

Residents have been moved into cramped government buildings and nursing homes, which are serving as shelters on the neighboring island of Antigua.

The damage is complete, Antigua and Barbudas Ambassador to the US, Ronald Sanders, told USA Today. For the first time in 300 years, theres not a single living person on the island of Barbudaa civilization that has existed on that island for over 300 years has now been extinguished.
The explosion of a suspected homemade bomb on a packed Underground commuter train in southwest London Friday morning has become the occasion for a massive police and intelligence operation.

Before anything about the origins of the attack aboard a train at Parsons Green station had officially been made public, the government called a meeting of its COBRA emergency committee. The meeting was convened in the afternoon amid speculation that the UKs terrorism threat level could be raised from severe to criticalthe highest level. Late Friday evening, Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May announced in a televised statement that the threat level was being raised to critical for an undefined period.

She stated, For this period, military personnel will replace police officers on guard duties at certain protected sites that are not accessible to the public, adding, The public will see more armed police on the transport network and on our streets Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said this would free up 1,000 armed police officers for use on the streets.

Earlier, May seized the opportunity to push for more surveillance powers, declaring, [W]e are looking very carefully at the powers that our police and security service have to make sure they have the powers they need, while working with the Internet companies.

She also announced a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to talk about what more we can be doing to ensure that we deal with the terrorist propaganda, with the extremist propaganda, with the hatred that is put out across the Internet.

During the evening, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack via its news agency.

The rush hour attack appears to have been deliberate and indiscriminate. Passengers close by reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a wall of flame coming down the train. A number of people suffered burns, while others were injured in the panicked rush that followed the explosion, as commuters scrambled to exit the station.

The London Ambulance Service reported that 29 people were taken to hospital, mostly with flash burns. As of early Friday evening, 21 were still receiving treatment at Imperial, Chelsea and Westminster, and St Georges hospitals.

One passenger spoke of a seeing a burning white builders bucket in a supermarket bag, with a lot of wires hanging out of it. Images and videos circulating on social media appeared to confirm this.

The Daily Mail and other sources said the wires appeared to be fairy lights, which have been used in homemade explosive devices in the past. It appears that the bucket bomb device did not explode as intended. Later reports stated the device had a timer of some sort, and a circuit board was recovered from the scene.

Another eyewitness heard a large bang on the other side of the tube train, then a really hot, intense fireball flew above his head, singeing his hair. He saw people with facial burns.

Another told the Guardian: Suddenly there was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming. He continued, I saw crying women, there was lots of shouting and screaming, there was a bit of a crush on the stairs going down to the streets. Some people got pushed over and trampled on.

A woman, Emma Stevie, who was on the train when the explosion happened, described being caught in a human stampede as people tried to escape from the train. I wedged myself in next to a railing, I put myself in the fetal position. There was a pregnant woman underneath me, and I was trying really hard not to crush her. I saw a poor little boy with a smashed-in head and other injuries. It was horrible.

Transport services were badly disrupted. Train service on the District Line, which crosses the entire width of London, was suspended between Wimbledon and Edgware Road stations. The entire line was subsequently shut down. Roads around Parsons Green station were closed, and bus routes terminated.

Police immediately launched a major operation with a huge manhunt. The incident, initially handled by the British Transport Police, was handed over to the Metropolitan Polices SO15 anti-terror unit and declared to be terrorist-related. Police, including heavily armed and protected Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers, were deployed on the streets, a cordon was thrown up around the area, and houses and flats near the station were evacuated by the police. Helicopters circled overhead.

Shortly before midday, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley announced that hundreds of detectives were involved looking at CCTV, forensics work and speaking to witnesses. Rowley reported that the security service MI5 and the GCHQ spy network were bringing their intelligence expertise to bear on the case.

The Guardian reported Friday evening that the police have obtained CCTV images that capture the bomber as he boarded the train with the bomb.

As with all such outrages, there is no reason to assume that the attack comes as a surprise to the British intelligence agencies.

An indication that the security services know more about whoever carried out the attack than they are letting on came in the form of a tweet put out by US President Donald Trump, who called the perpetrators sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!

Asked about Trumps tweet, Prime Minister May rebuked the US president, saying, I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation. The Metropolitan Police described Trumps comment as pure speculation.

The truth is that over the past decade, most terror attacks in Britain and Europe have been carried out by individuals, often radicalised Islamists, who were known to the state, had been monitored for years, and whose associations were of direct use to the major powers in their neo-colonial wars in Africa and the Middle East.

Similar statements were made by May and the British police after the May 22 Manchester Arena suicide bombing attack in which 22 people died. This was in response to US intelligences sources revealing, within hours, the identity of the bomber, Salman Abedi, and the fact that he was well known to British intelligence.

It is now established fact that that Abedi did not act alone, but was part of wider network that had been monitored and allowed to operate by British intelligence for years.

Similarly, the June 3 attack on London Bridge and Borough Market, which killed eight people and injured 48, was perpetrated by three individuals all of whom were well known to the intelligence services and police.

This is the fourth time that the threat level has been placed at "critical" in the past 11 years. The last occasion was following Manchester attack, amid official warnings that another assault was imminent. Nearly 1,000 armed troops were mobilised and put onto the streets, mainly in London, to reinforce counterterrorism officers.

The June deployment was in line with Operation Temperer, a covert plan devised by David Camerons Conservative government, when May was home secretary.

Temperer followed a series of terror attacks in France by known intelligence assets and informers in 2015. These were seized on by the French state to implement Operation Sentinelle, which deployed 10,000 troops and imposed emergency powers allowing indiscriminate searches and arrests without judicial consent and increased surveillance. Presented as anti-terror measures, the emergency powers are still in effect two years later, to be used against social opposition in the working class.

Temperer was accidentally made public when minutes associated with it were uploaded to the National Police Chiefs Council website earlier this year. The minutes revealed plans for up to 5,100 troops to be placed on the streets to augment armed police officers engaged in protective security duties.

The Daily Mail noted that Temperer could be triggered by the COBRA committee following terrorist attacks, and that the military top brass recognised that the Army played an important part in national resilience and supported the work going forward.

National resilience could mean almost anything, and makes clear that Temperer is in place to back up the police with the army as and when required. Temperer was kept secret at the time because, according to the Daily Telegraph, then-Prime Minister David Cameron was concerned that comparisons would be made with British Army operations in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the decades-long dirty war against Irish republicans.
Protests erupted in St. Louis, Missouri on Friday after a police officer was acquitted of first degree murder and armed criminal action in the killing of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. The St. Louis Police officer, Jason Stockley, fatally shot Smith in December 2011 after a three-mile police chase. The officer fired seven bullets at point-blank range into Smith, an African-American, while the victim was seated in his car.

Not only was the police execution caught on a cell phone video, recordings also showed Stockley going into his police car to get a gun, which he then planted in the car of the dead victim. Even more damning, the police car dashcam recorded Stockley saying to his partner in advance of the shooting, Were killing this motherfucker, dont you know.

The verdict handed down by Missouri Circuit Court Judge Timothy Wilson, a cruel mockery of justice, drew a crowd of nearly 500 protesters Friday afternoon. Protests continued into the evening.

Videos and photos of the scene show hundreds of police officers dressed in riot gear and armed with military-grade weaponry, standing off against the protesters. In one video, a group of officers violently pull an unarmed young man off of his bicycle. His body is then swallowed up by a crowd of policemen. When his bike emerges from the huddle, an officer launches it into the crowd in an attempt to hit other protesters.

As of this writing, the police had arrested 13 people. The St. Louis Police Department tweeted just after 6:30 pm that the protests were no longer considered peaceful and claimed that demonstrators were ignoring commands to leave the streets, making them subject to arrest. Police also tweeted that rocks and water bottles had been thrown at officers throughout the day and officers showed great restraint. That restraint included the use of mace against the overwhelmingly peaceful demonstrators.

State and local authorities had anticipated angry protests over the expected exoneration of the killer cop. Officials spent the past week preparing to impose a virtual lockdown on the city. Governor Eric Greitens, a Republican, activated the states National Guard on Thursday, while the Democratic mayor, Lyda Krewson, reinforced the police and warned the populace that disturbances would not be tolerated. Businesses in the downtown area shut down and many high schools and middle schools were closed.

Despite the blatant character of the murder, no charges were filed by the state against the assailant, Officer Stockley, for nearly five years. The Obama administration, for its part, helped set the stage for the ultimate whitewash by refusing to file federal civil rights charges against the cop. Meanwhile, the city agreed to a settlement with the Smith family in 2013, paying out $900,000.

When new incriminating evidence emerged, the state felt obliged to file criminal charges against Stockley in the spring of 2016. The accused cop waived his right to a jury trial, opting instead for a ruling from Judge Wilson.

St. Louis is only a 20-minute drive from the suburb of Ferguson, Missouri, where large protests erupted over the police murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown in August of 2014. Then-Governor Jay Nixon, a Democrat, called out the National Guard to supplement local riot police, who used military weapons, including machine-gun mounted armored vehicles, to attack the demonstrators and threaten reporters and photographers. Obama dispatched his attorney general, Eric Holder, to contain and dissipate the protests, in large part by defining the issue of police violence entirely in racial rather than class terms.

In the end, a grand jury refused to indict the police killer of Michael Brown and Holder declined to file federal charges against the officer.

With these events in mind, some protesters in St. Louis on Friday wore masks to protect themselves from tear gas and held up a banner reading, Welcome back National Guard, signed unarmed citizens.

Stockleys acquittal comes as no surprise. He is only the latest in a long list of killer cops who have been given immunity by the state to terrorize the poor and working class. Not a single police officer was held responsible under the Obama administration for crimes such as the shooting of Michael Brown, the fatal choking of Eric Garner in New York and the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. (On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced that it would not pursue federal charges in Grays 2015 killing). Police killings in the US continued to rise, reaching more than 1,000 a year.

The Trump administration, in openly sanctioning police violence and spewing law-and-order demagogy, is pursuing in a more naked manner the pro-police policy of Obama and the Democrats.

The details of the killing of Anthony Smith underscore the fraudulent character, from a legal standpoint, of Judge Wilsons exoneration of Stockley. The incident began as a police stop for an alleged drug sale, a charge that was never proven. Forty seconds after Stockley told his partner that he planned to kill Smith, the officer fired the first of the seven shots into Smiths body. An FBI firearms analyst testified at the trial that one shot was discharged from six inches away. In his testimony at the trial, Stockley said he had no recollection of making the incriminating statement that was recorded on the police dashcam.

In his verdict, Judge Wilson defended Stockleys testimony with the absurdity that People say all kinds of things in the heat of the moment or while in stressful situations.

The trial revealed that Stockley was carrying, in addition to his police issue pistol, his personal AK-47 gun, a violation of St. Louis Police Department policy.

Evidence presented at the trial showed that Smiths DNA was not found on the gun he was supposedly carrying when he was killed, while Stockleys DNA was found on the weapon. Against this and other evidence pointing to Stockley having planted the gun to give himself an alibi, Wilson wrote in his verdict that based on his nearly 30 years on the bench, an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly. This claim is made without any proof that the victim was a heroin dealer.

One can only imagine how differently the judges verdict would read if the roles were reversed, and the victim, a 24-year-old worker, were the shooter, and the cop the victim!

The epidemic of police murders is a symptom of a deeply dysfunctional society in which the ruling class operates with increasing violence both at home and abroad. The political system is incapable of addressing any of the grievances of the vast majority of the population and compelled to resort ever more openly to state repression.
The Joint Action Committee of the Government Teachers and Government Employees Organisations (JACTO-GEO) capitulated to a Tamil Nadu high court directive yesterday and shut down strike action and protests by 33,000 teachers and other state employees.

The indefinite state-wide strike began on Monday in defiance of a previous court order. The walkout was over long-outstanding demands for the abolition of a regressive pension scheme imposed on all employees who joined the public service after April 2003. Workers want the previous government-guaranteed pension scheme restored.

The strikers were also demanding the removal of pay scale anomalies, a 20 percent interim pay rise and an end to the existing contract employment system. The JACTO-GEO is an alliance of over 100 public sector employee and teacher unions.

The walkout is an indication of the growing determination of Indian workers to push back against the escalating social assaults by the Bharatiya Janatha Party-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadus All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) administration and other state governments.

Yesterdays High Court hearing was in response to a so-called Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and a previous court ruling banning the strike. JACTO-GEO office bearers asked to be allowed to convene a meeting of the general membership body and return to work on Monday. This plea was rejected by the high court judges who declared: When the court has stayed the strike, there is no question of getting the permission of the general body to withdraw the strike.

According to media reports, the court cited a previous Supreme Court ruling, which asserted that government employees have no right to go on strike. This was a reference to an Indian Supreme Court ruling in 2003 which endorsed the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayarams sacking of 200,000 striking government workers under the Essential Services Act.

The Stalinist Communist Party (Marxist-CPM)-led left front of trade unions previously called for the overturn of this reactionary ruling, making it one of the demands in the one-day Indian general strike in 2005. It diverted the sacked employees into various futile legal appeals. This time not one trade union, nor any of Indias Stalinist parties, challenged yesterdays ruling, let alone mobilised workers in Tamil Nadu or anywhere else to fight it.

The High Courts attack on the democratic rights of Tamil Nadu teachers and government workers signifies an intensification of the ruling class onslaught on all Indian workers.

The Modi government has set in motion a far-reaching assault on the basic rights and living conditions of workers and the poor. This includes job destruction and the privatisation of state-owned enterprises, as well as cuts in a range of subsidies to small farmers and traders.

Tamil Nadus AIADMK government began attacking strikers as soon as the walkout began. On Wednesday alone, more than 5,000 workers were arrested for picketing government offices. While they were released that evening, arrests continued until yesterday.

JACTO-GEO officials attempted to save face by claiming that they were temporarily ending the strike. This claim is bogus. The JACTO-GEO and its affiliates have repeatedly postponed government workers strikes and watered down members demands.

In February last year, government workers walked out for 10 days over the same issues. The unions called off the strike, without winning a single one of their 20-point charter of demands, after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa declared she would consider the claims. This August, the unions called limited protests claiming these would pressure the government to grant their demands.

The main union federations in the JACTTO-GEO are the All India Trade Union Centre (AITUC), the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) affiliated union.

The AITUC and the CITU are controlled by the Stalinist parliamentary partiesthe Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist. These formations played a major role in betraying the 10-day Tamil Nadu state workers strike in February 2017 (see: Unions call off Tamil Nadu government workers strike).

The CPI and CPM oppose any independent mobilisation of the working class and consistently defend Indian capitalism, backing Congress party governments, central and state, and the regional capitalist parties. In the 2011 Tamil Nadu state elections, they supported the AIADMK.

Striking government workers spoke to World Socialist Web Site reporters this week about the conditions they face and their determination to fight.

Lalith, a teacher, said: We dont agree with the contributory pension scheme that has been imposed on workers who joined the service in 2003. We are also demanding that temporary workers be made permanent.

Ive been a teacher for 12 years and come under this new pension scheme. My salary is about 45,000 rupees [$US700] per month but because of the increasing cost of essential commodities, it is not enough to live a decent life. The general sales tax [GST] introduced by the central government has meant that the price of essentials has risen even further. The cost of diesel petrol is increasing daily.

Some contract teachers, he said, were only receiving 7,00010,000 rupees per month. He commented: In the villages, nutritious food distribution workers and elementary school teachers get very low salaries.

Pandiththurai, a welfare department worker, said: Ive been working for one year and my salary is just 16,000 rupees, which is not enough for me and my family. I work in Chennai and send 8,000 rupees to my family. There are five family members in my home and they depend on my earnings. If Id been farming in my village I would have earned the same amount, but I took the government job in the belief that my salary would gradually increase.

Krishnamurthi told the WSWS, "They are fighting for genuine demands. Nobody can stop their struggle. How can the court ban the strike without hearing the demands of government employees and teachers? The Madurai court should reconsider its decision.

Why has the 53-year-old pension scheme been abolished and a new pension scheme implemented? he asked. Senior officers and security personnel receive government-paid pension benefits, he added. People in the military work for 17 to 20 years and get a pension, but government employees have to work up to 30 years to get pensions. Is this correct?
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Authorities are offering a reward of up to $8,000 for information about 35 firearms stolen from a Florida store during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

Thieves hit Volusia Gold & Diamond between sometime early in the morning of Sept. 11 and took the weapons.

Daytona Beach police told local news outlets that numerous pieces of jewelry were also taken from the store.

No further details were immediately available.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - Boaters are encouraged to avoid waters around Key West, as the Port of Key West will remain closed for the weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Friday.

Due to unsafe infrastructure and debris in the water, the Coast Guard warned that safe navigation around the Keys can't be ensured at this time.

Hurricane Irma slammed into the Keys on Sunday before traveling up the state.

Vessel operators not abiding by safe boating regulations may endanger themselves or the people around them and may ultimately hamper any ongoing relief efforts in the area, Cmdr. Lexia Littlejohn, a deputy incident commander for the Coast Guard, said in a prepared statement.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - In Tallahassee, Florida State students came together on their day off to show some love and support to fellow Floridians impacted by Hurricane Irma.

Thousands of bags and to the average eye they're grocery bags, but these are anything but.

Hundreds of students gave up a day off to give back to their fellow Floridians who weren't as lucky as they were after Hurricane Irma.

"A majority of my family is in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale area," said Luc Poliard, a senior at FSU. "Currently, my parents are still without power, so definitely, this is really why I was here to try to come and help out."

About 250 students showed up Friday morning and within a couple of hours made 5,000 food care packages and 2,000 toiletry packages to send to some of the hardest hit counties. For some students, this was important to do.

"It shows the people that we are helping out that someone out there cares," said Rhyse Boeneke, also a senior. "We're taking the time to actually package these things rather than just a bulk order or a money shipment. I think it's the thought that counts and hopefully that's what we did here this morning."

The student's hard work is already on the way to Tampa.

From there, it'll be distributed to communities further south such as Broward, Lee, and Pinellas counties.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Now that Hurricane Irma is behind us, the American Red Cross is looking ahead to the next steps after the storm.

WTXL ABC 27's Christine Souders sat down with the executive director of the Capital Area Chapter and has this report.
TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- In the last 30 days, the nation has experienced two destructive and powerful hurricanes. With the active storm system leaving plenty of destruction behind, there's no doubt that interest has been sparked in future meteorologists.

As ironic as it may be, these major weather events inspire a future crop of scientists who want to learn about what causes storms and how to keep people safe.

The weather is the one thing that affects everyone, and has the ability to cancel plans, from raining out events or just making it too hot.

"We always experience the weather," says Dr. Henry Fuelberg, a meteorology professor at FSU. "It's not a 'sometimes' thing. Most days, it's tranquil and we're concerned 'is it going to be hot or is it going to be cold, or are we going to have rain?'"

For most meteorologists, that interest is different. The passion runs deeper and the interest? Well, it's sparked at a younger age

"When I was in second grade, Hurricane Ivan made landfall over in the Pensacola/Mobile area," explains Margaret Hollis, a junior meteorology student at FSU. "It was a large enough storm that we were seeing a lot of tornadoes even here in Tallahassee."

Many meteorologists find their interest as a kid, but some, like Tevin Wooten, see that interest spark later in life.

"Probably my junior or senior year in college the first time around. This is actually my second time getting a degree," says Tevin Wooten, a senior meteorology student at FSU. "Being from Arkansas, we didn't have a meteorology program, so I finished my journalism degree, worked a little bit and curated my my interest in meteorology through really my dad."

Dr. Fuelberg continues, "I think just about everybody in meteorology at some time or another, perhaps many times, they are excited about their field and what they see happening in the atmosphere.

No matter the age a meteorologist got started or how long they'll continue to pursue their passion, that interest will always be pulsing through their veins.

Dr. Fuelberg and other meteorology professors notice a spike in interest with each notable weather event. We'll have to wait a few years to see how many today's children who experienced hurricanes Harvey and Irma will become tomorrow's meteorologists.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Talquin Electric has worked hard to restore power across the Big Bend, however, many in South Florida are still in the dark.

That is why they are sending dozens of crews to help bring light back to all of Florida. Their goal is to assist other cooperations who are in need of outside help.

After Irma, crews were sent to the Big Bend from other states to help restore power efficiently. Talquin is continuing the group effort by sending their workers down south to ensure the state gets power back

"We assist when we are asked and we are glad to do so. It is an honor for us to go out and assist other cooperatives," said Maicel Green, the Media & External Affairs Coordinator for Talquin Electric Cooperative. "We are across the nation actually."

Talquin officials say once crews are done in Ocala, they will travel further south to continue efforts to restore power.
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Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to $600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts.

These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem.
The High Court of Justice ruled Tuesday against the Chief Rabbinate's monopoly on kashrut licensing.

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Previously, Israeli law only recognized establishments holding certification from the Chief Rabbinate as being kosher, and therefore, permitted to advertise as such. Restaurants that lacked a Rabbinate-issued certificate were prohibited from advertising their food as "kosher," or from using "kosher-related" words like "supervision" or "Jewish law."

As a result, businesses holding "alternate" kashrut certifications issued by ultra-Orthodox or non-Orthodox groups were forced to obtain secondary certification from the Rabbinate, often at great expense.



A Sign directing to Jerusalem's first Kosher McDonald's (Photo: Andrew McIntire/TPS)

The ruling opens the door, for instance, to business owners who open their restaurants on Shabbat being able to describe for customers the religious standards of the establishment. On the other hand, restaurateurs that employ "alternative" oversight authorities will not be permitted to post "kosher" certificates; rather, they will be limited to listing details about the supervision and the standards of Jewish law that are observed on the premises.

"I cannot accept the notion that there are only two categories for restaurants  'kosher' for restaurants displaying a Rabbinate-issued certificate, and 'non-kosher,' meaning any other establishment, regardless of the nature of the food being served," said outgoing Chief Justice Miriam Naor.

Non-Orthodox and civil rights groups were quick to praise the decision.

"The High Court of Justice's ruling is precedent-setting and means that businesses are finally permitted to present themselves as adhering to the rules of kashrut when they are supervised by an organization other than the Chief Rabbinate," said Riki Shapira Rosenberg, the lead attorney for the Israel Religious Action Center's (IRAC), who brought the petition on behalf of two Jerusalem restaurant owners demanding alternative Kashrut supervision.

"This is an important step in achieving freedom of religion in Israel and recognizing the autonomy of every citizen to decide what is legitimate according to their own religious conscience."

A kosher certificate

Restaurant owners also praised the ruling, calling it a step towards fixing a "broken" system.

"We've had a Rabbinate certificate for four years, and we've had many issues with them. I felt like the system was broken", says Gabriel Piamenta, owner of Halitatea, a tea house and restaurant in downtown Jerusalem.

"Sometimes, inspectors would ask to be paid off the books; other times they would disappear for entire weeks. The last straw was when, after we moved to a bigger location and I brought another partner into the business, the Rabbinate started charging a higher fee for the certificate because my new partner's family came from Russia and they questioned how Jewish he was."

Following the incident, Piamenta wrote a post on Facebook asking his customers what they thought about the situation regarding the Rabbinate. Ultimately, encouraged by their clientele, they decided to employ "Hashgacha Pratit," a growing oversight group that currently certifies some 50 restaurants who observe the kosher laws, but do not wish to deal with the rabbinate.

Chief Rabbinate kashrut inspector

The movement, headed by Rabbi Aharon Leibowitz, says their kashrut model is based on trust between a business and the community around it. Businesses are overseen by inspectors, but they maintain no affiliation with the Rabbinate.

"We actually pay more money for the alternative certification than we did for the Rabbinate certification, but I feel like we are getting a much better product for our money" says Piamenta.

Mara Vigevani and Andrew Friedman contributed to writing this article.
BEIRUT - US-backed militias said they came under attack on Saturday from Russian jets and Syrian government forces in Syria's Deir ez-Zor border province, a focus of an increasingly complex conflict.

The strikes wounded six fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the alliance of mostly Kurdish and Arab militias fighting alongside a US-led military coalition.

"Our forces east of the Euphrates were hit with an attack from the Russian aircraft and Syrian regime forces, targeting our units in the industrial zone," the SDF said in a statement.

Such attacks "waste energies that should be used against terrorism, threaten the security of the region, and open the door to side conflicts," it said.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government or from Moscow.
A drunk man attacked an ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman and her adult daughter at a subway station in Queens earlier this week, thinking they were Muslim, according to the New York Daily News.

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The suspect, 40-year-old Dimitrious Zias, accosted the two Jewish women on Wednesday at around 2pm, yelling at them: "Get out of my country, you dirty Muslim!"

While the mother, 57, and daughter, 37, were making their way out of the Rego Park station, Zias came up behind them and allegedly called the mother, who tried to wave him along, a "dirty Muslim."

New York subway station (File photo: AFP)

When the daughter tried to come to her mother's defense, Zias allegedly punched the mother and struck the daughter.

The daughter told the New York Daily News the suspect likely mistook them for Muslims because her mother wears a headscarf.

"I never expected it would happen in this neighborhood," the daughter said.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene and charged him with assault as a hate crime.

According to the New York Daily News, there has been a rise of 33 percent in hate crimes in the city, with 280 incidents compared to 211 the previous year.
ISTANBUL - Turkey's official news agency says police have detained 74 suspects who are alleged members of the Islamic State group.

The Anadolu news agency said Saturday the anti-terror police conducted simultaneous operations at 15 different addresses in Istanbul.

Anadolu said 73 of the detained were foreigners and were handed over to relevant authorities to be deported. There was no information on their nationalities. The other suspect was being questioned.
Several dozens of Haredi Jews protested what they say is a desecration of Shabbat in Jerusalem on Saturday evening.

Some of the protesters tried to block the road on the corner of HaNevi'im and Monobaz streets, with police dispersing them.

One protester was arrested after failing to follow police instructions and allegedly attacking a police officer.
The IDF can achieve a "clear, substantial and significant victory in a short period of time" against Hezbollah should another war break between Israel and the Lebanese terror organization, the IDF's top command believes.

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A large-scale 10-day training exercise concluded this week in northern Israel, simulating an all-out war against Hezbollah. Tens of thousands of soldiers took part in the Northern Command's largest exercise in 20 years, drilling defensive and offensive capabilities, gathering and using intelligence, and maneuvering forces on several different fronts at the same time. At the same time, the General Staff drilled a variety of scenarios on multiple fronts.





Northern Command holds large-scale training exercise (Photos: EPA, IDF Spokesman, Yoav Zitun)

The IDF recognizes Hezbollah has improved its fighting capabilities since the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Over the last three years of its operations in the Syria civil war, Hezbollah has changed from a guerilla organization to a fighting army that uses artillery, relatively high-precision missiles, drones and more.

However, IDF officials claim Israel has opened an immeasurable gap in its capabilities compared to Hezbollah.

Hezbollah currently has a third of its number on Syrian soil. Since it entered the country in aid of Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Shiite terror group has lost some 2,000 fighters.

Northern Command holds large-scale training exercise (Photo: IDF Spokesman)

Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is working to build arms factories to manufacture high-precision missiles of all ranges.

But IDF officials say that while such missiles would constitute a serious strategic threat that must be thwarted in advance, they do not pose an existential threat to Israel.

Hezbollah is also enjoying extensive support from Iran, receiving some $800 million a year from the Islamic republic. Tehran is also sending hundreds of millions of dollars to militia forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and $60-70 million a year to the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman have decided to completely evacuate Kiryat Shmona or Sderot in the case of a military conflict against Hezbollah in the north or Hamas in the south.

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According to the evacuation plan, only residents whose job is vital for the continued operations of the citysuch as municipality workers, police and rescue forces among otherswould remain.

The IDF and the National Emergency Management Authority would evacuate residents to hotels in the Dead Sea area and in central Israel, which will be cleared of guests upon the declaration of a state of emergency.

Sderot home suffers direct rocket hit during 2014's Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Sderot Spokesman)

The Defense Ministry already has agreements in place with some of the hotels, and new hotels will be added to the list to allow taking in the residents from the cities.

So far, only residents of small communities adjacent to the border were evacuated during military conflicts. In a future conflict, these residents would be evacuated to towns in the rear, with each frontline town being taken in by a homefront town.

Town leaders met several months ago to coordinate the evacuation, with the towns set to take in evacuees being equipped with extra beds, blankets and food.

The IDF has just concluded a large-scale training exercise in northern Israel simulating a scenario in which Hezbollah fighters are able to infiltrate the country and invade an Israeli community, taking hostages there and carrying out a large-scale attack.

In addition, both Hezbollah and Hamas are expected to fire barrages of rockets and mortar shells at Israeli communities and towns near the border. Hezbollah, in particular, has developed new short-range "Borkan" rockets that can carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives and penetrate even fortified shelters.
BAGHDAD - Iraq is prepared to intervene militarily if the Kurdish region's planned independence referendum results in violence, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview Saturday.

If the Iraqi population is "threatened by the use of force outside the law, then we will intervene militarily," he said.

Iraq's Kurdish region plans to hold the referendum on support for independence from Iraq on Sept. 25 in three governorates that make up their autonomous region, and in disputed areas controlled by Kurdish forces but which are claimed by Baghdad.

"If you challenge the constitution and if you challenge the borders of Iraq and the borders of the region, this is a public invitation to the countries in the region to violate Iraqi borders as well, which is a very dangerous escalation," al-Abadi said.
About two dozen protesters have kicked off a day of diverse demonstrations in Washington with a rally demanding that US President Donald Trump take strong action against Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The protesters who gathered in Lafayette Square park across from the White House want Trump to retaliate for Moscow's interference in the 2016 US election.

Some protesters wore T-shirts that said: "We're not PUTIN up with it!"

After the rally, the protesters began marching to the nearby home of the Russian ambassador.
Some 40 residents of south Tel Aviv demonstrated outside the Jerusalem home of outgoing Supreme Court Chief Justice Miriam Naor on Saturday night in protest of the court's recent ruling on illegal migrants.

They carried signs saying, among other things, "We demand a ruling now on expulsion to third country," "Keep Israel Jewish and democratic," and "The High Court is against the Jewish people."
ISLAMABAD - Thousands of Shiite Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan are being recruited by Iran to fight with President Bashar Assad's forces in Syria, lured by promises of housing, a monthly salary of up to $600 and the possibility of employment in Iran when they return, say counterterrorism officials and analysts.

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These fighters, who have received public praise from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even have their own brigades, but counterterrorism officials in both countries worry about the mayhem they might cause when they return home to countries already wrestling with a major militant problem.

Amir Toumaj, Iran research analyst at the US-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said the number of fighters is fluid but as many as 6,000 Afghans are fighting for Assad, while the number of Pakistanis, who fight under the banner of the Zainabayoun Brigade, is in the hundreds.

Members of Pakistan's Shiite community attend a rally to condemn killings of their fellow Muslims (File photo: AP)

"People were expecting blowback," said Toumaj. ISIS "itself has its own strategy to inflame sectarian strife."

Shiites in Afghanistan are frightened. Worshippers at a recent Friday prayer service said Shiite mosques in the Afghan capital, including the largest, Ibrahim Khalil mosque, were barely a third full. Previously on Fridaysthe Islamic holy daythe faithful were so many that the overflow often spilled out on the street outside the mosque.

Mohammed Naim, a Shiite restaurant owner in Kabul issued a plea to Iran: "Please don't send the poor Afghan Shia refugees to fight in Syria because then Daesh attacks directly on Shias," he said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

Pakistan has also been targeted by the ISIS in Khorasan province. ISIS has claimed several brutal attacks on the country's Shiite community, sending suicide bombers to shrines they frequent, killing scores of devotees.

In Pakistan, sectarian rivalries routinely erupt in violence. The usual targets are the country's minority Shiites, making them willing recruits, said Toumaj. The most fertile recruitment ground for Iran has been Parachinar, the regional capital of the Khurram tribal region, that borders Afghanistan, he said. There, Shiites have been targeted by suicide bombings carried out by Sunni militants, who revile Shiites as heretics.

In June, two suicide bombings in rapid succession killed nearly 70 people prompting nationwide demonstrations, with protesters carrying banners shouting: "Stop the genocide of Shiites."

A Pakistani intelligence official said recruits are also coming from northern Gilgit and Baltistan. Recruiters are often Shiite clerics with ties to Iran, some of whom have studied in seminaries in Iran's Qom and Mashhad cities, said a second Pakistani official.

Yet fighters sign up for many reasons.

Some are inspired to go to Syria to protect sites considered holy to Shiite Muslims, like the shrine honoring Sayyida Zainab, the granddaughter of Islam's Prophet Muhammed. Located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the shrine was attacked by Syrian rebels in 2013. Others sign up for the monthly stipend and the promise of a house. For those recruited from among the more than 1 million Afghan refugees still living in Iran it's often the promise of permanent residence in Iran. For Shiites in Pakistan's Parachinar it is outrage at the relentless attacks by Sunni militants that drives them to sign up for battle in Syria, said Toumaj.

Mir Hussain Naseri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerics' council, said Shiites are obligated to protect religious shrines in both Iraq and Syria.

"Afghans are going to Syria to protect the holy places against attacks by Daesh," he said. "Daesh is the enemy of Shias."

Pakistani Shiite Muslims mourn next to the bodies of their relatives killed in bombing in Quetta, Pakistan (File photo: AP)

Ehsan Ghani, chief of Pakistan's Counterterrorism Authority, told The Associated Press that his organization is sifting through hundreds of documents, including immigration files, to put a figure on the numbers of Pakistanis fighting on both sides of the many Middle East conflicts, including Syria. But it's a cumbersome process.

"We know people are going from here to fight but we have to know who is going as a pilgrim (to shrines in Syria and Iraq) and who is going to join the fight," he said.

Pakistan's many intelligence agencies as well as the provincial governments are involved in the search, said Ghani, explaining that Pakistan wants numbers in order to devise a policy to deal with them when they return home. Until now, Pakistan has denied the presence of the Islamic State group in Pakistan.

Alireza Nader, a senior policy analyst at the US-based RAND Corp., said Afghan and Pakistani recruits also provide Iran with future armies that Tehran can employ to enhance its influence in the region and as protection against perceived enemies.

Despite allegations that Iran is aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan, Nader says battle-hardened Shiite fighters are Tehran's weapon should relations with an Afghan government that includes the radical majority Sunni religious movement deteriorate.

"Once the Syrian civil war dies down, Iran is going to have thousands, if not tens of thousands of militia under its control to use in other conflicts," he said. "There is a potential of Iran getting more involved in Afghanistan using militia because Iran is going to be really concerned about security on its border and it would make sense to use a proxy force."

Pakistan too has an uneasy relationship with Iran. On occasion the anti-Iranian Jandullah militant group has launched attacks against Iranian border guards from Baluchistan province. In June, Pakistan shot down an Iranian drone deep inside its territory.

In Pakistan the worry is that returning fighters, including those who had fought on the side of ISIS, could start another round of sectarian bloodletting, said the intelligence official.
Thanks to the York News -Times, its editors and staff for believing that a free press is vital for America. Unlike many present news sources, they realize that controversy, disagreement and a civil discourse is an acceptable and necessary manner to present new ideas and possible systematic change, (as scary as change may seem) so these ideas may be discussed in an open forum. And as our harvesting machines do every fall, debate can help separate the chaff from the grain.

And thanks for the calls and comments from some of the readers of the York News-Times. Our organization, Fair Nebraska, needs feedback, both for and against our ideas. To the person from McCool that phoned giving new thoughts on taxes, thanks. Also, to the lady from York County telling of her difficulties trying to survive financially while paying unbelievable increases in her ag land tax bill, we definitely need to know those things and to the mayor of York for his phone call and our following visit at his home was enjoyable and a learning experience. A special thank you to the lady suggesting I become a candidate for the Unicameral. I have no desire to run against my friend, Mark Kolterman, but I am looking for another candidate to encourage a debate and to give the electorate in our area a choice when they vote. When you are born in the `30s, carbon dating is the preferred method of determining age of an individual. I do appreciate the groundswell of support of one person, but that support is quickly negated by my spouse, family and a multitude of people that know me from the past.

Hopefully, what Fair Nebraska stands for will remind citizens that average people can create change, even a seismic change, against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Our advantages include:

We are a single issue organization. Nebraska, its governor and the unicameral must see that public education has to be adequately and reliably funded in an equitable and fair manner. Thats it. One issue to deal with. Ag has many organizations trying to deal with a plethora of issues. Education has a lot of groups representing them. In each case trying to do everything diminishes the ability to succeed at anything. Attempting to reach a consensus with that many groups can resemble trying to herd cats, but several groups have heard our proposals and appear favorable to the one issue we are aiming at, adequate funding in fair manner for schools.

Another advantage we have is a determination to be honest and open. We are not just dancing around the edges of the problem. We believe we need to start from the beginning on taxation. No more will we accept our governor and our urban unicameral throwing rural Nebraska a bone. That day is gone. There has been a huge tax shift going back to the `80s and it will require some tax shift to correct that prior shift.

An additional advantage is our requirement that simplicity and clarity be in the forefront of any taxing system. Do not ask us to send money to Lincoln so that we may get something such as an income tax voucher back or anything else that is costly to implement and difficult to understand. If commercial businesses are relieved of property taxes there should be no need of incentives and special hidden deals to bring businesses to our state. Again, clarity and simplicity and fairness.

Perhaps the best thing Fair Nebraska can offer rural Nebraska  its farmers and ranchers, its schools and students, and the ag support system of local businesses - is hope.

We have developed a timeline, three different directions to try, and the determination and the confidence to climb this mountain. We need to keep millions of these dollars in taxes local to help feed and grow the economic machine of rural Nebraska.

We have a website. Please visit us at www.fairnebraska.com.
TECUMSEH  An inmate accused of starting fires at a southeast Nebraska prison during a deadly riot has been sentenced to an additional 30 to 50 years behind bars.

Justin Busch was found guilty of first-degree arson Thursday, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. He had been serving an 18- to 24-year sentence for robbery charges at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution when a riot broke out on Mothers Day in 2015.

Thirty years, thats his life, said Jeff Busch, Buschs father.

The riot caused severe damage to the prison and left two inmates, Shon Collins and Donald Peacock, dead. No one has been charged in the deaths.

Defense attorney Lee Timan had contended that Busch wasnt the only person to set fires during the riot. He said Busch didnt intend to harm anyone.

The intent, of course, was to draw light and attention to the major concerns that he had with Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, Timan said.

Johnson County District Judge Ricky Scheiner said he doesnt hold Busch responsible for the deaths, but said he does hold him accountable for creating a violent environment.

Theres absolutely no excuse for what you did, none whatsoever, Schreiner said.

Busch set fires to windows and doorways that allegedly gave inmates access to part of the prison, the prosecution contended.

Those fires created chaos in an already chaotic situation, said Johnson County Attorney Rick Smith.

Busch, who is now being held at the Lincoln Correctional Center, said he takes responsibility for his actions, but that he isnt a bad person.
The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: How much did York Public School spend on the back to school pep rally at East Hill Park?

A: Superintendent Mike Lucas said, York Public Schools was excited to once again put on an event for the entire community with our Back to School Celebration and Community Pep Rally on Aug. 23. The event cost us $800 for the inflatable bounce houses and joust pit. This money was part of our 2016-17 budget where we spent less money than we did in 2015-16 or 2014-15. YPS has had a 0 percent spending increase for three years and an average annual spending increase of just 1.3 percent since 2008-09. We received numerous compliments from the estimated crowd of 800-plus that participated in all of the fun. We want to thank all of the area businesses and vendors that came out to be part of it. Go Dukes!

Q: What type of material are the little water towers made of, the ones that were around town and are now in front of the courthouse? How much do they weigh? And after they are auctioned off, where does the money go?

A: All of the towers are fiberglass in material and the large towers weigh approximately 75-100 pounds and they are mounted on a 400-pound concrete base, according to Madonna Mogul, director of the York Area Chamber of Commerce.

All 25 towers (15 large, 10 small) will be auctioned on Thursday, Oct. 12, starting at 5 p.m., on Lincoln Avenue, Mogul said. The auction will start at approximately 6:50 p.m. Proceeds from the small towers will be split between the schools and Firecracker Frenzy. Proceeds from the large towers will go to the Firecracker Frenzy as well. The 15 artists for the large towers were all paid a stipend for their artistic talent contribution to the project. Auction winners will determine the location of their tower. Placement on public or commercial property will be at the discretion of the property owners.

The auction is open to the public and Mogul mentioned that there will be cash bar service and complementary appetizers available while supplies last. In addition, there will be an art showing from seven of the tower artists, which will take place inside the Yorkshire Playhouse and live music will be performed by Tim and Jaclyn Spivey.

Q: When is the city going to finally hire a police chief? Its been months since Chief Klug resigned.

A: Last week, during the regular council meeting, York City Administrator Joe Frei told the council members that he was planning to make an offer to a candidate in the very near future and he was hopeful he would be coming to them on Sept. 21 with the name of the candidate for their approval.

So it appears that will be happening very soon.

Q: I saw on the last agenda for the city council, they were going to be considering a lease with the state patrol, out at the airport. What is that all about?

A: The state patrol has, for a long period of time, leased space at the airport from the city as offices, storage, etc.

This arrangement has been seen as a benefit to the community and to the patrol.

The lease was continued, without an increase in cost.

This was simply the renewal of a lease that has existed for a long period of time.

Q: A long time ago, when the county board approved the one- and six-year road and bridge program, they decided to re-surface the Spring Lake Estates road. When is that going to happen?

A: This past week, York County Highway Superintendent Harvey Keim told the commissioners that it was scheduled to start late this week or early next week.

It should be noted that there will also be paving done inside the homeowners areas  which will be paid for by the homeowners, not the county. The county is paying for the road leading to the housing area itself. The homeowners just decided to utilize the contractors to do their areas while they are there.

Q: Why was the fire department at the courthouse on the Saturday of Yorkfest?

A: A bearing in the air conditioning unit was the culprit as it became extremely hot and was detected by sensors. It has since been fixed, although there was no air conditioning in the courthouse on Monday.

Q: Who determines what is included in a persons obituary that runs in the newspaper?

A: Obituaries are submitted to the newspaper by the mortuaries, who craft the wording of the obituaries with the family members of the deceased. The family members provide the information that they want included or dont want included.

Q: Are Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District board member paid and if so how much? Also, what was the cost of the new building(s) including the land upon which they sit?

A: According to Scott Snell, the NRDs public relations manager, Yes, the Nebraska State Legislature enacted legislation for the compensation of board members elected to political sub-divisions such as the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District. Nebraska Revised Statute, Chapter 2, Section 3218 states: Board members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with their duties. Each board may provide a per diem payment for directors not to exceed seventy dollars for each day that a director attends meetings of the board or is engaged in matters concerning the district, but no director shall receive more than three thousand six hundred dollars in any one year. Such per diem payments shall be in addition to and separate from reimbursement for expenses.

As far as the cost of the new administrative location, Snell replied as follows: The construction of both the Upper Big Blue NRD headquarters building and maintenance and motor pool shop building began in the spring of 2015, and was completed in March 2016, for a total of $4,513,712.59. The land purchase price paid to the City of York was $185,000.
Mexico City: Tropical Storm Norma surged to hurricane strength late Friday off Mexico`s Pacific coast which was pounded just hours earlier by Tropical Storm Max.

Norma looked likely to churn toward the Los Cabos resort area, according to the US National Hurricane Center in Miami.

At 0300 GMT, Norma was 270 miles (435 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, packing top sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kmh). It was expected to strengthen in coming days the NHC said.
New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) that is lauded the world over for its commendable space program experienced a minor setback during its latest satellite launch on August 31.

About three minutes into the launch  which was being aired live  something seemed amiss as the coverage was cut short.

Moments later, ISRO chief AS Kiran Kumar confirmed that the PSLV-C39 rocket's heat shield which was supposed to separate in order to release the satellite failed to do so, resulting in the failure of the Rs 250-crore mission.

However, the agency remains unfazed after the failed mission as ISRO chief AS Kiran Kumar has confirmed that the space agency will resume launching satellites in November or December.

"We will resume the launches by November or December, with one of the remote sensing satellites though we are yet to finalise with which," said Kumar.

The state-run space agency will schedule its next launch mission after a committee studying the cause of the failure submits its report soon.

"We have identified what the problem is and are going through the simulations to make sure what we are concluding is what has exactly happened (heat shield not separating and deploying the satellite in the orbit)," Kumar told reporters on the margins of a space event here.

"The committee has been set up to go through the report, which will come out soon. Launches will resume after the committee gives its final report," reiterated Kumar.

The rocket's heat shield should have separated three minutes after the lift-off, but it failed. Space scientists at the mission control centre waited for 19 minutes to see if it would separate, and only then declared the mission unsuccessful on August 31 night.

The IRNSS-1H, which was part of the Navigation Indian Constellation (NavIC) as a substitute for IRNSS-1A was to have been deployed 507km above the earth.

The Rs 1,420-crore NavIC consists of nine satellites  seven in orbit and two as substitutes (IRNSS-1H and IRNSS-1I).

The Chairman, however, admitted that the failed mission was not insured.

"We don't insure our own launches. Whatever launches we do are from the government's money," Kumar told IANS at the silver jubilee celebrations of the space agency's commercial arm Antrix Corporation Ltd, set up 25 years ago for space business.

Antrix Managing Director S. Rakesh said that as a setback the mission failure was a part and parcel of any space business.

"If I see the nature of its setback, it is not a serious one, it is a small hitch as I see it," asserted Rakesh.

Ruling out even short-term impact on Antrix, Rakesh said there was demand for its services.

"The testings are going on and it should not have any short-term impact on Antrix. Our demands keep coming," added Rakesh.

Inaugurating the event earlier, Kumar told the gathering that the space agency was looking at joint ventures with the space industry for its rocket launches by 2020-21.

"One of the key things we are planning to do is joint ventures with the industry for PSLV launches by 2020-21. We are working on a consortium of state-run and private firms to build its (rocket's) nitty gritty," noted Kumar.

"Antrix should leverage ISRO's capabilities to boost export of our space products and services and compete with overseas players, which are offering space tourism," added Kumar.

Former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan said as a $311-million commercial arm of the Department of Space, Antrix accounted for only 0.123 percent of the $260-billion global space industry.

"We hope that Antrix can become 1 percent of the global space sector by 2030," said Radhakrishan at the event.

With Rs 1,991-crore ($311 million) revenue in the last fiscal (2016-17), Antrix has orders valued at Rs 8,000 crore ($1,250 million) for the next three-five years.

"With the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council treating global orders as exports, we see greater opportunity in some of the newer vehicles like the Geosynchronous Satellite Launching Vehicles (GSLV)," pointed out Rakesh.

With a consortium in place, Antrix hopes to grow its space business by marketing its offerings to the global space community.

(With IANS inputs)
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. After the liberation of Aleppo the flow of Syrian-Armenians to Armenia has sharply decreased, George Barseghyan, president of the Coordinating Center for Syrian-Armenians' Issues NGO, told Armenpress, adding that at the moment there is a certain activeness among Syrian-Armenians departing for Aleppo from Armenia.

The Syrian-Armenians who were here and tried to achieve certain result, to have their own business during these years, and failed for some reasons, of course, were always waiting for an opportunity to return. Thus, after the Aleppo liberation some of them return to Syria, especially when they have their homes, workshops and stores in Aleppo. The markets have been liberated, and people return to their works, George Barseghyan said.

He couldnt mention an exact statistics on those who return since Syrian-Armenians are in constant movement. According to the latest data, 22.500 Syrian-Armenians are registered in Armenia. The Syrian-Armenians in Armenia are connected with the the Coordinating Center for Syrian-Armenians' Issues which continues providing assistance. Syrian-Armenians are provided with food, clothing, hygiene items by the assistance of the government and cooperation with international organizations and NGOs.

One of the main assistances provided to the Syrian-Armenians is the medical service. There is a clinic in the second floor of the Center. All this is being done for charity purposes.

Of course, the main share of the medical assistance lies on the Armenian government. The diaspora ministry managed to reach success thanks to its gratitude work. When a Syrian-Armenian needs medical assistance, he/she applies to the ministry, and the latter organizes the issue of state order through the healthcare ministry within several days. Additional assistance is provided by the Izmirlian Foundation, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, he said.

However, Syrian-Armenians still face the problem of housing rent. Assistance is also provided on this path. The money for rent is being provided to those who arrived in Armenia in the first 3 months, and then if that person is really in need, 60.000 AMD is being provided on monthly basis. There are families who received assistance for 15 months.

George Barseghyan said there are numerous Syrian-Armenians in Armenia who have their own business. They are engaged mainly in services, restaurant fields.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. By the initiative of Armenian-American congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian Speier a delegation of US congressmen will visit Armenia on September 17, Voice of America reports.

The delegation includes congressman Frank Pallone who brought assistance to Armenia after the Spitak earthquake, ethnic Armenian congresswoman Anna Eshoo, congressman David Valadao, congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and congressman Jim Sensenbrenner.

This is perhaps the largest congressional delegations visit to independent democratic Armenia, congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian Speier told Voice of America, adding that the agenda of the visit is quite full. As for the goals of the visit, they are numerous: The first one is to strengthen our friendship, help Armenia to get rid of corruption phenomena still existing in the country, create new opportunities for providing assistance to Armenia aimed at development of democracy.

This visit has a sensational significance for the congresswoman. Of course, for us who have Armenian origins it is very important to visit the homeland, get acquainted with the historical homeland, feel and touch it, she said. I would like for Armenia to receive huge amount of assistance since I consider Armenia as our partner in a region that is under aggressive actions of Russia.

The Congressmen are going to discuss with the Armenian side the issue of strengthening Armenias energy independence since at the moment Armenia depends on Russia in terms of energy supplies, which , according to the congresswoman, wants to restore the Soviet Union. I am convinced that Armenia doesnt want to again become a Soviet Armenia.

Jackie Kanchelian Speier highlights Armenias huge potential in development of technological field and Armenian Ambassador to US Grigor Hovhannisyans perfect work on strengthening the Armenian-American ties. The US is ready for expanding the political and economic relations with Armenia.

We want to strengthen the relations with Armenia so that Armenia will never have to worry about the threat of its sovereignty, she said.

Another advantage of Armenia is the Armenian Diaspora. Numerous Armenians that have serious achievements in the US want to restore the link with Armenia, and the Congressmen will discuss also these prospects during their Armenia visit.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin, who left for Israel after being pardoned in Azerbaijan, thanked everyone who helped him to pass through the Azerbaijani nightmare, reports Armenpress.

I sincerely thank all those people who didnt leave me alone while I was illegally imprisoned in the Azerbaijani jail for 7 months. I am grateful to the people who visited me and showed moral and actual support helping me to overcome the nightmare days spent in the Azerbaijani jail, it is first of all my family, Lapshin writes on puerrtto.livejournal.com.

He also thanked the staff members of the embassies of Russia and Israel in Baku for visiting him during those difficult days.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin released details of the worst day spent in the Azerbaijani jail, the tortures against him and the Azerbaijani lie about his suicide attempt, reports Armenpress.

If we leave aside what happened overnight September 9-10 when I was beaten and the Azerbaijani side staged my suicide attempt to have a formal occasion for my pardon by pretending themselves as kind and helpful people, on April 3, 2017 I faced a real fear and disgust in the Azerbaijani prison. At the Baku prison cell, I was hearing all night the Allahu Achbar [the Azerbaijani version is Allahu Akbar] joyous cheers coming from the other cells.

Lapshin says the occasion of this joy was the bloody terror attack in the St. Petersburg metro which killed 16 people.

Although the Baku authorities fanatically deny the impact of growing Shiite radical Islam in the country, I want to state that the Azerbaijani prisons are full of radical Islamists. And there are also more Islamists in freedom, they are even representatives of law enforcement agencies. I have seen all this with my own eyes and I personally followed the Islamists. They were everywhere in the prison and were able to freely move, Lapshin said.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Ruben Melikyan  human rights defender of the Artsakh Republic, hopes that Azerbaijan will act somehow reasonably and will not be engaged in a manhunt since it will not bring any good result to that country.

Commenting on blogger Alexander Lapshins first note posted in the social network after being released from the Azerbaijani jail, the Artsakh Ombudsman told Armenpress that Lapshin presents mainly two interesting factors.

The first one is that the level of Armenophobia has not only reached an unacceptable level in Azerbaijan, but also it further increases. And the second one relates to the growing number of supporters of Islamic extremism in Azerbaijan which is also concerning taking into account that radical Islam is a global threat for the entire civilized community, Ruben Melikyan said.

He said however certain counter actions are noticed, such as the actions of human rights community and the disclosures of Azerbaijani Laundromat.

For us it is important to have a neighbor committed to certain principles, but unfortunately, we do not see any positive development on this path, the Artsakh Ombudsman said.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenia overfulfills its commitments on the preservation of the ozone layer, Liana Ghahramanyan  national coordinator for the ozone layer at the ministry of natural protection, told a press conference in Armenpress, commenting on the ongoing works aimed at preserving the ozone layer.

In 1987 a number of countries in Canada signed The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. On that day the UN made a decision to declare September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the preservation process of the ozone layer.

For 30 years all countries took actions through joint efforts aimed at restoring the ozone layer. Armenia participates in international processes since 1999. Today the process of replacing hydrocloric carbonates is underway in Armenia. Those are the substances that contribute to depletion of ozone layer. Armenia has never produced ozone-depleting substances, those substances have been imported to Armenia, she said, adding that the import quantity has not been fully utilized in Armenia.

Liana Ghahramanyan said all the UN member states are engaged in the process. It is thanks to joint efforts that today scientists can state that the ozone layer is being restored. In any case the process is not over, the replacement of hydrocloric carbonates by other substances is still underway.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The situation in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact remained relatively calm during the period from September 10 to 16, the Artsakh defense ministry told Armenpress.

During the abovementioned period the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime by firing more than 1500 shots from various caliber weapons at the Armenian positions.

The Defense Army forces fully control the situation in the frontline and continue carefully conducting the military service.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. On September 17-21 no precipitation is expected in Armenia, the ministry of emergency situations told Armenpress.

Air temperature will decrease by 2-3 degrees at night of September 17-18, but will increase by 2-3 degrees on September 19-20.

The ministry warns that high risk of fire is predicted for the coming 5 days.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The 4th Festival of Rural Life and Traditions initiated by Green Lane NGO has kicked off in Yerevan, the Yerevan municipality told Armenpress.

The festival has been organized by the support of agriculture ministry and the Yerevan municipality.

Within the frames of the festival Armenian farmers and rural people have a chance to present their products both to the Yerevan residents and numerous tourists.

The event was attended by agriculture minister Ignati Arakelyan, deputy mayor of Yerevan Davit Ohanyan, assistant to the Yerevan mayor Maria Baraghamyan, Green Lane NGO Chairwoman Nune Sarukhanyan, as well as the representatives of embassies and international organizations.

On behalf of the Yerevan mayor, deputy mayor Davit Ohanyan welcomed the participants and assured that the Yerevan municipality will always assist the programs aimed at agriculture development in Armenia.

For a long time we are cooperating with the agriculture ministry and have implemented different programs through joint efforts. In particular, during the harvest we organize the traditional agricultural fairs in the capitals central parts where rural people sell their products to consumers, and the Yerevan residents have a chance to buy fresh agricultural products at relatively low prices, Davit Ohanyan said.

The agriculture minister attached importance to such events for the development of agriculture.

Within the frames of this festival farmers and villagers have a chance to present what results they achieved over the past year. Here there are also products which are impossible to find in the capitals trade centers, the minister said.

This year the festival expanded its geography. The representatives from Georgia and Iran also had their pavilions, the number of tourists have also increased.

The festival organizers paid a special attention to the organic agriculture that has great development prospect in Armenia.

The event is being held in Yerevans English park.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Members of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan Stefan Schennach and Florin Preda visited the Turan news agency in Azerbaijan on September 15, Turan reports.

The PACE co-rapporteurs met with director of the news agency Mehman Aliyev who has been released on September 11 after a short-term arrest.

Stefan Schennach talked about the problems of the agency with the Azerbaijani ministry of taxes.

From the first days of investigation launched by the ministry against the agency we have expressed our assistance to the Turan news agency which we consider as a reliable and independent source of information in Azerbaijan, Stefan Schennach said.

The sides also discussed the situation of media in Azerbaijan, the civil society, as well as the prospects and development of the news agency.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Alexander Lapshin recorded what has been stated by the Armenian side for years, that is Azerbaijan is an anti-democratic, racist state, Eduard Sharmazanov  Vice Speaker of Armenias Parliament, told Armenpress commenting on Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshins first note posted in the social network after his release from the Azerbaijani prison.

Azerbaijan carries out not only an anti-Armenian policy, but also abnormal policy in general. What Lapshin has said should be considered as a certain message for the international community: plus also the facts that the foreign national has not only been arrested, but he also was beaten, suffered tortures and attempt was made to present all of these as a suicide attempt. This proves that Azerbaijan state is completely based on the ideology of lie and frauds, Sharmazanov said.

He compared Azerbaijans current policy with the policy of Young Turks, stating that the people of Artsakh should fight for their self-defense since nothing has changed in Azerbaijans calculations.

This shows that there is a state in the 21st century which is a member of the Council of Europe, however, its main ideology is racism and Armenophobia, he said.

Sharmazanov said like previously, now as well the Armenian delegations in various structures will voice about Azerbaijans such policy.

The same we are going to do during the upcoming CSTO Parliamentary Assembly on October 12-14, he said.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko are going to discuss the situation over Donbass and cooperation issues in security field during the upcoming meeting on September 21, Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin said, RIA Novosti reports.

A number of issues will be discussed. I cannot say what issues will be raised by the US President at the meeting, however, we will of course discuss the situation over Donbass, as well as cooperation issues in security field, the FM said.

Pavlo Klimkin said the meeting will also focus on the US assistance to implementing reforms in Ukraine.

The minister said President Poroshenko has 20 planned meetings during his visit to the US.
LOS ANGELESCatalystCon kicked off its three-day run Friday, featuring a number of new and popular returning events.

Among the popular events brought back was the Pleasure Products Symposium. The day-long event featured a conversation between sex therapists and sex educators, retailers and manufacturers, discussing various ways each group can help another. Broken down into three parts, the event was moderated by Wicked Pictures contract performer, sex educator and activist Jessica Drake; Alicia Sinclair, founder and head of b-Vibe and Le Wand; and Good Vibrations Executive Vice President Jackie Rednour-Bruckman.

Drake opened the discussion by asking those in the room to talk about how theyve seen the pleasure products industry change through the yearsresponses included noticing the shift of more women working in adult retail as well as behind the scenes forming and running companies, better materials and ingredients being used and more information available to customersbefore segueing into how to build a brand and a reputation.

Drake and attendees then discussed how to use education at the manufacturing and retailing levels. Manufacturers need to utilize their packaging and marketing possibilities in retail stores to cement their brand with sales clerks and consumers, as well as use their inner packaging, like manuals, to strengthen their relationship with customers. The goal, she said, is to provide an experience for end users that will create loyalty as well as give permission for users to enjoy the product.

Sinclair led the conversation to discuss responsible manufacturing. Some keys, she noted, are using feedback from consumers to effect the development and betterment of products, as well as using non-gender-specific packaging so more consumers feel comfortable using products. For her companies, she said, they ensure products are certified body safe; she suggested at a minimum manufacturers can comply with California Prop 65 standards, which means products do not knowingly contain ingredients or materials that cause cancer.

Rednour-Bruckman ended the session by talking about the history of Good Vibrations and how the shop has changed and adapted through the years based on the changing customer base, availability of better products, and changing social mores.

CatalystCon continues through Sunday at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel in Los Angeles. CatalystCon is a three-day conference that brings together speakers and attendees to address topics such as feminist porn, sex education, body image and sexuality, sex work, and political organizing in the sex positive community. For more information, visit CalatystCon.com.
Barring 'equitable sharing' with feds would discourage local police from abusing the innocent, Institute for Justice says



Lyndon McLellan, a store owner in Fairmont, gained national headlines in 2014 when federal agents illegally seized more than $100,000 from his bank accounts in a civil asset forfeiture proceeding. (Photo courtesy Institute for Justice)

The U.S. House of Representatives just took a knife to funding for the federal civil asset forfeiture program - a move that could help protect innocent North Carolinians and their property.Lawmakers on Tuesday passed an amendment - part of a larger appropriations bill - that puts a clamp on U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' plan to expand civil asset forfeiture . Sessions announced the project in July, much to the chagrin of policy experts on both sides of the aisle.Civil forfeiture allows law enforcers to seize property from a person suspected of a crime, even if he or she hasn't been convicted or even charged. Such practices are necessary when fighting drug crimes, Sessions said.North Carolina bans the practice, requiring a criminal conviction before any property is taken. A federal loophole allows police to dodge the rules.Such sidesteps are possible under the "equitable sharing program," a practice letting state law enforcers team up with the feds to bypass state laws.Tuesday's amendment, sponsored by Rep. Justin Amash, R-Michigan, restricts "adoptive forfeiture," an equitable sharing practice in which local law enforcers seize property and then call in the federal government to take over the case. The amendment does not end the practice altogether, however.Carolina Journal reached out to several lawmakers to find out when the Senate may take up Amash's bill, but received no response by press time.Adoptive forfeiture is popular among law enforcers in North Carolina, said Dan Alban, an attorney with the Institute for Justice.Once the feds process all money and property, state or local police pocket 80 percent of the profits. This is especially troubling in North Carolina, where cops gain an advantage by using the federal exception, Alban said.In 2014, a North Carolina civil asset forfeiture case caught the national spotlight when Lyndon McLellan, a Fairmont store owner, was stripped of his life's savings.Federal officials accused McLellan of fraud and drained his bank account of $107,702.66.McLellan and his accountant disproved the fraud accusations. They traced the problem to a mistake made during a deposit at the local bank.McLellan, who labored for 13 years to earn the money, waited one year for the IRS to return it. The agency tried to avoid paying his $20,000 in legal fees, but a district court forced the government to write another check.McLellan's case is just one of many in North Carolina.Between 2000 and 2013, the state raked in more than $162 million in profits from asset forfeiture, Alban said.More than 56 percent of the money came from "adoptive" seizures.The remaining 44 percent of the money came from "joint task force" operations in which federal and state authorities worked together to seize assets.Because North Carolina leans heavily on the adoptive seizure method it will probably feel the effects of the congressional action, Alban said.The amendment would ensure state enforcement agencies follow North Carolina law.Alban said.The sole purpose of civil forfeiture should be to protect the innocent and punish the guilty, said Darpana Sheth, a senior attorney at IJ.If North Carolina law enforcers are required to follow state rules, then asset forfeiture would serve its purpose, she said.
The Democrat leadership has made constant, profound and incredible pronouncements that one's supportive vote for Republicans is tantamount to surrendering Democracy forever. Understanding their sincere thinking in their extreme position: How will you still vote on this election day?

Democrat; because the continuance of this Democracy from the existential threat of extreme Republicans is paramount.

Republican; the process of having a choice is the democratic method within what so called "Democracy" does exists.
Water System Workers Headed to Florida to Help With Irma Repairs

Contact: Ford Porter

Ford Porter govpress@nc.gov

RALEIGH: Hurricane Irma and its aftermath have resulted in one North Carolina death.A Henderson County medical examiner has determined that an Edneyville man died Tuesday from carbon monoxide poisoning. The man was using a generator to power his home after severe weather knocked out electricity in the area. Local authorities have not yet released the victim's name.This is the first death in North Carolina related to Hurricane Irma.Governor Cooper said.He encouraged any North Carolinians using generators to be sure to follow all safety guidelines.Gov. Cooper said.Generators, gas and charcoal grills and propane stoves should always be used outdoors and away from windows, doors and vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. More tips are available from the NC Department of Health and Human Services:As of 3:30, approximately 2,200 North Carolinians remain without power following Irma.A team of municipal water system workers from North Carolina is heading to the Florida Keys to help restore water service after Hurricane Irma.Six water system employees from the City of Jacksonville and Onslow County departed today with trucks, equipment and supplies. They will spend the next 11 days working to repair water line breaks between Key Largo and Key West. The team is provided through NC WaterWARN, a network of water utilities helping each other respond to emergencies, and is being deployed through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) in response to a request from the state of Florida.In addition, one NC Emergency Management employee has deployed to New Jersey to serve on a team that will coordinate relief resources from other states that are moving into the Caribbean islands.Gov. Gooper said.State and local emergency managers continue to keep an eye on the track of Hurricane Jose in the Atlantic. While Jose is not expected to make landfall, the storm will cause dangerous surf and rip currents along the North Carolina coast through the weekend and early next week. Beach visitors should be especially careful and avoid swimming in the ocean during rough seas.Behind Jose, two other systems are developing in the Atlantic that will bear watching over the coming week.said state Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry.Visit ReadyNC.org and download the ReadyNC app on your smartphone to stay informed and to learn how to prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies.
16. 9. 2017 / Muriel Blaive

cas cteni 6 minut

Vaclav Havel, in his essay Stories and Totalitarianism (1987) wrote: Ideology, claiming to base its authority on history, becomes history's greatest enemy. He spoke of course of the communist ideology. But today, it is anti-communism that claims to be based on the authority of history. It has an answer to everything and can never be faulted: the pre-1989 period was evil, and communism is to blame for everything, past and present. In this sense, anti-communism also functions like an ideology. So the real opposite of communism is not anti-communism: it is, as Havel correctly pointed it out, history. History is doubts, debate, dissent. It is the inverted pole of ideology.

French historian Muriel Blaive has been a victim of a series of fairly incredible media attacks in the Czech right wing press in the past few weeks for daring to suggest that the communist regime in Czechoslovakia negotiated with the population and was very careful to make sure that it did not cause the population to stage a revolution. Here is her reaction to the media attacks.

I write this essay as a historian. An interview I did with Veronika Pehe has been repeatedly twisted in the Czech press and on social media. Some people have commented that as a French woman who did not personally experience communism, I was not entitled to write about the history of communist Czechoslovakia. Well, if historians could only write about what they personally experienced, there would be no antiquity, no medieval history, no modern history, not even a history of the First World War and soon of the Second World War. It also means that young Czechs would not be entitled to write about their countrys past. This is of course absurd. No one owns the past. We French learned it the hard way when American historian Robert Paxton revolutionised the history of the Vichy regime.

I never experienced the communist rule not because I was dazzled by the French communists but because I couldnt stand them: their dogmaticism so repelled me that I refused to legitimise Eastern bloc regimes by visiting them before 1989. This does not mean that I was not interested in those countries. Vaclav Havel, Jan Patocka and others wrote about issues that concern the whole of Western civilisation: the loss of values after 1968, consumption society as the sole mode of existence, indifference to the other as the main mode of communication. I learned from Czech thinkers long before I arrived here or even learned Czech.

People asked me why I refused Martin Veselovskys invitation to participate to a show on DVTV. Just before he issued it, rumours started to circulate that I was an adorator" (sic) of communism, that I was a Marxist or neo-Marxist (a typical Western intellectual), falsified history, denied the extent of communist crimes, supported the Communists, was against the opening of the archives or against paying tribute to the victims. Public shaming is not conducive to a reflective atmosphere and retweeting any of this nonsense, as Veselovsky did, hardly bode well of the impending debate. The fact that so many people took at face value the lies that were propagated about me without bothering to read the actual interview (in which I praised the opening of the archives and stressed the need to pay tribute to the victims) is disturbing enough. Journalists should aim to raise the level of the public debate, not exacerbate its worst traits.

Totalitarianism or however one names the period between 1948 and 1989 in Czechoslovakia (personally I call it the communist dictatorship) did leave traces. A vibrant testimony to the profound destruction of Czech critical thinking by the four decades of communist rule is the continued societal urge to hear the truth from an established authority. To the people who long for such a simplified world, let me repeat: the opposite of a dogma is not another dogma but doubts, dissent, a lengthy debate as opposed to a headline in Rude pravo. No one holds the historical truth, nor should they. Democracy entails a pluralistic society that calls for the confrontation of many opinions, including on history.

In this context, the totalitarian concept started to lose currency in Germany already in 1993. It was replaced by an interrogation on normality, agency, practices of domination, everyday experience of the dictatorship, all concepts that denied the notion of total control from above and replaced with a questioning of the relationship between rulers and ruled, on the borders of dictatorship (Thomas Lindenberger). Historians pointed out that On occasion, the ruling SED, in the interest of stability, was required to reach out to the population, whether in the form of allowing rock concerts for youth, more freedom to the cultural sphere for writers and artists, or allowing renegade church leaders to continue initiatives that were not in line with state policy. (Gary Bruce, The Firm. The Inside Story of the Stasi, Oxford University Press, 2010.) The Soviet historiography had known a similar trend for even longer - for instance Sheila Fitzpatrick requalified life under Stalinism as ordinary lives already in 2000 (Everyday Stalinism: Ordinary Life in Extraordinary Times, Oxford University Press, 2000.)

Some people also asked what I meant by social contract between the regime and the population and decried my naivete if I thought some sort of concrete round table ever took place. The social contract that I mentioned is a sociological notion. It does not literally mean that people and the regime sat down together. It refers to Vaclav Havels Letter to Dr Gustav Husak (1975) and other essays. In Havels analysis, the regime exchanged the political passivity of the population with consumer goods and a relatively decent standard of living. It does not amount to denying that some people, indeed too many people, did suffer actual, personalised repression; it is only the starting point for a reflection on modern European society, on its ability to resist and temptation to consent. A reflection that concerns, again, all of us Europeans and not just Czechs. Similar analyses took place in other Central European countries that suffered under communisms yoke, so much so that this period has been coined, in academic parlance, goulash socialism.

So how are we to study totalitarianism? Totalitarianism is a concept so ideologically fraught that it tells more about the person who employs it than about the reality it is supposed to describe. That is why I favour the Havelian concept of autotalita (The Power of the Powerless, 1978) that emphasises the notion of individual responsibility. One of my professors, Pierre Hassner (who grew up in Romania), used to say: I am totalitarianism (Guy Hermet, Pierre Hassner, Jacques Rupnik, Totalitarismes, 1984.) By this he, like Havel, meant that totalitarianism was a protean concept, embodying a specific historical experience for each and everyone.

What about today, then? Hassner quotes James Joyce: History is a nightmare from which I am trying to wake up. But for some, he adds, it is the nightmare from which they are trying not to wake up.


The juggalos are marching on DC this weekend, to protest the FBI's classification of the music fandom/subculture as a dangerous gang, placing it on a watchlist alongside the Aryan Nation.

Their march happens to coincide with an alt-right gathering of white supremacists and neo-Nazis, a fact that has sparked some speculative memes in which hatchet-wielding horror clowns take Nazi-punching to new levels (the leaders of the Juggalo march say they intend to avoid any conflict with the neo-Nazis).

But as Adam Theron-Lee Rensch writes in Jacobin, juggalos and Insane Clown Posse are firmly situated on the political left, a movement whose anthems espouse "hatred of racists, rich charlatans, and misogynists" (as well as testicales so unclean they attract insects, and "dressing up like a clown and eating someone's head"). And while the movement "suffers from its share of racism, sexism, and homophobia," this is something that has to be rooted out in many left wing movements.

Insane Clown Posse is a band that arose from the industrial collapse of Detroit in which the pursuit of profits led to the destruction of an industry and the people who built it. Juggalos "were the outcasts, misfits, and fuckups in high school, considered too ugly or freakish to sit at the cool kids' table;" today, they are "the cashiers at Walmart and the servers at McDonald's, spectacles of misfortune either ignored or blithely exploited for cheap laughs. They live a life of menial labor that elite ideology insists they deserve."

In the face of this injustice, juggalos evince class solidarity, gathering around music that expresses "class frustration and alienation," building a subculture "sutured itself together through members' shared understanding of their status as the dregs of society, a genuine example of class-consciousness that any socialist should admire."



The Juggalo March on Washington presents the Left with an opportunity to start building a coalition that exchanges the battle of cultural authenticity for the battle against oppression. You don't have to like ICP's music or understand why anyone would join their community of outcasts and freaks, but you can recognize that these young men and women have found themselves, after generations of structural inequality, at the margins of an economic system that has intentionally pushed them aside in order to maximize profit. They did not turn on each other but instead came together, recognizing their shared interests. They have used this knowledge not just to throw a raucous yearly festival, but also to organize a march against a federal agency that stands for state violence. And hey, if the idea of socialists linking arms with Juggalos still sounds absurd, perhaps a little ridiculousness  a clownish embrace  is exactly what we need in the age of Trump.



Class Clowns

[Adam Theron-Lee Rensch/Jacobin]

(via Naked Capitalism)
Quebec boy who was subject of Amber Alert found safe, Ugo Fredette taken into in custody

A Quebec boy who was the subject of an Amber Alert has been found safe by police in Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police arrested Ugo Fredette after the pair were found near Dacre, Ont.

Fredette will appear in an Ontario court for a bail hearing at 10 a.m. via video conference.

Police used a spike belt to disable the Honda CR-V Fredette was driving, and arrested him after a brief chase on foot.

Asselin said police are now searching for 71-year-old Lachute, Que., resident Yvon Lacasse, whose SUV the Fredette was driving at the time of his arrest.

Lacasse is described as bald with brown eyes. He is five feet four inches tall and weighs around 155 pounds.

Police said Lacasse could have been dropped off by Fredette along his route from Lachute, which took him through Maniwaki and Rouyn-Noranda before entering Ontario.

Asselin said police are concerned for Lacasse's safety and they are asking for the public's help to find him.

Nearly 24 hours of uncertainty

The six-year-old boy went missing around 5:35 p.m. ET Thursday.

The Amber Alert was issued for the boy after a woman was found dead at a house on Antoine-Seguin Boulevard in Saint-Eustache.

Police have classified Veronique Barbe's death as a homicide, but did not release any details.

Fredette's white pickup truck was found abandoned in the early morning hours of Friday at a roadside rest stop in Lachute, Que., northwest of Montreal.

That's where it's believed the pair encountered Lacasse and Fredette commandeered the dark grey Honda CR-V that he was driving.

Fredette then stayed at a motel in Rouyn-Noranda at some point Thursday night, police said.

On Friday morning police were searching two scenes: one in Lachute, at the rest stop where the truck was found, and the other in Saint-Eustache, where Barbe was found dead.

A team of police divers and a canine unit were involved in searching the Lachute scene and the Riviere du Nord that runs through the area.

The search eventually spread to Ontario after reported sightings there.

Provincial police finally caught up with the two around 5 p.m. Friday along Highway 132 near Dacre in the Ottawa Valley region.
Widlene Earle has never been to Canada, but she calls the country home and holds it in high regard because of its warm welcomes, cold snow and its eternal connection to Justin Bieber.

The 12-year-old from Haiti was disappointed when she found out she wouldn't be strapping on a backpack and strutting down hallways in a junior high school in Ontario this year because of an unfinished adoption process that's been ongoing for eight years.

"We thought she'd be going to school in Canada last week, so when she watched all her friends here do their back to school shopping it was heartbreaking," said Vaden Earle, Widlene's adoptive father.

Earle is from the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, but now lives in the Dominican Republic.

Over a Canadian cellphone line that has been more crackly and unreliable since Hurricane Irma, Earle spits out the same story he's been telling his 5,000 Facebook friends and all 338 members of Parliament for months, as he tries to bring attention to his plight.

"She's seen more atrocities in the first four years of her life before I met her  probably than you or I," said Earle, who met Widlene on a humanitarian trip.

Widlene's short life is riddled with tragedy, including growing up in extreme poverty, losing her mother and living though natural disasters, he said.

After Widlene's mother died, Earle said she was at risk of being forced to go to her home country of Haiti to be sold as a slave.

In 2009, Earle and his wife took guardianship of Widlene and started an adoption process that's been delayed by the 2010 Haiti earthquake and changing legislation in the Caribbean that left Widlene stateless.

Like many minorities of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic, Earle said she's denied citizenship and is at risk of violence and deportation.

Bring Widlene Home protest in St. John's

Supporters of the family quietly made their message clear outside the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's on Monday night, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a forum on Broadway musical Come from Away.

Story continues

"We started to follow the prime minister about a month and a half ago and there's only been a handful of events in the last six weeks that we've not had supporters at," said Earle.

Grandparents waiting in Newfoundland

Mona Earle, a cousin of Vaden's, attended the gathering, which attendees called an awareness campaign rather than a protest.

"Vaden's parents are older, they're two of the sweetest people you've ever met in your life and they're just not physically or financially capable to visit the Dominican Republic right now," said Mona Earle.

"I would really like to meet her and there's a lot of love here, there's a lot of family here for her."

Life in hurricane season

The setbacks have not been encouraging, but Earle pushes on and is thankful to have friends, families and strangers help his cause.

As they wait for news from the Canadian government, the family will continue to do their day-to-day tasks  Widlene learning with a tutor and Vaden preparing for hurricane season.

As for his plans when he does get back to Canada, Earle said the family is "really shooting for normal and boring and we've had enough excitement for a couple of years."
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New York, September 15, 2017The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Turkish authorities to immediately release photojournalist Cagdas Erdogan, and drop the anti-state charges against him. An Istanbul court on September 13 formally charged Erdogan with terrorism, according to the volunteer journalist collective 140journos.

Police detained Erdogan on September 2 in Istanbul while he was photographing a National Intelligence Agency building, according to the English-language website Turkey Purge, which reports on arrests in Turkey. Authorities accused Erdogan of being a member of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the journalists friend told CPJ today in an email. Turkey classifies the PKK as a terrorist organization.

Photographing a building is not even a crime much less an act of terrorism, said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney. Cagdas Erdogan is being punished for being a journalist whose work the authorities dont want published. These preposterous charges should be dropped, and he should be freed immediately along with the scores of other journalists in Turkish jails.

Valentina Abenavoli, who published Erdogans first book, said Turkish authorities arrested the photographer because he documented conflict in the countrys Kurdish regions, according to Deutschewelle. Erdogans work has appeared in The New York Times, the Guardian, BBC, Buzzfeed, and other outlets.
16 September: International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer

Published: September 16, 2017

The International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer (or World Ozone Day) is observed every year on September 16 for the preservation of the Ozone Layer. This year, the theme for the Day is  Caring for all life under the sun .

The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 19, 1994. Its observance commemorates the date in 1987 on which the Montreal Protocol was signed on substances that deplete the ozone layer. It also is intended to spread awareness of the depletion of the Ozone Layer and search for solutions to preserve it.

Ozone Layer

The Ozone layer is fragile shield of gas which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation of Sun and thus helping preserve life on the planet. It contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere. Stratospheric Ozone is not harmful, but its presence on land it is harmful. Substances like Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, Carbontetrachloride are responsible for ozone layer depletion.

Montreal Protocol

It is an international treaty designed to protect ozone layer by phasing out production of numerous Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 26 August 1987 in Montreal, Canada and entered into force on 26 August 1989.

It was followed by a first meeting in Helsinki, May 1989. Due to its universality, Montreal Protocol has helped in recovering the ozone hole in Antarctica. Under it production and consumption of key ODSs like chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), Methyl Chloroform, CTC halons and Methyl Bromide have been phased-out globally.

Vienna Convention for Protection of the Ozone Layer

It is multilateral environmental agreement agreed upon at the 1985 Vienna Conference and entered into force in 1988. It is one of the most successful treaties of all time in terms of universality. It has been ratified by 197 states (all UN members as well as the Niue, Holy See and the Cook Islands) as well as European Union.

It acts as a framework for the international efforts to protect the ozone layer. These are laid out in the accompanying Montreal Protocol. However, it does not include legally binding reduction goals for the use of CFCs, the main chemical agents causing ozone depletion.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2017

Topics: Days and Events  International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer  Montreal Protocol  Observances  Ozone layer  Vienna Convention  world ozone day

Latest E-Books
India-Japan ink open sky agreement

Published: September 15, 2017

India and Japan have agreed to ink open sky arrangement to allow airlines from both countries to operate unlimited number of flights.

In this regard, both countries exchanged RoD (Record of Discussions) on civil aviation cooperation with respect to open sky. It was exchanged after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan PM Shino Abe.

Key Facts

The open sky agreement will be signed in accordance with the National Civil Aviation Policy (NACP), 2016. It will not only help to encourage connectivity and passenger travel between two countries, but also result in reduction in airfares on the air routes between two countries.

NACP 2016

The NACP allows government to enter into open sky air services agreement on reciprocal basis with SAARC nations as well as countries with territory located entirely beyond a 5,000 kilometre radius from New Delhi. So far, India signed open sky agreement with Greece, Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka. India and US had signed bilateral open sky agreement in 2005. India also had signed open sky agreement with the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2003.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2017

Topics: civil aviation  india-japan  Open Sky Agreement

Latest E-Books
Arkansas' Supreme Court justices, who in April stayed the execution of Don Davis, said Thursday that the condemned killer cannot fire his legal team and drop the appeal that has, for now, spared his life.





In a series of handwritten motions sent from prison over the past 2 months, Davis, 52, asked the high court to drop his case and remove the ongoing stay preventing his execution.





Davis did not explain his rationale. Each motion, on lined legal paper, contains just a few simple sentences in neatly written, curvy printed lettering.





Federal public defenders hired to represent Davis separately filed a reply, asking the court to only recognize arguments made by Davis' legal team, and to dismiss the prisoner's motions.





A response from the state attorney called Davis' letters a "dilatory tactic."





The Supreme Court, ruling on motions in dozens of cases Thursday, simply denied Davis' request without a written opinion.





Scott Braden, one of Davis' federal public defenders, said he had not spoken recently with his client -- one of several men he represents on death row -- and did not know why Davis sought to end the stay on his execution.





Asked if Davis wanted to die, Braden said, "He sure didn't in April."





Davis has lived in a solitary cell on death row since 1992, when he was convicted in the execution-style shooting of Jane Daniel, 62, after robbing her inside her Rogers home.





During his years long appeals process, Davis was appointed federal defenders by a U.S. district judge. Braden said it would be up to a federal judge to remove Davis' legal team.





The Arkansas Supreme Court "didn't appoint us, so they cannot be the one to unappoint us," Braden said.





Gov. Asa Hutchinson set Davis' execution for April 17, part of the 1st pair in a series of 8 planned executions that brought international news crews -- and a traffic jam of lawsuits -- to Arkansas.





Davis made it as far as the holding cell outside the execution chamber at the Cummins prison before his execution was called off at 11:45 p.m. that day.





Lawyers for Davis and Bruce Earl Ward, another inmate set to die April 17, successfully petitioned the Arkansas Supreme Court to delay the executions while the U.S. Supreme Court separately considered a case out of Alabama, where a condemned man sought access to an independent mental health examination presented at trial.





Courts ultimately blocked 4 of the 8 planned executions. The other 4 inmates were put to death.





By the times the U.S. high court ruled in favor of the Alabama prisoner in McWilliams v. Dunn, Arkansas' supply of a drug needed to conduct executions had expired.





Davis' attorneys are now asking justices in Arkansas to apply the same right to independent mental health examinations to Davis and Ward, whose executions remain on hold.





The Arkansas Department of Correction announced in August that it has again obtained a supply of drugs to carry out lethal injections, and Hutchinson set a Nov. 9 execution date for Jack Gordon Greene, who was not among those set to die in April.





Stays remain in place for 3 of the men granted April reprieves, and Hutchinson has since granted clemency to a 4th condemned man.



Arkansas board to hear condemned killer's bid for clemency

The Arkansas Parole Board says it will hear a convicted murderer's bid for clemency just more than a month before he's scheduled to be executed.





The board said Friday it will hold a hearing Oct. 4 on Jack Greene's application for executive clemency.





Greene was convicted of killing Sidney Jethro Burnett in 1991 after Burnett and his wife accused Greene of arson.





Gov. Asa Hutchinson last month scheduled Greene's execution for Nov. 9 after the state said it had a new supply of midazolam, 1 of 3 drugs the state uses for lethal injection.





In April, the state scheduled 8 executions before its previous supply of midazolam expired. 4 prisoners were put to death and 4 other men were spared by the courts.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



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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

: arkansasonline.com, September 16, 2017The Associated Press, Sept. 16, 2017
An Egyptian court on Saturday has sentenced 7 members of the Islamic State (IS) to death over charges of murder and violence, official news agency MENA reported.





The defendants were accused of joining IS military training camps in Libya and Syria and the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya.





The crime of slaughtering the Egyptian workers was filmed by the group and released in February 2015.





Explosive devices as well as CDs featuring military training of IS militants were seized in their possession.





The court has referred the case to Grand Mufti, the country's highest Islamic official who will give the religious judgment of all preliminary death sentences.





The Mufti's opinion is non-binding as it is usually considered a formality, but his final opinion could reduce the penalty.





The court will give its final sentence against another 13 accused with the same charges in Nov. 25.





Egypt has been battling a wave of terrorist attacks, centered mostly in North Sinai since the army-led ouster of the Islamic leader Mohamed Morsi in 2013.





The Islamists said the attacks that targeted security men and Coptics were in revenge of the crackdown against Morsi's supporters and the Christians loyalty to the army.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!





"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

xinhuanet.com, Sept. 16, 2017
Keith Tharpe faces the death penalty for killing his sister-in-law and kidnapping and raping his estranged wife. His lawyers have appealed the sentence because 1 of the jurors who voted for his execution may have been racially biased.





Keith Tharpe was convicted in 1991 of killing his sister-in-law and kidnapping and raping his estranged wife on Setp. 25, 1990. The wife left him and moved in with her parents. He intercepted her and her sister, Jacqueline Freeman, while they were on their way to work. He killed her sister, dragged her in a ditch and raped her and drove her to Macon to force her to withdraw money from her credit union account.





With only 100 days to prepare the case, Tharpe's defense team lost the trial. The jury unanimously sentenced him to death.





8 years later, claims of a racially bias juror surfaced. The man in question, Barney Gattie, admitted he used racial epithets and racially biased language when describing Tharpe. Now-deceased, Gattie's signed an affidavit for Tharpe's lawyers stating that.





Two days later, he signed another affidavit for the state saying that he voted for Tharpe to receive the death penalty because he was a cold, calculated murderer, not because he was black.





Tharpe's lawyers filed new motions after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March that courts can examine what happened in a jury room when there are showings that racial prejudice played a role in the deliberations.





U.S. District judge rejected the claims because 10 other jurors said there was no racial animus in their deliberations.





Tharpe's lawyers are now asking the 11th Circuit to consider the juror misconduct claim.

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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

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sept. 16, xxx, 2017
Nevada's Chief Medical Officer Dr. John DiMuro's role in helping choose the lethal drugs for an upcoming execution could put him in an ethical quandary as an anesthesiologist committed to preserving life.





Most states use lethal injection in executions and often seek help from anesthesiologists, and Nevada law requires the Department of Corrections to consult with the chief medical officer on an execution.





The American Osteopathic Association, the board that certifies DiMuro, recently released a statement that it is unethical for physicians to deliver the lethal injection.





DiMuro, who resides in Washoe County, would not be administering the lethal injection but is consulting on the combination of drugs to be used in an upcoming execution.





But consulting on the lethal drugs could still present an ethical problem because it means participating in an execution, according to Johan Bester, medical ethicist director of bioethics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine.





"Saying that the Nevada chief medical officer is doing something wrong is difficult to say because this is still a controversial issue," Bester said.





"You can imagine if youre a physician and you think your ethical obligation is to not do this, but youve got a law telling you you have to do it," he said. "Youre in a difficult situation."





Asked for comment, DiMuro responded via email: I can confirm that I am consulting with the NDOC as required by Nevada statute. This consultation process is ongoing and not complete at this time. Our expectation is that any final decision is likely to be reviewed by the court.





It's unknown who will be delivering the lethal injection, but more than one person is usually involved, according to Brooke Keast, spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Corrections.





Keast said the state Department of Corrections does not release information on the people involved in the execution because of safety concerns.





According to the American Osteopathic Association's policy, the organization "deems it an unethical act for any osteopathic physician to deliver a lethal injection for the purpose of execution in capital crimes, whereas our code of conduct stipulates a physician should do no harm nor give any medication to a patient that would be deemed harmful," spokeswoman Jessica Bardoulas said in an email.





Consulting in an execution, as DiMuro is doing as part of his required responsibilities as chief medical officer, "has not been evaluated and is not in violation" of the ethics resolution, Bardoulas said, and DiMuro is not at risk of losing his certification.





Bardoulas said the associations policy is limited to involvement in delivering the lethal injection.





DiMuro, who earns an annual salary with benefits of $124,332, declined to discuss any ethical issues of a physician's role in capital punishment.





Several other medical boards such as the American Medical Association and the American Board of Anesthesiology have also taken a stance against doctors participating in executions.





According to the American Medical Association, doctors can have personal views on the matter and can observe an execution as a private citizen. They can also give their medical opinion to corroborate that the person is dead.





But acting as physician in an execution goes against a doctor's oath to preserving life, Bester said.





"So when you start to practice your medical skills on somebody, you start to establish a doctor-patient relationship," Bester said. "That means there are certain obligations. You have to seek the best interest of the patient, and you have to protect them against harm."





Bester said the question is: Does the inmate become the patient?





"(The execution) is the states responsibility," he said, adding some medical professionals worry the public would slowly lose their trust in doctors. "They should train somebody else to do that stuff. This is not what doctors do."





Physicians should not be expected to act in ways that violate the ethics of medical practice, even if these acts are legal."





The Nevada Medical Association has also previously stated in its ethical policy that physicians should not actively participate.





The American Board of Anesthesiology, which also certifies physicians, declined to discuss the topic because the "situation is outside of the Boards purview," spokeswoman Cristalle Dickerson said in a recent email.





But the Board of Anesthesiology did issue a statement in 2014 on its ethical policy, which describes anesthesiologists as healers, not executioners.





Patients should never confuse the death chamber with the operating room, lethal doses of execution drugs with anesthetic drugs, or the executioner with the anesthesiologist, the board said. Physicians should not be expected to act in ways that violate the ethics of medical practice, even if these acts are legal."





Bester said state officials are acting on what they believe to be justice, but "that's not the goal of medicine."





Many argue doctors need to participate in an execution to prevent suffering. Bester said the state needs a trained person to deliver the lethal injection.





"They dont know how much of the medication should be used, how to get a good vein, how much to inject, when the patient is dead and that can lead to the patient suffocating or suffering needlessly," Bester said. "That is the problem."





"So you dont want to participate in a murder, but you know this person is going to be murdered anyway," he said.





Still, it could raise questions on whether the participating physician is acting in the best interest of the prisoner or just following orders





"Youre sort of a tool of the state or an arm of the state," he said.





Bester said state lawmakers should consider opinions by medical professionals and agencies, such as the American Medical Association, when passing laws requiring doctors to consult on an execution.





"I wouldnt want to do it," Bester said.





He said delivering the lethal injection can be tricky even for an experienced physician.





"I agree largely with the (American Medical Association) that I think this falls outside of the scope of being a physician," he said.





In August, the Nevada Department of Corrections confirmed the agencys director consulted with DiMuro and then selected three drugs  diazepam, fentanyl and cisatracurium  to be used in the execution of 45-year-old Scott Raymond Dozier.





Dozier voluntarily gave up his right to appeal his death sentence for the murder of Jeremiah Miller, 22, whose torso was found in a suitcase six miles west of the Las Vegas Strip in 2002.





Doziers request to be put to death came after more than a decade behind bars. His will be the first execution in Nevada in 11 years.





State law requires Dozier to be executed by lethal injection. Before selecting the drug or combination of drugs, Nevada Department of Corrections Director James Dzurenda must consult with the chief medical officer.





"We are in danger of medicalizing executions and making it a medical procedure, when traditionally it has not been and should not be," Bester said.





Is Nevada's death penalty a 'broken system?'





The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and the state Department of Corrections both declined to comment further on the extent of DiMuros involvement in the upcoming execution citing a pending litigation with ACLU.





But the civil rights organization has not filed a lawsuit nor was it planning on filing a lawsuit, according to Wesley Juhl, spokesman for the ACLU of Northern Nevada.





The state Department of Corrections also declined to release further details on Doziers execution.





Federal public defenders working on Doziers case challenged the state to provide more information about the execution. Attempts at reaching the Federal Public Defender's Office for the District of Nevada were unsuccessful on Wednesday.





A Las Vegas judge is expected to review the state's execution protocol next week to determine if it should be released to the public, said Keast.





Nevada is among 31 states with the death penalty. The last inmate to be executed in the state was Daryl Mack in 2006.





Mack, who murdered a Reno mother of three, voluntarily gave up his right to appeal his death sentence.





In that time, Dr. Bradford Lee, who served as the state health officer, also consulted on Mack's execution as required by state law, Martha Framsted, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health and Human Services, said in an email.





The title of state health officer eventually changed to chief medical officer when the Nevada State Health Division became the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.





Nevada had opened the entire process to the public, from viewing the full lethal injection to reviewing the prisons execution protocol, after the Reno Gazette-Journal sued the state Department of Corrections.





We are looking to release the (state's new execution) protocol in the near future, Keast said.





DiMuro was appointed as the states chief medical officer in July last year. He is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medication. He also worked as the medical director of pain services for Sierra Surgery Hospital in Carson City.





DiMuro obtained a masters in business administration from St. Josephs University and received his osteopathic degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, according to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.





He also served as chief resident at Georgetown University Medical Center and chief fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



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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
In the last week Saudi Arabian authorities have intensified their crackdown on freedom of expression, detaining more than 20 prominent religious figures, writers, journalists, academics and activists, said Amnesty International.





In recent years we cannot recall a week in which so many prominent Saudi Arabian figures have been targeted in such a short space of time, said Samah Hadid, Director of Campaigns for Amnesty International in the Middle East.





It is clear that the new leadership under Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman is sending a chilling message: freedom of expression will not be tolerated, we are coming after you.





Those arrested include prominent Islamic clerics such as Sheikh Salman al-Awda, an influential religious figure who has over 14 million followers on social media, detained on 9 September. He is known for his calls for reforms and as an advocate for greater respect of human rights within the Islamic Sharia.





Abdullah al-Maliki, an academic and writer known for his support for reforms and human rights, was reportedly detained on 12 September. Essam al-Zamel, an entrepreneur known for his writing about the need of economic reform, was also arrested the same day.





To date, there is no official information about the whereabouts of any of those swept in this crackdown.





The number of people detained remains unknown, with reports of further arrests emerging on social media.





We are deeply worried about the wellbeing of those being detained. The Saudi Arabian government must immediately reveal their whereabouts and ensure they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment and allow them access to lawyers as well as contact with their families, said Samah Hadid.





The authorities must immediately disclose the charges being brought against those detained, and if they are detained for their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression then they should be released immediately.





While to date, the exact reasons for these arrests remain unclear, the State Security, an agency reporting to the King which was recently formed to consolidate counter-terrorism and domestic intelligence, issued a statement on 11 September saying that it was monitoring the intelligence activities of a group of people for the benefit of foreign parties against the security of the kingdom and its interests, methodology, capabilities and social peace in order to stir up sedition and prejudice national unity.





Some of those being detained are prominent figures known for their peaceful activism. If they end up being accused of inciting discord and infringing national unity, which are considered terrorist crimes in Saudi Arabia, the prospects for freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia look very grim indeed, said Samah Hadid.





Since Prince Mohamad Bin Salman became crown prince on 21 June, the human rights situation in the country has deteriorated markedly.





Authorities continued to put human rights defenders on trial on charges related to their peaceful activism before the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in Riyadh, a notorious tribunal set up to deal with security and terrorism-related cases under the 2014 counter-terror law. A worrying increase in executions has also been documented as well as the upholding of death sentences of political dissidents.





The majority of Saudi Arabian human rights defenders are now either in prison serving their sentence or facing grossly unfair trials, the remaining few fear that their names are on the governments hunting list and that they will soon be detained, said Samah Hadid





Background:





Since 2013, the Saudi Arabian authorities have targeted civil society activists and human rights defenders. The countrys most prominent independent activists and other critics were silenced, prosecuted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms or forced to flee the country.





Human rights defenders have been prosecuted on vague and overly broad charges under the 2014 counter-terror law in connection with their peaceful activities, and sentenced to up to 15 years in prison after grossly unfair trials in front of the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC), a notorious tribunal set up to deal with security and terrorism-related offences.





In July 2017, Abdulaziz al-Shubaily, the last founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) to be sentenced, was informed by the SCC that his sentence of eight years in prison, followed by an eight-year travel ban and a ban from writing on social media, had been upheld. He is now at risk of being imprisoned at any time.





On 21 August, human rights defenders Issa al-Nukheifi and Essam Koshak were brought to trial at the SCC. They were charged with a number of offences relating to their human rights activism and social media posts.





 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



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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
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Samir Ali - Trend:

Since the beginning of 2017, the population of Azerbaijan has increased by 48,879 people or by 0.5 percent, amounting to 9, 858,860 people as of August 1, 2017, the State Statistics Committee said in a report.

According to the report, 53 percent of Azerbaijan's population live in cities, and 47 percent live in rural areas. Men make up 49.9 percent of the population, and women 50.1 percent.

At present, there are 1006 women per 1000 men in Azerbaijan.

In the first seven months of this year, the district (city) registration departments of the Ministry of Justice registered 82,380 newborns. This is while 53 percent of newborns are boys, 47 percent are girls.

During this period, 1514 twins and 33 triplets were born.

In January-July of this year, the relevant structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Migration Service registered 1,782 people who arrived in Azerbaijan for permanent residence and 1002 people who left Azerbaijan. The positive migration balance was 780 people.

It is also noted that for the six months of this year, 23 044 marriages and 6207 divorces were registered in the country.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

China will hold about 50 events to introduce the visitors with the tourism sector of Turkey, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey told Trend on Friday.

"It is expected that the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey will visit China to coordinate the programs in the coming days," the ministry said.

Previously, the ministry told Trend that the country plans to develop cooperation in tourism with Asian countries, and they will primarily cover China, Japan, South Korea and India.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during his last visit to China noted that until 2018 Ankara plans to host at least three million Chinese tourists. For comparison, by the end of 2016, Turkey was visited by only 313,000 tourists from China.

In turn, the Chinese government declared 2018 the "Year of Tourism of Turkey."

Turkey is actively developing the tourism sector. According to the Institute of Statistics of Turkey, in the second quarter of 2017, tourism revenues in this country increased by 8.7 percent compared to the same period in 2016, amounting to $5.4 billion.

During the first half of the year, 12.25 million foreigners visited Turkey, which is 14.05 percent more compared to January-June 2016.

The number of foreigners who visited Turkey only in June 2017 was 43 percent higher than the same month last year.

In June of this year, almost 3.5 million foreigners visited Turkey, 42,000 of which were sent by transit through Turkey to other countries.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Azad Hasanli, Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Azerbaijans Azermash and Irans Iran Khodro companies are discussing the possibility of supplying the cars to be produced by the Azerbaijani-Iranian automobile plant to Ukraine, Russia and Central Asia, Emin Akhundov, founder of Azermash company, told Trend.

Iran Khodro and Azerbaijans AzEuroCar LLC (a subsidiary of Azermash) signed an agreement on the establishment of a joint automobile plant in the Neftchala industrial park in 2016. The total cost of the project is estimated at $15 million.

"We have already received Ukraines proposal about the supply of our cars to this country," he said. "We are also negotiating with the companies from the North Caucasus (Russia), Tajikistan and Turkmenistan."

"In general, Azermash and Iran Khodro companies have big plans for the supply of cars, produced in Azerbaijan, to other countries," Akhundov added.

"We are able to create export-oriented products thanks to the successful policy of the Azerbaijani government," he said, adding that it will allow Azerbaijan to become a hub for supplying Iranian cars to other countries.

Akhundov said that currently a joint venture which will manage the plant is being registered.

"In the joint plant, 75 percent will belong to Azermash, while 25 percent to Iran Khodro," he said. "The Iranian side will deal with the supply of equipment necessary for the plant to Azerbaijan, while the Azerbaijani side will finance the construction of the plant. This is a big project and the construction of the plant is under completion now."

"At the first stage of the plant's operation, the spare parts will be supplied from Iran, and later, depending on the demand for these cars, the sides may discuss the possibility of establishing the production of spare parts in Azerbaijan," Akhundov said.

"At the first stage, we plan to produce 5,000-6,000 cars a year," he said. "At further stages, we will increase the production volumes up to 10,000 cars a year. We can also increase the number of employees in the future. At present, 300 people work at the plant. But depending on demand, the number of employees can increase."

Akhundov added that the Iranian cars will be in great demand.

"First and foremost, these are high-quality economy class cars," he said. "Iranian cars are already popular in our country. In my opinion, the most popular car brands in the Azerbaijani market are Dena, Soren and Runna."

"At the initial stage, Dena, Runna, Soren and Samand cars are planned to be produced at the plant," Akhundov said. "The range of produced cars will expand in the future."
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend

The Uzbek coal company JSC Shargunkumir has disclosed numbers of coal production during the period of joint modernization with the Chinese consortium of China Coal Technology & Engineering Group Corp. and China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd., a senior official at the company said.

The currently operating mines are expected to raise the level of coal production from 150,000 tons to 200,000 tons by the end of 2017, director for Future Development, Investment and Capital Construction of JSC Shargunkumir Sattor Saidov told Trend.

The plans of our Chinese colleagues regarding the further modernization process also include the coal production amounting to 700,000 tons by the end of 2019, said Saidov.

The total production volume of Shargunkumir by the end of 2020 is expected to reach 900.000 tons of coal per year.

Saidov also announced that the modernization of the company within the cooperation with China will have its influence on total coal export of Uzbekistan.

The expansion of countrys export will respond to economic demand among a number of countries. In particular, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan already look to purchase coal from Uzbekistan as soon as the refinery process of the mines are completed.

Previously, consortium of China Coal Technology & Engineering Group Corp. and China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd. has launched the project to modernize capacities of Uzbekistans Shargunkumir JSC.

The project worth $94.5 million is expected to be implemented in the first quarter of 2020, according to the company official. The project will be financed through an $89.8-million loan of Export-Import Bank of China and own funds of the coal producer.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Azerbaijan is exploring the possibility of exporting its products to the markets of 34 countries, Deputy Economy Minister Sahil Babayev told a press conference in Baku Sept. 16.

We want to not only ensure the sale of our products abroad, but also assess the future [export] potential. We received various requests from local entrepreneurs, based on which we started analyzing 34 foreign markets. Regarding each of the markets, we analyze the possibility of supplying specific products. For instance, for Kazakh market it is wine, he said.

We examine what competitors currently operate in this market, in what price range their products are sold, what logistics capabilities a country has for the supply of wine and what is the purchasing dynamics. After analyzing this information, we give it to our exporters, he said.

Ads of Azerbaijani products will be broadcast on foreign TV channels from October, Babayev said, adding that Azerbaijani products will also be advertised on various websites, radio and other media.

We expect that starting next year, we will be able to advertise our products in Duty Free zones at international airports. We also conduct successful negotiations with Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC and the state company SOCAR.

Thus, stands with products under the Made in Azerbaijan brand will appear in local airports and Azerbaijani products will be sold at SOCARs filling stations in foreign countries.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The length of high-speed railway lines in Turkey will be increased to 5,000 kilometers, a source in the countrys Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communications told Trend .

Currently, the length of high-speed railway lines in Turkey is 1,213 kilometers and the construction of 4,000 kilometers of railway lines continues, according to the ministry.

Also, the research work for the construction of additional 5,000 kilometers of railway lines is underway, the source noted.

The length of the high-speed railway line will be increased to 10,000 kilometers within Turkey until 2023, said the ministry.

According to the source, the reconstruction of obsolete railway lines is also planned in Turkey.

Earlier, a source in the Turkish Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communications said that Turkeys transport system will be improved as part of the governments "Vision 2023" plan.

"In cities, where the population exceeds 100,000 people, the transport management system will be fully transformed into electronic format," said the ministry.

Meanwhile, the sale of small vehicles, as well as cars with hybrid engines, will be encouraged in order to reduce greenhouse gases.

"Taxes will be reduced in order to increase the number of vehicles with hybrid and electric engines. Moreover, at least 150 kilometers of bicycle roads will be built in each major city," said the ministry.

According to the ministry, it is also planned to reconstruct and build railway and bus stations.

The first railway was built in Turkeys western province of Izmir in 1860 and its length was 357 kilometers.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.16

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The procurement process for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) operations and maintenance contracts has already commenced, with the majority of long lead contracts scheduled to be awarded in 2018, TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati said in an interview with Trend.

He noted that all pipeline construction contracts  Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) and Company Provided Items (CPI) contracts  were awarded by 2016.

Talking about the construction process of the pipeline, Schieppati said that the Trans Adriatic Pipeline is on schedule.

"Every day we are getting closer to being ready for transporting first Shah Deniz II gas to Europe in 2020," he noted. "At this point in time, we are over 50 percent complete. This includes all engineering, procurement and construction scope. As you can imagine, the realization of TAP is an important milestone for contributing to Europes energy security and diversification."

The managing director said that in Greece, as of early September, over 405 km of the right of way have been cleared, approximately 375 km line pipes strung, over 345 km welded, 257 km back-filled and nearly 160 km of the route have been and are being reinstated.

He went on to add that line pipes continue to arrive to Kavala, Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis.

"So far, approximately 90 percent of the 32,000 line pipes needed to build the 550km Greek section have been delivered," he said.

As for Albania, Schieppati said that approximately 143 km have been cleared and graded along our route, 136 km line pipes strung, 129 km welded and approximately 107 km back-filled and around 70 km are being reinstated.

"This means that between Greece and Albania, TAP has now cleared and graded over 71 percent of its corridor (approximately 550km out of 765km). Additionally, we have welded 62 percent of steel line pipes and around 47 percent pipes are already in the ground (back-filled)," he added.

In Italy, in line with the Single Authorisation permit granted by the Ministry of Economy on 20 May 2015, TAP continues to progress, according to the managing director.

"We have now moved the first set of olive trees in the micro-tunnel area between March and July 2017. These trees are carefully looked after in a nearby nursery and will be planted back to their original location once pipeline construction works have been completed. Also, the last shipment of offshore line pipes has been offloaded in Brindisi, between 3 and 6 September," he said.

But above all, Schieppati pointed out that TAP remains on track to deliver world-class health and safety performance.

"Thus far, our teams have driven approximately 43.5 million kilometres and worked more than 16.5 million manhours without any major safety incidents," he added.

Regarding the financing issue, the managing director said that TAP expects to secure funding from a number of multilateral institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank, as well as Export Credit Guarantee Agencies of a number of OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries involved in the supply of goods and services.

"In addition, a large proportion of TAPs financing is foreseen to include commercial lenders," he noted.

TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.

The pipeline will connect to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italys south.

TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers).

TAPs shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Sept. 16

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Ashgabat will host an international exhibition of manufacturing technology of import substitution on Dec. 1-5, said the event organizer Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan.

State programs on increasing exports and import substitution were adopted in Turkmenistan. It was planned to implement 33 projects as part of the program on increasing the volume of exports of products manufactured in Turkmenistan.

This is about the establishment of new production aimed at the development of the chemical industry, light industry, machinery, agriculture, food industry and domestic pharmaceutics.

The program was adopted to set up processing industrial production with a focus on innovations, to comprehensively use natural and mineral resources, improve the export structure and increase the share of private enterprises in the economy.

The second program for the manufacturing of import-substituting products in Turkmenistan envisages implementation of 81 projects.

Under the program, it is planned to build modern enterprises for producing a wide range of construction, chemical, household and other products. Besides, it is planned to build plants for processing and the production of various types of meat and dairy products, fruits, vegetables and fish products.

The program was adopted to strengthen the positive balance of foreign trade turnover, create new jobs and increase income of the population, as well as to increase the share of the private sector of the economy.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:

It is planned until September 2017 to hold an international tender for the purchase of pipes and other equipment necessary for the TAPI pipeline construction in 2018 and its launch in 2019, the Vatan newspaper reported.

Preparations are also being made for the projects of the gas compressor station and other associated facilities that will be built on the pipeline route.

The report said Vice-premier Maksat Babaev informed about the ongoing realization of the project at the meeting of the cabinet of ministers.

Currently, in accordance with the schedule, the Turkmen section of the gas pipeline is being laid.

Babayev, who oversees the Turkmen oil and gas complex, previously said that the Turkmen section of TAPI pipeline is being laid in accordance with the approved plans.

TAPI will make it possible to deliver gas from Turkmenistan, which ranks fourth in the world for its gas reserves, to large and promising markets of South and Southeast Asia.

The pipeline will run from Galkynysh  the largest gas field in Turkmenistan  through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar, and finally reach the Fazilka settlement located near the India-Pakistan border.

Annual capacity of the gas pipeline will reach 33 billion cubic meters. Total length of the TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 kilometers. The project's preliminary cost is estimated at $10 billion.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.16

Trend:

On September 15, an exhibition demonstrating achievements of Kazakhstan over the past quarter century has started at Uzexpocentre, Uza.uz reported.

Products of about 50 companies operating in the automotive, textile, food, electrical engineering, construction materials industries and other spheres are presented at the National exhibition of products of Kazakhstan, organized within the framework of the state visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to Uzbekistan.



Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Nodir Otajonov and others noted that multifaceted cooperation between countries is developing at a dynamic pace due to consistent implementation of agreements between the heads of the two states. The National industrial fair of Uzbekistan, held in March in Astana, and the National exhibition of products of Kazakhstan in Tashkent have become an important business platform for businessmen of the two countries.



"Over the past six months, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has increased by 35 percent, which demonstrates the enormous potential of our countries for further intensification of trade and economic relations,  said the Minister for investment and development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Jenis Kasymbek.  It is planned to bring the trade turnover up to $2 billion by the end of this year.

Cars produced in Kazakhstan  several models of Peugeot and Lada cars, JAC electric vehicles are demonstrated at the exhibition.



It should be noted that the exhibition demonstrates high interest of entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan for the ongoing reforms implemented in Uzbekistan on further development of a favorable business environment, support for business entities.

A separate part of the exposition is devoted to scientific and technical developments, scientific achievements and innovative technologies of Kazakhstan. The stands of Nazarbayev University, the Ministry of defense and aerospace industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Engineering company are attracting attention of many visitors.



The exhibition, as part of efforts on strengthening cooperation in various sectors of the economy and bringing the trade turnover to $5 billion by 2030, promotes the expansion of mutually beneficial trade and economic partnership between our countries.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on cooperation in the military-technical sphere on Sept. 16.

The agreement was signed amid President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayevs visit to Uzbekistan, Ria Novosti reported.

The document was signed by the Minister of Defense of Uzbekistan Abdusalom Azizov and the Minister of Defense and Aerospace Industries of Kazakhstan, Beibut Atamkulov.

"The implementation of the agreement will help strengthen bilateral cooperation based on the principles of equality and reciprocity in the military-technical sphere," the document says.

This year, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have stepped up cooperation in the military-technical sphere. In August, the defense ministries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan concluded a military cooperation plan for the first time in the history of bilateral relations.

The signed document includes activities within the framework of joint operational, combat training of troops, as well as, field of military education.

Currently, an exhibition of Kazakhstan's products is being held in Tashkent, where the companies of the military-industrial complex of Kazakhstan, producing armored military vehicles, universal polygon equipment, presented their expositions.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sep. 16

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Iraq is the second largest market for Iranian goods with a daily value of $20 million of imports from the Islamic Republic, an Iranian trade official said.

Hamid Hosseini, the secretary general of the joint commerce chamber of Iran and Iraq, has said that the Arab nation plays a key role in keeping the Islamic Republics trade balance positive, IRNA news agency reported.

He added that Iran is incapable of exporting this amount of goods to any other countries on a daily basis.

According to the latest reports by Iran's Custom Administration, Iran exported worth of $2.6 billion of goods to the neighboring Arab state in the first months of the current fiscal year (starting March 20).

Construction materials, oil products, mineral oil as well as food products form the majority of Irans exports to Iraq.

The official described Iraq as the most important market for Iran and called on the government officials in the Islamic Republic to take measures aimed at facilitating exports of goods to Iraq.

Iran's non-oil exports, including gas condensates, reached $17.193 billion during the first five months of the current fiscal year.

In the meantime, Iraq imported $2.604 billion worth of goods from Iran, indicating four percent increase year-on-year.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Azer Ahmadbayli  Trend:

It has long been evident that sanctions could not destroy economic and political foundations of Iran. Isolation policy led to a reverse effect and today Iran looks more powerful. Moreover, the policy of negotiations showed to be more effective than continuous threats and the Nuclear Deal is a good example.

Before signing of the JCPOA, we witnessed close transatlantic cooperation in bringing Iran to terms, but now we see different positions. Is this purely and only related to personalities of Barack Obama and Donald Trump? Why the US and the EU are inside the fold in case of Russia and outside it in case of Iran? Is it a good cop, bad cop game or a real division of opinions between the allies?

Since President Trump took office, the balance of official US policy has been swinging again to intimidation of the Islamic Republic. Europe, on the contrary, is heading for rapprochement and expanding trade with Iran.

Different approach towards Iran has its historical, economic and political components.

HISTORY

History of mistrust and suspiciousness between US and Iran goes back to 1953, when CIA devised a plot to remove the then Iranian prime-minister Mohammad Mosaddegh from power. It was the first rift in the relations.

Then, in 1979, taking US diplomats hostage and further failing the Eagle Claw rescue operation, when the US received coffins with their servicemen, was humiliation the US have never suffered during its contemporary history. It was a final split between the two nations.

Up to date, the US hasnt forgotten and forgiven those painful episodes because it is inadmissible in any circumstances to speak to America with language of force.

Europe has not had such a grave historical burden.

Today, many in the US, according to comments on social networks, are sure that Iran will not hold back attempts to obtain a nuclear weapon. The same or similar sense of mistrust many Iranians feel.

ECONOMICS

What about economics? Iran traditionally has been a consumer, and what is more important, good energy market for Europe.

European countries exported over 2.772 million tons of goods, worth $3.399 billion, to Iran during the first four months of current Iranian fiscal year (started March 20, 2017). The Islamic Republics imports from Europe registered an increase by 46 percent in terms of value and a rise by 53 percent in terms of volume compared to the preceding year, according to the latest statistics released by Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI).

Currently, the EU ranks fifth among trade partners of Iran (ECs official website); while the latter is out of top 100 (132nd in imports and 145th in exports, according to US Census Bureau) trade partners of USA, which mainly import Iranian carpets, crocus, pistachio and caviar, i.e. superior goods.

In the first half of 2017, the trade turnover between Iran and the US decreased by 41.5 percent compared to 1H2016 - to $77.2 million, according to data from the US Census Bureau.

The Boeing deal that had just about to be made is still on hold, awaiting permission of the US Treasury. Moreover, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on September 14 that would block the sale of commercial aircraft to Iran, according to a Reuters report.

POLITICS

Now we have come to political aspect of the US and the EUs so-called controversy.

Iran is conducting irreproachable policy without giving any cause for the Nuclear Deals disruption. It complies with all terms of the Deal, which has been confirmed by the IAEA.

The current situation quite suits all the signatories of the deal, including the US. Unless Tehrans nuclear development is under international control, nothing will happen with the deals status-quo. The EU will continue to play a role of mediator between the US and Iran. Its soft line, according to the scenario, should assure Iran to completely reject the idea of becoming a nuclear state.

Why does the US demonstrate its aggressive attitude towards Tehran?

Since the beginning of Syrian crisis Iran significantly has been extending areal of its political and military influence in the region. Iranian presence in Iraq with its pro-Iranian Government, penetration into Syria dangerously near the Israeli frontiers, support of Houthis in Yemen etc., disturb the White House as this spread is considered as a claim to regional leadership and threatens basic interests of the US and its allies in the Middle East.

Strategically, official Washington sees evil in Iranian clergy and is convinced that until it dominates over secular society, Iran will remain a menace and the only way to treat it in current situation is a tough stance. Europe is more tolerant to political order in Iran.

However, we should take into account that the US and Europe have shared values, similar world outlook in spite of variety of nationalities, and mutual security obligations.

These three weight more than all other arguments put together.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

The recent memorandum of understanding, signed between Iranian officials and the Syrian Ministry of Electricity, is of great importance for the Syrian economy during the post-war period, a political researcher and an expert on Iran believes.

Ali Pishro Political Science Researcher and Iran Expert at the University of Birmingham believes that Damascus is highly interested in allies, which are able to provide economic and political stability and rebuild the country as soon as the war ends.

Although Bashar al-Assad currently has a number of allies in face of Russia, China and Iran, the latter is considered to be the most strategically important ally with a wide range of services to offer.

Iranian companies have a high ability to produce electricity and build power plants. They have already contributed to the reconstruction of Iraq after the US invasion. Signing the mutually-beneficial contracts reflects the deepening of economic role of Tehran in Syria, Pishro told Trend.

He added that the reconstruction of the devastated Syrian infrastructure has provided a great opportunity for Iranian companies to contribute to reducing the suffering of the war-torn people and to improve their economic situation.

The cooperation, which Iran illustrated during the seven years of the Syrian conflict with following military and economic support, leaves no doubt that Iran intends to remain in close ties with Syria and convert the military assistance to the economic support, along with Russia and China, Pishro said.

Syria has been suffering from the armed conflict since 2011. The conflict erupted between President Bashar al-Assads government along with its allies and forces opposing the government.

Over 600,000 people became victims of this conflict, according to UN. These figures confirm that Syrian civil war is one of the most tragic events of the 21st century.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

During his recent visit to the Kazakh capital, Astana, to attend the first summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on science and technology, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with some leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Hassan Rouhani during his recent visit met with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as well as counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, an indication of Irans interest in widening its ties with the CIS Muslim nations.

Expansion of cooperation with the CIS countries is among the main goals of Irans foreign policy, former Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mohsen Pak Ayeen, told Trend.

This policy seeks to boost Irans trade ties with the CIS, he added.

On the other hand confronting with terrorism and extremism as well as criminal gangs including drug trafficking are among the main topics of cooperation between Iran and Central Asia as well as Caucusus.

Conferring with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on the sidelines of the meeting, Iran's president touched upon the trade ties between the two countries and said the Islamic Republic is the shortest path for Uzbek merchants to reach the Persian Gulf and international waters.

At a separate meeting with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, the sides called for taking measures aimed at improving the situation of oil market.

Speaking with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, Rouhani hailed the successful development of the bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Iran.

We should unite efforts in order to successfully achieve our goals of developing the bilateral relations, he said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Alan Hope -Trend:

Unlike the American Hustle movie characters brought to life by Christian Bale and Amy Adams, a pair of real-life Glendale-based Armenian attorneys, hired to administer the settlement fund of their compatriots, whose mischiefs are being investigated by the State Bar of California, have brought the question of the motive to the claims of the alleged Armenian Genocide to agenda, yet again.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The story had begun in 1987, when a prominent Glendale based attorney Vartkes Boghos Yeghiayan supposedly came across a passage from a now-obscure 1918 memoirs of Henry Morgenthau, the US ambassador to the Ottoman Turkey in 1913-1916. "All at once, I came across this paragraph, where the Interior minister of Turkey asked Morgenthau for the list of Armenians who had purchased life insurance policies from the American companies. I jumped out of my bed. There was such a list! recalls Yeghiayan.

Thus began Yeghiayan's noble crusade to avenge the victims of an alleged Armenian Genocide  the so-called first genocide of the 20th century. So he rushed to find the beneficiaries of policies that had been issued by the New York Life Insurance Co. (NYL) between 1895 and 1915, later on widening the scope of his investigation by extending the timeframe to the 1875-1923 period and including the French insurer AXA SA.

The Rainmaker

After the painstaking research, 3,000 claims were combined into two class-action lawsuits against the abovementioned companies in 1999. Notwithstanding the arguments that the lawsuits over the said insurance policies should had been filed in France or England, the two-year-long court battle, first-chaired by the celebrity lawyer Mark J. Geragos of Geragos & Geragos APC and Brian Kabateck of Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP, had resulted in the Dec 2001 ruling by the US District Judge Christina Snyder, permitting the class-action lawsuits to go forward in California.

Nonetheless, additional three years of court arguments had resulted in out-of-court case settlements with NYL and AXA, in 2004 and 2005 respectively. As a result, the insurance companies, basing their decision to settle purely on the cost to benefit analysis, had, without public acknowledgement of any wrongdoing on their behalf, established two funds totaling $37.5M, of which $3M were allocated specifically to Unclaimed Benefits Fund. On top of that, Vartkes Yeghiayan and his wife Rita Mahdessian of the Yeghiayan & Associates Law Firm were assigned to administrate the funds and to reimburse the plaintiffs.

A Class Action

Not many aware of the fact that in a high-risk class action suit, like the one mentioned above, when the costs of the legal fees are not fronted and the settlement is reached after the lawsuit had been filed, the lawyer would usually charge 40% contingency fee. Moreover, attorneys usually cover lawsuit related costs and expenses (filing fees, postage, research, expert testimony, travel, etc.) and then deduct them from the plaintiffs share of the settlement.

If the settlement isnt reached in a short time frame the lawyers final percentage with all fees, costs, and expenses may end up totaling between 45 and 60% of the settlement. In the view of the above, its quite easy to estimate that in the mentioned case settlement the plaintiffs, in the most optimistic scenario, would receive 50% of the total sum, which would accumulate to $17.25M in total or $5,750 per plaintiff on the average.

Thus, the plaintiffs were gradually receiving their settlement checks, while the attorneys had split the other half of the pie between them. As such, Geragos and Kabateck got the bigger part of the contingency fee as prime litigators, while Yeghiayan & Associates the lesser half. Nonetheless, Yeghiayan and his wife on top of the received fee were in charge of allocating the Unclaimed Benefits Funds capital of $3M. And thats where the bone of contention had laid.

The Devils Advocate

In March of 2011, Geragos and Kabateck had filed a lawsuit seeking damages for intentional fraud, fraudulent concealment, unfair business practices, and breaches of contract and fiduciary duty against their co-counsels, accusing them of skimming $1M from the Unclaimed Benefits Fund, which was supposed to go to the Armenian charities. Geragos and Kabatecks investigation had shown that The Center for Armenian Remembrance and Conservatoire de la Memoire Armenienne, established by Yeghiayan, had each received $290K and $375K respectively.

Additional $75K of the Funds capital were funneled to Yeghiayans private account with the Vatican Bank. The two-year-long legal battles settlement, Anchorhich stipulated an agreement to have a third-party arbitrator review all the costs and charitable awards the attorneys claimed from the original settlement and handling the payment of about $2.1 million to 159 claimants, was reached in July of 2013.

All the bygones seemed bygone, when on Aug 18, 2016 the State Bar of California had launched an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds by the attorneys of the Glendale based Yeghiayan & Associates Law Firm Rita Mahdessian, 58, and her husband Vartkes Boghos Yeghiayan, 81, yet again. The State Bar had established that Rita Mahdessian had once again misappropriated Funds $30K using it for her daughters tuition fee payment to Loyola Law School.

Furthermore, the Bar had found Rita Mahdessian culpable, or guilty, in an embezzlement scheme, established that she had misled a judge and committed a moral turpitude. As such, The Bar had ordered that Mahdessian be placed on involuntary inactive status and filed a grievance for her final disbarment decision with the California Supreme Court. At the same time, the Bar has alleged Vartkes Yeghiayans misappropriation of $385K of the Funds capital, but the case against him stands in abatement because of respondents illness.

Erin Brokovich, move over!

According to the Bars data base, Rita Mahdessian, prior to being ordered inactive on Sep 1, 2017, had been disciplined with the suspension in 1996, 2005 and 2011. On top of that, she had been suspended after the conviction in 1994. In 2005 Mahdessian stipulated to six counts of misconduct, including the aid in the unauthorized practice of law and failure to perform legal services competently.

Her 1994 conviction is even more invidious, as she was involved in the fraudulent citizenship amnesty applications filing scheme, had turned the states evidence on her later on convicted cohorts, and due to cooperation with the investigation was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of fraudulent identification document possession (a misdemeanor) in the federal court.

Mahdessians husband is definitely the other pea in the pod, as he also been suspended for one year, and placed on one year of probation in 1996, as he had failed to reimburse his client's insurer for nearly $4,000 in medical bills for more than five years. Yeghiayan also was privately reproved in 1994 for a matter involving his trust account and was curtailing travel and involvement in community organizations while spending more time in his office.

Lies, Damned Lies, and Genocide

The above shown, unlike the other movie titles used, is the title of the article co-authored by Rita Mahdessian, in which the authors have tried to justify the claim of an alleged Armenian Genocide, basing it on the amusing [but] bureaucratic mishaps that have been known to happen from time to time, supposedly registered in a letter sent by the Turkish ambassador to US Nuzhet Kandemir to Prof Robert Lifton of NYC.

Using the mistake of the Turkish diplomat, who according to the article authors had sent his memorandum together with the draft latter, supposedly containing the admittance of quilt, these justice crusaders had tried to analyze the premise that a deliberate denial [of genocide] is a form of aggression that ought to be regarded as contribution to genocidal violence in its own right through a prism of unjustly victimized people, while completely avoiding the fact that the Turkish government had disclosed and offered all-in access to the Ottoman archives, for the further historic study of the said events, to all of the world scholars.

Its simply empirical to note the degree of hypocrisy attended to in the mentioned article by Mahdessian. She had dared to quote the real-life Holocaust survivor Hannah Arendt, taking a passage from the latest book Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil.

The quote used in the article states that everybody could see that this man [Eichman] was not a monster, but it was difficult indeed not to suspect that he was a clown. And since this suspicion would have been fatal to the entire enterprise [his trial], and was also rather hard to sustain in view of the sufferings he and his like had caused to millions of people, his worst clowneries were hardly noticed and almost never reported. Examining the deeds of Mahdessian and her husband one, including her own compatriots, can clearly see the monster and the clown.

Greed is Good?!

All-in-all, its fair to assume in certainty that this two birds of a feather will not be practicing law for a long while and they will be definitely shunned by the members of their own community. Nonetheless, although it would be absolutely incorrect to judge the whole nation by the actions of its two representatives, the question of the motive to the claim and the surrounding propaganda of the alleged Armenian Genocide has risen in the new retrospect. As such, quoting the great Gordon Gekko the motive this time was pure GREED!
Iraqi armed forces on Saturday dislodged Islamic State from a natural gas-rich border area with Syria, according to the military, Reuters reported.

Iranian-backed forces fighting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assads army simultaneously announced the start of an offensive to reach the same border area from the opposite side.

An Iraqi military statement said Akashat, a desert region located south of the Euphrates river, was captured in an offensive which had been announced earlier in the day.

The attack on Akashat is meant to pave the way for the recapture of urban centers in the Euphrates valley, including the border post of al-Qaim, it said.

Iranian-backed Shiite paramilitary forces known as Popular Mobilization and Sunni tribal fighters known as Tribal Mobilization took part in the offensive, it added.

The Iraqi air force dropped thousands of leaflets overnight on Akashat as well as on al-Qaim and the towns of Ana and Rawa, alongside the Euphrates, telling the militants to surrender or face death, the statement said.
More than 50 militants, with six field commanders among them, have defected to the Syrian government side in the past 24 hours and stopped fighting, the Russian center for reconciliation of rival sides in Syria said on Saturday, TASS reported.

"Militants are continuing to lay down arms and to defect to the government forces. Over the past 24 hours, 54 fighters, including six field commanders of illegal armed groups, have laid down arms and defected to the government forces," a spokesperson said.

In line with its commitments, Russia continues to support the ceasefire in Syria, he said. The presence of Russian military police and observation outposts has stabilized the region and helped to lower the number of ceasefire violations.

The Russian reconciliation center daily provides humanitarian aid and medical assistance to Syrians, largely foodstuffs, necessities, medicines and hot meals.

The center and the Syrian National Reconciliation Committees join efforts to get the situation back to normal and to create favorable conditions in the areas liberated from terrorists, restoring infrastructure and helping refugees return to their homes.

In the liberated populated localities, roads are rebuilt, vital facilities, damaged in fighting, are reconstructed, and water and energy supplies are restored. Thus, all conditions for peaceful life have been created.

The Russian Defense Ministry declared the establishment of the reconciliation center on February 23, 2016. It is headquartered at the Hmeimim air base, Latakia province. The center was set up in line with agreements reached by Russia and the United States to facilitate the negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and to organize deliveries of humanitarian aid.
Rescuers saved 68 passengers after a ferry sank in rough seas off Cape Town on Friday, Xinhua reproted.

The ferry were en route to Robben Island when strong winds turned it upside down, according to the City of Cape Town.

The passengers have all been safely evacuated from the sinking vessel and ferried to the ferry jetty, said Theo Layne, spokesperson for City of Cape Town.

No one was believed to be missing, but rescue divers were at the scene to check if any one had been left behind, Layne said.

Rescuers managed to save the passengers despite extremely high seas and strong winds, according to Layne.
British police arrested an 18-year-old man in the port of Dover and raided a house in a small town outside London on Saturday as they hunted for whoever planted a bomb on a commuter train that injured 30 people a day earlier, Reuters reported.

Prime Minister Theresa May put Britain on the highest security level of critical late on Friday, meaning another attack may be imminent, and deployed soldiers and armed police to strategic locations such as nuclear plants and defense sites.

In what authorities called a very significant development, officers arrested a man at about 7.50 a.m. (0650 GMT) in Dover, from where passenger ferries sail to France. Five hours later they raided a property in Sunbury, a commuter town southwest of London, and evacuated nearby premises as a precaution.

Reuters photographs showed police cordons in a modest suburban street in Sunbury, in the county of Surrey, around 11 miles (18 km) from Parsons Green where the bomb exploded.

This is a very significant arrest. The police have made very good progress but the operation is ongoing, said interior minister Amber Rudd, adding that the threat level remained at critical.

There is no doubt that this was a serious IED (improvised explosive device) and it was good fortune that it did so little damage.

In what was the fifth major terrorism attack in Britain this year, the home-made bomb shot flames through a packed commuter train during the Friday morning rush hour in west London but apparently failed to detonate fully.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 16

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

Seventy four people got detained in Istanbul on suspicion of being connected to the Islamic State terrorist organization (IS, ISIL, Daesh), says the message of the city's police department.

All the detainees are foreign nationals. Their names and nationalities were not revealed.

Previously, Istanbul's police issued a statement that since August 2016 until August 2017, 117 anti-terrorist operations were carried out in the city against the IS, and 648 people were detained as a result.

Further, in the mentioned time frame, 940 people were deported from Turkey, as part of fight against the IS militants.

Syria has been suffering from the armed conflict since 2011. The conflict erupted between President Bashar al-Assads government along with its allies and forces opposing the government.

Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The IS, YPG and PYD are the most active terrorist groups, acting in Syria.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 16, 2017 - 11:27 | Urgent, All

(EDS: ADDING INFO IN 2ND, 4TH GRAFS)

Four teens were arrested Friday on suspicion of vandalism at a cave in Okinawa Prefecture where civilians were forced to commit mass suicide in the closing days of World War II, police said.

The boys aged 16 to 19 have admitted to destroying with sticks two signboards and origami paper cranes left by visitors to the Chibichirigama cave in the village of Yomitan last Sunday, saying they went to "a haunted spot" on a motorbike to "test their courage," according to investigators.

During the Battle of Okinawa, which started on April 1, 1945 with the landing of U.S. forces on the southern Japanese island, more than 80 Okinawa residents were believed to have committed suicide in the cave after taking refuge there. Similar cases of mass suicide of civilians occurred at other locations during the battle, although exact data is unavailable.

Family members of those who killed themselves during the war at the site discovered the damage last Tuesday at the cave, a local cultural property, and reported it to the police.

The four emerged as suspects after investigators checked security camera footage and interviewed neighbors, according to the police.

Norio Yonaha, 63, who lost five members of his family in the mass suicides and heads the group of bereaved families, has told reporters the vandalism was "an insult to the people who died" at the site.

Bottles and vases left by the wartime civilian victims at the cave were also found to have been damaged.

Some 94,000 civilians, or about a quarter of local residents, died in the three-month ground battle in Okinawa between Japanese and U.S. troops. Overall, more than 200,000 lives were lost, including those of Americans.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2017 - 14:14 | World, All

North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile over northern Japan into the Pacific Ocean on Friday with an unprecedented flight distance that would have been enough to reach the U.S territory of Guam, despite years of sanctions over its weapons program and the international community's repeated calls for restraint.

The missile, believed to be an intermediate-range type, flew around 3,700 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 800 km, according to Japanese officials.

The launch before 7 a.m. came less than a week after the U.N. Security Council voted in favor of a resolution toughening sanctions on North Korea following its sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3.

It flew a longer distance than any other missile North Korea has fired, and was the country's second missile in less than a month to cross over Japan.

There were no reports of damage, Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told a hastily convened press conference, after the missile, apparently tested on a normal trajectory, fell into the sea about 2,200 kilometers east of Hokkaido's Cape Erimo at 7:16 a.m.

"Now is the time when the international community is required to unite against North Korea's provocative acts, which threaten world peace," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters in Tokyo. "We must make North Korea understand that if it continues down this road, it will not have a bright future."

The U.N. Security Council decided to convene an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon in New York following North Korea's 14th ballistic missile launch this year.

The U.S. Pacific Command said its initial assessment showed that it was an intermediate-range ballistic missile.

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera also said it could have been an intermediate-range Hwasong-12 missile, known as KN-17 in the United States, after analysis of its flight data.

The latest launch is viewed by Onodera as being intended to test the newly developed missile's performance and its flight distance, which defense officials believe has a range of up to about 5,000 km.

South Korea's military said the missile was fired from the vicinity of Sunan in Pyongyang, where North Korea's international airport is located.

This was North Korea's first missile launch since its sixth nuclear test -- its most powerful yet, conducted about a week before the 69th anniversary of the country's founding -- which it claimed was of a hydrogen bomb.

North Korea also test-fired in July two intercontinental ballistic missiles believed capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, and a Hwasong-12 missile in late August also from near Sunan that crossed Japan before landing in the northern Pacific Ocean.

On Aug. 29, the Hwasong-12 traveled about 2,700 km on a similar path as that of Friday's missile, just weeks after North Korea threatened to fire four ballistic missiles into the sea near Guam, home to about 7,000 U.S. troops and 160,000 people,

Guam, the closest U.S. military presence on American soil to North Korea, is about 3,400 km away from the country.

The international community was bracing for another provocation by North Korea, including a third launch of an ICBM, after the Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday to impose a new round of sanctions, including a ban on its textile exports and a cap on its imports of crude oil.

North Korea has asserted it has a legitimate right to develop nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities for self-defense against what it perceives as security threats from the United States and other "hostile" forces.

Ahead of the Security Council's adoption of the resolution, North Korea threatened to cause the United States the "greatest pain" it has ever suffered.

A statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Monday said that if additional U.N. sanctions led by the United States are approved, the rest of the world would witness how North Korea "tames the U.S. gangsters by taking series of action tougher than they have ever envisaged."

On Tuesday, accusing Abe's government of "dancing to the tune of the U.S. sanctions," a North Korean government body said a "telling blow" should be dealt to Japan and its "four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea."

In response to the sixth nuclear test, the United States had initially sought to have the 15-member Security Council impose much harsher sanctions against Pyongyang, including an oil embargo and a freeze on leader Kim Jong Un's assets.

Japan has estimated the explosive device detonated by North Korea most recently had a yield of about 160 kilotons, 10 times the force of the world's first atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima in 1945.

The U.N. resolution was endorsed only after China and Russia, two of the five veto-wielding permanent members on the council, agreed to vote for weaker sanctions than those proposed by the United States.

While the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump and its allies, including Japan and South Korea, have agreed to press for a maximum level of pressure on North Korea, China and Russia have warned that excessively tough sanctions against it will risk further increasing tensions.

China and Russia have said the situation will only change when North Korea's security concerns are addressed. The two countries have called for restarting negotiations and at the same time demanded that the United States and South Korea halt their annual military exercises.
The scuffle over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare continues with Republicans gearing up for a last-ditch effort. This latest GOP face saver arrived last week from a motley group of GOP Senators consisting of Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Dean Heller of Nevada and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.

Capitol Hills policy debacle over the fate of Obamacare or ACA seems never ending. The newest face saver from the motley group suggests the combined funding for Medicaid and Obamacares subsidies into a block grant. They also propose to allow states more freedom in designing their own healthcare plans.

Amid this uncertainty, searching for investment options that are not perturbed by market gyrations is a tough call.

Zacks Counsel

We believe that investors can earn handsome profits by extrapolating the current bullish trends of the market into the future. Henceforth, seeking refuge on momentum investment strategy is a meaningful investment bet at this moment.

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Here, at Zacks, we use our Style Score System to single out stocks which can grant favorable returns and are not affected by market conditions.

The Zacks Momentum Style Score indicates the best time to buy a stock and take advantage of its momentum with a highest probability of success.

Our research shows that stocks with a Momentum Score of A, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), offer the best upside potential for the short term.

Our Picks

The Cooper Companies Inc. COO

Cooper Companies, which is quickly rapidly into an investor favorite, posted earnings of $2.64 per share in the most recent quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.3%. Since then, positive estimate revisions have been pouring in. The companys current-quarter Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 9 cents.



This revision activity has propelled the stock to a Zacks Rank #2, and its recent gains have helped it earn an A grade for Momentum. Cooper Companies shares have increased more than 41% year to date. The companys impressive growth prospects will continue to push the stock higher. Looking ahead, Cooper Companies is poised to benefit even from its leading position in the market of specialty lenses, supported by highly exclusive portfolio which includes Biofinity and Clariti. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Story continues

Mazor Robotics Ltd. MZOR

This Israel-based developer of robotic technology and products reported loss of 16 cents per share in the last quarter, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 25 cents. Since then, the company has garnered positive estimate revisions. Its Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter improved by more than 6 cents.

As a result, the latest figures have propelled the stock to a Zacks Rank #2. It has also gained an A for Momentum. Earlier this month, the company amended its strategic partnership with Medtronic plc (MDT). We feel that the amendment, along with growing installations of Mazor Systems, will provide further impetus to the momentum of the stock.

ICON plc. ICLR

Global provider of drug development solutions and services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, ICON plc, has benefitted from the steady growth in this space. The company recently reported earnings of $1.31 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.30. Quarterly revenues of $431 million were higher than the Zacks consensus estimate of $430 million and soared from $411 million in the year-ago period.

Within the last two months, ICON witnessed nine positive revisions in its current-quarter earnings estimates, which has lifted its Zacks Consensus Estimate by seven cents. The companys stock has increased more than 48% higher year to date. ICON is now a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with A grade for Momentum and Growth in our Style Scores system.

Medpace Holdings, Inc. MEDP

Medpace Holdings is proving to be investors favorite pick in recent times. The company delivered earnings of 38 cents per share in the most recent quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.7%. Since then, positive estimate revisions have been pouring in and now the companys current-quarter Zacks Consensus Estimate has more than 9 cents.

This revision activity has propelled the stock to a Zacks Rank #1, and its recent gains have helped it earn an A grade for Momentum. Medpace Holdings shares have gained 8% over the past three months. The companys impressive growth prospects will continue to push the stock higher. Looking ahead, Medpace Holdings is poised to benefit from its leading role in the clinical contract research organization space, focused on cardiology, endocrinology, and metabolic disease.

Bottomline

It seems to be the correct time to go by Wall Streets often used buzz word, Buy High and Sell Higher. Given that a substantial section of investors favor winning stocks with the belief that they can soar higher, it is the right time to hitch the momentum ride.

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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Agilent Technologies, Inc. A. Shares have added about 10.6% in that time frame, outperforming the market.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is the stock due for a pullback? 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 catalysts.

Agilent Technologies Beats on Q2 Earnings & Revenues

Agilent Technologies fiscal second-quarter 2017 earnings per share of 59 cents beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents. Earnings were up 31.8% year over year.

Revenues

Agilents fiscal second-quarter 2017 revenues of $1.10 billion increased 3.3% sequentially and 8.1% year over year. Revenues were slightly above the managements guided range of $1.04$1.06 billion and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.05 billion.

Revenue growth was supported by continued strength in Chemical & Energy business and better-than-expected growth in Pharma. Also, growth in Europe contributed to the upside.



Revenues by Geography

Asia/Pacific contributed 34% of the total fiscal second-quarter revenues and declined 2.6% sequentially but increased 7.1% year over year. Americas contributed 27% and was down 18.6% sequentially but up 6.8% year over year. Europe accounted for the remaining 39% and was up 35.8% sequentially and 10% year over year.

Revenues by Segment

Agilent now has three reporting segments  Life Sciences & Applied Markets Group (LSAG), Agilent Cross Lab Group (ACG) and Diagnostics and Genomics Group (DGG). Its Electronic Measurement Group (EMG) segment was spun off as Keysight Technologies, an independent publicly traded company. Agilent also exited the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance business after failing to meet growth and profitability goals. The company divested or shut down underperforming units to streamline operations.

Story continues

In the reported quarter, LSAG was the largest contributor and accounted for $523 million or 47% of total revenue, reflecting an increase of 6% year over year. The increase was driven by strong performance in the pharma, food, chemical and energy markets.

Revenues from ACG came in at $378 million or 34% of total revenue, reflecting a growth of 9% year over year. Both services and consumables witnessed growth across all geographical regions.

Revenues from DGG came in at $201 million or remaining 19% of total revenue. The segment was up 13% year over year, driven by strength in pharma, diagnostic and clinical end-markets. All businesses under this group (Dako, Genomics and Nucleic Acid Solutions) performed well.

Margins

The pro forma gross margin for the quarter was 53.7%, down 8 basis points (bps) sequentially but up 171 bps year over year.

Operating expenses (research & development and selling, general & administrative expenses) in the quarter were $391 million, 2% lower than the year-ago quarter. As a result, adjusted operating margin of 21.8% was up 270 bps year over year.

Net Income

Agilent generated pro forma net income of $187 million or 17% of sales compared with $145 million or 13.2% a year ago. Our pro forma estimate excludes acquisition-related costs, restructuring charges, amortization of intangibles and other one-time items, as well as tax adjustments.

With these above-mentioned items included, GAAP net income was $164 million (50 cents per share) compared with $91 million (28 cents) in the year-ago quarter.

Balance Sheet

Exiting the fiscal second quarter, inventories were $548 million, down from $551 in the prior quarter. Agilents long-term debt was $1.80 billion at the end of the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents were $2.39 billion compared with $2.24 billion in the prior quarter.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $257 million and capital expenditure was $43 million.

In the quarter, the company paid $43 million in dividends and repurchased 1.64 million shares for $83 million.

Guidance

Agilent provided guidance for fiscal third-quarter and fiscal 2017.

For the fiscal third quarter, Agilent expects revenues between $1.06 billion and $1.08 billion, and non-GAAP earnings per share in the range of 4951 cents. Analysts polled by Zacks expect revenues of $1.08 billion and earnings of 53 cents per share.

For fiscal 2017, Agilent projects revenues in the range of $4.36$4.38 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share in the range of $2.15$2.21. Analysts polled by Zacks expect earnings of $2.15 per share and revenues to the tune of $4.35 billion.

Recommendation

Agilent delivered strong fiscal second-quarter 2017 results, with both the top and the bottom line surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

The companys decision to divest/wind up underperforming businesses has enhanced its focus on the new Agilent, while enabling expansion of the recurring revenue base and diversification of geographic and industrial operations for growth. Also, the companys focus on aligning investments in order to be oriented toward more attractive growth avenues and innovative product launches is a positive.

Additionally, we remain positive on Agilents broad-based portfolio and increased focus on segments with higher growth potential. Further, the company continues to introduce high-margin products. Foreign currency headwinds may hurt revenues and profits, but the company seems prepared to counter them.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

Following the release, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates. There have been four revisions higher for the current quarter.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. Price and Consensus

Agilent Technologies, Inc. Price and Consensus | Agilent Technologies, Inc. Quote

VGM Scores

At this time, the stock has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. 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 for growth and momentum investors.

Outlook

Estimates have been trending upward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions also looks promising. Interestingly, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We are expecting an inline return from the stock in the next few months.



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This week, ProPublica revealed that Facebook (FB) had, until recently, let advertisers target the news feeds of people who expressed interest in anti-Semitic topics like How to burn Jews.

This was just the latest PR disaster for the social network and, in fact, for Americas tech giants as a whole. Since the election of Donald Trump, the tech companies that consumers rely on to navigate the world and stay connected have come under more scrutiny  for hosting fake news and hateful content, for allegedly violating antitrust rules, and for killing jobs, to name a few areas of concern.

Americas tech giants could do no wrong just nine months ago, Scott Galloway, a professor of marketing at New York Universitys business school, told Yahoo Finance. Now, he says, Theyre in crisis mode, all of them.

The worm has turned against big tech

The growing power of tech giants  coupled with Russian operatives on Facebook and the hate groups seemingly everywhere online  have created a perfect storm that could soon come crashing down on big tech, Galloway said.

A Facebook employee holds a laptop with a like sticker on it during an event at Facebook headquarters during an event at Facebook headquarters on April 4, 2013 in Menlo Park, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

There is a movement afoot against the large tech companies. Its coming from both directions: Its coming from the far left who feel that they feel they destroyed jobs and hacked the election, and its coming from the far right who hate these companies as they feel they dont have a seat at the table, Galloway said, adding, The worm has turned against big tech.

A decade ago, Facebook had already become the webs hottest platform, as Fred Vogelstein wrote in Wired. The following 10 years shed light on the social networks drawbacks even as it became more ubiquitous (i.e., more and more peoples moms were joining Facebook). Facebooks targeted advertising creeped out some users, and the site could also be fertile ground for cyber-bullies.

But those flaws paled in comparison to concerns that emerged following the US presidential election. Thats when it was accused of being a vehicle for spreading misinformation that helped defeat Hillary Clinton and elect Donald Trump. Rather than fading away, charges that Facebook swayed the election heated up after it revealed that a Russian company with Kremlin ties had purchased $100,000 worth of ads on polarizing social issues like gun control and immigration.

Story continues

Meanwhile, a New York Times this month found that suspected Russian operators were using both Twitter (TWTR) and Facebook to disseminate anti-Clinton messages.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied Russian interference in the election. (Alexei Nikolsky, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Facebooks disclosure about the $100,000 in political ads prompted Sen. Mark Warner, D-VA, to question Facebooks initial response to hints of election interference. It appeared to me that the very social media sites that we rely on for virtually everything  our Facebooks, Googles and Twitters  it was my belief the Russians were using those sites to intervene in our elections, Warner said earlier this month at the Intelligence & National Security Summit in Washington. And the first reaction from Facebook was: Well youre crazy, theres nothing going on  well, we find yesterday there actually was something going on.

At the same time, its become clear that Facebook and Twitter arent just tools for foreign operatives and in fact have become the preferred weapon of choice for hate, Galloway, the NYU professor, told Yahoo Finance. While Facebook, Twitter, and Google (GOOG, GOOGL) have all banned hate groups, these actions resemble a game of Whac-a-mole  i.e,. more of them may keep coming back.

Hate groups and Russians arent techs only problems. Americas giant companies also have internal issues like allegations of sexual discrimination, and concerns that they  namely, Google and Amazon (AMZN)  may be operating illegal monopolies. Amazons recent acquisition of Whole Foods only seemed to confirm some fears that the everything store is seeking world domination.

This consolidation thats happening all over the country is not a positive trend, US Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., told Recodes Tony Romm over the summer.

Eventually, Galloway says, new regulations will be put in place to check this growing power.

More regulations, and public pressure to hire more sheriffs

The increased scrutiny of Americas tech giants may end up forcing them to spend more money to monitor the content people post. Historically, companies like Facebook have been reluctant to admit that theyre media companies  the implication being that media companies must police their own content.

Imagine if 80% of the beef being served at McDonalds was fake and we got sick and we got encephalitis, Galloway posited. What if in its own defense, McDonalds said, were not a fast food restaurant. Were a fast-food platform. Would we accept that?

To be sure, Google, Facebook, and Twitter have all taken some responsibility for removing certain content. Facebook has limited targeted advertising in response to the ads aimed at anti-Semites, and Twitter has banned users for harassing others on the platform (notably, Martin Shkreli and Milo Yiannopoulos). Just this week, Google started restricting ads for addiction treatment centers amid concerns over public safety.

But pressure from the public may spur these companies to remove content more aggressively. People have basically said, okay this is not the wild west. We want a sheriff. This town makes so much money it should be able to afford more sheriffs, Galloway said.

Increased public awareness of the flaws in big tech  and public antipathy towards tech companies  may also spur state attorneys general to regulate these companies more rigorously, he said.

By abdicating all responsibility and refusing to acknowledge they were media companies and accept the responsibility incumbent upon media companies, they have stick their chins out, Galloway said, noting that soon regulators may soon be throwing stones at those chins.

If Galloway is correct, the glory days of sky-high tech valuations may not last forever.

Erin Fuchs is deputy managing editor at Yahoo Finance.

Read more:

Moodys: Amazon may actually be the weakest retailer

Heres what the fired anti-diversity engineer would have to prove in his case against Google

A fight over gay employees will almost certainly hit the Supreme Court

A legal fight over NYC dog sitters highlights a bigger problem in America

FTC likely to approve Whole Foods deal even if Amazon did deceive customers
In late October 2012, as Hurricane Sandy barreled toward New York and New Jersey, barrels of information from the National Weather Service, NASA, and elsewhere inundated the White House. As the storm picked up, experts at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP, started closely monitoring storm track modeling from NOAA, satellite imagery from NASA, even detailed information like the level of wind shear at various elevations within the storm.

It fell to John Holdren, the director of that office and President Obamas science advisor, to make sure the best information was being used to prepare. And behind Holdren was the 100-plus staff of OSTP, the relatively unknown office that, at least during the Obama years, played an outsized role in the government response to disasters, be they storms or oil spills or West African disease outbreaks.

Today, as Hurricane Irma has finally fizzled out and response and recovery efforts for it and Hurricane Harvey ramp up (and Jose twirls menancingly out over the Atlantic), an OSTP official says it is still heavily engaged in these processes. But the office has been radically transformed under the Trump administration: The official told WIRED the current staffing level is only 42, down from over 130 during the Obama years, and the president has put forward no nominee for its director. Even if the remaining staff is working diligently to aid in disaster preparedness, it is likely that all that work has little if any connection to the presidents inner circle.

During Hurricane Sandy, those connections were clear. Tamara Dickinson, the director of the energy and environment division at OSTP under Obama, served as a point person on disasters, including hurricanes. Holdren used to call me the Disaster Queen, she says. He used to say that if he had an email from me in his inbox when he got up at five-thirty or six oclock, he knew it was going to be a bad day.

Each day as the hurricane approached, the Disaster Queen would send the science advisor an update on what the hurricane was doingpotential track, why the forecasts had changed and what it meant when they did, what the presence of a certain high- or low-pressure system meant for the next several days, and so on. These could run upwards of five pages, delving deep into the nitty gritty of hurricane science.

Holdren could then use this raft of technical detail to serve as an information resource for the White Housesenior advisors, the chief of staff, and the president himself. Interagency coordination is crucial when disaster strikes, and having a centralized source for technical information and expertise can help that sort of coordination, as well as help guide top-level decision-making at the White House, Dickinson says. The primary White House body responsible for responding to catastrophes natural or otherwise is the National Security Council (current website status: Check back soon for more information), and OSTP also maintained strong relationships with the staff there.

Today, whether OSTPs expertise is at all connected up the chain is unclear, since what was once Holdrens position remains vacant. And while OSTP says that disaster response across agencies is being coordinated by Assistant Director for Natural Disaster Resilience Jacqueline Meszaros, whose tenure at OSTP predates the new administration, questions about whether Meszaros actually has access to the president or top advisorsas Dickinson, through Holdren, didhave gone unanswered.

Aside from those immediate preparations, the office can also serve as a connection to the universe of expertise outside the government. As Hurricane Sandys water began to recede and the recovery began, the Obama OSTP began leveraging those connections. Brian Forde, who at the time was the Senior Advisor to the US Chief Technology Officer for Mobile and Data Innovation (he is now running for Congress in Californias 45th District), coordinated a number of projects with large tech companies, open source coders, and even high school students to help people in the aftermath of the storm.

Forde remembers being called to the Situation Room to explain to Cabinet members how various tech companies platforms could be used to aid the response to Sandy. Youre not allowed to bring technology into the Situation Room, so I had to print out screen shots of what these tools could do, and then demonstrate to them the value of it, he says. As he started passing out the screen shots, leaders of the various agencies including FEMAs Craig Fugate, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and others jumped out of their seats and huddled around the table, eager to see how Airbnb, Google, and others might help deal with the array of individual crises a large storm leaves in its wake.

In the wake of Harvey and Irma, its unclear if anyone from OSTP is filling that technological role. But as Forde notes, the whole point of the Sandy efforts was to make tools available for the next storm, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. Airbnb continues to help find housing for victims of Harvey and Irma, and Googles Crisis Map is operating for both storms as wellboth projects that OSTP helped coordinate after Sandy.

More on Disasters

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Hurricane Irma: A Practically Impossible Storm

As Irma grew and developed, it brushed up against its theoretical maximum intensity.

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4 Maps That Show the Gigantic Hurricane Irma Evacuation

Millions of people moving by plane, car, and ship.

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The Monumental Task of Restoring Houston After Harvey

What's next for Houston? Here's what experts say recovery will look like in the weeks, months, and years to come.

OSTP is adamant that it is still helping with hurricane response. But the details of that involvement and how it corresponds with the previous administrations efforts is unclear. Questions about the specific response efforts have not been answered, by the OSTP source or by the White House press office.

One thing that OSTP has traditionally been helpful in is identifying gaps and needs that exist, communicating those gaps and needs to the science and technology community beyond the federal government, and calling that community to action in creating these solutions, says Cristin Dorgelo, the OSTP chief of staff under Obama. That role, without a strong OSTP, is not being led, as far as I can tell.

Happily, the sort of institutional resiliency Forde described is apparent elsewhere in government too. FEMAs response to Harvey has been praised, with much credit going to the Obama administration and career civil servants who worked hard to prepare for future storms after Katrina and Sandy. (Thanks in large part to Dickinsons efforts to mobilize the disaster science community, the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Forces final report included substantial science input from OSTP and elsewhere, helping ensure the scientific basis for its conclusions was strong.)

But the true test will be in recovery, and with the unexpected perils that emerge after a storm of this scale hitslike, for example, the chemical plant explosions and spills facing the Houston area. With the Environmental Protection Agency suffering the foundational indignities of an ongoing dead-of-night dismantling, a solid source of expertise close to the White House might help guide the response.

OSTPs role was to bring science to the table, and to make sure the science was as accurate as possible, Dickinson says. Today? My hunch is thats not going on. But its just a hunch.
Author Gordon Chang on Friday said taking aim at Chinese banks could be the solution to getting the country to move in the right direction when it comes to putting pressure on North Koreas nuclear weapons program.

We can declare [the] Bank of China one of their so-called big four banks a primary laundering concern under Section 311 of the [USA] Patriot Act, Chang told Trish Regan during an interview on The Intelligence Report.

The Hermit Kingdom fired a ballistic missile over the Japanese island of Hokkaido Friday morning, which was its second launch over Japan in less a month, and comes after the latest round of economic sanctions issued by the United Nations Security Council on Monday. Those sanctions stemmed from North Koreas claim that it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

Earlier this year, the Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) found the Bank of Dandong an institution of primary money laundering concern and proposed to sever the bank from the U.S. financial system.

The U.N. report last year said that Bank of China advised and operated a money laundering scheme for the North Koreans. We can suspect that the Bank of China has also been involved in this dirty business in other cities as well. So clearly there is a trail there. And its not just bank of China; it is also the Industrial Commercial Bank of China and several other Chinese large banks, he said.



Related Articles
The logo of Barclays bank is seen on glass lamps outside of a branch of the bank in the City of London financial district in London September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

By Kirstin Ridley

LONDON (Reuters) - Barclays' (BARC.L) global head of whistleblowing is leaving the bank, according to a source familiar with the matter, five months after regulators began investigating Chief Executive Jes Staley for attempts to unmask a whistleblower.

Jonathan Cox, a former police detective inspector, is leaving after dropping an employment lawsuit against Barclays for alleged whistleblowing rule breaches. His employment case had been listed at the East London Tribunal for Sept. 13, but the tribunal confirmed it had been withdrawn.

No details about the case or his allegations have been disclosed.

A spokesman for Barclays and Cox's lawyer declined to comment on his departure, the case and whether there had been any financial settlement.

A call to Cox's office line was directed to his voicemail.

Cox joined Barclays in May 2013 according to his LinkedIn profile and led the bank's whistleblowing team for more than two years.

Britain's two financial regulators have been investigating Barclays and Staley for alleged breaches of whistleblowing rules since April after the CEO tried twice to identify an anonymous whistleblower last year, despite strict UK rules designed to protect them.

Barclays has reprimanded Staley and said it would cut his bonus over his attempts to discover the identity of the author of a letter that made allegations "of a personal nature" about a senior banker. But the bank has resisted calls to fire him for what Chairman John McFarlane has called an "honest" mistake.

Reuters does not know if Cox was involved in the episode.

Cox listed his responsibilities as programme development and implementation, managing regulatory relationships, rolling out a global marketing strategy and protecting employees who report wrongdoing.

(Additional reporting by Lawrence White; editing by Susan Thomas)
(Adds detail on exports)

By Julia Simon

NEW YORK, Sept 15 (Reuters) - While crude deliveries by larger ships to Beaumont in Texas remain restricted after Hurricane Harvey, a workaround using pipelines can supply Exxon Mobil's refinery there, shipping sources said.

Beaumont's port has been closed to ship traffic over 26 feet (8 meters) since Sept. 9 by the U.S. Coast Guard, because of shoaling - sediment or sand that washes up on the bottom of the waterway and hampers shipping traffic.

Exxon has other options for receiving crude, as nearby discharge points at Port Arthur and Nederland are still available, and pipes can bring crude up to the refinery. Exxon, however, tends to export refined products direct from the Beaumont port dock, said Brian Hass, operations manager for shipping broker Host Agency in Beaumont.

Exxon Mobil's facility can refine 362,000 barrels of crude a day. Brent Rahe, Coast Guard vessel traffic supervisor at Port Arthur, said there's a high spot in the river that could hinder vessels near the Beaumont port and Exxon Mobil's refinery.

Ships in that waterway are restricted to a 26-foot draft, the Coast Guard said, as opposed to the 40-foot (12-meter)allowance before the storm that allowed large ships that deliver crude into the channel. It is unclear when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be able to dredge the Beaumont waterway, Rahe said.

That could eventually cause difficulties for product exports, Hass said, once Beaumont is fully functioning again in the wake of Harvey. That refinery is still in the process of restarting, however.

The refinery expects to be back at full capacity by month-end, a spokeswoman said; the company did not answer questions about the ship channel. Since Harvey struck, overall imports into the Gulf Coast have slumped.

The Beaumont port is the furthest inland port on the Sabine Neches, a long curving waterway that empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The storm shut traffic at several ports, and while some, like Houston and Corpus Christi, have reopened to shipping traffic, they are still subject to restrictions on the depth of cargoes that can come up their respective channels.

Ships with a 38-foot (12-meter) draft - which can accommodate crude deliveries - are able to make their way to Sunoco's terminal, which has pipelines, that can deliver crude to Exxon Beaumont, said Hass.

Exxon Beaumont's facility imported 18.6 million barrels of oil in 2016, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. (Reporting by Julia Simon in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
A Bitcoin (virtual currency) coin is seen in an illustration picture taken at La Maison du Bitcoin in Paris, France, June 23, 2017. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Illustration

By Brenda Goh

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese authorities have ordered Beijing-based cryptocurrency exchanges to stop trading and immediately notify users of their closure, signalling a widening crackdown by authorities on the industry to contain financial risks.

Exchanges were also told to stop allowing new user registrations as of Friday, according to a government notice. The notice was signed by the Beijing city group in charge of overseeing internet finance risks and circulated online. A government source verified it to Reuters.

Platforms should also tell the government by Wednesday Sept. 20 how they will allow users to make withdrawals in a risk-free manner and handle funds to make sure investor interests are protected, according to the notice, which was also reported by state newspaper Securities Times.

"All trading exchanges must by midnight of Sept. 15 publish a notice to make clear when they will stop all cryptocurrency trading and announce a stop to new user registrations," the government notice said.

China is cracking down on the cryptocurrency business to try to limit risks as consumers pile into a highly speculative market that has grown rapidly this year. Reuters and other media reported earlier this week that it planned to shut down the exchanges.

Shanghai-based BTCChina, a major Chinese bitcoin exchange, said on Thursday it would stop all trading from Sept. 30, citing tightening regulation. Smaller Chinese bitcoin exchanges ViaBTC, YoBTC and Yunbi on Friday announced similar closures.

Beijing-based platforms OkCoin and Huobi, which are among China's biggest exchanges, said late on Friday that they planned to stop yuan-based trading by Oct. 31.

By 1406 GMT, BTC's price was down 7.63 percent at 19,797.00 yuan ($3,024.71).

The bitcoin price was down 5 percent at $3,071 (BTC=BTSP) at 1036 GMT on U.S. exchange Bitstamp. The bitcoin price index on trade website Coindesk slid below $3,000 for the first time in six weeks.

Story continues

Bitcoin fell by more than 10 percent on Wednesday after a warning by JPMorgan (JPM.N) Chief Executive Jamie Dimon that it "is a fraud" and will eventually "blow up".

"ILLEGAL FLOWS"

Li Lihui, a senior official at the National Internet Finance Association of China and a former president of the Bank of China, told a conference in Shanghai that global regulators should work together to supervise cryptocurrencies.

"Digital tokens like bitcoin, ethereum that are stateless, do not have sovereign endorsement, a qualified issuing body or a country's trust, are not legal currencies and should not be spoken of as digital currencies," he said.

"They can become a tool for illegal fund flows and investment deals."

He said there should be a distinction between digital currencies, which were being studied and developed by authorities such as the Chinese central bank, and digital tokens such as bitcoin. Digital currencies developed by authorities could be used for good, with the right regulation, he said.

The state-backed internet finance body was set up by the central bank, and its members include banks, brokerages, funds and consumer finance companies. On Wednesday, it urged members to abide by Chinese laws and not deal in cryptocurrencies.

Since January, Chinese bitcoin exchanges have rolled out a series of changes to comply with increased scrutiny by Beijing. But they were thrown into chaos on Sept. 4 when China issued a directive banning initial coin offerings (ICOs).

China's crackdown "is all about protecting market stability and protecting the interest of investors, so halting these kinds of initial coin offerings is a very necessary action," Li said.

Vlad Zamfir, a researcher at the Switzerland-based Ethereum Foundation, told Reuters that it was no surprise China is moving against such currencies. Beijing has capital controls, he said, that are "in direct tension with the free ability to send any amount of money anywhere without any kind of delay".

(Reporting by Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by Bi Xiaowen in BEIJING, Shanghai Newsroom and Adam Jourdan; Editing by lARRY kING)
If JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon was trying to set off the bitcoin community with his criticism of cryptocurrency, he succeeded. On Tuesday, Dimon called bitcoin a "fraud," described it as "not a real thing" and said, "someone is going to get killed." Crypto enthusiasts took little time in firing back -- on Twitter and on TV . We emailed Fred Wilson, a partner at Union Square Ventures and one of the first investors in bitcoin-related start-ups, to get his thoughts on Dimon's comments. "You have to have an open mind to be able to see the future," Wilson said.Venture capitalists and hedge fund managers that have joined in the crypto parade said that Dimon's stance is a reflection of Wall Street's defensive posture and attempts to downplay one of the biggest existential threats to the banking industry. Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that relies on blockchain technology and isn't controlled by banks or governments.There's no doubt that it's a volatile trade. Bitcoin is up more than five-fold in the past year, but has dropped by 35 percent this month. So when Dimon says, it's "worse than tulib bulbs," which experienced a massive bubble and burst in the 17th century, Dimon is comparing bitcoin to other overhyped assets.Balaji Srinivasan, the CEO of bitcoin startup 21.co, said Dimon is ignoring the functionality of bitcoin. While it doesn't have day-to-day price stability, lacks regulation and isn't accepted at the corner store, the currency works across borders, can be programmed to track transactions in a more secure way and doesn't require a bank account.Srinivasan refers to bitcoin's "10X features," or properties that make it 10 times better than what's currently in place."With one 10X feature, you have a contender," he said. "With half a dozen, you have something special." Dimon's comments at the Delivering Alpha conference followed a crypto clampdown in China, which reportedly plans to ban fundraising through initial coin offerings and trading of cryptocurrency on domestic exchanges. The news caused BTC China, one of the biggest online exchanges, to shut down on Thursday and sparked a slump in the price of bitcoin. Meanwhile, Mohamed El-Erian , Allianz's chief economic advisor, echoed Dimon's sentiment this week and said bitcoin's price should be cut in half. Dimon has long been skeptical of bitcoin and has repeatedly criticized the value of the cryptocurrency. On Tuesday, he said bitcoin will be in a "limited market" because governments typically like to take control of their currencies. Dimon said the underlying blockchain technology has more value, and JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) has been exploring various uses of it. The more fundamental difference between Dimon and the tech community may be in the way they define the widespread adoption of the currency. Michael Moro, CEO of digital currency trading firm Genesis Trading, said bitcoin could rise in value even if it fails to gain mainstream traction in more advanced countries like the U.S.That's because in much of the world, political and economic instability is so great that citizens are at risk of seeing their savings diminished or wiped out."It's entirely possible for bitcoin's price to be high because of the tremendous interest from South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia," he said.Erik Voorhees, CEO of Swiss-based digital asset exchange ShapeShift, said Dimon's comment is a classic case of fearmongering because banks are concerned about bitcoin potentially taking away some of their core businesses."Jamie Dimon has every interest in the world in disparaging Bitcoin and working with his friends in government to regulate and suffocate it," Voorhees said.The threat is real, according to Ari Paul, co-founder of the newly formed BlockTower Capital. He sees bitcoin eventually displacing offshore Swiss and Cayman bank accounts that JPMorgan and other banks have opened for their wealthy clients. Trillions of dollars are held in such accounts. "Cryptocurrency serves this function an order of magnitude better than the existing banking system," Paul said. "I suspect that Dimon recognizes this, and is trying to delay the inevitable replacement of one his bank's core services by a far more efficient upstart."The way most crypto enthusiasts see it, nothing Dimon says or does can stop bitcoin's inevitable expansion across the globe and into more industries."Bitcoin is a bit like flood water," said Union Square's Wilson. "It's hard to keep out of your society."WATCH: John McAfee claims bitcoin is headed to $500K If JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon was trying to set off the bitcoin community with his criticism of cryptocurrency, he succeeded. On Tuesday, Dimon called bitcoin a "fraud," described it as "not a real thing" and said, "someone is going to get killed." Crypto enthusiasts took little time in firing back -- on Twitter and on TV . We emailed Fred Wilson, a partner at Union Square Ventures and one of the first investors in bitcoin-related start-ups, to get his thoughts on Dimon's comments. "You have to have an open mind to be able to see the future," Wilson said. Venture capitalists and hedge fund managers that have joined in the crypto parade said that Dimon's stance is a reflection of Wall Street's defensive posture and attempts to downplay one of the biggest existential threats to the banking industry. Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that relies on blockchain technology and isn't controlled by banks or governments. There's no doubt that it's a volatile trade. Bitcoin is up more than five-fold in the past year, but has dropped by 35 percent this month. So when Dimon says, it's "worse than tulib bulbs," which experienced a massive bubble and burst in the 17th century, Dimon is comparing bitcoin to other overhyped assets. Balaji Srinivasan, the CEO of bitcoin startup 21.co, said Dimon is ignoring the functionality of bitcoin. While it doesn't have day-to-day price stability, lacks regulation and isn't accepted at the corner store, the currency works across borders, can be programmed to track transactions in a more secure way and doesn't require a bank account. Srinivasan refers to bitcoin's "10X features," or properties that make it 10 times better than what's currently in place. "With one 10X feature, you have a contender," he said. "With half a dozen, you have something special." Dimon's comments at the Delivering Alpha conference followed a crypto clampdown in China, which reportedly plans to ban fundraising through initial coin offerings and trading of cryptocurrency on domestic exchanges. The news caused BTC China, one of the biggest online exchanges, to shut down on Thursday and sparked a slump in the price of bitcoin. Meanwhile, Mohamed El-Erian , Allianz's chief economic advisor, echoed Dimon's sentiment this week and said bitcoin's price should be cut in half. Dimon has long been skeptical of bitcoin and has repeatedly criticized the value of the cryptocurrency. On Tuesday, he said bitcoin will be in a "limited market" because governments typically like to take control of their currencies. Dimon said the underlying blockchain technology has more value, and JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) has been exploring various uses of it. The more fundamental difference between Dimon and the tech community may be in the way they define the widespread adoption of the currency. Michael Moro, CEO of digital currency trading firm Genesis Trading, said bitcoin could rise in value even if it fails to gain mainstream traction in more advanced countries like the U.S. That's because in much of the world, political and economic instability is so great that citizens are at risk of seeing their savings diminished or wiped out. "It's entirely possible for bitcoin's price to be high because of the tremendous interest from South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia," he said. Erik Voorhees, CEO of Swiss-based digital asset exchange ShapeShift, said Dimon's comment is a classic case of fearmongering because banks are concerned about bitcoin potentially taking away some of their core businesses. "Jamie Dimon has every interest in the world in disparaging Bitcoin and working with his friends in government to regulate and suffocate it," Voorhees said. The threat is real, according to Ari Paul, co-founder of the newly formed BlockTower Capital. He sees bitcoin eventually displacing offshore Swiss and Cayman bank accounts that JPMorgan and other banks have opened for their wealthy clients. Trillions of dollars are held in such accounts. "Cryptocurrency serves this function an order of magnitude better than the existing banking system," Paul said. "I suspect that Dimon recognizes this, and is trying to delay the inevitable replacement of one his bank's core services by a far more efficient upstart." The way most crypto enthusiasts see it, nothing Dimon says or does can stop bitcoin's inevitable expansion across the globe and into more industries. "Bitcoin is a bit like flood water," said Union Square's Wilson. "It's hard to keep out of your society." WATCH: John McAfee claims bitcoin is headed to $500K



More From CNBC


On Wednesday a story about two ex-Google employees receiving an obscene amount of money for a bad idea hit social media and was met with a level of outrage you could feel through the screen. If you're online in any way whatsoever, you likely know I'm talking about Bodega.

The excellent article, Two Ex-Googlers Want To Make Bodegas And Mom-And-Pop Corner Stores Obsolete, hit several raw nerves with a wide range of people.

This fury is so crystallized because "Bodega" -- an overfunded, probably doomed, glorified vending machine startup positioned as a bodega killer -- stands for everything Silicon Valley represents to us. Whereas in reality, the very concept of a bodega stands for the absolute opposite of Silicon Valley.

It's almost like someone said "Siri, show me why everyone hates and fears the things wearing human suits known as techies."

Piles of money for trivial garbage

Bodega isn't just an offensive idea, it's an idea so bad and obviously worthless it's maddening. Part of the visceral backlash was directed at the bourgeois wastefulness of the whole startup ecosystem, of which we are all angrily exhausted.

People who shop at the same Bay Area corner stores that Bodega wants to eliminate, like me, aren't worried about any problem the startup wants to solve. We're fretting about paying rent, affording health insurance, and the extreme gap between Bay Area's rich and poor created by local tech companies that's making the homeless problem a third world nightmare in our streets. A world in which Bodega gets a truckload of cash to almost literally burn right before our eyes.

Fast Company informs us,

About a year ago, McDonald and Rajan secured funding from notable investors to launch the concept, including Josh Kopelman at First Round Capital, Kirsten Green at Forerunner Ventures, and Hunter Walk at Homebrew. They also secured angel investment from senior executives at Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, and Google.

Story continues

According to TechCrunch, the startup's first financing round was a cool $2.5 million.

No, instead of all the money that could help the Bay Area's crushing homeless problem (and serve as models for other cities if done well), or help other worthy tech causes like Hack The Hood, we get Silicon Valley's "best and brightest" reinventing the vending machine in the most dystopian, community-destroying way imaginable.

You can almost see the pitch meeting. One VC remarks to another, "You think that's crazy? Hold my Juicero."

Replacing community with soulless automation

Deeper outrage was directed at the hubris, ignorance, and privilege it takes to want to make a business out of replacing the cornerstones of community known on the East Coast and parts of Los Angeles as bodegas.

The idea of the Bodega product is to remove human contact from the neighborhood shopping equation, to do away with the actual bodega. "The vision here is much bigger than the box itself," McDonald told Fast Company. "Eventually, centralized shopping locations won't be necessary, because there will be 100,000 Bodegas spread out, with one always 100 feet away from you."

Right after the Fast Company article came out, the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development in New York issued a statement. "The awful irony of naming the company 'Bodega' after the very brick and mortar institutions they aim to displace, to say nothing about the cat their logo is based on that will similarly be displaced, is offensive, utterly misguided, and frankly disrespectful to New Yorkers," it wrote.

Bodega Cat - Paulina from Riverdale, NYC

Until the backlash hit, Bodega seemed fine with everything written about it killing corner stores and appropriating the bodega name. The Fast Company article that got all the attention was a really well-done piece and had confronted CEO and co-founder Paul McDonald. In it, Elizabeth Segran wrote, "I asked McDonald point-blank about whether he's worried that the name Bodega might come off as culturally insensitive. Not really." He told her in response, "I'm not particularly concerned about it."

When it became clear that replacing bodegas with a box wasn't a great selling point -- nor was naming the company after the thing it seemed keen to undercut -- McDonald shot out a backpedaling apology.

In contrast to his brush off about the issue of co-opting "bodega" to Fast Company, McDonald wrote:

When we first came up with the idea to call the company Bodega we recognized that there was a risk of it being interpreted as misappropriation. We did some homework  speaking to New Yorkers, branding people, and even running some survey work asking about the name and any potential offense it might cause. But it's clear that we may not have been asking the right questions of the right people.

Regarding the headlines echoing McDonald's quote about Bodega's aim to eliminate the necessity of stores he wrote, "Challenging the urban corner store is not and has never been our goal."

Then the clicks and whirrs of a robot that had only learned about corner stores from a machine learning algorithm kicked in as McDonald continued:

Corner stores have been fixtures of their neighborhoods for generations. They stock thousands of items, far more than we could ever fit on a few shelves. Their owners know what products to carry and in many cases who buys what. And they're run by people who in addition to selling everything from toilet paper to milk also offer an integral human connection to their patrons that our automated storefronts never will.

Can you imagine handing your bank details to these clowns? Or trusting them to make the right decisions about audits and security, or your home address and third parties, or ... any Google, Facebook, Uber -- any major company's products -- that affect millions of users every day?

Maybe there was a point in time when we could, but I don't remember it. Every day seems to bring a new terrifying (and insulting) reason to distrust Silicon Valley's companies and eager little startups. Which is probably because, like with Bodega, they're all founded, operated, funded, and secured by the same kinds of people.

That wacky "integral human connection"

I think we're morbidly fascinated with who the people behind these tech companies are, the ones making huge decisions about our lives (and our security and privacy). They create and gatekeep the technologies that arbitrate our relationships and our communities. These are the people who are shaping our future, and yet we end up with over-engineered, pricey juice presses and vending machines.

Paul McDonald served as a product manager at Google for 13 years. His partner Ashwath Rajan was an associate product manager at the company for just over a year. In case you're not sure what that means, a Google Product Manager shepherds to completion new products and features that impact the lives of millions of users every day.

McDonald and Rajan have been testing out their Bodega Boxes at 30 locations around the Bay Area since late last year, placing the bespoke toilet paper vending machines in what we must assume are crime-free (read: upper class) apartment lobbies and offices.

Bodega is not unique in any way. Remember SceneTap, the facial recognition startup for telling its app's users how many women were in a bar at any given time? They tried to launch in San Francisco. To their surprise, but no one else's, the backlash was huge.

I can't imagine a solution for the Bodega problem, mostly because of the fact that it exists at all.

Here in the Bay Area, where these ex-Googlers got their pedigrees to formulate and pitch their startup, we don't actually call them bodegas. We call them "corner stores." This little detail is even more conspicuous when you consider that Paul McDonald says he has not lived in New York.

Which is why even just the startup's name "Bodega" told us locals and natives -- the involuntary first-wave recipients of Silicon Valley's fucked up experiments with our lives -- all we needed to know.

Images: Alain-Christian/Flickr (Bodega cat); Spencer Platt/Getty Images (An NYC bodega)
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

From Popular Mechanics

Scientists who discovered that old men really do have big ears, that playing the didgeridoo helps relieve sleep apnea and that handling crocodiles can influence gambling decisions are among this year's recipients of the Ig Nobel, the prize for absurd scientific achievement.

The 27th annual awards were announced Thursday at Harvard University. The ceremony featured a traditional barrage of paper airplanes, a world premiere opera and real Nobel laureates handing out the 10 prizes.

"It's a strange honor to have, but I am thrilled," Dr. James Heathcote told The Associated Press. A British physician, Heathcote won the Ig Nobel for anatomy for his big-ear research.

The awards are sponsored by the science humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research, the Harvard-Radcliffe Science Fiction Association and the Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Physics Students.

This year's winners - who each received $10 trillion cash prizes in virtually worthless Zimbabwean money - also included scientists who used fluid dynamics to determine whether cats are solid or liquid; researchers who tried to figure out why some people are disgusted by cheese; and psychologists who found that many identical twins cannot tell themselves apart in visual images.

Heathcote, whose study on ear size was published in the prestigious British Medical Journal in 1995, was inspired when he and several other general practitioners were discussing how they could do more research.

When he asked why old men have such big ears, half his colleagues agreed with his observation; the others scoffed.

For his study, Heathcote measured the ear length of more than 200 patients and discovered not only that old men have big ears but that ears grow about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) per decade after age 30. Women's ears grow with age, too, but their ears are smaller to start with, and men's big ears may be more noticeable because they tend to have less hair, he found.

Story continues

"There's something magical about measuring the ears," he said.

Dr. Milo Puhan's Ig Nobel peace prize-winning discovery is a godsend for anyone who lives with an unbearably loud snorer. He found that playing the didgeridoo - that tubular Australian aboriginal instrument that emits a deep, rhythmic drone - helps relieve sleep apnea.

Puhan, director of the Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, studied didgeridoo playing after a patient with mild sleep apnea became convinced that it helped him.

Puhan recruited volunteers who learned to play a roughly 4-foot-long (130 centimeter) plastic didgeridoo.

"Regular playing of a didgeridoo reduces daytime sleepiness and snoring in people with moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and also improves the sleep quality of partners," his study concluded.

Why does it work? Puhan figures playing the didgeridoo helps people learn circular breathing (the technique of blowing out through the mouth while simultaneously inhaling through the nose) and strengthens the throat muscles used in breathing.

The economics prize went to a pair of Australians who found that if you want to limit your gambling losses, don't have a close encounter with a crocodile before hitting the casino.

Matthew Rockloff, head of the Population Research Laboratory at Central Queensland University in Bundaberg, and research assistant Nancy Greer, plunked a 1-meter (3-foot) saltwater crocodile - its mouth safely taped - into the arms of people about to gamble and watched what happened.

The excitement caused by handling a dangerous reptile caused people with pre-existing problems to "gamble higher amounts, which over the long term will lead to greater gambling losses," Rockloff said in an email.

Like many projects that earn Ig Nobels, what seems silly on the surface can have a valid application.

"This was the first study to examine the emotional impact of excitement on gambling choices, which has obvious benefits toward addressing a very serious behavioral and mental health problem," he said.

Rockloff felt so fortunate when he learned of his Ig Nobel, he was tempted to press his own luck.

"I had to stop myself from trying to capitalize on that luck with a slot machine," he said.

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The US President hopes to lower the corporate tax rate from 35 to 15 per cent: AP/Alex Brandon

Donald Trump has reiterated his goal to lower the US corporate tax rate to 15 per cent to "match" China.

But China has a standard corporate tax income rate of 25 per cent, according to the State Administration of Taxation.

While certain enterprises in industries encouraged by the Chinese government can qualify for a reduced rate of 15 per cent, the majority of businesses pay the higher rate.

China has a business tax rate of 15%. We should do everything possible to match them in order to win with our economy. Jobs and wages!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017

The US President has said he hopes to lower the corporate tax rate from 35 to 15 per cent.

"It would bring us to the level where China and other countries are. And we will be able to compete with anybody," Mr Trump said.

In a tweet, he said: "China has a business tax rate of 15 per cent. We should do everything possible to match them in order to win with our economy. Jobs and wages!"

There has been no comprehensive overhaul of the US tax code since 1986, and the starkly different visions embraced by the Democrats and Republicans for how to move forward promise to make such a task difficult.

Mr Trump has said the rich might see a hike in taxes as he pursues his tax overhaul by reaching out to Democrats to oppose cutting tax rates for the wealthy.

Democrats have criticised the Republican tax overhaul efforts for benefiting mainly the wealthiest Americans, but Mr Trump said the rich would not be making gains with the plan, which he said was geared toward providing the largest tax cut ever for the middle class and creating jobs.

"I think the wealthy will be pretty much where they are," the real estate mogul said of taxes on the rich, without specifying the income level.

"If they have to go higher, they'll go higher, frankly."
A former U.S. diplomat on Friday criticized President Donald Trump for lecturing the British in the aftermath of the terror attack on a London subway. "What the United States needs to do right now is not lecture the British, as President Trump did in a tweet this morning," CNBC contributor and former U.S. ambassador to NATO Nick Burns said during a "Closing Bell " interview . "Stand by them. Give them all the assistance."Added the ambassador, "But let them run their own show. That's what the United States should be doing."On Friday, at least 29 people were injured when the detonator on a crude bomb activated, but authorities say there could have been a far worse outcome had the explosive worked as intended. One of the injured included a boy who suffered serious burns.An affiliate of ISIS claimed responsibility for the latest London attack.Trump tweeted Friday about the U.K. attack, calling the person responsible for the incident "a loser terrorist" and appeared to suggest that Scotland Yard should have been able to stop it since they had the "sick and demented people" in their "sights." Another tweet by the president suggested "much tougher" action was needed.https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/908642277987356673https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/908643633901039617 British Prime Minister Theresa May also was taken aback by Trump's tweets: "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," she said, according to the BBC. In remarks outside the White House before he spoke to May, Trump called the London attack "a terrible thing. It just keeps going and going, and we have to be very smart. We have to be very, very tough. Perhaps we are not nearly tough enough."Burns, who served in the U.S. government for 27 years and also is a former Undersecretary of State, noted that the British sadly have a lot of experience when it comes to terrorism. The U.K. isn't only dealing with the current ISIS-linked jihadi terrorism but earlier suffered attacks by affiliates of al-Qaeda and, prior to that, the IRA. After the subway attack, the U.K. terror threat level was raised to "critical," meaning an "attack is expected imminently." The raised alarm follows the terrorist attack in June involving a van that mowed down people in London and the shrapnel-laden homemade bomb in Manchester that killed 23 people and injured more than 200 others in May. In all, the U.K. has suffered more than 3,400 fatalities linked to terrorism since 1970, including more than 125 since 2000. Friday marked the fourth terrorist attack on London this year.Speaking on "Closing Bell," Ret. Lt. Col. Daniel Davis said the fight against terrorism requires a larger examination of the role of having American troops overseas in some countries. Also, he said some actions being taken in the war on terror might actually be contributing to the problem."As long as you're going after the wrong targets, I think you're going to continue to have trouble like this," said the colonel.As an example, he said Trump recently spoke about extending the U.S. operations in Afghanistan, citing the deadly August terror attack in Spain. "He said, 'See, this is why we have to do it.' Yet when you look at what happened in Spain  it was basically homegrown and radicalized there.""So having troops constantly fighting overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan  those things are not keeping us safe," Davis said. "And in fact, in some ways, they're actually contributing" to making the situation worse because he said it allows some "radicalized people" in their own mind to justify taking the wrong path.Finally, he said "we need to really be careful" when taking the approach that it's necessary to defend ourselves with military power around the globe. "What we have to do is get at the causes of radicalism and the causes of Islamic terror. And that's not going to be done on a combat battlefield."WATCH: Trump comments on London terror attack A former U.S. diplomat on Friday criticized President Donald Trump for lecturing the British in the aftermath of the terror attack on a London subway. "What the United States needs to do right now is not lecture the British, as President Trump did in a tweet this morning," CNBC contributor and former U.S. ambassador to NATO Nick Burns said during a " Closing Bell " interview . "Stand by them. Give them all the assistance." Added the ambassador, "But let them run their own show. That's what the United States should be doing." On Friday, at least 29 people were injured when the detonator on a crude bomb activated, but authorities say there could have been a far worse outcome had the explosive worked as intended. One of the injured included a boy who suffered serious burns. An affiliate of ISIS claimed responsibility for the latest London attack. Trump tweeted Friday about the U.K. attack, calling the person responsible for the incident "a loser terrorist" and appeared to suggest that Scotland Yard should have been able to stop it since they had the "sick and demented people" in their "sights." Another tweet by the president suggested "much tougher" action was needed. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/908642277987356673 https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/908643633901039617 British Prime Minister Theresa May also was taken aback by Trump's tweets: "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," she said, according to the BBC. In remarks outside the White House before he spoke to May, Trump called the London attack "a terrible thing. It just keeps going and going, and we have to be very smart. We have to be very, very tough. Perhaps we are not nearly tough enough." Burns, who served in the U.S. government for 27 years and also is a former Undersecretary of State, noted that the British sadly have a lot of experience when it comes to terrorism. The U.K. isn't only dealing with the current ISIS-linked jihadi terrorism but earlier suffered attacks by affiliates of al-Qaeda and, prior to that, the IRA. After the subway attack, the U.K. terror threat level was raised to "critical," meaning an "attack is expected imminently." The raised alarm follows the terrorist attack in June involving a van that mowed down people in London and the shrapnel-laden homemade bomb in Manchester that killed 23 people and injured more than 200 others in May. In all, the U.K. has suffered more than 3,400 fatalities linked to terrorism since 1970, including more than 125 since 2000. Friday marked the fourth terrorist attack on London this year. Speaking on "Closing Bell," Ret. Lt. Col. Daniel Davis said the fight against terrorism requires a larger examination of the role of having American troops overseas in some countries. Also, he said some actions being taken in the war on terror might actually be contributing to the problem. "As long as you're going after the wrong targets, I think you're going to continue to have trouble like this," said the colonel. As an example, he said Trump recently spoke about extending the U.S. operations in Afghanistan, citing the deadly August terror attack in Spain. "He said, 'See, this is why we have to do it.' Yet when you look at what happened in Spain  it was basically homegrown and radicalized there." "So having troops constantly fighting overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan  those things are not keeping us safe," Davis said. "And in fact, in some ways, they're actually contributing" to making the situation worse because he said it allows some "radicalized people" in their own mind to justify taking the wrong path. Finally, he said "we need to really be careful" when taking the approach that it's necessary to defend ourselves with military power around the globe. "What we have to do is get at the causes of radicalism and the causes of Islamic terror. And that's not going to be done on a combat battlefield." WATCH: Trump comments on London terror attack



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Google

A class action filed Thursday against Google Inc. claims the tech company systemically pays women less than men in similar jobs and also enables unequal promotions and opportunities for male and female workers.

The sex discrimination case filed in San Francisco Superior Court , Ellis v. Google, accuses the Mountain View, California, company of paying women at all levels less than men in comparable positions, assigning women lower-tier jobs with lower pay and compensation than men and promoting women less frequently. The lawsuit also claims Google failed to correct these issues even after being made aware of them.

While Google has been an industry-leading tech innovator, its treatment of female employees has not entered the 21st century, said Kelly Dermody of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, who was among the lawyers who filed the case. This case seeks to ensure fairness for women at Google.

The purported class of former and current employees is represented by Altshuler Berzon and Lieff Cabraser. The suit was filed on behalf of three women.

Google spokeswoman Gina Scigliano said in a statement that the company disagrees with the central allegations in the complaint, but the company will review the lawsuit. The company's statement said, in part, that job levels and promotions are determined through a rigorous process, which includes hiring and promotion committees and multiple levels of review.

And we have extensive systems in place to ensure that we pay fairly, Scigliano said in the statement. But on all these topics, if we ever see individual discrepancies or problems, we work to fix them, because Google has always sought to be a great employer, for every one of our employees.

This lawsuit puts a new spotlight on Google over claims the company hasn't done enough to boost gender diversity. The U.S. Labor Department has an ongoing investigation of Google, alleging gender disparities in pay at the company . Initial findings revealed alleged pay discrimination among the 21,000 employees at the company's headquarters at every level. Google has disputed these findings.

Story continues

Google also recently fought with the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs over disclosure of salary records a battle that Google won in part .

The lawsuit also follows the release of a memo written by a Google engineer who claimed on the internal document that, among other things, women were not biologically suitable for work in the technology industry and decried Google's efforts to level the playing field. The engineer James Damore was fired after the memo was made public and went viral.

Damore recently hired Harmeet Dhillon, head of San Francisco-based boutique employment firm Dhillon Law Group. Dhillon also represents current and former Google employees who claim they were discriminated against for their political views.

James Finberg of Altshuler Berzon told The Recorder this summer that the firm received dozens of responses in just a few weeks asking women to come forward if they experienced gender pay discrimination at Google. He said he was inspired to focus on Google after learning of the company's fight with the Labor Department.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three former Google employees, Kelly Ellis, Holly Pease and Kelli Wisuri, who said they believe they received fewer opportunities and less pay than their male counterparts. Women should have the same opportunities as men, and receive equal pay for substantially similar work, Wisuri said in a statement announcing the suit.

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Erin Mulvaney, based in Washington, covers labor and employment. Contact her at emulvaney@alm.com. On Twitter: @erinmulvaney
Masayoshi Son

Softbank is in talks with Uber about a massive $10 billion investment in the company, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

The deal could give Japan's Softbank as much as a 22% stake in the ride-hailing company if it is able to carry out the full investment, which would entail purchasing shares directly from the company as well as from existing shareholders looking to cash out, the report said.

Uber was last valued at $69 billion. But according to the WSJ report, Softbank is trying to convince shareholder to agree to an auction process that would price Uber shares at a discount and value the company at $50 billion.

Softbank declined to comment to Business Insider. Uber did not immediately return requests for comment.

The talks come as Uber seeks to move past nearly a year of controversy and scandals that culminated in cofounder Travis Kalanick stepping down from the CEO job in June. Last month Uber hired Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to fill the CEO slot vacated by Kalanick.

The tumultuous management changes have been accompanied by bitter infighting among different factions of company insiders and investors. Benchmark Capital, one of Uber's largest investors, sued Kalanick in August, alleging that the Uber cofounder fraudulently obtain control of three company board seats. The lawsuit provoked a bizarre declaration of war from another high-profile Uber investor, who vowed to strike back at the "unholy alliance" of "sanctimonious hypocrites."

A deal with Softbank would mark Khosrowshahi's first major action since taking the reins. Negotiations began before Khosrowshahi was hired and could conclude as early as next week the WSJ reported citing an anonymous source.

NOW WATCH: An Alabama high school 'resegregated' after years of being a model of integration  here's what happened after





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By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - Three female former employees of Alphabet Inc's Google filed a lawsuit on Thursday accusing the tech company of discriminating against women in pay and promotions. The proposed class action lawsuit, filed in California state court in San Francisco, comes as Google faces an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor into sex bias in pay practices. The lawsuit appears to be the first to make class action sex bias claims against Google, but is only the latest instance of a major tech company being accused of discriminating against women. The Department of Labor sued Oracle America Inc in January, claiming it paid white men more than women and minorities with similar jobs. Microsoft Corp and Twitter Inc are facing sex bias lawsuits, and Qualcomm Inc last year settled claims for $19.5 million. Meanwhile, Uber Technologies Inc in June said it would make a series of changes after a former engineer in a blog post accused the ride-hailing service of condoning rampant sexism. The plaintiffs in Thursday's lawsuit are a former Google software engineer, a former communications specialist and a former manager who worked in various roles at the Mountain View, California-based company. They say Google pays women in California less than men who perform similar work, and assigns female workers jobs that are less likely to lead to promotions. "While Google has been an industry-leading tech innovator, its treatment of female employees has not entered the 21st century," Kelly Dermody, a lawyer for the women, said in a statement. Google spokeswoman Gina Scigliano denied the claims in a statement. She said employment decisions are made by hiring and promotion committees, and are vetted "to make sure there is no gender bias." "If we ever see individual discrepancies or problems, we work to fix them, because Google has always sought to be a great employer, for every one of our employees," she said. The plaintiffs say Google violated California laws requiring equal pay for similar work and prohibiting unfair and unlawful business practices. They are seeking to represent a class of women who worked at Google in California over the last four years. The Labor Department investigation stems from a 2015 audit in which the department says it discovered sex-based wage gaps among Google workers. The department last month appealed an administrative judge's July decision that rejected its request for contact information for more than 20,000 Google employees. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Andrew Hay)
A customer exits the Macy's flagship department store in midtown Manhattan in New York City, November 11, 2015. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) - This holiday season Macy's Inc (M.N) will employ more workers at its distribution and warehouses to support its online business as it operates 70 fewer stores compared to last year.

The department store operator said on Thursday it would hire 18,000 workers to fulfill online orders, including shipping and packaging, up 20 percent from a year earlier.

In total, the company plans to hire around 80,000 seasonal workers for the holiday season, down from 83,000 last year.

The news comes a day after rival Target Corp (TGT.N) said it would hire 43 percent more seasonal workers, or a total of 100,000 workers, for the holiday season.

It was for the first time in five years that Target increased the number of holiday workers it would hire, following the retailer's first comparable sales rise in more than a year.

Seasonal hiring plans typically point to retailers' sales expectations for the holiday season, which starts a day after Thanksgiving and continues into early January, and accounts for nearly a third of the companies' annual sales.

U.S. staffing firm Radial expects retailers, including Neiman Marcus, Ralph Lauren Corp (RL.N) and Toys R Us, to hire 35 percent more workers this holiday season to fill positions at distribution centers as well as for ancillary services in stores such as order-online-pick-up-in-store and doorstep delivery.

Macy's, like other department store operators, has been grappling with weak sales for years, as shoppers spend less on apparel and more on experiences, and competition from online retailers such as Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) intensifies.

For fiscal year ending January, Macy's expects its sales to fall between 3.2 percent and 4.3 percent, with comparable store sales declining 2 percent to 3 percent.

(Reporting by Siddharth Cavale in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Arun Koyyur)
Martin Shkreli 's new home in a Brooklyn, New York, federal jail is definitely not the kind of place "where you want to be," a top New York City criminal defense attorney said Thursday. Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is a grim, smelly setting where Shkreli and other inmates are denied the types of services that can make time spent in long-term federal prisons more bearable, while being fed fattening food. "It's not a rehabilitative facility. There's no schooling there, there's no classes there," said the lawyer, Arthur Aidala. "The worst part is there's no real outdoors space.""It's just a place to warehouse human beings." Shkreli, 34, a Manhattan resident, was thrown into the MDC on Wednesday after a Brooklyn federal court judge revoked his $5 million release bond. Judge Kiyo Matsumoto ruled that Shkreli represented a danger to the community because of a bizarre $5,000 bounty he offered to Facebook followers who grabbed samples of Hillary Clinton 's hair for him. Shkreli and his lawyer Benjamin Brafman claimed the offer was "satire." Matsumoto also was concerned about posts Shkreli had made directed at journalist Lauren Duca, who has a long-standing feud with him, and who Shkreli said he planned to "f---" once his trial ended.Duca on Wednesday tweeted her opinion of Shkreli's incarceration.TweetBrafman, who declined to comment Thursday, noted during a court hearing Wednesday that the MDC is a "maximum security" facility, as opposed to the minimum security prison Shkreli is likely to do time in if he receives a prison sentence.The MDC also will deny Shkreli access to the internet  the digital playground where he has gained widespread notoriety for trolling critics, Clinton and journalists covering his criminal case.The convicted fraudster, who spent his first night in the MDC on Wednesday, has been assigned the number 87850-053 by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as he awaits sentencing on Jan. 16.The jail is basically "a holding facility" for people awaiting trial on federal criminal charges, Aidala said.The clientele "really varies. You have a lot of people involved with drugs, who got arrested for drugs. You have a sprinkling of organized crime people" of different ethnicity, Aidala said. "You have a handful of white-collar guys." Shkreli, who previously ran two pharmaceutical companies and several hedge funds, is one of those white-collar guys. A jury convicted him in August of three securities fraud charges.Shkreli had expected to remain free for months, or even longer, pending his sentencing and his planned appeal. Brafman has said that a sentence that does not require prison time is possible in the case. Gerald Lefcourt, a leading criminal defense lawyer, told CNBC on Wednesday that Shkreli could actually spend more time locked up due to his bond revocation than he would otherwise be for a prison sentence given the time it takes for an appeal of a federal conviction to be resolved. Aidala said that even if Shkreli does get sentenced to prison, it will be to a facility that is more pleasant than the MDC."Everyone says the federal facilities are better than state prisons," Aidala said. "Sure, that's true  when you get sentenced."But before then Shkreli has to bide his time for four months in the MDC, where Aidala himself has spent hours visiting clients."The Brooklyn House of Detention"  where people are jailed while awaiting state charges are kept  "is like a palace compared to the MDC," Aidala said.NBC News noted that a 2016 report by the National Association of Women Judges said conditions in the female section of the MDC were "unconscionable," and that federal prosecutors in May charged three guards with sexually abusing female prisoners. "There's not the most pleasant odor flowing around the whole building," Aidala said. "You're basically inside, surrounded with the florescent lights."Meals at the facility are "heavy on the carbs," the lawyer said. When inmates come down for visiting hours "they beg their families to get food from the vending machines," Aidala said.With little official recreation, and with access to fresh air limited to a rooftop area that inmates have some access to, "there's a lot of card playing," Aidala said.He said that Shkreli faces much less risk of violence than he would if he was being held at Rikers Island, the sprawling New York City jail complex that holds people charged with state crimes.The MDC is "more of ... an unpleasant place than it is a dangerous place," he said."It's the dehumanization" that is particularly bad, Aidala said. "You're being told where to go, when to do, how you can do anything, from brushing your teeth to sleeping.""No independence and freedom," the lawyer said.WATCH: Co-worker says Shkreli 'mentally unstable' Martin Shkreli 's new home in a Brooklyn, New York, federal jail is definitely not the kind of place "where you want to be," a top New York City criminal defense attorney said Thursday. Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is a grim, smelly setting where Shkreli and other inmates are denied the types of services that can make time spent in long-term federal prisons more bearable, while being fed fattening food. "It's not a rehabilitative facility. There's no schooling there, there's no classes there," said the lawyer, Arthur Aidala. "The worst part is there's no real outdoors space." "It's just a place to warehouse human beings." Shkreli, 34, a Manhattan resident, was thrown into the MDC on Wednesday after a Brooklyn federal court judge revoked his $5 million release bond. Judge Kiyo Matsumoto ruled that Shkreli represented a danger to the community because of a bizarre $5,000 bounty he offered to Facebook followers who grabbed samples of Hillary Clinton 's hair for him. Shkreli and his lawyer Benjamin Brafman claimed the offer was "satire." Matsumoto also was concerned about posts Shkreli had made directed at journalist Lauren Duca, who has a long-standing feud with him, and who Shkreli said he planned to "f---" once his trial ended. Duca on Wednesday tweeted her opinion of Shkreli's incarceration. Tweet Brafman, who declined to comment Thursday, noted during a court hearing Wednesday that the MDC is a "maximum security" facility, as opposed to the minimum security prison Shkreli is likely to do time in if he receives a prison sentence. The MDC also will deny Shkreli access to the internet  the digital playground where he has gained widespread notoriety for trolling critics, Clinton and journalists covering his criminal case. The convicted fraudster, who spent his first night in the MDC on Wednesday, has been assigned the number 87850-053 by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as he awaits sentencing on Jan. 16. The jail is basically "a holding facility" for people awaiting trial on federal criminal charges, Aidala said. The clientele "really varies. You have a lot of people involved with drugs, who got arrested for drugs. You have a sprinkling of organized crime people" of different ethnicity, Aidala said. "You have a handful of white-collar guys." Shkreli, who previously ran two pharmaceutical companies and several hedge funds, is one of those white-collar guys. A jury convicted him in August of three securities fraud charges. Shkreli had expected to remain free for months, or even longer, pending his sentencing and his planned appeal. Brafman has said that a sentence that does not require prison time is possible in the case. Gerald Lefcourt, a leading criminal defense lawyer, told CNBC on Wednesday that Shkreli could actually spend more time locked up due to his bond revocation than he would otherwise be for a prison sentence given the time it takes for an appeal of a federal conviction to be resolved. Aidala said that even if Shkreli does get sentenced to prison, it will be to a facility that is more pleasant than the MDC. "Everyone says the federal facilities are better than state prisons," Aidala said. "Sure, that's true  when you get sentenced." But before then Shkreli has to bide his time for four months in the MDC, where Aidala himself has spent hours visiting clients. "The Brooklyn House of Detention"  where people are jailed while awaiting state charges are kept  "is like a palace compared to the MDC," Aidala said. NBC News noted that a 2016 report by the National Association of Women Judges said conditions in the female section of the MDC were "unconscionable," and that federal prosecutors in May charged three guards with sexually abusing female prisoners. "There's not the most pleasant odor flowing around the whole building," Aidala said. "You're basically inside, surrounded with the florescent lights." Meals at the facility are "heavy on the carbs," the lawyer said. When inmates come down for visiting hours "they beg their families to get food from the vending machines," Aidala said. With little official recreation, and with access to fresh air limited to a rooftop area that inmates have some access to, "there's a lot of card playing," Aidala said. He said that Shkreli faces much less risk of violence than he would if he was being held at Rikers Island, the sprawling New York City jail complex that holds people charged with state crimes. The MDC is "more of ... an unpleasant place than it is a dangerous place," he said. "It's the dehumanization" that is particularly bad, Aidala said. "You're being told where to go, when to do, how you can do anything, from brushing your teeth to sleeping." "No independence and freedom," the lawyer said. WATCH: Co-worker says Shkreli 'mentally unstable'



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FILE PHOTO: Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addresses the audience at the morning plenary session at the Netroots Nation conference for political progressives in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. August 12, 2017. REUTERS/Christopher Aluka Berry

Equifaxs unprecedented data breach, which potentially exposed 143 million Americans personal information last week, has already cost the credit agency $9.75 billion in market value, and the stock could plunge even more, Morgan Stanley says.

In its updated bear case out Friday, the investment bank asks, "Wheres the floor?" and says Equifaxs stock could plunge as low as $50 a share, about one-third of where it was before the hack.

"The main risks that we see to EFX center around: 1) greater impairment to the Global Consumer Solutions segment (GCS), 2) potential bleed into other businesses and/or share shift, 3) increased regulation, and 4) higher-than-anticipated fines," writes analyst Jeffrey Goldstein. "We note that many of these risks are difficult, if not impossible to quantify, but we give our best estimates."

Morgan Stanley maintains its equal-weight rating for the stock, and has dropped its base case price target to $127 from $140.

Regulation is a key concern for investors, the bank says. Senator Elizabeth Warren said Friday she, along with 11 other Democratic senators, had launched an investigation into the breach.

"This could result in higher compliance costs at best, or nationalization of the credit bureau function at worst," Goldstein says. "We believe that the sharp price decline over the past few days is related to the steady drumbeat of legislative inquiries,and a lack of clarity on what this means for EFX's future business model. The ultra-bear case that we have heard is that the government could decide to takeover the function of the credit bureaus."

Shares of Equifax continued their losses Friday afternoon, trading down 5% at 2:15 p.m. ET. They have plunged more than 35% since the breach was announced.

Equifax data breach stock price

NOW WATCH: Bitcoin's bubble swells with a new record high





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cassini Saturn grand finale illustration artwork nasa jpl caltech 14

The Cassini spacecraft was destroyed at Saturn on Friday around 6:32 a.m. ET.

It took more than an hour for the probe's last signal to reach antennas on Earth.

NASA's $3.26 billion mission was ended to prevent contaminating oceans of Saturn's moons  water that may harbor alien life.

The space agency is now reviewing a handful of proposals to return to Saturn.

With the crackle and fade of a signal beamed from 932 million miles away, NASA's 20-year Cassini mission at Saturn came to an end on Friday morning.

The Cassini probe sent home one last batch of photos as it sped toward its doom. Then, around 6:31 a.m. ET, it began streaming real-time measurements of the planet's atmosphere while ramping up its thrusters, fighting to keep its antenna dish pointed at Earth.

However, this connection was fleeting  the spacecraft's rocket engines were never designed to keep an awkward, bus-size machine righted during a plunge into Saturn at 78,000 mph.

Cassini began to tumble, breaking its last bond with Earth around 7:55 a.m. The signal was lost. And then the probe died.

It's unlikely that anyone saw it happen  not even powerful telescopes  but NASA surmises that its "faithful traveler from Earth" heated up to hundreds and then thousands of degrees, broke apart, disintegrated, and vaporized into a small, plutonium-laced meteor that streaked above Saturn's clouds.



Cassini's final communication traveled at light speed from Saturn, taking just over one hour and 23 minutes to pass through the void of space and reach giant radio dishes in Australia. The signal and data was immediately forwarded to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the beating heart of the Cassini mission.

For several minutes, quiet fell over a control room full of Cassini's scientific stewards  some of whom had worked on the mission for nearly three decades. A few "wow"s could be heard as the staff reviewed incoming data on their screens.

Story continues

When the signal faded, Earl Maize, an engineer who managed the Cassini mission for JPL, gave a short speech.

cassini control room end mission hugging nasa jpl caltech 36403122434_3283dad8a5_k

"The signal from the spacecraft is gone, and so will be the spacecraft in the next 45 seconds," Maize said during a live broadcast by NASA TV, his voice wavering. "This has been an incredible mission, an incredible spacecraft, and you're all an incredible team. I'm going to call this the end of mission."

The room broke into applause. Afterward, some people stood there, seeming to stare into space. Others shook hands and hugged. A few scientists and engineers visibly choked up and cried.

NASA could not confirm exactly what time Cassini met its doom, though the agency estimated it happened seconds to minutes after it lost touch with the probe. One thing is clear, though: The $3.26 billion mission to explore Saturn is over.

"Thank you, Cassini, and farewell," Maize said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Why NASA killed the Cassini probe

cassini spacecraft titan illustration nasa jpl caltech

Cassini left Earth with 6,900 pounds of propellant in its tanks. This allowed it to adjust its orbit around Saturn and visit one moon after the next, leading to astonishing discoveries.

The probe discovered six new moons and mysterious "propeller objects" in Saturn's rings, documented a giant hexagon swirling atop the planet's north pole, photographed hydrocarbon lakes on Titan (Saturn's largest moon), and found a vast ocean of salty water  which may harbor alien life  below the icy crust of the moon Enceladus.

saturn enceladus cassini nasa jpl caltech

In 2010, Cassini had enough propellant left to either fly by Uranus or Neptune, or continue to explore Saturn and its moons.

If it had flown past one of those planets and shot out into space, Cassini would have had enough plutonium-238 fuel to keep its electricity running for decades  just like the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, which launched 40 years ago and have left the solar system.

But with so many questions about Saturn still unanswered, NASA decided to keep Cassini in orbit there  and doom it to its fiery "Grand Finale" death in September 2017. With less than 90 pounds of propellant left on Friday, the spacecraft plunged to its demise. The scientists chose to kill the probe this way to avoid the risk of it running out of fuel and crashing into one of Saturn's potentially life-fostering moons.

"Because of planetary protection, and our desire to go back to Enceladus, and go back to Titan," Jim Green, the leader of NASA's planetary science program, said Wednesday, "we must protect those bodies for future exploration."

Extending the mission at Saturn helped Cassini's controllers to pile on discovery after discovery.

In 2005, the probe discovered jets of water shooting out of Enceladus. This was astonishing enough, but the extension allowed Cassini to "taste" the spray, confirming the moon hides a salty ocean below its ice-encrusted surface. Cassini also learned that Titan, too, may harbor habitable, subsurface seas.

"To find that there's an ocean world so tiny with a possibility of life, so far from the sun  10 times farther from the sun than the Earth  has opened up our paradigm of where you might look for life," Linda Spilker, a Cassini project scientist and planetary scientist at JPL, said of Enceladus on Wednesday, "both within our own solar system and in the exoplanet systems beyond."

Will there be a Cassini 2.0?

saturn rings cassini nasa roman tkachenko

Cassini is now dust falling through Saturn's clouds, and NASA has no other spacecraft there to study the planet, its rings, and its fleet of moons.

But NASA is itching to fuel up more nuclear batteries, build a new spacecraft, and return to the planetary system.

"The observations by Cassini have been so remarkable for Enceladus and Titan, that ... we announced the inclusion of those two objects in our focused science program called New Frontiers," Green said on Wednesday. "Those proposals are in and currently under evaluation, and they do indeed include proposals to go back to Titan and Enceladus. We'll look through this competition and see what happens."

enceladus ice crust subsurface global ocean hydrothermal vents illustration nasa jpl

New Frontiers has produced missions like New Horizons, which flew by Pluto and is on its way into the Kuiper belt; Juno, which is orbiting Jupiter; and Osiris-Rex, a probe designed to suck up bits of the asteroid Bennu in 2018 and return that sample to Earth in 2023.

Spilker wrote and submitted one of the latest New Frontiers proposals with Morgan Cable, a fellow Cassini scientist. If approved, they'll get about $800 million, nuclear-power supplies, and a rocket to make their mission happen.

"We've put together a proposal ... to go back to Enceladus with the kinds of instruments that you would need to address the questions about the habitability and is there life in the ocean of Enceladus," Spilker told Business Insider. "The mission's called Enceladus Life Finder."

She'll find out in December whether the proposal made the first cut, which would give her a year to more deeply study and flesh out a mission plan. There are 11 competing proposals, about half of which also propose a return to Saturn.

"Certainly, if my mission doesn't get selected then I will be rooting for a mission to go back to the Saturn system," Spilker said. "Because as Cassini ends, part of me is saying, 'I need to go back.'"

NOW WATCH: The 5 biggest discoveries from NASA's Cassini spacecraft that changed our view of space





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Does FireEye (FEYE) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.

The global stocks were relieved, albeit for a short spell, early this week from the North Korean tension after dictator Kim Jong-un celebrated the governments 69th anniversary partying, by choosing to stay away from firing a missile. Short because Kim Jong-un went back to its former self and launched a ballistic missile over northern Japan on Friday (read: High-Momentum and Beta ETFs to Play on Fading Fears?).

North Korea did this for the second time in less than a month. Prior to this, North Korea had launched another ballistic missile which crosses over northern Japan, before falling into the sea on Aug 29 local time.

In any case, several global leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump has been quite vocal against North Koreas antagonistic activities. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe called the launch "totally unacceptable."

Following North Koreas most powerful nuclear test on Sep 3, the 15-member Security Council voted on a U.S.-drafted resolution and slammed North Korea with a new round of sanctions on Monday, prohibiting North Koreas key textile exports, and restricting fuel supplies. Former North Korea's partners Russia and China also supported new oil imports limits.

Investors should note that several ETF investing areas come under the watch following North Koreas activities. While some areas will be hurt, some will gain too. Below we highlight those ETF areas.

Losers

iShares MSCI Japan ETF EWJ

Since two missile launches were close to Japan, the countrys concerns are understandable. On Thursday, a North Korean state agency threatened to sink Japan byusing nuclear weapons. So, if violence intensifies ahead, Japan investing may feel some pressure. Though the fund gained about 0.05% on Sep 14, 2017, it lost about 1.2% after hours.

iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF EWY

Acting in response to North's latest launch, South Korea has fired its own missile into the sea, as per Reuters. This is because, South Korea is also under Kin Jong-uns rage. The South Korea government also ordered officials to get ready for likely new threats, such as biochemical attacks and electro-magnetic pulse. EWY, gained 0.5% on Sep 14, but retreated about 0.04% after hours.

Story continues

Winners

PowerShares Aerospace & Defense ETF PPA

The higher the tension will be between North Korea and the United States, the more gainful it will be for the defense stocks and ETFs. Shares of Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are likely to benefit if North Korea tension escalates. The fund was up about 0.3% on Sep 14 while the product added 0.04% after hours (read: 3 Top Ranked Aerospace and Defense ETFs For Your Portfolio).

SPDR Gold Shares GLD

Gold is always viewed as a safe-haven asset. Such geopolitical risks are likely to spur safe-haven bids, which is why gold bullion may gain ahead. The fund added about 0.4% on Sep 14 and 0.6% after hours (read: North Korea's Nuclear Test Drives Safe Haven ETFs Higher).

Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?

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Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., two authors of the GOPs revised health care bill. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

WASHINGTON  Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., says his last-ditch attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare is only a few votes shy of 50 and could pass before the fast-approaching Sept. 30 procedural deadline.

Were probably at 48, 49 [votes] and were talking to three more, Cassidy told reporters at a briefing Friday morning. Im pretty confident well get there on the Republican side.

But Cassidy, a physician representing a state that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare, cautioned that he had not done a formal whip count. He is optimistic after presenting his bill during a lunch on Thursday of GOP senators. At one point, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., told the group he was co-sponsoring the measure even though hes been urged to lay low on health care while facing a tough reelection race back home, Cassidy said. Afterwards, several senators told him theyd vote yes on the bill.

I told my wife when I got home last night that yesterday may have been my best day as a senator, Cassidy said.

Another of the bills sponsors, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is pushing the White House and GOP leadership to champion the bill, Cassidy said. President Trump released a statement earlier this week praising their efforts. I sincerely hope that Senators Graham and Cassidy have found a way to address the Obamacare crisis, Trump said.

The bill faces long odds, however, with Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., comparing passing it before the deadline to a double-double bank shot in pool. Theres also very little chance Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would bring the measure to the floor unless it was guaranteed to pass, not wanting to repeat the spectacle when the Senates last attempt at repealing Obamacare failed dramatically in July.

The procedural vehicle that allows a bill to pass with just 51 votes is set to expire at the end of this month, adding urgency to the effort.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced Friday morning on Twitter he would not support the bill, which he called Obamacare Lite. If just two more GOP senators come out against it, the bill is dead, given that no Democrats support the measure.

Story continues

I can't support a bill that keeps 90% of Obamacare in place. #GrahamCassidy is not repeal or replace, it is more Obamacare Lite  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 15, 2017

It would take an extraordinary lift to get that done before the deadline but I know theres a lot of interest in our conference to get something done on that, Thune, a member of the GOP leadership team, said Tuesday. The clocks ticking and its a pretty short window.

The bill repeals Obamacares individual mandate, employer mandate and medical device tax. It then combines Obamacares different funding streams for states into one block grant that gives states more control over Medicaid and the insurance exchanges.

One result of the plan is that states that refused to take federal dollars to expand Medicaid under Obamacare, such as Texas and Virginia, would receive much more funding, which governors could use to cover more low-income residents. Other states, however, would lose billions of dollars of federal funds under the plan, most notably Massachusetts. (One outside analysis found 20 states would lose 35 to 60 percent of their funding compared to current law.) And Congress would have to vote to reauthorize the plan in 2026, or states would lose all of their funding.

Graham-Cassidy does a much better job of distributing health care dollars fairly, Cassidy said.

Paul tweeted Friday afternoon that the bill redistributes money from [Democratic] states to republican states.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet scored the bill, and the Senate parliamentarian would also have to examine it and make sure its eligible to pass under the special reconciliation procedure that only needs 51 votes. Vice President Mike Pence would likely be called in to provide the 51st vote if Cassidy and Graham are able to get to 50.

I appreciate Senators Graham and Cassidy continuing to work on a plan to pass the Senate. Ill take federalism over Obamacare any day.  Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) September 15, 2017

Mitch [McConnell] has always said show me you can get 50 votes, Cassidy said. Im meeting with senators. My staff is calling staff, whatever we can do to make sure we have 50.

Read more from Yahoo News:
rand paul

Republican Sen. Rand Paul spent Friday on Twitter taking the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson (GCHJ) Obamacare repeal plan to the proverbial woodshed.

Paul, a staunch advocate for a total repeal of the law formally known as the Affordable Care Act, said earlier Friday that he would vote against the plan if it came to the Senate floor.

While the proposal would give federal money in block grants to states, it would do so in slightly tweaked amounts close to current funding levels under Obamacare.

That would mean Obamacare is still broadly intact, Paul argued.

"I can't support a bill that keeps 90% of Obamacare in place," Paul said. "#GrahamCassidy is not repeal or replace, it is more Obamacare Lite."

Paul even shot back when one of the architects, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, attempted to defend the plan on Twitter.

"GCHJ repeals entire architecture of Obamacare & gives Kentucky control over its own health care. Willing to go over it with you," Cassidy tweeted in response to Paul.

"It keeps 90% of Obamacare spending and 90% of Obamacare taxes," Paul said back. "No thanks."

Cassidy said Friday that the bill is supported by as many as 49 Republican senators. Whether or not it can pass before the end of September, when the GOP's opportunity to pass the bill with only a simple majority will expire, remains up in the air.

Here are all the tweets:

I can't support a bill that keeps 90% of Obamacare in place. #GrahamCassidy is not repeal or replace, it is more Obamacare Lite  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 15, 2017

Why continue putting out bills breaking our promise to repeal.? #GrahamCassidy redistributes, doesn't repeal. It is more Obamacare Lite!  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 15, 2017

.@BillCassidy it keeps 90% of Obamacare spending and 90% of Obamacare taxes. No thanks.  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 15, 2017

#GrahamCassidy keeps Obamacare and redistributes money from dem states to republican states.  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 15, 2017

When govt increases ur taxes a trillion & then block grants the $ to the states that's not federalism that's still big govt. #grahamCassidy  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 15, 2017

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cassidy heller graham johnson

Senate Republicans' last-ditch effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is gaining steam, but several complications could prove insurmountable.

The bill proposed by and named after Sens. Lindsey Graham, Bill Cassidy, Dean Heller, and Ron Johnson would send most federal funding for healthcare programs like Medicaid to individual states in the form of a lump sum.

Republicans are facing an end-of-September deadline to pass healthcare-related legislation through the budget-reconciliation process, which allows them to move measures with a simple-majority vote. Recent developments have increased the chance that Republicans are close to 50 "yes" votes. (Republicans hold 52 seats in the Senate.)

Cassidy told reporters Friday that 48 or 49 GOP members supported the bill, putting it right on the threshold. Sen. John McCain, one of the holdouts on the previous, failed Republican effort to repeal the ACA, also known as Obamacare, said he would consider voting for the bill.

Separately, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell instructed the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office to speed up its scoring of the legislation, a move that indicates he is putting some weight behind the effort.

However, Republicans face a deadline to use 2017 budget-reconciliation rules, which allow a bill to pass the Senate with a simple-majority vote, bypassing a filibuster, if it would lower the deficit. The Senate parliamentarian, an official of sorts for the chamber's rules, said the budget-reconciliation rules attached to the fiscal 2017 budget would expire at the end of the month.

Aside from the tight calendar, proponents of the legislation are facing some friendly opposition.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said on Friday that he would not vote for the bill.

"I can't support a bill that keeps 90% of Obamacare in place," Paul tweeted. "#GrahamCassidy is not repeal or replace, it is more Obamacare Lite."

Story continues

And the bill contains many of the same Medicaid funding issues that led moderate Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski in July to reject bills to repeal and replace Obamacare. Republican leaders could afford to lose only two votes to pass that legislation.

NOW WATCH: Putin says Trump is not his bride and claims Americans don't know the difference between Austria and Australia





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- By Rupert Hargreaves





Seadrill (SDRL) filed for bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of Texas on Sept. 13 after reaching an agreement with its creditors. This deal, while good for Seadrill employees and managers, is bad news for almost everyone else, and it will likely only extend the offshore drilling industry's slump.

According to Seadrill's reporting on the topic, the deal will inject $1 billion of new money into the company under a prearranged plan of reorganization. Under the proposal, lenders will extend the maturity on $5.7 billion in debt with no amortization payments due until 2020. Additionally, the company will get a new $1 billion capital injection in the form of $860 million in secured notes and $200 million in equity. Bondholders will be converted into a 15% pro forma ownership stake in the restructured company - if they sign up.





On the day of the deal, Bloomberg reported the following:





"The deal gives us a great liquidity cushion," allowing Seadrill to survive the "mother of all downturns," CEO Anton Dibowitz said by phone. The new capital is "underpinned" by top shareholder Hemen Holding Ltd. and more than 40% of bondholders support the plan along with 97% of Seadrill's secured bank lenders, he said. Dibowitz expects more bondholders to sign up to the deal."







Bad news all around

Unfortunately, this deal is bad news for all of the offshore drilling industry and only kicks the can down the road for Seadrill.

The offshore drilling industry is trying to navigate one of the worst downturns in its history. Day rates have fallen from around $800,000 for the top-spec rigs to $200,000, barely enough to cover costs. At the same time, the resale rate for drilling units at the top end have fallen from $600 million-plus to less than $100 million, rendering the asset base of these businesses almost entirely worthless.

Story continues

The situation has only been exacerbated by the fact that before the downturn, drillers had been on a debt-funded expansion drive, and now, as rates have collapsed, they cannot fulfill their obligations.

But rolling over debt and restructuring obligations is not the solution.

Race to the bottom

Over the past two years, Ocean Rig UDW Inc. (ORIG), Hercules Offshore Inc. (HEROQ), GulfMark Offshore Inc. (GLFMQ), Toisa Ltd., Vantage Drilling Co. (VTGDF) and Paragon Offshore PLC (PGNPQ) have all spent time in the bankruptcy courts; Paragon has even had the privilege of collapsing twice in the space of a month. Hercules Offshore filed for bankruptcy protection six months after emerging from its first bankruptcy.

These bankruptcies have helped operators keep operating, but they've not done anything to curtail the main issue overhanging the industry: oversupply.

According to data from IHS Markit, at the end of June offshore rig utilization saw a very modest increase from around 52% to 53%. Of the 822 jackups, semis and drillships in the current global fleet, a total of 437 were under contract in the month. As for rigs that are working, the count stood at around 388 units in June - the highest mark since August of last year. But while utilization is rising, day rates are not. For high-spec drillships, the average day rate has fallen from around $300,000 at the beginning of the year to $200,000 for August.

I have kept an eye on the offshore drilling industry for the past few years as at some point, with many of the sector's constituents trading below book value per share, there will be value on offer, but it looks as if the industry is now facing a race to the bottom as restructured businesses, flush with excess capital, are able to slash rates, which is pulling down even the healthiest businesses such as Rowan Companies (RDC) (last quarter net gearing of only 26%). As rates continue to face downward pressure, with no sign of tightness in the market as of yet, all of the remaining drillers - Rowan, Ensco (ESV), Transocean (RIG), Atwood (ATW) and Diamond (DO) - should be avoided as the race lower continues.

Disclosure: The author owns no share mentioned.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






Starbucks will support iPhone wireless charging, after all, a new report says.

When Apple AAPL announced its iPhone 8 line and iPhone X at its press event on Tuesday, the company said that its new handsets would support wireless charging using an industry standard called Qi. There are a slew of accessories available now that support the Qi standard, meaning many of the devices users already have could wirelessly charge its new handsets.

And although Starbucks has supported wireless charging in its shops for years, its chargers support another standard called Powermat that the iPhone 8 and iPhone X dont work with. That left many people wondering whether wireless iPhone charging wouldnt be available at Starbucks.

Get Data Sheet, Fortunes technology newsletter

Chris Davies over at Slashgear, however, has confirmed that Starbucks SBUX will indeed support wireless iPhone charging. Davies spoke to Powermat CTO Itay Sherman, who said that the millions of charging pads around the world at Starbucks locations have software that allow them to support other wireless charging standards like Qi. All it needs to do is download some software and all of the pads across Starbucks locations will allow for iPhone charging.

However, Sherman also told Davies that only a handful of locations actually support iPhone wireless charging now. And the company didnt say exactly when the software would be updated to allow for wireless charging across the entire companys network.

That said, Starbucks did tell Davies at Slashgear that it anticipates iPhone wireless charging support should be available at all of its locations in time for the iPhone 8s launch next week.
By Felix Basiime & Alex Ashaba

Police in Fort Portal is holding Democratic Party deputy president, also Ugandas representative in the 3rd East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), representing Uganda Mr Mukasa Mbidde over holding an illegal assembly.

He was arrested together with the party Secretary General, Mr. Gerald Siranda at post office as they addressed journalists at 12:00pm about the planned amendment of the Constitution.

Speaking to KFM, The Rwenzori region police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe says the suspects are have been charged with holding illegal assembly.

Kabarole district police commander, Mr Musa Tibakirana said, We got information since Thursday that the Kogikwatako team is around and wants to demonstrate in Fort Portal ahead of the Empango celebrations and even go to King Oyos palace, so we are ready for them

Security has been tightened in Fort Portal town with police deployment and patrol cars on almost all the streets following reports of a planned demonstration by the DP members.
republican debate trump hands

For the second time in two weeks Thursday, President Donald Trump joked about the size of his hands as he helped out with hurricane relief.

Trump was at a staging area for Hurricane Irma recovery workers in Naples, Florida, on Thursday, getting ready to pass out sandwiches, when he apparently had some trouble with his gloves, according to a White House pool report:

"Trump paused to try to put on thin white plastic gloves but struggled. His hands were apparently too, uh, large." "'Theyre too small,' Trump said. The glove on his right hand ripped along his thumb, exposing skin. Trump began shaking hands and passing out hoagies  or, rather, pointing at them. 'Don't forget to take one!' he implored. 'Here's a nice one!'"

The president made a similar remark in Houston two weeks ago as he passed out food to Hurricane Harvey victims at NRG Stadium. As Trump was putting on a pair of gloves, he turned toward a news camera and exclaimed to no one in particular, "My hands are too big."

As he puts on plastic gloves to serve food at NRG Stadium...President Trump turns to press and says: "My hands are too big!" pic.twitter.com/WIUTLOS4XD  Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) September 2, 2017

References to the size of Trump's hands were a running joke throughout the 2016 Republican primary, starting when candidate Marco Rubio taunted Trump at a February rally in Virginia.

"I'll admit, he's taller than me, he's like 6-2. Which is why I don't understand why his hands are the size of someone who's 5-2," Rubio said to a cheering crowd. "Have you seen his hands?"

"And you know what they say about men with small hands," he continued, pausing for dramatic effect. "You can't trust 'em. You can't trust 'em."

Days later, at a Republican debate, Trump fired back at Rubio, holding up his hands to the audience and saying, "Look at those hands. Are those small hands?"

Story continues

"And, he referred to my hands if they're small, something else is small. I guarantee you there is no problem. I guarantee it," Trump said.

The Washington Post later reported that Trump again defended the size of his hands in an interview with the paper's editorial board.

"My hands are normal hands," he said, according to the Post. "I was on line shaking hands with supporters and one of the supporters said, Mr. Trump, you have strong hands, you have good size hands.' And then another one would say, Oh, you have great hands, Mr. Trump. I had no idea.'"

NOW WATCH: Columbia Law School professor explains exactly how impeachment works, and what it takes for a president to be impeached





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trump mcconnell pelosi schumer

President Donald Trump on Friday tweeted a new condition for a potential deal with Democrats that could become a sticking point in negotiations.

"CHAIN MIGRATION cannot be allowed to be part of any legislation on Immigration!" he wrote.

On Wednesday, Trump and top Democrats discussed a tentative agreement about how to handle the young immigrants temporarily protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Chain migration is a term almost exclusively used by immigration hardliners when referring to the family-reunification-based component of the US immigration system, through which US citizens or lawful permanent residents may sponsor close family members to join them in the US.

Prominent anti-immigration groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform and NumbersUSA have frequently denounced chain migration, describing it as a process that admits "indefinite" numbers of unskilled immigrants based on family connections alone and that prompts foreigners to view US immigration as a "right or entitlement."

Immigration proponents, however, describe family-based immigration as essential in helping new immigrants assimilate into US society. The American Immigration Council argues that newcomers who can bring family members with them when they immigrate to the US have stronger social and economic support that helps them "navigate the system."

Furthermore, immigration hardliners' theory that scores of newly naturalized US citizens are sponsoring endless strings of family members has been roundly criticized by immigration experts. The US's visa and green-card backlogs alone ensure that many prospective immigrants face painstakingly long waiting periods before being admitted to the country or given permanent residency  a huge barrier in attempting to help more family members immigrate to the US.

Family-based immigration is not an immediate process, and it can take years or even decades for immigrant visas to be made available and processed. Then, once the family member arrives in the US on an immigrant visa, it takes additional time to receive a green card that denotes permanent residency. After that, permanent residents typically have to wait five years before they may apply to become US citizens.

Story continues

Trump's tweet about chain migration on Friday could signal a new bump in the road for any immigration deal with Democrats. The bipartisan Dream Act, recently reintroduced in Congress by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, includes a pathway to citizenship for the so-called Dreamers, whose protections under the DACA program will be phased out over the next six months.

Any pathway to citizenship offered to Dreamers would inevitably allow some to sponsor relatives, including their parents, who in many cases brought them to the US as children.

NOW WATCH: Putin says Trump is not his bride and claims Americans don't know the difference between Austria and Australia





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Next week, President Donald Trump is set to address the UN General Assembly in an annual tradition of U.S. presidents welcoming foreign leaders to New York. As a substantive matter, Trump has much explaining to do given deep questions regarding the U.S. role in the world. But for all the rhetorical flourishes and international media attention afforded to these speeches, there is little a president can say in Tuesdays speech that will radically change the role the U.S. plays in the world. America is a global power whether it wants that role or not, and regardless of what an American president may or may not say to the contrary.

From Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman to today, American presidents have been important symbolic leaders of the United Nations. As such, this speech to the General Assembly should be considered as a traditional visit and speech, something akin to the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, a visit of the Super Bowl champions to the White House, or the Thanksgiving turkey pardon. Of course, it is an important symbolic address for Trump, but he should strive for an unremarkable speech befitting the occasiona remarkable task for this president.

Trumps rhetoric and policies no longer align with European elite opinion in the way Obamas, as a citizen of the world, had tried to do. In the Trump years, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is considered by some commentators to be the leader of the free world and is now the moral leader of the West, typically titles reserved for American presidents. But Trump has shattered this image on the global stage largely because he has stopped signaling that he cares what they think. Take for instance, Trumps announcement that the U.S. would leave the Paris Agreement. By contrast, Obama unilaterally signed the accord as an executive agreement amid doubts it could have been ratified as a treaty in the U.S. Senate. The global perception is that Obama cared about the world in a way now that Trump couldnt care less.

Story continues

What should Trump say, then, in this highly symbolic setting? Trumps speech should borrow heavy from the themes of Theresa Mays September 2016 Address to the General Assembly. After Brexit, the world wanted to know if Britain still wanted a global role. May reaffirmed that while Brexit redefined the British role in the E.U., it could not be read as a permanent shift away from the global community. She then turned to reiterate multiple ways in which Britain could not, and did not want to reject its global role.

In many ways, Trump has it easier than May because the U.S. has a much more prominent global footprint. Were not going anywhere anytime soon. Trump couldnt pull that off even if he tried, and Im skeptical the great businessman really wants that. The American economy is the largest in the world with a GDP of $18.5 trillion that amounts for roughly 24.4% of global production. America has 1.3 million active-duty military forces with 200,000 of them currently billeted in foreign countries. Today, American taxpayers pay a little over 1/5 of the United Nations expenses and privately, Americans donate more money to philanthropic causes, many of them international aid organizations, than any other nations citizens. The country could not retreat from the world even if it wanted to, and regardless of the isolationist fever in this country, no one president can change these set facts.

Trumps speech is highly symbolic and one we should expect from American presidents. But we must be careful not to overvalue presidential rhetoric as a proxy for real global leadership. Talk is cheap, even for American presidents, and we ought to be clearheaded about our expectations for the policy impact of Trumps first address to the General Assembly.

Alex Hindman is an assistant professor of political science at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
A 3D plastic representation of the Facebook logo is seen in this illustration in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

By David Ingram

(Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Election Commission voted on Thursday to seek public comment on possible regulatory changes after Facebook Inc (FB.O) said that Russians bought ads on the No. 1 social network during the U.S. presidential campaign.

Commissioners agreed to accept comment for 30 days on whether to revise disclaimer rules on when an ad must say who paid for it. The rules generally do not apply to political ads on Facebook and Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google, which years ago sought exemptions from the commission.

Foreign governments are allowed under U.S. law to buy ads and publicity for certain issues if they disclose such spending, but it is unlawful for them to interfere in elections.

Last week, Facebook said an operation likely based in Russia spent $100,000 on thousands of U.S. ads promoting social and political messages over a two-year period through May, fueling concerns about foreign meddling in U.S. elections.

U.S. congressional committees and special counsel Robert Mueller are investigating the allegations, which Russia has denied.

Election commissioners said they might hold a hearing after receiving comments, and the invited witnesses could include Facebook, Google and Twitter Inc (TWTR.N).

Commissioners disagreed on the need for rules changes and whether the alleged Russian Facebook ads were a problem.

"I've drawn no conclusions, by the way, about what the ads said or if they're even under our jurisdiction because I have no idea what the text of those ads said," Lee Goodman, a Republican commissioner, said during the meeting which was webcast.

Facebook has not released copies of the ads, and Goodman said they might fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice, which enforces laws on foreign agents operating in the country.

Ellen Weintraub, a Democratic commissioner, said Facebook's statement last week revealed a new challenge for regulators.

"We know that foreign nationals are placing political ads, because Facebook has told us," she said at the meeting.

Story continues

Commission Chairman Steven Walther, an independent, said he was reluctant to "get into naming names" of companies running foreign ads but that the commission may need the tech sector to help craft regulations.

"We should make sure that we're going to be able to get the Googles or some of the people who have the technological expertise to help us move in a constructive direction," he said.

(Reporting by David Ingram in San Francisco; Editing by Richard Chang)
In what military experts say appears to be a North Korean KN-08 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICMB) is paraded across Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade on Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea, to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder and grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong Un. Military analysts say the missiles could one day be capable of hitting targets as far away as the continental United States, although the North has yet to flight test them. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

A U.S. war with North Korea would be like no other, according to Harry Kazianis, director of studies at the Center for National Interest.

The challenge here is that the American people are vigilant people but we have not fought a war on the scale that North Korea would bring to us really since World War II, Kazianis told Maria Bartiromo Friday on Mornings with Maria.

His comments come on the heels of North Korea launching its second missile in less than a month over Japan. According to Kazianis, in addition to nuclear weapons, North Korea probably has an arsenal of chemical and biological weapons.

Some of the [nastiest] horrific weapons you can think of, he said and added that the Hermit Kingdom also has over 11,000 artillery tubes pointed at Seoul.

Thats a capital with 25 million people, he said. Imagine a war with North Korea, if they fire just a few hundred artillery shells into downtown Seoul, started knocking off skyscrapers. Imagine a situation thats 10 or 15 9/11s. Thats what we are facing.

Related Articles
BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG and its Chinese joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen will recall 4.86 million vehicles in China due to potential issues with Takata Corp air bags, a blow to the carmaker in the world's largest auto market.

The recall comes after Chinese watchdogs asked the German automaker as well as General Motors Co and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz to recall vehicles with Takata air bags earlier this year.

Official Chinese estimates show over 20 million cars in China had air bags made by Takata, which have been linked to at least 16 deaths and 180 injuries globally. The air bags have the potential to explode with too much force and spray shrapnel.

The defect led to the biggest recall in automotive history and eventual bankruptcy of the Japanese maker.

Volkswagen told Reuters in an emailed statement on Thursday that after discussions, Chinese authorities had concluded the fault could occur in rare cases when the air bag was deployed, "which may create a potential safety risk".

"Acting upon advice from the Chinese safety authority, Volkswagen Group China therefore made this recall decision."

The carmaker said it had not received any reports related to the issue affecting its vehicles globally, and that a parts analysis had found Takata air bag inflators - the suspected cause of the defect - were in "normal condition".

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said in a statement that VW China would recall 103,573 vehicles, FAW-Volkswagen 2.35 million vehicles and SAIC Volkswagen 2.4 million vehicles.

The watchdog said the recall would run from March next year into 2019.

Volkswagen said the carmaker and its Chinese partners would provide free air bag replacements on the recalled cars.

Volkswagen, which also owns the high-end Audi AG brand, is not the only carmaker hit by recalls in China related to Takata air bags.

As of the end of June this year, 24 out of 37 affected automakers had recalled 10.59 million vehicles. A further five had made plans to recall 1.26 million vehicles.

Volkswagen delivered 3.98 million vehicles in China last year, an increase of 12.2 percent on 2015, making it the biggest foreign automaker in the country.

(Reporting by Beijing Monitoring Desk and Adam Jourdan in SHANGHAI; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
isnt the only mega retailer looking for new digs.

told employees on Friday that it wanted to build a brand new home office to better integrate its various teams. But unlike Amazon, which wants a second headquarters in another city in addition to its current home in Seattle, Walmart will keep all headquarters staff in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Wal-Mart Stores founder Sam Walton chose the current location at S.W. 8th Street and Walton Boulevard in Bentonville, the city in northwestern Arkansas where it has 20 buildings, in 1971 because of the low cost of running a business there.

Now, as the company pivots more assuredly towards e-commerce, it wants its new facilities to reflect the modern Walmart and consolidate space so that workers spend less time getting from one building to another and more time working together on problems.

We need to be curious, collaborative, agile and accountable if we are to win in the future. We need a workplace that fosters those skills and traits, Wal-Mart Stores CEO Doug Millon told employees in a note to staff posted on the web.

The project should take five to seven years to complete, and will be located on a lot that takes up an entire city block located about two miles east of its current headquarters.

Walmart operates large offices in Silicon Valley, and in recent years has taken steps to make sure the dot com and store planning teams collaborate more closely to be faster to react to market changes. The retailers online sales rose 63% last quarter but it remains very far behind Amazon and is eager to keep its momentum going.

Amazon last week announced it was seeking bid from locations in the U.S. and Canada to build a second headquarters, prompted many business development agencies at the national, state, provincial and city level to prepare bids in the hops of winning a jobs bonanza for their constituency.

As for Walmart, its current headquarters may have history and some charm, but the space is poorly lit, maze-like and much of the parking is a long walk to the building. At a time Walmart wants to attract as much of the best talent as it can, and Bentonville can be a tough sell, its clear its headquarters have to be more inviting, something McMillon acknowledged.

Story continues

You'll see improved parking, meal services, fitness, and natural light--yes, natural light, he said.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
North Korea fired another missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean on Friday. The pace of North Koreas nuclear and missile tests has accelerated dramatically over the past two yearsparticularly recently. Even as global sanctions are tightened, and Washington warns of fire and fury, Pyongyang appears unrelenting in its drive to demonstrate a viable nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the continental U.S.

The general assessment is that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is either crazy, asking for war (which may be the same as crazy), or provoking its enemiesthough toward what end is rarely explained. But the true explanation might be simpler: North Korea needs to develop a legitimate nuclear weapons program as quickly as possible.

Even those who argue that the nuclear and missile programs are primarily about regime securitydissuading the U.S. from attacking North Korea or trying to engineer a color revolution in Pyongyangoffer an explanation for the overall program, but not the surge in activity since early last year. After all, since the end of the Cold War, North Koreas conventional forceits artillery aimed at Seoulhas been enough to dissuade military adventurism by the U.S. And if North Korea werent building nuclear-tipped missiles, it is likely Washington wouldnt be giving Pyongyang the time of day, much less the former intimating that it had the military might to annihilate North Korea.

Pyongyangs pursuit of nuclear-armed ICBMs serves a dual purposepreventing regime change and giving North Korea the ability to reshape the security environment in Northeast Asia. Pyongyang believes it must clearly demonstrate the ability to reach the continental U.S. with a powerful nuclear device, thus convincing Washington that North Korea is too dangerous to threaten and giving Pyongyang leverage to reshape the U.S.-South Korea security alliance. These may be lofty goals, but once North Korea was committed to this plan, they also knew that the final stages of testing would prove the most dangerous time in their entire nuclear and missile program.

The closer North Korea gets to the viable weapon and delivery system, the higher the perception of the security risk by the U.S. And that means that Washington is more likely to intervenepolitically, economically, or even militarilyto avoid allowing North Korea to become another nuclear weapons state. Whereas Washington considered the cost of military action in Korea outweighed by any potential benefit of regime change (all the more so because the U.S. intelligence thought North Korea would collapse of its own volition at any moment), the specter of a North Korea in possession of nuclear-tipped ICBMs no longer makes this an obvious calculation. If the U.S. is to act preventatively to stop the North Korean program, it must do so soon.

And so the closer Pyongyang comes to achieving its goal, the higher the risk level for military action. North Korea is in a race against time, hoping to perfect and demonstrate its ultimate deterrent before the U.S. can muster the political will and international support to act decisively to stop the program. It is a race against time, technology, and Americas military might.

Rodger Baker is vice president of strategic analysis at Stratfor.
Red Granite Pictures, dogged for more than a year by its connection to a massive Malaysian corruption case, on Friday reached a settlement with federal prosecutors.

The Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture case in July 2016, seeking to recoup proceeds from The Wolf of Wall Street. Prosecutors alleged that Red Granite  whose CEO, Riza Aziz, is the step-son of Malaysias prime minister  used funds embezzled from a Malaysian development authority to produce the film.

The case was one part of a much broader effort to seize more than $1 billion in assets, out of $4.5 billion allegedly stolen from the development fund, known as 1MDB. Prosecutors have seized a Picasso and a Basquiat that were gifted to Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as an Oscar statuette that once belonged to Marlon Brando.

Details of the deal were not released. Red Granite has consistently maintained that it did not knowingly accept stolen funds. The company has been working for several months to resolve the case, and agreed to the appointment of an outside fiduciary to oversee the companys operations. In an apparent vote of confidence, prosecutors in August agreed to put the companys CFO back in charge of the companys finances.

Red Granite is seeking to release Papillon, a remake of the 1973 Steve McQueen film that stars Charlie Hunnam, and has sought to dispel the cloud of alleged corruption surrounding the company.

In addition to resolving the governments initial claim for The Wolf of Wall Street proceeds, the settlement resolves a subsequent claim for revenues from two other films, Daddys Home and Dumb and Dumber To.

The settlement does not end the legal difficulties for Aziz, who is also alleged to have used embezzled funds to purchase luxury real estate. In its original complaint, the government alleged that Aziz used stolen money to buy a $35 million condominium at the Park Laurel in New York, a $41.8 million townhouse in London, and a $17.5 million mansion in Beverly Hills. The civil cases seeking to seize each of those properties remain unresolved.

Story continues

In a recent filing, in which prosecutors sought to put the asset forfeiture cases on hold, the government identified Aziz as one of the figures allegedly involved in criminal activity. U.S. investigators are working with their counterparts in several other countries to pursue criminal charges in the 1MDB scandal.

In a statement, Red Granite said, We are glad to finally put this matter behind us and look forward to refocusing all of our attention back on our film business.

The statement did not address Azizs position or future with the company.
By Francis Mugerwa

An armed group has attacked Ugandan fishermen on Lake Albert in western Uganda.

According to eyewitnesses, the group invaded waters on Nsonga landing site dressed in military uniforms similar to those of Congolese soldiers.

They allegedly confiscated from them fishing gears, mobile phones, boat engines and fish worth millions of shillings.

Police and military intelligence officials are yet to establish the value of lost properties and the suspects behind the attack.

According to police, the Ugandan fishermen who lost properties led by a one Stephen Bagonza have asked government to engage DRC authorities to ensure the confiscated gears are released unconditionally.
Dutch English

Press Release

Regulated Information

Diegem, 15 September 2017 at 7:00 a.m. CET.

Successful completion of the sale of VGP Park Nehatu (Estonia)

VGP has successfully completed the sale its VGP Park Nehatu located in Tallinn (Estonia) to East Capital Baltic Property fund III, a fund managed by East Capital.

The transaction covers a total of 5 modern logistics buildings with a total of more than 77,000 m2 of lettable area. The net proceeds of the transaction are circa  34.5 million.

Jan Van Geet, CEO of VGP, said:

"We are pleased the have concluded this transaction with East Capital which leaves our Estonian tenants in good hands for the future. The net proceeds will be re-applied towards the further expansion of our development activities in our more core markets i.e. Germany, Eastern Europe and Spain, which are continuing to record solid growth."

For more information

Mr Jan Van Geet Mr Dirk Stoop CEO CFO Tel. + 420 602 404 790 Tel.+32 2 719 00 45 E-mail: jan.van.geet@vgpparks.eu E-mail: dirk.stoop@vgpparks.eu
In 1994, a team of scientists led by David McKay began studying the meteorite ALH84001, which had been discovered in Antarctica in 1984. Two years later, the McKay team announced that ALH84001, which scientists generally agree originated on Mars, contained compelling evidence that life once existed on Mars. This evidence includes the discovery of organic molecules in ALH84001, the first ever found in Martian rock. Organic moleculescomplex, carbon-based compounds form the basis for terrestrial life. The organic molecules found in ALH84001 are poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. When microbes die, their organic material often decays into PAHs.



Skepticism about the McKay teams claim remains, however. For example, ALH84001 has been on Earth for 13,000 years, suggesting to some scientists that its PAHs might have resulted from terrestrial contamination. However, McKays team has demonstrated that the concentration of PAHs increases as one looks deeper into ALH84001, contrary to what one would expect from terrestrial contamination. The skeptics strongest argument, however, is that processes unrelated to organic life can easily produce all the evidence found by McKays team, including PAHs. For example, star formation produces PAHs. Moreover, PAHs frequently appear in other meteorites, and no one attributes their presence to life processes. Yet McKays team notes that the particular combination of PAHs in ALH84001 is more similar to the combinations produced by decaying organisms than to those originating from non biological processes.

Show Spoiler OA E

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to:

Show Spoiler OA B

2. The passage asserts which of the following about the claim that ALH84001 originated on Mars?

Show Spoiler OA C

3. The passage suggests that the fact that ALH84001 has been on Earth for 13,000 years has been used by some scientists to support which of the following

claims about ALH84001?

Show Spoiler OA E

4. The passage suggests that if a meteorite contained PAHs that were the result of terrestrial contamination, then one would expect which of the following to be true?

Show Spoiler OA A

5. Which of the following best describes the function of the last sentence of the first paragraph?

Show Spoiler OA D

6. The passage suggests that McKays team would agree with which of the following regarding the PAHs produced by non organic processes?

(A) describe new ways of studying the possibility that life once existed on Mars(B) revise a theory regarding the existence of life on Mars in light of new evidence(C) reconcile conflicting viewpoints regarding the possibility that life once existed on Mars(D) evaluate a recently proposed argument concerning the origin of ALH84001(E) describe a controversy concerning the significance of evidence from ALH84001(A) It was initially proposed by the McKay team of scientists.(B) It is not a matter of widespread scientific dispute.(C) It has been questioned by some skeptics of the McKay teams work.(D) It has been undermined by recent work on PAHs.(E) It is incompatible with the fact that ALH84001 has been on Earth for 13,000 years.(A) ALH84001 may not have originated on Mars.(B) ALH84001 contains PAHs that are the result of nonbiological processes.(C) ALH84001 may not have contained PAHs when it landed on Earth.(D) The organic molecules found in ALH84001 are not PAHs.(E) The organic molecules found in ALH84001 could not be the result of terrestrial contamination.(A) The meteorite would have been on Earth for more than 13,000 years.(B) The meteorite would have originated from a source other than Mars.(C) The PAHs contained in the meteorite would have originated from nonbiological processes.(D) The meteorite would contain fewer PAHs than most other meteorites contain.(E) The PAHs contained in the meteorite would be concentrated toward the meteorites surface.(A) It identifies a possible organic source for the PAHs found in ALH84001.(B) It describes a feature of PAHs that is not shared by other types of organic molecules.(C) It explains how a characteristic common to most meteorites originates.(D) It suggests how the terrestrial contamination of ALH84001 might have taken place.(E) It presents evidence that undermines the claim that life once existed on Mars.(A) These PAHs are not likely to be found in any meteorite that has been on Earth for 13,000 years or more.(B) These PAHs are not likely to be found in any meteorite that originated from Mars.(C) These PAHs are not likely to be produced by star formation.(D) These PAHs are likely to be found in combinations that distinguish them from the PAHs produced by organic processes.(E) These PAHs are likely to be found in fewer meteorites than the PAHs produced by organic processes.
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
The Syrian Civil War is widely regarded as nearing its end, following the recovery of the Syrian military from near-defeat at the hands of a moderate and pro-democratic rebel coalition. This coalition fractured, and the regime of Bashar al-Assad gained the upper hand in the conflict, following rising levels of Iranian participation in the conflict and, after 2015, Russian air support. The joint Iranian-Russian efforts were opposed by other, less directly influential foreign players including Turkey, which opposed Assads continued rule.

Despite Tehran and Ankara having been at odds throughout the Syrian Civil War, Fridays announcement is indicative of their willingness to cooperate in the wars aftermath. Various analyses of this situation have appeared in global media recently, most of them noting that the Turks have written off the threat posed by the Assad regime and are now focusing their attention on the more immediate perceived threat of Kurdish separatists  a threat that Tehran and Ankara see themselves as sharing in kind.

Al Jazeera underscored this point in an article this week. But it also cast doubt upon the notion of broad-based Iranian-Turkish rapprochement. That is, it pointed out that while Iran and Turkey share some common concerns regarding regional security, they also have sharply divergent interests in other areas. Even with respect to the issue of Kurdish separatism, the two nations have opposing views about which specific groups need to be countered and which can be tolerated, according to Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, although Tehran and Ankara are ostensibly cooperating to diminish or at least reshape hostilities in Syria, they are evidently doing so for different reasons. Although Turkey has apparently accepted the defeat of Syrian rebel groups, it is not willing to accept those groups complete destruction. But this is precisely what the Islamic Republic of Iran has seemingly been aiming for as it continued to exert ever greater influence over the Assad regime. And as Al Jazeera further notes, Iran and Turkey have different preferences regarding which factions remain in power in Iraq, as well.

These and other differences raise serious questions about the durability of the de-escalation agreements, especially considering that they have not yet been worked out in detail. Additionally, the Iranians have been blamed for the failure of earlier ceasefire agreements, while the civil war was still in full swing. Attacks by Iran-backed Shiite militants in the wake of these agreements contributed to the perception that the Islamic Republic was more interested in the wholesale destruction of rebel groups than in a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Under current circumstances, however, it is possible that Iran and Turkey may find a way to work around their differing interests, especially if the Idlib agreement and subsequent arrangements allow them to in some way operate separately. According to a Reuters report on that agreement, many of its critics regard it as a de facto partitioning of the country. This is something that the signatories deny, but it is generally understood that Iran has been setting itself up for a permanent presence in Syria while also using the wars there and in Iraq to change population distributions along sectarian lines. It has also been reported that US policy in Syrian has been trending toward more direct confrontation of Iranian designs for the country.

This is important because it could point the way toward the US helping to broaden the wedge between Iran and Turkey, something that Al Jazeera suggests is eminently possible. This would likely depend upon the US first distancing itself from current strategies that are focused on supporting the largely Kurdish groups that remain arguably the only serious bulwark against Assads reclamation of the country as a whole.

It is well understood that Assads reemergence is contrary to Iranian interests  a fact that was underscored by the Syrian dictators recent, thankful letters to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un, both bitter opponents of the United States. But the complicated relationship between Iran and Turkey indicates that there are different pathways by which American policymakers might aim to undermine Assad now that his national leadership has been secured at least over the short term.

While the US has apparently not yet taken major steps toward pursuing Turkish partnership, it has certainly set its sights on the notion of Irans potential divergence of interests with other existing allies, specifically Russia. Although Moscow was instrumental in Assads recovery, the Russian Federation was presumably motivated to a greater degree by the preservation of its own military bases in the region than by any sense of commitment to the Syrian dictator himself.

This was highlighted on numerous occasions throughout Russias period of participation in the Syrian Civil War, and it was used to suggest that Russia could be used to rein in its Iranian partners. Although nothing substantive has come of these suggestions, Newsweek reported on Friday that the US continued to pursue the possibility of turning Russia from and adversary to a collaborator in Syria and the surrounding region.

Turkey arguably presents an alternative to this strategy. But whichever partnerships the US commits to as its regional policy develops, it seems clear that the one unacceptable alternative is the embrace of an entrenched Iranian presence in the broader region. Indeed, Iran and the US are widely regarded as being in a period of ascendant tensions. And this situation is apparently contributing to tensions among other allies and adversaries of those two powers.

The Newsweek report, which detailed Assads letters to Khamenei and Kim, also called attention to the role that Saudi Arabia and its partners had played in calling attention to the apparent emergence of North Korean participation in the civil war, which Assads letter seemed to confirm. This in turn reiterated the fact that the Saudis and Iranians are competing for regional influence, both directly and through intelligence and media communications aimed at altering the landscape of regional and global partnerships.

Al Monitor addressed this situation on Tuesday and emphasized that although Saudi Arabia and Iran have both given the impression of willingness to resolve their tensions, their rapprochement remains a mirage. This perception was underscored the following day by Iran Front Page News when it reported that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qassemi had rejected a statement at the end of the Arab League Statement which once again expressed Arab opposition to Iranian efforts to dominate the region. Those efforts are certainly on display in Syria, but also in Yemen and other conflict zones and, in a different sense, in Qatar, where Voice of America News reports that Iranian propaganda and cyberattacks have driven a wedge between the poor Arab nation and its larger partners, which have been demanding that Qatar sign onto the broad-based efforts to push back against the Islamic Republics regional ascendance.
Ms. Merrikhi spoke to members of the Mojahedin, calling the PMOI/MEK an important academy for human relations, a society with the noblest of emotions, as well as political and social responsibility.

The PMOI/MEK underground movement was exposed in 1971, and more than 90 percent of its cadres and members have been arrested, and sentenced to imprisonment and execution at the time. Since then the movement continues to pay heavily to free the Iranian people from the repressive regime. The members and supporters of the PMOI/MEK are dedicated to their cause, their people, and their homeland.

Last year the PMOI/MEK relocated to Albania after they were successfully evacuated from Camp Liberty in Iraq, and they are now more organized and powerful than ever. Besides their strong international network, the PMOI/MEK has a huge presence inside Iran.

PMOI/MEK members have stated that the foremost responsibility and primary mission of their new Secretary General is to bring about the overthrow of the present Iranian regime. Her role in this movement entails having the greatest responsibility (duties) in advancing the organization and its objectives and programs.

Born in 1959 in Qaemshahr in Northern Iran, Ms. Merrikhi joined the Mojahedin after Iranian peoples uprising against the royalist regime. She has 40 years of experience in the struggle for freedom and has been a senior official in the organization for 14 years.

The Central Council of the Organization selects candidates for the Secretary Generals position. Voting occurs in three stages. In a contest among four candidates, Zahra Merikhi won 84 percent of the votes. She was selected based on her knowledge, experience, as well as the level of trust she has gained.

Mrs. Rajavi the president elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran which PMOI/MEK is its strongest member, said in a recent speech, This election will break the spell of repression and herald the overthrow of the mullahs religious fascism.

It has been suggested that the social situation in Iran is becoming increasingly troublesome for the regime. The Iranian people are fed up with being subjected to repression, imprisonments, torture and daily executions. Meanwhile, the opposition movement is prepared for an attempt to force the regime to stop violating human rights, and accelerate its collapse.
In the United States, September is Suicide Prevention Month. The World Health Organization says that every year about 800,000 people commit suicide around the world.

September 10 was international suicide prevention day. To mark that day in 2017, the WHO stressed the important part that the media can play in stopping people from taking their own lives.

The WHO reports that for every suicide, 20 other people attempt to take their own lives. These people are mostly young. The WHO says suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29 years.



The health organization also finds most suicides -- more than 78 percent -- happen in low-and middle-income countries. Issues that put people at risk include mental problems as well as depression and anxiety resulting from alcohol use.



WHO also states growing evidence shows that the media can play an important role in preventing suicide. The role media can play is to responsibly report on the problem.

Alexandra Fleischmann is a scientist in the WHOs department of mental health and substance abuse. Fleischmann tells VOA that people are often unwilling to talk about suicide because of the stigma.

She says journalists can help to overcome this taboo by encouraging people to seek help and to speak openly about their distress.

"It is also important to stress that the encouragement to work with the media and not just to talk about the don'ts. Don't put it in the headlines. Don't put the picture of the person who died. Don't sensationalize it. Don't glamorize it."



WHO also warns that when the media reports on suicide in an exciting or attractive way, it may put others at risk.

Thats the Health & Lifestyle report. Im Anna Matteo.

From Geneva, Lisa Schlein reported this story for VOA News. Anna Matteo adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

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Words in This Story

commit  v. to do (something that is illegal or harmful)

stress  v. to give special attention to (something)

stigma  n. a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something

taboo  n. not acceptable to talk about or do

encourage  v. to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident

anxiety  n. fear or nervousness about what might happen

distress  n. unhappiness or pain : suffering that affects the mind or body

sensationalize  v. to describe or show something in a way that makes it seem more shocking than it really is

glamorize  v. to make (something) seem exciting and attractive
We present the first of five parts of the short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," by Edgar Allen Poe. The story was originally adapted and recorded by VOA Learning English.

Paris! It was in Paris during the summer of 1840. There and then, I met a strange and interesting young man named August Dupin. Dupin was the last member of a well-known family, a family which had once been rich and famous. August Dupin, however, was far from rich.

He cared little about money. He had enough to buy necessities  and a few books. That was all. Just books. With books, he was happy.

In fact, we first met in an old bookstore. A few more chance meetings at such stores followed. Soon, we began to talk.

I was deeply interested in the family history he told me. I was surprised, too, at how much and how widely he had read; more important, the force of his busy mind was like a bright light in my soul. I felt that the friendship of such a man would be, for me, riches without price.

So, I told him how I felt and asked him to come and live with me.

He would enjoy using my many fine books. And I would have the pleasure of company, for I was not happy alone.

We passed the days reading, writing and talking. But Dupin was a lover of the night. So, often, we walked the streets of Paris after dark.

I soon noticed that Dupin had a special way of understanding people. Using it gave him great pleasure. He told me once, with a soft laugh, that he could see through the windows that most men have over their hearts. He could look into their souls.

Then, he surprised me by telling what he knew about my own soul. He knew things about me that I had thought only I could possibly know. At these times, he acted cold and emotionally distant. His eyes looked empty and far away. His voice became high and nervous.

At such times it seemed to me that I saw not just Dupin, but two Dupins  one who coldly put things together, and another who just as coldly took them apart.

One night we were walking down one of Pariss long, dirty streets. We were quiet, both busy in our own thoughts.

But, suddenly Dupin spoke: Youre right, he said. He is a very little fellow, thats true, and he would be more successful if he acted in lighter, less serious plays.

Yes, there can be no doubt of that! I said.

At first I saw nothing strange in this. Dupin had agreed with me. This, of course, seemed to me quite natural. A few moments passed. Then it hit me. Dupin had not agreed with something I had said. He had agreed directly with my thoughts. I had not spoken a word!

Dupin had read my mind. I stopped walking.

Dupin, I said, Dupin, I dont understand. How could you know that I was thinking of?

Here, I stopped speaking. If he really had heard my thoughts, he would have to prove it.

And he did. He said, How did I know you were thinking of Chantilly? You were thinking that Chantilly is too small for the plays in which he acts.

That is indeed what I was thinking. But, tell me, in Heavens name, how did you know?

It was the fruit-seller, Dupin answered.

Fruit-seller!?

I mean the man who bumped into you as we entered this street. Maybe fifteen minutes ago.

Oh, yesI remember, now. A fruit-seller, with a large basket of apples, bumped into me. But what does that have to do with you knowing I was thinking of Chantilly?

I will explain. Listen closely now. Let us follow your thoughts from the fruit-seller to the stage actor, Chantilly. Those thoughts must have gone like this: fruit-seller to cobblestones, cobblestones to stereotomy, stereotomy to Epicurus, to Orion, and then to Chantilly.

He continued:

As we turned onto this street the fruit-seller bumped you. You stepped on some uneven cobblestones. I could see that it hurt your foot.

You spoke a few angry words to yourself, and continued walking. But you kept looking at the cobblestones in the street, so I knew you were thinking of them.

Then we came to a small street where they are putting down new street stones. Here your face became brighter. You were looking at these more even stones. And your lips moved. I was sure they formed the word stereotomy, which is the name for how these new stones are cut. Stereotomy takes a large block and divides it evenly into smaller pieces. You will remember that we read about it in the newspaper only yesterday.

I thought that the word stereotomy must make you think of the old Greek writer and thinker Epicurus. His ideas are also about dividing objects into smaller and smaller pieces called atoms. He argued that the world and everything else are made of these atoms.

You and I were talking about Epicurus and his ideas, his atoms, recently. We were talking about how much those old ideas are like todays scientific study of the planets and stars. So, I felt sure that, now, as we walked, you would look up to the sky. And you did.

I looked also at the sky. I saw that the group of stars we call Orion is very bright and clear tonight.

I knew you would notice this and that you would think about the name Orion.

Now, keep listening carefully. Only yesterday, in the newspaper, there was a report about the actor Chantilly. The critic did not praise him. And he used a Latin saying that had also been used to describe Orion. So I knew you would put together the two ideas of Orion and Chantilly.

I saw you smile, remembering the article and the mean words in it.

Then, I saw you straighten up, as tall as you could make yourself. I was sure you were thinking of Chantillys size, and especially his height. He is small; he is short. And so I spoke, saying that he is indeed a very little man, this Chantilly, and he would be more successful if he acted in lighter, less serious plays.

I cannot say I was surprised by what Dupin had just reported. My reaction was much bigger than just surprise. I was astonished.

Dupin was right, as right as he could be. Those were in fact my thoughts, my unspoken thoughts, as my mind moved from one thought to the next.

But if I was astonished by this, I would soon be more than astonished. One morning this strangely interesting man showed me once again his unusual reasoning power. We heard that an old woman had been killed by unknown persons. The killer, or the killers, had cut her head off  and escaped into the night. Who was this killer, this murderer? The police had no answer. They had looked everywhere and found nothing that helped them. They did not know what to do next. And so  they did nothing. But not Dupin. He knew what to do.

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Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. Do you or any of your friends or family have strong mental abilities? How are those mental abilities expressed? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

soul  n. the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body and in many religions is believed to live forever

nervous  adj. having or showing feelings of being worried and afraid about what might happen

fellow  n. (informal) a male person

moment(s)  n. a very short period of time

Heaven  n. the place where God lives and where good people go after they die, according to some religions

bump(ed)  v. to move into or against someone or something in a sudden and forceful way

stage actor  term. a person who acts in a theater play

cobblestone(s)  n. a round stone used in paving streets

block  n. a solid piece of material that has flat sides and is usually square or rectangular in shape

astonish(ed)  v. to cause a feeling of great wonder or surprise in someone
00:00:02 OPRAH WINFREY: "Hattie Mae, this child is gifted," and I heard that enough that I started to believe it.

00:00:08 ROGER BANNISTER: If you have the opportunity, not a perfect opportunity, and you don't take it, you may never have another chance.

00:00:14 LAURYN HILL: It all was so clear. It was just, like, the picture started to form itself.

00:00:19 DESMOND TUTU: There was no way in which a lie could prevail over the truth, darkness over light, death over life.

00:00:32 CAROL BURNETT (quoting CARRIE HAMILTON): Every day I wake up and decide, today I'm going to love my life. Decide.

00:00:35 JOHNNY CASH: My advice is, if they're going to break your leg once when you go in that place, stay out of there.

00:00:40 JAMES MICHENER: And then along come these differential experiences that you don't look for, you don't plan for, but boy, youd better not miss them.

00:00:52 ALICE WINKLER: This is What It Takes, a podcast about passion, vision, and perseverance from the Academy of Achievement's recorded collection, a tremendous archive of intimate, thoughtful conversations with people who have changed the world. I'm Alice Winkler. The Academy of Achievement is based in Washington, D.C., and it was founded to inspire students by bringing them together with leaders in every field, but now, with this podcast, you also get to hear the stories and insights of these remarkable human beings, people like Dr. Jonas Salk.

00:01:33 But let's start a little farther back before the world learned his name.

00:01:38 MALE VOICE: This year, the enemy, poliomyelitis, struck with such impact and fury that it shook the entire nation. It spread its crypting tentacles from ocean to ocean and border to border. There has been no escape, no immunity. It has closed the gates on normal childhood. It has swept our beaches, stilled our boats, and emptied our pots, for this is epidemic.

00:02:04 ALICE WINKLER: In the 1940s and early '50s, summer was terrifying. The polio virus was most contagious during the hot months and struck tens of thousands of children every year, almost 60,000 in 1952 alone. It left wasted muscles, paralysis, and sometimes death, in its wake. If your child caught the virus, she might end up lying in an "iron lung" in a hospital lined up with rows and rows of other children in iron lungs, their heads all jutting out from the giant metal barrels, unable to move at all, but then finally, in 1955, a reprieve.

00:02:49 NEWSCASTER: CBS News presents a special report. The Salk polio vaccine is a success. The vaccine works.

00:02:58 ALICE WINKLER: The country and the whole world heaved a sigh of relief. Poliomyelitis, or polio, had come in menacing waves for hundreds, and possibly thousands, of years. Overnight, Dr. Jonas Salk became an unlikely celebrity, a national hero in a lab coat.

00:03:18 JONAS SALK: There was a great rejoicing, obviously, because of the freedom from fear, or the relief. It was not unlike the ending of a war, if you like. People meet me, even now, remembering exactly the moment when this announcement was made. I felt myself very much like someone in the eye of the hurricane because of all this swirling was going on around me.

00:03:45 And it was at that moment that everything changed, and it was Edward R. Murrow, the journalist and newscaster, who said to me that evening, "You had a great  " he said, "Young man, a great tragedy has just befallen you." I said, "What's that, Ed?" And he said, "You've just lost your anonymity." And it was then that I became looked upon as a public figure, and I had to fight and struggle to continue on with my work.

00:04:17 ALICE WINKLER: The Academy of Achievement invited Jonas Salk to sit for an interview in 1991 to record his reflections on a remarkable life. Salk was then 77 years old. The first question was whether hed always wanted to be a doctor.

00:04:35 JONAS SALK: No, as a child I had in mind to study law, but my mother didn't think I'd make a very good lawyer. Her reasons were that I couldnt really win an argument with her.

00:04:47 ALICE WINKLER: Thank you, Mrs. Salk. Without you, Jonas might have followed his interest in the law all the way to the halls of Congress, where he actually dreamed of serving, and then where would we be?

00:04:59 JONAS SALK: My mother had no schooling. She came to this country from Russia in 1901. She immediately, as a young girl, began to work and would help to support the family. She was very ambitious, in a sense, for her children. She wanted her children to have more than she had, so that she lived her life and invested her life to live through her children.

00:05:25 I was the eldest of three sons, and the favorite, and the one who had all of her attention. So my second  middle  brother was born when I was about five years old, and my youngest brother when I was about twelve, and she wanted to be sure that we all were going to advance in the world, and therefore we were encouraged in our studies and overly protected in many ways.

00:05:57 My father was a designer of ladies neckwear, blouses and things of that kind. He was a more artistic person, and he was in the  a designer in the garment industries, and he had not quite graduated from elementary school, so that we were not brought up in a family which was already cultured. And the  my mother's children and father's children were the first of their respective generations that went on to college.

00:06:30 So there was something special in the household, but there weren't any role models in my life in that sense.

00:06:38 ALICE WINKLER: Jonas Salk, without role models, and deterred by his mother from pursuing a legal career, settled for medicine, but from the start, he never intended to practice medicine. Instead, he wanted to work as a research scientist. Looking back on it, Salk said, whether hed gone into law or medicine, his ambition was the same, to work in the service of humankind. He knew he wouldn't be satisfied helping people just on a one-to-one basis.

00:07:07 When journalist Gail Eichenthal, who conducted this interview, asked Dr. Salk whether his humanitarian spirit was fostered by his parents, he demurred.

00:07:17 JONAS SALK: Well, I think that this is part of our nature and part of an ancestral heritage. That's how we got to be where we are, through people who performed or functioned that way or had that drive or desire and ambition, which I look upon as a natural phenomenon. You know, born with that instinct, if you'd like. And then, in the course of life, if the opportunities present themselves and if there is either encouragement, or even if there's not encouragement, you overcome the resistances to any opposition, if that's the kind of person that you are.

00:08:01 Some people are constructive, if you'd like. Others are destructive, and it's necessary merely to have enough and make positive contributions to deal with, overcome, and help solve the problems of each age.

00:08:18 GAIL EICHENTHAL: When did you first have a vision of what you might accomplish in the world, of the exact field that you would devote yourself to?

00:08:26 JONAS SALK: You never have an idea of what you might accomplish. All that you do is you pursue a question and see where it leads. The first moment that I had  that a question occurred to me that did influence my future career occurred in my second year at medical school.

00:08:50 ALICE WINKLER: One day, as he sat in a lecture hall, Jonas Salk's professor explained that it was possible to immunize against diphtheria and tetanus, both bacterial infections, by chemically altering the bacterial toxins that cause the illnesses. In the very next lecture, the professor taught that for viral diseases, chemically treated virus wouldnt do the trick. You'd have to actually experience the infection to develop immunity.

00:09:20 JONAS SALK: Well, somehow that struck me that both statements couldnt be true, and I asked why this was so, and the answer that was given, there was no satisfactory answer. Perhaps it had been tried and had not succeeded, and I think that that, in fact, was true.

00:09:39 ALICE WINKLER: The doubts he had about his professors statement had a chance to fester for quite some time because World War II broke out, and Salk, by then at the University of Michigan on a fellowship, spent six years working with his mentor to find a vaccine against the flu. If you think back on your history, the influenza pandemic that broke out during World War I killed about three times as many people worldwide as died in the war itself.

00:10:09 Forty-three thousand U.S. soldiers serving in the Great War died of flu. So when World War II started, Salk and his colleagues received funding from the military to come up with a flu vaccine that would protect the troops, and, in fact, they succeeded. It was a killed virus. In other words, a chemically deactivated one. Salk took the lessons from that success, and he set his sights on polio. Why did he focus so intently on the killed virus, when others, like his legendary competitor Albert Sabin, were dead set on trying to develop a live virus?

00:10:49 JONAS SALK: It was very simple. Before the work on influenza, the effective vaccines were those made with what we call attenuated, or so-called weakened, viruses. They have the capacity to infect, cause serious reactions, and sometimes fatal reactions. But the principle that I tried to establish was that it was not necessary to run the risk, and so it seemed to me the safer and more certain way to proceed.

00:11:26 That if we could inactivate the virus, that we could move onto a vaccine very quickly, whereas if you worked only with weakened virus, you'd have to demonstrate its safety eventually. So that was the reasoning.

00:11:37 GAIL EICHENTHAL: You got quite a bit of flak for that approach because no one had done it before, and you were kind of going out on a limb here.

00:11:45 JONAS SALK: I wasn't going out on a limb, and the flak to which you refer is what taught me very early on not only about the human side of nature but about the human side of science. I soon discovered that there are three stages of truth. First is that it can't be true, and that's what they said. You couldnt immunize against polio with a killed virus vaccine. Second phase, they say, "Well, if it's true, it's not very important."

00:12:11 And the third stage is, "Well, we've known it all along." And so, what you are describing is the process that you have to go through when you come up with an idea that has not yet been tried or tested. And so I  while it is true that this involves personalities, it also involves different ways of seeing, and it was not a matter of a popularity contest. It was not a matter of anything other than that my curiosity drove me to find out whether it could work or not.

00:12:48 ALICE WINKLER: Time for a little backstory to fill you in on some tension in the scientific world you might be detecting. Actually, its a long and extremely fascinating backstory worth a read. But, briefly, the other vaccine researchers who were working on the live vaccine  Albert Sabin most famous among them  believed that their approach would result in a vaccine that would provide a lifetime of immunity in a single oral dose  a tiny, syrupy drop  and that it would therefore have a better chance of eradicating the disease worldwide.

00:13:25 Jonas Salks killed vaccine required an injection and several booster shots over years, but Salk, as he just said, believed it was safer and could be developed more quickly. It was a genuine scientific dispute, with a lot of research money at stake. The March of Dimes, which began as a massively successful fundraising campaign to end polio, chose to back Salks research.

00:13:55 Heres a TV clip from 1954 with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz making a pitch for the March of Dimes.

00:14:02 LUCILLE BALL: You know, every child has a right to their health and happiness.

00:14:06 DESI ARNAZ: That's right, but there are an awful lot of children that don't even have that.

00:14:11 LUCILLE BALL: Yes, Desi, and there are a lot of parents whose children are healthy and happy now, who live in fear. I know I do. The fear, my friends, is polio, infantile paralysis.

00:14:23 DESI ARNAZ: Polio is no respecter of people. The rich, the poor, the strong, the weak. No one is immune.

00:14:32 LUCILLE BALL: But soon, perhaps within a year, there may be a vaccine, a vaccine available to all that may be the answer.

00:14:40 DESI ARNAZ: That's right. There is a trial vaccine now being tested. It has been tested successfully on 700 people, but now the vital large-scale tests must be conducted. Hundreds of thousands of people will be inoculated starting next month.

00:14:57 LUCILLE BALL: Vaccines and tests cost a great deal of money. Now here is your chance to help get this test done as quickly as possible. Give every dime and dollar that you can spare to the 1954 March of Dimes.

00:15:11 ALICE WINKLER: Salks research did bring a vaccine to market the following year. Albert Sabins vaccine didnt become available for another seven, but it did, in fact, win out over the Salk vaccine for the next four decades. Salks, though, is more recently back in favor in the United States, so the rivalry continues, in a sense, long after their deaths.

00:15:36 But back in 1955, the issue of who got credit also led to a lot of sore feelings. The work of many other scientists laid the groundwork for Jonas Salks vaccine, as is often the case in research, but many felt bitter about Salks celebrity status. He was embraced by the media and by the public as the conquering hero who'd saved the world from the enemy polios clutches.

00:16:04 Salk didnt create the media circus, but still, his spot in the limelight was seen as kind of untoward by his peers. Most vocal, and probably most damning, was his rival, Albert Sabin, who was quoted as saying, "Salk was a kitchen chemist. He never had an original idea in his life." Didn't Jonas Salk feel hurt by the disdain or the jealousy of some of his colleagues?

00:16:31 JONAS SALK: Oh, I just plowed on. Hurt is one thing. Being deterred is another thing, and so, while we prefer to have an open path, one thing you learn in life is that there's no such thing as a free lunch. There's no way that everybody's going to agree, and particularly if you go against the mainstream.

00:16:55 And since everyone at that time had already been  had their minds set on how they thought the problem ought to be dealt with, whether it was influenza or poliomyelitis, or now even the work on AIDS, that's a characteristic of how what I like to call the evolutionary process proceeds. What comes to mind now is I often think of this, it's like a seagull syndrome. I call it the seagull syndrome.

00:17:21 When I walk on the beach, I see the seagulls going out and getting a fish or a piece of bread on the beach, and then the others go after him, that one, rather than go get their own.

00:17:31 GAIL EICHENTHAL: It's unnerving to find that scientists who seem to be bent on helping mankind tend to get into these very bitter sort of rivalries.

00:17:43 JONAS SALK: You see, there's  the contradiction is in your assertion. You say scientists who are  have a bent to help mankind. That's not what their objective is. If that was their objective, they might approach it somewhat differently, and so you must  you see, you project your own perception of what a scientist is like or what he should do, what you'd expect him to do.

00:18:10 But you soon find out that that's not necessarily the case, and that the motivation that drives us to do what we do is different in each of us. And so we begin to see that there are two aspects to our pursuits: one is the pursuit of our curiosity; the other is how other people react to that, and you have to deal with both.

00:18:38 ALICE WINKLER: Jonas Salk never won the esteem of some of those colleagues. He never won the Nobel Prize, either, nor did the National Academy of Sciences even invite him to join, a harsh snub. But as he told Gail Eichenthal in this interview, hed spent much of his life thinking, observing, and reflecting about science and about human nature, and hed come to the conclusion that obstacles, failures, and even plain old disappointments are no cause for regret.

00:19:10 JONAS SALK: In fact, my entering the field that led to work in vaccines came about as a result of my being denied an opportunity to work in another laboratory or at another institution. And that's when I began to recognize that there are two great tragedies in life. One is to not get what you want. The other's to get what you want. And if I had gotten what I'd wanted, it would have been a greater tragedy than my not getting what I wanted, because it allowed me to get something else.

00:19:44 I know how disappointed we all are not to get what we want, but then the question is, should that discourage us and say, well, if not that then nothing?

00:19:56 GAIL EICHENTHAL: Did you ever doubt yourself when you got turned down from these places?

00:20:00 JONAS SALK: I would say evidently not, because I was merely looking for opportunity, and it was not a test of me, and then in many instances  or in some instances, I was aware that there were  or was a tendency toward either favoritism, or there was a tendency toward discrimination, and in some instances anti-Semitism played a role.

00:20:30 And I always realized that that was always a factor. In fact, almost didn't get into medical school because of quotas at that time. And so I was prepared for other eventualities. I was already prepared to go to graduate school to study endocrinology, for example, if I had not gone into medical school. And so it becomes necessary to be prepared for alternative paths. There may be a greater opportunity when something is denied.

00:21:03 ALICE WINKLER: Obviously, alternative paths landed Jonas Salk in some extraordinary places that spared tremendous suffering and countless lives. Not all those paths were the result of rejection. Here's one last story from Dr. Salk about an opportunity he was given as a young medical student.

00:21:23 JONAS SALK: At the end of my first year of medical school, the professor of chemistry, Dr. R. Keith Cannon, tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to come to see him. And I was quite sure that he was going to tell me that I was failing and give me some bad news, instead of which he offered me an opportunity to drop out for a year and work with him, during which time I had my first experience in research and also as a student teacher, so to speak.

00:21:55 And since my desire from the time I entered medical school was to enter into research and to do the scientific research, that was the break that I seized upon. It was a difficult decision to make because I would have had to leave my class, be alone, and, in a sense, be exceptional for that year, and then return to another class that I was participating in teaching.

00:22:30 Nevertheless, I had the courage to do so. Well, I didnt get very much work done in that sense. It was not an accomplished year, but it was the year that initiated a process. That was what was important. It was not the product of that year but the initiation of a process, setting me on a path, and it's important to recognize that sometimes at a turning point, what's important is to let go of where you have been going, or where you are, to explore a new direction.

00:23:06 GAIL EICHENTHAL: Taking a risk in that sense really paid off.

00:23:09 JONAS SALK: Risks always pay off. You learn what to do or what not to do. And those who don't take risks, you would never know. Therefore, not infrequently, Id go into the laboratory, and people would say, "Something didn't work," and I said, "Great," and "We've made a great discovery." So my attitude is not one of pitfalls, and so the  this idealized notion that  of discovery just suddenly falling into your lap  it's recognizing something that you might not have anticipated.

00:23:47 Basically it's entering into a dialogue with nature, and if you see it that way then it becomes a process, not a series of events.

00:24:02 ALICE WINKLER: Thats Jonas Salk, creator of the first polio vaccine. Dr. Salk went on to establish an institute for innovative scientific research that bears his name, and he spent the last years of his life searching for a vaccine against AIDS. Jonas Salk died in 1995, four years after he recorded this conversation for the Academy of Achievement. Theres a longer version of the interview and more information available about Dr. Salk at achievement.org.

00:24:33 When you have time for the stories and insights of another pioneer, be sure to come back. Im Alice Winkler, and this is What It Takes. See you next time.

00:24:54 ALICE WINKLER: Many thanks to the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation for funding What It Takes.
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NextEra Energy, Inc. is the largest electric utility holding company in the US. It operates a network of power generation and distribution facilities that include fossil-fuel-generated and green energy. As of mid-2022, the company was capable of generating 58 GW of electricity with nearly 60% of the load produced by green sources including wind and solar. In their view, going green isnt an option, its the solution. NextEra Energy has been recognized multiple times as a leader in clean energy and ESG practices and was ranked the #1 electric and gas utility on the Forbes list of Most Admired Companies.

The company is the result of several mergers that begin with FPL Group. FPL Group is now a subsidiary of NextEra Energy and the third-largest provider of electricity in the US servicing nearly half of Florida. FPL and its affiliates are the single largest provider of renewable energy generated from wind and sun. The group changed its name in 2010 following a decision to shift focus onto renewable energy sources.

Today, NextEra Energy, Inc through its subsidiary FPL serves about 12 million people in eastern and southwestern Florida. The company employs nearly 14,900 people who service 5.8 million accounts. The company is in business to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to retail and wholesale clients. Electricity is generated through wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, and coal-fired facilities.

The company is also engaged in the construction and operation of new facilities, specifically renewable power generation, storage, and delivery facilities, and can offer custom solutions tailored to any need. Offerings include tailored services to assist businesses with their transition to clean energy.

NextEra Energy also owns and operates 7 nuclear power stations in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin generating power for the wholesale market.

Unlike other companies that are targeting net-zero emissions, NextEra Energy has a plan to reach real zero and is investing heavily to reach that goal by 2045. The company had invested nearly $50 billion in green energy infrastructure and initiatives by mid-2022. The plan is to first work on reducing its own emissions and then take its knowledge and expertise to the world.
Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 900 bank branches and 3,300 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. Bank of Montreal was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
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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Intu owns and manages some of the best shopping centres, in some of the strongest locations, in the UK and Spain. Our UK portfolio is made up of 17 centres, including eight of the top-20, and in Spain we own three of the country's top-10 centres, with advanced plans to build a fourth. We are passionate about creating compelling experiences, in centre and online, that make our customers smile and help our retailers flourish. We attract around 400 million customer visits and 26 million website visits a year offering a multichannel approach that truly supports retail strategies. Our strategic focus on prime, high-footfall flagship destinations, combined with the strength and popularity of our brand, means that intu offers enhanced footfall, dwell time and loyalty. This helps our tenants flourish, driving occupancy and income growth. We are committed to our local communities, with our centres supporting nearly 130,000 jobs (representing about 3 per cent of the total UK retail workforce), and to operating with environmental responsibility. We have already met or exceeded a significant number of our 2020 environmental targets.
run75441 | September 16, 2017 12:03 pm



Election Tax Returns

In an effort to force our present president when running for re-election and future presidential candidates to release income tax returns, California passed SB249 Disclose Act. California became the first state to require presidential candidates to release their tax returns in order to appear on the state ballot.

Lawmakers sent Gov. Jerry Brown AB249 Friday requiring candidates to publicly share five years of returns.

This comes after President Trumps refused to release his tax returns during the 2016 campaign. His actions sparked similar legislation in dozens of other states. The documents reveal income sources, tax exemptions, charitable donations and potential financial conflicts of interest.

Until Trump, every major presidential candidates has released their returns for decades.

Criminal Background Checks

In new legislation, California employers could not initially ask during the interview process if potential employees have a criminal history. AB1008 Employment Discrimination: Conviction History bill was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. The California Assembly on Friday gave final approval to a bill that supporters say would mean more ex-felons could get jobs and stay out of trouble.

Democratic Assemblyman Kevin McCarty of Sacramento says AB1008 would allow employers to ask about criminal histories later in the process. It requires businesses with five or more employees to inquire into and consider convictions only after the applicant has received a conditional job offer.

California joins nine other states with similar restrictions on asking about criminal history. There was no spoken opposition as the Assembly agreed with Senate restrictions on a 41-25 vote.

Campaign Advertising

California voters would know more about whos paying for campaign advertising under AB249 just sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. AB 249 California Disclose Act requires ballot measure and independent expenditure committees to display the names of the top three donors.

AB249 also requires a clear disclosure of donors behind campaign committees having misleading names. The California Clean Money Campaign sponsoring the legislation said: no other state disclosure laws reveals to voters more information about donors who increasingly hide behind a series of bland sounding political committees and groups to remove any identity of their contributions supporting candidates or new laws.

Supporters say the bill will help voters make better decisions based on greater information.

Republicans say the bill should require labor unions to disclose individual members who contribute. Only the union would be listed under the bill and not its members.

The Assembly gave final approval on a 55-12 vote.

State Sanctuary Bill

California approved SB54 California Values Act, a sanctuary state bill Saturday that would limit how local and state police can interact with federal immigration agents. The bill is intended to provide more immigrant protections in the state which are already among the toughest in the nation.

It will now be considered by Gov. Jerry Brown, who announced his support after the top state Senate leader agreed to water down the bill and preserve authority for jail and prison officials to cooperate with immigration officers in many cases.

It looks like some states are doing something to counter big money, Republican values, and Trump.
AUBURN  If young children can have a lemonade stand, why cant the young at heart?

Friday, residents and staff members at Wesley Park Apartments in Auburn did just that, selling lemonade, hot dogs and chips to raise money for Eckhart Public Library.

The library was heavily damaged by fire this summer, and since that time, many groups have rolled up their sleeves to help the recovery efforts.

Resident Jim Shuff was inspired to do something after seeing children operate a lemonade stand.

I had seen on the news where some kids had a lemonade stand to raise money. I went to Laura (Smart, HUD service coordinator at Wesley Park) and said it would be a good idea if we came together and did something.

She thought it was a good idea, and thought maybe we could have a lemonade stand and sell hot dogs. We appreciate everybody that comes in, he said.

Jim and I talked about it a little bit, and decided to do a little play on the idea of kids and their lemonade stand but doing it with seniors, Smart said. I approached our residents at a council meeting about the idea, and they were excited about doing this.

We worked with The Laurels nursing home in Butler, and they provided all of the hot dogs and the lemonade. We also worked with our resident council. They have a doughnut fund, and they chose to donate quite a bit of that for chips and supplies.

Wesley Parks maintenance supervisor was able to get some wood pallets donated to make the lemonade stand.

It just became a real community thing  our community of Wesley Park  helping to support our big community of Auburn, Smart said. Were excited to be part of it.

Wesley Park residents took turns holding lemon-shaped signs and waving at passing vehicles along the road in front of the apartment complex. Others took turns serving lemonade and food at the homemade stand.

This is wonderful. This is Auburn, said Alyce Schnelker, a board member of Friends of the Eckhart Public Library. The Friends group holds events to raise money for the library for events not covered by the librarys budget.

We all love our city and we all love the library, Schnelker added. It was something they wanted to do, and whatever is made is that much less that we have to raise, and this is one way.
The following companies are subsidiares of PepsiCo: Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compania Limitada, Alimentos del Istmo S.A., Amavale Agricola Ltda., Anderson Hill Insurance Limited, Asia Bottlers Limited, BAESA Capital Corporation Ltd., BFY Brands, BFY Brands LLC, BFY Brands Limited, BUG de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Balmoral Industries LLC, Bare Foods Co., Barrhead LLC, Be & Cheery, Beaman Bottling Company, Bebidas Sudamerica S.A., Beech Limited, Bell Taco Funding Syndicate, Bendler Investments II Ltd, Bendler Investments S.a r.l, Beverage Services Limited, Beverages Foods & Service Industries Inc., Bishkeksut OJSC, Blaue NC S. de R.L. de C.V., Blue Cloud Distribution Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arizona Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arkansas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Colorado Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Florida Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Georgia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Illinois Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Indiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Iowa Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Kentucky Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Louisiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Minnesota Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Mississippi Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Missouri Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nebraska Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nevada Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of North Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Ohio Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Oklahoma Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Pennsylvania Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of South Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Tennessee Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Texas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Virginia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Wisconsin Inc., Blue Ridge Sales LLC, Bluebird Foods Limited, Bluecan Holdings Unlimited Company, Bokomo Zambia Limited, Bolsherechensky Molkombinat JSC, Boquitas Fiestas LLC, Boquitas Fiestas S.R.L., Bottling Group Financing LLC, Bottling Group Holdings LLC, Bottling Group LLC, Bronte Industries Ltd, C & I Leasing Inc., CB Manufacturing Company Inc., CEME Holdings LLC, CMC Investment Company, Caroni Investments LLC, Centro-Mediterranea de Bebidas Carbonicas PepsiCo S.L., Ceres Fruit Juices Pty Ltd, ChampBev Inc., China Concentrate Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Chipsy International for Food Industries S.A.E., Chipsy for Food Industries S.A.E., Chitos Internacional y Cia Ltda, Cipa Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cipa Nordeste Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cocina Autentica Inc., Comercializadora CMC Investment y Compania Limitada, Comercializadora Nacional SAS Ltda., Comercializadora PepsiCo Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Compania de Bebidas PepsiCo S.L., Concentrate Holding Uruguay Pte. Ltd., Concentrate Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., Confiteria Alegro S. de R.L. de C.V., Copella Fruit Juices Limited, Copper Beech International LLC, Corina Snacks Limited, Corporativo Internacional Mexicano S. de R.L. de C.V., CytoSport Holdings Inc., CytoSport Inc., Davlyn Realty Corporation, Defosto Holdings Limited, Desarrollo Inmobiliario Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Dilexis S.A., Donon Holdings Limited, Drinkfinity USA Inc., Drinkstation Inc., Drinkstation Innovation Co. Ltd., Drinkstation Limited, Dutch Snacks Holding S.A. de C.V., Duyvis Production B.V., EPIC Enterprises Inc., Echo Bay Holdings Inc., Elaboradora Argentina de Cereales S.R.L., Enter Logistica LLC, Environ at Inverrary Partnership, Environ of Inverrary Inc., Eridanus Investments S.a r.l, Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile S.A., FL Transportation Inc., FLI Andean LLC, FLI Colombia LLC, FLI Snacks Andean GP LLC, Fabrica PepsiCo Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Fabrica de Productos Alimenticios Rene y Cia S.C.A., Fairlight International SRL, Far East Bottlers Hong Kong Limited, Food Concepts Pioneer Ltd., Forest Akers Nederland B.V., Forty-Six Peaks Holding Inc., Fovarosi Asvanyviz es Uditoipari Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Freshwater International B.V., Frito Lay Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Frito Lay Poland Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay de Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Frito-Lay Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Frito-Lay Dip Company Inc., Frito-Lay Dominicana S.A., Frito-Lay Global Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Inc., Frito-Lay Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Manufacturing LLC, Frito-Lay Netherlands Holding B.V., Frito-Lay North America Inc., Frito-Lay Sales Inc., Frito-Lay Trading Company Europe GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company Poland GmbH, Frito-Lay Trinidad Unlimited, Fruko Mesrubat Sanayi Limited Sirketi, GB Czech LLC, GB International Inc., GB Russia LLC, GB Slovak LLC, GMP Manufacturing Inc., Gambrinus Investments Limited, Gamesa LLC, Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Gas Natural de Merida S. A. de C. V., Gatorade Puerto Rico Company, General Bottlers of Hungary Inc., Golden Grain Company, Goveh S.R.L., Grayhawk Leasing LLC, Green Hemlock International LLC, Grupo Frito Lay y Compania Limitada, Grupo Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Mabel, Grupo Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gulkevichskiy Maslozavod JSC, Hangzhou Baicaowei Corporate Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co, Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Tao Dao Technology Co. Ltd., Health Warrior, Health Warrior Inc., Heathland LP, Helioscope Limited, Hillbrook Inc., Hillgrove Inc., Hillwood Bottling LLC, Hogganfield Limited Partnership, Holding Company "Opolie" JSC, Homefinding Company of Texas, Hudson Valley Insurance Company, IC Equities Inc., IZZE Beverage Co., Inmobiliaria Interamericana S.A. De C.V., Integrated Beverage Services Bangladesh Limited, Integrated Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., International Bottlers Management Co. LLC, International KAS Aktiengesellschaft, Inversiones Borneo S.R.L., Inversiones PFI Chile Limitada, Inviting Foods Holdings Inc., Inviting Foods LLC, KAS Anorthosis S.a r.l, KAS S.L., KFC, Kevita Inc., Kinvara LLC, Kungursky Molkombinat JSC, Larragana S.L., Latin American Holdings Ltd., Latin American Snack Foods ApS, Latin Foods International LLC, Lebedyansky, Lebedyansky Holdings LLC, Lebedyansky LLC, Limited Liability Company "Sandora", Linkbay Limited, Lithuanian Snacks UAB, Mabel, Marbo Product d.o.o. Beograd, Marbo d.o.o. Laktasi, Matudis - Comercio de Produtos Alimentares Limitada, Matutano - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares Lda., Mid-America Improvement Corporation, Mountainview Insurance Company Inc., Muscle Milk, NCJV LLC, New Bern Transport Corporation, New Century Beverage Company LLC, Noble Leasing LLC, Northeast Hot-Fill Co-op Inc., Office at Solyanka LLC, Onbiso Inversiones S.L., One World Enterprises LLC, One World Investors Inc., P-A Barbados Bottling Company LLC, P-A Bottlers Barbados SRL, P-Americas LLC, PAS Luxembourg S.a r.l, PAS Netherlands B.V., PBG Canada Holdings II LLC, PBG Canada Holdings Inc., PBG Cyprus Holdings Limited, PBG Investment Partnership, PBG Midwest Holdings S.a r.l, PBG Soda Can Holdings S.a r.l, PCBL LLC, PCNA Manufacturing Inc., PR Beverages Cyprus Holding Limited, PR Beverages Cyprus Russia Holding Limited, PRB Luxembourg S.a r.l, PRS Inc., PSAS Inversiones LLC, PSE Logistica S.R.L., PT Quaker Indonesia, Papas Chips S.A., Pei N.V., Pep Trade LLC, Pepsi B.V., Pepsi Beverages Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group Global Finance LLC, Pepsi Bottling Group GmbH, Pepsi Bottling Group Hoosiers B.V., Pepsi Bottling Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bugshan Investments S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Colombia Ltda, Pepsi Cola Egypt S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Panamericana S.R.L., Pepsi Cola Servis Ve Dagitim Limited Sirketi, Pepsi Cola Trading Ireland, Pepsi Logistics Company Inc., Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC, Pepsi Overseas Investments Partnership, Pepsi Promotions Inc., Pepsi-Cola Advertising and Marketing Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bermuda Limited, Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Holding C.V., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of St. Louis Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach LLC, Pepsi-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Pepsi-Cola Far East Trade Development Co. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Finance LLC, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Poland Sp. z o.o., Pepsi-Cola Industrial da Amazonia Ltda., Pepsi-Cola International Cork, Pepsi-Cola International LLC, Pepsi-Cola International Limited, Pepsi-Cola International Limited U.S.A., Pepsi-Cola International Private Limited, Pepsi-Cola Korea Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Management and Administrative Services Inc., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Company Of Uruguay S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing International Limited, Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Mediterranean Limited, Pepsi-Cola Marketing Corp. Of P.R. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mediterranean Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mexicana Holdings LLC, Pepsi-Cola Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Pepsi-Cola National Marketing LLC, Pepsi-Cola Operating Company Of Chesapeake And Indianapolis, Pepsi-Cola Sales and Distribution Inc., Pepsi-Cola Technical Operations Inc., Pepsi-Cola Thai Trading Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola de Honduras S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola of Corvallis Inc., PepsiAmericas Nemzetkozi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, PepsiCo ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Alimentos Antioquia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Colombia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Ecuador Cia. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Z.F. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos de Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Amacoco Bebidas Do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCo Asia Research & Development Center Company Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Cyprus Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Limited Partnership, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 1 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 2 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Australia Holdings Pty Limited, PepsiCo Australia International, PepsiCo Austria Services GmbH, PepsiCo Azerbaijan Limited Liability Company, PepsiCo BeLux BV, PepsiCo Beverage Sales LLC, PepsiCo Beverage Singapore Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Beverages Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Beverages International Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Italia Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata, PepsiCo Canada Finance LLC, PepsiCo Canada Holdings ULC, PepsiCo Canada Investment ULC, PepsiCo Canada ULC, PepsiCo Captive Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Caribbean Inc., PepsiCo China Limited, PepsiCo Consulting Polska Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo De Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Del Paraguay S.R.L., PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH, PepsiCo Eesti AS, PepsiCo Euro Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Euro Finance Antilles B.V., PepsiCo Europe Support Center S.L., PepsiCo Finance Americas Company, PepsiCo Finance Antilles A N.V., PepsiCo Finance Antilles B N.V., PepsiCo Finance South Africa Proprietary Limited, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services Inc., PepsiCo Food & Beverage Holdings Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Foods A.I.E., PepsiCo Foods China Company Limited, PepsiCo Foods Group Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Foods Guangdong Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited, PepsiCo Foods Private Limited, PepsiCo Foods Sichuan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Taiwan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company, PepsiCo France SAS, PepsiCo Global Business Services India LLP, PepsiCo Global Business Services Poland Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Global Holdings Limited, PepsiCo Global Investments B.V., PepsiCo Global Investments S.a r.l, PepsiCo Global Mobility LLC, PepsiCo Global Real Estate Inc., PepsiCo Global Trading Solutions Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Golden Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Group Finance International B.V., PepsiCo Group Holdings International B.V., PepsiCo Group Spotswood Holdings S.a r.l, PepsiCo Gulf International FZE, PepsiCo Hellas Single Member Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme, PepsiCo Holding de Espana S.L., PepsiCo Holdings, PepsiCo Holdings LLC, PepsiCo Holdings Toshkent LLC, PepsiCo Hong Kong LLC, PepsiCo Iberia Servicios Centrales S.L., PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, PepsiCo India Sales Private Limited, PepsiCo Internacional Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo International Limited, PepsiCo International Pte Ltd., PepsiCo Investments Europe I B.V., PepsiCo Investments Ltd., PepsiCo Ireland Food & Beverages Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Japan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Light B.V., PepsiCo Logistyka Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PepsiCo Management Services SAS, PepsiCo Manufacturing A.I.E., PepsiCo Max B.V., PepsiCo Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo Nederland B.V., PepsiCo Nordic Denmark ApS, PepsiCo Nordic Finland Oy, PepsiCo Nordic Norway AS, PepsiCo Nutrition Trading DMCC, PepsiCo One B.V., PepsiCo Overseas Corporation, PepsiCo Overseas Financing Partnership, PepsiCo Panimex Inc, PepsiCo Products B.V., PepsiCo Products FLLC, PepsiCo Puerto Rico Inc., PepsiCo Sales Inc., PepsiCo Sales LLC, PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd., PepsiCo Services CZ s.r.o., PepsiCo Services LLC, PepsiCo Twist B.V., PepsiCo UK Pension Plan Trustee Limited, PepsiCo Ventures B.V., PepsiCo Wave Holdings LLC, PepsiCo World Trading Company Inc., PepsiCo Y LLC, PepsiCo de Argentina S.R.L., PepsiCo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo do Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda., PepsiCo do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCola Interamericana de Guatemala S.A., Pet Iberia S.L., Pete & Johnny Limited, Pine International LLC, Pine International Limited, Pinstripe Leasing LLC, Pioneer Food Group Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Groceries Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Group Ltd., Pioneer Foods Holdings Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods Wellingtons Pty Ltd, Pipers Crisps Limited, PlayCo Inc., Pop corners, PopCorners Holdings Inc., Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company, Premier Nutrition Trading L.L.C., Prestwick LLC, Prev PepsiCo Sociedade Previdenciaria, Productos Alimenticios Rene LLC, Productos S.A.S. C.V., Productos SAS Management B.V., Punch N.V., Punica Getranke GmbH, Q O Puerto Rico Inc., QFL OHQ Sdn. Bhd., QTG Development Inc., QTG Services Inc., Quadrant - Amroq Beverages S.R.L., Quaker Development B.V., Quaker European Beverages LLC, Quaker European Investments B.V., Quaker Foods, Quaker Global Investments B.V., Quaker Holdings UK Limited, Quaker Manufacturing LLC, Quaker Oats Asia Inc., Quaker Oats Australia Pty Ltd, Quaker Oats B.V., Quaker Oats Capital Corporation, Quaker Oats Europe Inc., Quaker Oats Europe LLC, Quaker Oats Limited, Quaker Sales & Distribution Inc, Raptas Finance S.a r.l., Rare Fare Foods LLC, Rare Fare Holdings Inc., Reading Industries Ltd, Real Estate Holdings LLC, Rockstar Energy Drink, Rolling Frito-Lay Sales LP, S & T of Mississippi Inc., SIH International LLC, SVC Logistics Inc., SVC Manufacturing Inc., SVE Russia Holdings GmbH, Sabritas LLC, Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Sabritas Snacks America Latina de Nicaragua y Cia Ltda, Sabritas de Costa Rica S. de R.L., Sabritas y Cia. S en C de C.V., Sakata Rice Snacks Australia Pty Ltd, Sandora Holdings B.V., Saudi Snack Foods Company Limited, Sea Eagle International SRL, Seepoint Holdings Ltd., Senselet Food Processing PLC, Senselet Holding B.V., Servicios GBF Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Servicios GFLG y Compania Limitada, Servicios Gamesa Puerto Rico L.L.C., Servicios SYC S. de R.L. de C.V., Seven-Up Asia Inc., Seven-Up Light B.V., Seven-Up Nederland B.V., Shanghai PepsiCo Snack Company Limited, Shanghai YuHo Agricultural Development Co. Ltd, Shoebill LLC, Simba (Proprietary) Limited, Simba Proprietary Limited, Sitka Spruce, Smartfoods Inc., Smiles and Bites Holdings S.de R.L. de C.V., Smiths Crisps Limited, Snack Food Investments GmbH, Snack Food Investments II GmbH, Snack Food Investments Limited, Snack Food-Beverage Asia Products Limited, Snacks America Latina S.R.L., Snacks Guatemala Ltd., So Spark Ltd., Soda-Club CO2 Atlantic GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 Ltd., Soda-Club Switzerland GmbH, Soda-Club Worldwide B.V., SodaStream, SodaStream Australia Pty Ltd, SodaStream CO2 SA, SodaStream Canada Ltd., SodaStream Enterprises N.V., SodaStream France SAS, SodaStream GmbH, SodaStream Iberia S.L., SodaStream Industries Ltd., SodaStream International B.V., SodaStream International Ltd., SodaStream Israel Ltd., SodaStream K.K., SodaStream New Zealand Ltd., SodaStream Nordics AB, SodaStream Poland Sp. z o.o., SodaStream SA Pty Ltd., SodaStream Switzerland GmbH, SodaStream USA Inc., SodaStream Osterreich GmbH, South Beach Beverage Company Inc., South Properties Inc., Spitz International Inc., Sportmex Internacional S.A. de C.V., Springboig Industries Ltd, Spruce Limited, Stacy's Pita Chip Company Incorporated, Star Foods E.M. S.R.L., Stokely-Van Camp Inc., Stratosphere Communications Pty Ltd, Stratosphere Holdings 2018 Limited, Streamfoods Ltd, TFL Holdings LLC, Tasman Finance S.a r.l, The Gatorade Company, The Good Carb Food Company Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group Canada ULC, The Quaker Oats Company, The Smith's Snackfood Company Pty Limited, Thomond Group Holdings Limited, Tobago Snack Holdings LLC, Tropicana Alvalle S.L., Tropicana Beverages Limited, Tropicana Europe N.V., Tropicana United Kingdom Limited, Troya-Ultra LLC, United Foods Companies Restaurantes S.A., V-Water, VentureCo Israel Ltd, Veurne Snack Foods BV, Vitamin Brands Ltd., Walkers Crisps Limited, Walkers Group Limited, Walkers Snack Foods Limited, Walkers Snacks Distribution Limited, Walkers Snacks Limited, Whitman Corporation, Whitman Insurance Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages JSC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Brands Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Central Asia-Almaty LLP, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Georgia Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann JSC, and Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine PJSC.

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FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. provides digital payment solutions for businesses to control purchases and make payments. It offers corporate payments solutions, such as accounts payable automation; Virtual Card, which provides a single-use card number for a specific amount usable within a defined timeframe; Cross-Border that is used by its customers to pay international vendors, foreign office and personnel expenses, capital expenditures, and profit repatriation and dividends; and purchasing cards and travel and entertainment cards for its customers to analyze and manage their corporate spending. The company also provides employee expense management solutions, including fuel solutions to businesses and government entities that operate vehicle fleets, as well as to oil and leasing companies, and fuel marketers; lodging solutions to businesses that have employees who travel overnight for work purposes, as well as to airlines and cruise lines to accommodate traveling crews and stranded passengers; and electronic toll payments solutions to businesses and consumers in the form of radio frequency identification tags affixed to vehicles' windshields. In addition, it offers gift card program management and processing services in plastic and digital forms that include card design, production and packaging, delivery and fulfillment, card and account management, transaction processing, promotion development and management, website design and hosting, program analytics, and card distribution channel management. Further, it provides other products consisting of payroll cards, vehicle maintenance service solution, long-haul transportation solution, prepaid food vouchers or cards, and prepaid transportation cards and vouchers. The company serves business, merchant, consumer, and payment network customers in North America, Brazil, and Internationally. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cenovus Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in Canada, the United States, and the Asia Pacific region. The company operates through Oil Sands, Conventional, Offshore, Canadian Manufacturing, U.S. Manufacturing, and Retail segments. The Oil Sands segment develops and produces bitumen and heavy oil in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. This segments Foster Creek, Christina Lake, Sunrise, and Tucker oil sands projects, as well as Lloydminster thermal and conventional heavy oil assets The Conventional segment holds assets primarily located in Elmworth-Wapiti, Kaybob-Edson, Clearwater, and Rainbow Lake operating in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as interests in various natural gas processing facilities. The offshore segment engages in the exploration and development activities. The Canadian Manufacturing segment includes the owned and operated Lloydminster upgrading and asphalt refining complex, which upgrades heavy oil and bitumen into synthetic crude oil, diesel fuel, asphalt, and other ancillary products, as well as owns and operates the Bruderheim crude-by-rail terminal and two ethanol plants. The U.S. Manufacturing segment comprises the refining of crude oil to produce diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, asphalt, and other products. The Retail segment consists of marketing of its own and third-party refined petroleum products through retail, commercial, and bulk petroleum outlets, as well as wholesale channels. Cenovus Energy Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
Univar Solutions Inc. distributes commodity and specialty chemical products, and provides related services worldwide. It offers epoxy resins, polyurethanes, titanium dioxide, fumed silica, esters, plasticizers, silicones, and specialty amines; ingredients for cleaners, detergents, and disinfectant products; and base stocks, performance-enhancing additives for lubricants and metalworking fluids. The company also distributes specialty and basic chemicals, and ingredients used in skin and hair care products; and commodity and specialty products for meat processing, baked goods, dairy, grain mill products, processed foods, carbonated soft drinks, fruit drinks, and alcoholic beverage markets, as well as provides excipients, solvents, reactants, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and intermediates to pharmaceutical ingredient producers. In addition, it offers chemical products for use at various stages of production, from sap stain prevention to pulp and paper manufacturing; and chemistries and products used to sanitize, balance, and supplement municipal and industrial water. Further, the company provides chemicals to midstream pipeline and downstream refinery operators, as well as chemicals and services to upstream oil and gas sector for offshore production, oil extraction, and waste management activities. Additionally, it offers transportation and warehousing services, chemicals and hazardous materials handling, waste management services, inventory management, and blending, mixing, and repackaging services. Univar Solutions Inc. distributes its products through warehouse and direct-to-consumer delivery channels. The company was formerly known as Univar Inc. and changed its name to Univar Solutions Inc. in September 2019. Univar Solutions Inc. was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois.
The Asking Saves Kids (ASK) campaign is effective in increasing parents' comfort level in asking if there is a gun where their child plays, according to research being presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2017 National Conference & Exhibition in Chicago Monday, Sept. 18.

"Gun violence is a public health epidemic in the United States, but a simple question or short conversation about gun safety can protect children from this danger," said lead author Nina Agrawal MD, FAAP. "This study shows us that parents are far more likely to ask about guns in a home before a playdate if they feel empowered by their pediatricians to do so, and asking can save precious young lives."

The AAP recommends that physicians talk to families about gun safety as part of routine injury-prevention guidance, just like they counsel families about child safety seats, safe sleep and water safety. The ASK campaign encourages caregivers to ask family and friends if there is a gun where their child plays and, if a gun is present, to ensure that it is locked with the ammunition separately.

The study was conducted in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York, a neighborhood with high rates of gun violence. Nine percent of participants said they knew someone who was the victim of gun violence.

Pediatric residents talked with families visiting a health clinic about why it's important to ask about the presence of guns where their child will play, and gave tips on having this conversation. Participants also received a brochure. Prior to receiving ASK education, only 8 percent of caregivers had asked about guns in a home where their child was playing, and only 44 percent felt comfortable asking if there is a gun where their child plays. After learning about the ASK campaign, 85 percent of caregivers said they felt comfortable asking about guns.

This study demonstrated that the ASK campaign is effective in increasing caregivers' comfort level in asking if there is a gun where their child plays, Dr. Agrawal said.

Only 11 percent of caregivers reported a doctor provided gun safety information to them, but 96 percent of caregivers said they wanted their doctor to provide it.

"It's stunning to note that 9 percent of the children whose families were involved in this study knew a victim of gun violence, which shows how common this health crisis is in communities of need. Pediatricians should engage their patients and families in conversations about this important topic so that parents know that they can and should be asking about gun safety," Dr. Agrawal said. "Families we interviewed overwhelmingly told us that they wanted their pediatricians to provide this information to them."
Artsakh FM speaks with his Transnistria counterpart

Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus say they cannot accept migrants

Cavusoglu thanks Mirzoyan for condolences on terrorist attack in Istanbul

Zelenskyy arrives in Kherson

Armenian Defense Minister: After expiration of contract service 5 million drams will be provided to servicemen

Turkey refuses to accept U.S. condolences after terrorist attack in Istanbul

Defense Ministers of Georgia and Azerbaijan sign military cooperation plan for 2023

Russian Foreign Ministry denies reports about Lavrov's hospitalization in Bali

Yellen hopes Biden and Jinping meeting leads to engagement on macroeconomic issues

Russian Defense Ministry confirms violation of ceasefire in Artsakh by Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Artsakh MOD denies accusations of Azerbaijani MOD

Azerbaijani Defense Minister holds talks in Georgia

Armenian MOD denies another lie of Azerbaijani MOD

Germany warns its delegation about Egyptian spies at COP27

NSS of Armenia reveals channel of illegal migration

Azerbaijani State Security Service announces disclosure of 'Iranian spy network'

Politico: Indonesia, hosting G20, lobbies West to soften criticism of Russia in final communique

Ararat Mirzoyan expresses condolences to Mevlut Cavusoglu over Istanbul explosion

Iranian lawmakers sharply criticize Aliyev

Ambassador-at-Large: Azerbaijan's attacks on Armenia are a terrorist attack

Germany needs to diversify its business interests in Asia to reduce dependence on China

Head of U.S. Treasury Department says sanctions against Russia should remain in force even after war in Ukraine

Natasa Pirc Musar to become Slovenia's first woman president

IMF: World economic outlook even bleaker than predicted

Pashinyan: Azerbaijan calls Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh 'our citizens' and at the same time shoots at them

Turkish Interior Minister announces arrest of suspect in attack on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul

Alpine to make 3 electric crossovers

Number of injured in Istanbul blast rises to 81

Paul McCartney sells guitar for $77,000 to support Ukraine

Erdogan says preliminary findings after Istanbul bombing point to terrorist attack

Erdogan says number of victims of Istanbul bombing rises to six

Authorities forbid TV channels to broadcast from Istanbul bombing site

Istanbul blast: Governor reports 4 dead and 38 wounded

Media: Terrorist attack considered as one of versions of bombing in Istanbul

Blast in Istanbul: victims reported

Reuters: National Bank of Ukraine prepares banking system for power outages

Explosion hits pedestrian street in Istanbul

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

Defense Ministry: Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire at Armenian positions

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?
Divine Liturgy will not be offered this year as well at the Holy Cross Armenian church on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van, Turkey.

Pakrat Estukyan, editor of the Armenian section of Agos Armenian bilingual weekly of Istanbul, told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the reason is security concerns.

The church was restored by the Turkish government funding, and in 2007, it opened as a museum.

Subsequently, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul) petitioned to the Turkish government to get permission for offering Divine Liturgy at this church once a year.

In March 2010, the Turkish minister of culture and tourism announced that the permission was granted to offer church service there and install a cross on the dome of this church.

In 2015, however, the patriarchate decided to cancel that years Divine Liturgy at this church, and due to the terrorist attacks in the area.

And afterward, the Turkish authorities suspended the holding of religious rituals at this church.

This matter is reflected also on the International Religious Freedom Report for 2016 of the US Department of State.
Artsakh FM speaks with his Transnistria counterpart

Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus say they cannot accept migrants

Cavusoglu thanks Mirzoyan for condolences on terrorist attack in Istanbul

Zelenskyy arrives in Kherson

Armenian Defense Minister: After expiration of contract service 5 million drams will be provided to servicemen

Turkey refuses to accept U.S. condolences after terrorist attack in Istanbul

Defense Ministers of Georgia and Azerbaijan sign military cooperation plan for 2023

Russian Foreign Ministry denies reports about Lavrov's hospitalization in Bali

Yellen hopes Biden and Jinping meeting leads to engagement on macroeconomic issues

Russian Defense Ministry confirms violation of ceasefire in Artsakh by Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Artsakh MOD denies accusations of Azerbaijani MOD

Azerbaijani Defense Minister holds talks in Georgia

Armenian MOD denies another lie of Azerbaijani MOD

Germany warns its delegation about Egyptian spies at COP27

NSS of Armenia reveals channel of illegal migration

Azerbaijani State Security Service announces disclosure of 'Iranian spy network'

Politico: Indonesia, hosting G20, lobbies West to soften criticism of Russia in final communique

Ararat Mirzoyan expresses condolences to Mevlut Cavusoglu over Istanbul explosion

Iranian lawmakers sharply criticize Aliyev

Ambassador-at-Large: Azerbaijan's attacks on Armenia are a terrorist attack

Germany needs to diversify its business interests in Asia to reduce dependence on China

Head of U.S. Treasury Department says sanctions against Russia should remain in force even after war in Ukraine

Natasa Pirc Musar to become Slovenia's first woman president

IMF: World economic outlook even bleaker than predicted

Pashinyan: Azerbaijan calls Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh 'our citizens' and at the same time shoots at them

Turkish Interior Minister announces arrest of suspect in attack on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul

Alpine to make 3 electric crossovers

Number of injured in Istanbul blast rises to 81

Paul McCartney sells guitar for $77,000 to support Ukraine

Erdogan says preliminary findings after Istanbul bombing point to terrorist attack

Erdogan says number of victims of Istanbul bombing rises to six

Authorities forbid TV channels to broadcast from Istanbul bombing site

Istanbul blast: Governor reports 4 dead and 38 wounded

Media: Terrorist attack considered as one of versions of bombing in Istanbul

Blast in Istanbul: victims reported

Reuters: National Bank of Ukraine prepares banking system for power outages

Explosion hits pedestrian street in Istanbul

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

Defense Ministry: Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire at Armenian positions

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
A United States congressional delegation on Sunday will pay a visit to Armenia, and at the initiative of Congresswoman Jackie Speier-Kanchelian, who has Armenian roots, reported the Voice of America Armenian Service.

Speier-Kanchelian noted that even though this visit has numerous objectives, it also has an emotional importance to her.

The political side of this visit, however, also is not disregarded.

In addition, the visiting US lawmakers plan to discuss the matter of strengthening Armenias energy independence.

Furthermore, Congresswoman Speier-Kanchelian stressed Armenias huge potential in the development of the technology sector.

She added that the US stands ready to expand political and economic relations with Armenia.

Also, numerous successful Armenians in the US wish to restore ties with Armenia, and the visiting US congressional delegation will discuss these prospects, too.
Alexander Lapshin, who is recently released from an Azerbaijani prison and has gone to Israel, made several posts on his Facebook page, and, as expected, they refute the Azerbaijani allegation of his attempting to commit suicide while in prison.

If we leave aside the events in the early morning hours on September 10, when they beat me and staged a suicide attempt to have a formal occasion for a pardon as if we are good-hearted men, I experienced disgust and fear on April 3, 2017. At the Baku prison cell, I was hearing all night the Allahu Achbar [the Azerbaijani version of Allahu Akbar (God is greatest, in Arabic)] joyous cheer coming from the other cells. The occasion of the joy was the bloody terrorism in the Saint Petersburg [Russia] subway, which claimed the lives of 16 people.

Azerbaijani prisons are full of radical Islamists. And there are more Islamists in freedom, and they even wear shoulder straps waiting for their hour.

Moreover, Baku authorities fanatically refute the Shiite radical Islams impact, which is growing in the country. Ive seen all this with my own eyes, and I personally followed the Islamists. Theyre everywhere, and they permit many of them to freely move about in the prison, the blogger wrote, in particular, in one of his posts.

And in another post, Lapshin specifically wrote as follows: There is a view that Azerbaijan cant be forgiven for the attempt to kill me, and there is a need to act literately and with international instances. I believe in the international law experts, and Im collecting [respective] documents; Ill inform [about it] later.

I read my regret, which is a fake, with great interest. Do they seriously suppose that I could have written something and ask for forgiveness while lying at the intensive care unit, with injuries?

After his visits to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in 2011 and 2012, blogger and journalist Alexander Lapshinwho is a citizen of Russia, Israel, and Ukrainewas blacklisted by Azerbaijan.

In June 2016, however, he paid a visit to Azerbaijanbut with a Ukrainian passportand, subsequently, he published several articles criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities.

Afterward, Azerbaijan issued an international search for this famous blogger. On December 15, 2016, Lapshin was detained in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk, and based on this search.

On January 26 of the current year, the Minsk city court dismissed the bloggers appeal of the Belarusian General Prosecutors Office decision to extradite him to Azerbaijan.

On February 7, the Supreme Court of Belarus dismissed the appeals that were filed into this case, and upheld the aforesaid decision by the General Prosecutors Office.

On the evening of the same day, Belarus extradited Alexander Lapshin to the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku, where he was taken into custody.

And a court in Baku sentenced him to three years in prison. But he spent solely nine months in places of detention.

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev on Monday signed a decree on pardoning Alexander Lapshin.

On the same day, however, it became known that he had attempted to commit suicide in prison.

Alexander Lapshin left Azerbaijan on Thursday.
The authorities of Odessa Oblast (province) of Ukraine have declared mourning in memory of the children who lost their lives in the fire that broke out at a childrens camp.

Governor Maksym Stepanov of Odessa informed about the aforementioned on his Facebook page.

Tragedy. I find no words [to say] from rage and pain. Its mourning in Odessa Oblast, Stepanov wrote.

The fire in this childrens camp broke out at night. According to the latest information, three children died in the fire. The bodies of two of them were found, and search is still in progress for the third body.

A criminal case has opened into this incident.
YEREVAN.  There is no expectation from the forthcoming talk between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Armenian former MP, International Center for Human Development think tank director, analyst Tevan Poghosyan, stated the aforesaid at a press conference on Saturday.

He added, however, that the parties are obligated to use all the opportunities to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Lets hope that the topic of the talks will be the implementation of the agreements they had reached [during the summits] in Vienna [(Austria)] and Saint Petersburg [(Russia)], Poghosyan stressed.

Aside from this, the analyst noted that the Armenian side needs to commence an active development of science, economy and army, and always realize that the war is not over yet.
Blogger Alexander Lapshin who was jailed in Azerbaijan for visiting Karabakh and later pardoned by Ilham Aiyev commented on recognition of Karabakh as Azerbaijani terroritory.

In his message on Facebook, blogger, who is national of Russia and Israel, said he had been shocked not only by obscurantism of the early Islamic caliphate, hidden under modern shopping mall, but humiliation of Azerbaijanis asking me to agree to recognize Karabakh as their territory.

He added that Azerbaijanis have unfortunately turned from cultural national of poets and merchants into nervous and revengeful people convinced that their future depends on Sasha Lapshin.

Do they seriously believe that I can decide anything in your conflict with Armenia and the world? he wonders. Today I am so generous to hand over. Alaska to Azerbaijan!

Lapshin said he could imagine how much Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko got in exchange for something with help of which Azerbaijan spoiled relations with Armenia and Russia, let alone Israel.

And this because of a blogger. That's where the money from the Caspian oil is plunging, while the people are begging for $ 100-150 a month, he wrote.
YEREVAN.  Organic fertilizers, made by farmer households in Iran, have been displayed in Yerevan.

Guests from Iran and Georgia were invited to the rural life and traditions fest, held annually by Green Lane NGO and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and the administration of Yerevan.

Iranian agricultural products were brought by Hormod Sustainable Development Institute, based in Tehran. Visitors were able to see organic saffron, (9/10 of saffron sold globally, and considered the worlds most valuable spice, is produced in Iran), as well as haseer, a fabric woven from palm leaves, typical for the southeastern part of the country, Sistan and Balocistan.

Alongside traditional products, made by generations of farmers, the exhibition showed an innovation they learned and now successfully employ, namely organic compost processed by certain types of worms.

In 2014, the institute sent experts for training courses to villages in the provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan, by the Caspian Sea.

Farmers were taught to make vermicompost from kitchen waste. They now use it instead of chemical fertilizers, keeping their water sources from wastewater pollution, and their land from overuse of chemicals, says the chairman of the Hormod Institute, Mr Javad Razmi.

We are here today not so much to look for sales opportunities, but rather to expose the culture and tradition of our country. In any case, we believe this will help any further cooperation across the border, he said.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach has been elected chairman of the NATO military committee.

Speaking on his election, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, said it "is a huge honour to have been chosen to be the next Chairman of the Military Committee, one of the most important positions in NATO, central to European security. I am excited to take on this next challenge at such an important time for the NATO alliance, at a time when the alliance must modernise to face new and ever adapting threats. Having spent the last year in the hugely rewarding position of the UK Chief of Defence Staff, I know I am ready to take on this challenge. I would like to personally thank all of those who supported me through this campaign and voted for me in the election."

The position of Chairman of the Military Committee is normally held for a period of three years, but may be extended, upon request of the Chiefs of Defence and on the agreement of the Nation providing the Chairman.
Richard Fisher, the former Federal Reserve official and current top advisor at Barclays, said Friday he is looking for China to play a pivotal role in resolving problems on the Korean Peninsula. Following North Korea's latest missile launch earlier in the day, Fisher said the current U.S. administration's strategy in getting countries to agree on sanctions against North Korea was a "step in the right direction." He acknowledged, however, that recent steps taken by the international community were likely less severe than the White House would've like. President Donald Trump has used tough language against the North in recent months, most colorfully warning the hermit state it would be "met with fire and fury" if it continued to threaten the U.S. North Korea responded to those remarks by announcing that it was considering a strike on Guam, a U.S. territory. It ultimately stood down on the threat. One key variable for the fate of the region's geopolitical crisis is the role China plays, said Fisher, a former Dallas Fed president."China's the key to success, everybody knows this," Fisher, who also served as deputy U.S. Trade Representative between 1997 and 2001, told CNBC on the sidelines of the Singapore Summit. China is North Korea's main import source for oil and is its most important ally. While Beijing urged North Korea to halt its nuclear development plans following the latter's sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3, the Trump administration says it believes the world's second-largest economy can do more. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week asked China to use its economic leverage to put more pressure on the North. "To be fair to China, they do not want U.S. forces on their southern border, so the solution's much more complicated than, say, reunifying Germany," Fisher said.Fisher said he believed a solution that would satisfy both China and the U.S. was one that would ensure "that space of North Korea" would be preserved while simultaneously taking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "off the map." At the very least, Kim's nuclear power had to be taken out of the equation, Fisher added.While negotiations would be "a very delicate process," U.S.-China relations were unlikely to unravel just because of North Korea, Fisher said."Our relationship is much broader than this," he added. Richard Fisher, the former Federal Reserve official and current top advisor at Barclays, said Friday he is looking for China to play a pivotal role in resolving problems on the Korean Peninsula. Following North Korea's latest missile launch earlier in the day, Fisher said the current U.S. administration's strategy in getting countries to agree on sanctions against North Korea was a "step in the right direction." He acknowledged, however, that recent steps taken by the international community were likely less severe than the White House would've like. President Donald Trump has used tough language against the North in recent months, most colorfully warning the hermit state it would be "met with fire and fury" if it continued to threaten the U.S. North Korea responded to those remarks by announcing that it was considering a strike on Guam, a U.S. territory. It ultimately stood down on the threat. One key variable for the fate of the region's geopolitical crisis is the role China plays, said Fisher, a former Dallas Fed president. "China's the key to success, everybody knows this," Fisher, who also served as deputy U.S. Trade Representative between 1997 and 2001, told CNBC on the sidelines of the Singapore Summit. China is North Korea's main import source for oil and is its most important ally. While Beijing urged North Korea to halt its nuclear development plans following the latter's sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3, the Trump administration says it believes the world's second-largest economy can do more. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week asked China to use its economic leverage to put more pressure on the North. "To be fair to China, they do not want U.S. forces on their southern border, so the solution's much more complicated than, say, reunifying Germany," Fisher said. Fisher said he believed a solution that would satisfy both China and the U.S. was one that would ensure "that space of North Korea" would be preserved while simultaneously taking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "off the map." At the very least, Kim's nuclear power had to be taken out of the equation, Fisher added. While negotiations would be "a very delicate process," U.S.-China relations were unlikely to unravel just because of North Korea, Fisher said. "Our relationship is much broader than this," he added.



More From CNBC


U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on "all nations to take new measures" against North Korea after the pariah state launched another missile over Japan on Friday local time. Tillerson added that " China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own." "These continued provocations only deepen North Korea's diplomatic and economic isolation," the secretary of state added.North Korea launched an unidentified missile Thursday that landed in the sea after passing over Japan, the latest escalation as the isolated regime flaunts its nuclear weapon ambitions, according to multiple reports.The missile was launched from the communist dictatorship's capital of Pyongyang at about 6:57 a.m. local time Friday headed east, reports said. The projectile passed over Japan before landing in the sea at roughly 7:16 a.m., roughly 2,000 kilometers (about 1,240 miles) east of Japan's Cape Erimo, according to reports.South Korea conducted its own missile exercise as Pyongyang fired its missile, taking into account the distance to North Korea's firing site, according to NBC News.The United Nations Security Council will meet at 3 p.m. ET on Friday to discuss missile test, diplomats said, at the request of the United States and Japan.This story is developing. Please check back for further updates.Reuters and CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on "all nations to take new measures" against North Korea after the pariah state launched another missile over Japan on Friday local time. Tillerson added that " China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own." "These continued provocations only deepen North Korea's diplomatic and economic isolation," the secretary of state added. North Korea launched an unidentified missile Thursday that landed in the sea after passing over Japan, the latest escalation as the isolated regime flaunts its nuclear weapon ambitions, according to multiple reports. The missile was launched from the communist dictatorship's capital of Pyongyang at about 6:57 a.m. local time Friday headed east, reports said. The projectile passed over Japan before landing in the sea at roughly 7:16 a.m., roughly 2,000 kilometers (about 1,240 miles) east of Japan's Cape Erimo, according to reports. South Korea conducted its own missile exercise as Pyongyang fired its missile, taking into account the distance to North Korea's firing site, according to NBC News. The United Nations Security Council will meet at 3 p.m. ET on Friday to discuss missile test, diplomats said, at the request of the United States and Japan. This story is developing. Please check back for further updates. Reuters and CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report.



More From CNBC


I can't wait for this movie. I think it's the only non-nerd trailer I've ever heard get actual applause from an audience, lol.



I'd be curious to know who was behind this decision. If it's Frances herself then I  her even more. I'll never stop marveling at men's inability to just...behave appropriately. How fucking hard is it to just be a decent person and not do appallingly shitty things????

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Good for them. I'm disappointed in the drafthouse for lying and trying to keep Faraci a secret. That guy should have stayed gone.

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That's awesome. I genuinely need this movie in my life yesterday though.

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Yeah, I looked up the release date the other day and felt like throwing a tantrum. I want it nooooooooow.

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lol yea I feel like I've been waiting for it to come out for too long now

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sure hope he was worth it tim.



one thing that has been really bothering me about this is how supporters of devin have been so completely disingenuous about the backlash to this whole controversy. people are acting like critics of tim and the league are demanding that devin be tarred, feathered, and forced to live out the rest of his days off the grid or something. the main critics (including the victim herself) are just saying how shady it is to say that devin has been stepped down and then secretly give him another job (albeit much lower ranking) a few months later. this guy is just a weird blind spot for so many people, i can't imagine them extending so much compassion for anyone else.

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i can't imagine them extending so much compassion for anyone else.



this isn't surprising since a group of these film bloggers are a cliquey group who live in a bubble. and one of faraci's defenders online has a known history of defending abusive men, even though she labels herself as some 'feminist'. simply because they're her 'friends'.



and even before these sexual allegations have become public, faraci's been on the drafthouse payroll while he was a constant bully not only online, but in person too. very revealing that commenters on the site he once headed claim his resignation made their community healthier.









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The worst example is Sasha Stone, who even after Devin sent an unsolicited dick pic to her she defends him and says he's great for women like wtf? And she's the one who's a big Hillary supporter and to say that the woman who questioned Devin in the first place is horrible for putting his job on the line? Like so often, you never see men get karma for what they did wrong. Sorry to rant, just that I know someone who did something similar like Devin to a friend and he got away with it. Ugh, so frustrating :/

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sasha's the person i hinted to in my above comment. she's also buddies with that sleazy film critic jeff wells who is still up to his dickish ways.



and then jen yamato retweets a twitter story about a rape survivor forgiving her attacker, since that fits jen's ideal narrative on how her friend deserves a second chance.



thing is, people can put on good appearances of what they 'think' they believe, but in reality, it's the most trying moments like this and how we handle them that reveals our true character. i'm not claiming they should block faraci from their lives, but it's telling when supposed feminists only act concerned for the perpetrator.





Edited at 2017-09-16 05:21 am (UTC)

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I really want to see this. The trailer had me hooked - it looks amazing.

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fuck yeah. fuck this dude.

I personally will never visit an Alamo again and I was a big fan. Second chance for sexual assault? Here is the thing, lots of people go through life without sexually assaulting someone else. Lots of people have a line. Sexual assault drunk or not most certainly crosses my 'line'. One should not expect every single soul to be forgiving of something so despicable. It is perfectly fine to require that those you hold in high esteem never commit such an act in the first place. I don't have to forgive rapists, sexual assailants, nor anyone who is daft enough to imply that they may find themselves in the same scenario in a sorry excuse for an apology statement. Sexual assault is not something one can merely apologize for in the eyes of many. Especially to the millions of victims, an 'I'm sorry' is hardly enough. In this instance, this man should never have been given his job back in any form by his former employer. In my eyes, if your employee commits sexual assault, they're gone. Not only did that not happen, but the language in Tim's statement seems to only care about himself and the perpetrator rather than the victims of sexual assault. The 'if i find myself in the same situation' comment speaks volumes. Because of that, i will no longer pay a dime to his establishment. Really glad some celebs are going to follow suit.

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Omg yes please. Well tbh their decision to pull out seems very on-message



Edited at 2017-09-16 06:14 am (UTC)

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omfg that drive by at the end

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Damn. I don't know what I loved more, that drive by at the end or calling out police brutality like that



I'm gonna need to watch this

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holy shit fuck me up Frances!

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Holy fuck this is NOT what i was expecting lmao

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I like the cast. Good for them.

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Well, damn. This is not what I was expecting either. I cannot wait tbh.

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SHIT. I need to see this. That trailer was a wild ride from start to end.

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Definitely need to see this now, thanks for the video!

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FUCK! I'm so watching this!

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one of the few films i'm excited about this year.



i have mixed feelings about this pull out? this is the type of film the community needs to see, but i respect this decision of the creators. not many people in the film industry have integrity, since it's all about lip service and glamour.

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I think it'll increase buzz.

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true. free press!

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So basically "Don't Cry Mommy" in english/america?

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I can't wait to see this film. So awesome of searchlight to do this.

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I heard Neon might lose out on I, Tonya because of this. Fuck tim league and fuck everything he touches. Faraci stays being trash and all his defenders can die in a dumpster fire.

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Oh snap. They dun goofed.



Ms. McDormand won't be doing a pretend flounce and then secretly attending in sunglasses and a mustache, Frackacki.

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Yeah, I was going to volunteer for fantestic fest but I had to decline.

No more drafthouse for me!

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Yeeeeesss, Martin McDonagh doesn't fuck around. I'm so bummed I couldn't get tickets for this at LFF, I've been waiting for it since he announced it in a Q&A in some abandoned mental institution 5 years ago. "Invite only" I have rights!!!!!!!

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I'm listening to the new Emily Haines album that came out yesterday. I'm really loving it. Her voice is always so soothing to me.









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Yaaaay, Alvvays! I'm sad that all their Toronto shows are sold out.

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Yassss! Have fun bb <3

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Omg so exciting! They're gonna put on an incredible show.

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Enjoy Danny Brown!

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Gonna check out Chad VanGaalen, thanks OP. I really dig the art style of these new Wolf Parade MV's, October can't come soon enough.



I've been listening mostly Morrissey, Deerhunter and The Brian Jonestown Massacre's album Revelation, while studying:







Edited at 2017-09-16 05:47 pm (UTC)

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I love BJM 

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omg there's been so much new music for someone with basic taste like me it's been amazing!



TWO new Kelly Clarkson songs

a new Hailey Steinfeld song

a new nick jonas song that I LOVE

a new sam smith song that I actually like

TWO new Taylor Swift songs

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The new Alvvays gives me life

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Edited at 2017-09-16 05:58 pm (UTC)

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O M G they're serious.

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I've been listening to Brand New nonstop since their album dropped



Edited at 2017-09-16 06:00 pm (UTC)

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Canadians...



I pretty much only listen to older music now.



Edited at 2017-09-16 07:27 pm (UTC)

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Taylor getting called out for lack of moral fiber? Loving that concept.

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You know she'll ditch Joe shortly & try to bring out a black boyfriend.

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she tried with Drake not too long ago

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I'd say Todrick if he wasn't gay.

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As if she would ever. Has she even had a black boyfriend in her music videos?

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The most she'd do is a racially ambiguous light-skinned Latino, lbr.



Edited at 2017-09-16 06:19 pm (UTC)

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never happening lol

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I'd die of shock.

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She should just duet with Ricky Martin, come on PR team hire me.

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I am cackling

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Trevor Noah. Get them Toyota Lasagna teas!



Edited at 2017-09-16 09:29 pm (UTC)

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and miss out on the alt-right coin? as if

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she'll never

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You are closer to the truth than you know. Problem is, her career has always come first--her image, selling to her fanbase, which is not overly-liberal.

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drag this snake for being so damn greedy she refuses to ostracize nazi money

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Lol let me take my shower real quick and revisit this post in 30...

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She's the worst popstar created from the last decade. She's gonna fall eventually, and it's gonna be great.

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Let us pray.

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I really hope so man.

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She is going to have shitty era even if numbers wise it will be successful, there is no way she makes it through without speaking abt Trump and she loses either way in denouncing or avoiding.



I dont think its fair tho that others can stay silent or support Trump (kanye) and not get half as much shit. I agree from her platform she maybe should say something, but Kevin Hart, The Rock, Justin Bieber have all been pretty quiet on Trump.

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I think famous women are more frequently judged on how "feminist" their music/art/whatever is regardless of whether or not they actually label themselves feminists. Even if she hadn't called herself a feminist, I think Taylor would be undergoing the same scrutiny.

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Bieber is Canadian, why would he get involved in US politics

No one's checking for kevin hart

and the rock expressed concern on trump already



normally i agree with you, but taylor used feminism to sell her record so now it's time to pay up girl

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The others didn't have their face or lyrics used by Nazi's. She also used feminism for her last era before shit got real. That's the difference. Her silence speaks volumes that money is more important than her morals(if she's actually against them). As a black woman, I side eye the hell out of her.

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lol huh?? this random ass collection of male celebs.



kevin hart hasn't stayed quiet about trump - he straight up said said he won't joke about him b/c he doesn't want to alienate people, and has been dragged accordingly for saying that



the rock most definitely said trump was disappointing or something in his gq interview



justin bieber ain't even american.....but when someone asked him if he'd vote for kanye or trump he said he definitely wouldn't vote for trump



ANYWAY, barring all of that taylor is still responsible for trying to politicize her music/image with ~feminism only to the extent of it benefitting her

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but the alt right also isn't claiming any of those people as supporters. maybe it's not fair they think she's in their corner because she's blonde and white but i know if nazi's were saying that i secretly agreed with them i'd be sure to make it known i didn't.

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None of those people have been selling feminism to the public. You know your comparison makes no sense. Bieber goes around punching people, has said the n-word and treats his fans like shit, nobody expects anything from him.

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first of all, kanye got major shit from black people for saying he supports trump. second of all, i wish y'all would stop jumping to the first few black men and that know racist justin to excuse t*ylor of her shit.

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Kevin Hart uploaded this after the election. It's kinda hippy dippy *positivity wins in the end!!* but he doesn't sound happy about it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Qmmq81cO4

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This article specifically talks about Taylor Swift being an icon for the alt-right. I don't know where Justin Bieber stands with them but I highly doubt Kevin Hart (a black man) and The Rock (a half black and half Samoan man) are in that position.

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bieber is a shithead and a mess, nobody is asking for his opinion on anything lol

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correct me if I'm wrong but Kevin, Bieber and the Rock didn't use antiblack narratives to further their sales did they. She has been dubious about race for YEARS and especially in the wake of being caught her silents speaks volumes.

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Are white supremacists widely supporting Hart, Bieber or Rock though? Breitbart tweeted her lyrics repeatedly. Rock denounced discrimination and relating to Underarmor in a statement, promoting diversity. He was a spokesperson

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Its so off putting that she hasn't said anything about this. I don't think she actually supports those views but rather that she prioritizes potential loss of revenue above being a decent person. She's so rich she never needs to work again but she can't call out white supremacists? Come on.

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She just doesn't care which is worse.

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This. I unironically and unapologetically love her music but this is not a good look and I'm side eyeing her hard.



I don't believe she's a Nazi, I don't even believe she voted for trump honestly. But she needs to SAY SOMETHING like doesn't she have enough money yet?

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mte

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MTE

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Seriously.



Sure it's not her fault if this group is making assumptions about her but, like someone else said above, if nazis were saying this shit about me I'd make damn sure to correct them and call them out.

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seriously, mte

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IA

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I mean ok, like maybe she don't support that stuff in her heart.



But do y'all really think all Germans supported nazis and wanted to kill Jews? Nazism prospered exactly because of people like that description of her you just came up with. All the people who thought oh it's awful but I better not get involved, because then nazis won't want to buy my shit. Like, idk in my heart that's almost just as bad. But so many white people wanna think themselves different from the nazis just so you don't have to be accountable for the privilege that position requires.

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THISSSSSSS. As a jew you are 100% correct which I why I find her not calling out this shit so offensive. It's very simple too in this day and age to simply post the smallest thing as "anti-trump" or "anti-kkk" but she won't becuz it will inhibit her profits and that's fuckin disgustin

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MFTE

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right, all she has to do is just say, at any given time, "i denounce tr*mp and neo-nazis" and that would be it.

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That's exactly how I feel

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YESSSSSSSSSSSS

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Yep. She already has a quarter of a BILLION dollars. Like girl, just say something. It'll hardly make a dent in her checkbook, if that's what she's TRULY worried about -___-

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That's my whole thing. I'm giving her the BotD that she's not a Nazi, but why would you want their coins anyway? Like, girl, you're fucking set for life!

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sc gifs are too kind for this occasion :( lol

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Don't worry Taylor. Joseph will speak for you.

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nnnnnnn

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omg

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I hate you

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Dead

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It's not hard to denounce nazis and while their numbers aren't small, i really don't think they are as big as some think. it's not half the country, thankfully. but she's got no choice at this point, but to do a serious sit down interview, talk about the trial, talk about kanye, and spin it for what it actually is, 2 people making money. and then denounce this alt-right bullshit. where she is not their nazi queen.





at this point, she no choice. you can't remain silent on that. and denouncing nazis isn't the same as "i don't talk politics."

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I agree but even if she says something now everyone will say she is doing it for money. She really can't win which is why she should pick the side that has it on record she isnt a nazi sympathizer.

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if i were her, i think i'd care more about the moral impetus of denouncing nazism/distancing myself as much as possible than what people thought about my motivations.

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Never gonna happen (esp with her). White people never call out their own, they'd much rather tell poc how to deal with oppression than actually speak truth to power / address the problem at the source.

Even now, many outspoken (white) feminists are still trying to tell black and brown folks not to "fight hate with hate" etc, instead of turning to their fellow whites and TELLING THEM to cut that sh*t out in the first place.

It's ridiculous and white allyship is a farce.

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OT but i really need someone to talk to. i found out yesterday that i'm pregnant and will need to abort. i have no idea what i'm in for and i'm absolutely terrified...if anyone could talk to me i'd really appreciate it...

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https://abortionfunds.org/need-abortion/



i don't have personal experience with it, but I'm willing to listen if you want to shoot me a PM.



Edited at 2017-09-16 06:24 pm (UTC) I'm going to suggest you check out the abortion fund page for your state. Even if you DON'T need financial assistance, some state funds have hotlines where you can talk to people and they also have contact info for clinics in your state (which is important, because there are fake clinics that will try to counsel you out of getting an abortion, are anti-birth control, and just bad news in general -- it can be traumatizing for women to wind up in crisis pregnancy center, and they intentionally make it confusing for women seeking abortions and even open up shop next door or very close to clinics)i don't have personal experience with it, but I'm willing to listen if you want to shoot me a PM.

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Oh I'm so sorry you're going through this. Even if you know it's the right choice for you, it can be a hard time. It's normal to feel lots of different things, and don't be ashamed of your feelings, they just come and go. Do you have anyone IRL that could support you physically during the day of? You should not have to be alone unless you want to be alone.



My thoughts are with you.

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i'm really lucky in that my mom and best friend have both said they'll be here for me the whole way...i feel really dumb but one of my worst fears is that it'll hurt...i'm terrified of needles and this will be a million times worse

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I had an abortion at 18. If you need ANYTHING just PM me. 

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I can't say anything in means of personal experience besides just offering you good wishes from over here.

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I'm so sorry you're going through this. 

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I'm so sorry. I haven't been through the experience personally but I can tell you having been there for multiple friends that have that one of the things I watched a couple of them struggle with the most was the mourning process. Like they felt like they weren't allowed to mourn the fetus and it ended up being an important and necessary thing for them to move past it. Obviously that is not true for everyone but I just thought I'd let you know it's normal because it broke my heart to watch them struggle with it. Also make sure anywhere you go for medical care is not associated with any churches. I went with one friend went to get an official pregnancy test at a place she didn't realize was church affiliated and they took her to a room to talk to her for 45 minutes about how she would go to hell if she aborted. Like, you don't need that when you're already dealing with so much.



If you can, bring someone with you when you go to get it done, who can sit with you in the waiting room and be supportive and talk to you about dumb stuff so you don't sit there alone and freaking out.



I'm sorry you're going through this and I wish you the best.

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if you're in the U.S. search for abortion doulas in your area. services are usually free i think. <3if you're in the U.S. https://radicaldoula.com/becoming-a-doula/volunteer-programs/

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im sorry youre going through this, i saw your other comments and im really glad you have a support system around you. sending love to you and i hope the recovery goes by quickly bb.

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I'm sorry you're going through this, but at least you live in a place (I hope) with access to safe abortions. It's a medical procedure. It's mostly uncomfortable. We're all here for you.

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I'm an operating room nurse and we do electives at my hospital. PM me if you have any questions.

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I'm so sorry bb. It's scary to have an unwanted preganancy but the abortion itself will likely be very straight forward (I've had two). I moved on from mine really well and never looked back and I'm sure you will too. Wishing you the best.

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I had an abotion when I was 18. While it was painful, I felt so relieved afterwards it was all worth it. Looking back on it, my whole life would have been different if I'd actually had a baby back then. I probably wouldn't have finished uni, for example. Since that time I've been married and I have a son aged 23 now. I couldn't be happier with him.

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Here if you wanna talk, I've been through this <3 it'll be ok

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https://www.allthewomenwehaveloved.com/love-and-abortion/



https://thenib.com/nothing-feels-real-abortion-comics-for-choice I had an abortion around this time last year, if you need someone to talk to, please PM me. Here are two links that really helped me:

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So depending on how far along you are, you can actually get a medical abortion where they give you pills instead as opposed to a surgical abortion. Ask your doctor.

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I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It's okay to be afraid. If you need to talk, PM me anytime. Much love to you.

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I've had an abortion. I was younger and in a relationship where I was very unhappy, so I really didn't even think twice on my decision. And don't be scared. It's over so fast. They put you out and then you're awake and it's over. Where I had it done, they bring you into a room with several other girls and you rest for a bit (I wanna say not even an hour) and then they let you go. The only pain I remember is slight cramping, no worse than having your period. If you have any questions, you can totally dm me.

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How far long are you? People will dismiss as woo hoo but there are teas that can induce abortion or menstruation and empty the uterus. Obviously if you can get a medical procedure safely done, better. I know of several trusted tea recipes. Pm if you want them.

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I don't have any advice but good luck and hope things turn out for you. I'm pro choice and hope the option is readily /safely available for you wherever you live. I know many states are trying to take away the safety of that option.

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I had one about 5 years ago now. They were super great and able to provide me with an Ativan at my clinic which really helped. There was also this sage 40-year-old woman there with me getting her own termination that really put me at ease emotionally, she was super great at calming the whole room. The procedure itself was kind of whatever, but I think settling out the pregnancy hormones took more time and energy than I would have given it credit for originally.



Let yourself feel however you want to about it.

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you got this sis

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Just adding to everyone chiming inthoughts are with you! You'll pull through; wrap yourself in the love of your mom and your closest friends. Don't hesitate.

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ngl i sort of love that the current climate has made it impossible for people like swift to just hide behind the ~it's rude/tacky to talk about politics bit. especially people like her who do it so as to not alienate a fan base

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It's her own damn fault, I don't feel sorry for her anymore.

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I can understand not speaking out on Tr**p. She doesn't want to be Dixie Chicks 2.0 and it really will hurt hurt financially. I still think it's shitty NOT to say anything, but I get it.



Not speaking out about Nazis saying they can't way for her to come forward about how Jews should be exterminated? Uh, yeah, maybe fucking make a comment on that already, especially since they view silence as approval.

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Same, I get not mentioning Trump, especially because her parents are Trumpkins, but Nazis? Aren't a lot of her friends Jewish? It's not that fucking hard, Jesus

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I don't get it. Taylor being hurt financially means she might have to put off buying her 17th $20 million house. You'd think that at some point other people's lives might be worth more than losing out on a relatively small amount of money.

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Yeah, that's true. She probably has enough money that she could retire and never work another day in her life.

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Why is this being put on Taylor Swift tho? There's no reason to think she'd think these things. Idgi.

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Insurance Harder to Find in Fire-Affected Areas of Washington State

Some property insurers are not selling policies in wildfire-affected areas, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler pointed out in a Sept. 13 blog post.

Some property insurers are not selling policies in wildfire-affected areas, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler pointed out in a Sept. 13 blog post. His post on the official blog of the Washington state Insurance Commissioner's office said some property insurers have temporarily stopped selling insurance in areas affected by the Eagle Creek, Norse Peak, and Jolly Mountain fires in the state.

"If you are in the process of buying real estate or if your homeowner insurance policy is up for renewal, you may have a hard time finding a policy," he explained, recommending that residents facing this contact their agent or broker and ask what their options are.

"If you need a policy and don't have one, shop around," he wrote. "Consumers also have access to the property insurer of last resort in our state, called the Washington Fair Plan. The plan offers basic property insurance to consumer who are unable to obtain insurance in the standard insurance market. Consumers have to obtain coverage through a licensed insurance agent or broker, and you can work with whomever you choose. If your company won't offer you coverage, your agent can help you get coverage through the Fair Plan.

His post links to guidance for finding a licensed insurance agent and frequently asked questions about the Fair Plan.

"Even if you maintain insurance coverage on your home, you should learn about ways to decrease your risk of losing your home to fire," he wrote, listing several resources to assist in this.
Autumn's cool, crisp weather is the perfect reason to get outdoors and bask in nature's beauty before the chilly holiday season. Participating in a charity walk is a fun, easy and oftentimes educational way to sneak in a workout and support a good cause.

The sixth annual Cracker Barrel Sista Strut will come to Milwaukee's Estabrook Park on Saturday, Oct. 7. Hosted by V100.7, the event aims to bring awareness to the importance of early breast cancer screenings.

Sista Strut encourages participants to learn about the community resources available in Milwaukee to help prevent, detect and screen breast cancer early on. Additionally, the 3K walk aims to educate attendees about the relationship between breast cancer and the African American community. African American women have a 41 percent higher death rate from breast cancer than white women and are more likely to be diagnosed before age 40.

"I have two sisters that are breast cancer survivors because of early detection," says Bailey Coleman, on-air personality at V100.7. "We look forward to an event that will bring awareness to the community resources for women in our area. If we save one life from this event, every effort we put into it will be worth it."

Sista Strut will celebrate breast cancer survivors as well as honor the memory of loved ones. Lyrica Anderson from VH1s hit reality show "Love & Hip Hop Hollywood" will perform live at the event.

The event is free and registration is not required. Festivities begin at 8:45 a.m. at Estabrook Park, 4610 Estabrook Parkway. More information can be found at v100.iheart.com/featured/sista-strut-mke.
Two OnMilwaukee partners, Wisconsin Vision and The Corners, have come together recently. And, since it's Wisconsin Vision's fist mall location, we asked CEO Darren Horndasch a few questions about the new store, the industry and a burning question I've had about these ads for Hubble contacts that won't stop following me everywhere I go online.

OnMilwaukee: With so many developments in the greater Milwaukee area, why is The Corners the right fit for Wisconsin Vision?

Darren Horndasch: The Corners of Brookfield is the newest mall development in the State of Wisconsin. We were able to negotiate complete exclusivity for optical services including glasses, contacts, eye exams and accessories. Once the development is complete and the apartments are leased, The Corners will be its own little self-contained community. There is already a vibrant sense at The Corners which bring a number of new retailers to the market including Von Maur, LL Bean, and Arhaus to name a few attracting new shoppers.

What new challenges does a mall location present for you and your team?

The biggest challenge is the hours of operation. We are a family owned company and are not open seven days per week at other Wisconsin Vision locations. At The Corners, we will be open seven days per week.

Thinking about the brick and mortar box, what online/eCommerce opportunities do you see in Wisconsin Visions future?

Ah, now theres a question that will have to be addressed at a later date! We do, however, have our portal for contact lens ordering that has been up and running for a number of years.

An industry question: I see constant ads for Hubble, and I wear contacts. What do you know about the company? Would you buy your contacts there?

Hubble is making its presence known. They have begun consumer advertising recently here in the Milwaukee market. What I do know about Hubble is that they are a subscription based contact on-line retailer selling their own proprietary brand of contacts. At Wisconsin Vision, we work with all four major contact lens manufacturers  Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, Alcon, Bausch & Lomb and CooperVision  all reputable trusted brands with their own proprietary designs. If one design worked for all eyes, we would not need to work with four vendors. Not to mention modality (daily, monthly, two week) and style (single vision, multifocal, toric) and other items like material, edge design, thickness, etc. All patients have different anatomy and given that contacts are truly a medical device, placed on the eye, working with an eye care professional to select the right product is imperative.

Milwaukees on the move; what are you the most excited about in greater Milwaukee?

All of the development happening around the city. From the Third Ward to the Fifth Ward and Downtown, it is incredible what progress has been taking place.

Hows the Shorewood location doing? I walk past (and stop in) regularly.

Shorewood hit strong right from the moment we open the doors. As we thought, the walking traffic is amazing and the community has embraced our presence. We think we nailed it with the style of the location and the experience that it represents.

Who or what is setting the trends in eye wear today?

First, I think that technology has led the way in terms of trends  specifically, the ability of manufacturers to blend materials in the making of frames. The use of metals and plastics and the molding process with plastics to create new color combinations. This has been amazing. Next, it is truly the consumers. We have definitely noticed a shift from still wanting brand name products with less emphasis on the brand placement itself: Less is more is the best way to describe.
Mamies Bar and Grill, 3300 W. National Ave., served food and beverages while a band played and people danced. Children drew on the sidewalk with chalk and the two stages featured local musicians and dancers, including the Nefertari African Dance Company. Artists Working in Education (A.W.E) offered free art activities.

On a warm and sunny September afternoon, hundreds of people gathered along West National Avenue for the sixth annual Silver City International Festival.

Layton Boulevard West Neighbors (LBWN) hosted the festival, which took place on a section of West National Avenue between South 33rd and 35th Streets.

The Nefertari African Dance Company performs at the festival. (PHOTO: Lydia Slattery)

Gisela Ortega, community outreach coordinator at LBWN, said she was pleased with the turnout of more than 2,000 people, the largest since the event began six years ago.

"(The festival) celebrates the cultural diversity of the Silver City neighborhood. Its an opportunity for neighbors to come together to get to know each other," Ortega said. "Its also an opportunity for the business owners to meet the neighbors" and allows people from outside Silver City to meet people from the neighborhood, she added.

Therese Toben, an artist who lives in Silver City, set up a table at the festival covered with paints, glitter, markers and other art supplies that she donated. People of all ages gathered around the table to create their own art. Toben was one of many vendors participating in the event.

"This is an art make-and-take. You use whats available to make art with whatever is available and then you take it home," Toben said. "Its always very exciting to watch people in their art process and see them go from a cautious place to an adventurous place."

"I think its time well spent," Toben said.

Nelson Lopez, a Silver City resident and MC of the festival, introduced the bands and dancers on stage. "I invite people to try new things like new foods and make new friends. Its my thing. I like to try new things." He said he tried all the food at the festival.

"This is called an international festival because this is an international avenue," Lopez said. "We have different vendors from all different places."

Vendors included Tudo Sabor Brasil, serving traditional Brazilian food, Tu Casa Mexican Restaurant, which sold steak and pork tacos, and Asian International Market, which offered papaya salad.

"Silver City is an up-and-coming neighborhood. Its a true gem," Ortega said.
Catherine McKenna, pictured here in 2015, has urged governments to "keep working together" on climate

Canada's environment minister urged governments to move forward on the Paris climate accord Friday, speaking on the eve of talks over the agreement's implementation.

"We have no choice folks, our kids depend on us," Catherine McKenna said in Montreal, where representatives from more than half of G20 members will attend a summit on the global climate pact.

Saturday's meeting was requested by Canada, China and the European Unionwho all reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement when Donald Trump announced the United States' withdrawal in June.

Nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris at the end of 2015 to limit or reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Their aim is to limit the rise in average global temperatures to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2050, compared to preindustrial levels.

The Canadian minister also celebrated 30 years of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, alongside the EU's top climate official Miguel Arias Canete and China's representative on climate change Xie Zhenhua.

"[The] Montreal Protocol is a success story of governments, experts, NGOs and ordinary people who acted together to overcome the greatest environmental threats in recent history," McKenna said.

"We have an opportunity to accomplish even more with the Paris agreement. If we keep working together we can achieve great success in the fight again climate change."

An amendment was added to the Montreal Protocol last year by the Kigali Agreement to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, an extremely harmful gas used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

"Through the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons under the Montreal Protocol, the Earth can avoid warming by up to half a degree Celsius by the end of the century, while we continue to protect the ozone layer," McKenna said.

 2017 AFP
The Equifax chief information officer and head of security will retire, effective immediately, as "part of the company's ongoing review of the cybersecurity incident" that resulted in personal data of 143 million customers being stolen by hackers

Equifax has replaced two senior executives entrusted with watching over its computers, after the credit reporting agency revealed it suffered a major hack that led to one of the worst-ever breaches of personal data.

The Equifax chief information officer and head of security will retire, effective immediately, the firm said Friday, as part of an "ongoing review of the cybersecurity incident" that resulted in the theft of personal data from 143 million US customers.

Hundreds of thousands of British customers and an unspecified number in Canada may have also been affected by the hack at Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus that collect consumer financial data.

The breach is considered particularly serious because the type of data collectednames, social security numbers, addresses, credit card numbers, and other financial detailscan potentially be used by criminals to steal people's identities for financial gain.

An internal investigation into the hack continues and the company is working with FBI investigators, according to Equifax.

Word that top Equifax executives were out came on the same day that Canada's privacy commissioner announced a high-priority investigation into the massive data theft.

A lawsuit by Canadian consumers whose data was stolen was also launched this week, seeking class action status and damages of Can$550 billion ($450 billion US).

Equifax also confirmed on Friday that "limited" information from as many as 400,000 British customers may have been hackedadding that the data was restricted to name, date of birth, email address and a telephone number.

"Equifax believes identity takeover is unlikely for the UK consumers who had their data potentially accessed in this incident," the company's UK branch said in a statement, adding that it was reaching out to the customers concerned.

Questions mount

Equifax collects consumers' financial data in order to rate their credit-worthiness to banks, home sellers, auto sellers and others who depend on consumer credit in marketing.

The hack took place from mid-May through July 2017 via a website application vulnerability that US cyber security companies say they had identified in March.

US officials have not revealed if they know who was behind the breach, though foreign hackers are widely suspected.

In disclosing the breach on September 7, the Atlanta-based company did not explain why it waited more than a month to warn those affected about a risk of identity theft.

A senior US senator has asked the Federal Trade Commission, one of the few bodies with oversight powers over loosely regulated credit raters, to examine Equifax's security practices and its "widely-panned response" to consumers potentially impacted.

Senator Mark Warner, a member of the powerful Senate Banking Committee, accused the company of "exceptionally poor cybersecurity practices" that continued even after the hack became known.

He also said the company's woeful response to people whose data may have been lostincluding trying to charge them for protectionwas "alarming."

"The volume and sensitivity of the data potentially involved in this breach raises serious questions about whether firms like Equifax adequately protect the enormous amounts of sensitive data they gather and commercialize."

Shares sold

US lawmakers have expressed particular outrage over allegations that three Equifax officials sold their company stock before the hack was made public.

Filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission showed that three high-ranking Equifax executives sold shares worth almost $1.8 million in the days after the hack was discovered.

An Equifax spokesperson told AFP the executives "had no knowledge that an intrusion had occurred at the time they sold their shares."

Senator Elizabeth Warren on Friday fired off letters to credit reporting agencies Equifax, TransUnion and Experian as well as to several governmental agencies as part of "a new, broad investigation" into the breach and how it was handled, according to a release.

"Equifax's initial efforts to provide customers information did nothing to clarify the situation and actually appeared to be efforts to hoodwink them into waiving important legal rights," Warren said in a letter to the company.

While not the largest-ever breachYahoo attacks leaked data on as many as one billion accountsthe Equifax incident could prove the most damaging because of the high-value of the data stolen.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has scheduled an October 3 hearing with Equifax chief executive Richard Smith, who has openly apologized.

 2017 AFP
The French-Dutch island of St Martin, where white sands and turquoise waters once drew foreign visitors in droves, is now attracting a different kind of population: rats and mosquitoes.

Just over a week after Hurricane Irma devastated the island and neighbouring St Barthelemy, killing 15 people, pools of stagnant water and mounds of trash seem to be the new normal.

Add to that the absence of fresh running water, and the situation is ripe for a health epidemic.

"Yes, there are risks of outbreaks," said Annick Girardin, the French minister for overseas affairs, who spent a week on St Martin following the Category five storm.

"There is an existing problem on the issue of contaminated water, the issue of trash, basically the issue of hygiene."

In poorer neighbourhoods where many families were not able to evacuate, residents fear the spread of mosquitoeswhich can carry diseases ranging from Zika and dengue fever to chikungunya.

"My son has a fever maybe due to a mosquito," said Natacha, a resident in the Sandy Ground neighbourhood near Marigot. "We will have to clean to prevent too many mosquitoes, or else there will be outbreaks. But it's difficult without water."

"If we get sick, we'll have to go to Guadeloupe".

According to an AFP journalist, in some neighbourhoods like Concordia, control programs had begun on Wednesday.

Boiling water

The island, which is still struggling to get its electricity and telecommunications systems back up and running, has found it difficult to reach residents and warn them about the potential health risks.

To get the word out, the French government has distributed notices and posters in French, Spanish, English and Creole.

Still, French health minister Agnes Buzyn said, "We realise there are people on the island, in certain neighbourhoods, who are not following health instructions".

One of the most important notices reminds people that only bottled water is safe to consume, and that if it is unavailable, boiling water before use is paramount.

"We hand out fresh water all over the territory, but it remains difficult," Buzyn said. "There are zones not easily accessed, people that maybe we haven't been able to reach."

According to the government, 150,000 bottles of water are being distributed to residents every day.

But some people have still been fetching water directly from a reservoir.

A desalination plant destined for St Martin arrived Friday on Pointe-a-Pitre, on the French island of Guadeloupe, about 300 kilometres (185 miles) away.

It will continue its journey to the hurricane-hit island by barge and is expected to be operational by September 25, the authorities said.

Meanwhile drinking water has returned to St Barts, which is now able to produce about 800 cubic metres (176,000 gallons) a day.

"We are not yet at a level of signalling an outbreak, far from it," Buzyn said. "Today, it's mostly an individual risk, which means it is essential that people who live on St Martin drink the bottled water that is distributed".

Buzyn had said last Wednesday that there had been some cases of children with diarrhoea, but did not mention any signs of an outbreak.

Racing the clock

Medical epidemiologists are aware of and on the lookout for any sign of outbreaks, and will regularly track patients using health surveys, said Guadeloupe's public health director Patrice Richard.

On Saturday, St Martin's health services coordinator Sergio Albarello said there had been no cases of outbreak on the island.

"As of now, there have been no reported cases" of outbreak, he told reporters, adding that as far as mosquitoes, "we are not talking about carriers of genes that are epidemiologically relevant".

And while many buildings were flattened by the storm, the St Martin hospital is still able to treat people "in excellent conditions", even though one of its buildings was partially destroyed.

Philippe Gustin, the French envoy in charge of the islands' reconstruction, said the immediate plan was to fix the damaged buildings.

According to Gustin, about 30 percent of the buildings on the French side of the island were completely destroyed, but he cautioned that teams were still putting together a final estimate of damageswhich has been put at one billion euros ($1.2 billion) or more for roads and buildings.

But repairing them before the high season, which usually starts in November and runs until April, seems nearly impossible.

Cleaning up also remains a priority for St Martin, particularly in areas where rats could proliferate.

Home to some 35,000 people, St Martinwhose livelihood rests almost entirely on touristsattracts around two million visitors a year, most of them American cruise ship passengers.

While visiting St Barts this past week, French President Emmanuel Macron promised emergency financial aid for those "who have lost everything".

As for the Dutch side of the island, the Dutch Red Cross said Saturday that it had collected 13.3 millions euros following a weeklong donation drive.

 2017 AFP
A general view shows the meeting Canada is hosting in Montreal on September 16, 2017 with 30 environment ministers aiming to push forward on the Paris climate accord, despite the United States' withdrawal

Environment ministers from some 30 countries gathered Saturday in Montreal to push forward on implementing the Paris climate accord without the United States, three months after President Donald Trump walked out on the deal.

Called by Canada, China and the European Union, the summit was taking place 30 years to the day after the signature of the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layerwhich Canada's environment minister hailed as a multilateral "success story" by governments, NGOs and ordinary citizens jointly tackling a major global threat.

"We have an opportunity to accomplish even more with the Paris agreement," Catherine McKenna said as she opened the summit, attended by more than half the G20 members as well as some of the nations most vulnerable to climate changefrom the low-lying Marshall Islands and Maldives to impoverished Mali and Ethiopia.

"Changes are real, extreme weather events are more frequent, more powerful and more distressful," she told the gathering, pointing at the devastation wrought by mega-storms such as Harvey and Irma which many climate scientists believe are boosted by global warming.

"We are here together and we need to act together," the Canadian minister said.

Nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris in December 2015 to curb carbon dioxide emissions with the aim of limiting the rise in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, compared to preindustrial levels.

US President Donald Trump announces his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Accords on June 1, 2017

When Trump decided in June to withdraw the United States from the climate accord, Canada, China and the European Union immediately reaffirmed their respective commitments to the pact, which the Group of 20 declared "irreversible" the following month.

But time is ticking, the EU's top climate official Miguel Arias Canete told AFP, as ministers work to narrow their differences and better understand how to implement the ambitious accordwith less than two months to go until the next UN Conference on Climate Change (COP23), in Bonn in November.

Fossil fuel bans

"This is not a bureaucratic discussion," Canete said ahead of the Montreal gathering. "This is a political discussion with people who have in mind the target of the agreement."

"We need a rule book to be able to monitor and verify and compare emissions of all the parties and see how far we are towards the targets," he said, with a goal of having those rules in place in time for the COP24 meeting in Katowice, Poland in late 2018.

Key player Chinathe world's largest car marketbrings to the table a potentially major advancement in transportation after announcing its intention to ban petrol and diesel cars, following decisions by France and Britain to outlaw their sale from 2040.

China's representative on climate change Xie Zhenhua attends a environment ministers meeting aimed at pushing forward on the Paris climate accord in Montreal

The European Unionwhich is targeting a 40 percent cut to its emissions by 2030will also shortly put forward a proposal to member states on slashing carbon emissions in the transportation sector, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said this week.

And Canadaas the world's sixth-largest oil producerinsists it is "committed to its international climate obligations" which it hopes to reach by massively investing in "clean energy" technologies.

China's special representative to the talks, Xie Zhenhua, said Beijing considers the Montreal Protocol to be a "very effective and efficient" example of multilateral action on the environmentlargely because it rested on a broad consensus.

"We should take actions now," Xie said, "to ensure that we can realize the goals that we have set."

"The key issue is how we should combine climate actions with economic growth, the protection of people and job creation," he added.

"If we can combine all these matters we could make Paris agreement a great success."

 2017 AFP
Attosecond flashes of light and x-rays take snapshots of fleeting electrons in solids. Credit: MPQ, Attoelectronics Group

When x-rays shine onto solid materials or large molecules, an electron is pushed away from its original place near the nucleus of the atom, leaving a hole behind. For a long time, scientists have suspected that the liberated electron and the positively charged hole form a new kind of quasiparticleknown as 'core-exciton'. But so far, there has not yet been a real proof of its existence. Scientists have a wide range of tools to track excitons in semiconductors in real-time. Those are generated by ordinary light, and can be employed in various applications in optoelectronics and microelectronics. On the contrary, core-excitons are extremely short-lived, and up to now, no technique was available to track their motion and deduce their properties.

A team of scientists led by Dr. Eleftherios Goulielmakis, head of the research group "Attoelectronics" at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, have been able to capture the dynamics of core-excitons in solids in real-time. Using flashes of x-ray radiation lasting only few hundred attoseconds (1 attosecond = 0.000000000000000001 seconds) followed by optical light flashes of similar duration (a tool developed by the group last year) the scientists obtain an ultrafast camera which allowed them to take snapshots of the short-lived excitons in silicon dioxide for the first time. The work is published in this week's issue of the Science magazine.

"Core-excitons live for a very short time because their interactions with other particles in the solid quickly stops their motion," said Antoine Moulet, leading author in this work. "In quantum mechanics we say that the exciton loses its coherence," he adds.

A key tool to track the dynamics of core-excitons has been the development of attosecond light flashes in the optical range. The work was published by the Attoelectronics group last year.

"In our experiment we use x-ray flashes to light up core-excitons in solids, whereas the optical attosecond pulses provide the possibility to resolve this motion in real-time," says Julien Bertrand, a former researcher in the group of Goulielmakis, at present assistant professor at Laval University, Canada. "The combination of both allowed us to take snapshots of the motion of core-excitons which lived for approximately 750 attoseconds."

But the study was not limited to capturing these fleeting motions inside solids. "We were able to acquire quantitative information about the properties of core-excitons such as their miniature dimension which were merely bigger than that of a single atom, or how easily they are polarized by visible light," says Goulielmakis. "Our technique advances excitonics, i.e. the measurement, the control and the application of excitons in the x-ray regime. But at the same time, it is a general tool for studying ultrafast x-ray initiated processes in solids on their natural time scales. Such a capability has never before been possible in x-ray science."

The team now envisages applications of their technique for studying ultrafast processes at interfaces of solids, and new routes to realize ultrafast switches for x-ray radiation based on optical light fields. "With x-ray free electron lasers rapidly proliferating around the world, the capability of controlling x-rays with visible light becomes increasingly important," says Goulielmakis.

More information: A. Moulet et al. Soft x-ray excitonics, Science (2017). DOI: 10.1126/science.aan4737 Journal information: Science
The Senate late Friday passed a new two-year state budget after three of four Republicans who held up passage changed their minds after securing veto promises from Gov. Scott Walker.

The vote was 19-14.

Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said Friday afternoon that he and two other GOP senators who previously withheld their support for the budget, came to support it after talks with Walker about using his line-item veto authority on parts of the budget.

As a result, Walker said he plans to make repeal of the prevailing wage for state construction projects take effect immediately rather than a year from now.

Kapenga and Sens. Stephen Nass, R-Whitewater, and Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, said Walker also plans to veto the budget to allow school districts to conduct referendum votes only on regularly scheduled primary and general election days. The group secured a handful of other vetoes from Walker.

Separately, Walker said in a statement late Friday that he would veto a $2.5 million study looking into toll roads in Wisconsin and a provision that would have removed local oversight of rock quarries.

The budget went through the state Assembly on Wednesday.

The governors signature would end a delay of more than 10 weeks, the longest of its kind in a decade, on the states next two-year spending plan. It also would cap a flurry of activity in the state Capitol this week, in which lawmakers have tackled the budget and a $3 billion subsidy deal for electronics maker Foxconn.

The group of four hard-line conservative senators had held out on supporting the budget passed by the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee. They included David Craig, of Town of Vernon, who was the only Republican to vote against the budget.

Craig said Friday he remained opposed to the budget due to its overall spending level, which would increase 4.3 percent from the previous budget.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, derided their GOP counterparts for the last-minute hiccups.

It demonstrates the dysfunction that is happening  the inability to govern, said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling, of La Crosse.

July 1 was the deadline for the GOP Legislature and Walker to enact the budget, which sets state spending levels through June 2019.

GOP holdouts posted demands

The holdout senators this week released a list of budget demands that included expanding access to private voucher schools outside Milwaukee and Racine, operational changes to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, requiring counties or municipalities that enact wheel taxes to do so by voter referendum and moving up the effective date of the budgets repeal of the states prevailing wage requirement.

Another demand: barring the University of Wisconsin System from spending on mandatory diversity, sensitivity and cultural fluency training.

Several of those demands were not among the list of vetoes announced Friday.

Kapenga said the list was the basis for much of Fridays talks between the three senators and the governor.

The last-second jockeying produced a final spate of drama between the Assembly and Senate, which have sparred for months on the budget. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, accused the holdout Republican senators of an eleventh-hour bid to derail an agreement among Republican leaders.

Assembly lawmakers easily passed the budget Wednesday, 57-39, and GOP leaders in that chamber said their work was done.

In past sessions, lawmakers and the governor have missed the July 1 deadline  but typically when the two parties have shared control of state government.

Progress on the budget had been delayed by Senate-Assembly disagreements, especially on transportation funding, until last week, when the Joint Finance Committee passed an amended budget.

It delays several high-profile freeway expansions in the Milwaukee area and cuts funding for resurfacing and rebuilding existing highways. The plan preserves funding for two ongoing projects in Dane County: one to expand and rebuild Verona Road near McKee Road; the other, U.S. Interstate 39-90 from the Madison area to Illinois.

It implements a new fee on hybrid and electric vehicles, which supporters call a move to tax such vehicles more comparably to vehicles powered solely by fossil fuel.

It includes a $639 million funding increase for Wisconsin K-12 school districts while boosting the household income limits for participation in the statewide private voucher school program.

The UW System gets a $31.5 million performance funding boost, with the extra money tied to certain performance benchmarks, and the systems tuition freeze is maintained.

Taxes for high earners and businesses are cut in the budget, which begins to roll back a personal property tax that businesses pay for machinery and tools. It also eliminates, starting in 2019, the states alternative minimum tax, which applies to individuals making between $200,000 and $500,000 a year.

It embraces Walkers proposals to eliminate the state forestry tax and allow another round of higher state park fees.
A silent sit-in protest against the reserved presidential election was held at Hong Lim Park on 16 September 2017, which was attended by former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock (middle). (Photo: Nigel Chin/Yahoo News Singapore)

Two former presidential candidates were among hundreds of people who turned up at Hong Lim Park on Saturday (16 September) for a silent sit-in protest against the recent presidential election.

Tan Cheng Bock and Tan Jee Say, both of whom took part and lost in the 2011 presidential election, attended the event five days after former Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob was declared on Monday as the only candidate eligible to run in the presidential race. Halimah was inaugurated on Thursday as Singapores first female president, and the first from the Malay community in 47 years. This years election was reserved for Malay candidates.

Yahoo News Singapore arrived at Hong Lim Park around 4:30pm, and estimated a crowd of about 200 people. Around 6:00pm, it grew to about 800 people, according to this reporter. Organisers, however, estimated that the attendance was 2000 people at its peak.

Tan Cheng Bock was the main attraction of the protest, with a large crowd gathering around him when he turned up slightly after 5pm. Many of the attendees took photos with him and chanted his name. The former Ayer Rajah MP did not speak to reporters at the event.

Tan Jee Say told Yahoo News Singapore that the walkover in the reserved election has set a bad precedent.

Its bad democracy, its bad for meritocracy. Prime Minister (Lee Hsien Loong) has told us there are lots of people who can qualify, but yet we are disappointed that Halimah ended up as the only one who was eligible to stand, said the Secretary-General of Singaporeans First Party.

When asked if the government would pay a political price as a result of the reserved election, he said most Singaporeans would forget about the issue by the time of the next General Election.

The next General Election is still far away  about two, three years (more). I dont know whether Singaporeans memory will last that long. A lot of things will happen along the way. There will be a lot of goodies given by the government, he added.

Story continues

Gilbert Goh, who was one of the event organisers, explained that the protest was a silent one as the organisers felt that they would not be able to secure a police permit if there were speeches at the event.

Lim Tean, the former Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party and a co-organiser of the protest, said, There was no need for any speeches today because I think over the past few days, Singaporeans have made their own speeches on social media, which have been heard very loud and clear.

Singaporeans have been disenchanted with the presidential electoral process and wanted to signal that the manipulation of Singapores Constitution cannot continue, Lim added.

I think the silent protest today was a very powerful message to the PAP government.

Related stories:
An Indian priest kidnapped last year during a deadly attack by Islamist militants in Yemen thanked on Saturday all those involved in his release, and even had a kind word for his abductors for not harming him. "I thank in the name of the Lord God even my keepers, who have been understanding to me and who have not hurt me. It's God's intervention," an emotional Thomas Uzhunnalil, 59, said after emerging from 18 months in captivity. "The best weapon against any enemy is love and prayer," Uzhunnalil said at a press conference in Rome after an intervention by the authorities in Oman to secure his release. He was abducted in March 2016 during an attack on a care home operated by missionaries in the southern port city of Aden which killed 16 people, including four nuns. Muscat said Tuesday that it had "coordinated with Yemeni parties" to mediate the release of Uzhunnalil, a Salesian priest who had last appeared in a video circulated online in December 2016, in which he appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis to secure his release. The Vatican has said that Uzhunnalil, a diabetic who lost 30 kilos (66 pounds) during his ordeal, will spend time recuperating in Rome after a medical check-up. He met Wednesday with Pope Francis, who had described the Aden attack as "senseless and diabolical". Yemeni authorities blamed the Islamic State group for last year's attack, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction. Al-Qaeda, which is also active in the area, has appeared to distance itself from the mass shooting, saying it was not involved. The internationally recognised government in war-torn Yemen is grappling with both an Iran-backed rebellion and a growing jihadist presence. Uzhunnalil, who had been running three Catholic churches in Yemen, said he had been abducted essentially for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. "They did not know me. I happened to be in that place," he said, adding that the attackers "left me in peace and killed the others -- perhaps they wanted money." "After the killing of the sisters they put me into the car. They spoke Arabic, I didn't understand them," he added, but "I was not afraid. I was not trembling. I prayed to God to be merciful." "I was not mistreated. They have not injured me at all," added Uzhunnalil, who said he did not know if a ransom had been paid. He also said that the apparent aggression towards him in the video he appeared in was seemingly for show. He said that his attackers, rather than abuse him, "didn't try to force me -- but they said 'when you are free, back home, read the Koran and become a Muslim'."
Iraqi forces attacked a desert outpost of the Islamic State group near the Syrian border Saturday in preparation for a drive up the Euphrates Valley towards the frontier, commanders said. The assault targeted the former mining town of Akashat, in mainly Sunni Arab Anbar province some 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of the jihadists' border bastion of Al-Qaim. Al-Qaim and the Euphrates towns of Rawa and Anna downstream form just one of two enclaves still held by IS in Iraq after a string of battlefield defeats this year. "The army, the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation force) and the border guard launched a major operation to liberate Akashat... and secure the border to its north," said the head of Joint Operations Command, General Abdelamir Yarallah. The Hashed al-Shaabi are a paramilitary force largely composed of Iran-trained Shiite militias but also including some fighters recruited from Sunni tribes. Iraqi commanders estimate there are no more than 300 civilian families left in Akashat, a former railhead that was once a major source of phosphate production. Imed Meshaal, mayor of Rutba, a desert town further south recaptured from IS last year, told AFP the jihadists had turned the area into a major hub for arms caches, training camps and command centres. Iraqi commanders say they estimate IS still has more than 1,500 fighters in its Al-Qaim enclave. The jihadists also control a second enclave west of the ethnically divided Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk centred on the mainly Sunni Arab town of Hawija. A promised offensive against IS there has been delayed by a row over a controversial referendum on Kurdish independence planned for later this month.
By Raya Jalabi ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - The parliament of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region approved a plan on Friday to hold a referendum on independence on Sept. 25, ignoring opposition from Baghdad and the wider region as well as Western concerns that the vote could spark fresh conflict. Parliament reconvened in Erbil, the seat of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, where an overwhelming majority of the Kurdish lawmakers taking part backed the plan. Hours after the decision, the White House publicly called for the first time on the KRG to cancel the referendum, warning that the vote was "distracting from efforts to defeat ISIS (Islamic State) and stabilise the liberated areas." "The United States does not support the Kudistan Regional Government's intention to hold a referendum later this month," the White House said in a statement. It urged the KRG to "enter into serious and sustained dialogue with Baghdad, which the United States has repeatedly indicated it is prepared to facilitate." The regional parliament's decision came despite an intense diplomatic drive by the United States, which has provided critical military aid to the KRG's fight against Islamic State, to persuade the Kurdish leadership to cancel the referendum. The parliament session was the first held since the legislature was suspended nearly two years ago, though only 68 of 111 lawmakers attended due to a boycott by the main opposition movement Gorran. "We've been waiting more than 100 years for this," Omed Khoshnaw, a lawmaker from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDR) of KRG President Massoud Barzani, told Reuters. "There is no other way to guarantee that genocide will never be repeated," Khoshnaw told the assembly earlier, referring to the persecution of the Kurds and their expulsion from areas such as oil-rich Kirkuk under late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Some lawmakers wore Kurdish flags and rose to clap and sing the national anthem after the vote. The Baghdad parliament's decision earlier this week to oppose the referendum drew condemnation from deputies in Erbil. "We refuse to accept the Iraqi parliament's decision, which was unlawful," Muna Qahwachi, a Turkman lawmaker, told Reuters. Qahwachi said she had voted in favour of the referendum because she said Turkmen were protected in Kurdistan, unlike in the rest of Iraq. PRESSURE REBUFFED Earlier, Barzani shrugged off requests from the United States and other Western powers to put off the referendum. They fear increased tensions between Baghdad and Erbil will distract from the war on Islamic State militants who still occupy parts of Iraq and Syria. "We still haven't heard a proposal that can be an alternative to the Kurdistan referendum," Barzani told a rally in the Kurdish region, referring to a proposal put forward by the United States and other Western envoys this week. Iraq's neighbours Iran and Turkey also oppose the plebiscite, fearing an independent Kurdish state could fuel separatism among their own Kurdish populations. The opposition Gorran movement boycotted Friday's parliamentary session, the first since a dispute between them and Barzani's KDP caused the suspension of the assembly in October 2015. "Those assembled in parliament today think this is a lawful session, but this is unlawful," Birzu Majeed, the head of Gorran's parliamentary block, told a news conference held while parliament was in session. Lawmakers from a third party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), ensured the required quorum. The PUK is a historic rival of the KDP but supports the referendum plan. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary groups have threatened to dislodge the Kurdish forces from the Kirkuk region, which is due to take part in the referendum. Kirkuk is home to sizeable Arab and Turkmen populations and lies outside the official boundaries of the Kurdistan region. It is claimed by both the Kurds and the central government in Baghad. Kurdish peshmerga fighters seized Kirkuk and other disputed territories when the Iraqi army collapsed in the face of Islamic State in 2014, preventing its oilfields from falling into militant hands. (Reporting by Raya Jalabi; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis)
Uruguay's new vice president is a 72-year-old formerly imprisoned ex-guerrilla who is also the wife of popular former president Jose Mujica. Lucia Topolansky begins her first full day on the job Thursday after the country's General Assembly appointed her following the resignation of vice president Raul Sendic over allegations he used public money for personal shopping. Sendic denies the charges. By law, the job second to President Tabare Vazquez should have gone to the senator who won the highest number of votes in the last election -- but that happened to be Topolansky's husband, who was president 2010-2015. Mujica cannot take the position because of a five-year ban on re-election. Enter Topolansky, a leading member of the party with the highest number of votes in Uruguay's governing leftist coalition. Like her husband, Topolansky was member of the National Liberation Movement MLN-Tupamaros guerrillas in the 1960s and 70s. She spent 13 years in prison for her activities, most of it during Uruguay's military regime, and once escaped but was recaptured. Topolansky's job includes being head of the National Assembly and leader of the Uruguayan senate. She is Uruguay's first female vice president.
Usefulness Content Freshness "Mobile Marketing: How Mobile Technology is Revolutionizing Marketing, Communications and Advertising" is about revolutionizing the way business owners do "mobile marketing". This book, written by a master digital trainer and winner of the 2014 Small Business Trends Book Awards, offers readers a glimpse into the world of mobile marketing beyond the mobile app. "Mobile Marketing" also gives readers a digital toolkit and checklist so they can prepare for mobile marketing's future today.

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

Mobile apps and ads only scratch the surface of the future of mobile marketing. For businesses that are ready to exploit that potential, Mobile Marketing: How Mobile Technology is Revolutionizing Marketing, Communications and Advertising, written by expert Daniel Rowles, provides an interesting sneak peak. Along with that sneak peak, Mobile Marketing offers strategies for businesses to capitalize on the trends changing the way we interact with screens of every type.

What is Mobile Marketing About?

Mobile is not a channel like social media, outdoor advertising or search; it is something that impacts all of the other marketing channels, both online and offline.

 Mobile Marketing

The primary purpose of Mobile Marketing is to break mobile marketing out of its current narrow scope. Rowles vision is to help business owners and marketers think bigger. As explored in the book, smart mobile marketing is more than creating a mobile version of your website, an app, getting users signed up to receive a text message, or creating a mobile ad. It includes strategies and tools such as beacons, IM chatbots, virtual reality, mobile search, near-field communications (NFC), and more. Many businesses still hold a narrow view of mobile marketing.

This change in technology will only be useful if marketers can work in a multi-screen and multi-device world. Right now, businesses focus their attention on one screen at a time, the phone (and related devices like the tablet) or the computer. This world view will need to change as the world continues to develop more devices that can access the internet (smart appliances, WiFi enabled TV, personal data assistants and more. Businesses will also need to know how to integrate more off the internet activities into their marketing efforts. As Rowles points out, consumers dont often pass neatly through the marketing funnel one stage at a time. Before those customers visit your site on their smartphones, they might check out your website on their laptops, ask friends, write down some information, lose the information and then decide to order your product only after forgetting to buy a holiday gift. Marketers currently dont have a way to seamlessly combine these experiences yet, although progress is steadily being made.

Marketers dont, however, need to wait until the right technology comes along. They can get started today with strategies that integrate as much of the marketing funnel as possible. Mobile Marketing shares this information in its Digital Toolkit and checklists in the second and third parts of the book. This toolkit and the accompanying checklists help readers test their current mobile marketing practices and refine them so they can develop processes that profit, instead of run from, the unpredictable future of marketing in a multi-screen and multi-device world.

Rowles is a digital marketing trainer, lecturer, author, Course Director of the Chartered Institute of Management, host of the Digital Marketing Podcast, and the CEO of Target Internet. A previous edition of the book Mobile Marketing was selected as a winner of the 2014 Small Business Trends Book Awards in the Social Media category.

What Was Best About Mobile Marketing?

Mobile Marketing provides an excellent overview of the technology and psychology of the mobile marketing field. The book provides detailed insight into key areas of the mobile marketing process including Google Analytics, technology, advertising and SMS marketing. These areas are rarely combined in the same book which already makes this source more comprehensive. Rowles takes it a step further by offering strategies and recommendations on how business can leverage options from the future of marketing.

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Mobile Marketing offers incredible insight into the mobile marketing industry. This insight requires some familiarity with mobile marketing. This book wont take you from a newbie to a marketing guru. Mobile Marketing assumes readers are familiar with tools and strategies like Google Analytics dashboards and email list segmentation. It also assumes readers are more interested in the overall picture of mobile marketing a opposed to looking for a quick create an app and get rich scheme.

Why Read Mobile Marketing?

Mobile Marketing offers a much-needed integrated perspective of the field of mobile marketing. Many marketing books remain focused on one device or strategy. While this can be helpful for in-depth knowledge, it doesnt provide the kind of comprehensive knowledge that marketers will need to thrive in the complex marketing world of the future. It focuses on the future of mobile marketing where every screen (not just phones) offers opportunities for marketers to build and grow their businesses. If you are looking for a book that can demonstrate what this future-oriented perspective might look like, this book is definitely something you should consider reading.

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California is currently considering a bill that would require some small businesses to offer 12 weeks of maternity and paternity leave for employees.

Up for Consideration: New Parental Leave Law in California

The New Parent Leave Act would apply to small businesses that have 20 employees or more. If passed into law, it would require those employers to provide 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for new parents. Currently, this requirement only applies to businesses with 50 employees or more.

The bill has already passed in the Senate and is currently waiting for the Governors signature. Governor Jerry Brown has until October 15 to sign or veto the bill. Brown had vetoed a similar bill in the past, but has since worked with lawmakers to make changes to limit potential harm to small businesses.

Of course, most small businesses would love to provide employees with this type of leave. But for some businesses with small teams, losing essential employees for that much time can make things challenging. Since the bill doesnt require businesses to provide paid leave, its not an issue of actual dollars. But if youre down an employee for that long, it can still make an impact on what your business is able to accomplish. And hiring temporary employees isnt always a viable option if its a specialized position.

Additionally, this bill is essentially an extension of existing requirements being extended to even smaller businesses. So if that trend continues, it could potentially have even more of an impact if the law is ever extended to include businesses with even fewer than 20 employees.

Experts have argued both the pros and cons of this proposed bill. And of course, there are major potential benefits for families and workers. But small businesses might be forced to make some major adjustments to stay afloat.
This year, the festival of chamber music, Konvergencie / Convergences will be laughing with one eye and crying with the other: its leitmotif is anniversaries  and unfortunately also death.

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The festival was named after an album by the legendary Slovak musician Marian Varga, who was involved with it from the very beginning and his death this summer is reflected in this years performances. The concert on September 24 was meant to hail the 70th birthday of the pianist/keyboardist/composer which he celebrated this spring but the dramaturgy of the evening has changed. Alongside two of his own compositions, Antifona for Cello and the Quatro Movimenti quartets, there will also be a performance of The Crux by his long-time friend and fellow composer Vladimir Godar, as well as quartets playing music by Varga's favourite composer, Bela Bartok, the festival organiser and cellist Jozef Luptak said.

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Marian was very close to Bartok, and his music will connect the concert to everything we were doing this year within Konvergencie, he added.

Another concert marking the anniversary is the Braislava Night of Chamber Music on September 22, in which two Slovak musicians who have also been closely connected with the festival since its beginning celebrate their 50th anniversary  pianist Nora Skuta and clarinetist Ronald Sebesta, were given a free hand to select pieces that came from their hearts.

One of the highlights of the festival is another concert on September 24, in which Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital returns to play with the Konvergencie players, and which will be conducted by Slovak pianist/composer/conductor Peter Breiner (whose music will also be performed) who turns 60 this year.

Other musical delicacies on offer

Konvergencie, an already established chamber music festival, is spread over the whole year (and has expanded as far as Kosice and Zilina) but the core events still take place in the second half of September, in Bratislava. Between September 18 and 25, various Slovak and foreign musicians will perform, e.g. the opening gig  The Bratislava Hot Serenaders with Milan Lasica and Peter Lipa (already sold out).

Two days later, Italian baroque diva, Romina Basso, will merge her contra-alto with the sounds of the period instruments from Solamente Naturali, the ensemble of early music, playing works from the 18th century in St Martin's Cathedral.

Slovak violinist Milan Pala and pianist Ladislav Fancovic, will play a selection of sonatas by Beethoven, Brahms and Bartok, in the former Clarissen Church on September 21.

The next day, on the Night of Chamber Music, Nora Skuta and clarinetist Ronald Sebesta, will perform a selection of pieces by Debussy, Brahms, Bartok, Webern, Berg and Dohnany at the Design Factory  the usual venue for this Night.

The recital of Brazilian pianist Sylvia Thereza  playing music by Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Ludwig van Beethoven  takes place on September 23, at the same venue.

On September 24, the organisers have arranged two concerts: an Hommage to Marian Varga at 17:00 in the Slovak Radio building, and at 20:00 in the same room, the works of Vivaldi, Slovak composer Peter Breiner, Sulchan Cincadze and B. Bartok will resound, performed by Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital, and the Convergence players conducted by Breiner himself.

The concluding event on September 25 in the Moyzes Hall combines music and recital, as actor Boris Farkas will read the works of French writer Maia Brami and Camerata Zurich. Thomas Demenga on cello and Igor Karsko on violin will play the music of the Czech masters, Leos Janacek and Bedrich Smetana.
National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. The company operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, and New York segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales. The UK Electricity Distribution segment offers electricity distribution services in Midlands, and South West of England and South Wales. The UK Electricity System Operator segment provides balancing services for supply and demand of electricity on Great Britain's electricity transmission system; and acts as an agent on behalf of transmission operators. The New England segment offers electricity and gas distribution, and electricity transmission services in New England. The New York segment provides electricity and gas distribution, and electricity transmission services in New York. It also engages in the provision of transmission services through electricity interconnectors and LNG importation at the Isle of Grain; sale of renewables projects; and leasing and sale of commercial property, as well as insurance activities in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Fortis Inc. operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 438,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 100,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,485 megawatts (MW), including 53 MW of solar capacity and 252 MV of wind capacity. The company also sells wholesale electricity to other entities in the western United States; owns gas-fired and hydroelectric generating capacity totaling 65 MW; and distributes natural gas to approximately 1,065,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, it owns and operates the electricity distribution system that serves approximately 577,000 customers in southern and central Alberta; owns 4 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 225 MW; and provides operation, maintenance, and management services to five hydroelectric generating facilities. Further, the company distributes electricity in the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador with an installed generating capacity of 143 MW; and on Prince Edward Island with a generating capacity of 130 MW. Additionally, it provides integrated electric utility service to approximately 68,000 customers in Ontario; approximately 272,000 customers in Newfoundland and Labrador; approximately 32,000 customers on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and approximately 16,000 customers on certain islands in Turks and Caicos. The company also holds long-term contracted generation assets in Belize consisting of 3 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 51 MW; and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility. It also owns and operates approximately 90,200 circuit Kilometers (km) of distribution lines; and approximately 50,500 km of natural gas pipelines. Fortis Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada.
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. In addition, it provides internet banking, mobile banking, trust and wealth management, retail brokerage, mortgage services, and treasury management, as well as debit and credit cards. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 273 full-service banking locations comprising 65 in the Houston area, including The Woodlands; 30 in the South Texas area including Corpus Christi and Victoria; 63 in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area; 22 in the East Texas area; 29 in the Central Texas area, including Austin and San Antonio; 34 in the West Texas area, including Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and Abilene; 16 in the Bryan/College Station area; 6 in the Central Oklahoma area; and 8 in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area doing business as LegacyTexas Bank. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is based in Houston, Texas.
The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan.

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Morgan Geyser (left) and Anissa Weier (right) will remain in adult court on charges they tried to fatally stab a classmate. The Court of Appeals rejected a bid to move the cases to juvenile court. Credit: Journal Sentinel files

SHARE Waukesha Stabbing

Two 12-year-old girls are charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for what police say was a plot, planned over months, to kill their classmate. Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier reportedly stabbed their victim 19 times with a five-inch blade. Go to section

By of the

Two Waukesha girls who were 12 when prosecutors say they tried to kill their sixth-grade classmate are properly charged as adults, the Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

The decision affirmed a trial judge's ruling last year that Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier had failed to show, "by a preponderance of evidence," that they should be transferred from adult court to juvenile court.

That decision, according to the appeals court, was within the judge's discretion.

"We will not overturn a circuit court's discretionary determination if the record reflects that discretion was exercised; instead, we will seek out reasons to sustain the decision."

Angie Geyser said she was disappointed and noted the opinion misstates that her daughter, diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia, refuses medication. Morgan Geyser started medication after her civil commitment to a state mental hospital about seven months ago.

"She has developed insight into her illness and wants to continue on the path to recovery," Angie Geyser said. "Keeping her in the adult system, with the possibility of eventually ending up incarcerated in an adult prison, will do nothing but ensure that this does not happen."

The opinion was issued jointly by Court of Appeals Chief Judge Lisa Neubauer, and judges Paul Reilly and Brian Hagedorn, also of the District II court.

Geyser and Weier, who are now 14, were charged as adults in June 2014 with luring a classmate to the woods May 31, 2014, after a sleepover and stabbing her 19 times before leaving her for dead. The victim, Payton Leutner, managed to crawl near a path, where she was found by a passing bicyclist.

Both girls later told police they were trying to either impress or avoid the wrath of Slender Man, a fictional internet boogeyman the girls said they believed would harm them or their families if they didn't kill their friend. The crime made headlines around the world.

Defense attorneys tried to have the cases transferred to juvenile court, but Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren denied their motions in August after lengthy hearings. Both girls appealed.

The appeals court found Bohren properly exercised his discretion when he "rationally considered the relevant testimony, applied the proper legal standard, and reached a conclusion that a reasonable judge could reach."

Bohren found that, despite evidence of the girls' nonviolent histories and psychological issues, having them prosecuted as juveniles would "unduly depreciate the seriousness of the offense," noting that they had discussed the crime for months beforehand, lied to the victim when they told her not to move and they would get help, and tried  however unlikely  to flee by starting to walk to northern Wisconsin.

If convicted of attempted first-degree intentional homicide as adults, the girls would face up to 45 years in prison. If adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court, they could be incarcerated three years then subjected to intensive community supervision and treatment until age 18.

That distinction also weighed heavily in Bohren's decision. He noted that if sentenced as adults, they could remain subject to monitoring for many years, even if not actually in prison.

Each has been held at a West Bend juvenile jail since their arrests May 31, 2014, except for stints at a state mental facility for competency examinations and restoration, and, in the case of Geyser, treatment for early onset schizophrenia, under a civil commitment order.

Three-part test

During separate hearings in May and June 2015, lawyers for Weier and Geyser tried to convince Bohren of three points:

That the girls could not get needed treatment in the adult system.

That prosecuting them as adults is not the only way to deter others from similar crimes.

That the transfer would "not depreciate the seriousness of the offense."

They presented experts on adolescent brain development, psychiatrists and psychologists who examined the girls, their jailers and former teachers. The witnesses described good students with no history of violence or criminal activity.

The Court of Appeals recounted testimony that minor girls, whether convicted as adults or juveniles, would be processed and serve their first years of the sentence and treatment at Copper Lake School for Girls, part of the state's troubled youth prison complex.

A key difference is that, as adult felons, neither the girls nor and their parents would be involved in the planning of their transition to adult prison or community supervision, while as juveniles, their families would be an integral part of that planning.

Bohren found that would not affect the adequacy of treatment.
I confess that I once took offense at women who left the Catholic Church. Now as a cradle Catholic in mid-age, I feel much more compassion for my struggling sisters of faith. I admit Ive not only defended and practiced my religion, but Ive also felt angry and hurt by my Church.

Im thinking about the countless women who feel the pain of shame and guilt when their lives dont fit into a traditional cookie-cutter mold, so they depart from the Church that Jesus Christ founded more than 2,000 years ago. I share your shame and guilt, because Im not perfect in the faith, and Ive considered giving up, too.

I found great comfort and inspiration in Gina Messina and her presentation, Faith and Feminism: Resistance and Persistence in the Church. I applaud the Franciscan Spirituality Center for bringing this thoughtful, intelligent and caring woman to La Crosse. I dont need to agree with all of her views to appreciate her devotion to the Church of her childhood and feel inspired to carry on in my own faith journey.

Messina is a divorced mother of an 8-year-old adopted daughter. She struggled with infertility. She struggled with her calling to work outside of the home. She doesnt fit the mold of the Church, and shes hurting from that rejection. I agree with her that all people should be recognized for the love in their hearts, not for gender, mistakes and failures. Its astounding that too often when people most need the Church they also feel the most ashamed and isolated.

Why does she stay? As a prolific American feminist scholar, Catholic theologian and author, Messina is frequently asked that. Her family keeps her walking the line of faith and feminism. How can she support abortion rights, same-sex marriage and women priests while claiming membership in a religion ruled by the Vatican? She often hides her feminist beliefs. She stands firm that her Catholicism is more than her faith. Its her culture as a Sicilian. While she disagrees with Church policies, she has always embraced the rituals, the teachings of Jesus and the message of social justice.

We cant deny that theres a long-held belief that Christianity, especially the Catholic Church, doesnt empower women. I personally hear remarks like this often when I share with others that Im Catholic. My closest family and friends wouldnt describe me as a hard-core feminist, but I have two daughters, and Im raising them to be highly independent at all levels and well-educated for a successful life. My 19-year-old chooses to practice her faith in college, and my 15-year-old continually challenges me about Church teachings. Im open and proud of my daughters youthful debate. She keeps me real and grounded.

Its been important to me to give my daughters a solid foundation of rituals, values and teachings that I learned during my upbringing. Yet, I confess, like Gina, that I sometimes fear Im brainwashing them into a tradition that will hurt them. Weve both been committed as mothers to give our daughters the best of both worlds  the beauty and comfort of family and tradition, and the empowerment and strength of feminism.

Catholicism has a feminist potential, and we need strong women to stay to make this possible for our daughters and future generations. Pope Francis has opened the door to discussions of women deacons, which may hopefully open the door further to women priests.

Lets keep these possibilities alive and look beyond the Churchs patriarchal man-made teachings. Its there well find a tradition of love, inclusion, liberation and social justice. Its one that welcomes everyone to the table. This is the tradition that Gina and so many others, including me, continue to practice. Feminist resistance and persistence are urgently needed to carry the Church into the future.

For this to be possible, we can start by stretching our limited visions of God, Jesus and Mary. Otherwise, these real and healing spirits remain too far out of reach for all people working in the trenches of their various vocations. Far too often we hang onto rigid images and ideas weve held since childhood.

God is spirit, merciful and loving, not a white male, judging our every move.

Mary doesnt need to wear loose-fitting gowns, serenely smiling all the time. Find new images on Google, where shes more realistically depicted as the strong, brave and mighty Mother of God.

Look for new ways to identify with Jesus, who came to live among us and die for our salvation. He hung out with sinners, the sick and broken, not the rich and the most together. Jesus loved and respected women, which went against the norms of those times. Jesus can intimately understand our pain.

Women are too easily silenced. Strive to be heard in the Church. Pope Francis is moving in the right direction, but real change takes time.

The Church is infallible on only a few things, and it desperately needs people of faith to continue to hold her accountable. We need to challenge the Church  not in anger  to face the world thats evolving quickly. We can do this with the great courage and love Jesus taught us.
CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced ousted president Mohammed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood to 25 years in prison in a final ruling over a case accusing him of spying for Qatar, judicial sources said. Mursi, democratically elected after Egypt's 2011 revolution, was overthrown in mid-2013 by then-general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, now the president, following mass protests against his rule. He was immediately arrested. Egypt's Court of Cassation reduced Mursi's sentence in the Qatar case to 25 years in its final ruling, from an original 40 years. Mursi is already serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted for the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012. Since toppling Mursi, Sisi has clamped down on dissent. Mass trials have been held for thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters, and hundreds have received death sentences or lengthy prison terms. In 2014, Egypt charged Mursi and nine others with endangering national security by leaking state secrets and sensitive documents to Qatar. Egypt's relations with Doha were already troubled by Qatar's backing of Mursi. Egypt is one of four Arab nations in a Saudi-led bloc that cut relations with the Gulf state on June 5, accusing it of backing militant groups and cooperating with their arch-foe Iran, allegations Doha denies. (Reporting by Haitham Ahmed; writing by Patrick Markey; editing by Clelia Oziel)
By Raya Jalabi ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - The parliament of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region approved a plan on Friday to hold a referendum on independence on Sept. 25, ignoring opposition from Baghdad and the wider region as well as Western concerns that the vote could spark fresh conflict. Parliament reconvened in Erbil, the seat of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, where an overwhelming majority of the Kurdish lawmakers taking part backed the plan. Hours after the decision, the White House publicly called for the first time on the KRG to cancel the referendum, warning that the vote was "distracting from efforts to defeat ISIS (Islamic State) and stabilize the liberated areas." "The United States does not support the Kudistan Regional Government's intention to hold a referendum later this month," the White House said in a statement. It urged the KRG to "enter into serious and sustained dialogue with Baghdad, which the United States has repeatedly indicated it is prepared to facilitate." The regional parliament's decision came despite an intense diplomatic drive by the United States, which has provided critical military aid to the KRG's fight against Islamic State, to persuade the Kurdish leadership to cancel the referendum. The parliament session was the first held since the legislature was suspended nearly two years ago, though only 68 of 111 lawmakers attended due to a boycott by the main opposition movement Gorran. "We've been waiting more than 100 years for this," Omed Khoshnaw, a lawmaker from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDR) of KRG President Massoud Barzani, told Reuters. "There is no other way to guarantee that genocide will never be repeated," Khoshnaw told the assembly earlier, referring to the persecution of the Kurds and their expulsion from areas such as oil-rich Kirkuk under late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Some lawmakers wore Kurdish flags and rose to clap and sing the national anthem after the vote. The Baghdad parliament's decision earlier this week to oppose the referendum drew condemnation from deputies in Erbil. "We refuse to accept the Iraqi parliament's decision, which was unlawful," Muna Qahwachi, a Turkman lawmaker, told Reuters. Qahwachi said she had voted in favour of the referendum because she said Turkmen were protected in Kurdistan, unlike in the rest of Iraq. PRESSURE REBUFFED Earlier, Barzani shrugged off requests from the United States and other Western powers to put off the referendum. They fear increased tensions between Baghdad and Erbil will distract from the war on Islamic State militants who still occupy parts of Iraq and Syria. "We still haven't heard a proposal that can be an alternative to the Kurdistan referendum," Barzani told a rally in the Kurdish region, referring to a proposal put forward by the United States and other Western envoys this week. Iraq's neighbours Iran and Turkey also oppose the plebiscite, fearing an independent Kurdish state could fuel separatism among their own Kurdish populations. The opposition Gorran movement boycotted Friday's parliamentary session, the first since a dispute between them and Barzani's KDP caused the suspension of the assembly in October 2015. "Those assembled in parliament today think this is a lawful session, but this is unlawful," Birzu Majeed, the head of Gorran's parliamentary block, told a news conference held while parliament was in session. Lawmakers from a third party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), ensured the required quorum. The PUK is a historic rival of the KDP but supports the referendum plan. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary groups have threatened to dislodge the Kurdish forces from the Kirkuk region, which is due to take part in the referendum. Kirkuk is home to sizeable Arab and Turkmen populations and lies outside the official boundaries of the Kurdistan region. It is claimed by both the Kurds and the central government in Baghad. Kurdish peshmerga fighters seized Kirkuk and other disputed territories when the Iraqi army collapsed in the face of Islamic State in 2014, preventing its oilfields from falling into militant hands. (Reporting by Raya Jalabi; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's army said on Friday it had arrested Islamist militants who were planning attacks in the country after foreign embassies warned their citizens to avoid public places. Army intelligence "carried out several raids arresting 19 people linked to a cell" belonging to Islamic State, the army said in a statement. Security forces were taking extra precautions, it added. The cell which had "planned and prepared to carry out terrorist action" was led by Egyptian Fadi Ibrahim Ahmed, who was based in the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, the army said. Lebanon's Interior Ministry said earlier it was looking into warnings issued by foreign embassies over potential attacks in the country, but that there was no need to panic. "These warnings are based on information from a foreign intelligence agency," the ministry said. "Lebanese security services are following up to check its authenticity and accuracy ... There is no cause for fear or exaggeration." The French Embassy in Beirut urged French citizens in Lebanon on Friday to be vigilant over the next 48 hours, citing an "elevated risk of attack targeting public places". The U.S. Embassy said earlier in the week it had barred staff from visiting the Casino du Liban in Jounieh, north of Beirut. Canada also warned its citizens on Thursday to avoid that area. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Gareth Jones)
Babis Fassoulas , Author provided

There has been a lot of interest in our discovery of nearly-6m-year-old footprints on Crete, first reported by the The Conversation  suggesting that human ancestors could have roamed Europe at the same time as they were evolving in East Africa.

Sadly the site was vandalised in the last week, with four or five of the 29 tracks stolen. We are fortunate that many of the best tracks remain  the people who did it clearly didnt know what they were looking for. Our guess is that they were simply intending to sell them.

The theft occurred despite the site being afforded protection under Greek heritage law and being in the care of local officials. Police, we are told, have made an arrest in connection with the incident, and it is hoped that the missing material will be returned soon. The damage, however, is irreparable.

Babis Fassoulas , Author provided

The Cretan authorities moved swiftly to bury the site temporarily while a more permanent conservation solution, such as moving the entire surface, is sought. We are lucky that the whole area has been 3D-scanned with an optical laser scanner in high resolution as part of the original study. In due course this data will be made available via the Natural History Museum of Crete and the Museum of Evolution at Uppsala University in Sweden. So there will fortunately not be much of an impact on the research.

Yet the event is devastating. To understand the significance to someone who studies ancient tracks like these, consider it equivalent to an attempt to steal part of the Sphinx at Giza or vandals dislodging one of lintel blocks at Stonehenge.

Unfortunately, the theft and vandalism of tracks is nothing new. For example, there was a recent case on the Isle of Skye in Scotland of vandalised dinosaur tracks dating from around 165m year ago that lead to a police probe. The ethics around the collection and sale of fossils and artefacts is complex, and many of the great scientific collections today are based on collection and sales by amateurs in the past. Ultimately, it seems wrong to collect and sell artefacts that theres only a limited number of.

Story continues

Conversation challenges

But how can you conserve what is essentially a slab of soft rock, close to the sea and open to the elements? Oddly, erosion at such sites is to be encouraged because it often helps reveal new surfaces which may contain additional prints.

Its tricky  a problem I first faced following my discovery of the Ileret hominin footprints, the second oldest such tracks in the world at the time, and preserved in nothing but packed silt.

Babis Fassoulas , Author provided

I did some research on this with colleagues and concluded that the only option is to excavate and digitally record them in 3D. This can be done either with a laser scanner or just with a digital camera in the field. Some 20 pictures of a track from different angles is enough to create a 3D image. These days 3D printers can easily create models for museums and for collectors.

Digital preservation is probably the key for the Cretan tracks as well. This worked well for the 2,100-year-old human footprints of Acahualinca in Managua (Nicaragua), where the originals are perfectly preserved under a roof built over the site, and in an adjacent museum.

The 120,000-year-old human footprints at Nahoon Point in South Africa are marked by a footprint-shaped visitors centre that looks great from Google Earth. There are also a number of excellent examples of dinosaur track sites preserved in museums and under shelters, such as those at Las Cerradicas in Spain.

Perhaps the most controversial of conservation solutions has been to bury the worlds oldest confirmed hominin footprints  from Laetoli in Tanzania  which were first documented in the late 1970s. These tracks were buried as a way of protecting them from weathering and natural-decay.

There has been extensive debate about what should happen at this site and many scientists are unhappy about the lack of access. Plans for the site over the years have varied from an on-site museum to the removal of the whole slab to another site. The debate continues, but ultimately it is money that precludes a solution that would allow access to the public and scientists alike.

Author provided

Indeed, the challenge is always money. It is expensive to erect and maintain protective structures, and to gain funds you need publicity to ensure that all the stakeholders involved are aware of the scientific, social and emotional value of a site.

One of the reasons for publicising the Trachilos tracks was not only to get the discovery debated in open scientific circles, but also to raise its public profile  thereby seeking better protection and ultimately its preservation in a local museum. That would bring visitors and fuel local revenue.

The trouble is the very publicity aimed to assist the sites protection may have led to an enhanced perception of its monetary value. After all, the site had been known locally for years. Publicity though, is a double-edged sword and we have been lucky on this occasion to avoid the full length of its blade.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Matthew Robert Bennett receives funding from the Natural Environment Rsearch Council.
Some political tastes linger in the mouth like spoiled milk or a bad oyster.

Consider the shockingly shabby treatment recently accorded by some Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to Amy Coney Barrett, a law professor at Notre Dame who is being considered for a position on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Her questioners displayed a confusion of the intellect so profound, a disregard for constitutional values so reckless, that it amounts to anti-religious bigotry.

Barrett is an instructive test case of secular, liberal unease with earnest faith, particularly in its Catholic variety. She is, in the description of a letter signed by every full-time member of the Notre Dame law school faculty, a brilliant teacher and scholar, and a warm and generous colleague. She possesses in abundance all of the other qualities that shape extraordinary jurists: discipline, intellect, wisdom, impeccable temperament, and above all, fundamental decency and humanity.

Barrett is also, not coincidentally, a serious Christian believer who has spoken like one in public. This was enough to make Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a fellow Catholic, wary. Do you consider yourself an orthodox Catholic? he asked Barrett, evidently on the theory that publicly acceptable religion must come in small, diluted doses.

It fell to California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, however, to explicitly declare Barrett part of a suspect class. Dogma and law are two different things, she lectured. And I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma. The law is totally different. ... When you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you. And thats of concern when you come to big issues that large numbers of people have fought for for years in this country. Translation: Dont let your dogma mess with my dogma.

Where to start? How about with the fact that Feinsteins line of questioning was itself a violation of the Constitution? Here is constitutional scholar and Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber: By prohibiting religious tests, the Constitution makes it impermissible to deny any person a national, state or local office on the basis of their religious convictions or lack thereof. Because religious belief is constitutionally irrelevant to the qualifications for a federal judgeship, the Senate should not interrogate any nominee about those beliefs. I believe, more specifically, that the questions directed to professor Barrett about her faith were not consistent with the principle set forth in the Constitutions no religious test clause.

How about Feinsteins indifference to the sordid history of anti-Catholic bias? Feinstein leapt past 20th-century suspicions of Catholic allegiances, legal scholar John Inazu told me, to 19th-century bigotry toward Catholic identity: Who you are as a Catholic is of concern.

How about Feinsteins ignorance of religion itself? In defending her animus, she called particular attention to Barretts statement that Christians should be building the kingdom of God. That would be the kingdom that Jesus insisted is not of this world, much to the confusion of 1st-century politicians. It is a description of transformed hearts, not a prescription for theocracy.

But the deeper problem is a certain type of liberal thinking that seeks to declare secular ideas the only valid basis for public engagement. A neutral public square, in this view, must be a secular public square. Since religious ideas and motivations are fundamentally illiberal, they must be contained entirely to the private sphere.

This is a thin and sickly sort of pluralism. It is permissible, in this approach, to advocate for human rights because John Locke says so, but not because of a theological belief that the image of God is found in every human being. If your views on a just society are informed by John Stuart Mill, they are allowed to triumph in politics. If your views on a just society are informed by your deepest beliefs about the cosmos, you can never prevail, because this represents the imposition of religion. This is hardly neutrality. It is a conception of pluralism that silences millions of people and reaches back into history to invalidate the abolition movement, the civil rights movement and many other causes informed by boisterous religious belief.

In effect, Feinstein would make her secularism the state religion, complete with its own doctrine and Holy Office. A judge is bound by the Constitution, not by any creed  as Barrett has affirmed again and again. But having a conscience and a character shaped by faith is not a problem; it is part of a rich and positive American tradition. Someone should inform the grand inquisitor.
By Mitra Taj LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian President Pedro Kuczynski is considering appointing Martin Vizcarra, his vice president and former transportation minister, as his new prime minister in a swearing-in ceremony for a new Cabinet scheduled for Sunday, two government sources said Friday. Kuczynski announced Friday that he had canceled his trip to New York City, where he was due to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly next week, after Congress ousted his Cabinet in a vote of no-confidence. Kuczynski did not detail whom he might name to be part of his new Cabinet in the brief televised message to the nation that followed a day of strategizing with advisers. Kuczynski is also eyeing Claudia Copper, who is now the deputy economy minister, as his new finance minister, one of the sources said. A third source confirmed she was being considered. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity. Congress, controlled by a party led by right-wing defeated presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori, voted 77-22 to dismiss the Cabinet in the early hours of Friday, plunging the copper-producing country into its worst political crisis in years. The political turmoil threatens to stall Peru's incipient economic recovery in a worst-case scenario, Central Bank Chief Julio Velarde said. He made a rare plea for politicians to avoid fanning political tensions after presenting a quarterly report. Aside from a 0.3 percent depreciation of the local sol currency early on Friday, Velarde said he did not see major impacts on markets, however. After the vote, Kuczynski had 72 hours to swear in a new Cabinet. He can legally reappoint members of his Cabinet except for his prime minister, Fernando Zavala, who has been doubling as finance minister since Congress ousted his former finance minister in June. Zavala is not expected to be renamed finance minister. Despite the sparring in the legislative branch, Kuczynski, a former investment banker, and Fujimori, the daughter of former autocratic President Alberto Fujimori, broadly share the same free-market economic ideology. They clash on social issues, however, and the conservative populist Fujimori lost the presidency to Kuczynski by a razor-thin margin last year. In a plenary debate that stretched on for more than seven hours, her allies portrayed Kuczynski, 78, as an out-of-touch lobbyist who lacks authority and poses a danger to Peru. Kuczynski has sought to modernize Peru and give the Andean country a leadership role in Latin America on issues such as the Venezuelan crisis. (Writing by Mitra Taj and Caroline Stauffer; editing by Diane Craft and Jonathan Oatis)
By John Miller ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland could become the latest country to ban facial coverings worn by some Muslim women after activists collected more than the 100,000 signatures required to put the proposal to a national vote. The group, called "Yes to a Mask Ban" delivered the petition on Friday, setting up a vote by 2020. Some of its leaders also spearheaded the 2009 Swiss ban on new minarets being built in the country. A delegation of leaders from the group delivered three boxes containing 106,600 signatures to the federal chancellery, part of the Swiss parliament building in Bern. Full-face coverings such as niqabs and burqas are a polarising issue across Europe, with some arguing that they symbolise discrimination against women and should be outlawed. The clothing has already been banned in France. "Facial coverings are a symbol of radical Islam that have nothing to do with religious freedom but are rather an expression of the oppression of women," said Anian Liebrand, a Swiss campaign leader. "In Switzerland, we show our faces when we talk to each other." Others contend that bans unnecessarily intrude on religious freedom. "How many people wear these burqas in Switzerland?" said Oender Guenes, a spokesman for the Federation Of Islamic Organisations in Switzerland, which represents more than 200 mosques. "You can probably count those living in Switzerland on maybe one or two hands. The rest are usually rich tourists from the Gulf." Two thirds of Switzerland's 8.4 million residents identify as Christians. But its Muslim population has risen to 5 percent, largely because of immigrants from former Yugoslavia. One Swiss canton, Italian-speaking Ticino, already has a similar ban. At least two demonstrators who wore veils in defiance after the ban came into effect last July paid fines of 250 Swiss francs ($260), Swiss media have reported. The Switzerland-wide initiative foresees parliament deciding on penalties. Though the measure would also forbid protesters from concealing their faces during demonstrations, the main focus has been on burqas. France's ban was upheld in 2014 by the European Court of Human Rights. This year Germany's parliament backed a ban on full-face veils for civil servants, judges and soldiers, while Austria and the Netherlands have debated the issue. With signatures in hand, leaders of the Swiss initiative expect three years of wrangling in Switzerland's system of direct democracy before voters get the chance to register their view. Liebrand is optimistic his initiative's path will mirror the progress of the 2009 minaret ban. "The minaret campaign started as underdogs and was something the big parties didn't want," he said. "But I reckon the facial coverings ban will also resonate with the people." (Additional reporting by Joshua Franklin; Editing by Catherine Evans and David Goodman)
KIEV (Reuters) - Russia's apparent backing for the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine gives negotiators more ideas with which to seek a resolution to the separatist conflict, the U.S. envoy to Ukraine peace talks said on Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin last week floated the idea of deploying U.N. troops to eastern Ukraine in a call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, suggesting the U.N. mission could protect observers from the international OSCE monitoring mission. Asked if he thought this suggestion improved the outlook for ending the fighting, U.S. special envoy Kurt Volker said: "There's more on the table now that we can work with." "I hope that we're creative and determined and able to take advantage of it," he told journalists on the sidelines of the annual Yalta European Strategy conference in Kiev. Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, was appointed to his current role on July 7 to help end the conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists, which has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014. "The status quo is not good for anybody, and I think Russia sees that," Volker said. "We have a context where the status quo is not stable." (Reporting by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
By Deisy Buitrago CARACAS (Reuters) - President Nicolas Maduro has predicted a new foreign-led effort to mediate Venezuela's political crisis would produce a deal soon, but the opposition said on Saturday it would not accept another time-wasting "show". Following months of anti-Maduro protests earlier this year that led to at least 125 deaths, both sides sent delegations to meet the Dominican Republic's president this week for a possible start to a negotiated solution. "After weeks of conversations, we are close to an agreement, of political co-existence, of peace and sovereignty," Maduro said in a speech late on Friday. "We're very near." But the opposition, which accuses Maduro of creating a dictatorship and ruining a once-prosperous oil economy, insisted the talks in Santo Domingo were only "exploratory" and would not proceed without firm guarantees of democratic change. They want a date for the next presidential election, due by the end of 2018, with guarantees it will be free and fair, plus freedom for hundreds of jailed activists, a foreign humanitarian aid corridor, and respect for the opposition-led congress. 'IRON-CLAD GUARANTEES' "They can't mess us around like last year, when they promised heaven and earth, but nothing happened," said Julio Borges, the leader of congress which has been overridden by a pro-Maduro legislative superbody called a Constituent Assembly. "If we don't have iron-clad guarantees ... that everything is leading to democratic change ... we won't take a step more," he told reporters on Saturday, recalling failed 2016 Vatican-led talks. "We want to avoid a repeat of last year's show." Maduro says the Constituent Assembly has brought peace to the South American nation of 30 million. But many major foreign powers do not recognise the body given its origins in a controversial election that the opposition boycotted. After more than four months of often violent protests, which also led to thousands of injuries and arrests, Maduro says a U.S.-fanned coup attempt has been defeated. But the strife has seen international opinion harden against him. Dominican leader Danilo Medina said Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua would join a new round of talks on Sept. 27, with two other countries to be defined. The Democratic Unity coalition said on Saturday one of those was Paraguay. While the government is eager to show the world it is entering a dialogue, opposition leaders face scepticism from their supporters, many of whom view a potential negotiation as a betrayal of dead protesters and legitimisation of an autocrat. (Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by David Gregorio)
SWNS

<p>An incredible back garden boozer made entirely from recycled materials has been crowned Britain's best Pub Shed of the Year.</p><p>John Simmons, 50, spent more than a year and constructing the amazing DIY man-cave in his garden in Portsmouth, Hants.</p><p>It features its own dart board, wooden decor, countryside-pub style seating, a roof covered in fairy lights and even its own outdoor beer garden and decking area.</p><p>He built the miniature pub - called The Dog & Ball - from as much reclaimed material he could find from salvage yards and a Facebook page for pub shed enthusiasts.</p><p>John sourced, cut, sanded and fixed every timber and tting himself  as well all 4,500 screws.</p><p>The dad-of-three beat off more than a thousand entries to be named the owner of Britain's best Pub Shed 2022.</p><p>He celebrated the win in his garden pub last night (12/11) with friends  and said he was thrilled to be crowned the winner.</p><p>John started building the boozer last year and said he wanted a 'haven at home' he could enjoy that was cheaper than the pub.</p><p>Avid DIY-er John, a safety management consultant, said the pub cost four figures to build but would have been much more expensive had he not used reclaimed materials.</p><p>Wife Anita, 49, put the finishing touching to the Dog & Ball - named after their Labradoodle Bertie, aged seven  and the pair enjoyed celebrating with kids Libby, 23, Jacob, 19, and Evie, 12.</p><p>John said: It has all been rather overwhelming, but I am chuffed to bits.</p><p>We had 18 friends over last night to celebrate the final and it was fantastic to find out I won - I was really thrilled.</p><p>I started building it last year and wanted to have it completed this summer for my 50th birthday.</p><p>Sourcing the reclaimed material took the biggest chunk of time.</p><p>I am an avid DIY-er and love a project.</p><p>Lots of people had been doing this sort of thing over lockdown so I took inspiration from that, and I wanted a haven at home that was cheaper than the pub.</p><p>Its somewhere I can go and enjoy being with my friends and family, which was really the whole purpose.</p><p>It cost about four figures, which is much cheaper than it would have been had I done a proper build and had to go to shops for the materials.</p><p>John, who was in the Royal Navy for 22 years, said his favourite part of the pub is the oak beams which make up the main structure.</p><p>The three-metre-long bits of wood remarkably came from an old dock yard building John used to work in.</p><p>He said: My favourite part is the main oak beams.</p><p>They are from an old dock yard building that I used to work in years ago before it was demolished.</p><p>These three-metre-long beams that form the main structure of the pub had sat in a yard for 20 years and then I managed to buy them.</p><p>It is a remarkable story.</p><p>All my family and friends have been so supportive of the project, and it has been great having everyone round to enjoy it.</p><p>My wife Anita put all the finishing touches to the pub to make it look as amazing as it does.</p><p>I took the name from my Labradoodle Bertie who just loves to play with his ball, I really wanted him to be part of it all.</p><p>The Dog & Ball beat off two other finalists, a mini countryside-style pub called The Tiger, in Somerset, and The Stagger Inn, in Manchester - a nightclub-themed bar</p><p>They were whittled down from more than a thousand entries - many of which were built during lockdown.</p><p>John said: "Doing it all from salvage was of course a challenge  thank goodness for FB marketplace, advice from the fantastic members of the GSPN UK Facebook page and a very understanding wife who I dragged around local reclaim yards sifting through old timbers.</p><p>"With the exception of the main roof joists, every other part of the build is made from reclaim, re-used or recycled timber and materials.</p><p>"Each piece has a different story, from the bar ironmongery that belonged to my late father-in-law from his days as an RAF engineer, to the main oak upright timbers.</p><p>It is believed more than two million back garden pubs are now in operation in Britain after their popularity exploded during the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p>They have continued to grow amid a cost of living crisis after the average price of a pint rose to 4 across the UK and 5 in London.</p><p>As a result, Two Fat Blokes bar signs, Pub Shed Radio and the Facebook group Garden Shed Pubs & Nightclubs began running the national competition.</p><p>The winner was announced live on Pub Shed Radio on Saturday (12/11).</p><p>Ashley Turner, the owner of Two Fat Blokes Bar Signs, said: "The quality of bars and diversity of the entries has been phenomenal.</p><p>"We ran the competition to showcase the amazing community of pub sheds in the UK.</p><p>"The community has exploded during the pandemic and now with the cost of a pint heading north of 6 the trend looks set to continue.</p><p>"The Dog & Ball is a perfect example of an amazing pub shed and deserved to win with his amazing hand-built pub.</p><p>Tommy Funka, who runs, Pub Shed Radio added: Pub Shed of the year has been a great way for the pub shed community to come together and celebrate the growing army of back garden boozers".</p><p>Pub Shed Radio's DJ Mupps said: "It was brilliant to knock on the door of the winners bar live on Pub Shed Radio.</p><p>"John & Anita were totally gobsmacked to find out they had won. We then went live from the bar broadcasting with a real party atmosphere."</p><p>Nick St John, the owner of Facebook group Garden Shed Pubs and Nightclubs, added: "Being involved Pub Shed of the year has been the culmination of our ethos to promote and help people build their own back garden pubs.</p><p>"With over 280,000 members our group has really got on board with the competition.</p><p>"Judging the entries was so difficult  The Dog & Ball is a great example of a proper pub shed."</p>
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai suffered severe vomiting after a party meeting and was airlifted to a Johannesburg hospital, a senior party source said on Saturday. Tsvangirai - who is due to challenge President Robert Mugabe in elections next year - was stable, the source said, dismissing reports in the media that he was dangerously sick. The 65-year-old's symptoms came on suddenly at a meeting of his opposition coalition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), on Thursday evening in Kadoma, a city around 160 km (100 miles) southwest of the capital Harare, the source said. Two other Zimbabwean political sources confirmed the details of his sudden illness and airlift on Friday to South Africa. But the MDC said in an official statement that Tsvangirai was in South Africa for a routine medical procedure. "Morgan Tsvangirai ... is in a very stable condition contrary to morbid media reports that he is critical and is battling for his life," the MDC statement said. The announcement came a month after Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, seen as a favourite to succeed 93-year-old Mugabe, was rushed to South Africa for emergency medical care. Mnangagwa, who has since returned, dismissed local media speculation that he had been poisoned. Tsvangirai said last year that he was being treated for colon cancer. The party source said on Saturday the sudden illness was not related to that condition. (Writing by Joe Brock; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
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.
A Cranfest kickoff party featuring Austin Allsup from NBCs The Voice will be held at Cranberry Country Lodge Thursday, Sept. 21.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music beginning at 7 p.m. Local musician Duncan Peterson is the opening act. Allsup plays a blend of southern rock and alternative country. He reached the top eight during the 11th season of The Voice on Blake Sheltons team. Hell be making a stop in Tomah with a full band on its way to The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, where his father Tommy Allsup played with J.P. The Big Bopper Richardson, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens on that fateful night that inspired the The Day The Music Died.

Tommy Allsup lost a coin toss to Valens and didnt board the airplane that crashed and killed Valens, Holly and Richardson Feb. 3, 1959. Another member of the band, Waylon Jennings, voluntarily gave up his seat to Richardson. Tommy Allsup continued his music career as a performer and producer until his death in January.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for age 17 and under.

Advance tickets are on sale at Natural Connection, Safe Ship and Caseys Spirit Shop.
Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farms in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
Carter's, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, and markets branded childrenswear under the Carter's, OshKosh, Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Carter's My First Love, little planet, and other brands in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. Its Carter's products include babies and young children products, such as bodysuits, pants, dresses, knit sets, blankets, layette essentials, bibs, booties, sleep and play products, rompers, and jumpers; and OshKosh brand products comprise playclothes, such as denim apparel products with multiple wash treatments and coordinating garments, overalls, woven bottoms, knit tops, and bodysuits. The company also provides products for playtime, travel, mealtime, bathtime, and homegear, as well as kid's bags and diaper bags under the Skip Hop brand. In addition, it offers bedding, cribs, diaper bags, footwear, gift sets, hair accessories, jewelry, outerwear, paper goods, socks, shoes, swimwear, and toys. The company operates 18,800 wholesale locations, including department stores, national chain stores, and specialty stores. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 980 retail stores. The company also sells its products through its eCommerce websites, such as carters.com, oshkoshbgosh.com, oshkosh.com, and skiphop.com, as well as other international wholesale accounts and licensees. Carter's, Inc. was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Wisconsin environmental regulators are considering new conditions for a controversial Monroe County frac sand plant that would require what environmentalists call massive wetland destruction.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a notice Thursday regarding possible changes to a permit issued in May allowing Meteor Timber to fill 16.25 acres of wetlands for its proposed $65 million processing and loading facility. According to the notice, Meteor has requested the DNR modify the permit to reflect current construction and design specifications in satisfaction of conditions attached to the permit.

The agency did not provide an explanation Thursday of the changes being sought or what conditions have been met, but a company spokeswoman said Meteor has provided additional information on hydrology of the area and plans to restore land currently used as cranberry beds.

Meteor project manager Chris Mathis said in a written statement, We are continuing to work with the DNR to address all conditions of the previously issued wetland permit and enhance the environmental attractiveness of our project.

Its not clear what theyre going to change or how much theyre going to change, said Evan Feinauer, staff attorney for Clean Wisconsin, which in conjunction with Midwest Environmental Advocates challenged the original permit, saying it would be the single largest destruction of Wisconsin wetlands for an industrial sand project.

The DNR has scheduled a public hearing on the project for Oct. 6 in Tomah.

In June the DNR granted Clean Wisconsins request for a contested case hearing on the permit, which Feinauer said will be postponed until the amended permit is issued. Feinauer said he anticipates the environmental advocacy group will roll the amended permit into the challenge.

Clean Wisconsin argues that destroying the pristine forested wetlands  home to several rare and endangered species  would open the door to the destruction of more rare wetlands. The DNR acknowledged the permit approval may lead to increased applications to fill rare, sensitive and valuable wetland plant communities.

Similar to a court trial, a contested case hearing is typically overseen by an administrative law judge and offers interested parties an opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

Clean Wisconsin, along with the Ho-Chunk Nation, also filed court challenges to the permit, though both cases were dropped because of procedural errors. Midwest Environmental Advocates plans to act as an intervenor in the contested case hearing on behalf of the tribe.

Meteor has proposed to restore and preserve more than 640 acres of other land  including more than 296 acres of existing wetlands  near the the 752-acre site between Warrens and Millston, which would serve two nearby mines on land the company acquired in 2014 when it purchased nearly 50,000 acres of Wisconsin forest.

However, the DNR determined those mitigation efforts are not likely to fully compensate for what it calls permanent and irreversible secondary impacts from activity on the site and may not compensate for the direct loss of 13.4 acres of exceptional quality white pine and red maple swamp, which is considered an imperiled habitat.

Meteor has yet to secure wetland permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is expected to issue a decision later this month.
Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of midstream energy assets in North America. The company operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation. It engages in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and selling natural gas; storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, and selling natural gas liquids (NGL) and NGL products, including services to liquefied petroleum gas exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, purchasing, and selling crude oil. The company is also involved in the purchase and resale of NGL products; and wholesale of propane, as well as provision of related logistics services to multi-state retailers, independent retailers, and other end-users. In addition, it offers NGL balancing services; and transportation services to refineries and petrochemical companies in the Gulf Coast area, as well as purchases, markets, and resells natural gas. The company operates approximately 28,400 miles of natural gas pipelines, including 42 owned and operated processing plants; and owns or operates a total of 34 storage wells with a gross storage capacity of approximately 76 million barrels. As of December 31, 2021, it leased and managed approximately 648 railcars; 119 transport tractors; and two company-owned pressurized NGL barges. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
New Mexicos unemployment rate of 6.3 percent continued to hold the ranking of second-worst in the nation last month, although there was a bright spot for the state among the job figures that were released Friday.

New Mexico last month had the largest percentage increase  0.7 percent  in nonfarm payroll employment in the country in August compared to the month before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistices. That represents 5,700 jobs added between July and August. In terms of raw numbers, Georgia had the largest increase, adding 19,800 jobs.

Over the year, New Mexicos job growth was up 1 percent, or 8,600 jobs, according to the states Department of Workforce Solutions. The state generally measures job growth from year to year rather than from one month to the next.

Some specifics, according to Workforce Solutions:

The jobs increase in August came entirely from the private sector. Private industries as a whole increased by 10,500 jobs, or 1.9 percent.

 Government employment fell by 4,400 jobs, or 2.4 percent.

 Leisure and hospitality was the leading industry, adding 4,000 jobs, for a 4 percent increase. In fact, the industry, which includes tourism-related businesses, has not posted an over-the-year loss since September 2010.

 For the fifth month in a row, construction reported the fastest percentage growth of any industry at 7 percent.

As for unemployment, Alaska again held the worst-state title, with a jobless rate of 7.2 percent.

North Dakota and Colorado had the lowest unemployment rates in August at 2.3 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. The national unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, up from 4.3 percent in July.
A former middle school teacher received 4 years of probation as part of a plea agreement that dropped a number of child sex abuse charges involving a female relative.

Kenneth Jehle pleaded no contest to three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in 2nd Judicial District Court on Friday.

Seven other charges were dismissed, including criminal sexual contact with a minor, manufacturing or possessing child pornography and child abuse.

The complaint alleged that Jehle started masturbating in front of the girl when she was 12 and groomed her for abuse over three years.

Under the terms of the agreement, Jehle will be allowed to serve probation in Michigan, where he has been living. He did not comment during the proceedings before Judge Cindy Leos.

A statement from the female relative, read in court, said Jehle knows what he did and she continues to have nightmares about it.

The girls mother told the Journal that she is disappointed in the court system.

They did not take into consideration my daughters well-being throughout the process. The focus should have always been my daughter, she said.

They really left her high and dry.

In August, a Bernalillo County jury found Jehle not guilty in a separate case alleging he inappropriately touched a teen special education student three times in the spring of 2014.

The students family sued Albuquerque Public Schools and received a $750,000 settlement in 2015.

Jehle was also the subject of two sexual harassment lawsuits filed by former co-workers over a decade ago.

In 2003, two Harrison Middle School employees  a music teacher and a secretary  complained that he pressed them for dates, leered and made inappropriate comments. Both women received settlements.

Jehle does not have a New Mexico teaching license, according to the Public Education Departments online data base.
PHOENIX  An Arizona lawmaker has accused Phoenix police of violating provisions of an immigration crackdown law that requires police to inquire about the immigration status of people they suspect of being in the country illegally.

Republican state Sen. John Kavanagh said Friday that policy changes the department adopted in July restrict when officers can inquire about a persons immigration status. A new requirement for a specialized supervisor to vet the request also adds roadblocks to checking with federal immigration officials.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that police cant hold someone longer than normally needed just to check their immigration status. The courts struck down several provisions of the 2010 law known as SB 1070, which launched protests and boycotts of the state.

But the Supreme Court upheld the section requiring officers to check a persons immigration status while enforcing other laws if they reasonably suspect the person might be in the country illegally.

These are pretty glaring violations of SB 1070, Kavanagh said. They shouldnt have implemented a patently illegal police operations order.

Phoenix spokeswoman Julie Watters said the police policy was reviewed by numerous attorneys familiar with immigration law and is very similar to those in place in the suburb of Mesa and Tucson, in southern Arizona.

And, just like other cities throughout Arizona, our policy is designed to protect victims and witnesses, Watters said.

Arizona has been at the center of the national debate over illegal immigration for a decade, and Fridays developments come as immigration issues are again at the forefront.

President Donald Trump said last week that he was canceling a program that protected some young immigrants from deportation, setting off protests. The president has since met with top congressional Democrats in hopes of crafting a deal to protect the approximately 800,000 people protected under the Obama-era program.

Kavanagh is asking the state attorney general to review the policy under a 2016 law allowing a single lawmaker to trigger an investigation. If the attorney general determines the policy conflicts with state law, the city will have 30 days to eliminate it or face loss of state tax revenue.

Kavanagh said several parts of the new police operations order hinder the section of the law upheld by the Supreme Court.

In one section, they say that the stop can only be if the person was pulled over for a crime. The law doesnt say that  the law says any violation of any law or ordinance, he said. It can be littering, so theyre totally restrictive there.
The American Gypsum plant in Bernalillo, which closed in January 2010, has re-opened on a limited schedule, with about 30 full-time employees, plant manager Mark Cubbage said Friday.

Cubbage said the plant started test operations in July and began producing gypsum drywall last month.

It started hiring the employees about a year ago because there is a great deal of training that goes into this, he said.

He said he could not comment on whether there are plans to hire any more workers.

American Gypsum was awarded $345,574 in state funds last October to pay for training for 28 jobs.

The company is owned by Eagle Materials, which spun off from Centex Corp. in 2004.

American Gypsum also has a plant in Albuquerque.

The company manufactures drywall for the residential and commercial building industry, as well as for do-it-yourself customers, Cubbage said.

While it had kept open a maintenance shop after its 2010 closure, last month marked the first time since then that the plant began producing its signature product, Cubbage said.
Doughboys Bake Shoppe has closed its doors after a months-long fight with General Mills, owner of the Pillsbury Doughboy trademark, over the use of the Doughboy name.

Owners Claudia and Mike Milladge announced the closure on earlier this week through the companys Facebook page.

We felt so bullied, Claudia Milladge told the Journal in June. The first reaction is to throw a fit, but what can you do against a corporation like that?

General Mills, which purchased Pillsbury in 2001, was ranked 165 on the Fortune 500 list this year.

Doughboys opened in January and received a cease-and-desist order from General Mills just two weeks later.

The small bake shop, located at the Far North Shopping Center at San Mateo and Academy isnt the first startup to tangle with General Mills over naming rights. In 2016, My Dough Girl LLC, a Salt Lake City-based bakery, agreed to change its name rather than risk a long court battle.

Doughboy, or a variation on that name, appears on at least a dozen different businesses across the country, from pizzerias in Fort Lauderdale to pool manufacturers in Arkansas.

According to the Doughboys Bake Shoppe Facebook page, the closure is directly related to the name change controversy and the expense involved. The General Mills name change was just too much for a small startup like us, wrote Milladge.

In June, Milladge estimated that the cost could exceed $10,000.

Milladge says the shop was named after her father who went by the name Doughboy and taught her how to be a pastry chef.
U.S. Army recruiters have abruptly canceled enlistment contracts for hundreds of foreign-born military recruits since last week, upending their lives and potentially exposing many to deportation, according to several affected recruits and a retired Army officer and former Pentagon official familiar with their situation.

Many of these enlistees have waited years to join a troubled immigration recruitment program designed to attract highly skilled immigrants into the service in exchange for fast-track citizenship.

Now recruits and experts say that recruiters are shedding their contracts to free themselves from an onerous enlistment process, which includes extensive background investigations, to focus on individuals who can more quickly enlist and thus satisfy strict recruitment targets.

Margaret Stock, a retired Army officer who led creation of the immigration recruitment program, told The Washington Post that she has received dozens of frantic messages from recruits this week, with many more reporting similar action in Facebook groups. She said hundreds could be affected.

Its a dumpster fire ruining peoples lives. The magnitude of incompetence is beyond belief, she said. We have a war going on. We need these people.

The nationwide disruption comes at a time when President Donald Trump navigates a political minefield, working with Democrats on the fate of dreamers while continuing to stoke his anti-immigrant base. It was not immediately clear if Pentagon officials have taken hard-line immigration stances from the White House as a signal to ramp down support for its foreign-born recruitment program.

Stock said a recruiter told her there was pressure from the recruiting command to release foreign-born recruits, with one directive suggesting they had until Sept. 14 to cut them loose without counting against their recruiting targets, an accounting quirk known as loss forgiveness.

The recruiter told Stock the Army Reserve is struggling to meet its numbers before the fiscal year closes Sept. 30, and canceling on resource-intensive recruits is attractive to some recruiters.

On Friday, the Pentagon denied ordering a mass cancellation of immigrant recruit contracts and said there were no incentives to do so. Officials said that recent directives to recruiters were meant to reiterate immigrant recruits must be separated within two years of enlistment unless they opt in for an additional year.

But some recruits among half a dozen interviewed for this article said they were not approaching that two-year limit when their contracts were canceled, sowing confusion about the reason they were cut loose. The Pentagon declined to address whether messages to recruiters contained language that could have been misinterpreted.

Some anti-immigration sentiment has swirled in the Pentagon for years, former staffers have said, where personnel and security officials from the Barack Obama administration larded the immigrant recruiting process with additional security checks for visa holders already vetted by the Departments of State and Homeland Security.

Immigrant recruits are already screened far more than any other recruits we have, Naomi Verdugo, a former senior recruiting official for the Army at the Pentagon, told The Post, including one American who fought with Russian-backed militants in Ukraine but enlisted in the U.S. Army without triggering suspicion.

It seems like overkill, but there seems to be a sense that no matter what background check you do, its never enough, she said.

Verdugo, along with Stock, helped implement the program. One Indian immigrant, a Harvard graduate and early recruit who is now a Special Forces soldier and served in Iraq, was called back to undertake the updated security checks, she said.

Even though youre in the Army, even though youre naturalized, these policies say were not going to treat you like any other soldier,' Verdugo said of the concerns over immigrants held by some at the Pentagon.

Internal Pentagon documents obtained by The Post have said the immigrant recruitment program, formally known as the Military Accessions to Vital National Interest (MAVNI), was suspended last fall after the clearance process was paralyzed and officials voiced concern over foreign infiltrators, though it remains unclear if any actual threats have ever materialized.

Lola Mamadzhanova, who immigrated to the United States from Kyrgyzstan in 2009, said she heard that Army recruiters in Evanston, Illinois, texted immigrant recruits last week asking whether they still wanted to enlist, with an unusual condition: They had 10 minutes to respond. She never received the text message.

The recruiters did some dirty trick just to get me out so I wont be trouble anymore, Mamadzhanova, 27, told The Post on Thursday. Her active-duty contract was canceled Sept. 7, according to a separation document obtained by The Post that said she declined to enlist. She later learned the recruiters used a wrong number to text her.

The senior recruiter at the station contacted by The Post declined to comment and called Mamadzhanova seven minutes afterward to reverse previous guidance, saying her unlawful immigration status was the reason she was released. She enlisted in December 2015, which puts her three months outside the two-year limit.

Mamadzhanova was assured by other recruiters that her status would not be an issue and she would ship for training soon after her immigration status slipped around her enlistment date. Mamadzhanova, who is fluent in Russian, said the shifting and unclear rules have blindsided her.

Joining the Army was a dream of mine since America has treated me so well, she said. She applied for asylum in April, joining other recruits who have either sought asylum or fled.

Experts say the relatively small number of recruits in the MAVNI program possess skills with outsize value, such as foreign languages highly sought by Special Operations Command. The program has rotated 10,400 troops into the military, mostly the Army, since its inception in 2009.

Although the military says it benefits from these recruits, they can generate a disproportionate amount of work for recruiters who must navigate an enormous amount of regulations and shifting policies. The layered security checks can add months or years to the enlistment process, which frustrate recruiters who must meet strictly enforced goals by quickly processing recruits.

In a summer memo, the Pentagon lists 2,400 foreign recruits with signed contracts who are drilling in reserve units but have not been naturalized and have not gone to basic training. About 1,800 others were waiting for their active-duty training to begin.

The document acknowledges 1,000 of those troops waited so long that they are no longer in legal status and could be exposed to deportation. That number probably has climbed since the memo was drafted in May or June. Lawmakers have asked Trump and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to intervene on behalf of those recruits.

Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., filed an amendment in the defense authorization bill Tuesday to retain MAVNI recruits until their lengthy background investigations are finished.

These brave men & women enlisted & the Administration turns its back on them, Harris tweeted Friday. We must pass Sen. Durbins & my bill to protect these recruits.

During July 19 testimony in a lawsuit filed by recruits who said the federal government unlawfully delayed their naturalizations, Justice Department attorney Colin Kisor assured the district court in Washington that recruits would only see their contracts canceled if derogatory information was found in extensive background investigations.

Mamadzhanova and others said their screenings, which take months to complete, have begun recently and could not have returned results.

Meanwhile, confusion reigned for recruits in multiple states.

At one office in Illinois, a senior recruiter restored a contract less than two hours after The Post inquired about a case. In Texas, a recruiter did the same 12 minutes after a call seeking to confirm whether a recruits contract was canceled.

An immigrant recruit who came to the United States in 2006 and enlisted in Virginia said her contract was canceled Tuesday after waiting for two years, just as her legal immigration status expired. Recruiters had assured her, saying her contract was a shield from federal immigration authorities, she said. She spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

She now fears deportation to her native Indonesia, which strips native-born people of citizenship if they enlist in a foreign military or pledge loyalty to another country, as she has done.

I feel devastated, she said. The Army was my only hope.
Albuquerque is asking voters this fall to approve $125 million in bonds that would pay for street repairs, police cars, developing new parks and a host of other big capital projects.

The projects are broken into a series of 11 questions on the Oct. 3 ballot.

Approval of the bond package wouldnt result in a tax increase, city officials say, because new bonds are issued as old ones are paid off.

But rejecting all 11 bond questions would reduce annual property taxes for city residents  about $41 on a home valued at $100,000, or $62 on a $150,000 home.

Heres a look at whats on the ballot:

 About $16 million for public safety projects, including $6.1 million for the purchase of police and fire vehicles. Theres also money to repair and improve a variety of police and fire buildings.

 About $14.5 million to improve senior and community centers. The package includes $3 million to build a gym at the North Domingo Baca complex in the Northeast Heights and $3 million to acquire land at Cibola Loop for a future library.

 About $17 million for parks and recreation projects, including $2.5 million to acquire land for preservation as open space and $2 million to improve irrigation in parks.

 Nearly $11.6 million to carry out energy and water conservation projects, renovate city buildings, improve computer security, upgrade information technology and handle similar work.

 About $6 million for libraries, including $3 million to buy books and materials. Theres also $2 million that would go toward an International District library.

 About $32.5 million for street projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads and intersections throughout the city. The proposal includes $1 million to improve Unser NW between Central and Interstate 40, $900,000 to widen Alameda between Interstate 25 and Louisiana, and $1 million to improve Ladera NW between Coors and Gavin.

 About $6 million for public transportation, including $4.5 million to buy buses and vans.

 About $14 million for drains, pump stations and projects to improve the quality of storm water that flows into the Rio Grande.

 About $1.6 million for museums, cultural attractions and a Route 66 visitors center on West Central.

 About $4 million for affordable-housing projects.

 About $1 million to support redevelopment in Downtown, the Barelas rail yards and other parts of the city.

Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, said her organization supports passage of the bond package.

These bonds are vital to the future maintenance of important community assets for police and for senior and citizen centers, she said.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

A federal judge on Friday issued a temporary injunction against new requirements that would have prevented cities and counties from receiving a public safety grant unless they agreed to work with immigration agents.

The city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County were likely to lose about $500,000 because the county wasnt willing to work closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, which was a new requirement this year. The Bernalillo County Commission has passed a resolution making it a immigrant-friendly community.

Local governments this year had to sign a certification agreeing to work with ICE in their applications for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant. If awarded, Albuquerque police will receive $438,000 and the county will get about $61,000.

Albuquerque police had asked the county to agree to the Department of Justices new requirements for the Byrne JAG money and the city was told the county wouldnt agree. The city asked for written confirmation of the refusal and the request was denied, Bill Slauson, the executive director of the polices administrative support bureau, said in a memo last week to Chief Gorden Eden and City Administrative Officer Rob Perry.

The thinking was, we do not want to be in a position that we are required to do certain things  that we do not want to do, County Commission Chairwoman Debbie OMalley said. Its one of those issues that just creates divisiveness.

The Bernalillo County Commission has passed a resolution that prohibits the use of county money or personnel to ascertain anyones immigration status or to apprehend individuals based on their status, unless they are required to do so by law.

The Trump administration has been trying to get local governments to share immigration-status records with federal agencies, provide 48 hours notice of a detainees release if immigration violations are suspected, and give federal authorities access to jails.

The county operates the Metropolitan Detention Center, where Chief Greg Rees said he wont follow those requests unless directed to by the county.

After the Department of Justice required agencies to issue the immigration certification before receiving Byrne JAG money, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Jeff Sessions, saying the new requirements are unconstitutional and unlawful.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber issued a temporary injunction in the case. The judge said that Chicago was likely to succeed in the case and the city would suffer irreparable harm if the funding was withheld while the case was litigated.

This injunction against  is nationwide in scope, there being no reason to think that the legal issues present in this case are restricted to Chicago, he wrote.
The Wisconsin Rollover Protective Structure rebate program has been funded for a sixth consecutive year, enabling Wisconsin farmers to retrofit rollbars onto their tractors at a reduced cost. The program is run by the National Farm Medicine Center at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute with financial support from the Auction of Champions.

Local agriculture officials are promoting the program in conjuction with National Farm Safety and Health Week Sept. 17-23. The program reimburses up to 70 percent (maximum of $865) toward the cost of purchasing, shipping and installing individual ROPS.

A ROPS is an operator compartment structure (usually cab or rollbar) intended to protect farmers from injuries caused by overturns or rollovers. More than half the tractors in Wisconsin do not have ROPS protection. ROPS did not become standard on U.S.-manufactured tractors until 1985. A ROPS, when used with a seatbelt, is reported to be 99 percent effective in preventing injury or death in the event of an overturn.
A newcomer to Albuquerque will have a long-lasting place to honor her father, a New York City firefighter who perished in the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Lynette Rodriguez was 17 and had just started her senior year of high school in Staten Island, N.Y., that day in 2001. Her father, 36-year-old Anthony Rodriguez was six months into his job with New York City Fire Department. A Navy veteran, Rodriguez had previously worked as a police officer in South Carolina.

Rodriguez moved to Albuquerque a little over a year ago for a job. And on Monday  the 16th anniversary of the attacks  a plaque and headstone honoring Anthony Rodriguez were unveiled at Vista Verde Memorial Park during its annual 9/11 ceremony in Rio Rancho. Its a new addition to the 9/11 Memorial there.

The memorial gives Rodriguez and her young children a place to go to remember her father.

Anthony Rodriguez was one of five firefighters who charged up the South Tower during the attacks and were near the top of the building when it collapsed, she said.

Their bodies were never found, Rodriguez said. We never really had that closure.  It (is) nice and important to have a place to go for him.

At the parks 9/11 ceremony, Rodriguez shared her story with a crowd honoring those who died in the attacks, as well as local law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and are laid to rest at the cemetery.

Rodriguez is the oldest of six children. Her mother was nine months pregnant at the time of the attacks. She gave birth days after the attacks, and news stations nicknamed the child Baby Hope because at the time there was still hope that survivors would be pulled from the rubble.

Rodriguez said for years she shied away from 9/11 ceremonies. She said that changed in 2016, the first year she attended a ceremony. She said so many young people dont have a first-hand memory of the day, so its important to keep remembering.

Each time I see those towers go down, I watch my dad being killed. And I dont have any control of when I have to see that, she said.

A crowd of more than a couple of hundred held candles at the site when the memorial for Anthony Rodriguez was revealed.

Police and fire and military are a brotherhood, and its an overwhelming spirit and everybody comes together, said Cheryl Moser-Howard, who comes from a family of firefighters and attends the ceremony every year. Sixteen years is a long time and if were not teaching (younger people about 9/11), it will be forgotten. Its your history.
At this point, who DOESNT want Trump impeached?

 Ann Coulter tweet, 7:05 a.m., September 14, 2017

If reports true 100%, I blame Rs. They caused this. They wanted him to fail and now pushed him into arms of political suicide  IF TRUE.

 Sean Hannity tweet, 12:11 a.m., September 14, 2017.

Flounder, you cant spend your whole life worrying about your mistakes! You (fouled) up  you trusted us! Hey, make the best of it!

 Eric Otter Stratton, Animal House, 1978.

Before I continue, let me answer Ann Coulters question: Me. I dont want Trump impeached, at least not until he does something clearly impeachable. Impeaching him for policies you dont like or even for political malpractice would simply be a time-wasting tantrum. And I say that as a consistent critic of Donald Trump, going back to his flirtation with running on the Reform Party ticket in 2000.

That said, Coulters reaction is understandable and even a little praiseworthy. After all, she wrote a book  a whole book!  in 2016 called In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome! But unlike a lot of her compatriots in the Trump Army, Coulter was driven by a policy position, not an infatuation. Or perhaps she was infatuated, but her commitment to the policy was greater than her commitment to the man.

The policy in question: immigration. To wit, Coulter thinks weve had enough of it. That goes for the children brought here by illegal immigrants, commonly referred to as Dreamers. President Obama created a program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, that unconstitutionally  according to most conservatives, including the attorney general  granted a kind of de facto amnesty to the Dreamers, giving them work permits and legal residence.

On Wednesday night, Trump had dinner with the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer. These two famously partisan Democrats came out of the dinner announcing that they had struck a deal with the president to make DACA permanent without providing any funding for Trumps cherished border wall.

Trump, witnessing the blowback, which included the new nickname Amnesty Don in a headline at Breitbart News  which until recently had been the Pravda of MAGAland  insisted in a tweet that no deal had yet been made. But then he went on to sing the praises of DACA in a series of tweets, making it clear to all that he wants the Dreamers to be legalized and the DACA program made permanent.

In other words, he threw his biggest supporters under the Trump train.

Now I should say, I think Trump is right on the policy. It would be stupid and cruel to deport a bunch of people who came here as little kids and have since assimilated into the only country theyve ever known. A large majority of Americans, including a majority of Trump voters, agree with Trump  and Schumer and Pelosi  on the policy. A poll this week found that only 12 percent of registered voters want these people deported. Coulter and former Trump adviser/current Breitbart publisher Steve Bannon speak for that 12 percent.

The majority of immigration hawks, however, considered DACA to be the presidents most valuable negotiating chip. He could have gotten funding for the wall, or perhaps E-Verify, or portions of Sen. Tom Cottons immigration reform legislation, the RAISE Act, passed in exchange for making DACA permanent. Instead, the author of The Art of the Deal essentially tossed his best chip into the pot as if it were the ante.

This poses a crisis for two different kinds of Trump true believers. The nationalists honestly believed he was one of them. Meanwhile, the super-fans honestly believed Trump was the greatest negotiator and strategist the world had ever seen. Both of these notions were delusions. Oh, Im sure Trump believes much of his America First talk, but thats talk. What really matters to him is praise. It was only a matter of time before the moth flew to the glow of public opinion.

The sad thing is that both delusions were obvious from the moment he descended his golden escalator at Trump Tower. It will be interesting to see how the true believers follow Otters advice and make the best of their foul-up.

Jonah Goldberg is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a senior editor of National Review. E-mail goldbergcolumn@gmail.com, Twitter @JonahNRO. Copyright, Tribune Media Services Inc.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

The eight candidates jockeying to succeed Richard Berry as mayor of Albuquerque disagree on a lot of issues.

But when it comes to Police Chief Gorden Eden, they are singing from the same page. Not long after the new mayor takes office Dec. 1, hell be out of a job.

The fact that the chief of police is a political lightning rod shouldnt really surprise anyone. It has been that way for more than 40 years  dating back to the time the city moved from a city commission to a mayor/council system.

In theory, a mayors appointment of the citys chief administrative officer  who is supposed to run the day-to-day affairs of city government  is the most important job selection he or she makes.

But if history holds true, the next mayors selection of who runs the police department will make or break the public image of the next administration.

Through the years, candidates for mayor have tried to persuade voters they have the best plan for fighting the citys chronic crime problem. And that typically comes down to the chief.

Eden, a former U.S. Marshal and secretary of the state Department of Public Safety, was appointed by Berry in 2014 after the departure of Ray Schultz and interim chief Allen Banks. He has been dogged by some of the same issues that his predecessors struggled with  high crime rates, not enough officers and a rocky relationship with the police union.

But Eden has also been in charge of trying to bring APD into compliance with the wide-ranging reforms demanded by the Department of Justice after an investigation found that the Albuquerque Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of excessive force.

The city signed off on federal court oversight of the agreement it reached with the DOJ in 2014.

The court-appointed monitor has at times been withering in his criticism of the departments reform efforts, but has also praised some of the changes the department has made.

Some of the reforms mandated in the agreement have been made by departments around the country  increased training in dealing with mentally ill people, classes on defusing confrontations with civilians and changing tactics, like requiring the departments SWAT team to deploy as a team instead of individuals.

Other reforms, many of them dealing with internal department reporting of use-of-force incidents, have been more difficult as they require a change in the culture of how supervisors view their roles and relationships with the officers they oversee.

Edens successor will inherit all those challenges.

History repeats itself

A review of the Journal news archives shows that  with the exception of the DOJ reforms  those challenges arent new.

Every chief under the current mayoral form of city government, from Bob V. Stover to Eden, has faced the same issues.

Among them:

 Recruiting enough officers to fully staff the department. By the time the next police academy graduates next year, the department may have the same number of officers it had in the mid-1990s under then-Chief Joe Polisar  948.

 With a few notable exceptions  including several years early in the Berry administration  relatively high crime rates have plagued Albuquerque since Stover was appointed chief in the 1970s. At that time, the city ranked number one in the nation for felony crimes reported per 100,000 population. Last year, the city ranked in the top 10 in the nation for property crime and was in the top 50 for violent crimes.

 Officer-involved shootings and use of force have been an issue in Albuquerque since the mid-1980s, reaching a zenith with the Department of Justice investigation and findings that the department engaged in a pattern and practice of excessive force and unconstitutional policing.

 The administrations relationship with the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, the bargaining unit for all officers, runs through the chiefs office. If there is a dispute, it doesnt matter if it originated with the mayor or the City Council. The chief is on the hot seat no matter who started the fight.

 Civilian oversight has been an issue police chiefs have dealt with since the 1980s, when former state Supreme Court Justice William Riordan was named independent counsel to oversee the work of the departments Internal Affairs unit and look into civilian complaints. The independent counsel position and old Police Advisory Board have been replaced twice by civilian boards that have had varying degrees of success in dealing with past chiefs.

Outside forces

Some of these issues  high crime rates, officer morale and even recruiting, at times  are impacted by events outside the control of the chief of police.

Higher crime rates are often tied to poor economic conditions, high unemployment and the availability of narcotics imported from foreign countries  with cheap, high-quality Mexican methamphetamine and heroin now flooding the city.

A bad economy also impacts police.

During an economic downturn, raises for police officers may be delayed. The same holds true for the number of academy classes that bring new recruits into the department. Thats especially important because the retirement system and contract, in effect, incentivize officers to leave after 20 years.

If the economy interrupts the flow of new officers, promotions within the department get delayed and the department shrinks because officers retire faster than they are being replaced.

Those sorts of budget decisions are made by the mayor and the City Council, but if officers are unhappy with small pay raises or there are not enough officers on the street, the police chief usually takes the hit.

There are issues that fall directly on the chiefs shoulders. Among them, the department culture around use of force, internal department scandals, cooperating with other law enforcement agencies, including the District Attorneys Office, and willingness to cooperate with the civilian oversight board. Mishandling any of those can be the downfall of any chief.

Given the immense media interest in the police department, trying to quietly push bad cops out the back door hasnt worked in the past. Chiefs who confront the issue up front tend to face less scrutiny from the media.

Cooperating with the DA tends to be a two-way street. Some chiefs have been more adept than others in their relationship with prosecutors.

Any new chief will have to decide how he or she wants to deal with the civilian oversight board.

The three civilian oversight boards created by city ordinances since the 1980s have met with general resistance from APD.

Some chiefs, like Gil Gallegos who was appointed by Martin Chavez at the start of his second term, made it clear that they didnt want to cooperate with the civilian board and largely ignored the boards findings in disciplinary cases.

After Gallegos left APD in a cloud of scandal involving thefts from the departments evidence room and allegations of cover-ups, Chavez appointed Ray Schultz.

Schultz tended to be more polite in his dealings with the board, but largely ignored any recommendations they made.

The City Council overhauled the board and split it into a civilian oversight board and an agency that investigates civilian complaints.

The board has been generally critical of APD and Edens cooperation with it has been described as grudging.
ST. LOUIS  Protests near St. Louis turned violent for the second night Saturday in reaction to the acquittal of a white former police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man, as a small group of demonstrators refused to disperse, breaking windows at dozens of businesses and throwing objects at police, who moved in with hundreds of officers in riot gear to make arrests.

The confrontation took place in the Delmar Loop area of University City, a suburb about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of St. Louis near Washington University. The area is known for concert venues, restaurants, shops and bars and includes the Blueberry Hill club where rock legend Chuck Berry played for many years.

University City had been the scene of a tense but calm march earlier in the evening to protest a judges ruling Friday clearing ex-officer Jason Stockley of first-degree murder in the 2011 shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. That march ended with organizers calling for people to leave and reconvene Sunday afternoon.

But a few dozen protesters refused to go. Police ordered them to disperse, saying the protest was unlawful. Hundreds of police in riot gear eventually moved in with armored vehicles. The demonstrators retreated down a street, breaking windows with trash cans and throwing objects at police.

Several protesters were seen in handcuffs and city and county police tweeted that they arrested nine people. Police in riot gear were seen carrying one man away from the scene upside down in handcuffs. At least one demonstrator was treated after he was hit with pepper spray.

After the spasm of violence ended, a reporter for The Associated Press found at least half of the businesses on one side of the street with broken windows along a two block area.

Sam Thomas, who was helping his friend clean up the glass from the shattered windows of his business, OSO, a clothing and accessories boutique, said he understands why people are angry. The U.S. justice system is broken and needs to be fixed, he said.

Im not saying this is the right way to fix it, he said of the damage.

The window isnt murdered. Nobody is going to have a funeral for the window. We can replace it.

The eruption late Saturday followed a day of non-violent demonstrations at suburban shopping malls.

Demonstrators shouted slogans such as black lives matter and it is our duty to fight for our freedom as they marched through West County Center mall in the city of Des Peres, west of St. Louis. A group also demonstrated at Chesterfield Mall in the suburbs and at a regional food festival.

Organizers took their grievances to the suburbs Saturday to spread the impact of the protests beyond predominantly black neighborhoods to those that are mainly white.

I dont think racism is going to change in America until people get uncomfortable, said Kayla Reed of the St. Louis Action Council, a protest organizer.

Smiths death is just one of several high-profile U.S. cases in recent years in which a white officer killed a black suspect, including the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson that sparked months of angry and sometimes violent protests.

Federal prosecutors said Saturday they wont open a new civil rights investigation into the killing. Justice Department spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam said the department decided in September not to prosecute, but didnt announce it then to avoid affecting the judges decision.

After Stockley was acquitted, violence on Friday night resulted in nearly three-dozen people arrested and 11 police officers injured, including a broken jaw and dislocated shoulder, police said. Five officers were taken to hospitals. Police said that 10 businesses were damaged. Protesters also broke a window and spattered red paint on the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson.

Ex-officer Stockley shot Smith after the suspected drug dealer fled from officers trying to arrest him.

Stockley, 36, testified he felt he was in danger because he saw Smith holding a silver revolver when the suspect backed his car toward officers and sped away.

Prosecutors said Stockley planted a gun in Smiths car after the shooting. The officers DNA was on the weapon but Smiths wasnt. Dashcam video from Stockleys cruiser recorded him saying he was going to kill this (expletive). Less than a minute later, he shot Smith five times.

Stockleys lawyer dismissed the comment as human emotions during a dangerous pursuit. St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson, who said prosecutors didnt prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley murdered Smith, said the statement could be ambiguous.

Stockley left the force in 2013 and moved to Houston.

___

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LOS ANGELES  Harry Dean Stanton, the craggy-faced character actor who for decades filled memorable and often eccentric roles including a prisoner in Cool Hand Luke and the creepy polygamist prophet on Big Love, has died at age 91.

Stanton died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles of natural causes, said John Kelly, his agent.

He was a favorite of directors over the years with his gift for portraying offbeat and colorful characters. At the time of his death, he was completing the LUCKY, a film that parallels Stantons own life.

Born in Kentucky, Stanton headed west after serving in the Navy during World War II and broke into acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.

His career, and his credits, were sweeping: Cool Hand Luke, The Godfather: Part II, Escape from New York, Paris, Texas, Pretty in Pink, Repo Man.

Stanton had a fondness for David Lynch, and Lynch had a fondness for him. He was cast as the ill-fated private detective in Wild at Heart and had roles in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and the recent reboot of Twin Peaks: The Return,

He turned down a role in Blue Velvet, however, a part later given to Dennis Hopper.

Stanton was never married, though he had a long relationship with Rebecca De Mornay.

I might have had two or three (kids) out of marriage, he once told The Associated Press. But thats another story.
The newly elected Executive Council of the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) met on September 15, 2017. Sunil Kataria, Business Head - India and SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), was elected Chairman of the ISA. Kataria has led the Society in the past year to newer heights drawing support from his colleagues in the Executive Council, members and all fraternity entities.

On his election for second consecutive term as Chairman of the ISA, Kataria said, We would create further value proposition to the ISAs ascending status in the industry. We would nurture the partnerships that we have built over decades and deliver incremental benefits to the advertisers and other stake holders. I am confident that the advertiser community would have greater times ahead. I look forward to having continuous support of all members towards adding value to the unique status of the ISA in this country.

Kataria joined GCPL in 2011 to oversee the sales and marketing organisation for the India and SAARC businesses. He has diverse work experience across the FMCG and Consumer services sectors in Sales, Marketing and business roles. He had a long and highly successful stint of 12 years at Marico Industries. Post this, Kataria has also served as business head in two challenging service sectors: retail and telecom, leading large and complex business operations. Prior to joining the Godrej Group, he was Chief Operating Officer at Idea Rajasthan Circle, where he headed business operations and was responsible for the P&L of the Rajasthan Circle.

ISA is the only national body as a strong voice to advertisers over the last 60 years. It has advertiser members from across industries, who approximately contribute to over two-thirds of the annual national non-governmental ad spends. ISA, which is a founder member of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and one of the founders of ASCI, continues to partner with other industry bodies that connect to the advertisers. The ISA played a significant role in formation of BARC and is closely partnering with it towards advertisers getting robust and credible data.

The Executive Council members of the ISA thanked Kataria for his substantial contribution to the ISA as Chairman during 2016-17 and expressed pleasure to elect him again for 2017-18.

Other members of the Executive Council are:

Atul Agrawal, Senior Vice President  Corporate Affairs, Group Corporate Communications, Tata Services Limited

Anuradha Aggarwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Marico Limited

Abraham Mathew Alapatt, President & Group Head-Marketing, Service Quality, Financial Services & Innovation, Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Narendra Ambwani, Director, Agro Tech Foods Limited

Siddhartha Banerjee, Executive Vice President  Marketing, Vodafone India Limited

Ajoy H. Chawla, Sr. Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Titan Company Limited

JC Chopra, Advisor, Anant Healthcare Technology Solutions (P) Ltd.

Ravi A. Desai, Director, Brand & Mass Marketing, Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd.

Paulomi Dhawan, Strategic Advisor, Raymond Limited

Sonali Dhawan, Marketing Director, Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Limited

Chandru Kalro, Managing Director, TTK Prestige Limited

Sandeep Kaul, Divisional Chief Executive  India Tobacco Division, ITC Limited

Sandeep Kohli, Executive Director  Personal Care, Hindustan Unilever Limited

Beena Koshy, Executive Vice President, Exports, Bajaj Electrical Limited

Bharat V. Patel, Independent Director, Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company Ltd

Prashant Peres, Director Marketing Chocolate, India, Mondelez India Foods Private Limited

Ramakrishnan Ramamurthi, Vice Chairman, Joint MD & Group CEO, Polycab Wires Pvt. Ltd

Amit Tiwari, Vice President  Marketing, Havells India Ltd

Brahm Vasudeva, Chairman, Hawkins Cookers Limited
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now facing a lawsuit brought on by 11 separate individuals alleging a violation of their rights after their personal phones were confiscated or searched at the border. The complaint stems from the fact that, according to the plaintiffs, their devices were taken from them and searched without a warrant  which they claim is unconstitutional. There is a border search exception which allows authorities at a federal level to conduct searches, including searches of a persons personal devices, within 100 miles of a border without any such warrant. However, several plaintiffs claim that they have still not received their devices back after months of waiting. Although there are only 11 individuals involved in the current suit, some believe the searches represent a problem that runs much deeper, with over 15,000 such searches reportedly occurring throughout the first half of 2017. Thats trending up from 19,000 searches throughout the entire previous year and only 8,500 the in 2015.

As to the case itself, ten of the plaintiffs are U.S. citizens and the eleventh is a lawful permanent resident. Each reports a similar experience with DHS after traveling abroad. They include a military veteran, NASA engineer, two journalists, a computer programmer, and several people categorized by their representation as falling into minorities categories. The plaintiffs are being represented by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union. According to one of the plaintiffs, a U.S. citizen from Texas, he was stopped by Customs and Border Patrol back in late January after a business trip to Dubai. When he declined to unlock his personal device for the authorities, they confiscated both his personal phone and his business phone  the latter he had already allowed them to search. His business phone was eventually returned to him after two months of waiting, but he has still not received his personal phone.

As of this writing, not much else has been revealed about the case, which was filed with a U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. Aside from DHS, the suit reportedly also calls out the current Administration as having engaged in the warrantless search and seizure of property belonging to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who are protected under the constitution. With that said, the issue does not appear to be one divided along political lines. A piece of legislation was introduced back in April to institute a requirement for warrants when searching the smart devices or computers of U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the border. The legislation was put forward by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator Rand Paul and carried a different exception only applicable in emergency situations. This case represents just one piece of a larger discussion about rights as they pertain to mobile devices, the internet, social media, and privacy.
The Essential PH-1 was officially certified by Verizon on Friday and should now work on the largest wireless carriers network without any issues, Essential founder Andy Rubin said yesterday evening. By receiving the necessary certificate from the New Jersey-based company, the device is now eligible to access a number of network-specific offerings from Verizon like its Voice over LTE (VoLTE) service, in addition to fully supporting SIM cards issued by the mobile service provider. The exact scope of the certificate is still unknown and some limitations may apply, as is the case with the HTC U11 which is also officially certified by Verizon but only supports VoLTE on Band 13.

Mr. Rubin didnt clarify on the contents of the Verizon-issued certificate, having only said that owners of the Essential PH-1 may be required to reboot their devices in order to resolve any issues they may still be having with Verizons network. The telecom giant doesnt retail Essentials first smartphone which is only available from Sprint and directly from the Palo Alto, California-based startup. This state of affairs is unlikely to change in the future, though its currently unclear what prevented Essential from coming to a distribution agreement with other major wireless carriers in the United States. Owners of the unlocked variant of the Essential PH-1 have yet to confirm that Verizons certificate enables Wi-Fi Calling, though VoLTE is now reportedly working as intended.

The Essential PH-1 became available for purchase a couple of weeks back, following numerous setbacks for the company founded by the co-creator of the Android operating system. The handset features a somewhat unconventional design and boasts modular capabilities enabled by two magnetic pins installed on its rear panel. Initial responses from both consumers and critics have been somewhat mixed, with many praising its durable build and clean OS while also criticizing its dual-sensor camera setup and the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack and waterproofing. The Essential PH-1 has yet to make its way to any other markets, though the Californian startup previously confirmed that Canada, Europe, and Japan are all set to receive the device in the coming months, presumably by November.
Officials from Festival Foods plan to open their new Tomah location Nov. 10. The date is two months later than the initial September opening planned by the Onalaska-based grocery chain.

The opening date was announced two days before a Chippewa County Circuit Court judge approved the sale of three Gordys Market locations  one in Tomah and two in Eau Claire  to Festival Foods.

Festival purchased the three stores from Gordys in July. The September opening was stalled after Gordys went into receivership.

We see the Gordys receivership as only a detour in the process to move forward with the purchase of these three stores, and we fully anticipate completing the process, said Festival Foods president and CEO Mark Skogen.

The company says it has restarted the process of hiring employees for the three locations. The two Eau Claire stores are slated to open Dec. 1.

The sales will move forward despite objections from another Gordys creditor, Northwest Wisconsin Refrigeration.

Shortly after the sale, Gordys was sued by Minnesota-based grocery distributor Nash Finch for $86 million in late August. A receiver, Milwaukee attorney Michael Polsky, was appointed to handle Gordys assets and liabilities.

The proceeds from all three sales  $5,200,000 for two Eau Claire stores and $1,500,000 for the Tomah store  will go to two of the most prominent Gordys creditors: Nash Finch, a Minnesota grocery distributor, and Madison-based Settlers Bank.

Nash Finch and Settlers Bank are prioritized to be paid first, Polsky said, because both have perfected first liens on Gordys locations. Nash Finch has a perfected lien on 22 Gordys locations; Settlers Bank has a perfected lien on the other four.

However, of the roughly 2,000 creditors and employees owed by Gordys, only one  Northwest Wisconsin Refrigeration  objected to the sale on Friday morning. Attorney Joshua Christianson, who represented the refrigeration company, requested more time before the sale.

(My) creditors arent well-informed enough to know if this sale will protect their interests, Christianson said.

Polsky argued against postponing the sale to Festival Foods.

I acknowledge that in insolvency proceedings  all creditors are not going to be credited equally, Polsky said. There is not enough money to pay them all in full. This is an insolvency proceeding.

Polsky also argued that Gordys should sell the three stores immediately to keep the value of the stores from declining.

Scott E. Kohler of Silverman Consulting testified that the Eau Claire and Tomah stores value would drop rapidly if not sold as soon as possible.

Gordys total assets were $40.4 million as of July 21, Kohler said, and its total liabilities are $70.56 million, plus Nash Finchs claim of damages of just over $40 million.

Factoring in the upcoming auction of Gordys assets on Sept. 25 in Milwaukee, Kohler said he projects total sales of Gordys assets between Sept. 1 and Oct. 20 will be $17.4 million; if the Eau Claire and Tomah stores remained open and the sale was postponed, he said, Gordys would have to pay a $4.2 million in payroll, rent and other utilities.

Gordys closed its Tomah store Sept. 12.

Judge James M. Isaacson ultimately agreed with Polsky and ordered that the sale of the two locations in Eau Claire and one in Tomah can proceed immediately.

Gordys has agreed to the immediate sale of all three stores, Polsky also said.

An auction of other Gordys assets is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25, Isaacson said.

Polsky said he has received 17 bids from potential buyers in light of the upcoming auction, but none were for the two Eau Claire stores or the Tomah location.

Another motion hearing is set for 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, in Chippewa County circuit court.

Gordys owned the Tomah location for two years after purchasing the business from the Burnstad family, which began the grocery store in 1944 and later branched into retail shops and restaurants.

Festival Foods operates 28 other locations throughout the state. It purchased stores in West Baraboo and Portage from Pierces Market in May.
Facebook has begun limited testing of a new group video chat app named Bonfire which could eventually come to Android. A few months back it was reported that Facebook had been working on a new video calling app, similar to Houseparty, which would allow users to quickly start video chatting with their friends. Now, though, it appears the social media giant has begun publicly testing the app by releasing it through the Danish App Store, signaling a possible future release on Android.

With Bonfire, users are allowed to begin video chatting with a number of friends, while invitations, which are received through Messenger and Facebook, can also be sent out to those who arent using the platform. When video chatting, users are given the option of various face filters, similar to those available in Instagram and Facebook Stories. Those who wish to go one step further and share their experience through other platforms are also encouraged, as long as the platform is Facebook-owned  Bonfire provides options to post screenshots of an ongoing video chat through Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger without the need to exit the app. Currently, Facebooks latest creation appears to be exclusive to iOS users in Denmark, with the reason behind this likely being the high level of user retention that the market provides  ideal conditions for testing. Nonetheless, if Facebook receives positive feedback, the app could eventually land on Android devices across the globe, therefore opening it up to a much wider audience. If the company chooses to do so, it would directly compete with Houseparty, a platform that is slowly gaining ground among teenagers, the very same age group in which Facebooks own popularity is declining.

Bonfire isnt Facebooks first app to bear a resemblance to a competitors offering, though. After all, back in 2014, the company launched an app called Slighshot which was very similar to Snapchat. The app never took off in the same way as its competitor and was eventually shuttered in December of 2015. Nonetheless, eight months later the company introduced Instagram Stories, a wildly popular feature that Slingshots user feedback surely helped create. If the app proves popular enough among testers, it could be available on Android in a matter of months. If long-term growth isnt significant enough, though, it wouldnt be surprising to see it eventually spawn a new Messenger or Instagram feature based on the apps concept, especially considering Facebooks history with copycat apps.
Moto Voice is currently in the process of receiving an update, one which brings with it language support for speakers of UK (or British) English and German. As a result, users in England (or any other country that uses the British version of English) and German will be able to make use of Moto Voice in a more local and customized manner. Besides the increased language support, the only other listed addition included with this update is the usual and nondescript bug fixes and stability improvements.

In spite of the app only having just now gained access to one of the most commonly-used versions of the English language, this is an app that has been available since the introduction of the second-generation Moto X smartphone back in 2014. Since then, it has proven to be popular feature and a mainstay among Moto devices. With Moto Voice coming pre-installed on all of the Moto-branded phones since the Moto X (2nd-Gen), including the likes of the 2017 Moto Z2 Force, as well as the very newly-announced Moto X4. Therefore, owners of any Moto phone looking to take advantage of this newly-added language support will likely see the update arrive in due course, if they have not already.

Although in principle Moto Voice works in much the same way as many other voice-activated services and assistants, it still remains to be a fairly unique feature. As Moto Voice comes with the added and unique benefit of being able to program your own launch phrase. So instead of having to say OK Google or Hey Google you can in fact, teach Moto Voice a new command to respond to. Following which, users are able to then use that launch phrase to initiate a wealth of different commands and actions, as well as having aspects like notifications or call data read back to the user  all of course, without having to actually get hands-on with the device at all. Those still new to this feature can find out more by heading over to the Play Store listing, although as this is a Moto-specific feature, unless you own a Moto device, you will not be able to install the app.
Samsung has introduced a new fund through which the South Korean tech giant aims to focus on the automotive market, particularly the autonomous driving segment. The $300-million fund will be used to expand on Samsungs recent investments in the auto industry and build autonomous systems such as smart sensors, artificial intelligence, machine vision, security and privacy systems, and connectivity technologies. Samsungs announcement comes after the California Department of Motor Vehicles recently granted the company permit to take part in its Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program, which means Samsung can now start testing its self-driving cars on Californian roads, though the Seoul-based company reiterates that it does not plan on building its own fleet of self-driving vehicles, but instead seeks to accelerate its sensor systems and AI initiatives related to autonomous driving technologies.

To help Samsung fulfill its self-driving goal, an autonomous strategic business unit was formed by the companys HARMAN subsidiary to collaborate with the Samsung Strategy and Innovation Center (SSIC) Smart Machines team with the goal of building systems for connected vehicles. The new business unit will operate within HARMANs connected car division and will be led by John Absmeier, who serves as the senior vice president of the new business unit while keeping his current role as vice president of Smart Machines for SSIC. Some of the areas Samsung and HARMAN intend to emphasize in their self-driving push include algorithms, AI, cloud solutions, high-performance computing, engineering, and sensor systems.

Young Sohn, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Samsung Electronics and Chairman of the Board of HARMAN, said the Autonomous/ADAS Strategic Business Unit and automotive fund represent the companys intention to develop innovative technologies in collaboration with original equipment manufacturers and startup businesses. Dinesh Paliwal, president and chief executive officer of HARMAN, added that the formation of the new business unit is meant to meet the growing demand for ADAS solutions as connected cars and autonomous driving systems continue to advance. The Samsung Automotive Innovation Fund will initiate its first investment with TTTech, a supplier of networking solutions that use time-triggered technology and modular safety platforms. In December of last year, Samsung also invested in LiDar maker Quanergy Systems, among other startups, as a part of the companys strategic funding for the automotive industry.
Sprint and T-Mobile have been linked together for a possible merger for quite a while now, but there seems to be a new twist in the tale as the top executives of both the carrier companies chose not to comment on the topic this Thursday. Sprint Corporations Chief Executing Officer (CEO), Marcelo Claure, could only mention that he was advised by his attorneys not to comment on any mergers and acquisitions (M&A), while T-Mobiles Chief Financial Officer (CFO), J. Braxton Carter, II, had nothing new to say. Claure further seemed to fuel the doubts entailing the merger by stating that he thinks that things are going to be different by next year.

Back in 2012, when SoftBank acquired a majority of Sprints shares, the Japanese company had also shown an interest in acquiring T-Mobile. That deal, however, couldnt go through as the federal agencies of the United States under the then-Obama administration opposed the possible consolidation of the carrier market in the country. It was only until after Donald Trump took over as President that the possibility of a merger resurfaced. Reportedly, T-Mobiles parent company, Deutsche Telekom AG, has been open to selling its stake for some years now but is under no immediate pressure provided the carrier grows its business.

This is not the first time that the merger seems to be drifting away from being a reality. Since the time the talks were first initiated, the possibility of the merger has been a popular subject of debate among the industry experts. While some believe that the unification of the two companies is the only sensible choice, others are highly skeptical about that proposition. Additionally, the aforementioned executives of the two carriers had also opened talks with each other at one point, only to come to a standstill position as it appears today. Whether or not a deal gets put pen to paper will be seen in a matter of time. Moreover, the possibility of an intervention by the government officials hasnt been completely ruled out yet. Until any further comment by either of the companies, it would be safe to assume that a merger wont be taking place anytime soon.
Well, here's an example of a car collector who demonstrates the other purpose of owning important pages of automotive history.That's right, ladies and gentlemen drivers, we're looking at a 1929 Bentley Blower being put to towing use. And what a piece of racetrack engineering this Crewe machine has behind it - we're dealing with a Porsche 962 - lens tip to Redditor KPexEA for this image.Now, as other Redditors have aptly pointed out, the first thing that comes to mind when coming across a Bentley performing such duties is a quote attributed to Ettore Bugatti . The founder of the automaker that battled Bentley at Le Mans back in the day is said to have named the British machines "the world's fastest lorries".Nevertheless, with the four-wheeled creation being animated by a supercharged 4.4-liter four-cylinder mill, the towing move shouldn't be an issue.As for the... cargo resting on the trailer behind the Bentley , we're talking about a contraption that deserves a special place in Porsche's trophy cabinet.The 962 might have been designed back in 1981, entering circuit service in late 1984, but the racecar continued to gather trophies in the hands of privateers for around a decade.Interestingly, the massive success of the race meant that Porschephilles eventually came up with street-legal incarnations of the 962, so you shouldn't be all that surprised to come across one of these mechanical monsters while attending your local Cars and Coffee event. Meanwhile. we're inviting you to check out each and every inch of this image, as there are tons of details to enjoy.
AMG

First of all, its worth remembering Aston Martin and Daimler signed an agreement in 2013, allowing the Gaydon-based company to use the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from Mercedes-in its cars. The German manufacturer also holds a 5-percent stake in Aston Martin, which paves the way of reviving the straight-6 with the help of Mercedes-Benzs know-how in engine technology.Speaking to Australian motoring publication Drive , the DB11's vehicle line director - Paul Barritt - let it slip that you can see the direction of travel within the industry and we'd be foolish not to be looking at the sixes, and we're still looking at eights and twelves." The plant Barritt is referring to is Mercedes' M256, an all-new 3.0-liter I6 with two turbos and AMG potential.The mild-hybrid engine is already available in the S-Class facelift, with the S500 developing 435 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Upcoming AMG 53 models will use an even more potent iteration of the M256 I6, which will produce more get-up-and-go than today's AMG 43 V6-engined models. Also known as integrated starter generator or ISG, the electric motor of the M256 is packaged in the bell housing between the engine and transmission.Whichever way you look at it, Aston Martin has all the right reasons to be interested in the M256 straight-six engine . The biggest argument is the companys push for hybridization and electrification, two directions that Aston Martin cannot get wrong if it wants to survive in the following decade.On that note, what sort of modern Aston Martin model would you imagine with a twin-turbocharged I6 from Mercedes-Benz under the hood?
Over the past few years, the subcompact segment has taken a nosedive in the United States as more and more companies decided to focus on bigger vehicles. In the Ford Motor Companys case, the only exception to the rule is the EcoSport , which is a subcompact crossover built in India that wants the piece of the sales pie the Fiesta is gradually losing. Unfortunately, the thing is that the Ford Fiesta Mk7s days are numbered in this part of the world.Weve been hearing this ominous line for quite some time now, but the confirmation is finally in from Leo Roeks. Talking to Car Buzz at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the director of Ford Performance of Europe said:Its simply a matter of a lack of interest in the B-segment in America. It doesnt make sense, nor is it possible financially speaking, to import a single trim level, and a niche one at that. Of course, Roeks refers to the ST What America is losing with this decision isnt just a three-cylinder turbo that outperforms the old 1.6-liter EcoBoost in the U.S. -spec Fiesta ST. As demand for crossovers and SUVs keeps on growing in North America, the lower segments will suffer because sedans and hatchbacks simply cannot hold a candle to the practicality and desirability of high-riding utility vehicles.The biggest tragedy, however, is that the all-new FiST appears to be an even more exciting machine than the previous generation . Despite the trademark throbbing of the turbocharged three-banger, just about everything else pits the newcomer as the new sweetheart of the small hot hatchback segment.On the flipside, U.S. enthusiasts of the genre can still grab the outgoing Fiesta ST from dealership lots. And for what its worth, the tried-and-tested model still is just as fun to drive as it was on the day it set foot on American soil.
Air traffic continued its eighth year of uninterrupted growth, says Department of Transportation data for the first half of 2017. U.S. airlines carried 414 million travelers in the first six months of 2017361 million on domestic flights and 54 million on international flightsfor growth of 14.7% from a post-recession low in 2008. Load factorthe proportion of seats filled on the average flightremained essentially unchanged at 84% for domestic flights and 80% for international flights. Revenue passenger miles for U.S. airlines reached a staggering all-time high of 469 billion for the first half of the year.

Despite assertions by regional airlines that pilot shortages are starting to result in flight cancellations, overall capacity is still growing. Systemwide available seat-miles, a measure of total flight capacity, grew at roughly the same rate as revenue passenger miles, reaching its all-time monthly maximum of 97 billion in June. Continued multiyear growth in airline traffic, combined with a surge in age-mandatory retirements, is creating unprecedented pressure on the market for pilots. Horizon Airlines, the primary regional for Alaska Airlines, has reported a need to cancel some flights due to an inability to hire and train pilots to replace those being hired by the majors.
Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch, one of the "Big Six" tax negotiators, says tax reform will take a lot of cooperation between the Democrats and Republicans. Why? Because once it reaches the floor for a vote, there will be "doubling and tripling of the ideas of people who have been waiting for a long time... [to] put their own ideas and imprint on it."

Other highlights from his interview with CNBC's Ylan Mui:

What will happen if Congress lets it slip into 2018? "[I]f it does, it does but I actually believe we know enough about it that we can do it in 2017."

On Trump's goal of a 15% corporate tax rate: "I sincerely doubt we'll be able to get that level on the corporate tax rates. But, you know, we have to bring them down..."

Go deeper: The next steps for tax reform (and why GOP is still stuck)
Just one day after leaving Azerbaijan, a Russian-Israeli blogger who was jailed in Baku for travelling to Nagorno-Karabakh called on Friday for continued Armenian control over the territory.

Aleksandr Lapshin also strongly denied the Azerbaijani authorities claims that he tried to commit suicide the day before receiving a pardon from President Ilham Aliyev on Monday. He said that in fact he was brutally assaulted in his prison cell.

Lapshin, who has Israeli, Russian and Ukrainian citizenships, flew from Baku to Tel Aviv on Thursday nine months after being detained in Belarus on an Azerbaijani arrest warrant. He was extradited to Azerbaijani in February.

An Azerbaijani court sentenced the 41-year-old to three years in prison in July. It said he illegally crossed Azerbaijans internationally recognized borders when he visited Karabakh via Armenia in 2011 and 2012.Lapshin gave detailed accounts of those trips on his Russian-language travel blog.

Announcing Aliyevs decision to pardon the blogger, the authorities in Baku said that he is receiving medical assistance after he tried to kill himself in Azerbaijani custody.

I categorically deny the official Azerbaijani lie about my suicide attempt in a Baku prison, Lapshin wrote on his blog. He claimed that in reality he was beaten unconscious by two unknown men who burst into his prison cell on the night from Sunday to Monday.

Lapshin said he regained consciousness in a Baku hospital. He called the alleged attack a murder attempt.

In a separate Facebook post, the blogger reflected on the Karabakh conflict and made an emotional appeal to Armenians.

I am ashamed of admitting that before I found myself in the Azerbaijani prison I sincerely believed that the Karabakh conflict is a very disputed one and should be resolved on the basis of respect for Azerbaijans national borders, he wrote. What an idiot I was! Already in 1988 Azerbaijan began [a campaign of] terror against Armenians in [the Azerbaijani city of] Sumgait, Baku and Karabakh.

Armenians, hold firm! he said. These people want to see you dead full stop. And if you lose Karabakh as a result of negotiations or a weakening of Armenias position, be aware that they will come to slaughter you. Just like the Turks did 100 years ago.

Years before his arrest, Lapshin was placed on an official Azerbaijani blacklist of several hundred non-Armenian foreigners who visited Karabakh without Bakus permission. Nevertheless, he was able to travel to Azerbaijan in June 2016 and post a series of detailed blog entries on his mixed impressions about the oil-rich country.In particular, Lapshin suggested that the Azerbaijani authorities have squandered their massive oil revenues.
16 September 2017 10:17 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has met with a delegation led by French Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

The first vice president said she is pleased to greet the French delegation in Azerbaijan.

Mehriban Aliyeva said this is the first visit by the delegation since the French presidential elections, and wished the delegation success.

It is very pleasant that your visit coincides with a landmark event for our country and our bilateral relations, as Baku today hosts the opening ceremony of a new building of the French-Azerbaijani University, she said. This is a follow up to our cooperation, particularly cooperation in the humanitarian area between our nations in recent years.

The Azerbaijani first vice president expressed her confidence that the university will give an additional impetus to development of bilateral relations. Mehriban Aliyeva noted that a French lyceum is operating in Baku and the lyceum is today one of the leading educational institutions.

The first vice president described the French-Azerbaijani Universitys activity as a crucial step towards the development of relations in the field of education. Mehriban Aliyeva said this will also contribute to deepening of relations between scientists, teachers and students of the two countries.

The first vice president underlined the importance of humanitarian cooperation in strengthening and expanding bilateral ties. Mehriban Aliyeva said that it is humanitarian relations that bring peoples and nations closer to each other. She said Azerbaijan has made great strides in this area in recent years, adding that Azerbaijani realities, culture and history have been promoted in France.

Mehriban Aliyeva said she is hopeful that bilateral cooperation will continue to develop successfully. The first vice president noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and France, adding that the two countries have built broad relations in many areas over these years.

Our relations are based on mutual respect and interest, said Mehriban Aliyeva.

The first vice president said cooperation between Azerbaijan and France covers different areas, and spoke of relations in the fields of energy, transport, technology and agriculture.

Noting that bilateral relations have greater potential, Mehriban Aliyeva stressed the significance of working on new projects. She thanked for the interest in and attention to Azerbaijan.

Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said he is aware of Mehriban Aliyevas activity and hailed what she has done both in Paris and French regions in order to deepen relations between the two countries.

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne hailed these activities as crucial for bilateral cooperation.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/09/2017 (1889 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Before a heap of bricks dropped from the sky and punctured the building below, eyewitnesses say the 40-metre smokestack that towered over Brandon seemed to lift in the air.

It was like the brick chimney levitated, before it tumbled, causing 30 metres of bricks and mortar to collapse without warning 60 years ago tomorrow. The tragedy killed two people who worked at the Manitoba Power Commissions steam plant and badly injured three other employees.

The one thing that sticks out in my mind was the white dust, it was everywhere, said Jack Tennant, The Brandon Daily Sun photographer whose still images captured the tragedy unlike the city had ever known.

Jack Tennant/The Brandon Daily Sun It was 60 years ago tomorrow that a brick chimney collapsed after an explosion at the Manitoba Power Commission in Brandon. The incident killed two workers and badly injured three other employees. The one thing that sticks out in my mind was the white dust, it was everywhere, said Jack Tennant, The Brandon Daily Sun photographer who captured still images of the event as it unfolded before his lens.

He remembers there being a calmness to that late afternoon, in spite of soot radiating from the building on 10th Street and Lorne Avenue.

I dont think people really understood the magnitude of the explosion at first, that it actually killed people, Tennant explained. One of the reasons was all the dust, you couldnt see the wreckage.

Tomorrow, Manitoba Hydro will acknowledge the tragic day in the citys history at a ceremony and barbecue open to the public at the same location where the chimney stood, at the energy utilitys 10th Street office.

A plaque commemorating the tragedy will be unveiled at the event, starting at 11 a.m.

According to interviews with survivors about that day, most office staff finished their last coffee break of the day shortly before 4 p.m., when five latecomers entered the canteen.

As Lewis Stouffer began pouring himself a cup of coffee, Kelvin Gerry moved to the front of the cupboard, leaving Tom Tawes, Fred Morden and Irv Powers waiting for their turn at the urn.

Thats when a massive explosion blew out the bottom of the smokestack, showering the canteen with bricks and mortar.

Stouffer was thrown to the floor and scalded with coffee. Gerry was knocked off his feet before a cupboard door fell on his back, protecting him from serious injury. Powers spine was crushed after a heavy beam landed on him.

The falling bricks claimed two lives: Morden, 51, and Tawse, 32, both fathers of young children at the time.

Jack Tennant/The Brandon Sun A photo of the rescue efforts at the Manitoba Power Commission steam plant after an explosion on Sept. 13, 1957.

An inquest into the explosion determined there was no carelessness or dereliction of duty on anyones part.

The accident occurred when a pocket of gas built up near the base of the smokestack and ignited. The operator was not aware how much oil vapour and fuel had gathered when he went to reignite the boiler.

Tennant grasped the magnitude of what unfolded soon after arriving on scene.

The place was crawling with police and firemen. Emergency personnel were rummaging through wreckage to find bodies, he said.

It was like, Holy God, how many more are in here? he said.

He took pictures from the same floor where the canteen was. He saw up-close personnel scouring the rubble for signs of life.

That day is stuck in my mind from some 50 odd years of journalism.

At 72 years old, Lorna Saddler is the last surviving member of Fred Mordens immediate family, after her brother Stan and mother Hilda passed away. The family moved to Celina, Ohio, about a decade after the 1957 accident when Stan found work at a uncles newspaper.

I often wonder what would have happened if that whole situation had not been a part of our lives. I would still be there, I suppose, Saddler said of Brandon, which she left at the age of 21.

Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun The front page of the Sept. 14, 1957, edition of The Brandon Daily Sun, the day after an explosion at the Manitoba Power Commission building that claimed the lives of two men.

For years, Saddler, who was 12 when the accident happened, and her younger brother were shielded from news clippings of their fathers accident, until their mother deemed them old enough.

She was very much a protector, as most mothers are.

Saddlers memories of her father consist mainly of what her mom shared: that he was a caring man, who worried about his two children and longed to see them grow up as teenagers and adults.

She remembers Christmas shopping as a young child and grabbing onto her fathers thumb, which was sliced because of a construction injury.

He told me that I needed to hold onto his thumb to keep his thumb warm, she recalled.

Saddlers nephew, Todd Morden, said its kind of ironic he, like the grandfather he never met, worked in the energy industry. Morden is now employed with Husky Energy in Ohio.

For a while, all he knew about one of Brandons worst tragedies was that his grandfather  a man he knew about through stories about his tall stature and love for hunting  died at work.

I didnt know what kind of an industrial accident. It was really never talked about a lot in the family, he said. I just picked up bits and pieces over the years.

Family photo Fred Morden, 51, died in the Manitoba Power Commission steam plant explosion of 1957.

Although he cannot attend the memorial in person, Morden will be thinking about it.

I think the tribute is important. Its not sweeping the dust under the carpet, so to speak, Morden said. Im just sorry that two of Brandons citizens lost their lives in this accident. Thats a tragedy, they were serving their city by providing power.

The lives of Tom Tawses family were also changed by the freak accident, including Linda McKellar, then a nine-year-old girl from Montreal.

At the time, to her, Tawse was more than an uncle.

Since McKellars father often travelled for work, her uncle Tom was there when her father wasnt.

He was always up for dragging me along with him, she said.

McKellar only lived in Brandon until the age of four, but those early years were formative. She remembers driving in Tawses truck and seeing baby chicks through the windows of the Manitoba Power Commission building around Easter time.

And as she grew up in Quebec, cards and letters aplenty mailed by her uncle were addressed to her.

For a long time, it was not real, she said of being told her uncle had died. And because I couldnt come back to the funeral, there was a piece of that that remained unreal.

Family photo Tom Tawse, 32, died in the Manitoba Power Commission steam plant explosion of 1957.

It took a visit to Brandon the following summer for the truth to finally hit her.

I was nine when it happened, but he was a big part of my life and clearly had a big hand in it, she said. His death had a fairly significant impact on me.

Now in Winnipeg, McKellar will return to the location of the accident tomorrow for the first time in more than 60 years.

Since she never attended the funeral, she portrays the event as her opportunity to finally acknowledge who he was. What he did. And how he died, McKellar said.

Shell be sure to bring Kleenex along, she said.

To the best of Joe Slawinskys knowledge, tomorrows plaque unveiling will be the first time the energy utility has commemorated the tragedy in a permanent fashion.

The idea came from Westman Hydro-X, a group of retired Hydro employees from the area who meet monthly.

I think its a lot of the retirees recalling a number of these things who feel that there should be some recognition to memorialize this, Slawinsky, president of Westman Hydro-X, said. It shows the newer people this is what happened and it should be something that isnt forgotten.

Jack Tennant/The Brandon Sun Police load an employee from the Manitoba Power Commission in Brandon following a deadly steam plant blast in 1957.

Slawinsky was working for the Manitoba Power Commission in McCreary at the time of the accident when he heard the notice on the companys two-way radio.

It was his district supervisor who understood the seriousness of what happened.

For myself, it was a little bit of wonderment, Slawinsky said, like what is this and whats going on?

The tragedy has stood out for him because of the day it happened: Friday the 13th.

Considered an unlucky date in Western superstition, Slawinsky said one of the employees closely affected by the tragedy no longer came to work when the 13th day of the month landed on Friday. The absence was broadly known and accepted by staff, he said.

People suffered pretty heavily from that accident.

Manitoba Hydro spokesperson Bruce Owen said marking the occasion recognizes the sacrifices of company employees, then and now.

The chimney was the tallest feature in the Brandon skyline for its day, and for this to happen, the suddenness of it, theres a part of it that shaped a little bit of Brandon history, he said.

In addition to the memorial, Wednesdays public event will celebrate 60 years of Manitoba Hydros Brandon Generating Station and four decades of the Brandon Customer Service Centre. A time capsule buried at the 10th Street office in 1990 will be opened.

Courtesy S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University The Manitoba Power Commission steam plant circa 1940, an aerial view of 10th Street facing south from Princess Avenue. Photographer: Jerrett Photo, Joseph H. Huges Collection.

Now living in Cochrane, Alta., Tennant, the newspaper photographer who took images of the explosions aftermath, remembers the day as an impactful juncture in the pretty laidback citys history.

He remembers, too, the community spirit that was indisputable amid the tragedy. As dust began to dissipate, neighbours offered their helping hands and gave coffee and doughnuts to the rescuers and MPC employees.

I always thought that was neat, Tennant said.

 ifroese@brandonsun.com, with files from The Brandon Daily Sun and Manitoba Hydro

 Twitter: @ianfroese
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/09/2017 (1885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Humility, honesty, respect, courage, love, truth and wisdom.

These are the seven sacred Indigenous teachings posted in the centre of a symbolic tipi, each represented by a different animal.

With this tipi, it will bring people together, Brandon Friendship Centre cultural and spiritual worker Frank Tacan said. I think it will send a strong message to the non-Aboriginal people that were trying to bring that unity back, because the community needs to work together.

Jillian Austin/The Brandon Sun Deborah Tacan takes part in a spiritual ceremony as a symbolic tipi structure is installed in front of the Brandon Police Service station on Friday. This is the first of several tipis to be installed in the community as part of a commemorative legacy project to highlight the importance and acknowledgment of our original Indigenous lands.

Tacan lead a special pipe ceremony on Friday morning, prior to the installation of the 13-foot steel tipi in front of the Brandon Police Service station on Victoria Avenue.

He encouraged people to stand in a circle for the ceremony, and take a cue from the tipis shape in their day-to-day life.

With a circle, its a continuous thing. Life is a continuous thing, he said. We come from Mother Earth. When we pass on, we go back to Mother Earth.

The tipi is part of a local initiative, organized by the Walking with Our Sisters committee. The group brought the WWOS art installation to Brandon last year, and wanted to create a commemorative legacy. The Tipi Tour project was launched, which will see a number of tipis installed across the community.

We wanted to leave something in Brandon that was a reminder of the importance of women, said JasonGobeil, Aboriginal community co-ordinator with the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council.

The teachings of the tipi itself, and how theyre raised by grandmothers, how they symbolize the womans skirt. They are very symbolic of women and how we need to protect our women, our young girls, our grandmothers.

The tipi project also represents the importance of relationships, and aims to acknowledge Indigenous lands.

There is a deeper history that we dont really talk about when it comes to Indigenous people and how before Brandon was Brandon, this was all Indigenous land, Gobeil said. We need to talk about that. We need to uncover some of the history that really lives in our own back yard and honour it.

The installation took place on BPS Chief Ian Grants last working day before retirement, which he says was a significant moment.

It symbolizes the great relationships that were building with the Indigenous community and trying to take the steps down the path of reconciliation for things that have happened in the past, he said. Were never going to eliminate all of those issues or problems that have been caused over the last 500 years, overnight, but weve got to start taking positive steps forward to work together and understand each other.

Jeanine Pelletier said she is continually learning about her culture and its history. At the ceremony, she said a prayer for her relatives, including an uncle who she believes was one of the children that never made it back from the residential schools.

Jillian Austin/The Brandon Sun A pipe ceremony was held Friday morning outside of the Brandon Police Service station prior to the installation of a 13-foot steel tipi, as part of the new Tipi Tour project.

All this very touching for me, its everything to me, she said. Chief Ian Grant is an amazing man, and if it wasnt for him this would not be happening  To me this is a historical moment.

The organizing committee partnered with Alternative Landscaping for the design and installation of the tipis. The tipi landmarks will go up over the next year in locations throughout Brandon including city hall, Princess Park, Brandon University, Riverbank Discovery Centre, and the downtown Global Market, to name a few.

Gobeil said he was overjoyed to see the first structure installed.

Ten years ago we would have never seen anything like this, he said. Weve come so far in this community, Im just so proud of everyone.

The community came together on this project, which Gobeil said is bringing back a sense of belonging to the Indigenous population.

Here in Brandon, for so long we felt unheard and ignored, shuffled under a rock, swept under the rug  but were here, weve always been here.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
The lake, which substitutes for cooling towers that are absent at the power station, is now off limits to the public after the discovery of a brain-eating amoeba, naegleria fowleri, thought to be nurtured by artificially warmed waters. What's transpired in the past week is what one senior energy industry executive describes as "mind numbing": government attempts to bully an ASX-listed company into selling an asset it bought from the state just three years ago if it would not commit to running it for another 10 years. 'Playing by the rules' On Monday, as AGL chief Andy Vesey prepared to explain why it made no sense to keep the plant going, the Turnbull government announced it had sicked the Australian Energy Regulator on to AGL and other big NSW power firms to "make sure electricity generators are playing by the rules". Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg later defended the move, saying the request was "an extension of the work already under way" as part of AER's review of the National Electricity Market (NEM) following the abrupt closure of Victoria's Hazelwood power station in March.

But the AER itself later confirmed to Fairfax Media the request arrived on Friday  after Vesey was summoned. The Berejiklian government, which should have the most interest in any rorting of NSW consumers, is understood not to have been consulted about the sudden AER interest in NSW generators. "This was not our idea," one staffer said. "It was a shot across the bows [of AGL]." Vesey's encounters with politicians haven't gone well of late. In March, a media event in Adelaide descended into farce when South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill gatecrashed to confront Frydenberg over the Coalition's incessant attacks on his state's energy policies. And it was at a Turnbull-ordered summit in Canberra last month that Vesey said Liddell might be sold to "a responsible owner", even the government.

Vesey would come to rue those words when a month later Turnbull flung himself into the fray, personally calling the chief and micro-managing the push to keep Liddell going. Huge extension, rehab costs Monday's gathering was described by one of those present as two meetings over 90 minutes: each side making their case and ignoring the other's in turn. Despite initial government spin, AGL stood its ground, committing to deliver a plan within 90 days on how it would make up a market shortfall "once the Liddell coal-fired power station retires in 2022". It is understood that AGL estimates the cost of keeping Liddell going for another five years at as much as half a billion dollars  money that could be better spent elsewhere. Rehabilitation costs for the site are roughly another $450 million.

AGL has said it wants to create a so-called synthetic baseload plant on the site combining gas and renewables. It already operates a pilot concentrated solar power plant there. The energy executive noted the period is less than the government has had to consider Alan Finkel's review of energy security. The independent study by Australia's Chief Scientist laid out 50 recommendations, 49 of which were readily endorsed by Turnbull. These included a demand operators give at least three years' notice before closing a plant; AGL gave seven. While criticised for its low emissions target for the electricity sector, the report released in June at least offered the possibility of a so-called Clean Energy Target  the 50th recommendation that might close the bipartisan gap on climate and energy policy. Three months on, though, there are increasing signs the government will baulk at a target high enough to align energy policy with Australia's Paris climate commitments to cut 2005-level emissions 26-28 per cent by 2030.

'Prophetic' Dr Finkel is understood to be growing more and more exasperated by the direction of debate. Business groups, too, know that, without a policy that can withstand the election cycles, investors are going to hold off on the long-term investments needed to provide the more reliable, cheaper and cleaner energy Australia needs. Joyce fuelled those concerns this week by declaring on ABC's 7.30 on Wednesday, that subsequent reports by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) had superseded Finkel. "Without trying to be too prophetic, I was quoting John Maynard Keynes this morning who said, 'When I get new information I change my mind, what do you do?'" Joyce said, adding that AEMO had warned "we're going to be, you know 1000 megawatts short" this summer.

Turnbull chimed in during question time, too, saying that AEMO's reports "shocked many people". Well, perhaps, those who wanted to be shocked. One report was AEMO's latest "statement of opportunities", which as usual identified potential shortfalls that it hopes will jolt extra supply. There was also a special report on risks from the exit of Australia's ageing thermal power plants. The latter was seized on by those mistaking "dispatchable" to always mean "fossil-fuelled baseload power". Dylan McConnell, an energy researcher at Melbourne University, notes how fast-response batteries are far more instantly dispatchable than a coal-fired power plant.

The unplanned loss of a large unit at, for instance, Liddell during a late summer heatwave in February 2016, can also suddenly strip out a huge slab of supply - more abruptly than a drop in wind for a windfarm or a cloud passing over a solar farm. (See chart of Liddell's power supply on February 29, 2016.) Conservative AEMO's energy statement, meanwhile, raised the issue of the risk of Victoria and South Australia having outages this summer. Its conservative estimates, though, exclude many of the measures already being undertaken by both states, agencies such as ARENA's trial paying consumers to power off during peak times, and most of the extra renewable energy coming on stream during the second half of the year.

Solar panels are going up at the rate of about 100MW a month, and will probably set an annual record of about 1300MW including plants this year, said Ric Brazzale from Green Energy Markets. Notably, the prediction that NSW might suffer shortages in 2024-25 was used by many to call for Liddell's extension. But that AEMO alert was based on the "loss of an additional major power plant in NSW after Liddell withdraws"  not just Liddell itself. And how big a risk of outages? A 29-46 per cent risk that "could last for two to six hours, depending on demand and supply conditions". "It's so far out and so small," McConnell said, adding: "AEMO was not telling you anything you didn't know." Climate factor
The details of the case - a young, aspirational medical student who was attacked on the way home with a friend after watching the movie Life of Pi - struck a chord in India, where according to the National Crime Records Bureau, 34,651 women reported being raped in 2015, the most recent year on record.

It all started in 2013, first as a pilot project, months after the highly publicised gang rape and murder of a woman now known as "Nirbhaya" meaning "Fearless One."

Madhumita Pandey was only 22 when she first went to Tihar Jail in New Delhi to meet and interview convicted rapists in India. Over the past three years, she has interviewed 100 of them for her doctoral thesis at the criminology department of Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom.

Nirbhaya brought thousands of Indians to the streets to protest the widespread culture of rape and violence against women in 2012. That year, gender specialists ranked India the worst place among G-20 countries to be a woman, worse even than Saudi Arabia where women have to live under the supervision of a male guardian.

"Everyone was thinking the same thing," said Pandey, who at the time was on the other side of the world, in England, finishing off her master's. "Why do these men do what they do? We think of them as monsters, we think no human being could do something like that."

The protests forced a national conversation about rape, a topic which still carries huge stigma in India. Pandey, who grew up in New Delhi, and saw her city in a new light after the Nirbhaya case, said: "I thought, what prompts these men? What are the circumstances which produce men like this? I thought, ask the source."

Since then, she has spent weeks talking to rapists in Delhi's Tihar Jail. Most of the men she met there were uneducated, only a handful had graduated high school. Many were third- or fourth-grade dropouts. "When I went to research, I was convinced these men are monsters. But when you talk to them, you realize these are not extraordinary men, they are really ordinary. What they've done because of upbringing and thought process."

In Indian households, even in more educated families, women are often bound to traditional roles, Pandey said. Many women won't even use their husbands' first names, she pointed out. "As an experiment, I phoned a few friends and asked: what does your mum call your dad? The answers I got were things like 'are you listening,' 'listen,' or 'father of Ronak' (the child's name).'"
When I read the book last year, I presumed that Harper, too, must be an escapee from some dusty corner of the hinterland, so vividly does she conjure up the shimmering heat, the peeling paint, the crackle of dry eucalyptus leaves, the isolation. In fact she was born on the other side of the world, in the well-watered English city of Manchester. In 1988, at the age of eight, she migrated with her family to Melbourne, but six years later they returned to Britain. Her parents eventually settled in North Yorkshire, where her mother taught English to Gurkhas based at a military barracks, and her father, who had spent most of his career in the computer industry, opened a guitar shop. Harper trained as a journalist and by 28 was ensconced at the Hull Daily Mail in East Yorkshire, enjoying the work but ready for a change of scenery. "I always expected I would come back at some stage," she says of her decision to move on her own to Australia. "I sent off my CV to a whole lot of newspapers and got offered a job on the Geelong Advertiser." She arrived in the Victorian port city in 2008, at the tail-end of one of south-eastern Australia's worst droughts on record. People talked about its terrible impact but for Harper the message didn't really hit home until she took a picnic to a spot in the bush that her family had often visited during her childhood. Here, fire had followed drought. "The trees looked quite dead and the creek was gone," she says. "I remember being so shocked. It had gone from being this green, lush place to what looked like a barren wasteland." In the Advertiser newsroom, Harper's professionalism impressed a friend and fellow reporter, Victoria MacDonald. "She was incredibly organised and reliable and efficient," says MacDonald, who also admired her enthusiasm for outside pursuits: "In her self-effacing way, she used to say she had more self-improvement activities than an Edwardian spinster." I sat down and thought, 'What would I like to write about?'

Sewing, for instance. Harper took a course in it while she was in Geelong  "just because I thought it was quite a useful skill to have", she tells me. She also practised piano and violin, having first learnt the latter at school. She must have been very good at the violin? "Um, no. I wouldn't say I was very good at it. I wasn't a natural talent. I was competent enough to play in community orchestras, that kind of thing." She moved to Melbourne in 2011, after landing a job as a finance writer on the Herald Sun. Three years later, when she was 34, she decided it was time to realise a long-held aspiration. "I'd always had this underlying feeling that I would love to write a book," she says. So she applied to join an online novel-writing course offered by an offshoot of the London branch of literary agency Curtis Brown. "You had to send off a synopsis of a book you wanted to work on, and a 3000-word opening. I sat down and thought, 'What would I like to write about?' " Trained as a newspaper reporter, Harper was aware of readers' short attention spans, 'so I tried to keep them engaged throughout,' she says. Credit:Simon Schluter On the opening page of The Dry, blowflies buzz around corpses. We are in a farmhouse surrounded by sunbaked paddocks, and in one of the bedrooms a baby is crying. Three members of a family have died, apparently in a double-murder-suicide. But did Luke Hadler really kill his wife and six-year-old son? If so, why did he spare his 13-month-old daughter? By page three, we are at the Hadlers' funeral, where incongruously cheerful family photos flash up on a screen as sweat-stained mourners file into the pews. "This was an opening that made me sit up and stop what I was doing," says Harper's course tutor, Scottish writer Lisa O'Donnell (whose own first novel, The Death of Bees, won the Commonwealth Book Prize in 2013). O'Donnell had read many promising introductions by would-be authors during her teaching career. But Harper's stood out. "I was like, 'Wow. This is really strong.' "

As the course progressed, the 15 participants submitted pieces of their work for appraisal, not only by O'Donnell but their fellow students. "All that group discussion I found quite useful," says Harper, who at first adopted a more flowery prose style than she used as a journalist. "I thought, 'It's fiction. I must put in all these adjectives.' But people said, 'There's a lot of unnecessary description here.' And as soon as they said that  "You don't need it'  I was like, 'Oh great! I can cut it out then.' Because I didn't really enjoy writing it." The course ran for the last three months of 2014, and Harper set herself the target of completing her first draft by the end of the year. Right on schedule, on December 31, she composed the last sentence, which gave her a quiet sense of achievement even if she had a hunch that her work had only just begun. "It was quite bare," she says of the story. "The plot was essentially there but not much else. The characters were probably pretty two-dimensional. I basically went straight back to the beginning and started rewriting it." Since Harper was a full-time finance journalist, she worked on the novel in the evenings and at weekends. Her instinct was to play down the project  apart from her partner, journalist Peter Strachan, whom she had met at the Herald Sun, the only people who knew about it were her parents and two siblings. The family joke was that the manuscript's working title was My Stupid Book. "I obviously didn't write that at the top of the page or anything," Harper says. "It was more like, 'I'm going to do a couple of hours on my stupid book.' " With each successive draft, she gave the characters more depth and strengthened the plot, adding twists and turns, inserting red herrings here and there. There was nothing tortured about the process. Writing requires concentration, of course, but for Harper it is no more angst-ridden than, say, laying tiles. "I don't agonise," she says. "I approach it logically and just take it step by step." It wasn't as if she was trying to write the great Australian novel: her goal was merely to come up with an example of the kind of fastpaced, well-constructed mystery story that she enjoyed reading herself. Entering the unpublished-manuscriptcategoryof the2015Victorian Premier's Literary Awards was a way of extending the learning exercise. "I'll send off the best version I have and maybe get some more feedback," she remembers thinking.

When Harper won the $15,000 prize, Victoria MacDonald realised with a start what her friend had been doing with her spare time since she stopped sewing classes. "We were all fairly gobsmacked, everyone who knew her," says MacDonald. But no one was more incredulous than Harper herself. "Of all the things that have happened, that was possibly my favourite moment," she says. "It was the moment when I thought, 'There is actually a possibility that this book will get published.' Suddenly I had emails pinging every 20 minutes. Agents and publishers saying, 'Can we read it?' Which is your dream scenario, really." She signed with agent Clare Forster, of Curtis Brown Australia, who combed through the manuscript, making notes and offering suggestions. "Jane went away and came back with the most dazzling rewrite," says Forster, who was struck by the acuity of Harper's vision of her adopted homeland. "She has such a distinctive and powerful grasp of the Australian landscape and psyche." Harper has picked up the lingo, too. Her own accent is English, but on paper she perfectly captures Australian patterns of speech  a knack she attributes at least partly to the fact that newspaper reporting involves so much interviewing. "You're constantly listening to what people say, transcribing it verbatim and then turning it back into legible copy. That really helped get my ear in." Her journalistic training has come in handy in other ways. As a cadet reporter in the UK, she had it drummed into her that most readers have short attention spans: hardly anyone who starts a newspaper article reaches the end of it. She kept this in mind while she crafted her 90,000-word novel. "I thought, 'There's nothing to stop people shutting the book. There are so many other things they could be doing.' So I really tried to keep them engaged throughout." (One of her ploys is to end chapters with hard-to-resist hooks. A character will say to another, "There's something about Luke you need to know." Leaving readers little choice but to turn the page, even if, holy moly, it's two in the morning.) Among the publishers to whom Forster sent the manuscript was Pan Macmillan Australia's Cate Paterson. She picked it up sceptically. "So often I'm disappointed by crime," says Paterson, who particularly hates it when, as frequently happens, she figures out who the killer is. This time though, she says, "I raced right through to the end. I was completely satisfied and completely surprised. I hadn't guessed."

Worried that her judgment might be askew, Paterson asked a few of her colleagues for their opinion. "They all came back immediately saying, 'This is the best novel I've read in years.' The entire publishing team agreed. We just thought, 'We have to publish this book.' " Jane Harpers wedding to Peter Strachan in Melbourne coincided with her novels Australian auction. Credit:Eugene Hyland Strachan and Harper married on August 14,2015  the same day Pan Macmillan won the auction of her Australian publishing rights. "It was the happiest day of my life," says Harper, who probably knew Strachan was the man for her from the moment he agreed to accompany her to Latin dancing classes. The couple started with the salsa, she tells me, then moved on to the rhumba, the cha-cha, the paso doble and the jive: "It went from a really casual thing to actually taking private lessons and then exams." Harper laughs. "Suddenly you've got special shoes and everything." Neither she nor Strachan was born to set the dance-floor alight, she says. But with the same no-nonsense attitude she brought to novel-writing, they resolved to be the best they could: "We turned up to classes every week and we listened to what our teacher said and tried to take that on board. You keep on doing that and gradually you do improve, don't you?" A few weeks after the wedding and the Australian auction, US and UK publishers paid six-figure sums for the right to publish Harper's first three books in those markets. Then Clare Forster phoned her at her desk at the Herald Sun to report that the movie rights to The Dry had been optioned. "The line was really bad," remembers Harper, who had to ask Forster to tell her again who had bought them. "She said, 'Reese Witherspoon, the actress.' I said, 'Yeah, I know who Reese Witherspoon is.' That was unbelievable. Completely out of the blue."

By the time the book was released in Australia in June last year, a lot of people had a stake in its success. For Harper, promoting The Dry had become almost a full-time job in itself, and she had decided with some trepidation to resign from the newspaper. "Quitting the day job is quite a big step," she points out. "Plus I really loved the people I was working with." But she knew she soon would have had to take extended leave anyway: she was pregnant with her daughter, Charlotte, now almost a year old. Also, she was itching to get stuck into her second novel. Harper's daughter Charlotte samples Mum's debut novel. Credit:@janeharperauthor/instagram Force of Nature is a sequel to The Dry in as much as the investigator is again laconic Aaron Falk, an officer in the Australian Federal Police financial intelligence unit. As in the first book, the setting is everything, but this time the action takes place in the fictional Giralang Ranges, a rugged, heavily forested region east of Melbourne. Five women, reluctant participants in a corporate team-building exercise, pick up their backpacks and walk into the bush. A few days later, only four of them come out. In this story, there is a dash of Lord of the Flies  "group dynamics under pressure", as Harper puts it  as well as an echo of Agatha Christie's country-house murder-mysteries. "It's quite good, plot-wise, to have an isolated setting, in the sense of keeping the cast of characters fairly contained," Harper says. Just as Christie's readers knew when the house guests gathered in the drawing room for the denouement that one of them must have bumped off the Colonel, we have little doubt that one of the four survivors of the Giralang trek is responsible for the death of the fifth woman. They say the second book is always the hardest. But it seems to Pan Macmillan's Cate Paterson that the challenge for Harper must have been particularly daunting because of the runaway success of her first. Like a person who wins the jackpot the first time she puts a coin in a poker machine, she could easily have been left with the slightly guilty feeling that she should have served a longer apprenticeship. While Harper juggled the demands of her newfound literary celebrity with the even more urgent demands of a new baby, she had to try to write a novel that measured up to The Dry. "I thought, 'How is she going to have the concentration?'" says Paterson.

There were some stressful moments, Harper admits. Becoming a mother was "such a huge upheaval really, emotionally and practically and time-wise". Strachan cared for Charlotte a lot  at least when he wasn't at the office  but to people who ask how she got Force of Nature written, Harper says she honestly doesn't know. "When I look back, it is a bit of a blur." According to Bruna Papandrea, the Australian producer with whom Reese Witherspoon bought the film rights to The Dry, the movie script is close to completion and shooting is expected to begin next year. Papandrea's production credits with Witherspoon include the Oscar-nominated films Gone Girl and Wild, and the recent hit series Big Little Lies, based on the novel by best-selling Australian author Liane Moriarty. She says she found Harper's book unputdownable: "I read it overnight, as I do when I love something." Another Australian, Robert Connolly, will direct the movie, which Papandrea plans to make in Victoria. But she sees this as a story with universal appeal. "My idea is to make it a phenomenal international thriller," she says. Meanwhile, the book has been short-listed for the coveted Gold Dagger, awarded by the Crime Writers' Association of the UK to the best crime novel of the year. "Wow, Jane, go!" says Harper's course tutor, Lisa O'Donnell, who dismisses any idea that she is the literary equivalent of a paint-by-numbers artist. "I can always tell a good writer," O'Donnell says. "They're full of empathy and they're full of generosity. And Jane is just one of those people. You can feel when someone has it." Nonetheless, O'Donnell wouldn't necessarily have picked Harper as the member of the tutor group who would find fame and fortune. "I thought her book was exceptional," O'Donnell says. "But there were other books, one in particular, that I felt the same way about. And nothing happened with that book. The truth is, this business is so very arbitrary. The stars were aligned for Jane."
About 2000 motorcyclists converged on Canberra on Saturday to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of Australian police officers during the annual Wall to Wall police remembrance ride.

Motorcyclists took off from Canberra and headed to Goulburn on Saturday morning, before returning to Exhibition Park. They then travelled down Northbourne Avenue and across Commonwealth Avenue bridge to take part in a ceremony at the national police memorial.

Shane Denaro, a police officer from Camden NSW, with his wife Shauna and children Lachlan, 10, and Indiana, 4, wave in support of the 2017 Ride for Remembrance as it makes its way down Northbourne Avenue. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

AFP sergeant Dale Cooper said while the weather was shocking, it was a great event to be part of.

Sergeant Cooper co-ordinated the morning ride from Canberra to the police academy at Goulburn. He was one of 1800 registered riders for this year's event, which aimed to raise $140,000 for police legatees.
The death rate of people using mental-health services in Australia is almost twice as high as the general population, a new report has found.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics report found the standardised rate of death for people seeking mental-health treatment subsidised by the federal government was 11.4 deaths per 1000 people, compared to 6.1 per 1000 among the general population.

The mortality rate for people seeking mental health treatment was almost double the Australian rate. Credit:Thinkstock

The report has renewed calls from mental health experts for an equal focus to be placed on mental and physical wellbeing.

It found that out of the 153,451 deaths in Australia between August 2011 and September 2012, 49.4 per cent of those sought mental-health treatment.
The final land auction at Mt Majura Estate in Watson received a positive turnout according to agents.

Colliers International marketing executive Johnathan Julius said they'd reached their aim of averaging $1000 per square metre, with 24 of 25 lots being sold.

Mt Majura Estate in Watson will include standalone houses and townhouses. Credit:Colliers International

"So there was a variety, it ranged from [$450,000] all the way up to [$525,000]," he said.

"It was a very positive turnout."
Just two people have gained employment in Canberra through the federal government's youth-internship program since it began.

The PaTH (Prepare, Trial, Hire) Program, unveiled in last year's federal budget, sees young people given employability skills training before being able to apply for internships at approved businesses in the hopes of getting a job.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash said the program would give young people "the skills they need to get their foot in the door". Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Since the program began on April 1, just two out of the 19 young people in Canberra who participated in the voluntary internships received jobs.

Out of those 19 people, 15 are still participating in internships in the voluntary program.
Queenslanders are at risk of being left behind in the digital revolution, according to a report into Australias digital divide.

"Queenslands improvement has lagged slightly behind the national average, indicating a widening gap," the report by telco giant Telstra, RMIT University, Roy Morgan Research and Swinburnes Centre for Social Impact found.

Queensland lags behind all states except Tasmania and South Australia when it comes to digital skills. Credit:Nagy-Bagoly Ilona

The Measuring Australias Digital Divide report showed a widening gap between the poor and the well-off when it came to internet flexibility in Australia.

The report placed city and regions on an index. The higher the number, the better the residents in a city or a region were able to use and access digital technology.
The nation's most powerful doctors' group is ramping up its campaign for same-sex marriage despite an internal conservative backlash, with seven former Australian Medical Association bosses joining the cause and urging a "yes" vote on health grounds.

The AMA officially backed the reform in May after a 14-year debate and now intends to take an active role in the postal survey campaign, starting with its first marriage equality "doctors' rally" in Sydney on Saturday.

AMA President Michael Gannon and his leadership team have vowed to continue advocating for change despite facing blowback from some conservative doctors unhappy with the peak group's stance.

Seven former presidents  David Brand, Kerryn Phelps, Bill Glasson, Mukesh Haikerwal, Andrew Pesce, Steve Hambleton, and Brian Owler  are all now lending their weight to the campaign, recording messages of support and declaring that ending discrimination is "a health issue".
The two then realised with a shock that they were closely related and, in accord with tribal custom, they could not marry. They split up straight away and Maria later married a man from another tribe.

Then it happened that a great-grandmother of Maria, who lived some distance away, died and Maria went to the funeral, where she spotted her boyfriend. She knew he was not from that place and asked him, What are you doing here?

They were from different tribes in the Western Highlands, they had just become friends and were interested in getting to know more about each other.

DUBLIN - Some years ago a happily married Mt Hagen woman, Maria, told me a story about her first boyfriend.

In the highlands of Papua New Guinea there were many reasons why it was important to know who your ancestors were.

Tribal elders knew full well about the dangers of inbreeding and were careful to avoid any wanblut consanguineous marriages.

If a tribe was small then one had to marry outside it; if the tribe was very large, one had to marry outside the clan or tribal segment. Incestuous relationships were prohibited.

This could be difficult. While in some cases clan elders did welcome women from enemy tribes, in other cases they were suspicious of them.

When asking about ancestry in the Hagen area, I found some knowledgeable people were able to trace back five or six generations. I can recall a Jika Muglmana tribesman, Thomas Berum, telling me he could trace back seven generations on his mothers side of the family.

This photo taken around 1936 is of Kelye of the Mokei Akilika Ronimp clan. It was taken at Kugumamp near present-day Hagen town. Informants were able to trace Kelyes ancestors back six generations to his great-great-great-great-grandfather, Mainui.

Kelyes great-grandfather was a man named Moremi, who had a brother Dik, a great-grandfather of the well-known television presenter John Eggins.

Kelyes son Kombra Kelye was a prominent councillor and one-time president of Mt Hagen Local Government Council

I attempted to research the genealogy of a few clans in the Hagen area. Double-checking sometimes revealed a generation had been skipped or some confusion about tribal affiliation.

Of course prior to 1933 there were no written records in the Hagen area, so there was no full certainty about a given genealogy. At the same time, when the same basic information came from several separate sources, one could assume a reasonable accuracy about that information.

In the western world Alex Haleys book Roots back in 1976 re-awakened interest in genealogy and ancestry.

Haleys forebears had been brought from the west coast of Africa as slaves to the USA and Roots is a story tracing his ancestry back to Africa. While some of Haleys narrative was later proven not to be wholly accurate, the book stirred great interest in genealogy.

Nowadays much genealogical research can be done on the internet. There are TV programs dedicated to tracing ancestors. The tracking of genealogy through DNA can also be done readily  at a price.

However to trace ancestry in PNG it is vital to have access to oral tradition. And the problem nowadays is that many people grow up in towns or cities away from their ancestral roots, and may not be aware of their roots.

Some may even deliberately turn away from their roots, wanting to forget about old enemies and old folks tales.

A challenge for PNG writers is to investigate and transcribe what they know of their own ancestry. In some areas there may be written records. Churches may have kept lists of baptismal names or marriages. Other records may be available from the office of the Registrar General.

Anthropologists may have recorded genealogies. Social mapping in areas where mining was planned may reveal genealogies. Coastal areas may have greater recorded resources.

Readers may have further suggestions about genealogical research in PNG.

One of my mistakes in getting information was in not asking enough about the ancestry on the female side of the family. This information may at times be more difficult to attain in a patrilineal culture, but it is worth getting.

Tracing your ancestors can be interesting and it can be fun. It is important to respect privacy as you may sometimes uncover details that may be embarrassing to people still alive.

One hopes that in PNG more research of this kind is done before all those people who know the history of their own genealogy pass on.

Head photo: Maria Kerua, early 1950s. Daughter of Mt Hagen bigman Ninji of the Mokei Nampaka Milimp clan. Ninji was the son of Kama who was the son of Kielgui who was the son of Rum. Kerua married Kewa from the Nokpa tribe
Seoul: North Korea said on Saturday it aimed to reach an "equilibrium" of military force with the United States, which earlier signalled its patience for diplomacy was wearing thin after Pyongyang fired a second missile over Japan on Friday.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option," North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was quoted as saying by the state news agency, KCNA.

Kim was shown beaming as he watched the missile fly from a moving launcher in photos released by the agency, surrounded by several officials.

"The combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified," Kim was quoted by KCNA as saying. He added the North's goal of completing its nuclear force had "nearly reached the terminal".
Reykjavik: Iceland will face its second snap election in about a year after the government collapsed over a scandal involving the Prime Minister's father and grants of clemency to convicted child molesters.

The Bright Future Party, one of three partners in the government coalition, abandoned Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson citing a "breach of trust" after accusing his party of trying to cover up a letter his father had written vouching for the character of a convicted child molester.

Bjarni Benediktsson of the Independence Party, left, shakes hands with then Iceland's Prime Minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson in a TV studio last year. Credit:AP

The issue has been much in the news in Iceland, where convicted paedophiles can apply for a legal "clean slate" and have their record expunged.

"That goes against our policies here at Bright Future on transparency and a good way of working," party leader Ottarr Proppe said.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma devastating Florida this week, an idea floated on Twitter deserves a wider airing. Why not name the monster hurricanes, the ones that are off the scale, after noted climate change denialists? They could start with Rush Limbaugh, who spent the days before Irma hit ranting that the coverage of the approaching hurricane was all part of a "liberal conspiracy", only to quietly leave town the day before the eye of the hurricane arrived.

But, seriously, does it not make a certain amount of sense? The legacy of those who continue to deny the reality of climate change  continuing with brain dead assertions like "the climate changes all the time, it's called the weather"  is a world ever more prone to such things as hurricanes. As The Economist noted this week, "There are now 400 extreme weather events every year, four times as many as in 1970."

Debris surrounds a destroyed structure in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Credit:AP

I get that denying it robustly, while attacking the scientists and politicians who say it is serious, brings ratings and lifts circulation and all the rest. I get that politicians can get voted in by denying it. I get that heaps of people get sucked in by the whole thing, and genuinely believe it is all a hoax. But sooner or later, they must all get what is happening.

Politico put it well a fortnight ago, as Houston was besieged: "In all of US history, there's never been a storm like Hurricane Harvey. That fact is increasingly clear, even though the rains are still falling and the water levels in Houston are still rising. But there's an uncomfortable point that, so far, everyone is skating around: We knew this would happen, decades ago. We knew this would happen, and we didn't care. Now is the time to say it as loudly as possible: Harvey is what climate change looks like. More specifically, Harvey is what climate change looks like in a world that has decided, over and over, that it doesn't want to take climate change seriously."
Kuala Lumpur: Seven boys have been arrested in connection with a deadly fire that killed 23 people in the sleeping quarters of an Islamic boarding school in Kuala Lumpur, police chief Amar Singh confirmed.

"I can assure you the case is solved with the arrest of seven of them," Singh said, adding that the suspects were aged between 11 and 18.

Relatives cry during a mass funeral for victims of the school fire outside of Kuala Lumpur. Credit:DANIEL CHAN

The arrests were made based on CCTV footage that had been provided to the police. Two gas cannisters found on the second floor, where the fire broke out, were also used in the investigation.

None of the boys were pupils at the school.
Montreal, Quebec  September 8, 2017  Media representatives are advised that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, and her counterparts from China, Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs, Xie Zhenhua, and the European Union, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Canete, will co-host a ministerial meeting on climate action.

This meeting brings together major economies and key climate actors to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement and demonstrate continued commitment to global action on climate change. It will bring together ministers and representatives from approximately 35 countries. Canada will also build on this meeting to engage ministers and key international business leaders to pursue economic opportunities in the transition to a global low-carbon economy.

Media representatives are invited to attend the opening remarks. A press conference will also take place that afternoon at the hotel.

Event: Opening Remarks from Ministerial Co-Hosts

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2017

Time: 8:30 a.m. (EDT)

Location: InterContinental Hotel Montreal

360 Saint Antoine Street West

Montreal, Quebec

Event: Press Conference

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2017

Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Location: InterContinental Hotel Montreal

360 Saint Antoine Street West

Montreal, Quebec

Journalists must register by contacting Media Relations at Environment and Climate Change Canada. The deadline for registration is 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, September 15, 2017.



Only invited or registered journalists will be allowed into the venue.

These events can be viewed via Facebook Live stream at

EN page: @EnvironmentandNaturalResourcesinCanada

FR page: @EnvironnementetressourcesnaturellesauCanada

Contacts

Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

613-462-5473

marie-pascale.desrosiers@canada.ca

Media Relations

Environment and Climate Change Canada

819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)

ec.media.ec@canada.ca
'NCIS' season 15 release date news: Will Gibbs escape his captors? Is Mark Harmon calling it quits?

"NCIS" season 15 is coming back this September and fans have burning questions that need answers. Will Special Agents Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) find their way out of the jungle? Meanwhile, is it the show's lead actor exiting the show?

Although Gibbs and McGee will be trapped in the Paraguayan jungle during the premiere of "NCIS" season 15, Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) will not stop until he finds the duo.

The series will pick up two months after the last season ended. Gibbs and McGee will be fighting a group of rebels after their rescue of young boys being forced into combat by the rebels.

"I think what happens to Gibbs during that two months is going to change him a little bit," executive producer Frank Cardea told Parade.com. "He'll still be the Gibbs we love, but he's going to be slightly different."

Torres is undergoing some character development as well, as Cardea said that the experience will have him becoming less of a soloist this season.

"You'll see that right in the second episode," Cardea said. "He is becoming more of a team player now. He realizes he can trust these people now."

Torres and NCIS Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) will be summoned to a congressional hearing to discuss the fallout of their mission to Paraguay.

Meanwhile, Harmon does not look like he is going anywhere, despite earlier rumors that he is exiting the CBS drama. The proof? A new cast addition is starring opposite the actor as his new love interest.

Maria Bello will be joining "NCIS" as an agent who used to be a second lieutenant in the Army and served two tours in Afghanistan. She became a leading forensic psychologist at NCIS and is able to second-guess and challenge Gibbs, unlike other characters in the show. She will make her first appearance in episode 4.

"NCIS" season 15 will premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.
PeopleImages | Getty Images

They all wanted a job. Maybe too much. One applicant said he worked for Microsoft but had never heard of Bill Gates. Another said he'd studied under the philosopher Nietzsche, who died in 1900. One man claimed he was a CIA anti-terrorist spy during the years he was in elementary school. Lies on resumes are not uncommon; 75 percent of human resource managers spot inaccuracies on resumes, according to a survey by CareerBuilder. The national survey was conducted online in May and June, and included more than 2,500 U.S. employers across industries and company sizes, including 221 human resources managers in the private sector. Under pressure to make their resumes stand out, many people exaggerate or flat out lie about their experience. But these efforts often backfire as just 12 percent of HR managers will call a dishonest candidate back.

If you want to construct a powerful resume, it's about focusing on your accomplishments. Dan Schawbel author

"Sometimes a small lie is the path candidates take, but it's ill-advised given the ability to verify the areas people choose to lie in," said Jaclyn Jensen, director of the human resources program at DePaul University in Chicago. Hiring managers are trained to fact-check resumes, Jensen said. And many will scour applicants' Facebook and LinkedIn pages, call applicants' references and request official transcripts.

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It's that time again! Jim Cramer rang the lightning round bell, which means he gave his take on callers' favorite stocks at rapid speed:

AT&T : "It's tempting, I know. I do want to see the quarter. I mean, it's so convoluted because of the acquisition of Time Warner . I have it in my bull pen for [the] ActionAlertsPlus.com club newsletter, but I haven't been able to pull the trigger."

Chipotle Mexican Grill : "No. We have to wait until the clock starts again. It's not my cup of tea. I would love to take a long-term position, but you've got to wait."

Chesapeake Energy Corporation : "Chesapeake's too much natural gas and there's too much natural gas in the whole country right now. There's just no place to put the darned stuff. That said, it's inexpensive, but there's just not enough storage."

JD.com : "There is no second to Alibaba , there's just third, fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth. We're sticking with Alibaba."

Qorvo Inc. : "I like Qorvo, but I've got to tell you, I love Nvidia ."

Abbott Laboratories : "Stay long it. My charitable trust owns it. I think you're in great company. That's a good name."

Baozun Inc. : "People sold that stock down when it reported, and that was just a grave error because it was a good quarter. I remain convinced that this company is a good, long-term hold."

Square Inc. : "Look, everyone knows I like Square. We've caught a double in Square. But I want to hear from [CFO] Sarah Friar. Sarah Friar is the person I know who's most instrumental in doing the great things at Square, and she is on the to-do list, I think, of people who want to come on the show. So, Square, let's get Sarah here."

Ionis Pharmaceuticals : "You know what? It's got so many irons in the fire. Goldman hated the stock so much, really knocked it down. I think it's real. I think it's fine."

iRobot Corporation : "A competitor came in and everybody freaks out. It looks like it was a big short squeeze."
Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Irma slammed into the island of St. John at full intensity, its Category 5 winds of 185 mph destroying everything in its path, residents are still left without power and struggling to find food and shelter. Yet miraculously, at The Dugout at 420 to Center  one of the only restaurants out of 50 on the island left standing  spirits are high.Within just a few hours after the heavy winds ripped through the Caribbean on Sept. 6, 420 to Center owner Ryan Sharkey started cooking  and he hasn't stopped since. Using a generator and all of his own resources from his freezer, plus donations from other restaurants offering food that otherwise would have gone bad, he and his six employees have been cooking 600 meals a day for anyone who walks in. The only money he charges is for beer  $3 a bottle  so he can continue buying more food to feed the patrons free of charge. From the moment he fired up his ovens, word began spreading, and the line for food has remained steady ever since.

The Dugout at 420 to Center on St. John after Hurricane Irma devastated the US Virgin Islands. Photo: Siobhan Mulvey

Sharkey isn't concerned. "Once all the people are fed and everything starts to feel normal, our job will be done," said Sharkey. "It's not how long is it gonna take, it's however long it takes." But of all the islands in the Caribbean, the damage was particularly widespread on St. John. Cruz Bay, St. John's vibrant main town and port where 420 to Center is located, is home to most of the 28-square-mile island's restaurants, bars, stores and dive centers. Now it is an utter wasteland. There is no airport, so those coming and going must rely on ferries that connect the town with other U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Authorities have enforced a 6 p.m. curfew for its 2,750 residents because without electricity it is too hard to navigate the small side roads after the sun goes down. FEMA claims that about 578,000 meals, 383,000 liters of water, 13,600 sheeting covers, 150 rolls of blue tarps and 30 generators were sent to the Caribbean this week. Sharkey and others are grateful that help from the Red Cross, FEMA and various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are starting to arrive  President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit this week  but Sharkey said that for the first four days it was up to the residents. "They got their boots on the ground a week too late," he said.

What was once a gift shop and restaurant now lays in ruins in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, on Sept. 12, 2017. Hurricane Irma's 185mph winds ripped through the island six days before. Jessica Rinaldi | The Boston Globe | Getty Images

"Our community scrambled together in the wake of this storm and organized into recovery mode before any government or NGO aid arrived. We're talking a solid four days before even the Red Cross or FEMA showed up," said local resident Siobhan Mulvey. "We had collectively begun checking on neighbors, clearing roads and trying to embrace the fact that almost all of us make it out safely." Mulvey, a member of the grassroots organization Love City Strong, has been working tirelessly with the relief effort. She is one of the few on the island who has Wi-Fi service. "Hopefully power and cell service will be restored to the main part of Cruz Bay within the next month," she said, adding that full restoration won't be island-wide until at least six months. More from iCONIC:

A Texas fast-food king, slowed by a hurricane, but still on the way to $1 billion According to FEMA, 40 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors following a disaster. "I feel blessed," said Sharkey. Others, he said, will have to lay off their workers until their establishments are up and running again. "Most of the restaurants down here have a staff of 20 or 30, so for those people to be out of work, it's a real bummer," he added. "It's a lot of hard work just to maintain the lifestyle and be able to stay here."

'A really special place'

Before Hurricane Irma, on any given night The Dugout at 420 to Center was packed with vacationers and locals drinking, eating and watching games on its flat-screen TVs. Now, heavily damaged from water, the eatery is still packed, this time with hungry patrons looking for a place to find shelter, eat and gather with others who share in the loss and devastation. "Their spirits are a lot better than anybody would have ever expected. It's a really great thing. There's folks you've seen for a long time and you know their faces and you really should know their name, but you don't because you're just too busy being you. ... Now they may be homeless," said Sharkey, 40, who left the United States 10 years ago to visit a friend who lives on the island and never returned home. "It's a really special place," he said.

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Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix final saw tremendous quantities of real-time data transmitted to factories all over the world in what's seen as a major technological breakthrough.

During the 90-minute race, there were "10 terrabytes of data float through the system, which makes it the biggest science project on the planet for that period of time, eclipsing even the human genome project," Ian Rhodes, CEO of McLaren Applied Technologies, said ahead of the race.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Singapore Summit on Saturday, Rhodes explained how his company provides the electronics backbone for the entire race series.

Data coming from the cars racing around the island-nation's city-center goes through engine control units that Rhodes' firm supplies to every team. Those units essentially end up becoming the data hub, he explained.

The data from the control units are sent in real-time to the track-side, pit lane and international factories, where mission control departments will utilize the information to help race teams improve performance and strategy, Rhodes said.
Calling the case for U.S. foreign aid "increasingly obvious" in a turbulent world, Bill and Melinda Gates issued a call to the world's largest economy to redouble its financial commitment to needy countries.

In a lengthy Wall Street Journal opinion piece published on Saturday, the philanthropist founder of Microsoft and his wife stated that "the lives of millions and the livelihoods of billions depend on the programs that American foreign aid supports"  which are currently threatened by steep budget cuts.

The federal budget spends approximately 1.3 percent of its money on foreign aid, according to data from the Council on Foreign Relations. The Trump administration's blueprint for fiscal year 2018 meted out a reduction of nearly 30 percent to the budgets of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which sparked immediate pushback from Congressional leaders.

Writing in the WSJ, Bill and Melinda Gates suggested those cuts would result in increasing the misery suffered by impoverished countries.

"Foreign aid is nothing more than the money that the U.S. spends to help poor countries around the world to improve the lives of their citizens," the Gates' wrote in the publication. "Disease and poverty are the clearest examples we know of solvable human misery, and the moral case for wiping them out is clear on its face."

In recent years Gates, one of the world's wealthiest men, has drawn more attention for his status as a philanthropist than as one of technology's most famous innovators. Last year, the Gates Foundation contributed nearly $3 billion to global public health causes.

"The practical case [for foreign aid] is also becoming increasingly obvious. We see repeatedly that when people anywhere are desperate, people everywhere are at risk," the couple wrote.

"In a world where pandemic disease spreads from one continent to another in the span of a few hours, where terrorist attacks are more random and frequent, and where political crises trigger mass migration, it is in our collective interest to fight against the daily reality of poverty, sickness and frustration," they added.

"Spending a little to keep a child healthy isn't only a moral imperative; it is also a long-term investment in a secure and thriving world," the Gates' wrote.

The full article can be found on the Wall Street Journal's website.
President Donald Trump announces his decision that the United States will withdraw from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2017.

The White House immediately disavowed a Wall Street Journal report on Saturday that suggested the Trump administration was reversing its stated intention of abandoning the Paris climate accord.

However, top officials hinted the president would seek to renegotiate terms that were more favorable to the United States.

According to the WSJ's report, the European Union's Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete said that President Donald Trump would abide by the landmark agreement, which was struck in 2016. Unnamed officials at a global warming summit told the publication that the U.S. was seeking to re-engage the international community to renegotiate the deal, rather than abrogate it.

If true, it would represent a sharp reversal from one of Trump's signature policy pledges. In June, Trump vowed to renegotiate the deal or strike a new one.

"The U.S. has stated that they will not renegotiate the Paris accord, but they will try to review the terms on which they could be engaged under this agreement," The Journal reported Canete as saying.

Sarah Sanders: Our position on the Paris agreement has not changed. @POTUS has been clear, US withdrawing unless we get pro-America terms.

However, the White House issued a statement saying there had been "no change" to Trump's stance.

"As the president has made abundantly clear, the United States is withdrawing unless we can re-enter on terms that are more favorable to our country," said Lindsey Walter, a deputy White House secretary.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States could remain in the Paris climate accord under the right conditions.



"The president said he is open to finding those conditions where we can remain engaged with others on what we all agree is still a challenging issue," Tillerson told CBS's "Face the Nation" in an interview.

However, the WSJ report added that a White House spokesperson said the president's stance on the Paris accord had never been set in stone.

Trump is considered a climate change skeptic, and has sharply questioned the impact of environmental policy on American business.

--Reuters contributed to this article.
People wait in line for a store to open for food and water the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida. Getty Images

One of the hard lessons many small businesses are learning after the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is that a disaster plan is essential  even if you think you'll never need to use it. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), almost 40 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors after a disaster. Recent data from a CNBC/SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey also shows that most small business owners don't spend too much time thinking about the environment as a critical factor. Eight percent of business owners in the second quarter survey said the environment is the factor that most matters to them. The percentage goes down for business owners in the South Atlantic (5 percent) and West South Central (6 percent). Jobs and the economy, health care, terrorism, immigration and "other" ranked higher. Meanwhile, business owners in the South Atlantic (64 percent) and West South Central (62 percent) said they expected revenue to increase in the next year, the highest level of sales confidence among owners in all U.S. regions. Having a disaster plan in place might not prevent the worst-case scenario, but it could increase a company's odds of survival. A little bit of work now can pay off down the road. Here are five things a small business may want to focus on. 1. Keep your company records in the cloud.

Some disasters, like a hurricane, give you time to collect important items before you flee. Others, like a fire, offer no warning whatsoever. Things like invoices, contracts, tax returns, budgets and insurance policies are essential to businesses, though. And some will be critically important when you're dealing with an insurance company or applying for relief funds. "A lot of small businesses don't have a process to protect themselves," said Mike Crincoli, president of The Neat Company, a document scanning/cloud storage company that caters to small businesses. "Things like expenses and contacts and client data are very important, so it's essential they have a system to protect their records," he said. "It's very important to stay ahead of it." 2. Establish policies for employees, vendors and customers.

The ripple effect of a disaster on a business can be easily overlooked, as owners focus entirely on rebuilding or reopening. Insurance might cover your immediate financial losses, but you'll also need to have a plan in place to hang onto customers and other business relationships during that rebuilding phase. And you don't want to lose your best employees either, even if you're unable to pay them during the closure. "News travels fast and perceptions often differ from reality," noted the Department of Homeland Security's Ready.gov website. "Businesses need to reach out to customers and other stakeholders quickly. Customers expect delivery of products or services on time. If there is a significant delay, customers may go to a competitor." The American Red Cross suggests three separate plans for employees, suppliers and clients. For customers, be sure to have contact numbers for everyone and set up a communications infrastructure. Also, have a clear plan that's communicated to your workers on how their payroll and leave would be affected by a disaster.
China's ambassador to Washington on Friday called on the United States to refrain from making threats over North Korea, which a day earlier launched another missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean.



Ambassador Cui Tiankai told reporters at an embassy event: "Honestly, I think the United States should be doing ... much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue."



"They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation," he said.



President Donald Trump and others in the United States and beyond have urged China to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on its Communist ally to help resolve the standoff over North Korea's weapons programs.



China fought alongside North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Chinese leader Mao Zedong lost his eldest son, and Beijing has long been Pyongyang's chief ally and primary trade partner.



But the Chinese government has pushed back against the notion that it has any control over Pyongyang, and says it is the United States that should be doing more.



Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States was considering halting trade with countries doing business with North Korea.

@realDonaldTrump: The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.



Cui on Friday cautioned against putting China-U.S. trade on the table.



"Efforts to undermine Sino-U.S. trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target," the Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Cui as saying on Friday at a Chinese National Day reception.



"If someone were to pressure China or impose sanctions on China over the DPRK, it would not be supported by many U.S. citizens," Cui said, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



"Workers at U.S. airplane factories, farmers growing soybeans, companies that sell smartphones to China, manufacturers that enjoy large market shares in China, companies in the service sector that have gained trade surplus in China, U.S. states that engage in robust trade with China would all stand against it," Xinhua quoted him as saying.
I have this RadioButtonList in Repeater control.



We are using Repeater control dynamically add new rows. I seem to handle projects where rows are dynamically added



In any case, when a record is added for the first time for just one row, there are no issues with this line of code:



<asp:RadioButtonList ID= " rdlmhorsepType" Text= ' <%#string.IsNullOrEmpty((string)Eval("rdlmhorsepType")) ? "Recoil" : Eval("rdlmhorsepType") %>' runat= " server" ValidationGroup = " stype" RepeatDirection= " Horizontal" TextAlign= " Right" style= " display:inline;" >



However, when one row is filled with data and another row is added, I run into the following error messages:

able to cast object of type 'System.DBNull' to type 'System.String'.



While I am at this, is there a way to populate dynamically populated dropdownlist in Repeater?



I have this:

<asp:DropDownList ID= " ddlPrevState" cssClass= " disabledcss" runat= " server" AppendDataBoundItems= " True" > <asp:ListItem Value= " " Selected= " True" > </ asp:ListItem > </ asp:DropDownList >



Here is C# code:

con = new SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings[ " ppmtest" ].ToString()); string sSQL = " Select sID,sName from states ORDER By sName ASC" ; SqlCommand cmd3 = new SqlCommand(sSQL, con); con.Open(); cstable = new DataTable(); cstable.Load(cmd3.ExecuteReader()); protected void repeater_ItemDataBound( object sender, RepeaterItemEventArgs e) { var ddlPState = (DropDownList)e.Item.FindControl( " ddlPrevState" ); ddlPState.DataSource = cstable; ddlPState.DataTextField = " sName" ; ddlPState.DataValueField = " sID" ; ddlPState.DataBind();



Any ideas how to resolve this?



Thanks as always





Text= ' <%# Eval("rdlmhorsepType", "{0}") ?? "Recoil" %>'

Or alternatively:

Text= ' <%# string.IsNullOrEmpty(Eval("rdlmhorsepType", "{0}")) ? "Recoil" : Eval("rdlmhorsepType", "{0}") %>'





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer











The alternative option worked for me.



Thanks a lot for your help.



Hi,



I created a website in Dot Net Core 1.1.



If I am deploying my site on domain directly all static files are getting loaded and my website is running fine but as I am deploying my website in sub domain, none of the static file(css, fonts, js) is getting loaded.



Really appreciate your help in advance.



googled first but do not find any suitable one. so looking for a details article on repository and data access code in dotnet core unit testing

where we will not use any 3rd part library like mock or effort rather use anything built-in.



anything exist such like ?



can we unit test repository and data access code with intellitrace ? share idea. thanks







In this brief example I have a ProductService class that uses an IProductRepository to access the products. There's only a simply Get method but it gives you the rough idea. So in my unit test I make the test class implement IProductRepository and I mock the Get method in the test class itself.



public interface IProductRepository { Product Get( int id); void Add(Product product); }



public class ProductService : IProductService { private IProductRepository productRepository; public ProductService(IProductRepository productRepository) { this .productRepository = productRepository; } public Product GetProduct( int id) { return this .productRepository.Get(id); } }



Unit test



[ TestClass ] public class ProductServiceTests : IProductRepository { private Product Product { get ; set ; } [TestMethod] public void WhenValidGetProductIsCalledProductIsReturned() { this .Product = new Product { ID = 1 , Name = " Test product" }; ProductService ps = new ProductService( this ); Product p = ps.GetProduct( 1 ); Assert.AreSame( this .Product, p); } [TestMethod] public void WhenInvalidGetProductIsCalledProductIsReturned() { this .Product = new Product { ID = 1 , Name = " Test product" }; ProductService ps = new ProductService( this ); Product p = ps.GetProduct( 2 ); Assert.IsNull(p); } public void Add(Product product) { throw new NotImplementedException(); } public Product Get( int id) { if ( this .Product.ID == id) { return this .Product; } else { return null ; } } }



I just started to be assigned a work station that was low on memory so I accidently removed the wrong version of the .net framework. To correct the problem, I downloaded .net framework 4.0 since that is what the application uses. This web form application uses vb.net 2010 visual studio ide.

I problem is I probably downloaded the wrong version. The application probably was using a version number 4.3 I am guessing.

Thus I am trying to determine what I need to do to solve the problem.

Here is where the steps of where the problem lies:

'retarget the project to .net framework 4.0. After the project opens, you can retarget the

1. When I try to debug the application, I get the following error message:

Retarget the project to .net framework 4.0.



Once I see the above message, I just click the OK button. I do not know where to point the application.

2. After that point I get lots of messages that look like the following:

AttendanceLetters\App_Code\mylistbox.vb(1): Build (web): Reference assemblies for target .NET Framework version not found; please ensure they are installed, or select a valid target version.

Thus to solve the problem can you tell me the following:

1. Can you tell me and/or point to a url (link) that will solve the problem tell me how and/or how to point the application to the correct target link?

2. If that is not possible, do I need to download some version of the .net framework that the application is expecting to see? If so, how can I tell what version the application is looking for?

3. If the above solutions do not work. should I uninstall the visual studio 2010 that is on this workstation and reinstall a new version so that the application can find the correct version of the .net framework?

4. If you have a different solution would you tell me what I should do to solve the problem?



Hello All!



Not sure if this is the correct forum to ask this, so if not, please let me know and I will have it changed.



I have created an API for my website that Godaddy hosts on a dedicated server. I have Wordpress installed and it's on a Linux server. I created the API in Visual Studio 2015 Community and ran tests on my local PC and it works as expected. Now, I need to put it online so I can test. I am planning on having it in my WPF desktop program that when the user clicks a button it will call the API and return the result. This API will check a database to see if the license code is there and if not already used. Currently, I have static code that will return a value and not connected to the database yet.



My question: Where on my website do I put files and what files go on the website? Also, how do I find out what the actual URL will be for my button click to call the API?



Thank you in advance



modified 14-Sep-17 17:24pm.



Greetings again.



I have this:



sp:RadioButtonList ID= " rdlmhorsepType" Text= ' <%#Eval("horsepType").ToString()%>' runat= " server" ValidationGroup = " stype" RepeatDirection= " Horizontal" TextAlign= " Right" style= " display:inline;" AutoPostBack= " true" OnSelectedIndexChanged= " horsepType_SelectedIndexChanged" > <asp:ListItem Text= " Electric" /> <asp:ListItem Text= " Recoil" /> </ asp:RadioButtonList > <br />



When a user enters his/her account number, if there is data associated with that account number, it populates a repeater form.



This part works fine.



The issue is that if no data is associated with that account number, I get the following error:



'horsepType' has a SelectedValue which is invalid because it does not exist in the list of items. Parameter name: value



In other words, if RadioButtonList is null, it throws that error.



I have several of those on my Repeater control.



Any ideas how to resolve this?



Thanks a lot in advance





If you are building your list from database you have to decide how values are build, you can use the text as value too in which case text must be unique. If you want to use a text-value pair, you must ensure value is not null (which means that in this case the database must have proper values) - there is no other way, so you must choose...

If you can not change the way the data is, you must filter out those have no value or create a fallback, which uses the text in case value is null..

Skipper: We'll fix it.

Alex: Fix it? How you gonna fix this?

Skipper: Grit, spit and a whole lotta duct tape.







We have a lookup table with a list of account numbers.



For a user to fill his/her account information, s/he must first select an account from the look up table.



When that account number is entered, if any records associated with that account exists, then those records populate the Repeater control form.



Users can then either modify any existing record or enter any records that does not exist already exist with that account number.



So, in my situation, if any of those values on the RadioButtonList does not exist, then it throws the error it is throwing now.



This is not a question of inserting null value in RadioButtonList because it is a required field.



It is a question of no value existing at all and user needs to be allowed to choose of the two values but the user cannot get to that point of selecting a value when the error message doesn't let them get there.



I believe this datatable below is the source of the error.



If I can figure out a way to assign it a default value other than empty string, I think it will resolve the issue.



dr = dt.NewRow(); dr[ " RowNumber" ] = 1 ; dr[ " horsepType" ] = string .Empty; dr[ " rblIssues" ] = string .Empty; dr[ " vesseltypeUse" ] = string .Empty; dt.Rows.Add(dr); } else { dt = (DataTable)ViewState[ " CurrentTable" ]; } ViewState[ " CurrentTable" ] = dt; if (dt.Rows.Count > 0 ) { Repeater2.DataSource = dt; Repeater2.DataBind(); } }



SelectedValue to an empty string, rather than null . If it's anything other than null , then it must exist in the list.



Try converting the empty string to null :

Text= ' <%# string.IsNullOrEmpty(Eval("horsepType", "{0}")) ? null : Eval("horsepType") %>'





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer











Even that elegant solution did not work. It still gives same error.



I really think that the issue has to do with the fact that no value (Electric or Recoil) exists on the database for the horsepType field.



It is not just that the value is null. It does not exist at all.



As I tried to explain to the other guy, when a user enters an account number, that account number is from a lookup table.



So, when the account number is entered, the main table is queried to see if any records associated with that account number already exists.



If yes, then the form is populated with the records for the user to either modify or leave as is.



If no record exists, then the user must enter records associated with account.



So, the issue is not the value for horsepType is null, no record of it exists.



I wonder if doing a LEFT JOIN could fix the problem.



I am working on a .NET Core product representing a web site server. There are HTML, JS, CSHTML, etc. files in the Team Foundation Services repository not necessarily organized in folders the same way they will end up on the system actually hosting the web site.



Is anyone aware of a utility that will take the source files, make a copy to an intermediate location, and then copy from the intermediate location to update the pages and files on the system hosting the web site?



I am changing the source files and want to see the changes reflected on the web site system, which is a VM that must be reached through an intermediate drop location. I can run the utility on the development system and the target system easily enough. It is a PITA to keep track of which files were modified and to keep copying the files by hand.



Just asking ahead of time, so I don't go rewrite the wheel.

I need a 32 bit unsigned value just to hold the number of coding WTF I see in a day 



in my project image is uploaded and stored using file upholder. and i need to display image in image control (for eg: in facebook we are uploading profile picture when we logged out and login the profile picture will be displayed.)..i need tat kind ..pls give me suggestion





My requirement is straight forward. I have installed certificate , in binding added thee certificate. site is working in Https(e.g. https://abc) as expected.



But the requirement is , if any user Enters http://abc then it should redirect to https://abc



I have added the URL rewriting module. Created the Rule. The web.config file code as below







<rewrite> <rules> <rule name= " http to https" stopProcessing= " true" > <match url= " (.*)" /> <conditions> <add input= " {HTTPS}" pattern= " ^off$" /> </ conditions > <action type= " Redirect" url= " https://{HTTP_HOST}{REQUEST_URI}" redirectType= " Found" /> </ rule > </ rules > </ rewrite >





Help out. Its not working.







<rewrite> <rules> <rule name= " httpsredirect" stopProcessing= " true" > <match url= " (.*)" /> <conditions> <add input= " {HTTPS}" pattern= " off" ignoreCase= " true" /> </ conditions > <action type= " Redirect" redirectType= " Permanent" url= " https://{HTTP_HOST}/{R:1}" /> </ rule > </ rules > </ rewrite >



[edit] sorry, I'm a wombat - I just copied your original rule first time! My working one here now.







The problem is most likely that you did not have the URL Rewrite module installed. There's a download at URL Rewrite : The Official Microsoft IIS Site

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."

- Benjamin Disraeli



Hello,



I am using Visual Studio 2015, ASP.NET framework : 4.6.1



I am trying to do file upload and export to excel. both things were working fine in VS2010 but same form, same codes are not working on VS2015.



We already configured the following :-



In webconfig :-

<appSettings> <add key= " ValidationSettings:UnobtrusiveValidationMode" value = " None" /> </ appSettings >



In Page :-

<Triggers> <asp:PostBackTrigger ControlID= " SaveBtn" /> </ Triggers >



In Page Header :-

EnableEventValidation= " false"



My codes are not generating any error, but even not working as expected in VS2015. If I just copy-paste the same page/code in VS2010 it will start working.



Remember : my scriptmanager is allocated in master file.







I found the solutions.

I was facing issue due to some updated features of ScripManager (ajax). I required to set few properties, as it is :-



<asp:ScriptManager ID= " ScriptManager1" runat= " server" AjaxFrameworkMode= " Explicit" > <Scripts> <asp:ScriptReference Name= " MicrosoftAjaxCore.js" /> <asp:ScriptReference Name= " MicrosoftAjaxComponentModel.js" /> <%--<asp:ScriptReference Name= " MicrosoftAjaxSerialization.js" /> <asp:ScriptReference Name= " MicrosoftAjaxNetwork.js" />-- %> </ Scripts > </ asp:ScriptManager >



after setting AjaxFrameworkMode= " Explicit" my problem was resolved. about file upload control and export to excel (using response object).



but if I will only set AjaxFrameworkMode= " Explicit" that is:- it will create another problem, it blocks few other javascripts; hence I need to set

<Scripts> <asp:ScriptReference Name= " MicrosoftAjaxCore.js" /> <asp:ScriptReference Name= " MicrosoftAjaxComponentModel.js" /> </ Scripts >



Now my project is working fine.



thanks a lot.


Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company offers peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, and additional dialysis therapies and services; intravenous therapies, infusion pumps, administration sets, and drug reconstitution devices; remixed and oncology drug platforms, inhaled anesthesia and critical care products and pharmacy compounding services; parenteral nutrition therapies and related products; biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasis, tissue sealing and adhesion prevention; and continuous renal replacement therapies and other organ support therapies focused in the intensive care unit. It also provides connected care solutions, including devices, software, communications, and integration technologies; integrated patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies to help diagnose, treat, and manage a various illness and diseases, including respiratory therapy, cardiology, vision screening, and physical assessment; surgical video technologies, tables, lights, pendants, precision positioning devices and other accessories. In addition, the company offers contracted services to various pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Its products are used in hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors' offices, and patients at home under physician supervision. The company sells its products through direct sales force, as well as through independent distributors, drug wholesalers, and specialty pharmacy or other alternate site providers in approximately 100 countries. It has an agreement with Celerity Pharmaceutical, LLC to develop acute care generic injectable premix and oncolytic molecules. Baxter International Inc. was incorporated in 1931 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois.
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Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides newborn, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology, and other pediatric subspecialty care services in the United States and Puerto Rico. It offers neonatal care services, such as clinical care to babies born prematurely or with complications within specific units at hospitals through neonatal physician subspecialists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and other pediatric clinicians. The company also provides maternal-fetal care services, including inpatient and office-based clinical care to expectant mothers and unborn babies through affiliated maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists, as well as obstetricians and other clinicians, including maternal-fetal nurse practitioners, certified nurse mid-wives, ultrasonographers, and genetic counselors. In addition, it offers pediatric cardiology care services comprising inpatient and office-based pediatric cardiology care of the fetus, infant, child, and adolescent patient with congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease, as well as adults with congenital heart defects through affiliated pediatric cardiologist subspecialists and other related clinical professionals; and specialized cardiac care to the fetus, neonatal and pediatric patients. Further, the company provides other pediatric subspecialty care services through pediatric subspecialists, such as pediatric intensivists, pediatric hospitalists, pediatric surgeons, and pediatric ophthalmologists, as well as pediatric ear, nose, and throat physicians; and support services in the areas of hospitals, primarily in the pediatric emergency rooms, labor and delivery areas, and nursery and pediatric departments. As of February 17, 2022, it operated a network of approximately 2,700 physicians. The company was formerly known as MEDNAX, Inc. and changed its name to Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. in July 2022. Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Sunrise, Florida.
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Ltd., ABB Beijing Switchgear Limited, ABB Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsges. mbH, ABB Bulgaria EOOD, ABB Business Services Sp. z o.o., ABB Cable Management Products Ltd, ABB Canada EL Holding GmbH, ABB Capital AG, ABB Capital B.V., ABB Centroamerica y El Caribe S.A., ABB Chargedot Shanghai New Energy Technology Co. Ltd, ABB Colombia Ltda, ABB Construction (ABACON) S.A.E., ABB E-MOBILITY INC., ABB E-MOBILITY PTE. LTD., ABB E-mobility AB, ABB E-mobility AG, ABB E-mobility AS, ABB E-mobility GmbH, ABB E-mobility Holding Ltd, ABB E-mobility QFZ LLC, ABB E-mobility S.p.A., ABB E-mobility SAS, ABB E-mobility SL, ABB E-mobility Technology Shenzhen Co. Ltd, ABB E-mobility UK Limited, ABB ELECTRICAL & AUTOMATION W.L.L, ABB ELECTRIFICATION HOLDINGS (THAILAND) CO. LTD., ABB ELETRIFICACAO LTDA, ABB Ecuador S.A., ABB Electrical Control Systems S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Electrical Equipment (Xiamen) Co. Ltd., ABB Electrical Equipment Ltd., ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd., ABB Electrical Machines Ltd., ABB Electrical Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ABB Electrification (Thailand) Co. Ltd., ABB Electrification Canada ULC, ABB Electrification Norway AS, ABB Electrification Sweden AB, ABB Elektrik Sanayi A.S., ABB Engg. Technologies Co. (KSCC), ABB Engineering (Shanghai), ABB Engineering Trading and Service Ltd., ABB Equipo de Control Y Distribucion S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Equity Limited, ABB FZ-LLC, ABB Finance (USA) Inc., ABB Finance B.V., ABB For Feeding Industries SAE, ABB France, ABB GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES AND CONTRACTINGINDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ABB Global Industries and Services Private Limited, ABB Global Marketing FZ LLC, ABB Group Holdings Pty. Ltd., ABB Group Investment Management Pty. Ltd., ABB Guangdong Sihui Instrument Transformer Co. Ltd., ABB Hangzhou Winmation Automation Company Limited, ABB Holding AS, ABB Holdings (Pty) Ltd., ABB Holdings B.V., ABB Holdings Inc., ABB Holdings Limited, ABB Holdings Sdn. Bhd., ABB INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS (LODZ) S.A. W LIKWIDACJI, ABB Inc., ABB Inc., ABB India Limited, ABB Industrial Solutions (Australia) Pty Ltd, ABB Industrial Solutions (Belgium) BV, ABB Industrial Solutions (Bielsko-Biala) Sp. z o.o., ABB Industrial Solutions (Canada) Inc., ABB Industrial Solutions (Klodzko) Sp.z.o.o., ABB Industries (L.L.C.), ABB Industries FZ, ABB Information Systems Ltd., ABB Installation Products Caribe LLC, ABB Installation Products European Centre S.A., ABB Installation Products Inc, ABB Installation Products International LLC., ABB Installation Products Limited, ABB Installation Products Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Installacios Keszulekek Kft., ABB Investment Holding 2 GmbH, ABB Investments (Pty) Ltd, ABB Inzeniring d.o.o., ABB Jiangjin Turbo Systems Company Limited, ABB K.K., ABB Kaufel GmbH, ABB LAFRENZE PROPERTY (PROPERTY) LIMITED, ABB LLC, ABB LLP., ABB LV Installation Materials Co. Ltd. Beijing, ABB Limitada, ABB Limited, ABB Limited/Jordan LLC., ABB Lineage Power Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Logistics Center Europe GmbH, ABB Ltd., ABB Maghreb Services S.A., ABB Malaysia Sdn Bhd., ABB Management Services Ltd., ABB Mexico S.A. de C.V., ABB Motors and Mechanical Inc, ABB N.V., ABB Norden Holding AB, ABB Operations Center Ltd., ABB Orange B.V., ABB Oryx Motors and Generators Service LLC, ABB Oy, ABB Panama Sales S.A., ABB Power & Automation (Private) Limited, ABB Power & Automation Limited, ABB Power Electronics (Germany) GmbH, ABB Power Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ABB Power Electronics (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ABB Power Electronics Inc., ABB Pte. Ltd., ABB Reinsurance AG, ABB Robotics (Zhuhai) Ltd, ABB Robotics Machine Tending Limited, ABB Robotics Solutions NV, ABB S.A., ABB S.A. de CV, ABB S.p.A., ABB SARL, ABB SAS, ABB SIA, ABB Schweiz AG, ABB Shanghai Free Trade Zone Industrial Co. Ltd., ABB Shanghai Motors Co. Ltd., ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd., ABB Sp. z o.o., ABB Stotz-Kontakt Gmb, ABB Striebel & John GmbH, ABB Susa Inc., ABB Technologies Ltd., ABB Technologies S.A., ABB Technology SA, ABB Tianjin Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB Transmission & Distribution Limited LLC, ABB Treasury Center (USA) Inc., ABB Turbo Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, ABB Turbochargers S.A.E., ABB UAB, ABB Verwaltungs AG, ABB Wirtschaftsbetriebe GmbH, ABB Xiamen Corporation Management Service Co. Ltd., ABB Xiamen Low Voltage Equipment Co. Ltd., ABB Xiamen Smart Technology Co. Ltd., ABB Xiamen Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB Xinhui Low Voltage Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB d.o.o., ABB eMobility Digital Venture GmbH, ABB for Electrical Industries (ABB ARAB) S.A.E., ABB for Electrical Solutions and Technologies K.S.C.C., ABB s.r.o., ABB s.r.o., ABBNG Limited, APS Technology Group, ASEA BROWN BOVERI Portugal Unipessoal Lda, ASTI France SAS, ASTI Mobile Robotics, Asea Brown Boveri Electrica SGPS (Angola) Limitada, Asea Brown Boveri Industrial Technical & CommercialCompany of Imports  Exports S.A., Asea Brown Boveri Lanka (Private) Limited, Asea Brown Boveri Ltd., Asea Brown Boveri S.A., Asea Brown Boveri S.A. de C.V., Asea Brown Boveri S.A.E., Asti Mobile Robotics GmbH, Asti Mobile Robotics Group SL, Asti Mobile Robotics SAU, B & R Automazione Industriale S.r.l., B & R Industrial Automation Ltd., B + R Industrie-Elektronik GmbH, B&R Automatyka Przemyslowa Sp.z.o.o., B&R Automacao Industrial Ltda., B&R Holding GmbH, B&R Industrial Automation, B&R Industrial Automation (China) Co. Ltd., B&R Industrial Automation A/S, B&R Industrial Automation AB, B&R Industrial Automation Co. Ltd., B&R Industrial Automation Corp., B&R Industrial Automation GmbH, B&R Industrial Automation Iberica S.L.U., B&R Industrial Automation Inc., B&R Industrial Automation Pte. Ltd., B&R Industrial Automation Pvt. Ltd., B&R Industrie-Automation AG, B&R Industriele Automatisering B.V., B&R K.K., B+R Automation Industrielle SARL, B+R Industrial Automation OOO, B+R automatizace spol. s.r.o., BR Endustriyel Otomasyon Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Baldor Electric Company, Busch-Jaeger Elektro GmbH, Chargedot, Cherokee India Pvt. Ltd., Codian Robotics, Codian Robotics B.V., Codian Robotics of the Americas, Combustion Engineering Inc., Cylon Controls, Cylon Controls Limited, Cylon Energy Inc., DynaMotive Ltd., ELBI Elektrik, Edison Holding Corporation, Enervalis NV, Envitech Energy, Epyon, GE Industrial Solutions, Gomtec, Gresin Grupo Estudios Industriales, IMV Invertomatic Victron UK Limited, In-Charge Energy, Industrial C&S Hungary Kft., Industrial C&S of P.R. LLC, Industrial Connections & Solutions LLC, Industrial Connections of SA Pty. Ltd., Intrimmo BVBA, Jinan ABB SRI Rail Transit Equipment Technology Co. Ltd., Jordan Acquisition Group, KEYMILE - Business, Kaufel S.A., Kuhlman Electric Corp., Lineage Overseas LLC, Lineage Power (Argentina) S.R.L., Lineage Power (Luxembourg) S.A.R.L., Lineage Power China Co. Ltd., Lineage Power Holdings Inc., Lineage Power Matamoros S.A. de C.V., Lorentzen & Wettre, Los Gatos Research, Mincom, NUB3D S.L., Newave Energy Holding, Newron System, PT ABB Sakti Industri, Pinghu Zhuangbest Technology Development Co. Ltd., Power-One, Powercorp, Powertel India Pvt. Ltd., RGM - Rail vehicle power business, RMI Automation Co. Ltd., SVIA, SWISS TURBOCHARGERS SA DE CV, Saudi Industrial Solutions Ltd., Shanghai Zhuangbest Technology Development Co. Ltd., Shantou Winride Switchgear Co. Ltd., Sirius Holdings B.V., Smart Power Technology Co. Ltd., Spirit IT, Swissturbo (Shanghai) Investment Limited, SynerLeap powered by ABB AB, TURBO SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, TURBO SYSTEMS ITALY S.P.A., TURBO SYSTEMS RUS LLC, TURBO-SUPERIOR SYSTEMS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, TURBOCHARGING GREECE SINGLE MEMBER SA, Thomas & Betts, Thomas & Betts Saudi Arabia Limited Liability Co., Trasfor, Tropos Networks, Turbo Systems Argentina S.A., Turbo Systems Canada Inc, Turbo Systems Colombia SAS, Turbo Systems Dominican Republic SRL, Turbo Systems Finland Oy, Turbo Systems Germany GmbH, Turbo Systems Holding Ltd, Turbo Systems Iberia S.L., Turbo Systems Korea Ltd., Turbo Systems Myanmar Limited, Turbo Systems Pakistan (Private) Limited, Turbo Systems South East Asia Pte. Ltd., Turbo Systems Switzerland Ltd, Turbo Systems The Netherlands B.V., Turbo Systems Turkey Muhendislik Makine Sanayi Ve TicaretAnonim Sirketi, Turbo Systems US Inc., Turbo Systems United Co. Ltd., Turbo Systems Verwaltungs Ltd, Turbocharging Bangladesh Limited, Turbocharging Brasil Ltda., Turbocharging Systems Co. Ltd., Turbocharging Systems France SAS, Turbocharging UK Limited, Turbosystems Nigeria Limited LTD, Validus DC Systems, Vectek Electronics, Ventyx, Verdi Holding Corporation, W.J. Furse & Co. Ltd., Yangzhou SAC Switchgear Co. Ltd, and Zhejiang Chargedot New Energy Technology Co. Ltd..

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The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Credit Management LLC, AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe Holdings S.a.r.l, AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Operations Inc., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund II GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund III GP LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund IV GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American International Group UK Limited, American International Realty LLC, American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A. en Liquidacion S.A., Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., C.A. de Seguros American International, Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Glatfelter Underwriting Services Inc., Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Illinois National Insurance Co., Inversiones Segucasai C.A., Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, Lexington Specialty Insurance Agency Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PCG 2019 Corporate Member Limited, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SAFG Capital LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., and Western World Insurance Company.

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AU Optronics Corp. researches, develops, produces, and sells thin film transistor liquid crystal displays and other flat panel displays. The company operates through two segments, Display and Solar. The Display segment designs, develops, manufactures, assembles, and markets flat panel displays for use in televisions (TVs), TV sets, and other related products; desktop monitors; mobile PCs, such as notebooks and tablets; mobile phones; and commercial and other applications, including displays for automobiles, industrial PCs, automated teller machines, point of sale terminals, pachinko machines, medical equipment, and others. This segment serves original equipment manufacturing service providers; and brand companies. The Solar segment manufactures and sells solar materials, including ingots, solar wafers, and solar modules, as well as provides technical engineering and maintenance services for solar system projects. This segment sells its ingot and solar wafer products primarily to solar cell manufacturers; and solar modules to installers, solar system integrators, property developers, and other value-added resellers. The company also engages in the renewable energy power generation; repairing and sale support of TFT-LCD modules, as well as sale support of solar-related products; injecting and stamping parts; manufacture and sale of molds, light guide plates, liquid crystal products, backlight modules, and related parts, as well as precision plastic and metal parts; IP related business; design, development and sales of software and hardware for health care industry; manufacture, assembly, and sale of automotive parts; manufacture and sale of motorized treadmills; and planning, design, and development of construction for environmental protection and related project management. It operates in the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and internationally. AU Optronics Corp. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
GoDaddy Inc. engages in the design and development of cloud-based technology products in the United States and internationally. The company provides domain name registration product that enables to engage customers at the initial stage of establishing a digital identity. It also offers shared Website hosting products that provide various applications and products, such as web analytics, Secure Sockets Layer certificates, and WordPress; Website hosting on virtual private servers and virtual dedicated servers products, which allows customers to select the server configuration suited for their applications, requirements, and growth; managed hosting products to set up, monitor, maintain, secure, and patch software and servers for customers; and security products, a suite of tools designed to help secure customers' online presence. In addition, the company provides presence products, such as Websites + Marketing, a do-it-yourself mobile-optimized online tool that enables customers to build websites and e-commerce enabled online stores; a range of marketing tools and services designed to help businesses acquire and engage customers, and create content, as well as search engine optimization that helps customers get their websites found on search sites; and social media management services. Further, it offers business application products, such as Microsoft Office 365, email accounts, email marketing, and Internet-based telephony services; online store capabilities that allows customers to transact business directly on their websites; GoDaddy Payments, a payment facilitator; and point-of-sale (POS) devices, as well as software for POS. The company serves small businesses, individuals, organizations, developers, designers, and domain investors. GoDaddy Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.
Twitter, Inc. operates as a platform for public self-expression and conversation in real-time. The company's primary product is Twitter, a platform that allows users to consume, create, distribute, and discover content. It also provides promoted products that enable advertisers to promote brands, products, and services, as well as enable advertisers to target an audience based on various factors, including who an account follows and actions taken on its platform, such as Tweets created and engagement with Tweets. Its promoted products consist of promoted ads and Twitter Amplify, Follower Ads, and Twitter takeover. In addition, the company offers monetization products for creators, including Tips to directly send small one-time payments on Twitter using various payment methods, including bitcoin; Super Follows, a paid monthly subscription, which includes bonus content, exclusive previews, and perks as a way to support and connect with creators on Twitter; and Ticketed Spaces to support creators on Twitter for their time and effort in hosting, speaking, and moderating the public conversation on Twitter Spaces. Further, it offers products for developers and data partners comprising Twitter Developer Platform, a platform that enables developers to build tools for people and businesses using its public application programming interface; and paid access to Twitter data for partners with commercial use cases. Twitter, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is based in San Francisco, California.
BT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
HDFC Bank Limited provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in India, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Dubai. It operates in Treasury, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Other Banking Business, and Unallocated segments. The company accepts savings, salary, current, rural, public provident fund, pension, and Demat accounts; fixed and recurring deposits; and safe deposit lockers, as well as offshore accounts and deposits, overdrafts against fixed deposits, and sweep-in facilities. It also provides personal, home, car, two wheeler, business, educational, gold, consumer, and rural loans; loans against properties, securities, rental receivables, and assets; loans for professionals; government sponsored programs; and loans on credit card, as well as working capital and commercial/construction equipment finance, healthcare/medical equipment and commercial vehicle finance, dealer finance, and term and professional loans. The company offers credit, debit, prepaid, and forex cards; payment and collection, export, import, remittance, bank guarantee, letter of credit, trade, hedging, and merchant and cash management services; insurance and investment products. It provides short term finance, bill discounting, structured finance, export credit, loan syndication, and documents collection services; online and wholesale, mobile, and phone banking services; unified payment interface, immediate payment, national electronic funds transfer, and real time gross settlement services; and channel financing, vendor financing, reimbursement account, money market, derivatives, employee trusts, cash surplus corporates, tax payment, and bankers to rights/public issue services, as well as financial solutions for supply chain partners and agricultural customers. The company operates 6,378 branches and 18,620 automated teller machines in 3,203 cities/towns. As of March 31, 2022, it had 21,683 banking outlets. The company was incorporated in 1994 and is based in Mumbai, India.
VMware, Inc. provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; and vRealize Cloud Management solutions that manages hybrid and multi-cloud environments running in virtual machines and containers, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with vRealize Cloud Management into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. The company also provides networking solutions, such as VMware NSX, NSX Distributed and Gateway Firewalls, NSX Network Detection and Response Engine, NSX Advanced Load Balancer, Tanzu Service Mesh, and VMware SASE; security solutions consisting of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint, Workload, and Container; and digital workspace solutions comprising Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management, Access, Intelligent Hub, and Horizon. In addition, it offers application modernization solutions, such as Tanzu Application and Operations Platform, Tanzu Application Service Platform, Tanzu Observability, Tanzu Community Edition, and Tanzu Labs; and cloud management solutions, including vRealize Cloud Management, vCloud Suite, and CloudHealth by VMware Suite. The company sells its products through distributors, resellers, system vendors, and systems integrators. VMware, Inc. has a strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to build and deliver an integrated hybrid solution. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as an integrated healthcare services and products company in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It provides customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. The company operates in two segments, Pharmaceutical and Medical. The Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical, and over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products. The segment also provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers for specialty pharmaceutical products; operates nuclear pharmacies and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities; repackages generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter healthcare products; and offers medication therapy management and patient outcomes services to hospitals, other healthcare providers, and payers, as well as provides pharmacy management services to hospitals. The Medical segment manufactures, sources, and distributes Cardinal Health branded medical, surgical, and laboratory products and devices that include exam and surgical gloves; needles, syringe, and sharps disposals; compressions; incontinences; nutritional delivery products; wound care products; single-use surgical drapes, gowns, and apparels; fluid suction and collection systems; urology products; operating room supply products; and electrode product lines. The segment also distributes a range of national brand products, including medical, surgical, and laboratory products; provides supply chain services and solutions to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, and other healthcare providers; and assembles and sells sterile, and non-sterile procedure kits. The company was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio.
CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face. The company also focuses on worksite and group sales for businesses, associations, and other membership groups by interacting with customers at their place of employment. In addition, it provides fixed index annuities; fixed interest annuities, including fixed rate single and flexible premium deferred annuities; single premium immediate annuities; supplemental health products, such as specified disease, accident, and hospital indemnity products; and long-term care plans primarily to retirees and older self-employed individuals in the middle-income market. Further, the company offers universal life and other interest-sensitive life products; and traditional life policies that include whole life, graded benefit life, term life, and single premium whole life products, as well as graded benefit life insurance products. CNO Financial Group, Inc. markets its products under the Bankers Life, Washington National, and Colonial Penn brand names. The company sells its products through agents, independent producers, and direct marketing. CNO Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.
Douglas Dynamics, Inc. operates as a manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment in North America. It operates through two segments, Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions. The Work Truck Attachments segment manufactures and sells snow and ice control attachments, including snowplows, and sand and salt spreaders for light trucks and heavy duty trucks, as well as various related parts and accessories. The Work Truck Solutions segment primarily manufactures municipal snow and ice control products; provides truck and vehicle upfits where it attaches component pieces of equipment, truck bodies, racking, and storage solutions to a vehicle chassis for use by end users for work related purposes; and manufactures storage solutions for trucks and vans, and cable pulling equipment for trucks. This segment also offers up-fit and storage solutions. It also provides customized turnkey solutions to governmental agencies, such as Departments of Transportation and municipalities. The company sells its products under the BLIZZARD, FISHER, SNOWEX, WESTERN, TURFEX, SWEEPEX, HENDERSON, BRINEXTREME, and DEJANA brands. It distributes its products primarily to professional snowplowers who are contracted to remove snow and ice from commercial and residential areas. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dunelm Group plc retails homewares in the United Kingdom. The company offers furniture and beds products, which include bedroom, living room, dining room, and other furniture, as well as bed and mattresses, and sofas and chairs; bedding products comprising bed linen, dorma, baby and kid's bedding, and duvets, pillows and protectors; curtains and rugs; and venetian, roller, roman, vertical, and made to measure blinds. It also offers range of home decor products, such as mirrors, clocks, ornaments, pictures and frames, candle and home fragrance, flower and plants, vases, kid accessories, cushions, bean bags, and letterbox flowers, as well as housewarming, engagement, anniversary, and wedding gifts; lighting products, including ceiling and wall lights, table and desk lamps, floor lamps, and pendants and lamp shades; and paint, wallpaper, DIY and upcycling, and haberdashery products. In addition, the company provides kitchen and utility products comprising cooking, dining, electrical, utility, and pet products; towel and bathmats, and bathroom accessories, as well as furniture and decor products; storage products, such as travel and luggage, home, clothes, and kitchen storage; kids bedroom, nursery, and accessories products; outdoor products, which include garden furniture and decoration, and entreating and dining products; and trends christmas products and winter essentials. It operates through a network of 177 stores and 2 distribution centers, as well as sells its products through an online store at dunelm.com. Dunelm Group plc was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Syston, the United Kingdom.
Black, we are neglected, we are lost our heritage at stake

Red, we bleed, we suffer the socio-economic injustice

I see my flag I see Pride I see Hope

Gold,

yet we are precious

soaring like a kumul

we are always proud

White,

in the face of darkness

we are shining stars

we have hope

All arise!

All you children of this land

Happy 42nd Anniversary!

Papua New Guinea
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.
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility, banking, and renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses in the state of Hawaii. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Its renewable energy sources and potential sources include wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, municipal waste, and other biofuels. This segment serves suburban communities, resorts, the United States armed forces installations, and agricultural operations. The Bank segment operates a community bank that offers banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses, including savings and checking accounts; and loans comprising residential and commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and development, multifamily residential and commercial real estate, consumer, and commercial loans. This segment operates 42 branches, including 29 branches in Oahu, 6 branches in Maui, 4 branches in Hawaii, 2 branches in Kauai, and 1 branch in Molokai. The Other segment invests in non-regulated renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. was incorporated in 1891 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
McEwen Mining Inc. engages in the exploration, development, production, and sale of gold and silver. It also explores for copper deposits. The company owns 100% interests in the El Gallo and Fenix projects located in Mexico; and the Black Fox Mine and Stock Mill, Grey Fox, and Froome and Tamarack properties in Canada. It also owns interests in the Fuller, Davidson-Tisdale, Buffalo Ankerite, and Paymaster exploration properties located in Canada; and a 49% interest in the San Jose mine located in Argentina. In addition, the company owns 100% interests in the Gold Bar and Tonkin properties located in Eureka County, Nevada; and interests in the Los Azules copper project located in the cordilleran region in the province of San Juan, Argentina. The company was formerly known as US Gold Corporation and changed its name to McEwen Mining Inc. in January 2012. McEwen Mining Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
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.
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.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.
Watts Water Technologies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells products, solution, and systems that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through and out of buildings in the commercial and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers residential and commercial flow control products, including backflow preventers, water pressure regulators, temperature and pressure relief valves, and thermostatic mixing valves. It also provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and gas products, such as boilers, water heaters, custom heat, and hot water solutions; hydronic and electric heating systems for under-floor radiant applications; custom heat and hot water solutions; hydronic pump groups for boiler manufacturers and alternative energy control packages; and flexible stainless steel connectors for natural and liquid propane gas in commercial food service and residential applications. In addition, the company offers drainage and water re-use products comprising drainage products and engineered rain water harvesting solutions for commercial, industrial, marine, and residential applications; and water quality products that include point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration, conditioning, and scale prevention systems for commercial and residential applications. Further, it provides smart mixing system under the IntelliStation name. The company sells its products to plumbing, heating, and mechanical wholesale distributors and dealers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, specialty product distributors, do-it-yourself chains, and retail chains; and directly to wholesalers and private label accounts. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Maximus, Inc. provides business process services (BPS) to government health and human services programs. It operates through three segments: U.S. Services, U.S. Federal Services, and Outside the U.S. The U.S. Services segment offers various BPS solutions, such as program administration, appeals and assessments, and related consulting works for U.S. state and local government programs, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, child support programs, Preadmission Screening and Resident Reviews, and Independent Developmental Disability assessments. This segment also provides program eligibility support and enrollment; centralized multilingual customer contact centers, multichannel, and digital self-service options for enrollment; application assistance and independent health plan choice counseling; beneficiary outreach, education, eligibility, enrollment, and redeterminations; person-centered independent disability, long-term sick, and other health assessments; and specialized consulting services. The U.S. Federal Services segment offers centralized citizen engagement centers and support services; document and record management; case management, citizen support, and consumer education; independent medical reviews and worker's compensation benefit appeals; Medicare and Medicaid appeals; and federal marketplace eligibility appeals. This segment also provides modernization of systems and information technology infrastructure; infrastructure operations and support services; software development, operations, and management services; and data analytics services. The Outside the U.S. segment offers BPS solutions for governments and commercial clients outside the United States, including health and disability assessments, program administration for employment services, and other job seeker-related services. The company was incorporated in 1975 and is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia.
The following companies are subsidiares of MetLife: 10700 WILSHIRE LLC, 1201 TAB MANAGER LLC, 1350 EYE STREET MANAGER LLC, 1350 EYE STREET OWNER LLC, 150 NORTH RIVERSIDE PE MEMBER LLC, 1925 WJC OWNER LLC, 23RD STREET INVESTMENTS INC., 500 GRANT STREET ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 500 GRANT STREET GP LLC, 6104 HOLLYWOOD LLC, AFP GENESIS ADMINISTRADORA DE FONDOS Y FIDECOMISOS S.A., AGENVITA S.R.L., ALICO HELLAS SINGLE MEMBER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ALICO OPERATIONS LLC, American Life Insurance Company, BEST MARKET S.A., BLOCK VISION HOLDINGS CORPORATION, BLOCK VISION OF TEXAS INC., BORDERLAND INVESTMENTS LIMITED, BOULEVARD RESIDENTIAL LLC, BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER LLC, CC HOLDCO MANAGER LLC, CHESTNUT FLATS WIND LLC, CLOSED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY MASTER-D, COMPANIA INVERSORA METLIFE S.A., CORPORATE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC, COVA LIFE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, DAVIS VISION INC., DAVISVISION IPA INC., DELAWARE AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, EURO CL INVESTMENTS LLC, EXCELENCIA OPERATIVA Y TECNOLOGICA S.A de C.V., FORTISSIMO CO. LTD, FUNDACION METLIFE MEXICO A.C., GLOBAL PROPERTIES INC., General American Life Insurance Company, Grand Bank N.A., HASKELL EAST VILLAGE LLC, HOUSING FUND MANAGER LLC, INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES LIMITED, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO DOS LIMITADA, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO TRES LIMITADA, LHC HOLDINGS LLC, LHCW HOLDINGS LLC, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING 2002 LLC, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING LLC, LHCW HOTEL OPERATING COMPANY 2002 LLC, LUMENLAB MALAYSIA SDN. BHD., Logan Circle Partners, MARKETPLACE RESIDENCES LLC, MC PORTFOLIO JV MEMBER LLC, MCJV LLC, MCPP OWNERS LLC, MCRE BLOCK 40 LP, MEC HEALTH CARE INC., MET 1065 HOTEL LLC, MET CANADA SOLAR ULC, METLIFE 1007 STEWART LLC, METLIFE 1201 TAB MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MANAGER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 555 12TH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 8280 MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ACOMA OWNER LLC, METLIFE ADMINISTRADORA DE FUNDOS MULTIPATROCINADOS LTDA., METLIFE ALTERNATIVES GP LLC, METLIFE ASHTON AUSTIN OWNER LLC, METLIFE ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. LTD., METLIFE ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE ASIA SERVICES SDN. BHD, METLIFE ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP., METLIFE ASSIGNMENT COMPANY INC., METLIFE BORO STATION MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAMINO RAMON MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAMPUS AT SGV MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAPITAL CREDIT L.P., METLIFE CAPITAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST IV, METLIFE CB W/A LLC, METLIFE CC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CHILE ADMINISTRADORA DE MUTUOS HIPOTECARIOS S.A., METLIFE CHILE INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS DE VIDA S.A., METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS GENERALES S.A., METLIFE CHINO MEMBER LLC, METLIFE COLOMBIA SEGUROS de VIDA S.A., METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INCOME FUND GP LLC, METLIFE CONSQUARE MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CONSUMER SERVICES INC., METLIFE CORE PROPERTY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE CREDIT CORP., METLIFE DIGITAL VENTURES INC., METLIFE ENHANCED CORE PROPERTY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE EU HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE INSURANCE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPE SERVICES LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPEAN HOLDINGS LLC., METLIFE FINANCIAL SERVICES CO. LTD, METLIFE FM HOTEL MEMBER LLC, METLIFE FUNDING INC., METLIFE GENERAL INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE GLOBAL BENEFITS LTD., METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY I GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY II GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION S.A. De C.V., METLIFE GLOBAL INC., METLIFE GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE GROUP INC., METLIFE HCMJV 1 GP LLC, METLIFE HCMJV 1 LP LLC, METLIFE HEALTH PLANS INC., METLIFE HOLDINGS INC., METLIFE HOME LOANS LLC, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE LIMITED, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE PTE. LTD., METLIFE INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT TRUST, METLIFE INSURANCE BROKERAGE INC., METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF KOREA LTD., METLIFE INSURANCE K.K., METLIFE INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HF PARTNERS LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND I LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND II LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND III LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND IV LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND V LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VI LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VII LP, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT EUROPE LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENTS ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS PTY LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS SECURITIES LLC, METLIFE INVESTORS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, METLIFE INVESTORS GROUP LLC, METLIFE IRELAND TREASURY D.A.C., METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND LP, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS BLOCKER LLC, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS LLC, METLIFE LATIN AMERICA ASESORIAS E INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE LEGAL PLANS INC., METLIFE LEGAL PLANS OF FLORIDA INC., METLIFE LHH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE S.A., METLIFE LOAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND LP, METLIFE LONG SHORT CREDIT MASTER FUND LP, METLIFE LONG SHORT CREDIT PARALLEL FUND LP, METLIFE MAS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO HOLDINGS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT FUND II LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT GP II LLC, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT GP LLC, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT II RATED FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL GP LLC, METLIFE MMPD II SPECIAL LLC, METLIFE MULTI-FAMILY PARTNERS III LLC, METLIFE OBS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE OFC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ONTARIO STREET MEMBR LLC, METLIFE PARK TOWER MEMBER LLC, METLIFE PENSION TRUSTEES LIMITED, METLIFE PENSIONES MEXICO S.A., METLIFE PET INSURANCE SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE PLANOS ODONTOLOGICOS LTDA., METLIFE POWSZECHNE TOWARTZYSTWO EMERYTALNE S.A., METLIFE PRIVATE EQUITY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE PROPERTIES VENTURES LLC, METLIFE RC SF MEMBER LLC, METLIFE REAL ESTATE LENDING LLC, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF BERMUDA LTD., METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF CHARLESTON, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF VERMONT, METLIFE RETIREMENT SERVICES LLC, METLIFE SECURITIZATION DEPOSITOR LLC, METLIFE SEGUROS S.A., METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FINCO LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FUND LP, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING GP LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING HOLDINGS LP, METLIFE SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE SERVICES CYPRUS LTD., METLIFE SERVICES EAST PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EEIG, METLIFE SERVICES EOOD, METLIFE SERVICES SOCIEDAD LIMITADA, METLIFE SERVICES SP Z.O.O, METLIFE SERVICIOS S.A., METLIFE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL FUND GP LLC, METLIFE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL FUND LP, METLIFE SOLUTIONS PTE. LTD., METLIFE SOLUTIONS S.A.S., METLIFE SP HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE STRATEGIC HOTEL DEBT FUND GP LLC, METLIFE SYNDICATED BANK LOAN LUX GP S.A.R.L., METLIFE THR INVESTOR LLC, METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO FUNDUSZY INWESTYCYJNYCH S.A., METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO UBEZPIECZEN NA ZYCIE I REASEKURACJI S.A., METLIFE TOWER RESOURCES GROUP INC., METLIFE TREAT TOWERS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC, METROPOLITAN GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LLC, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN LIFE SEGUROS E PREVIDENCIA PRIVADA S.A., METROPOLITAN LIFE SOCIETATE de ADMINISTRARE a UNUI FOND de PENSII ADMINISTRAT PRIVAT S.A., METROPOLITAN TOWER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN TOWER REALTY COMPANY INC., MEX DF PROPERTIES LLC, MFA FINANCING VEHICLE CTR1 LLC, MIDTOWN HEIGHTS LLC, MIM CAMPUS AT SGV MANAGER LLC, MIM CLAL GENERAL PARTNER LLC, MIM CM SYNDICATOR LLC, MIM EMD GP LLC, MIM I LLC, MIM LS GP LLC, MIM METWEST INTERNATIONAL MANAGER LLC, MIM ML-AI VENTURE 5 MANAGER LLC, MIM OMD MANAGER LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OF GEORGIA 1 LLC, MIM SPOKANE INDUSTRIAL MANAGER LLC, MIM THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MANAGER LLC, MISSOURI REINSURANCE INC., ML 300 THIRD MEMBER LLC, ML ARMATURE MEMBER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MANAGER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MEMBER LLC, ML CAPACITACION COMERCIAL S.A. DE C.V., ML CERRITOS TC MEMBER LLC, ML CLAL MEMBER LLC, ML CORNER 63 MEMBER LLC, ML DOLPHIN GP LLC, ML DOLPHIN MEZZ LLC, ML HUDSON MEMBER LLC, ML MATSON MILLS MEMBER LLC, ML MILILANI MEMBER LLC, ML OMD MEMBER LLC, ML ONE BEDMINSTER LLC, ML PORT CHESTER SC MEMBER LLC, ML SENTINEL SQUARE MEMBER LLC, ML SLOANS LAKE MEMEBR LLC, ML SOUTHLANDS MEMBER LLC, ML SOUTHMORE LLC, ML SPOKANE INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, ML SWAN GP LLC, ML SWAN MEZZ LLC, ML TERRACES LLC, ML THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, ML VENTURE 1 MANAGER S. DE R. L. DE C.V., ML VENTURE 1 SERVICER LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 1 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 2 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 3 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 4 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 5 LLC, ML-URS PORT CHESTER SC MANAGER LLC, MLIA MANAGER I LLC, MLIA PARK TOWER MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF COLONY MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF MANAGER LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS II LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS LLC, MLIC CB HOLDINGS LLC, MLJ US FEEDER LLC, MM GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER S.A. DE C.V., MMP CEDAR STREET OWNER LLC, MMP CEDAR STREET REIT LLC, MMP HOLDINGS III LLC, MMP OLIVIAN OWNER LLC, MMP OLIVIAN REIT LLC, MMP OWNERS III LLC, MMP OWNERS LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK OWNER LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK REIT LLC, MNQM TRUST 2020, MREF 425 MKT LLC, MSHDF HOLDCO I LLC, MSV IRVINE PROPERTY LLC, MTL LEASING LLC, MTU HOTEL OWNER LLC, NATILOPORTEM HOLDINGS LLC, NEWBURY INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, OCONEE GOLF COMPANY LLC, OCONEE HOTEL COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC, OCONEE MARINA COMPANY LLC, OMI MLIC INVESTMENTS LIMITED, PACIFIC LOGISTICS INDUSTRIAL NORTH LLC, PACIFIC LOGISTICS INDUSTRIAL SOUTH LLC, PARK TOWER JV MEMBER LLC, PARK TOWER REIT INC., PJSC METLIFE, PLAZA DRIVE PROPERTIES LLC, PREFCO FOURTEEN LLC, PREFCO XIV HOLDINGS LLC, PROVIDA INTERNACIONAL S.A., SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES INC., SAFEGUARD HEALTH PLANS INC., SAFEHEALTH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, SOUTHCREEK INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC, ST. JAMES FLEET INVESTMENTS TWO LIMITED, SUPERIOR PROCUREMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION BENEFIT MANAGEMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION HOLDINGS INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE PLAN OF WISCONSIN INC., SUPERIOR VISION OF NEW JERSEY INC., SUPERIOR VISION SERVICES INC., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Security First Group Inc., THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH AVENUE MEZZANINE LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL HOLDING LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL OWNER, THE DIRECT CALL CENTRE PTY LIMITED, TRANSMOUNTAIN LAND & LIVESTOCK COMPANY, UVC INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ASSOCIATION INC., VERSANT HEALTH CONSOLIDATIONS CORP., VERSANT HEALTH HOLDCO INC., VERSANT HEALTH INC., VERSANT HEALTH LAB LLC, VIRIDIAN MIRACLE MILE LLC, VISION 21 MANAGED EYE CARE OF TAMPA BAY INC., VISION 21 PHYSICIAN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, VISION TWENTY-ONE MANAGED EYE CARE IPA INC., Versant Health, WDV ACQUISITION CORP., WFP 1000 HOLDING COMPANY GP LLC, WHITE OAK ROYALTY COMPANY, WHITE TRACT II LLC, and Willing.

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Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells. The company operates through five segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software. The company also offers REVit, an automated real time stick-slip mitigation system; ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, an advanced directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, which provides the tools and infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. As of December 31, 2021, the company marketed approximately 301 rigs for land-based drilling operations in the United States, Canada, and in 20 other countries worldwide; and 29 rigs for offshore platform drilling operations in the United States and internationally. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Mohawk Industries, Inc. designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for remodeling and new constructions of residential and commercial spaces in the United States, Europe, Russia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America (Flooring NA), and Flooring Rest of the World (Flooring ROW). The Global Ceramic segment provides a range of ceramic tile, porcelain tile, and natural stone products; and sources, markets, and distributes other tile related products. This segment markets and distributes its products under the American Olean, Daltile, Eliane, EmilGroup, KAI, Kerama Marazzi, Marazzi, and Ragno brands. The Flooring NA segment offers floor covering product lines in a range of colors, textures, and patterns, including carpets, carpet tiles, rugs and mats, carpet pads, hardwood, laminate, medium-density fiberboards, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), and sheet vinyl products. This segment markets and distributes its flooring products under the Aladdin Commercial, Durkan, IVC, Karastan, Mohawk, Mohawk Group, Mohawk Home, Pergo, Portico, and Quick-Step brands. The Flooring ROW segment provides wood flooring and vinyl flooring, as well as laminates, roofing elements, sheet vinyl, LVT, insulation boards, medium-density fiberboards, chipboards, and other woods products under the Feltex, Godfrey Hirst, Hycraft, IVC Commercial, IVC Home, Leoline, Moduleo, Pergo, Quick-Step, and Unilin and Xtratherm brands; and licenses its intellectual property to flooring manufacturers. Mohawk Industries, Inc. was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Calhoun, Georgia.
The following companies are subsidiares of HP: 3Com, 3PAR, ABB CADE, AOME Holdings Ltd., Albacore Holdings Jersey Ltd, Alpha Holding One B.V., Alpha Holding Two B.V., Anatolus Holding B.V., Apogee, Apogee Corp, Apogee Corporation Ireland Limited, Apogee Corporation Jersey Limited, Apogee Corporation Limited, Apogee Europe Limited, Apogee France Holdings SAS, Apogee France SAS, Apogee Germany Holding UG, Apogee Group Limited, Apogee Rentals Limited, Apollo Computer, AppIQ, Applied Optoelectronic Tech, ArcSight, Arnon Holding B.V., Arteis, Artivision Technologies, Aruba Networks, Atos Origin, Atos Origin Middle East group, Autonomy Corporation, Avantek, BAS - Burosysteme GmbH, BT & D Technologies, Balreed Digitec Group Limited, Balreed Digitec North Limited, Balreed Digitec SE Limited, Balreed Digitec UK Limited, Bamberga Holding B.V., Bitfone Corporation, Bluestone Software, Boonton Radio, Bristol Technology Inc., Bromium, Bromium UK Limited, CEC Europe Service Management, CGNZ, CaLan, China HP Co. Ltd Hangzhou Branch, China HP Co. Ltd., China HP Co. Ltd. Chengdu Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Guangzhou Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Jiangan Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Nanjing Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Shanghai Branch, Choose Packaging, City Docs Limited, City Docs Solutions Limited, Colorado Memory Systems, Colubris Networks, Colubris Networks, Compaq Cayman Holdings Company, Compaq Cayman Holdings General Partnership II, Compaq Information Technologies, Compaq Information Technologies LLC, Computing and Printing Global Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Computing and Printing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Consera Software, ConteXtream Inc, Convex Computer, David Vision Systems GmbH, Dazzle, Digipro Limited, Division, EDS (Electronic Data Systems), EEsof, EYP Mission Critical Facilities, ElseWare, Eon Systems, Eucalyptus Systems, Eunomia Holding B.V., ExcellerateHRO, Exstream Software, Extreme Logic, F&M Scientific Corporation, F. Smith & Co Office Equipment Limited, F.L. Moseley Company, Flame Holding B.V., Fortify Software, Four Pi Systems, GNA Biosolutions GmbH, HP Austria GmbH, HP Belgium BV, HP Bilgisayar ve Baski Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 01 Tambore, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 2 Sorocaba, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 3 Porto Alegre, HP Canada Co. HP Canada Cie, HP Canada Licensing L.P., HP China Holding B.V., HP Chongqing Co. Ltd, HP Chongqing Manufacturing Export Procurement and Settlement Co. Ltd, HP Colombia SAS, HP Computing and Printing Middle East FZ-LLC, HP Computing and Printing Nigeria Ltd, HP Computing and Printing Systems India Private Limited, HP Computing and Printing d.o.o., HP Deutschland GmbH, HP Deutschland Holding GmbH, HP Europe B.V., HP Europe B.V. - Abu Dhabi Branch, HP Europe B.V. Regional Dubai Branch, HP Europe BV Amsterdam Meyrin Branch, HP Finland Oy, HP France Holding SAS, HP France SAS, HP Global Trading B.V., HP Global Trading B.V. Kazakhstan Branch, HP Health Solutions Inc., HP Health Solutions Spain Sociedad Limitada, HP Hewlett Packard Group LLC, HP Inc AP Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Argentina S.R.L., HP Inc Bulgaria EOOD, HP Inc Chile Comercial Limitada, HP Inc Costa Rica Limitada, HP Inc Czech Republic s.r.o., HP Inc Danmark ApS, HP Inc Gulf, HP Inc Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Magyarorszag Kft., HP Inc Peru S.R.L., HP Inc Polska sp. z o.o., HP Inc Romania SRL, HP Inc Slovakia s.r.o., HP Inc Thailand Ltd., HP Inc Tunisie SARL, HP Inc UK Limited, HP India Sales Private Limited, HP Indigo B.V., HP Indigo Ltd, HP Information Technology R&D Shanghai Co. Ltd, HP International Pte. Ltd., HP International Pte. Ltd. Taiwan Branch, HP International Sarl, HP International Trading B.V., HP International Trading B.V. Puerto Rico Branch LLC, HP Israel Ltd, HP Italy S.r.l., HP Jade Holding LLC, HP Japan Inc., HP KSA Ltd., HP Korea Inc., HP Licensing Holding LLC, HP Luxembourg S.C.A., HP Malaysia Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., HP Nederland B.V., HP New Zealand, HP Norge AS, HP Onyx Holding L.P., HP PPS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Australia Pty Ltd, HP PPS Costa Rica Limitada, HP PPS India Operations Private Limited, HP PPS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Maroc, HP PPS Philippines Inc., HP PPS Sales Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Services India Private Limited, HP PPS Singapore Sales Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Sverige AB, HP Pakistan Private Limited, HP Panama Sales and Distribution S. de R.L., HP Print Services Ireland Limited, HP Printing Korea Co. Ltd., HP Printing Shandong Co. Ltd., HP Printing and Computing Solutions S.L.U., HP Printing and Personal Systems Hellas EPE, HP Production Company Limited, HP Puerto Rico LLC, HP R&D Holding LLC, HP R&D Singapore Pte. Ltd., HP Schweiz GmbH, HP Scitex Ltd, HP Singapore Private Limited, HP Solutions Creation and Development Services S.L.U., HP South Africa Proprietary Limited, HP South Africa Trust, HP Taiwan Information Technology Ltd., HP Technology Holdings LLC, HP Technology Ireland Limited, HP Technology Israel Ltd, HP Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd, HP Technology Vietnam Company Ltd, HP Trading Kunshan Co. Ltd., HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd., HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd. Dalian Branch, HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd. Zhangjiang Branch, HP UK Development Limited, HP US Digital LLC, HP USA Manufacturing LLC, HPCP  Computing and Printing Portugal Unipessoal Lda., HPI Bermuda Holdings LLC, HPI Brazil Holdings LLC, HPI Federal LLC, HPI J1 Holdings LLC, HPI Luxembourg LLC, HPQ Holdings LLC, Heartstream, Hewlett-Packard A.O., Hewlett-Packard Angola Lda., Hewlett-Packard Company Archives LLC, Hewlett-Packard Copenhagen B.V., Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P., Hewlett-Packard Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard G.K., Hewlett-Packard Global Holdings B.V., Hewlett-Packard Global Investments B.V., Hewlett-Packard Industrial Printing Solutions Europe BV, Hewlett-Packard Ireland 1 Limited, Hewlett-Packard Ireland Holdings Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Japan Holding B.V., Hewlett-Packard Japan NK Holdings C.V., Hewlett-Packard KSA Ltd. Qatar Branch, Hewlett-Packard Lisbon B.V., Hewlett-Packard MENA FZ-LLC Libya Branch, Hewlett-Packard Mercator B.V., Hewlett-Packard Sunnyvale B.V., Hewlett-Packard West Indies Limited, Hewlett-Packard World Trade LLC, Hiflex Software, HyperX, IBRIX, IndiGo, Indigo America Inc., Iseo Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V. Puerto Rico Branch LLC, Knightsbridge Solutions, Kopiervertrieb Rhein-Ruhr GmbH, Lefthand Networks, Limited Liability Company HP Inc, Logoworks, Lyra Holding B.V., MacDermid ColorSpan, ManageOne, Manzana Bidco Limited, Manzana Holdings Limited, Melodeo, Mercury Interactive, Metrix Network Systems, NUR Macroprinters, Neoware, Nihon HP Nin-I Kumiai, Novadigm, NuView ManageX, OOO Hewlett-Packard RUS, Office Perfection Limited, OneFlow Systems Limited, Opelin, Opelin, Open Skies, Opsware, Opsware, Optimization Systems, Optotech, OuterBay Technologies, OuterBay Technologies, PERSIST Technologies, PIXACO, PROLIN, PT Hewlett-Packard Indonesia, Palm, Palm, Peregrine Systems, Perigee Holdco UK Limited, Perigee Midco UK Limited, Perseus Holding B.V., PipeBeach, Poly, PolyServe, PrinterOn America Corporation, Printware Limited, Qosnetics, RLX Technologies, Regor Holding B.V., SPI Dynamics, Samsung Printing Solutions, Scitex, Scitex Vision, Scope Communications, Security Force Software, Shunra Software, Shunra Software, Silverwire Holding, Simpress Comercio Locacao e Servicos Ltda, Snapfish, StorageApps, Stratavia, Synstar, Tabblo, Talking Blocks, Tall Tree Insurance Company, Technology Partners, Telegra, Teradici Corporation, Teradici Inc., Teradici UK Limited, The Danwood Group Limited, The Technology Partners, Tower Software, Tower Software Engineering Pty Ltd, Transoft Networks, Trellis Software & Controls, Triaton, Trinagy, TruLogica, Trustgenix, VeriFone, Verifone, Versatest, Vertica Systems, Vital Technology Pte Ltd, Voltage Security, VoodooPC, Xact Document Solutions Limited, and Xera-Logic Group Limited.

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PPG Industries, Inc. manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials worldwide. The company's Performance Coatings segment offers coatings, solvents, adhesives, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for signs; and coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft. It also provides coatings and finishes for the protection of metals and structures, such as metal fabricators, heavy duty maintenance contractors, and manufacturers of ships, bridges, and rail cars; paints, wood stains, adhesives, and purchased sundries for painting and maintenance contractors, and consumers for decoration and maintenance of residential and commercial building structures; and paints, thermoplastics, pavement marking products, and other technologies for pavement marking. The company's Industrial Coatings segment offers coatings, adhesives and sealants, and metal pretreatments, as well as services and coatings applications for appliances, agricultural and construction equipment, consumer electronics, automotive parts and accessories, building products, kitchenware, and transportation vehicles and other finished products; and on-site coatings services. It also provides coatings for metal cans, closures, plastic tubes, and promotional and specialty packaging; amorphous precipitated silica for tire, battery separator, and other end-uses; TESLIN substrates for labels, e-passports, drivers' licenses, breathable membranes, and loyalty and identification cards; and organic light emitting diode materials, displays and lighting lens materials, optical lenses, color-change products, and photochromic dyes. The company was incorporated in 1883 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. The company also provides home decor products under the West Elm brand; kids accessories under the Pottery Barn Kids brand; and an organic bedding to multi-purpose furniture under the Pottery Barn Teen brand. In addition, it offers made-to-order lighting, hardware, furniture, and home decors inspired by history under the Rejuvenation brand; and women's and men's accessories, travel, entertaining and bar, home decor, and seasonal items under the Mark and Graham brand, as well as operates a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform for the home furnishings and decor industry. The company markets its products through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs, and retail stores. It operates 544 stores comprising 502 stores in 41states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; 20 stores in Canada; 19 stores in Australia; 3 stores in the United Kingdom; and 139 franchised stores, as well as e-commerce websites in various countries in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and India. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Trex Company, Inc. manufactures and distributes decking, railing, and outdoor living products and accessories for residential and commercial markets in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Trex Residential and Trex Commercial. It offers decking products under the names Trex Transcend, Trex Select, and Trex Enhance for protection against fading, staining, mold, and scratching; Trex Hideaway, a hidden fastening system; and Trex DeckLighting, a LED dimmable deck lighting for use on posts, floors, and steps. The company also provides Trex Transcend Railing products that are used in Trex decking products and other decking materials; Trex Select Railing products for a simple clean finished look; Trex Enhance Railing system; and Trex Signature aluminum railing for a contemporary look. In addition, it offers Trex Seclusions, a fencing product that includes structural posts, bottom and top rails, pickets, and decorative post caps. In addition, it designs, engineers, and markets architectural and aluminum railing systems, and staging equipment and accessories for the commercial market, as well as sports stadiums and performing arts venues. Further, the company acts as a licensor in various licensing agreements with third parties to manufacture and sell products under the Trex name, including Trex Outdoor Furniture; Trex RainEscape, an above joist deck drainage system; Trex Pergola, a cellular PVC product; Trex Latticeworks outdoor lattice boards; Trex Cornhole boards; Diablo Trex Blade, a saw blade for wood-alternative composite decking; Trex SpiralStairs and structural steel posts; and Trex Outdoor Kitchens, Cabinetry, and Storage products. It sells its products through wholesale distributors, retail lumber dealers, and Home Depot and Lowe's stores, as well as through its direct sales staff, independent sales representatives, and bidding on projects. Trex Company, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Winchester, Virginia.
The following companies are subsidiares of Colgate-Palmolive: 887357 Ontario Inc., COLGALIVE S.A., CP GABA GmbH, CP International Holding C.V., CP West East Investment Limited, Cleaning Dimensions Inc., Colgate (BVI) Limited, Colgate (Guangzhou) Company Limited, Colgate (U.K.) Limited, Colgate Business Services of the Americas S.C., Colgate Flavors and Fragrances Inc., Colgate Global Business Services Private Limited, Colgate Holdings, Colgate Inc., Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals Inc., Colgate Palmolive Ghana Limited, Colgate Palmolive Holding S.Com.P.A., Colgate Palmolive Nouvelle Caledonie Sarl, Colgate Palmolive Tanzania Limited, Colgate Sanxiao Company Limited, Colgate Venture Company Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (America) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Asia) Pte Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive (Blantyre) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Brunei) Sdn Bhn, Colgate-Palmolive (Central America) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Central America) Inc. y Compania Limitada, Colgate-Palmolive (Centro America) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (China) Co. Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive (Costa Rica) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (Dominica) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Dominican Republic) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (East Africa) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Eastern) Pte. Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Egypt) S.A.E., Colgate-Palmolive (Far East) Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive (Fiji) Pte Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Gabon) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (Guyana) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (H.K.) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Hellas) S.A. I.C., Colgate-Palmolive (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Kazakhstan) L.L.P., Colgate-Palmolive (Latvia) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive (Middle East Exports) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Myanmar) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (New York) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive (Proprietary) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Research & Development) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Romania) SRL, Colgate-Palmolive (Thailand) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (UK) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Uganda) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Vietnam) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Zambia) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Zimbabwe) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive A.B., Colgate-Palmolive A/S, Colgate-Palmolive Adria Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Argentina S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Asia Pacific Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Asia Pacific Treasury Services Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Belgium S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Bolivia Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Caricom Service Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Central European Management Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Chile S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Cia., Colgate-Palmolive Comercial Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Commercial (Hellas) SP LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Commerciale S.A.S., Colgate-Palmolive Commericale S.r.l., Colgate-Palmolive Compania Anonima, Colgate-Palmolive Company Distr. LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Company GmbH, Colgate-Palmolive Cote dIvoire S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Cyprus Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Development Corp., Colgate-Palmolive East West Africa Region (Pty) Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive Enterprises Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Espana S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Europe (Holdings) Sarl, Colgate-Palmolive Europe Sarl, Colgate-Palmolive Finance (UK) plc, Colgate-Palmolive Global Trading Company, Colgate-Palmolive Holding Argentina S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Holding Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Hungary Kft Limited Liability Company, Colgate-Palmolive IHQ Services (Thailand) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Inc. S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Industrial Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Industriel S.A.S., Colgate-Palmolive International Holding LLC, Colgate-Palmolive International LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Investment Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (BVI) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (PNG) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (UK) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Investments Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Israel Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Italia S.r.l., Colgate-Palmolive JSC, Colgate-Palmolive Lanka (Private) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Latin America Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Manufacturing (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive Marketing Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive Maroc S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Mocambique Limitada, Colgate-Palmolive NJ Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Nederland B.V., Colgate-Palmolive Norge A/S, Colgate-Palmolive Participacoes e Investimentos Imobiliarios Lda., Colgate-Palmolive Peru S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Pty Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive Retirement Trustee Limited, Colgate-Palmolive S.A. de C.V., Colgate-Palmolive S.p.A., Colgate-Palmolive Senegal S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Services (Hellas) LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Services (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive Services CEW GmbH, Colgate-Palmolive Services S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Slovensko s.r.o., Colgate-Palmolive Support Services, Colgate-Palmolive Temizlik Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticart S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Transnational Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Ukraine LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Unipessoal Lda, Colgate-Palmolive de Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Colgate-Palmolive de Puerto Rico Inc., Colgate-Palmolive del Ecuador S.A.I.C., Colgate-Palmolive del Peru (Delaware) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Eeska republika spol. s r.o., Colpal CBS S de R. L. de C. V., Consumer Viewpoint Center Inc., Cotelle S.A., Dimac Development Corp., Dominica Coconut Products Limited, EKIB Inc., ELM Company Limited, Elta MD Holdings Inc., Elta MD Inc., EltaMD, Filorga Americas Inc., Filorga Asia Limited, Filorga Benelux SA, Filorga Cosmetiques Polska, Filorga Middle East DMCC, Filorga Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Filorga RU Limited Liability Company, GABA Europe Holding GmbH, GABA International, GABA International Holding LLC, GABA Schweiz AG, GABA Therwil GmbH, Gamma Development Co. Ltd., Global Trading and Supply LLC, Hamol Ltd., Hello Products, Hello Products LLC, Hills Funding Company, Hills Pet Nutrition (NZ) Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Asia Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Canada Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Denmark ApS, Hills Pet Nutrition Espana S.L., Hills Pet Nutrition GmbH, Hills Pet Nutrition Holding B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Indiana Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Italia S.r.l., Hills Pet Nutrition Korea Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Manufacturing B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Manufacturing s.r.o, Hills Pet Nutrition Norway AS, Hills Pet Nutrition OOO, Hills Pet Nutrition Pty. Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition S.p.A., Hills Pet Nutrition SNC, Hills Pet Nutrition Sales Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition South Africa Proprietary Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition Sweden AB, Hills Pet Nutrition Switzerland GmbH, Hills Pet Nutrition Taiwan Ltd, Hills Pet Nutrition Trading (GZ) Co. Ltd, Hills Pet Nutrition de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hills Pet Nutrition de Puerto Rico Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition s.r.o., Hills Pet Products (Benelux) S.A., Hills Pet Products Inc., Hills Veterinary Companies of America Inc., Hills-Colgate (Japan) Ltd., Hopro Liquidating Corp., Hygiene Systemes et Services SA, IES Enterprises Inc., Inmobiliaria Colpal S. de R.L. de C.V., Inmobiliaria Hills S.A. de C.V., Innovacion Creativa S.A. de C.V., Kolynos Corporation, Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques Espana S.L.U., Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques Italia S.R.L., Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques S.A., Laser Brand Toothpaste, Lournay Sales Inc., Mennen Company, Mennen Interamerica Ltd., Mennen Limited, Mennen South Africa Ltd., Mennen de Chile Ltd., Mennen de Nicargua S.A., Mission Hills Property Corporation, Mission Hills S.A. de C.V., Norwood International Incorporated, Olive Music Publishing Corporation, PCA SKIN, Paramount Research Inc., Penny LLC, Pet Chemicals Inc., Physicians Care Alliance LLC, Productos Halogenados Copalven C.A., Purity Holding Company, Purity Music Publishing Corporation, Refresh Company Limited, Samuel Taylor Holdings B.V., Sanex, Sanxiao Company Limited, Services Development Co. Ltd., Societe Generale de Negoce et de Services (GENESE) S.A., The GDN - The Global Distributive Network SAS, The Lournay Company Inc., The MPDP - The Medical and Pharmaceutic Distributive Platform SAS, The Murphy-Phoenix Company, Tom's of Maine, Toms of Maine Holdings Inc., Toms of Maine Inc., Veterinary Companies of America Inc., Vipont Pharmaceutical Inc., and XEB Inc..

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VeriFone Systems, Inc. provides payments and commerce solutions at the point of sale (POS) worldwide. It offers countertop solutions that accept payment options, including contactless, NFC, mobile wallets, and EMV; PIN pads that support credit and debit card, EBT, EMV, and other PIN-based transactions; and multilane consumer facing commerce devices. It also provides portable payment devices, including small, portable, and handheld devices that enable merchants to accept electronic payments wherever wireless connectivity is available; and mobile solutions that attach to and interface with iOS or Android based smartphones and tablets. In addition, it offers integrated electronic payment systems that combine electronic payment processing, fuel dispensing, and ECR functions, as well as secure payment systems for integration with petroleum pump controllers; unattended and self-service payment solutions designed to enable payment transactions in self-service, high-transaction volume, and public transportation environments; and network access solutions. Further, it provides installation, deployment, training, and application development and delivery solutions; project management, client education program, and consulting services; helpdesk support, equipment repair and maintenance, and software post-contract support services; and application libraries and development tools. Additionally, it offers omnichannel commerce, terminal management, and security solutions; and cloud-based managed, transaction payment, and other value added services. It sells its products directly; and through third party and channel partners. It serves financial institutions, payment processors, government organizations, and retailers; petroleum, transportation, and healthcare companies; and quick service restaurants. The company was formerly known as VeriFone Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to VeriFone Systems, Inc. in May 2010. VeriFone Systems, Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, California.
White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides insurance and other financial services in the United States. The company operates through five segments: HG Global/BAM, Ark, NSM, Kudu, and Other Operations. The HG Global/BAM segment provides insurance on municipal bonds issued to finance public purposes, such as schools, utilities, and transportation facilities, as well as reinsurance protection services. The Ark segment writes a portfolio of reinsurance and insurance, including property, marine and energy, accident and health, casualty, and specialty products. The NSM segment operates as a managing general agent and program administrator for specialty property and casualty insurance to various sectors comprising specialty transportation, real estate, social services, and pet. The Kudu segment provides capital solutions to boutique asset and wealth managers for generational ownership transfers, management buyouts, acquisitions and growth finances, and legacy partner liquidity, as well as strategic assistance to investees. The Other Operations segment offers insurance solutions to travel industry through broker channel and on a direct-to-consumer basis; and manages separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles for insurance-linked securities sectors, including catastrophe bonds, collateralized reinsurance investments, and industry loss warranties of third-party clients. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Brookfield Asset Management is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It typically makes investments in sizeable, premier assets across geographies and asset classes. It invests both its own capital as well as capital from other investors. Within private equity and venture capital, it focuses on acquisition, early ventures, control buyouts and financially distressed, buyouts and corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. It invests in both public debt and equity markets. It invests in private equity sectors with focus on Business Services include infrastructure, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, construction and real estate; Industrials include manufacturers of automotive batteries, graphite electrodes, returnable plastic packaging, and sanitation management and development; and Residential/ infrastructure services. It targets companies which likely possess underlying real assets, primarily in sectors such as industrial products, building materials, metals, mining, homebuilding, oil and gas, paper and packaging, manufacturing and forest product sectors. It invests globally with focus on North America including Brazil, the United States, Canada; Europe; and Australia; and Asia-Pacific. The firm considers equity investments in the range of $2 million to $500 million. It has a four-year investment period and a 10-year term with two one-year extensions. The firm prefers to take minority stake and majority stake. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. was founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices across Northern America; South America; Europe; Middle East and Asia.
GARY JUFFA | Asia Pacific Report

PORT MORESBY - O arise all you sons of this land here was perhaps one of the problems to progress in Papua New Guinea as we celebrated 42 years of independence yesterday.

Why have we not included the daughters of this land in our national anthem? How have we totally forgotten about them in the most important task of nation building?

Surely they too should rise and build this nation too since it is just as much theirs as it is that of the sons.

Yes thats correct  our daughters should have the right to rise up for this land and be accorded the dignity and honour of being recognised for their efforts.

I believe we have set a negative psychological platform for Papua New Guineas development by excluding a significant segment of the hardest working and most intelligent people in our communities  our womenfolk.
By Raina Lang

Editors note: Sept. 29 marks National Coffee Day in the U.S. Throughout September, Human Nature is publishing a series of reports on the Sustainable Coffee Challenge, a coalition working to make coffee the worlds first sustainable agricultural product. This post is the second in the series.

This story follows Conservation Internationals (CI) director of sustainable coffee markets, Raina Lang, to Guatemala, with Mattea Fleischner, manager on Starbucks global social impact team. They were in the country to see how coffee trees are grown and delivered to farmers as part of the One Tree for Every Bag commitment, which has raised enough funds to plant more than 30 million new coffee trees. The commitment is part of a nearly 20-year partnership between CI and Starbucks.

As we approached the Huehuetenango nursery, crossing a one-lane bridge suspended over the Valparaiso River, I realized just how complex coffee tree deliveries could be. This year, the nursery is supplying half a million seedlings to farmers in the region as part of Starbucks commitment. As a partner in this effort, CI works with Starbucks and ECOM, the administrator of the nurseries, to ensure that healthy, high-quality coffee leaf-rust-resistant trees are distributed and that farmers understand and respect key environmental and social safeguards associated with the program.

The bridge leading to the coffee nursery. Conservation International / Raina Lang

I was in Guatemala to observe the deliveries of coffee trees to C.A.F.E. Practice farmersthose who comply with a set of social, environmental and economic best practices defined as requirements to enter the Starbucks supply chain. I also visited a few farms to see where and how trees were being planted. Tracking how nurseries deliver rust-resistant coffee plants to farmersand monitoring the quality of the trees theyre deliveringis one critical step in monitoring designed to ensure healthy, sustainable coffee farms and thriving farmers.

Coffee farmers rely on productive and resilient trees to maintain their place as growers in a competitive marketand to sustain their livelihoods. Due to threats such as aging trees, climate change and significant pest and disease outbreaks in recent decades, farmers in many places are in desperate need of support. According to a 2015 study, there is a need to replant an estimated 22,000 square kilometers (13,600 square miles) globally, which translates to roughly 7 billion-10 billion coffee trees. To address this needand build on the success of the One Tree for Every Bag programStarbucks has committed to quadruple its commitment by providing 100 million healthy coffee trees to farmers by 2025.

Healthy coffee trees in Guatemala. Conservation International / Raina Lang

This particular nursery in La Libertadone of 12 nurseries across Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico servicing the programhas the capacity to distribute 10,000 trees a day. But theres a challenge: The bridge connecting trees to farmers can only be used by lightweight vehicles. When the river swells during rainy season, larger trucks that could transport greater quantities of trees cant make it to the nursery, resulting in a dance of pick-up trucks entering and exiting the nursery.

When we made it to the nursery at 7 a.m., there were already two trucks waiting to be loaded. Nursery workers move the trees to the truck bed using a plastic crate, fitting roughly 700 to 1,000 coffee trees into the truck bed. The whole loading process took around 45 minutes per truck. To ensure that the trees are accounted for and tracked, there is an intricate process in place to document and record the quantity of trees, license plate, driver and date in a central registrar. Using this method, Starbucks and their local suppliers can account for the nearly 21 million coffee trees that have been distributed to C.A.F.E. Practices farmers since 2016.

Coffee trees are loaded onto truck for delivery to farmers as part of Starbucks program. Starbucks

That afternoonjust prior to a tropical downpour common in the tropics during rainy seasonwe visited a farm that had received seedlings from the program. Gustavo Alfaro is a fourth-generation farmer whose property was hit by coffee leaf rust several years back, just when he was taking it over from his father. Since taking ownership, he has made a concerted approach to increase shade cover in and around the coffee area. The trees and native vegetation in the zone regulate the climate across the farm, he explained, which can help mitigate future rust outbreaks. As we chatted, each newly delivered seedling was carried carefully to the area using a wooden backpack, then planted under a canopy of shade.

Backpack used to transport new seedlings into the coffee area for planting. Conservation International / Raina Lang

As we stood under the conacaste trees watching the seedlings being planted, we could hear the distinct calls of a tinamu chico, a flightless bird that roams the coffee fields in this region. In the face of climate change, those healthy, disease-resistant seedlings help Gustavo further build resilience on his farm.

Farmers receive their trees. Starbucks

But what if we could do more to help farmers like Gustavo adapt to a changing climate? Dozens of organizations in the Sustainable Coffee Challengeincluding Starbuckshave joined forces to accelerate the responsible renovation and rehabilitation of coffee farms, committing to provide 1 billion healthy and productive trees worldwide. Together, the group is working to increase collective investment to ensure a healthy future for coffee and to make it possible for every coffee farmer to make renovation and rehabilitation a regular part of doing business.

Learn more about the Challenge and the commitments of partner organizations here.

Raina Lang is Conservation Internationals director of sustainable coffee markets.
UMass Amherst researchers plan to develop a new computational tool that will help researchers in interpreting fMRI of the brain and improve accuracy in relating fMRI data to neural responses in the brain

AMHERST, Mass. - Cognitive neuroscientists Rosie Cowell and David Huber at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently received a four-year, $2.36 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a new computational tool that will help researchers in interpreting functional magnetic resonance images (fMRI) of the brain and improve accuracy in relating fMRI data to neural responses in the brain.

Cowell says, "Right now it can be difficult to relate fMRI data to the underlying brain activations to see how different groups of neurons are responding when a person is performing a task. This is because, with the methods we have now, the signal is averaged across too many neurons, millions of them at once. Even the narrowest view we can achieve is too coarse; you can't see how smaller subsets of neurons are behaving."

Huber adds, "Our goal is to develop a mathematical tool for more accurately interpreting fMRI in a more fine-grained way. This is a computational technique that will be useful for researchers to understand what's going on the brain. We hope to fully develop and validate this technique and provide software that other fMRI researchers throughout the world can use, with publications on how to use it and when, that is, what types of experiments it is best suited for."

The neuroscientists will use the campus's new MRI scanner at the Institute for Applied Life Sciences to compare their computational models of the brain with what happens in the visual cortex when people view different visual stimuli. Their co-investigators on the grant are John Serences at the University of California, San Diego, and Earl Miller at MIT.

Cowell and Huber's "Foundations of Non-Invasive Functional Human Brain Imaging and Recording" grant is part of former President Obama's Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, launched in 2013 to "revolutionize understanding of the human brain" by accelerating the development and application of new technologies and tools for treating and preventing brain disorders. A major goal is to "produce a new dynamic picture of the brain that, for the first time, will show how individual cells and complex neural circuits interact in both time and space."

As Cowell explains, "With fMRI you can see what different parts of the brain are doing when it is performing a task, for example, paying attention to the orientation of a straight line viewed on a screen." Scientists already know that certain groups of neurons "light up" predictably in response to a seeing a horizontal line, but those same neurons remain quiet when presented with a vertical line. The 1960s discovery of this in cat neurons led to a Nobel Prize, she notes.

"It's called orientation tuning," Cowell adds, "and these types of experiments are rarely carried out in humans because except in very unusual circumstances we do not put electrodes into peoples' brains for research. And our current fMRI methods don't allow us to measure brain activation with the kind of spatial resolution that would be required to link the stimulus with the neural responses. We just see neural responses aggregated over too many millions of neurons."

"The ultimate goal of the project is to be able to use fMRI to discover how neurons' responses change with certain changes in our mental circumstances," she notes. For example, "Does the way in which a neuron responds to an oriented line change if you are paying attention to the line, compared to when you are ignoring it? These kinds of questions will tell us about the mechanisms of cognition."

Huber suggests that the problem can be thought of as similar to interpreting election results. "If all you know is that candidate A narrowly won, you have no idea how different groups voted, whether one group voted in a landslide for candidate A while the other groups narrowly preferred candidate B, or whether all groups had a slight preference for candidate A. Well, with current fMRI methods, researchers can only know how millions of neurons responded to a stimulus on average. It's a very coarse measure," he notes.

"The computational technique we're developing allows us to break those millions of neurons into pools, so we can narrow the response down and know more about how smaller groups of neurons are behaving. We'll be applying mathematical modeling figure out how different parts of the population are responding," Huber adds.

"If you collect enough brain data by presenting lots of different line orientations to people while they're in the scanner, and use our mathematical method to analyze the data, you get a more accurate picture of different clusters and what they are doing. Our technique uses the numbers that roll off the scanner to infer what is going on. The large amount of data allows you to break it down more finely, and the more orientations we test, the more precise we can be," he says.

They will also take advantage of previously collected data from monkeys as they viewed visual stimuli while researchers recorded neuronal activity in their brains using electrodes. Cowell and Huber will compare those laboratory experimental results with the output of their computational tool to evaluate how well the mathematical model is performing.

The researchers say this work "will advance our ability to accurately and precisely infer the properties of neural-level responses from data obtained via non-invasive fMRI in humans."

###
Saturday, September 16, 2017

On a recent trip to Switzerland, I had an opportunity to visit a caviar production facility. Kasperskian Caviar is a relatively new company (2015), located in the Valais region of Switzerland, right in the heart of the Swiss Alps.







Kasperskian Caviar Caviar with Life.



Considered a luxury food item, and possibly the worlds most expensive food, caviar (also called roe) is a delicacy comprised of salt-cured eggs of sturgeon fish (many species). The roe can be either fresh or pasteurized. However pasteurization reduces its value from a culinary and economic standpoint.







Frederic Cherpin, Marketing and Sales Manager, Kasperskian Caviar, leading a tasting of the caviar. Since Im a vegetarian, no caviar for me!



Enter Kasperskian Caviar: a unique company in the way it produces its caviar to maintain both culinary and economic value  and sustainability. Not only is it sustainable, it is ethical.



Kasperskian Caviar (the name is a play on Russias Caspian Sea) has created a sustainable business model and ethic, which they refer to as caviar with life. They produce pure caviar from sturgeon fish (Siberian/Baeril variety) while they are alive using an innovative method that retrieves the eggs of the female without harming them. Typically in caviar production, the fish are killed to retrieve the eggs, but that is what sets apart the Kasperskian company. So caviar with life means the fish provide caviar when they are alive.







The caviar master (yes, there is such a thing), takes the pregnant fish out of the water and quickly massages the fish and it releases its eggs. This happens in under one minute, since the fish obviously cannot stay out of water for long. After the eggs are retrieved, the fish goes back into the water and may again provide eggs for caviar (sorry, guys, the male fish meat goes to market).



It takes 5-10 years to get eggs from the sturgeon, one of the reasons caviar is so expensive.



The company uses the highest quality water from the Swiss mountains, which is why it based in Switzerland (another reason is one of the investors happens to be from the local area). Their sturgeon produce large, soft, high quality eggs, as a result. Only salt is added to the eggs with no preservatives or other additives, so they are pure and natural, and the highest quality of caviar one can get. This means, of course, a higher price, but for caviar lovers, it may be well worth it.







The lobby of the Kasperskian Caviar building



Each of the 1,000 fish in the production facilities  some as large as small sharks  have a name. It takes 2 years to determine the sex of the fish. Once the females are identified, a small chip is put in the fish to track its weight, food, health, etc., so they know everything about them.







Caviar pairs well with Champagne Frederic Maletrez. Cheers!



While the company is currently only offering the Siberian/Baeril sturgeon variety of caviar, plans are under to produce another variety later in the year, in December 2017. As well, they have a halal certification, enabling them to export to the middle east in the near future.







The Valais region of Switzerland is absolutely stunning



As a vegetarian, I wasnt sure how I would fare, but I found the tour educational and insightful. For lovers of caviar in Canada, keep an eye out for their products.



For more information, visit: Kaspersian Caviar



Resources: Swiss Tourism and Valais Tourism



Accommodations and tour provided courtesy of Valais Tourism; ground transportation courtesy of Swiss Tourism.








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Defra Secretary Michael Gove has visited Aberdeen to discuss the future of the farming industry outside the EU amid Holyrood tension with Westminster.

Representatives from across the Scottish farming industry attended the meetings with Mr Gove at Aberdeens James Hutton Institute, a hub for environmental and farming innovation.

The meetings focused on the specific opportunities and challenges facing Scottish farmers as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

It comes as news as Scottish Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing writes a letter to UK government to seek more detail on future funding arrangements for the farming industry post-Brexit, calling future planning "virtually impossible".

He also said there is a lack of clarity surrounding the Conservative Party's commitment to match existing levels of farm support until 2022.

Amid the tensions, the meetings in Aberdeen focused on how Scotlands farmers can make the best use of innovation and new technology to boost productivity.

Speaking after the meetings, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "Aberdeen is a city extremely close to my heart and one with proud traditions in both farming and fishing. Both industries are part of the fabric of daily life for so many people in the North East, but they are also vitally important for the local and national economies, together contributing over 10 billion. Im determined to see them go from strength to strength outside the EU.

"Todays discussions were very productive and helpful as we take forward this once in a lifetime opportunity to design a new approach that can deliver a brighter future for Scottish farmers and fishermen.

"There are undoubtedly challenges ahead, but if we work together I believe there can be great rewards. Im committed to working with the Scottish farming and fishing industries to make sure we secure a smooth transition and grasp the opportunities that leaving the EU presents."

'Equal partners'

The meetings come as recent criticism surfaced of Mr Gove over his appearance at farming shows, after apparently snubbing other farm business events to do with Scottish agriculture.

The Scottish government previously said the Defra secretary should be taking the concerns of Scotland's agriculture sector seriously.

Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: We have been very clear throughout this process that the devolved administrations must be considered equal partners in the negotiations and we expect genuine engagement in the process.

It is simply unacceptable to have UK Ministers unilaterally cancelling meetings, which involve four partners at short notice and without consultation.

Brexit affects us all, with Scottish agriculture and rural communities particularly reliant on the EU for investment, labour and financial support. I also want to be clear that the UK Government must not give away permanent access to Scottish waters as part of any trade deals.

Mr Gove said the two meetings were "unavoidably" rescheduled because one clashed with the week of Queens speech, the other coincided with Julys EU Ag & Fish Council.
British arable farmers have been warned that they could be at a "competitive disadvantage" to their European neighbours after the Government proposed to set the crop cap to one of the lowest levels in Europe.

The Department for Transport has proposed the crop cap be set at 4% in 2018, decreasing incrementally until it reaches 2% by 2032.

The National Farmers' Union is calling for the cap, which governs the volume of crop-based biofuels allowed to be used on UK roads, to be set at the maximum possible level of 7%.

Many other EU member states have opted for 7% - as per set out in the EU directive.

The biofuels market is an important source of high protein feed, producing nearly 1m tonnes, and provides British farmers an important outlet for their crops and provides security for many producers.

NFU combinable crops board chairman Mike Hambly said the union is "disappointed" that the crop cap is proposed to be set at one of the lowest levels in Europe.

This decision clearly puts British farmers at a competitive disadvantage to their European neighbours, Mr Hambly explained.

The initial cap of 4% is a welcome increase from the initial Government proposals of 2% but the intention to incrementally decrease the crop cap sends mixed messages to industry.

However, the NFU is pleased to see Government commit to raising the renewable blending obligation.

The security of the biofuels market gives farmers the confidence to make investments and manage volatility, which ultimately benefits farmings productivity and the nations food security.

Access to markets

The NFU said that as Brexit looms and brings times of uncertainty, it is vital for the industry that farmers have access to as many markets as possible.

He continued: An industry that produces enough high protein animal feed for circa 40% of the UK dairy industry, displacing imported feed, is one that should be strengthened and supported by the Government, not constrained.

Government support and commitment to British farming is needed across all departments. This issue demonstrates the need for policies that practically support profitable, productive and progressive farming.

A low crop cap would severely impact the UKs production of bioethanol  the two plants in the UK can process 2.2 million tonnes of wheat, or circa 15% of the UK wheat production.

The UK biofuels market can play a major part in decarbonising the transport industry. The NFU said it is also disappointed to see that biomethane from anaerobic digestion has been excluded from the list of developmental fuels.

The biofuels market is an important outlet for UK arable production, and the security of the market is seen as giving farmers the confidence to make investments in their business, which ultimately benefits productivity on farm.
Yearsley herd reduction produces top of 7,800gns for cow and calf outfit
Golden Star Ganesh is the romantic star of Sandalwood. The actor efficiently balances romance, action and comedy like a piece of cake.

The actor who was previously basking in the glory of his latest release, Mugulu Nage, has now started working for his next film.

Yes, the actor has been training physically in preparation for the character that he plays in his next film. He has adopted quite a few unique techniques to get fit instead of conventionally hitting a gym.

He was last seen performing a physical training regime in front of his residence in RR Nagar, Bengaluru. With a few local training techniques, the actor is upping his ante.

Ganesh is seen lifting a heavy vehicle tyre and walking in front of his residence. In what appears to be a training session, the actor is constantly encouraged to perform the task by his trainer.

A video of the same has been uploaded to Facebook by the Golden Star himself from his account. A lot of fans and followers have commented, expressing their happiness and encouraging their idol.

By the way, Ganesh will next be seen in the film, Orange, which will be directed by Prashant Raj. Take a look at the video..
Problems with Eagle Eye headlights

This is really a question for Eagle Eye, but I can only find phone numbers in Japan, or Korea, or China... and I barely speak English. So, I am taking a chance on the collective knowledge here....



When I bought my Ex back in June (2017), it came with a relatively new (at least, they look very new) pair of Eagle Eye's, which look great but function terribly:



First, they do not seem to have any horizontal (left-right) adjustment. Say it ain't so! Anyone?



Second, when I switch from low to high beam, the passenger's side beam(s) functions properly  the beam raises to point farther down the road, as one would expect the high beam to do. However, with the driver's side beam, when switching from low to high beam, the high beam points lower in the road, closer to the truck  like it is aimed at 10 feet in front of the truck (while the low beam is aimed at, maybe, 50 feet in front of the truck; I think you get the idea). This characteristic stays the same when I make vertical adjustments on this side.



Anyone? Any thoughts?



Thanks!



I am attaching a picture of the Eagle Eye light numbers.



Finally, I've read some other threads, but I did not see anyone else with this problem.
Singapores Marina Bay Street Circuit could not be more different to Monza, the last venue visited by the teams this year. Ferrari came here as pre-race favourites  and heres just a couple of features that will help Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen extract maximum performance from the SF70H this weekend

Singapore places heavy demands on a Formula 1 cars stopping power, thanks to several major braking events with little track time in between to aid cooling. No surprise, then, that the discs used here have the maximum number of venting holes  around 1,400 in the case of Ferraris Brembo set-up. Those holes are arranged in diagonal lines of six, contrasting with the horizontal lines of five seen in Monza (inset). Note also the unusual pick-up point for the suspensions push rod link (red arrow), which can be easily changed to allow for different suspension geometries.
Twin Falls Methodists announce new programs

New programs have been added to the regular schedule at First United Methodist Church, 360 Shoshone Street East, Twin Falls.

Each Sunday at 8:30 a.m., the Reverend Mike Holloman will hold a discussion of that days scripture.

At 9:30 am, Holloman will preside over worship as he continues his sermon series on Moses, drawing a correlation between the problems of ancient times and the problems of today. The chancel choir has returned from its summer hiatus and will present special music at the worship service.

Ron Jones and Scott Lindquist will lead an adult Sunday School class at 10:45 am in the church library. A video of the renowned Adam Hamilton preaching will be shown, followed by class discussion. People do not need to attend every class and there is no book to buy. The first series is called Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope. The class will explore the most common worries and fears experienced by Americans today, consider practical steps for overcoming these fears, and reflect upon fear in the light of scripture and a faith that promises again and again that we dot need to live in fear. Lets lived with courage and hope!

Simple Church is lead by Pastor Holloman at 6 p.m. every Sunday in the Weslyan Chapel on the third floor of the church building.

A Bible study on Galations: the Gospel of Grace meets at 2 p.m. in the Friendship Room of the church and is led by Pastor Elaine Steele. Everyone is welcome.

Buhl goes back to church

Buhl Calvary Assembly of God invites the public to their back-to-church service on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. K-6 students will meet at the same time in the fellowship hall for the 4:12 Kids Church. Following the morning services, there will be a free lunch. Sunday school is at 10:00 a.m. Buhl Calvary Assembly of God is located at 110 Fruitland Ave. For questions, call Pastor Matt at 208-543-5559.

Ascension Episcopal welcomes guest celebrant

The Rev. Lea Colvill will be the guest celebrant for the Holy Communion service on Sunday at 9 a.m. at Ascension Episcopal Church. Mother Colvill is the priest at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hailey and also part-time childrens librarian at the Hailey Public Library.

Childcare will be available from 8:45 a.m. until after the worship service. Ascension Cafe, the adult discussion group, will continue a six-part discussion of the Lords Prayer after the service.

Adult Religious Study meets Sunday from 4-6 p.m. in the Memorial Room at the church. Led by David Duhaime, the group will discuss Hierarchy of Truths: Jesuss Use of Scripture. For questions, call Dave Duhaime at 208-733-8881.

On Wednesdays, the KNUTs  Knit Us Together  meet from 1-3 p.m. for fellowship as they work on knitting/crocheting projects to be donated in various ways, or work on individual projects. Interested parties are invited to join this group.

The public is welcome for worship, study and fellowship at Ascension Episcopal Church, which is handicapped-accessible. The church is located at 371 Eastland Drive N., Twin Falls. More information can be found at www.episcopaltwinfalls.org or by calling 208-733-1248.

The Hope At the Heart of Our Faith

This Sunday, Rev. Elizabeth Greene will approach the difficult topic of race, in our society and in the Unitarian Universalist Association. She will reflect on how the issue has developed over time, and how it seems currently.

Rev. Greene will also bring perspective and hopefully some optimism to the situation most of us find ourselves in: mostly white folks in a mostly white area, concerned about justice, equity and compassion.

As Unitarian Universalists, we have a proud tradition of responding to the imperatives of love and justice to work with those of us who are marginalized and oppressed in society and the world.

Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another.

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is available.

Please join us Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center, 588 Addison Avenue West in Twin Falls at 10:30 AM.

The Vendor Blender is located near the old hospital near the intersection of Martin St. and Addison Avenue West.

For information please contact Ken Whiting at 208-734-9161.

To submit information about church events and news. Contact Alison Smith at asmith@magicvalley.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday for publication on the Saturday religion page. Please insert Church News in the email subject line.
Any cessation of farm support, or major change to the way subsidies are delivered post Brexit, will have a serious impact on the whole of rural Scotland, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing has warned.

In a tersely worded letter to Defra secretary Michael Gove, Mr Ewing said a lack of clarity from Defra about future funding and support arrangements is holding Scottish farmers back.

See also: Scots in line for 90% BPS loans this autumn

I wish to reiterate the importance of Scotlands agriculture sector, which is dominated by livestock farmers and crofters, with 85% of Scotlands agricultural land classed as Less Favoured Areas (LFA), he said.

It is crucial that support for farmers is maintained at current levels, to both support our farming sector and for the upstream and downstream benefits it brings to communities and wider rural businesses.

Any cessation, or even hiatus, of support risks significant impacts beyond the farming sector, including risking land abandonment and rural depopulation.

Funding concerns

Mr Ewing has therefore challenged Mr Gove to provide more detail about how future funding will be provided.

In your recent speech at a WWF event, you stated that this government has pledged that, when we leave the EU, we will match the 3bn that farmers currently receive in support from the CAP until 2022. But, there is no clarity of what this means, he wrote.

In particular, Mr Ewing wants confirmation that, as well as Pillar 1 payments (BPS and Greening), the guarantee also covers Pillar 2, which includes things like the LFA Support Scheme (LFASS) and new entrants schemes, which are disproportionately important to Scotland.

The letter also demands confirmation on whether Mr Gove plans to allow the Scottish government to deliver the funding through its current schemes with adequate flexibility to ensure that they are designed to meet the outcomes for Scotland.

Additionally, Mr Ewing wants clarity on what 2022 actually refers to. I hope this means applications submitted in 2022 on the Single Application Form (SAF), or contracts entered into in the 2022 calendar year for those schemes that do not use the SAF, which are then paid in subsequent years.

Without certainty of funding what schemes will be permissible, forward planning is virtually impossible, said Mr Ewing.

In response, a Defra spokesman said the secretary of state recognised the importance of stability and certainty for farmers. That is why will continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support under both pillars of the CAP until the end of this parliament.

He also explained that Mr Gove was in Scotland on Friday (15 September) meeting representatives of the farming industry so they can help shape future policy outside the EU. Well continue working with farmers from across the UK as we develop our new approach.
Nokia 8 gets September Android Security patch update after Nokia 5 News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Nokia 8 receives the first update.

A few days back, we saw the Nokia 5 receiving an update bringing the September Android security patch ahead of the Nexus and Pixel smartphones. Now, it looks like Nokia 6 has followed suit as the update has hit the smartphone.

The Nokia 8 flagship smartphone was announced in August and is not available in many markets. Despite the fact that it is yet to be released in several markets, the Security update has been rolled out to the device. The users of Nokia 8 can download the update from the prompt that you receive via a notification or get the same from the Settings menu by checking for the update, claims a report by NokiaPowerUser.

HMD Global seems to be highly focused on rolling out updates to the Nokia Android smartphones. The company has already confirmed that all the Nokia smartphones will receive the latest software updates and the entry-level Nokia 3 has already been updated to Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

Also, the company will offer two years of Android OS support to the Nokia branded smartphones. In fact, we have seen the Nokia 8 and the yet-to-be-announced Nokia 9 running the Android 8.0 Oreo update on the benchmarking websites tipping that the update might hit these smartphones in the coming months. Maybe, the Nokia 8 and other Nokia phones will receive the Android Oreo update by the end of this year

The latest update that brings the September Security patch to the Nokia 8 bundles bug fixes and improvements. These will definitely enhance the stock Android experience on the Nokia smartphone as the device comes with no bloatware and brings timely updates.

When it comes to the release time frame, the Nokia 8 is believed to be released in India sometime around the festival of Diwali in October. Being a flagship smartphone, we can expect it to cost around Rs. 45,000.

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Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 stocks get empty in just 58 seconds News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 has garnered a huge demand.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is the second generation full-screen bezel-less smartphone that has come from the Chinese manufacturer. The device was unveiled last week and went on sale in China yesterday at an affordable pricing starting from $506 (approx. Rs. 32,500).

Being an affordable bezel-less smartphone, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 turns out to have a huge demand among the consumers. The device is claimed to have got out of stock in just 58 seconds of its release during the first sale. Xiaomi's CEO has assured that they will add enough stock to quench the demand of the fans in the country. This is not too surprising as 250,000 pre-registrations were recorded for the device in just one day.

Having been sold out too quickly in the first sale, the second sale of the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is slated to happen on September 19. We strongly believe that the stocks of the device will get empty quickly even during the second sale.

At the time of the unveiling the Mi Mix 2, Xiaomi has confirmed that the smartphone will soon be released in India. However, we are yet to get the confirmation regarding when the launch will happen in the country and the price point as well.

In the meantime, are is a recap on the specs of the Mi Mix 2. The smartphone comes with a 5.99-inch FHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio. Under its hood, there is an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC paired with Adreno 540 GPU. The device runs on MIUI 9 based on Android 7.0 Nougat.

At its rear, there is a 12MP Sony iMX386 sensor with 4-axis OIS, 4K video recording support, dual LED flash and f/2.0 aperture. Up front, the device features a 5MP selfie camera with FHD 1080p video recording, autofocus, and face recognition. The other goodies include 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C port, a fingerprint sensor at the rear and a 3400mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 support.

Via: GizmoChina

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It looks like 5G Phones will go mainstream sooner than predicted News oi -Samden Sherpa Rising consumer and business demands are forcing the industry to accelerate its previous 2020 timeline to upgrade to new 5G network and devices.

Qualcomm's CEO Steven Mollenkopf has just given an interesting insight stating that the first 5G phones will be ready to meet next-generation mobile standards and be available for the mass market in 2019 in several Asian countries and the United States. The CEO's statement confirms the debut of 5g phones a year ahead of most predictions.

Mollenkopf has said that rising consumer and business demands were forcing the telecom industry to accelerate its previous 2020 timeline to upgrade to new networks and devices. "You will see it (5G) in real devices, on the shelf, in 2019. And if I were to answer that same question a year ago, I would have said 2020", Mollenkopf said in an interview on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Besides, commercialization of 5G seems to have become vital to grow the revenue of network equipment makers like Huawei, Nokia, and Ericsson, as well as device makers like Samsung Electronics and Apple by enabling demand for new features and equipment upgrades.

The benefits of moving to new networks promise new mobile services and even whole new business models. Besides, 5G standards will deliver not just faster phone or computer data but link up cars, machines, cargo and crop equipment to the Internet.

But again this new change could pose challenges for industries unable to invest in the change.

Mollenkopf has also revealed that South Korea, Japan, and the United States already have network operators working in each market preparing mainstream network launches for 2019. China will likely join the trend as well.

Further, "You will see robust demand in all of those locations, meaning that there are multiple operators wanting to be first and not be left behind. (Most) will have a different deployment strategy or goal," he said, fuelling competition for new users.

China, far and away the world's largest market for phones, has traditionally lagged behind these early adopters, but Mollenkopf has forecasted that they will likely join the first movers to 5G.

"What we are seeing in China is a real desire not to be a follower and to launch with everyone else. That's new this time. From a geopolitical perspective, certain regions of the world just don't want to be late to that game," he said.

The Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February 2018 is expected to be the first widespread public showcase for 5G services.

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Chinese man sentenced for espionage in Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

2017/09/15 14:50:32

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) The Taipei District Court sentenced a Chinese national Friday to 14 months in prison for violating the National Security Act.

Zhou Hongxu () was found guilty of attempting to bribe a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official in exchange for classified information.

The 29-year old came to Taiwan five years ago as a student enrolled in a National Chengchi University MBA program, after which he briefly returned to China in August of last year before returning as a management investor.

Zhou was detained incommunicado in March after the official he attempted to bribe informed the authorities of his actions, and he was later indicted in July for violation of the National Security Act.

The sentence can be appealed.

The offense carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of NT$1 million (US$32,735), but the court reportedly gave a more lenient ruling due to the fact that Zhou was unsuccessful in his attempt to get the official to hand over the classified information.

(By Liu Shi-yi and Kuan-lin Liu)

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Tale of Two Trials: Taiwan and China Sentence Alleged Spies in The Same Week

Sputnik News

22:07 15.09.2017(updated 23:42 15.09.2017)

A Taiwanese court has sentenced a Chinese man to fourteen months in prison for attempting to create spies for Beijing within the Taiwanese government. This comes just four days after China found a Taiwanese activist guilty of subversion.

Zhou Hongxu, who received a Masters in Business Administration at Taiwan's National Chengchi University in 2016, was found guilty of violating the National Security Act. Prosecutors sought to give him five years in prison, but the court gave him a lighter sentence because he was not a member of the military, he had not been found to have successfully created any spies, and he had previously confessed to the charges.

According to the Taipei court, a Chinese official instructed the 29-year old Zhou in 2014 to recruit "Taiwanese government personnel and other people of influence" while he lived on the island. In 2016, Zhou allegedly attempted to recruit a Taiwanese foreign ministry official by offering him a $40,000 bribe.

After his arrest, Zhou confessed to Taiwanese authorities. He later withdrew his confession, claiming that he had been framed.

"Zhou Hongxu knew that the cross-strait relationship is an unusual one and the two are considered rivals on the international stage," the court said. His actions caused "not insignificant harm to our national security",

On Monday, Taiwanese human rights activist Li Ming-che pled guilty to subverting the Chinese government, a crime that can be punished with life in prison. Li was arrested in March. After the trial, he read a statement where he apologized for the "subversive act" of penning and circulating articles that "attacked and wickedly smeared the Chinese government" and "promoted Western-style multi-party democracy."

Li's wife Chingyu called her husband's words a "forced confession." She denied any truth to the severe allegations. She says that Li's only crime was being a convenient target during a period of tensions, and thus he found himself as the center of a "political show."

Taipei said that Li was "committed to sharing universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights with the people of China. [He] should not face unreasonable treatment by Chinese authorities in the name of national security,"

Taiwanese media reports that as many as 5,000 Chinese spies have infiltrated Taiwan as relations between the island and the mainland continue to decline.

In May 2016, Tsai Ing-wen took office as president of Taiwan. Tsai, a member of the liberal Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has refused to publicly acknowledge that China and Taiwan are one nation, as her predecessors have.

Taiwan is formally known as the Republic of China, the name of the government of all of China between 1912 and 1949, when the Communist Party won the civil war and established the People's Republic of China on the mainland, claiming that Taiwan represents a rebellious territory of China and not a legitimate government.

Since 1992, the Taiwanese position had been the inverse: that the communist government in Beijing was illegitimate and the Taiwanese government represented the only rightful government of all of China. However, the consensus that there was only one China was the basis for the shaky diplomatic relationship between the two Chinas.

Tsai rejects this stance and claims that Taiwan is its own independent state that is unlikely to ever rejoin the mainland. Beijing vehemently disagrees with this stance, as they consider Taiwan to be little more than a wayward province, and has taken a more hostile posture toward Taipei as a result.

 Sputnik

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CIA Pushes to Expand Drone Strike Authority Despite Pentagon Concerns - Reports

Sputnik News

19:35 15.09.2017

The New York Times reported Friday that the CIA wanted to expand its authority to use drone strikes in war zones, despite concerns from the US military.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) wants to expand its authority to use covert drone strikes in Afghanistan and other war zones even though the US military has expressed concerns, media reported on Friday citing intelligence and military officials.

The White House seems to favor the push despite some concerns from the US Defense Department, the New York Times said.

The CIA currently has the authority to carry out covert drone strikes against al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations across the border in Pakistan. If US President Trump approves the measure, it would mark the first time the CIA has such powers in Afghanistan as well, according to the report.

The Defense Department is in charge of conducting airstrikes against militants in the Middle East. The military publicly acknowledges its airstrikes, unlike the CIA, which carried out covert drone strikes in Pakistan for roughly a decade without either country's public acknowledgment, the report claimed.

The move comes as a part of a broader push in the Trump's White House to expand CIA's authority in the conflict zones, according to current and former officials cited by The New York Times.

 Sputnik

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TWIN FALLS  A Twin Falls man is accused of kidnapping a 16-year-old coworker, putting her in a storage room and fondling her.

Jose C. Guzman, 20 was arraigned Friday on a felony charge of second-degree kidnapping.

Court records say Twin Falls police were dispatched around 9 a.m. Thursday to Cafe Rio restaurant on Blue Lakes Boulevard North. They talked with a woman who said her 16-year-old daughter hadnt come home the night before.

The mother received a text message around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday from her daughter, saying she was still working and wasnt coming home yet.

A police officer talked with the Cafe Rio manager who was overseeing the shift Wednesday night. He said a boy who was waiting for a ride from his parents may have seen the girl leave.

The boy said he saw the girl get into a blue car with her coworker, Guzman. He said another man was driving, but he didnt know who he was.

Police went to Guzmans home address at the 200 block of Alexander Street. A woman who answered the door, who said she was Guzmans sister, said she didnt think her brother was home and she didnt know who the missing girl was.

The police officer asked the woman to check Guzmans room.

She came back and said that Jose opened his door, and quickly closed it, court records said. I told her to tell Jose to come out and talk with us.

Guzman repeatedly said he didnt know where the girl was. Jose was acting nervous and paranoid, court records state. He said the last time he saw her was around 10 p.m. Wednesday when hed left work.

When police entered Guzmans room, police noticed a door access to a storage room. Guzman told police there wasnt anything behind the locked door and only his parents have the key to it.

As we were exiting the bedroom, I thought I heard a noise coming from behind the locked door, but was unable to distinguish it as a person, court records said.

Guzmans sister later knocked on the door, telling whoever was inside to come out. A police officer noticed a pair of womans jeans inside out under the bed in the room. Inside a pocket, a work schedule had the missing girls name on top.

Police asked Guzman to tell the girl she could come out of the room. When police asked the girl why she was at Guzmans house, she didnt say anything and was looking toward Guzman.

After police took Guzman outside, the girl said she was afraid that Jose was going to hurt her if she said anything and that she didnt want to be there. She told police she thought Guzman was going to take her home, but he refused.

While looking for the girls cellphone, police found drug paraphernalia in plain sight in the bedroom, a sawed-off shotgun and Guzmans identification. Guzman said the items were his, but OK because he used the drugs for medicine.

Court records say Guzman told police the girl asked to leave the house at least twice, but told her no because it was dark outside and bad things happen to people after dark. Guzman told the girl if she tried to leave, he would hurt her.

The girl said she watched Guzman use marijuana and snort a white powder many times, and was worried hed follow through on his threat of hurting her, records said.

Guzman admitted to police he sexually assaulted the girl because she had turned him on.

Guzman was booked into Twin Falls County Jail on $20,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is Sept. 22.
US, Egyptian armed forces combine for Bright Star 2017

By Staff Sgt. Michael Battles, U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs / Published September 15, 2017

MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, Egypt (AFNS) -- More than 200 U.S. service members are participating alongside the Egyptian armed forces for the bilateral U.S. Central Command Exercise Bright Star 2017, Sept. 10  20, 2017, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt.

Bright Star is a combined command-post and field-training exercise aimed at enhancing regional security and stability by responding to modern-day security scenarios with the Arab Republic of Egypt. A senior leader seminar will be held in conjunction with the training.

"Bright Star has been the leading engagement between the United States and Egypt to collectively address the common interest we share in combatting regional challenges," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jon Mott, CENTCOM exercises director. "It is through exercises like Bright Star that bring our militaries together and allow us to build trust, strengthen partnerships and enhance our capabilities."

The bilateral training aims to strengthen military relationships between U.S. forces and its Egyptian partners in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. Additionally, the goal of Bright Star 2017 is to grow regional security and cooperation, and promote interoperability in conventional and irregular warfare scenarios.

During Bright Star 2017 service members from both countries will participate in a command-post portion consisting of a scenario based on unconventional forces conducting operations against coalition forces. The field-training exercise will focus on tactical interdiction processes for both militaries.

"This exercise manifests the bonds of cooperation and friendship that connects our countries and armed forces, as well as emphasizing the mutual interest in the framework of countering terrorism and maintaining international peace and security," said Egyptian Maj. Gen. Khaled Khairy, Bright Star 2017 exercise director for the Egyptian armed forces.

Khairy also stated the exercise allows both counties to work in a collaborative environment.

"This environment enables us to break barriers of training, communication, capabilities and work together in an appropriate environment," Khairy said. "This exercise also helps in exchanging expertise, increasing understanding and the ability of joint cooperation, so that we will be able to work together in countering terrorism and maintaining international peace and security, to set an international example."

The senior leader seminar will serve as a forum to discuss best practices regarding counter-insurgency, border control and opposing foreign terrorists.

Started in 1981, Bright Star builds on the strategic security relationship between the U.S. and Egypt, a partnership that supports counterterrorism, regional security and efforts to combat the spread of violent extremism.

"Bright Star is an excellent opportunity to improve our ability to partner at the operational level and identify best practices in countering asymmetric threats," Mott said. "I'm very much looking forward to the opportunity to work with [our Egyptian partners] as we collectively learn from and share valuable lessons with each other throughout this exercise."

Bright Star was last held in 2009 with more than 15 countries and 15,000 participants.

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Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 15, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 19 strikes consisting of 30 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 16 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.

-- Near Raqqa, 14 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three vehicles and a command-and-control node; and suppressed two fighting positions.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Huwayjah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS headquarters, two weapons caches, two vehicle-borne bombs, two fighting positions, a command-and-control node, a mortar system, a heavy machine gun and a munitions cache.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed a command-and-control node.

Previous Strikes

Additionally, nine strikes consisting of 19 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 12-13 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- On Sept. 12, near Raqqa, Syria, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

-- On Sept. 13, near Huwayjah, Iraq, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four tunnel entrances, two vehicle-borne bombs and an ISIS-held building.

-- On Sept. 13, near Raqqa, Syria, five strikes destroyed four vehicles, three fighting positions and two logistics nodes.

-- On Sept. 13, near Rawah, Iraq, a strike destroyed an ISIS front-end loader.

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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US Army, British forces showcase seamless cooperation in Estonian training exercise

By Pfc. Nicholas VidroSeptember 15, 2017

TAPA TRAINING AREA, Estonia -- Fighting winds from the whirling helicopter blades overhead, U.S. Army Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade hit the ground running during a dry fire exercise alongside the British army's Fire Support Company, 5th Battalion, "The Rifles," 20th Armored Brigade on September 13, 2017 at Tapa Training Area, Estonia.

The 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment is currently participating in several exercises across Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia as a part of Bayonet Shield, a region-wide exercise taking place to display operational agility between the U.S. and its NATO allies and partners.

The exercise started with the troops of both armies making a descent from UH-60 Black Hawks provided by the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division to conduct a foray into the Estonian woods to engage targets while moving through several training scenarios.

The exercise consisted of breaching and clearing structures, delivering mortar fire on enemy positions, successfully evading chemical attacks, and tending to wounded soldiers before being evacuated from the area via helicopter. While this type of training may be normal for soldiers training for the battlefield, the new Baltic-area environment gave the troops a fresh perspective on being ready to fight. British army Lance Cpl. Robert Davis, the section second-in-command for the reconnaissance team, Fire Support Company, 5th Battalion, "The Rifles," spoke on how the change of scenery was beneficial to all soldiers involved.

"Being in Estonia offers us opportunities to train in a dense wooded area that we're not familiar with, as well as once again train with a foreign nation," he said.

This is one of the first times during Bayonet Shield that British forces have been integrated into a cavalry company to support them directly on the battlefield. U.S. Army Capt. Erik Olsen, assistant planning officer for 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, detailed the importance of working closely with allies.

"Working with other nations is a big deal because it provides the type of training we shoot for. In case there's ever a real world situation, we need to already know how we can work together in the field," he said.

This event allowed U.S. and British soldiers to come together under a unified command to successfully achieve objectives in a new field environment. Davis shared his feelings on the opportunity to train under these conditions.

"It's good to see how allies that we are very close with operate, because it gives us an understanding of the way they do things. During future operations we'll have the ability to integrate our forces better and learn off each other faster," he said.

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Transcript

Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis September 15, 2017

Media Availability by Secretary Mattis en route to Mexico

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JIM MATTIS: I like history; I don't like "1492, Columbus discovered America." When I think of my mom's background, she doesn't really believe she needed to be discovered, you know? (Laughter.) So we're off to Mexico. Independence Day, pay our respects to our southern neighbor.

Again, you all remember that the only full honors parade I've done in my months here is for when the Canadian, Mexican ministers of defense and I were out on the Pentagon parade deck. So, it's just a continuing effort. We have very supportive military-to-military ties and this is simply to reinforce that.

So we're on our way down there. I'm also going to meet with the Colombian minister of defense while I'm there, bilateral, just because he happens to be in town. So, you know, we'll be there for their festivities. I have a good meeting today with my Mexican counterparts.

They're organized like we used to be -- minister of defense and minister of the navy, basically. Like when we had a secretary of the Navy, secretary of the Army, and that's how we ran things, up through World War II.

So -- be a good meeting. We have very good relations. We've been together before. It's not a first meeting, and we'll continue the mil-to-mil relationship. So what's on your mind?

Q: We've got -- on the political level, obviously, there are many challenges and difficulties in the relationship in Mexico: law and immigration and so forth. How do you see yourself navigating through those issues, if at all, during this trip?

SEC. MATTIS: We have shared security concerns. There's partnerships, military-to-military exchanges that are based on trust and respect. I'm going down to build the trust and show the respect on their Independence Day.

Q: Do you -- do you anticipate being asked about some of these other issues that are related? They are security issues, after all.

SEC. MATTIS: No. No.

Q: Talk about the security aspects, the security importance of the U.S./Mexico relationship. What are the common concerns?

SEC. MATTIS: Clearly, drugs going through their country; illegal human trafficking, much of it out of either Central America, even outside the Americas, coming in through there; the counter-corruption efforts, how do we support them on what they're doing. The government is working it. How we are addressing drug reduction in the United States to dry up the demand that feeds this whole raft of issues.

Q: Sir, you might have seen yesterday that the most senior Canadian official to NORAD went back and told his parliament that the U.S. is not responsible for protecting Canada in the case of an attack. As you head to --

SEC. MATTIS: He said the U.S. was not responsible for protecting Canada?

Q: -- In the case of an attack. That's their --

SEC. MATTIS: I haven't seen that.

Q: -- there's a recent report of that. But, as you go into Mexico, sir, what concerns do you have that America's neighbors can't rely on it in the case of a security scenario?

SEC. MATTIS: No concerns whatsoever.

Q: And why is that, sir?

SEC. MATTIS: This is a relationship that has been many decades in the making. Just go back - just for an example - go back to World War II. It doesn't start with us. It will not end with us.

You go back to those days when Mexico helped defend the Pacific coast line against supposed incursions, when the Japanese were surging across the Pacific. You look at Canada and the United States in World War II, landing together at Normandy, fighting together in Korea, the continued military-to-military relations -- Canada, the first troops -- conventional troops to replace me -- relieve me, reinforce me in Afghanistan in 2001 were Princess Patricia Light Infantry from Canada.

They were there when we got attacked. We stand by them. We share the North American Air Defense Command. Just by the description you just gave, that the deputy commander of North American Air Defense Command is a Canadian three-star officer -- I mean, we are -- we are even embedded in -- in joint command -- coalition commands like that.

With Mexico, very, very strong, quiet military-to-military relations.

Q: So, sir, why do you believe that rhetoric from the president that is literally divisive and is based around things like building walls -- why doesn't that chip away at the relationship that you're talking about?

SEC. MATTIS: Again, our military-to-military relationship, we maintain a very steady relationship, a growing relationship built on trust and respect.

Q: While you're there, will you be offering condolences for Hurricane Katia and the earthquake?

SEC. MATTIS: Absolutely. I think the latest count that I received -- I want to find out what their count is, I believe it's 96 Mexican citizens killed in that hurricane.

I mean, that was a -- down in the southern part of the country. Sometimes we hear more about troubles or -- or storms up closer to us. This is down in the southern end, but I want to get updated on it and see how they're doing about it.

Q: Do you mean in the earthquake, that -- that --

SEC. MATTIS: Excuse me, in the earthquake, yes. Thank you.

Q: Certainly.

SEC. MATTIS: Yes, it was 96 killed.

Q: Sir, do you think that Mexico, not -- not just to the earthquake, but just more in general in terms of combating the drug issue -- that they've asked for the United States in terms of training, equipment, anything like that or anything we're going to be offering them?

SEC. MATTIS: We have a very strong relationship. I think we've delivered helicopters that they decided they needed. We work at the navy-to-navy, all that goes on. I'm not going down for -- the reason I'm there this day is Mexican Independence Day, and we'll talk about all these things.

But I go there mostly to listen.

Q: Mr. Secretary, John Kelly is quoted in today's "New York Times" saying that Mexico is on the verge of imploding. He compared it to Venezuela under Hugo Chavez -- do you believe that Mexico is imploding?

SEC. MATTIS: No.

Q: How would you -- I mean -- do you think you're going to be asked about those remarks?

SEC. MATTIS: Mexico -- the government -- the people are keenly aware of their crime problem. They're dealing with them. The drug problem -- drug trafficking going into America -- we're working together on it.

You know, Mexico's got -- every nation has its challenges it deals with, and Mexico is keenly aware of these, and I'm there to support them in dealing with them.

Q: And I hate to ask about the wall, but I mean, is there any U.S. military role in perhaps defending that wall? Should -- should there be?

SEC. MATTIS: No.

Q: No U.S. military (inaudible)?

SEC. MATTIS: No. In the United States, we use Customs and Border Patrol to maintain the sovereignty of our nation's borders, not the U.S. military.

If there was, you know, obviously a problem, whether it be a hurricane or something in southern Texas or something, would we be there to reinforce local police? Perhaps. But I -- that's a speculation.

Our job is -- is overseas. We have no arrest authority in the United States, and that -- those are law enforcement issues, not military.

Q: Mr. Secretary, there's been a lot of discussion about whether or not there's more assets needed in the -- on the Pacific side of Mexico to deal with the drugs. Do you see that being a military mission, a Coast Guard mission? Do you have the ability and the bandwidth to do that?

SEC. MATTIS: So, Dan, you're talking about in the blue water?

Q: Really, both.

SEC. MATTIS: Inside Mexico's territorial waters, I see us having no role.

Q: Okay.

SEC. MATTIS: In the blue water, beyond the territorial limits, we work collaboratively with navies from Colombia, from Costa Rica, you know, Mexico, they work with us. It's principally a law enforcement issue, so when we're engaged in that, we'll take Coast Guard officers and boarding teams with us.

Again, we don't have arrest authority. We can provide them the transportation and the backup. And if they find a problem, then they can arrest. But it's a navy-to-navy relationship, and when it comes down to actual going after the drug people from us, it's a law enforcement issue, reinforced by Coast Guard.

Q: What about increasing ISR, drones, anything like that?

SEC. MATTIS: You know, we work collaboratively. I won't go into the specifics, Dan, but we'll see what they have to say. That's why I'm going down there, to talk to them about it.

Q: Sir, since a little bit of time has passed, is there anything else you can tell us about yesterday's North Korea launch?

SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Sally, could you hand me -- I think it's under the -- yes, let me just look.

You know, I saw Secretary Tillerson's statement, and he makes note of something I mentioned to some of you in the downstairs. I've had, you know, millions, tens of millions of Japanese people going into duck and cover -- second time that they've had to do that since World War II.

And I believe it will further North Korea's isolation -- diplomatic and economic isolation -- because more and more nations are realizing there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified U.N. Security Council concerns.

I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyze it.

Q: Did the South Koreans try to shoot the missile down?

SEC. MATTIS: Did they?

Q: Did the South Koreans try to shoot the missile down? (Inaudible) you saw some --

(CROSSTALK)

SEC. MATTIS: Not that I'm aware of.

Q: (Inaudible) right away. Okay.

SEC. MATTIS: Not that I'm aware -- no, I'm not aware of any effort by the South Koreans to shoot it down.

Q: Okay.

Q: They fired a missile somewhere. The South Koreans fired a ballistic --

SEC. MATTIS: The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves.

Q: The nuclear test -- you said earlier this week, it was more than 100 kilotons, potentially.

SEC. MATTIS: I believe it was, yes.

Q: There's reporting out of Asia that it's actually potentially like -- potentially even twice that size. Do you have anything on that?

SEC. MATTIS: No, I -- not right now. No.

Q: Sir, tell us about how the rest of your trip went, coming out of Minot, now coming out of Offutt. Any questions answered for you in terms of the nuclear posture review?

SEC. MATTIS: It mostly was clarifying and confirming and -- but gaining more depth on how the warfighter that's tasked with maintaining the deterrent and deploying it so that we could employ it, thus we don't have to employ it. I just wanted to deepen my understanding and make sure I was current. And that was very much accomplished -- a very, very productive trip.

Q: Can you talk about some of the concerns you might have heard from any of the airmen on either of your stops?

SEC. MATTIS: No, I won't share those. I will just tell you that we have a safe and effective deterrent right now, and obviously we're engaged in the posture review, the updating and the modernizing of it to maintain it. That's about future readiness. The current readiness -- it's ready.

Q: Any greater sense no of when the NPR might be ready?

SEC. MATTIS: No, no, and that hasn't changed in 24 hours, okay? Well, I don't like -- I tell people, "I want you to move, I want this to be your primary job. I don't want any moss to grow on your feet." But I don't generally put timelines on things until I'm sure that it does not constrain -- in military operations, the officers and NCOs in the field. And on studies like this, I want it done right, not fast. This is going to have to endure and be persuasive to me and be intellectually rigorous.

Q: (Off mic) Tens of thousands of, I guess, service members' response to the hurricanes in the United States --

SEC. MATTIS: Oh, yes.

Q: -- in Irma -- how has that, if at all, impacted readiness? And also budgetarily, with the CR and everything else coming up, how has that affected (inaudible)?

SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Well, budget-wise, we'll have to see if our response to the hurricane impacts. Generally speaking, we can be reimbursed from outside -- U.S. military funding, because there's funds set aside by the government for this sort of -- you know, that's how FEMA operates and all. But I'll have to see about readiness impact.

I'll tell you that I've looked at the units that were assigned. What I'm looking for is their next deployment and what does this do to the readiness cycle, their preparation, that sort of thing. And I don't have all the answers on it yet.

We're looking at -- we intentionally chose units where it would have the least impact. I'm not saying it had none. I just have to look at it. It may not have any impact. But I have to look at it.

Q: I saw on your schedule that you're scheduled to meet with CNO Richardson sometime later?

SEC. MATTIS: Oh, yes.

Q: Do you plan to get an update on any of these ship collisions?

SEC. MATTIS: No, not right now. I'll wait until the investigations are done.

Q: The CNO is in Mexico, is that --

SEC. MATTIS: No, no. That's a good thing to bring up, thank you. You know, when we talk about mil-to-mil relations, I mean, he was down there whether I was going or not because we have very close relationships with SEMAR, their department of the Navy. And so he's down there as just an example of it.

General Robinson, who's also -- will also be down there for this. She's our commander of NORTHCOM, and she has very close relations, and that command does, with Mexico. And so this is just a sign of how deep the relations run.

Staff: Sir, you've got ten more minutes.

SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Oh, yes.

Q: Sir, do you know if any of the other service chiefs were invited or are planning to go, or?

SEC. MATTIS: No, I don't know. They have to run their own schedules. I've got -- I'm busy enough on mine, you know? (Laughter.)

Okay, thank you.

Q: Thanks very much, sir.

END

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1313504/

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US drone attack kills 3 in Pakistan's tribal region

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 03:39PM

A US drone strike has killed three people in the tribal area of Pakistan near the Afghanistan border.

"Two missiles were dropped on the home of Maulvi Mohib and three people have been killed," said Baseer Khan Wazir on Friday. Wazir is the political agent and the most senior administrator in the Kurram Agency region in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan.

Afghan Taliban sources said the attack targeted Pakistan-based Haqqani militants who are allied to the Taliban militants in Afghanistan.

Two sources said Mohib was affiliated with Haqqani. "He remained associated with the Haqqani network but wasn't a prominent figure," said one senior Taliban member.

Another Taliban member, whose name was not mentioned in the report either, said Mohib was part of the Afghan Taliban. "We don't differentiate the Haqqani network and Taliban. This is just a propaganda of the Western media."

The US-led international forces in Afghanistan had no immediate information on the strike.

The United States carries out internationally-condemned extrajudicial drone strikes in several Islamic countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya.

If confirmed, it would be the first US drone strike inside Pakistan since President Donald Trump outlined his new Afghanistan strategy.

The US president unveiled his administration's new strategy in Afghanistan last month. He said he would prolong US military intervention in Afghanistan, ordering added forces in the region.

US officials have urged the neighboring Pakistani government to crack down on Haqqani militants operating in Pakistan. Islamabad, however, denies there are any militants on its side.

Observers predicted an increase in US drone attacks inside Pakistan when Trump came into power, but since January there have only been a few.

Another option being weighed by Washington, according to US officials, is targeted sanctions against Pakistani officials with links to extremist groups such as Haqqani.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, however, told Reuters on Monday that such a move would be counterproductive.

Trump, who had initially called for the 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 militants there.

The United States, under the presidency of Republican George W. Bush, and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. Insecurity remains in the country despite the presence of foreign troops.

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Saudi airstrike kills 4 civilians in southwest Yemen

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 03:04PM

At least four civilians have lost their lives when Saudi military aircraft conducted an airstrike in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz as the Riyadh regime continues with its devastating aerial bombardment campaign against its impoverished and conflict-ridden southern neighbor.

Local sources said the assault targeted a truck as it was travelling along a road in the al-Barada area of al-Barh town in the province, situated 346 kilometers (214 miles) south of the capital Sana'a, on Friday afternoon, Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported.

Saudi warplanes also carried out five airstrikes against an outdoor market in al-Barh. There were, however, no immediate reports about the number of possible casualties and the extent of damage caused.

Later in the day, Yemeni soldiers and allied fighters from Popular Committees launched two domestically-produced Zelzal-2 (Earthquake-2) missiles at a gathering of militiamen loyal to resigned president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, but no words on casualties were reported.

Yemeni troops and their allies also fired a barrage of rockets at al-Makhrouq al-Kabir, al-Mostahaddeth, Raqabah and al-Sadis military bases in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Najran.

US drone strike leaves three people dead in southern Yemen

Meanwhile, three people were killed when a US unmanned aerial vehicle struck an area in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan.

A local security official and residents said the strike targeted Mudiyah district, identifying the trio as suspected members of the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Takfiri terrorist outfit.

AQAP as well as the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group have exploited more than two years of Saudi Arabia's war against the Yemeni nation, trying to deepen their influence in the impoverished country by launching bombings and shooting attacks.

Saudi Arabia has been incessantly pounding Yemen since March 2015 in an attempt to crush the popular Houthi Ansarullah movement and reinstate Hadi, who is a staunch ally of the Riyadh regime.

More than 12,000 people have been killed since the onset of the campaign more than two and a half years ago. Much of the Arabian Peninsula country's infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and factories, has been reduced to rubble due to the war.

The Saudi war has also triggered a deadly cholera epidemic across Yemen.

According to data provided by the World Health Organization and Yemen's Health Ministry, the country's cholera outbreak, the worst on record in terms of its rapid spread, has infected 612,703 people and killed 2,048 since it began in April, with some districts still reporting sharp rises in new cases.

The United Nations also says the Saudi war has left some 17 million Yemenis hungry, nearly seven million facing famine, and about 16 million almost without access to water or sanitation.

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Venezuela stops using US dollars in oil trade

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 06:22AM

Venezuela has reportedly stopped using US dollars in its oil trade activities in a move which could be meant to keep the country immune to Washington's economic penalties.

The Wall Street Journal quoted sources familiar with the situation as saying that Venezuelan authorities have told oil traders that the country would no longer make or accept payments for oil deals in US dollars.

Oil traders who export Venezuelan oil or import petroleum products have already begun to convert invoices to euros, the media outlet reported.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Venezuela made this decision in a response to the US sanctions introduced last month. The Ministry of Petroleum of Venezuela has not yet commented on the report, added the report that was also carried by Russia's Sputnik news agency.

The reported move comes a day after a statement made by Venezuelan Minister of Petroleum Eulochio del Pino, who reiterated the country's president's vow to start selling oil in currencies other than the US dollar, in particular, the Chinese yuan.

US President Donald Trump introduced new sanctions against Venezuela in August to put financial pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government, over its plan to rewrite the country's constitution through a National Constituent Assembly, a new body elected in late June. The new legislature has not been recognized by the country's opposition, the European Union or the United States.

Washington's restrictive measure against Caracas specifically bans US companies from dealing with new debt obligations and securities issued by the Venezuelan government and the state oil company PDVSA, with a maturity of more than 30 days and more than 90 days, respectively.

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Romanian Soldier Killed In Afghan Car-Bomb Attack

RFE/RL September 15, 2017

The Romanian Defense Ministry says one of its soldiers with the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan has been killed and two others injured after they were attacked by a vehicle packed with explosives.

The soldiers were on a patrol in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar region on September 15 when the vehicle crashed into their convoy, the ministry said in a statement.

NATO's Resolute Support mission said in a separate statement that a "vehicle-borne improvised explosive device" targeted a patrol of its troops in Kandahar on September 15, wounding a "small number" of its personnel.

But the statement made no mention of fatalities and did not indicate the nationalities of the injured. It said that additional information would be disclosed as appropriate.

Local officials, however, said the injured soldiers were from Romania, which has been a NATO member since 2004 and is contributing more than 620 troops to the alliance's mission in Afghanistan.

A spokesman for the Resolute Support mission, Lieutenant Damien Horvath, told RFE/RL by telephone on September 15 that the coalition could not immediately provide further details about casualties sustained in the incident.

But he said there was only one attack on a coalition patrol in the Kandahar region on September 15.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that seven foreign soldiers were killed. The militant group frequently makes exaggerated claims about its battlefield gains.

The Taliban was driven from power in Afghanistan by a U.S.-led invasion following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States -- carried out by Al-Qaeda, whose leaders were sheltered by the Taliban.

But the government in Kabul is struggling to stamp out insurgents following the departure of most NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2014.

"The security situation in Afghanistan remains unstable, with most incidents occurring in the eastern and southern provinces," the Romanian Defense Ministry said in its September 15 statement.

"NATO forces securing the military bases and major centers of the country remain permanent targets for possible attacks by insurgents," it added.

The Romanian Defense Ministry and the NATO-led coalition said that the inured soldiers were being treated at a Kandahar military hospital.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and VOA

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-nato- romania-car-bomb-attack/28737939.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. Campaign Regulator Considers Changes After Revelation Of Russian Ad Purchases On Facebook

RFE/RL September 15, 2017

Facebook's disclosure that Russians purchased political ads on the social network during last year's presidential campaign has prompted action by the U.S. agency that regulates campaign practices.

The U.S. Federal Election Commission said on September 14 that it will consider requiring more disclosures for the first time about who placed ads that appear on social media and asked for public comment on whether to revise its current disclaimer requirements, which exempt social-media firms.

"Given the revelations of the past few days regarding the secret purchase of thousands of Internet political ads by foreign actors during the 2016 presidential election, there can no longer reasonably be any doubt that we need to revise and modernize our Internet disclaimer regulations," said Democratic Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, who raised the matter before the commission.

"The need for us to act grows more compelling every day," she said, "and it is our duty to have these changes in place in time to inform the 2018 elections."

Weintraub said the commission should seek public testimony from Facebook, Twitter, and Google to learn more about who is placing political ads on their networks.

While foreign governments are allowed under U.S. law to buy ads and publicity for certain issues, they must disclose such spending and it is illegal for them to try to interfere in elections. Russia has denied any efforts to interfere.

Last week, Facebook said an operation based in Russia spent $100,000 on thousands of U.S. ads promoting political messages against immigrants and gays. It said it provided its findings to the U.S. Justice Department and congressional committees that are investigating whether Russia meddled in the election.

Facebook has not released copies of the ads, which it said it had deleted after discovering they were placed by Russian organizations.

But the Daily Beast last week said it was able to retrieve some of the deleted ads and found they actively promoted signature issues in U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign platform, such as calling for the deportation of illegal immigrants and building a border wall between the United States and Mexico.

Members of the Election Commission disagreed on whether rules changes were needed and whether the Russian Facebook ads were a problem.

"I've drawn no conclusions...about what the ads said or if they're even under our jurisdiction because I have no idea what the text of those ads said," said Lee Goodman, a Republican commissioner, during a meeting on September 14.

Goodman said the matter might fall under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department, which enforces laws on foreign agents operating in the country.

Commission Chairman Steven Walther said the commission may need the tech sector to help craft regulations.

"We should make sure that we're going to be able to get the Googles or some of the people who have the technological expertise to help us move in a constructive direction," he said.

Also this week, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said that executives from Facebook, Twitter, and other social-media companies should be called to testify before Congress about Russia's involvement in the election.

"It certainly appears that the Russians were engaged in a multipronged approach in using social media, through paid advertising, through paid event organizing, through dissemination and amplification of false and negative stories," Representative Adam Schiff told reporters in Washington.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-campaign- regulator-probing-russian-ad-purchases- facebook/28736821.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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Afghanistan Hopes for Deliveries of Russian Military Helicopters  Ambassador

Sputnik News

21:55 15.09.2017

The Afghan ambassador to Russia told Sputnik that Afghanistan hoped to receive Russian military helicopters.

NIZHNY NOVGOROD (Russia) (Sputnik)  Afghanistan hopes to receive Russian military helicopters needed for equipping the country's Air Force, Afghan Ambassador to Russia Abdul Qayyum Kochai told Sputnik on Friday.

"We are holding negotiations on the deliveries of helicopters. Our army has already gotten acquainted with Russian helicopters and we hope for further cooperation with Russia. We also want Russia to continue maintenance of these helicopters," Kochai said.

He pointed out that Afghanistan also expected Russian assistance in the fight against terrorism, saying that Kabul needed Russian military production.

The Afghan armed forces currently use Russian Mi-17 helicopters, as well as old Mi-24s supplied from India.

In March, Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani expressed hope that Moscow would open a helicopter servicing center in Afghanistan as soon as possible.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from unstable political, social and security situation due to the activity of the Taliban movement as well as Daesh, both banned in Russia. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, supported by the US-led coalition, are currently conducting joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across the country.

 Sputnik

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BOISE  Tourists heading to central Idaho will be in the dark if local officials get their way.

The first International Dark Sky Reserve in the United States would fill a chunk of the states sparsely populated region that contains night skies so pristine that interstellar dust clouds are visible in the Milky Way.

We know the night sky has inspired people for many thousands of years, said John Barentine, program manager at the Tucson, Arizona-based International Dark-Sky Association. When they are in a space where they can see it, its often a very profound experience.

Supporters say excess artificial light causes sleeping problems for people and disrupts nocturnal wildlife and that a dark sky can solve those problems, boost home values and draw tourists. Opposition to dark sky measures elsewhere in the U.S. have come from the outdoor advertising industry and those against additional government regulations.

Researchers say 80 percent of North Americans live in areas where light pollution blots out the night sky. Central Idaho contains one of the few places in the contiguous United States large enough and dark enough to attain reserve status, Barentine said. Only 11 such reserves exist in the world.

Leaders in the cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley, the tiny mountain town of Stanley, other local and federal officials, and a conservation group have been working for several years to apply this fall to designate 1,400 square miles (3,600 square kilometers) as a reserve. A final decision by the association would come about 10 weeks after the application is submitted.

The association also designates International Dark Sky Parks, with nearly 40 in the U.S. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in central Idaho, known as a prime destination among avid stargazers, became one earlier this year.

There is some astro tourism, said Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas, a point driven home last month when thousands descended on the town in the path of the total solar eclipse.

Ketchum officials have applied to become an International Dark Sky Community and join Flagstaff, Arizona, Dripping Springs, Texas, and Beverly Shores, Indiana.

The Idaho city approved a dark sky ordinance requiring residents to install shields on exterior light fixtures to block light from going upward and mandating holiday lighting by businesses and residents be turned off at night.

Becoming a dark sky community could help with the larger reserve status and even lift property values in the already pricey area by keeping the night sky visible. Nearby Sun Valley, a ski resort city, also has a dark sky ordinance, as does Hailey about 12 miles (19 kilometers) to the south.

Its nice to look up and see something greater than ourselves, Jonas said.

The Idaho Conservation League has joined the effort, noting light pollution can adversely affect nocturnal wildlife and peoples sleep rhythms.

Out of all the types of pollution that ICL is engaged in, I see this as one we can combat in an easier way, said Dani Mazzota, whose group is coordinating efforts among federal and local entities.

That includes an intensive effort by volunteers taking darkness readings throughout the region. Those readings, combined with satellite measurements, will be some of the information used by the International Dark Sky-Association in its decision.

International Dark Sky Reserves have two main components, Barentine said. The first is a core area dark enough to meet the associations standards. The second is a buffer area with communities that demonstrate support in protecting the core by limiting light pollution.

The proposed Idaho reserve is mainly land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and contains the wilderness of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

We have a preservation and protection mission, and preserving the dark sky and mitigating light pollution is a really good fit for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, said ranger Kirk Flannigan.

He said a survey of landowners, livestock grazing permit holders, recreation outfitters, lodges and cabin owners found almost universal support for creating the reserve.

The Forest Service will contribute by putting up informational signs about the dark sky reserve and reducing light pollution from its buildings, Flannigan said. The agency would not mandate actions, and any light mitigation by others in the recreation area would be voluntary.

Stanley, a tiny mountain town within the Sawtooth recreation area, runs mostly on tourism money. Its light pollution measures are voluntary but have been effective, not only because they could mean more tourism, but because locals themselves like to see the night sky, said Steve Botti, city council president.

I go out most every night and look at it because its so dramatic, he said.
US Ships Tanks Directly to Poland for First Time for Future Deployments

Sputnik News

19:04 15.09.2017(updated 21:53 15.09.2017)

Amid the massive deployment of US troops and hardware to Poland, the Pentagon has practiced shipping tanks directly to the eastern European state.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US Army has shipped tanks directly to Poland for the first time with the rotation of an armored brigade, to gauge the ability of the nation's Gdansk port's ability to handle large military shipments, the Department of Defense announced in a press release on Friday.

"This is the first replacement of troops as part of continuing 'heel-to-toe' rotations to maintain a US armored brigade in Europe, as well as the first time tanks have arrived directly in Poland by sea," the release stated.

Commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command Maj. Gen. Steven Shapiro said that using Gdansk helps test the Army's capacity, the capacity of the port, and to make sure that the Army knows how to operate inside of Poland.

Polish leadership also observed the unloading and staging of tracked and wheeled vehicles, including 87 M1 Abrams tanks, 103 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 18 Paladin self-propelled Howitzers and other trucks and equipment, the release said.

Earlier this week, US troops and military equipment arrived in the city of Gdansk for the deployment in eastern Europe as part of the Operation Atlantic Resolve, which was launched to boost NATO's military presence in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland following the eruption of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014 with the Western countries using alleged Russian interference in Ukrainian affairs as a pretext.

 Sputnik

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Fresh violence in Central African Republic leads to more displaced  UN agency

15 September 2017  Expressing concern over continued violence in the Central African Republic and the resulting "massive new levels" of displacement, the United Nations refugee agency has underscored the need to ensure that relief workers are not made targets of hostilities and are given the humanitarian security they need to carry out their mission.

"Since May, fresh and fierce clashes between armed groups in the CAR have wrought increasing suffering, deaths and destruction of property," said Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"Many newly displaced people speak of having witnessed killings, robberies, lootings and kidnappings. Even after reaching safe locations, they often risk assault by armed groups, if they venture outside," he added.

According to the UN agency, the crisis, well into its fourth year, has left one in every two Central African in need of humanitarian assistance or protection to survive and, if left to fester, the violence could negate the progress towards recovery in the country.

The violence has also driven over half a million people from CAR to seek refuge in neighbouring countries and displaced an additional 600,000 people within the country.

The level of insecurity has also prevented UNHCR and other relief organizations to fully assess the full extent of damage or displacement from the recent violence.

"Some of our planned humanitarian deliveries by air have also been delayed or blocked, due to the armed groups' presence [and] aid agencies, including UNHCR, are increasingly among those targeted by armed groups and have, in some instances, been compelled to temporary withdraw their personnel," said Mr. Mahecic.

"Despite the challenges, we continue to help those displaced in areas like the Haute-Kotto provincial capital of Bria, which was at the centre of much of the displacement in the east," he added, noting that the UN agency's response is struggling due to lack of resources.

Earlier this year, UNCHR issued an appeal for $209 million for its operations within the country as well as to assist refugees from the Central African Republic in neighbouring countries. However, only 9 per cent of the appeal has been funded thus far.

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US Drone Strike Kills 3 Suspected Terrorists in Pakistan

By Ayaz Gul September 15, 2017

An American drone attack in a remote northwestern border region of Pakistan has killed at least three suspected militants and injured another, said tribal and local security sources.

U.S. officials rarely acknowledge drone strikes on Pakistani soil, but if it is confirmed, Friday's attack would be the first since President Donald Trump unveiled his strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia about a month ago.

Sources tell VOA that missiles fired from an unmanned aircraft destroyed a house in sem-iautonomous Kurram tribal district, which borders the Afghan province of Khost.

The house belonged to a local religious cleric, Maulvi Mohib, who was among the slain men. Tribal sources described Mohib as a loyalist of the Haqqani terrorist network, an ally of the Taliban who are fighting U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan.

In his August 21 policy speech, President Trump accused Pakistan of harboring Haqqanis and Taliban insurgents, warning he would "no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe haven for terrorist organizations."

He went on to criticize Islamabad for taking billions of dollars of U.S. aid while "housing the same terrorists we are fighting."

Pakistani leaders rejected the charges as an attempt to "scapegoat" their country for "failures" of U.S.-led efforts to secure and stabilize Afghanistan.

The CIA-run drone operation resumed in Pakistan in March after a nine month unannounced break, but there have been no confirmed strikes since June 13, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism which tracks the U.S. global drone program.

Friday's drone strike came a day after Pakistani authorities ordered international medical humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), to wind up its relief operations in Kurram.

MSN is withdrawing from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, or FATA, because authorities have refused to issue a "no objection certificate (NoC)"  without providing any explanation  announced MSF country representative Catherine Moody on Friday.

"MSF is saddened by the decision The closure brings to an end 14 years of MSF working with the FATA Health Services in Kurram Agency," a statement from Moody read. Pakistani officials have refused to comment on why MSF has been refused a NoC.

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Afghan Officials: Suicide Attack on NATO Convoy Kills 1 Romanian Soldier, Injures 2 More

By Ayaz Gul September 15, 2017

A suicide car bombing of a NATO convoy in southern Afghanistan has killed at least one Romanian soldier and has injured two more.

The Romanian Defense Ministry confirmed the casualties, and a local government spokesman told VOA that Friday's attack occurred close to the airbase in Kandahar, the provincial capital.

Fazal Bari Biryali said the suicide bomber rammed his explosives-packed car into the foreign military convoy, which was on a routine patrol in the area.

A Taliban spokesman swiftly took credit for the blast, claiming it destroyed a military vehicle and killed seven "foreign invaders." The insurgent group often makes casualty claims that later turn out to be untrue.

"We remind you [NATO] once again your soldiers will keep getting killed here and our sacred jihad will continue with the same vigor as long as you have a single soldier here," a statement sent to reporters quoted Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, who speaks for insurgent operations in southern Afghanistan.

NATO's Resolute Support (RS) mission said in a statement: "A small number of RS service members were wounded today when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeted their patrol in Kandahar. The service members were taken to a medical facility at the Kandahar airfield for treatment."

Taliban insurgents routinely have targeted Afghan security forces, but their attacks on foreign troops appear to have intensified since U.S. President Donald Trump announced his "new strategy" for Afghanistan aiming to break the military stalemate with the Taliban.

A suicide bomber earlier this week near the U.S.-run Bagram military airbase, north of Kabul, wounded several American soldiers.

Last week, a bomber riding a motorbike blew himself up near U.S. forces at an entrance to the facility and officials said it caused a "small number of casualties."

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Cameroon Struggles to Meet Needs of CAR Refugees

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka September 15, 2017

Cameroon's government says resurging violence in the Central African Republic has driven another 20,000 refugees into Cameroon this year and prevented the approximately 300,000 C.A.R. refugees who were already in the country from going home. The recent influx has increased humanitarian needs and tensions in border areas of eastern Cameroon.

Seven hundred children attend the government primary school in the Timangolo refugee camp on Cameroon's eastern border with the Central African Republic. There were 500 students three months ago.

Cameroon's government says most of the new refugees arriving from C.A.R. this year are women and children.

Among them is 14-year-old Itna Issiaka, whose parents were killed in Bangui three years ago. Itna fled to Cameroon after her uncle, who was caring for her, was killed in August. Itna sits under a tree and refuses to go to class.

She says she feels traumatized when she remembers her friends who are suffering, like Rafiatou, who is still in Bangui.

Itna's teacher, Cecile Mvogo, says most of the children find it difficult to integrate into their new environment.

Refugee children from C.A.R. have difficulty understanding languages spoken in eastern Cameroon, such as French and Gbaya, Mvogo says, so she uses a kind of sign language to communicate and to make them feel more comfortable.

Security issues

The conditions in the camps sparse, and refugees complain of water and food shortages. The U.N. refugee agency said as of April, just 5 percent of the funding needed for the refugees this year had been pledged.

The government is pleading with donors to mobilize resources to help the refugees, said Rene Emmanuel Sadi, Cameroon's minister of territorial administration and decentralization.

Security issues have also contributed to tensions with host communities.

Last week, the government of Cameroon arrested 30 refugees accused of harvesting food from local farms. They were sent back to the camps and asked not to leave unless they were returning to their country.

In addition, residents and local officials say fighters from the Central African Republic use the border zone in eastern Cameroon as a staging ground. Armed men from C.A.R. have been accused of kidnapping residents for ransom or stealing cattle and money.

Businessmen

One group of young refugees, however, has found a way to run a business outside the camps.

They started their poultry farm on the outskirts of Moloundou with 15 chickens. Three years later, the farm has 400 birds and has hired five staff members, including one Cameroonian.

But it wasn't easy.

Their first effort was growing and selling vegetables, says Rigobert Abazene. However, some people drove them from the plot of land they had cleared in the bush.

They didn't give up.

Flavien Malaka, 21, who saw his parents and uncle killed before he escaped to Cameroon, said he and his business partners refused to compromise their futures and the future of their country by forgoing their educations. However, they needed money to pay for school. So, they built the poultry farm with sun-dried bricks they molded themselves.

Malaka is now a third-year political science student at Cameroon's Yaounde 2 University. The poultry farm earns enough money to pay the university fees for all 10 young men.

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Togo Protesters Press Demands for Constitutional Reform

By Salem Solomon September 15, 2017

Lawmakers in Togo began debating presidential term limits Friday, after days of protests calling for constitutional reform and the departure of the ruling family.

The West African nation has been ruled by one family for 50 years, and its current president, Faure Gnassingbe, has held power since 2005. Gnassingbe's opponents are demanding a two-term limit for presidents, two rounds of voting in elections and the right of the Togolese diaspora to vote.

The demonstrations began on September 6, and security forces have used tear gas and physical force, most recently on Wednesday, to disperse the crowds. Government supporters have organized counter protests to voice support for the ruling party.

People interviewed this week by VOA in the streets of the capital, Lome, did not mince words about their demands. "We have been governed for years, and now we're exhausted," said one protester. "All that this family has done, sorry. They must go. As soon as possible."

Opposition leaders organized a walkout from parliament earlier this week after participating in a special session to address the constitutional crisis. That session ended abruptly following heated debate.

"For us, it's about discussing, studying and adopting the project of revising the constitution," said Isabelle Ameganvi, deputy for the opposition National Alliance for Change (ANC) party. "That's what the Togolese people want, and we will stick to it."

Ruling party leaders called for calm and said the president is open to reform.

"We want to move forward," said Christophe Tchao, deputy for the ruling political party, the Union for the Republic (UNIR). "We want this to lead to a consensus that will be a positive state for all Togolese people."

UN seeks term limits

During the September 6 protests, Amnesty International reported that the leader of an opposition party was confined to his house, which was surrounded by security forces. During earlier protests in August, two were killed and 28 people sentenced to prison terms, Amnesty said. The government also shut down internet access.

The U.N. is concerned by the crisis and is calling for the adoption of term limits in the country, saying the era of "presidents for life" is over in Africa. The global body warned of the possibility of violence like that seen in other parts of the continent where presidents sought to extend their terms.

"Our main perspective is to advise the Togolese to take those actions to prevent an escalation," Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the U.N. Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, told Reuters. "We are in a region where the security challenges are real and menacing, and so we don't want to see any deep political crisis."

During a discussion on VOA's Washington Forum, Nicolas Babina, president of UNIR France, a branch of the ruling political party, said that reform has always been a high priority for President Gnassingbe.

"The government, long before the protests, it was the order of the day to make constitutional and institutional reforms," Babina said. "Since the opposition parties have created the impression that there is instability and trouble in the country, to appease them, the government has moved up the calendar to address these issues."

But opposition leaders say the president has had ample time to make changes. They called for an immediate "emergency session" of parliament to revise the constitution.

"We are in an emergency situation. If you look at the number of people who have gathered in the street to call for reform, the people even demanding the resignation of the president. This is an emergency," Michel Kinvi, an opposition representative living in the United States, said on Washington Forum.

"There has been abuse; there have been acts of violence. Because we are conscious and because we are acting in good faith, we have to follow the emergency procedures instead of the normal procedures," Kinvi said.

Jacques Aristide contributed to this report

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Troops behind the scenes help send Guard aid to Florida

By Vaughn Larson, Wisconsin National Guard September 15, 2017

VOLK FIELD, Wis. -- With the help of approximately 45 Wisconsin National Guard Airmen, three C-17 Globemaster and seven C-135 Stratolifter military aircraft, more than 600 members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 40 short tons of cargo left Wisconsin Sept. 11 en route to Florida to assist with Hurricane Irma recovery efforts there.

According to those who made it happen, there was precious little time between receiving and executing the mission.

"This past Sunday we found out this was going to happen," explained Maj. Shannon Triggs, a Logistics Readiness Squadron operations officer with the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee. "What we're doing for the logistics piece of it is making sure that we're getting the airflow" -- air transportation -- "situated, tracking airflow, palletizing cargo, checking and in-processing passengers, and manifesting passengers. All of the logistical pieces that goes into getting people and cargo where they need to go."

Airmen from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, Wisconsin and Volk Field joined forces to get the Red Arrow Soldiers on their way.

Triggs said she happened to join in a conversation between a 32nd Brigade officer and the Florida National Guard's Joint Operations Center, which greatly reduced the initial confusion.

"We were huddled together over his phone getting on the same page," she said. "This is what we needed to happen initially. It took us a bit to get here, but now we're rolling."

Despite the hurried atmosphere surrounding the humanitarian relief mission, Master Sgt. Kitrina Vargas of the 128th Air Refueling Wing said her cohorts were excited to be doing their jobs helping not only the 32nd Brigade but also fellow Americans.

"We have a lot of skilled people here who have a lot of knowledge -- we're doing our best to maximize that," Vargas, an air transportation specialist, said. "We're working hand-in-hand with the Army [National Guard] to make sure we're staying as organized as we possibly can."

Master Sgt. Sarah Franzen, logistics plan superintendent with the 115th Fighter Wing, said the Air National Guard typically deploys service members overseas.

"However, one of the Air National Guard's core missions is to support federal and state emergencies," Franzen said. "In light of that, and despite short notice and unknown factors, our Airmen volunteered and executed this domestic operation mission flawlessly."

Command Sgt. Maj. Rafael Conde, the Wisconsin Army National Guard's senior enlisted advisor, was on hand at Volk Field to meet with 32nd Brigade Soldiers as they boarded the aircraft to head to Florida. He praised the work done to ensure the Red Arrow Soldiers could begin their mission.

"There was a lot of work, a lot of coordination done," Conde said. "There are a lot of people that put in a lot of hours in the last couple of days to make sure this happened."

Some of that coordination was internal, with members of the Army staff and Joint staff working together to meet the needs of moving more than 2,500 troops. Those staffs also worked closely with brigade staff and the U.S. Supply and Finance Office at Camp Williams, Wisconsin to ensure all needs were met.

Sgt. Maj. Eric Johansen, the Wisconsin Army National Guard's senior logistics noncommissioned officer, said planning this operation was more demanding than an in-state storm damage response effort.

"Coordinating out of state movement for an element that exceeded 2,500 Soldiers and hundreds of pieces of equipment required troop movement via military aircraft, contracted buses and multiple serials of military vehicle convoys leaving the state in successive days," Johansen said. "It meant working with states on our convoy route for clearances, rest stops, vehicle recovery and refueling points. These issues required several different subject matter experts to line up and determine proper funding methods."

With the aircraft from the Arkansas, New York and Rhode Island Air National Guard on site to ferry Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers to Florida, Triggs took a moment to catch her breath.

"It feels fantastic," she said, while acknowledging that for the departing troops, the work has only just begun. "What we're seeing as far as the devastation down there is just what we're seeing on the news. So we really don't know when we get down there what we're even going to be facing."

Ironically, 100 years ago this month, 15,000 Wisconsin National Guardsmen answered their nation's call and departed the state to begin training for World War I. Gathered at present-day Volk Field, they traveled by companies and battalions on three-day train trips to Camp MacArthur near Waco, Texas. Once there, Wisconsin's Guardsmen joined with those from Michigan to form the 32nd Division. While in France, the division accomplished every assigned mission -- an accomplishment illustrated in its current "Red Arrow" insignia of the unit piercing an enemy line of battle.

The 600 Soldiers airlifted from Volk Field to Florida Sept. 11 joined approximately 50 more who departed on Sunday via convoy. Those troops will remain in Florida to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, but the Wisconsin National Guard learned Sept. 12 that the remainder of the 2,500 troops mobilized to state active duty will remain in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin National Guard, which fulfills a unique dual role as the nation's first military responder in times of emergency and the primary combat reserve of the Army and Air Force, remains ready to assist in any way necessary.

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Britain raises terror threat level after London bomb attack: May

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 08:08AM

Britain has raised its national threat level to maximum after a bomb exploded on a crowded London Underground train during the morning rush hour, injuring at least 29 people.

British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Friday that military troops would replace police officers "on guard duties at certain protected sites which are not accessible to the public".

The terror threat has been raised from "severe" to "critical", meaning another terrorist attack is expected imminently.

"The public will see more armed police on the transport network and on our streets, providing extra protection," May said.

"This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses," she added.

Earlier, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement that British authorities were treating the explosion at the Parsons Green metro station as a "terrorist incident."

Witnesses saw a "wall of fire" and injured passengers with facial burns at Parsons Green station in west London after the explosion.

"At 8:20 this morning at Parsons Green station there was an explosion on a Tube train. We now assess that this was a detonation of an improvised explosive device," police counter-terror chief Mark Rowley said.

He added said most of the people were injured with "flash burns", while others were hurt by the stampede when passengers panicked after the incident.

'Suspect identified'

British security services said they have identified a suspect involved in the bombing with the help of surveillance footage, Sky News reported.

"Security sources say they've identified a suspect involved in the Parsons Green bombing, with the aid of CCTV footage," said Mark White, a home affairs correspondent for Sky News.

Meanwhile, Daesh claimed responsibility for the bomb attack, the terrorist group's Amaq news agency said.

'Manhunt underway'

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said that there "is a manhunt underway." He said he was not allowed to say whether that meant a specific suspect was being sought.

Khan said earlier the city "utterly condemns the hideous individuals who attempt to use terror to harm us and destroy our way of life," and called on Londoners to remain calm and vigilant.

Transport for London confirmed that Parsons Green station has been closed and there was no service between Earls Court and Wimbledon on the District Line which runs through Parsons Green.

One witness reported seeing "a flash and a bang" in a bag holding the container, which is said to have had wires coming from it, on the packed rush-hour carriage.

"We were called at 8:20 a.m. to reports of an incident at Parsons Green underground station," said Natasha Wills, assistant director of operations at London Ambulance Service.

"We have sent multiple resources to the scene including single responders in cars, ambulance crews, incident response officers and our hazardous area response team, with the first of our medics arriving in under five minutes."

"There was panic as people rushed from the train, hearing what appeared to be an explosion," said BBC London presenter Riz Lateef, who was at Parsons Green on her way in to work.

"People were left with cuts and grazes from trying to flee the scene. There was lots of panic."

"Suddenly there was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming," said technology consultant Richard Aylmer-Hall, who was sitting on the "packed" District Line train.

"I saw crying women, there was lots of shouting and screaming, there was a bit of a crush on the stairs going down to the streets," he said.

The incident comes after a series of terror attacks that have rocked Britain this year, killing dozens of people and injuring hundreds, putting the capital on high alert.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said she will chair a meeting of Britain's emergency response committee later on Friday.

"My thoughts are with those injured at Parsons Green and the emergency services who, once again, are responding swiftly and bravely to a suspected terrorist incident," May said in the statement.

British Foreign Secretary and former London mayor Boris Johnson appealed for calm. "I'm afraid my information is limited and it really is important not to speculate at the moment," he told Sky News.

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IS Claims London Subway Attack That Injured 22

September 15, 2017

The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for what London police say was a "terrorist" bomb attack on a London Underground train that injured more than 20 people.

The extremist group made the claim in a statement published by its Amaq propaganda agency on September 15.

London's Metropolitan Police said earlier that an "improvised explosive device" started the fire on a London Underground train that injured at least 22 people, and that the incident was being treated as a "terrorist" attack.

Police said the injured included burn victims and people who were trampled in a stampede.

None of the 22 hospitalized victims were in serious condition, and there were no reported deaths.

The attack occurred on a packed train during the busy morning rush hour at Parsons Green station, an aboveground station in southwest London on the Wimbledon branch of the subway system's District Line.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said a "manhunt" was under way to find out who was responsible, a search that police said involved hundreds of detectives backed by Britain's intelligence services.

Initial British media reports said a white container "exploded" on the train, but police said later that the explosive device did not fully detonate.

One witness told Reuters he was on the train at Parsons Green when he heard a "whoosh" and saw the next car become engulfed in flames.

Armed police were on the scene while ambulance crews were treating the injured.

Prime Minister Teresa May said she would chair a meeting of the National Security Council later on September 15.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa, BBC, Sun, Metro, CNN, and Sky News

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/explosion-london-underground- subway-white-container-injuries/28737120.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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Britain PM Theresa May Raises Threat Levels to Critical After London Bombing

Sputnik News

22:31 15.09.2017(updated 23:29 15.09.2017)

Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has raised the UK's national threat level to "critical." This means that the British government believes a terrorist attack is imminent.

Earlier Friday, at about 8 AM local time, a bomb was detonated in a London metro station, injuring 29. Daesh's propaganda agency claimed that an affiliate group was responsible for the attack.

Following the bombing, Westminster raised the national threat level to "severe." Now, it has been raised again to "critical," the highest threat level possible.

Britan's top counter-terrorism official says he has asked for permission to use military force to supplement police resources, which are stretched thin. He added that uninformed speculation about the police investigation into the terrorist attack was not helpful.

The last time the threat level was at critical was on May 22, following the Manchester Arena bombing. The level was reduced down to "severe" after five days, as it has been since August 2014.

The Manchester bombing claimed 23 lives. This number included the bomber, an Islamic extremist, and 20 people under the age of 20 as the attack was levied at a pop concert featuring Ariana Grande, a musician popular with children and teenagers.

The London bombing is the third terrorist attack in the British capital thus far in 2017. In June, a trio of Daesh-associated Islamic extremists conducted a van-ramming attack on London bridge, killing eight before being shot dead by police.

Later that same month, another van-ramming attack killed one person. The suspected perpetrator was believed to have been retaliating for the London Bridge attack by targeting British Muslims, although the case is still under investigation.

 Sputnik

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Thanks for parking

Filer Mennonite Church gives a tremendously big thank you to the Magic Valley people, and beyond, who parked in our church lot during the fair and donated for the Jubilee House in Twin Falls.

Jubilee House is extremely pleased and overwhelmed by the tremendous generosity of the families in our communities of southern Idaho and how it will help women in their recovery program.

Lyman Mueller

Filer Mennonite Church

Hemingways Happy Hounds cares

Our boy Buddy succumbed to cancer recently. Yes, we know he was a Brittany dog. But as all animal lovers know, he was family. He was only 8 years old. And his absence is still hard on us.

Hemingways Happy Hounds was Buddys home away from home. He literally grew up there as a puppy. In later years, Buddy loved Tuesdays and Thursdays, for then he got to go to Happy Hounds for fun and companionship with both other dogs and humans who cared about him. He did not do well with puppies, but had special dog friends, like the girls Maddie and Zoe, who he loved to play with. Buddy also recognized the names of several Happy Hounds people and would get excited when told we were going to see them. He would even get upset with us if we were being slow on Tuesday or Thursday mornings getting to his Happy Hounds friends. Thanks to everyone at Hemingways Happy Hounds for caring for and loving Buddy over the years.

Jim Fields and Barbara Knudson

Twin Falls

Thanks for buying FFA project

Thank you for buying my rabbits. I have learned a lot about this project and hope to learn more. Raising the rabbits was not too hard but took a lot of time and effort. I did my best and thought I got a pretty good result. Thank you, again, for buying my FFA project.

Jesus Guerrero

Cassia High School

American Legion thanks local supporters

On June 19, Twin Falls American Legion Post No. 7 held its 24th annual Veterans Fishing Day. This event brings disabled veterans from the Boise State Veterans Home to Twin Falls to fish at a local fish hatchery and enjoy a barbecue lunch.

The disabled veterans look forward to this event every year. However, we wouldnt be able to hold the event without the generous support of local donors. Id like to thank Avaqua Farms, Western Waste Services, Trophy Bait, Masons Trophies and Barry Rentals for their kind support of this event, year after year.

Mark G. Marvin

Commander, Post No. 7

Thanks for Glanbia donation

On behalf of our participants, staff and board of directors, I want to thank Glanbia for their recent and incredibly generous donation to our agency. Magic Valley Rehabilitation Services frequently encounters individuals with disabilities who want and need services from us, but because of resource issues, they cannot fully access these services. The $16,000 donation from Glanbia will go a long way here in helping us address this issue.

Glanbia has a long history of supporting the missions of MVRS and many other nonprofit agencies in the area. They have made and continue to make a huge difference in the lives of many individuals who often dont have the same opportunities as others. Their generosity and partnership with us and other agencies has been remarkable and is much appreciated.

Thank you again Glanbia on behalf of MVRS and people with abilities!

John Bodden, executive director

Magic Valley Rehabilitation Services
McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions Prompt Naval Investigators to Probe Cyber Attacks

Sputnik News

22:28 15.09.2017(updated 23:29 15.09.2017)

A team from the US Navy's 10th Fleet has traveled to Singapore to determine if the USS McCain's deadly August steering failure was caused by cyber intrusion. The investigation, which marks the first time that the Navy has dispatched its Cyber Command 10th fleet abroad, could take months.

Last month, ten US soldiers were killed after the Navy's USS John S. McCain crashed into Liberian-flagged chemical tanker Alnic MC tanker east of Singapore. And in June, the USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine cargo ship off the coast of Japan, killing 7 soldiers. The increase in incidents have prompted naval investigators to look into whether the accidents were the result of cyber hacking.

We have no indications or reason to believe that there was a malicious cyber attack that had an effect on either USS Fitzgerald or McCain, but we've assembled a team to go out on the ground and look for and assess any anomalous activity that may exist onboard John S. McCain," Jan Tighe, the navy's deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare, said at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.

"We will look for a couple of things. One, try to confirm cyber [attack] did not have anything to do with the collision and then how do we move forward in making sure these are a normal part of these investigations," Tighe added, according to USNI News.

"It is something that we think about a lot and we have to have both the authorities and the human capital ready to respond," she added.

According to Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Bill Moran, "Just about every three-letter agency in Washington, DC has looked to see if there were indications of an intent or a potential acknowledgement of a cyber attack."

"I have personally not seen any evidence of that. But we're not stopping there. The team is in place in Singapore today, has been for several days capturing all of the computer and network information to see if they can find any abnormalities or disruptions," he added.

In addition, this past month, President trump elevated Cyber Command to a unified combatant command status at the recommendation of the Secretary of Defense.

According to the Department of Defense's press release, "The elevation will mark a significant evolution in the way the department organizes to execute cyber space missions," adding that the elevation "reflects the growing centrality of cyberspace to US national security."

The statement goes on to read, "Raising the organizational status of U.S. Cyber Command is intended to demonstrate visibly the Department of Defense's long-term commitment to cyberspace as a warfighting domain. It also signals the department's resolve to embrace the changing nature of warfare  thus helping to reassure partners and deter adversaries."

 Sputnik

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22 Hurt in London Subway Blast

By VOA News September 15, 2017

A makeshift explosive device detonated early Friday on a packed rush-hour commuter train in London, injuring at least 22 people in what police say was a terrorist attack. Emergency workers said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

Police descended on the Parsons Green underground subway station after commuters reported an explosion and a fire, causing panic and disrupting service.

The blast was the fifth major terrorist attack in Britain this year.

British Prime Minister Theresa May called the West London attack "cowardly" and urged London residents to go about their normal routines, although she said," The threat level remains at severe."

May admonished U.S. President Donald Trump for his criticism of Britain's approach to terrorism. Trump tweeted, "Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!," Trump wrote without elaborating.

May responded to the tweet, telling the BBC, "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation."

President Donald Trump described the attack as a "very, very terrible thing" Friday and told reporters he would be soon speaking to May about the incident.

Of the five terrorists who attacked Britain this year, at least three were known to law enforcement authorities.

London police said their investigation into Friday's attack is being supported by input from MI-5, Britain's domestic intelligence agency.

British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson appealed for calm and said it was important not to speculate. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the British capital "will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism."

Chaotic scene

Shortly after the attack, witnesses described a scene of panic.

Chris Wildish, a passenger on the train, said there was a "massive flash of flames" scorching the top of the train, followed by the smell of chemicals. He said a number of schoolchildren were on the rush-hour train and they were knocked around as passengers panicked as they exited the train.

Photos taken inside the train show a white plastic bucket inside a supermarket shopping bag. Flames and what appear to be wires can be seen.

May convened an emergency meeting Friday in response to the attack.

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May Raises British Threat Level to 'Critical' After Subway Bomb

By Henry Ridgwell September 15, 2017

Britain has raised its terror threat level to "critical" after a bomb attack on the London subway Friday that has been claimed by Islamic State.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced Friday after the attack that the country's Joint Terrorism Analysis Center, or JTAC, has decided to raise the threat level from "severe" to "critical"  meaning that according to May, "their assessment is that a further attack may be imminent."

She said members of the military will begin aiding police, providing security at some sites not accessible to the public. May also said members of the public may see more armed police on the streets and the transport network.

Meanwhile, Islamic State has said the improvised explosive device used at Parsons Green subway station early Friday, injuring at least 29 people, was detonated by an IS-affiliated unit.

The makeshift explosive device exploded on a packed rush hour commuter train in what police call a terrorist attack. Emergency workers said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. Eight of the injured have been treated and sent home.

"There was a loud shriek to my left," said Luke Walmsley, who was close to the explosion and became caught up in the panicked crowd afterward. "And I turned and there were the remnants of a flash and smoke. And then just hordes of people. The stampede had already started."

Police descended on the underground subway station at Parsons Green to investigate. A large cordon has been put up around the area and service on parts of the subway network, nicknamed "the Tube," have been suspended.

Mark Rowley, a deputy assistant commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, told reporters the blast appeared to be deliberate. After some initial investigation, Rowley told reporters, "We now assess that this was a detonation of an improvised explosive device."

Another passenger, Chris Wildish, said there was a "massive flash of flames" scorching the top of the train, followed by the smell of chemicals. He said a number of school children on the rush hour train were knocked around by adult passengers running toward the exits.

Images posted on social media appear to show a bucket on fire that had been placed inside a plastic bag close to a rail car door.

The blast was the fifth major terrorist attack in Britain this year.

May condemns attack

British Prime Minister Theresa May called the West London attack "cowardly" and urged London residents to go about their normal routines, although she said, "The threat level remains at severe."

United Nations Secretary-General Antionio Guterres released a statement saying, "We condemn the attack and we wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. The U.N. stands in solidarity with the people and government of the United Kingdom."

U.S. President Donald Trump called Prime Minister May on Friday to convey his sympathies, the office of the White House press secretary said in a statement.

The statement said President Trump "pledged to continue close collaboration with the United Kingdom to stop attacks worldwide targeting innocent civilians and to combat extremism."

Earlier, the British prime minister admonished Trump for his initial reaction to the attack. Trump had tweeted, "Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!"

May responded to the tweet, telling the BBC, "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation."

London police said their investigation into Friday's attack is being supported by MI-5, Britain's domestic intelligence agency.

British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson appealed for calm and said it was important not to speculate. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the British capital "will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism."

May convened an emergency meeting Friday in response to the attack.

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North Korea tested hydrogen bomb on Sept. 3: US nuclear commander

Iran Press TV

Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:16PM

The US general who is in charge of America's nuclear forces has confirmed that North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb earlier this month.

North Korea on September 3 announced it had conducted a "successful" hydrogen bomb test, hours after two tremors were detected in the country.

"The hydrogen bomb test was a perfect success," North Korean state television said, adding that the device was capable of being loaded onto long-range missiles.

The United States had previously declined to characterize the test.

"When I look at the thing that size, I as a military officer assume that it's a hydrogen bomb. I have to," Air Force General John Hyten, head of the US military's Strategic Command, told reporters at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on Thursday.

"I'm not a nuclear scientist, so I can't tell you this is how it worked, this is what the bomb was. ... But I can tell you the size that we observed and saw tends to me to indicate that it was a hydrogen bomb and I have to figure out what the right response is with our allies as to that kind of event," he added.

After the September 3 test, the North Korean broadcaster said the nuclear test had an "unprecedentedly large power," and that it "marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force."

Hyten said, "The sheer destruction and damage that you can create with a weapon that size is significantly of a concern."

The commander said that North Korea still had not shown that it had a reliable inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could deliver a nuclear warhead.

But he warned it was only a matter of time before North Korean scientists achieved their target.

"It's just a matter of when, not if," he said, adding it could be months or years.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un ordered the production of more rocket warheads and engines last month, shortly after the United States suggested that its threats of military action and sanctions were having an impact on Pyongyang's behavior.

Pyongyang says it will not give up on its nuclear deterrence unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward the country and dissolves the US-led UN command in South Korea. Thousands of US soldiers are stationed in South Korea and Japan.





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DoD: Full Range of Capabilities Available Against North Korean Threat

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2017  The U.S. Pacific Command detected and tracked what it assessed as a single North Korean ballistic missile launch yesterday at 5:57 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Rob Manning said here today.

Pacom's initial assessment is that the projectile was an intermediate range ballistic missile or IRBM, he added, which is a ballistic missile with a range of 1,864 miles to 3,418 miles.

The missile posed no threat to North America or Guam, Manning told reporters during a briefing this morning.

"Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including [South] Korea and Japan," he added, "in the face of these threats remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation and to use the full range of capabilities at our disposal against the threat from North Korea."

Manning said that if the IRBM had been a direct threat to the United States or its allies, "We would have taken appropriate action."

The launch occurred near Sunan Air Base in Pyongyang and the IRBM headed east, he added, overflying the territory of northern Japan before landing in the Pacific Ocean east of Japan.

"The full range of capabilities are at our disposal against the threat from North Korea," Manning said. "North Korea continues to pose a threat to global security and stability and must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its illegal programs."

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President orders response measures after Pyongyang missile-launch

ROC Central News Agency

2017/09/15 14:30:32

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () issued directives Friday to maintain the livelihoods of Taiwan's people, as well as to keep the stock and exchange markets stable, after North Korea fired a ballistic missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

The missile was the second to fly over Japan in less than a month, and the first since Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3, which it claimed to be successful. It drew Japan's condemnation, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling the missile test "totally unacceptable," according to CNN.

In Taipei, the Presidential Office said the government strongly condemns Pyongyang for repeatedly using the threat of arms to disrupt regional security and stability.

It said that the National Security Council informed Tsai of the missile test immediately, before calling a meeting at 8:30 a.m. to discuss response measures.

National Security Council Secretary-General Yen Teh-fa () hosted the meeting, which was attended by heads of the ministries of foreign affairs, national defense and mainland affairs, as well as the National Security Bureau.

After the meeting, the council delivered a report to Tsai, who then ordered all government units and departments to closely monitor the situation and maintain close contact with the countries concerned and exchange the latest updates with each other, the Presidential Office said.

Tsai also said that efforts must be made to secure the stability of the people's livelihoods, as well as the stock and exchange markets, and that "all kinds of response measures must be able to be implemented as soon as they are required."

At the same time, Tsai went on, the government will spare no efforts to follow the United Nations Security Council's Resolution 2375 of Sept. 11 (eastern U.S. time) to carry out sanctions against North Korea and join in efforts to maintain regional stability and order.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing the government's grave concern and strong condemnation, and urging North Korea to follow the UN Security Council's resolutions to "jointly maintain the regional peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and in East Asia."

The content of UN Security Council Resolution 2375 includes capping North Korea's oil imports, banning textile exports, ending additional overseas labor contracts, suppressing smuggling, stopping joint ventures with other nations and sanctioning designated North Korean government entities.

(By Sophia Yeh, Elaine Hou and Elizabeth Hsu)

Enditem/J

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DPRK fires missile from Pyongyang after UN sanctions

People's Daily Online

(CNTV) 08:09, September 15, 2017

The DPRK on Friday fired an "unidentified" missile from its capital Pyongyang, South Korea's military said.

The missile, flying eastward about 3,700 kilometers, likely reached an altitude of 770 kilometers, the military said.

Japan said the missile flew over its northern territory and fell into the Pacific Ocean, 2,000 kilometers off the cape of Erimo in Hokkaido at around 7:16 a.m. local time, Japan's national broadcaster NHK said.

Friday's missile launch came after UN slapped sanctions on Pyongyang on Monday, imposing a ban on the country's textile exports and capping imports of crude oil.

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Japan urges DPRK to change course, return to negotiating table after latest missile launch

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:02, September 15, 2017

TOKYO, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday called on the international community to unite against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) "provocative acts" and urged the DPRK to change its current course of action.

"Now is the time when the international community is required to unite against North Korea's provocative acts, which threaten world peace," the Japanese leader told a press briefing at his office.

"We must make North Korea understand that if it continues down this road, it will not have a bright future," Abe said.

Abe's remarks came following the DPRK launching a ballistic missile that flew over northern Japan before falling into the Pacific early on Friday.

The government said the missile landed around 2,260 km east off the cape of Erimo in Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan's north, at around 7:16 a.m. local time (2216 GMT Thursday).

The launch came after the UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution toughening sanctions on the DPRK following its sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3.

The tougher sanctions included restrictions against its trade in oil and petroleum products.

Abe on Friday called for a full implementation of the UN sanctions against the DPRK and said he will ask the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to discuss matters further.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, meanwhile, said the launch was a challenge to the international community and that pressure would be put on the DPRK to encourage its return to the negotiating table.

"The latest missile launch is a strong challenge to the international community. We will put maximum pressure on North Korea and we want the country to come to the table for talks after showing a clear commitment to denuclearization," Kono said.

Regarding the latest launch, Japan has condemned the DPRK's "excessive provocation" in the strongest terms, Japan's top government spokesperson Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said earlier Friday, adding that Tokyo had lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang over the launch.

Suga said, however, that no damage had been reported as a result of the missile, which was launched at around 6:57 a.m. local time (2157 GMT Thursday) and passed over Hokkaido 9 minutes later.

Specifically, he said that no potentially dangerous debris had fallen from the missile and has confirmed that no aircraft or ships in the region have been hit or otherwise damaged as a result of the launch and the missile's flight over Japan and landing in the Pacific Ocean.

Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters the missile may have been the intermediate-range Hwasong-12 missile, which has the range to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

He said in talks on the phone with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis that they agreed that Tokyo and Washington will continue to put "visible" pressure on the DPRK.

Local media said the government's J-Alert emergency warning system was used in Hokkaido and 11 other prefectures that might have been along the missile's flight path.

The warning issued to residents to seek shelter in solid buildings was given for the same areas as the previous launch of a missile by the DPRK on Aug. 29.

Following the J-ALERT warning, the operations of Shinkansen bullet trains and some other local trains, including subway systems in the areas covered by the alert, were temporarily suspended for safety reasons.

The services have since resumed.

Abe is set to attend the UN General Assembly's general debate in New York next week, where he is expected to raise the issue of the DPRK's latest missile launch among other related matters.

Kono said Friday that he had agreed with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to begin preparations for three-way talks to be held with South Korea on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

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North Korea's latest missile test draws global condemnations

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 01:52PM

China and Russia have condemned a new missile launch by North Korea as international pressure mounts on Pyongyang over its ongoing missile and nuclear tests.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific on Friday. The missile flew over Hokkaido in the north and landed in the Pacific about 2,000 kilometers to the east.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Beijing was opposed to ballistic missile launches by North Korea in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.

"Currently the situation on the Korean Peninsula is complex, sensitive and serious. All parties concerned should exercise restraint and avoid any acts that may escalate tensions," the Chinese official said.

Hua, however, denied that China had any major role in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and said that it lay upon the parties directly involved, namely the United States and North Korea, to resolve the conflict.

In addition to China, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday, "Russia is deeply concerned by the latest provocative launches which lead to a further escalation of tensions on the peninsula."

Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had discussed the missile launch with the Russian security council.

"Participants exchanged their views about the situation," he said. "We firmly condemn the continuation of such provocative actions."

Global condemnation

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in addition to state officials from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France and other countries, have all strongly condemned North Korea's latest missile test as a provocative move.

Guterres called on the North Korean leadership "to cease further testing, comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, and allow space to explore the resumption of sincere dialog on denuclearization," read a statement by his spokesman.

Stoltenberg said in a message posted on Twitter, "North Korea's missile launch is another reckless breach of UN resolutions, a major threat to international peace and security which demands a global response."

In Germany, a government spokesman said Berlin "condemns the latest missile test from North Korea in the strongest terms."

The French Foreign Ministry also censured the test. "France is ready to work, notably within the UN Security Council and the European Union, on strengthening measures that will help to allow the Pyongyang regime realize it has no interest in escalating the situation, and to help bring it back to the negotiating table."

South Korea and Japan also denounced the missile test.

The UN Security Council is expected to convene at 3:00 pm EDT (1900 GMT), having only just unanimously adopted its ninth resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea on September 11 in response to the reclusive state's sixth ever nuclear test on September 3. Pyongyang condemned the latest UN resolution, threatening once more on Wednesday to completely destroy both the United States and Japan. Pyongyang threatened to sink Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness" for supporting the latest resolution and sanctions.

Defense program

The United States and South Korea are technically still at war with North Korea because the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty.

North Korea has often announced it needs its nuclear and missile development program, which are purely defensive, as a deterrent against expansionist policies of the US and its allies.

The United States holds regular joint war games with its regional allies, which Pyongyang describes as a practice for invasion.

North Korea accuses the United States, which has tens of thousands of troops based permanently in South Korea and Japan, of planning to invade the country.

Pyongyang, in response to US provocations, has tested dozens of missiles and six nuclear bombs as part of its weapons development program.

Two tests in July were for long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching at least parts of the US mainland.

Last month, North Korea fired an intermediate range missile from a similar area near the capital Pyongyang that also flew over Hokkaido into the ocean and said more would follow.

Washington has been pressing for international action against Pyongyang. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called on all nations, Russia and China in particular, to take action against North Korea.

"China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own," Tillerson said.

China says the onus is upon the United States and North Korea, the main players in the conflict, to resolve the dispute through logical dialog.



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U.S. Calls On China, Russia To Act Against North Korea After Missile Test

September 15, 2017

The United States has called on China and Russia to take "direct actions" aimed at reining in North Korea after it launched a second ballistic missile over Japan on September 15.

"China supplies North Korea with most of its oil. Russia is the largest employer of North Korean forced labor," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement.

"China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own."

Tillerson's statement came as the United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting on this latest missile launch, which U.S. and South Korean officials said flew far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, though it never actually threatened U.S. territory and fell into the Pacific Ocean after flying over Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.

Seoul's Defense Ministry said the missile traveled around 3,700 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometers -- flying higher and farther than any previous North Korean missile.

The Pentagon said it was an intermediate-range ballistic missile and there was no threat to North America or Guam.

In Japan, however, where the missile set off sirens and warning messages, "it put millions of Japanese into duck-and-cover," said U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis after discussing the launch with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan.

The launch came a day after Pyongyang threatened to sink Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness" for sponsoring tough sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council earlier this week in response to its September 3 nuclear test.

North Korea previously launched a ballistic missile on August 29 which flew over Japan's Hokkaido island and landed in the Pacific Ocean, the same flight path followed by the latest test.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo that the missile fell into the sea about 2,000 kilometers from Japan's coast, and the government has detected no evidence of missile fragments falling on Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch "outrageous" and urged international action "against North Korea's dangerous, provocative acts that threaten the world's peace."

Tokyo and Washington called for the UN Security Council meeting, which was scheduled for 3 p.m. in New York on September 15.

The Security Council earlier this week unanimously tightened sanctions against Pyongyang, imposing a ban on the country's textile exports and capping imports of crude oil, in the latest in a series of progressively harsher measures adopted since 2006.

The sanctions also called on Russia and China to stop providing new permits to North Korean laborers under a guest-workers program -- a provision that the United States said would eventually end the program after existing permits expire, cutting off an estimated $500 million a year of Pyongyang's revenue from earnings sent back home by the workers.

The United States in calling for further action by Beijing and Moscow after the missile launch appeared to be asking the two North Korean neighbors to go above and beyond what was agreed in the last round of sanctions, which was in response to what Pyongyang said was a hydrogen bomb test.

Tillerson called the previously approved sanctions "the floor, not the ceiling, of the actions we should take. We call on all nations to take new measures against the [Kim Jong Un] regime."

Experts have said the bomb detonated underground by North Korea, because of the large earthquake and landslides it caused, showed signs of being many times more powerful than previously tested bombs.

The U.S. general who oversees American nuclear forces provided the first U.S. confirmation of that on September 14, saying that he "assumes" the bomb tested was a powerful hydrogen bomb.

"The sheer destruction and damage that you can create with a weapon that size is significantly of a concern," said Air Force General John Hyten.

With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ us-calls-china-russia-act- against-north-korea-after-ballistic- missile-launched-over-japan/28736709.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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In order to bring awareness to the plight of millions of underprivileged children across the U.S., WalletHubs analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 21 key measures of neediness. The data set ranges from share of children in households with below-poverty income to child food-insecurity rate to share of maltreated children.
North Korea Revamping Scud Missiles To Improve Lethal Capabilities

Sputnik News

22:06 15.09.2017(updated 23:29 15.09.2017)

In addition to North Korea's burgeoning ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program, Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's administration has been test driving new versions of the Scud-B, also known as the Hwasong-5, Business Insider reports.

The tactical ballistic missile has served in the North Korean and Iranian military services dating back to 1985. In between Pyongyang's ballistic missiles that flew over Japan on two occasions over the past month, the military test fired three of the old Scud-Bs, according to the Daily Caller.

US Pacific Command spokesman David Benham retracted the unit's first report stating that each short-range missile test had failed. "As an update to our initial release, the first and third  did not 'fail in flight," Benham told Yonhap News Agency. "Rather, they flew approximately 250 kilometers in a northeastern direction," the spokesman added.

The upgraded Scud-B is being referred to by North Korean forces as KN-21, The Diplomat reported Thursday. Kim has around 900 short-range ballistic missiles including the KN-21, and newer Scud-C and Scud 2 missiles, the news outlet noted.

"North Korea has had a ballistic missile program for more than 4 decadesthe short- and medium-range missiles originally were produced for defense and deterrence against the United State and South Korea, but the missiles could, of course, be used offensively," the US Army War College reported.

What's more, the ballistic missiles could be theoretically equipped with nuclear warheads.

The Korean People's Army (KPA) adheres to a doctrine set forth by Kim Il-Sung, who ruled from 1948 until his death in 1994 and is Kim Jong-un's grandfather. The doctrine stipulates that the entire population must be armed, the entire country must be fortified, every member of the army must be trained to teach combat to offspring and that the country's armaments and tactics must follow "Juche" in national defense, according to the War College's report.

Juche is a deeply rooted North Korean ideology praising the concepts of "self-reliance and self-sufficiency," the War College notes.

North Korea tested yet another ballistic missile early Friday morning following the UN Security Council's decision to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang.

 Sputnik

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McMaster on N Korea's Latest Missile Launch: Military Option Still Possible

Sputnik News

21:13 15.09.2017(updated 21:57 15.09.2017)

After Pyongyang conducted its first missile launch since the UN had imposed new sanctions on North Korea, the US president's national security adviser reiterated that a military solution to the problem is still on the table.

WASHINGTON, (Sputnik)  The Trump administration still considers a military solution with respect to North Korea, but prefers a diplomatic one, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said during a White House press briefing on Friday.

"There is a military option [on North Korea]. Now, it is not what we prefer to do," McMaster stated.

McMaster underlined the importance of enforcing economic sanctions against North Korea which have been supported by the UN Security Council members.

The United States will continue to call on all countries to do everything possible to address the issue, McMaster added. He stressed there is now consensus among all key nations that denuclearization of North Korea is one of the world's top priorities.

The statement comes after North Korea fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile in the early hours of Friday in violation of UN Security Council resolutions that bar it from researching ballistic missile technology. The missile flew over northern Japan before splashing into the Pacific, according to the US Department of Defense.

The latest missile launch comes just several days after the UN Security Council unanimously adopted new sanctions against Pyongyang as a response to North Korea's most powerful nuclear test conducted on September 3. The UN resolution bans Pyongyang from exporting textiles while capping how much crude oil and refined petroleum products can be imported. Natural gas condensates and liquids are also included among the items North Korea is restricted from importing in excess of UN guidelines.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that he doesn't exclude a "military solution" to the North Korean problem, however, later he scaled down such rhetoric, stating it would not be the "first" option.

 Sputnik

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Council of EU Expands North Korea Sanctions List After Latest Missile Launch

Sputnik News

19:13 15.09.2017(updated 19:15 15.09.2017)

After North Korea launched a ballistic missile for the first time since the UN had passed a new resolution on Pyongyang, the EU has expanded the anti-DPRK sanctions list.

MOSCOW, (Sputnik)  Brussels added three entities and one individual to the list of those subject to anti-Pyongyang restrictive measures, thus implementing a part of the relevant UN Security Council resolution, the Council of the European Union said in a statement on Friday.

"The Council has added 3 entities, the Propaganda and Agitation department, the Central Military Commission of the Worker's Party of Korea and the Organisation and Guidance department, as well as one person to the lists of those subject to an asset freeze and travel restrictions, transposing part of the new sanctions imposed by UN Security Council resolution 2375 (2017)," the statement read.

The European Union has sanctioned 63 individuals and 53 entities in accordance with the UN policy, while also having 41 persons and 6 entities on its own North Korea sanctions list.

The statement comes after North Korea fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile in the early hours of Friday in violation of UN Security Council resolutions that bar it from researching ballistic missile technology. The missile flew over northern Japan before splashing into the Pacific, according to the US Department of Defense.

The latest missile launch comes just several days after the UN Security Council unanimously adopted new sanctions against Pyongyang as a response to North Korea's most powerful nuclear test conducted on September 3. The UN resolution bans Pyongyang from exporting textiles while capping how much crude oil and refined petroleum products can be imported. Natural gas condensates and liquids are also included among the items North Korea is restricted from importing in excess of UN guidelines.

 Sputnik

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NATO Calls for 'Global Response' to North Korean Missiles

By Brian Padden September 15, 2017

NATO has called for a global response to North Korea's latest missile launch.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday on Twitter, "North Korea's missile launch is another reckless breach of U.N. resolutions -- a major threat to international peace and security which demands a global response."

Earlier Friday, North Korea launched another missile over Japan, just days after the United Nations imposed additional sanctions on Pyongyang for conducting its sixth nuclear test.

The missile was launched from the Sunan district in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, and flew over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Yoshihide Suga, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, said "We absolutely cannot accept these repeated provocations by North Korea and we strongly protest to North Korea and convey to them the nation's strong anger in the strongest words possible."

Warning announcements about the missile blared around 7 a.m. local time in the northern Japanese town of Kamaishi, according to footage from national broadcaster NHK.

South Korea's military reported the missile reached an altitude of about 770 kilometers and flew 3,700 kilometers, far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

US threat assessment

The U.S. Pacific Command said in a statement, "Initial assessment indicates the launch of an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM)" that did not pose a threat to Guam.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined this ballistic missile also did not pose a threat to North America.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the North Korean missile launch "put millions of Japanese into duck and cover," and that top U.S. officials had fully coordinated after the test launch.

Mattis spoke to reporters during a visit to the U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees U.S. nuclear forces.

The South Korean military responded to the provocation from the North by launching a Hyunmoo-II missile into the sea that traveled the distance it would take to reach the Sunan airfield in Pyongyang, according to a military spokesman.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in also convened a National Security Council (NSC) meeting to monitor the security situation and prepare for any new emerging threats from North Korea.

"President Moon ordered (the military) to closely analyze and increase the readiness posture against new type of threats from North Korea, such as EMP (electromagnetic pulse) and biochemical threats," presidential spokesman Park Su-hyun said.

North Korea said earlier this month it was developing a hydrogen bomb that can carry out an EMP attack. Experts disagree on whether the North would have the capability to mount such an attack, which would involve setting off a bomb in the atmosphere that could cause major damage to power grids and other infrastructure.

Security council

The United Nations Security Council will meet later Friday on the latest North Korea missile test, diplomats said, at the request of the United States and Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for new sanctions "to be firmly imposed" in response to this latest North Korean missile test that violated Japanese airspace.

"North Korea has trampled over the strong will of a united international community to a peaceful solution as seen in the United Nations' Resolutions the other day. We absolutely cannot accept these provocations," Abe said.

In August, North Korea also launched a ballistic missile over Japan from a region near Pyongyang that flew more than 2,700 kilometers at a maximum altitude of around 550 kilometers.

The 15-member Security Council, which includes U.S., China and Russia, unanimously imposed sanctions against North Korea on Monday for its September 3 nuclear test that prohibits textile exports, reduces oil and gas imports, and limits permits for North Korean laborers to work outside the country.

In August the Security Council also imposed a ban on North Korean coal, iron, lead and seafood exports.

In the last round of sanctions, however, Washington was unable to get Beijing and Moscow to agree to a total oil embargo and authorization to interdict ships suspected of smuggling banned items.

Call for new measures

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also called for "new measures" against North Korea and said "these continued provocations only deepen North Korea's diplomatic and economic isolation."

"We call on all nations to take new measures against the Kim regime," the top U.S. diplomat said.

Tillerson noted that China who supplies North Korea with most of its oil and Russia as the largest employer of North Korean forced labor have a unique responsibility in the diplomatic situation. "China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own," Tillerson said.

Speaking Friday at the State Department, Tillerson said North Korea is a "global threat and it requires a global response from all nations."

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis made similar comments Friday, telling reporters he believes North Korea's actions are only serving to further isolate the country.

"More and more nations are realizing there's simply no collaboration ((by Pyongyang)) with the international community," he told reporters traveling with him to Mexico City.

The North Korean state run newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Friday said in an editorial that "If the U.S. continues to walk on the current course, we will take stronger actions for our self-defense."

A North Korean state agency threatened on Thursday to use nuclear weapons to "sink" Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness" for supporting a U.N. Security Council resolution and sanctions over its latest nuclear test.

In the past two years, North Korea has conducted 27 ballistic missile launches and three nuclear tests.

At the beginning of this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to develop a long-range ICBM nuclear missile that can target the U.S. mainland.

U.S. President Donald Trump had been briefed on the latest launch, the White House said.

The Trump administration has called the development of a North Korean ICBM an unacceptable existential threat. Washington has tried to work with Beijing to restrain its ally in Pyongyang through economic sanctions.

While U.S. officials say they prefer a diplomatic solution to this nuclear standoff, military force is also an option.

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Haley: N. Korea Will Be 'Front and Center' at UN Assembly

By VOA News September 15, 2017

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Friday that North Korea would be "front and center" when Donald Trump attends his first annual meeting of the General Assembly as president.

North Korea fired a missile Friday over Japan, its second launch over the country since Trump threatened in August to unleash "fire and fury" against Pyongyang if acts of aggression continued. The latest launch further raised alarm globally about North Korea's developing nuclear and missile programs.

Haley's remarks were made during a White House media briefing, at which national security adviser H.R. McMaster said "North Korea remains one of the most urgent and dangerous security problems."

Haley said recent sanctions against North Korea had "strangled their economic situation," and there was "not more to do diplomatically."

McMaster said the U.N. was "out of time" on the diplomatic front with Pyongyang but added "there is a military option." McMaster, also an Army lieutenant general, called on "all nations to address this problem short of war."

In addition to the North Korean crisis, Haley said the Iran nuclear deal and the Syrian civil war would also be administration priorities.

National sovereignty

Trump is expected to emphasize the importance of national sovereignty as he outlines Washington's role in global affairs during his General Assembly debut.

McMaster said one of Trump's main goals was to "uphold [national] sovereignty and accountability," and added that Trump would stress that "each country protects the security of its own people."

Trump has repeatedly voiced skepticism of global organizations such as the United Nations, and member nations may be looking for signs of change since the recent departures of White House nationalist advocates such as chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Trump has called for a reform of the U.N. to lower "out-of-control costs" and has complained the U.S. funds a disproportionate share of the U.N.'s budget.

On Monday, the president will host an event at U.N. headquarters with the intent of gaining support for his reform proposals. Haley said 120 countries had agreed to attend the meeting, at which Trump will propose a "massive reform package" that will make the U.N. "more effective."

The annual General Assembly begins Tuesday, when Trump will deliver his first address to the 193-member body.

"I think he will make quite an impact," Haley said of the president's address.

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India, South Korea to Jointly Build Five Warships in Next Five Years

Sputnik News

14:11 15.09.2017

South Korea's willingness to transfer technology to India has made it one of India's most favored defense partners, bagging mega projects including joint production of warships and artillery guns.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  India's state-owned shipbuilding company Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has said it expects to seal the deal with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. within a year to build five fleet-support ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy. Bilateral negotiations for the project had started in 2015 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited South Korea.

A five member South Korean delegation along with Indian Navy officials had visited HSL in Vizag between August 21-23 to discuss the FSS construction plan; for which, a timeline would be finalized soon. It is estimated that construction of five FSS would cost $1.4 billion to Indian Navy.

During a press meet, HSL Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral L.V. Sarat Babu said that the first ship is expected to roll out in October 2022 from the Hyundai facility in South Korea. Simultaneously, the construction of another FSS would start at HSL facility with the technological cooperation of Hyundai. "Our plan is to roll out one FSS every 10 months after the delivery of the first vessel from Hyundai," L.V. Sarat Babu said.

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) was picked up by the Indian government for the strategic collaboration to gain technological know-how in defense shipbuilding.

"The cooperation with the Korean Shipyard would enable HSL to upgrade and modernize its facilities and execute naval shipbuilding projects in a timely and cost effective manner. HSL would be able to imbibe best practices in shipbuilding leading to effective project management," Ashok Kumar Gupta, Secretary (Defence Production), Indian defense ministry said during the signing of an Inter-governmental MoU in April this year.

The Indian government is consistently making efforts to minimize the import content in naval projects. The import component of Ships manufactured by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) was 21 per cent in 2016-17 which is slightly lower than 27 per cent of 2015-16.

 Sputnik

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Japan Makes No Headway in Convincing India to Buy Its Amphibious Aircraft

Sputnik News

12:57 15.09.2017(updated 15:13 15.09.2017)

Japan has been persuading India to buy its ShinMaywa US-2i amphibious aircraft since the last four years but cost factor and India's insistence on the transfer of technology has held Japan back from making its first arms export after lifting of its self-imposed ban.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  Contrary to speculations, Japan has once again failed to break into India's weapons market as it could not seal the long pending deal on selling its US-2 amphibian aircraft to the world's biggest arms importer despite Prime Minister Shinzo Abe making a strong pitch during his just concluded visit.

During the just-concluded India-Japan 10th annual summit, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe & Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the deal but failed to arrive at a decision. Nevertheless, both the leaders appreciate the commencement of the technical discussion for the future research collaboration in the area of Unmanned Ground Vehicles and Robotics.

Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar told the media that "serious negotiations" were held with Japan regarding the purchase of the amphibious aircraft.

"Japan's readiness to provide its state-of-the-art US-2 amphibian aircraft was appreciated as symbolizing the high degree of trust between the two countries. The two governments decided to continue their discussions in this regard," the India-Japan joint statement read.

Japanese Prime Minister's Shinzo Abe's visit was preceded with speculations in the Indian media that the long-pending bilateral deal on ShinMaywa would be concluded this time as Japan had agreed to cut down prices by at least 10 percent and that the final deal would come around to $1.3 billion. However, that did not happen.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had signed an initial agreement to start negotiations for acquiring the Japanese US-2 amphibian aircraft during his visit to the country in 2014. Before that, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard had taken a keen interest in this aircraft due to its range of 4500 Km but the high cost and Japan's rigid stance against sharing critical technology forced India to look towards other options.

While Japan has offered a direct sale, the Narendra Modi-led Indian government wants to produce 18 more such planes in India in line with Indian "Make in India" initiative apart from buying some of them off-the-shelf.

The protracted negotiations between India and Japan are a result of their enduring joint efforts to reach a common ground with regard to technology transfer, and the related financial costs. While India seeks technology transfer in consonance with its national policy of 'Make in India', Japan is the view  and possibly, rightly so  that the proposition is not commercially viable as the number of aircraft in question is relatively small. However, it is my belief that overriding geopolitical considerations would persuade both sides towards a via media, sooner rather than later." Captain of Indian Navy and Executive Director, National Maritime Foundation, Gurpreet Khurana told Sputnik.

The deal, if concluded, would have represented Japan's first defense export since it lifted its decades-long self-imposed ban on defense exports in 2014.

 Sputnik

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India, Japan Agree to Enhance Military Ties and China Does Not Like It

Sputnik News

12:03 15.09.2017

Japan and India have agreed to enhance cooperation in the India-Pacific region where China is increasingly becoming assertive.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  India and Japan have agreed to enhance defense ties in what is being seen as a clear cut message to China. The agreement was reached during the annual summit of the two countries held in India's Ahmedabad city.

The two sides have agreed to enhance defense and security cooperation and dialogues including the Malabar and other joint exercises, defense equipment and technology cooperation in areas such as surveillance and unmanned system technologies and defense industry cooperation, according to the joint statement released after the talks said.

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar also reiterated that defense and security cooperation was the major thrust area during the discussions.

"Many of the discussions revolved around strengthening defense and security cooperation. In defense and security cooperation, the thrust has been on the maritime security. We also agreed to explore cooperation and exchanges between the army and Japan's ground self-defense force, this also involved cooperation between Air Force and Japan's Air Self Defense Force. There were discussions on defense cooperation including technical cooperation, equipment cooperation and US-2 amphibian aircraft," Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said during a press conference on Thursday.

Meanwhile, China has taken the development with a pinch of salt. It said India and Japan should work for a partnership instead of an alliance against another entity.

"We advocate that regional countries should stand for dialogue without confrontation and work for a partnership instead of an alliance," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a regular press briefing.

Indian experts say India's alliance with Japan, the US and Australia are indeed a major concern for China.

"Definitely, increasing defense cooperation with Japan is basically aimed at countering China. There are three areas where there is a convergence of interest between India and Japan so as to counter China is  South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and South East Asia. The fact is that China is closely watching these developments and particularly alliance of India with Japan, US and Australia," strategic affairs expert Professor Sudhir Singh told Sputnik.

 Sputnik

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India Conducts First Live Fire Exercise of Homegrown BVR Air to Air Missile

Sputnik News

11:16 15.09.2017(updated 11:41 15.09.2017)

The 3.8 meter long Astra Mark-1 is a single-stage, solid-propellant missile that can hit a target at a range of 75 kilometers with a speed of more than four times the speed of sound at Mach 4.5. Its advanced version is expected to match the caliber of the French Meteor BVRAAM.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  India has successfully conducted the first live fire trial of its home-grown beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM)  Astra in the Bay of Bengal. Sources told Sputnik that this is the first in the series of at least eight trials before it is approved to be inducted into service by the end of 2017.

The missile was fired from a Su-30MKI fighter jet targeting a pilotless target aircraft (PTA), the Banshee. This was carried out to revalidate the newly developed indigenous missile seeker and its accuracy capability. The seeker helps in firing the missile from beyond visual range, tracking and then locking onto the target.

"The exercise was conducted in a war-like scenario and the missile was fired on an actual target," said a defense official.

Astra, developed by the state-owned Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) is India's first locally developed BVRAAM. The Indian Air Force's fighter aircraft are currently equipped with Russian, French and Israeli BVR missiles.

Sources told Sputnik that the homegrown BVRAAM would be fitted on to the locally developed fighter jet Tejas. Meanwhile, DRDO has started work on the longer range version of the missile that is to be named Astra Mk-2 that can hit targets up to 100 kilometers. The advanced version is expected to match the caliber of the French Meteor BVRAAM.

The Indian Air Force has already placed an initial order for 50 Astra MK-1 which will be followed by a bulk order for all its fighter aircraft. Last month India's state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) inaugurated a special production facility near the southern city of Hyderabad to manufacture the initial batch of Astra Mk1.

 Sputnik

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Trump Administration Seen Taking Harder Line on Iran

By Steve Herman September 14, 2017

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to take unspecified action against Iran next month, expressing continued dissatisfaction with the 2015 nuclear agreement signed by Iran and a group of world powers, including the United States.

"We are not going to stand for what they're doing to this country," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "They have violated so many different elements, but they've also violated the spirit of that deal. And you will see what we'll be doing in October. It will be very evident."

He reiterated that "it's a deal that should have never, ever been made."

The United States on Thursday extended some sanctions relief for Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal. But no decision has been made on whether to preserve the deal itself.

Imposed sanctions

The U.S. Treasury Department, meanwhile, imposed sanctions Thursday against 11 entities and individuals for supporting Iranian activity the Trump administration considers hostile, including cyberattacks against U.S. financial institutions.

"Treasury will continue to take strong actions to counter Iran's provocations, including support for the IRGC-Quds Forces and terrorist extremists, the ongoing campaign of violence in Syria, and cyberattacks meant to destabilize the U.S. financial system," U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement posted on the agency's website.

IRGC stands for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the branch of the Iranian military meant to protect the country's Islamic republic system. The IRGC's Quds Force is its extraterritorial unit.

The Treasury action freezes any assets the individuals and companies hold in the U.S. and bars U.S. citizens, residents and companies from doing business with them. Foreign financial institutions that do business with them risk losing access to the U.S. financial system, according to the Treasury statement.

In London on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Iran was "clearly in default" of expectations under the 2015 nuclear deal.

While international inspectors have found Iran is meeting requirements to limit its nuclear program, Tillerson said that it was violating language about regional peace and security, citing its ballistic missile program and its support for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

Economic sanctions against Iran were dropped in exchange for Tehran's limiting of its nuclear program.

North Korea

The U.S. president, returning from seeing hurricane damage and meeting survivors in Florida, also commented on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Amid indications Pyongyang may soon carry out further provocations beyond its recent ICBM launches and sixth nuclear test, Trump said a new response beyond the latest U.N. and U.S. sanctions and warnings was being formulated.

"I can't tell you, obviously, what I'm working on. But believe me, the people of this country will be very, very safe," Trump told reporters. "I think that a lot of effort is being put into this. We're looking at what's going on. As we speak, we are literally at it right now."

Hours after Trump spoke, North Korea fired a missile from Pyongyang that flew over Japan and about 2,200 kilometers out into the Pacific Ocean.

The commander of the U.S. Strategic Command on Thursday was the latest authoritative voice to indicate the North Koreans on September 3 most likely set off a thermonuclear device in a tunnel at their Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

"I have to make the assumption that what I saw equates to a hydrogen bomb," Air Force General John Hyten said.

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Access to Iran military sites closed case: Top official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 15, IRNA -- Access to Iran's military sites is a closed case, Iranian top security official said on Friday.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani made the remarks in reaction to calls for visiting Iranian military sites under the pretext of secret nuclear activity.

'Iran has no undeclared nuclear activity,' the official said referring to the UN nuclear watchdog reports which confirm peaceful nature of Iran nuclear program.

'Access to Iranian military sites is unnecessary,' Shamkhani said, noting that propagating Iranophobia is the aim of US and Zionist regime officials' claims.

'Any claim regarding Iran obligations in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) should be studied in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based on technical and legal considerations apart from the partisan views,' he noted.

Shamkhani said in the meantime that Islamic Republic would continue efforts for promotion of country's defensive power.

He called the US President Donald Trump policy towards Iran unconstructive and said, 'Islamic Republic will reciprocate US breach of its obligations enshrined in the nuclear deal.'

Translator: Hamdollah Emadi Heydari

9191**2050

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US extends Iran embargo relief based on nuclear deal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 15, IRNA -- US State Department said that Washington extended some sanctions relief for Iran based on the 2015 nuclear deal reached between Iran and G5+1 (US, UK, Russia, France, China plus Germany).

The US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters the administration had approved waivers of some sanctions on Iran to maintain some flexibility as it develops its Iran policy, dispatches reported.

It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump on October 15 must inform Congress if Iran is complying with the terms of the nuclear agreement and whether the deal remains in US national security interests or not.

However, Iranian officials have always warned about sabotage of the nuclear deal by the US.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani on Friday morning called Trump policy towards Iran unconstructive, and said, 'Islamic Republic will reciprocate the US breach of its obligations enshrined in the nuclear deal.'

Translator: Hamdollah Emadi Heydari

9191** 2050

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Iran Says U.S. 'Seeking Excuses' To Tear Up Nuclear Deal

RFE/RL September 15, 2017

A senior Iranian military official has accused Washington of "seeking excuses" to tear up the nuclear deal Tehran reached with six world powers by demanding inspections of Iranian military sites.

Ali Shamkhani, a military commander and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, made the remarks on state television on September 15.

Shamkhani said "Iran has no undisclosed nuclear activity in any geographical location in the country."

He said issues raised by the United States are "media hype by the Americans so that they can refrain from fulfilling their obligations."

Shamkhani's remarks came one day after Washington said it would extend the sanctions relief that Iran was granted under the 2015 nuclear deal but would impose new penalties on Iranian individuals and entities over Tehran's ballistic-missile program.

"Waiving some of those sanctions should not be seen as an indication of President [Donald] Trump or his administration's position on the [nuclear deal], nor is the waiver giving the Iranian regime a pass on its broad range of malign behavior," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

U.S. and UN watchdogs monitoring compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement have found Iran has adhered to the deal.

However, the Trump administration has frequently charged that Tehran breaks the "spirit" of the deal by continuing to test-launch ballistic missiles and rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on September 14 that Washington is continuing to develop its policy on Iran and will consider the wider threat it poses beyond just its nuclear program.

"President Trump has made it clear," Tillerson said. "We must take into account the totality of Iranian threats, not just Iran's nuclear capabilities. That is just one piece of our posture toward Iran."

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on September 14 that Trump's suggestion that the nuclear deal should be renegotiated was "pure fantasy."

In a Twitter message, Zarif said the deal is not renegotiable, adding that it was "about time for [the] U.S. to stop spinning and begin complying, just like Iran."

Zarif is due to meet with Tillerson and foreign ministers from other world powers that signed the nuclear deal when they gather on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The other signatories of the Iran nuclear pact are Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-united-states- nuclear-deal-seeking-excuses/28737066.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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Daesh executes own senior commander in Kirkuk over leaving stronghold

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:49PM

The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has reportedly executed one of its high-ranking militant commanders in Iraq's northern oil-rich province of Kirkuk on charges of "attempts to escape to the land of non-believers."

A local source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Arabic-language SNG news agency that the senior terrorist, identified by the nom de guerre Abu Qatada al-Muhajir, was killed on the outskirts of Hawijah city, located 45 kilometers west of the provincial capital city of Kirkuk.

The source added that al-Muhajir was a prominent Daesh member and in charge of recruiting Arab fighters.

He purportedly possessed a great deal of information about Daesh leaders and the terror group's bombing squads.

Over dozen foreign Daesh women arrested near Tal Afar

Separately, Iraqi security troops have arrested dozens of female Daesh members near Tal Afar more than a fortnight after government forces, backed by allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, liberated the strategic northern city from the clutches of Daesh extremists.

The media bureau odf the Defense Ministry, in a statement released on Friday, announced that members iof the Federal Police Force arrested 14 female Daesh terrorists in Qasabet al-Ra'ie village on the outskirts of al-'Ayadiya district, which lies 11 kilometers northwest of Tal Afar.

The statement added that thirteen of those arrested were Turkish nationals and only one of them came from Russia. There were sixteen children with the Takfiri women.

On August 31, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the city of Tal Afar and the entire Nineveh province had been purged of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

The recapture of Tal Afar was made possible with the help of Iraqi army soldiers, Federal Police Force, Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), pro-government fighters from Popular Mobilization Units  commonly known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Sha'abi and the Interior Ministry's elite rapid response forces, Abadi said.

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Iraqi Kurdistan's Independence Referendum May Provoke New Conflict - Turkish PM

Sputnik News

19:47 15.09.2017(updated 21:09 15.09.2017)

As the independence referendum of Iraqi Kurdistan approaches, Ankara has again warned about the possible consequences of the upcoming vote.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim urged Friday the authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan to abandon the idea of holding an independence referendum, as it could ultimately provoke a new, unnecessary conflict in the region.

"We urge the head of the Kurdish regional administration of Iraq Masoud Barzani to avoid this serious mistake, as there are already enough problems in the region, such as the fight against the IS [Islamic State, Daesh, ISIS, banned in Russia] and the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party, banned in Turkey], and the long-standing civil war in Syria. It this case, another conflict may arise, which will primarily hurt our Kurdish brothers living in the region," Yildirim told reporters.

According to Yildirim, the United Nations may join the discussion on this issue in the coming days.

Asked about the possibility of Turkey imposing sanctions against the Iraqi Kurdistan in the event of a referendum, Yildirim noted that Ankara was "ready to take all necessary steps," while at the same time expressing his hope that Erbil would reverse its intention.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier that Ankara could act as a mediator to solve the most pressing issues between Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.

In June, Masoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdistan, set September 25 as the date for an independence referendum. The announced referendum has been widely criticized by a number of countries, including Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United States. While Moscow voiced support for Iraq's unity and territorial integrity, Washington reportedly asked Iraqi Kurdistan's President Masoud Barzani to postpone holding the region's independence referendum. Earlier this week, the Iraqi parliament voted against the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum.

Leader of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani said Thursday that he might consider the proposal of several Western countries to postpone the planned referendum if a suitable alternative is found.

In 2005, the Iraqi Constitution recognized Kurdistan as an autonomous region that was run by the Kurdistan Regional Government. Since then, Kurdistan's authorities have repeatedly raised the issue of independence.

 Sputnik

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Ankara Threatens Sanctions Against Iraqi Kurds Over Independence Vote

By Dorian Jones September 15, 2017

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim warned Friday that the Iraqi Kurdish plan to hold an independence referendum was a "grave mistake." Iraqi Kurdistan regional President Masoud Barzani has called for the referendum on September 25 in the semi-autonomous area.

Turkey, which borders the Iraqi Kurdish region, has strong ties with Barzani, but Ankara has been stepping up its pressure to call off the vote.

"There are 10 days left [to the referendum]. Therefore, I want to repeat our friendly call to Masoud Barzani: Correct this mistake while there is still time," Yildirim said Friday to supporters.

The warning was followed by Ankara's first direct threat.

"We don't want to impose sanctions, but, if we arrive at that point, there are steps that have been already planned that Turkey can take," Yildirim added.

The warning comes days after the Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, told the Kurds that they would "pay a price for the vote."

Ankara, with its own restive Kurdish minority, that mainly borders Iraqi Kurdistan, fears an independent Kurdish state could fuel similar secessionist demands. Those fears are heightened by the suspicion that Syrian Kurds on the Turkish border harbor the same independence ambitions.

Turkish fears over the referendum have created rare common ground across the country's deep political divide.

"Balkanization of the Middle East would bring instability," warned Ceyda Karan, a columnist with the Turkish opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper. "Borders are not drawn fairly in many parts of the world. The question of where to find fairness in redrawing them is unknown."

The United States and Iran also have voiced strong opposition to the independence vote, but Turkey arguably has the most leverage on the Iraqi Kurds. The Habur border gate on Turkey's frontier with Iraq is the main trade route to the outside world for Iraqi Kurdistan, while an oil pipeline to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan provides a financial lifeline.

Sanctions could prove to be a double-edged sword.

"Habur does not only mean gate to Iraqi Kurdistan," said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who set up Turkey's consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan's capital of Irbil. "Habur means gate to Iraq and, in today's terms, means gate to the Middle East as all border gates are closed with Syria. There is the oil pipeline; Iraqi Kurdistan oil, including Kirkuk oil, is being marketed to global markets through [the port city of] Ceyhan. That is a win, win for Ankara."

Financial considerations are not the only factors that Ankara has to consider. "Ankara is against it [the referendum], but on the other hand, Barzani is the best ally in the region. I think they are not that vocal when it comes to the referendum," said political scientist Cengiz Aktar.

Barzani in the past decade has developed a close relationship with Ankara, one built not only on lucrative trade, but on security cooperation.

Barzani has provided assistance to Ankara in Turkey's war against the Kurdish rebel group the PKK, which is waging a decades-long insurgency for greater minority rights in Turkey and has bases in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Turkish election politics could further restrict Ankara's room to maneuver. The Iraqi Kurdish independence referendum threatens to complicate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's re-election bid in 2019.

"I understand Mr. Erdogan is trying to balance the traditional Kurdish vote that goes with [Erdogan's] AK Party and [Turkish] nationalists," said former diplomat Selcen, who is now a regional analyst.

The Kurdish vote in Turkey traditionally accounts for about 10 percent of Erdogan's support  votes that could be crucial in what is predicted to be a closely fought presidential election.

Analyst Selcen suggests the solution to the political conundrum posed by the Iraqi Kurdish independence vote to Erdogan's own ambitions could be to simply do nothing.

"I think in today's system in Turkey, one should only follow closely what Mr. Erdogan says and, knowing his usual style and usual rhetoric, I find Mr. Erdogan's position much milder and more moderate. I will speculate that following September 25, the day of the referendum, it will be business as usual between Ankara and Irbil."

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Satellite imagery reveals Myanmar's 'ethnic cleansing' of Rohingyas: Amnesty

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 02:06AM

Amnesty International has released satellite imagery that shows how the Myanmar government has been pushing ahead with its "ethnic cleansing" of Rohingya Muslims by burning their villages as part of a "scorched earth" strategy.

The rights groups said in a statement on Thursday that it was in possession of "active fire-detection data, satellite imagery, photographs and videos" that revealed the extent of "a mass-scale scorched-earth campaign" across the country's northern parts.

"The evidence is irrefutable  the Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine state ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar. Make no mistake: this is ethnic cleansing," said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International's crisis response director.

Amnesty said it had detected at least 80 large-scale fires in inhabited areas across Rakhine since August 25, when the government of Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi stepped up the violent crackdown.

The organization said it had corroborated the burning by analyzing images from across the Naf River, which separates Myanmar from Bangladesh. The photographs show huge pillars of smoke rising inside the area.

"There is a clear and systematic pattern of abuse here. Security forces surround a village, shoot people fleeing in panic and then torch houses to the ground. In legal terms, these are crimes against humanity  systematic attacks and forcible deportation of civilians," Hassan said.

According to the statement, Myanmar's armed forces had even notified people in some Rohingya villages that they were going to burn their homes to the ground.

Eyewitnesses told Amnesty that the soldiers first burned the houses and then randomly shot and stabbed people who were trying to flee.

Calling for international action to address "the nightmare the Rohingya are living through," Amnesty said Suu Kyi and her military commanders should be put under pressure to end the "carnage."

The UN Human Rights Council is set to discuss the situation over the next few days, when world leaders gather in New York to attend the annual UN General Assembly.

"This is an opportunity for the world to show that it has grasped the scope of the ongoing crisis and adopt a strong resolution to reflect this. The council must also extend the mandate of the international fact finding mission, which the Myanmar authorities should offer their full cooperation to," Amnesty said.

Suu Kyi, a Noble laureate, has decided to skip the event.

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Amnesty International Releases Evidence of 'Ethnic Cleansing' By Burmese Forces

RFE/RL September 15, 2017

Amnesty International says it has gathered evidence of an "orchestrated campaign of systematic burnings" by Burmese security forces and "vigilante mobs" targeting dozens of Rohingya Muslim villages -- a campaign the human rights group describes as "ethnic cleansing."

"The evidence is irrefutable," Amnesty International's Crisis Response Director Tirana Hassan said about the humanitarian crisis in Burma (also known as Myanmar).

"The Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine State ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar," Hassan said. "Make no mistake: This is ethnic cleansing."

"There is a clear and systematic pattern of abuse here," Hassan said. "Security forces surround a village, shoot people fleeing in panic, and then torch houses to the ground. In legal terms, these are crimes against humanity -- systematic attacks and forcible deportation of civilians."

Amnesty International says its evidence includes analysis of active fire-detection data, satellite imagery, photographs and videos from the ground, and interviews with dozens of witnesses in Burma and across the border in Bangladesh.

The United Nations estimates as many as 400,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh since an August 25 coordinated attack by Rohingya militants on Burmese border posts.

Burma's military blames the burning of villages on Rohingya militants.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres previously expressed concerns about possible "ethnic cleansing" against the Rohingya.

Amnesty International's findings, released on September 15, include some of the most specific evidence that Rohingya areas are being targeted by Burmese security forces.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/amnesty-burma-ethnic- cleansing-rohingya/28737007.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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Amnesty International Claims 'Evidence' of Ethnic Cleansings' of Rohingya

Sputnik News

17:04 15.09.2017(updated 20:53 15.09.2017)

The organization has analyzed fire-detection data, satellite imagery and photos and videos from the ground. According to Amnesty International, the evaluation of its information has revealed that an orchestrated campaign to burn the villages of the Rohingya Muslim minority has been ongoing across the region for almost three weeks.

What is currently happening in the region is "crimes against humanity  systematic attacks and forcible deportation of civilians," Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International's crisis response director, said.

"The evidence is irrefutable  the Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine State ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar. Make no mistake: this is ethnic cleansing," she was quoted as saying on the official website of the organization.

Amnesty International has detected at least 80 massive fires in inhabited areas across northern Rakhine since August 25 when the Rohingya crisis broke out.

"Satellite images from the village tract of Inn Din, a mixed ethnic area in south Maungdaw, clearly show how an area of Rohingya homes has been burned to the ground, while non-Rohingya areas alongside them appear to have been left untouched," the organization said in its report.

According to it, Myanmar's armed forces had even notified people in some Rohingya villages that they were going to burn down their homes. The organization also cited eyewitnesses who said that the soldiers burned houses and then randomly shot fleeing people.

The operation of Myanmar military and security forces was launched following an attack by Muslim insurgents of Rohingya origin on security posts in Rakhine State. The attacks prompted a harsh response from the authorities. Hundreds of people have died in the continued clashes, while thousands have been forced to flee.

The conflict originally started about a century ago. The latest upsurge has gradually escalated since 2011, hitting its peak in 2012 when thousands of Muslims sought asylum in special refugee camps on the country's territory or fled to Bangladesh. Another escalation took place in 2016. According to the UN, up to 391,000 people from Myanmar's Rakhine State have fled into Bangladesh since August 25.

 Sputnik

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Rohingya crisis one of the fastest growing in recent years, warns UN refugee agency

15 September 2017  The humanitarian situation in parts of Bangladesh sheltering hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees continues to deteriorate, making the crisis one of the fastest growing refugee crises of recent years, according to the United Nations.

"[The crisis is] creating enormous humanitarian needs in an area of Bangladesh already affected by earlier refugee influxes, recent floods and not equipped to cope with large numbers of new arrivals," Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told journalists at a media briefing in Geneva today.

According to estimates, some 380,000 Rohingya refugees, fleeing violence in Myanmar, have crossed the border into Bangladesh since 25 August.

"A visit to the area this week by a UNHCR team, led by Assistant High Commissioner for Operations George Okoth-Obbo, found people suffering real hardship and some of the most difficult conditions seen in any current refugee situation," said Mr. Mahecic.

Refugees continue to arrive daily outside of the two established camps which are already substantially overflowing, and many people have received little meaningful help to date, he added.

The UN agency has been responding to the situation and assisting those coming but its in-country stocks have been exhausted, noted the UNHCR spokesperson, adding that deliveries of more aid  flown in earlier this week  are currently underway.

Children worst affected

Challenges, however, are the greatest for children. According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), there are at least 240,000 children among the refugees, including about 36,000 who are less than a year old. There were also 52,000 pregnant and lactating women.

"Conditions are ripe for the spread of disease," Marixie Mercado, a UNICEF spokesperson highlighted at the briefing, noting that refuges have little protection from the elements and lack drinking water.

"There is nowhere near enough latrines, and extreme mosquito activity has been forecast for the coming days. It is important to note that even before the crisis, half of the children in Rakhine state [in Myanmar] had suffered from chronic malnutrition, meaning they were vulnerable to disease," she said.

To help cope with this situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) is stepping up its efforts, and starting 16 September, will launch a polio and measles vaccination campaign to cover 150,000 newly arrived children aged 6 months to 15 years old, said Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesperson for the UN agency.

"In the coming days, [we will also] distribute emergency medical kits to cover 100,000 people, 2 million water purification tablets and cholera kits for 20,000 people," he added, noting that the UN health agency is also supporting the Government of Bangladesh in providing medical teams to new spontaneous settlements.

The World Food Programme (WFP), the UN's emergency food assistance agency, has also upped its response, delivering high-energy food bars, and together with partners, hot food and rice for cooking to tens of thousands of refugees.

'Remarkable generosity' of Bangladeshi communities

Mr. Mahecic also noted that Bangladeshi communities have shown "remarkable generosity," welcoming refugees into their homes and sharing resources with them.

However, as the number of new arrivals continues, UN agencies are in urgent need of additional funds to provide protection and life-saving assistance.

Among them, UNHCR has appealed for an initial amount of $30 million for its emergency response in the country until the end of year.

Similarly, UNICEF made an initial appeal for $7.3 million over three months, including almost $3 million for water and sanitation alone, but that amount was calculated on the basis of 200,000 people and that number had now doubled.

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Observers: Mass Exodus of Nearly 400,000 Rohingya Refugees Appears Unstoppable

By Lisa Schlein September 15, 2017

U.N. and international agencies report the mass exodus of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar appears unstoppable as nearly 400,000 have arrived in Bangladesh in the last three weeks.

Aid agencies are increasing assistance operations in response to the ever-worsening crisis. Chris Lom is the International Organization for Migration's senior communications officer. Lom says there is no sign the flow of desperate people arriving in Bangladesh from Myanmar will end soon.

Speaking by telephone from Cox's Bazar, Lom says smoke from burning villages in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state is still visible. He says thousands of people who have escaped are believed to be waiting for boats to ferry them to Cox's Bazar.

He says many of the people on the move are heading toward a large new government area being set aside for the refugees, but, he adds about half of the 400,000 are living alongside the road, on wastelands or on hills in horrible conditions.

"They really have nothing. A lot of them are very exhausted," said Lom. "They are hungry. They are often traumatized because they have seen terrible things on the other side of the border and most importantly, they have no access to things like clean water. So, people are going to get very sick, very quickly."

The U.N. Children's Fund reports youngsters account for 240,000 of the Rakhine refugees. To try to head off the spread of killer diseases, UNICEF and the World Health Organization are starting a vaccine campaign against measles and polio on Saturday.

The agencies hope to vaccinate about 150,000 children between the ages of six months and 15 years. The campaign will include deworming and provide vitamin A supplements, which prevent blindness in children with measles.

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Overwhelmed Aid Groups Scale Up Response to Rohingya Crisis

By Joe Freeman September 15, 2017

As the number of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar to the relative safety of Cox's Bazar in southern Bangladesh reaches nearly 400,000, aid groups are escalating their response to an increasingly urgent humanitarian crisis.

But despite the push and donations from some governments, the sheer size of the problem leaves agencies unable to fully meet the growing demand, raising fears of serious consequences for the hungry and exhausted population, from disease outbreaks to deaths.

"If you go down there right now you will still see a lot of people facing open skies if I can put it that way," said Azmat Ulla, Bangladesh country director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), who later added that the situation is "overwhelming."

The needs are varied, he added, from emergency shelter to health services to clean water purification to dignity kits, or essential items for women and girls who have been displaced. Most of the refugees going to Bangladesh are women and children.

Among its other duties, the IFRC has provided water to more than 20,000 people and is distributing water storage containers.

"There are also two mobile medical teams operating, each with a doctor, paramedic and two volunteers. For the first few days they've seen more than 500 people, and some of these people are suffering from diseases like diarrhea, fever, respiratory complaints, kidney infections, malnutrition as well as bullet wounds and burns," he said. "There are also a number of people who are traumatized so we plan to add psychological support to the team."

Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing what they say is long-term persecution in Myanmar for decades, but the speed combined with the scale of this latest crisis is unprecedented, experts say. Never before have so many arrived in so short a time.

Bangladesh already has hundreds of thousands Rohingya refugees in the country, adding to the burden.

This exodus started after insurgents from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attacked police posts on August 25, killing at least 12 members of the security forces and sparking a brutal crackdown similar to one that occurred in October 2016 after a smaller assault on outposts that initially killed nine officers.

But while last year's military operation resulted in allegations of possible crimes against humanity, the latest clashes appear to have been far more deadly, with Bangladesh's government saying the death toll could be in the thousands and senior United Nations officials describing the outflow as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar says it is killing terrorists and doing its best to rescue civilians and avoid collateral damage. It complains of media bias and misinformation, pointing to tens of thousands of Buddhists and other non-Muslims that have had to flee their own homes as an element of the story that has received little attention. Myanmar's ambassador to the U.S. rejected has rejected allegations of ethnic cleansing.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called for an end to the violence, and de facto Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi cancelled a planned visit to the U.N. General Assembly, while planning to address the nation in the coming days on the crisis.

Meanwhile, Rohingya keep pouring into Bangladesh.

"The goal post is constantly changing because more people are arriving every day," said Vivian Tan, spokeswoman for the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR. "Every day you see new sites mushroom, sprouting up from the side of the road. So it's quite difficult to keep track of the number of new arrivals and where they are going."

Tan said the UNHCR had replenished its own stocks with two airlifts carrying family-size tents, plastic sheets and other essential items such as buckets and sleeping maps.

"We're currently focusing on the two existing camps Kutupalong and Nayapara where the camp population has more than doubled in the last three weeks. And we've offered the government to scale up our assistance outside the camps," she said.

The sense of urgency is made even greater by the fact that many arriving in Bangladesh have completed an arduous and taxing journey by sea, river and overland.

"The obvious risk is that people don't get the assistance they need, and that we could see a second wave of health problems and even deaths. These people are already very weak having walked for days. I mean the latest I heard was 15 days. Imagine being on your feet for 15 days," Tan said. "They often don't have food, clean water is hard to come by so they are exhausted, they are weak, they are starving. So they need assistance in Bangladesh as soon as possible. If they don't get it I shudder to think what could happen."

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Pakistani Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To Ruling That Ousted Ex-PM Sharif

September 15, 2017

Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected petitions for a review of a decision it made on July 28 that disqualified former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office over allegations of corruption.

The five-judge panel on September 15 dismissed the petitions from Sharif's family and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

It did not specify the reasons for its decision.

The July 28 ruling employed a little-used constitutional provision to rule that Sharif was unfit to hold office because he did not declare a source of some of his income.

The ruling came after an investigation into Sharif's family wealth. Sharif maintains that he did not receive the undeclared funds.

He is barred indefinitely from being a lawmaker in Pakistan's parliament.

In addition, the Supreme Court ruling disqualified three of Sharif's children, a son-in-law, and Dar -- a member of his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.

It also ordered a criminal investigation into the finances of the Sharif family and Dar.

The allegations that led to Sharif's disqualification are linked to one of Sharif's two terms in office during the 1990s.

Sharif's opponents accused him of laundering money from Pakistan and hiding stolen funds in offshore accounts. The money was allegedly used later to buy properties in London.

Sharif stepped down immediately after the July 28 ruling but he said Pakistan's people have not accepted the decision.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, Geo News, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-sharif-supreme-court- rejects-challenge-ouster/28737815.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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S. Korean military conducts live-fire drill in east waters after DPRK's missile launch

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:13, September 15, 2017

SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's military conducted a live-fire drill with its homegrown ballistic missile in east waters on Friday after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) missile launch provocation.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the military staged live-fire drills in the East Sea by mobilizing Hyunmoo-2A ballistic missiles.

The live-firing exercise was carried out minutes after the DPRK's missile launch with the approval of President Moon Jae-in, the JCS said in a statement.

The DPRK launched a ballistic missile, estimated to have been an intermediate-range one, into east waters from a location near its capital Pyongyang at about 6:57 a.m. local time (2227 GMT Thursday).

It flew about 3,700 km over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and landed in the North Pacific, according to the JCS.

About six minutes of the DPRK's missile launch, the South Korean military reportedly fired two Hyunmoo-2A ballistic missiles, which have a range of about 300 km.

The military authorities of South Korea and the United States had closely monitored the moves of the DPRK forces and found the signs of its missile launch in advance.

The signs were reported Thursday to President Moon, who ordered the live-fire drills to be on the standby to show force against the expected missile firings of the DPRK, according to the presidential Blue House.

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As Wave Of Mysterious Bomb Threats Rattles Russia, Theories Fly

Tom Balmforth September 15, 2017

MOSCOW -- Maybe it's telephone terrorism. Maybe it's a secret test of the country's civil defense. Or maybe it's a new form of cyberwarfare.

For five days, Russia has been hit by hundreds of fake bomb threats phoned in to universities, schools, hospitals, airports, and railway stations nationwide. They've forced police to evacuate tens of thousands, sowing panic and disrupting business across the country.

The most recent calls came on September 14 to the upscale GUM shopping center on Red Square, opposite the Kremlin. The posh mall, home to stores like Gucci, Prada, and Hugo Boss, was evacuated, as were 20 schools and two cinemas in the capital alone. Over 100,000 were evacuated from various buildings around Moscow the day before.

Yet, no one knows where the calls are coming from.

Government and law enforcement have offered no authoritative explanations. The Kremlin -- having initially declined to comment -- on September 14 labeled it "telephone terrorism," saying only that the perpetrators were being sought.

Meanwhile, fed by an array of anonymous sources cited by pro-Kremlin media, theories and speculation have mushroomed, blaming Ukraine, Islamic State, and even radical Russian Orthodox activists as possible perpetrators.

In comments to RFE/RL's Russian Service, experts in the military and security services speculated that the sheer scale could indicate it is the work of the Russian security services themselves -- either as part of an elaborate drill or some false-flag operation to legitimize a crackdown on Internet freedoms.

The calls are being made on IP telephones using encryption to scramble the caller's location, according to sources cited by the Russian news agency Interfax. The bomb tip-offs are made by a prerecorded voice, the Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid reported.

Ukraine And Islamic State

On September 12, Komsomolskaya Pravda, known for its pro-Kremlin views, cited Russian security service sources who blamed the calls -- without providing evidence -- on Ukrainian "cybertroops."

This explanation has been touted by other Russian media, including Interfax, which cited an "informed source" on September 14 claiming that 90 percent of the calls had been made from Ukraine via "Internet channels."

State media have also pointed to Islamic State extremists, casting the phone calls as the latest in a line of radical Islamist attacks in Russia stretching back to the 1990s.

On September 14, the RIA Novosti news agency cited a law enforcement source as saying the calls are being placed by individuals abroad linked to Islamic State. The source claimed that investigators could not divulge more information without compromising their investigation.

Matilda?

One theory mooted by the independent Meduza news outlet held that the hoaxes might be the work of Orthodox radicals protesting a controversial new film depicting a romance between Russia's last tsar, Nicholas II, and a ballerina.

The film, titled Matilda, was due to hit cinemas this week, though the country's largest cinema chain canceled showings due to threats from Orthodox radicals who called for the film to be banned. Nicholas II, who was murdered along with his family by Bolsheviks, was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, and many devout Orthodox believers consider him a saint.

Aleksandr Kalinin, the head of Christian State-Holy Rus, a radical Orthodox group campaigning against the film, told Meduza that the wave of hoaxes could be linked to the film.

Kalinin said he received a letter from radicals informing him that "there are guys who are prepared to show all these cinema distributors that there are modes of fighting much more effective than arson and other things."

The letter appeared to include a threat to use potent but nonlethal methods like phone lines in order to "destabilize Russia's entire infrastructure," Meduza reported.

Drills Or False Flag?

Shortly after the bomb alerts began, the local Perm issue of the pro-Kremlin weekly Argumenty I Fakty cited Oleg Ostrovsky, a Defense Ministry official in the Urals region, who suggested the calls were part of antiterrorism drills taking place nationwide.

"For the first time in Russia since the U.S.S.R., there are large-scale antiterrorism drills in which all the agencies responsible for state security are taking part. Apart from Omsk, Novosibirsk, Perm, and Chelyabinsk, soon there will be drills also in other big cities," he told the newspaper in an article published on September 12.

The newspaper quoted him directly by name before editing the report to remove his name. The report was then deleted from the site altogether.

Aleksandr Golts, a military analyst and chief editor of the Yezhednyevny Zhurnal weekly, told RFE/RL's Russian Service said he found the lack of official statement from the security services suspicious since, he said, they usually try to project strength.

"Our security services are keeping silent, which to an extent forces us to suspect that these were drills after all. As always when drills take place in Russia, they happen fairly stupidly," he said.

Others like Gennady Gudkov, a former State Duma deputy and a retired Federal Security Services officer, also speculated that the security services could be behind the calls, although for different reasons.

He said authorities might be trying to scare the population over Internet anonymizers, in order to legitimize a state crackdown on online encryption devices.

President Vladimir Putin this summer signed legislation banning virtual private networks and Internet anonymizers in measures that take effect on November 1.

"These are not drills," Gudkov said. "They are preparing public opinion for the banning of the Internet."

RFE/RL's Russian Service contributed to this story

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-mysterious- bomb-threats-theories/28736860.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 'Closely' Watching Massive Russia-Belarus Zapad-2017 War Games

Sputnik News

20:32 15.09.2017(updated 23:42 15.09.2017)

Despite NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg statements, saying that the Russia-Belarus joint drills aren't considered to be a threat by the alliance, the Pentagon has said that it is "closely watching" the war games anyway.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US Department of Defense is closely observing watching joint Russia-Belarus Zapad 2017 drills, Pentagon spokesperson Rob Manning said in a briefing on Friday.

"We are watching Zapad very closely. Obviously Russia has the right to conduct their own exercises," Manning told reporters.

The week-long military exercise is underway at several sites from Russia's northwest to Belarus. It brings together 12,700 service personnel  7,200 Belarusian and 5,500 Russian troops  as well as 70 aircraft, 250 tanks and ten ships.

Despite Russia inviting NATO experts and foreign journalists to observe the planned drills, the Zapad-2017 has prompted Baltic states' and Poland's claims of the drills allegedly being a "threat" to their security with Ukraine being the latest state beating that war drums over the upcoming exercise. Nevertheless, eventually only Latvia decided to send experts to the Zapad-2017 drills.

However, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance does not see any imminent threat posed to against any NATO member by the drills.

In their turn, senior Russian and Belarusian officials reiterated that the drills do not pose any threat to other states and are exclusively defensive in nature. Moreover, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko stated earlier that these exercises would be open for foreign observers. The Defense Ministry of Belarus reported in August that observers from seven countries  Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Norway  were invited to the event. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to observe the drills on September 18.

When commenting on NATO states' reaction to the planned drills, the Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that increasing military presence of NATO in Eastern Europe went unnoticed amid groundless criticism of the Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2017 military exercises.

Moscow has repeatedly criticized the increased presence of the alliance's troops and military facilities near the Russian border. Moscow has said Russia had never planned and does not plan to attack any NATO member.

 Sputnik

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DoD Detains U.S. Citizen who Surrendered in Syria

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2017  The Defense Department is legally detaining as a known enemy combatant an American citizen who turned himself over to the Syrian Democratic Forces this week, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Rob Manning said here today.

The SDF subsequently turned the U.S. citizen over to coalition forces, Manning said, "and he is being treated humanely in accordance with our regulations."

Manning said more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Elsewhere in Syria, today is the 103rd day of operations to defeat ISIS in Raqqa, he added, and yesterday the SDF gained nine blocks or so in the city and nearly 4 square miles to the east and north of Raqqa.

Operational Update Syria

The SDF continued counter-ISIS clearance operations in the Khabur River Valley north of Dayr Az Zawr city in eastern Syria, Manning said, and the forces continued to make deliberate progress in the Khabur Valley along two axes, despite ISIS counterattacks with vehicle-borne bombs and small-arms fire.

"As SDF forces retake territory from ISIS," Manning said, "we have seen cities, towns and communities form civil and military councils and establish that basic governance. These councils have been effective and beneficial for local governance and security to the people of Tabka, Raqqa and Manbij."

In the tri-border region that includes Syria, Jordan and Iraq, he said that coalition forces continue to conduct patrols and prepare for counter-ISIS operations with the Maghawir al-Thawra, known as MAT or, in English, the Revolutionary Commando Army, near Tanf.

Manning said that in Syria coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes against ISIS targets on Sept. 14 near Dayr Az Zawr city and Raqqa.

Operational Update Iraq

In Iraq, Manning said, the handover to holding forces in Tal Afar in northern Nineveh governorate is ongoing and Iraqi forces continue counter-ISIS preparations for fighting in Hawija and Sharqat.

Coalition military forces, he said, conducted three strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets on Sept. 14 in Huwayjah and Rawah.

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Syria army engages Daesh terrorists in Hama amid gains

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:36AM

Syrian government forces have engaged in intense fighting with Daesh terrorists in the central province of Hama as the army continues to make more gains in the fight against the Takfiri group.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday that the recent round of fighting in Hama is concentrated in the Okeirbat area, which was taken back from Daesh on Thursday.

The Syrian Central Military Media said government forces are targeting Daesh positions with artillery and rockets.

Syrian troops, under the cover of Russian air raids, have been on the offensive in central Syria against the Daesh terror group for weeks.

Civilian causalities in Dayr al-Zawr

Meanwhile , the Observatory said more than 24 civilians have been killed as a result of possible US-led air raids against what are said to be Daesh targets in the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr on Thursday.

The rights group says 13 of the killed were children.

Taking the latest fatalities into account, the monitoring group said the civilian death toll from both US-led and Russian strikes have reached 53.

Earlier this month, the Syrian government forces broke the three-year-long Daesh siege on Dayr al-Zawr city, the provincial capital of the oil-rich province of the same name.

Russia has been conducting air raids against Daesh and other terrorist outfits in Syria at the Damascus government's request since September 2015. Russia has also maintained a naval group in the Mediterranean since the start of its anti-terror campaign in Syria.

US-Russia talks on Syria

In another development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone call on the Syria crisis with his American counterpart Rex Tillerson.

Lavrov and Tillerson spoke late on Thursday and discussed cooperation in their attempts to resolve the Syrian crisis with an emphasis on de-escalation zones, the Russian foreign ministry said.

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Russia, Iran, Turkey agree on Idlib 'safe zones'

Iran Press TV

Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:28AM

Russia, Iran, and Turkey, which together act as guarantor states in peace talks for Syria, have agreed on the details of a "de-escalation zone" in the Arab country's western Idlib province during resolution talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana.

In a joint statement after two days of talks in Kazakhstan, the three countries said on Friday that they had agreed "to allocate" their forces to patrol the zone covering Idlib province and parts of the neighboring Latakia, Hama and Aleppo regions.

"Observers from these three countries will be deployed at check and observation points in safe zones that form the borders of the de-escalation zone," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The main mission of these observers has been defined as the prevention of clashes between the government and the opposition forces and any violations of the truce," it added.

The statement went on to say that "under no circumstances the creation of the above-mentioned de-escalation areas undermine the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic."

Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentyev said Russia, Iran and Turkey will each send about 500 observers to Idlib, and the Russians will be military policemen.

Describing the agreement as "a turning point in people's minds," Lavrentyev added, however, that the details of how to enforce a "de-escalation" zone in Idlib province have yet to be agreed.

At a press conference following the announcement, Bashar al-Jaafari, who headed the Syrian government delegation at the talks, stressed Damascus' support for any initiatives that would stop shedding the Syrian blood and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

He also said the Syrian army's latest victories in its fight against Daesh reaffirm the government's determination to fully liberate the Syrian territory from terrorism.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari, speaking in Astana to Lebanon's al-Manar TV station, described the newly-agreed zones in Syria as a "secure cordon" with checkpoints.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said a seventh round of talks in Astana was planned for the end of October.

The northwestern province of Idlib borders Turkey and is largely under the control of al-Nusra Front Takfiri militants.

The original agreement on the creation of the four zones, which came about in May, has been one of the substantive results of the talks, many rounds of which have taken place since January.

So far, agreements had been reached on the demarcation of three of the zones in Idlib's neighboring provinces of Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since 2011.

In Idlib, militants from the al-Nusra Front group are fighting the Syrian government.

The militants suffered their biggest blow since the onset of the militancy last year, when Syria recaptured Aleppo's provincial capital.

The mediating states then joined efforts late last year to bring about a ceasefire over the city, which was then extended to the entire Syria.

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Russia, Turkey, Iran Agree On Borders Of Syrian 'De-Escalation Zones'

RFE/RL September 15, 2017

Russia, Iran, and Turkey have agreed at peace talks in Kazakhstan to place observers on the border of a de-escalation zone in Syria for at least six months.

The announcement comes as part of a broader plan under which Moscow, Tehran, and Ankara will create four zones in different parts of Syria, a move some critics called a de facto partitioning of the war-torn country.

The zones will include, either fully or partly, Eastern Ghouta in the northern Damascus countryside, and the provinces of Idlib, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo, and Hama. The six-month term could be extended in the future.

Russian negotiator Aleksandr Lavrentyev said the trio will each send about 500 observers to Idlib, and that the Russians will serve as a military police force.

"Observers from these three countries will be deployed at check and observation points in safe zones that form the borders of the de-escalation zone," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement after two days of talks in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.

Russia, Turkey, and Iran are sponsors of the Astana talks on Syria, which are separate from United Nations-sponsored talks in Geneva.

The three countries signed a memorandum in May that called for the creation of the four de-escalation zones.

Russia has moved to establish three of them and there has since been a drop in violence between combatants.

But differences over the borders of the fourth proposed de-escalation zone have prevented the signing of a formal agreement on the creation of all four zones.

The U.S. State Department has said that Washington "remains concerned with Iran's involvement as a so-called 'guarantor' of the Astana process."

The U.S. government is concerned about calls for Iranian forces to also be deployed as cease-fire monitors.

It says Iran's "activities in Syria and unquestioning support" for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government "have perpetuated the conflict and increased the suffering of ordinary Syrians."

Some Syrian opposition fighters also have rejected the idea of Iranian forces being given a role as cease-fire monitors, saying they are not neutral forces.

With reporting by Reuters, Anadolu, Yeni Safak, AP, AFP, Kazinform, TASS, Izvestia, Interfax, and RIA Novosti

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/astana-kazakhstan- russia-turkey-iran-agree-on-borders- deescalation-zones/28737474.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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Russia, Turkey, Iran Finally Agree on Idlib Safe Zone in Syria

Sputnik News

12:53 15.09.2017(updated 16:10 15.09.2017)

The guarantor-states of the Syrian ceasefire regime have finally agreed on the creation of a safe zone in Idlib, an issue that had been on the agenda for a long time as the region is mostly controlled by terrorists and rebels.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia, Turkey and Iran have agreed on all four safe zones in Syria, including on the Idlib de-escalation area, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry confirmed after a joint statement was issued.

Astana emphasized that the creation of safe zones is a temporary measure.

"[The guarantor states] emphasize again that the creation of the de-escalation areas and security zones is a temporary measure the duration of which will initially be 6 months and will be automatically extended on the basis of consensus of the Guarantors," the statement read.

Moreover, the guarantor states of the ceasefire in Syria decided to "form Joint Iranian-Russian-Turkish Coordination Center aimed at coordinating activities of de-escalation control forces in the de-escalation areas."

"[Russia, Turkey and Iran] emphasize the need for the conflicting parties to take confidence-building measures, including the release of detainees / abductees and the handover of the bodies as well as identification of missing persons, to create better conditions for the political process and lasting ceasefire," the statement concluded.

Russia pays particular attention to the detainee issue in Syria and will make additional efforts to resolve it upon the request of the Syrian armed opposition, Russian delegation head at Astana talks Alexander Lavrentyev said.

All three ceasefire guarantor states  Russia, Iran and Turkey  will deploy observer units to monitor a de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib, Lavrentyev said. Earlier in the day, a source in one of the delegations told Sputnik that Russian and Iranian forces will monitor areas controlled by the government side in the Idlib safe zone, while the Turkish forces will be involved in monitoring the opposition there.

Guarantor states of the Syrian ceasefire regime, namely Russia, Turkey and Iran, have managed to separate the Syrian opposition from the terrorists, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Jaberi Ansari said after a joint statement with Russia and Turkey was released. "We have managed to achieve progress because we have divided terrorist groups and opposition who participate in ceasefire regime."

The Russian delegation head said that, however, terrorists are still present in the Syrian de-escalation zones.

"Certain separation was made but the terrorist organizations are still present in these zones," Lavrentyev told reporters, answering the question whether the Astana-6 talks allowed to finalize the separation of the opposition from terrorists.

"We have been calling for this [separation] for a long time, including on the United States, since 2016. However, even with the safe zones created for example in the south-east, there are still a lot of Nusra Front [or Jabhat Fatah al Sham, a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia] units, retaining control over several areas," the Russian delegation head pointed out.

The end of the stage of establishment of de-escalation zones for the Syrian settlement at the Astana-6 talks will allow for a full ceasefire in the war-torn country and its return to peaceful life, Lavrentyev said.

"We believe that the finalization of this stage of establishing de-escalation zones opens the way for a real end to the bloodshed, for the full stabilization of the situation in Syria and the detailed discussion of the issue of increasing the measures of trust between the warring parties and returning the republic to peaceful life."

The results of the sixth round of the Astana talks on Syria may be considered at the UN Security Council, the Iranian official added.

Russia, Turkey and Iran will soon announce new observer states of the Astana process, he said, adding that "we want to invite other global and regional players."

The Syrian government delegation, in its turn, said that it is up to other states to make the right decision and join the Astana process, which so far has been "successful," when asked about his opinion regarding the possibility of the United Arab Emirates, China, Iraq, Egypt or some other states joining the Astana process.

Jaafari also praised the government forces for breaking the siege of the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor.

"I have to pay tribute to the victories of our forces that were achieved in Deir ez-Zor. We were able to break the siege that was imposed on that steadfast city. The food and medicine convoys are now flowing into Deir ez-Zor markets," Jaafari told reporters.

He stressed that the guarantor states of the Syrian ceasefire and armed opposition must continue fighting against Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorist groups in safe zones.

"In the joint statement, the three guarantors with armed opposition groups who have joined their agreement, will have the duty to continue fighting Daesh, Nusra Front within de-escalation zones. So, it's crystal clear that guarantors and armed opposition are required all together to continue fighting terrorist groups who refused to join to a ceasefire," Damascus delegation head Bashar Jaafari told reporters.

Meanwhile, the Syrian armed opposition delegation at the Astana-6 talks believes that the new agreements on de-escalation zones in Syria will allow starting setting a transitional governing body not involving President Bashar Assad, delegation member Colonel Fateh Hassoun told Sputnik.

"The Syrian armed opposition believes that the agreements reached at Astana-6 about four de-escalation zones will allow switching to the creation of the transitional governing body I emphasize that the Astana meeting is aimed at the full-scale reconciliation and the launch of the political process for the creation of a transitional governing authority without the regime of Bashar Assad and his generals," Hassoun said.

"The agreement about the creation of the fourth de-escalation zone in Idlib is reached at this round [of talks]. However, there are some difficulties in this region. They are related to both the implementation and the control over the zone," Hassoun added.

In his turn, Syrian opposition delegation spokesman Yahya Aridi said that the opposition is concerned over the possible presence of the Iranian forces in the de-escalation zones.

So far, three zones of de-escalation have been established in Syria: in the south along the border with Jordan, in Eastern Ghouta and to the north of Homs, while negotiations on the fourth de-escalation zone in the Idlib province were held since summer and were the main issue on the agenda at the Astana-6 talks, which conclude on Friday.

When commenting on the creation of a de-escalation zone, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this week that Ankara-Moscow relations are not challenged by any controversies over the jointly secured de-escalation process in the area. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier noted progress on the issue, while previously he said that there had been difficulties with regard to the creation of the de-escalation zone.

The creation of the Idlib safe zone has been especially crucial due to the fact that around 9,000 terrorists of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra Front) terrorist group were attempting to take control over the Syrian province of Idlib, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. A member of the armed opposition delegation at the Syrian settlement talks told Sputnik in August that the de-escalation zone's establishment could be hampered by terrorists.

The memorandum on the establishment of four de-escalation zones in the war-torn country was signed during the fourth Syrian settlement talks in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana in May, with Russia, Iran and Turkey acting as the guarantors of the ceasefire.

 Sputnik

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Syria: Turkey, Russia, Iran Agree to Safe Zone Deal

By VOA News September 14, 2017

Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed Friday to a deal that will see the countries work together to police a de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib province for the next six months, according to a joint statement issued by the three countries following talks in Kazakhstan.

The three nations also agreed to set up a coordination center to monitor the implementation of other de-escalation zones around Syria during the latest round of peace talks in Astana.

According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, observers from all three countries will be stationed at "control and observation" points within the de-escalation zones.

"The observer forces' main task will be to prevent conflicts between the regime and the opposition and to monitor possible violations of the cease-fire," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

While the three nations agreed to set up the de-escalation zones, the details about how to enforce the safe zones are still being worked out, Russia's representative at Syrian peace talks, Alexander Lavrentiev, told Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

He said the "mechanism and concrete locations [of a deployed force in Idlib] will be discussed," according to RIA Novosti.

According to Lavrentyev, Turkey, Russia and Iran all will send about 500 observers to Idlib, with the Russian contingent consisting of military policemen.

Idlib, which borders Turkey, was captured in 2015 by an alliance of jihadists and rebels.

Representatives from both the Syrian government and the rebel groups attended the Astana talks.

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Taiwan should invest more in national defense: U.S. official

ROC Central News Agency

2017/09/15 20:33:34

Washington, Sept. 14 (CNA) A U.S. Department of Defense official made key recommendations for Taiwan's national defense at the Global Taiwan Institute's (GTI) annual symposium on Thursday.

David Helvey, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, recommended that Taiwan make major investments in national defense and the protection of the country, particularly increasing the amount, not just in GDP terms, but also for manpower and talent, spent on protecting the country.

This would involve making the proper arrangements to ensure the balance between a drafted military and a volunteer military, as well as investing in weapons and equipment suitable for asymmetric warfare, Helvey said.

He argued that Taiwan needs to focus its limited resources on improving its military capabilities while cultivating a military force that can face up to cyber, naval, and aerial threats and be prepared for other threats, including from natural disasters.

At the inaugural annual symposium, Helvey reiterated the Trump administration's commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, both of which supported U.S.-Taiwan relations even after diplomatic ties were severed in 1979.

The U.S. will therefore help Taiwan with its defense needs, he said.

(By Rita Cheng and Kuan-lin Liu)

Enditem/ls

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Taiwan military facing difficulty keeping soldiers: MND

ROC Central News Agency

2017/09/15 11:55:31

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) Taiwan's military is facing a challenge of retaining service members but will continue to offer better benefits as it moves toward an all-volunteer service by next year, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) admitted Friday.

In a statement, the MND said it has been a challenge for the R.O.C. Armed Forces to persuade voluntary soldiers to extend their service, since they are apparently facing huge pressures.

However, the military has been offering better incentives, including increased pay for soldiers in combat units, which is being funded by subsidies granted by the Cabinet in July, the MND said.

In addition, old military camps and bases are being renovated to provide better living condition for soldiers, the ministry said.

"We hope these measures will help us to meet our goals," the MND said in the statement, which was issued in the wake of a local media report that the military would be facing a manpower shortage next year, when an all-volunteer force is expected to take effect.

In 2011, Taiwan introduced regulations to end conscription and transform its military into an all-volunteer service. Under the rules, eligible males born after Jan. 1, 1994 will no longer be obligated to serve in the military but instead will be required to undergo four months of military training. Eligible men born before that date, however, would still have to serve the compulsory one year in the military, according to the regulations.

The transition to a fully volunteer force was expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2015 but the MND in 2013 revised the date to the end of 2017 due to sluggish volunteer recruitment numbers.

To boost recruitment, the government has been offering series of incentives and salary increases over the past few years.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/pc

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U.S. Senator Says Turkey May Face Sanctions Over Weapons Deal With Russia

September 15, 2017

A leading Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations committee says Turkey's recent purchase of antiaircraft missile systems from Russia may have violated a U.S. law that requires automatic sanctions to be imposed against Ankara.

Senator Ben Cardin issued the warning on September 14 in a letter to the administration of President Donald Trump.

The letter says Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missiles, which was finalized on September 12, violates U.S. congressional sanctions against Russia that were signed into law in August.

Cardin noted that the legislation calls for sanctions "on any person that conducts a significant transaction" with Russia's defense or intelligence sectors.

"These are mandatory sanctions and constitute a commitment by the United States to deter Russia from attacking the United States and its allies in the future," the letter said.

Cardin wrote: "As a U.S. ally, it is unfortunate that Turkey has appeared to align itself with Moscow during this critical time."

He also asked the U.S. State Department to assess how the deal might affect Turkey's NATO membership and U.S. security assistance to Ankara, which includes weapons sales.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed Western concerns about the $2.5 billion deal, saying NATO only has itself to blame because it has been slow to provide his country with weapons systems.

Erdogan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said on September 14 that good relations between Ankara and Moscow do not represent a break with the West, despite what he said was the "discomfort" expressed by some NATO allies.

Based on reporting by Politico.com, Reuters, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkey-russia-s400-missile- system-sanctions-erdogan-nato/28737375.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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A Russian Ruse, or Real Policy Shift on Ukraine?

By Jamie Dettmer September 15, 2017

The Kremlin appears to be touting a major shift in policy on east Ukraine and possibly preparing local pro-Russian separatists for the reintegration of the disputed region of the Donbas into Ukraine.

A local news site in separatist-controlled Donetsk reported midweek that the Kremlin is likely to engineer the replacement of the current military-tilted Donbas leaders with two former Ukrainian lawmakers, both onetime allies of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, currently in exile in the Russian capital.

The news site, Novosti Donbassa, also reported that Vladislav Surkov, a key member of the inner circle of advisers of Russian President Vladimir Putin, visited Donetsk last month and warned local pro-Russian leaders to start to "prepare for reintegration" with the rest of Ukraine.

Notably, too, in recent weeks, a Russian TV talk-show host, Vladimir Solovyov, whose commentary is taken to reflect Kremlin thinking, has been suggesting on his popular evening program on Russia's Channel One that Russia would be better off without the Donbas.

Hints of a policy shift

In Kyiv, officials say the media hints of a major policy shift, along with Putin's surprise support for the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force to the Donbas, are part of a sophisticated ruse designed to persuade U.S. policymakers not to supply Ukraine with lethal arms.

Last month, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said the Trump administration was actively reviewing whether to supply Ukraine with lethal, albeit defensive, weaponry. Ukrainian officials note that Putin first broached the idea of a U.N. peacekeeping mission at a summit where he also issued dire warnings about the U.S. arming of Ukraine.

They worry the more steadfast approach adopted recently by the West towards Russia could fall victim to the ruse.

US sanctions

In recent weeks the U.S. unilaterally strengthened its sanctions regime against Russia, and European leaders have also been tougher in their rhetoric in the wake of cyberattacks and mounting evidence that Moscow has sought to upset European politics by mounting an information war against the West.

But some analysts suspect a policy shift may be in the offing.

"There is a sense that a window for more meaningful negotiationsmight be opening, and that this signal is being sent from Moscow," said Gwendolyn Sasse, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment, a U.S. policy research group.

In a recent commentary, she said, "there is a possibility that the economic and medium-term political costs of controlling parts of the Donbas feature in the calculations of key figures in Moscow."

UN peacekeepers

Ukraine has long called for a U.N. peacekeeping mission, arguing it could serve as a major step in the reintegration of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.

Russia until last week adamantly opposed the deployment of a Blue Helmet force. But Sept. 5 it submitted a proposal for the U.N. Security Council to consider sending lightly armed peacekeepers to patrol the so-called contact line between Ukraine's military and the separatist and Russian forces in the Donbas.

The Russian proposal underlined also the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity as well as support for the 2015 Minsk accord. The Minsk accord outlined principles for a resolution of the conflict, but implementation stalled almost immediately after it was agreed by the so-called Normandy Four of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany.

Western reaction to the Russian peacekeeping proposal has been hesitant and colored by skepticism. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, was cautious in response.

Germany has been the most welcoming.

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department gave a guarded nod with spokeswoman Heather Nauert, saying, "We believe the possibility of a U.N. peacekeeping force for eastern Ukraine is certainly an idea that's worth exploring."

Richard Haass, a former U.S. diplomat and now president of the Council of Foreign Relations, said Putin's peacekeeping offer "may be the start of negotiations." He told VOA in the margins of an international conference in Kyiv, "I like the fact something is now in play."

Speaking in Kyiv Friday at the same conference, Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko delivered a hard-hitting anti-Putin speech, saying, today's chaos in the world started with Russia's annexation of Crimea.

"History teaches us that Russia can't be trusted," he said.

Border patrols

U.S. officials say any U.N. peacekeepers deployed to east Ukraine also would have to patrol Russia's border, across which, Kyiv and Western powers say, Russia ships weapons and military personnel into the Donbas. Putin in a recent phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly suggested he wouldn't oppose broadening of a peacekeeping mandate to include monitoring of the Russian border.

Western wariness  U.S. and European diplomats say they have been involved in many fruitless attempts to negotiate a resolution before  is matched by a large dose of Ukrainian suspicion.

Some Ukrainian officials say the peacekeeping proposal, along with stories of a change of local leadership in the Donbas, which would see a shift away from the gunmen to more civilians, risks sapping Western resolve.

"His overall objectives are to divide the West, destabilize Ukraine and to get it back under Russian influence; he could continue driving towards those goals with the Donbas back in Ukraine," an Ukrainian official told VOA.

In 2019, Ukraine is scheduled to hold presidential elections, and the voters of the Donbas could be crucial in changing the political landscape of the country by helping to vote Poroshenko out of office and securing possibly a more pro-Russian leadership in Kyiv, according to Tetiana Popova, a former Ukrainian deputy information minister.

Sanctions hurting Putin

While remaining highly skeptical that Putin is serious about the reintegration of the Donbas, she says Western sanctions on Russia are hurting him.

"He really does have a problem with sanctions and may want to take the pressure off," she said. Reintegration on Putin's terms involving granting the Donbas special status would prove highly divisive in the Ukrainian parliament.

"I don't think there would be the votes there for that to happen," she added.

Former Ukrainian intelligence officer Alexey Arestovich agrees sanctions may be causing Putin problems and says he needs the pressure on him reduced ahead of Russia's presidential elections next year.

"The Donbas republics are becoming expensive for him and he fears a new wave of sanctions. So he has to throw a bone for the Western allies so they won't bark at him but quarrel among themselves," he said.

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US: Nuclear Ban Treaty Undermines International Security

By Lisa Schlein September 15, 2017

A senior U.S. arms control official said Friday that Washington would never become a party to the treaty banning nuclear weapons because the accord undermines international security and does nothing to resolve threats posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is set to open for signature at the U.N. General Assembly in New York next week. If 50 countries sign it, the treaty will go into force.

The U.S. permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament, Ambassador Robert Wood, said at a news conference Friday that he considered the treaty a bad idea. He said prohibiting nuclear weapons would not make the world a safer place or reduce stockpiles by even one weapon.

He warned that the treaty would exacerbate divisions that already exist in the nonproliferation and disarmament communities.

"We are now facing the greatest nuclear challenge that we have faced for quite some time in North Korea's nuclear weapons program and its ballistic missile activities," he said. "And, the ban treaty does nothing and cannot do anything to impact and improve the situation with regard to that challenge that we face."

Diplomacy preferred

Wood reiterated the Trump administration's position that all options were on the table in dealing with the North Korean nuclear threat. However, he added, Washington's preference is to go the diplomatic route and give sanctions the opportunity to work.

Other nations, including Israel, India and Pakistan, have developed nuclear weapons in defiance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The United States does not approve of the programs.

In response to a question from VOA, the ambassador said the United States would never recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.

"North Korea has basically brought the international community to a very dangerous situation and we cannot sit idly by while the North continues to advance its ballistic missile program, its nuclear weapons program," he said. "They are a great threat to peace and international security."

Wood said the U.S. would continue to pressure and isolate the North's government with the hope it will choose a different path, but he warned that patience was running thin.

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Cardi B has enjoyed an incredible amount of success with her proper rap debut on Bodak Yellow. The track has not only climbed the Billboard Hot 100 chart at a meteoric pace, but it has given Cardi a certified summer anthem that is now being performed by other artists at their respective concerts. Just take a look at Janet Jackson take some time out of a recent concert to spit the rhymes that Cardi has now ingrained in the public zeitgeist. Feeling like a big thank you was in order, the rapper decided to share a special message giving some major props to her fans.

Taking to Instagram, Cardi B shared a quick video giving her fans their due for playing a large role in her recent success. Even though she starts off by saying that she didnt want to come off as a soft bitch by making what some might deem a sappy video, she felt it necessary to show love to those who have helped her achieve an unprecedented level of fame. Thank you so much for making Bodak Yellow No. 2 on the [Billboard chart], began Cardi. I cant believe this s**t and, just to know that I might make it to No. 1, its just like, I dont know, like, its a crazy feeling. Raps new First Lady seemed to be overwhelmed by the sense of her own accomplishment, searching for the right words to describe exactly what shes been able to do over the last little while.

A bitch like me  I never expected that s**t like this would be f**king happening to me [and] its all thanks to yall, added Cardi B, who went on to specifically list some keys groups of people who deserved extra props for the Bodak Yellow support. You can watch her entire Instagram video below.

The rapper also recently stopped by The Breakfast Club to chat with DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagen Tha God about a variety of topics. Its a loose, fun and energetic conversation thats definitely worth checking out. You can peep that interview here.

Cardi B
Its a sad day for all those involved with Netflixs hit series Narcos, as one of the productions location scouts was reportedly shot and killed during a recent trip to Mexico.

Carlos Munoz Portals body was found on Monday, along with his bullet-riddled car, in a remote area in San Bartolo Actopan, which is near the borders of the Hidalgo state. He was 37 years old. The area of the country in which his corpse was found is considered to have one of worlds highest murder rates. According to Variety, there were 182 homicide cases in the month of July alone. That works out to a ratio of 12.2 for every 100,000 inhabitants. He was supposedly on his way to the State of Mexico to take pictures and scout additional locations for the shows upcoming fourth season, which will allegedly explore the origins of the infamous Juraez cartel.

We are aware of the passing of Carlos Munoz Portal, a well-respected location scout, and send our condolences to his family, Netflix said in a statement. The facts surrounding his death are still unknown as authorities continue to investigate. Munozs death has also led to reports that have Netflix concerned for everyone on Narcos well-being. They are supposedly considering a move to Columbia for the next season of filming, which is where the show had started out before moving to Mexico.

Munoz had worked for the production company Redrum, which is based in Mexico City, was an active members of the film industry for more than a decade. He had previously contributed to films such as Apocalypto, Fast & Furious, Sicario, and Spectre. While there are no concrete details as to the backstory behind the mans murder, sources are saying that local authorities continue to gather information concerning the details of the homicide. Netflix nor anyone associated with the show supplied any further comments about the passing of their valued crew member. Its also unclear if this sudden death will delay or halt production of the show. Nor confirmation either way had been made public by Netflix at the time of this writing.

RIP.

Narcos
Former Fugees member Wyclef Jean has quietly had himself a very strong year so far in 2017. Besides being the inspiration behind Young Thugs award-winning music video that the Atlanta rapper didnt even end up appearing in, he was also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, alongside names like Kelly Ripa and Connie Chung. Now, Jean has a different achievement to celebrate  the release for Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee. This new album is his first full-length offering since 2009, when he dropped From the Hut, To the Projects. This LP is also the sequel, both in name and spirit, to 2007s Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant. Though the trademark Wyclef sound remains in tact for the most part, there are still some new twists and turns that should intrigue and excite most fans.

A collection of songs that ultimately empower migrants and, more generally, any group of people who feel marginalized or downtrodden by the establishment, Carnival III possesses the same crossover appeal as Wyclefs past releases have been known for. The radio-ready singles were abound on the last installment in his Carnival series and, while the same cant necessarily be said here, the mix of acoustic guitar flourishes, soulful backing vocals and thoughtful, activist lyrics make this an album that will take on additional meaning in the current political climate in the United States. Donald Trumps reign as President has been the focus of many artists, both from the world of music and beyond, in their work and Wyclef is no different. There are specific call outs to be sure, but the time and place that this LP will exist in historically is unmistakable.

Stream the album on Spotify and Apple Music. Hit or miss for Wyclef Jean? Let us know in the comments.
New Delhi, Sep 16 (IBNS): The Ozone cell of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change observed the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol and 23rd World Ozone Day on Saturday, in New Delhi, according to media reports.

Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and other dignitaries were present at the inauguration.

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out substances that deplete it.

"On Indias insistence, energy efficiency has been brought as an eligible component of funding under the Montreal Protocol #KigaliAmendment," tweeted the Environment Minister.

The Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reached agreement at their 28th Meeting of the Parties on October 15, 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

He said that the Kigali Amendment to the Protocol would avoid upto 0.5C of Global Warming by end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.

In another tweet, the minister said, "Under #KigaliAmendment, India will freeze production/consumption of HFCs in 2028 with reference to the baseline years 2024, 2025 and 2026."

The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.

The phaseout of controlled uses of ozone depleting substances and the related reductions have not only helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations, but have also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change; furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth, according to a United Nations release.



Image: AIRNews/Twitter
Srinagar, Sep 16 (IBNS) : A high-level Congress delegation, headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, arrived in Srinagar on Saturday to find a peaceful solution to the problems in the violence- hit state Jammu and Kashmir.

The members of the delegation will meet more than 40 delegations, including those of the opposition parties, the victims of the 2014 flood, the Panchayat Raj Forum and some prominent separatist leaders.

The other members of the delegation-Congress policy group- are : P Chidambaram, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni and Karan Singh.

Earlier, the group held several meetings in New Delhi and Jammu to look into ways for finding a peaceful solution to the current impasse in the state.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
Guwahati, Sept 16 (IBNS) : Security forces have apprehended two hardcore militants belonging to NSCN (K) in Assamas Tinsukia district on Saturday, officials said.

According to the reports, based on intelligence input about presence of NSCN (K) militants in Assams Tinsukia district along the Arunachal Pradesh border, the Changlang battalion of Assam Rifles had launched an operation at Malugaon area in the upper Assam district.



Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, on September evening the security personnel had apprehended a militant identified as Kngmu Hakhun alias Ramesh Kakhun with a pistol, ammunition and a radio set.



On spot interrogation, he revealed his allegiance to NSCN (K) and had joined the banned outfit in 2015 and was working as a Ranapio and OGW in Ledo belt by providing logistic help and carrying out extortion on behalf of NSCN (K), the Defence PRO said.

Thereafter on Saturday morning, the security personnel apprehended another hardcore NSCN (K) militant identified as Singmai Hacheng.

The individual admitted his allegiance to this banned organization and informed that he was initially recruited in NSCN (R) in June 2015, carried out training with them and later defected to NSCN (K) in March 2016 and has been involved with this banned outfit since them, Colonel Konwer said.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, Sept 16 (IBNS) : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday called on Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the latteras official residence at 2 Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi and apprised him of the challenges posed by flood and erosion in Assam and sought his intervention for early release of the pending amount under the Flood Management Programme.

Sonowal informed him that release of the amount against 141 schemes would further help in speedy implementation of all ongoing and proposed flood and erosion management projects in the State.

Sonowal also sought Union Finance Ministers help in the revival of paper mills of Assam under Hindustan Paper Corporation as he drew Jaitleys attention of the role played by these industrial units for the industrial development of both Brahmaputra and Barak valley.

Sonowal informed Jaitley that closure of these units have had a cascading affect on the bamboo industry and the entrepreneurs associated with the industry.

Seeking the Union Ministers immediate intervention for a revival package of Rs. 1800 crore, he said that resumption of these units would augur well in employment generation as well as industrial development in Assam.

{Image_1}

As a part of his series of efforts for expediting the development of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal also called on Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu at the latters Akbar Road Residence in the national capital and sought his ministrys help for the promotion of bamboo and agro-based industries in Assam.

The meeting which lasted for nearly 45 minutes, focussed on the states potential in organic industry.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis plan of transforming Assam and other North Eastern States into hub of organic farming, the Chief Minister drew Union Minister Prabhus attention of Assams untapped potential in organic sector.

Sonowal said, Be it the world famous tea, horticulture or other cash crops like ginger, Assam always holds the key in organic sector.

Sonowal pleaded Prabhu to pump in more resources for value addition to agricultural and horticultural products in the State.

He also asked help from the Union Minister to infuse dynamism in Toklai Tea Research Centre at Jorhat.

{Image_2}

Acknowledging the huge potential of Assam, Prabhu informed Sonowal that his ministry would organise a National Seminar in Assam to focus the inherent strengths of the State at the national arena.

Sonowal also requested Prabhu for introducing a suitable and flexible industrial policy in line with the earlier North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy for Assam.

He also sought Prabhus help in getting an Industrial Policy to incentivise investment before the upcoming Global Investment Summit to be held in February in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consented to inaugurate.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
New Delhi, Sept 16 (IBNS): Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said that strong foundation in ethical values should be the basis for exemplary corporate governance.

He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) Centre of Excellence, in Hyderabad today.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Mohammad Mahmood Ali and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.



The Vice President said that it has become imperative for professionals like company secretaries to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills that are not only in tune with the best practices but also facilitate and promote good corporate governance.

He further said that India with its inherent spiritual strength, rich traditions and strong value systems - which form the core of many family-run businesses - can emerge as a role model for other countries in corporate governance.

The practitioners of corporate governance should play a leading role in making India a global leader in their field, he added.



The Vice President said that money laundering through shell companies is one of the menaces that affect the economy of a country. He commended the decision of ICSI to sensitize all its members and other stakeholders on the deleterious impact not only of the shell companies but also of shell NGOs.

He also commended the decision of making ICSI employees to wear khadi one day a week and to have a corporate anti-bribery code in a voluntary manner.



The Vice President said that a company secretary is not only the conscience-keeper of an enterprise, but he/she also has a larger social responsibility.

He further said that they have to constantly update themselves with the changes in the laws for proper guidance of the management and other stakeholders.

With the implementation of GST, they should be well equipped to deal with the challenges arising from its implementation, he added.



Following is the text of Vice President's address:



"I am extremely delighted to be amidst you and inaugurate ICSIs Centre of Excellence in this historic city of Hyderabad.



With this Centre of Excellence catering to the entire South India and similar CoEs coming up at Ajmer for Northern region and at Kolkata for the Eastern region, the Institute will be meeting the requirements for the whole country. Its Centre for Corporate Governance, Research and Training is already functioning at Mumbai and serving the Western region.



In the wake of globalization and the increasing role of corporate in driving the economies, it has become imperative for professionals like company secretaries to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills that are not only in tune with the best practices but also facilitate and promote good corporate governance.



Apart from setting the benchmark for high standards in corporate governance, such centres should accord high priority to research and innovative practices.



I am told that its mandate, among others, is to undertake transformational research that aims to achieve international standing in corporate governance, build collaborative networks to address challenging research problems and achieve global competitiveness and gain recognition for Indian research.



It should be remembered that a strong foundation in ethical values should be the basis for exemplary corporate governance. But before looking elsewhere for lessons in corporate governance, one should look inwards and what better than Kautilyas Ardha Shastra. The principles and practices on economic management written by Kautilya in 4th century BC are relevant even now.



I commend the Institute of Company Secretaries of India for coming out with a vision to be a global leader in promoting good corporate governance and a mission to develop high caliber professionals facilitating good corporate governance. ICSI should ensure that these objectives do not remain as mere slogans and are achieved in the fullest measure.



India with its inherent spiritual strength, rich traditions and strong value systems-- which form the core of many family-run businessescan emerge as a role model for other countries in corporate governance. The practitioners of corporate governance should play a leading role in making India a global leader in their field.



Money laundering through shell companies is one of the menaces that affect the economy of a country. I commend the decision of ICSI to sensitize all its members and other stakeholders on the deleterious impact not only of the shell companies but also of shell NGOs.



I also appreciate the efforts of ICSI in bringing secretarial standards on to statute books and paving the way for good corporate practices. Such standards are needed in the wake of corporate disputes.



A company secretary is not only the conscience-keeper of an enterprise, but he/ she also has a larger social responsibility. No doubt, company secretaries are key managerial personnel, but they also represent internal and external stakeholders and as such play a pivotal role in ensuring compliances and implementing principles of good governance. They have to constantly update themselves with the changes in the laws for proper guidance of the management and other stakeholders. With the implementation of GST, they should be well equipped to deal with the challenges arising from its implementation.



I am happy to note that ICSI is in the process of framing an international corporate governance code by bringing forth the teachings of the ancient Indian texts which hold relevance in the modern day corporate scenario.



I also commend the Institute for submitting a draft note on model code for meetings of Panchayats, which aims to promote good governance at the grass-roots levels. The other initiatives such as making ICSI employees to wear khadi one day a week and to have a corporate anti-bribery code in a voluntary manner are also laudable.



I wish the institute, all its members and students a wonderful journey ahead.



Jai Hind!"
Guwahati, Sept 16 (IBNS) : At least four persons of a construction company were injured in a grenade blast in Manipuras Imphal on Saturday evening, officials said.

According to reports, four employees of Hindustan Construction Company were injured while suspected militants lobbed a grenade at the office of the company in Imphal.

The incident took place at around 5 pm.

The injured persons were rushed to Raj Medicity hospital in Imphal and doctors of the hospital said they are out of danger.

Following the blast, top officials of the Manipur Police, the army and the CRPF had rushed to the area and cordoned off the area.

A top police official said the grenade was made in China and suspected militants lobbed it targeting the construction company office.

Meanwhile, security forces launched an operation in Imphal and nearby areas to nab the culprits.

On the other hand, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who also holds the charge of home department said, Rapid Action Police force rushed to the area and launched massive operation.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, Sept 16 (IBNS) : 5 Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Headquarters IGAR (North), conducted a successful operation based on specific information about the presence of NSCN (K) militants in general area at Asuto village in Nagalandas Zunheboto district and apprehended a hardcore militant, officials said on Saturday.

During the operation, security personnel nabbed a hardcore NSCN (K) militant.

He was identified as Itoka Awomi alias Raja Peyu.

Security personnel recovered one 7.62 mm Assault Rifle, two 7.62 mm Rifle Magazines, 163 live rounds of 7.62 mm and three live Rifle Grenade in possession from the militant.

The apprehended individual, along with the recovered items, was handed over to Zunheboto Police Station for further investigation.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
New Delhi, Sept 16 (IBNS): Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passed away at a hospital in New Delhi on Saturday, officials said.

He was 98.

He was admitted to the hospital following a cardiac arrest, read a government statement.

He was being treated at the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences Centre of the hospital.

Union Minister Suresh Prabhu mourned the death of the Marshal and tweeted:"Marshal Air Force Arjan Singh passes away.We have lost 1of the bravest,finest sons of India,we will always remember his contribution RIP."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier visited the hospital to see him.

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Air Force when he was only 44 years old, a responsibility he carried with elan.

He was the Chief of IAF when it saw action in the year 1965.

Arjan Singh was born on Apr 15, 1919, in Lyalpur of undivided Punjab. He completed his education from Montgomery.

In 1938 when he got selected for the Empire Pilot training course at RAF Cranwell, he was still in college and was only 19 years old.

His first posting on being commissioned involved flying Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 IAF Squadron. Arjan Singh flew against the tribal forces before he was transferred for a brief stint with the newly formed No.2 IAF Squadron. Later he moved back to No.1 Sqn as a Flying Officer, when the Squadron was re-equipped with the Hawker Hurricane.

Promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944, Arjan Singh also flew Close Support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the allied forces to Rangoon, Burma. For his role in successfully leading the squadron during combat, Arjan Singh received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944.



He was given command of the IAF Display flight which flew Hawker Hurricanes after the war that toured India giving demonstrations. On 15 August 1947, he was given the unique honour of leading the fly-past of more than a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi.

Immediately after independence, he took over the command of Air Force Station, Ambala, in the rank of Group Captain. In 1949, after promotion to the rank of Air Commodore, Arjan Singh took over as the Air Officer Commanding of Operational Command, which later came to be known as the Western Air Command. Arjan Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as the AOC of Operational Command, from 1949-1952 and again from 1957-1961. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, he was the AOC-in-C of Operational Command. Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff and became the Vice Chief of Air Staff by 1963.

On Aug 1, 1964, Arjan Singh took over as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) in the rank of Air Marshal. Arjan Singh was the first Air Chief who kept his flying category till his CAS rank.

Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from Pre-Second World War era biplanes to the more contemporary Gnats & Vampires, he had also flown in transports like the Super Constellation.

A testing time came in September 1965 when Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam, in which an armoured thrust targeted the vital town of Akhnur, he was summoned into the Defence Minister's office with a request for air support.



When asked how quickly the IAF will be ready for operations,he replied with his characteristic nonchalance,"...in an hour". And true to his word, the Air Force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour.

He led the IAF through the war showing unparalleled leadership.

Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 War and subsequently the rank of the CAS was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal. Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

He retired in July 1969, thereupon accepting ambassadorship to Switzerland.

He remained a flyer till the end of his tenure in the IAF, visiting forward squadrons & units and flying with them. Arjan Singh was and remains a source of inspiration to generations of Indians.

In recognition of his services, the Government of India conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force onto Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only 'Five Star' rank officer of the Indian Air Force. In 2016 Air Force Station, Panagarh was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh.



Image: Congress Twitter page
Image: www.YouTube.com

Kolkata, Sept 16 (IBNS): When West Bengal government's curb on the immersion of goddess Durga is under trial in the Calcutta High Court, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday clarified again that there will be no Durga idol immersion on Ekadashi (Oct 1) for Muharram celebration in the state.

"We've said that there will be no Durga idol immersion on Ekadashi, October 1, as Muharram is scheduled to be observed on the same day. There are four more days, September 30 (Vijaya Dashami) and October 2-4, for immersion," Mamata Banerjee said during a press conference here at state secretariat Nabanna.

"BJP's job is to trigger violence and to design conspiracy over religious issues. They don't want people enjoy festivals peacefully and happily," she said.

Warning the BJP, RSS and other right wing outfits, Mamata Banerjee said, "Strict action will be taken if anyone tries to organize Dashami rally with weapons/arms."

While hearing a writ petition filed challenging state government's decision to restrict Durga idol immersion, Calcutta HC's acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre observed that Mumbai Police handle such situation very well.

Criticizing Chief Justice's statement, Mamata Banerjee said, "Some people are saying that Mumbai Police handle such situations very well. If Muharram and Durga puja were celebrated simultaneously in Mumbai, could Mumbai Police handle that?"

"Durga puja is a major festival of Bengal. Nowhere except West Bengal, Durga puja is celebrated in such a huge manner," she added.

Earlier on Aug 23, after holding a meeting with Durga puja organizers in Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee declared a curb on Durga idol immersion on Bijoya Dashami, Sept 30, after 6 pm. and on Ekadashi (Oct 1) whole day for Muharram processions.

Challenging the decision, at least two petitions have been filed in the Calcutta High Court which are scheduled to be heard on Monday (Sep 18) and Wednesday (Sept 20).

Last year, the state government put same restrictions on Durga idol immersion for Muhharam and few puja organizers moved to Calcutta High Court against the decision.

The High Court slammed the state government for the announcement and granted additional time to the petitioners for idol immersion.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
New Delhi, Sep 16 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind expressed condolences over the death of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who has passed away at a hospital in New Delhi a little while ago.

He was 98.

In a tweet, PM Modi said:"India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation."

India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation. pic.twitter.com/8eUcvoPuH1  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2017

Speaking about the Marshal, the PM in a follow up tweet, said: "Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singhs determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities."

Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singhs determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2017

President Ram Nath Kovind too expressed condolences on Twitter saying: "Deeply saddened by the demise of #ArjanSingh Marshal of Indian Air Force.My sincere condolences.May his soul rest in peace."

Deeply saddened by the demise of #ArjanSingh Marshal of Indian Air Force.My sincere condolences.May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/Bn3ZkI4fJ9  Ram Nath Kovind (@iamRamKovind) September 16, 2017

The Marshal was admitted to the hospital following a cardiac arrest, read a government statement.

He was being treated at the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences Centre of the hospital.

Union Minister Suresh Prabhu mourned the death of the Marshal and tweeted:"Marshal Air Force Arjan Singh passes away.We have lost 1of the bravest,finest sons of India,we will always remember his contribution RIP."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier visited the hospital to see him.

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Air Force when he was only 44 years old, a responsibility he carried with elan.

He was the Chief of IAF when it saw action in the year 1965.

Arjan Singh was born on Apr 15, 1919, in Lyalpur of undivided Punjab. He completed his education from Montgomery.

In 1938 when he got selected for the Empire Pilot training course at RAF Cranwell, he was still in college and was only 19 years old.

His first posting on being commissioned involved flying Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 IAF Squadron. Arjan Singh flew against the tribal forces before he was transferred for a brief stint with the newly formed No.2 IAF Squadron. Later he moved back to No.1 Sqn as a Flying Officer, when the Squadron was re-equipped with the Hawker Hurricane.

Promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944, Arjan Singh also flew Close Support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the allied forces to Rangoon, Burma. For his role in successfully leading the squadron during combat, Arjan Singh received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944.



He was given command of the IAF Display flight which flew Hawker Hurricanes after the war that toured India giving demonstrations. On 15 August 1947, he was given the unique honour of leading the fly-past of more than a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi.

Immediately after independence, he took over the command of Air Force Station, Ambala, in the rank of Group Captain. In 1949, after promotion to the rank of Air Commodore, Arjan Singh took over as the Air Officer Commanding of Operational Command, which later came to be known as the Western Air Command. Arjan Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as the AOC of Operational Command, from 1949-1952 and again from 1957-1961. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, he was the AOC-in-C of Operational Command. Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff and became the Vice Chief of Air Staff by 1963.

On Aug 1, 1964, Arjan Singh took over as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) in the rank of Air Marshal. Arjan Singh was the first Air Chief who kept his flying category till his CAS rank.

Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from Pre-Second World War era biplanes to the more contemporary Gnats & Vampires, he had also flown in transports like the Super Constellation.

A testing time came in September 1965 when Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam, in which an armoured thrust targeted the vital town of Akhnur, he was summoned into the Defence Minister's office with a request for air support.



When asked how quickly the IAF will be ready for operations,he replied with his characteristic nonchalance,"...in an hour". And true to his word, the Air Force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour.

He led the IAF through the war showing unparalleled leadership.

Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 War and subsequently the rank of the CAS was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal. Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

He retired in July 1969, thereupon accepting ambassadorship to Switzerland.

He remained a flyer till the end of his tenure in the IAF, visiting forward squadrons & units and flying with them. Arjan Singh was and remains a source of inspiration to generations of Indians.

In recognition of his services, the Government of India conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force onto Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only 'Five Star' rank officer of the Indian Air Force. In 2016 Air Force Station, Panagarh was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh.
New York, Sept 16(Just Earth News): The United Nations in New York on Friday marked the International Day of Peace with the annual ringing of the peace bell and calls for combatants worldwide to lay down their arms and observe a day of ceasefire and non-violence.

This years ceremony was dedicated to the more than 65 million people forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution.

When more and more doors and minds are being closed to refugees, let us show solidarity, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the ceremony, which focuses attention this year on the spirit of Together, a global initiative led by the UN to promote respect, safety and dignity for refugees and migrants.

Let us highlight the shared benefits of migration to economies and to nations. When others receive the support they need and deserve, we are all more secure and better off, he added.

The Secretary-General, joined by UN Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall, as well as Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and the President of the General Assembly, Miroslav Lajcak, thanked those participating for their efforts in working towards world peace.

Those of us fortunate enough to enjoy peace and prosperdummy ity should do everything we can to allow others to enjoy it as well, Guterres said.

Young people made up much of the audience, alongside the Secretary-Generals Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, and young musicians who opened the ceremony.

Later in the day, Guterres addressed youth at a student observance, urging them to focus on what binds them as a human family, and not on what is different.

To avoid war, we need to be able to build bridges, to combat discrimination, to struggle for justice and human rights for all, to make people respect each other, to make people see their identities respected but at the same time feel that they belong to the larger community where they are integrated, he said.

The UN is marking the Day before the annual 21 September date due to next weeks high-level General Assembly debate in New York.

The Day was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly. Two decades later in 2001, the Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire. The UN invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

UN Photo/Kim Haughton

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Sept 16(Just Earth News): The humanitarian situation in parts of Bangladesh sheltering hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees continues to deteriorate, making the crisis one of the fastest growing refugee crises of recent years, according to the United Nations.

[The crisis is] creating enormous humanitarian needs in an area of Bangladesh already affected by earlier refugee influxes, recent floods and not equipped to cope with large numbers of new arrivals, Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told journalists at a media briefing in Geneva on Friday.

According to estimates, some 380,000 Rohingya refugees, fleeing violence in Myanmar, have crossed the border into Bangladesh since 25 August.

A visit to the area this week by a UNHCR team, led by Assistant High Commissioner for Operations George Okoth-Obbo, found people suffering real hardship and some of the most difficult conditions seen in any current refugee situation, said Mahecic.

Refugees continue to arrive daily outside of the two established camps which are already substantially overflowing, and many people have received little meaningful help to date, he added.

The UN agency has been responding to the situation and assisting those coming but its in-country stocks have been exhausted, noted the UNHCR spokesperson, adding that deliveries of more aid  flown in earlier this week  are currently underway.

Children worst affected

Challenges, however, are the greatest for children. According to the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), there are at least 240,000 children among the refugees, including about 36,000 who are less than a year old. There were also 52,000 pregnant and lactating women.

Conditions are ripe for the spread of disease, Marixie Mercado, a UNICEF spokesperson highlighted at the briefing, noting that refuges have little protection from the elements and lack drinking water.

There is nowhere near enough latrines, and extreme mosquito activity has been forecast for the coming days. It is important to note that even before the crisis, half of the children in Rakhine state [in Myanmar] had suffered from chronic malnutrition, meaning they were vulnerable to disease, she said.

To help cope with this situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) is stepping up its efforts, and starting 16 September, will launch a polio and measles vaccination campaign to cover 150,000 newly arrived children aged 6 months to 15 years old, said Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesperson for the UN agency.

In the coming days, [we will also] distribute emergency medical kits to cover 100,000 people, 2 million water purification tablets and cholera kits for 20,000 people, he added, noting that the UN health agency is also supporting the Government of Bangladesh in providing medical teams to new spontaneous settlements.

The World Food Programme (WFP), the UNs emergency food assistance agency, has also upped its response, delivering high-energy food bars, and together with partners, hot food and rice for cooking to tens of thousands of refugees.

Remarkable generosity of Bangladeshi communities

Mahecic also noted that Bangladeshi communities have shown remarkable generosity, welcoming refugees into their homes and sharing resources with them.

However, as the number of new arrivals continues, UN agencies are in urgent need of additional funds to provide protection and life-saving assistance.

Among them, UNHCR has appealed for an initial amount of $30 million for its emergency response in the country until the end of year.

Similarly, UNICEF made an initial appeal for $7.3 million over three months, including almost $3 million for water and sanitation alone, but that amount was calculated on the basis of 200,000 people and that number had now doubled.

Photo: UNHCR/Vivian Tan

Source: www.justearthnews.com
London, Sep 16 (IBNS) : A teenager has been arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover in connection with Friday's Metro bombing, Scotland Yard said.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said that the arrest was "significant".

This is the first arrest in connection with the incident.

"The 18-year-old man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover this morning, Saturday, 16 September, under section 41 of the Terrorism Act," Metropolitan Police said on its Facebook page.

At least 30 people were injured in the bombing yesterday at 8.20am on a District Line train at rush hour as it pulled into Parsons Green.

The teen remains in custody at a local police station and will be transferred to a south London police station.

This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage," the Deputy Assistant Commissioner said.

Earlier, terrorist group ISIS has claimed the attack through its mouthpiece Amaq.According to an official communique released by the outfit, it plans more attacks.Following the incident, threat level in the city has been raised to 'critical', London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted.
New York, Sept 17 (Just Earth News): Expressing shock and sadness over the violent death of numerous Burundian nationals a among them likely refugees and asylum seekers a in Kamanyola town, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations refugee agency called for an investigation into the incident.



According to initial reports more than 30 have been killed and over100 injured, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a news release on Saturday.



The precise circumstances are not yet clear [but] reports indicate that in the course of a confrontation with Burundian demonstrators, Congolese security forces opened fire on the crowd, the UN agency added.



The town hosts some 2,005 refugees and asylum seekers from Burundi, most of whom arrived in 2015. There are a total of 43,769 Burundian refugees living in DRC.



The news release also noted that UNHCR and its partners have sent teams to Kamanyola, including medical staff, to treat the injured.



Photo: UNICEF/Seck







Source: www.justearthnews.com


Kabul, Sept 16 (IBNS): Taliban insurgents have killed six policemen who were manning a check-post in Afghanistan's Badghis province, media reports said on Saturday.

Two policemen were reportedly captured by the insurgents.

The check-post was located on the Qala-i-Naw-Herat highway in the Laman area of the provincial capital, Mohammad Qasem, police officer of another post in the areas, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He told the Afghanistani news agency that the attackers overran the post, killed six policemen and kidnapped two others.

However, the post was later recaptured by the security forces.


Toronto, Sep 16 (IBNS): Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr's request for unsupervised meet with his controversial sister, Zaynab, who has expressed her support to Al Qaeda, has been rejected by the Edmonton court, media reports said.

Meeting with Zaynab Khadr was one of the conditions in the bail Khadr had hoped that the court would relax.

Justice June Ross said that Khadr and his lawyer, Nathan Whitling, have offered nothing to reduce the security concerns centered around Zaynab Khadr.

Ross ruled that Khadr can only meet his controversial sister Zaynab, who is presently in Sudan, in presence of bail supervisor or any one of his lawyers.

However, Khadr's lawyer Whitling argued to say that Khadr, who is now 30, is old enough to prevent himself from going astray under the influence of anyone. "The passage of time makes a big difference," Whitling told Ross as reported by the Star.

"The idea that someones sister will turn him into a different person is no longer a concern, Whitling added.

Bruce Hughson, lawyer representing the federal government, said Khadr was unable to provide any new evidence regarding Zaynab's view of terrorism that could alter or relax the bail conditions.

Agreeing to the point of Hughson, Ross said: "The defence has not provided relevant evidence to show a change of circumstances.

However, Khadr refused to make any comment outside the court.

Khadr is on bail in a fifteen-year old case.

US soldier Sgt.Christopher Speer was killed in a grenade thrown by Khadr fifteen years ago during a firefight between the U.S. soldiers and Taliban fighters.

After serving ten years of imprisonment, Khadr admitted his guilt and recanted in American custody of Guantanamo Bay. He was later allowed to go to Canada.

During the period of his imprisonment, Khadr filed a civil suit against the Canadian government for conspiring against him along with the US counterpart and for breaching his rights.

In 2017, the Canadian government paid a sum of C$10.5-million to Khadr as a compensation.

In July, a Toronto court has turned down a request from wife of a dead U.S. soldier, Tabitha Speer, to freeze Canadian citizen OmarKhadr's assets, terming it as "extraordinary".



(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)
MYITKYINA, Kachin State  Men and women with bags of honey-colored stones in cars and on motorbikes arrive at the Gems and Jewelry Trade Center in Myitkyina, Kachin State at around 7 a.m. This is the place that people searching for and selling amber come to make a deal.

In an open-air building, vendors sit in front of piles of raw amber, pouring water over the stones to make them appear shinier, while buyers rummage through them with small flashlights looking for quality pieces. The center launched four years ago and it has become the hub of the local market.

Forty-year-old Seng Pan, who owns an amber shop in Waingmaw Township, bought a pile of about 30 viss (1 viss equals approximately 1.6 kilograms) of raw Burmite amber worth 7 million kyats (about US$5,000) at the market. He told The Irrawaddy that while the cost of raw amber has increased, the price of fine and polished products has decreased over the last two years.

Recently, there has not been a consistent supply of quality, raw amber since mines in Tanai Townshipwhere amber is primarily extracted in the statehave been closed due to military engagement between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Seng Pan said.

Since clashes broke out in early June, gold and amber miners have fled the area and sought shelter in Tanai town, Hkamti in Sagaing Division, or their respective hometowns.

Myanmar Army helicopters dropped leaflets over the area in the second week of June, asking people in the mining region to leave by June 15 or be recognized as insurgents supporting the KIA. Military tensions between the two sides persist in the area.

Daw Moe Khine, 40-year-old Mogok native and amber trader, told The Irrawaddy that she used to buy amber from mines around the Tanai area to sell at the China-Myanmar border. Since the mines closed, she has gone to Myitkyina to observe how deals are made between buyers and sellers at the center.

Trading in amber is a quick and easy way to make money, unlike jade, said Daw Moe Khine, explaining that amber is the less expensive of the two stones.

Amber has become very popular. Many people believe that it is good for their health if they wear it, she added.

The discovery of a dinosaur tail embedded in a piece of amber by a Chinese paleontologist, which made headlines across the globe late last year, shined a light on the popularity of Myanmar amber, which is considered some of the highest quality in the world.

Traders and sellers at the market said that it was not unusual to find animal parts embedded in the raw Burmite, showing photos of amber with spider legs and other appendages inside, which traded for high prices. They said, however, that it is nearly impossible for ordinary traders to know if the feathers or animal parts inside the amber are fossils or not.

For 24-year-old Ko Zaw Aung, trading in amber is not as risky as jade.

Even when you lose money from trading amber, it is not as much as with jade, he told The Irrawaddy. But when you get cheated in trading jade, it is like holding onto a useless piece of rock.

The market in Myitkyina usually finishes around noon but a different building in the same compound continues to sell and trade polished amber rings, bracelets and necklaces throughout the day.
YAWNGHWE TOWNSHIP, Shan State  Yawnghwe (Nyaung Shwe) Haw, the residence of Myanmars first President Sao Shwe Thaike, in Yawnghwe Township, southern Shan State, opens on Wednesday to the public as a cultural museum.

Sao Shwe Thaike, an ethnic Shan, was the last saophaor hereditary princeof Shan States Yawnghwe. He became President of the Union of Burma in 1948 following the countrys independence from Britain and served as head of state until 1952.

The conference hall in the 100-year-old Haw is a historic place where Myanmars independence hero Gen Aung San and an ethnic delegation led by Yawnghwe Saopha Sao Shwe Thaike held talks on Feb 8, 1947 to sign the Panglong Agreement on Feb. 12, an agreement for both the mainland and ethnic areas in Myanmar to claim independence together from the British.

The Haw was built by Shan Saopha Sir Saw Maung in 1913. Construction took 10 years and cost some 300,000 kyats. After Gen Ne Win staged a coup in 1962, families of Shan chieftains were banned from living in the Haw, and under different administrations, the Haw has been named a historical, cultural and Buddhist museum.
Dateline Women Live in Fear After Rakhine Attacks

This week, The Irrawaddy discusses safety and rehabilitation for women and children displaced by the recent violence in Rakhine State.

May Sitt Paing: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, well discuss the safety and rehabilitation of women who are facing difficulty since violence broke out in Rakhine State on August 25. Writer Thway (Sagaing) and The Irrawaddy English edition senior reporter Nyein Nyein will join me for the discussion. Im The Irrawaddy Burmese edition senior reporter May Sitt Paing.

Violence broke out in Rakhine State on August 25, and Ma Nyein Nyein, you went there to cover the issue. Can you recount your experience?

Nyein Nyein: I did not arrive there immediately after the conflict began, but four or five days later. My arrival [in Rakhine State] coincided with the governments guided tour for reporters to Maungdaw. One of my colleagues from The Irrawaddy was on that tour, so I stayed in Sittwe. I saw displaced persons from Maungdaw and Buthidaung flocking into Sittwe. Most of them were women, pregnant women, the elderly and children. They are still taking shelter at monasteries and relief camps [in Sittwe].

MSP: It is women and children who bear the brunt of the conflict in Rakhine State. They suffer not only from severe mental trauma but also physical assault. What is your view on this and what are your suggestions, Ma Thway?

Thway: First, we should take a humanitarian point of view and see them as victims regardless of race or religion. There are victims in both communities [Buddhist and Muslim], especially women and children. Schools in Maungdaw were closed due to the conflict, so children have been out of school. And people were forced to leave behind their livelihoods, such as farms. Those experiences will haunt them for a long time, especially the children. Childhood mental trauma can persist into adulthood. So it is important that they deal with this trauma.

As for the physical assaults  ethnic people dare not return to live in their villages now. The government needs to help guarantee security, for children to go to school and women to work in farms or elsewhere. There is also a need for compensation for people who lost their homes in fires. The government should perhaps seek international assistance to rebuild these homes.

It must also consider how to prevent future clashes. This is important. For now, both the government and civil society organizations [CSOs] are providing help. This is just a short-term solution, and the government needs to think about long-term solutions. The government must take a systematic approach to rehabilitation, and have long-term plans for the rehabilitation of women and children.

More importantly, it must take steps to address the deep-seated fear in the two communities. Local people must be able to access education. Only then will the tendency to buy into rumors or adopt extremist attitudes gradually decline. When society is educated and long-term rehabilitation programs are carried out, the per capita income of women will increase. There must also be family planning and birth control so that mothers are choosing to have children and they can be well taken care of.

MSP: Women at relief camps and stranded in some villages live in fear. What have you heard from them?

NN: I managed to talk to women from both communities, both Buddhists and Muslims from Maungdaw, at relief camps. Both sides are afraid. It is, however, very difficult to verify their statements. When reporters conducted interviews at the camps, others gathered around as well to ask questions. Volunteers doing relief work listened, and villagers from various locations gathered around to hear. There were people who had fled from ethnic villages and Na Ta La villages [villages established by the former Minister of Progress of Border Affairs and National Races Department known by the Burmese acronym Na Ta La].

They were curious about what had happened in other villages. But outside of those who were curious, there might be others who came to listen to find fault. Nobody really knows. It seemed as though people were concerned that they would be harmed by security forces if they spoke carelessly. I found that the two communities blamed each other, so I cant guarantee that either sides statements were 100 percent true. I cant know. But, what is true is that they are in trouble.

They were forced to flee when militants attacked security forces. They are afraid. This attack was bad. There were coordinated attacks on security outposts carried out simultaneously. So, ethnic people, themselves being minorities in that region, are scared. They are afraid of being attacked and dont even know who to fear. According to some accounts, perpetrators had their faces covered with black cloth. So, they assumed they were from the other community but they dont know exactly who they were.

Because they fear for their lives and safety, some have decided to stay in Sittwe even if starting over is difficult there. Some women said the government forced them to return to their homes when things started to return to normalcy after incidents in 2012 and 2016. And they went back. But nobody can guarantee their security. Unless and until authorities and security forces stabilize the region and guarantee that people can live without fear, women live in fear of being killed, attacked or harassed. They have fear because they are a minority, and that fear can be exploited.

MSP: What do you think of the health situation, food supplies and security for women at the camps?

NN: In the first few camps, I saw that they were segregated. Most of them had left behind all their possessions and had only the clothes on their backs. It is good for displaced persons talking shelter at camps in urban areas that philanthropic organizations can come and help them. They receive help to some extent.

Regarding health care, the rural development department of the government surveyed the number of displaced persons last week and provided relief supplies in Sittwe. But according to the accounts of most of the interviewees either from relief camps or stranded villages, what the government mostly gives first is a carton of MaMa brand instant noodles. The women say they dont want noodles, they want a guarantee of safety. They dont want the government to come and try to appease them with noodles.

MSP: According to what Ma Nyein Nyein has said, women at the camps are feeling downhearted and afraid. What they need is real assistance from the government. Ive read in news reports that some of the displaced persons in camps have lost one or more of their family members in the violence. Ma Thway, what measures should be taken to revive their spirits?

Thway: They will only pour their hearts out to those who they trust. I think that counselling should be provided for them. The government should seek the help of professional psychiatrists and ask them to talk to and comfort displaced women taking shelter at camps as if they were their mothers and sisters in order to develop intimacy with them. This will relieve their trauma to some extent.

Another thing is that they feel unsafe and overwhelmed by fear because of the conflict. The most important thing islet me quote State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herea society is overwhelmed by fear because there is no rule of law. Therefore, perpetrators of the violence must be given suitable punishment.

It is also necessary for the government to provide legal protection for children  who are the countrys future  and mothers, regardless of race and religion. The law is not only about punishing perpetrators but also providing legal protection for victims. Only then will rule of law be realized. If so, people will be free from fear and worry, and the lives of women will improve. Then, Rakhine State will develop. The government should take correct and sustainable approaches in establishing rule of law. The government should consult with psychiatrists who can provide counselling and take necessary action. Then, I believe that fear could be dispelled.

MSP: Ma Nyein Nyein, what do you think the government should do?

NN: Many people have been displaced. According to UN figures, there are more than 290,000 [now estimates are around 400,000] displaced persons. They have been fleeing continuously. Speaking of people trapped in villages, last week, entire villages left their homes and stayed together in different villages. They dared not stay alone, as they thought it would be safer to stay in a group in case something happened. But they couldnt leave.

Some who phoned me from there said they were afraid of mines that have not been cleared away. They said they wanted to go back home but couldnt because of the mines. Most of them are civil servants. Some come from other areas of Rakhine State or other parts of the country. The government could not evacuate most of them, even though they were able to evacuate some with helicopters. But, most of them remain in their villages but no security plan in place.

The government can only provide limited security in the villages. So, locals asked where security forces were. They had heard that there were large military deployments in the area. They questioned why security forces couldnt at least clear mines if they could not provide security for them. I heard that mines were cleared in morning. These mines planted by militants are said to be improvised mines. If security forces were afraid of clearing those improvised mines, what would happen if those mines were heavy explosive mines? The government should listen to the villagers fears in order to ease their worry.

MSP: Thank you for your contributions!
News Myanmar Says US Official Barred From Rakhine State Conflict Zone

A house is seen while burning in Maungdaw on August 30, 2017. / Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

YANGON  Myanmar said on Friday a visiting US official would not be allowed to go to a region where violence has triggered an exodus of nearly 400,000 self-identifying Rohingya Muslims that the United Nations has branded a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

The self-identifying Rohingya have fled from western Rakhine State to neighboring Bangladesh to escape a military offensive that has raised questions about Myanmars transition to civilian rule under the leadership of Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia Patrick Murphy will voice Washingtons concerns about the self-identifying Rohingya and press for greater access to the conflict area for humanitarian workers, the State Department said.

Myanmar officials said he would meet government leaders in the capital, Naypyitaw, and attend an address to the nation by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday.

He would also visit Sittwe, the state capital, and meet the governor of Rakhine, the state government secretary, U Tin Maung Swe, told Reuters, but the north of the state, where the conflict erupted on Aug. 25 would be off limits.

Not allowed, Tin Maung Swe said, when asked if Murphy would be going to Maungdaw District, at the heart of the strife that began when self-identifying Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army camp, killing a dozen people.

While nearly 400,000 refugees have poured across the border into Bangladesh, fears have also been growing of a humanitarian crisis on the Myanmar side, but access for aid workers and reporters has been severely restricted.

Myanmar insisted on Friday it was not barring aid workers but a government spokesman said authorities on the ground might have concerns over security.

Rights monitors and fleeing self-identifying Rohingya say the army and Arakanese Buddhist vigilantes have mounted a campaign of arson aimed at driving out the Muslim population.

A Reuters photographer on the Bangladesh side of the border said he could see huge banks of dark smoke billowing up over Myanmar territory on Friday, while international aid organizations said the refugees kept coming.

Theres really no sign that this flow of people is going to dry up, Chris Lom of the International Organization for Migration, said from the Bangladeshi border district of Coxs Bazar.

There are still, we believe, thousands of people waiting to take boats across to Coxs Bazar.

Scorched Earth

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council have urged Myanmar to end the violence, which he said was best described as ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar rejects the accusations, saying its security forces are carrying out clearance operations to defend against the insurgents of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which claimed responsibility for the Aug. 25 attacks and similar, though smaller, attacks in October 2016.

The government has declared it a terrorist organisation and accused it of setting the fires and attacking civilians.

The group said it had detected 80 big fires in Rohingya areas since Aug. 25. While the extent of damage could not be verified, due to access restrictions by the government, they are likely to have burned down whole villages.

It said it also had credible reports of self-identifying Rohingya militants burning the homes of ethnic Arakanese and other minorities. About 30,000 non-Muslims have also been displaced.

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursday he had spoken with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and that she said she was working to get aid to areas in Myanmar affected by violence.
Nine European Union countries have supported a move to tax big multinational technology companies on their revenue, and not profits.

The EU is considering a raft of measures to get companies like Google and Facebook to pay what is claimed to be their correct amount of tax. Accusations are rife of profits being routed to low-tax nations like Ireland and Luxembourg.

Four countries  France, Germany, Italy and Spain  proposed the change last week and French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told a news conference in the Estonian capital Tallinn that nine countries were now backing the move, according to a Reuters report.

The new countries backing the move are Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Slovenia and Latvia. The EU has a total of 28 member states.

EU finance ministers met in Tallinn on Friday to consider the proposals, a day after a Reuterssaid Google and Facebook may have paid anything from 5.1 billion (A$7.61 billion) to 5.4 billion less in taxes in European Union states between 2013 and 2015.

The news agency said it had obtained access to a report written by a lawmaker who has drafted tax reform that could increase the amount of taxes paid by the two online behemoths.

EU socialist lawmaker Paul Tang drafted the report which said that digital multinational companies "minimise the overall tax burden in the EU by routing all revenues to low-tax member states such as Ireland and Luxembourg".

Similar complaints have been voiced in countries outside the EU, including Australia.

Last year, Bloomberg, citing regulatory filings in the Netherlands, reported that Google had avoided paying US$3.6 billion (A$4.49 billion) in taxes globally in 2015 by shifting US$15.5 billion to a company in Bermuda that is just a shell.

Multinational tech companies, including Apple and Microsoft, have faced questioning in the Australian Senate over tax minimisation.

Tang's report was said to focus on Google and Facebook because the two companies cite most of their EU revenues in Ireland where the rate of corporate tax is low. This allows them to pay much less tax than in other parts of the world.

The report said that Google paid tax of up to 9% outside the EU, but less than 0.82% inside the Union.

Reuters quoted Tang as writing, Facebooks taxes as a share of their revenues recorded outside the EU is between 28% and 34%, whereas in the EU this is a remarkably low ratio of 0.03 percent to 0.10%."

This led to a shortfall in tax payments of between 5.1 billion and 5.4 billion between 2013 and 2015, the report claimed.

Tang is tasked with shepherding through the EU parliament tax reform that brings about equal national tax deductions on business profits.

Reuters said he planned to present a change that would make it mandatory for multinationals to be taxed in EU states where they had a digital platform that generated at least 5 million in annual turnover.

The current regulations allow online companies to pay taxes only where they have both a physical presence and tax residence, irrespective of where their profits are created.

The European Commission will prepare a number of options for resolving the tax problem and present them at an EU summit on digital issues to be held in Tallinn on 29 September.
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i24 News: Yosef Abramowitz-Captain Sunshine-Solar Energy Pioneer

from Wikipedia:

Abramowitz was born in 1964. He lived in Israel as a child from 19691972, before returning to Boston. While living in Massachusetts, he attended the Solomon Schechter School of Greater Boston, and graduated in 1980 from Hebrew College Prozdor and in 1982 from Brookline High School. He is a Young Judaean; having worked at Camp Sprout Lake, CYJ California, and was a camper, counselor and unit head at Tel Yehuda, and he participated in the 19821983 Young Judaea Year Course in Israel program on a Hadassah scholarship.[2] He received a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Public Policy from Boston University in 1986, where he studied under Elie Wiesel, Howard Zinn and Hillel Levine, and a Master of Arts in Magazine Journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1991, which he attended on a Wexner Graduate Fellowship. He is married to Rabbi Susan Silverman and they have five children, two of whom were adopted from Ethiopia. Silverman, a well known activist for religious pluralism and international adoption, was recently named to The Forward 50 Most Influential list as well as Jewroticas Top 10 Sexy Rabbis of 2013.

Named by CNN as one of the top six Green Pioneers worldwide, Yosef Abramowitz serves as President of the Arava Power Company (2006-2013) and is now focused on serving as CEO and President of Energiya Global (2011-) founding both companies with partners David Rosenblatt of New Jersey and Ed Hofland of Kibbutz Ketura.

Arava Power is Israels leading solar developer and a pioneer in mid-size and large-size solar fields. Arava Power built the first grid-connected solar field in Israel and closed on $300 million for the next eight solar fields in Israel, with a further $1.2 billion worth of projects in the pipeline. Energiya Global develops affordable solar projects worldwide, with the goal of providing clean electricity for 50 million people by 2020.
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Human Rights Watch |  

UN Should Create International Inquiry, Return Coalition to List of Shame

(Beirut)  The Saudi-led coalition carried out five apparently unlawful airstrikes in Yemen since June 2017 that killed 26 children among 39 civilian deaths, Human Rights Watch said today. The attacks, which struck four family homes and a grocery, in one case killing 14 members of the same family, caused indiscriminate loss of civilian life in violation of the laws of war. Such attacks, when carried out deliberately or recklessly, are war crimes.

These attacks show that coalition promises to improve compliance with the laws of war have not resulted in significantly better protection for children. This underscores the need for the United Nations to immediately return the coalition to its annual list of shame for violations against children in armed conflict. The UN Human Rights Council should respond to continuing violations by the Saudi-led coalition, Houthi-Saleh forces, and other parties to the armed conflict by creating an independent, international investigation into abuses at its September session.

The Saudi-led coalitions repeated promises to conduct its airstrikes lawfully are not sparing Yemeni children from unlawful attacks, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. These latest airstrikes and their horrible toll on children should galvanize the Human Rights Council to denounce and act to investigate war crimes, and ensure that those responsible are held to account.

Since March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition has carried out military operations against Houthi-Saleh forces including unlawful airstrikes against homes, markets, hospitals, schools, and mosques. The UN secretary-generals 2016 annual report on violations against children in armed conflict found that at least 785 children were killed and 1,168 wounded in Yemen in 2015, with 60 percent of the casualties attributed to the coalition. Houthi-Saleh forces have also committed numerous laws-of-war violations, including using banned antipersonnel landmines, indiscriminately shelling populated areas, and forcibly disappearing and torturing people.

Saudi-led coalition aircraft struck three apartment buildings in Sanaa on August 25, 2017, killing at least 16 civilians, including seven children, and wounding another 17, including eight children. After an international outcry, the coalition admitted to

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Saudi-led coalition aircraft struck three apartment buildings in Sanaa on August 25, 2017, killing at least 16 civilians, including seven children, and wounding another 17, including eight children. After an international outcry, the coalition admitted to carrying out the attack, but provided no details on the coalition members involved in the attack.  2017 Mohammed al-Mekhlafi

Human Rights Watch interviewed nine family members and witnesses to five airstrikes that occurred between June 9 and August 4, 2017, interviewed staff at a hospital, and reviewed photo and video footage taken soon after the attacks by local residents or media outlets. The blast and fragmentation wounds of the victims and the damage patterns observed at the airstrike sites are consistent with the impact of large air-dropped bombs. Human Rights Watch did not identify military objectives in the immediate vicinity of any of the areas attacked, except for one low-ranking Houthi-Saleh fighter in his home.

On August 4, coalition aircraft struck a home in Saada, killing nine members of the al-Dhurafi family, including six children, ages 3 through 12. The coalition denied targeting the house, but said it was looking into the unfortunate incident. An airstrike on July 18 in a contested area of Taizz killed 14 family members, including nine children, and the Yemeni government called for an investigation. On July 3, coalition aircraft struck another home in Taizz, killing eight of Mohammed Hulbis relatives, including his wife and 8-year-old daughter.

The laws of war applicable to the armed conflict in Yemen prohibit deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Attacks that are not directed at a specific military objective or cannot distinguish between civilians and military objectives are considered indiscriminate. An attack is unlawfully disproportionate if the anticipated loss of civilian life and property is greater than the expected military gain from the attack. Warring parties must do everything feasible to verify that targets are military objectives.

Individuals who commit serious violations of the laws of war with criminal intent  that is, intentionally or recklessly  may be prosecuted for war crimes. Individuals may also be held criminally liable for assisting in, facilitating, aiding, or abetting a war crime. All governments that are parties to an armed conflict are obligated to investigate alleged war crimes by members of their armed forces.

In response to international outrage over the large numbers of civilian casualties in the Yemen conflict, Saudi Arabia has claimed that the coalition has changed its targeting procedures and tightened its rules of engagement to minimize civilian casualties. However, the coalition has presented no evidence to substantiate such claims, Human Rights Watch said.

The Saudi-led coalitions Joint Investigation Assessment Team (JIAT) has not announced investigations into any of the five airstrikes Human Rights Watch documented.

The coalition has repeatedly failed to impartially investigate alleged laws-of-war violations in Yemen. It blocks access to parts of Yemen under Houthi-control for international media and human rights organizations, continues to undercut and undermine UN and other fact-finding efforts, and routinely issues blanket denials of any responsibility for well-documented violations. These actions highlight the need for concerned governments to support a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council in September for an international inquiry into abuses by all sides, Human Rights Watch said.

Saudi Arabia pledged to minimize civilian harm, yet coalition airstrikes are still wiping out entire families, Whitson said. Yemeni civilians should not be asked to wait any longer for Human Rights Council members, including Saudi allies the US and UK, to support a credible international inquiry.

Pledges to Reduce Civilian Casualties

In response to growing global criticism of its air campaign in Yemen, the Saudi government announced it had changed its targeting procedures and tightened its rules of engagement. In June, after US President Donald Trump announced US$110 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the New York Times reported that, ahead of the deal, Saudi Arabia provided the United States assurances, including:

1) adhering to stricter rules of engagement;

2) considering estimates of potential harm to civilians in targeting  a practice US officials told the Times the coalition had not fully integrated into its operations;

3) allowing US military advisers to sit in the air operations control room in Riyadh instead of in a nearby office;

4) bringing the total number of locations identified as presumptively non-targetable on the no strike list to 33,000; and

5) starting a $750 million, multiyear training program with the US for the Royal Saudi Air Force and other Saudi forces on topics including human rights and avoiding civilian casualties.

In the three months since the New York Times reported the changes, there has been no discernable reduction in unlawful coalition airstrikes. In addition to the five attacks reviewed, Human Rights Watch documented an additional apparently unlawful strike in August in which coalition aircraft destroyed three apartment buildings in Sanaa, killing 16 people, including seven children, and wounding 17, including eight children. After an international outcry, the coalition admitted carrying out the attack, but asserted that the civilian casualties were the result of a technical error. The Yemen Data Project, which uses a range of open-source data to document the number of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen and the targets struck, said it had recorded 427 attacks on military targets in June, July, and August, and 186 coalition airstrikes that hit civilian objects.

Members of the US Congress have proposed Yemen-related amendments to the annual National Defense Authorization Act, including new US government reporting requirements on the Saudi-led coalitions adherence to the no strike list and restricted target list and restrictions on US arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, including prohibiting the transfer of cluster munitions. A final decision on these amendments is expected in September, and US lawmakers should support them, Human Rights Watch said.

Five Unlawful Airstrikes Harming Children

Mahda area, al-Safra district, Saada, August 4, 2017

Casualties: At least 9 civilians killed, including 7 children, and 3 wounded

At about 5 a.m. on August 4, coalition aircraft struck a house in al-Safra district, Saada, killing nine members of the same family, including six children, and wounding three, according to two witnesses, the director of a local hospital, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, whose staff members visited the village soon after the attack.

Abdulrahman al-Dhurafi, the 40-year-old general director of the Education Ministrys office in Saada, told Human Rights Watch he had just finished his morning prayers when he heard a loud blast that shook the house. A few minutes later, a friend called to tell him his nephews home had been attacked.

Abdulla Adayah, 33, who sells qat and lived near the home, said he was the first person to arrive after the attack: Immediately I heard the voice of Taha [al-Dhurafis nephew] calling for help from under the rubble. Adayah took the wounded man to the hospital after he and two other men had extricated him from the ruins of the house. When I returned, I saw the [other men] took out others, but all of them were dead.

Al-Dhurafi, who arrived soon afterward, said the house was completely flattened:

The first thing I saw when I arrived was a neighbor running out from what remained from the destroyed house.  He was carrying a baby girl in his arms. I didnt recognize who she was with the dust and the blood covering her face but she looked 2-years-old maybe.  Later I knew that this baby girl was Batool, who is two-and-a-half years old, Tahas youngest child.

The two witnesses said that Taha al-Dhurafi, a 35-year-old farmer, lived in the house with his 27-year-old wife and their six children, ages 2 to 12, as well as his wifes parents and their 17-year-old daughter. The attack killed his wife, all six of his children, his mother-in-law, and her daughter. Rescuers, after recovering the bodies of five children, searched desperately for hours for Fatima, his 3-year-old daughter, al-Dhurafi said. She was dead when they found her. He and his brother Ahmed, 28, were both burned and had fractured limbs.

Dr. Muhmmad Hajjar, the general director of Saadas Jumhouri Hospital, said hospital ambulances went to the house immediately after the attack and that rescuers found six or seven bodies, mostly very young children. The hospital treated three men wounded in the attack, he said.

On July 3, the ninth day of the Eid holiday, coalition aircraft struck a home in Nobat Amer village, Taizz, killing eight civilians, including five children under age 10. Mohammed Hulbi, who was about 100 meters from his house during the attack, said he

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On July 3, the ninth day of the Eid holiday, coalition aircraft struck a home in Nobat Amer village, Taizz, killing eight civilians, including five children under age 10. Mohammed Hulbi, who was about 100 meters from his house during the attack, said he ran home, but nothing was left, everything was destroyed.  2017 Private

The witnesses said they did not know of any military targets in the area, which included primarily family homes and agricultural land. A military camp for special forces was about a kilometer east, and a passport administration building  a civilian object  was about a kilometer south.

In a Saudi Press Agency statement, Col. Turki al-Maliki, who replaced Brig. Gen. Ahmed Assiri as the coalition spokesman on July 27, denied reports the coalition targeted the house, saying the coalition had completed an after-action review for operations conducted that day in Saada. He said the coalition was continuing to investigate in coordination with the government of Yemen and other international partners on this unfortunate incident, noting Houthi-Saleh forces store weapons and explosives inside houses and civilian objects.

Al-Uashira village, Mokha district, Taizz, July 18, 2017

Casualties: At least 14 civilians killed, including 9 children

At about 7:30 a.m. on July 18, coalition aircraft struck a cluster of homes in Mokha district, Taizz, said Hashem al-Buraiq, 32, who lived in the area with his wife and their five children. The attacks killed at least 14 civilians, including 9 children.

Al-Buraiq and his family had been living near the Khalid bin Waleed military camp in Taizz governorate. In April, Houthi-Saleh forces declared areas around the camp a military zone. So al-Buraiq and his family moved to a small area near al-Uashira village, about seven kilometers from the military camp, where about a dozen families had built homes. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had recorded the three families as displaced, and the UN refugee agency released a statement noting that a number of the civilians killed in the July 18 attack were internally displaced people.

Al-Buraiqs parents and two siblings lived next to him, as did his cousins widow, her eight children, and her father. The family chose the village because we were sure that this area is safe until they struck us, al-Buraiq said.

Al-Buraiqs daughter Manal, 3, and son Jawad, 9, had gone to their cousins house to get some yogurt for breakfast: The airstrike hit the part of the house where my cousins family lives directly, he said. The strike killed a whole family while they were eating breakfast.

Everyone in the house, including his daughter and son, were killed, as were three people in the neighboring house. In total, the attack killed 14 of al-Buraiqs relatives, including al-Buraiqs sister Aziza, 18, his brother Ahmad, 14, and his mother, his cousins wife, six of her children, and her brother and father.

Al-Buraiq said he had understood why his cousin had been killed four months earlier while on a motorbike: the airstrike hit a military truck and he happened to be in the way. But, he did not understand this attack:

All people here are civilians, and if we thought that this place would be targeted we wouldnt have come here in the first place, but it was safe  completely safe. 

Where is the target? There is no target.  Just us, no Houthis, no trucks, nothing. 

OHCHR, which also investigated the attack, said that, There do not appear to have been any military objectives anywhere in the immediate vicinity of the destroyed house. OHCHR called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident. The Yemeni human rights minister, Mohammed Asker, called for a government investigation and described the attack as an unfortunate incident, Reuters reported. The coalition has not announced if it will investigate the attack.

Al-Hamli village, Mawza district, Taizz, July 18, 2017

Casualties: At least 4 civilians killed, including 2 children, and 3 wounded

At about 8:30 a.m. on July 18, Saudi-led coalition aircraft struck a local grocery store in al-Hamli village, Mawza district, Taizz governorate, killing four civilians, including two children, and wounding three, two men who were at the shop said in separate phone interviews.

Ahmed Farid, 47, who owned the store, was outside the building with about six other people, including his 14-year-old son, Saleh, waiting for a late employee to come with a key.

Remnants of the weapons used in a coalition attack on Nobat Amer village on July 3, 2017 that killed eight of Mohammed Hulbis relatives, including five children under age 10. Human Rights Watch identified the remnants as being from a large air-dropped b

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Remnants of the weapons used in a coalition attack on Nobat Amer village on July 3, 2017 that killed eight of Mohammed Hulbis relatives, including five children under age 10. Human Rights Watch identified the remnants as being from a large air-dropped bomb that was equipped with a Paveway-series guidance kit.  2017 Private

Farid and Rashad Moqbel, a 25-year-old farmer, said the attack killed four people, including Saleh, a 16-year-old boy, and two other men, and wounded two others, including Moqbel. Two weeks after the attack, Moqbel remained in the hospital, suffering from fractured limbs and bomb fragments that had entered his body, his brother said. The shop was completely destroyed.

Both men left al-Hamli after the strike. They said they do not intend to return. I dont think it is safe for anyone to go there, Farid said. They may strike any moving thing.

Coalition aircraft had carried out other attacks in the area during the weeks before the attack, but the nearest military camp was about 15 kilometers away, the two men said. Another airstrike hit a gasoline station about 2.5 kilometers from the grocery store about an hour earlier. A witness said he saw a couple of Houthi fighters hiding in the area after the attack on the station.

The coalition has not announced if it will investigate the attack.

Nobat Amer village, Mokha district, Taizz, July 3, 2017

Casualties: At least 8 civilians killed, including 5 children

At about 10 a.m. on July 3, the ninth day of the Eid holiday, coalition aircraft struck a home in Mokha district, Taizz, killing eight of Mohammed Hulbis relatives, including five children under age 10.

That morning, Hulbi, 45, a farmer, walked to a well about 100 meters from his house. His uncle was sleeping next to the well when he heard planes overhead, followed by the powerful explosion from the attack: My uncle fell from the chair where he was sleeping. I ran to the house, but nothing was left, everything was destroyed. My uncle and I carried the remains of our family [out of the house].

The attack killed Hulbis wife, Saeeda, 35, and his daughter, Amani, 8. His uncles two wives and four children, two girls and two boys, all under 10, were also killed. One of his uncles wives was eight months pregnant. After the attack, a few men affiliated with Houthi-Saleh forces drove to the house on motorbikes, ordering people not to approach the house because coalition aircraft might attack again.

A witness photographed remnants of the weapon used in the attack. Human Rights Watch identified the remnants as being from a large air-dropped bomb that was equipped with a Paveway-series guidance kit.

Hulbi said he and his uncle didnt leave [the area] yet, because we dont have a place to go, but we live alone now, just me and him. The coalition has not announced if it will investigate the attack.

Al-Qoubari neighborhood, 50th Street, Sanaa, June 9, 2017

Casualties: At least 4 civilians killed, including 3 children, and 8 wounded, including 3 children

At about 12:30 a.m. on June 9, coalition aircraft struck the home of Tawfeeq al-Saadi in Sanaas al-Qoubari neighborhood, killing four civilians, including three children and wounding eight, including three children.

Al-Saadi, 36, who was not home at the time, said a neighbor called him to tell him the coalition had hit his house:

I replied to him, Why would they bomb my house? What do we have to bomb? I was shocked and in denial I walked slowly to the house saying Ya Allah Ya Allah. I arrived and saw the gathering of ambulances and police. At that moment, I lost my mind completely.

The attack destroyed al-Saadis home. His wife, Ghaniya, 32, and 18-month-old daughter, Khadija, and were pulled from under the rubble.

Al-Saadi took his wife and daughter to five different hospitals, all of which said they could not treat them, either because the hospitals were full and did not have the capacity or because they only provided care to wounded fighters. One hospital finally admitted them. The attack had fractured Khadijas skull. Ghaniya, who was eight months pregnant, had a fractured leg, a burned back, and a bruised skull. She said: I lost the baby, he was a boy. We wanted to name him Hassan. Her husband said they were trying to save money for an operation for Khadija, but we dont have enough money to feed ourselves.

A man sits on the rubble of a house of his relatives, destroyed by a Saudi-led coalition airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, June 9, 2017.

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A man sits on the rubble of a house of his relatives, destroyed by a Saudi-led coalition airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, June 9, 2017.  2017 Reuters

The attack destroyed five other homes, and damaged five more, al-Saadi said. Al-Saadis neighbor lost four of his relatives, including three of his children, ages 8 to 13, and his wifes 70-year-old grandmother. Six other people in the neighborhood were wounded, including two children, he said. He provided Human Rights Watch their names and ages.

Al-Saadi said the area attacked was a poor neighborhood. There were no evident military targets in the vicinity, he said, although his neighbor was a low-ranking Houthi-Saleh soldier. The coalition has not announced whether it will investigate the attack.

Undermining Accountability Efforts

JIAT, the Saudi-led coalitions investigative team, has largely absolved the coalition of any wrongdoing in about two dozen strikes it has investigated. Despite the coalitions promises to pay compensation in a small number of the attacks it has investigated, it has not made any payments or concrete progress toward creating a compensation system, numerous Yemeni sources said.

Even in strikes where JIAT has found fault, it has not identified the coalition forces responsible. Human Rights Watch was unable to determine which coalition members participated in the strikes most recently investigated. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Sudan are current members of the coalition; Qatar withdrew in June. In July, the UN Panel of Experts expressed concern that coalition members are deliberately hiding behind the entity of the Coalition to divert and shield themselves from state responsibility for violations committed by their own forces during airstrikes. Human Rights Watch has not been able to identify any steps JIAT or coalition states have taken to hold members of their own forces accountable for laws-of-war violations.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have actively worked to avoid accountability. In 2016, then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon listed the coalition, along with Houthi-Saleh forces and other groups fighting in Yemen, on his annual list of shame for violations against children in armed conflict. The UN had documented the coalition killing and maiming children and attacking schools and hospitals, but the secretary-general removed the coalition from the list after Saudi Arabia and its allies reportedly threatened to withdraw millions of dollars of funding from critical UN relief programs, such as those serving Palestinian refugees. Coalition attacks harming children continued in Yemen throughout 2016 and into 2017. The UN should relist it in its forthcoming report that covers attacks on children during 2016, Human Rights Watch said.

The Human Rights Council in 2015 and 2016 failed to create an international inquiry into Yemen abuses, instead endorsing processes that over the past two years have not provided the impartial, independent, and transparent investigations needed to address the gravity of violations in Yemen. On August 29, 62 Yemeni and international nongovernmental organizations wrote to members of the Human Rights Council to urge it to create an independent international inquiry into abuses committed by all parties to the conflict in Yemen.

Via Human Rights Watch



Related video added by Juan Cole:

France 24: War in Yemen: Are Western weapons being used against civilians?
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TeleSur |  

Security officials say that the attacks are an attempt by the terrorist group to project strength after losing their strongholds in Iraq.

The so-called Islamic State group carried out a terrorist attack on Thursday in Iraq that took the lives of at least 83 people, and wounded at least 93 others, the news agency EFE reported the General Director of Health in Diqar, Yasem al Jaldi as confirming.

The attack took place around noon, near Nasiriyah, in the Zi Qar province of southern Iraq, which has been less affected by Islamic State group violence in recent years than many other regions of the country, relatively speaking.

Gunmen opened fire into two restaurants, detonated a suicide vest, and blew up a car at a police checkpoint. Assailants were disguised as members of a local Shiite paramilitary force called Hashed al-Shaabi that is active in fights against the Islamic State.

The so-called Islamic State group later claimed responsibility on its news agency, claiming in a statement that it had killed dozens of Shiites.

According to hospital sources speaking to Reuters, at least 10 Iranians who were visiting sacred sites on pilgrimage were killed.

Security and police officials in Iraq are saying that the attacks are a return to older-style tactics for the terrorist group, which moved away from suicide tactics as it grew stronger. The deadly attacks are perhaps a reflection of the weakening of the Islamic State in both Iraq and in Syria.

After losing the war in Iraq and the shrinking of its power, Daesh (Islamic State in Arabic) returned back to its old style of an insurgency, by carrying out suicide attacks, which is a clear sign that the terrorist group is retreating, police colonel Murtatha al-Yassiri said.

We expect more alike terrorist operations in the future. Daesh is trying to desperately pretend among followers that its still strong, al-Yassiri continued.

The intelligence chief of the province has been fired following the attacks by Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji, and brought to interrogation, Xinhua reported from an Interior Ministry source.

The attacks have drawn international condemnation and messages of support to the Iraqi people. The United Nations Iraq mission shortly after released a statement condemning the cowardly attacks, and saying it is deeply saddened.

Venezuela also issued a statement expressing pain in the face of the human losses, and sharing pain with the Iraqi government and people. The Bolivarian government said it is giving a message of solidarity to the victims familes.

Via TeleSur



Related video added by Juan Cole:

WION: ISIS claims responsibility for multiple attacks in Iraq
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

After Hurricane Irma in Florida, millions have been without electricity. But those Floridians who had solar panels plus an inverter or a Tesla powerwall were able to recover electricity immediately. Likewise, cities used solar to power traffic lights and other essential services after the huge storm had blown past.

Likewise, solar panels kept the lights on in India during the horrific storms and floods of monsoon this year.



h/t Reuters

The CEO of REC, Steve ONeil which makes solar panels, reveals some amazing progress on green energy:

In 2010, there were 50 gigawatts of solar power in the world. Today it is 305 gigawatts.

Globally, solar installations increased by 50% in 2016 alone.

The average cost of solar-generated electricity worldwide is currently 8 cents a kilowatt hour. That is down 70% since 2010!

But, US solar power arrays are at an average of 6 cents a kilowatt hour. That is competitive with coal and gas, and you havent seen anything yet. Prices will come on down to 2 cents a kilowatt hour in only a few years.

India, a country of 1.2 billion people, has the seventh largest gross domestic product in the world (ahead of Italy and Brazil and just behind France).

India has gone from having 2.65 gigawatts of solar in 2014 to having 13 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2017.

Indias federal and many state governments strongly back solar, so that it is expected to take off during the next decade. India added 5.525 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2016-2017 alone.

And in Asia it isnt just India. China will add some 8-10 gigawatts of solar capacity to its present 80 gigawatts this year month.

A reader corrects:
About 20 percent of meerkats meet their end at the hands (and teeth) of other meerkats.

Watch a wildlife show on television, and you'll likely see at least one scene of an animal killing another, whether it's a brown bear catching salmon in its mouth or a cheetah running down an antelope. But the animal kingdom is rife with more than just interspecies struggles  many species regularly murder, or intentionally kill, their own kind.

Among insects and arachnids, for instance, sexual cannibalism  that is, a female eating a male before, during or after mating  occurs across a number of species, including the Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) and the black widow spider. And shark embryos are known to cannibalize littermateswhile still in the womb.

Of course, animal murder doesn't always involve eating.

Various types of fish, such as cichlids and bettas (Siamese fighting fish), are highly territorial as adults, and they attack, and sometimes kill, other fish placed into their domain.

And throughout the animal kingdom, battles for mates are common and can occasionally end in death. Some hummingbird species have even evolved potentially lethal dagger-tipped bills that males use to stab each otherduring their aerial battles. In some cases, it's not so much murder, but sexual competition, where an animal may accidently kill a potential mate. For example, a group of male Western toads may crowd on a femalein the water, inevitably drowning her.

Related: Can animals commit suicide?

If you really want to see evidence of murder, look no further than social mammals.

In 2016, researchers in Spain analyzed data from more than 4 million deaths across 1,024 mammal species, including humans. [8 Human-Like Behaviors of Primates]

Given that there were nearly 16,000 human murders in the United States alone in 2015, according to FBI data, and a plethora of motivations people have for committing murder  from jealousy, to squabbles about money, to hatred toward those who are different  it'd be easy to think that Homo sapiens sapiens would be the species most likely to kill its own kind.

But humans didn't even rank in the top 30, though other animals commonly thought to kill each other  wolves, lions and nonhuman primates, including various monkeys and lemurs  did.

The research also revealed that a number of seemingly peaceful species are surprisingly murderous. Long-tailed chinchillas, ground squirrels and several ungulate species  including wild horses, gazelle and deer  all ranked in the top 50.

The most murderous mammal species? Meerkats  around 20 percent of meerkats meet their end at the hands (and teeth) of other meerkats.

Overall, less than half of the species studied murder their own kind. And one mammal group stood out as particularly murderous: primates, which are eight times more likely to kill members of their own species than other types of mammals are to kill their own species.

However, the analysis has one major caveat: The circumstances of the murders are quite different between humans and the rest of the mammals.

That is, the majority of mammal murders involve infanticide, or the killing of babies. In meerkat society, for example, dominant females routinely kill the pups of the subordinate females in their group.

Humans are part of a small group of animals, which also includes wolves, lions and spotted hyenas, that routinely murder adults of their species. And among this small group, we stand out. As Harvard biological anthropologist Richard Wrangham told Live Science, when it comes to killing adults, "humans really are exceptional."

Follow Joseph Castroon Twitter. Follow us @livescience, Facebook& Google+. Originally published on Live Science.
A tope shark tagged by Juan Martin Cuevas is ready to be released after recovery in the water in Bahia San Blas MPA.

Juan Martin Cuevas is a marine conservationist with the Argentina program at WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society). Since late 2015, he has been working to develop and implement a conservation plan for sharks and rays in the Patagonian Sea. Cuevas contributed this article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

In the waters found off the southern part of the Buenos Aires province in Northern Patagonia may be one of the most popular shark-fishing spots in Argentina and possibly in all of South America.

Called Bahia San Blas, this spot is a baby-delivery room of sorts, serving as a major nursery for several shark species, including the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus), or cazon.

And while this 888-square-mile (2,300 square kilometers) stretch of sea is considered a marine-protected area, its remoteness leads to weak law enforcement and a significant loss of sharks to recreational fishing. This lack of true protection is particularly harmful to the topes  the focus of my conservation work.

Topes are medium in size and easy to handle, with a long, pointed and transparent snout. During the spring and summer, fishers gather these sharks by the thousands. Even so, few know that the species is endangered.

Due to their low reproduction rate  females give birth to about 20 pups every three years  it is illegal to kill tope sharks in Buenos Aires province waters. They have also been classified as Critically Endangered in the Southwest Atlantic since 2006 as Brazil and Uruguay saw an extreme population decline and the Argentine trawler fleet reduced its catch per unit effort (CPUE) by 80 percent after a peak of 610,000 individuals landed in 1984 for all commercial fleets. [On the Brink: A Gallery of Wild Sharks]

Tope conservation

My goal has been to engage fishing guides in a tagging program called Conservar Tiburones en Argentina(Conserving Sharks in Argentina) that involves most of the coast of thePatagonian Sea  a body of water teeming with threatened and endangered sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (also called ghost sharks, even though they aren't actual "sharks").

Juan Martin Cuevas testing a longline for sharks in Bahia San Blas MPA. (Image credit: Gustavo Chiaramonte)

For this project, 12 coastal shark fishing sites distributed between Faro Querandi and Puerto San Julian in southern Patagonia (representing fewer than 1,243 miles, or 2,000 km, of coastline), have been designed to encourage fishermen and the local community to protect coastal sharks. This includes the tope sharks; the critically endangered gray nurse shark (Carcharias taurus), or escalandrun; the copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus), or bacota; the broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus), or gatopardo; spiny dogfishes (Squalus acanthias); and hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna zygaena).

During the project, I helped to recruit 83 anglers, 25 fishing guides and participants in three shark tournaments to shift from catch-and-retain practices to catch, tag, and release (I am happy to report that many of of these folks remain involved in this work).

The program began as an initiative of the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP), created by a partnership between Birdlife International, Fauna & Flora International, and WCS to obtain data on threatened species. Since 2013, the project has tagged more than 450 sharks in the targeted coastal shark fishing sites.

Patagonia conservation

Shark conservation in the Patagonian Sea includes everything from preparing management plans to estimating population sizes of target species.

In 2016, I initiated just such a population study. We captured tope sharks in the San Blas protected areausing longline gear with barbless circular hooks baited with Brazilian menhaden, a forage fish. We measured each shark's length, determined their sex and attached dart tags to their dorsal fins. Three monitoring stations were established to repeat the tagging procedure during the springtime of the next three years to complete a tope count inside the marine-protected area. [In Photos: Patagonia's New Marine Parks]

I am also engaged in projects to identify priority habitats, increase shark awareness in local communities, and to engage key stakeholders as stewards in the design and implementation of a Tope Conservation Program.

Commercial fisheries

While we have been working with recreational fishermen, commercial fisheries are also essential to this conservation. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Argentina's catches of cartilaginous, or chondrichthyan, fishes (as opposed to bony fishes) are among the highest in the world. While the sharks, rays and skates that make up the majority of this fish class are not traditional targets, many species are hauled in incidentally in nets as bycatch or harmed unnecessarily during industrial and small-scale fishing activities.

There are 30 species of sharks and skates in the Patagonian Sea that are rated as "Threatened" on the Red List kept by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For instance, the regional school shark (Galeorhinus galeus) is Critically Endangered and the Argentine fishery for this commercially targeted species has collapsed.

Other seriously threatened cartilaginous fish off Patagonia include vulnerable angel sharks (Squatina occulta,S. guggenheim, andS. argentina) and endangered narrownose smoothhounds (Mustelus schmitti).

Despite strong evidence of shark species declines, management actions have been slow to implement. In 2013, the Federal Fisheries Council passed a resolution to reduce the mortality of chondrichthyans, making the practice of finning (the removal of shark fins for use in a popular Asian soup delicacy) illegal, requiring fishers to report incidental catches, and placing observers onboard boats to report any significant levels of incidental catches.

While such measures were necessary and overdue, they have not eliminated overfishing, nor have they ensured the future of these species. In Argentina and the Patagonian Sea, comprehensive research and sustained engagement and advocacy remain essential to improve the conservation of sharks, rays and their chondrichthyan cousins before we lose them for good.

Originally published on Live Science.
The Tops grocery store in Jordan will shut its doors next month.

The store at 9 Mechanic St. will be closing on or about Oct. 14. The market had moved into the spot about five years ago.

Kathy Romanowski, public and media relations specialist for the chain, said Friday the move was a business decision to consolidate the Jordan store and the Elbridge store. She said the Elbridge building  which is about two miles away from the Jordan store  is larger and more up to date than the closing location, which is less than 8,000 square feet, so it didn't make sense to keep operating both buildings.

She said all 15 of the store's employees were informed of the closure before it was publicly announced and that each has since agreed to work at neighboring stores in the area, including the Elbridge, Auburn, Skaneateles and Baldwinsville locations.

Jordan Mayor Richard Platten said he is disappointed by the decision, but he doesn't think the reverberations of the closure will be felt until a couple months after the fact. He wishes someone at Tops had reached out to him two years ago, for example, and said the location was struggling.

That way, Platten said, the village could have least set up a campaign to drum up more business. He said he would have done more had he known of issues earlier.

He said the absence will leave a sizable hole in the community. For example, he said he believes a great number of older people without transportation rely on the Jordan Tops for groceries. He said Elbridge's transportation program, Jordan-Elbridge Transportation, frequently takes people there for their grocery shopping.

Platten is a firm believer in buying locally, arguing that although people may believe they are saving more at "big box" stores, shoppers may be losing more money through the gas needed to get to those locations.

"I don't think people understand the value or the necessity of a local market," Platten said.

He said the village will be working shortly to get another business to take over that location. He said this is not the first time such a situation has happened, like when a branch of the Buffalo-based M&T Bank closed in Jordan several years ago, but a Lyons National Bank opened up a couple years later.

Julia Amodei, of Jordan, said Friday she was surprised when she first found out about the closure, especially since she frequently sees people in the store.

Amodei said she frequents the Jordan Tops, but will have to head to Elbridge or somewhere else now.

"They said they don't have enough business, but I don't see how that's true," Amodei said.
by Jess Nelson , September 15, 2017

Scotts Cheap Flights, a popular travel newsletter, first began with a $130 round-trip flight from New York City to Milan, Italy.

Soon word spread to friends and co-workers eager to be in the know the next time Scott Keyes discovered a travel deal like that.

I just started a free little email list instead of trying to remember everyone who asked to be updated, says Keyes. The furthest thing I thought at the time was that this would turn into a business. It was just the easiest route to convey this information.

Scotts Cheap Flights has since grown into a travel deal newsletter with more than 900,000 subscribers. The newsletter has two tiers: a premium and free list. One out of every three travel deals that Keyes finds goes to the free list, while the premium list receives every deal he finds 30 minutes earlier.

Open rates for the premium list average between 40% and 45%, while engagement for the free lists range from a still respectable 20% to 30%, according to Keyes.

advertisement advertisement

Email campaigns need to offer subscribers more than just a sales pitch in order to be successful. Scotts Cheap Flights does not have any affiliate links or kickbacks, although Keyes could easily make additional revenue that way.

Instead of putting money into ads, weve invested in human capital to create positive interactions and positive experiences, he says. Keyes also makes sure that every email subject line is contextual and precise. Unlike other places where headlines are provocatively written, we put the whole story in the headline, he says. Our incentive is to write headlines that give people all the information they need so they can tell right away if its right for them or not.

Being more vague, Keyes says, might initially lead to higher engagement rates, but would eventually lead to higher unsubscribes.

Keyes credits customer service and email with propelling Scotts Cheap Flights' fast growth.

Scotts Cheap Flights has a zero-dollar marketing budget, with resources instead being funneled into customer service. Some subscribers sign up for multiple travel alerts, so they receive multiple emails a day. This high email volume could easily label Keyes as a spammer, so he turned to marketing automation company ActiveCampaign in early 2016 when he reached 100,000 subscribers. He is now closer to one million.

Our volume of email send is very high," says Keyes. On a given day were sending out at least 700,000 emails, if not more.

Using ActiveCampaign's marketing automation and tagging capabilities, email subscribers are tagged with attributes, such as whether or not they are paid subscribers, immediately upon signing up for Scotts Cheap Flights. This helps Keyes automate his email sends to the correct recipients.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, September 15, 2017

Google has launched an ad program the company calls Advantage to help companies strengthen their digital advertising strategies.

The program, which launched a few months ago, is currently rolling out across the U.S., according to a Google spokesperson.

Today, Google is working with a few hundred businesses. Each are invited to work with Google for 90 days to build their digital advertising strategy.

The idea is to provide a proof of concept within three months with Google's advertising platforms, from search to display and video, according to one participant, who said the team meets with them weekly to review strategy.

The Advantage team helps advertisers design, launch and optimize their first Google Ads campaign based on business objectives and audience insights. The company invites specific businesses that will benefit the most.

Typically, Google will work with high growth and established businesses interested in furthering their digital advertising strategies, but the nearly two-month startup AdWallet qualified to be part of the program. Google has been working with the company for the past month in preparation to launch their first advertising campaign, according to the spokesperson.
Several members of the Egyptian Parliament have called on the speaker to launch an investigation into claims by some citizens that they bought from some deputies annual Hajj visas offered to the Egyptian parliament by Saudi Arabia few months ago.

The North African country is rocked by scandals after owners of some travel agencies organizing Hajj trips publicly claimed that they bought visas from lawmakers.

Emad Al Deen Hussain, owner of one travel agency reportedly told a television station he bought Hajj visas from four lawmakers. Hussain underlined that he has documents that confirm this incident and is ready to present the documents to the prosecution and the parliament in the event of a probe.

Hussain told the local media that he bought each visa for around $2,800.

Other agencies claim they got similar visas for $5,380.

Saudi Arabia this year offered around 1,800 visas to the MPs following approval by lawmakers in June of the secret deal between Egypt and Saudi Arabia over the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir islands to Riyadh. The deal was struck in April 2016.

If shared equally, each lawmaker was to receive 3 visas.

Pro-regime lawmaker Mustafa Bakri urged the parliament speaker to launch a probe into the alleged scam.

In view of the seriousness of this information and its impact on the reputation of the parliament, I request the head of the parliament to open an urgent probe, Bakri said in a statement.

The assembly is one of state institutions engaged in fighting corruption and issuing legislation. There must be a strong stance as this case represents a serious form of corruption, Bakri said.

Several other MPs have joined the call for investigation.

This is unethical. The whole truth should be disclosed, MP Atef Abdul Jawad said.

Either we monitor and expose corruption or there are among us some who are not qualified for this patriotic mission, he added.

In 2005, the parliament under Hosni Mubarak suspended and expelled one lawmaker after he sold Hajj visa offered to him for free, online Zawya reports.
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The ears are important organs. They interpret sound waves for hearing and also help maintain balance in the body. The ears have a canal that allows for the influx of sound waves and the outflow of earwax. Unfortunately, there are times when the ears can become clogged due to factors both outside and inside the ear. Clogged ears can affect a persons hearing and sense of balance, as well as cause pain and discomfort. This article looks at the various causes of clogged ears, some home remedies for the condition, and when to see a doctor.

Causes Some of the more common causes of blocked and clogged ears include: Barotrauma of the ear Also known as airplane ear, this condition occurs when the ear cannot properly pressurize due to the changing air pressure on an airplane. Ear infection Share on Pinterest An ear infection may lead to an increase of fluid production, which may cause the ear to become clogged. Also known as otitis media, an ear infection occurs when fluid builds up in the ear and a virus or bacteria start to multiply in the fluid. This causes pain and the sensation of clogged ears. People often experience an ear infection after they have a cold or some other kind of illness that results in increased mucus production in the head. The extra fluid and mucus can impact the ears and contribute to ear infections. Earwax impaction Excess earwax production can cause a buildup of wax that can block the ear canal, creating a sensation of clogged ears. Wearing hearing aids can lead to earwax impaction because the earwax cannot escape, as easily, due to the placement of the hearing aids. Foreign object in the ear Sometimes, small devices a person may use in an attempt to clean their ears, such as cotton swabs, can become lodged in the ear canal. Children may also stick small items in one of their ears, resulting in a clogging sensation. Swimmers ear This condition occurs when a persons ear is exposed to water, and water becomes trapped in the ear, causing an infection. Although swimmers most commonly experience this condition, it is possible to get swimmers ear from the shower or other moist environments.

Tips As a general rule, it is important to use only minimally invasive at-home treatments for clogged ears. Here are eight tips for unclogging the ears, depending on the cause of the clogging. Excess earwax The ears naturally produce earwax. The natural motions of the body, such as chewing and speaking, will usually help guide earwax out of the ear canal. Sometimes a person produces excess earwax. When this is the case, some at-home treatments include: 1. Softening the wax Earwax can be too hard and packed to leave the ear canal naturally. When this happens, a few drops of certain liquids, such as baby oil, glycerin, or mineral oil, can help. Putting 2-3 drops in the ear may help soften the wax so it can escape more easily. 2. Ear syringing Ear syringing can follow softening the wax. A person can purchase a syringing kit at their local drugstore or see their doctor. About 15 to 30 minutes after putting in drops to soften the earwax, a person can use the syringing kit to introduce water into the ear. The water should be room temperature to avoid dizziness. A person should never try ear syringing if they have a hole in their eardrum or have ear tubes, which could introduce water deeper into the ear canal. Airplane ear If the ears become clogged or painful due to airplane pressure changes, the following steps may help: 3. Valsalva maneuver This maneuver can help readjust the pressure in the ears. To perform the maneuver, a person should take in a deep breath, pinch the nostrils shut, close their mouth, and try to exhale against the pinched nostrils. The breath does not have to be overly forceful for this technique to work. 4. Passive techniques Share on Pinterest Yawning may help to open up tubes in the ear and ease the symptoms of clogging. These techniques can passively help open the eustachian tubes that are in the ear and reduce feelings of fullness or clogging. Examples of passive techniques include: drinking water

chewing gum

yawning

swallowing frequently 5. Earplugs Some earplugs are marketed toward those who experience airplane ear. These devices have special filters that are designed to promote airflow and equalize pressure in the ears. While there is no significant scientific evidence showing that they are effective, anecdotal reports suggest that these earplugs can work. 6. Decongestants Taking a decongestant before flying may help reduce swelling of the mucous membranes that can place further pressure on the ears. The University of California, Berkeley recommend taking an oral decongestant an hour before departure and another dose an hour before the planes descent for an extended flight. An airplanes descent is the most common time for ear pressure difficulties. If you want to buy decongestants, then there is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews. Swimmers ear Keeping the ear clean and dry can help reduce the clogged feeling that occurs with swimmers ear, an infection of the ear canal. An individual can use a number of preparations to dry the eardrum and prevent infection. Examples include: 7. Rubbing alcohol or alcohol and vinegar A few drops of rubbing alcohol or a mixture of one part vinegar and one part alcohol can help dry out the ears. 8. Commercial preparations Many drugstores sell packaged ear drops that are designed to remove water from the ears. If someone has a hole in their eardrum, they should not use ear drops. In addition to these tips, a person can use a hair dryer or dry the ears gently with a towel after exposure to water to keep the ear dry. Wearing earplugs while swimming or bathing can also help reduce the risk of water entering deep into the ear canal.

Safety Some common tools marketed toward earwax removal and unclogging ears may be unsafe and even have the potential to cause hearing loss. One example is ear candling. This process uses an ear candle, a hollow candle that is inserted into the ear. A person lights the exposed end of the candle and the suction created pulls out earwax. However, people have been injured and burned using ear candles. As a result, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery do not condone the use of ear candles. Items such as cotton swabs and bobby pins should not be used to clean the ears. These tools can push earwax further into the ear and introduce new bacteria, dust, or dirt. A greater risk of using these items is that they may cause cuts to the ear canal that can become infected, or damage the eardrum or the bones of the middle ear.

When to see a doctor Share on Pinterest It is possible to cause more harm when attempting to unclog ears at home. If the ears do not unclog easily, professional medical advice is needed. The different causes of clogged ears require different treatments. In many instances, it is best to see a physician to unclog the ears. Sometimes a person can unintentionally cause further harm and damage with at-home methods. If clogged ears do not resolve easily at home, a person should see their doctor, particularly if they have any of the following symptoms: a fever greater than 101F in an adult

moderate to severe ear pain

ear pain that is worsening

drainage from the ear that is bloody or filled with pus

changes in hearing

severe dizziness that does not get better A doctor will likely ask about the following: the ear symptoms a person has experienced

any at-home treatments performed

what makes the symptoms worse or better The doctor will examine the ear using a special tool called an otoscope. This device is designed for insertion into the ear to help the doctor view the eardrum just inside the ear canal. If the ear is infected, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to reduce the bacteria inside the ear.
Many mothers-to-be drink alcohol while expecting. There is little robust scientific evidence linking the occasional drink to health problems in children, but is one glass really safe? Share on Pinterest Many pregnant women wonder if light drinking during pregnancy is safe. As I near the halfway point of my second pregnancy, a new study  led by Loubaba Mamluk, a senior research associate in epidemiology at University Hospital Bristol in the United Kingdom  addressed this very question. The findings of that study are published this week in the journal BMJ Open. In a meta-analysis of previous studies, Mamluk and her colleagues looked at the risk of light drinking during pregnancy on birth complications and the babys health. As Mamluk explained to me, Women often ask about safe levels of drinking during pregnancy  but one glass is OK, isnt it? The distinction between light drinking and abstinence is indeed the point of most tension and confusion for health professionals and pregnant women, and public health guidance varies worldwide, she added. The research team found an 8 percent increase in the risk of having a small baby and a 10 percent increase in the risk of preterm delivery in women who drank around two alcoholic drinks per week. But there were no statistically significant effects on other factors, such as the babys long-term health. However, a lack of evidence does not necessarily mean that moderate drinking is safe. To help lift the fog of confusion around this issue, I delved deeper. Here is what I found.

Alcohol damages cells Most people are familiar with the concept that excessive alcohol consumption is bad for our health. But what does alcohol actually do? I am reminded of the destructive effects of alcohol from my early days as a Ph.D. student. As part of a routine experiment, I sterilized small glass slides  which I later planned to add cells to  so I could look at them under the microscope. After soaking the slides in a 70 percent alcohol solution for 15 minutes, I promptly removed the liquid  or so I had thought. Unbeknownst to me, a small amount was left in the petri dish. I then made the critical mistake of adding the cells straight away, exposing them to the leftover alcohol. The next day, widespread death awaited me. Similar to the way in which the cells in my experiment were bathed in alcohol, in a pregnant mother, alcohol can readily cross the placenta from the blood to the growing baby. But the developing fetus cannot break down alcohol as quickly as a fully grown adult can. This means that while we may have cleared the alcohol from our system, the baby remains exposed to it for much longer. Longer exposure means more time for alcohol to wreak havoc and kill cells.

Heavy drinking causes damage When pregnant women drink heavily and regularly, it can cause a range of life-long issues affecting between 1 and 2 percent of children. This is called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) define heavy drinking as three or more drinks per occasion or more than seven drinks per week. FASD can affect children in many different ways. This is partly due to the fact that the speed with which alcohol is broken down varies from mother to mother, and the fact that alcohol exposure at different stages of pregnancy affects the developing baby differently. The symptoms of FASD vary but can include an abnormal-looking face, poor learning and memory, hyperactivity, and difficulty in social situations. While there is plenty of evidence linking heaving drinking to FASD, most pregnant women who do consume alcohol class themselves as low to moderate drinkers.

Who drinks how much, and where? In the United States, 40 percent of pregnant mothers consume alcohol, of which between 3 and 5 percent report heavy drinking. Looking across the globe, Irish women drink the most while pregnant (60 percent), closely followed by expectant mothers in Belarus (47 percent), Denmark (46 percent), and the U.K. (41 percent). The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism define one standard drink as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirit, such as vodka. One such drink contains around 14 grams of pure alcohol. But these alcohol units are not the same in every country. In the U.K., for example, one standard alcoholic drink contains 8 grams of alcohol. While this may not be important for mothers who spend most of their time in a single country, it is a nightmare for scientists. It makes it very difficult to compare studies on alcohol consumption conducted in different countries. Undeterred, Mamluk and her colleagues collated the data from 26 high-quality international studies and used statistics to identify the overall risk associated with light alcohol consumption  which is around two standard U.S. drinks or four standard U.K. drinks per week.

New systematic review of evidence The team looked at a range of possible complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, stillbirth, gestational diabetes, and birth defects, as well as signs of FASD after birth. But they only found significant associations with an increased risk of small birth weight (8 percent) and preterm delivery (10 percent). Mamluk explained to me that the lack of good-quality studies shows how difficult it is to design meaningful research into the effects of alcohol during pregnancy. It also illustrates, she added, the failure of researchers so far to focus on light drinking versus no drinking, rather than just on moderate and heavy drinking  a question many expectant mums and healthcare providers care about. Commenting on the research, Prof. David Garry  who is the director of maternal fetal medicine at Stony Brook Medicine in New York  told me, This type of research is extremely difficult to perform. It is unethical to attempt to have a group of women intentionally drink, so researchers have limited approaches to study alcohol effects. We hope that this most up-to-date evidence will help empower women to make an informed decision about drinking during pregnancy. Loubaba Mamluk She continued, saying, We emphasize that the evidence we have analyzed refers to light drinking, that the effects we have found are small, and that overall there is still some uncertainty, for example on how light drinking in pregnancy affects other aspects of the babys health. For Prof. Garry, who is a FASD Prevention Champion for the ACOG, total abstinence is the safest option. It is clear that there is an association with alcohol consumption during pregnancy and [FASD], he explained. It is also clear that harm from fetal alcohol exposure during pregnancy is completely avoided by not drinking during pregnancy.

Confusion can lead to stress When I asked what advice Prof. Garry gives to his patients, he said, I explain to potential pregnant women that drinking alcohol during pregnancy, including early pregnancy, can be harmful to their baby. If you think you are pregnant you should not drink, he added. Women who are trying to become pregnant may not know if they are pregnant until several weeks after conception. You may wish to make a healthy choice and avoid drinking. But with nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. being unplanned , many of these women drink alcohol before they are aware that they are pregnant. Once they do know, feelings of stress and guilt are not uncommon. From Prof. Garrys point of view, a [] woman might miss her period but continue drinking with friends without considering she may be pregnant. But in his experience, many women assess their lifestyle and make changes including: stop smoking, avoid soda, take vitamins, and avoid alcohol. His message? Avoiding alcohol can be considered one of the most healthy changes for a pregnant woman. No woman desires to harm their child. Using family and friends for support and positive reinforcement can help to reduce stress and avoid the harms of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy.
The Pirates have outrighted right-hander Drew Hutchison from the 40-man roster, as John Dreker of Pirates Prospects first reported. Hutchison has already cleared waivers.

Hutchison earned $2.3MM this year and would be eligible for arbitration for two more campaigns. But he never made it up to the majors in 2017 and clearly was destined for a non-tender. Hutchison is now slated to qualify as a minor-league free agent at the end of the year, as Dreker notes.

Though it was largely inevitable  in substance, if not in timing or process  the move isnt likely to be terribly well-received by Pirates fans. Many of the Pittsburgh faithful have already been incensed by the teams decision to allow reliever Juan Nicasio to depart via outright waivers, a move that ultimately saw him end up closing games for the division-rival Cardinals as they seek to make a postseason run.

Hutchison has been a target of some ire ever since he was acquired in a controversial deal at last years trade deadline. That late-breaking swap sent two prospects  Harold Ramirez and Reese McGuire  to the Blue Jays along with the expensive contract of Francisco Liriano. While the Bucs insisted they had real interest in adding Hutchison, there was clearly a financial motivation at play as well.

It doesnt help, of course, that Hutchison has not contributed since arriving in Pittsburgh. Once a highly regarded young starter, he faltered in Toronto evidently hasnt shown enough since finding his way to an organization oft lauded for its pitching turnarounds. Hutchison appeared briefly in the majors last year but hasnt appeared for the Pirates in 2017, despite occupying a 40-man spot and earning his arb salary all year long. He does own a 3.56 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 through 159 1/3 Triple-A frames, but clearly the Bucs were not confident that hed carry that into the majors.
It seems Blakk Rasta is still bent on having the lawmakers of Ghana legalizing marijuana and not even his blush with a parliamentary committee some two years ago would deter him.

In 2005, he was hurled before the privileges committee of the parliament to explain why he said about 80% of parliamentarians smoke marijuana.

With the foregoing, the multiple award winning Reggae cum radio personality; Blakk Rasta has again released a song advocating for the legalization of marijuana wee in Ghana titled Kofi Annan Says

Crooned in the English language; Kofi Annan Says' pinpoints how former UN boss, Kofi Annan has added his voice to the call for marijuana and other related drugs to be legalized.

The Barack Obama hit maker also nicknamed Kofi Annan the Ganja Secretary General and labelled parliamentarians as unwise for failing to decriminalize marijuana in Ghana.

Razzonline.com asserts that, Black Rasta is likely to spark another public uproar with Kofi Annan Says' which may result in he being arrested or invited again by the privileges committee of parliament considering the lyrical content.

Kofi Annan Says is set to hit the various radio stations from Saturday.

Listen to Kofi Annan Says in the audio below!

https://soundcloud.com/user-168295290-700846614/blakk-rasta-kofi-annan-says

https://soundcloud.com/user-168295290-700846614/blakk-rasta-kofi-annan-says
Ghanas young and budding playwright, Kobina Ansah, has stated that the main canker eating up the Ghana movie industry is lack of creativity.

The young playwright who has always had a means of getting the attention of his readers and audience with his unconventional titles, has revealed that most script writers movie producers are not creative enough hence the ailing industry.

It would be recalled that after popular actress Yvonne Nelsons recently attacked her colleagues via social media for according to her their being obsessed with only slaying on the red carpet while the movie industry is dying.

She consequently announced her intentions to start a campaign to save the industry by forming a coalition of industry persons to present a petition to the government.

However, Kobina Ansah believes Yvonnes campaign will come to nought for lack of creativity in the industry.

Speaking in an interview with Nana Adwoa Annan; host of E-news on Accra-based Atinka TV, he said:

It all comes down to creativity. One thing I have noticed is that Most of our movie producers and script writers are not creative enoughthey always copy from foreign movies. Most of our movies dont have deep contents. All you see are insults.

He added Some of the producers from Kumawood, especially, dont have the expertise. They dont really have the wholesome knowledge of what they are doing. They just put things together and within two days theyve shot a movie which is bad, because everything done in the rush doesnt come out good. It must not be about the quantity but quality.

Kobina Ansah is credited with plays such as I Want To Sue God, 'This Family Is Not For Sale and My wife in-law.

His fifth play, Tribeless will be staged today, Saturday September 16, 2017 at the drama studio in Legon, UG.
16.09.2017 LISTEN

All is set for the 2017 Ghana Music Awards - UK, tonight September 16.

The event is taking place at the Splash Gaumont Palace (formally Dominion Centre) in Wood Green, London N22 6DS.

The Ghana Musci Awards UK is one of the biggest events which is being organised to reward and celebrate hardworking Ghanaian musicians across the world .

This years event is the second edition, and is expected to draw a large number of music lovers according to the organisers, Alordia Promotions.

Ghanaian Entrepreneur Confidence Haugen will host the event.
15.09.2017 LISTEN

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has described as harsh, the decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to sack two school heads over extortion.

The government has dismissed head teachers of two secondary schools in the country over extortion in the ongoing admissions under the free SHS policy.

The sacked headmasters are Wisdom Blazu of the Pentecost SHS in the Eastern Region and Assistant headmaster of Daffour Senior High School Rev S.P Eleworkor. They are to be re-posted outside their respective schools back to the classroom to teach.

They were relieved from their post in a statement issued by the Ghana Education Service Thursday.

The statement further said a total of seven other school administrators have been interdicted.

All 11 were slapped with sanctions by the GES Council after they were found to have charged unapproved fees in the wake of the implementation of the free SHS by the government.

But reacting to the development, the General Secretary of GNAT, David Ofori Acheampong said the action by GES Council was taken in a rush.

According to him, the affected head teachers could have been given a softer punishment instead of just dismissing them which he believes could dent the image of the Service.

I think GES really rushed in taking such harsh decision. In cases like this, the best they could have done is hand them a softer punishment and if in the process they are found guilty, then harder punishment can follow else you cant sack them just because of a mere allegation, he told Accra-based Neat FM, Friday.

Mr. Ofori Acheampong further called on the government to immediately take a second look at the decision and allow the head teachers to go back to work.

Background

Over 400,000 graduates from various Junior High Schools from across the country have been earmarked to benefit from the flagship programme which was a major campaign message of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)

It is estimated to cost the government about $100 million out of which 25% has already been paid into the account of the implementing schools with a promise by the Education Ministry to address the challenges associated with it.
A parent seeking a admission for his ward at the Accra Girls Senior High School has been denied because she had dreadlocks.

According to the father, his daughter is a Rastafarian and it is against their religion to cut off the locks.

The distraught father, name withheld, said efforts to explain issues to school authorities proved futile.

He is convinced their decision to deny his daughter admission is borne out of ignorance.

I tried to see the headmistress. She was locked in her office. We want to see her to clarify things. We are Rastafarians as such our kids need to be educated...I don't see why she won't be able to keep her locks  the worried father told Adom FM.

He believes Rastafarians in Ghana are being disregarded and disrespected and as such called on the government to intervene.

Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Mr Samuel Gyebi Yeboah has urged head teachers at various Senior high Schools to offer Rastafarian students' admission.

He also advised parents whose wards are being denied admission to forward their concerns to the Ghana Education Service for immediate action to be taken.
Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited, Kenneth Ashigbey has resigned from the state-owned organisation.

Mr. Ashigbey communicated his resignation to the Board, Thursday, September 14, 2017, and later informed the staff through an internal memo.

I have followed your concern about the rumours of my resignation. Such a concern is legitimate because I owe you a duty to inform you that if I have resigned, and I admit that you should be the first to know. I am sorry for leaving you in suspense this whileThe truth is that, I have tendered my resignation to my employer, the NMC. However, they are yet to respond to my letter. This is the reason why I have not officially informed you of my decision. I believe courtesy demands that I receive the feedback before I announce it. I am still awaiting that response and I will inform you accordingly, the memo stated.

Myjoyonline.com has learnt, Mr. Ashigbey is leaving the GGL after six years of providing leadership to take up a new appointment as the Chief Executive Officer at the Telecoms Chamber replacing Kwaku Sakyi-Addo who now heads the National Communications Authority as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

About Ken Ashigbey

Mr. Ashigbey joined GCGL in November 1, 2011.

Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, an engineer and communications expert, is a product of St Augustines College, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, where he graduated in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and holds a Masters in Business Administration.

He was a General Manager at Joy FM from 2003 to 2006, Managing Director of Optimum Media Prime (OMP), Accra from 2007 to 2010, and was formerly the Chief Operating Officer of Multimedia Group Limited (MULTI TV).

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Jerry Tsatro Mordy | Email: [email protected], Twitter: @jerrymordy
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo leaves Accra tonight, Friday, September 15, 2017, with Ghana's delegation to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Whilst there, the President, as co-Chair of the Advocacy Group of Eminent Persons for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will participate in a series of SDGs events, and also deliver a speech on the theme Africa Beyond Aid, at the 5th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development, at the Earth Institute, Columbia University.

President Akufo-Addo will also hold bilateral talks with some colleague Heads of State, as well as with some CEOs of important global enterprises. At an event organised by the Africa-America Institute, on 19th September, the President will receive the National Achievement Award on behalf of the people of Ghana.

On Thursday, 21st September, President Akufo-Addo will deliver his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, and hold a meeting with UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, on Friday, 22nd September.

He will be accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, MP; Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta; Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba; Deputy Minister for Energy, Mohammed Amin Adam; and officials from the Presidency.

President Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on Sunday, 24th September, 2017.

-Starrfmonline
The British Labour Party has refused to invite Saudi Arabia and Sudan to attend its season conference to take place end of this month.

The party and its leader Jeremy Corbyn have criticized Prime Minister Theresa May and her cabinet for selling arms to Saudi Arabia. The party claims that the arms are being used in Yemen where Saudi Arabia leads a coalition of Arab countries against Houthi rebels.

More than 10,000 people have died in the conflict which erupted in 2015.

We are selling arms to Saudi Arabia and at the same time we are sending aid in, we should not be doing both, Corbyn said in a recent interview with the BBC.

Some documents obtained by The Guardian note that since 2011, Saudi Arabia paid London more than $1.6m for 815 days training for leadership and security trainings.

Sudan has been blocked to attend the event over the international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Sudanese leader Omar Beshir since 2008.

Beshir is accused of war crimes over the death and the persecution of ethnic groups in Sudans Darfur province between 2003 and 2008.

In solidarity with the two Arab states, the Arab League as a whole said it would not attend the event during which the party is expected to lay out its international agenda, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reports.

Our council has decided to refrain from attending the Labour party conference this year due to rejection of both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Sudans application to attend the conference, the Arab League states in a written letter.
Former Lands and Natural Resources Minister under the John Mahama administration has given a thumb of approval to the setting up of the office of the special prosecutor.

Inusah Fuseini said the office is a democratic necessity which was campaigned mantra by the Akufo-Addo administration, endorsed by the people of Ghana and must be established.

He was speaking on the special edition of Joy FMs Ghana Connect programme which was aired simultaneously on MultiTV and radio, Friday evening.

The programme which coincided with the International Democracy Day was under the theme: Is the office of the Special Prosecutor a democratic necessity or a needless duplication.

The Special Prosecutors Office is a campaign promise by then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo to extricate corruption prosecution from any political consideration.

Anytime former government officials are held accountable at the law court, there is a general perception or allegation of witch hunt against the Attorney General.

Candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2016 elections said if he won, an independent prosecutor will be appointed to handle all prosecutions to avoid any form of political interference.

Having won the elections there have been a huge debate about the constitutionality as well as necessity of the office.

A first attempt to have a bill passed in Parliament to set up the office has been scuttled after the Minority raised procedural issues.

The bill was finally withdrawn for comprehensive consultation and will be returned to Parliament for consideration and approval.

There have been a two day consultative programme by Parliaments Legal and Constitutional Committee which saw stakeholders including anti-corruption institutions share their opinion on the details of the Bill.

The Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu questioned the independence of the office, especially when the appointee will be taking orders from the Attorney General.

On Ghana Connect the views on the setting up of the office were varied.

Inusah Fuseini said for a government that is bent on fighting corruption, a Special Prosecutors Office is significant especially when it was voted for by the people of Ghana.

He said whether or not it will be needless duplication will depend on the appointee and how he or she will go about carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the office.

On the issue of independence of the special prosecutor, Ben Abdulla Bandah MP for Offinso South said the integrity and courage of the appointee is more important in determining the independence of the appointee than the process of appointment.

He would rather a more courageous person is appointed than haggling over the process of appointment.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
Chairperson of Parliaments Constitutional Committee has argued that the creation of the office of a Special Prosecutor is not a duplication of the role of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

Ben Abdallah said apart from the fact that it is a democratic necessity and the fact that it is a political promise which has to be redeemed, the creation of the office will control powerful people from influencing the process of prosecution.

He said it will be difficult for the Attorney General to prosecute people who are members of Cabinet and those who are close to power and so a special prosecutor will take care of those prosecutions as is done in other Western countries.

Speaking on the special edition of Joy FMs Ghana Connect programme Friday, Ben Abdallah said the rationale is to make corruption prosecutions more independent.

He was contributing to the discussion which also marked the International Democracy Day on the topic: Is the office of the Special Prosecutor a democratic necessity or a needless duplication.

There has been a lot of discussion on the creation of the office since the 1992 Constitution only acknowledges the AGs office as having the power of prosecution.

Critics have said the creation of the office will be unconstitutional because the Attorney General cannot cede her power of prosecution to another agency. Others have also supported the creation of the office through the passage of a Bill in Parliament, something the government is doing at the moment.

Speaking in support of the creation of such an office to deal with corruption and its related matters, Mr Abdallah said it is in tandem with the UN convention against corruption.

It is a global problem that every country day in and day out across the world is currently dealing with. It is not a situation exclusive to Ghana. I think we are learning from established democracies, he said citing instances in the Philippines and South Korea.

Contributing to the discussion, Former Lands Minister said once the President Nana Akufo-Addo won the election, it is an indirect endorsement for the creation of the office.

Inusah Fusseini said once Ghanaians voted massively for him, they would expect that he goes ahead to implement that.

He said it is needless to still go ahead and debate about the relevance of creating the office when the discussion has moved on from there.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline | Abubakar Ibrahim | [email protected]
A document proposing a settlement in the case challenging the legitimacy of the Governing Council of the University of Education, Winneba, is fake, according to the MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin, the lawyer for the plaintiff, was purported to have authored the document, which proposed that the Vice Chancellor of the University be permanently relieved of his post as part of a possible settlement offer.

The settlement offer also proposed that the Finance Officer of the university be relieved of his duty and a new officer appointed in addition to the University reserving a 20% quota for the appointment of Lecturers and staff at all levels of the University to natives of Winneba.

But in a Citi News interview, the MP clarified that the document was fake, surmising further that, it is a strategy being employed by some individuals who want to muddy the waters.

He noted that a meeting was proposed between lawyers of both sides of the litigation, who agreed to meet to explore a possible settlement.

But he said nothing has happened Not even a draft document has been sent or exchanged.

The UTAG local union had an election, with all its questionable characteristics and I am sure that somebody threw in this to achieve a certain purpose. It [the propsoed settlement] is fake. It couldn't have been the case, Mr. Afenyo-Markin added.

The plaintiff in the litigation in question, Supi Kofi Kwayera, held that the University's Council's mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new Governing Council for the university, and rather allowed and permitted the defunct Governing Council which had no mandate whatsoever to continue the functions of a properly constituted Governing Council as if same had been properly constituted.

A court ruling in July 2017 thus directed the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), to step aside temporarily.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The incoming President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu, believes the Ghana Education Services sanctioning of head teachers for allegedly charging illegal fees under the Free SHS policy, was inconsiderate looking at the infrastructure constraints in those schools.

All the heads that have been found to be guilty came from schools with serious challenges with infrastructure and situations obstructive to teaching and learning, Mr. Karbonu noted on Eyewitness News.

Two head teachers were demoted, and seven others interdicted after they were invited for questioning by the GES on Thursday, to respond to allegations that they were requesting parents and guardians to pay fees already absorbed by the government under its free SHS policy.

Mr. Carbonu noted that, for some of these situations, like the case of La PRESEC, whose head teacher was charging fees for furniture the school needed, judgment calls were made because the schools were left with no choice but to solicit for help from parents.

Now what do you think a very prudent head will do in this situation That headmaster looks at the situation and immediately, the only thing he can do is resort to the beneficiaries of that facility, that is the parents.

In his estimation, Mr. Carbonu said a majority of parents willingly pay these additional fees, but the minority make complaints that are given a mileage by the media.

External support needed

When it comes down to it for Mr. Carbonu, schools in Ghana ultimately need support from the likes of parents to sustain appreciable standards.

He noted that, the top class schools excel because a group of people have put themselves there to make donations to the school; either old students, benefactors of the school or parents.

As an example, he added that: the parents of students in Wesely Girls [Senior High School] contribute enormously to what that school is today. That is why everybody wants to go to Wesely Girls.

The need for furniture at La PRESEC compelled the head to ask for extra fees

This support becomes necessary because the schools have to contend with unforeseen expenditures, alongside the infrastructure deficits, which the government may not be covering in the free SHS policy, Mr. Carbonu said.

These issues are compounded by the fact that schools are still contending with arrears for the last academic year.

Some of the heads were even cautioned that if monies come for the Free SHS, you cannot use it to pay arrears because they have arrears waiting for them; huge ones and local contractors are after them, according to Mr. Cabornu.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.om/Ghana
Accra, Sept.13 GNA - The Economic and Organised Crime Organisation (EOCO) has stated that it intends to collaborate with the Office of the Special Prosecutor to carry out its mandate.

According to EOCO, the setting up of the Office of the Special Prosecutor would rather complement their effort in the fight against corruption.

Mr Edward Cudjoe, a Legal Officer at EOCO, said this at a Stakeholders Conference on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Accra.

The conference, which was organised by the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, was to solicit the views and inputs of various stakeholders including civil society organisations (CSOs), anti-corruption organisations, and the Auditor-General's Department on the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill to be put before Parliament.

Mr Cudjoe dispelled public perception that the Office would render the work of EOCO redundant saying it would rather enhance it.

He said setting up of the OSP did not affect the mandate of EOCO to investigative bribery and corruption issues as well as organised and economic crimes in the country.

He explained that though, over the years, EOCO had not received the necessary funding for its activities, it would be better for government to resource it to build capacity in terms manpower and technology to discharge its mandate.

Mr Cudjoe said so far as EOCO was concerned if the new Bill was able to distinguish between the role of OSP in terms of dealing with grand corruption among public exposed persons and that of EOCO's mandate there would not be any duplication of functions.

He stressed the need for the formation of a task force among the various investigative bodies to ensure better coordination in their activities.

He said over the last two years funding to most investigative bodies had been a problem and, as such, affected their activities in terms of capacity for staff and operations across the country.

Mr Cudjoe said fighting corruption required a lot of resources including paying informants and others to feed EOCO with information to be able to carry out its duties.

Mr Richard Quayson, the Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, hailed the setting up of the OSP, which would complement the work of existing investigative bodies to fight corruption.

He, however, cautioned against government channelling all the funding to the OSP to the neglect of existing investigative bodies.

GNA
Accra, Sept 14, GNA - Mrs Freda Prempeh, Deputy Minister in charge of Works and Housing has reiterated government desire to revive the Public Works Department (PWD) and make it a more efficient and vibrant entity.

Mrs Prempeh said the PWD premises has about 36 plots of land lying idle, and that government in collaboration with stakeholders in tends to develop the place and put up more than 10,000 units of high rise building to ease accommodation deficits in the country.

Mrs Prempeh, who is the Member of Parliament for Tano North said this when she paid a working visit to the Rent Control Department and the PWD which falls under the Ministry to abreast herself with their operations.

The Deputy Minister expressed worry about the deplorable state of the department, saying the area was housed by squatters, drug addicts, broken vehicles which had created undue congestion in the vicinity.

'The PWD had in the past, used to be vibrant but now has dwindled due to decentralisation where some of the staff had been transferred to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and the Regional Coordinating Councils,' she added.

The department had a staff strength of 80 to 85, which the Deputy Minister said in her opinion were under-utilised since some were there doing nothing but received salary.

'All the buildings are not in good shape, if care is not taken, all the buildings can fall on people and cause more harm. It was for this that government needs to restructure the place and make it more productive'.

She said the Ministry would engage stakeholders in the sector to develop the place into a commercial enterprise because the area was a prime land area, which could be utilised through expansion and create job opportunities.

Mrs Prempeh noted that the Ministry was reviewing the Rent Act, Act 220 to meet current challenges in the country, since it was promulgated in 1963 and that the Ministry would soon present a bill to cabinet for stakeholder engagement for it to be passed into law.

She said government would work towards the establishment of a National Housing Fund and subsequently a National Housing Authority to make a strong case for the use of local materials for building.

The country's housing deficit currently stands at 1.7 million, a situation that leaves tenants at the mercy of landlords and creates lot of pressure on the Rent Control Unit which mediates between landlords and tenants.

The Ghana News Agency observed that the Department which housed the State Protocol Works and Presidential Daze is in a deplorable state with leaked ceiling coupled with poor sanitation.

The PWD was established in 1850 charged with the responsibility of supervising the construction and maintenance of all government bungalows, office blocks and other landed properties.

GNA

By Kodjo Adams, GNA
Kumasi, Sept 14, GNA - Financial institutions have been encouraged to take advantage of the enormous opportunities offered by modern technology to achieve efficiency and optimal returns.

Mr. Edward Aikins, Head of Vodafone Ghana's Enterprise Products and Propositions, said this was vital if they were to stay competitive and remain relevant in today's digital world.

He was addressing a forum held by the Micro-Credit Association (MCAG) in Kumasi.

'Digital finance: the future of Brick and Mortar institutions in the era of technology. The smart ways to survive in a digital world' was the topic chosen for discussion.

Mr. Aikins reminded the institutions of the increasing sophistication and appetite for the use of technology by the people and said it could not continue to be business as usual.

'The playing field has changed, people are embracing technology and there are simple tools for financial institutions to benefit from.'

He cited the platform for disbursement and collection of loans provided through the introduction of mobile money transfer by mobile telecommunications.

He told them that with financial technology, there was ready data for them to access background data of clients and to save operational cost.

Mr. Ebenezer Quartey, Executive Secretary of MCAG, said they were making tremendous contribution to the growth of local enterprises.

He underlined the need for sustained public education to aid Ghanaians to accept digital banking, to catch up with the rest of the world.

GNA

By Josephine Nyarkoh/Beatrice Nyarko, GNA
16.09.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Sept 14, GNA - Investing in education is the best legacy that oil and gas companies operating in the Ghana will leave behind, Dr Kofi Koduah Sarpong, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has said.

He said the GNPC was offering scholarships to over 500 Ghanaians to pursue courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the tertiary levels under the "GNPC Foundation".

He explained this would help the smooth continuation of potential scholars after their second cycle education and continue the tertiary education without any hindrances.

Dr Sarpong made these remarks in a statement read on his behalf at the 2017 HESS-GNPC Scholars inauguration in Takoradi to award 125 exceptional students who had passed the last BECE with flying colours but needed some financial assistance to pursue higher education.

So far with the addition of the 125 beneficiaries, this brings the total to 646.

The six beneficiary districts include Jomoro, Ellembelle, Nzema East Municipality, Ahanta West, Shama and Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

As of 2016, the HESS-GNPC Scholarship covered the entire government-approved school costs (boarding fees, administrative fees, books, kits, uniforms) as well as other necessary expenses (such as trunk, chop box, mattress and pocket money) for three years of Senior High School (SHS), Vocational Training or Health Training (Nursing), depending on the student's preference.

The 2017/2018 batch would receive all benefits except tuition fees in view of the Government's Free SHS Policy rollout.

Dr Sarpong said scholarships such as the HESS-GNPC Scholar would impact positively on beneficiary communities; adding that it would be extended to those engaging in Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) and special needs education in our polytechnics and universities.

He said the joint programme aims at providing an educational scholarship to 'Brilliant but Needy' students in three coastal districts of the Western Region under Hess Ghana Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy.

He noted that the impact of the programme had resulted in supporting as well as reducing the financial burdens of 646 beneficiaries and their parents /guardians.

'As a national oil company, we believe this is a good partnership to undertake with HESS since it has a long term effect to build the capacity of Ghanaians and improve lives,' he said.

'The most exciting part of this sixth intake is not only the number of scholars awarded scholarship to join the programme, but GNPC also plans to sustain the programme as well.

'What is also remarkable about this occasion is that even though the sixth intake marked the closure of this joint programme, the programme incidentally is in line with GNPC's Sustainability agenda, which among others; seeks to build the capacity of Ghanaians under its three focal areas, namely: Education and Training, Economic Empowerment, and Environment and Social Amenities,' he added.

Dr Sarpong explained that these they believed would improve the lives of many Ghanaians and ensure even distribution of the petroleum revenue.

To the 125 beneficiaries, Dr Sarpong said: 'I challenge you to maintain and possibly, surpass the excellent academic performance of previous scholars. We expect nothing less than dedication and higher commitment to your studies above your contemporaries.'

'Carrying the proud name that you are a 'HESS-GNPC Scholar' also means that we expect you to be disciplined and not to be involved in any vice whatsoever that may occur in your various schools,' he added.

The dignitaries which graced the occasion include Awulae Annor Adjeye III, the Omanhene of Western Nzema Traditional Area; Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional area; Mr Emmanuel Asmah, a representative of HESS; and Mrs Eugenia Gifty Kusi, the Deputy Western Regional Minister.

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Sept. 14, GNA - Evangelist Dr. Lawrence Tetteh has appealed to the Christian community in Ghana to help in bringing healing and restoration to Denkyira Obuase, now called New Obuasi, in the Central Region.

He explained that the people of that community need not to be seen in the negative light any more as they work at repentance, and now seeking the face of God for healing, forgiveness and restoration.

The rural mining community has since last June has been chastised, isolated and rejected following the lynching of the late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama, on an alleged suspicion by some miscreants in the community that he was an armed robber.

But, Dr Tetteh, a Ghanaian economist, and renowned for his worldwide Christian evangelism has ob-served that in God's mercy, it is important that more lives 'are saved, souls restored and the land healed,' as he launched a crusade christened 'Total Restoration of Denkyira Obuase.'

The crusade will take place from 11-13 October, 2017, in New Obuase .

'The people of Denkyira Obuase now known as New Obuase will have their spirit lifted and hope re-stored....' Dr Tetteh said, adding 'history will be made once more at New Obuase, not in the bad light now but rather a complete restitution of the people of the community.'

Dr Tetteh noted: 'We are all guilty of one thing or their other; it's time for us to be good Samaritans. Let's embrace the people of New Obuase with love and demonstrate a sense of belongingness to bring them out of their current situation.

'I call on all pastors, the clergy and men of God to help in restoring hope to the people of this commu-nity, this is the time they need us most, we can't fail them.'

He said, it's imperative as a nation to put in place the right infrastructure for proper identification, ef-fective communication and information system to avert the re occurrence of the tragedy that befell the late Major Mahama.

Rev. Jackson ofori, chairman of local council of churches, new obuase was full of joy that the Law-rence Tetteh ministries was visiting the town saying 'Indeed we acknowledge our fault especially the lynching the innocent soldier and pray that such calamity does not occur again'.

Okyeami kwamena Asare, the chief linguist said 'we are happy and excited today, all of the town thronged to listened to Dr. Tetteh, we hope God will turn the heart of the people and heal our land'.

GNA
Winneba (C/R), Sept 14, GNA - A 40-year old cocoa farmer from Akim Takyimang in the Eastern Region, Madam Joyce Yanteh, has commended the Government for implementing the Free Senior High School educational programme in the face of continued criticisms from some section of the society.

She therefore appealed to Government to ignore whatever criticisms that would be directed to it in connection with the programme, and rather initiate more programmes to complete all school building projects initiated by the former Government in good time to resolve the accommodation challenges confronting the free education system.

Madam Yanteh, popularly called 'obaapa,' was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, at the North Campus of the University of Education, Winneba, after accompanying her 20-year-old daughter to the University to fulfil her admission formalities.

She described the free SHS programme as the greatest relieve government has offered parents and guardians and charged them to impress upon their beneficiary children to take their lessons seriously to enable them to derive maximum benefits from the system.

Asked why she decided to accompany her daughter to the University to complete the necessary formalities for her admission in spite of her busy farming activities, Madam Yanteh said she wanted her action to serve as a source of inspiration to her daughter to study hard.

Madam Yanteh reminded parents and guardians of beneficiaries of the free education system that, it was only when their wards chalked excellent and came out with appreciable results after their three-year Senior Secondary School term that the policy would become meaningful to the nation.

She said that the fulfillment of Nana Addo's promise calls for total and collective involvement of every citizen, irrespective of politician affiliations towards the implementation of this programme.

Madam Yanteh appealed to all educational directors, particularly those charged with the responsibility of ensuring the orderly and smooth running of the system, not to do anything that would thwart its total success so that every child qualified to benefit from the programme could enjoy the system without any frustration.

GNA
16.09.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Sept. 14, GNA - Nana Dr Appiagyei Dankwawoso I, President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) would provide a single economic space with harmonized trade policies and regulatory framework.

He said the CFTA was an instrument to rationalize trade negotiations, reduce the cost of doing business, support industrialization and stimulate cross-border infrastructure projects.

Nana Dankwawoso was speaking at the two-day 2017 Africa Prosperity Conference on the theme: 'The Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA)-Exploring Possibilities for the Business Engagement across Africa.'

He said Africa had just experienced 20-year period of noteworthy growth and development and these considerable economic achievements have helped to transform the world's view of this region, and have given new hope for the future.

Nana Dankwawoso said the CFTA constituted a unique opportunity to drive Africa's transformation and development.

'The frameworks for negotiating and liberalizing goods and services are well in progress. The next steps will probably focus on the mechanics of implementation,' he added.

He expressed the hope that the continent would secure a high-quality CFTA that delivers real results and see its exports within Africa beat every record seen in its history.

He said Africa have shown an impressive ability to adapt and to thrive.

Nana Dankwawoso expressed the hope that the conference recommendations to be presented to the African Union leader would help address private sector concerns with the CFTA and deepen intra-Africa trade for our mutual benefits.

Dr David Luke, the Coordinator for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), said the realization of the CFTA policy would transform Africa's economy and would create decent jobs for about one million people under the 54 member countries.

Dr Luke said the CFTA would include a GDP of 150 trillion US dollars and would see a reduction in tariffs for business owners under the CFTA.

'The CFTA will include 54 African countries and will have a combine population of one million people,'' he added.

He said ''women must be provided better protection along the corridors of the CFTA and that participating government must ensure that African women and youth are better placed to participate and gain from the benefits from the CFTA''.

He said the African market was of great interest to foreign partners so opportunities provided by the CFTA should be capitalised on by both small and large African businesses.

GNA

By Peter Effah Adu, GNA
Accra, Sept. 14 - (dpa/GNA) - President Donald Trump says "no deal" was made with Democrats on a programme that shields young migrants brought to the US illegally from deportation.

"No deal was made last night on DACA," Trump tweeted on Thursday, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme.

Two top Democrats, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced after a meeting with Trump on Wednesday that, they had reached an agreement to safeguard the programme.

An earlier decision by Trump to phase out DACA puts at risk the status of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who have lived in the US for most of their lives.

Initiated by Barack Obama in 2012, nearly 800,000 people had been approved for the programme, which protects participants from deportation and allows them to work or attend university.

"We agreed to enshrine the protections of DACA into law quickly, and to work out a package of border security, excluding the wall, that's acceptable to both sides," the statement from the Democratic leaders said, apparently referring to Trump's call for a wall along the Mexican border.

But Trump tweeted: "Massive border security would have to be agreed to in exchange for consent.

Would be subject to vote."

GNA
Accra, Sept. 14 - (dpa/GNA) - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will meet US and French officials on Thursday to discuss hurricane relief in the Caribbean and how to respond to North Korea's "aggressive and illegal actions."

Johnson will meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Nicolas de Riviere, the head of political affairs in the French Foreign Ministry.

He will also host separate talks on Libya with Tillerson, de Riviere and officials from the United Nations, Italy, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, his office said.

The Foreign Office said Britain had "provided a strategic airlift" to support French relief operations on the Caribbean islands of St Barts and St Martin, and "worked closely with the US authorities to ensure people's safety in Florida.

"I've seen first-hand the devastation Hurricane Irma has caused people in the Caribbean," Johnson said ahead of the talks.

"Close coordination with our allies is vital for both the short-term and long-term recovery efforts," he said.

The US State Department said Tillerson would discuss issues including "the need for increased pressure to counter the threat to global security posed by [North Korea's] nuclear and missile programmes."

Britain said the Libya talks would focus on "how to break the political deadlock" and build support for the UN's efforts.

"Helping to bring stability to Libya is a vital part of UK efforts to tackle the threat from terrorism and the issue of illegal migration, which exist in close proximity to Europe," it said.

GNA
Accra, Sept. 14 - (dpa/GNA) - Pregnant women cannot be routinely dismissed as part of a redundancy process, according to a legal opinion issued by the advocate general of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Thursday.

"The dismissal of pregnant workers may only occur in exceptional cases not connected to the pregnancy, and when there is no plausible possibility of reassigning them to another suitable post," the court said in a statement.

The opinion referred to a case in Spain. In 2013, following an agreement to dismiss staff as part of a collective redundancy process, a pregnant worker, Porras Guisado, was given notice of her dismissal.

Guisado challenged the dismissal in two courts in Spain, of which the latter sought clarification from the ECJ as to how EU law regarding the dismissal of pregnant workers should be interpreted.

According to the opinion, Spanish law might not have fully implemented EU legislation regarding the so-called "preventative protection," of pregnant women.

The verdict in the case is expected later in the year.

While ECJ judges are not obliged to follow legal opinions from the advocate general, they usually do.

GNA
ONE SCRIPTURAL passage that greatly strikes my heart is found in Ephesians 4: 11- 15. It teaches about the gifts of the fivefold ministry which the Lord Jesus Christ gave to His Church. These are gifts from Christ alone; they are not from man. Christ Jesus possesses them in Himself, and He gives them to whosoever He deems fit.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers (Ephesians 4: 11). Yes, Christ gives these gifts because He has them. He Himself stood and functioned in all of them during His earthly ministry. One cannot give what he does not have. Our Lord was the great Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher. But what does the King of glory give the gifts for?

To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ (Ephesians 4: 12- 15).

Men of God are basically appointed to feed Christians with the unadulterated Word of God to grow their inner men from the babyhood stage, childhood stage and finally to manhood stage. There is the need for us to grow up spiritually to conform to the image of Christ. An untrained, unprepared or unequipped Christian is unfit for the work of ministry.

The Bible warns against the appointment of a spiritual infant to undertake ministry work. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil (1 Timothy 3: 6). Samuel never was called and functioned as a prophet of God when he was a boy serving under Eli until he grew up spiritually and physically.

However, these days, many people who have not been divinely chosen, prepared and graced by God to stand in ministry offices have planted churches, doing many evil things thereby denting the glorious Church of God. What can we do? Let the genuine and the fake continue to grow until the day of harvest and judgment.

But a genuine minister filled with the Spirit of Christ is greatly concerned about the spiritual growth of his congregation. He knows that spiritual growth is the fulcrum around which educational, financial, numerical and all other growths revolve.

Growing up Christians spiritually begins with the formation of Christ Jesus in their hearts. This is largely achieved through the preaching and teaching of the pure Word of God. The apostle Paul shares this truth in his letter to the church in Galatia.

My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until CHRIST IS FORMED in you (Galatians 4: 19). The formation of Christ in our hearts comes about by hearing and abiding in the Word of Christ. This means we must hear God's Word with our ears, receive it into our hearts and allow it to influence our conducts.

Today, there are so many church people who gladly say, Christ in me the hope of glory. A person may confess, Christ in me whereas there is no Christ in him. Everyone can quote Colossians 1: 27 and say, Christ in me without difficulty. But only God, Satan and the person himself know if Christ truly is in his heart.

Do you really have Christ in you? I mean do you really have the Word of Christ dwelling in your heart? If He is, then, you will naturally be influenced to exhibit Christ-like character. You will learn to speak what Christ will speak, watch what Christ will watch, go to places where Christ will go, sing songs Christ will sing, sleep at places where Christ will sleep. In other words, you will obediently follow Christ Jesus.

If you have Christ in you, people around you will see some traits of Christ in you because He is in you and you are in Him. A person who has Christ in his heart, making him a Christian does not own himself. He is not on his own. His self-will ceases to control his life; instead the will of the Lord controls him.

If we read about the Apostles particularly Paul talking about, Christ in me we must first consider what they mean, and who they were. They were not jokers or hypocrites; they were prepared men in the teachings of Christ; full of the Word and the Spirit. They were spiritual Christians, who demonstrated that Christ was in them.

FROM James Quansah, Kumasi

[email protected]
16.09.2017 LISTEN

The man was sleeping late. Hed only come home in the early hours of the morning.

But at exactly half-past seven, he heard a knock on his bedroom door.

Daddy, its me. Daddy its the fees!

Gee-whiz! It was fee-paying time again? It seemed like only yesterday that hed settled the fees? Yet there the boy was, once again asking for fees.

The man got up. He did his best not to let the kid know that he was annoyed. For was it not he himself who had moved heaven and earth to get the boy into that very good school?

The man got up, searched through his trouserpockets and counted out the notes. There was just enough to pay the fees.

But paying them meant that the man would have to buy less petrol; beer (!!) and yes;  yes.; yes: all those other things hed planned to do with his money.

For the man remembered the times his own father had had to cough up his school fees.

You think money is like water, dont you? the old man would sneer. This school at all that youre attending, when you finish, what will you do? Will you not just dress up and move to another town, hardly ever coming here to see us? And I am supposed to pay for that calamity?

But having given vent to his feelings, the old man would go and bring the money. Two shillings; or four shillings; or six shilling  depending on how much he had paid previously. And the boy would walk to school with his head held high. He would not suffer the indignity of being excluded from classes after all.

And now, it was the mans turn. Only that these fees were pretty hefty! So steep that hed once done the unthinkable and applied for a scholarship. A Cocoa Marketing Board scholarship.

Hed been asked to bring proof that his family grew cocoa. Of course, his family grew cocoa. Hed grown cocoa himself from age eight to about age 14.

The fellows at the bursary of his boys school said they wanted proof.

So he went to his village and got a draughtsman to draw a full map of his familys cocoa farms.

He took it to the school.

But he never heard from the school about his application.

Later on, some wise guy bi informed him that the chaps at the school bursary had a scam going. They did a roaring business by attaching the maps people brought, to the wrong applications. An application from someone who had a genuine cocoa farm, would be declared unsuccessful (because it was allegedly not supported by documentary evidence!) whereas an application from someone who had never seen a cocoa tree in his life, but who had greased the hands of the appropriate person in the bursary, would be granted. Supported by the documentation brought by an unsuccessful applicant!

Are you sure about this? the man had asked his informer.

You can refuse to believe it! the informer said. But just let me ask you: how can you prove that you actually brought a draughtsmans map of the farm? Were you given a receipt for it? Even if you were given a receipt, suppose you were told that there were other kids whose applications for scholarships were stronger than yours? Its a matter of discretion, isnt it?

The man swallowed. He decided to forget all about the scholarship and cut down, instead, on expenditure on fripperies. He somehow managed to pay the boys fees.

Today, that boy earns a very decent living. Because he got a good education. But suppose the man had not paid up?

Thats why those who are quibbling about the introduction of free SHS education in Ghana must be regarded as being out of their minds.

So, every good policy may be difficult to implement. But cant obstacles be overcome through a proper analysis of the situation on the ground and imaginative solutions found for them? Because implementation presents difficulties, the advantages the policy seeks to bring to our children must be eschewed?

Of course we all know that the Ministry of Education is particularly weak at implementing policy. Remember how it starved schools of common chalk so that a head-teacher was reduced to begging the visiting wife of then then Vice-President to take up the matter of providing chalk to schools?

Yes, the Ministry of Education faces challenges. But its political heads can put in their oar and scrutinise how the SHS scheme is being implemented. They must plug all the holes so as to make the policy an exemplarily successful one.

If the scheme succeeds, the Akufo-Addo Government will have chalked up an amazing feat in the annals of education in this country. So, course, some people would like the policy to fail. They can do this by demoralising the students, their parents and their teachers, with propaganda that exaggerates the difficulties facing the scheme.

However, if the bosses at the Ministry are able expertly to detect the teeming problems the scheme has brought and remove them before they build up to intolerable levels, they can wipe the complacent smiles off the faces of those who have benefited from higher education but dont want others to do the same. Those who wish to kick away the ladder so that others might not be able to climb to the heights that would provide them with a better standard of living in future.

Yes  the selfish anti-SHS campaigners must be disgraced with action; by implementing the SHS policy as efficiently as possible.

By Cameron Duodu

You think money is water, dont you? This school at all that you are.
About 40 acres of land has been set aside by traditional authorities in Amansie West district of the Ashanti Region for proposed factories.

Starch and gari factories have been targeted as part of governments district industrialization drive.

Communities in the area, which predominantly engage in mining activities, critically need alternative livelihood programs as small-scale mining has been banned.

The traditional authorities say governments promise to support district industrialization with $100 million provides for funding for the proposed starch and gari factories.

District Chief Executive, William Asare Bediako, who himself has a starch company is optimistic about the initiative.

I realized that the starch is even lucrative than gold if we really want to do it properly. In our district, when investors come, they will have very fertile lands for the cassava planting, he said.

He adds: We must inject so much money into [the industrialization drive] to recoup enough benefits and that is what we wanted the people to understand.

The district assembly and the Member of Parliament for the area have been meeting with traditional authorities and other stakeholders in a town hall meeting to discuss ways to develop the district.

Meanwhile, the leadership of various farmer cooperative unions in the district are collaborating with authorities on how to get raw materials for the two factories.

Mr. Asare Bediako tells LUV Biz the involvement of the cooperative societies from the onset is key to a successful and sustainable project implementation.

The cooperative societies have assured us that they have told their members and they have already embraced it because they see the opportunities in it.

If a big company comes here, it will mean we will have to get raw materials from outside the district but once they have decided to provide the raw materials to feed the factories, it solves one of the challenges, he said.
Sorry, we can't find the content you're looking for at this URL.
The incoming President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu, has appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to reinstate the two head teachers who were sacked for allegedly charging illegal fees under the free SHS programme.

Mr. Carbonu on Citi FM's news analysis Programme , The Big Issue, sent a direct appeal to the Chairman of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council who was also on the show, Michael Nsowah, to put in a word for the two to be reinstated.

In his appeal, Mr. Carbonu said: My boss, as an executive of your teacher unions , I'm pleading on behalf of heads of interdicted heads of schools that if you can put in a word for those heads to be reprimanded and reinstated.

The two teachers were dismissed after some 19 teachers, including the two, were invited for questioning by the GES on Thursday, to respond to allegations that they were requesting parents and guardians to pay fees already absorbed by the government under its free SHS policy.

Mr. Cabornu believes the teachers might have committed what he describes as mistakes because the free SHS policy is an entirely new programme they [headteachers] were not familiar with.

It is a new programme and we are all learning to correct our mistakes like the programme itself is correcting its mistakes.

Social Commentator, Sydney Casely Hayford, in a sharp rebuttal downplayed Mr. Carbonu's appeal, insisting that the two had to be sanctioned for breaching the law.

The guys have been found breaking the rules. They have deliberately done it to their own personal advantage. They have to face the consequences.

Dismissal of head teachers too harsh

The President of NAGRAT, Christian Addae Poku, had earlier described the dismissal as harsh, adding that the GES failed to follow due process in exacting punishment on the two.

As unions, we are really worried about the development. Much as we appreciate that the employer would have to do everything to make sure that the right thing has to be done, we believe that listening to what has transpired over the past few hours, it is clear that due process has not been properly followed especially with regards to the two people who have been virtually demoted as headmasters. We want to draw GES' attention to it, Addae Poku argued.

The headmaster of Pentecost SHS in Koforidua, Mr. Blasu Wisdom, is one of the head teachers relieved of his post for allegedly charging illegal fees, and he is to also to be re-posted to teach in a classroom.

The assistant headmaster of Duffor SHS, Rev. S P Elewokor, was also relieved of his post and is to be re-posted to teach in the classroom.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @EfeAnsah
GENEVA, 15 September 2017  International experts on womens rights from the Arab region and the West called on decision-makers from the Global South and the Global North to increase their efforts towards addressing barriers and challenges impeding the realization of womens rights and gender equality. This conclusion was reached during a panel debate organized at the United Nations Office in Geneva held on 15 September on the theme of "Womens rights in the Arab region: between myth and reality."

The debate was held on the occasion of the 36th session to the United Nations Human Rights Council by the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue  a think tank having special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)  and the Permanent Mission of the Arab Republic of Egypt to UN Geneva.

"Womens rights in the Arab region: between myth and reality" offered an alternative narrative to the widespread misperception and stereotyping of Arab women as well as an objective assessment of the joint challenges faced by countries in the Arab region and in the West to achieve gender equality and womens empowerment.

The Minister of State for Justice of Sudan H. E. Tahani Ali Toor Eldba. stated in her intervention that the political emancipation of women in Sudan is giving results. In this regard, the Minister of State observed that women now hold 30% of the seats in the parliament of Sudan of which positions of Vice President are also held by women. She added that women are represented as head of political parties, in the diplomatic corps as well as in the judicial system, business and commerce and in international organizations. There were also women generals in the police and in the armed forces.

The Chairman of the Geneva Centre Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali Al Qassim indicated in his opening remarks that advancing womens rights and enhancing gender equality are the pillars of an inclusive and equal society. Although he noted that significant challenges exist in promoting and advancing womens rights in the Arab region, he praised recent initiatives taken by Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates to advance the social, political and economic status of women in their respective societies. He called upon the Global North and the Global South to define a common agenda with the ambition of promoting gender equality at worldwide and to jointly overcome barriers hindering womens development.

The Ambassador and the Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H. E. Mr. Amr Ramadan, noted in his opening speech that Egypts recently adopted constitution (2014) guarantees equal opportunities for women and prohibit discrimination against her. The speaker observed that real enforcement of women enables her to liberate her potentials and allows her participation. In an attempt to enhance the political empowerment of women in Egypt, Ambassador Ramadan underlined that Egypts constitution guarantees women 87 seats in the Egyptian Parliament. The vision to achieve sustainable development and a just society  he said  is in line with the 2030 Vision of Egypt aiming at advancing gender equality and guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities for women.

The moderator of the debate  the Geneva Centres Executive Director Ambassador Idriss Jazairy  stressed in his opening remarks that the panel debates main objective is to enhance cooperation and exchange of best practice between Arab countries and the West as no region can claim to have achieved gender balance so far. He added that significant achievements have been reached in terms of equity, but equality is still some way off in all regions of the world. The Geneva Centres Executive Director concluded his intervention stating that the debate responds to a larger need for more perceptive awareness of the situation of women and their rights worldwide.

H. E. Ms. Hoda Al-Helaissi  Member of Saudi Arabias Shura Council and former Vice-Chairperson at King Saud University  observed that women empowerment and addressing gender inequality are universal concerns of the global community. She remarked that a countrys true development, economic growth and international success can only come about when it uses its human resources to its fullest  male and female. H. E. Al-Helaissi further added that the stereotyping of Arab women in the West would not advance the cause of promoting and advancing gender empowerment in the Arab region. She called upon international decision-makers to recognise the change that takes place and supporting that change rather than merely repeating the static stereotyped image of women in the Arab region.

In her statement, H. E. Ms. Emna Aouij - member of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice - noted that violence against women affects approximately 1/3 of women at a global scale. The elimination of all forms of discrimination and harmful practices against women and girls relies on the effective implementation of the existing legal framework that guarantees equality between men and women. The UN Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice - she highlighted - stresses the need to include men and women in the constitutional processes of countries as these represent the foundation for all law. She also emphasized the importance of education and of effective long-term awareness campaigns in order to ensure the respect of womens rights within societies and to deconstruct stereotypes based on gender and patriarchal social norms.

The member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, H. E. Ms. Naela Mohamed Gabr, highlighted in her intervention that the unprecedented rise of violence and conflict have exacerbated the status of women in the Arab region. She stated that the political situation in the region and the subsequent deteriorating security and economic conditions have become fertile ground for extremely negative outcomes for women, with a decline in interest in empowering them and enhancing their rights. The hijacking of religious faiths by extremist groups have also exacerbated the prospect of enhancing womens rights in the Arab region. H. E. Ms. Mohamed Gabr said:

Unfortunately, there are ideologies that deny development and deny even the historical facts that confirm that women in Islam were partners to men in trade, conquests and propagation of the new religion. It also denies that the divine revealed religions, especially Islam, had given women a respectful place, while respecting their rights and their physical and psychological privacy.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences - H. E. Ms. Dubravka Simonovic  welcomed the recent steps taken by Tunisia, Lebanon and Jordan to repeal discriminatory laws allowing rapists to escape justice if they would marry their victims. The political empowerment of women in Algeria  she said  stands out as an example in the MENA region as women occupy more than 30% of the parliamentary seats.

She further added that the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration United for Shaping the Future, for a better world at the 2017 Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in Abu Dhabi - organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UAE Federal National Council  is a bold call to action to countries in the Arab region to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. In this regard, Ms. Simonovic appealed to countries in the Arab region to be proactive in addressing discrimination and eliminating violence against women, including by implementing the imperative actions included in this important instrument.

She concluded her intervention stating that issues related to violence against women are not exclusive to the Arab region.

Islamophobia is becoming an issue of growing concern

The second last speaker to take the floor  the Director of Monash Universitys Bachelor of Global Studies in Australia Dr. Susan Carland  remarked thather recent book Fighting Hislam: Women, faith and sexism contradicted the view that Islam is a sexist religion purporting that Arab women see it as a crucial instrument in their fight against the sexism they face. She observed that women belonging to other religious faiths such as Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism have faced sexism and subjugation within their respective communities. Sexism, she noted, could therefore not be attributed as an issue solely belonging to Islam, but to the widespread influence of patriarchy across the world.

In this regard, Dr. Carland said: Examples from earliest hadith literature, to medieval scholarship, to feminist activity in Egypt and Iran in the early twentieth century, to modern-day scholarship, activism, and political engagement by Arab women to tackle sexism  many operating from a religious framework  abound, demonstrating that Arab and Muslim women fighting sexism is neither new nor foreign. This long history of activity is often unknown both within the Arab and Muslim world, and outside it.

Ms. Sarah Zouak  The co-founder of the French association Lallab (based in Paris), organizer of the Women Sense Tour, writer and producer of the documentary Women Sense Tour  noted in her intervention that women of Arab origin often witness stereotyping and discrimination in France owing to their religious and cultural backgrounds. She observed that racism in todays society is a heritage from the colonial era. Ms. Zouak further added that media often contribute to the stigmatization and stereotyping of Muslim men as violent and Arab women as submissive, oppressed, victims, weak and no free will. Media tend to raise the need to rescue Muslim women and they tend to seek the advice of middle-aged Orientalist male experts to provide the evidence rather than give a voice to young women of Arab origin themselves.

In concluding her intervention, Ms. Zouak stated that women are victims of violence in every part of the world, and not uniquely in Muslim majority countries contrary to what some people think. Feminism is about empowering women to do what they want and not to dictate them how they should be emancipated ended Ms. Zouak in her statement.

During the interactive session, the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to UN Geneva  H. E. Ambassador Obaid Salem Saeed Nasser Al Zaabi  noted that the panel debate will contribute to clarify the current situation of women in the Arab world and demystify the wrong image widespread in the international arena and in the part of the intellectual community. He observed that the UAE is ranked as a leading country in the enhancement of gender equality in the region. In this regard, H. E. Ambassador Obaid Al Zaabi added that UAE women make up inter alia 20% of the diplomatic corps, 15% of the boards of directors of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and that women now occupy two-thirds of all posts in the public sector as well as 30% within senior and decision-making positions.

H. E. Mrs. Nassima Baghli, the Permanent Observer of the Permanent Delegation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to UN Geneva  questioned whether the fight against addressing Islamophobia has prevailed over the fight to address racism. In reply to this question, Ms. Zouak added that Islamophobia constitutes a form of racism that is prevailing particularly in the West. Muslim women are particularly affected by Islamophobia  she noted  as 80% of Islamophobic attacks in France affect women. Ambassador Naela Gabr added that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has an important role to play in responding to the rise of Islamophobia as it affects the realization of human rights and womens rights. She appealed to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to address the rise of this phenomenon in collaboration with civil society and other organizations addressing Islamophobia.

A group of students from the EU Business School raised the issue of the promotion of gender equality through education as a solution to countering the rise of violent extremism, referring to the UN Secretary-General Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.Ambassador Naela Gabr noted that in order to address the triggering factors of violent extremism, education on womens rights and equality and awareness-raising were crucial in order to change mind-sets and stereotypes.
The Gomoa East District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo has urged parents to take advantage of the Free Senior High School policy to enable their children attain height in the educational ladder.

" The Free SHS has come to ease burden associated with Senior High School education in Ghana. Because of financial burden in enrolling students into Seniors High School, most children were denied access to secondary education.

This has contributed immensely to the down trend of the nation's development. We should be thankful to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo and the NPP government for the policy "

Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo stated these when he visited some Basic schools in the District to welcome new entrance which coincided with 'My First Day at School'. His first point of call was Aboso-Benso D/A Primary ' A' School where he had his Primary education.

He stated that parents has no excuse denying their children access to formal education stressing every child of school going age ought to get access to formal education.

The DCE noted that the NPP government was committed to quality education to produce the needed manpower resources towards nation's development and thus all must ensure that the Free SHS policy succeed.

" The Gomoa East District Assembly will continually support the Ghana Education Service in its quest of improving academic standard in the district. We must reciprocate this kind gesture by investing in the children's education

We are ensuring infrastructure development so as to create enabling environment for effective teaching and learning in all our schools.

I therefore employ parents and the communities to monitor activities of children especially after school session adding that stakeholders in various communities has a role to play in this direction.

It is sad that we allowed our children to be roaming about after school watching all kinds of telenovela movies contrary to education. If care is not taken, these telenovela movies would negatively affects out children's education"

The DCE told the school children to stick to their books so that they could become future leaders to man the affairs of the country.

" I also started schooling in this building at a tender age as you so pay attention to your teachers and study hard " He encouraged the new entrance.

Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo also tasked teacher to perform their assigned duties creditably in line with the policies of the Ghana Education Service bearing in mind code and ethics of the teaching profession.

He however lauded teachers in the Gomoa East District for their dedication to duty hoping that they would not rest on their oars.

The Gomoa East District Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Robert Mensah commended the DCE for his support. " For the first time in many decades, the Assembly gave the Directorate a whooping sum of over Ghc 3,000 to buy learning materials and some biscuits for new entrance to our Kindergarten and Primary One.

He disclosed that enrollment was been carried out in all the 77 Kindergarten and 75 Primary schools in the district to offer children of going age access to formal education.

Madam Irene Andam Gyan, Head Teacher of Aboso-Benso D/A Primary 'A' school thanked the DCE for the visit assuring him that her adminstration would ensure improved standard of education.

Attached is DCE addressing the new entrance at Aboso-Benso 'A' school
President Nana Akufo-Addo is one of the most courageous and visionary presidents after Kwame Nkrumah, to introduce free Senior High School (SHS) education. Nkrumah however, went further by making free elementary schools through Secondary and Technical schools to the Universities. Fee-free Secondary education came to a halt when Nkrumah was overthrown only to be punctuated by Cocoa Marketing board scholarships for few selected excellent students and, sometimes, through protocol awards (i.e. a draught or a by-pass transaction which does not follow any strict rule), to cocoa farmers' children and the children of officials of CMB who probably may be average students. Nana Addo has taken a bold decision to bring back fee-free SHS education to the applause and admiration of many positive minded Ghanaians but the doubting Thomases feel this vision of free SHS education will fail.

The difficulties, problems and insecurity with the free SHS system have reared their ugly heads. With the implementation of free SHS policy, the top SHS are likely to lose their A-status. This fear was confirmed by Mr Kofi Bentil, policy analyst and Vice president of Imani centre for Policy and Education, who said that Free SHS policy will put elite schools at risk. According to him, the early introduction of free SHS policy is too bad for Ghana since it was hurried through with the sole purpose of claiming praises and approval from Ghanaians. This free SHS development will completely destroy Ghana's Ivy League schools. Of course every country needs its Ivy League schools so we should not just sit and stare while schools like Achimota, Legon Presec, Opoku Ware school, Prempeh College, Adisadel Mfantsipim and the likes, lose their status as highly respected Ivy league schools. These institution of excellence according to Kofi Bentil, need to be protected rather than be destroyed because these Ivy League schools are largely responsible for producing the cream of the society.

The free SHS policy has just been implemented. Few problems have been identified. As parents flock the schools with their children, a particular difficulty arose: Some boys were placed in girls schools and in the same way some girls were also placed in boys schools. They are still making efforts to change them but it has not been easy. During the fee paying years, schools would reopen but very few students who had been admitted report within a week and the rest of the first year students kept trickling in, all because of very expensive school fees. Many parents took advantage of the free SHS and registered their children who due to their success in the BECE, have received admissions into various High schools. The extreme difficulty demanding urgent solution is the congestion in the schools dormitories. In fact the dormitories in all the schools are completely full. This is unprecedented in the history of Secondary school education.

Interestingly, a 14 year old girl who has no speech or hearing problems was placed in a deaf and dumb school. The parents who live in Kumasi had to fight it out to change the school. The only alternative given to her was a day school in Assin Fosu. This will mean the parents will have to rent a room at Assin Fosu. Apart from lunch that will be provided in the school, the girl will have to make her own food in the mornings and in the evenings. A fourteen year old girl! Apart from the heavy cost the parents will incur in her upkeep, it will be unsafe for the child to live alone. She is not alone in this. Many students have been placed in day schools very far away from their residential abodes. There are 600 senior High Schools in Ghana and about 2,500 Junior High Schools throughout Ghana. In a situation like this, not every student will be able to take advantage of the free SHS.

The private Senior High Schools are on the verge of collapse when the free public SHS education came into force. There are 280 private SHS and they are unable to get students to form one. All students have turned to free SHS. According to a spokesman for the private SHS, in a radio interview expressed concern about the inability of the private schools to get form one students and if it continues like this, for the next five years, all private SHS will cease to exist. The spokesman appealed to the government to grant the private schools at least thirty percent of the students to each private school. The public SHS normally charges GHc1300 for the first term and around GHc430 for the second and third term respectively. However, the private schools charge two or three times that of the public SHS. The spokesman was asked whether they will accept the fees charged by the public SHS if the government decides to allot them thirty percent of the students, or they will compel the parents to pay the difference. The spokesman could not answer. Asem ooo. The aim of the private schools is to make maximum profits, hence this funny joke: Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools abbreviated as CHASS and Conference of Heads of Private Schools is CHOPS

Due to congestion in the dormitories, some headmasters and headmistress are renting hostel rooms to students who could not get a place in the normal dormitories, and some are charging illegal fees for extra tables and chairs without any approval from the Education service. . The hostel rooms were going to attract cost from the parents. The inspectors of the Education service got a wind of it and quickly stepped in to put an end to it. For engaging in illegal means to wrench monies from parents, two headmasters have been sacked outright and sixteen others have been interdicted. In Cape Coast, a student who got aggregate 9 chose St. Augustine as his first choice. However, the computer placed him in a day school far away from where he lived. He wept and embarked on a hunger strike. The Director of Education intervened and granted him his first choice. There are many students who performed very well but have still not been able to get a place at the SHS. Care must be taken not to allow foreigners who have just completed the Junior Secondary School. Many will attempt to take advantage of our free SHS education. We must be vigilant!

The fee free SHS was made available to those who just completed the JSS. It did not include those who could not pass to Form two. It did not also include continuing students in Form two and three. In addition to free tuition, boarding and lodging, the new students will be provided with free school uniforms, note books, exercise books and text books. Kudos Kudos H.E President Nana Addo-Dankwah Akufo Addo. Just forge ahead and don't mind the detractors.

Columnist: Stephen Atta Owusu

Author: Dark Faces at Crossroads

Email: [email protected]
'The big truck is still on ...
@ByKristenMClark

Some of Floridas lowest-performing traditional public schools will have to wait a bit longer to find out if theyll be among the 25 schools that will get financial help through a new state program called Schools of Hope.

The State Board of Education was supposed to meet in Tallahassee on Wednesday to select the recipients out of the 57 eligible schools that applied.

But, like so much else in Florida this week, Hurricane Irma derailed those plans.

The board met instead by conference call on Wednesday, and it left a decision on the Hope schools for another day.

More here.

Photo credit: Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, left, and State Board of Education Chairwoman Marva Johnson listen during a May 2017 meeting of the state board. [Florida Channel]
- The United States has called for end to violence in Nigeria

- This comes amidst different violent acts in the country

- In recent days, members of the Indigenous People of Biafra clashed with operatives of Nigerian army in Abia state

Amid growing tension in the country, the United States Mission to Nigeria on Friday, September 15, called for end to violence in the country.

The United States made this known in a tweet on Friday.

READ ALSO: 11 decisions made by southeast governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo as they ban IPOB's activities

The US Mission to Nigeria said that it is joining well-meaning Nigerians to sue for peace, calling for an end to violence in the country.

The tweet read: "The U.S. Mission to Nigeria joins the calls of Nigerian leaders and citizens across the country for an end to violence. #OutofManyOne".

The message from the US Mission comes after southeast governors held an emergency meeting in Enugu to address issues of security in the zone.

The governors subsequently banned activities of the IPOB group.

The Nigerian army is currently carrying out Operation Python Dance in the Southeast with the aim of ridding the region of criminals and other activities threatening the security of the area.

The deployment of the troops had led to clashes between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the army in Abia state.

Lives have been reportedly lost in the process.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Nigerian armys ongoing Operation Python Dance campaign in the southeast, was condemned by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

According to reports, the group made its comments in a statement signed on Thursday, September 14, by its publicity secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin.

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Describing the campaign as an obvious attempt to arrest the growing influence of the Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the group stated that instead of employing military tactics to address the IPOB issue, the federal government should rather engage in dialogue with the pro-Biafra group.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer reacting to the alleged invasion of his client's house by soldiers.

Source: Legit.ng
Gov. Rick Scott rejected the re-appointment of Ron Brise, a former Democratic legislator from North Miami, to a third term on the states powerful Public Service Commission Friday, replacing him with a former lawmaker from Melbourne.

Scott named David Ritch Workman, 44, a former state legislator who how serves as the director of business development at Keiser University, to the utility board, replacing Brise, a former telecommunications consultant.

The appointment was one of three made by Scott to the five-member utility board that oversees regulation of the states electric, water and sewer industries.

Workman has worked as an Uber driver, served in the Florida Army National Guard, and received his bachelors degree from Appalachian State University. He has no utility industry experience. His term will expire Jan. 1, 2022.

Brise, 44, had been a telecommunications consultant before he was first appointed to the Public Service Commission in 2010 by former Gov. Charlie Crist. He had been reappointed to the four-year term by Scott and was seeking a third term. When he represented North Miami, Brise had been an outspoken critic of Florida Power & Lights high voltage transmission lines and sought to give the community more input in the process.

Scott reappointed Art Graham, 53, of Jacksonville Beach, who was also first appointed by Crist in 2010. He has previously served as a city councilman for the City of Jacksonville Beach. His term also ends Jan. 1, 2022.

Scott also appointed Gary Clark, 49, of Chipley, to the shortest term on the commission. Clark, the deputy secretary of Land and Recreation at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, will fill the seat vacated by Jimmy Patronis. The former Panama City legislator left the commission when Scott named him to be the states chief financial officer.

Clark received his bachelors degree from the University of Phoenix. His term began Friday and will extend through Jan. 1, 2019.
- The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, plans to meet with Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, to bring an end to the crisis in the south east

- The royal father expressed optimism that his meeting with the IPOB leaders and traditional rulers in the south east would bring peace to the region

- Akanbi noted that Nigeria had a competent government in place, and that IPOB members should be praying for the Buhari administration, instead of threatening it with secession agitations

Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has disclosed plans to meet with Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to proffer solutions to the ongoing crisis in the south-east, Punch reports.

The monarch also plans to meet with Igbo traditional rulers, in order to find ways to prevent loss of lives.

READ ALSO: We are not part of your agitation - Igbos in Kano, Adamawa tell IPOB, Kanu

Legit.ng gathers that Oba Akanbi disclosed his plans as he spoke at a public lecture and conferment of the Distinguished Service Award on Wunmi Faniran, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo state chapter.

According to Akanbi, traditional rulers must rise up and defend the nations unity.

He noted that the IPOB agitation was coming at a period when the country had a competent government in place, which was determined to wage war against corruption.

He stated: As a father of all Nigerians, Im visiting the Southeast soon to mediate for the sustenance of one Nigeria because when elders are in the market, a childs head shouldnt drop.

I will personally meet the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and some notable traditional rulers and Im optimistic it (the meeting) will yield peace.

It is unfortunate the (IPOB) threat came at a time we have a serious government ready to fight the genocidal disease (corruption) killing this nation. It must be addressed.

The best the agitators should be doing is praying for this government and (making) not secession threat.

The country has been in mess owing to maladministration. Such has promoted the proliferation of militant syndicates in Nigeria.

If the government is responsible, the spate of insurgencies will be decimated.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the southeast governors forum on Friday, September 15, proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The decision to ban IPOB led by controversial leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was taken at an emergency meeting held at the Enugu government house.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video asking Nigerians if Operation Python Dance should be canceled

Source: Legit.ng
- Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former president of Nigeria, has called on all sides involved in the south east crises, to exercise restraint

- The former president urged all Nigerians to seek the face of God to find a lasting solution to this challenge, and stressed that Nigerians must never turn on themselves, despite the circumstances

- The former president expressed worry over the unfolding events in the region, and stated that it was time for the Council of State to intervene

- Jonathan appealed to all citizens to exchange ideas instead of insults, as he condemned the violence which was witnessed in the south east over the past few days

The immediate past President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has reacted to the crisis in the south east region of the country.

In a statement put out on his Facebook page, Jonathan appealed for peace and restraint from all sides involved.

READ ALSO: South east crisis: I will visit Kanu soon - Oluwo of Iwo

He stated: The reports I have received about recent developments in the country lead me to appeal to all men of good will to use whatever influence they have to push for peaceful coexistence and restraint on all sides.

Perhaps it is time for the Council of State to intervene and offer its wise counsel.

Irrespective of whatever provocation, Nigerians must never turn on each other. Even in the face of difficult circumstances, we must have faith that God in His infinite wisdom will guide us to finding a way out that is fair and just to all concerned.

In as much as there may be a need to enforce order, there is a greater need to reinforce our humanity and treat Nigerian citizens humanely whether they be from the North or South.

Nothing justifies the desecration and destruction of religious places of worship or a police station. But even more so, nothing justifies the endangering of human life.

Let us exchange ideas instead of exchanging insults and threats. Nigeria is going through tough times because God wants us to grow through tough times.

We must be resolute as a people even as we know that it is impossible to deny the brotherhood of all Nigerians after over a century of a shared commonwealth.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that amid growing tensions in the country, the United States Mission to Nigeria on Friday, September 15, called for end to violence in the country.

In a tweet, the US Mission to Nigeria said that it was joining well-meaning Nigerians to sue for peace, calling for an end to violence in the south east.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of Goodluck Jonathan saying Nigerians want PDP back in 2019

Source: Legit.ng
- Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has stated that IPOB is as of now an internal threat, while Boko Haram is an international terrorist group affiliated with ISIS

- Onyeama stated that the Buhari government is working towards revamping the economy in a bid to curtail the restlessness of young people in Nigeria, so as to end most of the countrys problems, including the agitation in the south east

- The foreign minister stated that Nigeria does not need the international community to intervene as it handles the IPOB group

- According to Onyeama, the Buharis administration has an agenda for the country, and does not want to be distracted from achieving that agenda

Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, says the country does not require any international help to curtail any threats posed by the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), NAN reports.

Onyeama, at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday evening, said the threat from the self-agitation group would be handled.

READ ALSO: South east crisis: GEJ appeals for calm and restraint

IPOB is as of now an internal threat and Nigeria does not need international assistance to resolve it, the minister said.

According to him, IPOB is different from the Boko Harm terrorists whose main aim was to capture territory and to kill innocent people.

He stated: The President is prepared to tell world leaders that the ingredients for a happy, peaceful country are good governance and a strong economy.

If we can get the economy right and we can get the good governance to our people, we believe that most of our problems would be taken care of.

We are a country of young people; the majority of our population is under the age of 35 and a lot of them are restless.

They are restless because of economic opportunities and that is why we have the migration issue.

A lot of the youths are the product of very bad governance over the years and that has deprived the young people of educational opportunities and job opportunities.

So Mr. President is trying to restructure the country to put in place the bases for good governance.

Because once you have good governance and your resources are being channeled to where they are supposed to be, which is on development, then you begin to address a lot of issues.

He said unlike IPOB, Boko Haram was not an internal threat but international, pointing out its allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The foreign affairs minister said the position of President Muhammadu Buhari was that the Constitution of the country should be respected.

He cautioned that the countrys democracy was still growing and needed to mature and become stronger to handle some of the democratic challenges.

The important thing we should be focusing on is nation-building using the existing democratic structures, the minister said.

According to him, the Buharis administration of has an agenda for the country and does not want to be distracted from achieving that agenda.

In his words: I think that Mr. President came and had an agenda for the country and you really just dont want to be distracted from that agenda.

The economy was in a terrible state when this government came in, we went into recession for the first time in decades and were just coming out of that recession.

We want to keep on that path and we believe that a lot of these issues and challenges in the country have their bases in the economics.

If we can provide a good living standard and quality of life for our people, all these issues (Biafra agitation) will fall by the way side.

That is why we must not be distracted from transforming the economy of our country. What Im saying is that we want to focus on the economy.

We believe if we can get the economy right, a lot of the young people who feel that Nigeria as presently constituted is not addressing their problems, is not giving them the hope, will change their perspective.

He said government would continue to respect free speech, human right and the Rule of Law; and that the Nigerian military respects the rule of engagement in carrying out its duties.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the chairman/founder of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Moses Siloko Siasia, revealed that the United Nations was interested in the Nigerian military's Operation Python Dance II in the southeast.

Siasia who is also the chairman of Mosilo Group, a wholly indigenous company, claimed to have received a call from the United Nations office in New York on the Armys activities in the south east.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video asking if Operation Python Dance should be canceled

Source: Legit.ng
- The Buhari/Osinbajo Democratic Awareness Coalition has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 presidential election

- The group stated that the president remains the best candidate among the politicians in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

- They also declared their unalloyed support to the president

A group known as the Buhari/Osinbajo Democratic Awareness Coalition has committed itself to promoting the achievements of the present administration ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The group stated that its decision stems from its believe that President Buhari remains the best candidate for the APC in the 2019 polls.

President Buhari is yet to declare his intention for 2019 but has been under pressure to contest. Photo credit: Aso Rock

The coalition also called on the youths and well-meaning Nigerians to play key roles in ensuring that the present administration succeeds in office.

The national coordinator of the coalition, Agbaminoja Olatunji George, who made this known during a press briefing on Friday, September 15 in Abuja, opined that Buhari deserved a second term of office.

He said that the current administration has reduced the level of corruption in the country, degraded the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists and took the nation's economy out of recession among others.

READ ALSO: Northern Governors Forum speak on 2019 presidency

His words: I don't want to talk about politics now but Buhari remains the best candidate for the APC. The future belongs to God and it's God that make kings. Of course, if he decides to run, we will support him.

The corruption that he is fighting tooth and nail will help to propel this country to its past glory. Nigerians voted the previous government out because of suffering. The country was in a recession.

After few months, this man (Buhari) led us out of recession. He is not even proud of it. He is still saying that the common man should feel they have stomach infrastructure. Is that a leader not worth fighting for?

You have a leader that is not stealing money, you have a leader that the ministers are not living flamboyantly, you can see the television that he watched recently, it's the same television I use in my house.

Similarly, the deputy director of media, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr Ayo Oyalowo, has stated that Nigerians are lucky to have President Buhari as their leader presently.

Oyalowo, who is also a member of the APC and a popular social media influencer, made the statement on a political programme aired on Channels Television on Sunday, September 11.

I think he (Buhari) is a good person, I think hes honest, I think Nigeria is blessed and lucky to have him as president.

From 2011 I have been with the man, I supported him in 2011. Im very happy that he finally got it in 2015 and if God wills and he wants to do it again, I will gladly support him, Oyalowo declared.

READ ALSO: President Buharis supporters insist on 2nd term in 2019

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan speaking on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019:

Source: Legit.ng
- The Oodua Republic Front has opened its arms to receive displaced persons into the southwest

- The group was reacting to the ongoing crisis in the southeast region

- They urged the Yorubas to protect all those who settle within the southwest region

A group, the National Consultative Meeting of Oodua Republic Front, has said anyone displaced from the southeast as a result of the ongoing crisis in the region would be welcome in the southwest.

This was contained in the group's resolution after its meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday, September 13.

The resolution which was signed Mr Jubril Ogundinmu on behalf of the group, stated that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was becoming worrisome.

Oodua Republic Front frowned at the mode of agitation adopted by IPOB. Source: IPOB

READ ALSO: United States joins Nigerians to call for end to violence

They condemned the attack on other nationalities by IPOB in the crisis that has engulfed the southeast region.

The group also decried the silence of some political leaders in the southeast on the activities of IPOB.

Part of the resolution read: For long Kanu has adopted hate and bigotry as a means of mobilisation and provocation. We do not need to repeat some of his dangerous rhetorics that is capable of stoking ethnic conflict in Nigeria.

The group noted that they are not opposed to the demand for Biafra by Kanu and his supporters, they however cautioned that Kanu and his group cannot impose their own conditions on the rest of Nigeria.

We want to reassure none Yoruba living in Yoruba land of their safety and welcome to Yoruba land Nigerians who may feel unsafe in southeast Nigeria.

We also note the ultimatum issued by the Arewa Youths, we welcome the decision of the Arewa Youths to withdraw the ultimatum, we will however welcome any Nigerian in the North who may want to relocate to southwest Nigeria.

We seek the common humanity and solidarity of all who chose Yoruba land as home, the resolution affirmed.

Meanwhile, Rivers state governor, Barrister Nyesome Wike has warned members of IPOB to steer clear of the state and quit the attack on Nigerian citizens living in his domain.

The governor made this known via a state wide broadcast to residents of the state on Friday, September 15.

He stated unequivocally that Rivers people fully subscribe to Nigerias corporate existence and its indivisibility.

READ ALSO: IPOB: Police step up security in the north to forestall breakdown of law and order

Watch Vice President Yemi Osinbajo lecture Nigerians on the need to live in peace always on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng
A volunteer racist firefighter for Franklin Township, Ohio, Tyler Roysdon, has been suspended over a strong comment he made against black people on Facebook.

He wrote that if he had to choose between saving a dog or a black man from a burning building, he would opt for the dog, because one dog is more important than a million n****rs.

Although he has deleted the comments on Facebook, this was not before it was screen-grabbed.

READ ALSO: Trump abruptly ends manufacturing council after 3 CEOs resigned

Firefighter says saving one dog is more important than a million black people (photo credit: Huffingtonpost)

Township officials released an official statement about Roysdon on Thursday, September 15, revealing he has been suspended.

Recently, a Franklin Township volunteer firefighter posted unacceptable remarks on social media. Upon gaining knowledge of this information, Fire Chief Steve Bishop immediately contacted the firefighter and directed the comments be removed. The firefighter was suspended without pay until the Board of Township Trustees could meet to determine a course of action. Chief Bishop does not have the authority to terminate employees. Termination of any township employee requires a vote by the Board of Trustees.

Watch this Legit.ng TV's interview with 'Nigeria's ambassador of peace' living on the street in Abuja:

Source: Legit.ng
Rare white giraffes spotted by Kenyan conservation group inhabitat (furzy)

This Monkey Took a Selfie, and His Ensuing Lawsuit Could Break New Ground for Animal Rights (Video) Alternet. In case you missed itheadline a bit misleading, however.

Dog yoga classes in London aimed to help you bond with your pet Business Insider

90 Companies Helped Cause the Climate CrisisThey Should Pay for It by Sarah van Gelder YES! Magazine Yes! (furzy)

China?

Chinas CNOOC cancels Aurora LNG project in B.C. Globe and Mail (Sid S)

North Korea

The Rohingya Psyops: Waging Covert War on Myanmar Gearoid OColamin. Margarita: I have followed this Irish writer for some time now; hes always well informed. Here is a different take on the crisis in Myanmar (and really, this makes a lot more sense; having been to M., the descriptions of Buddhists killing willy-nilly just do not compute). FWIW, Lambert is not completely persuaded.

India, climate change and nuclear power: the denials, delusions and deceptions of Modi Ecologist (micael)

Juncker Talks The Talk: Who Will Walk The Walk? Social Europe (micael)

Germany wont lead the free world. It barely looks beyond its own borders Guardian. Resilc: They have a nice life for their citizens, unlike USA USA, who could care less about us worker bee rubes.

Iceland: UK should have been tougher on bankers after financial crisis Sky News. Richard Smith: If the bankers dont get you, the pedophiles will. See Icelands Government Collapses, Uncertainty Lies Ahead Grapevine (sd)

Brexit

Mystery of sonic weapon attacks at US embassy in Cuba deepens Guardian

New Cold War

Syraqistan

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

How I Believe Facebook Was Censoring My Political Speech American Conservative (resilc, Kevin W)

Imperial Collapse Watch

Trump Transition

Bernie Sanders Sets the Bar for Democrats Ahead of 2020 US News (martha r)

The Health Care Debate Were Not Having Washington Monthly (micael)

Equifax

Houston residents, officials stew over Harvey storm-trash removal Reuters (resilc)

Trumps FCC Will Let Big Telecom Destroy Small Houston ISPs As It Rebuilds After Harvey Motherboard (resilc)

Kansas police chief quits, saying city government urged him to write tickets to make money Daily Kos (furzy)

Black Injustice Tipping Point

Heated protests follow Stockley acquittal St. Louis Dispatch Watch the lady wearing red in the bottom right of the screen. Police using pepper spray on protesters marching after the Stockley ruling pic.twitter.com/XF16yxDQqg  FOX2now (@FOX2now) September 15, 2017

Growing warnings of a stock market bubble WSWS (micael)

What is the federal business-level tax on capital in the United States? Center for Equitable Growth

How Apple and co became some of Americas largest debt collectors Financial Times. In passing, flogs bogus corporate propaganda that profits booked outside the US means cash is outside the US. Apples cash horde is held in US banks and managed as an internal hedge fund out of Nevada.

Why is Amazon deleting negative reviews of Hillary Clintons new book? WSWS (micael)

Amazon Is Hungry and Its Coming for Your Cable Channels NBC (resilc)

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour. Howard W: Polar bear I saw in Lincoln Park.

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Yves here. I dunno about this happiness stuff. Satisfaction is an alien concept. Rather than being more happy, Ive been unhappy in different ways over my life.

By David Blanchflower, Bruce V. Rauner Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College and Andrew Oswald, Professor of Economics, Warwick University. Originally published at VoxEU

Most textbooks in social psychology teach students the idea that happiness and psychological wellbeing are essentially independent of age. Based on data on 1.3 million randomly sampled individuals across a large number of countries, this column argues instead that humans have a fundamental tendency to a midlife low which is apparently substantial and not minor. This puzzling phenomenon seems an important and fundamental one, and its existence should not be ignored.

How happy do you feel today and how old are you? Do you believe in the midlife crisis of folklore, the life-cycle theory of economics, or any other specific theory about what happens to humans as they go greyer?

Nearly two decades ago, a review article by Diener et al. (1999) concluded that happiness and psychological wellbeing are essentially independent of age. They illustrated that view with a flat line (in Figure 3 of their paper). To our knowledge, most textbooks in social psychology continue to teach students the same idea.

How should this topic be tackled by economists and quantitative social scientists? One method is to use cross-sectional datasets. This is a snapshot approach (to use the term adopted in Stone et al. 2010). It has some advantages, including simplicity and the ability to examine large cross-national samples. It has the disadvantages that it may be subject to year-of-birth cohort effects and that, more broadly, the statistical information about ageing then comes from cross-person rather that within-person observation. Of course, any cohort effects are themselves, in principle, of scientific interest.

Do We Have a Tendency to a Midlife Low?

In a recent paper, we argue that the traditional Diener et al. (1999) conclusion that wellbeing is flat through life does not do justice to current evidence (Blanchflower and Oswald 2017). We believe that humans have a fundamental tendency to a midlife low. If you have an economics PhD and have ever estimated a happiness equation with micro data, you probably think the same. But the idea is still not fully known among economists.

Our paper examines data on 1.3 million randomly sampled individuals across a large number of nations. The paper is methodologically very simple. We bring together seven datasets, treat them in a consistent way, and simply plot the results. We argue that it is natural for researchers to try to understand the patterns in pooled cross-sectional datasets as well as those in longitudinal datasets. This certainly does not mean that we think cross-sectional data are better  just that they offer part of the evidence with which social scientists should presumably work.

The background literature is now large. It is also, currently, rather disputatious (including, but not limited to, Blanchflower and Oswald 2008, Easterlin 2003, 2006, Frey and Stutzer 2002, Freund and Ritter 2009, Frijters and Beaton 2012, Glenn 2009, Graham and Pozuelo 2017, Lachman 2015, Stone et al. 2010, Steptoe et al. 2015, Van Landeghem 2012, Wunder et al. 2013, Schwandt 2016). In an unusual paper that is related to this literature, Weiss et al. (2012) use data on three samples of great apes and document some evidence of a U-shape.

Other studies, such as Lachman (2015), come close to arguing that there may be a midlife dip but that it may be too small to be significant. Some writings (e.g. Freund and Ritter 2009) are fairly dismissive of the notion of a midlife low. Plenty of material on the internet goes further and derides the entire idea of a midlife crisis.

Within the cross-section tradition, two broad ways to analyse the papers scientific issue can be found. One set of writings has attempted to study raw numbers on well-being and age. This might be called the descriptive approach. A second has examined the patterns in regression equations for well-being (that is, adjusting for other influences). This might be termed the ceteris paribus analytical approach. Methods of the latter kind are standard in epidemiology and economics, of course, where the tradition has been to try to understand the consequences of an independent variable (smoking, income, etc.) after adjusting for other influences on the dependent variable.

Neither of these two approaches is right. They measure different things.

The U-shape of Life Satisfaction

Our papers seven datasets provide information on large numbers of randomly sampled citizens; each person is asked questions about happiness or life satisfaction. The datasets are, respectively, for the UK, the US, 36 European countries, 32 European countries, 51 nations around the world, and (again) the US.

For example, Figure 1 plots life-satisfaction data for approximately 416,000 randomly sampled citizens of the UK. Wellbeing data are now collected annually as part of official government statistics by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS). One of those is a measure of citizens overall life satisfaction.1

Figure 1 Life satisfaction at different ages in the UK, 2011-2015 pooled (416,000 observations)

Notes: This figure is based on data using the question Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays? scored from zero to 10. To aid in understanding the size of the age effect, the coefficients on marital separation and unemployment in a life-satisfaction regression equation here are approximately -0.3 and -0.8. The figure is constructed by estimating a regression equation with approximately 74 separate age dummy variables.

Figure 1, and each of the later figures in our paper, lays out two kinds of plots. One is for raw averaged life-satisfaction scores at different ages. This is the descriptive approach, advocated by, for example, Glenn (2009). The other, derived from a regression equation in which other covariates (so-called controls) are included, is the regression-adjusted level of life satisfaction. This can be thought of as an estimate of the pure or marginal effect of ageing. It can be seen in the figure that the two curves are similar to one another, so in this case the adjustment for controls does not greatly affect the fundamental conclusions.

Figure 2 plots life-satisfaction data for approximately 427,000 randomly sampled citizens of the US. The data are from the Behavioral Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is a survey run by the US Centres for Disease Control.2 The data are for 2010, which is the most recent year in which the BRFSS asked this question.

Figure 2 Life satisfaction at different ages in the US, 2010 (427,000 observations)

Notes: This figure is based on data using the question In general, how satisfied are you with your life? Very dissatisfied,., very satisfied. scored from 1 to 4. To aid in understanding the size of the age effect, the coefficients on marital separation and unemployment in a life-satisfaction regression equation here are approximately -0.3 and 0.3.

As before, the figure lays out two kinds of plots. One is for raw averaged life-satisfaction scores at different ages. The other, derived from a regression equation in which other covariates (so-called controls) are included, is the regression-adjusted level of life satisfaction. It can be seen, as in Figure 1 for UK data, that the two curves in Figure 2 have some similarities to one another. There is apparently some form of midlife low, although now the adjusted nadir (that is, with controls) is closer to early-40s rather than approximately 50. However, the pattern across all ages in the no-controls case is more wavy with an early dip at the start of peoples 20s. Adjusted wellbeing in the US starts high in youth and declines smoothly until the flat part in middle age; it then rises in hill-like way to approximately the age of 70; after that it runs roughly flat, or even fractionally up, until the age of 90.

Figure 3 plots life-satisfaction data for approximately 32,000 randomly sampled citizens across a pooled set of 36 Europeans. The data are from the Eurobarometer Survey series.3 Figure 3 has the previous form of double plot. One is for raw averaged life-satisfaction scores at different ages. The other is the regression-adjusted level of life satisfaction. As in Figure 1 for the UK, and to lesser extent Figure 2 for the US, the two curves track each other. Thus, as before, in this case the adjustment for controls does not alter the fundamental result.

Figure 3 Life satisfaction at different ages in 36 European countries, 2016 (32,000 observations)

Notes: This figure is based on data using the question On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied,or not at all satisfied with the life you lead ? scored from 1 to 4. To aid in understanding the size of the age effect, the coefficients on marital separation and unemployment in a life-satisfaction regression equation here are approximately -0.2 and -0.3.

What comes out of Figure 3 is a pattern very like the one in Figure 1. Wellbeing starts high in youth and falls in a fairly linear way to approximately the mid-50s; as an underlying trend, it then rises in a roughly linear way up to approximately the age of 90. The controls in this case are country dummy variables, gender, level of education, marital status, labour market status, and year dummies.

It might be argued that longitudinal data are, in principle, the desirable kind of testbed. We are sympathetic to that view. However, there is a correction for cohort effects in an earlier paper of ours (Blanchflower and Oswald 2008), and there are emerging panel results, such as Cheng et al. (2017), in which in four longitudinal data sets a U-shape is found. Perhaps the most effective longitudinal evidence against a midlife low is the potentially important work of Galambos et al. (2015) on some fairly small Canadian data sets. It is not currently possible to know why the limited number of modern longitudinal studies do not all agree with one another.

We find in our paper that five out of our seven datasets show a midlife low in raw data. All seven show a midlife low in regression-corrected data. The datasets are publicly available and these results are thus checkable.

Concluding Remarks

Overall, we think there is a great deal of evidence  though we have critics, especially among a small group of social psychologists  that humans experience a midlife psychological low. The midlife decline in wellbeing is apparently substantial and not minor (see the notes below each figure, which compare to the coefficients on major life events). It should perhaps be emphasised that the midlife low is not affected by regression-equation controls for having young children, nor by changing the exact nature of the dependent variable.

Our view is that these kinds of plots of happiness and life satisfaction should be shown  admittedly with a discussion of appropriate caveats  to all young psychologists and economists and medical scientists and biologists and others. The phenomenon seems an important and fundamental one. It is currently a puzzle. Realistically, nobody in the world understands why these intriguing U-shapes are found in modern data. Ignoring the existence of this apparently deep-rooted pattern, however, is presumably not helpful or scientifically sensible.

See original post for references
Although 29 states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana use for medical purposes, few medical students are being trained how to prescribe the drug. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis surveyed medical school deans, residents and fellows, and examined a curriculum database maintained by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), learning that medical marijuana is not being addressed in medical education.

Their findings are available online in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

"Medical education needs to catch up to marijuana legislation," said senior author Laura Jean Bierut, MD, the Alumni Endowed Professor of Psychiatry at Washington University and a member of the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse. "Physicians in training need to know the benefits and drawbacks associated with medical marijuana so they know when or if, and to whom, to prescribe the drug."

Doctors are being asked to guide patients through areas in which most have no training, she explained.

The research team, led by first author Anastasia B. Evanoff, sent surveys to medical school curriculum deans at 172 medical schools in North America, including 31 that specialize in osteopathic medicine, and received 101 replies. Two-thirds (66.7 percent) reported that their graduates were not prepared to prescribe medical marijuana. A quarter of deans said their trainees weren't even equipped to answer questions about medical marijuana.

The researchers also surveyed 258 residents and fellows who earned their medical degrees from schools around the country before coming to Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis to complete their training. Nearly 90 percent felt they weren't prepared to prescribe medical marijuana, and 85 percent said they had not received any education about medical marijuana during their time at medical schools or in residency programs throughout the country.

Using data from the AAMC database, the researchers found that only 9 percent of medical schools had reported teaching their students about medical marijuana.

"As a future physician, it worries me," said Evanoff, a third-year medical student. "We need to know how to answer questions about medical marijuana's risks and benefits, but there is a fundamental mismatch between state laws involving marijuana and the education physicians-in-training receive at medical schools throughout the country."

However, several states -- Missouri among them -- have not legalized medical marijuana, and published studies about potential risks and benefits of medical marijuana often are contradictory. So what are schools to teach?

"You address the controversy," said co-investigator Carolyn Dufault, PhD, assistant dean for education at Washington University and an instructor in medicine. "You say, 'This is what we know,' and you guide students to the points of controversy. You also point out where there may be research opportunities."

The authors argue that as more states legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use, doctors need to have at least enough training to answer patients' questions.

"More medical students are now getting better training about opioids, for example," said Evanoff. "We talk about how those drugs can affect every organ system in the body, and we learn how to discuss the risks and benefits with patients. But if a patient were to ask about medical marijuana, most medical students wouldn't know what to say."

Source: https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/medical-students-not-trained-prescribe-medical-marijuana/
There was an analysis on Quora of the number of deaths associated with the Cold War. The USA did contain communism and then communism failed economically. The USSR and China have now converted to some form of capitalism. Although Russia is more of a Kleptocracy.

How many died in the Cold War?

A loose definition of casualties linked to the cold war the gives a death toll between about 10.8 and 25 million by estimating related civil wars, interventions and genocides. It would rank as the 9th deadliest war in history

Note  many of these deaths would have happened in the absence of the Cold War. North Vietnam and South Vietnam would have still fought and there would have still been boat people. The Civil war in China would still have occurred.

Also, the communist multi-generational dictatorship of North Korea is a left over Cold War era problem. So ignoring or insufficient or ineffective intervention can also be a problem.

Could Cold War Conflict have ended sooner?

How much sooner or less violent could the wars and conflicts have been ?

The USA and China might have been able to meet sooner. Nixon visited in 1972 and announced it in 1971 and was elected in 1969.

How Many Died in War on Terror?

Now there is the multidecade war on Terror.

The total number killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan could be in excess of 2 million. There are also deaths in Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Syria, and beyond.

Iran is providing support and sponsorship in several areas.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are funding some groups.

Pakistan supports some groups.

Is it possible that the major funders (individual and state) and behind the scenes funding nations could be usefully engaged to damp down the conflict and the terrorism ? Are there other policies and programs that would make terrorism a less enticing option for those that choose that path?

Can technology (Blockchain) and computer currencies that track all transactions be applied in a way to de-escalate the conflicts.

Background on the rough Cold War Casualty count

158,000 Greek Civil War

3,000 Executed in East Germany

6,2226,722 Hungarian Revolution

2,469,2873,272,955 Korean War

2,500,0006,000,000 194549 Chinese Civil War

200300 Iranian Revolution

200,000 Guatemalan Civil War

100,000 Congo Crisis

5,000 Cuban Revolution

4,198 Bay of Pigs Invasion

2,825 Dominican Civil War

400,0003,000,000 196566 Indonesian Genocide

966,0003,812,000 Vietnam War

240,000300,000 Cambodian Civil War

1,700,0003,000,000 Cambodian genocide

20,00062,000 Laotian Civil War

100,000 Hmong genocide

200,000 Degar genocide

200,000 Boat people

95,000 Reeducation Camps

65,425 Foreign Intervention In Indochina Wars

60,00080,000 Operation Condor (3,000 Pinochet, 13,000 Vidella, et al.)

10,82221,601 Yom Kippur War+14,119 Ogaden War

430,0001,500,000 Menghistu Haile Mariam Crimes Against Humanity

500,000 Angolan Civil War

60,000308,000 East Timor genocide

500,0002,000,000 Soviet Afghan War I
There is an interesting assessment of the Vietnam War.

In order to determine who won and who lost the war it asks three questions

(1) what was the goals of the involved parties.

(2) What price did they have to pay?

(3) The overall assessment of the war.

A- Goals of Involved Parties

1. According to the Pentagon Papers (Pentagon Papers is a nearly 4,000-page top-secret Pentagon study of US government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War from 1945 to 1967. The document was declassified on May 5, 2011, and has been on display at the Library of President Nixon in California. ), the US got involved in the Vietnam War to encompass Communist China, not to help defend South Viet Nams independence, which was the ruse for the US containment strategy at the time.

2. The North Vietnams goal was to liberate South Viet Nam by force and to use it as a springboard to spread International Communism throughout Southeast Asia, which was also Ho Chi Minhs goal since 1932 when he was the leader of the Indochinese Communist Party. Le Duan, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), who was believed to have said, We fight the Americans for the USSR and China, must have followed this goal to the letter. If so, the statement represented the true mission of the Communist leaders.

3. The goal of the South Vietnamese leaders was to defend the countrys independence and sovereignty. Since the North Vietnamese Communists enjoyed maximum supports from the USSR, China, the Eastern European Communist Block, and even Cuba, South Viet Nam had no other choice but accepted assistances from the United States and other capitalist countries to fight against the Communist invasion.

1. Communist China did not spread communism beyond Vietnam [Laos and Cambodia]. Therefore the USA won.

This issue goes to the Domino Theory. The domino theory was a theory prominent from the 1950s to the 1980s, that posited that if one country in a region came under the influence of communism, then the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect. The domino theory was used by successive United States administrations during the Cold War to justify the need for American intervention around the world.

In May 1954, the Viet Minh, a Communist and nationalist army, defeated French troops in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and took control of what became North Vietnam. This caused the French to fully withdraw from the region then known as French Indochina, a process they had begun earlier. The regions were then divided into four independent countries (North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) after a deal was brokered at the 1954 Geneva Conference to end the First Indochina War.

The primary evidence for the domino theory is the spread of communist rule in three Southeast Asian countries in 1975, following the communist takeover of Vietnam: South Vietnam (by the Viet Cong), Laos (by the Pathet Lao), and Cambodia (by the Khmer Rouge). It can further be argued that before they finished taking Vietnam prior to the 1950s, the communist campaigns did not succeed in Southeast Asia. Note the Malayan Emergency, the Hukbalahap Rebellion in the Philippines, and the increasing involvement with Communists by Sukarno of Indonesia from the late 1950s until he was deposed in 1967. All of these were unsuccessful Communist attempts to take over Southeast Asian countries which stalled when communist forces were still focused in Vietnam.

Walt Whitman Rostow and the then Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew have argued that the U.S. intervention in Indochina, by giving the nations of ASEAN time to consolidate and engage in economic growth, prevented a wider domino effect.

McGeorge Bundy argued that the prospects for a domino effect, though high in the 1950s and early 1960s, were weakened in 1965 when the Indonesian Communist Party was destroyed via CIA-supported death squads in the Indonesian Genocide.

The CIA denies active involvement in the killings 400,000 to 3 million] in Indonesia. It was later revealed that the US government provided extensive lists of communists to Indonesian death squads.

Proponents believe that the efforts during the containment (i.e. Domino Theory) period ultimately led to the demise of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

Was the Indonesian genocide needed to achieve the containment of communism ?

If North Vietnam had been allowed to conquer the South without US military involvement could it have been contained with other means ? Would Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos have gone after Thailand or Indonesia ?

2. North Vietnam was a loser, because they did not spread communism. They did win one goal of getting control of South Vietnam.

3. Republic of Vietnam was the loser because it surrendered unconditionally on April 30, 1975.

Long View

Chinas economic reforms began in 1978. Nixon opening up to China, the death of Mao and Deng shifting Chinas economy meant the unwinding of real communism in China.

China is now successfully spreading its influence but not exporting communism.

Vietnam economy enjoyed remarkable achievements in the first 20 years of economic renovation (Doi Moi) from 1986 to 2006. Notably, the economy grew at an average annual rate of 7.5% in 1991-2000 period. Vietnams Amended Constitution 1992 recognized the role of private sector in the economy. U.S.-Vietnam Trade Bilateral Agreement (US-BTA) was signed in 2001. The countrys stock market made debut trading in 2000. Vietnam became a member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, then proceeded to full membership of the World Trade Organization in 2007, following which registered foreign direct investment (FDI) reached an all-time high of US$71.7 billion in 2008.
NPS Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: September 15, 2017

September 15, 2017 Contact: Tawnya Schoewe, 218-283-6670 Contact: Ben Welch, 218-283-6658 INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: On September 9, 2017 Park Rangers contacted four fishermen during a routine stop on Kabetogama Lake. During the stop, four individuals from Illinois, were found to be in possession of 44 northern pike and three bass. All four were cited for being over-limit of northern pike and three were cited for using an extra fishing line. In addition, some fish were not identifiable and/or countable as required by the Minnesota Department of Natural resources (MN DNR) for transported fish. Park Rangers were able to immediately release seven live fish and the rest were seized.



The MNDNR was able to donate the over-limit of fish to the International Falls, Minnesota Good Samaritan Nursing Home.



Healthy fisheries affect everyone. When over-limits of fish are taken, fish populations can become stressed and vulnerable to collapse, hampering the ability of fishery managers to maintain healthy fish populations. Harvest limits are set by the MNDNR to maintain harvest within sustainable yields.



The successful investigation was a direct result of the partnership between the Minnesota Conservation Officers and Voyageurs National Park Rangers.



Voyageurs National Park encourages people to contact the park at (218) 283-6600 or Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at (800) 652-9093 if they observe any suspicious or illegal behavior in the park.



About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for Americas 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: On September 9, 2017 Park Rangers contacted four fishermen during a routine stop on Kabetogama Lake. During the stop, four individuals from Illinois, were found to be in possession of 44 northern pike and three bass. All four were cited for being over-limit of northern pike and three were cited for using an extra fishing line. In addition, some fish were not identifiable and/or countable as required by the Minnesota Department of Natural resources (MN DNR) for transported fish. Park Rangers were able to immediately release seven live fish and the rest were seized.The MNDNR was able to donate the over-limit of fish to the International Falls, Minnesota Good Samaritan Nursing Home.Healthy fisheries affect everyone. When over-limits of fish are taken, fish populations can become stressed and vulnerable to collapse, hampering the ability of fishery managers to maintain healthy fish populations. Harvest limits are set by the MNDNR to maintain harvest within sustainable yields.The successful investigation was a direct result of the partnership between the Minnesota Conservation Officers and Voyageurs National Park Rangers.Voyageurs National Park encourages people to contact the park at (218) 283-6600 or Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at (800) 652-9093 if they observe any suspicious or illegal behavior in the park.About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for Americas 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov




Fridays developments in the Jemele Hill saga included White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders calling ESPN hypocritical, ESPN president John Skipper sending an internal memo that ESPN is not a political organization, and ESPN public editor Jim Brady writing a column that largely defended ESPNs reprimand for Hill, summarizing it on Twitter as Seen through a journalistic lens, Hills tweets ill-advised. Whats more interesting than Bradys actual column is the massive backlash he took on Twitter for criticizing Hill, though.

In particular, its notable how Brady responded. He doubled down further on his position, saying Hills comments were unproveable opinion she should have avoided, and sent subsequent tweets that also took huge backlash from a lot of prominent journalists and others. And he did this for over six hours. Lets look at some of the Twitter battles he got into:

My latest: Seen through a journalistic lens, Hill's tweets ill-advised: https://t.co/hmqoxh9JI3  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

No one has to work anywhere where there values are not shared. But work anywhere  media co, law firm, 7-11  there will be guidelines.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

She violated a journalistic and a company guideline. To that extent  as I said  whether the statement is true or not doesn't matter.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

Where did I say her statement was not true? Just said I think saying it's an indisputable fact isn't accurate either.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

Most do, because they don't come from journalists. I may be an old fogey, but still think reporting what we know is better than labeling.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

I didn't weigh in on the truth of the statement. Doesn't matter. We get paid to adhere to some code about how we communicate.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

Both probably. Still think journalists should stick to facts, and let others do the name-calling. But policies do matter too.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

To what end? Question isn't whether he is or isn't because, in the end, it's an opinion. One many have, but an opinion nonetheleas.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

I think I see where you're headed, so let me say: I am not saying he is or isn't a white supremacist. I'm just saying best method of   ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

 argument is to lay out the facts, as you are. Much more compelling that tossing the label around. Because labels are ignored by many.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

And so are legit news stories by some. But the old fart is me says the mission is still best accomplished with steady stream of facts.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

Almost everyone I've ever met who thinks aiming for objectivity is silly is sure the truth is ascertainable 100% of the time. Don't agree.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

Except they laid out rules saying don't do politics w/o sports connection. Agree some guidelines are broad, but that one isn't.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

Serious question, because I don't know answer: How many pieces have you written that have called Trump a "white supremacist"?  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

A lot of these conversations were rejecting the use of labels in favor of facts. And yet, though, as some pointed out, Brady himself has used plenty of labels, such as saying it seems clear that [ESPN] leans left in a previous public editor column:

Does your opposition to labels apply to all labels, or just this one? Im pretty sure we both know journalists use labels all the time.  Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) September 16, 2017

Sure, heres one. I think you know the author. pic.twitter.com/HHYinUYHGy  Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) September 16, 2017

Bradys defense? Saying thats not a controversial label:

And you think that label falls in the same category as "white supremacist"? Half of twitter followers label themselves by their politics.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

Saying the company as a whole leans left certainly goes against Skippers not a political organization, though, and against all the other claims ESPN has made about the companys lack of political stance. So, thats a controversial label in its own right, and one that provided ammunition for right-wing ESPN critics.

And that wasnt the only controversial discussion Brady got into Friday. One particularly interesting conversation came with Huffington Post writer and author Jason Fagone, who brought up Bradys ownership of Pennsylvania news sites Billy Penn and The Incline and asked what that meant for their journalists. Brady said he doesnt want his journalists following Hills lead:

Funny. It's been three years now. What do you think is going to happen.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

If thinking that aiming for objectivity  a impossible ideal but the right goal, imho  is old school, will gladly enroll.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

That we have some responsibility as journalists to report what we know and let others apply labels. I'm good with that.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 15, 2017

That led into a further argument with Fagone and Nashville Scene/Nashville Post writer Cari Gervin:

And you literally are stating something to be true that is an opinion. So here we are.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

To be clear, the truth always matters. But insisting there's an absolute truth here is where I disagree. Which was my point, made poorly.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

If you think he's a racist fine, but that doesn't mean every media outlet in the country needs to follow your lead.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

By your own logic, if some guy out there think Elvis is alive in Kalamazoo, we all need to accept that as fact.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

And, for what it's worth, others agree. That's why we do what we do. You hate the column, and that's fine by me. I stand by it.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

So you're now citing white supremacists as a legit source? I don't think that's a road you want to go down.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

Look, you are of a different generation of people in the biz. You think what you think are truths. I think what I think is what I think.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

You'll still be doing this when I'm long retired. But if you assume you know all about everything, I worry about the business.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

But it is. You're applying a label you think is appropriate, and you're just moving on to stating it as a fact that we all must accept.  ESPN Public Editor (@ESPNPublicEd) September 16, 2017

This is very different from previous people in the ESPN ombudsman role, who generally let their columns speak for themselves and engaged with reader feedback in mailbags, if at all. And some, the Poynter Institute in particular, were famous for never responding to certain reader feedback. (We never did get that Craig James column.)

Of course, as Brady discussed with Awful Announcing when he was hired in November 2015, he was brought in as a public editor rather than an ombudsman (after a gap without one), and social media was described as part of his role. He told AA then his role was about providing communication and access to the readers. Well, he certainly did that Friday, but it didnt work out so well for him from a ratio standpoint. (Some of that is his replies to his own tweets, some is that individual replies arent likely to pick up many likes or retweets, but still, a lot of what Brady is arguing here took major and widespread criticism.):

I dont think Ive ever seen someone get ratiod so many times in a single evening. pic.twitter.com/pLzR7Uab2I  Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) September 16, 2017

As of 11:45 p.m. Eastern Friday, Brady was still actively responding to critics.

[@ESPNPublicEd on Twitter]
Montanas two U.S. senators tried this week to convince the International Trade Commission that an influx of cheap, Canadian government-subsidized lumber imports threatens Montana jobs and the states wood products industry.

Jon Tester, a Democrat, and Republic Steve Daines testified Tuesday that Montana lumber mill workers are facing unfair trade practices, and spoke of the importance of removing subsidized Canadian lumber from the American market.

The Canadian Softwood Lumber Agreement expired in 2015, and since then, Canadian firms have been sending lumber into the United States at prices with which companies here cant compete.

Unlike the competitive-bidding, free-market system here, the Canadian timber industry is heavily subsidized by the government, which gives access to timber to companies based on lotteries and long leases. The currency exchange rate has also been favorable for Canadian companies that export products here.

U.S. producers purchase timber in a free market that constantly fluctuates in terms of availability and price, while Canadian producers rely on their government for subsidies and access to cheap timber, explained Chuck Roady, vice president and general manager of the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. in Columbia Falls.

The lack of a level playing field is the sole reason Canadian mills can invest and encroach on American market share while the U.S. industry weathers market ups and downs," he said.

Roady said that his company has not been able to run at full capacity for many years now.

Our neighbors north of the border do not have to constantly worry about procuring sufficient timber to operate their mills, but that very concern is what keeps me up at night, he said. Located just 40 miles from the Canadian border, we at F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. have seen significant volumes of lumber pour across our border on a daily basis for decades. While we work exponentially harder to sustain our own operation, I watch as more than 30 carloads per day of Canadian lumber pass our sawmill on the railroad.

According to Julia Altemus of the Montana Wood Products Association, nearly 7,000 jobs depend on the wood products industry in Montana.

Back in June, the United States imposed countervailing duties and anti-dumping duties on imported softwood lumber from Canada. The hearing on Tuesday was for the ITC to gather more information before they make a final determination.

Zoltan van Heyningen, a spokesperson for the U.S. Lumber Coalition, said a new trade agreement must be reached soon.

Lumber mill owners from across the country today made it clear that unfairly traded softwood lumber from Canada causes very real harm to U.S. producers and their workers, he said. While Canadian producers enjoy massive government subsidies, their abuse of the U.S. trade laws results in lost profits, and lost ability to expand and grow production and jobs in the United States.

"As long as Canadian producers continue to ignore U.S. trade laws to suppress prices and capture growth in the American market, the U.S. government must level the playing field for U.S. workers by enforcing our laws," he said.

Roady said that the United States and Canada have been fighting over this issue for 30 years, and the Canadians are reluctant to come to the table for a new agreement because they dont have any incentive to upend the status quo.

We, the U.S. industry, are not asking for a handout, or a leg up, we simply want to earn our business  fairly, Roady said. We cannot allow Canada to continue to operate under very different rules and distort the market to their advantage without leveling the playing field. The administration, our trade representatives and Congress must enforce current trade laws in order to revitalize the U.S. lumber industry and restore the strength of manufacturing in America.

Daines told the ITC that the U.S. Dept. of Commerce has already found that Canadians companies have been dumping lumber into the U.S. market in an effort to capture market share.

I support the ongoing negotiations currently taking place to reach a new softwood lumber agreement, Daines said. That being said, an agreement is not an end in and of itself. It needs to be a fair and effective agreement that creates a level playing field for Montana producers and supports Montana jobs. Until such an agreement is reached, the U.S. should enforce all existing and appropriate U.S. trade laws.

Tester said that Canada needs to be held fully accountable for flooding the market with cheap, subsidized softwood lumber.

To limit the onslaught of subsidized Canadian lumber into our markets, we must immediately deploy our trade enforcement tools, he said during his testimony. Our mills and our economy simply cannot afford to wait any longer.

Tester said that Canadian softwood lumber imports have surged since the agreement expired, which has caused U.S. softwood lumber prices to fall even while demand has been growing.

The loss of market share is especially troubling because Canada does not use a fair market system to prices in raw timber, he said. Unlike the United States, where a large majority of timber is sourced from private lands at a fair market value, most Canadian timber is on public land and the Canadian provincial governments artificially set the harvesting prices.

"The system, known as stumpage fees, provides a sizeable competitive advantage to Canadian mills. Stumpage fees amount to the Canadian government providing a subsidy to businesses that are directly competing with unsubsidized American businesses," Tester said.

After the United States slapped anti-dumping tariffs on Canadian lumber in June, Canadian Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and Foreign Affairs Minister Christia Freeland said in a statement that the government was deeply disappointed, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

We will vigorously defend Canada's softwood lumber industry, including through litigation, and we expect to prevail as we have in the past, they said.

The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, bipartisan federal agency that oversees and determines the implementation of U.S. tariffs. The commissions primary responsibility is to examine the benefits and consequences of U.S. tariffs to different sectors of the economy.
Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest this summer gave rise to dangerous air quality throughout the region, and generated plumes of smoke that spread across vast swaths of North America.

All times in video are Mountain. | Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere

In July, a high-pressure system settled over the West, causing a widespread heat wave. It trapped smoke from wildfires like a lid, leaving communities with low visibility and ash-filled air. Smoke billowed into the atmosphere and traveled eastward, cutting a path across the Midwest.

The fires are burning hot enough to push smoke and ash miles into the air where winds are stronger, allowing the smoke to travel greater distances than what is produced by less powerful blazes.

Extent of wildfires and smoke particles over eight days Active fires as of Sept. 5 Air quality in parts of the Northwest reached hazardous levels. WASHINGTON Smoke in the atmosphere extended as far east as New York and Pennsylvania. NORTH DAKOTA MONTANA OREGON SOUTH DAKOTA IDAHO New YorK WYOMING Pennsylvania IOWA CALIFORNIA NEBRASKA OHIO INDIANA COLORADO ILLINOIS KANSAS MISSOURI OKLAHOMA Smoke and other particles in atmosphere Less More Air quality in parts of the Northwest reached hazardous levels. Smoke in the atmosphere extended as far east as New York and Pennsylvania. WASHINGTON NORTH DAKOTA MONTANA OREGON SOUTH DAKOTA IDAHO N.Y. WYOMING CALIFORNIA Pa. IOWA NEBRASKA OHIO Ind. Ill. COLORADO KANSAS Mo. Okla. Smoke and other particles in atmosphere Less More Air quality in parts of the Northwest reached hazardous levels. Smoke in the atmosphere extended as far east as New York and Pennsylvania. Wash. Mont. N.D. Ore. IDAHO S.D. N.Y. Wyo. Calif. Pa. IOWA Neb. OHIO Ill. Ind. Colo. Kan. Mo. Okla. Smoke and other particles in atmosphere Less More Smoke in the atmosphere extended as far east as New York and Pennsylvania. WA MT ND OR ID NY SD WY Ca IA Pa NE OH IN IL Co MO Ks OK Smoke and other particles in atmosphere Less More Atmospheric particle data is derived from an eight-day average (Aug. 29 to Sept. 5). The data is a measure of how much light the airborne particles prevent from traveling through the atmosphere. | Sources: NASA Earth Observations; U.S. Forest Service; Herwig G. Schutzler (relief map)

Colin Seftor, an atmospheric scientist at NASA, said he believed that the smoke beyond the Western states was high enough in the atmosphere that there were no immediate health concerns for the rest of the country. But he said that such large clouds of particulates in the air could have broader impact, like a reduction in temperatures on the ground.

In the heart of wildfire country, the effects of the smoke were felt on the ground. For more than 30 hours within a five-day period in early September, the air quality in the Pacific Northwest was worse than the air being observed anywhere else in the world, according to Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit group focused on climate science.

Both Washington and California declared states of emergency as skies turned brown and the air filled with smoke. In Portland, residents reported snowing ash.

Air quality measured on Sept. 5 Hazardous Very Unhealthy Unhealthy Unhealthy for sensitive groups Active fire CANADA WASHINGTON MONTANA OREGON IDAHO WYOMING CALIFORNIA NEVADA Sources: AirNow; Herwig G. Schutzler (relief map)

Our entire state was completely blanketed with smoke, said Camille St. Onge, Climate communication manager of the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Cheeka Peak air monitoring station on the Washington coast is typically one of the cleanest stations in the state. But in early September, it recorded an air quality condition of hazardous, the worst level as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as it relates to the level of health concern.

Counties near the Rice Ridge fire in Montana, one of the worst fires this season, recorded more than twice as many hospital visits related to respiratory problems compared with the same period last year, according to the Montana Department of Health. Hazardous air quality levels were measured in Seeley Lake, Mont., for the first time since 2009, for a total of 18 days.

Even states without active wildfires have been affected by the spread of wildfire smoke. On Wednesday, the North Dakota Department of Health issued a press release urging caution about smoke traveling across the states border with Montana.

Sisters, Ore. Ogden, Utah. Seeley Lake, Mont. North Bend, Wash. Moscow, Idaho Columbia River Gorge, Wash.

Clockwise, from top left: Fedor Zarkhin/The Oregonian, via Associated Press; Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner, via Associated Press; Rion Sanders/The Great Falls Tribune, via Associated Press; Mark Graves/The Oregonian, via Associated Press; Geoff Crimmins/The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, via Associated Press; Bettina Hansen/The Seattle Times, via Associated Press
From New York Times

For seven years, I didn't exist.

While incarcerated, I had no bank statements, no bills, no credit history. In our interconnected world of big data, I appeared to be no different than a deceased person. After I was released, that lack of information about me created a host of problems, from difficulty accessing bank accounts to trouble getting a driver's license and renting an apartment.

In 2010, the iPhone was only three years old, and many people still didn't see smartphones as the indispensable digital appendages they are today. Seven years later, virtually everything we do causes us to bleed digital information, putting us at the mercy of invisible algorithms that threaten to consume our freedom.

Information leakage can seem innocuous in some respects. After all, why worry when we have nothing to hide?

We file our taxes. We make phone calls. We send emails. Tax records are used to keep us honest. We agree to broadcast our location so we can check the weather on our smartphones. Records of our calls, texts and physical movements are filed away alongside our billing information. Perhaps that data is analyzed more covertly to make sure that we're not terrorists -- but only in the interest of national security, we're assured.

Our faces and voices are recorded by surveillance cameras and other internet-connected sensors, some of which we now willingly put inside our homes. Every time we load a news article or page on a social media site, we expose ourselves to tracking code, allowing hundreds of unknown entities to monitor our shopping and online browsing habits. We agree to cryptic terms-of-service agreements that obscure the true nature and scope of these transactions.

Just how much they've lost, however, is more than they likely suspect.

The real power of mass data collection lies in the hand-tailored algorithms capable of sifting, sorting and identifying patterns within the data itself. When enough information is collected over time, governments and corporations can use or abuse those patterns to predict future human behavior. Our data establishes a "pattern of life" from seemingly harmless digital residue like cellphone tower pings, credit card transactions and web browsing histories.

The consequences of our being subjected to constant algorithmic scrutiny are often unclear. For instance, artificial intelligence -- Silicon Valley's catchall term for deepthinking and deep-learning algorithms -- is touted by tech companies as a path to the high-tech conveniences of the so-called internet of things. This includes digital home assistants, connected appliances and self-driving cars.

Simultaneously, algorithms are already analyzing social media habits, determining creditworthiness, deciding which job candidates get called in for an interview and judging whether criminal defendants should be released on bail. Other machine-learning systems use automated facial analysis to detect and track emotions, or claim the ability to predict whether someone will become a criminal based only on their facial features.

These systems leave no room for humanity, yet they define our daily lives. When I began rebuilding my life this summer, I painfully discovered that they have no time for people who have fallen off the grid -- such nuance eludes them. I came out publicly as transgender and began hormone replacement therapy while in prison. When I was released, however, there was no quantifiable history of me existing as a transwoman. Credit and background checks automatically assumed I was committing fraud. My bank accounts were still under my old name, which legally no longer existed. For months I had to carry around a large folder containing my old ID and a copy of the court order declaring my name change. Even then, human clerks and bank tellers would sometimes see the discrepancy, shrug and say "the computer says no" while denying me access to my accounts.

Such programmatic, machine-driven thinking has become especially dangerous in the hands of governments and the police.

In recent years our military, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have merged in unexpected ways. They harvest more data than they can possibly manage, and wade through the quantifiable world side by side in vast, usually windowless buildings called fusion centers.

Such powerful new relationships have created a foundation for, and have breathed life into, a vast police and surveillance state. Advanced algorithms have made this possible on an unprecedented level. Relatively minor infractions, or "microcrimes," can now be policed aggressively. And with national databases shared among governments and corporations, these minor incidents can follow you forever, even if the information is incorrect or lacking context.

At the same time, the United States military uses the metadata of countless communications for drone attacks, using pings emitted from cellphones to track and eliminate targets.

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From Counterpunch



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No inquiry is required to have it confirmed that the Grenfell Fire in London on 14 June 2017 was a crime whose roots lie in the virulent disdain and contempt, bordering on hatred, of working class and poor people in a society which in the second decade of the 21st century is a utopia for a small minority and a dystopia for far too many.

The burnt-out shell of Grenfell Tower stands as symptom and symbol of the class war that has been and is still raging all over Britain, a war that in 2017 has never been more intense and in which only one side is throwing punches and only one side is taking them. Thus it is impossible to consider the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to be anything other than an establishment pantomime capable of delivering only a simulacrum of justice in that its very complexion perpetuates the social injustice that led inexorably to the fire and resulting carnage.

The more cynical among us will not persuaded that the real purpose of the inquiry is anything other than to channel and filter the righteous rage and anger of a community that has been so grievously wronged onto the safe ground of obfuscation, shrouded in legalese and the kind of establishment-speak perfected over the far too many years in which the lives of working class and poor people have been regarded by the rich to be of scant importance.

As Alan Badiou reminds us, we are living in a world in which we have to "save the banks rather than confiscate them, hand out billions to the rich and give nothing to the poor, set nationals against workers of foreign origin whenever possible, and, in a word, keep tight controls on all forms of poverty in order to ensure the survival of the powerful."

Leading the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is Cambridge-educated retired judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick. In one of the last cases he heard prior to his retirement Moore-Bick found in favor of Westminster Council in 2014 in a case brought by a single mother of five, Titina Nzolameso. Ms Nzolameso had approached the council to be rehoused after she was made homeless in 2012. They offered her accommodation 50 miles from London and when she refused, Westminster Council ruled that she had made herself "intentionally homeless," thus absolving them of their obligation to rehouse her under the 1996 Housing Act.

Sir Martin James Moore-Bick's judgement, later overruled by the Supreme Court on appeal, drew the criticism that it was tantamount to a "green light" for councils in London to embark on the social cleansing of their poorer tenants and residents. The relevance of this judgement to the Grenfell Inquiry could not be more pointed, involving as it does issues concerning the substandard housing endured by Westminister Council's poorest residents, people of no property in one of the world's most developed and unequal societies in the world with a housing crisis that leaves no doubt of the contempt in which people on low incomes are held by a political class whose slavish attachment to the interests of the rich is beyond doubt.

Almost four months on from the Grenfell Fire only two families of those that survived have been permanently rehoused, while 150 families are still living in temporary hotel accommodation across the city.

At the heart of this issue are the questions of class and inequality that have long blighted British society. Their most grievous symptoms in 2017 are food banks, benefit sanctions, the welfare cap, homelessness, the housing crisis, and as Grenfell attests to, substandard housing. Each of the aforementioned feeds into the Grenfell Fire and the treatment of the survivors with regard to the lack of action and progress in permanently rehousing them; this in a borough in which 1,857 properties are currently lying empty in the vicinity of the burnt-out shell of Grenfell Tower.

Everybody living in a community that has been the focus of the national and international media this summer for all the wrong reasons knows that this disaster could have been avoided, should have been avoided, and was not avoided purely as a result of their invisibility in the eyes of the council of the richest borough in London. They are victims of a sick society, intoxicated with greed at one end of the social spectrum and abject cruelty at the other, bringing with it the attendant maladies of crime, drug abuse, mental illness, and human despair.

In this scenario retired judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick could only ever be part of the problem rather then the solution. He is emblematic of an elite for whom the demographic represented by Grenfell might as well be living on another planet. Indeed it is hard to argue with the suggestion that only when we are living in a society in which Moore-Bick and his ilk are being judged rather than judging will we know what real justice looks like.
From Alternet

From Trump's "election integrity" commission to Mitch McConnell, the GOP targets the levers of power.

The Republican Party's efforts to disrupt voting and thwart representative government was on full display this past week, when despite ridicule in the press, the GOP's leading proponents of undermining voters and rigging elections were unbowed and forged ahead.

First came Kris Kobach's willfully incorrect -- but headline-grabbing -- accusation on Breitbart.com that more than 5,000 people illegally voted last fall in New Hampshire, delivering an Electoral College majority to Hillary Clinton and a U.S. senate seat to a Democrat. Kobach, an attorney whose anti-immigrant activism launched his career, is the Kansas secretary of state, a current gubernatorial candidate, and co-chair of President Trump's Orwellian-titled "election integrity" commission. Kobach was caught mangling some Republican-produced data about New Hampshire college students who were perfectly legal voters to make his false claim about presumed Democrats voting illegally.

Kobach's antipathy toward non-natives voting is nothing new. He has been repeatedly sued in Kansas over adding qualifications to the state voter registration form, including targeting out-of-staters who have moved there. That creates new barriers to vote in local and state elections. Kobach's anti-democratic partisanship was in sync with another clumsy display this week from another outspoken voter suppressor on Trump's election panel, Hans von Spakovsky. Now at The Heritge Foundation, von Spakovsky led the second Bush administration's voter fraud crusade at the Justice Department, and was caught lying about his email lobbying to keep Democrats from being on Trump's panel.

Trump's election commission keeps getting clownish grades for its antics. This week's New Hampshire field hearing invited only white men to testify, prompting ridicule. Members were caught communicating via private emails for official business -- the same thing right-wingers went crazy about when Hillary Clinton did it. But Kobach didn't backtrack on his voter fraud claims and von Spakovsky didn't resign. No, they forged ahead with the panel's real goal: to impede any citizen who doesn't support the GOP from voting, even as fellow panel members publicly chastised them for it.

That brings us to this week's most notorious witness who testified before the panel in a New Hampshire field hearing. In recent years, John Lott has made more of a name as a firearms fanatic than as a voting rights crusader. But he testified that anyone registering to vote should undergo the same background checks as are needed to get a firearms permit. That too, was ridiculed in the press as a false equivalency, because the legal requirements to be an eligible voter are not the same as for being a gun owner.

However, what nobody mentioned in news reports was perhaps the most salient detail about Lott's proposal that would appeal to Republican vote suppressors. Gun licenses aren't issued to people with criminal records, which if applied to voting, could greatly expand today's current landscape of felon disenfranchisement. In Virginia, Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe has been fighting with the GOP and its red-led legislature over McAuliffe's efforts to restore voting rights to nearly 200,000 ex-felons who completed their sentences, probation and parole. In Florida, a state that permanently bans former felons from voting, an estimated 10 percent of the state's residents -- 1.6 million people -- have lost their voting rights this way.

It's easy enough to be dismissive of Kobach, von Spakovsky and Lott, but they are playing a very serious game, burrowing into the fine print and corners of the voting process to find and exploit ways to rig the rules. You may say there's nothing new about such partisanship; that's politics. But the harm this ilk poses to representative government and the stakes for citizens are enormous.

Yet another example this week showed that the GOP is willing to rewrite the rules when it comes to the democratic process, if that's what it takes for them to win. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he wants to end a process where home-state senators must approve any federal judicial nominee in their state. Blue state senators have been opposing Trump's nomination of right-wingers to lifetime appointments.

McConnell blocked President Obama's final U.S. Supreme Court nomination, and stalled Senate action on federal appeals and district court seats -- hoping a Republican victory last November would result in a federal judiciary turning toward the right for decades. Currently, there are 144 federal court vacancies. In this case, McConnell is trying to press the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Iowa's Charles Grassley, to end the so-called "blue slip" practice, where home state senators can veto nominations. Yet again, the GOP is willing to put party before country to win and exercise power.
From Consortium News



The New York Times building in Manhattan.

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Reading The New York Times these days is like getting a daily dose of the "Two Minutes Hate" as envisioned in George Orwell's 1984,except applied to America's new/old enemy Russia. Even routine international behavior, such as Russia using fictitious names for potential adversaries during a military drill, is transformed into something weird and evil.

In the snide and alarmist style that the Times now always applies to Russia, reporter Andrew Higgins wrote -- referring to a fictitious war-game "enemy" -- "The country does not exist, so it has neither an army nor any real citizens, though it has acquired a feisty following of would-be patriots online. Starting on Thursday, however, the fictional state, Veishnoriya, a distillation of the Kremlin's darkest fears about the West, becomes the target of the combined military might of Russia and its ally Belarus."

This snarky front-page story in Thursday's print editions also played into the Times' larger narrative about Russia as a disseminator of "fake news." You see the Russkies are even inventing "fictional" enemies to bully. Hah-hah-hah! The article was entitled, "Russia's War Games With Fake Enemies Cause Real Alarm."

Of course, the U.S. and its allies also conduct war games against fictitious enemies, but you wouldn't know that from reading the Times. For instance, U.S. war games in 2015 substituted five made-up states -- Ariana, Atropia, Donovia, Gorgas and Limaria -- for nations near the Caucasus mountains along the borders of Russia and Iran.

In earlier war games, the U.S. used both fictitious names and colors in place of actual countries. For instance, in 1981, the Reagan administration conducted "Ocean Venture" with that war-game scenario focused on a group of islands called "Amber and the Amberdines," obvious stand-ins for Grenada and the Grenadines, with "Orange" used to represent Cuba.

In those cases, the maneuvers by the powerful U.S. military were clearly intended to intimidate far weaker countries. Yet, the U.S. mainstream media did not treat those war rehearsals for what they were, implicit aggression, but rather mocked protests from the obvious targets as paranoia since we all know the U.S. would never violate international law and invade some weak country! (As it turned out, Ocean Venture '81 was a dress rehearsal for the actual U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983.)

Yet, as far as the Times and its many imitators in the major media are concerned, there's one standard for "us" and another for Russia and other countries that "we" don't like.

Yellow Journalism

But the Times' behavior over the past several years suggests something even more sinister than biased reporting. The "newspaper of record" has slid into yellow journalism, the practice of two earlier New York newspapers -- William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World -- that in the 1890s manipulated facts about the crisis in Cuba to push the United States into war with Spain, a conflict that many historians say marked the beginning of America's global empire.

Except in today's instance, The New York Times is prepping the American people for what could become World War III. The daily message is that you must learn to hate Russia and its President Vladimir Putin so much that, first, you should support vast new spending on America's Military-Industrial Complex and, second, you'll be ginned up for nuclear war if it comes to that.

At this stage, the Times doesn't even try for a cosmetic appearance of objective journalism. Look at how the Times has twisted the history of the Ukraine crisis, treating it simply as a case of "Russian aggression" or a "Russian invasion." The Times routinely ignores what actually happened in Ukraine in late 2013 and early 2014 when the U.S. government aided and abetted a violent coup that overthrew Ukraine's elected President Viktor Yanukovych after he had been demonized in the Western media.

Even as neo-Nazi and ultranationalist protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at police, Yanukovych signaled a willingness to compromise and ordered his police to avoid worsening violence. But compromise wasn't good enough for U.S. neocons -- such as Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland; Sen. John McCain; and National Endowment for Democracy President Carl Gershman. They had invested too much in moving Ukraine away from Russia.

Nuland put the U.S. spending at $5 billion and was caught discussing with U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt who should be in the new government and how to "glue" or "midwife this thing"; McCain appeared on stage urging on far-right militants; and Gershman was overseeing scores of NED projects inside Ukraine, which he had deemed the "biggest prize" and an important step in achieving an even bigger regime change in Russia, or as he put it: "Ukraine's choice to join Europe will accelerate the demise of the ideology of Russian imperialism that Putin represents. ... Putin may find himself on the losing end not just in the near abroad but within Russia itself."

The Putsch

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SUPERIOR  Nurses are no strangers to lending a helping hand.

But a small group of nurses and hospital staff in Superior are making a big difference for nurses in Houston working through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Joyce Carpenter, 63, of Superior said she got a call Tuesday from her daughter, who works as an RN in Houston. Nurses there are working long hours and sleeping at the hospital to keep up with the constant flow of the sick and injured affected by the devastating hurricane.

Some of these nurses lost everything, Carpenter said. Some only have the scrubs they were wearing during the storm, and they are not allowed to work in dirty scrubs.

After hearing from her daughter, Carpenter reached out to her friend Mitzi Francis, executive assistant of Mineral Community Hospital, to gather some extra scrubs to send to Houston.

And thus, Operation Scrubs With Love to Houston was born. Francis, 48, organized the project to collect spare scrubs from nurses, in addition to reserves the hospital keeps on hand. Within days, the small community gathered well over 100 sets of scrubs.

We only have about 60 employees total, so really the credit is all to the staff, Francis said. Some brought one shirt, and some brought bags and bags of scrubs, but it was all really above anything I ever expected.

Carpenter had planned to pay for the shipping costs, but after the unexpected turnout, she quickly realized it would cost a small fortune. Eric L. Davis Engineering, an engineering firm in Forney, Texas, stepped in to cover the cost of overnight shipping all of the scrubs.

The scrubs will be distributed to nurses needing them around the Houston area, Carpenter said. But if they end up with more than they need, she said they will be forwarded to Florida, where Hurricane Irma has left hospitals overwhelmed as well.

Francis said the Mineral Community Hospital is challenging Missoula's much larger Providence St. Patrick Hospital and Community Medical Center to make a similar aid effort for nurses in Florida and Texas.

Never in a million years would I have guessed scrubs would be something that would be needed during a hurricane, Francis said. But were just a great big family here at the hospital, and our nurses are all here to make a difference in any way we can.
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Kall's well-researched book integrates knowledge from philosophy to economics and ecology. He shows us how, all over the world and across many fields of endeavor, we humans are organizing new and rewarding ways of acting for the common good. His book is both idealistic and realistic and gives us a vision of what we all most need -- hope for the future"



Mary Pipher, psychologist, and #1 New York Times best-selling author of Reviving Ophelia and Writing to Change the World
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From Gush Shalom

MY OPTIMISM about the future of Israel irritates a lot of people. How can I be an optimist in view of what's happening here every day? The practical annexation of occupied territories? The mistreatment of the Arabs? The implantation of poisonous settlements?

But optimism is a state of mind. It does not falter in the face of evil. On the contrary, evil must be fought. And you cannot fight if you do not believe that you can win.

Some of my friends believe that the fight is already lost. That Israel can no longer be changed "from within." That the only way to change it is by pressure from outside.

Fortunately, they believe, there is an outside force, that is ready and able to do our job for us.

It is called BDS -- short for "Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions."

ONE OF these friends is Ruchama Marton.

If anyone has the right to criticize and despair, it is she. Ruchama is a psychiatrist, the founder and now the honorary president of the Israeli association "Physicians for Human Rights." A splendid outfit.

The physicians go every week to an Arab village and dispense medical help (for free) to all who need it. Even the Israeli authorities respect it, and often accede to their demand to allow sick people from the occupied territories into Israel for hospitalization.

When we celebrated Ruchama's 80 birthday last week, she turned on me and accused me of fostering false hopes about the chance that present-day Israel will ever make peace and withdraw from the Palestinian territories. According to her, that chance has passed. What is left is the duty to support BDS.

BDS is a world-wide movement which propagates the total boycott of everything Israeli. It wants to convince corporations, and especially universities, to divest themselves of Israeli investments, and supports all kinds of sanctions against Israel.

In Israel, BDS is hated like the devil, if not more. You really need a lot of courage to stand up in Israel and support it publicly, as a few people do.

I promised Ruchama to provide an answer to her accusation. So here it is.

First of all, I have a profound moral objection to any argument that says that we can do nothing to save our own state, and that we must put our trust in foreigners to do our job.

Israel is our state. We are responsible for it. I belong to the few thousands who defended it on the battlefield when it was born. Now it is our duty to fight for it to become the state we wanted it to be.

First of all, I do not accept the belief that the battle is lost. No battle is lost as long as there are people who are ready to fight.

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Fedor Holz Poker Masters Documentary: Episode 2

September 15, 2017 Valerie Cross

In Episode #2 of the mini-documentary series Life of a Champion, Fedor Holz seems to be over his jet lag and ready to for Event #2 in the Poker Masters. But first, he has to order dishes to enjoy his breakfast. He needs two spoons and two Whats the English word for the thing you eat cereal out of again?

Watch Episode 1: Taking Shots in Vegas

Money Talk

After busting two bullets in the first event for a total loss of $100,000 (plus the rake on the second bullet), Holz says he doesnt feel much about losing the money. According to Holz, its an important skill to be able to distance yourself from the money as a high-stakes tournament player. He also explains that he sells off a lot of his action in bigger events so he is always playing for an amount he is completely comfortable with.

Feeling fresh after a good nights sleep, Holz is just focused on playing better than he played yesterday and he says, Todays the day.

"Today's the Day"

After a long day of poker that saw Holz build his stack from the starting 125,000 up to 1,138,000 for the second-biggest stack heading into the final table of seven on Friday, it seemed Holz was right. He reflected on the days events.

I played focused, I played well. I feel good.

His plan for the evening? Quickly to bed, rest, breakfast, back to it, win it.

Before heading up to his room, Holz bumped into Phil Hellmuth, who was wondering about what Holz had in the hand at the final table where Hellmuth folded ace-king on the river to Holz, but Holz tells him he cant say. Hellmuth hypothesizes, Good bluff and tells Holz he looks forward to the battle tomorrow. Holz cant wait to see what Hellmuth brings.

Looking forward to the final table in Event #2, Holz says, Im glad Im in a good rhythm now and Im ready for tomorrow.

With $125,000 locked up, Holz eyes the top prize of $900,000, hoping to join Nick Schulman at the top of the Poker Master Leaderboard on the final day of the second event.

You can follow Holz progress in the event by reading the live updates on PokerNews.com and watching the livestreamed final table action on PokerGO. Also stay tuned for more episodes of the "Life of a Champion" mini-documentary series!
Global Tonometers Market

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Tonometers: An efficient device for early detection of a serious eye disorder, glaucomaTonometers are devices assist in helping the eyecare professionals to determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside the eye. IOP is a fluid pressure in the eye. Tonometry is a diagnostic test which aids in examining whether the patient is at risk of glaucoma. This is an eye disorder wherein excess fluid pressure inside the eye tends to damage the patients optic nerve and might lead to permanent vision loss, if the damage retains. Tonometers help to detect this disorder, which usually does not show symptoms until at a later stage. The common target population for such kind of disease is the geriatric population. Moreover, diabetic patients are also at high risk of glaucoma. Hence, tonometers tend to be increasingly advantageous for such target population and they contribute towards the growth of the global tonometers market.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/66 Increasing geriatric population significantly supports the growth of tonometers marketGlobal tonometers market is driven by various factors, the foremost of which is increasing geriatric population. It is mostly detected among people aged 60 years and above. Moreover, chronic eye disorders also assist in driving the demand for tonometers. Glaucoma is also found as an inherited disorder; hence people with family history of glaucoma also fall under the target population of the global tonometers market. However, there are some limitations pertaining to tonometers. For instance, Goldmann applanation tonometers might lead to corneal abrasion or risk of spreading infection. Non-contact tonometers also include restraining factors such as poor accuracy level in the measurement of the ocular pressure. Hence, the aforementioned factors are expected to restrain the global tonometers market to some extent.Applanation and indentation tonometers are the most commercially available tonometersGlobal tonometers market is segmented on the basis of product type, end user and region. Product type is classified under applanation tonometers, indentation tonometers, rebound tonometers, pascal dynamic contour tonometers and others. Further, applanation tonometers are segmented into Goldmann applanation tonometers, Perkins tonometers, non-contact tonometers, ocular response analyzer and others. Applanation tonometers help in determining ocular pressure by applying a force which flattens the disk to the cornea. These tonometers are the most widely accepted by the eyecare professionals primarily due to the fact that such diagnostic testing device allows for accurate measurement. On the other hand, indentation tonometers are used to examine through a force which will indent or sink into the cornea of the soft eye as compared to a harder eye. Rebound tonometers are also emerging owing to its numerous advantages such as it does not require anesthetizing the eye. It is a contact rebound tonometer, which uses an extremely light probe.On the basis of end user, tonometers are segmented into hospitals, clinics and others. Hospital segment is considered as the largest market owing to its wide usage in such facilities and hence, contribute towards significant revenue generation.Technological advancements are propelling market growth in North AmericaGeographically, tonometers market is classified under North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America is accounted for a significant share for the global tonometers market. This is primarily due to the fact that the healthcare expenditure in country like the U.S. is constantly growing, which in turn is expected to help the market for tonometers to grow. Moreover, technological advancements are also on a peak in these countries, which is expanding the product portfolio of tonometers. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is anticipated to gain lucrative growth over the forecast period due to increasing prevalence of diabetes in country like India. For instance, in 2015, 69.1 million people were suffering from diabetes in India according to International Diabetes Federation.Get discount on this report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/66 Some of the major players of the global tonometers market include Canon Inc., Icare Finland Oy (Icare Finland is a part of Revenio Group Corporation), Topcon Corporation, HAAG-STREIT GROUP, NIDEK CO., LTD. and Reichert Technologies among others. Inorganic growth strategies are helping leading companies to obtain a competitive edge. Focus on enhancing product portfolio and inorganic growth approaches are some of the key strategic initiatives undertaken by these companies. In September, 2016, Icare launched Icare ic100 in order to expand its product portfolio.
The Global Interventional Neurology Market is projected to reach USD 2,684.6 million by 2024

Interventional Neurology Market

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The Global Interventional Neurology Market is projected to reach USD 2,684.6 million by 2024, according to a new report by published by Coherent Market Insights. Recommendations from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to use neurointerventional devices in stroke is a major factor boosting market growth.Increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures is one of the prime factors driving adoption of neurointerventional devices worldwide. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommends use of neurointerventional devices in treating stroke, due to which there has been an augmented demand for these devices in the recent past. In order to capitalize on this highly lucrative growth opportunity, a range of new products such as Solitaire stent retriever, EmboTrap stent retriever, and Penumbra 3D Revascularization Device have been launched in the recent past.Request for sample copy : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/56 Developed economies such as the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Japan, and Germany are witnessing rapid shift from conventional surgical methods to minimally invasive therapies. Moreover, there is a shift towards adopting detachable and bare platinum coils as against the highly priced coated coils. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, around six million people in the U.S. i.e. one in 50 people suffer from brain aneurysm every year. High incidence rate of stroke and aneurysm is expected to continue strengthening demand for neurointerventional devices in the U.S. market.The global Interventional neurology market is witnessing strategic agreements among leading players focusing on diversifying their product portfolio and increasing their market presence.In 2016, Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. inked an exclusive distribution agreement with InNeuroCo, Inc. for its intermediate catheter and super distal access device in the U.S. and European marketsIn 2015, Medtronic PLC acquired Lazarus Effect, a California-based medical device company engaged in development of acute ischemic stroke products for around US$ 100 million. Lazarus Effect was acquired with an aim to enhance Medtronics neurovascular business and related portfolio.Advent of innovative solutions that enhance the outcomes of surgeries are fueling demand for neurointerventional devicesMedical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is investigating the safety and success rate of ADAPT - direct-aspiration first pass technique that removes the clot in a single-passFDA expanded the approval of Solitaire stent retriever device of Medtronic PLC for reduction of stroke-related disability. This device can now be used in patients with large vessel occlusion, proximal anterior circulation, and smaller core infarcts to reduce paralysis, and other stroke-related disabilities.CE approved EmboTrap stent retriever platform, the EmboTrap II Revascularization Device from Neuravi Ltd. This new device enables removal of clots of different lengths with ease.Get discount on this report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/56 Key takeaways of the market include:There are a range of neurointerventional devices such as embolic coils, carotid stents, intracranial stents, neurovascular thrombectomy devices, embolic protection devices, and flow diverter devices available in the market. Embolic coils was the largest segment and accounted for 32.5% share (in terms of revenue) in 2015. This is mainly due to these being the mainstay of endovascular treatment for brain aneurysms and hemorrhage.Demand for stent retrievers is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period (2016  2024). This is mainly attributed to these being used as a one-step technique for device deployment and clot retrieval. The launch of this device in Japan is anticipated to also contribute towards the market growth in Asia Pacific.Introduction of new techniques such as flow disruption and ADAPT aspiration technique is expected reduce the revenue share of coiling technique segment, and is projected to account 34.3% of the total market revenue by 2024Demand for neurointerventional devices is analyzed to be high in hospitals as compared to ambulatory centers, due to growing number of surgical procedures in hospitals. The hospitals end use segment is analyzed to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period.In 2015, North America dominated the global Interventional neurology market, with the contribution of the region estimated at US$ 701.9 million. Increasing incidence rate of brain aneurysm and ischemic strokes along with favorable government policies such as Medicare and Medicaid is expected to bolster sales of interventional neurology devices over the forecast period.Growing focus on introducing technological advanced devices is expected to drive market growth in the long runStryker Corporations subsidiary Concentric Medicals Trevo XP ProVue Retriever received FDA approval for its use in strokes in November 2016Penumbra 3D Revascularization Device Trial successfully met the primary trial endpoints in 2016
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A low bed trailer is utilized in various applications and has the capability to carry loads up to 12 feet high. A low bed trailer is majorly used to carry oversized cargo such as industrial equipment, bulldozers. The high spending for infrastructure development in the emerging economies such as China and India is a key driver for the global low bed trailer market. For example, for road construction, China invested US$ 207 billion in 2015 and built 49,000 miles of expressways. Similarly, for the development of 35,000 km of roads across the country, the Indian government released funding of US$ 45 billion. The 14000 km will be developed for feeder route and 21000 km will be for economic corridor. Moreover, the Indian government also released the fund of US$ 65 billion for the upgrade of two lane national highway to four lane national highway. Hence, this increasing investment of the road construction have increased the demand of transportation of heavy manufacturing equipment has fueled the market of low bed trailer globally. In addition to this, the increasing adoption of mass reduction technology by the OEMs for the fleet trucks for increasing demand of fuel efficiency also become one of the major driver for the growth of the global low bed trailer market. Improved aerodynamics, low rolling resistance, use of low-rolling-resistance tires, idling reduction technologies are some of the new technologies adopted by the OEMs which helps to improve the fuel efficiency of the trailers.Request sample of Low Bed Trailer Market: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/676 In addition to this, the increasing demand of freight for defense equipment and shortage of vehicle logistics for rail and road transport are some of the other drivers which also provides the growth opportunity to the global low bed trailer market.Low bed trailer market taxonomyOn the basis of product type, the global Low-bed trailer market is classified into:2 axle3 axle4 axle6 axleothersBased on product segment the 3 axle product segment holds the dominant position in the global Low-bed trailer market in 2016 and is projected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The increasing demand for transportation of agriculture and building machines become the major driving factor for the growth of 3 axle product in the global Low-bed trailer marketOn the basis of application, the global Low-bed trailer market is classified into:Forestry ApplicationMining Industry ApplicationEngineering Construction ApplicationOtherget best discount on this report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/676 Low bed trailer Market Outlook  North America holds the largest market of the global Low-bed trailer market.On the basis of geography, global Low-bed trailer market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Asia pacific holds the dominant position in the global Low-bed trailer market in 2016 and is projected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The increasing infrastructure facilities such as production halls, bridges, public buildings, roads and many more in Asia pacific countries such as India, China has increased the demand of specialized equipment and manufacturing structures and machines provides the growth opportunity to the Asia pacific low bed trailer market. For example, for highway network the china government have a target to build 3 million km by 2020check the trending report of Low Bed Trailer Market: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/low-bed-trailer-market-676 Key companies of global Low bed trailer marketKogel Trailer GmbH & Co.KG , Bernard Krone Holding SE & Co. KG, Wabash National Corporation, Bockmann Fahrzeugwerke GmbH, Dennison Trailers ltd, Great Dane Trailers, Humbaur GmbH, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company are some of the key companies of the global Low bed trailer market.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Website: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ Visit Blog : http://globalresearchtrends.blogspot.in/
Peyronies Disease Treatment Market

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Peyronie's disease (PD) is condition wherein the penis is curved or bent due to development of plaque or a fibrous scar tissue inside the penis. This condition can cause painful erections and the penis gets bent while it is erected. The bent is towards the side where plaque is being formed i.e. either downwards or upwards. The condition is identified by a major bend or pain. In a few people Peyronie's disease may go away on its own. However, in most cases it may remain stable or worsen. Hence, it is advisable to visit an urologist to avoid consequences in future. Treatment may be needed if the curvature prevents successful sexual intercourse.Peyronies disease is a rare condition observed in about 6 out of 100 men in the age group of 40 to 70 years. Moreover, the Urology Care Foundation also estimates that the number of people affected by this condition can be higher than this as many men are embarrassed and do not see their healthcare provider. It is mostly at times when the men visit the healthcare practitioner for erectile dysfunction treatment and the healthcare practitioner may notice Peyronies disease. Lack of awareness among patients has resulted in under reporting of this condition.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/61 Peyronie's Disease Treatment OptionsThe exact cause of plaque formation is not known. Hence, treatment is done with the available research and knowledge of plaque formation. There are various treatment options followed for Peyronie disease basis on which the market is analyzed. These include drugs, surgery and devices. The drugs market can be analyzed based on the administration route i.e. oral and injectable. Drugs prescribe through oral route include Vitamin E, Potassium amino-benzoate ("Potaba"), Tamoxifen, Colchicine, and Carnitine. Similarly, the injectable drugs include Verapamil, Interferon, and Collagenase. Use of oral drugs is limited as none of the studies conducted so far for Peyroniees disease have shown positive results of these drugs over the placebo.On the other hand injectables show some positive outcomes over placebo. However, more studies are required to establish the efficacy. Studies with collagenase have shown positive outcomes for its use in Peyronie's disease. Therefore, Xiaflex (Collagenase clostridium histolyticum) from BioSpecifics Technologies Corporation is the only FDA approved product indicated for Peyronie's disease in adult men. Approved in 2013, Xiaflex is marketed in the U.S. by Endo International plc. In Europe, Collagenase clostridium histolyticum is available by the brand name Xiapex.A penile prosthetic device is another good treatment option for Peyronie's disease and moderate-to-severe ED. This device helps straighten the penis. Surgical procedure on the other hand involves grafting the space being emptied on removal of the plaque.Get discount on this report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/61 With Xiaflex the only FDA approved product for this disease, Endo dominates the marketThe market is dominated by a single player, Endo International plc who sells the only FDA approved Peyronies disease product. In May 2015, the American Urological Association presented the first ever treatment guidelines for Peyronies disease recommending the use of Xiaflex. Furthermore, the company is creating awareness through its Ask About the Curve campaign. Also, reimbursement from the U.S. insurance providers will boost the demand for this product. The product is estimated to generate USD 100 million in revenue for Peyronies disease by 2018. In Japan, BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. has granted Asahi Kasei Pharma the rights to develop and market XIAFLEX in Japan for Peyronie's disease. Further, the company is also partnering with global companies in Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Brazil for commercializing XIAFLEX for PD.With increasing awareness and research on this disease, new drug molecules could be made available in the market.
Refractory Glaucoma Treatment Market

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Globally, Glaucoma is on rise. According to the Glaucoma research Foundation, Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. Nearly 10% of the glaucoma patients who receive proper treatment still experience a loss of vision. Around 64.3 million people were estimated to be having glaucoma globally in 2013. Furthermore, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the current prevalence is high in Africa, and Latin America. Patients who fail to respond to medications, undergo trabeculectomy surgery. However, few patients do not get completely relieved from glaucoma even after trabeculectomy surgery. Therefore, novel treatment options are required to be introduced for providing relief to such patients. Reducing intra-ocular pressure is the most important long term medical need of refractory glaucoma patients.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/71 Refractory Glaucoma Treatment OptionsThe global refractory glaucoma treatment market can be characterized based on the treatment options and devices available in the market.Ahmed Glaucoma Valve from New World Medical Inc., is a good treatment option available since 1993 for refractory glaucoma. This device also has applications in primary open angle glaucoma unresponsive to medication, neovascular glaucoma, and congenital or infantile glaucoma. Various studies have reflected the positive outcomes of using Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in refractory glaucoma both in pediatrics and adults. Therefore, this device is in very high demand and usage globally.Alternate option like CyPass Micro-Stent from Transcend Medical showed impressive results in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. CyPass is a micro-invasive surgery which according to the FDA guidelines needs to be performed in combination with cataract surgery. This is restricting the wider acceptance among patients due to increased cost.Clinical trials of Xen System showed positive results with 44% reduction in eye pressure and 65% reduction in IOP medications in one year period. The Xen gel stent form Allergan reduces IOP with a permanent implant that becomes flexible, allowing doctors to use IOP reduction therapies event after the Xen implantation. Allergan received U.S. FDA approval for Xen Gel stent in November 2016. The company plans to launch the Xen Gel stent in the U.S. market, for refractory glaucoma treatment, in early 2017. The Xen system has already received CE mark and has distributed more than 10,500 stents globally. Moreover, the new surgical system is also licensed for use in Canada, Switzerland, and Turkey.Iridex Corporation, a global provider of innovative laser systems, device and consumables in ophthalmology announced at the European Glaucoma Society held in June 2016 about the positive results of its MicroPulse P3 (MP3) device. The device powered with MicroPulse laser technology showed long term benefits for patients with refractory glaucoma. Few detailed studies with successful outcomes could lead global acceptance of this technology in future.Glaucoma drainage devices are frequently used in refractory glaucoma to reduce the intra-ocular pressure (IOC). These devices are available in either with IOP regulating valves or without it. Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) is the most commonly used valve-based drainage device while Molteno, Baerveldt, Shocket, and Eagle Vision implants are the non-valved drainage devices available in the market.Get discount on this report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/71 Future Market DynamicsAccording to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the global prevalence of glaucoma is estimated to rise to 76 million in 2020 and 111.8 million in 2040. Rapidly aging population will be one of the important factors for the increasing prevalence rate. There would be a disproportionate rise in the prevalence in people residing in Asia and Africa. Slower adoption rate and high cost of the surgery is limiting the market growth of refractory glaucoma treatment devices in emerging nations where cataract surgery is the largely performed eye surgery. With new devices and technology being introduced, there could be a strong wave of growth experienced in the North America and European markets.
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.




As I talk with novelist Jennifer Egan by Skype one August morning, I have the odd sense that we are two women speaking from three places. Theres coastal Florida, where I sit listening to an August downpour thrum on the roof. Theres Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where Egan sits in the home shes inhabited for 17 years. And theres New York in the 1930s and 40s, the setting for Manhattan Beach (Scribner, Oct.). The Brooklyn Navy Yard, the bustling World War II shipyard at the heart of the book, is only a few blocks from Egans home, but its a different place now. Im aware of the pastboth historical and fictionalgleaming below our conversation, like salvage that may or may not break apart as it is raised.

Egan didnt begin working on Manhattan Beach in earnest until 2012. She was busy in part with writing Black Box, released over nine days that year in tweets from the New Yorkers Twitter account; it was later published in full in the magazines science fiction issue. Though the story is novella length, its unusual serial format took Egan almost a year to devise.

Publicity for Egans 2010 novel, A Visit from the Goon Squad, also took more time than expected. As the hardcover edition struggled, she left no promotional stone unturned trying to give it some kind of life, she says. When good things happenednotably a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Awardthe media cycle began anew. With Goon Squad, I was having the kind of luck that a writer is very fortunate to get once and seldom gets twice, she notes. I certainly wasnt going to stop working on promotion then.

When Egan was finally immersed in the new book, she says the early going was tough. She felt rusty, and the success of Goon Squad emboldened an already fierce inner critic. But the larger challenges had to do with the work itself, especially its relationship to the past.

Manhattan Beach is Egans fifth novel, but its her first work of historical fiction. The narrative opens in 1934, as young Anna Kerrigan watches her father, Eddie, who is struggling to keep his family afloat during the Depression by acting as bagman to a corrupt union official, meet with Dexter Styles, a shady nightclub owner. By the time Anna is 19, Eddie has vanished, America is embroiled in World War II, and Annaone of the many civilian women working at the Brooklyn Navy Yardencounters Styles again.

Writing about the overlapping milieus through which her three protagonists move required knowledge Egan didnt have, and the Navy Yard sequences were particularly challenging. Annas early work thereusing a micrometer to measure and inspect ship partswas technical and arcane. Writing authoritatively about the deep-sea diving techniques and equipment involved in Annas subsequent role as the yards first female civilian diver was even trickier.

You can research until youre falling asleep, but that still doesnt mean youre really fluent in the material, Egan says. It was harder than Id ever imagined to gain enough ease in an earlier time that I could do more than just create the veneer of verisimilitude. Until I got to the point where I could truly move around in the characters world, the writing was just terrible. I felt like Id finally taken on a project I might not to able to finish.

Egan also discovered that she had to look still deeper into the past. Until this novel, it had never crossed my mind to think about the collective memories of people alive at a certain time, she says. But who isnt constantly thinking about their own past? I found that without knowing something about the collective memory of the time, what older people expected or young people were reacting against, my characters seemed like shells or ciphers. You can start imagining all kinds of things characters would feel, but you have to have a sense of whether those imaginings might be right. It took me a long time before I could trust my own leaps to be at all credible.

Early in the novels composition, still struggling to find her voice, Egan drafted sequences that attempted to convey the flavor of the period, such as describing Annas neighborhood. Egan hated them and her writing group hated them, but it was Hilary Mantels example that helped her let them go. Egan had waited to read Mantels Wolf Hall until she was working on Manhattan Beach. Of Mantel, whom she calls remarkable, Egan notes that she never panstheres a never a moment where were looking across the streets of London and seeing a picturesque beggar here, a juggler there. Egan adds, She lets people take for granted what people take for granted. Mantels treatment of Tudor England helped Egan give herself permission to stay in the moment with her characters rather than putting history on display.

Egan initially expected Manhattan Beach to nod at contemporary awareness and deploy some of the structural trickiness for which she has become known. To her surprise, her attempts to do both fell flat. All the techniques I had taken away with me from Goon Squad were uselessI might as well have just dumped them out the window, she says. I began this book using an omniscient third-person point of view that built on an active knowledge of future events. But whenever I pulled into the voice I had thought would be so elastic and adept, it felt intrusive, manipulative, and dull. The longer I wrote, the more I felt that my impulse to wink at the present wasnt organic or necessary to this book. I never found a better way to tell the story than to do it straightforwardlyto just get out of its way.

She shouldnt have been surprised, Egan says: Ive needed to start entirely from scratch with every other book Ive written. Somehow, I thought this one would be different, but of course I was wrong.

Slowly, the novels voice and vision coalesced. When I finally reached the point I where I felt like I was at ease, the excitement of thatthe transport that I felt as a resultwas better than with any other book that Ive worked on, the author says.

In retrospect, Egan feels grateful not to have forced an overt connection between her historical material and the world of the present. The present day I was writing about even a year ago feels very outdated, she says. And, she adds, the sheer velocity of technological and cultural transformation poses a conundrum: Both my own process and that of the publishing industry are just too slow to do anything other than play catch-up when it comes to anticipating change. I feel like if I want to stay in the business of futurism, I need to find a new genre.

Egan also says writing the book left her with a renewed appreciation for New Yorks inexhaustible richness. She remembers wandering through the streets looking at the buildings through which her characters might have moved rather than noticing green lights; she also finds herself returning frequently to the question of what it means to occupy the same space in which so manyand such unknowableevents have happened in the past. She says, Im so grateful to this project for making the city and its past come newly alive for me.

Suzanne Fox is a writer, speaker, and freelance editor in Florida.
Fantasy author Larry Correia is a self-described gun nut and B-horror-movie freak. When he began his career as a writer (he also worked as an accountant and firearms instructor), he wanted to bring his two passions together. Despite the running joke among his friends and coworkers that most monster movies would be over during the opening credits if the characters were armed, Correia knew he could make it work. Beginning with Monster Hunter International (2007), Correia invented a world in which monsters are real, hungry, and must be hunted.

"When people ask me what kind of monsters I have in the series, my answer is, all of them,'" says Correia, who lives in northern Utah. "I like to draw inspiration from a wide variety of sources, like classic movie monsters, fiction, myths, and folklore; sometimes it's fun to just make up something weird and new, and give the monster new traits or abilities."

Correia has authored many fantasy novels, including the Monster Hunter series and the Grimnoir Chronicle series. He has also won numerous awards including several Audies and the Locus Poll Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

Correia keeps a dedicated writing schedule, with the goal of writing 10,000 words a week. He averages about two books a year. "I treat writing like a regular job," he says. "I start in the morning, sit at my desk, and work all day, pretty normal work hours. I don't really do the whole muse/inspiration thing. If I get stuck, then I skip ahead to the next part, or I work on a different project."

The latest book in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Files, is an anthology that includes stories set in Correia's world but written by other authors such as Jim Butcher, Jessica Day George, and Mike Kupari. Coeditor Bryan Thomas Schmidt, who came up with the idea, helped Correia compile a list of authors who had expressed their love of the series, and then asked the authors if they'd like to contribute stories. "We got so many volunteers that we filled the entire roster in the first day," Correia recalls.

Correia served as a kind of consultant to the other writers in the anthology: authors pitched their ideas and he provided guidance. "Sometimes the authors surprised me, because they came at the world from an angle I had never thought about before," Correia explains. Butcher, for instance, wrote a story about a new character, a janitor, and came up with a type of creature that had never appeared in the series before.

Correia read through the rough drafts looking for character or continuity errors. "In a continuing series like this some topics already have a lot established, and others are fairly open," Correia explains. "If I hadn't written much about a particular item, writers had more creative freedom to explore it."

Most books in the series are set in the present day, but Monster Hunter Files proposes that Monster Hunter International has opened its archives, so the stories are set in the past. Jonathan Maberry wrote about Agent Franks fighting the Nazis in WWII, John C. Wright tells a tale of British spies dealing with monsters during the Cold War, and Brad Torgersen recounts the supernatural adventures of Benjamin Franklin. "Writing for other periods is one of the best parts of being an author, because you really get to dig into real world history," Correia says.

Next up in the series is Monster Hunter Memoirs: Saints, a collaboration with author John Ringo, which comes out next year. But the prolific author isn't taking a break. Correia is also working on the sequel to his first epic fantasy novel, Son of the Black Sword. The new title is called House of Assassins and his first draft is due before Christmas.
For more than two years, downloadable audio has been the fastest-growing format in a book market plagued by overall flat sales. The Association of American Publishers reported that sales of downloadable audio in 2016 rose 19.7% from the previous year, to $640 million, and were 24.5% higher in the first four months of 2017 than in the comparable period in 2016.

In its most recent financial report, News Corp said that sales of downloadable audio rose 47% in its HarperCollins subsidiary in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, from sales in fiscal 2016. To meet the growing demand, HC CEO Brian Murray said, the company will put almost all of its new adult titles in digital audio.

Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House both cited downloadable audio sales as an area of strength in the first half of 2017. With first-half digital audio sales 34% higher than in the same period of 2016, S&S CEO Carolyn Reidy said the company is upping its audio title output this year by 20%25%.

Despite the continuing sales growth, it can be difficult to determine what is selling and in what numbers. News Corp gave a glimpse of the health of the market when it was discussing year-end results for fiscal 2017. The company pointed to sales figures for Mark Mansons The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck to highlight what it called the rise of audiobooks. Since its release, the book has had audio sales of more than 470,000 copies (compared to more than 490,000 in print). Though some were in CD format, the vast majority was almost certainly digital audio.

The Subtle Art was the top-selling audiobook this year through September 5 in Apples iBooks store. To get a sense of what else has been hot in downloadable audio this year, we asked Apple to provide us with the list of its top 20 sellers through September. The ranking shows a mix of frontlist and backlist books, with more nonfiction titles (13) than fiction (7). Self-help books were the most popular category on the list. And the iBooks audio bestsellers did not exactly match what was selling in print: only six of the top-selling books on BookScans print list also appeared on the iBooks list.

Top-Selling Downloadable Audiobooks in Apples iBooks Store, January 1September 5
Secrets, Enemies, and Spies

Big new releases from the world of mysteries and thrillers top our list of the bestselling books in the country.

#1 Secrets in Death by J.D. Robb, her 45th Eve Dallas novel set in a near-future N.Y.C. Our review said, Robb continues to impress with her ability to make the same murder mystery formula fresh.

#2 Enemy of the State by Kyle Mills, which our review called his exciting third contribution to the late Vince Flynns Mitch Rapp series, saying it reinvigorates the well-worn Middle East conspiracy thriller plot.

#3 A Legacy of Spies by John le Carre, the first appearance of le Carres famed George Smiley character since 1991s The Secret Pilgrim. Our starred review says le Carre can convey a character in a sentence, land an emotional insight in the smallest phraseand demolish an ideology in a paragraph.

(See all of this week's bestselling books.)

Going for Gold

A pair of much-lauded literary novelists debut on our Hardcover Fiction list. At #21, Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward is an astonishing novel about three generations of a struggling Mississippi family, our starred review said, praising Wards brilliant writing and compassionate eye. The author won the 2011 National Book Award for Salvage the Bones; on September 15, the National Book Foundation announced that her new novel had been longlisted for the NBA.

Two notches up, at #19, The Golden House by Salman Rushdie is a distinctively rich epic of the immigrant experience in modern America, our starred review said, where no amount of money or self-abnegation can truly free a family from the sins of the past.

Fantasy and Reality

Fantasyland by Spy cofounder and public radio host Kurt Andersen (Studio 360) debuts at #5 in Hardcover Nonfiction. He writes in the introduction that America was created by true believers and passionate dreamers, by hucksters and their suckersand that this legacy led us to our current political moment. First week print unit sales eclipse those for his recent books: 2009s Reset, an analysis of the financial crisis, and 2012s True Believers, a novel about 1960s antiwar activists then and in the present day.

New & Notable

Tower of Dawn

Sarah J. Maas

#2 Childrens Frontlist Fiction, #9 overall

The latest volume in Maass Throne of Glass YA high-fantasy series joins five novels and one prequel collection; together, the books have sold more than a million print copies.

The Western Star

Craig Johnson

#7 Hardcover Fiction

We starred this 13th Walt Longmire mystery, calling it a cleverly plotted homage to Agatha Christie. Netflix announced in November that it will air the sixth and final season of the Longmire TV series this year.

Picturing Prince

Steve Parke

#21 Hardcover Nonfction

The musicians former creative director shares anecdotes and numerous photos, 16 pages of which are being published for the first time.

Top 10 Overall

Rank Title Author Imprint Units 1 Secrets in Death J.D. Robb St. Martins 29,085 2 Enemy of the State Kyle Mills Atria/Bestler 27,447 3 A Legacy of Spies John le Carre Viking 27,311 4 Wonder R.J. Palacio Knopf 24,014 5 A Tale of Two Kitties (Dog Man #3) Dav Pilkey Graphix 20,679 6 Turbo Twenty-Three Janet Evanovich Bantam 17,245 7 It Stephen King Scribner 16,225 8 The Woman in Cabin 10 Ruth Ware Scout 16,104 9 Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass) Sarah J. Maas Bloomsbury 15,981 10 Milk and Honey Rupi Kaur Andrews McMeel 15,807

All unit sales per Nielsen BookScan except where noted.
In spite of a booming YA market and the high-budget heaven of the television and film adaptationall of which share a pronounced interest in dragons, Death Stars, and dystopiasthe book industrys science fiction and fantasy market has remained, overall, mostly flat.

But thats proven far from true for at least one outlier: Orbit Books. The publisher was founded in the U.K. in 1974 but only expanded into the U.S. market 10 years ago. And its publisher, Tim Holman, who oversees both its U.K. and U.S. branches, told Barnes & Noble earlier this year that he is reasonably confident that well become the biggest science fiction and fantasy imprint in the U.S. within the next 10 years.

Orbit seems to be putting its money where its publishers mouth is. Since the presss American branchan imprint of Hachette Book Group USAlaunched, the publisher has had 12 books nominated for the Hugo Award and three winners, with at least one title on the shortlist each year since 2011. Ann Leckies novel Ancillary Justice became the first to win all three of science fictions biggest awards (the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Arthur C. Clarke), and, last year, N.K. Jemisin became the first black writer to win the Hugo award, for The Fifth Season (which has sold 22,882 print copies this year, for a total of 51,201 since its release, according to NPD BookScan). She then won again this year for The Obelisk Gate (which has sold 10,129 this year for a total of 19,380).

Weve been very fortunate to be involved with those two authors, and the awards have definitely been significant, Holman said. And I think its fair to say it wasnt in our business plan, when we launched, to win Hugo awards.

James S.A. Coreys Expanse series was adapted as a Hugo-winning Syfy show (distributed internationally by Netflix) starting in 2015. Jemisins Broken Earth trilogy, of which both of her Hugo-winners are part, was optioned by TNT last month, and Andrzej Sapkowskis Witcher seriesalready a major video game franchisewill be adapted by Netflix.

Theres a lot of activity in other story-driven media, whether its gaming, TV, or movies, Holman said. And SF and fantasy, as it has been for a while, has been quite a central part of thatits almost as mainstream as the mainstream itself.

As a result, this year the publisher has upped the number of titles it releases per year from 60 to 90. To support the increase, its added three people to its editorial and combined marketing and publicity departments, bringing the U.S. team to a total of 15.

Orbit uses what Holman calls the international consistency of the SF/F market to its benefit. More than half the books we publish in the U.S. are also published by Orbit U.K, he said. It makes sense to have an international outlook, but, at the same time, our publishing in the U.S. and the U.K. is always driven by the passion and vision of the individual publishing teams.

The publisher is also a digital-native enterprise; it was founded right around the launch of both the iPhone and the Kindle, which means, Holman said, that from the outset, it was completely natural for us to take advantage of publishing strategies that take advantage of the e-book formatand they are quite considerable. It was also, as a new publisher, not beholden to spending time and resources making sure that its backlist titles were made available as e-books or running print advertising campaigns; rather, every book its ever published was released in e-book from the first, and it took a different approach to marketing and publicity right off the bat.

Orbit focuses heavily on working individually with authors on their social media and email newsletter marketing, senior publicist Ellen Wright said. In terms of publicity, she added, Orbit makes an effort to reach out to not only devoted sci-fi and fantasy fans but also to mainstream consumers: We dont just want the blogs that always talk about science fiction and fantasy to cover our books. We want the New York Times to be talking about them. In the latter, its been indisputably successful; Jemisin writes a sci-fi and fantasy column for the Times, and The Fifth Season was the inaugural title for Wired magazines book club.

Orbit has gotten some help from the aforementioned break into a more mainstream cultural space that speculative fiction has enjoyed of lateparticularly in the wake of successes such as the mania surrounding George R.R. Martins Song of Ice and Fire series and the resurgence of the Star Wars franchise.

Not recently, but in the not-too-distant past, science fiction publishers put a spaceship on a science fiction book and a dragon on a fantasy book, Holman said. That was what they felt was the right way to position the book.

Now thats not so much the case. And though some booksAncillary Justice, for instancestill get the spaceship-and-dragon-on-the-jacket treatment, Orbit has found the absence of an imperative to telegraph the genres of its books somewhat freeingespecially considering that not all sci-fi and fantasy works are comprised simply of swords and starfleets.

A lot of people think that SF and fantasy is quite a simple category that sits in a distant corner, as it were, of the literary marketplace, Holman said. But it really has an incredibly diverse range of writing styles and story types. And, inevitably, theres quite a range of readers as well, who you hope will connect with those books. Its those broader readerships that, from the outset, weve really been trying to attract. Because thats really the true readership for SF and fantasy.
ODON, Ind., CRANE, Ind. and WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Startup experts are already working with entrepreneurs in Southern Indiana to advance technology commercialization, startup creation and economic development at Purdue@WestGate as part of a multi-county partnership among WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation.

Entrepreneurial experts Drew Peyronnin and Douglas Rapp are serving as entrepreneurs-in-residence at the WestGate Academy Conference and Training Center, utilizing their business expertise to assist startups with entrepreneurship and commercialization activities.

Greg Deason, senior vice president of the Purdue Research Foundation and director of innovation and entrepreneurship at Purdue's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship in Discovery Park, said Peyronnin and Rapp offer a broad range of expertise that can help innovators take their companies to the next level.

With the addition of Drew and Doug along with the strong Purdue@WestGate team already in place, the Purdue Foundry footprint is clearly visible in the WestGate Crane area, Deason said. There is a healthy appetite for entrepreneurial resources in the area and the Purdue Foundry, with its partners, are ready to deliver. For example, we have had over 100 people attend our first two Spirited Entrepreneur events in August and September. We anticipate a strong attendance as well in October.

The next Spirited Entrepreneur will be held 4:30-6:30 p.m., Oct. 3, at the WestGate Training Academy and Conference Center. The event offers an opportunity for entrepreneurs to network with other entrepreneurs and service providers.

Peyronnin serves as president of Peyronnin Investments. He has been involved in Indiana-based startups since 2006. In 2012, he launched Tech on Tap, a group focused on nurturing innovation and building business. He graduated from the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine and spent 10 years in research toxicology and small animal practice.

Startups encounter many hurdles in the first steps to commercialization, Peyronnin said. As entrepreneurs-in-residence, we are equipped to assist startups in meeting challenges because we have faced those challenges ourselves as entrepreneurs. Sharing business experience with other innovators is an exciting opportunity.

Rapp serves as president of the Rofori Corp., a cybersecurity company that applies unstructured data to standards and strategy to help companies meet compliance and prioritize workflow.

Collaboration is key, Rapp said. The entrepreneur-in-residence program presents a unique opportunity at WestGate because it combines brilliant innovation, entrepreneurial experience and the resources of the Purdue Foundry with a hotbed of economic activity near the third largest naval installation in the world. Together, we make a winning team.

To contact Purdue Foundry, call 765-588-5250 or email foundry@prf.org.

About WestGate

Many professionals, elected officials, business leaders, and civic figures have worked for the development of a technology park adjacent to NSWC Crane Division. WestGate@Crane Technology Park partners with a variety of organizations and businesses such as local and state economic development corporations, NSWC Crane Division, I-69 Innovation Corridor, Indiana Office of Defense Development, and WorkOne. WestGate@Crane Tech Park is the ideal location for business to grow and thrive.

About NSWC Crane

NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life-cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's warfighter.

The Warfare Center's research and development efforts support the warfighter by providing capabilities and resources to advance technologies for the military. The mission of NSWC Crane is to provide acquisition engineering, in-service engineering and technical support for sensors, electronics, electronic warfare and special warfare weapons.

About Purdue Foundry

The Purdue Foundry is an entrepreneurship and commercialization accelerator in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship whose professionals help Purdue innovators create startups. Managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, the Purdue Foundry was named a top recipient at the 2016 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Designation and Awards Program by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org.

Writer: Lyna Landis, 765-588-3575, lklandis@prf.org

Sources: Greg Deason, 765-588-5254, gwdeason@prf.org

Drew Peyronnin, drew@tech-on-tap.com

Douglas Rapp, drapp@roforicorp.com
Target. Anthem. The Office of Personnel Management. HBO. The WannaCry and Petya ransomware attacks. The biggest cyber attacks of the last few years are familiar to most.

But as important as the protection of critical infrastructure run by the largest corporations is, another significant challenge could undermine U.S. economic vitality and growth. Small businesses (those employing fewer than 100 people or with less than $50 million in annual revenue) contribute greatly to economic growth in the United States. The 28 million small businesses here employ half the entire workforce. Yet they have largely been left out of the cybersecurity conversation.

Small businesses are especially vulnerable to cyber threats, since they likely do not have an independent information technology department, let alone dedicated cybersecurity staff. IT staff are concerned with constructing and operating the company's IT systems. Cybersecurity staff generally are focused on defending those systems.

Small businesses rely on IT to manage inventory, track orders and reach their customers. For the smallest companies, the sum total of the effort put into this work might be buying computers, registering a website and signing up for anti-virus services. Most companies are focused on making their businesses sustainable. They often do not pay attention to cybersecurity  until something goes wrong.

Keeper Security and the Ponemon Institute noted that in 2016, half of all small and medium-size businesses were hacked in the previous six months. At the same time, almost 90 percent of small business owners do not believe they are at risk, according to one survey.

Cloud-based services can help by relying on the service providers to protect the applications and data, but that still does not protect businesses' networks onsite.

A cyber incident at a small business is not likely to remain confined to that business.

Experience also shows that a cyber incident at a small business is not likely to remain confined to that business and could allow hackers access to larger networks. And once cyber attacks occur, many small businesses cannot afford the expense and time necessary to recover.

Enhancing cybersecurity at the small-business level is about more than securing individual businesses. It's a contribution to the public good and economic security of the United States. The problem is, the federal government cannot possibly engage with the millions of businesses that may need assistance. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are focused on broader tasks, such as tracking criminal enterprises using business computers for illegal gain. The Small Business Administration is trying to help, but a 30-minute video is hardly enough to enhance the security of these businesses.

Earlier this year, a group of senators introduced legislation that would direct the National Institutes of Science and Technology to develop resources for small businesses in addition to its National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education. This might help, but it is hardly enough. NIST's expertise is in developing standards and providing guidance. It isn't equipped to provide the expertise, training or personnel that so many companies really need.

So, what can be done? While much analysis remains to inform robust recommendations, there could be some potentially innovative ways to approach the issue. The push to create more cybersecurity education and training programs could offer an opportunity to develop the cybersecurity workforce the United States so desperately needs, while at the same time providing services to companies that cannot possibly compete for those workers once they are trained.

No matter how rigorous the program, very few students completing a course will be ready to operate at full capacity in their new roles as cybersecurity professionals right away. Why not put them to work and give them hands-on experience as part of their required coursework? Students could use their newly learned skills to help small businesses that express their interest to the local college or university cybersecurity program.

Another possibility would be to look at how high school students, who are learning about cybersecurity and participating in extra-curricular programs like the cyber defense exercises CyberPatriot, could help out in their local communities.

Of course, it would be a mistake to unleash talented, yet inexperienced students on the small-business community unsupervised. Practicing new skills in a classroom environment on virtual machines is one thing. Making a potentially grievous error on a real network is another. To address this, students could pair up with mentorsprofessionals with 10 or more years in the cybersecurity industrywho could advise them on practical approaches and be on call to assist the students.

To add extra motivation for the mentors, the various certification authorities could offer continuing education credits toward recertificationor even consider making participation in a mentoring program a requirement.

Cyber threats affect all businesses, from the mom-and-pop store to the largest bank. Ignoring the threat to half of the U.S. economy should not be an option. The approach outlined above could allow small businesses the security to continue to prosper, while at the same time enhancing America's cybersecurity workforce and making the economy more secure.

Quentin E. Hodgson is a senior researcher at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared on Inside Sources on September 14, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Vodafone has become Spains first telco to launch a 1Gbps fibre connection to support Ultra HD IPTV and over-the-top (OTT) services.

The ultra-high-speed broadband service will be available across four million households from 25 September.The 1Gbps option will be enabled initially for Vodafones convergent clients via Vodafone One, the all-in-one package including broadband, IPTV and OTT services like Netflix and HBO. From 11 October, the option will be available for the rest of Vodafone's subscribers.With this launch, Vodafone goes ahead of Spanish homes needs in an increasingly-connected environment in which new services and habits are growing, such as 4K TV viewing, artificial intelligence, digital education and online gaming, stated the British telco Since last year, Vodafone is betting on Ultra HD as a differentiating sign of its Spanish offering, owning the largest 4K catalogue in Spain , including live events, such as selected LaLiga matches, four linear UHDVT channels produced by Insight TV and video-on-demand (VOD) content.
IBM and Telestream have announced Telestream Vantage powered by Aspera, combining high-speed streaming technology and a media processing platform to enable broadcast production teams to work on live video feeds from remote locations in near real time.

Capturing and producing content for live events such as sports, news, training or education programmes poses unique challenges, and timely, remote production has long been an unattainable goal. Today, media companies typically rely on satellite or fibre-based infrastructure, and incur additional costs by co-locating production teams and equipment at the event itself. Alternative IP-based solutions either offer streaming with low quality and high latency, or they are slow and cannot work with content that is still being created or captured, instead requiring completed files to be transferred over the network via hot folders. This can reduce quality and introduce unacceptable delays for time critical material. Telestream Lightspeed Live Capture and Vantage Open Workflows allows creative teams to begin working on a live capture feed delivered from a remote location (across the country or around the world) while the event is taking place, without waiting for the entire file to be first written to disk and then transferred. Transcoding, packaging, editing and other downstream workflows can start immediately, significantly shortening the production cycle and increasing the value of the produced content. The end-point can have a range of hosting environments, including centralised on-premises, private or public cloud and the streams can be written to multiple locations concurrently to aid in redundancy and business continuity, the company said.This industry-leading technology integration between Telestream and Aspera enables high-speed delivery of media content over the public, unmanaged internet, said Paul Turner, vice president of Enterprise Products at Telestream . The solution revolutionises how media companies can approach production, capture and post-production workflows by giving them more flexibility in the location of hardware, software and personnel.Demand for live content delivery is exploding, as are expectations around the quality of the viewer experience, added Mike Flathers, CTO of IBM Aspera. Live video production teams have long been waiting for a cost-effective solution that would finally enable timely production workflows. We are excited about the possibilities Vantage powered by Aspera is opening up for event organisers and producers and content owners to connect with worldwide audiences in new innovative and immersive ways.
A mass demonstration was held on September 16 in Ufa, the capital of the Russian region of Bashkortostan, to support the official status of the Bashkir language. Protesters demanded the reinstatement of mandatory Bashkir-language classes in the republic's schools.Organizers said some 2,000 people participated in the unsanctioned rally, which was held under close police supervision. The demonstration was organized by the unregistered Bashquort organization. (RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service)
UFA, Russia -- A mass demonstration has been held in Ufa, the capital of the Russian region of Bashkortostan, to support the official status of the Bashkir language.

Protesters at the September 16 rally demanded the reinstatement of mandatory Bashkir-language classes in the republic's schools.

Organizers said some 2,000 people participated in the unsanctioned rally, which was held under close police supervision. There were no reports of arrests or disorder.

At the end of the rally, a police officer approached one of the organizers in order to write him up for his role in the unsanctioned public event. But the demonstrators prevented the officer from doing so and spirited the activist away from the scene.

The demonstration was organized by the unregistered Bashquort nationalist organization.

In the past, students in Bashkortostan's schools were required to study both Bashkir and Russia, the republic's two state languages. This year, however, parents were given the opportunity to refuse Bashkir classes for their children.

Bashkhortostan's regional chief, Rustem Khamitov, said on September 14 that 75 percent elected for their children to study Bashkir.

About one-third of Bashkhortostan's 4 million residents are Bashkir, while 39 percent are ethnic Russians and 25 percent are Tatars.

The rule allowing parents to choose whether their children study Bashkir was put into place after Russian President Vladimir Putin in August ordered the Prosecutor-General's Office to investigate whether children in Russia's so-called ethnic republics were being forced to study local languages.

In July, Putin said while visiting Russia's Republic of Mari El that it was "impermissible to force someone to learn a language that is not [his or her] mother tongue, as well as to cut the hours of Russian language [classes at schools] in Russia's ethnic republics."

Putin's statement and the order given to the Prosecutor-General's Office prompted calls from Russian-speaking parents to abandon mandatory studies of languages other than Russian.

On September 14, the Council of Chuvash Elders in the neighboring Republic of Chuvashia condemned Putin's move, calling it "another attack against the aboriginal languages of the Russian Federation."

On September 7, the Education Ministry of another neighboring ethnic republic, Tatarstan, declared that calls to end mandatory studies of the Tatar language in the republic contradicted federal and regional laws guaranteeing that the local languages of ethnic republics are official state languages along with Russian.
Snow fell on the fourth day of the Covellite International Film Festival Friday, but that didnt stop attendees from braving the cool temperatures and heading Uptown to catch one of the festivals 110 flicks.

Don Andrews, who co-founded the festival with business partner Brian Boyd, said that turnout was better this year than the last and that he and Boyd made a few tweaks to make that happen, such as making general admission free.

Its been pretty amazing, said Andrews, noting that crowd sizes seem bigger this year. He added that hes been able to catch up with a few locals who attended the festival in addition to filmmakers presenting their work.

Andrews said operating the festival has certainly been a learning experience and that he and Boyd have been inventing their own model for running a film festival as they go.

Youre not just in a walled space, said Andrews of the festivals venues, which include places like the Mother Lode Theatre, Mountain View Music Hall, and Covellite Theatre. In the spaces that we set up and play our films, they have a lot of special meaning and history and a story of their own.

In addition to the film screenings, Covellite attendees took in forums and workshops covering film-industry topics.

Jhod Cardinal, Vancouverite and president of UpStream Flix, a sales and distribution company, gave a talk on distribution Friday afternoon.

Cardinal said distribution and public relations are among some of the most important components of making a successful film, yet they are subjects that arent often taught at film school. He has worked in the industry for 15 years and has distributed such films as Chasing Evel: The Robbie Knievel Story, which screened Wednesday night at the festival, and one of Wednesdays documentary features called Ice Guardians.

Ive talked to some professors, and theyre like, We should bring you in for a guest speaker. And I keep thinking, You cant have me as a guest speaker. You need a real class about this, said Cardinal.

When asked what advice he has for someone just graduating from film school who might have little knowledge of the more business-oriented aspects of the industry, Cardinal said that attending festivals like the Covellite is a great way to get their feet wet. It starts people thinking about how to market and distribute their film, and they get advice from people already working in the industry.

Damon J. Taylor, meanwhile, presented a film at the Covellite last year with filmmaker Raj Amit Kumar.

Taylor said that he and Kumar plan to shoot a feature-length film in Butte that looks at the social and political forces behind mass shootings called Shopping Mall. Hes been living in the Mining City since June doing pre-production work, having relocated from West Palm Beach, Florida.

As for Andrews, he said he was looking forward to Friday nights forum at the Clark Chateau because the topic of discussion is something hes particularly passionate about: incentivizing the film industry.

Andrews said it can sometimes be difficult to get economic development leaders at the state and local level to stop thinking of filmmaking as a hobby and instead look at it as a business and industry.

Every other business is incentivized, said Andrews. (But) anything about film, people consider it a hobby or an art or whatever. But film is almost a $290-billion, growing industry. Thats not a hobby. I dont know any hobbyist that has $290 billion lying around.

Andrews said having a movie shot in your jurisdiction comes with returns. He noted that films often require large crews and employ local people, and all of them need a place to eat, sleep, and play.

Whether its an economic development tool, festivals likes the Covellite perhaps mean most to filmmakers just starting out in their careers  people like Seattle-based filmmaker Johnny Rayne. He presented his film Forever Fighter, which tells the story of a familys brush with cancer, Friday afternoon at the Covellite Theatre, 215 W. Broadway St.

The Montana Standard caught up with Rayne just before the screening of his film, which he created on a budget of less than $9,000.

Rayne was all smiles and said he was eager to present his work.

Beyond exciting, said Rayne when asked what it was like to screen his film at a festival. I mean, its an amazing experience.
Just one year after his confirmation as Republic of North Ossetia-Alania head, former prime minister and brewery magnate Vyacheslav Bitarov is facing multiple challenges, ranging from allegations that the parliamentary elections held on September 10 were rigged to the presence of militants reportedly affiliated with the extremist group Islamic State (IS).

Those circumstances might strengthen the position of Bitarov's most serious political rival, Vladikavkaz municipal council head Makharbek Khadartsev. The election results could also signal an end to the tacit alliance between Bitarov and Arsen Fadzayev, who heads the local chapter of the Patriots of Russia party.

The parliamentary elections were problematic from the outset. The outgoing parliament had passed legislation late last year under which the 70 lawmakers are now elected not under the previous mixed (majoritarian/proportional) system but exclusively from party lists. Vitaly Cheldiyev of the Patriots of Russia parliamentary faction, who initiated that law, told RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service that it would promote the development of a genuine multiparty system, but it was not generally perceived as such. On the contrary, it was widely deplored as the most anticivic law of the year.

Of the 13 parties that initially applied for registration, only eight succeeded. Communists of Russia was barred from the vote on the basis of a formal complaint by its rival, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), that 40 of the 69 candidates on its party list were not residents of North Ossetia. Communists of Russia retaliated by calling for the KPRF to be similarly stripped of its registration for unspecified violations. A court in Stavropol Krai acceded to that request, but Russia's Supreme Court overturned that ruling after KPRF Chairman Gennady Zyuganov lodged a formal protest with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Party of Veterans, Yabloko, the Russian Socialist Party, and the Russian All-People's Union were all denied registration on the grounds that a large proportion of the signatures submitted in their support were deemed suspect.

One deputy head of the Central Election Commission resigned in early August, and a second was dismissed just days before the vote.

Critics of the voting, in which turnout was officially given as 56.6 percent, say it was marred by fraud, including instances of ballot-stuffing and failure to seal ballot boxes; but the Central Election Commission refused to accept as evidence of fraud three videos posted on YouTube of precinct officials cramming stacks of ballot papers into ballot boxes, the news portal Caucasian Knot reported on September 12.

Yet despite that apparent intervention in favor of the ruling United Russia party, the official returns showed a 5 percent decline in support for the party, from 64.3 percent in 2012 to 59.23 percent -- the lowest percentage registered in any of the six legislative elections held simultaneously across Russia that day. By contrast, United Russia garnered 70.77 percent in Krasnodar Krai and 68.99 percent in Penza Oblast. But thanks to the switch to the fully proportional system, United Russia nonetheless ended up with 46 parliament mandates, one more than in 2012.

Patriots of Russia placed second with 15.71 percent of the vote, down from 20 percent in 2012, which translated into 12 mandates, three fewer than before. A Just Russia placed third with 10.1 percent of the vote and seven mandates, up from 7.1 percent and five mandates in 2012; the KPRF received 6.61 percent, marginally less than in 2012, and retained its five mandates.

Claims Of Fraud

Cheldiyev rejected the official returns, telling the local Alania broadcasting company that Patriots of Russia actually won the election, the news agency Regnum reported. Margarita Kulova, who was second on the Patriots of Russia party list, has relinquished her mandate to protest what she described as "large-scale ballot-stuffing."

Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Chairman Vladimir Zhirinovsky, whose party reportedly received only 2.5 percent of the vote, has demanded a recount. Oleg Eydelshteyn, who heads the LDPR chapter in North Ossetia, told the news agency Regnum that his party received 10 percent of the vote.

Fadzayev, a former wrestling champion who enjoys considerable popular support, has not made any formal comment on the election results. In 2012 and for the duration of then-republic head Taymuraz Mamsurov's second term, Patriots of Russia was the republic's most influential opposition party. But Fadzayev threw his backing behind Bitarov when the latter was installed as republic head last year.

Neither has Khadartsev publicly commented on the election outcome. A former business rival of Bitarov -- he owns the republic's second-largest brewery -- Khadartsev came out openly against Bitarov following the appointment early this year of a new republican election commission from which all the candidates proposed by the Vladikavkaz municipality were excluded. (The city is home to approximately half of North Ossetia's total population of 704,000.) Khadartsev also took Bitarov to task for naming as republican health minister a Russian from outside North Ossetia who immediately dismissed the chief medical officer at the republic's largest hospital. At least a dozen medics resigned in protest and were immediately offered jobs by Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov.

The website On.Kavkaz reported in early March, citing unnamed "sources close to the government," that Khadartsev, hitherto aligned with United Russia, was considering running for parliament on the ticket of Party of Action (Partia Dela) which is virtually unknown in North Ossetia. That information proved wrong, however; the Party of Action did not even apply to register for the ballot.

Bitarov's Increasingly Shaky Grip

Khadartsev did, however, initiate a new attack on Bitarov in the run-up to the September elections. In late August, the Vladikavkaz municipal council addressed a letter to North Ossetia's law enforcement agencies deploring the criminal charges brought against former Mayor Sergei Dzantiyev. A search warrant was issued for Dzantiyev late last year, and he has been charged in absentia with squandering some 75 million rubles ($1.299 million) from the city budget; the municipal council says those expenditures had been officially approved.

Even assuming that Ella Pamfilova, chair of the federal Central Election Commission, chooses not to probe the reported irregularities as ruthlessly as she did analogous alleged violations last year during voting in Daghestan for the Russian State Duma, the outcome of the North Ossetian vote is likely to compound popular antagonism to Bitarov, which has reportedly grown steadily as a result of his failure to kick-start the republic's stagnating economy and reduce its massive state debt. That failure is seen by some as at least partly the result of Bitarov's political experience and a chronic shortage of personnel qualified to serve as ministers or deputy ministers, according to a local journalist quoted by On.Kavkaz.

One further factor, however, suggests the Kremlin may not dismiss out of hand the mounting dissatisfaction with Bitarov's leadership. In what appears to be a classic example of what French scholar Olivier Roy recently termed "the Islamization of radicalism," three young men from North Ossetia who had converted to Islam a few years ago were shot dead last week in a counterterror operation in the North Ossetian village of Chmi, south of Vladikavkaz. The three had recently uploaded to the Internet a video clip in which they formally swear allegiance to IS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

A man from Daghestan subsequently identified as a member of the same militant group died in a shoot-out with police in Vladikavkaz later the same day. The four were reported to have been planning either to stage terrorist attacks or to have extorted money from local businessmen.

In December, an aide to Bitarov said eight men from North Ossetia were among the Russian citizens fighting in Syria on the side of the opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; seven months later North Ossetian Interior Minister Mikhail Skokov told RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service the number of people from North Ossetia wanted for their alleged involvement with IS was 35. Two suspected IS recruiters have been apprehended trying to enter North Ossetia so far this year.

That IS should appear to be making inroads in North Ossetia is all the more surprising given that the majority of the population are Orthodox Christians; just 25-27 percent are Muslims, including Fadzayev. The Muslim community has been lobbying for the past seven years to regain the use of a 19th-century mosque in Vladikavkaz that was converted into a planetarium after the 1917 October Revolution but has been standing empty since the collapse of the U.S.S.R. Meeting with believers in late June to mark the end of Ramadan, Bitarov categorically rejected that request.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL
China and Russia have rejected a call from the United States to take more "direct actions" to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile tests, and said it is up to Washington to defuse the threat through negotiations.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said on September 15 that Russia will enforce sanctions imposed on Pyongyang this week by the UN Security Council, but go no further than that.

Speaking after a council meeting at which it condemned North Korea's latest ballistic-missile test earlier in the day, Nebenzya said that the UN sanctions resolution also called for negotiations with North Korea to resolve the standoff, and Washington must now honor that call.

"We called on our U.S. partners and others to implement political and diplomatic solutions that are provided for in the resolution," he said. "Without implementing this, we also will consider it as a noncompliance with the resolution."

Nebenzya repeated Moscow's call for support of a Russian-Chinese plan for striking up a dialogue with Pyongyang, which U.S. officials have dismissed in the past.

The Kremlin said earlier in the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, by phone and they agreed that the crisis requires resolution "exclusively through political and diplomatic means, by restarting direct negotiations."

China's ambassador to the United States had a similar message after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on September 14 called for more "direct actions" by Beijing and Moscow against North Korea.

"Honestly, I think the United States should be doing...much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue," Ambassador Cui Tiankai told reporters at the Chinese Embassy in Washington on September 15.

"They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation," he said.

Tillerson had called for more action by China and Russia after North Korea's latest missile launch early on September 15, which South Korea and Japan said flew far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, although it was not aimed at Guam and fell into the Pacific Ocean after flying over Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.

"China supplies North Korea with most of its oil. Russia is the largest employer of North Korean forced labor," Tillerson said. "China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own."

Tillerson said he was calling for action going beyond the sanctions approved by the Security Council, which he called "the floor, not the ceiling, of the actions we should take."

The sanctions resolution imposed a ban on purchasing North Korean textile exports, capped exports of crude oil to Pyongyang, and required countries to stop providing new guest-worker permits to North Korean laborers.

U.S. officials said the worker provision, which would mainly affect China and Russia, would eventually cut off an estimated $500 million a year of revenues for Pyongyang from earnings sent back home by the workers.

The exchange between Beijing, Moscow, and Washington came as rhetoric escalated over the latest missile test, with North Korea issuing a defiant statement after its condemnation by the Security Council saying that sanctions will not deter it from completing work on a nuclear armament program.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying that his country had made strides in achieving nuclear and ballistic-missile capabilities despite "limitless" international sanctions, and it will forge ahead and complete the work.

"Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the United States and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military options," Kim was quoted as saying.

U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier decried what he called Kim's "utter contempt" for the rest of the world and warned that "our options are not only effective but overwhelming."

White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster also had warned that "there is a military option," though he said it is not the Trump administration's preferred way to deal with the crisis.

The UN Council after its closed-door emergency session on September 15 called Pyongyang's latest missile launch "highly provocative" and "outrageous," and said it represented a threat to the region and "all UN member states."

With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters
The Iraqi military says government forces together with tribal fighters have captured a desert outpost of Islamic State (IS) militants near the border with Syria hours after a major offensive against the extremist group in the area began.



The Joint Operations Command (JOC), which is leading the battle against IS in Iraq, said in a September 16 statement that the former mining town of Akashat, south of the Euphrates River, had been captured in the offensive that started hours earlier.



IS seized the western, mineral-rich area in 2014. Further north along the border, IS still controls the strategic towns of Qaim, Rawa, and Ana.



The operation is seen as a setup for an expected campaign by Iraqi forces to drive IS militants from the remaining pockets of territory controlled by the group near the Syrian border.



The JOC statement said that Shi'ite paramilitary forces backed by Iran and Sunni tribal fighters participated in the September 16 offensive against IS, which has suffered a string of battlefield setbacks and ceded territory both in Iraq and Syria.

In July, the Iraqi government retook the city of Mosul and, in August, the town of Tal Afar.

IS still controls Hawja in oil-rich Kirkuk Province and parts of Anbar Province.

Based on reporting from AFP, dpa, and Reuters
KAZAN, Russia -- About 200 people have protested in the capital of the Russian region of Tatarstan, Kazan, calling for the resignation of the region's construction minister and other officials.

The September 16 protest was held by representatives of several groups representing people who have been paying mortgages on apartments in buildings that have not yet been completed. Construction on the projects has been halted after a wave of bank failures in the region earlier this year.

In March, regulators revoked the licenses of two banks and their affiliates in the region. Corruption investigations have been opened in connection with the banks' failures.

Participants in the September 16 demonstration collected signatures for an appeal to President Vladimir Putin, and said that the situation facing the "deceived borrowers" was "catastrophic."

The sanctioned demonstration was organized by the local branch of the Communist Party and included participants from other cities in Tatarstan, as well as people whose savings were frozen in the failed banks.
Police in Moscow have opened a criminal investigation on suspicion of "hooliganism" after a top campaign aide for opposition politician and anticorruption activist Aleksei Navalny was attacked by an unknown assailant wielding a metal pipe.



A Moscow police spokesman told Interfax on September 16 that the case had been opened and police were looking for the perpetrator who attacked Nikolai Lyaskin the previous day. Lyaskin is the head of the Moscow office of Navalny's campaign for the 2018 presidential election.



Lyaskin suffered a concussion as a result of the attack and was treated at a hospital.



The incident was the latest in a string of assaults and other harassment of Navalny supporters around the country. Navalny himself suffered a chemical burn to his eye in April when an assailant splashed green antiseptic into his face.



Police closed the investigation into that incident in June without making an arrest.



Navalny is attempting to run in the election, but Russian officials have said he is ineligible because of a felony embezzlement conviction that he says was politically motivated.



Russian President Vladimir Putin has not announced whether he will participate in the election, but he is widely expected to seek and secure a fourth term as president.



The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement last week that "radical nationalists and pro-Putin groups have physically attacked and threatened" Navalny's campaigners, and that "official investigations into these incidents have not been effective."



HRW added that Russian police were "systematically" interfering with Navalny's attempts to run for president by raiding his campaign offices, "arbitrarily" detaining campaign volunteers, and carrying out "other actions that unjustifiably interfere with campaigning."



"The attack on Nikolai Lyaskin is, of course, the result of the lack of police action against the scum who carried out earlier attacks," Ivan Zhdanov, a lawyer for Navalny, wrote on Twitter.



Navalny posted a photograph of the alleged weapon on Twitter, writing: "What is this if not attempted murder?"





With reporting by Interfax and Meduza
UFA, Russia -- By the Bashkortostan regional government's own admission, this Russian region is a "blank spot" on the country's tourism map. But not for long.

The region of some 4 million people with a Muslim plurality of about 38 percent hopes to change the situation by pushing an aggressive tourism-development program called the "red-green" plan.

The red part of the plan aims to draw mostly visitors from China who, officials hope, will be interested in seeing local sites associated with Russia's communist past, while the green prong will target the Islamic world, particularly the Middle East.

"People don't know about us -- potential tourists, tour operators, tour-industry players," Vyacheslav Gilyazetdinov, head of the republic's Business and Tourism Committee, told a government meeting on September 13 where he unveiled the plan.

The republican government is budgeting 70 million rubles ($1.2 million) per year for the tourism plan, including 30 million rubles per year for promoting the tourism brand of Bashkortostan in Russia and abroad.

"For decades we didn't participate in domestic tourism exhibitions," he noted, adding that an estimated 200,000 Chinese citizens traveled through the international airport in Bashkortostan's capital, Ufa, last year.

The government hopes these tourists will want to see such sites as the small museum in the house where Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin briefly visited his wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya, who had been exiled there, twice in 1900.

In her memoirs, Krupskaya wrote of the first visit: "Vladimir Ilyich spent two days in Ufa, and after having talked with the locals, he entrusted me and mother to the care of our comrades and moved on nearer to St. Petersburg."

Communism aficionados also might be interested in the Ufa KGB Museum, or the Museum of the Ufa Engine-Building Factory, which built the engines for many Soviet-era military aircraft that were exported to Soviet allies.

Or they can visit the campus of the Ufa Aviation Academy, where the executive committee of the Comintern, a Soviet-dominated communist organization that advocated world communism, was based during World War II.

Bringing In The Green

To make the tourism prospects less daunting for would-be visitors, officials have sketched out a 12-day itinerary that takes in Ufa and the Chishminsky, Davlekanovsky, Burzyansky, and Uchalinsky districts.

These areas include such attractions as the mausoleum of Husseinbek, the first imam of Bashkortostan; the mausoleum of Turakhan, who is believed to have descended from Mongol conqueror Chingiz Khan (also known as Genghis Khan); and the graves of other noted Muslim teachers and clerics.

"We have joined the federal Halal Friendly program and are in the process of certifying our hotels in terms of their conformity with halal standards," Gilyazetdinov told the government session.

The government hopes the plan will help the sector grow to 26 billion rubles ($452 million) in annual revenues by 2023.

Written by Robert Coalson on the basis of reporting by RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service correspondent Artur Asafyev
Protests continued overnight on November 12-13 in many Iranian cities as rights defenders warned of a climbing death and arrest tolls, while Tehran responded angrily to outside criticism of the Iranian government's eight-week crackdown.

There were street demonstrations overnight in the capital, Tehran, and the cities of Arak, Shiraz, Zanjan, Sanandaj, and Sardasht.

Iran has been engulfed by protests and a brutal crackdown triggered by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in mid-September after her detention by morality police for an alleged dress-code violation.

Video also emerged on social media of the moment when a 17-year-old was apparently shot by security forces in the city of Karaj. The images showed Mehdi Hazrati pushing ahead of a crowd of protesters before being gunned down.

Local media quoted by AFP said Iran's judiciary hadcharged 750 more people in at least three provinces over "recent riots," adding to at least 2,000 others the department has confirmed were already charged in connection with the unrest.

A judicial official in the southern Hormozgan Province was quoted as saying the various charges include "incitement to killing," "injuring security forces," anti-state propaganda, and damaging public property.

Elsewhere, the Hamamihan newspaper quoted a student activist as saying around 150 students at Al-Zahra University had been suspended overnight following a punishment directed at a gathering there.

Al-Zahra University has been one of the hubs of student protest since the current wave of unrest began.

The Iran Human Rights group, a nonprofit that operates inside and outside the country, said on November 12 that it had counted at least 326 deaths so far across 22 provinces since the start of the unrest, including 43 children.

It said that November 4, when at least 16 people died after security troops appeared to fire on a crowd in the town of Khash, was one of the bloodiest days in the crackdown on two months of protests.

The group repeated its call for a more decisive and urgent response from the international community to prevent Iranian deaths.

Western sources suspect at least around 14,000 others have been caught up in mass arrests since the protests began.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Qanaani, responded to criticism by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz by saying his video appeal for added pressure on Tehran was "interventionist, provocative, and undiplomatic."

In a tweet, Scholz called for more EU sanctions and "to continue to step up the pressure" on the hard-line military Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Iran's political leadership.

A day earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron met with a delegation of exiled Iranian rights activists and hailed the women-led protest movement in Iran as a "revolution."

France's foreign minister then accused Tehran of "dictatorial practices" and of using dual citizens as hostages, saying a total of seven French nationals are now in Iranian custody, after a video of a purported confession of spying by two French citizens was aired on Iranian television.

EU foreign ministers are expected to agree on expanded sanctions against Iran when they meet on November 14.

Germany and Iceland have also urged that an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council be convened later this month on the Iranian situation.

German news agency dpa reported early on November 13 that some Iranian residents of Berlin were attacked at a protest camp they set up there to show support for women's rights and democracy in their home country.

Police said a 26-year-old man with a knife had destroyed banners and threatened some of the Iranian activists.

No one was injured and the man was arrested, police added.

The German State Protection Office that handles terrorist attacks is also involved due to suspicions that the attack was politically motivated.

With reporting by dpa
Ukrainian authorities say three children have been killed in a fire at a youth camp in Ukraine's Black Sea port city of Odesa.



Authorities said on September 16 that the fire swept through a two-story, wooden building shortly before midnight on September 15.



Police said that 42 children were inside the building at the time of the fire.



After extinguishing the fire, rescue workers found the remains of two children and said that a third child, a 12-year-old girl, was unaccounted for.



Regional police spokesman Ruslan Forostyak said in a Facebook post later on September 16 that the remains of the 12-year-old had been found.



Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman offered condolences and pledged that those responsible would be punished.



"It is a great tragedy when children die," Hroysman said in televised comments.



Authorities have opened a criminal case in connection with fire-safety violations, and police said the director of the children's camp has been detained.



Ukraine and other former Soviet states continue to be plagued by frequent deadly fires due to aging infrastructure and often slipshod fire-safety practices.

With reporting by AFP and Interfax
Ukraine's top prosecutor has said former Georgian President and Ukrainian regional governor Mikheil Saakashvili will not be arrested for defying authorities with his dramatic return to the country after his citizenship was canceled.



In his September 16 comments, Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko also said that Saakashvili, who is wanted in Georgia on allegations of corruption during his presidency, would not be extradited and suggested the stateless ex-leader may have a document allowing him to remain in Ukraine.



"Saakashvili will not be arrested in this case, Saakashvili cannot be extradited from this country while he has a residence permit or other document that he has filed," Lutsenko said at the annual Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv.



Lutsenko did not specify what kind of document he was referring to.



The reformist, pro-Western president of Georgia from 2004-13, Saakashvili was stripped of his Georgian citizenship in 2015 after he took Ukrainian citizenship in order to become governor of the Odesa region at the request of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.



He resigned as Odesa governor in November 2016, complaining of official obstruction of anticorruption efforts, accusing Poroshenko of dishonesty, and charging that the government in Kyiv was sabotaging crucial reforms.



Poroshenko stripped Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship in July, leaving him essentially stateless. On September 10, Saakashvili defied Ukrainian authorities and made a chaotic crossing into the country from Poland, helped by hundreds of his supporters.



Authorities on September 12 formally served notice on Saakashvili in the western city of Lviv for what officials called his illegal entry into the country. They claimed several border officers were injured in the altercation at the border with his supporters.



Lutsenko said on September 16 that those who helped bring Saakashvili across the border would face criminal charges but would not be arrested.



But he said those who "beat Ukrainian border guards" would face arrest and prosecution.
Ukraine's prosecutor-general has said that former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych's justice minister has been detained over allegations that he participated in an illegal "coup d'etat" in 2010.

A court in Kyiv has placed Oleksandr Lavrynovych, 61, in provisional detention for 60 days, Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko said in a statement on September 15.

Lavrynovych is accused of having participated in a "coup d'etat" due to his role in pushing for the adoption of a controversial constitutional reform that increased the powers of the president.

The reform was adopted in 2010 by Ukraine's Constitutional Court, but not by parliament, making it illegal, according to Lusenko.

The pro-Western opposition in Ukraine at the time said the reforms amounted to a "coup d'etat."

Unlike other top officials from Yanukovych's pro-Russia government, Lavrynovych remained in Ukraine after pro-European protests in February 2014 forced out Yanukovych, who fled to Russia, where he lives in exile.

Yanukovych is on trial in absentia in Kyiv, accused of high treason and having violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Based on reporting by AFP , RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, and Interfax
The Montana secretary of state denied Thursday that he had claimed there were 360 cases of voter fraud in a May special election, saying he was misquoted in news stories.

Secretary of State Corey Stapleton sent his chief of staff to read a letter to a legislative committee Thursday, blaming the Associated Press and Lee Newspapers for incorrectly citing a statement he made at a summer hearing.

The dispute stems from a July 20 meeting of the State Administration and Veterans Affairs interim legislative committee. The committee meets during the 18 months between legislative sessions and as a part of its general duties receives updates from state agencies such as the Secretary of States Office.

At the July meeting, Stapleton discussed a May special election to fill Montanas empty seat in the U.S. House. A recording of the meeting shows Stapleton said:

Weve never had voter fraud in Montana this century. I mean nobody. And ask yourself if we had no DUIs, if we had no shoplifting, if we had no sexual assaults, would we really say that we dont have those things? Or would we say we dont have voter fraud because weve never pursued it or we dont understand? Three-hundred  I dont know the exact number  but in the special election for example over 300 signatures were illegal statewide.

The Associated Press later reported: Montanas chief elections officer alleged Thursday that voter fraud may be more common than local officials acknowledge and asserted that more than 360 illegal ballots were cast, but not counted, during the special congressional election in May.

The Associated Press on Thursday declined to comment on its reporting, saying it was working to contact its attorneys before commenting.

State Sen. Sue Malek, who is chairwoman of the interim committee, in August sent Stapleton a letter asking him to attend Thursdays meeting to provide more information about the claims of voter fraud.

She wrote During our discussion with you, we spoke about your offices allegations of voter fraud in Montana. An Associated Press article that appeared the next day cited you saying there were 360 cases of voter fraud in Montana.

Stapletons letter Thursday, read by chief of staff Christi Jacobsen, said Lee Newspapers used Maleks letter to continue the incorrect accusation of widespread voter fraud. Stapleton did not attend Thursday's meeting.

Stapletons letter said he made no such statement that there were 360 cases of voter fraud. He asked Malek, a Democrat from Missoula, to correct the public record. He also said the Associated Press reporter who wrote the initial story was no longer working at the AP, though that is because the reporters contract ended.

The letter also said Stapleton contacted Lee Newspaper editors. Jacobsen later said the Secretary of States Office contacted The Billings Gazette.

The Gazette was never contacted by Stapleton with a request for a correction to its reporting. A search of wire reports shows The Associated Press also never sent a correction to state papers.

Stapleton did meet with the Gazette in August because he was upset about an editorial written by the paper, but did not cite any factual errors in reporting.

A reporter for Lee Newspapers attempted to contact Stapleton via his office phone, cellphone and email before writing a story about Maleks letter in August. Jacobsen replied to an email asking for comment but did not provide a comment. On Thursday she said the Secretary of State's Office uses the terms "illegal" or "not legal" or "mismatched" signatures interchangeably to describe when the signature on an outer envelope of a ballot is deemed not to be the same person whose name is printed on the ballot.

"Fraud is a much higher bar, as it requires proving 'intent' to commit a crime, not just showing that one person signed another person's ballot," Jacobsen wrote in an email.

Stapletons letter also said there is an active investigation in Butte-Silver Bow County by the sheriffs department concerning three cases of voter misconduct. He also said he anticipates finding additional cases of interest as he reviews the 363 ballots where voters signatures did not match what was on file.

Sen. Doug Kary, R-Billings, asked Malek on Thursday if she would apologize to Stapleton.

This is about a process, a process that is meant to be foolproof, Kary said. You have the bully pulpit, you can speak as much as you want. I have not heard an apology to the Secretary of State yet.

Malek said she didnt intend to apologize.

The article was in the paper, she said, adding that the Associated Press filed a records request to get more information about Stapletons claims of 363 illegal ballots. Malek and Lee Newspapers have also submitted requests to Stapleton.

Thursday evening Jeffrey M. Hindoien, chief legal counsel for the office, sent Lee Newspapers a letter from Stapleton saying that since the paper's records request was "based on a false assertion," it did not have any documents to supply. It did forward information about one case of voter fraud in Butte where a woman asked that her boyfriend be prosecuted for voter fraud for intentionally voting her ballot.

Malek said Thursday she was pleased to finally get a response from Stapleton.

We have gotten a response that says that accusation of 360-plus ballots being fraudulently cast in Montana was a misstatement apparently and was never made by the Secretary of State. I would have expected the office to issue a clarification some time ago through the press.

Addressing Stapletons general comments in the letter about issues with voting, such as 596 late ballots and 831 ballots without signatures from last Novembers elections, she said: I do not want our democracy undermined and people to believe our elections are not carefully and legally run in Montana.

Claims of voter fraud were a common refrain of President Donald Trump when he campaigned last fall and appear to be becoming part of the playbook for some fellow members of the Republican Party.

Even after his electoral college victory but loss of the popular vote, Trump has continued to make false claims that nearly 3 million people fraudulently voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton.

On Thursday, Malek said the Secretary of States Office reported that Trumps commission on voter fraud had purchased Montanas publicly available voter file, which contains information including a voters first name, last name, registration status, whether they are active or inactive and the reason the voter is designated as active or inactive.

The commission, in a move that was widely panned and rejected by most states, had also asked for information including names, voting history, birthdays and the last four digits of the Social Security numbers of voters.

Stapleton has clashed with Missoula County, where Malek is from, over mismatched signatures on ballots that were rejected in the May 25 election.

Emails obtained by the Missoulian through a records request showed Stapleton and elections administrator Rebecca Connors had a series of harsh exchanges over 91 ballots rejected because of signature issues. Only one ballot was incorrectly counted, but Connors said it was a mistake where a person accidentally voted another person's ballot. The miscounted ballot was found and voided, and the woman was allowed to vote again. The case was reported to the Missoula Police Department and the Secretary of State.
UN human rights special rapporteur Idriss Jazairy has rejected allegations that his conclusions from a fact-finding mission to Russia in April were influenced by a $50,000 donation to his mandate from the Russian Federation.

The Algerian diplomat on September 15 responded to charges presented on September 13 in Geneva by Hillel Neuer of the advocacy group UN Watch. Jazairy had earlier said he would not respond to "discursive remarks."

Russian state media hailed Jazairy's report, which said that Russia had lost some $55 billion since the European Union and the United States imposed economic sanctions on Moscow for its illegal 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea and its instigation of an insurgency in parts of eastern Ukraine that has left more than 10,000 people dead.

Jazairy's report also said the EU loses some $3.2 billion per month because of the sanctions.

In an interview with Russia's state-controlled Sputnik news agency, Jazairy urged "the international community to try and solve political differences through negotiation rather than through the imposition of sanctions."

Jazairy is the special rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures for the UN-backed Human Rights Council. Thirty-five percent of the council's budget in 2016 came from extra-budgetary support from member states. Russia provided $50,000 to each of six council mandates, including to rapporteurs on terrorism and racism.

The reliance on contributions from members has frequently created the perception of conflicts of interest in the past.

Based on reporting by AP, UN Watch, Sputnik, and Canada Free Press
Showcased at 2018 Auto Expo in February, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) has officially launched the Honda Activa 5G automatic scooter in India. Honda Activa 5G gets a host of cosmetic changes though it continues to be powered by the same engine seen on its earlier counterpart.

Activa 5G is launched in two models, the standard model (Activa 5G STD) which carries a price tag of INR 52,460, and a deluxe variant (Activa 5G DLX) 55243 priced at INR 54,325. This comes close on the heels of the launch of X-Blade.

The fifth gen tag is a minor visual update as seen on display at Auto Expo with minor styling changes. Chrome additions for appeal and a LED headlamp with daytime running lamps.

It is also seen with a new digital/analog instrument cluster, service reminder and ECO model enhancing fuel efficiency. The seat lock and unlock feature is integrated into the scooters ignition key slot and a double hook allows riders to carry more luggage onboard.

No mechanical changes are seen on the Activa 5G which continues to be powered by the same 110cc, four stroke, fan cooled engine which also powered by the 4G model. This engine offers 8 bhp peak power and 9 Nm peak torque mated to a CVT automatic gearbox. It has a top speed of 83 kmph, a combi braking system and link suspension in the front and monoshock at the rear with drum brakes on both wheels. It is also presented with tubeless tyres. Dimensions remain the same as the 4G but the 5G is about a kilo heavier. Honda Eco Technology (HET) improves low-end torque and increases fuel efficiency. The 5.3-litre fuel tank is carried forward.

Honda Activa 5G is presented two new color options of Dazzle Yellow Metallic and Pearl Spartan Red. Colours carried forward from 4G are  Trance Blue, Matte Axis Grey Metallic, Matte Selene Silver Metallic, Pearl Amazing White, Majestic Brown Metallic, and Black, . There is a wider range of colours in the 5th generation Activa than the fourth generation.
Straight shot up U.S. 31 to I-94 finally open in Berrien County

Last few miles had been unfinished since 2004 because of a lack of money to pay for it.
An artist's concept of a Europa lander released earlier this year. NASA is examining other options for the lander that could cost less, but sacrifice some science.

WASHINGTON  NASA is continuing to examine various, potentially less expensive options for a mission to land on Jupiter's moon Europa even after completing a recent review, postponing a call for instruments for the spacecraft.

At a meeting of the Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Sept. 6 in La Jolla, California, Curt Niebur, a program scientist in the planetary science division at NASA Headquarters, said mission planners are continuing to examine several factors, including mission cost and science return, as they evaluate the design of the mission.

The lander mission, he said, successfully passed an early-stage review called a mission concept review in June. However, he said the agency had not settled on a specific, single concept for the mission. [Photos: Europa, Mysterious Icy Moon of Jupiter]

"As a result of that mission concept review, what we want to do is essentially continue exploring the different options we have for a Europa lander mission," he said. "We want to continue balancing the trade amongst risk, cost and science return."

Concepts for the lander presented earlier this year call for a spacecraft launched on a Space Launch System rocket no earlier than late 2025, arriving at Jupiter in mid-2030 and landing on Europa in late 2031. Most of the spacecraft's estimated mass of 16.6 metric tons is propellant needed to first enter orbit around Jupiter and, later, landing on Europa itself.

A report released in February by a NASA-chartered science definition team (SDT) identified the science goals of the lander, as well as a notional suite of five instruments that could be used to achieve those goals and fit within a payload accommodation on the lander of 42.5 kilograms. The battery-powered spacecraft would operate for about 20 days after landing.

"The SDT report is the starting point," Niebur said later in the meeting. "But accomplishing everything in the SDT report is a very expensive mission. What we'd like to see are some less expensive options."

That could, he acknowledged, mean looking at missions that perform less science but at a lower cost. "I firmly believe that you can't make substantial cost reductions and maintain the full science return of this mission," he said. "If you really want to see a more streamlined mission concept, you're going to have to be willing to give up some science. So, yes, science is on the table."

Kevin Hand, a JPL scientist who was one of the leaders of the SDT, said that could mean changes to both the instrument complement on the lander as well as its operations. "There are the primary things to consider  instruments, et cetera  and there are the secondary items that are influenced by science," he said.

One option, Hand said, might be to reduce the number of samples the lander collects from Europa's icy surface for analysis. "Samples take energy, they take time," he said.

While cost estimates, both done internally by NASA and externally by the Aerospace Corporation, are being developed, Niebur and others at the OPAG meeting did not disclose what ranges those estimates span. Many in the planetary science community, though, estimate that a full-fledged lander mission may cost several billion dollars.

Because that analysis of potential lander options is ongoing, NASA is holding off issuing an announcement of opportunity (AO) for instruments that would go on the lander. "Until we finish that exploration, it's premature to release an AO," Niebur said.

He suggested that no decisions were imminent on an alternative design for the lander. "We are reconsidering the trade space. That's not something you do over the span of a week or two," he said.

A further complication for a Europa lander mission is funding. The administration requested no funding for the mission in its fiscal year 2018 budget request. While the Senate version of an appropriations bill that funds NASA is silent on the mission, the House version included $495 million for both the lander mission and the Europa Clipper multiple-flyby mission that is further along in development.

"We'll wait to see what happens with the FY18 budget to come up with a longer-term plan beyond the next month or so for how we'll proceed with this potential mission," Niebur said.

Progress is going well on Europa Clipper, Niebur and others said at the OPAG meeting. The mission passed a major project milestone called Key Decision Point B in February, allowing it to enter a preliminary design phase. Robert Pappalardo, project scientist for the mission, said at the OPAG meeting that the mission is on schedule to complete a series of preliminary design reviews by next August.

One issue with Europa Clipper that Niebur raised is the growth in resources in the spacecraft's instrument payload. "It wasn't so much that the resources grew, but it was the amount that they grew," he said. The mission, he said, has put into place a "resource monitoring plan" to track that growth, and understand what instruments are having issues as early as possible.

Power demands from those instruments, though, have led to a design change in the spacecraft. The spacecraft's two solar arrays now consist of four and a half panels each, up from four panels from earlier designs. "We needed to increase the total size of the arrays slightly in order to accommodate the energy demands of the payload," Pappalardo said.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
View of carbonate rocks from Mount Slipper, Yukon that contain apatitic scale microfossils. Fossils are found by dissolving the carbonate rocks in weak acid. Canadian penny for scale.

A critical feature of many multicellular lifeforms on Earth are hard, biological structures, such as animal bones and snail shells that are made from minerals.

Tiny fossils recently discovered in Canada have pushed back the oldest known evidence of "bio-mineralization" to 810 million years ago. The finding could yield insights into locating fossils on other planets and shed light on the ways in which lifeforms and their planets develop together over time.

The researchers detailed their findings in the journal Science Advances. They received financial support from the NASA Astrobiology Institute MIT node and through a NASA Astrobiology postdoctoral fellowship. [5 Bold Claims of Alien Life]

Multicellular organisms, such as animals, plants and fungi are all examples of eukaryotes (opens in new tab), whose cells possess nuclei. The evolution of bio-mineralization (opens in new tab) was a key milestone in the history of eukaryotes and for Earth in general, since bio-mineral structures, such as coral reefs, have had a dramatic impact on the planet's geology.Yet, early signs of eukaryotic bio-mineralization have remained obscure in the fossil record, making it difficult to know the age and environmental circumstances in which these biological structures first emerged.

View of Mount Slipper looking towards the layers of rock that contain biomineralized fossils. (Image credit: Phoebe A. Cohen)

To pinpoint when eukaryotic bio-mineralization might have first evolved, scientists collected samples from a roughly 200-foot-thick (60-meter) section of lime mudstone and black and gray shale near Mount Slipper in Yukon territory, Canada, near the Alaskan border.

"We were there in late June, but it was still really cold," said lead author of the study, Phoebe Cohen, a paleobiologist at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. "There was lots of snow still on the ground, but that was actually okay, since that's where we get our drinking water from."

The researchers focused on microfossils within the rock, which arose during the Neoproterozoic Era between 541 million to 1 billion years ago.

"The mountain slope where the fossils are found is very steep, and much of the rock is loose, so we spent a lot of time precariously perching on steep slopes whacking away at rocks with our rock hammers to collect samples," Cohen said.

Scanning electron microscope image of a cluster of biomineralized ASM fossils from Mount Slipper. Fossils are found by dissolving carbonate rocks from Mount Slipper in weak acid. These structures likely acted as armor, with many plates of the same type surrounding a single cell. (Image credit: Phoebe A. Cohen)

The microfossils Cohen and her team uncovered, thought to be single-celled marine eukaryotes, come in a wide variety of shapes. "Each of the tiny fossils we find we think isn't its own organism, but part of a single cell. Imagine a round single cell surrounded by these little armored plates," Cohen said.

Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopes, Cohen and her colleagues found these microfossils were largely made of complex, interwoven networks of fibrous crystals of a mineral known as apatite. The intricate nature of these networks confirmed they were created by a biological, as opposed to a geological, process, the researchers said.

Furthermore, analysis of isotopes of the elements rhenium and osmium in the rock suggested these fossils are roughly 810 million years old, representing the oldest specimens of eukaryotic bio-mineralization discovered to date. They are, in fact, older than previous specimens by about 200 million years, Cohen said.

"Eukaryotes were building very complex bio-mineralized structures much earlier than we thought they were," Cohen said. [Early Earth: A Battered, Hellish World with Water Oases for Life]

It was a different world during the lifetime of these organisms than today; almost all of life existed in water, and plants and animals had not yet entered the scene. But there was a large diversity of microscopic eukaryotes at the time. Some of these organisms were algae similar to today's red and green algae, while others do not have a similar modern analog, like the mysterious fossils Cohen's team found.

Analysis of the rocks surrounding the fossils suggest that chemical alterations in the oceans when these eukaryotes were alive boosted the amount of phosphate compounds that were dissolved in the water where these lifeforms dwelled. This, in turn, helps explain why these organisms might have created structures made of apatite, which is a phosphate mineral. And it suggests that bio-mineralization developed as organisms and their environments evolved together through time, Cohen said.

"Lots of available phosphorus? Then maybe you'll expect to see organisms using that element to bio-mineralize," Cohen said.

This research may also shed light on where to find fossils on other planets. For instance, if looking for fossils made largely of phosphates, scientists may want to focus on areas that were once, or are currently, rich in dissolved phosphates.

"We've learned more about the conditions under which these types of bio-mineralized fossils can be found, which is useful as we begin to explore places like Mars for potential fossil evidence of life," Cohen said.

Future research could focus on finding such fossils elsewhere in the world, Cohen said.

"I'm also working on trying to understand why these fossils are preserved here and how they are preserved, which will help us find them elsewhere and also help us understand more generally how bio-mineralized fossils get preserved in ancient rocks," she said.

"There's also a lot of questions about why we don't see eukaryotic bio-mineralization again for almost 200 million years," Cohen said. "Was it because these organisms went extinct? Then why didn't other organisms evolve this capability? Was it because of ocean chemistry conditions? There's many interesting questions to follow up with there as well."

This story was provided by Astrobiology Magazine, a web-based publication sponsored by the NASA astrobiology program. Follow Space.com @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Story posted on Space.com.
Geneva, Sept 15, 2017 (SPS) - International activist Catherine Constantinides called on civil society across the world to work to end the Moroccan occupation and eradicate its racist policies.

Against the Saharoui people in the areas occupied of Western Sahara, and to accept the continuation of this tragedy, which resulted in a number of casualties can not be described.

Ms. Catherine, an activist in the field of climate and human rights. During her lecture at a lecture on refugees in the world hosted by the UN Human Rights Council, she mentioned the suffering of the Saharoui people for over four decades, referring to refugee camps and climatic conditions The difficult and dire humanitarian situation of the Sahrawis, as a result of the Moroccan military invasion and the illegal occupation of their land.

The South African activist mentioned the suffering of the people of South Africa during the colonization period, saying that she understood the meaning of a man living without freedom in reference to her country which lived under occupation. The organizations participating in this workshop also called for giving the Sahrawi African issue their right and part of their concerns. The sacrifices of the Saharoui people under occupation.SPS

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A 14-year-old girl was raped in a south-east London park in broad daylight.

The teenager was attacked in a secluded area in Avery Hill Park, off Avery Hill Road, in Greenwich.

Police said the assault happened between 9am and 1pm on Monday September 4.

Officers have released images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Police are appealing for help to track down this man / Met Police

A spokesman said: "The attacker is described as a black male believed to be in his 20s, of slim build, with short black hair and a moustache.

"He was wearing sand-coloured combat trousers, dark shoes which might have been blue, and a grey drawstring bag.

"He was also wearing sunglasses with black, round lenses."

Police said the victim was being supported by specialist officers and said no arrests had been made.

DC Mark Azariah, from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: "This was a horrendous attack on a vulnerable girl in the middle of the day.

"If you were in and around the area and saw anyone matching the description of the suspect or saw anything suspicious I would urge you to get in touch.

"Likewise, if you have information about the man wanted for questioning as a result of the images released today, my team are waiting for your call."

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 07789 926065 or email mark.azariah@met.pnn.police.uk.
T he teenager arrested on suspicion of planting the Parsons Green bomb was detained in the departure area of the port of Dover, Scotland Yard has revealed.

The 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, sparking the evacuation of the ferry terminal on Saturday morning.

Detectives investigating the attack are keeping an open mind as to whether the Tube bomber was acting alone or as part of a wider network of terrorists.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said the terror threat level in the UK would remain at crticial, indicating another attack could be likely.

Terror attack: Armed police patrol in Westminster Underground station as the terror threat remains at critical / Getty Images

Following the arrest of the teenager, anti-terror police raided a home in Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey.

According to the Press Association, the residential address is home to foster care couple Penelope and Ronald Jones, who have received MBEs for services to children and families.

Raid: An investigator stands outside a house after residents were evacuated / AFP/Getty Images

The Surrey property is registered to Mr and Mrs Jones, 88 and 71, who were honoured by the Queen in 2009.

Long time family friend Serena Barber, 45, said that the Joneses had fostered dozens of children.

Search: Forensic officers taking part in an operation in Sunbury-on-Thames / PA

She said: "Penny's a wonderful foster mother. She takes everyone, she doesn't turn anyone away."

Residents in surrounding addresses on Cavendish Road were evacuated from their homes shortly after 1.40pm as police continued to scour the property.

Armed counter-terror police raid a house in Surrey

On the street, residents were rushed from their homes by armed police. They were allowed back into their homes at 8pm.

Mother-of-three Mojgan Jamali, among those forced to flee, told the Press Association: "I was in my house with my children and there was a knock at the door from the police.

"They told me to leave. They said: 'You have one minute to get out of the house and get away.'

"I just got out, I got my three children and we left the house and the street.

Nearby Staines Rugby Club has been opened as a rest centre for evacuees, with an estimated 150 to 200 people already said to have been welcomed through its doors.

Bomb: 30 people were injured when the improvised explosive device was detonated on a packed Tube carriage / Kerry Davies/Daily Mail

Mr Basu said: "Our priorities are to ensure the address in Sunbury is safe, and to identify and locate any other potential suspects."

He added his team were "quickly and thoroughly searching that address" and "working to ensure it is safe"

Residents were allowed home at 8pm after they had given their names and proof of address to police.

They were told once they were in their houses they must stay there unless absolutely necessary, and sign in and out of the cordon until it was lifted if they had to leave.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner: London will not be stopped by terror

Mr Basu told reporters that, following the arrest, officers from Kent Police evacuated the port of Dover just after 11.40am.

That work is now complete and they have recovered a number of items during that search, he said.

Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures 1 /27 Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures Images emerged on social media of flames spilling from a bucket which appeared to be on the train Kett News Emergency services on the platform at Parsons Green Metro An injured woman is assisted by a police officer close to Parsons Green station in west London after an explosion on a packed London Underground train Dominic Lipinski/PA Armed police stand by a cordon outside Parsons Green tube station Kevin Coombs/Reuters Police, fire and ambulance crews descended on the station Cllr Daniel Holden An injured woman is comforted outside the station Reuters Bomb disposal and armed police unitson the scene at Parsons Green Jeremy Selwyn Personal belonglongs and a bucket with an item on fire inside it, are seen on the floor of an underground train carriage at Parsons Green station Sylvian Pennec/Reuters Police with a woman after the incident at Parsons Green Metro Nick Crowley shows his charred forehead following an explosion whilst on the Tube Nick Crowley Armed British police officers walk through the carriage of a London underground tube carriage at Parsons Green underground tube station in west London AFP/Getty Images Tube carriage and emergency services on the tracks after explosion Sky News Police and emergency services at Parsons Green Station following reports of an explosion on a tube train. Kerry Davies/Daily Mail An injured woman is led away after an incident at Parsons Green underground station in London Reuters Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley speaks to the media outside New Scotland Yard, London, after a terrorist incident was declared following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A forensics officer on the platform at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A tube train at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A police officer and a sniffer dog pictured near Parsons Green tube station Reuters View of emergency services on the tracks at Parsons Green Sky News Commuters were left traumatised by the incident Reuters Bomb disposal units rushed to the scene Reuters Crowds gather outside Parsons Green tube station AFP/Getty Images A woman reacts outside Parsons Green tube station Reuters Emergency services tend to panicked commuters outside Parsons Green Tube station Emma (Twitter) Images emerged of a bucket alight reportedly on the District Line train @RRigs Fire crews, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA Police vehicles line the street near Parsons Green tube station Reuters

The suspect is now being held at a London police station after being arrested by Kent Police.

Mr Basu said: "At this stage we are keeping an open mind over whether more than one person is responsible for the attack and we are still pursuing numerous lines of inquiry and at great pace."

Echoing the earlier words of Home Secretary Amber Rudd, he added: "All I am prepared to say at the moment is it is a very significant arrest, but as I said we are open-minded.

"If there are other people responsible it's our job to find them and that is part of the reason that we are remaining at critical threat."

Arrest: police at Dover Port, where detectives investigating the Parsons Green bombing detained an 18-year-old man / PA

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect was seen being interrogated by two unarmed police officers moments before his arrest in Dover.

Tourist Daniel Vaselicu, 31, had been sitting with a friend in the waiting area at the ferry hub when he saw the man being approached by officers.

He appeared calm as the officers interrogated him for 10 minutes, leading Mr Vaselicu to believe he was simply homeless.

Bomb: The bucket believed to have caused the explosion at Parsons Green () / Kett News

Mr Vaselicu told the Press Association: "We were in the seating area at the terminal, the police were interrogating this guy for around 10 minutes.

"It was around 7.30am, he was young, around 25 or under. He was white, not Arabic, but he wasn't English - there was only one person there.

"Then we went to the town centre, I wanted to smoke a cigarette and have some coffee, my opinion was that he was a homeless guy and that's why they were interrogating him.

Parsons Green bombing: Arrest is 'very significant' says Rudd

"He was looking normal, not fighting or worried, concerned."

Thirty people were injured when the improvised device partially exploded on a District Line train at Parsons Green station during the Friday morning rush hour.

Three victims are still being treated at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, NHS England said.

Earlier the Home Secretary said it was "much too early to say" whether the bomber was part of the current security picture, following comments from US President Donald Trump that the culprit was known to Scotland Yard.

Explosion: commuters fled from the carriage when the bomb went off / Sylvian Pennec/Reuters

A key strand of the investigation has focused on CCTV as officers comb through footage to establish who planted the device, and when and where it was placed on the train.

The suspect was arrested at around 7.50am, in the port which is the busiest ferry hub in Europe and serves as a commercial gateway to the French coast, including Calais and Dunkirk.

Police have since identified 121 witnesses, of whom 100 have been spoken to, Mr Basu said.
A n 18-year-old man has been arrested in Dover over the Parsons Green tube explosion which injured 29 people.

Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said that the arrest was "significant", but added: "Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical."

The man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover on Saturday morning, under section 41 of the Terrorism Act. Numerous passenger and commercial ferries travel from Dover to Dunkirk and Calais in France each day.

He remains in custody at a local police station and will be transferred to a south London police station in due course.

A manhunt was launched after a device in a bucket exploded on a rush hour District Line train on Friday morning, forcing passengers to flee in panic.

Prime Minister Theresa May subsequently raised the country's terror threat to "critical", while armed police have been deployed across the capital's streets and train stations.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: "We have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning. Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical.

"The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place.

Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures 1 /36 Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures Images emerged on social media of flames spilling from a bucket which appeared to be on the train Kett News Emergency services on the platform at Parsons Green Metro An injured woman is assisted by a police officer close to Parsons Green station in west London after an explosion on a packed London Underground train Dominic Lipinski/PA Armed police stand by a cordon outside Parsons Green tube station Kevin Coombs/Reuters Police, fire and ambulance crews descended on the station Cllr Daniel Holden An injured woman is comforted outside the station Reuters Bomb disposal and armed police unitson the scene at Parsons Green Jeremy Selwyn Personal belonglongs and a bucket with an item on fire inside it, are seen on the floor of an underground train carriage at Parsons Green station Sylvian Pennec/Reuters Police with a woman after the incident at Parsons Green Metro Nick Crowley shows his charred forehead following an explosion whilst on the Tube Nick Crowley Armed British police officers walk through the carriage of a London underground tube carriage at Parsons Green underground tube station in west London AFP/Getty Images Tube carriage and emergency services on the tracks after explosion Sky News Police and emergency services at Parsons Green Station following reports of an explosion on a tube train. Kerry Davies/Daily Mail An injured woman is led away after an incident at Parsons Green underground station in London Reuters Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley speaks to the media outside New Scotland Yard, London, after a terrorist incident was declared following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A forensics officer on the platform at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A tube train at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A police officer and a sniffer dog pictured near Parsons Green tube station Reuters View of emergency services on the tracks at Parsons Green Sky News Commuters were left traumatised by the incident Reuters Bomb disposal units rushed to the scene Reuters Crowds gather outside Parsons Green tube station AFP/Getty Images A woman reacts outside Parsons Green tube station Reuters Emergency services tend to panicked commuters outside Parsons Green Tube station Emma (Twitter) Images emerged of a bucket alight reportedly on the District Line train @RRigs Fire crews, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA Police vehicles line the street near Parsons Green tube station Reuters

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage."

The Met said 45 witnesses have been spoken to and 77 images and videos have been sent to detectives by members of the public.

A renewed appeal for information was put out by the force, asking anyone with information to call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or 999 in an emergency.

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NHS England said 19 victims were taken to hospital by ambulance, while 11 had presented themselves.

Three still remain in hospital care, the health service said.

Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows police to arrest anyone without a warrant who they reasonably suspect of being a terrorist.

The country's top counter-terrorism officer suggested on Friday night that more than one suspect could have been involved in the attempt to slaughter commuters in a tube carriage.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were "chasing down suspects", while suggestions were made by Donald Trump that the bomber was known to Scotland Yard.

The device reportedly contained the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and nails, but is thought to have only partially detonated from inside a bucket.

It is not yet known whether the bomb, which was reportedly fixed with a timer, went off at its intended target.

Security minister Ben Wallace suggested CCTV images of the bomber could be released as part of the manhunt for those responsible, but Scotland Yard subsequently denied there were any plans to do so.

S7 trains such as the one involved in Friday's incident have video cameras installed inside all seven carriages and there are more than 12,000 cameras across London Underground's stations and trains.

Robin Smith, assistant chief constable of British Transport Police, said his officers were helping to trawl through the images.

He said: "British Transport Police obviously has a great deal of specialism and expertise in looking at how people move around the stations, how people exit and leave the stations and of course we have got a wide network of CCTV cameras. That's how we really make our impact felt."
T he home being searched as part of the on-going police investigation into the Parsons Green terror attack is home to wonderful foster parents who received MBEs for their work with children.

Anti-terror police evacuated homes in a residential street in Surrey on Saturday afternoon as they searched a property in connection with the probe into Fridays bombing.

The evacuation came just hours after Kent Police detained an 18-year-old man at the port of Dover, on suspicion of terror offences.

The house, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, is registered to foster care couple Penelope and Ronald Jones who have been described by friends and neighbours as a beautiful couple.

Armed counter-terror police raid a house in Surrey

Mr and Mrs Jones, 88 and 71, were honoured by the Queen in 2009 for their services to children and families.

Nicola Ryder, who lives opposite the couple, said they fostered up to seven young people at a time between the ages of 10 and 18.

And long-time family friend Serena Barber, 45, said that the Joneses had fostered dozens of children.

Penelope Jones: The couple have been praised for their work with children and families / PA

She told Press Association: "Penny's a wonderful foster mother. She takes everyone, she doesn't turn anyone away."

The couple featured in an interview with Elmbridge CAN, a community group which aims "to build a culture of welcome to refugees" and help settle them in the local community.

The organisation states that Mr and Mrs Jones have been foster parents for almost 40 years and had taken in 268 children - the last eight of which were refugees. It is not clear when the interview was published.

Police: Officers guarding a 100m cordon that has been erected around the residential address in Surrey / AFP/Getty Images

In the interview Mrs Jones said fostering "had its ups and downs", adding: "They're all children, it doesn't matter if they're sky blue or with pink dots on them - they just need to be loved."

On the street where the property is, residents were rushed from their homes by armed police not allowed back into their homes for hours.

Mother-of-three Mojgan Jamali, among those forced to flee, told the Press Association: "I was in my house with my children and there was a knock at the door from the police.

Raid: Residents were evacuated from their homes as anti-terror police searched the property, registered to the couple / Getty Images

"They told me to leave. They said: 'You have one minute to get out of the house and get away.'

"I just got out, I got my three children and we left the house and the street.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu police had been working to ensure the address was safe and locate any other potential suspects."

Raid: An investigator stands outside a house amid the search / AFP/Getty Images

He added his team were "quickly and thoroughly searching that address" and "working to ensure it is safe"

Thirty people were injured when the improvised device partially exploded on a District Line train at Parsons Green station during the Friday morning rush hour.

Three victims are still being treated at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, NHS England said.

Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures 1 /27 Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures Images emerged on social media of flames spilling from a bucket which appeared to be on the train Kett News Emergency services on the platform at Parsons Green Metro An injured woman is assisted by a police officer close to Parsons Green station in west London after an explosion on a packed London Underground train Dominic Lipinski/PA Armed police stand by a cordon outside Parsons Green tube station Kevin Coombs/Reuters Police, fire and ambulance crews descended on the station Cllr Daniel Holden An injured woman is comforted outside the station Reuters Bomb disposal and armed police unitson the scene at Parsons Green Jeremy Selwyn Personal belonglongs and a bucket with an item on fire inside it, are seen on the floor of an underground train carriage at Parsons Green station Sylvian Pennec/Reuters Police with a woman after the incident at Parsons Green Metro Nick Crowley shows his charred forehead following an explosion whilst on the Tube Nick Crowley Armed British police officers walk through the carriage of a London underground tube carriage at Parsons Green underground tube station in west London AFP/Getty Images Tube carriage and emergency services on the tracks after explosion Sky News Police and emergency services at Parsons Green Station following reports of an explosion on a tube train. Kerry Davies/Daily Mail An injured woman is led away after an incident at Parsons Green underground station in London Reuters Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley speaks to the media outside New Scotland Yard, London, after a terrorist incident was declared following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A forensics officer on the platform at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A tube train at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A police officer and a sniffer dog pictured near Parsons Green tube station Reuters View of emergency services on the tracks at Parsons Green Sky News Commuters were left traumatised by the incident Reuters Bomb disposal units rushed to the scene Reuters Crowds gather outside Parsons Green tube station AFP/Getty Images A woman reacts outside Parsons Green tube station Reuters Emergency services tend to panicked commuters outside Parsons Green Tube station Emma (Twitter) Images emerged of a bucket alight reportedly on the District Line train @RRigs Fire crews, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA Police vehicles line the street near Parsons Green tube station Reuters

Earlier the Home Secretary said it was "much too early to say" whether the bomber was part of the current security picture, following comments from US President Donald Trump that the culprit was known to Scotland Yard.

The suspect was arrested at around 7.50am, in the port which is the busiest ferry hub in Europe and serves as a commercial gateway to the French coast, including Calais and Dunkirk.

Mr Basu said police were keeping an open mind as to whether the Tube bomber was acting alone or as part of a wider network.

Police have since identified 121 witnesses, of whom 100 have been spoken to, he said.

Arrest: police at Dover Port, where detectives investigating the Parsons Green bombing detained an 18-year-old man / PA

Eyewitness Daniel Vaselicu described the moment the suspect was arrested by police shortly after 7.30am on Saturday,

Mr Vaselicu, 31, had been sitting with a friend in the waiting area at the ferry hub when he saw the man being approached by officers.

The departure area was empty apart from the individual, who was said to be young and light-skinned, but not English, the Romanian baker said.

He appeared calm as the officers interrogated him for 10 minutes, leading Mr Vaselicu to believe he was simply homeless.

Parsons Green bombing: Arrest is 'very significant' says Rudd

Moments later, after Mr Vaselicu had left for a coffee and a cigarette, the officers arrested the 18-year-old, who police believe planted the bomb on a packed District Line train on Friday.

He told the Press Association: "We were in the seating area at the terminal, the police were interrogating this guy for around 10 minutes.

"It was around 7.30am, he was young, around 25 or under. He was white, not Arabic, but he wasn't English - there was only one person there.

"Then we went to the town centre, I wanted to smoke a cigarette and have some coffee, my opinion was that he was a homeless guy and that's why they were interrogating him.

"He was looking normal, not fighting or worried, concerned."
H undreds of people will march through central London in protest after the capital hosted the worlds biggest arms fair for the ninth time.

The Peace March, organised by Humanity United for Universal Demilitarisation (HUFUD), coincides with the end of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), which took place during the week at the ExCel centre in Docklands.

HUFUD said at least 400 people are expected to attend the event, which will begin at 6pm, to campaign for an end to militarism; the belief that countries should maintain a strong military capability.

A Peace Study Day will precede the event at the Westminster Quaker Meeting House where peace professors, negotiators, former politicians and diplomats will present their views on conflict resolution by peaceful means throughout the day.

Peace campaigners will march on Downing Street on Saturday evening / Ronald Stein

Last week 102 people who tried to stop the DSEI arms fair from going ahead were arrested, mostly for blocking traffic trying to reach the centre.

The government has been accused of double standards for participating in arms control talks in Geneva at the same time that London hosts the sale.

Alberto Portugheis, HUFUD Founder and President, said: "The Peace March coincides with the end of the International Arms Trade Fair DSEI, or what some call the 'pre-wars festival'.

We believe that politicians will be able to solve all problems through dialogue the day they have no armed forces at their disposal.

We believe that there is no need for thousands or millions to die every year from bullets, grenades, rockets or bombs. We believe that peace is possible."

Law enforcement attempt to move protesters blocking the main access road disrupting trade traffic / Rex Features

The UK has been criticised by Oxfam for selling arms that fuel the war in Yemen, while also funding aid efforts to help those suffering.

Sally Copley, Oxfam GB's head of campaigns said earlier this week: "Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, suffering from a borderline famine and hit by the world's largest cholera epidemic which shows no sign of abating.

"Yet the deaths, the destruction and the misery seem to count for nothing.

"Since the war began not one licence to export arms to Saudi Arabia has been rejected by the Government.

"When you are witness to the suffering in Yemen it is hard to understand or excuse how the UK government talks the talk on arms control while it walks the walk of arms sales."

She added that this was most apparent in the case of 3.6 billion worth of arms sales to Saudi Arabia for its bombing campaign in Yemen.

"On the one hand it fuels a war with massive arms sales while it sends aid to help the people it is harming," she said.

"Our call to the Government is clear: Britain's reputation on the global stage demands that you stop being an arms broker and start being a peace broker."

A spokesman for the Department of International Trade said: "The UK government takes its defence export responsibilities very seriously and already operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world.

"We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National arms export licensing Criteria.

"The Government undertakes a stringent process of scrutiny and approval before issuing any invitations to foreign governments to attend a major UK defence exhibition like DSEI.

"Respect for human rights is a mandatory consideration in the process and a country would not be invited where that would contradict the UK's international obligations."
L ondons iconic yellow Duck Tours make their final journeys on the River Thames this weekend, with the popular tourist attraction set to disappear from the capital.

The last tours are set to take place on Sunday before owners shut up shop, with the operators having lost access to the Albert Embankment slipway.

The slipway was used by the amphibious tourist vehicles, which are half boat and half truck, to drive into the Thames, but the ramp is needed for part of Thames Water's 4.2 billion super sewer scheme.

Construction is not expected to finish until 2024.

The Duck Tours have become an iconic part of Londons tourist scene, with nearly two million passengers having used the amphibious trucks since the company started in 2002.

Managing Director John Bigos told the Standard last month: The 18th of September will be a very sad day for the company, which was going from strength to strength, but it was vital not to delay construction of this much needed infrastructure project.

Tourists worldwide and Londoners will surely miss our iconic bright yellow DUKWs travelling around town. They have become a landmark in their own right.

During the Duck Tours, passengers are treated to unique views of Londons most iconic sights, as well as special James Bond and Pirate-themed tours

Thames Water has already begun working on its so-called super-sewer system, which is designed to stop 39 million tonnes of raw sewage spilling from Londons Victorian sewers into the Thames every year.
L ondon will not be stopped by terror, Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said as she highlighted an increased police presence on the capital's streets after the Parsons Green Tube attack.

Her comments came as armed police and military personnel were deployed across the capital as the terror threat remains at critical.

The UK is on the highest terror alert after Theresa May raised the threat level, which means another attack is expected imminently.

Police armed with guns were pictured patrolling Tube stations and outside landmark areas across London amid officers continued to investigate on Saturday.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick on the South Bank in central London / PA

Ms Dick spoke as she joined officers on some of the city's busiest streets, travelling on the Tube to Waterloo Station and patrolling the tourist hot spot of the South Bank.

She said: "London has not stopped after other terrible attacks and it will not stop after this one."

The Commissioner said the public should feel "utterly reassured" by the presence of police.

Armed police patrol in Westminster Underground station as the terror threat remains at critical / Getty Images

"I've been out and about today. The public seem to be very positive about the number of officers that we have The great thing about London is that we don't give in, we don't give in to terrorists - we never have and we carry on. She added.

"So the transport system is running just as it ever did and the events are going ahead today. People are out and about. I've spoken to lots of people, Londoners and tourists and business people. People are here and I would say, carry on about your business and secondly, of course, be vigilant."

She added: "My main message is London is carrying on. Carry on with your business but be alert, don't be alarmed but make sure you tell us anything that worries you."

Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures 1 /36 Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures Images emerged on social media of flames spilling from a bucket which appeared to be on the train Kett News Emergency services on the platform at Parsons Green Metro An injured woman is assisted by a police officer close to Parsons Green station in west London after an explosion on a packed London Underground train Dominic Lipinski/PA Armed police stand by a cordon outside Parsons Green tube station Kevin Coombs/Reuters Police, fire and ambulance crews descended on the station Cllr Daniel Holden An injured woman is comforted outside the station Reuters Bomb disposal and armed police unitson the scene at Parsons Green Jeremy Selwyn Personal belonglongs and a bucket with an item on fire inside it, are seen on the floor of an underground train carriage at Parsons Green station Sylvian Pennec/Reuters Police with a woman after the incident at Parsons Green Metro Nick Crowley shows his charred forehead following an explosion whilst on the Tube Nick Crowley Armed British police officers walk through the carriage of a London underground tube carriage at Parsons Green underground tube station in west London AFP/Getty Images Tube carriage and emergency services on the tracks after explosion Sky News Police and emergency services at Parsons Green Station following reports of an explosion on a tube train. Kerry Davies/Daily Mail An injured woman is led away after an incident at Parsons Green underground station in London Reuters Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley speaks to the media outside New Scotland Yard, London, after a terrorist incident was declared following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A forensics officer on the platform at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast which sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A tube train at Parsons Green station in west London after Scotland Yard declared a terrorist incident following a blast sent a "fireball" and a "wall of flame" through a packed London Underground train PA A police officer and a sniffer dog pictured near Parsons Green tube station Reuters View of emergency services on the tracks at Parsons Green Sky News Commuters were left traumatised by the incident Reuters Bomb disposal units rushed to the scene Reuters Crowds gather outside Parsons Green tube station AFP/Getty Images A woman reacts outside Parsons Green tube station Reuters Emergency services tend to panicked commuters outside Parsons Green Tube station Emma (Twitter) Images emerged of a bucket alight reportedly on the District Line train @RRigs Fire crews, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA Police vehicles line the street near Parsons Green tube station Reuters

It comes as an 18-year-old man was arrested in Dover over the explosion, which injured 29 people. He remains in custody and will be transferred to a south London police station in due course.

Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said that the arrest was "significant", but added: "Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical."

"The public should remain vigilant as our staff, officers and partners continue to work through this complex investigation. We are not, at this time, changing our protective security measures and the steps taken to free up extra armed officers remain in place.

"This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers. For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage."

Armed police officers on patrol in Westminster / REUTERS

A manhunt was launched after a device in a bucket exploded on a rush hour District Line train on Friday morning, forcing passengers to flee in panic.

Prime Minister Theresa May subsequently raised the country's terror threat to "critical", while armed police have been deployed across the capital's streets and train stations.

The country's top counter-terrorism officer suggested on Friday night that more than one suspect could have been involved in the attempt to slaughter commuters in a tube carriage.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said police were "chasing down suspects", while suggestions were made by Donald Trump that the bomber was known to Scotland Yard.
S ir Vince Cable has branded Boris Johnson a "Poundland Donald Trump" after he set out his vision for a bold, thriving Brexit.

The Liberal Democrat leader issued a warning over the foreign secretary in the wake of his 4,000-word Brexit article in the Telegraph, which has been seen as a challenge to Theresa Mays leadership.

Sir Vince said: "Boris Johnson is on manoeuvres, which means everyone else should take cover.

"He clearly thinks that Theresa May is on the verge of a U-turn which would lead to a transitional deal that would keep us in the single market.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable hit out at the foreign secretary / PA

"Boris Johnson sees this as his chance to bag the top job, so is pushing for a far more extreme Brexit.

"This might play well with hard right Conservative MPs but would be a disaster for the UK economy.

"Theresa May must slap down Boris Johnson in the strongest terms or she will lose the last vestige of her authority to negotiate Brexit.

"The Cabinet is more split than an oak tree struck by lightning. Britain desperately needs political grown-ups who will put the country first, not a Poundland Donald Trump like Boris Johnson."

In the article, Mr Johnson revived the widely-criticised claim quitting the EU could boost NHS coffers by 350 million a week. He also warned against paying for access to European markets in the future.

He insisted Brexit would allow the UK to "be the greatest country on earth" and "our destiny will be in our own hands".

"This country will succeed in our new national enterprise, and will succeed mightily," he wrote.

Boris Johnson's article has been seen as a challenge to Theresa May's leadership / PA

But the detailed assessment of life after March 2019 was released just six days before Mrs May sets out her Brexit blueprint in a speech in Florence, fuelling speculation about Mr Johnson's leadership ambitions.

In a tweet linked to his article, Mr Johnson insisted, however, he was "looking forward to PM's Florence speech".

"All behind Theresa for a glorious Brexit," he added.

Labour's Chuka Umunna, a leading supporter of Open Britain, which is campaigning for continued single market membership, said: "The 350 million a week promise was a fib, and there is absolutely no chance of it being delivered. Boris should be apologising for his disgraceful conduct in the referendum, not continually making the same impossible promises."

Labour said the article exposed the divisions in Mrs May's top team.

A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn said: "Boris Johnson has laid bare the conflicts at the heart of Theresa May's Government over Brexit and cut the ground from beneath the Prime Minister's authority."
T he leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Vince Cable, has condemned Donald Trump's dreadful tweet about the Parsons Green terror attack.

Speaking at the Lib Dem party conference, he said Britain had the best security services in the world and the US president was out of line undermining them.

Following the attack on a packed rush-hour Tube on Friday morning, Mr Trump tweeted suggesting that the suspect had been known to police.

He wrote: "Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!"

Sir Vince told delegates in Bournemouth: "The one really discordant part of this whole horrible incident was President Trump's tweet.

"If you noticed this dreadful insinuation that somehow or other our security services were falling down on the job without a shred of evidence.

"I happen to know because I was in the Cabinet for five years, I've worked very closely with them, we have, probably, the best security services in the world."

Trump: The President made the comments in the wake of the Parsons Green terror attack / REUTERS

Following the Presidents tweet, Mrs May scolded his assertions, saying: "I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation.

"The police and security services are working to discover the full circumstances of this cowardly attack and to identify all those responsible."

Scotland Yard shot also down Trump's "unhelpful" comment in a statement, and described the tweets as pure speculation.

Theresa May rebukes Trump for 'unhelpful' London attack comments

During his partys annual conference, Sir Vince said he wants the Lib Dems to be the centre of the fight against "extreme [and] jarring" inequality.

He said he would focus on issues such as affordable housing and funding for further education and universities.

In an article for Lib Dem Voice, Sir Vince said the party "must be about more than Europe", warning other policies were being drowned out by the Brexit debate.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable and his wife Rachel Smith (second left) sit amongst delegates at the party's conference at the Bournemouth / PA

"One of the things I've tried to open as a big, overarching theme is the whole issue around inequalities, which have become absolutely extreme and particularly in the wake of the financial crisis," he told the Press Association.

"There were a whole lot of advantages that older people have that the younger generation don't have, and it's producing some jarring inequalities, a feeling that young people can be worse off than their parents.

"I want to address the whole of that issue, look at affordable housing on a much, much bigger scale, looking at some of the opportunities in education, revisit the issue of how you fund universities and further education.

"I want the Liberal Democrats to be absolutely at the centre of that debate."


A Ryanair plane from London to Denmark was forced to make an emergency landing after one of its wheels fell off mid-air.

The flight, which left Stansted at 8.07am on Friday, swooped into East Midlands Airport at 10.15am after diverting from its route to Copenhagen.

The Boeing 737 plane was towed off the runway and passengers boarded a new flight, the BBC reported.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has sent investigators to the airport.

All traffic on the M1 near to the airport was stopped for safety as the aircraft landed.

A spokesman for Ryanair said: This flight from Stansted to Copenhagen diverted to East Midlands because of the loss of one (of its two) nose wheels after take-off.

"The aircraft landed safely in East Midlands, customers disembarked, were provided with refreshment vouchers and boarded a replacement aircraft, which departed to Copenhagen.

The carrier said the aircraft landed safely, customers got off and boarded a replacement plane.
N orth Korea has vowed to reach its nuclear goal as the US warned it will consider military action if the rogue state continues to ignore sanctions.

Kim Jong-uns aim was to establish equilibrium of military force with the US, the leader told KCNA news agency.

His comments came after the country fire its latest missile over Japan, in what has been described as its furthest reaching test yet.

"We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade," Mr Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

He added that the Norths goal was "to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK [North Korea]".

Threats: Trump addressed military personnel inside a hangar at Joint Base Andrews as the US vows it will consider military action against North Korea / EPA

After the ballistic missile test flight on Friday, the UN Security Council was called into an emergency session to discuss possible measures.

Following the meeting, US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, and the national security advisor, HR McMaster, said if sanctions failed military options would be explored.

What is different about this approach is: were out of time, right? McMaster said on Friday. We have been kicking the can down the road and were out of road.

For those who have been commenting about the lack of a military option  there is a military option. Now, its not what we prefer to do, so what we have to do is call on all nations to do everything we can to address this global problem, short of war.

Fridays missile reached an altitude of about 770km (478 miles), travelling 3,700km past the northern island of Hokkaido before landing in the sea, South Korea's military said.

Experts said it had the capacity to reach the US territory of Guam and that it is the furthest any North Korean ballistic missile has ever travelled above ground.
A Royal Marine who rushed emergency aid to Caribbean islands devastated by Hurricane Irma has told how troops and Met Police officers hunted prisoners who escaped a damaged jail.

Lance Corporal Steven Cronin was given just two hours notice before being flown to the British Virgin Islands via Barbados when the strongest storm in 80 years slammed into the Caribbean.

Irma claimed 28 lives and left thousands homeless as it rolled across the islands before slamming into Florida last Saturday.

Lance Corporal Cronin told the Standard that troops were forced to form a barricade around the perimeter wall of a prison Tortola after inmates began to come and go as they pleased.

He said: There was a lot of fear. The residents were feeling very uneasy and we were there to stabilise it.

Lance Corporal Steven Cronin delivers aid to hurricane hit families / Royal Marines

There was looting and prisoners were coming and going as they pleased so we worked with officers from the Met to restore order and return convicts to their cells.

The 28-year-old who grew up in Camden, north London, said troops formed a ring around the perimeter fence of the damaged prison and searched cells for contraband.

Images from a Royal Marine helicopter show devastation caused by Irma / Royal Marines

It was a Met-based operation but we searched the cells for banned items that had come from outside and got that out of there.

We helped to put the prison back in order.

Troops deliver aid packages to Irma victims / Royal Marines

The Marine, who has been serving for two years, also spoke of the destruction caused to the lives to those hit by the hurricane and praised the worthwhile work of British troops.

He added: When we touched down it was like nothing youve ever seen. I couldnt believe my eyes.

We were given two hours to pack and fly out so you werent prepared.

Hurricane Irma: Drone footage captures Florida devastation

People are living in devastation; their houses have no roofs, no windows and no doors.

Weve seen the worst hit areas, delivered essentials like nappies, medication and food to families all living in one living room.

Its so worthwhile. You join the Marines and obviously you want to go into combat but this is just as important, maybe better.

UK Armed Forces respond to Hurricane Irma - In pictures 1 /16 UK Armed Forces respond to Hurricane Irma - In pictures UK Armed Forces disaster relief operation in Anguilla MoD/Crown copyright 2017 UK Armed Forces disaster relief operation in Anguilla MoD/Crown copyright 2017 Soldiers booking equipment in at RAF Brize Norton ready to deploy to Operation Ruman, as part of the United Kingdom's response to the emerging disaster following Hurricane Irma PA A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, before Dfid aid is loaded and flown to the areas affected by Hurricane Irma as winds of up to 175mph left death and destruction in the Atlantic PA Soldiers booking equipment in at RAF Brize Norton ready to deploy to Operation Ruman, as part of the United Kingdom's response to the emerging disaster following Hurricane Irma PA UK Armed Forces disaster relief operation in Anguilla MoD/Crown copyright 2017 UK Armed Forces disaster relief operation in Anguilla MoD/Crown copyright 2017 Ultra-light airfield damage repair plant ready to be loaded at RAF Brize Norton ready to deploy to Operation Ruman, as part of the United Kingdom's response to the emerging disaster following Hurricane Irma PA A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft is fuelled at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, before Dfid aid is loaded and flown to the areas affected by Hurricane Irma as winds of up to 175mph left death and destruction in the Atlantic PA UK Armed Forces disaster relief operation in Anguilla MoD/Crown copyright 2017 UK Armed Forces disaster relief operation in Anguilla MoD/Crown copyright 2017 HMS Ocean, as a military task group, is on its way with several hundred UK troops to offer assistance to those affected by Hurricane Irma PA

Theres not a grey area, youre just doing good work.

The UK pledged long-term support for those hit by Irma and set aside 32 million to help fund the relief effort.

More than 500 British troops were deployed to the British Virgin Islands alongside 16 Met Police officers to take aid victims.
T he X Factor returned for a third week of auditions with tearjerkers, dramatic costumes and powerhouse performances.

Another batch of wannabe pop stars tried their luck in front of judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh in Saturday nights episode, with some making it through to boot camp by the skin of their teeth.

While one act was dubbed the most original the judges had seen this year, another had to change his image to get a yes.

Here are the five must-see auditions from episode five:

1. Benji, 17

He might have walked into the audition room with a nervous giggle, but the teen from Truro came into his own as soon as he started to sing.

Benjis rendition of Alicia Keyss If I Aint Got You blew the judges away and earned him four firm yeses.

You, Benji, have got soul. Apart from the crazy hand movements and the terrible backing track. I really like you - Im going to remember you, said Cowell.

Scherzinger also suitably impressed, dubbing him a yummy hot mess.

2. Tracy Leigh-Anne, 34

After failing to make it through boot camp back in 2006, Tracey Leigh-Anne returned over a decade later to try her luck again.

Her emotional performance of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow was made more poignant following her difficult year and the judges described her as amazing.

I wasnt just judging you on your performance, it was something a bit more than that, said Cowell. I think you are hurt and you used this opportunity to do something.

3. Russell, 25

Having spent the last few years performing at old peoples homes, Russell was slightly out of his comfort zone on the X Factor stage.

But his old-school style and energetic performance of I Wanna Be Like You from the Jungle Book was a hit with the judges, with Scherzinger calling him her favourite treat - like candy.

Cowell was also impressed, telling him his jazzy style made him distinct and landing him four big yeses.

4. Gregor, 24

Tattoo-loving Gregor had a rocky start to his audition, with the judges sending him away after his rendition of Rip Tide left them cold.

He returned later in the day sans guitar and hat and with a completely changed up image to sing Rihannas stay.

That was the most earnest audition, you made me fall in love with you, said Scherzinger. Im fixated by you.

After initially getting a round of nos, Gregor left with four yeses a big grin on his face.

5. Sean and Connor, 17 and 15

The Irish teen brothers went from singing in their bedrooms to busking on the streets of Dublin to performing in front on the X Factor judges.

Their modernised version of All Along the Watchtower mixed singing, rapping and guitar-playing and left the judges with their jaws on the floor.

When you sang that I genuinely felt emotional. I couldnt fault it, said Alesha Dixon.

Cowell told the lads not to change anything about themselves, calling it one of his favourite auditions ever.

The X Factor returns on Sunday night, 8pm.
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Four Flagstaff teens have been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection with the death of a 23-year-old man last week, Flagstaff Police officials said.

Jaron James of Flagstaff was found dead in the L Motel on Milton Road at approximately 9:20 a.m. on September 7, Flagstaff Police Department spokesman Sgt. Cory Runge said in a press release. Officers responding to the incident noted several injuries to James, and his body was turned over to the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office, where his death was ruled a homicide, Runge said.

Lawrence Sampson-Kahn, 18, Kayson Russell, 19, Mirelle Gorman, 16, and Jayda Fortune, 17, all of Flagstaff, have been arrested in connection with the death, Runge said. No other suspects are being sought.
An Israeli firm (Elbit) announced it had received a $93 million contract to upgrade F-5E fighters with modern cockpits, radar, fire control and navigation systems as well as DASH smart helmets that enable pilots to look at the target through the visor, on which is displayed fire control data, and press a button (or give a verbal command) to launch a missile or smart bomb. Elbit didnt mention the name of the country but Thailand is likely the one because Thailand has been hiring Israeli firms (especially Elbit) to upgrade its F-5Es since 2000. The last major upgrade for the Thai F-5s was in 2004 and since 2016 Thailand has been discussing further upgrades with Israeli firms.

The U.S. F-5 fighter was designed (in the late 1950s) and built (until 1972) largely to compete with the Russian MiG-21 in the export market. F-5s were sold to many U.S. allies as a low cost alternative to the more expensive fighters used by the Americans. Thailand received its 31 F-5Es in 1978 and has kept them in service ever since. The only F-5s used by the United States were for training. F-5s had many of the same flight characteristics of Russian and Chinese aircraft. While over 2,200 F-5s were built, most have now been scrapped. Spare parts are often obtained by buying F-5s from someone who is replacing them with more modern aircraft.

The F-5E is an 11 ton aircraft, with a max speed of 1,700 kilometers an hour, and a range of some 1,400 kilometers. It was armed with two 20mm cannon, and could carry about three tons of missiles and bombs. Some of the Thai F-5s are already equipped to handle some of the modern Israeli missiles and another upgrade would turn the Thai F-5Es into very effective fighter-bombers. This latest upgrade will take three years to complete and it was not mentioned how many F-5Es would be upgraded on this contract. In the past F-15 upgrades were done in batches, apparently to see how well the changes turned out to be. The Thais have been satisfied because their F-5Es are the most modern and frequently used ones still in service.

Israel also offers similar upgrades for MiG-21s, which turn these aircraft into something far more effective than anything the Russians could ever come up with.
Every nation has its priorities and for North Korea it is all about image. Most people see that in terms of North Korean nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. But there are other equally important (to the North Korean leaders) issues that get little publicity, and that is intentional. In mid-2017 North Korea ordered its secret police to expand its operations in northeast China (the area just across the northern border) so as to suppress news about the growing number of senior and mid-level officials who are, often with their families, illegally leaving North Korea. The single incident that prompted this new secret police effort was the suicide of one of these families (all five of them). The five took poison after being arrested by Chinese police and facing repatriation to North Korea, where they entire family would probably die anyway but more slowly and painfully. The secret police were ordered to increase efforts to prevent such defections in the first place. That will be difficult because the mood among many North Korean officials can best be described as suppressed (so the secret police dont take note) panic and increased efforts to escape from the country and get to South Korea.

Senior North Korean officials who have gotten out in the last few years all agree that Kim Jong Un is considered a failure by more and more North Koreans and that his days are numbered, even if China does not step in and take over beforehand. Yet these senior officials report that Kim Jong Un could keep his police state going into the late 2020s. But time is not on his side and the signs backing that up are increasingly obvious. Kim Jong Un has triggered a trend that will destroy him and nothing he does seems to fix the problem. He believes having workable nukes and a reliable delivery system (ballistic missiles) will enable him to extort the neighbors for enough goodies to bail him out. That is a high-risk strategy. Kim Jong Un is betting everything on this and none of the potential victims seems ready to give in and are instead planning to meet nuclear threats with force not surrender. Escalation and intimidation work both ways.

Coming Up Short

North Korea has reduced its physical standards for military service. Previously conscripts had to be 150 cm (59 inches) tall and weigh at least 48 kg (106 pounds). But that standard has been reduced over the last decade to 137 cm (54 inches) and 43 kg (95 pounds). Now the government is urging teenage boys to volunteer for service when they are 15 years old. Actually, local officials have been given quotas and are coercing families of 15 year old boys to go along with this. With all the food shortages and unemployment the government sees that as an incentive. But most teenagers prefer to try their luck with the market economy and eventually make enough money to get out of North Korea.

The government needs more soldiers because of a lower birthrate and the inability to reverse the problem. South Korea also has this problem but for different reasons. By 2010 South Korea had the lowest birth rate (1.15 children per woman, on average) in the world and held that dubious achievement for two years in a row. This is because of growing affluence over the last half century. South Korea is now one of the wealthiest nations on the planet. At the current birth rate, the South Korean population is expected to stop growing in the 2020s, after reaching about 52 million (about twice the population of the north). If the birth rate stays under 2.1, the population will then begin to shrink. In North Korea, the birth rate is 1.9, and is also declining, because of increasing poverty and famine. For example, life expectancy in the north has declined from 72.7 years in the early 1990s, to 69.3 now. That's ten years less than in South Korea. Northerners are not only living shorter lives, they are also shorter. A study of teenagers in the north and south revealed that the northerners are 8 percent shorter, and weigh nearly 20 percent less. It's not as bad with older adults, because they were not born during the famine (which began after Cold War Russian subsidies ended in the early 1990s).

By 2012 there was a very visible shortage of recruits for the North Korean armed forces. A lower birth rate in the 1990s, because of the famine (that killed five percent of the population back then) has reduced the number of 18 year old recruits for the army and security forces. So fewer exemptions are being allowed, and more 17 years olds are being taken. That escalated to pressuring 16 year olds to volunteer. Now the government is after 15 year olds. North Korean men serve at least six years (and up to ten) in the military, keeping them out of trouble for that time in their lives (18-24), when they are most likely to act out revolutionary fantasies. The military is really a large prison system. While the troops are trained to use weapons, they get little ammunition for training, and the weapons are locked up most of the time. Young North Koreans increasingly know how poor they are, and in greater and greater detail. The soldiers born during the great famine of the 1990s are well-aware that they are physically much smaller than their South Korean counterparts. They also know that the average South Korean lives ten years longer and lives a much more pleasant life. All the more reason to limit the time North Korean troops can handle their weapons, especially when they have ammunition (which is actually very infrequently.)

By 2017 North Korean army officers were ordered to encourage their troops to steal food during the harvest and that failure to do so could result in punishment and would definitely result in hunger. Naturally this has caused more popular anger towards the military. This is nothing new. In 2016 hungry troops grew bolder because the government made it clear they would not punish soldiers unless people are killed or badly injured during these incidents. Police are often called to catch soldiers who have robbed someone. At first this was usually troops breaking into a house seeking food and valuables. The soldiers that are caught are often arrested but must be taken back to their base where the military takes over. The soldiers are punished with some verbal abuse for getting caught and that is all. The government was desperate because earlier efforts to address the problem had failed. In 2015 there was a new program to expand food production by the military. Troops were allowed to raise pigs as well as the usual vegetable and grain crops. Meat has been in particularly short supply for the troops in the past few years and hungry troops often steal small livestock (chickens, ducks and pigs), kill them on the spot and carry them off to be cooked and eaten before returning to base. As more reports came in it became apparent that most military units didnt have enough to eat, either because the food was not to be had or, as is more often the case, corruption (someone in a position of power stole it.) This led to more soldiers stealing food from civilians or selling military clothing and equipment on the black market so they could buy food. Soldiers have opportunities to steal food and sell stolen goods when they are off their base doing construction or farm work. This is how troops spend a lot of their time and they receive no extra pay or food even when the outside work requires heavy (and calorie consuming) labor. All this is illegal, but commanders were not eager to punish hungry soldiers. For commanders their troops have become profitable slaves who can be rented out with the commanders getting part of the payment. Now the government insists that disobedient slaves be executed.

Visible Signs Of Decline

Declining discipline in the police is more evident in many obvious ways. For example a growing number of North Korean women are operating openly as prostitutes (usually near border areas where there are more foreigners). These women get $20 or more per customer but get to keep less than 20 percent of that because the rest goes to bribes (for police) and fees to various middlemen (or women) who supervise it all. Thus it is not surprising that these young (from late teens to 30s) women will also offer to sell drugs (usually meth) to customers as well. Many of these prostitutes are married and some have children but no money to keep the kids fed and healthy.

With the growth of free markets and police getting jealous, greedy and corrupted by demanding and getting bribes, there has also developed criminal gangs. These groups often have connections (usually financial) with the security forces and of course the gangsters are all veterans. The gangs act as middlemen between donju (free market entrepreneurs) and the government but as a matter of law, the gangs do not exist. As a matter of fact the gangs are very real and one of the fastest growing sectors of the market economy.

China Chooses Sides

The latest North Korean nuclear and missile tests have caused Chinese public opinion towards North Korea to become even more hostile. According to opinion polls North Korea has, over the last few years, turned into a larger military threat to China than the U.S. or anyone else. To deal with this China has increased the number of troops and border police stationed near the North Korean border and conducted more military exercises in the area. This also addresses another Chinese fear (that gets less publicity in China) that a government collapse in North Korea would send millions of desperate, and opportunistic, North Koreans into China. There is no way China or the Chinese living along the North Korean border would tolerate that. Meanwhile China is becoming more hostile to North Koreans no matter what their legal or economic status is. Part of that is because North Korea has become a very unpleasant place for Chinese to visit or do business in.

News of the bad treatment Chinese are suffering in North Korea gets around, even when the Chinese government tries to keep the worst examples out of the news. Chinese individuals and firms doing business in North Korea complain that the North Koreans have become even more unreliable when it comes to handling foreign investments from China. In the past China could impose some degree of discipline on North Korea for abuse of Chinese investors and investments. The North Koreans are increasingly ignoring this sort of pressure and as a result Chinese investors are backing away from current and planned investments. China could order state owned firms to do business in North Korea but does not because these firms are poorly run compared to the privately owned firms and would suffer even larger losses when dealing the increasingly treacherous and unreliable neighbor.

North Korea used to be a dependable place, at least for Chinese with the right connections in the Chinese government. While corruption in China has declined in the past few years it appears to have gotten worse in North Korea, to the point where long-term deals are avoided and transactions are made carefully, usually with payment before delivery. The smugglers and various other criminal gangs in China that do business with their North Korean counterparts have been forced to operate this way as well and for the same reasons. South Korea and Japan have already learned how unreliable North Korea can be when it comes to business deals and Russia has already adopted the wary approach to economic deals with North Korea.

China has visibly increased enforcement of economic sanctions on North Korea but this has not made North Korea any more willing to negotiate. The growing number of police and secret police night patrols in areas where North Korean smugglers long operated is hard to miss, as is the fact that when North Korean smugglers are encountered they get arrested and taken away. Even higher bribes (over $3,000 to make an arrest not happen) no longer work because the Chinese cops will still demand that amount of cash before they will turn the smugglers over to North Korean officials. China never came down so hard on North Korean smuggling before.

China is also cracking down on North Korean drug production and smuggling. This is a matter of self-defense for China and is effective because North Korea make the highest profits from methamphetamine (meth). But this drug requires a key ingredient (phenylacetic acid, in the form of white crystals) to be smuggled in from China. Now the Chinese are cracking down on that as well as the meth coming into China. North Korea is seeking another, probably more expensive, supplier in Russia.

While Russia is still doing business with North Korea China and Russia are also cooperating with many of the new rules banning North Korean workers they long employed legally. This exported labor was outlawed by the latest round of sanctions. North Korea responded by quietly ordering overseas workers to stay where they are and work illegally (in deals arranged by their government minders). Yet in many instances the export ban on slave labor is being enforced by Russia and especially China and that is hurting North Korea economically.

The North Koreans see this as yet another challenge that can be worked around. While it is true that there are still a lot of corrupt Chinese and Russians willing to do business with North Korea if the bribe is large enough, that is not working as well as it used to in China. This is because North Korea is very unpopular with Chinese in general and a growing number of senior Chinese officials in particular. Russians are less upset with North Korea and, while having fewer economic resources than China, are more receptive to shady deals. The problem is that North Korea has become very dependent on the much larger and still expanding Chinese economy. Russia simply cannot supply a lot of what North Korea needs. It is possible to still buy the forbidden goods in China and have them shipped to a fictitious customer in Russia who will quietly send it to North Korea. That does not always work and when it does it costs a lot more than getting the goods directly from China. North Korea has less cash for the extra expenses. The Chinese know this and are quite willing to slowly squeeze until North Korean leaders are all dead or more receptive to Chinese needs (no nukes next door and fewer desperate illegal migrants). Yet there is the growing risk that North Korea will get (or thinks it has) reliable nukes and keep threatening China. That is not the desired outcome but the Chinese have quietly reminded leaders of both Koreas (and their foreign allies) that in the past China has occupied much of Korea when the Koreans become troublesome.

Meanwhile China is not happy with South Korea either, fearing the growing military power of South Korea and the recent installation of a THAAD anti-missile battery despite vigorous Chinese diplomatic and economic efforts to prevent that. The diplomatic and economic pressure continues but the South Koreans are in no mood to back off as long as the North Korean threat remains. South Korea believes China could do more to eliminate the North Korean threat. While many, if not most, Chinese and Russians agree with that the Russian and Chinese governments still see economic opportunities in North Korea and are unwilling to do anything drastic.

September 14, 2017: In coincidental, nearly simultaneous, events North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan while South Korea fired two Hyunmoo 2 ballistic missiles. One of these failed while the other accurately hit the target area (at sea) 250 kilometers away. The North Korean missile travelled about 2,200 kilometers and landed in the Pacific. Japan said it tracked the missile and did not try to intercept because it was obvious the missile was following a trajectory that would take it far from Japan. The identity of the North Korean missile was not known.

South Korea has developed a longer (500 kilometer) version; Hyunmoo 2C. South Korea developed a 180 kilometer range ballistic missile (Hyunmoo 1) and a 300 kilometer one (Hyunmoo 2) in the 1980s. Both are about 13 meters (40 feet) long and weigh 4-5 tons. Both of these were based on the design of the U.S. Nike-Hercules anti-aircraft missile, which South Korea used for many years.

September 13, 2017: Google and YouTube have banned videos from North Korean media, apparently because it is a source of income for North Korea and now in violation of sanctions. This reduces open source access to North Korean TV although intelligence agencies will still be able to get these.

China has restricted access to Mount Paektu, apparently for safety reasons related to the recent North Korean nuclear test, which was conducted 110 kilometers away. Mount Paektu is a dormant volcano on the Chinese border. In fact, half the volcano is in China, where it is a popular tourist destination for South Koreans. Thats because Koreans and Manchus (as in Manchuria, the native people of northeast China) both consider Mt Paektu as a sacred place where their tribes originated thousands of years ago. In 2013 North Korea put some silos for their long range (2,000-3,000 kilometers) ballistic missiles up there because that part of North Korea is a triangle, surrounded on two sides by China. This makes it difficult for the Americans to launch air attacks without entering Chinese territory and makes it easier for North Korean anti-aircraft forces to defend against cruise missile. On the down side, Paektu is a dormant volcano that is active (lava flows and the like) about once a century. The last time it erupted (throwing large quantities of rocks and dust into the atmosphere) was in 1703 and an eruption in the late 10th century blew the top off the mountain and created the current 4.5 kilometers wide crater lake. Volcanologists consider Paektu capable of another major eruption but North Korea considers that less likely than an American air attack. So the silos stay, despite the risk of destruction by lava flows and earthquakes. Before all these silos were built North Korea planned to keep its long range ballistic missiles mobile and launch them from any number of launch sites (a flat field where the missile could be fueled and the guidance system programmed before launch.) Bad weather could complicate the use of mobile launchers (washing out bridges or blocking roads with snow). The quality of North Korean roads has also declined sharply (from lack of maintenance) since the late 1990s. Then there is the increased American surveillance (from satellites, U-2s and high-altitude UAVs) that makes mobile missiles more vulnerable to air or missile attack. Silos can also be attacked from the air, but in a war the more numerous and shorter range ballistic missiles to the south would also be subject to air attack as these missiles would be aimed at the South Korean capital. North Korea apparently believes that silos protected by a sacred volcano are a worthwhile investment to ensure that some of long-range missiles will get launched during a crises. China is more concerned about nuclear radiation coming from North Korea.

September 12, 2017: Chinese radiation monitors on the North Korean border recorded levels were up seven percent since the September 3rd test and have appeared to have peaked. This data was released because the population along the border know that they face some health risks if radiation levels increase too much for too long.

September 11, 2017: The UN approved new economic sanctions against North Korea and China said it would enforce them all and repeated that it had been enforcing sanctions since March. The new sanctions limit the export of refined petroleum product to two million barrels a year and ban North Korea from importing liquefied natural gas. This followed China condemning North Korea nuclear tests openly in the UN for the first time.

Meanwhile the United States continues to call on China and Russia to do more to halt the North Korean evasion of sanctions via corrupt officials and businesses in China and Russia. China in particular does not want too much international attention focused on that corruption, which has long been quite active along the North Korean border and still is. The United States is not being diplomatic in pointing this out but it is correct in showing how Chinese enforcement of sanctions does not really work unless China effectively curbs the Chinese corruption that enables North Korea to continue doing whatever it wants. For the North Korea the increased sanctions pressure merely increases costs (larger bribes are required in China and Russia).

September 10, 2017: Chinese banks have been warning its customers to stay away from bitcoin because of the threat from North Korean hackers, who are believed to be responsible for several recent multi-million dollar thefts from bitcoin exchanges. North Korea is believed to be targeting bitcoin and other Internet based cryptocurrencies even though North Korea has used bitcoin exchanges as a substitute for sanctions that ban it from accessing the international banking system. The Chinese government fears that North Korean hackers are now going after Chinese firms, something they are not supposed to do because China is still the main source of foreign trade. This sort of irrational behavior leads China to fear that North Korea would even be foolish to become a real military threat to China.

September 9, 2017: China orders all Chinese banks (including foreign banks licensed to operate in China) to not only stop opening accounts for North Koreans but also to close any such accounts immediately. This is a very harmful economic sanction and the North Koreans respond by ignoring the new rules any way they can.

September 8, 2017: North Korea has quietly freed a Russian yacht it had seized in mid-June. A North Korean warship seized the Russian yacht when both were 80 kilometers off the coast. The yacht and the vessel towing it to Vladivostok were definitely in international waters and the Russian ambassador demanded the release of the yacht and three man crew. North Korea was not responsive until now. This was similar to a May 2016 incident where North Korean warship seized a Russian sailing yacht some 160 kilometers from the east coast of North Korea (very much in international waters). The yacht and crew of five were taken to a North Korean port. The yacht was released two days later and continued on its way to its original destination (Vladivostok) for a sailboat race. In both cases North Korea would not say why they took the yacht and then released it.

September 7, 2017: South Korea has completed deploying an entire THAAD battery to a site some 300 kilometers south of the North Korean border. The United States will share radar data generated by the high-powered radar installed as part of a THAAD anti-missile battery that began arriving in early 2017. The THAAD battery is operated by American personnel and costs $3.5 million a year to operate. The battery consists of six truck-mounted missile launchers (eight missiles per launcher), a fire control and communications unit and an AN/TPY-2 radar. Villagers living near the site of the THAAD base oppose the presence of the anti-missile battery because it will be a target for North Korean (or even Chinese) attack. Locals also fear (without any evidence) that the powerful THAAD radar will cause health problems.

September 6, 2017: A recent online opinion survey in China showed that 66 percent believed North Korea was a larger military threat to China than the United States. Only 10 percent felt the Americans were a larger threat and 15 percent believed the U.S. was no threat at all. This is consistent with earlier surveys only the degree of hostility towards North Korea keeps increasing. Chinese see North Korea has a poorly managed nation that is ungrateful towards China and unpredictable.

September 4, 2017: North Korean living near the site of the recent underground nuclear weapons test are demanding compensation for the damage done to their home by the earthquake (estimated to be 5.6 on the Richter scale) the test produced. Across the Yalu River some Chinese buildings also suffered damage from the quake and several aftershocks.

South Korea announced that its policy towards North Korea will now on punishment rather than negotiation.

September 3, 2017: North Korea carried out its sixth nuclear test. This one appeared to be the largest one yet indicating a yield of 100-200 tons and described as a hydrogen bomb. The first nuclear test was in 2006 (less than one kiloton) but the first one that was truly successful occurred in 2013 (6 kilotons) and despite the fact that the test was not a complete success, the nuclear bomb program continued with two tests in 2016. In late 2015 Kim Jong Un claimed that North Korea had developed a hydrogen (fusion) bomb. Foreign experts openly expressed skepticism given that North Korea didnt really have a reliable fission type nuclear bomb yet. You need an efficient fission bomb to trigger the fusion reaction that makes the H-Bomb so much more destructive than a fission bomb of the same weight and size. Nuclear test number four in January 2016 was described by North Korea as a fusion (H-bomb) test when it clearly was not, or not a successful one. That would be in contrast to the 2013 test which appeared to be seven kilotons and a complete detonation. The second test was a two kiloton weapon in 2009. Western intelligence believed that the original North Korean nuclear weapon design was flawed, as the first two tests were only a fraction of what they should have been. The first one was less than a kiloton and called in the trade, a "fizzle." The second test was less of a fizzle and apparently a modified version of the original design. Thus North Korea needed more tests to perfect their bomb design and was still years away from a useful nuclear weapon even though the second bomb appeared to be more effective. The third test in 2013 was considered overdue and that may have been because more time was spent designing and building a smaller device that could fit into a missile warhead. The second 2016 test is still something of a mystery. U.S. intelligence agencies have collected air samples (as have most other neighboring countries) from the test which can tell much about the design of the bomb. The January 2016 nuke appeared to be the same as the 2013 one. The second 2016 test in September appeared to be a better design and was about ten kilotons. North Korea insisted this was a fusion bomb. Air samples are still being collected on the test today but it will take weeks to analyze the samples and come to some useful conclusion. The sheer size of the most recent test indicated either a fusion bomb or an enhanced fission bomb. But for a yield of over 100 tons a fusion bomb is more likely. Such designs have been around and in use since the late 1940s. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 a lot of Russian nuclear weapons designers and technicians were out of a job and the pensions of the retired ones were suddenly worth a lot less. The security for nuclear weapons designs, especially much older ones, became a lot more lax. There were plenty of opportunities to obtain previously unavailable tech.

August 29, 2017: North Korea fired a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile over Japan. This was the 18th North Korean ballistic missile test of 2017 and this one appeared to break into pieces before it fell into the ocean after travelling 2,700 kilometers from North Korea. This was the second successful test of the Hwasong-12.

August 28, 2017: South Korea announced its largest increase (6.9 percent for 2018) in its defense budget since 2009. This is a direct result of the increasing threat from North Korea. Next year South Korea will spend $38 billion, which is more than a third larger than the annual GDP of North Korea (which spends about a third of GDP on defense compared to less than three percent in South Korea). South Korea is in the top ten of national economies, something which annoys North Korea but is admired by the other neighbors (including China). Meanwhile Japan is also increasing its defense spending by 2.5 percent in 2018 (to $48 billion). Japan, like China and the U.S., are among the top five economies on the planet. Japan, because of the post-World War II constitution the United States insisted on (and Japan did not much object to) has been largely demilitarized considering the size of its economy. That is changing and the U.S. has dropped nearly all restrictions on what weapons it will export to South Korea and Japan and is ignoring treaties it has with both nations that restrict what types of advanced weapons (like ballistic missiles and nukes) they can develop. The Americans would still prefer that South Korea and Japan not build nukes (which both these nations could easily and quickly do). China and Russia would also prefer that Japan and South Korea remain non-nuclear weapon nations. But if North Korean military ambitions and threats (especially against South Korea and Japan) are not curbed popular opinion in South Korea and Japan is becoming more comfortable with the having their own nukes.

August 25, 2017: China banned North Korea from establishing any new businesses in China or expanding existing ones. Russia has done the same, but the Chinese are a much larger market and apparently intent on following through. Meanwhile the August 15 order for Chinese firms to halt imports of minerals and seafood cost some Chinese firms with physical operations (trucks, mines) and warehouses in North Korea to suffer losses because they were given only 24 hours to get this stuff back to China and that was not enough time. This was especially true when many North Korean officials demanded special payments before these goods could be moved.

August 24, 2017: A Russian Tu-95 bomber flew south from a base north of Korea until it got close enough to South Korea to cause South Korean F-16s to come up and investigate. Russia said it was a scheduled training flight.
"The world is at a crossroads. Where do we go from here?... The world expects China and the U.S. to properly handle their relationship," Xi pointed out. | Read More
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 15, 2017 -- Kyung Soo (Kenny) Lee, one of the most respected leaders in Hyundai's global operation, has been named president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Mr. Lee will be responsible for Hyundai's U.S. sales and marketing and will take over president and CEO duties starting on September 18. Jerry Flannery has returned to his position as the company's executive vice president, chief legal and safety officer.

"Mr. Lee has an in-depth understanding of Hyundai Motor's global operation, following nearly two decades in diverse markets around the world, including the U.S., Europe and Latin America," said Won-hee (Wayne) Lee, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company. "I would like to personally thank Jerry Flannery for his leadership and the stability he brought the organization while serving as interim president and CEO."

Mr. Lee, 61, began his career with Hyundai in 1982 and was most recently the president and CEO of Hyundai Translead, a manufacturer of dry and refrigerated van trailers, container chassis and converter dollies. He has played crucial roles in various positions in the U.S. for more than 10 years, adding to his expertise in overseas markets and ensuring that he is well qualified to lead the U.S. market.

"I'm honored and motivated to have been selected to lead Hyundai Motor America in one of the most interesting times in the automotive industry's history and to reinvigorate momentum in the strategically important U.S. market," Mr. Kenny Lee said. "We have significant opportunities ahead of us. I'm looking forward to supporting our tremendous employee and dealership base and launching exciting new vehicles and technologies in the near future and beyond. I am confident we're heading to new levels of success."

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 835 dealerships nationwide. All new Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes a 5-year/60,000-mile fully-transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
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 []
Watertown landowners will be involved in new Corps flood-control study

After 30 years, a new flood control feasibility study will include the input of landowners and supply a multitude of options other than a dry dam.
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Nearly a year after the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States, we still havent stopped asking the question.

What happened?

The media didnt call it. The pollsters got it wrong. Few people within the Trump camp, up to and including the candidate himself, believed they were about to pull off the biggest upset in American political history.

And yet, just over 10 months later, here we are.

The release of former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clintons book What Happened this week is only the latest entry into a crowded field.

Of course, any attempt by Clinton to understand and explain what happened  no matter how fact-based and carefully crafted  will be seen by many as excuse-making, if not sour grapes.

There is honesty in this account, but also spin. Clinton accepts full responsibility for her loss while deflecting most of the blame onto others. Vladimir Putin and James Comey are among the usual suspects, but even Bernie Sanders is called to account.

Clinton fills out nearly 500 pages with her view on exactly what happened in the campaign and the election. But this is not the full story: only Clintons perspective on it.

Whatever else you want to say about the election and Trumps impact, the story has been a boon for the publishing industry, generating a tsunami of books seeking to explain various aspects of the Trump phenomenon. And, as Trumps administration continues to court controversy, we can be sure his presidency will be the gift that keeps on giving to biographers, cultural analysts and political reporters.

For now, heres a quick guide to recent guides for the perplexed.

The big picture

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire by Kurt Andersen: Andersen sees todays post-truth media environment as having deep roots in American life, going back to the religious enthusiasm of the Pilgrims. Mostly, however, he paints our alternative-fact fantasy world as the fruit of the relativism of the 1960s counterculture, which was then further enabled and amplified by the internet.

The Retreat of Western Liberalism by Edward Luce: A succinct and powerful accounting of the global failure of the political left and the subsequent revolt of the people against a system that they see, not without reason, as having failed and abandoned them. Luce takes a global view of this sea change in our politics and his analysis of how it all relates to the rise of Trump, and the failure of Hillary Clinton, is spot on.

The Trump voter

Glass House by Brian Alexander: A field study looking at the declining fortunes of the industrial city of Lancaster, Ohio. Former Lancaster resident Alexander describes how the city has been undone by the 1% economy and betrayed by the political class. (For fans of this immersive approach, Arlie Russell Hochschilds Strangers In Their Own Land, set among Tea Partiers in Louisiana, is also highly recommended.)

Twilight of American Sanity by Allen Frances: For the record, psychiatrist Frances doesnt think Trump suffers from narcissistic personality disorder or any other disabling mental illness. Instead, he sees him as a kind of secular antichrist, leading his supporters into an apocalypse of societal delusion. In other words, hes not mad, but the people who voted for him are.

The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump edited by Bandy X. Lee: If, on the other hand, you are inclined to think that Trump really is mad you might find support for that view in this collection of essays by 27 psychiatrists and mental health experts who are part of the duty to warn movement, an association of professionals united by the idea that it is their ethical responsibility to warn the public about the dangers posed by Trumps mental health (out Oct. 3).

How the Right Lost Its Mind by Charles J. Sykes: Conservative pundit Sykes analyzes the dark tribal forces that dragged the right into the alt-right, ending with a program for how to return to sanity. After Trumps defeat of Hillary Clinton, the Democrats need to perform an autopsy; Republicans need an exorcism (out Oct. 3).

The election

The People Are Going to Rise Like the Waters Upon Your Shore by Jared Yates Sexton: In this book of reportage from the convention floors, Sexton paints a bleak picture of a nation slipping into an unwavering nightmare of racism, anger, and unrelenting fascism. That sounds apocalyptic and one does get the sense Sexton is the kind of guy looking for something to be outraged by, but he draws a depressing and convincing picture of the ugliness of the Trump rallies and the dispirited feeling in the Clinton camp.

Devils Bargain by Joshua Green: Trump and his former campaign manager, Steve Bannon, are no longer besties, but Green makes a strong case for Bannon having been a necessary figure in Trumps election: the intellectual power behind his rise to the throne as well as his media enabler-in-chief.

Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History by Katy Tur: Its probably fair to say that NBC reporter Tur didnt know what she was in for when she was assigned the job of following Trumps long and crazy road to the White House. Before long she was being called out by name by the candidate at rallies and booed by crowds of thousands. As much a story about covering Trump as it is about Trump himself, Turs perspective on the campaign is both informative and uniquely well-placed.

The Destruction of Hillary Clinton by Susan Bordo: In her account of what happened, feminist scholar Bordo calls out Bernie Sanders primary campaign and sexism in general but places most of the blame on the mainstream media. This is a bit surprising, given that the media overwhelmingly endorsed Clinton for president, but recent analysis suggests Bordo has it right, at least up to a point. There was probably less deliberate sabotage involved than just the usual bias in the media toward scandal and outrage. This much, at least, Trump understood.

Shattered: Inside Hillary Clintons Doomed Campaign by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes: The fullest journalistic account of the Clinton campaign and one that doesnt shy away from laying most of the blame at the candidates own feet. Hillaryland and Clintonworld are both words that get used a lot to describe the bubble she had built and which, in the end, left her woefully unprepared for the coming storm.

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For many, the promise of work in the Alberta oilsands held incontestable appeal. Even in Manhattan, in 2010, as I was finishing a graduate degree in literature, the dream of big money for hard labour drove me to apply for jobs in Fort McMurray. Conscious of escalating climate change  presently manifest, it seems, in storms battering the southern United States, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean  my hope for a place in the industry was checked, at first, by guilt. But money is a vicious motivator. With few better prospects, a mercenary year in the cold of the Patch began to seem romantic: leaving my books, Id drop in, make fistfuls of cash, and move on.

It was a common enough pattern. From 2001 to 2006  the wild years of the boom  nearly half a million Canadians moved to Alberta from other provinces. Careers bloomed in logistics, mechanical repair  even investigative journalism, as evidenced by Calgary-based author Chris Turner, who established himself as one of the nations foremost writers on the energy industry. In his latest book, The Patch, Turner uses years of on-site observation and interviews with those at every level of the operation, as well as its critics, to reveal a nuanced portrait of what has become among the worlds most infamous fossil fuel reserves.

When one learns how little the region contributes to worldwide oil production (a mere 3 per cent), and the progress engineers have made to reduce its carbon emissions, how the Patch became a focal point for global environmental outrage  most recently reflected in protests to halt construction of the Keystone XL pipeline  becomes one of the more fascinating, complicated questions Turner answers. By providing context through regional history, Albertan politics, and the technological breakthroughs that made the so-called liberation of oil from bitumen a profitable endeavour, The Patch breaks from the scrum of industry boosters and celebrity-flashing environmentalists to provide an accessible, balanced perspective on what Turner describes as one of the most colossally scaled engineering projects in human history.

Is there an alternative to the mid-century church of High-Modernism that realized that project  and led to present fears? Turner believes so. There exists a competing definition of progress, he writes, which envisions a future without dependence on fossil fuels. Yet one senses deep skepticism about Turners faith in humanity to overcome the paradigm of technological progress and engineering prowess that presses unsustainable development onward.

As gas spikes ripple across Ontario and floodwaters recede in Bangladesh, The Patch reminds us that there are no clear enemies  only a system in which were all, to some degree, complicit. As for my grasp at oil money? It never came about. By 2010, Fort McMurray was well into the $50-[per barrel] doldrums, where it stagnates today; jobs are harder to come by. Now seemingly past its years of perpetual growth ... and agitation, its difficult to know the course of Albertas future. For Turner, though, one thing is clear: change is coming.

Grant Munroes writing has appeared in The Walrus, Los Angeles Review of Books, and elsewhere.

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Waiting for Godot review

Written by Samuel Beckett. Directed by Daniel Brooks. Until October 7 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. Soulpepper.ca or 416-866-8666

To begin the second act of Waiting for Godot, if you accept that there are only two acts and not an infinite number in this classic existential comedy by Samuel Beckett, Vladimir stands alone on the stage and sings to himself a song about a dog who was beaten for stealing a piece of bread.

In the new production on now at Soulpepper Theatre, Diego Matamoross Vladimir sings in a Springsteen-like growl, reaching a rousing crescendo with the phrase, Then all the dogs came running and dug the dog a tomb.

Trade his shabby tweed jacket, overcoat and beige trousers for blue jeans and a white undershirt, and change the scenery to a New Jersey industrial park instead of a barren limbo space (devastatingly designed by Lorenzo Savoini), and Vladimir suddenly becomes an icon of the working class American man, and his steadfast, faithful wait for the unknowable Godot hits an unexpectedly contemporary note.

Director Daniel Brooks returns to Beckett after two acclaimed productions of Endgame at Soulpepper (one in 1999 and one in 2012), the latter with Matamoros as the servantlike figure Clov.

The two are joined by another longtime Soulpepper favourite, Oliver Dennis, as Vladimirs partner-in-waiting Estragon. The three of them unite, buoyed by the ensemble nature of the Soulpepper company that employs the same roster of names year after year, creating a personal and professional ease thats noticeable on the stage, with an uncomplicated, natural approach to Becketts text.

Brooks is not afraid of the dark, cynical nature of the play, but hes also not forcing Vladimirs and Estragons plight to represent anything larger than themselves. Dennis and Matamoros, ridiculously well-cast for their parts, are humanized through their relationship to each other. There is a sense of deep mutual knowledge and comfort, endless annoyance, some codependence, and true love and care  symptoms of any long-term friendship (and who knows, this could be the longest friendship one can imagine).

They fight intensely, they tease each other, but when Vladimir asks his friend, Will you not play? they revert to childrens roughhousing and role-playing.

For the first time, I found myself wondering about their relationship beyond the immediate circumstances of their predicament, waiting for an authoritative figure that never arrives: where did they grow up, how did they meet, do they have children and where else on earth should they be at this moment? Like Springsteen was in rock n roll, they are the everyman placed on the pedestal of absurdist theatre to represent the suffering of the many.

Paying due to Becketts ability to capture so much thought, pain, hope and humanity, Brooks production emphasizes how malleable Waiting for Godot is.

Political, philosophical and religious interpretations are still present, depending on whatever might be on your mind before taking your seat. For this particular critic, the relationship between the verbose, powerful Pozzo (Rick Roberts), who walks his silent slave Lucky (Alex McCooeye) on a rope, was a clear representation of the imbalance of wealth and power in the political and economic spheres.

Pozzo dines on chicken while Lucky gets the bones (and Estragon snacks on a carrot, perhaps the metaphorical carrot thats constantly dangling in front of the North American working class?). Of course, Pozzo wouldnt be able to travel anywhere at all if it werent for the hard work and perspiration of his slave, but he rules over him through force, controlled and limited rewards, and gaslighting.

However, upon their return in the second act, Pozzo has become weak, as has Lucky, and in both of their desperate states, come to a basic halt. In perhaps an unintentional reference by costume designer Michelle Tracey, Pozzo wears a deep red scarf around his neck, reminiscent of another foolish political and business leader who fancies crimson neckwear.

As the first production of Soulpepper 2017/2018 season, and kicking off the fall theatre season in general in Toronto, Waiting for Godot was at first glance an unusually straightforward, safe pick: a well-known but challenging title, with a respected director and two favourite performers. But after seeing Brooks, Matamoros, Dennis, Reid and McCooeye (not to mention young Richie Lawrence in two memorable appearances as Boy) take on the play, were reminded of how Beckett can be the voice were waiting to hear without even realizing it.

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Theres a funereal air to Cutting Ice, the McMichael Canadian Art Collections exhibition of the late Inuit artist Annie Pootoogook. Its not intentional, though given the circumstances of her death, such a thing would be hard to avoid.

In the broad corridor that serves as the first gallery here, a floor-to-ceiling photograph puts on vivid display how wed like to remember her: Smiling, if somewhat reluctantly, her soft features tightened in a playful expression of quiet amusement.

The image, bathed in cool northern light, belies the reality of Pootoogooks final years and days. Last Sept. 19, her body was pulled from the Rideau River in Ottawa. She was 47.

Ottawa police initially said her death was not a homicide, though the investigation is ongoing and the circumstances of her passing remain unexplained. The one certainty is that Pootoogook, living in shelters and on the streets of Ottawa and Montreal for years, had been battling with addiction for almost a decade.

In 2006, Pootoogook won the Sobey Art Award and the $50,000 that came with it. Her remarkably prolific production seemed to come to a halt shortly afterwards: Though she lived another decade, only two of the more than 50 drawings here are dated later than 2006: one from 2009, and another from 2010.

For Nancy Campbell, an Inuit art specialist who curated the show for the McMichael, its a grim way to close a circle that she had helped to begin. In 2006, just before Pootoogooks Sobey win, Campbell, then a curator at Torontos Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, brought the artist south for the first time, for her first-ever museum exhibition.

The Power Plant show was alien in every way: Small, flat drawings in coloured pencil, laying out in crisp, simple lines scenes of the realities of everyday far-northern life. A sharply drawn box of Ritz crackers (a favourite northern snack) folded into her oeuvre as naturally as a couple lazing in bed, watching late-night blue movies.

I met Annie then at the Power Plant, and was taken aback. Her work had little to do with the heady conceptualism that dominated contemporary art of the day, and was even less connected to southern expectations of a northern aesthetic.

Inuit art, Campbell says dryly, is art by an Inuit artist, though perceptions to the contrary can perhaps be understood, if not entirely forgiven. For generations, the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, has employed Inuit artists to make traditional-looking prints and carvings under a craft mandate that could be reproduced and sold in the south. Pootoogook, who began drawing at the collective in 1997, came to reject the co-ops market mandate, picking up coloured pencils to depict northern life as she knew it.

Her work, whether a plainspoken image of a seal being butchered on a kitchen floor for dinner or a person lazing in front of the television watching Dr. Phil, initially produced some unease at the co-op, which didnt see the commercial potential in such frank depictions. Where the cooperative looked away, curators in the south did not, fastening on to Pootoogooks determination to look through popular notions of an exotic north to the intimacy, however troubling, of the everyday.

As her notoriety grew  from the Power Plant to the Sobey in 2006, Pootoogook went on the next year to Documenta 12 in Germany, perhaps the worlds most prominent contemporary art showcase  the co-ops leeriness shrunk, and it began to encourage artists to step outside traditional practice.

Annies success was catalytic; her ideas and techniques became a full-blown movement. In her footsteps, bonafide art stars have followed: Shuvinai Ashoona, her cousin, with her fantastical views of the northern land and sea; Itee Pootoogook; Jutai Toonoo; and Siassie Kenneally all worked alongside Annie as the notion of Inuit art was being transformed into something in tune with the reality they lived.

Reality in the north, of course, contains hardly any of the mythic notions with which it was long associated, and Pootoogooks work was jarring. Alongside the mundane daily life of her interior worlds were scenes of real terror: A child smashing bottles of alcohol to prevent her parents from drinking, or a man rearing up with a bat to beat a woman recoiling in horror on a bed.

Systemic issues ranging from suicide to domestic violence to substance abuse all made their way into her work, rendered with the same plainspoken pencil-drawn sharpness. Later on, as she and Campbell grew closer, Pootoogook would confess that it was in fact her smashing bottles, as a child, or screaming in terror as one of many abusive boyfriends raised his hand against her. (The former work, from 2002, she eventually titled Memory of My Life: Breaking Bottles.)

Both were grim foreshadows of her heartbreaking end. When looking at Cutting Ice, theres no way to separate the ingenuity and courage of Potoogooks work from the tragedy of her death. In that way, her life threatens to subsume her art, as it has so many artists to meet such a fate. And Pootoogooks symbolic significance, of systemic failure to provide adequate resources to Indigenous communities to combat long-festering social ills, looms large. If someone in her position could succeed so completely, only to fall victim to such ingrained social traumas, then the rot runs deep, indeed.

A better question, maybe, is whose version of success did Pootoogook meet? Artists at the co-op produced for generations because they were paid as a day job, under a federal economic development imperative. Pootoogooks grandmother, Pitseolak Ashoona, a renowned Inuit artist, drew those northern hunting and domestic scenes because my family needs to eat, she once told her granddaughter.

Falling into a global art world singling her out for celebrity was as much a trap as an escape for Pootoogook, who succumbed, at least in part, to its salubrious ways. A telling image, perhaps, is Myself in Scotland, of Pootoogook sporting a flowing up-do. Granted a residency there in the whirlwind of her Sobey win, the image seems to speak of a shell-shocked Pootoogook trying desperately to get hip to the art worlds slick internationalism.

In Cape Dorset, Campbell says, people speak of Pootoogook leaving the community for the last time in 2012, serving as a translator for an elder being transported to a southern hospital. Shed been flown home by her Toronto gallery, Feheley Fine Arts, not long before, in an attempt to reset her self-destructive path; instead, she took her first ticket out. Before long, she was back on the street in Ottawa, begging for change to feed her addiction.

If only shed stayed, Campbell says people in Cape Dorset told her, she would have been all right.

Thats the story they cling to, Campbell says. But the truth is, nobody knows. What we do know is what we have, through Pootoogook: Clear, unblinking portraits of a broken system failing its people at every turn.

All is not so grim: Darkness is leavened with gleeful moments, sometimes of lascivious joy  the surreal Woman Above Man, a Cirque-du-Soleil-esque tower of naked flesh, or Getting Ready for a Date, in which Pootoogook preens in front of a mirror, wearing only red high heels.

Her world was her subject, by turns desolate, intimate and playful as she was. Her work was deceptively simple, veiling a sharp awareness of broader expectations for her work and an impish glee in subverting them. The facts of her death, many still to emerge, dont degrade the significance of her life. The one time we met, she singled out a drawing as her favourite: A scene of herself and her mother, Napachie, also an artist, sitting at Pitseolaks bedside, watching her draw. Which Annie will you remember? Thats the one I choose.

Annie Pootoogook: Cutting Ice continues at the McMichael Collection of Canadian Art to Feb. 11, 2018.

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OTTAWACanadian special forces have left the city of Mosul and are now backing up Iraqi forces as they prepare to assault one of Daeshs last strongholds in the country.

The move comes amid growing friction between the various local groups facing off against Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and warnings that despite its battlefield victories, the international community has a lot more work to do in Iraq.

The Iraqi military, Kurdish peshmerga and various paramilitary groups have surrounded Hawija, a city of about 150,000 people, and are waiting for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis order to attack.

Read more:

Daesh claims responsibility for suicide attack that killed seven at Iraq power station

Canadian troops helping Jordan, Lebanon secure borders against Daesh

Canada pushes back decision on UN peace mission

Victory there would represent a pivotal moment in the war against Daesh, since the group would then control only a few small pockets of Iraqi territory along Syrias border.

Canadian troops who had been helping Iraqi forces secure Mosul throughout the summer are now near Hawija, and will provide support during the battle, military spokesman Maj. Alexandre Cadieux said Friday.

Canada has about 200 special forces soldiers supporting local forces in northern Iraq. Most of their work has been with the Kurds, but Cadieux said they are also now operating with other Iraqi groups.

Members of the Special Operations Task Force will provide their (Iraqi Security Force) partners with advice and assistance in the vicinity of Hawija, Cadieux said in an email.

Canadian Armed Forces personnel are advising its partners on how to best secure their position and prevent effective counterattacks from Daesh, he added.

CAF personnel also advise and assist in the detection, identification and possible prosecution of Daesh targets by our partner, or through coalition resources.

Exactly when the battle will start has been a source of speculation for several weeks.

Hawija is located in territory claimed by both the Kurds, who have their own semi-independent regional government, as well as Iraqs central government in Baghdad.

That alone has created disagreements between the various forces preparing to attack the city, but the fact the Kurds plan to hold a referendum on independence on Sept. 25 has heightened tensions.

Yet even if the attack goes off without a hitch and Hawija is liberated, the senior Canadian officer overseeing international efforts to train local forces believes the hard work in Iraq is just beginning.

Brig.-Gen. Steven Whalen said thats because Iraqi security forces will continue to need help as Daesh shifts to terrorist tactics such as suicide bombings, one of which killed 80 people on Friday.

This fight is not anywhere near over, Whalen said in an interview from Baghdad.

From a military perspective, we are expecting that there is going to be some kind of insurgency-type scenario that will evolve. And we see some signs of it occurring elsewhere in Iraq.

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TOKYOThe anti-missile batteries deployed on the sprawling grounds of the Japanese defence ministry are a stark reminder that here, the dispute with North Korea goes beyond bombast and rhetoric.

These PAC-3 portable batteries are a version of the Patriot missiles deployed against Iraqi Scuds during the Gulf War, upgraded to defend against ballistic missiles, the kind that North Korea is now believed to have in its arsenal.

The batteries are meant to protect this sprawling city, one part of a defensive system to guard the country against anything fired from its erratic and provocative regional neighbour  a system that Japan is under pressure to upgrade in the face of North Koreas increasingly capable missile and weapons technologies.

Experts say the chances of an actual attack are low, but North Koreas stepped-up weapons testing  including Fridays missile launch  and Washingtons fiery response has put many on edge here, saying the threat is now at a new level.

Ryoichi Oriki, a retired general who headed Japans self-defence forces, says the risk is unprecedented.

Its really a critical time of crisis on the Korean peninsula, said Oriki, who now serves as an executive adviser at Fujitsu.

North Koreas missile technology has advanced. They can achieve longer range now and they can launch a missile anywhere now. They can even place a nuclear warhead  perhaps they have the technology now. Those changes are significant and those pose serious threats, not only to East Asia, he told the Star during an interview in his Tokyo office prior to the most recent missile launch.

Read more:

North Korea launches missile over Japan

North Korea threatens to sink Japan

All options on the table, Trump warns

Those concerns were driven home anew Friday as Japanese residents woke to word of yet another North Korean test that sent a missile arcing high over their countrys northern island of Hokkaido.

Residents in the region were warned to take shelter while in Tokyo politicians protested North Koreas continued provocations.

It is totally unacceptable that North Korea has once again conducted such an outrageous act, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. We have to make North Korea understand that if it continues along this path, it will not have a bright future.

It was a repeat of a test in August that sent a missile on a similar flight path over Hokkaido before splashing down in the northern Pacific.

And like that test  conducted with no warning  this most recent missile launch sparked civil defence warnings, normally reserved for earthquakes and tsunamis, telling Japanese residents near the flight path to take cover.

Just hours before the launch, North Korean had threatened to sink Japan. It was typical sabre-rattling from Pyongyang. But behind that bombast, an increasingly sophisticated weapons program has been taking shape.

We cannot deny their technological advancements, Ryusuke Wakahoi, deputy director, strategic intelligence analysis division in Japans defence ministry.

Fridays missile launch was its farthest yet. And its Sept. 3 nuclear test was its biggest to date.

We see the technical maturity of their technologies. They may be able now to have a smaller nuclear warhead which can be mounted on the missile, he told the Star, speaking through an interpreter.

Based on these facts, we understand that North Koreas threat is immediate and at a grave level, Wakahoi said.

Until recently, Canadians tended to view the provocations of the North Korean regime as a regional problem. That perception is changing.

MPs heard this week that its only a matter of time before North Korea has developed a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile able to reach North America.

While the Kim Jong Uns regime poses a grave threat to global security, for now there is no direct threat to Canada, federal officials told a defence committee meeting on Thursday.

On the contrary in recent contacts with the North Korean government . . . the indications were that they perceive Canada as a peaceful and indeed a friendly country, Mark Gwozdecky, assistant deputy minister, international security and political affairs at Global Affairs Canada, told the committee.

That might be cold comfort given the blunt warning that the U.S. is under no obligation to defend Canada against an incoming missile  errant or deliberate  that might be headed for its northern neighbour.

Were being told . . . that the extant U.S. policy is not to defend Canada, said, Lt.-Gen. Pierre St-Amand, the Canadian officer who serves as deputy commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Whether the U.S. would intercept a missile inbound to Canada is a decision that would be made by the Americans in the heat of the moment, he said.

While North Korea is an isolated regime, cloaked in secrecy, experts say theres no mystery in its motives to develop advanced weapons.

We should take what they say quite literally. They want to be accepted as a nuclear weapons state, said Akihiko Tanaka, president of Tokyos National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.

I think they believe acquiring that status will guarantee the survival of the regime.

Having nuclear capabilities and the missiles able to strike the United States resets the balance of power with Washington and helps keep his regime in place, experts say.

I dont believe Kim Jong Un is interested in actually using nuclear weapons but his ultimate goal is establishing this system of having ICBM and nuclear weapons so he could show them as deterrence, Oriki said.

That viewed is echoed in Canada, too, where officials say North Korea is motivated by its desire to survive.

While their rhetoric is colourful and their behaviour occasionally strikes us as peculiar, theyre no fools and they understand the consequences of that kind of an action, Stephen Burt, assistant chief of defence intelligence, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, told MPs in Ottawa.

Still, U.S. President Donald Trump has openly talked of war with North Korea, vowing at one stage that threats from the isolated regime would be met with fire and the fury like the world has never seen.

And he has warned that, all options are on the table.

Here in Japan, views are divided on Washingtons tougher tone.

The attention that the Trump administration gives to the North Korea issue is, I think, positive, Tanaka said.

What was called the strategic patience by the previous administration of the United States virtually allowed North Korea to do whatever it likes, he told the Star in his university office.

Others though fret that Trumps heated rhetoric is now the wild card equation.

From the period of Bill Clinton to Bush junior to Obama, whatever the rhetoric was, the U.S. shared that this situation must be resolved by peaceable means, said Hiroshi Nakanishi, dean of the School of Government at Kyoto University.

The biggest change is that the rhetoric and the attitude of the Trump administration . . . (is) talking openly about the military options, he said in his university office.

That makes the confrontation rather different for us.

Canada is among those pressing for diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions, warning that heated rhetoric could cause events to spin out of control.

Currently, the risk is significant that misinterpretation of intent or miscalculation could lead to an escalation, including military conflict, Gwozdecky told the Commons defence committee.

And he warned that if such a conflict erupts, thousands could die in a matter of minutes.

Experts shudder at the prospect of Western militaries attempting to strike at North Korea, saying the cost of such a move would be horrific.

This week, the United Nations further tightened sanctions on North Korea, part of a continuing effort to use economic pressures to force the regime to comply with international orders to curb its weapons programs.

And yet the country has seemingly been able to defy past sanctions to continue weapons development at an ever-increasing pace, raising questions how North Korea is able to skirt barriers.

Tanaka said Canada and other Western nations can assist by helping developing nations that still trade with North Korea abide by sanctions.

In many developing countries, the export control of sensitive issues is generally very, very lax, he said. We might co-operate to help them to make export controls more effective.

But tightening sanctions carries its own risks. By cracking down on Chinese companies that trade with North Korea, Washington risks upsetting leaders in Beijing. To kill one dragon, maybe we are producing another dragon, Nakanishi said.

And the economic pain could force North Korea further into a corner, he said. The problem is that all the options are lousy, to say the least.

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WINNIPEGRookie politician, Indigenous rights activist and author Wab Kinew was elected leader of the Manitoba NDP Saturday, and vowed to rebuild the opposition party as he continues to face questions about his troubled past.

Party members elected Kinew, 35, over veteran cabinet minister Steve Ashton by almost a 3-1 margin  728 to 253.

Its a new day for the NDP and its a new day for Manitoba, Kinew declared to cheers following the vote. This is a tremendous honour.

I will take this role tremendously seriously and conduct myself with the greatest honour, integrity and honesty.

Within minutes of Kinews victory, the governing Progressive Conservatives had a website up that highlighted Kinews decade-old criminal convictions, charges of domestic violence that were stayed, and rap lyrics with offensive terms for women, gays and lesbians and others.

Kinew, who was first elected to the legislature last year, told reporters he is willing to address attack ads.

We know this is coming and what Ill do is Ill turn to my family, make sure theyre OK, check in with my team and then Ill get right back to working on behalf of the people of Manitoba and standing up for their values.

Kinew went into the vote facing controversy over domestic violence charges that were stayed by the Crown in 2004 and only recently revealed.

The complainant in that case, Tara Hart, went public this week and told The Canadian Press that Kinew flung her across a room in the apartment they shared, which caused her to suffer severe rug burns.

Kinew said he never hit or threw Hart.

Kinew has also been convicted of assaulting a taxi driver and impaired driving more than a decade ago  offences for which he recently received pardons.

I am not the man I was, Kinew told delegates before the vote with his wife, Lisa Monkman, by his side.

To my two sons . . . be better than me. Be good men.

Kinews only opponent, Ashton, had been using the revelations to try to swing delegates to his side up until the vote. He said Kinews history would make it harder for him to lead the Opposition New Democrats into the next election slated for October 2020.

If Wab Kinew is elected leader, we run the risk of the next election being about Wab Kinew, Ashtons campaign team wrote in an email to party members this week.

But Ashton did not criticize Kinew during his 30-minute speech before votes were cast Saturday. He focused his attention on Premier Brian Pallisters Tories, who were elected last year.

Brian, if youre actually watching . . . take a look around because were going to make you the next one-term Conservative premier, Ashton said as he criticized Tory cuts to health care, changes to labour laws and a wage freeze being imposed on public-sector workers.

This was Ashtons third run at the party leadership. The 61-year-old ran unsuccessfully for leader in 2009 and 2015 and lost his legislature seat in last years election. The 26 per cent of the vote he captured Saturday was the lowest of his three leadership bids.

Kinew replaces former premier Greg Selinger, who stepped down after the party lost the 2016 election to the Progressive Conservatives and saw 17 years in power come to an end.

The NDP currently holds 13 of the 57 legislature seats.

I will carry forward the very important role of uniting the Manitoba NDP, Kinew told the crowd.

Kinews large margin of victory will help reunite the NDP following a 2014 internal revolt that almost toppled Selinger, according to Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba.

I think he can say, quite rightly, that he has a very strong mandate now to direct the party along the lines that he wants to see it go in.

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The mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville asked community members to send in testimony detailing the positive impact he has made on their lives since he became mayor  ahead of the release of an ethics report into the CSI-style wall that was discovered in his office washroom this year.

In an email sent by his assistant last week, Mayor Justin Altmann disclosed to his supporters, in what appears to be a breach of confidentiality, that he is under investigation by Suzanne Craig, the towns integrity commissioner, and that she had asked him to solicit testimony about the positive initiatives that I have enabled and supported since becoming the mayor of our cherished town.

But Craig, best known for her efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the city of Vaughan, says all parties are bound by confidentiality including keeping secret all interactions with the integrity commissioner.

Read more:

Heres whos on Stouffville mayors creepy washroom wall of photos

Stouffville residents raise alarm over CSI-style wall

Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Justin Altmann invites entire town to his wedding

Whitchurch-Stouffville residents 'distressed' amid exodus of town staff

The office of the integrity commissioner is bound by rules of confidentiality and cannot discuss an investigation until the report is made public to council to consider her recommendations, Craig said. However, the integrity commissioner has clearly stated that in any investigation she conducts, the parties are bound by confidentiality and cannot discuss any part of the investigation or interaction they have with the integrity commissioner until the investigation is brought before council for a decision.

According to sources, the mayor received an email from the integrity commissioner after he went public with his request to followers, telling him that he had breached confidentiality.

Craigs final report is expected to come to council this month. The report will make recommendations, and the six-member council will decide what action, if any, to take.

Craig launched an investigation into the mayor this summer after staff found three large murals in Altmanns office washroom. The murals included large photographs and drawn lines connecting pictures of current and former councillors, staff, and members of the public (including this Toronto Star reporter.)

The mayor, who has not spoken to the Star about the wall, told local media at the time that the wall was a mind map and called it normal.

I am so happy that I get to tell my story now. I am so happy the integrity commissioner will get to investigate me because I have had no means to tell my story, he told Metroland Media-York Region in July. There is nothing criminal on the wall.

Craigs investigation was launched after a city staff member complained.

But in the email sent out to his support system by his assistant, Debi Patterson, Altmann asked for support in his adversity filled journey.

While I have faced many challenges since joining my position as mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville, I sincerely believe that this challenge has created the greatest opportunity to share not only my personal journey but your personal journey as well under this term of council, Altmann said in the email obtained by the Star.

While it is unfortunate that some have passed judgment without knowing the whole story and many have tried to impede my ability to create the inclusive community that I am trying to foster, it pleases me that this investigation provides an opportunity to compile a list of positive initiatives that I have enabled and supported since becoming the mayor of our cherished town, he said, adding that Ms. Craig would like to: review and take into consideration all your personal feedback and experiences.

Some took his message to Facebook.

Our mayor, Justin Altmann, needs our help. He is being investigated by the integrity commissioner; for reasons of idiocy, rumors, false truths and convoluted drama, said a post written on a Facebook page called We love Stouffville that asked people to send in their support for Justin.

Altmann became one of the GTAs youngest mayors when he won the Whitchurch-Stouffville seat in 2014.

When asked if he breached confidentiality, Altmann said he will not provide any public comments or statements (whether written or verbal) about the investigation until the matter is over.

Town councillors hired Craig as integrity commissioner in February to ensure the codes of behaviour and ethics governing elected public officials are objectively communicated and applied. This is a critical role in maintaining public confidence in Whitchurch-Stouffvilles government, the website states.

The following month, council instituted an updated code of conduct.

According to the complaint protocol available online, the goal of an ethics probe is to determine if an official has breached the code of conduct.

According to the rules posted on the town website, confidentiality is expected while an investigation is ongoing.

The integrity commissioner and every person acting under his or her jurisdiction shall preserve confidentiality where appropriate and where this does not interfere with the course of any investigation, it says.

According to sources, Craigs investigation included interviews with the mayor, staff and councillors. Its unclear why Altmann asked for his supporters to weigh in.

Sue Sherban, a former Whitchurch-Stouffville mayor who has become an outspoken critic of the current mayor and councils actions this term, says she believes Altmann is trying to reduce the impact of the final report.

I believe the mayor is trying to create a headwind before the report comes out so that his supporters know that there are other residents who see him in a positive light, said Sherban, whose picture was also posted on the mayors wall. And to make it seem like what the integrity commissioner has to say (or will say) is one sided.

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The actions of the Burmese government against the Rohingya looks a lot like ethnic cleansing, says Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who vows to apply pressure on the international community at the UN General Assembly next week.

This is an issue that matters to me very much. It matters very much to our prime minister, Freeland told a crowd of about 100 people in Matt Cohen Park on Saturday at a protest organized by the Burma Task Force and several Canadian Muslim organizations.

More than 400,000 Rohingya refugees have fled the military crackdown in Burma, a crisis that the United Nations human rights chief has called a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. The Burmese government has reported that 176 out of 471 Rohingya villages are now abandoned, with satellite images showing stretches of villages burned to the ground.

Freeland told the crowd that she had spoken to the foreign minister of Bangladesh, as well as former UN general secretary Kofi Annan.

Our ambassador is seeking access to the Rakhine State (in western) Burma, so that Canadians can see first hand what is happening, Freeland said.

Read more:

Blood flowed in the streets: Refugees from one Rohingya village recount days of horror

Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh watch their homes burn across the border in Burma

Trudeau presses Burmas Suu Kyi on violence against Muslim minority

Anwar Arkani, president of the Rohingya Association of Canada, was in the crowd, representing one of 34 Rohingya families who have settled in Kitchener-Waterloo in the last two decades. There are 25 Rohingya families in Quebec City, and 20 more in Vancouver. All of them are refugees; most have moved here from refugee camps in Bangladesh.

We want to mobilize the Canadian government, Arkani told the Star. Ive been screaming this for many, many years. People only woke up . . . when they saw massive numbers of people crossing the border in just a day.

Arkani has called his relatives in Burma, also known as Myanmar, every day for the past 20 years, since he first moved to Canada as a government-assisted refugee. In July 2016 his youngest sister and her husband were killed by military forces. Three years before that, his nephews were taken by the same forces  never to be heard from again. Arkani thinks they were buried alive in a mass grave or drowned in a river.

You assume everyone you know there is dead, he said. Youre lucky if you only know whos alive.

Ethnic Rohingya have long faced discrimination in Burma and are denied citizenship, even though many families have lived there for generations.

Habibur Rahman, a teacher who has served one of the refugee camps in Bangladesh for over 20 years, told the Star in a phone interview from overseas that he has never witnessed this many people at the camp before.

There are more people here than there is room to walk, he said through a translator.

People are sleeping in his classrooms, not studying.

Speaking from Bangladesh, Rahman said he is worried because of the severe rainy season in the region, with cold temperatures around the corner.

Theres not enough food or clothes, people are starving, he said. People are weak, children are very weak. We dont have medical supplies.

People are coming here with nothing but a horror (story) of their houses burned down, he added.

One of those people was Sayed Ahmeds uncle, who fled from Maungdaw in Burma to Bangladesh a week ago with thousands of people. He called Ahmed with Rahmans phone.

He told me that they dont feel safe anymore in his own country, said Ahmed, a longtime resident of Kitchener-Waterloo, who hasnt seen his Burmese relatives since he moved to Canada in 2006.

He said that people are running for their lives. Whoever is left behind are burned in fire.

In the crowd were several other politicians, including MPs Rob Oliphant (Don Valley West), Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre), Michael Levitt (York Centre) and Ali Ehsassi (Willowdale); and city councillors Kristyn Wong-Tam and Neethan Shan.

This is a Canadian issue, Oliphant said, to strong applause from the crowd.

Oliphant promised that the Rohingya crisis would be the first issue that parliament would tackle when it goes back into session next week.

Another grassroots rally gathered at the grounds at Queens Park to also call for the end of the genocide of the Rohingya. Protests are also set to take place in Ottawa and Edmonton on Sunday.

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On the eve of the day the Ontario Temperance Act took effect Sept. 16, 1916  Torontonians filed into bars and liquor stores for what they believed would be their last night ever of public drinking.

It was a Friday.

The Toronto police took this very, very seriously.

The whole police force will be ready at a moments notice to cope with and quell any trouble, Chief Grasett told the Star. Every officer on the day and night shifts was put on standby, in the expectation that a booze-fuelled riot would consume downtown Toronto.

Prohibition Eve turned out to be fairly uneventful.

With prohibition only a few hours away, little could be seen that would lead a stranger to think that King Alcohol was making his last stand in the open bars of the Province, the Star said.

At noon today the bars were no more crowded than on other Saturdays. The patrons were orderly and drinking carefully. A tour of the downtown hotels revealed a remarkable absence of inebriation.

While liquor stores saw their cheaper stock disappear almost immediately, arrests for public drunkenness were scarcely higher than usual. Police officers stood in groups of two or three at the corner of every downtown intersection, but fortunately, they were not called upon to exercise authority more than usual, the Star reported.

Prohibition in Canada, unlike the U.S., was mandated by province. It officially lasted longest in Ontario, though the Temperance Act allowed Ontarians to distill or import their own alcohol, and to drink wine in private.

In 1921 the province banned importation of alcohol  but that rule was eased in 1927 with the repeal of prohibition and the establishment of the LCBO.

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OTTAWAShortly before Christmas last year, Guy Caron travelled to Toronto and met Jagmeet Singh for breakfast. The race for the leadership of the New Democratic Party was barely a whisper in the national consciousness, but it was front of mind for these men.

Caron, a friendly 49-year-old MP from Rimouski, Que., had heard stories of the stylish, bike-riding Sikh politician who was deputy leader of the NDP at Queens Park. Though neither had yet committed to running for federal leader, both Caron and Singh were mulling it over.

They had more to chew on that day than just breakfast.

I wanted to get the measure of the man, the person he is, Caron recalled months later, speaking by phone as he boarded a bus from Calgary to Edmonton in the campaigns final days.

During their meeting, Caron said they spoke of the many challenges facing the party, especially in the wake of its deflating 2015 election loss and Tom Mulcairs ouster as leader in a convention the following year  52 per cent of members voted him out  that left Caron stunned.

They spoke of Quebec, too, Caron said  his home province, where the party under Jack Layton achieved its previously unthinkable breakthrough in 2011, only to see so much crumble under Justin Trudeaus Liberal tsunami four years later.

At the time, Caron said he was ruminating on his newfound leadership ambition, and left the breakfast thinking it would be naive not to expect Singh  a social media celebrity in certain circles, with the pop culture power of a GQ magazine spread to boot  to jump in the race, too. But he also felt the contest might not have anybody with his own mix of economic credibility and appeal in Quebec, prerequisites in his mind to any shot at victory for the NDP.

Now, just days before New Democrats start voting Monday for a new leader, Caron and Singh are on the ballot. The other two candidates, Niki Ashton and Charlie Angus, are experienced federal politicians who promise to reconnect with the partys base and win back more than what was lost to the Liberals.

Read more:The four candidates who would lead the NDP

In a sense, just as Singh and Caron surveyed the partys challenges over that December breakfast, the entire leadership race has been an exercise in how to negate the hurt of 2015; to find the champion that can charge back to the glory days of relevance and power proximity that the party attained under Layton.

Each candidate has campaigned against the backdrop of past failure. Each has tried to convince their partisan family that they have the right recipe for the future.

This contest, at its heart, is about how to cure disappointment.

In Olivia Chows mind is a metaphor: three streams, each representing a distinct school of thought for the partys future, need to convene to form a river. One flows with a vision of a grassroots, activist movement; the second has a requirement for electoral domination in Quebec; and the third involves expanding the partys reach into new, diverse constituencies.

All together, that river, if properly navigated, will lead the NDP to government.

We have four candidates that embody those three streams, some more than others, Chow, a former MP and Laytons widow, told the Star recently.

Who would best bring those together?

Chows criterion for success brings up a question that NDP politicians are asked all the time. Is this a party that should try to appeal to a broad pool of voters for the sake of winning power, or should it stick to a strict social democratic platform and be happy with a clump of seats in the back corner of the House?

Ashton, a 35-year-old Manitoba MP, has the most left-leaning campaign. With tuition-free education, aggressive tax hikes, staunch opposition to new oil pipelines, and frequent talk of connecting with grassroots activism, she appears most aligned with Chows first stream for the partys future.

But Ashton twists the power-principle proposition into a different choice: relevance or irrelevance. She sees the millennial age group, which she defines as 35 and under, becoming Canadas largest voting bloc in the next election. The NDP needs to connect with them, people she believes are focused on climate change, income inequality and precarious work.

This is why she argues the biggest mistake in 2015 was allowing the Liberals to out-left the social democratic party. Trudeau caught the impulse for change and spoke to progressive Canadians and younger voters. The NDP didnt. Its now the third party, with 44 seats.

We lost touch with some of our clear principles, and I believe with people that support us, Ashton said. Theres much work to be done in building a movement. That is what we used to be.

Angus, a 54-year-old veteran MP from northern Ontario, also has framed his candidacy as one that would reconnect the party with its grassroots. For him, the party under Layton and Mulcair became overly oriented to the daily squabbles on Parliament Hill, a political machine detached from its roots. I heard this all the time, that the only time the party went to the base was to raise money, he said.

This raises a sort of existential questions for New Democrats, he continued. What is the future of our social democratic movement?

Caron is unequivocal: the NDP must strive for power in every election. If the pitches from Ashton and Angus represent Chows first stream, Carons is the second: he believes he alone has the right formula, a combination of coherent, left-wing economic policy and Quebec appeal as a francophone progressive.

I was at Jack (Layton)s speech that launched his leadership bid in 2002, Caron told the Star. He had a vision of the future that we have to form government . . . we cant do it without Quebec.

Yet his opponents all agree on the importance of Quebec. In fact, they agree on a lot. Each says inequality and climate change are among the biggest challenges this century. They nod at the mention of curbing greenhouse gas emissions, the need for electoral reform, and a push to achieve reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The candidates agree on pretty much everything, said Karl Belanger, a fixture of the partys parliamentary staff through the Layton era and much of Mulcairs tenure.

New Democrats are looking at a difference in style and tone.

And that brings us to the third stream in Chows metaphor: breaking through to new supporters.

The audience giggled, but Jagmeet Singh wasnt smiling. It was late August, during the only entirely French debate of the campaign in Montreal, and Charlie Angus was needling him on whether he would still try to jump from Ontario to federal politics if he loses his leadership bid.

With respect, he said, casting his eyes on Angus, I will not lose.

Laughter spread through the room. Even Angus seemed to be chuckling.

When I win, Singh continued, I will run in the federal election.

If you lose? Angus inquired again.

I will not lose, Singh deadpanned.

The 38-year-old Ontario legislator was, for many observers, the presumed frontrunner even before he entered the race. Belanger called Singhs entry, in mid-May, the game-changer.

Before that it was like a phony war, he said.

It might seem strange a provincial politician who is not even the leader at that level would make such a splash. Helene Laverdiere, a Quebec MP who supports Singh, said she didnt know much about him until he showed up in Ottawa around the time he formally launched his campaign. He came to her office, and she was impressed.

He wanted to listen, rather than talk, she said. What struck me the most with him  how could I say?  its the leadership side. Its the human being.

Whatever it is, Singh appears to have resonated. His campaign claims to have brought in 47,000 new party members, of a total roughly 83,000 sign-ups during the campaign. In fundraising, too, theres evidence hes in the lead: Elections Canada numbers show he raked in more than $350,000 in the second quarter of the year. Thats more than Angus, Ashton and Caron combined.

He has also experienced some campaign flashpoints, most strikingly early this month, when a video of his response to an incensed heckler went viral. A woman  later tied to an Islamophobic group, Rise Canada  stood at a Brampton campaign event and started shouting in Singhs face about Shariah and said hes in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Singhs reaction has been widely parsed and praised. He calmly repeated to the woman, as she gesticulated and yelled in his face: We love you. We support you.

Ian Capstick, a political strategist and long-time NDP insider who is neutral in the race, said the impact of the video  viewed at least 40 million times  cannot be overstated.

Moments like that may also integral for the partys longer-term goal of finding someone who can shine on a level with Trudeau, a political celebrity, said David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data in Ottawa. Thats important, given the history under Mulcair, when the play-it-safe strategy in 2015 backfired, Coletto added.

If Im the New Democrats, he said, I want somebody who will get the attention of the public for a moment, and that moment is my chance to convince the public that Justin Trudeau is not as progressive as he says he is.

None of that is to say that Singh is a lock.

Angus, for one, is critical of what he sees as Singhs too big to fail campaign, a bid to win on the first ballot of the race, rather than building bridges with various constituencies to bring people together when the race is over. Party members will vote by ranked ballot, in a one-member, one-vote system. New rounds of voting will take place each week through October  with the last-place candidate being eliminated  until someone has more than 50-per-cent support.

(Singh did not make himself available to be interviewed for this article.)

Another factor is Quebec, key to the partys electoral chances but marginal in the leadership race, with less than 10 per cent of NDP members in the province. The paradox of this campaign, said Farouk Karim, Guy Carons campaign spokesperson, is that we know NDP members in Quebec will not elect the next leader, but Quebec will decide the next prime minister.

The province was at the centre of one of the biggest friction points of the campaign, when a debate in Quebec City over proposed restrictions on religious face coverings like the Mulsim niqab jumped into the leadership race.

This was prompted by Caron, who put out a platform in late August on respecting Quebecs distinctness as a nation within Canada. His proposal included a section on secularism, in which he explained how it has been a priority in Quebec since the official uncoupling of the Catholic Church from the provincial governing apparatus in the1960s. He said that, while he personally opposes the government telling people what they can wear, he would ultimately respect the Quebec National Assemblys decision.

This prompted a sharp discussion that echoed an element of the 2015 election: many believe the partys declining fortunes in the province were due to Muclairs firm stance against a niqab ban for citizenship ceremonies, being discussed at the time.

Singh and Angus came out against the recent proposed legislation in Quebec, and predicted the courts would quash it. Ashton initially appeared to agree with Caron, but now says shes against the idea in principle and trusts the National Assembly to make a decision that respects individual rights.

The discussion is by no means settled. This week, Pierre Nantel, a Montreal-area MP, told Le Devoir he would consider ditching the NDP if the next leader doesnt respect Quebecs decision making.

Statements like that may have fuelled a late surge of endorsements for Caron, who contends hes the only one with a true understanding of Quebecs political dynamic. Brian Topp, a prominent insider, former leader Alexa McDonough, and the Steelworkers union all backed him in the days after the secularism discussion broke out.

There is also the practical question of French language ability, which appears to be of most concern to Angus and Singh.

Many in the party feel that to fail in Quebec will be to return to the time when the NDP had no legitimate shot at power, thus the nuances of debates of identity and self-determination in the province need to be navigated with extreme care.

As Coletto pointed out, the NDP has consistently trailed the Liberals in Quebec polls since Trudeau took power. There has been a sea change, he said. Quebec (for the NDP) looks particularly daunting.

If Chow is right about her three streams prescription, whoever becomes the next leader needs to pull off something unprecedented for the party  enliven its social democratic base, appeal to new tranches of voters in places it has never won seats, and reclaim its Orange Wave success in Quebec.

Back in March, at the first candidates debate in a hotel ballroom in Ottawa, none of the candidates mentioned Mulcair. They spoke instead and with great frequency, of Layton, who was practically beatified in the NDP for leading them to groundbreaking success.

Its been like that the whole campaign  reaching around the disappointment of the Mulcair era to try to embody the euphoria of a prior time.

It has interestingly become: who can be the closest to the next Jack Layton that we can possibly elect, Capstick said. Thats what the party has always been after: who can capture the imaginations of Canadians the way Jack Layton did.

In a matter of days, New Democrats will hope they have found the right person for that lofty task  catching the future by chasing the past.

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NEW YORKU.S. President Donald Trump will use his debut speech to the UN General Assembly next week to offer warmth to the United States allies and warnings to its adversaries.

He slaps the right people, he hugs the right people and he comes out very strong in the end, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Friday as she previewed Trumps Tuesday speech.

Addressing the General Assembly is a milestone moment for any president, but one particularly significant for Trump, a relative newcomer to foreign policy who has at times rattled the international community with his unpredictability.

No one is going to grip and grin, Haley said at a White House briefing. The United States is going to work.

Read more:

North Koreas longest-ever missile launch triggers emergency UN meeting

Donald Trumps Twitter speculation on London attack extremely unhelpful, U.K. officials say

Trumps about-face on Dreamers leaves his anti-immigration supporters raging

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said Trump will urge all states to come together to address great dangers facing the globe. Among topics certain to be on the agenda: North Korea, which has defied both sanctions and Trumps threats by continuing with its aggressive missile testing, and Iran, which the president has accused of violating an international nuclear deal.

Trump has been sharply critical of the United Nations in the past, denouncing its utter weakness and incompetence. As president-elect, he derided it as a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. He also suggested deep cuts to U.S. funding for the UN.

Haley and McMaster outlined a robust schedule for Trump, who will also be joined by Vice-President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other top advisers. The meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations are often done in rapid succession, a wearying test for even the most experienced foreign policy team.

The General Assembly is an incredibly sophisticated dance that doesnt really play to Tillersons strengths or to the presidents strengths, said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic & International Studies. You often have one 15-minute meeting after another, with the goal of keeping focused on key points. Its kind of like speed dating from hell, he said.

The president will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally, on Monday before holding a dinner with Latin American leaders. On Tuesday, in addition to his General Assembly speech, Trump will meet with the emir of Qatar, whose kingdom is embroiled in a dispute with other Middle East nations, including Saudi Arabia, over alleged funding of terror groups.

Trump on Wednesday holds a working lunch with African leaders and will meet with the heads of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. The White House has played down prospects for a major moment in the Middle East peace process. Trump also will sit down with British Prime Minster Theresa May, just days after she scolded him for choosing to publicly speculate about the nature of an explosion Friday that injured at least 29 people in the London subway.

Trump, who will stay in his Manhattan penthouse at Trump Tower, will conclude his stay Thursday with meetings with leaders from Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine before holding a lunch with the leaders of South Korea and Japan, largely to discuss the threats emanating from North Korea.

The presidents of China and Russia are not expected to attend the meetings.

Other topics on the agenda include the unstable situations in Venezuela and Syria and the fight against Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and Al Qaeda terror groups. McMaster said that improving business ties between the United States and other nations will also be on the agenda.

This administrations ironclad commitment to free, fair and reciprocal trade and access to markets will be the bedrock of our economic talks, he said.

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WASHINGTONWith a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled to take place on the Mall Saturday, one of the best-known icons of the white nationalists who helped propel Trump to power said conservatives should be demonstrating against the president, not for him.

Richard B. Spencer, the Alexandria, Virginia, resident who coined the term alt-right and has become its omnipresent spokesman, said he had no plans to join the pro-Trump forces mustering in Washington in light of the presidents new willingness to shield illegal immigrants brought to the country as children from deportation.

If anything, I would be protesting Trump this weekend, Spencer said in an interview.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

His comments came as the nations capital prepared to host what may be the years most motley collection of political rallies Saturday, including the demonstration in support of the president, anti-Trump counter protests and a demonstration by fans of the rap-metal group Insane Clown Posse, who are protesting their FBI designation as a criminal gang.

Read more: Trump and top Democrats reach deal on young immigrants

Transgender troops can re-enlist in U.S. military for now, Pentagon says

Trumps about-face on Dreamers leaves his anti-immigration supporters raging

Police in the District have worried about friction among the groups along the lines of the clashes between white supremacists and left-wing demonstrators that led to deadly rioting in Charlottesville last month.

Spencer, who helped lead the white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville, said he doesnt expect those who share his conservatism to show up in force Saturday.

Its a residue of an older conservatism, he said of the scheduled pro-Trump demonstration. It really doesnt have much of anything to do with the alt right.

Such distinctions could be lost on left-wing demonstrators in an overwhelmingly Democratic D.C. A Facebook group called White Supremacists Out of Washington! that was planning to gather at Farragut Square to protest the pro-Trump rally.

The counter protest is to say, how can you defend someone who wont condemn white supremacy, said Nelini Stamp, an organizer of the counterprotest. After the violence in Charlottesville, Trump was heavily criticized for blaming protesters on both sides of the political spectrum rather than focusing on white supremacists.

Authorities had plans in place, including street restrictions, to keep order and separate the groups as necessary. Looming over them is the response in Charlottesville, where police were faulted for a slow reaction as the protest turned violent.

The D.C. Office of Police Complaints said in a statement that it would be monitoring the departments handling of the rallies. The office was planning to deploy its staff with video and audio recording equipment throughout downtown Saturday.

D.C. police said there would be about 15 road closures around the Mall between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., including the 9th and 12th street tunnels. Parts of C, D and E streets NW near the Mall are also among the closures.

Metro announced that the Smithsonian station on the Mall will be closed. Trains on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines will run through the station Saturday but not stop.

The days most anticipated events are the march of the Juggalosas Insane Clown Posse fans call themselvesand the pro-Trump rally, which its organizers have dubbed the Mother of All Rallies.

Jason Webber, an organizer of the Juggalo rally, said the group is apolitical but noted that many of the bands songs decry bigotry. He said 3,000 people are planning to attend.

Peter Boykin, president of Gays for Trump and a speaker at the conservative rally, said he expects a crowd ranging from 1,000 to 2,000.

Webber and Boykin said they arent expecting brawls.

We think Washington D.C. is a great, safe place to have a rally, and Im not looking for a fight, Boykin said.

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COPENHAGENIcelands president on Saturday accepted the resignation of the volcanic islands prime minister, who says a new election mostly likely will be held on Nov. 4.

Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson lost his nine-month-old, centre-right coalition after one party quit over an attempt by the prime ministers father to help clear the name of a convicted pedophile.

President Gudni Th. Johannesson met Saturday with Benediktsson and was meeting with other party leaders later in the day.

A small centrist party, Bright Future, quit the ruling coalition Friday after it emerged that Benediktssons father had written a letter urging a pardon for Hjalti Sigurjon Hauksson, who was convicted in 2004 of raping his stepdaughter almost every day for 12 years.

Under Icelands judicial system, a person who has served a sentence for a serious crime can apply to authorities to restore their honour and seek employment again, meaning their criminal record is erased. For that, a letter of recommendation by a close friend or an associate is needed.

Benediktsson took office in January, uniting his Independence Party, the Reform Party and the centrists.

Together they held the slimmest of majorities  32 of the 63 seats in parliament following the Oct. 29 election, which was called after the former prime minister resigned amid protests over his offshore holdings that were revealed in the Panama Papers leak.

When it emerged that some government members had kept information from the public about the letter seeking to clear Haukssons record, Bright Future said it was quitting.

Benediktsson said Friday that some Icelandic laws were completely out of sync with modern values, according to the nations largest newspaper Morgunbladid. He was quoted as saying he was in shock when he heard about the letter.

Benediktsson, a former finance minister, was also named in the Panama Papers as having held a stake in a Seychelles-based investment company.

Iceland is a wind-lashed island near the Arctic Circle with a population of 320,000. The country suffered through years of economic upheaval after its debt-swollen banks collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis but now is experiencing a surge in tourism by those eager to see its pristine glaciers, fjords and waterfalls and the Northern Lights.

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Re: Battered Keys struggle to assess damage, Sept. 13

Re: Ottawa blames chaos for stranded tourists, Sept. 12

Battered Keys struggle to assess damage, Sept. 13

There are two things about the coverage of the terrible destruction of hurricane Irma and the aftermath that I find disturbing.

The first is that nothing is being written about the wildfires in Western Canada and the refugees from those fires who are still out of their homes. This is not to downplay the awful results of Irma, but we seem to have forgotten about our own disasters.

Second, much is being made of the Canadians caught in the hurricane and the worry of their families. While these vacationers had their holidays cut short and were depending on the Canadian government to get them out of the disaster zone, we dont seem to share those concerns with the millions of residents of the islands we love to visit.

For the most part, these people are poor and now have nothing left. The Canadian vacationers knew that, at some point, they would return to their unscathed homes with electricity, water, sewage and other infrastructure. Their homes will still have roofs and walls. The residents of those islands do not have that comfort.

Stephen Bloom, Toronto

Why Irma is so strong, and other storm questions answered, Sept. 11

Writer Seth Borenstein, while trying to link the strength of hurricane Irma to global warming, seems to have ignored some of the past hurricanes and their destructive power.

The Galveston hurricane, which hit the Texas coast 117 years ago, was a category 5 storm that killed more than 8,000 people and inflicted extensive damage on the town of Galveston. In October 1963, category 4 hurricane Flora hit the eastern Florida coast and killed more than 5,000. In July 1969, category 5 hurricane Camille hit the Gulf coast and killed more than 250.

The most destructive tropical storm ever was the Bhola cyclone in November 1970, which hit East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and killed more than 300,000 people.

Will future hurricanes and cyclones be stronger and more destructive? There is no definite answer so far. The best strategy to avoid fatalities is to take adaptive measures such as building shelters in residential areas.

Evacuating millions of people and forcing them to drive away from their homes on heavily clogged highways, as happens now, may not be the best way to cope with such disasters.

M.L. Khandekar, former Environment Canada scientist, Markham

Lessons for Toronto from Harvey and Irma, Opinion, Sept. 12

Franz Hartmann, executive director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance and a steering committee member of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, tells us that severe weather events are getting more frequent and more severe. He should know better.

Hurricane frequency in North America has been declining  hurricanes Irma and Harvey followed an unprecedented 12-year drought in major hurricane activity. As for severity of U.S. storms, Irma ranked 7th and Harvey ranked 18th.

An Aug. 30 report from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states: It is premature to conclude that human activities  and particularly greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming  have already had a detectable impact on Atlantic hurricane or global tropical cyclone activity.

Pav Penna, Georgetown

Ottawa blames chaos for stranded tourists, Sept. 12

Although the folks stuck in the Caribbean were at much more risk than the people in Florida, it still does not give WestJet the right to gouge passengers trying to get out of Florida.

My sister and her husband received a mandatory evacuation notice to be out of Pinellas County by 8 a.m. Friday (Sept. 8). The sheriff knocked on their door on Thursday night and told them if you stay we cannot save you.

They were able to get a last-minute WestJet flight out of Orlando on Friday. They made it to the gate with five minutes to spare. But what did it cost them for two tickets from Orlando to Pearson? $2,860 (U.S.), which works out to about $3,500.

At a Canadians greatest time of need, WestJet decides to take advantage of the situation. How disgraceful is that?

Lynne Huard, Toronto

Since when is it the responsibility of the federal government to fly people who are stranded in the Caribbean home to Canada?

When you go on holiday during hurricane season, you should be aware of the risks. Tax dollars spent on rescuing people from glorious holidays gone wrong  really?

The federal officials cited in your articles are apologetic and falling all over themselves to explain why Canadian aircraft have not been deployed. It is absurd that anyone should expect this from their government.

Im shocked at the entitlement attitude expressed in Star articles by Canadians in St. Martin and other resorts who expect to be flown home after a holiday gone sour.

Margaret Mercer, Oakville

Im very puzzled why so many Canadians are upset about not being rescued speedily by the government when they got stranded in the Caribbean.

We were all warned about the ferocity of this hurricane well in advance. That gave visitors the opportunity to get out of town as quick as possible.

Why is it the responsibility of the Canadian government to rescue these very silly people? Shouldnt the silly people rescued now be asked to foot the bill?

Many of the residents of the Caribbean islands now have nothing. These are the people we should be focusing our attention on.

Michael Fawson, Toronto

I am very frustrated by Canadians who take advantage of cheap holidays to the Caribbean in hurricane season and then blame the government for not bailing them out.

Everyone knows that late August and early September is hurricane season in the south. This is why resorts lower their prices. If you make the decision to fly south in hurricane season, you cannot expect the government to risk the safety of a flight crew to fly down and rescue you.

I care about the safety of Canadians, but individuals must take responsibility for their own actions and the decisions they make.

Patty Daly, Toronto

A week of inaction on Canadas part following a local government directive to leave is typical of our governments lack of concern.

As an ex-pat, I quickly learned the rule of thumb: Notify Canadian diplomats as a formality, then go to the French, the Americans or the Brits for real help.

If you are not a rich businessman with whom they want to swill cocktails, Canadian diplomats want nothing to do with you. Every ex-pat knows this.

N.G. Spencer, Montreal

I am tired of people who make stupid decisions blaming the government for not bailing them out when things go wrong.

Hurricane Irma did not happen overnight. People had been warned for days before the islands were hit. Yet some Canadians ignored all the warnings and chose to go into harms way for their vacations. Then when they got into trouble, they blame the government for not immediately rescuing them from their dumb choices.

The same holds for people who work or study in those areas. They had ample warning that they should leave, but they ignored them.

George M. McCaig, Burlington

It is mind boggling to read that many Canadian medical students, teachers and tourists were stranded in St. Maarten. This disaster made it extremely difficult for stranded Canadians to find simple necessities like food, accommodation and hydro  even their safety appeared to be compromised.

While citizens of other countries were helped by their consulates, many hapless Canadians became rightly annoyed with Global Affairs. This disgraceful negligence is very disconcerting. While we can boast of a fine track record of helping refugees and other needy migrants, it is un-Canadian to leave our own in the lurch.

Rudy Fernandes, Mississauga

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This story is part of the Stars trust initiative, where, every week, we take readers behind the scenes of our journalism. This week, we focus on how Ben Rayner balances his roles as both music critic for the Star and a juror for the Polaris Music Prize.

This Monday, the winner of the 2017 Polaris Music Prize will be announced at a gala at the Carlu in Toronto. The $50,000 prize will go to an artist for Canadian Album of the Year, as voted by a group of about 200 music journalists, bloggers, broadcasters and programmers. Among them is the Stars pop music critic, Ben Rayner, who has been a Polaris jury member since the inception of the prize in 2006. This year, hes also on the jury for the Polaris Heritage Prize, which celebrates Canadian albums from 1960 through 2005.

For this weeks trust feature, we turn the microphone on Rayner, who has been interviewing musicians and reviewing concerts for more than 20 years, to find out how he balances his criticism with the responsibilities of being on the jury for one of Canadas most prestigious arts awards.

Given that you have been around for quite awhile and you know a lot of people in the music industry, how difficult is it for you to judge artists for a major prize?

Its hard in this country, because its such a small country, to not get to know people. From my perspective, Im kind of in a good position because Im a critic  Im permitted to play favourites. The whole jury process for Polaris is confidential too. So I dont feel like Im slighting anybody, although I will say that on my long list and short list ballot, I had Weaves, Tanya Tagaq and Lisa Leblanc as some of the records I voted for. Do I maybe feel guilty about singling out Weaves or Tanya over some other artist? Maybe, but I do think I have some leeway from a journalistic standpoint because Im a critic. Im kind of an open book. Honesty is basically all youve got in my line of work.

What steps do you take to try to keep your judging for Polaris as unbiased as possible?

Polaris jury members have an online discussion group that goes on year-round where people put forth suggestions for listening. I think most of us are pretty diligent about listening to as much stuff as possible. When we were voting for the long list, which ends up being 40 records, its pretty easy to jot down the records that you like. For the second round of voting, resulting in a short list of 10 records, Ill try to listen and make sure Im not missing out on something awesome that deserves to be on the list. Thats just due diligence.

When it comes to your daily criticism, how do you balance your professional obligations with personal relationships you might havewith musicians?

It is hard. I do a piece on Broken Social Scene when each album comes around and yet band members Kevin (Drew), Brendan (Canning) and Justin (Peroff) are all friends of mine. Its a delicate dance. I wouldnt let myself review a show by a friend. Ill still do interviews, although theyre awkward  its strange to interview someone with whom youre friendly. It is kind of an unavoidable consequence of doing this job in this country for as long as I have.

Does the fact that you are old friends with Polaris Music Prize founder Steve Jordan affect how you cover stories related to the award?

While I write about the fact that the gala is happening, I try not to write about it from a critical standpoint because I would feel some bias as its my friends event. Generally, I dont usually do commentary on it. Ill cover the announcement of the short list or the long list because thats just factual and it doesnt require any input from me. What Ive done a couple of times is I get all of the nominees, or as many as possible who are on the short list, to say who ideally they would like to win instead of them. That frees me from the burden of having to evaluate how it went.

What is your process for picking your top five albums of the year for Polaris?

I know some people probably agonize a little more over their choices for the pick, but I just go with my five favourites. Then when it gets down to the short list, maybe Ill be a little more analytical and Ill listen to stuff I might not know and sometimes youll value something thats a little challenging and brave but not particularly pleasant to listen to. Sometimes I will catch myself voting for something I dont particularly want to listen to. But usually I stop myself and just go nope, these are my five.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Email your questions to trust@thestar.ca .

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United Technologies Corp. (UTX) - Get Free Report and Rockwell Collins Inc. (COL) announced last week a $23 billion deal that will be the largest ever in the aerospace industry when it closes, but the enormity of the tie-in could bring extra antitrust scrutiny from regulators, according to the Wall Street Journal.

This deal comes after years of small-scale consolidation in the aerospace industry, prompting regulators, especially in Europe, to take extra care in examining the long-term repercussions of creating such a powerhouse firm that expects as much as $40 billion in revenue per year.

European regulatory concerns are the biggest threat to the completion of a deal, industry experts said. United and Rockwell don't overlap much in operations, so a combined company would have a hand in everything from landing gears to cockpit technology. With that, regulators in the U.S. and Europe have become concerned with both scale and scope, the Journal reported.

Some experts have compared the deal to the proposed Honeywell Int'l Inc. (HON) - Get Free Report and General Electric Co. (GE) - Get Free Report merger that European regulators blocked in 2001. The reasoning for blocking that combination, the European Commission said, was that it could suffocate competition.

The combined company could demand higher prices from firms such as Airbus SE (EADSY) - Get Free Report and Boeing Co. (BA) - Get Free Report by eliminating competition from other parts suppliers. Boeing has already stated that it's against the deal, as United and Rockwell haven't made a clear case that a combined company will increase value for the Boeing.

The market gives about a 70% probability that United will complete its Rockwell buyout by the third quarter of 2018 as proposed. Rockwell stock closed at about $131 Wednesday, making United's $140 per share offer about a 7% premium to current prices.

The deal can only go through with approval from 17 regulators across the globe, each with its own set of standards.

General Electric is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells GE? Learn more now.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:
With mounting uncertainty about the damage from the breach that exposed the personal information of 143 million Americans, Equifax Inc. (EFX) - Get Free Report stock has lost 35% of its value in just more than a week.

And the pressure won't let up anytime soon, with CEO Richard Smith slated to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in early October. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General are probing the incident. Late on Friday, the company announced that its chief information and chief security officers had left the company.

As Equifax's value falls, analysts are trying to gauge the ultimate impact on Equifax's stock price and even its standing as an independent company.

Morningstar Inc. analyst Brett Horn suggested that fallout from the breach would be a "material but manageable one-time cost" rather than a catalyst for a strategic review. He reduced his target from $128 share to $122 per share, which is $30 above its price on Friday afternoon.

Barclays Capital analyst Manav Patnaik pointed to two comparable situations in a recent report.

One is Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, which faced charges from the Department of Justice in 2013 that it defrauded investors in mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations by misrepresenting credit risks. The predecessor of S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) - Get Free Reportsettled with the Department of Justice and numerous states for $1.375 billion in 2015. "[Standard & Poor's] would be the preferred scenario where the company weathered the noise and came out of it as strong as ever, buoyed by strong industry fundamentals," Patnaik wrote.

The other scenario would be that of data broker ChoicePoint, which suffered a data breach in 2008 that the Federal Trade Commission said exposed nearly 14,000 people to identity theft. "[ChoicePoint] seems like a more similar situation for [Equifax] -- where government investigations and bad press weighed on fundamentals, and the stock languished (before getting acquired by [Relx PLC])." Patnaik wrote that he "would like to think" that Equifax is closer to S&P than to ChoicePoint, and reduced his target from $150 to $115 per share. Equifax did not immediately respond to a query about future strategic options.

With the FTC and states circling, a big settlement payment is likely. Patnaik suggested that it could come to $500 million, noting that insurer Anthem Inc. undefined paid $115 million earlier this year to settle lawsuits related to a data breach. Free credit monitoring services that Equifax is offering could cost $50 million, Patnaik noted, though insurance could cover $125 million of the overall tab.

Moody's Investors Service estimated lesser expenses from the breach. "Although the costs are difficult to estimate, assuming about $200 million of increased expenses, before insurance recoveries, we expect only a modest deterioration in total debt to EBITDA and still strong free cash flow," Raj Joshi wrote, noting that the company had more than $400 million in cash and more than $380 million available under a revolving credit line. Moody's called the breach "credit negative" but said it would not affect the ratings on its its senior unsecured credit rating or its stable credit outlook.

In a worst-case scenario, the cost could run into the billions, Stephens Inc. analyst Brett Huff suggested, noting that each $1 billion in one-time cash paid out would translate to $8 per share. Credit card breaches might run $2 per compromised card, he noted, while studies have put the cost of breaches of sensitive personal data at $140 per user.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:
ONEOK, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in gathering, processing, storage, and transportation of natural gas in the United States. It operates through Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Pipelines segments. The company owns natural gas gathering pipelines and processing plants in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions. It also gathers, treats, fractionates, and transports natural gas liquids (NGL), as well as stores, markets, and distributes NGL products. The company owns NGL gathering and distribution pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado; terminal and storage facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois; and NGL distribution and refined petroleum products pipelines in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as owns and operates truck- and rail-loading, and -unloading facilities connected to NGL fractionation, storage, and pipeline assets. In addition, it operates regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities. Further, the company owns and operates a parking garage in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma; and leases excess office space. It operates 17,500 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines; 1,500 miles of FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines; 5,100 miles of state-regulated intrastate transmission pipeline; six NGL storage facilities; and eight NGL product terminals. It serves integrated and independent exploration and production companies; NGL and natural gas gathering and processing companies; crude oil and natural gas production companies; propane distributors; municipalities; ethanol producers; and petrochemical, refining, and NGL marketing companies, as well as natural gas distribution and electric generation companies, producers, processors, and marketing companies. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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.
Why do you want to do it in reverse? The reason we recommend driving the GOR from east to west is because all the scenic lookouts are on the left hand side (with 1 exception). Pulling off to the left, getting out of the car, taking a photo then driving off again takes 10 minutes. There are at least a dozen of these lookouts, and imo all are worth stopping at. Doing them in reverse, however, can double the time depending on traffic, and some are inaccessible from the RHS of the road as they are on blind bends. There is also the risk of someone running into you as you wait to turn right, as many drivers are focusing on the scenery, not the road.

Your timings look good, but I have a couple of suggestions. Spend more of your Melbourne time at the beginning rather than at the end. You will be fresher for your roadtrip that way.

Spend 2 nights in the YV (Healesville is convenient), then head for the Mornington Peninsula and spend the night. Next day to Apollo Bay (check that your car is allowed on the ferry), then PC and Warrnambool. (By the way, I think it's fantastic that you've allowed 3 nights along the GOR. You'll have a great time.) From Warrnambool back to Melbourne.

Doing it this way eliminates the huge day of driving from the Yarra Valley to Warrnambool, and makes the trip along the GOR much easier. Without actually counting, I also think it saves you a few kilometres, too, and hence reduces your time in the car.

Another possibility - if you do Melbourne first, you could spend your final night (after Warrnambool) in Geelong, then head to the airport from there without going back to Melbourne. You could even return the car to Geelong then catch the Gull shuttle bus to the airport if you prefer.

Edited: 5 years ago
I don't know if this is an appropriate place to ask but we are really struggling with our itinerary for January and could use some advice! We will be in Australia for two and a half weeks, beginning with a week in Sydney. The big question is how to spend the next 10 days (4-14 January). We are a family of four with two adult children in their early twenties. We would like to see the Great Barrier Reef (we were gutted when we found out that Hayman Island is closed) and maybe go to a second location.

1. First question is where to stay to experience the GBR. We visited Hayman Island in January 1997 (we lived in Wahroonga near Hornsby 1996-98) had gorgeous weather and we didn't remember any issues with weather or stingers, but that was awhile ago so I could be mistaken.

Is there anywhere that you recommend for January? We would like a nice resort with access to snorkeling and scuba. We don't care about cache but are willing to spend money for a once in a lifetime experience. We have been looking into Hamilton or Bedarra Island but are open to other suggestions! (Would going to Bedarra in January with no air conditioning be insane? Not sure what Hamilton would be like during school holidays)

We also looked into Lizard Island. $4000AUD a night seems expensive for what you get? We would be willing to pay for a resort if it was a spectacular, one-of-a-kind experience that you could only get by going to that resort. (An example is that when we went to South Africa we stayed at an expensive lodge for a photo safari. The lodge took us on the animal tours and provided experiences & dining. This created an exceptional experience that was only possible through staying at a place like that. If anyone is still reading this, it was incredible and I highly recommend going to South Africa and the Savanna Lodge).

Is there someplace like this in the Great Barrier Reef? Would love to hear anyone's opinions on where to stay/ how to experience the GBR.

2. Second question is where to go for a second location? We are thinking Tasmania.

Would really appreciate any thoughts on how you would spend the 10 days!

More information about our trip: We are arriving to Sydney 29 December and staying in Sydney until 4 January (could extend this to spend more time in Sydney/ surrounding areas and then only go to one location on the GBR). We then end our trip by flying out of Sydney 14 January.

Truly, truly appreciate any advice or feedback. We are very much looking forward to returning to our favorite country Australia!
Going to CR on 22 Sep 2017 for 9 days ( knowing well about the rain there). We are planning to take the following route

San Jose - Manuel Antonio ( 1 day trip from Manuel Antonio to Corcovado) - Monteverde - Arenal - San Jose

I read a lot about car rental and driving conditions there. Very few positive feedback on the same and hence am re-considering my car rental idea. Can someone who recently visited CR give their opinion on the following areas? That would be of great help in our planning !

1) For the mentioned itinerary, do we really need to rent a car or can manage with taxis and local transport

2) Is it really unsafe to be on road after sunset?

3) Is it advisable to go on a hike (in all 3 places) with guided tours or is it doable alone?

4) Canopy tours, rafting, horse riding are offerred at all the mentioned places. Is there any preference in particular place over the other? Any other must do activities in the region which I should not miss? Am ok for moderate activites like moderate rafting and zip lining. No to any heart pumping, nerve racking extreme adventures.

5) Do we have to take rain boots as its rainy season there? Is it difficult to manage with regular sneakers?

6) Any must haves which we should not miss for the wet season ( except rain coats and poncho)

7) Am a vegetarian.. any veggie options available there? I can pack few food. But not for all 3 meals.

8) Please feel free to advice me on any important point which I might have missed mentioning about

Thanks!

Edited: 5 years ago
Advice on route for 9day trip from Nagoya-Osaka

Advice on route for 9day trip from Nagoya-Osaka

Hi,

I'm planning a visit to Japan in May 2018.

Read up on tripadvisor forum and got lots of good tips about cities to visit and came up with the below

Day 1 Arrive Nagoya

Day 2 Nagoya

Day 3 Takayama

Day 4 Shirakawago, overnight in Ainokura

Day 5 Kanazawa (worth an overnight stay? or better as day trip enroute somewhere?)

Day 6 Any suggestion?

Day 7 Hiroshima Miyajimacho

Day 8 Osaka

Day 9 Depart Osaka

Appreciate any advice of any other towns or cities to cover, especially for Day 5 and 6.

Appreciate if anyone can advice on the above route is good for using public transport (Train or bus) or whether to switch any destinations around?

Thanks very much
Where to visit between Kyoto and Tokyo for 4-5 days?

Where to visit between Kyoto and Tokyo for 4-5 days?

My wife and I plus our 1 year old will be travelling in through Japan in May next year.

We're going to land in Osaka, then to Nara, then Kyoto. We will be flying out of Toyko Haneda, so we'll have to find our way there from Kyoto.

We've penciled in about 4-5 days to get from Kyoto to the airport. We've been to Tokyo a couple of times so we don't feel the need to visit the city this time.

What are people's recommendations for stops between Kyoto and Tokyo?

We read that Hakone is nice so maybe spend a couple of nights there?

We also thought about going to Fuji but also read that there could be a lot of rain and cloud during the summer months, so we maybe we won't see the mountain?

Nothing is set in stone yet, so we'd love to hear some options! Don't forget we'll be carrying a 1 year old.
Always best to research before booking resorts to find the one that suits you best. Keep in mind it is impossible for resorts to have all your wants. Should you go in April around Easter, know Australia/New Zealand have school holidays. Some resorts are booked solid months in advance then. You can also expect to be overrun with children at resorts popular with families.

We have been lucky to have had good weather on all our vacations during the rainy/cyclone. Had one day of solid rain during a two week stay. There were daily tropical downpours usually in the afternoon sometimes lasting a hour or so, and it sometimes rained at night. Being summer it was hot and very humid. Our timing was good as we left Matangi a few days before Cyclone Tomas hit mid March, 2010.

The outer islands have the postcard soft, white sand beaches, crystal clear blue water, and best snorkeling Fiji is known for. They tend to be smaller, and have a more relaxed Fijian feel that resorts around Nadi or Suva. Resorts in the Yasawa and Mamanuca Island are in the drier region of Fiji. At the very least expect tropical downpours. It is still possible to get a day or more of rain. Many resorts are the only thing on the island. No roads, towns, other resorts, restaurants or bars.

Viwa which is adults only, and has a beautiful, long, soft, white sand beach like Navini is also worth a look.

http://www.viwaislandresort.com/

There are several pluses to Navini. The resort has its own 24/7 transportation to the island so no waiting around for transfers or having to overnight in Nadi on arrival/departure. Will be at the resort in about an hour of landing in Nadi and clearing customs. All daily morning scheduled island, snorkeling, other tours as well as use of kayaks, SUP's, and sea cycles are at no additional cost. There were no children during our stay in February several years ago.

https://www.navinifiji.com.fj/

Some resorts charge in USD, FJD, AUD, or NZD, so do the conversion to USD. The exchange rate to FJD is very good at the moment.

Hope this helps.
As someone who drives this route a lot, I wouldn't take either I-84 or I-95.

Head south from Hartford on I-91 and then follow the signs onto Connecticut 15. That's the start of the parkway system (no trucks). Stay on CT 15 (the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways) into New York State.

I think it would be simpler to park in Lower Manhattan than to deal with the complications of getting to close-in parking locations on the New Jersey side. Use bestparking.com to identify a garage in Lower Manhattan.

Here's how I'd get to the general area:

When you enter NY State, CT 15 becomes the Hutchinson River Parkway. Take that to the Cross County Parkway westbound and take that to the Saw Mill River Parkway/Henry Hudson Parkway southbound. Take the Henry Hudson Parkway across the Henry Hudson Bridge (cashless toll) into upper Manhattan. Stay on the Henry Hudson and it will become a wide local street (West Street) below 57th Street. West Street has decent signage, but you'll need to use Google Maps in advance to know where to turn off West Street for whatever parking garage you'll chose using bestparking.com.

If you have an Illinois I-pass you can use that for the cashless toll. If not and you're driving your own car, they'll just send you a bill.

When you finished your visit use Google Maps for the short drive up to the Holland Tunnel and take that into New Jersey and the NJ Turnpike south.

There will be plenty of traffic on this route but no trucks until you hit West Street. Even with traffic IMO this is the simpler way to get where you're going.
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.

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- A Jubilee MP was almost beaten senseless after he attempted to speak during a funeral attended by NASA leader Raila Odinga

- Kimilili MP Didymus Barasa had to run for safety after youth threatened to lynch him

- The young men shoved him off the dias as others bayed for his blood

- This was during the funeral of father to Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi

A Jubilee MP escaped within inches of his life after youth threatened to lynch him during a funeral service attended by NASA leader Raila Odinga.

Kimilili MP Didymus Barasa was shoved off the dias and was forced to scamper to safety during the incident.

The drama happened during the funeral of father to Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi which took place on Saturday, September 16 in Bungoma County.

Kimilili MP Didymus Barasa was chased from a funeral attended by Raila.Photo:Star.

READ ALSO: Raila attacks French IT firm after it said IEBC servers weren't hacked

Barasa was about to address the mourners when he was heckled in the event largely attended by NASA supporters and their leaders.

As he attempted to force his speech, a group of irate youth rushed into the dias and shoved him off as others bayed for his blood.

The Jubilee legislator had to run for safety even as Raila and top NASA leaders watched in disbelief.

READ ALSO: NASA to unleash 'secret weapon' on Uhuru,IEBC

Raila.He is readying himself for a repeat election with Uhuru.Photo:Raila Odinga/Facebook.

READ ALSO: Elders perform ritual after 300-years-old tree falls in Nakuru

He drove off on top speed amidst jeers from the charged crowd.

Western Kenya is sharply divided between NASA and Jubilee ahead of the repeat election on October 17.

Jubilee won several MP seats in the region which was previously viewed as an Opposition stronghold.

READ ALSO: 27-year-old man marries 70-year-old granny

But Raila and his troop are guarding the votes jealously ahead of the election.

The NASA leaders took the opportunity to hit out at the government ahead of the repeat election between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Moi Girls hero who traded her life for those of other students

Source: TUKO.co.ke
The Mayor of the nation's capital city says the police are working and it is not for him to assess their performance.

This,. as he called on the entire society to work together on getting rid of any perception that crime is an opportunity.
Militants launched 30 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ATO area in Donbas over the past day. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

In Mariupol direction, militants used grenade launchers and heavy machine guns to shell Ukrainian positions outside Vodiane (16km north-west of Donetsk).

In Donetsk direction, Russian-backed militants fired at ATO troops near Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), using mortars and heavy machine guns. Militants also used mortars and grenade launcher to shell Ukrainian positions near Pisky (12km north-west of Donetsk) and Svitlodarsk area.

In Luhansk direction, illegal armed formations launched attacks on Ukrainian troops outside Krymske (42.5km north-west of Luhansk), using mortars, grenade launchers and small arms.

ish
The new OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Desir, is well informed about the cases of Ukrainian journalists who are illegally detained in Russia or in the occupied territories - Roman Sushchenko, Mykola Semena, Stanislav Aseyev, and he will deal with their issues within his mandate.

First Deputy Information Policy Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"I was happy to hear that Mr. Desir knew about these journalists, he clearly called their names. He said that he would deal with these issues," Dzhaparova said.

She added that the OSCE representative promised to do everything possible to improve the situation within the framework of his mandate.

ish
Vienna, Austria (UroToday.com) Dr. Johan Stranne from Sweden provided a thorough discussion of when and how to implement active surveillance at this mornings General Update on Diagnosis and Staging at the EAU Update on Prostate Cancer in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Stranne notes that prostate cancer results in 2.5-6% of male mortalities, resulting in about 1 man in 39 in the US and 1 man in 19 in Sweden; as such, Dr. Stranne reminded the audience that most men die with prostate cancer and not from prostate cancer.Based on the recent reanalysis of the PLCO and ERSPC PSA screening trials [1], after differences in implementation and settings were accounted for, the ERSPC and PLCO provide compatible evidence that screening reduces prostate cancer mortality. Since recent trials have demonstrated no survival benefit for radical prostatectomy in low risk patients (SPCG-4) and only in men with PSA > 10 (PIVOT), Dr. Stranne ponders why over-diagnosis and over-treatment is a problem? He notes that over-diagnosis/treatment is (i) costly, (ii) healthy men get a cancer diagnosis label, and (iii) over-diagnosis results in over-overtreatment, which results in side effects that negatively affect quality of life.What evidence do we have for active surveillance?Dr. Stranne notes that we have 7 high quality cohorts demonstrating excellent cancer-specific (98.1-100%) and overall survival (85-100%) outcomes among men with prostate cancer on active surveillance. Specifically, two of these studies have long-term follow-up. Klotz et al. [2] at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto recently reported median 6.4-year follow-up of 993 patients on active surveillance. Men included were those with Gleason score 6 and PSA <10 ng/mL, as well as men with Gleason 3+4 disease and/or PSA 10-20 ng/mL if the patient had significant comorbidities and life-expectancy <10 years. Overall, there were 15 deaths from prostate cancer and 13 men with metastasis. Intermediate risk patients had higher risk of intervention (HR 1.7, p=0.005) and biochemical recurrence after treatment (HR 2.1, p=0.015). Secondly, the Gothenburg cohort from Sweden had a median follow up from diagnosis of 8.1 years among 457 men on active surveillance, demonstrating a 10-year and 15-year treatment-free survival of 47% and 34%, respectively [3]. Six men died of prostate cancer and none had very low-risk disease.How should we actively survey?As Dr. Stranne remarks, there are many protocols for active surveillance, listing a chart with 17 different protocols that have been described in the literature. The EAU guidelines [4] suggest that men should be followed with a DRE once/year, PSA every six months, and repeat biopsies at a minimum interval of every 3-5 years. Although mpMRI is an important diagnostic tool, including for large prostates and anterior tumors, according to the guidelines, mpMRI cannot be currently used as a stand-alone tool to trigger follow-up biopsies. Importantly, according to Dr. Stranne, it is important that a protocol is followed, regardless of what active surveillance protocol is followed.Dr. Stranne concluded his presentation with several take-home messages, including: (i) active surveillance is safe for men with low-risk prostate cancer, (ii) active surveillance is most likely safe for men with intermediate risk prostate cancer with Gleason 3+4 if Gleason grade 4 is <5% of the total biopsy, and (iii) all patients on active surveillance must be followed in a strict manner.Speaker: Johan Stranne, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenWritten By: Zachary Klaassen, MD, Urologic Oncology Fellow, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Twitter: @zklaassen_md at the EAU - Update on Prostate Cancer, September 15-16, 2017 - Vienna, AustriaReferences:1. Tsodikov A, Gulati R, Heijnskijk EAM, et al. Reconciling the Effects of Screening on Prostate Cancer Mortality in the ERSCP and PLCO trials. Ann Intern Med 2017 Sep 5 [Epub ahead of print].2. Klotz L, Vesprini D, Sethukavalan P, et al. Long-term follow-up of a large active surveillance cohort of patients with prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol 2015;33(3):272-277. 3. Godtman RA, Holmberg E, Khatami A, et al. Long-term results of active surveillance in the Goteborg randomized, population-based prostate cancer screening trial. Eur Urol 2016;70(5):760-766. 4. Mottet N, Bellmunt J, Bolla M, et al. EAU-ESTRO-SIOG Guidelines on Prostate Cancer. Part 1: Screening Diagnosis, and Local Treatment with Curative Intent. Eur Urol 2017;71(4):618-629.
Vienna, Austria (UroToday.com) Dr. Henk Van Der Poel from The Netherlands provided an in depth discussion about what to and what not to do after a diagnosis of prostate cancer at this mornings General Update on Diagnosis and Staging at the EAU Update on Prostate Cancer in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Van Der Poel started by highlighting the known risk factors of prostate cancer, namely age, family history (2.1-2.5x), race (2.3x higher for black men), and inherited genetic traits (2-6x) such as BRCA-2, HOXB13 mutations and Lynch syndrome.Dr. Van Der Poel notes that men at elevated risk of prostate cancer include (i) > 50 years of age or age >45 years with a family history of prostate cancer, (ii) PSA >1 ng/mL at 40 years of age, and (iii) PSA >2 ng/mL at 60 years of age. Men requesting an early diagnosis should be given a PSA test, as well as a digital rectal examination. Certainly, family history can play a important role in risk of diagnosis and death from prostate cancer. The hazard ratio of death from prostate cancer among men with relatives who died of prostate cancer is 2.08 (father), 2.30 (brother), and 6.86 (father and brother) [1]. The EAU guidelines [2] further delineate prostate cancer risk, recommending (prior to biopsy to decrease risk/harm) the use of a prostate cancer risk calculator, and/or an additional serum or urine based test (ie. PHI, PCA3, 4Kscore, etc), and/or imaging. As Dr. Van Der Poel notes, large multicenter studies (MRI-FIRST, PRECISION) are currently ongoing to define the added value of a pre-biopsy MRI in biopsy-naive patients, although at this time it is too early to make recommendations on the routine use of pre-biopsy mpMRI in these patients.Several studies have delineated the approximate risk of significant prostate cancer based on mpMRI PIRADS score: (i) 1-2: 22% risk of significant prostate cancer, (ii) 3: 31% risk of significant prostate cancer, (iii) 4: 48% risk of significant prostate cancer, (iv) 5: 78% risk of significant prostate cancer. The much anticipated PROMIS clinical trial provided further information regarding mpMRI prior to a prostate biopsy [3]. From this study, the NPV of mpMRI was noted to be 89% compared to 74% for TRUS biopsy; the sensitivity for clinically significant prostate cancer (GS  4+3 or 6mm of cancer) was 93% for mpMRI and 48% for TRUS biopsy. Dr. Van Der Poel makes several other observations from the PROMIS study: (i) significant disease remains open for discussion, (ii) there were no MRI targeted biopsies in PROMIS, (iii) only 27% of men did not have PIRADs 3-5 lesions, and (iv) there were significant differences in MRI scanners and radiologists experience. A recent systematic review of the NPV for mpMRI detection of prostate cancer noted a median NPV of 82.4% (IQR 68.7-91.9%) for overall cancer detection, and 88.1% (IQR 82.2-94.7%) for clinically significant prostate cancer [4]. In Dr. Van Der Poels opinion, the impact of cancer prevalence on NPV makes it necessary to risk-stratify patients referred for pre-biopsy mpMRI before mpMRIs NPV can be fully assessed. Furthermore, based on this review, he notes that an unsatisfactory 12% of significant prostate cancer were missed by MRI.Following a negative prostate biopsy, there are several tests that may be implemented prior to repeating a prostate biopsy, namely Progensa, PHI, 4Kscore test, and ConfirmMDX. Dr. Van Der Poel made several important remarks regarding repeat biopsy: (i) suspicious DRE results in a 5-30% cancer risk, (ii) atypical small acinar proliferation results in a 40% cancer risk, (iii) extensive (>3 biopsies) of high-grade PIN results in a 30% cancer risk, (iv) a few atypical glands immediately adjacent to HGPIN results in a ~50% cancer risk, and (v) intraductal carcinoma as a solitary finding results in >90% risk of associated high-grade prostate cancer. Furthermore, the EAU guidelines [2] notes that for repeat biopsy it recommends a mpMRI and subsequent targeting and systematic biopsies if MRI lesions are present.Finally, Dr. Van Der Poel discussed the implications and indications for 68Ga-PSMA-PET scanning in prostate cancer staging. A recent systematic review of 16 studies and 1,309 patients demonstrated a sensitivity/specificity per patient of 86%/86% and sensitivity/specificity per lesion of 80%/97% [5]. Furthermore, PSMA-PETs ability to detect lesions based on PSA level included: 42% at <0.2 ng/mL, 58% at 0.2-1 ng/mL, 76% at 1-2 ng/mL, 95% at >2 ng/mL. According to Dr. Van Der Poel, because of choline PETs low sensitivity (<20%) for detecting nodal metastasis, it has no role for up front imaging, albeit in this space PSMA-PET remains investigational.Dr. Van Der Poel concludes with several take-home messages, notably (i) dont underestimate lethal prostate cancer in the family history, (ii) perform an mpMRI prior to repeat biopsy, (iii) primary mpMRI prior to prostate biopsy is not currently standard of care, and (iv) although interesting and with exciting initial results, PSMA-PET is still investigational.Speaker: Henk Van Der Poel, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsWritten By: Zachary Klaassen, MD, Urologic Oncology Fellow, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Twitter: @zklaassen_md at the EAU - Update on Prostate Cancer, September 15-16, 2017- Vienna, AustriaReferences:1. Brandt A, Bermejo JL, Sundquist J, et al. Age-specific risk of incident prostate cancer and risk of death from prostate cancer defined by the number of affected family members. Eur Urol 2010;58(2):275-280.2. Mottet N, Bellmunt J, Bolla M, et al. EAU-ESTRO-SIOG Guidelines on Prostate Cancer. Part 1: Screening Diagnosis, and Local Treatment with Curative Intent. Eur Urol 2017;71(4):618-629. 3. Ahmed HU, El-Shater Bosaily A, Brown LC, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of multi-parametric MRI and TRUS biopsy in prostate cancer (PROMIS): A paired validating confirmatory study. Lancet 2017;389(10071):815-822.4. Moldovan PC, Van Den Broeck T, et al. What is the negative predictive value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in excluding prostate cancer at biopsy? A systematic review and meta-analysis from the European Association of Urology Prostate Cancer Guidelines Panel. Eur Urol 2017;72(2):250-266.5. Perera M, Papa N, Christidis D, et al. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictors of positive 68Ga-Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography in advanced prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Urol 2016;70(6):926-937.
Vienna, Austria (UroToday.com) Dr. Vincenzo Scattoni from Italy and Dr. Mark Emberton from the UK provided a series of cases and in-depth discussions at the EAU Update on prostate cancer, specifically assessing fusion and systematic prostate biopsies.This was a 57-year-old male with lower urinary tract symptoms, PSA of 6.7 ng/mL (1.8 ng/mL two years prior), no family history of prostate cancer and a negative DRE. Dr. Scattoni notes at this point that currently there is no role for antibiotic treatment in these individuals, and is not recommended by current guidelines. Based on the NCCN guidelines, a reasonable next step is to repeat a PSA or proceed to with a TRUS biopsy, which should include an extended pattern (12 cores), including sampling of the lateral peripheral zones and lesion-directed targets whether this is by digital palpation or suspicious imaging.This gentleman was 71 years old with a PSA of 7.1 ng/mL with no family history and negative DRE. His transrectal ultrasound demonstrated a 110-gram prostate with a hyperechoic lesion on the right lobe. Dr. Scattoni then lead a discussion regarding the feasibility of ultrasound imaging, specifically highlighting the PROMIS trial [1], which showed that mpMRI was more accurate in terms of sensitivity (93% vs 48%) and NPV (89% vs 74%), while TRUS-biopsy was more accurate in terms of specificity (96% vs 41%) and PPV (90% vs 51%). Further analysis of this data has implications for the introduction of mpMRI as a triage test to the standard pathway of TRUS-biopsy: in the worst-case scenario, there would be a 5% decrease in over-diagnosis and similar diagnostic accuracy compared to TRUS-biopsy. In the best-case scenario, assuming similar MRI-directed TRUS-biopsy diagnostic accuracy as transperineal mapping biopsy, we would observe an increased rate of over-diagnosis of 5%, but an increased significant cancer detection rate of 18% compared to the standard TRUS-biopsy pathway. For both scenarios, 27% of men would avoid a primary biopsy.This man was 58-years-of-age, with a PSA of 5.1 ng/mL and free-total ratio of 12%, a negative DRE, and a family history of prostate cancer. His initial 12-core biopsy showed one focus of HGPIN and subsequent PSA 8 months later was 8.4 ng/mL with a free-total ratio of 16%. His prostate volume was 40cc and an mpMRI showed a PIRADS 1-2 lesion. Dr. Scattoni notes that the EAU guidelines [2] recommend a repeat biopsy after a negative biopsy for: (i) rising and/or persistently elevated PSA, or (ii) suspicious DRE, or (iii) atypical small acinar proliferation, or (iv) extensive HGPIN, or (v) a few atypical glands immediately adjacent to HGPIN.Dr. Emberton then started his part of the session by highlighting that the elements that determine detection rate for clinically significant prostate cancer include the PIRADS score and number of positive cores to the target. Furthermore, in a study from his institution, Dr. Emberton notes that transperineal MRI targeted biopsy detects the same level of clinically significant, but statistically significant less clinically insignificant prostate cancer [3]. Additionally, their group has also demonstrated that transperineal targeted biopsies are safe and feasible under local anesthesia, including a zero-sepsis rate and 1% urinary retention rate [4]. Perhaps the greatest ringing endorsement for this approach is that 89% of the 181 patients would recommend this technique to a friend.This patient had a PSA of 6.1 ng/mL, PSA density of 0.20, and no previous prostate biopsy. He underwent an mpMRI that demonstrated a PIRADS 5 lesion tight to the peripheral zone. For this case, Dr. Emberton planned a cognitive MRI-guided transperineal biopsy using anatomical fiducials. Dr. Emberton notes that by cognitively assessing the tumor location in relation to the urethra and transitional zone he is able to make multiple passes at different locations through the tumor, thus producing a quantitative representation of tumor pathology. A recent study [5] of 594 lesions from 482 men compared target MRI in-gantry to cognitive target transperineal or transrectal guided prostate biopsies with PIRADS 3-5 MRI lesions. Importantly, the authors found no significant difference in biopsy methods with regards to all prostate cancer detection and clinically significant prostate cancer. Identification of an abnormal lesion on mpMRI appears to be more important in increasing the detection of prostate cancer than the technique used to biopsy the MRI abnormality.Speaker: Mark Emberton, University College London, London, UK; Vincenzo Scattoni, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, ItalyWritten By: Zachary Klaassen, MD, Urologic Oncology Fellow, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Twitter: @zklaassen_md at the EAU - Update on Prostate Cancer  September 15-16, 2017 September 15-16, 2017 - Vienna, AustriaReferences:1. Ahmed HU, El-Shater Bosaily A, Brown LC, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of multi-parametric MRI and TRUS biopsy in prostate cancer (PROMIS): A paired validating confirmatory study. Lancet 2017;389(10071):815-822.2. Mottet N, Bellmunt J, Bolla M, et al. EAU-ESTRO-SIOG Guidelines on Prostate Cancer. Part 1: Screening Diagnosis, and Local Treatment with Curative Intent. Eur Urol 2017;71(4):618-629. 3. Kasivisvanathan V, Dufour R, Moore CM, et al. Transperineal magnetic resonance image targeted prostate biopsy versus transperineal template prostate biopsy in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. J Urol 2013;189(3):860-866. 4. Bass Ej, Donaldson IA, Freeman A, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging targeted transperineal prostate biopsy: A local anesthetic approach. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2017;20(3):311-317.5. Yaxley AJ, Yaxley JW, Thangasamy IA, et al. Comparison between target magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in-gantry and cognitively directed transperineal or transrectal-guided prostate biopsies for Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3-5 MRI lesions. BJU Int 2017 Jul 27 [Epub ahead of print].
U.N. and international agencies report the mass exodus of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar appears unstoppable as nearly 400,000 have arrived in Bangladesh in the last three weeks.

Aid agencies are increasing assistance operations in response to the ever-worsening crisis. Chris Lom is the International Organization for Migration's senior communications officer. Lom says there is no sign the flow of desperate people arriving in Bangladesh from Myanmar will end soon.

Speaking by telephone from Coxs Bazar, Lom says smoke from burning villages in Myanmars northern Rakhine state is still visible. He says thousands of people who have escaped are believed to be waiting for boats to ferry them to Coxs Bazar.

He says many of the people on the move are heading toward a large new government area being set aside for the refugees, but, he adds about half of the 400,000 are living alongside the road, on wastelands or on hills in horrible conditions.

They really have nothing. A lot of them are very exhausted," said Lom. "They are hungry. They are often traumatized because they have seen terrible things on the other side of the border and most importantly, they have no access to things like clean water. So, people are going to get very sick, very quickly.

The U.N. Childrens Fund reports youngsters account for 240,000 of the Rakhine refugees. To try to head off the spread of killer diseases, UNICEF and the World Health Organization are starting a vaccine campaign against measles and polio on Saturday.

The agencies hope to vaccinate about 150,000 children between the ages of six months and 15 years. The campaign will include deworming and provide vitamin A supplements, which prevent blindness in children with measles.
Al-Shabab militants have attacked another key town near the border with Kenya, continuing their recent escalation of attacks against government institutions.

Residents in El-Wak say Al-Shabab fighters entered the town after a brief gunfight with a small number of local security forces who then escaped across Somalias border with Kenya.

The militants have detonated explosives at the towns police station, but casualties are not yet known.

Storage facility, aid agencies raided

One resident says the militants were patrolling in the neighborhoods early in the morning and he saw the heavy armed fighters through his window.

He said several battle wagons carrying militias were also present in the streets.

A second resident said Al-Shabab militants raided a storage facility owned by a local aid organization. The militants have loaded Plumpynut and other aid items onto a truck, he said.

Militants have raided the offices of two more local aid agencies seizing an ambulance and computers.

Residents say Al-Shabab militants then left the town on their own without a fight. One resident said one of the Al-Shabab commanders lectured the residents for over an hour.

Casualties are not yet known

El-Wak is on the border with Kenya and is a key transit point for Kenya military convoys carrying supplies to forces serving as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia known as AMISOM.

Early in the morning suspected Kenya military jet fighters flew over the town but did not drop any bombs, residents said. However Al-Shabab fighters fired what appeared to be Russian made Zu anti-aircraft guns, which are widely available in Somalia.

On Sept. 3, Al-Shabab fighters raided a Somali military camp in the town of Bulogudud, 30 kilometers north of Kismayo, killing seven soldiers. On Sept. 11, a similar attack was carried out on Beled Hawo town also near the border with Kenya killing 16 people including 14 soldiers.
At least six people were killed and eight others wounded Saturday when rival Somali government forces clashed in the capital, Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said.

We have the dead bodies of at least six people and eight injured civilians have been so far admitted at our facility, said Dr. Mohamed Yusuf, the director-general of the citys main Madina Hospital.

Clashes erupted when Mogadishus Stabilization Security Unit clashed with a military unit based in the citys Industrial Road in Hodan neighborhood.

Sounds of gunfire awakened the residents of the Hanta-Dheer area.

It started with sporadic gun shots just before dawn prayer, and then it escalated into heavy gunfire. When I came out of the house as the day wore on, the gunfire died down. I saw the dead bodies of at least three soldiers, said Hashi Hirey, a resident of the neighborhood.

It is not clear if those three dead soldiers included the bodies that were taken to the hospital.

Another resident, Ali Hassan, said It was around 3 p.m. local time when we heard the first gunfire. I was shocked and ducked under my bed, hearing the loud gunshots being fired. We didnt know it was rival government soldiers clashing. I got suspicious about some terror attack, so we were alert."

Later in the morning more government soldiers were deployed into the area and security officials were sent to go between the rival troops. What triggered the clash between the troops is still unclear.

Somalias defense minister, Abdurashid Abdullahi Mohamed, contacted by the VOA Somali Service, declined to give details, saying he was in a meeting with his top security officials on the matter and that he would give details later.

The intensity of the gunfire used during the clash forced residents in the neighborhood to flee to other parts of the city, where children and women carrying their belongings were seen arriving.

Another resident, Mohamed Nur Barre, said, They were using anti-aircraft machine guns and other heavy weaponry. In recent years, we only witnessed explosions and suicide attacks by the al-Shabab militants, but such heavy gunfire in residential neighborhoods reminded us when the militants were fighting in Mogadishu in 2010, that forced us to flee.

Somalia has been without a functioning central authority since the 1991 ousting of strongman Mohamed Siad Barre. Subsequent governments have not been able to maintain control.

Meanwhile, as government soldiers were clashing in Mogadishu, al-Shabab militants were attacking a key town near the border with Kenya.

Speaking to VOA Somali service, the district commissioner of El-Wak town in the Gedo region, Ibrahim Guuleed Aden, said al-Shabab fighters entered the town and left after looting some properties.

They attacked the town at dawn and briefly held as the troops retreated to the outskirt. They looted a storage facility owned by a local aid organization before they withdraw, said Aden.

He said the attack caused no casualties.

El-Wak is on the border with Kenya, and it is a key transit point for Kenya military convoys carrying supplies to forces serving as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia known as AMISOM.

Hassan Qoyste contributed to this report.
The Bangladesh government plans to construct a large camp to house some 400,000 Rohingya Muslims who have poured in from neighboring Myanmar over the past three weeks, officials said.

Authorities said 14,000 shelters, each able to accommodate six families, will be built over the next 10 days on an eight square kilometer site near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

The government said the movement of the settlement's refugees would be restricted.

"The Royingya refugees won't be allowed to go outside the camp," Bangladeshi Minister of Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan said on September 10. They will also be prohibited from traveling by vehicle in Bangladesh.

The camp, which will be built with the help of the Bangladesh military and international aid groups, is in response to an unprecedented exodus that was sparked by attacks on August 25 carried out by Rohingya militants on a Myanmar army base and police posts.

The Myanmar military responded to the attacks with extrajudicial murders, rapes, village torchings and other acts of violence, according to global rights groups and survivors.

The United Nations recently described Myanmar's actions as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

Rohingya Muslims have for decades faced persecution and discrimination in majority Buddhist Myanmar. They are not allowed citizenship, although many families have lived there for generations.

The Myanmar government has maintained that hundreds of Rohingya Muslims, mostly "terrorists," have died, and that 176 out of 471 Rohingya villages have been deserted.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other rights groups said evidence shows that Myanmar military forces systematically targeted and torched Rohingya villages over the last three weeks.

Without offering proof, Myanmar has contended that Rohingya insurgents and departing villagers destroyed their own villages.

U.N. agencies are concerned that continued violence in Myanmar may eventually force up to 1 million Rohyngya into Bangladesh, a poor country that is already overpopulated.
Former White House chief strategist and Breitbart editor Steve Bannon has been invited to speak at the University of California-Berkeleys Free Speech Week at the end of September.

Bannon was invited by the event organizer, the Berkeley Patriot, a conservative student group.

This year, the campus has become engulfed in protests over planned speeches by conservative commentators and has struggling to ensure security. This week, the school said it spent $600,000 on security measures, deploying scores of extra police to protect a speech by Ben Shapiro, a conservative writer.

Next week could see even bigger security measures.

Speakers denounce restrictions

Conservative commentators Milo Yiannopoulos, Ann Coulter and Steve Bannon are expected to speak during four days of events marking Free Speech Week.

Universities have struggled over how to ensure security at such contentious events, in some cases canceling them after worries that police were not equipped to handle angry crowds. The issue is especially potent at Berkeley, a school is famous for its role in free-speech protests in the 1960s that turned student protests into national debates.

Some conservatives see the focus on security as a way to restrict speech.

The greatest threat to your future, the greatest risk to the American republic, is from the unprecedented assault on free speech committed by the media, Silicon Valley, politicians, Hollywood producers and the Academy, Yiannopoulos announced on his YouTube page.

Berkeleys policy is not to deny any student group their choice of speaker. However the universitys student newspaper Daily Californian reported Tuesday that the school had yet to receive confirmation on when and where Bannon will speak.

The school also has not received the necessary contract filing from the Berkeley Patriot, specifying the event and security needed, according to university spokesperson Dan Mogulof.

He said the police cant do their job without the information that they rely on. The Berkeley Patriot said all but one document of the paperwork has been filed.

As of Friday evening, the university had not indicated if the event had made the required deadline.

Security worries

Berkeley requires the on-campus organization to submit a contract eight weeks before the event. Mogulof said the university gave the Berkeley Patriot an extension, but the contract needed to be submitted by late Friday afternoon.

Theyve missed every single deadline and time is running out, Mogulof said.

In February, the Berkeley campus erupted in protests the night Yiannopoulos was scheduled to speak at an event hosted by the schools College Republicans. While Yiannopoulos campus speeches drew protests at other universities, the February incident at UC-Berkeley turned violent.

Groups such as antifa (short for anti-fascist) and other left-wing protesters looted Berkeleys streets in the hilly city outside of San Francisco.

What happened around the Yiannopoulos event was unprecedented, Mogulof said.

The incident got so much coverage, President Donald Trump weighed in on Twitter.

If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view - NO FEDERAL FUNDS? the president tweeted.

Our police department did a comprehensive review and has adapted accordingly, Mogulof said, We want these students to have a safe and successful event.

He said campus police will stop people wearing masks and arrest anybody who refuses to take them off.

Tolerating offensive speech

Conservatives are not the only ones who have been silenced by Berkeley in recent years. In 2014, liberal talk-show host Bill Maher was uninvited from giving the commencement speech at universitys December graduation. The Berkeley administration did not honor that vote and Maher delivered the speech at the December graduation.

The UC Berkeley administration cannot and will not accept this decision, which appears to have been based solely on Mr. Mahers opinions and beliefs, which he conveyed through constitutionally protected speech, the school said in a statement to CNN in October 2014.

The law is extremely clear, that these speakers are protected by the First Amendment. They have every right to be here, Mogulof said, We have no discretion and we want no discretion when it comes to the First Amendment.

In February, Yiannopoulos appearance on campus ignited violence between supporters and counter-demonstrators. Faculty members sent a letter to then-Chancellor Nicholas Dirks, asking him to cancel Yiannopoulos event.

We support both freedom of speech and academic freedom on campus and realize that controversial views must be tolerated in any campus community dedicated to open debate and opposed to censorship, the letter stated.

Although we object strenuously to Yiannopoulos views he advocates white supremacy, transphobia, and misogyny  it is rather his harmful conduct to which we call attention in asking for the cancellation of this event.

The university canceled the event, citing safety concerns.

With news of the appearance of Bannon and others, 132 UC Berkeley faculty members have called to boycott classes and other campus activities during Free Speech Week.

UC Berkeleys Chancellor Carol Christ advocates varied voices on campus and says she is tolerant to peaceful protests.

If you choose to protest, do so peacefully. That is your right, and we will defend it with vigor. We will not tolerate violence, and we will hold anyone accountable who engages in it.
California lawmakers have approved a bill to make the most populous U.S. state a sanctuary state for immigrants who do not have legal residency.

The measure would ban police from asking for the immigration status of people who have been arrested. It also would limit police cooperation with immigration officers.

Governor Jerry Brown says he supports the move that will boost immigrant protections in the state.

Donald Trump promised during his presidential campaign to crack down on undocumented immigrants and to launch an extensive deportation program.

California Senate leader Kevin de Leon said the bill will prevent local police from becoming "cogs in the Trump deportation machine."

Provisions in the bill, however, will allow local and state enforcement officials to share information with federal immigration authorities if a person has been convicted of one or more of 800 crimes.

The governor of Illinois signed a bill last month protecting people from being detained simply because of their immigration status or because they are the subject of an immigration-related warrant.
A resolution condemning white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other hate groups has been approved by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, who faced criticism over his response to violence that erupted at a white nationalist rally last month in Charlottesville, Virginia.

A 32-year-old woman, Heather Heyer, was killed and 19 others were injured when a car allegedly driven by a white supremacist slammed into a crowd. Two state police officers who were observing the protests were killed in a helicopter crash.

The protest, over plans to remove a statue of a Confederate general, has led to renewed debate in many U.S. states on whether to get rid of Civil War monuments that to some symbolize pride and part of American history, but to others are a festering symbol of racism.

WATCH: Passions Run High on all Sides as US Monuments are Removed

Facing the reality

Independent historian Kevin Levin, who spoke with VOA via Skype, had this view: I think more people are looking at those monuments and memorials and sort of facing the reality for which they were willing to give their lives, and that was the creation of an independent slave-holding nation.

Ernie Williams, a Virginia resident, said of the monuments, Everybodys wanting to take them down. I dont see why. It is not racial. There is nothing racial about it. It was a civil war.

Its important to keep in mind the act of memorializing itself involved erasing history, so when you are looking at these Confederate monuments, sure they celebrate a very narrow understanding in many cases a very distorted, mythologized understanding of the past, but theres also a lot of that history thats pushed aside entirely, Levin added.

In the end, it is up to communities as a whole to decide what they would like to do with the monuments, Levin said.

At the time when most of them went up, roughly between 1890 and 1940, we are talking pretty much only the white community in many of these southern towns and cities were involved, he said. So in 2017, its perfectly appropriate that these questions on whether the monuments should be removed or relocated should also be decided by the local community.

Arguments on both sides

Virginia attorney Barry Proctor said of the issue, What I would hate to see is a knee-jerk reaction to a topic that needs to be discussed at length. Its a question [of] are we remembering our history or are we memorializing a cause which would have been human slavery and states rights.

While the debate continues, passions run high on all sides.

Washington, D.C., is home to dozens of monuments to the nations wars and those who fought them. Millions of people visit the capital city each year to visit these museums and memorials. On a recent day, several people in the downtown area had this to say about the issue of removing Confederate monuments.

Generally, I think Confederate statues should be taken down, Bruce Andersen told VOA. I think the victors get to write history and the Union won the war. So as American citizens, all these rebels should be relegated to the dustbin of history.

Thomas Arzu feels differently.

Its history and it needs to stay as a reminder of the atrocities that have taken place in the past. If you take the statues down, the younger generation will not have any concept or understanding of what it represented, he said.

For Loretta Turner, the issue is not really about whether the monuments should stay or go but, it really is about what is it that drives us to the racial behavior that makes us hate other people who are not like us. So once we get to the heart of that, I think we can resolve the issue because changing the monuments, taking them down or putting them up is not going to change who you are inside, she said.

US monuments

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks U.S. hate groups, a recent study identifies about 1,500 symbols of the Confederacy across the United States, including 718 monuments and statues.

Last week, Washingtons National Cathedral removed stained-glass windows that depicted Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas Stonewall Jackson.

We have been looking at the reality of the windows and doing the larger work of trying to deal with the issues that lie at the heart of many of these monuments, which is the issue of race and slavery, the legacy of slavery in our country and racial reconciliation, the Rev. Randolph Hollerith, dean of the Cathedral, said.

Hollerith said the process started two years ago after the massacre at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina, where nine people died at the hands of white supremacist Dylann Roof.

The recent events in Charlottesville have changed the discussion in some ways and we cant help but be responsive to those events going on as well, Hollerith added.

Some say, however, that removing the monuments is like erasing history.

In the wake of the Charlottesville riot, President Trump made divisive remarks, which drew criticism from bipartisan lawmakers, business leaders and his own advisers.

On Thursday, Trump reiterated those remarks, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that he told Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, in a one-on-one meeting that you have some pretty bad dudes opposing white nationalists.

Trump invited Scott, the only African-American Republican in the Senate, to the meeting Wednesday in what the White House reportedly called a demonstration of his commitment to positive race relations.

Trump said he told Scott that violence by some in the so-called antifa movement  far-left groups that oppose white nationalists  justified his remarks condemning both sides for the Charlottesville violence.

Later Thursday, the White House released a statement saying the president had signed a resolution that condemned white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other hate groups, and urged his administration to speak out against such groups.
Congolese security troops killed at least 36 Burundian refugees and injured more than 100 others during confrontations Friday over plans to return some of the refugees to their home country, officials and local activists said.

Soldiers and police opened fire as the refugees tried to free some of their compatriots in Kamanyola, a town in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo near the Burundi border.

The troops attempted to disperse the refugees by "firing in the air but were overwhelmed" when the group began throwing stones, according to Interior Ministry official Josue Boji.

Eyewitness Alfred Rukungo said the soldiers continued shooting into the crowd even after some refugees were wounded.

Congo-based U.N. communications official Florence Marchal confirmed the deaths and said the Congolese government, the U.N. refugee agency and the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo "have deployed teams on-site to shed light on everything that happened."

A statement by released by the U.N. Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) said at least 117 others had been wounded and that the death toll was likely to rise.

Maman Sidikou, head of MONUSCO, called on authorities to quickly investigate the incident.

"I am deeply shocked with the large number of civilian victims that were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to seek protection and I condemn all kinds of violence between communities," Sidikou said.

Burundi Foreign Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe asked Congo and the U.N. on Twitter for an explanation of the shootings.

The U.N. refugee agency issued a statement expressing shock and sadness over the deaths, and it called for an investigation. The UNHCR said it and its partners had sent teams to Kamanyola, including medical staff, to treat the injured.

"While the precise circumstances are not yet clear, reports indicate that in the course of a confrontation with Burundian demonstrators, Congolese security forces opened fire on the crowd. Initial reports suggest over 30 dead and more than one hundred left injured," the UNHCR statement said.

More than 400,000 refugees from Burundi have fled to neighboring Congo since 2015 to escape political violence sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's successful but disputed bid to win a third term in office.
An Egyptian court has sentenced seven people to death over links to the so-called Islamic State group in Libya.

Saturday's ruling refers the case to the Grand Mufti, the country's top theological authority, to solicit his non-binding opinion on the sentences. The referral is a formality in cases of capital punishment.

The court has set a Nov. 25 date for issuing the final verdict in the case, which involves 20 defendants.

The verdict is subject to appeal.

Charges include belonging to a militant group affiliated with IS branch in Libya, weapons possession, inciting violence and participating in the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian workers in Libya in 2015.
Iceland's nine-month-old, center-right government collapsed Friday after a small coalition member quit and the country's prime minister called for a new election as soon as possible, according to Icelandic media.

The centrist Bright Future Party quit over an attempt by the prime minister's father to help clear a convicted pedophile's name. It said in a Facebook post that there was a serious breach of trust behind its departure.

Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson took office in January with his Independence Party, the Reform Party and the centrists.

Together the three parties held the slimmest of majorities  32 of the 63 seats in parliament following the Oct. 29 election, which was called after the former prime minister resigned amid protests over his offshore holdings that were revealed in the Panama Papers leak.

The Bright Future party has four seats in Iceland's parliament, the Althingi.

Benediktsson's father, Benedikt Sveinsson, had helped a convicted child molester apply for a clause within Iceland's judicial system allowing a person who has served their sentence for a serious crime to restore their honor and seek employment again.

In 2004, Hjalti Sigurjon Hauksson was convicted of raping his stepdaughter almost every day for 12 years and was sentenced to five years in prison.

When it came out that some government members, including its head, had kept information from the public about a letter seeking to expurge Hauksson's record, the Bright Future party said it was quitting.

Benediktsson is a former finance minister who was also named in the Panama Papers as having held a stake in a Seychelles-based investment company.

Iceland is a wind-lashed volcanic island near the Arctic Circle with a population of 320,000. The country suffered through years of economic upheaval after its debt-swollen banks collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis but now is experiencing a tremendous surge in tourism by those eager to see its pristine glaciers, fjords and waterfalls and the Northern Lights.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions can't follow through  at least for now  with his threat to withhold public safety grant money to Chicago and other so-called sanctuary cities for refusing to impose new tough immigration policies, a judge ruled Friday in a legal defeat for the Trump administration.

In what is at least a temporary victory for cities that have defied Sessions, U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber ruled that the Justice Department could not impose the requirements.



He said the city had shown a likelihood of success in arguing that Sessions exceeded his authority with the new conditions. Among them are requirements that cities notify immigration agents when someone in the country illegally is about to be released from local jails and to allow agents access to the jails.

Victory for cities

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the ruling a victory for cities, counties and states nationwide and a clear statement that the Trump administration is wrong.



It means essential resources for public safety will not come with unlawful strings attached, and the Trump justice department cannot continue to coerce us into violating and abandoning our values, Emanuel said.



The city had asked the judge for a nationwide temporary injunction this week, asking the judge not to allow the Justice Department to impose the requirements until the city's lawsuit against the department plays out in court.



City officials have said such a ruling would prevent the Justice Department from withholding what are called Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to the cities based on their refusal to take the steps Sessions ordered.

$35 million in grants at stake



Chicago has applied for $2.2 million in the federal grant money  $1.5 million for the city and the rest for Cook County and 10 other suburbs. But in a recent court hearing, attorneys representing the city said that more than 30 other jurisdictions across the United States filed court briefs supporting Chicago's lawsuit and have up to $35 million in grants at stake. At least seven cities and counties, including Seattle and San Francisco, as well as the state of California, are refusing to cooperate with the new federal rules.



Though the $1.5 million is just a tiny fraction of the city's budget, the ruling could be a major victory for a city that has been in a public fight with Sessions. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said the city would not be blackmailed into changing its values as a city welcoming of immigrants, and Sessions responded that the Trump administration would not simply give away grant money to city governments that proudly violate the rule of law and protect criminal aliens at the expense of public safety.

The city argued that it would suffer irreparable harm if it lost the funds that are earmarked to expand the city's use of ShotSpotter technology to detect when someone fires a gun. And it has made a similar argument if the city were to follow the new requirements. Doing so, Emanuel said Friday, would drive a wedge of distrust between the immigrant community and the police force, which needs that community to trust police enough to come forward to report crimes and help officers solve them.



The judge agreed, saying, The harm to the City's relationship with the immigrant community if it should accede to the conditions is irreparable, wrote the judge.

Another defeat for Sessions



The ruling is another blow to Sessions, a longtime champion of tougher immigration laws. Earlier this month, Sessions announced that the administration would end a program that protects young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children or came with families who overstayed their visas. Trump later announced he was working on an agreement to protect them.

Whether or not the ruling means that Leinenweber will ultimately decide in favor of the city is unclear, but he did make clear the city has a good case.



During a hearing, Ron Safer, an attorney representing the city, said that if the Justice Department prevailed, it could use the same argument to seize even more authority to tie grant money to doing what he wants.

On Friday afternoon, Emanuel declined to speculate on whether the Trump administration would find another rationale to deny the city the grant  something that has never happened. Nor would he say if he thought that the administration would find another way to punish the city, such as pull the 20 Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents that were recently assigned to the city this year as part of a new Chicago Crime Gun Strike Force.
President Donald Trump's inaugural committee raised an unprecedented $107 million for a ceremony that officials promised would be "workmanlike," and the committee pledged to give leftover funds to charity.

Nearly eight months later, the group has helped pay for redecorating at the White House and the vice president's residence in Washington.

But nothing has yet gone to charity.

What is left from the massive fundraising is a mystery, clouded by messy and, at times, budget-busting management of a private fund that requires little public disclosure.

The Associated Press spoke with eight people  vendors, donors and Trump associates  involved in planning and political fundraising for the celebration, an event that provides an early look at the new president's management style and priorities. The people described a chaotic process marked by last-minute decisions, staffing turnover and little financial oversight.

Among the head-scratching line items was the pre-inaugural Lincoln Memorial concert, which came with a $25 million price tag, according to four of the people. The price dwarfs a similar event staged eight years earlier for Barack Obama's first inauguration. One person familiar with the committee's thinking said the $25 million included broadcasting costs and other events, complicating an apples-to-apples comparison with past inaugural concert expenses.

Other people familiar with the committee's activities before and after the inauguration said its efforts were hobbled by a shortage of staff with relevant experience.

Books closed, per usual

Tom Barrack, chairman of the private Presidential Inaugural Committee, and other former committee officials said the inauguration was a great success but declined to answer detailed questions from AP about how money was spent. Barrack said that keeping the books closed was no different from any past inauguration.

In a recent statement, Barrack said the committee's donations to charity "surely will exceed any previous inauguration," but will have to wait until the end of November, when he said the committee will publicly disclose details about its finances.

Barrack told the AP in June that "a full and clean external audit has been conducted and completed" of the inaugural committee's finances, though the committee would not share a copy with AP or say who performed it.

Two Trump associates familiar with efforts to sort out the financing said they were unaware of a completed third-party audit. Three people said the delay in doling out leftover money comes amid ongoing confusion about how much is left after the January 20 celebration.

The people spoke only on condition of anonymity in order to reveal details about private conversations.

Leaders of previous inaugurations expressed surprise at the slow timeline. They say they had a general handle on their finances  and had already started giving money away  within three months of Inauguration Day, though formally closing down the committees took many months longer.

"The thing about inaugural expenses, they're not complicated," said Steve Kerrigan, head of Obama's 2013 inaugural committee. "You take money in, you pay it out, and then you know what you're left with when it's done."

Because inauguration funds are private money, there are few limits on how leftover money can be used. Previous administrations have used it to supplement budgets for work on the White House residence or events like the annual Easter Egg Roll.

Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for first lady Melania Trump, confirmed Trump has continued the practice of using some leftover inauguration funds for renovations to the White House and Naval Observatory, home of the vice president. She declined to disclose the amounts spent on those projects.

Bold promises

Trump has a history of making bold charitable promises  with slow follow through.

In January 2016, he held a high-profile fundraiser for veterans' causes, but it took him four months to follow through on his pledge to donate $1 million of his own money. During the campaign, Trump's longtime personal foundation came under fire for its use of other people's money to fund his charitable pledge.

Trump's inaugural committee was aggressive in its fundraising.

While both Obama and President George W. Bush both limited the size of individual and corporate donations. Trump's committee allowed unlimited individual donations and corporate donations of up to $1 million. The group took $5 million from casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and millions more from business giants including Boeing, AT&T and Reynolds American.

The committee's total haul of $107 million was nearly twice that of Obama's inauguration in 2009.

"Our ability to raise more private funding than any inaugural committee before is a tribute to the generosity of the American people and their excitement to 'make America great again,' " Barrack told the AP in a statement this month.

Even as Trump's inaugural committee ramped up fundraising, however, its planning goals remained modest. On December 29, spokesman Boris Epshteyn told Breitbart News the planners would avoid pomp and circumstance.

"This is not a coronation," he said, noting Trump would have only three inaugural balls  unlike the eight to 14 at the inaugurations of Bill Clinton, Bush and Obama.

But the spending got out of hand, according to vendors and others involved with the planning.

"They blew out their budgets on so many things," said one person in the events industry who requested anonymity in order to preserve professional relationships.

The committee got a late start, according to people in the events industry and Trump associates. That guaranteed the work would be rushed and done at higher cost.

A second major problem, according to people involved in the work, was that the committee failed to hire employees with past inauguration planning experience. Among the lead figures overseeing inaugural events, these people said, was Stephanie Wiston Wolkoff, a longtime friend of Melania Trump and high-end events planner in New York. Wolkoff referred questions from the AP to Barrack and the inaugural committee.

TV quality production

A final factor in the events' high costs, said people who worked on the inauguration, was planners' relentless focus on ensuring TV quality production for nearly every detail  even ones that were unlikely to be televised. Broadcasting is "what threw the budgets out the window," said one person who worked on the inauguration.

Perhaps nowhere did the spending mount as quickly as for Trump's "Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration."

The opening concert featuring Toby Keith and Three Doors Down was broadly similar to concerts put on for Obama in 2009 and Bush in 2005  except for the cost and size.

Bush's inaugural committee spent $2.5 million on its concert on the National Mall. Obama's concert had 10,000 ticketed seats  twice the size of Trump's  and cost less than $5 million, said Kerrigan, and was produced at a high enough level that HBO paid for the rights to telecast it.

"I couldn't tell you how we possibly could have spent $25 million on a concert," said Kerrigan.

Greg Jenkins, the executive director of Bush's second inauguration, reviewed the Bush committee's budget to see how much it had spent on an opening event and concert. He said he'd received a clear directive from the president-elect: "Don't raise a lot more than you need. Don't go crazy."

"President Trump's inaugural committee was an unparalleled success," Alex Stroman, a former spokesman for the inaugural committee, wrote to the AP in June, saying it would be irresponsible to rely on "uninformed anonymous sources" for information about the inaugural committee's finances.
British police say that they have arrested a second suspect in connection with the bombing of a subway train in London.

The police said in a statement they arrested a 21-year-old man in the west London suburb of Hounslow, which is home to Londons Heathrow Airport, just before midnight Saturday. He was arrested under Britains Terrorism Act.

Earlier Saturday, another suspect, an 18-year-old man was arrested in the port area of Dover, a major ferry terminal for travel between Britain and France.

He was arrested on the suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Basu said in a Saturday news conference.

WATCH: Scotland Yard Official: 121 Witnesses to Attack Identified

Basu said the first arrest was significant. Following that arrest, police evacuated the Dover port and a suburban London neighborhood as they searched a nearby house.

Residents of the Sunbury neighborhood say the house that was searched is occupied by an elderly couple, Penelope and Ronald Jones, who have taken care of foster children for decades. Queen Elizabeth honored them for their efforts in 2010.

Basu said a number of items were recovered from the Dover terminal, without giving further details.

WATCH: Police Manhunt Following Terror Attack on London Underground

We are still pursuing numerous lines of inquiry, and at a great pace, Basu said. Our priorities ... are to identify and locate any other suspects, he added.

Earlier Saturday London Transport authorities said they have re-opened the Parsons Green station where the bomb on a train partially detonated.

Images of the bomb posted on social media appear to show a bucket on fire that had been placed inside a plastic bag close to a railcar door.

Prime Minister Theresa May said after the attack that the countrys Joint Terrorism Analysis Center decided to raise the countrys threat level to critical, meaning that a further attack may be imminent.

London police commissioner Cressida Dick told reporters Saturday the threat level has been altered.

We have a very considerable threat. My colleagues in the intelligence agency would say that this is a shift in threat, its not a spike. I wont go on in detail about that, but it is a change threat, Dick said.

WATCH: Scotland Yard Official: 'Threat Level Remains at Critical'

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the assault. The terrorist group, however, has a history of claiming responsibility for attacks the group may not be connected with.

May said the public may see more armed police on the streets and the transport network. The prime minister also said members of the military will begin aiding police, providing security at some sites not accessible to the public.

The blast was the fifth major terrorist attack in Britain this year.

London police said their investigation into Fridays attack is being supported by MI-5, Britains domestic intelligence agency.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the British capital will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism.
Keith Rogal is happy to demonstrate that, after more than a decade of bureaucratic efforts and public hearings, dirt is being turned at the long-dormant Napa Pipe site along the Napa River.

To be sure, the job at hand is cleaning up contaminated soil, not yet constructing a Costco, homes, a park, trails and other features of a planned, new neighborhood. Still, what Rogal calls the dance of the giant excavators is taking place.

It is underway in a huge way, said Rogal, the local developer who has spearheaded the Napa Pipe transformation effort for Napa Redevelopment Partners.

Costco looks forward to opening in 2019, with the first phase of homes perhaps coming at about the same time, Rogal said.

For now, the sight of yellow bulldozers and the sound of heavy equipment backup alarms is enough to make Rogal smile. The California Statewide Communities Development Authority in June issued $20.8 million in bonds for Napa Pipe soil remediation, with a special tax on the land to cover the loan.

The first piece of making this site ready for its new life is fully cleaning it up, Rogal said.

Napa Pipe is hardly pristine. Basalt built World War II ships there in the 1940s, Kaiser Steel fabricated BART tunnel liners in the 1960s and Oregon Steel Mills fabricated countless miles of gas pipes in the early 2000s  and thats just a sampling of the areas industrial activities.

Jim Swindle has spent much of his life at the site, having started work there for Kaiser Steel in 1966 and later working for Oregon Steel Mills. Oregon Steel Mills closed Napa Pipe in 2004, and Swindle now helps Rogal and Napa Redevelopment Partners.

Rogal and Swindle gave a tour of the cleanup work on a recent overcast morning, doing such things as scrambling up the ladder rungs of a dock crane to get a better view.

History  history around this place, Swindle said as he walked the 154-acre property.

Much of that history took place before todays stricter environmental laws. Environmental reports describe how diesel, hydraulic oils, solvents and motor oils contaminated 122,000 cubic yards of soil  enough to fill more than 12,000 average-sized dump trucks.

They used to make pipe here; they used diesel machines to run the mills, Swindle said. They had a diesel tank and over the years the tank leakedThats how it got contaminated with diesel.

Workers are removing foundations, underground piping and contaminates identified in a state remediation plan. Some soils can be cleaned by carefully spreading them so contaminates can degrade, with the cleaned-up soils then being reused.

The San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board is monitoring the cleanup effort. Swindles name appears in a thick 2007 agency environmental report on Napa Pipe. His memories of a large machinery pit helped investigators theorize the source of some of the hydrocarbons.

Rogal called Swindle the bridge between the past and future. As the two men watch the cleanup effort going on, they are also thinking of what artifacts are worth saving.

Much of the preservation plan has long been decided. Dry docks are to become such things as a swimming pool. The soaring, skeletal craneway is to frame a major street leading to the river. Rusting dry dock cranes a couple stories tall are to remain as kind of industrial monuments.

But new ideas are emerging. A dozen or so 8-foot-tall concrete pillars are strewn along the ground like fallen, mini-obelisks. Swindle didnt want to see these supports for long-gone structures lost and Rogal thought them beautiful artifacts.

These pillars are now slated to be reborn as bases for lights in the planned community park. Plaques can be attached to them describing Napa Pipes history, Rogal said.

Its another way to keep the story and I just love the reuse of them, Rogal said.

When the soil remediation is finished, the now-torn up Napa Pipe site is to once again be mostly smooth ground. Rogal said attention next year will turn to the infrastructure work, such as adding water lines and roads.

The transformation will include making the Napa Pipe site several feet taller to ward off possible flooding from sea level rise. Vast mounds of soil have been stockpiled for that purpose, having been hauled from the 2014 Highway 12 widening project in Jameson Canyon and other projects.

The main thing to say is, no grass is growing under anyones feet now, Rogal said. Once we had the bonds in place, the team has really hit it hard.

Part of Napa Pipe is within the city of Napa, including the Costco site. The residential-to-be portion is in the unincorporated county, though it is to be annexed to the city once the county issues building permits and receives credit for its state-mandated housing numbers.

City of Napa Community Development Director Rick Tooker said Napa Redevelopment Partners has submitted an application to make plan changes. At this point, the move is merely to create a file, with information to come later.

The presumption is they want to make some changes to the project to make it more feasible, particularly earlier in the project, Tooker said.

Rogal talked about refinements rather than big changes to the Napa Pipe concepts.

As we get into the detailed designs, as were dealing with the infrastructure in particular, I think things would emerge, he said.

Napa Pipe developers began presenting their ideas to Napa County and the city of Napa in late 2006. Slowly, the concept emerged to build 700 to 945 homes, shops, businesses, a hotel, parks, a senior retirement center  and a Costco.

City voters in November 2014 approved allowing annexation of the land. The county Board of Supervisors approved two key development agreements in December 2014.

Then the county and city of Napa continued ironing out differences on a project that requires coordination between the two jurisdictions. They approved their own set of agreements in July and August of 2015.

Now, more than 10 years after those initial redevelopment proposals, bulldozers, dump trucks and other big equipment are at work. Highway 29 drivers on the Butler Bridge can finally see some Napa Pipe action that isnt happening in a board room or office.
Coup leaders in Burkina Faso say they have freed the country's interim president as a gesture of good will following Wednesday's coup.

The coup leaders said in a statement that interim President Michel Kafando is now in his official residence and said the move to release him is "a sign of easing tensions." Kafando, who was detained when members of the presidential guard stormed a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, has not made any public appearance or statement.

Burkina Faso's prime minister, Isaac Zida, who was detained at the same time as the president, reportedly remains under house arrest.

The African Union suspended Burkina Faso on Friday because of the coup and threatened sanctions against the coup leaders unless they freed the country's interim president and prime minister.

The AU Peace and Security Council announced the decision after a meeting earlier Friday in Addis Ababa. The Council said on Twitter that the AU will not recognize or support any political process in Burkina Faso outside the transition launched in November last year.

Also Friday, the presidents of Senegal and Benin flew into Burkina Faso and began talks with coup leader General Gilbert Diendere.

The coup sparked protests in the streets of the capital, which continued on Friday. Witnesses say troops fired in the air to stop the demonstrators from gathering.

At least three people were reported killed Thursday as protesters attempted to gather near the presidential palace.

Meanwhile, a U.S. diplomat says efforts are underway to convince the coup leaders to restore the transitional government and let the West African country proceed with elections.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield soke to VOA's Mariama Diallo in Washington Friday.

Thomas-Greenfield said there was "no reason" for the soldiers behind Wednesday's coup to seize power and arrest the legally recognized government of Burkina Faso.

"So we're working with our partners in the region," she said, "to try to push them to make the right decisions to go back to their barracks and allow the transitional government to move into place so they can carry out these elections."

Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. ambassador in Burkina Faso and other officials have talked with the coup leaders, who come from the presidential guard of former Burkinabe president Blaise Compaore.

Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last year after he announced plans to change the constitution to extend his rule.

Burkina Faso was scheduled to hold parliamentary and presidential elections a little more than three weeks from now, on October 11. That date is now in limbo.

In an interview with VOA on Thursday, coup leader Diendere said soldiers carried out the coup because Burkina Faso's political process was biased.

Diendere complained that the transitional government had barred supporters of the toppled president from seeking office. Diendere, a longtime ally of Compaore, is head of the 1,300-soldier guard.
An American dentist's killing of Cecil the lion, a collared 13-year-old lion monitored by the University of Oxford in Zimbabwe, sparked widespread outrage and condemnation of big-game hunting. But Trophy, a new documentary by filmmakers Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, offers a more complex perspective on trophy hunting as an industry that blurs the lines between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation.

Every year, Safari Club International holds the largest big-game hunt convention in the world in Las Vegas. Conservationist and adventurist Joe Hosmer describes the process: "You can just pick whatever animal you want from the menu that they offer, you see the price and book the kill."

Watch: Killing to Conserve? 'Trophy' Raises Difficult Questions

Prices range from $8,000 for a buffalo to $45,000 for an elephant and $350,000 for a rhino. This big-money industry helps the local communities where the hunts take place and discourages poaching, says Chris Moore, an anti-poaching campaign manager from Zimbabwe.

Moore says while poachers destroy 30,000 African elephants a year just for their tusks, trophy hunters kills 1,100 elephants annually, providing local communities with their meat and revenue. "Half of that trophy fee goes back into building a clinic or school or whatever the community decides. They have committees and a trust, which organizes where that goes."

An adventure for the rich

Filmmaker Christina Clusiau says big-game hunting caters to the rich, most of them Americans. "I couldn't believe that it was so vast that you could buy hunts, and you can buy your insurance, and you can buy your clothing and gear, everything for the safari."

Filmmaker Shaul Schwarz says he made Trophy because he wanted to understand the hunters and why they do what they do.

"The fact that you had to pay so much money is kind of more angering to some degree because you are saying, 'Oh, look at these rich white people and they are going to go and take from Africa in an almost colonial way.' You could just get angry about that and I see why, but the funny flipside is that this money hopefully will trickle down to what actually enables conservation. So," he concludes, "to some degree, if there wasn't a lot of money in the industry then it wouldn't make sense."

Trophy shows how this billion-dollar big-game industry is financing the breeding of endangered species by exploiting a small percentage of these animals for the thrill of the kill, while conserving the rest and restoring their numbers in ranches.

"That's kind of the idea of utilizing animals in this 'if it pays, it stays' way. Now, is that the answer?" Schwarz asks. "I don't know. I'm here to raise questions, but I think what we should do in this subject is be less quick to judge and scream." He knows that he is tackling a polarizing subject, and asks audiences to keep an open mind.

PETA doesn't agree

But the animal rights organization PETA does not see both sides. The groups Associate Director of Campaigns, Ashley Byrne, condemns the big-game industry.

"Selling an endangered animal's life to raise money for conservation is like selling a child on the black market to raise money for an anti-trafficking organization. The logic is absurd! The best way to promote conservation is to protect animals' natural habitat and to invest in eco-tourism, in non-invasive forms of tourism that do make these animals commodities but alive, not dead!" she insists.

Anti-poaching activist Chris Moore agrees that in an ideal world, the wealthy would pay just as much to go and see the animals, but he adds we don't live in an ideal world, and the film shows that these hunters who want a trophy want their money's worth.

Moore suggests that if trophy hunting were banned, the animals would no longer be seen as commodities to preserve, and poaching would increase.

"When you are struggling to feed your child, you look for alternative means. I think if society maintained certain levels of prosperity, I don't think we would really see poaching."

Tough to film

The film offers a vivid cinematic experience of wildlife in Africa, but filming was tough, says Clusiau.

"When you look at these majestic creatures from afar they are majestic. They are beautiful. You want to go up and touch them and pet them and what you dont realize is how dangerous they actually are. So, when you are in that environment, you do feel very vulnerable. So, we were lucky to have guides and trackers to kind of act as a shield to these environments."
For more than 20 years, Aung San Suu Kyi has stood as a human rights icon. Known as "The Lady," she was admired and respected around the world as she endured house arrest and the repression of Myanmars military government.

Myanmars de facto leader has received the Nobel Peace Prize, the Sakharov Prize and the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. She has been showered with honorary degrees and memberships.

Now theres a petition to revoke her Nobel (the Nobel committee says thats not possible) and a growing chorus of criticism. Even fellow Nobel laureates, including the Dalai Lama, retired Bishop Desmond Tutu and Malala Yousafzai, have called on her to say something to condemn the violence against Myanmars Rohingya minority group.

WATCH: Myanmar's US Ambassador Aung Lynn Speaks With VOA

In the three weeks since a Rohingya militant group attacked police posts in Myanmars Rakhine state, the military and security forces have pressed a retaliatory offensive. Nearly 400,000 Rohingya have fled to overflowing refugee camps in Bangladesh, where aid workers struggle to feed them.

Minimal response

The United Nations has called the violence against the mostly Muslim Rohingya ethnic cleansing.

Others call it genocide.

But Aung San Suu Kyi has said little. Her first statements were to say that the world was being misled about the issue. Nearly two weeks after scores of Rohingya villages had been destroyed, she said her government would protect all the countrys residents and would implement a U.N.-backed plan for ending the discrimination and abuse the Rohingya endure.

But nothing more.

Her silence in this case  that is increasingly recognized as crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing or, by the scholars, genocide  silence is complicity, Maung Zarni, a Myanmar rights activist said via Skype from Britain.

While other critics arent quite as harsh, the frustration at her silence is profound.

I suppose the disappointment comes from that someone who knows how abusive the military is has failed to call them out, said Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

Its not just that Aung San Suu Kyi hasnt condemned the violence, said John Packer, director of the Human Rights Research and Education Center at the University of Ottawa in Canada. Packer, who has spent years researching rights in Myanmar, noted that she has also used the language the military has used to justify its actions in Rakhine.

That includes referring to the Rohingya, who have been denied citizenship since 1982, as Bengalis, which reinforces the governments position that they are illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Almost all of them, Packer said, are from families that have been in Myanmar for generations, going back hundreds of years.

New at governing

There are those, however, who urge patience with Aung San Suu Kyi.

They argue that her National League for Democracy has run Myanmars government for only a few years, and that the military, which ruled for more than 50 years, retains a great deal of power. The country, also known has Burma, has weak institutions and battles high levels of corruption.

Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, has been critical of Aung San Suu Kyis stance on the Rohingya but says much of the international criticism is misplaced.

Constitutionally, she has no power to stop this. But she has moral authority, he said. He thinks more pressure should be applied to Myanmars top general, Min Aung Hlaing. He is literally calling the shots.

But aside from the military, powerful nationalist Buddhist monks and many in the ethnic Bamar majority group favor the crackdown on the Rohingya.

Thus, pressuring Aung San Suu Kyi, some experts say, could undermine a fragile democracy.



She is fighting alone and under great restraints, global policy analyst Tej Parikh wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine in May.

Substantial control

Maung Zarni doesnt buy that argument.

You talked about how little power she has. Well, she controls five other ministries that are directly involved in the genocidal process. Because genocide isnt just simply killing 100,000 people in two weeks, he said. She controls the religious affairs, she controls the immigration ministry, she is the de facto head of the government, and she is also foreign minister.

Ganguly at Human Rights Watch said, This is someone who stood up to the very same abusive army for so many years as a political dissident. For her to not call them out is shocking for everyone.

Ultimately, Aung San Suu Kyi must speak, Packer at the Human Rights Research Center said.

She has to come out and say this is not where we are going  we protect people's lives, their homes.

VOA's William Gallo contributed to this report.
Pakistan's Sindh provincial counterterrorism authorities have initiated a new program aimed at identifying students who might be inclined toward radicalization and militancy.

Speaking to VOA's Extremism Watch team, Sanaullah Abbasi, chief of Sindh's counterterrorism department, expressed concerns about an emerging trend where educated youth resort to militancy and extremism, and he vowed to tackle it.

"Youth gravitating toward radicalization is Pakistan's continued challenge, and we're determined to overcome it," Abbasi said.

"We have had meetings with several universities in Sindh to devise a program on how to identify students on the basis of their changing thinking and behavior patterns eventually leading them toward militancy," Abbasi added.

The new initiative to head off suspected youth, including university students, was revealed a week after a few tech-savvy students-turned-terrorists were arrested in connection with an assassination attempt on a prominent local political leader in Karachi.

Inspired by al-Qaida

The suspects, all highly educated, are part of Ansar-al-Sharia, a new al-Qaida-inspired militant group that recently emerged in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province.

The new group claims to act as a platform for militants who have grown disaffected with the Islamic State militant group (IS) in the country.

All of the suspects, currently under investigation, have backgrounds in applied physics, engineering and botanical studies, which has puzzled authorities. Traditionally, radicalization has often been linked to religious seminaries operating in different parts of the country.

Abbasi said radicalization is no longer limited to those seminaries, called madrasas, or to poverty only. He said it has been gradually entering some of the elite academic institutions of the country as well.

"The civil society, social media, journalists, media and academia  together as a society  can challenge this hard-stance narrative where youth is not hesitating to take things into their own hands," Abbasi said.

Abbasi said the actual identification and prevention begins through family and close friends, and he urged their cooperation.

"If a student is showing signs of changing behavior patterns, meeting strange people, has a visible change in daily routine, and is asking complicated and vague questions about religion, it should not go unnoticed," he said.

Effective deterrence?

Some analysts charge that education alone cannot prevent the spread of radicalization among youth.

Currently, of the 500 militants held in Sindh's different provincial prisons, 64 suspects have graduate degrees and 70 have undergraduate degrees in different fields, according to local Pakistani media.

"Mostly students enrolled in hard sciences, engineering, medicine, business and IT [information technology] usually have a tilt toward radicalization. They just don't know how to handle the social conflict as it's not part of their field, and these students strive for perfection," Hasan Askari, a Pakistan-based political and security analyst, told VOA.

Askari noted that while radicalized youth make up a very small percentage of the student population in the country, they still pose a societal threat with which to be reckoned.

"The ratio of the students getting radicalized is really low  it wouldn't be even 1 percent of the total university students  but it is still alarming. The state will have to take firm action to stop its youth from getting inspired by terrorists' ideology," Askari said.

Referring to the recent arrests of Ansar-al-Sharia members in Sindh, Askari warned that unless government and society take measures against the new trend among the youth, the problem most likely will grow.

"This recent incident in Karachi shows how IS or al-Qaida's ideology has support among youngsters," Askari said.
It was a Friday in June, a short workday before a public holiday weekend in Ukraine, and cybersecurity expert Victor Zhora had left the capital, Kyiv, and was in the western city of Lviv when he got the first in a torrent of phone calls from frantic clients.

His clients networks were being crippled by ransomware known as Petya, a malicious software that locks up infected computers and data. But this ransomware was a variant of an older one and wasnt designed to extort money  the goal of the virus designers was massive disruption to Ukraines economy.

I decided not to switch on my computer and just used my phone and iPad as a precaution, he said. I didnt want my laptop to be contaminated by the virus and to lose my data, he said.

Virus spread like wildfire

The Petya virus, targeting Microsoft Windows-based systems, spread like wildfire across Europe and, to a lesser extent, America, affecting hundreds of large and small firms in France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain.

While many Europeans saw the June cyberattack as just another wild disruption caused by anonymous hackers, it was identified quickly by experts, like the 37-year-old Zhora, as another targeted assault on Ukraine. Most likely launched by Russia, it was timed to infect the countrys networks on the eve of Ukraines Constitution Day.

The cyberattack started through a software update for an accounting program that businesses use when working with Ukrainian government agencies, according to the head of Ukraines cyberpolice, Sergey Demedyuk. In an interview with VOA in his office in the western suburbs of Kyiv, Demedyuk said, every year cyberattacks are growing in number.

Sometimes when targeting a particular government agency or official, they mount complex attacks, first using some disguising action, like a denial-of-service attack, and only then launch their main attack aiming, for example, at capturing data, he said.

Ukraines 360-member cyberpolice department was formed in 2015. The department is stretched, having not only to investigate cybercrime by nonstate actors but also, along with a counterpart unit in the state security agency, defend the country from cyberattacks by state actors. Demedyuk admits it is a cat-and-mouse game searching for viruses and Trojan horses that might have been planted months ago.

Cybersecurity summit

On Wednesday, the director of U.S. National Intelligence, Dan Coats, told a cybersecurity summit in Washington that digital threats are mounting against the West, and he singled out Russia as a major culprit, saying Moscow has clearly assumed an ever more aggressive cyber posture.

We have not experienced  yet  a catastrophic attack. But I think everyone in this room is aware of the ever-growing threat to our national security, Coats added.

And many of the digital weapons the West may face are being refined and developed by Russian-directed hackers in the cyberwar being waged against Ukraine, said Zhora and other cybersecurity experts.

They are using Ukraine as a testing laboratory, said Zhora, a director of InfoSafe, a cybersecurity company that advises private sector clients and Ukrainian government agencies.

Eye of the digital storm

Since the 2014 ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine has been in the eye of a sustained and systematic digital storm of big and small cyberattacks with practically every sector of the country impacted, including media, finance, transportation, military, politics and energy. Sometimes, the intrusions are highly tailored; other times, more indiscriminate attacks like Petya are launched at Ukraine.

Russian officials deny they are waging cyber warfare against Ukraine. Zhora, like many cybersecurity experts, acknowledges it is difficult, if not impossible most times, to trace cyberattacks back to their source.

Attribution is the most difficult thing. When you are dealing with professional hackers it is hard to track and to find real evidence of where it has come from, he said. But we know only one country is the likely culprit. We only really have one enemy that wants to destroy Ukrainian democracy and independence, he added.

Ukraines president, Petro Poroshenko, has been less restrained in pointing the finger of blame. Last December, he said there had been 6,500 cyberattacks on 36 Ukrainian targets in the previous two months alone. Investigations, he said, point to the direct or indirect involvement of [the] secret services of Russia, which have unleashed a cyberwar against our country.

Ukraines cyberpolice head agrees. Demedyuk says his officers have been able to track attacks, especially denial-of-service intrusions, back to Russian special services, tracking them to their own facilities and their own IP addresses. But the original source of more complex intrusions, he said, are much harder to identify, with the hackers disguising themselves by using servers around the world, including in Asia and China.

Digital weapons refined

Digital intrusions have seen data deleted and networks crippled with real life consequences. And digital weapons are being refined often with the knowledge gained from each intrusion.

Zhora cites as an example of this evolution the difference between two large cyberattacks on the countrys electricity grid, the first in December 2015 and the second at the end of last year, which cut off energy to hundreds of thousands of people for several hours.

With the first attack the hackers used malware to gain access to the networks and then shut the system down manually.

They sent an email and when someone opened it, the payload was downloaded and later it spread across the network and they used the path created for the hackers to get to the administrators work station and then in a live session switched off the subsystems overseeing electricity distribution, he said.

But with the 2016 attack no live session was necessary.

They used a malware which opened the doors automatically by decoding specific protocols and there was no human interaction. I think they got a lot of information in the first attack about the utility companies networks and they used the knowledge to write the malware for the second intrusion, he said.

Digital threats to US

In his speech midweek in Washington, Coats specifically cited possible digital threats to Americas critical infrastructure, including electrical grids and other utilities, saying it is of rising concern.

It doesnt take much effort to imagine the consequences of an attack that knocks out power in Boston in February or power in Phoenix in July, he said.

After the second cyberattack on Ukraines electrical grid, a group of American government and private sector energy officials was dispatched to Kyiv, where they spent a month exploring what happened, according to Ukrainian officials.

One lesson the visitors drew was that it would be much harder in the U.S. to switch the grid back on after an intrusion. The Ukrainians were able to get the electricity moving again by visiting each substation and turning the system on again manually, an option apparently more challenging in the U.S., where grid systems are even more automated.

Virtual attacks are every bit as dangerous as military ones  we are living on a battlefield, Zhora said.
Protests in St. Louis, Missouri, sparked by the acquittal of a white police officer charged with murder in the death of a black man, escalated into acts of vandalism Friday night. Police say 23 people were arrested and nine police were injured in skirmishes with protesters.

Jason Stockley, a former St. Louis police officer, had been charged with the fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith after a car chase in December 2011. Prosecutors also alleged Stockley planted a gun on Smiths body. Prosecutors said the gun had only Stockleys DNA on it.

Mayor Lyda Krewson released a statement early Friday urging compassion, despite differing opinions on the acquittal.

We are all St. Louisans. We rise and fall together, she said.

Protests turn violent

Protests started peacefully, with hundreds gathering in the streets of St. Louis holding signs and chanting No justice, no peace. Some made their way to police headquarters, calling for police resignations.

By the end of the night, demonstrators had broken a window and splashed paint on the mayors home, prompting police in riot gear to move the protesters away from the residence.

Officials said a group of demonstrators smashed the windshield of a police van. Some officers were hit by water bottles. Police officers were reportedly assaulted. TV journalists from the Associated Press and a local station also reported being harassed.

We are saddened [about the acquittal], we are frustrated, St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Until black people in this city get justice, until we get a seat at the table, there will be no peace in this city.

Damone Smith, a 52-year-old electrician, told the newspaper, I think the verdict is disgusting. Smith said, Time and time again, African American men are killed by police and nobody is held accountable.

History of racial tension

Racial tension in the area is not new. One of the suburbs of St. Louis is Ferguson, Missouri, where two weeks of protests began in August 2014 with the shooting death of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man, by a white police officer.

That November, the decision not to indict the police officer sparked another week of protests, and the anniversary of the shooting in 2015 was the occasion of a third protest.

Browns father told a St. Louis television station after Fridays verdict, You all know this aint right and you all continue to do this to us. Like we dont mean nothing, like were rats, trash, dogs in the streets ... my people are tired of this.

The 2014 incidents in Missouri were followed by police shootings and protests in a number of American cities, among them Baltimore, Maryland; Charlotte, North Carolina; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Australia is insisting that new child protection laws are the greatest crackdown on pedophiles in a generation. Canberra says the measures will include longer prison terms for child abusers.

Australian officials say punishments handed down to pedophiles have been too lax. The government wants them to spend more time behind bars for their crimes, and plans to bring in mandatory minimum sentences for convicted child sex offenders. They would be similar to the automatic prison terms given to terrorists and people smugglers.

Officials say the new measures will properly reflect the disgust the community has at those who prey on children.

Australian Justice minister Michael Keenan says the current laws are not strict enough.

I do not think it is as tough as the Australian people assume that it should be," said Keenan. "Now, we have found that less than 60 per cent of people who were convicted of Commonwealth (federal) child sex offences actually served time in prison and of those that do go to prison, the most common length of time that they serve is just six months. I do not think the Australian people would think that is acceptable and that is why we are very keen to change it to make sure that they serve a mandatory minimum time when they commit these horrendous offences against children.

The legislation will make it more difficult for child sex offenders in Australia to be granted bail and parole.

There will also be tougher measures to crack down on online grooming, which will allow Australian police to intervene sooner if a suspect is found to be contacting a child with the intention of carrying out a crime.

Internet companies which do not immediately report abusive content to the authorities will face tougher fines.

In June, Australia passed new laws to stop convicted pedophiles from travelling overseas on so-called child rape holidays The measures gave officials the power to strip pedophiles of their passports.

Later this year, Australias most comprehensive inquiry into child abuse is expected to publish its findings into the widespread mistreatment of children in institutions, including Church groups, sporting clubs, schools and the military. The Royal Commission began hearing evidence from survivors of abuse in 2013.
New guidance released Friday by the Pentagon makes it clear that any transgender troops currently in the military can re-enlist in the next several months, even as the department debates how broadly to enforce a ban on their service ordered by President Donald Trump.

In a memo to top military leaders, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said a high-level panel will determine how to implement Trump's ban on transgender individuals in the military. Trump directed the military to indefinitely extend the ban on transgender individuals enlisting in the service, but he left it up to Mattis to decide if those currently serving should be allowed to stay.

Members of Congress have already sent a letter to Trump calling on him to reconsider the ban.

Sen. John McCain, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Friday he backed legislation that would bar the Trump administration from forcing transgender troops out of the armed forces.

McCain of Arizona said in a statement that any service member, including those who are transgender, who meets the standards for military readiness and medical fitness should be permitted to serve.

"When less than 1 percent of Americans are volunteering to join the military, we should welcome all those who are willing and able to serve our country," McCain said.

The bill is an attempt to establish protections for transgender troops in law, cutting off Trump's efforts to kick service members out based on their gender identity. Trump tweeted in July that he would ban transgender troops from serving anywhere in the U.S. military. The directive caught the Pentagon flat-footed as defense officials struggled to explain what they called Trump's guidance.

About a month later the president issued more formal instructions, directing the Pentagon to indefinitely extend a ban on transgender individuals joining the military. But Trump also gave Mattis six months to come up with a policy on how to address those currently serving, leaving the door open to permitting their continued service.

Mattis has said the Pentagon will develop a plan that "will promote military readiness, lethality and unit cohesion."

In his memo released Friday, Mattis said the deputy defense secretary and the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs will lead a panel that will determine how the department will implement the ban. Outside experts may be included to provide additional advice. The Pentagon refused to release the memo, but provided a summary.

According to the Pentagon, Mattis made clear in his memo that the current policies on transgender troops remain in effect. He said transgender individuals can continue to serve in the military and continue to receive any required medical care.

That interim guidance laid out in the memo will stay in effect until Feb. 21, when the Pentagon must complete its final plan on how and when transgender individuals may serve in the military.

The Obama administration in June 2016 changed longstanding policy, and declared that troops could serve openly as transgender individuals. And it set a July 2017 deadline for determining whether transgender people could be allowed to enter the military. Mattis delayed any decision on enlistments until Jan. 1, 2018. But that plan was upended when Trump tweeted in July that transgender individuals were not welcome in the armed forces.

Since then, officials have been working to figure out a new policy, including whether transgender troops currently in the military should be thrown out. Many of them have been deployed to warzones multiple times.

The issue raises a number of thorny legal questions, such as whether the Pentagon can say in 2016 that transgender individuals can serve openly and then a year later threaten to throw out anyone who came out publicly.

The bill supported by McCain is also sponsored by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services panel, and Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

Gillibrand said she had planned to offer the measure protecting transgender troops as an amendment to the annual defense policy bill the Senate has been considering over the last several days. But she said the Senate's Republican leadership "cut off debate" and blocked the amendment from getting a vote.

"Thousands of brave transgender Americans love our country enough to risk their lives for it, fight for it, and even die for it, and Congress should honor them and let them serve," said Gillibrand, who thanked McCain for his support.

The legislation also requires Mattis to complete his policy review by end of the year and to provide the results to Congress.
President Donald Trump will push the case for tightening the global economic isolation of North Korea at next weeks U.N. General Assembly meeting, according to two senior officials who say he will argue that the failure of diplomacy increases the likelihood of war.

At a White House briefing Friday, Washingtons U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster welcomed the Security Councils move this month to place additional sanctions on North Korea, but said Pyongyangs belligerent behavior is continuing.

What were seeing is that they continue to be provocative, they continue to be reckless, Haley said. There is not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here, when you cut 90 percent of the trade and 30 percent of the oil. So, having said that, I have no problem kicking it to (Defense Secretary) General (James) Mattis, because I think he has plenty of options.

McMaster said global support for diplomacy backed by rigorous enforcement of sanctions is needed to avoid what he called the military option.

What we have to do is call on all nations, call on everyone to do everything we can to address this global problem short of war, McMaster told reporters.

Missile test

North Korea fired a missile Friday over Japan, its second launch over the country since Trump threatened in August to unleash fire and fury against Pyongyang if acts of aggression continued. The latest launch has further raised alarm globally over North Koreas developing nuclear and missile programs.

Trumps first presidential trip to the United Nations will be as the head of an unusually high-level delegation, including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other senior officials.

His four-day agenda begins Monday when he hosts a meeting on reforming the world body, something close to his heart. Officials say 120 of the nearly 200 UN member states will attend.

Ambassador Haley said his General Assembly address Tuesday would cover a variety of vexing challenges facing the global community.

There is no shortage of issues, with North Korea being front and center, Haley said. Iran will be an issue, Syria will certainly be talked about, terrorism efforts and how we counter that will be a huge topic, and obviously the humanitarian issues we face around the world.

Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest in Washington, said Trump should use his General Assembly speech to increase pressure on China to do more to rein in North Koreas provocative actions.

He should explain that if they continue to look the other way when it comes to Kim Jong Uns acts of aggression, America will start sanctioning parties in China that are making the problem worse. And that means Chinese banks for starters, Kazianis told VOA.

Critical opportunity

Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as Washingtons U.N. ambassador under former President George W. Bush, said Trumps General Assembly speech is a crucial opportunity to reassure the world that his foreign policy is based primarily on the soft power of diplomacy rather than military might.

The world is concerned that our current president may be de-emphasizing Americas soft power and the values America has traditionally been seen to stand for, and he may be more interested in hard power, Khalilzad said in an interview. His speech to the General Assembly provides a great opportunity to set the record straight.

Trump has made no secret of his disdain for the United Nations during his relatively short career in politics. He once describing the world body as a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.

Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program and senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that while the General Assembly debate may appeal to Trumps desire to have the worlds attention, the forum does not suit his negotiating style.

Its the worlds most tedious cocktail party, Alterman told a press conference call Friday. It isnt the way he (Trump) likes to operate. I think he likes working the room, and he likes unwinding with people, but this is a lot of very structured meetings.

This is not the kind of environment he likes, but this is the kind of environment the U.S. president has to plunge into once a year, Alterman said.

Nevertheless, the presidents schedule includes a long list of one-on-one meetings with other leaders. He will not, however, see either Russian President Vladimir Putin or Chinese President Xi Jinping, neither of whom is attending the annual gathering.
About 1,000 fans of the American hip-hop group the Insane Clown Posse marched on Washington Saturday in protest of their designation as a street gang by the federal government.

On Saturday, the Insane Clown Posse (ICP), along their diehard fans, who refer to themselves as Juggalos, gathered near the Lincoln Memorial where they spoke about the troubles theyve dealt with because of the designation and chanted anti-government slogans.

Marchers held signs that read Music is not a crime and Im a Juggalo, not a gang member.

The march marked the latest step taken by ICP and its fans to fight their designation by U.S. authorities as a loosely organized hybrid gang.

The issue stems from a 2011 report produced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in which Juggalos are said to exhibit ganglike behavior and engage in criminal activity and violence.

Two other protests were held nearby in Washington Saturday. Several hundred pro-President Donald Trump demonstrators gathered in the afternoon at the Washington Monument at an event called the Mother of All Rallies. And earlier in the day, about two dozen protesters gathered at Lafayette Park near the White House to demand the president take stronger actions against Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin.

Horror rap

The ICP is known for its unique brand of horror rap that often includes lyrics referencing drug use and violence. It has attracted a fan base made up largely of poor white people who have built an identity around the music produced by the rap duo and their trademark clown makeup.

We represent people who werent born with a silver spoon in their mouth but instead with a rusty fork, one member of the group, Violent J, said during an interview in 1995.

Some fans of the rap group say the gang designation has had a severely negative impact on their lives, with some reporting theyve been fired from jobs, lost custody of their children or been denied housing because of their support of ICP.

Being labeled a gang member can be a permanent stain on an individuals life, since it will come up in a simple background check every single time, the group said on its website promoting the event.

The FBI, in a statement provided to NBC News, said its report was based on information provided by states. The report specifically notes the Juggalos had been recognized as a gang in only four states.

The FBIs mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. We investigate activity which may constitute a federal crime or pose a threat to national security. The FBI cannot initiate an investigation based on an individuals exercise of their First Amendment rights, it said.

In 2012, ICP, with the help of the Michigan branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, sued the FBI, claiming the designation unfairly profiles the group's fans and violates their First Amendment rights.

A judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2014, but ICP won an appeal in 2015 ordering a Michigan court to take up the case. The case currently remains under appeal.

ICP members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, whose real names are Joseph Bruce and Joseph Ulster, are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, along with four of their fans.

One of the plaintiffs, Scott Gandy, said he had to cover up an ICP tattoo in order to apply to join the military. Another plaintiff, Brandon Bradley, claims to have been repeatedly stopped, questioned and photographed by police in California for wearing Juggalo clothing and having a Juggalo tattoo.

Label argued

Government lawyers have argued that the FBI report did not label all ICP fans as gang members and did not force the actions taken by any independent police agency, and thus could not be held liable for the actions taken by those police officers.

Unsatisfied with the legal process, the Juggalos marched in Washington in the hope of gaining attention for their cause.

I didnt have a problem with this country. Then all of a sudden they technically made it illegal to be a Juggalo. Its like they took that one thing away that made me not have a problem with the government, Violent J said in a recent interview with Reason.
Napa Valley Colleges long-running discussions about building apartments on its main campus came into sharper focus Thursday night, as a developer of campus housing outlined how the school could break ground on student dwellings in as little as two to three years.

Executives from Balfour Beatty Campus Services, a Philadelphia-area company that develops and manages university real-estate nationwide, laid out for NVCs board of trustees a possible path to a campus village of housing and shops to bring a full-time presence to the two-year schools mostly vacant northwest tract near Imola Avenue.

Balfour Beattys proposal offered the clearest view yet at the possible future of on-campus residential life at NVCs Napa grounds, where school leadership has toyed with the idea of adding housing for more than a decade  and has taken a closer look in recent months amid soaring housing costs and lengthening student commutes. In April, trustees began asking builders to share their qualifications for building a village-like complex where about 200 students and faculty members could live near their classrooms.

This is a transformational opportunity to become a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week, living, breathing campus, Balfour Beatty senior vice president Josh Smith told trustees of the plan, which envisions moving from planning to groundbreaking in 2019 or 2020 should the NVC board approve it by the end of this year.

Following trustees approval, Balfour Beatty would first commission a market study by a separate company to gauge the demand for on-campus apartments. If the developer and NVC agree on the projects likely success, Balfour Beatty would move ahead with financing, design work, and a lease of 32 to 40 years that would pass ownership of the development to the college on its conclusion.

Im not here today to convince you to build campus housing, said Smith, adding that the study of housing demand is a process to explore.

To build the apartments, NVC and Balfour Beatty would form a public-private partnership, which college officials have said will let the school issue tax-free bonds to fund its construction. All cash flow from rents, store leases and other revenue from the property would flow to the college, which could use the proceeds to cover bond payments, said Sam Jung, Balfour Beattys vice president of business negotiations.

Balfour Beatty in recent years has overseen the creation of new student housing at institutions including the University of Nevada in Reno, the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Texas A&M University in College Station, and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

No price estimate was released Thursday, but NVC Superintendent Ron Kraft this spring shared an architects rough estimate of $70 million for a three-story complex with room for 314 residents.

Napa Countys constricted housing market has driven college leaders recent discussions about creating housing on campus, a step Kraft has said would keep more students closer to school services and improve their chance of graduating and eventually finding higher-paying employment.

About one-third of NVCs estimated 8,000 students are housing insecure, meaning they lack a fixed address and must frequently couch-surf or otherwise change their lodgings, school officials announced in March.
The Roman Catholic Church and U.S. officials confirm that a high-ranking diplomat at the Vatican's Embassy in Washington, D.C., has been recalled to Vatican City over accusations he possessed child pornography.

The Holy See released a statement Friday saying U.S. State Department officials had informed the Vatican on August 21 of evidence the diplomat may have violated child pornography laws in the United States.

The statement said the official, a priest, has been recalled to Vatican City and an investigation is underway.

The statement does not give the priest's name and says that the investigation is subject to investigative confidentiality.

The U.S. State Department said it asked the Vatican to lift the priest's diplomatic immunity on August 21, but its request was denied three days later.

In 2013, the Vatican recalled a priest from the Dominican Republic over allegations he had sexually abused young boys. Monsignor Josef Wesolowski was defrocked and put on trial in the Vatican's criminal court, but died before the trial got underway.
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Thousands of Iraqi troops, Kurdish Peshmerga and Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces have been deployed on the outskirts of Kirkuk province amid preparations to retake the nearby district of Hawija from the Islamic State. VOA's Dlshad Anwar reports from the region.
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An American dentist's killing of Cecil the Lion, monitored by the University of Oxford in Zimbabwe, sparked widespread outrage and condemnations of big-game hunting. But "Trophy," a new documentary by filmmakers Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, offers a complex perspective on trophy hunting.
Yazmin Medrano, 15, consoles her mother, Ruby Rodriguez, in their water-damaged house in Houston on Sept. 3. Rodriguez fled the rapidly flooding house clutching a briefcase containing all the paperwork for Yazmins DACA application. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

This article has been optimized for offline reading on Washington Post apps. For a richer experience, you can find the full version here. An Internet connection is required. Click here to read a version in Spanish.

Ruby Rodriguez focused on one thing when the floodwaters started slithering into her home: the papers underneath the bed.

They are the anchors of her familys tenuous life in the United States. Inside a little briefcase were Mexican passports and birth certificates and the title for the house they purchased in Houston five years ago. But what Rodriguez most treasured was her daughters nearly completed DACA application.

Since President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in 2012, Rodriguez and her husband, Arturo Medrano, had been waiting for Yazmin to be old enough to apply. The program offers a two-year renewable work permit, protection from deportation, a chance to obtain a drivers license and better opportunities for college  stability they had not been able to give their daughter since they crossed the border from Mexico illegally with her in 2006.

Under President Trump, a longtime critic of DACA, the program was under threat, with a Sept. 5 deadline for his administration to end it or risk having it challenged in court as unconstitutional.

So in late June, as soon as Yazmin Medrano turned 15, the rush to gather school, residency and other vital paperwork began. It took longer than Rodriguez had expected. But by late August, they had what they needed.

Then Hurricane Harvey arrived.

The once-in-a-century storm sent water into the house that Rodriguez and Medrano had paid off just a few weeks earlier, pooling in Yazmins bedroom, getting closer to the bed.

Rodriguezs feet squashed when she went to retrieve the soft leather case. She pressed it against her chest as she sat, stupefied, on the couch with her husband and daughter, watching the water rise. They heard splashing near the front door.

"It's time to go," said a voice outside in the night. "Vamanos."



Yazmin Medrano helps her father, Arturo Medrano, tear out soggy drywall in their house in Houston on Sept. 3. Medrano and his wife, Ruby Rodriguez, worked double time so they could pay off their mortgage as quickly as possible. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Payments toward a better life

Rodriguez, 35, and Medrano, 40, bought their home in northern Houston in a foreclosure sale. Years of apartment living grated on the couple. They wanted something of their own, a place where their only child could play outside with neighborhood kids.

Rodriguez, who attended cosmetology school in Texas, works at a salon and independently has clients. Medrano is a cook at a popular Mexican restaurant.

In recent months, as the climate toward undocumented immigrants grew more hostile in Texas and nationwide, they decided to work double time to pay off their house as quickly as possible.

It was one thing, they thought, that could not be taken from them.

They hated that Yazmin, who dreams of studying medicine, spent her school vacations sitting eight hours at a time in a salon chair while her mother worked. They hated telling their daughter that she could not accompany her friend to Disney World, because they could not risk her running into a federal immigration agent or police officer who might ask her citizenship status. They hated having to remind her every day that not having papers meant she had to be extra careful about choosing in whom to confide. They hated having to work so hard to move their family forward.

I used to get mad because I never saw my father and they were always working, Yazmin said. But I understand now why they did it.

In early August, the couple made their final payment on a mortgage they secured after making a down payment in cash and obtaining a federal tax ID number, their attorney said. Houston banks and businesses have long catered to undocumented families even though it may irritate regulators. Many immigrants who are in the country illegally pay taxes this way.

Among Hurricane Harveys victims were probably hundreds of thousands of people like Rodriguez and Medrano, immigrants living illegally in Houston and greater Southeast Texas. The Pew Research Center estimates that more than 575,000 undocumented immigrants reside in the citys metropolitan area  the nations third-largest unauthorized immigrant population.

Fifteen days later, the floods came, covering the deep-brown wood floors Medrano had installed months earlier.



A neighbor consoles Ruby Rodriguez in her water-damaged house in Houston on Sept. 3. Rodriguez fled the rapidly flooding house clutching a briefcase containing all the paperwork for her daughters DACA application. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Waiting to hear

Neighbors appeared with flashlights on Sunday night, Aug. 27, and used a boat to pull Rodriguez, Medrano and Yazmin to a home up the street, on higher ground. The next morning, a brigade of men and teenagers tied water hoses around trees to help pull a boat filled with the family of three and others across dangerous currents to rescuers on dry land.

Yazmin and her parents ended up at a makeshift shelter at Lone Star College.

Theyd slept in the gym for two nights when, at the urging of officials at the shelter, other families began registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rodriguez and Medrano held back, reluctant to let anyone know who they were and why they probably werent eligible for federal cash assistance.

At one point, Rodriguez became desperate and approached Mario Castillo, Lone Star Colleges chief operating officer, in tears.

We dont have papers, she said. We cant apply for anything.

Castillo, a U.S.-born son of undocumented immigrants, tried to reassure her.

Then Rodriguez told him about Yazmin, and the nearly finished DACA application she had rescued from under the bed.

Castillo connected the family to Jacob Monty, a Houston lawyer who had joined Trumps Hispanic advisory council during the 2016 presidential campaign but then broke with the candidate over his immigration stance.

I had to help them, Castillo said. Its my way of honoring my own parents.

Monty understood the importance of sending Yazmins DACA application quickly. With only days to go until the Sept. 5 deadline, he knew that a White House announcement ending the program could come at any time.

On Thursday, Aug. 31, a day after meeting Rodriguez and Medrano, Monty called a news conference with DACA recipients, urging the president to keep the program in place.

That same day, he found a hotel the family could stay in, made sure Yazmins application was in order and put it in the mail to Washington.

On Friday, Sept. 1., the Trump administration said a decision about DACA would be announced Tuesday, the day of the deadline the Texas attorney general and others had set for filing a lawsuit over DACA if Trump didnt rescind it.

Because Monday was Labor Day, neither Monty nor Yazmins parents knew whether her application for the program would arrive in time.

The family was back home, ripping out drywall and discarding ruined furniture, when Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the DACA program would be phased out, starting in March. First-time applications received by Sept. 5 would still be processed.

Sessions and Trump said Congress, whose inability to pass immigration legislation is what led Obama to create the program, should approve measures that would allow DACA recipients to stay in the country if lawmakers support that option.

Yazmins packet most likely arrived on time, Monty said. So now the family is waiting.

If she is accepted into the program, she will be shielded temporarily from deportation and offered a work permit that will expire in two years.
People ask me why my protagonist, Walt Longmire, doesnt carry a cellphone, and my immediate response is: Have you ever been to Wyoming?

With more than 97,000 square miles, the state is divided into 23 counties, some of them as large as Maryland but none of them by the name of Absaroka. Taking a cue from Faulkner, I decided to go with a fictional county, a decision that turned out to be one of the smartest things I couldve done  its anonymity makes it symbolic of the West as a whole.

There is a fascination with the epic, romantic landscape of the American West, and living in Ucross, Wyo., with a population of 25, got me thinking about a different type of protagonist, one who lived in the least populated county in the countrys least populated state  and Walt Longmire, a vertical figure in a horizontal landscape, was born. He is a sheriff, the only law enforcement officer who is elected and therefore directly responsible to his constituency, his people and his land. The job is specifically personal and therefore lends itself to an immediacy that the cop  protected behind his mirrored sunglasses  can never achieve.



The Western Star: A Longmire Mystery, by Craig Johnson (Penguin Books)

Im not the first to understand that there is a longing in the human heart to seek out the solace of open spaces. As Wallace Stegner so eloquently wrote: We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope. It is a landscape that is a part of us  an epic, sweeping world where mankind seems small and alone and must rise to the challenge that the scenery presents. Id like to think that Walt Longmire is an embodiment of and a metaphor for the West and has become its modern standard-bearer.

[Review: Huck Out West]

But he isnt alone here, and his materialism is balanced by his friend Henry Standing Bears Northern Cheyenne spirituality, a belief that we are indelibly connected to the land on which we walk both in this world and the next. In a technologically driven world, the Native philosophies teach that, like the owls, we should be going slower and noticing more, a belief that dovetails with Walts detecting skills in that he notices the things that others dont.

More self-actualized than the cinematic archetype, Walt Longmire still bears the impenetrable stoicism of the American West balanced with an irrepressible humanity, a dying breed attempting to stave off obsolescence and extinction in one of the most profound and beautiful places in the world. I would like to think he is balanced, like the West itself, by poetry, sensitivity and culture  a character of tremendous strength and sometimes surprising violence.

Craig Johnson is the author of the Sheriff Walt Longmire mystery series, the basis for the television show, "Longmire." His most recent book is "The Western Star."
The night before Hurricane Irma began roaring over Florida, staffers at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills locked the doors, shuttered the windows and turned the temperature down to about 67 degrees  a buffer, administrators thought, to keep the building cool in case the power went out.

It wouldnt last long. About 3 p.m. on Sunday, the lights flickered, nursing-home executives say. The power stayed on, but a janitor soon noticed a problem: The massive chiller used to serve the 152-bed facility was spewing warm, muggy air.

The following evening, Natasha Anderson, one of the executives, called a private phone number for Gov. Rick Scott (R) seeking urgent help, Anderson said. It was the first of three such calls, she said, to a number that officials confirmed Scott gave out to nursing homes as an emergency backup in planning calls before the storm.

Repeatedly, I was told that our case was being escalated to the highest level, Anderson said.

Yet, she said, no one came  and nursing-home officials did not consider the crisis urgent enough to bring patients to the hospital across the road.

By noon Wednesday, eight residents were dead. Their deaths are being investigated as criminal homicides, and the nursing home has been closed.

The account the nursing-home executives provided to The Post offers new details of the deteriorating conditions inside the facility. But it also is contradicted by law enforcement and state officials on key points, including how aggressively the nursing home had sought assistance and precisely when staffers called 911 as a patient went into cardiac arrest.

Attempts to assign blame abound.

The Florida Department of Health said that at no time did the nursing home report that conditions had become dangerous or that the health and safety of their patients was at risk.

Its shocking that these trained medical professionals put patients lives in needless jeopardy. The fact is that this facility never called 911, said Mara Gambineri, a spokeswoman for the department. The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills is responsible for the health and safety of their patients.

The governors communications director, John Tupps, wrote in an email that Every call made to the Governor from facility management was referred to the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health and quickly returned. Tupps did not respond to a follow-up email asking if the governors office had a record of the three calls in question from the nursing home.

The tragedy at Hollywood Hills showed that for billions of dollars and countless hours spent preparing for Floridas next inevitable hurricane, the lifeline for one of the nations largest concentrations of the elderly and disabled remained tenuous in the aftermath of Irma.

Patients are evacuated at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills after a loss of air conditioning due to Hurricane Irma on Sept. 13. (Amy Beth Bennett/AP)

The survival of residents at the home rested not just on the states vaunted $3 billion smart grid, intended to limit power outages and target repair efforts, or on lists of critical infrastructure where restoring power is a top priority. Survival also depended on phone tag between nursing-home administrators, state officials and utility providers.

Several executives of a limited liability corporation that controls the nursing home declined to comment, including the principal owner, Florida resident Jack Michel.

But the nursing home made Anderson available for an hour-long interview, as well as a company official who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by Hollywood Hills. The officials provided an internal timeline of attempts to reach state officials and its utility provider.

Nurses, doctors, administrators, staff  everyone was doing everything that they could, Anderson said. We were waiting and waiting for help that never came.

The nursing home and an adjoining psychiatric facility are connected to the power grid by two lines, the officials said. One provides electricity to most of the facility, including lights, oxygen machines, ventilators and the kitchen. The other supplies a central air-conditioning system.

When the warm air began pouring out of vents Sunday, executives contacted Florida Power and Light within 45 minutes, saying the line approaching the facility from the north appeared to have been down, according to their timeline. Anderson said the nursing home heard from the utility Monday that it would be coming that day.

It never did, she said.

The nursing home provided ticket numbers for service requests that it had placed with FP&L beginning Sunday. The Post was able to confirm two of the requests using state records and the utilitys website.

The power company Friday expressed our deepest sympathies but said in a statement that we are limited in what we can say due to the ongoing investigations. The company did not answer questions regarding the calls the nursing home said were made.

Hollywood Hills had in the days before the storm obtained eight spot chillers that could be run using a generator. Each had two armlike funnels that direct cool air. An exhaust vent from each machine releasing warmer air was routed upward, to the drop ceiling on each floor.

With the power otherwise still on at the nursing home, they were plugged into wall outlets. Staffers on Monday also went searching for portable fans and spent $900 to put one in each residents room.

After 5:30 p.m., more than 24 hours after the air conditioning stopped working and with forecasts for higher temperatures in the days ahead, Anderson said she first called the governors cellphone and left a message: 162 patients, elderly, some on oxygen. We need the air conditioning restored.

Between then and 10 p.m. on Monday, Anderson said she received two return calls from state officials saying they were working on the request.

On Tuesday, there was still no sign of an electric crew. Anderson said she continued making calls at about 10 a.m. Staffers and family members of patients, who by that time were beginning to worry, made calls to FP&L.

Ellie Pina, daughter of Mirelle Pina, a 96-year-old resident at the facility, said she and others repeatedly called FP&L and were ignored. Pina said that by Tuesday at noon it was extremely hot.

It was like 110 degrees in there, it was unbearable. Not even the fans were helping them, she said. The heat was amazing.

I told Florida Power and Light the generators were going to give up soon. And it happened. I told my husband people were going to die in there. And it happened, she said, reciting her ticket number for service.

Pina said the staff had put patients, clothed in as little as possible, in the hallways close to the cooling units.

The company official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that each of the chillers had a thermometer and that the readings upstairs showed temperatures in the low 80s  82 or 83, it was holding steady, the official said.

Patients temperatures were checked on each eight-hour shift, and for the last time Tuesday evening by a physician assistant who made rounds. None of the people who gave accounts of the situation were present after 11 p.m. Tuesday night.

According to the timeline provided by the nursing home, the first 911 call was placed at about 1:30 a.m. to report a patient in cardiac distress.

In an email Friday, officials with the city of Hollywood and its police department said the first 911 call came later, at 3:01 a.m.

By 4:45 a.m., according to the timeline provided by the nursing home, five patients had been in cardiac arrest or respiratory distress and were treated by paramedics.

Randy Katz, chairman of the department of medicine at Memorial Regional Hospital, across the street, said that around 6 a.m. one of the senior nurses walked over to Hollywood Hills. She made a call: These patients needed to be evacuated, immediately, he said.

Patients looked to be in distress. The second floor was extremely hot. Theres no reason patients that age with chronic medical issues should be in a facility without air conditioning, Katz said.

The hospital activated what is called a mass-casualty event. Hospital staffers rushed to Hollywood Hills, looking for patients and getting them out as soon as possible.

Our staff literally went room to room and evacuated the building, he said.

The sickest patients were rolled to the emergency room across the street on stretchers, with some being treated for dehydration, respiratory issues including respiratory failure, heat exhaustion or infection and high fevers.

The temperatures during the day outside are in the mid-90s. Im going to guess you can probably add another 10 degrees to that, Katz said of the temperature inside.

In a statement later in the day, Scott called the situation unfathomable and vowed that the state would hold accountable anyone not acting in the best interests of their patients.

As nursing-home executives began arriving at the building later Wednesday morning, they were instructed to stay behind a police line, saying the facility was a crime scene.

By 2 p.m., Anderson said, with detectives the only ones remaining, the air conditioning was turned back on.


Yvonne Neal, who graduated in 1945 from the Ashburn Colored School, approaches the front steps in her wheelchair to tour the building Saturday after its rededication. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

A faint scar runs from the edge of Louise Winzors nose and fades into her cheek.

The mark was left decades ago, when Winzor, now 73, was accidentally struck by a nail attached to a piece of wood she and her classmates at the Ashburn Colored School had fashioned into a makeshift bat for a softball game.

When we had recess, we would go in the back where the outhouse was. We didnt have any bats. . . . The only thing we had was pieces of wood, rusty wood with rusty nails in it, she recalled.

On Saturday, Winzor was among those gathered for a ceremony marking the rehabilitation of the single-room schoolhouse that she, as a 5-year-old, walked 90 minutes to and from because there was no bus for the black kids during that time.

It was a renewal that seemed remote less than a year ago, when a group of teenage vandals spray-painted swastikas, the words WHITE POWER and vulgar images on the easily-missed school on a small piece of land along a sidewalk-less road in Loudoun County.

At the time the building was vandalized, students at the Loudoun School for the Gifted had already done more than a year of fundraising to try to restore it. They planned to make renovations incrementally over a period of years.

But thousands of dollars in donations poured in from near and far after the Oct. 1 vandalism, accelerating the restoration effort, said Deep Sran, founder of the School for the Gifted.

The speed and nature of the communitys response was breathtaking, Sran said. There was so much unity.

The fruits of that response were unveiled during a ceremony Saturday at a small field across from the school, which opened around 1892 and closed in the late 1950s. It housed as many as 50 students in several grade levels at a time.

The schoolhouse came to be a reminder of Virginias racially segregated history, in which schools for black children received less money and few resources.



Visitors come and go at the renovated Ashburn Colored School, vandalized last year by a group of teenagers who defaced the building with hate symbols. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

Sran said the building was renovated to look as it did a century ago: 200-year-old wood was fitted throughout the building. A stucco surface was used for the dry wall, and the windows were modeled to resemble the originals, he said.



Dorothy Carpenter, left, and Inez Ross Farris embrace Saturday at the schools rededication. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

A historical marker installed this year, the effort of seventh-graders at Farmwell Station Middle School, stands to the side of entrance.

The school, Sran said, recalls a divided, divisive time. But it also evokes the sense of a real optimism and love thats ultimately prevailed over time.

Alfonso J. Harrod, whose older sister, Lola Jackson, taught at the school for 40 years, said his sister would wake at 6 a.m. daily to catch a train from the District, then a bus, to reach the school.

She spent her own money on supplies and, in the winter, arrived earlier so she could build a fire in the schools potbelly stove to warm the children when they got to class. When snow fell, she wrapped corn sacks around her shoes to keep out the cold, Harrod said.

She believed that every child could learn and study and grow, if they had the opportunity, he said. And she was determined to give her students the opportunity.
With simultaneous protests by President Trumps supporters, anti-fascist militants and the proudly outre fans of the rap-metal band Insane Clown Posse, Saturdays lineup of rallies on and around the Mall seemed almost designed to test Americans capacity for peaceable disagreement.

But as the day progressed and demonstrators of wildly different ideological stripes crowded into Washington, that ideal did not seem so remote: By late afternoon, police reported no violence and said they had not made any arrests.

It was a relief for D.C. authorities, who had prepared for the possibility of violent clashes and taken extensive security precautions, deploying large numbers of police officers and National Guard members on the Mall and barricading surrounding streets.

Looming large over the day was the specter of Charlottesville, where a white nationalist rally just over a month ago turned into a deadly riot. Police in the Virginia college town were later faulted for not reacting swiftly or forcefully enough to the violence.

But the protesters in Washington, unlike those in Charlottesville, did not show up armed with shields, clubs and guns, and even implored one another at times to avoid brawling.

Political violence happens in Russia, in Iran, in North Korea. Its not supposed to happen here, said Tommy Hodges, an organizer of the Mother of All Rallies attended by Trump supporters. You should be able to say whatever you want without someone raising a fist against you.

Addressing a crowd of a few hundred near the Washington Monument shortly before noon, Hodges pleaded for a peaceful gathering and asked his audience to shake the hand of the person next to you.

Standing in front of the White House at about the same time, Dan Ward, a Marine Corps veteran and Democrat running for Congress in Virginias 7th District, said he was in his hometown of Charlottesville during the riot Aug. 12.

He said the violence  which culminated with a car authorities said was driven by a man with white-supremacist ties plowing into a crowd, killing one and injuring 19  reminded him of clashes between pro- and anti-Russian forces he had seen while serving in Ukraine.

It was Charlottesville, not Ukraine, he said. And thats not okay.

Ward took part in a march of several dozen people from the White House to the Russian ambassadors residence on 16th Street, an elegant Beaux-Arts building where surveillance cameras looked down on a crowd that booed and shouted Nyet! The march, intended to protest Russian interference in the presidential election, broke up peacefully.

Even one of the rights more inflammatory partisans signaled the passions that fueled Charlottesville might be more muted Saturday.

502 Bad Gateway

Richard B. Spencer, the Alexandria resident who coined the term alt-right and has become the movement's omnipresent spokesman, said white nationalists' enthusiasm for Trump was at a low ebb after his recent backtracking on campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration, including the undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as minors and are known as "dreamers."

If anything, I would be protesting Trump this weekend, Spencer said in an interview, adding that neither he nor his allies were involved with the Mother of All Rallies event. Its a residue of an older conservatism. It really doesnt have much of anything to do with the alt-right.

The alt-right is a small, far-right movement that seeks a whites-only state.

Such distinctions were sometimes lost on demonstrators in overwhelmingly Democratic Washington. Tania Maduro, an organizer of an anti-Trump counterprotest, said she didnt see a meaningful difference between the avowed white supremacists in Charlottesville and the lesscombative Trump supporters on the Mall on Saturday.

If youre supporting Trump, she said, then you are supporting white supremacy.

Trump was criticized after the Charlottesville rally for saying that protesters across the political spectrum were to blame for the rioting, rather than focusing on white supremacists.

The peaceful unfolding of Saturdays protests may have owed much to D.C. law enforcement, which has long experience overseeing volatile demonstrations in the nations capital. When sparks flew, police quickly stamped them out. At one point officers headed off a shouting match between self-proclaimed anti-fascist demonstrator Lacy MacAuley and Trump supporters at the Mother of All Rallies. District resident MacAuley, 38, said afterward she had been ready to get punched if violence broke out.

D.C. police said 15 roads were closed around the Mall between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., including the tunnels at Ninth and 12th streets. Parts of C, D and E streets NW near the Mall were also closed. Metro also closed the Smithsonian station on the Mall during the rallies.

D.C. police spokeswoman Margarita Mikhaylova and Sgt. Anna Rose of the U.S. Park Police said late Saturday afternoon that there had been no arrests related to the demonstrations.

Several hundred Juggalos, as fans of Insane Clown Posse are known, gathered at the Lincoln Memorial. They were protesting their designation as a criminal gang by the FBI, and some said they were uninterested in the left-right political divide on display at the other gatherings.

Justin Thompson, a 24-year-old factory worker from a Detroit suburb, said he drove to Washington in his pickup truck to show that Juggalos are just like everybody else.

We go to work. We pull our 9-to-5s, he said. We take care of our kids and everything else.
A male victim died after being found with gunshot wounds early Saturday in the 6000 block of 67th Pl. in Riverdale, Prince Georges County police said.

Officers responded at about 1:20 a.m. to a shooting call and discovered the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Detectives are working to establish a suspect or suspects and motive in the case.

Police asked anyone with information to call @PGCrimeSolvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
In several Washington-area jurisdictions, the annual number of homicides often runs into the double figures. But in Arlington County, Va., in a display of the differences that can exist between adjacent jurisdictions, the number of slayings last year was one.

On Wednesday, a judge handed down a 32-year sentence in that homicide, a case in which a man was accused of killing his father.

After a guilty plea, Maxwell Adams, 18, of Arlington, was sentenced to 32 years in prison for his role in the death of Dennis Andy Adams, 46, the police said.

They said Judge Louise M. DiMatteo imposed consecutive sentences of 27 years on a charge of first-degree murder and five on a charge of stabbing in commission of a felony. The sentences are to run consecutively, the police said.

According to police, detectives determined that the victim was stabbed April 1, 2016, in a house in the 3600 block of South Third Street as the result of what one police official called as a senseless act of domestic violence.

So far this year at least four homicides have been reported in Arlington, with its population of about 230,000, according to a Washington Post compilation.
Apparently, even marijuana growers need to have ADA accessible bathrooms.

While being code complaint might not seem like a priority for marijuana growers, now that cannabis use and cultivation is legal in California, things like bathrooms, waste systems, lighting and permits are now on the to-do lists for such businesses.

Napa architect Chris Craiker gets it.

Over the past 18 months, the Napa businessman has designed and renovated several indoor growing facilities for clients who are cultivating one of the states most talked about cash crops: cannabis.

A business is a business, said Craiker. You cant make judgments based on first impressions, he said. These are professionals, that are serious about what they are doing.

Craiker has completed two and is now working on a third project  all located in the Sierra mountain area, outside of Napa County, he noted. For confidentiality reasons, he declined to elaborate or name the clients.

However, Craiker said his first cannabis grow facility project came from one of his existing clients.

We had a client who owned a number of buildings in this area, said Craiker. He asked us to help him legalize a building that was partially renovated illegally and make everything code complaint, he explained.

Thats our plan, he said. Were trying to make them legal and safe.

Whether or not the growers or owners use cannabis, is not the question, he said.

Craiker explained his work on these facilities. Were taking existing warehouses and retrofitting them for mechanical systems, to make them code complaint.

Grow houses can have up to five harvests a year compared to one or two in open air farms, he noted. Therefore, air filtration and ventilation are key components.

Were making sure they have adequate air filtration systems and they have to have sufficient power, he said.

According to Craiker, previous generations of these grow houses used a lot of power, sometimes stealing it from other users.

Now, the new source of energy is LED lights, set on timers. They work a lot more efficiently. There is still a lot of power required but not as much, as older systems.

Even bathrooms have to be accessible for the disabled or those who need extra room.

So far, the growing warehouses that Craiker is working on are usually at least 5,000 square feet. Some areas have set rules about how much space the actual cannabis growing can occupy. More space is also needed for production, processing, handling and bagging, he said.

Only 50 percent of a typical facility is for the actual growing process, noted Craiker. Theyre not just growing pot, he said of his clients. They are processing it as well.

California legalized cannabis, although the federal government says marijuana is illegal.

Craiker said one challenge for such facilities is that there is always extra scrutiny of such plans. From a county and city perspective, Everyone is looking at them in heavy detail.

There are always questions that come up. These (projects) require precision and being clear on things.

Craiker said hes not sure how much his business will grow from this new line of work.

Industries come and go, he said. One problem I foresee is that it could be overdone really quickly. There could be a glut, of cannabis, he said. I talk to my clients about that. A 2-acre building could be producing an enormous amount of product that could saturate the market very quickly.
A pedestrian was hit by an SUV and killed Friday night in the Waldorf area of Charles County, the Maryland state police said.

They said the pedestrian was trying to cross southbound Route 301 north of Smallwood Drive when he walked into the path of the vehicle. The police identified him as Leo Wheatley Bury Jr of La Plata. He was walking from the median, and was hit in the second left turn lane, they said.

His age was not given. The police did not say why he moved into the path of the vehicle.

The crash occurred near the St. Charles Towne Center, a busy commercial area.
Prince William County police released few new details Saturday about an officers fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy outside a house in Haymarket pending an investigation by Commonwealths Attorney Paul B. Ebert (D) into whether the shooting was justified, a police spokesman said.

Officer Nathaniel J. Probus said the inquiry is expected to be completed within a week.

[Prince William County police officer fatally shoots male teenager]

Probus said Saturday that the officer, who was among the first to arrive on the scene Friday, fired more than one shot from a handgun. The officer remains on routine administrative leave after the incident, said Probus, who declined to say how many times the teen was struck, the identity of the teen or the length of time the officer has been on the force.

The shooting occurred outside a townhouse about 10:45 a.m. Friday in the 6800 block of Hartzell Hill Lane after a report of a potential hostage situation, police said.

Officers and a tactical response team converged at the address after receiving information that one of the parties involved had a bomb strapped to his chest and was holding a family member hostage, police said. When they arrived, they found the 15-year-old outside his home.

Police said that during the encounter, the teen brandished a crowbar, began walking toward the officers in a threatening manner and refused commands to drop the crowbar.

No bomb was found, police said.
Virginias Democratic gubernatorial contender Ralph Northam raised more than twice as much money this summer as Republican opponent Ed Gillespie and had a war chest twice as large heading into the last two months of the campaign, according to finance reports.

In July and August, Northam raised $7.2 million, while Gillespie took in $3.7 million in the same period.

That left Northam, the sitting lieutenant governor, with $5.6 million in cash to Gillespies $2.6 million as of Aug. 31, according to data released Saturday by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project.

Northam's summer fundraising reverses a 2-to-1 cash advantage that Gillespie held immediately after the June 13 primary. Northam spent most of his early money on the primary contest to defeat former congressman Tom Perriello for the Democratic nomination while Gillespie had conserved funds in his primary match against Corey A. Stewart.

Gillespie, a longtime party operative and former head of the Republican National Committee, has been outspending Northam on campaign commercials airing on broadcast networks, according to VPAP data.

Gillespie so far has raised $8.5 million, lagging behind the past three GOP gubernatorial nominees by the same point in the campaign, according to a VPAP analysis. Northam has raised $12.6 million, short of Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffes record-shattering $19.4 million haul heading into November. The historical numbers were adjusted for inflation.

Virginia is holding the only competitive gubernatorial contest this year and doesnt limit campaign contributions, attracting national interest and dollars from donors who see it as a bellwether for next years midterm elections. The other race is in New Jersey, where the Democrat is considered the favorite.

[Stoked by statues and Charlottesville, governors race enters new stretch]

More than half of Northams latest haul came from 18 donors: The Democratic Governors Association and a collection of labor groups each gave $1 million, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters gave $700,000 and financier Michael Bills, who has been Northams largest individual donor, poured in an additional $312,000.

Republicans, who have been stoking Virginia Democrats' intraparty debate over fossil fuels, pointed out that Northam took $10,000 from Marcellus Gas Infrastructure.

Gillespies biggest single source of funds during the third quarter was the Republican Governors Association, which gave $2 million to Gillespie, more than half his haul, through its $8 million Virginia PAC.

Other notable Gillespie donors include Jay Faison, a conservative who promotes clean energy, with $133,000 and megadonors Steve Wynn, a casino magnate and confidant of the president, and Richard Uihlein, a shipping magnate, each pouring in $100,000.

Virginia general election guide



Northam also had almost triple the number of small donors: 5,900 donations under $100 to Gillespies 2,100.

Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Cliff Hyra reported $1,063 cash on hand after raising nearly $15,000 in the July-August period.

The latest fundraising reports dont reflect the full extent of outside groups planning their own expenditures to mobilize voters and air ads.

They include billionaire Tom Steyers NextGen America and the political arms of Planned Parenthood and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters on the Democratic side, and the Koch brothers Americans for Prosperity on the Republican side.

[Democratic groups plan $2 million coordinated digital effort for Northam]

In addition to governor, Virginia voters are casting ballots on Nov. 7 for lieutenant governor, attorney general and 100 House of Delegates seats.

Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D), who is seeking a second term, ended the period with more than $2.9 million on hand and a commanding financial lead over his GOP opponent John Adams, who had $600,000.

Candidates for lieutenant governor were neck-and-neck. Democrat Justin Fairfax and state Sen. Jill Vogel (R-Fauquier) both raised more than $400,000 and ended the period with more than $300,000.

Several Democrats challenging Republican delegates in state legislative districts won by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in November were among the top House fundraisers in the July-August period.

At the top of the list is Danica Roem, a former reporter whose candidacy has drawn national attention because she would be the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature. She raised $221,000, about half of which came from outside the district including from wealthy Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.

Roem ended the period with a $67,000 advantage over Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William), a longtime target of Democrats for his socially conservative views, who had about $95,000 in cash on hand. Marshall also received out-of-district donations, including $5,000 from the antiabortion Family Research Council.

[Marshall refuses to debate Roem, saying her supporters call him a bigot]

Other top Democratic fundraisers included Elizabeth Guzman and Hala Ayala, who are competing in Prince William, and Chris Hurst, a former anchor running in southwest Virginia who recently became the first Democratic House candidate to air a television ad. All of them raised about $150,000.

Del. James LeMunyon (R-Fairfax) raised the most of any GOP lawmaker in the most recent period for his competitive race in Northern Virginia, taking in $145,000 to Democratic challenger Karrie Delaneys $115,000. Delaney had slightly more cash on hand with $97,000.

Del. John Bell (Loudoun), one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents, raised $130,000 to his opponent Subba Kollas $94,000. Kolla, aided in part by the national Indian American donor community, had a more than $70,000 lead over Bell in cash on hand.

Regardless of their fundraising in the past quarter, Republican incumbents are sitting on an enormous cash advantage because of campaign accounts for House leaders and associated PACs. House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), who is in a safe district and set to be speaker if Republicans maintain control of the chamber, had $591,000 on hand.

Gregory S. Schneider contributed to this report.
ILLINOIS

Judge blocks move to punish sanctuary cities

A federal judge on Friday blocked the Justice Department from withholding grant funds from places that do not provide immigration authorities access to local jails or give advance notice when suspected illegal immigrants are to be released  dealing a major blow to the Trump administrations vowed crackdown on sanctuary cities.

U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber in Illinois wrote in a 41-page opinion that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had probably exceeded his lawful authority when he imposed new conditions on particular law enforcement grants, requiring recipients to give immigration authorities access to jails and notice when suspected illegal immigrants were to be released.

The judge blocked Sessions from implementing the conditions not just on the city of Chicago, which had sued over the matter, but across the nation.

His ruling follows an order from another federal judge in California blocking Trumps executive order on sanctuary cities.

The judge issued a preliminary injunction  which means the administration is blocked temporarily while the case makes its way through the courts.

 Matt Zapotosky

CALIFORNIA

Foie gras can no longer be sold, court says

A federal appeals court reinstated Californias ban on foie gras Friday, finding that a state law preventing sales of the luxury liver pate made by force-feeding ducks and geese was not preempted by the federal governments authority to regulate poultry products.

Animal rights activists and lawmakers who pushed the ban through the legislature said the process of fattening the livers of the animals was cruel and inhumane.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals celebrated the unanimous ruling by three judges and said it planned to protest outside an Hermosa Beach restaurant that put the delicacy on the menu when it won a ruling two years ago from a lower court judge who blocked the ban.

State lawmakers voted in 2004 to bar California farmers from force-feeding birds with a tube, which is how foie gras is produced. That part of the law, phased in over seven years, was not challenged.

But foie gras farmers in Canada and New York and Hots Kitchen in Hermosa Beach targeted a second part of the law that banned the delicacy produced out of state from being served in restaurants or sold in markets, arguing that state law was superseded by the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act.

The main question was whether the state was imposing its ban on an ingredient or a process.

It is not the livers that are force-fed, it is the birds, Judge Jacqueline Nguyen of the appeals court wrote.

 Associated Press

NEW YORK

State bans questions on immigration status

New York state agencies and officials will be barred from asking about a persons immigration status, under an executive order issued Friday by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D).

The rule also prohibits officials from disclosing a persons immigration status to federal authorities, except in certain situations such as a law enforcement investigation.

The order means officers with state law enforcement agencies will not be allowed to question a crime victim or a witness about their citizenship or residency, and the states public universities and colleges would be barred from sharing residency information about students with federal immigration officials.

 Associated Press
Every day, it seems as though theres a new natural disaster in the headlines. Hurricane Harvey inundates Texas. Hurricane Irma plows through the Caribbean and the U.S. South, and Jose is hot on its heels. A deadly earthquake rocks Mexico. Wildfires blanket the West in choking smoke.

While gripping tales of loss and heroism rightly fill the news, another story quietly unfolds. Hurricanes, droughts, oil spills, wildfires and other disasters are natural labs. Data quickly gathered in the midst of such chaos, as well as for years afterward, can lead to discoveries that make rescue, recovery and resilience possible in future crises.

So when disaster strikes, science surges, says human ecologist Gary Machlis of Clemson University in South Carolina. He has studied and written about the science done during crises and was part of the Interior Department's Strategic Sciences Group, which helps government officials respond to disasters.

The science done during Hurricane Harvey is an example. Not long after the heavy rains stopped, crews of researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey fanned out across Texas, dropping sensors into streams. The instruments measure how swiftly the water is flowing and determine the severity of the flooding in different regions affected by the hurricane. Knowing where the flooding is the worst can help the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other government groups direct funds to areas with the worst damage.

In the days leading up to Irma's U.S. landfall, USGS scientists went to the Florida, Georgia and South Carolina coasts to fasten storm-tide sensors to pier pylons and other structures. The sensors measure the depth and duration of the surge in seawater generated by the change in pressure and winds from the storm. This data will help determine damage from the surge and improve models about flooding, which may help show where future storm waters will go and who needs to be evacuated ahead of hurricanes.

Even as Irma struck Florida, civil engineer Forrest Masters of the University of Florida in Gainesville, accompanied by students and collaborators, traveled to the southern part of the state. As winds blew and rain pelted, the team raised minitowers decked with instruments designed to measure ground-level gusts and turbulence. With this data, the researchers will compare winds in coastal areas, near buildings and around other structures, with the goal of helping government agencies assess storm-related damage.The team will also take the data back to Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure labs at the university to study building materials and identify those most resistant to extreme winds.

Scientists want to use their expertise to help society in whatever way they can during a disaster, says biologist Teresa Stoepler, who was a member of the Strategic Sciences Group when she worked at USGS.

As a former science and technology policy fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Stoepler studied the science that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident, in which the explosion of an oil rig spewed 210 million gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico. This accident also opened the door for scientific research. Biologists, chemists, psychologists and other scientists wanted to study the environmental, economic and mental-health consequences of the disaster; local scientists wanted to study the effects of the spill on their communities; and leaders at the local and federal government needed guidance on how to respond. There was a need to coordinate all of that effort.

That's where the Strategic Sciences Group came in. Officially organized in 2012, it brought together researchers from federal, academic and nongovernmental organizations. The goal was to use data collected from the spill to map out possible long-term environmental and economic consequences of the disaster, identify where further research needed to be done and help determine how to allocate money for response and recovery efforts.

Not long after its formation, the group had a disaster to respond to: Hurricane Sandy devastated portions of the East Coast, even pushing floodwaters into the heart of New York City. Scientific collaborations allowed researchers and policymakers to get a better sense of whether wetlands, sea walls or other types of infrastructure would be best to invest in to prevent future devastation. The work also gave clues as to what types of measurements, such as the height of floodwaters, should be made in the future  say, during storms like Harvey and Irma  to speed recovery efforts afterward.

Were likely to see similar collaboration time and time again. No doubt, more natural disasters loom. And other groups are getting into crisis science.

For instance, Stanford University, with its Science Action Network, aims to drive interdisciplinary research during disasters and encourage communication across the many groups responding to those events. And the Disaster Research Response program at the National Institutes of Health provides a framework for coordinating research on the medical and public health aspects of disasters and other emergencies.

Surges in science will stretch from plunging into a crisis to get in-the-moment data to monitoring years of aftermath. Data collected a year, three years or even five years after a disaster may reveal gaps in the science and how those can be avoided in future events.

The more data collected, the more discoveries made and lessons learned, the more likely well be ready to face the next disaster.

Science News
Dan and Megan Kelley with daughter Bridget, who has leukemia. The girl has avoided infection since returning home in December. (Melissa Bailey/Kaiser Health News)

Angela Cooper arrived home from work to discover that her daughters temperature had spiked to 102 degrees, a sign that the teenager, who has cancer, had a potentially deadly bloodstream infection. As Cooper rushed her daughter to the hospital, her mind raced: Had she done something to cause the infection?

Cooper, who works at a Chevy dealership in Iowa, has no medical background. She is one of thousands of parents who perform a daunting medical task at home  caring for a child's catheter, called a central line, that is inserted in the arm or torso to make it easier to draw blood or administer drugs.

Central lines, standard for children with cancer, lead directly to a large vein near the heart. They allow patients with cancer and other conditions to leave the hospital and receive antibiotics, liquid nutrition and even chemotherapy at home. But families must perform daily maintenance that, if done incorrectly, can lead to blood clots, infections and even death.

As more medical care shifts from hospital to home, families take on more complex, risky medical tasks for their loved ones. But hospitals have not done enough to help these families, said Amy Billett, director of quality and safety at the cancer and blood disorders center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Childrens Hospital.

The patient-safety movement has almost fully focused all of its energy and efforts on what happens in the hospital, she said. Thats partly because the federal government does not require anyone to monitor infections that patients get at home.

Even at the well-resourced, Harvard-affiliated cancer center, parents told Billett in a survey that they did not get enough training and did not have full confidence in their ability to care for their child at home.

The center was overwhelming parents by waiting until the last minute to inundate them with instructions  some of them contradictory  on what to do at home, Billett said.

An external central line, which has an end that lies outside the body, must be cleaned every day. Caregivers have to scrub the hub at the end of the line for 15 seconds, then flush it with a syringe full of saline or anticoagulant.

If caregivers dont scrub properly, they can flush bacteria into the tube, and  whoosh  the bacteria enter a major vein close to the heart, Billett said. One father, noting that the hub looked dirty, scrubbed it with a pencil eraser, sending three types of bacteria into his childs bloodstream, she said.

Monitoring infections

Learning the cleaning steps was very nerve-racking, recalled Cooper, whose 18-year-old daughter, Jaycee Gray, has had a central line since April to receive treatment for a rare type of blood cancer.

You can scrub and scrub and scrub, and it doesnt feel like its clean enough, she said. Parents must keep track of other rules, too, such as covering up the central line before the child gets into the shower and changing the dressing if it gets dirty or wet.

Bloodstream infections associated with central lines lead to thousands of deaths each year inside hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research has also shown that these infections are largely preventable: Hospitals have slashed infection rates when staff follow the CDC's standardized safety steps.

But researchers recently discovered that more children with central lines are getting bloodstream infections at home: In a three-year study of children with cancer and blood disorders at 15 hospitals, 716 such infections took place outside the hospital, compared with 397 inpatient infections. This was partly because children with central lines spend much more time outside hospitals than inside them.

These hospitals belong to a national collaborative of 20 pediatric cancer centers that aims to train families, visiting nurses and clinic staff on how to handle central lines.

At one of the hospitals, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, researchers discovered that patients as young as 8 were cleaning their own central lines at home, even though the hospital had designed its training materials for adults.

Cooper said that when her daughter developed the fever in July, she immediately started wondering if she were to blame: Its really hard, she said. I dont want to put her in the hospital.

When doctors confirmed that Jaycee had a bloodstream infection, Cooper asked them what caused it. Days later, after interviews and tests, no one knew for sure.

Jaycee was transferred to Childrens Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, one of the other hospitals in the collaborative, where nurse Amanda Willits works with families to identify the likely causes of infections and to practice safe techniques. Willits said the bacteria probably came through the skin, but there is no sign that Cooper was to blame, and Cooper demonstrated her line-care technique perfectly.

Jaycee spent four days in an isolated room at the hospital. Doctors warned her that if the bacteria had colonized the plastic of her central line, she might have to go through surgery to have it removed and replaced.

As it turned out, Jaycee didnt need surgery; she recovered with antibiotics.

In a small study published last year, about four out of 10 children who got these infections needed to have their lines surgically removed.

In that study, pediatric oncologist Chris Wong Quiles of Dana-Farber/Boston Childrens tackled basic questions that researchers dont have national data on: When patients get these infections at home, what happens to them, what does it cost and how often do they die?

Wong Quiles found that in 15 percent of cases, children ended up in the intensive care unit. Four children died. Their median hospital stay was six days, and their median age was 3.

These episodes also cost a lot. Wong Quiles found that median hospital charges were $37,000 per infection. Thats not counting professional fees from hospital staff; the cost of going home with antibiotics and possibly nursing care; or the cost to families of losing days of work to be at the hospital with their kids.

The checklist engineer

In Boston, Billett and Wong Quiles have enlisted extra staff and resources to try to help parents. The hospital hired what is called a "checklist engineer" to clean up inconsistent messaging and created family-focused videos, flip charts and pocket-size brochures about handling central lines.

Now, patients and families start learning central-line care five to 10 days before discharge, instead of just one or two days, Billett said. Parents first practice on a dummy called Chester Chest, then demonstrate their skills on their child.

Even after this training, bringing a child with cancer out of the hospital felt scary, said Megan Kelley, whose 8-year-old daughter, Bridget, is being treated there for leukemia.

It felt like bringing a newborn baby home  weve never done this before, said Kelley, who lives in Quincy, Mass., with her husband, Dan, and their three daughters.

Bridget and her family have managed to avoid infection since she was first discharged in December.

Along the way, the family got support and was spot-checked: The hospital keeps track of who was trained and that persons skill level, and sends a nurse home to see how the caregiver handles the line.

This approach to patient safety  helping families at home through standardized learning tools, hands-on training and tracking skill development  could have broad applications for caregivers of patients young and old, Billett said.

Some early work at Johns Hopkins has shown success: The hospital found a dramatic reduction in outpatient bloodstream infection rates after it trained families, home health nurses and clinic staff.

These infections can exact such a harsh toll on some of our most vulnerable patients, said Michael Rinke, who led that research and now works at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Preventing even one of these can help a kid have an important out-of-hospital time, and have an important being-a-kid experience.

 Kaiser Health News

Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit health newsroom whose articles appear nationwide, is an editorially independent part of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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As a new school year gets underway, a years-long push to better prepare kindergartners in high-need areas across Napa Valley for their first year of school is being lauded as a success. But, the new year also marks a turning point for the effort, known as the Napa Valley Early Learning Initiative; one that could put its progress at peril.

Since 2012, the initiative, a sweeping, multi-agency undertaking founded and backed by the Napa Valley Vintners, has worked to bridge a gap in academic achievement between English-learning 3-to-5-year-olds and their English-fluent peers.

To do this, the initiative combines a cast of community agencies, offering their services under one banner to students and families at four schools throughout the valley, in areas with high concentrations of low-income families and English language learners: Napa Junction Elementary in American Canyon, Shearer and Phillips Elementary schools in the city of Napa, and Calistoga Elementary. Devised by the Vintners as a pilot program of sorts, the initiative has lived on funding from the group to the tune of up to $1 million each year for the five years of its existence.

And while teachers and parents at the four schools, as well as the results of a school readiness assessment of county kindergartners last year, all credit the initiative for significant progress in students preparedness, the effort today is at a crossroads. This school year marks the final year of the pilot period, after which the allotted funding from the Vintners will end, as planned, shifting the question of support to other backers. However, as of now, those future sources of funding have yet to be found.

We want to see some buy-in from the rest of the community, said Becky Peterson, Member and Community Relations Director with the Napa Valley Vintners. Is there the will to continue doing it, or to expand it among more than just us?

Whether the will exists and is enough to secure the funds to further its efforts or not, advocates say the initiatives work is far from over.

We didnt wipe out the need, unfortunately, during this five years, said Michelle Laymon, program officer for the Early Learning Initiative. Theres still an achievement gap and as long as there are children that are entering school with a second language other than English as their primary language, then theyre going to continue to have a bit of a gap. So that hasnt gone away.

Offered among the initiatives web of services are openings at high-quality preschools for English-learning students, as well as transition programs for new kindergartners with little to no preschooling. According to the school readiness assessment of 266 Napa students conducted last school year by social research firm Applied Survey Research as part of an overall Kindergarten Readiness Report, children who had attended preschool scored higher in the metric for kindergarten readiness than those who had not.

Those spots for preschool, its so essential, especially in this community, that we have that, said Paty Infante, a kindergarten teacher at Phillips Elementary School. Weve seen such a difference in these last years of increased kids coming in with more abilities. Its not just blank.

Those honed abilities include not only a better grasp on English, but also social skills, which teachers say hasten the time it takes to establish classroom routines and rules.

A lot of the kids who struggle are kids who come in not really knowing any English, or very little English, said Tianna Young, another kindergarten teacher at Phillips. So the kids that are able to go to the preschool program have that full year of practicing their English before they start learning in the classroom, which is huge.

Through the initiative, Phillips is slated to expand its on-site preschool this year, doubling the number of available slots from the existing 44 today. Open slots will also be extended to 3-year-olds, who will have access to an extra year of preschool.

In addition to the initiatives offering of more preschool spots, teachers also cite family involvement and parent education as being equally vital to achieving the desired levels of student readiness.

Speaking last week at Shearer Elementary School in Napa, Maria Fernandez, 35, explained how her eldest son had struggled in kindergarten and had not attended preschool. Spurred by issues with her sons behavior, Fernandez eventually attended a class on effective parenting offered through Parent University, one of the initiatives partners. While the program had already existed in Napa County elementary schools, offering more than 100 classes for parents of children in higher grades, a component for parents of preschool children was also added through the initiative.

Sonia Ochoa, a coordinator for Parent University, translated for Fernandez, who is a native of Michoacan, Mexico and speaks only Spanish.

Having taken other classes as well, Fernandez said she felt more connected to the school once she started attending the classes. Before that, it was just dropping off the kids and you dont feel connected. Youd go home, leave them and thats it. But once you start taking the classes, you feel more connected and you start getting to know other parents.

One of those other parents is Alejandra Perez, 29, also of Michoacan, who spoke alongside Fernandez at Shearer last week. After her eldest daughter was accepted to one of the open preschool slots, Perez began volunteering at the preschool and, like Fernandez, took classes through Parent University.

Ochoa also translated for Perez, who said she feels that its important for her kids, or the kids in general to have, to see, the presence of the parents here, because it helps them get motivated and know that they can reach their goals and that their parents are here supporting the school.

Perez, who completed only elementary school in Mexico, the equivalent of sixth grade in the United States, said she also plans to begin taking English classes at Shearer, because she wants to learn so she can help her daughters, Ochoa translated. Because when it comes to homework, theyre going to ask questions and shes not going to know what its saying on the homework.

Fernandez, who went to high school but did not complete it, is today taking GED classes offered at Phillips and has taken two of the five tests en route to earning her credential, so that she can have an opportunity of a better job in the future, she said.

Among the recommendations made in the Kindergarten Readiness Report from Applied Survey Research was the continued push for engagement from parents like Fernandez and Perez in initiative programs and parent education, both of which were linked to higher readiness scores in kindergartners.

Teachers also echoed the sentiment, with Young noting that it comes down to the parents. Its because theyre [students] not going to preschool without the parents putting them there.

Infante further expressed that, because of the initiative, Parents have something. Like weve been giving parents some information, some power.

But as the initiatives work persists, with preschool numbers rising and more parents becoming involved, still looming is the question of funding and how to maintain the efforts after the end of the current school year.

Thus far a leadership team composed partly of service providers with the initiative and grant review committee members from the Vintners, along with beneficiaries such as the county Office of Education and the Napa Valley Unified School District, has been assembled to pursue possible sources of funding. And while a set of potential backers has not yet been identified, Peterson pointed to foundations with interests in education and without a current presence in Napa as possible marks.

Until now the initiative also has not sought funding from the county, Peterson said. Well certainly be doing that. Ultimately, however, permanent support from an entity like the state would be ideal, she noted.

Helping to add clout to the programs pitch to prospective supporters will be evaluations, such as the Kindergarten Readiness Report, illustrating the initiatives success. We can leverage the money that were willing to continue with and leverage the results that weve already received to show this is something that already works, so its not a huge risk, Peterson said.

The nature of the initiative itself may also be a boon when taken in front of investors. This kind of collaborative approach has a lot of appeal to some funders, Peterson pointed out. A lot of different agencies are working together to make something happen.

But Peterson also acknowledged the lengthy timeline that could accompany the search for funders. We know there may be some little bumps here, she added, but were going to do our best to make sure that the services dont stop while were trying to get other people together.

For now, the search for support commences while the school year edges on and the last round of originally slated funding is put to work, helping for the time being, to improve the futures of as many of Napas youngest students as possible.

In Napa, theres a lot of haves and have nots, and we have to try to bridge that gap somehow, someway, Infante said. And these kiddos are at least getting some kind of an opportunity to have a standing chance when they come into school.

We know there may be some little bumps here, she added, but were going to do our best to make sure that the services dont stop while were trying to get other people together.  Becky Peterson, Napa Valley Vintners Community Relations Director
Hikers who are new to trails and want to equip themselves with the knowledge and experience to learn basic orienteering skills can look into the following:

Appalachian Mountain Club The club's Outdoor Skills classes include staff-led adventures covering map and compass basics. outdoors.org.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Thirty-eight states offer BOW workshops in a program based at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. uwsp.edu/cnr/bow.

DIY Try a do-it-yourself orienteering challenge, such as one offered at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Va. You can even borrow the necessary equipment at the park visitor center. nps.gov/prwi.

Outward Bound It's not just for troubled kids. Its challenging programs are also geared to teens, adults and veterans. outwardbound.org.

National Outdoor Leadership School This wilderness school offers classes around the globe. nols.edu.

REI Introduction to Map and Compass classes are offered in the retailer's stores as well as in local parks, including Rock Creek. rei.com.

Step Outdoors Its Land Navigation Workshop in southwest Colorado includes a one-hour race called ROGAINE (Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance). stepoutdoorscolorado.com.
Veterinarians typically do not dispense widely abused drugs, but they do use painkillers and an opiate that treats coughing in dogs. (Pichi Chuang/Reuters)

Some states are taking the war on opioids into veterinarians offices, aiming to prevent people who are addicted to opioids from using their pets to procure drugs for their own use.

Colorado and Maine recently enacted laws that allow or require veterinarians to check the prescription histories of pet owners as well as their pets. And Alaska, Connecticut and Virginia have imposed new limits on the amount of opioids a vet can prescribe.

Veterinarians typically do not dispense such widely abused drugs as Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet, but they do dispense tramadol, a painkiller; ketamine, an anesthetic; and hydrocodone, an opiate used to treat coughing in dogs. All of these are controlled substances that people abuse.

But even as some states push for veterinarians to assess peoples records, many practitioners maintain theyre unqualified to do so. And while a handful of states require vets to check the prescription histories of pet owners, about two-thirds of states explicitly prohibit it.

Im a veterinarian, not a physician. I shouldnt have access to a humans medical history, said Kevin Lazarcheff, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association. The states vets have access to a database where they can check on pet owners, but they are not required to do so.

Veterinarians may be uncomfortable seeing information about controlled substances prescribed for their clients, said Lazarcheff, who practices in Oakhurst, Calif.

And if the veterinarian suspects a client is abusing drugs, what then? Thats an interesting point, said Lazarcheff, because theres no set protocol. The one time he suspected a pet owner of abusing drugs, his office called the local police.

Where it went after that, I dont know, he said.

Unclear requirements

State prescription drug monitoring programs, or PDMPs, allow physicians and other practitioners to check a patient's medication history. But at least 32 states do not require veterinarians to report any dispensing information on the PDMP, according to the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws.

In the pre-Internet era, most states required veterinarians to mail in paper reports of narcotic prescriptions. When states switched to electronic systems in the early 2000s, veterinarians said their offices lacked the technology to comply, and many states removed the reporting requirement for vets, said Patrick Knue, director of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Center at Brandeis University.

The experiences of Maine and New Hampshire this year illustrate difficulties states face when trying to stop the flow of drugs to abusers while also respecting the role of veterinarians in health care.

Both states enacted laws requiring veterinarians to check the PDMP database before prescribing, but the New Hampshire legislature repealed its law after veterinarians argued that their professional responsibilities did not extend to the human owner.

Our patients are pets. Theyre not abusing the medication. The owners are, Jane Barlow Roy, past president of the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association, said.

Maine, which had 376 drug overdose deaths in 2016, a nearly 40 percent increase from 2015, has one of the most stringent laws in the country. It requires veterinarians to check the medical records of anyone seeking an opioid or benzodiazepine (prescribed for anxiety and insomnia) for an animal and to notify authorities if the pet owner has a questionable record.

Veterinarians also must get three hours of continuing education in prescribing opioids every two years.

But although veterinarians in Maine must check the database, they cannot enter prescriptions into the monitoring program. Only pharmacists are allowed to do that. So, a pet owner could take a dog to multiple vets and get drugs surreptitiously at several offices, Chris Pezzullo, Maines state health officer, acknowledged.

Coughing on cue

Some critics say tougher reporting requirements for veterinarians arent needed because the amount of drugs they prescribe is small. But Pezzullo said higher dosages are required because the metabolism of animals is faster than that of humans, which makes a pets drugs appealing to desperate addicts.

Last year in Virginia, a dog owner took his boxer to six veterinarians to get anti-anxiety pills and painkillers for his own use before he was caught, according to Fairfax County police, who said the owner was eventually charged with prescription fraud.

In Kentucky in 2014, a woman was accused of cutting her golden retriever twice with a razor so she could get drugs. And in the early 2000s, a man in Ohio allegedly taught his dog to cough on cue so the owner could get hydrocodone.

Such cases are believed to be rare, but authorities are working to cut off the supply of abused drugs. The Fairfax County Police Department recently published a brochure showing veterinarians how to spot a "vet shopper."

The clues include: new patients bringing in seriously injured animals, requesting certain medications by name, seeking early refills of prescriptions and claiming that medications had been lost or stolen.

The Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine issued emergency regulations in June limiting the duration of prescriptions that may be ordered for controlled substances. A vet may provide a seven-day supply and a seven-day refill only after reevaluating the animal.

For chronic conditions, the vet may prescribe an opioid for six months but must see and reevaluate the animal before prescribing more.

The goal is to decrease the intentional diversion of drugs and decrease narcotics left over in peoples homes, according to David Brown, director of the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

Stateline is an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts.

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Sarah Savage was alone in the woods and didnt know which way to turn. She had been eager to explore the Appalachian Trail when she moved to Pennsylvania and discovered that her house was near an access point. But not long after she took off from the trailhead, the path branched in different directions. She wasnt carrying a cellphone or a map. Nervous, she turned back.

I was afraid of getting lost. I didnt know how to read a map or even that maps existed for where I was hiking, said Savage, 49, who works in educational publishing.

But she liked the physical and emotional benefits of being out there, so she kept going back. She brought a map and followed the trail as best she could, yet she still felt apprehensive. I had no sense of direction, she said. I wasnt paying attention to north, south, east or west.

Navigating is a use-it-or-lose-it skill and one that few hikers, cyclists or walkers employ anymore because of their increased dependence on GPS units, Garmin computers, Google Earth and similar technologies. According to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey, nine of 10 smartphone owners use their device to get directions or for other location-based services, up from 74 percent in 2013. That heavy reliance on devices can give people a false sense of security.

In October 2015, a surveyor found the remains of Geraldine Largay, 66, who was hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail alone in the summer of 2013, stepped off the path and apparently became disoriented. She tried to use her cellphone to text for help, possibly causing further disorientation, especially if she was moving around while looking at her device instead of her surroundings. But she was in the dense woods of Maine, and she couldnt get a signal. She survived almost a month before dying of exposure and starvation.

Nobody knows how many U.S. hikers get lost each year, according to Robert J. Koester, an instructor for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the chief executive of dbS Productions, which conducts search-and-rescue training and publishes related information.

While a database that Koester created shows 24,000 formal search-and-rescue efforts a year, its imprecise, he said, given that many hikers get lost for only a short time. Many are able to eventually reorient themselves, or are lucky enough to stumble across someone else, he said. But for some hikers, the wrong turn proves deadly.

Preventing such tragedies is one reason that Stacy Boone teaches land navigation classes through her company, Step Outdoors, which works in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. Boone, who says she is a relative by marriage of the 18th-century explorer Daniel Boone, organizes wilderness trips to teach inexperienced hikers and backpackers how to use a map and compass. She has earned the Triple Crown of Hiking, an award given to people who have completed the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. She says that knowing how to follow a map while traversing a trail, how to orient a map north and how to set a bearing are critical skills that have helped her in forests, mountains, canyons, fields and deserts, no matter how many twists and turns she has taken.

People tend to panic when theyre lost or think theyre lost, Boone said. And panic leads to irrational behavior. Her first rule? Just stop. Drink water. Eat a snack. Doing so will help you calm down. It will also help you slow down.

The classic behavior when you get lost is to speed up, said Jamie ODonnell, a field instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School, a nonprofit based in Wyoming. People think, Oh, I need to work hard to get myself out of this. In doing that, they often make the situation worse by hiking fast. They quit paying attention to terrain features.

Once youve stopped and replenished your body, you can think more clearly.

Then and only then, pull out your map, Boone said.

That is, if you know how to use it. A map is nothing to dread or fear. A map is simply a birds-eye-view representation, drawn to scale, of a particular area. Topographic maps, which hikers use, typically show major highways, trails, waterways, vegetation (such as forests and meadows) and contour lines that depict elevation. Its a low-tech version of what so many have come to depend on electronically.

Although many trail users frequently rely on electronic prompts to provide a sense of direction, a GPS device is not a magic box, ODonnell said. Its important to understand its limitations.

The GPS wont tell you there is a mountain in the way or there is a huge river that wont be safe to cross, but a map will, he said. GPS units break. Batteries go dead. Phones get dropped in streams.

Also, turn-by-turn GPS [navigation] in which you see only one route and are always going straight ahead doesnt teach people to situate themselves on a route, said Nora Newcombe, a cognitive psychologist at Temple University.

Newcombe and her team of researchers are studying why some individuals are more directionally challenged than others. Scientists know that specific types of brain cells  called place cells, grid cells and head-direction cells  support our sense of direction, but that doesnt explain behavioral differences between one person and another, which is Newcombes focus. While answers are still unclear, good navigators have better spatial working memories, Newcombe said, and they anchor themselves in the wider world. For example, she said, they will think: I was walking toward the lake and I turned left, and then I was walking parallel to the lake even though I couldnt see it.

Americans might keep their bearings better if they practiced the skill the way some other cultures do. For example, the Inuit in northern Canada place a high priority on staying oriented.

For the Inuit in a traditional lifestyle, its a more challenging task due to the relative lack of stable landmarks, Newcombe said. Thus, they use other clues such as the prevailing wind direction as shown in the snow.

To become a better navigator, pay attention to clues. Is the ground flat or sloped? Note the position of the sun in the sky. Keep an eye out for handrails, landmarks that parallel your course, such as a creek to one side. And remember: Everything looks different when you spin your body and look backward, ODonnell said. If you step off a trail to use the bathroom, turn back around and pick out some identifying markers, like a big oak tree that splits near the bottom. Youll know you need to pass it on the way back.

Visual clues can also help you stay safe and oriented on the trail. Some hikers set their trekking poles outside their tent at night pointing in the direction theyre supposed to go the next morning, Boone said, while others never hike alone. Some go so far as to place their pack on the side of the trail, tie a string to it and carry the string with them when going off to use the bathroom.

ODonnell said that when he is in an area with lots of splits and turns, hell draw an arrow in the dirt at each junction in case he needs to backtrack. The arrows serve as a visual record if he gets confused or disoriented. He says he does this rarely, only when he needs to make a series of directional decisions prompted by many forks or other choices.

And hikers should always make a plan. Let someone know youre going out and when youll be back, said Brian Schachter, an instructor at the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. If youre not back by that time, they know to contact authorities.

While its smart for hikers to have an inReach or SPOT satellite emergency device  Boone, ODonnell and Schachter all carry this piece of gear, which allows a user to trigger an SOS message from anywhere in the world  its still vital to know how to read a map.

My concern is that when people get these devices, theres an excuse to push the envelope because their confidence isnt in their skills, its in their equipment, Boone said.

Sarah Savage, the hiker who got turned around multiple times on her brief visits to the Appalachian Trail, continued hiking. She already knew about the cairns and ducks (man-made piles of rocks) and blazes (symbols) that mark trails, and through study and trial and error she figured out how to use a map to find her location when she crossed a road or reached a trail intersection. She learned to estimate distances. She bought gear. As her knowledge increased, so did her confidence, and she began taking day hikes on well-marked paths. Day hikes gave way to weekend backpacking trips, which turned into hiking a section on the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut.

I planned it to within an inch of its life, she said. I knew where I was starting, where I was ending, and where I was going to camp every single night.

But she still relied on guidebook descriptions to follow her route. I had no clue about topography or contour lines, so I never ever ventured off well-marked, obvious trails, she said. When she began hiking out west where trails often vanished above the tree line, she relied on her boyfriend, who knew how to read maps.

He would take the lead and Id follow him.

Frustrated with that, Savage decided to learn map-and-compass skills herself.

Im slow at it, she said of the navigation exercises she practiced in one of Boones classes.

Savage may not be fast, but when she hiked a section of the Continental Divide Trail alone last year, she stayed the course  with the help of a map.

Read more

I cant follow a map or directions, and at 61 I still get lost and frightened

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How to reset your bodys clock, and get better sleep, with hiking boots and a tent


Stock Island, Fla., resident Jacqueline Rodriguez organizes what is left of her kitchen Thursday. Hurricane Irma blew the walls and roof off her home. (Maggie Steber for The Washington Post)

Lynn Hernandez is a "Conch," a fourth-generation native of the Florida Keys, and she knows from experience that the hard part isn't the hurricane; it's what happens now.

Four days after Irma dumped wrack and wreckage on this tiny island, its residents were deep into the blisteringly hot wait for food, electricity and water.

The wait for normal.

People are a little crazy now. Its scary, Hernandez said, sitting on the porch of her uncles semi-ruined frame house two blocks from the boatyard where most of her family make their living as fishermen. It was the same after Wilma, after Georges, after Andrew (she was pregnant for that one), after all seven of the hurricanes she has ridden out here on the Straits of Florida. Because that is what Conchs do.

[Hurricane Irma passed by one Florida coast and slammed into another]

She had her face in one hand and a warm Bud Light in the other, a little beery and a little teary recalling the post-Irma traumas: the two men she saw get into a knife fight near the marina, the old man they found dead in his apartment down the street, the boy who came around selling jewelry soon after reports of looting from the Zales store across the bridge.

And suddenly, trauma was upon her again. She looked up as the normal background barking of dogs reached a frenzy, then a shattering scream: No, theyre killing her! she heard.



Lynn Hernandez, 50, sits on the porch of her uncles house on Stock Island. (Maggie Steber for The Washington Post)

Hernandez ran from the porch and saw two big dogs that had been left behind by neighbors who heeded evacuation orders ahead of Irmas arrival. The dogs had been making a racket since the storm, and now they had gotten loose and were leaping around a young woman and the small white dog she was trying to protect. The little animals blood was already staining the front of her Key West High School shirt.

Oh, no; oh, no, the girl said after bystanders chased off the attackers. Shes dying.

Hernandez looked, saw that the girl was right and hugged her.

Its not your fault, she said. Theyre in survival mode.

Hernandez sat, cradling the fading animal.

Its not the storm. Its the aftermath, she said, her voice still shaking. Honestly, I dont mind the wind.

What I really want is ice

The Florida Keys, a bead string of causeway-connected islands dangling 113 miles into the ocean from the tip of the state, took the brunt of Irmas landfall when its eyewall rolled right over the archipelago. Between Islamorada and Stock Island  which abuts Key West  there are swaths of dramatic wreckage, mostly where the wind and water tossed around trailers, campers and boats.

But the construction codes in place since Hurricane Andrews 1992 devastation of the state have hardened Floridas homes, even here in one of the most vulnerable environments. Most of the affected structures looked damaged but not destroyed. Once the tons of debris are gone, the power grid restrung and hundreds of bent-but-not-broken roofs repaired, the Keys will be up and waiting for the next tropical tempest.

Hernandezs turquoise block home on Stock Island is one that was bruised but livable; Irma twisted part of her metal roof into ribbons. Thats fine, thats what she expected. Fixing a roof is better than leaving your home behind and being stuck in the angry line of cars at Mile Marker 74, where officers still wont let evacuees back in.

Conchs dont leave, said Cassandra Greene, who was out front of her home three blocks away, grilling the last of the pork chops she packed in coolers before the storm.

The Keys always come through, said her husband, Jimmy Greene, a water and sewer worker on Key West who grew up here. He was petting the emaciated stray dog that took up with them during the storm. We stay, and then we help each other out.

1 of 9 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Signs of life after Hurricane Irma hit the Florida Keys View Photos Abandoned objects show intimate glimpses of life on Islamadora and Stock Island before the hurricanes destruction Caption Abandoned objects show intimate glimpses of life on Islamadora and Stock Island before the hurricanes destruction Maggie Steber Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

In the wake of Irma, the Keys are like a ship that was nearly swamped by breaking waves, shedding the water, struggling to right itself.

It was getting busier. Hospital staff, utility workers, other essential personnel, were being let back in. Supply trucks loaded with generators, portable toilets and telephone poles filled southbound U.S. Route 1. With boats still on some side streets and most of the fallen trees still lying where Irma dropped them, the Lower Keys were crawling with residents, repair crews and relief groups.

One was giving away gasoline at the post office on Big Pine Key. National Guard members handed out emergency rations, water and ice at Sugarloaf Elementary on Sugarloaf Key. A line stretched around the Winn-Dixie, which was letting people in 10 at a time for five minutes of cash-only shopping.

On Stock Island, a uniquely Keys mix of working-class trailers and modest vacation homes, residents were tracking giveaways via the generator-powered FM station, 104.1. Cellphone coverage was limited to the reach of emergency towers; cable TV and Internet service were pre-Irma memories, along with air conditioning and fresh food.

Its as bad as Ive ever seen, but every day it feels a little more like normal, said Hernandezs neighbor, Kevin Edwards, 41, a military jet mechanic who was allowed to return Tuesday.

Edwards spent two days in 90-degree heat clearing a ficus tree off the front of his house and a Brazilian pepper tree off the back, going from 234 pounds to 219 in the process. When officials announced a two-hour window to flush toilets and bathe with water that still cant be consumed, he took a 45-minute shower, until the water backed up in his sink.

The systems not there yet, he said.

A Monroe County sheriffs car pulled slowly down the street, forcing a rooster to scamper to the side. If you need food or water, go to the Tom Thumb parking lot, the officer intoned through a loudspeaker.

Weve pretty much run out of food, Hernandez said when the car passed her house. An empty box labeled Emergency Ration Meals sat on a pile of reeking seaweed in her yard. What I really want is ice, something cold to drink.



Stock Island resident Jimmy Greene surveys wind damage as he takes his dog for an early evening walk Thursday. (Maggie Steber for The Washington Post)

Now look at that

Down on the corner, with the sun starting to set, Ed Harris put a final pile of branches at the curb. At 83, hed stuck through many a storm, but this was the first he went through without Phyllis. She died in July, just shy of their 60th anniversary.

His house, modern, built to code on eight-foot block piers, was undamaged. He had looked down at the water washing over his yard from the lonely safety of his porch.

My wife hated all these stairs, he said softly. I dont know. Everything has changed. Everything.

At that minute, Jimmy Greene walked by, his own dog Roxie on a leash. Harris called hello and thanked Greene for a favor hed done him earlier in the day: taking his car to get filled up at the one station on the island with gas.

That line was 60 cars long, Greene said, shaking his head.

Greene walked down Cross Street, past the fences crushed by the storm surge and the piles of rotting garbage, past the Looters Will Be Shot sign painted on the plywood still covering the window of a pink cottage.

Some of these houses, where they didnt clear out the fridge before they evacuated, he said sniffing, everythings starting to stink.

He stopped. Now look at that.

It was a trailer with its front end blown off. In the now open-air kitchen stood a woman putting dishes neatly away, as though she had just finished a meal.



Stock Island resident Michael Knoles stands with the front door of his house Thursday. (Maggie Steber for The Washington Post)

She was Jacqueline Rodriguez, a maid at the DoubleTree Hilton on Key West. She and her husband, who took refuge at another motel during the storm, were doing what they could to feel better about the fact that their home was a total loss.

Were alive, she said in Spanish. It was all she could muster.

Across the street, a man came out of his low-slung, branch-covered house the only way he could: removing the warped front door from its hinges, stepping out and then putting it back.

He was Michael Knoles, a removal technician for the Key West mortuary. Without working phones, police had for days been coming to knock on his busted front door when they needed a body collected  from the hospital, from houses, from boats.

The official death toll from Irma has been remarkably low, a combination of people getting out of the way of the storm and a bit of luck as the storm weakened and went inland. But locals say the people dying since the storm could have been affected by the stress.

A lot of heart attacks, Greene said. Folks are running out of their medicine.

Its been busy, Knoles said.

Greene, who was holding a can of Heineken, looked at Knoles, who was holding a can of Glory Foods collard greens.

You got a can opener for that? Greene asked.

Thats what Im looking for, Knoles said.

Got one at the house, Greene said, starting down the block in the last rays of the tropical sunset. Come on.
DRIVING THROUGH downtown Washington during rush hour is bad enough. If you are a passenger in an ambulance on your way to a trauma center, as George Washington University Hospital's director of trauma and acute care surgery pointed out to The Post, it can literally kill you. Because the facility does not have a helipad, some gravely ill patients find themselves in exactly that situation. The D.C. Council will soon have a chance to change that.

The council is rethinking a 1987 law that prohibits helipads in residential areas, the result of a debate over the same problem that plagues GW today: The Level 1 trauma center says more people are dying because it cannot airlift them to its care. Foggy Bottom denizens say allowing helicopters would threaten the neighborhoods peace, quiet and safety. Residents won 30 years ago, but now the council might carve out an exception for GW  assuming the Advisory Neighborhood Commission offers its support.

For some patients, that exception could mean the difference between life and death. The only Level 1 trauma center in the city besides GW is the MedStar Washington Hospital Center. In the event of a mass-casualty incident, the MedStar could find itself overwhelmed, while others in critical condition languished in ambulances weaving through traffic toward Foggy Bottom. Trauma patients, one study shows, are 16 percent more likely to survive when airlifted than when driven to care. Speed matters, not only for victims of violence or other disasters but also for those suffering from heart attacks and strokes.

To Foggy Bottom residents, noise matters, too. But at a residents request, the hospital conducted a sound study that determined an ambulance was louder than a helicopter at all but the closest individual site. In fact, because the hospital does not plan to take in more patients with the choppers but only to take in the same number more speedily, the neighborhood may experience a net reduction in noise level. The same study concluded the helicopters vibrations would not damage the historic homes nearby.

Citizens also are concerned about helicopters flying in a highly populated area, though the Federal Aviation Administration has preliminarily deemed GW's roof a safe spot for a helipad. While it is true that medical helicopters can be dangerous, the probability of a fatal mishap remains slim  especially measured against the life-saving capabilities of emergency air transport. Ambulances crash, too, and Foggy Bottom is filled with pedestrians.

GW is working with the ANC to come to an agreement that addresses residents concerns where reasonable, likely capping flights at 175 per year. When the issue reaches the council again, voting to allow the helipad should be an easy choice. As one neighbor put it, if a Foggy Bottom resident wakes up at 3 a.m. to the sound of a helicopter, the patient inside it is having a much worse day than she is. And the noise she is hearing might be of a life being saved.
Martin Batalla Vidal speaks during a protest and news conference in New York on Thursday before a court hearing challenging the Trump administration's termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

"Illegal" immigrants are confined to insular lifestyles, happy to pay their taxes although they rarely, if ever, benefit from government services. They pay into Social Security  from which they will never see returns. They live under the radar, careful to not draw attention to themselves, working hard, sometimes for lower pay than citizens and with no protections if something goes wrong on the job.

Imagine having to then leave your minimum-wage job because your boss said that there must be a mistake because your Social Security number didnt match your name.

I know that its not our fault they came here illegally. They shouldnt have done it. Their parents shouldnt have done it. Just as it is not their fault their families were oppressed by dictators or sandwiched between conflicting sides of a civil war or born in poverty-stricken countries.

The U.S. unemployment rate is at its lowest in a decade. If youve ever had a dreamer steal your job, its probably because he or she was smarter than you. If you ever had an undocumented immigrant steal your job, you probably didnt know it.

Imagine how much more undocumented immigrants could contribute to our economy if they were able to do the many things they cannot do by law today. Weve seen it with the dreamers. It has been proved. President Trump said he would revisit terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program if Congress cant pass a bill that supports the dreamers. The Dream Act is 16 years overdue, but so is a path to citizenship for the 11 million who have not qualified for DACA.

Comprehensive and smart immigration reform would allow undocumented immigrants opportunities to truly contribute to the U.S. economy and participate in the many things American citizens take for granted.

Kara Meyer, New York

The Sept. 7 editorial "The unjustified DACA decision" baldly asserted that the president and the attorney general offer "muddled reasoning" for the decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, but the justification for it was quite clear.

The Immigration and Nationality Act says that aliens who are in this country illegally (e.g., because they entered the United States without documentation or overstayed their temporary visas) are subject to deportation and prohibited from working in the United States. DACA bars deportation of some of these immigrants and permits them to work for two-year periods, renewable without limit. Even accepting the dubious assertion that prosecutorial discretion allows limitless deportation deferrals on a categorical rather than individual basis, there is no corresponding principle permitting limitless grants of work permits. DACA amounts to an amendment of an essential part of the act. This is made plain by its history; then-President Barack Obama issued the DACA order after Congress failed to agree to his proposed legislation amending the act to mitigate the consequences to which immigrants here illegally are subject. The Constitution, however, vests authority to amend legislation solely in Congress and not the president. DACA thus constitutes the sort of rule by decree normally practiced only by dictatorships.

Congress has similarly failed to agree to President Trumps proposed legislation repealing and replacing Obamacare. What would the reaction be if Mr. Trump responded by issuing an executive order barring imposition of the individual and business mandates for unlimited renewable two-year periods?

Marshall Tamor Golding, Arlington

Mickey Kaus's Sept. 13 op-ed, "Don't buy all the PR about 'dreamers' " admitted that "dreamers" are an appealing group of would-be citizens but worried about the slippery-slope theory of legislative possibilities. Apparently, Americans should be fearful of whole villages appearing in their neighborhoods, unless they are European, of course. Compromise on immigration or deport the dreamers appeared to be Mr. Kaus's only recourse.

Steve Harrison, Adamstown, Md.

I call on President Trump and Congress not to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) [" 'How would I survive going back there?'," Metro, Sept. 10]. TPS is a provision of federal immigration law that grants temporary clearance to work and shields from deportation thousands of immigrants from Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. Any talk of ending TPS is rooted in the evil trinity of racism, classism and sexism against people of color from foreign nations. Immigrants from Europe and Canada do not face this double standard of immigration discrimination being pushed by the Trump administration. We must defend TPS  and defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program simultaneously.

Arthur L. Mackey Jr., New York
Columnist

When Education Secretary Betsy DeVos paid a visit to Kansas City Academy on Friday, there were more protesters outside than students inside. Perhaps 150 people, including some alumni of the private school, enjoyed a fine late-summer morning while hoisting handmade signs for the TV cameras. Some placards denounced the secretary's support for vouchers, a long-standing cause for the billionaire activist. Others disapproved of her decisions to rescind Obama-era guidance on gender-neutral restrooms and campus sexual-assault policies. More light-hearted were the signs tweaking DeVos for saying guns in the classroom can protect students in the rural West from grizzly bears.

DeVos was nearing the end of her week-long "Rethink Schools" tour, which took her to diverse classrooms across six states, some public, some private, all innovative. To her credit, she did not limit herself to the sort of schools where a conservative Christian from the Trump administration could rely on a friendly reception  even though such places would be easy to find in the Western and Midwestern states she visited.

Kansas City Academy is definitely not among them. The college preparatory school enrolls just 76 students in grades six to 12 and works wonders with creative, intelligent kids who have trouble fitting in at larger schools. Heavy emphasis on arts, the environment and social justice makes it an attractive option for progressive families. School lunches are farm-to-table.

News that DeVos had asked to pay a visit shocked and scared the Academy community, a recent graduate, Megan Ennis, told me: Scared of someone coming in the school who disagrees with just about everything they believe. Bathrooms at the Academy, for example, are trans-friendly, Ennis said. One student announced she would stay home rather than share space with a demon. Others decided to decorate the school with posters that reflect the schools inclusive spirit.

Senior Elly Martinez captioned hers: I am the gay witch the Christians warned you about.

But as she pinched out a clay pot in the ceramics room and whipped up a veggie burger in the culinary room, DeVos was a living reminder that people who disagree about some things don't have to disagree on everything. DeVos agrees passionately with one of the founding concepts of Kansas City Academy and the other schools around the country that practice "Expeditionary Learning." That is: Not all students learn in the same way or thrive in the same settings. This realization has sparked innovation in schools over the past generation. But it poses obvious challenges to traditional public schools that group students by geographical boundaries rather than individual needs.

DeVos painted a grim picture of those schools in a speech in Wyoming at the start of her tour. "Most students are starting a new school year that is all too familiar," she said. "Desks lined up in rows. Their teacher standing in front of the room, framed by a blackboard. They dive into a curriculum written for the 'average' student. They follow the same schedule, the same routine  just waiting to be saved by the bell. It's a mundane malaise that dampens dreams, dims horizons and denies futures."

Tiger Baker, a senior at Kansas City Academy, would agree with her about that. Before he transferred as a sophomore, Baker attended a nearby public school populated with kids whose parents couldnt afford a good school, he told me after the visit. The school was monitored like a prison, staffed by overwhelmed teachers, and had no room for creativity. I was always getting in trouble, he said.

DeVos finished her 90-minute visit by answering questions from students in government class, where she made a warm impression on students who had found her mean and forbidding on YouTube. Baker said that she was personally nice, respectful  kind of a mom thing. I loved being able to talk to her personally. When he asked the secretary why she chose his school to visit, DeVos replied that she admired the schools approach to nurturing individuality.

The rub, of course, is tuition and school fees: more than $12,000.

Fifty years ago, Kansas City Public Schools enrolled more than 70,000 students. Today, attendance is about one-fifth of that. Parents with the money or other wherewithal to escape those schools have gone, leaving the district to struggle as provider of last resort. And that's a far more difficult assignment, frankly, than even the transformational work done by schools such as Kansas City Academy.

It comes down to that last cohort, who have large needs but minimal resources. Critics of DeVos would spend more even as public schools fail students such as Baker. The secretary would rather give a voucher to parents and let them shop for a better fit.

The difference is means, not ends.

Read more from David Von Drehle's archive.
Regarding the Sept. 14 Metro article "Noncitizens allowed to vote in Md. jurisdiction":

The College Park mayor and City Council are setting an example for the rest of the nation by granting residents the right to vote in local municipal elections regardless of immigration status. Aspiring Americans of voting age deserve to have their voices heard when it comes to issues that affect their daily lives.

Seven jurisdictions, including six in Maryland, already allow aspiring Americans to vote in local elections and none has experienced incidents of voting fraud in federal elections. Noncitizens enjoyed the right to vote in local and statewide elections in 22 states until the 1920s.

As this community of primarily hard-working and law-abiding taxpayers continues to grow in College Park and nationwide, our elected leaders should ensure they have the opportunity to participate in our democracy.

I was forced to flee a bloody civil war in El Salvador at the age of 13, became a U.S. citizen and joined the U.S. Navy. Extending voting rights to noncitizen residents in my College Park community is exactly what democracy should look like, and its exactly the kind of freedom I served our nation to protect.

Jaime Contreras, College Park
MARYLAND GOV. Larry Hogan's (R) refusal to endorse the state's plan for a new system of school accountability could, critics say, jeopardize millions of dollars in federal education funding. No doubt there is such a risk. But don't blame Mr. Hogan. The fault lies with Democratic lawmakers who rammed through legislation that gutted the state school board's authority to set rigorous standards and spur school improvement. Mr. Hogan should be applauded for not going along with this sham. We hope Education Secretary Betsy DeVos follows suit and sends Maryland back to the drawing board.

Maryland is among more than 30 states set next week to turn in accountability plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Submitting a plan is a condition for continuing to receive federal education aid. In a letter to Ms. DeVos, Mr. Hogan explained that the Maryland Board of Education could not craft an adequate plan under the "impossible circumstances" imposed by a state law enacted this year over Mr. Hogan's veto and the objections of the school board. The Protect Our Schools Act was aptly named, as state school board member Chester E. Finn Jr. observed, because "it does nothing to protect needy, ill-educated children." It diminishes focus on real academic achievement, bans the use of A-to-F letter grading systems for schools and prevents the state from taking certain actions to improve habitually low-performing schools.

Mr. Hogan's signature is not required for state education officials to send the plan to the federal Education Department for review and approval, but its absence sends a powerful signal that, along with the refusal of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) to endorse his state's plan, sets up something of a dilemma for Ms. DeVos. In replacing No Child Left Behind with Every Student Succeeds, Congress intentionally gave states increased flexibility. When federal education officials earlier this year raised objections to plans submitted by some states, there was pushback  including from Congress  that the department was undermining the law's aim of letting the states call the shots. The result, as Education Week reported, was "fast and furious" approval for 13 states and the District, with only slight modifications in response to department feedback.

But now two governors  both Republicans  have taken high-profile positions on the inadequacy of their states plans in serving the educational interests of children. True, Congress put states in the drivers seat in measuring performance and formulating remedies. But flexibility doesnt have to stretch as far as undermining critical accountability systems with weakened and meaningless standards. Ms. DeVos has a chance to make that clear.
Hillary Clintons new memoir of her failed presidential campaign is titled What Happened. A better title would be What Happened? because Clinton apparently has no idea.

Clinton has blamed her loss on an ever-changing cast of charactersRussia, WikiLeaks, James Comey and Bernie Sanders. Now she has put the blame on a new scapegoat: millions of bigoted white nationalists.

Clinton told Jane Pauley of CBS News Sunday Morning that Donald Trump won because he was quite successful in referencing a nostalgia that would give hope, comfort, settle grievances, for millions of people who were upset about gains that were made by others, Clinton said. When Pauley asked, What youre saying is millions of white people? Clinton replied, Millions of white people, yeah. Millions of white people.

In an interview with NPR on Tuesday, Clinton was even more explicit. Trumps message, she said, was discriminatory, it was bigoted, it was prejudiced. And yet it fed into part of the electorate that just wanted to have a primal scream. They didnt like what was going on. . . . They really responded to his racial and ethnic and sexist appeals.

So Clinton believes she lost Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the presidency because of the bigotry of middle America.

One problem with her analysis: Millions of those white people who voted for Donald Trump also proudly voted for Barack Obama. There are nearly 700 counties in the United States that voted twice for Barack Obama, one-third of which flipped to Trump in 2016. According to Nate Cohn of the New York Times, almost one in four of President Obamas 2012 white working-class supporters defected from the Democrats in 2016, either supporting Mr. Trump or voting for a third-party candidate. Are all those Trump-Obama voters bigots? Millions of once reliably Democratic voters pulled the lever for the first black president, yet they were suddenly whipped up into a racist furor by Trumps racial and ethnic and sexist appeals? Give me a break.

As Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg has pointed out, many of these working-class Obama-Trump voters were not even white. The Democrats dont have a white working-class problem,  Greenberg wrote recently in the American Prospect. They have a working-class problem . . . Democrats have lost support with all working-class voters across the electorate, including the Rising American Electorate of minorities, unmarried women, and millennials.

Why did so many Obama voters defect to Trump? It wasnt race or immigration. According to a survey by the liberal super PAC Priorities USA Action, the top seven priorities were (1) protecting Social Security and Medicare; (2) creating good-paying jobs for American workers; (3) making sure Americans have access to affordable insurance; (4) cleaning up corruption in government; (5) cracking down on outsourcing; (6) making sure the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes and (7) keeping Wall Street in check.

That is hardly a white nationalist agenda.

Another reason these Obama voters defected to Trump is that they kept hearing from Clinton and the Democrats how great the economy was doing. Yet, according to Priorities USA Action, 50 percent of Obama-Trump voters said their incomes are falling behind the cost of living, and another 31 percent said their incomes are merely keeping pace with the cost of living. When Clinton touted Obamas economic progress, she seemed hopelessly out of touch.

Clinton still cant seem to tell the difference between a white nationalist and working-class voters who are upset because their family incomes are stagnant or falling, they feel shut out of the labor force, and their communities are mired in substance abuse and despair. These forgotten Americans had legitimate grievances that Democrats ignored. That sent a message to working-class voters that Democrats are not focused on fighting for them. So they defected.

Add to this Clintons inability to connect with her partys liberal base (the so-called drop-off voters who turned out for Obama but failed to show up for her)plus the Clinton Foundation and her repeated lies about her personal server, which led large majorities of Americans to conclude that she was dishonest and corruptand you had the toxic brew that produced her electoral defeat.

Clinton says she is done with electoral politics, so it really does not matter if she understands what happened. But there is little sign that Democrats today understand, much less are doing what is necessary to win back these working-class voters in the heartland. Instead, they have declared themselves The Resistancefurther alienating these voters who put Trump in office, while hoping that they can turn out their liberal base in the next election. Thats precisely the strategy that failed in 2016. Well see if doubling down on failure works in 2020.
Bryan Guglielmi and Julia Lenihan work on part of Garin Baker's 28 Blocks Mural project in Washington. The mural recognizes the workers building the Lincoln Memorial. (Garin Baker/Carriage House Art Studios, NY)

I was appalled by the gross distortion of facts in "A mural for memorial men" [Metro, Sept. 2]. The article about a mural recently installed near Union Station paid tribute to the African American men who "carved the marble from mountains in northwestern Georgia" and "built the 120-ton statue" of Abraham Lincoln in his iconic memorial, noting that "many were the children of slaves." Buried deep in the article we learn that "Italian immigrants also helped build the statue, which was designed by Daniel Chester French."

The "Italian immigrants" were the six Piccirilli brothers, master stone carvers who were the "go-to" sculptors for U.S. memorials at the time. They did the fountain in Dupont Circle, the memorial to the USS Maine in New York's Central Park and the iconic lions guarding the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, among many, many others. They carved Lincoln's statue, which took about six years to complete. The African American workers did not build the statue. They assembled it.

Lets give credit where its due and not diminish the accomplishments of one group of people to exalt anothers.

Dona De Sanctis, Bowie

The writer is a former deputy executive director of the Sons of Italy, the nations biggest and oldest organization for people of Italian heritage.
An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly attributed a quote to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres. It was U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein who described Burmas treatment of the Rohingya as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. This version has been updated.

IN JUST three weeks, the long-simmering conflict between the Burmese government and the persecuted Rohingya minority has exploded into the most massive and brutal episode of ethnic cleansing the world has seen in years. Since a militant attack on Aug. 25 provided a pretext, Burmese troops have driven hundreds of thousands of Rohingya across the border to Bangladesh by systematically burning scores of villages and terrorizing their residents. Last week, more than 380,000 people were reported to have crossed the frontier; on Friday, U.N. officials said many thousands were still waiting to pass. An estimated 240,000 of the refugees are children, according to UNICEF.

What U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein rightly called "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing" is the culmination of years of discrimination by Burma's government and Buddhist majority against the Rohingya, Muslims who have been denied citizenship even though many have lived in the country for generations. On Aug. 25, a small militant group claiming to represent the Rohingya attacked a handful of police posts and army camps, killing about a dozen people. The government's scorched-earth response has, by its own account, left 176 out of 471 Rohingya villages in the northern region of Rakhine state completely abandoned.

Evidence collected by human rights groups, including satellite photos, shows scores of villages burned to the ground. In a report released Friday, Human Rights Watch said it counted 62 villages targeted by arson attacks and 35 with extensive destruction. Journalists on the Bangladesh border Friday reported smoke still billowing up from Burmese territory. More detailed reporting, as well as relief efforts, has been impossible because of the authorities' refusal to allow in most journalists, aid workers and diplomats  including the senior State Department official who arrived in the country Friday.

The international response to this crime, which rivals the cleansing campaigns in Darfur, Sudan, in the early 2000s and Kosovo in the 1990s, has been shockingly weak. After meeting behind closed doors on Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council used its lowest-order form of statement to express concern about "excessive violence during security operations." The State Department has been equally cautious.

Too much attention has been focused on Burma's de facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been woefully silent about the atrocities but also lacks the ability to control the military. What's needed instead is more direct pressure on the Burmese army. The Obama administration lifted U.S. sanctions on the generals and the businesses they control in an attempt to promote a democratic transition; these now ought to be reimposed by the Treasury and State departments. Some officials express concern that tough measures might cause the army to turn on Aung San Suu Kyi and her civilian government. In fact, international censure could provide the Nobel laureate leverage  if she is willing to use it.

At the United Nations, Burma is shielded by China, which is untroubled by its atrocities and may even welcome them for their potential to ruin the countrys relations with the West. The United States should nevertheless seek to force a public Security Council debate on the cleansing. The more the crimes against the Rohingya are exposed to the world  and their authors made to pay a price  the more likely they are to stop.
Columnist

This column has been updated.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and CIA Director Mike Pompeo ought to follow the lead of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and recuse themselves from the special counsel's investigation into possible collusion between President Trump's campaign and the Russian government in the 2016 presidential election.

The two Cabinet members are linked to the investigation through the agencies they run, which are assisting special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs wide-ranging probe. Mnuchin and Pompeo should step aside for the same reason Sessions took himself out of the picture: potential conflicts of interest.

In explaining his recusal, Sessions said he was following the recommendation of Justice Department ethics officials. "They said that since I had involvement with the campaign, I should not be involved in any campaign investigation," he said.

Mnuchin is in the same boat.

The treasury secretary served as national finance chair for Trump's presidential campaign and on the Trump transition team. What's more, Mnuchin has a personal relationship with Trump and his immediate family members, and has political relationships that extend to Trump transition advisers and campaign aides who could be affected by Mueller's investigation.

Pompeo has his own conflict challenge. A far-right Republican elected to Congress in the tea party wave of 2010, Pompeo touts his personal relationship with Trump and key administration officials. He is an Oval Office favorite.

A serious question of partiality arises in the cases of these Trump appointees.

As it stands, Mnuchin and Pompeo are in a position to closely monitor where the investigation is headed  because Treasury and the CIA are in the thick of it.

Those government agencies are key providers of support for the special counsels investigation into possible contacts, money transfers and business relationships, including any money laundering, among a variety of Russian officials and Trump associates.

One Treasury bureau, the Financial System Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, is especially equipped to help unearth possible entanglements among Trump, his associates and Russia  or any suspicious financial activities of Trump and his associates. The Internal Revenue Service, another Treasury bureau, is a critical investigative asset because of its access to tax returns and familiarity with tax evasion and gamesmanship with money derived from illegal activities  the stuff of which convictions are made.

The CIA is similarly situated with the special counsel's office. Last month, CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani noted that the FBI and the special counsel's office are leading the law-enforcement investigation into Russian involvement in the election, but he confirmed: "CIA is providing relevant information in support of that investigation."

Which gets us back to two of Trumps most obeisant Cabinet members, Mnuchin and Pompeo, and the matter of their recusal.

Do they monitor the work of their agencies with the special counsels office? Do they know the contents of the information shared with the special counsels office? If so, what are they doing with that information?

I raised these questions this week with tpress offices at Treasury and the CIA. I also asked whether Mnuchin or Pompeo  or a designee  has disseminated any of the information to White House officials, including the president, his family members, legal advisers or any other administration official. The CIA did not respond. On Friday, spokesman Seth Unger said Treasury declined to comment.

My questions were not without cause.

While Mnuchin and Pompeo should expect to be kept informed of investigations conducted by their agencies, the fruits of those investigations should be disseminated only to duly authorized prosecutors, not the White House.

The country has a dark history of that rule having been violated. And it was a major part of what led to a committee of Congress in 1974 approving articles of impeachment against a president of the United States.

To recall: President Richard M. Nixon was charged with "disseminating information received from officers of [the U.S. government] to subjects of investigation . . . for the purpose of aiding and assisting such subjects in their attempts to avoid criminal liability."

The facts, according to the House Judiciary Committee documents: On April 16, 1973, then-assistant attorney general Henry Petersen went to the White House and relayed to Nixon evidence implicating his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, and Haldeman's aide Gordon Strachan in Watergate.

Minutes after Petersen left, Nixon met with White House assistant John Ehrlichman and informed him of Petersen's revelations. Ehrlichman then took steps to gather as much information as he could about the events regarded as potentially incriminating by the prosecutors.

Nixon, the committee concluded, had spoken falsely to Petersen when he assured him that secret prosecutorial information would not be discussed with anyone. Nixon, in fact, informed former aides who were grand jury subjects of mounting evidence against them. Hence, the articles of impeachment.

Mnuchin and Pompeo might enjoy their access to the president. But they shouldnt be foolhardy. Because of their jobs, they also might be in a conflict situation and a position to aid and abet individuals who could face criminal liability.

Brownie points and candy from Trump may be dandy, but recusal is better.

Update: Sept. 18, 2:30 p.m.

The CIA contacted me to comment on this column following its online publication Friday. On Monday, Dean Boyd, director of the agencys Office of Public Affairs, provided the following response, including an answer as to whether CIA Director Mike Pompeo has discussed with President Trump the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign:

Communications between the president and the director are entitled to confidentiality, as recognized by the courts, so that the president may receive unvarnished advice and also provide unvarnished feedback. The director has never been asked by the President to do anything inappropriate.

"CIA's updated Executive Order 12333 Attorney General Guidelines state clearly that the CIA is not authorized to and shall not engage in any intelligence activity, including dissemination of information to the executive office of the president, for the purpose of affecting the political process in the United States. Director Pompeo has always complied with this directive and has made clear to his officers that they must always do the same.

CIA has no comment on the ongoing House, Senate or special counsel investigations into this issue. CIA is not leading these investigations, and any suggestion that the CIA or its director would interfere with them is ridiculous and unfounded. Director Pompeo has ensured that CIA has provided, and will continue to provide, to those authorized to receive it, the information they need to conduct their investigations. This is the agencys duty, and the director has made clear that his team must execute it relentlessly.

Read more from Colbert King's archive.
Columnist

Many Americans moral vanity is expressed nowadays in their rage to disparage. They are incapable of measured judgments about past politics  about flawed historical figures who were forced by cascading circumstances to make difficult decisions on the basis of imperfect information. So, the nation now needs an example of how to calmly assess episodes fraught with passion and sorrow. An example arrives Sunday night.

For 10 nights on PBS, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's "The Vietnam War," 10 years in the making and 18 hours in length, tells the story of a war "begun in good faith by decent people, out of fateful misunderstandings," and "prolonged because it seemed easier to muddle through than admit that it had been caused by tragic decisions" during five presidencies. The combat films are extraordinary; the recollections and reflections of combatants and others on both sides are even more so, featuring photos of them then and interviews with many of them now.

[Ken Burns wants The Vietnam War to unite America. Can anyone do that under Trump?]

A 1951 photo shows a congressman named John Kennedy dining in Saigon. There is an interview with Le Quan Cong, who became a guerrilla fighter in 1951, at age 12. Viewers will meet Le Minh Khue, who was 16 when she joined the anti-American Youth Shock Brigade for National Salvation: I love Hemingway. I learned from For Whom the Bell Tolls. Like the resourcefulness of the man who destroys the bridge  I saw how he coped with war, and I learned from that character. As did another combatant who loves that novel, John McCain.

Eleven years after his Saigon dinner, President Kennedy said, We have not sent combat troops in the generally understood sense of the word. Obliqueness and evasions greased the slide into a ground war of attrition. Kennedy, his successor (who said, Foreigners are not like the folks Im used to) and their advisers were determined not to make the Munich mistake of confronting an enemy tardily. Tapes of Lyndon Johnsons telephone conversations with advisers are haunting and horrifying. To national security adviser McGeorge Bundy: What the hell am I ordering [those kids] out there for?

In 1966 alone, 18 large-scale U.S. offensives left more than 3 million South Vietnamese  approximately one-fifth of the countrys population  homeless. Just on the Laos portion of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, more tons of bombs  3 million tons  were dropped than fell on Germany and Japan during World War II. By body counts, America was winning. As an Army adviser says in Episode 4, If you cant count whats important, you make what you can count important.

Vincent Okamoto earned in Vietnam the Army's second-highest honor, the Distinguished Service Cross. He recalls the platoon he led:

Nineteen-, 20-year-old high school dropouts. . . . They looked upon military service as like the weather: You had to go in, and youd do it. But to see these kids, who had the least to gain, there wasnt anything to look forward to. . . . And yet, their infinite patience, their loyalty to each other, their courage under fire. . . . You would ask yourself, How does America produce young men like this? 

[The American War: A podcast guide to the new PBS documentary, The Vietnam War]

Or like Okamoto. He was born during World War II in Arizona, in a Japanese American internment camp. Karl Marlantes, a Rhodes Scholar from Yale University who voluntarily left Oxford for Marine service in Vietnam, recalls a fellow lieutenant radioing to battalion headquarters more than 10 miles away the fact that he had spotted a convoy of trucks. The battalion commander replied that this was impossible because intelligence operatives reported no trucks near there. In a Texas drawl, the lieutenant replied: "Be advised. I am where I am, and you are where you are. Where I am, I see godd----d trucks."

Weary of hearing the prudence that was so painfully learned in Indochina derided as the "Vietnam syndrome," Marlantes says (in his Wall Street Journal review of Mark Bowden's book "Hue 1968"): "If by Vietnam syndrome we mean the belief that the U.S. should never again engage in (a) military interventions in foreign civil wars without clear objectives and a clear exit strategy, (b) 'nation building' in countries about whose history and culture we are ignorant, and (c) sacrificing our children when our lives, way of life, or 'government of, by, and for the people' are not directly threatened, then we should never get over Vietnam syndrome. It's not an illness; it's a vaccination." The Burns/Novick masterpiece is, in Marlantes's words about Bowden's book, "a powerful booster shot."

Read more from George F. Will's archive or follow him on Facebook.
FACED WITH an ongoing special counsel investigation, the White House appears to have settled on a novel method of defending President Trump in the court of public opinion: smearing James B. Comey. Three times this past week, Mr. Trump's press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused the former FBI director of possible criminal wrongdoing. While leveling such charges in the absence of any evidence would have been inappropriate enough, Ms. Sanders went on each time to hint that the Justice Department should "look at" Mr. Comey's supposed transgressions  a wink and a nod that borders on a threat to use law enforcement as a political tool against the president's enemies.

Speaking from the White House lectern, Ms. Sanders suggested that Mr. Comey had violated the law both in giving false testimony before Congress and in sharing with the New York Times a memo documenting the president's request that the FBI drop its investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. When asked why she believed Mr. Comey's conduct to have been illegal, Ms. Sanders presented a hodgepodge of legal arguments with little relevance to the former director's actions.

According to Mr. Comey's sworn testimony, the memo he provided to the Times did not contain classified information. This rules out his having violated his nondisclosure agreement with the FBI. Yet Ms. Sanders pointed to that agreement along with the Privacy Act, which governs disclosure of personal information contained in government files, such as medical records. There's nothing to suggest that Mr. Comey's memo contained any information that would be protected under the statute or that the memo was housed with FBI records. Ms. Sanders stated that the former director prepared the memo on a government computer. But even if that were enough to transform the document into a record covered by the Privacy Act  which is far from clear  there's no public evidence to support Ms. Sanders's claim that Mr. Comey used an FBI computer to draft that particular memo.

Ms. Sanderss strongest argument is that Mr. Comey may have transgressed the terms of his employment agreement with the FBI. But breach of that agreement would not be illegal. And Mr. Comey had already been fired when he passed the memo to the Times.

The legal reasoning behind Ms. Sanders's attacks on Mr. Comey may be risible, but the White House's willingness to groundlessly malign an adversary should be taken seriously. It's one thing for the president's legal defense team to try to persuade the public and the special counsel that Mr. Comey is not a credible witness. It's quite another to leverage the power of the presidency against a political adversary and hint at a Justice Department investigation on the basis of paper-thin claims. By now it may be naive to hope that Mr. Trump will come to respect the importance of independent law enforcement. But he would be wise to keep in mind the catastrophe that engulfed his administration when he assaulted that independence by firing Mr. Comey  and abandon this latest attack.
The Sept. 14 editorial "An overdue debate" was right that we need a discussion on authorizing foreign military operations  but it should occur without the parameters the editorial imposed. We have been in a continuous war in Afghanistan for 16 years with no progress toward an agreement with the Taliban. In Iraq, we destroyed the Sunni military and government structure, resulting in their unemployment. We then subjected them to Shiite militia control, which provided the genesis for al-Qaeda in Iraq and now the Islamic State. In addition to an unstable Afghanistan and Iraq, we are involved in a Syrian civil war and in Somalia, Yemen and Libya.

In todays world, there simply is no good evidence supporting the policy that direct military involvement does anything other than increase the size and expense of the military. With satellite, drone and other sophisticated surveillance, wed at least be as safe and secure as we are now with a smaller budget deficit and fewer enemies abroad. Indeed, if the North had won the Korean War, we might be dealing peaceably with a unified Korea as we are with a unified Vietnam.

Ed Houry, Fairfax
Deputy editorial page editor

Does anybody listen to women when they speak around here?

There were 11 people seated around the table in the White House's Blue Room, debating the future of the "dreamers" over honey sesame crispy beef, when House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tried to make her point  only to find the men talking over her.

Pelosi's interjection, first reported by The Post's Ashley Parker and confirmed by Pelosi's office, did the trick. "There was, at last, silence, and she was not interrupted again," Parker wrote.

There are so many things to say about this moment  even more given it transpired in the week that saw publication of Hillary Clinton's account of the 2016 campaign, "What Happened." Because while what happened will remain the subject of fierce debate, it is also important to consider the implications of what didn't happen: the election of the first female president.

Imagine the alternative reality of President Hillary Clinton's White House and her dinner with congressional leaders. By definition, Pelosi wouldn't have been the only woman in the room. By dint of her authority, no one would have been talking over the president.

Ironically, Clinton writes about a moment that is the mirror image of Pelosi's interjection, when she chose to stand down rather than speak up. During the second presidential debate, as Donald Trump stalked her on the stage, "literally breathing down my neck," Clinton writes, she faced a choice: "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.' "

Where Pelosi chose to call out what she interpreted as sexist dismissal, Clinton calculated that confronting Trump, gratifying as that might have been, was too risky. A lot of people, she notes, recoil from an angry woman, or even just a direct one.

Did Trump behave boorishly on the debate stage because of Clintons gender, or would he have loomed similarly behind a male opponent? Did the guys in the Blue Room feel entitled  consciously or subconsciously  to talk over Pelosi because she is a woman? Its impossible to know, yet many, if not most, women have had that unnerving sense that they are being diminished, that their points are being discounted and that their gender plays some role. Pelosi made the smart move for her in that moment; she doesnt need to be Miss Congeniality. But Clintons was probably the more familiar choice: Dont stir things up. Dont be a you-know-what.

As much as women seized on Trumps nasty woman put-down and transformed it into a slogan of empowerment, the uncomfortable truth remains that navigating any environment  whether a political campaign or corporate workplace  requires women to hunt for the elusive spot between too pushy and not assertive enough.

Clinton addresses that reality and the accompanying challenge for women to be accepted as leaders. "I suspect that for many of us  more than we might think  it feels somehow off to picture a woman president sitting in the Oval Office or the Situation Room," she writes.

If that assessment is slightly overstated  notwithstanding any such discomfort, Clinton won nearly 3 million more votes than Trump did  still, here we are, in the Blue Room with Pelosi and the guys. Did that, to use Clinton's term, feel somehow off to Pelosi  or, I suspect, entirely familiar, like so many high-powered meetings she had been at before? And if Clinton 2016 put even more cracks in the glass ceiling, we also must weigh the problematic implications of Trump's testosterone-heavy administration.

How can it be, in 2017, that only four of 23 Cabinet-level staff members are women, half the number of the first Obama Cabinet? How can it be, in 2017, that of Trump's 42 nominees for U.S. attorney positions, only one is female? (Of President Obama's first 42 choices for U.S. attorney, 12 were female.)

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders disputed the implications of that statistic. I think that the president has certainly surrounded himself with a lot of strong women in various positions, including myself in a pretty high position, she told reporters, also citing White House aides Kellyanne Conway and Hope Hicks.

Okay, just asking: Where were those strong women the other night, when all the presidents men felt so free to talk over the woman who had been speaker?

Read more from Ruth Marcus's archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook.
President Trump's first address to the United Nations, the world body he once said risked becoming an irrelevant salon, will be a test of his "America First" agenda on global engagement, climate change and North Korea, but one topic  Iran  looms largest.

Trump's speech on Tuesday, and a series of meetings he will hold next week with foreign leaders gathering here at the annual U.N. General Assembly, are freighted with expectations that the U.S. leader wants to pull away from the 2015 U.N.-backed nuclear deal with Iran.

Trump faces an Oct. 15 deadline to say whether Iran is complying with terms of the deal and whether he considers the agreement to be in the U.S. national interest. His administration has recently signaled that he is likely to say no, raising the specter of renewed U.S. sanctions and the possibility that the deal would fall apart.

"You'll see what I'm going to be doing very shortly in October," Trump told reporters Thursday when asked about his decision. "The Iran deal is one of the worst deals I've ever seen. Certainly, at a minimum, the spirit of the deal is just atrociously kept."

The president added that the Iran deal is not a fair deal to this country. Its a deal that should have never, ever been made. . . . We are not going to stand for what they are doing with our country. Theyve violated so many different elements, but theyve also violated the spirit of that deal.

Most who will be in the audience for Trumps speech disagree. The European Union, one of the architects of the deal, hopes to hold a meeting of the signatories, including Iran, on the sidelines of the General Assembly session.

This agreement is a very important agreement, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday. It contributed to an important de-escalation at the moment, and it is a factor of stability. And its my opinion that all parties should do everything possible for this agreement to be preserved.

White House officials sketched out an ambitious series of events for Trump, including bilateral meetings Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump is expected to focus on "Iran's destabilizing behavior, including its violation of the sovereignty of nations across the Middle East," national security adviser H.R. McMaster told reporters Friday.

The president also will have lunch with Guterres, and hell meet with leaders of Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine. And Trump will hold a trilateral dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss North Koreas nuclear weapons threat.

While Trump's debut on Tuesday is perhaps the most highly anticipated moment, the U.N. gathering is also notable for who will not be there  Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, who are skipping this year's meeting. Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto head of Burma, also will not attend amid a spate of government-backed ethnic violence in that country that has drawn international condemnation.

Trump has been a skeptic of international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO. He pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement and an Asia-Pacific trade accord, promoting a foreign policy aimed at limiting U.S. interventionism abroad in favor of domestic priorities.

Yet Trump administration officials said the president and his team are intent on having a strong presence and demonstrating leadership in New York on issues including terrorism, trade and human rights. Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will join Trump in the U.S. delegation.

No one is going to grip-and-grin, U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said of handshake photo-ops. The United States is going to work. . . . This is a time to be serious, and its a time for us to talk out these challenges and make sure theres action that follows it.

As he did with NATO, Trump has pressed the United Nations for reforms, and Haley emphasized that the administration has seen improvements. She said the world body has moved away from focusing on the commas and the periods of toothless resolutions and begun taking stronger actions.

She cited recent decisions by the global body to enact sweeping economic sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic weapons program.

Haley said the sanctions will hurt Pyongyang, but quickly added that if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un does not end his provocative missile and nuclear tests, the United Nations will run out of options.

Having said that, I have no problem kicking it to [Defense Secretary James] Mattis because I think he has plenty of options, she said, alluding to military power.

The administration has options on Iran, too, which has colored Trumps engagement with U.S. allies and partners since his surprise victory in November.

Champions of the Iran nuclear deal were reassured when Trump twice acted to certify Iranian compliance. Those notifications, required by Congress, were taken as a sign that Trump might complain about the deal but would not rip it up as he had pledged to do as a candidate.

Now administration officials are telling allies they want to strengthen the deal, at the least.

Haley recently said the deal cannot be too big to fail, no matter the heavy investment of important U.S. allies in keeping it intact. And Tillerson said Thursday that Iran is clearly in default of expectations and responsibilities under the deal, an assertion that Iran and European allies dispute.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said this month that Iran is playing by the rules.

Trump is expected to cite Iranian ballistic missile activity and alleged Iranian support for terrorism and other activities as evidence that Iran is violating the spirit of the deal.

President Trump has made it clear to those of us who are helping him develop this policy that we must take into account the totality of Iranian threats, not just Irans nuclear capabilities, Tillerson said Thursday.

He quoted from the preface to the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. The preface says that signers anticipate that full implementation of this JCPOA will positively contribute to regional and international peace and security.

The Trump administration is arguing that those words convey obligations to Iran to curtail activities that would harm international peace and security.

In our view, Iran is clearly in default of these expectations of the JCPOA through their actions to prop up the Assad regime, to engage in malicious activities in the region, including cyber activity, aggressively developing ballistic missiles, Tillerson said.

On Twitter, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the deal is not renegotiable and said a better deal is pure fantasy.

About time for U.S. to stop spinning and begin complying, just like Iran, Zarif wrote.
When a disaster happens, such as those that have been unfolding in Texas and Louisiana, its natural to feel compassion for those affected, especially if were far away and not physically able to participate in the rescue. We watch closely the news reports hoping for a miracle. The government responds in various ways to evacuate and provide immediate help for those in need. Local and national volunteers respond without hesitation.

Many donate to relief charities in hopes that it will lessen the impact on individual lives and families. It is a wonderful way to express our love and assistance in a way that will strengthen the ability of organized groups to meet the needs of others. These dollars provide shelter, food, and other amenities so needed in times of trouble.

But, is there more that we can do? Yes! We can pray. Prayers of genuine love and compassion really do help. Trusting the welfare of others to a Supreme Being who loves us and is good to all, opens the door wide to infinite possibilities for everyone. These prayers pierce through the chaos and tap into the fabric of individual lives. They make possible the impossible.

The story of St. Paul is just one of many Bible stories that illustrate this fact.

At one point, Paul was imprisoned for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Eventually he was put on a boat, along with other prisoners, headed for Italy. During their journey, a wind of hurricane proportions threatened to kill everyone on board the ship. On the third day of the storm, Paul stood up and urged the men to keep their courage, and insisted, not one of you will be lost. He explained that an angel of the God whom he served stood beside him and told him not to be afraid. He had great trust in God.

Although their boat was destroyed, everyone ended up on the island of Malta, safe and in good hands. The islanders showed them great kindness, built them a fire, and welcomed them. Then, while sitting next to the fire, Paul was bit by a viper and, to the amazement of all, there were no harmful effects.

Mary Baker Eddy explains the effectiveness of prayer in her primary work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, this way: Prayer, watching, and working, combined with self-immolation, are Gods gracious means for accomplishing whatever has been successfully done for the Christianization and health of mankind. She also wrote, Understanding the control which love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless.
The Trump administration is quietly moving to allow energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for the first time in more than 30 years, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post, with a draft rule that would lay the groundwork for drilling.

Congress has sole authority to determine whether oil and gas drilling can take place within the refuges 19.6 million acres. But seismic studies represent a necessary first step, and Interior Department officials are modifying a 1980s regulation to permit them.

The effort represents a twist in a political fight that has raged for decades. The remote and vast habitat, which serves as the main calving ground for one of North America's last large caribou herds and a stop for migrating birds from six continents, has served as a rallying cry for environmentalists and some of Alaska's native tribes. But state politicians and many Republicans in Washington have pressed to extract the billions of barrels of oil lying beneath the refuge's coastal plain.

Democrats have managed to block them through votes in the Senate and, in one instance in 1995, by a presidential veto.

In an Aug. 11 memo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acting director James W. Kurth instructed the agency's Alaska regional director to update a rule that allowed exploratory drilling between Oct. 1, 1984, and May 31, 1986, by striking those calendar constraints.

Doing so would eliminate an obstacle that was the subject of a court battle as recently as two years ago.

When finalized, the new regulation will allow for applicants to [submit] requests for approval of new exploration plans, Kurth wrote in the memo.



Caribou traipse across the snow in June in Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images)

If the rule is finalized after a public comment period, companies would have to bid on conducting the seismic studies. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated in a June 27 memo, obtained by Trustees for Alaska through a federal records request, that this work would cost about $3.6 million.

With oil prices averaging around $50 per barrel, potentially too low to justify a significant investment in drilling in the refuge, it is unclear how much interest companies would have. Some might consider proceeding with those studies to get a better sense of the areas potential.





The behind-the-scenes push to open up the refuge  often referred to by its acronym, ANWR  comes as longtime drilling proponents occupy key positions at the Interior Department.

Its No. 2 official, David Bernhardt, represented Alaska in its unsuccessful 2014 suit to force then-Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to allow exploratory drilling there. Joseph Balash, President Trump's nominee to serve as Interior assistant secretary for land and minerals management, asked federal officials to turn a portion of the refuge over to the state when he served as Alaska's natural resources commissioner. The state's plan was to offer the land for leasing.

[In push to deliver on Trumps energy pledge, Interior looms large]

During a stop in Anchorage on May 31, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said he hoped to jump-start energy exploration on Alaskas North Slope in part by updating resource assessments of the refuge.

Im a geologist. Science is a wonderful thing. It helps us understand what is going on deep below the surface of the Earth, Zinke said at the time. We need to use science to update our understanding of the [coastal plain] of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Congress considers important legislation to responsibly develop there one day.

The Fish and Wildlife memo notes that the Interior Department asked it to update the regulations concerning the geological and geophysical exploration of that coastal area but does not identify who issued the directive.





An Interior official said in an email Friday that the department is required by law  the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act  to allow for seismic surveys in wildlife refuges across Alaska.

Hundreds of seismic surveys have been conducted on Alaskas north slope  many of them on ANWRs borders, the official added.

Both the Clinton and Obama administrations concluded that the department was legally barred from permitting seismic studies in the refuge. And environmentalists have consistently opposed such activity, which sends shock waves underground. They say it would disturb denning polar bears, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, as well as musk oxen and other Arctic animals.

An increasing number of polar bears are now denning onshore during the winter  when seismic studies would take place  due to diminishing sea ice, and a significant portion of the coastal plain is designated as critical habitat for the bears. The Aug. 11 memo directs the Fish and Wildlife Services regional director to conduct an environmental assessment as part of the proposed rule change because the Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to show that their actions will not jeopardize or adversely modify critical habitat of a listed species.

The administration is very stealthily trying to move forward with drilling on the Arctics coastal plain, said Defenders of Wildlife President Jamie Rappaport Clark, who led the Fish and Wildlife Service under President Bill Clinton. This is a complete about-face from decades of practice.

Environmental groups would be likely to challenge any decision to conduct seismic work in the refuge in federal court.



The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with the Brooks Range as a backdrop. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

Alaska officials have been working for several years to restart seismic studies on the coastal plain. They say the initial ones, conducted in the winters of 1984 and 1985, were done with outdated technology and do not reflect the areas true potential. The Geological Survey, which reanalyzed that data nearly 15 years later, estimated that 7.7 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil lie under the coastal plain.

The June 27 memo, sent to Zinkes energy policy counselor Vincent DeVito, said the department could either assume the existing seismic data is acceptable, reexamine that data with state-of-the-art technology or conduct new studies with modern, 3-D technology.

In an interview Thursday, Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Andy Mack said that recent oil discoveries near the refuges western edge suggest there may be more oil there than federal officials identified three decades ago.

Alaskas always had an abiding interest in resource development, particularly in oil, Mack said. Were not discounting the existing data, but its old, and its relatively limited.

[Trump signs executive order on offshore drilling: Were opening it up.]

The question of whether Interior can restart the seismic work is a subject of legal dispute. The 1980s studies, which took place along 1,400 miles of survey lines and were financed by private oil firms, were aimed at gathering information for a report the interior secretary submitted to Congress in 1987.

In 2001, Interior solicitor John Leshy issued a formal opinion concluding that the 1983 rule was a time-limited authorization for exploratory activities in the coastal plain.

Twelve years later, Alaska sought permission from the Fish and Wildlife Service to launch a new exploration program; Obama administration officials rejected the request, and the state sued.

On July 21, 2015, U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason ruled against the state. Whether the statute authorizes or requires the Secretary to approve additional exploration after the submission of the 1987 report is ambiguous, she wrote, but Jewells interpretation that she no longer had authority to allow it is based on a permissible and reasonable construction of the statute.



Herds of caribou dot the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Associated Press)

Mack said he was not sure whether companies would want to drill in the refuge, but they now are more interested in the potential on land than offshore.

ConocoPhillips, for one, is actively exploring and focused on new development opportunities within the neighboring National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, according to spokesman Daren Beaudo. If ANWR was opened, wed consider it within our portfolio of opportunities . . . and it would have to compete with other regions for our exploration dollars, he said.

Yet Pavel Molchanov, an energy analyst at Raymond James & Associates, predicted very little interest in drilling in the refuge for the foreseeable future.

The number of companies that would be open to a meaningful bet on ANWR we could realistically count on one hand, and that would be generous, Molchanov said.
Democratic lawmakers shut out of governance for much of this year now find themselves at the center of high-stakes negotiations with President Trump that could achieve a prize they have sought for nearly a decade: permanent legal status for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants.

For a small but vocal contingent of Democrats, these talks are fraught with peril, largely because of their total distrust of a man who began his presidential campaign two years ago describing illegal immigrants from Mexico as rapists.

But for Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), there is little to lose. If the deal falls apart and Trump returns to his pattern of insult-hurling and name-calling, the Democratic leaders will be right where they began  no better and no worse. And a successful negotiation would achieve something they failed to pull off when their party controlled both Congress and the White House. It could also serve as a road map for more achievements to come.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Schumer said in an interview. We thought we had an opportunity to get something good done, and lets see what happens. Were very hopeful that they will keep their word.

Schumer and Pelosi are pressing ahead with the presidents top advisers, hoping to reach a deal in a matter of weeks to enshrine in law an Obama-era executive order called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It protects from deportation undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. Trump has criticized DACA as executive overreach, but he has also expressed empathy for the young immigrants it protects.



President Trump meets with congressional leaders in the Oval Office on Sept. 6, 2017. From left are Vice President Pence, Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Charles E.Schumer D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi D-Calif.). (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

There is one critical stumbling block to the whole effort to pass a Dream Act to replace DACA: how much additional border security and enforcement Trump will demand.

The deep fear among Democrats skeptical of the negotiations is that, in exchange for permanent protections for dreamers, Trump will win broad new powers and resources to enforce immigration laws that go beyond adding more agents or technology along the border. The cost of a permanent Dream Act, they say, could be a new and emboldened deportation force across the nation that undermines civil liberties and terrorizes law-abiding immigrants.

Were going to have to be very leery and very careful of the slippery slope, said Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.).

There is no fresh start with Trump, and I dont trust him, said Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.).

Washington heads are still spinning from a negotiating dynamic that no one expected  not Schumer and Pelosi, and not their Republican counterparts, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Trump spent his first seven months in an entirely partisan bubble, working only with Republicans trying, and failing, to pass conservative legislation  notably a replacement to the Affordable Care Act. And it was less than a month ago when Pelosi said Trump should be formally censured by Congress for how he responded to the violence surrounding the white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville.

But Trumps frustration with GOP leaders reached a boiling point during the failed effort to repeal President Barack Obamas signature health-care law, losing in the Senate by one vote when three Republicans opposed Trump. From the White Houses perspective, that frustration  and Trumps pivot to working with Democrats  is justified.

Republicans have shown they cant keep 50 out of 52 members in line, even after six years of promise to repeal and replace Obamacare when given the opportunity, said Marc Short, Trumps director of legislative affairs.

Congressional Republicans, for their part, worry that Pelosi and Schumer could outsmart Trump. The two are seasoned dealmakers with combined service of more than 65 years on Capitol Hill, while Trump is a newcomer who honed his negotiating skills in real estate. Republicans have noted in particular how Trump and Schumer  one raised in Queens, the other in Brooklyn  are bonding over their outer-borough roots, leaving the president, they fear, vulnerable to getting the short end of the deal.

Trumps closest advisers are enjoying the theater of how quickly allegiances are ebbing and flowing from week to week. Washington will never keep pace with Trump speed, Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, said in an interview. A non-politicians measure of progress is fundamentally different than that of Washington. Its grounded in business, its grounded in results, its grounded in performance.

One senior White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to comment on internal discussions, said Trump sees Schumer as an exciting and energetic contrast to McConnell, whose default posture is intense silence. Trump sees McConnells deep knowledge of pulling levers of powers as a perfectly fine skill but one that is at odds with Trumps stated goal of disrupting the traditional, establishment-driven ways of Washington.

Trump and Democrats strike DACA deal. Yes? No? Sort of? Trumps world can be confusing.

The majority of rank-and-file Democrats, as well as liberal activists around the nation, are willing to give Schumer and Pelosi room to maneuver. Progressive organizers, who had scorched Democrats for voting to confirm Trumps Cabinet nominees, have generally held their fire so far on the bipartisan DACA talks eight months after some of them had surrounded Schumers Brooklyn home chanting, Chucks a chicken.

Theyre in this position because theres been a whole national movement, years in the making, on behalf of the dreamers, said Hector Figueroa, a New York labor organizer who is co-chairman of the progressive Working Families Party.

For now, Schumer and Pelosi have taken a page from President Ronald Reagans old trust but verify adage toward the Soviets. They say that they have convinced Trump that protecting immigrants currently covered by DACA is the right policy and the right political move for a president with poor approval ratings.

Look, he said he would do this, Schumer said. I take him at his word that he will.

Pelosi at first deflected a question about whether she trusts Trump.

Is that a fair question? she asked reporters last week, before finally saying that, on this issue, she does, indeed, trust him. I believe that the president, [not only] because of conviction, but because of reality, is there for the dreamers.

Critical challenges ahead could hobble the emerging deal. One is the uncertainty surrounding an erratic president, whose engagement with Democrats  on immigration, and a week earlier on short-term fiscal policy and hurricane relief  was not expected and not part of a grand plan.

Im not sure there is a broader strategy, said Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), a lieutenant in Pelosis leadership team. I dont think we should be surprised if he comes back next week, and hes working with Republicans only. Its a case-by-case basis.

Regarding the scope of border-security measures, Schumer said he signaled support for four points of toughened security: electronic surveillance at the Mexican border, detection devices focused on drug smugglers, improved infrastructure along the border and more search helicopters.

But Ryan, trying to reassert the power of congressional Republicans, added something to the talks. We need border security and enforcement as part of any agreement, he said Thursday, the morning after Trumps White House huddle with the two Democrats.

The enforcement portion of his remarks set off alarm bells in the Hispanic caucus. Where is it going to lead, once the alt-right starts raising their voices, which theyve already begun and will only become louder? asked Gutierrez, referring to the white nationalist movement that has supported Trump and loudly advocated for tougher immigration enforcement.

These Democrats, for instance, will not support a deal to add thousands of agents nationwide to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, a step they forecast would lead in turn to a surge in deportations.

Another potential dealbreaker is the question of whether dreamers would be given a path to citizenship or merely permanent legal status. Pelosi and Schumer said they were specific with Trump in explaining that he would support the Dream Act introduced by Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), which includes opportunities for full citizenship.

On Thursday, Trump went back and forth on this issue, at times seeming to endorse the Democratic version of events but then backing away from citizenship, which staunch conservatives vehemently oppose.

Ultimately, if the deal comes together, it is most likely to happen fast  in weeks and not months, Schumer said. Id like to see it within the next little while. Look, I dont want to set a date. Soon. Soon is the right word.

Kelsey Snell and David Weigel contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
This picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting the launching of a medium-and-long range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 at an undisclosed location. (Str)

North Korea is seeking military "equilibrium" with the United States as a way to stop American leaders from talking about military options for dealing with Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un said after supervising the launch of another missile over Japan.

And North Korea would continue to run full speed and straight toward achieving this goal, Kim told his top missile unit, according to the latest statement from his state news agency.

For the second time in three weeks, North Korea on Friday sent an intermediate-range missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It traveled for 2,300 miles in an easterly direction, landing in the Pacific Ocean. But if it had been launched south-eastward, it could easily have passed the U.S. territory of Guam, some 2,100 miles from the launch site in Pyongyang.

Kim, the North Korean leader who has pressed ahead with alarming speed on his states nuclear and missile programs, has been threatening to envelop Guam with missiles if the United States does not stop its hostile policy toward the North.

In the latest statement, Kim said that North Koreas final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military option[s].



In this undated photo distributed on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, celebrates what was said to be the test launch of an intermediate range Hwasong-12 missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (AP)

He stressed the need for the ability to launch a nuclear counterattack the U.S. cannot cope with, according to the Korean Central News Agency. This statement echoed previous assertions that North Korea was not seeking to attack first, but rather aiming to develop the ability to strike back.

North Korea confirmed that the missile launched Friday was, as analysts thought, an intermediate range ballistic missile that North Korea calls the Hwasong-12. It was launched from a modified truck parked at Sunan airfield, near or at the main international airport in Pyongyang.

The Hwasong-12 zoomed to the sky with dazzling flash and big explosion, KCNA reported. The launch was celebrated in the Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Korean Workers Party, which devoted its first three pages to the launch. Color photos showed Kim watching the missile launch and smiling broadly.

Kim also noted that North Korea had been able to make this astonishing progress on its nuclear and missile programs despite more than a decade of international sanctions aimed at cutting off its ability to produce the parts and funding it needed.

We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain[s] the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade, Kim told his elite missile unit. North Korea has historically used the term big power chauvinist to refer to China.

China supported the sanctions imposed on North Korea this week in response to its huge nuclear test on Sept. 3, and its firing of a missile over Japan on Aug. 29.

The U.N. Security Council imposed its toughest sanctions to date against North Korea on Monday, setting limits on its oil imports and banning its textile exports. But the new sanctions were a compromise. To win the support of China and Russia, the United States had to tone down its demands, which included a total oil embargo and a global travel ban on Kim.

Read more:

North Korea fires another missile over Japan, triggering warnings and condemnation

North Korean missile flies over Japan, escalating tensions

What is North Korea trying to hit?

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
The recent letter written to the City Council by Sue Furdek and Wayne Donaldson (Stop wasting time on a recall, Sept. 14) was so right on about where we are in the possibilities for St. Helena. I do not live in the boundaries of St. Helena. Although I have a St. Helena address, I cannot vote in St. Helena. That doesnt mean that I dont care!

I have worked for candidates for public office in St. Helena for 30 years! I have painted signs for then Mayor Lowell Smith, I have been treasurer for campaigns for Jay Greene for City Council, Bill Savidge for City Council, Del Britton, twice for Mayor of St. Helena, and two times for Alan Galbraith for Mayor. I am aware of the people that oppose the candidates that I have worked for.

The letter from Sue and Wayne really hits the point. Its time to move on! Look at Yountville and Calistoga. They are moving on. If we want St. Helena to be St. Helena, we have to move forward and accept the reality that otherwise, we will be nothing other than a road block in the Napa Valley.

Thank you for your comments Sue and Wayne.

Howard Walker

St. Helena
A fighter from Deir al-Zour military council, which fights under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the village of Abu Fas, in Hasaka province. (Rodi Said/Reuters)

The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Syria said Saturday that its partner forces have been attacked by Russian warplanes, escalating tensions on one of the country's most complex and contested battlefields.

The coalition said in a statement that an early morning airstrike targeted positions used by the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, a Kurdish-dominated militia backed by Washington, as well as the international advisers supporting them in a weeks-old offensive to dislodge Islamic State militants from the eastern province of Deir al-Zour.

As the Islamic State loses territory across Syria and Iraq, oil-rich Deir al-Zour has become a hub for the groups senior leaders.

Stretching along the eastern border with Iraq, it has also emerged as a geopolitical battleground for forces trying to support or thwart Iranian attempts to secure supply routes stretching from Beirut to Tehran.

The U.S.-led coalition intervened in Syria and Iraq in 2014 to halt the Islamic States conquest across swaths of both countries. Irans and Russias involvement dates back to the early months of the civil war that followed Syrias 2011 anti-government uprising, bankrolling and later militarily supporting President Bashar al-Assads forces as part of a broader attempt to maintain key allies across the region.

In Deir al-Zour, the two military groups find themselves fighting a common enemy. SDF fighters have advanced against Islamic State positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in recent weeks, while forces allied with Assads government have cut through the extremist groups territory from the western side, entering Deir al-Zour city and bringing the rival coalitions to within several miles of each other.

Saturdays attack marks the first time that the U.S.- and Russian-backed forces have clashed directly in the province, signaling what appeared to be a growing willingness on the part of Russia to protect its pro-Assad allies as they consolidate control over the most strategic areas.

Although the Pentagon, SDF, Russia and Syria have agreed on a line of physical separation between their parallel offensives, tensions have been rising in recent days.

Coalition officials are available and the deconfliction line with Russia is open 24 hours per day, said coalition commander Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II in a statement Saturday.

We put our full efforts into preventing unnecessary escalation among forces that share ISIS as our common enemy, Funk said, adding that the coalition and its partners retained a right to self-defense.

The skies over Syria have become increasingly congested as the six-year conflict has dragged on, with warplanes from the coalition, the Syrian government and Russia all carrying out airstrikes.

Although direct clashes are rare, the U.S.-led coalition launched strikes in early June against pro-Assad militiamen in southern Syria, after they advanced on an outpost housing American Special Forces, as well as a contingent of rebel fighters they supported.

On Friday, Ahmed Abu Khawla, a leading SDF commander, warned the Syrian army and allied militias against firing across the Euphrates as his fighters closed in  something he said had happened in recent days.

We have notified the regime and Russia that we are coming to the Euphrates riverbank, and they can see our forces advancing, he told the Reuters news agency.

In an interview with Al Manar TV, a channel affiliated with the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, a prominent Assad adviser insisted Friday that pro-government forces reserved the right to attack.

Whether its the Syrian Democratic Forces, or Daesh or any illegitimate foreign force in the country . . . we will fight and work against them so our land is freed completely from any aggressor, she said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.

Read more:

U.S.-backed forces announce anti-ISIS push in Syrias oil-rich east

Boost for Assad as the Syrian army makes gains against ISIS in eastern Syria

ISIS is near defeat in Iraq. Now comes the hard part.

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Postage costs are included in the purchase price VAT is not charged on UK publications. Orders to the EU are posted without tax paid: you are responsible for VAT and any other charges on delivery

Moves are being made to establish a cave registry in Derbyshire, following in the footsteps of those covering Mendip, Wales and Gloucestershire.

Bob Leakey takes a trip into the unknown with a discussion on why we do what we do.

Please note that second-hand stocks can and do change rapidly. Different copies of the same issue may be available at differing prices, depending on condition, so use a search to uncover any others. Also note that not all the second-hand stock of Descent is online: if you are looking for a copy in a different conditions, or one that is not online, please contact us to enquire.

Availability of these varies a great deal. Some early and a few later editions are very scarce. Prices vary widely, according both to scarcity and condition  to a collector, creases or a stamped imprint would affect an issue's desirability, while clubs may only wish to have a 'reading copy' to place in the library. In short, expect prices higher than those for back issues  especially for copies in good condition  although sometimes a second-hand copy may be damaged and thus be cheaper than a back issue.

With such a wealth of information contained in the pages of Descent, out-of-print editions have become much sought after. To help collectors and researchers, where possible second-hand copies are available to supplement the back issues in stock.

Non-UK orders



If stock is available for all post destinations, selecting any set of options will allow you to place your order immediately.



If stock is limited, for example with a single copy of a second-hand book, it will be assigned to UK stock. If you require posting to an address outside the UK, selecting your options may not allow an order to be placed, even though stock is available. If this is the case, please contact us to enable the options you require.



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We regret that due to the volatility of Royal Mail postage charges, we have been forced to remove the option for two-year subscriptions. We have also been forced to remove the option for economy mail to the EU, given indications that Royal Mail intends to remove this service.

All international mail is now being despatched in paper wrapping using Royal Mail customs and address labels mandated by them. We also regret this means we can no longer indicate the last issue of your subscription on the mailing sheet or supply a reminder to renew with the final edition. Please track your own subscription ending or check with us at any time. Subscriptions begun since September 2021 have a comment added in your account (under the tab for the order) which records the final issue to be supplied.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR EU CUSTOMERS

On 1 July 2021 the EU removed all exemptions for tax and customs duty on low value items posted from the UK to the EU, meaning that although VAT is 0% on books and magazines in the UK, it is charged within the EU and the VAT (potentially plus a handling fee) now apply to all orders to the EU.

Ideally, the VAT should be paid at the point of posting, but doing so requires registration with an agent to handle the payments, and this is incredibly expensive and not financially viable. To be clear, all small publishers in the UK are in the same position and we are unable to post any items to the EU with VAT or other duties paid.

Ordering any item from Wild Places, including a Descent subscription, requires that you accept responsibility of paying the VAT and any other local charges on delivery.

To be clear: Wild Places will NOT cover any charges levied by your country; it is your responsibility to accept these when placing an order.

We apologise for the situation, but it is outside our control. We will maintain a link from the left-hand column on the home page with the latest updates. If you are an existing subscriber to Descent and have not replied yet to our enquiries concerning your deliveries, please make contact.

NOTE: Subscribers in Norway or Switzerland (which are outside the EU) should place your order on the Subscription International page or contact us first.
Postage costs are included in the purchase price VAT is not charged on UK publications. Orders to the EU are posted without tax paid: you are responsible for VAT and any other charges on delivery

After many years of offering cover, a meeting at South Wales CC headquarters has set out a new structure for the organisation.

The official record of the longest and deepest caves, according to the International Union for Speleology.

Since 1962 the CNCC has gained access to many of the norths caves and potholes, building relationships between cavers and landowners. But at Dale Barn Cave, theres been a failure!

Westminster SG seems to have broken the record for the smallest expedition to leave our shores: there were only two of them!

Tim Atkinson indicates the directions that hydrological studies are taking in the UK  how is water traced, and what has it revealed?

Please note that second-hand stocks can and do change rapidly. Different copies of the same issue may be available at differing prices, depending on condition, so use a search to uncover any others. Also note that not all the second-hand stock of Descent is online: if you are looking for a copy in a different conditions, or one that is not online, please contact us to enquire.

Availability of these varies a great deal. Some early and a few later editions are very scarce. Prices vary widely, according both to scarcity and condition  to a collector, creases or a stamped imprint would affect an issue's desirability, while clubs may only wish to have a 'reading copy' to place in the library. In short, expect prices higher than those for back issues  especially for copies in good condition  although sometimes a second-hand copy may be damaged and thus be cheaper than a back issue.

With such a wealth of information contained in the pages of Descent, out-of-print editions have become much sought after. To help collectors and researchers, where possible second-hand copies are available to supplement the back issues in stock.

Non-UK orders



If stock is available for all post destinations, selecting any set of options will allow you to place your order immediately.



If stock is limited, for example with a single copy of a second-hand book, it will be assigned to UK stock. If you require posting to an address outside the UK, selecting your options may not allow an order to be placed, even though stock is available. If this is the case, please contact us to enable the options you require.



Please see our FAQs relating to deliveries, and the Delivery page linked from the bottom of each page, before placing your order if time is an important element for your order.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL DESCENT SUBSCRIBERS OUTSIDE THE UK

We regret that due to the volatility of Royal Mail postage charges, we have been forced to remove the option for two-year subscriptions. We have also been forced to remove the option for economy mail to the EU, given indications that Royal Mail intends to remove this service.

All international mail is now being despatched in paper wrapping using Royal Mail customs and address labels mandated by them. We also regret this means we can no longer indicate the last issue of your subscription on the mailing sheet or supply a reminder to renew with the final edition. Please track your own subscription ending or check with us at any time. Subscriptions begun since September 2021 have a comment added in your account (under the tab for the order) which records the final issue to be supplied.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR EU CUSTOMERS

On 1 July 2021 the EU removed all exemptions for tax and customs duty on low value items posted from the UK to the EU, meaning that although VAT is 0% on books and magazines in the UK, it is charged within the EU and the VAT (potentially plus a handling fee) now apply to all orders to the EU.

Ideally, the VAT should be paid at the point of posting, but doing so requires registration with an agent to handle the payments, and this is incredibly expensive and not financially viable. To be clear, all small publishers in the UK are in the same position and we are unable to post any items to the EU with VAT or other duties paid.

Ordering any item from Wild Places, including a Descent subscription, requires that you accept responsibility of paying the VAT and any other local charges on delivery.

To be clear: Wild Places will NOT cover any charges levied by your country; it is your responsibility to accept these when placing an order.

We apologise for the situation, but it is outside our control. We will maintain a link from the left-hand column on the home page with the latest updates. If you are an existing subscriber to Descent and have not replied yet to our enquiries concerning your deliveries, please make contact.

NOTE: Subscribers in Norway or Switzerland (which are outside the EU) should place your order on the Subscription International page or contact us first.
It was March 2020, and the world was closing down as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. At first, the news of...
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/09/2017 (1885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In February 1988, six years after he first pitched the idea of an animated short film revolving around a vexed old man and his troublesome, yellow cat to the National Film Board of Canada, Cordell Barker was at the NFBs Main Street headquarters, where a mix of editors, writers and directors had gathered for a preliminary screening of Barkers long-awaited work The Cat Came Back.

Cordell Barker will read from The Cat Came Back Sept. 23 at McNally Robinson Booksellers. The National Film Board recently turned his treasured animated film into a book. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

For weeks, Barker had been nervous about how his debut effort was going to be received. So nervous, in fact, that during the final stages of production, whenever he was forced to leave the cozy confines of his home studio to use the film boards professional editing equipment, he would only venture there in the middle of the night, he says, when he was certain nobody else would be around.

The day of the screening, I remember someone yelling roll it, and thinking to myself, Oh my god, here we go, says Barker, seated inside his screened-in porch, which offers a spectacular view of a meandering stretch of the Red River.

When it was over, a couple of people near me shrugged their shoulders and made this kind of meh sound. Then, after the lights came on, my executive producer turned around and said, thanks, Cordell, and walked out of the room without saying another word.

At that point I seriously thought, thats it, my film is a bust and my grand experiment with animation is over.

Funny, that: not only did Barkers seven-and-a-half-minute tour de farce go on to win a Genie Award for Best Animated Short, it was also nominated for an Oscar at the 1989 Academy Awards ceremony (more about that in a sec).

Equally impressive: The Cat Came Back was included in the 1994 publication The 50 Greatest Cartoons: As Selected by 1,000 Animation Professionals, placing 32nd overall, one spot ahead of Superman.

(In case youve been living under a box of kitty litter for close to three decades, The Cat Came Back tells the hilarious tale of old Mr. Johnson and a doggedly determined feline that just wouldnt stay away.)

Next year will mark the 30-year-anniversary of The Cat Came Back. Fittingly, on Sept. 1 the film was released in book form as part of a new NFB venture that will soon see a slew of Canadian cinematic treasures make their way onto the printed page, including Barkers 2009 effort, Runaway.

Cordell Barker at his Winnipeg home with his cat Murphy. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

On Sept. 23, Barker, who has produced animated spots for the likes of Nike and Coca-Cola, and received a second Academy Award nomination in 2002 for his film Strange Invaders, will be at McNally Robinsons Grant Avenue store reading excerpts from The Cat Came Back.

If time permits, hell also field a few questions. (To answer the first query on everybodys lips, yes, the married father of three sons is the proud owner of two cats: Murphy and the white one.)

It is a bit crazy. If somebody at the NFB office that day had said my film was going to be turned into a book 29 years down the road, I would have been like, yeah, sure, tell me another one, he says, pausing to ask a visitor if he needs his coffee freshened up, before he settles back in his chair and recants the story of how The Cat Came Back came to be, purr-cisely.

(Firefly Books)

Barker grew up on Hazel Dell Avenue, a few blocks away from where he and his wife currently reside. When asked about his age, the father of three grown sons chuckles and says dont believe everything you read on the internet. He was born in 1956 but for whatever reason, the person who penned his Wikipedia page shaved a year off by writing 1957, which was kind of nice of them, I suppose.

It took Barker (shown in 1989) six years to complete the animated short. (Glenn Olsen / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Like most kids who grew up in the 1960s, Barkers weekend ritual involved plunking himself down in front of his familys console television set every Saturday morning with a big bowl of cereal, and proceeding to watch one cartoon after another.

Especially Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck  those early ones drawn by Bob Clampett were just spectacular, he says, adding because their TV only picked up three channels, he was forever jealous of neighbours who had a choice of  hold onto your remotes, net-streaming generation  four channels.

Animated Christmas specials were another thing he always looked forward to. Come December, he habitually scoured the television listings to see when time-honoured classics such as The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas were scheduled to air.

Back then, of course, there wasnt any way to pause or record anything, he continues. You had one shot at it, so you had to make sure you were all set up with your snacks and pillows. There was a purity to watching TV that way I sometimes miss, I have to say.

Barker guesses he was 13 or 14 when he began contemplating a career as an animator, after becoming fascinated by behind-the-scenes clips of Walt Disney Studios illustrators hard at work during Sunday night episodes of The Wonderful World of Disney.

There was one flaw in his plan, however: he wasnt particularly adroit when it came to art class.

I almost got kicked out of art in high school, as a matter of fact, because instead of doing my assignments, I was always drawing cartoons and whatever, says the Miles Macdonnell Collegiate alumnus.

Response at the first screening was so lukewarm, Barker thought his animation career was over. (Firefly Books)

I remember my Grade 12 teacher, Mrs. Thompson, giving me an F and telling me I was never going to go anywhere in art. I didnt hold it against her, though. Back then I was a  whats a good word for it  pretty casual student.

Undeterred, the moment Barker heard a professional cartoonist by the name of Kenneth Perkins had opened an animation studio on Portage Avenue, the then-17-year-old headed there with a hastily-prepared portfolio of sketches, to apply for a job.

Barkers initial responsibility at Kenn Perkins Animation was painting movie celluloids, an undertaking he downplays by stating, even a monkey can do that. He continued working for Perkins after graduating high school and by age 19, had switched over to the animation-side-of-things.

When he wasnt preparing short cartoons for the Canadian edition of Sesame Street (in between showing the Muppets, there were hand-drawn letters or numbers that would flash across the screen thats one of the things we did), Barker honed his craft illustrating television commercials for K-Tel albums such as 22 Dynamic Hits or 24 Golden Greats.

On a regular basis, K-Tel would send over whichever one of their records was coming out next, and the animators  there were three or four of us  would pick which songs we wanted to do the most, Barker says, listing the Trashmens Surfin Bird and Loudon Wainwright IIIs Dead Skunk (the one about the deceased mammal in the middle of the road, stinking to high heaven,) as a pair of tunes he handled, for sure.

Making commercials for K-Tel was a great way to learn (animation) because first of all, the quality demand wasnt particularly high. Secondly, Kenn basically left it up to us to do whatever we wanted, no matter how bizarre or weird the finished product sometimes turned out to be.

Barker remained at Perkinss studio for three years. Following that, he toiled as a freelance illustrator while tending bar at night in order to make ends meet.

He says it was during a months-long backpacking trip across Europe in the early 1980s when he realized what he really wanted to do was write, draw and create his own animated films.

In January 1982, Barker was living in a little home on Leighton Avenue. On a particularly frigid morning, he was trying hard to stay warm  his furnace was faulty, at best  by lying on the floor, as close to a kitchen heating vent as humanly possible.

"I liked the idea of an old guy and his unflappable cat -- that seemed like a pretty good contrast." (Firefly Books)

At some point, he began thinking how hed often seen cats doing the identical thing. Inspired, he retrieved a grease pencil from a nearby junk drawer and began sketching a balled-up cat on the wall. Before long, he added the image of an elderly man to the mix.

I liked the idea of an old guy and his unflappable cat  that seemed like a pretty good contrast  but the story I came up with, which mainly had to do with the heat in the house, was really lame, Barker says.

But because Id heard the film board wanted to get some animation projects going and was open to ideas, I put together a bunch of thumbnail storyboards and headed there to make my presentation.

Barker chooses the word serendipity to describe what occurred next.

The person I pitched my idea to wasnt that crazy about the story Id come up with. But he said it was funny Id included an old man and a cat because, at the time, they were seriously thinking about doing something involving the song The Cat Came Back, because of Fred Penner, Barker says, referring to Penners 1979 rendition of the near-century-old folk song, which by then had become the Winnipeg entertainers signature tune.

To make a long story short, they offered me the opportunity to animate the song. I immediately said OK, figuring I was in no position to stand my ground on an idea for a film I knew was flawed. So yeah, that was the launch of everything.

(At the beginning, the NFB proposed the notion of Barker and Penner working together. But because Barker viewed The Cat Came Back as ostensibly a kids film, but with a darker underbelly, that partnership never really took off, he says.)

(Firefly Books)

Richard Condie, the award-winning director of The Big Snit, was the co-producer of Barkers The Cat Came Back. Condie became involved in the project in 1983, he guesses, after the films original producer moved to Toronto.

Sort of consultingCordell would have questions once in a while and Id do my best to answer them, Condie says over the phone, when asked about his role.

Im not surprised the cat film has such legs. It was very well-done, with great timing and gags and great design. Richard Condie

Condie, who voiced the Mr. Johnson character and sang on the soundtrack (Barker also sang), chuckles when a reporter wonders aloud whether the six years it took Barker to complete the film exhausted his and his NFB cohorts patience.

No, thats just how long these things take, sometimes, he states matter-of-factly, adding it makes perfect sense the film board chose to turn The Cat Came Back into a kids book, all these years later.

Im not surprised the cat film has such legs. It was very well-done, with great timing and gags and great design.

For his part, Barker says it wasnt until he attended the highly regarded World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb in June 1988, where The Cat Came Back was an official entry, that he began to realize he might have something special on his hands, after all.

It got a huge reaction during the screening, with tons of people in the crowd laughing and cheering. I remember feeling overwhelmed, and going out into the lobby afterwards and immediately being approached by one of the members of the jury. With a big grin on his face, he punched me in the arm and said, Hey, terrific film.

Oh, the name of that jury member? Jim Henson. Yes, that Jim Henson, the puppeteer, cartoonist and creator of the Muppets.

(Firefly Books)

To go from complete pessimism to a moment like that, well Barker says, his voice trailing off. For the longest time I couldnt see Cat for anything other than the six years of labour Id put into it just constant work. But after Zagreb, it took off.

Perhaps Barkers only regret from that period was how he didnt allow himself the opportunity to enjoy Oscar night, when he and his wife attended the 61st Academy Awards ceremony at Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium on March 29, 1989.

Because he suffers from stage fright, and because every newspaper he read the morning of the awards predicted his film was going to win, he spent the entire day and early evening thinking, I guess its official; Im actually going to have to get up there and say something, with all these millions of eyeballs around the world staring back at me.

Cordell Barker's certificate of nomination for the Academy Awards and a film reel of The Cat Came Back. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

He says the adrenalin dump he experienced that night after hearing Tin Toy announced as Best Animated Short Film was severe.

I remember the fatigue that hit me as I was leaving the theatre just whomp. Carly Simon (winner of the 1988 Academy Award for best original song) was right beside me and where today Id probably go hey, congratulations, I just trudged out of there, super-tired.

There was a party the Sutherlands  Donald and Kiefer  were hosting and my poor wife, she really wanted to go. But I said I cant do it. I just need to go fall down somewhere.

(Firefly Books)

The Cat Came Back was one of two animated short films chosen to launch Firefly Books National Film Board of Canada Collection, the other being Torill Koves My Grandmother Ironed the Kings Shirt, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2000.

Cordell Barker working on his animation disc in his home studio. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

In a prepared statement, Claude Joli-Coeur, NFB Chairperson, said, Its tremendously exciting to see these adaptations of great NFB works. We look forward to partnering with Firefly to bring new and classic NFB works  capturing the richness, uniqueness and diversity of Canada  to new formats and even wider audiences.

Barker, who once turned down an opportunity to work on a little movie called Toy Story because he was just starting work on a new film of his own, says it was around this time last year when he found out about the childrens book, after receiving a call from the NFB marketing department.

(Barker dismisses the idea a bedtime story about an old man trying to drown/blow up/obliterate his pesky puss doesnt exactly scream, Sweet dreams. What kid doesnt see a million horrific things by the time hes five? he says with a wide grin.)

(Firefly Books)

The original plan was to scan his existing artwork but because much of it was missing or had deteriorated, Barker ended up having to redraw certain panels, as well as illustrate and colour entirely new ones to encapsulate different scenes from the film.

The 10 or so months it took to put the picture book together was a bit like getting reacquainted with an old friend he hadnt seen in a long time, he says.

I didnt watch (The Cat Came Back) for years, and even now when I watch it, I do spot flaws in the artwork, he says, describing the film project hes currently working on as one of those Google 360 things where the actions taking place right in front of you.

But of all my films, Cat is the only one I can watch where I dont perceive any flaws in the timing of the jokes. Not one. Im still very proud of that.

david.sanderson@freepress.mb.ca

Cordell Barker (Caperaa Obscura Production) A group photo shows Academy Award nominees in 1989. Cordell Barker is in the back row, directly below the first E in 'nominees.' (Supplied)
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/09/2017 (1886 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The first time many Winnipeggers went to Toronto alone, we were in the bloom of adulthood, maybe 20 years old. The wandering time, when life exists as a dream of what-nows and what-ifs; we were a crocus in spring, unfolding.

Young Prairie eyes always turn to glittered horizons. To freeways and nightlife and glass-clad steel towers. To the promise of what could happen, if we were not so cold and so marooned in a sea of tall grains and long grasses.

This, too, is part of growing up Manitoban: the siren song of Somewhere Else, seducing us out of the plains.

So we went to Toronto, piled in a friends van or clutching a cheap Greyhound ticket. When we arrived, maybe the big city was not completely unfamiliar; maybe we had been there before, on a school trip or a vacation to see relatives.

Yet never before had we stood at the corner of Queen and Yonge, all grown-up and alone.

Oh, the city came rushing up at us, then. The black squirrels and the prancing pigeons with jewel-toned heads. The taxicab horns trumpeting the fanfare of all big cities: the sound of great masses of people with places to go, urgently.

When I close my eyes, I can travel back in memory to my first time. I sat on a ledge and watched black suits march down Bay Street; I stepped nervously around the sidewalk grates, frightened by what dangers lurked underneath.

Then I wandered down Queen Street West, making a pilgrimage to a five-storey terracotta building. It was raised in 1913 as the Methodist Church headquarters, but to a Canadian kid of the 1980s, it was a church of a different kind.

The MuchMusic building, its glory by the early 2000s already fading, but no less thrilling to behold in the flesh. Growing up in Winnipeg, television had taught me to yearn for this, and here it was in the crisp light of morning.

In that moment, it felt as if all the cool in Canada flowed to that spot, trickling down through the Prairies and forests and the Canadian Shield. Flowing until it all came to puddle around the northwestern edge of Lake Ontario.

All the cool in Canada, spreading until it filled up the land the Haudenosaunee still call Tkaronto: the place where trees stand in water. To a young woman from Winnipeg, in the bloom of new adulthood, it was like being reborn.

Viewed from above, the Amazon Spheres rest before Day 1, the dominant building owned by the company in downtown Seattle, Wash. (Kjell Redal / Seattle Times)

So it is fitting, maybe, that I was in Toronto last week when Premier Brian Pallister made his big announcement.

By now, 15 years after my first grown-up visit, the mythology of Toronto has long faded. Its not that the city isnt beautiful  it is, in places  but Queen Street is now just a place to buy things, not a thrilling pop cultural pilgrimage.

Still, its fun to play the role of wide-eyed visitor from the Prairies. Baristas and shopkeepers ask where youre from; when you tell them, they look as if youve just announced you were born in an abandoned rake factory, or a barn.

Ohhhhh, Winnipeg, they say, after a pause. My grandfather grew up in Winnipeg, actually.

Its always a grandfather, unless its an ex-boyfriend, a colleague, a neighbour. If some Torontonians know Winnipeg at all, it is by the people who were from here, but arent anymore: the people who chased horizons and found them.

So I am thinking of that one night, while sitting on a rooftop patio overlooking Queen Street, sipping $14 watermelon cocktails and reading the news from back home on my phone. One headline in particular glares the brightest.

Look at this, I tell my partner. Pallister wants to convince Amazon to build its new headquarters in Winnipeg.

In my chest surges a forgotten, but familiar, feeling. A sharp yearning that once drew this young Manitoban to glittering cities. The aching desire to spin through the world not on the spokes of the wheel, but close to the hub.

Then, a splash of cold water. The yearning subsides, the skepticism grows stronger.

To be sure, it is right for the premier to make a pitch to bring Amazon here. It is a leaders job to elbow our name into the worlds top conversations, even if, in this case, Winnipeg meets almost none of the retail giants requirements.

We do have comparatively affordable housing, but we dont have more than a million people. We dont boast non-stop flights to Amazons existing home base in Seattle or a particularly progressive approach to public transit.

Right now, according to reports, Amazon is leaning towards Boston. It seems unlikely for Winnipeg to compete with that. Yet, beyond the issue of whats realistic, theres another more fundamental question that ought to be considered.

Do we even want it?

Construction continues on three large, glass-covered domes as part of an expansion of the Amazon.com campus in downtown Seattle in an April 2017 photo. (Elaine Thompson / The Associated Press files)

To some, its a question that doesnt even need to be asked: of course we want 50,000 highly paid jobs to come here, who wouldnt? But the answer, to me, is not so self-evident and deserves to be approached with more care.

If Amazon were to come to Winnipeg, it would change the chemistry of the city forever. When we dream about luring its riches, we are also dreaming about a nearly complete remaking of our home. That should give us pause.

Wherever Amazons new headquarters wind up, experts say it will be a prosperity bomb that goes off. Its true: many people in Winnipeg would make a whole lot of money, the kind of boom this city hasnt seen for a century.

At the same time, many Winnipeggers would also be pushed further to the margins.

Cost of living would soar, squeezing out many of us, as it has in other places that megacorporations have established their home bases.

Affordable rents would steadily vanish. So would even the hope of home ownership for many young people. Traffic would explode; Winnipeg streets would become perpetually congested. The steady calm of the city would be gone.

In short: whatever Winnipeg is now, it wouldnt be that anymore. The city we know would be gone. It would become a company town, an Amazon town, a city inexorably chained to the rise and fall of one massive giant.

That is a trade-off some are willing to make, and to be sure, there are arguments to support that view. Yet, when we are talking about remaking our whole city anew, perhaps we should give some thought to what we would lose.

Prairie eyes always turn to glittering horizons. Sometimes we chase them, sometimes we find them. But as my plane from Toronto dips its wings over Winnipeg, I let out a sigh of relief and gaze at the city, splayed out flat in the sun.

No matter what siren song of wealth the world holds, its good to be home.

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca

Wooing Amazon to our city would mean more jobs, but it would also mean more people, more traffic and higher housing costs. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/09/2017 (1885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba New Democrats have given rookie MLA Wab Kinew a big mandate to lead their party, and the former broadcaster, author and Indigenous activist vows to make them proud.

Kinew, 35, won the provincial NDP leadership Saturday with the support of three-quarters of convention delegates, defeating challenger Steve Ashton 728-253.

Its a new day for the NDP, and its a new day for Manitoba, Kinew said triumphantly, after kissing his wife and hugging his two sons, aged nine and 12.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Wab Kinew celebrates as it is announced he is the new leader of the NDP.

As leader of the NDP, first, I will make you proud. I will conduct myself each and every day to reward you who have given me your support and to let you know it was vested in me for good reason.

Kinew succeeds Greg Selinger, who stepped down as leader immediately after the NDPs crushing defeat in the April 2016 election. The result left the once-powerful political machine with just 14 seats in the Manitoba legislature. Logan MLA Flor Marcelino has filled in as interim leader since then.

The nearly 1,000 delegates in attendance at the RBC Convention Centre seemed to be on Kinews side from the outset, and he didnt hurt his cause with a pre-vote address that one delegate later described as the speech of his life.

Kinew supporters waved purple signs and sported purple T-shirts with #IMFORWAB printed on the front and New Voice, New Direction, New Democrats on the back.

Each candidate was given 30 minutes to speak before voting began.

Kinew immediately addressed recently revealed allegations of domestic abuse in a past relationship that had dogged him in the campaigns final days. He apologized to delegates and to victims of abuse for the distress that the allegations had caused them. He has repeatedly denied the 14-year-old allegations which led to charges that were stayed.

Kinew had revealed in his autobiographical book, The Reason You Walk, that he had been convicted as a young man of assault and impaired driving. He and his supporters have repeatedly said that he is a changed man.

Im not the man I was. Ive apologized and I am sorry, he told the crowd earlier in the day. But apologies are not enough. That is why I will continue to prove to you that I am a changed man every day through my career in public service. Every day I will work hard to earn your trust.

After the results were announced, Kinew, 35, wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and purple tie, with three eagle feathers tucked into his hair, said he was greatly humbled by the tremendous honour delegates had given him.

Addressing the crowd first in Ojibwe, then in French before turning to English, he said New Democrats owed it to Manitobans to put their differences aside and work for the benefit for everybody in the province. He told Ashton supporters, most of whom had left the convention hall even before the results were announced, that there is a place for you in this party and I will be your leader as well.

During his speech to delegates, Ashton said New Democrats should be proud of their social and economic accomplishments in government over the years. He noted that decades ago, the NDP eliminated health care premiums in Manitoba, something the Pallister government is now looking at reinstating. He described himself as a progressive voice who would be an effective opposition leader to the Progressive Conservative government from Day 1.

But his campaign seemed disorganized compared with Kinews. And, at the convention, only a half-dozen of his supporters wore orange Ashton T-shirts  collectors items from the 61-year-olds previous unsuccessful leadership runs in 2009 and 2015. When the former 35-year Thompson MLA strode to the podium for his pre-vote speech, he received only lukewarm applause from the crowd.

Kinew told reporters afterwards it will take a lot of work to rebuild the NDP. Were facing an uphill battle  and if we want to be successful in that were going to have to do everything we can to pull everyone back together.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/09/2017 (1886 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The two men accused of stealing an RCMP officers gun and using it to shoot a teen girl in a Winnipeg convenience store parking lot two years ago were invited guests at the officers home on the night of the shooting, court heard this week.

Matthew Wilfred McKay and Matthew Andrew Miles, who would later be charged with stealing Manitoba RCMP Sgt. Chris McCuens police-issued nine-millimetre Smith & Wesson handgun, had been invited to a party McCuens son was throwing in the garage on Oct. 24, 2015.

Both had criminal records and Miles had just been paroled from a Saskatchewan prison less than three months earlier after serving time for robbery.

Gordon Sinclair Jr. / Winnipeg Free Press Files Shooting victim 16-year-old Calli Vanderaa, right, with her dad Corey Vanderaa while recovering in hospital. Calli was shot with a stolen RCMP-issued handgun.

Miles, 27, pleaded guilty Thursday to theft under $5,000, possession of a restricted weapon and violating a court order that prohibited him from having weapons. He was sentenced to two years less a day in jail going forward, on top of the equivalent to a 19 1/2-month sentence hes already served behind bars, based on a jointly recommended sentence from Crown and defence lawyers. It is a total sentence of about 3 1/2 years.

After his arrest, Miles told police it was McKay who took the police officers gun as he rummaged through the RCMP vehicle parked in the garage, court heard.

McKay is accused of attempted murder for firing the gun into a parked vehicle full of people shortly after midnight. The single bullet struck then-16-year-old Calli Vanderaa in the chest, causing damage to her internal organs and lasting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

McKay is set to go to trial on the charges, including several weapons offences, in November. The allegations against him have not been proven.

Miles admitted he stood outside the RCMP vehicle while items were handed out to him  including a can of bear spray and three handgun magazines, one of which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. According to court documents filed in a related civil lawsuit, Chris McCuen said he locked the police vehicle and kept the keys inside his house. He claimed the gun was properly stored in a locked console and wasnt visible within the vehicle.

Miles defence lawyer, Lori Van Dongen, told court her client maintains nothing was locked.

Mr. Miles was extremely intoxicated, had been using drugs, and I think I can fairly say was not in his right mind when he and Mr. McKay made their way to the truck of the RCMP officer. Mr. Miles is adamant that nothing was locked, she said.

The unfortunate thing is, probably none of this wouldve happened if no one was drinking that night, including the son of the RCMP officer, including inviting these people over.

Miles claimed he and the co-accused then stole bicycles from the garage and rode away with the stolen weapons. They later circled around a parked car in a convenience store parking lot on Autumnwood Drive.

The car was crowded with several passengers, including Vanderaa, and McKay glared at them, flashing gang signs, Crown attorney Paul Cooper told court. One of the people in the parked car asked McKay and Miles what they were staring at, Cooper said, when McKay allegedly felt disrespected and pulled out the gun and fired.

Miles told the co-accused not to do anything stupid and tried to grab hold of his hands as McKay was pulling out the gun, according to witnesses who were in the parked car and Miles statement to police. After the shooting, Miles said he took the gun from McKay and hid it at his house, where police later found it.

He still can remember the sound of the gun going off, he can still remember that that girl was hurt, Van Dongen said. It was never his intention when he first entered that party that night that anybody was going to get hurt, let alone to the extent that this young lady was.

Just before he was sentenced, Miles apologized for his actions to provincial court Judge Lindy Choy and said he wants to plan for a better future.

The victims father, Corey Vanderaa, said hes frustrated by the many unanswered questions he still has about the case but was impressed Miles took responsibility.

Im glad that he didnt put up a fight and hes going to do his time. You know, if I were to sit down with that dude for five minutes, Id tell him, Man, it just aint worth it. Im older than him. I went through all that stuff, Vanderaa said in a phone interview Friday. Its too bad that it took something as drastic to happen to my daughter to make him realize it, but hopefully he sticks to his guns and he does whats right.

Vanderaa said his daughter is now working toward her goal of becoming a police officer, and is completing her high school education derailed by her recovery in the aftermath of the shooting. He said she still suffers from post-traumatic stress and anxiety.

The Vanderaas sued both accused, as well as Sgt. McCuen and the attorney general of Canada, seeking compensation for the injuries Calli suffered. The lawsuit was discontinued in April 2017. The Vanderaas lawyer, Robert Tapper, couldnt say whether a settlement had been reached. He said only the case has been resolved satisfactorily to my client.

After the shooting, the RCMP said it would complete an internal investigation into what happened that night, but the outcome of that investigation hasnt been publicly released.

A Winnipeg Police Service investigation found no charges should be laid against the RCMP officer.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, which was then only four months old, was monitoring the investigation but was not directly involved. It is tasked with investigating serious incidents involving police officers in the province.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/09/2017 (1885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  The federal Tories say 36 hours of committee testimony is not enough for MPs to properly debate legalizing medicinal marijuana, especially if they dont hear from all the provinces.

We need to do this right, take our time, make sure plans are in place, Conservative health critic Marilyn Gladu said Friday.

The House health committee has been meeting this week, before the Commons returns, and heard from 102 witnesses, plus three federal ministers who will testify Tuesday.

Darren Calabrese / The Canadian Press files A juvenile plant grows at Bedrocan Canada, a medical marijuana facility, in Toronto.

The MPs have heard from Ontario police, a senior Saskatchewan bureaucrat, Vancouver activists and the Metis National Council. But no officials from the Manitoba government have appeared.

All the provinces were invited; none of them would come, Gladu said. Thats concerning because many of them dont have their plans ready.

However, Manitoba Justice Minister Heather Stefanson said the provinces are holding frank discussions with Ottawa behind closed doors.

Timing is coming up, time and time again, and I think theyre going to have to listen to that, Stefanson said in an interview from Vancouver, where her provincial colleagues met with federal counterparts for a very robust discussion about cannabis.

Stefanson is co-chairing the provinces working group on the federal Cannabis Act, and says Manitoba and other provinces might ask to speak to the House or Senate committee if they dont see progress with the feds.

This is certainly the venue where weve gone at this stage, she said.

In July, after months of pressing Ottawa to extend its July 1, 2018, deadline for legalization, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister clinched a victory when his fellow premiers said theyd only respect the deadline if the federal Liberals clarified five issues, including road safety and the black market.

Gladu and Stefanson said such an extension might be needed. This week, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police said it would need an extra six to 12 months to prepare, and other groups are asking for more time prepare educational resources.

Its more important to do this right than to do it fast, Gladu said.

Were going to be violating international treaties if we legalize in their time frame.

Manitoba NDP MP Daniel Blaikie said the deadline is workable and provinces can ask for a few months to sort out their plans.

It wouldnt be anything necessarily backward about moving ahead, getting the federal legislation in place so that theres clarity for the provinces, he said.

Blaikie suspects the Liberal-majority committee will kibosh calls for more hearing time, and said too many questions are being left up to the provinces.

Its awkward that the federal government wasnt willing to take on more of the work.

Meanwhile, Parliaments independent budget watchdog is still trying to get Ottawas estimates for how much it will cost to enforce and regulate recreational marijuana, after Manitoba MP Larry Maguire requested the data.

This week, the Liberal government told the Free Press it wouldnt release costing data because its still being tabulating it to fit provincial plans.

Either they dont have a plan, or theyre not being transparent about the plan, Gladu said.

Asked Thursday to justify MPs studying a bill with no cost estimates, Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said the Liberals made legalization a clear part of their 2015 election platform.

On Friday, her spokesman, Yves-Alexandre Comeau, said the hearings received the highest number of witnesses since we took office, and the committee accepted 114 briefs. He also noted a 2016 task force consulted with more than 30,000 Canadians across the country.

All three parties worked over the summer to build their witness lists in preparation for this study, Comeau said.

We have taken a thorough, collaborative and thoughtful approach.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/09/2017 (1886 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There is uncertainty and some trepidation among Manitoba New Democrats as they select a new leader on Saturday.

Both leadership candidates  career politician Steve Ashton and political neophyte Wab Kinew  come with political baggage.

Ashton, 61, who lost his seat in Thompson last year after a 35-year career in the legislature, has contested the leadership twice already and lost. He is linked with both the successes and some of the darker episodes of the former Selinger government.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Wab Kinew, left and Steve Ashton at the NDP Leadership 2017 Forum. The two choices for leadership of Manitoba's NDP party have some party members feeling less than enthusiastic about this weekend's convention.

Kinew, the MLA for Fort Rouge, has been facing new revelations of past allegations of domestic assault, including media interviews in recent days granted by the alleged victim, who described being flung around the living room causing her to suffer rug burns.

So, along with the usual excitement that goes with a leadership convention, theres also concern, with some NDPers questionning whether either candidate has what it takes to lead them to victory.

Unless something changes, we cant win with either of these guys. Theres no way, said one longtime New Democrat on Friday.

Im discouraged going into this convention, said another, who described himself as a Kinew supporter. The whole thing is just a huge mess, as far as Im concerned. Im quite disheartened by it all.

Kinew, the frontrunner going into Saturdays convention at the RBC Convention Centre, has repeatedly denied assaulting his former girl friend 14 years ago while fully aware that many will be inclined to believe her.

I know that people dont come forward with an allegation lightly. I know the media attention is likely very stressful for this person. And so I do feel empathy, the 35-year-old author and former broadcaster said Friday.

I contributed to the end of our relationship and I accept responsibility for those things that I did. But with respect to the allegation (of domestic assault), no that didnt happen. And I cant take responsibility for something I didnt do.

Ashton said he believes the victims story and calls her a courageous woman. Battling domestic violence is fundamental to who we are as a party, he said Friday.

In the final days of the campaign, Ashton has sent mail outs to party members criticizing Kinew for failing to be fully forthcoming about his past and failing to admit to past misdeeds.

Ashton said the NDP have taken Brian Pallister to task for not being up front on issues, such as those concerning the premiers vacation home in Costa Rica. Going into the next election we just cant be anything other than 100 per cent transparent, he said.

However, on Friday some of Kinews biggest backers, including several high-profile women within the party, stood firmly behind him, while saying they couldnt comment on allegations made more than a dozen years ago.

I think Wabs support is solid, said former cabinet minister Nancy Allan, pointing to the transformation Kinew has undergone since he was a young man.

NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine said Kinew has been sensitive to gender issues and an ally in battling violence against women.

This is the Wab Kinew that I know. I didnt know Wab 14 years ago, she said.

On Facebook, former NDP president Carmen Nedohin, who described herself as a past victim of domestic violence, said she continues to support Kinew. Many of us never, ever learn from our mistakes and continue to repeat the same behaviour, she wrote. He (Wab) works every day to be the best person he can be.

But while Kinews supporters  and perhaps the majority of delegates at Saturdays NDP convention  may be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, the question is whether Manitoba voters will do the same, should he be elected leader.

Im not certain that the electorate would be that forgiving, said a longtime party member, who favours Kinew over Ashton. I think the party, the convention, might be that forgiving. But I wonder if the electorate is that forgiving.

The 2017 NDP leadership convention begins at noon. A leader is expected to be chosen by 2:30 p,m. By Friday, more than 1,100 delegates had registered or the event. Some 550 tickets were sold for a fund-raising banquet Friday evening that featured a speech by environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/09/2017 (1885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An outbreak of mumps at the Brandon Correctional Centre has staff worried as the number of cases more than tripled in the past few weeks.

A correctional centre staff member, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job, said the number of confirmed cases had gone to nine from two in a two-week period, with three more cases waiting to be confirmed as of Thursday.

One of those confirmed cases is a staff member.

It may be small numbers, but its still not small potatoes to us, the staff member said. Staff at the centre are biting their nails we want to exhale, but we cant.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms, swollen and painful salivary glands, swollen cheeks, difficulty chewing, swallowing or talking, and loss of appetite.

Mumps can be spread through the air and by sharing of food or drinks. It can also be contracted by touching something previously touched by an infected person.

Staff are concerned there arent enough reactive measures or preventative measures happening at the medium/maximum security centre that houses both men and women.

The clean up and the follow up for these communicable diseases is really poor, as far as were concerned, the staff member said, adding other inmates are given a mask and put in charge of wiping cells down with disinfectant after an infected inmate leaves the area.

A quarantine area has also been set up in a disassociation cell next to a staff office less than 10 feet away. Infected inmates are required to wear face masks at all times, the staff member said, but it doesnt always happen.

At one time, we had three guys in one cell with the mumps they were hot and sweaty and they were tired of wearing their face masks so they took them off while were serving them meals, the source said.

The mumps cases started in the kitchen, the staff member said, adding to the concern with how quickly its spread.

We hear (the inmates) during meal time, theyll say things like, Mmm, spaghetti with a side of mumps. They know whats going on I have yet to have anyone refuse a tray from the kitchen but theyre aware its there.

A spokesperson for Manitoba Justice confirmed via email there have been a small number of inmates who have shown symptoms or tested positive for mumps, adding to date those symptoms have been flu-like and relatively minor, and the effect on operations have been minimal.

When asked to comment further  specifically on staff concerns  the spokesperson said BCC is following public health advice on appropriate cleaning and other management protocols.

All of our correctional centres have health and safety representatives who are encouraged to raise employees concerns with management. Though mumps is a recent example, the management of infectious diseases is an ongoing part of daily operations in all of our facilities, the spokesperson wrote.

Requests for a further interview with the superintendent of BCC or an official with Manitoba Justice were declined.

The staff member said several people have completed workplace health and safety forms, and the union has also been advised of their concerns.

Our officers strive to ensure the safety of everyone in the jail, so anytime a medical situation arises its obviously concerning, Manitoba Government and General Employees Union president Michelle Gawronsky said via email. Public health has been involved and are providing guidance for staff and inmates, and we are taking direction from them on what next steps are needed.

Staff were encouraged to double-check their immunization records and make sure they are up-to-date, the staff member said, and BCC was required to provide a clinic for staff to receive the required vaccines to protect against mumps.

The Brandon Court House is also taking precautions, opting to have inmates with symptoms or confirmed mumps cases appear in court by video.

 Brandon Sun
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/09/2017 (1885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After multiple customers stepped in to stop a convenience store robbery in progress earlier this week, the Winnipeg Police Service is reminding the public to try to avoid making citizen arrests.

Two people shopping in a convenience store in the 400 block of Edison Street on Friday apprehended a suspect who came into the store wearing a mask and attempted to rob it.

Police have charged a 15-year-old Winnipeg boy in connection with attempted robbery and another robbery a day earlier on the 400 block of Springfield Road. In the first robbery, police say the suspect hopped the counter and put a gun in the face of the employee before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

He did not appear to have a gun on him when the citizens grabbed him and held him for police.

Whenever possible you should report wrongdoing police instead of taking action on your own, said Const. Jay Murray.

The Major Crimes Unit has charged the teenager with robbery, armed robbery and multiple firearm offences. He also faces two charges of disguising himself with intent.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/09/2017 (1885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Human civilization is hurtling toward catastrophic climate change like a car headed for the edge of a cliff. The least we can do is take our foot off the gas.

Were already seeing plenty of changes: the disintegration of Antarctic ice, higher temperatures of ocean water and increasingly arid conditions in many parts of the world. More intense weather events were some of the effects climate scientists warned of; now they are here.

Newer climatic conditions make events such as wildfires more common  in the United States, for example, forest fire season has increased by 78 days since 1970, with the U.S. Forest Service estimating wildfires in 2050 will be twice as devastating as they are today.

Hurricanes are also more deadly. The images out of the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of multiple hurricanes (three 500-year storms in a week) are horrifying, the scale of the weather events staggering.

Our current nomenclature is unable to convey the impact  as a Category 5 storm, hurricane Irma was in fact the strongest ever recorded, showing that we need an improved terminology for such events.

And well need it. Hurricane designations describe wind speed, and dont account for water volume, such as the roughly 102 trillion litres hurricane Harvey dumped on Houston, so much that the weight actually pushed the Earths crust in the area down two centimetres.

Those who argue that if climate change is exacerbating conditions elsewhere it isnt our fault (and nothing we do will change it) are looking for a do-nothing approach. That attitude is what got us to this point.

We can take action, personally and collectively. Reducing your carbon footprint by consuming less fossil fuel has an effect  even if that means changing something as small as commuting habits or the length of time we crank our air conditioners. Think about where our food comes from, and how far it needs to be transported to get to the table.

When your vehicle idles in a parking lot so you can keep your air conditioning running, youre adding to greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. Many of us do it. In fact, a recent study showed that if humans wanted to take a huge bite out of GHG emissions, simply improving our hydrofluorocarbon-emitting air-conditioning technology and phasing out use of fluorinated gas could cut emissions so drastically it would reduce the projected warming of the planet by 2100 by one degree Celsius.

Sure, we can all use our AC less, or buy a better AC unit, but we can also demand legislation that ensures technology is built to a higher standard to reduce emissions.

Collectively, we can also push for greater use of renewable energy. Manitoba Hydro could certainly do more to encourage the generation of electricity through solar and wind power. A carbon tax properly directed to discourage fossil-fuel energy and spur use of non-GHG-emitting technology would have a tremendous effect.

Naysayers may point out we dont know whether all of this would work. Yet in the past, when human activity was responsible for damaging the planets ozone layer, collective action and better standards eliminated the chlorofluorocarbon-emitting tech that was behind it. Somehow, human civilization survived not being able to apply deodorant from an aerosol can. We may not be so lucky if we bury our heads in the sand and ignore the warnings  and possible solutions  that are all around us.
At the end of August, New York states Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo inaugurated the westbound span of the new Mario M. Cuomo Bridge across the Hudson River, about a dozen miles north of New York City. Construction on the eastbound span is ongoing.

In a display of shameless self-promotion, the new bridge is named after Cuomos deceased father, also a Democrat, and former governor of New York State. It replaces the 62-year-old Tappan Zee Bridge (TZB), which was in severely deteriorated condition. Planning and construction of the new bridge lasted two decades and will ultimately cost $4 billion.

When originally constructed in the early 1950s the TZB had a projected use-life of only 50 years. This was due to its being built using substandard materials due to shortages during the Korean War. Despite this, state officials waited years before finally committing to construction of its replacement in 2011, six years past the expiration of the old bridge.

The Tappan Zee Bridge is a critically important road link in the New York State Thruway, connecting New York City and its suburbs with the rest of the state to the north and west, known as upstate. It crosses the Tappan Zee (Tappan Sea), named by early Dutch settlers after a local Native American tribe. The Tappan Zee is the widest portion of the Hudson River north of the city. Placement of the original bridge at this wildly inappropriate location was dictated not by engineering criteria, but by a jurisdictional rivalry between city and state officials. The new bridge is 3.1 miles (5 km) long and is projected to handle 140,000 vehicles a day. Once completed, it will be among the widest cable-stay bridges in the world.

The long-overdue replacement of the old bridge highlights the crumbling state of infrastructure that characterizes not only New York, but also the entire US. The ostentatious ribbon cutting ceremony, at which Cuomo officiated along with an array of self-satisfied dignitaries amidst effusive praise by the media, served as a diversion from the critically deteriorated and dangerous condition of the entire transportation system.

The crumbling state of the Tappan Zee Bridge, which carries tens of thousands of vehicles every day, had been evident for years. During the ceremony, Cuomo joked about the steel plates placed over gaping holes in the bridge deck, which would otherwise be open to the river below.

The horrendous state of the New York City subway system, which has suffered from inadequate maintenance and upgrade for decades, including a severely antiquated signaling system, resulting in severe overcrowding and increasingly frequent delays, is one glaring example of the failure of the capitalist system to make the investments necessary to support transportation and other basic systems. Commuter rail networks that carry tens of thousands of workers in and out of the city every day are also in deteriorated condition. A number of accidents, some causing fatalities, have resulted.

Not only are the existing systems in need of billions of dollars in repair and upgrade, but also significant investments are needed to prepare for the effects of climate change.

One example is the North River Tunnel, which crosses the Hudson between New Jersey and New York City. The more-than-century-old tunnel is an essential passenger rail link along the Northeast Corridor that stretches from Boston, through New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, to Washington. It provides commuter train access from New Jersey to New York City for thousands every day. The tunnel was flooded with seawater and severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy and is kept open only by constant, stopgap repairs. There is no alternate rail crossing. Loss of this tunnel would create transportation chaos throughout the region.

Construction of a new tunnel, estimated to cost $20 billion, is in the early planning stages, but will not be open for years. An earlier proposal to build a new tunnel was killed as too expensive. Recent negotiations with the Trump administration seeking financial assistance for the project have been inconclusive.

In another indication of the short-sightedness of the ruling class in the face of the regions critical transportation needs, proposals that the replacement for the TZB be built to accommodate rail traffic or even a bus rapid transit system were rejected as too expensive.

Funding for the new bridges construction has been patched together. The governor sought financial support for his project from a variety of sources, some of them questionable. At one point, Cuomo attempted to obtain $500 million in clean water loans from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); an effort that was rejected. Some money is coming from a low-interest federal loan and some from a legal settlement received by the state.

The majority of the $4 billion price tag of the new bridge is being funded by borrowed money, in the form of bonds and loans, not all of which have yet been secured. Therefore, due to the debt service, the ultimate cost will likely be significantly higher, lining the pockets of wealthy investors, and inevitably resulting in increased tolls. The existing toll on the TZB is $5. Cuomo has pledged that the toll will remain unchanged until 2020, though that is not guaranteed. After that, he says, the toll rate will depend on the condition of the states budget. The current toll for the George Washington Bridge, the next Hudson River crossing to the south, is $15, indicating what is likely to come.

The new bridge was built under the rubric of a so-called Public Private Partnership, also known as a P3, in which a private firm was awarded a highly lucrative design-build contract, overseen by the Thruway Authority, a state agency. The US is estimated to have backlog of at least $4.6 trillion in infrastructure construction costs. With the Trump administration signaling its intent to employ P3s widely, the example of the TZB replacement project foreshadows greatly expanded opportunities for huge transfers of wealth from the working class to the financial and corporate elites.

The cobbled-together funding for the bridge highlights the fact that, while the financial and corporate elites continue to amass obscene amounts of wealth, and trillions of dollars are spent on the military, basic infrastructure, essential to the functioning of society, to the extent that it is considered at all, is seen as a further opportunity for private profit.

Such isolated, high profile, and publicity laden projects as the TZB replacement provide the opportunity for politicians, like Cuomo, to posture as supporters of public improvements while serving to mask the deplorable state of infrastructure and the transportation system as a whole.

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[21 July 2017]
Asia

Cambodian garment workers win reinstatment

Terminated workers from the Nantai Garment Factory in Steung Meanchey commune have been told by the plants owner that they could return to work on September 8. Over 600 workers had previously been informed by management that the factory had changed ownership and their contracts would not be renewed after September 1. Cambodias ministry of labour said that the factory owner had closed operations and disappeared.

The workers, who were given $60 termination pay, held a 24-hour vigil outside the factory gate to ensure plant equipment was not sold before they received their full entitlements.

The factory owner, however, was located and in a meeting with workers, supervised by a district official, he agreed to reopen the garment plant. He claimed that the manager had falsely told workers that the factory was closing.

Cambodian beverage-can factory workers protest

About 50 workers at the Cambrew beverage-can factory owned by Crown Holdings in Preah Sihanouk province are protesting the sacking of their union representative on Tuesday. He was allegedly fired for establishing a union at the end of July.

The workers established the union in order to make various demands. These included double pay if asked to work on days off, permanency for long-term contract cleaners, maternity leave and full benefits upon resigning.

Vietnamese garment workers strike

Over 6,000 workers from the S&H Vina garment factory in Thach Thanh District walked off the job on September 6 to protest inhumane company rules. The strike erupted after a supervisor refused to allow 2,000 workers using old cloth to sit on to relax after lunch. They walked out and were followed soon after by the rest of the workforce.

Workers refused to enter the factory the following day and presented management with 14 demands, including for a basic salary increase and the provision of child benefits, seniority bonuses, a travel allowance, adequate maternity leave, reasonable working hours and the scrapping of penalties for absence from work due to sickness or other emergencies.

The garment workers also complained about unreasonable regulations, including having to tell the company three days in advance if they want to take sick or bereavement leave. They are allowed only one day paid leave per month.

In an attempt to end the strike management fired the supervisor responsible for the incident that sparked the strike and agreed to consider some of the workers' demands.

Thailand: Burmese construction workers strike

Around 100 Burmese immigrant construction workers walked off the job in Bangkok on September 8 to demand wages in compliance with Thailands labour laws. According to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Burma, every worker must be paid 310 baht ($US9.37) per day and 58 baht for each extra hour worked.

A workers representative said female workers were only receiving about 200 baht per day and male construction workers 260 baht. They are not given time off and do not receive double wages for worked holidays or for extra hours worked.

On Monday the employer agreed to sign an agreement in the presence of AAC, the Thai-based migrant rights group, and government officials to pay wages and entitlements in accordance with the labour law.

Migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong protest

Over 450 women representing migrant domestic worker communities from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand marched to the labour department in Hong Kong on Sunday calling for a minimum pay of $5,500 ($US704) per month.

The current minimum monthly wage for foreign domestic workers is $4,310, which is well below the official minimum set for local citizens. A representative of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong group said the demand for the $5,500 monthly wage demand was reasonable, given that in 1998 the wage was $3,860.

India: Tamil Nadu film industry workers end strike

The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI), representing 24 craft unions in Tamil Nadus film industry ended an 11-day strike on Tuesday following talks with the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC). Production resumed for over 40 movies impacted by the strike.

FEFSI members walked out for three days on August 3 and again on September 1 in response to TFPC plans to bypass the union and recruit workers directly. The union demanded that only members of FEFSI-affiliated organisations could be employed and that film producers had to honour previous wage agreements. While the current workday is 89 hours, the TFPC wants it extended to 12 hours.

Full details of the final deal were not reported but producers have agreed to pay travel allowances to lighting workers and technicians and that all recruits will be FEFSI members. In response to producers demands, the FEFSI agreed to expel the militant Technicians Union because it held wildcat strikes.

Puducherry agriculture products distribution workers strike

Over 200 workers from the Puducherry Agro Services and Industries Corporation (PASIC) on Monday marched on the Legislative Assembly in Puducherry to demand 32 months unpaid wages and job permanency. Their demonstration was blocked by police before they reached the government buildings.

Members of the PASIC Employees Union, which is affiliated to the Stalinist-All India Trade Union Congress, walked off the job and held a one day fast in June over wages.

Since its establishment in 1986, PASIC has been Puducherrys principal agency for the distribution of fertilisers and other agricultural goods. Workers claim that PASIC has accrued a debt of over 100 million rupees ($US1.56 million) since it diversified into liquor sales and waste management.

Tata Motors temporary workers end strike

A four-day strike by 4,500 temporary employees at Tata Motors auto-plant in Jamshedpur was called off by the union on September 9 after it reaching a deal with management. Workers were demanding job permanency, higher wages, incentives on par with the regular workers and revision of a three-year old wage agreement. Temporary workers are only paid around 12,000 rupees a month compared to 30,000 rupees for permanent employees.

The Tata Motors Union accepted managements proposal to provide permanent positions for 200 temporary workers each year. The union had previously demanded 500 jobs be made permanent each year.

Maharashtra rural health workers hold state-wide strike

Over 2,500 members of the Maharashtra State Anganwadi Workers Committee (MSAWC) protested at n Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Tuesday. Anganwadi workers across the state walked out on Monday after the government failed to grant higher pay demands, pay wages on time, increase permanent jobs and address grievances about the poor quality of food.

The MSAWC consists of seven unions from Mumbai, Thane, Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur, Latur, and Sindhudurg and covers about 275,000 rural health workers. Anganwadi workers are paid between 2,500 and 5,000 rupees a month according to their classification. A panel of government and union representatives recommended in June that the monthly wage of anganwadi workers be increased to between 7,500 and 10,000 rupees.

Workers at Tuesdays protest voted to maintain the strike until their demands were met.

Pakistan: Karachi police attack protesting teachers

Police attacked teachers marching from the Karachi Press Club to the chief ministers house with water cannon and batons on Tuesday. The teachers were demanding five years of unpaid wages. Two protesters were injured and three arrested.

The Sindh government, following protests in March and July, promised to pay overdue wages before September Eid holidays. At least 7,500 teachers appointed in 2012 have been affected. The protesting teachers ignored the latest government pledge that it would soon pay overdue wages and said they would keep demonstrating until the promise is kept.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa teachers oppose privatisation

College professors and lecturers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Mansehra district demonstrated outside the Mansehra Press Club on Tuesday over government plans to privatise public educational institutions. The teachers fear that the governments Higher Education Act will hand over higher educational institutions to the private sector.

Sri Lankan power utility workers on strike

Around 4,000 Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) workers walked off the job at midday on Wednesday in a long-running dispute for a pay rise and the rectification of salary anomalies. The workers struck for 24 hours in April over the same issues.

The CEB Workers Union claimed that wage disparities increased for 90 percent of workers after they won a salary increase in 2015. The union pointed out that the ratio between lower employees and management salaries is currently 1:9 but that it should be 1:6. Management has promised to correct these disparities on numerous occasions.

The government retaliated by cancelling workers leave and holidays till September 20. The workers said they would only carry out power breakdown or repair work at government hospitals during the strike. Authorities tried to stall the strike, claiming that a committee had already been appointed to look into the CEB workers demands.

Australia and the Pacific

New South Wales: Dock workers in Newcastle strike

Maritime Workers Union (MUA) members at Qube Ports Newcastle, north of Sydney, walked off the job on Tuesday in protest against a proposed enterprise agreement (EA) from the company, which includes a pay freeze. Qube had originally demanded a 10.5 percent wage cut.

The action by 30 permanent and part-time workers at Qubes Kooragang Island terminal followed a 48-hour strike on August 17 and the imposition of work bans that include working only seven-hour shifts, no extensions and no overtime.

Negotiations for a new EA began in 2015 when the current agreement expired. Qube claims that the wage cut is to bring Kooragang terminal workers into line with its main competitor, Newcastle Stevedores, which are on lower pay scales previously agreed to by the MUA.

An MUA spokesman claimed that Qube intends to terminate the existing workplace agreement and cut wages and existing entitlements by forcing workers onto the industry award which could see workers average income cut by 40 percent. If the Fair Work Commission (FWC) accepts this sort of wage-cutting ruling, which has already been used in education, the railways, timber, mining and electricity generation, it will extend to other industries.

Bathurst hospital non-medical staff walk out

About 50 cleaning, linen, catering, security and allied health staff from the Bathurst Hospital in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales walked off the job for four hours on Wednesday over management bullying and intimidation and the lack of hospital equipment.

The Health Services Union members said they had put up with managements poor work culture and failure to provide equipment for seven years and were determined to strike. They returned to work after management agreed to undertake a review.

Cash delivery guards in South Australia and Northern Territory hold second strike

Transport Workers Union (TWU) members employed by the multinational security and cash management company Prosegur held stop work meetings on Wednesday in their dispute over the companys proposed enterprise agreement. Workers have placed indefinite bans on servicing automatic teller machines (ATMs).

Negotiations for a new agreement began 18 months ago. The TWU claimed that the EA offered to workers by Prosegur includes an inferior flat pay rate that attacks penalties and allowances. Workers want parity of pay and conditions with other armoured vehicle operators across Australia. Prosegur has brought in strike breakers from interstate.

Western Australian coal miners protest over pay cuts

Griffin Coal mine maintenance workers at the Collie Basin in south-west Western Australia demonstrated in Bunbury on September 8 over cuts to wages and entitlements. According to the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, 70 maintenance workers at Griffin Coal have had their wages cut by around $26,000 a year and lost $100,000 in accrued entitlements of long service, sick and annual leave, as the result of a Fair Work Commission decision.

In July last year the FWC accepted Griffin Coals application to have its expired enterprise agreement cancelled after 18 months of negotiations because workers refused to accept the managements proposed new enterprise agreement. The company demanded workers take a 26 percent pay cut and work an extra seven hours a week. The maintenance workers were forced onto the inferior Black Coal award.

While the union is currently negotiating a new enterprise agreement, it has isolated the maintenance workers and diverted them into harmless protests.
As the New Democratic Party (NDP) leadership race limps to its conclusion, Canadas pseudo-left has rallied behind the candidacy of Manitoba MP Niki Ashton, portraying it as a golden opportunity to energize and radicalize this right-wing social-democratic party.

Fightback and Socialist Action, which both function as loyal factions within the NDP, have officially endorsed Ashton. The International Socialists and the US-based Jacobin magazine have boosted Ashtons candidacy by devoting substantial space on their websites to laudatory interviews with her.

The pseudo-left is urging Ashton model herself after Bernie Sanders, the failed candidate for the 2016 US Democratic Party presidential nomination, and British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, with some explicitly appealing to her to become Canadas Corbyn.

Sanders and Corbyn have employed left and socialist rhetoric to keep workers and young people trapped within parties of the political establishment, i.e., parties respectively of US and British imperialism.

Having won 13 million votes by pledging to lead a political revolution, Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton, the preferred candidate of Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus. Corbyn has declared his guiding principle to be upholding unity with Labours Blairite right wing and, toward that end, has ordered Labour municipal councils to impose brutal Conservative government-dictated cuts and acquiesced to Labour MPs authorizing Britain to wage war in Syria and acquire a new fleet of nuclear-armed submarines.

In urging Ashton to play a like role, Canadas pseudo-left groups are laying bare their own determination to prevent the emergence of an independent political movement of the working class. The pseudo-left hope that Ashton, like Sanders and Corbyn, can restrain burgeoning popular opposition to war and social inequality within the straitjacket of electoral politics and under the leadership of the NDP and trade union bureaucracy. They justify this reactionary perspective with preposterous claims that these pro-capitalist organizations can be pressured to the left and can even become vehicles for advancing the struggle for socialism.

Ashtons credentials to play the role of a left within the right-wing, pro-war NDP are, to say the least, thin. Elected to parliament for the first time in 2008, she was a member of the party leadership under Thomas Mulcair, after running against him in the 2012 party leadership race. She is the proud daughter of Steve Ashton, who served as a cabinet minister in the Manitoba NDP governments of Gary Doer and Greg Selinger, which ruled the province from 1999 to 2016 and implemented big businesss austerity agenda, slashing public and social services while reducing corporate taxes.

Contrary to the absurd claims of Socialist Action that the NDP is a mass, labour-based party that remains viable as a potential leftist challenger to capitalist austerity, climate injustice, social inequality, racism, sexism and war, the NDP has been dominated since its formation more than a half-century ago by anti-communist trade union bureaucrats and privileged sections of the middle class. Like other social-democratic parties around the world, the NDP long renounced even its traditional reform program in favor of austerity and war and is rightly seen by the vast majority of workers as little different from its Liberal and Conservative competitors.

Currently, the NDP is running at below 20 percent in the polls, its support having plunged after it waged a Harper-lite election campaign in 2015, which included pledges to balanced budgets, no tax increases for the richest 1 percent of Canadians, near-record low corporate tax rates, and increased military spending.

The NDPs trade union allies, which helped to elect the big business Liberals in 2015 with their Anybody but Harper campaign, are likewise reviled after decades of suppressing the class struggle and enforcing concessions on workers in every industry.

Workers and young people in Canada and internationally are increasingly hostile to a political set-up they perceive to be indifferent and opposed to them, and are seeking a means to assert their independent class interests. In May, 175,000 Quebec construction workers mounted a week-long anti-concessions strike until the unions ordered them to obey a back-to-work law. Swissport baggage handlers at Torontos Pearson Airport are now in their second month of job action, although the Teamsters union is doing everything it can to isolate their strike and shut it down.

But the pseudo-left are determined to ensure workers remain bound hand and foot to the NDP and the unions.

The pseudo lefts silence on imperialist war

The pseudo-left groups have conspired with the NDP leadership to keep the issue of war almost entirely out of the leadership campaign. Yet the danger of a catastrophic imperialist war has never been so great since the Cold War was at its height. US imperialism, the Canadian bourgeoisies closest ally since the Second World War, is aggressively provoking conflicts in every part of the world, from Korea, to Syria, to Eastern Europe, in a desperate bid to offset its declining economic power through the ruthless deployment of military force.

Having joined in almost all of the American-led wars of aggression over the past quarter century, Canada is fully implicated in this reckless agenda. The Trudeau government has sent Canadian troops to lead one of NATOs battalions in Eastern Europe to encircle Russia, and aligned itself with the Trump administrations threat to rain down fire and fury on North Korea.

The Liberal governments new defence policy released in June commits the government to hike military spending by 70 percent over the next decade, procure new fleets of warships and fighter jets, and strengthen Canadas military partnership with US imperialism through the modernization of the North American Aerospace Defence (NORAD) command. The latter is likely to include Canadas participation in US ballistic missile defencea program, its name notwithstanding, aimed at making nuclear war winnable.

The NDP leadership contenders have been conspicuously silent on the North Korea crisis and have had next to nothing to say on the Liberals defence policy, not to mention the war danger more generally.

During lengthy interviews with Ashton, both Fightback and the IS refrained from interrogating her about the NDPs and her own personal record of supporting Canadian imperialisms military interventions. This is because they knew that to do so would undermine their efforts to promote her as a progressive, even quasi-socialist prospective NDP leader.

Ashton, like the entire NDP parliamentary caucus, voted twice in 2011 for Canadas participation in NATOs bombardment of Libya, an act of imperialist aggression that led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Libyans, the lynch-mob murder of Muamar Gaddafi, and the incitement of a bloody civil war. The only time Ashton was asked about her 2011 votes, she disingenuously told radical journalist Yves Engler that she could not remember how she voted. (See: The Canadian NDP and the Libyan war: Niki Ashton is a liar).

Confronted with the World Socialist Web Sites exposure of Ashtons pro-war record and mendacity, Fightback supporters sprang to her defence. One Montreal Fightback leader chastised us for drawing attention to Nikis error and argued it was irrelevant in the current campaign, while another sought to square the circle by cynically trumpeting Fightbacks anti-imperialist credentials before declaring their full-throated support for Ashton.

Ashton has repeatedly boasted that she is one of the Jack Layton generation, i.e., someone who became involved in the NDP under the leadership of a man who insisted the NDP demonstrate its maturity by embracing the US-led NATO alliance, which since the 1990s has been involved in wars that have led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, and who in December 2008 agreed to join the big business Liberals in a coalition government committed to waging war in Afghanistan, a $50 billion corporate tax cut, and fiscal responsibility (i.e., austerity).

The pseudo-lefts indifference to Ashtons pro-war record is not just or even primarily a question of their complacencyalthough, to be sure, groups like the International Socialists and Socialist Action vastly underestimate the capitalist crisis and the war danger.

The pseudo-left in Canada and internationally has emerged over the past quarter-century as an increasingly explicit pro-war and pro-imperialist tendency, as exemplified by their labelling of various US regime-change operations from Libya and Syria to the Ukraine as revolutions and/or democratizing movements.

Whilst they occasionally mouth socialist phrases, the pseudo-left groups are led by representatives of, and oriented to, the upper-middle classto the trade union bureaucracy and the identity politics NGOs who hope to get a fair share of capitalisms managerial and professional jobs through affirmative action. In tandem with these wealthy and egotistical layers, the pseudo-left has moved sharply to the right, integrating themselves ever more completely into establishment politics, and emerging as a new constituency for human rights imperialism.

This layer is very much at home in the NDP, which has provided a humanitarian imperialist cover for every war involving Canada over the past two decades. It endorsed Canadas participation in the NATO air war against Yugoslavia, backed the neocolonial occupation of Afghanistan, and has thrown its weight behind the anti-Russia stance of successive Canadian governments. The NDP has also supported Canadas participation in the US-led Iraq-Syria war coalition and the deployment of Canadian forces to Iraq, merely advising that they focus on humanitarian operations.

Defending Canadian capitalism

Ashtons pro-capitalist agenda is no less clear cut on the domestic front. To describe her proposed reforms as meagre would be generous. She is pledging to introduce free post-secondary education and increase corporate taxes to the level to which they were slashed by Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin. In a few very narrowly defined areas, she and her pseudo-left foot soldiers are advocating government intervention, which they dishonestly portray as public ownership. One of these is the creation of a crown corporation she suggests be called Green Canada, which would funnel government funds to publicly and privately run environmental projects. Another is a proposal for government-owned Canada Post to become involved in postal banking. This is a longstanding demand of the trade union bureaucracy, one it has touted to provide itself with a fig leaf for the imposition of a succession of concessionary contracts on postal workers.

Such modest proposals, some of which would be embraced by sections of the ruling elite, have not hindered the pseudo-left from trying to breathe life into the corpse of reformist, social-democratic parliamentary politics. In claiming that its endorsement of Ashton is critical, Fightback advanced as its principal criticism of her campaign that she calls herself a progressive in her speeches rather than following Sanders example and falsely claiming to be a socialist.

Ashtons real attitude to capitalism and the decades-long assault on the working class is revealed by her uncritical adulation of Syriza. Ashton, whose first language is Greek on account of her mothers heritage, sent enthusiastic greetings to Syrizas 2013 congress, describing the party as an inspiration. She has repeatedly praised Syriza during her current leadership campaign, while avoiding any comment on Syrizas despicable role in betraying the anti-austerity sentiments it exploited to gain power in January 2015.

Utterly opposed to the mobilization of the Greek and European working class against austerity and the big-business European Union, Syriza agreed just six months after coming to office to impose a package of EU and European Bank austerity measures that went far beyond anything implemented by its conservative and PASOK predecessors, even though the vast majority of Greek workers had just voted against such policies in a referendum.

Ashtons pseudo-left cheerleaders hope to create the conditions where the NDP can similarly exploit growing anti-establishment and anti-capitalist sentiment and assume responsibility for managing the increasingly crisis-ridden capitalist order.

In its endorsement of Ashton, the Socialist Action-led Socialist Caucus of the NDP appealed to her to adopt more of Corbyns platform from his 2015 campaign to win the British Labour Party leadership. Needless to say, the Socialist Caucus neglects to inform its readers that this platform has been unceremoniously junked by Corbyn as he has sought to appease the Blairite right and convince the British ruling class he can be trusted with the reins of power.

Socialist Caucus revealed the real concerns motivating its friendly criticisms of Ashton when, after bemoaning the fact that her campaign has not created an open, bold, militant movement of the kind that brought 200,000 new members into (the British Labour Party), it urged her to follow Corbyns lead and give activists from the pseudo-left groups leadership roles in her campaign.

Unlike Corbyn, who included representatives from Britains Socialist Action and Left Unity and leading trade union bureaucrats in his campaign team, Ashton, complained the Socialist Caucus, is relying on personnel with few connections to the labour movement.

All of Socialist Actions efforts and those of the pseudo-left more broadly boil down to creating a new trap for the working class by encouraging hundreds of thousands to take Ashtons left rhetoric for good coin and join the NDP, a pro-capitalist and pro-war party. Moreover, the pseudo-left groups want Ashton to entrust them with providing the bait to lure the workers in, by including their leading representatives in her campaign organization and, they hope, giving them lucrative posts in her future NDP leadership team.

Thus, under conditions of the greatest crisis of capitalism since the Great Depression of the 1930s, they help perpetuate the fatal illusion that it is possible to capture the capitalist state and use it to implement policies in the interests of the workers through parliamentary reforms, a perspective which has time and again proven disastrous for the working class and contradicts everything leading Marxists have fought for over the past 150 years.
In the wake of North Koreas missile launch, US President Trump and his top officials have once again threatened to use military force to end the supposed threat posed by the small, economically backward country and its limited nuclear arsenal.

Speaking at an Air Force installation outside Washington, Trump condemned North Korea and declared that the US would defend our people, our nations, and our civilization, from all who dare to threaten our way of life.

Against the backdrop of a nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bomber, Trump told the assembled Air Force personnel: After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming.

Trump and his top officials have repeatedly stressed that all options are on the table and hinted the US would use its vast nuclear capability against North Korea.

The UN Security Council has issued a statement after its emergency session on Friday condemning North Koreas latest test of an intermediate range missile that flew over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean as highly provocative.

Under pressure from Washington, the UN Security Council on Monday imposed its harshest sanctions yet on North Korea over its sixth nuclear test on September 3. The latest resolution banned the purchase of North Korean textile exports, restricted the hire of its guest workers and capped its oil imports.

Yesterdays statement called on all UN member states to fully, comprehensively and immediately implement all the sanctions. At the same time, it stressed the need to reduce tension in the Korean Peninsula and to promote a peaceful and comprehensive solution.

Trump, however, has already dismissed the latest UN sanctions. Speaking on Tuesday, he declared that the UN vote was just another very small step, not a big deal, adding that he did not know if it has any impact. He said that the sanctions would pale in comparison to what ultimately will have to happen to North Korea.

Yesterday, senior Trump officials warned that time was running out for any diplomatic solution.

At a White House briefing yesterday, national security adviser H.R. McMaster underscored the willingness of the US to use military force. For those who have said, and been commenting about a lack of a military option, there is a military option.

While saying that now it [military force] is not what we would prefer to do, McMaster warned that time was short. Weve been kicking the can down the road, and were out of road, he said.

Speaking at the same briefing, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley suggested that the UN had run out of options and she would support the use of the military against North Korea.

There is not a whole lot the Security Council is going to be able to do from here when you have cut 90 percent of the trade and 30 percent of the oil to [North Korea], Haley said. So, having said that, I have no problem with kicking it to [US Defense Secretary James] Mattis because I think he has plenty of options.

The provocative US threats of war are also directed at putting even more pressure on China and also Russia to strong-arm the Pyongyang regime into capitulating to US demands to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Beijing and Moscow to take direct actions of their own. He called on all countries to implement UN sanctions but singled out China saying that it supplied North Korea with most of its oil and Russia as the largest employer of North Korean forced labour.

China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own, Tillerson declared.

Earlier this week, US Assistant Treasury Secretary Marshall Billingslea accused China of circumventing UN sanctions and assisting in the trade of banned goods with North Korea. He claimed to have evidence of Chinese and Russian collusion in the smuggling of coal out of North Korea.

Billingslea said that the Trump administration had told China that if it wished to avoid further sanctions, the United States needs to urgently see action. The US has already imposed bans on a number of Chinese individuals and entities, including the Bank of Dandong, over their alleged business dealings with North Korea.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that the US has sent a message that anybody that wanted to trade with North Korea, we consider them not trading with us. We can put economic sanctions to stop people trading.

Mnuchins comments echo those of Trump who threatened to cut off trade with China if it did not end all business dealings with North Korea. The threats make clear that the Trump administrations reckless escalation of the confrontation with North Korea is part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining China, which is regarded by the US as the main obstacle to its regional and global hegemony.

China and Russia are caught in a bind. Both countries have opposed North Koreas nuclear and missile programs because the US has exploited them to justify its military build-up throughout Asia.

Beijing is also concerned that South Korea and Japan will use North Korea as a pretext to develop their own nuclear arsenal. South Koreas defence minister has already suggested that the US return tactical nuclear weapons to his country.

At the same time, China and Russia do not want to see either a war in their backyard on the Korean Peninsula or a political crisis in Pyongyang that could be exploited by Washington to install a pro-US regime.

The Russian foreign ministry yesterday joined with China in condemning North Koreas latest missile test over mainland Japan, but at the same time criticised the US for its aggressive role in the crisis. Regrettably, aggressive rhetoric is the only thing coming from Washington, a spokesman said.

China and Russia are continuing to push for a resumption of negotiations based on a halt by the US and South Korea on large joint military exercises, in return for North Korea suspending further nuclear and missile tests. The US has repeatedly dismissed any pause in its war games with South Korea.

In response to the latest North Korean missile test, the South Korean military fired a short-range ballistic missile into waters 250 kilometres off its east coast. The South Korean President Moon Jae-in bluntly warned North Korea that we have the power to destroy North Korea and make it unable to recover.
The Polish government is demanding reparations from Germany for the war crimes committed during the Second World War. The demand is not new, but has never before been raised so persistently.

The chairman of the governing right-wing nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS), Jaroslav Kaczynski, breathed new life into the reparations debate in late June. Ever since, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo has issued repeated demands on the issue. She told the RNFFM radio station on September 7, Poland has a right to reparations, and the Polish state has the right to demand them. Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski stated that Polands demand amounted to 840 billion.

The Bureau of Research of the Polish parliament published a 40-page report on Monday justifying the Polish demand. According to this, an official 1953 statement in which the Polish government relinquished its right to claim reparations from Germany is not legally valid because it was made under pressure from the Soviet Union and only applied to the German Democratic Republic (GDR), not Germany.

The German government has emphatically rejected the Polish demand. Government spokesman Stefan Seibert declared last Friday that in 1953, Poland relinquished its claim to further reparations legally and with applicability to Germany as a whole, and subsequently confirmed this on numerous occasions. From our point of view, this question is therefore fully settled, legally and politically.

Threats from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Comments in the German media have also rejected the Polish demand. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), and its Sunday edition, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, have adopted a particularly aggressive tone.

One FAZ comment noted that the German government must resist Warsaws demands. If they do not do so, they will leave the door wide open to similar demands from other countriesPoland was certainly not the only victim of Nazi aggression. A video comment by the FAZ was titled Tough luck for Poland.

An article in the September 10 edition of the FAZ, headlined Dangerous discussion, by historian Gregor Schollgen went even further. He threatened Warsaw with a refusal to recognise Polands western border should it continue to insist on its reparations demand. Whoever makes an issue out of the demand for reparations is also making an issue out of Polands western border, he wrote.

Schollgen did not call into question the horrific crimes perpetrated by the Nazi regime in Poland. Hardly any other country suffered more under the German war of annihilation, conquest and plunder than Poland, he wrote. More than five-and-a-half million Poles did not survive it and the subsequent occupation.

But he claimed that Polands demand for compensation was settled when the Polish border was moved westward. With the possession of formerly German territories, a large proportion of the compensation claim made by the Polish Peoples Republic against Germany was covered, he added.

The Soviet Union and Polands formal relinquishing of reparation payments in 1953 took account of the fact that with the separation of German eastern territories, including all immovable and movable property, gave enormous wealth to Poland, stated Schollgen.

This interpretation of history leads him to threaten that a demand will be made for the return of the German territories ceded to Poland after World War II. Since the Federal Republic recognised the Oder-Neie line in 1970 as part of Willy Brandts Ostpolitik as Polands western border, only neo-Nazis, associations of expelled peoples and right-wing elements in the CDU/CSU have demanded the return of the lost eastern territories.

Schollgen makes use of extremely aggressive language. Anyone raising the demand today for Polish reparations from Germany must know that they could be playing with fire, he wrote, and referred to a statement by German Foreign Minister Walter Scheel (Free Democrats), in 1972. As part of such a discussion, one can never avoid the fact that former German territories were seized. One would then have to take account of personal damages [a reference to those killed while fleeing Poland] and material losses that have arisen, Scheel said.

Whoever makes an issue of Polands western border inevitably also makes an issue of Polands eastern border, continued Schollgen. And anyone making an issue of Polands eastern border inevitably raises the issue of Polands relationship to Ukraine and Belarus.

This is a barely concealed attempt to incite demands among Polands eastern neighbours for demands of Polish territory. Poland was forced after the war to give up parts of its former territory to the Soviet Union, which today belong to Belarus and Ukraine.

Legally justified

From a legal standpoint, the Polish demand is not unjustified. Peter Loev, deputy director of the German-Polish Institute, stated to Focus magazine, In purely legal terms, Poland certainly has grounds to demand reparations.

Polands relinquishing of the right to claim reparations in 1953, which came about at Moscows initiative, did in fact apply in practice to the GDR, since Poland never had an opportunity to claim reparations from the Federal Republic after its separation in 1949. The relinquishing of reparations was Moscows response to the workers uprising of June 17, 1953 in the GDR. The Kremlin regime, weakened after Stalins death, sought in this way to lessen the economic crisis in the GDR because it feared the uprising could spread throughout Poland and to the Soviet Union itself.

The 1953 relinquishingin addition to all agreements reached between West Germany and Eastern European states prior to 1990contained the proviso that only a peace treaty would finally clarify the question of reparations. This is how the German government interprets the Two-plus-four agreement which sealed German reunification and fully re-established German sovereignty. In this agreement, Germany once again explicitly recognised the inviolability of the Oder-Neie border.

However, Poland was not party to the agreement. The use of the term peace treaty was deliberately avoided at the time so as not to unleash another reparations debate. Despite this, the German government now claims that Poland relinquished all future claims to reparations because they did not make the claim at the time.

Germany enjoyed a substantial financial benefit thanks to the unsettled issue of reparations. The Federal Republic has paid a mere 73.4 billion since 1945 in compensation payments globally, according to Schollgens calculations, including payments to Israel and Jewish organisations, surviving victims in Eastern Europe, forced labourers, and anyone else he could find. Poland received only a small percentage of this.

A reactionary demand

But even though Polands demand for reparations has a legal basis, it is politically reactionary. The PiS government is not concerned with compensating the victims of the Nazi regime. Warsaw is not demanding any compensation for victims who are still alive, who have a miserable existence under their rule, but rather transfers into Polish state coffers. But PiS is using the reparations demand above all to incite right-wing nationalist ideas.

PiS emerged from those elements in the leadership of the Solidarnosc movement who misdirected the uprising of Polish workers into the dead end of the Catholic clergy, Polish nationalism and capitalist restoration.

The restoration of capitalism had catastrophic consequences for the Polish working class. The shipyards and factories, where Solidarnosc enjoyed a mass base, have largely been shuttered. The country wound up serving the major corporations as a cheap labour location. More than 3 million Poles have left the country and work for low wages abroad. A quarter century after capitalist restoration, poverty rates are horrendous.

Incapable of mitigating the social crisis, PiS is mobilising petty bourgeois and impoverished sections of the population in backward rural areas, and developing dictatorial forms of rule to suppress all forms of opposition, which is widespread. According to a recent poll, 82 percent of those aged 19-29 and 52 percent of all voters described themselves as opponents of the government. Only a minority of them said they back the bourgeois opposition, which advocates a programme of economic liberalism and defends the European Union.

PiSs model is Marshall Pilsudski, who ruled Poland as a dictator from 1926 to 1935. Leon Trotsky described the Pilsudski regime at the time as an antiparliamentary and, above all, anti-proletarian counterrevolution, with whose help the declining bourgeoisie attemptsand not without success, at least for a timeto protect and preserve its fundamental positions. Like Mussolini in Italy, Pilsudski mobilised petty-bourgeois forces to intimidate the working class.

The PiS government is also coming under increased pressure on the foreign policy front. To date, the European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against Poland for violating EU treaties due to the lack of judicial independence. Hysterically anti-Russian like Pilsudski, the PiS government relies heavily on the US and lives in constant fear of the US abandoning it, or of Germany forming an alliance with Moscow at Warsaws expense. PiS is responding to this mounting foreign policy pressure with the demand for reparations.

Growing war danger

State demands for reparations are generally not an effective method to make good past wrongs. They do not combat the roots of fascism and war, but rather reproduce them. They are a source of persistent conflict, intensify international tensions, and create the ideal breeding ground for chauvinist propaganda. They poison the political climate and set an international precedent that could trigger a flood of further demands. A cautionary example in this regard is the Versailles Treaty of 1919, which compelled Germany to pay crippling war reparations and contributed significantly to the rise of the Nazis and the Second World War.

The fact that 72 years after the end of World War II, Berlin and Washington are seeking to outdo each other with demands and threats shows how tense and poisonous the political climate in Europe has become. The tensions and conflicts that transformed Europe into a battlefield are once again breaking out.

Berlin, which likes to point the finger at the reactionary regime in Warsaw, is no less reactionary. In striving to subordinate Europe to its interests, Berlin is displaying growing arrogance. As we have explained in earlier articles on this subject, Germany cannot return to the pursuit of great power policies and militarism without resurrecting all of the reactionary ideological ballast from the past. It is a sign of how far the media and academic establishment has shifted to the right that a respected contemporary historian is calling Polands western border into question in the FAZ.

The FAZ and its Sunday edition have long played a leading role in this process. In the historians dispute of the 1980s, they served as a platform for Ernst Nolte, the most well-known Nazi apologist among German post-war historians. In recent times, they have defended the right-wing extremist professor of history Jorg Baberowski, who supports Nolte and described Hitler as being not vicious. They have published several hysterical attacks on the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei and its youth organisation, the IYSSE, because they politically exposed Baberowski and attacked him publicly.

We wrote in an article two years ago on the issue of Greek demands for reparations from Germany: The compensation for past injusticelike the fight against the austerity dictates of the troika and the struggle against war and fascismis inseparably bound up with a socialist perspective. It demands the unification of the European working class on the basis of a revolutionary program, with the goal of abolishing the European Union, establishing workers governments, turning the large corporations and banks into public institutions, and reorganizing society within the framework of the United Socialist States of Europe. (see: Why is Syriza demanding reparations from Germany?)

This applies no less forcefully to Poland.
Official water safety reports, obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) after a protracted legal battle, provide an insight into the state of water supply in rural towns across New South Wales (NSW), Australias largest state. They reveal that state and local governments and corporations display complete indifference toward the health of working people.

In the past five years, more than 100,000 NSW residents have been issued with boil-water alerts because of water contamination. The five worst-affected areas are Grafton, Kempsey, Scone, Jindabyne and Merimbula.

The 40,000 people who live in Grafton, a town approximately 600 kilometres north of Sydney, are at risk of being exposed to cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illness. NSW Health reported that the cause is the discharge of faecal matter from cattle into the Clarence River.

Residents in Grafton and the surrounding areas have been issued 10 boil-water alerts since 2006approximately one a yearin response to the inability of the water supply system to manage risks. The region lacks the appropriate infrastructure and standards to ensure safe drinking water.

A case study conducted by Ocean Watch revealed that industrial liquid wastes are licensed to be discharged directly into the Clarence River from surrounding businesses, including aquaculture (prawn farms), sewage treatment works and timber mills from Grafton and surrounding areas.

The Healthy Rivers Commissions Independent Inquiry into the Clarence River System (1999) identified that the major causes of pollution in the Clarence River are run-off from urban and rural residential areas; erosion and run-off from grazing and cultivated land; discharges from sewage treatment plants and septic systems; and run-off from irrigation areas.

In the Kempsey area, approximately 200 kilometres south of Grafton, cyanobacteria, a toxic blue-green algae, has contaminated water systems and placed 15,000 residents at risk. The ABC reported that grazing dairy cattle and raw sewage discharges near the Steuart McIntyre Dam have been the source of the algae contamination.

The Steuart McIntyre Dam supplies water to Kempsey and the nearby towns of Jerseyville, Frederickton and Clybucca. The document presented by the ABC warned that all pathogen groups, including e-coli, are present in the regions water systems.

In 2014, the Kempsey Shire Council made the decision to source its water supply from the Steuart McIntyre Dam. After the change, the Council declared that residents may notice a slight difference in the taste of the water since this change. A slightly earthy taste in the water is normal due to the background algae growth that occurs during summer in the Dam. Residents are assured that the drinking water is monitored on a daily basis  and is safe to drink.

An article published in the Macleay Argus in 2013, Kempseys local newspaper, declared that sporadic issues with odour and discolouration of drinking water are within national guidelines and pose no threat to public health.

A spokesperson from shire council explicitly stated in the article that the installation, operation and maintenance processes associated with filtration were not being completed because of the cost. He stated: No water filtration means lower costs and increased risk, but the risk can still be managed properly.

Residents at Merimbula, a town 450 kilometres south of Sydney situated on the Bemboka River catchment, have received four boil-water alerts from the Bega Valley Council in the past decade.

The ABC report documented that the catchment is contaminated by onsite sewerage system discharges, failures and presence of septic systems and run-off from dairy farms upstream. It warned that chlorine-resistant pathogens had not been filtered or received chemical treatments, threatening more than 40,000 residents in the area.

In the Upper Hunter, approximately 6,000 residents in Scone, Murrurundi and Aberdeen, regional towns situated northwest of the industrial city of Newcastle, are rated at very high risk from dangerous pathogens flowing from an abattoir and septic tanks in the catchment.

Such contamination is not without precedent. Orica, the Australian transnational offshoot of the British giant ICI, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of mining and commercial explosives, discharged effluent containing high concentrations of arsenic into the Hunter River near Newcastle in 2011.

The revelations are by no means limited to regional and rural areas, Doctor Ian Wright, a Western Sydney University professor and leading water scientist, reported last month that millions of litres of highly toxic water were escaping from a derelict coal mine into one of Sydneys water catchments.

Wright reported the existence of heavy metals far exceeding safe environmental in the Wingecarribee River, pointing to extremely high median concentrations of nickel (430 ug/L), manganese (12667 ug/L), and zinc (1400ug/L)which is 120 times higher than the normal baseline level.

Across regional and rural NSW, the cost of introducing water filtration systems is estimated to be between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Since 2012, only a measly $7.3 million has been invested into programs to improve drinking water quality.

Last year, the Sydney Catchment Authority axed 80 jobs, including five of its six leading scientists, after the NSW state government merged it with the State Water Corporation to form WaterNSW.

State and local governments insist that no money exists for the installation of high-quality filtration systems across the country to guarantee the provision of safe, healthy drinking water for all communities and families. Yet corporations are making record profits and the richest sections of society are amassing ever-greater amounts of wealth.

The exposure of contaminated drinking water in regional Australia recalls the lead contamination of the water supply in the US city of Flint, Michigan. The Flint council switched its water supply to the highly-polluted Flint River, away from the Detroit catchment, to slash operation costs.

Healthy water is one of the most basic requirements of life. From the US to regional Australia, the anarchy of the capitalist market and the class contempt of the ruling elite has placed the health of tens of thousands of people at risk.

The author also recommends:

The human cost of capitalism: The Grenfell fire and the poisoning of Flint, Michigan

[30 June 2017]
A pair of investigations found that a Utah detective violated police policy in July when he violently detained a nurse who refused to take a blood sample from an unconscious patient.

Two investigations into the headline-making case of nurse Alex Wubbels found that Salt Lake City Det. Jeff Payne and his supervisor violated several department policies on July 26 when Payne dragged Wubbels from a hospital lobby.

[Paynes] conduct toward Ms. Wubbels in this incident was inappropriate, unreasonable, unwarranted, discourteous, disrespectful, and has brought significant disrespute on both [Payne] as a Police Officer and on the Department as a whole, investigators said in a report obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.

Alex Wubbels

Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced the findings during a Wednesday news conference, revealing that Payne and Lt. James Tracy violated at least five policies.

The policies range from officer conduct to arrest procedures, according to the Tribune.

During the encounter, Wubbels told the detective that both the law and the University of Utah Hospitals policies prevented her from letting him have access to the patients blood.

The situation unfolded after a collision in northern Utah left one driver dead and another badly injured, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Footage of the encounter showed Wubbels, Payne and a pair of hospital security officers in the lobby as she explained to the men that hospital policy forbids her from taking blood from the unconscious patient without a warrant or the patients consent.

Appearing frustrated with Wubbels stance, Payne is then shown grabbing Wubbels and pulling her through the hospital doors before slamming her against a wall. Payne is shown handcuffing the nurse and placing her in the front seat of a police car. She was later released and was not charged with a crime, according to the Washington Post.

Biskupski apologized to Wubbels for the encounter, and noted that Payne and Tracy have 20 days to respond to one of the investigations.

Story continues

Biskupski added that Chief Mike Brown would receive the findings, from both the internal affairs investigation and the civilian review board, in order to decide whether the men should be fired.

Earlier this month, Wubbels and her attorney, Karra Porter, appeared on the Today show where Wubbels announced that she is considering filing a lawsuit.

Nothing, by any means, has been off the table, Wubbels said of a potential suit. She added of the incident: This cant be happening. It should never have happened. And, if I have anything to say about it, it wont ever happen again.
A spokesperson for the Orange County Medical Examiner's office in Florida confirmed the news to ET on Monday.

Rosie O'Donnell's ex-wife, Michelle Rounds, died unexpectedly in her home on Monday at age 46.

I am saddened to hear about this terrible tragedy," O'Donnell said in a statement to ET. "Mental illness is a very serious issue affecting many families. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michelles family, her wife Krista, and their child.

Rounds death is being considered an apparent suicide, TMZ reports.

However, a spokesperson for the Orange County (Florida) Sheriffs Department tells ET, They are not calling this a suicide at this time," adding, "they are calling it a death investigation. We are waiting for the autopsy to come back.

The pair broke up in 2014, and share a 4-year-old daughter together, Dakota.

MORE: Rosie O'Donnell Wishes Daughter Vivienne Rose a Happy 14th Birthday

Rounds' obituary shared that her family will hold a private memorial, adding that no public service will take place.

Rounds' mother shared the following statement on her Facebook page, "If anyone would like to give to the National Suicide Prevention it would also be greatly appreciated. There are so many out there in this world that have demons that they think suicide is the only way out."

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

MORE: Chester Bennington's Wife Talinda Pens Heartbreaking Message 1 Week After His Death: 'How Do I Move On?'

Related Gallery

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While Florida reels from the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, were happy to report that the Sunshine States sense of humor (and appreciation for a good ol fashioned hunky cop) is alive and well.

In case you havent heard, the Gainesville Police Department caused an internet sensation on Sunday when it shared a photo of three of its officers on Hurricane Irma duty. Facebook users were quick to notice how handsome the officers were, and as women everywhere swooned over the hunky cops, the likes and thirsty comments poured in. Before long, officers Nordman, Hamill and Rengering had gone viral. People couldnt get enough of the sexy boys in blue, and, more importantly, the break it provided from the devastation filling their newsfeeds.

But the sensation didnt stop there. A few days later, the Sarasota Police Department joined in with a photo of their own handsome officers. Gainesville Police Department has nothing on us, they wrote alongside a pic of their suavest squad. Even the Knoxville Police Department contributed their most handsome public servants to the social media feeding frenzy on Wednesday.

WATCH: Ernest Hemingway's Famous Six-Toed Cats Come Out of Hurrican Irma Without a Scratch

Currently, the Gainesville Police Department has more than 500,000 likes and 275,000 shares on their selfiethe original babes with badges postand has vowed to give the ladies what they want. Thats right yall, the department announced that theyd be making a calendar featuring Nordman, Hamill and Rengering and more of their finest crime fighters. And the best part? Theyll donate the proceeds to Hurricane Irma relief.

You better believe well be snatching up one of those calendars!
Prince William makes juggling parenting and his royal duties look easy, but at home, the father of two has a lot on his hands. William visited the Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool on Thursday and joked about his busy home life with 4-year-old George, 2-year-old Charlotte, and a little one on the way.

George rules the roost but Charlotte isnt far behind, he told one patient, People reports. I think shes going to be trouble when shes older. All fathers say that, William told another patient.

As for Kate Middleton, the expectant mom is doing very well, despite her condition that causes extreme morning sickness. And while the Duchess wasnt able to attend Prince Georges first day of school last Thursday, William was happy with the way it turned out.

George has been really easy. He hasnt said, Have I got to do this for the rest of my life? William joked. We are all seeing how long that lasts before he doesnt want to go!

In fact, the first day of school was harder for the parents than the students. Most of the parents were in floods of tears. The kids were all fine, he said of the momentous occasion.

Prince William even addressed Wednesdays scare, when a woman was arrested for allegedly breaking into Georges school, Thomass Battersea. Its been an interesting week, the royal said.

RELATED: Prince George Isn't Allowed to Have a Best Friend at School

You can say that again!
Charlottesville, Trump and Ferguson. (Yahoo News photo illustration; photos: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images, Alex Brandon/AP, Charlie Riedel/AP)

This is first in a series of portraits of American evangelical Christians in the age of Donald Trump, examining the changes, tensions and challenges in this group through individual stories.

_____

HELENA, Ark.  I can remember moments of spiritual euphoria from my youthful days in church when I raised my hands toward the ceiling, closed my eyes, and received a vision from the Holy Spirit, one of blacks and whites equal and united.

It was a recurring image in my mind in those days of heightened religious zeal, and adulthood never stole the dream from me. I remained convinced that the teachings of the Christian faith held the greatest promise for overcoming racism.

This is a common desire among Christians of all political stripes. I grew up in a conservative evangelical culture, and many right-wing Republicans I knew believed that Christianity had the potential to tear down the walls of racial division, and they hoped it would happen.

But like many whites, I thought of racism and reconciliation in terms of individual relationships rather than in terms of laws, systems and institutions. The true scope of what justice might mean had not occurred to me.

And then in the age of Trump, things fell apart. They had been unraveling for years, ever since America elected its first black president, setting off a slow motion backlash among some whites. In President Obamas second term there came a staggering rush of video footage filmed on cellphones showing an established pattern of police brutality against African-Americans.

And there was a growing popular awareness that Americas history had been literally whitewashed in the popular imagination, glossing over the dark decades of Jim Crow. For me it took the form of movies like 13th, which traces the roots of mass incarceration, and from hearing, for the first time, about the Tulsa race riots of 1921 and the destruction of the business district once known as the Black Wall Street. As I read more about this episode and others like it, I asked friends and acquaintances if they too knew about these things. They did not.

Story continues

But new calls for racial justice and talk of systemic white supremacy  a system set up during Jim Crow with continuing consequences today  mostly fell on deaf ears. Many white conservatives were sick of hearing about racism, believing that Democrats had cynically played the race card for black votes for decades.

It hasnt just been some whites who have been on a journey of discovery regarding the ways in which white supremacy was institutionalized, with effects that continue today.

Jemar Tisby, a 36-year old PhD student at the University of Mississippi, was just a few years ago a rising star in the majority-white branch of American evangelical Christianity known as the Reformed movement.

Jemar Tisby points out that the top star in the current Arkansas state flag represents the Confederacy. (Photo: Jon Ward/Yahoo News)

He wanted to bring blacks and whites together  starting inside the church  and had devoted much of his life to that cause. But at the time, when discussing the black communitys struggles with poverty and crime, he emphasized individual moral failings and theological shortcomings in the black church more than historic, systemic causes.

Over the last few years, however, his focus has shifted. His study of the history of race and religion in America had turned his focus toward systemic causes of racial inequality, and the ways in which American history has ignored them.

When it comes to knowledge of our racial history, black history, we dont know our own stories, he told me one night recently in his hometown of Helena, a once-thriving Mississippi River port town.

Tisbys writings and his podcast, Pass the Mic, had helped me process my own evolving attitudes about race. In many ways, though he was black and I was white, Tisby and I came from similar backgrounds and had similar ways of thinking. The racial venom in our streets and our discourse grieved both of us.

We both still shared a hope in the power and the teachings of the Christian faith to overcome racism, but reality looked grim. The day after the election last fall, Tisby had been frank on his podcast, processing things in real time. It feels like the work of developing racial unity among believers took a monumental step backwards, or it didnt move at all and I just thought it was in a different place than it really was, he said then.

And so in August I traveled to the Delta to find out what Tisby wanted to do, now that his dream  one I shared  had been so badly deflated. We sat on a porch in the dark, drinking wine, swatting mosquitoes, searching for answers.

*****

The morning after Donald Trump was elected president, Tisbys wife, Janee, learned the election result from him. They consoled one another with a hug. Sometimes words fail you, he said. He told his professors at the University of Mississippi, where hes a PhD student studying the history of American race and religion, that he needed to skip class that day. Im literally not feeling well, he told them.

Theres this sense that the nation wasnt what we thought it was. Its not what we hoped it was, at the very least, Tisby said on his podcast that day. Something about this really felt like a gut punch that really pushed back everything weve been doing by several steps.

So many of my bothers and sisters in the faith still dont understand where Im coming from as a racial minority, he said. It was devastating.

Tisby had been an influential voice for racial reconciliation, a process that he thought could and should begin with the church. With that in mind he had built an influential organization, the Reformed African-American Network, or RAAN, which hosted the Pass the Mic podcast and published articles on faith, race and politics. The podcasts have been ranked in the top 20 in the Religion & Spirituality category on iTunes, and RAANs website has hosted more than 2 million visitors.

But in recent years he had become discouraged, a process that accelerated after Trumps election, and paralleled a growing sense of futility among other black evangelicals who had been working toward the same goal. They were asking themselves a simple question: If blacks and whites who are brothers and sisters in Christ cannot reach across the racial divide, what hope is there for the nation as a whole?

A makeshift memorial in Ferguson, Mo., for Michael Brown, who was fatally shot by Police Officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014. (Photo: Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images)

The shift in Tisbys thinking began in 2014, with the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., at the hands of a white police officer, a tragedy that elicited widely different reactions among whites and blacks. Tisby noticed and became increasingly bothered by what he regarded as the indifference among whites to a pattern of police brutality against blacks.

As he gradually become more outspoken about racial justice, he saw white Christians responding negatively, often insisting that he should talk about the gospel rather than race. Its the idea that if you start talking about so-called social issues, which  how do you define that?  then you automatically have stopped talking about spiritual or gospel issues, salvation and things like that, he said. And we get a lot of that. I get a lot of that.

Conservative evangelicals also had an enormous blind spot concerning politics, literally an inability to conceive that sincere Christians could be Democrats. In my conservative theological circles, you could be a publicly declared Republican, but if you were a publicly declared Democrat you might get somebody who grabs you by the elbow and takes you off and whispers in your ear, Hey brother, Id love to share the gospel with you, Tisby said.

So he has decided that he does not want to spend as much time and energy as he has in the past trying to reach and convince a white audience that they should care about systemic racial inequality.

I think a lot of us are realizing that without losing any love for our white brothers and sisters, it is taking our limited time and energy and resources to constantly address and educate them, he said.

Tisby was raised outside Chicago in a middle-class home and after college at Notre Dame moved to Helena in 2003 as an idealistic Teach for America recruit. He took up the cause of charter schools, starting as a sixth-grade teacher and then moving on to be the middle school principal at a KIPP charter school.

In 2011, he went to Jackson, Miss., to study at one of the preeminent evangelical seminaries in the country, Reformed Theological Seminary. There, he became assistant to and friends with the schools chancellor, Ligon Duncan, one of the most prominent figures in the Reformed wing of American evangelicalism. This movement aimed to correct what it saw as a drift in American evangelicalism away from theological precision and toward a faith more oriented around man than it was around God. It was a return to Calvinism, and this movement has been a robust component of evangelical Christianity for almost two decades now.

Tisby started RAAN at that time. He was becoming a key figure connecting African-American Christians and the overwhelmingly white evangelical church.

Tisby had been deeply influenced during his undergrad days at Notre Dame by the book Desiring God, by a Baptist preacher from Minnesota, John Piper. Piper was another prominent thinker in the Calvinist tradition. Tisby himself articulated some of this view in a 2012 blog post, where he lauded the big God approach of Reformed theology. But in retrospect, the post is evidence of how much he has changed in five years.

Although he stipulated that white Reformed churches had much to learn from the Black church tradition, Tisbys overall critique of the African-American church was harsh. He wrote that there had been an infiltration of man-centered ideas like legalism and prosperity theology into the pulpits and pews of Black churches.

The damage is evident as individuals in African American communities stumble and sometimes run toward sin and folly, Tisby wrote. I lived and worked as an educator in the Mississippi Delta for seven years. The Black community there is bruised by generational poverty, lack of education, poor health care, single parent homes, apathetic men, and nearly every other social ill that exists. Yet the norm for my students and their families was to attend church. As I daily encountered the fruits of these dysfunctions I asked myself, Where is the Gospel transformation?

John Piper speaking in Capetown, South Africa, in 2010. (Photo: Micah Chiang via Flickr)

This rhetoric from an African-American was palatable to many white Christians. But they are much less inclined to agree with what hes been saying since 2014, that the black community has been and continues to be systematically disadvantaged by a culture in which whites dominate the power structure and whiteness is considered more valuable than dark skin in the collective consciousness.

When I asked Tisby recently about his 2012 blog post, he completely rejected what he had written. This represents an immature understanding of both Reformed theology and the black church tradition on my part. The condescending tone toward the black church is reprehensible and inexcusable, he wrote.

I was searching for a way to communicate biblical truth to my students and their families in the Delta. I erred first by thinking they werent getting this truth in the first place and second by thinking that Reformed theology as formulated by white men was the solution. I would never write such a piece now. I need to take it down, he said.

Now, Tisby and others at RAAN are in the process of changing the name of their organization. The word Reformed will no longer be part of the name. He told me this was a pivot to emphasize African American concerns and highlight the black church tradition  while retaining a Reformed theological foundation.

Trumps election had capped his conviction that had been growing for years, that white Christians did not really care that much about what he had to say, even if they were willing to politely listen.

It was almost a slap in the face to me, Tisby told me.

We said, like, This man is dangerous to us. And I was like, I go to the same churches with you. Youve held my child in your arms. And none of that has impacted you to the point where you would change anything really. What has it really cost you, white evangelical, to have me in your presence? Versus, what does it cost me to be in your presence? he said.

Because you certainly arent going to black churches. Were coming to you. And as we come to you, were saying, Hey, our presence needs to actually make a difference here. It needs to actually change the way you do things. Otherwise, youre just asking for uniformity, not unity.

*****

In June, Tisby quietly resigned his position as director of the African-American Leadership Institute at Duncans Reformed Theological Seminary. He has stopped submitting articles to websites like the Gospel Coalition or Desiring God, which cater to a predominantly conservative evangelical audience.

Tisby had once been in the forefront of a small but growing number of black ministers and leaders who had found common cause with the white-dominated Christian Reformed movement. Some still remain in that movement, but the support for Trump by an overwhelming majority of white evangelical Christians has deeply troubled many African-American church leaders and thinkers.

The Trump election did it for me. For the first time I said, Wow, I dont think this is really going to get better, said Eric Redmond, a professor at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago who helped edit a 2009 book called Glory Road: The Journeys of 10 African-Americans into Reformed Christianity.

Were in 2017, and a lot of my brothers still dont get it and I dont know if theyre going to get it, Redmond said. Theres huge repercussions, but for people of color it just means were going to figure this out on our own.

When I visited Tisby in his hometown in August, we spent the better part of a day exploring Helena, talking about the events of the last few years. He said that his focus was moving toward speaking and writing for a black audience primarily, rather than for whites.

We have a lot of white evangelicals coming to us through RAAN. And that demonstrates a willingness to learn and a level of humility. And Ill ride with you. I mean Im not turning anybody away. But Im not chasing you. I think thats one way to characterize the difference, he said.

Voters wait to cast their ballots last Nov. 8 in Alexandria, Va. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Tisbys path shares similarities with that of other prominent black Christian leaders who have spent significant time in Reformed Christian circles, such as Thabiti Anyabwile, a Washington, D.C., pastor.

Anyabwile has been a speaker at a prominent biannual conference for Reformed evangelicals, Together for the Gospel, in the past and has also faulted the black church for its lack of theological rigor. But he was one of the few religious conservatives, along with the Southern Baptist Conventions Russell Moore, to forcefully criticize Trump. Anyabwile also publicly rebuked Christians who supported him, and argued that evangelicals should support Hillary Clinton despite disagreements over issues like abortion.

The backlash from white conservative Christians to Anyabwiles comments during the election was intense. But in March of this year, Anyabwile and others organized a conference attended mostly by black Christians, pushing back against pressure from within white Christianity to stop talking about racial justice and inequality. The Gospel Coalition helped sponsor the event.

*****

Part of Tisbys tour through Helena took us through Magnolia Cemetery, a place of burial for Helenas African-American population that had only recently begun to be reclaimed by members of the local community from decades of neglect.

We walked down a gravel road past crumbling headstones, surrounded by deep forest on both sides and by the deafening chirping of summer insects in the trees.

I am sobered, chastened a bit in my hopefulness, Tisby said. He added that he was not hopeless.

I think I have a more realistic picture of what were facing when it comes to race and the church, and America more broadly. This is a long slog, and sometimes the best we can do in terms of success is to say we were faithful. We may not ever see the progress we desire. But Im not despondent or cynical. I think Im bolder now, he said.

Tisby admitted he had been naive about some things, simply because I was young. Namely, he overestimated how easy it would be to bring about racial reconciliation.

He said in subsequent conversations that he has not given up on the idea of reconciliation and still sees it as foundational to racial justice. But there are many Christians who are moving away from talk of racial reconciliation because they believe it confuses white emotional catharsis with racial justice, as Erna Kim Hackett, with the Christian organization InterVarsity, put it.

[Black Lives Matter] insists on addressing systemic issues, and white Christianity is pathologically individualistic, she wrote. This explains why people love a photo of a cop hugging a black person, but dismiss claims of systemic racism in policing. It pretends that injustice is resolved when individuals hug.

But Tisby hasnt given up on relationships with white evangelicals. He still sees it as vital. During our conversation on the porch of the Edwardian Inn, a bed and breakfast in Helena, Tisby explored the paradox that while black progress requires overcoming systemic injustice and inequality, white Christians are resistant to that message, so progress will depend on personal interactions among individuals.

Protesters march in Boston against a planned Free Speech Rally a week after the violent Unite the Right rally in Virginia left one dead and dozens injured. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

He concluded with an audible sigh that he and others will have to keep explaining themselves to whites, often having the same exhausting conversation over and over, one person at a time, because this is a primary way that African-Americans will make progress.

Tisby affirmed that his identity as a Christian supercedes his racial identity. And its this very belief that holds so much promise to many for racial reconciliation. Its why black and white Christians have long held out hope of showing the way forward on race. Their faith teaches, in passages like the third chapter of Galatians, that all people are guilty of sin, but are adopted into one family through Christs salvific life, death and resurrection.

But after emphasizing this spiritual side of the coin for many years, Tisby does not want to allow Christian doctrine to be used as an excuse to gloss over the hard conversations around race that need to be had. My tone has shifted, not to be disrespectful, but not to let people off the hook, he said.

We know these things. This knowledge is available. Its always been there, Tisby said. And its willful ignorance, if not culpable ignorance, for us  particularly as Christians  not to know our history as a nation and a church when it comes to race, and not to respond appropriately.

Read more from Yahoo News:
News of Donald Trump reaching a possible DACA deal with Democratic congressional leaders has infuriated members of the alt-right.

And, as we've learned from the hashtag #burnmyMAGAhat, those alt-right supporters are taking their anger with the president out on his hats. Sad!

SEE ALSO: 5 ways you can help 'Dreamers' in the wake of Trump's DACA decision

Politico and other outlets reported on Wednesday night that Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi confirmed they'd come to an agreement with Trump on a plan that would protect the nearly 800,000 people at risk by ending DACA.

The terms reportedly included providing Trump with additional border security but no promises on funding for his proposed wall. After hearing of the bipartisan move, firm alt-right supporters felt betrayed by Trump, and expressed their frustration by burning their Make American Great Again hats in protest.

In addition, the hashtag #AmnestyDon also started circulating after Trump said "Were not looking at amnesty. Were looking at allowing people to stay here," while speaking to reporters in Florida.

Even Breitbart jumped in with the "Amnesty Don" moniker.

Story continues

Check out Breitbart. A turning point tonight.

"Amnesty Don" pic.twitter.com/wqvv2mTwyD  Robert Costa (@costareports) September 14, 2017

When @realDonaldTrump lets the swamp monsters in and shows the base the door...the base fights back -The Deplorables #MAGA #DACA #NoAmnesty pic.twitter.com/EvpyekS26y  MAGA G (@Pandas4Trump) September 15, 2017

Despite Trump sharing a denial of the deal on Twitter, many members of the alt-right were still upset after the president defended Dreamers as "good, educated, and accomplished people."

No deal was made last night on DACA. Massive border security would have to be agreed to in exchange for consent. Would be subject to vote.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017

The WALL, which is already under construction in the form of new renovation of old and existing fences and walls, will continue to be built.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017

Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017

...They have been in our country for many years through no fault of their own - brought in by parents at young age. Plus BIG border security  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017

In addition to those condemning Trump's behavior by burning their hats, prominent conservatives like Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity, and members of the alt-right like expert conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich, also spoke out.

At this point, who DOESN'T want Trump impeached? https://t.co/g1mMhmm8ng  Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) September 14, 2017

Weak R's have betrayed voters. @POTUS needs to stay the course and keep his promises or it's over! Pelosi and Schumer can never be trusted. https://t.co/ky0NWvZoBv  Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) September 14, 2017

If reports true 100%. I blame R's. They caused this. They wanted him to fail and now pushed him into arms of political suicideIF TRUE. https://t.co/WTqe6jzfa9  Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) September 14, 2017

Cernovich bashed the president's followers in a tweet, which has since been deleted, calling them "stupid, low energy, and overall losers."

Image: screengrab/twitter

I'm so disappointed on your ship jumping of Trump.

You can't turn back now, the damage is done!

Sad   Mommy_Roc  (@MommyRoc) September 14, 2017

Cernovich then hopped on Periscope and filmed a livestream titled "The Dream is Over for Trump supporters," where he had a full-on meltdown about the president's recent actions.

The Dream is Over for Trump supporters https://t.co/nggd24BHFX  Mike Cernovich  (@Cernovich) September 14, 2017

Sounds like Trump better keep a watchful eye on his precious ratings and merch sales.
Amnesty International says it has conclusive proof Myanmar is operating a coordinated and systematic campaign to drive out its Rohingya population, a 1.1 million strong Muslim minority that has suffered decades of persecution in the Buddhist country.

Analysis of active fire-detection data, satellite imagery, photographs and videos from the ground  as well as interviews with dozens of eye witnesses  reveals that security forces set more than 80 separate fires in the countrys troubled Rakhine State since fighting broke out on Aug. 25, according to an Amnesty press statement.

More than 370,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh in less than three weeks, bringing with them stories of murder, rape, and burning villages at the hands of security forces. On September 7, about a dozen journalists on a government-controlled trip through Rakhine saw new fires burning in a village that had been abandoned by Rohingya.

Read more: The Villages are Burning Down. Fear and Fire Send Rohingya Fleeing to Bangladesh

The evidence is irrefutable  the Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine State ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar, Amnesty Internationals Crisis Response Director Tirana Hassan said in the press statement. Make no mistake: this is ethnic cleansing.

Eyewitnesses interviewed by Amnesty consistently reported seeing soldiers, police, and vigilante groups systematically storming villages, shooting at those fleeing, and setting alight houses with petrol and shoulder-fired rocket launchers. In some cases, they said, local authorities had notified them in advance that their houses would be torched.

A Rohingya man who fled his home village in Maungdaw township described finding his friend dead after a morning attack by the Myanmar military. Later that day, security forces returned and opened fire anew. When people fled, they burned the houses with bottles of petrol and rocket launchers, the man told Amnesty. The burning continued for three days. Now there are no homes in our area  all are burned completely,

Story continues

His account was corroborated by satellite-detected fire data.

Read more: Myanmar Stands Accused of Ethnic Cleansing. Heres Why

Myanmar authorities have denied the military is setting fire to villages, instead insisting that the Rohingya have set their own homes ablaze.

The governments attempts to shift the blame to the Rohingya population are blatant lies. Our investigation makes it crystal clear that its own security forces, along with vigilante mobs, are responsible for burning Rohingya homes, said Hassan.
A selfie of three hot cops in Florida may have spread like wildfire on the internet earlier this week, but one of the officers may now be getting burned.

Read: 'Hot Cops' Who Went Viral Over Selfie Will Pose for Calendar to Raise Money for Irma Victims

Officer Michael Hamill, 28, of the Gainesville Police Department, who spoke to InsideEdition.com Wednesday, was outed for allegedly posting anti-Semitic comments years ago on his personal Facebook page.

One of the screenshots from Hamill's Facebook page, posted in 2011, read: So I find it funny that people will talk about how our government needs to do something about our economy and in reality its YOU who needs to stop taking advantage of our system and get a life and do something with your life. Gotta love reality when it hits you in the face. Stupid people annoy me. put them in an oven and deal with them the hitler way. haha

Another screenshot of a 2013 post reads: "Who knew that reading jewish jokes before I go to bed would not only make me feel better about myself but also help me sleep better as well. here is one for everybody whats the difference between boy scouts and jews? anybody know? well it is because Boy scouts come back from their camps.

Hamill joined the force in 2016, three years after he made the alleged comments.

Hamill, along with Officer Dan Rengering, 27, and Officer John Nordman, 39, uploaded a selfie to the Gainesville Police Department Facebook page Sunday, and the trio quickly went viral for their good looks.

A court date is still a date right?! one user commented on the Facebook post, which now has more than 500,000 likes and nearly 200,000 comments.

Hamill and Rengering mentioned to InsideEdition.com Wednesday that their department will put together a calendar to raise money for victims of Hurricane Irma.

The status of the calendar and whether Hamill will make an appearance is unclear.

Story continues

Read: White Supremacist Who Cried in Video Is Booted From OkCupid Dating Site

"Several citizens have brought information to our attention regarding a complaint against Officer Hamill," The Gainesville Police Department said in a statement to InsideEdition.com. "GPD is reviewing the allegation and will do so in accordance to Florida law and department policy. Under Florida Law, complaint information is confidential until an investigation is concluded.

"The Gainesville Police Department prides itself with our philosophy and mission of compassion, inclusion, and respect and will fully review the matter."

The Gainesville Police Department added they are unsure why the alleged comments were not caught in a background check before he joined the force.

Watch: Former Undercover FBI Agent Says Cops Should Shut Down Domestic Extremists: 'They Want a White Nation'

Related Articles:
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has hit out at Donald Trumps criticism of his healthcare bill as a curse, telling the president in no uncertain terms what he thought of the opposition to the Medicaid for all bill.

The president on Thursday slammed Sanders single payer healthcare plan, taking to Twitter to pledge he would veto the move. Bernie Sanders is pushing hard for a single payer healthcare plan - a curse on the U.S. & its people, Trump wrote.

I told Republicans to approve healthcare fast or this would happen. But don't worry, I will veto because I love our country & its people, he added, referencing his own failed healthcare bill  an attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare.

But Sanders took his own shots at the president, stating providing universal healthcare was exactly what should be happening. No Mr. President, providing health care to every man, woman and child as a right is not a curse, it's exactly what we should be doing, Sanders wrote in reply to Trumps tweet. What is a curse is your support for throwing 23 million off health insurance. That's the curse and we won't allow you to get away with it.

Sanders spoke of his desire to see healthcare made available to everyone in the country during his campaign, although he has already acknowledged that his single-payer system (similar to that used by the U.K., France, and Australia) is unlikely to pass through Congress.

Health care must be recognized as a right, not a privilege, Sanders argued on his website in the push for Medicaid for all. Every man, woman and child in our country should be able to access the health care they need regardless of their income. The only long-term solution to Americas health care crisis is a single-payer national health care program, he added.

The Trump administration has been critical of Sanders' plan before. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday as Sanders unveiled his bill: I cant think of anything worse than having government be more involved in your health care instead of less involved.

Related Articles
The preparations for Ben Shapiros speech at the University of California, Berkeley, had been intense. In advance of the conservatives appearance on Thursday, the school shut down a big block of the campus. By early evening, police were roaming the area by the dozens, kitted out with riot gear and driving armored cars. Helicopters hovered above.

But by the time Shapiros speech let out around 9 p.m. local time, the night had gone without great tumult or physical injury reported by police  unlike several other run-ins the city has seen over the past year between extremists on the right and left.

There was still pushback on the liberal campus: Several hundred people arrived to peacefully protest, and a much smaller group of students occupied the student union, linking arms and repeating chants such as What kind of speech is free? Only white supremacy. Berkeley police have arrested nine individuals, some for offenses such as having banned objects in the area near where the speech was being held.

As with past events in the city, heated debates took place about what is free speech and what is hate speech and how college campuses should navigate the tense political climate. People in red Make America Great Again hats mingled tensely with people holding communist flags. Yet things were calm compared to previous clashes.

Inside the venue on Thursday, Shapiro disavowed white supremacists and the alt right, characterizing that part of the political spectrum as basing bad theories on white identity politics. He also put forth plenty of ideas that would rankle the left: that, for instance, immigrants should assimilate to traditional American culture and that poverty among black people has more to do with young black women having children out of wedlock than systemic racism. In a free country, if you fail, it is probably your own fault, he said.

At times, the former Breitbart writer descended into name-calling, characterizing the protestors outside as dolts and idiots who think my speech is violence, all speech is violence. He mocked Nancy Pelosi by making a joke about using Botox. He said that leftist protestors known as antifa  short for anti-fascist  could to go to hell, leading someone in the audience to yell, Retards!

Story continues

Yet, as the evening wore on, the event started to feel more like a small-town council meeting than an event where a political personality throws red meat to his base. During a lengthy Q&A, Shapiro did what the Berkeley College Republicans say they invited him to do: have civil debate with liberal students who disagreed with his viewpoints. Berkeley students questioned him on everything from abortion to insurance rates, and the crowd clapped politely for some questioners who identified themselves as left-of-center.

The Berkeley College Republicans helped start the string of controversies by inviting provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos to speak at the campus in February, an event that had to be canceled due to safety concerns after violent protest. While many on the campus have accused the student group of trolling liberal students with their speaker choices, they have said this event was simply meant to air right-of-center ideas that are not the usual fare.

The university has failed in their duty to provide students with a breadth of different ideological viewpoints, Naweed Tahmas, spokesman for the Berkeley College Republicans, told TIME in a statement before the event. The university has coddled students for far too long and we are shattering their ideological safe space.

Outside the venue, students who took turns at a microphone spoke not just about Shapiro but about Yiannopoulos, too. Another conservative group on campus, Berkeley Patriot, has invited him as well Steve Bannon and a a slate of other conservative speakers to campus later this month for a multi-day Free Speech Week event. Though fears about violent groups from the right and left descending on campus had not materialized by late Thursday, university officials have expressed concern that Free Speech Week may prove to have a different ending.

Students, meanwhile, are bracing for more disruptions and counter-disruptions.

Its really exhausting that were at a time when free speech is being equated to having to accept views that most of the campus doesnt like, said sophomore Haden Modisett in the week leading up to the Shapiro event. And were physically threatened by this. Why is it that we have to go through this every two weeks? Is this just something that we live in? Like a war zone?
Violet Mosse-Brown was known as Aunt V. Prime Minister Andrew Holness gave her the Prime Ministers Medal of Appreciation in April at her home, with her caretaker. (Photo: Jamaican Information Service)

Violet Mosse-Brown, the Jamaican woman believed to be the oldest person in the world, died Friday. Brown, known lovingly in her community as Aunt V, was born March 10, 1900, and lived to be 117, according to the Jamaican government.

She died at Fairview Medical Centre in Montego Bay, St. James, about 2:30 p.m. local time, according to the Jamaica Observer.

Andrew Holness, the prime minister of Jamaica, announced Aunt Vs death on Twitter and included a photo of his last visit to her home in Duanvale, Trelawny.

Our oldest person in the world Mrs. Violet Mosse-Brown has died. She was 117 years old.



Rest In Peace Mrs Mosse-Brown#worldsoldestperson pic.twitter.com/p9fYNDV9vM  Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) September 16, 2017

Holness visited her in April after she became the worlds oldest person, according to the Gerontology Research Group, a volunteer group that tracks the worlds longest-living people.

During his visit, Holness gave the 117-year-old a Medal of Appreciation and certificate to acknowledge her hard work and robust life.

God has chosen me for a purpose. I never believed I could live this long to all of this 117 years, but God is good, Aunt V told the prime minister. Sometimes I laugh. God has a plan for everybody.

Aunt V had an upcoming appointment to meet with Guinness World Record officials to ensure her official title as the oldest person on Earth. Although she had not been verified by Guinness, it is likely that Aunt V would have been awarded the title since the trusted record-tracking organization depends on the Gerontology Research Groups information, according to The Associated Press.

Shes the oldest person that we have sufficient documentation for at this time, Robert Young, a director of the research group, told AP.

Story continues

Aunt V was Jamaicas first country-certified super-centenarian, a rare title saved for people who live past the age of 110. According to the Jamaican government, she was alive when Britains Queen Victoria reigned over the island.

In April, Aunt V shared her secrets to living a long life: Hard work and faith in God.

I was a cane farmer. I would do every work myself, she told AP at the time. I worked, me and my husband, over that hill.

Aunt V added: I spent all my time in the church. I like to sing. I spent all my time in the church from a child to right up to that day.

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Bruce McCandless II

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Two Myanmar photographers covering the Rohingya crisis for a German magazine have been arrested in Bangladesh on suspicion of espionage, officials said Friday.

Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat were detained more than a week ago in the border town of Cox's Bazar, where around 389,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought refuge from violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state since August 25.

The pair's lawyer said they were charged with "false impersonation" and providing "false information" after police accused them of using the cover of tourist visas to enter the country, instead of journalist visas.

Cox's Bazar police chief Ranjit Kumar Barua told AFP the pair were also "primarily accused of espionage".

"They were collecting information on the Rohingya for Myanmar," he said.

An award-winning photographer from Bangladesh also arrested with the pair was later freed.

Scores of foreign journalists have poured into Bangladesh to cover the Rohingya exodus.

The UN has accused Buddhist-dominated Myanmar of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against the stateless group, who say the military has launched a brutal crackdown in Rakhine.

Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat arrived in Cox's Bazar in early September on assignment for Hamburg-based magazine Geo to cover the refugee crisis, which has strained relations between Muslim-majority Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Their arrest was only announced on Wednesday and a court on Thursday rejected a bail plea, their Bangladeshi lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua told AFP.

He described Minzayar Oo as "an award winning photographer whose work was published in reputed dailies and magazines including the New York Times, Guardian and National Geographic".
Bangladesh restricted the movement of Rohingya refugees Saturday, banning them from leaving overcrowded border areas where over 400,000 who have fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar are living in squalid conditions.

The tough new measures came as Dhaka struggled to cope with the scale of the "unprecedented crisis", with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina heading for the UN General Assembly to plead for global help.

Conditions are already worsening in Bangladesh's southeastern border district of Cox's Bazar, where the majority of refugees are living in desperate circumstances after fleeing Myanmar's violence-wracked Rakhine state.

Dozens of refugees were found by authorities in three towns hundreds of kilometres from the Myanmar frontier, stoking fears that thousands of newly arrived Rohingya Muslims could move from the border region and overwhelm the mainland of impoverished Bangladesh.

Police said they have issued an order banning the Rohingya refugees from leaving the areas and camps the government has designated for them in the border district.

"They should stay in the designated camps until they return to their country," Sahely Ferdous, a police spokeswoman, said in a statement. "They cannot travel from one place to another by roads, railways or waterways."

Rohingya were asked not to take shelter in the homes of their friends or acquaintances, while locals have been asked not to rent houses to the refugees, and bus and lorry drivers requested not to transport the Rohingya, she said.

Police check posts and surveillance have been set up in key transit points to stop refugees travelling to other parts of the country.

The restrictions were announced as the United Nations said Saturday the total number of people to have entered Bangladesh in the past month had reached 409,000, a leap of 18,000 in a day.

- International pressure -

Hasina left for the UN meeting a day after her government summoned the Myanmar envoy for the third time to protest over its neighbour's actions.

Story continues

Hasina is to demand more pressure on Myanmar during talks in New York. She is to speak at the United Nations on Thursday.

"She will seek immediate cessation of violence in Rakhine state in Myanmar and ask the UN secretary general to send a fact-finding mission to Rakhine," a spokesman for the prime minister, Nazrul Islam, told AFP.

"She will also call the international community and the UN to put pressure on Myanmar for the repatriation of all the Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar," he said.

Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali said: "We will continue international pressure on the Myanmar government to immediately end its ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya."

In Paris, several hundred people including members of the Rohingya diaspora protested near the Eiffel Tower Saturday to demand international intervention and denounce Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The demonstrators urged the former dissident to break her silence on the Rohingya crisis. If not, according to one placard, her Nobel Peace Prize should be renamed the "Nobel Massacre and Hatred Prize".

Suu Kyi is due to give a televised address to the nation on Tuesday.

- 'Suffering is deepening' -

Most Rohingya, who spent days trekking cross-country from Rakhine to reach the Bangladesh border, have arrived to find desperate conditions, with existing camps overflowing, and have instead settled on muddy roadsides.

The UN said two children and a woman were killed in a "rampage" when a private group handed out clothes near a camp on Friday.

The three refugee deaths demonstrated warnings by UN agencies and other relief groups that the crisis could get out of control.

The World Health Organization and UN children's agency on Saturday launched vaccination campaigns against measles, rubella and polio. They estimate that 60 percent of the new arrivals are children.

Many families do not have a shelter over their heads and refugees have been fighting for food and water deliveries.

"The needs are seemingly endless and the suffering is deepening," said UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado.

Outside the giant Balukali camp, Jamila Khatun, 60, sat under a blue plastic bin bag held up by bamboo poles with her children and grandchildren as she recounted her journey to Bangladesh.

She said she handed over her jewellery to a Bangladesh boatman two days ago to get across the river frontier from Myanmar.

"We walked by night for three or four days to avoid the military and then came over by boat.

"We don't know what we will do or where we will live but if people here feed us we will stay. We don't want to go back," she told AFP.

Nur Khan Liton, a respected Bangladeshi rights activist working with the refugees in Cox's Bazar, told AFP: "Refugees are still pouring in. But there is no attempt to bring discipline and order in the aid management."

Liton said the Rohingya "have become victims of muggings and extortion" and that cases of diarrhoea are spreading. "I heard that one Rohingya boy has died of diarrhoea."

The government has put the army in charge of ferrying foreign relief aid from airports to Cox's Bazar. It also plans to build 14,000 shelters, which it hopes will be enough for 400,000 people.

Hasina has ordered the shelters erected within 10 days, Bangladesh's disaster management secretary Shah Kama told AFP.

The authorities have sent police reinforcements to Cox's Bazar to protect Buddhist temples in case of a radical Muslim backlash.
Bangladesh will use troops to deliver foreign aid to the border town that has been overwhelmed by Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar, authorities announced.

The move follows criticism of the chaotic conditions in which relief supplies have been handed out at the huge camps around Cox's Bazar, where about 389,000 Rohingya from Myanmar's Rakhine state have arrived since August 25.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told parliament late Thursday that the army would handle relief aid that several nations have sent in recent days.

"I have given the army responsibility to make sure the relief goods properly reach them (Rohingya) and to oversee what's in the relief materials," she said.

Initially, the army will be responsible for taking the aid to Cox's Bazar.

"We've got the directive that the army would receive relief materials sent by foreign nations at the airport and take it to Cox's Bazar," Lieutenant Colonel Rashidul Hasan told AFP on Friday.

It was not clear whether there would be a change in the way aid is distributed at the Rohingya camps.

Relief workers are struggling to cope with the huge numbers, with 10,000-20,000 people crossing the border each day.

The United Nations has warned of a looming "worst case scenario" with all of the Muslim minority group trying to leave Buddhist-dominated Myanmar's Rakhine state where a military crackdown was launched on August 25.

Aid agencies have said thousands of Rohingya were half-starving and a major health emergency could break out unless order is restored in aid management.

AFP correspondents have seen fighting break out among the refugees as food bags and water bottles were tossed from aid trucks near near the Kutupalong refugee camps.

UN officials acknowledge they were taken by surprise by the scope of the exodus.

The UN's International Organization for Migration has said it will form a group of all UN agencies and private groups to coordinate aid work.
Angelina Jolie, left, and Jon Voight arrive to the New York premiere of First They Killed My Father, on Sept. 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo: James Devaney/Getty Images)

If one good thing has come from Angelina Jolies divorce from Brad Pitt, its her renewed bond with her father, Jon Voight.

On Thursday, the Ray Donovan actor, 78, accompanied his daughter to the premiere of her Netflix film First They Killed My Father. Its quite meaningful that Jolie extended the invite to him on this occasion.

The Cambodian film is Jolies passion project, and it concerns the country where she adopted her first child, Maddox, who is now 16 years old. Part of the reason why Jolie, 42, wanted to make the film was to help connect Maddox  who is an executive producer on the movie  to his Cambodian roots.

Jolie and Voights estrangement began in 2002 shortly after Maddoxs adoption. While tensions already ran high between the pair, the actress stopped speaking to her father after he publicly claimed that she needed help when she brought her son home to the U.S.

Voight did several TV interviews at the time, including one with E! where he alleged that Jolie had serious emotional problems that I have witnessed very closely.

I dont want to make public the reasons for my bad relationship with my father, Jolie responded in a statement at the time. I will only say that, like every child, [brother] Jamie and I would have loved to have had a warm and loving relationship with our dad. After all these years, I have determined that it is not healthy for me to be around my father, especially now that I am responsible for my own child.

Jolies issues with Voight started at a young age, stemming from his infidelity. Voight was unfaithful during his marriage to Jolies mother, Marcheline Bertrand, and the pair divorced in 1980.

It was after Bertrands death in 2007 that Brad Pitt encouraged Jolie to reconnect with her father. It took a few years, but in 2010, Voight revealed that they were working on putting the past behind them.

Angie and I dont want to say much [regarding how it came about], Voight said after he was photographed with Pitt, Jolie, and their brood in Italy.

Story continues

Later that year, Voight attended the premiere of Jolies film Salt, and their relationship began to evolve. However, its been slow to develop and seems to have taken off in the wake of Brangelinas divorce.

This past May, Jolie was photographed out to dinner with her kids and father. The kids had gifts for their granddad. Jolie hugged her dad. They were all very happy, a source told People at the time. They sat at a table inside for about two hours.

Jolie and Voights renewed bond was something the kids needed as well.

Hes been very good at understanding they needed their grandfather at this time, Jolie told Vanity Fair over the summer. I had to do a therapy meeting last night, and he was just around. He knows kind of the rule  dont make them play with you. Just be a cool grandpa whos creative, and hang out and tell stories and read a book in the library.

Grandpa Jon has been doing just that.

In August, a smiling Jolie was photographed with her father while dropping her daughter Vivienne off at an art class. He is currently in New York City with Jolie and her brood, and it appears that its been smooth sailing.

Heres hoping it stays that way.

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(BALTIMORE)  The boyfriend of a missing, pregnant Maryland teacher was engaged to another woman and sent text messages using the teachers identity claiming he wasnt the father of her unborn baby, according to court documents that charge him with murdering her.

One of those texts to Laura Wallens sister claimed the missing womans previous boyfriend was the father of her child, an arrest warrant released Thursday alleged. The text misspelled the former boyfriends first name, which police said added to doubts that the texts were really from Wallen.

Tyler Tessier, 32, was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with first-degree murder in Wallens death. The high school teacher was four months pregnant, investigators said.

Police found Wallens remains in a shallow grave in Damascus, Maryland, about 38 miles (61 kilometers) west of Washington. Police say they are awaiting autopsy results to determine how she was killed.

Wallens family reported her missing Sept. 5, when she didnt show up for the first day of school. Her car was found Sept. 7 at apartment complex in Howard County, not far from the high school where she taught.

Tessier gave numerous conflicting statements to detectives over the days after Wallen, 31, was reported missing, authorities said.

Wallens parents spoke at a news conference Monday and announced a $25,000 reward for information on her whereabouts. Tessier sat with the parents, holding their hands, and cried through a brief statement. Manger said Wednesday that Tesslers participation in the news conference had been part of a police plan.

It was a calculated decision made by detectives to have Tessier attend the event and speak, Manger said. It was done with the approval and knowledge of the victims family.

Manger said detectives were curious what Tessier would say and how he would say it.

While Wallen was missing, Tessier was seen several times at the site where her body was found, police said. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the property, Manger said, and officers with cadaver dogs found the shallow grave.

Laura Wallens father, Mark Wallen, said after a bail hearing Thursday for Tessier, that the suspect is a monster. Hes a liar.

Online court records dont list a lawyer for Tessier, who is being held without bail.
By Sharon Bernstein SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - California lawmakers voted to become a sanctuary state, tussled over hot-button environmental issues and urged other states to refuse to cooperate with President Donald Trump's Election Integrity Commission as their legislative year ended early on Saturday. The majority Democratic lawmakers headed back to their districts having positioned the state in opposition to conservative policies proposed by the Republican-dominated U.S. Congress and President Donald Trump on immigration, the environment and other issues. "It's a purposeful positioning," said political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a senior fellow at the University of Southern California. "We have a different political path and a different ideological path than the Republican-controlled Congress and White House have." This year, California lawmakers have strengthened protections for undocumented immigrants, increased the gasoline tax and extended a program aimed at compelling businesses to reduce air pollution, all in opposition to federal policies. Early on Saturday, lawmakers gave last-minute support to a bill barring local governments from forcing undocumented immigrants to spend extra time in jail just to allow enforcement officers to take them into their custody. The bill, a compromise from a version that sought to severely restrict interactions between law enforcement and immigration officials, does allow communities to notify the federal government if they have arrested an undocumented immigrant with a felony record. It also allows enforcement agents access to local jails. It came a day after a federal judge barred the U.S. Justice Department from denying public-safety grants to so-called sanctuary cities in retaliation for limiting cooperation with the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The bill goes now to Democratic Governor Jerry Brown for his signature. Trump issued an executive order in January targeting funding for cities that offer illegal immigrants safe harbor by declining to use municipal resources to enforce federal immigration laws. A San Francisco judge blocked the order. Illinois' Republican Governor signed a bill last month protecting people from being detained because they are the subject of an immigration-related warrant. FOSSIL FUELS Although California lawmakers have enacted several environmental protections this year, a measure aimed at weaning the state's power grid entirely off fossil fuels by 2045 died for the year after lawmakers adjourned without voting on it. California's three investor-owned utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric , Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric [SDGE.UL], said the bill does not protect customers from the cost of switching from fossil fuels. Assemblyman Chris Holden, who held the measure in his Utilities and Energy Committee, said he would consider it again when the legislature returns in January for the second half of their two-year session. The legislature also passed a package of bills aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing in the notoriously expensive state, and approved a plan for spending $1.5 billion in income from the state's cap-and-trade air quality program, which raises money by selling businesses limited rights to emit pollutants. They passed a resolution condemning the election integrity commission, calling it an effort to suppress the voting rights of minorities and others, and voted to move up the state's presidential primary from June to March. (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, Nichola Groom in Los Angeles and Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
The California State Legislature passed a sanctuary state bill on Saturday that would limit state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration officials.

The legislation, authored by state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, is a direct response to President Donald Trumps anti-immigration policies, specifically his executive order targeting federal funding for localities with pro-immigrant policies. That order was blocked from going into effect by a federal judge, but the administration has since attempted to target sanctuary cities in other ways, such as Attorney General Jeff Sessions block on funding for cities fighting violent crime.

Senate Bill 54, if signed into law, would block local law enforcement (including school police) from using resources to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons for immigration enforcement purposes. Those purposes include inquiring into someones immigration status, detaining people at federal immigration officials request or making arrests on immigration warrants.

Pablo Alvarado, executive director of National Day Laborer Organizing Network, called Saturdays vote a victory for millions of immigrant families who are fighting for equality.

The unprecedented scapegoating of immigrants in recent years has imperiled public safety, threatened civil rights, and divided our communities, Alvarado said in a statement. However, today California again proved that local governments are not powerless when it comes to confronting the danger posed by the Trump Administration.

The legislation was amended earlier this week after de Leon reached an agreement with Gov. Jerry Brown (D-Calif.) on several key provisions. The amended version of the bill somewhat loosens the initial versions restrictions on interactions between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials, easing some concerns Brown had about the legislation.

Most notably, the bill now allows sheriffs to pass on information to federal officials about individuals in their custody who have been convicted of one of roughly 800 crimes specified in the legislation. It also allows immigration officials to interview individuals in custody, but bars those officials from having permanent office space in jails or state prisons.

Story continues

The bill was part of a wave of immigration legislation authored by California lawmakers in the wake of Trumps election in a preemptive attempt to resist the presidents crackdown on immigration. Other efforts included establishing workplace protections for undocumented immigrants, starting a legal defense fund for immigrants facing deportation and blocking landlords from using tenants immigration status against them.

To the millions of undocumented residents pursuing and contributing to the California Dream, the State of California will be your wall of justice should the incoming Administration adopt an inhumane and over-reaching mass-deportation policy, de Leon said upon introducing the bill, also known as the California Values Act, in December. We will not stand by and let the federal government use our state and local agencies to separate mothers from their children.

The bill now heads to Browns desk. The Democratic governor previously expressed reservations over the state Senates version of the bill, advocating for the revisions.

The goal here is to block and not to collaborate with abuse of federal power, Brown said on Aug. 6. It is a balancing act. It does require some sensitivity. And thats why I take a more nuanced and careful approach to dealing with what is a difficult problem. Because you do have people who are not here legally, theyve committed crimes. They have no business in the United States in the manner in which theyve come and conducted themselves subsequently.

Browns reservations echoed those of some law enforcement officials in the state, including the powerful California State Sheriffs Association. That group has lobbied against the bill, arguing its restrictions would make it harder for officers to do their jobs and would put them in the position of defying federal demands in order to obey state law. Despite this weeks revisions, the group remains opposed to the bills passage.

Were passing laws to not communicate with other governmental agencies and I just struggle with that, Kings County Sheriff David Robinson said in an interview with the Associated Press Tuesday. Im still adamantly opposed to the bill. It does nothing to protect immigrants, whether legal or illegal. It only protects criminals.

But not all law enforcement officials oppose the effort. Several key police officials, including Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and Sacramento Police Capt. James Beezley, endorsed the measure in June.

This Act allows the LAPD to fulfill its mission to keep the community safe, while still maintaining the Departments ability to continue cultivating the trust of our residents, Beck said in a statement at the time.

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A fleet of hurricane-battered pickup trucks drives through a desolate, waterlogged street of the Caribbean island of Barbuda. Startled by the noise, dogs emerge from a roofless bungalow and begin to snarl as Zifforah Ziffy Tyrell, 29, jumps out of a truck and throws a bucket-full of dog food at the aggressive-looking pack.

Dont shoot, Tyrell says. In a second car, an army officer who is accompanying this rag-tag team of Barbudan animal activists and volunteers had raised his rifle. The soldier nods and Tyrell slowly moves back to the passenger seat of the truck, shouting: Lets get going, we have a lot more houses to get to.

Apart from a dozen army officers, the island of Barbuda is now deserted. Its entire population of around 1,800 was evacuated to its sister island of Antigua days after Hurricane Irma laid waste to their homes, and hours before Hurricane Jose was predicted to make landfall on Sept 9. As aid groups focus on the humanitarian crisis on the bigger of the dual-island state of Antigua and Barbuda, trouble is brewing back on Barbuda.

The hasty exodus has left cats, dogs and herds of livestock bereft of their owners. Local animal lovers like Tyrell and an animal welfare group are now scrambling to stop the islands hungry animals  especially the hundreds of dogs left behind  from turning feral.

Farmers Shiraz Hopkins (c) and Zifforah Ziffy Tyrell inject a horse with antibiotics before feeding it in Barbuda on Sept 11, 2017 in the Caribbean dual-island state of Antigua and Barbuda.

The problem started when Irmas record-breaking winds flattened the lush island. The Category 5 storm wrapped corrugated iron fencing around palm trees, ripped through roofs and facades on the islands colorful homes, while also leaving fetid pools of water across the flat landscape.

The island is a health crisis in waiting, say government officials, as the region is vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases, like Zika. Officials are reluctant to allow locals to return before a cleaning team has cleared the 62-square-mile area.

But without their owners, the dogs are getting hungry. Karen Corbin, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, says the dogs will eventually turn on the horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry now roaming free across Barbudas farmland, as fences and pens have been uprooted or destroyed. The livelihoods of Barbudan farmers are at stake.

Story continues

Tyrell, who is an Antiguan-British goat farmer, is leading a grassroots effort to soothe the minds of Barbudan pet owners and farmers. We started a Go Fund Me campaign to help Barbudans with the feeding and immediate care of their pets and livestock she says. Animal lovers from around the world donated more than $3,000 in a couple days, which helped Tyrell buy enough feed, antibiotics and convince the government that she had a cause worthy enough to access the island.

On Barbuda, the trucks head towards a house at the request of a Barbudan stuck on Antigua, who wants her dogs back. Shiraz Hopkins, 38, a local farmer who is driving the truck, points to two bloated animal corpses near the houses front door. Its the pups in question. The police are shooting dogs they claim to be aggressive, Tyrell tells Hopkins.

That afternoon the pair inject antibiotics into a donkey that had a festering wound, tend to a racehorse that was grazing in someones front yard, pick up a small puppy found next to its dead mother, feed Shirazs flock of animals, and provide food and clean water to an endless number of gaunt-looking dogs, including German shepherds, terriers, pit bulls, huskies and mongrels.

While the effort is noble, the dogs have already begun to turn on other pets. Corbin, who had visited the island on the same day at the invitation of the government, noticed half eaten goats and a dead pig. One of our recommendations is for the dogs to be removed from the island for the health and safety of the other animals, says Corbin, who will be working with World Animal Protection, a body that specializes in emergency treatment of animals in disaster zones.

Barbudas animal issue now needs coordination says Corbin. She commends Tyrells group for feeding the animals, but says there needs to be a thought-through process on how they should be evacuated. If some of the animals are moved to Antigua, the question will be who owns the animals? she says. On Tuesday, the islands Prime Minister Gaston Browne answered those concerns and made Corbins team the lead coordinator for Barbudas animal rescue-effort.

The islands clean-up could take anywhere between three weeks to a couple of months. Until then the fate of its animals remains a question.
Nearly two decades after its launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Cassini Mission to Saturn will come to an end with a dramatic flourish. The spacecraft will dive into the planets atmosphere on Friday for its planned self-destruction, burning up and ultimately disintegrating.

The idea behind the suicidal plunge is to protect the moons Titan and Enceladusboth of which, Cassini has revealed, are capable of supporting life. If the spacecraft were left spinning without fuel through the Saturn system, it could accidentally collide with one of the moons and expose it to any microbes that might remain on board.

I'm exhilarated about this. Cassini was made for Saturn, and Saturn is where it's going to stay, Curt Niebur, a program scientist at NASA headquarters, told Newsweek. The team was able to come up with this utterly brilliant idea for how to end the mission, to squeeze out an end to the mission that gives us new science right to the very last minute.

Still, there is a certain melancholy among the team, Niebur says. While it's an exciting end, it's still an ending. RIP.

The end of the mission might have a funereal air to it, but passionate space enthusiasts need not despair. There is plenty more exploration coming up after the death of Cassini. There are missions planned to planets and their moons, to the sun and the Earths moon and to asteroids, along with new telescopes and satellites launching.

Its possible that NASA will return to the Saturn system in the coming years, depending on which mission is named the winner of the next round of the New Frontiers competition. This round of the contest, which is for missions that cost up to about $1 billion, asked for proposals on one of six themes that would take them to the surface of a comet or the moon to collect samples; to the ocean worlds of Titan and/or Enceladus (both moons of Saturn); to Saturn with a probe; to Jupiters Trojan asteroids; or to Venus.

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Regardless of whether we return to the Saturn system, Niebur says the Cassini mission will have a lasting impact. Cassini's discoveries on Enceladus and Titan really help cement this paradigm shift about ocean worlds, Niebur says. It was really Cassini that made it exquisitely clear to us that these are not special, unique, rare places. These ocean worlds are relatively common in our solar system and, by extension, in [the] universe at large. Cassini has had a profound effect on scientists understanding of how common these potentially habitable worlds are.

Although NASA has been working toward the Europa Clipper mission for years, beginning before Cassini reached Saturn, Cassini helped shape the future missions strategy and determine which instruments will be put on the spacecraft. So even though it will take its final dive on Friday, the missions influence will live on.

09_14_Europa_Clipper

NASA/JPL-Caltech

Here is a partial list of missions and events to look forward to:

NASAs InSight mission is scheduled to launch on May 5, 2018, and to land on Mars on November 26 of the same year. The lander will drill deep into the planets surface to study its structure, which in turn will help scientists understand its evolution as a rocky planet.

The Parker Solar Probe, billed as a NASA mission to touch the sun, is scheduled to launch between July 31 and August 19, 2018. The probe, which will come within 4 million miles of the suns surface, will study solar activity and help scientists learn how to better predict space-weather events.

BepiColombo, a joint mission of European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is scheduled to launch in October 2018 and to arrive at Mercury in late 2025.

The James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration between NASA, the ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), is scheduled to launch in October 2018. The highly anticipated scientific successor to the Hubble Space Telescope is larger and will be able to see objects much farther away (which, in space, means further back in time) as it peers at the universe in the infrared.

The ESA plans to launch its Solar Orbiter (SolO) mission in October 2018. Dedicated to solar and heliospheric physics, it will help scientists understand how planets developed and life emerged, as well as the origins and fundamental physics of the universe.

NASAs Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx, which launched on September 8, 2016, is scheduled to reach the near-Earth asteroid Bennu in 2018. The first U.S. mission to bring an asteroid sample back to Earth, its scheduled to return with more than two ounces of material in 2023.

The New Horizons spacecraft is planning a flyby of Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69 on January 1, 2019, about three and a half years after its historic flyby of Pluto. If all goes according to plan, the spacecraft will get much closer to MU69 than it did to Pluto. Niebur explains that MU69 might actually be two bodies orbiting very closely to one another. Its going to be a very exciting flyby, he says, another one of those never-seen-this-before moments.

NASAs Mars 2020 rover is scheduled to launch in summer 2020. The mission will investigate the rocks of the red planet for evidence of past life, focusing on a region where the ancient environment may have supported microbial life. A new system will collect soil and rock samples to be deposited in sample tubes at certain surface locations for potential retrieval. It will be a big year for international Mars exploration, with the ESA planning to launch its ExoMars rover and the United Arab Emirates planning to launch Hope. China announced earlier this year that it aims to launch a Mars mission around 2020.

The Lucy mission, one of two selected by NASA in January as part of the Discovery Program, is scheduled to launch in October 2021. After reaching a main asteroid belt in 2025, the robotic spacecraft will continue on to its main target and become the first to study six Jupiter Trojan asteroids, thought to be relics from an earlier era of the solar system, from 2027 to 2033.

The other mission NASA selected for January is Psyche, scheduled to launch in 2022. It will explore 16 Psyche, a unique metal asteroid that could be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet. As with Lucy, the mission will aim to answer questions about the early solar system. It might also provide some stunning images. We think it's the metallic core of another planetoid, and impact blew everything else off of it and left this solid metal sphere, Niebur says, adding, Some of the surface features on it could be really wicked. Imagine a ball of molten iron, he explains, and as its hit, stuff splashes out of it and freezes in weird shapes.

The ESAs best-acronymed mission, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), is scheduled to launch in 2022 and to arrive at Jupiter in 2030. It will study the planet as well as three of its largest moons: Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.

NASA is planning a Europa Clipper mission to the smallest of Jupiters four Galilean moons that will launch sometime in the 2020s. The reconnaissance of the icy moonwhich appears to have liquid water underneath its icy crustwill help scientists investigate whether it could harbor conditions suitable for life. The spacecraft will perform a series of 45 close flybys so that it can withstand the high radiation in that region.

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Manning ended call early in expression of dismay, source tells Guardian

Kennedy school canceled invitation after protests from CIA officials

The source said Elmendorf argued that Harvard had to weigh what each visiting fellow brought to the table. Photograph: Heidi Gutman/Getty Images

Chelsea Manning, the former US soldier who leaked hundreds of thousands of state secrets and served seven years in military prison, abruptly terminated a phone call with the dean of the Harvard Kennedy school in an expression of her dismay at his decision to revoke her visiting fellowship in the face of severe pressure from the CIA.



Manning ended the conversation on Thursday as the dean, Douglas Elmendorf, tried to justify to her his decision to cancel the fellowship only a day after it had been announced. The dean had said he needed to talk to Manning urgently after CIA figures first raised their objection to Harvard offering the whistleblower a place among its 2017-18 visiting speaker program  raising the prospect that one of Americas most prestigious academic institutions had kowtowed to pressure from the intelligence services.

Mannings invitation to address students of the schools Institute of Politics was denounced by Mike Pompeo, the CIA director who cancelled an appearance at Harvard on Thursday, and by former deputy director of the agency Mike Morell, who resigned his own visiting fellowship in protest at what the two men described as the honoring of a traitor.

Details of the phone call were shared with the Guardian by a source who was present at the time of the conversation. Manning had just stepped off stage in San Francisco where she was receiving a global freedom of information award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

When Elmendorf reached Manning on the phone he sounded audibly nervous, the source said. He argued that Harvard had to weigh what each visiting fellow brought to the table.

A member of Mannings support team challenged Elmendorf to explain why Harvard was so anxious about giving her the title of visiting fellow when in the same roster of this years fellows they had included Sean Spicer, Donald Trumps former White House press secretary, and Trumps former presidential campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was charged with assaulting a reporter during the 2016 race.

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They noted what they suggested was the absurdity of honouring two prominent members of a presidential campaign notorious for its bending of the truth and controversial stances on race issues in America.

Elmendorf further alienated the Manning team by responding that Spicer and Lewandowski brought something to the table and could teach the Harvard audience something. That, for the recipients of the phone conversation, implied that the whistleblower by contrast had nothing to contribute.

Elmendorfs decision to roll over just hours after the two CIA figures protested has put the dean in a tight corner. The Guardian asked Harvard for comment on the phone call but did not receive an immediate response.

On Friday, Elmendorf released a statement in which he apologized to Manning as well as to those who those who objected to her invitation, arguing that he had made a mistake by failing to appreciate that the title of visiting fellow was seen as an honorific.

On the key issue of academic freedom of expression, Elmendorf gave a contradictory argument. He said: Any determination should start with the presumption that more speech is better than less. In retrospect, though, I think my assessment of that balance for Chelsea Manning was wrong.

Manning was sentenced to 35 years in military prison for leaking up to 700,000 state documents including war logs from Afghanistan and Iraq and a video of a US Apache helicopter attack on civilians in Baghdad. She served seven years before having her sentence commuted by Barack Obama as one of his last acts in office.

In a tweet, Manning responded to Harvards pulling of her invitation to address students by likening it to a military/police/intel state  the CIA determines what is and is not taught at Harvard.

In his letter of resignation as a senior fellow at Harvard, Morell said that senior leaders in our military have stated publicly that the leaks by Ms Manning put the lives of US soldiers at risk. That was belied by the Pentagons own internal inquiry into the 2010 WikiLeaks disclosures that came from Manning that concluded that the leak had no strategic impact on the US war effort.

Elmendorf said that Harvards doors were still open to Manning who was welcome to spend a day at the Kennedy school and speak. Given the institutions handling of affairs this week, the former soldier is unlikely to respond favorably.
China has warned that it will never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, Beijings ambassador to the US warned, just hours after Kim Jong-un said his country was on course to achieve that final goal.

Speaking at a Chinese embassy event in Washington DC, Cui Tiankai also called on Donald Trumps administration to stop sabre-rattling against the secretive communist state.

Instead the US should resume dialogue and negotiation over the stand-off, he said.

Honestly, I think the United States should be doing much more than now, so that theres real effective international cooperation on this issue, he told reporters.

They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation, he said, while adding that China would never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.

His comments came within days of North Korea firing another ballistic missile over Japan that landed in the Pacific Ocean.

It came despite threats by US President Donald Trump that the communist state would feel the fire and fury of his armed forces unless it halted its nuclear weapons programme.

Pyongyang shrugged off the rhetoric and launched another deadly Hwasong-12 in its goal to become a nuclear power and reach an equilibrium of military force with the US.

Mr Trump described the move as an act of utter contempt for its neighbours and the entire world and warned any US response would be effective and overwhelming.

North Korea on Friday launched its latest ballistic missile  which travelled past Japans northernmost island of Hokkaido before landing in the sea.

Its leader Kim Jong-un, who was quoted by the state news agency KCNA, later said: Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option.

In response, President Trump warned that American military options were robust should they be required to respond to threats from Pyongyang.

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Speaking at Joint Base Andrews, the Air Force installation outside Washington, Mr Trump said: America and our allies will never be intimidated. We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilization, from all who dare to threaten our way of life.

This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours, and the entire world community.
China's cryptocurrency trading ban is very close to reality.

The country's regulators have reportedly issued an order to all local cryptocurrency exchanges to halt new user registration by midnight on Sept. 15 and publicly notify users when they'll formally close.

China's state-owned Caixin broke the news on Friday, ending weeks of rumors and speculation about the country-wide crypto trading ban. While the news isn't official yet, Caixin said it has seen the policy document and confirmed its authenticity with a source close to China's regulators.

This is more bad news from Bitcoin, whose price started to fall after China's regulators said they would ban all ICOs (initial coin offerings) in the country.

The price of Bitcoin and nearly all other cryptocurrencies has dropped sharply in the last couple of days. At time of writing, one Bitcoin is price at about $3,014, down 18.54 percent in the last 24 hours according to CoinMarketCap, and down nearly 40 percent from its July all-time-high of $4,952.

SEE ALSO: Its happening: One of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in China is shutting down

Caixin says all exchanges must also publish their plans to exit the market by 6 p.m. Beijing time Sept. 20. The outlet does not say when the exchanges must close their operations, but there are several indications that the set date is Sept. 30. Two Chinese cryptocurrency exchanges, BTCChina and ViaBTC, have already announced they would close on that date, and trading platform OKex said on Friday it would remove three major Chinese exchangesBTCChina, OKcoin and Huobifrom its index on Sept. 30.

According to Caixin, all key members of all crypto exchanges in China, including shareholders, must remain in Beijing to cooperate with authorities.

It's unclear whether there are plans, as some have speculated, to re-launch cryptocurrency exchanges in China under new rules, or the ban is permanent.

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UPDATE: Sept. 15, 2017, 3:38 p.m. UTC Huobi and OKCoin, two largest cryptocurrency exchanges in China, have posted notices similar to the ones posted by BTCChina and ViaBTC. According to the documents, both exchanges will stop all trading operations by October 31. Both documents say they're complying with official guidance from China's regulatory bodies.

Disclosure: The author of this text owns, or has recently owned, a number of cryptocurrencies, including BTC and ETH.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China's ambassador to Washington on Friday called on the United States to refrain from making threats over North Korea, which a day earlier launched another missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean. Ambassador Cui Tiankai told reporters at an embassy event: "Honestly, I think the United States should be doing ... much more than now, so that there's real effective international cooperation on this issue." "They should refrain from issuing more threats. They should do more to find effective ways to resume dialogue and negotiation," he said. President Donald Trump and others in the United States and beyond have urged China to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on its Communist ally to help resolve the standoff over North Korea's weapons programmes. China fought alongside North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Chinese leader Mao Zedong lost his eldest son, and Beijing has long been Pyongyang's chief ally and primary trade partner. But the Chinese government has pushed back against the notion that it has any control over Pyongyang, and says it is the United States that should be doing more. Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States was considering halting trade with countries doing business with North Korea. Cui on Friday cautioned against putting China-U.S. trade on the table. "Efforts to undermine Sino-U.S. trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target," the Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Cui as saying on Friday at a Chinese National Day reception. "If someone were to pressure China or impose sanctions on China over the DPRK, it would not be supported by many U.S. citizens," Cui said, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Workers at U.S. airplane factories, farmers growing soybeans, companies that sell smartphones to China, manufacturers that enjoy large market shares in China, companies in the service sector that have gained trade surplus in China, U.S. states that engage in robust trade with China would all stand against it," Xinhua quoted him as saying. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON and John Ruwitch in SHANGHAI; Writing by Eric Walsh; Editing by Mohammad Zargham & Simon Cameron-Moore)
Alexander Gauland compared German soldiers in World War Two to Winston Churchill - AFP

One of the leaders of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party (AfD) has provoked outrage after he called for Germans to reclaim their past and be proud of the military achievements of the Nazis.

Alexander Gauland, one of two joint leaders of the AfD campaign ahead of German elections in a weeks time, told supporters that if Britons can be proud of Winston Churchill then Germans have can be proud of the achievements of German soldiers in two world wars.

No one has so thoroughly cleansed themselves from the wrongs of the past as the Germans, the 76-year-old told a campaign event in the eastern state of Thuringia.

AfD election posters Credit: Reuters

We do not have to hold ourselves back over these 12 years, he said, referring to the period from Hitlers appointment as German chancellor in 1933 to the end of the Second World War.

They no longer affect our identity, so we have the right to reclaim not only our country but also our past.

He went on to compare Hitler to Churchill, Nelson and Napoleon.

If the French have the right to be proud of their emperor, and the British of Nelson and Churchill, then we have the right to be proud of the proud of the achievements of German soldiers in two world wars, he said.

Mr Gauland made the comments at a campaign event two weeks ago, but they have only now been widely reported after a video of the event was shared on YouTube.

An AfD election campaign poster reading "Asylum fraud" repainted with a "No AfD" slogan in Duisburg, Germany Credit: Reuters

It is not the first time Mr Gauland has courted controversy during the campaign. Prosecutors have placed him under investigation on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after he called for Aydan Ozoguz, Germanys national integration commissioner to be disposed of in Turkey.

Ms Ozoguz is of Turkish heritage. She was born in Germany.

Mr Gaulands latest comments came as a new opinion poll showed the AfD was in third place on a late surge of support.

With a week to go before the elections, the AfD is on 12 per cent in the survey for ARD television. Angela Merkel appears to be heading for victory, with her Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) on 37 per cent, lengthening its lead over its closest rivals to 17 points.

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The Social Democratic Party (SPD) led by Martin Schulz is heading for its worst ever result, on just 20 per cent according to the poll.

The figures suggest the most likely result is a continuation of the current Grand Coalition of the CDU and SPD under Mrs Merkel.

That raises the possibility that the AfD could emerge as the main opposition party in Germany.
(BATON ROUGE, La.)  Hospital tests found a highly elevated blood alcohol level in the body of a Louisiana State University student whose death police are investigating as a possible result of fraternity hazing, a coroner said Friday.

Preliminary autopsy results Friday found no internal or external trauma, but did find marked cerebral and pulmonary edema, or swelling in the brain and lungs of 18-year-old Maxwell Raymond Gruver. Hospital blood and urine tests also detected the presence of marijuana, according to a statement from East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clarks office.

The freshman from Roswell, Georgia, who was being considered for membership in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, died Thursday after being treated at a Baton Rouge hospital for an unspecified medical emergency, university spokesman Ernie Ballard said.

Clarks office said final autopsy results are pending toxicology and histological testing that could take up to four weeks to complete.

The death of Maxwell Gruver was tragic and untimely, said LSU President F. King Alexander, who offered his deepest sympathies and prayers to the students family and friends.

As we have continually warned over and over again, hazing is dangerous, irresponsible and unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated at LSU. Period, Alexander said.

The Phi Delta Theta house has been suspended by the university and its national chapter, and all Greek activities have been suspended as well pending the outcome of the LSU police investigation, Alexander said.

Alexander said police are investigating allegations that alcohol was a factor in Gruvers death, and that he wasnt aware of any immediate arrests.

A statement on the national fraternitys website called the death of the prospective member heartbreaking. Disciplinary action will be decided once the investigation is complete, it said.

Were committed to investigating this situation thoroughly. The chapter and any individuals who are found to have violated our policies will be held accountable, Phi Delta Theta Executive Vice President and CEO Bob Biggs said.
Constanta (Romania) (AFP) - While the arrival of exhausted migrants may be common on Mediterranean shores, it's a rare sight on the Black Sea coastline.

But a string of recent arrivals from Turkey suggests it may be emerging as part of a new 'Romanian route' to western Europe.

Shortly before dawn on Wednesday, around 150 people, a third of them children, were rescued in the Black Sea -- the fifth migrant boat to be intercepted by Romanian authorities since mid-August.

The arrival of some 570 Iraqis, Syrians, Afghans, Iranians and Pakistanis in less than a month remains modest compared to the influx recorded in the Mediterranean.

In 2014, the last year of relative activity, close to 300 migrants crossed the Black Sea to reach Romania.

EU member Romania is not part of the bloc's passport-free Schengen zone and until now has largely avoided the kind of influx of refugees and migrants seen elsewhere on the continent over the past few years.

The latest developments are being carefully watched in the country.

"This seems to indicate that smugglers are trying to find a route through the Black Sea," Krzysztof Borowski, a spokesman for Frontex, the EU's border force agency, told AFP.

Smugglers are looking for more affluent migrants to pay the fare for the new route which avoids Greece, where arrivals risk deportation under an agreement between the EU and Ankara, explained Mircea Mocanu, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Romania.

The crossing between Turkey and Romania can cost between 1,000 and 3,000 euros, he added.

However, he is doubtful there will be in an influx of boats during the colder months: "It is ten times more difficult to cross the Black Sea than the Mediterranean Sea."

"It's the Black Sea, not because of its colour but because of the danger during storms," said Police Commissioner Gabriel Cerchez, who was part of Tuesday's rescue.

"Until the boat enters the port, it could capsize at any time."

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- 'Ready for anything' -

Other tests await migrants who dare to make the crossing in a bid to reach western Europe, where reinforced controls and fences make it difficult to cross borders.

In Timisoara, close to the border with Hungary, hundreds of migrants are waiting for an opportunity to cross over.

At the immigration centre, Tarek, a 19-year-old Syrian, told AFP he had been stopped while trying to reach the border in a car.

He has decided to stay in Romania to become a computer engineer, but he said many of his friends are "ready to do anything" to leave.

"People come and ask: 'do you want to stay or go? Because I know a way to get to Germany that's 100 percent safe'," he said, adding that middle-men get 100 euros for setting up a migrant with a smuggler.

Not far from the centre, around 15 men were gathered on wasteland in a makeshift camp, in hope of finding a smuggler.

Among them, Rafi, a 23-year-old Pakistani, and Zakir, a young Afghan, said they crossed from Hungary in to Romania by foot.

A direct crossing from Serbia to Hungary has become almost impossible because of the barbed wire fencing erected between the two countries, while the long Romanian-Hungarian border remains open.

According to Romania's border police, more than 1,200 people attempting to cross the western border have been arrested since the beginning of the year, compared to 900 in for all of 2016.

The IOM estimates that 80 percent of attempts fail.

For Tarek, is it a bitter conclusion: "A year and a half of my life has been wasted in the hope of joining the promised land."
A 27-year-old U.S. citizen who has spent more than four years in Egyptian custody on dramatic murder and terrorism charges is expected to receive a verdict Monday in his mass trial with almost 500 other people  a moment his advocates say could be make-or-break. The case underscores how complicated Washingtons relationship with the worlds largest Arab country remains as the U.S.-supported government engages in what rights groups call the worst wave of repression in modern Egyptian history.

Egyptian military officers arrested Ahmed Etwiy on Aug. 17, 2013, during a security operation targeting political protesters, according to his family and American attorney Praveen Madhiraju. Authorities held him at a military facility and then a massive prison complex for over three years before a trial began. Etwiy was not even involved in the protests, his defenders maintain. Then a 23-year-old student at the German University in Cairo, he was in the area to escort his grandfather to a bus depot.

But the events of that summer in 2013, when the army aligned with street movements to overthrow Egypts first democratically-elected president, and the policies of general-turned-president Abdel Fattah Al Sisi since have embroiled thousands of innocent people, leaving international watchdogs, activists, experts and officials with little hope of progress or accountability. Earlier this month, Italy returned its ambassador to Cairo following more than a year of controversy over the Sisi governments suspected role in the murder of an Italian student there, and Human Rights Watch released a major report arguing that Sisi has greenlit torture and impunity for state security services  prompting Egypt to block its website.

At least 20 Americans are presently behind bars in Egypt. Only two others have been named by their families and representatives: 52-year-old Mustafa Kassem, who like Etwiy was targeted in the summer of 2013, and Ahmed Hassan, who was arrested at the end of 2016 and turned 18 in jail this past May.

The Trump administration says it recognizes its responsibility to detained Americans abroad and has already tried to punish Egypt for its human rights problems by cutting some aid. In an email to HuffPost on Friday, a State Department official acknowledged Etwiys plight  something the administration has previously not done publicly.

We can confirm that U.S. citizen Ahmed Etwiy was arrested in Egypt in August 2013 on charges related to his actions during a protest. The trial of Mr. Etwiy is ongoing and a verdict is expected this month, the official wrote. The Department of State takes seriously its obligation to assist U.S. citizens abroad; we are providing appropriate consular services and will continue to monitor his case. Consular officers from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo have visited Mr. Etwiy regularly. Consular officers have also regularly attended trial hearings. We are providing all possible consular assistance.

Trump did personally intervene with Sisi  a world leader with whom he has developed a particularly strong rapport  over another detained American this past spring. That woman, Aya Hijazi, was released weeks later. But Etwiys family and lawyer have told HuffPost they have had no contact with the White House, and representatives for Kassem and Hassan have previously said the same.

We first reached out to the White House in March, and weve tried in several cases, both myself and the families. We havent heard anything directly, Madhiraju, the attorney involved in all three cases, said. The responsibility is really with President Trump: the law says the president must demand the release of Americans unjustly detained abroad.

Ahmed Etwiy of New York is shown in an undated photo provided by his mother. (Photo: Nagwa El Kordy)

Etwiy faces three possibilities in the coming days, he added: more delays in the trial, which he called political tricks; the unlikely prospect of the judge exercising independence and releasing the young American because of the way the Egyptian authorities have handled him; or being pronounced guilty of crimes like murder  and potentially facing the punishment.

One of his 494 co-defendants is Ibrahim Halawa, an Irishman who was arrested the same day and was then 17. Irish authorities have been more vocal than those of the U.S., which counts Egypt as a top security partner, and and Irish lawmakers claim Sisi personally assured them Halawa will be pardoned once the trial ends. Its normal to be cursed, stripped naked, beaten with a bar, or put in solitary confinement or the tank (a pitch-black 3.5m x 5.5m cell), Halawa has written. They might also torture another prisoner in front of you. Of course you never forget. Ever.

The State Department declined to address whether Trump has received any similar government promise regarding Etwiy.

Etwiys family just wants him back.

Ahmed has a dream of pursuing a career in economics. He had one year left to graduation before he was unjustly detained, his mother, Nagwa El Kordy, wrote in an email this week. Ahmed is so kind to me, as a mother I wish nothing from him more than he already does for me. He constantly drives me around town, never letting me run any errands alone. He always has the tendency to free his time to take me to my doctors appointments and wait for me until Im done. As a mother, I miss having my son being there for me, I miss his kindness, his courtesy, the decency and delicacy he shows, and overall I miss his gentleness.

A memento Nagwa El Kordy keeps to remember her imprisoned son. (Photo: Nagwa El Kordy)

Etwiy spent his early days in prison worrying about his parents reaction and the stress he would cause them by not completing his education, according to a witness to his arrest and the early part of his detention who requested anonymity because of fear of reprisal from the Egyptian government.

We started attempts to get his college to accommodate him...that was layers of disappointment over and above the general situation, the witness said. He recalled tactics he and others developed to survive in the military camp where he and Etwiy were first taken, like sleeping in shifts because the cells were too small for all the detainees to lie down at once. Once they were moved to the prison where Etwiy remains, Wadi Natrun, they faced new challenges, like insect-infested cells, the denial of medical treatment and random beatings.

As the Egyptian government decides whether to let the young American leave those conditions, many in Washington will be watching closely.

Last month, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote Trump a letter specifically highlighting Etwiys plight.

Etwiy and all of our citizens are looking to you for support and relief, the senator wrote. The United States remains committed to our partnership with Egypt, as reflected by Congress annually allocating $1.3 billion in U.S. assistance to Egypt. However, U.S. engagement should be coupled with an Egyptian commitment to human rights and democratic reform that will create accountable, democratic institutions and a dynamic civil society that can give all Egyptian citizens a stake in their nations future.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The former al Qaeda branch in Syria has pledged to keep fighting government forces and their Russian and Iranian allies, and denounced ceasefire talks in Kazakhstan. Russia, Iran and Turkey agreed on Friday to deploy observers on the edge of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's Idlib province, which is largely under the control of Islamist insurgents. While they hailed the agreement as a breakthrough after months of talks in the Kazakh capital Astana, they gave few details. The move falls under a broader deal in which they would set up four such zones across Syria. The de-escalation plan has eased fighting in parts of western Syria between rebel factions and government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. But the ex-Nusra Front said the Astana process amounted to the surrender of rebel-held pockets, and what had started with a ceasefire would "end with restoring Bashar's rule to the areas". The group cut ties with al-Qaeda last year, rebranded, and now spearheads the Tahrir al-Sham jihadist alliance, controlling parts of the northwestern Idlib province, on the border with Turkey. At least two million people live in Idlib, the largest populated area held by rebels - including some nationalist Free Syrian Army factions that have taken part in the Astana talks. Idlib's has population ballooned as thousands of civilians and fighters have left areas the Syrian army seized, with the help of Russian jets and Iran-backed militias. UPPER HAND Tahrir al-Sham criticized FSA rebels who have attended the Astana meetings, which began with Moscow-led diplomatic efforts separate from U.N.-based peace talks in Geneva. "We fear the day will come when those factions will line up alongside Russian warplanes and fight those who reject Assad and his regime," it said in its statement. Bouthaina Shaaban, a senior aide to Assad, said on Friday that attempts to divide Syria had failed, and repeated the government's vow to take back the entire country, including "Idlib and other areas". Assad has gained the military upper hand against an array of rebel groups, including some that have received backing from the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies. Damascus views any presence of Turkish forces as illegitimate, Syrian state news agency SANA cited a foreign ministry source as saying on Saturday. "The deal for Idlib is temporary. Its main goal is reviving the old Damascus-Hama-Aleppo road...and for all kinds of traffic to flow to Aleppo," the source said. The government took full control of Aleppo city, east of Idlib, last year in a major blow to rebels. Critics have described the de-escalation plan as de facto partitioning of Syria after years of multi-sided conflict. Moscow, Tehran, and Ankara deny this and say the zones will be temporary, although they could extend beyond the initial six-month term. (Reporting by Ellen Francis; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
A protester is treated for pepper spray after being sprayed by St. Louis police - REUTERS

Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of St Louis Missouri after a white former police officer was acquitted Friday in the 2011 death of a black man who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase.

Feelings have been running high in the city even before the verdict was announced.

There were some reports of scuffles during the protests on Friday night.

Ahead of the acquittal, activists had threatened civil disobedience if Jason Stockley were not convicted, including possible efforts to shut down highways. Barricades went up last month around police headquarters, the courthouse where the trial was held and other potential protest sites. Protesters were on the march within hours of the decision.

The judge who decided the matter declared that he would not be swayed by "partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism."

The case played out not far from the suburb of Ferguson, which was the scene of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, the unarmed black 18-year-old who was killed by a white police officer in 2014.

That officer was never charged and eventually resigned. Stockley, who was charged with first-degree murder, insisted he saw Anthony Lamar Smith holding a gun and felt he was in imminent danger. Prosecutors said the officer planted a gun in Smith's car after the shooting. The officer asked the case to be decided by a judge instead of a jury."

A woman marches downtown after the not guilty verdict was announced in the murder trial of Jason Stockley Credit: Whitney Curtis/Reuters

"This court, in conscience, cannot say that the State has proven every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt or that the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense," St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson wrote in the decision .

In a written statement, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner acknowledged the difficulty of winning police shooting cases but said prosecutors believe they "offered sufficient evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt" that Stockley intended to kill Smith.

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Assistant Circuit Attorney Robert Steele emphasized during the trial that police dashcam video of the chase captured Stockley saying he was "going to kill this (expletive), don't you know it.

Less than a minute later, the officer shot Smith five times. Stockley's lawyer dismissed the comment as "human emotions" uttered during a dangerous police pursuit. The judge wrote that the statement "can be ambiguous depending on the context."

Prosecutors objected to the officer's request for a bench trial. The Constitution guarantees the right of criminal suspects to have their cases heard "by an impartial jury." But defendants can also opt to have the verdict rendered by a judge.

Stockley, 36, could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole. He left the St. Louis police force in 2013 and moved to Houston.

Protesters yell at National Park Service rangers on the steps of the Old Courthouse following a verdict in the trial of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockle Credit: Jeff Roberson/AP

The case was among several in recent years in which a white officer killed a black suspect. Officers were acquitted in recent police shooting trials in Minnesota, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. A case in Ohio twice ended with hung juries, and prosecutors have decided not to seek a third trial.

Fears of unrest prompted several downtown businesses and some schools to close early.

Video from St. Louis television stations showed a crowd that swelled from a handful to several hundred in the hours after the verdict and marched through city streets. The group included black and white protesters and some people carrying guns, which is allowed under state law.

Efforts at civil disobedience were largely unsuccessful. When several demonstrators tried to rush onto Interstate 64, they were blocked on an entrance ramp by police cars and officers on bikes. When they tried to enter the city's convention center, the doors were locked.

At one point, a group of the protesters stood in front of a bus filled with officers in riot gear, blocking it from moving forward. When officers began pushing back the crowd, protesters resisted, and police responded with pepper spray, two women told The Associated Press.

People march downtown after the not guilty verdict was announced in the murder trial of Jason Stockley Credit: Whitney Curtis/Reuters

Both women's faces had been doused with milk, which is used to counter the effects of pepper spray.

By early evening, police were saying a protest at a downtown intersection was no longer peaceful and that they were asking demonstrators to leave the area. Protesters had surrounded a police vehicle in front of the old police building near Tucker Boulevard and Clark Avenue and damaged it with rocks. Police approached and tried to secure the vehicle and some in the crowd threw rocks and pieces of curbing at them. Officers then used pepper spray on the group.

In a tweet, the police department said protesters were ignoring commands and violating the law and were subject to arrest.

Thirteen arrests were made and four officers were injured. St. Louis interim police Chief Lawrence O'Toole said none of the officers injured was hospitalized. One had an injured hand, one was hit by a bike, one was pinned by a bike, and one was struck by a water bottle.

Police spokeswoman Schron Jackson said she didn't know if protesters were injured but she was not aware of any reports of demonstrators being hospitalized.

The Rev. Clinton Stancil, a protest leader, said the acquittal was shocking based on the evidence but not surprising."It's a sad day in St. Louis, and it's a sad day to be an American," Stancil said.

A protester writes, "Black Lives Matter," on the ground with a chalk as protesters gathe Credit: Jeff Roberson/AP

One man was arrested for damaging a police vehicle. There were also scattered reports of protesters attacking journalists, authorities said.

The St. Louis area has a history of unrest in similar cases, including after Brown's death, when protests, some of them violent, erupted.

In Smith's case, the encounter began when Stockley and his partner tried to corner Smith in a fast-food restaurant parking lot after seeing what appeared to be a drug deal. Stockley testified that he saw what he believed was a gun, and his partner yelled "gun!" as Smith backed into the police SUV twice to get away.

Stockley's attorney, Neil Bruntrager, argued that Smith, a 24-year-old parole violator with previous convictions for gun and drug crimes, tried to run over the two officers. Stockley fired seven shots as Smith sped away. A chase ensued.

At the end of the chase, Stockley opened fire only when Smith, still in his car, refused commands to put up his hands and reached along the seat "in the area where the gun was," Bruntrager said. Stockley said he climbed into Smith's car and found a revolver between the center console and passenger seat.

But prosecutors questioned why Stockley dug into a bag in the back seat of the police SUV before returning to Smith's car.

The gun found in Smith's car did not have his DNA on it, but it did have Stockley's.
Washington (AFP) - A St. Louis, Missouri judge has found a white former police officer not guilty of murdering a black man after a high-speed chase in 2011, in a closely watched case that comes amid continuing racial tensions in the US.

Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson said prosecutors had failed to prove "every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt" or to show persuasively that defendant Jason Stockley had not acted in self-defense when he shot and killed suspected drug dealer Anthony Lamar Smith.

The case has drawn intense attention in St. Louis, where racial tensions have been high since the 2014 killing of a black man in the suburb of Ferguson by a white police officer.

Demonstrators quickly gathered Friday near the courthouse to protest the verdict, though police said they so far had been peaceful. Some people locked arms, chanting "No justice, no peace."

"I pray for my city, man, because people are tired of this," Michael Brown told CNN. His son, also Michael Brown, was the man killed in the 2014 Ferguson shooting. The white officer in that case was cleared of wrongdoing.

Police later used tear gas on some demonstrators who damaged public and private property. Twenty-three arrests were made, and 10 officers were hurt, St. Louis police said.

- Gun unseen on tape -

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson issued a statement Friday saying, "I am appalled at what happened to Anthony Lamar Smith. I am sobered by this outcome." She urged the people of her midwestern city to come together, adding, "We rise and fall together."

Stockley, who was a St. Louis police officer in 2011, shot and killed Smith after a high-speed chase that followed a suspected drug deal.

Stockley has said he saw Smith reaching for a silver revolver in his car, but the police dashcam, a witness's cellphone video and surveillance film from a nearby restaurant do not show the gun, and prosecutors argued that Shockley had planted it.

Judge Wilson, in his 30-page ruling, said he was unconvinced by the suggestion that Stockley had planted the gun.

He added, "The Court observes, based on its nearly 30 years on the bench, that an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly."
By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner has asked a judge not to sentence him to prison after he admitted to sending sexually explicit messages to a teenage girl, igniting a "sexting" scandal that played a role in last years U.S. presidential election. In a filing in Manhattan federal court late on Wednesday, Weiner's lawyers said Weiner acted out of the "depths of an uncontrolled sickness." They argued Weiner should be sentenced to probation, including mental health treatment, and perform community service. Weiner, 53, submitted his own letter to the court in which he apologized and said he was continuing to seek treatment. "I dont know how I will be able to make amends to the young person who I dragged into my sordid mess," he said. Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, an aide to former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, has filed for divorce. She also submitted a letter to the court asking it to consider the impact of the sentence on the couple's son. Weiner pleaded guilty in May to transferring obscene material to a minor. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, though prosecutors said as part of a plea deal that they would consider a term between 21 and 27 months fair and appropriate. The investigation into Weiner's exchanges with the teenage girl roiled the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign in its final days, when authorities found emails on Weiner's laptop from Abedin. The discovery prompted James Comey, then director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to announce in late October that the agency was reviewing the messages to determine whether to reopen its investigation into Clintons use of a private email server as U.S. secretary of state. Clinton has said the announcement contributed to her upset loss to Republican Donald Trump, who had accused her of endangering national security by using the private server. Comey testified before Congress in May that the emails found on Weiner's computer included classified information. Trump fired Comey in May amid the FBIs probe into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia to defeat Clinton, a claim the president has denied. Weiner served parts of New York City for 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before resigning in 2011, when it emerged that he had exchanged sexually explicit messages with women. Two years later, he ran for New York City mayor, but dropped out of the race when more lewd messages became public. (Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
A British tourist died in Sri Lanka in a suspected crocodile attack on Friday.

Friends identified the man as Paul McClean, a 24-year-old journalist who worked as a reporter for the British newspaper Financial Times and was taking surfing lessons during the holiday on the island.

Divers recovered McClean's corpse from the mud of a lagoon in the coastal village of Panama, 225 miles east of the capital Colombo. "There were six or seven wounds on his right leg," a police official told AFP by telephone. "The body was stuck in mud at about the same place where he was seen last by some others who were with him."

The attack reportedly occurred at a surfing spot known as Elephant Rock, on the southeastern side of the island, where tourists can spot elephants, peacocks, birds, as well as crocodiles.

Witnesses report seeing the young man attacked by a crocodile as he was washing his hands in a river connected to Elephant Rock, about 870 yards into the jungle.

09_15_crocodile_SriLanka

Ishara S.Kodira/AFP/Getty Images

"Fishermen saw him attacked by the crocodile and then they screamed to the surfers to come and help," Fawas Lafeer, owner of the nearby Safa Surf School, told BBC Radio 5.

According to Lafeer, the river waters are deep and murky, and it was the first time such an attacked happened at Elephant Rock, which is usually considered safe for surfers.

Two species of crocodiles can be found in Sri Lanka, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and the marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). Both are dangerous to humans.

McClean graduated from Oxford University with a top degree in French. The Financial Times confirmed his death, with the newspapers news editor Peter Spiegel inviting people to remember the young reporter for his great journalism and humanity.

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At the time of his death, McClean was working on the fastFT desk. Katie Martin, head of the FastFT team, expressed her grief on Twitter. The desk to my left is empty. This is a sad time. My heart goes to the friends and family of the charming Paul McClean she wrote, adding Paul spent his last days in the office laughing at stupid stuff on the internet and trying to convince me he looked like Daniel Craig.

The British foreign office said in a press statement: We are assisting the family of a British man who has died in Sri Lanka."

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09:48

A day after North Korea fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan, President Donald Trump said he is confident that the United States' options towards North Korea are 'effective and overwhelming'.



"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," Trump said in his address to air force personnel and families on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force.



Trump said America and its allies will never be intimidated.



"We will defend our people, our nations, and our civilisation from all who dare to threaten our way of life. This includes the regime of North Korea, which has once again shown its utter contempt for its neighbours and for the entire world community," he said.



North Korea yesterday fired an intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean.



But the North American Aerospace Defense Command had said the ballistic missile did not pose a threat to North America.



Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis spoke over phone with his Japanese counterpart Defense Itsunori Onodera following the latest North Korean missile launch, the Pentagon said.



"The secretary reassured his Japanese counterpart of America's unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan and the broader security of the region," Director of Defense Press Operations Colonel Rob Manning said.



"Mattis and Onodera agreed that the North Korean provocation called for a strong demonstration of a unified front between the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and agreed on the importance of robust trilateral defense cooperation between the three nations," he said.



Mattis told reporters on his way to Mexico that as a result of the North Korean missile test, tens of millions of Japanese people were seen going into duck and cover, which was second time that they've had to do that since World War II.



"I believe it will further North Korea's isolation -- diplomatic and economic isolation -- because more and more nations are realising there's simply no collaboration with the international community. There's a dismissal of international concern, unified UN Security Council concerns," he said.



"I think they're deepening their isolation, economic and diplomatic. And right now, I don't have any more forensics on it. That takes us a little while, as we amass everything and analyse it," Mattis said.



Responding to a question, Mattis said he is not aware of any effort on the part of South Korea to shoot down the North Korean missile.



"The South Korean government said they fired a missile within minutes afterwards, from their coastline. It was a short-range missile, obviously, simply to make clear that they have the capability to defend themselves," he said. -- PTI


Maya Casillas, 7, joins migrant rights group during a vigil to protest against US President Donald Trump's new crackdown on 'sanctuary cities', outside the City Hall in Los Angeles: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

A federal judge has barred the Trump administration from withholding funds from so-called "sanctuary cities" that refuse to implement Washington's latest, stringent immigration policies.

Judge Harry Leinenweber ruled that the Justice Department cannot keep public safety grant money from sanctuary cities, such as Chicago, until the city's lawsuit against the Department is decided.

Chicago city officials filed suit against the Justice Department in August, claiming they were being "blackmailed" into implementing the Department's policies. They claim Attorney General Jeff Sessions overstepped his bounds by requiring cities to give federal immigration officials access to their jails, among other things.

At least other seven cities and counties have also refused to implement the new rules.

In a temporary victory for these cities, Mr Leinenweber halted the withholding of funds nationwide, saying there is "no reason to think that the legal issues present in this case are restricted to Chicago or that the statutory authority given to the Attorney General would differ in another jurisdiction".

The city of Chicago, a frequent target of criticism from Mr Trump, recently applied for $2.2m in public safety funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant programme. But in July, the Department of Justice announced that the grant money would only be given to cities that "comply with federal law, allow federal immigration access to detention facilities, and provide 48 hours notice before they release an illegal alien wanted by federal authorities."

This administration will not simply give away grant dollars to city governments that proudly violate the rule of law and protect criminal aliens at the expense of public safety," Mr Sessions said at the time.

The grant money is meagre compared to Chicago's operating budget, but winning it would be a symbolic victory for the city. Chicago officials, including Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, have long opposed the Trump administration's crack-down on undocumented immigrants.

"We want you to come to Chicago if you believe in the American dream," Mr Emanuel, a Democrat, told CNN's Poppy Harlow last month. "By forcing us, or the police department, to choose between the values of the city and the philosophy of the police department, in community policing, I think it's a false choice and it undermines our actual safety agenda."
For the second time in a year, this New Jersey fire department held a heros salute for their beloved K-9 dog as he was being put down.

Read: Elderly K-9 Officer Receives Hero's Salute Before Being Put Down: 'He Was Family'

Timmy, the 11-year-old German shepherd that worked as a search and rescue dog for the Pattenburg Volunteer Fire Company, was put down Sunday after he was given a painful diagnosis of throat cancer.

Were kind of devastated, Fire Chief Dan Van Fossen told InsideEdition.com. He gave up his life to volunteer and protect humanity. I just wish there was a way we could have fixed him.

Local fire departments, police departments and other rescue personnel gave Timmy a heros send-off by blocking the streets leading to the animal hospital and escorting Timmy before he would be put down.

Before Timmy entered the clinic, the volunteer fire house put out a last call, where they announced the loyal K-9s fate over their radios.

He fell asleep in my lap. I wanted to be with him the whole time, Van Fossen said. He was almost like his normal self. Thats why we felt so bad when we put him down. He walked there."

He explained Timmy had not shown signs of being sick until recently.

Van Fossen explained that after the aggressive mass was found growing at the back of his throat, veterinarians said they could try surgeries or medications, but they would only extend Timmys life by a few months.

It was a surprise, Van Fossen said. He didnt show anything until about a month ago.

To calm the pain, Timmy was prescribed pain patches, but Van Fossen said it was a temporary fix and he didnt want his beloved dog to suffer any longer.

Shepherds are good at masking the pain but it was hurting [him] to eat, he said. He hadnt eaten in a week.

Despite the sickness, Van Fossen said Timmy was the same loveable dog he had always been up until his final days.

Story continues

Read: Heartbreaking Photo Shows Officer Saying Goodbye to Beloved K-9 Partner

Timmy was known in the area for visiting schools, helping people on the brink of suicide, finding missing persons and even tracking down a pet tortoise who wandered from his enclosure two years ago.

He was my best friend, Van Fossen said. You think hes going to be there when you open the door, and hes not. He was always part of the picture.

The volunteer fire house is now hosting a fundraiser for Timmy's medical bills. To donate to their cause, visit their GoFundMe.

Watch: Fallen K-9 Gets an Officer's Salute Fit for a Hero: 'He Served Valiantly and Courageously'

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The highly in-demand hot cops calendar from Floridas Gainesville Police Department will move forward as planned  despite the fact that one of the officers is currently under investigation for allegedly sharing anti-Semitic Facebook posts.

It is still in the works and the proceeds are going to used for Gainesville-area victims of Hurricane Irma, Gainesville Police Department spokesman, Ben Tobias, confirmed to PEOPLE Thursday.

The department is also reviewing allegations against Officer Michael Hamill, 28, after anti-Semitic posts were allegedly discovered on his Facebook page.

Several citizens have brought information to our attention regarding a complaint against Officer Hamill, Tobias said in a statement provided to PEOPLE.

GPD is reviewing the allegation and will do so in accordance to Florida law and department policy, the statement continued. Under Florida Law, complaint information is confidential until an investigation is concluded.

The Gainesville Police Department prides itself with our philosophy and mission of compassion, inclusion, and respect and will fully review the matter.

Attempts by PEOPLE to reach Hamill were unsuccessful.

On Sunday, the Florida-area department posted a now-viral photo of Officers Nordman, Hamill and Rengering, who were on duty during Hurricane Irma, writing, part of the night crew getting ready to do some work. #Irma.

Two days later, the department had to update their post after receiving more than 110,000 comments, over 280,000 likes and more than 170,000 shares  all asking about the relationship status of the three officers, or demanding they release a calendar.

Yall should do a calendar, where youre half dressed, for charity, one commenter wrote, with another adding, Im Charity and I approve this message.

On Tuesday, the department revealed that a calendar was already in the works  and that the proceeds would raise funds for hurricane relief.

Two days later, Officer Hamill came under fire for posts that he allegedly shared on Facebook before he was employed by the Gainesville Police Department.

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A 2011 post which appeared to have been written by Hamill read, So i find it funny that people will talk about how our government needs to do something about our economy and in reality its YOU who needs to stop taking advantage of our system and get a life and so something with your life.

Gotta love reality when it hits you in the face, a post which appeared to be on his Facebook said. Stupid people annoy me. put them in an oven and deal with them the hitler way. haha

Another post from 2013, which was shared by Facebook users and attributed to the officer, said Reading jewish jokes before i go to bed would not only make me feel better about myself but also help me to sleep better as well.

Here is one for everybody, he continued. Whats the difference between boy scouts and Jews? anybody know? well it is because Boy scouts come back from their camps.

Hamill told TIME on Wednesday, before news broke about the alleged Facebook posts, that he was shocked by the newfound attention.

Ive never had this much attention before, he said. Its an ego boost  very flattering and funny.

Hamill, who got married last March, said his new wife initially did not enjoy his turn in the spotlight. My wife, she obviously wasnt happy at first, but shes taking it like a champ, he said.
Anthony Weiner was hit by a series of sexting scandals: Getty Images

The teenage girl sent sexual images by New York politician Anthony Weiner targeted the former congressman to influence the 2016 Presidential election, it has been claimed.

Mr Weiners lawyers have told a court that the child, 15 at the time, was trying to generate material for a book the Government has disclosed she is now shopping to publishers.

She also wanted to somehow influence the US presidential election, in addition to securing personal profit, they added in a filing ahead of the 53-year-olds sentencing in the sexting case, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The case became mixed up in the investigation into the emails of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton when Mr Weiners laptop was seized.

Investigators found emails belonging to Huma Abedin, his now-estranged wife and a top Clinton aide, on the device, and it prompted the opening of a new inquiry by then-FBI director James Comey.

Ms Clinton partly credits Mr Comey with having cost her the election.

Mr Weiner is hoping to avoid jail time, it is reported.

His lawyers say he is ill and had previously demonstrated an addicts self-serving delusion that the communications were all just internet fantasy.

According to the New York Times, Mr Weiner wrote separately to the judge and said: Every day I quietly do what I can to keep getting better, and to fix the damage Ive done.
A Harvard graduate school dean on Friday withdrew a designation extended to Chelsea Manning, saying the offer was a mistake, after a backlash from several people, including the head of the CIA.

Manning, an Army soldier who was convicted of espionage after leaking classified government documents, was released from prison in May after then-President Barack Obama commuted her sentence in January. Manning was set to serve as a visiting fellow at Harvards John F. Kennedy School of Government this fall before the school revoked the perceived honor.

The reversal came less than a day after CIA Director Mike Pompeo canceled a scheduled appearance at Harvard over what he called the schools shameful invitation to Manning.

Heres what to know about Chelsea Manning and Harvard:

What led Harvard to rescind its offer to Chelsea Manning?

The Harvard Kennedy School on Wednesday announced that Manning would be one of about 10 visiting fellows this fall. The title, which the school said it gives to people who have significantly influenced events in the world, meant Manning could meet students and field questions from them during a forum on campus. While some visiting fellows are asked to stay for longer than a semester, Manning was expected to only spend one day at the Kennedy School, according to the institution.

The Kennedy School says it did not intend to honor her in any way or to endorse any of her words or deeds with its designation. Still, Mannings selection offended some people, including Pompeo, a Harvard alumnus.

Harvards actions implicitly tell its students that you too can be a fellow at Harvard and a felon under United States law, Pompeo wrote in a letter to Harvard on Thursday, according to the Washington Post. I believe it is shameful for Harvard to place its stamp of approval upon her treasonous actions.

That same day, former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell also resigned as a senior fellow at the Kennedy School in protest of Mannings designation.

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What was Harvards reason for doing so?

In a nearly 700-word statement, Harvard Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf said it was an error on his part to have ever considered Manning to be a visiting fellow. I now think that designating Chelsea Manning as a Visiting Fellow was a mistake, for which I accept responsibility, he said. I see more clearly now that many people view a Visiting Fellow title as an honorific, so we should weigh that consideration when offering invitations.

Elmendorf said he misjudged how much those at the Kennedy School could learn from her visit. In particular, I think we should weigh, for each potential visitor, what members of the Kennedy School community could learn from that persons visit against the extent to which that persons conduct fulfills the values of public service to which we aspire, he said. In retrospect, though, I think my assessment of that balance for Chelsea Manning was wrong.

Elmendorf said Manning is still allowed to spend a day at the school and speak in a planned forum, but she is no longer considered a visiting fellow. I apologize to her and to the many concerned people from whom I have heard today for not recognizing upfront the full implications of our original invitation, he said.

How has Chelsea Manning responded?

In a tweet early Friday, Manning, who is transgender, said she was honored to be the first disinvited trans woman visiting Harvard fellow. Manning said Harvard bowed to pressure from the CIA. The CIA determines what is and is not taught at Harvard, she said in a separate tweet. She also slammed the school for implying other new visiting fellows, like President Donald Trumps former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, were more valuable than her since their designations were unaffected. Its unclear if she will still attend the schools forum.

honored to be 1st disinvited trans woman visiting @harvard fellow ???? they chill marginalized voices under @cia pressure ???????????? #WeGotThis https://t.co/7ViF3GaSec  Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) September 15, 2017

so @harvard says @seanspicer & @Clewandowski_ bring something to the table and add something to the conversation and not me ???????????? #WeGotThis  Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) September 15, 2017

What information did Chelsea Manning leak?

Manning was an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army when she sent more than 700,000 confidential military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks while serving in Iraq in 2010, according to the Associated Press. The documents shed light on aspects of Americas involvement with Iraq, particularly in regards to the countrys elections, she explained in a New York Times op-ed in 2014. Manning was convicted and received a 35-year prison sentence in 2013 for Espionage Act violations and other offenses related to the massive leak, according to the AP.

Why did President Obama commute Chelsea Mannings sentence?

During his last news conference on Jan. 18, after announcing the commutation, President Barack Obama said he believed Manning had served enough time in prison and that he felt her prison sentence was disproportionate to the sentences other whistleblowers have received.

I feel very comfortable that justice has still been served, he said. It has been my view that given she went to trial, that due process was carried out, that she took responsibility for her crime, that the sentence that she received was very disproportionate relative to what other leakers had received, and that she had served a significant amount of time, that it made sense to commute and not pardon her sentence.

Manning served seven years behind bars before being released in May thanks to Obamas commutation. More than 100,000 people had called for the presidential commutation in a White House online petition.

Lets be clear Chelsea Manning has served a tough prison sentence, Obama said.
Hillary Clinton has said former FBI Director James Comey should be questioned in the federal investigation into links between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, explaining that she believes he would make a credible witness.

"On Russia, I think that he is credible and that he has firsthand information because of those conversations with the president," Clinton told MSNBC Thursday.

"I certainly think he is a reliable witness and apparently has contemporaneous notes that really memorialize what was said and how he responded," she added.

Related: Trump White House accused of smear campaign against James Comey

Her remarks in the TV interview came despite Comeys decision to reopen the FBI investigation into her private email server just days before voters went to the polls last November.

Clinton is promoting her new memoir, What Happened, an account of her failed bid for the presidency. She has said in the past, and repeats in the book, that she blames Comeys investigation, in part, for her defeat.

GettyImages-846077726

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

"I put in the book the very clear critique of how he behaved with respect to me in the election. Keep that apart from the Russia investigation," she told MSNBC.

The Trump White House has been calling for Comey to be put on the record but for entirely different reasons. Speaking Wednesday in the White Houses daily media briefing, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Comey had violated the Privacy Act, a law regulating how personal information can be used and publicized by federal government agencies.

The attacks from the White House against Comey began Monday when Sanders was asked to comment on statements by former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who called Comey's firing in May "the biggest mistake in modern political history."

Story continues

Sanders said the Department of Justice should look into prosecuting Comey.

In response, Comey's backers have come out in his defense. Comey confidant Ben Wittes told The Hill the charges against his friend were a "disgusting abuse" by the White House and its press secretary.

"It is, substantially, completely frivolous, and it would warrant nothing more than amusement were she not doing it from the White House podium," said Wittes, a legal journalist and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Trump's shocking decision to fire Comey precipitated the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel, charged with heading the federal investigation into allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia and Russia's interference in the election.

The accusations have hung over the first year of the Trump presidency. In his testimony to Congress, Comey said Trump asked him to drop the investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who had misled White House officials about contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition period after the election.

Trump has denied asking Comey for his loyalty or requesting that he drop the investigation.

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The internet has always been filled with hoaxes, fakes, liars, and cheats, long before the term "fake news" became a household phrase. But no matter how many times a fake image of a shark swimming on a flooded highway shows up, the internet continues to fall for it.

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma had major impacts on the U.S. in the last few weeks, which means social media was ripe with incredible stories, videos, and pictures of the storms and their aftermaths. Among the real stories, there were of course fakes. On Aug. 27, Twitter user Jason Michael shared an infamous photo of a shark swimming on a flooded highway.

"Believe it or not, this is a shark on the freeway in Houston, Texas," he wrote.

SEE ALSO: 'Pilot' says he Photoshops his selfies, and yet somehow people still think they're real

Believe it or not, this is a shark on the freeway in Houston, Texas. #HurricaneHarvy pic.twitter.com/ANkEiEQ3Y6  Jason Michael (@Jeggit) August 28, 2017

Turns out the Dublin-based journalist was apparently just trying to make a point. The tweet received over 88,000 retweets, and Michael later responded that he was concerned how easy it was to fool so many people with fake news.

When America is this easy to troll with #FakeNews we should all be worried. https://t.co/3Iqp9UGql9  Jason Michael (@Jeggit) August 28, 2017

As Hurricane Irene was battering Florida on Sunday, the same image was shared by Twitter user @mopage19. He claimed the photo was taken on I-75 outside of Naples.

A shark photographed on I-75 just outside of Naples, FL



This is insane. #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/cRBDsRJQsF  Maury Page (@mopage19) September 10, 2017

"This is insane," he wrote.

Story continues

Later, someone asked if he knew where the photo actually originated. Mopage19 made it clear that he was just trolling.

Photo shop  Maury Page (@mopage19) September 10, 2017

The shark in this photograph is indeed real, but the shark swimming through a flooded highway is fake. The shark was initially captured by renowned National Geographic photographer Thomas P. Peschak off the coast of South Africa over 10 years ago.

On his website, Peschak explains that he was working with the White Shark Trust for more than 10 months to capture images of white sharks in South Africa that would help depict the current scientific research.

The image of the shark stalking a small kayak went viral when Peschak first published it on his website. He claims the photo attracted "more than 100,000 visitors" in 24 hours. Given the stunning nature of the image, the photographer says that it garnered its fair share of skeptics claiming the image was altered in some manner. The original image even has its own debunking on Snopes.

Peschak maintains the image was not altered in any way, in fact, he told AOL Travel in 2014 that the photo was captured "on slide film Fuji Provia 100 using a Nikon F5 Camera and 17-35 mm lens." On his site, he writes, "all magazines and prints were taken from a high-resolution scan of the slide with no post-production work." This means the original photo never even touched Photoshop, until someone decided to take that shark and put it on a flooded highway.

It appears as if the first hoax surrounding the image occurred in April 2006, when the French magazine Le Magazine des Voyages de Peche published a joke article about a fisherman in Australia that accidentally caught a shark in one of its nets. After freeing the shark, affectionately named Cindy, it followed the fisherman around years, scaring away his catch in the process. Two years later, someone turned the April Fools' Day joke into a YouTube slideshow, racking up over 1.6 million views.

Here's a another clip with over a half million views that was uploaded in 2013, pushing a similar narrative. We were unable to track down the original YouTube upload.





The shark gets moving

The first known record of the viral image of the shark on a flooded highway that we know today occurred in 2011 when Hurricane Irene hit Puerto Rico, causing flooding across the island. The image of the shark on the highway was picked up by WSVN 7 News out of Miami and credited to a man named Ramon Garganta.

The image was quickly debunked, and the sharks origin was even linked to Peschak's shark, but it didn't matter. The damage was done, people fell for the shark swimming on a highway, and have been falling for it ever since.

The shark showed up again in 2012, this time it was swimming next to another shark at the bottom of an escalator at the Scientific Center or a mall in Kuwait. The hoaxers claimed that a shark tank collapsed, but it didn't. The photo of the escalators in actually from Union subway station in Toronto, which flooded in June of 2012. Essentially, it was originally a meme that was repurposed by someone into a hoax.

Shark tank collapse in a shopping mall in Kuwait . Great photo !! pic.twitter.com/kY5rxwit  Niall Boylan Show (@niallboylan4fm) July 7, 2012

The photo of the shark on the highway surfaced again when Hurricane Sandy wreacked havoc on the northeast. Mashable debunked it back then, along with a slew of other fake photographs.

While this hoax and others like it will not be going away anytime soon, there is some hope following the photo's most recent appearances. The media widely debunked the story of the shark on the highway quickly after it went viral on social media, and it was pointed out by many that it was fake.

In the age of fake news, always be a little skeptical of things you see, even if there is photographical evidence. And when in doubt, use Google image search.

Peschak did not respond to Mashable's request for an interview. He admits on his site that he had no idea when he started documenting sharks that this image would be his "most well-known image to date."

"I always look forward to receiving e-mails from friends and family who have spotted the same white shark in a different context," Peschak writes. "While I will probably never become a legend in my own right, at least my white shark is well on her way."
There was outrage among the deaf community when it emerged that a sign language interpreter, who warned about bears and monsters ahead of Hurricane Irma, was an amateur with no expertise for the role.

Officials in Floridas Manatee County had called the public conference to give information about the threat level and possible evacuations ahead of violent winds that ripped through the state.

But rather than hire a paid expert or use captions, they brought in county lifeguard Marshall Greene  because they knew he had a deaf brother.

During the press briefing, Mr Greene signed phrases including: Help you at that time to use bear big, and words such as pizza and monster instead of vital storm information.

The deaf community in Florida, which is estimated to number some 200,000, hit back on social media and accused him of putting lives in danger.

Former president of the National Association of the Deaf, Chris Wagner, said he knew something was wrong when Mr Greene started doing sign language.

Everybody was talking about it on social media, he told the WFLA news channel. Everyone was shocked, asking leaders in the deaf community to do something about it.

He added that Mr Greene was making obvious mistakes when interpreting, such as wearing a bright yellow top rather than black which would have made his hands more visible.

It was obvious to me he wasnt a professional interpreter. I was totally shocked, Mr Wagner said.

The founder of sign language interpretation service agency VisCom, which is often hired by Manatee County, could not explain why officials failed to hire one of her workers.

It was horribly unnerving for me, said Charlene McCarthy. To watch that, knowing I could provide a qualified, certified interpreter.

Social media users also hit out during the conference. Maggie Gregory wrote: What a disservice to the deaf community at such a critical time. Another wrote that lives were put in danger.

Mr Greenes family has defended him, saying he was only helping out at the press conference after organisers approached him. They added he was not familiar with the language used by the officials.

His father, who was not named, told WFLA: He cant expect to communicate something he doesnt know.
By Maher Chmaytelli and Ellen Francis BAGHDAD/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iraqi armed forces on Saturday dislodged Islamic State from a natural gas-rich border area with Syria, according to the military. Iranian-backed forces fighting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army simultaneously announced the start of an offensive to reach the same border area from the opposite side. An Iraqi military statement said Akashat, a desert region located south of the Euphrates river, was captured in an offensive which had been announced earlier in the day. The attack on Akashat is meant to pave the way for the recapture of urban centers in the Euphrates valley, including the border post of al-Qaim, it said. Iranian-backed Shi'ite paramilitary forces known as Popular Mobilization and Sunni tribal fighters known as Tribal Mobilization took part in the offensive, it added. The Iraqi air force dropped thousands of leaflets overnight on Akashat as well as on al-Qaim and the towns of Ana and Rawa, alongside the Euphrates, telling the militants to surrender or face death, the statement said. DIFFERENT CAMPAIGNS Two different campaigns are also advancing on Islamic State positions on the Syrian side of the border there - Syrian government forces supported by Russian air strikes and Iran-backed militias, and a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). An alliance of Shi'ite militias fighting with the Syrian army said it launched an assault to reach al-Bukamal, the Syrian border town on the Euphrates, facing al-Qaim. Securing al-Bukamal is important for Iran's allies as the two other main crossings into Syria, to the north and to the south, are under the control of forces allied with the U.S. Securing a land corridor across Iraq could make it easier for Iran to ferry heavy weapons to Syria should Baghdad approve such transfers. The Shi'ite-led Iraqi government in Baghdad has good relations with both Tehran and Washington. The Russian- and U.S.-backed campaigns against Islamic State in Syria have mostly stayed out of each other's way as the sides seek to avoid conflict, with the Euphrates often acting as a dividing line between them. But a senior Assad aide this week said the Syrian government was ready to fight the U.S.-backed SDF to recapture the entire country. The cross-border "caliphate" declared by Islamic State in 2014 in effect collapsed in July, when a U.S.-backed Iraqi offensive captured Mosul, the militants' capital in Iraq. The towns in the border region with Syria and Hawija, a northern province close to the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, are the only urban centers still under Islamic State control in Iraq. The group overran about a third of Iraq in 2014 in a sweeping offensive that allowed the militants to grab hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weaponry and vehicles left by the fleeing Iraqi forces. (Writing by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
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On Thursday, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary by stepping out in London for dinner.

Teigen was wearing a long sleeve black velvet mini dress while Legend was wearing a classic black suit.

Legend, 38, shared an incredibly sweet Instagram of the night featuring Teigen, 31, kissing his nose.

Anniversa-date. Married 4 years today. Met 11 years ago yesterday. I love this woman deeply, he captioned the photo.

Anniversa-date. Married 4 years today. Met 11 years ago yesterday. I love this woman deeply. A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:45pm PDT

Teigen also shared an adorable Instagram of herself leaning against her husband in front of a doorway.

Do you know what to-day is #itsouranniversary ??, she captioned the picture.

Do you know what to-day is #itsouranniversary ?? A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Sep 14, 2017 at 7:45am PDT

The happy couple got married in Sept. 2013 in Lake Como, Italy.



The model bride wore a strapless ivory Vera Wang gown with an open back, lifted tulle skirt and hand-cut petal embroidered details, which she described to PEOPLE as kind of [having] a sexier feel at the top, like a swimsuit, so I have to get my body ready. I have to buckle down.

Teigen changed into another strapless ivory Vera Wang dress for the reception  the design featured a micro-pleated bodice and sheared organza full skirt.

And at the after-party she had a third Vera Wang design of the night  a crimson strapless mermaid gown with a hand-draped bodice, inverted flange skirt and embroidered crystal wheat detail.

The nuptials followed a seven-year courtship for the couple, who became engaged in 2011 while vacationing together in the Maldives.


Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona is co-sponsoring a new bill in support of transgender people serving in the military after President Donald Trump announced his transgender ban in July.

The bipartisan bill, which is also sponsored by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) seeks to prevent the Department of Defense (DOD) from removing current service members solely on the basis of their gender identity.

When less than one percent of Americans are volunteering to join the military, we should welcome all those who are willing and able to serve our country, McCain said in a statement. Any member of the military who meets the medical and readiness standards should be allowed to serve  including those who are transgender.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will review the results of the DOD study on accession and will continue to work closely with our military leaders on any policy changes as we conduct oversight on this important issue, McCain, who remains chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee despite battling brain cancer, added.

The proposed legislation does not outright guarantee the enlistment of transgender individuals who wish to serve in the military going forward, but it does require Defense Secretary James Mattis to conduct a study on the future of recruitment, as McCain put it in a tweet, as well as express a sense of Congress that individuals who are qualified and can meet the standards to serve in the military should be eligible to serve, according to a press release.

Introd bipartisan bill to protect transgender troops currently in military & require DOD study on future recruitment https://t.co/Cn9Ayi4nJc  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) September 15, 2017

Trumps ban was met with swift condemnation from many in Congress, along with military leaders. In August, 56 officers from the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard signed a letter speaking out against the order.
Kansas head coach David Beaty watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas hasnt won a road game since 2009.

Its one of those stats that sounds more unbelievable than it should. After all, the Jayhawks have taken trips to Northern Illinois, Rice and Rutgers to name a few. Certainly a Big 12 team should be able to pull out a victory in one of those games.

And, sure, its easy to rag on a school that repeatedly shoots itself in the foot time and time again (See: Turner Gill, Charlie Weis, Lew Perkins), so you try to take it all with a grain of salt. You see small improvements and you think, Oh wow, maybe this team is getting somewhere.

Then, you see something like this:

Let me tell you what this is. Its another brick in the wall. Its not even a top-five lowlight in Kansas decade-long odyssey from the 2008 Orange Bowl to wherever it is now.

Just dont let the lack of blocking distract you from that box score in the bottom right. The one showing the Jayhawks -1 rushing yards in the second quarter to a MAC school that had tallied 101 rushing yards at that point in the same game.

KU does have talented players on its roster and this is a program that can be fixed. Its just that every time you want to put even the faintest bit of hope in the Jayhawks turning things around, they give you more than enough reasons to show you how wrong you were.

Story continues

Saturdays game in Athens is just the latest example as the Jayhawks went on to drop the game, 42-30.

More college football coverage from Yahoo Sports:

 Oklahoma State quiets doubts on its high-powered offense

 UCLA tries crazy pre-snap lineup against Memphis

 Memphis establishes early presence with win over UCLA

 Texas A&M receivers rude gesture toward fans

 ESPN accidentally airs old Notre Dame photo with naked man



     

Blake Schuster is a writer for Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
At least 30 people have been injured after an explosion on a London Underground train that police are treating as a terrorist incident.

Counterterrorism police are investigating the explosion, which was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), that took place during rush hour. Images of a white bucket on fire next to a door are being shared widely on social media, but it has not been confirmed as the device.

The police were called to the scene at Parsons Green station in southwest London on Friday morning. Londons transport authority has extended a suspension of the line that ran through the station. Heres what we know so far:

What happened?

The explosion occurred in one of the trains rear carriages, a reporter for the London daily Metro said. Some were really badly burned and their hair was coming off, the reporter, who was at the scene when it happened, said according to the Metro.

A passenger on the District line train, which was heading towards central London, said that the packed train suddenly emptied following the apparent blast. He told the news agency PA that those injured appeared to have been hurt in the panicked stampede.

Suddenly there was panic, lots of people shouting, screaming, lots of screaming,  he said, according to PA. There was a woman on the platform who said she had seen a bag, a flash and a bang, so obviously something had gone off.

Jessica McKay was on the train behind the train where the incident took place. She told TIME that she first became aware of the incident when a man on her train received a phone call from a friend on the train ahead.

His friend said there was an explosion on the first carriage and a fire, people were hurt and everyone was panicking, McKay said. Then our train driver announced there was a major incident. Our train was held on Putney Bridge for about half an hour before reversing back to East Putney.

How many people are injured?

The Metropolitan Police said in an updated news release Saturday morning that 30 people have been injured.

Story continues

Is it a bomb?

London Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley confirmed that the device was an IED. He also said that the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Counter-Terrorism Unit and MI5 were assisting with the investigation by checking CCTV, forensic evidence and witness accounts.

Statement from AC Mark Rowley following incident at #ParsonsGreen tube station https://t.co/32iXTs1X2w  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 15, 2017

The Met Police says an area 160ft in radius has been evacuated in order to secure the remnants of the improvised device and ensure it is stable.

Images and videos of a bucket in a supermarket bag have widely circulated on the Internet, leading some to suggest that it was the IED.

A passenger on the train, Chris Wildish, said that he saw a device in the last carriage. It was a white bucket, a builders bucket, in a white Aldi bag or Lidl bag, he told the BBC. Flames were still coming out of it when I saw it and had a lot of wires hanging out of it  I can only assume it was done on purpose. It was standing against the door of the rearmost carriage.  he said.

Who carried it out?

British police said an 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack, but have not charged him or released his name.

Detectives investigating the terrorist attack at Parsons Green have made an arrest https://t.co/dr2s5fajVv pic.twitter.com/eowH6zaX79  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 16, 2017

Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Basu called it a significant arrest, according to the Associated Press.

Prior to the arrest, London Mayor Sadiq Khan told radio station Leading Britains Conversation (LBC) that a manhunt was underway. He was not allowed to say whether that meant a specific person was being sought.

A manhunt is underway to find the person behind the #ParsonsGreen terror attack, Mayor Sadiq Khan reveals to @mrjamesob pic.twitter.com/bySDhx0VmK  LBC (@LBC) September 15, 2017

There are many urgent inquiries ongoing with hundreds of detectives involved, looking at CCTV, carrying out forensic work and speaking to witnesses Met Police Assistant Commissioner Rowley, who heads national counter-terrorism policing, said in a statement.

What are the authorities saying?

The London Metropolitan Police declared it a terrorist incident after being called to the scene on Friday morning.

At present we are aware of a number of people who have suffered injuries police said in a statement. It is too early to confirm the cause of the fire, which will be subject to the investigation that is now underway by the Mets Counter Terrorism Command.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is to chair a high level cabinet meeting this afternoon to discuss the incident. She sent thoughts to the injured commuters and emergency services who are responding bravely to this terrorist incident.

PM: My thoughts are with those injured at Parsons Green and emergency services who are responding bravely to this terrorist incident.  UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) September 15, 2017

London Mayor Khan said he was in contact with the Met Police and emergency services about terrorist incident.

He urged Londoners to remain vigilant and calm and will be taking part in the emergency Cobra meeting with the Prime Minister. Our city utterly condemns the hideous individuals who attempt to use terror to harm and destroy our way of life he says. As London has proven again and again, we will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism he said in a statement.

The @metpoliceuk have confirmed that the explosion on a train at Parsons Green Station is being treated as terrorism https://t.co/4jRHedcBXt pic.twitter.com/Vbt5uCFpih  Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 15, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump denounced loser terrorists and suggested that the perpetrators were in the sights of the Met Police.

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

The London Ambulance Service said that multiple resources were on the scene along with six fire engines, 50 fire crew and specialist officers.
Five important votes are scheduled over the next five weeks around the world. Heres what you should be keeping tabs on.

Germany

Little drama accompanies Germanys September 24 elections  Angela Merkel and her CDU party will win a fourth consecutive term, making her the second longest-serving chancellor in modern German history when her term wraps up. Even Merkels prime challenger, Martin Schulz of the center-left SPD, has effectively admitted defeat, spending his last days on the campaign trail detailing the conditions hell set for joining Merkels ruling coalition rather than convincing people he should be the one leading it.

But just because big changes arent coming to Germany doesnt mean the same for Europe. This will be Merkels final term, and she can now turn to her legacy. Nothing is more important to that legacy than bolstering the European Union. Look for her to support extraordinary steps to keep the European project afloat and the Eurozone on track, particularly by working more in harmony with France.

France

Speaking of France, its notoriously rigid labor laws give workers strong protections and expensive benefits, but at the cost of a high unemployment rate (currently hovering above 9%) since those same laws deprive employers of incentives to hire new people. French presidents have tangled with these laws for 30 years, but havent made much progress, usually because unions mobilize and bring government to a halt. President Emmanuel Macron looks poised to break through. He aims to make it easier for companies to hire and fire workers and to let them negotiate certain workplace issues directly with their workers rather than with national unions. While Macrons personal popularity plunged 14 percentage points over the last month or so, his party has a solid majority in parliament (holding 350 of the 577 seats), allowing him to bypass the messiness of parliamentary debates and enact the reforms by presidential decree. That parliamentary vote is set for September 22.

Story continues

Macron needs to get Frances economy humming again  and fast. It used to be that the three pillars of the E.U. were Germany, the U.K. and France. Germany continues to prop up the project (Berlin undertook its own difficult labor reforms nearly two decades ago, while France punted), but the U.K. is heading for the exit while France is left trying to get its fiscal house in order. Macron has good reason to want to reform Europes currency union, and he has toured Europe saying as much. But he needs Germanys buy-in; thats a lot more difficult to get if Berlin thinks itll be the only one shouldering the costs.

Kenya

Kenya just ran elections on August 8, returning a victory for incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta over four-time candidate Raila Odinga by a 54-44 margin. The fear in the run-up to elections was ethnic violence. As many as 1,400 people were killed and 600,000 displaced after the disputed election of 2007. Thankfully, a deal struck between opposing ethnic groups in 2013 held in place; international observers endorsed the election returns shortly thereafter. But Odinga maintained that the electronic voting tallies were hacked in favor of Kenyatta, and in a surprise twist, Kenyas Supreme Court agreed, nullifying the election results and ordering new elections be held on October 17. Thats a first for Africa; were currently awaiting a report that details the Courts rationale.

The rerun comes with real costs: at least $100 million by credible estimates. Thats part of the price that comes with maturing state institutions. True, simply holding a successful re-run election (with minimal violence) wont suddenly transform the country into a developed and stable democracy. But its an important step.

Catalonia Referendum

Separatists in Catalonia are holding an independence referendum on October 1; the Spanish government in Madrid says the vote is illegal, and the countrys constitutional court has officially suspended the vote. Its going ahead anyway.

Catalonia, home to Barcelona, is responsible for 20% of Spains GDP; theres good reason why Madrid doesnt want the region to break away. While the referendum wont be internationally recognized, Catalan officials have declared they will unilaterally move forward with secession if the people vote for it. Thats bluster, but it will strain the politics of the country at a time it can ill afford it (especially less than a month removed from the horrific Barcelona terrorist attacks). Spain is finally emerging from a decade-long economic crisis, and its recovery remains fragile. Current Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy leads a minority government, which is difficult under the best of circumstances. So while this unsanctioned vote is little more than symbolic at the moment, it has the potential for significant disruption down the line.

Kurdish Referendum

Iraqi Kurds vote for independence on September 25 in a referendum thats also technically unsanctioned. The Kurds are an ethnic group of around 30 million that spans four countries: Turkey (~15 million), Iran (~8 million), Syria (~2 million) and Iraq (~5.5 million). Kurds have been trying to carve out a state for themselves since the end of the first World War; Iraqs 2005 constitution was a major step towards that goal, establishing an autonomous region within the country to be run by the Kurdistan regional government.

But the political push to establish a Kurdish homeland took a backseat to fighting ISIS since 2014. Kurds have been instrumental on that front and were indispensable in recapturing the Iraqi city of Mosul. Supporters of Kurdish independence point to battlefield contributions as proof that Kurds have earned a homeland. The U.S. (along with the E.U.) has taken issue with the referendum, but mainly on the question of timing. The fight against ISIS isnt over yet, and Kurdish secession would weaken pro-U.S. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi considerably ahead of elections next year. But over the longer-term, U.S. support for the Kurds will grow, making it likely that a Kurdish state will eventually come into existence. That will strain relations between the U.S. and Turkey/Iran/Syria (all of whom oppose Kurdish statehood) even further. And a newly created Kurdish state may clash with its neighbors, fueling yet more fires in a part of the world that has no shortage of them.
Resistance ski speeders in action on the planet Crait in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. (Photo: Lucasfilm)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson promises that the mineral planet Crait will serve as the setting for one of the biggest battles in the upcoming Episode VIII. But it turns out the remote world is well known to Luke Skywalker.

As Marvel Comics revealed Friday, the planets backstory will be the focal point of an upcoming miniseries titled Star Wars: The Last Jedi  Storms of Crait, written by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker and illustrated by Mike Mayhew.

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it becomes a battleground between the Resistance and the First Order, but that wasnt the first time Crait became a place where heroes and villains clashed in their fight for the galaxy. Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa once took up arms on Crait and led the rebellion as they as they searched for a new home  and a new base for the Rebel Alliance.

Were excited for the opportunity to tell this story, editor Jordan D. White says in a press release. Tying the new sequel series in more tightly with the original trilogy era, and helping make the galaxy far away a little more fleshed out.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi  Storms of Crait cover. (Credit: Marvel Comics)

We get a hint of the planets importance in the films trailer, where Resistance ships, called ski speeders, race across the desert plains to face an encroaching line of First Order AT-M6 assault walkers (an upgraded version of the old Imperial AT-ATs) coming over the horizon. The speeders, which will be commanded by Poe Dameron, kick up the surface coating of white dust, revealing Craits reddish soil underneath.

As the filmmaker explained to Yahoo Movies, Its a remote mineral planet. Its like a thin layer of salt over this red base. And theres a battle that takes place on it.

One of the films major battle sequences will take place on a remote mineral planet called Crait, Johnson told Yahoo Movies. Resistance speeders approach a line of First Order walkers in the distance. (Credit: Lucasfilm)

Graphically its very exciting. You got a tiny little glimpse in the trailer. It gives you a hint of what its going to be like.  I cant wait to show more of it.

Well see more of the planet when The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on Dec. 15, followed by Storms of Crait on sale Dec. 27.

Story continues

Watch The Last Jedi trailer:

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Updated | New bipartisan legislation seeks to protect the Russia investigations special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired by President Donald Trump.

If the special counsel is removed, the legislation allows the special counsel to challenge the removal in court, wrote Michigan Democratic Representative John Conyers Jr. of the new bill he introduced in the House Thursday.

Conyers is proposing the legislation with Republican Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina, and they intend it to be a companion to a bipartisan bill the Senate launched in August to bar the president from firing any special counsel. The laws would be retroactive to Muellers appointment in May.

09_15_Robert_Mueller

Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters

Mueller is conducting an investigation into the Trump campaign and whether it helped Russia interfere in the 2016 election. He was appointed to lead the investigation on May 17 after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.

Trump said in an interview with NBC News shortly after he fired Comey that the FBI director was removed because of the Russia investigation.

In personal unclassified memos that Comey said he leaked to The New York Times, the former FBI director documented several private meetings and conversations with Trump where he said the president repeatedly urged him to drop a strand of his investigation looking at fired national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Related: Mueller is "going for the kill" on Trump-Russia investigation, Republicans believe: report

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders doubled down on claims she made earlier this week that Comeys leaked memos broke the law.

The Department of Justice has to look into any allegations of whether or not something's illegal or not, she said, accusing Comey of leaking of information, questionable statements under oath, politicizing investigation. Sanders said, Those are real reasons for why he was fired.

Story continues

At the end of August, The Wall Street Journal reported Trumps lawyers met personally with Mueller and laid out a case defending the president against accusations of obstruction of justice for firing Comey.

A special counsel should never have been appointed in this case, Trump told The New York Times during an interview in July in which he warned Muellers investigation would cross a red line if it began investigating the familys finances. A day later, it was revealed that Mueller is investigating Trumps finances.

A special counsel works independently of government departments, and Mueller has hired top attorneys with expertise in transnational crime and money laundering to investigate the Trump campaign. The White House has looked for ways to discredit Muellers team, casting them as Democrats on a political witch hunt.

Under current Department of Justice rules, a special counsel can be removed by the president under accusations of misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest or other good cause, like a violation of departmental policies.

Trump continues to suggest that Mueller has a conflict of interest because he was interviewed for Comeys job just days before he was appointed special counsel.

On Thursday, Conyers and the leading Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Chairman Bob Goodlatte, met with Mueller.

The new House bill would turn the Justice Department rules into law and allow the special counsels to challenge their removal in court by a panel of three judges. It would also force any dismissal of the special counsel to be carried out by the attorney general or second in line in the Justice Department.

In the event that the panel of judges finds there was no good cause for the removal, the bill says, the individual would be immediately reinstated as special counsel.

This story was updated to clarify that the new bipartisan legislation is not a law.

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Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-15 23:01:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TALLINN, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Finance ministers of the 19-member eurozone expressed confidence here on Friday in the resilience of the eurozone economy to build new growth.

"In the eurozone, growth keeps picking up, it is set to remain robust, it's broad-based, it's across all our countries. Of course, risks remain and work needs to be done to deal with those risks, but confidence is ever increasing," said Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem at a press conference after the Eurogroup conference.

The ministers discussed the lessons learnt from the financial crisis, structural reforms needed at the national level, finishing the banking union, completing the capital markets union, and improving governance and institutional frameworks, both national and European, said Dijsselbloem, who is also minister of finance in the Netherlands.

The ministers also welcomed Greece's proposal to abrogate the excessive deficit procedure, which is expected to be adopted by the European Council later this month, said Dijsselbloem.

Pierre Moscovici, European Commissioner for economic and financial affairs, taxation and customs, said the Greek bailout program would be concluded in a bit less than a year, and that the conclusion must be a full success for Greece and its citizens, as well as for the eurozone as a whole.

"We must ensure that this positive trend and the confidence it feeds be sustainable, durable and reinforced," Moscovici said.

He highlighted the quality of public finances, the taxation system, and the role of education and training to build new growth and make the Euro-area more robust.

Both Benoit Coeure, an executive board member at the European Central Bank (ECB), and Klaus Regling, managing director of the European Stability Mechanism, expressed their confidence in the resilience of the eurozone, calling for hand-in-hand structural reform and a smoother transition.

The Eurogroup conference took place on the first day of the two-day informal meeting of European Union (EU) economic and financial affairs ministers to discuss financial and tax issues related to innovation and the digital economy, which is one of the priorities of the current Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the rotating six-month position the country assumed in July.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 00:47:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HOHHOT, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations conference ended Friday in the Chinese desert city of Ordos with more than 100 countries committed to setting national timelines to stop desertification by 2030.

The ten-day 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concluded with four main outcomes and a declaration, said conference chairman Zhang Jianlong.

Desertification is one of the most pressing issues facing mankind. Up to 2 billion hectares of land are degraded worldwide. UNCCD figures show averagely 12 million hectares are lost every year and 169 countries are affected by land degradation, desertification and drought.

Zhang, also head of China's State Forestry Administration, said one major outcome was the commitment of 112 countries to set voluntary targets to achieve "land degradation neutrality" by 2030.

Zhang said a fund was also launched to assist countries reaching their targets.

UNCCD Deputy Executive Pradeep Monga said the land degradation neutrality fund was a milestone achievement under UNCCD.

"This is a very strong commitment by the private sector to finance land degradation neutrality initiatives around the world," Monga said.

The size of the fund and other details are not immediately disclosed.

China is ahead of its peers. The area of desertified land in the country is dropping by an annual average of more than 2,400 square km, making China the first country in the world to achieve desert shrinkage, according to Chinese forestry officials.

Zhang said the conference also adopted a new UNCCD strategy framework for the 2018-2030 period.

The Ordos Declaration also applauded China's efforts to combat desertification, the set-up of a Belt and Road cooperation framework on fighting desertification, and the successful model of "green desert economy" demonstrated in the shrinking of the Kubuqi desert.

Over the past 30 years, one third of the 18,600-square-kilometer Kubuqi desert has been covered by shrubs and trees. More than 100,000 locals can no longer be considered "poor" as they profit from planting drought-resistant licorice.

A UNCCD report says the core of the success in Kubuqi is its sustainable business model and the establishment of a system that incorporates policy instruments, investment from the private sector and active participation of locals.

UNCCD Executive Secretary Monique Barbut said the Chinese model of green economy, involving the relationship between the local population and the eco-systems around, can be replicated elsewhere in the world.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 01:07:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SKOPJE, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A law on a wider use of Albanian language in Macedonia has already been sent to the Macedonian parliament for approval.

Actually, the law has passed in the parliamentary committees and the parliament is now expected to vote it after discussions during Thursday's and Friday's plenary sessions.

This has reignited strong debates between the country's two main political camps, the ruling Social Democrats (SDSM) and the opposition led by VMRO-DPMNE.

While Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has voiced confidence that the government would adopt the law on languages before the local elections, VMRO-DPMNE of ex-PM Nikola Gruevski has requested the withdrawal of this bill from the agenda of parliamentary proceedings.

According to the opposition parties, such a law is anti-constitutional and hampers Macedonia's national interests.

VMRO-DPMNE's lawmaker, Ilija Dimovski said Friday at plenary session that this law does not comply with the Parliament's rulebook so it should be withdrawn from the parliament and sent to academics for discussions.

But, Prime Minister Zaev strongly condemned such claims saying that opposition's statements were "baseless" since nobody would be obliged to speak any other language but the mother tongue.

On the other hand, Branko Manajlovski, the lawmaker representing the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the largest ethnic Albanian party, told media Friday that the law didn't relate to the language, but national hatred.

"The problem is that among Albanians and Macedonians alike, there's national hatred. I know this better than anyone else because I am an Albanian and have grown up like a Macedonian," Manojlovski said.

The approval of this contested law was the main condition that ethnic Albanian parties put to SDSM in order to join coalition and form the new government since the Dec. 11, 2016 elections did not produce a new government.

In past days, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Parliament and Macedonia's capital city of Skopje, seeking the withdrawal of the law that, according to them, supports only Albanians' minority and discriminates others.

A few months ago, thousands of people protested against any agreement that would ensure the wider use of the Albanian language.

Now it remains to be seen what will happen before local elections, which are scheduled to take place on Oct. 15, 2017.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 01:27:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BELGRADE, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Serbia is not discouraged by the European Commission announcement that the country would enter the European Union (EU) in 2025, Serbia's Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Friday.

She gave this statement at a joint press conference with the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn.

Brnabic said that the date for becoming a member of the EU is "important as a framework, but it is the most important to implement reforms for the benefit of citizens and Serbia."

"I see our path to the EU on three pillars -- one is the economic strengthening and the reforms, that is where we have made the most progress in the last three years. The second is the reform of public administration, and the third is the rule of law, in order to have a more efficient judiciary," Brnabic said.

She estimated that during the integration process, the country would benefit from being a more just society, having more transparent public administration and a stable and predictable business environment, as well as decreased corruption.

Hahn pointed out that in 2025, the date of Serbia's accession to the EU mentioned by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker "is not cut in the stone, but something that shows a strong commitment of the EU to the region."

"What matters is quality, which is more important than speed. If these two things can be harmonized, then it is good, but quality is crucial," Hahn said.

Hahn also met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and discussed the country's progress in European integration.

Vucic told Hahn that "the place of the whole region is in the European Union and that without inclusion of the Western Balkans region, the joint economic and political space of the European continent will not be complete."
(ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.)  A man whose esophagus and stomach were severely burned when he drank a beer tainted by a caustic chemical at an Atlantic City casino restaurant has been awarded $750,000.

A jury on Friday awarded the man, Richard Washart, $650,000 for pain and suffering and $100,000 for emotional distress, said his attorney, Paul DAmato.

Washart sued a McCormick & Schmicks restaurant at Harrahs casino, claiming he was served beer tainted by a caustic agent used to clean beer tap lines. Harrahs was not a defendant in his lawsuit.

The restaurant blamed a company it uses to clean its beer lines, Kramer Beverage Co., of Hammonton, which denied being at the restaurant when Washart drank the beer on Nov. 6, 2012.

The defendants each must pay half the award.

The restaurants parent company, Houston-based Landrys Inc., insisted it had done nothing wrong and said it will appeal the ruling.

There is a problem in America today when you can do nothing wrong but still be found liable for the action of another, said Steve Scheinthal, general counsel for Landrys, which also owns the Golden Nugget casino across the street from the restaurant.

He said Kramer Beverage obviously made a mistake, which resulted in Mr. Washarts claims.

The trial evidence simply does not support the verdict against McCormick & Schmicks, he said. We will of course appeal the verdict and expect to be absolved of any liability in this matter.

Washart, a former Ocean City police lieutenant, said he took a gulp of the beer he had been served and immediately felt burning pain.

He ran to the bathroom, where he experienced the first of six rounds of projectile vomiting. He tried to drink water from a faucet but was unable to because of the pain in his mouth and throat.

A short time later, he began vomiting blood and went to a hospital. A doctor said he had never seen a patient survive with such severe burns to the esophagus and stomach.

DAmato faulted Kramer Beverage, noting it doesnt follow industry recommendations to use pH testing strips that cost 15 cents apiece to check beer after lines have been cleaned. But he also said the restaurant violated New Jerseys Adulterated Food Act by serving a tainted brew.

Washart, of Seaville, was hospitalized for six days.
At a Connecticut church in January, Kathy Shemeley led a bell-ringing ceremony, as she has done every year since the 1980s. She and the group read off the names of United States military service members from Connecticut who they believe remain prisoners of war in Vietnam and Korea.

"Back in the '80s and early '90s we had a very strong base," says Shemeley, a retired elementary school teacher whose husband is a Vietnam War veteran and whose group is called the Connecticut Forget-Me-Nots. National interest in recovering prisoners of war has waned since then, she says, but she has continued her efforts.

President Donald Trump has named Friday National POW/MIA Recognition Day, following a tradition from previous administrations. More than 80,000 U.S. military members remain missing in action, according to the Department of Defense's POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), which formed in 2015 following the merger of previous departmental efforts to do such accounting.

Related: What it's like to go from war to a liberal arts college

As of Friday, the number of those missing is 82,467: 73,006 from World War II; 7,727 from the Korean War; 1,602 from the Vietnam War; 126 from the Cold War; and six from Iraq and "other conflicts." A representative for the agency was unavailable for an interview on Friday.

DPAA regularly announces that it has accounted for the remains of a service member. On Friday, the agency said the remains of three service members from World War II and one from the Vietnam War were being returned to the families of those people for burial. On Thursday, it said it had accounted for the remains of two more World War II service members, including a Marine who was wounded in the Tarawa Atoll in 1943 and never made it to a ship that was supposed to evacuate him.

The agency also sends personnel on recovery missions. On August 1, staff members went to Pokojisce, Slovenia, to recover the remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Alfonso O. Duran, according to a video the agency posted online. Duran had been missing since February 25, 1944, when the Germans shot down his B-24 airplane. The staff members recovered his remains behind a church where locals had buried him decades ago.

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ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty

People such as Shemeley are holding out hope that missing service members will return home alive. "The focus was the retrieval of remains, identification of remains, but a total lack of emphasis on those who were last known alive," she says. "Survivability is a possibility." She cites news accounts of prisoners of war who were later found alive, such as Andras Toma, a Hungarian soldier from World War II who had been held in a psychiatric institution in Russia until 2000, and Toshimasa Meguro, a Japanese prisoner from World War II in Russia who could not return home until 1998.

But even decades ago, when Shemeley and others got involved in efforts to recover prisoners of war in southeast Asia, people were skeptical that such prisoners existed. In 1977, the Defense Department said there was no evidence of remaining POWs in southeast Asia, and the government made similar proclamations in subsequent years. "Real-life Rambos have no one to rescue," said a 1985 article in the New Republic, adding that the belief there were was a "cruel delusion."

Historians hold similar doubts. "Those with loved ones who were captured have clungunderstandablyto a certain narrative that has evolved over time from hope to despair to anger at the U.S. government for not doing more," Robert Brigham, a history professor at Vassar College who has written several books about the Vietnam War, says by email. "There is little evidence to support broad claims that many Americans were being held against their will in Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam following April 30, 1975."

Shemeley continues to believe there are service members to recover, especially on days such as Friday, given the presidential proclamation. "If you have these unanswered questions, you owe it to the families of those who answered the call to serve their country," Shemeley says. "You have to have hope. You really do."

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Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 01:47:39|Editor: Song Lifang

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Zeng Peiyan, vice chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), speaks at the Boao Forum for Asia Paris Meeting 2017 in Paris, France, Sept. 15, 2017. The Belt and Road Initiative is "an avenue for advancing inclusive development of economic globalization via a fully open and inclusive vision, in which all economies around the world can participate," said Zeng here on Friday. (Xinhua)

PARIS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative is "an avenue for advancing inclusive development of economic globalization via a fully open and inclusive vision, in which all economies around the world can participate," said Zeng Peiyan, vice chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), here on Friday.

Inspired by the ancient Silk Road linking the East and the West and dating back over 2,000 years ago, the initiative "is not a geopolitical tool, neither is it a foreign aid program," said Zeng at the BFA Paris Conference.

Instead, he called it a "platform of practical cooperation and an initiative for interconnected development" which aimed at "seeking new growth drivers of world economy, realizing balanced development for universal benefits and bridging the wealth gap."

The Belt and Road Initiative also eyes "to build in the region connectivity of policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people-to-people exchanges," that according to him, would lead to boosted in-depth economic and trade integration between Asia and Europe.

Zeng noted the Belt and Road Initiative allows to "defuse geopolitical risks such as refugees and terrorism and advancing peace and stability in Asia and Europe," by enabling countries to work together.

In this context, the initiative, "forms a synergy with Junker Plan and development plans of countries along the route, it can effectively drive the growth of underdeveloped areas in Asia and Europe and promote harmony and stability of the whole region," he added.

Over 100 countries in Africa, Europe and Latin America in addition and international organizations supported China's initiative to further promote links between Asia and Europe, however, more work is still needed, Zeng Peiyan told the gathering in Paris.

"We need joint participation of all parties, just as diversified birds and flowers make beautiful spring. The development of the Belt and Road Initiative also needs the active participation of all countries," he said.

"Shared benefits are designed to ensure that the achievements will benefit more people of all countries in a fairer way so as to build a community of common interest and shared future," he said.
Angela Merkel appears odds-on to return to power as Germans go to the polls on September 24, either in coalition with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) or in a grand coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD). The SPD remains the largest challenger to Merkels dominance, but it is struggling to lay a glove on a respected opponent.

The one and only leaders debate pitched Merkel against the SPDs, Martin Schulz. On much domestic policy there was little to choose between them. Merkel and Schulz were, for example, at pains to suggest that the German car industry needed to do better in the face of the Abgasskandal, as the diesel emissions scandal is known. Quite how far they are going to go to make sure that happens is much less clear.

Yet Germany has a much broader corruption problem. It is, however, largely unaware of it. That might sound odd. But for many Germans, corruption is something that happens elsewhere. You dont bribe traffic police in Germany and you stringently follow the rules when filling in your tax returns. The majority of Germans never get anywhere near experiencing corruption directly.

That experience is largely borne out in Germanys performance in international corruption indices. For what they are worth (and some dont think that they are worth that much), Germany came joint 10th (out of 176) in Transparency Internationals most recent Corruption Perceptions Index and just outside the top 10 in the World Banks World Governance Indicators. The Nordic countries (and New Zealand) might top these tables, but Germany is rarely too far behind.

Corporate misbehaviour

Yet one thing that the Abgasskandal has further highlighted is that the behaviour of corporate Germany doesnt always live up to expectations. The antics of diesel car makers are hardly the first example of German firms bending the rules to breaking point.

The cases of Siemens and Daimler illustrate that the there have been occasions over the last decade when companies acted in a fashion that belies the excellent reputation of German business.

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Industrial group Siemens has admitted using a wide-ranging system of bribes to help it achieve its business goals, leading to a US$1.3 billion legal settlement in the US in 2008 and total costs to the company of 2.5 billion.

Car company Daimler, meanwhile, paid US$185m to settle charges that it violated the American Foreign Corrupt Practices Act when trying to win government contracts in 22 countries between 1998 and 2008. These arent isolated examples.

Turning the corner?

German authorities, to their credit, have responded to this and there has been a move to prosecute more miscreants. Many German multinationals have subsequently given serious thought (and resources) to their compliance programmes. Siemens, for example, rolled out an expansive internal training and education programme and now has a compliance programme that is industry-leading.

Thats all to be commended. These developments have nonetheless still not stopped German companies from transgressing. If compliance programmes were working properly across the board then Rheinmetall wouldnt have paid 37m to settle a criminal investigation in to bribery whilst selling its anti-aircraft defence system. Volkswagen wouldnt have been called out for massaging the emissions figures for the diesel cars that it sold in the US and elsewhere.

The problem for Merkel and Schulz is twofold. Firstly German exporters have been actively encouraged to invest in developing markets. And they have done that very impressively. Some 71 billion of German products went to China alone in 2015. The high-cost, high-quality exports that the small and medium-sized businesses in Germanys famed Mittelstand have produced are the backbone of the German economy.

Corruption is often a serious problem in these emerging markets. Larger German firms have now generally adopted compliance programmes that look to deal with the risks of doing business in such environments. Smaller Mittelstand companies, however, have not experienced the compliance shock that larger companies frequently have. Many of them, as a result, have poorly developed compliance programmes or no programmes at all. As the European Commission noted in 2014:

When it comes to small and medium sized enterprises, corporate governance programmes and compliance structures are not yet widespread.

Big German companies have caught the eye for their misdemeanours, but it is the real engine of the German economy  the Mittelstand  that is arguably playing catch up the most.

Poachers and Game-Keepers

The second issue is that German politicians are not neutral arbiters in all of this. In the case of VW, politicians from the state of Lower Saxony, which owns part of the company, sit on the board. Politicians in that position have a clear interest in VW doing well just as they have an obligation to check that it doesnt do so at the expense of others. This isnt constructive ambiguity. This is a real risk of conflict of interest.

The challenge for the government which emerges from the German election is threefold. Firstly, acknowledge that German business has an anti-corruption problem. Secondly, whoever leads the next government needs to show that they take this problem seriously; bringing in a German version of the American Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the UKs Bribery Act would be a good move in this direction.

Thirdly, there were once good reasons for politicians to sit on both sides of the corporate fence. They no longer hold water. Cozy relationships between business and politicians are, in times of increased suspicion, not good for either side. That is a significant agenda for change. And we are about to see if Merkel or Schulz will have the stomach for it.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Dan Hough has received funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to enable him to conduct research on Germany's anti-corruption challenges.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will have no choice but to restrict its economic ties with Turkey to pressure its NATO partner into releasing German citizens it imprisoned on political grounds, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in remarks published on Saturday. Relations between the two countries are strained by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's crackdown on opponents after a failed coup last year. Germany and its partners in the European Union say the crackdown undermines democracy. Turkey and Germany are also at odds over Berlin's refusal to extradite asylum seekers Erdogan accuses of involvement in the botched coup against him. "We will have to further cut back our joint economic cooperation with Turkey and scrutinize projects," Merkel told the Passauer Neuen Presse newspaper in an interview when asked how she wants to secure the release of Germans held in Turkey. The simmering tensions have seeped into campaigning for a federal election in Germany, especially after Erdogan urged German Turks to boycott the main parties in the vote on Sept. 24. Home to some 3 million people of Turkish descent, Germany has traditionally had good relations with Turkey, which is also a major trade partner and tourist destination for German sun-seekers. German officials have been enraged by Turkey's arrest of around a dozen German citizens, including the German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel, who has been held for more than 200 days. Merkel, whose conservatives are expected to win the election and secure her a fourth term in office, said on Tuesday Germany would restrict some arms sales to Turkey. Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) who are trailing the conservatives in opinion polls, had earlier said that all major arms exports to Turkey had been put on hold. Merkel said during a televised debate earlier this month that Turkey should not become a member of the European Union - Turkey's largest trading partner with which it has a customs union. She said she would talk to Germany's EU partners to reach a compromise on ending Turkey's accession talks with the bloc. (Reporting by Joseph Nasr; editing by Clelia Oziel)
Nigeria has designated a secessionist movement calling for an independent state of Biafra, a republic that existed in the 1960s and witnessed a deadly civil war, as a terrorist organization.

Nigerian defense spokesman Major General John Enenche said on Friday that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Nnamdi Kanu, had formed a secret militia, used weapons, and extorted money from civilians at illegal road blocks.

The claim by IPOB actors that the organization is non-violent is not true, said Enenche in a statement.

09_15_Biafra_IPOB

STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty

Nigerian security forces have regularly clashed with IPOB members since Kanu was detained in October 2015. Kanu, a British-Nigerian dual national, was held for almost two years without trial before being released on bail in April. He is facing trial for treason.

IPOB members have accused the military of violently disrupting their demonstrations, while security forces have alleged that the secessionists have used violence.

Related: Theres no easy way out. Nigerias ex-president Obasanjo tells Newsweek of his fears over Biafra

The Nigerian military statement added that IPOB had claimed to have formed a Biafra National Guard, illegally blocked public roads, and physically confronted and attacked troops earlier this week in the southeast Abia state.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analyzed, is a militant terrorist organization, said the statement.

Therefore parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the southeast and other Nigerians should advise their wards to desist from joining the group.

Nnamdi Kanu supporter at a protest in Abuja.

Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters

Emma Nmezu, an IPOB spokesman based in the U.K., tells Newsweek that the designation is a salacious fabrication.

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They have said that to justify the killings of unarmed people, says Nmezu. How can a group become terrorists when they dont have guns, they dont have ammunition, theyve never killed a single soulhow could that be, is it justifiable? They are just talking rubbish, absolute nonsense.

Biafra existed as an independent republic between 1967 and 1970. Its declaration of independence, led by ex-Nigerian military officer Odumegwu Ojukwu, prompted a civil war with the Nigerian state. At least 1 million people died in the war, many due to starvation after the Nigerian military blockaded Biafras borders.

It was subsumed back into Nigeria after its forces surrendered in 1970 but secessionist sentiment has persisted in Nigeria, a country that is sharply divided among ethnic and religious lines.

Biafra was populated by the largely Christian Igbo ethnic group, who are concentrated in southeast Nigeria. The Igbo is one of three major ethnicities in the West African country. The others are the Yoruba in the west and the Hausa-Fulani in the north.

Pro-Biafra activist

PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty

A coalition of northern youth groups issued a notice in June instructing all Igbos to leave northern Nigeria and return to the southeast. The federal government dismissed the notice and advised Igbos not to worry, but it highlighted abiding ethnic tensions in Nigeria.

Nigerian security forces clashed with IPOB members earlier this week in Abia state, where Kanu is currently living. IPOB accused the military of surrounding Kanus house and killing several of his supporters, but the military denied the allegations and said IPOB activists had pelted patrol vehicles with stones.

The former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, told Newsweek that current President Muhammadu Buhari should sit down with Kanu to discuss the IPOB leaders grievances.

Kanus wife, Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, who is based in the U.K., tells Newsweek that her husband would be willing to meet with the president if the offer was made.

Isnt that why people raise issues? I am raising a concern because I want you to look at it and listen to it, says Okwu-Kanu, who last saw her husband in August. If Buhari would ask for a roundtable discussionthat is what he ought to have done a long time ago.

President Buhari, who served as an officer in the Nigerian military during the Biafran war, has rarely spoken directly on the recent secessionist uprisings.

After returning to Nigeria in August after more than 100 days on medical leave, Buhari said that some Nigerians have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation, in comments that were widely interpreted as a warning to pro-Biafra separatists.

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By Mubasher Bukhari LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Christian man has been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges by a court in eastern Pakistan after a close friend accused him of sharing anti-Islamic material, the defendant's lawyer said on Friday. Blasphemy is a criminal offence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, and insults against the Prophet Mohammad are punishable by death. Most cases are filed against members of minority communities. Nadeem James, 35, was arrested in July 2016, accused by a friend of sharing material ridiculing the Prophet Mohammad on the Whatsapp messaging service. Lawyer Riaz Anjum said his client intended to appeal against the verdict, passed on Thursday by a sessions court in the town of Gujrat. There was widespread outrage across Pakistan last April when student Mashal Khan was beaten to death at his university in Mardan following a dorm debate about religion. Police arrested over 20 students and some faculty members in connection with the killing. Since then, parliament has considered adding safeguards to the blasphemy laws, a groundbreaking move given the emotive nature of the issue. There have been at least 67 murders over unproven allegations of blasphemy since 1990, according to figures from a research center and independent records kept by Reuters. And in 2011, a bodyguard assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer after he called for the blasphemy laws to be reformed. Taseer's killer, executed last year, has been hailed as a martyr by religious hardliners. (Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Updated | The city of St. Louis was bracing for protests Friday, hours after a judge found a white police officer not guilty of the fatal 2011 shooting of a black man despite evidence showing the officer's DNA on a gun he allegedly planted after the shooting.

In his ruling, Judge Timothy Wilson said state prosecutors had "failed" to prove the case against the officer, Jason Stockley, who had been facing a first-degree murder charge for killing Anthony Lamar Smith, 24, inside his car after a chase.

Im disappointed with the courts finding," said Kim Gardner, a local judge whose office investigates all police-involved shootings in the city of St. Louis. I know there are better ways we can do this if we join together to make the system work for us all.

Shortly after the verdict, protesters blocked a highway ramp and a popular intersection in downtown St. Louis, at Market Street and Tucker Boulevard near the courthouse where the trial took place, as they moved through the city.

The initial protests brought to mind the rallies after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson in 2014, a case that led to a nationwide debate about police practices.

Many local activists believe the Stockley shooting is more egregious than the killing of Brown because of the allegation that Stockley planted a gun in Smith's car.

The acquittal "does not change the facts: Anthony Lamar Smith died unnecessarily, another casualty of excessive and deadly force by police against people of color," the ACLU of Missouri said in a statement.

09_15_JasonStockleyVerdict_AnthonyLamarSmith_PoliceShooting_StLouis

REUTERS

The city prepared for the worst in the three weeks since the trial ended. The judge in July granted the defenses motion for a waiver of jury trial. Governor Eric Greitens activated the states National Guard on Thursday, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department announced that its officers would be working 12-hour shifts in case of unrest in the aftermath. Some schools in the Ferguson-Florissant School District were closed on Friday.

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Mayor Lyda Krewson said she was "appalled" in a statement.

Lawrence O'Toole, interim chief of police, said the community "must respect the judicial process" in a release. "While we know emotions are running high, our number one priority is protecting and serving our citizens."

Smiths family is set to hold a press conference later Friday.

Protesters had gathered in the city prior to the verdict and vowed that there will be unrest if Stockley was deemed not guilty.

We might not get what we want, said Christina Wilson, fiancee of Anthony Lamar Smith, at a press conference with the governor on Thursday. But however it goes, I ask for peace on behalf of my daughter, on Anthonys loved ones, and if you feel like you want to speak out, speak how you feel. Just do it in a peaceful way.

Governor Greitens, standing next to Wilson at the podium, urged peace in the city. I want every Missourian to listen to Christinas words, he said. We know that people will feel pain and hurt. But please, for Christinas sake, and for her daughters sake, do not turn that pain into violence."

What Happened?

In 2011, Jason Stockley, 36, fatally shot Anthony Lamar Smith, 24, after a car chase following what Stockley said was a drug transaction. Just before he shot Smith, Stockley said, We're killing this [expletive deleted], dont you know, according to dashboard camera video cited in the trial.

According to prosecutors, Stockley planted a gun in Smiths car that day. Stockleys DNA was found on the gun, according to court documents, and Smiths was not.

The court did not set a public date for its verdict, and Stockley waived his right to trial by jury. New evidence reopened the case in May 2016 despite a $900,000 settlement the police department paid the Smith family in 2013, one of the largest police department settlements in city history.

This article has been updated with comments from local politicians.

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For anyone who takes protecting their credit score and identity seriously, the news was probably like getting a punch in the gut.

As you've no doubt heard, Equifax, one of the nation's largest credit bureaus, was hacked -- it is believed that 143 million American consumers' personal information was exposed to online criminals. But while the nation learned about it on Sept. 7, the breach lasted from mid-May through July 29 when Equifax discovered what was happening and put a stop to it. During that time, hackers were able to collect people's names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and even, for some people, driver's license numbers. They also stole credit card numbers from 209,000 people and dispute documents with personal identifying information from 182,000 people.

[See: 12 Habits to Help You Take Control of Your Credit.]

Some Canadian and British residents' personal information was seized as well. Naturally this all begs the question: How do you protect yourself from these online identity thieves? That's what everyone is still trying to figure out. Nevertheless, you can try the following.

Go to equifaxsecurity2017.com. You have to offer up the last six digits of your social security number and check a box that assures the website you are not a robot. Then, if Equifax thinks that there was a good chance you were one of those 143 million consumers (and, boy, the odds are good; the country's population is 323 million), you'll probably receive a message like this (at least, this is the message this writer received):

Based on the information provided, we believe that your personal information may have been impacted by this incident. Click the button below to continue your enrollment in TrustedID Premier.

Then pay a visit to TrustedID.com. This is an identity theft prevention and credit monitoring company owned by Equifax, and they're offering a year of free service to people who may have been affected by the breach. (As you may have heard, at first, if you signed up with TrustedID Premier in the days after the hacking was revealed, you gave up your legal right to sue Equifax, but after a public outcry, that's no longer the case.) If someone tries to take out an account in your name, or your Social Security number turns up on any suspicious websites for the next year, with any luck, TrustedID will let you know. You'll have to give out your personal information to TrustedID, including your Social Security number, but, hey, at this point, why not?

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You'll then possibly receive an email that reads, in part: You will receive an email with a link to finalize your enrollment and activate your product. Please be patient. Due to the high volume of requests, emails may be delayed.

[See: 25 Ways to Fix Your Finances Fast.]

You could ask the credit bureaus to install a credit freeze or fraud alert. So what's that? A credit freeze means that nobody can open up an account in your name, including, um, you.

Yes, you can temporarily unfreeze it, and it may be worth doing if you don't expect to be borrowing money for a long time. Generally, to put a freeze on an account, you have to contact each bureau individually to let them know. Depending on your state, you might have to pay a small fee, perhaps nothing or maybe as much as $10. Equifax has now dropped its credit freeze fees until Nov. 21.

A fraud alert is a little less extreme. You can ask a credit bureau to put a fraud alert on your account, which means that if somebody opens up an account in your name in the next 90 days (you can also request longer versions, one that lasts 12 months and another that lasts 7 years), they'll let you know. It's free, and if you call one credit bureau and make the request, they have to tell the other two bureaus about your fraud alert.

"These should be used with caution, particularly if one intends to apply for credit in the near future," says Charles Lee Mudd Jr., a privacy, internet and identity theft attorney in Chicago. "The freeze and fraud alert may cause more frustration and hurdles should the consumer seek to obtain credit while they exist on the reports."

Mudd says that if you're going to do one or the other, it's probably best to go with the shortest fraud alert.

"You can always renew," he says.

That said, just remember that a credit freeze or a fraud alert won't completely protect you. For instance, someone could file their taxes under your name and collect a refund -- and you wouldn't find out until you did your own taxes. If an online criminal is sick, he or she could pose as you and get free medical treatment.

[See: 10 Simple Ways to Raise Your Credit Score.]

Monitor your accounts. Especially now, everyone should regularly monitor their credit cards and statements for irregularities, Mudd says.

He also says that this might be a good time to change your passwords to your financial institutions.

"Follow recommendations provided by the vendors and use different passwords -- I realize this becomes a pain to do so -- and regularly change them in any case," Mudd says.

You could argue that this would also be time to pay for a monthly credit monitoring service, but again, because monitoring services tell you about problems after the identity theft occurs, this industry still has its critics. But it seems likely that credit monitoring services will flourish in the aftermath of this Equifax attack as consumers rush to sign up for them.
By Valerie Volcovici and Kenny Bahr ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - Activists marched peacefully through a suburban St. Louis-area shopping mall on Saturday, hours after police clashed with a crowd protesting the acquittal of a white former policeman accused of murdering a black man. In a second day of demonstrations over a judge's ruling in the 2011 case, hundreds of people snaked through the West County Center in the St. Louis suburb of Des Peres, chanting Shut it down and waving fists in the air. Police were out in force but did not tussle with protesters, unlike the previous night, when nine city officers and a state trooper were injured and at least 23 people were taken into custody. "We don't want to see property destruction or see people getting hurt," said Elad Gross, a 29-year-old St. Louis civil rights attorney, as activists gathered in a park before going to the mall. "But this is a protest that addresses injustices not only happening here in St. Louis but around the country." Singer Ed Sheeran and rockers U2 canceled concerts scheduled for Saturday night in St. Louis, citing security concerns. Deeply saddened at what has happened in St. Louis and having to cancel our show tonight, U2 singer Bono said in a post on Instagram. I found myself reading Dr. Kings speech from the National Cathedral and asking myself is this 1968 or 2017? On Friday, Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson acquitted former St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley, 36, of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith, 24. The verdict comes about three years after rioting broke out in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson when an unarmed black teenager was shot dead by a white police officer. That incident touched off a nationwide soul-searching over law enforcement's use of force against African-Americans, the mentally ill and other groups. After Friday's ruling, some 600 chanting protesters marched from the courthouse through downtown St. Louis, some of them holding "Black Lives Matter" signs. Later, some broke windows at a library and two restaurants and threw bricks and bottles at officers, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the throng. At one point, demonstrators threw rocks and paint at the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, police said. Smith was shot five times in his car after attempting to elude Stockley and his partner, who had chased the suspect after an alleged drug deal, authorities said. During the pursuit, Stockley could be heard saying on an internal police car video he was going to kill Smith, prosecutors said. Stockley believed that Smith was armed, defense attorneys said, and a gun was found in the car. But prosecutors argued Stockley planted the weapon and the gun had only Stockley's DNA on it. Stockley, who left the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in 2013 and was arrested last year, had waived his right to a jury trial, allowing the judge to decide. "This court, as a trier of fact, is simply not firmly convinced of defendant's guilt," Judge Wilson wrote in his ruling. Smith's family settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $900,000 in 2013, according to Al Watkins, an attorney for Smith's fiancee, Christina Wilson. (Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Chris Kenning in Louisville, Kentucky; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Andrew Heavens, Franklin Paul and David Gregorio)
Protests erupt in St. Louis after ex-officers acquittal Protesters stand outside of the St. Louis city jail on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017. The protesters chanted free our people outside the jail on Monday night to show solidarity with those who remain behind bars. Police said that more than 120 people were arrested during Sundays protests. Monday was the fourth day of protests over the acquittal of a white former police officer in the killing of a black suspect. (Photo: David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Protesters chanting free our people gathered outside the jail in downtown St. Louis for more than two hours to show solidarity with those arrested during demonstrations that turned ugly over the weekend, but there was no new vandalism overnight.

Demonstrators outside the jail late Monday criticized authorities for keeping some of those arrested in jail for nearly 24 hours after they were taken into custody. Police said more than 120 people were arrested during Sundays protests over the acquittal of a white former police officer in the killing of a black suspect.

Some of those jailed were released Monday evening before organizers announced an end to the demonstration and told people to go home. Organizers said protests will resume Tuesday, but they gave no details.

Monday was the fourth day of protests.

Three days of peaceful protests and three nights of vandalism followed Fridays announcement that a judge found ex-officer Jason Stockley not guilty in the 2011 death of Anthony Lamar Smith. (AP)

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By Alvin Baez SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - Saddled with economic problems and its own damage from Hurricane Irma, Puerto Rico is taking thousands of refugees from the U.S. Virgin Islands whose homes were destroyed by the storm, with a cruise ship carrying up to 2,000 more due to set sail for the U.S. territory on Wednesday. Visibly shaken residents from St. Martin and the Virgin Islands arrived on Tuesday on U.S. military aircraft, bringing tales of terrifying winds and a breakdown of law and order. "The people of Puerto Rico - what big hearts you guys got because our (local) government did nothing - nothing," said William Vonfabrice, 61, from St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. "People coming at us with machetes, offering bullets and saying 'There is more for you,' breaking into houses, hurting people." Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas cruise ship was expected to depart the badly damaged St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, on Wednesday evening bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands commissioner of tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty said. Irma skirted Puerto Rico last week, knocking out power to 70 percent of the island, damaging buildings and killing at least three people, but the destruction was not nearly as bad as elsewhere in the Caribbean. The storm's 185 mph (297 km/h) winds hammered a string of tiny Caribbean islands that are territories of Britain, France, the Netherlands and the United States. Homes, hotels, hospitals, marinas and airports were badly damaged and the extent of the chaos seemed to catch the wealthy nations off guard. Britain's government said local authorities had imposed a curfew on the British Virgin islands, where locals complained of widespread looting and violent crime after Irma. U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited the islands on Wednesday, calling them a "scene of utter devastation" on Twitter as his government announced 25 billion ($33 billion) in extra aid for its territories. The nations all have launched military relief operations but locals and tourists have criticized the response for being too slow and not reaching everybody evenly. Visiting the French Caribbean on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron promised to quickly rebuild St. Martin, a French territory shared with the Netherlands. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson met with security officials in Anguilla. Dutch King Willem-Alexander said the destruction he saw in St. Martin was on a scale he "had never seen before." 'THE END OF SINT MAARTEN' Charles Morrison, 89, an evacuee from the Dutch part of the island, Sint Maarten, said one person was killed when the hotel he was staying in was flooded and partially destroyed. Morrison then took shelter in a friend's more secure place. "The fact is, that's the end of Sint Maarten," he said as he was pushed through San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in a wheelchair. Puerto Rico has $70 billion in debt, a poverty rate above 46 percent, and near-insolvent pension and health systems, a fact not lost on the arrivals. "God bless Puerto Rico and the hearts because you guys are struggling. And from the hardest struggle, that's where the real people come out," Vonfabrice said, thanking Puerto Rico for sending food, water and ships to the Virgin Islands. A Puerto Rico government spokeswoman said the financial situation and expected length of stay of the 2,000 refugees due to arrive in San Juan was still unclear, but that expenses would be covered by emergency federal funding. Puerto Rico has set up a large convention center to house refugees who cannot afford to go to a hotel. Other countries in the region also helped. St. Lucia has agreed to house prisoners from the Turks and Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands, after the storm damaged the prisons in those British territories. The Cayman Islands has sent police to help reinforce security in the British Virgin Islands after more than 100 prisoners escaped when the storm breached the prison. Mexico's foreign minister Luis Videgaray instructed his diplomats in the Caribbean to offer unspecified help to Puerto Rico and Cuba even as it seeks to cope with the fallout from a massive earthquake. St. Thomas resident Laci Rivers, 33, was waiting on board the Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas, eager to bring her two small children to safety after days of uncertainty. "Everyone is stressed and hungry and confused," she said. Rivers said her car was broken into with a hammer, items were stolen from the flattened sushi restaurant where she worked, and she saw fights break out in St. Thomas among increasingly desperate people jostling for food and water. She was under no illusions about what would happen to her home in western St. Thomas. "We've already realized it's going to be looted while we're gone," she said. ($1 = 0.7571 pounds) (Additional reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City, Sarah Peter in Castries, St. Lucia, and Tracy Rucinski in Chicago; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Bill Trott and Phil Berlowitz)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 02:12:47|Editor: An

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WARSAW, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) is crucial for China-Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) relations, the Chinese ambassador to Poland Xu Jian underlined Friday.

Addressing a conference here which brought together experts from Poland and abroad, Xu said: "The Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by China but belongs to the world," adding that from 2014 to 2016, total trade volume between China and other B&R countries exceeded 3 trillion U.S. dollars, with China's overall investments in these countries surpassing 50 billion dollars.

Speaking to the first China-CEE development forum on Friday, Xu said: "Chinese enterprises have invested more than 8 billion U.S. dollars in CEE region and expanded the investment areas."

Jiang Jianqing, chairman of the SINO-CEE Fund, emphasized the role of CEE countries as "a crucial hub connecting East and West, located between the vital markets of the EU, Russia and the Middle East.

Poland's Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Development Pawel Chorazy stressed the need for a more balanced collaboration that would see win-win for both sides: "More Chinese businesses would be welcome, with open arms, to Poland. We would also expect Chinese parties to be equally open," he said.

In May 2017, China held the B&R Forum attended by the heads of state and governments from 29 countries. Later this year, the 6th China CEE Summit will be held in Budapest, capital of Hungary.
Walker Evans (American, 19031975) Roadside stand, vicinity of Birmingham, Ala., 1936. (Photo: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Wishing Well Fund, 1975.36.  Walker Evans Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

The exuberance, affluence, and luxury of the Jazz Age came to a screeching halt when the American stock market crashed on Oct. 29, 1929. The decade-long Great Depression followed, marked by massive unemployment and precipitous declines in personal income, tax revenue, business profits and trade. Adding to the calamity, the Great Plains experienced a major drought and dust storms in the mid-1930s, causing tens of thousands of families to abandon their farms and become migrants. An exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art called From Riches to Rags, drawn entirely from the Cleveland Museums superb holdings of early 20th-century photography, examines the choices photographers made during that time of extreme social upheaval and economic distress.

Documentary photography, which records what is before the camera, was uniquely suited to offer direct visual testimony of peoples distress and hardships. Recognizing that power, in 1935 the federal government began hiring socially concerned photographers such as Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Arthur Rothstein to depict the suffering of rural and urban populations. Their photographs, disseminated in magazines, books and government publications, proved effective at drumming up support for government aid programs.

One of the most iconic images of the Depression is Walker Evanss 1935 portrait of 27-year-old Allie Mae Burroughs, an Alabama sharecroppers wife and mother of four. Despite their poverty, the Burroughs family did not qualify for government assistance. Ironically, Evans had been photographing in the area for the government, but shot the Burroughs family to illustrate an article by James Agee for Fortune, a deluxe business magazine. The project grew too large for Fortune, so in 1941 Agee and Evans turned it into a book, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. Both Burroughss portrait and the book are included in the exhibition.

Paradoxically, the decade of deprivation saw an explosion in the use of photography in advertising with the advent of the American picture magazine, specifically Life in 1936. Even in the Depressions worst year, 75 percent of the American workforce was employed and buying necessities, if not luxuries. Eye-catching advertising photographs helped companies compete for the diminished pool of consumer dollars. There is no hint of privation in the ads. Elegantly gowned women primp in Edward Steichens Fashion Ad for Coty Lipstick, 193435. The delectable still lifes of food and kitchenware by Paul Outerbridge depict abundance. These lifestyles were out of reach for many Americans, but thumbing through a magazine and fantasizing cost nothing.

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There were individuals whose lifestyles were hardly affected by the Depression. Alfred Stieglitz, scion of a wealthy family, was able to dedicate his life to art without the need to earn a living. He was one of the key figures in the campaign to recognize photography as a full-fledged art form, equal to painting and sculpture in its capacity for creativity, personal expression and formal exploration. In 1934 a photography exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art included 10 of Stieglitzs photographs. Purchased by the museum the following year, they became the first photographs to enter the collection.

Among them is a close-up of the hand of painter Georgia OKeeffe, Stieglitzs wife, as she lovingly caresses the spare tire of a Ford V-8 convertible coupe. The image was made on the occasion of her reunion with her husband  and her much-beloved car  after an extended convalescence following a nervous breakdown. OKeeffe had paid for the car herself. Not just a glossy object of consumer desire, it symbolized independence and freedom.

Stieglitzs photograph is emblematic of modernism, a photographic movement characterized by sharp focus and an emphasis on the abstract values of compositional structure. While documentary photographers tackled contemporary social issues, the modernists tended toward timeless subjects such as portraiture, landscape, nature and even abstraction. Ansel Adams found breathtakingly magical scenes in the wilderness. Edward Westons pictures of the dunes near Oceano, Calif., verge on pure patterns of dark and light. These artists chose not to depict the suffering and chaos that surrounded them. Instead, they created idyllic, ordered worlds, or at least more perfect versions of external reality.

Some photographers in the 1930s felt an obligation to document contemporary society, while others were moved to produce art for arts sake, or art that offered spiritual elevation or aesthetic pleasure. These approaches were not necessarily mutually exclusive. Sometimes temperament dictated the artists choice, sometimes the ability to make a living. Like our own complex and unsettled era, the 1930s seemed to call for and appreciate multiple styles of and approaches to photography. (Barbara Tannenbaum, Cleveland Museum of Art curator of photography)

From Riches to Rags is currently on exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art through Dec. 31, 2017.

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr.
In the two years since the worlds biggest automakers last gathered in Frankfurt for the biannual International Motor Show, the future of their industry has shifted dramatically. The opening of the 2015 festivities came just as the world learned Volkswagen had sold millions of diesel-powered cars that used illegal software to cheat emissions standards. Two years on, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Renault, and Nissan have faced accusations of running similar schemes.

Consumers are hardly flocking to electric cars in responseEVs account for less than one percent of US salesbut the tarnishing of so-called clean diesel and the goals set by the Paris climate accord have convinced governments its time for a forced migration. Theyre no longer settling for gradually more fuel-efficient or less-polluting cars. Theyre pushing to end the reign of the internal combustion engine altogetherand usher in the age of the electric car.

China, the worlds largest car market, just declared it intends to ban the sale of gas- and diesel-powered cars some time soon. The United Kingdom and France plan to do the same by 2040. Norway and the Netherlands are shooting for 2025, India for 2030. The feasibility of such a drastic switch remains unclear, but the auto industry isn't much for taking chances, and has responded with its own grandiose promises. Volvo and Smart will phase out fuel-powered cars in the next decade. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz have pledged a host of new electric models. Volkswagens ongoing sorry we tricked people into choking the planet apology tour calls for 80 new electric models across its brands (which include Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini).

All of which means its high season for electric car concepts, and this year's Frankfurt showthe largest of its kind in the worldwas packed with designs that preview all those new models coming over the next few years. If you want to see where the auto industrys headed over the next decade and beyond, just take a whirl through the gallery above, and get ready for a real shock.
Ottawa (AFP) - Mysterious "sonic attacks" in Cuba in recent months targeted at least five Canadian diplomats and their families, public broadcaster CBC reported Friday.

The incidents were first revealed at the beginning of August when Canadian and US officials said they had launched an investigation into the cause of diplomats' sudden hearing loss, migraines and nausea in Havana.

At the time, Ottawa confirmed that one of its envoys had been treated for the symptoms.

"More than five, but fewer than 10 Canadian families were affected by the attacks," CBC said Friday, citing an unnamed source.

In some cases, hospitalization was required, the public broadcaster said, adding that all of the Canadians have recovered from the initial symptoms.

The US State Department has said 16 Americans were affected in the "incidents," which appear to have begun in 2016.

"We are aware of unusual symptoms affecting Canadian and US diplomatic personnel and their families in Havana," Canadian foreign ministry spokeswoman Brianne Maxwell said last month.

The diplomats reported hearing loud grinding or ringing noises, or feeling vibrations in their bodies.

Canadian authorities said Cuban officials are not suspected and have been cooperating in the investigation.

In contrast to the long-thorny US-Cuban relationship, Ottawa and Havana have generally had warm relations.
(ST. LOUIS)  Hundreds of people protesting the acquittal of a white former St. Louis police officer in the fatal shooting of black man marched for hours in mostly peaceful demonstrations, until a broken window at the mayors home and escalating tensions led riot police to lob tear gas to disperse the crowds.

A white former police officer was acquitted Friday in the 2011 death of a black man who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase, with the judge declaring that he would not be swayed by partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism.

The acquittal of Jason Stockley in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith had stirred concerns about possible civil unrest for weeks. Several hundred protesters were marching in the streets of downtown St. Louis within hours of the verdict, but only a single arrest had been reported as of midday.

The case played out not far from the suburb of Ferguson, which was the scene of the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown, the unarmed black 18-year-old who was killed by a white police officer. That officer was never charged but eventually resigned.

Stockley, who was charged with first-degree murder, insisted he saw Smith holding a gun and felt he was in imminent danger. Prosecutors said the officer planted a gun in Smiths car after the shooting. The officer asked the case to be decided by a judge instead of a jury.

This court, in conscience, cannot say that the State has proven every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt or that the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense, St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson wrote in the decision .

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner said she was disappointed.

While officer-involved shooting cases are extremely difficult to prevail in court, I believe we offered sufficient evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley intended to kill Smith, Gardner said in a written statement.

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Assistant Circuit Attorney Robert Steele emphasized during the trial last month that police dashcam video of the chase captured Stockley saying he was going to kill this (expletive), dont you know it.

Less than a minute later, the officer shot Smith five times. Stockleys lawyer dismissed the comment as human emotions uttered during a dangerous police pursuit. The judge wrote that the statement can be ambiguous depending on the context.

Prosecutors objected to the officers request for a bench trial.

The Constitution guarantees that people accused of crimes have a right to have their cases heard by an impartial jury. But defendants can also opt to have the verdict rendered by a judge.

Stockley, 36, could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole. He left the St. Louis police force in 2013 and moved to Houston.

The case was among several in recent years in which a white officer killed a black suspect. Officers were acquitted in recent police shooting trials in Minnesota, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. A case in Ohio twice ended with hung juries, and prosecutors have decided not to seek a third trial.

Ahead of the verdict, activists in St. Louis threatened civil disobedience if Stockley were acquitted, including possible efforts to shut down highways. Barricades went up on Aug. 28 around police headquarters, the courthouse where the trial was held and other potential protest sites.

Fears of unrest prompted several downtown businesses to send employees home early, including two of the biggest, Wells Fargo Advisors and Nestle Purina PetCare. U.S. Bank closed six branches. Some schools closed early and postponed events scheduled for Friday.

Protester efforts at civil disobedience were largely unsuccessful. When several demonstrators tried to rush onto Interstate 64, they were blocked on an entrance ramp by police cars and officers on bikes. When they tried to enter the citys convention center, the doors were locked.

The Rev. Clinton Stancil, a protest leader, said the acquittal was shocking based on the evidence but not surprising.

Its a sad day in St. Louis, and its a sad day to be an American, Stancil said.

One man was arrested for damaging a police vehicle. There were also scattered reports of protesters attacking journalists, authorities said.

The St. Louis area has a history of unrest in similar cases, including after Browns death, when protests, some of them violent, erupted.

In Smiths case, the encounter began when Stockley and his partner tried to corner Smith in a fast-food restaurant parking lot after seeing what appeared to be a drug deal. Stockley testified that he saw what he believed was a gun, and his partner yelled gun! as Smith backed into the police SUV twice to get away.

Stockleys attorney, Neil Bruntrager, argued that Smith, a 24-year-old parole violator with previous convictions for gun and drug crimes, tried to run over the two officers. Stockley fired seven shots as Smith sped away. A chase ensued.

At the end of the chase, Stockley opened fire only when Smith, still in his car, refused commands to put up his hands and reached along the seat in the area where the gun was, Bruntrager said. Stockley said he climbed into Smiths car and found a revolver between the center console and passenger seat.

But prosecutors questioned why Stockley dug into a bag in the back seat of the police SUV before returning to Smiths car.

The gun found in Smiths car did not have his DNA on it, but it did have Stockleys.

The gun was a plant, Steele said.
Mostly peaceful demonstrations followed a not-guilty verdict in the murder trial of a white former police officer who shot and killed a black motorist

Protesters confront police in St Louis following the acquittal of a former officer charged in the shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011. Photograph: Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

St Louis police said 32 people had been arrested during demonstrations against the acquittal of a former police officer, who had been charged with murder in the 2011 fatal shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith.

Ten law enforcement officers were injured in the mostly peaceful protests, which began after the not-guilty verdict was handed down by circuit judge Timothy Wilson on Friday morning.

The demonstrations quieted early Saturday morning, having taken place in different parts of the city, including outside the home of mayor Lyda Krewson. At one point, the crowd around her home swelled to about 1,000 people, including some who pelted the home with red paint and broke at least two windows.

Police distinguished between peaceful protesters and agitators in their description of the events, and said people damaging property distract from the mission of peaceful protestors.

Ahead of the verdict on Friday, activists had warned that a not-guilty verdict for the former police officer, Jason Stockley, would result in acts of civil disobedience.

On Friday night, a line of police in riot gear approached protesters who would not retreat, knocking down one woman in a scene captured by local television helicopter. Officers pepper-sprayed the remaining, standing protestors as the woman remained on the ground, until she was cuffed and led away.

Watch the lady wearing red in the bottom right of the screen. Police using pepper spray on protesters marching after the Stockley ruling pic.twitter.com/XF16yxDQqg  FOX2now (@FOX2now) September 15, 2017

Police said in a Tweet on Saturday afternoon that the woman failed to obey officers orders & was charged with Interfering.

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Some protesters became frustrated with a longtime local television reporter, Dan Gray, and threw water bottles at him and his photographer, Tauna Price. Footage of the interaction shows a group of other protesters intervening to help protect the journalists and escort them to a more safe location. I understand their frustration, I understand their anger, Gray said. Perhaps they needed someone to vent it to.

A series of protests were scheduled for the weekend and on Saturday morning, in the suburb of University City, demonstrators gathered at a local park. Demonstrators also filled local shopping centers.

Stockley, who now lives in Houston, said on Friday he felt like a burden has been lifted.

The taking of someones life is the most significant thing one can do, and its not done lightly, Stockley told the St Louis Post-Dispatch.

My main concern now is for the first responders, the people just trying to go to work and the protesters, he said. I dont want anyone to be hurt in any way over this.

In a 30-page ruling, Judge Wilson said Stockley was not guilty of murder because the prosecution failed to prove the officer was not acting in self-defense.

The shooting occurred in 2011 after Stockley and his partner attempted to corner Smiths vehicle in a fast-food restaurant parking lot, believing they had witnessed a drug deal.

Smith backed into the police vehicle twice to evade the officers, who said they saw a gun in the mans vehicle. Stockley fired seven shots at Smiths car as he drove away, prompting a car chase.

During the chase, an in-car video recorded Stockley saying: Going to kill this motherfucker dont you know it. The judge said on Friday that the statement was taken out of context.

The officers eventually forced Smiths vehicle to stop and Stockley shot Smith after approaching his vehicle.

Prosecutors accused Stockley of planting a gun on the scene and said it was suspect that the officer entered Smiths vehicle after the shooting, potentially interfering with evidence. They also highlighted that Stockleys DNA was on the gun, but not Smiths, suggesting the man could have been unarmed.

The judge said there was no proof Stockley planted the gun.

Stockley told the Post-Dispatch on Friday, after the judges ruling, that he had wanted to find the gun as quickly as possible if Smith had thrown it out the window.

Stockley was suspended from the police department in 2013 for carrying an AK-47 gun on-duty. He resigned shortly after and took a job with an oil company in Texas, where he lives today.

Smiths mother, Annie Smith, said she was disappointed in the judges ruling.

My soul is burning, she said. My heart is broken. I say, I aint get no justice, I could never be at peace.



Police-involved shootings have sparked several high-profile protests in recent years, including in the St Louis area.

Three years after Stockley killed Smith, Darren Wilson, a white police officer, fatally shot unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, leading to weeks of demonstrations in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis. The shooting, which followed many other high-profile killings of black people by white officers, renewed discussions about police relations with minorities and prompted a federal civil rights investigation that found the Ferguson police department had discriminated against black citizens.

 This article was amended on 18 September 2017. Owing to changes made in the editing process, an earlier version said that Darren Wilson fatally shot Michael Brown three years before Stockley killed Smith. Wilson shot Brown in 2014, three years after Jason Stockley fatally shot Anthony Lamar Smith. This article was also amended to restore a quote from a recording of Stockley.
Nick Cannon, Kal Penn and more on Twitter are coming to Jemele Hills defense as Donald Trump demanded ESPN apologize for the SportsCenter anchors comments calling the president a white supremacist and bigot.

ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming), Trump tweeted Friday morning. People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth!

His call comes four days after SportsCenter anchor Jemele Hill fired off a series of tweets declaring the president a white supremacist who never would have been elected if he were not white. The White House also spoke out against Hills comments, with press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders calling them a fireable offense.

Though Hill has faced criticism over her tweets  including from ESPN, which released statements calling her comments inappropriate but saying it accepted her apology  many are standing with the anchor on Twitter.

Nick Cannon joined the social media supporters on Friday, tweeting: Wow @Espn trying to reprimand people for telling the Truth!! Say it aint so!!! The Systems at it again! We ALL stand with @JemeleHill.

ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming). People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Wow @Espn trying to reprimand people for telling the Truth!! Say it aint so!!! The Systems at it again! We ALL stand with @JemeleHill ?????  Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) September 15, 2017

Actor Kal Penn, who served as an associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement during the Obama administration, also called out Trump for being a white supremacist, pointing to the presidents Friday morning tweet against chain migration, the process by which legal U.S. immigrants can sponsor relatives paths into the country.

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Trump getting mad at being called a white supremacist & then being one in back to back tweets is ???????? pic.twitter.com/FcICLO0cQ1  Kal Penn (@kalpenn) September 15, 2017

Others followed suit, with some responding directly to the president on Twitter.

Trump attacking ESPN for its reporter speaking out against his white supremacy is exactly what Putin would do.  Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) September 15, 2017

Youre a racist and a white supremacist apologist. Happy to help  Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) September 15, 2017

Trump is quicker to condemn ESPN than neo-Nazis https://t.co/PuFh5CbqdN  M??? ?eg?i? ???? (@MattNegrin) September 15, 2017

When Fox starts firing ppl who suggested Obama was Kenyan/Muslim, conservs can call for ESPN to fire ppl who call Trump a white supremacist.  Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 14, 2017

Re tweet if you stand with @JamelleHill https://t.co/uHQwtuVI9f  Bradley Whitford (@WhitfordBradley) September 15, 2017

North Korea has nukes, but ESPN hurt his feelings  Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) September 15, 2017

How about you resign and tweet about ESPN full-time  Ben Wikler (@benwikler) September 15, 2017

But one Twitter user liked Trumps ESPN tweet so much that he suggested the president resign and tweet about ESPN full-time.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day may be Friday, but many Americans are accustomed to seeing the now-familiar flag of their cause  the silhouette and white letters on a black background  flying outside post offices, military properties, hospitals and government buildings all year round. Far less well-known are the people who created the flag.

Mary Hoff of Orange Park, Fla., gets credit for coming up with the idea for such a flag. She had just given birth to her fifth child when her husband, Navy Lieutenant Commander Michael Hoff, was shot down in a flight over Laos in 1970, during the Vietnam War. His body was unaccounted for.

I once asked in Washington, What do I bury?' she told the Florida Times-Union in 2009. And they said, Well, well give you all the artifacts from the aircraft.'

Sensing that other families might want something more ceremonious, she asked a New Jersey graphic design company called Annin & Co. to create a flag that fellow members of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing could rally around. The company hired illustrator Newton Newt Heisley for the job.

And for Heisley, the mission felt personal.

I used to fly within range of the Japanese and wondered how I would hold up if I ever got captured, the World War II veteran once said, according to the companys site.

He ended up basing the gaunt, silhouetted profile on the flag on that of his son Jeffrey  who was not a prisoner of war. Rather, he had been forced to leave the Marines because of a case of hepatitis. You are not forgotten, the words below the figure read.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

Hoff claims the color scheme was her idea, however. I said, I dont want a lot of colors,' she told the Times-Union. I had seen a picture of one of those POWs wearing black-and-white pajamas. And because of that I said, We need a stark, black-and-white flag.'

Story continues

Heisley told the Colorado Springs Gazette in 1997 that the flag was intended for use merely by a small group of people personally affected, and that its widespread appeal came as a surprise. Nevertheless, it boasts the distinction, historians and flag experts believe, of being the only non-national flag that any federal government anywhere in the world has mandated to be flown regularly, according to Marc Leepson, author of Flag: An American Biography.

In 1982, it became the only flag other than the American flag to fly over the White House. In 1990, Congress recognized the flag as a symbol of our Nations concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. And the 1998 Defense Authorization Act mandated that federal buildings fly the flag on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day.

But not everyone thinks it should be flown everywhere. Some scholars argue that its a painful reminder of a war that went on longer than necessary in order to find people who couldnt be recovered. Some argue that, as the last known Vietnam POWs came home in 1973, the flag may not be relevant anymore.

But even in 2014, it remained newsworthy: After the return of the only U.S. soldier captured by the Taliban, Bowe Bergdahl, the residents of his hometown Hailey, Idaho, cancelled a homecoming celebration after years of parading the flag for his return, due to national uproar over the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. In defending his city, Mayor Fritz Haemmerle essentially paraphrased the motto of the flag: For the men and women who choose to serve, the City of Hailey believes we do not leave our soldiers behind.

And so, the flag has come to be seen as a symbol of a principle that doesnt just apply to those who fought and were lost in Vietnam, but to all members of the U.S. armed forces serving their country abroad.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has expressed his gratitude to the supreme leaders of Iran and North Korea in two recent letters thanking them for standing behind his government, which has been accused by the West of perpetrating human rights abuses throughout a six-year war against jihadists and other insurgent groups.

In a letter sent Thursday to Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Assad thanked the leading Shiite Muslim cleric for providing crucial support to the Syrian military as it advanced against the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) toward the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, where a three-year siege by the militants was broken earlier this month. Since a 2011 uprising threatened Assad's control over the country, Iran has been a leading sponsor of the Syrian leader's efforts to combat various forces opposed to his government.

Related: Russian military, not U.S., to lead battle for ISIS's final major city in Syria

"The Syrian Arab Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran are continuing the fight against oppression and aggression and eliminating the threats of terrorism," Assad wrote, according to Press TV, the English-language affiliate of the semi-official Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

RTS1C4X6

SANA/Reuters

The Syrian military's comeback in recent years has deeply hampered the interests of the U.S., which previously supported rebels attempting to overthrow Assad. This support dwindled as the Syrian opposition grew increasingly fractured due to infighting with more extremist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, and as Russia stepped up military backing to Assad. The U.S. has since switched its focus to curbing ISIS influence via support for the mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces.

Story continues

While the U.S. still calls for Assad's eventual removal from power, this shift in strategy has opened the door for closer cooperation with Russia. This detente has not, however, extended to Iran. Unlike in Iraq, where the U.S. reluctantly accepted Iran's extensive role in fighting ISIS alongside the U.S.-backed Iraqi military, forces supported by the U.S. and Iran have clashed at times in Syria.

As President Donald Trump calls for greater action against Iran and a renegotiation of a historic 2015 nuclear treaty signed by his predecessor, Iran and other leading powers, Assad also thanked the source of another one of Trump's biggest nuclear concerns: North Korea. Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un are locked in a nuclear standoff over the latter's right to possess nuclear weapons. Assad reportedly replied to birthday wishes sent to him Monday by North Korea and took the opportunity to voice his desire to forge stronger bonds between the two countries.

"The Syrian Arab Republic appreciates you for supporting our just cause and expressing belief that our army would win a final victory in the struggle for smashing the terrorist forces and defending the sovereignty and security of the country and territorial integrity in support of allies and friends," Assad wrote Tuesday, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

In a report last year by the Saudi Arabia-led, anti-Assad High Negotiations Committee, Syrian opposition groups claimed that North Korean forces had been spotted fighting on behalf of the Syrian government, according to the state-run Tass Russian news agency. The U.N. has also accused North Korea of helping Assad build chemical weapons, which the Syrian leader denies possessing.

Syria, Iran and North Korea are all leading critics of U.S. foreign policy and have been subject to widespread U.S. sanctions. Iran and North Korea, along with Iraq under President Saddam Hussein, were designated part of President George W. Bush's "Axis of Evil" in 2002. This was later that year expanded by then-Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton to include Syria, along with Fidel Castro's Cuba and Muammar el-Qaddafi's Libya.

In response to Bush's 2002 speech, Libyan official newspaper Al-Zahf Al-Akhdar branded Iran, Iraq and North Korea as part of an "axis of resistance," a term used commonly today by opponents of U.S. foreign policy to describe Syria, Iran and Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah, which is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S and provides a vital column of support for Assad in Syria.

Related Articles
The United States appears to have given up on finding a comprehensive political settlement to Syrias civil war. The topic has not been on the agenda for recent U.S.-Russian talks on Syria, which instead have focused on deescalating violence on the ground, and U.S. officials privately admit that they prefer to invest their efforts in projects with a higher chance of success  brokering limited ceasefire agreements, deconflicting counterterrorism operations, and shoring up Americas most important Syrian partner, the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

This approach is broadly consistent with Syria policy in the last two years of the Obama administration, with one critical difference: By publicly declaring that the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is no longer a priority for the United States, the Trump administration has tacitly accepted that Assad is here to stay. What it has not done is offer a vision for reconstituting the Syrian body politic with him in place.

That leaves unaddressed a number of questions that have important implications for the United States and its regional partners. Assad may have defeated the bulk of the mainstream opposition, but the country itself is fragmented into multiple, semiautonomous parts that will continue to defy central authority. How will these parts be reintegrated? Will foreign troops, including from Iran, remain in Syria indefinitely? Will refugees who wish to return be permitted to do so? Is the government willing to make concessions and provide assurances sufficient to convince multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank, to contribute to national reconstruction and development?

Resolving these questions is essential if we are to avoid a renewed escalation of violence, prevent Syrias partition, and restore regional stability. And it will require a political process that the Syrian government is both unwilling and unable to credibly lead on its own.

Yet, the Trump administration continues to publicly back the moribund Geneva peace process. In early October, representatives from the Syrian opposition and the Syrian government will return to Geneva for another round of U.N.-mediated talks. Those talks are unlikely to make substantive progress, and everyone knows it  not only because of the wide divergence between the parties respective agendas, but because the process itself is deeply flawed. Its time to replace Geneva with a more inclusive set of negotiations that better reflects reality on the ground.

The flawed logic of the Geneva Communique

Composed in the wake of former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annans failed six-point peace plan, the Geneva Communique was signed by nine countries and the secretaries-general of the U.N. and the Arab League on June 30, 2012. It aimed to stop the escalating cycle of violence and establish an agreed framework for negotiations to reach a comprehensive political settlement. In practice, this meant trying to narrow the gap between Russias call for dialogue with the Syrian government and the desire of the United States and others to see a negotiated transfer of power to a transitional governing body with full executive authority, composed of representatives of the government and opposition.

The awkward compromise between these positions is reflected in the stipulation that agreement on the form and composition of a transitional government would be by mutual consent, a clause that facilitated adoption of the communique, but at the expense of granting each side an effective veto. The communique was otherwise silent on the fate of Assad. Whereas, until recently, the United States insisted that mutual consent was impossible without his departure, Russia has maintained publicly from the beginning of the conflict that Assads fate is a matter for Syrians to decide, even while repeatedly offering private assurances that Moscow was not wedded to Assad.

The communique did not prescribe a specific structure for the negotiations themselves. During a series of trilateral meetings between the United States, Russia, and the U.N. in the second half of 2013, the participants agreed that negotiations would be between two parties: the Syrian government and a representative delegation from the opposition. The logic was relatively simple: As the two most influential external actors involved in the conflict, the United States and Russia were responsible both for pressing their respective clients towards compromise and for bringing along their respective regional partners  Iran, in the case of Russia; the Gulf States and Turkey, in the case of the United States.

This approach has not worked. Despite the dogged and admirable efforts of the two U.N. envoys responsible for facilitating the Geneva process, Lakhdar Brahimi and Staffan de Mistura, as well as U.N. Security Council backing, negotiations were stillborn. The communique offered important principles to guide a transition, and the first round of talks in February 2014 helped to establish the political oppositions legitimacy. But Assad was never likely to engage seriously in negotiations that could lead to his removal, and Russia did little to compel its client. Led by its pugnacious U.N. permanent representative, Bashar al-Jaafari, the government delegation maintained a posture of stubborn intransigence throughout successive rounds of talks.

While the opposition insisted on discussing a political transition, the government insisted on discussing terrorism  a broad label it applied to any group opposed to its rule. Meanwhile, the opposition consistently struggled to reconcile the competing interests of its various patrons and to assemble a unified delegation that could credibly represent the interests of the more than a thousand armed groups operating in Syria.

Instead of encouraging compromise, the Geneva process incentivized escalation by external patrons on both sides who sought military advantage on the ground in order to improve the standing of their respective clients at the negotiating table. Many argue that President Barack Obama  who sought to avoid the consequences of a disorderly transition or collapse of central authority akin to the experience of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya  was never prepared to provide the support necessary to test Assads resolve. But the underlying logic of this criticism is empirically suspect.

In fact, major shifts in the balance of power on the ground never led the weaker party to meaningfully alter its negotiating position. Quite the contrary  when the Syrian military was on its heels in early 2013, Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah came to its defense; likewise, advances by opposition groups in the spring of 2015 precipitated a Russian invasion to prop us Assad.

In retrospect, Genevas binary, adversarial structure was ill-suited to resolving the Syria conflict  and has only become more so as the battlefield has changed.

The problem with the status quo

Critics of the Geneva process argue that were better with it than we are without it. If a comprehensive political solution is beyond reach, many Syrians believe Geneva still offers an important forum in which small, tactical progress may be possible, and it serves as a procedural vessel for a future deal in the event of a change in military or diplomatic circumstances. By virtue of its international legitimacy, Genevas continued existence also acts as a counterweight to Russian-led talks in Astana, Kazakhstan.

These arguments make a compelling case that a U.N.-led process for Syria is still needed. But they overlook the costs of maintaining the status quo. First, by limiting talks to the government and opposition, the Geneva process continues to empower the most hardline elements of the conflict, at the expense of a broad swath of Syrian society that has long called for an end to violence. Second, by indulging in what amount to Potemkin negotiations, the United States and its allies are ceding the political field to Assad, and squandering the little leverage they still possess to press the Syrian government to accept the basic political reforms necessary to begin reunifying the country.

Some analysts do believe Syria simply cannot be reunified under Assad. That may be correct, but a diplomatic strategy based solely on biding our time is extremely unlikely to result in Assads removal and almost certain to accelerate the centrifugal forces that are already resulting in Syrias de facto partition.

Designing a more inclusive process than Geneva wont be easy. At various points over the past three years, Russia has proposed expanding participation in the Geneva talks, but this was motivated less by a genuine commitment to the principle of inclusion than by a cynical desire to undermine the coherence of the opposition delegation.

Part of the problem also lies with us. Despite lobbying from various Syrian groups that do not consider themselves to be either on one side or the other  including not only civil society, women, and business leaders, but also the increasingly powerful Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), the dominant group within the SDF  the United States has long refused to expand the Geneva format. Unless the demands of the hardline elements in the opposition were addressed, it was argued, the fighting would continue, even if agreement was reached. And, while important to an eventual political solution, the PYD was (and remains) unacceptable to our ally Turkey, which views the group as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party, a designated terrorist organization.

Today, the SDF is arguably the second strongest military force on the ground, after the Syrian government and government-aligned militias. It has been the United States most effective counterterrorism partner in Syria, controls large swaths of territory, and poses the clearest challenge to the Syrian regimes publicly stated aspirations to reassert control over the entirety of Syrian territory. For these reasons alone, the SDF deserves a voice in any political process. Including the SDF also could make it harder for the group to reach a separate settlement with Damascus, an outcome that could complicate U.S. counterterrorism operations.

By contrast, Syrias mainstream armed opposition has now largely been destroyed. Russias military intervention in September 2015 decisively shifted the battlefield momentum, culminating a year later in the oppositions expulsion from Aleppo. Where it once had many friends, the opposition increasingly finds itself isolated, with fewer and fewer vocal supporters for its insistence that Assad must go. The hard reality is that nearly all of its main state sponsors have at differing points over the last six years come to the conclusion that Assads ouster is a lower priority than other strategic objectives.

This message was driven home by President Donald Trumps public confirmation via Twitter on July 24 that the United States had ended a covert program that reportedly provided vetted opposition groups with hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons and cash. With the mainstream opposition increasingly eclipsed by extremist and terrorist groups, the logic of Geneva means that what little leverage we have is, at least indirectly, tied to the military performance of groups that are openly hostile to the United States.

Nevertheless, in recent weeks discussion has once again turned to how to reform the Syrian oppositions delegation in Geneva. In late August, Riyadh hosted a series of meetings between the High Negotiations Committee and other opposition groups to encourage a unified approach to the negotiations. Those meetings reportedly failed as a consequence of the Committees insistence that Assad immediately step down from power.

Instead of trying to convince the Syrian opposition to moderate its stance, the United States should be laying the groundwork for an alternative to Geneva.

An alternative way forward

A different process, with a different structure, might shift the focus away from Assad, while amplifying the voices of those calling for political reform, including among Syrians close to the government on whose support Assad will increasingly rely as Syria transitions from wartime mobilization to politics. While expectations should be held firmly in check, such a process might also create a framework in which the United States and like-minded countries could collectively employ nonmilitary sources of leverage, such as our influence over the PYD and SDF, the prospect of lifting international sanctions on the Syrian government, and sending the political signals that will be necessary to unlock multilateral financial assistance for reconstruction.

We know from experience how difficult it will be to find a comprehensive solution. There is no silver bullet, and abandoning Geneva carries its own risks  especially if there isnt agreement in advance on what would replace it. Before diving into something new, it will be critical both to rigorously test assumptions (lest we end up with an equally unworkable process) and ensure that key allies and partners would offer diplomatic support. Those discussions will take time and should begin now.

One possibility would be to encourage the U.N. to expand participation in the current process, essentially replacing indirect talks between the government and opposition with a series of direct talks among a broader range of actors. This would give official recognition to the many Syrian groups the U.N. has already been engaging on the margins of Geneva, including the PYD and representatives of Syrias business community, religious and ethnic minorities, women, and civil society  groups who may be less rigid in their views, more in tune with the wants and needs of the average Syrian, and more successful in rallying both elite and popular support around specific reform measures.

Alternatively, the United States could encourage the U.N. to replace Geneva with a U.N.-led national dialogue. The goal would be to create a venue to discuss Syrias political future and reach agreement on core issues, such as demobilization and the withdrawal of foreign forces, a new constitution and parameters for national elections, administrative decentralization, the release of prisoners, and mechanisms to facilitate refugee return. The record of analogous exercises  for example in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen, is mixed. But, by generating broad-based dialogue outside of formal government institutions, over time such processes can play an important role in shaping national politics.

Following a recent string of military victories, Assad is riding high, and Damascus almost certainly will resist any effort that it sees as restricting its sovereignty. Assad also may believe that Geneva is valuable in so far as it provides continuing cover for the governments piecemeal efforts to end the war on its own terms.

It may be worth testing whether Russia agrees  especially if a new U.N.-led process is presented as the price for international acquiescence to Assads continued rule and a precondition for any discussion of international assistance, something Russia seeks. Despite its staunch support for the Syrian government, Moscow likely perceives more clearly than does Assad the multiplicity of challenges that lie ahead  from the governments unsustainable fiscal position and chronic manpower shortages to the acute political divisions and demographic trends that helped cause the war in the first place. As a consequence, Russia might be convinced that a new process could serve its interests, and could help cut the timeline for its own commitments in Syria.

Neither is a perfect solution. But they would shift the discussion from war to politics, and potentially set into motion a process that could begin healing the rifts from Syrias terrible war. The United States could decide to keep up the charade in Geneva, but if we want to see greater stability in the years ahead, we need to change course.

Photo credit: ABDULMONAM EASSA/AFP/Getty Images
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 02:37:55|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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VIENNA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Austria's three major political parties have met for their first televised debate in Linz on Friday, marking a ramping up of campaigning ahead of the Oct. 15 election.

In front of an audience of about 1,000 people, and with local and international media present, current chancellor Christian Kern of the Social Democrats, candidate for the centre-right People's Party, and current frontrunner Sebastian Kurz, and leader of the far-right Freedom Party Heinz-Christian Strache addressed various issues presently prominent in the media.

These included the ongoing refugee crisis in particular, as well as potential coalition groupings, and the situation in the employment and education sectors.

Kern acknowledged the mistakes made by the government in 2015, at which time he was not yet chancellor, in allowing refugees to stream into the country uncontrolled. While Austria has helped significantly, illegal migration should now be kept to zero, he said.

Kurz reiterated his stance of offering aid in affected countries, but said this would not be enough given the high birth rates in many African states, which must also be tackled.

Strache for his part said migrants should be provided with non-cash benefits rather than monetary entitlements, in order to reduce the number of economic migrants.
Lome (AFP) - A parliamentary panel in Togo on Friday approved a controversial bill to revamp the constitution and introduce a presidential term limit, after days of protests against the regime of Faure Gnassingbe, the scion of Africa's oldest political dynasty.

After a closed-door session, ten members of the National Assembly's law commission approved the government-proposed text by a six-to-four vote.

But the commission did not accept any amendments proposed by opposition parties during a debate held at the same time in the parliament chamber, including opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre and three government ministers.

"We submitted 48 amendments... the government which is backing this constitutional revision rejected them en bloc. So there was nothing for us to do in the chamber. We left," Fabre said while leaving parliament.

The law commission will now give its final report to the full parliament for a vote that will require the support of four-fifths of lawmakers for approval.

Gnassingbe's government approved the bill last Tuesday on the eve of protests that drew hundreds of thousands of people to the streets across the country calling for change.

The president has been in power since 2005 and won three elections that have been disputed by the opposition.

His father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, was president before him for 38 years.

The opposition has long called for a limit of two five-year terms for presidents and the introduction of a two-round voting system.

New protests have been called for next Wednesday and Thursday and a counter-demonstration by government supporters has also been planned at the same time.

Opposition leaders have called the government's proposed reforms a "diversionary tactic".

If adopted, the term limits would not be applied retroactively, leaving Gnassingbe free to contest the next two elections in 2020 and 2025.

Togo is the only country in West Africa not to have presidential term limits.

Previous attempts to have open-ended terms of office have seen popular protests in places such as The Gambia and Burkina Faso and forced the government out.
U.S. President Donald Trump explained his botched response to a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last month by saying he needed the facts before broadly denouncing violence from racist groups.

But Trump has repeatedly shown hes not interested in waiting for the facts when it comes to other acts of terror.

Just hours after a bomb exploded in a West London Tube station on Friday  with no information publicly available about potential suspects in the attack  Trump attributed the violence to loser terrorists and sick and demented people. He also said his travel ban, which affects people from six Muslim-majority countries, should be far larger, tougher and more specific.

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific-but stupidly, that would not be politically correct!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

A police spokesperson told CNN that Trumps comments about Scotland Yard were pure speculation and unhelpful. U.K. officials widely criticized Trumps comments.

I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, whom Trump had harshly criticized in June after a different attack, said he was not going to go there.

Story continues

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the bombing in London as he attends a photo opportunity in the Rose Garden of the White House on Sept. 15, 2017. (Photo: MIKE THEILER/Getty Images)

Less than a week after the Charlottesville protests on Aug. 12, Trump also issued an explosive statement against Radical Islamic Terror in the wake of an Aug. 17 attack in Barcelona, Spain, telling people to study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught.

That story  which has no basis in fact  is one Trump told on the campaign trail, when he spoke of Pershing executing Muslim insurgents in the Philippines in the early 1900s with bullets dipped in pigs blood.

As The Washington Post points out, he was quick to call the Barcelona attack, during which a van plowed into a crowd of people, terror.

But after the violence in Charlottesville, where an alleged white supremacist had plowed a car into a crowd of anti-racist protesters, killing one woman, Trump had blamed both sides, and said, You can call it terrorism, you can call it murder, you can call it whatever you want.

Trump received a wave of bipartisan criticism after his initial comments, and he made several attempts to walk them back, explicitly condemning white supremacists two days later.

But he has continued to undermine that statement ever since. At a rally on Aug. 22, he spent more than 10 minutes rereading his comments on Charlottesville, defending statues of Confederate leaders and attacking the media, which he accused of trying to take away the history and our heritage.

On Thursday, Trump signed a resolution condemning white supremacy, but also reiterated his initial comments on the Charlottesville protests, arguing that a lot of people have said he was right to condemn both sides.

You look at really whats happened since Charlottesville, a lot of people are saying, and people have actually written, Gee, Trump might have a point, Trump said, while reflecting on his discussion with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) about the brutal history surrounding the white supremacist movement and their horrific treatment of black and other minority groups, according to the senators office.

I said, Youve got some very bad people on the other side also, which is true, Trump added.

Trump hardly showed restraint prior to Charlottesville. It took him less than a day to respond to terrorist attacks in Paris and in Manchester, England. He also used a prior attack in London to plug his travel ban.

He has also said he can predict terrorism, saying he can feel it. After a gunman who claimed allegiance to the self-described Islamic State attacked a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in June 2016, killing 49 and wounding scores more, Trump bragged about being right on radical Islamic terrorism.

Based on his actions, it appears Trumps claim that he doesnt want to go quickly and just make a statement for the sake of making a political statement only applies to white supremacists.

Alana Horowitz Satlin contributed to this report.

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President Donald Trump flies aboard the Marine One helicopter ovver storm damage and flooding caused by Hurricane Irma near Fort Myers, Florida on Sept. 14, 2017.

Flooding caused by Hurricane Irma is seen from a U.S. Marine helicopter accompanying President Donald Trump.

Marine One was accompanied by a U.S. Marines tilt rotor "Osprey" helicopter while touring storm damage.

President Donald Trump, left, and first lady Melania Trump are greeted by Florida Governor Rick Scott and his wife Ann as Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott applauds during a briefing on Hurricane Irma relief efforts in Fort Myers, Florida.

Trump receives a briefing on Hurricane Irma relief efforts from FEMA Administrator Brock Long.

Trump and Florida Governor Rick Scott and his wife Ann Scott tour a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Irma, in Naples, Florida.

People watch as Trump tours a neighborhood damaged by Hurricane Irma in Naples.

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence help serve food to people affected by Hurricane Irma in Naples.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
President Donald Trump quickly took to Twitter early Friday morning to condemn what he called the loser terrorist behind the explosion on a London Underground subway train, doing so before British authorities had identified any suspect or suspects in the attack that left at least 18 people injured.

In a string of Twitter posts, Trump described the unidentified perpetrator or perpetrators behind the explosion in the Parsons Green area of the city as sick and demented. He also suggested that local authorities might have been aware of the threat, saying that the culprits were in the sights of Scotland Yard, referring to Londons Metropolitan Police. Local police have said they are treating it as a terrorist attack.

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist, Trump said. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Trumps cryptic message led to some confusion on social media, with some wondering whether the President had inadvertently shared intelligence.

"In the sights off" - has he just shared classified information passed on by an allied power? https://t.co/8VPZuzBt3X  Tim Stanley (@timothy_stanley) September 15, 2017

Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, British Prime Minister Theresa May appeared to rebuke President Trumps comments. I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation, she said, the Guardian reports.

Nick Timothy, Mays former chief of staff, described Trumps tweet as so unhelpful whether it was true or not.

Story continues

True or not - and I'm sure he doesn't know - this is so unhelpful from leader of our ally and intelligence partner. https://t.co/ZndrTXFrAX  Nick Timothy (@NickJTimothy) September 15, 2017

Trump also called for terrorists to be dealt with in a much tougher manner. He called the Internet their main recruitment tool, echoing Mays sentiments when she addressed the country following the London Bridge terror attack earlier this year. In that speech, May said that the country is experiencing a new trend in the terrorism threat, adding that there needed to be an international agreement to regulate cyberspace to prevent terrorists from having the safe space they need for their extremist ideology to breed.

Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

And Trump also used the attack to defend his controversial travel ban and his administrations record on fighting ISIS.

The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific-but stupidly, that would not be politically correct!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

We have made more progress in the last nine months against ISIS than the Obama Administration has made in 8 years.Must be proactive & nasty!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Trump has quickly taken to Twitter following most of the various terror attacks on British soil this year. Following the attack on Westminster Bridge and the British Parliament in March, Trump criticized the response of Londons Mayor, Sadiq Khan. At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is no reason to be alarmed!' Trump said then. And in the wake of the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert, which killed 22 people in May, Trump said he was stand[ing] in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom.

The President also cited his travel ban following the London Bridge attacks in June. We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety! he wrote, later adding: Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? Thats because they used knives and a truck!

After the Finsbury Park attack on June 19, in which a van was driven into pedestrians near a large Mosque, injuring at least eight people, Trump did not tweet, with many criticizing his silence on the issue.
Washington (AFP) - Caracas on Friday denounced President Donald Trump's plans to meet with Latin American leaders concerning Venezuela's ongoing crisis, branding the talks as "rival dialogue."

Earlier in the day Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster had announced plans for a "working dinner" on Monday that will convene several Latin American leaders in New York, as the UN General Assembly gets underway.

During the dinner Trump expects to "discuss the crisis in Venezuela, as well as the strong economic ties and extraordinary success of like-minded Latin American nations in recent decades," McMaster told journalists, without elaborating on which leaders the talks will include.

But having just begun exploratory talks with opposition delegates this week, Caracas met the news with scorn.

"You have nothing to evaluate President Trump... evaluate your internal problems," Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told journalists, lambasting the planned meeting as "rival dialogue."

Officials from both the Venezuelan government and the opposition began exploratory talks Wednesday, mediated by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the former Spanish prime minister.

The opposing sides agreed Thursday to a commission of "friendly countries" -- Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua -- tasked with assisting negotiations to emerge from the crisis that had fueled months of deadly protests.

Arreaza also appeared to respond to Trump's threat last month of a "military option" in Venezuela.

"Anyone who dares to attack Venezuela will suffer the consequences," he said.

Though the White House did not say who would attend Monday's talks, Arreaza mentioned Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is among those invited.

McMaster also ruled out the possibility that Trump could hold direct talks with Venezuelan representatives at the General Assembly.

President Nicolas Maduro will not attend the gathering of world leaders, instead sending his foreign minister to represent the embattled Latin American country.

Washington has already slapped sanctions on crisis-stricken Venezuela -- including on Maduro himself -- to "deny the Maduro dictatorship a critical source of financing to maintain its illegitimate rule."
Theresa May and the Metropolitan Police were less than pleased at Trumps tweets about Parsons Green: Reuters

Donald Trumps second instinct was the right one, while  surprise, surprise  his first was not. And, as ever, it is those initial blunderings, grotesque and self-serving, that well remember. And they tell us a lot about the man and how his empathy-depleted, self-serving mind works.

So we can dispense with Step Two quickly. He phones Theresa May and extends condolences and a hand of cooperation in the wake of the Parsons Green train attack. Well done Donald  that wasnt so hard. Civil exchanges of mutual support between leaders can matter in times of national shock, and both Britain and the US are doing plenty behind the scenes on terror.

Step One, cock-eyed and deplorable, came via Twitter. The panic on the tracks is barely over and Trump trots out four tweets, all unhelpful. To what end did he imply, for instance, that the London police had screwed up because the perpetrators were already known to them? These, he said, were sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Is that so? Was he guessing or did he have classified information, and if so why was he blabbing about it?

Forensics officers investigate the scene (AFP/Getty)

The Prime Minister, of course, has been criticised for being mealy-mouthed in the past each time Trump has overstepped the boundaries of decency, most recently with his attempts to say that the counter-protestors and the white supremacists equally shared the blame for the mayhem  and murder  in Charlottesville last month.

This time, she rebuked the president rather swiftly. If she hadnt, maybe he wouldnt have bothered placing that call to her subsequently.

I never think its helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation, she said after a meeting with her top domestic security experts. The Metropolitan Police werent amused either. The comments were counterproductive and pure speculation, it said in a statement.

That Trump is madly inconsistent barely needs pointing out. Its about what suits him at the time. When he was assailed for his initial comments on Charlottesville, he said he hadnt wanted to say anything more  blame the haters  before having all the facts.

Story continues

When I make a statement, I like to be correct, he said. I want the facts ... I dont want to rush into a statement. Does he not see how ridiculous that sounds? Coming from him. Juxtapose that with his Friday tweets and you might laugh. Or cry.

The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific-but stupidly, that would not be politically correct!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

On the first day of June, many in Manila were startled when Trump lamented they too had becomes victims of terror. Pretty sad what is going on throughout the world with terror, he said. Our thoughts and our prayers are with all of those affected. Except that what he assumed was a terror attack was one man trying to rob gamblers in a casino. Hed jumped the gun.

Two days after Manila, the savagery at London Bridge unfolded. There was no mistaking what that was about. Yet Trump managed to anger everyone in the capital by willfully twisting a statement from Mayor Sadiq Khan urging Londoners not to be alarmed by all the armed officers on the streets. Trump inferred he had said they shouldnt be alarmed by the attack itself.

That was not helpful, and plainly dishonest. Except each time this happens, Trump thinks he is being helpful  to himself. He uses each tragedy to inflate himself or prove a point. He tried to manipulate the 2015 Paris massacres to bolster his campaign trail argument that gun control was making America less safe.

He used Paris, in fact, as a told-you-so moment  never mind the obscenely misguided logic. This message is repugnant in its lack of any human decency. Vulture, French ambassador to the US Gerard Araud replied.

Told you so was also the message from Trump on Friday. This is why we need the travel ban I have talked about so often and the courts keep thwarting me on. He was basically saying, I am right, you see. No one else understands what we must do to protect our citizens. And its why political correctness is such a mistake.

Actually, it was more complicated. Recently, Trump has alienated much of his base by seeming ready to renege on a promise to deport 700,000 Dreamers, young people brought illegally into the country when they were kids, and by cosying up with Democrats in Congress. This was a wink to say he hasnt forgotten about them  he is still their tough guy on terror and immigration.

Must be proactive & nasty, he wrote. Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner. The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!

The notion of shutting down the internet to frustrate Isis and other terror networks was first raised by Trump in late 2015, at the same campaign event that saw him calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.

Trump was using the pain of those fleeing the flash of fire on the District Line to rebalance his political fortunes at home. Cynical politics, indeed. And his conservative fans should know by now not to put any store in his immigration promises. The Supreme Court is due to rule on the constitutionality of his 90-day travel ban on visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on 10 October. And the ban will expire on the last day of September anyway.

Trump is smoke and mirrors. And if he offends people along the way, he really doesnt care.
The following statements were posted to the verified Twitter accounts of U.S. President Donald Trump, @realDonaldTrump and @POTUS.

The opinions expressed are his own. Reuters has not edited the statements or confirmed their accuracy.

@realDonaldTrump :

- With the ridiculous Filibuster Rule in the Senate, Republicans need 60 votes to pass legislation, rather than 51. Can't get votes, END NOW![0637 EDT]

- Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive! [0642 EDT]

- Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner. The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better! [0648 EDT]

- The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific-but stupidly, that would not be politically correct! [0654 EDT]

- We have made more progress in the last nine months against ISIS than the Obama Administration has made in 8 years. Must be proactive & nasty! [0700 EDT]

- ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming). People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth! [0720 EDT]

- CHAIN MIGRATION cannot be allowed to be part of any legislation on Immigration![0900 EDT]

- WEEKLY ADDRESS http://bit.ly/2wgKaKi [1209 EDT]

- Frank FX Giaccio-

On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania & myself, THANK YOU for doing a GREAT job this morning! @NatlParkService gives you an A+! http://bit.ly/2wheSmx [1249 EDT]

- NEVER forget our HEROES held prisoner or who have gone missing in action while serving their country.

Proclamation: http://45.wh.gov/POWMIARecognitionDay [1502 EDT]

- Our hearts & prayers go out to the people of London, who suffered a vicious terrorist attack.... [1654 EDT]

- We will defend our people, our nations and our civilization from all who dare to threaten our way of life...cont: https://www.facebook.com/DonaldTrump/posts/10159843256785725 [1858 EDT]

- HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY to the @USAirForce! The American people are eternally grateful. Thank you for keeping America PROUD, STRONG and FREE! [1954 EDT]

-- Source link: (http://bit.ly/2jBh4LU) (http://bit.ly/2jpEXYR)

(Compiled by Bengaluru bureau)
President Trump on fighter pilots: "They're better looking than Tom Cruise and we know they can fight better" https://t.co/SAIm108H7v  NBC News (@NBCNews) September 15, 2017

People online took great delight in trolling President Donald Trump over his apparent lack of movie knowledge on Friday.

During a speech to U.S. Air Force members at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump cracked a joke about his audience being better looking than Hollywood star Tom Cruise.

I just met a lot of these folks, he said. They are better looking than Tom Cruise and we know they can fight better and we know they can fly better. They better be able to. Great people.

But in indirectly referencing Cruises role as Maverick in the hit 1986 movie Top Gun, Trump appeared to forget (or not realize) that Cruises character was in the Navy and not the Air Force.

Twitter users were quick to call out the commander in chief over his gaffe:

Does he know, I wonder, that Tom Cruz played a Navy pilot, not an Air Force one?  Richard Iniguez (@riniguez23) September 16, 2017

Trump actually compared Tom Cruise in Top Gun (Navy pilots) with real Air Force cadets. Seems normal for a guy mostly out of reality pic.twitter.com/1PXM4AHl04  Otto Titsling (@thuffrn) September 15, 2017

So I guess Trump's speechwriter forgot to mention that "Top Gun" is a Navy movie?  Chris Pandolfo (@ChrisCPandolfo) September 15, 2017

When Trump addressed the Air Force servicemen and compared them to Tom Cruise, did anyone tell him the Top Gun program is run by the NAVY?  Jeff Sykes (@sykotwit) September 16, 2017

(Did anyone tell Trump the Top Gun school is for US Naval aviators?) https://t.co/TRuK5YiOnq  Maggie Jordan: (@MaggieJordanACN) September 15, 2017

Other people suggested that Trump might have thought the movie was actually a documentary:

Story continues

He knows Top Gun isn't a documentary...right? I mean Goose didn't fake his own death,go to work in ER then as a Judge in New York  Bewmb (@Bewmb) September 15, 2017

Clearly he thinks Top Gun was a documentary   Rose Ford (@RoseColoredFact) September 15, 2017

obviously trump thinks top gun was a documentary.  Julie Gerstein (@havethehabit) September 15, 2017

What does that even mean? Does he think Top Gun was a documentary?  Chris (@CeePetes) September 15, 2017

Sounds like everything he knows about the military, he learned from watching movies. Great training for C-I-C.  MZ (@72mz) September 16, 2017

Some, however, speculated that Trump was saying Air Force pilots are better than Navy ones:

Trump says USAF pilots can fly better than Tom Cruise.

I don't think he realizes that's a dig at the Navy.  Leigh Giangreco (@LeighGiangreco) September 15, 2017

"The Air Force is more attractive and flies better than the Navy" - President Donald J. Trump, 15 September 2017  Jon (@DarkRazorZ) September 15, 2017

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As Rosemont Police released a footage Friday, showing 19-year-old Kenneka Jenkins staggering alone through a deserted hotel kitchen, another conspiracy theory emerged on Twitter about her mysterious death. Social media users claimed Jenkins had been drugged because of which she was losing her balance in the video. This was apparently the last time Jenkins was seen alive before her body was found at Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel, in Rosemont, Illinois, on Sunday.

The teenager's death has sparked an online storm on Twitter. Conspiracy theories have been doing rounds ever since she died. While some users said the teenager's friend set her up and got her raped for money, others suggester the hotel was involved in some kind of organ trading racket.

Twitter users questioned if there was no foul play involved, and if the teenager stumbled inside the freezer due to her intoxication, as claimed by a Chicago activist Thursday, why wasn't the police releasing the video showing the last moments of her death. Some users also doubted the police investigation and said the released video had been edited to hide the truth. In most ongoing investigations, however, police can choose not to release an important piece of evidence.

Some Twitter users also blamed the hotel saying they did not do enough to find Jenkins after she was reported missing Saturday. She went to the hotel to party with her friends to celebrate a new job, her family had said. However, a missing report was filed the next day after she did not return home. The theory here, according to the social media users, is that Jenkins' death was an inside job.

Jenkins' family also said they are waiting for the video or an evidence where the teenager could be seen walking into the freezer on her own before her death. Her family was earlier told by the police that an intoxicated Jenkins stumbled inside the walk-in freezer, where she was found dead. Despite requests for all evidence, we have received only snippets of video, none of which shows Kenneka Jenkins walking into a freezer, family lawyer Larry Rogers Jr. told the Chicago Tribune Friday.

The family has not been provided any video or other evidence of Kenneka Jenkins walking into a freezer. Rogers added: Serious questions remain as to how she ended up in a Crowne Plaza Hotel freezer and why it took a day and a half for the hotel to find Kenneka.

The lawyer's statement contradicts Chicago activist Andrew Holmes' statement that was issued Thursday where he claimed he saw the surveillance video that showed Jenkins walking into the freezer alone. The teenager's mother Tereasa Martin denied Holmes' account of the surveillance video. Raising doubts about the incident that led to her daughter's death, she said: They were too hush-hush at the hotel.

He came out of the blue and acting... like he was a friend, Martin said about Holmes. But he calls me this morning and says, Oh the hotel is not making any money. I think you need to go online and stop the protest, she added, according to Chicago Tribune.

Earlier this week, a video was shared on social media, allegedly recorded by Jenkins' friend Irene Roberts and posted to another friend Monifah Sheltons Facebook page. In the video, Jenkins was apparently heard saying "Help me." The cause of the teen's death is yet to be ascertained and the autopsy report has also not been released yet.

Related Articles
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 02:58:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LJUBLJANA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Slovenian Armed Forces, joined with the UK and US troops, are hosting for the third consecutive year the Triglav Star international exercise at the Bohinjska Bela barracks. in northern Slovenia.

The exercise running between Sept. 11 and 22 includes some 300 troops from Slovenia, the UK and the US, according to the report by Slovenian Press Agency (STA) on Friday.

The exercise focuses on mountain combat training and aims to consolidate military partnerships and improve inter-connections of military forces, the STA heard on Friday at a public combat demonstration.

The exercise will be carried out in two stages in the area of Bohinjska Bela and the Soriska planina plateau. The first week will be dedicated to individual skills essential in mountain combat, while the second week will focus on group tactics training.
By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Friday rejected an effort by Joaquin Guzman, the accused Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo," to dismiss a massive international narcotics conspiracy indictment on the ground he was extradited improperly to Brooklyn. While not challenging the merits of the case, Guzman's lawyers claimed that the indictment violated the extradition treaty between the United States and Mexico because Mexican authorities initially agreed to extradite their client only to southern California or western Texas. The lawyers questioned how Mexico could have suddenly consented to have U.S. authorities hurry Guzman to Brooklyn in New York City to face charges other than those for which his extradition had been sought, violating the so-called Rule of Specialty. But in a brief order, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan said Guzman had no legal right to challenge the Brooklyn indictment because Mexico had not objected to it. Cogan also said the federal appeals court in Manhattan, whose jurisdiction includes the Brooklyn courthouse, upheld this principle in late July in an unrelated case. "Here, there is no protest or objection by Mexico, nor is there an express provision in the extradition treaty between the United States and Mexico," Cogan wrote. "Therefore, defendant's motion to dismiss the indictment based on an alleged Rule of Specialty violation is denied." Michelle Gelernt, a federal public defender representing Guzman, in an email said her office was "disappointed, but not surprised" with the order. "We still believe Mr. Guzman's rights under the treaty were violated, and given that other circuit courts give the defendant the right to object to violations of extradition treaties, hope that the Supreme Court will decide this issue favorably to Mr. Guzman," she said. Prosecutors accused Guzman, 60, of running a global cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine smuggling operation as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and playing a major role in a decade-long Mexican drug war where more than 100,000 people have died. Guzman faces life in prison if convicted. He is being held without bail. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Diane Craft)
U2 canceled a show in St. Louis scheduled for Saturday night amid citywide protests over the Friday acquittal of police officer Jason Stockley, who shot a black driver five times after a car chase and was charged with first-degree murder.

"We have been informed by the St. Louis Police Department that they are not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size. We have also been informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity," U2 said in a joint statement with Live Nation.

SEE ALSO: Activists hang 'Racism is as American as baseball' banner at Red Sox game

"In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans safety by proceeding with tonights concert."

People throughout St. Louis started protesting after Stockley was acquitted on Friday. The former police officer killed Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011 and was charged with murder last year.

Stockley and another officer chased Smith at up to 80 miles per hour, and Stockley said that he was "going to kill this motherfer, don't you know it," the Washington Post reported based on court documents. The officer fired five times into Smith's car.

officer Jason Stockley heard pledging to kill Anthony Lamar Smith. He did & then, per DA, planted a gun.

Acquittedhttps://t.co/QAljzNwVPd  Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) September 15, 2017

Stockley was also accused of planting a gun on Smith. A gun found in Smith's car only carried DNA from Stockley.

Although most protests were peaceful, some violence broke out between protesters and police officers late at night. About 1,000 protesters at the mayor's house met 200 police officers in riot gear who used tear gas to disperse the crowds and ward off thrown rocks and bricks.

Story continues

Twenty-three people were arrested as of 6 p.m. Friday.

"As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment," U2 said in their statement.

Fans who bought tickets to the show online will receive refunds to their credit cards, and people who bought tickets in person can receive refunds at their point of purchase starting at 10 a.m. Monday.
Peshawar (Pakistan) (AFP) - A US drone killed three suspected militants in an attack on a compound in Pakistan's tribal region Friday, officials said, in the first strike since President Donald Trump vowed to crack down on the country.

Pakistani officials said the strike took place in remote Ghuz Ghari village in Kurram agency, close to the Afghan border where at least five fighters from the Afghan Taliban had gathered.

"The US drone fired two missiles, at least three fighters from the Afghan Taliban have been killed and two wounded," a senior government official in Kurram told AFP.

The identities of those killed and wounded remained unclear but an intelligence official in Kurram said one of the dead belonged to the Haqqani network.

Two other mid-level government officials confirmed the strike and casualties and told AFP that the compound was completely destroyed in the attack.

The use of US drones has dwindled dramatically in recent years in Pakistan, where the strikes have proven extremely controversial with the public and rights groups over human rights and sovereignty concerns.

The US is believed to have ordered at least two other drone attacks this year.

The first US strike under the Trump administration killed two men riding a motorbike in Kurram in March, while the second suspected attack happened in late April in North Waziristan, one of seven tribal districts stretching along the Afghan border.

In a major speech outlining US policy on Afghanistan last month, Trump lambasted Pakistan for sheltering "agents of chaos" and suggested ties with Islamabad would be adjusted immediately. He offered few details.

Much of the Washington's anger has been directed at the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network, based in the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which the Pentagon has long accused of having ties to Pakistan's military establishment.

Led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is also the Taliban's deputy leader, they have orchestrated numerous operations deep in the heart of Kabul, and have been blamed by Afghan officials for a devastating truck bombing that killed more than 150 people in the capital in May.

Islamabad has repeatedly denied claims of being soft on militancy, accusing the United States of ignoring the thousands who have been killed in Pakistan and the billions spent fighting extremists.

Analysts have long stated that Pakistan offers support to militant proxies, including the Afghan Taliban, as a bulwark against what it considers to be the existential threat of neighbouring India.
North Koreas state-controlled broadcaster KCNA produced this image about the recent intercontinental ballistic missile test: KCNA via Reuters

It is official US policy not to protect Canada in the event of a missile attack by North Korea or any other country, a leading general has warned.

It has long been assumed that Washington would defend its northern neighbour.

However, General Pierre St-Amand, the highest-ranking Canadian officer in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad), dismissed the idea during a parliamentary committee meeting in Ottawa.

The extent of the US policy is not to defend Canada. That's the fact I can bring to the table, he said.

This statement surprised many in Canada, with public broadcaster CBC saying it had demolished a long-held political assumption that the US would intervene.

Norad is a joint US and Canadian organisation charged with ... the detection, validation and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands.

However, General St-Amand suggested the official policy might not necessarily be the one carried out in the event of an attack.

A decision would be made in the heat of the moment by the Trump administration and US military commanders, he said.

Mark Gwozdecky, assistant deputy minister for international security at Global Affairs Canada (the government department that handles diplomacy) said there had been no direct threat to Canada from North Korea.

On the contrary, in recent contacts with the North Korean government, including in August when our national security adviser was in Pyongyang, the indications were they perceived Canada as a peaceful and indeed a friendly country, he said.

However Mr Gwozdecky added that North Koreas recent actions  which include nuclear bomb tests and firing missiles over Japan  represent a grave threat to regional security, our friends and allies, South Korea and Japan.

Politicians in Canada has suggested joining the US missile shield system for a number of years, but Ottawa has never actually done so.
On September 16, the multi-platinum, clown-faced rap group Insane Clown Posse and its fans, who call themselves Juggalos, will march on the National Mall to protest the FBI. In 2011, the Justice Department declared that Juggalos comprised a loosely organized hybrid gang akin to the infamous Bloods and Crips that was rapidly expanding into many US communities. The DOJ reported that a small number of Juggalos are forming more organized subsets and engaging in more gang-like criminal activity, such as felony assaults, thefts, robberies, and drug sales. Insane Clown Posses frontmen, stage-named Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, dispute the accusation and classification, which they say has caused some of their fans to lose jobs or custody cases. With the support of the ACLU of Michigan (the group hails from Detroit), Insane Clown Posse has filed a lawsuit against the Department and the FBI.

While the march coincides with a proDonald Trump rally, the group has no explicit political affiliations. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope say they oppose discrimination of any kind. The two men, wearing their makeup, told TIME that they hope the march will help change the governments position.
A St. Loius man sped through a group of Black Lives Matters protestors in a large SUV Thursday. The driver moved rapidly through the crowd as he honked his horn, which led protestors to quickly scatter throughout the streets of St. Louis suburb Kirkwood.

The protest was organized to raise awareness for the trial of St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley, who was acquitted on charges of intentionally killing Anthony Lamar Smith. Some protestors held up a large banner that read "Convict Killer Cops #JasonStockley," whereas many others raised signs that said "Black Lives Matter." All protestors unified in chant, saying, "Stand up! Fight back!"

The gathering appeared to be under control until the driver grew impatient of waiting in protest traffic and drove off into the crowd. The incident occurred moments after the driver spoke with a few demonstrators about why they were protesting, which caused him to remain in traffic.

"I got a job to get to brother to support you for standing out here, okay? You are screwing up people making money right now to support you sitting here," the driver said to a few protestors. "Why don't you let the court system handle this? You're disrupting other people's lives to get to where they need to go."

"That's the point of a protest. That's why anyone has ever protested since the beginning of protests," a protestor said in response.

The driver responded, "I'm a white male living in a black community. Suck my d---. I am the white guy, alright?"

The driver also spoke with nearby law enforcement ahead of plowing through the crowd. The man, whose identity remains unknown, said, "Nah, I want in this" in response to an officer's undistinguishable comment.

Local law enforcement intends to investigate the incident, according to CBS affiliate KMOV. The organization does not have plans to reveal the identity of the SUV driver and whether he is subject to face charges. No injuries appeared to be sustained from the attack.

Story continues

A representative of the Kirkwood Police Department (KPD) did not immediately return International Business Times' request for comment.

This isn't the first time a driver has plowed into protestors. The protests held Aug. 12 against white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, resulted in the death of Heather Heyer, who was fatally run over by a driver. A driver in Ferguson, Missouri, also ran over demonstrators who were blocking I-70.

Black Lives Matter Protestors

Photo: Getty Images

Related Articles
As progressive Democrats introduced single-payer healthcare legislation this week, many in the party are shaking their heads at what proponents are calling a litmus test for 2020 candidates. The dead-on-arrival bill has more than a dozen Democratic supporters in the Senateand its support among the general public is far from enthusiasticbut the measure represents the lasting influence of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on the party, shifting it leftward at a time of great opportunity. With Republicans deeply divided over President Trump, Democrats may create a new rift among their supporters and candidates. As seemingly every Democrat with a pulse is keeping their eyes on the next presidential race, the party is risking putting primary politics ahead of national success.

Trump brings back both sides. Harvards Chelsea Manning controversy. Tech worries about anti-trafficking bill. And Schumer is caught on a hot mic.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

Rank-and-File Remain Skeptical of DACA Deal

Hell Go Back on His Word. [TIME]

Conservative Firebrand Roils Berkeley

The University Has Coddled Students Too Long. [TIME]

Google and Facebook Fret Over Anti-Prostitution Bills Fallout

Measure said to boost risk for putting users content online [Bloomberg]

Trump Humiliated Jeff Sessions After Mueller Appointment

Was refrained from accepting resignation [New York Times]

Despite Trump Promises, There Are Still No Plans for a Mexican Border Wall

Rhetoric doesnt match facts [NBC]

Trump and Democrats Strike DACA Deal. Yes? No? Sort of?

Trumps world can be confusing. [Washington Post]

Sound Off

DACA now and the wall very soon, but the wall will happen  President Trump to reporters Thursday

If the Republicans dont stick together then Im going to have to do more and more.  Trump sending a warning to his party that he may cut more deal with Democrats

BONUS: People in Kentucky took this stuff very seriously. Being a New Yorker, I dont have any interest in watching the eclipse. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, under fire for requesting a government plane for his European honeymoon, defending himself from questions about whether he used a government plane to view the eclipse last month.

Story continues

Bits and Bites

Heres Everything President Trump Has Ever Said About DACA [TIME]

President Trumps Favorite Dodge to a Tough Question: What About? [TIME]

Hillary Clinton Just Clapped Back at President Trumps Tweet With an Offer [TIME]

CIA Director Mike Pompeo Cancels Harvard Appearance Over Chelsea Manning Hire [TIME]

Harvard Kennedy School rescinds invite for Chelsea Manning to serve as visiting fellow [Boston Globe]

Chuck Schumer Overheard on Hot Mic: President Trump Likes Me [TIME]

Ryan to impanel informal GOP working group on DACA [Politico]

Facebook Enabled Advertisers to Reach Jew Haters [ProPublica]

Trump Signals He Will Choose Approach on Iran That Preserves Nuclear Deal [New York Times]

Trump Resurrects His Claim That Both Sides Share Blame in Charlottesville Violence [New York Times]
A column of smoke rising from a burning village forms the backdrop to one of the worst humanitarian crises the world is facingand a powerful reminder to thousands of people who have fled that all that they had is now gone.

An estimated 400,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh in the past three weeks to escape a surge of violence in Myanmars Rakhine state, home to a Muslim minority for centuries.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, has described the violence as textbook ethnic cleansing at the hands of the army and local militias, who retaliated against the civilian population following an Rohingya insurgent attack on security forces on August 25, resulting in 71 deaths, at least 59 militants and 12 soldiers.

09_15_Rohingya_01

Allison Joyce/Getty Images

No one has any hope of return, Tejshree Thapa, senior South Asia researcher for the U.S.-based NGO Human Rights Watch, tells Newsweek a few days after she returned from the region.

The reality on the ground is much much worse than any image can describe. The sheer scale of it is beyond belief, she says. I've worked with a lot of refugees but I've never seen a group this devastated, this destroyed. It's incredibly bleak.

The suffering the Rohingya are experiencing in recent weeks isnt new. Myanmars largest minority, they have been persecuted for decades. They have survived waves of ethnically-motivated violence by the military government, which has progressively deprived them of basic human rights.

The reason for this hatred, according to human rights activists, is simple: nationalism-fuelled racism.

Rohingyas have been facing genocide for many years, human rights activist and president of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Tun Khin, tells Newsweek.

Story continues

He explains that the group is an easy target for Myanmars ultra-nationalists: Rohingyas are a different ethnic group, they have a different appearance and religion.

09_15_Rohingya_Woman

Onur Coban/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

When Myanmarknown as Burma at the time became independent from British rule in 1948, the Rohingya were able to participate in the political life of the country, obtaining statehood status for Rakhine in 1974. But a few years later, during 1977 and 1978, a wave of violence against illegal immigration forced a first mass exodus to Bangladesh.

Many Rohingya returned home a year later, but in 1982 the military regime stripped them of their citizenship rights and ethnic minority status. In 1994, it began refusing to issue birth certificates to babies born of Rohingya parents.

Even two decades later, after the military government finally allowed elections and long-term political prisoner and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi became the countrys de facto leader, the Rohingya were excluded from the countrys census in 2014.

09_15_Rohingya_05

Masfiqur Sohan/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The mass exodus of Rohingya to Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries has occurred at least three times in the past 50 years: in 1977-78, in 1991-2 and in 2012 hundreds of thousands fled across the borders. Each time thousands returned to Rakhine when the worst of the violence was over.

In October last yearwhen the military carried out a campaign of devastating cruelty as described by the U.N.against the Rohingya following a militant attack against security forces. In April, Aung San Suu Kyi denied reports of ethnic cleansing and promised Rohingya would be safe it they came back to Myanmar.

The evidence is irrefutable  the Myanmar security forces are setting northern Rakhine State ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Rohingya people out of Myanmar. Make no mistake: this is ethnic cleansing, said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty Internationals crisis response director, in a statement.

There is a clear and systematic pattern of abuse here. Security forces surround a village, shoot people fleeing in panic and then torch houses to the ground. In legal terms, these are crimes against humanitysystematic attacks and forcible deportation of civilians, she added.

09_15_Rohingya_Exodus

Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Human Rights Watchs Thapa agrees, arguing that what makes this new wave of anti-Rohingya attacks worse than in previous years is how coordinated they are. It feels like a programme designed to drive out everyone finally, she said.

As Myanmar continues to block access to the Rakhine state, Thepa spoke to some of the refugees she met in Bangladesh to document the violence. One woman from Maungdaw Township said she fled on August 26, leaving her husband and 10-year-old son, after security forces attacked her village and killed her father and many other civilians.

All had knife wounds or bullet wounds, some had both. My father was among the dead; his neck had been cut open. I was unable to do last rites for [him]I just fled, she said.

Some refugees arrived in Bangladesh on foot, crossing a border where the Myanmar army is said to be laying landmines specifically to target refugees. The government denied these reports, despite numerous claims by non-governmental organizations like Amnesty International.

09_15_Rohingya_04

Zakir Hossain Chowdhury/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Others have used boats to cross either the Naf River or the Bay of Bengal into Bangladesh. Some of these vessels have capsized or sunknine women and eleven children lost their lives in one such incident in August. Many more have died since, as demonstrated by a harrowing picture of a weeping mother holding the lifeless body of her five-week-old child.

Now, international pressure on Suu Kyi, who holds the title of State Counsellor, to stop the violence and ensure a safe return for the Rohingya is mounting. A petition on Change.org to strip her of her Nobel Peace Prize has reached almost half a million signatures but the Nobel laureate, who remains popular in the country, has shunned the international community and indicated she did not believe reports of ethnic violence.

She also recently announced she would skip the 72nd U.N. General Assembly session in New York, which opened this week.

09_15_Rohingya_03

Allison Joyce/Getty Images

Despite her absence, human rights campaigners hope that the meeting will be able to provide a strong condemnation of Myanmars violence as well as assistance to the government of Bangladesh to provide humanitarian aid to the refugees.

We want to live peacefully in our native land. We don't want to be on the strain of other countries, Tun, the U.K. based activist, said.

He wants to see the formal recognition of the Rohingya as a minority in Myanmar, the provision of humanitarian aid and the dispatch of U.N. peacekeepers to protect the Rohingya. Tun has also appealed to Suu Kyi, who knows as well as as anyone what it is to be deprived of your rights in Myanmar.

"I want to ask her to please use her liberty to promote ours," he said.

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Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 04:08:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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By Matthew Rusling

MIAMI, the United States, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the sea level rises, official in Miami and surrounding areas are trying to prevent the area from one day going underwater. But the question is who will win in this man vs. nature battle.

Scientists said the sea level is rising and will likely continue to rise due to climate change, and that will impact low-lying coastal cities worldwide, from Bangkok to Mumbai, to right here in Miami.

Miami and surrounding areas have a major problem with flooding, and residents said it's getting worse. High tides -- sometimes called king tides -- even on clear, sunny days, can cause floodwaters to seep upward to street level through Miami's drainage system. That's because the city and surrounding areas rest on a bed of limestone, which is porous and allows water to seep upward to street level.

The city of Miami Beach, an island connected by bridges to mainland Miami, is trying to do something about flooding, step by step, in hopes of eventually bolstering the city against slowly rising sea levels.

There have been some successes. During one flood a couple of years back that caused knee-high flooding in some Miami Beach streets, floodwaters were prevented from wreaking havoc in an area called Sunset Harbor. That's because a new design raised the street and sidewalk by 2.5 feet (75 cm).

Other projects include 500 million U.S. dollars to put in 80 pumps, and to raise seawalls and roads. But such changes are pricey, with each pump coming with a price tag of between two million and three million U.S. dollars.

Susanne Torriente, chief resiliency officer of Miami Beach, who holds a special city government position meant to prepare the city for climate change, said Miami Beach is working with surrounding cities in a bid to forge cooperation tackling sea level rise. They share resources, such as unified sea level rise projections and other such data that tell them how to plan.

The tourist mecca is seen as something of a pioneer for other metro areas to emulate, in terms of tackling sea level rise.

"(We are) preparing for that stress or shock that is going to come to an urban center eventually," she told Xinhua in an interview, regarding the city's long term plan.

Torriente said the city is doing what she calls "incremental adaptation," adding that the city strengthened its building code for wind, and is discussing how to bolster the code for flooding and storm surge as well.

TOMORROW'S WORKFORCE NOT READY TO BUILD FOR SEA LEVEL RISE

Daniel Kreeger, executive director of the Association of Climate Change Officers, however, lamented that not enough is being done in terms of building for sea level rise.

"We designed for the world of yesterday. We use the past to inform the future. Well, the past no longer informs the future," he told Xinhua.

Some of the nation's top architecture programs, for example, are far behind the curb in designing for sea level rise, he said.

Local southeast Florida universities are graduating architects who are not trained to build for sea level rise, he noted. He added that the state's department of education is not forward looking enough to foresee the challenges that climate change and sea level rise will pose for tomorrow's workforce.

"So if you design a building, you should be accounting for what that building will experience in its life, as part of the design. But we're not training people to do that, and employers don't require it. We don't have a workforce that has that skill set," Kreeger said, noting the risk of flooding.

"We're going to have to have a workforce that is capable of putting on what I call 'climate goggles,' being able to say 'this is the world we're entering into, and my decisions need to account for this set of variables," he said.

CAN HUMANKIND ADAPT?

Not only Miami, but also cities worldwide are seeing sea level rise. The government of Thailand put out a report that predicted its capital, Bangkok, would be under water in 15 years. Low lying nations such as Vietnam and Bangladesh are also at risk.

But some experts expressed optimism.

"I don't see it as gloom and doom ... The question is whether we emotionally don't want to give up Miami Beach and Mumbai and Calcutta and Tokyo as they presently exist, or whether we want to adapt. And as we know, adaptation is the secret to life," John Englander, a leading expert and author on rising sea levels, told Xinhua.

"It's important that we wake up ... and that we change and adapt," said Englander, author of High Tide On Main Street: Rising Sea Level and the Coming Coastal Crisis. The book was named as one of the top 50 books to read by Politico, a widely respected U.S. news website.

While scientists agreed that seas are rising due to climate change, the issue was not on the agenda for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Earlier this year, Trump announced that he had decided to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact to fight climate change.

Under the current administration, localities may have to move without Washington, said Englander.

"Cities have to realize that for their own survival, for their own economic viability, they can't wait for Washington D.C. to take action," he said.
A 21-year-old woman faces murder charges nine months after her boyfriend was found naked with his throat slashed in a forest.

Megan Shaffer, of Carpendale, West Virginia, was charged on Thursday with second-degree murder, manslaughter and assisted suicide in the death of her 24-year-old boyfriend Alexander Stevens, court records show.

Stevens, of Frostburg, was found in the Savage River State Forest with a cat in a cage nearby, The Cumberland Times-News reports.

Shaffer originally claimed that Stevens had fallen to his death off a cliff.

Stevens death was ruled a homicide in March and Garret County States Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch announced the charges against Shaffer at a Thursday news conference, according to the newspaper.

Shaffer and Stevens were reported missing in the forest on Jan. 4, Welch said, according to the Times-News.

While efforts were underway by Natural Resources Police and other emergency responders to locate the pair, Shaffer made a 911 call to authorities to provider her location, Welch reportedly added in the statement.

With the assistance of the MSP helicopter, Stevenss body was located in the State Forest a short while later.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Shaffer told authorities that she and Stevens hiked to an overlook in the forest on the night of Jan. 3 and claimed that Stevens fell from the cliff, the Associated Press reports. She told police that she thought Stevens died after the 33-foot fall and she left him there.

Stevens was found with several broken bones, but his throat had been deeply cut more than once, according to the AP.

Stevens father, Jay, told police that although his son had been acting differently in recent years, he didnt think Stevens was suicidal.

Hed grown his hair longer, was reading about religions, thinking about his place in society, Jay said, according to the AP, which cited court records. I never, never, ever, ever thought that he was suicidal. I know my son. He had all these plans to do things.

Stevens opened a transfer on death account to Shaffer of more than $188,000, the AP reports. Stevens father was able to stop the transfer with a judges approval.

Shaffers attorney, Stephen Tully, did not immediately respond to a request for comment form PEOPLE. She is being held at the Garrett County Detention Center and it is unclear whether she has entered a plea.
The photo shows a crime scene in America: AFP/Getty Images

A woman is thanking God after she managed to wrestle a gun from an assailant, shoot him, and then narrowly avoid getting shot herself.

As the sun was rising in Chicago this past weekend, 54-year-old Marnita Carter said she was confronted at a bus stop by a man. The man pulled out a gun, and demanded she hand over her purse.

But Ms Carter was not having it. Once the gun was out and cocked, she said she pulled it out of his hands. She shot his hand. They struggled before she was thrown to the ground, and the man said he was going to shoot her for what shed done.

The gun jammed. The robber ran.

I was shocked that it didn't go off again, Ms Carter later told the Chicago Tribune. It was the Lord  that's what it was.

The minute he pulled it out, he cocked it. And I thought, 'I have to think of something, Ms Carter said. I had to do what God gave me the strength to do: Defend myself.

Ms Carter told police that she had initially screamed out for help, but nobody nearby responded. After narrowly avoiding death, she said she began shaking and crying uncontrollably.

Soon after arriving on the scene, police arrested a man, 23-year-old Dennis Evans, at his home a few blocks away over the alleged crime.

Ms Carter lives in a southside Chicago neighbourhood, and works in a hotel kitchen across town  thats why she was up so early on a Saturday, waiting for the bus. When the man, who was considerably larger than her, finally gained control of the gun and told her he was going to shoot her, she said she thought of her three children.

Mr Evans is being held in jail without bond after a hearing on Sunday. He faces charges of attempted murder and attempted robbery.
Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe's main opposition leader and former prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been hospitalised in South Africa after his health deteriorated, a senior party official told AFP Saturday.

"He is in South Africa on account of a medical cause. He is being attended to," a senior official from Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We are monitoring the situation. He will be fine, it's only that he was overwhelmed with work and his health deteriorated."

The MDC spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Tsvangirai, 65, announced last year that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the colon and that he had begun chemotherapy.

The News Day, an independent daily, said Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa early Friday morning after he fell ill.

"He was on oxygen and drip and had been vomiting heavily," the paper said in its report.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, 93, Tsvangirai's rival for over a decade, regularly flies to Singapore, reportedly for medical reasons. Most details about his health have never been confirmed.

Tsvangirai's party has been riven by divisions since he struck a troubled four-year power-sharing deal with Mugabe after violent and disputed elections in 2008.

The former trade union leader has often accused Mugabe and his government of rigging polls.

In 2008 Tsvangirai won 47.9 percent of the vote to Mugabe's 43.2 percent, which led to a run-off.

But Tsvangirai pulled out before the final round of voting after a spate of violence against his supporters.
The High Court of Justice has cancelled the automatic Haredi exemption from IDF service. Following the ruling, a question that hasnt been a major part of the Israeli agenda has resurfaced: Is it possible to sustain the Israel Defense Forces as a professional army of hired workers, which carefully selects its fighters, pays them a decent and appropriate salary based on their jobs, and isnt seen as a system that forces itself for several years on young people who have just begun their adult life?

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An exemption based on sectorial affiliation is clearly a problematic issue, which deserves a separate discussion, but from a wider perspective, anyone who has served in the army should put their hand on their heart and ask themselves: Have we gotten used to blindly believing that compulsory IDF service is a solution that has no alternative? Why do we rush to marginalize discussions on shaping Israeli society in other ways?

The Defense Ministry has the largest budget of all government ministries. It has been this way since the states establishment. This budget has several negative implications: Is there anyone who hasnt seen, during his or her reserve service, the soldiers the army could do without but were drafted only because of the compulsory conscription law? Is there anyone who hasnt encountered the hidden unemployment among soldiers just because there were available jobs that have no actual meaning? Is there anyone who hasnt heard about economic offenses like stealing equipment and even large amounts of fuel, or criminal offenses that include stealing weapons and selling them to criminal organizations?

The military system doesnt suit everyone (Photo: Shutterstock)

Many people present the opposite argument, hailing the peoples army concept. But this argument is an empty shell in todays Israel. A smart army is better than the peoples army. It will allow us taxpayers to save on a huge security budget and divert the money to equally important goals, like improving education and offering food security to the Israeli societys needy. A societys strength is measured, after all, by its investment in its weak links.

If the IDF uses a strict screening system to select soldiers for combat roles, not only will it find itself with the finest people in real time, but it will also convey a clear message that not everyone is capable and worthy of holding a weapon, thereby turning the position of fighter into a desirable target.

Is it possible that the IDF is refraining from doing so because compulsory service is the easy solution for the system? Its a possibility that cannot be disregarded. After all, complex screening is a process that requires time and long-term considerations. But its the only way for the defense establishment to know it has the young men and women with not only the highest combat skills, but also the highest moralspeople who are serving far away from home not because the state is asking to be served, but because they wish to serve their country wholeheartedly, while seeking to secure a respectable profession in the future. The same applies of course to soldiers serving in combat support units.

Not every person seeking to become an engineer or a doctor is capable of meeting the professional requirements, so its time we realized the military system doesnt suit everyone either. The combination of a tough system and the need to erase oneself in favor of the general population, as well as the easy access to weapons, sometimes makes soldiers hurt themselves to receive a sick leave, because they fail to understand their share in the burden. In extreme cases, soldiers even commit suicide. Giving the young women and men in Israel the free choice whether to take part in defending the state or do something else, will spare us all these tragic acts.

Its 2017, and the existential threat the State of Israel faces isnt the same threat it faced in its first years. Israel no longer needs a melting pot in the form of "a people builds an army that builds a people. Its time to grow up and realize that a smart, rewarding and uncomplex defense establishment will be able to function even without soldiers who have been forced to serve against their will, regardless of whether they are Haredi or secular.
The Iranian threat will be at the top of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's agenda in his meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York on Monday.

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American officials said the meeting, set for 1pm local time (8pm Israel time), will focus mainly on Iran and not on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu will present Israel's position to Trump, according to which the US must work to cancel the nuclear deal with Iran or alternatively make significant changes to it.

Trump and Netanyahu meet in Jerusalem

Among the changes Israel demands are: harsher sanctions against Tehran; increased supervision on Iran's nuclear program; extending the period of time in which the Islamic republic is barred from enriching weapons-grade uranium beyond the 10 years set in the agreement; demanding Iran to destroy the advanced centrifuges it currently has; demanding Tehran to stop its long-range missile program; and demanding the Islamic republic to commit to stopping its support of Hezbollah and Hamas, both funding and providing arms.

Netanyahu will also present these demands in his speech at the UN General Assembly meeting on Tuesday at 1pm local time (8pm Israel time).

"Israel will not accept Iranian entrenchment on our northern border, which endangers not only us but also our Arab neighbors, and we are committed to acting against it. Today, Israel's words are being taken seriously, and so they should be," Netanyahu said during Friday night dinner with his close entourage in New York.

Netanyahu spent Saturday morning preparing for his speech at the UN. He is expected to continue making changes and corrections to the speech until the last minute, including while at the podium, as he has done in previous years.

The prime minister, who will speak on the opening day of the General Assembly meeting, wants to give a significant speech that would make waves and leave an impression.

He is expected to speak out against the Iran deal and stress how dangerous it is. He will also make plain his position on Iran's entrenchment in Syria and note the Islamic republic has been quick to fill any void created following ISIS's departure.

Netanyahu will also refer to the Palestinian issue, saying Israel is reaching out to the Palestinians and is ready and willing to negotiate without preconditions.

Trump will also speak on Monday and try to recruit the UN's member states to US efforts against North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and the Iranian nuclear threat.

North Korea's recent ballistic missile tests will headline Trump's speech at the UN (Photo: AP, AFP)

In addition to Trump, Netanyahu is expected to hold a series of meetings with other world leaders while in New York, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and Brazilian President Michel Temer.

Netanyahu is said to have rejected the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to meet, due to Sweden's longstanding support of the Palestinians, namely in UNESCO's most recent decision on the status of Jerusalem.

Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Yoav Mordechai at the organization's General Assembly (Photo: AFP)

A conference of the countries financially assisting the Palestinian Authority will also be held Monday in New York, with Israel represented by the Minister of Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai.

At the behest of Trump's envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt, Israel has acquiesced to prepare a number of financial relief moves for the Palestinians, including creating an industrial zone and desalination plant in Gaza, an industrial area in Area C of the West Bank and more.

Trump speaks briefly with Jewish leaders

President Trump held Friday the traditional White House conference call with US Jewish leaders before Rosh Hashanah. This year, it was unclear whether the conversation would take place following Trump's failure to unequivocally denounce the white nationalist movement after events taking place in Charlottesville.

The conference call did end up taking place, but no Reform rabbis were invited by the White House to participate. The call lasted only eight minutes, as opposed to 45 during the Obama administration, and no questions were allowed to be asked by the Jewish leaders.

"We forcefully condemn those who seek to incite anti-Semitism, or to spread any form of slander and hateand I will ensure we protect Jewish communities, and all communities, that face threats to their safety," Trump said regarding recent anti-Semitic flare-ups in the US.

Trump also spoke about American Israeli relations. "The United States will always support Israel not only because of the vital security partnership between our two nations, but because of the shared values between our two peoples. That is why my administration has successfully pressured the United Nations to withdraw the unfair and biased report against Israelthat was a horrible thing that they didand to instead focus on real threats to our security, such as Iran, Hezbollah, and ISIS," he said.

Trump stressed his commitment to Israel in his call with American Jewish leaders (Photo: Getty Images)

The president also noted his UN ambassador Nikki Haley has made it a top priority to ensure international bodies to single out Israel for criticism. "I can tell you on a personal basis, I love Israel," he added.

"This next New Year also offers a new opportunity to seek peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, and I am very hopeful that we will see significant progress before the end of the year. Ambassador David Friedman, Jared (Kushner), Jason (Greenblatt), and the rest of my team are working very hard to achieve a peace agreement. I think its something that actually could happen."

At the call's conclusion, Trump wished the Jewish community's leaders "Shana tova" in Hebrew and added, "Melania and I wish everyone a sweet, healthy, and peaceful New Year."

Abbas not expected to meet Netanyahu

President Trump is expected to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting to discuss the peace process. The Americans are also exerting pressure on the Palestinian chief to soften the rhetoric of his upcoming speech.

Abbas is expected to speak Wednesday, Rosh Hashanah eve, a day following Netanyahu's own speech. While both are expected to meet President Trump, no joint Israeli-Palestinian meeting will take place, either with the American president or without him.

Abbas's speech will likely outline the current status of the Palestinian people, and attack Israel for its actions in the West Bank and Gazaas it does every yearhighlighting the future aspirations Palestinians wish to realize.

President Abbas will meet with Trump during his stay in New York for the General Assembly (Photo: EPA)

The chief reason for the speech's subdued tones is ongoing American efforts to jumpstart negotiations, also contributing to Trump's meeting with the Palestinian president.

Parties within the Palestinian Authority's leadership, however, were less than thrilled with the White House's continued refusal to express American support for the two-state solution and failure to unequivocally announce support for the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state.
Ghanaian traditional artiste, King Ayisoba is urging all stakeholders especially government to pay some attention in promoting Ghanaian authentic traditional music.

Yen.com.gh brings to you the latest news in Ghana

King Ayisoba

READ ALSO: 9 headmasters interdicted, 2 fired for extorting cash over Free SHS

According to him, it is easy to sell Ghanas culture to the international world through traditional music.

The Kolongo musician is the only Ghanaian artiste to have toured and performed in South Korea.

Sharing his experience with razzonline.com disclosed he was amazed with the huge reception and patronage he received in the Asian country.

Ayisoba said in an interview that he was surprised South Koreans did have an idea of any of Ghanas hiplife giants yet his shows received huge patronage.

I did some interviews in South Korea and they asked me if I was the only big artiste in Ghana. I said no and mentioned some of our current stars like Shatta Wale and Sarkodie but they did not have any idea who they were, he said.

He added that, For me, this obviously means traditional music is more powerful than hiplife or Hiphop or Dancehall music and Ghanaians must not throw it away.

READ ALSO: Yaw Dabo finally speaks on his marriage with Vivian Okyere

King Ayisoba added that though Ghanaians are focusing more new music genres, they should not throw away their own traditional music.

Traditional music has been relegated to the background and we are championing foreign music genres. I dont think any of our dancehall artistes can do it better than the Jamaicans. Lets promote our own so we can be appreciated by international audiences, he urged.

Ayisobas songs has not been given much attention in Ghana but appears to be making waves outside the country.

The traditional musician has had a successful shows at about 33 venues not only in Asia but across Europe in countries such as Holland, France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Romania.

He is currently on a short break in Ghana and will soon leave for Poland where he will perform at the World Music Expo on September 25.

READ ALSO: KNUST features Kofi Kinaatas Confession in an English Course

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Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 05:59:45|Editor: ZD

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People wait outside the parliament building of the Kurdistan region of Iraq in Erbil, the capital city of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, on Sept. 15, 2017. The parliament of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan on Friday convened for the first time after two years of suspension, and is scheduled to discuss referendum on independence of the Kurdish region. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

ERBIL, Iraq, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The parliament of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan on Friday approved the independence referendum to be held on Sept. 25.

All the 65 lawmakers attending the session of the 111-seat regional parliament voted in favor of holding the referendum on the independence of the Kurdish region and the disputed areas.

The parliament also decided to invite relevant parties, including Kurdistan's Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission, to conduct the referendum.

According to Tariq Jowahar, parliament media advisor, the session was chaired by the deputy speaker, as Speaker Yousif Mohammed Sadiq did not attend the session since his Gorran Movement is boycotting the session along with the Kurdistan Islamic Group.

Kaka Bashar, a Kurdish lawmaker from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said he regretted that some of the lawmakers boycotted the parliament session, particularly the Gorran Movement, and hoped they will take part in the coming session.

Bahar Mahmoud, head of Gorran's parliamentary bloc, said the parliamentary session is "illegal."

"The session is illegal and a violation to the internal parliament law, as the session must be approved by the parliament's presidency which comprises the speaker and his deputy, in addition to the secretary of the parliament," she told Xinhua.

Mahmoud also revealed that Sadiq was prevented from entering the regional capital city of Erbil.

"This session was held according to the wishes of the two main parties and not according to the desire of parliament," she said, referring to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) headed by the regional President Masoud Barzani, and the PUK with Iraqi President Fuad Masoum as one of its leading figures.

Horman Hama Sharif, a spokesman for the Kurdistan Islamic Group, echoed Mahmoud's opinion in a statement.

"We do not participate in this session because we consider it illegal, because the legitimate speaker is not aware of the session, as well as the parliament secretary, and this is an exploitation of the parliament as an institution for the parties and personal purposes," he said.

"We believe that the session will not solve our political and economic problems, but it could be the reason for further crises," Sharif concluded.

Fala Farid, head of the parliamentary legal committee, maintained that the parliamentary session is legal.

"The session is legal and was attended by the majority of the lawmakers, who expressed their opinions in supporting the referendum," he told Xinhua.

In addition to the Gorran Movement, which has 24 lawmakers out of the 111-seat parliament, and the Kurdistan Islamic Group with six seats, the Turkoman Front and the Rafidain bloc also boycotted the session.

Earlier in the day, the parliament reconvened for the first time after two years of suspension and discussed the independence referendum of the region.

Barzani earlier vowed to go ahead with the independence referendum, ignoring calls to postpone the controversial move.

"So far, we haven't seen an alternative that can take the place of the referendum. Do not listen to anyone, we are going to a referendum," Barzani said during a campaign for the Kurdish referendum in Duhok Province.

On June 7, Barzani announced his intention to hold a referendum on the independence of the Kurdish region from Iraq on Sept. 25.

The referendum has been opposed by Baghdad because it would threaten the integrity of Iraq and would distract the ongoing fight against Islamic State militants by Iraqi forces.

The neighboring countries of Turkey, Iran and Syria also feel that the move would threaten their territorial integrity, as large numbers of Kurdish population live in those countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 06:04:47|Editor: huaxia

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VALLETTA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union must make more investment in Africa to ensure Europe's continued prosperity and security, Malta's President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said at the Arraiolos Group meeting on Friday.

Thirteen Non-Executive Presidents of the European Union gathered in Malta from Thursday to Friday to debate European inclusiveness with respect to poverty and social injustices of European citizens and refugees.

Preca proposed the need to invest in Africa because she believed it will be of benefit to Europe too. "We need to look at Africa as a continent of opportunity. Europeans had colonized Africa and it was, and still is, a continent of opportunity," Preca said.

"We can start creating green jobs for young people of Africa and, yes, it will take a long time but it would also be a chance to empower the women of Africa too," she explained.

"Furthermore, there must be more investment, on behalf of Europe, in the security of the Euro-Mediterranean Region. There can be no positive peace in our European Union without strongly promoting and prioritizing the stability and harmony of the Mediterranean area," she added. Enditem
Caption: A man walks through Harvard Yard at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Nov. 16, 2012. (REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Harvard University withdrew a fellowship invitation to Chelsea Manning, the transgender U.S. Army soldier convicted of leaking classified documents, the U.S. school announced Friday, amid harsh criticism over its original decision.

"I now think that designating Chelsea Manning as a visiting fellow was a mistake, for which I accept responsibility," Douglas W. Elmendorf, dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, said in a statement early Friday.

"I see more clearly now that many people view a visiting fellow title as an honorific, so we should weigh that consideration when offering invitations," said Elmendorf.

Elmendorf also offered apologies to Manning and others concerned for "not recognizing upfront the full implications" of the original invitation, but the dean said Manning is still invited to spend a day at the school and speak at a forum.

Manning, a 29-year-old transgender woman, was convicted in 2013 of leaking over 700,000 classified military and State Department documents but her 35-year sentence was commuted by then-U.S. President Barack Obama and was released in May from a prison in Kansas.

Previously, Harvard introduces Manning as network security expert and former U.S. Army intelligence analyst who speaks on the social, technological and economic ramifications of artificial intelligence and advocates for queer and transgender rights.

The school's original decision to include Manning as a visiting fellow were sharply criticized by U.S. intelligence community leaders.

Michael Morell, former deputy director and acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), resigned his senior fellowship post at Harvard Thursday in protest, saying that he could not be part of an organization that "honors a convicted felon and leaker of classified information".

Also Thursday, CIA Director Mike Pompeo canceled a speaking engagement at a Harvard forum. In a letter explaining his decision to the school, Pompeo, who called Manning as "traitor", said his conscience and duty to the CIA would not allow his appearance to support Harvard's move.

In a statement, Manning's lawyer Chase Strangio said that Harvard's decision to rescind the visiting fellowship offer "in the middle of the night without coherent explanation is disgraceful" and the school's unwillingness to stand by their decision is "a testament to the disturbing control of the CIA has over them."

In a series of tweets early Friday, Manning said she was "honored" to be the first disinvited transgender woman visiting Harvard fellow as "they chill marginalized voices under CIA pressure."

Other visiting fellows newly invited by Harvard for the 2017-2018 school year include Corey Lewandowski, former campaign manager of U.S. President Donald Trump, and MSNBC (an American news cable and satellite television network) hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.
Photo taken on June 13, 2015 shows the People's Bank of China in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Haitong)

by Xinhua writer Li Ming

NEW YORK, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China has outperformed other countries in financial technology (fintech) services adoption and what is happening in China indicates the global trend of the emerging industry, U.S. experts say.

"The work in China has been dramatically ahead of anywhere else in the world," said Jim Bruene, founder of Finovate conferences, which showcase cutting-edge banking and financial technology.

With more intelligent, in-context financial services, especially commerce activities built around social media applications, "China is likely five or six years ahead of the United States," Bruene told Xinhua on Thursday on the sidelines of Finovate's fall conference which was held on Sept. 11-14.

The latest report by Ernst & Young showed that China's fintech adoption rate came at 69 percent in an index that measures users' activity in various areas, including money transfer, payments, investments, borrowing and insurance, the highest among 20 major markets globally.

In mobile payments alone, volume in China hit 5.5 trillion U.S. dollars last year, 50 times the size of the 122-billion-U.S.-dollar market in the United States, according to data from market research firms iResearch and Forrester respectively.

Bruene, a veteran of U.S. Bank's research and development department, noted that what happens in Chinese market is a "leap forward," meaning China did not go through some of the traditional banking systems in the United States and went right towards electronics.

"We are still spending billions of tax payers' money in delivering paper statements and checks ... while the story in China is really big and amazing," he said, referring to the fact that over 500 million people in China make purchases of goods and financial services via Alipay and Wechat Pay, two major third-party mobile payment tools in the country.

Wechat Pay, the e-payment platform built inside the 900-million-user Chinese social media application Wechat, is seen as the future of fintech services by many experts.

"Messaging is the next web browser, fintech and all other applications are going to live in a mobile messaging application like Wechat, just like how they lived in web browsers," said Greg Ratner, co-founder and chief technology officer of Troops, a U.S. artificial intelligence startup.

"It is going to be the future and is already happening in China. And I think it will come to the United States in the next five years," Ratner told Xinhua.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 07:10:00|Editor: Yang Yi

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Tekeda Alemu, Ethiopian Ambassador to the United Nations and the President of UN Security Council for the Month of September, addresses a press encounter after UN Security Council closed-door consultations at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 15, 2017. The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)" and expressed commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the crisis. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile" by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and expressed commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the crisis.

In a press statement released after closed-door consultations, the 15 members of the council urged all UN member states to "fully, comprehensively and immediately" implement all relevant Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK, particularly the newly adopted Resolution 2375, which caps the DPRK's oil imports and bans all its textile exports and remittances by its overseas laborers.

"The Security Council also emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action, and stressed the importance of working to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula," said Tekeda Alemu, president of the Security Council, in a readout of the press statement.

The council members stressed the importance of maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia at large, and welcomed international efforts to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the crisis through dialogue, said Alemu, the Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations.

The emergency Security Council consultations were requested by the United States and Japan following the DPRK's launch of a ballistic missile on Friday local time, which flew over Japan's Hokkaido.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 07:25:27|Editor: Yang Yi

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia's UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia on Friday asked the United States to stay in an international agreement with Iran over Iran's nuclear program.

Asked what would be Russia's message to the United States at a possible meeting next week between Iran and six world powers, Nebenzia said: "Stay in the JCPOA."

JCPOA, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was reached in July 2015 between Iran and China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States over a peaceful use of nuclear program by Iran.

"This is very important," he told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.

"This is not only our message, but the rest of the participants, and those that are outside are also trying to send this message across," said Nebenzia.

The nuclear agreement between Iran and the six countries faced severe threats after a fallout between Washington and Tehran.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who had called the Iran nuclear deal a "disaster" and "the worst deal ever negotiated," approved new sanctions on Iran in August for its missile program.

Iran accused Washington of breaching the 2015 agreement, but Washington argued that the sanctions were not related to the nuclear deal.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 07:25:29|Editor: Yang Yi

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CARACAS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's government on Friday rejected a U.S. report that claimed it was lax in fighting drug trafficking.

"Venezuela rejects the continual unilateral practice by the U.S. government of evaluating, grading and issuing resolutions on the policies of sovereign countries in exclusively domestic affairs," the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Washington's "supposed anti-drug fight" is "in reality a weapon with political aims," and has singled out Venezuela "for having an independent policy in the anti-drug field," the ministry said.

Venezuela withdrew from a bilateral antinarcotics agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2005, saying it has since "more than doubled" its seizure and incineration of illicit drugs.

"The United States does not care about these advances, recognized by the United Nations, which designates Venezuela as a country free of illicit crops," said the government.

"The United States is currently the principal market for the consumption of illicit drugs, that's why traffic and production continue to be lucrative businesses for organized crime," the government added.

Venezuela urged Washington to "correct its inefficient policies, which end up destabilizing a peaceful zone, such as the Americas."

The White House on Wednesday said Venezuela and Bolivia "have failed demonstrably during the past 12 months to adhere to their obligations under international antinarcotics agreements."

The report only lists major drug transit or producing countries, not consuming countries.
Koro Bessho (C), Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations, addresses a press encounter after UN Security Council closed-door consultations at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 15, 2017. The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)" and expressed commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the crisis. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile" by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and expressed commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the crisis.

In a press statement released after closed-door consultations, the 15 members of the council urged all UN member states to "fully, comprehensively and immediately" implement all relevant Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK, particularly the newly adopted Resolution 2375, which caps the DPRK's oil imports and bans all its textile exports and remittances by its overseas laborers.

"The Security Council also emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action, and stressed the importance of working to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula," said Tekeda Alemu, president of the Security Council, in a readout of the press statement.

The council members stressed the importance of maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia at large, and welcomed international efforts to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the crisis through dialogue, said Alemu, the Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations.

The emergency Security Council consultations were requested by the United States and Japan following the DPRK's launch of a ballistic missile on Friday local time, which flew over Japan's Hokkaido.

Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, Koro Bessho, said the DPRK's latest missile launch is a grave threat to the security of Japan and also to the whole world.

"Put together with what they have been doing in the last several months, it is very clear that it is a real threat to the peace and security of the world as a whole," he told reporters before the consultations. He stressed that existing sanctions must be implemented comprehensively, fully and immediately.

The DPRK's latest missile launch means that two of its ballistic missiles have flown over Japan in three weeks' time.

Speaking to reporters before the consultations, British ambassador Matthew Rycroft said the DPRK's "illegal, provocative, reckless act" once again demonstrates its complete disregard for the sovereignty of Japan and its citizens.

He also called for the implementation of the existing sanctions, through which, he said, the international community can cut off money flow to the DPRK and constrain its capability in developing its nuclear and missile programs.

Swedish ambassador Olof Skoog said "a very rigid and vigorous implementation" of the sanctions are all the more urgent.

French ambassador Fancois Delattre said the latest missile launch by the DPRK confirms the gravity of the threat, which has evolved from regional to global.

He stressed the importance of "firmness and unity" of the Security Council. "Our firmness today is our best antidote to the risk of war, to the risk of confrontation. Our firmness today is our best tool to promote a political solution tomorrow," he told reporters.

Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution. He stress the importance of a political solution provided for in Resolution 2375.

"Threats, tests, launches, mutual threats should be stopped. We should engage in meaningful negotiations," he told reporters after the consultations.

The DPRK's missile launch, which violates Security Council resolutions, came just days after the council imposed fresh sanctions on the DPRK over its nuclear test on Sept. 3.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 08:45:39|Editor: Yang Yi

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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has received written pleadings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), submitted by India in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national sentenced to death on charges of spying, the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said in a statement Friday that the note is under consideration by a team of lawyers and experts, led by the Attorney General of Pakistan.

"The position of the Government of Pakistan, especially highlighting the acts of espionage, terrorism and sabotage committed by Commander Jadhav in Pakistan, which resulted in the loss of many precious and innocent lives of Pakistanis, would soon be submitted at the International Court of Justice," the statement said.

Pakistan says Jadhav was arrested on March 3 last year in restive Balochistan province and sentenced to death in April this year by a military court for carrying out "espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan."

Shortly after his arrest, Pakistan military's media-wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) had released his confessional video admitting involvement in spying.

India later approached the ICJ which stopped Pakistan from implementing Jadhav execution. India had also rejected Pakistan's claims and said Jadhav was "kidnapped" and tried on "concocted charges."
Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2017 shows a house destroyed by typhoon Doksuri in Nghe An province, central Vietnam. (Xinhua/VNA)

By Tao Jun, Hong Dieu

HANOI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- On a national road on Friday afternoon in Vietnam's Ha Tinh province lied a big brown container and a blank water tank. It was not a traffic accident but a rage of Doksuri, the most powerful typhoon in the country over the past decade.

In the neighboring province of Nghe An, local officials and residents, wearing raincoats, used poles made from tree trunks still fresh with little branches and green leaves to reinforce a dyke in Quynh Luu district.

Typhoon Doksuri swept Vietnam's central region, killing at least six local people, the country's Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control said on Friday evening.

The typhoon with violent winds, whose speed was up to 135 km per hour also blew away roofs of tens of thousands of houses, caused blackouts and telecommunications interruptions in many areas, forced over 30 flights and many train journeys to be canceled.

At 11:00 on Friday, the typhoon's eye went to inland of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces, and caused heavy rain in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Tri province, according to Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

In Nghe An, a 83-year-old woman died when part of her house's ceiling fell down due to Doksuri. The typhoon also injured a local man, ripped roofs of over 200 houses, and damaged more than 700 meters of dykes in the province.

In Nghe An's Cua Lo town, many seaside roads were inundated because it rained heavily and seawater level rose to over three meters. Some 16,000 people from the province had been evacuated before Doksuri came ashore.

In Quang Binh, two people died after falling when they were reinforcing their houses amid Doksuri, said the provincial Flood and Storm Prevention Bureau.

The typhoon also injured 10 people, and caused property losses of some 3,500 billion Vietnamese dong (nearly 155 million U.S. dollars) in the province.

In Quang Binh's Quang Trach district, 100 percent of schools and medical stations, and 80 percent of houses had their roofs blew away by Doksuri.

Four concrete poles fell in the typhoon, causing a medium-voltage line drop to a national road section in Quang Binh's Le Thuy district. Power cuts were reported in many districts in the province.

In Ha Tinh, a 30-year-old man died after falling when reinforcing a restaurant in a resort. Meanwhile, over 23,000 houses had their roofs blown away by Doksuri, and many communes were inundated and isolated by flood water, said the provincial Flood and Storm Prevention Bureau.

Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2017 shows the flooding river in Thai Binh Province, central Vietnam. (Xinhua/VNA)

While moving amid Doksuri, a truck and two motorbikes were rollovered by strong winds, injuring two local people in Ha Tinh. The winds also threw some containers and tanks to a national road section, and broke a 100-m television tower in the province's Ky Anh town.

Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, who was present in Ha Tinh on Friday, told local media that people in many areas in the province could not contact by phone because telephone networks were damaged by the typhoon.

At 17:00 local time, Doksuri's eye with wind speeds of 90 km per hour at maximum was in Laos' central region. It was forecast to weaken into a tropical depression by Friday night.

On Friday evening, water levels of many rivers in Vietnam's central regions, including Ngan Sau, Ngan Pho, La, Giang, Kien Giang and Thach Han, continued to go up.

Meanwhile, a hydroelectric plant in Ha Tinh had to discharge its water, so water level of Ngan Sau River continued to rise.

Flash floods and landslides were most likely to happen in mountainous areas from Ha Tinh to Quang Tri on Friday night or Saturday morning, forecast local anti-flood and storm agencies.

Due to the typhoon, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines canceled 12 flights, while budget carrier Vietjet Air canceled 21 flights.

State-owned Vietnam Railways Corporation did not let some trains depart as scheduled to avoid the typhoon.

Sitting in Roon border post in Quang Binh's Quang Trach province on Friday afternoon, Nguyen Thi Chieu, a 56-year-old woman from Quang Phu commune, ate instant noodles along with seven of her nieces and nephews.

"When water started going up, we ran away and then took center in the border post. The wind was too terrible. Now, I don't know our house by the sea can stand or not," the dark-skinned woman with a weather-beaten face sighed, casting her eyes somewhere in the thick curtain of darksome rain.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 09:50:50|Editor: Yang Yi

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YANGON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Some schools in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, which were closed due to terrorist attacks since late August, will reopen on Monday as security situation improved, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Saturday.

It is expected that other schools in ethnic national villages in Maungtaw will follow suit, the Maungtaw Education Department was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Under terrorists' threat, ethnic nationals in Maungtaw and some villages had fled to other safer places such as Sittway, Buthidaung and Yathedaung.

Meanwhile, a total of 4,220 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their villages as clashes abated between Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremist terrorists and security forces in the region, according to reports.

With the help of security forces, the IDPs from 15 ethnic villages in Maungtaw, Yathedaung and Buthidaung townships were escorted back to their homes.

Local authorities were making efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 10:10:56|Editor: Yang Yi

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he was confident that U.S. options in addressing threats posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were "effective and overwhelming."

Trump made the remarks when giving a speech at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.

He said that the latest DPRK's ballistic missile launch has shown "its utter contempt for its neighbors and for the entire world community."

"After seeing your capabilities and commitment here today, I am more confident than ever that our options in addressing this threat are both effective and overwhelming," said Trump, addressing the U.S. air force which was celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Trump also vowed that his country would defend itself from "all who dare to threaten our way of life," including Pyongyang.

The DPRK confirmed that it conducted another medium-range ballistic missile test Friday.

The missile launch, which violates UN Security Council resolutions, came just days after the council imposed fresh sanctions on the DPRK over its nuclear test on Sept. 3.

China on Friday said it opposes ballistic missile launches by the DPRK, urging all parties concerned to exercise restraint and avoid any acts that may escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 10:15:59|Editor: An

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BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's economic planner has approved 8 fixed-asset investment (FAI) projects with combined investment totaling 10.76 billion yuan (about 1.65 billion U.S. dollars) in August.

The projects were mainly in water conservation and high-tech industries, according to Meng Wei, spokesperson with the National Development and Reform Commission.

China's FAI remained basically stable in the first eight months of the year thanks to robust investment in infrastructure.

In January-August, FAI grew 7.8 percent year on year to 39.42 trillion yuan, slower than the 8.3-percent increase in the first seven months.

Infrastructure investment, which accounts for more than 20 percent of total FAI, jumped 19.8 percent, driven by investment in public facility management and road transport. High-tech manufacturing saw investment up by 19.5 percent.

FAI includes capital spent on infrastructure, property, machinery and other physical assets.
Director of Fiji's Department of Heritage and Arts Mr. Collin Yabaki delivers a speech on Sept. 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)

by Zhang Yongxing

SUVA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Fijians are now very keen to get to know a changing China and willing to see increasing cultural exchanges between the two countries as they are vital to further promoting the already good bilateral relations, Fijian cultural officials and artists said.

"Our two countries' relations are close and we are just like brothers and sisters. Today's Fijians are very keen to know China's rapid development, want to learn from China and work together with China to enjoy a win-win cooperation," Collin Yabaki, director of Fiji's Heritage and Arts Department, told Xinhua at a ceremony held on Thursday by the China Cultural Center to farewell two Fijian delegations that will be visiting China.

In the eyes of Yabaki, who has visited China twice with an indelible impression, cultural exchange is a bridge and one of the best ways to help the two countries and peoples deepen their mutual understanding and enhance their friendly cooperative ties.

"Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed between China and Fiji, the friendly cultural ties between our two countries have been consolidated and strengthened," Yabaki said proudly, adding that "this cultural exchange has really enhanced our citizens' cultural understanding and appreciating cultural creativity that exists in both Fiji and China."

Yabaki expressed his heartfelt thanks to China and encouraged Fijian delegates to learn as much as they can and share the knowledge they get from the trips to help build the South Pacific island state's cultural capacity.

"Thank you for the heart of generosity, it has enabled our fellow Fijians to visit your country... I believe whatever they learn from these trips will help in the cultural capacity building of Fiji," he said.

He believed that China-Fiji relationship can be called a model of friendly cooperation between China and island countries in the South Pacific region.

Echoing Yabaki's views, Merewalesi Vueti, director of Fiji's Library Services and Anare Somumu, a Fijian artist, told Xinhua that Fiji treasures its relations with China and they will learn as much as they can from their trips in order to help form closer and stronger cultural ties between the two countries.

Vueti, who visited China last year and will lead a six-member Fijian delegation on a 10-day tour to China's central Henan Province in October, said China has been developing rapidly over the past decades, and Fiji and China have a lot to learn from each other.

"What I have learned from my previous trip to China is that like China, we have to love and preserve our traditional culture and language as these are the symbols of our country," she said.

Deputy Chief of Mission of Chinese Embassy in Fiji Mr. Gu Yu (First from right) talks with Fijian cultural officials and artists on Sept. 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)

"Cultural exchange with countries like China is very important because it is one of the best ways to further our two countries' ties. By the way, during our coming trip to Zhengzhou, capital city of China's Henan Province, we will sign with the city library a cooperation agreement aiming at establishing a China Corner at the Fiji Library. "

Somumu, who is one of the two artists to attend the 7th Beijing International Biennial Fine Arts Exhibition later this month, told Xinhua that he likes to go to China as such a trip can broaden his vision.

"It is my dream to travel to China as this will certainly help open my eyes to the outside world. This will be a good chance and platform for me to learn from my Chinese and other countries' artists while showcasing Fijian culture and build connections," he said.

The China Cultural Center, an unofficial organization from China, which was opened to public in downtown Suva, capital ofFiji in 2015, arranged the two groups' visits to China.

Deng Xianfu, director of China Cultural Center, said the center is willing to sponsor Fijians for such visits with the goal of helping build the Pacific island nation's cultural capacity.

"While promoting Chinese culture here in Fiji, we also like to work toward facilitating cultural development in the country, giving local professionals the opportunity to gain experience and exposure, to be equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to progress the country through effective capacity building," he said.

Deng expressed his confidence that his center will play an active role in enhancing mutual understanding, exploring new frontiers of cultural cooperation and promoting mutual learning between China and South Pacific island countries, includingFiji.

Gu Yu, deputy chief of mission of the Chinese embassy in Suva, attended the ceremony on behalf of Chinese Ambassador Zhang Ping.

He said cultural exchange, which is the common aspiration of the peoples, has become a major component of China-Fijirelations, playing the role as a bridge and bond that connect the hearts and souls of the two peoples.

"Being located on the natural extension of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, Fiji is well positioned in the Belt and Road cooperation. A closer cooperation under the Belt and Road framework between our two countries will enable us to tap the great potentials to benefit the country's economic development and improve people's livelihood," he said.

"I believe that with the joint efforts of our countries, China-Fiji, China-South Pacific cultural exchanges and cooperation will be broadened and more fruitful results will be achieved."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 11:21:11|Editor: Yang Yi

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MUMBAI, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- India's exports grew by 10.29 percent on a yearly basis to 23.81 billion dollars in August, official data released on Friday.

The main categories of Indian exports are engineering, petroleum, chemicals and textiles, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce.

Meanwhile, India's imports rose 21.02 percent to 35.46 billion U.S. dollars last month from 29.3 billion U.S. dollars a year ago.

India's main imports include oil, crude oil products, electronic products, mechanical products, gold and jewelry.

The trade deficit widened to 11.6 billion U.S. dollars from 7.7 billion U.S. dollars during the same month a year ago.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 11:21:13|Editor: Yang Yi

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ASTANA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia, Turkey and Iran which held a new round of peace talks on Syria Thursday and Friday announced here Friday the creation of de-escalation zones in Syria under a memorandum dated May 4.

Protected by all guarantor states, the de-escalation zones will be in Eastern Guta, some parts of the northern province of Homs and Latakia, and also in the province of Idlib, Hama and Aleppo. De-escalation zones in some parts of southern Syria will be created based on initiatives of Russia.

"The creation of de-escalation zones and safety bands is a temporary measure, the duration of which will initially be six months with an automatic extension on the basis of consensus of guarantors states," said Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, reading out a joint statement of the guarantor countries of the ceasefire regime.

He also said that the creation of de-escalation zones does not undermine the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab republic under any circumstances.

Abdrakhmanov said that the guarantor countries have seen progress in the fight against terrorism and liquidation of such terrorist organizations as IGIL, Jabhat al-Nusra and all other individuals, groups, enterprises and organizations associated with Al-Qaida as a result of the functioning of de-escalation zones.

"Russia, Turkey and Iran confirm their intention to take all necessary measures to continue to fight them both inside and outside the de-escalation zones," he added.

The three countries have agreed to each contribute 500 military police to be deployed in Idlib to prevent incidents and provocations from opposing parties.

Representatives of the three countries also called on the international community to send to Syria more humanitarian aid and support the de-escalation zones in the country, adding that humanitarian aid Syria needs most includes de-mining facilities, preservation of historical heritage, restoration of life, as well as restoration of social and economic infrastructure.

Russia, Turkey, Iran are going to establish a joint coordinating center for monitoring the de-escalation zones.

It was the six round of peace talks on Syria in Astana, brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran. The Astana process, which started on Jan. 24, brings together the Syrian government and representatives of the opposition, including some key armed groups who were previously not allowed to participate in other negotiations.

The next round of Syrian peace talks will take place in Astana in late October.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 11:21:14|Editor: Mengjie

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Tourists enjoy their journey on a bamboo train in Battambang, about 291 km northwest of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, on Sept. 13, 2017. Bamboo train, which has delighted tourists for nearly two decades, is on the brink of disappearance as Cambodia has started to restore the rail line for a train service. (Xinhua/Mao Pengfei)

by Nguon Sovan

BATTAMBANG, Cambodia, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Norry, a home-made bamboo train which has delighted tourists for nearly two decades, is on the brink of disappearance as Cambodia has started to restore the rail line for a train service.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

"It felt more like a roller coaster, but it's really nice, and I think it is a good way to transport really heavy things from one to another place, so yes, it's nice," German tourist Theresa Kessemeier said after she completed a ride.

In Battambang, about 291 km northwest of capital Phnom Penh, Norry was first invented in the 1980s by railway workers who used it to check and repair train tracks; later local people had used it to transport goods and to travel along the tracks.

Until 1999, local people have used bamboo trains to carry tourists to see bucolic scenery along the dilapidated railroad in Sangke district of northwestern Cambodia's Battambang province and the bamboo trains have gradually become a popular mode of transport for foreign tourists since then.

Canadian tourist Lisanne Lacroix said, "I really, really enjoyed it. You get to see the (rice) fields; you get to see just everyday's lives, so it's a very great experience."

Norry provides a thrilling 7-km ride to tourists for 5 U.S. dollars per tourist, or 10 U.S. dollars for renting a norry for a single trip, and a norry is capable of carrying six passengers. It can be assembled or demolished in only a few minutes.

Two axles stripped from old vehicles were laid on the train tracks, and a bamboo platform was set on top of them. A small petrol engine was wedged into a hole that is cut out of the platform and tied to one of the axles with a rubber strap.

Another German tourist Arian Rathmann said before seeing the bamboo train, he imagined that it was like a real train, but it was different from his thought when he saw it.

"It's different from what I thought of because when you hear about the train, you think it's like a big train with big wagon ... I didn't think it is just like a small platform, and you go like on a roller coaster, very interesting, I like it," he said.

BRINK OF DISAPPEARANCE

Currently, some 40 bamboo trains are serving tourists along the 7-km stretch of the dilapidated 388-km rail line which lies from Phnom Penh to Banteay Meanchey province and Thai border.

The railway overhaul had begun from the Thai border for years and reached the place where the bamboo trains operate earlier this month, Chan Samleng, director of the Railroad Department.

He added that the norry operators were told to stop plying the rail track, but they defied the ban.

"According to the law, they have no rights to operate norries on the railways," he told Xinhua.

Chan Samleng said the restoration of the rail line from Phnom Penh to Thai border is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2018.

Bamboo train operator Ngul Nguon acknowledged that the bamboo train drivers were told to stop operation on the railroad, but they defied the ban because they did not have other jobs to do.

"I'm really concerned when this railroad is closed because I'm a bit old and don't know what to do," said the 56-year-old father of three children.

Nguon said that he could earn between 5 and 15 U.S. dollars a day.

Another driver Sokun Koeun, 36, said operating norry is the only skill that he has to feed his wife and two children.

"I'm very worried about the ban on norries from running on the railway, I don't know what to do next," he said.

Tep Tin, 52, an English-speaking tour guide said the ban on norries would directly affect drivers and snack and souvenir vendors around the unique attraction.

"It will affect their daily income because tourists to Battambang are to ride on norries," he said, predicting that without norries, tourists to the province would decline.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 12:46:34|Editor: Liangyu

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Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith (R), shakes hands with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, in Vientiane, Laos, on Sept. 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Mangmang)

VIENTIANE, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Laos have vowed to deepen bilateral high-level military exchanges and cooperation during a visit by Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan to Laos which concluded on Saturday.

During his four-day visit, Chang met with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit and held talks with Lao Defense Minister Chansamone Chanyalath.

Chang also co-chaired the first China-Laos high-level frontier meeting between the two armed forces with the Lao defense minister.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and two militaries, and promised to fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and two parties, according to a joint statement issued on Saturday.

They agreed that the first China-Laos high-level frontier meeting between the two armed forces was a full success, highlighting the unity and friendship between the two militaries and contributing to the building of peaceful, friendly, stable and prosperous borders between the two countries.

They also agreed to improve cooperation mechanism, deepen pragmatic cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination, continue to conduct friendly border communication and cooperation, and organize regular activities of joint patrols and joint anti-terrorism.

The Chinese side expressed its readiness to support Laos' army building and development, and pledged to continue providing assistance to the Lao army within its capacity.

During his stay in Laos, Chang also visited the Kaysone Phomvihane National Defence Academy, and paid tribute to the Chinese martyrs cemetery in Laos.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 13:11:41|Editor: Yang Yi

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CARACAS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's government and right-wing opposition groups have returned to the negotiating table, President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday.

The "negotiating table" was installed in the Dominican Republic, where delegates from both sides met on Sept. 13-14 in a bid to overcome the political crisis that has been plaguing the country, he said in a televised broadcast.

Maduro thanked his Dominican counterpart Danilo Medina, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and others for helping to restore the talks with the opposition coalition, known by its Spanish acronym MUD, which were terminated in December.

Thanks to their help, "we are close to reaching an agreement on political coexistence between the Venezuelan government and the Venezuelan opposition," he said.

The two sides are at an advanced stage in negotiations, said Maduro, thanking opposition leaders "for having sat down to work and to dialogue" with his administration.

The government and the opposition have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Maduro defeated the MUD's presidential candidate by a narrow margin in 2013. Violent anti-government demonstrations have rocked the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 13:26:46|Editor: Yamei

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is the wrong target for sanctions related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear issue, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said here Friday.

"Both China and the United States benefit from bilateral trade, so efforts to undermine Sino-U.S. trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target," Cui said at a Chinese National Day reception.

"If someone were to pressure China or impose sanctions on China over the DPRK, it would not be supported by many U.S. citizens," Cui said.

"Workers at U.S. airplane factories, farmers growing soybeans, companies that sell smartphones to China, manufacturers that enjoy large market shares in China, companies in the service sector that have gained trade surplus in China, U.S. states that engage in robust trade with China would all stand against it," Cui said.

Cui's remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea."

Cui said that despite differences between China and the United States, he is confident about the future of bilateral relations.

The two sides are currently in close contact over Trump's upcoming state visit to China, as well as a series of high-level dialogues on issues including cyber security and humanistic exchanges that were initiated earlier this year.

"The dialogues would be beneficial to Sino-U.S. relationship in the long run," Cui said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 14:32:02|Editor: Yang Yi

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least two militants were killed Saturday in a gunfight near the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight, according to Indian army officials, broke out in Machil sector of frontier Kupwara district, about 165 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to Indian military spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia, the militants were trying to infiltrate deep inside Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Today our troops foiled an infiltration bid in Machil sector and killed two militants," Kalia told Xinhua.

According to the spokesman, the operation was going on in the area.

"The suspicious movement was witnessed in the sector, following which an exchange of fire between our troops and the infiltrators broke out," Kalia said.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 14:37:05|Editor: An

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Hi, here is what you need to know about China in the past 24 hours.

KUNMING -- Nine construction workers were rescued Saturday after having been trapped for two days in a collapsed railway tunnel in southwest China's Yunnan Province, rescuers said.

Rescuers managed to dig a passageway to reach the workers at about 10:45 a.m. Saturday. The first worker was rescued at about 12:43 p.m. and eight minutes later, all had been rescued, rescue officials said.

- - - -

WASHINGTON -- China is the wrong target for sanctions related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear issue, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said here Friday.

"Both China and the United States benefit from bilateral trade, so efforts to undermine Sino-U.S. trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target," Cui said at a Chinese National Day reception.

- - - -

VIENTIANE -- China and Laos have vowed to deepen bilateral high-level military exchanges and cooperation during a visit by Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan to Laos which concluded on Saturday.

During his four-day visit, Chang met with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit and held talks with Lao Defense Minister Chansamone Chanyalath.

- - - -

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a condolence message to Cuban leader Raul Castro over the damage caused by a recent hurricane.

In the message dated Sept. 14, the Chinese leader also expressed the belief that under the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party and the Cuban government, the Cuban people will surely overcome their difficulties and rebuild their homes.

- - - -

BEIJING -- Beijing's first medium-low speed maglev line is scheduled to start operation at the end of the year, the line operator said Saturday.

Beijing Subway said it was preparing test runs.

- - - -

WARSAW -- The Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) is crucial for China-Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) relations, the Chinese ambassador to Poland Xu Jian underlined Friday.

Addressing a conference here which brought together experts from Poland and abroad, Xu said: "The Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by China but belongs to the world," adding that from 2014 to 2016, total trade volume between China and other B&R countries exceeded 3 trillion U.S. dollars, with China's overall investments in these countries surpassing 50 billion dollars.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 14:37:06|Editor: An

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BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has recently blocked a Chinese firm's acquisition of an American semiconductor maker on national security grounds.

The move, which is detrimental to both America's growth and global economic recovery, also runs counter to the mutually-beneficial and win-win nature of China-U.S. relations.

In recent years, Chinese investment in the United States has been growing rapidly, creating a situation where everyone wins as these investments inject vitality into the U.S. market, expand local employment and boosts tax revenues.

Security reviews of investments in sensitive sectors are the legitimate rights of all countries, but that power should not be used as a tool to implement protectionism. A Chinese company acquiring a foreign business is a normal market practice, which should be treated objectively and fairly.

Analysts said the decision was made partly out of consideration for winning over voters in the 2018 midterm election. As a matter of fact, however, such a move is penny wise and pound foolish.

While Chinese firms were accused of costing U.S. jobs during the 2016 presidential campaign, the reality is quite different: Chinese enterprises are opening new factories and hiring people in America.

Chinese-owned firms now employ more than 140,000 Americans nationwide, nine times as many as in 2009, according to the report by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and Rhodium Group.

Chinese investment brings fresh impetus to the U.S. economy and helps promote the local manufacturing industry and create more job opportunities, which conforms to voters' expectations. Therefore, imposing restrictions on Chinese investment is not in line with the interests of the U.S. people and unconducive to its economic growth.

As the world's two largest economies, China and the United States shoulder important responsibility to promote global economic development. It is a short-sighted move to take protectionist measures amid sluggish global growth.

Healthy economic and trade ties serve as ballast and engine for China-U.S. relations. Since the Mar-a-Lago summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the 100-day Action plan for economic cooperation between the two countries has achieved tangible results.

While China continues to expand its imports from America, the United States should also take substantial steps on such issues as easing restriction on high-technology exports to civilian end-users in China.

Chinese investment is not "Trojan Horse" with hidden purposes. As far as the China-U.S. economic and trade relations are concerned, strengthened communication and dialogue are not only in the interests of both sides, but also benefit the global economy.

As for this issue, it is in the interests of the United States itself to focus on the bigger picture and have a long-term vision, instead of being preoccupied by immediate interests.

With President Trump set to pay a visit to China later this year, the two countries need to strengthen dialogue and communication, promote cooperation and exchanges in various fields and properly handle issues of common concerns. Only then can China and the United States push forward the world's most important bilateral relationship.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 14:42:12|Editor: An

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YANGON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 14th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) kicked off here on Saturday, gathering more than 2,000 overseas Chinese business leaders to discuss plan of business expansion.

Under the theme of "An Opening Economy in Myanmar, A New Epoch in History," the four-day convention is hosted by Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce with Wu Jiyuan (U Myint Shwe) as general chair.

With strong support of the Myanmar government, the WCEC is aimed at pushing the regional economic development in line with the world's changing economy and bridging world's Chinese entrepreneurs for cooperation.

It is also set to make use of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to jointly explore the future development trend and space of Chinese businessmen as well as the world and Myanmar's economy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Myanmar First Vice President U Myint Swe expressed delight at seeing the overseas Chinese entrepreneurs in Myanmar making linkages with business contacts in various countries around the world and contributing to the economic development of Myanmar.

Noting that Myanmar is participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, U Myint Swe said the strategic location of Myanmar will contribute to the success of the initiative.

The vice president welcomed investments in the country's special economic zones under implementation, while expecting extensive investments also in other industrial development sectors.

He believed that the opportunity for Myanmar to host the 14th WCEC will result not only in close friendly relations between Myanmar and China, but also bring numerous new opportunities for overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and business persons to expand their investments in Myanmar.

The WCEC will also create a good environment for the promotion of people-to-people contact and interaction between the peoples of Myanmar and China, he said, adding that through such interaction, mutual understanding and respect as well as friendship can be built up step by step for the establishment of a sustainable, economic and social community.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 15:02:15|Editor: Song Lifang

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JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least five insurgents were killed as clashes erupted between Taliban and the rival Islamic State (IS) group in the eastern Nangarhar province, a provincial government spokesman said Saturday.

The clashes, according to spokesman Attaullah Khogiani, occurred in Ghulam Dak area of Chaparhar district Friday evening. As a result three IS fighters and two Taliban militants were killed.

Both the rival armed groups often fight over expanding territory in parts of the conflict-hit Afghanistan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 15:12:16|Editor: Song Lifang

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CANBERRA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Saturday declared the changing face of terrorism and modern slavery to be two of her key talking points at the upcoming 72nd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

The UN General Assembly will take place in New York on Sept. 16-24. In a statement detailing her trip, Bishop said there were a number of talking points which Australia will seek to raise.

"The United Nations continues to be an important forum for maintaining the international rules-based order, which is vital for the pursuit of every nation's interest," Bishop said on Saturday.

"I will highlight Australia's leadership and experience in tackling important challenges, including modern slavery, malaria, climate change and terrorism. I will participate in the Global Counter Terrorism Forum and speak with partners about our joint efforts to counter (Islamic State) including in our region."

The minister said that in addition to speaking to the UN as a whole, she would also find time to hold a number of bilateral meetings with representatives of some of Australia's closest global partners.

"Australia will bring a pragmatic and principled approach to working with other nations to find real solutions to complex global challenges," she said.

"In addition to multilateral meetings and forums, I will hold over 20 meetings with leaders, foreign ministers and UN agency heads."
Local people transfer their belongings to a secured area on the site of the mudslide in Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone, on Aug. 19, 2017. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

by Alusine Sesay

FREETOWN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The atmosphere of grief that engulfed Sierra Leone following a devastating mudslide that hit the capital Freetown on Aug. 14 this year is gradually giving way to a recovery process.

The day would ever be remembered in Sierra Leone for it left an indelible print on the minds of thousands of family members, who lost their loved ones in the historical mudslides and flooding that killed over 1,000 people.

According to government records, nearly 500 people were buried at Waterloo in the outskirt of the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown.

The disaster affected several communities across Freetown, but foremost among them were Mortomeh at Mount Sugar Loaf in the Regent Community where it is believed hundreds are still left buried under the rubble and Kaningo in the Lumley community, where hundreds were swept away by the flooding.

One month after the disaster occurred, government and development partners are now focused on a massive recovery process. Temporary housing facilities have been provided at Old Skool in the Regent community, Juba Military Barracks and Kaningo community, for affected victims of the disaster.

Mohamed Suma, a private security guard, is one of the lucky people who survived the dreadful mudslide that buried hundreds at Mortomeh. He lost eight of his family members including his seven years old daughter, Memunatu Suma. Mohamed is temporarily housed at Old Skool. He reflected on the fateful day and how he survived.

"I can't imagine how it happens. I used to wake up early every morning. On that fateful day, I was standing outside smoking cigarette when I heard a loud roar. I saw the mountain rolling down towards the valley. I could not help but immediately ran away," he narrated.

"I could not make an attempt to save my family because it was too late for me," he said.

However, being temporarily housed under a tent at Old Skool, Mohamed seems to be overcoming the grief of losing his family to the mudslide. "I have to cope because it has been done. I cannot do anything else but to endure the pain," he said.

At the temporal housing facilities provided by the government and partners, affected victims are served with meals twice per day while medical and water facilities are also available. The recovery process is being led by the Office of National Security (ONS).

Languba Keili is the communication leader at ONS. He told Xinhua that 50 tents have been built at Juba Barracks, one for each household, while at Old Skool, more tents, each able to house over two households, were built.

According to him, all affected victims would benefit from several humanitarian packages while temporarily being housed.

"The first package is the Humanitarian Cash Transfer which all affected persons will receive in a three-month installment for their immediate needs. We are starting this September with the sum of Le870, 000 (over 100 U.S. dollars) and in October Le217, 500, and Le217, 500 in November for every household," he said.

He continued that the second part would be meant to provide food for all affected persons, who choose to find their own accommodations, starting from this September with a package of food supply for household, while cash transfer of Le783, 000 would take place in October, plus Le783, 000 in November.

"All payment will be made through Airtel money transfer and they will receive new sim cards and those who do not have phones will be provided with one reasonable phone by a mobile company," he said.

While affected victims are temporarily housed in the three camps, government has secured a large portion of land at Mile 6 in the outskirt of Freetown, to construct permanent structures for the victims.

Currently, three local construction companies including Parvifort, Jento Group of Companies and Secon Sierra Leone Limited, are constructing fifty permanent structures for victims at Mile 6. They are doing so as part of their own contribution towards the recovery process.

Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone,Victor Bockarie Foh, is in charge of all donations made by individuals, organizations and other development partners. Having received hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars as humanitarian aid, he said the money would be used to construct permanent structures for all affected victims at Mile 6.

While the disaster left hundreds of children orphaned, many are being housed at the Catholic Don Bosco Fambul facility in Freetown where they are being cared for. Many have started attending schools as the academic year started in September 11, 2017. They are provided with scholarships by government, individuals and other development partners.

With the country poised to prevent future disaster of like nature, the government is also planning to relocate people from disaster prone communities including the hill side and seaside communities respectively.

The land which has been earmarked at Mile 6 would not only cater for the August 14 disaster, but also people currently living in disaster prone communities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 16:02:24|Editor: Song Lifang

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BAGHDAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi forces on Saturday launched an operation to clear the desert area near the border with Syria from the Islamic State (IS) militants, the Iraqi military said.

The Iraqi army, paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces and the border guards force advanced in the vast desert area to free the industrial village of Akashat and to clear the road to the village and the nearby border areas, which is part of Iraq's western province of Anbar, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a brief statement.

Akashat is located in northwest of the city of Rutba, some 370 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. It has a population of around 5,000 and was built as an industrial village in 1985, attached to the local phosphate quarry and administered by the ministry of industry. The phosphate production was seriously disrupted by the UN sanctions after 1991 and the 2003 war. It is currently stopped from working by the presence of IS group.

The Iraqi forces announced the frequency of a radio to broadcast the news and instructions to the residents of the towns and villages in the area, JOC said in another statement.

The Iraqi aircraft also dropped thousands of leaflets on the area of Akashat and the nearby cities of Aana, Rawa and al-Qaim near the border with Syria to inform the people that the liberation is soon and to tell IS militants to choose either to surrender to the Iraqi forces and get a fair trial or the death by the security forces, the JOC statement said.

Earlier, the Iraqi security forces dislodged IS militants from the key cities of Anbar province, including Ramadi and the nearby Fallujah, but the areas near the border with neighboring Syria, including Aana, Rawa and al-Qaim as well as the vast rural areas across the province are still under the control of the extremist IS militants.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 16:42:31|Editor: Song Lifang

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TEHRAN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran possesses domestically-made 10-ton bomb that dwarfs the most powerful non-nuclear weapon of the United States, a senior Iranian commander said, Press TV reported on Saturday.

"Following a proposal by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Iran's Defense Industries manufactured 10-ton bombs. These bombs are at our disposal," IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh was quoted as saying.

"They can be launched from Ilyushin aircraft and they are highly destructive," Hajizadeh said.

Iran's bomb is the "father of all bombs" as compared with the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), also known as the "mother of all bombs," which the U.S. Air Force dropped on tunnels in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province from an MC-130 aircraft in April.

Iran has said that its military capabilities are solely aimed for defense purposes.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 17:22:42|Editor: Song Lifang

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DAMASCUS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were targeted Saturday by an airstrike in the countryside of Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria, according to Kurdish activists.

Russia and Syrian warplanes were accused to be behind the strike that targeted the positions of the Kurdish-led SDF near the Industrial Zone, east of the Euphrates River in Deir al-Zour countryside, the source added.

The attack led to the injury of eight SDF fighters.

The SDF launched a military campaign against the Islamic State (IS) in the northern and eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province, where the Russian-backed Syrian army is also making strides against the terror-designated group.

Ten days ago, the army broke the IS siege on the capital city of Deir al-Zour, advancing in that key oil-rich area to besiege IS and force its militants to flee.

The SDF and the Syrian army are fighting IS separately, and even though they haven't come to clash with one another, both don't seem on the same page.

The SDF is clearly reflecting the interests of the United States, as the group mounted an offensive on Deir al-Zour to prevent the Syrian army from reaching the eastern bank of Euphrates River, which is deemed by the United States as a redline the Syrian forces shouldn't cross.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 17:32:47|Editor: Song Lifang

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SHEBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least five militants were killed and five others wounded in an operation launched by Afghan forces in northern Afghan province of Jawzjan on Friday, an official said Saturday.

The operation which was launched late on Friday in Jabbar Shaheed village of Aqcha district where five Taliban insurgents including a local commander Mullah Khairuddin Lang along with his four fighters were killed and five others wounded, Nasratullah Jamshidi, spokesman of 209 Shaheen Corps based in the area, told Xinhua.

Taliban outfit has not commented on the incident.

Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency spreads from its traditional strongholds in the south and east to the once peaceful region in the north.
Students show their papercutting at University of Namibia (UNAM) in Windhoek Aug. 1, 2017. UNAM Confucius Institute was set up in 2013, it has 11 Chinese teaching sites in the country, and has taught 1,842 students by now. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

WINDHOEK, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The University of Namibia (UNAM) hosted here on Friday the 10th Chinese Bridge proficiency competition for secondary school students.

The annual event saw 12 students from four different schools battle for the crown for the best student who understands Chinese language and culture.

The competition had six judges and each student had to undergo three rounds of the contest. Students had to first speak in Chinese and give a brief introduction about themselves, followed by a quiz test on their knowledge of China and finally a performance on any Chinese cultural talent of their choice.

Grade 11 student, Soin Ndalimbililwa, from Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School, clinched this year's overall title in style and booked herself a trip to China.

In an interview with Xinhua, Soin said that she was really exited to have won and could not contain her happiness and was ecstatic about travelling to China.

"Before I enrolled in Chinese language and culture studies, I was already keen and interested to learn. I started to learn on my own, and when I finally got the opportunity to enrol I grabbed it," she said.

The first runner-up, Naem Daniel from Highline Secondary School, will also travel to China. Naem told Xinhua that this will not be her first trip to China as she previously attended the Summer Camp last year.

"I still can not believe it. I was dreaming of going back to China and now I worked hard again and can go to experience the amazing country and culture," said Daniel.

Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming said competitions like these took him back to the days when he was in secondary school learning English.

He encouraged more students to enrol in such competitions. "Learning the Chinese language and culture will not only change your life, but you can acquire new skills, which you can use to better the Chinese-Namibia relationship," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:12:57|Editor: Song Lifang

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LONDON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Police reopened Parsons Green subway station in west London early Saturday, after an explosion injured 29 people at the station one day ago.

Passengers were seen walking in and out of the subway station on Saturday morning.

British military forces are mobilized to protect important places across Britain after British Prime Minister Theresa May said that an already raised terror threat level at its highest indicates a further attack may be imminent.

"For this period, military personnel will replace police officers on guard duties at certain protected sites that are not accessible to the public," she said.

"The public will see more armed police on the transport network and on our streets, providing extra protection," May said. "This is a proportionate and sensible step which will provide extra reassurance and protection while the investigation progresses."

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the London subway bombing.

British police said Saturday they have arrested an 18-year-old man in Dover in southeast Britain in connection with the rush-hour tube bombing in London.

The blast on Friday morning left at least 29 people injured, and most of them are being treated in hospital for burn injuries.

The blast was caused by an improvised explosive device, which failed to properly detonate, police said.

Previous attacks in London this year at Westminster Bridge, London Bridge and Finsbury Park as well as a blast at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester killed dozens of people and injured more than 150.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:23:02|Editor: Song Lifang

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CAIRO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Saturday has sentenced seven members of the Islamic State (IS) to death over charges of murder and violence, official news agency MENA reported.

The defendants were accused of joining IS military training camps in Libya and Syria and the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya.

The crime of slaughtering the Egyptian workers was filmed by the group and released in February 2015.

Explosive devices as well as CDs featuring military training of IS militants were seized in their possession.

The court has referred the case to Grand Mufti, the country's highest Islamic official who will give the religious judgment of all preliminary death sentences.

The Mufti's opinion is non-binding as it is usually considered a formality, but his final opinion could reduce the penalty.

The court will give its final sentence against another 13 accused with the same charges in Nov. 25.

Egypt has been battling a wave of terrorist attacks, centered mostly in North Sinai since the army-led ouster of the Islamic leader Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

The Islamists said the attacks that targeted security men and Coptics were in revenge of the crackdown against Morsi's supporters and the Christians loyalty to the army.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:28:04|Editor: Xiang Bo

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TEHRAN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Amir Kabir Petrochemical Company (AKPC) plans to export polyethylene to southeast Asia, particularly to Vietnam, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

AKPC aims to export 5,000-8,000 mt/month of polyethylene in 2018 with Vietnam as its main target market, Sales and Marketing Manager of AKPC Daiko Abbasi said.

"We see great opportunities in Vietnam, as the packaging and film grade consumption is increasing" in Vietnam, Abbasi was quoted as saying.

"Our strategy is to bring large volumes of polyethylene directly from Iran to Vietnamese traders, distributors and end-users, without going through intermediaries," he said.

According to the report, AKPC operates a petrochemical complex at Iran's Bandar Imam with a nameplate capacity of 300,000 mt/year of LLDPE (Linear low-density polyethylene), 300,000 mt/year of LDPE (Low-density polyethylene), and 140,000 mt/year of HDPE (High-density polyethylene), and is currently operating at full capacity.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:33:06|Editor: Xiang Bo

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CAIRO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Saturday upheld life sentence in prison against the ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of spying for Qatar, State-run Nile TV reported.

Life sentence in Egypt is 25 years in prison.

The Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest appeal court, said the ruling against Morsi is final and unappealable.

The same court upheld death sentence against three prominent figures of Muslim Brotherhood over the same charges.

The defendants were accused of sneaking classified documents about the armed forces that harm the national security to Qatar.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:33:07|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BANGKOK, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan did not meet with former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra during his recent visit to Britain, Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Kongcheep Tantrawanich said on Saturday.

During his visit to Britain last Wednesday and Thursday, Prawit had not met with Thaksin anywhere in that country as rumored in some Thai media, said the defense spokesman, who accompanied the defense minister to Britain.

''What would (Prawit) meet with Thaksin for? Both being in Britain did not necessarily mean they may have met over there. There was no reason for either one to meet with the other."

''The Britain visit (by Prawit) was irrelevant to former premier Yingluck (Shinawatra) allegedly seeking refuge or any deal to be done in that country,'' the spokesman said.

Yingluck has failed to appear in court to hear a final verdict on a criminal lawsuit filed against her and pertaining to a previous government's rice subsidy program.

She was said to have slipped out of the country with the help of some unknown persons and finally found her way to Dubai where her brother Thaksin had been residing in self-exile nearly a decade ago.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to read out the verdict in the likelihood of an absent Yingluck on Sept. 27.

Maj. Gen. Kongcheep said Prawit's schedules set by the Ministry of Defense for his two-day visit to Britain were so tight that he had no spare time to spend.

The Thai defense minister met with his British counterpart Sir Michael Fallon and British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field to discuss defense and international security issues.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:38:10|Editor: Song Lifang

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Representatives and guests attend the opening ceremony of the 14th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Covention at the Myanmar Covention Center (WCEC) in Yangon, Myanmar, Sept. 16, 2017. The 14th WCEC kicked off here on Saturday, gathering more than 2,000 overseas Chinese business leaders to discuss plan of business expansion. (Xinhua/U Aung)

YANGON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 14th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) kicked off here on Saturday, gathering more than 2,000 overseas Chinese business leaders to discuss plans of business expansion.

Vice President of the China Overseas Exchange Association Xu Yousheng read out a congratulatory message from Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Myanmar, located along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, is linked with China by mountains and rivers, and has forged the "paukphaw" or brotherly friendship with China, Yu said in the message.

Under the theme of "An Opening Economy in Myanmar, A New Epoch in History," the four-day convention is hosted by the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce with Wu Jiyuan (U Myint Shwe) as general chair.

With strong support from the Myanmar government, the WCEC is aimed at pushing the regional economic development in line with the world's changing economy and bridging world's Chinese entrepreneurs for cooperation.

It is also set to make use of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to jointly explore the future development trend and space of Chinese businessmen as well as the world and Myanmar's economy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Myanmar First Vice President U Myint Swe expressed delight at seeing the overseas Chinese entrepreneurs in Myanmar making linkages with business contacts in various countries around the world and contributing to the economic development of Myanmar.

Noting that Myanmar is participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, U Myint Swe said the strategic location of Myanmar will contribute to the success of the initiative.

The vice president welcomed investments in the country's special economic zones under implementation, while expecting extensive investments also in other industrial development sectors.

He believed that the opportunity for Myanmar to host the 14th WCEC will result not only in close friendly relations between Myanmar and China, but also bring numerous new opportunities for overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and business persons to expand their investments in Myanmar.

The WCEC will also create a good environment for the promotion of people-to-people contact and interaction between the peoples of Myanmar and China, he said, adding that through such interaction, mutual understanding and respect as well as friendship can be built up step by step for the establishment of a sustainable, economic and social community.

General Chair of the WCEC and Chairman of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce Wu Jiyuan (U Myint Shwe) highlighted Myanmar's remarkable transformation in recent years, saying that the government has done a terrific job in boosting the country's economic growth, improving people's livelihood, rolling out policies, laws and regulations to advance the economic reform.

He believed that as these policies and regulations take effect, they will surely serve as a strong impetus for economic and social progress by increasing foreign investment and jobs to benefit people with economic growth and political stability.

He pledged to work with the Myanmar government in investment promotion for a number of sectors and incentivize Chinese investors from around the world in a bid to deliver tangible results through the convention.

Key note speeches were also delivered by Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), and other world-known leading Chinese entrepreneurs.

Following the opening ceremony were theme forums involving international noted experts and scholars, business celebrities and elites on economic and trade, Belt and Road Initiative, inheritance and innovation of younger generation of Chinese entrepreneurs as well as Myanmar investment climate and introduction on its latest investment law by the Myanmar Investment Commission.

Memorandums of understanding on economic and industrial cooperation, and contracts on implementation of projects are expected to be signed later on the day.

Donation for social assistance will also be made at the event, the organizer said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:43:13|Editor: Xiang Bo

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- India on Saturday put on trial disgraced spiritual guru Gumreet Ram Rahim Singh in two cases of murder, weeks after he was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his women followers.

A special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the northern town of Panchkula, which had last month convicted the self-styled godman for the two rapes, started hearing the final arguments in the two murder cases, including that of a journalist, this morning.

Singh, currently lodged at Sunaria jail in the northern state of Haryana's Rohtak district, is attending the hearing through video-conferencing as he has not been brought to the court amid fears of unrest by his followers, officials said.

The spiritual guru, who is the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, is accused of ordering the killing of Ram Chander Chhatrapati, editor of a local Haryana newspaper, in 2002 for publishing an explosive letter of sexual exploitation of women by him at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.

The 50-year-old is also accused of murdering a former Dera manager, Ranjit Singh, the same year for his suspected role in the circulation of the anonymous letter by the victims of sexual exploitation by him at his Dera headquarters.

"The spiritual guru is being tried in these two murder cases by the same court that jailed him for 20 years in the two rape cases in August. The hearing in the two cases are likely to be completed within a month. He faces a maximum of death penalty in the cases," an official said.

Singh has denied his involvement in the two murder cases.

Police, meanwhile, said they have put in place adequate security arrangements in Haryana, given that several parts of the northern state as well as states of Punjab and Rajasthan had witnessed large-scale violence, following Singh's conviction in two rape cases on August 25.

While 41 people were killed in Haryana in the violence, no deaths were reported from Punjab and Rajasthan. More than 300 people were injured in clashes with the police.

"This time we have made adequate security arrangements ahead of the hearing in the cases. We are fully geared up to prevent any untoward incident in the state. All police forces have been put on high alert," Haryana Police chief B.S. Sandhu told the media.

The controversial leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, which claims to have 60 million followers around the world, is also accused of forcing over 400 of his followers to undergo castration so they could "get closer to God".

"More cases under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code could be slapped on the guru for the alleged castration of his followers. A police probe is underway," another senior police official said.

Singh took over the sect, which describes itself as "a non-profit social welfare and spiritual organisation", at the age of 23. He has often been accused of mocking Sikh and Hindu religious figures.

Known as "rockstar baba" and "guru of bling" because of his shiny and colourful clothes, Singh has performed at several rock concerts, acted in films and even has his own line of food products, very popular among his followers.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:43:15|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Some 88 percent of Chinese elementary and secondary schools have an Internet connection, according to the Ministry of Education.

There are 12 computers for every 100 elementary and secondary school students. The number of real-name online learning spaces exceeds 63 million, said the ministry.

According to the third plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee held in 2013, more students must enjoy quality education resources via the internet, narrowing the gap between different schools in different areas.

More than 9.4 million teachers of elementary and secondary schools have received appropriate training, said the ministry.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:53:19|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A new chip for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) was unveiled on Saturday by the Global Navigation Satellite System and Location Based Service (GNSS & LBS) Association of China (GLAC).

The chip supports the new generation of BeiDou-3 satellites for high-precision navigation and positioning. The positioning accuracy of the chip reaches the sub-meter level without ground-based augmentation.

The chip, developed by Shenzhen-based Allystar Technology, also has uses in unmanned driving systems, wearable devices, precision agriculture and smart logistics.

The value of the satellite navigation and LBS industry stood at 212 billion yuan (31 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, up 22.1 percent from 2015, according to the GLAC. Core output totaled 80.8 billion yuan, 70 percent of which came from BDS.

Four BeiDou-3 satellites will be launched by the end of this year, and a complete global satellite navigation system in place around 2020, according Yang Changfeng, the system's chief designer.

The scale of the BDS industry will reach 240 billion yuan around 2020, said Yang.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:58:21|Editor: Xiang Bo

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian police have arrested seven teenagers in the investigation of a religious school fire that killed 23 people, state news agency Bernama reported Saturday.
Nicole Clarys thought she had plenty of time to get ready for her baby.

She wasn't due until the end of October, and heading into August she was starting to get excited about being a new mom. Instead, Clarys and her boyfriend Kelsey Miliken welcomed little Lyra into the world on Aug. 5.

Lyra was 2 pounds, 11 ounces when she was born, and she's spent the past six weeks in the St. Vincent Healthcare neonatal intensive care unit.

The trouble started at the end of July. At 26 weeks of pregnancy, Clarys started feeling contractions. Typically, babies are born at 40 weeks, and the early contractions were a troubling development. Clarys grabbed Miliken, and together they headed to their hometown hospital, the Williston Medical Center in North Dakota.

"It was stressful," Clarys said.

Her doctor confirmed she was having real contractions and then, just like that, they stopped. Clarys and Miliken went home and got back to the routine of working and getting ready for the birth of their daughter.

A week later, the contractions started again, and this time they didn't stop. The Williston Medical Center isn't equipped to take care of premature infants, and so her doctor there contacted St. Vincent Healthcare.

St. Vincent has an obstetrics flight team that works in concert with the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. The hospital's ambulatory airplane can be equipped and staffed with a medical crew that specializes in transporting high-risk pregnancies.

"Our goal is to keep her pregnant," said Ashley Jones, a nurse on the OB flight team. "We like big babies; we don't like tiny babies."

It was Aug. 2  a Wednesday night  when Clarys and Miliken were flown from Williston to Billings. They had no idea what to expect, and they weren't sure how things would end up.

"Stuff like this is scary," said Miliken, Lyra's father.

"Newborns are scary enough when they're born at 40 weeks," Clarys said.

On the flight, "it's just a lot of reassuring," Jones said.

Clarys was grateful for that. On a flight that could have been intensely stressful, she felt calmed by the professionalism and kindness of the medical team.

"The energy was happy, not panicky," Clarys said.

Since her birth, Lyra has doubled in size; she now weighs 4 pounds, 12 ounces. The neonatal doctors call her the NICU rock star.

Clarys and Miliken have spent five of the past six weeks with Lyra in the NICU, and in that time they've come to see the medical staff there like a second family.

"Everybody has been wonderful," Clarys said. "It's almost overwhelming."

In particular, Clarys has bonded with Faith LeFevre, one of Lyra's main nurses. LeFevre is relatively new to the NICU, and she can't imagine doing anything better.

"Watching parents go from being afraid and then becoming the main caretaker (for their baby) is one the greatest things about my job," she said.

Katie Krivitz, clinic supervisor in the NICU, said the bonds that form in the neonatal intensive care unit between the family and staff is real and almost unique to their corner of the hospital. Every summer they hold a NICU graduation and reunion party at ZooMontana and this year more than 580 people showed up.

"The bond you create is so different," she said. "We get to be a small part of their little lives."

Clarys and Miliken are hopeful they'll be able to return home to Williston with Lyra in another three or four weeks. Before she can be discharged she has to eat on her own.

In the meantime, Clarys and Miliken will continue to stay with Lyra and plan for their future with a baby in their lives.

"Everybody has been awesome with us," Clarys said. "We've got a lot of support."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 18:58:22|Editor: Xiang Bo

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DAMASCUS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) drove out the Islamic State (IS) from two establishments in the northern countryside of Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria on Saturday, Kurdish activists said.

The Kurdish-led SDF captured the electricity station and the sugar factory in northern Deir al-Zour after defeating the IS militants, activists said.

The new progress comes as the SDF, an alliance of Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian fighters led by the U.S. coalition and the Kurdish YPG group, declared a battle on IS in the northern and eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour last Saturday.

Fighting separately in Deir al-Zour, the Syrian army continued to advance in the capital city of Deir al-Zour and its suburb, capturing the area in the southern countryside of Deir al-Zour, following battles with IS, according to state news agency SANA.

The SDF forces are fighting in the northern and eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour as part of the U.S. plan to have an area of influence east of the Euphrates River, near the Iraqi border.

The Syrian army, meanwhile, is focusing its attention on driving out IS from the 35 percent of areas they are controlling in the capital city of Deir al-Zour, just 10 days after breaking IS' three-year siege on the city with the help of Iranian-backed fighters and the Russian air force.

Earlier on Saturday, Kurdish activists said Russian or Syrian warplanes struck SDF positions east of the Euphrates River, wounding eight SDF fighters.

Later, Sebyan Hamo, a spokesman of the YPG, said: "we will liberate all those areas from IS and whoever tries to hinder our progress or attack us will receive our retaliation."

"We demand a clarification from Russia about the reasons behind hitting our forces," he continued.

The SDF and the Syrian army are fighting IS separately, and even though they haven't come to clash with one another, both don't seem on the same page.

The SDF has already been advancing in the northern city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS, capturing over 70 percent of the city with the help of the U.S.-led coalition.

While IS is the target, a possible confrontation between the SDF and the Syrian army doesn't seem impossible, but brewing until the final IS defeat.

Syrian officials repeatedly said that they will liberate all Syrian cities, hinting that even the areas under the SDF control will be retrieved.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 19:28:29|Editor: Lu Hui

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Tekeda Alemu, Ethiopian Ambassador to theUnited Nationsand the President of UN Security Council for the Month of September, addresses a press encounter after UN Security Council closed-door consultations at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 15, 2017. The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)" and expressed commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the crisis. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council has condemned the latest missile launch by Pyongyang and urged a peaceful solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

In a press statement released on Friday after closed-door consultations, the 15 members of the council condemned "the highly provocative launch of a ballistic missile" by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The DPRK fired a missile over Japan's northern island Hokkaido and into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, which came only days after the Security Council voted in favor of a resolution toughening sanctions on the DPRK over its nuclear test early this month.

"The Security Council also emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing a sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action, and stressed the importance of working to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula," said Tekeda Alemu, president of the Security Council, in a readout of the press statement.

The council members stressed the importance of maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia at large, and welcomed international efforts to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the crisis through dialogue, said Alemu, the Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also warned that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution.

"Threats, tests, launches, mutual threats should be stopped. We should engage in meaningful negotiations," he told reporters after the consultations.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated recently after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to deal with the DPRK with "fire and fury" last month. Since then, Pyongyang has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, threatened to fire missiles into the waters around the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam and launched two missiles over Japan.

To ease tensions, China has been committed to a peaceful solution by supporting Security Council sanctions on one hand, and on the other proposing initiatives which aim to suspend hostilities by both Pyongyang and Washington.

However, the crisis on the Korean Peninsula has spilled over and endangered regional security and stability, as well as relations between other countries.

Trump tweeted earlier this month that the United States is considering "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea (DPRK)."

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said Friday "both China and the United States benefit from bilateral trade, so efforts to undermine Sino-U.S. trade, or even slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 19:33:31|Editor: Song Lifang

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The file picture taken on June 18, 2016 shows Egyptian ousted president Mohamed Morsi in the defendants' cage during his trial in Cairo, Egypt. An Egyptian court on Sept. 16, 2017 upheld life sentence in prison against the ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of spying for Qatar, State-run Nile TV reported. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Saturday upheld life sentence in prison against the ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of spying for Qatar, State-run Nile TV reported.

Life sentence in Egypt is 25 years in prison.

The Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest appeal court, rejected Morsi's appeal and said the ruling against him is "final and unappealable," official news agency MENA said.

The same court confirmed death sentences against three prominent figures of Muslim Brotherhood over the same charges.

The defendants were accused of sneaking classified documents about the armed forces that harm the national security to Qatar.

This is the second time that Morsi got confirmed sentence.

On Oct. 22, 2016, the same appeal court has confirmed a 20-year prison sentence against Morsi on charges of violence and murder in 2012, when clashes erupted outside a presidential palace between his supporters and opponents, which killed up to 10 people.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was ousted by the army in 2013 in response to mass protests against his rule.

He is also convicted in other cases.

On May 17, 2015, Morsi and 106 supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood received death penalties over a mass jail break following the 2011 uprising that ousted the long time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

But the death sentence verdict was overturned and now Morsi is facing retrial.

The ousted Islamist president, along with the Brotherhood guide Mohamed Badei and other seven members of the group, was sentenced to life in prison in June 2015 for conspiring with foreign militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah against Egypt's national security.

Yet the case is appealable.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:03:36|Editor: Song Lifang

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DOHA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron have urged the lifting of a Saudi-led embargo on Qatar in effect since June 5, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported late Friday.

Macron is calling for "the embargo measures affecting the people of Qatar, in particular families and students, to be lifted as quickly as possible," the president's office said in a statement Friday after he met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The statement said Macron "expressed his concern over the tensions that threaten regional stability, undermining the political resolution of the crises and our collective fight against terrorism."

During the meeting in Paris, the two leaders have discussed the latest developments of the Gulf crisis, and the efforts to resolve it through dialogue and diplomatic means with Kuwait's mediation.

The visit is the third trip, after Turkey and Germany, of the Qatari emir's first foreign tour since the crisis began. The emir is also scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday.

A French frigate "Jean Bart" arrived at Qatar on Wednesday to take part in the joint military exercises of Qatar and France, as a part of the framework of the joint military cooperation between the two countries to combat terrorism and extremism.
A train is seen at Mombasa Terminus of Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, in Kenya, on June 1, 2017. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday launched the passenger train service of the 480-km Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), paving way for the nation's endeavor for industrialization and prosperity. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A recent report released by a global risk consultancy, Control Risks, shows that Kenya and Ethiopia might soon outshine Africa's economic giants, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt in the competition for investment.

The report Africa Risk-Reward Index, developed by Control Risks, was released in Johannesburg. The report noted that while Nigeria and South Africa have recovered, there are still some risks.

Ethiopia, which is one of the fastest growing countries in the continent, outperformed all African countries in the survey. The country attracted 3.2 billion U.S. dollars of foreign direct investment in 2016. Between 2010 and 2015, economic growth averaged 10 percent and was 6.5 percent last year.

"Experienced investors, not only in Africa but around the world, know that risk and reward are close companions," said Paul Gabriel, senior analyst for Africa at Control Risks and lead-author of the report.

Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2015 shows a train operating on the light rail in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a modern rail project that has been constructed by the China Railway Group (CREC) in the capital of the east African country. The electrified Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT) is the first light railway on the African continent with two lines of a total length of 34 km. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

"While no serious investor should overlook the economic giants of the continent, real competitive edge can only be achieved when investors manage to stay ahead of the pack in knowing what's next," said Gabriel. "The Africa Risk-Reward Index helps investors to identify some of the more hidden investment opportunities in times where the heavy-hitters are struggling."

Kenya had an average economy growth of 6 percent between 2010-2016 and is expected to be at 5.4 percent this year.

The report noted that risks have to balance opportunities. The fiscal concerns and a political system that remains closely tied to ethnic affiliation risks.

"A well-educated workforce and an innovative service sector, the government's continued investments in upgrading critical national infrastructure, and deepening integration with its neighbors through the East African Community (EAC) all allow the country to act as a gateway into the larger East Africa region," said the report.

The reported indicated that Nigeria's energy sector gives the country an appeal. The report however noted some risks of insurgent attacks on Niger Delta and fall in oil prices. The economic growth fell from 6.3 percent in 2014 to 2.7 percent in 2015. Nigeria had a 1.6 percent economic growth and is expected to be at 1.1 percent this year.

South African technicians work at the Transnet Engineering Koedoespoort Plant where Chinese locomotives are assembled, in Pretoria, South Africa, on July 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

"Whilst South Africa enjoys a deserved reputation as Africa's pre-eminent constitutional democracy, several of its key institutions have gradually weakened over the past decade. Economic prospects are closely linked to the outcomes of the African national Congress (ANC)'s national conference in December. The forecasted real GDP growth of 0.5 percent for 2017 is below population growth and certainly insufficient to reduce South Africa's staggering 27.7 percent unemployment rate," said the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:08:37|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng sent a congratulatory letter to the 14th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC), which kicked off in Myanmar on Saturday.

As an important force in promoting global economic development, Chinese merchants have been working as bridges to enhance economic and trade cooperations between China and other countries, said Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Since its birth in 1991, the biennial WCEC has been adhering to its tenet of "business is business and to carry forward Chinese national culture."

Yu noted that with the support of Commerce Chambers and entrepreneurs all over the world, the WCEC has become an important platform for gathering global Chinese entrepreneurs and promoting exchanges and cooperation among all parties.

Myanmar is located along the maritime Silk Road. In the joint efforts of Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce and all delegates, this event will deepen mutual understanding and increase exchanges and cooperation between worldwide Chinese entrepreneurs and Myanmar's business community, Yu added.

He also stressed that the "Belt and Road Initiative" has injected new vitality into global development, and provided new career opportunities for overseas Chinese.

This year's convention is hosted by the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce and has gathered more than 2,000 overseas Chinese business leaders.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:13:39|Editor: Song Lifang

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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Saturday reopened its border with Afghanistan a day after a hand grenade attack injured at least eight security personnel, officials said.

The border of Torkham, one of the major crossing points, was immediately closed after an unidentified man from the Afghan side lobbed a grenade at the security men guarding the border on Friday.

Hundreds of people as well as vehicles carrying transit goods were stuck up on both sides of the border, according to the locals.

Pakistani and Afghan officials met Saturday afternoon and agreed to reopen the border, allowing stranded people and vehicles to cross the border, a senior official Niaz Muhammad Swati told reporters in the region.

No group claimed responsibility for the Friday's attack.

Pakistan has stepped up security along the border after the grenade attack and allows Afghan nationals to enter after thorough checking.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:18:42|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese Minister of Defense Chang Wanquan (R, front) and Lao Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath (L, front) pay homage to Chinese martyrs at a cemetery in Lao northern Oudomxay province, Sept. 15, 2017. Chinese Minister of Defense Chang Wanquan and Lao Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath have led army delegations of the two countries to gather respectively in northern Laos' Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Moten border and China's Yunnan's Mengla, Mohan border for the first high-level frontier meetings on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)

VIENTIANE, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Minister of Defense Chang Wanquan and Lao Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath have led army delegations of the two countries to gather respectively in northern Laos' Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Moten border and China's Yunnan's Mengla, Mohan border for the first high-level frontier meetings on Friday and Saturday.

Chang said the meetings aimed at implementing the consensus reached by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Bounnhang Vorachit to further strengthen the ties between the two countries and the two armies as well as to promote practical measures to ensure border security and stability.

China is willing to join hands with the Lao side to implement the strategic directions by the leaders of the two countries to further strengthen political leadership, deepen practical cooperation, enhance bilateral military friendship so as to jointly build a border of peace, stability and friendly cooperation and push forward the stable and healthy development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries in the long run, said the Chinese minister.

Chansamone, for his part, said that the meetings were an important manifestation of the implementation of the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and the two parties, and will play a significant role in promoting bilateral traditional friendship, strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two armies and safeguarding stability at the Laos-China border.

Laos is willing to work together with the Chinese side to maintain the strong momentum of the development of bilateral relationship, further strengthen practical cooperation between the two armies in various fields for the sake of the peoples of the two countries, said the Lao minister.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:18:43|Editor: Song Lifang

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BANGKOK, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) --China's Alipay and Thailand's Kasikorn Bank said on Saturday at Bangkok tourist hotspot Jatujak Market that they will enhance their cooperation in promoting QR code payment in Thailand.

The Thai Bank has already developed a mobile app which supports QR code payment for the Thai market. Chinese tourists can use Alipay app to scan the QR code generated by the Kasikorn app to complete the buying with Thai sellers.

"Chinese accounts for the majority of my customers and we just began to use the Kasikorn app a few days ago and we hope it will make buying more convenient for the Chinese customers," said Piyanas, a woman selling clothes at the Jatujak Market.

Viu, owner of a shop selling colorful notebooks, told Xinhua that she began to use the app this morning and one Chinese tourist had paid her by Alipay soon after.

During a press conference held inside the market, Pipavin Sodprasert, Thailand country manager for Ant Financial, which operates Alipay, told Xinhua that there are some 20,000 Thai businesses using their service and they aim to provide the convenience of QR Code payment, enjoyed by many Chinese now, to Thais, which is consistent with Thai government's target of cashless society.

"I have been to China for many times and we hope Chinese tourists can encourage our society to use e-payment," said Patchara Samalapa, senior executive vice president of Kasikorn Bank, adding that Thai customers can also use their app to scan and to pay.

The bank said their app is the first one that supports QR Code payment in Thailand and they aim to cover some 200,000 shops around the kingdom by the end of this year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:23:45|Editor: Mengjie

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Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2017 shows the site of a railway-build agreement signing ceremony between Bangladeshi and Chinese firms, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Two Bangladeshi and two Chinese firms have signed two joint venture pacts to build over 100-kilometer rail lines and required infrastructure in the country's southeast Cox's Bazar district bordering Myanmar. (Xinhua/Salim Reza)

DHAKA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two Bangladeshi and two Chinese firms have signed two joint venture pacts to build over 100 km rail lines and required infrastructure in the country's southeastern Cox's Bazar district bordering Myanmar.

Officials of Bangladesh Railways and joint venture China Railway Group Limited (CREC) of China and Toma Construction and Company Limited of Bangladesh; and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and MAX JV (joint adventure of CCECC of China and MAX international Ltd of Bangladesh) signed the deals on behalf of their respective sides here on Saturday.

Bangladeshi Raiways Minister M. Mazibul Haque, among others, witnessed the agreement signing ceremony as the chief guest.

In line with the agreements, the Bangladeshi and the Chinese firms will construct 102 km new dual gauge line along with 185 major and minor bridges under two different projects.

A station building will also be constructed under the project in Cox's Bazar town.

Officials say the project is part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) support.

They said the Manila-based lender is helping Bangladesh set up double-track line between Dhaka and Chittagong and a fresh line on Dohazari-Cox's Bazar-Ghundum route, procure carriages and locomotives.

Railway officials said the project is scheduled to be completed in three years.
A man whom prosecutors say robbed a Billings casino at gunpoint in November, ordering patrons to lie on the ground and empty their pockets, pleaded no contest to the charges on Friday.

Kaleb Michael Tull, 20, entered the plea on felony charges of robbery with weapons enhancement and assault with a weapon.

Tull had initially been charged with six counts of robbery with a weapon enhancement and three counts of assault with a weapon. Most of the charges were dropped as part of a plea deal. The details of the agreement were not immediately available.

Bond is set at $100,000.

Tull also faces two drug possession charges: a felony for meth and a misdemeanor for marijuana. He pleaded guilty to both on Friday.

According to charging documents, three men went into the Lucky Lil's Casino near King Avenue West on Nov. 12, 2016. They wore hoods and masks to and carried guns, according to court documents. At least one of them carried a shotgun.

Witnesses told police the robbers told everyone to get on the ground and asked patrons to empty their pockets. One employee told police that stolen items included beer from the cooler and money from the tip jar.

One casino employee told police she thought two of the suspects had entered the casino hours before the robbery because she recognized their clothing on surveillance tapes. Surveillance footage from other businesses showed the suspects with the same clothing, but their faces weren't covered.

Tull and a co-defendant were also identified in surveillance shots by their mothers, charges state.

In Tull's separate case, officers found methamphetamine and marijuana on him after he was arrested, according to charges.

Sentencing for Tull is set for Nov. 24.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:38:50|Editor: Song Lifang

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The file picture taken on June 18, 2016 shows Egyptian ousted president Mohamed Morsi in the defendants' cage during his trial in Cairo, Egypt. An Egyptian court on Sept. 16, 2017 upheld life sentence in prison against the ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of spying for Qatar, State-run Nile TV reported. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Saturday upheld life sentence in prison against the ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of spying for Qatar, State-run Nile TV reported.

In Egypt, a life sentence is 25 years in jail.

The Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest appeal court, rejected Morsi's appeal and said the ruling against him is "final and unappealable," official news agency MENA said.

The same court confirmed death sentences against three prominent figures of Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi's group, over the same charges.

The defendants were accused of sneaking classified documents about the armed forces that harm the national security to Qatar.

The documents allegedly contained secrets on "national security," and were allegedly traded with the Qatari intelligence for a million dollars. The prosecution also accused the defendants of working for the "terrorist branded Muslim Brotherhood" organization.

Qatar was a main backer of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood movement while he was in power between 2012 and July 2013.

Two other defendants also received life and rigorous imprisonment terms in the case.

This is the second time that Morsi got confirmed sentence.

On Oct. 22, 2016, the same appeal court has confirmed a 20-year prison sentence against Morsi on charges of violence and murder in 2012, when clashes erupted outside a presidential palace between his supporters and opponents, which killed up to 10 people.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was ousted by the army in 2013 in response to mass protests against his rule.

His Muslim Brotherhood group has been designated as a terrorist group by the government.

Hundreds of the group received death and life sentences, mostly over violence, murder and spying charges.

Morsi has been also convicted in other cases.

On May 17, 2015, Morsi and 106 supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood received death penalties over a mass jail break following the 2011 uprising that ousted the long time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

But the death sentence verdict was overturned and now Morsi is facing retrial.

The ousted Islamist president, along with the Brotherhood guide Mohamed Badei and other seven members of the group, was sentenced to life in prison in June 2015 for conspiring with foreign militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah against Egypt's national security.

Yet the case is appealable.

On the Brotherhood page, the members commented that the verdicts are "an honor," adding it won't prevent creation of thousands of likewise courageous men.

Ahmed Ban, expert with Nile Center for political studies, and a Brotherhood dissident, predicted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will pardon Morsi if finally Morsi reached execution.

He added both the country and the Brotherhood group will seek reconciliation, but each is waiting for more concessions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:58:56|Editor: Song Lifang

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DAMASCUS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Saturday stated that the recently-reached deal to de-escalate violence in Idlib province doesn't give any legitimacy to any Turkish presence on Syrian soil, according to state news agency SANA.

The de-escalation zones' deal in the northern province of Idlib, which was reached a day earlier between Turkey, Russia and Iran in Astana, is "temporary aiming to restore life to the international road between Damascus-Hama, and Aleppo to alleviate the suffering of the citizens," according to the statement.

The ministry said the deal doesn't grant any legitimacy to any Turkish presence on the Syrian ground, and the Turkish presence is illegitimate.

"There is no concession whatsoever to the unity and independence of Syrian territory and we will never stop fighting terrorism, whatever its tools and supporters," the ministry said.

A day earlier, Russia, Turkey, and Iran, which held a new round of peace talks on Syria Thursday and Friday in Astana, decided the creation of de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib and nearby areas as part of the tripartite plan to curb the violence in major hotspots in Syria.

In a joint statement, the three powers said they agreed "to allocate" their forces to patrol the zone covering the opposition-held Idlib and parts of the neighboring Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces.

It said that the zones will be formed for a six-month period and could be extended if necessary.

The three powers agreed to send a total of 500 observers to monitor the deal implementation in Idlib, but the Russians will be sending military police.

The deal is the latest in a series of de-escalation zones deal reached between major powers in recent months.

A separate deal was reached between U.S. and Russia in southern Syrian cities of Deraa and Quneitra, and Russian military police were deployed in the area to monitor the cease-fire which started on July 9.

The Russian Defense Ministry also declared a cease-fire deal in the Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta, as well as in Homs, however, the deal was only reached with an opposition group that has limited dominance in the opposition-held areas in Homs.

But unlike other areas, much of Idlib is under the control of the Levant Liberation Committee (LLC), which comprises of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and allied rebel groups.

The Nusra is the striking force among other rebel groups, and it's excluded from any settlement in Syria.

But hope remains for a slight success of the plan, given the fact that some groups and commanders of the LLC have started disbanding from the LLC umbrella, which could lead to the isolation of the Nusra Front and finally its demise in Idlib.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 20:58:57|Editor: Song Lifang

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QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least five Afghan policemen were killed and five others wounded after Taliban militants attacked a checkpoint in the western Badghis province on Friday night, a senior provincial police official said Saturday.

"A group of Taliban rebels attacked a security checkpoint in Kandalan area, in the north edge of provincial capital Qala-i-Now city on Friday night. As a result, five policemen were killed and five others injured," Ghulam Sarwar Haidary told Xinhua.

The militants also took weapons of security personnel at the checkpoint and fled the area, the official admitted.

Taliban militants have intensified their attacks on security checkpoints as government forces have increased military operations against the insurgents in the war-plagued country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 21:09:03|Editor: Song Lifang

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ANKARA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained at least 88 suspects in nationwide anti-drug raids, state-run Anadolu Agency reported Saturday.

Operations against narcotics were launched in 81 provinces, which have the most drug-trafficking cases in Turkey, the Security General Directorate said in a written statement.

Around 3,000 police officers, backed by eight helicopters, searched thousands of suspected addresses and cars.

Police seized a total of 650 grams of heroin, 21.41 kg of marijuana and 12,350 packs of contraband cigarettes during the raids.
A top Egyptian court upheld on September 16, 2017 a life sentence for ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in a case revolving around state documents leaked to Qatar, a judicial official said. (AFP Photo)

CAIRO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Saturday upheld life sentence in prison against the ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of spying for Qatar, State-run Nile TV reported.

In Egypt, a life sentence is 25 years in jail.

The Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest appeal court, rejected Morsi's appeal and said the ruling against him is "final and unappealable," official news agency MENA said.

The same court confirmed death sentences against three prominent figures of Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi's group, over the same charges.

The defendants were accused of sneaking classified documents about the armed forces that harm the national security to Qatar.

The documents allegedly contained secrets on "national security," and were allegedly traded with the Qatari intelligence for a million dollars. The prosecution also accused the defendants of working for the "terrorist branded Muslim Brotherhood" organization.

Qatar was a main backer of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood movement while he was in power between 2012 and July 2013.

Two other defendants also received life and rigorous imprisonment terms in the case.

This is the second time that Morsi got confirmed sentence.

On Oct. 22, 2016, the same appeal court has confirmed a 20-year prison sentence against Morsi on charges of violence and murder in 2012, when clashes erupted outside a presidential palace between his supporters and opponents, which killed up to 10 people.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was ousted by the army in 2013 in response to mass protests against his rule.

His Muslim Brotherhood group has been designated as a terrorist group by the government.

Hundreds of the group received death and life sentences, mostly over violence, murder and spying charges.

Morsi has been also convicted in other cases.

On May 17, 2015, Morsi and 106 supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood received death penalties over a mass jail break following the 2011 uprising that ousted the long time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

But the death sentence verdict was overturned and now Morsi is facing retrial.

The ousted Islamist president, along with the Brotherhood guide Mohamed Badei and other seven members of the group, was sentenced to life in prison in June 2015 for conspiring with foreign militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah against Egypt's national security.

Yet the case is appealable.

On the Brotherhood page, the members commented that the verdicts are "an honor," adding it won't prevent creation of thousands of likewise courageous men.

Ahmed Ban, expert with Nile Center for political studies, and a Brotherhood dissident, predicted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will pardon Morsi if finally Morsi reached execution.

He added both the country and the Brotherhood group will seek reconciliation, but each is waiting for more concessions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 21:29:11|Editor: Song Lifang

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ISTANBUL, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Saturday detained 74 suspected Islamic State (IS) militants in Istanbul, local media reported.

Police launched simultaneous operations in 15 places in the city, seizing documents including attack plans linked to the militant group, Daily Sabah said.

Among the detainees are 73 foreigners who would be deported back to their countries respectively, the daily said, noting the interrogation of the Turkish suspects was ongoing.

Citing preliminary police report, the daily said the suspects were planning to join the IS in Syria and Iraq, where the group is suffering defeat.

Turkey has been hit by a series of suicide attacks carried out by IS militants since 2015 and the authorities have deported at least 5,000 suspected terrorists and banned 53,000 others from entering the country, press reports said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 21:54:26|Editor: Xiang Bo

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YANGON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Myanmar-China business summit was held at the Sule Shangri-La Hotel in Yangon Saturday evening as part of the 14th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC).

The summit, sponsored by the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs (CFOCE), took place under the topic "The Belt and Road Promotes Cooperation and Mutual Benefits".

In his welcoming speech, President of the CFOCE Xu Rongmao voiced support of the WCEC by organizing nearly 200 entrepreneurs for the attendance.

Xu encouraged overseas Chinese entrepreneurs to actively integrate into the economic community of the countries they reside and make contribution to the economic development of those countries.

He hoped that the event would further push and deepen the China-Myanmar economic and trade cooperation as well as the development of the global Chinese entrepreneurs.

The summit was followed by the signing of a contract project investment agreement on strategic cooperation between the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce and CFOCE.

The summit gathered about 300 participants involving Chinese embassy officials, Myanmar government officials, leaders of delegations attending the 14th WCEC, representatives of Myanmar's business circle and the CFOCE delegation.

The 14th WCEC kicked off at the Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon Saturday morning, bringing together more than 2,000 overseas Chinese business leaders to discuss plan of business expansion in Myanmar.

Under the motto of "An Opening Economy in Myanmar, A New Epoch in History", the four-day WCEC is hosted by the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 21:54:28|Editor: Song Lifang

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MJOMBASA, Kenya, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police said Saturday they are investigating the killing of another Swiss national in the coastal city of Mombasa.

Regional police commander Larry Kieng said Mocer Max was killed and body dumped in the Indian Ocean by unknown people. The deceased body was found early Saturday.

Kieng said detectives have launched probe into the latest killing of foreigners that has sparked tension in the county.

"The body of the deceased had deep head injuries, we suspect he was killed and body dumped in the ocean," Kieng said. He added Max had lived in the country for over 10 years within Mtwapa area.

In August a Swiss couple was also murdered and body dumped by the roadside in Mombasa. Werner Borner Paul and Marrianne Borner landed at Moi International Airport on the night of Aug. 20 and were accosted as they entered their compound by people suspected to be workers.

Prime suspect Geoffrey Mwaki alias Jeff, 38, was arrested on Aug. 21 and charged with murder.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 22:04:30|Editor: Song Lifang

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OSLO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iceland's Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson said Saturday that the president has accepted his resignation and a new parliamentary election will possibly be held on Nov. 4, local media reported.

After a meeting with Icelandic President Gudni Johannesson, Benediktsson told reporters that an executive committee should be in office as a provisional government until the election.

According to Icelandic laws, the final decision on new parliamentary elections will be made by the president. Johannesson, who was meeting leaders of other parties, was expected to make an announcement later Saturday.

Benediktsson on Friday called for a new parliamentary election after a junior coalition party decided to quit due to a "breach of trust" within the center-right government.

Early Friday, leaders of Bright Future, one of the three partner parties in the government, said they had ended their coalition with the Independence Party and the prime minister.

The Reform Party, another junior partner, has called for new elections as soon as possible.

It was revealed on Thursday that Benediktsson's father signed a letter of recommendation so that a convicted pedophile would receive what in Iceland is called "restored honor," which effectively wipes the criminal record of a person who has served his or her sentence.

Letters of recommendation are required for this procedure.

Minister of Justice Sigridur Andersen, also from the Independence Party, said Thursday night that she had informed Benediktsson of his father's letter in July, Icelandic public broadcaster RUV reported.

But Benediktsson neglected to inform Bright Future and Reform Party leaders of the letter until Monday, according to RUV.

After the October 2016 election, the Independence Party took a strong lead by securing 21 out of the 63 seats in parliament after winning 29 percent of the ballots cast. Together, the three-party coalition holds a slim majority with 32 seats.

The center-right coalition government took office in January after lengthy negotiations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 22:04:33|Editor: Song Lifang

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by Julius Gale

JUBA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Regional integration is crucial for economic, political and social development and restoration of lasting peace and stability in the East Africa region, experts have said.

The experts told Xinhua in Juba that efforts spearheaded by the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) towards attaining free trade and movement of persons in the member countries would strengthen cooperation, development and prosperity in the region.

Mehari Taddele Maru, an expert in international law and migration said if countries become inter-dependent and integrated too tightly, chances of fighting are very less because the harm will be too big.

Maru, who also serves as Chief Strategist for IGAD, said one way of bringing peace in the IGAD region is through strong integration among bloc's members and through free movement.

"We assume integration will make the region too much close to each other that they can't hurt each other without hurting one side. Through this, long term peace and security, stability and prosperity of the region can be ensured," Maru said at the end of consultative meeting on Friday evening.

Maru urged East African countries to aspire towards integration for a more peaceful region and cooperation among countries, adding that the proposed IGAD protocol on free movement provides options for suspending its provisions during time of emergencies such as war and diseases outbreaks.

James Okuk, a Lecturer of Political Science at the University of Juba, said integration will give countries strength, power and bigger voice in the whole region and also enable them have influence in international affairs because a group has better negotiating powers on certain issues.

Okuk said integration would further help countries to cooperate in countering transnational crimes, and that will in turn lead to regional peace and stability.

"Integration develops what is called the common interest and common benefit. So people will be very careful to preserve and protect those benefits and that's what will keep them together and peaceful," Okuk said.

"It will also make nations prevent transnational crimes in a more coordinated manner that they wouldn't have been doing alone," he added.

Article 7 of the agreement establishing IGAD, demands member States to promote free movement of goods, services, and persons as well as the establishment of residence.

In July, IGAD started consultations on a protocol seeking to enforce free trade and movement of people in all member countries.

The regional bloc has already held national consultation meetings in Uganda and South Sudan respectively, and more consultations are scheduled for the remaining member states.

But the proposal on free movement has received mixed reactions with supporters welcoming it while critics argue that such a move would not be beneficial to underdeveloped countries.

However, Okuk argues that the benefits of integration are far more ahead than the challenges that the IGAD member countries are facing now.

"So integration is something beneficial and it's a modern trend that we can't afford to let it go without ensuring that we are inside," Okuk said.

Lucy Daxbacher, Project Officer for the IGAD protocol on free movement, said free movement does not necessarily mean no control of trade and persons by governments, but it will instead promote development and cooperation among countries in a manner that is safe, beneficial, and orderly and within the limits of law and order.

"Integration is beneficial in terms of trade, it is beneficial in terms of access to institutions of learning in other countries, it is beneficial in times of drought and famine where resources such as land, water and pasture can be shared by other member states," Daxbacher said.
Colstrip Power Plants largest owner will be financially ready to shutter the entire coal-burning facility by 2027, nearly two decades earlier than anticipated just a few years ago.

The accelerated schedule is spelled out in Puget Sound Energy's legal settlement filed Friday with the Washington Utility and Transportation Commission. The date speaks specifically to the four-unit power plants two youngest generators, Units 3 and 4. Colstrips two older units are already slated for closure by 2022, five years from now.

The 2027 depreciation date aligns Puget Sound with plans by Colstrips other utility owners in Oregon and Washington who are circling 2030 as the end of Colstrips useful life. Puget is agreeing to begin billing customers now for the closure of Units 3 and 4, with funds ready to go by 2027.

The settlement puts the end of the "useful life" of Units 3 and 4 at Dec 31, 2027. However, Puget said a closure date hasn't bee set.

Depreciation life should be relatively equivalent to a plants useful life and we feel like with 3 and 4 were in the ballpark, said Ken Johnson, Pugets director of regulatory affairs.

Natural gas and renewable energy are expected to fill the void as Puget Sound Energy transitions from coal.

The settlement requires approval by the Utility and Transportation Commission to be final. It also includes money to help the Colstrip community transition away from a coal-energy economy.

Pugets 1 million customers are looking at a rate increase of .9 percent to cover numerous general operations costs.

Other settlement provisions are meant to keep a close eye on Colstrip, including annual retirement dates for Colstrip Units 3 and 4 and an annual accounting for decommissioning and remediation costs. Regular reports on how money is being spent to shut down and clean up Colstrip Units 1 and 2 are also required.

Five years ago, Colstrips utility owners were in agreement that Units 3 and 4 would burn into the 2040s. But environmentally-conscious consumers in Oregon and Washington began demanding changes. Oregon lawmakers in 2016 passed a law requiring PacifiCorp to stop supplying coal power to the state by 2030. The law required the same of Portland General Electric by 2035.

PGE has since estimated Colstrips useful life to end by 2030. PacifiCorp is required to do the same. Avista Corp., a Spokane, Washington, utility, now puts the life expectancy of Units 3 and 4 at 2037.

This year, communities in Puget Sound Energys service area have been demanding that the utility get out of Colstrip. In Seattle-anchored King County mayors of 14 cities have signed a strategic climate action plan to phase out coal-power by 2025.

This is what Washington customers have said they want. Its inevitable, said Doug Howell, of the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal Campaign.

The outlier among Colstrip owners is NorthWestern Energy, which serves half of Montana. NorthWestern estimates the lives of Units 3 and 4 to end in 2046.

Talen Energy, the sixth Colstrip owner, has not publicly identified an end date for Units 3 and 4, but has agreed with Puget Sound Energy to close Units 1 and 2 by 2022. Those utilities split ownership of Units 1 and 2 equally.

Talen and Puget agreed in 2016 to close Units 1 and 2 to settle a lawsuit brought by the Sierra Club and the Montana Environmental Information Center.

There is money in the Puget Sound Energy settlement to help the community of Colstrip and Rosebud County transition away from a coal economy. Puget agreed to put up $10 million to help the communities economically tied to the power plant. How the money is spent will be up to a yet-to-be-assembled committee of representatives from the local community, the state of Montana and Puget Sound Energy.

The transition plan resembles one recommended by the Natural Resources Defense Council, which partnered with Renewable Northwest and the NW Energy Coalition to make suggestions for Pugets future plans for Colstrip. As interveners in the rate case, NRDC made the point that Rosebud County, where Colstrip is located, is the fifth most dependent county in the nation on federal coal for employment, with 13.6 percent of its jobs in mining or power generation.

NRDC cited several other recently closed power plants in the United States where exiting utilities spent millions helping power plant communities transition.

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox indicated in a press release Friday that he had mentioned the transition terms in recent talks with Puget Sound Energy.

In the end, Puget based its transition support for the Colstrip community on a similar package offered to Lewis County, Washington, to deal with the shutdown of TransAltas coal-fired power plant in Centralia. That plant will retire in 2020. Power plant owners are spending $55 million on the transition.

The $10 million in transition funding for Colstrip is less than the TransAlta funding, but Rosebud County and Colstrip are much smaller communities, Johnson said. Per person, the money offered for transition is more than what was offered by TransAlta.

Montana State Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, said he learned of the $10 million transition fund Monday in a meeting with Puget Sound Energy's Kimberly Harris.

The amount is less than the compensation Ankney and others attempted to require from Puget Sound Energy by passing a industrial shutdown law during the 2017 Legislature.

"As far as the $10 million, I was aware that was the figure. We here in Rosebud County will have to figure out how that money is going to be used."

Ankey didn't expect the $10 million to be the end of the transition funding for the Colstrip community. He's been in early talks with Talen Energy about its role in the closure of Units 1 and 2, though there's been no talk of transition funding.

It's also possible the 2019 Legislature will take up mandatory compensation from industrial businesses exiting the state. Ankney said he will read the settlement before deciding what to do next.

Right now, there's a lot of heartburn over the new 2027 depreciation schedule for Units 3 and 4, Ankney said. He had hoped those units would have been left out of Colstrip's rate case.

Its Pugets hope that utility owners of Colstrip power plant will also put money on the table to help the community transition. The decision to contribute is one each utility will make on its own and that autonomy will be in play in other matters moving forward for Units 3 and 4.

While PSE represents only one of six Colstrip owners, we believe the community transition fund is an important first step in creating a viable funding source to help the community transition to new opportunities for employment in the years to come, Johnson said in a press release.

There were 10 parties involved in Pugets settlement talks, including the Montana Department of Justice, represented by former Washington attorney general Robert McKenna. Montana signed off on the settlement, though Attorney General Tim Fox has said earlier that Units 3 and 4 should have been left off the table in Pugets rate case.

The attorney generals office struggled to make points in the case after choosing in June not to file testimony about Pugets plans. The attorney general planned to build his testimony around a bill that died in the Legislatures final days. Without it, Fox chose not to file testimony on Montanas behalf.

The attorney generals office later filed testimony in August, in which it made several points that were ruled irrelevant and submitted too late to be added to the evidence used to decide the case.

Fox said in press release Friday that the settlement was a good start.

In representing the states interests in this rate case, my office has made clear through negotiations with PSE our expectation that the utility fulfill its responsibilities to the state of Montana," Fox said. "This settlement is a good start, and we urge the Washington UTC to approve it as agreed upon by the parties.

Shortly after the settlement was filed, Fox wrote the Washington Utility and Transportation Commission emphasizing his support of the deal.

"PSE's contribution should encourage other Colstrip owners to contribute similar amounts - or more - to help fund community transition in southeastern Montana," Fox wrote. "This good faith effort recognizes that the public interest here involves the intertwined concerns of Washington ratepayers and Montana residents who benefit from affordable, reliable Colstrip power and livable Colstrip wages, respectively; PSE's contribution should also, as noted above, spur a shared effort among all stakeholders for Colstrip community transition."

The attorney general wrapped up his letter stating that Colstrip workers should be used in the shutdown and cleanup of Units 1 and 2.

Puget Sound also agreed to begin talks with Colstrip's other utility owners about keeping power on Colstrip's transmission lines as coal-power draws down. Those talks will begin before Washington's utility commission with PacifiCorp and Avista Corp. participating. All three are regulated by the WUTC.

"The transmission aspects of the proposed agreement would help to secure Montana's role in the region's renewable energy future," said Jeff Fox, Montana Policy Manager for Renewable Northwest. "If approved, the settlement will focus attention and efforts on retooling Montana's transmission system to export new clean energy resources to the Northwest, paving the way for continued energy investments in Montana."

Renewable Northwest was a party involved in the settlement.

The the settlement received broad support in Montana. The Montana Environmental Information Center called Puget's settlement a major milestone.

This is a major milestone, because far too often in Montana out-of-state companies have shut their doors with little notice and left communities with contamination and nothing economically," said Anne Hedges, MEIC deputy director. "The huge shifts in energy markets have made planning difficult, but now that there is a realistic end date for the life of the Colstrip plant, it provides Montana the time and money to prepare for the transition.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 22:09:36|Editor: Song Lifang

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MANDERA, Kenya, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants on Saturday morning overran a Somalia National Army (SNA) camp at Bula Hache, a few kilometers from Elwak town near the Somalia border with Kenya.

Both Kenyan and Somalia officials said the militants briefly seized the town before they later withdrew after a fierce gunfight that had begun on Friday night and ended on Saturday morning.

Kenya's Mandera South Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Bundotich said the militants overran the camp operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) before burning SNA belongings and rifles.

Somalia residents said the militants looted food aid, computers and seized some vehicles belonging to humanitarian agencies operating along the border.

Bundotich said Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) used aerial bombardment to free the camp from the militants in picking up trucks and battle wagons.

"KDF have managed to recapture the camp plus five armoured personnel carriers (APC) that the militants were trying to escaped with," said Bundotich.

"Our forces have managed to free the camp from the Al-Shabaab as they are our neighbours and saw it prudent to create a buffer zone along the border, " he added.

Residents in Elwak which is near the Kenyan border said the town fell into Al Shabaab hands after Somali government and Jubbaland forces withdrew from the town and fled towards Kenya.

The Somali residents said both sides engaged in hours of gun fight but the number of casualties has not yet been confirmed. Residents are in fear of possible counter-attacks.

The latest attack came after Al-Shabaab gunmen overran a police camp in Bula Hawa near Mandera town on Monday before Kenyan security forces recaptured it from the militants.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 22:24:39|Editor: Song Lifang

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LAGOS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Boko Haram insurgency has left over 20,000 children unaccompanied and separated from their families in Nigeria's restive northeast region, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Saturday.

Speaking at a two-day summit on Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, Bridgette Mukanga-Eno, Deputy Representative of the UNHCR to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said over 8,000 children were estimated to have been recruited and used by Boko Haram in both combat and support roles.

The UN official told the gathering that over 7,000 women and girls have been subjected to Boko Haram related sexual violence, including forced marriage.

According to her, women and girls who were released from Boko Haram captivity (often with babies born while in captivity), face real risk not only of rejection and stigmatization but also violence in some communities.

Eno told her audience that report of sexual based gender violence (SGBV) in camp settings and host communities are alarmingly high, as are reports of sexual exploitation and abuse, including by men in uniform.

In addition to human right issues, internally displaced persons lacked access to basic legal services to assist them in the daily conduct of their affairs, she added.

"The most commonly occurring for IDPs were loss of civil documentation; needs to register births and deaths; probate and inheritance matters need to be resolved; matrimonial and family disputes require arbitration; and inevitable, criminal suspects in cases not relating to insurgency, require legal representation," she said.

Boko Haram has kidnapped thousands, often raping them, forcing them to become suicide bombers, help the militants in their conflict or marry fighters, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 and displaced 2.3 million people in its attacks since 2009.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 22:34:44|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) said on Saturday it was working on modalities to rebuild a reserve for precious minerals, including gold, tanzanite and diamonds, as it is done in other countries worldwide.

The move follows a recent proposal by Tanzanian President John Magufuli when receiving two probe reports by special parliamentary committees which were formed to investigate diamonds and tanzanite mining which were found replete with fraud.

Benno Ndulu, the BoT governor, said the central bank was aggressively working on to come up with arrangements to be able to procure the precious minerals.

"There are number of things to be considered and properly put in place before starting to purchase the minerals," said Ndulu.

He added: "We have started working on the matter... we need money and several other things. These are things you cannot do right away because it is a sensitive subject."

Ndulu said establishing such procurement procedure required consultation with various experts and government officials at different levels.

"We need to consult and document everything before the central bank turns from only reserving cash to a buyer of gold, tanzanite and diamond. The buying and selling of the minerals need special expertise," said Ndulu.

Magufuli and Minister for Finance and Planning, Philip Mpango, have been aggressively pushing for the central bank to rebuild reserves for precious minerals.

"BoT should come up with a special arrangement to start establishing mineral reserves, as it is done in other parts of the world instead of dealing with cash reserves only," said Mpango on Sept. 9 during his prompt visit to the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam where he received reports on smuggled diamond that was seized at the airport.

BoT halted its previous gold purchases after the 2009 collapse of a Dar es Salaam-based gold refinery, Mwananchi Gold Company Limited (MGCL), which was set up as a joint venture between the central bank and some private investors.

In November last year, Mpango told the National Assembly that the government, through BoT, was exploring the possibility of using tanzanite for currency reserves, not bullion, because experience has shown that gold was no longer suitable for this purpose.

Tanzanite is a gemstone unique to Tanzania, as it is only found in the Mererani area of the country's Manyara region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 22:49:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Academics shared insights on Chinese culture and the cohesion of the Chinese nation at a forum held Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Culture Institute (CCI).

Attendees also discussed specific topics ranging from the implementation of the national anthem law in Hong Kong to the principle of "one country, two systems."

Patrick Ho Chi-Ping, executive deputy chairman and secretary general of the China Energy Fund Committee, said that Hong Kong's culture should be commensurate with its economic status, adding that more should be done to help improve the youngsters' recognition on Chinese culture.

Li Yihu, head of the institute of Taiwan studies at Peking University, called for more efforts to promote cross-Strait cultural exchange and social integration.

The forum drew more than 400 participants from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and the CCI.

The CCI is committed to carrying out research on Chinese culture and national conditions and providing education services for compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 22:49:48|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, Sept.16 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Saturday people writing off Britain as it heads towards Brexit are making a grievous error.

In a commentary published in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Johnson launches an attack on critics.

"They are in grievous error, all those who write off this country, who think we don't have it in us, who think that we lack the nerve and the confidence to tackle the task ahead," said the politician.

"There are some people woefully underestimating this country, thinking. They Brexit isn't going to happen, 'who think we are going to bottle it'," he added.

He predicted Britain will succeed in its new national enterprise, adding: "and will succeed mightily".

Johnson said Brexit is Britain's chance to catch the wave of new technology, and to put the country in the lead as a "tech powerhouse" as one of four big tech investment areas of the world.

"In 10 years', 20 years' time, when we consider the arc of history comprised by our 45 years of EU membership, we will have a better and fairer comprehension of these events, why the British people wanted to join and why, eventually and sometimes regretfully, they wanted to leave (the EU)."

Johnson said if Britain itself had been asked to design the EU on a blank sheet of paper, there would be nothing like the body that exists today.

"This country still has chronic problems, and at least some of them have been exacerbated by the rigidities of EU membership."

Looking to the future, Johnson said Britain would not expect to pay for access to EU markets any more than the EU would expect to pay for access to British markets.

"Once we have settled our accounts, we will take back control of roughly 350 million pounds (475 million U.S. dollars)per week. It would be a fine thing, as many of us have pointed out, if a lot of that money went on the NHS, provided we use that cash injection to modernise and make the most of new technology."

Johnson's commentary comes just days before British Prime Minister Theresa May visits Florence where she will set out how Britain wants a special partnership with the EU after Brexit.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 23:20:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BAGHDAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Saturday liberated Akashat area and cleared the surrounding desert land from Islamic State (IS) militants near the border with Syria, the Iraqi military said.

The Iraqi army, paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces and the border guards completely recaptured Akashat and reopened a nearby strategic road, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a brief statement.

The operation is still underway to clear more areas from IS militants in Iraq's western province of Anbar, Yarallah said.

The latest advance is part of an operation launched in the early morning aimed at driving out IS militants from vast desert area to free the industrial village of Akashat and to clear the road to the village and the nearby border areas.

In a separate statement, the Hashd Shaabi said the troops liberated Akashat area after they destroyed IS defensive lines there, which was used by IS militants as a corridor to move between Syria and Iraq, leaving many IS militants killed and wounded in the area.

Akashat, the northwest of the city of Rutba, is located some 370 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. It has a population of around 5,000 and was built as an industrial village in 1985, attached to the local phosphate quarry and administered by the ministry of industry.

The phosphate production was seriously disrupted by the UN sanctions after the 1991 and the 2003 war. It currently stopped working at the presence of IS group.

The Iraqi forces announced a radio frequency to broadcast the news and instructions to the residents of the towns and villages in the area, JOC said in another statement.

The Iraqi aircraft also dropped thousands of leaflets in Akashat and the nearby cities of Aana, Rawa and al-Qaim near the border with Syria to inform the people that the liberation is soon and to tell IS militants to choose either to surrender and get a fair trial, or to get killed by the security forces.

Earlier, the Iraqi security forces dislodged IS militants from the key cities of Anbar province, including Ramadi and the nearby Fallujah, but the areas near the border with neighboring Syria, including Aana, Rawa and al-Qaim as well as the vast rural areas across the province are still under the control of the extremist militants.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 23:25:02|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) Saturday continued to issue a blue alert for Talim, the region's 18th typhoon this year.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, the eye of Talim was above the northwestern Pacific Ocean, 540 km east of Xiangshan in east Zhejiang Province, packing winds up to 35 meters per second.

The NMC forecast that Talim would move northeastward at a speed of 20 km per hour to Japan.

It said that Talim would weakened when landing in west coast of Japan between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

From Saturday evening to Sunday evening, Talim will bring gales and rainstorms to coastal regions of Jiangsu, Shanghai and Zhejiang.

The NMC suggested local governments take precautions against possible disasters, and ships in affected areas return to port.

Affected by Talim, more than 200,000 people in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces have been evacuated as of Wednesday.

China has a four-tier color-coded system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-16 23:40:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TIRANA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian government is willing to send more troops to Afghanistan, thus enhancing its military representation in international missions, a press statement from the Albanian Ministry of Defense said Saturday.

"Albania is about to send more troops in response to the requirement of U.S. President Donald Trump for a new strategy on Afghanistan," Albania's newly appointed Defense Minister Olta Xhacka told visiting Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Petr Pavel late Friday.

On his part, Pavel highly evaluated Albania's contribution to the NATO missions, especially in Afghanistan and in fight against terrorism.

Pavel also evaluated Albania's role for building regional stability through promoting cooperation.

Pavel is on an official visit to Albania in the context of meeting of the chiefs of staff of NATO members here on September 15-17.

They are set to discuss security situation in the Western Balkans region and will make recommendations for continuation of the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 06:01:18|Editor: Yamei

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PARIS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Europe should join the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative as soon as possible, said Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French prime minister and president of the Foundation for Innovation and Future Technologies, a partner of BOAO Forum for Asia (BFA).

"Let's grasp the opportunity and make more profits. I believe we'll achieve win-win results through cooperating with our Asian partners," Raffarin told Xinhua on Friday.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to enhance reciprocity for countries along the route. "France as well as other European countries need rapid growth. We should get involved instead of just discussing it because we will lose a lot of time then," he said.

"The initiative is very important for Europe" and French President Emmanuel Macron" has repeatedly said that a new driving force must be built within Eurasia, said Raffarin, adding that China is "offering a helping hand."

In this context, Raffarin noted the necessity of French-Sino work "to reassure the worried countries, to create a climate of confidence by putting forward the fundamental principles that underpin this project: respect, reciprocity, balance. It is necessary to create confidence."

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said several times that nowadays a country cannot succeed on its own, Raffarin said, adding that the initiative is conducive to combating tendencies of excessive nationalism and protectionism.

"We believe the world economy will be more open ... Excessive nationalism and generalized protectionism lead to tensions," he said.

When asked about the cultural aspect of the initiative, Raffarin said, "The relationship between France and China is primarily cultural. Economic and industrial relations are also very important, but what brings the two nations closer is the importance they attached to their great civilizations and their attachment to cultural values," he said.

"A French will know more about his mother country as he tries to know more about China, and vice versa," he added.

"I repeat, like all other French authorities, Chinese investments are welcome in Europe," he added.

The BFA hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 00:15:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BANGKOK, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a warning for Thais that tropical storm Doksuri has approached the northern province Nan, with widespread rains and gusty winds expected in the north and northeast.

With maximum sustained winds of about 55 km per hour, the storm is forecast to decline to a low pressure system.

The country's northern and northeastern areas have been wreaked havoc by Doksuri, with houses, public facilities and farmland damaged. The storm brought heavy rains along its path, causing flooding, overflowing of rivers, landslides, mudslides in several provinces.

In some northern provinces, trees are uprooted, power poles pulled down and traffic snarls reported. Some communities are swamped by floodwater. Main roads of some provinces have been inundated by water of one to two meters deep.

Authorities have warned people to brace for severe weather conditions and possible flash floods.

Thailand has been ravaged by storms and floods in the past two months. In August, flash floods resulted from storms and torrential downpours affected more than 30 provinces and claimed 23 lives.
A male driver in his 20s was seriously injured early Saturday when his car struck a business sign.

A news release from Lt. Shawn Mayo of the Billings Police Department said the man, whose identity hasn't been released, was westbound on Broadwater Avenue at 12:45 a.m. when his car left the road and collided with a business sign at 1145 Broadwater Ave.

The vehicle then hit a short retaining wall, which kept it from hitting the building. The driver, the only person in the vehicle, had to be extracted by Billings firefighters.

He suffered serious injury, Mayo said, and was taken by ambulance to the the Billings Clinic.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 01:05:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KHARTOUM, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Saturday condemned the terror attack that took place at a London underground station Friday and caused at least 22 injuries.

"Sudan's Foreign Ministry expresses its strong condemnation towards the terrorist bombing which took place at London's underground station on Friday and resulted in many injuries," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry described the incident as "a crime contradicting all humanitarian values and principles."

It expressed rejection to all terrorist acts and to terrorizing of innocent people as a matter that is rejected by all heavenly and international laws.

It further stressed Sudan's full solidarity with the British government in facing the criminal acts, urging the international community to intensify its effort and cooperation in the face of all forms of terrorist and criminal activities.

At least 22 people were injured on Friday after a bomb exploded during morning rush-hour at an underground station southwest of London.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 02:55:55|Editor: Yamei

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A police vehicle patrols on a street in London, Britain on Sept. 16, 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday that the terror threat level is raised to critical, which means a further terrorist attack in Britain may be imminent. (Xinhua/Stephen Chung)

LONDON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- As British detectives continued to question a teen Saturday night following Friday's bomb attack on a London underground train, the capital's top cop said: "London has not stopped after other terrible attacks and it will not stop after this one."

The latest figure puts at 35 the number of people injured when a home-made bomb exploded on an underground train at Parsons Green tube station.

Luckily the device failed to detonate properly, otherwise it could have caused a massive number of casualties on the crowded commuter train transporting people to their workplaces in London.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick went out on patrol in central London Saturday after traveling on the underground.

As she chatted to tourists and Londoners, armed anti-terror police surrounded a house in Sunbury-on-Thames, just over 17 kilometers from where the bomb went off on a train at Parsons Green station.

A specialist team carried out a detailed search of the property as a 100-meter cordon was thrown around the immediate area.

In London the interior minister, Home Secretary Amber Rudd chaired a meeting of Britain's top level security committee, known as Cobra. Rudd said the country's terror threat would remain at the highest level of critical, signifying that an attack was imminent.

She also said the arrest of an 18-year-old man ealier on Saturday in the English Channel port town of Dover was very significant. Rudd said: "There is no doubt that this was a serious IED, it was good fortune that it did so little damage."

British police said a number of items have been recovered at the port of Dover, Britain's busiest departure point for sea journeys to mainland Europe, following the arrest of the 18-year-old man.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said that officers had to partially evacuate the port of Dover following the "significant" arrest in the departure area.

A precautionary search of the port turned up "a number of items", Basu said. They were found following the arrest of the man "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

"We are still pursuing numerous lines of enquiry, and at great pace," Basu told reporters. "Our priorities are ... to identify and locate any other potential suspects."

The swoop on the house in Sunbury in the county of Surrey came hours after the teen was arrested by the Kent Police force under terror laws near to the port. Media reports were speculating that the suspect may have been planning to flee the country aboard one of the many regular channel ferries.

The Metropolitan police said in a statement that no arrests had been made at the Surrey house, but the police cordon would remain in place until the operation is completed.

Reports in various media said the couple residing at the raided house was an elderly husband and wife who had been rewarded by Queen Elizabeth for looking after children as foster parents.

More armed police were on duty at major buildings and popular tourism spots around London, while the number of cops patrolling the streets was also increased.

Commissioner Dick said: "London has not stopped after other terrible attacks and it will not stop after this one.

"We are pleased that there has been a significant arrest this morning but the investigation continues and updates on this will be provided.

"I have joined officers out in central London today, meeting Londoners and visitors. It is a simple message, but a powerful one, to see London getting on with its business enjoying the weekend and everything the city has to offer," she said, urging the public to remain vigilant.

So far, 45 witnesses have been interviewed by police, while officers checks video recordings looking for clues.

With the security level at its critical level, police in major towns and cities across the country have increased security measures. Up to 1,000 soldiers have also been dispatched to key sites across the country to free up armed police officers needed to guard ports and key buildings.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 03:00:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Libya's navy has rescued more than 2,000 migrants off the country's coast in a week, Libyan News Agency reported Saturday.

Ayob Qasem, Libyan navy spokesman, said the migrants, including dozens of women, were rescued off Libya's western coast.

The migrants were on rubber and wooden boats on their way to European shores, and had been taken to a reception center in western Libya, he added.

Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, because of insecurity and chaos in the country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The International Organization for Migration estimates that thousands of migrants have reached European shores in 2017, while many others were reported to be drowned on the way.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 03:31:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KHARTOUM, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese army reiterated on Saturday its cease-fire commitment in all conflict zones, denying rebels' claims that the army attacked their positions in Blue Nile State.

A day earlier, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector accused the Sudanese army of attacking the movement's positions in Blue Nile.

"The Sudanese army reiterates its full commitment to the declared cease-fire toward the rebel movements," Ahmed Khalifa Al-Shami, Sudanese army spokesman, said in a statement.

"What came in the SPLM/northern sector's statement yesterday were baseless allegations," Al-Shami noted.

He said the rebels' statement was meant to heat up the atmosphere, with the aim to disrupt the visit of Sudan's Foreign Minister to Washington.

In July, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir decided to extend a declared cease-fire in all conflict zones for three months until October.

Meanwhile, the SPLM/northern sector also announced cessation of hostilities until November.

In late August, the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, which is supervising the negotiations between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/northern sector, started its work to resume talks between the two sides.

So far, more than 10 rounds of peace talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/northern sector have been held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, but all failed to reach a peace deal in the conflict areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 05:11:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ANKARA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador Martin Erdmann late Saturday over an rally organized by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) supporters in Cologne.

"We condemn that PKK terror organization's extensions in Germany are allowed to hold an event in Cologne and make terror propaganda here," the ministry said in a written statement.

About 3,000 pro-PKK demonstrators gathered Saturday and carried posters of jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan and the symbols of the organization, despite that the German Interior Ministry has passed a ban on PKK symbols in March, including the PKK flag and photos of its leader.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry slammed Berlin's "double standard in the fight against terrorism," urging it to adopt a "principled stand against all kinds of terrorism."

Ankara has repeatedly criticized Germany's tolerance for the PPK's rally, recruitment and fund raising, and Berlin is reluctant to take concrete measures against the group.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 06:01:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon said on Saturday that Russian forces bombed a target in eastern Syria, a location known to Russians to contain U.S.-backed forces fighting the Islamic State group.

"At approximately 12:30 a.m. GMT Sept. 16, Russian forces struck a target east of the Euphrates River in Syria near Dayr Az Zawr, causing injuries to Coalition partner forces," the U.S.-led coalition said in a statement.

"Russian munitions impacted a location known to the Russians to contain Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition advisors. Several SDF fighters were wounded," the statement added.

Multinational Coalition troops were not injuried.

The SDF, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters supported by Washington, initially reported the strike.

It was believed to be the first time that the SDF accused Russian jets of bombing its fighters.

Russian military later told media that Russian forces did not target the group.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 06:51:46|Editor: Yamei

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MEXICO CITY, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- About 18,300 soldiers paraded on Saturday through the Zocalo, the main square of Mexico City, as part of the celebrations for the country's Independence Day.

For 90 minutes, soldiers marched below the gaze of President Enrique Pena Nieto, who looked on from the main balcony of the presidential palace, and thousands of onlookers in the streets.

Soldiers held up a giant mosaic of a Mexican flag for the length of the 7.3 km parade from the Zocalo until the Field of Mars, a military camp in Chapultepec Park.

Infantrymen, paratroopers with camouflaged faces, artillery units, coastguards and cadets from the army and navy also showcased their discipline in front of hundreds of families, some of which had arrived up to four hours early to get a good view.

The parade also saw almost 270 tanks and armored vehicles take part, along with 66 planes and helicopters with pilots pulling off maneuvers over the skies of the capital.

Pena Nieto was also accompanied for much of the parade by a group of children, invited for the occasion due to their good results in class.

To mark the scene, 4,800 soldiers also formed a giant mosaic which showed the national flag as well as important moments in Mexican history and its armed forces.

The parade also counted on the presence of federal police and a column from Mexico City firefighters, who had not taken part in thirty years.

The army was planning a greater number of participants for the annual parade but this was reduced due to around 20,000 soldiers attending the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas after an 8.2 earthquake on Sept. 7 killed close to 100 people and left thousands displaced.

"We are with you! Long live Oaxaca! Long live Chiapas," shouted as one the about 5,000 soldiers which formed the giant mosaics at the end of the parade, which sparked an ovation from the crowds.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 06:51:47|Editor: Yamei

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HAVANA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban government, in an unprecedented move, has opened a relief account to receive donations for victims of Hurricane Irma, which hit the Caribbean island last weekend.

The foreign ministry said in a release on Saturday that the account at state-run Banco Financiero Internacional, is open for those wishing to contribute to the recovery of the devastated country.

It suggested that those interested in donating can contact Cuban embassies around the world or the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that multiple messages of solidarity and shipments of humanitarian aid had been received.

Hurricane Irma, considered the worst to hit Cuba since 1932, lashed most of Cuba' s northern coastline during 72 hours, claiming 10 lives and causing major damage to tourism infrastructure.

Irma knocked out the national power grid, damaged numerous homes and led to evacuation of over 2 million people.

In a huge national effort to recover as soon as possible, the authorities mobilized tens of thousands of soldiers, firemen, construction workers, and volunteers.

"These were hard days for our people who, in a few hours, have seen what they have built with so much effort hit by a devastating hurricane," President Raul Castro told the nation on Monday.

"The images of the last hours are eloquent, as is the spirit of resistance and victory of our people that are reborn with each adversity."

Cuba is located along a traditional route for tropical hurricanes in the Caribbean, but local authorities have never before opened an account to receive public donations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 07:01:50|Editor: liuxin

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A family of four was killed in a private plane crash in midwestern U.S. state of Colorado, authorities said on Saturday.

Two adults and two children on board were killed, according to a press release of Garfield County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's office said that it was notified of a private plane flying from Fort Collins to Moab, Utah, early in the morning. Civil Air Patrol and Classic Air were asked to assist with an aerial search.

Due to heavy low hanging clouds, the air search could not begin immediately. The last reported area was approximately nine miles north of Glenwood Springs near Baxter Peak.

The plane was located by 11:37 AM local time and a large debris field was identified at the site. Classic Air was able to land in the area and established that there were no survivors, according to the press release.

Efforts are being made to get ground crews to the area.

The sheriff's office hasn't released the identity of the family. The cause and the exact time of the crash were still not clear.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-17 07:16:55|Editor: Yurou

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The executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP) David Beasley (2nd L) poses with children affected by Hurricane Irma at coastal community of Jaimanitas, west of Havana, Cuba, Sept. 16, 2017. David Beasley said on Saturday that the organization will begin a 5.7 million U.S. dollars operation to provide food assistance to some 664,000 people in Cuba. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

HAVANA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, said on Saturday that the organization will begin a 5.7 million U.S. dollars operation to provide food assistance to some 664,000 people in Cuba.

After visiting the coastal community of Jaimanitas, west of Havana, Beasley said that the WFP already has 1.6 metric tons of food in Cuba and has provided 1.5 million dollars of its emergency funds to buy additional goods.

"The World Food Programme is committed with the people affected by Hurricane Irma along more than 800 kilometers of coastline in Cuba and we are ready to support the Cuban government in its recovery efforts," said Beasley.

The operation will begin immediately with the free distribution of a ration of rice and beans in the highest priority areas.

"The magnitude of the devastation caused by Irma requires that we work together to ensure an immediate recovery and that people have water, food, housing and the economy can re-establish itself," he said.

The distribution of food will focus on boys and girls in boarding primary schools, adults over 65, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

"It's really impressive what the Cuban people have done, thousands of houses, hospitals, schools and electrical infrastructure have been destroyed and people are focused on the recovery," Beasley said after visiting houses devastated by the hurricane.

As part of this operation, the WFP plans to strengthen the logistical capacities of the affected territories with the delivery of 10 temporary warehouses, blankets, lighting and pallets.

According to Beasley, these WFP actions complement the efforts of the Cuban government to ensure a supply of food to those affected by the hurricane.

Meanwhile, Luis Macareno, second chief of Cuba's Civil Defense bureau, thanked the WFP for this donation.

"The United Nations system in Cuba has always been closely linked to what the Cuban state is doing and this is a demonstration of this. In difficult times, they have been supporting the Cuban people in need," he said.

Beasley has met with First Vice President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, to discuss this food assistance operation as well as the availability of additional financial resources for the immediate acquisition of food.

Irma arrived in Cuba last week as a category 5 hurricane. During its rampage across the northern coast, it left 10 dead, 1.7 million people evacuated, brought heavy floods and serious damage to tourism infrastructure, agriculture and housing.
At first, the group of McKinley Elementary students came into the room thinking they were in trouble.

Their faces quickly turned to smiles of surprise as they learned they were the recipients of new bicycles and helmets from the Billings Bike Project.

Each of the students wrote an essay explaining why they would like a new bike.

"I am [too] big for my old one it's falling apart," wrote Diamond Casias. "I would love to have a new bike to be active."

"Someone jacked my other bike," JanAda Rides Horse wrote. "If you use a bike you will not put [pollution] in the air."

Each child received a new bike fitted for them, and a new helmet donated by the Billings Clinic trauma center.

"Now I don't have to ask Santa for a bike," Maurice Carroll, 8, said as he sat astride his new white and green Specialized bike.

Funding for the bikes comes from donations to Billings TrailNet. The nonprofit raises money through fundraisers like the upcoming Ales For Trails on Sept. 22.
An encouraging word came from the top Friday that Sperry Chalet will rise again from the ashes.

First, though, its charred bones must be winterized.

Rebuilding Sperry is one of my top priorities. Todays announcement is the first step in that process, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said in a news release from Glacier National Park.

The iconic, 104-year-old backcountry chalet was gutted on Aug. 31 when high winds shot embers from the Sprague fire into its eaves. The Glacier National Park Conservancy said Friday it will fund work to preserve and protect the historic structure before winter sets in.

The nonprofit said it has established an emergency fund of up to $90,000 and hired DCI+BCE Engineers. DCI Engineers, a Seattle-based structural and civil engineering firm, merged in June with Beaudette Consulting Engineers, which has offices in Missoula, Kalispell, Bozeman and Billings.

Its the same team that consulted on repairs to the chalet after it was damaged by an avalanche in 2011. DCI+BCE Engineers will advise the park on an emergency stabilization plan for the damaged dormitory building before winter sets in. It will also buy supplies to do the work.

It's too soon to know what the future holds for Sperry Chalet, said Glacier superintendent Jeff Mow in a release from the Glacier Conservancy.

"This work represents the first step in assessing the extent of the damage to evaluate what future actions might be possible, Mow said.

Doug Mitchell, executive director of the Glacier Conservancy, said the park submitted grant requests to his group a week after the fire. His board of directors unanimously approved it and established a Sperry Action Fund. Donations can be made online at glacier.org or mailed to Glacier National Park Conservancy, P.O. Box 2749, Columbia Falls, MT, 59912.

In addition to the more than 50 projects and programs the park has requested funding for in the coming year, our partnership with the park allows for a quick response to unanticipated and urgent situations like this, said the conservancy's Lacy Kowalski. When time is of the essence, private philanthropy allows us to react immediately to critical park needs."

Most of the buildings in the chalet complex weathered the fire as firefighters installed sprinkler systems, fire resistant wrap and defended the exteriors. But the dormitory building suffered extensive damage.

Stabilization work will protect the walls and chimneys from snow and weather damage this winter. Come spring, another structural analysis and a review of the site area will help inform decisions about the chalet's future, the park release said.
RIVERTON, Wyo.  The Fremont County Coroner's Office says preliminary analysis of a set of skeletal remains found on the Wind River Indian Reservation show the bones are hundreds of years old.

The Ranger reports coroner Mark Stratmoen says the remains, which were found Sept. 7 by a utility company, come from a time before settlers arrived in Wyoming. Stratmoen says the bones are roughly 200-500 years old.

Stratmoen believes the bones belong to an American Indian, but even if they aren't native remains, their location on the reservation means Stratmoen's office must follow procedures outlined in an agreement with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office.

Stratmoen refuses to release information about the location of the remains. He also is "forbidden by law" to release photos of the bones.
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  Handing a major victory to environmentalists, a court cast doubt Friday on a longstanding U.S. government argument that blocking federal coal leasing won't affect climate change because the coal could simply be mined elsewhere.

Environmentalists have been trying for years to block federal coal leases on climate-change grounds with limited success. The ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will require the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to provide more data to support its argument that coal makes no net contribution to climate change after it's burned in power plants. The BLM oversees leasing of vast Western tracts that supply much of the nation's coal.

"This is big. And we're certainly going to be wielding this and using it to confront other mining approvals both in the Powder River Basin and beyond," said Jeremy Nichols with WildEarth Guardians.

The Sierra Club and WildEarth Guardians sued to block four leases that would allow mining to continue at the Black Thunder and North Antelope Rochelle mine, the two biggest in the U.S. by production. Both are in the Powder River Basin, where vast, open-pit mines supply around 40 percent of the nation's coal.

In analyzing the leases, the BLM found that burning the coal deposits would result in 382 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, or about 6 percent of the U.S. total in 2008.

But the BLM argued that because utilities could simply get their coal from mines that don't lease federal deposits, blocking the leases would have no net effect on climate change.

The appeals court wasn't persuaded, ruling that the BLM didn't provide sufficient data to back up that argument. It told a lower court to seek more analysis from the agency.

In the meantime, mining will continue at three of the contested leases the BLM sold to Peabody Energy and Arch Coal, the St. Louis-based companies that own the two mines. A fourth contested lease near Black Thunder hasn't sold yet.

BLM officials didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, a staunch supporter of the coal industry, said he was disappointed in the ruling but pleased that mining could continue.

Wyoming Mining Association Director Travis Deti also called the ruling disappointing.

Wyoming's coal industry has rebounded somewhat since competition from cheaper natural gas made 2016 its worst year in decades. Around 500 miners were laid off in the state's coal patch, and the state continues to face an inability to build new schools, which are funded by coal leasing.

"Wyoming can continue to cling to the past or get out ahead of these changes by producing the clean power that consumers are demanding," said Sierra Club Wyoming Director Connie Wilbert in a release.
The Natrona County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man who left his halfway house for work and never came back.

Edward Smith, 26, left Casper Re-Entry Center to work at a restaurant around 7 a.m. Thursday. He was expected back that night but never showed up, a sheriff's spokesman said.

When Smith did not return at 10:30 p.m. as scheduled, the sheriff's department was contacted by facility staff to report Smith's disappearance.

The Casper Re-Entry Center is a privately owned facility that provides rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment to inmates before they are released as part of a contract with the Wyoming Department of Corrections.

The Wyoming Board of Patrol describes the Casper Re-Entry Center and other similar facilities as providing an "alternative to incarceration or traditional probation/parole supervision."

Residents of the facility are required to hold off-site jobs and pay rent as part of their rehabilitation, according to the parole board.

Smith was in the step-down program as part of a three-and-a-half- to eight-year sentence he was serving for methamphetamine manufacture and distribution. He was originally sentenced in 2015 in Campbell County, the spokesman said.

The sheriff's department has asked for the public's help in finding Smith. Anyone with knowledge of Smith's whereabouts can contact the sheriff's office at 307-235-9282.
RIVERTON, Wyo.  Sun. Rain. Sun. Rain. Sun. Rain. Hail.

That's a typical day of August weather at Simpson Lake, which lies in a remote region of the Shoshone National Forest, southwest of Dubois.

When thunder begins to clamor, the HistoriCorps volunteers working to restore three 91-year-old cabins there glance up, wondering how much water the darkening clouds are about to dump.

Regardless, they'll keep working.

Volatile site

Simpson Lake's elevation of 9,780-feet has been no friend to the project's construction.

"It's not really good for building," project supervisor Jon Williams said.

The volatility of the area can also be dangerous: While a team of volunteers worked on the construction last August, the 14,644-acre Lava Mountain Fire burned just a few miles to the northeast.

For a while, Williams didn't know if they'd be evacuated as the thick smoke began to block out the sun and helicopters flew overhead, dipping down into nearby streams to pick up water and dump it on the flames.

The crew was ultimately able to leave as scheduled on Aug. 23.

It was good timing: Another fire broke out only a half-mile away that same day.

That fire ended restoration work in 2016.

When Williams was getting ready to return in July, he faced a completely different challenge. The unusually high snowpack in the Wind River Mountains  which reached 300 percent of median at one point this winter  had left a blanket of snow that made it impossible for packers to bring in new supplies. As a result, the first session of volunteer work in July was canceled. So, all of that planned work had to be fit in to the August sessions.

"The work is a lot more challenging than I thought," volunteer Victoria Silversides said at the end of her week. "The climate has gotten to me. I'm not used to the dryness."

By the end of the week, her face was red and puffy and her lips were dried and cracked. She and other crew members also pined for the comforts of the front country.

"Mmmmm... hash browns," Silversides said wistfully while stirring a spoon through her fifth bowl of oatmeal that week.

"I can't wait for bacon," volunteer Jeri Ho agreed.

And while the volunteers were ready for rest back in their own beds, the hard work, Ho said, was ironically "refreshing."

"You just get back to the basics," she said.

Another volunteer, Scotty Campbell, said he enjoyed the process of pounding nails into 2-by-4s to make covers for the cabin windows.

"That's the best part  taking all my stress out on this one little piece of wood," he said.

Campbell was raised in Crawfordsville, Indiana, but moved to Denver in April to take an internship at HistoriCorps after completing a degree in history in Chicago. He was only hired to work in the Denver office and manage social media, "so it's kind of a treat that I get to go out on projects," he said, though he described part of the process as "Sisyphean."

Wilderness regulations mean no one can use power tools. So volunteers used crosscut saws, hatchets and draw-knives to prepare each new log taking the place of the deteriorating wood at the base of the cabins. And due to the lake's remoteness, any time supplies run low volunteers are forced to improvise. For example, in early August, while working to re-glaze windows, the group ran out of glazers' points, so instead they held the new window panes in place by pushing in staples by hand, using only a putty knife as leverage.

On the original sashes that had been deteriorating since the 1920s, that stapling process wasn't much of a challenge. But with the freshly cut wood, volunteers would break five staples before getting one to cooperate. It might take 10 minutes to get one staple in.

Staplings became one of the least favorite tasks that week.

Meanwhile, draw-knifing and crosscut sawing were among the most favored tasks. Those jobs turned volunteers from across the United States into lumberjacks.

At the end of the each day, the workers each huddled in their tents, their sleeping bags zipped up around their faces.

By morning, there sometimes was frost on the ground.

It wasn't only Mother Nature that presented challenges, either  humans played a role as well. When a new crew of volunteers returned to the worksite in early August, they discovered that someone had broken into the site's bear boxes and stolen a good amount of food.

Less frustrating was the fact that chipmunks had also made a feast of the drying window glaze.

The lake's remote ruggedness also forced Williams to be more prepared than he usually is.

"As nice as it is to have that work trailer pull up to the job site like you do on most projects, you learn to plan ahead for what you need," he said.

Despite the isolated location, Williams said he hasn't felt like the project has been slowed down because he's been missing any tools or supplies.

"You get really good at improvising," Williams said. "That's exactly what they did when they originally built these cabins. If they didn't have everything, they didn't ride back into town to get more."

He also provided dinner for the crew on nights when he'd pick up his fly rod.

When he caught something, it was cause for celebration among the volunteers.

Safety first

Williams managed to supervise while also being productive, ensuring volunteers were using their hatchets and drawknives safely. He didn't have a single injury during the restoration, but he never was complacent in remembering that a rogue swing of the hatchet could force him to make an embarrassing phone call: Picking up the satellite phone to request a life-flight.

"I'm not going to let someone use a tool if they're going to use it irresponsibly," he said. "That's the last thing I want to worry about."

Williams had full discretion to decide how and when each part of the work would be done.

One of the first priorities was replacing sill logs and all roofing to prevent leaking into the cabins.

"If sill logs fall, the building starts to collapse," he said. "If the roof isn't leaking, everything else isn't going to rot."

He also had discretion on how to assign various tasks to volunteers, but usually he'd let them pick their jobs themselves.

On their last day at camp, they don't have much choice, though: Volunteers undergo the tedious work of returning their construction site to wilderness conditions, picking up tiny pieces of the old roofings' tarpaper from the ground and excavate thousands of nails from the pine needle ground-cover.

Unknown failure

The last crew left the area by the end of August, boarding up the windows and padlocking the doors. After two summers of work, the restoration of Simpson Lake Lodge was finally finished.

Despite all the work that's now completed, there are more questions than answers when it comes to the cabins' future.

Kass Harrell knew that going in. She once worked at Simpson Lake Lodge in the 1970s as a cook. Since joining the Fremont County Historic Preservation Commission in 2012, she's worked tirelessly toward getting the cabins restored.

She's always hoped they could possibly be used again one day, but when she met with U.S. Forest Service staff in 2014, they made it clear that the wilderness regulations means only preservation, but not use, could be approved.

"We make no bones about this," Shoshone National Forest archaeologist Kyle Wright said.

Wright said he's glad the cabins have been restored and acknowledged that they were likely to fall into disrepair if Harrell and her allies hadn't been willing to fundraise and seek state grants.

"As a forest, we're getting less money every year to do more and more," he said.

He said dwindling funds for the agency means the priority is usually to keep campgrounds open and roads maintained.

While the agency ultimately did contribute both money and the resources of its staff, Wright said that "if the Forest Service had to foot the bill alone, it would have been very hard to accomplish."

It's hard to know how many such historic structures exist across the wilderness areas in the United States. Wright knows of no such agency that's compiled such a list. Many structures  including the Forest Service's own fire towers  were torn down after wilderness status was declared.

What Wright does know is that a continuing commercial use of any structure is unheard of.

Allowing such a use for the Simpson cabins would be a decisions made by "leadership," but Wright can't imagine such a decision falling in line with the Wilderness Act of 1964.

"Putting it on the rental list, I just can't imagine that happening," he said.
Where is the Forest Service I knew during the 34 years that I was employed by the agency across the West from Alaska to California.

I dont ever recall a district ranger being removed because some politician was unhappy with an action taken by that employee.

But now we have a district ranger being removed before he was ever found guilty of any wrong doing.

We have been told that District Ranger Alex Sienkiewicz was removed because he maintained a Forest Service trail that has been used by the public to enter the Gallatin National Forest for over 50 years. Like many others, this trail crossed a small section of private land before entering the National Forest.

Local landowners contacted Senator Daines for help and he brought the new secretary of Agriculture into the battle. These landowners have their own private hunting ground back there on our public land. Several are also involved in selling public bull elk harvested on this National Forest Land.

Evidence shows that the ranger was following established policy when he maintained this trail. In fact, I have a note from a retired district ranger stating that he had done exactly what Sienkiewicz did many times during his career in order to protect public access.

Remember, the politicians that triggered the rangers removal represent a political party that has for years advocated transfer of National Forest land in Montana to state ownership. In fact, a plank in their state platform says as much. The same national party platform has a plank, requiring the federal government to convey certain federally controlled public lands to states.

Had all that 16 million acres of National Forest land been transferred to state ownership before this fire season, we would soon be seeing a bargain-basement sale of what was once was National Forest land to private parties in order to pay a multi-million-dollar firefighting bill. Just imagine who would be the successful bidder on your favorite mountain meadow.

John Gibson

Billings
Trini stabbed to death in Canada

Nadya Ramjattan Ragbir, 60, originally from Princes Town was pronounced dead on the scene when police and paramedics arrived on Wednesday evening. According to reports in the Canadian press, she was stabbed repeatedly.

Officers had responded to a call regarding, a woman found without vital signs. Ragbirs son Yeshudyan Ragbir, 24, was arrested and has been charged with First Degree Murder.

He appeared in court on Thursday.

According to reports in the Canadian press, he has been ordered to undergo a mental health test to ascertain if he is fit to stand trial after he appeared confused while being questioned by the judge. He was slated to reappear in court yesterday. Ragbir was a popular music teacher, a profession she continued after she and her family migrated in the early 1990s. Her relatives in Trinidad, who declined to be named, were distraught on learning of her demise. They spoke briefly to Newsday, describing her as a beautiful person with a beautiful voice, who had been taken from them too soon. Funeral arrangements are ongoing.
Raped in front boyfriend

According to police, the 22-yearold woman was seated in the front of the car driven by her 26-yearold boyfriend. The man was driving along the Eastern Main Road in Champs Fleurs at 12.10 am. As the car came almost to a halt near a traffic light, a man walked up to the car and pointed a gun at the drivers head.

The man quickly entered the back of the car and placed the gun to the male victims head and ordered him to drive. The couple were taken to a lonely area in St Joseph. Threatening to murder them both if they tried to escape or if they raised any alarm, the gunman took possession of the car keys and took the woman out of the car while ordering her boyfriend to remain in it.

He then proceeded to rape the woman while keeping the gun to her head. Police said that the intruder also forced the woman to perform an indecent act on him.

The rapist later robbed the male victim of cash and then ordered to drive and not look back. The couple drove to the St Joseph Police Station and made a report.

The woman was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope where she was medically examined and also treated. Police later carried out an unsuccessful search for the man.

Investigations are continuing.
Guyanese charged for assaulting Benjai

Maverick DeAbreu, 25, has denied that he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Le Blanc outside the night club on April 16. Le Blancs lawyer, Eusi Anderson told the court that his client travelled from Trinidad and Tobago for justice.

The lawyer told the court that on the day in question the artiste had just wrapped up his performance at the Palm Court Night Club, Georgetown and that he was standing in a nearby car park in the company of his manager and other people when the driver of a vehicle in the car park reversed into them.

The Guyana Chronicle reported the courts report as saying that, when alerted to the presence of the group, the driver came out and pointed a firearm at Benjai and the group.

DeAbreu came out the passengers side of the vehicle and hurled a glass object at La Blanc and slashed him to his face.

Le Blanc was rushed to a private hospital, where he received over 15 stitches for two deep cuts.

The police prosecutor made no objection to DeAbreu being released on bail. He was released on Guy$50,000 (TT$1,500) bail and the matter adjourned until October 11.

In May, DeAbreu was charged with discharging a loaded firearm at his pregnant girlfriend and her sister. He was freed of the two charges after the women refused to offer evidence against him in court.
CoP considering non-lethal weapons for women

However he was unable to provide a time frame as to when a decision would be taken.

Rowley reminded MPs there is a desk established in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs to track the cases of individuals on death row with a view to implementing the death penalty.

He said this desk was never established during the last five years. Rowley said advice provided by former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj on the implementation of the death penalty is being considered.

Rowley said Maharaj gave that advice pro bono. Rowley said despite findings of a recent poll, he is convinced his administration is leading the country in the right direction and he takes the views of all citizens into account.

Later in the sitting, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said Cabinet approved a top of of eight percent of text books in schools, after the ministry determined the amount of books to be replaced.

Garcia also said this country will not be ready next year to do e-testing. Garcia said an audit was done on information technology communication infrastructure in the schools and several deficiencies were found. He said paper based testing will continue until all requirements for e-testing from both the ministry and the Caribbean Examinations Council side are met.
WOMEN KIDNAPPERS HELD

The kidnapping of Ramroop on Thursday afternoon saw a swift and coordinated response from the police, soldiers, members of the K9 Unit and even a National Security helicopter. Police believe that this coordinated and sustained operation by lawmen, spooked Ramroops captors who allowed him to leave the area within the mangroves where he was being held captive.

The police were led by ACP Irwin Hackshaw and included Ag Supt Ajith Persad, Supt Pragg, Insp Don Gajadhar, Inspector Thomas, Sgt Nelson and others. On seeing a weeping Ramroop stumbling towards them, his feet loosely bound with a belt and his hands tied, officers quickly placed him in an unmarked police vehicle and took him to the San Fernando General Hospital for treatment.

Ramroop left his home on Thursday afternoon telling relatives he was going to an apartment which he owns and which was advertised for rent. He later met the two female suspects at 3.30 pm and they were later joined by a man outside the furnished apartment.

The elderly man was forced into a car which sped off.

When relatives tried to make contact with him at 4 pm on Thursday and got no response, his son-in-law visited the apartment and found that it was ransacked.

An hour later, the family received a telephone call from Ramroops captors who demanded $700,000 for his safe return. Police were able to trace the call to the train line in Marabella.

With the aid of soldiers, the police virtually cordoned off the entire community in train line starting at 2 am yesterday, preventing residents from leaving and/or entering as the police conducted a house to house search for the kidnapped man. As police searched houses, some residents told them they were wasting their time.

I think you all may be looking for Caspar the ghost. We are not about kidnapping people here, a resident shouted. At 2 pm, screams were heard from deep inside the mangroves. Help, help, guard me...guard me, Ramroop shouted, as reported by a resident. Residents recalled seeing him screaming and running out of the mangroves.

He was bare feet and covered in mud, residents said. He looked frighted and traumatized. I felt sorry for the old man. Who did this and why did they come to our community to give we a bad name, is what I want to know, said a 44-year-old woman who lives in Bayshore.

Even as Ramroop was taken away, the joint police/army operation continued and with the aid of the helicopter which provided aerial surveillance, police arrested four men who were hiding in the mangroves. The two women were arrested inside a house in Bayshore while the seventh suspect was picked up hours later.

Yesterday, ACP Hackshaw commended the ceaseless work of the police and soldiers which ended in a positive outcome. Police sources said this was the fourth kidnapping for the year.

The suspects are being kept at several police stations and are being interrogated. It is expected that when Ramroop is able to, he will attend an Identification Parade as part of ongoing investigations.
Liquidate CL Financial

In an oral decision yesterday, Justice Kevin Ramcharan gave the go-ahead to Government to have CLF wound-up as it seeks to recover a $15 billion debt to taxpayers as part of the 2009 bailout of four of the companys subsidiaries.

As a result of the courts ruling, CLFs operations will now be fully placed in the hands of the two liquidators appointed in July.

They will be responsible for management of the company and its assets during the period of winding up.

Justice Ramcharan said there could be no doubt CLF was unable to pay its debts and is insolvent.

He also said the majority shareholders of the company  who were shut out of court proceedings after failing to show they had sufficient interests to be heard in opposition to Govts petition  did not credibly establish that CLF was solvent.

Ramcharan referred to action of the shareholders who in July abandoned a move to change the composition of the government- controlled board, saying the States petition for liquidation was a possible consequence of that. According to the judge, based on the principles of granting the order being fair and just, the Government - as the major creditor which sought to have CLF liquidated - established its prima facie rights for liquidation of the company.

DECISION NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY The jduge said the liquidation to wind up a company with the history of CLF could not be taken lightly, but based on cold evidence advanced by the State, the court had no option but to grant the petition. In her submissions, lead counsel for the State Deborah Peake, SC, referred to evidence of Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Vishnu Dhanpaul - in whose name the petition was sought - saying CLF was not only cash flow insolvent but also, balance sheet insolvent.

Peake pointed to evidence of the provisional liquidators appointed by the appellate court in July and that of independent chartered accountant Colin Soo Ping Chow, both of whom noted that CLFs liabilities were far greater than its assets. According to Soo Ping Chow, CLFs capital was completely eroded and there was a $4.2 billion deficit, which did not take into account the $15B owed to Government.

In their report, dated August 17, provisional liquidators Hugh Dickson and Marcus Wide pointed to significant debts on which current demand for payment have been made, amounting to $4.5 billion.

This figure did not include the $15B owed to Government.

CLFs management accounts, dated June 30, show a shareholders deficiency of $3.44B, before taking into account obligations to Government as part of the 2009 bailout agreement.

You cannot want better evidence of insolvency. It is an impossible situation they are unable to get themselves out of, Peake submitted. It is clear as day, this is clearly an insolvent company, she added.

OPPRESSION Speaking immediately after the courts ruling, Carlton Reis a representative of DALCO  one of CLFs shareholders  again maintained that Governments action was oppressive. Reis, who has said DALCO and another group of shareholders led by businessman Kirk Carpenter were willing to repay the $15B debt to Government, said the courts order was expected.

CLF has no defence. It was himself unto himself, he said, adding that Government simply won this round. He said shareholders are now going to look at their legal options since they are not going to let Govt run away with the company. It was not a good week for the CLF shareholders, who hold majority shareholding in the company, as again yesterday they found themselves saddled with another order for costs.

DALCO, which pursued an appeal of Justice Ramcharans decision to shut them out of the proceedings, was ordered to pay costs after Justice of Appeal Andre des Vignes dismissed the application on the basis that it was erroneous as it challenged a decision the lower court did not give. The shareholders led by Carpenter, did not appeal.

In its winding-up petition filed on July 11, government claimed that the companys level of insolvency still poses a systemic risk to the countrys financial system and after eight years, it will not recover to a satisfactory state of solvency. As the principal creditor - by virtue of the $23 billion bailouts of CLF and its subsidiaries in 2009 - the Government has the majority of the directors on the board and sought to have the conglomerate liquidated to recover the debt owed to taxpayers.

CLFS ACCOUNTS CLFs Management Accounts dated June 30, show a shareholders deficiency of $3.44B, before taking into account the obligations to the Government as part of the 2009 bailout agreement.

The accounts further show a loss for the year (up to June 30) of $111 million and a loss of $377 million for the last full year of operations in 2016.

According to the provisional liquidators preliminary report, there are significant debts on which current demands for payment have been made, amounting to approximately $4.5 billion.

This figure does not include the $15 billion owed to the Government.

These include: * A demand by Angostura Holdings for $984,559,444.73; * A demand by Deposit Insurance Corporation (as liquidators of Clico Investment Bank) for $1.487 billion; * A demand by First Citizens Investment Services for $862 million.

According to Wide, CLFs accounts show a total of $90 million being in the bank to meet the creditors $4.5 billion demand for payment, before taking into account the Governments debt.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said, I would prefer not to comment at this time. I need to read and understand the full effect of the order given by of Justice Ramcharan and to be advised by counsel.
More police for Chaguanas

Mayor of Chaguanas Gopaul Boodhan said he is working alongside the police and the Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce to make the borough a safer place for shopping, recreational and social activities.

Addressing a town meeting at the auditorium of the Chaguanas Borough building on Thursday evening, Mayor Boodan said a sudden spike in criminal activities prompted him to call an emergency meeting with police and other stakeholders.

Present at the meeting were Central Division head Snr Supt Kenny Mc Intyre, Chamber executives, members of the the Inter-Religious Organisation and several NGOs.

I am concerned and very determined to rectify this current situation regarding crime, as the safety of our burgesses has always been of paramount importance, Mayor Boodhan said, adding he is committed to working with all stakeholders. Going with the theme, Zero Tolerance to Crime, Boodhan said, Whatever we had before has not worked, something new needs to be done, we must have a better plan for Chaguanas. Mc Intyre told the gathering that the primary concern of the business community is robbery, illegal vending and traffic congestion.

He called for better communication between businessmen and the police. Mayor Boodhan called for private security at various businesses to work together with the police.

Mc Intyre said there is a need to establish watch groups in the various communities and to install devices that can alert the neighbours in times of any robberies.

We have to find better ways to communicate with each other so that the police can get information in a timely fashion, he said.

He called on the Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce to increase the amount of cameras in their businesses so that they can monitor what is happening almost in real time.

Boodhan reminded that Carnival is on the heels of Christmas hence the reason they are putting things in place so that we can enjoy a safe Christmas and also events leading up to Carnival 2018, he said.
PM gets Mouttet report

Speaking in the House of Representatives, Rowley said he received the report from Mouttet on Thursday night. Thursday was the end of the 30-day deadline which Mouttet was given to submit his report.

Mouttet was appointed as sole investigator into the procurement of the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2 by Cabinet on August 15. In a letter to Mouttet, Rowley told him he would receive support from the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

The report is in my possession. I will read it over the weekend and make it available to the committee that is taking a specific view on this matter, Rowley told MPs. The Land and Physical Infrastructure Joint Select Committee (JSC) of the Parliament has been holding an enquiry into the domestic seabridge. Rowley is among several individuals scheduled to appear before the JSC when it sits on Monday from 2 pm at Tower D of the Portof- Spain International Waterfront Centre.

The Prime Minister said because he is due to appear in front the JSC, he would not elaborate now about the information which led him to believe that the procurement of the Ocean Flower 2 was crooked.

Rowley said Mouttet was free to interview whoever he wanted.

The Prime Minister did not know if Mouttet spoke with Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles or any other member of the THA.

Last month, Port Authority chairman Alison Lewis said Mouttet met with members of the board and the Authority was providing him with documents. Bridgemans Services Group (BSG) vice-president Andrew Purdey also confirmed meeting with Mouttet and described him as a professional.
Trinis body now in Guadeloupe

Sa lv ar y-Doy l es grandson Oliver Gedio, three, drowned with her while they were seeking shelter as the Hurricane lashed St Martin. Their bodies were swept away in the flood waters.

Salvary-Doyle went to St Martin to spend time with her daughter Daphne Doyle and whose granddaughter was pregnant at the time.

Daphne Doyle lived on the island for the past 20 years. Her husband died in a motorcycle accident when she was five months pregnant. Daphne is a mother of eight. Oliver was her last child.

When contacted yesterday, Antigua and Barbuda Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Fernandez said they were still working on getting Salvary-Doyles body back to TT to bring closure to her family.

We have spoken about it but, we have not been able to formalise the actual plan yet because to move a body is not an easy thing and there is a communication gap in terms of Antigua and St Martin. We have started to reach out for it and we have promised the Government when we can work up logistics we will let them know, Fernandez said.

There was no surety of Olivers body being brought to TT since he was was not a citizen as he was born in St Martin. He said transport of a body from another country was not easy, but they were working on it to bring closure for the family.

Pasqual said her niece was still in a daze as she tried to come to terms with the loss of her mother and and baby boy.

Their bodies went to Guadeloupe yesterday (Thursday) for autopsies to be done.

It was the first day that I really accepted that my sister and her grandson were gone.

Pasqual said the family has been doing its best to send Salvary-Doyle to her resting place in peace and have kept several wakes in her and her grandsons memory.

One of our niece is doing a service of a celebration of life on Friday in San Fernando, Pointe-a-Pierre Road, Vistabella. I cant believe Irma could have hurt us so much, but we have to give them a blessed send off, Pasqual said.
Abdulah  I rejected high posts

Asked by sceptical locals if he was just another vote-seeking politician, he said he had recently turned down an offer to sit on the Petrotrin board made by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, and had previously declined an offer by the then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to become Minister of Social Development, a post eventually filled by Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh.

Abdulah said a strong nation could only be built on the foundations of strong communities and strong families. Tonight we are hearing a cry from the people  not give them this or give them that  but for leadership and a vision.  He said people must come together with a common purpose, vision and goal.

We believe the system has to be changed. The relations between political and economic power must change. Saying it is every citizens right to live in a decent society of accessible healthcare, education and road transport, he said, The question for us is, how do we change the system? Lamenting that doctors in public hospitals tell patients they can only get surgery by going to their private practices, Abdulah said this is a conflict of interest that should be formally banned. If enough of us say we are fed up, we could get change, he advised.

We have to make a stand. He said the gap between the rich and poor is growing, consequently with a reduction in social mobility, such as would block advancement of the children of a poor, single mother. Abdulah said the millions of dollars in the fake oil scandal could have funded community facilities to uplift peoples lives.

However, citing Christs Apostles and US civil rights icon Rosa Parks, he advised, A few people with passion, commitment and a love of country, community and their children, can start that process of change. When enough people identify with a movement, it is enough to bring about change in Trinidad and Tobago. Earlier in the question session, a resident lamented the deplorable state of Mt DOr Road. A woman blamed alleged indiscipine at the local primary school on the fact of teachers residing outside of the area and so not knowing the character of local youngsters.

One woman bemoaned parents who take welfare money meant for their offspring, saying.

The children have no food but the parents are looking good.
Union demands $$ for workers at Mora Valley farm

In a media release yesterday, Maharaj observed that the ruling PNM administration seemed to be turning a blind eye to the fact that the workers have bills to pay, food to buy and children to take care off. These workers are human beings with feelings, emotions and responsibilities, not mere numbers and statistics, he stated, adding, furthermore, it seems as though it is a deliberate plot of the Ministry and Government to frustrate the workers of Mora Valley Farm out of their gainful employment. He said their wages were not a gift or handout but what was legally due to the workers of Mora Valley Farm.

Maharaj also noted that the union was also locked in negotiations for a new collective agreement for the period 2011-2014.

There are approximately 15 workers at the farm which is located in Rio Claro.
UN using TT study on jihadism

The best way to counter violent extremism, Knight said, is to tackle the root cause of societal violence. Get away from blaming a particular religion or a particular culture. Try to understand why individuals are feeling marginalised from their society, community, family, he said.

In a recent interview, the EJ reported Knight as saying that local historian Professor Brinsley Samaroo led him to an al-Qaeda sleeper cell in Trinidad in 2005.

The EJ interview with Knight followed a August 21-25 conference, Ignite Change 2017: A Global Gathering for Human Rights held in Edmonton, Canada, where he made a presentation.

His research on TT jihadism, Knight said, began in 2005 during a conference he had organised, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) St Augustine Campus, on Free Trade in the Americas. During that conference, in a casual conversation with Prof Samaroo, Knight said, he mentioned the work he was doing on the recruitment of child soldiers in civil conflicts across Africa.

This led to a discussion on recruitment of Trinidadians by al-Qaida, something of which I was totally unaware.

Samaroo asked me if I would like to see a jihadi sleeper cell that was operating in Trinidad. The next day, Knight said, Samaroo showed him a map where the cell was located.

SLEEPER CELL NEAR AIRPORT He was surprised to see it was located close to the Piarco International Airport. Samaroo, he said, drove him to the area to what was a a seemingly innocuous gated Muslim community, a commune of sorts with a sentry at the entrance to the roadway leading into the commune. A guard in the sentry box, he said, obviously knew Samaroo and after a few questions, lifted up the bar that crossed the entrance way to allow us to drive inside. The EJ quoted Knight as saying, The place seemed very peaceful, with a mosque, a school, a grocery store, and homes that housed what looked like a number of Muslim families. The wom en wore al-Amira hijab and niqab and the men wore long white thobe.

I felt like I was in Qatar, Dubai or Saudi Arabia. This was, he said, an al-Qaida sleeper cell operating under the noses of the Trinidadian government. Seven years later, he took up the offer of director of the Institute of International Relations at the UWI St Augustine campus on secondment from the University of Alberta.

During the period, Knight said, he continued research on the rise of extremism in Trinidad and with a colleague, John McCoy, they explored the reasons why this fun-loving, culturally and religiously diverse country, Trinidad and Tobago, was ripe for the recruitment of some of its mostly young men first into al-Qaida and more recently in ISIS. Knight told the EJ that, Converting to Islam or being a long standing Muslim in Trinidad and Tobago is not a recipe for embracing extremism. MOST TT MUSLIMS ARE PEACEFUL Most Muslims in TT, he said, are peaceful, successful citizens who just want to practice their faith and do good in their communities.

Extremism has nothing to do with the Muslim faith in that country. Most of the 130 Trinidadians who left the country as foreign fighters for the extremist group ISIS, he said, found their way to Syria and Iraq and joined forces with the extremists who have been misusing the teachings of Islam to justify some of the most horrific crimes against humanity in that area. The majority of Trinidadian jihadis were recent converts to Islam, he said. Some have been drawn to ISIS on the promise of financial gain. Some are from the lower economic and social strata in Trinidadian society and see joining ISIS as their way out of a poverty stricken existence.

Some have been recruited while they were in prison for petty or serious crimes and see Islam as a way out from that life of crime. Terrorism is not limited, he said, to predominantly Muslim countries. It can be found amongst believers of different faiths, while some are not religious.

We have a whole breed of home-grown terrorists who are not Islamic, he said citing a number of examples from around the world who had nothing to do with Islam.

He is hoping, he said that the UN will use our findings to develop a counter violent extremism strategy that will address the underlying reasons why people, especially young people, are being drawn to violent and extremist ways of addressing their problems.
PP Poverty report wrong

Speaking in the House of Representatives, Crichlow-Cockburn said checks done by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNCECLAC) showed this countrys actual poverty rate was seven to eight per cent. The 2014 report claimed the countrys poverty rate was 24.5 per cent.

Critchlow-Cockburn said, an assumption in that report that the figure was linked to 22,800 households being without breadwinners, seemed very unlikely. She said that given the countrys minimum wage and that more than 210,000 people received grants and pensions in excess of $1,100 per month, the accuracy of a 24.5 per cent poverty rate was seriously questioned. The minister said Kairi Consultants were hired only to undertake data analysis but were subsequently excluded from the data processing phase of the project.

She said the exclusion of the firm from this process could have compromised the integrity of the process and/or the findings of the 2014 Survey of Living Conditions (SLC). Critchlow-Cockburn said the reviews done by UNDP and UNECLAC concluded there were significant problems with the poverty analysis.

She said those problems, had a major impact on the poverty estimates. The minister said the UN agencies said while the use of arguable procedures, while not necessarily wrong, were doubted due to a lack of accuracy or consistency with the 2005 estimation.

Against this background, Critchlow-Cockburn said, the final 2014 poverty report for TT was considered compromised and was, duly rejected. She also said the Central Statistical Office and her ministry would conduct the 2018 SLC.

The minister also said the UN agencies recommended steps be taken to increase the countrys capacity in measuring poverty, re-calculating the food poverty line and include a secondary analysis of the change in absolute poverty over time
Rowley blasted for Jamettery comment

Among them, UNC Chairman and Pointe-a-Pierre Member of Parliament David Lee, questioned why the Prime Minister constantly degraded women as he (Lee) called on the country to unite and condemn the statement.

Why would a leader, who is supposed to promote respect towards women, look to degrade a female leader who has contributed so much to our national development? Lee asked.

He said the language is unbecoming of a person who holds high office.

More so, it reflects that the Government has been caught red-handed and they have no plausible answer to these accusations hence they result in name calling. He defended his leader, whom he said was only doing her duty, as a concerned citizen, by informing the population about the millions of taxpayers dollars being wasted.

Condemnation of Rowleys statements made during the post-Cabinet news conference on Thursday, also came from Lees colleague, Dr Tim Gopeesingh.

In a release from his Caroni East constituency, Gopeesingh said he joined with all right thinking and conscientious citizens in expressing his abhorrence to what he termed, the new low to which the PM has taken national governance. Dr Rowleys crass and vulgar statements during his comments on the fake oil fiasco once more showcases someone completely out of control, as previously defined by then-Prime Minister Patrick Manning. In addition, Dr Rowley has contaminated the enquiry into the oil scam, since he has made it clear to all  including the investigators  that the accused is his personal and special friend. It is obvious that the Prime Minister does not intend to facilitate a full and independent investigation into this scam, in the same way that he has sidestepped the ferry fiasco. Persad-Bissessars former Cabinet colleague, Carolyn Seepersad- Bachan also weighed in on the issue, calling on the PM to apologise to Persad Bissessar .

While I strongly denounce the utter disrespect and insensitivity reflected in the Prime Ministers reference to the Opposition Leader, I remain hopeful that there is still the possibility of a positive outcome. I call upon Dr Rowley to take full responsibility for his faux paux and show remorse in an apology to Mrs Bissessar.  Seepersad-Bachan, who is also running for leadership of the Congress of the People (COP) also called on the government and the opposition to support them in a proposal to adopt the word Respect as one of the national watch words, to replace tolerance.

Through respect, we learn to appreciate people of all genders, ethnicities and cultures. Let it be a seminal value that will inform our initiatives for the elimination of crime and the current ills plaguing our society, the former San Fernando West MP said.
Take action on fake oil now

She said Rowley cannot shrug off the preliminary audit findings which allege Petrotrin has been defrauded of more than $80 million. Persad-Bissessar insisted, This matter reaches far beyond Petrotrin and is serious enough to warrant the attention of the DPP, Commissioner of Police and Integrity Commission. Noting that Rowley identified A&V Drilling and Workover Limited owner Nazim Baksh as his friend, Persad-Bissessar was alarmed that Rowley called Baksh after the alleged findings of the preliminary report were publicised.

While Rowley said the matter had nothing to do with him, Persad-Bissessar asked,  By speaking with the person who runs the company accused of a crime, whose interest is Rowley seeking? Persad-Bissessar said as Prime Minister, Rowleys sole interest should be in seeking the national interest, ensuring any stolen monies are recovered, and those found to have been engaged in wrongdoing held accountable.

She reiterated her call for the dismissal of Energy Minister Franklin Khan, drawing comparisons to Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and the procurement of the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2 vessels for the domestic seabridge.

On Thursday, Rowley said Persad-Bissessar knew there were proper procedures to investigate these matters. He also said by her own actions, Persad-Bissessar could prevent herself and the country learning the truth about this issue. The Opposition was expected to pose more questions on this matter to Rowley later in the day in the House of Representatives, during Prime Ministers Question Period.

United National Congress (UNC) Womens Arm chairman Dr Catherine Ali claimed Rowley engaged in name calling to demean Persad-Bissessar. She said the Gender and Child Affairs Division in the Office of the Prime Minister should condemn Rowleys statement.
Rush hour in Bismarck and other peak hours for police are being met with a long anticipated power shift.

Deputy Police Chief Randy Ziegler said the power shift has been two and half years in the making. Stats have indicated peak calls between 3 and 8 p.m., he said. Two shifts each of eight officers and a sergeant will address that rush in the new power shift from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., overlapping the 12-hour day and night shifts. The power shift debuted Aug. 28.

After 7 p.m., the power shift moves onto the streets when the 12-hour day shift goes off, Ziegler said. Some officers are paired in cars while others are in plainclothes, working to address certain areas in town prone to crimes, such as theft and vandalism.

"Our main goal with that power shift is to supplement patrol," Ziegler said. "Pretty much the sky is the limit. Wherever we have issues within the Bismarck Police Department, these are the issues we will concentrate on."

The power shift also cuts down on day shift overtime, according to Ziegler. Overall, it extends police service around Bismarck, meeting a public demand while overlapping the department's two 12-hour shifts.

"Just think about it this way: At 3 o'clock, you're going to add eight more people to those 15 to 16 officers, so there's going to be a lot more officers at that time," Ziegler said.

Lt. Chad Fetzer supervises the power shift and said it's already produced results. Officers have done surveillance resulting in drug arrests, as well as casework, executing search warrants and foot patrol.

Residents have appreciated patrols in previously neglected areas, he added.

"So far, so good," Fetzer said. "We've been pretty busy with a variety of things."

Other cities, such as Fargo, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, have street crimes units, but the agencies' efforts differ, according to Fetzer.

"You have to tailor them to what your cities need," Fetzer said. "You can't really replicate what they do there and try to use it here."

Officers for the two rotating power shifts were largely reallocated from the day and nights shifts and "moved to where we more so need them," said Zeigler, adding the department's crime analyst will identify crime trends in areas of town for the street crimes unit to address.

The idea of a power shift moved to fruition after additional cars came in last month.

"Patrol people are loving it. They're starting to get out of here on time," he said. "The city likes it, too, because we don't have as much overtime."

Fetzer said the department aims to assess its power shift every quarter. Ziegler said hard statistics would be available in six months to a year.

"After two weeks, we're pretty early in the process but definitely have some happy people," he said.
Govt disappointed with labour

It was always labours contention that Government was engaging in mass lay-offs even though that was not true, an Office of the Prime Minister release said yesterday.

Government was at pains, the release said, to point out that it meant to keep as many persons in employment even as the countrys finances posed a serious challenge to this objective.

The release said, Notwithstanding this factual situation, labour insisted on asking for a moratorium until December on something that was neither occurring nor was it planned at this time. The Office of the Prime Minister expressed disappointment that its efforts to engage the labour movement with the aim of building trust and cooperation in the national interest can be so easily undermined by self-serving and misleading representation of the facts.
National effort needed for further strengthening democratic foundations: Vice President

New Delhi, Sat, 16 Sep 2017 NI Wire

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Releases the Book 'Loktantra ke utsav ki ankahi kahani'

The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that a national effort is needed to further strengthening countrys democratic foundations. He was addressing the gathering after releasing the Book Loktantra ke utsav ki ankahi kahani authored by Dr. S.Y.Quraishi, here today. The Chief Election Commissioner, Shri A.K. Joti and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.



The Vice President underscrored the need for people to vote for candidates based on the four positive Cs  Character, Calibre, Capacity and Conduct and not on the basis of three negative Cs  Caste, Community and Cash. He further said that there should be a debate on electoral reforms that can transform India into a more vibrant democracy. We must make our political democracy a social democracy, he added.



Following is the text of Vice Presidents address:



On this International Day of Democracy, let me extend my warmest greetings and good wishes to all of you and all the people of India who are shaping the largest democracy of the world.

I am also very happy to release, on this occasion, Loktantra ke utsav ki ankahi kahani,the Hindi version of Shri S.Y. Khuraishijis book An undocumented wonder: The making of the great Indian Election.

It is a very lucid account of the extraordinary manner in which elections are conducted in our country. The Election Commission of India has rightfully gained worldwide appreciation for its extremely professional conduct of elections in a complex and vast country like India.

The author has shared his insights and experiences in a gripping narrative that captures the challenges and achievements of election management. It is a book that can provide valuable guidance to those conducting elections as well as enhance general awareness about the systematic and systemic way in which the Election Commission of India addresses all the key challenges. It also reflects the agility and responsiveness of the Commission that keeps innovating to respond to new challenges.Transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of a functioning democracy. The proposal to introduce Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) in all polling booths from 2019 elections is another step in the direction of strengthening our democracy, which has to be nurtured and preserved by constantly reforming the electoral system.

I compliment Dr S Y Quraishi ji on this excellent publication and the National Book Trust for bringing out the Hindi translation. I wish and hope that the National Book Trust will make this book available in all other Indian languages so that the information and ideas contained in this book reach a wider public.

Conducting elections well is an important and integral part of democracy. Each citizen must be able to vote for the candidate and the party she or he likes without any fear of intimidation. Nor should there be any inducement. Each individual is important in a democracy and each vote is important. In a robust democracy, the voice of the people is heard and the choice of the people is respected. The transfer of power takes place peacefully based on the popular mandate.

Brothers and Sisters, we should be proud of the fact that we are not only the largest democracy in the world but also that we are constantly striving to make it more meaningful. We gave universal franchise right from the time we became independent and decided to adopt a democratic form of government. As compared to many fledgling democracies, we have been able to hold elections to the national Parliament and State Assemblies as well as to the local bodies fairly regularly.

However, a little critical introspection and honest review of the past and current electoral processes makes us realize how much we all collectively need to do to improve the system. Clearly, there are a number of areas in which we have to bring about changes.

On this International Day of Democracy, my thoughts turn to the quality of our polity. How well are we nurturing and nourishing this plant of democracy sown with great expectations by the founding fathers of our constitution?Are we living up to those ideals? Are our thoughts and actions breathing life into the constitution we gave ourselves in 1950?

India has committed to the United Nations Charter that aims to build a world on the values of peace, justice, respect, human rights, and tolerance and solidarity.

Indias glorious cultural heritage is also dotted with a number of thought leaders who have eloquently espoused these values for over a million years. The village republics and the Bhikshu Sanghas of ancient India, as Dr.B.R.Ambedkar points out, functioned on democratic principles.

The essence of all religions is the quest for peace and harmony. A few days ago, we commemorated the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekanandashistoric speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. In that speech, Swami Vivekananda touched upon the essence of Hinduism as a religion which will have no place for persecution or intolerance in its polity, which will recognize divinity in every man and woman.

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore had forewarned against the temptation to break up our world into fragments by erecting narrow domestic walls. But we are still grappling with the divisions based on caste, creed, religion, sex and language. It is, however, heartening that the youth of our country is aspiring to see a new India where these distinctions become irrelevant. We are trying to create a new India wherekey democratic principles are actively practiced in daily life.

The India we want is a democratic, developed, inclusive, peaceful, harmonious India that celebrates diversity and plurality not merely tolerates them.

I want each citizen of our country to strive continuously through thought and action to transform our country into a vibrant democracy. A democracy in which leaders should be elected on the basis of character, calibre, capacity and conduct and voters should choose the candidates who have discipline, dynamism, dedication and devotion. Politics of caste, community and cash should be totally rejected.

Elections are the touchstone for a democracy. The regularity and the fairness of elections is an indication of the health of any democracy. Elections are an expression of individual freedom and potentially give each Indian a sense of participation in the governance of the country.

We must deepen this bond between people and leaders through a respectful responsiveness to public opinion. We must enhance the trust and confidence in the citizens that the political executive will deliver on the promises made during election campaigns.

All this requires a rethinking about our electoral processes. I would suggest that we, as a nation,should engage in this collective reflection and ponder over five aspects I wish to outline.

First,I feel the time has come to take a serious look at the possibility of conductingsimultaneous elections for the parliament and various Assemblies. The current practice of conducting elections in one State or the other at different times tends to focus the attention of the country away from development and slows down progress.

As the former President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee had stated:

Throughout the year, some election or the other is happening and regular work comes to a standstill with the code of conduct being implemented. The time is also ripe for a constructive debate on electoral reforms and a return to the practice of the early decades after Independence when elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were held simultaneously.It is for the Election Commission to take this exercise forward in consultation with political parties.

Second, if the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments have to be implemented in letter and spirit, we should ensure that elections to local bodies should be held every five years. Ours is a three tiered democratic polity and we must strengthen democracy at the Union, State and local body levels.

Third, I would suggest that we should have a time limit to dispose of election petitions. If necessary, special election tribunals must be set up for disposing of election petitions.

The fourth aspect and perhaps the most important of all is the need to curb the influence of money power in elections to set a truly level playing field. Various solutions have to be thought of including State-funding. In addition, the new trend of paid news has to be completely eliminated.

The fifth aspect is an imperative need for revisiting the Anti-Defection law. We must examine as to what extent it has served its purpose. If needed, it has be amended further and made more stringent.

We are at the cross roads of our countrys history. The citizens, especially the youth, are looking for a future that guarantees them the freedom to grow, to contribute to and be a part of the new Indias growth story. The country is looking for a new paradigm in governance that focuses on achieving tangible development outcomes. The direction set by the government seeks to make a collective effort to transform the development trajectory encapsulated in the overarching principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. As Dr. B.R.Ambedkar in his closing speech of the first Constituent Assembly said:

If we wish to maintain democracy not only in form but also in fact, what must we do? We must make our political democracy a social democracy. It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.

Free and fair election process is the foundation for a political democracy. The ultimate purpose of democratic governance is social democracy, to ensure inclusive development and improvement in the quality of life of all citizens; especially those who are the poorest of the poor and those who have been left out of the democratic processes.

I do hope the book will stimulate further thoughts and action. Inspired by the Prime Ministers mantra of reform, perform, transform as the guiding principles, the people and their elected representatives have the ability to transform our largest democracy into a more lively democracy that welcomes peoples participation in all spheres of nation building.Let us accelerate this process by moving from precept to practice and collectively shape the India we all want.

Source: PIB

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PAN-India Awareness Campaign reaches out to nearly 28 lakh students in the country

New Delhi, Sat, 16 Sep 2017 NI Wire

30th Anniversary of Montreal protocol and 23rd World Ozone Day Celebrated

Highlighting the strength of the active collaboration between the government, industries and all stakeholders in the implementation of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) phase-out programme in the country, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan highlighted the importance of individual awareness and the strength of collective action. The Minister also laid special emphasis on the role played by children in ensuring the success of such campaigns.

Addressing a gathering at the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol and 23rd World Ozone Day here today, with the theme - "Caring for all life under the Sun, the Minister made a special mention of the pan-India awareness campaign launched by the Environment Ministry on the occasion.

This campaign was among the most widespread engagements of the Ministry for awareness generation, carried out with the active partnership of States through schools and academic/research institutions spread across the country. The awareness campaign saw a participation of about 28 lakh students in more than 13, 000 schools and reached out to 214 districts across 16 states of the country.

The Minister also spoke of the strong policy leadership given by India during the negotiations for the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that it is recognized that India played a crucial role in the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

A series of publications launched by the Minister on the occasion include  a handbook on HCFC Phase-out and Energy Efficiency in Buildings; the first edition of newsTRAC; and a newsletter for service technicians in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning (RAC) sector.

These two publications were launched as part of the enabling component of Indias HCFC Phase out Management Plan, for which United Nations Environment Programme is the cooperating agency and Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) are the national implementing partners.

Two videos on Indias achievements in implementation of Montreal Protocol and HCFCs phase-out and Energy Efficiency in buildings were also launched.

Source: PIB
The Spanish government has recognized the failure of its border fence policy to stop the flow of migrants to its enclaves in northern Morocco and announced measures amounting to 10.7 million to reinforce border security in Ceuta.

The six-meter barbed wire fence could not thwart thousands of migrants from taking the risk of crossing into the Spanish occupied enclaves as illegal migration attempts have surged this year.

The alarm was raised by Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido who was speaking to MPs detailing the shortcomings of the border fence policy.

He said that the Spanish government is reconsidering its anti-illegal migration policy and that new measures will be taken to address this cross border challenge.

In this respect, the Spanish press reported that Zoido plans to equip Spanish border guard helicopters with advanced cameras that can provide early warnings of groups gathering to mount an attempted assault on the fence.

The fence has drawn the condemnation of international rights organization, which often call it the wall of shame and a symbol of fortress Europe, which came to refer to the European Unions obstructive policies towards immigrants.

Spain spent more than 30 million fortifying the border, and the fences grew from three to six meters in height. Ever since the cities have sealed themselves off more securely, refugees have instead been crossing the Mediterranean Sea in ramshackle boats.
Two years after his much-heralded prostitute drama Much Loved was banned in his home country, Moroccan auteur Nabil Ayouch made it to the pre-selection of Oscar 2018 in the Best Foreign Movie with his most ambitious film to date, Razzia, a kaleidoscopic portrait of five lives touched by a single tumultuous event on the streets of Casablanca.

The movie will represent Morocco after it was chosen by a committee, in conformity with criteria set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said on Friday a statement by the Moroccan Cinema Centre (CCM).

Set in Morocco, Razzia, which means raid in Arabic, is a tale of the lost loves, forbidden desires, and fragile dreams of a country grappling with its modern identity.

Spanning more than 30 years, it is a stirring attempt to capture all the hopes and contradictions of Morocco today.

The movie is a summary of the years that Ive spent here, a summary of all of the people Ive seen, that Ive met and that constitute the majority, a silent majority, Ayouch said in a recent interview.

Acknowledging that his fifth feature probably offers a wider photograph than my previous films, Ayouch calls Razzia a response to the growing strains of intolerance echoing around the world, from the medina of Casablanca to the parliaments of Europe to the corridors of the American government.
Armed police patrol the Westminster Underground station on Saturday in London, England. Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Police in the U.K. have arrested an 18-year-old man who is suspected of involvement in the terrorist attack on a train at a London Underground station on Friday morning. Police made the significant arrest in the port town of Dover, about 80 miles southeast of London, on Saturday morning. The suspect has not been identified, and the investigation into the bombing is ongoing.

Hours after the arrest, police also raided a house in Sunbury-on-Thames, evacuating the surrounding neighborhood as a precaution.

U.K. authorities raised the countrys threat level to critical on Friday night, signaling that an imminent terrorist attack was expected. Police have stepped up their patrols since the bombing, as well, particularly in high-risk locations

At least 30 people were injured when an improvised explosive device went off on a crowded train at the Parsons Green Tube station in southwest London on Friday morning. The device seems to have been set off prematurely, and may have malfunctioned, leaving some victims with flash burns but no life-threatening injuries. Pictures of the device suggested it was some kind of bucket in a shopping bag, and the British security minister confirmed on Saturday that the material used in the explosive was TATP, the same chemical explosive used in the deadly Manchester concert attack in May and one which is popular with ISIS-linked terrorists. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on Friday through one of its media channels, but offered no evidence to back up the claim.
Mueller cometh. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Facebook had turned over much more information to special counsel Robert Mueller about Russian-backed advertisements during the 2016 election than the company had shared with Congress:

The information Facebook shared with Mr. Mueller included copies of the ads and details about the accounts that bought them and the targeting criteria they used, the people familiar with the matter said. Facebook policy dictates that it would only turn over the stored contents of any account, including messages and location information, in response to a search warrant, some of them said.

CNN confirmed on Saturday that Mueller had indeed obtained the information with the help of a warrant.

Legal experts said that the news could signal a potentially explosive new phase in Muellers investigation. In a tweetstorm, Yale Law School associate dean Asha Rangappa said that to obtain the warrant, Mueller would have had to believe that a crime was committed  it is illegal for foreign people or entities to make contributions connected to American elections  and that the offense would need to be connected to specific accounts on Facebook.

Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti also focused on the warrant in a series of tweets, arguing that its presence meant that Mueller was close to charging specific foreign people with a crime, and that if Trump associates were part of the planning behind it, they could face serious charges as well.

Representatives of Facebook previously told congressional investigators that, during the course of an investigation into the sites role in the 2016 election, it had discovered that a Kremlin-linked firm had bought $100,000 of ads between 2015 and 2017. The company also discovered about 500 likely fraudulent accounts that had been used to disseminate pro-Russian propaganda. It traced the origin of the misinformation to a Russian troll farm.

Some of the ads were geographically targeted, leading to speculation that the Russian effort may have been lent a helping hand by Americans.

Alex Stamos, Facebooks chief security officer, wrote in a blog post that most of the ads didnt focus on one candidate but appeared to focus on amplifying divisive social and political messages across the ideological spectrum  touching on topics from LGBT matters to race issues to immigration to gun rights.

Committees in both the House and Senate, like Mueller, are investigating Russias role in the election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. But lawmakers had been frustrated with how little Facebook shared with them beyond the basics, the Journal reported. The Senate Intelligence Committee is likely to ask Facebook representatives to testify publicly in the coming weeks, but even if it subpoenas Facebook, it is not likely to gain access to the information Mueller now has at his fingertips.
St. Louis police officers on Friday night. Photo: Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of St. Louis on Friday after a judge found a white police officer not guilty of first-degree murder in the 2011 killing of a black man. It was the latest in a long line of similar verdicts around the country.

The march was mostly peaceful at the outset, with some disturbing exceptions:

St Louis police assault an elderly woman for protesting the St Louis police pic.twitter.com/wxoU5U28Yt  jordan (@JordanUhl) September 16, 2017

But after night fell, about a thousand people gathered at Mayor Lyda Krewsons house, knocking on the door, breaking two of her windows with bricks, and throwing red paint. (There was no indication that they mayor was home at the time.) About 200 riot police arrived and used tear gas and pepper-spray pellets to disperse the crowd. Nine officers were injured as cops clashed with protesters, and a police spokesperson said that 32 people had been arrested. Some restaurants and other businesses were damaged as well.

Protesters hours after the verdict. Photo: Jeff Roberson/AP

Activists planned a number of additional protests over the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, St. Louis circuit judge Timothy Wilson ruled that Officer Jason Stockley was not guilty of first-degree murder in the case of Anthony Lamar Smith, whom he shot and killed in December 2011.

According to Stockleys version of events, he saw Smith and another man conducting a drug deal behind a restaurant. When he approached them, one man ran away, and Smith got in his car and fled. Stockley then gave chase with his car, eventually ramming Smiths vehicle and shooting him after he allegedly reached for a gun.

But dash-cam video appeared to capture Stockley saying that he was going to kill this motherfucker, dont you know it during the pursuit. And a gun Stockley said he saw in Smiths car was found to contain only Stockleys DNA, leading the prosecution to contend that he had planted it there to justify the shooting.

On Friday, Judge Wilson agreed with Stockleys version of events, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove that he did not act in self-defense. The judge also wrote that the officers caught-on-tape remark was insignificant because people say all kinds of things in the heat of the moment or while in stressful situations.

He also said it would be surprising if Smith, an urban heroin dealer, did not carry a gun, a characterization that drew a harsh response from the attorney for Smiths fiancee and daughter.

We all know what urban means. Urban means black, attorney Al Watkins said. I find that to be offensive. I find that to be demonstrative of a judge who thinks that those who are reading this verdict are morons.

Stockley was charged with first-degree murder in 2016 and opted for a bench trial rather than face a jury. He resigned from the police force in 2013 after carrying an AK-47 rifle on duty. On Friday, he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that it feels like a burden has been lifted, but the burden of having to kill someone never really lifts.

Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, saw widespread protests in 2014 following the death of black teenager Michael Brown at the hands of a white police officer.
President Museveni

A cabinet sitting yesterday, Friday endorsed a move by the ruling party, NRM parliamentary caucus to open up debate on lifting the presidential age limit from the 1995 Constitution.



Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance in a statement said that cabinet was notified by the Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa about the intention by Igara MP, Raphael Magyezi to seek leave of parliament to enable him to draft and table a private member's bill for the amendment of the constitution for the repeal of article 102(b) regarding presidential age limit.

Tumwebaze said cabinet told Nankabirwa to advise the member wishing to table the private members bill to follow the established legislative procedure in accordance with law.

Raphael Magyezi told URN in an interview that he was not yet aware of the cabinet decision.



NRM MPs on Tuesday set off the much-anticipated move to have the presidential term limit lifted in order to have President Yoweri Museveni seek for another elective term in office after clocking 75 years.

Museveni would technically not qualify to run in the next presidential elections if article 102(b) is not amended to lift the age limitation for one to contest for presidency.



Article 102 (b) of the Constitution caps the presidential age at between 35 and 75 years. At least 271 members of the NRM caucus have appended their signatures to a document supporting a proposal to remove the age limit cap.



It had been anticipated that Magyezi would move his motion last Thursday. URN has learnt that Magyezi will move the motion early next week after another caucus meeting at which Nankabirwa is expected to formally communicate the cabinet position on the matter.



Cabinet becomes the first government organ to consider the lifting presidential term limit proposal. All the ruling NRM party structures had been silent about the matter though sections of its members have been holding demonstrations under the slogan "Kick Age Limit Cut of the Constitution" or KALOC.



There has been a debate in Uganda on the possibility of NRM using numerical strength in parliament to push for the removal of age limits to allow Museveni hold onto power when his current mandate expires in 2021. The opposition have vowed to use 'dishonourable' means not to allow debate of bill on the floor of parliament.

MORE CABINET APPROVALS

According to Tumwebaze's statement, the same cabinet sitting also approved a loan for "the construction of the Kabaale International Airport project in Hoima district, to facilitate the transportation of vital equipments to enable production of oil by 2020..."

Further, cabinet also approved the appointment of the chairperson and members of the Local Government Finance Commission for the period beginning 2017-2020. Also approved was formation of a task force to spearhead the revival of Uganda Airlines.
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Isn't Wind River also basically taking a struggle Native women deal with and making it about two white cops?



Looking it up and Kelsey's in that too lmao yikes.

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When did she stop going by Kelsey Chow?

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This year, apparently

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When she realized she could play ethnically ambiguous and book more work?



Obviously someone half Taiwanese and half white is going to face challenges being cast in movies/TV but that's still no reason to take on a role that could have gone to a Native American actor.

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tangent, but what frustrates me is when half-white/ethnically ambiguous poc decide to capitalize on their ambiguity by changing their last names but then act entitled to poc roles and get pressed when people say something about it. i don't blame them for changing their names in order to game the racist system, but you can't have it both ways. well, you can, but it doesn't sit well with me when ppl who apparently pass easily enough for a name change to do the job are so willing to take away poc roles from actors who can't pass the way they can. like, it doesn't matter whether daniel dae kim changes his name to daniel jones, no one's gonna see him as anything but asian.

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I definitely wasn't saying she should take Native American roles. I was just curious if I'd been out of the loop for a long time.

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i didn't even know that was kelsey chow until i read your comment. jesus, i'm so bad at remembering faces. and i liked the Girls Like Girls mv too.

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Omg thank you for this. I was sitting here confused as fuck wondering how in the world this person could possibly resemble Kelsey Chow as much as she does lmao

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With a name like Kelsey, I'd expect her to be even whiter tbh.

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Shush it

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Yikes

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Why is it always effing Cherokee???



Like damn, be original in your nonsense.

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http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/history/2015/10/cherokee_blood_why_do_so_many_americans_believe_they_have_cherokee_ancestry.html Slate did a great job of answering that question:

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MY CHEEKS ARE GENETIC, BITCH! Don't come for my mixed heritage!

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That was so interesting omg, ty

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mte. when my white roommate said that IRL I could not have rolled my eyes harder

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this reminds me that i was thinking about making nutmegdealer's guide to self identified cherokee celebs with claims, actual evidence, and whether i believed it or not.



it's always always cherokee, or if you're black, cherokee-blackfoot (lol), apache (mega lols), and occasionally navajo (triple lols unless you're radmilla cody).

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Im sure that ancestry comes by way of a Cherokee princess in her family tree too.

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haha probably

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ooo that's a really good point. like adam beach is relatively known, but some of the other might not be...

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"with some cherokee ancestry"



Sure Jan. Anyone listen to the podcast More Perfect? Makes me think of an episode on that

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I just started. I like it so far!

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he was so wasted in suicide squad and on such a horrible character

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Adam Beach is a great actor. A true Canadian gem. I'd love to see more of him in tv and in movies.

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There's a mural of him here and I always tease my BF by driving by it because I think he's so hot. LOL

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Arctic Air was my jam!! My Canadian friends always tease me so hard because i'll never be over the cancellations of Arctic Air and The Guard, they're like "you single handedly keep Canadian television alive" BUT IT'S ALL SO GOOD. I can't be blamed.

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he is great and cute

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He was absolutely wasted and it's a shame bc I love him

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I didn't even see the point of the character, he was introduced late and was the first to die. Its like why even bother.



Unless, they plan on making a stand alone film with that character they could've kept that.

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he will always be the the only cast member to do a one season and done of Law & Order SVU to me (when that show had the most cast members as regulars in the billing)

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Truth. Such a great actor Hollywood doesn't appreciate.

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Ikr. I've love him since Smoke Signals and he was going to be my one reason for seeing Suicide Squad



My friend called me after seeing it and was like girl don't even fucking bother you'll just get mad

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I let a lot slide in that film but wasting Adam Beach is a true crime I can never forgive them for

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I remember her from "Pair of Kings" when she went by her actual surname of "Chow".

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Ok. And of course they didn't even try. This doesn't sound like something I would watch anyway, but hope it flops.

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The recent submission of proposals for the construction of a new solar park project in Tunisia highlight the countrys potential as a location for renewable energy projects at a time when domestic demand for power is rising rapidly.

In early August UK company TuNur submitted its proposal to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies to build the 4.5-GW park in the south of the country. If approved and carried out, the project would have the capacity to power more than 5m homes, or 7m electric vehicles across Europe once fully operational, making it one of the largest facilities of its kind worldwide.

In its submission, TuNur outlined plans to export power from the park to Europe via underwater cables. The firm hopes to roll out the facility as a phased development in Rjim Maatoug, located within the governorate of Kebili, which receives double the amount of exposure to the sun as central Europe.

The first segment of the plant will cost 1.6bn to build and is planned to generate 250 MW of electricity, with early estimates suggesting it could be up and running as early as 2020. Electricity produced at the park will provide power to Malta, Italy and France, before being redistributed throughout the integrated European network. The project will require installation of an underwater cable linking the Tunisian network to Malta, which is already connected to Europe. Two other cables joining Tunisia to France and Italy are also under consideration.

Solar and wind projects to boost renewables share in energy mix

TuNurs proposal, while targeting the European market, comes against a backdrop of initiatives taking shape in Tunisia aimed at boosting capacity to meet growing local demand.

Related: Electric Vehicles: The High Cost Of Going Green

The country remains largely dependent on hydrocarbons. However, many of the new ventures will harness renewable energy technologies as part of a national drive to boost their contribution to Tunisias energy mix.

In June the government announced plans to tender projects worth a total of TD400m (137.7m) that will provide a combined 210 MW of capacity, split between solar power (70 MW) and wind farms (140 MW).

Output from these projects  which the ministry said would include both small-size and utility-scale production facilities  will then be bought by public utilities company Societe Tunisienne de lelectricite et du gaz (STEG) under long-term power purchase agreements.

For solar initiatives, 10 MW of planned capacity will be distributed among projects of up to 1 MW, with the remaining 60 MW to be awarded for projects with a maximum capacity of 10 MW. For wind power, meanwhile, 20 MW of planned capacity will be allocated to smaller projects of up to 5 MW and 120 MW to larger projects of up to 30 MW each.

Bids for most projects are scheduled to close on November 15, although a tender for half of the wind-power capacity will be finalised in August 2018.

News of the bids follows a government decision in March to award a 12.5m contract to Italian renewable energy company Ternienergia to develop a 10-MW solar power facility. The overall cost of the plant, to be located in Tozeur in the countrys south, has been estimated at 16m.

Generating capacity of renewables reaches some 342 MW

The push for renewable energy is already leading to large capacity increases. According to the energy ministry, Tunisias total installed green power generating capacity had reached approximately 342 MW by the end of 2016.

The government allocated some $1bn (830m) for renewable energy projects in 2017, with the aim of adding 1000 MW of generation capacity. A total of 650 MW will be sought from solar photovoltaic power projects and 350 MW from wind, while the private sector is expected to contribute an additional $600m over the course of the year.

Tunisia further expects to source 30 percent of domestic energy needs from renewables by 2030, compared to less than 6 percent today, according to government estimates. By that time, it hopes to have 4.7 GW of installed capacity from renewables using both state and private funding, according to the sector development blueprint, the Tunisian Solar Plan.

The strategy aims to capitalise on the countrys favourable solar exposure, or irradiation, which ranges from 1800 KWh per sq metre per year in the north to 2600 KWh per sq metre per year in the south.

Related: Supermajors Prepare For A Permian Bidding War

While the move towards renewables has met with widespread approval, industry players have also highlighted the need for more supporting infrastructure.

Said Mazigh, general manager, Carthage Power Company, told OBG that transporting and storing solar energy remained an issue, as panels used to generate power are not in constant use. For Tunisia to capitalise on its sunshine resources, he said, it needs to invest in the necessary infrastructure to support solar energy projects.

By Oxford Business Group

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The government of Azerbaijan signed a new production sharing agreement (PSA) with the consortium operating the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli oil field in the Caspian. The new deal gives Baku a much larger stake in the field and establishes Azerbaijan's economic ties to Europe for decades to come.

The agreement, signed September 14, has taken five years to negotiate and runs until 2050. It sees Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar increase its stake in the field from 11.65 percent to 25 percent, with stakes held by its eight international partners falling proportionally

The field's operator, BP, now holds 30.37 percent and the other seven partners under ten percent each.

The international partners also agreed to pay a "bonus" of $3.6 billion into Azerbaijan's State Oil Fund and to further investment in the field which in the short term could see the addition of a seventh production platform and as much as $40 billion invested over the lifetime of the agreement.

The new agreement replaces the existing AGC PSA signed in 1994, by then Azeri President Heydar Aliyev, father of current president Ilham Aliyev.

Related: EIA: Coal Is Dying As Renewables Rise

Both Aliyev and BP chief executive Bob Dudley called the agreement "historic."

The new agreement "is of crucial importance for Azerbaijan`s future development," said Aliyev, who took to twitter to celebrate the accomplishment. "Today Azerbaijan is recognized in the world as a country, which stands on its feet and has broad international relations, and as an influential country."

Although at the time dubbed "the contract of the century", the terms of the 1994 agreement reflected the conditions of the time, with oil prices falling, Azerbaijan having just emerged from a civil war, and offshore production in the Caspian sea a new and risky area of investment.

ACG reserves at the time were estimated at only around 511 million tons.

Now with Azerbaijan having developed significantly on the back of the $125 billion profit earned from ACG, Caspian investment being no longer viewed as risky, and estimates of ACG reserves having been doubled, Baku has been in a strong enough position to negotiate considerably better terms for the next phase of operation.

This is expected to produce a further 570 million tons of crude and around 150 billion cubic meters of gas on top of 430 million tons of crude and 134 billion cubic meters of gas already produced. .

Production from ACG is currently running at around 585,000 barrels per day of crude which is exported to global markets through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil line, down from a peak of 835,000 barrels per day in 2010. That could rise again with further investment, however.

Gas production is running at around 33 million cubic meters per day, mostly consumed locally but with talks underway for future gas production to be fed into state oil producer SOCAR's TANAP gas export line. That pipeline is now being constructed to carry gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field through Turkey to Europe.

Further talks are anticipated over "deep gas" reserves in the field, below the oil and gas layer currently being exploited.

Related: Does Russia Really Need The OPEC Deal?

This deep gas layer is through to contain a further 200 billion cubic meters of gas which could also be fed into TANAP and exported to Europe

Azeri officials have indicated that development of this deep gas reserve would need to be subject to a third production sharing agreement but have not indicated when they expect talks to commence or when the field could be developed.

Developing the ACG deep gas field would help Azerbaijan to fill the 15 billion cubic meters per year of available capacity in TANAP, without having to resort to accepting gas from other potential suppliers such as Iran or the Kurdistan region of Iraq, both of which have expressed interest in using TANAP as a means of exporting gas to Europe.

By Eurasianet

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Supermajor Royal Dutch Shell has decided to divest its Iraqi oil assets in a move to focus on its future in natural gas.

The industry giant is seemingly breaking from its oil heritage to head full speed into the Golden Age of Gas. Shells decision to leave Iraqs upstream oil assets is not without risk, however, as the market for natural gas is even more oversupplied than it is for crude oil.

Reuters reported the move first, based on a letter from the Iraqi ministry of oil, followed by a confirmation from Shell. The Dutch heavyweight indicated to the press that its oil asset divestment in Iraq is in line with its strategy to focus more on natural gas and downstream activities.

Shells current 45 percent stake in the Majnoon oil field will be relinquished in due course, officials stated. The company also indicated that the Iraqi Ministry of Oil formally endorsed the proposal. While a timeline for the divestment has yet to be agreed upon, Iraqi officials already indicated that Shell Iraq will now focus mainly on the Basrah Gas Company and the Nebras Petrochemicals Project.

For Iraq, Shells strategy change is a slap in the face. The decision will likely lead to a delay in production within the field, further constraining Iraqs widely published production target of 5 million bpd by the end of 2017. Sources put current production at Majnoon at 235,000 bpd, with a target of 400,000 bpd in 2020.

While both sides have reiterated that the Shell decision isnt based on a political conflict or increased risks in the country, analysts suggest that the ongoing disagreement on production specifics between the Iraqi government and IOCs may be partially to blame. Baghdad has yet to agree to establish Production Sharing Agreements, even though Iraq-Kurdish operations are already based on them.

An open disagreement on contract terms seems to be the official cause for Shells decision. Baghdad has placed harsh conditions on all of its contracts, seemingly targeting even higher revenues. This is in contrast to the IOCs, which target a quick return on their own investments.

Others have stated that Baghdad added performance penalties to the Majnoon remuneration fees in May, which could have sped up Shells decision. Also, some say that Shell wants to divest its West Qurna-1 field, which would be another blow for Iraq. Related: Supermajors Prepare For A Permian Bidding War

It is no coincidence, however, that Shell took the decision at a time when Iraq is under severe stress. The growing possibility that the country is poised for a new internal conflict due to the Kurdish independence referendum on September 25, in addition to the ongoing conflict between Iraqi forces and Daesh within the country, could be the straw that broke the camels back.

Another possibility for Shells decision to leave Iraq may stem from its desire to move into Iran.

Recently, Shell presented plans to develop the major offshore Kish gas field in Iran. The proposal was handed over by Shell vice-president Hans Nijkamp to his Iranian counterparts at the national Iranian Oil Company. Both sides of the agreement signed an MOU to develop the field in December 2016, and last month, Shell had already submitted proposals for the development of the Azadegan and Yadavaran oil fields in southern Iran.

Azadegan, a giant oil reservoir at the Iran-Iraq border, has been signaled out as the first oilfield to be tendered within the framework of the Iran Petroleum Contractthe countrys new, more attractive contractual model for implementing upstream petroleum projects.

Shell is taking an immense risk in leaving a very prolific oil region (Iraq) for a still-disputed oil and gas producer under international sanctions. Irans future is still undecided, as Washington still seeks to put much more strict sanctions on Tehran or even revoke the current JCPOA agreements.

If the Trump Administration puts new sanctions or totally blocks any business with Iran, Shell will be hit hard. The Dutch major will not only have relinquished prolific oil reserves, potentially holding more than 18 billion barrels, but will also have to end its involvement in Iran if it doesnt want to be hit by U.S. sanctions, as well. Based on its listing and involvement on the U.S. Stock Exchange and assets in the U.S., the risks of an enormous negative fallout due to its Iranian operations seem to be much higher than would have been the case by staying in Iraq.

In addition, Shell will have to face the consequences of its dealings with Iran. The Arab countries will not look favorable to any renewed or increased cooperation with an IOC supporting Irans future. The companys gas gamble could have a significant impact on its Arab influence. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, all important for Shells gas ambitions the coming years, could become a no-go area.

On the sidelines, Russian and Chinese oil companies and investors are watching in amusement. If Shell leaves Iraqs oil fields, its former assets will likely be taken over by Rosneft, Sinopec or CNOOC. The Dutch gas move could lead to an increase Russian-Chinese grip on a vast portion of Arab crude oil reserves. Related: Does Russia Really Need The OPEC Deal?

Where Stalin did not accomplish his goal of building a Russian Crescent of Influence in the Middle East, Russian oil and gas companies may very well succeed. From Iran to Syria, Russian majors will rule the desert.

Next time, Shell advisors should watch Arab media sources, read between the lines and keep an eye on Washington before making a decision. A gas-fired future could be interesting, but profit margins on crude oil, and a sustainable financial stability of the company should be the main cornerstones for all rational decision-making processes.

Irans attractiveness could be one of the famous fairy tales told to children since the time of Princess Shahrazad. The Majnoon decision (Majnoon means stupid in Arabic) could be step or two down the road, after the debacle for the Dutch oil on Abu Dhabis ADCO concession.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Pakistan-India concluded their talks on Indus Waters Treaty

WASHINGTON: As Pakistan and India concluded their two-day water talks here on Friday, the World Bank, which is mediating the talks, said the meetings were part of a process to safeguard benefits of the 57-year-old Indus Waters Treaty.



The World Bank hosted the two latest rounds at its headquarters in Washington on July 31-Aug 1 and Sept 14-15. Concluded in 1960 with the World Banks support, the Indus Waters Treaty recognises the bank as a mediator. It is also acclaimed as one of the most successful international agreements for peacefully resolving previous water disputes between India and Pakistan.



These meetings are a continuation of a discussion on how to safeguard the treaty for the benefit of the people in both countries, said World Bank spokesperson Elena Karaban when asked for comments.



She also said that the Sept 14-15 meetings in Washington focused on the technical issues of the treaty and the bank will provide more information about the talks when available.



In a previous statement, the bank praised the spirit of goodwill and cooperation that both India and Pakistan demonstrated in the last meeting and hoped that they would maintain this spirit to peacefully settle the current dispute as well.



The Indian Express newspaper reported on Friday that New Delhi dropped its earlier objections to holding water talks with Pakistan to participate in a Bank-brokered dialogue and this decision surprised all sides.



Bimal Patel, a member of Indias National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and Law Commission, told the newspaper that he doesnt know what the governments intention is, but it is uncalled for to participate in such meetings to perpetuate a third party role.

The disagreement



The dispute is over the construction of two hydroelectric plants on the Kishanganga (330MW) and Ratle (850MW) tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers.



Pakistan believes the construction violates the Indus Waters Treaty, which gives Islamabad unrestricted use of the waters of the two western rivers in the Indus system.



India, however, argues that the treaty also allows other uses, including the construction of hydro-electric plants. India interprets the permission for other uses, as meaning that it can not only construct the Kishanganga and Ratle dams, but also several other projects.



Pakistan disagrees with the Indian interpretation and has asked the World Bank to set up a Court of Arbitration; saying that India is not fulfilling its obligations as an upper riparian state.



India opposes the proposed Court of Arbitration and has instead asked the World Bank to appoint a neutral expert to look into the matter.



Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh is leading a multi-disciplinary delegation at the talks, which includes representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, Power, Indias Indus Water Commissioner and Central Water Commission.



Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan is leading the Pakistani delegation, which includes Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.



After the last round, which concluded on Aug 1, the two delegations returned to their respective capitals for consultations on the proposals that each had brought with them.



In the second round, they focused on the responses they brought with them and are likely to do more consultations with their political leadership before making any commitment, official sources said.
Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Joel Holwitt, of the USS North Dakota, has been honored with first prize for his essay entered in the U.S. Naval Institute's first Chief of Naval Operations history essay contest.

Holwitt was awarded $5,000 for his work, "Recapturing the Interwar Navy's Strategic Magic," the USS North Dakota Committee reported Wednesday. Holwitt won out of 292 essayists.

Committee chair Bob Wefald said Holwitt's win was unsurprising given his resume, which includes his naval duties, a doctorate in history from Ohio State and a book he wrote, "Execute Against Japan: The U.S. Decision to Conduct Unrestricted Submarine Warfare."

It's great to have a prize-winning historian serving on our boat," Wefald said.

In March, Holwitt addressed North Dakota's House and Senate with an update on the vessel, which is working for deployment later this year or in early 2018.












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Chavez Cuanto te queremos!



Por culpa de Chavez



Cerveza Polar







Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar







Translate













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!


GLENS FALLS  As the need for mental health and substance abuse treatment services escalates, the number of specialized providers is decreasing, making access to care difficult for many and impossible for some.

And in New York, 60 percent of those needing mental health care are unable to access help quickly, according to a December 2016 survey by the Kaiser Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan health care analyst.

We see volume increasing exponentially, said Dianne Shugrue, president and CEO of Glens Falls Hospital, in an interview this week. We could open a geriatric, adolescent and pediatric unit and fill every bed.

But trends in care are taking such services out of hospitals and into primary care settings. And in early October, Glens Falls Hospital will begin offering telepsychiatry services to primary care patients in Cambridge.

Telepsychiatry is a new way of offering mental health and substance use treatment to patients via computer technology with the physician or other clinician in a remote location.

This program is in two phases, said Theresa Alvaro, behavioral health administrator, in a Friday interview. We will start at one location in primary care and also at the adult outpatient clinic in the hospital.

The technology is very sophisticated, said Alvaro.

The way it works, a patient can be logged into a specially-designed computer, equipped with a camera at a primary care location, and the clinician can be at another location, much like Skype video conferencing. And the two can see each other and discuss issues and concerns, the same way an in-person encounter would occur.

Behavioral health is responding to the need, said Tracy Mills, vice president of planning at the hospital.

Administrators are currently in discussions with three technology vendors to select the best technology provider. Mills said they plan to make a decision soon.

In early October, there will be an open house in Cambridge and clinicians will be at the location to talk with patients, let them see how telepsychiatry works and answer questions.

In early spring, Mills said they plan to expand beyond the pilot to other locations.

Additionally, to further meet the communitys need for mental health services, they are starting construction at the hospital in Glens Falls for a behavioral health crisis stabilization unit.

We are in the process of hiring staff, said Alvaro.

This unit will be part of the Emergency Department and is dedicated to crisis mental health and substance use needs of patients.

We are transforming the space that was the express care patient area, Alvaro said, adding that the express care will move to another location in the ED.

All staff hired for the crisis unit are trained mental health and substance abuse care professionals.

Part of the funding for telepsychiatry and the crisis stabilization unit came from two  $500,000 each  Adirondack Health Institute grants, part from New York State Department of Health Clinical Research Investigator Program dollars and part from other hospital funds.

For the crisis center, $500,000 from the AHI grant supports staffing and equipment and a $1.5 million grant from CRIP funds supports capital construction costs, Mills said.

As staffing continues, the crisis stabilization unit will have patient navigators  assisting patients throughout and after their care  as a comprehensive way of offering care, Mills said.

We want to make sure additional issues are addressed before they leave, she said.
The Christmas Eve 2013 killing of a Lake Luzerne woman was the focus of a syndicated television crime show that aired this week.

Crime Watch Daily did a seven-minute report on the killing of Patricia Burns by her estranged husband, Clifford Burns. It focused on the video interrogation that showed Clifford Burns ranting and raving for hours.

The report also included interviews with Warren County Sheriff Bud York and Undersheriff Shawn Lamouree, and with two of the Burns daughters.

In our area, the show airs on WCWN, Channel 15 on Spectrum Cable. It can also be viewed on Crime Watch Dailys website.

 Don Lehman

Drug Experts

Two local sheriffs officers were among 22 police officers who completed training to become drug recognition experts to ferret out drug-impaired drivers.

Washington County sheriffs Officer Jason Diamond and Essex County sheriffs Officer Robert Budwick completed state training that includes nearly 100 hours of instruction.

The training is sponsored by the Governors Traffic Safety Committee, and allows officers to observe and document signs and indicators of impairment with each of the seven drug categories, including illicit and prescription drugs, the committee said in a news release.

There are now 262 certified drug recognition expert police officers in New York state.

 Don Lehman

Grants from FEMA

Two local fire departments have received grants from FEMAs Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

Granville will received $47,493 to upgrade Engine Rescue 282 with rescue struts, airbags, plastic cribbing and an air chisel.

Chief Ryan Pedone said he appreciated the work of Michael Zinn, who wrote the grant.

Glens Falls Fire Department received $17,077, which Fire Chief James Schrammel said will be used to allow the department to test the fit of the masks on its breathing gear in-house.

The AFG Program was created to enhance the ability of first responders to protect the health and safety of the public from fire and related hazards.

 Bill Toscano

Learning about Northup

SUNY Adirondacks Continuing Education division will be offering a seminar on the life of Solomon Northup, the subject of the book and movie Twelve Years a Slave.

Northup was a free black man kidnapped from Saratoga Springs in 1841 and sold into slavery. Northup wrote the book following his release in 1853.

The movie, released in 2014, won an Oscar for Best Picture.

Local author David Fiske, an expert on Solomon Northup, will be leading the class. Fiske co-wrote the book, Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave, and wrote Solomon Northups Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War.

Although Northup lived in Saratoga at the time he was lured into slavery, he had lived in Fort Edward.

Local sites that figured in Northups life will be highlighted in the class, which is part of the colleges Never Stop Learning series. The seminar will be presented on the morning of October 17. The cost is $15.

For registration information, call 518-743-2238, or go to www.sunyacc.edu/continuing-ed.

 Will Doolittle

Habitat sale

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties will hold a preview sale at its ReStore warehouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The store will sell used appliances, furniture, cabinets, lighting, building materials and household goods. Proceeds go to Habitats building projects.

The warehouse is at 588 Queensbury Ave., immediately behind the SPCA.

The ReStore itself, which will open in the near future, will be at 1373 US Route 9 in Fort Edward.

For more information, go to www.glensfallshabitat.org/ReStore.

 Bill Toscano
COLLECTIVE MADNESS



Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."
The Burke County prosecutor reached a pretrial diversion agreement this week with a western North Dakota man charged in a rare voter fraud case.

Dale Monte Larsen was charged with voter fraud, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly voting in Burke and Ward counties during the 2016 election. Secretary of State Al Jaeger said it may be the first such case to be prosecuted since the 2000 election.

The diversion agreement, approved by District Judge Douglas Mattson Tuesday, Sept. 12, calls for Larsens prosecution to be suspended for six months as long as he doesnt commit a crime or infraction and follows through with neuropsychological testing. Burke County States Attorney Amber Fiesel said if those conditions are met, the case will be dismissed. She declined to comment on the rationale behind the neuropsychological testing condition.

The agreement notes there is substantial likelihood that a conviction could be obtained, but the benefits to society from rehabilitation outweigh any harm to society from suspending criminal prosecution.

Larsen, whose address is listed as Stanley, didnt have an attorney listed in court records. A man who answered the phone at a number posted online as Larsens declined to comment.

Larsen told a Burke County deputy sheriff that he started filling out paperwork in Bowbells, the Burke County seat, quite a bit before the election but it took too long and he left, according to the deputy sheriffs affidavit. He didnt turn in a ballot and didnt vote twice, he told Deputy Sheriff Samuel Mueller.

But information from auditors in Ward and Burke counties showed Larsen was allowed to vote in Burke County by absentee ballot and voted in person in Kenmare, which is in Ward County, according to Muellers affidavit.

Larsens case was highlighted by a letter Jaeger sent to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, a controversial commission created by President Donald Trump. Critics have argued its based on a false premise of widespread voter fraud.

North Dakota officials were unable to provide the commission with voter information it requested due in part to a state law that prevents information maintained in the Central Voter File from being shared except with certain individuals and groups and for a specific limited purpose, Jaeger, a Republican, told the commission earlier this month.

Jaeger said the state knows of at least two probable cases of double voting in the 2016 election. The other instance involved a person casting an absentee ballot in North Dakota and voting in person in Idaho, but the state was told that because there was no evidence of conspiracy, this individual would not be prosecuted.

There were nine suspected instances of double voting in the 2012 general election, Jaeger said, prompting the Legislature to amend voter ID requirements in 2013. Those changes, along with others made two years later, were challenged successfully in federal court.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Home Regional News East
The men and women in blue, who rescue and calm any soul in trouble, are to be given personal thanks for their service in a special Blue Mass.

It is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and is for all fire, police, emergency medical services and other First Responders in Clinton County. It's in DeWitt because of the city's central location, organizers said.

The event is to say "thank you" to the Good Samaritans among us, said Dave Schumacher, of the Knights of Columbus in DeWitt.

Bishop Thomas Zinkula of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport leads the service at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. But organizers describe it as ecumenical in nature.

"There is danger involved in their work, and risk," Zinkula said. "We will pray for their safety."

The bishop pointed out that a Mass, or religious service, is often a celebration of life, as in the case of the Blue Mass.

It is named a Blue Mass because of the color of the uniforms worn by most First Responders.

"The timing is as close to Sept. 11 as we can get it," Schumaker said, describing the service and reception following as a special way to honor the First Responders.

Participants are encouraged to wear their uniforms but there's no requirement to do so.

There will be light refreshments following the service, and time to talk to the First Responders. "The idea is to express gratitude for what they do for us," Schumacher said

According to the website for the nation's 9/11 memorial, names of all who died in New York City attacks occurring in 1993 and 2001 are inscribed on brass panels and around two Memorial pools, located in the footprint of the former Twin Towers.

This is "a powerful reminder of the largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil and the greatest single loss of rescue personnel in American history," the website reads.

The first Blue Mass in 2016 was well-attended, Schumacher said, "but there is room for more."

The event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus organizations in DeWitt, Clinton, Camanche, Grand Mound, Lost Nation, Toronto and Oxford Junction.

The public is invited to attend.
Sanitation crews continue to clean up the westbound lanes of the Interstate 80 Bridge where a semitrailer carrying a load of animal byproducts lost its load at 12:20 p.m. Friday.

Illinois State Police spokesman Jason Wilson said the passing lane is now open and traffic can proceed slowly.

However, the right hand driving lane will not be open until around midnight.

The semitrailer was crossing the bridge into Iowa when it lost its load causing both lanes of traffic to be closed. Traffic was rerouted to Illinois 84 at Hampton and then to Interstate 74 and Interstate 280.

The incident caused an unusually amount of afternoon and rush-hour traffic in the Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf and Davenport areas. Commutes were considerably slowed as the extra traffic worked its way through the Quad-City metropolitan area.

No one was injured in the incident.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and the Rock Island County Sheriffs Department are assisting at the scene.
On Iowa Politics discussed Rep. Steve King's Twitter spat with President Donald Trump, the end of the congressional recess, and the appointment of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey to a position with the USDA.

On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast which re-creates the conversations that happen when Iowa's political reporters get together after deadlines have been met. This week's show features James Lynch, Todd Dorman, Erin Murphy, and Bret Hayworth.

This week's show was produced by Max Freund and the music heard in the podcast is courtesy of Porch Builder. Find us at qctimes.com, chat with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @OnIowaPolitics and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher. Know an Iowa musician who should be on our show? Send their band sound files to oniowapolitics@gmail.com.
DES MOINES  When Iowa lawmakers passed a massive commercial property tax cut in 2013, they promised to backfill city and county coffers to partially compensate for the loss of revenue used to pay for roads, police and fire, libraries and other public needs.

But the states lackluster tax revenue growth may cause legislators next session to consider altering or phasing out a $152 million yearly commitment to help local governments absorb the tax cut  a move that likely would elicit protests from communities where economic growth already is lagging.

A lot of counties are starting to have concerns: Will that always be around?, said Lucas Beenken, public policy specialist for the Iowa State Association of Counties. Were trying to remind our legislators that was their buy-in.

Cities and counties protected the backfill last session with last-minute pleas to lawmakers and then-Gov. Terry Branstad, who advocated for it in the first place. But now that Branstad has left state government to become ambassador to China, some legislators say the tax replacement to cities and counties is fair game to reconsider.

For fiscal year 2019 and going forward, I think thats an open conversation that we ought to have with cities, said Sen. Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines. If we do start paring back the backfill at all, then I think the best way to do that would be to work with the cities to make sure that were not doing so in a manner that would require them to peel back any critical services.

The Senate Appropriations Committee chairman said he would not consider any backfill changes for fiscal 2018, which started July 1.

Record tax cut

Branstad and lawmakers bragged about Senate File 295 as the largest tax cut in Iowa history, projected to provide $4.4 billion in property tax relief over 10 years as well as $90 million a year in income tax savings.

The bill attempts to achieve that relief by providing a 10 percent rollback on commercial property tax rates over two years and a tax credit for commercial property owners. It also created a new class of property  multiresidential  that eventually would whittle by half taxes on apartment buildings.

Initial data from the state Department of Management indicates commercial property taxes assessed and paid since the laws enactment have gone down 12 percent as a statewide aggregate, from $1.285 billion for taxes payable in 2013-14 to $1.125 billion for taxes payable in 2016-17.

However, taxes payable for industrial, residential and agricultural property all have gradually increased over that same period.

The new multiresidential property class resulted in tax payments topping $155 million for the 2016-17 fiscal period.

State budget experts say its too early and property taxes are too complicated to say definitively whether the record tax cut is working to lower taxes or if it will generate economic growth as its architects claimed in 2013.

Property taxes are the product of rate shifts, fluctuations in housing cycles and new construction, and varying economic activities and property valuations, among other things.

Good luck untangling that, said Ted Nellesen, who tracks property tax numbers involving cities, counties, school districts, community colleges and special taxing districts for the state Management Department.

Varied effects

Several provisions of Senate File 295 are being phased in gradually, with the full impact of at least one provision not felt until 2022. Cities and counties with different mixes of property classes  including agricultural, residential, commercial and multiresidential and industrial  will feel the break differently.

In Iowa City, for example, nearly 10 percent of the citys $3.5 billion total taxable value for 2016 came from multiresidential properties, a new property tax class created by the sweeping 2013 legislation. This is nearly four times the 2.5 percent multiresidential properties made up of statewide taxable valuation in 2016.

This mix isnt surprising given the large number of apartments in Iowa City for housing University of Iowa students.

The multiresidential class, which includes apartments, mobile home parks and assisted-living centers, was carved out of commercial  previously taxed at its full assessed value  and given a progressively larger rollback each year until 2022. That year and onward, multiresidential units will be taxed at the same rate as residential property, which was about 57 percent in 2016.

Iowa Citys multiresidential properties brought in about $13.4 million in taxes in 2016 to be divvied up among government and school entities to pay for public services. The same list of properties would have brought in $16.2 million if the rollbacks had not been enacted. That $2.8 million gap in 2016 grew to $3.9 million in 2017 and is expected to increase again because the backfill is capped at fiscal 2017 levels.

The difference between what they were going to get and what they will get is widening every year, Nellesen said. As they grow, their services get stretched thinner and thinner in new areas. When revenues dont grow with value, youd will see a reduction in services.

Impact on Localities

The Iowa League of Cities estimates Iowa cities will lose $37.3 million in commercial property taxes this year, with the backfill covering $34.6 million of it. But that difference of less than $3 million for Iowa cities this year will become $15 million by fiscal 2024, League projections show.

If that backfill goes away, counties and cities would be nowhere near being whole, League Executive Director Alan Kemp said.

In theory, cities and counties could increase the tax levy rate to bring in more revenue. But most are already at the maximum rate allowed by the state.

Ninety-four of 99 Iowa counties, including Linn and Johnson, are charging the maximum general service levy of $3.50 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value, the Management Department reports. With special exceptions, counties can exceed the $3.50 and 26 counties are doing that for this year, with the highest rates in counties on Iowas southern border. Decatur County has the highest rate at $7.50 per $1,000.

Of Iowas 943 cities, 808 are at their maximum general fund levy rate of $8.10. Cities can add an emergency levy of up to 27 cents per $1,000, and 367 cities are using that to the full extent for fiscal 2018.

City and county officials who dont want to cut public services will need to make up the difference somewhere.

I do believe residential property owners will have a higher tax burden because of it, Johnson County Assessor Tom Van Buer said.

Backfill at risk

Because Iowas tax revenues have been lower than expected, the states fiscal 2017 budget may have finished at least $50 million short. This is after lawmakers already made nearly $118 million in cuts and transfers last year and borrowed $131 million from state reserves.

This shaky budget picture makes it hard for Gov. Kim Reynolds and the GOP-controlled Legislature to lobby for income tax cuts  a cherished priority.

Reynolds said, as a former county treasurer who came from local government, she wants to honor the backfill commitment in the near term because local governments build their budgets on the expectation the money will be there.

But she added, we cant be afraid of putting everything on the table as we move forward in making comprehensive overhauls that make Iowas tax structure more competitive.

Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, said the variability of communities and their economic situations makes it difficult to deal with the backfill issue on a statewide basis, given it likely would hurt areas with declining growth disproportionately and could actually result in higher taxes for some Iowa property owners.

I think buyer beware that if we want to hold property taxes down, is cutting that backfill the wisest thing to do? Because there could be a direct effect of seeing increased property taxes in some communities, said Feenstra, who is chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Time likely isnt on the side of backfill proponents, Feenstra noted. The farther away from 2013 policymakers get, fewer will feel beholden to the commitment.

Rep. David Jacoby, D-Coralville, ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and an outspoken critic of the 2013 tax legislation, said proponents promised that in three years growth would far offset the revenue reduction and that obviously has not happened.

Looking at his own situation, Jacoby said his small business leases its building so the relief he experienced equated to a pizza and a beer. He said he has not heard from other business owners that their property tax reduction caused them to expand operations or hire more.

The Coralville Democrat also noted the backfill is being funded primarily by Iowans paying state income or sales taxes  and therefore should be part of a bigger discussion of revamping and simplifying Iowas property tax system by decoupling property tax classes while gradually rolling back rates and examining valuations.

Just like other tax credits, Jacoby said, we need a simple review of that bill and say if it aint working, lets not continue to do it.
GRAND FORKS -- A Grand Forks man who intends to plead guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old more than two years ago faces 12 years in prison.

David Allen Willings, 52, signed a plea agreement Friday that was filed in Grand Forks District Court. He faced life in prison for gross sexual imposition, a Class AA felony charge, after the victim reported multiple instances of sexual assault by Willings.

He was scheduled to go to trial Sept. 26, but the plea deal canceled that hearing. The charge will be downgraded to a Class A felony, and he will be sentenced to 20 years in prison with eight years suspended if a judge accepts the plea deal as written.

Willings was arrested in late January 2016 after police confronted him about allegations he sexually assaulted the then-12-year-old victim once at his Grand Forks home and multiple times in Otter Tail County in west-central Minnesota.

The girl also said Willings texted her nasty, sexual things, according to charging documents. Police obtained a record of text messages from the victims phone, with almost 60 messages linked to Willings, according to charging documents in Otter Tail County.

That resulted in a Class B felony charge of luring minors by computer in Grand Forks, but the plea deal would dismiss that charge.

Willings initially denied abusing the girl, whom he knew, but admitted to texting her, according to court documents.

Willings must register as a sex offender if the plea deal is accepted. An presentencing investigation will determine what level hell be designated.

An hour-long sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 8.

Willings also faces two counts of criminal sexual conduct -- one first-degree and one second-degree charge -- in Otter Tail County. That case was filed almost a month after the Grand Forks charges. Hes scheduled to go to trial later this month.

The most severe charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison while the other charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
We commend Quad-City American Red Cross and Air National Guard personnel that have helped in the Hurricane Harvey relief effort. Here's another feather in the QCA's hurricane relief cap:

Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activated our QCA based 41st Iowa Composite Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron. We sent an all-volunteer air emergency response team to help the Houston, Texas relief effort using our Davenport Municipal Airport based CAP / U.S. Air Force aircraft. After almost 40 hours in the air, 300 gallons of fuel, and 16,000 precision, high-resolution GPS enabled aerial photographs of hurricane damaged neighborhoods, farms and public infrastructure later- our air crew returned home.

Our QCA-based teams and other CAP support teams on the ground near Houston took personal time off from work to render this entirely unpaid community/national service, in addition to all their time donated in training, earning qualifications and related preparedness, similar to highly trained reserve forces or volunteer firefighters.

It has been CAP's honor to provide all volunteer emergency services teams and cadet/youth leadership/aerospace education programs these many decades. While it will only cost you money, no matter your age you'll get more than money can buy in return if you want to join or support us. First hurricane Harvey, and now Irma in Florida: We could use your help.

Harry G. Coin

Bettendorf

Editors note: Coin is spokesman, 41st Iowa Composite Squadron, CAP officer
If you are a white person in America your ancestors were immigrants to this country. Black Hawk, the war leader of the Sauk American Indian tribe in this area in the early 19th century is portrayed in his autobiography as bewildered by the clash of cultures, merely trying to preserve his peoples way of life.

I think some of our own fear about immigrants in this country is our projecting onto people and cultures we do not know, and our guilt about our history of deception, deportation, and violence toward Native Americans.

We assume because we did not act cooperatively, others who come to our shores will not act cooperatively. American mid-19th century poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said "People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character."

I believe diversity is strength. We advance as a society when we collaborate. Many of our advances have come from immigrants. We become stronger when we are more diverse. We should not fear diversity, we should embrace it.

There is a better way, a way of building bridges, a way of inclusion, a way of compassionate action. Undocumented children who came to this country are no different than my grandfather who came to this country as a child. His family had hopes and dreams of a better life, and America provided that for our family. We should do the same for the DACA dreamers.

Rev. Jay Wolin

Davenport

Editors note: Wolin is minister, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad-Cities
Americans shouldn't be overly patriotic and should avoid military service if possible. Military devotion might be all for nothing and comes with risks. Since the beginning of the 21st century, tens of thousands of soldiers have been kicked out of the military for misconduct.

When the youth sign up to fight the enemy, they will be under the government's microscope. Superiors in the military evaluate a soldier's every move every day. If a superior in the army does not like the soldier's performance, they may be mentally evaluated and sent away to confinement in an institution and forced to take medication for life. If you cherish your freedom, you might just want to wait for a draft.
Family Resources provides services to survivors of violent crimes, including sexual abuse. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (www.nsvrc.org), One in five women will be a victim of completed or attempted sexual assault while in college and one in 16 men will be a victim of sexual assault during college.

Title IX states No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

In 2011, a Dear Colleague letter, released by the Office for Civil Rights required schools to make significant improvements in their response to sexual abuse and dating violence. The Department of Education recently announced their intention to rescind this letter, rolling back Title IX guidance to address campus sexual assault.

Family Resources Safe Path Survivor Resources employs campus advocates in Illinois and Iowa. These advocates are a resource to our local schools and universities and assist with understanding the law and ensuring compliance. Advocates are available to assist survivors of sexual assault.

We look forward to continuing our partnerships with schools and efforts to strengthen those partnerships. Family Resources is dedicated to upholding Title IX and the Dear Colleague letter. We promise to stand with survivors to ensure the safety of all students.

Mary Macumber Schmidt

Bettendorf

Editors note: Macumber Schmidt is president, Family Resources, Inc.
The twenty-eighth Annual Alzada Cowboy Poetry, Music and Art Show will be held on Sunday, October 1st at the Alzada Community Hall in Alzada, Mont. The theme for the 2017 annual show is Remembering the Old West.

Five people will be featured at the event and organizers expect over 50 other performers and artists to participate. The honored poets are Rhonda Stearns, Newcastle, WY and Hap Stuart, Sundance, WY. The special artist to be showcased is Devin Hodges, Hulett, WY. Musicians to be featured are Annie Brimmer, MT and Bob and Chance Dennis, Red Owl, SD.

Organizers of the show are excited each year to see the new and interesting art and performances. The features include Miss Hodges who is a high school senior and the Dennis duo which include father, Bob who came to the very first Alzada Show in 1989 as a young man and his son, Chance who has come to the show as a youngster and is now a father himself. Chance has not performed at the show but promises other special surprises at this years show. Other features are long time favorites at the annual show.

The building opens at 10 a.m. for viewing of the artwork. The free program of poetry and music begins at 1 PM and traditionally continues until about 5 p.m. The Alzada Club along with help from many community members will serve lunch all day with the proceeds used for yearly expenses and maintenance. Door prizes will be given.

An additional bonus of the show is many friendships which have been formed in a four state area among the performers, artists, audience and the Alzada community members. It has been likened to a huge family reunion since traditionally about 200 people attend each year. Children have grown up attending the event and now bring their own children to enjoy the show. Senior citizens especially enjoy sharing the day each year.

When the Alzada Community Club decided to celebrate the Montana Centennial in 1989, they hoped the show would help to provide the funds to rewire the Alzada Community Hall. Over the years, the show has helped facilitate the building of a smaller meeting room and kitchen and refurbish that building several years ago. Siding and new windows have been added to the hall build in 1929. A new heating system has been installed in the main building replacing the old one which was over 40 years old.

Anyone interested in performing or showing artwork are asked to contact Gay Arpan, (406) 828-4517, email kgarpan@rangeweb.net or Chris Maupin (307-467-5260), email cmaupin@rtconnect.net.

Each poet, musician or musical group may do two selections. Artwork may include paintings in any medium, photographs, leatherwork, sculptures, needlework, quilts, woodwork or other art projects. Each artist may bring three items to display.
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. | The 28th Bomb Wing command chief hosted Backbone University at the Individual Deployment Readiness Center Sept. 5-6, 2017.

The course is designed to empower noncommissioned officers, the backbone of the enlisted corps, to train Airmen to continue the Air Force legacy.

Backbone University is geared toward Gen. Goldfeins number two priority, which is joint leader development, said Chief Master Sgt. Adam Vizi, the 28th Bomb Wing command chief. This course is extremely important because developing our people at every level is vital to the success of the mission.

The course teaches NCOs about joint operations, how to lead the new generation of Airmen, how the Air Force differs from the other branches of service, and how Airmen can work in a joint environment.

The course helps us focus on what is actually needed in the Air Force, said Staff Sgt. Ashlei Philson, the NCO in charge of assessments and training at the Equal Opportunity Office, assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing. I think it will assist NCOs such as myself transition into a time where we are more concerned with joint operations.

The course started with welcoming remarks from Vizi, about why he wanted to bring this course to Ellsworth from Korea. He also offered his perspective on the value of the course and the benefits to NCOs.

This class helps us understand the roles and responsibilities in the Air Force - the development of Airmen, said Philson. NCOs wear several hats and are required to balance their time between people and the mission.

The 45 students broke up in to four small groups where first sergeants facilitated discussions. The groups talked about NCOs everyday life in their units, how they deal with issues in the areas they are responsible for, and how to work with other branches in the Department of Defense.

At the end of the course, Vizi gave closing comments highlighted the students performance in the two day course, and how they were acclimating to a changing Air Force.

This is an opportunity to get back to the basics and reinforce the NCO tier, said Master Sgt. Matt Keefer, the wing intelligence flight chief, assigned to the 28th Operations Support Squadron. We are also ensuring we are doing the best to provide for and develop our Airmen.
Heroes' Acre looms on a hill overlooking Windhoek, Namibia's tidy capital.

Under a brilliant blue sky, a series of granite steps slope upwards in a wedge toward a triumphant bronze statue of an unknown soldier.

In one hand the liberation-struggle soldier carries a Kalashnikov rifle. In the other, he's throwing what looks like a Soviet-era stick grenade.

The communist-style design is no coincidence. Heroes' Acre was built by a North Korean firm.

Across Africa from here to Gaborone, from Luanda to Dakar, governments have been quietly doing deals with the North Korean state for years.

And as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marches ever-closer to arming an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead, United States and United Nations investigators are looking a lot more closely at Pyongyang's African connection.

The UN says many of the contracts are with Mansudae, a North Korean state-owned enterprise and a cash cow for the rogue regime.

"This money is highly significant," said Hugh Griffiths, the coordinator of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea, the body charged with monitoring sanctions enforcement on the country.

"We are looking at at least 14 African (UN) member states where Mansudae alone was running quite large construction operations -- building everything from ammunition factories, to presidential palaces, to apartment blocks."

Frequently, the contracts involve monuments like Heroes' Acre.

All in

The statues can be gargantuan -- the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar is nearly 40 meters high (160 feet). They commemorate liberation heroes and independence movements and resemble the statues of Kim Il Sung or Kim Jong Il, North Korea's previous two leaders and the grandfather and father of Kim Jong Un.

Griffiths says tens of millions of dollars are being made by Mansudae in Africa.

"North Koreans can make a little money go a long way," said Griffiths.

Multiple attempts by CNN to reach Mansudae in Namibia through phone numbers listed by US Treasury sanctions were unsuccessful. A representative of the North Korean Embassy in South Africa, which has allegedly acted as a transit point for illicit cash in the region, refused to respond to questions about Mansudae.

Namibia, for its part, went all in with North Korea.

There's the statue of Sam Nujoma, Namibia's founding father, holding the constitution in front of the gold-tinted National Museum (known as the "percolator" by some locals for its unusual shape), and the recently constructed presidential palace with a giant brass marshal eagle on a pedestal out front.

All were built on contracts with the rogue regime.

The Namibian government admits they had contracts, but said they did nothing wrong.

"All of these were agreed before the sanctions by the UN. But when the sanctions were imposed we had to comply and then we had to cease all the contracts, we had to terminate the contracts we had with North Korea," Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told CNN.

Left in a hurry

Mansudae's statue business was put under United Nations Security Council sanctions in late 2016.

The UN panel says that the North Korean enterprise worked closely in Namibia with another entity called the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID), which the US Treasury Department describes as North Korea's chief arms dealer. KOMID has been sanctioned since 2009.

Just outside Windhoek's picturesque downtown in an industrial area near Namibia's largest brewery sits a sprawling warehouse complex guarded by closed circuit television cameras and high fencing.

With garish lions standing guard at the gate and animal scenes painted on the front wall, it could easily be mistaken for a tourist company.

But CNN's review of title deeds show that the property was sold in 2004 to Mansudae for around 1.6 million Namibian dollars (about $120,000) and the North Korean company still owns it.

And it seems Mansudae's headquarters was active until just weeks ago.

Johann Karstens, the manager of a nearby tire manufacturer, told CNN he would come most mornings to see what was going on with his unusual neighbors.

"There were only men in the compound living and working," he said.

"They were moving their big construction trucks quickly in and out, but never hung around outside."

From the tire shop on a hill above the Mansudae's property, one can see a sprawling complex of warehouses, vegetable gardens and greenhouses. In the garden, a scarecrow is raised on a post wearing the gray-blue uniform typical of North Korean workers.

But there isn't any sign of the North Koreans.

"Two or three weeks ago I saw the last ones leave in a pickup," Karstens said when we spoke to him in early October.

Mauritz van Niekerk, a neighbor to the other side of the compound, corroborated that timeline. And she noted something else.

"I would often see government vehicles going in and out," she said, adding they had special government license plates well known to Namibians.

Plausible deniability?

For countries like Namibia, likely to receive at least $60 million in aid, the North Korean connections are particularly awkward.

"We know that the activities that have been taking place in activities in which the Koreans are involved could not really be considered to be generating such a heavy amount (of money)," Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah insists that Namibia has ceased all North Korean operations and all North Korean construction workers have left the country, in accordance with UN sanctions.

Last year, the Namibian government-owned newspaper New Era reported that Namibian officials had met with UN counterparts in New York and had been exonerated.

Nandi-Ndaitwah says that is a misunderstanding.

"We continue to give our reports," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

But Griffiths, the UN coordinator, disputes this. He says the UN panel hasn't received responses from Namibia to specific queries for more than a year.

"It is not enough to talk in the media. It is not enough to say you have been exonerated by the UN for North Korean sanctions violations because that is not true. The panel deals with hard facts -- with evidence -- and this is what we have been asking for many months now," said Griffiths.

Of the other African countries named in UN sanctions reports, other than Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania and Angola have yet to reply to inquiries, according to the panel's annual report, which came out in February.

But without an enforcement branch, the UN panel sometimes struggles to get answers from member states across the globe.

"It's a function of not being forthright and dragging your feet. All of those things give the opportunity for those types of governments to use plausible deniability," said John Park, director of the Korean Working Group at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

Clear violations

Monuments and statues may be the most vivid of North Korea's cash-earning enterprises on the African continent, but the relationship isn't just aesthetic.

About a 40-minute drive south of Windhoek along a pristine asphalt road flanked by semi-desert scrub, just behind a series of hills, is a nondescript turnoff.

This is the dirt road to Oamites, an old copper and silver mine that was converted into a military instillation.

According to the UN panel, Namibia contracted North Korean workers and state companies to construct a munitions factory here -- a clear violation of UN sanctions dating back nearly a decade.

Griffiths said that his predecessor traveled to Windhoek in 2013 and was told that Namibia was complying with all UN resolutions.

"In fact, at the time there was a large group of Korean workers building a munitions factory in direct violation of the resolutions. So they were being untruthful," he says.

Namibia announced that they stopped construction in June 2016.

But the panel has not received confirmation from Namibia of the closure or proof that the workers have left. Namibia's deputy prime minister claimed that all of the workers have left, but would not specify when.

"Because as a member state we have to comply. And so we complied," said Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Namibia is hardly alone when it comes to employing North Koreans to build weapons.

In the most recent UN panel report, which came out in September, investigators say that Mozambique and Tanzania are accused of contracting North Koreans to refurbish surface to air missile systems.

After multiple attempts, Mozambican officials couldn't be reached to comment on the allegations.

Hassan Abbas, a Tanzanian government spokesman, denied the allegations.

"Yes, we had some kind of relationship with North Korea in the past, but when sanctions came into effect we broke off all ties with North Korea," he said.

Uganda's military spokesman readily admitted that they had military contracts with North Koreans, but said they have been terminated.

"The last North Koreans left in September. They were training our forces in martial arts and supporting us to upgrade our military capability," said Brig. Richard Karemire, a spokesman for the Ugandan Army. "Inform the whole world that Uganda is in full compliance."

Historic ties

North Korea's relationship with Africa was forged with more than just bronze and bullets.

Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founding father, saw himself as a true leader of the global communist cause. And in the 1960s, Africa was fertile ground.

"Kim Il Sung used to pride himself on being the man who was out helping revolutions everywhere," said Rodger Baker, vice president at geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor.

To foster these movements, the North Koreans provided money, weapons and military expertise.

The Kim legacy in Africa continued with Kim Pyong Il -- Kim Jong Il's half-brother and onetime rival to succeed their father -- who, as a military officer, was a prolific arms dealer in Africa, according to Park, of Harvard's Kennedy School.

"The North Korean military role in Africa has very close ties to the Kim family itself," said Park. "These are strong legacy issues that create this connective tissue."

And the Namibia government likes to make those historic connections clear as well.

"Namibia had a long history of collaboration with North Korea. At the time of our independence, North Korea was among countries that have supported our struggle," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

But times change. As the Soviet Union began to crumble, North Korea lost a key supporter and financier. That's when Pyongyang began to call upon its embassies abroad to step up their business operations, according to Baker.

African connections became less ideological and more transactional. They needed money.

"The stuff that we really think of today, particularly statues and infrastructure development, things like that, really are the last 10 or 20 years. They're very much post-Cold War elements of the relationship," Baker said.

When it comes to unsavory dealings like weapons sales, North Korea can fill a void for regimes that the US, China or Europe won't deal with, Baker said.

"There's always places for the North Koreans to move and play outside of the places the US can really hit heavy with sanctions," he said.

Pressure mounting

Recent research show North Korea is pushing hard at frontier markets for desperately needed cash as China appears to get more serious about enforcing UN sanctions.

But the pressure is mounting.

With Kim Jong Un marching steadily toward a nuclear tipped ICBM, the US, Japan, South Korea and others are increasingly trying to squeeze North Korea wherever they operate.

Japan has recently frozen Namibia's assets for continuing to do business with North Korea.

"It is self-evident. Stop the money and you will slow the programs," Griffiths said.

There are circumstantial signs that that is happening. In Windhoek, the vast construction site of the new Ministry of Defense headquarters, built by North Koreans, is standing idle. The Mansudae industrial headquarters CNN visited outside Windhoek is also quiet.

But Griffiths cites Tanzania as a cautionary tale, a place where programs slowed, only to start up again. And the UN and the US Treasury Department say Chinese companies have been known to take over projects only to subcontract them to the North Koreans. China has long maintained that they fully comply with all UN sanctions resolutions.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia's deputy prime minister said Namibia has invited the UN panel to come to investigate, but Griffiths and the UN panel want written proof and documentation from implicated countries in Africa, including Namibia.

Otherwise, Griffiths says, the money could still be flowing to Kim Jong Un's regime.

"The panel has visited Namibia before and as they say, 'once fooled, twice shy.' We are not going back for some tourist visit. We need to see the evidence," he said.

CNN's Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report
Periodically throughout their history, California farmworkers have fought vigorously, sometimes in small, local battles unknown to anyone but the immediate participants, and at other times in large campaignsdirected by radical or even openly revolutionary leadersthat have lasted for several seasons. The nature of these fights is rooted in the special character of agricultural production and in the real opportunities that farmworkers have encountered in the fields for nearly a hundred years. Frank Bardacke, Trampling Out the Vintage: Cesar Chavez and the Two Souls of the United Farm Workers (Verso, 2011)

The special character of agricultural production Bardacke refers to above includes the short-lived harvest period, as it is only during this precious time of year that a commodity is produced (although various kinds of work on the land are performed throughout the year), thus leaving the commercial farmer vulnerable to interruptions or delays. Another conspicuous vulnerability arises from the dependence on migratory workers, the demand for labor varying greatly throughout the year. Hence, Bardacke informs us,

Time is often on the workers side, and they have not hesitated to seize it. Brief harvest walkouts, sit-downs, slow-downs, and stay-at-homes are part of farmworker tradition, weapons used much more regularly by agricultural workers than by industrial workers.

Before the Depression-era upheaval that led to various forms of worker militancy, both spontaneous and organized, there were several years of militant farmworker action [and] significant wage gains that presaged patterns of future farmworker struggles. Unfortunately, these early battles did not result in a lasting union for those who labored on the land. Again, Bardacke:

Between 1914 and 1917, in a period of overall labor scarcity, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), at times in tandem with the Partido Liberal Mexicano (PLM) [organized by Ricardo Flores Magon and later led by both Ricardo and his youngest brother, Enrique], led a series of walkouts in the California fields, orchard, and vineyards that pushed up wages, forced labor-camp managers to provide better food, and prompted the state of California to build an extensive series of new labor camps, which improved the lives of many migrants. A harvest-time strike in the hops in 1914 doubled piece-rate wages, and by 1917, the average wage of California farmworkers had risen to nearly 90 percent of the average wage of Californias city workers.

Ricardo Flores Magon had been a leader of university student protests in Mexico City in the 1890s and as early as 1904, the Magonistas (largely anarchist in political ideology) who found sanctuary in the U.S., began to send emissariesrevolutionary culture brokersinto the mining camps of the Mexican north and into the agrarian villages as far south as Veracruz and Oaxaca. And for this and other reasons, Flores Magon is celebrated in Mexican secondary school textbooks as a precursor of the [Mexican] Revolution.

In California, Flores Magon and a small band of comrades whose interest was not primarily California farmworkers, continued to publish their weekly newspaper, Regeneracion (in turn smuggled back into Mexico), and for which [Ricardo] wrote political and social commentary. As Bardacke reminds us, Flores Magon and the PLM were nevertheless indirectly active in the agricultural fields of California, as Ricardo and Enrique, together with a substantial number of displaced Mexican revolutionaries,

 set up a series of PLM clubs in the Southwest and California. Those clubs attracted Mexican migrant workers, some of whom began to call themselves Magonistas. The clubs were linked through Regeneracion and several other local, less regular PLM newspapers. Club leaders read the newspaper out loud to assembled groups of workers, who then discussed the situation in Mexico and their own troubles in the United States.

The hub of PLM power was Los Angeles, which was still an agricultural town in 1907 when the Flores Magon brothers settled there, and already was the center of the Mexican community in the United States. The PLMs LA clubhouse became a center of multilingual, multiethnic activity where socialists and Wobblies famous and obscure mixed with Magonistas. Regeneracion, its back page printed in English, built up an LA circulation of 10,000, making it both the first bilingual paper in California and the largest Spanish-language newspaper in town. The PLM club, which was also considered a Spanish-speaking IWW local, had 400 active members, most of who were farmworkers.

Magonistas were soon found throughout Spanish-speaking IWW locals in Southern and Central California. Whatever their cultural and language differences, Wobblies and Magonistas were united in their political ideology and political praxis:

In San Diego in 1910, a joint IWW-PLM local organized a strike at the local gas and electric company that won equal pay for equal work. That same year a fight for free speech that ultimately did much to popularize the IWW among California farmworkers, began in Fresno in the midst of a battle to organize Mexican workers who were being contracted to build a dam on the outskirts of town. In hop fields, vineyards, sugar refineries, and citrus orchards, many farmworker walkouts were joint Wobbly-Magonista efforts.

Our short story ends on a tragic note, for [i]n 1918, Ricardo Flores Magon, along with other PLM and IWW leaders, was convicted of violating the Espionage Act  for obstructing the war effort. Ricardo died on November 21, 1922 at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas. Alas, and for motley reasons, one of the foremost being the appeal of communism and the rise of Communist parties following the Russian Revolution, the IWW and PLM did not formally survive World War I. All the same,
DARBY Trustees with the West Fork Volunteer Fire District sent a strongly worded letter to Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton after the Nelson Creek fire, saying firefighters and quick response personnel in personal vehicles were denied access to the Fox Lane fire hall at a roadblock.

In spite of the fact that the WFVFD personnel properly identified themselves as WFVFD personnel, were dressed in appropriate wildland fire protective clothing and possessed VHF handheld department radios, they were being denied access to the Fox Land fire hall, the trustees wrote in the letter. This action by Ravalli County Sheriff deputies directly impeded and interfered with WFVFD operations, caused confusion and difficulties, raised the stress levels for WFVFD personnel and was unneccessary.

They added that the interference by the deputies continued for the next several days, and that one deputy in particular was rude to residents and firefighters.

The bigger problem is he doesnt have the authority on who can come and go on the property. Thats the fire chiefs decision, said Trustee Chairman Dick Bonnett. The sheriff cant enforce what he feels is a mandatory evacuation; he told us he was doing it for our safety, but the reality is he isnt qualified to judge that. We train on this all of the time.

Holton called the disagreement unfortunate. He said the movement of people across the evacuation border on Nez Perce road was immediately a concern, and that it was easily remedied by having the firefighters mark the personal vehicles they were trying to get past the roadblock. All fire trucks and emergency vehicles immediately were allowed into the evacuated area.

They did some, but not others, Holton said on Friday. Theres no way, shape or form that we would deny access to the West Fork fire department, but they didnt communicate to us what their needs were at first. They dont carry IDs, and in many cases they dont have fire department license plates.

The statute is pretty clear; its the sheriffs offices responsibility to do evacuations and quite frankly, it would be much easier if the sheriffs office and the fire chief cooperated on that.

The trustees responded that they believe Montana statutes give the authority to the fire chief to decide who can come and go.

The fire chief has the authority to move personnel, equipment and citizen residents back and forth over the road block and boundaries as he determines appropriate with the full cooperation of the Ravalli County and other law enforcement personnel, the trustees stated in the letter.

Bonnett said this was an issue for him personally because he was out until 1 a.m. with a deputy the night before the mandatory evacuations, knocking on doors to let people know that an evacuation warning had been issued. The next morning, after the evacuation warning became an order, friends and relatives who had offered to help him remove some of his belongings from his home werent allowed past the barricade.

Dawn Kubat, the WFVFD secretary and an emergency medical technician, added that some area residents are elderly or handicapped, and need help from volunteers, other area residents, or friends and family members who dont live up the West Fork.

Firefighter Frank Kucera said he heard from residents who were very upset they couldnt return to their homes once they left. He noted that the WFVFD has fewer than 15 members, but when an emergency occurs other agencies and individuals respond with people and equipment including pumps, sprinklers and vehicles.

We get neighbors helping move firewood, cutting limbs that are hanging over houses  theres a number of things people can do, Kucera said.

Holton said hes just trying to ensure public safety and that thieves dont get into an evacuated area. The decision to order evacuations was made in conjunction with the West Fork Fire Chief Gary Kubat and the Type 3 team from the West Fork Ranger District.

You cant evacuate an area and then let everybody come and go as they please, Holton said. When we do evacuations, as long as somebody is over 18 we dont force anyone to leave. If someone stays, we document who is still there, and thats important for a couple of reasons.

He collects contact information, so if the fire danger worsens the people who didnt evacuate can be notified, or deputies can sweep an area one last time. They escort evacuees back home to collect items if conditions are favorable, but controlling access keeps sightseers from putting additional stress on firefighters and deputies.

We facilitated a lot of escorts in and out in the morning, Holton said. This could all have been resolved with a phone call; I gave the West Fork fire chief my private cell phone number Tuesday morning as we set the closure, and at no time did he call it.

We had cooperators meetings at 7 every night to discuss things, and not once did they even call me about road block issues.

Lightning started the Nelson Creek fire Aug. 28 near the Nelson Creek trailhead west of the West Fork Ranger District. About 65 homes were under an evacuation order, which was rescinded Sept. 1.

After a recent meeting, the trustees and sheriff agreed to an uneasy truce, with the West Fork firefighters agreeing to create identification cards and placards for their personal vehicles.

But Kucera, Bonnett and Dawn Kubat said theyre going to pursue this further. They want residents or property owners to be issued pass cards to go in and out of restricted areas, and have the fire chief or his designee answer questions about entering restricted areas.

We left on a congenial basis, but he has to understand this is not going away, Kucera said. My biggest problem was how the deputy was treating residents and we will not stand for that kind of thing.

Holton added that at the end of the day, its not about who is in control but about getting along with each other.

This is one job that takes collaboration and cooperation, Holton said.
Bitterroot College is offering classes this fall that can have an immediate career impact.

The college has new workforce programs, including certified bookkeeper, certified clinical medical assistant and welding technology, plus a ServeSafe manager class. The programs begin on a variety of dates, but registrations are filling up.

Were excited about these programs, said Roch Turner, director of program development. All are applicable to the needs of our local industry.

The bookkeeping certification program covers a variety of topics including accounting, business transactions, the general ledger and general journal, payroll and payroll taxes.

Turner said the college had many requests for a more challenging program training students to be professional bookkeepers.

The class culminates with students taking a national exam and they come out with a national certification, Turner said. The bookkeeping program is a more in-depth version of some of the shorter classes weve offered. It is a professional work-force based program that will allow people to own their own business, start their own bookkeeping company or up-skill in their current position.

The program costs $1,750 and meets 4-5:30 p.m. three days a week, Sept. 25 through Dec. 18, with the National Bookkeepers Associations Uniform Bookkeeper Certification exam on the last day. Bitterroot College will have a follow-up accounting class in the spring that builds on this bookkeeping program. Applications are due for the bookkeeping certification on Sept. 22.

The certified clinical medical assistant program prepares students to assist physicians, including preparing patients for a medical exam, routine laboratory procedures, and diagnostic testing. It offers hands-on labs, professional workplace behavior ethics, and legal aspects of healthcare.

Its the first time weve offered this class and there is a high demand for CMAs in the county, Turner said. We spoke Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital about medical assistants and they have a need. The program has a phlebotomy certification and an EKG certification embedded in the program so students who come out of the CMA will have three certifications that are of value in private industry.

The college offers a certified phlebotomy technician program for students just seeking that certification. The next session begins Sept. 25 with applications due Sept. 21.

Students in the CMA program will be prepared to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification examination given Jan. 29. The program runs from Oct. 2 to Jan. 29 usually Mondays and Wednesdays, including six Saturdays. The program costs $2,800. Applications are due Thursday, Sept. 28.

Turner said the medical assistant program is filling rapidly

If people want in they should do it quick, he said. We really like the idea of a lattice approach to the medical field. Students can take classes then if they decide they want to stay they can go into nursing.

The welding technology program teaches welding manufacturing, fabrication, building construction, repair, maintenance, equipment and facilities. Students are taught welding processes of oxyacetylene, shielded metal arc, and flux core arc welding.

The program is taught over two terms and prepares students for industry credentials. After the first term, October through January, students will be ready for the initial test of the American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder program. Both terms, with the second from February to May, prepare students for the final certification of the American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder program and the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) assessment.

The program will be taught in the welding shop at Hamilton High School by Scott Ellis and costs $3,900 per term. Applications are due Thursday, Sept. 28.

The ServeSafe manager program is taught by Katelyn Andersen, county extension agent. The program is about food safety and is designed for food service managers to understand the Food and Drug Administration Food Code and food safety practices. Students will learn about food-borne pathogens, flow of food safety from purchasing to service, creating management systems and more. The class will be taught 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 8 and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9. It costs $150 including exam fee.

Registration and payment for the ServeSafe manager program is handled by Ravalli County Extension at 406-375-6611 or in person at 215 So. Fourth St., Ste. G, in Hamilton.

Also on the workforce training programming are certified nurse aide program beginning Sept. 30 and commercial driver license program with the next session beginning Jan. 8.

We are thrilled with these exciting new opportunities, said Victoria Clark, director of Bitterroot College.

We are always exploring other programs, Turner added.

The Workforce Certification Programs are not for college credit.

More detail on each program, and all applications, are available on the Bitterroot College website umt.edu/bitterroot-college. Bitterroot College is located at 103 So. Ninth St. in Hamilton, and can be reached by calling 406-375-0100.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Those wanting to live near downtown and the Medical Mile have a growing list of compact and modern apartments from which to choose as developers build furiously to meet the demand.

For those who want the more traditional experience of living in an old house, there's Heritage Hill and its assortment of rental apartments.

This 4-bedroom unit at 326 Cherry Street SE is one of the larger and older rental houses on the Hill. Located half a block from Mercy Health's St. Mary's Campus, The green craftsman style home offers an ideal location for a medical professional and family.

Offered at $3,950 a month by Keller Williams Rivertown Realty, a career in medicine is probably called for anyone wanting to live in its traditional parlors and sit on its shaded front porch.

The big apartment is the larger of two units inside the clapboard house that was built around 1882 by Oscar Wilmarth, according to data collected by the Heritage Hill Association.

Unlike many of the big houses built on the Hill in that era, it was a rental in its early years. In 1902, it was purchased by E.A. Mosely, a longtime tenant who lived there until 1905.

Another tenant was Samuel H. Peck, proprietor of the Cody Hotel, a fashionable hotel which sat where the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts now sits at the corner Division and Fulton Avenue. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, a cousin of the Grand Rapids family, was a frequent guest and provided the huge buffalo heads which once adorned the hotel's lobby.

By 1969, the big house had been converted to five apartments. Subsequent owners restored the house's floor plan to its current configuration where most of the first two levels are devoted to a large apartment while the third floor is a smaller rental.

The small entrance, designed to keep out windy winter drafts, has a blue flower-patterns tile floor that is found elsewhere in the sunny family room out back and on the hearth of the coal-burning fireplace in the living room.

The tile was made by the same company that made the flooring tile in the old City Hall, which was demolished in the late 1960s, according to Heritage Hill historians.

Most of the oak flooring on the main floor appears to be original to the house while the millwork around the eight-foot pocket doors bears sunflower carvings. The steam radiators in the house are topped by carved granite tops.

The front parlor in the house includes a mandolin stained glass window that is original to the house. A keyhole window on the landing to the second floor also is original to the house but was repaired and replaced by its previous owners.

The kitchen has been remodeled and includes a reproduction tin ceiling and cabinets that were installed sometime during the past 30 years. The bathroom on the main floor includes a clawfoot tub that may be original to the house.

Walk up the ornate staircase to find three bedrooms - four if you count the dressing room next to the master bedroom.

The master bedroom in the corner includes a fireplace, stained glass window and window seat that are original to the home. The room includes one of several unique round steam radiator found in the houses.

This is one in a series of articles we have published about High-End Homes in West Michigan. Here are similar articles we have published recently:
How to Restore Our Constitutional Foundation

E. Jeffrey Ludwig

By the end of World War II, the beautiful foundational ideas and ideals of our constitutional republic had already been significantly undermined by the Democratic Party. The two pillars of our constitutional republic, federalism and checks and balances among our three branches of government, were being disrupted and distorted. The distortions expressed by so-called progressivism had begun the transformation of our political and economic system, especially under Woodrow Wilson and the Democrat Party, and intensified under the policies and programs of the New Deal. Socialist, fascist, syndicalist, and even communist concepts were finding their way into problem-solving models used by many of our leaders. The Democrats implemented radical modifications of our constitutional system.

Checks and balances has become distorted almost beyond recognition. Since the end of World War II, we have had numerous wars and bombings of other countries without declarations of war by the U.S. Congress. We have the federal judiciary overriding state legislatures and referenda to establish homosexual marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges as the law of the land, to legitimize abortion in Roe v. Wade, and to permit the expansion of eminent domain in Kelo v. New London as total end runs around checks on the judiciary. Can you imagine it? Bible reading and prayer -- the bedrocks of our country -- were eliminated from our public schools by the Supreme Court in the early 1960s, a complete overriding of the First and Tenth Amendments. But no checks or balances to counter the judiciary were implemented. Additionally, the commerce clause has been extended to an extreme point to allow almost any transactions to be considered "interstate" and thus open to federal regulation and control.

The Democrats eroded and eviscerated our beautiful Constitution beginning with the Progressive Era and the New Deal, and accelerating and intensifying those developments in the years since 1945. But the reader may be asking where does the Republican Party and leadership fit into this picture? We have enjoyed many tenures by Republican Presidents during the past 100 years since Wilson, and Republicans have been elected to Congress. Even as the juggernaut of leftwing activism seemed to gather momentum with our defeat and withdrawal from Vietnam and the resignation of Richard Nixon, Republicans seemed to temporarily bounce back with the election of the Republican "morning in America" star, President Ronald Reagan.

Yet the Republican Party leadership after World War I seemed to lose momentum. Warren G. Harding's inaugural address in 1921 did not mention the Constitution even one time although there are compelling lines about service and application of the Golden Rule. Calvin Coolidge, in a beautifully worded, thoughtful, and moral inauguration speechof 1925 mentions that Constitution a few times, especially in connection with property rights, but does not mention either federalism or checks and balances. Herbert Hoover in his inaugural speech in 1929 mentions the Constitution once in terms of "enforcement of the laws," but is at least forceful in his insistence that "not Government ownership or operation is the course rightly to be pursued in our relation to business."

Contrast these with the inaugural addresses of Andrew Jackson, who, although a Democrat (before the creation of the Republican Party), was nonetheless more of a Constitutional conservative than even those three Republican presidents. In his first Inaugural Address in 1829, Jackson goes to great lengths to assure the citizenry that he will act within the confines of his executive role as defined in the Constitution. Thus, he indicates tremendous and explicit respect for the checks and balances pillar of our Constitution. Then, in his 1833 Inaugural Address, Jackson discourses extensivelyon states' rights thus communicating his respect for the federalist pillar of our republic. We can see that approximately 100 years later, the Republicans who are far more committed to those Constitutional pillars than the Democrats nevertheless speak about their expectations and duties without reference to these foundational Constitutional principles.

Even in the 1980s, under Reagan, the income tax for the highest levels was slashed dramatically, and even the Democrats were on board with that, but federal government spending continued to increase. According to the Mises Institute, "The result [was] unprecedented government debt. Reagan tripled the Gross Federal Debt, from $900 billion to $2.7 trillion. Ford and Carter in their combined terms could only double it. It took 31 years to accomplish the first postwar debt tripling, yet Reagan did it in eight." The increase in budget debt is a serious sign of the increase in influence of the federal government at the expense of state government. In other words, a dilution of the federalist pillar of Constitutionalism.

In the 1980s, the savings and loans banks went under and were bailed out. Libyan training camps for terrorists were bombed, but our troops were totally withdrawn from Lebanon despite the loss of 241 American lives after a bombing of our Beirut barracks. This was hardly fulfillment of the presidential Oath of Office to preserve and defend the citizenry of the U.S. If we were not there to defend America, then why were we there? When the Executive Branch shows weakness or incompetence that too is a dilution of checks and balances and federalism. Further, the Republican nomination in 1988 of the brilliant and accomplished vice-president, George H.W. Bush, a globalist from his head to the soles of his feet, hardly suggests an America First let alone a pro-Constitutional agenda.

Over the years, the Republicans have accomplished various legislative, military, and policy goals that might be considered conservative. Yet, these were not ideologically driven, as was the Democratic Party agenda. The Republicans have failed to be sufficiently firm and outspoken about the pillars of our Constitution. The Democrats, moving forward covertly as well as openly with an updated cultural Marxism, have believed for these 100 years that they are on the right side of history. However, the Republicans, justified by the foundations executed by our Founders and thus located in the past, are inherently more passive. The past one can see is over; it is established and therefore momentum is not needed. Whereas the Democrats want to remake history based on an authoritarian statist model which they believe is an inevitable reconstruction of the social, political and economic order. Republicans are in a negative, reactive mode and merely seem to be carping that history does not have to be reconstructed. Looking forward inspires and breeds action; looking backward dilutes motivation and breeds passivity.

In order for the Republicans to escape the accusation that they are actually complicit with the Democrats on this march to the authoritarian state or totalitarianism, they must restore the founding principles as an ideology. The pillars of our Constitution must be re-presented to the voting public, and pounded home as though they are new, vibrant ideas for the future. The Republicans must propose and promote checks and balances as well as federalism. These two pillars of our Constitution will appear new and vibrant to generations of Americans who are historically illiterate. If the Republicans are not to be complicit in the Democrat Party's authoritarian statist drift, they must not only embrace the Trump America First agenda, but additionally and aggressively promote the ideological pillars of Constitutional liberty, checks and balances and federalism, not merely assume them to be a self-evident reality.

E. Jeffrey Ludwig has taught history, literature, and philosophy at Harvard, Penn State, Juniata College, City University of New York, and other colleges and secondary schools. His latest interview on the Hagmann and Hagmann Report can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXl3H1jjZrU
America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox s Bazar, Bangladesh. The camp is one of three, which house up to 300,000 Rohingya people fleeing inter-communal violence in Myanmar. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

By Damini Singh

The recent reprisal by Myanmar security forces in retaliation to attacks on some police and army posts by Rohingya militants in the Rakhine region has led to large scale exodus of the Rohingya population to neighbouring countries. The consequent humanitarian crisis faced by them has drawn international attention. Since the communal violence in 2012, there has been a significant influx of Rohingyas into India. The route they follow is from Bangladesh into Indias North Eastern states. India has the second largest population of Rohingya refugees after Bangladesh and with the present crisis growing number of Rohingyas are turning to India for refuge. In the light of these developments, there is a pressing need for India to have a domestic policy on refugees, neutral to faith, colour and ethnicity, which can provide an effective mechanism to tackle such situations.

Rohingya Muslims, who claim to be of Myanmarese origin, reside in the northern Arakan/Rakhine State of Myanmar, bordering Bangladesh. There is deep rooted animosity, mutual distrust and a long history of ethnic strife between majority Buddhists and Rohingyas. The 1982 Burmese National Law denied Rohingyas citizenship, classifying them as stateless Bengali Muslims. The transition to democracy in Myanmar has also failed to address the Rohingya cause. This ethnic rift has taken to a new low as it has converted into an armed conflict in the region.

The majority Buddhist community of the Rakhine region considers the Muslim minority as a security threat, leading to confinement of Rohingyas in concentration camps and employment of repressive measures such as severe restriction on their movement, marriage, education and denial to access health facilities and employment. Such marginalisation instills a sense of injustice and breeds militancy and a violent backlash in an attempt to claim what the Rohingyas perceive as rightfully theirs. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Armys recent offensive military operations against the security forces is representative of this backlash, and the reaction of the Myanmar security forces with a crackdown on the Rohingya population, has had a destabilising effect in the entire region. The issue has humanitarian, security and religious sides to it.

The International community has condemned the violence in the region and called for humanitarian intervention to stop the severe atrocities being faced by the Rohingya population. Registered refugees under the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR), Rohingyas are a stateless and persecuted population attempting to flee the discrimination, violence and bloodshed they face in their homeland. Therefore it is the obligation of emerging powers in the region like India to take up the cause not only on humanitarian grounds but also as a strategic measure which is important for stability of the region.

PM Narendra Modis skirting of the humanitarian issue of Rohingyas during his visit to the Myanmar brings to the forefront the geopolitical and security backdrop which inhibits the Indias maneuverability on the issue. Under Indias Act East Policy, Myanmar is a key player, and the threat of greater influence of China in the region is a reason for Indias muted response to the Rohingya crisis. It is also a known fact that China is actively pursuing its policy of encircling India, Myanmar too is part of it and India is pitted against China in politico-economic competition in the region. The criticism of the Myanmar about its handling of its Rohingyas could also have negative ramifications on the border management efforts in the northeast.

On the other hand, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijijus statement of deportation of the Rohingyas settled in India has come in for much criticism. His statement is questionable on humanitarian grounds but does implicitly indicate towards the fear of security such influx of alien population creates in the psyche of the local population. There is a threat to the ethno-religious balance of the north-eastern States of India, with the Rohingya refugee movement. Pertinently Kiren Rijiju belongs to North East and has been the only minister to speak on the issue. India also faces a problem of infiltration of terrorists, criminals and unwarranted elements which pose a serious threat to the internal security of the nation. This stateless population with deep animosity towards the Buddhist majority of Myanmar can pose threat to Buddhist sites and population in India and would be an easy target group for radicalisation on religious lines.

According to the UNHCR, India has approximately 16000 registered Rohingya refugees (July 2017), while unofficial estimates peg it near 40,000.

India is not a signatory of either the UNHCR Convention (1951) or Protocol (1967) but has always been sensitive to the refugee problem and effectively integrated various ethnic groups like Tibetans, Muslims from Afghanistan, Christians and Hindus form Pakistan. Drawing inspiration from the integrative approach towards refugees and keeping in mind the security ramifications of immigration, the Rohingya migration can be leveraged as an opportunity to create Domestic Refugee Policy which strikes a balance between internal security and humanitarian responsibility.

Upholding the Principle of Non-Refoulement, which protects the refugees from returning to a country where they may face harm, India can take the following steps:

(i) Conduct census of the Rohingya refugee population along with assessing their economic and social condition in the country. This would give the broad contours of the size of the problem.

(ii) Improve border security and regulate inflow of illegal migration to tackle the security concern attached with the situation. Here cooperation of the Myanmar Government and Army would be essential.

(iii) The source of the problem lies in the Rakhine region of Myanmar. According to World Bank estimates, Rakhine is Myanmars least developed state, with a poverty rate of 78 percent, compared to the 37.5 percent national average. Widespread poverty, poor infrastructure, and a lack of employment opportunities in Rakhine has widened the rift between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya. Therefore, in order to truly contain the crisis, the socio economic condition of the region needs to be improved. Indias initiative to provide funding to socio economic developmental projects in partnership with Myanmar government is a welcome step in this direction.

(iv) India can also work on formulating a tentative repatriation plan for the refugees as the situation in the Rakhine region improves. Taking a leaf from the European model regional intergovernmental organisations like SAARC and BIMSTEC can come together to formulate a distribution policy of refugees amongst the various countries of the region.

Categorising the Rohingya crisis as a humanitarian concern or an outcome of terrorist activity will not change the ground reality of lakhs of people being displaced. The need of the hour is to formulate a robust refugee policy which can not only mitigate the present crisis but also provide a structure for India to use whenever similar problems arise in future.

(Source:- Observer Research Foundation)
By Kazi Anwarul Masud

In May 1949 Albert Einstein wrote an article titled WHY SOCIALISM? It gave indeed an insight into the philosophy of life of one the greatest human beings of the 20th century. At the end of the article Einstein declares: I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals. In such an economy, the means of production are owned by society itself and are utilized in a planned fashion. A planned economy, which adjusts production to the needs of the community, would distribute the work to be done among all those able to work and would guarantee a livelihood to every man, woman, and child. The education of the individual, in addition to promoting his own innate abilities, would attempt to develop in him a sense of responsibility for his fellow men in place of the glorification of power and success in our present society.

The evils to Einstein is the monopolization of productive forces by a few oligopolists who have lost inner equilibrium who are at the same time a solitary being and also a social being craving for the love and recognition of other human beings in society.  The individual writes Einstein is able to think, feel, strive, and work by himself; but he depends so much upon societyin his physical, intellectual, and emotional existencethat it is impossible to think of him, or to understand him, outside the framework of society.

Yet some in the society constitute a huge community of producers who are unceasingly striving to deprive each other of the fruits of their collective labornot by force, but on the whole in faithful compliance with legally established rules which are, even today, controlled by the elites who either directly or indirectly contribute to the framing of the rules. We have to remember that Albert Einstein in the thirties of the last century abhorred the wage given to the workers who had nothing to sell but themselves not determined by the real value of the goods he produced but by his needs and the employers bargaining power with the hordes of unemployed people willing to do the job at the minimum wage the employer agreed to pay. In Einsteins words: the enormous power of the oligarchy is because the members of legislative bodies are selected by political parties, largely financed or otherwise influenced by private capitalists who, for all practical purposes, separate the electorate from the legislature. The consequence is that the representatives of the people do not in fact sufficiently protect the interests of the underprivileged sections of the population.

How 1949 Einsteins world is any different from ours when he describes Production is carried on for profit, not for use. There is no provision that all those able and willing to work will always be in a position to find employment; an army of unemployed almost always exists. The worker is constantly in fear of losing his job. Since unemployed and poorly paid workers do not provide a profitable market, the production of consumers goods is restricted, and great hardship is the consequence. Technological progress frequently results in more unemployment rather than in an easing of the burden of work for all. The profit motive, in conjunction with competition among capitalists, is responsible for an instability in the accumulation and utilization of capital which leads to increasingly severe depressions.

A decade earlier Bertrand Russell In praise of idleness and other essays (1935), a self-proclaimed socialist, did not regard Socialism as a gospel of proletarian revenge, nor even, primarily, as a means of securing economic justice. I regard it primarily as an adjustment to machine production demanded by considerations of common sense, and calculated to increase the happiness, not only of proletarians, but of all except a tiny minority of the human race. While Bertrand Russell in defining socialism wanted economic power- as a minimum, land and minerals, capital, banking, credit and foreign trade-but political power should be democratic. Russell argued that since without popular consent production would only enrich the State and not the people their consent in a democratic manner was essential. Though it is taken for granted that exercise of voting is an integral part of British life as most recently demonstrated by Brexit which has put the European Union into a very difficult negotiation process with Britain. This contest between the EU and United Kingdom is not a battle of ideologies but one of getting the best deal for their citizens.

The world has got so used to democracy that we have forgotten that economic development is not necessarily dictated by democracy. China is an example, already the second largest economy in the world, aiming to best the US in the coming decades. Chinese economic development would get comfort from Hobbes (1558-1679) that democracy is inferior to monarchy and that neither the people nor the politicians are well equipped to chart out the best legislation for the benefit of the people. Many public choice theorists in contemporary economic thought expand on these Hobbesian criticisms. They argue that citizens are not informed about politics and that they are often apathetic, which makes room for special interests to control the behavior of politicians and use the state for their own limited purposes all the while spreading the costs to everyone else. Some of them argue for giving over near complete control over society to the market, on the grounds that more extensive democracy tends to produce serious economic inefficiencies( Stanford Encyclopedia on democracy).

In the Indian sub-continent socialism came hand in hand with the independence movement from the British rule. Mahatma Gandhi called himself a socialist so long it was practised with non-violence. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, independent Indias first Prime Minister also believed in socialism. But educated as he was in England his brand of socialism was more akin to the Fabian Socialism to promote greater equality of power, wealth and opportunity; the value of collective action and public service; an accountable, tolerant and active democracy; citizenship, liberty and human rights; sustainable development; and multilateral international cooperation (Wikipedia). He detested Nazism and Fascism because they believed in brutality and violence and caused the Second World War. Whether Nehruvian socialism was a success story is a different issue. In fact till Dr. Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister in 1991 and then as Prime Minister for ten years propelled India to 8.5% economic growth. This fast economic growth perhaps led President George Bush to offer India a seat in the nuclear club, ending nuclear apartheid and also persuaded Barrack Obama to promise US support to India for a UN Security Council seat.

Today Indian economy is booming, though demonetization (refuted by the government) might have slowed the pace of development. GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated to be $8.7 trillion in 2016; growth rate is 7.6%; per capita income is $ 6700(PPP)-in GDP composition services sector leads followed by industries and agriculture. Irfan Habib, Professor Emeritus of Aligarh Muslim University in a lecture states: It must be recognised that India is now a full-blooded capitalist country. The urban population now nearly equals, and by the Census of 2021 would probably exceed, the rural population. Peasants produce only about a sixth of gross domestic product, and much of peasant agriculture is influenced by capitalist relations, as in many areas ploughs and scythes have been replaced by tractors and harvesters employed on hire. The key industrial and communications sectors are dominated by great semi-monopolistic firms with deep links to international finance capital ( Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust Lecture on August 22 2017).

The basic premise with which this article started with was the growth model that countries like Bangladesh should follow to achieve middle income country status by 2021. Is the mixed economy model now being followed will take us there or the capital intensive policy that will inevitably lead to concentration of wealth in few hands and increase inequality if demographic dividend cannot be utilised by producing a techsavy workers capable to handle the demands of the foreign investors? The assumption is that the future world will be technology based making a large portion of humanity redundant bringing about a refined scenario of Uncle Toms Cabin of Harriet Beecher Stowe.

The world does not have to be Planet of the Apes. China, Japan and South Korea have demonstrated that rapid industrialisation and export oriented policies coupled with technological development can bring about convergence phenomenona tendency for less developed countries to catch up with developed economies because rich countries have faster diminishing returns than the less developed ones. India too is a shining example.

In conclusion we should target to achieve sustainable development goals, prevent extreme concentration of wealth in too few hands, and ensure that benefits of development is fairly distributed among all the people so socialism does not become a question or an answer.

(Source- South Asia Analysis Group- SAAG)
Guwahati : A humanitarian crisis arose in Bangladesh due to heavy influx of refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, the Indian government has decided to assist Bangladesh in this crisis by sending relief material.

The Indian Air Force was tasked to airlift the relief material from India to Bangladesh.

One C-17 Globemaster strategic heavy lift cargo aircraft was positioned at short notice at Delhi on September 13 to airlift 55 Tons of relief material to Chittagong, Bangladesh.

This aircraft was loaded overnight with relief material consisting of critical daily necessities viz., rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, ready to eat meals, mosquito nets etc.

The C-17 carrying relief material departed early morning on September 14 and routed via Kolkata to pick up additional load.

The material was delivered at Chittagong, Bangladesh at round 12-45 pm on September 14.

One more C-17 is scheduled to airlift additional relief material to Bangladesh.

The Indian Air Force rose to the challenge and played a pivotal role to further strengthen the close ties of friendship between India and Bangladesh.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati: Dr K Appaji Krishnan, a senior Spine surgeon from SIMS Hospital Chennai conducted the weekly OPD clinic at Guwahati Press Club on 15 September, where over 20 media persons received free consultations. Dr Jayanta Deka (PT) and Binay Hatikakoti from the hospital assisted the physician in conducting the camp.

The next weekly camp, organized under the series of 'Evening with a Doctor' programs, will be graced by Dr Sourav Gohain Barua (Pediatrician) from Ayursundra Hospital on 23 September. The camp will start at 4 pm and conclude by 6 pm. Member-journalists may bring their children (up to 12 years) for a general check-up in the camp.
WEST FARGO  A West Fargo Sheyenne High School teacher who resigned amid allegations of partying with students will not face criminal charges after a July incident at her home where she was reportedly found drunk with four minors, including one cited for having a blood-alcohol content nearly four times the legal limit to drive.

On July 10, police were called to the Fargo home of 40-year-old Elizabeth Doster by a girl who said Doster and three young males were drinking and that she felt unsafe. According to a police report, when officers arrived they found Doster heavily intoxicated and they issued a minor in possession citation to an 18-year-old male with a blood-alcohol level of .235 percent. The girl told police that Doster had poured alcohol into a water bottle that at least one of the males was drinking, although Doster repeatedly denied giving minors alcohol that night, the report said. The males did not specify how they acquired alcohol, the report said.

Police forwarded the report to the Cass County States Attorneys Office later that day, recommending charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor as well as neglect of a child.

Assistant States Attorney Kara Schmitz Olson said Friday that she declined to bring charges against Doster, citing a lack of evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

I didn't believe we would meet that level, she said.

In regards to the recommended charge of child neglect, which stemmed from Dosters high intoxication while a 13-year-old was in the house, Olson said the report was forwarded to Cass County Social Services.

The West Fargo School Board accepted Dosters resignation on Aug. 28, the day before school began. Her resignation came after an investigation was opened Aug. 11 when school officials received a complaint from a student and parent who said Doster was partying and driving around smoking dope with students, according to school district documents.

Although Doster told school officials there was no police report made, school officials obtained a Fargo Police Department report from the July 10 incident in which officers were called to Dosters Fargo home.

Fargo Deputy Police Chief Joe Anderson said he did not think the officers who responded to the incident were aware that Doster was a current West Fargo teacher and therefore did not report the incident to the school district. He said there is no mandate for police to alert the school district to such an incident.

Heather Konschak, a district spokeswoman, said police do share reports in incidents that involve current students.

As the school district investigation into Doster was underway, a West Fargo school resource officer received a Text-A-Tip on Aug. 17 from a student who said Doster had been giving alcohol to students and had engaged in oral sex with a student throughout the previous school year, district documents state.

While school officials later met with the student tipster and include that report in the districts findings, the district documents provided do not make it clear whether the students claim that Doster had sexual contact with a student was substantiated.

Konschak said Text-A-Tip is a district tool monitored by a West Fargo school resource officer who can alert administrators to the reports.

Konschak said Friday that the school district has concluded its investigation into Doster completely, forwarding reports to the state licensing board and child protective services.

She said no new investigation into allegations of sexual conduct is ongoing by the district.

Becky Pitkin, executive director of the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board, which is responsible for licensing teachers across the state, was unavailable for comment Friday.

Included in the report district officials sent the licensing board are pictures of beer cans found in Dosters classroom during the investigation. On Aug. 18, school officials went to Dosters classroom to see if it would be ready for the start of the school year in case a substitute was needed, and they found three empty beer cans and one unopened beer can in a plastic tote, documents stated.

Doster graduated from Dickinson State University in 2010 with honors. Before she started teaching in West Fargo in 2014, she taught at Bismarck High School and Minot High School Central Campus. Her personnel file included many high recommendations from her coworkers in Minot.

Doster has declined to comment on the allegations. Court records show that she does not have a criminal record in North Dakota or Minnesota.
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Merkley Statement on Anti-Rohingya Persecution in Burma

Oregons Senator Jeff Merkley calls on the Government of Burma (Myanmar) to cease its persecution of the Rohingya ethnic minority



The Rohingya people of Myanmar in particular, are suffering at the hands of a Genocidal Buddhist population.



(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Oregons Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement calling on the Government of Burma to cease its persecution of the Rohingya ethnic minority.

He calls on them to take immediate steps to reverse the conditions that have created the unfolding humanitarian and refugee crisis for the Rohingya people.

Senator Merkley:

 There are significant ties between Oregon and the Rohingya community, and I share Oregonians concern about the escalating violence in Burma, which has led to the recent displacement of nearly 400,000 Rohingya and horrific death and suffering.



"The persecution of vulnerable Rohingya minorities, who are at risk of statelessness due to having been denied citizenship by the Government of Burma, bears the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing.



"This is a human rights issue; it is an issue of Burmas adherence to international legal commitments; and it has become a humanitarian crisis for the refugees fleeing into Bangladesh.



"I join my colleagues in Congress in our bipartisan call for the security forces of Burma to stop their persecution of the Rohingya, and for the Government of Burma to take immediate steps to facilitate access for humanitarian groups on both sides of the border and reverse decades of denial of rights to the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities. 

Source: U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley

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North Dakota Department of Health officials wrongfully demoted a longtime microbiologist two years ago, an administrative law judge said late last month.

Lynn Jordheims 52-page order, dated Aug. 31, overturned Timothy Broszs demotion, which came shortly after he received a pre-action notice in May 2015.

But since Brosz has already retired, his reinstatement is effective from the date of his demotion to his last day of employment, entitling him to back pay. Dirk Wilke, the Health Departments human resources director, estimated that it would be around $6,000, reflecting in part the difference in pay between the two positions.

Wilke said Thursday, Sept. 14, the department could appeal the decision in district court, but officials are still exploring their options.

The pre-action notice, authored by Wilke and Dave Glatt, Environmental Health Section chief, pointed to Broszs alleged lack of credibility and concerns that he hadnt taken ownership of personnel decisions, among other issues. But Jordheim said the department lacked evidence to support the demotion.

The department cannot base a significant disciplinary action on assumptions, particularly when many of those assumptions prove to be demonstrably wrong, Jordheim wrote. The department has failed to prove by a preponderance of evidence that there is a factual basis for its grounds for demotion of Mr. Brosz.

Brosz declined to comment when reached by phone Friday.

Jordheims order comes after the Health Department reached a $40,000 settlement with one of Broszs former coworkers, Sandra Young, who was fired in May 2015. She accused the department of age discrimination and retaliation.

Brosz and Young both challenged their performance evaluations in 2014, with Brosz alleging his deficient ratings were an act of reprisal for comments he made to a team investigating a sexual harassment claim against Young, according to Jordheims report. North Dakota Human Resource Management Services conducted an investigation into the claims, which evolved into a wide-ranging investigation into the lab as a whole, Jordheim wrote.

Jordheims report said virtually all of the witnesses who testified acknowledged that the decline in morale was due to the intrusive nature of the series of investigatory interviews of lab personnel and little if any of the blame for the low morale rested with Brosz.

Jordheim said department management gave Brosz vague and conflicting instructions on improving his performance as lead analyst.

When he did try to comply with these vague instructions, such as by reporting instances of improper sexual conversation in the workplace, or acts of perceived hostility, rather than acknowledge that he was doing what had been asked of him, department management instead ascribed retaliatory motives to his actions and eventually used them as part of their alleged cause for his demotion, he wrote.

In response to Broszs complaint of discrimination and retaliation, the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights said last year it was unable to conclude that a violation of applicable statutes has occurred.

Another former Health Department employee, Ranae Kunz, who was an autopsy assistant, reached a $90,000 settlement late last year after she alleged in a federal lawsuit that department officials retaliated against her. She was fired her after complaining about sexual harassment in the workplace.
This well-established Blog is worth visiting on a regular basis for a wealth of information of interest to Armenian nationals and to the Armenian Diaspora world-wide. Although it has a particular role in promoting international recognition of the Genocide, the Blog encompasses much more and includes many articles of general appeal to all those concerned with Armenian affairs. Much of the content is difficult or impossible to find elsewhere and the long list of links provided gives easy access to a plethora of material on social, political, religious, educational and cultural matters, and many news items from around the world.




This week we learned more about the murder of 23-year-old Abel Enrique Esquivel, Jr., which happened on August 15 near the intersection of South Van Ness and 26th Street, and which involved a gun stolen from an SFPD officer's personal vehicle three days before. Now further details reveal that two out of three suspects were undocumented immigrants, one of whom, 18-year-old Erick Garcia-Pineda, was wearing an ICE-issued ankle bracelet that was tracking his every move at the time of the killing, and another, 24-year-old Jesus Perez-Araujo, had been arrested several months earlier and ICE had issued a detainer request for him to the Sheriff's Department that the department did not honor, due to the city's sanctuary city policy.

As the Chronicle reports, Perez-Araujo was "arrested in May on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, [and] was charged in court with a single misdemeanor count of possession of brass knuckle sand released shortly thereafter." The charge did not warrant any special exception to the sanctuary policy, and therefore Perez-Araujo was released back into the community, and along with Garcia-Pineda and 18-year-old Daniel Cruz, he's now suspected of committing several robberies in the Mission in mid-August, as well as killing Esquivel.

As you can imagine, critics of SF's progressive policy on undocumented immigrants are already seizing on the killing and making comparisons to the 2015 murder of Kate Steinle, for which undocumented immigrant Jose Ines Garcia Zarate is about to stand trial.

"What makes this so tragic is that it might have been prevented if San Francisco did not have such an egregious sanctuary policy. How many deaths is it going to take before people realize this is a mistake? says Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, speaking to the Chronicle.

And here's the story on Fox News.

The ankle bracelet situation is confusing, but here is the Chron's take:



In April, an immigration judge released Garcia-Pineda while his court case continued, on condition that he wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and report to ICE in-person on a regular basis, [ICE spokesman James] Schwab said. He said Garcia-Pineda complied until August, when he missed a mandatory appointment with ICE. Later, after the killing but before Garcia-Pineda had been linked to it, he was booked into jail twice in San Francisco in unrelated cases, officials said. He was arrested Aug. 18 on suspicion of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and assault with a firearm, and arrested Sept. 3 on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. He was not charged by prosecutors in either case, and was freed. Sheriffs deputies at the jail appear to have removed Garcia-Pinedas ankle monitor before releasing him the first time, again underscoring the frayed relationship between ICE and local officials. ICE said the GPS tracker was removed Aug. 19, when an agency contractor responsible for monitoring individuals received a tamper alert. Its not clear why ICE did not immediately respond to the location of the alert, but officials said the agency later could not track down Garcia-Pineda. Though the Sheriffs Department would not comment on Garcia-Pinedas case specifically, officials said deputies would remove any inmates ankle monitor during booking. The disconnection typically alerts the monitoring agency.

Though many crimes are committed by people who are not immigrants, the circumstances here paint a narrative that is tailor-made for conservative outrage. Brace yourselves for much more news on this case.

Previously: Yet Another Gun Is Stolen From A Cop, Yet Another San Franciscan Dies
According to Department of Africa, West Asia and South Asia Markets under Ministry of Industry and Trade, total import and export turnover between Vietnam and Thailand reached around US$ 9.64 billion, of these export turnover accounted about US$ 3.07 billion while import turnover from Thailand was US$ 6.57 billion.

Vietnams trade gap from Thailand neared US$ 3.5 billion on the first eight months of the year, an increase of 15.6 percent compared to the same period last year.



The reason is local products have been manufactured but enterprises have still imported electrical and electronic items, electronic components, vegetables, computers, plastic products, iron and steel, household products like detergents, cosmetic, kitchen utensils, furniture... from Thailand.



With vegetables, Vietnam imported US$ 410 million (accounted for 44.3 percent of the total vegetables import turnover of Vietnam in the world, by ten-fold of vegetables export turnover of Vietnam to Thailand in 2016).



In the first eight months of 2017, the vegetables import activity from Thailand to Vietnam reached US$ 618 million.



In addition to Thailand's efforts to reduce tariffs under integration commitments, the country's leading retail groups such as Central Group and TCC Group have been trading and doing M&A with its retail chains and continuing to expand their business activities in Vietnam which has created favorable conditions for Thai enterprises to bring their products to Vietnamese consumers.



In addition, the investment expansion for Thai enterprises in Vietnam also leaded to an increase in the goods import to sever production and business in Vietnam.



At the conference, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh urged the departments to find the solutions to overcome the trade deficit, towards a balance of trade between the two countries in the upcoming times.



Additionally, many solutions were performed at the conference; especially the application of import management measures towards quality control of imported products including food hygiene and safety, technical standards and environment have also been mentioned.



The Ministry of Industry and Trade also proposed solutions for supermarkets owned by Thai enterprises in strengthening support to introduce and consume Vietnamese products, cooperate with retail distribution groups of Thailand to organize Vietnamese Products Week and Conference on Vietnamese Products, continue the campaign "The Vietnamese give priority to using Vietnamese goods". Besides, the ministry needs to assist the localities, associations and enterprises to organize trade promotion programs in the Thai market.



The Ministry of Industry and Trade needs to closely corporate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to manage the imported products from other countries including Thailand to ensure the products quality, aiming to promote the negotiation with Thailand in opening the market for Vietnam agriculture products.









BY PHUC HAU- Translated by Huyen Huong
The citys vice chairman highlighted and affirmed to continue strengthening the traditional relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, HCM City and Xiang Khouang Province.



For his part, Khamsene Manivong said that the Lao delegations visit aims to study the security camera model and cooperate with the city to install security cameras in Xiang Khouang.

He hoped that Ho Chi Minh City will create conditions for the project, enhancing the solidarity between the two nations.







By MINH TAM  Translated by Kim Khanh




Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said Shinawatra did not cross the countrys border and urged Thai police to further investigate CCTV footage.



If Shinawatra had been found in Cambodia, she would have been sent back to Thailand immediately, he added.



One day earlier, Thai police revealed that two vehicles were allegedly used to transport Shinawatra to the eastern province of Sa Kaeo, which borders Cambodia. CCTV footage showed a woman inside one of the vehicles, but it could not be confirmed whether this was the ex-PM.



Last month, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated there was no record of Shinawatra coming through his country.



Yingluck Shinawatra fled Thailand prior to the ruling in her rice subsidy scheme trial. She faces a maximum prison term of 10 years if convicted, source from the Vietnamplus.




BMKG Pekanbaru leader Slamet Riyadi said that 14 hotspots have been found in South Sumatra, five in West Sumatra, three in Bangka Belitung, two in Jambi and one in each of North Sumatra, Bengkulu and Riau.



According to the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency of Riau, the province has warned localities on forest fire risks over the year for preventive measures. The area is entering the rainy season and the number of forest fire hotspots tends to drop in September.



However, the BMKG forecasts that Indonesia suffers from drought from June to October, leading to higher risks of forest fire.



In the recent two years, Indonesia has managed to reduce smog from forest fire.



Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for all relevant parties to roll out early preventive measures against forest fire.



In 2015, Indonesia was seriously impacted by forest fire which destroyed over 2.6 million hectares of forest and caused loss of over 20,000 billion Rupiah.



Smog from forest fire also affected a large number of flights, schools and public health facilities, while influencing the environment in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. About 504,000 people suffered from respiratory diseases due to environmental pollution caused by forest fire, source from Vietnamnews.




Though it's a drop in the bucketcompared to his reckless rhetoric and the four deaths that occurredunder his watch at the Milwaukee County Jail, one of the odderblotches on former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke's record isthe allegation that he plagiarized portions of his 2013 master'sthesis for the Naval Postgraduate School, "Making U.S. securityand privacy rights compatible.



According to a CNN report in May, Clarke lifted language wholesale for that thesis from avariety of sources, including the 9/11 Commission Report, theWashington Post and even former President George W. Bush's bookDecision Points. Because in part because of the baggage surroundinghim, Clarke was denied a position at the U.S. Department of HomelandSecurity this spring.



It seems that the Naval PostgraduateSchool has taken those plagiarism allegations seriously. In a newreport published this afternoon, CNN KFile writes that Clarke mustrevise his master's thesis or risk losing his security studiesdegree. Citing records obtained by a Freedom of Information Actrequest, CNN reports, The Naval Postgraduate School's dean ofstudents, Cdr. Paul Rasmussen, wrote in a July letterto Clarke obtained by KFile that he concurred with a finding of an'Honor Code Board' that the thesis was 'in violation' of the school'shonor code. The letter reportedly informed Clarke that he had 100days (until Oct. 23) to resubmit his thesis, though it also offeredhim an extension of 100 days should he request it.



It's been a roller-coaster year for Clarke. Last month Clarke resigned assheriff and announced he was accepting a position at the pro-Trumpsuper PAC American First Action. Reports later emerged that Clarkehad been in consideration for an official position in the Trumpadministration, but was denied it because of the objections of WhiteHouse Chief of Staff John Kelly.



Kellys position as chief ofstaff made the arrangement a 'non-starter,' as one senior White Houseofficial put it, as the Daily Beast reported. Earlier thisyear, while serving as DHS Secretary, Kelly had informed Clarke thatan appointment to that department would not happen in part due toscandal surrounding the treatment of inmates in Clarkes jail, andthe ensuing negative media attention.
If you want to get a jump on next year's Oscar nominees, you might want to check out "The Big Sick." It's likely to figure into the screenplay category and more.

Revealing plenty about relationships  particularly in times of stress  and the bond that families share no matter what the culture, it rouses a world of emotions in less than two hours.

Based on Kumail Nanjianis real-life experiences, the new comedy covers so much territory youll feel like youre a part of his family  his Pakistani-born Muslim family.

Working on a standup career, Nanjiani (he uses his own name and doesnt mask many of the details) falls for a heckler (Zoe Kazan) at one of his sets. She goes home with him, they start a relationship and insist theyre not going to let it get complicated.

He, after all, is bound to a family tradition and, most likely, will marry someone with the same religious beliefs.

She isnt clued in on the nuances of his family and cant understand why he wont meet her parents. The two split and then he gets a call asking for permission to put her in a medically induced coma.

Comedy?

Oh, yes. While director Michael Showalter veers toward Terms of Endearment at one point, he manages to find humor in the darkest situations.

Nanjiani meets her parents at the hospital and doesnt have the heart to tell them hes not seeing their daughter anymore. He learns plenty about their lives, too, and sees where Emily gets her drive and quirky spirit.

Holly Hunter and Ray Romano are so good as the parents youll want them to fill in more blanks. She, in particular, is a real force, insisting they need to move their daughter to the No. 1 hospital, not the No. 17th. If the Academy is paying attention, shell be remembered come Oscar time.

Nanjiani fits in nicely, but finds more humor in his own family. Theyre fairly proper, particularly when it comes to matchmaking. Mom pretends the parade of Miss Pakistan contestants just dropped by while theyre having dinner. He calls them on it, but its clear theyre married to tradition.

Showalter finds ways to mask the wounds of the situation (think: My Big Fat Greek Wedding) but doesnt hide from confronting some very big issues. "The Big Sick educates more than any number of very special television reports. It shows what a typical Muslim family is really like and how much love it exudes. In scene after scene, its very difficult to dismiss his religion or wrap it in stereotypes.

When Kazan emerges from the coma (spoiler alert), a new story unfolds  one that says illness doesnt change everything.

Nanjiani and Emily Gordon (his wife and co-writer) arent afraid to ask tough questions. They also know that which makes us uncomfortable also can make us laugh.

The Big Sick doesnt cure all that ails us, but it certainly suggests being different isnt lethal.
SIOUX CITY | Ask Carmen Rocha-Perez what her all-time favorite food is and the Loess Hills Elementary School first grader will proudly say it is chorizo.

Hmm, we're not exactly sure if Carmen will be able to find the popular Mexican sausage here. Instead, she'll be able to purchase plenty of fresh produce from three Sioux City Farmers Market vendors who set up shop Wednesday afternoon in the back of the elementary school.

According to Cindy Zortman, an educator with Woodbury County's Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach office, the vendors were on hand to teach kids two important lessons.

"First, students will be exposed to fresh produce and, secondly, they'll learn how to purchase it, using play money," she explained.

The latter option teaches kids about the economics of business while the former shows them how to choose healthier food options.

Zortman said this was the first time Farmers Market vendors had worked with first graders at Loess Hills. On Thursday, they set up shop for first through third graders at Morningside Elementary School.

"We are able to do this through an Iowa Nutrition School Grant Program fund," she said. "In the past, we've held similar Farmers Market days at Riverside and Spalding Park Elementary Schools."

While Michael Cortez purchased some honey sticks with his money, the first grader was more excited about wearing a beekeeping mask, courtesy of the people at the Loess Hills Honey stand.

"I could barely see out of that thing," Michael said, removing the mask.

Classmate Edwin Hernandez, however, was all about the art of the deal.

Given seven dollars worth of play money, Edwin was weighing the options between purchasing carrots as opposed to some jalapeno peppers.

"It's fun seeing how the kids pick and choose options with a limited amount of money," ISU Extension and Outreach program coordinator Molly Hewitt said. "Is a one-dollar squash a better bargain than a box of tomatoes that sells for the same amount? The squash may be bigger but tomatoes might be more versatile."

Watching Edwin internally debate between the two options, Hewitt speculated, "I bet he's been grocery shopping with his family."

This is certainly true with Jacee Sands, a Loess Hills first grader who attended her school's Farmers Market with dad Ryan Sands.

"Jacee likes going grocery shopping and being surrounded by food," Ryan Sands said.

Showing off her bag of Farmers Market finds, Jacee has lots of fresh veggies to share with her family.

Indeed, some of her track may going into mom's homemade chicken noodles, which is Jacee's favorite meal.

"Jacee is like me," Ryan Sands said. "We may not know how to make food but we sure know how to eat it."
SIOUX CITY | A new exhibit at the Sioux City Public Museum is showcasing the military contributions of Siouxland residents past and present.

Titled "Honoring Our Armed Services: 1861-2017," the exhibit will feature uniforms, weaponry and equipment from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and the post-9/11 wars. It will also highlight important military installations in the Sioux City area during the past 160 years.

A slideshow will feature historic photographs of area military installations, service members and veterans organizations.

Curator of History Matt Anderson will present an exhibit tour 2 p.m. Oct. 15.

A program titled "Over Here: The World War I Homefront in Sioux City" will be presented by Steve Warnstadt 2 p.m. Nov. 19. Other programs may be added in December.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Junior ROTC will display other military uniforms from the Museum's collection at area public schools.

The exhibit will be on display at the museum, 607 Fourth St., through Dec. 31. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
DES MOINES, Iowa | Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, joined a handful of Iowa officials Friday to finalize a multi-billion-dollar grain deal with Taiwan.

Under the agreement, which was signed in Des Moines on Friday by a Taiwanese delegation, the Asian nation has agreed to purchase an estimated $2.8 billion in American corn, soybeans and wheat over the next two years, according to a news release from King's office.

The deal follows a trip by King to visit Taiwanese officials, including President Tsai Ing-Wen, on behalf of Iowa corn and soybean producers during which he expressed Iowa's interest in the purchase agreement.

On Friday, King and a delegation of Taiwanese officials joined acting Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Greg, Iowa Economic Development Authority Chief Operating Officer Rita Grimm, Mark Heckman of Iowa Corn and Rolland Schnell of Iowa Soybean.

"It is important for Iowa agriculture that we work to open foreign markets to our home-grown products," King said in the release. "This is a win-win deal which promotes both Iowa's economic interests and also Taiwan's food and national security needs."

Prior to Friday's meeting, King had participated in a signing ceremony in Washington during which the Taiwanese government formally announced its intention to enter the trade agreement.
SIOUX CITY | Big changes are at hand for state Sen. Bill Anderson, R-Pierson, who has accepted a job leading the Cherokee Area Economic Development Corporation.

To fulfill the duties of the full-time position, Anderson will soon give up his seat in the Iowa Senate, which will trigger a special election for the GOP-leaning District 3 seat. He also will step down as a staffer for U.S. Rep Steve King, R-Iowa.

At some point in the future, Anderson said he and his family will move from rural Pierson to neighboring Cherokee County.

The Cherokee Area Economic Development Corp. announced Anderson's appointment as executive director Friday. He succeeds longtime director Mark Buschkamp, who stepped down in August to work for a financial institution in Cherokee.

Anderson, a two-term senator, said he is working with Gov. Kim Reynolds' office on the timing of his resignation from the Legislature. He said the special election will be held later this year, in time for a new senator to be seated prior to the start of the 2018 legislative session in January.

The winner of the special election would serve the remainder of Anderson's four-year term, which runs through 2018. The new senator also likely would also have a leg up on other potential candidates who would run for the seat in the June primary and November general elections.

Senate District 3, which takes in nearly all of Plymouth County and western and northern Woodbury County, including the Morningside neighborhood of Sioux City, is heavily Republican, with 17,635 registered GOP voters compared to 8,741 registered Democrats.

Anderson was first elected to the Senate in 2010, defeating Democrat Marty Pottebaum by a wide margin, and then ran unopposed for re-election in 2014.

In an interview Friday, Anderson acknowledged he will be going through quite a few changes in his life all at once.

A native of Sioux City, Anderson has worked in politics for 19 years, with 10 in the congressional office of King and nine years prior to that for U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. His last day of work for King's office is Sept. 30, he said.

"I want to do something else and broaden my horizons," Anderson said.

Anderson said a friend employed at the hospital in Cherokee approached him about applying for the economic development post.

"It was honestly not anything I sought out...It was something we thought we couldn't turn down," Anderson said.

Anderson said when he was dating his future wife Angie, they frequently met in Cherokee as a midpoint point between his home in Sioux City and her residence in Peterson. The couple also held their wedding reception in Cherokee.

Since then, Peterson said he has come to know the county well, through his legislative and congressional duties.

I love Cherokee County and am excited to have this opportunity," Anderson said. "I look forward to leading CAEDC and working closely with The Marcus Economic Development Group, the Aurelia Development Group and Cherokee Industrial Corporation in addition to all the other communities of Cherokee County. My family and I look forward to this next chapter in our lives in an area we call home."

Cherokee Area Economic Development Corp. Board Chairman Brian Freed noted Anderson was selected by an unanimous vote.

"The board could not have found a better fit to lead CAEDC," Freed said in a statement. "Bill has the knowledge, passion, drive and network in addition to understanding how business operates to help lead our county to the next level."

Rick Mongan, who represents the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors on the CAEDC Board, said Anderson's experience in Des Moines and as an former aide to Grassley and King would be beneficial in his new role.

Bill and his wife, Angie, have a son, Joseph, 9, and two daughters, Eva, 7 and Mary, 3. The couple has resided for the past 10 years near Pierson. They own and operate Anderson Professional Services, an accounting and bookkeeping business in Sioux City.

Born and raised in Sioux City, Bill Anderson is a graduate of the Sioux City public school system, and a veteran of the Iowa Army National Guard.
SIOUX CITY | St. Lukes College in Sioux City has been named the best small college in Iowa by a tech startup online site.

California-based Zippia said it uses public data and analytics to help new grads find great locales to start their careers.

To find the best small colleges in the Hawkeye State, Zippia looked at colleges with an enrollment of less than 2,000 people and data from the National Center For Education Statistics and College Scorecard data from ED.gov to understand what small schools offer the best career opportunities.

St Lukes College graduates earn the eighth highest salaries in the state for all small colleges  even a decade after graduation," according to Zippia. "Its 24 percent admission rate means the college is exclusive (a good sign), and the cost is the sixth lowest, meaning you get a big bang for your buck.

St. Lukes has 292 students enrolled in the 2017-18 academic year. The college dates back more than 100 years and offers bachelors degree completion programs in nursing and health sciences; associate degree programs in nursing, radiologic technology and respiratory care; and a bevy of certification and specialty certifications.

In a statement, St. Lukes Chancellor Michael Stiles said the hospital was grateful for the recognition.

We are pleased that St. Lukes College has been recognized as being the Best Small College in the state of Iowa, he said. As a small private, hospital-based institution of higher education, being named the best is a testament to the great work we do educating future health care professionals. We are excited about this recognition and No. 1 ranking as it will help tell our story, making us no longer the best kept secret in Siouxland.

While St. Lukes might be considered the best small college in the state, it wasnt the only Sioux City institute of higher learning recognized by Zippia. Morningside College was ranked 10th.

Zippia did not highlight Morningside as extensively as some of the other entries, but it noted that only 56 percent (of applicants) are admitted, and post-grade employment rates are eighth best in the state.

After St. Luke's, Zippia's top five colleges in Iowa were: Allen College, Waterloo; Grinnell College, Grinnell; Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque and Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids.
Another round of election results came in, and once more Iowa Democrats proclaimed a foreshadowing victory.

Local school board elections were held across the state Tuesday, and the next day the Iowa Democratic Party celebrated victories by Democratic and progressive candidates.

Party officials also said those victories suggest voter backlash against the Republican-led Legislatures action earlier this year to strip most benefits for which public employees may collectively bargain. Those victories portend more Democratic electoral success to come, they reasoned.

Across the state, we saw Iowans stand up for public education, Iowa Democratic Party chairman Troy Price said in a news release. This is only the beginning. Democrats are ready to win at the municipal level this November, then take back seats from the statehouse to the courthouse in 2018.

The victory proclamation is not unlike what Democrats offered after an August special election for a southeastern Iowa seat in the state House. Even though the seat had been held by a Democrat for years, Democrats celebrated the victory because Trump carried the district in 2016.

That special election, Democrats said, indicate voters are turning on Trump and Republicans. A political scientist I interviewed for this column said it is perilous to use a legislative election to predict future election results, especially at the presidential level.

It seems similarly unlikely this weeks school board election results mean anything beyond who will serve on school boards.

Perhaps most noteworthy is that school board elections are not partisan. Candidates do not declare a political party.

And there is the matter of turnout, which is dramatically low for school board elections, often in the single digits. I asked the Scott, Black Hawk, Woodbury and Cerro Gordo county auditors about turnout for this weeks school board elections; none were higher than 7 percent.

But Democrats are reeling after disastrous 2014 and 2016 election cycles, and they feel some grassroots momentum in the wake of the 2016 elections and the actions taken by the GOP-led White House and Congress, and in Iowa the GOP-led governors mansion and Iowa Legislature.

So when Democrats celebrate school board elections, it may be more about keeping their voters excited about whats happening and whats to come.

But its probably not yet safe to predict Democratic waves in 2018 and 2020 based on a couple of local elections this year.

Monuments and race

Recently I reported on Iowas two Confederate monuments, both in southeastern Iowa, in the context of the national discussion over whether such monuments should be removed from public places. That debate was ignited by events in Virginia, where on Aug. 11 and 12 white supremacists protested the removal of a Confederate statue and clashed with counter-protesters, leaving one dead.

The University of Virginias Center for Politics recently teamed with Reuters/Ipsos on a national poll that found a majority of Americans --- 57 percent --- said Confederate monuments should remain in public spaces. Just a quarter --- 26 percent --- of respondents said those monuments should be removed.

But there is a distinct difference when the results are broken down by race.

Among black Americans, 54 percent said Confederate monuments should be removed and just 25 percent said they should remain.

Among white Americans, two-thirds --- 67 percent --- said the monuments should remain, while just 19 percent said they should be removed.

The poll surveyed 5,360 people from Aug. 21 through Sept. 5.

Ag secretaries come to Iowa

Tom Vilsack, the former Iowa governor and U.S. ag secretary, will return to Iowa next month to participate in a panel discussion with the five most recent U.S. ag secretaries.

The event is part of the World Food Prizes Hunger Summit in Des Moines.

Vilsack will be joined by fellow former ag secretaries Dan Glickman, Ann Veneman, Mike Johanns and Ed Schafer. The discussion will take place at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott and will focus on food insecurity.

It is not often that you have so much experience in leading American agriculture in one place and at one time, Vilsack said in a news release.

Those who wish to attend may register for the free event at iowahungersummit.org.
LA PLATA, 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.

(Sept. 15, 2017)The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.CRIME SOLVERS OFFERING REWARD IN HOME INVASION CASE / COMPOSITE SKETCHES OF SUSPECTS RELEASED: Charles County Sheriff's detectives are seeking the identities of three men responsible for a home invasion and robbery. On Sept. 3 at 10:30 p.m., three suspects broke into a house in the 3500 block of Elsa Avenue in Waldorf. They bound two adult residents and stole money and guns. The suspects fled in the victims' 2015 Dodge Charger, pearl blue in color. The vehicle has not been recovered. Investigators say the victims were targeted and the crime was not random. Lt. D. Stahla Commander in the Persons Crimes Section of the Criminal Investigations Divisionwho is also a forensic sketch artist, met with the victims and was able to create sketches of the suspects based on the victims' descriptions. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. J. McKenzie at (301) 609-6453. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com.THEFT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS: On Sept. 8 between 6:00 a.m.3:30 p.m., unknown suspect(s) stole catalytic converters from at least five cars parked at the Mattawoman Beantown Park and Ride in Waldorf. All of the vehicles were SUVs and all of the vehicles were parked on the northeast corner, facing the wood line. Officer A. Singh is investigating.
WASHINGTON

(Sept. 15, 2017)The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the following contract awards that pertain to local Navy activities., is being awarded afirm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of one CFM56-7B24EG04 engine for the C-40A aircraft and three CFM56-7B27AE engines for the P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Work will be performed in Villaroche, France (55 percent); and Durham, North Carolina (45 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2018. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $46,999,658 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The, is the contracting activity (N00019-17-C-0064)., is being awardedfor modification P00001 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-17-D-0004) to provide additional funding for the Service Life Assessment Program (SLAP) and Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), Phase C for the F/A-18E/F aircraft. The SLAP and SLEP programs facilitate the extension of the service life of the F/A-18E/F beyond the original design of the 6,000 flight hours. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (50 percent); and El Segundo, California (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor modification P00004 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-17-C-0003). This modification provides for the full-rate production and delivery of six Lot 41 F/A-18E and eight F/A-18F aircraft. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (46 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (30 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (3 percent); Mesa, Arizona (2 percent); Torrance, California (1 percent); Ontario, Canada (1 percent); Vandalia, Ohio (1 percent); Irvine, California (1 percent); Bohemia, New York (1 percent); Greenlawn, New York (1 percent); and Santa Clarita, California (1 percent), and various locations within the U.S. (12 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2019. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $676,575,190 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor firm-fixed-price task order N4008017F4183 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40080-17-D-0011) for renovation of an office building at Naval Support Facility, Dahlgren. The work to be performed provides for the complete interior renovation of Buildings 218 and 111 to be performed in three phases to include temporary chiller and hookups, window replacement, drainage repair, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2017 working capital fund (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $12,202,490 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor modification P00048 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-15-C-0114) for recurring logistics services of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in support of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-Department of Defense participants, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Support to be provided includes delivery of material (26,171 items) for depot stand-up and activation. The material delivered supports the Electro-Optical Targeting System for the F-35. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in in September 2019. Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps); non-DoD participant, and FMS funds in the amount of $8,769,892 will be obligated at time of award, $7,178,619 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($3,958,754; 45 percent); Marine Corps ($2,120,399; 24 percent); Navy ($1,099,466; 13 percent); non-DoD participants ($1,186,827; 14 percent); and FMS customers ($404,446; 4 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor modification P00031 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-15-C-0036) to exercise an option for continued support services to the Naval Air Systems Command's Air Vehicle Modification and Instrumentation Department. Services include support for the designing, developing, procuring, building, installing, testing and evaluating, calibrating, modifying, operating and maintaining instrumentation on aircraft and engines for the Navy and other government and commercial customers. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland (95 percent); China Lake, California (2.5 percent) and Point Mugu, California (2.5 percent); and is expected to be completed in September 2018. Fiscal 2017 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $503,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded afirm-fixed-price contract to provide unmanned aircraft systems intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance services in support of maritime operations, including operations and maintenance of the ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems and real-time electro-optical imagery and infrared imagery. Work will be performed in the Pacific theater and is expected to be completed in March 2021. Fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,830,523 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The, is the contracting activity (N00019-17-C-0087).
Bill Goldsborough caught this 45-inch rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay south of Thomas Point light in spring 2009. He let it go, because it was a big spawner. (Courtesy of Bill Goldsborough)

Saving the Bay is obviously about improving water quality, but equally tricky is the business of managing how much seafood we extract from that water. From crabs and other shellfish to finfish, modern technologies enable harvest pressure that could overwhelm the healthiest estuary. So, we need rulesand moderation.Opposing that is the boom-and-bust nature of estuaries like the Chesapeake. Subject to the whims of ocean on one end and 40-odd rivers on the other, to environmental conditions driven by capricious winds as much as predictable tides; seafood abundance is always up and down, here and gone, not all at the same time or on knowable schedules. So, for watermen, "get it while you can" is reasonably ingrained as essential to their livelihood.Managing these opposing forces makes life terribly interesting.No one has navigated this part of the Bay restoration puzzle longer, or with more skill and sensibility than scientist Bill Goldsborough, who retired late last year from a career with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation that spanned five decades.He reminded me that as recently as the 1990s, serious experts around the Chesapeake still maintained "you can't overfish crabs." The same "wisdom" prevailed for rockfish until the mid-1980s, when scientists finally made the case that the species' population was close to going off the cliff.A moratorium in Maryland and severe restrictions coastwide helped to bring back the rockfish. "That put us on track to acknowledge officially that [the] harvest really did affect [fish] resources," Goldsborough said. "People would laugh now if you said it didn't."That reminded him of a time in the 1980s when a high-level Maryland shellfish manager laughed in his face when he suggested oysters left in the Bay might be as valuable as those harvested.Since then, Goldsborough and the CBF can take a lot of credit for educating people about the ecosystem values of oysters' filtering pollution and providing habitat in the reefs they build when left undisturbed.Oyster management has moved away from only supporting harvests, to creating sanctuaries, as well as boosting aquaculture to take pressure off wild harvests.Goldsborough lamented that Maryland's governor, Larry Hogan, does not seem to understand that oysters need absolute sanctuaries to perform their ecosystem services well. Harvesting necessarily breaks apart their natural reef structure and cuts short their potential to seed areas outside the sanctuaries as they release floating larvae.He said that Hogan's support for watermen who fought a bill that ultimately passed last year's legislature was discouraging. "It was to simply do what we've done for every other Bay fishery," he said. "A stock assessment [to count how many oysters there are]. Just standard management."Still, Goldsborough said he's seen mostly progress toward a sustainably harvested Chesapeake. Blue crabs have joined rockfish in becoming managed in ways that seem to be working for fishermen and for the Bay.Menhaden, important commercially for oil and crab baitas well as forage for other species from loons to rockfishare finally under a harvest quota. The quota needs work, and the bait needs of crabbers need higher priority, Goldsborough said. "But I'm pretty confident we're going to get that done."Even with oysters, there's now a strong public constituency for sanctuaries, as well as a nonprofit Oyster Recovery Partnership that helps restore oysters Baywide.Lagging still is the American shad, which once thronged Bay rivers to spawn each spring. "We have shut down fishing for them in the Bay and rivers [and] near-shore ocean," Goldsborough said. "But too many are still caught farther offshore, and too many dams block their spawning runs. We need to stop calling hydropower green and start removing dams."I'll miss Goldy, who's retiring to Florida. I met him in 1978 in his first job for the CBF as an educator on Smith Island"two of the best years of my life," he said. A decade later, I did the same job, three of the best years of my life. Like Goldsborough, I befriended many watermen there, and like him, I experienced some anguishing times when my stands on fishing issues clashed with theirs.In 1991, the two of us called for an oyster moratorium in a book I wrote for the CBF. We were forewarned we'd have our heads handed to us, and we pretty much did."But it began a needed dialogue about the importance of oysters to the Bay," Goldsborough said.I'm hoping we can rendezvous sometime back on Smith Island, where we'll keep the dialogue safely on cakescrab and eight-layer chocolate.Tom Horton has written about Chesapeake Bay for more than 40 years, including eight books. He lives in Salisbury, where he is also a professor of Environmental Studies at Salisbury University.
County Administrator Michael D. Mallinoff is pleased to announce the hiring of Martin Proulx as Agriculture Business Development manager. Proulx will begin his employment with Charles County Government on Monday, Sept. 18.As Agriculture Business Development manager, Proulx will be responsible for developing, implementing, and administering programs and initiatives to promote, enhance, and market the county's agricultural industries. Proulx will serve as the primary contact for promoting all aspects of the county's agricultural industry, collaborate with key industry stakeholders, and oversee initiatives that support local agriculture businesses."We're excited to bring Martin on board to the Economic Development Department as our first Agriculture Business Development manager," said Economic Development Department Director Darrell Brown. "Martin's experience in agriculture and community sustainability will be a valuable asset to our team as we continue our work to support the agriculture industry in Charles County."Proulx brings to the Economic Development Department years of experience in local agriculture and community sustainability. Prior to joining the department, Proulx spent three seasons managing the Howard County Global Farmers Market, where he orchestrated, promoted, and grew several producer-only markets with an emphasis on connecting residents to local farms and educating the public. In addition to his role at the Farmers Market, Proulx also served as assistant manager of the Roving Radish, a Howard County-sponsored meal delivery program, which aims to make fresh food and healthy meals accessible to county residents.Proulx holds a master's degree in business administration and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Frostburg State University.The Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (U.S. Route 301) across the Potomac River will be reduced to one lane with flagging operations alternating northbound and southbound traffic during the weekend of Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. The bridge will have 24/7 continuous flagging operations from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday each weekend. In the event of inclement weather, work may occur the weekend of Oct. 13.Trucks larger than 10-feet wide will not be permitted to cross the bridge during flagging operations. Drivers of vehicles exceeding the width restriction must call 301-259-4444 to obtain approval and schedule an escort. Calls must be made one hour prior to arrival at the bridge and will only be accepted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. No overweight vehicles, more than 80,000 pounds, will be permitted to cross the bridge when there is construction.The work is the Maryland Transportation Authority's $5.4 million project to repair the substructure and superstructure of the Nice Bridge. The project began in spring 2017 and is expected to be complete in early 2019.To view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov On Tuesday, Sept. 12, the Board of Charles County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to expand healthy drink and snack options offered in vending machines in county-owned buildings used by employees and residents. The Commissioners' action supports an idea brought forth by the Charles County Wellness Committee employees.The draft policy proposed by the County Administrator would require that at least 50 percent of items in machines meet American Heart Association-recommended nutrition standards for sugar, salt, fat, and other measures, and that every drink machine offer bottled water."We thank the Commissioners for voting to prioritize the health of our residents and workers," said Shawn McIntosh, executive director of Sugar Free Kids Maryland. "This helps the county continue moving towards a culture of health."This resolution is designed to help the county promote health, save lives, and reduce the costly effects of medical conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Chronic diseases are significantly affecting the lives of Charles County residents and leading to large health care costs. This builds on recent momentum in the state of Maryland where, since 2015, similar pieces of legislation that ensure healthy drinks and snacks in vending machines have been passed by Baltimore City, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and the Maryland National Parks and Planning Commission.Visit the American Heart Association website for more healthy living tips at www.heart.org . Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.The Charles County Commissioners invite the public to attend the September town hall meeting as scheduled below. The purpose of Commissioner town hall meetings is to take questions from those in attendance and to discuss items of importance to the citizens and the community. Board of County Commissioners' Quarterly Town Hall Meeting (District 3)Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.Westlake High School (3300 Middletown Rd, Waldorf)We encourage residents to email concerns/issues to CitizenResponse@CharlesCountyMD.gov prior to the meetings. Future town hall meeting dates are available at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.The Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism will sponsor the 2017 annual fall Fishin' Buddies Derby at Gilbert Run Park in Dentsville, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Anglers will compete by teams, which must include one adult at least 21 years of age and one child between the ages of 6 and 15. Each team must supply their own rods and bait. Trophies will be awarded in the two age divisions. Bank anglers will compete separately from those who fish from a boat. Local businesses have donated numerous fishing-related door prizes. All teams are eligible for the door prize drawings. Lunch will be provided to all participants.The entry fee is $7 per team. Pre-registration is required since participation is limited.Online registration is required. Visit www.CharlesCountyParks.com/parks/parks-special-events to register. The deadline to register is noon on Wednesday, Oct. 11.For more information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, at 301-932-3470 or 301-870-3388 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism would like to notify residents that the Indian Head Rail Trail will have partial closures starting Monday, Sept. 18 to Friday, Sept. 22 at the Route 225 crossing to Mattingly Avenue. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative needs to make emergency repairs to the power lines along the trail right-of-way. These rolling closures will be in effect daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Indian Head Trail users are reminded to observe safety cones and signs and be prepared to turn around. Other portions of the trail will not be affected and will remain open for public use. Repairs will involve the use of heavy equipment and material transport. The closure is necessary to ensure public safety and to expedite completion of repairs.For more information, please call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism at 301- 932-3470. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.1. [11:00 a.m.] Closed Session (Government Building Conference Room)1.01 [11:00 a.m.] Closed Session (Legal) All or a portion of this session may be closed pursuant to Section 3-305(b)(1) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland2. [12:00 p.m.] Luncheon Reception w/ Perry, White, Ross & Jacobson (Casey Jones, 417 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646)3. [3:00 p.m.] Open Session (Commissioners' Meeting Room)3.01 [3:00 p.m.] Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance3.02 [3:00 p.m.] Recognition: Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary Proclamation3.03 [3:05 p.m.] Commissioners' Comments3.04 [3:05 p.m.] Approval of the Minutes of August 29, 20173.05 [3:05 p.m.] Notice of the Tentative Agenda of September 26, 20173.06 [3:10 p.m.] Approval Items3.07 [3:15 p.m.] Briefing and Request for Approval of Resolution: Honorary Street Naming on behalf of Ms. Hattie Carroll, Subject of 1964 Song Recording by Bob Dylan (Commissioner Robinson)3.08 [3:30 p.m.] Briefing: Economic Development Initiatives and Projects (Mr. Darrell Brown, Director Economic Development Department/ Ms. Marcia Keeth, Deputy Director of Economic Development Department/ Mr. Taylor Yewell, Redevelopment Director)3.09 [4:00 p.m.] Briefing: Quarterly General Fund Review (Mr. David Eicholtz, Director of Fiscal & Administrative Services/Ms. Jenifer Ellin, Chief of Budget)3.10 [4:20 p.m.] Briefing and Request for Introduction: New Bond Authorization for Financing (Mr. David Eicholtz, Director of Fiscal & Administrative Services/Ms. Jenifer Ellin, Chief of Budget)3.11 [4:35 p.m.] Briefing: Modification to WSSC Sewer Agreement (Mr. Jason Groth, Chief of Resource & Infrastructure Management)3.12 [4:45 p.m.] Briefing and Request to Schedule a Hearing: Scotland Heights Planned Development Zone Amendment #01-10 (Ms. Yolanda Hipski, Program Manager/ Ms. Heather Kelley, Planner III)3.13 [5:00 p.m.] Briefing and Request for Approval: DBE Goals for VanGo Bus Procurement (Mr. Steven Kaii-Ziegler, Director and Planning & Growth Management/Mr. Jeffry Barnett, Chief of Transit)3.14 [5:15 p.m.] Action on Boards, Committees, Commissions4. [5:15 p.m.] Closed Session (Government Building Conference Room)4.01 [5:15 p.m.] Closed Session (Legal) All or a portion of this session may be closed pursuant to Section 3-305(b)()() of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland5. [6:00 p.m.] Public Hearing (Commissioners' Meeting Room)5.01 [6:00 p.m.] Public Hearing: Hughesville Village Zoning ZTA #17-145/Bill #2017-07 and ZMA #17-55/Bill #2017-08THIS AGENDA IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICEThe County Commissioners will not be holding public session. The Commissioners will be representing the county at other meetings and will conduct individual appointments as scheduled.THIS AGENDA IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Brandon Matthew Weare, 28 Devonte Arnez Shubrooks, 24, of no fixed address Lavar Taron Sherbert, 34 Previous Next

LEONARDTOWN, Md.

Arrests

Sex Offender Incidents

Serious Vehicle Crashes

Incident Briefs

Bulletins

(Sept. 16, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.ATTEMPTED SHOOTING: On September 5, patrol deputies responded to St. Mary's Square, located at 21600 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, for the report of an attempted shooting in the parking lot. Officers made contact with an adult victim who was not injured from the shooting. The investigation was continued by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID). The investigation revealed the victim encountered, in the area of the businesses on a nearby sidewalk. The victim and Shubrooks became engaged in a heated argument. During the argument, Shubrooks got inside of a vehicle and as the vehicle was leaving the area, Shubrooks began shooting at the victim while he was standing on the sidewalk. The victim was not shot and contacted the police for further assistance. Shubrooks was unable to be located. An arrest warrant has been obtained for his arrest for the following criminal violations: Assault First Degree; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; and Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Shubrooks was located on Sept. 6.FAIL TO NOTIFY OF ADDRESS CHANGE: The Criminal Investigations Division, received information about a registered sexual offender that was possibly residing in Lexington Park without the knowledge of law enforcement officers. The investigation revealed, was a registered sexual offender stemming from a conviction in 2011 from the state of Wisconsin. On August 29, Detective Melissa Hulse responded to the residence in Lexington Park and contact was made with Weare who confirmed he had been residing at the given address for an extended period of time. Weare was also unable to provide Detective Hulse with a valid reason as to why he had not reported his address to the sheriff's office as required by law. Subsequently, he was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with Sex Offender Reg-Fail to Notify/Include.ARREST WARRANT:, is a tier III registered sexual offender, meaning he will remain on the registry for life. There was an active arrest warrant for Sherbert's arrests stemming from a violation involving his sex offender registry status. He was located on Sept. 14.FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION: On September 8, at approximately 4:02 p.m., patrol units were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle collision on St. John's Road in the area of Daniel Farm Lane in Hollywood. Units arrived on scene to find a single vehicle with two occupants into a telephone pole.The Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2002 GMC Envoy, operated by Michael Emerson, 41, of Leonardtown, was traveling West on St. John's Road towards Hollywood Road. A passenger, Carrie Emerson, age 39, of Leonardtown, was in the front passenger seat. The vehicle left the roadway for unknown reasons, and the operator attempted to regain control of the vehicle. The operator over-corrected, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway again and strike a telephone pole. The operator was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger was transported by Trooper 6 to Prince George's Shock Trauma Center for treatment.At this time speed and alcohol appear to be contributing factors.Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or any events leading up to the collision is asked to contact Deputy Smith at 301-475-4200 ext. *2328.ARMED ROBBERY: On Monday, August 21, at approximately 8:30 p.m., deputies from the patrol division responded to Queen Anne Park Apartment Complex in Lexington Park for an armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver. The suspects, described as three teenage black males, fled on foot from the area. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact Corporal Teague at 301-475-4200, ext.*8128 or by email, Trevor.Teague@stmarysmd.com.THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) removed a victim's ATV from their yard in the 27000 block of Brothers Lane in Mechanicsville. Corporal Carberry is investigating the case. CASE #47360-17.BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: During the overnight hours of 9/7 into 9/8, unknown suspect(s) entered multiple motor vehicles and stole property on Scarlet Oak Court in California. Corporal Maguire and Deputy First Class Potter are investigating the cases. CASE #47513-17, 47521-17, 47530-17.BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) entered a motor vehicle and stole property from a vehicle sitting on Route 5 near Bob Green Siding in Mechanicsville. Corporal J. Yingling is investigating the case. CASE #47528-17.BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence in the 22000 block of Breton Bay Drive in Leonardtown and stole property. Deputy Payne is investigating the case. CASE #47642-17.BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) entered a motor vehicle in the 23000 block of Spalding Lane in Leonardtown and stole property. Corporal Flerlage is investigating the case. CASE #47643-17.BODY FOUND: On September 12, a citizen contacted the Emergency Communication Center (ECC) to report they had located the body of a deceased adult male in a body of water located at Tarkill Cove (St. George's Creek) in Piney Point. Based on the nature of the investigation, detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The male, identified as Ronald Westerfield, was reported missing by co-workers on September 11. Westerfield was transferred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. At this time, there does not appear to be any suspicious factors surrounding Westerfield's death.BURGLARY: During the overnight hours, unknown suspect(s) entered a shed and stole property in the 45000 block of Blackistone Circle in Hollywood. Deputy First Class Tirpak is investigating the case. CASE #48134-17.THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry through the fence of Winegardner Chevrolet and stole property. Corporal Knott is investigating the case. CASE #48150-17.BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a shed and stole property in the 25000 block of Three Notch Road in Hollywood. Corporal D. Snyder is investigating the case. CASE #48201-17.BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence in the 28000 block of Lockes Hill Road in Mechanicsville causing destruction to the property. Deputy Bowie is investigating the case. CASE #48388-17.BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a shed and stole property in the 46000 block of Rue Purchase Road in Lexington Park. Deputy Bowie is investigating the case. CASE #48361-17.BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Sometime between 9/12 and 9/13, unknown suspect(s) entered a motor vehicle and stole property in the 46000 block of Chapman Drive in Lexington Park. Deputy Bare is investigating the case. CASE# 48663-17ST. MARY'S COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO OFFER MEDICATION DISPOSAL AT THE ST. MARY'S COUNTY FAIR: The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office will collect unwanted medications at the St. Mary's County Fair from September 21September 24, 2017. Residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted medications to uniformed officers at the drop-boxes located next to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Command Post.This take back effort ensures that medications in our community are disposed of properly. Proper disposal of prescription medications helps protect you, your family and the environment. Avoid health problems that occur from accidentally taking the wrong medicine, too much of the same medicine, or medicine that has expired.Additionally, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office hosts a medication drop-off program 24 hours a day, seven days a week at our headquarters in Leonardtown. Through this program, residents may safely dispose of unused or expired medications in the collection boxes. All deposits through the program are completely anonymous.The Sheriff's Office accepts all forms of medicationsexcept for syringes.
Books-A-Million donated more than 480 books for Charles County Public Schools students who are homeless or in foster care. Pictured from left are Meighan Hungerford, acting director of elementary instruction for CCPS, Books-A-Million co-manager Allie Petherick and Bethany Goodwin, youth in transition coordinator for CCPS.

Milton M. Somers Middle School participated in the Kent Avenue Partnership third annual Community Block Party Aug. 19 at Caroline Park in La Plata. Spearheaded by La Plata Police Chief Carl Schinner, the event featured local groups and organizations, local law enforcement, amusements and music. The party allowed everyone to celebrate the end of summer and start to a new school year together. Education Systems Federal Credit Union provided backpacks with free school supplies. Somers' administration intern Sonia Matthew and Pam Jenkins, a pupil personnel worker at Somers, provided information about school bus safety and extracurricular opportunities for students. Pictured from left are La Plata Mayor Jeannine James, Latisha Chase of Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Matthew, Kameron Taylor, a Somers seventh grader, Somers parent Curtney Taylor, Jenkins and Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry.

Books are a gateway to other worlds. They can be anchors that keep a reader grounded in a story, or wings elevating readers to places they've only imagined. But for some students, books can be hard to come by.Books-A-Million recently donated more than 480 books to Charles County students who are homeless or in foster care."Children who are homeless or in foster care often don't have much that they can call their own," said Meighan Hungerford, acting director of elementary instruction. "We want to give them something that is theirs. Something that will enrich their lives."Books-A-Million customers donated titles to a summer book drive that the store started in late July. The store's co-manager Allie Petherick said she was "thrilled" by the response. "We reached 114 percent of our goal," she said. "As the only bookstore in Charles Countyand I as a parent toowe know how much [educators] do out of pocket. We wanted to say 'Thank you.'"Customers could select books to donate, or take the suggestion of a sales clerk. Books collected ranged from Dr. Seuss classics to Sherlock Holmes mysteries, from Laura Ingalls Wilder book sets to graphic novels. Pupil personal workers will give out the books to students in need.Charles County Public Schools is hosting financial aid nights at its seven high schools next month to provide students and parents with strategies and tips on paying for college. Staff from the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will present on the college fund search as well as share tips and other helpful resources about scholarships and the college planning process.The annual Charles County College Fair is Monday, Sept. 18 at North Point High School. High school juniors and seniors attend the fair as part of their school day. Two financial aid sessions will be offered during the public evening hours of the fair for parents, students and community members.The following is a list of dates, times and locations. All financial aid nights are open to the public. Students are not required to attend the session set for their specific high school. Monday, Sept. 18Charles County College Fair at North Point High School, 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5North Point High School, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5St. Charles High School, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12Westlake High School, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18Thomas Stone High School, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19Maurice J. McDonough High School, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24La Plata High School, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25Henry E. Lackey High School, 6 p.m.At each financial aid session, staff will be available to help students and parents register for their federal student aid (FSA) identification number. This number is required for any student to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Specific questions about each school's financial aid night can be directed to the school college and career advisor.Registration for the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) annual fall chess tournament, set for 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21 at Thomas Stone High School, is now open for students. The tournament is for students in grades kindergarten through 12.Interested participants must register online at ccpsregistration.wufoo.com/forms/ccps-2017-fall-chess-tournament/ by Wednesday, Oct. 18. Walk-in registrations will not be accepted.The tournament features a four round Swiss Style format. Students compete in five divisions of play, depending on their grade level of enrollment: kindergarten through second grade, grades 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-8 and grades 9-12.The first match begins at 9 a.m., with additional matches beginning at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Players competing in the 7-8 and 9-12 grade-level divisions will use chess clocks and are allotted 15 minutes per game. Sign-in begins at 8 a.m.; students must check in by 8:45 a.m. in order to be matched for play in the first round. Students who check in after 8:45 a.m. will be paired to play in a later round.An awards ceremony will follow the matches beginning at noon. Players will receive a trophy, medal and/or certificate for participation. Participation is free and open to all Charles County students. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the Stone concession window.Questions can be directed to Ann Taylor, content specialist in gifted education for CCPS, at ataylor@ccboe.com or 301-934-7378.The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released local school system and school-level data today for PARCC, Maryland's school assessments in English/Language Arts and mathematics. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) closed its gap with the state average and showed steady growth in most subjects and grades."We continue to move in the right direction, with improvement in overall scores and instruction. We are focused on classroom instruction and test scores are one indicator we use to make adjustments to our curriculum and to meeting the needs of all of our students," Superintendent Kimberly Hill said.CCPS students showed significant improvement in Algebra I at the middle school level and Algebra II in high school. Algebra II scores increased to 47.6 percent, and 17.6 percent above state average."We made some nice strides and improvements. The results provide us with information to help us improve classroom instruction. PARCC scores are just one of many indicators we use to meet the needs of our students and prepare our students to reach college and career readiness goals," Deputy Superintendent Amy Hollstein said.According to MSDE, for students in grades 3 through 8, achieving level 4 or 5 indicates their readiness for coursework in English/Language Arts and math at the next grade, with the goal of preparing students to enter college or a career upon graduation. High school students taking Algebra I and English II are required to reach a certain proficiency level as a high school graduation requirement.Mathematics: Overall, students in grades 3-5 scored 36.5 percent at levels 4 and 5, up from 36.1 percent in 2016. Fifth-grade students scored 31.2 percent at levels 4 and 5; fourth-grade students scored 36 percent at levels 4 and 5; and third-grade students scored 42.2 percent at levels 4 and 5.English/Language Arts: Overall, students in grades 3-5 scored 42.1 percent at levels 4 and 5, up from 37.4 percent in 2016. Fifth-grade students scored 46.1 percent at levels 4 and 5; fourth-grade students scored 41.3 percent at levels 4 and 5; and third-grade students scored 38.8 percent at levels 4 and 5.Mathematics: Overall, 34.4 percent of middle school students scored a combined score of 4 and 5 on the mathematics assessment, up from 30.78 in 2016. Students in eighth grade taking the mathematics assessment scored 12.9 percent at levels 4 and 5; students in seventh grade scored 27.2 percent at levels 4 and 5; and students in sixth grade scored 26 percent at levels 4 and 5. Middle school students taking the PARCC Algebra I assessment scored 71.58 percent at levels 4 and 5, up from 51.5 percent in 2016.English/Language Arts: Overall, 35.7 percent of middle school students scored at levels 4 and 5 combined, up from 35.5 in 2016. Countywide, students in eighth grade scored 39 percent at levels 4 and 5; students in seventh grade scored 38.3 percent at levels 4 and 5; and students in sixth grade scored 29.9 percent at levels 4 and 5.Two PARCC assessments, Algebra I and English II, became high school graduation requirements in the 2016-17 school year.Algebra I: Overall, 33.5 percent of high school students scored at levels 4 and 5, up from 29.7 in 2016.English II: Overall high school students scored 40.8 percent at levels 4 and 5, down from 42.4 percent in 2016.The PARCC assessment scoring uses a five-point score scale set by Maryland educators and others: Level 5Exceeded Expectations Level 4Met Expectations Level 3Approached Expectations Level 2Partially Met Expectations Level 1Did Not Yet Meet ExpectationsThese tests also will show growth in student achievement over time. For example, parents and teachers will better be able to determine if students taking the math and reading assessments in third grade are progressing in their understanding of the subject matter when they reach fourth grade and beyond.The pattern of raising standards and creating new assessments has been in place in Maryland since the 1980s.The school system is mailing individual student reports to parents in September.For complete CCPS results, visit reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/.
Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme  La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza.



Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres.




The Daily Breeze Ball Drive is a holiday tradition that now spans more than two decades in the South Bay and Harbor Area.
Complaints about dress code enforcement that had simmered all week at Kelso High School may have contributed to a case of social media running amok Friday morning.

At 10:30 a.m. Friday, a 911 caller, who identified himself, said his sister, a student at the high school, had texted him saying there was a shooter at the school and students were running out of the building.

The report was wrong. Police and administrators at the scene immediately knew that, but social media quickly lit up with complaints about the district's decision not to lock down the school or notify parents.

No one knows for sure how this situation evolved, but it may be linked to the dress code issue.

All week, the school has been abuzz with complaints that school officials often enforce the dress code unfairly and target religious accessories. The administration denies it, and on Thursday Kelso High School Principal John Gummel posted an email to parents warning that students who do not follow the dress code would be disciplined.

"Some of our staff have been unfairly demonized" for enforcing guidelines set by the school board, he wrote.

While the dress code tempest brewed, rumors circulated on Facebook that there would be a shooting at the school and that someone had brought in a gun, said Kelso Police officer Aaron Marthaller, who investigated Friday morning. Given the rumors, he said, the student who had texted her brother may have seen the school's walking class leaving Kelso High in a group and mistakenly believed they were fleeing a gunman.

No one is certain the rumblings about the dress code spawned the rumors of pending violence, but Marthaller and school district spokeswoman Beth Grambo suspect they did arise that way.

Marthaller said no specific threat was phoned in against the school and that district officials were aware of the situation and handled it appropriately.

In response to complaints that it had not acted adequately to protect students, the district posted this Twitter and Facebook message Friday:

"Late last night a rumor was posted on social media that mentioned a possible school shooting today. The rumor spread and an investigation was initiated by Kelso High School Administration with the support of the Kelso Police Department. All leads were checked and the rumor was unsubstantiated. Even so, the Kelso police have maintained an elevated visible presence at the high school today."

Meanwhile, the dress code controversy continued into Friday afternoon, as 13 students picketed along Allen Street outside the school after the school day ended.

Were participating because (my friend and I) have gotten dress-coded a few times for things that really shouldnt have been dress-coded. I think they take it way too seriously here with making us take off our crosses  and caring more about what we are wearing more than our education half the time, said sophomore Kristen Vossen, one of the protesters. "We are not a distraction. Holes in our pants or our shoulders are not distracting anyone from their learning. I dont think anyone cares about it except the school.

Fellow sophomore Lucas Napper said, These girls, they spend so much time and money into how they look. Thats how they want to look, these teachers have no right to take that from them. These girls  thats one of the most important things in their life.

Parent Cindy Lampe, 55, joined the students, saying her daughter, a junior, was "dress-coded that morning for the same pair of pants she had worn consistently throughout the year."

I think that the kids need to be heard. I wish there would have been a parent-student forum prior to it coming to this level. Had that had been done, my daughter wouldnt have broken dress code, because I wouldve understood what their position was and they wouldve understood what the students position is.

The high school dress code requires that "skirts, shorts, rips (in pants) or dresses must be 5 inches from the top of the knee in all positions."

Students violating the dress code are asked if they have alternative outfits on campus. Otherwise, they must call parents to bring other clothing.

In his letter, Principal Gummel noted: "The opinion of some is that our dress code has not changed with the times and it is not representative of our current student culture. Depending on your perspective, this may or may not be true. What is true is that we do have a board approved dress code and it is our job to support that code."

About 35 students were tagged for violating the dress code Friday, which is more than normal. But reports that the student body planned mass violations in protest did not materialize, Grambo said.

In a prepared statement, Kelso School District Superintendent Glenn Gelbrich said, No student has been disciplined for wearing crosses or other religious items.

Gelbrich also stated that the district is addressing student concerns about dress code enforcement, and that the school districts dress code aligns with others in the region.
Not sure why but we never visit Switzerland until this year. My gosh it is a pretty (and expensive :) ) country, should be high on everyone who loves outdoors' must-see list.

Our itinerary:

Day 1: Fly to Zurich.

Day 2: Arrive Zurich in the morning, transfer to Lucerne by train. Lucerne sightseeing.

Day 3: Day trip to Bern.

Day 4: Day trip to Mt Pilatus.

Day 5: Go to Lauterbrunnen by train. Check out Gimmelwald and Murren.

Day 6: To Jungfrau.

Day 7: Go to Zermatt by train. Check out Matterhorn.

Day 8: Go to Lausanne by train. Lausanne sightseeing.

Day 9: Day trip to Montreux.

Day 10: Day trip to Geneva.

Day 11: Go to Chamonix, France by train + bus. Check out Aiguille du Midi and Pointe Helbronner.

Day 12: Day hike to Lac Blanc.

Day 13: One more look around Chamonix before taking an afternoon bus back to Geneva, Switzerland.

Day 14: Fly home from Geneva.

A few notes about this trip:

1. Get the Swiss Travel Pass. I know it seems expensive (cost us almost $500 pp for a 15-days Swiss Travel Pass), but believe me it really saves you money and time because everything in Switzerland is expensive if you have to buy tickets each time.

2. Chamonix's Mont Blanc MultiPass is sold in days not 24, 48 ... hours. But it is still a good value if you plan to go up Aiguille du Midi and Le Brevent.

(To be continued)
The number of patients being referred to the criminal wards at Washingtons congested psychiatric hospitals has spiked in the last year, a trend that has befuddled state officials and prompted them to scramble for answers.

The states psychiatric facilities, including Western State Hospital in Lakewood, already have struggled for years to overcome crowding and lengthy wait lists for care.

The result has been millions in fines and court orders to speed up required services for mentally ill defendants.

While in line to get help at the hospitals, patients accused of crimes have been left in local jails where they cant get proper treatment.

Yet the new and escalating rise in referrals to criminal, or forensic, wards makes the states tall task of shortening hospital wait lists even more difficult, especially with little idea of why its happening, said Thomas Kinlen, who oversees services for forensic patients for the state.

An August report from the state says the increase in referrals of forensic patients is leading to an increase in the admission wait list, especially on the western side of the state.

State Rep. Laurie Jinkins, a Tacoma Democrat who serves on a committee focused on state psychiatric hospitals, said the influx of new patients is incredibly troubling.

And its even more troubling that were not really able to put our finger on whats causing that, she said.

Forensic wards serve mentally ill patients who have been accused or convicted of a crime.

Patients are referred there by courts to be evaluated to see if theyre competent to stand trial. If theyre not, they receive mental health treatment to restore competency.

Those found not guilty of a crime by reason of insanity also get mental health treatment at forensic wards.

State data show 1,450 patients in 2016 were referred to forensic wards at state psychiatric facilities for treatment to evaluate or restore their competency to stand trial. In 2015, the hospitals saw just 1,076 such referrals.

Thats a roughly 35 percent jump. The previous four years saw growth only ranging from 0.4 percent to 10.5 percent.

Preliminary data from 2017 shows the influx continuing.

Referrals to forensic wards at 800-bed Western State Hospital have shot up 36 percent when comparing the first five months of 2017 to the same time period in 2016.

Western State is Washingtons biggest  and most crowded  psychiatric facility. A federal judge repeatedly has fined the state for not providing timely competency services to forensic patients, particularly at Western State.

Some growth in forensic referrals is normal and planned for, Kinlen said, but not at this rate.

The uptick of forensic patients skyrocketed starting in August of 2016, Kinlen said. It hasnt relented.

Here in the office we call it the spike, Kinlen said.

Kinlen said the state has begun reaching out to county officials for help determining the root of the issue. He said the uptick in patients is likely caused by a complex combination of factors.

But Kinlen said he wanted to explore ideas from the ordinary to the outlandish to find out. That could range from struggles with opioid addiction, greater recognition of mental health problems, or practices by defense lawyers, to because the price of gas went up, he said.